Joshua's Journal

11/14/2008 14:14 #46688

These people are clueless

regarding social compliance and Uncle Wally.

You have no idea how badly I could eviscerate this article if I were allowed. Social compliance audits on behalf of W-M have been going on all over the world for at least 5 years.

I wish I could get into it but I can't. These outside observers are so ignorant and clueless regarding this topic that I'm sure they are unaware of how off the mark they really are. This is why advocacy groups annoy me at times.

joshua - 11/14/08 15:25
I'm legally bound so I can't. I knew you'd post!

You're right that I'm being a tease... I knew it as soon as I hit "publish" that I was leaving out a ton. Without getting into it too much I can say that this is sort of like getting an invitation to something that is brand new, only to find out that it isn't so new.

When they are talking about 3rd parties auditing their suppliers who do suppose they are talking about?

Like I've said to you before - advocacy groups have their place but more often than not they are lacking information and driven by ideology. In other words, from our experience they usually have preconceived notions but without them, the industry I'm in wouldn't exist.

China is a bit of a special case... corruption is an enormous problem and I can tell you that the single biggest problem in China's factories right now is the existence of double books. Next time I see you I promise I won't be so elusive with my explanations... ok? :)

janelle - 11/14/08 14:54
Joshua, you're being a tease. I read the article and I see no red flags, because I don't have your insiders perspective. So why post if you're not going to explain more??

So now I'm horribly curious as to why these outside observers are ignorant and clueless.

And to what extent might you be considered an outsider as well, so how far do I trust your opinion?

In my field, outside observers have been the impetus for a lot of change in how DD people are changed (i.e. Geraldo and Willowbrook). And I think in general outside observers and advocates are an important part of social tension that allows for resolution of social issues.

I'm very interested in the work you do, so I hope you'll share a little more.

11/13/2008 09:23 #46671

Don't Go Here, WoW Players...

Just don't be that guy/girl to freeze reality until you hit level 80!

hodown - 11/13/08 12:57
I just read that article and I want to say I'm surprised but after seeing Terry play it I'm not shocked at all.

james - 11/13/08 11:52
A cupboard full of Mountain Dew?

Come on, this isn't Dungeons and Dragons.

paul - 11/13/08 09:27
Terry was at the store at midnight to pick it up.

11/07/2008 13:06 #46587

Election Aftermath

I think I've been pretty even keeled. The country ain't blowing up like a lot of people believe. I want the best for the country and will grant Obama six months or so before I get critical (with the possible exception of his cabinet - Rahm getting picked to be his right hand man is a bad sign). The thing about Obama that people who didn't vote for him need to understand is that he's a decent man. You might not agree with him but you can trust beyond doubt that he's pragmatic and a good man. I am willing to put some confidence in Obama and give him a shot, and in my opinion so should everyone else.

Americans don't and shouldn't care about world opinion when selecting their candidates - we are a sovereign nation. However, nobody should short change or denigrate the opinions of the world. We've lived through eight years where GWB was granted the good will of planet earth, particularly after 9/11, and shortly squandered it. Look, the world *wants* to have confidence in and follow the United States. On the other hand, they don't want to feel marginalized and shut out. We have plenty of admirable and not so admirable qualities, but in the end we are the lone superpower for the time being and we have to be proper stewards. I think all the world is asking of us is to be a decent, fair and just nation. The rhetorical flourishes in Europe regarding Barack Obama have been fascinating. They seem to see it as no less than a rebirth, a recreation, a correction of one of our original sins. I sat and stopped after he tipped 270, and all I wanted to do was listen to what he had to say. Really, for a second I felt like the world stopped... it was time to soak it in a bit and realize that once again in America we've flipped the script. It was a historic and momentous occasion - I only regret that I didn't have the foresight to run out and get a paper, like we did when 9/11 happened.

However, I've been entertained with some (presumably) good-natured ribbing on my MySpace page. I'm not sure if he's being a dick or not, honestly. One of my brother's former co-workers is in Lazlo Hollyfeld, and after the election he drunkenly posted some pictures on my page, which I have to admit entertained me. Not to be outdone though, I bombarded him with the following -

He posted the shittiest little Obama logo - I'd have kept it on my page if it wasn't so small. Afterwords he posted a picture of GWB kissing Cindy McCain at a podium, while John watched. Now, I could go the famous Al Gore/Tipper route on this one - that was the single most uncomfortable embrace by a politician and his wife in American history. He doesn't want to bring a knife to a gun fight - I've got some shocking GWB pictures that are the de facto coup de grace.

tinypliny - 11/14/08 08:38
I was following your argument till this came up: What does this mean - Rank 128 in liberal voting?
The lesser the number the more liberal/left you are? What would be considered as a "non-partisan" balanced score-range in this scale?

joshua - 11/14/08 03:59
(e:tiny) - Rahm is one of the most staunch partisans in Washington at a time where our new President is suggesting that his Administration would be post-partisan. On the other hand though, I can see his utility to Obama. He's going to have every Demo in Congress up his rear and he needs someone on his side with sharp elbows. Besides that stuff though, I'll give Rahm some credit. To be fair he's a brilliant, brilliant guy. Forget the political connotations for a sec - center left, whatever. Lefties are going into his Administration. I think the contention is exactly how far left the people he has in mind will be. Rahm ranks 128 in terms of liberal voting record in Congress -

(e:imk) - What the fuck are you getting at? I'm offended by your idiotic question. I read your rant - I think you have more hangups regarding the situation than a staggeringly large percentage of Americans do. Are you having a bad week or something?

imk2 - 11/13/08 18:30
ditto to tiny's question and....

"Really, for a second I felt like the world stopped... it was time to soak it in a bit and realize that once again in America we've flipped the script. It was a historic and momentous occasion..."

would you have felt the same if mccain won? and if not, then why would you vote for him? surely it's not just because it's the first black guy in office that is was so historic, right?

plus...refer to my post to hear my rant on calling obama black. (i'll have it up in a bit)

tinypliny - 11/07/08 23:23
Why is "Rahm getting picked to be his right hand man is a bad sign"?

Is it because he is too centre of left and was responsible for most of dem vote on the $700bn bailout?

11/04/2008 23:06 #46535

Congratulations to Barack Obama

All partisanship aside, it is an absolutely amazing achievement. We're witnessing the popular election of the first African-American as the President of the United States and it is something I was hopeful we'd see in our lifetimes but was never sure about. This is America at its grandest.

mrmike - 11/05/08 11:33
I think this is a tremendous first step. I agree with Jenks and Jason. It's a great thing and a terrific sign of progress, but when the hoopla dies down, there is a crapload of work to be done. He has a breaktaking tough road ahead. McCain gave the type of speech that made me remember why I liked him in the first place. Here's hoping both are committed to the laudable words of last night.

jenks - 11/05/08 09:16
Me too.
I'm really proud of the US for voting beyond color. That's huge.
But that isn't enough in and of itself- I just hope things go well.

hodown - 11/05/08 09:09
I agree with Josh that this is an amazing achievement for America. However, like Jason I'm a bit skeptical. The real battle lies ahead to see if he really can change anything.

drew - 11/05/08 08:33
McCain did a great job of setting the tone--gracious in defeat. I wouldn't be surprised if Bush followed suit today.

jason - 11/05/08 08:25
I know you're being gracious here, which I'm proud of, but this isn't a transformative event for America as of yet. Frankly, too many people still have flimsy respect for the office. This election season has proven beyond all question that Americans are still slanderous, hateful little bastards and Obama being President won't fix that. I want to believe we can be more unified too, but that requires both sides to cool it. Does anyone think that is going to happen?

10/30/2008 09:53 #46421

Halloween

The last time I wore a Halloween outfit, I went as a boxer with a black eye. I can be a festive person at times but Halloween isn't my thing. I'll be at the parties on the schedule (Paul's and my friend Kevin) without a costume, most likely. That is... unless... I figure something out. I've got all kinds of ideas. The best thing about Halloween, of course, is the free license for women to dress like strippers.

The 70's detective. Ma'am, I'm afraid we're going to have to do a more, how do you say, "private" interrogation...

The bricklayer. Lady - can you find me a place where I can bury my spade?

Julius Caesar. The Emperor always gets what he wants. That is, until he's murdered.

The southern gentleman. Miss, I do declare, your bosom is making this man hunger...

And a few I'd never consider yet think are hilarious.

The Keystone Cop. I see this and I think of Scott Joplin's The Entertainer and bungled police work.

And what might just be the coup de grace....

Lt. Dangle from Reno 911. I won't go here, but I would love anybody that did.

So basically, I'd be interested in anything will allow me to derive a sexual innuendo.

metalpeter - 10/30/08 20:22
Yes there is nothing really much better then hot chicks dressing like strippers but I wonder what do strippers dress as then?

dcoffee - 10/30/08 15:50
It's political, I'll give you that much :)

jason - 10/30/08 15:47
You're going to be a Republican ironically, aren't you (e:DCoffee)!

jason - 10/30/08 15:40
Joshy as Popeye Doyle!

dcoffee - 10/30/08 13:16
I usually suck at costume ideas, I just wear funny clothes from some thrift store, and people say "hey you look like *such and such*" and I say "sweet, I'm totally *such and Such*!!" this year I actually have something clever ;) but it's a surprise.

joshua - 10/30/08 12:50
I ran these by my only female co-worker, and she approved the detective outfit and the Roman Emperor outfit.

hodown - 10/30/08 10:28
I vote for #1

paul - 10/30/08 10:08
Terry and I were going to be the cops from reno 911 but it was too expensive. I think I am back to caesar or ghost.

jenks - 10/30/08 10:05
Last year Dan went as Dr. Howie Feltersnatch. I went to a party with him months later, and his friend's dad came up to us and said "Doctor, good to see you again!" And I was a little confused, since I figured he was talking to me, yet I had never met him before...
bahaha.

You should be Detective Barry McCaulkiner.