Month: July 2005

I’ve been searching for the words to express the blogging funk I’ve been in lately. Today, I read this post from Ace, and he sums up exactly everything I’ve been feeling. So, as you read what he wrote, make believe you’re reading it here too, because I’m in the same spot.

Shared combs and brushes have been banned from Britain’s lower House of Commons in a bid to thwart headlice.

The news prompted some members of the US Congress to consider banning the communal use of the roll-on deodorant stick located in Senator Chuck Schumer’s congressional office bathroom. Fearing retribution from other members of the senate, Schumer’s staffers were quick to respond saying that the roll-on would remain available until further notice, especially for Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator Barbara Boxer.

So, the 2012 Summer Olympics have been awarded to the city of London. Economically speaking, it’s a huge deal, as most host cities realize. Development of the infrastructure alone will create thousands of jobs. Then there’s the constant supply of needed goods and services which will touch every square inch of the United Kingdom. There’s no doubt that there will be an enormous amount of money to be made, and spent.

On paper, this will be a boon for tourism. I suppose there is data somewhere that speaks to the millions of people who will visit the UK between now and the close of the 2012 Olympics. I would bet that there are people thinking right now, today, about making plans to travel to London for this event.

My advice? Don’t do it. 

I’ve been to London three times. For the most part, I like the place, but the negatives far outweigh the positives.

• The cost to stay in London is ENORMOUS. Average UK hotels are priced at US $200 per day. And don’t be mistaken about the word ‘average’. UK hotel rooms are small – very small. If you are travelling with a family, you’ll need two rooms, minimum.
• Food costs are just as high. Plan on spending double what you spend in the US.
• Train travel is expensive. If you decide you want to leave London and head up to visit the countryside, expect to spend a minimum of $100 per ticket.
• The best way to travel in and around London is on the TUBE (subway). Problem is, the TUBE route lines can change unexpectedly, and your favorite, most convenient route could be closed for an entire weekend. Taking another route can add up to 30 minutes to your travel time.
• EVERYONE RIDES THE TUBE, so it’s constantly crowded. And in the summer, the temperatures underground can be excruciating. Not fun.

I could go on and on.

Watch the Olympics on TV instead.

According to the AP – Meth is a scourge.

The crippling reach of methamphetamine abuse has become the nation’s leading drug problem affecting local law enforcement agencies, according to a survey of 500 sheriff’s departments in 45 states.

“We’re finding out that this is bigger problem than we thought,” said Larry Naake, executive director of the association. “Folks at the state and federal level need to know about this.”

Who needs a survey to know that meth is a big problem in the US? I’ve got my own proof. A few months ago I posted this article which told the story of a Washington State sheriff’s department in-class meth demonstration to high school students. Ever since then, I’ve been deluged by visitors who are searching the web hoping to discover an easy meth recipe. Each day, I receive hundreds of visits from Google alone. Here are some of the words that people are searching on:

“how to make meth”
“making meth”
“how to cook meth”
“crystal meth 101”

And I can see the domain names of the visitors too – you’d be amazed where many of these are coming from. Big name media entertainment groups, TV, RADIO, the Armed Services and yes, the US Government.

So, yeah, I’d say it’s a problem.

First Sandy, now speculation revolves around Bill.

The actor attempts to remind everyone how important he is…

ROBERT REDFORD has urged journalists to investigate US President GEORGE W BUSH’s administration – because he sees strong similarities between Bush’s government and the events leading to the Watergate scandal which forced President RICHARD NIXON to resign.

Redford starred in 1976 movie ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN alongside DUSTIN HOFFMAN, as The Washington Post journalists BOB WOODWARD and CARL BERNSTEIN, who brought about the events that led to Nixon’s resignation in 1974.

Bob, you are just an actor. You were never an investigative reporter. You never worked for the Washington Post. It’s time to wake up and come to grips with that.

And Redford wasn’t surprised when the identity of the mysterious ‘Deep Throat’ character who sparked the Watergate scandal was recently revealed to be former deputy FBI chief MARK FELT.

It’s that old hindsight thing again…20/20.

But the shock revelation has reminded the actor of the power of the media and the similarities between Bush’s secret cover-ups and the Watergate affair.

HOLD EVERYTHING! STOP RIGHT THERE! Cover-ups? Proof Bob, give me one single ounce of proof that this administration is deep in cover-ups. One shred of evidence Bobby (pinko).

He says, “There are deep similarities going on but where is the press? where is the press?”

“There is stone-walling, not telling the truth, getting people under wiretaps. The US public continues to be told things that are not true and what worries me is that we have these brave young American guys risking their lives everyday.

First of all, it sounds like he’s reliving the Clinton 90’s, and second of all, our brave soldiers don’t appreciate your pandering Bob.

“When Deep Throat was revealed, the press came to me and wanted to know what I thought. I said, ‘Well, it’s interesting that his name came out but is that the point?’

That’s easy Bob. The reporters who interviewed you that day weren’t even born when the Watergate scandal broke. In journalism class they watched ‘All the Presidents Men’ and believed that you really were Bob Woodward. Can you blame them? You’ve been playing the part all your life.

“My contribution was to come at a time when journalism was at its high point and the role I played was to save a testimony to the freedom of speech. The media have changed, we see the ethics have changed. The press is more, I am sorry to say, celebrity oriented.”

All hail King Bob.

Liberals lost inside themselves. Where has reality gone?

Happy Fourth of July!

Via Newsday.com

Two teenagers were under arrest Sunday on suspicion of killing another teen for his iPod portable music player, police said.

Samuel Darran, 16, and Daryl Stephen, 17, were facing charges of murder, robbery and weapons possession in the death of 15-year-old Christopher Rose, police said.

Rose and three friends were accosted by a group of young men Saturday evening in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn, police said. Members of the group demanded Rose’s iPod and stabbed him twice in the chest when he resisted. The group fled, taking Rose’s iPod and a backpack, police said.

Police also have reported a wave of iPod robberies on city subways, saying in April that 50 iPods had been stolen this year, compared to none over the same period last year.

It’s believed that most robbers kept the devices, which can retail for about $100 to $500, for personal use rather than selling them.

They used to kill kids to steal their basketball shoes. Now it’s iPods.

A pathetic waste.

UPDATE: Steve Jobs calls the father.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan attended Live 8 in London.

“I came here to show support for all the millions of people in the world who stand to benefit if the Millennium Development Goals are reached, especially the children who will be saved from malaria or Aids, who will grow up healthy, go to school and have the chance to earn their living and enjoy life. I also came to express my thanks to the artists who are devoting their time and talents to such a vital cause.”

All the while he was watchin his back at the threat that the authorities would show up and slap cuffs on ’em.

Soon.

Via Fox:

He had suffered a stroke in April 2003 from which he never quite recovered. Vandross, who was beloved by everyone who knew him, suffered from diabetes and severe swings in weight.

But those close to him tell me that Vandross didn’t have to die. What will come out in the next few days will be the story of how his manager, Carmen Romano, fought to keep Luther on track with his medical care. Opposing Romano were Vandross’s mother and sister.

“They did not keep appointments he was supposed to have,” a source said. “It was a constant struggle to get Luther the attention he needed.”

Vandross, I am told, was having physical therapy at the time of his death.

“They were walking him and he just collapsed,” a source said.

More to come, most certainly.