Pukin' Katz is a blog my wife has started about our feline friends. This is your chance to get the life stories of our boys, plus many more action and napping shots.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: cats, blogs
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Honda Civic, RIP
I've got a quick moment this morning to explain why there's been a dearth of posting on my part this week. My 1990 Honda Civic died on Christmas night. Something locked up in the steering mechanism as my lovely wife Rowan and I were leaving my parents' house. The next morning, I removed the ignition assembly and determined that that wasn't to blame. I put the car up on ramps and looked at the steering components underneath while my dad wiggled the steering wheel, yet I couldn't see anything obvious. Whatever it was would have required a trained mechanic to fix, and doubtless the bill for the labor would have been more than the car's value.
So now my parents have graciously lent us the car my mom usually uses to get to work. My wife's Volvo sprang an oil leak at the camshaft bearing a couple weeks ago, and our Range Rover has needed brake work for a while. My brother helped me replace the parking brake cable last week, and now I am in the midst of replacing the rear rotors and pads. I got the right side done Thursday night, and of course there were complications to the complications. I ended up rebuilding the caliper, and replacing the brake line. I'm soon out the door to work on the other side, which stymied me because I couldn't get the tire off. My lug wrench actually got bent in trying to remove some of the lug nuts. Fortunately, my dad had one of my grandfather's old breaker bars with the right size socket to use, so things should go better today.
Peace,
Tor
So now my parents have graciously lent us the car my mom usually uses to get to work. My wife's Volvo sprang an oil leak at the camshaft bearing a couple weeks ago, and our Range Rover has needed brake work for a while. My brother helped me replace the parking brake cable last week, and now I am in the midst of replacing the rear rotors and pads. I got the right side done Thursday night, and of course there were complications to the complications. I ended up rebuilding the caliper, and replacing the brake line. I'm soon out the door to work on the other side, which stymied me because I couldn't get the tire off. My lug wrench actually got bent in trying to remove some of the lug nuts. Fortunately, my dad had one of my grandfather's old breaker bars with the right size socket to use, so things should go better today.
Peace,
Tor
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
This Week's Tenant
This week, I had two strong applicants for renting the space in the left column. They both deserve your visit, so I hope you'll click on over to their blogs and say hi. I'm also adding both of them to my blogroll! (Which, as you may have noticed, has had a few sites removed lately and as such is a more exclusive neighborhood -- I'm about halfway down the list, and will be reevaluating the rest of the blogs in a methodical {i.e. slow} manner.)
The lucky tenant is Mystickal Incense & More. Despite the fact that I'm anti-incense, I allowed myself to ignore my prejudice and enjoy Stephanie's blog. She's a pagan entrepreneur who makes all of the products she sells by hand. The blog not only promotes her business, but also contains a lot of personal ruminations. Recently, she's had a lot of anti-bible-thumping rants. I'd hate to get on her bad side.
The other applicant was Reflections in the Mirror. Dawn has recently taken in a foster kitty, and otherwise advocates for cats with feline leukemia or immunodeficiency virus. She even operates a webring to that end.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: blogs, cats
The lucky tenant is Mystickal Incense & More. Despite the fact that I'm anti-incense, I allowed myself to ignore my prejudice and enjoy Stephanie's blog. She's a pagan entrepreneur who makes all of the products she sells by hand. The blog not only promotes her business, but also contains a lot of personal ruminations. Recently, she's had a lot of anti-bible-thumping rants. I'd hate to get on her bad side.
The other applicant was Reflections in the Mirror. Dawn has recently taken in a foster kitty, and otherwise advocates for cats with feline leukemia or immunodeficiency virus. She even operates a webring to that end.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: blogs, cats
Peter Porcupine
A shout out of gratitude to Peter Porcupine for renting me a spot on his blog. It's on the Cape, which isn't too crowded this time of year. Good spot for getting away from the holiday bustle. And a good spot for reading about injecting rationality into environmental policy.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: blogs, environment
Technorati tags: Cape Cod
Peace,
Tor
Categories: blogs, environment
Technorati tags: Cape Cod
Monday, December 26, 2005
New York Times: Spellbound
As far as I can tell, someone from the New York Times was visiting family or friends in Maine, and needed to put the travel expenses down as business-related. That's the only reason that folks from Gotham would bat an eye at a window display with young women wearing lingerie. This issue is such a yawner, except for two or three people in the Maine Christian Civic League, that when the Maine newspapers reported on it weeks ago, I couldn't really work up enough gumption to blog about it. Oh, and a few folks on the WLOB discussion boards seem to be in a snit, as well. Here we've got a state with serious problems, and some folks seem to think a bunch of Madonna-wannabes are priority one. Go figger.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Maine
Technorati tags: Augusta Maine, lingerie, lingerie models
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Maine
Technorati tags: Augusta Maine, lingerie, lingerie models
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Idiot on Ice
So you're a burglar who's gotten the car you've stolen from a dealership stuck in the icy driveway of a home from which you've just burgled a laptop computer. What to do? Ask the homeowners for help, of course! You should have been able to guess that the local constabulary would eventually be involved.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: idiots, crime, Maine
Peace,
Tor
Categories: idiots, crime, Maine
Free Speech in Augusta, Maine
Free speech will remain free in Augusta, at least for now. It's possible again to stage a political protest or march in the state's capital without obtaining insurance and paying the police department exorbitant fees.
Seems to me that pretty much sums it up.
One aspect of the case that was particularly troubling was that the city seemingly excluded certain groups from jumping through the hoops. That's political favoritism, even if the groups are the "Board of Education, Little League or other organizations." When you allow government or quasi-government bodies to have their marches for free, but charge significant amounts of money to dissenters, that's bald-faced tyranny.
This ruling is a great Christmas present for libertarians of all political persuasions in Maine. Even for folks who didn't know they were libertarians, but are, even if it's just concerning this one topic.
Peace,
Tor
Technorati Tags: Augusta Maine, MCLU
“To march is to speak,” said Judge John Woodcock in a 51-page opinion. He went on to say, “A march can be a powerful and effective community expression of ethos: to celebrate our heroes—as on Veteran’s Day; to applaud our commonly-held values—as on July 4th; or, consistent wit this Country’s longest-held traditions, to protest our policies and attempt to effect change—as in Selma or Washington, D.C.”
Seems to me that pretty much sums it up.
One aspect of the case that was particularly troubling was that the city seemingly excluded certain groups from jumping through the hoops. That's political favoritism, even if the groups are the "Board of Education, Little League or other organizations." When you allow government or quasi-government bodies to have their marches for free, but charge significant amounts of money to dissenters, that's bald-faced tyranny.
This ruling is a great Christmas present for libertarians of all political persuasions in Maine. Even for folks who didn't know they were libertarians, but are, even if it's just concerning this one topic.
Peace,
Tor
Technorati Tags: Augusta Maine, MCLU
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Howl @ The Moon
Howl @ The Moon is renting a space to Tor's Rants, starting today. Please stop by and say hi to Coyote! I am particularly intrigued by his concept of the Reality Exchange, tho I doubt I'd participate. I like to mull things over before I write (or speak) a response, so I tend to shy away from real-time interaction. Anyway, thanks for the parking spot, Coyote!
Peace,
Tor
Categories: blogs
Peace,
Tor
Categories: blogs
Buddhists for Christmas
You simply must read this essay on Christmas greetings, if only to find out what Jackie Mason did to let the world know how he feels about it.
The thing about Christmas that any sane person must admit is that it is only the current name of a long-observed holiday. And the folks in Sri Lanka, who are predominately Buddhist, adore Christmas. I think most Americans would have a hard time explaining all this "Happy Holidays" vs. "Merry Christmas" nonsense to Lankans.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Buddhism, religion, holidays
Technorati Tags: Christmas, Merry Christmas, Sri Lanka, Happy Holidays
The thing about Christmas that any sane person must admit is that it is only the current name of a long-observed holiday. And the folks in Sri Lanka, who are predominately Buddhist, adore Christmas. I think most Americans would have a hard time explaining all this "Happy Holidays" vs. "Merry Christmas" nonsense to Lankans.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Buddhism, religion, holidays
Technorati Tags: Christmas, Merry Christmas, Sri Lanka, Happy Holidays
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
ID got ID'd
When a conservative, Republican, church-going, Bush-appointed judge sees through the sham of Intelligent Design, you know the creationist movement will have tough sledding ahead.
I still think that the ultimate solution will be to set up a constitutional wall between school and state, just as there is now a wall between church and state. School (as does education in general) should deal intimately with questions of moral and perhaps religious or theological Weltanschauung. In a government-run school system, it is impossible to deal with such subjects without trampling on someone's First Amendment rights.
Peace,
Tor
Technorati Tags: Intelligent Design
I still think that the ultimate solution will be to set up a constitutional wall between school and state, just as there is now a wall between church and state. School (as does education in general) should deal intimately with questions of moral and perhaps religious or theological Weltanschauung. In a government-run school system, it is impossible to deal with such subjects without trampling on someone's First Amendment rights.
Peace,
Tor
Technorati Tags: Intelligent Design
Friday, December 16, 2005
Cancergiggles Gets Published
Cancergiggles (aka Cass Brown) has his book (based on the blog) coming out today. Here's a warm wish for continued health and successful sales. Do go and at least check out his blog. He's got a hilarious story about a Range Rover.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: blogs, books
Peace,
Tor
Categories: blogs, books
Save Wampi: The Loan is Paid Off!
Wampi's medical bills have been paid off. I'll retire the link from the blogroll today. I'll also be checking out other links over the next few weeks to make sure they're still as special as they were when I blogrolled them. I expect that will make room for others. If anyone has any suggestions for good regular blog reads, especially if a) they are not already overexposed; b) they deal with libertarianism, Buddhism or kitty-kats; or c) they deal with Maine or have a Maine connection.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: animals, blogs, cats, Maine
Peace,
Tor
Categories: animals, blogs, cats, Maine
Thursday, December 15, 2005
David McCullough
My lovely wife, Rowan, gave me an early Christmas present this past Sunday: attendance at a lecture by historian David McCullough. It was a lecture to raise funds for the Camden Public Library, and was sold out. In person, McCullough is as unpretentiously thought-provoking as I imagined he might be from having read a few of his books. There was supposed to be a Q&A at the end of the talk, but the old chap used up all the time in his lecture.
There is one question I would have liked to ask him. Early on in his talk, he spoke of the fact that historic persons didn't live in some historic costume pageant. They lived in their present, with uncertain outcomes from their actions. He disparaged the way history is taught these days, with the seeming notion that A necessarily begat B, which evolved inevitably into C. As he was speaking these words, I noticed shadows of Hegelian, specifically Marxist, notions of the unavoidable progression of history. Since the American educational system is one of the few almost totally socialist sectors of our society, I can't help but wonder if that has something to do with it.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: education, history
Technorati tags: David McCullough, Karl Marx, Marxism, Hegel
There is one question I would have liked to ask him. Early on in his talk, he spoke of the fact that historic persons didn't live in some historic costume pageant. They lived in their present, with uncertain outcomes from their actions. He disparaged the way history is taught these days, with the seeming notion that A necessarily begat B, which evolved inevitably into C. As he was speaking these words, I noticed shadows of Hegelian, specifically Marxist, notions of the unavoidable progression of history. Since the American educational system is one of the few almost totally socialist sectors of our society, I can't help but wonder if that has something to do with it.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: education, history
Technorati tags: David McCullough, Karl Marx, Marxism, Hegel
Monday, December 12, 2005
Federal Marijuana Monopoly Challenged
Even Grover Norquist of the conservative Americans for Tax Reform is in favor of ending the current governmental monopoly on growing marijuana. It just goes to show that rationality can obtain in any member of any political movement at any time. It's not really surprizing that Norquist is taking this stance, because he is fundamentally a bean-counter. Anyone who understands basic economics and the sorry track record of government monopolies would have to come to the same conclusion, unless they let their cultural prejudices overrule their rational faculties.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: drugs, government, economics, libertarianism, science
Technorati tags: Grover Norquist, Americans for Tax Reform, marijuana research
Peace,
Tor
Categories: drugs, government, economics, libertarianism, science
Technorati tags: Grover Norquist, Americans for Tax Reform, marijuana research
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Rental Situations
This post will be a lot shorter than I'd like it to be, mostly due to extra hours spent lately at the theatre and getting eBay listings up.
Welcome to my current blog renter (in the left-hand column), Fragile Musings. The only reason I chose this blog is a cat called Pilot, who could be a long-lost cousin of Oliver.
I'd also like to thank Philip at Dark Glass for his kind words in revealing his choice for renting out his space (not to me). I've been linking to the folks who rent to me and to the folks to whom I rent, but now I'm of a notion to emulate his practice of reviewing the blogs who bid on his space. I think that's a wonderful idea, and I hope that I'll have enough time and discipline to follow through.
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogs
Welcome to my current blog renter (in the left-hand column), Fragile Musings. The only reason I chose this blog is a cat called Pilot, who could be a long-lost cousin of Oliver.
I'd also like to thank Philip at Dark Glass for his kind words in revealing his choice for renting out his space (not to me). I've been linking to the folks who rent to me and to the folks to whom I rent, but now I'm of a notion to emulate his practice of reviewing the blogs who bid on his space. I think that's a wonderful idea, and I hope that I'll have enough time and discipline to follow through.
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogs
Thursday, December 8, 2005
What the Heck Did Santa Do?
A fellow in Miami Beach has set out a striking Christmas display. For me, the interesting and scary thing about this story isn't that this fellow put up a blindfolded and bound Santa hanging from a noose in a tree (tho it certainly is a clear signal that he has some issues he's working through), but that his neighbors actually complained to the police, thinking that the police would be able to do something about it. It's scary that so few people have any notion of First Amendment rights. I mean, the FIRST AMENDMENT is not written in some esoteric codicile that only 128th degree Masons are allowed to consult. Anyone who has made it through sixth grade should have a basic understanding of it.
Peace,
Tor
Peace,
Tor
Wednesday, December 7, 2005
Ford, Land Rovers and Advertising in the Gay Press
Ford has decided to stop placing ads for Jaguar and Land Rover products in some gay publications. Some gay rights advocacy groups are suspicious that this comes so soon on the heels of Ford execs' meeting with the American Family Association to avoid a boycott.
It is interesting to note that Ford is still going to place ads for its Volvo products in those publications, which lends some credence to their statement that the ad placement decisions are purely business decisions. As someone who briefly worked for a small publisher in Maine, and who placed ads in a smorgasbord of periodicals, I can attest to the fact that ad placement is as much guesswork and dart-throwing as it is a rational discipline. Anyone who advertizes knows that most of their ads are for nought.
As an owner of an '87 Range Rover, may I say it doesn't matter to me one whit where Ford advertizes. It probably will have little or no effect on me. I'm one of those people advertizers hate, because I remember the ad (if it's good), but rarely the product name.
Peace,
Tor
Tagged as:
Land Rover Range Rover Ford American Family Association
It is interesting to note that Ford is still going to place ads for its Volvo products in those publications, which lends some credence to their statement that the ad placement decisions are purely business decisions. As someone who briefly worked for a small publisher in Maine, and who placed ads in a smorgasbord of periodicals, I can attest to the fact that ad placement is as much guesswork and dart-throwing as it is a rational discipline. Anyone who advertizes knows that most of their ads are for nought.
As an owner of an '87 Range Rover, may I say it doesn't matter to me one whit where Ford advertizes. It probably will have little or no effect on me. I'm one of those people advertizers hate, because I remember the ad (if it's good), but rarely the product name.
Peace,
Tor
Tagged as:
Land Rover Range Rover Ford American Family Association
Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Thursday, December 1, 2005
South African Gay Weddings
Another important step forward for gay marriage internationally. The article is vague about how the new RSA constitution bans discrimination against gays, so I'm unclear whether it means the government is banned from discriminating (which is as it should be), or if people in their private lives are also banned from discriminating (which would be interesting at the cotillion ball).
UPDATE: Washington Post reports:
Here are two things that couldn't have less to do with the concept of gay marriage. Before gay marriage was legal, was violence against gays any more permissable under law than it is now? Does legalizing gay marriage suddenly also make rape illegal? Didn't think so. I'm obviously no student of law in the RSA, but I suspect rape was already illegal, regardless of the sexual orientation of the victim (or the rapist, for that matter). A note to my fellow proponents of legalizing gay marriage in the U.S.: Stay on message. Just talk about gay marriage and why it should be legal. Don't talk about issues that are not even tangentially related. We will eventually win based on the strength of the appropriate argument alone.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: gay, government, marriage
Technorati tag: gay marriage
UPDATE: Washington Post reports:
Gay activists expressed hope that the ruling would lessen the violence and ridicule they say are common in South Africa despite a clause in the nation's constitution prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Rape of lesbians by men claiming they can "cure" their attraction to women are also common, gay and lesbian leaders said.
Here are two things that couldn't have less to do with the concept of gay marriage. Before gay marriage was legal, was violence against gays any more permissable under law than it is now? Does legalizing gay marriage suddenly also make rape illegal? Didn't think so. I'm obviously no student of law in the RSA, but I suspect rape was already illegal, regardless of the sexual orientation of the victim (or the rapist, for that matter). A note to my fellow proponents of legalizing gay marriage in the U.S.: Stay on message. Just talk about gay marriage and why it should be legal. Don't talk about issues that are not even tangentially related. We will eventually win based on the strength of the appropriate argument alone.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: gay, government, marriage
Technorati tag: gay marriage
Jason Buckley
Just a shout out of appreciation to Jason Buckley, who is renting Tor's Rants a prominent spot through the BlogExplosion program. If you've got a good broadband connection, check out his videos.
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogs
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogs
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Viva Firefly
Instapundit has an interesting bit of speculation about the financial viability of releasing a second season of Firefly on DVD, bypassing the usual television distribution entirely. I'll state for the record right now that my wife and I are totally hoping against hope that this happens, tho it isn't likely. Time to whip up a blogstorm about this, folks. See if we can't get Joss Whedon to see the genius behind it. Sort of fits in with my previous post on cable TV.
h/t to Slublog.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: blogging, movies, scifi, television
Technorati tags: science fiction, Serenity, Firefly, Joss Whedon
h/t to Slublog.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: blogging, movies, scifi, television
Technorati tags: science fiction, Serenity, Firefly, Joss Whedon
Cable TV a la Carte
The new head honcho at the FCC seems to be a friend of free market communications. He actually has the audacity to suggest that allowing consumers to put together cable packages by the individual channel might not be too much more expensive for cable providers, and would help families keep content out of their homes that they find objectionable.
Imagine if you went to the grocery store, and could only buy three assortments of groceries. The basic assortment included eggs, bread, milk, cereal, some fruit, veggies, anchovies and okra. Now suppose you didn't like anchovies, and their inclusion in the package were wasteful for you. Tough luck. If you want groceries, you've got to take the anchovies.
If you tried to change the law to allow yourself to buy only the foods you needed or wanted, the anchovy canners would get in a snit, saying their industry wouldn't survive if people were allowed to choose whether they got anchovies with their basic groceries.
Well, as silly as that argument would be, it somehow has been the prevailing model in cable television. When I lived in places that had cable television, I never understood why the subscriber couldn't get SciFi and take a pass on ESPN. (Actually, I understood that the cable monopolies were spreading channels that certain people might want across different tiers of service to maximize revenue; I just didn't understand why cable television was allowed to be a monopoly in the first place.)
I suspect that, in a few short years, cable television packages will be antiquated. Already, folks like me wait a year to see series TV on DVD. We are on the verge of on-demand programming for most "broadcasts" (and that term may have to be retired, in favor of "downloads").
Peace,
Tor
Categories: government, television
Technorati tags: FCC, cable television
Imagine if you went to the grocery store, and could only buy three assortments of groceries. The basic assortment included eggs, bread, milk, cereal, some fruit, veggies, anchovies and okra. Now suppose you didn't like anchovies, and their inclusion in the package were wasteful for you. Tough luck. If you want groceries, you've got to take the anchovies.
If you tried to change the law to allow yourself to buy only the foods you needed or wanted, the anchovy canners would get in a snit, saying their industry wouldn't survive if people were allowed to choose whether they got anchovies with their basic groceries.
Well, as silly as that argument would be, it somehow has been the prevailing model in cable television. When I lived in places that had cable television, I never understood why the subscriber couldn't get SciFi and take a pass on ESPN. (Actually, I understood that the cable monopolies were spreading channels that certain people might want across different tiers of service to maximize revenue; I just didn't understand why cable television was allowed to be a monopoly in the first place.)
I suspect that, in a few short years, cable television packages will be antiquated. Already, folks like me wait a year to see series TV on DVD. We are on the verge of on-demand programming for most "broadcasts" (and that term may have to be retired, in favor of "downloads").
Peace,
Tor
Categories: government, television
Technorati tags: FCC, cable television
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Patriotic & Idiotic
Patriotic & Idiotic is this week's tenant in the BlogExplosion "Rent My Blog" space. Do go see what a soon-to-retire truck driver is up to.
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogs
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogs
Monday, November 28, 2005
Ads Not Meant for Public Consumption
An unanticipated consequence of federal anti-corruption laws is that contractors trying to win billion-dollar contracts will blanket the D.C. airwaves with ads intended to reach a handful of people. I think this is great for several reasons. Even if the ads are jargon-laden and nearly incomprehensible to the average listener, they raise public awareness of large projects that are about to cost the taxpayers beaucoup bucks.
Also, I think most people tune out ads anyway. I know I do. But the ads keep the radio stations in business, and keep the money from becoming part of a legal "soft money" bribing scheme.
Now if we could just keep the government from coming up with so many projects that require billion-dollar contracts......
Peace,
Tor
Category: government
Also, I think most people tune out ads anyway. I know I do. But the ads keep the radio stations in business, and keep the money from becoming part of a legal "soft money" bribing scheme.
Now if we could just keep the government from coming up with so many projects that require billion-dollar contracts......
Peace,
Tor
Category: government
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Antivirus Freeware
Rob Pegoraro of The Washington Post has an excellent column about two freeware antivirus programs: Avast! and AVG. As a former user of AVG and current user of Avast!, I thought I'd add a little anecdotal information to his testing of the programs.
I used AVG for at least four years. It worked admirably. Then they released a new version of the program, and stopped supporting the virus database for the older version. The new version simply slowed my computer to a crawl (I'm using a 200mhz Pentium with 128meg ram), and sometimes locked it up, or provided the Blue Screen of Death.
I switched to Avast! at that time, and haven't had any problems since. But I do agree with Rob that the interface for AVG is much superior to that of Avast! My parents run AVG on their computer (600mhz Pentium, I forget how much ram), and it's working well for them.
Peace,
Tor
Category: freeware
Technorati tag: antivirus
I used AVG for at least four years. It worked admirably. Then they released a new version of the program, and stopped supporting the virus database for the older version. The new version simply slowed my computer to a crawl (I'm using a 200mhz Pentium with 128meg ram), and sometimes locked it up, or provided the Blue Screen of Death.
I switched to Avast! at that time, and haven't had any problems since. But I do agree with Rob that the interface for AVG is much superior to that of Avast! My parents run AVG on their computer (600mhz Pentium, I forget how much ram), and it's working well for them.
Peace,
Tor
Category: freeware
Technorati tag: antivirus
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Should Referenda in Maine Have More Requirements?
The Bangor Daily News reports that the citizen initiative process might be subject to a few new requirements in the near future. Some of them seem sensible enough: financial disclosures and other information should be made available on the internet. I'm always for transparency in politics and government.
One recently enacted reform got me thinking. Now petitioners must let potential signers know that it costs the state about $95k to put a referendum question out to voters. Why not institute an optional bond of citizen initiatives, in exchange for reduced signature requirements? Instead of requiring 50k or more signatures, the process could require 20k and a bond. If the initiative failed at the polls, the bond would be forfeit. If the initiative passed, the bond would be returned to the petitioners. Some European countries do this with their parliamentary elections, with good results.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Maine, politics
One recently enacted reform got me thinking. Now petitioners must let potential signers know that it costs the state about $95k to put a referendum question out to voters. Why not institute an optional bond of citizen initiatives, in exchange for reduced signature requirements? Instead of requiring 50k or more signatures, the process could require 20k and a bond. If the initiative failed at the polls, the bond would be forfeit. If the initiative passed, the bond would be returned to the petitioners. Some European countries do this with their parliamentary elections, with good results.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Maine, politics
Friday, November 18, 2005
Krauthammer on ID
Charles Krauthammer has an excellent rant on the current efforts of Intelligent Design adherents to push their way into America's biology classes. Definitely worth a read.
By the way, the current issue of Skeptical Inquirer is largely devoted to ID debunking.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: science, religion
Technorati tags: Intelligent Design, evolution
By the way, the current issue of Skeptical Inquirer is largely devoted to ID debunking.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: science, religion
Technorati tags: Intelligent Design, evolution
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Drugs and Corruption
The Washington Post is running an AP article on the arrest of Guatemala's top drug enforcement officer. You don't really need to read the article to know what he was arrested for.
It's time for this country to wake up and realize that interdiction is not working. Indeed, the more successful that interdiction is, the greater the market price for illegal drugs. The greater the price, the more new providers will emerge. Even our efforts to eradicate the opium crop in Afghanistan through defoliants has only forced the farmers to grow more efficiently on fewer acres.
Education and treatment, yes. Interdiction, no.
Peace,
Tor
It's time for this country to wake up and realize that interdiction is not working. Indeed, the more successful that interdiction is, the greater the market price for illegal drugs. The greater the price, the more new providers will emerge. Even our efforts to eradicate the opium crop in Afghanistan through defoliants has only forced the farmers to grow more efficiently on fewer acres.
Education and treatment, yes. Interdiction, no.
Peace,
Tor
Blogs and Money
Nic Duquette of Snarksmith has done some analysis of what blogs using the BlogAds service should be making, based on daily page hits. He posits the Daily Kos as being at the head of the heap, tho Kos subsequently dismissed the reckoning.
Of course, I have a few Google ads and an Amazon ad on this blog. At the rate I'm going, I might see a check from one or both of them sometime in 2007. That is, if they don't make me pay them.
If you thought my post on the Dalai Lama was a dite overcritical, check out Michael Weiss's post at Snarksmith. A sample:
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogging
Of course, I have a few Google ads and an Amazon ad on this blog. At the rate I'm going, I might see a check from one or both of them sometime in 2007. That is, if they don't make me pay them.
If you thought my post on the Dalai Lama was a dite overcritical, check out Michael Weiss's post at Snarksmith. A sample:
He sounds as featherheaded as his followers and sycophants, especially those in Hollywood and that other country called America.
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogging
Tor's Rants Renting Electronic Darwinism
Tor's Rants is renting a thumbnail space for a week at Electronic Darwinism, once again facilitated by BlogExplosion. I'd appreciate it if any of my regular readers would go over and check out his blog as a way of saying thanks. By the way, tho I say "renting," no money changes hands. It's all surfing credits at BlogExplosion.
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogs
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogs
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Get Religion: Dalai Lama
Get Religion has an interesting take on the Dalai Lama, for those who were interested in my own post on the issue.
Peace,
Tor
Category: Buddhism
Technorati tag: Dalai Lama
Peace,
Tor
Category: Buddhism
Technorati tag: Dalai Lama
Slots take in $12M in 11 days
The new Hollywood Slots "racino" in Bangor, Maine has taken in more than $12 million dollars in 11 days! If I've done the math correctly, the 22,000 visitors dumped an average of at least $545.00 each! You know that some of the visitors had to be just curious folks who wanted to pull the handles a few times for a lark. It would be an interesting project to find out what the median amount lost was, and what the largest amount spent by a single visitor was.
Peace,
Tor
Category: Maine
Technorati tags: Bangor Maine, gambling, slot machines, Hollywood Slots
Peace,
Tor
Category: Maine
Technorati tags: Bangor Maine, gambling, slot machines, Hollywood Slots
Blog Renter: The Anti - Bill O'Reilly Blog
Just a quick note that the current occupant of the "Rent My Blog" space in the left column is the Anti-Bill O'Reilly Blog. Do go over there and check it out. I don't get to see O'Reilly out here in the sticks, so I don't know if the criticism is warranted. But you have to admire the heaping helpings of vitriol on such a sustained basis.
Since I was ill at the time, I forgot to point out the previous tenant, Haunted House Dressing. Yes, I picked it as a tenant because of the seasonally apropos title, but the blog has nothing to do with supernatural items. Check it out.
The rentals are facilitated by BlogExplosion. If you've got a blog that you want others to see, or just want to expose yourself to a good bunch of non-spam blogs, head on over.
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogs
Since I was ill at the time, I forgot to point out the previous tenant, Haunted House Dressing. Yes, I picked it as a tenant because of the seasonally apropos title, but the blog has nothing to do with supernatural items. Check it out.
The rentals are facilitated by BlogExplosion. If you've got a blog that you want others to see, or just want to expose yourself to a good bunch of non-spam blogs, head on over.
Peace,
Tor
Category: blogs
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Dalai Lama, Scientist?
The Dalai Lama gave a talk to the Society for Neuroscience on Saturday. From press reports, it seems that his talk was more about the philosophy or ethics of science, rather than about science or technology itself.
There was a movement to keep him from speaking at the event. An online petition garnered about 800 signatures of those requesting his invitation to speak be withdrawn. Although the Washington Post article doesn't mention it, I did read in another wire report that the preponderance of those signatures were Chinese, which suggests possible political motives rather than scientific.
It is of course entirely proper, and desirable, for people who are trained in ethics to dialogue with those who are trained in science and technology. In the big picture of humanity's progress, science unfettered by morals has visited enormous horrors on this earth. The best exposition of this that I have ever read is Michael Polanyi's essay, "Why Did We Destroy Europe?" I can't find an online source for it, but here's a work of his along a similar theme.
But there is always the danger of one's religious tenets blocking scientific or intellectual progress. We all know the example of Galileo, and now we have the contemporary example of Intelligent Design. In Buddhism, many adhere to a belief in reincarnation, tho it is not at all supported by science.
Indeed, within the Dalai Lama's own Tibetan brand of Buddhism, there is much mysticism and belief in minor protector deities and demons. H.H. the D.L. himself is venerated as an incarnation of Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of Compassion.
A few years ago, some Tibetan monks visited Camden, Maine. On one evening, one of the monks gave a talk on Tibetan medicinal practices. Several local psychologists attended, and gave him some well-deserved hard questions about his assertions that any disease in the body was ultimately a product of an impure mind. Indeed, as much as he was a spiritual authority, his knowledge of simple biology was dwarfed by my vague recollections from high school classes.
I can't wrap up this post with "the answer," as much as I'd like to. I do know that there has to be interaction between moralists and scientists to prevent scary outcomes. But when one side always gets the upper hand, look out. It'll be worse than having one party control the government.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Buddhism, meditation, science, pseudoscience, Maine, religion
Technorati tags: Dalai Lama, Michael Polanyi
There was a movement to keep him from speaking at the event. An online petition garnered about 800 signatures of those requesting his invitation to speak be withdrawn. Although the Washington Post article doesn't mention it, I did read in another wire report that the preponderance of those signatures were Chinese, which suggests possible political motives rather than scientific.
It is of course entirely proper, and desirable, for people who are trained in ethics to dialogue with those who are trained in science and technology. In the big picture of humanity's progress, science unfettered by morals has visited enormous horrors on this earth. The best exposition of this that I have ever read is Michael Polanyi's essay, "Why Did We Destroy Europe?" I can't find an online source for it, but here's a work of his along a similar theme.
But there is always the danger of one's religious tenets blocking scientific or intellectual progress. We all know the example of Galileo, and now we have the contemporary example of Intelligent Design. In Buddhism, many adhere to a belief in reincarnation, tho it is not at all supported by science.
Indeed, within the Dalai Lama's own Tibetan brand of Buddhism, there is much mysticism and belief in minor protector deities and demons. H.H. the D.L. himself is venerated as an incarnation of Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of Compassion.
A few years ago, some Tibetan monks visited Camden, Maine. On one evening, one of the monks gave a talk on Tibetan medicinal practices. Several local psychologists attended, and gave him some well-deserved hard questions about his assertions that any disease in the body was ultimately a product of an impure mind. Indeed, as much as he was a spiritual authority, his knowledge of simple biology was dwarfed by my vague recollections from high school classes.
I can't wrap up this post with "the answer," as much as I'd like to. I do know that there has to be interaction between moralists and scientists to prevent scary outcomes. But when one side always gets the upper hand, look out. It'll be worse than having one party control the government.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Buddhism, meditation, science, pseudoscience, Maine, religion
Technorati tags: Dalai Lama, Michael Polanyi
Monday, November 14, 2005
Meditate Your Way to a Better Brain
A very small study at Massachusetts General Hospital seems to indicate that Buddhist meditation not only alters brain patterns, but also actually thickens parts of the brain.
I'm always skeptical about studies like this, especially when they're so small. Since I haven't read the original research, I have no idea about the exact methodology. But I can attest from personal experience that meditation can change thought and emotional patterns. I've been a bit of a slouch for a while in this regard. Maybe this study will give me the gentle nudge I need to spend more time on the cushion.
By the way, thanks for all the well-wishes. I really feel much better now, tho some of the infection will take a while to clear up.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Buddhism, meditation, science
I'm always skeptical about studies like this, especially when they're so small. Since I haven't read the original research, I have no idea about the exact methodology. But I can attest from personal experience that meditation can change thought and emotional patterns. I've been a bit of a slouch for a while in this regard. Maybe this study will give me the gentle nudge I need to spend more time on the cushion.
By the way, thanks for all the well-wishes. I really feel much better now, tho some of the infection will take a while to clear up.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Buddhism, meditation, science
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Back from the Dead
Just letting everyone know that I'm on the road to recovery, but I'm still not really up to regular posting. I saw my doctor on Monday, and she set me up with some meds that should clear these lungs out. I already feel quite a bit better, also due to my manager's insistence that I take a couple of days off. So I'll just be lazing about, reading up on Ohm's Law and probably sleeping a great deal.
Peace,
Tor
Peace,
Tor
Thursday, November 3, 2005
General Blahs
Lack of posting over the last few days is only due to the lingering cold/fever alluded to in the Halloween post. More will come this weekend, perhaps. Do peruse the blogroll if you're dying for a good read.
Peace,
Tor
Peace,
Tor
Monday, October 31, 2005
Black Cats and Pumpkins
In the interest of diversity in blogging, and in keeping with the season, Tor has invited a guest-blogger to submit a short essay on what makes Halloween so very special. Dylan Laurence Bean is a black feline-American who lives in Liberty, Maine.
thank you tor-kitty
reaching shift key hard
pardon small letters
halloween is good cos you get to shred -- er -- carve pumpkins
when can we start soon please tor-kitty
oh no tor-kitty is sick and taking drugs
but he smells good for once
i have idea just leave it to me
no need for knives my claws will get the best results
now lights out
see no tor-kitty could do that
can i have some vicks
thanks
dylan
happy halloween
be nice and keep your black kitties indoors tonight
No Silly-Dilly, Vicks is for kids...er, humans. I understand it brings out some nostalgic feelings from kittenhood (your first human used it so often), but I doubt it will do too much good for your mucus membrane. Thanks for subbing while I still recuperate.
Peace,
Tor
Tagged as:black+cats
thank you tor-kitty
reaching shift key hard
pardon small letters
halloween is good cos you get to shred -- er -- carve pumpkins
when can we start soon please tor-kitty
oh no tor-kitty is sick and taking drugs
but he smells good for once
i have idea just leave it to me
no need for knives my claws will get the best results
now lights out
see no tor-kitty could do that
can i have some vicks
thanks
dylan
happy halloween
be nice and keep your black kitties indoors tonight
No Silly-Dilly, Vicks is for kids...er, humans. I understand it brings out some nostalgic feelings from kittenhood (your first human used it so often), but I doubt it will do too much good for your mucus membrane. Thanks for subbing while I still recuperate.
Peace,
Tor
Tagged as:
black+cats
Proficiency in School
Here's a story I'm drawn to for several reasons. First of all, it's about a public school in which the black third graders have scored better on state-wide assessment tests "than almost every other group of black third-graders in Maryland." Second, those same black students are scoring better than many of the white students in their school.
Tho the tests in Maryland and Maine are doubtless different in many respects, the thing that is truly noteworthy is that these students are doing so much better than the average white students in Maine, if "proficiency" is compared.
Of course, they became especially rigorous in getting their students to file for reduced-rate lunches, and in so doing receive more federal aid. The story doesn't say how much more, so it's hard to judge how much of a difference that made.
To my mind, the biggest part of the school's success is due to the great pains that the administrators took in vetting new hires. Imagine how far they'd go if they were able to actually fire some of the old-timers who look to their paychecks as entitlements.
Let's hope the schools in Maine -- and everywhere -- take note of this shining example. North Glen Elementary, hats off to you.
Peace,
Tor
Category: education
Tho the tests in Maryland and Maine are doubtless different in many respects, the thing that is truly noteworthy is that these students are doing so much better than the average white students in Maine, if "proficiency" is compared.
Of course, they became especially rigorous in getting their students to file for reduced-rate lunches, and in so doing receive more federal aid. The story doesn't say how much more, so it's hard to judge how much of a difference that made.
To my mind, the biggest part of the school's success is due to the great pains that the administrators took in vetting new hires. Imagine how far they'd go if they were able to actually fire some of the old-timers who look to their paychecks as entitlements.
Let's hope the schools in Maine -- and everywhere -- take note of this shining example. North Glen Elementary, hats off to you.
Peace,
Tor
Category: education
Friday, October 28, 2005
Strunky Music
New Yorker contributor Maira Kalman has issued an illustrated version of Strunk & White's Elements of Style
. Also new, a nine-song operatic cycle that is essentially an ode to the work (apparently not yet available on CD.)
The most interesting thing I read in the Newsweek article was that Elements has sold 10 million copies since it was first widely published in 1959. That's it? Everyone I knew in college had one. They couldn't all have been hand-me-downs. If all those copies still existed, that would be only one for every 30 people in the U.S. There simply must be more than 3% of the population that cares about good writing!
Peace,
Tor
Categories: books, language
Technorati tags: usage, grammar
. Also new, a nine-song operatic cycle that is essentially an ode to the work (apparently not yet available on CD.)The most interesting thing I read in the Newsweek article was that Elements has sold 10 million copies since it was first widely published in 1959. That's it? Everyone I knew in college had one. They couldn't all have been hand-me-downs. If all those copies still existed, that would be only one for every 30 people in the U.S. There simply must be more than 3% of the population that cares about good writing!
Peace,
Tor
Categories: books, language
Technorati tags: usage, grammar
Thursday, October 27, 2005
More North Korean Propaganda
Hundreds of Americans are invited attendees of North Korea's Arirang celebration. Included among the number are Dan Rather and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.
I hope that if Dan reports on this (if they ever let him on the air again), he'll have as much common sense as this Japanese journalist, quoted by the Washington Post:
I've never been to North Korea, but I have visited former communist countries in eastern Europe. At the time, a few years after the Berlin Wall fell, one found that, just a few blocks away from East Berlin's showcase Unter den Linden and Alexanderplatz area, many buildings still hadn't been repaired after the street-to-street fighting at the close of World War II. I have to imagine that similar scenes would be easily found by anybody who would be allowed to venture outside of the closely-controlled festivities in North Korea.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: propaganda, North Korea
Technorati tags: Dan Rather, Kim Jong Il, Arirang, East Berlin
I hope that if Dan reports on this (if they ever let him on the air again), he'll have as much common sense as this Japanese journalist, quoted by the Washington Post:
"This is 'invitation diplomacy' -- a tool Kim's father used to use to great effect," said Noriyuki Suzuki, director of Tokyo-based Radiopress, which monitors television and radio broadcasts in North Korea. "Kim is trying to show how strong and stable North Korea is -- how firmly he is in control and how popular he remains with the people. Unless there are select groups of foreigners there to see this, his message will not get out loud and clear."
I've never been to North Korea, but I have visited former communist countries in eastern Europe. At the time, a few years after the Berlin Wall fell, one found that, just a few blocks away from East Berlin's showcase Unter den Linden and Alexanderplatz area, many buildings still hadn't been repaired after the street-to-street fighting at the close of World War II. I have to imagine that similar scenes would be easily found by anybody who would be allowed to venture outside of the closely-controlled festivities in North Korea.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: propaganda, North Korea
Technorati tags: Dan Rather, Kim Jong Il, Arirang, East Berlin
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Word of the Day: Forensics
Being an amateur wordsmith, I have always been intrigued by how the meanings of words change over time. Most of us are familiar with the change of meaning of the adjective "gay." Some chauvinists still insist on clinging to its former meaning, as exemplified in the Christmas Carol, "Deck the Halls."
Surprized to see the reference to chauvinism? Technically, chauvinism is any belief in a lost cause, after a soldier named Chauvin, who served under Napoleon. In the latter days of the twentieth century, the word became so widely used in tandem with "male" that that one kind of chauvinism eventually came to be assumed without its modifier being present. Most people would be confused or surprized by its use in any other context.
Such a similar path has been taken by forensics. This Washington Post article talks about the confusion involving forensics clubs in high schools.
I have to admit I was totally ignorant of the former meaning, and had never heard of forensics competitions here in Maine. Of course, our school lacked even the more popular debate team. The only academically-based competition clubs we had were Math Team and the foreign language clubs.
So how did the word get from speech-making to corpse-poking? As with chauvinism, a word with which it was formerly paired dropped away. But this time, the noun vanished, leaving the adjective to become a noun in its own right, but having assumed the meaning of the entire phrase: forensic science.
Forensic science or forensic medicine (now forensics) is science or medicine used to establish fact in court cases. Where speeches are made about the facts to persuade the court.
I'm still trying to figure out how either of these definitions of forensics could stem from the first meaning, which I learned in third grade:
Ten.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: language
Technorati tags: usage
Surprized to see the reference to chauvinism? Technically, chauvinism is any belief in a lost cause, after a soldier named Chauvin, who served under Napoleon. In the latter days of the twentieth century, the word became so widely used in tandem with "male" that that one kind of chauvinism eventually came to be assumed without its modifier being present. Most people would be confused or surprized by its use in any other context.
Such a similar path has been taken by forensics. This Washington Post article talks about the confusion involving forensics clubs in high schools.
Forensics has long meant the art of speechmaking and oral presentation. Rusty McCrady, the debate and forensics coach at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, said forensics clubs give students the opportunity to speak effectively....
Today, Forensics Clubs, which teach students how to be sleuths, are popping up in several schools. They are inspired by the hit television show "CSI," which shows detectives using DNA and corpse analyses, as well as other techniques, to solve crimes.
I have to admit I was totally ignorant of the former meaning, and had never heard of forensics competitions here in Maine. Of course, our school lacked even the more popular debate team. The only academically-based competition clubs we had were Math Team and the foreign language clubs.
So how did the word get from speech-making to corpse-poking? As with chauvinism, a word with which it was formerly paired dropped away. But this time, the noun vanished, leaving the adjective to become a noun in its own right, but having assumed the meaning of the entire phrase: forensic science.
Forensic science or forensic medicine (now forensics) is science or medicine used to establish fact in court cases. Where speeches are made about the facts to persuade the court.
I'm still trying to figure out how either of these definitions of forensics could stem from the first meaning, which I learned in third grade:
Ten.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: language
Technorati tags: usage
Gay Marriage in New Hampshire
It looks like the near-term prospects for gay marriage in New Hampshire are zero. 'Tis a pity. They are even recommending against domestic partner registration.
As I have written previously, I am against any law that requires private people and businesses to deal with people they don't want to deal with. However, I am absolutely in favor of forcing the government to deal with all citizens equally. If heterosexuals can enter a legal union, so should homosexuals be able to.
It seems sort of odd that this news comes out on the day after Rosa Parks' death. Now there was a woman who was able to stand up against Jim Crow laws, which not only allowed discrimination against African-Americans, but mandated it. The marriage laws in most states now mandate government discrimination against homosexuals, yet the gay rights lobbies are more concerned with stamping out discrimination in the private sphere.
I do hope that, however the upcoming referendum on gay rights turns out in Maine, it will be decided by a great margin so we won't be faced with another referendum in a few years. The real work of fostering tolerance, acceptance and affirmation of gays in Maine is going undone as long as the theatre-politics continues to be practiced.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: gay, Maine, politics, marriage, obituaries
Technorati tags: Rosa Parks, gay marriage, gay rights, New Hampshire
As I have written previously, I am against any law that requires private people and businesses to deal with people they don't want to deal with. However, I am absolutely in favor of forcing the government to deal with all citizens equally. If heterosexuals can enter a legal union, so should homosexuals be able to.
It seems sort of odd that this news comes out on the day after Rosa Parks' death. Now there was a woman who was able to stand up against Jim Crow laws, which not only allowed discrimination against African-Americans, but mandated it. The marriage laws in most states now mandate government discrimination against homosexuals, yet the gay rights lobbies are more concerned with stamping out discrimination in the private sphere.
I do hope that, however the upcoming referendum on gay rights turns out in Maine, it will be decided by a great margin so we won't be faced with another referendum in a few years. The real work of fostering tolerance, acceptance and affirmation of gays in Maine is going undone as long as the theatre-politics continues to be practiced.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: gay, Maine, politics, marriage, obituaries
Technorati tags: Rosa Parks, gay marriage, gay rights, New Hampshire
Monday, October 24, 2005
Like We Needed a Death Ray
So, some folks at MIT and the University of Arizona have decided that trying to build a solar-powered death ray a la Archimedes was a good use of time. With all of the things our geeks should be trying to build, like anthrax and C4 detectors, border monitors, and non-emission vehicles, how dare they focus on such childish stuff? And why wasn't I asked to help? At least to polish the mirrors?
Peace,
Tor
Category: science
Technorati tags: death ray, MIT, University of Arizona, Archimedes
Peace,
Tor
Category: science
Technorati tags: death ray, MIT, University of Arizona, Archimedes
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Natural and Artificial Beauty
The town of Lincolnville, Maine will be arguing over whether a proposed cell phone tower will "unduly obstruct or have an unreasonable adverse impact on" the scenic view from Bald Rock Mountain.
I say it will improve the scenic view.
photo courtesy of FreeFoto.com
I have always thought that communications towers are beautiful things, particularly jutting up from a mountainside. Especially lit up like a Christmas tree. As much as I deplore the rudeness of some of the end users of the communications network, I have to admit that the structures look particularly marvelous.
No doubt the authorities in Lincolnville will take into account the aesthetic sense of folks like me.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Maine, politics
Technorati tags: Lincolnville Maine, cellular communications, cell phone towers
I say it will improve the scenic view.
I have always thought that communications towers are beautiful things, particularly jutting up from a mountainside. Especially lit up like a Christmas tree. As much as I deplore the rudeness of some of the end users of the communications network, I have to admit that the structures look particularly marvelous.
No doubt the authorities in Lincolnville will take into account the aesthetic sense of folks like me.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Maine, politics
Technorati tags: Lincolnville Maine, cellular communications, cell phone towers
Follow the Money
Daedalus thinks that the U.S. Senate has done a good thing in giving military and civilian employees a 3.1% raise.
Actually, given that the inflation rate for the past 12 months has been 4.7%, the folks getting this "raise" will be bringing in paychecks with less buying power than they had a year ago.
One thing that abates my horror about the government employees' predicament is health care benefits.
Nationally, health care spending by employers is rising much much faster than the overall rate of inflation. Since most government employees, be they civilian or military, receive much better health coverage than most private sector employees, we have to take that into account when we think about their overall compensation packages.
Of course, I agree with Daedalus that the Senate did the right thing (for once) in denying itself a raise this year. Here's hoping the House will follow suit when the bills are reconciled.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: government, economy, health
Technorati tags: health care, Senate, inflation
Actually, given that the inflation rate for the past 12 months has been 4.7%, the folks getting this "raise" will be bringing in paychecks with less buying power than they had a year ago.
One thing that abates my horror about the government employees' predicament is health care benefits.
Nationally, health care spending by employers is rising much much faster than the overall rate of inflation. Since most government employees, be they civilian or military, receive much better health coverage than most private sector employees, we have to take that into account when we think about their overall compensation packages.
Of course, I agree with Daedalus that the Senate did the right thing (for once) in denying itself a raise this year. Here's hoping the House will follow suit when the bills are reconciled.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: government, economy, health
Technorati tags: health care, Senate, inflation
Friday, October 21, 2005
Maine and Medicaid
According to Village Soup, "Medicaid costs in Maine have grown by $260 million annually for the last three years."
Though a liberal-to-moderate politically, former Maine Governor Angus King brings his business background to bear with keen insight:
While I know that the last thing anybody in Augusta would do is to open up health care to an entirely libertarian free-market system, it is rather encouraging that some on the panel are openly discussing a strategy of taking advantage of market forces to help solve a social problem, rather than trying to thwart market forces. Thwarting market forces almost always engenders terrible unintended consequences. Like $260 million annual growth.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: economics, government, health, libertarianism, Maine
Technorati tags: Medicaid, health care, Angus King
Though a liberal-to-moderate politically, former Maine Governor Angus King brings his business background to bear with keen insight:
“We’ve turned the consumer-driven system, which leads to reasonably priced phone bills and automobiles, absolutely on its head,” [King] said.
“There’s no information about price … and most of us are insured and our employers are paying the premium, so we’re immune to it. Until people participate in the decisions financially, they’re not going to take the cost seriously.”
The former governor also would like to see healthy people get a break on their insurance rates.
“We’re so afraid of violating the social insurance principle that there’s no advantage to people being healthy,” King said. “Why should people who decide not to smoke pay the same as the people who do smoke? We’ve taken the personal responsibility piece from all this.”
While I know that the last thing anybody in Augusta would do is to open up health care to an entirely libertarian free-market system, it is rather encouraging that some on the panel are openly discussing a strategy of taking advantage of market forces to help solve a social problem, rather than trying to thwart market forces. Thwarting market forces almost always engenders terrible unintended consequences. Like $260 million annual growth.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: economics, government, health, libertarianism, Maine
Technorati tags: Medicaid, health care, Angus King
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Taxpayer Funds for Religious Groups
Lawsuits involving faith-based initiatives are having mixed results so far. I'm sure the cases will become so prevalent and with antithetical outcomes that the Supreme Court will eventually have to weigh in on this.
I can intellectually appreciate that when government contracts out its social policy, it shouldn't discriminate against groups that are affiliated with or supported by religious groups. But when a religiously affiliated group becomes a government contractor, it should definitely be expected to follow the same rules of religious neutrality in providing its subsidized services and in its hiring practices for those services. It is never acceptable to use government funding to discriminate against U.S. citizens.
I also expect that the Bush administration won't be funding any Buddhist charities anytime soon. If anyone has any information that contradicts my unresearched hunch, please leave a comment.
Perhaps a better solution would be to get the government (at all levels) out of this business entirely, and let private charities, secular and religious, take care of things. Then the lawsuits would disappear, more people would be helped, and we could all get on with our lives.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: religion, politics, Buddhism, charities, government, libertarianism, taxes
I can intellectually appreciate that when government contracts out its social policy, it shouldn't discriminate against groups that are affiliated with or supported by religious groups. But when a religiously affiliated group becomes a government contractor, it should definitely be expected to follow the same rules of religious neutrality in providing its subsidized services and in its hiring practices for those services. It is never acceptable to use government funding to discriminate against U.S. citizens.
I also expect that the Bush administration won't be funding any Buddhist charities anytime soon. If anyone has any information that contradicts my unresearched hunch, please leave a comment.
Perhaps a better solution would be to get the government (at all levels) out of this business entirely, and let private charities, secular and religious, take care of things. Then the lawsuits would disappear, more people would be helped, and we could all get on with our lives.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: religion, politics, Buddhism, charities, government, libertarianism, taxes
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Analog to Digital to... Analog?
Tomorrow afternoon, the firm deadline will be set for when all TV stations must stop broadcasting analog signals, and then broadcast only digital signals.
There are a few proposals for the government to subsidize set-top conversion boxes for the folks who can't or won't buy digital sets.
At first, I thought this was a stupid idea, till I read where the money would come from. Part of the transition to digital transmission will allow the feds to auction off a lot of the broadcast spectrum to communications firms who are champing at the bit to use it.
Personally, because I'm cheap, and because my lovely wife Rowan and I only watch one or two shows of broadcast TV per week, I think the government ought to pay the full price for the conversion box I will need. As I understand it, the digital broadcasts are wonderful if you can receive them. However, if you live in the hinterlands of Maine as I do, where even the few channels that can be received are often snowy or affected by other interference, poor reception becomes no reception. Digital receivers won't pass along poor image to the screen: they just "give up" and give you a blue screen. This is known as the "Digital Cliff." I guess I'll be diving over it sometime between 2006 and 2009.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: television, science
Technorati tags: digital television, FCC
There are a few proposals for the government to subsidize set-top conversion boxes for the folks who can't or won't buy digital sets.
At first, I thought this was a stupid idea, till I read where the money would come from. Part of the transition to digital transmission will allow the feds to auction off a lot of the broadcast spectrum to communications firms who are champing at the bit to use it.
Personally, because I'm cheap, and because my lovely wife Rowan and I only watch one or two shows of broadcast TV per week, I think the government ought to pay the full price for the conversion box I will need. As I understand it, the digital broadcasts are wonderful if you can receive them. However, if you live in the hinterlands of Maine as I do, where even the few channels that can be received are often snowy or affected by other interference, poor reception becomes no reception. Digital receivers won't pass along poor image to the screen: they just "give up" and give you a blue screen. This is known as the "Digital Cliff." I guess I'll be diving over it sometime between 2006 and 2009.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: television, science
Technorati tags: digital television, FCC
Monday, October 17, 2005
Driverless Cars
The Defense Department has been holding competitions for driverless cars. This year, for the first time, five vehicles completed the course without any human intervention.
The one thing that really boggles my mind about this is that the vehicles actually used sensors directly on the road and surroundings to effect their navigation and avoid obstacles. Before I read the article, I assumed that some guidance system would be used. In a former life, I briefly operated an order pick truck in a warehouse. It was totally under human control outside of the narrow aisles, but once inside, it locked onto a signal from a wire embedded in the concrete to make it steer straight. The driver was still responsible for getting it to the right bin in the aisle, but only had to be concerned with up-and-down, forward-and-backward motion. I'm wondering if we may someday put similar signal-carriers in our highways and major roads, so that cars will read them and be able to navigate them safely.
That would be wonderful here in Maine, especially in the winter. Imagine if a car had the following information: where the road was going, what the road conditions were, and also where all the other vehicles were and how fast they were going. Other sensors could work to detect animals or other obstacles on the road. There'd have to be a special one for kitty-kats, because they like to lurk in the ditches and dart out in front of cars.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: science, cats, Maine
Technorati tag: DARPA
The one thing that really boggles my mind about this is that the vehicles actually used sensors directly on the road and surroundings to effect their navigation and avoid obstacles. Before I read the article, I assumed that some guidance system would be used. In a former life, I briefly operated an order pick truck in a warehouse. It was totally under human control outside of the narrow aisles, but once inside, it locked onto a signal from a wire embedded in the concrete to make it steer straight. The driver was still responsible for getting it to the right bin in the aisle, but only had to be concerned with up-and-down, forward-and-backward motion. I'm wondering if we may someday put similar signal-carriers in our highways and major roads, so that cars will read them and be able to navigate them safely.
That would be wonderful here in Maine, especially in the winter. Imagine if a car had the following information: where the road was going, what the road conditions were, and also where all the other vehicles were and how fast they were going. Other sensors could work to detect animals or other obstacles on the road. There'd have to be a special one for kitty-kats, because they like to lurk in the ditches and dart out in front of cars.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: science, cats, Maine
Technorati tag: DARPA
Friday, October 14, 2005
An Idiot Ob-Gyn Driver
Today's entry in my continuing series on idiot drivers finds us on Route 1 south, between Belfast and Northport. An idiot driver is about five feet from my rear bumper over the course of 8 miles or so, as we are cruising at 55 mph. It's a silver SUV. After I pull over at my destination in Northport, I can easily read the vanity license plate: OBGYN. Wonder what he does for work. No doubt on his way to an emergency pap smear. If this idiot can't be trusted with a car, why should anyone trust him with all those medical doohickeys?
Peace,
Tor
Peace,
Tor
Thursday, October 13, 2005
The Pot-Head and the Psychic
In case you missed it, or thought that the topic would be boring because of its boring title, "Panel probes irregular campaign expenses," take a quick look at this story from the Bangor Daily News. I'm sure most of the publicly-funded campaigns in Maine were on the up-and-up, and executed by sincere individuals. But when there's free money to be had from the gummint, someone will figure out how to scam the system:
But wait, it gets better. St. James calls herself a "pot-head" and "weed farmer," and claims a head injury kept her in a "euphoric state" throughout the campaign, and thus less apt to question her handlers' actions.
And it turns out these folks had another game going, in the person of Green Independent Party candidate Sarah Trundy of Minot:
But wait, it gets even better. Psychic warfare rears its ugly head! Larlee and St. James are apparently doing battle in the ether:
Oh god oh god oh god I hope there's a video of this somewhere. Or at least an audiotape. It's a kookologist's dream. It's not everyday that one hears testimony concerning the brain waves of Buddhist monks in relation to campaign financing.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: politics, Maine, Buddhism, idiots
Julia St. James of Hartford told members of the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices that her independent bid for Senate District 14 in Oxford County was encouraged by her treasurer, Jessica Larlee of Minot, and her campaign manager, Daniel Rogers of Auburn. She said the two talked her into running as a publicly funded candidate and wound up taking payments of more than $13,000 for managing and running her campaign.
But wait, it gets better. St. James calls herself a "pot-head" and "weed farmer," and claims a head injury kept her in a "euphoric state" throughout the campaign, and thus less apt to question her handlers' actions.
And it turns out these folks had another game going, in the person of Green Independent Party candidate Sarah Trundy of Minot:
...Trundy spoke softly through much of her testimony and was overcome by tears when Jean Ginn Marvin, the commission chairman, repeatedly sought details on some vaguely listed expenses without success. Trundy was unable to tell Ginn Marvin who her election opponents were and could not verify that about $1,500 in reported home mailings had actually taken place.
"I'm sorry I can't be of more help," she said.
But wait, it gets even better. Psychic warfare rears its ugly head! Larlee and St. James are apparently doing battle in the ether:
"Can Julia St. James not be in this room - I'm not joking," Larlee said. "I'm on a meditation program, and I'm very sensitive to psychic energy. If you measure my brain waves, you'll see that I have a high level of delta waves like Buddhist monks do, and I do believe that she is capable of psychically attacking me."
Despite her claims of psychic sensitivity, Larlee was unaware that St. James had exited the room as she was sitting down.
"Ma'am, she's not in the room," Marvin said in a dead monotone.
"Oh, OK," Larlee replied.
Oh god oh god oh god I hope there's a video of this somewhere. Or at least an audiotape. It's a kookologist's dream. It's not everyday that one hears testimony concerning the brain waves of Buddhist monks in relation to campaign financing.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: politics, Maine, Buddhism, idiots
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Spielberg Scoperama
Steven Spielberg says he's invented something that will put the theatre audience right in the center of the action.
Better get that out there fast, Steve. The industry is poised to make a big investment to come into the digital age. They won't be wanting to build all-new auditoriums too soon after that.
Peace,
Tor
Category: movies
Technorati tags: Steven Spielberg, movie technology
Better get that out there fast, Steve. The industry is poised to make a big investment to come into the digital age. They won't be wanting to build all-new auditoriums too soon after that.
Peace,
Tor
Category: movies
Technorati tags: Steven Spielberg, movie technology
Robert Davis
In an update on the Robert Davis situation:
If I were on that jury, after seeing the video where police were beating on him and on AP reporters, that would seal the deal. Lock the police up, and let Robert go. Knowing that the incident had been taped, the police would want solid blood or breath evidence. While they may not normally do that in these cases, this was not a normal case. The only reason they wouldn't collect that evidence would be the suspicion that it wouldn't help their case.
I'm not a lawyer, nor an expert on the law, but this is where my logic is taking me on this one.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: idiots, police
Technorati tag: Robert Davis
New Orleans police said they typically do not test people arrested for public intoxication. Spokesman Marlon Defillo said judges traditionally rely on an officer's expertise.
If I were on that jury, after seeing the video where police were beating on him and on AP reporters, that would seal the deal. Lock the police up, and let Robert go. Knowing that the incident had been taped, the police would want solid blood or breath evidence. While they may not normally do that in these cases, this was not a normal case. The only reason they wouldn't collect that evidence would be the suspicion that it wouldn't help their case.
I'm not a lawyer, nor an expert on the law, but this is where my logic is taking me on this one.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: idiots, police
Technorati tag: Robert Davis
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Coral Reef Fossil Preserved
A section of a 450 million-year-old rock that was once part of an ancient coral reef will be preserved and kept accessible to the public in Vermont.
Now I propose a fund drive to restore it to its original location in southern equatorial waters. We'll fight this global climate change abomination to the very end!
Peace,
Tor
Category: science
Technorati tags: Chazy Reef
Now I propose a fund drive to restore it to its original location in southern equatorial waters. We'll fight this global climate change abomination to the very end!
Peace,
Tor
Category: science
Technorati tags: Chazy Reef
New Orleans' Finest
I'm sure you've all heard about this guy by now:
There's not much room for being mistaken on this one. Either he's lying, or the cops are. It's obvious the cops are lying about his resisting arrest. I find it hard to believe that the cops felt "intimidated" by him, since they outnumbered him, and one of them was on a horse. If the blood tests come back to indicate that he was intoxicated, I'll start giving the cops some benefit of the doubt. Otherwise, I hope they get an unfair and speedy trial.
Peace,
Tor
Category: idiots
Robert Davis said he had returned to New Orleans to check on property his family owns in the storm-ravaged city, and was out looking to buy cigarettes when he was beaten and arrested Saturday night in the French Quarter.
Police have alleged that the 64-year-old Davis was publicly intoxicated, a charge he strongly denied as he stood on the street corner where the incident played out Saturday.
"I haven't had a drink in 25 years," Davis said. He had stitches beneath his left eye, a bandage on his left hand and complained of soreness in his back and aches in his left shoulder.
There's not much room for being mistaken on this one. Either he's lying, or the cops are. It's obvious the cops are lying about his resisting arrest. I find it hard to believe that the cops felt "intimidated" by him, since they outnumbered him, and one of them was on a horse. If the blood tests come back to indicate that he was intoxicated, I'll start giving the cops some benefit of the doubt. Otherwise, I hope they get an unfair and speedy trial.
Peace,
Tor
Category: idiots
eBay: License Required?
The Associated Press reports that North Dakota is investigating whether people who sell consigned goods via eBay are required to hold auctioneer's licenses:
The article also lists Maine as a state that has "considered extending auction rules to eBay sellers." I'll have to look into that. I don't want to run afoul of any Maine Auction Gestapo.
This is another example of the government trying to horn its way into something that's working just fine on its own, through privately and voluntarily initiated controls. eBay sellers and buyers treasure their online reputations. When the reputations sour, so do the sales (or the ability to bid). There are already several means of resolving disputes, and tho they may take a while to go through, they work quite well. My wife Rowan and I have both had to use them more than once. I can't imagine how having an escrow account for a five dollar transaction would be cost-effective protection. There are already third-party escrow services for large-ticket purchases, if the buyer and seller agree to their use.
Yes, there are many scams floating about on eBay (and other online sales sites), but they are getting easier and easier to spot. Hint: if they'll only take a Western Union payment for a $1,000 laptop for which you're paying $300, it's probably a scam.
It strikes me that the online world of commerce is the one in which libertarian methods of voluntary resolution have worked remarkably well.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: eBay, government, libertarianism, internet
Technorati tags: online auctions, regulations
To get a North Dakota auctioneer's license, applicants must pay a $35 fee, obtain a $5,000 surety bond and undergo training at one of eight approved auction schools, where the curriculum includes talking really fast....
The closest auctioneer schools, in Mankato, Minn., and Billings, Mont., cost $795 to $1,625 for a week to 10 days of training.
The article also lists Maine as a state that has "considered extending auction rules to eBay sellers." I'll have to look into that. I don't want to run afoul of any Maine Auction Gestapo.
This is another example of the government trying to horn its way into something that's working just fine on its own, through privately and voluntarily initiated controls. eBay sellers and buyers treasure their online reputations. When the reputations sour, so do the sales (or the ability to bid). There are already several means of resolving disputes, and tho they may take a while to go through, they work quite well. My wife Rowan and I have both had to use them more than once. I can't imagine how having an escrow account for a five dollar transaction would be cost-effective protection. There are already third-party escrow services for large-ticket purchases, if the buyer and seller agree to their use.
Yes, there are many scams floating about on eBay (and other online sales sites), but they are getting easier and easier to spot. Hint: if they'll only take a Western Union payment for a $1,000 laptop for which you're paying $300, it's probably a scam.
It strikes me that the online world of commerce is the one in which libertarian methods of voluntary resolution have worked remarkably well.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: eBay, government, libertarianism, internet
Technorati tags: online auctions, regulations
Monday, October 10, 2005
Wallace and Gromit Rule
Wallace and Gromit was the most-attended film this weekend. And it fully deserved to be.
I was a bit worried on Friday night, when we showed the film to a medium-sized crowd. Then came the Saturday and Sunday matinees, which essentially sold out. The evening shows were also strongly attended. Every audience for which I showed it gave it a great round of applause when the credits started.
At least now Aardman Studios will be able to rebuild from the fire which destroyed the Wallace and Gromit sets.
I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to see this extremely fun movie. Also, don't let yourself be seen as a dunderhead by going to the lobby to complain that a Madagascar Penguins movie is playing instead of Wallace and Gromit. It's a short that is attached to the feature. The theatres are required by the studio to show it. Just about every major animated feature released in the U.S. in the last ten years has had a short attached to it, so don't pretend like this is something new and confusing. The ticket-sellers and popcorn-sellers are too busy serving the late-arrivers to deal with your vacuousness. Go sit down and watch the show.
The one bummer from this weekend's numbers is that Serenity slipped so far down from its unimpressive opening. I hope it makes enough money so the studio suits will greenlight a sequel or two.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: movies
Technorati tags: Wallace and Gromit, Serenity
I was a bit worried on Friday night, when we showed the film to a medium-sized crowd. Then came the Saturday and Sunday matinees, which essentially sold out. The evening shows were also strongly attended. Every audience for which I showed it gave it a great round of applause when the credits started.
At least now Aardman Studios will be able to rebuild from the fire which destroyed the Wallace and Gromit sets.
I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to see this extremely fun movie. Also, don't let yourself be seen as a dunderhead by going to the lobby to complain that a Madagascar Penguins movie is playing instead of Wallace and Gromit. It's a short that is attached to the feature. The theatres are required by the studio to show it. Just about every major animated feature released in the U.S. in the last ten years has had a short attached to it, so don't pretend like this is something new and confusing. The ticket-sellers and popcorn-sellers are too busy serving the late-arrivers to deal with your vacuousness. Go sit down and watch the show.
The one bummer from this weekend's numbers is that Serenity slipped so far down from its unimpressive opening. I hope it makes enough money so the studio suits will greenlight a sequel or two.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: movies
Technorati tags: Wallace and Gromit, Serenity
Saturday, October 8, 2005
Everybody in Maine Knew It Except Them
One of the minor guilty pleasures we have had in Maine in recent weeks has been the trial of Gary Reiner. The lawyer and former Kittery Town Council chairman was convicted on September 30th on charges involving prostitution and money-laundering in Kittery.
Now the Kittery Town Council has requested that the Maine Attorney General's office conduct an open-ended and wide-ranging investigation into connections between town employees and officials and the workings of the club.
The best characterization of this request comes from the Portsmouth Herald's editorial:
I attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick from the fall of 1987 till the spring of 1991. DHC was one of the "road trip" destinations that everyone on campus joked about. And some of the jock-filled fraternities actually went to. There's no doubt in my mind that each and every adult inhabitant of the greater Kittery and Portsmouth area knew what was going on there.
The Portsmouth Herald editorial rightly notes the good success that some other areas of the country and the world have had in decriminalizing prostitution. It makes it safer for the workers, for the clients, and tends to keep organized crime out of the picture. Maine should look into this.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Maine, politics, trials, crime, prostitution
Technorati tags: Kittery Maine
Now the Kittery Town Council has requested that the Maine Attorney General's office conduct an open-ended and wide-ranging investigation into connections between town employees and officials and the workings of the club.
Town Council Chairwoman Ann Grinnell told the newspaper that when she and other town officials met with Rowe on Tuesday in Augusta, they asked him to "look at the things that came up in the Gary Reiner case, to put a spotlight on some of our town employees and some town officials -- how did that (the club) survive for all those years in this town?"
The best characterization of this request comes from the Portsmouth Herald's editorial:
Now, as details of the alleged illegal activities come to light in federal court in Portland, it is hard not to think of Capt. Louis Renault in the movie "Casablanca" who exclaims: "I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here."
Despite protestations by the local police, there can be no doubt that if they wanted to create problems for the Danish Health Club, they could have. But Kittery Police Chief Edward Strong has admitted the goings-on at the health club were a low priority for local police. He described all the criminal activities as misdemeanors, not worth the time or the effort to curb.
In fact, the last raid and arrest at the DHC took place in 1984, shortly before Strong became chief, and there hasn’t been an arrest made at the alleged brothel since.
I attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick from the fall of 1987 till the spring of 1991. DHC was one of the "road trip" destinations that everyone on campus joked about. And some of the jock-filled fraternities actually went to. There's no doubt in my mind that each and every adult inhabitant of the greater Kittery and Portsmouth area knew what was going on there.
The Portsmouth Herald editorial rightly notes the good success that some other areas of the country and the world have had in decriminalizing prostitution. It makes it safer for the workers, for the clients, and tends to keep organized crime out of the picture. Maine should look into this.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: Maine, politics, trials, crime, prostitution
Technorati tags: Kittery Maine
Isn't This What The GOP Campaigned On?
The U.S. House GOP sounds like it's going to get serious and make some spending cuts to offset tax cuts and hurricane relief spending. If they carry through on this (and I sincerely hope they do, and that the Maine legislature gets a clue and follows their example), they will finally be doing what the Republicans have been promising to do for my whole life.
Remember when the GOP held the house in the 90s? Yes, they campaigned on a Contract With America, but when they got into actual power, most of that went out the window. They started working on anti-abortion and anti-gay-soldiers legislation, instead. And spending didn't really go down -- it just sort of leveled off. As a libertarian, I have to say that I generally find government is most conducive to liberty when one party holds power in at least one of the houses of the legislative branch, and the other party holds a narrow majority in the other. That keeps either the GOP or the Dems from getting cocky and drunk with the power they have over our lives.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: politics, hurricanes, Maine
Technorati tags: GOP, House Republicans, government spending, Katrina, Rita, tax cuts
Remember when the GOP held the house in the 90s? Yes, they campaigned on a Contract With America, but when they got into actual power, most of that went out the window. They started working on anti-abortion and anti-gay-soldiers legislation, instead. And spending didn't really go down -- it just sort of leveled off. As a libertarian, I have to say that I generally find government is most conducive to liberty when one party holds power in at least one of the houses of the legislative branch, and the other party holds a narrow majority in the other. That keeps either the GOP or the Dems from getting cocky and drunk with the power they have over our lives.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: politics, hurricanes, Maine
Technorati tags: GOP, House Republicans, government spending, Katrina, Rita, tax cuts
Friday, October 7, 2005
A Non-Fan's Take on Serenity
Christopher Smith of the Bangor Daily News rates Serenity as an A-! He raves:
So now I know that I can recommend this movie without reservation to folks who never saw Firefly. It will doubtless be a fine double feature with Wallace and Gromit.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: scifi, movies
Technorati tags: Joss Whedon, science fiction, Serenity, Firefly
From Whedon's script, "Serenity" is based on the director's ill-fated, 2002 Fox television show, "Firefly." If, like me, you never saw an episode, be prepared for an anything-goes thrill ride here....a movie that becomes impressively intense as it veers toward an ending whose climax isn't telegraphed. There are genuine surprises here, particularly at the end, which gives this swift movie a formidable kick.
So now I know that I can recommend this movie without reservation to folks who never saw Firefly. It will doubtless be a fine double feature with Wallace and Gromit.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: scifi, movies
Technorati tags: Joss Whedon, science fiction, Serenity, Firefly
The Internet and the Law
The Washington Post has a quick introductory article to its collection of articles on internet security issues.
The main focus of this article is anti-spyware legislation that is being developed in Washington, D.C. It really strikes me as a libertarian that the feds are the last people we want to be fighting spyware. Sure, there should be laws against stealing data and identities, but there should also be an expectation placed on the owners of computers on the 'net that they will take simple precautions. I know that there are folks in Maine who don't lock their front doors, and leave their keys in their cars. But when you live in Manhattan, you use multiple locks and theft deterrents to keep the bad guys out. The internet is the world's virtual city, with millions of anonymous folks walking the streets.
Especially with so much freeware available for antivirus and antispyware, there's no excuse.
And remember the days before the feds unleashed the CAN SPAM act? That's right: we actually received much less spam in our email accounts in those days. A few big spammers have been put on show trials, but the email keeps coming in. That's about what I predict will happen with the new "SPY BLOCK" legislation, after it becomes law.
While it's unfortunate that so much brainpower and otherwise productive time has been spent by engineers and software coders to defeat spam, it's also unfortunate that so many folks have to put bars on their windows in certain neighborhoods.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: computers, crime, freeware, government, internet, libertarianism, Maine
Technorati tags: CAN SPAM, SPY BLOCK
The main focus of this article is anti-spyware legislation that is being developed in Washington, D.C. It really strikes me as a libertarian that the feds are the last people we want to be fighting spyware. Sure, there should be laws against stealing data and identities, but there should also be an expectation placed on the owners of computers on the 'net that they will take simple precautions. I know that there are folks in Maine who don't lock their front doors, and leave their keys in their cars. But when you live in Manhattan, you use multiple locks and theft deterrents to keep the bad guys out. The internet is the world's virtual city, with millions of anonymous folks walking the streets.
Especially with so much freeware available for antivirus and antispyware, there's no excuse.
And remember the days before the feds unleashed the CAN SPAM act? That's right: we actually received much less spam in our email accounts in those days. A few big spammers have been put on show trials, but the email keeps coming in. That's about what I predict will happen with the new "SPY BLOCK" legislation, after it becomes law.
While it's unfortunate that so much brainpower and otherwise productive time has been spent by engineers and software coders to defeat spam, it's also unfortunate that so many folks have to put bars on their windows in certain neighborhoods.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: computers, crime, freeware, government, internet, libertarianism, Maine
Technorati tags: CAN SPAM, SPY BLOCK
Thursday, October 6, 2005
High Speed Internet thru Power Lines
It is now possible to get high-speed internet service transmitted through power lines. While the business model has yet to prove itself even for populated areas, the potential for bringing high-speed internet to rural areas is what I find exciting.
There are a lot of areas in Maine which have little chance of receiving DSL service or high-speed cable connections. Even cable TV is unavailable to many Mainers, and satellite service for internet is still quite expensive. If online infrastructure can take advantage of the rural electrification grid, there's little stopping it.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: internet, Maine
There are a lot of areas in Maine which have little chance of receiving DSL service or high-speed cable connections. Even cable TV is unavailable to many Mainers, and satellite service for internet is still quite expensive. If online infrastructure can take advantage of the rural electrification grid, there's little stopping it.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: internet, Maine
Tuesday, October 4, 2005
Leeds Haunts
If you love a good, "true" ghost story, check out Leeds Haunts. It's a new website by Rhys Evans, who hopes to catalog all the supernatural legends of his Yorkshire city. I'm not a believer in ghosts, but I am a lover of good, spooky stories, especially if other people believe them. Just getting into the Halloween mood.
Peace,
Tor
Category: spooky
Technorati tags: ghosts, ghost stories, folklore, Leeds England
Peace,
Tor
Category: spooky
Technorati tags: ghosts, ghost stories, folklore, Leeds England
Monday, October 3, 2005
Serenity Rocks, Yet Doesn't Sell
Serenity is an awesome movie. My lovely wife Rowan and I took it in this weekend.
Yet it wasn't able to overcome Flightplan in this weekend's lackluster box office. I can only hope that word of mouth will get out about this sci-fi western gem, and that they will eventually earn enough of a profit to make another movie feasible.
The movie has everything that fans of the series Firefly would demand: great dialogue, solid acting and basic good storytelling. There are also a few surprizes in store, tho they provide some closure for some of the subplots from the series. The special effects are very good.
It's hard to tell how much anyone who hadn't seen the show would be able to get into it. The movie starts with a flashback via security feed, showing the doctor rescuing his sister from the "school" she had been attending. A quick orientation to the parameters of Alliance vs. Independents is given. But a lot of the dialogue and events would make more sense to those who know the characters' previous exploits.
The Reavers figure prominently in the story, and they are both fun and scary.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: scifi, movies
Technorati tags: science fiction, Serenity, Joss Whedon
Yet it wasn't able to overcome Flightplan in this weekend's lackluster box office. I can only hope that word of mouth will get out about this sci-fi western gem, and that they will eventually earn enough of a profit to make another movie feasible.
The movie has everything that fans of the series Firefly
would demand: great dialogue, solid acting and basic good storytelling. There are also a few surprizes in store, tho they provide some closure for some of the subplots from the series. The special effects are very good.It's hard to tell how much anyone who hadn't seen the show would be able to get into it. The movie starts with a flashback via security feed, showing the doctor rescuing his sister from the "school" she had been attending. A quick orientation to the parameters of Alliance vs. Independents is given. But a lot of the dialogue and events would make more sense to those who know the characters' previous exploits.
The Reavers figure prominently in the story, and they are both fun and scary.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: scifi, movies
Technorati tags: science fiction, Serenity, Joss Whedon
Friday, September 30, 2005
The Sun and Global Warming
Here's another study, this time from Duke University, which says that while man-made emissions play a role in global warming, the sun's activity plays a much larger role than earlier assumed by the climate change computer models:
You know when they say
Peace,
Tor
Categories: climate, science
Technorati tag: global warming
"The Sun may have minimally contributed about 10 to 30 percent of the 1980-2002 global surface warming," the researchers said in a statement today.
You know when they say
minimally, they're being quite conservative.
Peace,
Tor
Categories: climate, science
Technorati tag: global warming
Wallace and Gromit
I have real hopes for the Wallace and Gromit movie coming out a week from today. Let's face it, the movies this year have been less than good. Even the kids' movies. Robots? Valiant? People have been so starved for good movies around here, they've been taking their little kids to The Brothers Grimm, which is barely suitable for adults.
I remember well the first time I lay eyes on W&G: My brother and I were on a Christmas shopping expedition in a mall. One of the toy stores had several monitors up, playing The Wrong Trousers. Even with the sound off, we were paralyzed by the sheer spectacle of it, and ran into the store, demanding a copy.
I think that this may well be the second movie this year worth paying mondy to see. At least, I hope it will be, because I've got good hopes for Serenity, too.
Peace,
Tor
Category: movies
Technorati tag: Wallace and Gromit
I remember well the first time I lay eyes on W&G: My brother and I were on a Christmas shopping expedition in a mall. One of the toy stores had several monitors up, playing The Wrong Trousers. Even with the sound off, we were paralyzed by the sheer spectacle of it, and ran into the store, demanding a copy.
I think that this may well be the second movie this year worth paying mondy to see. At least, I hope it will be, because I've got good hopes for Serenity, too.
Peace,
Tor
Category: movies
Technorati tag: Wallace and Gromit
How You Say...?
Here's a neat write-up about the Voice of America's online name pronunciation guide. Now if only I can figure out how to become famous enough to get on this list, so people will know how to say my name!
Peace,
Tor
Category: language
Technorati tags: Voice of America, pronunciation
Peace,
Tor
Category: language
Technorati tags: Voice of America, pronunciation
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