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May 26, 2004
Steven Brust!!!
Bookslut: An Interview with Steven Brust
See, Bookslut is now my personal hero because she got to talk to Mr. Brust. I wonder if she's single...
Posted by Andrew at 12:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Tom Clancy
MSNBC - Author Tom Clancy criticizes Iraq war
If Bush has lost Tom Clancy, he has probably lost this war. Furthermore, if Tom Clancy is saying that this war has been carried out poorly, it has probably been carried out poorly...
Thanks to Mr. Scalzi Whose article on this subject is worth reading...
Posted by Andrew at 11:12 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 24, 2004
Snort. Chuckle
Off the Kuff: The case for space travel, continued
I wonder, when all is said and done, how many Christians want to carve out their own, separate, nation...
Posted by Andrew at 03:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 23, 2004
Words fail me.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Editorials
Then to all students and faculty who did not share his political opinions, the principal shouted: "Shut your faces." What a wonderful lesson he gave those 3,000 students at the largest public high school in New Mexico. In his mind, only certain opinions are to be allowed.
Posted by Andrew at 01:17 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
May 22, 2004
Is his really news?
CNN.com - Bush falls on bike ride - May 22, 2004
Posted by Andrew at 03:55 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
My Goodness!
The program started in my hometown - my mother is now the program coordinator; yay Mom! - and has since spread to 22 other states. It's a simple concept: "high-risk" prospective parents get visited at home by a nurse, beginning as early in pregnancy as possible and continuing until the baby is two years old. The nurses provide prenatal care, support, advice, and parenting education. It's a voluntary program, but more than 90% of parents approached recognize a good deal when they see one.In a 13-year follow-up of the program, researchers found that it reduced child abuse and neglect by 79 percent. Treated mothers (most of them teenagers) had 33% fewer additional pregnancies. The kids, at age 15, were not only less likely to commit crimes (as cited in the first paragraph), but had 58% fewer sexual partners. As someone who has read a lot of intervention studies, let me assure you that these numbers are phenomenal. They're almost unheard-of. This is a program that works, and it has snowball effects long after the active intervention is over.
Thank youKeven Drum
Posted by Andrew at 03:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 19, 2004
Huston, We have a Problem...
Electrolite: And we're proud of that pride, too.
Some day, when I run for office, I will have to take a religion. I had thought that that UU creed would both A) work for me philosophically, and B) work for the nation as a whole. After all, if two former presidents were UUists (one of them a bonafied founding father!), no one today should have a problem with it...
Turns out I was wrong...
Posted by Andrew at 02:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The last sentance should give the EU pause...
European politicians. Remember democracy?
Posted by Andrew at 08:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Oh my poor country (pt. Dux)
Posted by Andrew at 01:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 17, 2004
I find this one hard to credit...
Ananova - Childless couple told to try sex
How in the name of the gods can one grow up in modern society and not be bombarded by the basic mechanics of sexual reproduction? How could they know it was "sinful" if they didn't know what it was?
Thanks jaquandor...
Posted by Andrew at 06:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Oh my poor country.
I pray that this is all a vicious lie. But I can't bring myself to believe that. It just sounds too much like the logical outgrowth of the "kill people and blow things up" idea that our army has been telling itself for a few decades.
It also dovetails too well the rolls of occupied and occupier for me to entertain any serious doubts about its basic veracity. Still, I want to not believe. I crave the idea that perhaps we are not truly acting this way. I know human nature too well to believe this story false...
Posted by Andrew at 06:40 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 16, 2004
If you ignore the last 6 paragraphs, the link is pretty good...
Basicly, RIAA is claiming losses that don't exist. They are comparing units shipped (to the store), when speaking of sales. Apparently sales have been going up quite a bit. Retailers are simply not ordering as too many units anymore. Sounds like good business to me...
Posted by Andrew at 06:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Systematic Failure
It shouldn't be very difficult to find evidence to support the idea that people vote for a party's candidate because they generally feel good about the party, should it? I mean, apparently 45% of us vote the way we do based on party affilation more than anything else...
Anyway, I'm writing a paper which wants to make that point (or, at least point out that someone else has), and I can't find it. Google has failed me!
Posted by Andrew at 04:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Flying Car!
Flying Car more economical than SUV | The Register
'Nuff said!
Posted by Andrew at 03:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Won't be fooled again?
Eccentricity: Living in a Swing State
George Bush asked for and got 87 billion from the Congress to use toward rebuilding Iraq. That money could have given Federal health care to every citizen, and supported the unemployed on a continuing basis as the economy tanked. Instead, KBR absconded with millions; Halliburton, which paid Cheney 170K this year, got billions; the troops are still without body armor and their vehicles need armoring as well; and most of the rebuilding pjojects are stalled because of the level of unrest. Basically, like the leaders of the swing state city I mention, Bush and his folks have had their chance and blew it.
Posted by Andrew at 01:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Getting to know me (pt 2). Getting to know all about me (redux)...
I am making this (seven hundred and) first post so as to get a better handle on who I am in the world. I am using the same question list as I used originally. With, I should think, some follow ups. You can read the first one here It should also serve, in the future, as FAQ list.
Question 1a) What is your name?
Andrew Cory
Question 1b) Is that a pseudonym?
Well, it is a real name. But no, my parents didn't give it to me...
Question 2) What is your quest?
I won't even dignify that with a response...
Question 3) Does it ever annoy you that Microsoft doesn't recognize your last name as being a "real" name and puts that hazy red line under it?
That seems a bit odd for a person to ask, but it isn't too personal, so: Yep sure does annoy me. But what are you gonna do?
Question 4) Why should I bother reading this blog?
I've said some things which I think interesting. Hopefully you too find them interesting. Also, I ooze sexiness and charm, so that helps...
Question 5) What is your background?
I am 26, (only fourteen more years until I am as old as president Bush was when he declared his childhood to be over) and am attending a huge sprawling campus in the middle of nowhere in California. Actually, it's just outside the state capitol, but in CA, that doesn't mean much...
In my time, I've both hugged and chopped down more than one tree. I've ripped the roof off a building, and known the carnal love of many an evil woman of high repute. Also, I've lobbied congress, spent a summer bumming around N. California, played Santa Clause, built my own computer, and edited a newspaper. I've done other stuff too, but can't think of them right now...
Question 6) So, what are you studying?
Political Science. Hopefully I will get to law school some day. Because America needs another lawyer...
I've spent the last year studying Latin. No, I am no good at it, but it keeps me occupied...
Question 7) Anything else?
Well, I was part of my former school's Student Government for a while so I have a bit of experience being part of an administrative organization. Also, I once worked for SBC. I have plenty of experience being a corporate tool for the man...
Question 9) What's up with all the ellipsis?
Just the way I write. It is something of an homage to Herb Cane. He used to use a paragraph break followed by * * * and then a paragraph break at the end of his snippets of thought to denote that he was moving to a new though. I've always been a city boy...
Question the 10th) What happened to Question 8?
I decided that it was too good a question, and I should hold it for the end. The ancient Greeks (Romans too!) did this with words, so I feel justified...
Question 11) And your thoughts on the current Ms America?
Erm. When I wrote this, she was a Harvard babe. Now, I have no idea...
Question12) Is this the tone you intend to take with your blog?
Not sure yet. We shall see...
Question 8) If you had just one thing to say to all those undecided voters in your district, the one message that you think they need to hear so they will vote for you, what would it be?
No, no, that's my question to someone else, and I posted it a long time ago....
Question 13) I thought you were ending with Question 8?
Right, well, cheating gets me better odds...
Question 14) And that wasn't a very good question!
Neither was question 14. Hell, 14 wasn't even a question...
Question 15) Can we see a pic?
Sure!
(Clicky to enlargey)
(yes, those are legos I am standing next to...)
Posted by Andrew at 12:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 14, 2004
Not the man as in: figurehead of the global capitalist system.
Nor, the man as in: Person to whom Quntin Terention's Character on the first season of Alias reported to. Come to think of it, Dean would probably enjoy either of those, despite their pejorative connotations...
No, when I say that Dean is the Man, I mean that he is the Cool Kat. And with that definite article, I do mean it in the platonic sense! Why is Dean so cool, one might ask?
Well, in addition to setting up this blog in the first place, Dean when I hosed it a few days ago, Dean was kind enough to rebuild it for me. This took Dean an hour of his own time (at 3 or 4am, his time), and ensured that I was able to stay up and running for a few more months...
So go spread the word. The next time someone says "you 'da man", reply "I know, I am cool. But Dean Esmay is _the_ man"...
Posted by Andrew at 11:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Encyclopedia
As a newly single man, my thoughts once more turn to sex. Don't blame me, blame biology...
Of course, having been single for less than a week, after having been with no one else since-- hell! Since I started this blog, my pick up moves are a bit rusty. No matter, when I get them back into grove (so to speak), there will be a resource for me, the the Encyclopedia of Sex. Just to make sure I remember where it is, I've pinned it to my sidebar. Go ahead and click away...
Posted by Andrew at 10:51 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
May 13, 2004
A small quiz
I'm a human being. Are you?
Posted by Andrew at 10:33 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
May 12, 2004
Read his first
John Weidner posted something recently. This is my response...
Sir, you are right. After reading your response, I do not understand the outrage. At least, I hope I do not. I will not question your patriotism--I will take you at your word that you love our mutual country with the same burring passion that I do. What I do wonder is if we have the same conception of our mutual nation...
When I see your post, I see a love for the "purple mountains' majesty, above the fruited plains". I see love for a nation which grew from being a small, awkward backwater into the mightiest superpower the world has ever known. In short, I see that you love America because it happens to be your home...
I do not love that America. I have little uses for most fruited plains, nor am I really comfortable with the notion that America is a superpower. Indeed, the only ok with it because a look a the rest of the world reveals one that isn't nearly as committed to human decency, rule of law and limitations on arbitrary uses of power as we are...
An America committed to these principals, especially the bit about limitations on arbitrary uses of power, that is the America I love. Our track record has been admirable-- with some notable exceptions. Is it in keeping with our nation's best vision of itself to Ride a 70+ year old woman around like a pony? I don't care how many secrets she was selling to Al-Quaida, How can we still be America and think that this is ok?
If Treason is giving Aid and Comfort to the Enemies of the US, and Riding a 70+ year old woman around like a pony gives aid and comfort to the Enemies of United States (as it emphatically does!), why should I feel sympathy for traitors to my nation?
The problem is not that "it has nothing to do with me". The actions of Robert Mugabe have nothing to do with me (still, I feel horror at them). The problem is that the actions of US soldiers have everything to do with me...
See, these actions occurred in my name. Innocents were treated in a way that not even the guilty should be treated, in my name. Gleeful soldiers took pictures of sexually humiliated Iraqis, in my name. How is this not a personal betrayal of not only me, but of America itself?
To learn that invading Iranians had reopened Saddam's torture chambers would be cause to sigh and hope that we could perhaps do something. To learn that we have done so? No. Damn it sir! We are supposed to be better than that. Are my thoughts and prayers with our soldiers? Yes. Of course they are. Every time I have a good meal, my thoughts linger for just a moment on the fact that in my name good men and women aren't getting good meals. I have sold books to more than one young man who wanted reading material for the trip Over there, Iraq, Bosnia, Afghanistan, wherever. I thank every one of them...
The fact of the matter is that anyone who would to Ride a 70+ year old woman around like a pony is probably unfit for life. They are certainly unfit for the respect that comes from the uniform of a United States soldier. If Senator Kennedy puts distance between himself and scum, I have no problem with that. I am shocked you do...
Posted by Andrew at 07:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 09, 2004
Posting may be light...
So, its official, I'm single. No, I won't go into details: the only way I can be fair to her is to not even begin. I don't want to be fair, mind (If I did, we probably wouldn't be breaking up), but she reads this thing, and lives here...
It has been a fairly amicable breakup so far; of course she still lives here, so the gods alone know how well it will continue to go. I dunno. We were together for over a year. This hurts an awful lot...
Posted by Andrew at 02:53 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 08, 2004
Price of Action
John Weidner posts a reply to a comment I made. We seem to be on different pages regarding where responsibility lays in the Abu Ghraib situation...
His basic argument is that it was committed by individuals. He is ashamed of those individuals. I think it was caused by Americans, and am ashamed for my Country...
I suppose that if I believed that this was a series of isolated incidents, I might have some sympathy for Mr. Weidner's arguments. Instead, I reserve my sympathy somewhat for those who believe such a thing, and also for the men and women who were brutalized by agents of the United States...
These were not the acts of individuals letting their inner sadist slip the leash of civilization. These were the acts of individuals cooperating with US intelligence people to break the spirit of Iraqi nationals. This was being done to further US interests. The fact is that we weren't even (in many cases) terrorizing people who had anything useful to tell us:
As a witness in an ongoing investigation, Mr Nelson said he could not talk about the abuses of specific prisoners at Abu Ghraib, but he said the nature of the detention system makes the imprisonment and abuse of innocent people all but inevitable."A unit goes out on a raid and they have a target and the target is not available; they just grab anybody because that was their job," Mr Nelson said, referring to counter-insurgency operations in Iraq. "The troops are under a lot of stress and they don't know one guy from the next. They're not cultural experts. All they want is to count down the days and hopefully go home. They take it out on the nearest person they can't understand."
"I've read reports from capturing units where the capturing unit wrote, "the target was not at home. The neighbour came out to see what was going on and we grabbed him," he said.
So, here we have the torture of Innocents as part of (informal) US policy. And yet Mr. Weidner shrugs and says "these things happen", and he feels no shame...
Well, I'll tell you what. I feel pride when We do something good. Bosnia gives me a warm, happy glow when I think about it. The fact that Saddam is behind bars makes me grin just to think about it. Hell! I'll even take credit for the Liberation of Cuba back in 1898 (before my grandparents got here, I might add!), or the 13th amendment for that matter. But it is precisely because I feel pride at America's good actions that I must feel shame at America's evil ones. To not look at the nation I love and her as she is-- where she is flawed and where she is fair-- is not real love. Nor is it real patriotism...
Because I love my country, sir, I cannot look away when A Trail of Tears or a Abu Ghraib is committed. After all, they were both done for me...
Posted by Andrew at 02:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 07, 2004
Now, that's just harsh!
The Misunderestimated Man - How Bush chose stupidity. By Jacob Weisberg
A lot of supposition; I fear it true
Posted by Andrew at 09:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 03, 2004
Instant
Wired News: Instant-Message Wars Heat Up
Instant Messaging.
For the purpose of this post, I am going to assume that Google launches an IM client called GIMmie (Google Instant Messenger mie)
GIMmie would have the following characteristics:
1) I would designate one computer as "home", on which all my information would be backed up onto. But I could run the client anywhere and not notice that I wasn't at "home"...
2) It would search the contact lists of Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, Mozilla, and whatever else people use to store their contacts, and automatically add anyone there who is a GIMmie client. This way I can save myself the bothersome manual adding that I have to do with AOL and Yahoo! Messengers...
3) It would, (much like MSN messenger already does) have a "front" screen with just my contacts. On the side would be a set of tabs: One for news, one for weather one for stocks, one for search, and one for RSS (different than "news" in that I would be able to manually add feeds to the RSS, but not to the News, which would just be Google.news.com.) and one for E-mail...
4) The Email would check (on a basis I set for myself) my POP mail, Hotmail, Gmail, and whatever else you people use...
5) The RSS would be able to read RSS 1.0, 0.9, 2.0, ATOM, and whatever else is out there...
6) A history of all my previous conversations.
7) The internet knows where I am physically. It would use that information to give me weather and traffic without my having to tell it where I am. But it would give me the option of changing that if it makes a mistake...
That's all I can think of right now. Any ideas?
Posted by Andrew at 12:44 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
May 02, 2004
Yeah, what he said...
However, wars of conquest and occupation are no longer acceptable in the West, even to conservatives, and so George Bush and Tony Blair have characterized Iraq as a war of liberation. But in a war of liberation, you are expected to liberate. You are emphatically not expected to raze entire cities at the cost of thousands of civilian lives.
Posted by Andrew at 01:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Geeky, geeky, geeky...
Just Think How Big The Quarter Must Be
Its for geeks who are into running...
Posted by Andrew at 10:42 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 01, 2004
Hmmm. Private "Contractors" are committing atrocities. Shocking.
Americans follow Saddam"s traditions of torturing prisoners
Currently the name of only one torturer is known - sergeant Chip Frederic who had worked as a prison warder back in the USA and came to Iraq on a contract basis. He tried to find excuses for his conduct, but they did not sound convincing enough,"I was a good prison warder, and later was trusted with conducting interrogations. The criminals quickly admitted their guilt to us - in several hours".
Perhaps the worst bit of news is that apparently this guy runs prisons back here. I really have to wonder if perhaps things like this are happening under his authority here as well...
The sergeant and his fellow-warders claim that they had no idea of the Geneva Convention.So, they'd let the Geneva convention stop them, but only in places where it is in effect. Since said convention isn't in the US, I have to wonder about how well this guy protects his prisoners at home...
Posted by Andrew at 11:26 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack