The Rocky Mountain News closed this week and printed its last paper. There was a lot of press coverage of their final day, and the need for them to close. It’s being seen as yet another indication that the internet is encroaching upon a once thriving newspaper industry. Well, that’s probably correct. I’m personally more inclined to read news online because the convenience outweighs other impulses. Quite frankly I’ve never seen a paper to cover the news I’m interested in. It’s never been catared to me. Call me selfish, but I prefer to have some things my way. When it comes to what I consume I want to make sure it’s not geared to conflict with my values, and I just find some things more interesting than others.
Let’s take for example, this interesting question. I have a unique last name: R-O-E-C-K-E-R. There’s not too many of us out there. As far as I know the last name has a fairly good reputation. To prove that I daily scour all of the countries newspapers.
Earlier this month I commented on “World of Goo.” I was so interested in watching the press regarding that game that I also scour every news source in the country (daily) for the phrase “World of Goo.” Today I just saw that the “Yale Daily News” had done an article on it. Not bad. I’m in Elgin/Fletcher OK an
d can read a newspaper in New Haven Connecticut as easy as I can open up my email.
How do I do this?
Now I’m not one of those guys who thinks that just because something has a cool looking “G” at the beginning of it, it’s a good product. But I do appreciate the convenience of not having to search for things I care about.
Google alerts will conduct a search of it’s database for all the recent entries of a particular term–whatever you’re interested in. Let’s say you’re starting a college semester and know you’re going to center your report on a particular figure. Let’s say you were following the work of Ben Stein. Like any other google search you could easily type in his name and come up with results. You’d get articles on this Ben Stein as well as articles on anything that had the words “Ben” and “Stein” on the same page. This would make the email a bit overwhelming.
So, instead tell google that you only want results for Ben Stein. To do this just put parathesis before and after his name. By typing “Ben Stein” I would get all the results on the man I was interested in researching. Ben’s certainly a dynamic character and worth listening to. I think he hasn’t hit the edge of his acting range yet…. But we’ll give that time.
So now you’ve got a search for “Ben Stein.” There’s other terms you can search for, you’d just have to decide what you’re interested in.
Let’s say you were an independent rock band in Hawaii. Let’s say you believed that people were writing about you on their blogs and across the internet. Setting up a google alert would be an easy way to track how many sites are discussing what you’re doing. So, I wonder how many sites a day are talking about “Upstanding Youth?”
Remember, sites that link to yours increase your rating with google. You can use this feature as a marketing tool.
I have been voraciously consuming the news recently. Unfortunately it’s in my best interests to limit my opinion to less than the internet. It’s a terrible time to be silent by the necessity of needing to take care of my children’s future. Further commentary could be incriminating, and if there is anyone that considers me a “good man” is disappointed by this, might I encourage you to put the effort necessity determines that I cannot.
There are some things that I can do, and I will do them. But you are likely not to see them on this blog.
I am in transition from being a producer/consumer to being a consumer only. Let me share with you a few items I consider worthy of consumption. I will offer no commentary.
Since I’ve been using Ubuntu to help out kids and have been using it to be productive on my own computer, I’ve opted to become an advocate of the OS. To that end I’ve registered http://whyubuntu.com with the hopes of launching an advertising campaign to counter Microsoft’s next OS release later this year.
Below is the first four videos I’ve created. I need as much commentary as possible to help get it right before I release it as part of the ad campaign.
Yeah, I know it’s a misleading title. If you’re coming here because some search engine thinks that this is about sex, you’ve been lead to the wrong place. This isn’t a post about sex, slutty women, or anything immoral. Nude photos abound online, and I wont even bother to linking to any of them. I’m happy to say, I don’t know where to find any! Sorry to disappoint you.
What this is about is the timing of a rather interesting set of circumstances. People have been making computer games for years. So I don’t get to announce that “Pong” has finally arrived. I will be writing about a game, but it’s not the first one to arrive. It is the first one we’ve been able to play as a family–that is, everyone from 3 and up.
When we started playing video games they didn’t have any ratings. Now they do I’ve found the rating descriptions rather comical. It peaked my interest when watching the ‘trailer’ to see the ESRB rating. It’s rated for “Everyone” with the description of “Comic Mischeif.” I’m surprised this didn’t make the news. After all there are people protesting games for too much skin, blood, violence and other indiscretion. The Organization of Parents Against Comic Mischief (OPACM) seems to be quite silent with regards to this game. It’s probably because they’re too busy playing it to blog about it, or the fact the group doesn’t exist. I’ll let you decide.
So the game is based upon creating surrealistically engineered shapes out of these “goo” balls. Sounds simple right? But what if you had to make a tower to a pipe in a room that was rotating? How about making a bridge? How about making a long bridge and using balloons to keep the middle up? How about building something with a hook?
One nice thing about this game is the people that have made it. They give away the game’s soundtrack for free. I asked them if I could load it up on my Reprise Computers, and they said “yes.” On top of all that about 80% of the computers where you find this game have pirated it. Why? Because despite the $20 price tag for the full version it’s been pirated because it doesn’t have any DRM software protection. They actually expect people to be honest.
The linux community has been paying attention to this game because it’s one of the first good games written for the operating system. Don’t do linux? Not a problem. This game is available for Mac, PC, & the Wii. The Wii has the lowest price out of any of the games ($15). If you’re unwilling to spend the $20 chill out. Just visit the site and download the demo. You’ll be hooked in the first chapter of the game.
History has repeated itself. We’ve heard it before. I didn’t want to believe it. Why, because FoxNews, CNN, NPR, and everyone else didn’t cover this story at any time between September 11th 2009 and Now.
Technology is a good thing because it increases the transparency of what’s going on in the world, even if meetings happen behind closed doors. The stimilus bill would be a lot different if this were 30 years ago and we didn’t have news agencies that could get a copy of it as it changes. Thanks to their efforts the bill is a bit trimmer than it started of being.
Well, I’ve got some bad news about history repeating itself. This is Representative Paul Kanjorski, a Democrat from PA. In this video he describes the closed door session where the Treasury Secretary and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve. We weren’t supposed to see this, but some organization is very well put together, and on the anniversary of September 11th started electronically withdrawing billions of dollars. The Rep will mention September 15th & Thursday on the video. September 15th was a Monday. If he’s right that it was a Thursday, than it would be the week prior, the 7th anniversary of the most horrific terrorist attacks on this soil in modern times.
Maybe this is why the president of Iran predicted that this economic crisis was the end of the American Empire. I hope we prove him wrong in the same way we proved Japan wrong. Yamamoto said after the attack on Pearl Harbor: “I can run wild for six months … after that, I have no expectation of success.” It will take us a while to get our footing again, maybe a generation, but the sooner we recognize what caused this problem, (the housing market, in conjunction with this withdrawl) we’ll be better able to prepare for it in the future.
Thanks to Pamela, who’s dedication to researching this has proved once again insightful. The solution to this problem is going to be returning back to the values that have made this country great. Including being charitable. I’m going to start stepping up the effort for people to join the 9/11 National Fast group. I think it’s the best way to “stick it to the bad guys” we’re going to prove that American’s stick together.
NPR interviewed a terrorist this morning who’s organization was responsible for the rocket/mortar attacks aimed at my FOB during my last deployment. They disguised the terrorist’s voice to protect him.
Yeah, that’s right. They took great steps to protect the terrorist.
Last time I checked the reporter had the freedom to report because American & British blood was spilt in that desert.
I’d really like to know if our “aiding a terrorist” laws apply in this circumstance. This reporter should be brought to court.
I’m very glad NPR doesn’t use Red, White, and Blue in their logo. They don’t seem to have a trace of understanding what America is about.
Morning Edition,February 10, 2009 · Violence may be down dramatically in Iraq, but the insurgency is still alive.
Though their ranks are diminished, fighters in places such as Mosul, Baghdad and Diyala province continue to launch attacks. Last week in Diyala, for instance, a suicide bombing killed 14 people. Meanwhile, al-Qaida In Iraq is still a threat.
But there also are insurgent groups with different aims that remain active as well. Abu Abdul Aziz is a member of one of these groups, what he terms the “honorable resistance.” (His voice in the broadcast version of this story has been disguised at his request.)
Americans ‘Here To Harm Us’
“I have killed many Americans, not just one or two. When I kill them, I feel happy, like victory is coming,” says Aziz.
He says this matter of factly. He looks unremarkable. His eyes are dark brown, his clothing neat and ordinary — he wears a red and white checkered headdress and a long, tan dishdasha.
“If you look into my heart, you won’t find any sympathy for the Americans at all. That’s not because I have no human feelings, but because I feel that they are here to harm us, to steal from us, to kill our women and our children,” he says.
He says his last operation against American troops was last week — a Katyusha rocket attack against an American forward operating base in Anbar province, west of Baghdad.
“We’ve done many operations — mortar attacks, roadside bombings, sniper fire — and we’ve also fought them in street battles, face-to-face with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns,” Aziz says. “There is a saying here: ‘What is taken by force can only be restored by force.’ We know the Americans won’t really leave unless we use force.”
Senator Chris Dodd was unresponsive to my previous letter, and so I’ve chosen to write him again. Below is what I’ve sent. Maybe he’ll reply.
Dear sir:
With all due respect I’m a bit miffed. Maybe your staff has some sort of feature that filters me out because I currently reside in the state of Oklahoma. Sir, I would like to remind you that you are my senator. I live here because I’m stationed here. For the past 11 years I have served in the Army. I have written you before, and I’d prefer NOT to be ignored again.
I don’t have any money that isn’t going towards paying off something I’m already committed to. Whether it’s my three kids, my wife, my mortgage, or our car payment I have no money. Neither does our government. I cannot print money to help our my neighbours, it seems to be the solution of your peers in the Senate to do just that–Print money we don’t have.
You are my elected official. I chose YOU to represent me, and the needs of my family. You have to find another way. I realized I don’t have any commodity that allows me to help out my neighbours but time. I fix up old donated computers and give them away to families that can’t afford them. I save families $400-$500 at a time. I found a creative way to help out others without spending a dime. Cant you do the same? Can’t you just mobilize American’s to clean out their attics and help out their neighbours.
I know according to Al Gore, I’m not supposed to listen to my parents, but growing up I did. They taught me when times get tough I should rely upon my savings. When that fails I should rely upon my family. When that fails I should rely upon my neighbours. When that fails I should rely upon my church/government.
I’ve seen the same unemployment numbers you have, but if our government doesn’t teach self reliance then we will always be forced to contribute instead of doing it willingly.
You’ve been no doubt, listening to personal stories of those who are dealing with our current economic tragedy. Do any of them have kids? My kids don’t need as many toys as they have. I’ll gladly send some their way. Got an old computer at home? Send it my way and I’ll gladly get it up and running to give to someone else.
This bill is the easy way out to nowhere. DO NOT SUPPORT IT. Be the creative voice in the Senate! Propose a resolution asking the President to mobilize America to do something for their neighbour. What happened to the message of hope we heard on the campaign trail?
Teach self-reliance. If you’re going to pass this thing then put some ads on TV that teach American’s to get ready for times like this ahead. Wasn’t it JFK, a democrat, who said: “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
This bill takes away my freedom to help out my neighbours willingly. It forces me to support them in ways I, my children, and their children, cannot afford. It’s not that I’m unwilling. I’m more than willing. I’m doing everything I can think of. Instead of forcing Americans to help with government inefficiency, why not ask them to help? Have we tried that yet?
Sir, I expect a reply. I demand an acknowledgement. I don’t have the means to come visit you in person. We are both faithful servants of the constitution, and must exercise judgement according to our conscience. I pray that you will exercise your better judgement to acknowledge your receipt of this letter, and even if your decision is contrary to my request, may we both pledge our sacred honour to preserve this great nation.
This correspondence, as well as those previous, have been published on my blog. My readers are eagerly awaiting your reply.
In other news. I’ve found the writings of Jerilynn Fisher to be quite poignant. I would encourage folks to read and comment on her blog, Cognizance Today.
Oh yeah, and along the same lines, I’d like to share this video:
Ok so the people we’ve chosen to represent us have gone into their concrete and marble building to debate about how much money our grandchildren are going to have to pay. Yeah, I should probably have a blog category for “rants” this might end up on that list.
I’m still miffed. I’m sure I’m not the only one, but let’s see if we can put a new spin on this.
What’s going to pull America out of the thing it’s in? We still dont know as a nation where the bottom is yet. There seems to be no ground for people to stand on. America wants a rock–a sure footing. Why not go back to the rock our country has always relied upon–each other.
The wars our nation has won has been because of the resolve of its citizens. Why can’t we use that resolve now? Our President rallied the population to mobilize for his campaign. Why can’t he put that much effort into getting us to mobilize for one another?
I can’t believe that no one has thought of this yet. Why are we asking our large, sluggish, and inefficient government to help out our neighbours? Why can’t we just save us all… let’s say something close to a trillion freakin’ dollars, and get up off our butts and go help out the guy next door?
Oh yeah, that’s right. America is a nation of placated drones who believe their purpose in life is to be entertained instead of being industrious. If you’re one of the hard-working, politically cognizant, socially concious individuals then this last statement doesn’t apply.
So a trillion dollars seems like a lot of money right? Well, there are economists and politicans who argue that it’s not enough. That this is just the beginning. They’re probably right.
We can do more. I refuse to believe that our government can put a price-tag on our compassion. Our resolve doesn’t have a dollar sign. America’s capacity of compassion towards one another goes beyond a trillion dollars. The problem is mobilization. I agree in part with Seator Graham, our President’s abilities aren’t best spent motivating the congress, they’re best spent motivating the people.
Mr. President, I’m ready. I listened to your campaigning and looked for ways I could help out others. I’m doing that. Help me get my neighbors going. The American People react faster than our American Government. Stop telling us to support our representatives, and tell us how we can support one another. They key to this crisis isn’t economics, it’s each other.
Honeymoons always end. Just as Kim Posner Wilcox, who was married just a few weeks ago, and now finds herself in basic training. When a honeymoon is over it’s generally because it’s a time to move on. It’s a time in life that can never be recreated, and is always looked to with fondness.
In the aftermath of 9/11 there was a lot of uncertainty. Just how would our governement react? When would airlines be able to fly again? Was this Amtrack’s big chance to get viable?
Do you remember how you felt? I was in uniform our plans changed rather quickly. Our normal day-to-day life now meant we were providing for security, because there was a lack of it on our base in Germany. This meant long days in all kinds of weather. It also meant a “rules of engagement” that was not very helpful–but we’ll talk abou that later.
There was a lot of uncertainty in our government as well. You’ll recall that prior to addressing our nation President Bush met with members of several religions, including President Gordon B. Hinckley. Among those meeting with the president was a muslim man. While he was in Washington the FBI was knocking at his door. “Sermons” he had given recently called for violence against the United States, and the FBI was investigating all possible sources for the attacks in New York. You could imagine what the agents thought when his wife informed them that her husband was meeting with the president (see Islam Unveiled by Robert Spencer).
The Bush administration was in a bind. They could not wage a war against every Islamic nation in the world. So, they reduced their rhetoric, told Americans that “Islam is a religion of peace” and that they were only concerned about the “Axis of Evil.” Yeah, that would work except why were the terrorists wearing their religion on their sleaves saying that their actions were justified by their holy book? It didn’t make sense, and it didn’t matter what the terrorists felt their motives were. Once the administration had committed itself to the “Religion of Peace” they couldn’t turn on what they had said.
So now we were stuck being told that a peaceful religion had a book that condones it’s followers to beat their wives (sura 4:34), strike terror (sura 8:60), roast us in a fire (sura 4:56), and of course the call to smite at the necks of unbelievers (sura 47:4). Yeah, some religion of peace eh? The rhetoric of peace has kept the American public pacified and ignorant. It’s also set an important legal precedent in the world. Anyone who disagress that “Islam is a religion of peace” disagrees with the President of the United States right? That’s why for years a group called CAIR, the Council on American Islamic Relations has been working closely with our government to ensure we were just targeting muslims because of their faith. Because, after all, their faith is one of “peace.”
This group has had nearly unfettered access to the FBI, Congress, and the Oval Office. CNN seems to have a direct line to their organization. Well, the honeymoon is over for CAIR. It’s been known for years that they’ve had ties with Iran, Hamas, and other organizations. Finally the FBI closed the doors to members of CAIR. They don’t have their unlimited access any more! I wonder how many millions of us dollars they sent to terrorist organizations before someone at the FBI finally made the decision. Yeah, our government is slow. I would have stopped at the first dollar.
Now, on top of that members of congress are catching on. There’s at least five of them that ought to be re-elected just for calling B.S. to the whole organization.
This good news has some rather ominous overtones. What does it mean for the administration if, while they’re trying to court the islamic population of the world, it is at odds now with the FBI and the legislative branch of our government? It may be the most powerful office in the world, but when it represents a less cohesive government it is less effective.
I’m happy to say that I have no ill feelings towards my fellow human beings who are muslim. I’m happy to learn to forgive even in the face of such atrocities as the 9/11 attacks. At the risk of my job, my freedom, and everything I hold dear, I am proud to say that I am an American, and I am an enemy to Islam. It seems like such a bold move, but it’s not so hard to say when you realize that their doctrine supports lying to and killing Christians. I don’t know how you can be a citizen of this country and follow that faith. Under islamic law women’s testimonies in court, and while voting, are only worth 1/2 of a man’s.
I be you didn’t wake up this morning and think “wow, I’m going to become an enemy to islam.” Well, if 9/11 didnt teach you that you were an enemy to Islam, maybe this blog post will. Oh and guess, what? CAIR isn’t going to come after me for saying so anymore!
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Senator Chris Dodd was unresponsive to my previous letter, and so I’ve chosen to write him again. Below is what I’ve sent. Maybe he’ll reply.
