-
I've decided to add Ann Coulter and Roger L. Simon to the list.
Why Ann? Why the Hell NOT?! I mean, LOOK AT HER!!! :-)
As for Roger; well, he's long overdue for inclusion.
I first noticed him, just before last summer, when a link pointed me to TALKING THROUGH MY HAT: How Ahmadinejad Made Me a Believer
I have never been much of a believer.
. . .
Until I went to Geneva, Switzerland a couple of weeks ago. I was there to cover Durban II, aka the Durban Review Conference – an attempt by the United Nations to ratify the results of its 2001 human rights conclave in Durban, South Africa.
. . .
But I didn’t realize the man who turned out to be the conference’s key speaker – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran – would be staying in my hotel. I learned that surprising fact from some Swiss security people only minutes before I saw the Iranian president face to face.
. . .
I heard screaming sirens followed by shrieking motor cycles when Ahmadinejad himself entered, accompanied by a phalanx of Iranian secret service, all of whom were larger than he. He was indeed a small man, almost diminutive, and marched straight across the lobby in what seemed at the time like a goose step a few feet away from me, staring directly at me while waving and smiling in my direction.
. . .
I was in the presence of pure Evil.
. . .
This was the guy that my president wanted to talk with?
. . .
I know I am being irrational here, so I will stop. Being in the presence of Ahmadinejad’s evil, fleeting and haltingly put me in the presence of something else.
. . .
There's a Hell of a lot in those extended ellipses. Click on that link above to fill them in, and see what made ME a believer in Roger Simon.
-
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
On blogging, obsession, and being too full of one's self...
-
My previous post, congratulating Massachusetts for electing Scott Brown, noted Chris Matthews reaction to that as, "we need to keep an eye on this guy; I don't trust him."
I rebutted with what I felt was a really good zinger, about how I had a Hell of a lot more trust in a former Lieutenant-Colonel, who had served his country, than I had in a (fill in the blank) who endorses someone for Commander-In-Chief because of a "tingle up his leg".
The problem is, when I searched (and searched, and searched) using Google, Yahoo, Ask, Bing, whatever, I could NOT find any confirmation of him actually saying that.
I was sure I had heard him, but I have to admit that, when channel hopping among the news shows, the pundits all seem to melt together into the same faceless mass.
I cannot be sure who really did say it, but the search suggests that maybe I had the misfortune of stumbling across Glenn Beck, in full Jeremiah mode, with a really disgusting observation, "I don't trust this guy. You're going to end up with a dead intern."
WTF?!!!
Not being able to back up what I said, I pulled it.
I'd love to restore it; I really loved that zinger.
But, that is precisely the problem with getting obsessed with putting these things out.
By wanting, so desperately, to keep that comment alive and out there, I'm acting as if I'll never get another chance to do one as good. That demonstrates a lack of confidence in myself that's plagued me all my life.
Besides, the notion of not getting another chance, in such a target-rich environment as the current political landscape, is ridiculous beyond words.
Definitely time to drop this and move on.
-
My previous post, congratulating Massachusetts for electing Scott Brown, noted Chris Matthews reaction to that as, "we need to keep an eye on this guy; I don't trust him."
I rebutted with what I felt was a really good zinger, about how I had a Hell of a lot more trust in a former Lieutenant-Colonel, who had served his country, than I had in a (fill in the blank) who endorses someone for Commander-In-Chief because of a "tingle up his leg".
The problem is, when I searched (and searched, and searched) using Google, Yahoo, Ask, Bing, whatever, I could NOT find any confirmation of him actually saying that.
I was sure I had heard him, but I have to admit that, when channel hopping among the news shows, the pundits all seem to melt together into the same faceless mass.
I cannot be sure who really did say it, but the search suggests that maybe I had the misfortune of stumbling across Glenn Beck, in full Jeremiah mode, with a really disgusting observation, "I don't trust this guy. You're going to end up with a dead intern."
WTF?!!!
Not being able to back up what I said, I pulled it.
I'd love to restore it; I really loved that zinger.
But, that is precisely the problem with getting obsessed with putting these things out.
By wanting, so desperately, to keep that comment alive and out there, I'm acting as if I'll never get another chance to do one as good. That demonstrates a lack of confidence in myself that's plagued me all my life.
Besides, the notion of not getting another chance, in such a target-rich environment as the current political landscape, is ridiculous beyond words.
Definitely time to drop this and move on.
-
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Congratulations to Massachusetts, and Thank You!
-
The title still stands.
I've deleted the body of this post, for reasons explained in the post On blogging, obsession, and being too full of one's self...
-
The title still stands.
I've deleted the body of this post, for reasons explained in the post On blogging, obsession, and being too full of one's self...
-
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Comment moderation has been enabled. :(
-
(Above the fold update - 09 Mar 2010 - I'm going to take a chance and disable moderation for awhile. We'll just have to see how that works out. Maybe I'll have to turn it back on, for the reasons noted below, maybe not.)
I truly welcome comments, and would like more of them, but if you choose to leave one, you will now find this little note on the comment form:
Comment moderation has been enabled.
All comments must be approved by the blog author.
So, I'll get an email and it will appear when I Ok it (which I'll almost certainly do as soon as I see it).
WHY?
Blogger.com's comments form allows anonymous comments, and a couple of those have been in the form of:
Some kind of silly and inconsequential message.................
in which each separate dot was actually a link to an Asian video porn site.
As I only have a dial-up connection, it's just not practical for me to access those videos and check them out for you, to see if they might be something you would like.
Sorry about that, but I gotta maintain some standards. This is just the price of my readership expanding from the single digits to the low double digits. :-)
-
(Above the fold update - 09 Mar 2010 - I'm going to take a chance and disable moderation for awhile. We'll just have to see how that works out. Maybe I'll have to turn it back on, for the reasons noted below, maybe not.)
I truly welcome comments, and would like more of them, but if you choose to leave one, you will now find this little note on the comment form:
Comment moderation has been enabled.
All comments must be approved by the blog author.
So, I'll get an email and it will appear when I Ok it (which I'll almost certainly do as soon as I see it).
WHY?
Blogger.com's comments form allows anonymous comments, and a couple of those have been in the form of:
Some kind of silly and inconsequential message.................
in which each separate dot was actually a link to an Asian video porn site.
As I only have a dial-up connection, it's just not practical for me to access those videos and check them out for you, to see if they might be something you would like.
Sorry about that, but I gotta maintain some standards. This is just the price of my readership expanding from the single digits to the low double digits. :-)
-
Sunday, January 17, 2010
An Ode to PayPal...
-
NOT an accurate title; I've no intention of attempting any poetry here. I just thought it had a nicer ring to it than "In Praise of PayPal" :-)
My previous post detailed the travails of an eBay purchase gone wrong.
It brought this email response from a good friend...
====================================================
Hi Paul,
I read your blog about eBay transaction. That's horrible!!!
I hope you continue fighting this one.
He's probably doing the same thing to many other people.
If I lost $300 it would hurt me financially too.
====================================================
To which I replied...
====================================================
Oh, I intend to keep fighting, all right.
You may have noticed, in the post, that I redacted anything that could identify him, or where he is, but I DO have that information. (At least, the name and address of the contracting company he owns.)
Options I have include...
1) Opening a case with eBay.
2) Doing the same with PayPal.
3) Possibly Small Claims Court.
(Still have some research to do on THAT one;
I understand that a claim has to be filed in the defendant's county of residence. That makes sense, so the court cannot be used to harass someone by compelling him to appear in person, halfway across the country from where he's at, or forfeit the claim.
At the moment, I only have his business address. If that's not sufficient, I could probably find his actual residence for a small fee (which I could maybe add to the amount that I would seek from him).
What I have to find out is the mechanics of filing such a claim when I live in Houston, and he is in California.
For that matter, I've yet to determine if a Small Claims petition can even be filed across state lines, and if it would be required for me to appear there (in which case I would then have to figure out something else).
So, THAT particular option is up in the air, for now, until I learn more.)
What I'd like most is for the item to arrive and be Ok.
Or, to get an email from PayPal stating that a full refund has been put into my account.
In either of those cases, as I promised him, that would be the end of it.
Otherwise, it would really eat at me to just let it go. That just ain't gonna happen.
I have to confess that I can be a truly vindictive S.O.B. if I feel that I've been wronged.
And, I DO feel that I've been wronged.
====================================================
After thinking about it a bit, I realized that I had been more than patient with this guy, had utterly failed to get his attention, and decided it was time to haul out a 2x4.
Thinking that PayPal could wield a bigger one than I could, and more effectively, I gave them a call, actually got to talk to a real live human being, and learned that, as to opening a case with eBay or PayPal, it's either one or the other.
He convinced me that opening it with PayPal would be more likely to get results. It would then become a matter between them and the seller.
They would contact him, and give him 10 days to either satisfactorily explain things, or to provide a refund. If a refund was called for, and the seller was unable to comply, he told me that PayPal would provide it.
Their web site has this to say about eBay purchases:
Buyers choose PayPal more than any other payment method on eBay.*
Here's why:
You're covered on eligible transactions
PayPal covers your eBay purchases for the full
purchase price and original shipping costs.
This is a feature that I probably read about PayPal when I first signed up, but forgot because, up to now, I've never had to take advantage of it.
A check of the eBay page describing my item shows these very promising words:
Coverage:
Pay with PayPal and your full purchase price is covered.
If you ever buy anything on eBay, using PayPal, that's a good thing to look for.
Here's their automated email response, received 11 Jan 2010...
====================================================
Hello Paul Gordon,
Thanks for contacting us. We're looking into your case and will decide the
outcome. Here are the case details:
-----------------------------------
Transaction details
-----------------------------------
Seller's Name: **** *******
Seller's Email: **@****.***
Seller's Transaction ID: *****************
Transaction Date: Dec 6, 2009
Transaction Amount: -$290.79 USD
Your Transaction ID: *****************
Case Number: PP-***-***-***
Buyer's Transaction ID: *****************
-----------------------------------
What to do next
-----------------------------------
To keep things moving toward resolution, your participation is essential.
As we look into the case, we may ask you for more information and you'll
have a limited time to reply. Please respond quickly so you don’t risk
losing a possible refund.
We'll try to decide this case within 30 days, but if the case is
complicated, it may take a little longer.
Of course, we can't guarantee you'll get your money back from the seller,
but we'll give it our best effort. For more information about how PayPal
investigates complaints, please review the User Agreement.
Sincerely,
PayPal
====================================================
FOUR days later (15 Jan 2010). they sent this email...
====================================================
Hello Paul Gordon,
We have concluded our investigation into your claim.
Seller's Name: **** *******
Seller's Email: **@****.***
Seller's Transaction ID: *****************
Transaction Date: Dec 6, 2009
Transaction Amount: -$290.79 USD
Your Transaction ID: *****************
Case Number: PP-***-***-***
Buyer's Transaction ID: *****************
You have received a refund via PayPal in the amount of $290.79 USD.
Sincerely,
Protection Services Department
====================================================
I then logged onto PayPal to transfer the amount
back into my checking account. Got this response...
====================================================
Hello Paul Gordon,
You asked us on Jan 15, 2010 to transfer $290.79 USD from your PayPal account to your bank account. We are processing your request.
The transfer normally takes 3-4 business days.
The money should be in your bank account by Jan 19, 2010.
We will email you if any problems occur with your request.
Thanks,
PayPal
====================================================
Checking on my account today (17 Jan 2001) disclosed...
====================================================
Transaction Details
Withdraw Funds to a Bank Account
(Unique Transaction ID #*****************)
Total Amount: -$290.79 USD
Fee amount: $0.00 USD
Net amount: -$290.79 USD
Date: Jan 15, 2010
Time: 21:03:39 CST
Status: Completed
Subject: Bank Account
Transfer to: ****** (Confirmed) x-****
====================================================
In much less time than they estimated, it's all done. I've got my money back, and as I promised that seller, THIS IS THE END OF IT.
I note several things from all this.
1) Like many careful business, they allow themselves a safety factor by giving conservative estimates on how quickly they can resolve things. Usually it happens much quicker than they say.
2) Although the rapidity with which funds exit my checking account raises hope that lightspeed may NOT be an ultimate barrier, movement in the other direction takes days. They say that banking rules are responsible for this but, tragically, I've gotten a bit cynical in my old age. I can't help thinking that interest on funds they are holding may have a bit to do with it.
3) When buying anything from eBay, or the many other places that accept PayPal, that is definitely the way to go. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
End of commercial for PayPal.
-
NOT an accurate title; I've no intention of attempting any poetry here. I just thought it had a nicer ring to it than "In Praise of PayPal" :-)
My previous post detailed the travails of an eBay purchase gone wrong.
It brought this email response from a good friend...
====================================================
Hi Paul,
I read your blog about eBay transaction. That's horrible!!!
I hope you continue fighting this one.
He's probably doing the same thing to many other people.
If I lost $300 it would hurt me financially too.
====================================================
To which I replied...
====================================================
Oh, I intend to keep fighting, all right.
You may have noticed, in the post, that I redacted anything that could identify him, or where he is, but I DO have that information. (At least, the name and address of the contracting company he owns.)
Options I have include...
1) Opening a case with eBay.
2) Doing the same with PayPal.
3) Possibly Small Claims Court.
(Still have some research to do on THAT one;
I understand that a claim has to be filed in the defendant's county of residence. That makes sense, so the court cannot be used to harass someone by compelling him to appear in person, halfway across the country from where he's at, or forfeit the claim.
At the moment, I only have his business address. If that's not sufficient, I could probably find his actual residence for a small fee (which I could maybe add to the amount that I would seek from him).
What I have to find out is the mechanics of filing such a claim when I live in Houston, and he is in California.
For that matter, I've yet to determine if a Small Claims petition can even be filed across state lines, and if it would be required for me to appear there (in which case I would then have to figure out something else).
So, THAT particular option is up in the air, for now, until I learn more.)
What I'd like most is for the item to arrive and be Ok.
Or, to get an email from PayPal stating that a full refund has been put into my account.
In either of those cases, as I promised him, that would be the end of it.
Otherwise, it would really eat at me to just let it go. That just ain't gonna happen.
I have to confess that I can be a truly vindictive S.O.B. if I feel that I've been wronged.
And, I DO feel that I've been wronged.
====================================================
After thinking about it a bit, I realized that I had been more than patient with this guy, had utterly failed to get his attention, and decided it was time to haul out a 2x4.
Thinking that PayPal could wield a bigger one than I could, and more effectively, I gave them a call, actually got to talk to a real live human being, and learned that, as to opening a case with eBay or PayPal, it's either one or the other.
He convinced me that opening it with PayPal would be more likely to get results. It would then become a matter between them and the seller.
They would contact him, and give him 10 days to either satisfactorily explain things, or to provide a refund. If a refund was called for, and the seller was unable to comply, he told me that PayPal would provide it.
Their web site has this to say about eBay purchases:
Buyers choose PayPal more than any other payment method on eBay.*
Here's why:
You're covered on eligible transactions
PayPal covers your eBay purchases for the full
purchase price and original shipping costs.
This is a feature that I probably read about PayPal when I first signed up, but forgot because, up to now, I've never had to take advantage of it.
A check of the eBay page describing my item shows these very promising words:
Coverage:
Pay with PayPal and your full purchase price is covered.
If you ever buy anything on eBay, using PayPal, that's a good thing to look for.
Here's their automated email response, received 11 Jan 2010...
====================================================
Hello Paul Gordon,
Thanks for contacting us. We're looking into your case and will decide the
outcome. Here are the case details:
-----------------------------------
Transaction details
-----------------------------------
Seller's Name: **** *******
Seller's Email: **@****.***
Seller's Transaction ID: *****************
Transaction Date: Dec 6, 2009
Transaction Amount: -$290.79 USD
Your Transaction ID: *****************
Case Number: PP-***-***-***
Buyer's Transaction ID: *****************
-----------------------------------
What to do next
-----------------------------------
To keep things moving toward resolution, your participation is essential.
As we look into the case, we may ask you for more information and you'll
have a limited time to reply. Please respond quickly so you don’t risk
losing a possible refund.
We'll try to decide this case within 30 days, but if the case is
complicated, it may take a little longer.
Of course, we can't guarantee you'll get your money back from the seller,
but we'll give it our best effort. For more information about how PayPal
investigates complaints, please review the User Agreement.
Sincerely,
PayPal
====================================================
FOUR days later (15 Jan 2010). they sent this email...
====================================================
Hello Paul Gordon,
We have concluded our investigation into your claim.
Seller's Name: **** *******
Seller's Email: **@****.***
Seller's Transaction ID: *****************
Transaction Date: Dec 6, 2009
Transaction Amount: -$290.79 USD
Your Transaction ID: *****************
Case Number: PP-***-***-***
Buyer's Transaction ID: *****************
You have received a refund via PayPal in the amount of $290.79 USD.
Sincerely,
Protection Services Department
====================================================
I then logged onto PayPal to transfer the amount
back into my checking account. Got this response...
====================================================
Hello Paul Gordon,
You asked us on Jan 15, 2010 to transfer $290.79 USD from your PayPal account to your bank account. We are processing your request.
The transfer normally takes 3-4 business days.
The money should be in your bank account by Jan 19, 2010.
We will email you if any problems occur with your request.
Thanks,
PayPal
====================================================
Checking on my account today (17 Jan 2001) disclosed...
====================================================
Transaction Details
Withdraw Funds to a Bank Account
(Unique Transaction ID #*****************)
Total Amount: -$290.79 USD
Fee amount: $0.00 USD
Net amount: -$290.79 USD
Date: Jan 15, 2010
Time: 21:03:39 CST
Status: Completed
Subject: Bank Account
Transfer to: ****** (Confirmed) x-****
====================================================
In much less time than they estimated, it's all done. I've got my money back, and as I promised that seller, THIS IS THE END OF IT.
I note several things from all this.
1) Like many careful business, they allow themselves a safety factor by giving conservative estimates on how quickly they can resolve things. Usually it happens much quicker than they say.
2) Although the rapidity with which funds exit my checking account raises hope that lightspeed may NOT be an ultimate barrier, movement in the other direction takes days. They say that banking rules are responsible for this but, tragically, I've gotten a bit cynical in my old age. I can't help thinking that interest on funds they are holding may have a bit to do with it.
3) When buying anything from eBay, or the many other places that accept PayPal, that is definitely the way to go. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
End of commercial for PayPal.
-
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Anatomy of an eBay Transaction...
-
Six years ago, when I was in better financial shape, I bought a Panasonic DVD recorder, which I used a lot and liked very much. But, lately it has been making poor recordings, with errors that make them play unreliably (if at all). I have stuff on its' hard drive, and other stuff on DVD Ram disks that are probably playable only on a similar machine.
One of the options I tried was to search eBay for an identical machine in good shape. I found one, and bought it (via PayPal) after the second email below (that replied to the first)
I have bought many things on eBay, without problems. They have a system where buyer and seller can provide feedback on the transaction (positive-neutral-negative), and a short comment. Normally, it works very well, but is no proof against someone changing after a long record of good feedback.
THIS is the result of such a change:
(His name altered to avoid preempting some of my options)
------------------------------------------
From: paulgordon1827
To: ebaymembername
Sent Date: Dec-05-09 17:12:58 PST
Subject: You've received a question about your eBay item, Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Dear ebaymembername,
What is the condition of this item?
Has it seen extensive use?
The reason I ask is that I currently have one that I bought new six years ago, and have made hundreds of dvd-r recordings with it.
Lately, the recordings often have errors.
It may be just wearing out and I'm looking at replacement as an alternative to having it shipped somewhere for an overhaul (if that's even practical anymore).
An identical model (such as yours) would allow me to transfer stuff from its' hard drive to yours, via the dvd-ram disks I also have.
So, I guess I'm wondering how much potential life remains in yours.
Thanks.
- paulgordon1827
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: ebaymembername [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 00:35
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Dear paulgordon1827,
I actually never hooked this unit up, so it's unused.
- ebaymembername
------------------------------------------
From: payment@paypal.com [mailto:payment@paypal.com] On Behalf Of service@paypal.com
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 11:08
To: Paul Gordon
Subject: Receipt for your PayPal payment to ebaymembername
Hello Paul Gordon,
You sent a payment of $290.79 USD to ebaymembername (**@*****.***)
Thanks for using PayPal.
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Seller: ebaymembername [mailto:auctionwarranty@squaretrade.com]
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 17:57
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: Your eBay DVD Player purchase: get year(s) of care-free coverage
SquareTrade is offering a limited-time 20% off your warranty. For just $31.19, you are protected from losing your $275 item if mechanical or electrical failures happen during normal use.
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Seller: ebaymembername [mailto:auctionwarranty@squaretrade.com]
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 22:22
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: Your coverage options on your eBay item: Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
SquareTrade is offering a limited-time 20% off your warranty. For just $31.19, you are protected from losing your $275 item.
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: paulgordon1827 [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 23:06
To: eBay Member: ebaymembername
Subject: Message from eBay Member Regarding Item #************
Dear ebaymembername,
I was going to ask if this item had been shipped yet, and, if so, can it be tracked.
BUT...
Today (Mon, 12/14/2009) I just received my SECOND email request for purchasing a warranty on it (the first was on Dec 6).
Is this a pre-requisite for having it shipped to me?
Does it mean it hasn't even been shipped yet, and is awaiting purchase of this warranty?
- paulgordon1827
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: paulgordon1827 [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 23:05
To: eBay Member: ebaymembername
Subject: Message from eBay Member Regarding Item #************
Dear ebaymembername,
Do you have any idea where it is?
Can it be tracked?
Thanks.
- paulgordon1827
------------------------------------------
From: hisrealname [mailto:hisrealemail]
Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 13:17
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: Re: Message from eBay Member Regarding Item #************
I will investigate this morning and get back to you
hisrealname-via Blackberry
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Seller: ebaymembername [mailto:auctionwarranty@squaretrade.com]
Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 18:11
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: Last reminder to cover your eBay Purchase: Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Final Reminder of Warranty Purchase Option
This is your final reminder of the option to get 20% off a warranty on your recent eBay purchase.
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: paulgordon1827 [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 22:49
To: eBay Member: ebaymembername
Subject: Message from eBay Member Regarding Item #************
Dear ebaymembername,
Where we are...
Dec 06 - I buy, online, the DVD Recorder described in the subject, and pay in full (via PayPal) $275.00 + $15.79 (S&H) for a total of $290.79, and am told that this item will be sent, by UPS Ground, with an estimated delivery date of Dec 10 to 17.
Dec 14 - I send you a message asking if it has been sent yet, and if it can be tracked (my UPS experience is that delivery typically occurs within in the mid-range of their estimates).
Dec 19 - I send message asking if you?ve any idea of where it is, and if it can be tracked.
Dec 20 - Got your email stating you will investigate and get back to me.
Dec 23 - So far, no item, not one word. I am trying to live on early-retirement social security, and the meager earnings of a part-time job. $290.79 is NOT pocket change to me, but I have paid it (and PayPal confirms that you have received it).
Considering what I've just laid out above, if YOU were in MY place, what would you be considering right now?
- paulgordon1827
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: ebaymembername [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 14:58
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Dear paulgordon1827,
I regret the delay. A highly unusual set of circumstances has beset this purchase fulfillment that I won't bore you with as excuses. It's entirely my fault.
I havd two options for you-
I will issue a full refund plus $25.00 for your trouble.
I will ship the item tomorrow-it was not shipped as I thought it had been-but at half the price we agreed, plus shipping-as liquidated damages for not keeping up my end of the bargain. Please advise.
- ebaymembername
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: paulgordon1827 [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 17:41
To: eBay Member: ebaymembername
Subject: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Dear ebaymembername,
Sir: I offer a third option to you.
If the item was only DELAYED in shipping, and has NOT been damaged; that is if it is still in the condition you originally reported to me before I bought it, then go ahead and ship it, in a manner that can be tracked, and we'll adhere to the ORIGINAL deal. No price adjustment necessary.
If the delay was caused by some event that may have damaged it, then I'll go for your first option.
If the only screw-up was failure to get it shipped, I can forgive that. (Please keep this to yourself, but I too am capable of screwing up on occasion. :-)
Merry Christmas, and please keep me informed.
Thanks.
- paulgordon1827
------------------------------------------
From: hisrealname [mailto:hisrealemail]
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 17:52
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: Re: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Thank you-you have a deal. It will ship tomorrow. I'll upgrade the shipping speed at my expense. Happy Holidays.
hisrealname-via Blackberry
------------------------------------------
From: Paul Gordon [mailto:gordonp@airmail.net]
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 18:06
To: 'hisrealname'
Subject: RE: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Message received and understood.
Over, and out.
Have a good one. :-)
------------------------------------------
From: Paul Gordon [mailto:gordonp@airmail.net]
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 20:35
To: 'hisrealname'
Subject: RE: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Sir: That was TEN days ago.
Questions...
1) HAS it been shipped?
2) WHEN was it shipped?
3) HOW was it shipped?
4) Have you a tracking number?
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: paulgordon1827 [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 09:30
To: eBay Member: ebaymembername
Subject: Message from eBay Member Regarding Item #************
Dear ebaymembername,
Today (Wednesday, 01/06/2010) marks one solid MONTH since I paid in full for an item I have not received.
12 days since you acknowledged failure to ship and promised it WOULD be shipped by a faster method.
I would really appreciate at least some information today.
Thank you.
-
------------------------------------------
From: Paul Gordon [mailto:gordonp@airmail.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 16:55
To: 'hisrealname'
Subject: RE: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
My patience has been exhausted.
After you acknowledged (On Dec 25, 2009) failure to ship my merchandise, I forgave you and offered you another chance; which you accepted and in which you promised to ship the item THE NEXT DAY, and BY A FASTER METHOD.
To date (Saturday, Jan 09, 2010) NOTHING. No merchandise, not one word, nada.
Repeated queries as to IF, WHEN and HOW it was shipped, and if it can be tracked, have been ignored.
Your reluctance (or inability) to answer those simple questions raises all sorts of alarms, as does the recent appearance of a negative feedback from another who also has yet to see his merchandise and still another who, while giving positive feedback, thanked you "for your honesty" making me wonder what happened there.
What the Hell has happened to you? Your behavior is completely inconsistent with your feedback record prior to this transaction. (For the money involved, you can bet I checked THAT before buying this item.)
The sum involved is not pocket change to one in my circumstances. You have hurt me, Sir, severely, and if you harbor some illusion that by simply ignoring me, I will get tired, give up, and just let it go, then Sir, you have mistaken my nature absolutely.
If I can get some solid information about when and how it was shipped, and I receive it soon and deem it satisfactory, THAT WILL BE THE END OF IT.
Or, if it has NOT been shipped, please refund (via PayPal) the full amount of $290.79 (note, at the moment, I'm not requesting a single cent more than what I am rightfully due), and when it is in my account, THAT WILL BE THE END OF IT.
Otherwise, I have not even BEGUN to consider my options. Letting go just ain't one of them.
-
------------------------------------------
And, that's where it stands, at the moment. I DO have several options, especially since I know where he can be reached, so we'll just have to see what commences.
UPDATE - The next post ( An Ode to PayPal... ) is a follow-up to this and has the resolution.
-
Six years ago, when I was in better financial shape, I bought a Panasonic DVD recorder, which I used a lot and liked very much. But, lately it has been making poor recordings, with errors that make them play unreliably (if at all). I have stuff on its' hard drive, and other stuff on DVD Ram disks that are probably playable only on a similar machine.
One of the options I tried was to search eBay for an identical machine in good shape. I found one, and bought it (via PayPal) after the second email below (that replied to the first)
I have bought many things on eBay, without problems. They have a system where buyer and seller can provide feedback on the transaction (positive-neutral-negative), and a short comment. Normally, it works very well, but is no proof against someone changing after a long record of good feedback.
THIS is the result of such a change:
(His name altered to avoid preempting some of my options)
------------------------------------------
From: paulgordon1827
To: ebaymembername
Sent Date: Dec-05-09 17:12:58 PST
Subject: You've received a question about your eBay item, Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Dear ebaymembername,
What is the condition of this item?
Has it seen extensive use?
The reason I ask is that I currently have one that I bought new six years ago, and have made hundreds of dvd-r recordings with it.
Lately, the recordings often have errors.
It may be just wearing out and I'm looking at replacement as an alternative to having it shipped somewhere for an overhaul (if that's even practical anymore).
An identical model (such as yours) would allow me to transfer stuff from its' hard drive to yours, via the dvd-ram disks I also have.
So, I guess I'm wondering how much potential life remains in yours.
Thanks.
- paulgordon1827
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: ebaymembername [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 00:35
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Dear paulgordon1827,
I actually never hooked this unit up, so it's unused.
- ebaymembername
------------------------------------------
From: payment@paypal.com [mailto:payment@paypal.com] On Behalf Of service@paypal.com
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 11:08
To: Paul Gordon
Subject: Receipt for your PayPal payment to ebaymembername
Hello Paul Gordon,
You sent a payment of $290.79 USD to ebaymembername (**@*****.***)
Thanks for using PayPal.
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Seller: ebaymembername [mailto:auctionwarranty@squaretrade.com]
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 17:57
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: Your eBay DVD Player purchase: get year(s) of care-free coverage
SquareTrade is offering a limited-time 20% off your warranty. For just $31.19, you are protected from losing your $275 item if mechanical or electrical failures happen during normal use.
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Seller: ebaymembername [mailto:auctionwarranty@squaretrade.com]
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 22:22
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: Your coverage options on your eBay item: Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
SquareTrade is offering a limited-time 20% off your warranty. For just $31.19, you are protected from losing your $275 item.
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: paulgordon1827 [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 23:06
To: eBay Member: ebaymembername
Subject: Message from eBay Member Regarding Item #************
Dear ebaymembername,
I was going to ask if this item had been shipped yet, and, if so, can it be tracked.
BUT...
Today (Mon, 12/14/2009) I just received my SECOND email request for purchasing a warranty on it (the first was on Dec 6).
Is this a pre-requisite for having it shipped to me?
Does it mean it hasn't even been shipped yet, and is awaiting purchase of this warranty?
- paulgordon1827
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: paulgordon1827 [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 23:05
To: eBay Member: ebaymembername
Subject: Message from eBay Member Regarding Item #************
Dear ebaymembername,
Do you have any idea where it is?
Can it be tracked?
Thanks.
- paulgordon1827
------------------------------------------
From: hisrealname [mailto:hisrealemail]
Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2009 13:17
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: Re: Message from eBay Member Regarding Item #************
I will investigate this morning and get back to you
hisrealname-via Blackberry
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Seller: ebaymembername [mailto:auctionwarranty@squaretrade.com]
Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 18:11
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: Last reminder to cover your eBay Purchase: Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Final Reminder of Warranty Purchase Option
This is your final reminder of the option to get 20% off a warranty on your recent eBay purchase.
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: paulgordon1827 [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 22:49
To: eBay Member: ebaymembername
Subject: Message from eBay Member Regarding Item #************
Dear ebaymembername,
Where we are...
Dec 06 - I buy, online, the DVD Recorder described in the subject, and pay in full (via PayPal) $275.00 + $15.79 (S&H) for a total of $290.79, and am told that this item will be sent, by UPS Ground, with an estimated delivery date of Dec 10 to 17.
Dec 14 - I send you a message asking if it has been sent yet, and if it can be tracked (my UPS experience is that delivery typically occurs within in the mid-range of their estimates).
Dec 19 - I send message asking if you?ve any idea of where it is, and if it can be tracked.
Dec 20 - Got your email stating you will investigate and get back to me.
Dec 23 - So far, no item, not one word. I am trying to live on early-retirement social security, and the meager earnings of a part-time job. $290.79 is NOT pocket change to me, but I have paid it (and PayPal confirms that you have received it).
Considering what I've just laid out above, if YOU were in MY place, what would you be considering right now?
- paulgordon1827
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: ebaymembername [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 14:58
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Dear paulgordon1827,
I regret the delay. A highly unusual set of circumstances has beset this purchase fulfillment that I won't bore you with as excuses. It's entirely my fault.
I havd two options for you-
I will issue a full refund plus $25.00 for your trouble.
I will ship the item tomorrow-it was not shipped as I thought it had been-but at half the price we agreed, plus shipping-as liquidated damages for not keeping up my end of the bargain. Please advise.
- ebaymembername
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: paulgordon1827 [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 17:41
To: eBay Member: ebaymembername
Subject: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Dear ebaymembername,
Sir: I offer a third option to you.
If the item was only DELAYED in shipping, and has NOT been damaged; that is if it is still in the condition you originally reported to me before I bought it, then go ahead and ship it, in a manner that can be tracked, and we'll adhere to the ORIGINAL deal. No price adjustment necessary.
If the delay was caused by some event that may have damaged it, then I'll go for your first option.
If the only screw-up was failure to get it shipped, I can forgive that. (Please keep this to yourself, but I too am capable of screwing up on occasion. :-)
Merry Christmas, and please keep me informed.
Thanks.
- paulgordon1827
------------------------------------------
From: hisrealname [mailto:hisrealemail]
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 17:52
To: gordonp@airmail.net
Subject: Re: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Thank you-you have a deal. It will ship tomorrow. I'll upgrade the shipping speed at my expense. Happy Holidays.
hisrealname-via Blackberry
------------------------------------------
From: Paul Gordon [mailto:gordonp@airmail.net]
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 18:06
To: 'hisrealname'
Subject: RE: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Message received and understood.
Over, and out.
Have a good one. :-)
------------------------------------------
From: Paul Gordon [mailto:gordonp@airmail.net]
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 20:35
To: 'hisrealname'
Subject: RE: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
Sir: That was TEN days ago.
Questions...
1) HAS it been shipped?
2) WHEN was it shipped?
3) HOW was it shipped?
4) Have you a tracking number?
------------------------------------------
From: eBay Member: paulgordon1827 [mailto:member@ebay.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 09:30
To: eBay Member: ebaymembername
Subject: Message from eBay Member Regarding Item #************
Dear ebaymembername,
Today (Wednesday, 01/06/2010) marks one solid MONTH since I paid in full for an item I have not received.
12 days since you acknowledged failure to ship and promised it WOULD be shipped by a faster method.
I would really appreciate at least some information today.
Thank you.
-
------------------------------------------
From: Paul Gordon [mailto:gordonp@airmail.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2010 16:55
To: 'hisrealname'
Subject: RE: You've received an answer to your question about item Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder
My patience has been exhausted.
After you acknowledged (On Dec 25, 2009) failure to ship my merchandise, I forgave you and offered you another chance; which you accepted and in which you promised to ship the item THE NEXT DAY, and BY A FASTER METHOD.
To date (Saturday, Jan 09, 2010) NOTHING. No merchandise, not one word, nada.
Repeated queries as to IF, WHEN and HOW it was shipped, and if it can be tracked, have been ignored.
Your reluctance (or inability) to answer those simple questions raises all sorts of alarms, as does the recent appearance of a negative feedback from another who also has yet to see his merchandise and still another who, while giving positive feedback, thanked you "for your honesty" making me wonder what happened there.
What the Hell has happened to you? Your behavior is completely inconsistent with your feedback record prior to this transaction. (For the money involved, you can bet I checked THAT before buying this item.)
The sum involved is not pocket change to one in my circumstances. You have hurt me, Sir, severely, and if you harbor some illusion that by simply ignoring me, I will get tired, give up, and just let it go, then Sir, you have mistaken my nature absolutely.
If I can get some solid information about when and how it was shipped, and I receive it soon and deem it satisfactory, THAT WILL BE THE END OF IT.
Or, if it has NOT been shipped, please refund (via PayPal) the full amount of $290.79 (note, at the moment, I'm not requesting a single cent more than what I am rightfully due), and when it is in my account, THAT WILL BE THE END OF IT.
Otherwise, I have not even BEGUN to consider my options. Letting go just ain't one of them.
-
------------------------------------------
And, that's where it stands, at the moment. I DO have several options, especially since I know where he can be reached, so we'll just have to see what commences.
UPDATE - The next post ( An Ode to PayPal... ) is a follow-up to this and has the resolution.
-
Friday, January 08, 2010
THIS should be the attitude of voters this November ...
-
H/T to A Cromwellian Speech In NY at Wolf Howling comparing NY Governor David Patterson's recent State of the State speech to Oliver Cromwell's.
On April 20, 1653, Oliver Cromwell dismissed Parliament, saying...
"It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonoured by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
“Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth
“Ye sordid prostitutes, have you not defil'd this sacred place, and turn'd the Lord's temple into a den of thieves by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd; your country therefore calls upon me to cleanse the Augean Stable, by putting a final period to your iniquitous proceedings, and which by God's help and the strength He has given me, I now come to do.
“I command ye, therefore, upon the peril of your lives, to depart immediately out of this place! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. You have sat here too long for the good you do. In the name of God, go!”
ADDENDA
A very good and extremely intelligent friend commented on this in an email...
--------------------------------
Paul,
The Cromwell quote is from the time when he dissolved parliament and set up a dictatorship as Lord High Protector.
You know they dug him up and threw his bones in the Thames, he was that popular.
--------------------------------
Even so, I'd find it extremely difficult to better encapsulate my feelings toward the current bunch running our country, and also towards the MSM, which seems to be equally deserving of it.
That old boy certainly had a way with words. :-)
-
H/T to A Cromwellian Speech In NY at Wolf Howling comparing NY Governor David Patterson's recent State of the State speech to Oliver Cromwell's.
On April 20, 1653, Oliver Cromwell dismissed Parliament, saying...
"It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonoured by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
“Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth
“Ye sordid prostitutes, have you not defil'd this sacred place, and turn'd the Lord's temple into a den of thieves by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd; your country therefore calls upon me to cleanse the Augean Stable, by putting a final period to your iniquitous proceedings, and which by God's help and the strength He has given me, I now come to do.
“I command ye, therefore, upon the peril of your lives, to depart immediately out of this place! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. You have sat here too long for the good you do. In the name of God, go!”
ADDENDA
A very good and extremely intelligent friend commented on this in an email...
--------------------------------
Paul,
The Cromwell quote is from the time when he dissolved parliament and set up a dictatorship as Lord High Protector.
You know they dug him up and threw his bones in the Thames, he was that popular.
--------------------------------
Even so, I'd find it extremely difficult to better encapsulate my feelings toward the current bunch running our country, and also towards the MSM, which seems to be equally deserving of it.
That old boy certainly had a way with words. :-)
-
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Varifrank is Back!!!
-
Today, I wrote this as a comment to a post on neo-neocon:
You can get sent to a good blog from the unlikeliest of places.
I got hooked on blogs because of a link on MSNBC's website (of all places) directing me to Today, I was "Unprofessional"..., about the tsunami that hit Indonesia on Christmas Day, 2004.
I'm glad that's still archived and available, as its' author (Frank Martin - "Varifrank") has retired from blogging and "Gone Flyin...".
I miss him, and his analysis's.
-
Why do I think so much of him? If clicking on that link doesn't show you, then no amount of words from me could explain it.
After posting that comment, I took another look at that page I had linked to, clicked on the "Main" link, and...
HE'S BACK!!! ( Varifrank )
I guess there's no such thing as a retired blogger.
UPDATE - 12 Mar 2010 - The "HE'S BACK!!!" may have been premature; since his new post, around New Year's eve, he appears to only be using Twitter now. Twitter (and my antipathy towards it) were the subject of a post I was considering, but neo-neocon went and beat me to it ( I’m a blogger, not a tweeter ).
-
Today, I wrote this as a comment to a post on neo-neocon:
You can get sent to a good blog from the unlikeliest of places.
I got hooked on blogs because of a link on MSNBC's website (of all places) directing me to Today, I was "Unprofessional"..., about the tsunami that hit Indonesia on Christmas Day, 2004.
I'm glad that's still archived and available, as its' author (Frank Martin - "Varifrank") has retired from blogging and "Gone Flyin...".
I miss him, and his analysis's.
-
Why do I think so much of him? If clicking on that link doesn't show you, then no amount of words from me could explain it.
After posting that comment, I took another look at that page I had linked to, clicked on the "Main" link, and...
HE'S BACK!!! ( Varifrank )
I guess there's no such thing as a retired blogger.
UPDATE - 12 Mar 2010 - The "HE'S BACK!!!" may have been premature; since his new post, around New Year's eve, he appears to only be using Twitter now. Twitter (and my antipathy towards it) were the subject of a post I was considering, but neo-neocon went and beat me to it ( I’m a blogger, not a tweeter ).
-
Saturday, December 26, 2009
"Avatar" -- I want to see it AGAIN!
-
There I go, violating common sense, and Lord knows how many rules of reporting and reviewing, by putting the bottom line, not just at the top, but in the very title of this review.
So, sue me! This is how I felt like presenting it.
I've NEVER written a movie review before (as will be painfully obvious from reading this), but I'm going to speak my piece anyway.
I've seen a number of attacks on this movie (several from bloggers on my "Blogs I Like" list) accusing James Cameron of making an anti-American, pro-environmentalist, way too PC movie, with little or no originality to it..
I beg to differ.
I don't recall any countries named in the movie; the soldiers depicted are mercenaries hired by a corporation (in this future, corporations appear to be at the top of the food chain). The lead is supposed to be an ex-marine, but lots of countries have marines and it is not specified which one he is from.
Many of the plot points are not necessarily comments on our current situation, but can be found in classic science-fiction going back more than half a century.
The idea of a warrior, sent to live among a people, deciding he'd rather be a part of them is NOT a ripoff of "Dances With Wolves", but is a very human story that likely predates writing and could well be part of sagas passed down from one generation to another by word of mouth.
The one thing you could convict Cameron on is lack of originality in the story.
BUT, to the best of my recollection, he has never claimed the ideas to be original. I think he has even said that himself in interviews.
What I think counts is how well it is done, and here, he really shines.
By not tapping into the $20,000,000.00 club for his actors, you get people that are more believable as their characters, instead of trying to get past that you are looking at George Clooney, Matt Damon or Tom Cruise.
I decided to go all the way and see it in IMAX 3D. This is probably the best 3D work I've seen to date; it is used, not as a gimmick (I don't recall any cheap tricks of throwing thing at you just to make you duck), but as an integral part of the story, to heighten the feeling of reality.
I'm going to cut this off, here, for further reflection on what I've seen.
Is this the best movie of the year? No, probably not even close.
Is it the best science-fiction movie of this year?
THAT will take some more consideration; at the moment, I'm inclined towards "District 9" for that honor.
Well then, is it any damned good at all? HELL YES!!!
WHY more consideration? I can see one similarity with Titanic; during the approximately nine months it was in theaters in Houston, I saw it quite a few times. Each viewing seemed to disclose things I hadn't noticed before.
My first impression is, "Pretty Damned Good".
My gut feeling is that repeat viewings will only add to that.
See it for yourself.
(Note added Sunday morning: This is a good example of how NOT to post anything. I was in WAY too much of a hurry to put something up, with ideas only half-formed, and boy does that show! That's why it cuts off so abruptly; I didn't know where to go next. I stand by what is in there, but, it's sadly incomplete and I well know it. I hope to do better next time.)
-
There I go, violating common sense, and Lord knows how many rules of reporting and reviewing, by putting the bottom line, not just at the top, but in the very title of this review.
So, sue me! This is how I felt like presenting it.
I've NEVER written a movie review before (as will be painfully obvious from reading this), but I'm going to speak my piece anyway.
I've seen a number of attacks on this movie (several from bloggers on my "Blogs I Like" list) accusing James Cameron of making an anti-American, pro-environmentalist, way too PC movie, with little or no originality to it..
I beg to differ.
I don't recall any countries named in the movie; the soldiers depicted are mercenaries hired by a corporation (in this future, corporations appear to be at the top of the food chain). The lead is supposed to be an ex-marine, but lots of countries have marines and it is not specified which one he is from.
Many of the plot points are not necessarily comments on our current situation, but can be found in classic science-fiction going back more than half a century.
The idea of a warrior, sent to live among a people, deciding he'd rather be a part of them is NOT a ripoff of "Dances With Wolves", but is a very human story that likely predates writing and could well be part of sagas passed down from one generation to another by word of mouth.
The one thing you could convict Cameron on is lack of originality in the story.
BUT, to the best of my recollection, he has never claimed the ideas to be original. I think he has even said that himself in interviews.
What I think counts is how well it is done, and here, he really shines.
By not tapping into the $20,000,000.00 club for his actors, you get people that are more believable as their characters, instead of trying to get past that you are looking at George Clooney, Matt Damon or Tom Cruise.
I decided to go all the way and see it in IMAX 3D. This is probably the best 3D work I've seen to date; it is used, not as a gimmick (I don't recall any cheap tricks of throwing thing at you just to make you duck), but as an integral part of the story, to heighten the feeling of reality.
I'm going to cut this off, here, for further reflection on what I've seen.
Is this the best movie of the year? No, probably not even close.
Is it the best science-fiction movie of this year?
THAT will take some more consideration; at the moment, I'm inclined towards "District 9" for that honor.
Well then, is it any damned good at all? HELL YES!!!
WHY more consideration? I can see one similarity with Titanic; during the approximately nine months it was in theaters in Houston, I saw it quite a few times. Each viewing seemed to disclose things I hadn't noticed before.
My first impression is, "Pretty Damned Good".
My gut feeling is that repeat viewings will only add to that.
See it for yourself.
(Note added Sunday morning: This is a good example of how NOT to post anything. I was in WAY too much of a hurry to put something up, with ideas only half-formed, and boy does that show! That's why it cuts off so abruptly; I didn't know where to go next. I stand by what is in there, but, it's sadly incomplete and I well know it. I hope to do better next time.)
-
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Snow
An Air Force buddy of mine, now living in Montana, sent Christmas Greetings to me, noting...
"Winter has set in fairly quickly here, first a week of below-zero weather with no snow, then a week with lots of snow, and now just jumping back and forth across the freezing mark with mixed rain and snow. Makes driving very interesting".
I know what "interesting" can mean in those temperature ranges.
The most harrowing driving I've ever experienced was in Arkansas, one Christmas, when I left my mom's house (near Fort smith) to head to my brother's place in Little Rock.
The road was iced over (no biggie; I had handled that before), but the temperature was only around freezing, and then freezing rain fell on top of that. Absolutely the slipperiest I have EVER experienced. LOADS of fun on a two-lane road through moderately hilly country, with oncoming traffic in the other lane. I really think that if I had stopped and got out and braced myself against something, I could have pushed my truck sideways with one hand.
By the time it had started, I had been about twenty miles on the way, with another hundred or so to go. Seeing the insanity of continuing, I turned around and made it back to mom's house instead, only managing to have ANY directional control by putting the right wheels off the edge of the road, in the slush on the shoulder.
The only other experience that approached it was in 1988 when I lived in Michigan and was flying all over the place to install software for the company I was working for.
I lived in Mt. Pleasant (in the center of Michigan's lower peninsula), and flew out of Lansing (about 65 miles south), parking my truck in the lot at the airport. About Thanksgiving, coming back from one of those junkets, I had to take a commuter flight from Chicago to Lansing.
As we were in the landing approach, the plane began climbing again, just as the pilot announced that freezing rain was coming down on the Lansing airport and we would continue on to Flint instead (about 60 miles east; that freezing rain extended almost all of the way there, as well).
So, we got to Flint and I wondered, "Are they going to put us up in motels, or what?"
It turned out to be "what". They put us on a bus, to be driven back the 60 miles, most of it through freezing rain. (Normally, Michigan handles that by having trucks dump brine on the road to melt the ice. That trick works best AFTER it stops coming down. While it's still coming down, forget it!) .
That bus was sliding all over the place. I'll confess to being nervous on airplanes, particularly during the landing approach, but I don't recall EVER being so scared as on that bus trip.
After FINALLY reaching the Lansing airport, one more ordeal awaited. Try walking about a hundred yards on that kind of wet ice to reach your truck, while handling two bags, then to find an inch of ice coating the truck. Fortunately, I had a knife so I could chip away enough to be able to get the door open and get it started.
With it STILL coming down, I didn't even want to think about driving 65 miles north, at night, to get home then, but crept into Lansing instead and found a motel to wait it out.
Next morning, it had stopped, the brine trucks had done their thing, and heading the rest of the way home was uneventful.
Having grown up in San Antonio, and having lived in Arkansas for a short while, I had some experience with snow, but it's kinda rare in what would eventually be my adopted home town of Houston.
In 1984, I moved up to the aforementioned Mt. Pleasant, in Michigan, to join a seismic exploration company as a data-processing manager. That fell through in 1986, when the bottom dropped out of the petroleum industry and I eventually wound up with a software development company instead, remaining in Michigan until 1994 when that company opened an office in Houston and I didn't need all that much persuasion to come back down here.
I had spent ten years in a state where snow is sometimes measured in feet (on Jan 1, 1985, the New Year was celebrated with almost a yard of snow), usually beginning around Thanksgiving and remaining until spring.
Trust me; the novelty wears off very quickly.
Shortly after arriving in Michigan, I was given this primer on what to expect..
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Diary...
Aug 12 - Moved to our new home in Michigan. It is so beautiful here. The mountains are so majestic. Can hardly wait to visit them with snow covering them. I love it here.
Oct 14 - Michigan is the most beautiful place on Earth. The leaves are all turned all the colors and shades of red and orange. Went for a ride through the beautiful mountains and saw some deer. They are so graceful; certainly they are the most wonderful animal on Earth. This must be paradise. I love it here.
Nov 11 - Deer season will start soon. I can't imagine anyone wanting to kill such a gorgeous creature. Hope it will snow soon. I love it here.
Dec 2 - It snowed last night. Woke up to find everything blanketed with white. We went outside and cleaned the snow off of the steps and shoveled the driveway. We had a snowball fight (I won), and when the snow-plow came by we had to shovel the driveway again. What a beautiful place. I love it here.
Dec 12 - More snow last night. I love it. The snow-plow did his trick again to the driveway. I love it here.
Dec 19 - More snow last night. Couldn't get out of the driveway to get to work. I am exhausted from shoveling. F***ing snow-plow.
Dec 22 - More of the white s**t fell last night. I've got blisters on my hands from shoveling. I think the snow-plow hides around the curve and waits until I'm done shoveling the driveway. A**hole!
Dec 25 - Merry F***ing Christmas! More friggen snow. If I get my hands on the son-of-a-bitch who drives that snow-plow, I swear I'll kill the bastard. Don't know why they don't use more salt on the roads to melt the f***ing ice.
Dec 27 - More white s**t last night. Been inside for three days except for shoveling out the driveway after the snow-plow goes through everytime. Can't go anywhere; car's stuck in a mountain of white s**t. The weatherman says to expect another 10" of s**t tonight. Do you know how many shovels full of snow 10" is?!!!
Dec 28 - The f***ing weatherman was wrong. We got 34" of that white s**t this time. At this rate, it wont melt before next summer. The snow-plow got stuck up the road, and that bastard came to the door and asked to borrow my shovel. After I told him that I had broken six shovels already shoveling all the s**t he pushed into my driveway, I broke my last one over his f***ing head.
Jan 4 - Finally got out of the house today. Went to the store to get food, and on the way back a damned deer ran in front of the car and I hit it. Did about $3000 damage to the car. Those f***ing beasts should be killed. Wish the hunters had killed them all last November.
May 3 - Took the car to the garage in town. Would you believe the thing is rusting out from that f***ing salt they put all over the road?
May 10 - Moved to Georgia. I can't imagine why anyone in their right mind would live in that God-forsaken state of Michigan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Author unknown. The "mountains" references suggest the upper peninsula. Many variations can be found, and while this one is for Michigan, I suspect that all snow-belt states have their versions.)
Merry Christmas, y'all :-)
-
"Winter has set in fairly quickly here, first a week of below-zero weather with no snow, then a week with lots of snow, and now just jumping back and forth across the freezing mark with mixed rain and snow. Makes driving very interesting".
I know what "interesting" can mean in those temperature ranges.
The most harrowing driving I've ever experienced was in Arkansas, one Christmas, when I left my mom's house (near Fort smith) to head to my brother's place in Little Rock.
The road was iced over (no biggie; I had handled that before), but the temperature was only around freezing, and then freezing rain fell on top of that. Absolutely the slipperiest I have EVER experienced. LOADS of fun on a two-lane road through moderately hilly country, with oncoming traffic in the other lane. I really think that if I had stopped and got out and braced myself against something, I could have pushed my truck sideways with one hand.
By the time it had started, I had been about twenty miles on the way, with another hundred or so to go. Seeing the insanity of continuing, I turned around and made it back to mom's house instead, only managing to have ANY directional control by putting the right wheels off the edge of the road, in the slush on the shoulder.
The only other experience that approached it was in 1988 when I lived in Michigan and was flying all over the place to install software for the company I was working for.
I lived in Mt. Pleasant (in the center of Michigan's lower peninsula), and flew out of Lansing (about 65 miles south), parking my truck in the lot at the airport. About Thanksgiving, coming back from one of those junkets, I had to take a commuter flight from Chicago to Lansing.
As we were in the landing approach, the plane began climbing again, just as the pilot announced that freezing rain was coming down on the Lansing airport and we would continue on to Flint instead (about 60 miles east; that freezing rain extended almost all of the way there, as well).
So, we got to Flint and I wondered, "Are they going to put us up in motels, or what?"
It turned out to be "what". They put us on a bus, to be driven back the 60 miles, most of it through freezing rain. (Normally, Michigan handles that by having trucks dump brine on the road to melt the ice. That trick works best AFTER it stops coming down. While it's still coming down, forget it!) .
That bus was sliding all over the place. I'll confess to being nervous on airplanes, particularly during the landing approach, but I don't recall EVER being so scared as on that bus trip.
After FINALLY reaching the Lansing airport, one more ordeal awaited. Try walking about a hundred yards on that kind of wet ice to reach your truck, while handling two bags, then to find an inch of ice coating the truck. Fortunately, I had a knife so I could chip away enough to be able to get the door open and get it started.
With it STILL coming down, I didn't even want to think about driving 65 miles north, at night, to get home then, but crept into Lansing instead and found a motel to wait it out.
Next morning, it had stopped, the brine trucks had done their thing, and heading the rest of the way home was uneventful.
Having grown up in San Antonio, and having lived in Arkansas for a short while, I had some experience with snow, but it's kinda rare in what would eventually be my adopted home town of Houston.
In 1984, I moved up to the aforementioned Mt. Pleasant, in Michigan, to join a seismic exploration company as a data-processing manager. That fell through in 1986, when the bottom dropped out of the petroleum industry and I eventually wound up with a software development company instead, remaining in Michigan until 1994 when that company opened an office in Houston and I didn't need all that much persuasion to come back down here.
I had spent ten years in a state where snow is sometimes measured in feet (on Jan 1, 1985, the New Year was celebrated with almost a yard of snow), usually beginning around Thanksgiving and remaining until spring.
Trust me; the novelty wears off very quickly.
Shortly after arriving in Michigan, I was given this primer on what to expect..
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Diary...
Aug 12 - Moved to our new home in Michigan. It is so beautiful here. The mountains are so majestic. Can hardly wait to visit them with snow covering them. I love it here.
Oct 14 - Michigan is the most beautiful place on Earth. The leaves are all turned all the colors and shades of red and orange. Went for a ride through the beautiful mountains and saw some deer. They are so graceful; certainly they are the most wonderful animal on Earth. This must be paradise. I love it here.
Nov 11 - Deer season will start soon. I can't imagine anyone wanting to kill such a gorgeous creature. Hope it will snow soon. I love it here.
Dec 2 - It snowed last night. Woke up to find everything blanketed with white. We went outside and cleaned the snow off of the steps and shoveled the driveway. We had a snowball fight (I won), and when the snow-plow came by we had to shovel the driveway again. What a beautiful place. I love it here.
Dec 12 - More snow last night. I love it. The snow-plow did his trick again to the driveway. I love it here.
Dec 19 - More snow last night. Couldn't get out of the driveway to get to work. I am exhausted from shoveling. F***ing snow-plow.
Dec 22 - More of the white s**t fell last night. I've got blisters on my hands from shoveling. I think the snow-plow hides around the curve and waits until I'm done shoveling the driveway. A**hole!
Dec 25 - Merry F***ing Christmas! More friggen snow. If I get my hands on the son-of-a-bitch who drives that snow-plow, I swear I'll kill the bastard. Don't know why they don't use more salt on the roads to melt the f***ing ice.
Dec 27 - More white s**t last night. Been inside for three days except for shoveling out the driveway after the snow-plow goes through everytime. Can't go anywhere; car's stuck in a mountain of white s**t. The weatherman says to expect another 10" of s**t tonight. Do you know how many shovels full of snow 10" is?!!!
Dec 28 - The f***ing weatherman was wrong. We got 34" of that white s**t this time. At this rate, it wont melt before next summer. The snow-plow got stuck up the road, and that bastard came to the door and asked to borrow my shovel. After I told him that I had broken six shovels already shoveling all the s**t he pushed into my driveway, I broke my last one over his f***ing head.
Jan 4 - Finally got out of the house today. Went to the store to get food, and on the way back a damned deer ran in front of the car and I hit it. Did about $3000 damage to the car. Those f***ing beasts should be killed. Wish the hunters had killed them all last November.
May 3 - Took the car to the garage in town. Would you believe the thing is rusting out from that f***ing salt they put all over the road?
May 10 - Moved to Georgia. I can't imagine why anyone in their right mind would live in that God-forsaken state of Michigan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Author unknown. The "mountains" references suggest the upper peninsula. Many variations can be found, and while this one is for Michigan, I suspect that all snow-belt states have their versions.)
Merry Christmas, y'all :-)
-
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Dynamics of the Afghanistan War Made Simple
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From Strategy Page: Murphy's Law: A Picture Is Worth Total Confusion
December 17, 2009: Dealing with the security situation in Afghanistan is explained a number of ways.
...
These descriptions get increasingly more complex when you get your information from American military and intelligence organizations. An example of how complex this can become is available here: Afghan+war+diagram.jpg
Everything clear now? :-)
-
From Strategy Page: Murphy's Law: A Picture Is Worth Total Confusion
December 17, 2009: Dealing with the security situation in Afghanistan is explained a number of ways.
...
These descriptions get increasingly more complex when you get your information from American military and intelligence organizations. An example of how complex this can become is available here: Afghan+war+diagram.jpg
Everything clear now? :-)
-
Saturday, December 12, 2009
A Profound Sadness at the Polling Station
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I just voted today, in the runoff for Mayor of the City of Houston.
The sadness in the title is because of the sample ballot printed in Vietnamese that was taped to the wall.
I don't know if I can adequately describe the disservice this does to the Vietnamese, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway.
In one of my previous careers, I worked for a consulting engineering company here in Houston, evolving from an electrical draftsman to an electrical designer (much the same as an engineer, but sans license and seal; my work required approval by a registered engineer).
The drawings we cranked out had WORDS on them, and they were legal documents. A contractor makes his bids on what you SAY; not on what you might mean. You may specify items that are of better quality than the minimum required to meet code, but sloppy language gives the contractor leeway to make a bit more by substituting that minimum in lieu of what you intended.
It can be very mortifying to call him on that, only to have this "good ole boy" type contractor (who might look and sound right at home on the old "Dukes of Hazzard" TV show) display a PhD level of English comprehension as he pulls out your drawing and points to your words, accurately saying, "That ain't what it says right there!".
Guess who eats the cost of fixing it in that situation? Sloppy language can be very expensive.
In the mid-seventies, our company had people from China (both Chinas), India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Egypt. During that same period, the only Hispanics who came in did so at night to empty the wastebaskets, because those who applied for technical positions did not have enough English comprehension to handle the employment application; victims of a "bilingual education" system that did its' best to make things easy for them instead of emphasizing mastery of English.
With, probably the best intentions in the world, they were ghetto-ized into menial jobs from which they would be too busy just surviving to be able to work on educating themselves to escape to something better.
This was in the mid-seventies, after the fall of Saigon and the subsequent arrival of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees to our shores.
Vietnamese children, barely off the boat, were winning spelling bees across the country, because their parents had this peculiar notion that the best way to make it, in a new country and a new culture, was to master the language.
So, remembering that, my reaction to seeing that poster is, "God O'Mighty! What are we doing?"
-
I just voted today, in the runoff for Mayor of the City of Houston.
The sadness in the title is because of the sample ballot printed in Vietnamese that was taped to the wall.
I don't know if I can adequately describe the disservice this does to the Vietnamese, but I'm going to give it a shot anyway.
In one of my previous careers, I worked for a consulting engineering company here in Houston, evolving from an electrical draftsman to an electrical designer (much the same as an engineer, but sans license and seal; my work required approval by a registered engineer).
The drawings we cranked out had WORDS on them, and they were legal documents. A contractor makes his bids on what you SAY; not on what you might mean. You may specify items that are of better quality than the minimum required to meet code, but sloppy language gives the contractor leeway to make a bit more by substituting that minimum in lieu of what you intended.
It can be very mortifying to call him on that, only to have this "good ole boy" type contractor (who might look and sound right at home on the old "Dukes of Hazzard" TV show) display a PhD level of English comprehension as he pulls out your drawing and points to your words, accurately saying, "That ain't what it says right there!".
Guess who eats the cost of fixing it in that situation? Sloppy language can be very expensive.
In the mid-seventies, our company had people from China (both Chinas), India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Egypt. During that same period, the only Hispanics who came in did so at night to empty the wastebaskets, because those who applied for technical positions did not have enough English comprehension to handle the employment application; victims of a "bilingual education" system that did its' best to make things easy for them instead of emphasizing mastery of English.
With, probably the best intentions in the world, they were ghetto-ized into menial jobs from which they would be too busy just surviving to be able to work on educating themselves to escape to something better.
This was in the mid-seventies, after the fall of Saigon and the subsequent arrival of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees to our shores.
Vietnamese children, barely off the boat, were winning spelling bees across the country, because their parents had this peculiar notion that the best way to make it, in a new country and a new culture, was to master the language.
So, remembering that, my reaction to seeing that poster is, "God O'Mighty! What are we doing?"
-
Thursday, December 10, 2009
A True Professional's Perspective on Climate Change Data...
-
In my very first post on this blog ( A Perspective on Man-Made Global Warming (Excuse me: "Climate Change") ) I argued how microscopic a timeline of recorded data was being used to make really long-range predictions on climate behavior, and that it was irresponsible and dangerous to mandate actions based on those predictions.
In his latest post ( How Not To Create A Historic Global Temp Index ) AJStrata goes into painful (his word; I call it "exquisite") detail about the absolute criminal stupidity of the demonstrated adjusting of temperature data to fit the desired conclusions of the alarmists.
All emphasis below is mine.
The momentum that build up behind the man-made global warming fad (and it is nothing more than an unproven hypothesis surrounded by a silly fan club) has not allowed the basic approach to be tested or challenged. You had a movement build up around an idea, which launched the idea into ‘established fact’ before the idea was validated. It probably will never be validated because the methodology is flawed to its core – as I will explain in painful detail.
To create a global temperature index for the past 30 years – and then project that back to the 1880’s (when global temp records were began) and then project it back centuries before that – is not trivial. And in my opinion the current approach is just plain wrong.
I take this position as someone who works ‘in space’ – where we have complex and interrelated models of all sorts of physical processes. And yet we have to keep refining the models to fit the data to do what we do. Climate science naively (and ignorantly in my mind) does just the opposite; it keeps adjusting the data (for no good reason) until they get the result they want!
He goes on at length, and despite his "painful" description, I think you'll find it a fascinating read. His main point is...
You DON'T adjust the data!
PLEASE, give it a look.
He makes my points with a professionalism and eloquence of which I can only dream.
-
In my very first post on this blog ( A Perspective on Man-Made Global Warming (Excuse me: "Climate Change") ) I argued how microscopic a timeline of recorded data was being used to make really long-range predictions on climate behavior, and that it was irresponsible and dangerous to mandate actions based on those predictions.
In his latest post ( How Not To Create A Historic Global Temp Index ) AJStrata goes into painful (his word; I call it "exquisite") detail about the absolute criminal stupidity of the demonstrated adjusting of temperature data to fit the desired conclusions of the alarmists.
All emphasis below is mine.
The momentum that build up behind the man-made global warming fad (and it is nothing more than an unproven hypothesis surrounded by a silly fan club) has not allowed the basic approach to be tested or challenged. You had a movement build up around an idea, which launched the idea into ‘established fact’ before the idea was validated. It probably will never be validated because the methodology is flawed to its core – as I will explain in painful detail.
To create a global temperature index for the past 30 years – and then project that back to the 1880’s (when global temp records were began) and then project it back centuries before that – is not trivial. And in my opinion the current approach is just plain wrong.
I take this position as someone who works ‘in space’ – where we have complex and interrelated models of all sorts of physical processes. And yet we have to keep refining the models to fit the data to do what we do. Climate science naively (and ignorantly in my mind) does just the opposite; it keeps adjusting the data (for no good reason) until they get the result they want!
He goes on at length, and despite his "painful" description, I think you'll find it a fascinating read. His main point is...
You DON'T adjust the data!
PLEASE, give it a look.
He makes my points with a professionalism and eloquence of which I can only dream.
-
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
"The Dog Ate my Data"...
...is the name of a very good site devoted to AGW (Anthropogenic Global Warming), and especially to the cynical manipulation of data in order to further the cause of alarmists.
Many thanks to a commenter at The Strata-Sphere for this link: The Dog Ate my Data: RAW v ADJUSTED GHCN Data showing a very nifty animated graph of raw versus adjusted temperature data for Brisbane, Australia.
I could expend thousands of words without making the point any clearer than that graph.
PLEASE, give it a look.
I'm adding this site to my Blogroll.
(Truth in advertising: From this, and other post and comments by myself, you might infer that I'm a little skeptical of the Global Warming/Climate Change agenda. Well,.. You've got me! Guilty as charged. :-)
-
Many thanks to a commenter at The Strata-Sphere for this link: The Dog Ate my Data: RAW v ADJUSTED GHCN Data showing a very nifty animated graph of raw versus adjusted temperature data for Brisbane, Australia.
I could expend thousands of words without making the point any clearer than that graph.
PLEASE, give it a look.
I'm adding this site to my Blogroll.
(Truth in advertising: From this, and other post and comments by myself, you might infer that I'm a little skeptical of the Global Warming/Climate Change agenda. Well,.. You've got me! Guilty as charged. :-)
-
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
"Don't forget the money angle, Paul"
-
Richard Mullins, in a reply to a comment of mine on Redstate (that used the "Pure naked power" quote from my previous post), is the source of the title to this one.
He noted correctly that money and power go together, and singled out Al Gore as a prime example. I have no argument whatsoever with his observation.
BUT...
With the High Priests of this new religion, money is incidental.
Simple greed can be reasoned with, bargained with, and/or bought off.
Messianism cannot.
With power, you can get the money. The reverse doesn't always hold true. With real power comes control, to a degree of which money can only daydream.
I have often joked that a liberal's worst nightmare is that somebody somewhere is doing something without his permission.
I believe, to the very depths of my soul, that The Won falls into this catagory.
Just look at all of the pictures of him out there, in that head-back pose so he's looking down at you even when he's seated, with a smug all-knowing expression that almost screams, "Humility is not even in my vocabulary; What have I got to be humble about?!"
Those pictures are out there (you don't need Photoshop to produce them) because he provides countless opportunities for people to catch the true him (he is a "wysiwyg" president), and I doubt he even cares if some people see him for what he is.
This Ayatollah wannabe probably believes that the USA has been on the wrong track ever since it discarded its' fealty to the King and adopted the attitude that mere people could manage their own affairs without someone telling them what to do.
This attitude of "I was born to bring enlightenment to you" has been explored in detail in this analysis ( Understanding Obama: The Making of a Fuehrer ) that appeared months before the election.
What makes him so dangerous is this attitude makes it extremely difficult for him to compromise in the face of reality. Bill Clinton could see the writing on the wall and adapt to changing circumstances as easily as breathing. Obama simply cannot.
So, if you figure on him seeing the light anytime soon; well... don't hold your breath.
UPDATE 07 JUN 2010 - That link above no longer goes to the article.
Try this one instead: Understanding Obama: The Making of a Fuehrer"
UPDATE 14 JUN 2010 - The original link works again (YMMV).
-
Richard Mullins, in a reply to a comment of mine on Redstate (that used the "Pure naked power" quote from my previous post), is the source of the title to this one.
He noted correctly that money and power go together, and singled out Al Gore as a prime example. I have no argument whatsoever with his observation.
BUT...
With the High Priests of this new religion, money is incidental.
Simple greed can be reasoned with, bargained with, and/or bought off.
Messianism cannot.
With power, you can get the money. The reverse doesn't always hold true. With real power comes control, to a degree of which money can only daydream.
I have often joked that a liberal's worst nightmare is that somebody somewhere is doing something without his permission.
I believe, to the very depths of my soul, that The Won falls into this catagory.
Just look at all of the pictures of him out there, in that head-back pose so he's looking down at you even when he's seated, with a smug all-knowing expression that almost screams, "Humility is not even in my vocabulary; What have I got to be humble about?!"
Those pictures are out there (you don't need Photoshop to produce them) because he provides countless opportunities for people to catch the true him (he is a "wysiwyg" president), and I doubt he even cares if some people see him for what he is.
This Ayatollah wannabe probably believes that the USA has been on the wrong track ever since it discarded its' fealty to the King and adopted the attitude that mere people could manage their own affairs without someone telling them what to do.
This attitude of "I was born to bring enlightenment to you" has been explored in detail in this analysis ( Understanding Obama: The Making of a Fuehrer ) that appeared months before the election.
What makes him so dangerous is this attitude makes it extremely difficult for him to compromise in the face of reality. Bill Clinton could see the writing on the wall and adapt to changing circumstances as easily as breathing. Obama simply cannot.
So, if you figure on him seeing the light anytime soon; well... don't hold your breath.
UPDATE 07 JUN 2010 - That link above no longer goes to the article.
Try this one instead: Understanding Obama: The Making of a Fuehrer"
UPDATE 14 JUN 2010 - The original link works again (YMMV).
-
Sunday, December 06, 2009
What's this "Climategate" fuss all about?
-
A Link Worth Saving...
Understanding Climategate's Hidden Decline ...
I've mostly said my piece on Climate Change in various comments, and in my very first post here, but that was mainly about the sheer arrogance of predicting long term climate trends from the microscopic recorded history we have on the subject.
Whatever the suspicions I may have had of some of the researchers and advocates of man-made global warming, I never went so far as to accuse them of making up data out of nothing and throwing out (I mean literally "THROWING OUT") data that didn't fit the conclusions they were after. I really was not that cynical. From what I'm seeing lately (for really good coverage of this, check out AJStrata's The Strata Sphere ); apparently I'm far too naive.
Almost as bad is the almost complete absence of coverage of this from any of the major networks, and only grudging mention in a few U.S. newspapers (the Brits are doing a much better job of this).
This is NOT just a scandal of a few purloined emails; it is the perversion of science to cold-bloodily create propaganda, to justify putting the government in complete totalitarian control of our industries, our economy, nearly every detail of how we live.
This will be (and is being) fought for at the highest levels as literally BILLIONS of dollars are at stake.
What's at the bottom of all this?
Pure naked power.
-
A Link Worth Saving...
Understanding Climategate's Hidden Decline ...
I've mostly said my piece on Climate Change in various comments, and in my very first post here, but that was mainly about the sheer arrogance of predicting long term climate trends from the microscopic recorded history we have on the subject.
Whatever the suspicions I may have had of some of the researchers and advocates of man-made global warming, I never went so far as to accuse them of making up data out of nothing and throwing out (I mean literally "THROWING OUT") data that didn't fit the conclusions they were after. I really was not that cynical. From what I'm seeing lately (for really good coverage of this, check out AJStrata's The Strata Sphere ); apparently I'm far too naive.
Almost as bad is the almost complete absence of coverage of this from any of the major networks, and only grudging mention in a few U.S. newspapers (the Brits are doing a much better job of this).
This is NOT just a scandal of a few purloined emails; it is the perversion of science to cold-bloodily create propaganda, to justify putting the government in complete totalitarian control of our industries, our economy, nearly every detail of how we live.
This will be (and is being) fought for at the highest levels as literally BILLIONS of dollars are at stake.
What's at the bottom of all this?
Pure naked power.
-
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Ah, Hell!...
-
Yesterday, Friday, Dec 4, 2009, SNOW paid one of its' rare visits to Houston.
Yesterday, Friday, Dec 4, 2009, SNOW paid one of its' rare visits to Houston.
The motion and reflectivity make them look larger, but they were big wet flakes, a bit over postage-stamp size, that melted as soon as they hit the ground. This was about 10:30 AM, and the temp didn't get below freezing until late in the afternoon, by which time the snow had stopped falling in my part of town.
I so much wanted to grab the camera and go out a bit southwest of town, where there was more activity (up to 4 inches in some places), but was intercepted by a call to come into work early. By the time I got off, it was freezing, but the snowfall was all over where I was.
So, no opportunity for winter-wonderland shots this time.
However...
Snow is a very rare occurrence here. Dec 4 is the earliest time on record for it to show up. Also, we got visited last year. This is the first ever recorded instance of it happening two years in a row. And, winter is still over two weeks away.
Could get interesting.
-
I so much wanted to grab the camera and go out a bit southwest of town, where there was more activity (up to 4 inches in some places), but was intercepted by a call to come into work early. By the time I got off, it was freezing, but the snowfall was all over where I was.
So, no opportunity for winter-wonderland shots this time.
However...
Snow is a very rare occurrence here. Dec 4 is the earliest time on record for it to show up. Also, we got visited last year. This is the first ever recorded instance of it happening two years in a row. And, winter is still over two weeks away.
Could get interesting.
-
Thursday, November 26, 2009
A Brief Coda to "A Parking Space to Die For"
-
WHY the primeval rage and urge to MURDER over a parking space?
In an email exchange with a good friend over the posting, I expanded on the territorial premise. If she sees this, she'll recognize this post as a rehash of what I wrote to her.
An assigned space is very much like an extension of your home. Imagine returning to your home or apartment to find someone else occupying it. Blood has flowed over less.
WHY the primeval rage and urge to MURDER over a parking space?
In an email exchange with a good friend over the posting, I expanded on the territorial premise. If she sees this, she'll recognize this post as a rehash of what I wrote to her.
An assigned space is very much like an extension of your home. Imagine returning to your home or apartment to find someone else occupying it. Blood has flowed over less.
As for what I had vowed when I put my car in the Guest area, I almost felt like renewing that vow when I moved my car from it. The one open spot I had found was directly under a tree.
The problem with trees is that they attract birds. LOTS of birds.
Need I fill in the rest?
The problem with trees is that they attract birds. LOTS of birds.
Need I fill in the rest?
That oughta do it. Continuing would redefine "Beating a dead horse".
"Them's my last words on the subject!"
(~Steve McQueen, "Tom Horn")
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
A Parking Space to Die For
-
The picture below was taken this morning from my bedroom window.
See that parking space designated as # 736? It's reserved.
That's mine.
See that orange VW GT1 parked in it?
That AIN'T mine.
I came home from work, late last night, to discover this.
This (bleeped-out) left me with the choice of:
1) Become him, and steal someone else's space.
2) Park in the unprotected Guest area at the front of the complex.
3) Park on the @#$%^&* street.
Problems with:
1) I don't WANT to be like him. Besides, what if that someone else is in better shape than I am (most people are), and has MY grace and temperment on this issue?
2) The day before, we all got notices warning us to be careful, because someone's car was broken into in the guest parking area.
3) Do I really have to explain my feelings on parking on the street?
So, I took photos of that car, wrote down its' VIN number, and vowed to K*LL the SOB if anything happened to my car while it was parked in the guest area.
A talk with the apartment manager this morning disclosed that he knew the owner, that the guy just hit the wrong space (his was a couple of spaces over) and he would talk to him today and resolve it. Just stay cool.
This twisted set of priorities isn't new with me. Normally I am a very shy, retiring sort of person, who avoids confrontation as much as possible (Too "chicken" to start a fight? Maybe so.), but when my parking space is violated I fall prey to thoughts that would cause Hannibal Lecter to seek therapy.
I mean, that reserved parking space is almost as sacred as the vehicle that it was meant for. ("What's more chickensh*t than f**king with a man's automobile? I mean, don't f**k with another man's vehicle." ~John Travolta, as Vincent Vega, in "Pulp Fiction")
How rational is that? Maybe, just a little. That car of mine is a major investment; one I'd have great difficulty in replacing in my present circumstances. So, would losing it KILL me? It just might.
But, I had the same feelings way back when my financial situation would have rendered such replacement as a nuisance rather than a catastrophy.
I cannot claim this feeling is "rational" (except in my present circumstances :-), but I know for a certainty that I am not alone here. Perhap's it's some primordial territorial imperative: Threaten my car, or my parking space, and "May God have mercy on your soul; I probably wont."
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PARK! :-)
UPDATE: The owner of that car found a strongly-worded note from me on his windshield, moved his car and left a very gracious apology on my windshield (after I had reclaimed my space), and a bottle of wine with the apartment manager as further apology.
As he handled this incident far more professionally than I did, I sincerely apologize for what I called him earlier in this post, thank him for this, and can only say to him: "We're cool!".
This is still more practice at writing. I'm finding it easier to just let the words come, and I think I did a reasonably good job (this time) of staying on-point and not wandering all over the map.
Update - 17 Sep 2011 - This ancient post appears to have gone viral the last few days, mostly visited by people coming directly from facebook. If you don't mind, I'm really curious about just what brought you here. Thanks.
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The picture below was taken this morning from my bedroom window.
That's mine.
See that orange VW GT1 parked in it?
That AIN'T mine.
I came home from work, late last night, to discover this.
This (bleeped-out) left me with the choice of:
1) Become him, and steal someone else's space.
2) Park in the unprotected Guest area at the front of the complex.
3) Park on the @#$%^&* street.
Problems with:
1) I don't WANT to be like him. Besides, what if that someone else is in better shape than I am (most people are), and has MY grace and temperment on this issue?
2) The day before, we all got notices warning us to be careful, because someone's car was broken into in the guest parking area.
3) Do I really have to explain my feelings on parking on the street?
So, I took photos of that car, wrote down its' VIN number, and vowed to K*LL the SOB if anything happened to my car while it was parked in the guest area.
A talk with the apartment manager this morning disclosed that he knew the owner, that the guy just hit the wrong space (his was a couple of spaces over) and he would talk to him today and resolve it. Just stay cool.
This twisted set of priorities isn't new with me. Normally I am a very shy, retiring sort of person, who avoids confrontation as much as possible (Too "chicken" to start a fight? Maybe so.), but when my parking space is violated I fall prey to thoughts that would cause Hannibal Lecter to seek therapy.
I mean, that reserved parking space is almost as sacred as the vehicle that it was meant for. ("What's more chickensh*t than f**king with a man's automobile? I mean, don't f**k with another man's vehicle." ~John Travolta, as Vincent Vega, in "Pulp Fiction")
How rational is that? Maybe, just a little. That car of mine is a major investment; one I'd have great difficulty in replacing in my present circumstances. So, would losing it KILL me? It just might.
But, I had the same feelings way back when my financial situation would have rendered such replacement as a nuisance rather than a catastrophy.
I cannot claim this feeling is "rational" (except in my present circumstances :-), but I know for a certainty that I am not alone here. Perhap's it's some primordial territorial imperative: Threaten my car, or my parking space, and "May God have mercy on your soul; I probably wont."
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PARK! :-)
UPDATE: The owner of that car found a strongly-worded note from me on his windshield, moved his car and left a very gracious apology on my windshield (after I had reclaimed my space), and a bottle of wine with the apartment manager as further apology.
As he handled this incident far more professionally than I did, I sincerely apologize for what I called him earlier in this post, thank him for this, and can only say to him: "We're cool!".
This is still more practice at writing. I'm finding it easier to just let the words come, and I think I did a reasonably good job (this time) of staying on-point and not wandering all over the map.
Update - 17 Sep 2011 - This ancient post appears to have gone viral the last few days, mostly visited by people coming directly from facebook. If you don't mind, I'm really curious about just what brought you here. Thanks.
-
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Some rambling thoughts on Houston
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I had hoped to do more in this blog (and still do), but life has a way of intruding.
One thing I had in mind was photo essays on Houston, and on why I like this place so much.
When I first came here, in 1964, it was not with great enthusiasm. Our family was living up in Arkansas at that time, and here I was, fresh out of the USAF, and seeing Arkansas as oblivion as far as job prospects go. At that time, I had an aunt and uncle in Pasadena (next to the east side of Houston), so I would have a place to stay while job hunting.
While in the Air Force, I had made a lot of bus trips through some pretty grimy industrial towns in the northeast (names withheld to protect those who have since improved a bit) and expected the same of a city known primarily for its' refineries.
What I found, instead, was one of the cleanest and friendliest of large cities I have EVER encountered. Also, one of the most diverse in culture.
Sure, Hollywood simply cannot set a scene here without showing someone in a Stetson hat, but that ain't the norm here (Houston Chronicle columnist Jeff Millar once observed that "If you see someone in a Stetson hat in Houston, it's either a Yankee tourist on vacation, or a professional athlete").
For the "diversity" side to this town, I wanted to get a shot of a shopping center I remembered in the southwest side of town. That shot would have shown store signs in English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hindi, Arabic, Hebrew, Russian, German, French and God knows what other languages (I've just counted twelve among the ones I've listed), just in ONE shopping center alone.
But, it's gone now, scattered to the winds, and replaced by (typical for here) yet MORE shopping malls.. All of the different elements I listed remain in Houston, but relocated.
Major parts of my city are as ephemeral as cloud patterns. When I worked here, in engineering a long time ago, I observed that the builders of the pyramids just wouldn't have cut it here. We periodically tear down things here, only to replace them with something very much like what we just demolished. When structures get much over 30 years old, watch out.
It didn't occur to me then, but now I wonder if the fact that Manhatten is built on granite, and a lot of Houston is built on gumbo might have a lot to do with that; maybe you just reach a point when the developing cracks in the structure make demolition and replacement more practical than continuing upkeep.
Places I lived in as a child in San Antonio (more years ago than I like to contemplate) are still there, while apartments I had in my early days in Houston are now ancient history and replaced with, you guessed it, townhouses and condos.
Had the Alamo been in Houston, I fear it would have been replaced with a Burger King long ago. (On this gumbo, it probably would have settled and crumbled into rubble before the battle was fought).
Well, I see I've once again rambled all over the place, but I'm going to leave it as is. I still like the diversity photo-essay idea, and when I can I'll keep on the lookout for a center like the one that now appears to be history. This town's over 600 sq. miles in area; the chances of finding other such should be pretty good.
-
I had hoped to do more in this blog (and still do), but life has a way of intruding.
One thing I had in mind was photo essays on Houston, and on why I like this place so much.
When I first came here, in 1964, it was not with great enthusiasm. Our family was living up in Arkansas at that time, and here I was, fresh out of the USAF, and seeing Arkansas as oblivion as far as job prospects go. At that time, I had an aunt and uncle in Pasadena (next to the east side of Houston), so I would have a place to stay while job hunting.
While in the Air Force, I had made a lot of bus trips through some pretty grimy industrial towns in the northeast (names withheld to protect those who have since improved a bit) and expected the same of a city known primarily for its' refineries.
What I found, instead, was one of the cleanest and friendliest of large cities I have EVER encountered. Also, one of the most diverse in culture.
Sure, Hollywood simply cannot set a scene here without showing someone in a Stetson hat, but that ain't the norm here (Houston Chronicle columnist Jeff Millar once observed that "If you see someone in a Stetson hat in Houston, it's either a Yankee tourist on vacation, or a professional athlete").
For the "diversity" side to this town, I wanted to get a shot of a shopping center I remembered in the southwest side of town. That shot would have shown store signs in English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hindi, Arabic, Hebrew, Russian, German, French and God knows what other languages (I've just counted twelve among the ones I've listed), just in ONE shopping center alone.
But, it's gone now, scattered to the winds, and replaced by (typical for here) yet MORE shopping malls.. All of the different elements I listed remain in Houston, but relocated.
Major parts of my city are as ephemeral as cloud patterns. When I worked here, in engineering a long time ago, I observed that the builders of the pyramids just wouldn't have cut it here. We periodically tear down things here, only to replace them with something very much like what we just demolished. When structures get much over 30 years old, watch out.
It didn't occur to me then, but now I wonder if the fact that Manhatten is built on granite, and a lot of Houston is built on gumbo might have a lot to do with that; maybe you just reach a point when the developing cracks in the structure make demolition and replacement more practical than continuing upkeep.
Places I lived in as a child in San Antonio (more years ago than I like to contemplate) are still there, while apartments I had in my early days in Houston are now ancient history and replaced with, you guessed it, townhouses and condos.
Had the Alamo been in Houston, I fear it would have been replaced with a Burger King long ago. (On this gumbo, it probably would have settled and crumbled into rubble before the battle was fought).
Well, I see I've once again rambled all over the place, but I'm going to leave it as is. I still like the diversity photo-essay idea, and when I can I'll keep on the lookout for a center like the one that now appears to be history. This town's over 600 sq. miles in area; the chances of finding other such should be pretty good.
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