Too much free time on my hands, so I have begun to do things I generally don't. I have officially completed touring the "major" NYC museums. I have also found time to go see two hilarious plays (Wednesday matinee shows of course).
The Farnsworth Invention (Closes Mar 2nd) - An entertaining look at "one" version of who invented the boob tube.
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2007/12/04/theater/reviews/04farn.html?em&ex=1203742800&en=eff6db5b3396b6c6&ei=5087%0A
August: Osage County - We've all seen tragic comedies of American family life...but never have they been this dysfunctional nor this funny!
http://theater2.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/theater/reviews/05august.html
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
To Catch A Predator
There was a SouthPark episode, "Le Petit Tourette", that poked fun at the series "To Catch A Predator". In this particular episode, various characters are seen committing suicide in order to prevent themselves from having to be interviewed by Chris Hansen. The SouthPark episode was hilarious and I highly recommend watching it. However an article I read recently that paralleled certain aspects of the SouthPark episode I found highly disturbing.
"GE's NBC Universal Must Defend Lawsuit Over Sex Predator Show2008-02-26 13:52 (New York)
By David Glovin Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) -- General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal must stand trial in a $100 million lawsuit brought by the sister of a Texas prosecutor who killed himself as a network show was about to film his arrest for soliciting a minor online. The suit in Manhattan federal court followed the 2006 suicide of assistant district attorney Louis Conradt, who shothimself in his home in Terrell, Texas, as police were about to arrest him. Waiting outside his house were an NBC Universal castand crew about to film a segment of ``To Catch a Predator,'' a show that works with local police to catch suspected sex offenders. Patricia Conradt sued, saying the network and its``Dateline NBC'' news show, on which ``To Catch a Predator''airs, is responsible for her brother's death. U.S. District Judge Denny Chin in New York said today that the suit may go forward, though he dismissed some legal claims. By seeking to ``sensationalize'' the arrest of Conradt, 56,``a reasonable jury'' might find that NBC created a``substantial risk of suicide'' and ``engaged in conduct so outrageous and extreme that no civilized society should tolerate it,'' Chin said in a 40-page opinion. The judge, who didn't rule on the merits of the suit, said Conradt is seeking more than $100 million in damages. An NBC Universal spokeswoman didn't immediately return for comment. The case is Conradt v. NBC Universal, 07-cv-6623, U.S.District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
--Editors: Peter Blumberg, Lisa Wolfson."
Why this lawsuit is going to be allowed to go to trial escapes me. "A reasonable jury" would surely agree that NBC did nothing different than say an episode of another live beloved arrest show called "COPS". I wonder why an alleged case of online child solicitation should be any different than an alleged case of battery, noise pollution, or any other "COPS" episode. If the differentiating factor is in this case he committed suicide, I might be inclined to say thank you to NBC. Thank you for keeping scum like this off the streets. Thank you for keeping children safe while surfing the Internet. Thank you for saving tax payers money. I might be so inclined to say these things.
As long as NBC did not pull the trigger. As long as they were only broadcasting the attempted arrest of someone alleged to have committed a crime, I say please stop this waste of tax payer's money. I also say thank you NBC.
"GE's NBC Universal Must Defend Lawsuit Over Sex Predator Show2008-02-26 13:52 (New York)
By David Glovin Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) -- General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal must stand trial in a $100 million lawsuit brought by the sister of a Texas prosecutor who killed himself as a network show was about to film his arrest for soliciting a minor online. The suit in Manhattan federal court followed the 2006 suicide of assistant district attorney Louis Conradt, who shothimself in his home in Terrell, Texas, as police were about to arrest him. Waiting outside his house were an NBC Universal castand crew about to film a segment of ``To Catch a Predator,'' a show that works with local police to catch suspected sex offenders. Patricia Conradt sued, saying the network and its``Dateline NBC'' news show, on which ``To Catch a Predator''airs, is responsible for her brother's death. U.S. District Judge Denny Chin in New York said today that the suit may go forward, though he dismissed some legal claims. By seeking to ``sensationalize'' the arrest of Conradt, 56,``a reasonable jury'' might find that NBC created a``substantial risk of suicide'' and ``engaged in conduct so outrageous and extreme that no civilized society should tolerate it,'' Chin said in a 40-page opinion. The judge, who didn't rule on the merits of the suit, said Conradt is seeking more than $100 million in damages. An NBC Universal spokeswoman didn't immediately return for comment. The case is Conradt v. NBC Universal, 07-cv-6623, U.S.District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
--Editors: Peter Blumberg, Lisa Wolfson."
Why this lawsuit is going to be allowed to go to trial escapes me. "A reasonable jury" would surely agree that NBC did nothing different than say an episode of another live beloved arrest show called "COPS". I wonder why an alleged case of online child solicitation should be any different than an alleged case of battery, noise pollution, or any other "COPS" episode. If the differentiating factor is in this case he committed suicide, I might be inclined to say thank you to NBC. Thank you for keeping scum like this off the streets. Thank you for keeping children safe while surfing the Internet. Thank you for saving tax payers money. I might be so inclined to say these things.
As long as NBC did not pull the trigger. As long as they were only broadcasting the attempted arrest of someone alleged to have committed a crime, I say please stop this waste of tax payer's money. I also say thank you NBC.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Washington State
If you were looking for further evidence that we truly live in a free, fair, and democratic nation please skip this post. I will attempt to recap what has been going on in our Evergreen State (Wash St). Brace yourself folks but this will primarily, if not solely, focus on the Republican race.
In Washington, there is not only a caucus on, Feb 9th, but also a primary on, Feb 19th. On the Democratic side all the delegates are awarded based on the results of the caucus. On the Republican side only 25% of the 40 delegates are awarded based on the results of the caucus that were released on Feb 9th. The rest of the delegates are awarded based on the results of their primary held on Feb 19th. First interesting point to note, how the hell did Mr. McCain win Washington St when he was only "announced" the winner of 25% of a state's delegates? Things that make you go hmmmm.
Second interesting point, how did over 10% of Washington State's votes not get counted and yet the state party chairman still announce a winner? Even when the networks make a prediction, they are careful to announce that it is just that a prediction. Even when they declare, they say it is their declaration. Wouldn't you expect the state party chairman, when announcing a winner, to have counted all votes?
Apparently, Mr. Huckabee thinks that is how an election is supposed to be run. He is now challenging the, still incomplete, results out of Washington that erroneously reported McCain the winner. Yes folks that's right, all the votes still have not been counted. In fact, if you were to try and investigate what precincts had not yet been reported you would be hard pressed to find a knowledgeable soul who knew.
Sounds a bit wacky, right? It gets worse. Caucuses are all held differently in every state it seems. But for the most part it works as follows. A caucuser (is that even a word?) goes to their respective caucus location. They then announce their voting preference. There is then a "vote". Caucusers are then allowed to try and switch people's minds. Then there is another vote. This continues for a set amount of time until the final vote is reached. So if you were a tabulator of votes what would you count? I went to school with most of you reading this and I feel confident at least 60% of you would count the final votes. Sadly...this wasn't done in Washington! Would you believe that some of the results "officially" reported on Feb 9th were of the caucuser's initial voting preferences! Hmmm...
None of this say's McCain didn't win the caucus on Feb 9th. However, there is no way he should have been reported the winner when all the votes weren't counted, when there was no consensus on what was to be counted, and when there was uncertainty about the whole process! It's going to be interesting to see how this turns out.
I'm tempted to write about the monolines, but I think I will hold off for now. Just a little teaser for now. If you thought 2007 was bad, hold onto your hats for 2008! Buffett has just announced an offer he proposed to the monolines to "help" them with their current rating roles. If you haven't been following, the monoline industry (these are the guys who backed the majority of the CDO and subprime issuance that the IB's originated) are currently one rating downgrade away from initiating the next step down on the global economy's long trip into recession. Buffett smelling blood in the water has announced he will step in and buy the good assets of their business. Hmmmm... If you were a company that was soon going to have problems being an ongoing concern would you divest yourself of the only asset you had? Thanks but no thanks Buffett.
Paulson is about to discuss "Project Lifeline". This should be good. Carrot and stick folks, carrot and stick...
-DIS
...ok I couldn't do it (see 3rd sentence, 1st paragraph). "Do ya smell what the Rock is cookin'?" Hillary is going to get trounced in the Chesapeake Primaries.
In Washington, there is not only a caucus on, Feb 9th, but also a primary on, Feb 19th. On the Democratic side all the delegates are awarded based on the results of the caucus. On the Republican side only 25% of the 40 delegates are awarded based on the results of the caucus that were released on Feb 9th. The rest of the delegates are awarded based on the results of their primary held on Feb 19th. First interesting point to note, how the hell did Mr. McCain win Washington St when he was only "announced" the winner of 25% of a state's delegates? Things that make you go hmmmm.
Second interesting point, how did over 10% of Washington State's votes not get counted and yet the state party chairman still announce a winner? Even when the networks make a prediction, they are careful to announce that it is just that a prediction. Even when they declare, they say it is their declaration. Wouldn't you expect the state party chairman, when announcing a winner, to have counted all votes?
Apparently, Mr. Huckabee thinks that is how an election is supposed to be run. He is now challenging the, still incomplete, results out of Washington that erroneously reported McCain the winner. Yes folks that's right, all the votes still have not been counted. In fact, if you were to try and investigate what precincts had not yet been reported you would be hard pressed to find a knowledgeable soul who knew.
Sounds a bit wacky, right? It gets worse. Caucuses are all held differently in every state it seems. But for the most part it works as follows. A caucuser (is that even a word?) goes to their respective caucus location. They then announce their voting preference. There is then a "vote". Caucusers are then allowed to try and switch people's minds. Then there is another vote. This continues for a set amount of time until the final vote is reached. So if you were a tabulator of votes what would you count? I went to school with most of you reading this and I feel confident at least 60% of you would count the final votes. Sadly...this wasn't done in Washington! Would you believe that some of the results "officially" reported on Feb 9th were of the caucuser's initial voting preferences! Hmmm...
None of this say's McCain didn't win the caucus on Feb 9th. However, there is no way he should have been reported the winner when all the votes weren't counted, when there was no consensus on what was to be counted, and when there was uncertainty about the whole process! It's going to be interesting to see how this turns out.
I'm tempted to write about the monolines, but I think I will hold off for now. Just a little teaser for now. If you thought 2007 was bad, hold onto your hats for 2008! Buffett has just announced an offer he proposed to the monolines to "help" them with their current rating roles. If you haven't been following, the monoline industry (these are the guys who backed the majority of the CDO and subprime issuance that the IB's originated) are currently one rating downgrade away from initiating the next step down on the global economy's long trip into recession. Buffett smelling blood in the water has announced he will step in and buy the good assets of their business. Hmmmm... If you were a company that was soon going to have problems being an ongoing concern would you divest yourself of the only asset you had? Thanks but no thanks Buffett.
Paulson is about to discuss "Project Lifeline". This should be good. Carrot and stick folks, carrot and stick...
-DIS
...ok I couldn't do it (see 3rd sentence, 1st paragraph). "Do ya smell what the Rock is cookin'?" Hillary is going to get trounced in the Chesapeake Primaries.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Do Over
I was thinking about where in life you are allowed a "do over". I remember as a kid we were fond of "do overs". If you were playing a game of basketball (not that I ever did), dodgeball (it hit you, no it didn't, yes it did!), or some other game and couldn't agree on something you just played a "do over". I'm searching my brain for where in life we are given the opportunity for a do over.
I think it's important to differentiate between a do over and a second chance. A do over means the first time doesn't count...basically erase it or forget it happened. A second chance means just try it again. However if you mess up this time, we know based on the first time, that you will never get it right. A do over doesn't have penalties charged to it. A second chance might have a penalty associated with it. In football when the offensive team has a holding penalty they are assessed a penalty and a replay (2nd chance) at the same down. There are no do over's in football after grade school!
I don't think there are do over's in anything after grade school! Why then does the DNC chairman think that Florida and Michigan deserve a do over??? I think we all have wished we could have a do over once in our lives. However it doesn't work that way. Nor should it work that way for Florida and Michigan. They made their bed, now they should lie in it. Seat them at the Democratic nomination or don't...but don't cry for a do over now! Do over's are for children, not our "trusted" elected officials.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20080207_DNC_seeks_caucuses_in_Florida__Michigan.html
This is bad...
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0655798320080206
-DIS
I think it's important to differentiate between a do over and a second chance. A do over means the first time doesn't count...basically erase it or forget it happened. A second chance means just try it again. However if you mess up this time, we know based on the first time, that you will never get it right. A do over doesn't have penalties charged to it. A second chance might have a penalty associated with it. In football when the offensive team has a holding penalty they are assessed a penalty and a replay (2nd chance) at the same down. There are no do over's in football after grade school!
I don't think there are do over's in anything after grade school! Why then does the DNC chairman think that Florida and Michigan deserve a do over??? I think we all have wished we could have a do over once in our lives. However it doesn't work that way. Nor should it work that way for Florida and Michigan. They made their bed, now they should lie in it. Seat them at the Democratic nomination or don't...but don't cry for a do over now! Do over's are for children, not our "trusted" elected officials.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20080207_DNC_seeks_caucuses_in_Florida__Michigan.html
This is bad...
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0655798320080206
-DIS
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Yes I Can
Granted the Lemmings in the US won't agree with me, but something about Obama's catch phrases "Yes You Can!" & "Change is in the air" scares me. Listening to his celebratory speech left me grasping for substance...of any sort. Yes he is a great orator, or at least I imagine he could tell a story better than I could! The knock on Clinton's speech was it sounded like a stump speech (more of the same policy orientation with not much energy). I think Obama's speech sounded more like a MC who needed to energize a crowd for the main headliner.
He achieved his task last night. The ending scene was of Obama walking off the stage while his "followers" (think Branch Davidians or Heaven's Gate) chanted "Yes You Can!"... Can what? Can follow someone who speaks eloquently and convincingly, promises change (or salvation), and then achieves nothing (or at worst...well again see above).
With the delegate count not yet over, the results appear set to be narrowly skewed in Hillary's favor. But for how long? Obama raised $32MM vs Hillary's $14MM in January alone. Money alone may not be able to buy an election...but it doesn't hurt your chances.
Interesting stat from last night. Hillary's base: Wage earners under $35K Obama's base: Wage earners over $35K. Over half of the nation earns under $35K.
Great realization by my buddy Lindo... "And why the hell am I the only person who has noticed that Barack Obama sounds exactly like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson when he gives speeches?????"! 'nuff said...
He achieved his task last night. The ending scene was of Obama walking off the stage while his "followers" (think Branch Davidians or Heaven's Gate) chanted "Yes You Can!"... Can what? Can follow someone who speaks eloquently and convincingly, promises change (or salvation), and then achieves nothing (or at worst...well again see above).
With the delegate count not yet over, the results appear set to be narrowly skewed in Hillary's favor. But for how long? Obama raised $32MM vs Hillary's $14MM in January alone. Money alone may not be able to buy an election...but it doesn't hurt your chances.
Interesting stat from last night. Hillary's base: Wage earners under $35K Obama's base: Wage earners over $35K. Over half of the nation earns under $35K.
Great realization by my buddy Lindo... "And why the hell am I the only person who has noticed that Barack Obama sounds exactly like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson when he gives speeches?????"! 'nuff said...
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Ticker Tape...
With all the free time I currently have, I thought it was my duty to go down in the trenches and become a spectator/reporter for my first Parade. I find it hard to believe that the spectacle I witnessed was, in any way, the same sort of celebration bestowed upon past “Heroes”. I’m sitting here watching Tom Coughlin give his speech after the parade/circus that just went on along the “Canyon of Heroes”. I don’t know where Coughlin was, when he passed Broadway and Wall, but I’m glad he quickly forgot some of my Neanderthal immediate neighbors.
I wonder if shouts of “Babies Mamas” were thrown at the wives/girlfriends of the men of the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon? Were New Jerseyans proclaiming at the top of their lungs “Show us your tits!” when Korean and Persian Gulf War Veterans were honored in the Nineties? Granted there were probably high school age kids doing crowd floats, throwing toilet paper at “Our city’s finest”, and throwing wads of paper into the band’s musical instruments…(the looks of fear, hate, disgust on the band player’s faces made me thank God I never had and still don’t have any musical talent).
I can’t say it was all bad. The energy, in the trenches, directed at the players was genuine. The fans were genuinely having a good time. The mayhem, when team hats or shirts were thrown into the crowd, was quickly controlled before it became riotous. I did not see a single fight. No one was locked up, although one kid came close.
I learned a couple of things from my first Parade.
1.) I now know I didn’t miss much before.
2.) I’m glad I don’t have clean up duty…
3.) On my way back into my apt, my doorman told me that his "friend", a professional pick-pocket, made $3,000 today. His favorite marks happened to be Dads with children on their shoulders....
I wonder if shouts of “Babies Mamas” were thrown at the wives/girlfriends of the men of the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon? Were New Jerseyans proclaiming at the top of their lungs “Show us your tits!” when Korean and Persian Gulf War Veterans were honored in the Nineties? Granted there were probably high school age kids doing crowd floats, throwing toilet paper at “Our city’s finest”, and throwing wads of paper into the band’s musical instruments…(the looks of fear, hate, disgust on the band player’s faces made me thank God I never had and still don’t have any musical talent).
I can’t say it was all bad. The energy, in the trenches, directed at the players was genuine. The fans were genuinely having a good time. The mayhem, when team hats or shirts were thrown into the crowd, was quickly controlled before it became riotous. I did not see a single fight. No one was locked up, although one kid came close.
I learned a couple of things from my first Parade.
1.) I now know I didn’t miss much before.
2.) I’m glad I don’t have clean up duty…
3.) On my way back into my apt, my doorman told me that his "friend", a professional pick-pocket, made $3,000 today. His favorite marks happened to be Dads with children on their shoulders....
Pictures and videos in chronological order are listed below. Oh yeah, and don't forget to vote kiddies.
-DIS
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