Okay, as you can see from one of my lists...this is one of the most annoying things in the world to me.  You can see a previous rant about it here. 

 

Why do people think this is acceptable?  The purpose of the carpool lane is to get people to carpool and therefore take cars off the road.  To qualify as a carpooler, you have to be driving to the same general area as someone else in the vehicle.  By getting in the car with another person, YOU HAVE TO BE TAKING A CAR OFF OF THE ROAD.  If you are not taking a car off of the road, you are not a carpooler and should not be in the carpool lane. 

 

I was chatting with a friend of mine the other day.  She was telling me about an argument he had with one of her friends.  Granted...my friend (Megan) is not a fan of toddlers.  Her experience with kids of close friends and relatives are not pleasant.  She seems to be surrounded by kids who scream, kick, cause trouble, and are never reprimanded by their crappy parents.

 

Anyway, she was arguing with one of her friends who is switching to a job that involves a commute.  Megan's friend says, "At least I can use the carpool lane with the baby in the back."  WHOA NELLY!  What?  I don't think so.  Baby doesn't drive.  Baby ain't taking a car off the road.  Megan called her on this and her (totally lame ass) response was, "Oh, so you don't think my child is human."  Score 1 for the stupid.

 

Babies should not be used to get in the carpool lane.  I don't think it's illegal, but it should be.  The only excuse would be if you are also transporting someone else's kids.  Multiple kids from multiple families are okay cause the other mom and dad aren't getting in a car.  Otherwise...no.  Sit in traffic like everyone else. 

It's official...Judge John Roberts will soon be sworn in as Chief Justice John Roberts.  The vote was 76 to 22.  It was expected that he would be confirmed.  I mean, even if every Democrat voted against him (assuming they let the floor come to a vote), all of the Republicans were going to vote for him.  Here were some of the things I was surprised with:  (a disclaimer...I acknowledge most Senators had already stated how they were going to vote...I am surprised with these votes in general).

 

Most Democrats voted as predicted:  Kennedy, Kerry, Boxer, Feinstein, Schumer, Biden, etc...they all voted no.  I was, however, surprised by Hilary Clinton.  Now, I know she's a lib with the best of them.  However, with her probable Presidential aspirations, she has been trying to frame herself as a moderate.  I would have thought that this would be a great way to show of a Moderate stance.  I mean, he's very well qualified, and he has professed his committment to the law, not an ideology, over and over again.  Especially since he was pretty much guarunteed confirmation, wouldn't you think a Moderate would vote FOR Judge Roberts.  Obviously, Hillary, Barrak Obama and Evan Byah disagree with me.

 

I am most surprised, however, by the votes of my own Senators from the great state of Washington. 

Parry Murray, who just won reelection in 2004 and doesn't have to campaign again until 2010.  Also, I have always seen her as the more Left Wing than the two, voted YEA!

Maria Cantwell, Jr. Senator who is up for reelection in 2006 and is seen as vulnurable due left over anger toward state Democrats as a result of the 2004 election deboccle, voted NAY

 

That seems totally backwards to me.  I totally expected Senator Murray to vote No.  I wasn't sure about Senator Cantwell until she announced her intention yesterday. 

 

I am very disappointed in the so called Moderate Democrats in the Senate.  As I have stated in previous blogs, Roberts was an outstanding candidate and will be an outstanding Chief Justice.  To oppose his nomination is nothing more than policial manuvering.  I mean if Ginsberg can be confirmed 97-0...Roberts should have received 100.

 

So, who's the next nominee gonna be???  

 

 

  

Man...there is so much on my mind today:  Tom Delay, Judge Roberts, FEMA, Maria Cantwell, my 2 hour commute this morning.  I don't know what to talk about...

 

So, I guess I'll go with the most important thing: Last night's episode of Lost. 

 

So, we know more about what's going on inside the hatch.  Wait a second...no we don't.  We don't know squat, except that Jack saw Locke's shoes when he walked down there.  We still don't know who Desmond is (other than what we got from Jack's flashback the week before) or what the freak he has been doing in a hatch for God knows how long. 

 

I've been trying to figure out how old Jack is.  Obviously, he is pretty young in last weeks flashback cause he bag wig is full of hair.  That means young, in case you didn't know.  Anyway, could that flashback be over 16 years ago?  If Jack is 40, he would have been...ummmmm...twenty something.  Possible, I guess.  If this is the case, could Desmond be part of Roussou's group.  I am thinking not...but I am having trouble thinking of other solutions.  I mean...wouldn't Roussou have noticed people building a hatch on this crazy island that she's been stranded on?  Whatever, my brain hurts thinking about Desmond.

 

We got a very brief glimpse of the Others last night.  Not enough to make any kind of predictions or really even to have noticed anything noteworthy.  Couldn't tell if they were black, white, Asian, Martian, or Pandoran.  They walked upright on two legs...that's all I know. 

 

How did they get Jin?  I mean, Jin jumped in after Sawyer.  Is he that bad of a swimmer?

 

I guess, last nights episode didn't excite me too much.  Didn't really learn anything new.  Just cramped my brain with more information that didn't really seem to lead me anywhere.  Except that I absolutely hate Walt's mom.  Plus...if Jin is on the island, Walt must be too...but we pretty much knew that.

 

Oh, I did pick up a spoiler on the web.  A female character is going to die sometime in October...but I don't know who.  It's not Roussou.  Like all spoilers...don't take this a Gospel. 

 

 

 

Haiku's are fun!!! 

I recently watched this German film with my wife.  Downfall ("Der Untergang" in German) is based on the memoirs of Traudl Junge, one of Hitler's personal secretaries.  The movie highlights the last days of Adolf Hitler.

 

First of all, mucho mucho props to Bruno Ganz who played Hitler.  He nails this role.  Granted, my only experience with Hitler (as I assume to be the case with most everyone reading this blog) is only from file clips and documentaries, Ganz played this role beautifully.  From Hitlers jerky arm pounding his fist on the table to the psycho look of hate that developed during Hitler's angriest moments.

 

This movie is spectacular.  Now, this is definintely one of those films that you need to be in the mood for.  It's not nearly as depressing as Schinder's List, but, it is very beautiful in that it leaves you going, "What is wrong with these people."  How could the staff, from his secretaries all the way up to the Generals and German elite, think this guy was anything other than insane. 

 

As the Russians move further into Berlin, many of Hitler's generals recommend to him that they evacuate the citizens.  Hitler responds (like there is absolutely nothing wrong with his response) that the citizens will not be evacuated.  Either they fight for their country or they deserve to die like the dogs they are.  The other actors, particularly Alexandra Maria Lara who playes Traudl Junge, may portray a brief hint of disagreement at what he says, but they quickly revert into their brainwashed selves.  They swore alligience to Hitler, they are not going to stray from his orders.

 

If you have ever wondered, How did this happen?  How could anyone let that madman run a country? this is a great film.  The answer is quite simple...the Germans were humiliated after WWI...they would not let it happen again...and Hitler promised it wouldn't.   

Do you like Video Games?  Do you like Music?  Do you like the Music in Video Games? 

 

Video Games Live is a concert featuring music from great games.  Classic like Mario and Sonic to popular new titles like Halo and World of Warcraft. 

 

I am personally anxious to hear the tunes from Halo played live (and that's not just because I am on a first name basis with Marty O'Donnell).  I think the original Halo led the way for great music in video games.  Prior to that opening chant in Halo, you had a just a little jingle that would lead you into a game.  Marty brought actual feeling into the game soundtracks.  Finally, music you don't mind listening to away from the game.  (Halo is on my Itunes list).

 

Also, what a great event for kids.  What an idea to get them excited about music through video games. 

 

This show is coming through Seattle at the end of October.  I'll let everyone know how it is. 

If you're a gamer and you haven't gotten your shirt yet, Bungie has stopped making them.  They will continue to sell them until they run out...so time is running out. 

 

As of last week, Halo fans had contributed over $160k to hurricane relief efforts. 

 

BUY THIS SHIRT 

I got this link from BalkiUW (Wasted Space in the links section).  According to this, I might be a little more of a hippie than I originally suspected.  Actually...I'm in the same quad at Stalin.  That's scary.  But, I still qualify as a moderate.  :-)

 

 

 

 

So, I'm a big fan of musical theatre.  I am the guy that loves to sing in the shower, sing in my car, sing in my office (my co-workers are as greatful as I am that I have a door now.) 

 

Rent, the Tony Award winning musical about friends and artists living in NY.  I am not a big fan of the story (1. AIDS in the US is not the problem is was 10-20 years ago and 2. it's just not that interesting to me), but I love the music and the cast does a wonderful job (except Mimi...I hate her voice in the original cast recording).  Anthony Rapp (also played Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown) and Idina Menzel (Elphaba in the Original Wicked cast) are fabulous singers. 

 

Anyway...Rent is coming out in movie form this holiday movie season.  Chris Columbus is directing it and they have gotten most of the original cast to play their original roles (Rosario Dawson is playing Mimi in the movie...didn't know she could sing). 

 

So, here's my question...can this movie possibly be any good?  First of all...all the actors are now 30 somethings or older.  The show is about broke 20 somethings.  I love Anthony Rapp...but, dude, he's got wrinkles now. 

 

Second...what the heck does Chris Columbus know about poor 20 somethings, many homosexual, artist wannabes with AIDS living in a run down NY flat?  Don't forget, this is the guy who directed Home Alone, Harry Potter, the classic Bicentennial Man and (the only movie of his I can think of where they use the F word...even though it's only once) Adventures in Babysitting.  ("Don't F*ck with the Babysitter.") 

 

So...I am very pesimistic.  Maybe I'll be wrong...but I doubt it. 

 

How freakin' convenient.  I am going to call my bookie right now and place money on Barry Bonds needing further knee surgury.  He came back at a point in the season where, even if he tests positive for steroids, with the appeals process, that test would not be made public until after the season.  Once he quits, MLB won't need to suspend him so the test will never be public. 

 

Bonds comes back, hits a few home-runs, complains that everyone is out to get him, then retires at the end of the season cause he supposedly needs more surgury.

 

Stupid steroid users are ruining baseball.  I hope the next year sees the 50 game suspentions that MLB is threatening for first time steroid offenders.  After 3 positives, players are barred from baseball.  That would America's sport back to the natural athletic state it belongs in. 

 

 

What?   I mean...huh.  Seriously...what the?

 

Who is that guy?  What's he doing in there?  Where did he get fresh eggs?  What was he shooting in his arm?  Why was he working on an Apple IIC?  What does he have to do with Jack?  Is he one of the Others?  Where's Kate? 

Hey...did Hurley ever tell Locke his really name?  If you noticed (I did!) in the Season finally, Locke calls him Hugo.  He did it again last night.  In the season finale, I though Hurley gave him a little "what the" look. 

 

What that some weird astral projection of Walt?  He is special, after all. 

 

This show is worse than the X-Files when it comes to consistatly leaving you hanging.

 

What did you think?

So, Harry Reid, yesterday, officially came out against Judge Roberts.  Those that read my blog know that I am a big fan of the Roberts nomination.  I think he is an outstanding judge that rules based on LAW, not on his opinion or feelings on any particular issue. 

 

Harry Reid, on the floor of the Senate yesterday, announced that he will be voting against Roberts.  He says that he wants to see a candidate that is more mainstreme...not extreme.

 

Excuse me?  What's extreme about John Roberts?  Reid quotes concerns about his record on civil rights.  During Roberts' tenure as a staff lawer for the Regan administration, Roberts wrote some memos that Democrats view as hostile to civil rights. (side note...they always preface this with "I'm not saying Judge Roberts is driven by bigotry or racism."  How else can you take being told you are against civil rights?).

 

Here is where I get annoyed.  I can understand (although I don't agree) why abortion supporters might be hesitant to support Roberts.  Although, I oppose abortion, I am convinced that Roberts will not activly work to overturn Roe vs Wade.  He has pretty much said as much.  However, if I were on the other side, I would worry about a Pro-Life Catholic taking over as Chief Justice. 

 

However, Harry Reid has come out as Pro-Life.  So, I can't figure out what he's complaining about.  He says, "This is a very close question for me. But I must resolve my doubts in favor of the American people whose rights would be in jeopardy if John Roberts turned out to be the wrong person for the job,”  Whose rights are you worried about Senator?  Either you are trying to coddle NARAL, or you are calling John Roberts a bigot, again. 

 

I'll tell you what this is...it's nothing more than pure partisanship.  The Dems hate Bush.  So, their leader has to make sure to do absolutely nothing in support of him.  Even when the President makes an outstanding choice, unless that choice is resignation, Harry Reid will not support it. 

 

And, to top things off, Reid is threatening to filibuster Bush's next nominee.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9409608/

 

I wouldn't put it past them to filibuster until 2008.

Okay...so, staying on Lost.  Has anyone else noticed just how HOT the actors are?

 

So...who's the HOTTEST?  Of the ladies...I think it's hard.  At first, I totally thought it was Kate.  But then, I was all like "WHOA" over Sun.  But, I think in the end...I am going to vote for Claire.  She's a cute little blond (totally my type) and I think the accent puts her over the top, mate. 

 

For the dudes, my wife says it's Jack all the way.  I know some people are out for Sawyer, but she always comes back to Jack. 

 

Comments?  Who's the HOTTEST?

So...I'm a HUGE Lost fan.  It's my favorite show since the X-Files.  I haven't done much (any?) blogging on it, but I suspect that will change. 

 

Anyway, the season premiere is this Wednesday at 9:00 on ABC.  However, if you are like me and you can't wait to find out what happens even to save your life, there are some spoilers posted on ABC's Lost message board.

 

 

Now, this could be a big hoax since ABC has not removed it, yet...but, if it's a hoax, it's a great story.  You have to do some scrolling to get to the meat of it. 

 

 

If you would like to watch it, check out these sites:

 

 

I have included some screen caps below.  They even give you a very brief glimps of Voldomort, who looks FREAKY!

Probing Mind has posted some news about one of my ladies. 

 

 

Glad to see your actually alive...now, try doing something productive. 

 

 

 

Well, Judge Roberts has been handling himself very well during these hearings.  This crap is all fluff.  He can't answer 3/4 of the questions they ask.  They are getting annoyed with him at times, too.  But, they keep asking stupid questions.  Just about everyone has asked him about aborition.  And he has, very politely told each one of them, "I respectfully refrain from answering that question as the court may hear arguments on similar cases."  This is a perfectly respectable answer.  He can't commit himself to a ruling before hearing any arguments.  Yet, every Senator brings it up along with a 15 minute speech about why they do or do not support abortion. 

 

Secondly, what is Delaware thinking when they continue to elect Joe Biden.  This guy is an ass.  Not only does he continue to ask Roberts questions that he can't answer, but he practically insults him when he doesn't answer them.  He's totally looking for TV time (and the networks are totally giving it to him).  Senator Biden is now asking him about a Teri Schiavo situation...if someone declairs that they don't want to live on life support, do you think the government should be able to force them.  Roberts says, I can't answer that cause it may come before the court...Biden goes on this tirade about how it's the public's right to know how he stands on all these issues. 

 

My thoughts...the Founding Fathers (who were political geniuses on both sides of the aisle) refrained from making the Judicial Branch an elected branch for a reason.  The Judicial Branch needs to stay out of politics.  COMPLETELY.  A court nominee should not have to give his personal views on any issue because their personal views should not be relevant.  They are there to interpret the law only.  The are there to read the law and rule on what it says...not rule on what they feel it should say.  Judges need to remain free from politics.