Loose Gravel

The first time I've wanted to be a Hipster

2010-01-25T21:23:00.003-06:00

This website rocks (NSFW).

Carol Brown Just Took a Bus Out of Town

2010-01-23T18:59:00.004-06:00

Finished both seasons of "Flight of the Conchords" a week or so ago and have been listening to this song ever since. I love how these guys can make an amazing song with a great sound but is also hilarious.

Including dance songs... (NSFW)

Matt Damon on Sarah Palin

2010-01-10T21:51:00.002-06:00

Saying what everyone was thinking and puts it in terms so succinct and dead on it's scary. Ps sorry for all the Palin bashing as of late, I just feel like it needs to be done.

That whole 9/11 thing didn't happen.

2010-01-08T12:26:00.002-06:00

Rudy Giuliani is a prick. He'll say/do anything to attack Obama and make himself look good.

Another win for WARF

2010-01-06T18:56:00.003-06:00

University of Wisconsin-Madison's "hard hiting intellectual property adjunct" won a court battle today over a potential cholesterol lowering drug. I love that I attend a University that cares so much about intellectual property and making sure its researchers get what they deserve both in terms of notoriety and financial recognition.

And so it begins... again.

2010-01-06T18:46:00.002-06:00

I'll be resuming the blog here shortly with your normal balance of narrative, linking, and ranting. No real excuse for why I haven't been keeping it up, just been busy with the whole grad school/moving to Madison thing. I hope that you all will post criticism, corrections, thoughts, and anything else you want in the comments section and will forgive me my many instances of ignorance. Thanks for reading and stay in touch. Peace

Change in Iran?

2009-06-09T13:11:00.000-05:00

I love democracy.

Catholicism at it's Finest

2009-05-29T12:20:00.001-05:00

Those Irish Catholics sure know how to ruin a party.... uh I mean Confirmation Mass.

Fox News Lurves Teabagging

2009-04-15T20:06:00.001-05:00

So Tongue-in-Cheek it has to be posted.

Hippy Liberal D-bags

2008-08-28T14:08:00.002-05:00

I have seen entirely too many people in my life just like these protesters at the DNC Convention in Denver. They come from privileged households and like to play protester and revolutionary in order to live out dreams of the 1960's and 70's. While I do not claim to be an expert in Che Guevara, I do not believe his thoughts and convictions blend necessarilly all that well with Starbucks Cappuccino and a MacBook Air. Money quote from the article:

Catching yourself in the act of small-time disobedience, only to scurry back to the bosom of the same middle class that made this miserable bout of free time possible, is a limp homage indeed to the era of blowing up the public pissers in government buildings. Yet the superficiality is strangely appropriate.

People may perceive this as being hypocriticle on my part, but I do not pretend to be more than I am. I understand I am a blessed white boy from Iowa and not on the frontlines helping change America and the world. That being said, it won't stop me from reading Che's book. I just won't dawn birkenstocks and chant "Drop pants, not bombs."

The DNC Drinking Game

2008-08-26T20:31:00.002-05:00

The reason why I love The New Republic.

Number 7: Take a drink if either Iraq or the environment are described as a "shitstorm."

How Many Homes Do You Own?

2008-08-21T12:30:00.002-05:00

Bloody brilliant ad from the Obama Campaign.

Also note that I have just figured out how to embed videos on my posts!

He's Gone Too Far Contd

2008-08-21T11:35:00.001-05:00

Goldfarb got uber pwned.

Barack and Mary Jane

2008-08-20T16:45:00.001-05:00

"I inhaled frequently. That was the point." Thank God for Youtube.

He's Gone Too Far!

2008-08-18T18:27:00.002-05:00

John McCain's Deputy Communications Director disses Dungeons and Dragons players in a blog post.

It may be typical of the pro-Obama Dungeons & Dragons crowd to disparage a fellow countryman's memory of war from the comfort of mom's basement, but most Americans have the humility and gratitude to respect and learn from the memories of men who suffered on behalf of others.

Not all players play in their mom's basement... only most!!! What's next!? WoW!?!?

Seriously though, here's a link to Andrew Sullivan's take on the cross in the dirt story.

Confrontational Words from Russia

2008-08-18T12:38:00.001-05:00

They will crush us like a clam on their tummy! Literally, they almost said that. Don't worry though, they "have always been a peace-loving state."

That's What She Said

2008-08-13T15:22:00.003-05:00

Guantanamo Charges were "spray and pray." So not only do we torture our enemies, we also do not afford them the legal rights they deserve as human beings. Also, with the "spray and pray" method, there is a chance that some of these individuals could go free and continue to attack America. That is assuming of course that they are guilty, and it has been shown in the past that some are innocent or guilty of minor crimes.

Back Door Legislation

2008-08-12T11:01:00.005-05:00

The Bush Administration has just announced a plan to drastically change the Endangered Species Act. The main change would be that federal agencies would not be required to carry out an independent scientific review of a project they are proposing. While I am all about overhauling an old piece of legislation (the Act has not been significantly changed since 1986), I am extremely wary of placing the welfare of our endangered species in the hands of economists and developers.

The Response of the administration to these concerns is pitiful:

But Dale Hall, who directs the Fish and Wildlife Service, said the move would not apply to major federal projects and would give his agency more time to focus on the most critically endangered species rather than conducting reviews of projects that pose little threat.

"We have to have the ability to put our efforts where they're needed," Hall said, adding that individual agencies will have to take responsibility if their projects do harm a protected species. "This really says to the agencies, 'This law belongs to all of us. You're responsible to defend it.' "

Even minor federal projects affect our environment and threaten our wildlife. Every project needs to be carefully thought out from multiple angles with each party's wellbeing being considered. I understand the need to focus resources directly where they are needed, but every species should be considered and not just the most critically endangered.

The second quoted paragraph tends to insinuate that the agencies will be forced to defend their actions after a problem arises. Shouldn't the goal be to prevent problems from arising in the first place? Instilling the fear of having egg on bureaucrats' faces should not be the method our government takes to preserve our wildlife for future generations.

I don't know about you, but I hope to take my children and grandchildren hiking in Colorado. Hopefully we'll be able to see more than urban development and smokestacks when we go.

The funniest Thing I May Have Ever Seen

2008-08-09T12:24:00.002-05:00

That Barack Obama sure can dance and sing!

I Met The Walrus

2008-08-08T20:01:00.002-05:00

In 1969 a 14 year old Beatles fan interviewed John Lennon about his views regarding peace and revolution. Here's the audio (along with some amazing animations)!

Back!

2008-08-08T19:59:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the hiatus. I just got a little too busy with work, trips, and studying for the G.R.E. For awhile there I was just posting interesting things on Facebook, but that just didn't do it for me the way my own blog does. Also, I think people get a little annoyed when you post something every single day on Fb! Thanks for reading in the past and I hope you continue to read in the future.

When Ninjas Attack

2008-06-25T18:18:00.003-05:00

Thank God our schools have contingency plans in place in case a Ninja shows up on school grounds!

A Good Thing to Think About

2008-06-25T16:06:00.002-05:00

Joe Klein, blogger from Time Magazine, makes a very interesting point,

Do you really believe the (Iranian) mullahs would stage a nuclear attack on Israel, destroying the third most holy site in Islam and killing untold numbers of Muslims?

An interesting perspective that needs to be out on the table in this escalation of hostilities towards Iran. An escalation that reminds me of the rhetoric spewed at us by the administration five years ago.

Hat tip: The Daily Dish

Big Brother is Here

2008-06-23T21:48:00.002-05:00

There is 1 CCTV camera for every 14 citizens in the UK. God help us if the United States ever gets to this point. The possibility of losing my civil liberties to CCTV truly scares me more than Terrorism, the energy crisis, or a nuclear Iran.

Those Damn Irish

2008-06-17T20:53:00.005-05:00

Earlier this week The Republic of Ireland voted against the Lisbon Treaty, a series of changes to the European Union that many said would streamline the organization and make it more internationally relevant.

This Washington Post Op-Ed Columnist points out a very interesting fact. If anyone in the EU should want to strengthen the group or aid it in anyway it should be the Irish. The tax breaks and greater fluidity with the continent have transformed a once lagging country into a global economic powerhouse.

The fact that they soundly rejected the treaty speaks volumes to the culture of "Europeanism" right now. If the Euro-crats were unable to explain and defend a treaty to the most receptive audience, then maybe there is a deeper reason behind its failure at the polls.

A Convenient and Powerful Truth

2008-06-17T00:23:00.002-05:00

Al Gore gave an amazing speech tonight in Detroit endorsing Senator Obama for President. While I was around during the buildup to the 2000 election, all I really remember thinking about the two candidates was, "Wow, this George Bush guy doesn't sound or seem that smart, but Al Gore appears to have a good head on his shoulders even if he is a little boring." I now see that that assessment was at least partially correct. This man has great oratorical skills and is able to hold an audience's attention and adjust his speech and mannerisms to their cues. I wonder what our country would be like if he had won the Supreme Court battle?

Evolution is Dead

2008-06-10T11:21:00.002-05:00

Richard Dawkins' worst nightmare, proof that God created and designed the world. You may ask what sort of proof these creationists may offer. The answer of course is fruit. Yes fruit. Bananas are an example of Intelligent Design/Creationism. Yeesh, what will they think of next?

He Won

2008-06-04T11:54:00.002-05:00

That's all I can really type now. I'm still trying to take it all in. In the meantime enjoy the video that sums up his campaign.

The Nomination Fight Goes Extraterrestrial

2008-05-26T13:35:00.001-05:00

Hillary Clinton demands Martian delegates are seated.

Too Much For Me

2008-05-23T17:36:00.002-05:00

Senator Clinton says that it is unprecedented for someone to be pushed out of the race for the Democratic Party's nomination for President. She uses the example of her husband in '92 and THE ASSASSINATION OF ROBERT KENNEDY IN '68! Yeesh, she might as well just say let the process continue in case Senator Obama gets assassinated!

I understand that everyone makes mistakes, but really Hillary? Ouch.

To Smile or Not to Smile

2008-05-15T11:38:00.002-05:00

The first draft of the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial has been sent back to the sculptor because it was deemed too "confrontational." Article from The Root can be found here.

In the model MLK Jr. has his arms crossed and has a frown of distinction on his face. This is how I would view him to be looking at America right now and how he looked at America's climate of social change during his lifetime; determined, intense, and contemplative. I for one will be disappointed if the monument is changed to show a more happy-go-lucky and smiling King.

As a side note, how many of the other monuments in D.C. characterize a smiling individual? I can't seem to remember any.

RAGE!

2008-05-13T18:28:00.003-05:00

Bill O'Reilly loses it. This man has some serious anger issues. He probably wasn't hugged enough as a child by his parents. Also, who knew this unbelievably outspoken conservative personality was on Inside Edition?

Note: he seriously does lose it and this video is slightly nsfw.

A Monday Poem

2008-05-05T11:47:00.001-05:00

Poem about an everyday occurrence for many people told in a literary and romantic style.

Economists Don't Know What They're Talking About

2008-05-05T10:59:00.002-05:00

Apparently this is what Hillary Clinton believes. Senator McCain and Senator Clinton both believe that a gas tax holiday is needed for the upcoming summer months in order to relieve the strain of high gas prices on middle class and working-class Americans. Senator Obama has opposed this tax holiday and described it as a "shell-game".

I have heard of no economist supporting the tax holiday and in fact all the reaction I have read says that it will lower prices in the short term, but raise prices in the long term due to a large increase in demand!

The Junior Senator from New York and the Senior Senator from Arizona are peddling to the fears of Americans in hopes of getting a few cheap votes. Who cares if this tax break prevents BILLIONS of dollars from being invested in our transportation infrastructure if they are able to get a few more votes out of the deal. And yes one estimate is putting the lost revenue into the area of multiple billions of dollars.

Also, does it scare anyone else that Hillary has almost become a neo-con/liberal hybrid over the past couple weeks? Between the saber-rattling with Iran, the disgustingly negative campaigning, and now the "shell-game" for votes, I am scared that she is starting to mutate the Democratic party into another entity of Karl Rove politics.

Who's the "Elitist" Now

2008-05-04T19:31:00.004-05:00

In a mailing the Clinton Campaign sent out in Indiana attacking Obama on his stance on firearms, a gun is prominently displayed that is foreign, expensive, and would never be used by the "rugged outdoors man" she is trying to connect with.

This comes at a time when Senator Clinton has been attempting to paint herself as the workingman/woman's candidate. Would the workingman/woman's candidate use a "$2,200 German import" that is "almost unheard of in the United States"?

Too Hilarious Not to Post

2008-05-02T10:21:00.001-05:00

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a... flying witch?

And This is Why I love Science

2008-04-28T10:29:00.002-05:00

A partially blind British man has experienced a massive improvement in sight thanks to an experimental surgery involving gene therapy.

It feels like many of the new breakthroughs in the biological sciences are occurring in the UK and other overseas locations. It seems as if the U.S. is falling behind not only in lower level science education, but also at the top, with the frontier researchers not being supported the way they were a few decades ago.

They Finally Did It

2008-04-28T10:21:00.002-05:00

The media has managed to at least partially corrupt Miley Cyrus. She has begun the slow and painful road to becoming the next Britney Spears or Paris Hilton.

The Earth was Designed by Intelligent Aliens

2008-04-24T13:22:00.002-05:00

Richard Dawkins refutes the most probable aspect of Intelligent Design in this LA Times article. While I disagree with him on a few things, I always love reading his work or listening to him speak. I believe that you can disagree with someone and yet still marvel at their amazing rhetorical and analytical skills. Dawkins is definitely one of the foremost thinkers of our time. His ability to take a position and defend it against all sorts of attacks is truly remarkable. And the entire time he is doing so, he never seems to get flustered or emotional or out of sorts. Please read this article for it's pure rhetorical splendor first and for the Intelligent Design/Evolution debate second.

Arms Blocked from Reaching Zimbabwe

2008-04-22T20:55:00.004-05:00

The countries surrounding landlocked Zimbabwe have blocked the shipment of arms from a Chinese freighter that is at sea near southern Africa.

The instability in Zimbabwe continues and the violence is only getting worse. It floors me sometime to see the tumultuousness of Africa and all of the major human rights abuses going on there. I understand that the major powers of the world are busy with their own concerns, including the "War on Terror," but it seems as if they just turn their back to some of these fledging countries.

All of the news coming out of the Zimbabwean election makes me thankful for our stable system of electing the leaders of our country. People might be called names or mud might be slung, but at least we aren't physically attacked for our political beliefs and the transition of power does not require the intervention of the military or foreign powers.

You Don't See This Everyday

2008-04-22T20:34:00.002-05:00

Priest goes missing while "floating off under party balloons." It is as bad as it sounds. He was tied to hundreds of helium party balloons, floated away, and lost contact with the port authority a few hours into the flight.

The 7 Greatest Home Shopping Screw Ups of All Time

2008-04-21T10:18:00.004-05:00

Hilarious set of goofs on home shopping shows and networks. Nothing beats live television, especially when it goes wrong. Note: the first and last are nsfw.

Prediction

2008-04-16T16:40:00.003-05:00

Clinton will take Pennsylvania by more than five points but less than 10. Also check out Pollster.com's page regarding McCain vs. Obama nationally. ABC and The Washington Post apparently have an insight that I haven't seen anywhere else.

A Sesame Street Post

2008-04-16T10:17:00.002-05:00

I'm always pleasantly surprised to see the political and social acuity of Sesame Street. They seem to know how to address problems of the day in a very simple, unoffensive way that can be understood by the youngest and the oldest.

Here are a few videos from the vaults of Sesame Street (or YouTube).

First is Jesse Jackson teaching his famous "I Am - Somebody" poem to group of children that represent every color and creed in the United States. No matter what you think of Jesse Jackson now, you cannot deny that he had/has an inspiring presence and was/is a great force in the Civil Rights movement.

Second is Stevie Wonder performing his song "Superstition." No one can jam like this guy. Also, note the crazy little kid flipping his fro all over the place. Goal #283 for my life is to look exactly like the saxophone player, including his rad shirt. Yes I said "rad", deal with it, haha.

This Guy is Talented

2008-04-15T10:20:00.003-05:00

Normally I hate American Idol purely because it represents some things that I do not like about our country, namely the fact that it seems more people vote for American Idol than in actual political elections. I have to admit though, this Jason Catro guy is pretty talented and this song symbolically represent some aspects of America that are absolutely wonderful. Quoting Andrew Sullivan:

But here is another reason I love America: it's a white dude in dreads playing a ukelele, a straight guy singing a song that could have been a national anthem for gay men for decades, in a version written by a Hawaiian in honor of a friend who died an early death because of obesity.
And it's also in a strange way completely sublime in its own right and on its own terms.

Enjoy and I hope you stop to see the trees of green and red roses in your life today.

470, 317, 143, 135, 42

2008-04-15T00:42:00.005-05:00

The number of individuals killed via capital punishment in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the U.S.A. according to Amnesty International. The actual numbers in each country are assumed to be much larger with as many as 8,000 killed by the Chinese in secret.

I am against capital punishment in any country solely due to the fact that no human being is perfect and any "justice system" set up by a group of them is bound to be flawed also. Just the fact that one person has been wrongly put to death is enough for me to abolish the entire institution.

Now add on top of that the underhandedness and secrecy of these other countries and you have a massive infringement on basic human rights.

Another Reason Why I Have Hope for America

2008-04-14T23:57:00.001-05:00

Yes We Can. Yes We Can. Yes We Can.

Acid Induced Protein Synthesis

2008-04-14T17:09:00.002-05:00

Hilarious video made at The University of California at Berkeley. This is exactly what we do all day in The Molecular Biology Building.

We Still Have a Long Way to Go

2008-04-04T16:52:00.003-05:00

It's kind of ironic that I'm making this post on the 40th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Junior's assassination. Apparently this University of Colorado journalist has a huge problem with Asian people, and advocates a race war against them. I truly did not believe that these feelings and people still existed in our country. Scratch that, deep down I knew they were still around but I wanted to hope that they actually were not.

Computer Being Stupid

2008-04-04T10:43:00.002-05:00

A feeling I have on a daily basis.

Rush Limbaugh

2008-04-03T12:54:00.004-05:00

Amazing quote to come out of Rush Limbaugh.

"You have to understand the mindset of a lot of these feminists and women. They think they're owed this — just like Obama supporters think they're owed this. These women have paid their dues. They've been married two or three times; they've had two or three abortions; they've done everything that feminism asked them to do. They have cut men out of their lives; they have devoted themselves to causes and careers. And this — the candidacy of Hillary Clinton — is the culmination of all of these women's efforts. And if it gets stolen from them [by] a rookie, radical black guy who can't tell the time of day, they are going to be so miffed."

I've begun typing many things in response to this, but I can't seem to find the right words to describe my dislike for this person. I'll leave it at that.

Hat Tip: The Daily Dish

Prime Minister of Ireland Steps Down

2008-04-02T10:09:00.002-05:00

Taoiseach (or Prime Minister in English) Bertie Ahern announced today that he will be stepping down from his positions as Taoiseach and as leader of the Fianna Fail political party, currently the ruling party in the Irish Parliament or Dail. He has recently been embroiled in a controversy involving payments made to him and a former partner.

I've tried to keep on top of the controversy and investigations into the payments by reading some Irish newspapers on the internet, but I can't seem to make heads or tails of it and it seems as if that is the consensus. An Irish friend was in town a few weeks ago and when we talked about it he mentioned that the only people in Ireland who really knew exactly what was going on were the politicians themselves.

Irish politics fascinates me because it is so different than the system here in the states. Multiple parties, campaigns that can be called on a whim, campaigns that last only a few weeks or months, and multiple in depth scandals all give their process an extra bit of excitement.

The Worst End to a Night of Drinking EVER

2008-03-31T15:56:00.003-05:00

But I mean seriously folks, who hasn't fallen asleep in a garbage truck before?

Housing Secretary to Resign

2008-03-31T10:15:00.002-05:00

You'd think I'd get used to this, but I am always amazed and baffled at the ineptitude of almost everyone in the Bush administration. Of course the recent downturn in the economy is not completely this man's fault, or any individual in particular, but he did have an effect. Money quote to come out of this New York Times article:

In 2004, less than two months after his confirmation as housing secretary, Mr. Jackson told a House panel that he believed poverty “is a state of mind, not a condition.” Two years later, he said in a speech that he had canceled a contract for a company after its president told him that he did not like Mr. Bush. Mr. Jackson later said he had made the story up.

A Major Breakthrough in Genetics

2008-03-29T20:15:00.002-05:00

The most sought-after gene has finally been found.

The Democratic Party is full of meanies.

2008-03-29T19:47:00.002-05:00

In a conversation with two Democratic allies, she (Senator Clinton) compared the situation to the “big boys” trying to bully a woman, according to interviews with them.

Vote for Hillary Clinton, she's the poor little kid on the playground that got bullied out of the cool dodgeball at recess.

I've talked about my desire for the Democratic Primaries to end very quickly, and frankly I didn't use to care who was the eventual winner. Of course, I was rooting for Obama, but I realized that either candidate was electable and would beat McCain in the general election.

However, now that I have seen the tactics of Billary brought to light over the past few months, I can't see myself voting for her. The divisiveness, the Rove-style politics, and the playing of the race and victim cards have disenfranchised me from the junior senator from New York and her husband.

Does anyone else notice that when individuals and the media attack Senator Clinton, she always plays the victim card and cries foul. Anyone who disagrees with her must be a sexist pig or be one of the "bullies" trying to get her out of the race.

I have no problem with you staying in the race Mrs. Clinton, but please keep it clean. For the good of the democratic party keep it clean. You do remember the Democratic party don't you Senator Clinton? You know, that one entity that has bestowed upon you and your husband all the blessings you have? The group that supported you and your husband through the difficult times of Whitewater and the Lewinsky debacle. The people who continue to support you even though there is only a slim chance of you wrestling (yes wrestling) the nomination from Senator Obama. Keep it clean for those people and the American electorate as a whole. We deserve more from our politicians than the kitchen sink.

Class is in Session

2008-03-29T19:11:00.000-05:00

James Brown taught Dave Matthews all he knew.

Random Thought #1

2008-03-29T17:15:00.002-05:00

It seems like whenever you think you're going to have a lot of time and not a whole lot of activities or homework to fill that time with, any menial or mundane task fills that large space and you still never have five minutes to stop and think (or write a blog)!

All Hail Technoviking!

2008-03-29T17:03:00.004-05:00

I thought this might be a good return to the blog. If I had half the moves of that guy I would be sooooo happy. Semi-NSFW (limited swearing).

Multiple Views of Obama's Race Speech

2008-03-22T22:18:00.003-05:00

Interesting take on Obama's speech from Tuesday. This Washington Post Op-Ed contends that the speech can be applied to all sorts of situations involving hate and race, not just slavery and African-American/Caucasian relations.

In both cases, it is very easy to oversimplify the situation to black and white, American and Islamic, or inherently racist and inherently evil. We must dig deeper and move beyond this petty view of things to fully solve our differences.

Ouch!

2008-03-22T17:26:00.002-05:00

“Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic.”
~James Carville, an advisor to Senator Clinton and a friend to Former President Clinton

Hope wins out over Gratitude

2008-03-22T01:04:00.005-05:00

Bill Richardson endorsed Barack Obama yesterday. A surprise move, I think, considering how the debates were always framed in an Obama/Edwards vs. Clinton/Richardson light.

Interesting piece by an LA Times blogger on the process that led up to the endorsement. It'd be hard to say no to the requests of a former President especially when he

... Invited himself over to Richardson's home last month to watch the Super Bowl and they talked and chewed chips, and Bill reminded Bill about all the important jobs he'd given him during the Clinton Administrations and how important the Hispanic governor's endorsement would be for Hillary now.

Now all Senator Obama needs is for a Pelosi, Edwards, or Gore to step up and unite the party.

Happiness is Not a Warm Gun, it's a Donation to a Nonprofit

2008-03-21T19:05:00.002-05:00

Recent reports in Science show that individuals who donate to charity or spend their income on others are happier than their peers who spend the money on bills or frivolous items (such as a MacBook Air).

Now THAT'S a Strong Bridge

2008-03-21T17:21:00.002-05:00

At least they can see the stars at night while watching Wheel of Fortune.

France to Cut Nuclear Arsenal

2008-03-21T15:32:00.002-05:00

A great move in my opinion by France. While the message from Sarkozy is still strong against Iran for their alleged desire to acquire nuclear weapons technology, he still makes the point of starting to reduce the massive stockpile of weapons that France possesses.

The aspect of this that gives me pause, however, is the fact that he explicitly named Iran as the future enemy of The West. It appears as if the super powers of the world are aligning the us vs them as being The West vs Iran and possibly China and/or Russia. While they are possible enemies and definitely economic powers, did we learn nothing from the Cold War? Will we ever be able to get past the point of pointing guns at each other and realize that the best way to settle conflicts is with diplomacy and talking? Enough of the rhetorical questions for now.

Hope

2008-03-18T14:29:00.001-05:00

Today Barack Obama gave one of, if not the, most important speech of his political career. With all the mud that has been slung about his pastor he needed to come out and address the issues forcefully and completely. I believe he did just that. I have absolutely no problem with individuals and the media bringing these sorts of contentions to light. Important questions and valid issues were brought up from discussing the senator's relationship and feelings towards Pastor Wright.

I highly agree with his analysis of race in America. We still have major problems and discrimination in this great country. They cannot be ignored or just wished away. They must be dealt with and dealt with soon. I do not want to feel the guilt associated with alienating and disenfranchising another generation of young Americans due to the inequalities inherent in our social landscape.

Note that I did say great country. Throughout the course of this nation we have proven that there is no problem too big or too complicated we cannot solve or at least improve the situation of. Even one as large and ugly as slavery.

The most meaningful part of the speech for me

There is a young, twenty-three year old white woman named Ashley Baia who organized for our campaign in Florence, South Carolina. She had been working to organize a mostly African-American community since the beginning of this campaign, and one day she was at a roundtable discussion where everyone went around telling their story and why they were there.

And Ashley said that when she was nine years old, her mother got cancer. And because she had to miss days of work, she was let go and lost her health care. They had to file for bankruptcy, and that's when Ashley decided that she had to do something to help her mom.

She knew that food was one of their most expensive costs, and so Ashley convinced her mother that what she really liked and really wanted to eat more than anything else was mustard and relish sandwiches. Because that was the cheapest way to eat.

She did this for a year until her mom got better, and she told everyone at the roundtable that the reason she joined our campaign was so that she could help the millions of other children in the country who want and need to help their parents too.

Now Ashley might have made a different choice. Perhaps somebody told her along the way that the source of her mother's problems were blacks who were on welfare and too lazy to work, or Hispanics who were coming into the country illegally. But she didn't. She sought out allies in her fight against injustice.

Anyway, Ashley finishes her story and then goes around the room and asks everyone else why they're supporting the campaign. They all have different stories and reasons. Many bring up a specific issue. And finally they come to this elderly black man who's been sitting there quietly the entire time. And Ashley asks him why he's there. And he does not bring up a specific issue. He does not say health care or the economy. He does not say education or the war. He does not say that he was there because of Barack Obama. He simply says to everyone in the room, "I am here because of Ashley."

Yes We Can. Yes We Can. Yes We Can.

Can I be a Hippy Now

2008-03-16T23:12:00.002-05:00

Reason #1390 as to why I want to be a flower child.

Stephen Colbert Plays the Bassoon

2008-03-16T01:02:00.001-05:00

Reading the name of this video is enough to make me laugh!

Luck o' the Irish

2008-03-14T23:25:00.004-05:00

Really, they're not that lucky at all. Throw in oppression, botched rebellions, a potato blight, a few other mishaps, and you have one of the most unlucky groups of people on the planet. While, you know, still being white.

Mike Huckabee's Recipe for Squirrel

2008-03-14T17:15:00.000-05:00

I will never look at a popcorn popper the same.

Hammer Time

2008-03-14T00:17:00.002-05:00

No pants required. Hat tip to Jeremy.

Staying Green on St. Paddy's Day

2008-03-12T10:44:00.002-05:00

What is better for the environment, drinking your brewskie out of a glass bottle or an aluminum can? Thankfully Slate has the answer to this burning question that has been plauging Americans for centuries.

Even though this is a fairly ridiculous question, the writer realizes the true spirit of the holiday from the Emerald Isle,

... until then, enjoy toasting the man who apocryphally drove the snakes out of Ireland, and take comfort in the fact that puke is fully biodegradable.

Holy Mother of God

2008-03-11T23:48:00.002-05:00

The Pennsylvania Primary isn't until April 22nd. That's six weeks from now. Count 'em, six. It's only going to get nastier and nastier between now and then. This just keeps going and going and going.

Clinton Lost Mississippi

2008-03-11T22:57:00.005-05:00

I kind of like this theme for post threads, "Clinton lost x y z." Maybe we should just keep it up!?

Anyways... Senator Obama wins with by at least a 20 point margin in the magnolia state. From what I had read, this margin is kind of surprising. Everyone knew he was going to win, but by 10-15 points, definitely not 20. Another serious blow to Billary, even though we will continue to hear the flim flam about how Mississippi isn't a "big state" or how "race politics" dominated the contest here. Blah blah blah my name is Hillary Clinton and I think polarizing America is necessary and worthwhile, blah blah blah.

Clinton Lost Texas

2008-03-11T22:08:00.003-05:00

She won the popular vote by a slim margin, but Obama beat her in the caucus by enough to win more delegates in total.

I Want This

2008-03-11T18:53:00.001-05:00

"The walls between art and engineering exist only in our minds"

Saving Lives One Rice Grain at a Time.

2008-03-11T18:47:00.001-05:00

Build your vocabulary, end poverty.

The Reason Why I Love Creationists

2008-03-11T18:22:00.002-05:00

A collection of postings from creationist and fundamental Christian chat rooms.

My favorite,

The only thing I don't like about them is they sell foreign language versions of the KJB. I don't think that's right. We know the only true translation is the 1600's version in English.

It's too risky for anybody to translate that into other languages. Mistakes can creep in... and that can lead to heresy. True Christians should only read English.

This Just Makes Me Angry

2008-03-11T16:09:00.002-05:00

How can the United States sit by and let this happen!? Is it solely because of our reluctance to anger the Saudis and therefore maintain a cheaper price for oil? There is absolutely no reason women should not be allowed to drive. It will lead to mixing of the sexes? Pusha. That's what I have to say. If you can think of a reason why women should not be allowed to drive, please let me know.

Another No-Bid Contract

2008-03-11T15:51:00.002-05:00

John Ashcroft, the former Attorney General, recently received a no-bid contract to monitor a health insurance company as it follows through with a court decision against it on behalf of the federal government. The problem here is that his former subordinates hired him, yet he maintains that there is no conflict of interest. How in there world could there NOT be a conflict of interest!?!? I understand that he is extremely qualified for this job, but I don't think it's very kosher for him to still be intimately involved with the Department of Justice after serving as the head of it. No doubt he still has some sway with those people. It's also immaterial whether tax dollars are being spent here, the decision of this magnitude should be impartial and at least have a bidding process.

P.S. It hurts me deeply to link to Fox News, but they have the most coverage on this so far.

STD's in America

2008-03-11T12:36:00.003-05:00

One in four teenage US girls have a sexually transmitted disease according to the CDC. A major problem in our country is a failure to be open and honest concerning such social taboos as STD's and HIV. The diseases are here, they're infecting the population, and they're shortening life spans. The time of just ignoring the problem or thinking that they will magically go away if we only teach children and teenagers abstinence only sex education is over. We must have a frank discussion about what is acceptable, what is not, and what is just a straight up reality when it comes to this issue.

As a side note, does anyone else think it is a little odd that I found this first on the BBC and not on an American news source's website? Another telling sign of the social pressures preventing these issues from being completely dealt with.

Montel vs. Fox

2008-03-10T23:28:00.002-05:00

Montel lets Fox News have it. I'm tired of hearing about Heath Ledger's death. I feel so bad for him and his family and it is a tragic situation, but I think we need to have a little perspective here. Massive numbers of people are dieing in Iraq, Darfur, Gaza, Pakistan, and all over the rest of the world. There is coverage of them on major news media outlets, but not enough in my opinion. We'd all rather be sad and distraught over someone who sang "You're Just too Good to be True" in "10 Things I Hate About You." Craziness, absolute craziness.

When did this Happen!?

2008-03-10T17:40:00.000-05:00

Poll of polls shows Obams ahead... by a lot!

Banking that Makes You Happy!

2008-03-10T17:36:00.001-05:00

If only every bank was this cool.

Flashlight to Flash Fight

2008-03-10T17:28:00.001-05:00

Thank God for the Second Amendment.

Please let me know why someone would need this.

I Refuse to be Hoodwinked

2008-03-10T14:12:00.002-05:00

Barack makes his position clear on this "dream ticket" business. Bunch of nonsense if you ask me. Just another part of that kitchen sink that Billary keeps throwing at Senator Obama.

This is precisely the sort of political junk that I hate and the aspect of our government that Obama is fighting so hard to change.

No Need for Universal Healthcare

2008-03-10T10:22:00.002-05:00

We've got all the drugs we need in our drinking water! Everything from caffeine to ibuprofen to birth control hormones. I knew I was uncomfortably energetic after that last drink from the fountain...

Border Crossing, Dukes of Hazard Style

2008-03-10T10:13:00.003-05:00

There is something unsavory in the concept of having to build a wall around our country. It brings up thoughts and feelings of oppression and unwelcomeness. While drug dealers and other extremely illegal activities are unwelcome, many of these people are simply looking for a better life and opportunities their country is unable to provide to them. I suppose to look on the bright side, at least people are clamoring to get IN to the country and not OUT.

Problems in Camp Clinton

2008-03-09T22:26:00.002-05:00

Interesting info from the New York Times. Money quote from Harold Ickes, a senior advisor:

Mr. Ickes cautioned about drawing firm conclusions about her from this period, when she faced the demands of being a candidate.
“It’s hard to draw conclusions about her management style,” he said, “because she is, in fact, not the manager of her campaign.”

I understand the term is "Campaign Manager" but if you aren't taken an active role in running your operation, then who is? Better question: do we want another figure head President like George Bush? A president who lets the likes of Karl Rove or Dick Cheney dominate his (or her) policies and actions?

Making Michael Proud

2008-03-09T17:10:00.004-05:00

Bring it. Oh it has already been broughten. Skip to about 1:15 for the good stuff.

McCain vs. the Dems

2008-03-09T16:01:00.003-05:00

This is reason why pollster.com rocks my face off. Note Hillary's current prospects against McCain.

Why doesn't the party and the super delegates see that the best chance for them to get back in the White House is with Barack? Independents and some former Republicans are so sick of the Bush/Cheney/Rove world that they would vote for ALMOST any Democrat. Note the emphasis on almost. Hillary though represents that almost. Whatever the reason she doesn't seem to be able to pull that moderate group as well as Barack.

Tired of the Election

2008-03-07T16:25:00.002-06:00

Don't get me wrong folks, the huge surge in political acitivty, especially by young people is awesome, but seriously, can we just get it over with. I can't think of a better situation for the Republicans then the one we've got on our hands right now. We're all beating each other up while McCain is out there getting stronger and fundraising for the general election. Forget red states and blue states. The problem now is becoming dark blue and light blue states.

The State of Science Education

2008-03-07T16:17:00.003-06:00

Amazing pictures from science fairs. They could be photoshoped, they could be real, but who really cares. They're just hilarious.

Yes We Can

2008-03-06T22:02:00.006-06:00

Welcome everyone to my first attempt at a blog, Loose Gravel. The name comes from an amazing song by Willy Porter that I was randomly listening to as I set the layout up for this thing.

I intend on posting everything from hilarious videos on YouTube to my political thoughts to anything else that may pop into my mind at random times throughout the day.

The comments function is definitely turned on and I welcome any comments you might have about a post, even if that includes showing me what's up and tearing me down.

To start things off I wanted to make sure you had seen this amazing video supporting Barack Obama for President. First thing you'll learn about me is I support my boy B-Rock. I'll try and keep an open mind, but, like everyone else on this planet, I can be biased from time to time. Please keep me honest and as unbiased as possible with the comment section.