Jim's Journal

11/08/2008 09:14 #46601

An Evil Good Book
Category: culture

I'm reading a book, "The 48 Laws of Power".

It is by turns interesting and disturbing. Each law has it's own chapter, with historical anecdotes and analysis.

Some are fairly neutral:

Law 5: So Much Depends on Reputation -- Guard it with Your Life.

Others, not so much:

Law 17: Keep Others in Suspended Terror -- Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability. Or, Law 33: Discover Each Man's Thumbscrew.

Now, part of my enjoyment of this book is that it appeals to the inner dictator in me, a side that I never knew that I had. But, hmm... I do. Hate to admit it.

Generally, it's an interesting look at the 'pack of monkeys' part of our brains and culture. Everything I have read so far I can relate to experiences and situations that I've been in. I'm hoping to keep my eyes more open to this side of human interaction, without using it to scheme and plot.

If I ever start to seem unpredictable, though, cower in terror!

hodown - 11/11/08 12:52
Keep others suspended in terror. I love that!

metalpeter - 11/08/08 15:20
I'm guessing that there are some sublaws in there somewhere and so 48 isn't exact. On a side note it is a good thing "The Brain" and "Stewie" didn't find this book or they might figure out how to leave cartoon form and take over the world. I Know Bush claims not to read but I wonder if he ever read it, HA.

tinypliny - 11/08/08 12:36
Who wants to bet with me that there are #48 laws in that book.

jim - 11/08/08 12:30
Law #49: If you can't get household appliances to respect you, what person will?

tinypliny - 11/08/08 12:14
HAHAHA.. I regularly threaten my rice cooker.

james - 11/08/08 12:09
You should see the sadistic BDSM relationship Jim has with our appliances. "You will wash those dishes you filthy dish washing pig!"
"Ya, that is right you whore. Turn that bread into toast!"

paul - 11/08/08 11:57
I saw that in you and thats why I made you the commander. Someday, when we form the estrip Army - which is the whole secret plan (not so sectret anymore) of the site, you can whip them into a frenzy and have them take over buffalo.

tinypliny - 11/08/08 09:44
Gasp. Blank Comment.

MUST GUARD REPUTATION*

----
PS: So Much Depends on Reputation -- Guard it with Your Life.

PPS: And it somehow reminds me of that scene in Stardust where the captain is totally devastated when his crew sees him dressed up in a ballet tutu. Hahaha. It was a fun movie.

tinypliny - 11/08/08 09:42

tinypliny - 11/08/08 09:41
I think its safe to say that I quake in my boots everytime I see your hair. It's the K2 of unpredictability after the Everest of that actor who always confuses me.

11/06/2008 12:42 #46571

Purple Country
Category: politics

I'm trying to remember in my glee that 53% isn't the same as 100%. :)

Some maps from

By county:

By county, stretched to fit population:

dragonlady7 - 11/08/08 11:51
I am working really really hard to NOT be like the republicans were in 2004, where the hotly contested 1% margin of victory was seen as some kind of divine mandate from Jebus Hisself and America was United behind America's Prezdint and all y'alls haters is in the minority the Court says so so there I'm gonna go invade Iran too!!!

That went way beyond insult to injury. That was like, face-punching rage. I had rage issues. And I worked with a lot of Republicans at that point. (I had a coworker who seriously had a W lapel pin.)

But I'm starting to think maybe I'm being too nice. ;)

jim - 11/06/08 19:18
Oh man I'm usually very good about attribution. Post updated.

paul - 11/06/08 18:08
Did you make that?

tinypliny - 11/06/08 13:58
All the intolerant crazies ended up in the deep interior cut off from external influences and contact. Oh, and of course some of them can see Russia from their backyards and guard against the Putin helium balloon.

And on that note, what is the red-blue distribution of Alaska??

11/05/2008 16:55 #46560

Not me, no sir...
Category: humor

CC Licensed from

11/05/2008 11:13 #46551

Democratic NY
Category: politics

According to unofficial results, Democrats captured 32 out of the 62 seats in the Senate. The shift marks the end of an era for New York Republicans, whose control of the Senate had come to depend on a bloc of senators, some in their 70s and 80s, who had put off retirement to help preserve the party's majority. --

So, the Democrats are in full control of the legislative and executive branches in New York State. Personally, I am hoping they legalize gay marriage, something that has previously passed the Assembly and has heretofore stalled in the Senate. Gov. Patterson is willing to sign such a bill. We'd be the first state to postively enact such legislation, instead of having courts make the call. A big, big, deal.

In general, it is now up to them to figure out how to cut the state budget by billions of dollars. I am not sure if they are up to the task or not, but I'll give them the benefit time to see if they can.

jenks - 11/05/08 15:58
I do have to say though that having dems as president and full control of the house AND senate makes me a smidge nervous. I just don't want the pendulum to swing too far the other way this time.

libertad - 11/05/08 14:03
I love Patterson. I wonder if he will marry me?

jason - 11/05/08 11:33
Yes, that's awesome news for gay marriage advocates! Things are looking way up. I hope soon you and James gan get hitched HERE, and not have to travel across the freaking country.

Cut the state budget. Good lord. They kicked and screamed about cutting it by a few lousy hundred of millions. I'm not as hopeful as you are about that.

11/04/2008 23:04 #46534

Obama!
Category: politics

From Erie County Democratic Headquarters, Buffalo NY.

11pm as election was called for Barack Obama, our 44th president.