Friday, October 06, 2006

Googlism

Supposedly, you type your name in at googlism.com, and they tell you what Google thinks about you.

This is what they said about me:

cheryl ellis is handling her and we're hoping for some nice results from our stint up north
cheryl ellis is considering taking her 11

Can someone please translate that little nugget?

Thursday, October 05, 2006

California falling off the left edge.

Fuck!

Daily martini: Ode to Santorum

Chocolate Martini with a twist:

2 oz. Abosult Citron
1/2 oz. Frangelica
1/2 oz. Creme de Cocoa
1/2 oz. Godiva liquer

Serve chilled in a sugar-rimmed cocktail glass with lemon twist.

Google Santorum

After Senator Rick Santorum, R-Pa, stood before Congress denounced homosexuality a spectacle ensued. When he equated gay sexual relations to sex with a dog, an LGBT community storm rose against him nationwide and he recieved his own place in history: Santorum has now become synonimous with "the frothy mixture of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex".

We can thank sex-columnist Dan Savage, author of Savage Love and editor of The Stranger in Seattle, for this. He made it a personal quest to defame the name of Penssylvania's Senator for his statements in the AP Interview.

SANTORUM...It's not, you know, man on child, man on dog, or whatever the case may be. It is one thing. And when you destroy that you have a dramatic impact on the quality —

AP: I'm sorry, I didn't think I was going to talk about "man on dog" with a United States senator, it's sort of freaking me out.

SANTORUM: And that's sort of where we are in today's world, unfortunately...

Philadelphia Weekly ran a feature on Savage and all of his hostilities. A previously well-known and frequently syndicated writer, he rose to a new level by making his web site, www.spreadingsantorum.com the number one hit on Google searches for "santorum". His site ranks above Santorum's own site. Check it out, click here.

Although it is an excellent profile, it leaves out one key element: by taking a political stance as Savage has alienated himself. Although he may have risen to a new level of notoriety and put Santorum's comments on a massive public display, he has pulled the pulpit out from beneath himself and now stands among the ranks of Michael Moore. Ouch. Ouch. and More Ouch.

True, Savage's reasons for hostility are indisputable (right?). Check out the full text of the AP interview. But, when you are having donations checks returned from Bob Casey's camp because they don't want to be affiliated with you, something needs to be said for the solidarity of the gay civil rights campaign. Notoriety cannot be gained at the price of self-respect, and we can't expect the religious right to take LGBT rights seriously when we are throwing scat in their faces. Though it is funny Mr. Savage, perhaps you have gone too far.

In Addition

A new found favorite of mine:

http://www.mudvillegazette.com

Some of the best wartime journalism is happening right here at "The Mudville Gazette". Produced by a soldier and his stateside wife, it includes contributions by more than 20 other military bloggers. This is a revolutionary new look at the soldiers diary and war documentary.

The Mudville Gazette pleads that "The reader will kindly forgive any tendencey to rough language or behavior on the part of our site owner.."

Misdirected Hatred

Eight soldiers are facing charges of murder and kidnapping of an Iraqi citizen in the village of Hamdania on April 26.

The troops are accused of breaking into the home of Hashim Ibrahim Awad, stealing an AK-47 assault rifle, and shooting him outside of his home. According to charges, Jodka and of the four others, fired at Awad simultaneously. After Awads death, the troops then dug a hole, placed his body near it and scattered expended shells to make it appear that he had been planting a roadside bomb.

Although the troops have been in the brig at Camp Pendalton, CA since May, they have not yet begun a trial. Hearings on the case began in early September, where it was decided that they would not face the death penalty.

Will our servicemen make it out before rage, roadside bombs and the media firestorm kill them?

The Marines involved were members of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, or "3/5" as they call it, and one Navy Hospital Corpsman.

Cpl. Marshall Magincalda, Jr.
Pfc. John Jodka III
Lance Cpl. Jerry E. Shumate
Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins III
Cpl. Trent Thomas
Lance Cpl. Robert Pennington
Lance Cpl. Tyler Jackson
Hospitalman 3rd Class Melson Bacons
For a synopsis of the charges they face, click here.

Marine, Lance Cpl. Henry D. Lever, had the only charge against him, assault, dismissed.

Jodka and Magnicalda plead not guilty on Wednesday.
For more infomation on the trial, click here.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Daily Martini, Orangcicle

This one was a personal creation from my TGI Friday's days:

Orangcicle Martini

1 oz Vanilla Vodka
1 oz Orange Vodka
1/2 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
1/2 oz Orange Juice
1/4 oz Half and Half

Serve in Chilled glass with Orange wedge.
Enjoy.

Sammy Update

My good friend and personal icon Samantha "Sammy" Davis is studying abroad in London this semester. A bit of background on Sammy: She grew up in the bowels of Amish Country -Lancaster. She loved it there, but my personal impression is that it was far too small for the like of Sammy. Last year I had the pleasure of working with Sammy at the Temple News when she was the editor of Out&About, the TNews equivalent of the weekend section. This summer, she interned at Life&Style in New York, which was a fabulous opportunity. She is a Scripps' scholarship winner, a terrific writer and an inspiration. This semester, Sammy is studying abroad in London.

Although the majority of the world could care less, I have found her accounts of London spectacular. I love that I can personally feature Sammy for all of her insights into the cultural economy of the UK through the eyes of the average American.

The following is an educational excerpt from her last mass email:

...In addition to my classes I'm interning with a fashion tradepublication much like Women's Wear Daily, called Draper'sRecord, for three days a week (http://www.drapersonline.com/). It's 14,500 circulation consists mostly of subscribers who workin the fashion or retail business.

The majority of my work lies in researching and writing 'The Indicator,' which is a statistics-based look at a trend forboth men/women for the week. One other intern and I call 50 different businesses and ask store managers and owners a setof questions on what has been selling and what they've beenbuying. The answers are then calculated to stats for thepage. In my interviewing, I've spoken with people from allacross the UK, and they've had as tough of a timeunderstanding my accent as I have theirs- the Scottish are the worst!...

(This is so true. Don't believe me? Check out Robin William's and his description of how golf was created.)

...When a trend or design is hot, it goes fast- especiallybecause many of the magazines here act as advertisements forwhen clothes arrive in the store. I can read about a dressat H&M, and the magazine also tells me exactly what week itwill arrive in stores. Talk about passion for fashion!...

Although fashion is not my passion, I know that it is for Sammy. And, I have to admit that this is encouraging. For an aspirign journalist, it is interesting ot note the relationship that is developing between industry and the trade magazines. If you have a passion, whether its model airplanes or tennis shoes, there is a trade mag for youto write for. And if there isn't, there is certainly a market for you to create one.

...Some interesting London tidbits: Mayonaisse is served withfrench fries (called chips here) and the coke is made withless sugar for a slightly different taste. Many peopledrive "Smart cars," two-seat cars (as seen in the movie ThePink Panther with Steve Martin) that look like matchbox carsnext to a SUVs. You don't have to worry about parking withSmart cars- you're small enough to practically make your ownspaces on the street!

Strip bars are rare; you can't really put pound and two-pound coins in the g-string of a table dancer. When someoneasks "Are you alright?" they aren't concerned for yourhealth- they are simply asking how you are doing, much likeour standard greeting of "How are you?"

That's it for the London update for the day.
Thanks Sammy.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Tupac: A playa' to the grave.

The Supreme Court declined to revive a libel lawsuit filed against two Philly newspaper by a critic of violent rap lyrics.

Longtime civil rights activist C. DeLores Tucker, who died last year, accused the papers of mischaracterizing her dispute with the estate of slain rapper Tupac Shakur and others. Shakur wrote lyrics that rhymed Tucker's name with an obscenity in his 1995 release "how do you want it?".
Delores Tucker/ You's a mother-fucker/ instead of tryin' tp help a nigga/
you destroy a brother/ worse than the others/

Tucker had sued Shakur, alleging, among other things, that her husband, William Tucker, had suffered loss of "consortium" because of the emotional distress brought on by Shakur. hmmm..(??) Loss of consortium has been defined by AAOS as "loss of services, comfort, society and conjugal relations because of a spouse's injury".

The Philadelphia Daily News and The Legal Intelligencer, a daily newspaper covering legal affairs in Philadelphia, were among the news organizations that reported on the lawsuit and interpreted loss of consortium to mean harm to the Tuckers' sex life. Tucker said the claim had nothing to do with sex, but with "advice, society, companionship, i.e., defendants' effect upon the 'family union.'"


William Tucker pursued a libel suit on his and his late wife's behalf. Pennsylvania state courts dismissed the libel claims.


The man is still pursuing a case in protection of his wifes opinion of his "consortorium" after the poor woman is dead. Need I say more?

Supreme Court slaps down religious group.

Even as a believer in the need for free speech, sometimes I have to be thankful that some people are made to shut the hell up.

The Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal brought Christian Civic League of Maine today. The group attempted to air advertisments on local television and radio outlets that focused on the constitutional ban against same-sex marriage. The ads urged constituents to call Republican Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and ask for their support of the ammendment. Under federal-election law, corporations and labor unions are not allowed to pay for aired advertisements referring to a candidate for federal office within 60 days prior to the general election. Snowe is on next months ballot, running unopposed for reelection.

This did make me think, however, what would the world be like if everyone was allowed an equal amount of time at the microphone? Would people simply stop listening?

Temple sued for disgracing mascot

Many on the Temple University campus have expressed a great deal of anomosity over the Owls' seemingly perpetual losing streak. Apparently, they are not alone in their frustrations.

According to a far more experience and accomplished blogger, Cinnamon, the CEO of the chain restaurant Hooters has called for a change in the companies name and its logo as a result of the embarrassment that Temple's football team has brought upon their iconic bird.

In September 2005, an animal activist group, Pestering for Improved Treatment of Animals (PITA), filed suit with Temple contending that the school is a disgrace to the pervasive image of its mascot, the Owl. Blogger Cinnamon wrote on the "suit":

“The owl is an important component in the earth’s ecosystem and deserves better treatment than depiction on banners and literature supporting an athletic team that has become a laughing stock throughout the nation,” said Larson T. Whipsnade, director of PITA’s Animal Dignity Divison. “Temple mascot materials consistently – and rightfully – depict a fierce Great Horned Owl that uses sharpened claws with which to kill rodents and small animals. It’s how they live."

Read more about the "suit" here.
Temple's performance has been on a downward spiral since the beginning of the decade, and it appears to have reached an all time low. Since the beginning of 2005, the Owls are 0-16. Even with the introduction of new head coach Al Golden, the Owl's seem unable to pull themselves out of this painful slump.

So what is it with Temple? Is it a self-esteem problem? If that's the case, I would be more than willing to take up a collection for therapy. At Temple Counseling Services, it's only $10 for an hour-and-a-half session with a seasoned professional. And if funds should come up short, perhaps the beleagured football team would benefit from visiting my new favorite web site - positive-way.com. Check out their tools for team building.

Temple's new President Ann Weaver Hart said in interview with Temple News that she is dedicated to protecting Temple's committment to A-1 football, and that she we will what it takes to bring Temple up to par.

When I joined the University of New Hampshire, they were struggling in football at the II-A level. They're now leading the country. But what I learned from that experience is that you hire the right people, you share the right values, and then you stick with them through the developing years. And that's what I want to do.

We'll see.

Ante Partum

I can't really tell you what inspired me to create this blog, except to tell the world that I have a ip new way to cut and paste the mosiac of crazy thoughts that I have.

Expect a wide array of political and social commentary, thoughts on media in general, talk about the Middle East, occasional Bush Bashings, the Owl-pinion and some good recipes for alcoholic beverages.

Live Journal was too complex for me... let's see if this one will work in our favor.