Hypertext Bazaar - 06.03.08
Editor's Note: Forgot to thank Kevin Reilly for the bonfire photos. We're trying to get Riggs to do a guest spot soon, maybe a top ten list for the summer.
On exhibit in NYC, prefabricated home systems by George Maciunas. tjc
Can technology put evolution on fast-forward, asks the Tierney Lab. The countdown to singularity. tjc
Airlines are considering treating passengers like freight to beat fuel surge, ticketing customers based on the combined weight of the passengers and their luggage. jmj
A driver collided head first into a pack of cyclists in Mexico. One person is dead. The picture is amazingly horrific. The driver passed out at the wheel apparently drunk. Police had to subdue the crowd who immediately attempted to lynch the driver. glc
In response to Tyler Cowen's inquiry, I say Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley. tjc
Rock legend Bo Diddley died yesterday at the age of 79. While I am not a rabid fan, his influence on Rock n' Roll is undeniable. Thanks, Bo, for everything. jmj
The Bush regime is fighting climate change legislation from the Senate; threatens veto. Big surprise there. I think I should be more offended by this. Maybe he's wearing me down. Like Manny being Manny, it's Bush being Bush. Status quo, even when it means remaining incompetent, irrational, and unremitting, is very boring. tjc
I'm not so sure about J.J. Abrams' new show Fringe from this write-up in Wired, but I probably shouldn't doubt him. tjc
The Democratic Presidential primary is finally coming to a close today. Or is it? jmj
Mental_Floss recalls predictions from 1984, the first TED Conference. tjc
I recommend HBO's Recount, with this caveat: some of the script is laughable. I've read that many scenes are completely fictionalized, as no accounts were given. But the unlikelihood of Republicans calling for a "streetfight for the presidency" as Democrats denounce the same term is making a mockery out of a serious failure of our system and detracting from the overall argument of the same. tjc
On a lighter note. Mariah Carey can't throw. Amazingly, Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory is actually worse. glc
I feel like everywhere I turned last week I couldn't escape the 'biggest drawing in the world'. Turns out, it was a fake. The internet buzz was so great the artist had to attach a warning at the top of his page. glc
Curious as to how much or how little the Senate has been working over the past 20 years? Wonder no more. glc
Another GOOD Magazine entry too good not to pass on. Storytelling organization the Moth is waiting for you to tell your tales of woe. glc
It takes a rare kind of courage to live like a character in a story, and not many real-life human beings have the nerve to try it--perhaps because the elements that make a narrative compelling also make life miserable. Most people are too attached to the things that make them happy (honor, love, and friendship) to appreciate the subtle appeal of those things that might make them into more interesting protagonists (disgrace, heartbreak, and loneliness). Luckily, though, even prudent people will occasionally commit spectacular acts of mischief in pursuit of happiness. And when they do, the Moth is waiting--with an audience and a microphone.
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Great question, Stan.
To start, I grew up on Reagan and Bush, and came of age with Slick Willy.
Reagan was like a grandfather; one that you eventually learn used to squeeze money out of poor people and looked good doing it.
Bush was like a father; he navigated the first war of my life (Cold War aside) and he generally didn't suck too much.
Clinton was like a cool uncle; he liked to smoke cigars and got caught screwing the waitress. And he didn't have any wars.
My voting history: 2000 - Nader, 2004 - Kerry
(Let's ignore for the moment that both of these elections were most likely stolen.)
In 2000, I wasn't completely sold on Gore, I didn't think Bush had a shot, and I'm all for more than two choices, hence my third party vote. It wasn't a vote for Nader so much - I did think he was an honest, forthright guy - as it was a vote to let us have more choices. I think that's very important.
In 2004, I was completely against Bush. And I didn't think Bush had a shot. Kerry was the pick because I abhorred the president, especially his mishandling and mismanagement of 9/11.
Regret: Not that my exact vote needed to be counted, per se, but I do wish that I had voted for Al Gore in 2000.
Here's my situation.
1. I thought McCain was the best nominee in 2000. I never had confidence in Jr. Not for one minute. At this point, sidling up with the Pres takes McCain out of the picture for me.
2. The September 11 attacks brought on 2,974 fatalities, excluding hijackers. The man who caused the 9/11 tragedy is not in Iraq. There are no WMDs in Iraq. 4,087 American soldiers have died so far in Iraq; 312 more Coalition deaths; 49,297 Iraqi deaths; and 29,978 American soldiers wounded. That is an extremely reprehensible morass that we have entered into, and accountability is deserved. Being in the Iraqi War is not just Jr.'s fault; it was the fault of anyone else who aided and abetted.
3. I like Hilary Clinton, and flirted with the idea of supporting her for a minute. I thought Obama may be in over his head. I thought that Romney (Reaganite?) would have been the Republican nominee and I liked Clinton v. Romney in my favor. She was attractive, as a candidate.
4. Clinton voted for the Iraqi War. I CANNOT get past this fact. Nothing else about her is unattractive to me, as a voter. But I saw it coming, this unfathomable abyss of death that is "Mission Accomplished." She should have seen it coming. Barack Obama saw it coming.
5. Obama is an attractive, enigmatic candidate. He's very easy to get behind, if you're an open-minded voter. His speeches are both intoxicating and motivating. However, I am convinced that there is no possible way for the man to live up to the hype he has created. But I'm willing to give him the chance.
My expectations are much more tame than Obama's rhetoric. I am an optimistic realist.
As far as the church: Yes. It is political. But we talked about the self-serving politics of Edwards. Bill Richardson's decision - that we applauded - would also be political, but not self-serving. The question would then be, is Obama dropping out of his church politically self-serving?
Honestly, I don't know.
It would be self-serving if he thought he was losing voters, and that he could save himself politically by cutting ties. But many people who liked him already didn't stop liking him because of the church.
His being in the church didn't change my mind as a voter. Obama had a religious leader who questioned the administration's handling of 9/11 (as do I) and was outwardly critical of racism (as am I).
But more than part of the story, The Rev. was allowing the antics to become the actual story. I believe he didn't leave Obama much of a choice.
GW Bush talks directly to God, so he wouldn't even need a church. But seriously, Bush puts religion smack dab in the middle of his politics. Obama, by disassociating from the church, is actually taking his religion out of his politics, sacrificing his associations for the sake of winning the presidency. Country before self, or self-serving politics?
Put it in perspective: If Clinton disgraced the presidency by committing adultery, what has Bush done with all of that blood on his hands. And I bet Bush has a very nice pastor. So now does Rev. Wright still matter so much?
Stan, if you would like to rebut as a weekend guest post, or just present some dissenting opinions, please email me (on Bios page).
Thanks for reading,
tjc
good points stan.
Do the blog hosts like Obama so much because they like him or because they dislike President Bush? If you like Obama so much, what is the reason specifically, not the typical and ambiguous 'change' mantra please.
question #2 Since we just had a discussion about the shallowness of John Edwards and his politically motivated actions(endorsing Obama only when certain victory appeared to be at hand), how does Obama's move to disassociate from United Trinty Church(or whatever the name of the church is) strike everybody? doesn't that seem a bit politically motivated?