Download Uproar: Record Industry Goes After Personal Use - washingtonpost.com

How desperate is the recording industry? Read this and find out.

Download Uproar: Record Industry Goes After Personal Use - washingtonpost.com

What a great freakin' Christmas!

I don't know about you, but my Christmas was great. A ton of great gifts, got to see family, everyone is great! I won't bore you with the details, but I am always touched by gifts I give and ones I receive. My parents went above and beyond this year, I still can't believe what they did. (Not going to tell you, sorry.) I will share one gift that I received, a moleskin journal from Ashley's parents. I am writing in it and hope it improves my writing. I've always wanted a journal to carry around and put my inner most thoughts down. I also hope to use it as a sketchbook for more involved writing. I'm going to post my top albums of 2007 very soon, so keep an eye out.

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Listening to: Bob Dylan - I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
via FoxyTunes

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Listening to: Manic Street Preachers - Stay Beautiful
via FoxyTunes

ESPN - Colts' Sanders signs for five years, $37.5 million -- tops among safeties - NFL

Defensive MVP!!!

ESPN - Colts' Sanders signs for five years, $37.5 million -- tops among safeties - NFL

The audacity of nope - Jeremy Lott and W. James Antle III - Politico.com

It is scary that Ron Paul sometimes makes sense?

The audacity of nope - Jeremy Lott and W. James Antle III - Politico.com

Family adopts slain son's military dog - Yahoo! News

Family adopts slain son's military dog - Yahoo! News

Savior or Saboteur? - New York Times

Great article about Billary by Maureen Dowd

Savior or Saboteur? - New York Times

American Thinker: The Rage in Huckabee's Voice

This is one reason that I won't vote for him...

American Thinker: The Rage in Huckabee's Voice

A Little Baseball in my Politics

I said that I would be posting a political blog soon, but I've since lost some steam. However, I will try to write a little of what I had previously planned. Have you been paying attention to the polls? I have to admit that I am a political junkie and Presidential election cycles are like heroin. From the beginning it seemed as though Hillary and to a certain extent Rudy had their respective nominations locked up. Since that time both have taken great falls in the polls. There are various explanations for the rise of some candidates and to the fall of others, but it comes down to this simple fact, the American voter doesn't know what the hell he or she wants. We are confused and quite frankly, a little scared. Despite the fact that we haven't had an attack since 9/11, we live in the most uncertain times since we were able to pull ourselves out of Vietnam. We know this election is an important one, especially since some of us think that we royally screwed up the last two.

I think this is why Clinton and Rudy serged ahead so quickly. When you are so uncertain about a difficult decision, you tend to latch on to what is familiar and safe. Both of those candidates permeate our national consciousness and we couldn't help but latch on to them like a drowning former cruise boat traveler who was thrown a life vest as the ship pulled away and the crew convinced the other passengers that we never existed. However, familiarity breeds contempt and we soon realized that both of the front runners, while familiar old faces, represented old solutions that most of us are tired of seeing trotted out year after year. So we have slowly looked elsewhere and with the help of some guides (Oprah, conservative Christians) we have found new options that might not be that bad.

For my part I really hope that my options are some candidates that I won't reject right away. I'm not going to vote for Hillary, or Huckabee, or Romney, or any of the candidates that hasn't a legitimate shot. (Although, Ron Paul, who is CRAZY, might tempt me...no he's too crazy.) I want to believe that Obama is my generation's JFK, but I'm afraid to look any closer as he might not live up to such lofty expectations. I also fear for our first black candidate for president, there are a lot of whack jobs out there. I've always liked McCain, but until recently it doesn't seem as though he has a shot. If those two go up against each other, it will be be tough choice for me. I like Thompson, but I think I've made it clear that he doesn't have the political will to get the nomination. Rudy is Rudy, he's okay, but I can't get past the fact that he was a mayor and his record is mixed at best.

On a completely different note, the Mitchell Report came out and boy howdy did it create a stir. Maybe when I have more energy and my dog isn't whining to go for a walk I will put more effort into this topic, but let me just say this: Isn't it weird that media types talk about this story incessantly, but then claim that the general public doesn't care if our players are juiced out of their minds? I think they reason they do that is to excuse them of their ineptitude to really crack this story. Except for one or two exceptions, no one in the media has had the "All the President's Men" story that has cracked this wide open and proved guilt. This is a direct result of the media turning a blind eye to the problem when baseball was making a huge comeback as a direct result of players taking 'roids. Look, we care, but we also know that right now there isn't much we can do about it. So, the media keeps wringing its hands and instead of just admitting that they missed this awhile ago they have strong prejudices about who to go after (Bonds vs. Clemens) and don't want the general public to have a nuanced opinion about the subject. For my part, wipe out the last 15 years of records and let's start over.

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Listening to: The Beatles - Get Back
via FoxyTunes
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Listening to: Miles Davis - Miles Runs The Voodoo Down
via FoxyTunes
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Listening to: The Bad Plus - 1980 World Champion
via FoxyTunes
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Listening to: The Beta Band - Push It Out
via FoxyTunes

Ahead of Iowa, Republican Race Is Wide Open - WSJ.com

When I have time I want to comment further on this, but it just goes to show that the public at large has no idea what they want in a candidate....more to come later.

Ahead of Iowa, Republican Race Is Wide Open - WSJ.com

Fred Thompson: Lazy as charged - Roger Simon - Politico.com

I love to say I told you so...so I will. He's not going to do anything people. Big political blog to come later.

Fred Thompson: Lazy as charged - Roger Simon - Politico.com

Scary Experiment

So, here's an interesting experiment I accidentally tried the other day.  Take something that you consider to be common knowledge but others might see as a belief.  Something that you know that some people believe one way, but you are fairly certain that the rest of society believes in what you believe in.  Next, go around to acquaintances of yours, not friends, for they will probably have the same beliefs as you, that's why you hang out with them.  But go up to people that you sort of know, but not really.  Ask them what side of the issue they come down on.  If your experience is anything like mine, you will be shocked to find out what people believe or profess to believe.  Be forewarned that this could blow up in your face and these acquaintances will become enemies, but if you want to be blown away, try it out.

One of my Favorite Pictures from Our Honeymoon

This was taken last year on our honeymoon. The pic is of Catherine's summer palace outside of St. Petersburg.

Add me to the Colts' defeated list | IndyStar.com

Add me to the Colts' defeated list | IndyStar.com

Lennon vs. McCartney

Part of the reason that I love the Beatles is the dynamic tension between Paul and John. It is amazing to me that two people with completely different tastes, beliefs, styles, soul, etc. could coexist and create some of the greatest pop music ever. To hear those differences in a song, "Day in a Life", or an album, "The White Album", is fascinating. If you want to really see how contrasting both of these artists styles are, take a look at their Christmas songs. Paul's is a sweet, innocent pop song that makes you want to grab your girl and enjoy every Christmas cliche. John's turns the whole concept of a Christmas song on its head. It is introspective, thought provoking, almost haunting. Listen to both songs back to back and then remember that these two were in the arguably the greatest band of all time and WORKED together as friends. No wonder they have their issues and fights, the proof is in the Christmas pudding that they were both from different planets. Below are the lyrics for both.

"Wonderful Christmas Time" by Paul McCartney

The moon is right
The spirits up
We're here tonight
And that's enough

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

The party's on
The feelin's here
That only comes
This time of year

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

The choir of children sing their song
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding Ohhhh
Ohhhhhhh

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

The word is out
About the town
To lift a glass
Ahhh don't look down

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

The choir of children sing their song
They practiced all year long
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong

The party's on
The spirits up
We're here tonight
And that's enough

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

The moon is right
The spirits up
We're here tonight
And that's enough

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Christmastime

"Happy Christmas (War is Over)" by John Lennon

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now...




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Listening to: Brian Eno - Another Green World
via FoxyTunes

NBA/NFL: Polar opposites in the same city - Posted Sports

NBA/NFL: Polar opposites in the same city - Posted Sports

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Listening to: The Roots & Cody Chestnutt - The Seed (2.0)
via FoxyTunes

Would someone please kill my TV?

I hate television. I wish it was never invented and if that means we would still be reading by candlelight, so be it. The main reason that I hate television is that I can't help but to watch it. I'm weak; if there is a television on in the room, I will stare at it. I was in a play this past summer that had a television on during the whole play, the director gave me a note that I was staring at the TV too much. I've tried to adopt a no TV Tuesday, but this past week I completely forgot about it. It drives me insane that even though there is nothing on TV, I can watch it for hours on end, mindlessly flipping through channels. To make matters worse, I will watch programs that drive me crazy: News Channels, MTV, reality television, VH1, etc. The news channels are terrible, have you ever watched Nancy Grace? Her self righteousness is so over the top you would swear you were watching a bad impression of a talk show host. Most shows on MTV just make me angry and I usually end up throwing my shoe or something, I just feel bad when I watch reality television. All of these shows, and let's face it most television programs play to our laziness, stupidity, and base, shallow emotions. The sad thing is, we let them. Most shows are on now are designed not to spark a thought or spur your curiosity through compelling stories, but to say and show outrageous things that make you shocked, mad or stupefied. Every been in a traffic jam only to find out that everyone was slowing down to look at an accident...on the other side of road???

Of course there are exceptions to every rule. In my opinion, there is one show that rises above its premise as a reality show to become a truly heartwarming tale that while it might be contrived, should still be a model for all other reality TV shows. Run's House on MTV is a truly great television show and one that I don't feel guilty for watching. Run's family truly seems to care for each other. Run is a wonderful father who doesn't take himself seriously and while it is impossible not to spoil your children when you are one of the founding fathers of a entire music genre, he still manages to teach them responsibility and how to be a good person. I dare anyone to watch the most recent episode with Kid Rock and not feel a little warm and fuzzy. I guess part of the reason I keep watching TV is because every once in awhile a show comes along that makes you feel good, not bad for having it on. I should just let other people find those shows and let me know, until then I'll be reading a book....or playing a video game.

Shots fired at Pacers’ Jamaal Tinsley | IndyStar.com

Shots fired at Pacers’ Jamaal Tinsley | IndyStar.com

True Tragedy (Originally posted April 18th, 2007 on myspace)

There is going to be a lot of hand wringing over the next few weeks over the horrific events at Virginia Tech. I just got done watching the NBC nightly news and they were showing the parts of the package that the killer sent in between shootings and I can't shake what I believe to be the real problem or issue that many will ignore. Most will talk about "warning signs" and try to armchair quarterback how the university handled the events on that fateful day. Listen people, we need tougher controls on guns in this country. If you haven't figured it out already, it is way too easy to get guns and ammunition in this country. We are the only civilized country where getting a handgun is as easy as getting a Big Mac. This is what we have in common with third world countries, everybody can get a gun.

We are so gun crazy in the country it is ridiculous. The problem is that we have made it so easy to fulfill a sick fetish that some still have romantic notions about. We are so crazy about our 2nd amendment rights (which by the way, if the framers knew that muzzle loaded guns would evolve into semi-automatic rifles, they probably wouldn't have included that baby in the bill of rights) that if someone brings up putting restrictions on who can by a gun, we go ape shit. At some point in our history we thought it was a good idea to outlaw alcohol, but god forbid that we put restrictions on guns. I'm not idealistic enough to think that we can ban guns from society all together, but do you think that maybe it should be harder to buy a gun than it is to get a driver's license? And you say we are infringing on law abiding citizens to buy guns, shut up. You are basically saying that adding some inconvenience in buying a Glock isn't worth Joe Crazy shooting up a bunch of innocent people.

And please don't give me that crap about criminals either not caring if they break gun control laws or that they buy all of their weapons on the black market. Guns aren't drugs. You can't grow a bunch of semi automatics and then sell them illegally to your neighbors. They are manufactured by companies, who have to sell them somewhere! If you limit their legal sale, it is bound to have some effect on the illegal sale of weapons. It is a trickle down effect, but it will eventually have some good results. And if I'm wrong and guns are going straight from manufacturers to the black market, maybe we should inflict strict penalties on gun companies if their guns are sold illegally. You think the companies would then take some drastic steps to stop guns ending up on the black market?

If you feel it necessary to defend your home with a handgun, great. I know that there are stats out there to support that having a gun in the home can prevent attacks. But what a lot of those studies ignore is that there is no way of telling if alternative measures could have been just has effective, like an alarm system. They also don't tell you if the gun was necessary to defend, if the mere presence of a homeowner or catching an attacker in the act would stop it. Plus you are taking the risk that your kid grabs the gun and kills him or herself.

The only way we are going to end our fascination with guns is to somehow make them unattainable. I've fired guns before and I will admit that there is a sense of power and awe in handling a gun and firing it, but that is when the obsession really takes hold. Let's stop that step from happening, so the obsessions stops at small curiosity and we easily find something else to pass the time, like badminton or something.

I don't have many strong opinions. (Really, I don't.) But I am anti-gun. I just wish that there were more people who were as well; because if we are ever going to stop the tide of violence caused by an all too powerful gun lobby, there is going to have to be a lot of us.

Guns and the Truth

I posted an article yesterday about the latest gun massacre.  I really don't have the energy to haul myself back on my soapbox and prostheltyze about the evils of guns and the need for more gun control.  I hope that the article speaks for itself.  I might post my original blog from another website that I posted after the VT shooting.

 

Speaking of ignoring the facts, what is it about today's youth that causes them to blatently lie in the face of overwhelming fact and logic.  I really want to find out how we have trained so many kids to deny, deny, then deny some more.  We have taught them nothing about self discipline and culpability, which continues the digusting patter of no one in today's society owning up to mistakes they have made.  Why has truth become so hard to accept?  Why has it become such a nebulous word?  How can we feel justified in clouding truth with our own interpretations and excuses?  It is so frustrating and disconcerting. 

 

On another note, Bruce is coming to Conseco.  YES!   

NPR : Nebraskans Hold Vigils as Shooting Details Emerge

NPR : Nebraskans Hold Vigils as Shooting Details Emerge

This holiday season....