Mrmike's Journal
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04/12/2007 22:41 #38872
The Don Imus NonsenseInteresting take on the whole soap opera, written by an African American Columnist
04/11/2007 08:54 #38850
A Sure Sign of SpringCategory: weather
Saw the Elmwood "White Lady" twice yesterday and once today on my way to work. Pretty sure I saw the "Buffalo Shall be Judged" Holy Roller outside the Allentown Trading Company this morning on the way to work.
Kinda wished I had my camera with me. I just drove in via Washington St and as you got closer downtown. You could see a veil of frost on the top of the HSBC arena that faces the lake. It would have made for an interesting pic. Alas.
Beatiful thing about (e:strip) -- getting turned on to something new. Stumbled across (e:joshua) 's myspace page and became a fan of Warren Haynes' acoustic work. Went on a mini itunes shopping spree to collect the awesomeness of it all. Knew the great electric stuff, but my ipod is happy to have a bunch of new tunes.
off to work, great day, peeps
Kinda wished I had my camera with me. I just drove in via Washington St and as you got closer downtown. You could see a veil of frost on the top of the HSBC arena that faces the lake. It would have made for an interesting pic. Alas.
Beatiful thing about (e:strip) -- getting turned on to something new. Stumbled across (e:joshua) 's myspace page and became a fan of Warren Haynes' acoustic work. Went on a mini itunes shopping spree to collect the awesomeness of it all. Knew the great electric stuff, but my ipod is happy to have a bunch of new tunes.
off to work, great day, peeps
jason - 04/11/07 11:47
Warren Haynes is GAWD!
Warren Haynes is GAWD!
04/10/2007 20:47 #38842
"I fathered Anna Nicole's Baby!!"Category: rant, sorta
Having stumbled through journalism school and almost home on the Masters, and generally being a bit of a media junkie, I've had a lot of food for thought lately.
Last week's reporting of who raised the most money campaigning for president made me wonder if all the national media outlets (aside from the Onion and Utne Reader) have gone around the bend. The thing that ultimately pisses me off a little is that such reporting basically annoints candidates as viable and to a degree influences voter choices. And before I incur (e:Joshua)'s wrath for picking on Fox again, it struck me that MSNBC (home of the newly color blind Don Imus) was worst at this. They were continually harping on how much the money tally means for Obama versus how much it means for Clinton. Should other candidates reorganize? etc. Since the republican tallies weren't quite as high, MSNBC didn't spend a whole lot on those candidates. Mitt Romney raised the most (the hell kind of name is Mitt?) and they ignored him preferring to overanalyze on Guiliani & McCain. If I haven't bored you to tears yet, you might wonder what difference this makes. All it means is that they can all afford to keep campaigning (shocker there) long before we wanted them to. It's funny because of none of this has anything to do with what any of these people would do as president. It's literally reporting because there is nothing else to say, but continued reporting like that could prop up somebody not worth propping up (cough, John Edwards) or deflate somebody unnecessarily (carping on McCain for being weak as a fundraiser hardly seemed important
(e:jenks) mentioned her love of TIVO. I hold mine in similar high regard. Mine offered up Bill Maher's last show on HBO. Maher was asking about the candidates in talking with Chris Rock. Rock's initial answer was he wished "Gore would get in it soon. He's more qualified than all the others out there." Not sure, I agree, but an interesting take nonetheless.
Don't remember a presidential campaign getting this ramped up so soon. When I was in school the first time, I made a good buck working for all the news organizations who couldn't be bothered to come near St. Bonaventure and the surrounding area. They all hired the week before. If we are voting in February, it would be cool if they (the candidates, the news organizations, etc) would cool it till the fall at least. We're not going to find anything out in the interim.
Argh
Last week's reporting of who raised the most money campaigning for president made me wonder if all the national media outlets (aside from the Onion and Utne Reader) have gone around the bend. The thing that ultimately pisses me off a little is that such reporting basically annoints candidates as viable and to a degree influences voter choices. And before I incur (e:Joshua)'s wrath for picking on Fox again, it struck me that MSNBC (home of the newly color blind Don Imus) was worst at this. They were continually harping on how much the money tally means for Obama versus how much it means for Clinton. Should other candidates reorganize? etc. Since the republican tallies weren't quite as high, MSNBC didn't spend a whole lot on those candidates. Mitt Romney raised the most (the hell kind of name is Mitt?) and they ignored him preferring to overanalyze on Guiliani & McCain. If I haven't bored you to tears yet, you might wonder what difference this makes. All it means is that they can all afford to keep campaigning (shocker there) long before we wanted them to. It's funny because of none of this has anything to do with what any of these people would do as president. It's literally reporting because there is nothing else to say, but continued reporting like that could prop up somebody not worth propping up (cough, John Edwards) or deflate somebody unnecessarily (carping on McCain for being weak as a fundraiser hardly seemed important
(e:jenks) mentioned her love of TIVO. I hold mine in similar high regard. Mine offered up Bill Maher's last show on HBO. Maher was asking about the candidates in talking with Chris Rock. Rock's initial answer was he wished "Gore would get in it soon. He's more qualified than all the others out there." Not sure, I agree, but an interesting take nonetheless.
Don't remember a presidential campaign getting this ramped up so soon. When I was in school the first time, I made a good buck working for all the news organizations who couldn't be bothered to come near St. Bonaventure and the surrounding area. They all hired the week before. If we are voting in February, it would be cool if they (the candidates, the news organizations, etc) would cool it till the fall at least. We're not going to find anything out in the interim.
Argh
carolinian - 04/11/07 20:37
I personally believe that Americans secretly desire street smart politicians more than honest ones. We're like the cheerleader who says she wants the most sweetest and faithful guy in 50'sville when really she lusts after the badboy leader the pack. When we talk about kind of president we want, we describe Jimmy Carter, probably the most honest and decent man we've ever had in the Oval Office. But who do we most fondly remember for getting things done? Ronald Regan, JFK, FDR, Nixon, etc. Guys who had in their closet more skeletons than the catacombs of paris and who knew how to make deals with powerful and obsenely rich people.
Any joe sixpack can be honest, but a good politician the people really want will lie, cheat, beg, borrow, and steal on behalf of their constituents to get them what they want. And the person who is best at that kind of wheeling and dealing is the person who can raise the most money.
I'm not saying it's right. I'm just saying that might just be how our messed up world really works (according to my crackpot theories of political science, at least).
I personally believe that Americans secretly desire street smart politicians more than honest ones. We're like the cheerleader who says she wants the most sweetest and faithful guy in 50'sville when really she lusts after the badboy leader the pack. When we talk about kind of president we want, we describe Jimmy Carter, probably the most honest and decent man we've ever had in the Oval Office. But who do we most fondly remember for getting things done? Ronald Regan, JFK, FDR, Nixon, etc. Guys who had in their closet more skeletons than the catacombs of paris and who knew how to make deals with powerful and obsenely rich people.
Any joe sixpack can be honest, but a good politician the people really want will lie, cheat, beg, borrow, and steal on behalf of their constituents to get them what they want. And the person who is best at that kind of wheeling and dealing is the person who can raise the most money.
I'm not saying it's right. I'm just saying that might just be how our messed up world really works (according to my crackpot theories of political science, at least).
metalpeter - 04/11/07 18:57
First of all often times the news doesn't go into good enough detail. But Here mike I have to completely disagree with you. How much candidate has raised is very important. But the part that makes the news story good is to list each candidate and how much money they have from each source and do it mabye once a week. This will tell what they will do if elected, or at least who they owe favor to. In this country the presidentcy is bought. The people vote for representives who then pick the candidate and they get points the one with the most points wins. But to get to that spot they have to supported with lots of cash. Once they get in then they owe the people who got them elected favors. It is really a scam often. Granted the new elect doesn't have to follow the ideas of the people who paid for there travel and ads, but most of the time they do.
First of all often times the news doesn't go into good enough detail. But Here mike I have to completely disagree with you. How much candidate has raised is very important. But the part that makes the news story good is to list each candidate and how much money they have from each source and do it mabye once a week. This will tell what they will do if elected, or at least who they owe favor to. In this country the presidentcy is bought. The people vote for representives who then pick the candidate and they get points the one with the most points wins. But to get to that spot they have to supported with lots of cash. Once they get in then they owe the people who got them elected favors. It is really a scam often. Granted the new elect doesn't have to follow the ideas of the people who paid for there travel and ads, but most of the time they do.
brit - 04/10/07 23:41
well it's statistically significant at national, state and district level in about seven hundred PSC papers I had the misfortune to read but whether or not the guys on TV know that is a whole other debate
well it's statistically significant at national, state and district level in about seven hundred PSC papers I had the misfortune to read but whether or not the guys on TV know that is a whole other debate
mrmike - 04/10/07 22:10
I think it's kind inferred indicator as opposed to empirical, which is what gets my hackles up. Feed a statistic to O'Reilly on Fox or Scarborough on MSNBC and they annoint winners and losers based on the one stat. Any wonder the non-news programming with the "stars" on those networks or Glen Beck on Headline News flirts with unwatchable much of the time.
I think it's kind inferred indicator as opposed to empirical, which is what gets my hackles up. Feed a statistic to O'Reilly on Fox or Scarborough on MSNBC and they annoint winners and losers based on the one stat. Any wonder the non-news programming with the "stars" on those networks or Glen Beck on Headline News flirts with unwatchable much of the time.
brit - 04/10/07 22:04
The news networks get excited about this issue because it is an empirically supported indicator of performance in the campaign itself. The normative debate is valid...I.E why do we care at this stage but.... but from a 'news' point of view that is why they do it.... I guess it's hard to fill 24/7 hours of programming so they may have stepped up the gears on this issue
The news networks get excited about this issue because it is an empirically supported indicator of performance in the campaign itself. The normative debate is valid...I.E why do we care at this stage but.... but from a 'news' point of view that is why they do it.... I guess it's hard to fill 24/7 hours of programming so they may have stepped up the gears on this issue
james - 04/10/07 21:03
I am inclined to agree. Somehow people managed to keep up with the goings on of the world without internet news services and 24 hour news channels. The media has to create stories where there might not be one.
But the money issue is a very slightly almost interesting one. Mitt Romney was considered for a long while as a second tier candidate. But he out raised no money McCain (who would have been the de facto candidate two years ago) and Guiliani who didn't so much raise money as empty his piggy bank into the tax shelter known as campaign contribution.
Do we learn anything about them as candidates? No, not really. But people who care about such things can infer how the candidates party feels about them. So, what did we learn. Republicans don't care much about their candidates, and Democrats dig a few of theirs. Wow, a revelation that can turn our hair white like Moses.
But thank god for Tivo to ensure we always have plenty to watch other than the crappy ass news channels.
I am inclined to agree. Somehow people managed to keep up with the goings on of the world without internet news services and 24 hour news channels. The media has to create stories where there might not be one.
But the money issue is a very slightly almost interesting one. Mitt Romney was considered for a long while as a second tier candidate. But he out raised no money McCain (who would have been the de facto candidate two years ago) and Guiliani who didn't so much raise money as empty his piggy bank into the tax shelter known as campaign contribution.
Do we learn anything about them as candidates? No, not really. But people who care about such things can infer how the candidates party feels about them. So, what did we learn. Republicans don't care much about their candidates, and Democrats dig a few of theirs. Wow, a revelation that can turn our hair white like Moses.
But thank god for Tivo to ensure we always have plenty to watch other than the crappy ass news channels.
04/08/2007 10:14 #38802
What me, biopsy??Category: health and stuff
Had one this week, a biopsy that is. It turns out to be no big deal, but such a little word can send your imagination out for an impressive walk. My dad-in-law is in week two of chemo at Roswell so I didn't want to say boo to anybody about until I knew I had a much a due about nothing situation. The mental anguish made for a stressful week until horsing around with number one son reminded me made me want to cry like a little girl. He managed to smack right where at the fun happened (in the chest, ya pervs). Had my attention right from there on out.
So, it's all good.
Wore a nice suit to a memorial service and three women came up to me to chat who ordinarily given me the time of day. (e:imk) and (e:jenks) do know of what they speak. I looked pretty good in it if I say so myself.
Enjoy your sunday everybody, may there be plenty of tasty chocolate rabbit parts just when you need them.
Later
So, it's all good.
Wore a nice suit to a memorial service and three women came up to me to chat who ordinarily given me the time of day. (e:imk) and (e:jenks) do know of what they speak. I looked pretty good in it if I say so myself.
Enjoy your sunday everybody, may there be plenty of tasty chocolate rabbit parts just when you need them.
Later
imk2 - 04/08/07 20:08
whew......i sure am glad youre ok. i hate when we have those kinds of scares. here's to negative biopsies!
whew......i sure am glad youre ok. i hate when we have those kinds of scares. here's to negative biopsies!
metalpeter - 04/08/07 11:17
Not sure where to chime in so I'll say at least the cold and snow didn't follow (e:theecarey) and (e:ladycroft) down south with them. Yes Florida has gotten the ice before. I remember a few years ago when it destroyed lots of oranges. I think it is the Bisons opening day Jinx myself. It seems to be the same one that hits the St. Pats Parade. It can be 75 the day before both events and then the deep frezze turns on those days. The bisons where cancelled 3 days in a row, and if today's game gets called that would make 4 I think. Hope everyone has a great Couple of days for the holiday and I hope (e:theecarey) and (e:ladycroft) bring the warm wheather back to Buffalo when they comeback here.
Not sure where to chime in so I'll say at least the cold and snow didn't follow (e:theecarey) and (e:ladycroft) down south with them. Yes Florida has gotten the ice before. I remember a few years ago when it destroyed lots of oranges. I think it is the Bisons opening day Jinx myself. It seems to be the same one that hits the St. Pats Parade. It can be 75 the day before both events and then the deep frezze turns on those days. The bisons where cancelled 3 days in a row, and if today's game gets called that would make 4 I think. Hope everyone has a great Couple of days for the holiday and I hope (e:theecarey) and (e:ladycroft) bring the warm wheather back to Buffalo when they comeback here.
james - 04/08/07 11:09
Also glad to hear you are ok.
My favorite Firefox addon is a tracker that tells you whether or not Abe Vigoda is alive or dead.
www.abevigoda.com
Also glad to hear you are ok.
My favorite Firefox addon is a tracker that tells you whether or not Abe Vigoda is alive or dead.
www.abevigoda.com
leetee - 04/08/07 11:02
Very Happy to hear you're ok, in the biopsy department!!
The weather also went downhill because (e:Uncutsaniflush) isn't working until... well, the weather gets nicer again. Poor guy.
AND, to top that off, my 'rents went on a holiday to Myrtle Beach, SC... they haven't been on holiday in what seems like a billion years. (e:Uncutsaniflush) has never known them to take a holiday. They flew outta Buffalo, so maybe we will see them tomorrow and they can complain about the unseasonably cold weather we hear South Carolina got...
Very Happy to hear you're ok, in the biopsy department!!
The weather also went downhill because (e:Uncutsaniflush) isn't working until... well, the weather gets nicer again. Poor guy.
AND, to top that off, my 'rents went on a holiday to Myrtle Beach, SC... they haven't been on holiday in what seems like a billion years. (e:Uncutsaniflush) has never known them to take a holiday. They flew outta Buffalo, so maybe we will see them tomorrow and they can complain about the unseasonably cold weather we hear South Carolina got...
04/06/2007 09:48 #38770
Happy HolidaysCategory: laugh, dammit
That is an excellent article. I think a lot of it is true. I think Al and Jesse do the black community a disservice most of the time. They are just trying to push there own agenda and use blacks for there own gain.
Before I get into the music debate I will say that Imus shouldn't have been fired. What he stated was his opinion just like if someone said "Homosexuality is sin and all gays will burn in hell forever and never see their loved ones unless they are in hell also" I personly don't believe that but a lot of people do. Some people believe whites and blacks should intermarry and have kids and with in a few Hundred years everyone will be a brownish color and bye bye to rascism. So people think that intermixing Races is wrong and even nationalities is wrong. It is an opinion and we are free to have differing ones. It doesn't matter whos way of thinking is the majority both sides should be free to say what they believe with out being punished. There is a difference between thoughts an actions and often that is forgot about. Imus didn't take his hate grab a girl with wavy hair and strighten it and then take her to church to un ho her. All he did was express his thoughts.
I admit that I used to listen to rap music a lot. You have the positive stuff and the Gangster stuff . I'm not saying it all falls into the catagory. Then allong with rap there is hip-hop also. The thing about rap is that (or at least in the past) you heard a lot more of the negative stuff then postive stuff on the radio. Yes women are looked down on in the music. But I do kinda agree with Snoop a little bit they aren't singing about mom they are singing about lose girls who really are hos. But now in terms of the videos is where I would disagree (if you ever don't have porn just watch a rap video, yummy, yum, yum those girls look delicous) Because those girls know what they are signing up for. The thing about Rap Music is that most of the time it is a reflection of the culture. It does glamourise it but that doesn't mean that it encourages it. We all know that art reflects life but not sure if it also the other way around, it could be.
I find it interesting that some of what Louis Farakhan (why isn't he the civil right leaders for blacks) says even though it is hateful towards whites is also what whites say about blacks. I haven't heard anything he has said in a long time so my memory may be wrong. But basicly he wants blacks to correct there wrongs of single mothers and he wants his "sisters" to be strong. There are a lot of problems in the ghetto that compound other problems. That doesn't mean that everyone is a drug dealer or murderer but if you listened to rap you would think that.
Imus' problems and the problems in inner city culture are mutually exclusive; neither set understands the problems of the other and most likely don't care either.
I agree with what the writer says about Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. These people are race baiters and opportunists who have a vested personal interest in perpetuating a myth - that racial tensions are still at a 1960's level. Their literal bread and butter depends on shaking down corporations for hush money if they feel that their companies aren't as diverse as they would like. Generally I think their practical usefulness to African-Americans has passed them by.
Setting that aside, dismissing Imus' problems to concentrate on a completely different issue IS misguided. Black culture may have created the words that he used, but they certainly didn't put them in his mouth. Bigotry is bigotry and regardless of whether its okay for blacks and not for whites to call each other "niggers" Don Imus just had his last public case of verbal diahrrea.
Imus was obviously guilty and IMO he is deserving of what he is getting - there is far too much precedent in these sorts of things for him not to have been fired.
Thank you both.
Just wanted to cover my tracks when I take a plane full of passengers hostage you two can say that I am no hijacker.
No apologies necessary. The beauty of (e:strip) -- we just chattin. I like ideas and how people utilize them.
I'm fresh out of puppy pix, but you didn't hijack.
thanks for the clarifications. i don't think you hijacked the post and i dont think mrmike does either...(right mrmike?) i like knowing WHY people think what they do.
Well, basically I think attacking the culture that arises out of a particular group of people is misguided. Music that deals with drugs and violence, that is mysogonist or racist springs forth not on its own but from a very real environment.
So, in short, attack poverty and not the music of the impoverished.
And here enters arguments about rap music being co-opted and so forth, which is why I shouldn't have entered into it.
MrMike, I apologize for hijacking your post. Feel free to get even by posting random pictures of puppies in any of my entries and we will call it even.
please elaborate, james...i'd like to know why you think that was a crock of shit?
Oh man, what a crock of shit that was. An interesting take, granted.
Of course, the culture he wants us to attack exists for a reason. And that in of itself opens up a can of worms too large for a comment on a journal that just linked us to that article.
Thanks for the find, it was a fun read.