Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Peoples Cube (Parody) Explains Why Recent Scandals Hurt Reps.
While the recent scandals surrounding Foley, Vitter and Craig are indeed despicable, Republicans always seem to be hit harder by these revelations. The wonderful writers over at the peoples cube offer their opinions:
In today's evolutionary struggle we liberals are the fittest species. Conservatives are so easy - accuse them of committing a sin and they resign and disappear from public sight forever. We in the progressive community are much smarter - we don't believe in sin. It makes us invulnerable to criticism. That's why we're taking over this stupid country. However crazy, irresponsible, and outright criminal our behavior is, you can't call us sinful because that would be forcing your values on us... FULL ARTICLE
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Try Google Reader!
For those of you who don't have a Gmail account (through Google), you should consider signing up for the free and innovative service. For those of you who do have a Google account, adding Google reader is simple:
1. Once logged in click "My Account" in the upper right-hand corner to access a list of the many services offered for free by Google.
2. Click "reader" on the list and follow the instructions on adding your websites and web logs of your liking.
3. Be Sure to add "The Cartoon Critic" to your reader.
Below is directly from the Google website explaining the tool:
Keep track of your favorite websites
Stay up to date
Google Reader constantly checks your favorite news sites and blogs for new content. Whether a site updates daily or monthly, you can be sure that you won't miss a thing.
Simplify your reading experience
Google Reader shows you all of your favorite sites in one convenient place. It's like a personalized inbox for the entire web.
Discover new content
Millions of sites publish feeds with their latest updates, and our integrated feed search makes it easy to find new content that interests you.
1. Once logged in click "My Account" in the upper right-hand corner to access a list of the many services offered for free by Google.
2. Click "reader" on the list and follow the instructions on adding your websites and web logs of your liking.
3. Be Sure to add "The Cartoon Critic" to your reader.
Below is directly from the Google website explaining the tool:
Keep track of your favorite websites
Stay up to date
Google Reader constantly checks your favorite news sites and blogs for new content. Whether a site updates daily or monthly, you can be sure that you won't miss a thing.
Simplify your reading experience
Google Reader shows you all of your favorite sites in one convenient place. It's like a personalized inbox for the entire web.
Discover new content
Millions of sites publish feeds with their latest updates, and our integrated feed search makes it easy to find new content that interests you.
Unions Outsourcing Protest
"They're hired feet, or, as the union calls them, temporary workers, paid $8 an hour to picket. Many were recruited from homeless shelters or transitional houses. Several have recently been released from prison. Others are between jobs."
Makes me wonder how many of the UNITE HERE! folks outside the capitol are legitimate.
Makes me wonder how many of the UNITE HERE! folks outside the capitol are legitimate.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Follow up to socialized medicine post June 14th
On June 14th I noted : "Very quickly the government, having to pay for your way of life, will more readily regulate your behaviors including eating, smoking, sex life, and vaccines, to name a few."
The following post from the Cato Institute Touches on the subject:
British “Fat Tax” Would Mean More Intrusive Government
The following post from the Cato Institute Touches on the subject:
British “Fat Tax” Would Mean More Intrusive Government
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Not to say that commuting Libby's Sentence is something to brag about, nor should anyone expect Bush's list of pardons will be much shorter, but the Democrats (and Hilary in particular), should look at Clintons 450 pardons before calling out Bush on exercising his presidential powers (seems to be their thing though: i.e. Judicial Appointments)
Here is a list of the more egregious pardons made in a flurry on his way out.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Overzealous Environmental Regulations Anger Bears
Tahoe fire forces state to face reality
By Dan Walters
"Fundamentally, the conditions that generated so much destruction were political. The Tahoe basin is governed by an array of federal, state and local agencies that is as dense as the fuel-laden forest, all of which control pieces of the thinning issue. It includes a super-agency called the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency that exercises minute control over building and development..."
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Our modern day Gladiator - Watch Paris as Rome Burns....
Actually, the headlines would probably read: "Millions of Military personnel unemployed, making the Bush Administration responsible for the largest single-day job loss in history."
I guess Lalo believes that this generation is now worshiping pettiness and materialism personified by Paris Hilton and instead of the violent brutality of socialism that was Che's Modus operandi
What I can't tell is which he is endorsing.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Ethanol Hype Runs Afoul
The ethanol issue is complicated and I could go on for days about all of the unintended consequences involved in the post-AB 32 era and the larger hysteria regarding climate change. Instead I will direct readers to a great piece by CA State Senator Tom McClintock who scratches the surface of the hysteria to come by explaining "Ethanol Economics."
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Disease spreading in capitol...
This week Michael Moore was in the Capitol to promote his new movie "Sicko" and when he wasn't being a great capitalist, he was espousing the virtue of universal health care. (I ran into Moore coming off the Elevator and began making clicking noises believing he was another whale lost up the Sacramento River.) A special informational hearing, using state funds, was held so that Moore could highlight the commentary in his new "documentary" that highlighted the pitfalls of health care in America.
This, of course, is all to promote Sheila Kuehls single payer universal health care proposal, Senate Bill 840. I watched the hearing on closed circuit TV, cringing at the tortured "facts" and loosely veiled calls for communism. Shortly after I ran into the bills author, waiting for a green carpeted (Assembly Members) elevator and complaining about the wait. I still have bite marks on my lower lip:
"Well you know, elevators are public goods, so let the rationing begin..."
"Perhaps some non-members, people who haven't paid their dues, are using the elevator."
"Get used to lines."
All responses I managed to suppress.
Getting back to Moore: Normally I wouldn't use childish methods to rip on someone like Moore, especially since there are SO many better reasons to do so. But, under these circumstances everyone better be ready to discuss their health, AND what affects it. Very quickly the government, having to pay for your way of life, will more readily regulate your behaviors including eating, smoking, sex life, and vaccines, to name a few. (Many already happening.)
As far as Moore's Movie goes, I don't need to waste my time making his pocket fatter, so I will not be seeing it in theatres. But a good indication of its quality can be from a review of his prior "documentary" Fahrenheit 9/11 in the far from hyper-conservative "Slate Magazine":
Unfairenheit 9/11
The lies of Michael Moore
For this years "Sicko" there is a great review by the talented Daniel Weintraub in the Sacramento Bee:
Daniel Weintraub: Moore on health insurance: Entertaining but flawed.
If anyone wants to see a more realistic Documentary, I suggest "A Mighty Wind", or "Best in Show"
This week Michael Moore was in the Capitol to promote his new movie "Sicko" and when he wasn't being a great capitalist, he was espousing the virtue of universal health care. (I ran into Moore coming off the Elevator and began making clicking noises believing he was another whale lost up the Sacramento River.) A special informational hearing, using state funds, was held so that Moore could highlight the commentary in his new "documentary" that highlighted the pitfalls of health care in America.
This, of course, is all to promote Sheila Kuehls single payer universal health care proposal, Senate Bill 840. I watched the hearing on closed circuit TV, cringing at the tortured "facts" and loosely veiled calls for communism. Shortly after I ran into the bills author, waiting for a green carpeted (Assembly Members) elevator and complaining about the wait. I still have bite marks on my lower lip:
"Well you know, elevators are public goods, so let the rationing begin..."
"Perhaps some non-members, people who haven't paid their dues, are using the elevator."
"Get used to lines."
All responses I managed to suppress.
Getting back to Moore: Normally I wouldn't use childish methods to rip on someone like Moore, especially since there are SO many better reasons to do so. But, under these circumstances everyone better be ready to discuss their health, AND what affects it. Very quickly the government, having to pay for your way of life, will more readily regulate your behaviors including eating, smoking, sex life, and vaccines, to name a few. (Many already happening.)
As far as Moore's Movie goes, I don't need to waste my time making his pocket fatter, so I will not be seeing it in theatres. But a good indication of its quality can be from a review of his prior "documentary" Fahrenheit 9/11 in the far from hyper-conservative "Slate Magazine":
Unfairenheit 9/11
The lies of Michael Moore
For this years "Sicko" there is a great review by the talented Daniel Weintraub in the Sacramento Bee:
Daniel Weintraub: Moore on health insurance: Entertaining but flawed.
If anyone wants to see a more realistic Documentary, I suggest "A Mighty Wind", or "Best in Show"
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Racism In Sports is Topic Again
There has been major coverage of Jackie Robinson's 60th anniversary of breaking into the league in 1947, when he became Rookie of the year. He went on to become league MVP two years later and bring success to the Dodgers Now, 60 years later we honor him, but at the same time their are many voices complaining that his legacy is lost. This month's ESPN the magazine ask just that question at the top of the page. In an interesting parallel that question was printed just above JaMarcus Russell, a black quarterback expected to be taken first overall in the NFL draft this month.
The complaint I have been hearing this week is that Major League Baseball is down to 8.5% African American representation; despite 12% national demographics. My favorite paper the San Diego Union Tribune, led today with a story profiling this years Padres, who are playing the Dodgers in the Sunday night game honoring Jackie Robinson, even though the have only two African Americans on the roster. (http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20070415-9999-1s15diversee.html)
I went and googled "race in sports" and found a group of articles and studies on the issue. One such article noted that African Americans represented 25% of the league in 1995 and have fallen to 8.5% in 12 years. The question that came into my head was: "Why is it ok to be overrepresented but not underrepresented?" Clearly, if the level is at 25% they are doubling their representation and pushing out other races that may be playing. That gets me to thinking about Basketball and Football.
Although the studies vary, the NFL hovers around 65% African American, and the NBA around 80%. Turn on a game anytime and you will see when you consider who is starting or has the most minutes (especially in Basketball) the numbers are even more skewed. Where are the outreach programs to make these leagues more representative of national demographics?
Barriers to entry due to race are wrong in any profession. But, we should be careful to jump to conclusions because of one cherry picked statistic. Unfortunately, in this country the discussion regarding race is very narrow and filtered. An "Outside the Lines" episode on this topic highlighted one black high school students experience joining the baseball team and being harassed for it; by other black students.
No one wants to discuss these issues, with good reason; anyone who breaches this subject is oftentimes run out of their profession. This country needs to be able to address these issues with less emotion, more insight and without jumping to conclusions.
The complaint I have been hearing this week is that Major League Baseball is down to 8.5% African American representation; despite 12% national demographics. My favorite paper the San Diego Union Tribune, led today with a story profiling this years Padres, who are playing the Dodgers in the Sunday night game honoring Jackie Robinson, even though the have only two African Americans on the roster. (http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20070415-9999-1s15diversee.html)
I went and googled "race in sports" and found a group of articles and studies on the issue. One such article noted that African Americans represented 25% of the league in 1995 and have fallen to 8.5% in 12 years. The question that came into my head was: "Why is it ok to be overrepresented but not underrepresented?" Clearly, if the level is at 25% they are doubling their representation and pushing out other races that may be playing. That gets me to thinking about Basketball and Football.
Although the studies vary, the NFL hovers around 65% African American, and the NBA around 80%. Turn on a game anytime and you will see when you consider who is starting or has the most minutes (especially in Basketball) the numbers are even more skewed. Where are the outreach programs to make these leagues more representative of national demographics?
Barriers to entry due to race are wrong in any profession. But, we should be careful to jump to conclusions because of one cherry picked statistic. Unfortunately, in this country the discussion regarding race is very narrow and filtered. An "Outside the Lines" episode on this topic highlighted one black high school students experience joining the baseball team and being harassed for it; by other black students.
No one wants to discuss these issues, with good reason; anyone who breaches this subject is oftentimes run out of their profession. This country needs to be able to address these issues with less emotion, more insight and without jumping to conclusions.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Start Blogging
Lets get this thing cracking: My name is Eddie and I work in the California state Capitol. It is probably the strangest place in the world. Pundits will say that we are always on the "cutting edge" of policy; that we are ahead of the curve.
Well the powers that be in CA are "ahead"; and more often then not leading us into some dark and poor times. I have always said, it is OK to be progressive as long as that forward progress does not carry us over a cliff.
Well the powers that be in CA are "ahead"; and more often then not leading us into some dark and poor times. I have always said, it is OK to be progressive as long as that forward progress does not carry us over a cliff.
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