“What you are observing is a continuation of where we have been for a doggone long time,” he said. “The trouble is you all are looking for news and there ain’t no news.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), via New York Times.
I'm a bit skeptical that health-care legislation will be on the President's desk by the end of the year. Discussion is just now turning from boilerplate to details (maybe). Between the progressives and blue dog (blue cross?) dems in the House, and the "necessity" of bipartisan agreement in the Senate, plenty of competing interests have the power to get something concrete out of this deal.
Hopefully the White House can effectively keep Congress from doing what it would like the most: nothing at all. For the time being, though, we all are looking for news... and there ain't no news.
July 31, 2009
July 4, 2009
independence day
Unsurprisingly, President Obama says everything I thought better than I could. From my inbox:
Plenty to reflect on without considering our place as a steward of the planet, or far-reaching American cultural influence. I am confident those who would sacrifice our liberty for a little security (or political influence) will steer the ship of America again in my lifetime. I am equally confident they will never set its course.
Our country began as a unique experiment in liberty -- a bold, evolving quest to achieve a more perfect union. And in every generation, another courageous group of patriots has taken us one step closer to fully realizing the dream our founders enshrined on that great day.
Today, all Americans have a hard-fought birthright to a freedom which enables each of us, no matter our views or background, to help set our nation's course. America's greatness has always depended on her citizens embracing that freedom -- and fulfilling the duty that comes with it.
As free people, we must each take the challenges and opportunities that face this nation as our own. As long as some Americans still must struggle, none of us can be fully content. And as America comes ever closer to achieving the perfect Union our founders dreamed, that triumph -- that pride -- belongs to all of us.
So today is a day to reflect on our independence, and the sacrifice of our troops standing in harm's way to preserve and protect it. It is a day to celebrate all that America is. And today is a time to aspire toward all we can still become.
Plenty to reflect on without considering our place as a steward of the planet, or far-reaching American cultural influence. I am confident those who would sacrifice our liberty for a little security (or political influence) will steer the ship of America again in my lifetime. I am equally confident they will never set its course.
June 29, 2009
that's a big picture
it just occurred to me that the flatirons on display in my image header were frosted over.
boulder is apparently a rainforest now; the yard is like ten different flavors of lush. the flatirons, of course, are spiked up in all their cleaved glory; i updated with the first hit on Google Images until i take a more appropriately sized picture.
it's the absolute least i can do, for now.
boulder is apparently a rainforest now; the yard is like ten different flavors of lush. the flatirons, of course, are spiked up in all their cleaved glory; i updated with the first hit on Google Images until i take a more appropriately sized picture.
it's the absolute least i can do, for now.
May 8, 2009
quarterly update: HANG UP AND DRIVE
So I'm riding my bike to work yesterday.
I hit the button for the crosswalk lights on Baseline. Colorado state law mandates all traffic must stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk when lights are flashing. I don't like to hold up rush-hour traffic for very long, so when I see the left and right lanes of the 3 eastbound traffic lanes stop, I start pedaling as hard as I can.
Luckily, I am a slow biker. A woman flew through the middle lane going 30-35 mph, talking on her cellphone. I had to swerve right and brake as hard as I can, and I still only missed her by a matter of inches. I doubt she was ever aware of my existence.
Consequently, I feel I have no choice but to put to paper these suggestions for motorists and pedestrians in Boulder.
1) HANG THE FUCK UP AND DRIVE. I am going to die young, and it is going to be by the hands of a young woman talking on her cellphone, violating traffic laws and striking me or my vehicle at comparatively high speed. I swear they're hunting me down.
2) Don't like bikes on your sidewalks? STOP FUCKING WALKING IN BIKE LANES. Multi-use paths in Boulder have clearly marked bike lanes and walking lanes. When you and your six friends decide you can't stand to walk behind one another, it makes it nigh impossible for me to pass you. When you are making out with your wife in the middle of the bike lane, it makes it difficult for me to pass you. When you are talking on your phone, walking into oncoming bike traffic, and shoot ME a dirty look when I ring my bell at you, it makes me want to ride my bike 15mph all over your campus sidewalks.
3) LISTEN. I see you people with your headphones. I wear them when I'm riding sometimes, even though I know it's illegal. I give you a wide berth because I assume you cannot hear me when I ring my bell 15 times.
If, however, you are NOT wearing headphones.... FUCKING PAY ATTENTION. That ringing sound is me alerting you to my presence. Gather your group on one side of the street or the other. I always assumed proper etiquette was, upon hearing a bell ring, to look behind you and basically hold still until the biker passed. Apparently this is wrong, for pedestrian groups in Boulder immediately scatter to cover all available pavement when they hear a bike bell. I know I probably startled you, but think about how scared you'd be if I flew by you without any kind of warning, or crashed into you when you made a sudden move into my path. Take a second and LOOK THE FUCK AROUND BEFORE DECIDING WHERE TO GO. I nearly had a head-on crash with another biker going ~20mph down University Hill last week because two shitbags couldn't figure out that the walking lane was on the RIGHT and the bike lanes were on the LEFT, and my insistent bell-ringing only confused them more.
Also, to the group of eight people at the bottom of Uni Hill that ignored my bell-ringing even as I was passing them... thanks. It's good to see that you're not so full of yourselves that you can pay attention to potentially dangerous situations as they occur around you.
Also, to all the walkers who pull their friends aside as I roll past, all the motorists that give me a wide berth when I'm riding alongside them in the bike lane, and to all the bikers who faithfully hand-signal, ring their bells, and use their lights at night.... THANK YOU. Boulder's bike trails are incredibly expansive and absolutely fucking amazing, and I love being able to ride them around our beautiful city. You people are what keep me from a murderous rampage.
I hit the button for the crosswalk lights on Baseline. Colorado state law mandates all traffic must stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk when lights are flashing. I don't like to hold up rush-hour traffic for very long, so when I see the left and right lanes of the 3 eastbound traffic lanes stop, I start pedaling as hard as I can.
Luckily, I am a slow biker. A woman flew through the middle lane going 30-35 mph, talking on her cellphone. I had to swerve right and brake as hard as I can, and I still only missed her by a matter of inches. I doubt she was ever aware of my existence.
Consequently, I feel I have no choice but to put to paper these suggestions for motorists and pedestrians in Boulder.
1) HANG THE FUCK UP AND DRIVE. I am going to die young, and it is going to be by the hands of a young woman talking on her cellphone, violating traffic laws and striking me or my vehicle at comparatively high speed. I swear they're hunting me down.
2) Don't like bikes on your sidewalks? STOP FUCKING WALKING IN BIKE LANES. Multi-use paths in Boulder have clearly marked bike lanes and walking lanes. When you and your six friends decide you can't stand to walk behind one another, it makes it nigh impossible for me to pass you. When you are making out with your wife in the middle of the bike lane, it makes it difficult for me to pass you. When you are talking on your phone, walking into oncoming bike traffic, and shoot ME a dirty look when I ring my bell at you, it makes me want to ride my bike 15mph all over your campus sidewalks.
3) LISTEN. I see you people with your headphones. I wear them when I'm riding sometimes, even though I know it's illegal. I give you a wide berth because I assume you cannot hear me when I ring my bell 15 times.
If, however, you are NOT wearing headphones.... FUCKING PAY ATTENTION. That ringing sound is me alerting you to my presence. Gather your group on one side of the street or the other. I always assumed proper etiquette was, upon hearing a bell ring, to look behind you and basically hold still until the biker passed. Apparently this is wrong, for pedestrian groups in Boulder immediately scatter to cover all available pavement when they hear a bike bell. I know I probably startled you, but think about how scared you'd be if I flew by you without any kind of warning, or crashed into you when you made a sudden move into my path. Take a second and LOOK THE FUCK AROUND BEFORE DECIDING WHERE TO GO. I nearly had a head-on crash with another biker going ~20mph down University Hill last week because two shitbags couldn't figure out that the walking lane was on the RIGHT and the bike lanes were on the LEFT, and my insistent bell-ringing only confused them more.
Also, to the group of eight people at the bottom of Uni Hill that ignored my bell-ringing even as I was passing them... thanks. It's good to see that you're not so full of yourselves that you can pay attention to potentially dangerous situations as they occur around you.
Also, to all the walkers who pull their friends aside as I roll past, all the motorists that give me a wide berth when I'm riding alongside them in the bike lane, and to all the bikers who faithfully hand-signal, ring their bells, and use their lights at night.... THANK YOU. Boulder's bike trails are incredibly expansive and absolutely fucking amazing, and I love being able to ride them around our beautiful city. You people are what keep me from a murderous rampage.
February 8, 2009
IOKIYAR 2009
(IOKIYAR: It's Okay If You're A Republican)
From The Washington Post:
"Michael S. Steele, the newly elected chairman of the Republican National Committee, arranged for his 2006 Senate campaign to pay a defunct company run by his sister for services that were never performed, his finance chairman from that campaign has told federal prosecutors."
Tom Daschle's accountant screws up his taxes, and his career ends. Michael Steele pays his wife (one could even say himself) for work she never did, and he's elected Chairman of the RNC. Welcome to the United Snakes... land of the theif, home of the slave...
From The Washington Post:
"Michael S. Steele, the newly elected chairman of the Republican National Committee, arranged for his 2006 Senate campaign to pay a defunct company run by his sister for services that were never performed, his finance chairman from that campaign has told federal prosecutors."
Tom Daschle's accountant screws up his taxes, and his career ends. Michael Steele pays his wife (one could even say himself) for work she never did, and he's elected Chairman of the RNC. Welcome to the United Snakes... land of the theif, home of the slave...
North Dakota, in a Facebook comment
When people ask me about North Dakota, I generally tell them that it's just like the rest of America, except maybe seven or so years in the past.
This comment, from a facebook-friend of a facebook-friend, very neatly encapsulates all of the details and nuance contained within being a lifelong resident of North Dakota.
"Dude The zoo Bar in Drayton Rocks haha Where else could u do a burn out with a motercycle in the middel of the bar and the bartender just gose oh well as long as he makes it though the door it ok haha"
So, once again, thank yous to PokerStars and a certain special someone from the Green Mill; without you I would never have escaped.
This comment, from a facebook-friend of a facebook-friend, very neatly encapsulates all of the details and nuance contained within being a lifelong resident of North Dakota.
"Dude The zoo Bar in Drayton Rocks haha Where else could u do a burn out with a motercycle in the middel of the bar and the bartender just gose oh well as long as he makes it though the door it ok haha"
So, once again, thank yous to PokerStars and a certain special someone from the Green Mill; without you I would never have escaped.
January 22, 2009
Early Morning Deep Thought #1
For eight years, the congressional and executive parts of the Republican party united in spirit. They universally delighted in saying "fuck you" to anyone who opposed any of their policy goals. You don't like the idea of tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% of Americans? Fuck you. You don't like a doctrine of pre-emptive, endless war? Fuck you. You don't like energy policy made in secret by industry lobbyists? Fuck you. You don't like torture, spying, retribution, illegal politicking, gerrymandering, and favoritism? Fuck fuck fuck, fuck fuck fuck... you, you, you, you, you, and you.
President Obama finds himself in office atop an avalanche of mandate. Newly-elected Democrats find themselves in office riding said avalanche, along with our new President's coattails. The first and loudest appointment to his staff was DNC finger-breaker Rahm Emanuel.
So, I ask you, Democrats of Washington... what will be our "fuck you" moment? There must be at least one... right?
President Obama finds himself in office atop an avalanche of mandate. Newly-elected Democrats find themselves in office riding said avalanche, along with our new President's coattails. The first and loudest appointment to his staff was DNC finger-breaker Rahm Emanuel.
So, I ask you, Democrats of Washington... what will be our "fuck you" moment? There must be at least one... right?
January 21, 2009
solving fglrx issues with EnvyNG
(355 days since last post. It's nice to be back.)
I run Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid) on a Dell Inspiron 1501 laptop, posessing an AMD Sempron processor and and ATI Express 1150 graphics card. ATI/NVIDIA's laptop graphics card driver set, "fglrx," is not my favorite piece of software, and has been the only sticking point in my otherwise-awesome Linux experience.
This article compelled me to install some additional updates to Ubuntu, hoping to protect my lappy's HD from total destruction due to over-parking. Unfortunately, the series of updates broke the tenuous bonds between fglrx and xorg.conf. I was left unable to uninstall fglrx through either traditional channels or X.
EnvyNG (or Envy Legacy for Gutsy and older versions of Linux) is a handy little script that will detect the proper NVIDIA/ATI driver for your laptop and install it. It can also scrub all traces of fglrx's unholy influence from your xorg.conf file and allow you to re-install it cleanly should the need arise, which neatly solved my problem.
Next demon: during boot, GRUB spits out "MP-BIOS error 8254: timer not connected to IO-AIPC." Solution shall be posted forthwith.
I run Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid) on a Dell Inspiron 1501 laptop, posessing an AMD Sempron processor and and ATI Express 1150 graphics card. ATI/NVIDIA's laptop graphics card driver set, "fglrx," is not my favorite piece of software, and has been the only sticking point in my otherwise-awesome Linux experience.
This article compelled me to install some additional updates to Ubuntu, hoping to protect my lappy's HD from total destruction due to over-parking. Unfortunately, the series of updates broke the tenuous bonds between fglrx and xorg.conf. I was left unable to uninstall fglrx through either traditional channels or X.
EnvyNG (or Envy Legacy for Gutsy and older versions of Linux) is a handy little script that will detect the proper NVIDIA/ATI driver for your laptop and install it. It can also scrub all traces of fglrx's unholy influence from your xorg.conf file and allow you to re-install it cleanly should the need arise, which neatly solved my problem.
Next demon: during boot, GRUB spits out "MP-BIOS error 8254: timer not connected to IO-AIPC." Solution shall be posted forthwith.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
