Weekend update! This morning is a slow news situation so I'm not compelled to do an intelligent inquiry (the prominent story being an earthquake... and that just isn't all that funny). So I thought I'd just chat about a few random things that are on my mind.
I finally received my EBT benefits. It took over a month, but I have my card and it has a balance. I plan on buying some ingredients for sweet potato quesadillas and bulgur burgers. If you weren't aware, as an Americorps member I'm eligible for food assistance. Since I get paid an awfully small amount and I work some 50 hours a week for that position, I have no reservations about accepting it. Next...
Plants vs. Zombies by Popcap games. I recommend everyone giving that game a try. There's a free demo on Popcap's site and it's available for PC, Mac, and Iphone/Ipod Touch. The game is wonderful, but the meticulous attention to detail is the real treat. The game includes an almanac with short descriptions of each plant and zombie with a surprising amount of wit. Moreover, the game has a great sense of humor. For instance, there is an achievements list presented as a hole in the ground. Once you hit the bottom of the list, you can keep on scrolling for an obnoxious amount of time, but if you keep going and hit the other side, you are come out on the other side of the world with zombies dressed up in Chinese attire. Again, the small attention to detail is what really makes this game shine. PS... If you don't think this is your cup of tea, find and play Peggle. That game will hook you.
I've been going through "The Elements of Style" lately. That sounds about as boring as it gets, but I'm never really satisfied with my mastery of the English language. I'm proficient, but I'd rather be a master at it. In other boring news, I've just started looking over the Federalist papers. For a few boring reasons: I'm going into law so it seems to be a useful piece of lit to have read. Also, I find a lot of people throwing around what America stands for and I'd like to have the tools to argue about that a bit better, because the fact of the matter is that the Federalist papers and the Constitution are probably our best guides to framers' intent when it comes to our government. Again, I'm just starting.
Ramalamadingdongshubopshubopshubop
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
I'd rather be covered in trash than live in a world filled with snooty garbage men
I am not crazy. I know what you're thinking. This dude wants to lecture me on the environment. Maybe and maybe not. Probably... but oh well. Anyway, I'm not crazy. I am generally skeptical of the person giving me a speech about the environment, health, or art because we generally are all hypocrites. We all have beliefs, but more often than not we betray ourselves on the follow through. Not that big a deal. I want us all to have ideals. It's just when the doling out of advice comes around that I become bothered. Therefore, I don't want to dole out advice. I will be the first to admit that I waste as much as the next person, so I have no footing to lecture anyone else. However, I would like to explain my thoughts on the subject of waste and our culture. Rock on.
Now, in case you didn't finish yesterday's post (and let's face it, to finish the post you had to read and reading sucks), I'll catch you up... I basically claimed that I would write a rant about Americans and waste. If you think that I'm going to praise our waste management, well you'd better go to foxnews.com instead (They're the only publication willing to tell the truth about this country. That everything is just fine). Long story short, we're terrible at it. This began for me the other day at the elementary school I work at. The third grade was learning about garbage. According to the literature they were using, each American will produce about 4000 times his or her body weight in garbage. That's the only piece of information I'm choosing to work off of for this discussion.
I don't call myself an environmentalist. Rather, I enjoy thinking about things in terms of responsibility. I'm a responsiblist (horrible word). In other words, I believe that there are consequences for our actions that we all have to own up to at some point in our lives. That entails smoking for your entire life which can have dire consequences or buying things that produce a lot of waste which may seem to have innocuous consequences now, but over time that may turn out differently.
Ultimately (I abuse this word but too bad), I'm really just shooting for minor change at this point. For instance, I think a lot of us could get in the habit of brining lunches in a glass/plastic reusable container of some kind. They're affordable and you'll probably end up eating something healthier than you otherwise would. I'm also going to try to think about this more when I go grocery shopping, looking for items that don't have as much packaging. Finally, just try to buy fewer things in general (not that I have a choice).
PS: For anyone who's played games over the past ten years, Madcatz is going to have some fucking explaining to do when we're out of natural resources and we're asking, "who wasted all the plastic?"
Now, in case you didn't finish yesterday's post (and let's face it, to finish the post you had to read and reading sucks), I'll catch you up... I basically claimed that I would write a rant about Americans and waste. If you think that I'm going to praise our waste management, well you'd better go to foxnews.com instead (They're the only publication willing to tell the truth about this country. That everything is just fine). Long story short, we're terrible at it. This began for me the other day at the elementary school I work at. The third grade was learning about garbage. According to the literature they were using, each American will produce about 4000 times his or her body weight in garbage. That's the only piece of information I'm choosing to work off of for this discussion.
I don't call myself an environmentalist. Rather, I enjoy thinking about things in terms of responsibility. I'm a responsiblist (horrible word). In other words, I believe that there are consequences for our actions that we all have to own up to at some point in our lives. That entails smoking for your entire life which can have dire consequences or buying things that produce a lot of waste which may seem to have innocuous consequences now, but over time that may turn out differently.
Ultimately (I abuse this word but too bad), I'm really just shooting for minor change at this point. For instance, I think a lot of us could get in the habit of brining lunches in a glass/plastic reusable container of some kind. They're affordable and you'll probably end up eating something healthier than you otherwise would. I'm also going to try to think about this more when I go grocery shopping, looking for items that don't have as much packaging. Finally, just try to buy fewer things in general (not that I have a choice).
PS: For anyone who's played games over the past ten years, Madcatz is going to have some fucking explaining to do when we're out of natural resources and we're asking, "who wasted all the plastic?"
We don't need no stinkin' E
If you look closely, you can see on the right side of this image that ERICtalk is one of the cited sites (in the green!). Now, I'm not one to toot my own horn, so I won't. I figure one of two things happened. Either I wrote a great summary of the event (it wasn't terrible), or someone at the Citizen's League went to google and searched "Policy and a Pint Goetz Minnesota." I'm betting on the latter. In fact:
However, I'm not letting that possibility bother me. I'm still happy and proud that it was put up. My blog obviously looks legitimate enough that they felt it acceptable to put up (unless they really didn't look at it... which is possible). Furthermore, my friend Nic last night pointed out that there isn't much of a difference between myself and other bloggers. Well, maybe those for major news organizations... but that's not a fair comparison because let's face it, that's their job.
That's it for today. Tomorrow, expect a smart-ass post about humans and how much trash we produce.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Intelligent Inquiry 3: Bachmann a Genius, First to Discover Problem Facing America
Bachmann Warns CPAC that America Faces 'decline' from Excessive Spending
From Minnpost
Sarcasm punch. I really dislike Michelle Bachmann. I mean, dislike her enough where I am inclined to leave this state to avoid being associated with her. Just to cover the basics, she made the following remarks
- We face decline due to our budget woes (duh)
- Obama has the "intention to fail" and is "choosing decline"
- "What I produce belongs to me, not the King, not the government"
I'm not sure where to begin with this. The most obvious point in my mind is that Bachmann is a hypocrite. For eight Bush-kissing years, Bachmann didn't have much to say about the deficit or national debt. Here's my biggest problem with Republicans of late. They talk a big game about cutting taxes and spending. So they they cut taxes, but continue to spend. Then we end up in the hole that we're in now. I'm not that big of a Clinton lover (Bill that is), but he understood something back then that we all don't understand now... how to get a surplus (I'll give Congress a shout out too, since Constitutionally, it is their job after all... unless you live in MN).
Bachmann is a leader of the crazies. Pause...
cra-zies [krey-zees]
- noun
1. A mentally deranged, demented person.
2. People so far caught up in their beliefs that they cannot participate in debate and compromise: The crazies voted for Michelle Bachmann.
Unpause... I am fine with her believing that we should be allowed to keep the fruits of our labor. In a way, America was built on that principle if you want to be loose with history. However, as most people get when we would like to win an argument, we get selective memory. Bachmann forgets that America has and is slowly amending away that idea of you keep what you earn by necessity. The hard truth is that if we want roads, schools, trains, food, security, unemployment benefits, police, snowplows, mail, a military, and whole host of other things, we need to make sacrifices. Like I said, we get selective with our history. We were built on the idea of keeping our what we've earned... If we had stuck to our guns on that issue... well, I'll let Washington tell it how it is:
Washington to Continental Congress: Look, I understand that we were all pissed off about having to pay a bit extra for tea and stamps. Like most of you, I rushed down to the post office with a shit ton of mail the day before that law went into effect. However, and I must be blunt, if you guys don't send some supplies... and well, soldiers, to join the army, we're fucked.
Thanks George. Here's the deal, you can be anti tax and spend, but I suggest you walk the talk and stop using things the government paid for. Don't mark that homebuyer credit. Stop calling the police when someone robs your house. Don't use the roads. You sure as heck better not use a bridge. I'm sure that the free market will figure those things out for you in no time.
From Minnpost
Sarcasm punch. I really dislike Michelle Bachmann. I mean, dislike her enough where I am inclined to leave this state to avoid being associated with her. Just to cover the basics, she made the following remarks
- We face decline due to our budget woes (duh)
- Obama has the "intention to fail" and is "choosing decline"
- "What I produce belongs to me, not the King, not the government"
I'm not sure where to begin with this. The most obvious point in my mind is that Bachmann is a hypocrite. For eight Bush-kissing years, Bachmann didn't have much to say about the deficit or national debt. Here's my biggest problem with Republicans of late. They talk a big game about cutting taxes and spending. So they they cut taxes, but continue to spend. Then we end up in the hole that we're in now. I'm not that big of a Clinton lover (Bill that is), but he understood something back then that we all don't understand now... how to get a surplus (I'll give Congress a shout out too, since Constitutionally, it is their job after all... unless you live in MN).
Bachmann is a leader of the crazies. Pause...
cra-zies [krey-zees]
- noun
1. A mentally deranged, demented person.
2. People so far caught up in their beliefs that they cannot participate in debate and compromise: The crazies voted for Michelle Bachmann.
Unpause... I am fine with her believing that we should be allowed to keep the fruits of our labor. In a way, America was built on that principle if you want to be loose with history. However, as most people get when we would like to win an argument, we get selective memory. Bachmann forgets that America has and is slowly amending away that idea of you keep what you earn by necessity. The hard truth is that if we want roads, schools, trains, food, security, unemployment benefits, police, snowplows, mail, a military, and whole host of other things, we need to make sacrifices. Like I said, we get selective with our history. We were built on the idea of keeping our what we've earned... If we had stuck to our guns on that issue... well, I'll let Washington tell it how it is:
Washington to Continental Congress: Look, I understand that we were all pissed off about having to pay a bit extra for tea and stamps. Like most of you, I rushed down to the post office with a shit ton of mail the day before that law went into effect. However, and I must be blunt, if you guys don't send some supplies... and well, soldiers, to join the army, we're fucked.
Thanks George. Here's the deal, you can be anti tax and spend, but I suggest you walk the talk and stop using things the government paid for. Don't mark that homebuyer credit. Stop calling the police when someone robs your house. Don't use the roads. You sure as heck better not use a bridge. I'm sure that the free market will figure those things out for you in no time.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Policy and a Pint: The Future of Health Care
Nobody plans on getting buzzed in the UBS forum. It's just not the location for that kind of thing. However, last night I attended a policy and a pint event at MPR. My first notion was that Minnesota is the best place on earth. No way around it. We say, "we're smart, but we want a beer too."
I took a few notes from this event that I'd like to discuss and give a few of my opinions. First, the notes!
- Minnesota is awesome --> 2 beers
- Thomas Goetz from Wired, speaking about How technology can revamp health care
- Everyone in unison sets down beers to clap
- Mr. Goetz suggests a drinking game: Everytime he says "health", you drink
- PROBLEM: Cascade of ill health
- Americans are generally passive agents to ill health (3% follow basic health rules: don't smoke, eat some veggies, exercise)
- 75% of health costs go to diseases that are preventable in some manner (diseases that are direct results of lifestyle choices)
- IDEA: Studies (three that I won't mention) correlate to show that people who feel "in control" and people receiving feedback are more likely to make better health choices
- Self monitoring, control, Hawthorne effect = people taking control
- Technology can help people self monitor = date creates relevance, but means more when it's our data
- More engagement= better health
- FINAL: Decisions count --> every single one has some ramification on your health
Now, I can't really comment on a large scale, but I can talk about my own life and a few things I found particularly striking. First, the point that every decision we make counts, even the little ones. I feel that this point is a great reason for everyone to continue trying to self improve. It was almost a decade ago that I started exercising regularly (not for health reasons mind you, but that's another story). I started my venture into vegetarianism over a year ago. This past summer I biked or walked to almost every destination. While I don't stick to any of these decisions every day, I can't help but connect this point to those decisions. I can't see the benefit of these choices the day I make them, but undoubtedly I'm changing my life for the better with those lifestyle choices.
Another point of his was that we live long, robust lives and we have the opportunity to change our habits. I think we are quick to dismiss any positive change in our lives as out of reach. "I've been like this for years and I can't change now." That's stupid. We live LONG lives. We can take advantage of that.
The event cost 5$. What a sweet deal. I have to go to work now.
I took a few notes from this event that I'd like to discuss and give a few of my opinions. First, the notes!
- Minnesota is awesome --> 2 beers
- Thomas Goetz from Wired, speaking about How technology can revamp health care
- Everyone in unison sets down beers to clap
- Mr. Goetz suggests a drinking game: Everytime he says "health", you drink
- PROBLEM: Cascade of ill health
- Americans are generally passive agents to ill health (3% follow basic health rules: don't smoke, eat some veggies, exercise)
- 75% of health costs go to diseases that are preventable in some manner (diseases that are direct results of lifestyle choices)
- IDEA: Studies (three that I won't mention) correlate to show that people who feel "in control" and people receiving feedback are more likely to make better health choices
- Self monitoring, control, Hawthorne effect = people taking control
- Technology can help people self monitor = date creates relevance, but means more when it's our data
- More engagement= better health
- FINAL: Decisions count --> every single one has some ramification on your health
Now, I can't really comment on a large scale, but I can talk about my own life and a few things I found particularly striking. First, the point that every decision we make counts, even the little ones. I feel that this point is a great reason for everyone to continue trying to self improve. It was almost a decade ago that I started exercising regularly (not for health reasons mind you, but that's another story). I started my venture into vegetarianism over a year ago. This past summer I biked or walked to almost every destination. While I don't stick to any of these decisions every day, I can't help but connect this point to those decisions. I can't see the benefit of these choices the day I make them, but undoubtedly I'm changing my life for the better with those lifestyle choices.
Another point of his was that we live long, robust lives and we have the opportunity to change our habits. I think we are quick to dismiss any positive change in our lives as out of reach. "I've been like this for years and I can't change now." That's stupid. We live LONG lives. We can take advantage of that.
The event cost 5$. What a sweet deal. I have to go to work now.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Intelligent Inquiry 2: MPR needs a pelvic exam
U of M changes pelvic exam lesson for med students
from MPR
With rising tuition costs and budget crunches, I can't figure out if the fact that the med school spends $150,000 on demonstrators or that this story is on the front page of MPR is more ridiculous.
from MPR
With rising tuition costs and budget crunches, I can't figure out if the fact that the med school spends $150,000 on demonstrators or that this story is on the front page of MPR is more ridiculous.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
When are you going to take video games seriously?
I've never had to answer the question. It never came up. I came to the conclusion on my own. Yet, I'm asking... well... just about everyone else, when? I only ask because frankly, I just haven't seen it yet. Parents, friends, girlfriends, politicians, teachers... gaming is an adolescent activity, end of story. Yet, I can't necessarily blame them. After all, we didn't all grow up with video games. Some of us simply due to the fact that they didn't exist, and others due to circumstance. So, for those who didn't grow up in the warming glow of an SNES, they have made their deduction about games by observation. Again, I can't blame them for having a less than stellar opinion. Video games have gotten a bit of a bad rap in the media for quite some time. Violence and addiction seem to be hot button issues, but beyond that I seem to hear an endless stories of neglectful boyfriends who would rather play Xbox than watch America's next top model. If this is your experience, I'm sorry about that and this article is a hand reaching out to you.
However, there is another set of people that this article speaks to, but with a critical hand. The gamer who sees gaming as an immature phase. I don't remember who said this to me, but the quote was, "someday I'll grow up and get rid of my Xbox." A case of self pity masked with the veil of self improvement. Why? For this fellow and the individual mentioned above, is gaming really the immature vice it is portrayed to be? Obviously, I would say no.
Perhaps my biggest problem with the entire situation is that people are so quick to give the benefit of the doubt to television, movies, magazines, and books. The common view is that video games, in some way, are intrinsically lesser in value than our other forms of media. I will admit that the video game industry puts out its share of crap. However, in no way is that an exclusive component of video games. I think the twentieth season of survivor and "Hot Tub Time Machine," are evidence enough of that.
I would also argue that gaming rivals its competitors at the other end of the spectrum as well. I don't claim that video games have a rival to "Macbeth," (the industry is only 30 years old) but some games easily compete with Oscar nominees in a number of ways. For example, I'd like to bring up Mass Effect, a game I finished recently. In terms of quality (the plot, character development, setting), I can comfortably say that it is a large step above the new Star Wars trilogy (that isn't saying much I know) and is pushing its way into Lord of the Rings' territory (that is saying something). Nothing is taken for granted in the story. Every character has motivation that you may or may not be aware of. For me, I found out about one of my character's key motivations way too late, which ended up with him dieing. Not by my hand, but another member of my group. The experience rivaled most movie dramatic moments (maybe more so... I started that part over about six times trying to figure out how I could stop it). Maybe more so because it was my fault.
Ultimately, my point is that video games are in no way a lesser medium than television, movies, or print. Games are capable of addressing the same issues and provoking the same emotions as the contemporary forms of media. I have no doubt about that. So my advice is to put down your issue of Cosmo, turn off your Avatar, and start taking them seriously.
However, there is another set of people that this article speaks to, but with a critical hand. The gamer who sees gaming as an immature phase. I don't remember who said this to me, but the quote was, "someday I'll grow up and get rid of my Xbox." A case of self pity masked with the veil of self improvement. Why? For this fellow and the individual mentioned above, is gaming really the immature vice it is portrayed to be? Obviously, I would say no.
Perhaps my biggest problem with the entire situation is that people are so quick to give the benefit of the doubt to television, movies, magazines, and books. The common view is that video games, in some way, are intrinsically lesser in value than our other forms of media. I will admit that the video game industry puts out its share of crap. However, in no way is that an exclusive component of video games. I think the twentieth season of survivor and "Hot Tub Time Machine," are evidence enough of that.
I would also argue that gaming rivals its competitors at the other end of the spectrum as well. I don't claim that video games have a rival to "Macbeth," (the industry is only 30 years old) but some games easily compete with Oscar nominees in a number of ways. For example, I'd like to bring up Mass Effect, a game I finished recently. In terms of quality (the plot, character development, setting), I can comfortably say that it is a large step above the new Star Wars trilogy (that isn't saying much I know) and is pushing its way into Lord of the Rings' territory (that is saying something). Nothing is taken for granted in the story. Every character has motivation that you may or may not be aware of. For me, I found out about one of my character's key motivations way too late, which ended up with him dieing. Not by my hand, but another member of my group. The experience rivaled most movie dramatic moments (maybe more so... I started that part over about six times trying to figure out how I could stop it). Maybe more so because it was my fault.
Ultimately, my point is that video games are in no way a lesser medium than television, movies, or print. Games are capable of addressing the same issues and provoking the same emotions as the contemporary forms of media. I have no doubt about that. So my advice is to put down your issue of Cosmo, turn off your Avatar, and start taking them seriously.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Episode 51
In a flash (well not literally or figuratively for me), I've reached the big fifty post mark. It's quite an achievement considering that all my other blogs slowed at about 15 or 20 posts (with the exception of Anarchy in the UK). With that in mind, I consider this blog a success. I'm proud that I've been able to keep a stream of content, even if it ranges from good to barbecue sauce related (see barbecue sauce execs). I've tried some things that haven't panned out (looking back, I notice the two editions of "Eshort"... what the hell was I thinking). It's time to look ahead. There are ways I want to improve this blog and some are within reach while others probably aren't. I just want to talk about those a little... in list form! (dun dun duhhhh...hhh)
1. Use Labels
Blogger has a nifty system that allows you to label your posts (ie: I could label this post as rambling nonsense... and I will). Basically, readers are able to search for posts that address specific topics or items. Nifty eh?
Likelihood of victory: Seven thumbs up
2. Write for myself
Sometimes I feel like I need to write for a specific audience. For instance, say I write about Left 4 Dead 2. My mother reads this blog. She doesn't care about that. She probably doesn't know what that is... which is fine. However, I shouldn't not write about it because I feel my audience may not be interested. Let's face it, in America, we don't know what we're interested in until it's on every night from 5 to 6 PM.
Likelihood of victory: Four bottles with fairies.. whoo!
3. Get more user participation
I enjoy hearing comments from people. I enjoy reading what my friends and family write. However, I'm under the impression that either they don't want to do this or for some reason can't do it. Kudos to Nic for being the most dependable commenter (even if it's at a rate of 1 a month and usually is only some smart ass remark).
Likelihood of victory: I'm not Eric Dietz, and I'm playing Simpsons Scene It against him.
4. Turn this thing into a website
I would like that way more... I just have no idea how... and I'm not going to take the time to learn. I'm sure it's very easy... at least if you already know how to do it. At this point, I'm much more interested in reading, playing guitar, going back to my Japanese, and training for a marathon than doing this.
Likelihood of victory: I might as well be Mercutio, counting on Romeo to have my back...
1. Use Labels
Blogger has a nifty system that allows you to label your posts (ie: I could label this post as rambling nonsense... and I will). Basically, readers are able to search for posts that address specific topics or items. Nifty eh?
Likelihood of victory: Seven thumbs up
2. Write for myself
Sometimes I feel like I need to write for a specific audience. For instance, say I write about Left 4 Dead 2. My mother reads this blog. She doesn't care about that. She probably doesn't know what that is... which is fine. However, I shouldn't not write about it because I feel my audience may not be interested. Let's face it, in America, we don't know what we're interested in until it's on every night from 5 to 6 PM.
Likelihood of victory: Four bottles with fairies.. whoo!
3. Get more user participation
I enjoy hearing comments from people. I enjoy reading what my friends and family write. However, I'm under the impression that either they don't want to do this or for some reason can't do it. Kudos to Nic for being the most dependable commenter (even if it's at a rate of 1 a month and usually is only some smart ass remark).
Likelihood of victory: I'm not Eric Dietz, and I'm playing Simpsons Scene It against him.
4. Turn this thing into a website
I would like that way more... I just have no idea how... and I'm not going to take the time to learn. I'm sure it's very easy... at least if you already know how to do it. At this point, I'm much more interested in reading, playing guitar, going back to my Japanese, and training for a marathon than doing this.
Likelihood of victory: I might as well be Mercutio, counting on Romeo to have my back...
Friday, February 12, 2010
Anyone want to visit Chicago with me?
From: John Marshall Law School Office of Admission
Dear Mr. Dietz:
Congratulations! Our Admission Committee is pleased to inform you that based upon your academic credentials and supporting statements, your application for admission to our August, 2010 entering class, Full Time division, has been accepted.
Additionally, due to your outstanding academic record, you have been awarded an Edward T. Lee Scholarship for the full amount of tuition. At our current tuition rate, this scholarship is valued at $113,400.00 and is renewable in full on an annual basis as long as you remain in the tip third of your class.
Dear Mr. Dietz:
Congratulations! Our Admission Committee is pleased to inform you that based upon your academic credentials and supporting statements, your application for admission to our August, 2010 entering class, Full Time division, has been accepted.
Additionally, due to your outstanding academic record, you have been awarded an Edward T. Lee Scholarship for the full amount of tuition. At our current tuition rate, this scholarship is valued at $113,400.00 and is renewable in full on an annual basis as long as you remain in the tip third of your class.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Mo money mo problems
Hey everyone, I'm not going to be posting for a little bit because I need to finish a scholarship essay. I did the math of my available time this week and I need to reserve my mornings to write it. Sorry. Check out the new, improved style of my blog. I think it looks pretty good (that means don't free ride off of the emails).
Mr E
Mr E
Monday, February 8, 2010
3NN: Ninendo No-Nonsense News (yeah... that's 4 Ns total!)
An excerpt from Monday night's transcript from the 3NN special event with Bowser
Toadsworth (T): Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a special 3NN one on one with leader of the opposition party, Bowser, King of the Koopas. Koopa King, thank you for joining us.
Bowser (B): It's my pleasure Toadsworth. Is it okay if I call you Toadsworth?
T: Of course.
B: Thanks.
T: Now Bowser, I must begin by asking about what has the entire Mushroom Kingdom in an uproar, of course, I mean the Koopa Party's "Just say kidnap strategy," which has paralyzed the Mario administration's legislative goals.
B: Well, as you know the Koopa party has had a difficult few years. After my last defeat at the hands of Mario and his brother... what's his name?
T: Luigi.
B: Right. Luigi. Thank you. Anyway, after my defeat by Mario, our party took a big hit in the midterms and again in the presidential elections.
T: Yes. The Mario Party has succeeded quite swimmingly. Chuckles.
B: Chuckles. I see you're referring to the frog suit slogan. Yes, even I was surprised how popular the image of Mario in a frog suit became. More surprising yet was his slogan, "A Suit We Can Believe in." The entire kingdom loved it.
T: Back to the point at hand. Just say kidnap?
B: Yes. With our substantial losses in the Mushroom Kingdom Congress, we are being forced to go to drastic measures in order to preserve what we believe is the proper future for out Kingdom. Remember, just because the Mario Party made gains in Congress doesn't mean that we're about to forget about our constituents. They deserve to have their beliefs represented too.
T: What problems do you specifically have with the Mario Party's agenda?
B: Well take health care reform for instance. We agree that reform is necessary, but that a number of hurtles must be overcome. Immigration, the kingdom's debt problems... the Mario Party is trying to rush this reform through. This problem isn't as simple as a game of tennis or golf (also basketball, soccer, and kart racing). Laughs
T: Laughs. Yes. Mario's recreational activities are quite well known aren't they?
Toadsworth (T): Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a special 3NN one on one with leader of the opposition party, Bowser, King of the Koopas. Koopa King, thank you for joining us.
Bowser (B): It's my pleasure Toadsworth. Is it okay if I call you Toadsworth?
T: Of course.
B: Thanks.
T: Now Bowser, I must begin by asking about what has the entire Mushroom Kingdom in an uproar, of course, I mean the Koopa Party's "Just say kidnap strategy," which has paralyzed the Mario administration's legislative goals.
B: Well, as you know the Koopa party has had a difficult few years. After my last defeat at the hands of Mario and his brother... what's his name?
T: Luigi.
B: Right. Luigi. Thank you. Anyway, after my defeat by Mario, our party took a big hit in the midterms and again in the presidential elections.
T: Yes. The Mario Party has succeeded quite swimmingly. Chuckles.
B: Chuckles. I see you're referring to the frog suit slogan. Yes, even I was surprised how popular the image of Mario in a frog suit became. More surprising yet was his slogan, "A Suit We Can Believe in." The entire kingdom loved it.
T: Back to the point at hand. Just say kidnap?
B: Yes. With our substantial losses in the Mushroom Kingdom Congress, we are being forced to go to drastic measures in order to preserve what we believe is the proper future for out Kingdom. Remember, just because the Mario Party made gains in Congress doesn't mean that we're about to forget about our constituents. They deserve to have their beliefs represented too.
T: What problems do you specifically have with the Mario Party's agenda?
B: Well take health care reform for instance. We agree that reform is necessary, but that a number of hurtles must be overcome. Immigration, the kingdom's debt problems... the Mario Party is trying to rush this reform through. This problem isn't as simple as a game of tennis or golf (also basketball, soccer, and kart racing). Laughs
T: Laughs. Yes. Mario's recreational activities are quite well known aren't they?
Intelligent Inquiry 1: Obama's Bi?
Obama Plans Bipartisan Summit on Health Care
from the NYT
So I believed I would be writing about the Super Bowl this morning. Not that I was excited about that possibility, but let's face it. We're America. We care about Haiti when it makes us look good and we care about football and celebrities the rest of the time. In any case, to my surprise the top story on NYT this morning was about Obama and another showdown between him and the Republicans. Obama really is a genius in his own way, and that's because Bipartisan nothing. This is about as Bipartisan as anything in politics (which is nothing at all). Really, this is an opportunity for Obama to make a bunch of old white dudes look like idiots, which is smart because that is probably what Obama can do best (and they probably are). To be fair, he also has to do it because he is really bad at politics as far as his first year is concerned. He can't bully his own party, so he might as well bully the opposition party. And... if all else fails, I recommend playing the race card (I really hope he doesn't).
Moreover (for writing only), I'm bothered that this health care nonsense isn't done with. I'm under the impression that politicians are paid to do something (mistake #1... not the paid part, the doing something part). Change the bill, cut things out, present it in parts, do something! Sure, Obama and the Democrats would love a public option, expansion of medicaid (great time magazine article about medicaid expansion and state costs in TIME), and the ending of insurance company exempting patients with pre-existing conditions. All of those things won't fly by in one bill (at least right now). However, I could see one of them getting through... the pre-existing condition thing. Honestly Congress, I bet some people could use that part right now. Stop having press conferences, lunch, and state of the union addresses and do it.
from the NYT
So I believed I would be writing about the Super Bowl this morning. Not that I was excited about that possibility, but let's face it. We're America. We care about Haiti when it makes us look good and we care about football and celebrities the rest of the time. In any case, to my surprise the top story on NYT this morning was about Obama and another showdown between him and the Republicans. Obama really is a genius in his own way, and that's because Bipartisan nothing. This is about as Bipartisan as anything in politics (which is nothing at all). Really, this is an opportunity for Obama to make a bunch of old white dudes look like idiots, which is smart because that is probably what Obama can do best (and they probably are). To be fair, he also has to do it because he is really bad at politics as far as his first year is concerned. He can't bully his own party, so he might as well bully the opposition party. And... if all else fails, I recommend playing the race card (I really hope he doesn't).
Moreover (for writing only), I'm bothered that this health care nonsense isn't done with. I'm under the impression that politicians are paid to do something (mistake #1... not the paid part, the doing something part). Change the bill, cut things out, present it in parts, do something! Sure, Obama and the Democrats would love a public option, expansion of medicaid (great time magazine article about medicaid expansion and state costs in TIME), and the ending of insurance company exempting patients with pre-existing conditions. All of those things won't fly by in one bill (at least right now). However, I could see one of them getting through... the pre-existing condition thing. Honestly Congress, I bet some people could use that part right now. Stop having press conferences, lunch, and state of the union addresses and do it.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
A Little Change
So, ERICtalk has basically just been a forum for what's on my mind which has worked out great. Surprisingly, I've kept a up a regular stream of content and personally, I'm not embarrassed about the quality. At the very least, it has entertained readers to a nominal extent. However, over the next week I'd like to change it up a little bit. I was having a conversation with one of my friends this weekend and he suggested that I start a news blog... because i'm an excellent journalist? Nope... because we were talking shit with each other and he was laughing at what I was saying. I'm not sure if he suggested it after a lot of thought, or just said it to be nice. In either case, I would like to try it. I'm not going to be shooting for hilariousness every time, but I never do. So with luck, it will be funny or at least marginally entertaining.
THE PLAN:
Just to take the headline from one of my favorite news sites (mpr, nyt, scotusblog), read the article, and then write about it.
It's unlikely that this plan will eat up every post, and maybe I'll think of a way to classify these posts so they can be organized in some way.
Mr E
THE PLAN:
Just to take the headline from one of my favorite news sites (mpr, nyt, scotusblog), read the article, and then write about it.
It's unlikely that this plan will eat up every post, and maybe I'll think of a way to classify these posts so they can be organized in some way.
Mr E
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The State of the Union
I must admit that over the past year, I have slowly lost some of my faith in Obama. Now, I don't believe I am part of the Obama generation. I didn't really vote for him because he was offering something radically new. He did what any politician does... he promised a lot of stuff. Promises were expected and that's fine. I did vote for him because I thought he would do a better job than McCain and I still stand by that decision (that dude is old... really old... and as an old man told me, "I know what it's like to be that age. You forget things!"). Anyway... I've slowly been losing faith. He's not a bad guy, but I'm losing the belief that he can get things done. Health care reform was badly handled and I'm not seeing the "bipartisanship" that he claims to be interested in. Yet, he did kind of win me over again at the State of the Union. I like the guy. What can I say? He comes off as frank and honest and I'm convinced that he believes that his programs will be the best solution for the United States' problems. Only one year in, that is good enough for me.
I would like to see Obama change a few things. First (and smaller), I don't think Obama had any business giving the Supreme Court guff (for lack of better words). Alito sat there shaking his head (which could have been for a number of reasons) and I don't think he was out of line doing so. Obama may disagree with the decision, but it's not like he's going to change it. Also, I feel as if he has bigger fish to fry (<--cliche). Second and finally, I wish he would uphold his own claim to bipartisanship. At one point, Obama made a comment about how America had all kinds of problems before he walked in the door. The Democrats had a good laugh... obviously the Republicans didn't... but I would have really liked to see Obama tell all the Democrats to sit down, shut up, and stop laughing. "Why are you laughing? This isn't funny. This is terrible for our country." I feel this is a constant problem with politicians. They would rather dance in their competitors failures than create their own victories. Frankly, Obama is no different than these politicians that I mentioned. I wish he was.
I would like to see Obama change a few things. First (and smaller), I don't think Obama had any business giving the Supreme Court guff (for lack of better words). Alito sat there shaking his head (which could have been for a number of reasons) and I don't think he was out of line doing so. Obama may disagree with the decision, but it's not like he's going to change it. Also, I feel as if he has bigger fish to fry (<--cliche). Second and finally, I wish he would uphold his own claim to bipartisanship. At one point, Obama made a comment about how America had all kinds of problems before he walked in the door. The Democrats had a good laugh... obviously the Republicans didn't... but I would have really liked to see Obama tell all the Democrats to sit down, shut up, and stop laughing. "Why are you laughing? This isn't funny. This is terrible for our country." I feel this is a constant problem with politicians. They would rather dance in their competitors failures than create their own victories. Frankly, Obama is no different than these politicians that I mentioned. I wish he was.
Health Care Debate
Note: I've put together a list of positions some people on another blog that I'm active with have taken. For privacy sake, I've replaced their names with numbers.
1: Pro Reform
- Believes we are all susceptible to lack of coverage under current system
- Doesn’t believe there is proof that Federal government can’t handle reform
- Believes state only reform is hampered by “race to the bottom”
2: Pro Reform
- Believes primary care should be available to everyone in order to bring down ER usage for non-emergencies
- Believes denying primary care drives up cost for entire system by forcing uninsured to leave medical issues untreated that become much more expensive as they get worse
- Believe offering primary care to undocumented immigrants is cheaper than forcing them to use ER
3: Against Federal Reform, Pro State Reform
- Doesn’t believe federal reform will be efficient or effective
- Believes federal government should solve immigration first
- Believes people still would not be covered sufficiently
- Doesn’t believe that insurance could be managed/enforced sufficiently
4: Pro Reform
- Doesn’t believe budget crisis to be sufficient reason to put off reform
- Believes supply and demand will fund health care (at least somewhat)
5: Against Reform
- Believes that abuse by undocumented immigrants should block reform
- Believes that some use the current system irresponsibly and should not be offered coverage
- Believes system would become too clogged with abusive patients
- Believes that too many human services are offered that can be abused
- Doesn’t believe federal government should take over the system
- Doesn’t believe oversight is the answer
- Believes a “revamping” is a good thing
6: A little from A and a little from B
- Believes companies should offer more affordable coverage
- Believes parents should have options of keeping their child on their coverage
- Believes that government should offer some level of regulation on the companies
- Legalize pot
1: Pro Reform
- Believes we are all susceptible to lack of coverage under current system
- Doesn’t believe there is proof that Federal government can’t handle reform
- Believes state only reform is hampered by “race to the bottom”
2: Pro Reform
- Believes primary care should be available to everyone in order to bring down ER usage for non-emergencies
- Believes denying primary care drives up cost for entire system by forcing uninsured to leave medical issues untreated that become much more expensive as they get worse
- Believe offering primary care to undocumented immigrants is cheaper than forcing them to use ER
3: Against Federal Reform, Pro State Reform
- Doesn’t believe federal reform will be efficient or effective
- Believes federal government should solve immigration first
- Believes people still would not be covered sufficiently
- Doesn’t believe that insurance could be managed/enforced sufficiently
4: Pro Reform
- Doesn’t believe budget crisis to be sufficient reason to put off reform
- Believes supply and demand will fund health care (at least somewhat)
5: Against Reform
- Believes that abuse by undocumented immigrants should block reform
- Believes that some use the current system irresponsibly and should not be offered coverage
- Believes system would become too clogged with abusive patients
- Believes that too many human services are offered that can be abused
- Doesn’t believe federal government should take over the system
- Doesn’t believe oversight is the answer
- Believes a “revamping” is a good thing
6: A little from A and a little from B
- Believes companies should offer more affordable coverage
- Believes parents should have options of keeping their child on their coverage
- Believes that government should offer some level of regulation on the companies
- Legalize pot
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)