BP Kills Twitter Fail Whale (click to visit and pay respects)

Twitter has been having a hard time for weeks and weeks. I think I’ve figured out why. Instead of Twitter’s ‘fail whale’ not surfacing because everything’s A-Ok (which it’s most certainly not), Twitter’s ‘fail whale’ is surfacing because of too much oil!

BP’s catastrophe in the Gulf is so monumental that it’s even affecting on-line wildlife! Even the little [ more . . . ]]]>

BP Kills Twitter Fail Whale (click to visit and pay respects)

Twitter has been having a hard time for weeks and weeks. I think I’ve figured out why. Instead of Twitter’s ‘fail whale’ not surfacing because everything’s A-Ok (which it’s most certainly not), Twitter’s ‘fail whale’ is surfacing because of too much oil!

BP’s catastrophe in the Gulf is so monumental that it’s even affecting on-line wildlife! Even the little red birds gagged on tar balls and had to be replaced by the feel-good BP logos to help cart off the ‘fail whale’ carcass. (BP — it’s rumored — is working extra hard as of latest report to dispose of dead birds, fish, and other sea animals as quickly as possible before they’re photographed, cataloged, autopsied, et cetera.)

Just generally speaking? What’s happened — and happening — is disgusting. It’s Capitalism run amok. It’s not only a travesty but a sick look into the lesser angels that drive the inner-workings of human nature.

And government isn’t to be excused in the equation, either. Though not as a Democrat, I fault the George Bush Administration, and only to a degree the Barack Obama Administration for not having been able to reverse quickly enough the absolute gutting of oversight and regulation that government can and should do. That said, the eight years Dick Cheney spent greasing the wheels of government, all for the sake of Big Oil, must be called into account . . . and correcting eight years of heading full speed in the wrong direction can not be corrected by one-plus years of trying to turn the boat around.

It’s said each President fights their wars with the last President’s armed forces. The very same could be said with the situation in the Gulf.

Would anyone knowingly perpetrate such an act? Of course not, except for the most absolute of outliers in our society. Would an absolutely massive multi-national corporation develop, repeat, and perpetuate an institutional behavior that seeks to both maximize profit and reduce expense? Absolutely.

So what is the role of Capitalism verses Government? Seems that everyone is talking about it these days, even people who would be advised not to (yes, that includes you, Rand Paul). Well, oddly enough, I tried my hand at penning that exact thought a number of months ago and would appreciate your thoughts and comments.

LittleDEM article published November 27, 2009: Defining Capitalism and Government vis-a-vis Each Other

If there’s one thing I think we can all agree on, it’s that in times like these we need help, big help, and more help that we can most likely individually contribute — It’s a desperate situation for a collective solution.

This is off the beaten track of actual politics in an off-the-wall effort to put on display an actual example of how politics can so warp what is so easily understood to the common man and woman.

Watch for yourself.

When Umpire Jim Joyce called [ more . . . ]]]> There’s no repercussions, what-if’s . . nada . . to voiding this particular umpire’s admittedly bad call.

This is off the beaten track of actual politics in an off-the-wall effort to put on display an actual example of how politics can so warp what is so easily understood to the common man and woman.

Watch for yourself.

When Umpire Jim Joyce called Jason Donald safe, he and he alone cost Detroit Tiger’s pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game. It’s as simple as that.

I understand there’s a strong sense of permanence and ‘in the moment’ to baseball. As a fan, that’s part of the sport I love (and part of the sport I would most love to play). But even I see the folly of Bud Selig’s apparent refusal to fairly correct an honest mistake.

This wasn’t 8-innings, 8 1/3 innings — This was 8 2/3 innings. Had this been a game-ending home run or Johnny Bench moment, the situation could be (easily) rectified. This doesn’t even take 10 players and an umpire crew to retake the field. The call is there for all to see. The man who made the (bad) original call has already admitted his mistake and done the best he can to correct the record. It’s simple — As odd a fact as it is, the third perfect game of the still young 2010 season has been pitched.

Bud Selig is, more so than in any other sport, the King of his respective sport. He has the power of edict. And he should use it.

For the record, I have tremendous admiration for both Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce — The former has shown tremendous poise in the face of unbelievable letdown, and the latter has similarly shown that he’s both human . . . and willing to admit that fact. To force each to live in a world that mandates perfection each and every moment offers tragic irony to both the situation and the reality we all need to face, that we’re human, that we make mistakes, and it’s in the character of how we deal with those mistakes that we often best demonstrate what we’re truly made of.

How can everyone see that BUT Bud Selig? Fix the mistake. Or refuse to acknowledge a perfect game that was actually . . . Perfect?!?

The only imperfection I see in this whole mess is Bud Selig’s inaction and inability to ‘make the call’.

I don’t like short people all that much.

In fact, I really don’t like short people all that much. They’re just, well, short and always needing my help with things like opening doors or reaching something. And I’m always bumping into them at places like the supermarket and bookstore. And they’re always bumping into me or — better yet — getting in my way because they don’t appreciate that normal, tall people have [ more . . . ]]]> It’s been a long time since I’ve posted, but I finally feel liberated to say something I’ve felt for a very long time . . .

I don’t like short people all that much.

In fact, I really don’t like short people all that much. They’re just, well, short and always needing my help with things like opening doors or reaching something. And I’m always bumping into them at places like the supermarket and bookstore. And they’re always bumping into me or — better yet — getting in my way because they don’t appreciate that normal, tall people have longer strides and naturally take up more room than they do. Their ’short-people’ space doesn’t equate. To the short people out there: You can’t walk in front of a normal, tall person like you can all your short-people friends and not rudely disrupt their pace or space — Be considerate, will ya’!

Kids? They’re Ok — They’re born short, and a good chunk of them will grow out of it. And anyone who’s genetically very, very short. No problem there — They understand what I’m talking about, if just in reverse.

But back to the average, ordinary short people . . .

They just piss me off. Their ’shortness’ means there’s less shelves, which means places like supermarkets have to be wider and longer . . . just to accommodate their shorter stature. And I’m paying for that more-than-necessary real estate! And when they rent cars they’re always pulling the seats forward, causing me to smash my knees against the steering wheel when I first get in the car!

About the only thing they’re good for is a good view at the movies . . . and one really, really funny song.

Oh, and they’re always poking me in the eye with their way-too-large umbrellas.

Thank You, Rand Paul! You’ve lifted my spirits and my until-now repressed dislike of short people. Gosh, if I were from Kentucky I’d surely vote for you . . . but then again, you’ll probably hold it against me for not being from Kentucky, won’t you?

Huh, sort of conflicted now that I think about it.

If you think 6,800,000,000 people — that’s six-point-eight billion people — doing all the things they do on the surface of the planet can’t have an effect . . . then you’re a moron.

If you think here in the United States that, as the world’s largest consumer, we don’t have the responsibility to at least consume responsibly . . . then you’re a greedy moron.

If you think 30+ inches of snow falling in Washington D.C. [ more . . . ]]]> If you think we haven’t achieved a level of technological sophistication to — even just possibly — affect climate . . . then you’re a moron.

If you think 6,800,000,000 people — that’s six-point-eight billion people — doing all the things they do on the surface of the planet can’t have an effect . . . then you’re a moron.

If you think here in the United States that, as the world’s largest consumer, we don’t have the responsibility to at least consume responsibly . . . then you’re a greedy moron.

If you think 30+ inches of snow falling in Washington D.C. in the middle of winter is somehow proof that Climate Change doesn’t exist . . . then you’re a dumb moron.

If you use the snowstorm in Washington D.C. for political purposes aimed at Al Gore and taking pot shots at Global Warming and Climate Change . . . then you’re an incredibly shortsighted, political moron (take note Senator Jim DeMint, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and the rest).

If you casually dismiss the Defense Department and the Defense Department’s findings / opinion that Climate and the potential of Climate Change to alter and / or disrupt ‘world order’ is a National Security concern of the United States . . . then you’re an unpatriotic moron.

Why do I believe in Climate Change?  Well, there are a lot of reasons, but let me tell you just one, quick reason, that when I kid everyone went ice skating.  I’m 40 years old.  I grew up in the Northeast, and I have generally lived in the Northeast for a vast majority of my life, and in particular both my childhood and the past 10 years.

What I can tell you about when I was a kid verses now is simple — No one ice skates anymore.  When I was young there would be 100 kids on the ice . . . regularly.  I actually never really was much for skating (weak ankles), but there I was there sliding across the ice in my sneaks and loving every minute of it.

But now?  Well, it’s the all-too-often story of a kid (or an adult) being pulled from an only semi-frozen pond after falling through.  The ice isn’t think enough because it’s not cold enough for long enough.  The only place people can generally go ice skate is a place that offers a refrigerated ice rink.

That’s why I believe in Climate Change or, at the very least, that we do have the capacity to affect climate and that we should take prudent measures to make sure we don’t screw-up the planet . . . that just one reason to believe is because it isn’t cold enough to ice skate anymore.

That change has taken less than 30-40 year, and it’s only within the skill of a moron to not see that as Climate Change.

It may be simply explained by Senator Franken’s commitment to the USO and his 10+ years of service to lift the spirits of our troops.

For more, please visit a quick entry on Al Franken’s page on Wikipedia.

. . . We’ve brought the economy back from the brink of the worst economic condition since the Great Depression.  Heck, we’ve even already been paid back some of the bailout money so many people, including myself, are generally upset over.

. . . We’ve articulated a plan to withdraw from Iraq.

. . . Our standing in the world has dramatically improved.

. . . We have plans for Afghanistan that help focus [ more . . . ]]]> Let’s not overlook what’s been accomplished over the past year.  Yeah, it’s not sexy.  Yeah, it’s not the kind of thing you want to work on.  But it’s progress nonetheless.

. . . We’ve brought the economy back from the brink of the worst economic condition since the Great Depression.  Heck, we’ve even already been paid back some of the bailout money so many people, including myself, are generally upset over.

. . . We’ve articulated a plan to withdraw from Iraq.

. . . Our standing in the world has dramatically improved.

. . . We have plans for Afghanistan that help focus the tip of the spear on eliminating the real threat of future terrorism (hopefully).

. . . We’ve responded to a near pandemic with regard to Swine Flu (granted, it has not been as bad as it could have been, but we marshalled our resources to be as prepared as possible).

. . . We’ve kept teachers and police officers and firemen and others in their jobs when states were about to effect (sizeable) cuts last year.

. . . We’re helping the people of Haiti.

. . . We’ve done a lot of work toward actual Healthcare Reform.

Don’t be surprised if part of President Obama’s State of the Union speech is framed as having ‘taken care of some (very) serious business’ and that we’ve now ’set the stage’ for a great year of getting the People’s business done.

Then you’ll definitely want to take a look at our soon-to-be-released Senate and House Race Fractional Share Bidding System scheduled for launch as soon as friggin’ possible!

You heard right, Corporations! Soon you’ll even have a tool of your very own that delivers:

It is the duty and obligation of every eligible voter to cast their ballot in any and all elections applying to their voting district.

I’m open to rephrasing and arguments on interpretation, but I think it’s high time we as a Nation affirm a core belief, that Democracy is a truly participatory form of government and that, as a consequence, it is inexcusable that any eligible voting American forsake such a simple task as casting a ballot.

This is something I’ve shared over the past few years with quite a [ more . . . ]]]> Proposed as the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution . . .

It is the duty and obligation of every eligible voter to cast their ballot in any and all elections applying to their voting district.

I’m open to rephrasing and arguments on interpretation, but I think it’s high time we as a Nation affirm a core belief, that Democracy is a truly participatory form of government and that, as a consequence, it is inexcusable that any eligible voting American forsake such a simple task as casting a ballot.

This is something I’ve shared over the past few years with quite a few people . . and not a single one of them has objected.  In principle, I believe this Amendment would be best passed in a manner similar to a non-binding resolution in that there is no individual measure — or necessarily any individual penalty — to an individual not actually voting.

In effect, it’s a proposed Amendment that actually (or technically) does nothing but affirm a Belief, which in part is what I believe would make such an Amendment a powerful force in improving the nature and quality of our Democracy.  It’s not enforced — It’s socially expected.

For those looking for additional argument, a Voting Requirement Amendment would, as a consequence, likely call upon the Federal Government and each of the States to investigate, design, and deploy measures to make voting even easier, more secure, and more reliable (by simple virtue of the fact so many more people are voting).  It would ‘raise the bar’ as a direct effect of a cumulatively larger voting population, and the resulting improvements would be a direct benefit to every voter.

Why do Democrats think the People want to put them in charge if — on the big issues — all Democrats do is compromise and seek bipartisan support when they’re in near total control?  After all, Democrats can just as easily play that role as the MINORITY as opposed to the MAJORITY party.  Lead, Fight, and Get the Things Done that Need Getting Done!

Simple — If it’s right, and you can make it happen, DO IT!  Once done and done well, the People will love the [ more . . . ]]]> This is my one, fundamental complaint with Democrats and the Democratic Party . . .

Why do Democrats think the People want to put them in charge if — on the big issues — all Democrats do is compromise and seek bipartisan support when they’re in near total control?  After all, Democrats can just as easily play that role as the MINORITY as opposed to the MAJORITY party.  Lead, Fight, and Get the Things Done that Need Getting Done!

Simple — If it’s right, and you can make it happen, DO IT!  Once done and done well, the People will love the result (and you).

I’m convinced Republican leaders are as close to mortally afraid as they can get over Healthcare Reform, not for the sake of budgets, the deficit, or anything of the sort, but rather because of how enormously popular they know Democrats would become for delivering actual Healthcare Reform that actually DID something for each and every American.  That possibility scares the bejesus out of them, and that’s why they’re fighting tooth-and-nail.

So, Fight, Democrats, Fight!

Not fighting for fighting’s sake.  Fight for the person who wants and needs Healthcare Reform after having been denied care over a pre-existing condition they didn’t even know they had when they enrolled.  Fight for the People, who need more of their money spent on actual care than health insurance company profits.  Fight for competition and measures that help reduce or hold-down costs over the long haul.  Fight and the People will appreciate the hard-fought battle on their behalf.

Fight!