Who is this nut?
- kired
- "You need to believe in things that aren't true. How else can they become?" T. Pratchett
31.5.07
30.5.07
File Under: Who came to dinner with Cheney
This article on Guardian Unlimited tells the tale of destroyed documents telling us all who has been visiting our Vice President.
28.5.07
Memorial Day Weekend
Well we packed up the camper, the truck and the family and went camping with the Galipeaus this weekend. We had a great weekend for camping, lots of sun and even a heater free night.
Saturday we went to a lake near Katahdin, the Galipeaus and Addy got to do a little kayaking. Erik was quite upset that we didn't have a life vest to fit him. Later that day we went out and found one.
Sunday, Addy and I went shopping. We picked up some camper stuff and a bamboo wind chime to hang off the awning. We later went to the river and Erik and I had a chance to enjoy kayaking. When I came back I had that grin on my face that made Ellyn say she would give me money toward a kayak for Father's Day. At some point, poor little Addy Cat got a bug bite on her right eye lid. It swelled up so she looked like Rocky.
We woke up this morning to general sogginess. We packed up and headed home. On the way home I received a call that a piece of equipment had gone down at work. After we got home, I went and fixed it. On the way back, I decided to stop at Mojos to see what they had for kayaks. I have been looking at kayaks for years, but now I knew I liked it. Wouldn't you know it, they were running a sale. I came home with this in the khaki color.
I brought it home, took the wrapping off it (yep still in the wrapper) and headed off to find Scott on the Presque Isle stream. I put in and paddled up stream. I passed under the railroad trestle and saw Scott. I yelled to him, "How far up did you go?"
He looked confused, so I said "Do you like my new toy?"
Instantly realizing what was going on, he yelled "NO WAY!"
We paddled back and chatted along the way. What fun. I hope it's nice tomorrow.
Saturday we went to a lake near Katahdin, the Galipeaus and Addy got to do a little kayaking. Erik was quite upset that we didn't have a life vest to fit him. Later that day we went out and found one.
Sunday, Addy and I went shopping. We picked up some camper stuff and a bamboo wind chime to hang off the awning. We later went to the river and Erik and I had a chance to enjoy kayaking. When I came back I had that grin on my face that made Ellyn say she would give me money toward a kayak for Father's Day. At some point, poor little Addy Cat got a bug bite on her right eye lid. It swelled up so she looked like Rocky.
We woke up this morning to general sogginess. We packed up and headed home. On the way home I received a call that a piece of equipment had gone down at work. After we got home, I went and fixed it. On the way back, I decided to stop at Mojos to see what they had for kayaks. I have been looking at kayaks for years, but now I knew I liked it. Wouldn't you know it, they were running a sale. I came home with this in the khaki color.
I brought it home, took the wrapping off it (yep still in the wrapper) and headed off to find Scott on the Presque Isle stream. I put in and paddled up stream. I passed under the railroad trestle and saw Scott. I yelled to him, "How far up did you go?"
He looked confused, so I said "Do you like my new toy?"
Instantly realizing what was going on, he yelled "NO WAY!"
We paddled back and chatted along the way. What fun. I hope it's nice tomorrow.
25.5.07
File Under: That is what we should have had in the first place
Maine lawmakers are attempting to do something smart. I hear your collective gasps of surprise and sympathize. As many of you know who live in Maine, the Dirigo health plan has been a glorious failure. I have attributed this to not following the plan created in the 90s to fix the horrible Worker's Comp situation. The beauty of that self-insured plan, it allows the state to call "bull shit" if an insurer's whining about cost increases gets out of hand.
I believe this concept would apply well to health insurance. As to those Senators worried about free enterprise being stifled. To this I say "Bah" for we (my company) currently use a private insurer for our worker's comp not the state run plan. Also, health insurance companies are big spenders in the lobbying arena. If they can spend it there, then they can trim it from their budget and undercut the state, like any other competitor. More importantly, you don't get to whine about profits when lives are on the line.
I believe this concept would apply well to health insurance. As to those Senators worried about free enterprise being stifled. To this I say "Bah" for we (my company) currently use a private insurer for our worker's comp not the state run plan. Also, health insurance companies are big spenders in the lobbying arena. If they can spend it there, then they can trim it from their budget and undercut the state, like any other competitor. More importantly, you don't get to whine about profits when lives are on the line.
24.5.07
File Under: Darth Cheney disappointed in apprentice
This post by Steve Clemons on the Huffington Post scares the ever livin' shit right out of me. All joking aside, if this is true, there will be no end to war in our time, and Haliburton will continue to profit.
File Under: Small biz vs. FCC
Whats that you say? The FCC made a rule that benefited large coporations at the cost of smaller ones? They wouldn't do that, not our beloved FCC.
File Under: Heart Warming
This post on Gaming Today about a 10 year old cancer patient getting his wish granted by Blizzard just makes me melt. Stupid Blizz, making me all emotional.
19.5.07
File Under: McCain says "#!@% you"
This Washington Post article on a John McCain outburst at a recent immigration reform negotiation may show that the stresses of campaigning and a recent drop in the polls may be getting to the man. Too bad I have already written him off, cause I might feel sorry for the guy.
File Under: The best interest of the child
This article drives home one of the more distressing aspects of immigration reform and how to deal with illegal immigrants with children who are US citizens. On the one hand you have people who have knowledgeably broken the law. On the other hand you have children who are no caught between what is best for their future and wanting to be with their parents. I don't have an answer to this conundrum, but I do find it interesting that the people who are the most vocal about deporting illegals are also the ones who tout family values.
File Under: Christian Right may not support Giuliani
This Baptist Press story indicates to me that the Republicans may not be able field a candidate who will appeal to their base and the pissed off moderates.
18.5.07
File Under: Colby Museum get $100 million gift
Canadian Press article on the donation of one of the best private art collections to the museum at Colby college in Waterville. I know where my wife is going to want to go in 2013 when the expansion to house the works is complete.
File Under: Net Neutrality for Maine
This post on Turn Maine Blue, is about Maine State Senator Ethan Strimling who is pushing for net neutrality in Maine. I would like all of you to read this, and be prepared to push your represenatives to make sure net neutrality become law in the state of Maine.
File Under: At least I'm not Hillary
When faced with the uphill challenge of being a Republican Candidate who supports gay and abortion rights, Former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani pulls out the trump card. He reminds the republicans that he isn't a Clinton. I think Clinton must be a curse word to them nestled nicely in between the bitch and cock (which interestingly enough are also both words that have a contextual foulness to them), in their dictionary of horrible words.
17.5.07
File Under: Giuliani to voters "BOO"
UK's Guardian Unlimited post about Giuliani stating that terrorism is the greatest threat facing the world and only the Republicans can handle it.
File Under: I got a twofor coupon on idiots
This Reuters Alternet post shows that Giuliani and Romney are both suffering from a severe cranial-rectal impaction.
File Under: Murdoch running WSJ would be ruinous
This op-ed on Truthdig drives home one of my greatest concerns with media consolidation. Rupert Murdoch has no ethics as it relates to journalism, he will do what ever makes him a buck, just like Hearst before him. I cannot lay this all at their feet, for it is the public that lines their pockets. It is however incumbent upon us, that supposedly know better, to keep "newsmen" of Murdoch and Hearst's ilk in check.
16.5.07
File Under: More World of Warcraft 2.1 Information
This QJ.net article says we may be getting voice chat and a guild bank after the 2.1 update. Woot!
File Under: Another arguement that Bush isn't "The Decider"
This one is from the Huffington Post. I think the fact that Cheney is taking home more swag than Bush proves who really makes the decisions in that group.
15.5.07
File Under: Why Gov't doesn't really care about you.
Press Release from Congressman Mike Michaud of Maine, the title of this post doesn't actually apply to him in this case.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: May 10, 2007 Contact: Monica Castellanos at 207-782-3704
Coming Together on Truck Weights: Improving Safety in Maine
By Representative Mike Michaud
Most Mainers know about an ongoing problem in our state with trucks. We have grown up seeing them drive through our towns, and wondering why they can't just go on the highway. The answer, as many Mainers have also come to know, is federal regulation.
Under current law, all of Maine's Interstate, except the Maine Turnpike and I-95 in Kittery, is subject to the federal truck weight limit of 80,000 pounds. But Maine's state road limit is 100,000 pounds - and realistically it can't be lowered due to the needs of Maine's major industries, like forest products and agriculture. After more than 28 years as a mill worker, I know how crucial it is to be able to move these heavy loads in our state.
Because of this mismatch between the state and federal limits, heavier trucks must divert from Interstate highways onto primary and secondary roads that pass through a number of Maine's communities, past our schools, businesses, and homes. This has negative impacts on safety, the economy, the environment, and the entire transportation system.
Mainers understand the need for the state limits, and we also don't blame the trucks or the drivers themselves - we are happy to have good jobs from our Maine industries staying here in Maine, and we know that the truckers themselves want to be on the highway more than anyone. We are all together on this one. And we all want to see a change. The solution would be to change the federal limit on the Interstate.
Safety is, of course, the very top concern. The safety risks with the current rules were made all too apparent once again recently by the tragic accident in Hampden that killed a 17 year-old driver. The weight rule is forcing trucks off the Interstate and onto our state and local roads. It is clear that it would be safer for everyone if these trucks were on the highway.
For years, I've been working with the entire congressional delegation to exempt Maine from the federal truck weight limit. An exemption from the federal weight limit is supported by every municipality in Maine, chambers of commerce, safety groups, and the entire Maine delegation. It would greatly improve safety. The state study on this issue showed that the crash-rate for trucks was seven to ten times higher on Maine's non-Interstate highways than on the Maine Turnpike, which is exempt from federal weight limits. So moving traffic to a 100,000 pound limit highway would be a lot safer.
The change would also help the economy and lower costs. Allowing 6 axle 100,000 pound trucks on the Interstate would increase payloads by up to 44 percent over 5 axle 80,000 pound trucks, reducing the number of trucks on the road. It would also cut the amount of fuel required by approximately 6 percent. That's good for the environment. And it would save the state over a million dollars a year in repaving and bridge maintenance costs.
The entire Congressional delegation has been working together in total unity to try to change the weight limit for our Interstate. Congressman Allen and I recently reintroduced our legislation that would allow Maine to increase the weight limits for trucks on interstate highways by granting a three-year waiver of federal rules. If no significant adverse safety effects were demonstrated, the waiver would become permanent. Maine's Senators have also introduced a companion in the Senate.
Unfortunately, we have met with tremendous resistance over the years in both the House and Senate from members of both parties. Some are concerned that a change in Maine would lead to other states seeking increases nationwide, which many oppose. Others fear that a change for Maine would send heavier trucks down the East Coast into other states, impacting their roads. Still others simply don't understand the issues involved.
So far, this opposition has been an unbreakable barrier. But we are slowly making progress in educating the Congress and laying these concerns to rest. I will continue to work in coordination with the entire delegation to secure an exemption for Maine from the truck weight rule so that we can improve safety on state's roads.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: May 10, 2007 Contact: Monica Castellanos at 207-782-3704
Coming Together on Truck Weights: Improving Safety in Maine
By Representative Mike Michaud
Most Mainers know about an ongoing problem in our state with trucks. We have grown up seeing them drive through our towns, and wondering why they can't just go on the highway. The answer, as many Mainers have also come to know, is federal regulation.
Under current law, all of Maine's Interstate, except the Maine Turnpike and I-95 in Kittery, is subject to the federal truck weight limit of 80,000 pounds. But Maine's state road limit is 100,000 pounds - and realistically it can't be lowered due to the needs of Maine's major industries, like forest products and agriculture. After more than 28 years as a mill worker, I know how crucial it is to be able to move these heavy loads in our state.
Because of this mismatch between the state and federal limits, heavier trucks must divert from Interstate highways onto primary and secondary roads that pass through a number of Maine's communities, past our schools, businesses, and homes. This has negative impacts on safety, the economy, the environment, and the entire transportation system.
Mainers understand the need for the state limits, and we also don't blame the trucks or the drivers themselves - we are happy to have good jobs from our Maine industries staying here in Maine, and we know that the truckers themselves want to be on the highway more than anyone. We are all together on this one. And we all want to see a change. The solution would be to change the federal limit on the Interstate.
Safety is, of course, the very top concern. The safety risks with the current rules were made all too apparent once again recently by the tragic accident in Hampden that killed a 17 year-old driver. The weight rule is forcing trucks off the Interstate and onto our state and local roads. It is clear that it would be safer for everyone if these trucks were on the highway.
For years, I've been working with the entire congressional delegation to exempt Maine from the federal truck weight limit. An exemption from the federal weight limit is supported by every municipality in Maine, chambers of commerce, safety groups, and the entire Maine delegation. It would greatly improve safety. The state study on this issue showed that the crash-rate for trucks was seven to ten times higher on Maine's non-Interstate highways than on the Maine Turnpike, which is exempt from federal weight limits. So moving traffic to a 100,000 pound limit highway would be a lot safer.
The change would also help the economy and lower costs. Allowing 6 axle 100,000 pound trucks on the Interstate would increase payloads by up to 44 percent over 5 axle 80,000 pound trucks, reducing the number of trucks on the road. It would also cut the amount of fuel required by approximately 6 percent. That's good for the environment. And it would save the state over a million dollars a year in repaving and bridge maintenance costs.
The entire Congressional delegation has been working together in total unity to try to change the weight limit for our Interstate. Congressman Allen and I recently reintroduced our legislation that would allow Maine to increase the weight limits for trucks on interstate highways by granting a three-year waiver of federal rules. If no significant adverse safety effects were demonstrated, the waiver would become permanent. Maine's Senators have also introduced a companion in the Senate.
Unfortunately, we have met with tremendous resistance over the years in both the House and Senate from members of both parties. Some are concerned that a change in Maine would lead to other states seeking increases nationwide, which many oppose. Others fear that a change for Maine would send heavier trucks down the East Coast into other states, impacting their roads. Still others simply don't understand the issues involved.
So far, this opposition has been an unbreakable barrier. But we are slowly making progress in educating the Congress and laying these concerns to rest. I will continue to work in coordination with the entire delegation to secure an exemption for Maine from the truck weight rule so that we can improve safety on state's roads.
File Under: Getting conceptually slapped by a pretty lady with an accent
This post on The Huffington Post is very clear in its point, George Bush and John McCain wouldn't know democracy if it walked, gave them it's business card and proceeded to bite them in the ass. The worst part for me? I used to like McCain and champion him to others. I guess that makes me the asshole here.
File Under: Erosion of Rights
This story about a "safety check" in the BDN, is a perfect example of the continual erosion of our rights in regards to search and seizure. Tell me what the probable cause was to stop all these cars? I don't believe the BS answer that these agencies were truely interested in removing unsafe vehicles from the road, if that was the case they would need wreckers not drug dogs. I hope everyone of these individuals gets a good lawyer and fights the way in which they were arrested.
File Under: Conflict of Interest
This is an AP story on Yahoo News regarding Rudy Giuliani's lobbying firm and how there might be a conflict of interest if he were to become POTUS. I realize there is no "legal" conflict of interest, but basic ethics would argue that there is. I have been repeatedly encouraged to run for the MSAD 1 School Board, and I repeatedly decline because my wife is an employee of the district. In the argument of legality versus ethics, ethics should win. Of course, there is a world of difference between should and do.
14.5.07
File Under: RR dungeon run
I am happy to say that the Royal Radicals had their first full group dungeon run tonight. We ran the Deadmines in Westfall. Kired (lvl 50, me) and Aideelman (40, Tom), escorted Malikus (25, Phil), Munit (14, Matty), and Isabeaux (17, Ellyn) through. We had fun, even if it took us a couple times to find the instance gate. Lots of good drops and Izzy got a blue piece of armor; she can't use it till 19 but she's happy. It pleases me that this little guild now has some legs. Right now, off to bed.
12.5.07
File Under: Geek Cred Revoked
Today's PvP drives home a constant concern amongst us geeks who have settled down and have more mundane things to deal with. Will we lose our Geek Cred, because we are no longer able to dedicate the time to our geeky pursuits?
9.5.07
File Under: Low Approval for Bush
Is the rest of the country just catching up? I haven't approved of Bush for 7 years now. Anyway his numbers are swirling the drain according to USA Today. WCXU reported this morning that his approval rating was even lower in Maine, around 20%. I guess Mainers ahnt sa dumb aftah ahl.
6.5.07
File Under: Sansa and Rhapsody sitting in a tree.
After many hours of research and shopping all over town, I finally purchased a personal media player. Not being one for popular trends I decided to step out of the iPod arena and purchased a Sansa e260; a 4 gig player with video capabilities for less than a 2 gig iPod Nano. It can also act as a USB flash drive so I can just dump the mp3's on there without other software. I have been happy so far, my only complaints being the need to use Winamp to create playlists and the overly sensitive thumb wheel. Also, the standard ear buds hurt so I picked up some nice Skull Candy ones, quite a common upgrade for all of these kinds of devices (a point of interest, NYU now recommends to its students to ditch the iconic iPod buds to avoid getting mugged).
With a player in hand, I wondered how I would fill it with music I didn't already have. My mother has been touting her enjoyment of the Rhapsody service. I checked it out, and found that they have an all u can eat buffet for a monthly subscription, with drag and drop to the player interface, including entire play lists. I decided to give it a try. I have now loaded my little Sansa with music that would have cost me a few hundred dollars on iTunes (first month was free with the purchase of my Sansa). I recommend the Widespread Panic play list.
With a player in hand, I wondered how I would fill it with music I didn't already have. My mother has been touting her enjoyment of the Rhapsody service. I checked it out, and found that they have an all u can eat buffet for a monthly subscription, with drag and drop to the player interface, including entire play lists. I decided to give it a try. I have now loaded my little Sansa with music that would have cost me a few hundred dollars on iTunes (first month was free with the purchase of my Sansa). I recommend the Widespread Panic play list.
5.5.07
4.5.07
File Under: Birth of the Lovemaster
Craig Shoemaker is the Lovemaster, baby. (not for those who are easily offended)
2.5.07
File Under: Who Owns What
The Who Owns What page from the Columbia Journalism Review is interesting to putter around in.
1.5.07
File Under: NAB responds.
I decided to move this up to a post as it intrigues me. Someone from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), actually responded to my post "File Under: NO NO NO NO," a person apparently named Chris posted this:
"I understand your frustration but the fact is the ownership rules haven't been updated in decades. Given the rather sizable developments and changes in the media industry in this time, the rules need to be addressed and updated.
I work with the NAB on this issue in advocating for our local broadcasters. In today's regulatory environment individual broadcasters cannot compete against the large online companies for advertising revenue they need to survive and provide free local programing. Only broadcasters are faced with these antiquated rules placing them at a severe competitive disadvantage.
The tremendous growth online and in cable and satellite TV gives us more options than ever to get our news and information, we are merely asking for the FCC to consider the realities of the current situation."
I responded thus:
"I am more concerned with the loss of difference in the news and opinion based content when multiple media outlets with multiple owners are merged in to a conglomerate with one owner. In my trade area we have gone from four for profit FM channels owned by multiple ownership, mostly local, to three of those channels under the ownership of one large national corporation. In my opinion the quality of local news and information from these channels is sub par, with absolutely no deviance in message, most often a regurgitation of a newspaper story. Luckily we have one local station left which provides a better service, utilizing local reporters and an actual editorial perspective.
One could argue that if that corporation decided to push a message relating to a story with a political bent, they would have undue influence in the area, as they have three avenues through which to push. That one local station my have an alternate perspective but will have to fight an uphill battle to get equal penetration. This is not paranoid delusion but simple flight and frequency concepts known to anyone with a passing acquaintance with marketing.
By the way, the broadcast media have those rules in place because they use the public airwaves in the generation of their revenue and therefore are required to meet certain criteria to the betterment of the communities in which they operate. It was the feeling, of those that put those rules in place, that a community was best served by media that answer to multiple masters. I tend to agree.
Thank you for reading CMP."
"I understand your frustration but the fact is the ownership rules haven't been updated in decades. Given the rather sizable developments and changes in the media industry in this time, the rules need to be addressed and updated.
I work with the NAB on this issue in advocating for our local broadcasters. In today's regulatory environment individual broadcasters cannot compete against the large online companies for advertising revenue they need to survive and provide free local programing. Only broadcasters are faced with these antiquated rules placing them at a severe competitive disadvantage.
The tremendous growth online and in cable and satellite TV gives us more options than ever to get our news and information, we are merely asking for the FCC to consider the realities of the current situation."
I responded thus:
"I am more concerned with the loss of difference in the news and opinion based content when multiple media outlets with multiple owners are merged in to a conglomerate with one owner. In my trade area we have gone from four for profit FM channels owned by multiple ownership, mostly local, to three of those channels under the ownership of one large national corporation. In my opinion the quality of local news and information from these channels is sub par, with absolutely no deviance in message, most often a regurgitation of a newspaper story. Luckily we have one local station left which provides a better service, utilizing local reporters and an actual editorial perspective.
One could argue that if that corporation decided to push a message relating to a story with a political bent, they would have undue influence in the area, as they have three avenues through which to push. That one local station my have an alternate perspective but will have to fight an uphill battle to get equal penetration. This is not paranoid delusion but simple flight and frequency concepts known to anyone with a passing acquaintance with marketing.
By the way, the broadcast media have those rules in place because they use the public airwaves in the generation of their revenue and therefore are required to meet certain criteria to the betterment of the communities in which they operate. It was the feeling, of those that put those rules in place, that a community was best served by media that answer to multiple masters. I tend to agree.
Thank you for reading CMP."
File Under: Phil's New Digs
Phil has moved Penguin Monkey to a new home as a Word Press blog. I highly encourage you to visit the new place and make him part of your daily net excursions.
File Under: PHHTTTT!!
I get the distinct impression that User Friendly believes the RIAA to be the evil money grubbing bastards that they are.
Also of note: GO UMAINE!!! It seems that good ol fashion Maine sense has kicked in at the University of Maine System. They have told the RIAA where the Black Bear shits in the woods..
Also of note: GO UMAINE!!! It seems that good ol fashion Maine sense has kicked in at the University of Maine System. They have told the RIAA where the Black Bear shits in the woods..
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