My dad, the legislative Watchdog

I heard that people at my dad's job were persecuting him, because he was featured sleeping in a KSL news clip. I thought I'd add to the persecution. :)
Skip to 2:05 and pay close attention to the man on the right.

There's Something Fishy Going On...

I've been reading text of the bailout legislation. I will not discuss in this blog whether I think that the idea is a good one or bad one, but I WOULD like to discuss some of the wording in the legislation.


What is up with Section 8?

"Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency."

Is anyone else uncomfortable with this? I know I am!

*********Addition***********

I thought I'd add these words from Thomas Jefferson as something to think about:

"If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue
of their money, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks
and corporations that will grow up around them (around the banks),
will deprive the people of their property until their children will
wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." Thomas
Jefferson, 1802

Also, I think this lady has some interesting ideas.

Pop vs Soda vs Coke

Finally! Statistics worth writing about. (Click on the Map for a larger view)

Growing up in Utah, I was trained to use the word "pop" for carbonated drinks. I thought that's what everyone called it. I remember thinking it was so weird when I found out that people in other regions of the country wouldn't know what I was talking about if I asked for a "pop." It practically shattered my universe. After getting over the shock, I slowly realized that "pop" was kind of a stupid name. At that point, I began exploring other common names for carbonated drinks. I figured that if I found the right one, then I would never have to switch again. I found out that other terms besides "pop" included "coke," "soda," and "soft drink." I didn't like using "coke" for everything. That was a worse description than "pop." It made absolutely no sense.

-"Do you want a coke?"
-"Sure."
-"What kind of coke do you want?"
-"Oh, I'll have a root beer."

Ridiculous. For some reason, I didn't really like "soda" either, although I'm feeling quite partial to that term at the moment. In my early teens, I finally settled on the use of the term "soft drink." It was what fast food places called the stuff, so I went with it. It seemed a bit more professional than "pop." However, I'm now wondering if I should switch to "soda." Using the term "soft drinks" only makes sense if you know that they were originally called "soft drinks" in order to differentiate them from the harder stuff (i.e. alcohol). But, I don't think people know that piece of information, generally. I didn't know it till I read this article. So here I am, once again questioning my terminology usage and not knowing which one to choose. It's a tough decision to make and I probably have a long road ahead, but I think it's a subject worth exploring. Let's take this journey together, won't we?

An Unattended Camera

OK, so I came across an idea on the internet today that I really liked. The idea is to leave a disposable camera in a public place for people to take random pictures and then see what you get. Here is an image of the camera setup-


The note said: "Good afternoon,
I attached this camera to the bench so you could take pictures. Seriously. So have fun. I'll be back later this evening to pick it up."

I thought it was a really fun idea and I may just have to do it myself some time.

Here's a link to the site where I found the idea.

They posted the photos that were taken with the camera. None of them are too extravagant, but it's still enjoyable to see what people did with it.

The Memory Post...

I'm keeping this chain alive from another friends blog. The rules were laid out thusly:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you.

3. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

4. Please do this on your page too, so we can all share in the fun times together :-)

Dr. Horrible and the Master Plan

Link

OK, so I must say that I am a fan of the quirky humor of Joss Whedon. The writing and directing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer was an entertaining mix of campy fun and sheer awesomeness. At least, for the first number of seasons. I kind of lost interest after the plot started going in annoying directions. However, during those lost years there was one episode that will probably forever remain my favorite- "Once More With Feeling." For me, it would be pretty hard to beat the brilliancy of creating a musical episode for a show based on slaying vampires. Joss Whedon, I salute you.

That being said, during the writers' strike, he went about creating another musical. One that would circumvent the big studios and attempt to open the door for those who wish to make a living, but on their terms. Well, I will let his own words describe it. He begins talking about the strike.

"Frustrated with the lack of movement on that front, I finally decided to do something very ambitious, very exciting, very mid-life-crisisy. Aided only by everyone I had worked with, was related to or had ever met, I single-handedly created this unique little epic. A supervillain musical, of which, as we all know, there are far too few.

The idea was to make it on the fly, on the cheap – but to make it. To turn out a really thrilling, professionalish piece of entertainment specifically for the internet. To show how much could be done with very little. To show the world there is another way. To give the public (and in particular you guys) something for all your support and patience.

We intend to make it available for download soon after it’s published. This would be for a nominal fee, which we’re hoping people will embrace instead of getting all piratey. We have big dreams, people, and one of them is paying our crew.

And somewhat later, we will put the complete short epic out on DVD – with the finest and bravest extras in all the land."

There will be three 13ish minute acts. The first two are online and the final installment will come on the 19th and will only be left on for a day. After that, payment will be asked for the complete show.

I watched the first two. They were quite entertaining. Some parts can be kind of dumb, but I enjoyed them overall. The 2nd Act does have a somewhat off-color joke towards the end, but I think that may be the only warning necessary for more delicate individuals.

****EDIT******
Dr. Horrible can now be found for free on hulu.com

The Constitution Dies Tomorrow

"Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither."
Ben Franklin

Here are a few short, but pointed words I found about today's FISA vote:

"Over 200 years ago, we enshrined the rule of law as the only monarch in America. Tomorrow, the Senate will likely vote to shred that precedent. Democrats, "compromising" with Republicans, will act together, in a bipartisan fashion, to destroy your right to be free from search without a warrant

After months of fighting, Constitutionalists everywhere will lose this battle to a corrupt establishment in collusion with a lawbreaking president."

The article mentions how Obama is going back on his word and makes a couple of other points