Hold Out Until the Nuts are Available

I find this interesting because I posted only days ago that I was thinking about Graham Chapman (who played Brian in Life of Brian) and that fun clip.
This week, NYTimes places it in their 'Critics' Picks'
and in the Triangle's Independent, I venture to Free Will Astrology:

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): At one point during the comedic film *Life of
Brian,* set in ancient Rome, the hero Brian is working as a vendor selling
snacks to spectators at a gladiator match. "Wrens' livers," he says.
"Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot." A
potential buyer turns to him and asks, "Got any nuts?" Brian says, "I
haven't got any nuts. Sorry. I've got larks' tongues. Otters' noses. Ocelot
spleens." Judging from your current astrological omens, Scorpio, I suspect
you may soon be in a position analogous to the spectator. You will really
want plain old basic nuts, but someone will be trying to get you to sample
the wrens' livers. My advice? Steer clear of exotic stuff you don't have an
appetite for. Hold out until the nuts are available.

The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society.

April 27, 1961

By John F. Kennedy
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
New York City

---

The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it. Even today, there is little value in opposing the threat of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions. Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment. That I do not intend to permit to the extent that it’s in my control. And no official of my Administration, whether his rank is high or low, civilian or military, should interpret my words here tonight as an excuse to censor the news, to stifle dissent, to cover up our mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public the facts they deserve to know.

For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence--on infiltration instead of invasion, on subversion instead of elections, on intimidation instead of free choice, on guerrillas by night instead of armies by day. It is a system which has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations.

Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried, not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised. No expenditure is questioned, no rumor is printed, no secret is revealed.

No President should fear public scrutiny of his program. For from that scrutiny comes understanding; and from that understanding comes support or opposition and both are necessary. I am not asking your newspapers to support the Administration, but I am asking your help in the tremendous task of informing and alerting the American people. For I have complete confidence in the response and dedication of our citizens whenever they are fully informed.

I not only could not stifle controversy among your readers--I welcome it. This Administration intends to be candid about its errors; for as a wise man once said: "An error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it." We intend to accept full responsibility for our errors and we expect you to point them out when we miss them.

Without debate, without criticism, no Administration and no country can succeed and no republic can survive. That is why the Athenian lawmaker Solon decreed it a crime for any citizen to shrink from controversy. And that is why our press was protected by the First Amendment-- the only business in America specifically protected by the Constitution--not primarily to amuse and entertain, not to emphasize the trivial and the sentimental, not to simply "give the public what it wants"--but to inform, to arouse, to reflect, to state our dangers and our opportunities, to indicate our crises and our choices, to lead, mold, educate and sometimes even anger public opinion.

This means greater coverage and analysis of international news--for it is no longer far away and foreign but close at hand and local. It means greater attention to improved understanding of the news as well as improved transmission. And it means, finally, that government at all levels, must meet its obligation to provide you with the fullest possible information outside the narrowest limits of national security.

And so it is to the printing press--to the recorder of man's deeds, the keeper of his conscience, the courier of his news--that we look for strength and assistance, confident that with your help man will be what he was born to be: free and independent.

The Mitch Mitchell Experience

I have been remiss in noting the passing of Mitch Mitchell, the last remaining member of The Jimi Hendrix Experience. He was found dead in his hotel room on the 12th, apparently of natural causes at 61. He was still an active touring drummer, having completed a tour days before he died. Here's a great clip of him doing an extended drum solo.



(click view original post for video)

Dating Like Minds

The NYT has compiled excerpts from a dating site for fans of Ayn Rand -

The Atlasphere

"Connecting Admirers of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged"

Personal Ads

waitingfordagny, Chicago, Illinois
I want to meet a serious woman who both challenges me intellectually and inspires me to noble things by her beauty.

---

Michael, Naples, Florida
Long ago a very dear friend, Angie, turned me on to Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged.

Parenthetically, she also turned me on in other ways. Alas, our relationship remained Platonic.

Contact Me If You … : are Angie.

---

dpvabc, Edmonton, Canada
My name is Daniel. I consider myself to be a born-again egoist and I have dedicated the rest of my life to self-improvement. People see me as a socially inept loner because I tend to avoid superficial conversation but actually I love talking to people who like to think (the problem being I don’t know very many).

---

mxjohnxm, Greenville, South Carolina
“One can’t love man without hating most of the creatures who pretend to bear his name.”

---

mattqatsi, East Dundee, Illinois
If I Could “Do Lunch” With Anyone: Ronald Reagan and Newt Gingrich … Do I really have to explain?

---

thustotyrants, Selden, New York
[I am] short, stark, and mansome.

You should contact me if you are a skinny woman. If your words are a meaningful progression of concepts rather than a series of vocalizations induced by your spinal cord for the purpose of complementing my tone of voice. If you’ve seen the meatbot, the walking automaton, the pod-people, the dense, glazy-eyed substrate through which living organisms such as myself must escape to reach air and sunlight. If you’ve realized that if speech is to be regarded as a cognitive function, technically they aren’t speaking, and you don’t have to listen.

---

Zak, Long Island, New York
I am rational, integrated, and efficacious. So far, I’ve never met a person who lives up to the standard I hold for myself (except online).

I take my relationships seriously. I am simply not attracted to many of the women in this world. I do not “hook-up” with girls. I only kiss those who deserve, and so far I have only encountered one who did. I would love to find someone I can learn something from; someone who challenges me to think; someone I can feel like I’ve won, rather than lowered myself to.

---

lostpainting, Hagerstown, Maryland
Please note: If you’re overweight, I won’t date you. If you believe in God, I won’t date you. If you vote for Democrats, I won’t date you.

---

Chinoy, Manila, Philippines
My individualism takes precedence at all costs, if not at all times.

Contact Me If You … : do not conform to the dictates and whims of any of the world’s religions, simply because your soul’s independence is paramount.

---

Lewis, London, U.K.
I love intelligent, sassy girls, particularly those working in consulting or investment banking (but other fields are great too). Really, nothing is hotter than an accomplished girl in a suit, as long as she is willing to settle down and have my children. I want a girl who will support my ambitions against the naysayers in society.

---

Rob, Stanford, California
Ayn Rand ignited the fire within me that was searching for the right spark. My every action is guided according to my philosophy, and my philosophy is the philosophy of Ayn Rand.

I am interested in meeting someone that truly embodies the values and virtues of Objectivism. I have found very few women that have not already been beaten down to a flimsy, irrational, empty pulp. I have changed many girls’ lives, but no one has blown me away yet.

I never “hook-up” randomly, I never kiss a girl that doesn’t deserve mine. I have yet to find a girl deserving of my falling in love with her. But “other people” are secondary values no matter what, so finding someone is not a priority for me.

.

Yes, We're All Individuals!

Something got me to thinking about Monty Python and Graham Chapman.
I like this clip.

Morning Yoga

I am still befuddled.
Yesterday, I finally went into my morning yoga class after missing a couple of weeks.
It was about 5 minutes to start time I was the last to arrive. My teacher actually came all the way out into the lobby to greet me. She hugged me, told me how good it was to see me. (?)
Welcomed me back and asked where I'd like to be, the front or the back of the room (in a round Quaker church)? I said the back was fine..but I've always taken what was available. After I took off my shoes I went into class and swore i saw someone moving to the front to make room for me.
I hope the teacher didn't make someone move just for me? It was like I was Norm and just entered the bar. She began and not 5 minutes into class the woman to the right of me interrupted and introduced herself to me. She even told me she was glad I was able to 'be there today'. No sarcasm. Geez, really folks, the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated! I only missed a couple or 3 weeks? I've been going off and on for 14 years here. I began to question my reality. I thanked her and went back to the lesson. The lesson began with a talk on Saucha, Sanskrit for Purity.

"Shaucha is a way to achieve purity through practice of the five yamas of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, control of the sensual drive, and non-greed. Practicing these yamas is a cleansing process to clear away negative physical and mental states of being... and in turn, to achieve a "pure" state of being, a physical and mental state of being that is better prepared for higher states of consciousness.
Saucha is cleanliness of body, heart, mind and environment. It is directly translated as that and nothing else. This involves making choices about what you take in as food, through all channels, mouth, ears, eyes and mind. "

The class actually started with rest, then we went into a myriad of 'squeezing' exercises to literally wring our organs. I reckon I could use some spleen wringin'..

Then after 90 minutes of that, we ended class and before I could roll up my mat and try to scoot out, Jane to my right stops me. "I'm so glad you were able to join us today! Take care!"

I guess they like me, they really like me.

Movie Quote

"We're a bisexual nation living in denial. All because of a bunch of nerds. A bunch of nerds who got off a boat in the 15th century and decided that sex was something to be ashamed of. All the Pilgrims did was ruin the American Indian orgy of freedom."

Krista Now, Southland Tales

Thanks, Liz, for helping me remember about the Southland.

See Emily Play

Finally! Someone uploaded the 'real' See Emily Play video, not the one showing Pink Floyd (sans Syd Barrett) dancing on a lawn.
Does anyone know which Alice movie this is? "Free Games For Alice" search self-references the video.

For those of you playing at home, move onto Dark Side of the Moon and remember to cue it up right after the MGM lion roars for the third time at the beginning of The Wizard of Oz.

(see original post for video)

A Visual Guide To The Financial Crisis

Raleigh Represents

"The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed, in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a widespread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible."

Bertrand Russell, Marriage and Morals

The Good News and The Bad News...no, wait. Where's the Good News?

"Paulson said it would be wrong if other nations engage in a finger-pointing game that would lay blame for the current troubles on lax regulation in the United States."

As the economic meltdown takes more casualties, The Bailout is still being revised and revised.

"...Recent news has been dreadful, with the government reporting that there were a half-million new applications for unemployment benefits last week, news that came on top of a report last week that the jobless rate shot up to a 14-year high of 6.5 percent in October.

A survey of the nation's big chain retail stores found that retailers suffered through the weakest October in at least 39 years even though they tried to gin up more sales by a frenzied round of price cutting.

But with many economists convinced the financial turmoil of the past two months has pushed the country into a severe recession, possibly as bad as the 1981-82 downturn, retailers are braced for what could be a dismal Christmas sales season.

The outgoing Bush administration, however, is trying to bolster confidence as much as possible.

Bush on Friday defended his administration's response to the financial crisis, which has included massive amounts of government assistance to banks and outright government takeovers of the country's biggest mortgage finance companies.

"I'm a market-oriented guy, but not when I'm faced with the prospect of a global meltdown," Bush said in a speech in New York.

He put forward a list of modest reform proposals including making accounting rules more transparent but stopped well short of the global market regulator being sought by some European nations.

Paulson on Wednesday announced that the administration was abandoning what had once been the centerpiece of the $700 billion rescue program _ the purchase of troubled assets held by banks. Instead, the program will focus $250 billion in purchase of bank stock, with Paulson arguing that this was a quicker way to get money into the banking system to encourage banks to resume more normal lending.

Paulson said the administration was examining new uses of the bailout money that would try to relieve pressures that have developed in the financial market that supports consumer loans such as credit card debt, auto loans and student loans. These loans are packaged together as securities and sold to investors, but after the huge losses for mortgage-backed securities, investors have grown leery of buying other types of consumer debt.

In a series of interviews on Thursday, Paulson provided new details of how the new program might work. He said that Treasury was exploring a joint program with the Federal Reserve that would seek to make financing of these types of loans more available. The new lending facility might buy securities backed by credit cards, auto loans or student loans in an effort to get this market back to more normal operations.

Paulson said that while the $700 billion rescue program is continuing to undergo modifications, it is proving to be a successful at its overall objective of stabilizing the financial system.

In addition to news that jobless claims jumped sharply last week, the Treasury Department reported that the budget deficit for October soared to a record $237.2 billion, putting it on track to reach the once-unfathomable sum of $1 trillion for the year.

The flood of red ink was blamed on the initial costs of the bailout effort which spent $115 billion buying stock in the country's largest banks.

"And as bad as these numbers are, they may look good a year from now because things are going to get much worse," said Sung Won Sohn, an economist at the Smith School of Business at California State University, Channel Islands.

He predicted that the recession would drive unemployment higher, cutting into government tax revenue, and boosting payments for such programs as unemployment benefits and food stamps."

Locally, Professor Campbell Harvey of Duke’s Fuqua School of Business criticizes recent decisions. “American Express decides to become a bank," he said. “Today, Hartford Financial group has a great scheme; they'll buy a bank for $10-million dollars and now they're eligible for between $1 and $3 billion dollars.
He has been studying the bailout bill and has posted his opinions further here.

"I advocated a two-pronged approach.

In the first prong, troubled assets would be purchased from viable financial institutions at a price that reflected a recovery in credit markets. This price would be above fire sale prices but well below “hold to maturity” prices. Financial institutions would be pleased to sell at these prices and the prices are sufficiently low that taxpayers would have a good shot at earning a positive return.

In the second prong, equity capital is injected into viable financial institutions. This capital serves to jump start the credit system.

Notice that I carefully chose my words. In the first prong, we purchase assets from viable financial institutions. In the second prong, capital is injected into viable financial institutions. There is no sense throwing good taxpayer money at bad. For those institutions that are below the margin, relegate them to an RTC-II and dispose of the assets.

You need both prongs. If you cancel the first prong (as it seems was done today), the equity injection will simply be used to reduce risk. That is, the banks get the capital and they hold it in a liquidity reserve. They do not lend it out (or they lend out a trivial amount). It fails to jump start the system.

In cancelling or delaying the first prong, the Treasury has blunted the effectiveness of this policy initiative."

James Kunstler and Peak Oil

Ah! Found it - after half an hour of bleary-eyed searching thru the Colbert Report episode list
twice to only find a reference to the author as "Stephen interviews James Kunstler about peak oil."
Hmmm, no mention of a book or that he's an author, can't remember if this was the subject of the novel....
YES! A World Made By Hand

Oooh, like this review:
"Kunstler displays a kind of macabre wit about the unpleasantness and strife that await us all....His assertions have a neat way of doubling back to anticipate your critiques. If you express doubt about his views, then you may well be among the deluded masses too addicted to your McSUV and McSuburb to accept that reality lies ahead."

But instead of a novel, maybe I'll pick up his non-fiction The Long Emergency.
The first line of the book is "Carl Jung, one of the fathers of psychology, famously remarked that "people cannot stand too much reality..."

Note - the interview below is only Part 1.





(embedded video - see original post)

Gymkhana

What is Gymkhana?

(click 'view original post' for video)

Christmas Grabs

Picking up some must-haves for Christmas - Bender's Game and
Christmas On Mars.

The Futurama D&D parody is the 3rd feature length DVD from Matt Groening's factory.

Christmas on Mars is the CD/DVD package of the Flaming Lips straight-to-cult-status movie and musical score.

"It's Christmastime, and the colonization of Mars is underway. However, an oxygen generator and a gravity control pod malfunction. A compassionate alien superbeing arrives, inspiring and helping the isolated astronauts."

Calling All Wankers

Britain's fertility experts are calling for an overhaul of sperm donation services to meet the now critical shortage.

"The British Fertility Society (BFS) said the removal of anonymity for donors in 2005 might have led to the lack of volunteers, leaving Britain struggling to meet the demand for donated sperm.

Some 400 patients need donor sperm every year and many clinics have long waiting lists or have been forced to stop providing services at all.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, Mark Hamilton and Allan Pacey from the BFS suggested that more families could be created from a single donor.

"The authors also suggested a shake-up in the recruitment services to increase the number of donors."

(I tried to think of a photo for this piece and I just really really wanted to go there. And decided not to.)

Bush's Parting Shots at the Environment

New plans could open swaths of public land in Utah, like this tract near Canyonlands National Park, that has a potash mining operation, to more drilling and mining.

"... some recent proposals from the Interior Department - many likely to be finalized in the waning months of the Bush administration and pushed through with a shortened comment period - are seen by critics as an assault on America's environmental resources and an attempt to solidify industry-friendly policy.

The proposals include changes to the Endangered Species Act, new management plans for 11 million acres in Utah, an effort to revoke congressional committees' emergency powers to protect public lands, and a rule change for mountaintop mining regulations.

"Overall, it certainly is consistent with the approach this administration has taken for the past eight years," says Sharon Buccino, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's land program. "It's one final push before they go out the door to really open up public resources for private and industry gain."

Mr. Bush is not the first lame-duck president to change environmental rules. Bill Clinton, in the last few days of his presidency, pushed through regulations to protect vast areas of the West."

The proposals include the following:

• A change to the Endangered Species Act to disallow the ESA from being used to regulate global climate change even if a species, like the polar bear, is suffering as a result of it. The change also reduces the number of scientific reviews of projects performed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
• Six new resource management plans for 11 million acres of federal land in Utah that critics say would open more roads and trails, make nearly 9 million acres available for oil and gas development, and reduce the areas managed primarily for environmental value. Five of the plans were finished on Friday.
• A rule change eliminating one of the few regulations governing mountaintop mining, a common practice in Appalachia in which a mountain's top is blown off to get access to the rich coal beds beneath. Currently, a largely ignored "buffer zone" rule bars mining companies from dumping debris within 100 feet of any stream. The new rule would require them to either avoid the buffer zone or show why that is not possible, and to minimize harming the streams "to the extent possible" if they must dump there.
• A proposal to remove an "emergency powers" provision that allows the Interior Department or two congressional committees to protect public lands. The rule gained prominence this summer when the House Natural Resources Committee declared 1 million acres next to the Grand Canyon off limits to uranium mining.

What Change Looks Like

This may be what change looks like but I say she's bleeding internally...
somewhere around her (Bible) Belt. However, if we can cinch the belt tight enough, we might be able to control the hemorrhaging..

Favorite Station On the Way to Goshen

DVD Rentals for the Past Month

The King of Kong
The Point
Californication: Season 1: Disc 2
Short Circuit 2
Why We Fight
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai
Californication: Season 1: Disc 1
War, Inc.
Brideshead Revisited: Disc 1
The Tick: The Entire Series: Disc 2
Escape from Suburbia
Volver
How to Cook Your Life
Short Circuit
In Debt We Trust
Big Train: Seasons 1 & 2: Disc 1
Duchess of Duke Street: Series 1: Disc 3
30 Days: Season 2: Disc 2
This American Life: Season 1