All This Is That National Affairs Editor
President Barack Obama: "We have to compromise in terms of a careful, well thought-out drilling strategy that is carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage"
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Friday, April 30, 2010
Drilling Pals: Pres. Barack Obama and Ex-Gov. Sarah Palin on offshore oil drilling
By Pablo Fanque
All This Is That National Affairs Editor
Ex-Governor Sarah Palin: "Drill, baby, drill."
President Barack Obama: "We have to compromise in terms of a careful, well thought-out drilling strategy that is carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage"
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All This Is That National Affairs Editor
President Barack Obama: "We have to compromise in terms of a careful, well thought-out drilling strategy that is carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage"
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Happy birthday, April 30th!
April 30 is a huge date in the history of the the United States. On this date in history:
Adolph Hitler commited suicide in Berlin as Patton and Montgomery's armies closed in on him.
Former General George Washington was sworn into office (1789).
Adolph Hitler commited suicide in Berlin as Patton and Montgomery's armies closed in on him.
The Vietnam War officially ended, or, as Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger claimed, we achieved "Peace With Honor."
I missed the first event by about 166 years, I missed the second by eight years, and I was around for the third. I still remember those images of Saigon on that day, where everyone was trying to bug out by any possible means.
---o0o---
A favorite poem: James Wright's "Lying in a Hammock at William Duffy's Farm in Pine Island, Minnesota"
"Lying in a Hammock at William Duffy's Farm in Pine Island, Minnesota"
By James Wright
Listen to the recording on Poets.org.
Over my head, I see the bronze butterfly,
Asleep on the black trunk,
blowing like a leaf in green shadow.
Down the ravine behind the empty house,
The cowbells follow one another
Into the distances of the afternoon.
To my right,
In a field of sunlight between two pines,
The droppings of last year's horses
Blaze up into golden stones.
I lean back, as the evening darkens and comes on.
A chicken hawk floats over, looking for home.
I have wasted my life.
---o0o---
By James Wright
Listen to the recording on Poets.org.
Over my head, I see the bronze butterfly,
Asleep on the black trunk,
blowing like a leaf in green shadow.
Down the ravine behind the empty house,
The cowbells follow one another
Into the distances of the afternoon.
To my right,
In a field of sunlight between two pines,
The droppings of last year's horses
Blaze up into golden stones.
I lean back, as the evening darkens and comes on.
A chicken hawk floats over, looking for home.
I have wasted my life.
---o0o---
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Alien Lore. No. 171 - Ancient Astronauts
By Jack Brummet
Paranormal and Alien Lore Editor
[ed's note: thanks once again to frequent news tipper Jeff Clintion.
The Ancient Astronauts have always been an interesting and even tantalizing theory. You may remember, if you were alive in the 1970's, Erich von Däniken's books--like Chariots of the Gods--that claimed the ancient astronauts gave us important technologies and enabled us (or even did it for us) to build monuments like the Egyptian pyramids, Stonehenge, and the Moai of Easter Island.
Generally, ancient astronaut theories postulate that we were visited thousands of years ago by Visitors. Some alien lore goes so far as to speculate that not only were we visited, but that we are the fruit of seeds planted by these ancient astronauts. In short, our great great great great grandparents were Greys or another form of alien who not only populated the earth, but left behind clues that would eventually enable us to fly and practice medicine and other sciences. This theory is shaky, considering that bloodletting was still standard medical operating procedure up until the late 1800's. Only around the same period did we realize that hand washing and sterilizing surgical instruments would prevent infection and death following surgery.
---o0o---
Paranormal and Alien Lore Editor
[ed's note: thanks once again to frequent news tipper Jeff Clintion.
Generally, ancient astronaut theories postulate that we were visited thousands of years ago by Visitors. Some alien lore goes so far as to speculate that not only were we visited, but that we are the fruit of seeds planted by these ancient astronauts. In short, our great great great great grandparents were Greys or another form of alien who not only populated the earth, but left behind clues that would eventually enable us to fly and practice medicine and other sciences. This theory is shaky, considering that bloodletting was still standard medical operating procedure up until the late 1800's. Only around the same period did we realize that hand washing and sterilizing surgical instruments would prevent infection and death following surgery.
---o0o---
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sarah Palin claims "a swing and a miss" on her ethics violations
By Pablo Fanque, All This Is That National Affairs Editor
Painting by Jack Brummet
The Ex-Governor fails to tell you that the defense fund she established to beat these many allegations (most of which were in fact quashed by technicalities, and not on the merits) is in fact itself probably an ethical violation since she used her office (before she quit) to solicit funds. As it turns out, the $12 million she has since squirreled away in the bank would have more than covered beating these charges of her nefarious activities.
Sarah Palin's Facebook page yesterday:
Swing and a miss
Yesterday we learned that another “ethics” complaint that was filed against Governor Palin was dismissed as baseless. (If you are counting, the Governor is 26-0-1 regarding such complaints or suits, with one still pending). Only this complaint was actually filed after she left office, and alleged that the mere existence of the Alaska Fund Trust (the legal defense fund set up for her to help defray the costs incurred during the Troopergate fiasco and related machinations that followed in its wake) was violative of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act as well as its solicitation or receipt of contributions. The raison d’être of the legal defense fund was inexorably linked to Governor Palin’s nomination as the Republican candidate for Vice President and the post-nomination political tactics arising therefrom; thus making the nomination sine quo non for the fund. In a detailed opinion, the complaint was dismissed as lacking a factual or legal basis. Last June, upon learning that a complaint against the Governor’s Anchorage Office Director was dismissed as baseless, Governor Palin’s then Chief of Staff Mike Nizich said, “This is not about holding the governor or state employees accountable. This is pure harassment.” That still rings true today.
When I discussed this with Governor Palin, she had an interesting take: “My reaction upon reading the opinion in this matter was not what I expected. Though I’m always pleased with the results of these investigations that prove the false allegations wrong, and I appreciate the detailed reasoning set forth in this recent opinion, I was primarily disappointed that the State of Alaska, the Attorney General’s office, and others, still have to spend time and resources addressing the abusive onslaught of frivolous complaints directed against me—even after I left office.”
At times (indeed, as recently as Sunday in a magazine cover story) people allege that the “real” reason Governor Palin stepped down was to “make money” (citing primarily her best selling book). As this most current complaint again emphasizes, Governor Palin stepped down for the right reasons—she did not want to see her state government continue to get bogged down with inane “ethics” complaints that were transparently political, plainly partisan, and diverting state resources. The voluntary relinquishment of power for the greater good is normally praised as an example of true leadership—just review any biography of George Washington—and it should be in this case as well. But for those who seek power for the sake of power, a selfless act is confusing, so a new narrative is created, such as the “profit” motive now being asserted with renewed vigor. Rest assured Sarah Palin had obtained approval to write her memoir while still in office without running into any conflict with the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Her financial future from her best selling book, though unknown then, would not have altered much whether she stayed in office or resigned, except the number of “ethics” complaints did dramatically decrease, so any legal fees associated with such complaints decreased concomitantly.
Let this latest dismissed complaint serve as a reminder for one of the real—and stated—reasons for her voluntary relinquishment of office, an office she campaigned for diligently, tirelessly and effectively. It stands as a marker that occasionally, every so often, there are public servants who can recognize the difference between self-interest and public interest. Sarah Palin is one such public servant.
- Thomas Van Flein, personal attorney for Sarah Palin
---o0o---
Painting by Jack Brummet
Sarah Palin's Facebook page yesterday:
Swing and a miss
Yesterday we learned that another “ethics” complaint that was filed against Governor Palin was dismissed as baseless. (If you are counting, the Governor is 26-0-1 regarding such complaints or suits, with one still pending). Only this complaint was actually filed after she left office, and alleged that the mere existence of the Alaska Fund Trust (the legal defense fund set up for her to help defray the costs incurred during the Troopergate fiasco and related machinations that followed in its wake) was violative of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act as well as its solicitation or receipt of contributions. The raison d’être of the legal defense fund was inexorably linked to Governor Palin’s nomination as the Republican candidate for Vice President and the post-nomination political tactics arising therefrom; thus making the nomination sine quo non for the fund. In a detailed opinion, the complaint was dismissed as lacking a factual or legal basis. Last June, upon learning that a complaint against the Governor’s Anchorage Office Director was dismissed as baseless, Governor Palin’s then Chief of Staff Mike Nizich said, “This is not about holding the governor or state employees accountable. This is pure harassment.” That still rings true today.
When I discussed this with Governor Palin, she had an interesting take: “My reaction upon reading the opinion in this matter was not what I expected. Though I’m always pleased with the results of these investigations that prove the false allegations wrong, and I appreciate the detailed reasoning set forth in this recent opinion, I was primarily disappointed that the State of Alaska, the Attorney General’s office, and others, still have to spend time and resources addressing the abusive onslaught of frivolous complaints directed against me—even after I left office.”
At times (indeed, as recently as Sunday in a magazine cover story) people allege that the “real” reason Governor Palin stepped down was to “make money” (citing primarily her best selling book). As this most current complaint again emphasizes, Governor Palin stepped down for the right reasons—she did not want to see her state government continue to get bogged down with inane “ethics” complaints that were transparently political, plainly partisan, and diverting state resources. The voluntary relinquishment of power for the greater good is normally praised as an example of true leadership—just review any biography of George Washington—and it should be in this case as well. But for those who seek power for the sake of power, a selfless act is confusing, so a new narrative is created, such as the “profit” motive now being asserted with renewed vigor. Rest assured Sarah Palin had obtained approval to write her memoir while still in office without running into any conflict with the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. Her financial future from her best selling book, though unknown then, would not have altered much whether she stayed in office or resigned, except the number of “ethics” complaints did dramatically decrease, so any legal fees associated with such complaints decreased concomitantly.
Let this latest dismissed complaint serve as a reminder for one of the real—and stated—reasons for her voluntary relinquishment of office, an office she campaigned for diligently, tirelessly and effectively. It stands as a marker that occasionally, every so often, there are public servants who can recognize the difference between self-interest and public interest. Sarah Palin is one such public servant.
- Thomas Van Flein, personal attorney for Sarah Palin
---o0o---
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Alien Lore No. 170 - Steven Hawking on why we should avoid The Greys (and quit searching for our cousins)
By Jack Brummet
All This Is That Unexplained Phenomenon Editor
Thanks to Jeff Clinton for pointing out this news story on Hawking's pronouncements...
Stephen Hawking believes, and probably rightly, that we should fear aliens, who likely come to earth in search of something (Tungsten? Soybeans? Nitrogen? Beer?) and ready to destroy us, or at the best, utterly indifferent to our fate. I wrote in a poem a couple of years ago:
We can't picture
Greys or martians
Coming in peace
Because we never came in peace.
Any creatures smart enough to find us "will probably be seeking resources", according to Hawking. You can just imagine how that might work out for us. "We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet," said the good Doctor. Just ask the Buffalo and Native Americans.
---o0o---
All This Is That Unexplained Phenomenon Editor
Thanks to Jeff Clinton for pointing out this news story on Hawking's pronouncements...
Stephen Hawking believes, and probably rightly, that we should fear aliens, who likely come to earth in search of something (Tungsten? Soybeans? Nitrogen? Beer?) and ready to destroy us, or at the best, utterly indifferent to our fate. I wrote in a poem a couple of years ago:
We can't picture
Greys or martians
Coming in peace
Because we never came in peace.
That pretty much echoes Dr. Hawking's take on the matter. He says on the Discovery Channel that he believes aliens exist, and that we should do everything we can to avoid them. I think this means we should probably quit sending radio signals out into deep space, trying to contact our cousins, and otherwise maintain a low cosmic profile. God knows what kind of global blitzkrieg these wackjobs from way out there could unleash?
Any creatures smart enough to find us "will probably be seeking resources", according to Hawking. You can just imagine how that might work out for us. "We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet," said the good Doctor. Just ask the Buffalo and Native Americans.---o0o---
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wow. Happy 207th birthday to the meteors of L’Aigle, France
Barely Explained Phenomena Editor
207 years ago today, roughly 3,000 meteorites weighing between one quarter ounce and 20 pounds fell on the town of L’Aigle in Normandy, France, 100 miles from Paris. Holy s**t!!
No one was killed. Or even hurt. And, it was the first time that scientists could actually verify that stones could come from outer space.
How the scientists figured it out is anyone's guess. Doctors at the time still believed that "humors" in the blood caused all illness. Bloodletting was the cure-all. Doctors didn't even wash their hands until the late 19th century, when Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister's findings led to antiseptic surgery. Antiseptic practice saved thousands of lives during the Franco-German War, and yet American and British doctors--who killed far more people than they saved--long resisted the theory of sepsis.
But I digress. . .The French Academy of Sciences sent a young scientist, Jean-Baptiste Biot, to investigate. and his eventual paper described how these stones must be of extraterrestrial origin. Biot's research gave birth to the science of meteoritics
---o0o---
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Larry King wants Ex-Governor Palin to pose nude (with video)
All This Is That National Affairs Editor
Not happy with the number of stories about his current marital troubles (namely his 7th marriage going up in smoke amid accusations he has been having sex with his wife's sister), Larry King decided to toss a little gasoline on the fire.
On King's CNN show last Tuesday, Sarah Silverman wondered whether Sarah Palin should pose for Playboy. Silverman said "I think she should go for it" and King responded, "Agreed."
This, of course, triggered a new wave of vituperation and anger at King. Laura Ingraham said, "Larry, when you're in a hole, stop digging." "Larry should pose for 'Viagra Monthly'," said Ann Coulter.
The pertinent clip from his show is here:
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Saturday, April 24, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
DJ Biz Markie's Earth Day Remix, with a cast across America
By Jack Brummet____________
All This Is That Music and Editor
For the 40th anniversary of earth day (I remember the first one..I was a junior in high school, and the 60's were still in full swing) legend DJ Biz Markie puts a clean energy twist on his old hit Just A Friend. For this remix, fans from all across the country contributed clips to music . It's cool.
---o0o---
All This Is That Music and Editor
For the 40th anniversary of earth day (I remember the first one..I was a junior in high school, and the 60's were still in full swing) legend DJ Biz Markie puts a clean energy twist on his old hit Just A Friend. For this remix, fans from all across the country contributed clips to music . It's cool.
---o0o---
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Bababadalgharagh takamminarronnkonn bronntonnerronntuonn thunntrovarrhounawnskawnt oohoohoorden enthurnuk - eloquent thunder
What the thunder said from James Joyce's Finnegans Wake.
Bababadalgharaghtakammina-
rronnkonnbronntonnerronntuo-nnthunntrovarrhounawnskawn-
toohoohoordenenthurnuk
---o0o---
Bababadalgharaghtakammina-
rronnkonnbronntonnerronntuo-nnthunntrovarrhounawnskawn-
toohoohoordenenthurnuk
---o0o---
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