Ann Coulter rehashes some (most) of Chuck Klosterman's ideas from 10 years ago, Conservatives rejoice at her brilliance

A Tea Party acquaintance of mine sent me this article by Ann Coulter.  It sounded awfully familiar.

"Coulter's" piece
http://www.anncoulter.com/columns/2014-06-25.html#read_more

Compare this to Klosterman's essay in "Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs" called ""George Will vs. Nick Hornby" 


Although Coulter's xenophobia and dislike of people with dark skin is on full display, Klosterman's essay is free of that.

Where is the outrage?

http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2014/05/joe_flacco_working_under_impression_ex-rutgers_star_ray_rice_wont_be_suspended.html

Joe Flacco refers to a suspension of Ray Rice for knocking out a woman in an elevator as "Crazy" and he's not too concerned about it.  Come to think of it, no one seems to concerned with this football star commiting violence against women, but when a senile old racist makes racist comments in his own home the Sports Media machine talks about it nonstop for weeks?

Why is there NO outrage for an athlete committing actual violence against women?  Why?

ESPN?  CNN?  NFLPA?

It just seems less earthshattering

Yesterday, Oregon started allowing marriage equality.  As I tweeted, my kids are the same.  My youngest asked me in the car "Did Oregon start allowing gay marriage today?  Didn't that happen a long time ago?"  I said a judge found the law unconstitutional.  His response, "oh".  He could have been asking if it was going to rain tomorrow.  Clearly he doesn't understand the struggle that's go on over the past 40 years, but I think he looks at it like we look back other wrongs from the past, that it just seems so foreign to him to him.  As if "how could people think that way?".

It's not to say it's not a big deal, even I find myself getting less excited about these things.  Maybe it's the inevitably of it, or that it just seems so obvious that it's the right thing and I believe the world sees it that way too,, crazy fanatics notwithstanding.  I'm happy, and I'll be really happy when everyone has equal rights to get married, keep their jobs, get housing, etc.  Maybe successes have made me unexcited about more recent successes.

It was the same thing with Michael Sam.  I'm glad he was drafted, but for me his sexuality wasn't the big deal the media made it out to be.  He's clearly not the first gay man to play in the NFL and he won't be the last.  His courage to come out was the story, because he's going into a place that may not welcome him, but for the most part people did.  I'm sure he'll be called names on the field and it will be a big controversy, but I bet he is called names every day but that doesn't make the news.

I sometimes get the feeling that the reaction to Sam and to gay marriage is straight people patting themselves on the back for being so "open- minded".

I know the struggle goes on and that there are lots of people with hate in their hearts (no matter how they justify it) and that will go on, but the fact that my 13 year old son thought that same-sex couples having the right to marry seemed like the most obvious thing tells how far we've come.  It's probably not something I thought about when I was 13.

Salon becomes more unreadable to reasoned liberals every day

http://www.salon.com/2014/04/08/gentrifications_insidious_violence_the_truth_about_american_cities/

Another example.

As soon the author claimed that buying a property is "violence" I was lost.  There might be some legitimate points in the piece but when you engage in ridiculous hyperbole it undermines the entirety of the argument.  Why not just scream "Nazi" or "Hitler"?

It minimizes real violence as well.  I seem to remember some Salon outrage a few weeks ago when Bobby Knight equated something to "Rape".  Why doesn't this author receive the same amount of outrage.

Trying to shock us into making something worse than it really is by equating it to scary words that you expand the definition of is the tactic of the right wing, but I see it more and more on Salon...the new voice of the Left Wing Tea Party.

Another "family values" Louisiana Republican having trouble keeping the standard he wants to impose on others by law

Man, those Louisiana Republicans have a hard time staying faithful to their wives while telling everyone how to live their lives , at least this one wasn't paying for it …that we know of

But he says he's "sorry"

Vitter Paid for it...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/07/11/new-orleans-madam-says-sen-david-vitter-used-her-brothel/

Zealots strike again

http://www.salon.com/2014/03/22/a_terrifying_precedent_woman_to_be_tried_for_murder_for_giving_birth_to_stillborn/

So Mississippi is looking to try a poor black kid for murder based on dubious scientific evidence...does this really surprise anyone?  I mean, sure it does b/c when you read about it it's shocking, but that a Southern State would do this to a poor black kid, does that shock?

Can you imagine the outrage if some 30 year old housewife (let's call her White) in Connecticut was charged in the same way for those glasses of Chardonnay she had during her pregnancy?  You won't have to, because that won't happen. It sure as shit won't happen to a rich white woman in Mississippi.

The most shocking thing for me, is that this shit has continued to move through the courts over the past few years despite the dubious evidence and lack of scientific causation.  But according to all the Tea Party and Right wing fanatics, America isn't racist any more and we should all be free to do what we want without the government interfering.

Yeah right.

Ted Cruz is...the Canadian Candidate

Cruz says he doesn't work for GOP party bosses...

Of course he doesn't.  This foreign born Zealot has done more to damage America in his short time in office than most others have done in their entire careers.  Can you imagine if he had done what he's done and been a Democrat?  A foreign national in our Senate.  Fox would be outraged.  Asking for birth certificates and demanding he be deported.  It's also unclear as to the legality with which his father entered this country (Bribing officials to obtain a visa?).  Again, imagine if he was a Democrat and what Fox would be saying.  What GOP leaders would be saying.

Even if you leave all that aside.  Cruz is a zealot whose hatred for Obama is stronger than his concern for America's economy, even though he's actually a Canadian.

My random thoughts on Week 1

I posted these gems to my Fantasy Football message board, thought I'd share them to the 3 people who read this blog:

For the first part of his rookie season, I defended Suh. I said he wasn't dirty, but it's pretty clear by now that he's probably the dirtiest player in the game (Jeff Saturday called him out yesterday as Dirty and talked about the code of honor among players and they all understand this is their profession). He's always sorry or didn't mean it, but he is a total punk ass and I believe he is trying to hurt players. I have no respect for him and will shed no tears when some other teams takes him out.

Second. Keep reading about how bad NFL officials are. After last year and EVERYONE complaining about replacement official, the officiating didn't get any better after the regular refs and now this week SI says the worst part of Week 1 was the officiating. I think EVERYONE owes the replacement refs an apology.

Finally, Chip Kelly's offense can work in the NFL. Eagles need to get in better shape to take advantage and not let the foot off the gas so soon. McCoy is PERFECT for that offense. He could have 2,000 yards this year in that offense.

Go Duck

My Manziel Theory

I'm probably not the first person to think of this, but I haven't heard it myself.  I believe now that Manziel is doing everything he can to not play another down at A&M while coming off as the victim.  He and his family haven't been quiet about how they dislike A&M and after watching Matt Barkley go from a top 3 pick to the 4th round costing him millions.  Texas A&M is not going to win the SEC, they are not going to the National Championship game, there is NO upside for the defending Heisman winner from playing one more year.  His father is too smart to let him make all these dumb "decisions".  They are small infractions, like underage drinking (repeatedly) the occasional bar altercation.  "Hey's it's just kids being kids"  They he goes and makes money he and everyone in college football knows he can't do, but the Manziels make Johnny out to be the victim.  It's perfect.  Johnny doesn't quit, they let the NCAA do the dirty work, but nothing horrible that would make people hate him.  He doesn't risk a season getting hurt and not winning a title or a another Heisman.  And he's the victim of the big bad NCAA.   

Eagles are still terrible, revisionist attempts won't change that

Quit defending the Eagles, they're still terrible.

I posted this on Facebook yesterday, because many of my friends know my distaste/dislike/hatred? of the Eagles music and pretty much everything they stand for.  But some of my friends were shocked by this revelation.  I'm not saying I know everything about music, but I do listen to a lot of stuff.  I own a few thousands CDs, and I even pay for Spotify.  I've got friends that know way more about music than I do, I mean savant types who are probably top 1% in terms of knowledge.  Nonetheless I think I have some credibility, even if there is some stuff I have trouble admitting I like.

All that said, I didn't respond b/c I didn't want to get in a little war of those tools, but in thinking of my responses in my head I decided I needed to get them out.  Here are those random thoughts.

- I liked the Eagles too when I was 14 years old.  I didn't know much.  Growing up listening to AOR/Classic Rock in a city with few music options you heard a lot of the Eagles.  I owned a few albums (on vinyl), but then I grew up.  I also used to think Bud was pretty good (not when I was 14, but probably at the same progression on my drinking journey) and actually liked the "flavor" of Milwaukee's Best.  Then I tasted something good (Black Butte Porter, in Eugene, OR August 1994).  I grew up musically too and realized that the Eagles sucked.  It wasn't a one time epiphany like the beer thing, but probably a slow evolution.

-The Eagles are like the Sutter Home of American Rock Music.  You can drink a lot of it, for cheap and it's not going to tax your palette.  It's not good, but it's made for mass consumption.

-I was going to say the Eagles are like the Bud Light of music, but they're not.  Bud Light (while not very tasty) is good at doing what it's supposed to do.  The Eagles don't even do that.  Are they are country rock band?  Well after you hear anything Gram Parsons was involved with you realize that they aren't even good at that.  Are they are "Rock" band?  Well, then they're even worse b/c pretty much everyone is better than them in that space.

- Go ahead listen to the lyrics of "Hotel California".  It's like the output of a 7th grade creative writing class.  Lyrically just weak.

- Musically?  Maybe some talent there.  Joe Walsh 30 years ago could play some guitar, but he isn't great.  actually, they aren't that solid here either.  (See the 3 note scales guitar solo in "Hotel California").  No Chops

- That's the music stuff, when the Eagles moved in to Musical Hell for me was their first "Hell Freezes Over" tour.  "Isn't it cute how we hated each other and swore we'd never play together again, but then when we needed some cash we came back and charged you all ridiculously high ticket prices to see our milquetoast peaceful, easy feeling music?"  Actually it wasn't, it was douchey.  Try some integrity you greedy tools.

- And they're at it again.  Is this one called "Hell Freezes Over 5"?  or whatever number tour it is after they said they'd never play together again.  Someone must need a new pool or Ferrari.

- Just yesterday is was talking trash about Steely Dan.  I just can't listen to them.  I had a 6 month window about 20 years ago when I could, but that passed.  I get it, I understand what they do and technically they're good at it.  It's just not for me, it's for 65 year old White Male College Professors.  But unlike the Eagles, I do have some respect for them.  I just can't listen to it.  Not so with the Eagles.  And don't think I can only listen to artists that I respect b/c I'll listen to a great song even if I don't respect the artist (to a point), those are called guilty pleasures.  Eagles don't fit that category either.

They don't bring anything to the party and I wish they'd go away, but more importantly as this article points out, I wish people would stop trying to rehabilitate their reputation.

Take it away Gram http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PytxPaU6k4

Old White guy review of Kayne and JayZ's new albums ...or "The Student becomes the Master"

I'm not sure if "Watch the Throne" was supposed to be a passing of the torch, but maybe it was.  We'll see.  The comparisons between Kayne's and Jay-Z's new albums are inevitable given their history, their position at the top of the Hip Hop Music scene and the release of albums so close (reminds me of when Blur and Oasis released albums at the same time in the 1990s to the same type of comparisons although those groups were "enemies" it seemed).

My thoughts boil down to this.  I really liked Kayne's album even though I didn't want to and I was completely underwhelmed by Jay-Z's.  A friend pointed out that Jay seems to be trying to be like Kayne versus being the guy that he's been forever.  Same friend pointed out that singing about all the expensive art you have doesn't have the same resonance as "99 Problems".  Obviously artists evolve, but sometimes the change isn't for the better.

Speaking of the differences between these two guys I was struck by Jay-Z's ode to a fashion designer (to some extent) "Tom Ford" contrasted with Kayne's "New Slaves".  I've read on-line that as a white person I can't understand what Kayne's talking about in this song and maybe I can't but it seems to me that's a rant against the consumerism that turns people in to New Slaves.  So, while Jay is reveling in that very thing.  Don't get me wrong, Kayne lives in the very world he seems to be deriding (Kardasians anyone?).

Musically, I found Jay-Z's album somewhat boring.  Kayne's is anything but.  The angry industrial beats make you take notice, make you listen. You're drawn to it even when those beats are some "repulsive" (at least it's not Dub Step).  I have a feeling that in 12 months an awful lot of Hip Hop is going to sound like this with beats by Marilyn Manson and Ministry.  By then Kayne will probably on to the next thing.

I only hope that Jay-Z's next album he isn't playing catch up to Yeezus.  

Microsoft gets a clue

This didn't take long.  Made me wonder if the fine people at MSFT have been taking pages from the Netflix school of pissing off your customers.  They must have also learned from them when you're wrong you make changes.  Should have never been an issue though

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/19/tech/gaming-gadgets/xbox-drm/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Wilco...SO BORING. It's gotta be said.

It's gotta be said, Wilco sucks. Seemingly every music critic and too many music fans love these guys like they're the second coming of the Beatles and it's just been accepted as conventional wisdom.  I never got it, but just figured I was missing something, but it's time to say something.  (apparently I'm not the first person to say this...the obligatory Google search returns 4.3 Million hits for "Wilco Sucks").  I think I even bought it for a minute or two until I realized that the ONLY time I found Wilco palatable was "Mermaid Avenue", but  without Billy Bragg and the words of Woody Guthrie, Wilco is mind-numbingly boring.  They aren't even a good  "Alt-country" band, if they are classified as such.  Uncle Tupelo was better...maybe that is why everyone wants Wilco to be so good, to rekindle what they lost when Uncle Tupelo broke up

Anyway, I feel better.  

Do you even know what "Humbling" means?

"Famous" people need to stop saying everything is a "humbling experience". It's become the go-to reaction to anything that happens to anyone in media's eye. Getting busted cheating..."It's been a humbling experience". Win an Academy Award "This is a humbling experience". Wha? It's getting nearly as bad as the overuse of "Surreal" to describe every little thing.

NHL Player "humbled" by award

TO Humbled by Prison Visit to see Chad Johnson

"If you're not doing anything wrong...you have nothing to worry about"

So, I've heard defenders of the NSA spying on all of America (ignoring their semantic argument that they aren't really reading your emails and texts, just collecting them...as if that is different, maybe more on that later) say that "if you're not doing anything wrong, you don't have anything to hide or worry about".  Which is a classic line by despots, but also ignores some pretty basic tenets of PRIVACY and the 4th Amendment.

I found it interesting enough to comment on because some of the same people who have said this were the most outraged by the IRS looking at Political Groups (which by the way, they are supposed to do.  You can't claim to be a Non-profit, tax exempt organization and be a political organization.  So, if the IRS was looking at political organizations to ensure they were abiding by the law, why the outrage?  If they weren't doing anything wrong or improper they had NOTHING to worry about.  (Not to mention that NO  ONE has claimed that these organizations were shut down, only investigated to see if they were engaged in activities that were not allowed by Tax Exempt organizations...a HUGE  fact missing from the media's horrible coverage of that story)

Random thoughts on what little I know about Xbox One vs. PS4

So, I"m reading that Xbox will require us to be connected all the time, to not be able to share games or even borrow a friend's game and assorted other constraints like not being able to play old games (not sure if that's true).  I've read that if the HD breaks it can't be fixed, the box can't be messed with...and , having been stung by MS's crappy hardware with the original Xbox (3 of them stopped reading discs and had to be tossed) and the 360, another 2 bad optical readers.  I've experienced XBOX's HORRIBLE customer service when trying to deal with Xbox Live issues.  Including a friend whose account was suspended because they asked a question on the required blog (who supports a product in that manner) more than someone believed they should.  After the support people didn't answer the original question, they asked again and for that they had their account suspended.  I literally have never heard of a worse support model than Xbox Live.  (I'm probably going to suffer some sort of similar consequence for this post that no one will read, b/c that's the kind of customer service I've seen).

I've been a faithful customer of MS for...ever.  I've got tons of their products and we've got tons of games (and about 5 unusable Xboxs to show for it), but their arrogance and lack of support for Xbox and the new mandates.

It's funny I heard some talking head at MS talking about how their "always" connected mandate was like streaming Netflix versus getting discs at Blockbuster.  It seemed appropriate that they used that b/c it proves they don't get it.  My blu-ray player streams content from all kinds of places like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, but guess what?  I don't have to have it connected a SONY server to play a BluRay or a DVD.  I surely shouldn't have to be connected to play a game I paid $60+ for.

Sorry MS, I won't be buying another Xbox Product.  Sony's gonna get my business on the next console.

Wrapping yourself up in the Bible to justify your hatred...Not very Jesusy

Baptists leaving Boy Scouts...

For the past few years we've been hearing that religious people don't really have anything against gay people they just don't want to them to get married (we all knew that wasn't true).  Now, it appears they don't care for them after all as they can't bring themselves to tie knots with gay people.

Shameful..and I have NO DOUBT that Jesus would say the same thing of their selective readings of the Bible (we all know they don't feel the same hatred for people who eat Shellfish or wear two different types of cloth at the same time...) to defend their hatreds.



11 things you do that the Bible bans

Don't you feel safer

Choke Hold for a 14 year old

Nice to see some of Florida's finest choking out a child and defending it by saying he "clinched his fists" and made a look they didn't like.  Don't you feel safer?  This is real unbridled abuse of power...it should scare every American who loves Freedom and Liberty

The right-wing likes to talk about an intrusive government, but this is the real shit that people deal with every day.  Cops with issues acting violently based on whatever little thing sets them off.  This is real, not some ridiculous conspiracy theory of a government taking your guns, but notice the racist comments below the story.  I have very little doubt that the hateful comments are made by the same type of people who worry that "Obama is going to take their guns".  (see a connection?)

Shame on these cops and shame their management who defends this action.  Is a 14 year old clinching his fists holding a puppy REALLY a threat to anyone?  Maybe if you see every black kid as a threat and you take an opportunity to act out on whatever hang ups you're bringing to your job...

How quickly they forget...or a zealot is a zealot

The murder of the British soldier was horrible and those sick bastards should suffer.  I read a bunch of interesting comments about how this somehow proved that Muslims were violent and horrible people, despite denunciations by 99.9% of Muslims.  The irony is that those same people making those claims didn't assert that Christianity/Catholics were inherently violent and evil when the IRA was targeting British soldiers and killing them in acts of terrorism just a few years ago.

A short memory?  Hypocrisy? Racism? You pick.

I thought the right wingers loved guns...oh I see the difference now

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/23/justice/florida-zimmerman-defense/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

So, the Right Wing who loves guns and shooting the Trayvon Martin, now is trying to paint him as a thug b/c he sent texts about guns?  Wait a minute, I thought they loved guns and everyone should own them.  OH I get it...they don't want black people to have guns.  That's really what it boils down to isn't it.

He might have smoked some pot, so this is some sort of proof that he should be dead?  Most Americans have smoked pot and many own guns, so they should be shot?  Deserve to be shot?  read the comments.

Of course Zimmerman had a bloody nose, he followed a guy and attacked him and that guy fought back.  Zimmerman's intent to engage was clear from the 911 calls, despite being asked not to engage.  If someone chased after you and attacked you, you're going to defend yourself.  How is the aggressor allowed to claim he stood his ground (which I understand he's not going to claim now), it was Trayvon that stood his ground after being engaged and attacked.

And as for why releasing texts about him talking about guns is supposed to paint him in a bad light when the Republicans and the NRA who really want to see Zimmerman get away with murder last week were doing everything they could to celebrate guns and make it really easy for people to get them...typical Right Wing Hypocrisy.  The only thing more pathetic is the racism inherent in their hypocrisy.