August 31, 2002
The Jungle, 2002
For anyone who has read The Jungle, please read Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. Your views on fast food and the current food industry will change. Did you know that the United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] cannot fine or seek any monetary damages from the meatpacking industry. The process of leveling fines is one of the government's most effective tactics of law- enforcement. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman comments, "We can fine circuses for mistreating elephants, but we can't fine companies that violate food-safety standards." [Fast Food nation, Schlosser. Pg 214] During the years of 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, the Clinton Administration proposed bills to congress that would allow the USDA to seek monetary fines and the ability to order recalls of contaminated beef. Who stopped this? Well the Republicans of course. Of the top 10 recipients of money from Agribusiness, 8 are Republicans [source]. During the 1996 Election cycle, members of Congress that received money from Agribusiness, Republicans received $22.5 million while Democrats received a paltry $8 million. [source] The so-called Contract With America that Newt & Co. lauded as a victory for the common man was really a victory for business and cronyism.» x « · comments (0) · trackBack (0)
August 30, 2002
Quotable Quotes
Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar.- Julius Caesar
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The Onion becomes reality
A few reasons why this country is really a democratic republic and not a direct-
elect democracy:
from the AP
They found that 48 percent of respondents agreed the government should have the
freedom to monitor religious groups in the interest of national security - even
if that means infringing upon the religious freedom of the group's members.
Forty-two percent said the government should have more authority to monitor
Muslims.
The survey also found a significant dip in the number of people who believe newspapers should freely criticize the U.S. military about its strategy and performance. Fifty-seven percent were supportive this year, compared to 69 percent in 2001.
Seven in 10 respondents agreed newspapers should publish freely, a slight drop from 2001. Those less likely to support newspaper rights included people without a college education, Republicans, and evangelicals, the survey found. [emphasis mine]
I never thought I would live in a time in which the essentials of this country
would be assaulted from within. Freedom of Speech and Religion are such a
fundamental right in this country, this saddens me beyond any amount of news
about the "War on Iraq". Those who first came to this
country were religious outsiders who were "strange" and "outsiders" who uprooted themselves repeatedly to find the freedoms
they needed. All of you who said the First Amendment sometimes went too far
take this for granted. The real power of democracy is challenging the system,
forcing the government to respect all people's views. This poll reflects what I
have thought about America for some time: they are sheep that only want to be
coddled in their McMansions and Suburban Assault Vehicles, isolated from the
world. You are beholden to none, like a spoiled child who does not see beyond
the edge of his block, who cries out of pure greed and selfishness.
The survey also found a significant dip in the number of people who believe newspapers should freely criticize the U.S. military about its strategy and performance. Fifty-seven percent were supportive this year, compared to 69 percent in 2001.
Seven in 10 respondents agreed newspapers should publish freely, a slight drop from 2001. Those less likely to support newspaper rights included people without a college education, Republicans, and evangelicals, the survey found. [emphasis mine]
So go ahead, place decal flags on your cars, cry on September 11, 2002. Cry out war slogans in true chicken-hawk manner. Because, in your mind, you are a true Patriot, and I am just some young naïve kid - full of wild views on the world.
You make me sick.
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August 22, 2002
Trouble in Grubbiness
You might have noticed the lack of posts latley. Well its not our fault, dammit. Our internet connection, or our servers or our software is acting up, and posting something is extreamly hard until about 12:00 AM in the morning. And since we all work here at Grubbykid.com, we like to get some sleep. Sure, we could post at work, but we really need to get work done and besides, posting deep personal stories at work is just a bit wrong. So bear with us, and our infrastructure.Cheers
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August 19, 2002
A Sprawl Primer
For those of you who love your HumVee and .75 acres of suburban "life", please read this Primer on Sprawl. Maybe you will start to realize that your living habits have more consequences than just a long commute, soccer games, and the country club. Happy polluting!
SUSTAINABILITY: AN INTRODUCTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
STUDENTS
Dispersed development patterns and dependence on the auto reinforced each other for decades. By the 1990s, as a result of these patterns, about 50 percent of the land in the average U.S. city was devoted to cars (WRI 1993). Lower urban population densities result in increased auto use, fuel consumption, and air pollution. With more space and time given over to the use of cars, there are fewer places and possibilities for people to interact as a human community.
Dispersed development patterns and dependence on the auto reinforced each other for decades. By the 1990s, as a result of these patterns, about 50 percent of the land in the average U.S. city was devoted to cars (WRI 1993). Lower urban population densities result in increased auto use, fuel consumption, and air pollution. With more space and time given over to the use of cars, there are fewer places and possibilities for people to interact as a human community.
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Exploiting lesbians and musicians at the same time
Most exploitive use of a male fantasy.
Ever
PS - not work safe.
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August 18, 2002
Fast Food Grubbykid
I started reading Fast Food Nation and then watched 60 Minutes and I decided to have a big salad and some chicken and rice tonight. Along with the recent lawsuits and other such concerns I realized that I need to work on my diet. The lack of consistant diet would probably explain some of my recent GI irregularities. After the recent weekend up north, I feel much better and everything works well.» x « · comments (1) · trackBack (0)
Carcinogens to Culture
The Art-o-mat converts machines dedicated to the delivery of nicotine and other carcinogens, into purveyors of high-art. Talk about beating swords into ploughshares.» x « · comments (0) · trackBack (0)
Hacking Las Vegas
From Wired.com:
For six years in the 1990s, Lewis was a principal member of the MIT Blackjack Team, an infamous cabal of hyper-geniuses and anarchistic whiz kids who devised a method of card counting that took the gaming world completely by surprise. Funded, in part, by shadowy investors and trained in mock casinos set up in classrooms, dingy apartments, and underground warehouses across Boston, Lewis and his gang used their smarts to give themselves an incredible advantage at the only truly beatable game in the pit. A baby-faced card-counting team possessed with impressive mathematical skills - here was a novelty that turned blackjack into an arbitrage opportunity. Their system was so successful, it took nearly two years before the casinos began to catch on - engaging in a cat-and-mouse war with the well-trained MIT conspirators.
Man, an MIT education goes far these days.
For six years in the 1990s, Lewis was a principal member of the MIT Blackjack Team, an infamous cabal of hyper-geniuses and anarchistic whiz kids who devised a method of card counting that took the gaming world completely by surprise. Funded, in part, by shadowy investors and trained in mock casinos set up in classrooms, dingy apartments, and underground warehouses across Boston, Lewis and his gang used their smarts to give themselves an incredible advantage at the only truly beatable game in the pit. A baby-faced card-counting team possessed with impressive mathematical skills - here was a novelty that turned blackjack into an arbitrage opportunity. Their system was so successful, it took nearly two years before the casinos began to catch on - engaging in a cat-and-mouse war with the well-trained MIT conspirators.
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August 13, 2002
Place and Building
From Benjamin Forgey:
The reasons are always the same. Architecture is evidence - often extraordinarily moving evidence - of the past. Buildings - their shapes, materials, textures and spaces - represent culture in its most persuasive physical form. Destroy the buildings, and you rob a culture of its memory, of its legitimacy, of its right to exist.
The reasons are always the same. Architecture is evidence - often extraordinarily moving evidence - of the past. Buildings - their shapes, materials, textures and spaces - represent culture in its most persuasive physical form. Destroy the buildings, and you rob a culture of its memory, of its legitimacy, of its right to exist.
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August 12, 2002
9.11 and ATC zero
A great narrative about the actions of the FAA and Air Traffic Controllers during the first hours of 9.11 and their decision to go air traffic control zero or emptying the skies of the nation for the first time.
UPDATE - 22 DEC 2004
Also, check out Spectrum, ADIZ, and preparedness for information about the ADIZ - Air Defense Identification Zone - which has been set up around Washington, D.C. after September 11th.
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August 7, 2002
Index of Evil
Ever wanted to know how evil certain individuals in world politics were? Well, WarBlogging.com will satisfy your curiosity. With the aid of the Powerful Index of Evil MegaAlgorithm working day and night to chart the levels of evilness in the world, we can be safe from foes to democracy from the likes of scoundrels named "Ashcroft", "Hussein", "Saddam" or "Osama."By the way, this is a great use of Weblogs.com and the EvilBot Spider system. Cheers!
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August 6, 2002
Next time you are towed, think of this...
Towing innovator Ernest Holmes, Sr. started out his life as an interior decorator for a hardware store, selling drapes and linens. So if you are ever in Chattanooga, visit the International Towing and Recovery Museum and pay your respects.» x « · comments (0) · trackBack (0)
Thievery
Ever wanted to know why gas was so expensive around the holidays, but you just chalked it up to greed? Well you were right, and the US Senate knows about it, and why, but have thus far downplayed the Hearing on Gas Prices: How Are They Really Set? [US Senate, 30 April 2002] that is over four months old. NIce, huh?» x « · comments (0) · trackBack (0)
August 5, 2002
Its a bird, no a plane, wait...It's Al Gore?
Go Al, Go!?
Go, Go!
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Note to Self
Self, do not drink weeks old chilled wine from your refrigerator. What was once a great Spanish wine is now just a tangle of bad tasting alcohol.
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Blobatecture
I posted this short essay on MeFi today, but I wanted to share it with you. Because of my current posistion, I am deeply familiar with how computers affect design, for good and for bad. My short summation of the current thought is no way complete, and it is from someone who is a true beliver. Caveat Emptor. Continue reading "Blobatecture"» x « · comments (1) · trackBack (0)
The country is now safe for air travelers
WARNING: If you plan on traveling through Los Angeles International Airport, leave your dolls at home, Sandy. Airport security staff confiscated a TWO-INCH plastic gun from a toy soldier, it was revealed yesterday. Nothing like protecting us from plastic two inch non-firing weapons. Thanks, I'm glad that those who are charged with our safety take rules and regulations so literally that a TWO INCH GI JOE RIFLE is confiscated.
Judy revealed: "They examined the toy as if it was going to shoot them.
"Then they asked me if there were toy grenades as well. I thought they were joking, but they weren't smiling - they were deadly serious."
Some things are better left uncommented.
"Then they asked me if there were toy grenades as well. I thought they were joking, but they weren't smiling - they were deadly serious."
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August 4, 2002
A Week Gone By
Monday
I drove this. The Mini Cooper-S is a fine car. A damn fine car. Six speed, 1.6-liter overhead cam, 16-valve inline 4-cyl. Engine pushing 115 hp, add a supercharger on that and you bring it up to 169 hp pushing a tiny car that gets around 50 mpg and you have a car I could get into. I was able to drive the boss' car; well it really is his wife's, to pick lunch up. Driving around the hills of Cincinnati in a Mini was the high point of the week - and it came on Monday.
Tuesday-Wednesday
The daily grind. No more, no less.
Thursday
Trying to squeeze an hour here and there during a busy week for two very dedicated people is an almost insurmountable task. Especially when one person is on one schedule and the other person is on a totally different schedule. So is trying to downplay and evade prying questions. If anything, our friends are persistent. After awhile, the easiest way synch up is to schedule activities together that you have to do. Like lunches and dinners and try to work in any other extracurricular activity whenever possible. Like two sine curves juxtaposed, sometimes the two curves are synched, and at other times they are out of phase. The short amount of time is always appreciated.
Friday
It seems my employer has more intuition than my friends. Either that, or he is better at putting desperate pieces of information together and then good- naturedly razzing me about it during the day. To be fair to my friends, we have not been too forthcoming with any sort of details. Much like in All the President's Men - a no denial, denial is issued. Well, at least I got to drive the Mini. It was worth it.
Sunday
Sunday has become the day of routine. Wake up at 8:00 am and play tennis with one group of friends. Shower and dress for an 11:30 am brunch with another set of friends. The remainder of the day deals with the drudgery of home life: laundry, cleaning, and cooking. Reading and studying and playing games pass the time. The end of a week and the beginning take place at the same moment.
Now I pass onto another week, where I will be leaving on Wednesday to work on a project up north. We will be living on site and travel with the project, much like the journeymen of old. So updates past Wednesday is neither promised nor likely. Either way, when I get back, I would rather go out with my friends than spend that time writing on this blog.
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Blog Pedigree
Ever wanted to know who influences who? Or which Blog spawned another? Well,
BlogTree.com helps out with that eternal nagging question of who
our mothers and fathers of the BlogSphere are. Thanks
href="http://www.zeldman.com/" title="Jeffrey Zeldman Presents: The Daily
Report">Papa Zeldman and Papa Lance for drawing me into this wild world of Blog.
August 2, 2002
Fine Young Cannibals - 2002 style
Two threads about cannabals one about a MeFi today one Rapper Found with Human Remains in Stomach and the other is about Teenage vampire found guilty of murder.Not much to say here...I think both articles say enough. In fact, in the three years of MeFi's existance there have been 10 threads about cannibalism and 92 instances of the word cannibal.
I am moving onto better threads.
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August 1, 2002
Stutter
Do you ever have that feeling of living life at a stutter-stop, while things slowly slip by?And then all of a sudden things speed up and a month slips by. And then a year. And then five.
Yeah, welcome to my life.
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Scary Site Stats
It is a bit scary when 2% of your site's traffic is from the US Government.God, I hope some functionary loves sarcastic humor! If not, yea government, go President Bush, go! I love war...lets wage some more! <\sarcasm >