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8月30日 Where have all the African-American baseball players gone?ok, ok...one more. I know I keep saying I'm done, but I can't let this one go either.
So...according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, African American players are disappearing from baseball. When I started reading this article...I was seriously going "WTF" for the first 10 minutes. Then I realized what the problem was. They are strictly taking about Black Americans...therfore, Adrian Beltre doesn't count, Vladimir Guerrero doesn't count, 90% of the recently promoted Mariner's minor leaguers don't count. Why? Because they are not American.
This article makes me very angry. I mean, it's basically made out to make baseball look prejudiced. Particluarly two comments:
A quote from Dodger's player Milton Bradly (no relation to the board game maker): "You see, that's another thing, white people never want to see race with anything. There's race involved in baseball. That's why there is less than 9 percent African-American representation in the game."
And, another from Grover "Deacon" Jones, an Orioles scout: "Jackie [Robinson] would be sick. This is my 49th year in professional baseball, and man, this is incredible. It's insulting to me, personally."
Baseball is the most diverse of professional sports. Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Europeans, South Americans. To imply that there is bigatry in baseball is immature and irresponsible. Why aren't we asking why there are so few white Americans in basketball?
If you want more "African-Americans" (not read Blacks) in baseball, go tell all the kids in the yard to put down that basketball, quit trying to dunk on the 8 foot rim, and pick up a glove.
For real, this time...going on vacation. Vigilante kills sex offendersOkay...one more entry before I go on vacation.
My Seattle homies know of this story already. My Georgia and Colorado and Arizona and elsewhere homies may not have.
2 sex offenders were killed last Friday in Bellingham, Washington. It sounds like a guy showed up wearing an FBI hat and flashing an FBI ID. He said he needed to talk to the guys about their crimes and a supposed "hit list" targeting sex offenders. Now, these guys were Level 3 sex offenders, the level most likely to commit again. It is assumed that the killer got their information off of the web as sex offenders are required to keep their information public. Level III offenders must register for life.
I was listening to the radio on the way into work today and the question was asked..."should a case be opened against this vigilante?" So, I am also asking that question.
Jenzter and OfficeLife both had similar articles on their sites recently. Check them out if you're interested.
I have no love for sex offenders. This includes rape, child molestation, and basically sexual abuse of any kind. Personally, I think the crimes for such acts should warrent punishment more severe than that given to a murderer. The way I look at it, a murderer ends a persons life...a rapist leaves his victim to remember that event for the rest of his/her lifetime.
Do I support sex offender registration? You bet I do. If you know where they live, you can keep your children away from that house. If you don't know...how can you separate a criminal from the nice man who gives candy?
However...I think that is the extent of what should be done. Once the sex offender has served his or her time, their punishment should be over unless they reoffend. None of this booting them out of town stuff. None of this vigilante stuff. Most sex offenders are sick...literally. They have a mental manfuntion that creates urges they can't resist acting upon. Many feel the solution is to simply avoid tempting situations. Like the 2 men recently killed. The Dept. of Corrections called them a "success story." The hadn't reoffended, they had jobs, and they had been abiding by the law. They made (horrible) mistakes, but they paid for it and they will pay for it for the rest of their lives. Whose right is it to seek their own justice.
Forgiveness is devine. I'm not saying we need to forget...absolutely not. But, we can't continue to punish those that have paid for their crimes according to the law.
Now, if you'll excuse me...I'm going to Jamaica. 8月29日 On VacationBy the way...tomorrow night, i am leaving to go on vacation. The wife and I are going to Jamaica...where it is currently windy and raining. I've always wanted to spend money to leave Seattle so I can go somewhere else where it's raining.
I'll be back after Labor Day. Extreme Body Makeover - Week 329Well...another week behind. Way behind as I am writing this on Monday and class was on Thursday. One more class tomorrow, but I'm really not sure if I will go or not. We leave for vacation tomorrow night, so I may need to work through my normal workout time. But enough about that...back to the week's Extreme Body Makeover.
So, hypothetically, this is supposed to get easier. But (remember when I mentioned that it's Monday and class was last Thursday?) I am still sore. My knees feel like they have been beaten with baseball bats. My butt feels like I've been sitting on a plave for 13 hours (which I get to do tomorrow).
(While I am watching this, I am watching the Mariners lose to the Yankees...I hate the Yankees and I really hate watching the Mariners lose to the Yankees. Oh, and look...Ass-Rod just hit a home run. Jerk)
So, Robo-Instructor introduced a new exercise...this new exercise involves taking a giant rubber band and wrapping it around our ankles. Then, we lie on our side and proceed with leg lifts. After 20, we move the band up to our knees and do the same thing, this time with our knees bent. This is the reason my butt hurts.
Oh, I forgot to mention the three times (yes, three times) we had to run up the 4 story flight of stairs.
I don't even remember what else we did. All I remember was pain. And suffering. I sense much fear in you.
I am anxious to see how much body fat I have lost. Even my wife has commented that I look thinner. And, someone told me my face looks thinner the other day, too. That's what I have been hoping for all along.
Well, the Yankees are now winning 7 to 4. I don't have any more energy to keep writing. I'm gonna go be pissed off at Seattle's $95 million baseball team who can't seem to get out of last place. 8月26日 Diners have sweet surprise for soldier, girlfriendWhen Chris Yanez wanted to take his girlfriend out for a special dinner to celebrate their one-year anniversary, he chose the venerable restaurant Canlis, perched high above Lake Union. Yanez, a soldier returning from Iraq, knew the dinner would be pricey. What he didn't expect is that it would be free. And he also didn't expect that when he walked out, the place would be in tears. Before going to dinner Wednesday night, Yanez, a reservist who spent a year in Iraq as a machine-gunner, put on his green dress Army uniform, the one he was proud to wear. With his girlfriend, Liz Coleman, on his arm, he walked into Canlis, where owner Mark Canlis found the couple a special table with a panoramic view of the lake and the city. "I was a captain in the Air Force, so I have a soft spot there," Canlis said. A few minutes later, a man at a nearby table — who wanted to remain anonymous — walked up to the restaurant owner. "I was noticing the young soldier and saw them looking at the menu," he told Canlis. "I know he was looking at prices and I know this is a special thing, so I would like to take care of part of their bill." Then another family, the Greenbergs, said they, too, wanted to help pay for the meal. By the end of the night several patrons had, unknown to Yanez, offered to pay for the young couple's meal. With Canlis also sharing the costs, the $150 bill evaporated. Yanez and Coleman were sharing a peach-cobbler dessert when Canlis walked up with a piece of molten chocolate lava cake. "There's folks in this restaurant who don't think you should have to share a dessert," Canlis told the couple. "And they don't think you should pay the bill." Coleman burst into in tears. Tana Greenberg, whose family helped pay the bill, said she, like several other patrons, was wiping her eyes. "This brought out the patriotism in all of us," she said. "It was just the right thing to do. We're sending our kids over there and they're dying to uphold our beliefs. We just said this couple should not have to buy their meals. It was showing our belief in the uniform and what it stands for."
"I knew Canlis was expensive, but this is a one-of-a-kind restaurant and this was a special occasion," he said. "It was the greatest thing ever. It makes me feel like people appreciate the troops and they care about people in the community. I was in shock and my girlfriend started to cry. It was really emotional." Canlis said his grandfather, who spent 39 years in the Marines, once told him that he should never let a soldier in uniform into his restaurant without being taken care of. He said it's not the first time in recent months that returning troops have been honored at Canlis. Several months ago a man came in with his wife to treat her to a special dinner to make up for the two years he had spent in Iraq. The entire Canlis crew decided to pay the bill. "That's what makes it fun for us," Canlis said, "being able to take care of people in a special way." Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com Copyright © 2005 The Seattle Times Company Red Robin and WA law enforcement support Special OlympicsI think a burger sounds great this weekend!
Worth a tip?
Special Olympics Washington's major statewide promotion — the Special Olympics Washington-Red Robin "Tip-A-Cop" event — takes place tomorrow at 31 Red Robin restaurants across the state. Law-enforcement officers will assume the roles of waiters from noon to 8 p.m., and whatever they make in tips will be donated to Special Olympics Washington's athletic programs. Special Olympics Washington provides year-round training and competition in a variety of Olympic sports for children and adults with disabilities. 8月25日 Viva Lance ArmstrongNow, I am not a big Tour Duh France guy...I mean, how exciting is it, really, to watch people ride bikes. But, I have a lot of respect for the athletes that race in the Tour. Particularly, Lance Armstrong.
This guy survived cancer and then came back to win 7 (SEVEN) tours. Unheard of by anybody, much less a guy who suffered through chemo. I don't care about his personal life regarding his ex-wife, Sheryl Crow, blah blah blah. That's his business. I just admire the physical stregth he represents. His physical prior to the Tour revealed that his heart pumps more blood than an average healthy 20 year old. The guy is a robot.
Anyway, Lance has been accused (again) of juicing, doping, using performance enhancers...whatever you want to call it. This has happened every year for the last 4 years. And, every year, Lance comes out and says, it's absolutely not true.
As loyal readers to my site know...I am not a fan in any way of performance enhancers. I think sports should be 100% about raw physical abilility. I love baseball, but I am increasingly frustrated with the juicing that goes on there. But, in baseball, you can usually tell the people that are shooting up...well, except Ryan Franklin. I mean, look at the HUGE change in physical appearance in Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGuire, even the the former Mariner Leader Brett Boone. I mean, these got got huge over night. Then, when testing started, they started sucking. Boone hasn't had a good season since, Sammy is now hitting like crap with the Orioles, and Bonds isn't playing at all.
Lance has shown no physical change. He is not HUGE...but he is ripped. His muscles are from pure physical fitness. Can't you see the difference between a toned body (Lance) and HUGE bicepts (Bonds)?
However, after this year's accusation, Lance fired back...hard. And, with class, I think. He's not doing it by crying and saying, "You suck...I'm not talking to you cause this is so offensive" ala Sosa. No, he talks to the reporters on the phone and says, "This has been a long, love-hate relationship between myself and the French."
Basically, he says that it's very convenient how this "positive" test sample came up. 1) It's a sample from 1999. So, he asks why this lab in suburban Franch has been holding on to a piss sample for 7 years. 2) Tests are usually run twice. He says, it's interesting that they only have the B sample. How can he defend himself when they supposedly held on to that, but not the A sample. Personally, I think that the French are tired of getting their butts kicked. They need to find some way to make it invalid. This is just another, smaller, reminder, that the French are wussies. Viva La Resistance! (Not sure why I said that...but it sounded dramatic in my head)
PS: The picture below of nekkid Lance...I picked this shot to show off his toned muscles (which are very similar to mine). But, I want everyone to know, that although I selected this naked photo, I am not...in any way shape or form...suggesting you ride your bike pantless. Not in any way. 8月24日 Pat RobertsonOkay...I was avoiding this topic because I have always thought Pat Robertson is a doofus. He is one of those hypocritical Christians that drive me batty. As I am sure everyone knows by now, Robertson said on his show, The 700 Club, that the US should "take out" Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Here is the quote: "...he [Chavez] thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it. We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability."
Here is what he said yesterday: "I said our special forces could take him out. Take him out could be a number of things including kidnapping. There are a number of ways of taking out a dictator from power besides killing him. I was misinterpreted."
Let me say this as politely as possible: RIIIIIIIGGGGGHHHHT. (that was very slow and monotone, by the way)
What about, "He thinks we're trying to assiassinate him, I think we really ought to go ahead and do it," implies kidnapping? He could have said, "He thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think we really ought to go ahead and KIDNAP him." Then, there would be no "misinterpritation.
Dude...why don't you just admit that you made a stupid comment on National Television that pissed off an angry leader of a communist country? He did apologize, but I don't think he necessarily needs to apologize if he means what he said...but don't make up some stupid excuse that makes you sound like a bigger idiot.
On the other hand...if Pat continues to stick his foot so far up his mouth, maybe he won't be able to talk anymore. Then, we would only have Jerry Falwell. 8月23日 "Divorced" Same Sex Couples must pay child supportGood. What's the problem here. Why would anyone think they shouldn't?
I heard about this story a while back when it first came to court. It really interested me and I am happy with the outcome.
A female same sex couple had three kids. Each donated eggs to the other which who had them fertilized and implanted. One woman had twins. They lived together with the three children and each woman was considered a parent to all three.
Then, they split up. Woman #1 took the child that she gave birth to and woman #2 took the twins that she gave birth to.
Woman #2 says, "Hey...I can't afford to raise these two by myself. You should pay me child support." Woman #1 says, "No way...I have my kid, you have yours. I didn't give birth to them."
Hold the phone...I have yet to meet a man in a heterosexual relationship who has given birth. So, as far as I am concerned, that argument don't stand. Plus, even in cases where the parents of an adopted child split, one spouse ends up paying child support.
The case went all the way to the California Supreme Court...we'll see if it goes Federal. Dissenting justices pointed out a document that Woman #1 signed saying she had no intention of becoming a parent to any resulting children of donated eggs...but that's a copout (and actually one of the reasons I support gay unions...I think if they want to get married they should be subject to the same rules. None of this work-around crap). One judge made a comment that I think sums it up, "a woman who supplies eggs to help impregnate her lesbian partner, with the understanding the child will be raised in their home, cannot evade her responsibility to that child."
The objection to this ruling came from groups that oppose gay marriage. They say that the ruling, "defies logic and common sense by saying that children can have two moms." Dude...you can oppose gay marriage all you want, but when kids are involved, shut up. How can you argue that it is better for a child to live on welfare than to have money for school supplies and healthy food.
That's my two cents. Or...my buck fifty due to inflation. 8月22日 What does your office look like?So, seeing the pic posted on OfficeLife's site (see links on the right), I am curious as to what everyone's offices look like. Seeing her picture made me realize what a dork I am. She has all these official looking certificates and what-not. I have game posters.
Here is how mine looks.
Door: Outside, at the top, a Go Zags sign. Under that is my nameplate with a flashy Xbox thingy hanging from it. Wrapped around the doorknob are some MardiGras beads.
Inside: A Toilet Seat protector (sometimes known as an ass gasket) signed by co-workers at old company.
Right wall - A "door poster" of Oni, a PC game from Bungie. Next to that, a whiteboard with candidate names on it...this is probably the most official looking part of my office. Next to the whiteboard, shelves. Top Shelf: An XSN Sports hat (XSN is a closed Game Studio), a stuffed Gonzaga Bulldog, a Venti Starbucks cup signed by the crew that used to make my lattes every morning when I worked in downtown Seattle, and a stuffed Dilbert. Middle Shelf: A stuffed Seattle Mariners bear, a dictionary and thesaurus, a picture of my wife, and a stuffed Dogbert. Bottom Shelf: Some policy books, an XSN football, and a tissue holder that looks like one of the statues from Easter Island.
Back wall: A standing Ikea lamp with a stuffed Bat hanging on it. On the wall are two posters: Fable and Forza motorsport. More will go here when I get them.
Left wall. A white board that I occationally doodle on. On the whiteboard: a "Father's Day" card from my dog, a stuffed Conker, A Halo 2 sticker, an Office of Naval Intelligence Sticker, a Seattle Mariners magnetic schedule, and a nerf basketball hoop. Next to the Whiteboard, a cork board with 3 (yes 3) calendars. One is Halo 2, one is from DAZ studio containing various pictures of game and fantasy artwork, and one is "Girls Gone Wired" of various female video game characters. Also, a picture of each of my two cats, my dog, and my sponsered child Jesamin from the Phillipenes. One more whiteboard with nothing but magnets. Some from a dismal game called Impossible Creatures and two large drawings of a virtual car being crash tested.
Finally, on the front wall (to the left of the door) a large promo poster for an event we hosted at the Game Developers Conference.
Oh wait...on my desk, other than my computer and printer: A Dilbert desk calendar (I better always know what day it is), a rubber band ball three years in the making, a blue Ikea light thing, a picture of my wife and my cat as well as a picture of me and my other cat, a Senseo coffee machine, about 6 game magazines, and various other pieces of junk, including the basketball to go with the hoop on the whiteboard.
So, whoever wants to comment...please do. I want to know if I am the only one stuck in my pre-teens. Jason's tips for applying at a Game StudioOkay...if you are ever considering applying for a position in the Video Game Industry...here are some words of advise from me. Take them as you will. This is not Gospel, obviously. Simply the opinions of a simple Joe who looks at resumes after all. Just remember...if you apply, you first have to get through a guy like me.
 First of all, and possibly most important, just because you REALLY LOVED Halo 2 does not mean you know how to make it. Simply because you beat the game in 12 hours, don't assume you know how a character is rigged.
Second, it is not good practice to tell a company how they can make their game better unless you are asked. Actually, it is a question I ask in my screening...but, it is rude to volunteer that information beforehand. As far as I am concerned, the game is perfect...unless I ask you how to make it better.
Don't send me garbage. I mean, come on...you've seen our games. If you can't make a character look almost as good as ours, don't send it. Obviously, we're serious. Obviously, our guys know what they're doing. Obviously, you need more practice.
"Train me" doesn't work. If we wanted to hire someone we had to train first, I wouldn't have a job.
Highlight the relevant experience only. If you want to be a game programmer, I couldn't care less about the 2 years your spent as Assistant Manager at Long John Silvers.
A very common misconception when trying to get a job in general...don't continue to call. Don't worry...if we want to hire you, we'll call. Your calling every single day is not going to help you out...it will only annoy me.
Did I mention that just cause you REALLY LOVED Halo 2 doesn't mean you can make it?
It's too bad that, due to confidentiality, I can't show you any of these e-mails I get. However, for the sake of proving my point, let me create a little sample for you:
Dear [company],
I REALLY LOVE [insert game here]. It has really inspired me. I think I would be a great aset to your work place. I love to play games. I'm sure you get e-mails like this all the time, but I am different. I have ideas for like 3 games in my head right now. You should see these ideas. I am going to graduate High School in 4 years and I want to know which college I should go to so I can get a job with you. Please wright me back.
Your game ROCKS!
Johnnie LiveswithMom
Okay, so maybe this post is more rant than advise. But, if you are to take one thing away. I hope it's this: Halo 2 Rocks.
PS: Spelling errors are intentional...this time. Other blogs, not so much. Dave Matthews Band at the GorgeAnyone else go? I'll write more later, but I am wondering what others thought. 8月18日 My Extreme Body Makeover - Week 13What...it's only week 3? No...it can't be...I feel like I've been doing this for months. Only 3 more classes.
Same ol stuff this week: Ran the stairs, jumped rope, cried, worked our chests, worked our bi-cepts and tri-cepts, almost passed out, crunches, lunges, intentially tried to sprain my ankle to get the pain to stop. Nothing new, really.
However, I have decided that my android instructor has the hots for me. You see, she is always looking at me. Plus, she is always coming over to me and whispering sweet things in my ear like, "You need to make your stride longer" and "make sure you keep your chest up" and my personal favorite "make sure you finish strong, Justin." Of course, my name is Jason...but I know what she was hinting at. Feel like I might need to tell her I'm married soon...I'll be sure to let her down easy.
So...since there is not really much else to report (the bottom of my shirt was sweat free today), I have a question about locker room showers. A while back, we talked about big, buff, muscle-heads. Now, I want to talk about Naked dudes.
At the Pro-Club locker room...dudes are always walking around naked. Now, maybe I'm modest, but my routine after a workout is get undressed, quickly throw a towel around me and them head to the showers where I take my towel off and quickly get in the shower. Other dudes, walk around naked all the time. Some even sit on the furnature (hence why I have never sat on the furnature at the ProClub). I can forgive simply walking around naked I guess (but you need to get your hairy [fill in body part here] off the furnature), but what I don't get comes at the showers.
The area I shower at has 8 showers. 6 have curtains, 2 do not. Obviously...I head for a curtain. Why would you not head for a curtain? What is the purpose, when you can have privacy, of not using it? But, it gets worse. Say, the 2 non-curtained showers are taken. Guys will actually go to a curtained shower and leave the curtain open. WTF? Seriously...do you think we want to see your junk? Do you think it's something to be proud of? Shouldn't you be showing it to the ladies...unless you don't swing that way, which further means you should close the freakin' curtain.
Just wondering...what are your gym stories. Feel free to share.
Now, I am going to take a nap. I thought excercise was supposed to give you energy. Thanks again for kicking my ass, Karlie.
By the way...after three more classes, I should look like one of the dudes in the pictures below. Office vs CubeSo, as a professional in Corporate America, I have had plenty of experience with the cube world. Finally, last December, I moved into my first office. It was lovely. Now, I am in the unique situation of spending half my week in an office and half in a cube. I have come to realize that, depending on where you are working, a cube isn't so bad.
My previous cubes have been at companies that follow a social ladder of sorts. Until you reach a certain level, you are not privilaged enough to have an office. Now, I am not going to argue that having an office makes you more important...because it doesn't. It's the perception of being more important that the office gives you. And, in tern, you think you are important, which many times, you are not.
My first company (which shall remain nameless) was an Indian Casino. I worked there for 2 years. Now, this company had three HR "Managers" and an HR Director. Each Manager had an office. Now...not all of these managers had a person reporting to them. The most reports a manager had was 2. Yet, they all had offices. With this office, came the feeling that they were important. Each manager felt that they had the authority to manage all the pions (that was me) in the department. I don't know about you, but when someone else's manager comes up to me and instructs me to do something that isn't my job, I am not very inclined to do it. We literally had managers asking the pions (that was me) to give back rubs, pick them up from the airport after a personal trip, take in and pick up dry cleaning, and even get their car and pull it around to the door when it was raining. Office=Power. Cube=Slave.
My next company (which shall also remain nameless) was a major bank. This was a large corporation so the number of HR employees was huge. This company was better with their offices. You had to be a certain level to have an office, no exceptions. The difference here, is that there were no (or at least few) power trips. These people were managers and they knew who and what they managed. They also knew that if they asked a pion (that was me) for a backrub, they would soon after receive a call from the pion's lawyer. What the offices did do, however, was sepatate the managers from their teams. A manager cound lock himself in his office and nobody would know when they could or couldn't disturb him. Also, as I have said, I am a Recruiter. Whoever thought it would be a good idea to put a team of recruiters together in a room of cubes wasn't thinkin' too hard. What do recruiters do all day? We recruit. We are almost Always talking to people. This room got loud.
Finally, I joined my current company and moved into my first office. Finally, I had arrived, I thought. My office is great. I can close the door and turn on my music. I can stop to blog for 10 minutes or so. My wife can call and chew me out. Okay, so it has its downsides. Last week, I began sitting with one of my clients half the time (no names...but it's probably the #1 game studio in the world, right now). This environment is ALL cubes. But, let me tell you why it's different. As I said, it's ALL cubes. The Lead Producer sits in a cube. The Test Managers all sit in cubes. The Lead Artists and Animators are in cubes. Even the Studio Manager, the #1 guy here...cube. It makes a world of difference. There are no power trips. Everyone is accessable when you need them. It's a great community environment. And when my wife calls to chew me out, I can tell her to call me back later on my cell. It's great. Not that I am ready to give up my office, but it has definitly shown me that cubes are not as bad as I had always thought. It just depends on how you utilize them 8月16日 Bush offers SolaceThanks to Forrest at "Center for Responsible Politics" (found under the blog links) for posting this article and making us aware of it. This goes right along with a previous post last week about Cindy Sheehan.
I think her 15 minutes are up. It's time for her to go home and start preparing for her speech at the Democratic Convention. Why is Roman Polanski allowed to make movies?I was flipping through Entertainment Weekly's Fall Movie Preview edition when I saw an article about the upcoming film, Oliver Twist based on the Dickens novel. Obviously, this movie has been made many times. My first thought was, why do it again? But, if enought people want to, whatever.
Anywho...I quickly noticed that the person directing this film was Roman Polanski. For those who don't know who Roman Polansky is...allow me to give you some hightlights. He is the Academy Award winning director of many critically acclaimed movies such as Chinatown and the more recent The Pianist. Oh yes...and he is a convicted statutory rapist who fled the country before he could be sentences.
Let me be clear on that last statement. He didn't leave the country prior to trail thereby making the lawyers unable to prove guilt. He pleaded guilty and then hopped on an airplane bound for France where he remains.
When asked why Polansky wanted to remake Oliver Twist, the screenwriter says, "He really wanted to do something for kids." So, a convicted rapist (convicted for having sex with a drunk 13 year old) wants to make a movie for kids. Perhaps at the wrap party, Michael Jackson will provide the liquer.
I have so many problems with, not only this situation, but the Roman Polansky situation in general. Where do I start?
I am pissed off that studios hire him. I think it's discusting that they are willing to issue paychecks to this admitted felon.
I am pissed that people go to see his movies. If all his movies tanked, he wouldn't continue to be hired.
I am pissed that he won an Academy Award. "But he deserved it." is what I keep hearing. I don't care...he deserved to be in jail.
I am pissed that Harrison Ford made a big to-do about delivering his Academy Award to him in France after he won. Obviously, Polansky couldn't get it himself because his ass would be thrown in jail faster than you can say Jesus Juice.
I am all about separating the art from the artist. I think Art should stand on it's own and the activities of the artist should be considered in the interpretation of the art, byt it should not restrict one from enjoying or at least experiencing the art. HOWEVER, this opinion changes when the person is still living. So, if I want to enjoy the music of Wagner, a Nazi, that's okay. Wagner is dead and his music is good. However, if I go to see a Roman Polansky movie, part of what I paid goes into his pocket. I don't want any of my money going to a rapist. I don't care if it's half a cent. If more people followed my lead, he wouldn't be making money anymore.
Needless to say...I will not be seeing Oliver Twist just like I have never seen the Pianist or Chinatown. 8月11日 My Extreme Body Makeover - Week 2Okay, today was my 4th Extreme Body Makeover class. It's official (WARNING! Inappropriate Sexist Comment coming up)...I am the biggest pussy in a room full of women.
I HATE lunges. You know...looking at them, you wouldn't think that they would be that hard. But, dammit...looks are deceiving.
So, my robot of an instructor starts us off with cardio. We were in the circuit training room instead of the regular studio so she set up stations. Cardio Machines, Jump Ropes, and 2 stations of "Boucie (not BouNcie) Balls". On the balls, we have to do crazy intervals on and off and touch the floor and quick feet and Ugh.
Back to lunges...we've been doing walking lunges. So, just about the point when I feel like my legs are going to fall off, she tells me I'm not talking long enough strides. WHAT? You mean it's supposed to be harder?
On Tuesday, I learned that it's not a good idea for me to take this class while wearing a white t-shirt. By the end of class, I look like I belong in a wet t-shirt contest. And, being that, instead off boobs, I have a chest full of hair...this isn't a sexy look for me.
So, my goals have once again changed...per my last entry, I said I no longer expected a drastic body change...I only wanted to get through class without feeling like I was going to die. I have again changed my expectations. Now, I just want to get through class without praying for God to kill me.
Actually, since starting class, I have lost 6 pounds. Maybe Brad Pitt isn't too far off.
Cindy Sheehan: The Grieving ActivistAnti-war voice resonates in mother's Texas vigil.
Okay, by now, we have all heard of Cindy Sheehan. She is the mother of Spc. Casey Sheehan who was killed during an ambush in Iraq. When I first heard of this story, I was saddend. I thought it would be great of President Bush to meet with her. A one-on-one meeting with a grieving mother would be good for her and good for a country that is slowly taking away their support for the war in Iraq.
Then, I learned that Cindy Sheehan had already met with the president. Huh? Why does she need to meet with him again? But, then I started listening more closely. She's gone beyond grieving mother. She is now, officially, a political activist.
She says she simply wants the President to tell her why her son had to die. Fair enough...only that's not really what she wants. If the President did grant her another visit she wants him to say what she wants to hear. From the Seattle Times: "I don't believe his phony excuses for the war," she said of Bush in an interview with a CBS reporter. "I want him to tell me why my son died.... If he gave the real answer, people in this country would be outraged — if he told people it was to make his buddies rich, that it was about oil ... "
Where I once felt sorry for Sheehan, I am now angry. As Selwyn Duke says in the Mens News Daily article, "my sympathy for the grieving ends where their use of their grief as a political battering ram begins."
Granted, I did not know Casey Sheehan...she would know him much better than me. However, he volunteered for the army. He then volunteered for the mission he was killed during, knowing quite well going into it that it was dangerous. How can she sit there and say he didn't support the war? He didn't support the President? If he was so against it, why did he join the military?
I'm sorry her son died. I am sorry for the deaths of all Americans as well as civilians. But, using the death of a soldier as political gun powder is dispicable.
8月10日 Roberts loses support from conservative groupBottom line...Public Advocate of the United States, a conservative group from Virginia, has officiall declaired that it will not support the nomination of Judge Roberts because he assisted on a anti-discrimination case in Colorado.
First of all...everywhere you read about this case, it is referred to as a "Gay Rights" case. This is annoying to me...it should be seen as an anti-discrimination case. It was not a case about gay marriage or gays adopting or anything like that. It was about not being able to discriminate against someone simply due to their sexual orientation.
Next, Roberts has, all along, declared his love and support for the law. He does not believe in legislating from the bench, whether it be conservative or liberal. This is a very Republican thing to say. Isn't that the way it should be? It doesn't matter if you disagree with the law...if you don't like the law, go to Congress to have it changed. Don't whine because a judge (or lawyer) argues that the law needs to be followed.
Judge Roberts is going to be a fabulous addition. He will be a defendant of the law. He will not legislate from the bench. He will be neither conservative or liberal. He will be a Justice. That's what's important. Now...I don't think this declaration will have much influence, however. I mean, who the hell is/are the Public Advocate of the United States. Go back to your knitting.
Oh...and when you're done with this article...check out what Drudge posted today. If I see this ad, I am going to be pissed (cause that will totally infuence a lot of people). http://www.drudgereport.com/flash9.htm
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