Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Gimp My Ride
Below you will find a photograph of my "new" car.
It's new to me, but's it's actually 33 years old. My new car is a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 220D.
Once it's had a check-up and some minor repairs, I'm going to power the car with biodiesel.
"What is biodiesel?" you (didn't) ask.
In other words, this will run primarily on fuel that does not profit the petrothugs in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela and, er, Norway.
My new motto: My car ruins the planet and supports terrorists slightly less than your car!
I think that'll make a fine bumper sticker, don't you?
---
A big thank you to my friend Michael Wall for pointing me in the direction biodiesel.
It's new to me, but's it's actually 33 years old. My new car is a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 220D.
Once it's had a check-up and some minor repairs, I'm going to power the car with biodiesel.
"What is biodiesel?" you (didn't) ask.
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, that can be produced from domestic, renewable resources such as vegetable oils and animal fats. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
In other words, this will run primarily on fuel that does not profit the petrothugs in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Venezuela and, er, Norway.
My new motto: My car ruins the planet and supports terrorists slightly less than your car!
I think that'll make a fine bumper sticker, don't you?
---
A big thank you to my friend Michael Wall for pointing me in the direction biodiesel.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Iraq is the biggest new source of refugees in the world
Iraq is the biggest new source of refugees in the world. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration hardly acknowledges the fact.
Read my column about Iraq's refugee crisis.
The report I refer to in my column can be found at refugees.org.
Read my column about Iraq's refugee crisis.
The report I refer to in my column can be found at refugees.org.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Am I buggin' ya?
I saw this little guy/gal on a curb today.
Pardon my ignorance, but can someone out there tell me what kind of bug this is? I is curious. I mean I be curious.
Pardon my ignorance, but can someone out there tell me what kind of bug this is? I is curious. I mean I be curious.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Cuttin'-n-Runnin'
The report excerpted below must be a mistake.
Everyone knows that a plan to sharply reduce the number of U.S. soldiers in Iraq is just cowardly cuttin' -n- runnin'.
Everyone knows that a plan to sharply reduce the number of U.S. soldiers in Iraq is just cowardly cuttin' -n- runnin'.
U.S. General in Iraq Outlines Troop Cuts
By MICHAEL R. GORDON
Published: June 25, 2006
WASHINGTON, June 24 — The top American commander in Iraq has drafted a plan that projects sharp reductions in the United States military presence there by the end of 2007, with the first cuts coming this September, American officials say.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Vote 4 Miss Angela
Actually, don't vote 4 Miss Angela. She's not qualified for the office to which she aspires.
Nevertheless, do yourself a favor by visiting her campaign web site.
She has a glamour shot.
She has an inspiring biography.
Most importantly, she has her very own rap.
Be afraid, Scott Holcomb. Be very afraid.
Nevertheless, do yourself a favor by visiting her campaign web site.
She has a glamour shot.
She has an inspiring biography.
"Angela later went on to peruse a career as a medical professional, dedicating her life's work to Women's healthcare where she began to realize empathy for her fellow man, which embedded an agape love for all human life."
Most importantly, she has her very own rap.
Be afraid, Scott Holcomb. Be very afraid.
Jihad Suicide (Don't Do It)
According to Newsweek, the U.S. has paid for the production of a 'public service announcement'-style TV commercial aimed at discouraging Iraqis from becoming suicide bombers.
What a terrific idea!
I'm sure Iraqis would enjoy seeing the new commercial. Too bad they don't have reliable electricity, if any at all.
What a terrific idea!
I'm sure Iraqis would enjoy seeing the new commercial. Too bad they don't have reliable electricity, if any at all.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Soccer War
Last week, I wrote an column about the so-called Soccer War fought by Honduras and El Salvador in 1969.
It was an especially fun column to write, mostly because I'm cuckoo for Latin America, but seldom get a chance to write about it.
I'm also very happy by the response it's gotten on CL's web site. The column has prompted two, presumably Atlanta-dwelling Latin Americans to share their family memories of the war in the comment section under the column.
As a writer who works alone and at home, it's very gratifying to witness that something I've written has engaged someone in a personal way. Not a deep, soul-stirring, life-changing way -- but a "Hey, I picked up CL to read about what concert to go to this weekend, but instead I got reminded of that story that my grandfather used to talk about."
It was an especially fun column to write, mostly because I'm cuckoo for Latin America, but seldom get a chance to write about it.
I'm also very happy by the response it's gotten on CL's web site. The column has prompted two, presumably Atlanta-dwelling Latin Americans to share their family memories of the war in the comment section under the column.
As a writer who works alone and at home, it's very gratifying to witness that something I've written has engaged someone in a personal way. Not a deep, soul-stirring, life-changing way -- but a "Hey, I picked up CL to read about what concert to go to this weekend, but instead I got reminded of that story that my grandfather used to talk about."
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Vote for him, OR ELSE!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
From Bush's press conference today
The following exchange took place during today's Bush press conference in the Rose Garden.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, Peter. Are you going to ask that question with shades on?
PETER WALLSTEN OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES: I can take them off.
THE PRESIDENT: I'm interested in the shade look, seriously.
WALLSTEN: All right, I'll keep it, then.
THE PRESIDENT: For the viewers, there's no sun. (Laughter.)
WALLSTEN: I guess it depends on your perspective. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Touche (Laughter.)
Wallsten is legally blind. According to a report, he wears sunglasses to protect himself from further degeneration of his vision.
Click here for the video.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, Peter. Are you going to ask that question with shades on?
PETER WALLSTEN OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES: I can take them off.
THE PRESIDENT: I'm interested in the shade look, seriously.
WALLSTEN: All right, I'll keep it, then.
THE PRESIDENT: For the viewers, there's no sun. (Laughter.)
WALLSTEN: I guess it depends on your perspective. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Touche (Laughter.)
Wallsten is legally blind. According to a report, he wears sunglasses to protect himself from further degeneration of his vision.
Click here for the video.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Tico Fever!
Six minutes left in the match. I'm rooting for the Ticos.
If they win or tie, everything in Costa Rica will stop and this song will be played.
Update: Nevermind.
If they win or tie, everything in Costa Rica will stop and this song will be played.
Update: Nevermind.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Why didn't we kill him before?
Zarqawi is dead.
That's great news.
Such great news, in fact, that it's worth remembering that the U.S. had multiple chances to kill Zarqawi before the invasion of Iraq.
Why didn't the U.S. kill Zarqawi before the war?
Because the Bush Administration feared that, without Zarqawi alive, the U.S. would have one fewer justification for the invasion.
That's great news.
Such great news, in fact, that it's worth remembering that the U.S. had multiple chances to kill Zarqawi before the invasion of Iraq.
Why didn't the U.S. kill Zarqawi before the war?
Because the Bush Administration feared that, without Zarqawi alive, the U.S. would have one fewer justification for the invasion.
Military officials insist their case for attacking Zarqawi’s operation was airtight, but the administration feared destroying the terrorist camp in Iraq could undercut its case for war against SaddamSo celebrate Zarqawi's death, but don't for a second give this Administration credit it doesn't deserve. Today's news is like the Atlanta Fire Department disabling every smoke detector in town, then bragging about all of the fires it was extinguishing.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Behind Get Back
Keyboardist and composer Billy Preston has died.
Preston is best known as the musician responsible for the delicious electric piano bits on "Get Back."
News of Preston's death prompted me to rummage through my collection of Beatle bootlegs in search of something semi-rare and interesting that Billy Preston played on.
I found a rehearsal tape of Lennon's "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" which Preston actually sings on. It's interesting, but only in the way that Southerners call things interesting when they actually mean to say that they don't like something.
Far more interesting (to me, anyway) is one of the rehearsal recordings of "Get Back" that I found. Recorded before Billy Preston temporarily joined the band, it features Paul McCartney singing about "Pakistanis taking all the people's jobs." Before it was a nonsense song about transexuals in tight sweaters and marijuana, "Get Back" was a nonsense song spoofing nativist, anti-immigrant attitudes.
So here's the barely listenable rehearsal version of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" featuring Billy Preston and John Lennon singing.
And here's the gibberish, "No Pakistanis" version of "Get Back."
Rest in peace, Billy Preston.
Preston is best known as the musician responsible for the delicious electric piano bits on "Get Back."
News of Preston's death prompted me to rummage through my collection of Beatle bootlegs in search of something semi-rare and interesting that Billy Preston played on.
I found a rehearsal tape of Lennon's "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" which Preston actually sings on. It's interesting, but only in the way that Southerners call things interesting when they actually mean to say that they don't like something.
Far more interesting (to me, anyway) is one of the rehearsal recordings of "Get Back" that I found. Recorded before Billy Preston temporarily joined the band, it features Paul McCartney singing about "Pakistanis taking all the people's jobs." Before it was a nonsense song about transexuals in tight sweaters and marijuana, "Get Back" was a nonsense song spoofing nativist, anti-immigrant attitudes.
So here's the barely listenable rehearsal version of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" featuring Billy Preston and John Lennon singing.
And here's the gibberish, "No Pakistanis" version of "Get Back."
Rest in peace, Billy Preston.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Quotation of the day
"Many people have accused me of baying for the buttocks of an innocent child,"
-Nicholas K. Kaloki, a Kenyan school teacher who wants Kenya to re-legalize the use of caning as punishment in schools.
-Nicholas K. Kaloki, a Kenyan school teacher who wants Kenya to re-legalize the use of caning as punishment in schools.
