Saturday, January 17, 2004
It's Blowin' You and Me
The Guardian has this nifty comparison of the characters from the Mighty Wind and their real-life counterparts.
The Guardian has this nifty comparison of the characters from the Mighty Wind and their real-life counterparts.
A New Export
Kieran McCarthy of The Register has this fascinating piece on the Internet domains and the intersection with "Map of the Modern World" countries such as Niue and Tuvalu.
Kieran McCarthy of The Register has this fascinating piece on the Internet domains and the intersection with "Map of the Modern World" countries such as Niue and Tuvalu.
Classified of the Day
I can only assume that the girl was unaware that there were Al Green tickets in her future-- otherwise she would have split after Valentine's.
I can only assume that the girl was unaware that there were Al Green tickets in her future-- otherwise she would have split after Valentine's.
They be the non-profit
The Post has this story about an intensive IRS audit of The Nature Conservancy. Once upon a time, I donated to this organization. When they contacted me to ask for more, I told them I would not because (1) of Post stories of questionable loans to insiders and discounted land sales to trustees and (2) they sold my name to every organization you can imagine (well, not the NRA, et al.) They finally caught on to how damaging the stories were and have responded here.
The Post has this story about an intensive IRS audit of The Nature Conservancy. Once upon a time, I donated to this organization. When they contacted me to ask for more, I told them I would not because (1) of Post stories of questionable loans to insiders and discounted land sales to trustees and (2) they sold my name to every organization you can imagine (well, not the NRA, et al.) They finally caught on to how damaging the stories were and have responded here.
Friday, January 16, 2004
Thursday, January 15, 2004
Kill Bill
Another interesting tidbit derived from a "men's magazine": Esquire has a belated paean to the above by Tom Carson. Interestingly, he writes, "The movie's best effect is the surprise switch to black and white during the climactic donnybrook at the House of Blue Leaves, which on one level is an indefensible trick...." Stop right there, Tom. It is an indefensible trick, and I thought one of the few weaknesses in the film.
Another interesting tidbit derived from a "men's magazine": Esquire has a belated paean to the above by Tom Carson. Interestingly, he writes, "The movie's best effect is the surprise switch to black and white during the climactic donnybrook at the House of Blue Leaves, which on one level is an indefensible trick...." Stop right there, Tom. It is an indefensible trick, and I thought one of the few weaknesses in the film.
The Boodo Khan
Details featured the above Walkman in its most recent issue, printing the teaser that it was available for a mere $350 here. Alas, it looks like it sold.
Details featured the above Walkman in its most recent issue, printing the teaser that it was available for a mere $350 here. Alas, it looks like it sold.
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Labor Standards
Further to my bit below re Gephardt's proposed international labor standards, Nicholas Kristof has a great "audio op-ed" on labor conditions in Cambodia, and how "sweatshop" jobs are sometimes the best hope for a poor citizen of a 3rd-world country.
Further to my bit below re Gephardt's proposed international labor standards, Nicholas Kristof has a great "audio op-ed" on labor conditions in Cambodia, and how "sweatshop" jobs are sometimes the best hope for a poor citizen of a 3rd-world country.
Dean's (or fill in your Democratic candidate) Missing Campaign Speech
If a candidate really wants to turn heads, how about some good ol' one-upsmanship? i.e. "Forget Mars, elect me and I'll have an astronaut on Pluto by 2010." Bigger, faster, stronger, better....
If a candidate really wants to turn heads, how about some good ol' one-upsmanship? i.e. "Forget Mars, elect me and I'll have an astronaut on Pluto by 2010." Bigger, faster, stronger, better....
Classified of the Day
The linked site here raises interesting tax questions. Were a bartering organization to grow large enough, I think it'd raise eyebrows because it creates the potential to hide otherwise taxable income. Interesting that the site emphasizes "provide a service or volunteer in your community."
The linked site here raises interesting tax questions. Were a bartering organization to grow large enough, I think it'd raise eyebrows because it creates the potential to hide otherwise taxable income. Interesting that the site emphasizes "provide a service or volunteer in your community."
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Rankings
Here's a study called "Tournament of Judges," co-authored by a Georgetown Prof. Seems they've tapped into the same demand that USNews did years ago with college rankings-- only now it's with judges.
Here's a study called "Tournament of Judges," co-authored by a Georgetown Prof. Seems they've tapped into the same demand that USNews did years ago with college rankings-- only now it's with judges.
The Other Lyndon
Further to a brief blurb in my earliest post, I thought you might have missed the fact that Lyndon Larouche is indeed running again in '04. I have not forgotten because I see posters here and there. Proceed here to learn that LaRouche is "Economist, Philosopher, World Leader and Scientific Thinker." (You can also buy a 3+ hour DVD.) If ever a documentarian needed a brilliant idea, this is it.
Further to a brief blurb in my earliest post, I thought you might have missed the fact that Lyndon Larouche is indeed running again in '04. I have not forgotten because I see posters here and there. Proceed here to learn that LaRouche is "Economist, Philosopher, World Leader and Scientific Thinker." (You can also buy a 3+ hour DVD.) If ever a documentarian needed a brilliant idea, this is it.
More 419 News
Further to earlier posts re "419 scams," The Register has this piece on the ebb and flow of the 419 narrative.
Further to earlier posts re "419 scams," The Register has this piece on the ebb and flow of the 419 narrative.
Ode to Things Public (Cont'd)
All Songs Considered is on the ball: Dizzee Rascal, Lambchop, Stereolab, and more....
All Songs Considered is on the ball: Dizzee Rascal, Lambchop, Stereolab, and more....
Tax
David Cay Johnston, who according to Garrett is a "big foot" in the fielf of journalism, has this piece in today's Times. Last week I made it to the Tax Policy Center for a panel featuring Johnston and his new book, Perfectly Legal. Much to my surprise, the book was #6 on Amazon, and it is still, as of this morning, #28. I note that the book is ranked #80 on Barnes & Noble (emphasis on the last name). I'd be curious to see if the variance in book rankings reveals anything about the shopping demographics between Amazon and B&N, if anyone wants to do some research. Johnston won the Pulitzer in '01, and has twice been a finalist.
David Cay Johnston, who according to Garrett is a "big foot" in the fielf of journalism, has this piece in today's Times. Last week I made it to the Tax Policy Center for a panel featuring Johnston and his new book, Perfectly Legal. Much to my surprise, the book was #6 on Amazon, and it is still, as of this morning, #28. I note that the book is ranked #80 on Barnes & Noble (emphasis on the last name). I'd be curious to see if the variance in book rankings reveals anything about the shopping demographics between Amazon and B&N, if anyone wants to do some research. Johnston won the Pulitzer in '01, and has twice been a finalist.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Classified of the Day
TWO MITSUBISHI HUBCAPS! 2 unopened boxes. Fit 14in. $30 each OBO. sweetblacklady@yahoo.com.
TWO MITSUBISHI HUBCAPS! 2 unopened boxes. Fit 14in. $30 each OBO. sweetblacklady@yahoo.com.
Oh, Jim Lehrer...
Oh what a difference PBS makes. The News Hour devoted somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 minutes to a discussion of Justice O'Connor. Among the panel were John Yoo of UC Berkeley, Dean Sullivan from Stanford, Doug Kmiec from Pepperdine, and Nancy Maveety, a political scientist from Tulane. This, of course, was followed by an essay meditating on The Fog of War.
Oh what a difference PBS makes. The News Hour devoted somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 minutes to a discussion of Justice O'Connor. Among the panel were John Yoo of UC Berkeley, Dean Sullivan from Stanford, Doug Kmiec from Pepperdine, and Nancy Maveety, a political scientist from Tulane. This, of course, was followed by an essay meditating on The Fog of War.
'twas the night before a non-binding primary
I caught a bit of the Democratic debate on MSNBC last night. When I heard Dick Gephardt mention his plan to get an "international minimum wage," I couldn't help but smirk. Knowing Gephardt's politics, I realized what he was really talking about was trying to limit the number of jobs that went overseas rather than express "human rights" concern. At Gephardt's website, he does acknowledge that an international minimum wage is also designed to protect U.S. jobs, but notice that the human rights argument comes first.
For the Dean haters out there-- read Clark converts-- note that Wes was not in attendance. Perhaps he was shopping at LL Bean. ("Ooohhh, 'moted"-- to quote a crusty Californian). I rarely read Maureen Dowd, but she does come up with some great lines. In "The Argyle General," Dowd writes, "The best way to beat a doctor is not to look like a pharmacist."
I caught a bit of the Democratic debate on MSNBC last night. When I heard Dick Gephardt mention his plan to get an "international minimum wage," I couldn't help but smirk. Knowing Gephardt's politics, I realized what he was really talking about was trying to limit the number of jobs that went overseas rather than express "human rights" concern. At Gephardt's website, he does acknowledge that an international minimum wage is also designed to protect U.S. jobs, but notice that the human rights argument comes first.
For the Dean haters out there-- read Clark converts-- note that Wes was not in attendance. Perhaps he was shopping at LL Bean. ("Ooohhh, 'moted"-- to quote a crusty Californian). I rarely read Maureen Dowd, but she does come up with some great lines. In "The Argyle General," Dowd writes, "The best way to beat a doctor is not to look like a pharmacist."
