This could take a while…

Damn it! This is my PC.
Isn't that progress bar just a tad aggressive? Guess Micro$oft programmed it.

Note: Headline links to source.

What the hell is going on here?

More and more websites are showing posts with missing information. I just don't get it.

Hamas had been declared a terrorist organization by the ??????
and ??????
, and the elected Palestinian government was forced to dissolve. Eventually, Hamas gained control of ??????
, and Fatah is "governing" the Israeli-dominated ??????
. Opinion polls show Hamas steadily gaining popularity. [question marks mine]

It almost looks like ??????
is censoring them.

The headline links to the source.

Flower blogging

Lotus
Its just a guess on my part, but that sucker is probably 14" across.

Bloggered

Bloggered v. Fucked by Blogger.

Don't know when I might get to post this, but need to explain my erratic blogging.

Most of the time over the last several hours, when I try to post, Blogger gives me a Not Found ... Error 404 message. When a post does work it is followed within minutes by one which won't.

It also prevents my updating/editing earlier posts and won't upload images. All in all, every feature you would want from a blogging software package.

There are other problems, but they affect me and not you.

If I don't commit seppuku, I'll get rolling eventually.

All this is aligning as an "Oh man!" moment* because of my ISP, motherboard problems.

* "Oh man!" moment. In a movie when one or more bad things happen to a character and, when they think everything is fine, another hits them and the response is "Oh man!"**

** Or "Damn", or "Shit!" or "Fuck!" or ... it all depends on the movie's rating or the country showing the film.

No, I'm not dead...yet

Blogger has a problem uploading images. So I'll add a really kool one later if I think of it.
I have a few things to do to get back up to speed, but wanted to post this to explain why I’d disappeared for so long. Having problems with Blogger, and there are several, just seems to fit in with the theme of the last six weeks.

File under blogging and miscellanea. Actually more like non-blogging.

Or file under shit I hope you don’t have to put up with.

My ISP died. I was gonna go into the whole comedy of errors that occurred, but it would probably bore you and tell you nothing you haven’t run into.

The point is it was inoperative for weeks. It finally came back up and... surprise!

Just as I was cutting and pasting this post my motherboard died. Three resistors or transistors (I have no idea which) burned up. It took days for the shop to get replacements.

But we’re back.

I have a few items I wrote about offline and will just put them all in one post.

**************
Did you happen to notice the tipping point for oil prices? Ya must have. It couldn’t have been just li’l ol’ me.

Over and over oil flirted with, feigned at, skirted near, threatened $100 per barrel. But it never quite happened. Oh, maybe for a few minutes at a time, but clearer heads always prevailed.

Ah, but when it did top $100, all bets were off and oil immediately skyrocketed to $117*.

I mean it was astonishing how quickly the oil speculators drove the price up after the “magic” number of $100 was broken.

Humans are so fucking stupid.

Is it too late to deny I’m human? Just asking.

* After initially writing this, I’ve had to update this cost from $106+ to $108+, to $110+ to $111+ to $117.

**************
This is the first in a series of questions I’ll ask you from time to time from The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock PHD.

" For a person you loved deeply, would you be willing to move to a distant country knowing there would be little chance of seeing your friends or family again? "

Via The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock PHD.

**************
If your prayers were always answered, you’d have reason to doubt the wisdom of God.

**************
On CNN there was a scroll saying the last remaining WWI soldier was being honored. It didn’t say where, but I’m guessing McDonalds.

Jesus H Christ in fatigues; imagine that. WWI!

Three cheers to the guy. And thanks.

WWI was one of the most brutal wars in which this country has ever engaged.

**************
Having no ISP support, I meander around my brain which is always dangerous.

Sport fans are very interesting. At least most of them are.

NASCAR, figure skating, Formula 1, downhill skiing, speed skating, bullfighting, road rally, hydroplane, drag and bicycle racing fans, in my estimation, are not watching for the thrill of victory, but the agony of defeat. They’re in it for the disasters.

I have nothing more to add; just an observation.

**************
I was watching Hannity and Colmbs a while back. I don’t know why. It rots your fucking brain.

Anyway, Hannity asked a guest (don’t know who, but wish I did) if such and such would be an issue for Obama in the election.

I’m paraphrasing here, but the response was great and Hannity had completely set himself up for it.

“If you’re on the air of course it will.”

Did I mention Kevin Madden and Steve Murphy are complete tools?

Anyway, I have no idea why I subject myself to the cesspool of Faux news even for a few minutes. It is so fucking Republican they should change their logo to an elephant.

Hey, never miss Red Eye on Faux News. It’s great. Its most likely the only thing good on Faux News.

**************
No sour grapes or anything, but again this year SPIIDERWEB™ did not get an Oscar® which is spiteful because of the category I’m in: best non-moving feature film staring a mime. I’m hands-down the favorite because I’m the only one in that category and the music soundtrack is great, but no…

Each year they deign it inadvisable to hand out an Oscar® in that category. They see my offering as only an art gallery picture, with music.

But its so much more than that inasmuch as it speaks to the inertia and despair of the masses.

Yeah, I’m pissed off.

Strange brew

This post might go anywhere, but I think it will be focused. But then, I think I can win the LOTTO. Which isn't a stretch because I've won more than I've invested.

I mentioned I've been invited to participate in an audio interview at Snapvine. My guess is they randomly choose sites from Technorati, but what the hell. Still not sure I'll do it, but I decided to put together some notes in case I choose to try it. They're below. If you read SPIIDERWEB™ regularly you can skip those notes because the only thing new I will get to shortly.

It was an interesting exercise in that two things came to mind. Always a maximum of two because my pea brain can't handle more.

First off is I endorse Clinton. I'm sure this will immediately elicit emails or phone calls (AT&T can give out my number) from her camp praising me for my superior judgment and thanking me profusely but I can handle that shit.

The second is why. Its the network stupid.

Clinton has been to many countries and talked with heads of state. She knows them and they know her. Obama is isolated. He's visited few foreign countries and knows no one. That's a huge gap in qualifications.

Imagine you have to give a sales pitch to a group of people. Who do you prefer, a bunch of strangers or people who consider you a friend and are inclined to trust you? Just asking.

And if Hillary doesn't know someone she has Bill who is one fucking charismatic guy and almost universally admired world-wide.

Does that mean I see Hillary as the second coming of Bill. Hahaha. You're joking, right?

HRC is a very intelligent woman who will administer her office her own way, but she, being intelligent, knows exactly what cards she holds and will play them as needed.

Actually, for me, this post is pretty fucking focused.

Notes for podcast
Candidates

John McCain I can’t support in any way. He’s one step shy of a neocon if not actually one. He also envisions a 100 year presence in Iraq which is ludicrous. That’s US imperialism.

Clinton and Obama agree on many things. Bringing the troops home or redeploying them to Afghanistan, my preference, doesn’t seem high on their priority lists, but I believe more likely than with McCain.

I’m inclined to support Obama on healthcare issues. However neither candidate seems to support the universal healthcare I would like to see.

It’s a tossup between Clinton and Obama, but I’d have to say I believe Clinton has the experience required to run this country and, though part of the DNC machine, is more likely to make Americans proud again of being American.

A huge plus for Clinton is the network. She has talked with heads of state throughout the world. She knows them and they know her whereas Obama is isolated.

Issues

In no particular order in that all are important.

Universal healthcare, not universal health coverage: Get the insurance companies out of it. A modified and improved version of the Canadian model would be a good start.
Economic reform: Leaving Iraq would do much to improve the US economy in that it’s a money pit. Budget cuts are imperative. No more handouts to the wealthy in the form of “tax breaks”.

US occupation of other countries and preemptive attacks: Preemptive attacks should be eliminated from foreign policy. Occupation should never be used.

Net neutrality: To my mind, the beauty of the internet is its unlimited availability and usage. Absolutely no limits should be set on it.

Security: I have no doubts everything needed to protect US citizens is provided by FISA. Internal spying on citizens is repugnant.

Rule of law: The Constitution and Bill of Rights must be re-constituted ASAP. We also need to set limits on what signing statements can do. If they appear to negate laws, Congress must have the authority to kill them.

War crimes: Both Bush and Cheney should be tried for war crimes, preferably at the Hague.

Spending: Absolutely everything the government buys or pays for must be by competitive bid. No more bid-less contracts with businesses.

Climate change and protecting the environment: Both are immensely important and must be addressed ASAP.

Katrina: Its disgusting how the southern states have been ignored when it comes to rebuilding after Katrina and other devastating storms.

Political finance reform: I believe transparent governmental financing of elections is paramount. Who can pull in the largest sums of money from businesses and lobbyists should not determine competitiveness. And the amount of money spent on campaigns is ridiculous.

Light posting

I'll be lightly blogging for a few/many hours.

I'm preparing for a voice blog on Snapvine. I'm guessing its a phone interview or just my pontificating over the phone about the upcoming political races. Don't know which at this point.

I may or may not actually participate but want to be prepared should I decide to do it.

Its an honor to be invited. And they have over six million members. Its pretty difficult to resist a water cooler of six million.

So I'm doing a little lazy ass research to ascertain if I know what I really think.

If I do the voice blog and it gets posted (unlikely) I'll let you know its out there.

Too kewl

Content Warning

Some readers may find the content of this blog objectionable. In general, Google does not review nor do we endorse the content of this or any blog. For more information about our content policies, please visit the Blogger Terms of Service

This is too kewl. I'm fucking offending people I don't even know. What's with that garbage. Yeah!

Come on. What the fuck? I have the profanity warning!!!1!! If some can't handle this goddamn shit I say, "Fuck 'em and I'd prefer they not read SPIIDERWEB™."

Jesus H Christ on PROZAC®. I hate it when the meds wear off. Now where did I put those fucking razor blades?

I have panache

"Panache" being definable as a fondness for the word "fuck."

-- Thers

Via Whiskey Fire.

Is Thers just fucking with my mind? Inquiring minds want to know.

Must read IMHO

Dennis Perrin
Dennis will give you perspective.

I read many blogs. Several are written by PH.Ds, MBAs, JDs and others with advanced degrees, but none are more capable, eloquent and succinct than Dennis.

If you happen to have a gig for him, reach out. He writes like I wish I could.

Via Dennis Perrin.

Time to rejoice here at SPIIDERWEB™

Bloglines is finally working after several hours.

Don't know the problem. No fucking Bloglines plumber this time. Just...nothing.

Amazing, at least to me

Its amazing to me that out of the, literally, millions of blogs out there, SPIIDERWEB™ would be ranked 205,230 in Technorati™.
Via Technorati™.

Teen's phone call snowballs into social network phenom

Do what you wish with this.

File it under great.

File it under way to go.

File it under gotcha.

File it under we aren't babies.

File it under new era.

File it under civility.

File it under fucking harpy.

File it under respect.

The "file it under" list is practically endless.

Snow days, kids and school officials have always been a delicate mix.

But a phone call to a local public school administrator's home last week about a snow day - or lack of one - has taken on a life of its own. Through the ubiquity of Facebook and YouTube, the call has become a rallying cry for students' First Amendment rights, and it shows that the generation gap has become a technological chasm.

It started with Thursday's snowfall, estimated at about three inches near Lake Braddock Secondary School in suburban Burke, Va. On his lunch break, Lake Braddock senior Devraj "Dave" Kori, 17, used a listed home phone number to call Dean Tistadt, chief operating officer for the Fairfax County system, to ask why he had not closed the schools. Kori left his name and phone number and got a message later in the day from Tistadt's wife.

"How dare you call us at home! If you have a problem with going to school, you do not call somebody's house and complain about it," Candy Tistadt's minute-long message began. At one point, she uttered the phrase "snotty-nosed little brats," and near the end, she said, "Get over it, kid, and go to school!"

Not so long ago, that might have been the end of it - a few choice words by an agitated administrator (or spouse). But with the frenetic pace of students' online networking, it's harder for grown-ups to have the last word. Kori's call and Tistadt's response sparked an online debate among area students about harassment and whether the response was warranted.

Kori took Tistadt's message, left on his cell phone, and posted an audio link on a Facebook page he had created after he got home from school called "Let them know what you think about schools not being canceled." The Web page listed Dean Tistadt's work and home numbers.

The Tistadts received dozens more calls that day and night, Dean Tistadt said. Most were hang-ups, but at one point, they were coming every five minutes - one at 4 a.m., he said. At the same time, his wife's response was spreading through cyberspace.

Within a day, hundreds of people had listened to her message, which also was posted on YouTube. A friend of Kori's sent it to a local TV news station, and it was aired on the nightly news program. As of Tuesday, more than 9,000 people had clicked on the YouTube link. Hundreds of comments had been posted on the Facebook and YouTube pages, largely about what constitutes proper and polite requests for public information from students.

Kori, a member of the Lake Braddock debate team who said his grade-point average is 3.977, said his message was not intended to harass. He said he tried unsuccessfully to contact Dean Tistadt at work and he thought he had a basic right to petition a public official for more information about a decision that affected him and his classmates. He said he was exercising freedom of speech in posting a Facebook page. The differing interpretations of his actions probably stem from "a generation gap," he said.

"People in my generation view privacy differently. We are the cell phone generation. We are used to being reached at all times," he said.

Kori explained his perspective in an e-mail Wednesday to Fairfax County schools spokesman Paul Regnier. Regnier said, also in an e-mail, that Kori's decision to place the phone call to the Tistadts' home was more likely the result of a "civility gap."

"It's really an issue of kids learning what is acceptable and not acceptable. Any call to a public servant's house is harassment," Regnier said.

Candy Tistadt did not return phone messages, but Dean Tistadt credited Kori for having the "courage of his convictions to stand up and be identified." He also credited him for causing the high volume of crank calls, not to mention considerable grief and embarrassment for his wife.

The moral has to be: Don't fuck with the kids. They just may have more power and connections than you. They certainly have more damn connections than you.

Had she just talked to him calmly and treated him with civility, respect this would not be an international story.

Dean Tistadt is kewl. He would have handled the situation.

Courtesy link to National News.

Life...can't live with it...can't live without it

Things have been absolutely crazy around here. No time to post. In fact probably won't post much for the next few hours, but I will return.

Thank you to my regular readers who've hung in there. I expected to come back to find my average readership down and it actually went up by three.

Thank you, visitors

Small potatoes for many (most?) bloggers, but I've finally reached 30,017 visits.

Most of the holiday season is over

Let's try getting this train back on track.

Will be back in a few hours

I've been running virus scans on this sucker (borrowed computer). So far have found one Trojan and five viruses.

Sometimes computing is so much fun.

Unless I want to destroy my friend's computer, I have to make sure its clean and download some anti-virus protection.

My guess is this computer has rarely been connected to the internets tubes.

Will return ASAP.

BTW, the latency in my typing and the appearance of letters on the screen is driving me INSANE (more so). I don't type that fast.

A Guideline for Islamic Governance

This is no endorsement nor condemnation, but rather information for you. He's also promised to personally spend 15 minutes per week posting.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran, is not the first name that comes to mind when thinking of net surfers and instant messages. Yet, it turns out, the man is a blogger.

Equally surprising for a leader known for a kind of thundering public presence, his blog is not especially tough. He condemns Washington's policies, but writes infrequently and more ponderously than in his famously confrontational speeches.

The reader comments posted alongside his own seem far less censored and harsher than one might expect.

"I think you are an evil leader," one comment posted by an American reader said. "Freedom and tolerance are necessities in this day and age, and the fact that your country kills intellectuals, journalists, minorities is horrible and deeply disturbing."

Another reader said Ahmadinejad's claim at Columbia University in September that there were no gays in Iran was absurd and called his domestic policies "brutish." Still another wrote, "Shut up please, would you? I get headaches reading your nonsense stuff."

The above is via IHT.

Obviously the following is from Aahmadinejad.

In the Name of Almighty God, the All-Knowing, the Most Lovingly Compassionate

One's perspective regarding government and governance determines the way one ‎should cooperate with the people. If one recognizes government as a privilege and prey ‎of the governors, then the period of governance can be counted as an opportunity to fulfill ‎the expectations of certain individuals and groups or the ostentation and hedonism of the ‎governors.‎

But if in our view, "government" would be a responsibility before God for ‎establishing justice and a duty to ensure the rights of common people, serving the ‎servants of God and helping the oppressed- then the most important issue will be the ‎people's concerns. If this is the case, governors would not view themselves as better than ‎other people and they wouldn't put themselves in any other position except serving the ‎people. [spacing edited slightly, but not content - ed]

‎
His blog may be found at http://www.ahmadinejad.ir/en/. I chose English because my computer doesn't render foreign languages I couldn't read anyway. And, unlike the original article I found, I provide a convenient link.

Its interesting to see, compared to many bloggers, especially the wingers, who don't allow comments, block people who challenge them or delete the comments they don't like, Ahmadinejad appears to be willing to take the heat. Of course I have no idea who he's blocked or if he's deleted comments, but it doesn't seem like he's doing either.

SPIIDERWEB™ Rulz!

Light posting

Bloglines is down. So posting will be light because its much slower using my sidebar links to the news.

But hey, the good news is I've added sidebar links to the news. So you can use them if you want.

SPIIDERWEB™ Rulz!

Lets try this again

Gots some catching up to do. Was away from the house for several hours with no computer. Got home and the power was out. If finally came on and I took the 15-20 minutes required to boot up and Blogger wasn't working right.


So I hit the fuck it key and went downstairs and made myself a peanut butter (crunchy) and jelly sandwich and got a can of Diet Pepsi. Ah, the luxury of a gourmet meal. Well, it is to me.

SPIIDERWEB™ Rulz!