Jedi's Journal

Writer's Block: Jury Duty

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:23:50 GMT

Have you ever served on a jury? If yes, then what was the case and what was the verdict?

No, and I'm not happy about it! :P I would have liked to have served, but both times I've been called, I go, spend the morning there, and then get released after lunch. Never even been through voir dire.

50 States

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:03:43 GMT

Put an X by the states you have been to. The average is 8; how do you match up?

Should you choose to play, here's what you do:

Copy my note. Click on “notes” under tabs on your profile page. Select "write a new note" in the top right corner. Paste the copy in the body of the note. Delete my Xs and add your own. Change the number at the top, and add your title. Once you've saved, don't forget to tag friends (including me) on the right. Tag the same # of people as the # of states you've been to. Just for fun, put an O beside the states where you have lived.

Airports don't count!

My total: 15

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California x
Colorado
Connecticut x
Delaware x
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine x
Maryland O
Massachusetts O
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire O
New Jersey x
New Mexico
New York x
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania x
Rhode Island x
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont O
Virginia x
Washington
West Virginia x
Wisconsin
Wyoming
DC O

Daria on DVD in 2010! Yay!

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:48:25 GMT

Wow! I'm really excited!

According to TVShowsonDVD.com, Daria will be coming out on DVD in 2010!

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Daria-DVDs-Planned/12236

Huzzah!

Random Thought of the Day...

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:39:21 GMT

Bud Light advertises drinkability, which to me, sounds like drinkable. Is that really the best thing you can saw about your beer? It's drinkable?

Writer's Block: Local Favorite

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:27:09 GMT

What's your favorite thing to show out-of-town guests when they come to visit?

Submitted By mercyb

View 501 Answers

I like taking my out-of-town guests to the National Zoo to see the pandas! (And the other animals as well...) It's fun, free, and did I mention they have pandas?

Conservative media's hypocrisy on slaying of Dr. Tiller

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:25:28 GMT

The conservative echo chamber, from talk radio to Fox News, has been out in force, peddling the idea that Scott Roeder was a lone wolf and not representative of the "pro-life" movement. Bullshit.

Operation Rescue claimed no link to Roeder, said they were "shocked" at the violence, and that they work through legitimate peaceful means. And yet Roeder had the phone number for an Operation Rescue senior policy advisor, Cheryl Sullenger, in his car. Ms. Sullenger first claimed that she had no contact with Scott Roeder. Then, she changed her story to say that he would call and ask where and when Dr. Tiller's hearings were. (Which time was she lying-her first story, her second story, or both?)

What I find most damaging to Operation Rescue's claim that they renounce violence is that Ms. Sullenger, a senior policy advisor, was convicted in 1988 for conspiracy to bomb abortion clinics in California. A: It is suspicious that Roeder was in contact with Sullenger. B: It is suspicious that Sullenger lied about these contacts. C: Even if we pretend, er, assume, that Roeder was a lone wolf, how can Operation Rescue claim to be a peaceful anti-abortion group while hiring a would-be-clinic-bomber in a senior-level position?

I'll close with the promised comment on conservative media hypocrisy. Killing a preeminent abortion provider in the hopes that not only will it limit women's choices, it will also send a message to other would-be providers? A simple murder committed by a lone wolf, how dare anyone presume to paint the anti-abortion movement with the same brush, and hey, Tiller was a bad guy anyway-did you know he provided, *gasp*, abortions? On the other hand, a bunch of people anonymously torch cars at a Humvee dealership, and the right wing media goes crazy denouncing domestic eco-terrorists, left wing protesters in general, and work their way up from denouncing ALF to PETA to vegetarians to anyone who has a problem with abusing animals.

Kill an abortion provider, it's not terrorism, it's merely murder, and the victim was a bad person anyways. Kill humvees, on the other hand, it's domestic terrorism. Nice standard, guys. Nice.

Inane Creationist Argument

Sat, 30 May 2009 18:22:10 GMT

Bibleland Studios has a post that claims that drool points to a designer. I beg to differ.

Bibeland Studios argues that there is no evolutionary advantage to devoping "the oral neuromuscular control at age 18-24 months" and therefore, being able to not drool is "the gift of dignity" from a Creator.

Of course, Bibleland Studios accidentally defeats their own argument. Drooling constantly would lead to "iritating sores that develop from skin being constantly wet." Gee, Bibleland Studios-constant sores. You don't think that this would lead to an evolutionary disadvantage?

Moreover, as Bibleland Studios acknowledges in said post, there are people with cerebral palsy or loss of facial muscle control who do have an inability to not drool. Where is their gift of dignity? If oral neuromuscular control stems from a Creator and not evolution, why couldn't a powerful Creator design people to not get conditions such as cerebral palsy? Or are they somehow not deserving of God's, er, sorry, the Creator's, gift of dignity? (Right, right, it's a Creator, but not necessarily God! It's really the flying spaghetti monster....*coughs*)

The AP's anti-Israel bias

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:49:30 GMT

The Associated Press's caption: "A Palestinian passed out from tear gas fired by Israeli troops, holds a key symbolizing the keys to houses left by Palestinians in 1948, during a demonstration marking the 61st anniversary of "Nakba," Arabic for catastrophe, in the West Bank village Bilin, near Ramallah, Friday, May 15, 2008. The rally marked the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who either fled or were driven out of their homes during the 1948 war over Israel's creation."

Ignoring the first sentence's grammar (how many ideas is confined to that one long sentence?) and instead examining it's truthfulness, take a look at the photo: http://www.daylife.com/photo/05uh8Up24L1U1?q=palestinian

Tell me-when you pass out, be it from a gas, alcohol, or a need to sleep, do you often keep your arms raised in the air?

Dreamwidth

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:44:01 GMT

~~I have two Dreamwidth invite codes. Please leave me a comment if you're interested in one of them...~~

Sorry-codes are all gone.... If you interested, though, leave a comment and you'll be on the top of my list when I get more...

Great music performances on Youtube

Tue, 12 May 2009 17:54:51 GMT

My friend svava posted an interesting question on her LJ-what are some of your favorite, must-see videos on the internet?

I'll take a different approach from the usual viral videos-my favorite must-see videos are music performances that you one wouldn't have been able to easily find pre-internet....

For pure awesomeness, there's Jefferson Airplane performing White Rabbit and Somebody to Love on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and the Beatles peforming This Boy.

For pure sillyness, the Royal Guardsmen performing Snoopy vs. the Red Barron.

I love Peter, Paul, and Mary, and while they were awesome the past three times I've seen them, there's something to be said for these videos when they were really in their prime: I'm in Love with a Big Blue Frog a 1965 black and white recording of San Francisco Bay Blues (my favorite song involving kazoos!), and a 1966 color version of Jane, Jane from the Andy Williams Show.

There are some awesome black and white Tom Lehrer performances ranging from Wernher von Braun to The Vatican Rag to Poisoning Pigeons in the Park. There's also some classic Tom Lehrer videos from the Electric Company, like the L-Y song.

YouTube has some songs from an '80s TV special involving The Smothers Brothers performing with the Boston Pops, including Boil that Cabbage Down and Quando Caliente El Sol.

There's a great version of Hush Little Baby as performed by Yo Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin on an Asian television station.

From the extremely random but good department, Mama Cass Elliot and Sammy Davis Jr. doing a Vegas-style rewrite of I Dig Rock and Roll Music.

Papa Denny Doherty gets the spotlight in the Mamas and Papas' "Dancing Bear" followed by Mama Cass getting the lead vocals in "Dancing in the Street" in this video.

Cass Elliot solos on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, performing a less than cheery but awesome tune called California Earthquake.

The legendary New Orleans blues performer, Dr. John, has some good videos on Youtube, including How Come My Dog Don't Bark When You Come Around and Iko Iko (the quality of the Iko Iko video improves after the 2 minute mark....)

Lastly, R.E.M. performing Furry Happy Monsters on Seasame Street</b> was pretty darn awesome!

DC Council Votes (Again) to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages

Tue, 05 May 2009 16:31:18 GMT

Despite Marion Barry's asinine behavior, the bill passed 12-1. Yeesh.

Oh, good grief. Marion Barry says he DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS VOTING ON and is demanding a revote.

Tue, 05 May 2009 15:54:59 GMT

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dc/2009/05/dc_council_votes_to_recognize.html?hpid=topnews

Not exactly the brightest bulb in the box, is he....

DC Council Votes to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages (Performed Out of State)!

Tue, 05 May 2009 15:41:17 GMT

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dc/2009/05/dc_council_votes_to_recognize.html?hpid=topnews

From what the article says, it may be difficult for opponents to place the question of same-sex marriage recognition on a ballot because DC election law prohibits voting on a matter that would violate DC's Human Rights Act, which in turn says that the govenrment cannot "limit or refuse to provide any facility, service, program, or benefit" to people based on sexual orientation.

The vote was 13-0, without debate.

Those damn judic–er, legislative activists? :P

Feds seeking death penalty...

Mon, 04 May 2009 16:00:48 GMT

In August 2007, my cousin Mindy Schloss, a public health nurse in Alaska, was kidnapped, tortured, and killed, allegedly by her neighbor, Joshua Wade. Federal prosecutors are charging Wade with kidnapping, torture, murder, and carjacking. (There's a federal carjacking statute that allows the feds to handle the case.)

The federal prosecutors have finally announced their intent to seek the death penalty against Wade.

My general feelings towards the death penalty is that it's wrong because it's permanent, and there have been too many wrongful convictions. I must admit, however, that it is difficult not to somewhat inwardly cheer that the death penalty is being sought in this case.

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/050409/sta_436250172.shtml

NOM advertising on Livejournal

Sun, 03 May 2009 16:57:36 GMT

Apparently, the National Organization for Marriage, the anti-GLBQT organization that attempts to cloak (and fails to cloak) their discriminatory intent behind words of "free speech" and "religious liberty", has been running banner ads on Livejournal. Ick.

http://snugglebitch.livejournal.com/54663.html

UN Halts Gaza Aid Over Thefts By Hamas

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:11:13 GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7875171.stm

So, Hamas takes ten trucks of flour and rice and the UN suspends all aid shipments.

Israel limits aid shipments because it has repeatedly found that weapons and explosives are being moved into Gaza through these shipments, and the UN and its member nations blast Israel for so-called collective punishment and demand that the shipments, weapons and all, go through unfettered.

Nice to see that the UN is being consistent.

Colorado House passes pull over any driver at any time bill

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:57:57 GMT

This is insane. The Colorado House passed HB 1042, which would require drivers traveling below the speed limit, with five or more cars behind them, to pull over at the first safe opportunity.

Let us review the implications. If you are driving over the speed limit, you get pulled over. Now, if you are driving under the speed limit, you can be pulled over. Translation–unless you are driving exactly at the speed limit, no more, no less, you get pulled over.

Isn't the speed limit supposed to be the maximum, not the minimum?

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_11556484?source=rss

Musical Magical 8-ball Meme

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:00:28 GMT

Musical Magic 8-ball Meme, stolen from moonstaff

If you'd like to play along, put the iPod/mp3 player/music library/etc. on shuffle, and shuffle to the next song for each answer.

Don't cheat and keep shuffling; post the first song that comes up, no matter how silly!

How does the world see me?

"Jerusalem" by Robbie Schaefer.

Hmm-so many possible interpretations. Holy? Contested? Old? Jewish? :P

How is my life going?

U.S. Pistol Service by the Capitol Steps.

Oh dear.

Will I have a happy life?

"Klezzified" by the Klezmer Conservatory Band.

Woot. I think that's good....

What do my friends really think of me?

"Never Forget" by the Dropkick Murphys

Hopefully they remember me for good things. :P

Do people secretly lust after me?

"I'll Think of a Reason Later" by Lee Ann Womack

I'm not sure how to interpret this one. Hmm.

How can I make myself happy?

"Monkee's Theme" by the Monkees.

Well, I do like going to the National Zoo...

What should I do with my life?

"Time Was" by Chuck Berry

So, I should enjoy the time I have?

Will I ever have children?

"Fly" by Robbie Schaefer.

I think this means yes, since the song is written from a child's perspective.

What is some good advice for me?

"Pinball Wizard" by the Who.

OK, I'll play more video games!

How will I be remembered?

"A Rook's Tale" by David Coleman.

Ooh-there'll be a Tale named after me! If I can't be a King, I suppose a rook isn't so bad. :)

What is my signature dance song?

"Raw Hide" by Ricky Skaggs.

Hmm-not exactly the electric slide....

What do I think my current theme song is?

"Yuppies in the Sky" by Tom Paxton

Oh dear. Hopefully not.

What song will play at my funeral?

"Noah and the Neighbor" by Bill Cosby

I suppose there are worse legacies to be compared to!

What type of women do I like?

"Fair Weather" by the Alison Brown Quartet

What is my day going to be like?

"Getting in Tune" by the Who

I can live with that. :)

Inauguration madlib! :D

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:50:35 GMT

http://www.atom.com/spotlights/inauguration_speech_generator/

I just tried out the Obama Inauguration Speech Generator, which is essentially a mad lib. I'm amused. Here's my result:

"Barack Obama's Inauguration Speech

My fellow Americans, today is a worst day. You have shown the world that "hope" is not just another word for "cat", and that "change" is not only something we can believe in again, but something we can actually walk.

Today we celebrate, but let there be no mistake – America faces ugly and boyish challenges like never before. Our economy is foggy. Americans can barely afford their mortgages, let alone have enough money left over for puppies. Our healthcare system is sunny. If your arm is sick and you don't have insurance, you might as well call a teacher. And America's image overseas is tarnished like a hammer perch. But hiking together we can right this ship, and set a course for Machu Picchu.

Finally, I must thank my friendly family, my natural campaign volunteers, but most of all, I want to thank boy scouts for making this historic occasion possible. Of course, I must also thank you, President Bush, for years of cooking the American people. Without your tasty efforts, none of this would have been possible."

Enough is enough-convert to digital TV already

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:15:42 GMT

The Consumer's Union is pleading with Congress to delay the switch from analog to digital television. (Example article on the subject from the NY Daily News )

I understand that some people can't afford the $30 or $40 for a converter box. Some people can't afford to buy a television either. Should we be subsidizing the cost of their television sets? (And if so, I call dibs on a 50"+ flatscreen!)

If we keep pushing back the date of the switchover, people aren't going to ever get around to switching over. The government has spent enough time and money trying to alert people to the need to switchover and trying to help people make the transition. Those who haven't done it yet can plunk down the $40 on Amazon.com or at Best Buy or whatever else and get the darn box.

Bizarre rioting in Oakland

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:14:08 GMT

You know me, I'm hardly a voice for the establishment, especially when it comes to a cop shooting an unarmed minority, but I just don't understand riots as a response.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/01/08/MN2N155CN1.DTL

Moreover, I REALLY don't understand the attitude of one of the people quoted in the article:

""I feel like the night is going great," said Nia Sykes, 24, of San Francisco, one of the demonstrators. "I feel like Oakland should make some noise. This is how we need to fight back. It's for the murder of a black male."
Sykes, who is black, had little sympathy for the owner of Creative African Braids.

"She should be glad she just lost her business and not her life," Sykes said. She added that she did have one worry for the night: "I just hope nobody gets shot or killed.""

Um, so, hello.... White cop shoots unarmed black male, and it's OK to not only destroy random property, but there's nothing wrong with destroying minority owned property? (Not that it would have been justified had it been white-owned property). It's.....mindboggling.

Media bias?

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:36:50 GMT

Why does the media report all Palestinian deaths together, as the death toll of Palestinians has risen to _____, but news stories about victims of Hamas rockets always mentions whether the victims were civilians or IDF soldiers?

Jackasses who applaud when server breaks a glass

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:42:34 GMT

I really don't understand the asses who applaud when a server drops a tray of plates, glasses or whatnot... It's beyond rude, it's downright mean! At some restaurants, servers have to pay for what they break, and it can be a hefty portion of a day's pay. I'm not suggesting diners increase their tips to accomodate a server's clumsiness-but we don't have to mock them, either.

Meme!

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:30:42 GMT

Stolen from chalavienne, here are the instructions. "Put your MP3 player on shuffle, and write down the first line of the first twenty songs. Post the poem that results. The first line of the twenty-first is the title."

chalavienne's was a lot less random than mine, or at least, it worked much better than mine (although I am fond of the last line switching to Yiddish), but here goes... :P

There She Was, Just A Walkin' Down the Street.
Don't go changing to try and please me,
In my early years I hid my tears, and passed my days alone.
I solve my problems and I see the light,
There she was at the stoplight on the corner.

The good news out here on the highway is the speed limit's just a suggestion
I see you, down on the front line.
Papa loves mambo, Mama loves mambo.
All the paintings on the tombs, they do the sand dance, don't you know.

When are you going to come down?
It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring.
I've searched the whole world over to find the perfect mate.
Are you aware of what you make me feel, Baby?

Louis the Sixteenth was the King of France in 1789.
I saw her today at a reception, a glass of wine in her hand.
Hushabye, hushabye. Oh my darling don't you cry.
Some people say I'm a no 'count, others say I'm no good.

There's something happening here; what it is ain't exactly clear.
The time has come to be a lover from the Argentine.
Once upon a time you dressed so fine, you threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
Ikh vil geyn vu di katshke geyt, un I wanna drey vi a katshke drey.

American Family Association selling burning crosses... Really.

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:18:34 GMT

It will probably come as no surprise to any of you that I really don't like the American Family Association (AFA). They are anti-Semitic, virulently anti-gay rights, anti-hate crime legislation that includes protection from gaybashing, they peddle the line of bullshit that companies saying "Happy Holidays" or having a holiday catalog is somehow a War on Christmas, they only care about the First Amendment when it comes to shielding themselves or their supporters, they have worked to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts, protested when a Hindu prayer was conducted in the U.S. Senate, and are involved with other unsavory things.

All of that said, even I found it hard to believe a website I came across that claimed the AFA was selling faux burning crosses to celebrate Christmas. I thought it had to be a spoof, something beyond the pale, even for them.

Unfortunately: https://store.afa.net/pc-10000310-11-christmas-cross.aspx

Come one, come all. If the fire marshal isn't a Klan member in good standing and you're worried about fire setting-related charges, get your electric burning cross from us! All the hate, none of the risk of burning down your house!