Finality is not the language of politics.
Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81), statesman
Tip of the hat to Poliblog and Monkey Cage. The link to Poliblog is to the right toward the top and Monkey Cage for now can be reach via Poliblog.
Less Newspaper Coverage Means Lower Subscription Fee
Newspapers always excite curiosity. No one ever lays one down without a feeling of disappointment.
Charles Lamb (1775–1834), essayist
Sam Zell, the new owner of the Los Angeles Times, has already proven a disappointment by agreeing to cut more reporters, and now has plans to reduce the number of reporters in Washington.
I decided that if news coverage is going down, then the price I pay for the newspaper should be reduced accordingly. I called 1-800-LATIMES and told them I was going to cancel my subscription and they transferred me to a special operator who immediately reduced my rate from $3.99 per week to $2.80 per week for 26 weeks. I asked what happens after 26 weeks, she said to call back and they will place me on another promotion.
Charles Lamb (1775–1834), essayist
Sam Zell, the new owner of the Los Angeles Times, has already proven a disappointment by agreeing to cut more reporters, and now has plans to reduce the number of reporters in Washington.
I decided that if news coverage is going down, then the price I pay for the newspaper should be reduced accordingly. I called 1-800-LATIMES and told them I was going to cancel my subscription and they transferred me to a special operator who immediately reduced my rate from $3.99 per week to $2.80 per week for 26 weeks. I asked what happens after 26 weeks, she said to call back and they will place me on another promotion.
Items in the News
A magazine or a newspaper is a shop. Each is an experiment and represents a new focus, a new ratio between commerce and intellect.
John Jay Chapman (1862–1933), author
(it's an experiment that commerce is winning handily)
A couple of items in the news yesterday that both please and baffle me.
The good news is United Airlines treats celebrities the same way they treat their steerage-class customers. The bad news is they are still in business.
From The New York Post's Page 6
Stuck In Coach
BEING a celebrity doesn't always get you perks. Josh Hartnett found himself in an unusual predicament when he was forced to fly coach on a flight back to New York the day after the Os cars. "United Airlines was so overbooked, there was no way for him to get upgraded," said an onlooker. "But it wasn't for lack of trying. There were so many celebs on the flight, when he went to the counter to ask about a wait list they told him, 'You're number 55.' "
No Surprise Bush in the Dark
Our embarrassment of a president showed that he is as out of touch as father Bush was when he admitted he was unaware of the predictions of $4-a-gallon gas. He also showed he does not pay attention to current events, unless it’s sports related.
From CNN:
President Bush, saying he was unaware of predictions of $4-a-gallon gasoline in the coming months, told reporters Thursday that the best way to help Americans fend off high prices is for Congress to make his first-term tax cuts permanent.
"If you're out there wondering... what your life is going to be like, and you're looking at $4 a gallon, that's uncertain," Bush responded to a question posed at a White House news conference. "And when you couple that with the idea that... taxes may be going up in a couple years, that's double uncertainty."
Analysts have said that gasoline could reach $4 a gallon by this spring, due to strong demand and a change in formulation, among other reasons.
When taking the question about the $4 milestone, Bush told the reporter, "That's interesting. I hadn't heard that."
John Jay Chapman (1862–1933), author
(it's an experiment that commerce is winning handily)
A couple of items in the news yesterday that both please and baffle me.
The good news is United Airlines treats celebrities the same way they treat their steerage-class customers. The bad news is they are still in business.
From The New York Post's Page 6
Stuck In Coach
BEING a celebrity doesn't always get you perks. Josh Hartnett found himself in an unusual predicament when he was forced to fly coach on a flight back to New York the day after the Os cars. "United Airlines was so overbooked, there was no way for him to get upgraded," said an onlooker. "But it wasn't for lack of trying. There were so many celebs on the flight, when he went to the counter to ask about a wait list they told him, 'You're number 55.' "
No Surprise Bush in the Dark
Our embarrassment of a president showed that he is as out of touch as father Bush was when he admitted he was unaware of the predictions of $4-a-gallon gas. He also showed he does not pay attention to current events, unless it’s sports related.
From CNN:
President Bush, saying he was unaware of predictions of $4-a-gallon gasoline in the coming months, told reporters Thursday that the best way to help Americans fend off high prices is for Congress to make his first-term tax cuts permanent.
"If you're out there wondering... what your life is going to be like, and you're looking at $4 a gallon, that's uncertain," Bush responded to a question posed at a White House news conference. "And when you couple that with the idea that... taxes may be going up in a couple years, that's double uncertainty."
Analysts have said that gasoline could reach $4 a gallon by this spring, due to strong demand and a change in formulation, among other reasons.
When taking the question about the $4 milestone, Bush told the reporter, "That's interesting. I hadn't heard that."
RIP Buddy Miles
All publicity is good, except an obituary notice.
Brendan Behan (1923–64), playwright
From the New York Times:
Buddy Miles, the drummer in Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys and a hitmaker under his own name with the song “Them Changes,” died on at his home in Austin, Tex. He was 60.
Mr. Miles suffered from congestive heat failure, his publicist, Duane Lee, said, according to Reuters. Mr. Lee said he did not know the official cause of death.
Mr. Miles played with a brisk, assertive, deeply funky attack that made him an apt partner for Hendrix. With his luxuriant Afro and his American-flag shirts, he was a prime mover in the psychedelic blues-rock of the late 1960’s, not only with Hendrix but also as a founder, drummer and occasional lead singer for the Electric Flag. During the 1980’s, he was widely heard as the lead voice of the California Raisins in television commercials
Brendan Behan (1923–64), playwright
From the New York Times:
Buddy Miles, the drummer in Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys and a hitmaker under his own name with the song “Them Changes,” died on at his home in Austin, Tex. He was 60.
Mr. Miles suffered from congestive heat failure, his publicist, Duane Lee, said, according to Reuters. Mr. Lee said he did not know the official cause of death.
Mr. Miles played with a brisk, assertive, deeply funky attack that made him an apt partner for Hendrix. With his luxuriant Afro and his American-flag shirts, he was a prime mover in the psychedelic blues-rock of the late 1960’s, not only with Hendrix but also as a founder, drummer and occasional lead singer for the Electric Flag. During the 1980’s, he was widely heard as the lead voice of the California Raisins in television commercials
Done with Hillary Clinton
“What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862), author
Hillary Clinton's desperate attempt during the debate last night with Barack Obama was so blatantly a last ditch effort that she was afraid to stop talking, than accused the two hosts Brian Williams and Tim Russert of bias.
At this moment, I would vote for John McCain over Hillary. She just frankly disgusted me.
Why would I vote for McCain if Hillary and Obama's policies are similar? Because Hillary is divisive and will only serve to create more road blocks that will help no one, but Hillary.
Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862), author
Hillary Clinton's desperate attempt during the debate last night with Barack Obama was so blatantly a last ditch effort that she was afraid to stop talking, than accused the two hosts Brian Williams and Tim Russert of bias.
At this moment, I would vote for John McCain over Hillary. She just frankly disgusted me.
Why would I vote for McCain if Hillary and Obama's policies are similar? Because Hillary is divisive and will only serve to create more road blocks that will help no one, but Hillary.
Losing My Religion
The theory seems to be that as long as a man is a failure he is one of God's children, but as soon as he succeeds he is taken over by the Devil.
H.L Mencken (1880 - 1956), writer
I found this very apropos, so I stole it all from Monkey's for Helping. No wonder Americans are giving up their religion.
Not right, Mr. Christ. Not right at all.
H.L Mencken (1880 - 1956), writer
I found this very apropos, so I stole it all from Monkey's for Helping. No wonder Americans are giving up their religion.
Not right, Mr. Christ. Not right at all.
How Many More Days Left?
To accuse another of having weak kidneys, lungs, or heart, is not a crime; on the contrary, saying he has a weak brain is a crime. To be considered stupid and to be told so is more painful than being called gluttonous, mendacious, violent, lascivious, lazy, cowardly: every weakness, every vice, has found its defenders, its rhetoric, its ennoblement and exaltation, but stupidity hasn’t.
Primo Levi (1919–87), chemist, author
President Bush predicted Monday that voters will replace him with a Republican president who will "keep up the fight" in Iraq. "I'm confident we'll hold the White House in 2008," Bush told donors at the Republican Governors Association annual dinner, which raised a record $10.6 million for GOP gubernatorial candidates.
He said Republicans still offer the bedrock positions that voters embrace: strong defense, low taxes and personal freedoms.
Personal freedoms, say what? This administration has almost made search warrants antiquated.
"When I say I'm confident, I am so because I understand the mentality of the American people," Bush said. "And I understand the mentality of our candidates. And there's no question in my mind, with your help, 2008 is going to be a great year."
Just like he looked into Putin’s eyes and saw the soviet dictator’s soul and now another cold war is nearly underway.
Is it any wonder the campaign for the next president is in full swing? The entire world wants this moron out of office.
Primo Levi (1919–87), chemist, author
President Bush predicted Monday that voters will replace him with a Republican president who will "keep up the fight" in Iraq. "I'm confident we'll hold the White House in 2008," Bush told donors at the Republican Governors Association annual dinner, which raised a record $10.6 million for GOP gubernatorial candidates.
He said Republicans still offer the bedrock positions that voters embrace: strong defense, low taxes and personal freedoms.
Personal freedoms, say what? This administration has almost made search warrants antiquated.
"When I say I'm confident, I am so because I understand the mentality of the American people," Bush said. "And I understand the mentality of our candidates. And there's no question in my mind, with your help, 2008 is going to be a great year."
Just like he looked into Putin’s eyes and saw the soviet dictator’s soul and now another cold war is nearly underway.
Is it any wonder the campaign for the next president is in full swing? The entire world wants this moron out of office.
A Monday Morning Random 11
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
Berthold Auerbach (1812 – 1882), poet, writer
I am avoiding writing about the proposal to allow guns in national parks; let’s just be done with it and have everyone strap on a gun belt and let combatants have gunfights in the streets like the old western movies. In real life even the cowboys were too smart for that nonsense. Here is the random 11:
Berthold Auerbach (1812 – 1882), poet, writer
I am avoiding writing about the proposal to allow guns in national parks; let’s just be done with it and have everyone strap on a gun belt and let combatants have gunfights in the streets like the old western movies. In real life even the cowboys were too smart for that nonsense. Here is the random 11:
- "All Night Long" by Diana Krall
- "Nobody Loves You When You’re Down and Out" by John Lennon
- "Bus to Baton Rouge" by Lucinda Williams
- "Changes" by Jimi Hendrix
- "Maiden Voyage" by Eldar Djangirov
- "Tin Roof Blues" by Louis Armstrong
- "Road to Peace" by Tom Waits
- "Helpless" by Neil Young
- "Honky Tonk Women" By Tim Ries
- "A Certain Softness" by Paul McCartney
- "Always Suffering" by The Rolling Stones
Spongebob [Rectal] Squarepants
Thanks, BoingBoing; what would we ever do without you, pointing out amazing products like this Spongebob Squarepants rectal thermometer? (It's wrong for so many reasons.)
iPod Random 11
"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. This makes it hard to plan the day."
E. B. White (1899-1985) essayist
Before I get around to writing something, here is my iPod random 11:
E. B. White (1899-1985) essayist
Before I get around to writing something, here is my iPod random 11:
- "My kind of Girl" by Count Basie Orchestra/Frank Sinatra
- "You don’t know what Love Is" by Keith Jarrett
- "Skin and Bone" by the Kinks
- "Darkness on the Face of the Earth" by Willie Nelson
- "It Aint’ Me, Babe" by Bob Dylan
- "The Long Way Home" by Norah Jones
- "Sin Remedio, El Mar" by Gonzalo Rubalcaba
- "Jane Doe" by Alicia Keys
- "Leopard-Skin Pill Box Hat" by Bob Dylan
- "I Get Ideas" by Louis Armstrong
- "The Great Nations of Europe" by Randy Newman
Yes You Can
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
John Lennon (1940-1980) singer/songwriter
You can have an American democracy depends less on the size of its armies than on the capacity of its individual citizens to rely, if only momentarily, on the strength of their own thought.
You can have an administration that will observe the minimal decencies of moderate thought abroad or nationally, either socially by helping individuals or families who are forced to eke out a living.
You can have a president who will believe that the public good is superior to the private interest.
You can have a president whose goal is NOT to privatize everything he/she possibly can, including services typically performed by the military. Privatization works in some cases, but not in all cases. Government needs an active role in society. Government needs to enforce fair play and when necessary be the friend, the helper and the agent of the people at large in the contest against entrenched power, whether it is a monopoly of oil companies, a cartel of HMOs or military contracting companies. Our society needs to help others who do not have the opportunity to help themselves.
You can help by understanding --
That a Social Security card is not a private portfolio statement, but a membership ticket in a society where we all contribute to a common treasury so that none need face the indignities of poverty in old age.
That our nation can no more survive half democracy and half oligarchy than it could survive half slave and half free, and that keeping it from becoming all oligarchy is steady work – our work.
That tax evasion is not a form of conserving investment capital but a brazen abandonment of responsibility to the country.
That income inequality is not a sign of freedom of opportunity at work, because if it persists and grows, then unless you believe that some people are naturally born to ride and some to wear saddles, it’s a sign that opportunity is less than equal.
That public services, when privatized, serve only those who can afford them and weaken the sense that we will all rise and fall together as “one nation, indivisible.”
That prosperity requires good wages and benefits for workers
The eight-hour day; the minimum wage; the conservation of natural resources and the protection of our air, water, and land; women’s rights and civil rights; free trade unions; Social Security; a civil service based on merit – all these were launched as citizens’ movements and won the endorsement of the political class only after long struggles and in the face of bitter opposition and sneering attacks. Democracy doesn’t work without citizen activism and participation. Trickle-down politics is no more effective than trickle-down economics.
The following was taken from Bill Moyers "Moyers on America, A Journalist and His Times"
Tip of the hat to Incertus for the Obama video
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
John Lennon (1940-1980) singer/songwriter
You can have an American democracy depends less on the size of its armies than on the capacity of its individual citizens to rely, if only momentarily, on the strength of their own thought.
You can have an administration that will observe the minimal decencies of moderate thought abroad or nationally, either socially by helping individuals or families who are forced to eke out a living.
You can have a president who will believe that the public good is superior to the private interest.
You can have a president whose goal is NOT to privatize everything he/she possibly can, including services typically performed by the military. Privatization works in some cases, but not in all cases. Government needs an active role in society. Government needs to enforce fair play and when necessary be the friend, the helper and the agent of the people at large in the contest against entrenched power, whether it is a monopoly of oil companies, a cartel of HMOs or military contracting companies. Our society needs to help others who do not have the opportunity to help themselves.
You can help by understanding --
That a Social Security card is not a private portfolio statement, but a membership ticket in a society where we all contribute to a common treasury so that none need face the indignities of poverty in old age.
That our nation can no more survive half democracy and half oligarchy than it could survive half slave and half free, and that keeping it from becoming all oligarchy is steady work – our work.
That tax evasion is not a form of conserving investment capital but a brazen abandonment of responsibility to the country.
That income inequality is not a sign of freedom of opportunity at work, because if it persists and grows, then unless you believe that some people are naturally born to ride and some to wear saddles, it’s a sign that opportunity is less than equal.
That public services, when privatized, serve only those who can afford them and weaken the sense that we will all rise and fall together as “one nation, indivisible.”
That prosperity requires good wages and benefits for workers
The eight-hour day; the minimum wage; the conservation of natural resources and the protection of our air, water, and land; women’s rights and civil rights; free trade unions; Social Security; a civil service based on merit – all these were launched as citizens’ movements and won the endorsement of the political class only after long struggles and in the face of bitter opposition and sneering attacks. Democracy doesn’t work without citizen activism and participation. Trickle-down politics is no more effective than trickle-down economics.
The following was taken from Bill Moyers "Moyers on America, A Journalist and His Times"
Tip of the hat to Incertus for the Obama video
Oh Really O'Reilly Does it Again
“It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) American Baptist Minister and Civil-Rights Leader
Bill O'Reilly: "I Don't Want To Go On A Lynching Party Against Michelle Obama Unless There's Evidence"
I suppose that if he finds the evidence he will lead the lynching party
See more of this story at Huffington Post.
Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) American Baptist Minister and Civil-Rights Leader
Bill O'Reilly: "I Don't Want To Go On A Lynching Party Against Michelle Obama Unless There's Evidence"
I suppose that if he finds the evidence he will lead the lynching party
See more of this story at Huffington Post.
Privacy Urinals
Thanks, BoingBoing, for sharing a photo of these new privacy-enhanced urinals; it's just the sort of thing we here at Toner Mishap love to talk about.
Washington Irving on War
Washington Irving wrote the following about the War of 1812:
Whatever we may think of the expediency or inexpediency of the present war, we cannot feel indifferent to its operations. Whenever our arms come in competition with those of the enemy, jealousy for our country's honour will swallow up every other consideration. Our feelings will ever accompany the flag of our country to battle, rejoicing in its glory -- lamenting over its defeat. For there is no such thing as releasing ourselves from the consequences of the contest. He who fancies he can stand aloof in interest, and by condemning the present war, is woefully mistaken... If the name of American is to be rendered honorable in the fight, we shall each participate in the honor; if otherwise, we must inevitably support our share of the ignominy.
Whatever we may think of the expediency or inexpediency of the present war, we cannot feel indifferent to its operations. Whenever our arms come in competition with those of the enemy, jealousy for our country's honour will swallow up every other consideration. Our feelings will ever accompany the flag of our country to battle, rejoicing in its glory -- lamenting over its defeat. For there is no such thing as releasing ourselves from the consequences of the contest. He who fancies he can stand aloof in interest, and by condemning the present war, is woefully mistaken... If the name of American is to be rendered honorable in the fight, we shall each participate in the honor; if otherwise, we must inevitably support our share of the ignominy.
Corporate Greed and the Need for Regulation
Economic depression cannot be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement. Economic wounds must be healed by the action of the cells of the economic body - the producers and consumers themselves.”
Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) Last Republican president to lead the country into depression
Why do we need government regulation? Because we cannot count on companies to have the best interest of the consumers in mind, ever! It’s all about CEOs and management bonuses, stock options and enriching the executive branch or to use corporate jargon, enriching the C-suite.
The latest news is that shipping companies (FedEx, UPS, etc.) and wireless (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) providers all round up charges to their customers. As the article in the Sunday LATimes points out your butcher does not round up and the technology is there to install the precise measurements to determine cell phone usage to one-millionth of a second or weigh your package to the microgram or even on-millionth of a gram.
Unfortunately if all the companies are doing the same thing there is no incentive for the marketplace to change the practice, which is why government regulation is needed.
Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) Last Republican president to lead the country into depression
Why do we need government regulation? Because we cannot count on companies to have the best interest of the consumers in mind, ever! It’s all about CEOs and management bonuses, stock options and enriching the executive branch or to use corporate jargon, enriching the C-suite.
The latest news is that shipping companies (FedEx, UPS, etc.) and wireless (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) providers all round up charges to their customers. As the article in the Sunday LATimes points out your butcher does not round up and the technology is there to install the precise measurements to determine cell phone usage to one-millionth of a second or weigh your package to the microgram or even on-millionth of a gram.
Unfortunately if all the companies are doing the same thing there is no incentive for the marketplace to change the practice, which is why government regulation is needed.
Online Dealer Sells to Both Campus KillersGun Legislation is Desperately Needed
Cannons and firearms are cruel and damnable machines; I believe them to have been the direct suggestion of the Devil. If Adam had seen in a vision the horrible instruments his children were to invent, he would have died of grief.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) religious leader
I found this story in the Los Angeles Times to be appalling and if politicians were not afraid to stand up to the National Rifle Association, we might get some desperately needed gun legislation.
The online gun dealer who sold two empty 9-millimeter Glock magazines and a Glock holster to Steven Kazmierczak 10 days before the 27-year-old opened fire in a classroom and killed five before committing suicide is the same online gun dealer who sold a Walther .22-caliber pistol to Seung-Hui Cho, who killed 32 people in April on the Virginia Tech campus before killing himself.
The dealer Eric Thompson said, being tied to both of the shootings is “unnerving. I still feel just absolutely in shock.”
Shock one of the many sad emotions that parents, siblings, and friends feel. But, remember if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. I’d rather take my chances with outlaws, rather than having guns so easily accessed that mentally ill kids can take out their aggression on innocent victims.
I just came across a blog that blames the university for banning guns on campus. So now we must all arm ourselves because guns are too readily available? That is simply sick.
You can go to the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence and sign their petition to help tighten gun laws. If guns laws are not tightened the dean's office on campus could look like this:
Martin Luther (1483-1546) religious leader
I found this story in the Los Angeles Times to be appalling and if politicians were not afraid to stand up to the National Rifle Association, we might get some desperately needed gun legislation.
The online gun dealer who sold two empty 9-millimeter Glock magazines and a Glock holster to Steven Kazmierczak 10 days before the 27-year-old opened fire in a classroom and killed five before committing suicide is the same online gun dealer who sold a Walther .22-caliber pistol to Seung-Hui Cho, who killed 32 people in April on the Virginia Tech campus before killing himself.
The dealer Eric Thompson said, being tied to both of the shootings is “unnerving. I still feel just absolutely in shock.”
Shock one of the many sad emotions that parents, siblings, and friends feel. But, remember if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. I’d rather take my chances with outlaws, rather than having guns so easily accessed that mentally ill kids can take out their aggression on innocent victims.
I just came across a blog that blames the university for banning guns on campus. So now we must all arm ourselves because guns are too readily available? That is simply sick.
You can go to the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence and sign their petition to help tighten gun laws. If guns laws are not tightened the dean's office on campus could look like this:
United Airlines Hates its Coach Passengers Part II
An involuntary return to the point of departure is, without doubt the most disturbing of all journeys.
Iain Sinclair, author
I will never fly United Airlines again. Granted my protest will have little effect since I don’t travel much if I can avoid it, but I would rather travel by mule or llama with a Sherpa than endure the confusion, apathetic service, and general disregard for the poor palooka who has to travel coach class on United.
My flight took off before either of my co-worker’s flights, but they both made it home on Tuesday night/Wednesday Morning because they were on America Airlines. Our plane waited for deicing, then taxied out to the tarmac to sit for some length of time, which required we go back in, get deiced again, then refueled, then canceled because the crew had gone over their shift time and United had just changed the flight manual not allowing the planes to fly in ice pellets; I am guessing that means hail, but who knows.
I waited over an hour for the luggage to come off the plane, waited in the very cold night for a taxi and then made it to the hotel just before 11 p.m. Now remember, my journey to the airport started at 2:30 p.m. I checked into the hotel and checked out at 3:45 a.m. to get the airport for a 6:30 a.m. flight.
I stood in line to check my luggage and while waiting I confirmed my reservation that was made the minute the flight was canceled. I was horrified that I was assigned a center seat. United employees were not clocked in yet, so they sat around listening to iPods and ignoring the growing line of passengers, which bordered on the absurd.
(Agents hard at work)
I eventually checked my bag and asked to move, even argued that my seat yesterday was not the center sit, but all to no avail. I offered to pay for an upgrade, but I was quoted a price of $1,800. The attendant behind the counter could care less; she’d heard it all before. I boarded the plane and the stewardess asked how I was this morning. So, I told her in no uncertain terms how I was and what I thought of the airline. As we were walking toward the back of the plane into the steerage section, an older gentleman who had heard my exchange, turned and said, “I bet she was glad she asked that question this morning.”
“Someone has to tell them that they are running this airline using the same strategy as American auto companies,” I replied not so kindly.
I am 6-1, 207 pounds and it turns out the two guys sitting next me were just as tall. For six hours the three of us did our best to give the other some room. Yet, when the window seat gentleman had to use the restroom the aisle seat man and I had to unfasten our seatbelts and move up and down the rows until Mr. window seat returned.
The flight did eventually end and I was able to get home. I can only hope the executives of United or their families’ will some day have to fly this airline from the back of the plane. Better yet, it would be nice to regulate airlines again, because the treatment we unfortunate many who have to fly coach are treated is worse than prisoners at Guantánamo, or so I've read.
Iain Sinclair, author
I will never fly United Airlines again. Granted my protest will have little effect since I don’t travel much if I can avoid it, but I would rather travel by mule or llama with a Sherpa than endure the confusion, apathetic service, and general disregard for the poor palooka who has to travel coach class on United.
My flight took off before either of my co-worker’s flights, but they both made it home on Tuesday night/Wednesday Morning because they were on America Airlines. Our plane waited for deicing, then taxied out to the tarmac to sit for some length of time, which required we go back in, get deiced again, then refueled, then canceled because the crew had gone over their shift time and United had just changed the flight manual not allowing the planes to fly in ice pellets; I am guessing that means hail, but who knows.
I waited over an hour for the luggage to come off the plane, waited in the very cold night for a taxi and then made it to the hotel just before 11 p.m. Now remember, my journey to the airport started at 2:30 p.m. I checked into the hotel and checked out at 3:45 a.m. to get the airport for a 6:30 a.m. flight.
I stood in line to check my luggage and while waiting I confirmed my reservation that was made the minute the flight was canceled. I was horrified that I was assigned a center seat. United employees were not clocked in yet, so they sat around listening to iPods and ignoring the growing line of passengers, which bordered on the absurd.
(Agents hard at work)I eventually checked my bag and asked to move, even argued that my seat yesterday was not the center sit, but all to no avail. I offered to pay for an upgrade, but I was quoted a price of $1,800. The attendant behind the counter could care less; she’d heard it all before. I boarded the plane and the stewardess asked how I was this morning. So, I told her in no uncertain terms how I was and what I thought of the airline. As we were walking toward the back of the plane into the steerage section, an older gentleman who had heard my exchange, turned and said, “I bet she was glad she asked that question this morning.”
“Someone has to tell them that they are running this airline using the same strategy as American auto companies,” I replied not so kindly.
I am 6-1, 207 pounds and it turns out the two guys sitting next me were just as tall. For six hours the three of us did our best to give the other some room. Yet, when the window seat gentleman had to use the restroom the aisle seat man and I had to unfasten our seatbelts and move up and down the rows until Mr. window seat returned.
The flight did eventually end and I was able to get home. I can only hope the executives of United or their families’ will some day have to fly this airline from the back of the plane. Better yet, it would be nice to regulate airlines again, because the treatment we unfortunate many who have to fly coach are treated is worse than prisoners at Guantánamo, or so I've read.
Prepare for Take off...
I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them [or among them].
Mark Twain (1835-1910, author
I have returned from the big apple and I’m glad to be back on my coast. It’s is the getting from one coast to the other that is problematic. Of course, an Arctic front passing through only serves to complicate issues.
Before I start the story of my journey, I had the pleasure of meeting Alice from Through the Looking Glass Sunday evening. From my perspective, we hit it off immediately. I loved her New York sense of humor, as my wife would call it. She is sarcastic, caustic, and funny. I met her at her place, in a very nice area of the island and we walked across the street to a fabulous French restaurant. After dinner we went back to her place and chatted some more until I looked at my watch and realized it was nearly midnight and I had to be at work the next morning. The temperature was in the teens or lower, and lower still with the whipping wind. I was concerned about catching a cab from Alice’s quiet neighborhood, but it proved to be no problem. I was afraid with my California coat I would be found dead from hypothermia with my arm in the raised position for hailing a cab.
Monday was work and a delightful dinner in the evening. Tuesday was work half the day and the other half of the day and well into the day spent attempting to get home. My co-worker and I, left the meeting at 2:30 to await our flights, mine at 5:20 on United to LAX. His flight on American Airlines was set to leave at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was tame compared to the cab ride to JFK. It was now snowing and the freeways and side roads were not just jammed, but stopped. Our driver kept turning and twisting down every side street, which truly prolonged our drive. It took two hours from Manhattan to JFK. Surprisingly the TSA people at the airport were rather pleasant now that most everyone realizes that Bin Laden has changed our airport experience permanently.
The plane was packed. A mother with her infant child was only a couple of rows away, yet I was not concerned as I had my Bose headphones and iPod that cancel all surrounding noise. However, it did nothing about the young lad with the pungent garlic breathe, who kept leaning over me to view the snow covering the wings of our plane. His mother and sister had the two seats across from us, but he must not have flown much because he didn't realize he could move to fill the third seat and grace them with his presence and remnants from dinner. I asked the stewardess to let him know that he could sit with his family, which upon receiving this official notice he immediately did so. My good deed for the evening accomplished.
to be continued...
Mark Twain (1835-1910, author
I have returned from the big apple and I’m glad to be back on my coast. It’s is the getting from one coast to the other that is problematic. Of course, an Arctic front passing through only serves to complicate issues.
Before I start the story of my journey, I had the pleasure of meeting Alice from Through the Looking Glass Sunday evening. From my perspective, we hit it off immediately. I loved her New York sense of humor, as my wife would call it. She is sarcastic, caustic, and funny. I met her at her place, in a very nice area of the island and we walked across the street to a fabulous French restaurant. After dinner we went back to her place and chatted some more until I looked at my watch and realized it was nearly midnight and I had to be at work the next morning. The temperature was in the teens or lower, and lower still with the whipping wind. I was concerned about catching a cab from Alice’s quiet neighborhood, but it proved to be no problem. I was afraid with my California coat I would be found dead from hypothermia with my arm in the raised position for hailing a cab.
Monday was work and a delightful dinner in the evening. Tuesday was work half the day and the other half of the day and well into the day spent attempting to get home. My co-worker and I, left the meeting at 2:30 to await our flights, mine at 5:20 on United to LAX. His flight on American Airlines was set to leave at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was tame compared to the cab ride to JFK. It was now snowing and the freeways and side roads were not just jammed, but stopped. Our driver kept turning and twisting down every side street, which truly prolonged our drive. It took two hours from Manhattan to JFK. Surprisingly the TSA people at the airport were rather pleasant now that most everyone realizes that Bin Laden has changed our airport experience permanently.
The plane was packed. A mother with her infant child was only a couple of rows away, yet I was not concerned as I had my Bose headphones and iPod that cancel all surrounding noise. However, it did nothing about the young lad with the pungent garlic breathe, who kept leaning over me to view the snow covering the wings of our plane. His mother and sister had the two seats across from us, but he must not have flown much because he didn't realize he could move to fill the third seat and grace them with his presence and remnants from dinner. I asked the stewardess to let him know that he could sit with his family, which upon receiving this official notice he immediately did so. My good deed for the evening accomplished.
to be continued...
Emergency Break-Out Window
It's actually almost scary to imagine the kind of emergency that would be so dire that you'd choose to jump out of this window high above downtown San Diego. (I've blown up the sticker so you can read it.)
If You Can Make It Here...
Oh! it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious periwig-pated fellow, tear a passion to tatters, to very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings.
William Shakespeare (1564–1616), dramatist
Here I am in Manhattan and I am sitting in my room. I did dash out this morning and went to the Starbucks across the street rather than stand in a long line in the hotel. I picked up the NYTimes, The Daily News and the New York Post before the arctic front that is coming through by lunch time. Thank goodness I have work to do, so the freezing temperatures won’t really bother me today.
Last night I met up with Johnna from Blindsquirrel. We had dinner and went to watched actors audition for a role in her play, “Rattlers,” which is part of her trilogy. I was fascinated watching actors bring life, add nuance, and personalize her words to make the part theirs. The youngish, arrogant director sat in judgment of these actors and he truly relished his role as big man on campus, which countered his diminutive stature, and will fade into the background as the play premieres in November.
Rattlers will play in off-off Broadway and I will be back to see who was ultimately selected to portray an undertaker and the angry, drunken, forlorn husband.
William Shakespeare (1564–1616), dramatist
Here I am in Manhattan and I am sitting in my room. I did dash out this morning and went to the Starbucks across the street rather than stand in a long line in the hotel. I picked up the NYTimes, The Daily News and the New York Post before the arctic front that is coming through by lunch time. Thank goodness I have work to do, so the freezing temperatures won’t really bother me today.
Last night I met up with Johnna from Blindsquirrel. We had dinner and went to watched actors audition for a role in her play, “Rattlers,” which is part of her trilogy. I was fascinated watching actors bring life, add nuance, and personalize her words to make the part theirs. The youngish, arrogant director sat in judgment of these actors and he truly relished his role as big man on campus, which countered his diminutive stature, and will fade into the background as the play premieres in November.
Rattlers will play in off-off Broadway and I will be back to see who was ultimately selected to portray an undertaker and the angry, drunken, forlorn husband.
Carbon-free Sugar
I guess the guys who wrote the copy for this ad for a new sugar brand didn't think about the chemistry behind their slogan -- because carbon-free sugar is, clearly, water:
C12 H22 O11 - carbon = H22 O11 = H2O
Disclaimer: yes, I read the ad and I know that they're talking about a factory that's minimized carbon emissions.
C12 H22 O11 - carbon = H22 O11 = H2O
Disclaimer: yes, I read the ad and I know that they're talking about a factory that's minimized carbon emissions.
And Then There Was One
When every autumn people said it could not last through the winter, and when every spring there was still no end in sight, only the hope that out of it all some good would accrue to mankind kept men and nations fighting. When at last it was over, the war had many diverse results and one dominant one transcending all others: disillusion.
Living participates of World War I are close to vanishing entirely. One of the last two known surviving U.S. veterans of World War I has died. Richard Landis, who enlisted in the Army in 1918, had lived for 108 years. He never saw action, but trained for 60 days at the end of the war, which was enough for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to count him as a veteran. When asked in an interview last year
if he wanted to get into the fight, Mr. Landis replied, "No.'' According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, the last remaining U.S. veteran is Frank Buckles, 107, of Charles Town, W.Va. The last time all known U.S. veterans of a war died was in 1992, when Nathan E. Cook, who served as a sailor in the Spanish-American War of 1898 in the days when 12-year-olds could do such a thing, passed away at age 106.
I think he qualifies as technically the last survivor, so really the last true WWI vet is gone. Just another indication of time marching on, as if we needed it.
Barbara Tuchman (1912–89), historian
From the Wall Street Journal nightly wrap up:Living participates of World War I are close to vanishing entirely. One of the last two known surviving U.S. veterans of World War I has died. Richard Landis, who enlisted in the Army in 1918, had lived for 108 years. He never saw action, but trained for 60 days at the end of the war, which was enough for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to count him as a veteran. When asked in an interview last year
if he wanted to get into the fight, Mr. Landis replied, "No.'' According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, the last remaining U.S. veteran is Frank Buckles, 107, of Charles Town, W.Va. The last time all known U.S. veterans of a war died was in 1992, when Nathan E. Cook, who served as a sailor in the Spanish-American War of 1898 in the days when 12-year-olds could do such a thing, passed away at age 106.I think he qualifies as technically the last survivor, so really the last true WWI vet is gone. Just another indication of time marching on, as if we needed it.
Flying the Friendly Skies
"We'd like to thank you folks for flying with us today. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you'll think of US Airways."
Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement
United Airlines continues to do its best to make sure your flying experience is worse than taking a bus.
If you travel and need two bags, United Airlines will begin charging you $50 this spring to check a second piece of luggage on domestic round-trip flights. United is leading the charge among airlines to impose a fee for a service that has long been included in the price of a ticket.
Flying means partial disrobing searches, which include removing shoes, belts, emptying purses and this is just for the children. Make sure your baggage is properly organized and neatly folded to make invasive luggage searches easier.
This is all before even getting to the plane. Once on the plane, expect crowding, overhead racks stuff like a Thanksgiving turkey, no meals, no pillows, and no relaxation as you count the hours before landing, if you’re not delayed onboard for hours.
Part of a flight attendant's arrival announcement
United Airlines continues to do its best to make sure your flying experience is worse than taking a bus.
If you travel and need two bags, United Airlines will begin charging you $50 this spring to check a second piece of luggage on domestic round-trip flights. United is leading the charge among airlines to impose a fee for a service that has long been included in the price of a ticket.
Flying means partial disrobing searches, which include removing shoes, belts, emptying purses and this is just for the children. Make sure your baggage is properly organized and neatly folded to make invasive luggage searches easier.
This is all before even getting to the plane. Once on the plane, expect crowding, overhead racks stuff like a Thanksgiving turkey, no meals, no pillows, and no relaxation as you count the hours before landing, if you’re not delayed onboard for hours.
Newspaper Demographics
I am not the editor of a newspaper and shall always try to do right and be good so that God will not make me one”
Mark Twain, writer
I found this at Whiskey Talking and thought it was amusing.
Mark Twain, writer
I found this at Whiskey Talking and thought it was amusing.
- Newspaper demographics:
1.The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.
2.The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.
3.The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country and who are very good at crossword puzzles.
4.USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don’t really understand The New York Times. They do, however, like their statistics shown in pie charts.
5.The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn’t mind running the country — if they could find the time — and if they didn’t have to leave Southern California to do it.
6.The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country and did a poor job of it , thank you very much.
7.The New York Daily News is read by people who aren’t too sure who’s running the country and don’t really care as long as they can get a seat on the train.
8.The New York Post is read by people who don’t care who is
running the country as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while intoxicated.
9.The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another
country but need the baseball scores.
10. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren’t sure if there is a country or that anyone is running it; but if so, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are handicapped minority feminist atheist dwarfs who also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country or galaxy, provided of course, that they are not Republicans.
11. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the grocery store.
Miscellany
Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.
E.Y. Harburg (Edgar Yipsel) (1898 - 1981), lyricist
I have been having a rather social weekend. Friday a couple came over for dinner and we played pool. Saturday afternoon it was a wonderful lunch and conversation with Teresa from Neurotranscendence, Sporks from Sporksforall, and Bitch PhD. Saturday night, I stopped by a friends house and who had a handful of company and that was nice to again put names and faces together.
While that was a rare couple of days of nice socializing, today will be spent recharging for the week ahead. It’s raining and as soon as I finished this I will quickly dash outside grab the newspapers, light the fire and spend the day relaxing. A perfect Sunday seems to be on tap.
Frank Rich at the New York Times has an interesting column today comparing with Obama and JFK, which further points to why Obama is the best candidate to be President of the United States.
Playing on the iPod and in the car’s CD player are a few new CDs. Shelby Lynne’s new
one “Just a Little Lovin,’” which is a wonderful mellow, but yet powerful rendition that brings back the songs of Dusty Springfield.
The other CD is Willie Nelson’s “Moment of Forever.” My initial favorite on the CD is
Randy Newman’s “Louisiana.” The CD’s title song is also carries some emotional gravitas.
A couple of CDs that I missed (they been out for three or four years) are from jazz pianist Marcus Roberts “Cole After Midnight,” which feature are Cole Porter standards (“Embraceable You,” “Unforgettable,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and several others) and Roberts’ 
“Portraits in Blue,” which as one of the comments wrote: This has to be the most raucous, the most bluesy, the most improvisational Rhapsody in Blue ever recorded. Three songs fill the CD “Rhapsody in Blue,” “Yamekraw,” and “I Got Rhythm.”
E.Y. Harburg (Edgar Yipsel) (1898 - 1981), lyricist
I have been having a rather social weekend. Friday a couple came over for dinner and we played pool. Saturday afternoon it was a wonderful lunch and conversation with Teresa from Neurotranscendence, Sporks from Sporksforall, and Bitch PhD. Saturday night, I stopped by a friends house and who had a handful of company and that was nice to again put names and faces together.
While that was a rare couple of days of nice socializing, today will be spent recharging for the week ahead. It’s raining and as soon as I finished this I will quickly dash outside grab the newspapers, light the fire and spend the day relaxing. A perfect Sunday seems to be on tap.
Frank Rich at the New York Times has an interesting column today comparing with Obama and JFK, which further points to why Obama is the best candidate to be President of the United States.
Playing on the iPod and in the car’s CD player are a few new CDs. Shelby Lynne’s new
one “Just a Little Lovin,’” which is a wonderful mellow, but yet powerful rendition that brings back the songs of Dusty Springfield.The other CD is Willie Nelson’s “Moment of Forever.” My initial favorite on the CD is
Randy Newman’s “Louisiana.” The CD’s title song is also carries some emotional gravitas.
A couple of CDs that I missed (they been out for three or four years) are from jazz pianist Marcus Roberts “Cole After Midnight,” which feature are Cole Porter standards (“Embraceable You,” “Unforgettable,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and several others) and Roberts’ 
“Portraits in Blue,” which as one of the comments wrote: This has to be the most raucous, the most bluesy, the most improvisational Rhapsody in Blue ever recorded. Three songs fill the CD “Rhapsody in Blue,” “Yamekraw,” and “I Got Rhythm.”
Betting on the Superbowl
"If I lose today, I can look forward to winning tomorrow, and if I win today, I can expect to lose tomorrow. A sure thing is no fun."
Chico Marx (1887–1961), one of the Marx Brothers
Television sets will be tuned into the Superbowl on Sunday, millions will have made bets. I used to make little bets to increase my interest in the game, but these days I could careless who wins. I would like to see the Giants win for an upset. I like underdogs for the most part.
Here are some other wages if you are bored with the game:
I'll tune in, but finish reading the Sunday newspapers and football will be the background noise.
Chico Marx (1887–1961), one of the Marx Brothers
Television sets will be tuned into the Superbowl on Sunday, millions will have made bets. I used to make little bets to increase my interest in the game, but these days I could careless who wins. I would like to see the Giants win for an upset. I like underdogs for the most part.
Here are some other wages if you are bored with the game:
- Tom Petty will smoke a joint during this halftime performance (25-1)
- Michael Jason will sing a duet with Petty (10-1)
- Petty will trip and fall on stage (100-1)
- What song will Petty open with? “Free Fallin” (3-1), “The Waiting” (10-1) “American
Girl” (7-4) - First beer commercial during halftime? Bud Light (2-3), Coors Light (3-2) Miller Draft (7-1)
- First car commercial during halftime? Ford (6-5), Chevrolet (3-2), Toyota (3-1)
I'll tune in, but finish reading the Sunday newspapers and football will be the background noise.
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