Comedy – 1 , Language Barrier – 0

10 Drugs not to use while driving. Trust me, it’s hilarious … and in German.

Nemesis Wanted - Apply Within

Y’know to really make it in this Evil Scientist racket what I really need is a good nemesis. I have the laugh (that’s just about standards), the grand schemes for global dominance, and a catchphrase, but what’s the point without an arch enemy. I hear the benefits are excellent. A nice secret headquarters, possibly a jet, cushy secret identity, and if Perry the Platypus has taught us anything it’s that you don’t even have to speak to foil a evil plot to take over the world (or the Tristate Area).

Pet peeve of the day

Authors who die without finishing their books (and the publishers who publish them anyway)

Elizabeth Gaskell

Douglas Adams

Robert Jordan – I began reading his series at age 11 and when I was 27 and on the eleventh book of the trilogy (yeah, I thought that meant three too), he died with a further three novels projected to finish the series. Now I'll have to wait for the afterlife for the conclusion.

I think this may be the root of my commitment issues.

Woo hoo!!

I have 2 followers. Six more and I can start a cult!

We interrupt this program . . .

for an entirely different rant. I was going to put up a few words on the lack of civility in American politics (great article on it at http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/07/avlon.civility/) but in reading the news this morning that discussion has been preempted.

I agree the President Obama is a gifted orator. He is eloquent and inspiring. That said, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for “inspiring hope” and his “vision” and not for any real achievement is more than a little ridiculous. When I first read the headline, I truly thought that The Economist’s website was hacked and it was all a joke. I understand that the president has lofty goals and that he is wildly popular, especially in the international community, but Miss America wishes for world peace all the time and she’s never received an international peace prize for it. Even Al Gore had a slideshow of actual work to go with his award.

I do not see how the Norwegian committee could see Obama’s limited contribution as more deserving than that of say Greg Mortenson and the Central Asia Institute. They build schools for girls in high risk countries and have built over 130 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan despite the threat of violence or even death. He has inspired millions with his message of education as the key to establishing world peace and global prosperity. But Obama’s speech to the UN on nuclear nonproliferation sure was rousing (even though coincided with the revelation that Iran had been enriching uranium).

Obama’s win is even more insane considering nominations closed February 1, only 12 days after he was sworn in as president. That must have been some Superbowl Party.

Crisis of Confidence or what?

Now I know that President Obama has had a rough third quarter. The economy is still in trouble, healthcare has been one snafu after the other, and the Olympics went to Rio, but I think duties as commander in chief should trump a media blitz to shore up the poll numbers. It’s been over a week since Gen. McChrystal had a face to face with Obama (a meeting squeezed into the presidential flight to Denmark and lasting less than half an hour) and still no word on a plan of action in Afghanistan. It’s not like it was a surprise visit. The war has been going on for the last eight years, it was one of Obama’s main talking points while he was still a candidate, and he does get daily security briefings so he should have had some clue that decisions needed to be made.

Hey, I 'm all for deliberation and consulting expert advisors, but not when continuing to delay is increasing the danger to our men and women in uniform. It took less than a day for him to sign the unprecedented trillion dollar stimulus package ($1,000,000,000,000, that’s a lot of zeros). People are dying over there; step up to the plate already. So what if you have to cancel dinner with Lady Gaga and the cast of Glee, postpone the Democratic Party fundraiser, and find a replacement for your stargazing date on the White House lawn. You’re the President of the United States; it’s all about making the tough decisions.

Have you noticed . . .

That the likelihood of dying in a plane crash is directly proportional to how famous you are? The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, John Denver, JFK Jr., Aaliyah, and about a bazillion sports teams (mostly soccer), just to name a few. It seems to be particularly unlucky for young, rising stars in the music industry. Jonas Brothers stop flying now. You have been warned.

Qbert said it best

This is the best they could come up with? Really? A healthcare plan that will cost over $800 billion, while not requiring any company to provide a health plan but requiring individuals to be insured? Fining people who don’t have coverage? Because I have all this extra money I don’t spend on healthcare insurance just because I like the Russian roulette of soul-sucking debt in exchange for vital medical services.

The best part is the raging debate over the need for a public option when it already exists. Has the entire Washington establishment forgotten about Medicare and Medicaid? Half of Congress won their seats by campaigning to fix the program and now, in a mass healthcare reform spectacle, no one remembers it?

I know how to fix healthcare without creating another trillion dollar money pit. It’s simple, logical, and does not add more bureaucratic oversight committees to an already overloaded system. I’d run for office, but as I am neither a rich egomaniac or embroiled in a real estate/prostitution scandal, I don’t think I would fit in. Does that make me over or under qualified?

Okay, rant over. Let me know if you want my solution to healthcare. I find it brilliant, others less so. Maybe it’s because I shoehorn it into any conversation remotely close to the topic. Hmm, I think I’m on to something.

Is it strange . . .

that I chose my posting font because it's named after medieval siege equipment?

They warned me about this is gym class…

Peer pressure gets you every time. I survived my teen years; resisted smoking, drinking, partying (except that one time in the Portsmouth Base VIP quarters), and brawling (foreign countries and away games don’t count). Obviously it’s not spotless, but still a good record. Alas, my confidence proved false and my willpower insufficient.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have started a blog.

Warning: political rants, obscure sci-fi quotes, and gratuitous parentheses ahead.