Archive for November, 2005
U2 & Idolaters
So I attended a U2 concert recently and I’d give it:
The Good: U2 always puts on a great show. And one of the great things about U2 is that they have so many “hits” that they have more than enough great songs to keep you rocking the entire concert. I’ve heard that not too long ago Lou Bega performed his hit “Mambo Number 5″ twice at his concert. (can you blame the 1-hit-wonder?)
The Bad: U2 has gotten a little preachy. Now don’t get me wrong, Bono is one of the few celebrities that can respectably push his views on others. He has been a champion for peace for years and his Country has a history that further supports such efforts. So Bono, use your concert soapbox to push your cause du jour, fine. But pick ONE ok? (no pun intended) Let’s see U2 wants to support the troops, end the war, fight AIDs in Africa, forgive debts to 3rd world countries, create a universal bill of rights, oh and END poverty. Did I leave out the part about convincing Jews, Christians and Muslims that we all brothers serving the same God. Yeah, like I said.. a tad bit preachy. (Never mind that while the One campaign plans to do most of this through US tax dollars… that money really does have to come from somewhere - even though people tend to forget that fact.)
No CommentsReal Transformer Costumes
So Mark has been busy. Busy creating Transformable Transformer Costumes. While only plastic and cardboard these babies can actually transform WHILE the person wearing them is inside. Very cool. Seven grand cool to be exact.
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World’s Ugliest Dog
Sam, crowned the ‘World’s Ugliest Dog’ for three years in a row at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, died Friday, Nov. 18, 2005, just short of his 15th birthday, according to his owner, Susie Lockheed. Now I’m a dog lover but this is a tad -uh- scary!
No CommentsA Ramsey Moment
Dave Ramsey is the self-proclaimed King of Debt… well anti-debt, actually. His methods are a bit extreme for the financially savy, but they are sound advice for the average American. If nothing else, he offers a great place to start your journey to wealth/retirement.
Theocracy In America?
An interesting essay from our stand-in editor Jeff…
I?ve been hearing a lot from both sides that America is heading towards a theocracy. More specifically, a government fully devoted to Christian ideals. Those opposed speak of a theocracy as one of the greatest assaults on freedom ever invented: references to the Taliban are common. On the other hand, those in favor claim it is necessary to revive our nation. I?ve been thinking about this a lot recently, and I?ve come to the conclusion that I am leaning towards the former. I don?t want a theocracy, or, more accurately, I don?t think that a theocracy is the answer.
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Those Dear To You
We have another excellent FWD. This one really makes you reflect on what’s important. And let’s be honest — it’s the picture that does it. Anyone can weave a sappy tale about things you love and carnage and such… it takes a multimedia presentation to reach my jaded heart.
No CommentsA friend who I used to live with in San Diego just sent me this photo of a horrible highway accident near Heidelberg, Germany where he lives. The picture may be kind of hard to take for some of you. If you look closely you can see what appears to be some survivors of the accident still in the wreckage. Although the picture is quite graphic, it makes you realize how quickly our loved ones can be taken from us.My friend stayed on the scene to help and even though he performed mouth to mouth on quite a few of them, none apparently survived. Please open with discretion … and think of the ones you love.
The Other Iraq
I came across this site today. It’s put together by “the Kurdistan Development Corporation (KDC) is an initiative established jointly by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and international business to promote, facilitate and establish business and investment opportunities in the Kurdistan region in Iraq.”Ah capitalism, pushing that marketing onward… but it’s an interesting twist coming out of the “war torn” Iraq. Thanks and investment opportunities all in one. Nice.
No CommentsFrench React
Now as we enter day 13 of rioting in France… the French finally admit it is an emergency. Hundreds of people were arrested last night, which lessened the destruction by about half. 600 cars and several business still burned despite the curfew and police actions.Apparently the mulism youths are using blogs, cel phones, and text messages to coordinate their efforts and evade police. Time will tell if the new measures will put out this firey outrage or simply slow its spread… as copycat riots have begun to spring up in Germany.
I heard someone on the radio ask “So, when the insurgency in Iraq becomes less than the insurgency in France… does that mean we’ve won?”
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French Riots
Muslim youths have been rioting for days with no apparent end in sight. Burning cars seem to be the destruction of choice. Initially, I thought the rising numbers of burned cars reported on the news was a running total… 300, 600, 800, 1000… and then I learned it was actually an escalating number of cars burned per night.
The scary part is that France doesn’t seem to have a good handle on how to quell the unrest. When many would think clamping down on the rioters is the proper course of action, the French government seems to be teetering towards appeasement by promising to increase welfare benefits to the “suburbs” (projects).
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