Mugabes mind, Biden and Israel, and a little Putin to boot… July 6, 2009

Well its always good to wake and find humor in world news. With all the death, and war, and economic whoas occuring all around the globe, it is nice to find something that can  make me laugh and roll my eyes. Todays little bit of humor came from Mugabe and his comments on the US envoy to Zimbabwe.  Mugabe called US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, Carson,  an “idiot” with a condescending attitude.  He continued by saying that “You would not speak to an idiot of that nature. I was very angry with him, and he thinks he could dictate to us what to do and what not to do.” I had to laugh at this because Mugabe has a history of not liking most US envoys to his country, and in fact thought Carsons predecessor was an idiot also.  And I can only imagine how that conversation went. “Give us your money, but you cant stipulate what I do with it.” Obama has committed $73 million to Zimbabwe but has stipulated that the money will not be given to the government because there is still concerns about the powersharing government that has been established, and the ability for it to unite enough to successfully aid the economic and political issues facing the country.  And honestly this is no different then other foreign policy moves past administrations have made when assisting a failing third world country…we give supplies, aid with stipulations.  And it seems that the Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai understands and is willing to work with the US and other countries terms in return for assistance. Its sad to see one old man with power control issues hurting a country which was once so prosperous!

Well Obama’s meeting with Putin seems to go well, releasing a statement that says that there was an excellent chance to improve ties. Well of course! I some how cant see Obama giving Putin the angry parent look that Bush so famously gave him multiple times over the past 8 years, most infamously at the Beijing Olympics after the Russia/Georgia conflict.  But it seems that this visits agenda to begin negotiations to reduce nuclear warheads by up to a third may be successful. So one thing that Obama has wanted to achieve is underway, now what?

Well the drama in Iran has only just begun it seems. Iranian clerics have called Iran’s presidential vote invalid, and are calling for the results to be thrown out. And if their separation from Khamenei wasnt shocking enough, it seems that Ahmadinejad has been considering talks with Obama. But although this is different rhetoric from his usual anti-west/anti-US speeches, it isnt really much different, because he wants the talks to be held in front of the media, which doesnt make them diplomatic meetings, but a place for public pandering. We’ll see what comes of all this craziness…lets just hope our VP can keep his mouth shut in the future. Dont know what Im talking about? Continue reading then!

Also in the news…I have decided that Biden is an idiot. In an interview with ABC, he stated that the United States would not stand in the way if Israel chose to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, even as he reiterated an offer to Tehran for negotiations over its nuclear programme. While he is right by saying that Israel will make up its own decision on who to bomb as a sovereign nation, the way he phrased it was more in lines with the US wont interfere with Israel, ans in some ways seemed to be supporting the Israeli preference to deal with Iran in a military fashion.  No wonder the Ayatollah is telling the West to stay out of its affairs and not to meddle. If our VP is indirectly vocally supportive of military options against Iran, then of course they dont want to have to deal with us!  What disturbs me even more is that whenever one of our allies is about to bomb another country there is discussions at multiple levels of government on the issue, and if we felt that the bombing would do more harm then good we would try to stress alternative methods. Bidens interview leaves me with the impression that even diplomatic efforts to avoid military conflict between Israel and Iran wont be occurring. While this wasnt stated implicitly, it seems to be what was meant.  Its sad to see the Israeli lobby being so influential in DC and with US foreign policy decisions. Lets just hope that Israel isnt stupid enough to actually airstrike Iran right now or we could end up in another war!

Oh and I really wish I was in spain right now, cause I could be running with the bulls! Oh well..

Later!

Murder for Hire, a little Body Paint, and the Pigeon vs Hummer Debate July 1, 2009

Well i have decided that pigeons are some of the stupidest birds alive. I sat on Bethel St waiting on the bus, watching this one pigeon trying to cross the raod during rush hour traffic. Instead of flying over the cars, it kept walking in front of oncoming cars, and then running out of the way. No it wasnt injured, in fact it eventually made its way 1/2 way across the street and discovered it couldnt run back to safety from an oncoming Hummer and finally flew to the sidewalk. The only problem? It flew back the way it came and then started the entire process over again. Either it is a daredevil trying to conquer one road at a time, or its brain has fallen out! Thats not the end of my pigeon stories for the day, but the other one is not as funny.

Since this day was full of oddities, I decided it was time to update everyone on the weird news from around the world…starting with news from Madrid. Spanish police arrested a man today who they suspect of hiring a contract killer to kill his boss to avoid being laid off.  Well, Im not thinking that this man thought the entire thing through. Now he no longer has a job and is facing jail time, rather then just being laid off.  yes the economy is hard right now, but seriously? Killing to maintain a lifestyle? Dang, who thought sociopathism was linked to Wall Street? (Oh and the killing actually occurred, it wasnt a failed hiring!)

Hmm…so if I asked you what Johnny Depp, Garfield, Paris Hilton, and roast pork have in common, what would you say? Go ahead, guess! according to China, they are all bad for your moral health. So, with the new internet filtering system coming online, the Chinese have effectively filtered the oddest array of things/people imaginable. (While arguably Hilton is bad for health, who couldnt stand a little Captain Jack?!)

Like many frequent flyers I tune out the flight attendents and videos during the takeoff check list. I figure if I cant figure out where the exits are or how to buckle a seat belt then maybe I shouldnt be flying…alone. Wel, Air New Zealand has come up with a new technique to keep passengers attention on them during this time..they are introducing domestic crew that are dressed only in body paint. Well, that should make for an interesting conversation with your 5 year old!

Later!

Golden vending machines, the DUI barstool, and some North Korean charm June 18, 2009

Well the tradewinds have arrived and along with those blessed heat relieving winds came the rain…which I will gladly take right now because it too is giving my sweat glands a break from the 90 degree weather! Its been a relaxing past day or two. Ive been surfing the web…but not only for leisure…ive been pumping away at a paper due Sunday on NGO websites…and ive discovered that its kinda hard to analye websites becuase they always put theire best foot forward and hide their flaws. Oh well…its a good thing that im good at digging through good to find the bad!

In case you missed it, the military out here in HI has been put on alert due to North Korea. With a shipping vessel leaving North Korean ports carrying unknown things and them test firing a missile aiming it at HI…mortality has risen on my radar. At first when I heard the news I thought…ahh just another Kim Jong Il stunt…then I remembered that I live in HI now..not only that but I live on Oahu with all those military bases…somehow I dont think the missile is aimed at all the cows on Molokai! Oh well…Im not really afraid of death…if it happens it happens…and if it happens to be by nuke then so be it! At least its not death by fish!

In more news about crazy people…a man in Delaware decided it was going to be a good idea to set off fireworks in a local Arbys bathroom…and no one knows why because the man evaded the police…but if his goal was to sink a toilet then he succeeded!

A few months back I blogged about the DUI bar stool event in Ohio…well the man was contemplating selling the stool after he got alot of interest in it…until the Licking County Child Support Agency got wind of it and told him that if he sold it the money would have to go to the $37000 back owed child support he owes…so instead he offfered them the barstool and told them to sell it themselves.

Hmmm…it looks like someone forgot that the economy was bad.  Some German company decided to create a vending machine that will despense gold in ornamental boxes for $42. However, the creator argues that he came up with the idea of gold dispensers just before Lehman Brothers collapsed in September and was further convinced by a heightened interest in the precious metal as a hedge against inflation as the financial crisis rippled around the globe.  Yes…let me pump $42 of my hard earned money (ok..well my financial aid money anyways) into a vending machine so I can get a box of gold that cn sit on a shelf. Yes..it may be gold and worth more then the cash in my wallet…but that cash can buy me food..so ill keep my cash…its called survival.

Later!

Post Draft Update, Fox v. Obama, and the newest form of economic protest April 27, 2009

Well for a Post Draft update…my beloved Packers actually did well!  I am happy with the overall draft, although I do admit to a minor heart attack when Thompson traded up for a 2nd 1st round pick!  I thought hell had frozen over cause that was certainly unexpected…after all his trademark draft policy is trade down for more picks…oh well.  It was fun to listen to all my friends panic when Cleveland kept trading down…and then of course there was the perpetual name pronunciations which just got even funnier when Bobby got a little drunk and couldnt say any name…so I sent him and Jessie some nice long Hawaiian names to try, which was even funnier! Oh well, overall the draft was kinda odd but still predictable…Oakland was crazy, Minnesota hasnt truly learned the lesson that talent doesnt outway personal issues, and the Patriots continued to master the trade down tactics and manipulate their way into multiple draft picks in this year and next years draft. 

Wow! Can Fox get anymore partison? Oh yes they can…Fox Broadcasting Company announced Monday it will not carry President Barack Obama’s prime time press conference marking his first 100 days in office, the first time a broadcast network has refused an Obama administration request for that valuable airtime. Yes it may be May Sweeps, but to have one of the big 4 media outlets decide not to air the coverage is kinda shocking…maybe Fox should become a CW, and do away with news all together…that wouldnt be a bad thing in my eyes!

Well its nice to see that the community is coming together in the trying times in Mexico…wait…you mean those people wearing surgical masks arent just protecting themselves and helping others? Wait…they robbed a watch store?! Oh well, guess humanity still has its issues…With a rise in the population of Mexico wearing surgical masks to help prevent against the Swine Flu, thief’s are taking advantage of the situation by robbing stores wearing the masks…thus disguising their appearance without looking conspicuous…Its not like merchants can tell the police…there in the blue surgical mask…cause the thief’s can just disappear into the masses..genius!

Wow, I knew the economy was tough, but in Serbia a union worker cut off his own finger in protest over overdue and unpaid wages. The worst part wasnt the cutting off of the finger…in demonstration as to how desperate he and others are, he ate his finger. Um…protest cannibalism as a way to show economic frustration? Have we really resorted to that drastic of measures?! Even I, who find cannibalism fascinating, am slightly disturbed by this new tactic…lets just hope it doesnt get picked up by the mainstream, or there will be alot of fingerless people running around.

Later!

Dancing under Redoubt, cost of Hawaii, and Colbert to Space! March 23, 2009

 

Well Bobby Jindhal?   How do you feel about your comments on pork barrel spending related to Volcano watching now?  Mt Redoubt has errupted 5 times…Hope you realize that disaster management isnt pork barrel spending.  In a turn of direction, I have decided that I want to witness a volcano erupt. I want to dance in teh falling ash.  Yes I know Im weird, but it would definately be a once in a lifetime event, unless you are one of the people who live by a volcano, then i guess it would be a several times in a lifetime event.

March Madness has been disappointing. Only one Ohio team left and its Xavier. I cant believe Ive been reduced to rooting for Xavier.  UD got creamed yesterday, and it was saddening to watch Cleveland State lose too.  Oh well, Im off to root for the underdogs now.  Go AZ!

I just learned that the minimum salary for a single person to live modestly inHawaii needs to be double that of the mainland.  Wow!  And I can tell you from experience, wages definately arent more that I would earn in Ohio…no wonder im not looking for a job out here!

Haha.  In case you missed it, NASA held a name the new addition to the space station contest and Stephen Colbert rallied his troops to have his name written in.  And he won!  Now we will have to see if NASA will honor the name, or will elect for something lamer.

Wow!  I gotta love the NY district court!  The ruled against the FDA, stating that it let politics cloud its judgment when it denied teenage girls over-the-counter access to the Plan B morning-after pill, and ordered the FDA to let 17-year-olds obtain the medication. Following the popes visit to Africa where he condemned condoms and pledged more abstinence training, this ruling is more inline with modern society today. Abstinence education is fine, but teens need to be introduced to the risks of and safety issues associated with sex.  And that means, not barring access to sex safety options!  Go judiciary system!

Well Im off to read…and relax since its spring break!! yay!

Later!

Crazy hooker shoe lady, God wanted me to take the bus, and beer addicted deer March 11, 2009

Well is it me or is this world getting crazier?  Oddities spring up everywhere…from the worlds largest functioning cell phone in Chicago to beer robbing deer to men jumping over Niagara Falls and surviving!  Add the seoddities to the sheer craziness of people and all the killing that seems to be making the news in the past few weeks, and it makes you wonder if everytime there is a turn in the economy of the world, people react insanely?!

I think today was just a strange day anyways. I was seeing slugs everywhere I went, I watched some crazy lady try walking outside Indigos on some cement retaining wall in clear hooker platform heels, and then start cussing everyone out while she walked down Nuuanu Ave into oncoming traffic.  While this was going on I had some guy telling me that it was Gods plan for him to not take a Taxi and ride teh bus instead because he was meant to witness and help the crazy lady walking down the street…while he sat there and did nothing! Then while crazy God guy wass talking to me about drinking at a Japanese bar and Vietnam (ie the war…he was a vet) some other guy started talking to me. He was a little creepy, but to make matters even stranger I find out hes from Miamisburg and graduates in 1993. The chance that I meet someone who grew up in the same city as me at 10pm outside Hawaii Theatre is kinda wierd!  But it happened. 

Im not sure what to make of today, it seems that everything was just strange…everything. But its done, and hopefully tomorrows strangeness wont involve almost stepping on slugs, crazy hooker shoe lady, or the man ranting on about God…i would be happy if it excluded all the above!

Later!

Mexico violence reaches US, why you shouldnt have a shotgun in your car, and hope for Zimbabwe? February 10, 2009

Solving the Economic Crisis with Jon Oliver

Well the violence from Mexico’s war on drugs is spilling over into the US and not in the Border-towns like everyone expected.  Violence has reached bigger cities like Atlanta and Phoenix. Violence is following the drugs.  Drug customers who owe money are kidnapped until they pay up. Cartel employees who don’t deliver the goods or turn over the profits are disciplined through beatings, kidnappings or worse.The violence may not be as severe as the violence seen across the border, but it doesnt mean its not present. In Birmingham AL 5 men were found with their throats slit. They had apparently been tortured with electric shocks before being killed in a murder-for-hire orchestrated by a Mexican drug organization over a drug debt of about $400,000. The lessons to be learned?  Sharing a border with a state that is on the verge of ailure can be catastrophic for any nation, so that means the US people and administration better wake up to the implications that are trickling in with the drugs….

When will people learn?  Showing up at the White House with a rifle will never end well!  Even if you are making a “delivery.”  Second…a guy showing up at the white house in a pick-up truck with a delivery for Obama is unlikely, and will never actually see the President, so Im not sure his plan, whatever it may have been, was well thought out.   Its like my Grandmas rant when Bush was in office.  Although she would have loved to take a shotgun to him, she at least was realistic in the fact that he wouldn’t show up on her doorstep, so it would never happen. (ps:  she always said it jokingly..kinda)

Why are all the US brokers getting bonuses? The explanation going around that if you dont pay them, they wont stay is ludicrous. If they wont accept a pay but or no bonus, then let them walk away. If they do, they just proved how stupid they are to voluntarily walk away from a well paying job in a horrible economy, and if they dont then you still have high quality people working for you. Even if you do, there has to be a realization that over 500,000 people are without jobs, many with degrees, who would gladly take a position with any company at this point. Heck I have a friend who would!  Need a name, just ask!

Well, Tsvangirai is due to take office of Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, thats assuming the old crazy Mugabe doesnt do something to cause chaos again.  Even if the power-sharing deal takes place there is a huge battle to be waged over the economy and the country.  Since most nations outside the AU have reservations about the successfulness of the deal(mainly due to Mugabe, and the Tsvangirai’s capabilities to lead) there is an unlikelihood that any changes will occur immediately. The EU, UN, and US have economic santions in place and are reluctant to relase them until there are signs of change, but it could be a dangerous tactic. In order to effect change there needs to be some method for the new PM to use, and right now thats not available.  Maybe releasing certain sanctions for a specified time as a sign of cooperation would be the best tactic that the world could make for the people of Zimbabwe.

Later!

Why cant you arrest 150 stupid people? February 8, 2009

An Ohio sheriff is pretty mad at some local ice fishermen.  See they had to be rescued Saturday after high winds and rising temperatures caused an ice floe to break away and strand about 150 of them on Lake Erie.    In fact his exact words were “if there was a section in the code about common sense, we would have had 150 arrests out there today.  This just cost the taxpayers a ton of money” estimating the cost of the sheriff’s office response at $25,000.   However he has no problem with ice fishing, just problems with the idiots who saw open water and instead of heeding it as a warning, built a make shift bridge over it to reach more ice.   Sherrif Bratton said. “It’s a shame you can’t arrest people for stupidity”  and I agree!

With the economy as bad as it is Ive been a little worried about finanical aid for next year…but maybe I shoulda had more faith!  One of the many things in the new stimulus bill was increased financial aid for us college students!  Yay!!!  Heres to hoping I recieve some of those funds!

Well last night was fun…I got to go hug a guy with dreds!  Hehehe…some of you know who!!!!

Im off to study

later!

Stupid bailout requests, UN bombed, and some Fareed Zakaria January 15, 2009

Fareed Zakaria on The Daily Show…Enjoy!

Economic bailout anyone? How about $50milllion to Las Vegas for an Organized Crime Museum which they argue will be a sure fire tourist attraction…ummm…im thinking Vegas Casinos make enough money to build it if they really want it…and Im kinda guessing that building a museum isnt a necessity at the moment…especially with recently unemployed living as homeless on the streets in -10 degree weather in the midwest!  How about another bailout request…Edwardsville AL would like a $375 million dollar stimulus, american libraryassociation would like one too, and then there was the request from the environmentally friendly golf courses, and more….forget the little man…lets fund the ridiculous and unnecesssary…

As if I needed another reason to gripe about the Israel/Hamas fighting, Israel has bombed the UN headquarters in the region, as well as a local hospital, and a school…they are claiming that Hamas terrorists were hiding at those locations and firing at Israeli troops from them…of which no claims hae been proven to be true and Israel is stalling on showing their intelligence that led to their bombing decisions…all this right before they were to meet with UN Leader Ban…stupid move Israel!

Ive been extremely boring today…Ive been doing nothing but reading WWI in Africa and trying to stay awake while Im reading about the tactics and operations of the different forces…all of which are irrelevent in many ways because they all were pretty much going in circles and fighting with little to know intel, resources, or reasons…oh well…almost done…

Later!

Happy New Years to all, and the craziness of 2009…already… December 31, 2008

Happy New Years! Hope everyone stayed up late and had fun with friends and family!  I know our little game night with wine and champagne was a success…lots of wine…alwyas a good thing!  And the entertainment always comed from my friends…and stellas drawing skills of Mt Rushmore…

I wonder what the new year will bring, although its definitely starting off in a bad spot…horrible economy, war in Irag and Afghanistan, disasters around the world, crazy athletes already causing trouble before the first hour of 2009 has passed…well maybe a little before… 2009…definitely the end of 2008. In case you have no clue what Im talking about, Charles Barkley was arrested in AZ. He was pulled over for speeding and a DUI…when asked by the officer why, he said he was on his way to get a blowjob, and that he was pulling around the corner to get one from his passenger…apparently he proceeded to tell the cop he had one a week earlier and it was the best one hes ever had and asked the cop if he thought the girl was hot…um…Charles…i’d expect to hear from divorce lawyers pretty soon… This one ranks up there with Plexico shooting himself…poor athletes…it must be hard to live a life of athletics…what with all that money, and publicity, and of course the chicks…(well unless you are a chick…well…nevermind)

Later!