People Are Amazing - Break Dancing on a Street Corner
(Posted 10/10/10) - Over the years I've watched many athletic and aesthetic accomplishments that astound me. People (in fact all higher mammals) can learn to do things that are so far beyond the norm as to seem almost magical.
This street corner interpretive dance by a crew named Turf Feinz is poetic and physical -- it is the essence of what makes us all so very special. ... More
Celebrities In Funny or Die Videos
(Posted 8/11/2010) - I stumbled across Funny or Die Online and thought it was hilarious. Basically, TV and Movie Celebs appear in 5 minute videos that are usually high camp / slapstick humor. But the ones I watched were just too funny not to share .... ... More
Space Flight Redux
(Posted 3/23/2010) - Every once in a while I step back from the day to day frustrations of human drama and see something truly inspiring. This months test flight of the Virgin Galactic VSS Enterprise are just awesome! ... More
Runaway Cars -- Oh Come On!
(Posted 3/11/2010) - OK, having driven manual transmission cars for over 45 years, I've had three instances where the clutch failed to disengage while the car was moving: Broken clutch cable on an older vehicle, and failed clutch hydralics on two later model Fords. Guess what my response was in every case? You got it; brake and reach for the ignition key to turn off the motor. In all three cases I merely moved the key from engine on to engine off (leaving the key in the ignition). I even experienced the 'stuck accelerator' situation (broken throttle plate spring) on an Olds 442 in '68 and just turned the ignition off. It took two of us to drive the thing home however; me hunched on the floor boards moving the gas pedal up and down while my buddy steered the car.
So why are we hearing all these horror stories about Toyo drivers who cannot seem to figure out over the course of minutes as they accelerate to 90+ speeds that all they have to do is turn off their car ignition? ... More
A History Lesson: US GDP and Federal Debt
(Posted 2/10/2010) - Like many older Americans I'm fiscally conservative. I tend to invest in things I understand and don't believe one can (or should) sustain profits without producing something of capital value. Like many of my generation I do not spend beyond my means.
Our family and our parent's families have always adhered to non-deficit spending policies with regard to the family budget. Doesn't it make sense that governments should follow the same common sense strategies? Well, maybe yes, and maybe no -- read on. ... More
A Grass Roots Response to Big Banking Autocracy?
(Posted 3/30/2009) - We all watched helplessly as our economy circled the drain in 2008. The news has painted a picture of financial irresponsibility on the part of major banking, insurance, and investing institutions that leaves the average citizen breathless.
Now, after an infusion of over 400 billion tax payer dollars into the largest of these failing institutions, we are learning that top level decision makers (in congress and in the private sector) plan to continue without major changes to their personally profitable habits. This has lead to widespread distrust of government-oversite and of large financial institutions in the US. ... More
A Video Is Worth a Million Words
(Posted 10/18/2009) - If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this You-Tube video is worth a million words: The fake video-ad points to a noxious trend amongst house republicans who increasingly rely on hyperbole and ad hominem attacks rather than logical argument for a position. ... More
Thoughts on Obama-Birther Phenomenon
(Posted 07/30/09) - Sometimes reality (like beauty) is in the eye of the beholder. There are a number of very bitter and fundamentally fearful people in this country (along with a relatively smaller number of opportunists) who have latched on to the idea that Barack Obama and a group of unnamed 'socialists' have high-jacked the presidency.
Many of these anti-Obamaists have focused on the seemingly arcane argument that he is not a natural born citizen of the USA and therefore should not be allowed to continue in the office of President of the United States (POTUS). ... More
Jon Stewart Interviews Jim Cramer
(Posted 3/15/09) - One of the better interviews by Jon Stewart of the Daily Show occurred just last Thursday. Jon spoke frankly with Jim Cramer (Mad Money), one of CNBC's professional securities and equities experts who attempted to defend against Jon's charge that CNBC was grossly negligent in its reporting in 2007 - 2008 as the run up to recession and credit meltdown was accelerating. ... More
Some Thoughts On Income Taxes
(Posted 2/27/2009) - There has been a lot of talk during this recession about how federal income taxes are fair (or unfair) in their burden on various income cohorts. I don't pretend to 'know' what is best. But like everyone I have some opinions. Before I share my opinion however I feel obligated to present some data provided by the fiscally conservative think-tank "The Tax Foundation." This non-profit organization has been around since 1937 and publishes an analysis of how current tax cohorts contribute to the federal income tax revenue stream. ... More
Good Advice for Dealing with Medical Bills
(Posted 06/28/2008) - I stumbled across this article in Kiplinger's Personal Finance (August 2008 issue). It provides some interesting facts that should be of interest to anyone who is concerned with spiraling medical costs in the US.
Pay special attention to the average 'mark-up ratio' applied by hospitals in the US. It is quoted by the author as being a whopping 300% of service costs!
I guess someone has to pay for the brick and mortar, imaging machines, and return on equity to investing partners! ... More
Michael Hirsh on the USA's Recent Decline Under Bush
(Posted 5/16/2008) - Hindsight is, as they say, 20-20. Michael Hirsh has penned a brief but cogent sketch of the USA's mis-steps since the Bush Administration took office. ... More
Thoughts on the Global Superclass
(posted 4/8/2008) - I was impressed by an article written by David Rothkopf and published in Newsweek this month. It follows on the heels of his recently published book "Superclass" and journals how control of resources is moving from nation-states into the hands of about 6000 individuals (the superclass). It is a strong argument that we need governments which increasingly invest themselves in oversite of our international businesses; lest we soon wake up to a world in which 6000 people effectively control the economic lives of everyone else on the planet. ... More
Have You Read the Presidential Front-runner's Online Issue Statements?
(Posted 03/22/2008) - I spent yesterday perusing the issue statements posted on the Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama campaign websites. It is interesting to note what they say they believe, what they pledge to accomplish if elected, and how they plan to accomplish their objectives. ... More
Reactionary Talking Points: Looking at a Claim of Criminality Amongst Illegal Immigrants in the USA
(Posted 10/21/2007) - I'll start by saying that on the subject of criminality amongst illegal immigrants in the USA, I believe there are those who manufacture facts that are not supported by real data. Their aim is to inflame public opinion rather than to inform. These unsubstantiated claims quickly find their way into the talking points of a vocal minority in this country who want us all to fear our neighbors to the south.
If you hold an opposing view you may be disposed to stop right here, thinking I'm delusional. After all we've heard folks like Colorado Representative and presidential hopeful Tom Tancredo dishing out some pretty damning numbers that seem to indicate that there is evidence for the belief that Mexican Illegals have introduced a crime wave in the US.
But to make my initial point about mis-information masquerading as fact, let's look at just one of Tancredo's key talking points to see if a closer examination supports his suppositions. ... More
DSLR Cameras and Lense Compatibility: Making Tough Choices
(Posted 4/21/2007) - Amateur photographers have more choices now than ever in the Digital Single Lens Reflex camera market. But there are new risks associated with the traditional strategy of buying lenses and expecting them to be compatible with future camera bodies.
Read one photo-enthusiast's assessment that there are risks in buying 'digital lenses' for the current crop of pro-sumer DSLR's. ... More
Federal Attorney Dismissals: Ideological Firewalls Constrain Questions
(Posted 03/16/2007) - This soapbox rant may disappoint some readers in that I examine arguments presented by apologists for the Bush Administration on the propriety of the recent dismissal by Justice of several Federal Prosecuters. I believe these arguments boil down to just two themes. ... More
References to Authority Can Be Analyzed Thanks to World Wide Web
(Posted 02/17/2007) - Anyone who follows the public discourse is inundated by a diversity of opinion. Much of what is said can be reduced to "my opinion is thus." But at some point one must argue the logic of an opinion if there is dissent. It is here that things get really interesting. ... More
The Concept Based Economy
(Posted 01/28/2007) - Even as we enjoy the fruits of the Information Age the sun may be setting on the economic stranglehold the USA has enjoyed because of its information technology preeminence. Are we entering the Concept Age? ... More
Are You a Patriot or a Nationalist?
(Posted 10/26/2006) - I stumbled across an old Newsweek Op-Ed by Christopher Dickey that struck me as a cogent litmus test each American should apply when evaluating our foreign policy. It comes down to determining whether our tactics are promoting patriotic ends or nationalistic ends -- the operational definitions are supplied by none other than George Orwell! ... More
Airport Security, Terrorism, and Liquid TATP Explosives
(Posted 8/18/2006) - You'd have to live on the dark side of the moon not to be aware of the mass arrest of a group identified in the media as an Al-Qaeda terror cell operating in London's suburbs. The media have been told that these individuals were plotting to bring liquid precursors for making explosive TATP (TriAcetone TriPeroxide) on board several US bound flights. The story goes that they were going to mix semi-stable liquid ingredients onboard the flights to make the actual explosive device(s).
There's a fundamental flaw with that story -- it takes hours to mix the ingredients effectively and requires care and controlled temperatures. Chemists can't imagine how it would be possible to carry out the operation on a passenger filled flight.
While true that TATP explosives have been used against airplanes, in the documented cases the explosives were put aboard in (volatile) final form. The current binary agent story lead is cause to question the veracity of the official story. ... More
What Truly Differentiates Republicans from Democrats?
(Posted 7/14/2006) - In today's politically charged environment I read daily rants from Republican and Democrat icons and lessor beings. Eliminate the hyperbole and rationalizations and what remains are two different world views.
I'd like to share an hypothesis that with three simple questions one can detect an archtype for either party affiliation. Take the test and see how you fare! ... More
R. Kennedy Jr.'s Open Letter on 2004 Presidential Election Fraud
(Posted 6/4/2006) - Some believe there were RNC conspirators in Ohio who planned and executed election fraud in the 2004 presidential race. Others argue that the election results while showing a flawed process were clearly not the result of a GOP plan.
I link to the two side's arguments and their references. Then of course I add my two-cents! ... More
Foxnews Faux Pa? Internet Enables Reader Fact Checking
(Posted 6/1/06) - The next time you read something in a news publication that sets off your b***sh*t detector, I suggest you test your intuition by doing an online search. Playing the detective is fun and will increase your understanding of any reported event of interest.
It is often surprisingly easy to detect false information buried in current news reports. It appears that 'research and analysis' by professional newsies is not a forte of many organizations (though they would prefer you believe otherwise).
Read on to see an analysis and reader response to a recent Foxnews report on criminality among illegal aliens in the US. ... More
Observations on Petroleum Industry Windfall Profits
(Posted 4/29/06) - Very few articles or public discussions about current petroleum industry windfall profits relate to free-market economics.
Read my views on the issue and see why the price of oil is a classic example of free-market operation. ... More
Neocon Politics and NeoLiberal Economics - Nation Building in Iraq
(Posted 3/29/06) - The American Street would say our problems in Iraq stem from an Islamic Insurgency fomented by nationalism and a clash of cultures. There is another view however, and it is based soley on the economics of poverty dynamics administered by the US run Iraq Coalition Provisional Authority.
Read what Michael Schwartz, Professor of Sociology and Faculty Director of the Undergraduate College of Global Studies at Stony Brook University, has written about the US led dismantling of the Iraq economy. We are now witnessing the fruits of the most accelerated attempt in history at privitizing a national economy. ... More
Religious Fundamentalism Reflects Tribalism At Its Worst
(Posted 3/14/06) - I've given some thought to news media and pundits' recent observations that (I paraphrase): The American street, as contrasted to the Arab street, is at a tipping point regarding their tolerance for Islam.
There appears to be an increasing American and European belief that followers of Islam are prone to acceptance of violence done to non-believers (due to certain Koranic strictures and references to Jihadic responsibilities by their mainstream clergy). I don't really want to talk about whether this appearance is fact or fiction; I do want to share an observation about Religious Fundamentalism. ... More
A Flaw in American Politics is Growing
(Posted 3/5/2006) - Our congressional and presidential campaign processes are eating up capital, rewarding bad behaviors, and in general putting men and women in office that are the least fit for public service.
Read my case for focusing on the real problem with American politics today - campaign financing rules and institutions that reward treasure chest mentalities. ... More
TCP/IP MTU (Max Transmission Unit): Diagnosing a Packet Delivery Problem
(posted 10/21/2005) - MTU can be a key variable in TCP/IP network connection anomolies. Not because it's set 'wrong' in the client machine, but because network servers and home LAN products may be configured in so many ways.
Following are the facts concerning an internet upload problem and a wireless LAN data transfer problem that were resolved by adjusting the clients' MTU. ... More
US Airlines and Auto Industries: the Pensions Question
(Posted 10/10/2005) - Hundreds of thousands of retirees, from United Airlines to General Motors to Delphi AutoParts have already begun, or are soon going to be, receiving reduced 'promised defined benefits' as these US industries undergo long term restructuring.
The standard argument goes that as embattled industries restructure and downsize, the cost of supporting their retiree defined benefits can not be sustained. What wallstreet and the public seem not to realize is that defined benefits, by SEC mandate and by federal law, require funding of pension plans sufficient to sustain existing retirees should the corporate entity cease to exist! So, what went wrong?
Read my take on this monumental corporate scam for which no top executives or board members are being held accountable! ... More
A Technologist Reviews the Plot of Spielberg's War of the Worlds
(posted 7/8/2005) - I just watched Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds interpretation and enjoyed the experience.
Unlike H. G. Wells' novel and the 1953 movie adaptation directed by Byron Haskin which posited an interplanetary invasion by Martians using ballistic entry space craft, Spielberg's version throws the technical minded some real curveballs. ... More
Hard Times for US AutoMakers -- SUV Fever Over?
(Posted 6/24/2005) - It's starting to look like the american love affair with inefficient, high powered SUV's has ended, based on recent GM and Ford sales figures.
It never ceases to amaze me how big corporations fool themselves into believing their market growth predictions are givens instead of possible outcomes -- and then get blindsided when a market evaporates. ... More
Leif Johnson Ford in Austin, TX Little Shop of Horrors
(posted 6/1/2005) - My son took his 92 Ford Ranger into Leif Johnson to have the starter replaced. While on the lift the brake-line mysteriously broke and when my son left the dealership the pedal went to the floor. ... More
Lucent Ex-CEO Rich McGinn Has Some Explaining to Do
(posted 4/23/2005) - If there is justice in Corporate America then executives that make millions as their companys flounder need to be held accountable financially, if not criminially when they misbehave.
Read the following recent report on SEC bribary and fudicial misconduct investigations of Lucent's ex-CEO Rich McGinn. ... More
Political Op-Ed on the End of Conservatism in US
(Posted 1/26/2005) - Here's a rather scary op-ed from former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, a devout consertative. He makes some rather dire predictions based on his appraisel of a shift to what he calls neo-conservatism ... More
Presidential Election HighLights Two MindSets In America
(Posted 11/04/2004) - At the national level the Republican Party has embraced those who want religion in their politics (in all its variations), while the Democratic Party has embraced those who recoil from such coupling. ... More
SUV Fever Reaches the Point of Idiocy in the US
(posted 9/17/2004) - Many thought the GM-Hummer SUV was the height of conspicious consumption, but Navistar has trumped GM with a new Sport Utility that gets 7-miles per gallon diesel -- the 8-ton CXT shows once again that in the US too much is never enough. ... More
How to Make DLink dwl-120 Wireless USB adaptor work with Windows XP
(posted 8/29/2004)- When you upgraded to Windows XP did your Dlink wireless usb adaptor stop working? Here's the reason, and a simple system driver fix. ... More
The War on Terror Takes Some Odd Turnings at US Airports
(posted 6/15/2004) - Stories like this one recounted by a London reporter trying to enter the US to do a story just scare the bejesus out of me. It demonstrates how we've put the force of the federal government behind the actions of apparent idiots. ... More
Why Motoring in UK is more fun that in US
(Posted 6/5/2004) - After four visits to the UK (England and Scotland) and to Ireland, the verdict is in: Its more fun to drive there than in the US. ... More
A WebClient JavaScript SlideShow that Supports Large Collections of Images
(posted 5/6/2004) - After a couple years of making image collections I've come up with what I think is a very good solution for displaying a large number of images organized into collections (linked as a group).
It all fits onto One Screen with intuitive controls. Take a look at an example by clicking on this page's external site link labelled 'Family Photos (Reunions).' ... More
Stem Cells - Grow New Human Teeth
(Posted 5/3/2004) - Some of the fruit from the stem cell research ongoing in Europe is the ability to grow new teeth to replace decayed or chipped teeth in humans. ... More
Sunny Arizona High Country Land For Sale - East of Show Low Arizona!
(Posted 4/19/04)- When Pat and I visited Pine-Top, AZ we also stopped by and photographed a residential lot my mother owns outside Show Low. It is for sale -- cheap! See the description and photos. ... More
I Made It Onto the Front Page of the Wall Street Journal!
(Posted 4/17/2004) - A couple of months back I was interviewed by reporters from the WSJ about my experiences as a recent Lucent Retiree. They ended up writing a fair, but somewhat scathing article about Lucent Executive's (ab)use of the Lucent Retiree Pension and Health Care trusts over the last 8 years. All legal, but showing poor faith for the welfare of 125000 retirees. My interview is in the last quarter of the article. ... More
I'm Preparing Mentally for the Golf Season
(Posted 4/14/2004) - I stopped practicing golf the year before last -- I snapped two clubs practicing in 2002 (one of the dangers of practicing by yourself is that one can get kinda depressed after too many errant shots). I really started enjoying golf a lot more once I gave up the practicing and paid more attention to the playing. ... More
Cheap, Full Service Web-Hosting has Arrived!
(4/12/2004) - Competition and technology price reductions have driven down the cost of full-service webhosting ... More