Rush's New Rant

You may have already heard about this, but I thought I would pass it along just in case. Really, this is the MOST ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Ever.



Ever.

Paddy, you just have to make it through the first 25 years

[link]

It's the photographer not the camera

Best proof that I have ever seen that photography is really about the skill and talent of the photographer and not about the fancy quipment most employ in their trade.

Combining the last few posts

Iran's Federation has "retired" the players who wore green wrist bands during a Qualifier last week. How's that for democracy?

Question

I have one question about this whole Iran election/protest controversy: Does protesting make your cause right, or more to the point, democratic?

Now, before you accuse me of being a Ahmadinejad-sympathizer or a fascist, let me just explain a little. Suppose that Ahmadinejad actually did win the popular vote. I know that the Supreme Council in Iran has admitted that they did find some voting irregularities, but let's just all admit that no election is without "irregularities"--we have them in every election in the United States as well. So, supposing that Ahmadinejad did win the popular vote and the election, wouldn't this supposed "digital revolution" that's led to all of these protests simply be a "digital coup?"

It seems as though the US media has concluded that the protestors are right and that their cause is the democratic one when, in fact, it might not be. It seems to me that just because the protestors are organized doesn't necessarily mean that they are right. As an extension of this, then, I would argue that the Obama administration is doing exactly the right thing: calling for more transparency in the election results, expressing their concern over the possibility of infringement of democratic rights, and supporting peoples' right to protest. Beyond this, though, it seems as though we may be taking sides without actually knowing any of the facts.

I would love to see Ahmadinejad out of office. I think he's an extremist, who at the very worst refuses to work with the international community on any number of issues. But, at the same time, I think that if he won the election, he won the election. You can't simply overlook a democratic vote simply because you don't like the leader who the people chose. This reminds me of the situation we had several years ago when Palestinians elected Hamas as their representative government in Gaza. The world called for free and fair elections and it appeared as though they had them. Yet, because they weren't the people that we wanted we've refused to work with them toward any productive solutions.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't know everything about this situation, so my first question is really a question to all of you. Do you think that we've jumped the gun at all in assuming that these protestors' claims are the right ones? Isn't there a possibility that although the goal--getting Ahmadinejad out of office--is something desirable, it may in the end not be truly democratic?

Unthinkable

Whadda know? The US finally did show a little backbone and were blessed by the futbol gods. Well done chaps. Even though that Torres and David Villa are so hot right now and I'm still picking Spain as my favorite, I will be doing my pre-game naked victory dance for the US on Wednesday.

Confederations Cup observations

1. I hope Spain takes the whole thing. Torres and David Villa are my two favorite players currently. I would like to see them light somebody up for five goals.
2. There are no Extreme Kiwis on New Zealand's team. If you don't know what an Extreme Kiwi is, you don't watch enough "Wipeout."
3. The US needs to show some more backbone. I would also like to see them light somebody up for five goals (specifically, Egypt).
4. Favorite player name--Rigatoni for Italy.
5. Tommy Smyth is THE best sports commentator ever.

Only 356 days until the World Cup.

In case you need it....

http://www.toastytorpedo.com/

Click on "play Toast and Destroy" on the bottom.

My high score is 33,502.

New Tag Line

So apparently our blog is going strong and i didn't even know. Looking at our page, i think we need some updates before our one year anniversary. I say we begin with the tag line. "Blog it out, bitches" isn't as classic as we once thought it to be and needs to be discarded immediately. Also, what are all these other blogs listed on the side? Do we even read them? wtf?

Therefore, let the ideas for the new tag line competition begin.

Why Mac OS is better than anything Microsoft has put out (yet)

When Vista came out it was more than double the size of Vista. The more complex the system, the more computing power and space needed to run it. More importantly, it increases the chance of bugs and slows it down. Apple knows this, like any decent software designer should. Thus, their latest version of their OS is half the size. Instead of completely redesigning their OS, they've worked on optimization which will lead to a much better, more stable product. Of course, they have the added advantage of starting with a superior product in the first place.

Absolutely Tragic

I'm glad the WSJ isn't letting the important stories fall through the cracks in these trying economic times.

Are we not men?

Does life change at 25? Probably not. Still, I think the sentiment of this piece is largely right on: once you're more than a couple years removed from college, you need to get your shit together.

Leave additional post-25 maxims in the comments.

Best Assessment of Jon & Kate Plus 8

Great article on the recent bullshit with Jon & Kate Plus 8. If nothing else, the author used some interesting phrases. Grawlix, I know you're particularly interested in this. Anything I can do to keep you up-to-date on your reality show gossip.

Kate is a bitch, and I said that from the beginning.

Cost Variance in Health Care

To say that the political debate over health care is heating up is a drastic understatement. If Obama follows through on his campaign promises, health care reform (and its success or failure in Congress) may be the single, defining issue for the midterm elections. (I don't think the economy or the effects of the stimulus plan will play a large role because any attacks based on them will be diffused by the "there hasn't been enough time" argument.)

Frequently, you guys ask me my advice or opinion on this issue which I am more than happy to dispense. I love to talk about health care. So, in order to inform the debate (at least among us) I am linking to a fantastic story by Atul Gawande in the New Yorker. I recently read that this particular story has become one of Obama's favorite on the subject. He allegedly said in some meeting with high-ranking Senators, "This is what we need to fix." It has certainly become popular and widely read among health care policy tools. I highly suggest reading it, even if you don't have much interest in health care reform. It can give you some insight into the financial structure of American medicine.

I'll reserve my opinion for the comments section.

Really?!

Gillette actually made this? I just let my personal stylist (Paddy) take care of it for me.