Biden puts his foot deeply down his throat - How fast until Biden drops out of the race?
Bloggers have 1st Ammendment Rights - Good to know, I am protected by the constitution
Cameras watching the Cameras - This is actually pretty funny and worth a read
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Bonds still not signed
It is very amusing to me that since November, when the Giants and Bonds verbally agreed to a contract, that nothing has been finalized yet. I have no doubt that he will be signed before spring training or soon after it begins. It was announced yesterday, that they had finally come to terms, and to top it off the Giants had an out-clause that if Bonds is indicted for various reasons, then the Giants could terminate the contract.
I am no lawyer, but I figured either the Players Union or the Commissioner himself would ultimately reject it on those grounds alone. Winds up, sure as the sun rises in the east, Bud Selig nixed the deal over some personal services language in the contract, which actually seems to have nothing to do with the out clause.
It is somewhat sad that it is next to impossible that the soon-to-be home run king is so tainted he can't even sign a contract with the team he helped keep in their current city and was responsible for the privately funded stadium in which they play. Not sure what the relevance is, other than it helps me get in the mood for baseball.
I am no lawyer, but I figured either the Players Union or the Commissioner himself would ultimately reject it on those grounds alone. Winds up, sure as the sun rises in the east, Bud Selig nixed the deal over some personal services language in the contract, which actually seems to have nothing to do with the out clause.
It is somewhat sad that it is next to impossible that the soon-to-be home run king is so tainted he can't even sign a contract with the team he helped keep in their current city and was responsible for the privately funded stadium in which they play. Not sure what the relevance is, other than it helps me get in the mood for baseball.
Congress Putting Pressure on Baseball about Steroids
According to ESPN, Congress is monitoring George Mitchell's investigation into steroids in baseball:
On the other hand, the libertarian portion of my soul is not sure what business Congress has in regulating the drug and testing standards for sports in this country. They are independent businesses and regulating these leagues is the business of the owners, the players and to less extent the fans.
The baseball fan in me is happy that Congress is putting pressure on baseball to pierce the veil and the silence around this plague. The fact that everyone associated with baseball except Jose Canseco and Ken Caminiti have refused to say anything of value to Mitchell and his investigators. I would like to know who was doing what when, so there is a more accurate picture of the steroid era for a historical perspective.Congress is monitoring George Mitchell's investigation of steroids in baseball and could intervene if he doesn't get more cooperation, two lawmakers told the former Senate Majority Leader.
The leaders of a House subcommittee that held hearings on steroids in 2005 pledged their support for Mitchell in a letter sent to him Tuesday and released to the media Wednesday.
"We sincerely hope that all relevant parties will work constructively to facilitate the completion of your investigation and your ongoing efforts to clean up the sport," wrote House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection chairman Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) and ranking Republican Cliff Stearns of Florida.
Stearns proposed the Drug Free Sports Act in April 2005. That bill called for a two-year suspension for a first offense and a lifetime ban for a second, while leagues that failed to comply would have been fined at least $5 million.
It was one of several pieces of legislation about steroids in pro sports that lawmakers stopped pushing after baseball introduced wider-ranging and more stringent drug rules in November 2005.
"Hopefully, similar legislative initiatives will remain unnecessary," Rush and Stearns
wrote.Mitchell told baseball's owners on Jan. 18 that he intends to interview active players and raised the possibility that Congress could compel testimony -- something he can't do. Mitchell was hired by commissioner Bud Selig last March after more than a year of allegations against Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and other stars.
"We appreciate your warning to team owners and concur with your recommendation for better cooperation with your independent investigation," the congressmen wrote.
On the other hand, the libertarian portion of my soul is not sure what business Congress has in regulating the drug and testing standards for sports in this country. They are independent businesses and regulating these leagues is the business of the owners, the players and to less extent the fans.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Constitutional Crisis in the Making
This is an excellent explanation of what the Congress can do to slow down or stop, King George II and Dick (The Penguin) Cheney in their continuing war effort. What I don't understand is why the neo-cons are continually to disregard the explicit ideals of the founding fathers with regards to the constitution.
The three branches have been successful in governing this country for 200 or so years. When one branch attempts to usurp too much power, it is the responsibility of the other branches to step in, and bring the balance of power back to level. It is time that Congress take back their powers and put the executive branch back in its place, for today and tomorrow.
Stopping the War by Constitutional Law by John Nichols.
The three branches have been successful in governing this country for 200 or so years. When one branch attempts to usurp too much power, it is the responsibility of the other branches to step in, and bring the balance of power back to level. It is time that Congress take back their powers and put the executive branch back in its place, for today and tomorrow.
Stopping the War by Constitutional Law by John Nichols.
The document is clear in its language: "The Congress shall have the power... To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water; To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years; To provide and maintain a navy; To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces; To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions; To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress..."
If that makes it sound as if control over matters military was placed squarely in the hands of the House and Senate, then the founders succeeded in communicating their intent. James Madison and the other authors of the Constitution were exceptionally blunt about their hope that the president would serve as a mere commander-in-chief, implementing the directions of the Congress with regard to the targets or military actions, the characters of those actions and their durations.
The founders bluntly stated their fears about executive excess in a time of military conflict. "War is in fact the true nurse of executive aggrandizement," warned Madison, who explained that, "In war, a physical force is to be created; and it is the executive will, which is to direct it. In war, the public treasuries are to be unlocked; and it is the executive hand which is to dispense them. In war, the honors and emoluments of office are to be multiplied; and it is the executive patronage under which they are to be enjoyed; and it is the executive brow they are to encircle. The strongest passions and most dangerous weaknesses of the human breast; ambition, avarice, vanity, the honorable or venal love of fame, are all in conspiracy against the desire and duty of peace."
The Constitution was written "to chain the dogs of war" by founders who believed it essential that the endeavor be "run by committee" -- with the legislative branch fully empowered to check and balance the ambition, the avarice and the vanity of the executive.
Only in the spin-driven politics of the post-9/11 era could Cheney and Bush continue to peddle their fantasies about executive supremacy and an imperial presidency. They have taken advantage, masterfully at some points, brutally at others, of an on-bended-knee Washington press corps and a spineless Congress to control the dialogue and the direction of the country for more than four years. And, in so doing, they have sunk the nation deeper and deeper into the quagmire that is Iraq and the disaster that is their approach to a world that no longer trusts or even understands the actions of the United States.
Cheney and Bush have gotten away with a lot. But they have not succeeded in erasing the Constitution.
On January 30, the primacy of the essential document was reasserted, as Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold chaired a full Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the topic of "Exercising Congress's Constitutional Power to End a War."
"Congress holds the power of the purse and if the President continues to advance his failed Iraq policy, we have the responsibility to use that power to safely redeploy our troops from Iraq," says Feingold, a Democrat who also chairs the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution. "This hearing will help inform my colleagues and the public about Congress's power to end a war and how that power has been used in the past."
"I will soon be introducing legislation to use the power of the purse to end what is clearly one of the greatest mistakes in the history of our nation's foreign policy," explained Feingold, who in recent weeks has emerged as the most ardent advocate for using the power of the purse to force a shift in administration policy.
When that legislation is introduced, there will be those who suggest that Feingold and his allies are moving the country toward a "Constitutional crisis" -- with Congress demanding the redeployment of troops from Iraq and Bush refusing.
In fact, the crisis has already occurred. The executive branch is operating far outside the limits of the authority afforded it by the Constitution.
Congress has not only the power but the responsibility to restore the system of checks and balances, and with it an appropriate regard for the founding document of a great yet threatened republic.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Vice Squad, The Penguin is everywhere
So I saw this piece from the St. Louis Post Dispatch, written by Kevin Horrigan, Vice Squad: A perfectly legitimate scoop, which does a great job of summing up my concerns with the recent violations of personal civil rights by members of the executive branch. It begs the question of where is the line of what is permissible, and what is exempt.
How much erosion of our civil rights are we willing to lose in order to be more secure and safe? I say none, fight the power and fight for our individual rights to live, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without government interference.
What Privacy? - I also found this piece at the Washington Times, and have major concerns about how much personal information is available in the general public realm, and how easy it is now to obtain via the Internet. Not sure what can be done about it, other than to state it as a concern and monitor the availability and quantity to ensure your truly private information remains private.
Dick Cheney is on Fox News. He is saying the Pentagon has every right to collect information from banks, phone companies and credit bureaus "on people we have reason to suspect."Horrigan continues on into how deep into our private lives executive privilege allows, right down to our refrigerator.
All the Pentagon has to do, he says, is send a "national security letter" to, say, a bank, stating one of its customers is a "potential terrorist target," and presto! The information is theirs. No need for judges, warrants or anything else. Just write a letter.
Suddenly the Defense Department is in the business of snooping into Americans' lives. Isn't that the FBI's job? Don't the Army and Navy have other things to do?
Dick Cheney says not to worry about it.
"It's perfectly legitimate activity. There's nothing wrong with it or illegal. It doesn't violate people's civil rights," Dick Cheney says.
I throw on my clothes and run to the car. Dick Cheney is sitting in the back seat.
"I have a perfectly legitimate question for you," he says. "What kind of gasoline do you use? If it's CITGO, you've got a problem. That's Hugo Chavez, com-symp, Fidel-hugging Venezuelan oil. The man tells the United Nations your president is the devil and you're buying his oil? What's wrong with good old-fashioned oil from my friends in Saudi Arabia? I'm going to have the Pentagon write you up."
My dog jumps into the back seat with Dick Cheney and growls. "What kind of dog is this, a Labrador retriever?" he says. "Labrador is in Canada, isn't it? What's with you people with your Canadian dogs, Canadian bacon, Canada geese?"
It's none of your business what kind of dog I have.
"It's a perfectly legitimate activity, checking out people's dogs. You'd be surprised at how many people have foreign dogs. German shepherds, French poodles, Hungarian Vizslas. You should have a Coalition dog. You need an American pit bull terrier or an English bulldog. I can make you a deal on an Afghan wolfhound."
I don't want a wolfhound. I want you out of my car.
"Why? What are you hiding?"
I storm back into the house. I lock the doors. I go upstairs and crawl into bed. I grab a book and flip on the reading lamp.
"Hi, there," Dick Cheney says, pulling the covers back and sliding in next to me. He is wearing red polka-dot pajamas. "Mind if I ask you what you're reading? It's a perfectly legitimate question."
I do mind, I say, hiding the book's cover. It's none of your business.
"Wrong-o," Dick Cheney smiles. "It might be a terrorist training manual. It might be something suspicious, like the Quran or 'An Inconvenient Truth.' Besides, it's a library book. We can always check your library records."
How much erosion of our civil rights are we willing to lose in order to be more secure and safe? I say none, fight the power and fight for our individual rights to live, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without government interference.
What Privacy? - I also found this piece at the Washington Times, and have major concerns about how much personal information is available in the general public realm, and how easy it is now to obtain via the Internet. Not sure what can be done about it, other than to state it as a concern and monitor the availability and quantity to ensure your truly private information remains private.
Yankees in a tough Spot with Bernie Williams
Brian Cashman, the GM of the NY Yankees finds himself in a tough spot these days. His dilemna; what to do with Bernie Williams. As of today, Cashman has not indicated if he is going to bring Bernie back for another season in pinstripes. Williams has been in Bronx since 1991, and is nearing the end of his career and the Yankees organization it seems wants to treat him with the respect he deserves, but unfortunately it does not currently have any room left on their 40 man roster for #51.
Bernie has patrolled centerfield at Yankee Stadium, the same hallowed ground as the legends Mantle and DiMaggio before. He has always conducted himself with honor and class. He has played his entire career in one uniform, very similar to the two men being enshrined in Cooperstown this summer. He was never a clubhouse nuisance, or arrested or accused of illegal behaviour. There was some concern he would flee to Boston a few years back, but the speculation was Bernie never wanted to put on another uniform besides the pinstripes. Williams helped bring the World Series trophy back to New York in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. He is one of the remaining current crop that came up through their own system along with Jeter, Posada, and Rivera who have been here for the entire run.
The Yankees have a long history and tradition. I want to believe that they don't want to unceremoniously dump Bernie. He performed very well (.281/12/61) last season in what was supposed to be a part time role, but became more when Matsui and Sheffield went down with injuries for most of the regular season. But the Yankees are trying to get younger, and faster and need to give some young kids a chance. It is a shame that the idea of Bernie trying 1st base last season, since that might have been incentive to keep him, but after the Mike Piazza 1st base fiasco a few years ago in Shea, there is no reason to believe that this would be any different.
So, it is with great sadness that barring a major injury, the Yankees are going to need to part company with Bernie Williams soon. Then Bernie needs to decide if he is going to retire, or try to catch on with another team and don another uniform. If he does retire, then the Yankees should hire him as a minor league instructor or a Latin American scout, something to keep him in the organization. He is a much better role model than Darryl Strawberry or Dwight Gooden, who have spent time after their playing career in the employ of the Yankees.
However, Joe Torre is not making his bosses job any easier, by saying he wants to give Bernie a chance, here. As the Replacement Level Weblog says:
Bernie has patrolled centerfield at Yankee Stadium, the same hallowed ground as the legends Mantle and DiMaggio before. He has always conducted himself with honor and class. He has played his entire career in one uniform, very similar to the two men being enshrined in Cooperstown this summer. He was never a clubhouse nuisance, or arrested or accused of illegal behaviour. There was some concern he would flee to Boston a few years back, but the speculation was Bernie never wanted to put on another uniform besides the pinstripes. Williams helped bring the World Series trophy back to New York in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. He is one of the remaining current crop that came up through their own system along with Jeter, Posada, and Rivera who have been here for the entire run.
The Yankees have a long history and tradition. I want to believe that they don't want to unceremoniously dump Bernie. He performed very well (.281/12/61) last season in what was supposed to be a part time role, but became more when Matsui and Sheffield went down with injuries for most of the regular season. But the Yankees are trying to get younger, and faster and need to give some young kids a chance. It is a shame that the idea of Bernie trying 1st base last season, since that might have been incentive to keep him, but after the Mike Piazza 1st base fiasco a few years ago in Shea, there is no reason to believe that this would be any different.
So, it is with great sadness that barring a major injury, the Yankees are going to need to part company with Bernie Williams soon. Then Bernie needs to decide if he is going to retire, or try to catch on with another team and don another uniform. If he does retire, then the Yankees should hire him as a minor league instructor or a Latin American scout, something to keep him in the organization. He is a much better role model than Darryl Strawberry or Dwight Gooden, who have spent time after their playing career in the employ of the Yankees.
However, Joe Torre is not making his bosses job any easier, by saying he wants to give Bernie a chance, here. As the Replacement Level Weblog says:
What are the odds that if Bernie gets a shot at making the team from Joe Torre, he doesn't make it? Please Brian Cashman, hold firm.He also has done some statistical analysis of the proposed Red Sox trade, which I discussed yesterday here, and says Helton is really only good for 1-1.5 more win shares. That makes me breathe a little easier if this trade actually goes through.
Links of the Day - January 29, 2007
Are Privacy Notices Worthless? - Obviously the answer is Yes, since I never read them
Man Refuses to stand during Pledge on principle - Not sure I agree with his position, but he seems to know what he is talking about
Libertarians failing to move to New Hampshire fast enough - Good idea. bad execution, who wants to uproot just for political causes. Home is after all where the heart is.
Revising Libertarian Basics - Always a good refresher
Libertarian Awakening
Schilling to play in '08 - Does anyone care? Lets play this year, then worry about next year.
Man Refuses to stand during Pledge on principle - Not sure I agree with his position, but he seems to know what he is talking about
Libertarians failing to move to New Hampshire fast enough - Good idea. bad execution, who wants to uproot just for political causes. Home is after all where the heart is.
Revising Libertarian Basics - Always a good refresher
Libertarian Awakening
Schilling to play in '08 - Does anyone care? Lets play this year, then worry about next year.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Baseball Rumor
I have pretty much given up on the Red Sox and trade rumors, especially after they have threatened to trade Manny Ramirez for the past few winters but yet have sat tight with him, And being a Yankee fan it is certainly biased to comment on your main rivals speculative moves.
However, I just saw on Yahoo that Boston is in discussions with the Colorado Rockies to aquire Todd Helton. And worse, ESPN is saying that Helton would OK a trade to the Red Sox, so there must be some validity to this. If they are able to pull this off, then kudos to Theo Epstein and company for brining another world class, top of the line offensive player to Fenway. My question is, how many runs do they need to score this year? Replacing Mike Lowell with Todd Helton (the current proposed trade, plus a few relievers) will certainly add more fire power, which either begs the question of how much is too much, or they are hedging against the inevitable JD Drew injury, and are not willing to have the oft-injured outfielder being the only protection for Manny and Big Papi.
On the flip side, I am in total agreement with Jim Caple, from ESPN.com. a die-hard Red Sox fan that they have joined the Yankees as a co-Evil Empire having out spent every other team in baseball, except the Bronx Bombers. Can you really still hate the devil, if you have yourself become the devil? Odd position that those chaps up in Beantown Here are Caple's words:
However, I just saw on Yahoo that Boston is in discussions with the Colorado Rockies to aquire Todd Helton. And worse, ESPN is saying that Helton would OK a trade to the Red Sox, so there must be some validity to this. If they are able to pull this off, then kudos to Theo Epstein and company for brining another world class, top of the line offensive player to Fenway. My question is, how many runs do they need to score this year? Replacing Mike Lowell with Todd Helton (the current proposed trade, plus a few relievers) will certainly add more fire power, which either begs the question of how much is too much, or they are hedging against the inevitable JD Drew injury, and are not willing to have the oft-injured outfielder being the only protection for Manny and Big Papi.
On the flip side, I am in total agreement with Jim Caple, from ESPN.com. a die-hard Red Sox fan that they have joined the Yankees as a co-Evil Empire having out spent every other team in baseball, except the Bronx Bombers. Can you really still hate the devil, if you have yourself become the devil? Odd position that those chaps up in Beantown Here are Caple's words:
Not convinced the Red Sox have turned into the Yankees? Then consider this. No team has ever paid more money for a world championship than did the 2004 Red Sox (the Yankees have spent more trying to win, but their payroll was a mere $114 million when they won the Series in 2000). Further, when those Red Sox recorded the final out of that World Series, not a single player on the field was homegrown. When the Sox open the 2007 season, they may have just two homegrown players in the lineup, first baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia.The best thing about this story, is that it reminds me that in just a few short weeks, pitchers and catchers will begin to report to camps in Florida and Arizona, and a new glorious season will begin.
At Ease, Mr President Indeed
A friend of mine over at Dave's Chronic Malcontents, sent me a link this weekend from the New York Times Op-Ed section written by Garry Wills. Mr. Wills, makes an excellent and much needed point
According to the Constitution of the United States in Article 2, Section 2, the first sentence says:WE hear constantly now about “our commander in chief.” The word has become a synonym for “president.” It is said that we “elect a commander in chief.” It is asked whether this or that candidate is “worthy to be our commander in chief.”
But the president is not our commander in chief. He certainly is not mine. I am not in the Army.
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United StatesThis point is quite simple, the President is not the Commander in Chief of the civilian population. He is not the Commander in Chief of the Army, the Navy and any state militia that has been federalized. For any national guard unit that is still under the command of their respective states governor, the president is not their Commander in Chief. This where, in my humble opinion, 99% of the national guard units should currently be deployed (in their home states) actively fighting the war on terror at home, not half way around the world, but again, that is another story for another day. To go back to Mr. Wills Op-Ed:
When Abraham Lincoln took actions based on military considerations, he gave himself the proper title, “commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States.” That title is rarely — more like never — heard today. It is just “commander in chief,” or even “commander in chief of the United States.” This reflects the increasing militarization of our politics. The citizenry at large is now thought of as under military discipline. In wartime, it is true, people submit to the national leadership more than in peacetime. The executive branch takes actions in secret, unaccountable to the electorate, to hide its moves from the enemy and protect national secrets. Constitutional shortcuts are taken “for the duration.” But those impositions are removed when normal life returns.I think it is time for the civilian population of this country to remind the current president and all the hopefuls out there what the limits are of the role Commander in Chief and to do everything possible that no sitting president ever usurps that role and tries to push their military titles upon the civilians.
Miami Vice (the TV show is terrbile)
Picture the scene,
Your ear to the wall,
Like a distant scream
I heard one guitar
and my whole life changed
Wait a minute, it is a bad sign when you immediately digress from your original rant about how terrible Miami Vice (the TV Series) is, and go right into the lyrics of 'Jukebox Hero' by Foreigner. So let me backtrack. I am watching TV tonight, hurray new Simpson's and Season Premiere of King of the Hill. But I have to wait until 8, so I check the TiVo to see what crap this alleged artificial intelligence (intelligent filtering) has recorded on my behalf. Well it recorded an old episode of Miami Vice, and I decided to give it a whirl.
Now, as I started before. Picture the scene. It is Friday Night, circa 1985. I am home alone, my sister is off to college, not sure where my parents are, but I seemed to be home alone a lot of Friday night, but that is perhaps another story. So I spend the night engrossed in network television, since that is all we had growing up (I know I was deprived). A few years back it would have been Airwolf, Love Boat and Fantasy Island (or maybe that was a Saturday night, not sure). Either way, I remember watching Miami Vice every single Friday night, when I was in my early teens before I joined the in crowd and got a life (read drank beer). Anyway, I loved that show, and thought it was great television. But I think I had some serious screws loose after watching an actual episode tonight.
I have been unable to watch this show recently because I was concerned it would shatter my fond memories. I put this program in the same category at Welcome Back Kotter, a good show at the time that everyone liked, but I was afraid it would not hold up over time, some other classic 70 sitcoms, I fear the same thing for Barney Miller. Boy was I right about not wanting to watch this show.
I watched this terrible episode from 1987, which is clearly after it jumped the shark (Tubbs has a beard). It was about a dead reggae star who died and was cryogenicly frozen so he could be brought back to life later, think Ted Williams as a Rastafarian. I started laughing half way through the show, since the premise of the episode was so far off base and incredibaly unbelievable. It made no sense and was absolutely so pretentious it was comical. Anyone else feel the same way about Miami Vice?
Speaking of Tonight's Simpson episode, the best line is without a doubt:
Marge : Revenge never solves anything!
Homer: Then what's American doing in Iraq?
I also enjoyed the closing credits where they dedicated this episode to all the characters who died during the filming of Star Wars including Storm Trooper #22, Storm Trooper #5, all the people aboard the two death stars, but unfortunately not Jar-Jar Binks. Great Stuff. Good to see the Simpson's writers are still on top of their game after 34 centuries on TV.
Finally, I also just saw a preview for Ghost Rider, the new Nicolas Cage movie. Any remember a time when he was actually considered a good actor who starred in good Movies? My favorite Nicolas Cage movie is Leaving Las Vegas, Red Rock West, Family Man and of course Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Do you remember when Cage was a semi-respectable actor?
Your ear to the wall,
Like a distant scream
I heard one guitar
and my whole life changed
Wait a minute, it is a bad sign when you immediately digress from your original rant about how terrible Miami Vice (the TV Series) is, and go right into the lyrics of 'Jukebox Hero' by Foreigner. So let me backtrack. I am watching TV tonight, hurray new Simpson's and Season Premiere of King of the Hill. But I have to wait until 8, so I check the TiVo to see what crap this alleged artificial intelligence (intelligent filtering) has recorded on my behalf. Well it recorded an old episode of Miami Vice, and I decided to give it a whirl.
Now, as I started before. Picture the scene. It is Friday Night, circa 1985. I am home alone, my sister is off to college, not sure where my parents are, but I seemed to be home alone a lot of Friday night, but that is perhaps another story. So I spend the night engrossed in network television, since that is all we had growing up (I know I was deprived). A few years back it would have been Airwolf, Love Boat and Fantasy Island (or maybe that was a Saturday night, not sure). Either way, I remember watching Miami Vice every single Friday night, when I was in my early teens before I joined the in crowd and got a life (read drank beer). Anyway, I loved that show, and thought it was great television. But I think I had some serious screws loose after watching an actual episode tonight.
I have been unable to watch this show recently because I was concerned it would shatter my fond memories. I put this program in the same category at Welcome Back Kotter, a good show at the time that everyone liked, but I was afraid it would not hold up over time, some other classic 70 sitcoms, I fear the same thing for Barney Miller. Boy was I right about not wanting to watch this show.
I watched this terrible episode from 1987, which is clearly after it jumped the shark (Tubbs has a beard). It was about a dead reggae star who died and was cryogenicly frozen so he could be brought back to life later, think Ted Williams as a Rastafarian. I started laughing half way through the show, since the premise of the episode was so far off base and incredibaly unbelievable. It made no sense and was absolutely so pretentious it was comical. Anyone else feel the same way about Miami Vice?
Speaking of Tonight's Simpson episode, the best line is without a doubt:
Marge : Revenge never solves anything!
Homer: Then what's American doing in Iraq?
I also enjoyed the closing credits where they dedicated this episode to all the characters who died during the filming of Star Wars including Storm Trooper #22, Storm Trooper #5, all the people aboard the two death stars, but unfortunately not Jar-Jar Binks. Great Stuff. Good to see the Simpson's writers are still on top of their game after 34 centuries on TV.
Finally, I also just saw a preview for Ghost Rider, the new Nicolas Cage movie. Any remember a time when he was actually considered a good actor who starred in good Movies? My favorite Nicolas Cage movie is Leaving Las Vegas, Red Rock West, Family Man and of course Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Do you remember when Cage was a semi-respectable actor?
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Silly things to Ponder
I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.
Gardening Rule: When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.
Life is sexually transmitted.
Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again
All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"
Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken there? I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta its butt."
Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?
If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
Do you ever wonder why you gave me your email address?
Gardening Rule: When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.
Life is sexually transmitted.
Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again
All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"
Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken there? I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta its butt."
Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?
If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
Do you ever wonder why you gave me your email address?
Links of the Day - January 25, 2007
In Praise of Security Theater - What makes us feel safer, being secure or thinking we are secure?
How Does a Movie with 8 Oscar Nominations considered itself snubbed?
The Penguin leaves the lair, speaks and seems way out of touch - No surprise
Kerry decides not to run in 2008 - One down, too many left
Why Most Bloggers are Idiot - I am not sure if I am an idiot or not
How Does a Movie with 8 Oscar Nominations considered itself snubbed?
The Penguin leaves the lair, speaks and seems way out of touch - No surprise
Kerry decides not to run in 2008 - One down, too many left
Why Most Bloggers are Idiot - I am not sure if I am an idiot or not
Subject: The Densest Element
An important announcement from the Scientific community. (thanks Craig M)
A major research institution has just announced the discovery of the densest element yet known to science. The new element has been named "Bushcronium."
Bushcronium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 224 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 311.
These particles are held together by dark forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.
The symbol for Bushcronium is "W."
Bushcronium's mass actually increases over time, as morons randomly interact and become assistant-deputy neutrons in a Bushcronium molecule, forming isodopes. This characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to believe that Bushcronium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "Critical Morass."
When catalyzed with money, Bushcronium activates Foxnewsium, an element that radiates orders of magnitude more energy, albeit as incoherent noise, since it has 1/2 as many peons but twice as many morons.
A major research institution has just announced the discovery of the densest element yet known to science. The new element has been named "Bushcronium."
Bushcronium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 224 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 311.
These particles are held together by dark forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.
The symbol for Bushcronium is "W."
Bushcronium's mass actually increases over time, as morons randomly interact and become assistant-deputy neutrons in a Bushcronium molecule, forming isodopes. This characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to believe that Bushcronium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "Critical Morass."
When catalyzed with money, Bushcronium activates Foxnewsium, an element that radiates orders of magnitude more energy, albeit as incoherent noise, since it has 1/2 as many peons but twice as many morons.
NBC TV Lineup Tonight
So I sit down to watch the boob tube tonight thinking what a great night to watch TV. NBC is back on top on Thursday with My Name is Earl, The Office, Scrubs, 30 Rock (which I dont watch) and ER. Thank Goodness that ABC has decided they are going to replay Grey's Anatomy on Fridays at 8, so I can watch Scrubs and the mrs won't miss Greys. So I sit down and lo and behold, all repeats across the board on NBC.
How incredibly lame. At least we can tape Grey's tonight and watch it tomorrow sans commercials, so the bottom line is I can catch up on my blogs, which I did not get to do last night.
How incredibly lame. At least we can tape Grey's tonight and watch it tomorrow sans commercials, so the bottom line is I can catch up on my blogs, which I did not get to do last night.
Should 6th Grade Girls be vaccinated for STD and Cancer?
I am not sure what is going on in Illinois or why a state legislator would introduce a bill that would mandate that 6th grade girls receive the HPV vaccination, I found this article online at Stop The ACLU, (which is somewhat of an interesting name, since this cause seems like a case the ACLU might actually bring up. I tried doing a little more research into this group, but could not find any, if you know anything about them, please comment and let me know.)
No one wants the government rifling through his or her bank accounts. The FBI has no business perusing your grocery lists. The right of privacy is clear in this country. With very few exceptions, the government has no reason to mandate that you tell them about your finances, your relationships, or your personal health.
That is why Representative Naomi Jakobsson’s bill, HB115, is unconstitutional. The bill requires that sixth grade girls receive the vaccination for HPV before going to public or private school. Many similar laws and proposals have cropped up in other states as well.The decision to get the HPV vaccine should be between a woman, her parents if applicable, and her doctor. HB115 does not specifically require that girls entering the sixth grade get the vaccine, but it does require the disclosure of whether that vaccine has been administered or not. The school has no need of that information. The right of privacy dictates that the government cannot demand private sexual health information.
Schools have a compelling interest to know which students are vaccinated or not for diseases such as polio, mumps and the like. These diseases can be transmitted in the classroom where students are required to congregate. Even if parents choose not to vaccinate, the schools could use the information to contain an outbreak should one occur.
With HPV, no plausible or allowable situation would allow for the transmission of a sexually transmitted disease in school. Quite simply students aren’t allowed to have sex at school for obvious reasons.
Now, I don't know much about this particular drug, but I agree there is no reason to mandate any child to receive a drug (especially expiremental) unless it is for the common good, such as those mentioned above. I don't know, maybe I am naive, and I don't know the actual odds, but it does not seem that so many people are getting this form of cancer that necessitates every woman ir gyrl receiving this vaccine. Seems more like a Pharma marketing department trying to do a doctors job, and that really bothers me. Almost as much as a legislator from Illinois doing the marketing job for a major drug company. Or maybe it is just me.
I am also a little bothered that I have seen TV commercials pushing this type of drug, and having woman ask their doctors about it. Maybe I am old fashioned, but I was a big supporter of Pharma marketing (B2B) only to physicians and hospitals, rather than this recent trend (B2C) direct to the consumer, think Cialis, Levitra, Lipitor, Zoloft, etc.On a somewhat different note, I find it interesting that the public school my kindergarten son attends has detailed medical information which includes the name of my wife's OB/GYN that delivered my son, the type of delivery it was (Vaginal/C-Section) and whether there were any complications associated with the birth. Now my question is, why the Frig do the schools need this information. I understand if a child has a developmental issue, then a psychologist or a social worker might want to investigate these factors to determine a correlation between these events and the outcome of a child's abilities. But to the best of my knowledge, Jacob is a normal, well adjusted 5 year old.
I am sure, when we enrolled him in public school one of the forms we signed authorized the school or the board of education to obtain this information, but my fundamental question is why? What is the relevance of the public school having this information, and more importantly what are they doing to protect Jacob and my wife's privacy? Who has access to this information? Is it digital or still on paper? Can any staff person access this or just his Principal, Vice-Principle, Teacher, Social Worker, Janitor, etc?
This makes me think I need to ask a few more questions regarding this policy before I am satisfied. I have a sneaky feeling I am not going to like what I hear. What do think?
Added 1/28/2007 @11:18 PM Here are some more links regarding this story (Thanks Carol):
Sixth grade girls to face mandatory cervical cancer vaccinations under Michigan bill
Are Democrats Too Nice?
I saw this article in the Stamford Advocate, via the LA Times written by Jonathan Chiat, and thought it was quite interesting to say the least. It essentially lays out the political minefield that is Washington D.C. I have been engaging in a discussion with E-Luv's Big Mouth, about how much accolades Senator Jim Webb should get for delivering the Democratic response to the state of the union, and for his non-diplomatic response to the photo opportunity with the President, just after he is elected a few months back.
The gist of today's rant, is that we have to remember it is going to be very difficult if not impossible for the new comers and the new party in power to always walk the straight and narrow, or to speak softly but carry a big stick, or keep ramming new legislation through the respective bodies. I hope that Democrats do not become as arrogant, conceited and cocky as the republicans did over the past 12 years. One thing that helps keeps legislators in line is the 1st amendment, which allows citizens and the press to question their representatives to ensure that they have our best interest in mind, not those from the 1600 Pennsylvania or K Street. (Do you hear me Senator Lieberman? Probably not, since he is doing busy doing his best job to ignore the will of the people in his own state)
Anyways, here is some snippets from the piece:
Added 1/25/07 7:58 PM from a response to a comment on from this posting on Mens News Daily, which I thought was worth sharing here:
..one thing I always give credit to the republicans is the ability to organize and with that ability they have time and time again been able to perfect the art of dirty tricks. Whether it is CREEP or Swift Water, they have always tried to bend the rules. The problem with the unorganized Dem's is that when they try to pull off funny stuff, they always get caught.
However, I find it hard to believe that Dem's don't care about the troops. They care as much as an republican. To say one party is not patriotic is a ridiculous arguement. Regardless of their ideaology, they still are Americans and doing what they feel is best for the country regardless of political party.
Almost every red blooded American supports the troops. They are doing there jobs with honor, defending the country, and following orders. We need to get over the divisiveness of the political party and together come up with a strategy that will allow us to define "winning" if that is what ultimately gets us out of that quagmire.
The gist of today's rant, is that we have to remember it is going to be very difficult if not impossible for the new comers and the new party in power to always walk the straight and narrow, or to speak softly but carry a big stick, or keep ramming new legislation through the respective bodies. I hope that Democrats do not become as arrogant, conceited and cocky as the republicans did over the past 12 years. One thing that helps keeps legislators in line is the 1st amendment, which allows citizens and the press to question their representatives to ensure that they have our best interest in mind, not those from the 1600 Pennsylvania or K Street. (Do you hear me Senator Lieberman? Probably not, since he is doing busy doing his best job to ignore the will of the people in his own state)
Anyways, here is some snippets from the piece:
MOST OF us have probably always suspected that when fresh-faced young members of Congress get to Washington, there is a quiet, whispering voice urging them to abandon their youthful idealism and acclimate themselves to the ways of the capital. Now I know it's true, because one of those voices decided to conduct his seduction in broad daylight.So it is quite clear that former members of Congress from both parties can be enticed and seduced to go work for the dark side, I mean those scum bag lobbyists. It is truly a shame that the person who is giving this advise, and clearly biased advise, is doing so on behalf of the people that were told by their very own constituents to avoid. What irony, and if that is not enough, check out when Moffet came to be elected:
Last week, the Washington Post, the bulletin board of the political establishment, published an Op-Ed article imparting advice to incoming Democratic members of Congress. Its author was Toby Moffett, a former Democratic member of Congress from Connecticut.
Moffett's advice, which was written in bullet-point form, began with just a slightly unsettling undertone. He urged new members not to go home too often, to make friends in the building and to cross the aisle. This is typical good-old-boy establishment stuff. The mask was pulled off completely by point No. 4: "Befriend some lobbyists."
Befriend some lobbyists? Here it was, the voice of the devil, inexplicably doing his business out in the open.
The final, parodic heights of the exercise were reached when the reader made it to the bottom of the article, where the author was identified as working at "the Livingston Group, a lobbying and consulting firm." Now that Democrats have retaken control of Congress after 12 years as a beaten-down minority, all the pundits are asking whether they'll succumb to the temptation to be nasty to their former oppressors on K Street. I think the real temptation, as Moffett illustrates, is to be too nice.
Now, to be fair, there are plenty of good reasons why Democrats can't just wipe clean all the excesses of GOP control — not least being that Republicans still hold the White House. The danger is that they'll stop wanting to do so.How slowly has Toby Moffet forgotten what brought him to Washington DC in the first place? That is truly a tragic irony.
The last big wave of reform Democrats came in 1974, after Watergate. They were young and famously idealistic. One was named Toby Moffett.
Added 1/25/07 7:58 PM from a response to a comment on from this posting on Mens News Daily, which I thought was worth sharing here:
..one thing I always give credit to the republicans is the ability to organize and with that ability they have time and time again been able to perfect the art of dirty tricks. Whether it is CREEP or Swift Water, they have always tried to bend the rules. The problem with the unorganized Dem's is that when they try to pull off funny stuff, they always get caught.
However, I find it hard to believe that Dem's don't care about the troops. They care as much as an republican. To say one party is not patriotic is a ridiculous arguement. Regardless of their ideaology, they still are Americans and doing what they feel is best for the country regardless of political party.
Almost every red blooded American supports the troops. They are doing there jobs with honor, defending the country, and following orders. We need to get over the divisiveness of the political party and together come up with a strategy that will allow us to define "winning" if that is what ultimately gets us out of that quagmire.
Roommate Choosing is my Right, not the Governments
I found this article at Reason, and just need to laugh at the attempt by the governmental agencies trying to regulate roommates.com, and more importantly attempting to change how we look for cohabitants.
It looks like another case of government trying to limit the use of the internet and regulate what I can do inside my house. Should be interesting to watch.
"I may not be a gay man, but I have a lot of things in common with gay men. I'm very tidy. I have a great sense of decoration. Whatever."
So said Judge Alex Kozinski, during the freewheeling appellate arguments of a lawsuit alleging discrimination of the part of the roommate matching service roommates.com. He was speaking for a hypothetical woman who might like to reply to an ad requesting a gay male roommate, perhaps imagining herself Grace to the poster's Will.
The suit, filed by the Fair Housing Council of the San Fernando Valley and the Fair Housing Council of San Diego, and heard by the Ninth Circuit in Pasadena last month, claims that such ads are discriminatory and is suing roommates.com to force them to police their content.
The article then goes on and lays out a slew of laws which may or may not be applicable to this particular case, but the bottom line shouldn't I as the home owner or primary lease holder have the ability to decide who I want to live with? If I am a landlord, I agree I should not be able to discriminate against a primary renter. However, if I am already occupying a residence, I should be able to find someone that I like, and would prefer to share my space with, but hey maybe this is just me.
It looks like another case of government trying to limit the use of the internet and regulate what I can do inside my house. Should be interesting to watch.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Links of the Day - January 24, 2007
Don't Play Poker Against Nancy Pelosi
Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) Newsletter
1000+ Libertarians move to NH - Interesting thought, move people in order to influence the process
Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) Newsletter
1000+ Libertarians move to NH - Interesting thought, move people in order to influence the process
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Resume 2007
CORE COMPENTENCIES
Project Management, Program Management, Business Analysis, Use Case Development, Global Applications, Operations Management, Requirements Gathering and Documentation, Business Process Re-engineering
SKILLS
Broadcast and Media, Digital Media, Advertising, Marketing, Strategy Development, Identity Management, Portal Implementation, IT Security, Single Sign-On (SSO), Budgeting, LDAP, Workflow Automation, Technical Assessments, Strategic Planning, Quality Assurance, Regression Testing, Load Testing, System Security
TOOLS
Vignette Business Collaboration Server, IBM Websphere Portal, Empirix, Rational Rose, Rational Performance Test, Mercury, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Visio, Pelagon Spinnaker, DREAM, thePlatform, LightningCast, mRSS, Documentum eRoom, TeamSite
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Independent Contractor, Stamford, CT 9/2005 – Present
Technical Project Manager – A&E Television Networks, Epsilon Interactive
Technology Strategy Consultant, North American Operations Manager – Pelagon Software
Security Business Analyst – SBC (AT&T) IT Security-IdM
Operations Manager
Managed client relationship; acting as central contact for all client communications
Ensure that client requirements were included in proposed technical solutions
Responsible for the setup and maintenance of a highly secure technical infrastructure required regular audit and compliance by the customer
Re-Engineered Business Processes to create a smoother workflow
Developed operational and delivery organization and project management best practices
Project Manager
Oversaw technology implementation’s that stretched across multiple websites and technologies
Scoped and configured product application to client needs
Led the successful delivery of a multi-million dollar email marketing integration for a major financial institution's credit card business
Demonstrated organization, process standards and project management best practices
Developed project plan to coordinate multiple initiatives and tracked open issues pre and post implementation
Utilized standardized templates for documentation
Created GAP analysis between vendors, solutions and requirements
Business Analyst
Wrote Use Cases for video ingestion and web publishing & digital distribution process
Created and reviewed Use Cases to demonstrate Technical and Business Requirements for consumer portal, designed to provide service access for 20 million users
Built highly detailed Use Cases to document the data process overview to ensure proper handling
Built a data flow diagram to represent the business rules and process
Gathered and consolidated video metadata requirements for implementation to thePlatform
Documented requirements for mRSS feed and distribution of broadband videos
Responsible for gathering business requirements, creation of product user guide and integrations specifications for workflow automation product improvements
Wrote Business Requirements documenting security, connectivity and encryption needs of an credit card client in order to manage their email communications channel
Built a requirement trace ability matrix to match the business and technical requirements to ensure that all requirements were properly addressed in the solution
Utilized Common Criteria EAL 3 to validate that system is secure and compliant
Developed the technical requirements documentation which documented the deployment plan for developers and QA for their design and test case creation
Tested new product functionality
Euro RSCG Worldwide, New York, NY 9/2001 –8/2005
Director IT Strategy – Global Applications Manager
General Responsibilities:
Managed, supported, and maintained all enterprise level applications
Liaison between network agencies and office of the CIO
Established Project Management Office (PMO) for developing standards, tracking project progress and reporting guidelines
Participated in the development and execution of the IT Strategic Architecture that provided a 24-month road map for the Global IT organization with IT Security oversight
Product managed client extranet (collaboration) and enterprise intranet (portal)
Regression tested all new releases of hardware (HP Blades, Cisco Routers. EMC SAN) and software (IBM WebSphere Portal, VBCS, SQL) to ensure successful implementation and no incremental losses of functionality with each release
Directed and prioritized the work for 4 software developers, 4 network engineers and 2 information architects
Worked with marketing to ensure that content and applications were updating properly
Responsible for a $3.6M IT budget
Interfaced with finance department to reconcile monthly budgets and expected expenditures
Project Responsibilities:
Project – Portal Intranet
Goal: Migrate existing global intranet to IBM Websphere Portal; develop additional functionality that provides a single location for various corporate applications ensuring appropriate security
Utilized Sun Access Manager to provide an LDAP based solution that allowed users to access multiple applications from one directory providing enterprise single sign-on (SSO) capabilities
Documented business requirements pertaining to Identity Management and application security
Reviewed security procedures and access policies to ensure proper access and rights to various applications accessed through the portal
Tested and developed metrics to determine portal scalability, utilizing Rational Performance Test
Project – Workflow Automation
Goal: Establish a standard global workflow process and develop a global application that will help reduce G&A costs by 25% by Dec 2007
Met with Managing Directors of major international advertising agencies to build project consensus and to gain support for project
Built business case with ROI projections to justify the need for this application
Defined and established global agency workflow standards
Reviewed specifications and developed implementation plan for local agencies
Sold the application to agency CFO’s to raise funds during the budgeting process
Project – Extranet and Client Collaboration
Goal: Build a collaborative workspace where account team and client can share, comment, review and approve assets that are stored in a standardized format utilizing VBCS
Gathered requirements from Managing Directors, Account Services and Clients to determine business rules and major functionality needs of the applications
Evaluated vendors technology solutions and built functionality matrix evaluating each solutions against client and user requirements
Oversaw a vendor proof-of-concept to ensure that software functionality met requirements
Completed software development life cycle in 6-months by customizing the Vignette Collaboration Business Server and kept project under budget
Trained clients and account teams to use the application, using different sessions and content for administrators and general users
Ensured the application security and rights matched the business requirements granting user the correct access rights to the pertinent information
Developed and executed test plans based on functional requirements documentation
Utilized Empirix regression testing tool to test validate and verify software releases
Project – Digital Asset Management and Delivery
Goal: Establish an online repository for high-resolution digital assets, which can be accessed by all network agencies, and delivered consistently to vendor or client for review or printing
Evaluated companies and technologies to determine if they suit the Strategic Architecture
Gathered requirements to understand the global agency creative needs
Provided oversight to ensure time and cost guidelines
Euro RSCG 4D, Wilton, CT
Director Technology Operations
Closed $650,000 worth of business in the second half of 2003
Ran a $5 million enterprise level migration project spanning 18 months
Wrote statements of work and reviewed client bound documentation and deliverables
Led security audit validating email addresses in database
Implemented an iterative development process for new software projects
Wrote use cased to test new functionality
Managed proprietary eCRM software development and implementation process into clients approved standards hosting environment
Initiated Change Management Process to ensure smoother delivery
Re-Engineered Business Processes to create a smoother workflow
Safety Director, VP Development and Operations 1/2001 – 9/2001
Managed two projects to produce a B2B eCommerce Catalog and a Reporting/Tracking Tool for Safety and Health Compliance Market
Gathered business requirements and wrote functional specifications
iXL, New York, NY 7/1998 – 12/2000
Director of Technology Services, Director of e-Commerce Operations
P&L responsibility with $28.5 million in revenue and $17 million in COGS
Grew technology department 875% over a 12 month period, which represented 50% of the organizations billable revenue, while only accounting for 33% of the billable resources
Formed strategic partnerships with technology vendors
Established Quality Assurance practice and managed 9 person QA Department
Implemented and deployed QA best practices while utilizing the Mercury suite of testing tools
Supervised multi-functional project teams as they went through a risk analysis of potential outcomes based upon client requirements
Conducted project reviews to ensure communication among creative, technical and strategy team members to ensure projects progressed towards client goals and that milestones were being achieved on time and budget
Worked with clients to manage deliverables, deadlines and the change management processes
Developed organizational best practices to streamline the delivery mechanism
Bloomberg, L.P, - Project Manager/Analyst 7/1995 – 7/1998
Paradysz, Matera & Co., Analyst 3/1994 – 6/1995
Herz Water Supply, Owner 5/1991 – 12/1993
ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Jewish Family Services, Board Member 7/2003 – 6/2006
JCC –YCG, Co-Chairperson 1/2003- 1/2004
Ithaca College Alumni, Connecticut Chapter President 11/2003- 11/2004
EDUCATION
Binghamton University, MBA Finance & International Business
Ithaca College, B.S. Marketing & Speech Communications
Links of the Day - January 23, 2007
Cano ready to hand Clemens his number
The State of Union from a Throne
Clinton Bid Heralds Demise of Public Funding - I think this is a good thing
NJ Users can Expect Privacy from ISP's - This particular case seems to be on a pretty slippery slope, but I am in agreement that we should be entitled to anonymity on our computers, if we wish
The State of Union from a Throne
Clinton Bid Heralds Demise of Public Funding - I think this is a good thing
NJ Users can Expect Privacy from ISP's - This particular case seems to be on a pretty slippery slope, but I am in agreement that we should be entitled to anonymity on our computers, if we wish
Monday, January 22, 2007
Hillary Cannot Win in November 2008
It is 22 months until Nov 2008, when we will go to the polls and elect the next President of the United States of America. It is a wide open race because the sitting president is unable to run, the vice-president has said he won't run, so the race will be wide open for both major parties for the first time in a my lifetime. The candidates are starting to form exploratory committees in order to start fund raising, or in the case of my home Senator Chris Dodd, just skip the exploratory committee and go right for the run. By the way, what is the value of the exploratory committee anyways, seems just like a huge waste of time and money?
Democrats candidates are jumping into the fray from all over the country, but right now the top two candidates are Senator Obama Barack from Illinois and Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, via Washington DC, via Arkansas, via Connecticut, via Illinois. This could be be a unique period in US politics since Barack could be the first black presidential candidate from a major party, and Clinton could be the first woman presidential candidate.
However, there is speculation they could ultimately run together, but it is way too early for that. More than likely, the democrats will beat each other to a bloody pulp up to and through the primaries, spending a ton of money in the process, and whoever comes out ahead will be three steps behind the republican candidate. The republicans, who are much better at organizing and building consensus (or forcing it, not sure which) will spend more time and effort getting behind a candidate earlier and focus on removing the other candidates, so they can stock pile cash for the race that really matters in November.
Honestly, I don't think either Barack or Clinton will ultimately win this marathon. After all, where was Bill Clinton in the polls in January 1990? Anyone know or remember? I am certain he is wa
s not the the front runner. So if history holds, and it often does, another democrat will surface between now and next summer who will become the new national sweetheart. In the meantime, lets examine these two candidates starting with Senator Clinton.
I don't believe that Hilary Clinton has a snow ball's chance in Hell of winning the general election for one reason. She is hated by close to half the country. Whether it is because of her marriage to Slick Willie, whether it was her attempt to socialize our health care system in 1994, or her leftist tree hugging liberal tendencies she is always going to be remembered for what she was then. It is not going to matter how far her positions move towards the center of the political spectrum, the neo-conservatives hater her and will spend a ridiculous amount of money to ensure that Clinton never wins. If you thought the Swift-Water stuff was bad, you have not seen anything. A Hillary Clinton candidacy is just a massive gift to republican fund-raising efforts.
Some people will say that the Republicans and more specifically the compassionate conservatives (pardon me, while I choke on the vomit in the back of my throat) have been beaten down by the November elections, by the war in Iraq, and by their leaders overall perceived arrogance and incompetence. However, Sen. Clinton has such a deep history, and is resented and hated so much by so many that it would be an uphill battle for her to get the approval of the middle 20%, who ultimately decides who will win the White House.
If the democrats are smart, and I still question that concept, they will choose a less polarizing candidate than Senator Clinton. I am not sure if the Democrats realize the election results were more a rejection of the war in Iraq, lack of congressional ethics and excessive pork, or will the democratic leadership allow its hard core liberals to sabotage the party and pull it left and into disarray. The closer to the center that any candidate treads, the better chance they will have of winning the end game.
I do believe that this country could be ready for a woman president. After all, many modern countries have had a woman lead their governments in recent years. However, the successful female candidate will need to be a much more long term moderate with no excessive baggage or major skeletons. She would have to be non-controversial, without a national reputation. Very similar to the way Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter came to rise through the ranks in 1976 and 1992.
Also lets consider that no sitting Senator has won the presidency since 1960, and no northern candidate has won also since 1960. And as Senator Lloyd Bensten once said of Dan Quayle, She is no Jack Kennedy.
I will consider Obama Barack chances in a few days.
Democrats candidates are jumping into the fray from all over the country, but right now the top two candidates are Senator Obama Barack from Illinois and Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, via Washington DC, via Arkansas, via Connecticut, via Illinois. This could be be a unique period in US politics since Barack could be the first black presidential candidate from a major party, and Clinton could be the first woman presidential candidate.
However, there is speculation they could ultimately run together, but it is way too early for that. More than likely, the democrats will beat each other to a bloody pulp up to and through the primaries, spending a ton of money in the process, and whoever comes out ahead will be three steps behind the republican candidate. The republicans, who are much better at organizing and building consensus (or forcing it, not sure which) will spend more time and effort getting behind a candidate earlier and focus on removing the other candidates, so they can stock pile cash for the race that really matters in November.
Honestly, I don't think either Barack or Clinton will ultimately win this marathon. After all, where was Bill Clinton in the polls in January 1990? Anyone know or remember? I am certain he is wa
s not the the front runner. So if history holds, and it often does, another democrat will surface between now and next summer who will become the new national sweetheart. In the meantime, lets examine these two candidates starting with Senator Clinton.I don't believe that Hilary Clinton has a snow ball's chance in Hell of winning the general election for one reason. She is hated by close to half the country. Whether it is because of her marriage to Slick Willie, whether it was her attempt to socialize our health care system in 1994, or her leftist tree hugging liberal tendencies she is always going to be remembered for what she was then. It is not going to matter how far her positions move towards the center of the political spectrum, the neo-conservatives hater her and will spend a ridiculous amount of money to ensure that Clinton never wins. If you thought the Swift-Water stuff was bad, you have not seen anything. A Hillary Clinton candidacy is just a massive gift to republican fund-raising efforts.
Some people will say that the Republicans and more specifically the compassionate conservatives (pardon me, while I choke on the vomit in the back of my throat) have been beaten down by the November elections, by the war in Iraq, and by their leaders overall perceived arrogance and incompetence. However, Sen. Clinton has such a deep history, and is resented and hated so much by so many that it would be an uphill battle for her to get the approval of the middle 20%, who ultimately decides who will win the White House.
If the democrats are smart, and I still question that concept, they will choose a less polarizing candidate than Senator Clinton. I am not sure if the Democrats realize the election results were more a rejection of the war in Iraq, lack of congressional ethics and excessive pork, or will the democratic leadership allow its hard core liberals to sabotage the party and pull it left and into disarray. The closer to the center that any candidate treads, the better chance they will have of winning the end game.
I do believe that this country could be ready for a woman president. After all, many modern countries have had a woman lead their governments in recent years. However, the successful female candidate will need to be a much more long term moderate with no excessive baggage or major skeletons. She would have to be non-controversial, without a national reputation. Very similar to the way Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter came to rise through the ranks in 1976 and 1992.
Also lets consider that no sitting Senator has won the presidency since 1960, and no northern candidate has won also since 1960. And as Senator Lloyd Bensten once said of Dan Quayle, She is no Jack Kennedy.
I will consider Obama Barack chances in a few days.
Links of the Day - January 22, 2007
Further Proof Traditional Advertising is Losing its Grip
Now Internet Code to protect Privacy - An update on something I wrote about Here
Canadians want Democrat in White House - Good to know, link from Oval Office 2008
The Case for Killing the FCC - I would welcome this initiative, how about you?
Strange Family to Sue Station for Death - No real shocker here
Now Internet Code to protect Privacy - An update on something I wrote about Here
Canadians want Democrat in White House - Good to know, link from Oval Office 2008
The Case for Killing the FCC - I would welcome this initiative, how about you?
Strange Family to Sue Station for Death - No real shocker here
Election 2008: No More Clinton or Bushs
I was just going to add this to the links of the day, when I saw a few things I wanted to highlight here from Paris Lemon
The Los Angeles Times had a very interesting op-ed piece today which points out something that seems to be almost completely overlooked; say Hillary Clinton is elected President in 2008 and again in 2012, by the times she leaves office in 2017 that would have been 28 straight years of someone named either Bush or Clinton in the White House! This is even worse if you consider the 8 years George H.W. Bush served as Ronald Reagan's Vice President...that would be 36 years!I will be posting why I don't think Hillary has a snow ball's chance in hell of winning the presidency in 2008, but that will be another post.
As the article points out, when George Washington turned down a 3rd term as President and later Thomas Jefferson warned of an "unnatural aristocracy" they would likely not be happy with this potential situation. Though America is not supposed to have an oligarchy (that is where the power of the government rests with only a small, elite segment of society) that seems to be what is evolving. What are the odds that both the son of George H.W. Bush and the wife of Bill Clinton would be the best people out of 200 million + citizens to run the country at the times they were elected? Not very good....
To take it a step further, it would seem that the people of this country despite the strength of that name recognition don't even want relatives of former Presidents in office. The LA Times lays this out perfectly:"Three times in American history have close relatives of former presidents won the office. John Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, lost the popular vote to Andrew Jackson in 1824 but won in the electoral college amid charges of a "corrupt bargain." Benjamin Harrison, grandson of William Henry Harrison, lost the popular vote to Grover Cleveland in 1888 and also suffered as a "minority president" and mere figurehead. George W. Bush lost the popular vote to Al Gore in 2000."In the 3 times where a relative of a former President has been elected, the person elected actually lost the popular vote all three times ! That is perhaps another argument for why we should get rid of or at least drastically alter the electoral college, but that is another topic.
Oprah is bad for our Country
Here is another brilliant reason of why Oprah Winfrey should not be listened to, is not a roll model and quite possible should be removed from the airwaves. This is a perfect example of her exploiting a family simply to hop on a hot topic on drive up her ratings, even if it is the wrong thing to do for everyone else involved. Though truth be told, I am way off the main stream on this one, because I can almost guarantee that if Oprah wanted to run for president of the United States, should would probably win in a landslide that would make the 1984 election look close.
This comes directly from Winfrey's hometown newspaper the Chicago Sun Times
This comes directly from Winfrey's hometown newspaper the Chicago Sun Times
Oprah shouldn't have put 15-year-old Shawn Hornbeck and his family on TV. Yes, she's the richest woman in entertainment and certainly knows her stuff.
But sexual abuse victims aren't celebrities. They are victims. When these sexually exploited children are rescued, adults usually protect them from the media floodlights....
"I don't know what this family was thinking. I don't know what Oprah's people were thinking," said Sheila Ribordy, a clinical psychologist and professor at DePaul University. "But I am relatively certain that this is a very complex thing for [Shawn]. It may take years for him to sort this all out," she said.
"At this point, I doubt he has the capacity to think about what are the ramifications of him going on national television. Adults have to be extra careful to protect him, even from himself."
Still, Ribordy, said a part of her can understand what caused the parents to go on Oprah.
"Perhaps your head is turned by the possibility of being next to someone who is famous and all of those things," she said. "I can see how a family would say wow to a chance of a lifetime."
She also pointed out that there is another point of view that Oprah may be representing.
"In our society, sexual abuse is a terrible thing, but we also feel like it is a shameful thing for the victim. I think Oprah has really campaigned to make it less of a shameful thing.
"But we have no idea what happened to this kid," Ribordy continued. "Under those circumstances, if one were going to interview him or the family, it could have been done in a much more sheltered kind of way."
When these child abductions cases come up, media need to practice restraint. We need to remember that these victims and their families are ordinary people.
What will happen to them when the floodlights go out?
I call this phenomenon the Oprahization of the media. This is where a talk show host or other media maven takes a single issue and either blows it out of proportion or simply exploits the principles in order to drive ratings. The effect of this is every person who watches then believes that their child, school, town, etc is susceptible to whatever the disaster, crime, etc. du-jour.
If we as consumers and viewers would just ignore this crap, eventually advertising would stop supporting the show, and they would just go away. See it is a perfect plan to rid the world of one person with an overbearing ego, and to remove insipid television from the airwaves.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
NFL Championship Week
Well, lets keep it simple this week:
AFC - Patriots vs. Colts. I went against Belicheck and Brady last week and lost. I won't make the same mistake again, though I do thinnk Peyton and Dungy could surprise everyone this week, but in the end I suspect the Pats will prevail. Though, since I just picked the Pats, the Colts will probably find a win. We shall see tomorrow.
NFC - Saints vs. Bears. I think the Saints are on a roll and are going to be tough to beat, but they are on the road. Rex Grossman proved he can lead the Bears in the playoffs last week, but I am suspecting that the Saints Defense will find a way to either shut the running game down and put the game on Grossman's shoulders, or Rex will just to many mistakes to cost Da Bears. The Saints have a ton of offensive weapons and will be representing the NFC in Miami in two weeks.
Predicted Super Bowl Matchup - Patriots vs. Saints
Compelling Super Bowl Matchup - Colts vs. Saints
1986 Avenging Super Bowl - Patriots vs. Bears
Not gonna happen Super Bowl - Colts vs. Bears
AFC - Patriots vs. Colts. I went against Belicheck and Brady last week and lost. I won't make the same mistake again, though I do thinnk Peyton and Dungy could surprise everyone this week, but in the end I suspect the Pats will prevail. Though, since I just picked the Pats, the Colts will probably find a win. We shall see tomorrow.
NFC - Saints vs. Bears. I think the Saints are on a roll and are going to be tough to beat, but they are on the road. Rex Grossman proved he can lead the Bears in the playoffs last week, but I am suspecting that the Saints Defense will find a way to either shut the running game down and put the game on Grossman's shoulders, or Rex will just to many mistakes to cost Da Bears. The Saints have a ton of offensive weapons and will be representing the NFC in Miami in two weeks.
Predicted Super Bowl Matchup - Patriots vs. Saints
Compelling Super Bowl Matchup - Colts vs. Saints
1986 Avenging Super Bowl - Patriots vs. Bears
Not gonna happen Super Bowl - Colts vs. Bears
SCRUBS -- Everything Comes Down to Poo
Another Video from Scrubs, The Musical. Everything you needed to know about poo
Friday, January 19, 2007
Spanking ban in California
According to Yahoo, there is this crack pot in California legislature (I know that is hard to believe), who wants to outlaw spanking of children under 3.
I also agree with the guys over at Dadcentric, who said the following:
A California lawmaker says she has proposed a law that would make spanking a small child a crime to be punished by jail time or a fine.Now personally, I have not ever had the need or reason to spank or smack my children. My wife is fundamentally opposed to using form of physical punishment, so it has not been an issue in my house. However, we also agree that if we try other forms of punishment, discouraging behavior, negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, etc and we would consider spanking if we felt that was the only way to discipline our child. However, the point is this is our decision as parents. The right to make that decision is strictly up to the parents, I do not want under any circumstance the government telling me what I can and cannot do in my home, and this is exactly what this law begins to encroach upon. Don't get me wrong, I don't think a parent should beat their child, I don't think a parent should use excessive force, I don't think a parent should put their child in danger in an effort to discipline their children. In my opinion there is a huge difference between a one-off situation of spanking and discipline versus a long term case of child abuse.
The bill, backed by Democrat Sally Lieber of San Francisco, a member of the state legislature, would outlaw spanking children three years old or younger and carry a possible penalty of jail time or a 1,000-dollar fine.
"I think it's pretty hard to argue you need to beat a child three years old or younger," said Lieber, who plans to introduce the bill next week.
I also agree with the guys over at Dadcentric, who said the following:
Listen, I know some parents choose to spank and I know others do not. It's your business. That is until you do some harm to your child, then it's no longer your business. At the same time, it's not up to the government to tell you how to parent either. As far as I can tell, abuse is still against the law and if you abuse your children, the same should be inflicted on you ten-fold. You break an arm, Vinny ovah heah breaks boat and a knee-cap fah good meazhah.
It is always funny to me that you need a license to fish, but anyone can be a parent, but hey that is just me.
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