Archive for the 'Government' Category


Cable Box as Carterphone? 0

Excellent thoughts on the developing lawsuit in Kansas over digital cable boxes and the rent-only option:

http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2008/08/the-time-warner.html

Pol Itics 0

Sometimes they’re funny.



Ridiculousness Disguised As Government 0

If you have been paying attention, you may have noticed that the United States government has reached a level of [choose your favorite] stupidity, ludicrousness, lack of institutional memory, brazen disregard for anything resembling reality, inferred hallucinogenic drug use, soul crushing asshattery, and intelligence insulting rhetoric that has surpassed any and all measure. I lament for our descendants and am redefining the upper bound of contemptuousness for the Federalist system.

Case in point, as beautifully and satisfyingly portrayed on Mr. Stewart’s lovely show:

I hope there will be a return to accountability and common sense within my lifetime. I also hope to live forever. I think the chances for both are just about equal.

BONUS: Pictures from the conflict zone taken by a local. [EnglishRussia.com]

Book Chat with Rainn Wilson 1

It’s a plug for his new movie, but some of the props and effects hit a little close to home. Jubi Show watchers will know what I mean.

Part 1

Part 2

Localized Costs 0

From Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan’s weekly email blast comes this factoid:

Taxpayers in Johnson County, Iowa will pay $191.3 million for total Iraq war spending approved to date.
For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided:

  • 57,241 People with Health Care for One Year OR
  • 215,208 Homes with Renewable Electricity for One Year OR
  • 4,572 Public Safety Officers for One year OR
  • 31,176 Scholarships for University Students for One Year or
  • 2,380 Affordable Housing Units OR
  • 4,282 Elementary School Teachers for One Year.

That is correct – those figures are the cost for Johnson County alone!
(Source: Costofwar.com)

I’m sure there’s play either way in those numbers, but as a tool of perspective I think it says volumes.

From Kevin 0

New York makes people like strange things.

FISA 0

Now they’re not even pretending you have privacy or 4th Amendment protections. If the president says…

Comparison 0

The United States House of Representatives seats 435 persons. That number was limited by law in 1911. It amounts to roughly 1 Rep. for every 693,000 people (if distributed equally).

The British House of Commons currently seats 646. This number is set by the Boundary Commission. It amounts to 1 MP for every 94,000 (if distributed equally).

“Change You Deserve” 0

Hi-larious.

GOP’s New Slogan Already Being Used To Market Anti-Depressant

Be sure to read down to the side effects.

If the Dems were a drug, what would they be? For the past 8 years, I’d have to say “Placebo“…

Grab The Cash With Both Hands… 0

I’ve been watching with interest the State’s takeover of the 1-cent local option sales tax, under the guise of ‘funding education’. While not fundamentally opposed to taxation, I am opposed to the idea of redirecting money that is slated for a specific purpose to pet projects or just budget shore-up (usually due to ‘unshoring’ somewhere else), without any explanation. So color me unsurprised by the following development, stated in his usually ‘eloquent’ way by State29: Local Option Sales Tax Money To Be Diverted To Corporate Welfare?

He also links to a resource I had not yet played with: BillWatch (Iowa Legislature). Am interested to see if its worth a damn. I’m guessing that none of the Local Mandatory Sales Tax will be going to foster and ensure transparency tools such as these…

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