Tuesday, May 30, 2006

The Smartest Thieves in the Room

A while back, a number of Reichwing pundits were running around the talkshows trying to defend Cheney, Rove, Libby and the rest of the Plamegate Treasonistas by claiming that their critics were engaging in the "Criminalization of Politics" (GOPig Talking Point #666. Collect 'em All!!!!) And last Sunday I see some of these same knuckle-draggers on my TV attempting to defend Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling by claiming that their critics and prosecutors are engaging in the "Criminalization of Business Risk Taking"

Their hilarious "theory" (read: Hail Mary Pass) is that Kenny Boy and Skilling did nothing but take huge risks that turned bad. "Risk Taking" is the Business Fundamentalists most sacred of activities. As long as you are taking risks, you're not to be criticized or doubted and you certainly can't be prosecuted. To these assclowns, risk taking is walking on water. Sing Hallelujah!! The pundits were wringing their hands that, using Enron as the model, the leadership of any company that takes risk and winds up bankrupt could be subject to prosecution. And even more laughable is their concern that the "criminalization of Business' is driving away brilliant and talented people from the board rooms of America. Really? So, brilliant businessmen don't want to become CEOs and CFOs anymore? What are they doing for employment then, Wal-Mart Greeters?

So, Kenny and Skilling took some big risks and got screwed by the incompetence and corruption of those below them. Boo Hoo. Someone hand me a tissue. But weren't these "The Smartest Guys in the Room?' Didn't they create the company of the future? So which was it, were they the guys in the control booth, or were they hapless dupes and victims of wily underlings? Looks like the jury didn't buy their sob story.

From Americablog:
Lay and Skilling testimony helped tip the balance
by Chris in Paris - 5/29/2006 08:58:00 PM


The arrogance of power in action. I'm glad to hear that Lay and Skilling helped the jury decide that they were guilty.

Speaking shortly after a federal judge read their verdict, jurors said Lay's indignant outbursts while testifying in his own behalf made him seem "that he very much wanted to be in control -- he commanded the courtroom," said Wendy Vaughan, a Houston business owner.

As for Skilling, who spent days explaining the tedious financial inner workings of the once high-flying energy company, the jurors couldn't understand how he could know so much about that and not be aware of illegal business maneuvering, whether or not he was responsible for it personally.


And if you really want to be disgusted with Kenny-boy...

During the trial prosecutors had played tapes of conference calls to investors, which Lay and Skilling held several hours after they released quarterly earnings reports, as well as the tape of an employee meeting during which Lay encouraged his employees to buy more Enron stock, calling it "an incredible bargain." Government prosecutors revealed that Lay sold millions of dollars worth of Enron stock the same day.

So these scumbags got busted and convicted for insider-trading, making false statements, blah blah blah. Whatever keeps them off the streets and curtails their ability to further harm others. Fine. But what I'd really like to see is for them to get tried for the real crimes they committed: Bilking the citizens of California out of billions of dollars by creating phony shortages and rolling brown-outs while the White House turned their backs with a wink and a nod allowed (read: encouraged) it all to happen. And the resulting torpedoing of Gray Davis' Governorship was a nice little bonus. So, why didn't the State of California go after Enron and its management for the billions of dollars it lost? Thank Guhvanator Schwartzengroper for that one.

From Greg Palast:
Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills. May 17, 2001. The Financial Criminal of the twentieth century, not long out of prison, meets with the Financial Criminal of the twenty-first century who feared he may also have to do hard time. These two, bond-market manipulator Mike Millikin and Ken Lay, not-yet-indicted Chairman of Enron Corporation, were joined by a selected group of movers and shakers -- and one movie star: Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Peninsula Hotel get-together was all about how to "settle"_ the legal actions in such a way that Enron and friends could get the state to accept dog food instead of dollars. Davis seemed unlikely to see things Ken's way. Life would be so much better if California had a governor like the muscle guy in the Speedos.

And so it came to pass that, in 2003, quiet Gray Davis, who had the cojones to stand up to the electricity barons, was thrown out of office by the voters and replaced by the tinker-toy tough guy. The Governator_ performed as desired. Soon after Schwarzenegger took over from Davis, he signed off on a series of deals with Reliant, Williams Company, Dynegy, Entergy and the other power pirates for ten to twenty cents on the dollar, less than you'd tip the waitress. Enron paid just about nothing.


So, was the combination of the meeting with Lay, the recall election and Arnie's subsequent deals with the energy thieves merely a coincidence? Perhaps. But then again, perhaps Lay and Skilling are also just victims of "the Criminalization of Business" as well.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Have a Happy and Safe Memorial Weekend


Everyone needs to take the time this weekend to remember all of the brave American men and women that have given the ultimate sacrifice in service of our great nation. Even though I'm not a supporter of the current administration, I support our troops 100%.

I hope everyone has wonderful things planned to honor our fallen brothers and sisters. I went to see the Rangers play the A's tonight, and even though my Rangers lost, Mrs. NewsDay, LittleNewsDay and I had a wonderful time. After the game, we were treated to a magnificent fireworks display.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

The Democrats' letter to Bush

Recently the Democrats wrote a letter to Bush expressing their concerns about the possible war with Iran. I hope Bush can read all this. This maby a little too much for him to read. Anyway here's the letter.

May __, 2006
The Honorable George W. Bush
President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500


Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to express our concerns about your recent suggestion that the U.S. would potentially launch a pre-emptive nuclear attack against Iran. As you will recall, on April 18, 2006, you were asked "Sir, when you talk about Iran and you talk about how you have diplomatic efforts, you also say all options are on the table. Does that include the possibility of a nuclear strike?" Your response to this question was "All options are on the table."

While we share your concern about Iran's irresponsible violations of its commitments under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and safeguards agreement which Iran signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), we do not believe that the U.S. should threaten to use nuclear weapons to resolve this crisis. We would also note that as the U.S. seeks to ensure strict Iranian compliance with its obligations under the NPT, we should keep in mind the fact that in connection with the 1995 NPT review conference, the United States issued a statement reaffirming earlier U.N. Security Council pledges that the U.S. "will not use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons except in the case of an invasion or any other attack on the United States, its territories, its armed forces or other troops, its allies, or on a State towards which it has a security commitment, carried out or sustained by such a non-nuclear-weapon State in association or alliance with a nuclear-weapon State." We are not aware of any subsequent statements changing this position.

Global security will be greatly threatened if Iran develops nuclear weapons. However, a U.S. pre-emptive nuclear strike on Iran would likely have catastrophic consequences that counter U.S. security objectives - both in the Middle East and around the world. We therefore urge you to make it clear that the U.S. is not actively considering first use of nuclear weapons against Iran in response to its efforts to obtain uranium enrichment capabilities. We understand that in a crisis, many options - including military options -- must be carefully considered. But we believe there is still time for diplomacy and targeted sanctions to work and we urge you to focus your Administration's efforts on seeking a peaceful resolution of this crisis.

Sincerely,


If you want to read more about this go here.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Sad day in Texas


Legendary blues club owner Clifford Antone passed away on Tuesday at his home in Austin, TX.

Antone is credited with many accomplishments, including bringing good 'ol Chicago blues to Texas and for giving Stevie Ray Vaughn his start.

Thank you for the great music Clifford!

Read more about Clifford Antone

Friday, May 19, 2006

Now Tim Duncan has something to cry about!!!

GO MAVS!!!!!


Can anyone please make Tim Duncan stop whining? What a fucking bitch!

Update from BND

DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Man, I hate the Spurs! We'll get 'em in game 7.

Update from BND

YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Screw San Antonio

Bush is an Idiot

Enjoy!

Thursday, May 18, 2006

One More Day Till The Whining Wingnuts Have Their Shreikgasm

Catho-holics and Fundamentalist Mouthbreathers throughout the land will be on an amphetamine-fueled rampage beginning May 19 with the release of the film version of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. They've been gearing up for this for months, perhaps even for years, as the book began to skyrocket up the charts. What's sending the outrage-addicted, frothing minions into binge-drinking of wingnut-flavored Kool-Aid is the fact that the fictional novel dares to use alternative theories of history to the Church-Approved mythology that a nice little Jewish boy was born of a virgin, died a virgin and magically flew out of his grave after having been murdered by the very people he came to save. Never mind the fact that this very same archetypical "Hero's Myth" has existed in numerous cultures long before the supposed birth of Christ. We'll save that for another post.

So yes, Dan Brown committed the cardinal sin of offering an alternative version to the official myth, causing people across the globe to wonder if there may just be some things that they were taught in Sunday School that might not be factually correct. And now the Cretins of Christianity are on the warpath against Brown and his book. This all goes hand in hand with the charges of Blasphemy and War on Christianity that flow freely from the pulpits of America and from the blather-holes of the hyperventilators at Faux News. Yes, its all true, Little Ones, your religion is being examined for historical accuracy, debated, criticized and even mocked. Well guess what wingnuts, if your "faith" can't withstand a little questioning and/or ridicule, just how strong is it? How much "faith" can you have in your own faith when you advocate taking legal action against someone who dares to question it?

But how much of this is about faith and how much about good old fashioned greed? Check out Amazon.com. There are at least a dozen books on the market purporting to "debunk" (How do you debunk a work of fiction?) DVC. Looks to me like these guys saw the tens of millions of dollars flowing into Dan Brown's bank account and decided to piggyback on his phenomenal success, thus engaging in at least two of the Seven Deadly Sins; Envy and Greed, and most likely a third; Anger.

Its not only other authors that are capitalizing on Brown's success, but churches themselves are getting on it. And this makes sense. Think about it, if one church announces that they will have a sermon next Sunday discussing the relevance of Luke Chapter 16 (Look it up) and one across the street announces that they will be discussing a book that at least 40 million people have recently read, which one do you think will fill the pews (and thusly, the collection plates) more on that Sunday?

Websites, dedicated to selling books, organizing protests and of course, soliciting donations have sprung up all over the place. Check out The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP)'s site. What I really love about these guys is their nifty logo that looks like something that a Medieval Templar would have on his shield and/or breastplate while riding of into battle against the hordes of Mohammedism. They really believe they are taking up the mantle of the ancient Crusaders by organizing their little protest at multiplexes across the nation. Onward, Christian Soldiers!! And be sure to stop by the Bed Bath and Beyond next to the theater after the protest is over.

But other than greed and envy, perhaps there's another motivation to attack the book and its author: Yet another Weapon of Mass Distraction. Setting up an battling a fictional strawman is far preferable for the Catholic Church than having to continue to explain to their parishioners and the public at large why Holy Mother Church spent decades simply reassigning exposed pedophile priests rather than turning them over to legal authorities as was their lawful and moral responsibility. Never mind the children! Look at was this damned book is saying about that whore, Mary!

But wait, you Baptists and Fundamentalists also have good reason to seek distractions and get the attention off your own failures and inadequacies. Teri Schiavo, anyone? How about the debate over "Intelligent Design" and evolution? How about using rampant homophobia, racism, sexism and superstition as political weapons? But hell, never mind all those affronts. Nothing to see here, move along. Lets talk about The War On Christmas and Da Vinci Code. Remember, you, the 80% of America that calls itself Christian, you are the ones who are the real victims here. Never forget that.

And speaking of the Religious Right, check out the lasted pronouncement that God On High whispered into the ear of our favorite lunatic

And just what the fuck is "Blasphemy" anyway? Anytime anyone says anything that questions or mocks or rejects the official doctrine of The Church, they are accused of blasphemy. I guess sanctions against "blasphemy" were the original Political Correctness. Why can't I disbelieve and strongly denounce or mock your religion? In the Marketplace of Ideas, why is a religion to be singled out as a protected monopoly, free from the burden of having to "compete" equally with other religions, philosophies, beliefs and codes of conduct? Why should Christianity be given a no-bid contract? Who do they think they are, Halliburton? Why does it need to be protected? Are these religious beliefs built upon such a fragile house of cards that their leaders and many practitioners fear that a few good blasts from the realms of Reason, Literature, Art or Humor can bring it all crashing down?

One man's religion is another mans quaint allegory and/or mythology. But as long as it gives you comfort and meaning, that should be enough. The desire/obsession to make your neighbors believe and behave as you do just stems from insecurity in yourself and your faith. If you chose to believe that your spiritual leader died a virgin and flew out of his grave like David Blaine, good for you. If someone else wants to believe that he married and had kids, who does that hurt? Only your fragile ego, that someone might believe differently than you.

Remember, it was one of our genius forefathers, Thomas Jefferson, who once wrote, "But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

Update: Manila bans showing of "The Da Vinci Code"
City councillor Benjamin Asilo, who authored the resolution, said malls and cinema owners who defy the ban risked being fined, or their owners imprisoned. Those caught selling pirated DVDs or VCDs of the movie could also be jailed for up to six months, Asilo warned. The Philippines is Asia's bastion of Catholicism, with over 80 percent of its 84 million population belonging to the religion.

FIND THE HIDDEN CODE

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Slackin' on the stupid polls

Poll results for latest poll:

Best Rock Band of All Time (group 2)
AC/DC.......12 votes

Best 80's Rock / Hard Rock Band
Guns n Roses.......11 votes

Best 90's Rock / Hard Rock Band
Alice in Chains.......11 votes


Previous poll results:

Best band of all time
Led Zeppelin…..38 votes
Black Sabbath…..38 votes

Best Metal band of all time
Metallica…..90 votes

Best punk band of all time
Misfits…..31


All bands listed above will be moving to the next round.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

The Best Blabbermouth Thread Ever!

This discussion thread has now been going for nearly two and a half weeks. We have a hardcore feminist arguing that capitalism is the cause of child porn, prostitution, pornography, sexism, racism, etc...

Both Axe & I have tried to rationally discuss the issue with her, but there appears to be nothing rational about his individual. Even spooky1 dropped out of this discussion well over a week ago. Damn, Axe & I really need to find constructive ways to waste our time.

UPDATE from Lefty Metalhead!


I just received an email from that wench Epistaxis. Check it out:

Slipknot? Evidently, your taste in music, like your "ideas," or lack of rather, is up your arse.


Short and not-so-sweet! Can anyone take this guttersnipe seriously? My response:

Ah, not only do you adopt fallacious and extremist positions on female social discourse, but you also adopt an elitist musical perspective. The funny thing is that you attempt to make a subjective statement sound objective. Better luck next time!


If this woman continues to engage me, I will bite and she will be sorry. I'm already reviewing literature that debunks her "facts". Let it rip.

Update from BND

Tear her up Lefty. She has proven to be nothing but a troll that goes on Blabbermouth fo the sole purpose of stirring shit up, just like our good buddy spooky1.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Just received!

Here is a message just sent to all Alice in Chains mailing list members:

Hello Alice In Chains fans,
A MASSIVE announcement will be made on
AliceInChains.com on May 15 at around 4pm PST. It's so big that we can't even hint at what it's about but we can tell you that you'll be kicking yourself later if you don't stop by the site at around 4pm PST on Monday.

Damn, my curiosity is stirred . This just better not be something else gong on in Europe unless te announcment involves flying a few million people out to see the Download Festival.

Monday, May 08, 2006

May 2, 2006

I was born on May 2, 1968 on an Air Force Base in Montana, which doesn't mean much of anything for anyone other than me or my family, but on May 2, 2006, t seems that the music industry gave me one of the best birthday presents ever. The release of several kick ass albums.
The most important release in my eyes was Rebel Meets Rebel. Some of the songs are a little too country for me, but the guitar playing is god-like throughout the entire album.

Vinnie's new record company also released the first of hopefully several Dimevision DVD's. AWESOME!!! This kept me rolling on the floor for the almost the entire length of the video. Several scenes from the video were also in a long video presentation that was shown at Dime's public memorial at the Arlington Convention Center the evening of his funeral, which made most of us leave that memorial with huge smiles on our faces.

Tool also released their new album 10,000 Days. I haven't heard the full album, but I was listening to it on the way to work this morning can't wait to hear the rest. The first three songs are killer. I will update this post after I've heard the rest of it.

Pearl Jam put out their album the day as well. I'm not a huge Pearl Jam fan, but the few songs I've heard off of this album sound pretty good. I'll update this post after hearing the full album as well.

Many other bands also released albums that day, but I've only listed the ones that I currently have. In addition, last Friday night VH1 finally played the Decades Live concert honoring Heart. I recorded the show for the sole purpose of watching Alice in Chains, but was pleasantly surprised at how good Heart sounded. I love TiVo.




Phil performs Would? withAlice in Chains on VH1's Decades Rock Live

All in all, a historic week for hard rock and metal. I highly recommend all releases listed above. Enjoy!

Update: Just completed listening to the entire Tool album 10,000 Days. WOW!!! That is one of the most solid albums I've heard in a long time. I seriously enjoyed every song on that album. The 3-D artwork is also very cool.

Saturday, May 06, 2006

De La Hoya Schools Mayorga!

Cross-posted on The Metal Pundit

In a 6th round TKO, Oscar De La Hoya defeated Ricardo Mayorga to win the WBC Middleweight Championship. After a vicious promotion, where Mayorga taunted De La Hoya with vile vitriol, the new champ dropped Mayorga twice and gave him a boxing lesson. There is no doubt that De La Hoya is the #1 boxing attraction. I'm hoping a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. sees the light of day! Although De La Hoya showed a little rust, he landed an impressive 44% of his punches. Mayorga could only bow down after the brutal beating he was given.

Good Stuff!!!

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Stephen Colbert...Funniest Fucker on the Planet!!!



He owned Dubya just a few days ago, and he's got the wingnuts bitching! Here's an example of a wingnut attempting to use 9/11 as a way to bash Mr. Colbert (It's Cole-bear bitch). I'm telling you, the right is losing grips...on these nuts!

Update form BND: Here is some of the video


As seen on Break.com


As seen on Break.com

Very cool interview with Vinnie.

Check this out!

Jell Biafra speech from 2003. Those of you you who have never listened to any of Jello's spoken word stuff should really look into purchasing some. I suggest 'I blow Minds for a Living'.

Monday, May 01, 2006

My Take on the Immigration Rallies


A spokesman for the group that organized today’s protests rallies is expecting “tens of millions” of marchers today calling for immediate legalization of ALL immigrant that are currently in the our country. I have very mixed feelings on this subject. I was watching the news last night and was puzzled as people that were planning to take part in today’s demonstrations, stocked up on food, gas, and other needed supplies. Doesn’t this kind of defeat the purpose of a boycott? I do agree that our immigration policy needs an overhaul. If it wasn’t so difficult to become a citizen, we wouldn’t have the problems with illegal immigration. I believe that we are a nation of immigrants, so we need to embrace immigrants not condemn them. We also need to secure our borders, and enforce the laws that are currently in our books.

What are your feelings on this issue?