--- Look out, Omaha City

--- Look out, Omaha City Council. I have a feeling my mother is gonna go on a rampage.

Why?

A City Councilman in Omaha is proposing a workplace" smoking ban.

It's time to clear the air for Omaha employees, according to City
Councilman Marc Kraft. Kraft is proposing a workplace smoking ban. He
hopes the council will consider the measure by August, a timetable that
should give everyone involved a chance to voice their opinion. Kraft
said the city should ensure that workers have a safe, healthy
atmosphere. "We don't allow people to work in areas full of asbestos or
other carcinogens," he said.
Uh-oh. This could get really ugly.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:51 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 120 words, total size 1 kb.

--- Look out, Omaha City

--- Look out, Omaha City Council. I have a feeling my mother is gonna go on a rampage.

Why?

A City Councilman in Omaha is proposing a workplace" smoking ban.

It's time to clear the air for Omaha employees, according to City
Councilman Marc Kraft. Kraft is proposing a workplace smoking ban. He
hopes the council will consider the measure by August, a timetable that
should give everyone involved a chance to voice their opinion. Kraft
said the city should ensure that workers have a safe, healthy
atmosphere. "We don't allow people to work in areas full of asbestos or
other carcinogens," he said.
Uh-oh. This could get really ugly.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:51 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 120 words, total size 1 kb.

Again, it's a Friday night.

Again, it's a Friday night. Let us continue with some really exciting international relations theory. Try and stay awake.

Balance of Power
The oldest, most persistent and most controversial of all theories of
international politics---the balance of power---was recognized at least
implicitly in ancient India and in ancient Greece, although it was
never formally articulated. David Hume noted that although the term balance of power
may be modern, “the maxim of preserving the balance of power is
founded so much on common sense and obvious reasoning that it is
impossible that it could altogether have escaped antiquity,”
concluding that it had been practiced from ancient times to the
eighteenth century.
Insofar as it could be called a formal theory of international
politics, the modern concept of balance of power was associated with
the Newtonian conception of the universe in equilibrium.
{â€Â¦}Naturally, theorists of international social reality employ
“balance” as a central organizing concept for the power relations
of nation-states, and then assume that the latter are driven, almost by
a law of their own nature, to seek their security by some form of
power-balancing. Balance of Power: Problems and Definitions

The term balance of power
has been roundly criticized for causing considerable semantic
confusion. Ernst B. Haas found at least eight distinct meanings for the
term: 1. any distribution of power, 2. equilibrium or balancing
process, 3. hegemony or search for hegemony, 4. stability and peace in
a concert of power, 5. instability and war, 6. power politics in
general, 7. a universal law of history, and 8. a system and guide to
policymakers. “The trouble with the balance of power,” says Inis L.
Claude, Jr. “is not that it has not meaning but that it has too many
meanings.” The term that has been used to connote equilibrium and
disequilibrium, or any distribution of power whether balanced or
unbalanced, or as both policy and system (either automatic and
self-regulating or wholly dependent upon manipulation by shrewd
statesmen). Claude concludes that the concept of balance of power is
extremely difficult to analyze because those who write about it not
only fail to provide precise clues as to its meaning but often “slide
blissfully from one usage of the term ro another and back again,
without posting any warning that plural meanings exist.”
It is true that the concept of balance of power is riddled with
ambiguity. Many statesmen have sought a unilateral superiority rather
than an objective bilateral balance with their principal rival.
Nevertheless, it is theoretically possible to conceive of the balance
of power as a situation or condition, as a universal tendency or law of
state behavior, as a guide for statesmanship, and as a mode of
system-maintenance characteristic of certain types of international
systems. As long as we think in terms of equilibrium rather than
superiority, these four usages need not be inconsistent with each
other. Conceived as a situation or condition, balance of power implies
an objective arrangement in which there is relatively widespread
satisfaction with the distribution of power. The universal tendency or
law describes a probability, and enables one to predict, that members
of a system threatened by the emergence of a “disturber of the
balance”---that is, a power seemingly bent on establishing an
international hegemony---will form a countervailing coalition. Balance
of power as a policy guide prescribes to statesmen who would act
“rationally” that they should maintain eternal vigilance and be
prepared to organize a countervailing coalition against the disrupter
of equilibrium. Balance of power as a system refers to a multinational
society in which all essential factors preserve their identity,
integrity, and independence through the balancing process. Contending Theories of International Relations James E. Dougherty and Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:45 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 628 words, total size 4 kb.

Again, it's a Friday night.

Again, it's a Friday night. Let us continue with some really exciting international relations theory. Try and stay awake.

Balance of Power
The oldest, most persistent and most controversial of all theories of
international politics---the balance of power---was recognized at least
implicitly in ancient India and in ancient Greece, although it was
never formally articulated. David Hume noted that although the term balance of power
may be modern, “the maxim of preserving the balance of power is
founded so much on common sense and obvious reasoning that it is
impossible that it could altogether have escaped antiquity,”
concluding that it had been practiced from ancient times to the
eighteenth century.
Insofar as it could be called a formal theory of international
politics, the modern concept of balance of power was associated with
the Newtonian conception of the universe in equilibrium.
{â€Â¦}Naturally, theorists of international social reality employ
“balance” as a central organizing concept for the power relations
of nation-states, and then assume that the latter are driven, almost by
a law of their own nature, to seek their security by some form of
power-balancing. Balance of Power: Problems and Definitions

The term balance of power
has been roundly criticized for causing considerable semantic
confusion. Ernst B. Haas found at least eight distinct meanings for the
term: 1. any distribution of power, 2. equilibrium or balancing
process, 3. hegemony or search for hegemony, 4. stability and peace in
a concert of power, 5. instability and war, 6. power politics in
general, 7. a universal law of history, and 8. a system and guide to
policymakers. “The trouble with the balance of power,” says Inis L.
Claude, Jr. “is not that it has not meaning but that it has too many
meanings.” The term that has been used to connote equilibrium and
disequilibrium, or any distribution of power whether balanced or
unbalanced, or as both policy and system (either automatic and
self-regulating or wholly dependent upon manipulation by shrewd
statesmen). Claude concludes that the concept of balance of power is
extremely difficult to analyze because those who write about it not
only fail to provide precise clues as to its meaning but often “slide
blissfully from one usage of the term ro another and back again,
without posting any warning that plural meanings exist.”
It is true that the concept of balance of power is riddled with
ambiguity. Many statesmen have sought a unilateral superiority rather
than an objective bilateral balance with their principal rival.
Nevertheless, it is theoretically possible to conceive of the balance
of power as a situation or condition, as a universal tendency or law of
state behavior, as a guide for statesmanship, and as a mode of
system-maintenance characteristic of certain types of international
systems. As long as we think in terms of equilibrium rather than
superiority, these four usages need not be inconsistent with each
other. Conceived as a situation or condition, balance of power implies
an objective arrangement in which there is relatively widespread
satisfaction with the distribution of power. The universal tendency or
law describes a probability, and enables one to predict, that members
of a system threatened by the emergence of a “disturber of the
balance”---that is, a power seemingly bent on establishing an
international hegemony---will form a countervailing coalition. Balance
of power as a policy guide prescribes to statesmen who would act
“rationally” that they should maintain eternal vigilance and be
prepared to organize a countervailing coalition against the disrupter
of equilibrium. Balance of power as a system refers to a multinational
society in which all essential factors preserve their identity,
integrity, and independence through the balancing process. Contending Theories of International Relations James E. Dougherty and Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:45 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 628 words, total size 4 kb.

--- Do you remember Don

--- Do you remember Don Music from your childhood? If you watched
Sesame Street, you might remember him---vaguely.
Don was a composer who could never get the words to rhyme. Invariably,
as he became increasingly frustrated, he would start banging his head
against his piano, as if that would solve the problem. I don't know
what exactly they were trying to teach us becuase I can't remember the
moral of his little stories---all I can remember is the head banging
and the frustration that led up to it.
There are many times I feel like Don Music. This would be one of them.
Scientists Embrace Plot for 'Tomorrow'

No one is pretending the forthcoming film ``The Day After Tomorrow''
is anything but implausible: In the $125 million movie, global warming
triggers a cascade of events that practically flash freeze the planet.
It's an abruptness no one believes possible, least of all the
filmmakers behind the 20th Century Fox release. ``It's very
cinematic to choose the worst-case scenario, which we did,'' said
co-screenwriter Jeffrey Nachmanoff.
Nonetheless, scientists are embracing the movie, unusual for those
whose stock in trade is fact.
``My first reaction was, 'Oh my God, this is a disaster because it is
such a distortion of the science. It will certainly create a
backlash,''' said Dan Schrag, a Harvard University paleoclimatologist.
``I have sobered up somewhat, because the
public is probably smart enough to distinguish between Hollywood and
the real world.''

Oh, we're probably
smart enough to distinguish between Hollywood and the real world? Gee
thanks for your overwhelming vote of approval. Could you can wipe the
drool from my cro-magnon chin because you seem like a really nice guy
and all and God only knows I really depend upon people like you to help
me realize what's really important in this world. / sarcasm.
The backlash is comin' boy---it's going to be just as you predicted,
though, because I'm plenty smart enough to realize your arguments are
overhyped, sensationalized, psuedoscientific crap. But wait---it gets
even better. The movie also has mobilized activists, who are seizing on it as
an occasion to spark public discussion about a subject they feel is
getting short shrift from the public and policy-makers alike. ``The Day
After,'' a similarly titled 1983 television movie that dealt with the
aftermath of nuclear war, engendered similar debate.

Hold on to your diapies, babies! It's gonna be a bumpy ride!

Moveon.org, the San Francisco-based liberal advocacy group, is
organizing a town hall meeting to coincide with the movie's New York
City premiere later this month. Former Vice President Al Gore, comedian
and author Al Franken and environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are
among those expected to attend.
Oh, good heavens. They're rolling out Al Gore to talk about Global
Warming! Woohoo. What exactly does he know about it? Oh, that's right
he wrote a book about it. He's an expert. (Yeaaah...right) But if Al Gore is an expert, what does that make Al Franken---the Pope?

``To have a major studio release of a movie tackling a serious issue
is a terrific opportunity for Americans to start talking about the
reality of the problem, what can be done about it and the enormous
threat that President Bush is not dealing with,'' said Peter Schurman,
Moveon.org's executive director.

And if I can get my nose any further up the ass of whomever might
give me a job after Kerry tanks, I'll be able to continue fighting for
the cause because the cause is so DAMN important and if you don't agree
with me, well then you're of course you probably work for Halliburton
and drive an SUV and support chopping down the rainforests, you bad,
bad woman, you!

Ah, I hate to point this out to you, but you still have shit on your nose.

Producer Mark Gordon hopes his movie will make people think. He
stressed it wasn't made to suit an agenda, but he clearly reveled in
the stir it's caused.

Oh, fer chrissakes. Go and look at your website and
tell me the movie wasn't made to suit an agenda. If you really believe
that after peeking around, well, there's some land in Florida that you
might be interested in...
I still feel like Don Music. I still want to slam my head against a
piano keyboard. I think I'll go bake some cookies instead. That's
productive at least.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:40 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 743 words, total size 5 kb.

--- Do you remember Don

--- Do you remember Don Music from your childhood? If you watched
Sesame Street, you might remember him---vaguely.
Don was a composer who could never get the words to rhyme. Invariably,
as he became increasingly frustrated, he would start banging his head
against his piano, as if that would solve the problem. I don't know
what exactly they were trying to teach us becuase I can't remember the
moral of his little stories---all I can remember is the head banging
and the frustration that led up to it.
There are many times I feel like Don Music. This would be one of them.
Scientists Embrace Plot for 'Tomorrow'

No one is pretending the forthcoming film ``The Day After Tomorrow''
is anything but implausible: In the $125 million movie, global warming
triggers a cascade of events that practically flash freeze the planet.
It's an abruptness no one believes possible, least of all the
filmmakers behind the 20th Century Fox release. ``It's very
cinematic to choose the worst-case scenario, which we did,'' said
co-screenwriter Jeffrey Nachmanoff.
Nonetheless, scientists are embracing the movie, unusual for those
whose stock in trade is fact.
``My first reaction was, 'Oh my God, this is a disaster because it is
such a distortion of the science. It will certainly create a
backlash,''' said Dan Schrag, a Harvard University paleoclimatologist.
``I have sobered up somewhat, because the
public is probably smart enough to distinguish between Hollywood and
the real world.''

Oh, we're probably
smart enough to distinguish between Hollywood and the real world? Gee
thanks for your overwhelming vote of approval. Could you can wipe the
drool from my cro-magnon chin because you seem like a really nice guy
and all and God only knows I really depend upon people like you to help
me realize what's really important in this world. / sarcasm.
The backlash is comin' boy---it's going to be just as you predicted,
though, because I'm plenty smart enough to realize your arguments are
overhyped, sensationalized, psuedoscientific crap. But wait---it gets
even better. The movie also has mobilized activists, who are seizing on it as
an occasion to spark public discussion about a subject they feel is
getting short shrift from the public and policy-makers alike. ``The Day
After,'' a similarly titled 1983 television movie that dealt with the
aftermath of nuclear war, engendered similar debate.

Hold on to your diapies, babies! It's gonna be a bumpy ride!

Moveon.org, the San Francisco-based liberal advocacy group, is
organizing a town hall meeting to coincide with the movie's New York
City premiere later this month. Former Vice President Al Gore, comedian
and author Al Franken and environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are
among those expected to attend.
Oh, good heavens. They're rolling out Al Gore to talk about Global
Warming! Woohoo. What exactly does he know about it? Oh, that's right
he wrote a book about it. He's an expert. (Yeaaah...right) But if Al Gore is an expert, what does that make Al Franken---the Pope?

``To have a major studio release of a movie tackling a serious issue
is a terrific opportunity for Americans to start talking about the
reality of the problem, what can be done about it and the enormous
threat that President Bush is not dealing with,'' said Peter Schurman,
Moveon.org's executive director.

And if I can get my nose any further up the ass of whomever might
give me a job after Kerry tanks, I'll be able to continue fighting for
the cause because the cause is so DAMN important and if you don't agree
with me, well then you're of course you probably work for Halliburton
and drive an SUV and support chopping down the rainforests, you bad,
bad woman, you!

Ah, I hate to point this out to you, but you still have shit on your nose.

Producer Mark Gordon hopes his movie will make people think. He
stressed it wasn't made to suit an agenda, but he clearly reveled in
the stir it's caused.

Oh, fer chrissakes. Go and look at your website and
tell me the movie wasn't made to suit an agenda. If you really believe
that after peeking around, well, there's some land in Florida that you
might be interested in...
I still feel like Don Music. I still want to slam my head against a
piano keyboard. I think I'll go bake some cookies instead. That's
productive at least.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:40 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 743 words, total size 5 kb.

Reuters scores an email interview

Reuters scores an email interview with Rance.

Rance loves shrimp and logic puzzles. He's tolerant of
paparazzi but tough on gossips. He's bored by Shakespeare and the
summer blockbuster "Troy" but admires Joan Rivers. And through it all
he's amused by life in Los Angeles -- the way a birthday party in the
suburbs can turn into an unexpected meeting with a dominatrix and a
late-night nude dip in the Chateau Marmont pool can be interrupted by
an SUV crash on Sunset Boulevard. "It is tough in L.," Rance says of
the city. "The good news is there are Fatburgers." Though he has
received two "serious" proposals from people in publishing to turn his
blog into a book, Rance said he has not yet pursued that idea, content
for now to communicate to the outside world through the Internet. "With
no disrespect intended, media in general seldom if ever permits a
person, be he actor or President, to present himself the way he would
like -- and certainly not to the degree a blog does," Rance said.
"Still, there's a megabyte or two's worth of irony in my situation," he
said.

If it's Owen I'll be happy. It sounds like Owen. Don't ask me what the hell Owen sounds
like, but it seems a plausible notion that it would indeed be Owen. Gut
feeling. He's got that whole "I'm somewhat perplexed by life thing"
going on that Carrey, Clooney, and Affleck just don't have. He sees the
other side of life. Whereas they've got the world on a string and
there's all the depth of a wading pool with those three. But Owen? I
dunno. It makes sense somehow. He did co-write Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.
(And of course obligtory grudge moment against the Academy for dissing
Bill Murray's performance in Rushmore. GRRRR.)
However, just in case I'm wrong and it indeed turns out to be Ben
Affleck, I will have to scrub my fingers with lye for typing words that
promoted a blog of his. It's not really an earth shattering deal one
way or another for me. It's just a puzzle to be solved. An interesting
story. A potential hoax. Something to wonder about in odd moments.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:38 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 380 words, total size 2 kb.

Reuters scores an email interview

Reuters scores an email interview with Rance.

Rance loves shrimp and logic puzzles. He's tolerant of
paparazzi but tough on gossips. He's bored by Shakespeare and the
summer blockbuster "Troy" but admires Joan Rivers. And through it all
he's amused by life in Los Angeles -- the way a birthday party in the
suburbs can turn into an unexpected meeting with a dominatrix and a
late-night nude dip in the Chateau Marmont pool can be interrupted by
an SUV crash on Sunset Boulevard. "It is tough in L.," Rance says of
the city. "The good news is there are Fatburgers." Though he has
received two "serious" proposals from people in publishing to turn his
blog into a book, Rance said he has not yet pursued that idea, content
for now to communicate to the outside world through the Internet. "With
no disrespect intended, media in general seldom if ever permits a
person, be he actor or President, to present himself the way he would
like -- and certainly not to the degree a blog does," Rance said.
"Still, there's a megabyte or two's worth of irony in my situation," he
said.

If it's Owen I'll be happy. It sounds like Owen. Don't ask me what the hell Owen sounds
like, but it seems a plausible notion that it would indeed be Owen. Gut
feeling. He's got that whole "I'm somewhat perplexed by life thing"
going on that Carrey, Clooney, and Affleck just don't have. He sees the
other side of life. Whereas they've got the world on a string and
there's all the depth of a wading pool with those three. But Owen? I
dunno. It makes sense somehow. He did co-write Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.
(And of course obligtory grudge moment against the Academy for dissing
Bill Murray's performance in Rushmore. GRRRR.)
However, just in case I'm wrong and it indeed turns out to be Ben
Affleck, I will have to scrub my fingers with lye for typing words that
promoted a blog of his. It's not really an earth shattering deal one
way or another for me. It's just a puzzle to be solved. An interesting
story. A potential hoax. Something to wonder about in odd moments.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:38 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 380 words, total size 2 kb.

--- Just when you think

--- Just when you think you can't be possibly be offended any further;
that the idiocy of certain people really can numb your mind---Monty
Hall shows off his dentures and informs you in his cheesy voice that
has something just for you behind door number three.

You become disheartened that God would allow such a flaming asshole to walk the Earth. But you surf further and read something like this and know that things will probably turn out just fine because you were able to laugh about it.

And then you tell your husband about it and he adds to your feeling of impending well being by saying this:

"Ted Rall has all the intelligence of my long since discarded foreskin."

Posted by: Kathy at 10:36 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 131 words, total size 1 kb.

--- Just when you think

--- Just when you think you can't be possibly be offended any further;
that the idiocy of certain people really can numb your mind---Monty
Hall shows off his dentures and informs you in his cheesy voice that
has something just for you behind door number three.

You become disheartened that God would allow such a flaming asshole to walk the Earth. But you surf further and read something like this and know that things will probably turn out just fine because you were able to laugh about it.

And then you tell your husband about it and he adds to your feeling of impending well being by saying this:

"Ted Rall has all the intelligence of my long since discarded foreskin."

Posted by: Kathy at 10:36 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 131 words, total size 1 kb.

This certainly isn't welcome news.

This certainly isn't welcome news.

A few days after Libya's historic pledge on Dec. 19 to
abandon the quest for nuclear weapons, Libyan intelligence officials
met with visiting U.S. diplomats to deliver some unsettling news: A
sizable quantity of nuclear equipment purchased by Libya appeared to be
missing.
The equipment -- sensitive components of machines used to enrich
uranium -- had been ordered from black-market suppliers months earlier
and was now long overdue, the Libyans disclosed. According to U.S.
officials present at the meeting, the Libyans wanted to prepare the
Americans for the possibility that more illicit nuclear shipments could
suddenly appear on Tripoli's docks.
"They clearly expected more things to turn up," said one of the U.S.
participants.
Four months later, the wait continues. Despite a search that has
spanned the globe, U.S. and international investigators are still
struggling to account for a number of sensitive parts Libya ordered for
construction of its uranium enrichment plant -- parts that potentially
could be used by other countries or groups seeking nuclear weapons.
The whereabouts of the parts is one of several mysteries that has
preoccupied officials involved in the biggest investigation of nuclear
smuggling in history -- the probe into the black-market network led by
former Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. U.S. and U.N.
investigators have identified many of the network's operatives and
methods and recovered tens of thousands of parts in a dragnet that has
reached from Southeast Asia to the Middle East and Europe. Yet, the
investigators believe that some of the suppliers to the network have
not yet been identified -- and perhaps some customers, as well.
"We haven't gotten to the bottom of the story," acknowledged one senior
Bush administration official involved in the investigation. "We
continue to look for, and expect to make, new discoveries. We don't
think the story is fully revealed yet."

I can't believe the Libyans actually thought they'd turn up, like a J.Crew sweater that's been backordered.

Sheesh.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:32 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 338 words, total size 2 kb.

This certainly isn't welcome news.

This certainly isn't welcome news.

A few days after Libya's historic pledge on Dec. 19 to
abandon the quest for nuclear weapons, Libyan intelligence officials
met with visiting U.S. diplomats to deliver some unsettling news: A
sizable quantity of nuclear equipment purchased by Libya appeared to be
missing.
The equipment -- sensitive components of machines used to enrich
uranium -- had been ordered from black-market suppliers months earlier
and was now long overdue, the Libyans disclosed. According to U.S.
officials present at the meeting, the Libyans wanted to prepare the
Americans for the possibility that more illicit nuclear shipments could
suddenly appear on Tripoli's docks.
"They clearly expected more things to turn up," said one of the U.S.
participants.
Four months later, the wait continues. Despite a search that has
spanned the globe, U.S. and international investigators are still
struggling to account for a number of sensitive parts Libya ordered for
construction of its uranium enrichment plant -- parts that potentially
could be used by other countries or groups seeking nuclear weapons.
The whereabouts of the parts is one of several mysteries that has
preoccupied officials involved in the biggest investigation of nuclear
smuggling in history -- the probe into the black-market network led by
former Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. U.S. and U.N.
investigators have identified many of the network's operatives and
methods and recovered tens of thousands of parts in a dragnet that has
reached from Southeast Asia to the Middle East and Europe. Yet, the
investigators believe that some of the suppliers to the network have
not yet been identified -- and perhaps some customers, as well.
"We haven't gotten to the bottom of the story," acknowledged one senior
Bush administration official involved in the investigation. "We
continue to look for, and expect to make, new discoveries. We don't
think the story is fully revealed yet."

I can't believe the Libyans actually thought they'd turn up, like a J.Crew sweater that's been backordered.

Sheesh.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:32 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 338 words, total size 2 kb.

--- It's Open Mic Night

--- It's Open Mic Night over at A Small Victory.

Subject matter: five things you should be ashamed of, but aren't. You can read my entry here and maybe learn a few new things about me. Because it's all about me. Me me me me...me.

And now maybe I'll see how this trackback thing is supposed to work. Hmmmm.

UPDATE: Hot damn! It worked! On the third try, but it worked!
Woohoo! I rule...for the next twenty-five seconds until I screw
something up.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:26 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 93 words, total size 1 kb.

--- It's Open Mic Night

--- It's Open Mic Night over at A Small Victory.

Subject matter: five things you should be ashamed of, but aren't. You can read my entry here and maybe learn a few new things about me. Because it's all about me. Me me me me...me.

And now maybe I'll see how this trackback thing is supposed to work. Hmmmm.

UPDATE: Hot damn! It worked! On the third try, but it worked!
Woohoo! I rule...for the next twenty-five seconds until I screw
something up.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:26 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 93 words, total size 1 kb.

I'm not a big follower

I'm not a big follower of pro basketball, but hey, it seems it might be
the Wolves' year. They actually made it out of the first round of the
playoffs. They just wrapped up the second round
and are going up against the Lakers on Friday night for the Western
Conference Championship.
Well Done.
Although, it would have made my life easier come Friday night if you
guys had lost. No offense or anything, but I have a party to go in
downtown that night. Thaaaaaaanks. Traffic is going to suck.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:18 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 101 words, total size 1 kb.

I'm not a big follower

I'm not a big follower of pro basketball, but hey, it seems it might be
the Wolves' year. They actually made it out of the first round of the
playoffs. They just wrapped up the second round
and are going up against the Lakers on Friday night for the Western
Conference Championship.
Well Done.
Although, it would have made my life easier come Friday night if you
guys had lost. No offense or anything, but I have a party to go in
downtown that night. Thaaaaaaanks. Traffic is going to suck.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:18 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 101 words, total size 1 kb.

Courtesy of Gawker {...}While I

Courtesy of Gawker

{...}While I have a high degree of personal respect for
PHJW as a law firm, and I have made wonderful friendships during my
time here, I am no longer comfortable working for a group largely
populated by gossips, backstabbers and Napoleonic personalities. In
fact, I dare say that I would rather be dressed up like a pinata and
beaten than remain with this group any longer. I wish you continued
success in your goals to turn vibrant, productive, dedicated associates
into an aimless, shambling group of dry, lifeless husks.
May the smoke from any bridges I burn today be seen far and wide.

Damn.

I have nothing but admiration for this anonymous soon-to-be trophy husband. He actually did what we've all wished we'd
done when we'd quit a job we hated.
Bravo.
I hope he's not huddled up in a corner, wrapped in blankie, smoking
endless cigarettes and drinking vodka straight from the bottle,
wondering what the hell did he have to go and do that for? now that his girlfriend broke up with him for a lack of ambition and an inability to play politics.

Because girlfriend from one corporate wife to another, that's what it's all about, bitch. You've just declared yourself unsuitable for the life you've chosen.

But, damn, let those bridges keep on smoldering. We're rooting for you.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:15 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 235 words, total size 2 kb.

Courtesy of Gawker {...}While I

Courtesy of Gawker

{...}While I have a high degree of personal respect for
PHJW as a law firm, and I have made wonderful friendships during my
time here, I am no longer comfortable working for a group largely
populated by gossips, backstabbers and Napoleonic personalities. In
fact, I dare say that I would rather be dressed up like a pinata and
beaten than remain with this group any longer. I wish you continued
success in your goals to turn vibrant, productive, dedicated associates
into an aimless, shambling group of dry, lifeless husks.
May the smoke from any bridges I burn today be seen far and wide.

Damn.

I have nothing but admiration for this anonymous soon-to-be trophy husband. He actually did what we've all wished we'd
done when we'd quit a job we hated.
Bravo.
I hope he's not huddled up in a corner, wrapped in blankie, smoking
endless cigarettes and drinking vodka straight from the bottle,
wondering what the hell did he have to go and do that for? now that his girlfriend broke up with him for a lack of ambition and an inability to play politics.

Because girlfriend from one corporate wife to another, that's what it's all about, bitch. You've just declared yourself unsuitable for the life you've chosen.

But, damn, let those bridges keep on smoldering. We're rooting for you.

Posted by: Kathy at 10:15 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 235 words, total size 2 kb.

--- Courtesy o' the Father

--- Courtesy o' the Father in Law.
This is a letter from Ray Reynolds, a medic in the Iowa Army
National Guard, serving in Iraq:
As I head off to Baghdad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I
wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They
have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened. I
am sorry that I have not been able to visit all of you during my
two-week leave back home. And just so you can rest at night knowing
something is happening in Iraq
that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you. This is the
list of things I KNOW have happened in Iraq recently: (Please share it
with your friends and compare it to the version that your paper is
producing.)
* Over 400,000 kids have up-to-date immunizations.
* School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war.
* Over 1,500 schools have been renovated and rid of the weapons stored
there so education can occur.
* The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off-loaded from
ships faster.
* The country had its first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
* Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time
ever in Iraq.
* The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did before
the war.
* 100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed, compared to 35%
before the war.
* Elections are taking place in every major city, and city councils are
in place.
* Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
* Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
* Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
* Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side
with US soldiers.
* Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
* Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to
prevent the spread of germs.
* An interim constitution has been signed.
* Girls are allowed to attend school.
* Textbooks that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first
time in 30 years.
Don't believe for one second that these people do not want us there. I
have met many, many people from Iraq that want us there, and in a bad
way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they
hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I
challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute me on these facts. So If you
happen to run into John Kerry, be sure to send him to Denison, Iowa.
This soldier will set him straight. If you are like me and very
disgusted with how this period of rebuilding has been portrayed, email
this to a friend and let them know there are good things happening.
Ray Reynolds, SFC
Iowa Army National Guard
234th Signal Battalion

Posted by: Kathy at 10:14 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 515 words, total size 3 kb.

--- Courtesy o' the Father

--- Courtesy o' the Father in Law.
This is a letter from Ray Reynolds, a medic in the Iowa Army
National Guard, serving in Iraq:
As I head off to Baghdad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I
wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They
have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened. I
am sorry that I have not been able to visit all of you during my
two-week leave back home. And just so you can rest at night knowing
something is happening in Iraq
that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you. This is the
list of things I KNOW have happened in Iraq recently: (Please share it
with your friends and compare it to the version that your paper is
producing.)
* Over 400,000 kids have up-to-date immunizations.
* School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war.
* Over 1,500 schools have been renovated and rid of the weapons stored
there so education can occur.
* The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off-loaded from
ships faster.
* The country had its first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
* Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time
ever in Iraq.
* The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did before
the war.
* 100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed, compared to 35%
before the war.
* Elections are taking place in every major city, and city councils are
in place.
* Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
* Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
* Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
* Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side
with US soldiers.
* Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
* Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to
prevent the spread of germs.
* An interim constitution has been signed.
* Girls are allowed to attend school.
* Textbooks that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first
time in 30 years.
Don't believe for one second that these people do not want us there. I
have met many, many people from Iraq that want us there, and in a bad
way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they
hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I
challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute me on these facts. So If you
happen to run into John Kerry, be sure to send him to Denison, Iowa.
This soldier will set him straight. If you are like me and very
disgusted with how this period of rebuilding has been portrayed, email
this to a friend and let them know there are good things happening.
Ray Reynolds, SFC
Iowa Army National Guard
234th Signal Battalion

Posted by: Kathy at 10:14 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 515 words, total size 3 kb.