Jim In Tonic

Today, I will not rant

Today, I take a minute to remember 4,000 dead in Iraq. I thank all of you for your gallant service to your nation and the ultimate sacrifice you and your families have made dispatching your duties with honor.

Tomorrow, I go back to criticizing the idiots who sent you someplace you should not have been fighting an enemy who at best, could have waited for us to get the guys who killed thousands here at home.

and just like that....

SNL for your blog

SNL has embed code for your favorite skits. I think it's great of course but I still watch the show.

Who does this fucktard think he is?

He makes me wish we had moved to Iowa. I have to tell you that I was going to send him an email but apparently our representatives in Congress aren't interested in receiving the opinions of those who are not their direct constituents. This was not always the case I know because I have written several congress-people in my life via email many of whom were not my Representative. Thank God that the brief sampling of Senatorial websites allow for email from outside of their home districts.

I found the statements made by Representative Steve King, to be reprehensible. This is the worst kind of politics this politics of fear. Rep. King wishes us lowly idiots that he represents to believe that terrorists actually care who wins our election. Does anyone out there really think that Osama Bin Laden gives a steaming turd who our next President is? I mean is he really huddled in a cave somewhere in Pakistan hooked up to his dialysis machine planning the next attack while watching The Fair and Balanced reporting of FOX News? I assume that it would be Fox because I can't go to any public place without seeing those assholes spout their own version of the Islamic Terrorists will be dancing in the streets rhetoric. I also think there is some brand of television that is only sold to businesses which is only able to tune in Fox in spite of having 100 channels of cable television.

Do you have a favorite in the Pakistan elections that should be coming up soon. I mean I know we all were rooting for Benazir Bhutto over General Musharraf but now, do you have a new favorite? If you answered yes I know where you stand politically by the way. You are a near commie lefty. I'm not talking to you, your too busy saving the rest of the world to worry about this nomination, you'll vote for whichever person is running against John McCain. The rest of you think about it. If you don't care about Pakistan's Elections how can you believe that terrorists care is is going to lead the infidels for the next four years?

Just a thought...for now.

Is Hannity for real?

I just heard Sean Hannity claim that there is a scandal double standard that Liberals adhere to whereas Bill Clinton's blowjob means nothing and that there is a group of delusional liberals who feel that Eliot Spitzer will make it through this prostitution scandal. The flip side of the double standard is that Republicans would be called upon to immediately resign their office. Three words for you Gasbag, Senator Larry Craig. I don't remember anyone calling for him to resign but maybe that was because he resigned then he rescinded then he appealed then he dropped his appeal. I am so tired of listening to these assholes talk out of both sides of their mouths. His assertion is ridiculous and I reject your right wing bullshit! Like Howard Keel, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

I've got a solution...

For the Democrats in Florida and in Michigan. It's nothing complicated but I think it would work and you could cram it down the candidate's throats. First things first.

Do we really want to see people like this involved in the outcome of another election?

Florida: They had a valid primary back on January 29th. Florida's primary is a closed primary so we don't have to worry about any real disenfranchisement of voters in Florida. Clinton and Obama both were on the ballot, and there were originally 210 delegates to be seated from Florida at the convention. In the primary Hillary Clinton won with 50% to Barack Obama's 33%. If we subtract the number of Florida Superdelegates (22) there are a total of 188 up for grabs. Florida probably does deserve to be punished in some way for moving their primary against the wishes of the DNC, but it was not the people of Florida that decided to move, it was the State Legislature. I haven't researched this but I have heard from several news sources that the legislature could not get the primary moved without help from the democratic minority so let's not go blaming republicans for it. It's Florida, they're all to blame. so let's say that the DNC decides to seat 20% fewer delegates from Florida as a penalty. This leaves us with 146 delegates. If we divide delegates proportionately Hillary Clinton would get 73 delegates, Barack Obama would receive 48 delegates with the rest going to Edwards and Kucinich. Florida solved; most everyone happy right?

Michigan is a totally different animal. Michigan has 26 Superdelegates available and I doubt that the DNC would ever not seat Superdelegates so we'll assume the the 26 will be available in Denver. Now we need to figure out how to deal with the other 130. Firstly there's the penalty for moving the primary, so I'll start with 125 (rounded up from 124.8). Here's the specific problem with Michigan, not every candidate was on the ballot. I am not sure why Barack Obama wasn't on the ballot in Michigan but he wasn't.

Here is what I would propose for the Michigan do-over.

The first thing I would recommend is that the Michigan do-over be run as a closed primary. The idea of doing a new primary or caucus whatever is actually allowable in Michigan and have it be an open primary is just not feasible, but if it were a closed primary everyone who is a registered Democrat would be. I would prepare a ballot to be sent to every registered democrat in the state of Michigan and have it be return postage paid sealed postcard. Essential to the success of this process would be that it be verifiable. I would proposed that recipients of the ballot be required to call in to a "robo-verification" telephone number that would, after the voter entering in some basic information about their voter registration would be given a randomly generated verification number that would need to be entered into a field on the ballot. The verification number would be entered into a "scantron" panel a la school test format, number two pencil only please. This would allow more voters to participate, and provide a verifiable means to recount the election results if needed. The other bonus of this process would be the cost. I'm sure that the cost of postage would be significant but could come at a discount due to the sheer volume and the bulk rates the USPS offers. The biggest cost involved in this format would be the labor cost in counting the votes once they came in.

I know that there are other ways to skin this cat, but why is it that I can think of a reasonably fair and equitable option to a do-over in just a couple of hours and the DNC, candidates, State Officials, and talking heads can't? This solution would be affordable for the DNC, could allow more people to be involved, doesn't disenfranchise the base of the party or either candidate, and can be done rather quickly. Let's get it done, and let the Florida Primary stand as it was decided.

Johm McCain's Doppelganger

Let me start this first post in several months by saying this. I liked John McCain, a lot. I admired his candor and his willingness to go against the tide of popular Republican thought in order to achieve his own political goals. I appreciated that this man, seemingly alone among the right, was concerned with cleaning up the political system and introducing legislation that made sense for the country on the whole.

I also have the utmost respect for McCain's service to this country. Who could've blamed McCain if he came home from the Hanoi Hilton and dropped out, not our boy McCain. He came home from his horrific internment and torture served in the Navy honorably and sought to serve his constituents and the country in the House & Senate. I consider John McCain's story to be one of the greatest triumphs of courage and hope I have ever heard of.

]]> Now I have finally lost all respect for Senator John McCain. I mean to say that I have lost all respect for McCain politically. I tired of the awkward hugs and the thumbs up stiffly presented at the end of each rally. I don't think showing John McCain's diminished physical capacities whenever possible puts his courage and honor at the forefront of the American Electorate. It shows us someone who has lost all dignity. Let's take that awkward hug
I like to think that this is John McCain's oh shit moment. Like what the hell have I gotten myself into, "Oh shit" moment.I am hoping that at the very least Senator McCain is thinking that it would be easier to check back into the Hanoi Hilton than it is to run for President. Let's take another moment to consider who's endorsement he received today.

This is the guy who's underground people push polled in South Carolina insinuating that the daughter the McCain's adopted from India was the illegitimate black child that the Senator had fathered. They attacked Cindy McCain's addiction to painkillers and used carefully coded language to suggest McCain was unstable. Carl Rove, who was widely credited with being at the root of most of these attacks, has always had the ear of President Bush especially when he was running his campaign. If I were despicably attacked by this man 8 years ago I would not be seeking his endorsement, let alone hugging him. Would you? This is not the same McCain. This is some McCain sent back from the future, his doppelganger I tell you. If you don't remember the attacks, follow the links below. As usual the wiki rocks.

McCain's Biography

Smears

and more lies

Alright, I'm Back

For those of you who don't know this already, CheekyProf and I have moved. I can now tell you that we sold our house in Old Town, the loveliest little town I have ever had the pleasure of living in and drove out west, an adventure in itself. As is the wish of my lovely bride I will not divulge out new location let's just saw that I have now seen more corn than I ever thought I would on our trek out here and now, for the first time since my Father packed us all up for job training in Oklahoma when I was 4, I am a fish away from water. I have to say that it isn't all that bad out here in FlyoverLand, but I have missed the seafood. It's been fsix months and I can't stand the fact that I can't drive 20 minutes down the road in my shorts and a tee shirt and pay less than twenty dollars for a complete lobster dinner at my favorite local restaurant. I miss the year round availability of fried clams and scallops and fresh shrimp.

UPDATED Dear Mr. Newsman (Steve Capus, NBC News Pres.)

Mr. Capus,

I am both disgusted and disappointed today with NBC's decision to air videos and photographs sent to NBC by Cho Seung-Hui. The intent of sending those materials was precisely the outcome; Cho Seung-Hui wished to be the center of the storm of infamy that followed his heinous acts. Cliff Vanzant has said on MSNBC, with respect to the victims and because the intent of the perpetrator was to gain attention for his crimes, he would not have aired the videos.

I was made aware by the story that Cho considered the tragedy at Columbine High School perpetrated by Dillon Klebold and Eric Harris to be inspiration for his attack, which I think is useful information for the public to have. Showing the videos made by Klebold and Harris as contrast to the Cho videos is truly a disgusting act. If we now know that Cho drew some inspiration from the Columbine killings and made videos that were eerily similar to those made by Klebold and Harris what sense does it make to once again air the original videos? How many others who will become mentally unstable and fall through the cracks of our mental health system will draw inspiration from seeing not one of these videos but both the Columbine and Virginia Tech videos?

There are ways in which NBC could have retain the information that was received by the news organization and benefit from the jump that was received on the competition thereby getting better ratings while not showing the tapes. It is possible in my opinion to maintain ratings and a moral high ground on the competition. I would suggest that the next time NBC news receives such inflammatory materials they perhaps put such information on their websites so that it is not broadcast as widely as it is being now. I realize that the same number of people who have viewed the videos on television may eventually see it on the internet, but there is a difference in individuals making an active choice to to view them as opposed to the passive choice on their television to either change the channel or sit through the report. The distinction may not be separated by a wide margin but I believe this would allow NBC News to its position on the moral high ground you've claimed last week with the firing of Don Imus.

]]> I received the following in response to my email:

NBC News is in receipt of your e-mail. Please read the following statement from Steve Capus, NBC News President.

I want to take a moment to explain our decision. I assure you it was not taken lightly. It was only done after careful consideration and with great sensitivity to the families and friends of the victims and the entire community of Virginia Tech.

Beginning this morning, we have limited our usage of the video across NBC News to no more than 10 percent of our airtime.

It is important to note, NBC News has broadcast only a small fraction of the material we've received. In total, there are more than 45 photos, more than 23 minutes of video tape and 23 some pages of written materials. We selectively chose certain limited passages and material to release.

Prior to the release, we worked very closely with law enforcement authorities. They asked us to remain silent about the material until they had a chance to review the content. We naturally abided by that request. We handed over to the FBI all of the original documents in a quick manner with the expressed desire to do anything to help investigators. Indeed, we appreciated the acknowledgment by the Virginia State Police during their press briefing yesterday, of our handling of this incident.

Some 7 and 1/2 hours passed before we aired the first video from the material, and again it was done in an extremely limited manner. Our Standards and Policies chief reviewed all material before it was released. One of our most experienced correspondents, Pete Williams handled the reporting. We believe it provides some answers to the critical question, "WHY did this man carry out these awful murders?" The same decision to run this video was reached by virtually every news organization in the world, as evidenced by their coverage on television, on websites and in newspapers.

The pain suffered by the Virginia Tech community and indeed the country is real and will last forever. I believe our coverage to date has been handled with great sensitivity. We are committed to nothing less.

Thank you for taking the time to write. I hope you appreciate our difficult position - and that this e-mail offers some understanding.

Steve Capus

NBC News President

10 percent of their air time eh? Lets see. 10 percent of MSNBC = 2 hours 24 minutes. 10 percent of CNBC - 2 hours 24 minutes. 10% of the today show = 18 minutes of the today show. 3 minutes of the Nightly News. 3 minutes of Early Today.

That's 5 Hours and 12 Minutes of programming in a 24 hour period. One point here, I find it hard to believe that the Today Show will only spend 18 minutes on the subject. Additionally, 3 minutes on the Nightly news may be a bit understated. We all know that they've got all of 10% one the cable 24 hour news outlets so what color smoke are they trying to blow up my ass anyway? I'm not buying it.

Matt Lauer should die of gonorrhea and rot in hell

As should the Rev Al Sharpton; for soiling the debate over the Imus incident last week. Where were these two aholes when after last year's NCAA Women's Final Four Imus referred to the winning team as a bunch of lesbians? I'll tell you where they were, in a little closet wringing their hands plotting to make a big flap over something that had political legs.

Let's get this part out of the way I do not condone what Don Imus said about the Rutgers basketball team. I appreciate the fact that these women were hurt by his statements. I don't even necessarily disagree with the fact that he was fired.

I personally take offense to the actions of Matt Lauer, who used his position as America's number one soft and cuddly conservative (see attack interviews with Michael Moore and other lefty's vs softball interviews with W and Coulter)to attack one of his harshest critics. I have listened to Imus off and on for close to thirty years and have heard him criticize many people over the years but in recent years the Today show has been roundly criticized for its lack of real news.

Before the today show Matt Lauer was really nothing more than an entertainment reporter and second banana on a regional talk show. The simulcast interview of Imus last week was fine. I thought it moved the issue forward towards a resolution that may have seen Imus fired or not. It's the day two panel that included everyone but Don Imus that made me sick. You don't beat people who were willing to take a beating once they've left the room. To have everyone on the next day is disgraceful and distasteful. The prior day's discourse gave way to a bunch of torch-wielding villagers looking to drive their agendas forward without regard to the real situation unfolding before them. I am disappointed that the news media appointed the Rev. Al Sharpton to be a spokesperson and leader in this most recent cause given his track recordwhere racial sensitivity is concerned. Rev Al "Tawana Brawley" Sharpton may have served his people in the past but now seems desperate to hold on to the power he's amassed. Al Sharpton had Imus on his radio show for two hours one day last week and in that time paraded his own daughter in front of Imus to humiliate and confront Imus as if he had never seen a black woman before. It has been reported that for those two hours, at each commercial break, Sharpton left the studio so as to avoid any conflict that might have carried over from the interview of Imus. Has Sharpton ever accepted an invitation to go on Imus' show?

I believe that Don Imus would have changed his show to address the issues raised by his insensitivity and that he would look to include African Americans at the desk and in the writing of his show. We will never have a chance to see if that worked out. The media whores didn't want to see resolution. What they wanted was blood and they got it.

Matt Lauer......

Should die of gonorrhea and rot in hell.

I'll try to tell you why later.

I'm Moving

For those of you who are familiar with our situation, skip ahead to the next paragraph. The rest can read on. Late in the Fall of 2006 we started to get the idea that Cheeky Prof's tenure package was not being received with the glowing praise it deserved (read: some hole has a hair across his/her ass about Cheeky or her department or some other shit). Skip ahead to holiday season..Tenure? DENIED! I held out hope for the union, the vice-president, the president and the board of directors all to no avail. The new job search offered opportunities in our area but each eventually revealed itself to be the wrong kind of job or the wrong kind of school or the wrong kind of department. Meanwhile the far flung opportunities began calling to set up interviews. This is now my story.

]]> Last week Cheeky Prof accepted a position at Mooseknuckle University in the depths of the upper Midwest. I was in the Mooseknuckle area trying to get a sense of what my job prospects were and she had a deadline so that is that. It's a good thing that Mooseknuckle University is relatively close to what passes for a metropolitan area in that part of the country since it's my only chance of finding a job.

I travelled to schmooze with some of the luminaries of the New Metro because my current boss was going out there to give a presentation at the local AIA chapter and all of the New Metro Gods would be in the house. I did meet some people I have known by reputation for quite some time and they were all very encouraging so I am relatively sure that I can find a job that has the potential for the type of comfort challenge and reward that I have here in the bubble of my current position. I just can't get myself up for this whole thing. Cheeky is talking yard sales to get rid of our junk and having Realtors coming over to the house to tell us how they would market it. She traveling to Mooseknuckle U to attend meetings and get to know her new colleagues. Still, the only thing I can think about since we started to get the feeling that she would be denied is that we are going to lose our shirts on the house we scraped and cheated and lied and stole to buy just 16 months ago. It has caused me to lose sleep, and n ow be focussed. I can't bring myself to do any work around the house, I just sit and think about it. I take the dogs outside to do their thing and catch myself in long unfocused gazes thinking about what I need to get done to ensure that I won't be locked into owing several thousand dollars at closing to my mortgage company. Then there's the idea that we now have to find a new house in Mooseknuckle. I have decided that the only thing I want is a house that needs nothing more involved than mowing the lawn and cleaning up the yard for the next four years. I need a reprieve from the constant thoughts of how should I fix this problem or that problem that came with my beloved piece of shit house. I had just formulated the long range plan for rehabilitating our little bungalow and was ready to begin tackling it. So now I don't want to have to do anything for four years. I will paint and refinish but no "real" projects for an olympic cycle. Let's get past the next tenure review before we start dumping money into the next hole.

I'm thinking about sending a promotional DVD like to my potential new employers.

Check it out

I just love it when I find blogs like THIS. Can anyone tell me whose it is? Extra tonicpoints for the first who can.

Here's a hint I got the idea from this post but it is not one of the FOL gang.

Happy Valentimes!

Things are a little muddled

Kind of in a funk right now. Trying not to freak out about the prospects of uprooting one's life and going into the great abyss of joblessness in a strange city so rather than drone on and on about it here I've just not written anything. Other than that I didn't think I should be the one to be discussing all these matters on my blog. She should.

WOW, This guy's a dumbass

I just wanted to talk about what an idiot THIS GUY is. I don't wish to run afoul of publishing types but I just had to share. Please visit the Colorado Springs Gazette for the full story. What is this guy 14? The Bangkok maneuver? You've got to be kidding me. I'm glad that both he and his wife have been fired for his stupidity. She was after all; dumb enough to marry this dorkwad. Dorkwad,dicktard,or dickweed, I always get them mixed up, you know they all look the same to me. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that this guy freezes his wife underwear, sleepover style, and snaps her bra straps in public. I just felt that this might be the dumbest story I have heard in a while but I think there is some old school TV-style evidence to suggest that the detective assigned to investigate may have coached the "victims" a little in their affidavits since there is so much phrasing in common. You can read the detective's report and see for your own damn self.