Flip Out #2
Whatever....
Blog
Defining Irony
http://www.gawker.com/news/rosa-parks/think-exploitative-133538.php
Not sure how I feel about this. Exploitative or history lesson? And is the latter appropriate for a billion dollar company looking to increase shareholders profits?
Constant Streams of Gross Misinformation
I just heard Fox News (one of their commentators, pretty sure it was that simpleton O'Reilly),refer to Ashley Smith (of the Brian Nichols/Atlanta murders as a "hostage negotiator".
v. ne·go·ti·at·ed, ne·go·ti·at·ing, ne·go·ti·ates
- 1. To confer with another or others in order to come to terms or reach an agreement:
- 2. To arrange or settle by discussion and mutual agreement: negotiate a contract.
He let her go and she dialed 911. At no time was she in contact with the authorities discussing the conditions of his release. A minor example, but a perfect one of willful distortion and punching up the script for what they think is a rabid, drama hungry public. They think we don't even notice!!
I would like to clarify that I was not in my own residence at the time of the Fox News airing. It is forbidden in my home, along with the Lifetime Television for Stalked, Abused, Raped, and Murdered Women Network.
I Tested Positive For French Kruellers
Even though it was around 2 p.m. this afternoon when I came across the article...I am still slack jawed.
Weyco Inc., a health benefits administrator based in Okemos, Mich., adopted a policy Jan. 1 that allows employees to be fired if they smoke, even if the smoking happens after business hours or at home.
Are they going to start giving cholesterol tests to see if people are eating properly? And if their HDL's are too high, they get canned???!!! What is next? The Cheesesteak Cessation Program? "Listen Bob, we are willing to help you if you let us. Just hand over the sandwich and we'll see that you get some help. If not, you and your entire family can just drive straight to McDonalds and eat off the Dollar Menu for the rest of your pitiful, wretched life. How does THAT sound Bob?"
Chief Financial Officer Gary Climes estimated that 18 to 20 of the company's 200 employers were smokers when the policy was announced in 2003. Of those, as many as 14 quit smoking before the policy went into effect. The company offered them help to kick the habit.
The last sentence in that quote is so creepy. It somewhat reminded me of the movie Cats Eye by Stephen King where James Woods wants to quit smoking and is then terrorized by the guy because he can't stop.
Disappearing Soon From A Countryside Near You...
“The hunt master of the Ashford Valley is a local bond salesman named Peter Claxton, who had never even ridden a horse until March last year. “The reason I’m doing this scary thing?” he said, trying to control his mare. “I don’t want the government telling me what to do.”
Well, the unthinkable has happened and fox hunting is now outlawed in the UK. This can’t be more disheartening since it won’t be long before it comes fast and furious across the pond, galloping at a ferocious speed, right to our very own stables. The ban takes effect February, 18th, 2005.
I know that the animal rights activists are not news here in America, but the more I hear about them and their sniveling and spoiled childlike yammering, I become infuriated. They are whizzes at marketing themselves to the young and impressionable. The website has elements of a teen magazine cover, except ominous phrases like Estate Planning and Make a Monthly Pledge make an appearance. Numerous young celebrities whore themselves out to groups like Peta and company, without even knowing all the details of what they are posturing for. And Peta like a malevolent pimp cleverly disguised as a benevolent figure, exploits the naiveté and soaks up every bit of it to further their agenda for financial gain. No one could tell me the directors that administrate Peta are there for the sole purpose of protecting animals. Peta is in my crosshairs, because I know when the time comes, they will use their resources, not to put forth a reasonable and/or solid argument to ban fox hunting, or even discuss alternatives or compromise, but use guerilla warfare tactics to pressure the marys in Washington into giving them their way.
“Animal Rights" proponents seek to restrict use and ownership of animals, including hunting and fishing, pet and livestock ownership, circuses, rodeos, zoos and medical research. They pursue this radical agenda through a wide variety of legal and illegal means, but concentrate on passing state and federal legislation that appears to address animal welfare. In reality, however, such legislation goes far beyond its superficial intent, placing severe restrictions on the rights of law-abiding animal owners and sportsmen.
It does remain to be said that in England the core of the argument is class. Rich vs. poor. That is simply not a true statement, but it doesn’t matter now. Foxhunting and a way of life for the most part are over in the English countryside. This is incredible fuel for the animal rights sector in the States. I believe here in America, it is going to be more about these activists, (i.e. lost souls) who make uninformed, emotional decisions about something they know NOTHING about and don’t even make a concerted effort to do so. They aren't even worthy opponents in a debate or discussion. But if you have ever witnessed one of them engaged with a detractor, you already know. Anna Nicole Smith is a spokesperson....need I say more? But I digress, because the real focus of my rage is the fear that it will come, and they will get their way. If foxhunting can be banned in England, it most certainly will disappear here. While this rant might sound primarily like an anti-animal rights piece..make no mistake, it is. But really, beyond that scope is the fact that the right to hunt is being taken away little by little from cults like Peta and others. They have heavily armed lobbyists and politicians are so easily influenced because, hey�who wants to see a fox ripped apart by bloodthirsty hounds? A sport, a recreation, a right to all Americans that has existed for centuries will no doubt be under attack and quite possibly taken away. I can see it coming, fast and furious.
“The right-wing press is for it. (“Of all cruelties, this is not very cruel,” Simon Jenkins, at the Times, said. “I disapprove of it, but I would leave it in place. And, on libertarian grounds, I’d defend to the death your right to do it.”)”
Quotes from the article titled Bloodsport
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?050124fa_fact3
Uh..what was that again?
Excerpt from an article in the last weeks New Yorker.
After being asked how large or small of a role he would be playing in Social Security reform in comparison to Congress, this was Bush's actual response in his first interview he gave to the Wall Street Journal sometime after the election.
"That's part of-that's part of the advice my new National Economic Council head will be giving me as to whether or not we need to-here is the plan, or here is an idea for a plan, or why don't you just fix it. I suspect given my nature, I'll want to be-the White House will be very much involved with-I have an obligation to lead on this issue-I think this will be an administrative-driven idea-to take it on. And therefore, that that be the case, I have the responsibility to provide the political cover necessary for members, I have the responsibility to make the case if there is a problem, and I have the responsibilityto lay out the potential solutions. Now, to the specificity of which, we'll find out-you'll find out with time."
Wow. How eloquent. I can just hear the long uncomfortable silence when the reporter must have had a pained, confused look on his face after that response.