"Grounds for divorce in New York
Conversion of a written and acknowledged separation agreement after living separate and apart for more than one year (DRL §170.6)"
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Going Galt
Wonkette : ‘Going Galt’ Is New Code Word For ‘Laid Off’:
"Have you heard about the hot new craze sweeping the ranks of marginally employed basement-dwelling Pajamas Media devotees? It’s called “Going Galt,” and it refers to when the owner of a small haberdashery in East Tennessee has to lay off employees because nobody wants hats anymore, but the owner says they are voluntarily withdrawing their productive labor from society because Barack Obama is a “looter” and a socialist."
Let's be honest, how many of you are prepared to speak for three hours on the danger of a nanny state? Let me count the hands.
None?
Come on Alex, not even you?
Fine, I guess I will go grab a beer with Glenn Beck, at least he understands me.
"Have you heard about the hot new craze sweeping the ranks of marginally employed basement-dwelling Pajamas Media devotees? It’s called “Going Galt,” and it refers to when the owner of a small haberdashery in East Tennessee has to lay off employees because nobody wants hats anymore, but the owner says they are voluntarily withdrawing their productive labor from society because Barack Obama is a “looter” and a socialist."
Let's be honest, how many of you are prepared to speak for three hours on the danger of a nanny state? Let me count the hands.
None?
Come on Alex, not even you?
Fine, I guess I will go grab a beer with Glenn Beck, at least he understands me.
SyFy for Sci Fi
Steal These Name Pitches: 25 Other Names The Sci Fi Channel Could Rebrand With:
"25. Joss Whedon's Natural Home If He'd Only Realize It"
SyFy has sent FAU on a rant.
SyFy had caused part of Sandor's soul to die.
SyFy has caused Barista Babe's brain to break.
I hate "SyFy"
"25. Joss Whedon's Natural Home If He'd Only Realize It"
SyFy has sent FAU on a rant.
SyFy had caused part of Sandor's soul to die.
SyFy has caused Barista Babe's brain to break.
I hate "SyFy"
What is the big deal?
Surprise: State Senate Staffers' Salaries Sweetened - Gothamist: New York City News, Food, Arts & Events:
"Senate Democrats won the majority for the first time in over years and are paying accordingly: Nassau Sen. Craig Johnson's chief of staff's 'salary climbed 63 percent, from $47,500 in 2008 to $77,500 this year' while Bronx Sen. Jeff Klein's chief of staff 'saw his wages grow by 36 percent, from $55,000 in 2008 to $75,000 this year"
These people work really hard at difficult jobs with a lot of minutiae and they deserve to be compensated accordingly.
"Senate Democrats won the majority for the first time in over years and are paying accordingly: Nassau Sen. Craig Johnson's chief of staff's 'salary climbed 63 percent, from $47,500 in 2008 to $77,500 this year' while Bronx Sen. Jeff Klein's chief of staff 'saw his wages grow by 36 percent, from $55,000 in 2008 to $75,000 this year"
These people work really hard at difficult jobs with a lot of minutiae and they deserve to be compensated accordingly.
The Battle for the Soul of Upstate
AIG Controversy Enters N.Y. Campaign - washingtonpost.com:
"Tuesday, the Republican candidate, Jim Tedisco, who is the minority leader in the state assembly, issued a press release saying his Democratic opponent, businessman Scott Murphy, 'endorses AIG bonuses.' Tedisco's logic: the AIG bonuses were specifically protected in language in the recently passed federal stimulus package.
Murphy has said he would have voted for the stimulus bill, which would benefit projects in upstate New York, and he has been hammering Tedisco for weeks for refusing to take a position. Monday, Tedisco did take a stand, saying he would have opposed it, like all the other House Republicans.
'Scott Murphy didn't read the stimulus bill,' Tedisco said Monday in an e-mailed statement. 'Nobody in Congress did. Yet Scott Murphy supported the legislation, including provisions allowing AIG to hand out $165 million in bonuses to executives.'"
Can't this special election be over, like, yesterday?
One seat isn't going to make a difference, and...well...gerrymandered away as soon as the census happens.
"Tuesday, the Republican candidate, Jim Tedisco, who is the minority leader in the state assembly, issued a press release saying his Democratic opponent, businessman Scott Murphy, 'endorses AIG bonuses.' Tedisco's logic: the AIG bonuses were specifically protected in language in the recently passed federal stimulus package.
Murphy has said he would have voted for the stimulus bill, which would benefit projects in upstate New York, and he has been hammering Tedisco for weeks for refusing to take a position. Monday, Tedisco did take a stand, saying he would have opposed it, like all the other House Republicans.
'Scott Murphy didn't read the stimulus bill,' Tedisco said Monday in an e-mailed statement. 'Nobody in Congress did. Yet Scott Murphy supported the legislation, including provisions allowing AIG to hand out $165 million in bonuses to executives.'"
Can't this special election be over, like, yesterday?
One seat isn't going to make a difference, and...well...gerrymandered away as soon as the census happens.
Criminy
Kid walks to soccer, neighbors call the cops - Boing Boing:
"the story of Lori from a small town in Mississippi, who sent her 10-year-old on foot to soccer practice, only to have him picked up by the cops, who reported 'hundreds' of 911 calls by curtain-twitchers who were horrified at the thought of a 10-year-old walking a third of a mile to a local school. The cops told her she could be charged with child endangerment!"
Personally, I am cool with letting kids be kids, so long as people don't try to turn them into pet food.
"the story of Lori from a small town in Mississippi, who sent her 10-year-old on foot to soccer practice, only to have him picked up by the cops, who reported 'hundreds' of 911 calls by curtain-twitchers who were horrified at the thought of a 10-year-old walking a third of a mile to a local school. The cops told her she could be charged with child endangerment!"
Personally, I am cool with letting kids be kids, so long as people don't try to turn them into pet food.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Fan Boy Me
FiveThirtyEight: Politics Done Right: Murphy Closes Gap in NY-20, Tedisco Opposes Stimulus:
"Democrats have a nice little freeroll going in New York’s 20th Congressional district special election scheduled for two weeks from today, March 31. Although it is currently a D-held seat, having been picked up in 2006 by Kirsten Gillibrand as part of the first wave year gains, Republicans hold enough of a registration edge in the upstate New York region (roughly 196,000 to 125,000) that the seat is favored to flip back to Republicans."
I think he may be wrong, and I believe that the GOTV movement favors Tedisco...
"Democrats have a nice little freeroll going in New York’s 20th Congressional district special election scheduled for two weeks from today, March 31. Although it is currently a D-held seat, having been picked up in 2006 by Kirsten Gillibrand as part of the first wave year gains, Republicans hold enough of a registration edge in the upstate New York region (roughly 196,000 to 125,000) that the seat is favored to flip back to Republicans."
I think he may be wrong, and I believe that the GOTV movement favors Tedisco...
And it is on!
Facebook VS Twitter at Pretty Much Amazing!:
"I’ve been asked by friends, relatives, co-workers, and even professors, “what is Twitter?” My reply usually begins with “You know how on Facebook when you enter your status…” and usually receive an eye roll or look of confusion from the person I’m speaking with"
This is wonderful.
"I’ve been asked by friends, relatives, co-workers, and even professors, “what is Twitter?” My reply usually begins with “You know how on Facebook when you enter your status…” and usually receive an eye roll or look of confusion from the person I’m speaking with"
This is wonderful.
Fight the Real Enemy
One man, one woman and Sen. Diaz - New York Politics Capitol Confidential - Albany Times Union - timesunion.com:
"New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms named Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. its statesman of the year today during Legislative Day 2009 “To Every Generation”."
A) Kick him out of the caucus.
B) Work to find a candidate that better represents New Yorkers.
C) Don't allow bigotry to be accepted.
"New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms named Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. its statesman of the year today during Legislative Day 2009 “To Every Generation”."
A) Kick him out of the caucus.
B) Work to find a candidate that better represents New Yorkers.
C) Don't allow bigotry to be accepted.
Music for Old People (Redux)
I am listening to "Pet Sounds" right now and it is a brilliant American album.
If you have never heard it, or haven't listened to it in a long time (and really, how relevant are the Beach Boys?), give it a try.
It makes me happy.
(and forgive me, gentle reader, if I have blogged about my love of this album before. at my age, senility sets in.)
If you have never heard it, or haven't listened to it in a long time (and really, how relevant are the Beach Boys?), give it a try.
It makes me happy.
(and forgive me, gentle reader, if I have blogged about my love of this album before. at my age, senility sets in.)
Sad
Wonkette : Important Special Election For Republicans Being Ruined By Republicans:
"Tedisco is now trying to get in control of his own campaign, while the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and wingnut PACs such as the National Republican Trust all run their own variations of Tedisco’s campaign, to make sure he loses."
I have said it before and I will say it again, I like Jim Tedisco. He is a good man, and a Union Alum, and he would be a credit to the New York Delegation, even as a Republican.
The scary part is, the RNC and NRCC do not really understand this district (which is going to be gerrymandered away in a year anyway) and yet, they are trying to run this campaign...sort of like running a war in Asia from Washington, which the GOP would never...oh...wait...they did?
Nevermind.
"Tedisco is now trying to get in control of his own campaign, while the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and wingnut PACs such as the National Republican Trust all run their own variations of Tedisco’s campaign, to make sure he loses."
I have said it before and I will say it again, I like Jim Tedisco. He is a good man, and a Union Alum, and he would be a credit to the New York Delegation, even as a Republican.
The scary part is, the RNC and NRCC do not really understand this district (which is going to be gerrymandered away in a year anyway) and yet, they are trying to run this campaign...sort of like running a war in Asia from Washington, which the GOP would never...oh...wait...they did?
Nevermind.
Theater
Obama Sends Daniel Rooney to Dublin - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com: +
"“Dan Rooney is an unwavering supporter of Irish peace, culture and education,” Mr. Obama said in a statement.
And to mark St. Patrick’s Day with an additional splash, White House officials somehow—food coloring?—turned the fountain on the White House lawn green."
It isn't that I am against political theater. It is just that I dislike really bad political theater.
"“Dan Rooney is an unwavering supporter of Irish peace, culture and education,” Mr. Obama said in a statement.
And to mark St. Patrick’s Day with an additional splash, White House officials somehow—food coloring?—turned the fountain on the White House lawn green."
It isn't that I am against political theater. It is just that I dislike really bad political theater.
Failing the Smell Test
Steelers owner Dan Rooney nominated as ambassador to Ireland - ESPN:
"President Barack Obama has tapped Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney to be U.S. ambassador to Ireland.
The 76-year-old Rooney is a lifelong Republican who endorsed Obama during Pennsylvania's contentious Democratic primary. He later campaigned for him in Steelers country in western Pennsylvania."
"President Barack Obama has tapped Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney to be U.S. ambassador to Ireland.
The 76-year-old Rooney is a lifelong Republican who endorsed Obama during Pennsylvania's contentious Democratic primary. He later campaigned for him in Steelers country in western Pennsylvania."
Mad About March
A foul stench that lingers -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY:
"Here is how many college basketball games play out:
Foul, foul, timeout, commercial, foul, timeout, commercial, foul, foul, timeout, commercial, timeout, commercial, foul.
If it's an ACC or Big East game, rinse and repeat.
They'll run out of boosters before they'll run out of timeouts.
At a Leisure World somewhere, Lou Carnesecca has two timeouts left and is still trying to win a 1984 game against Georgetown."
"Here is how many college basketball games play out:
Foul, foul, timeout, commercial, foul, timeout, commercial, foul, foul, timeout, commercial, timeout, commercial, foul.
If it's an ACC or Big East game, rinse and repeat.
They'll run out of boosters before they'll run out of timeouts.
At a Leisure World somewhere, Lou Carnesecca has two timeouts left and is still trying to win a 1984 game against Georgetown."
Monday, March 16, 2009
Is Rand Relevant? - WSJ.com
Is Rand Relevant? - WSJ.com:
"There's a reason. In 'Atlas,' Rand tells the story of the U.S. economy crumbling under the weight of crushing government interventions and regulations. Meanwhile, blaming greed and the free market, Washington responds with more controls that only deepen the crisis. Sound familiar?"
I would never be a striker, but I don't think I am a looter. Does that make me Eddie Willers?
"There's a reason. In 'Atlas,' Rand tells the story of the U.S. economy crumbling under the weight of crushing government interventions and regulations. Meanwhile, blaming greed and the free market, Washington responds with more controls that only deepen the crisis. Sound familiar?"
I would never be a striker, but I don't think I am a looter. Does that make me Eddie Willers?
Do Not Want
Marc Ecko Prez Watch: When Bling Goes Bad:
"If only there was a Luxist for bona fide street pimps - items like this would be the main attraction. I think that Marc Ecko has officially priced their Prez watch right out of their core market with a price starting at over $4,000 for this limited edition watch in either gold or silver. Inside is most likely a quartz movement, and the surfaces are studded with Swarovski crystals, but no diamonds. Really not a single diamond for $4000 bucks? Overall, each watch has 1,454 set stones making for what is bound to be a shiny, shiny looking watch."
"If only there was a Luxist for bona fide street pimps - items like this would be the main attraction. I think that Marc Ecko has officially priced their Prez watch right out of their core market with a price starting at over $4,000 for this limited edition watch in either gold or silver. Inside is most likely a quartz movement, and the surfaces are studded with Swarovski crystals, but no diamonds. Really not a single diamond for $4000 bucks? Overall, each watch has 1,454 set stones making for what is bound to be a shiny, shiny looking watch."
I don't know what to say about this...
Woman Shot In Stomach By "Freak" Arrow In The Bronx - Gothamist: New York City News, Food, Arts & Events:
"A 51-year-old who was dropping off two friends at a Bronx nursing home when she was shot in the stomach by an arrow. On a quiet Riverdale street, Denise Delgado-Brown collapsed and told her friends, 'They shot me with an arrow!'"
"A 51-year-old who was dropping off two friends at a Bronx nursing home when she was shot in the stomach by an arrow. On a quiet Riverdale street, Denise Delgado-Brown collapsed and told her friends, 'They shot me with an arrow!'"
Oh! Albany!
Via AoA
More violence in Albany's Pine Hills neighborhood: police say a woman was shot in the arm outside the Playdium bowling alley early Saturday morning (map). Police say the woman told them her sons know the shooters. There was also a reported mugging at the corner of South Main and Myrtle this weekend (map).[Troy Record] [CapNews9] [TU]
More violence in Albany's Pine Hills neighborhood: police say a woman was shot in the arm outside the Playdium bowling alley early Saturday morning (map). Police say the woman told them her sons know the shooters. There was also a reported mugging at the corner of South Main and Myrtle this weekend (map).[Troy Record] [CapNews9] [TU]
HAH!
INDIE ROCK: Writing About Good Music Is Hard:
"Dear magazine writers: Just because you love a super-cool independent musician usually isn't a very good reason to commission a profile of that super-cool independent musician to appear in your mass-market consumer magazine."
"Dear magazine writers: Just because you love a super-cool independent musician usually isn't a very good reason to commission a profile of that super-cool independent musician to appear in your mass-market consumer magazine."
Mr. Kent Goes to Washington
Political Science (fiction): Superman And Batman Take On The White House In New Cartoon:
"Yes, it's Superman and Batman Versus America - but even that doesn't adequately describe the level of hyperbolic action that the original comic offered; if the animated adaptation can live up to even half of the purposefully stupid thrills and spills of the comic, this just may be the greatest superhero cartoon ever."
"Yes, it's Superman and Batman Versus America - but even that doesn't adequately describe the level of hyperbolic action that the original comic offered; if the animated adaptation can live up to even half of the purposefully stupid thrills and spills of the comic, this just may be the greatest superhero cartoon ever."
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Wow
My son just asked me about September 11th.
How do you explain geopolitical issues in a way that a six year old
can understand when most Americans still believe that it happened
because Osama bin Laden "hated our freedom" and not because of our
support of Israel or because of station troops near Mecca?
How hard could it be?
Books on my nighstand
Atlas Shrugged
Assassination Vacation
Starship Troopers
Benjamin's Reflections
The Kingdom (graphic novel)
Assassination Vacation
Starship Troopers
Benjamin's Reflections
The Kingdom (graphic novel)
Good Things Bad Things
Good Things:
Spending time with friends with a minimum amount of drama.
Experiencing Media on the big screen.
NPR and Wonderful coffee on a Sunday morning.
Open machines at the gym.
Bombers and Ben and Jerry's with my favorite person in the world.
Having received e-mail confirmation for plane tickets for April.
Having a really odd collection of books on my nightstand.
Bad Things:
The endgame of BSG turning into "The Searchers" in space.
"Watchmen" being not awful however vindicating Alan Moore's claim that it is unfilmable.
Having to go back to work tomorrow
Oh Technology
I love that at the gym, I can catch up on Keith and Rachel, peruse
blogs, e-mail friends, loved ones and frenemies all while building up
a good sweat.
blogs, e-mail friends, loved ones and frenemies all while building up
a good sweat.
If I could bring my library with me, I would never leave.
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