Hey all. Long time no speak.
I don't know if I mentioned this before, but my friend Al did a large portion of the banner ads for the Barack Obama campaign, online. He got amazing click-throughs for the ads he created. You can look at them, and the stats, here:
BarackObamaDesign.com
I hope all of you are well, and happy with the outcome of this last election. Wow, it has been a while since I've been here!
Happy New Year!
John
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
sigh
Some people laugh at this woman. I think that's the wrong response.
I am very concerned when people are this blind to faith and it's 'ability' to fix all. Wouldn't God just fix things for her, being a Christian and all, anyway? Won't the power of prayer help her family, regardless of who's in office?
The bottom line is she's just a racist. Forget about her faith, forget about her devotion. You know, initially you'd think that her, and others like her, were harmless. But you'd be wrong. That they don't understand the separation of church and state is a fundamental right, and becoming more and more a problem.
Scenarios should be explained to these people. Imagine if senators and representatives were more faith based than anything else. It's too far reaching to really get into, but then just imagine all of the different sects of religion. Who would be right? Who would be prosecuted because of their beliefs? I'm not sure it would be possible for there to be more than one faith under this kind of rule. And we've all heard about how religion has made for some of the deadliest times in human history.
Is God really going to help America, only? And is he going to punish us if Obama gets elected?
This reminds me of those lunatics that said that the California lightning strikes that caused all of the fires were due to the fact of California lifting the ban on gay marriage. You can tie all of these types of people in with those who murder doctors who perform abortions. Bombers who strike clinics. Racists who tie black men with chains up to trucks and drag them for miles. All things that have happened in the last decade.
Just imagine what's going to happen to this country when the first crisis unfolds under an Obama presidency, and who these people are going to blame.
The ramifications of an Obama presidency, in the eyes of these types of individuals, brings to my mind some very nasty scenarios. I think that flipping from faith based to radical won't be too difficult, for some people, come November 5th, and I worry about this a great deal. All it takes is one idiot, who will set in motion events that will get many people killed.
I hope it doesn't come to that. I was going to say 'pray', but I don't think that's going to help.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
Michele Bachmann is one of those people who most Americans fear is in a position of power. She's completely out of touch with most Americans who don't use religion as a crutch, and is perfectly at home in her state of Minnesota.
Here, she goes on to say that Obama is anti-American. This is how far we've come. Forget the racism that's obviously rampant in this country, forget all the smear campaigns. Now we have a Congresswoman going so far as to accuse one of her peers of being anti-American.
Make sure you watch both videos.
I've mentioned Bachmann before on this site. I think, for me, the creepiest part about her is she doesn't blink. And when she does blink, I think that's her brain pressing the rewind button so she can repeat what's been programmed into her.
Here, she goes on to say that Obama is anti-American. This is how far we've come. Forget the racism that's obviously rampant in this country, forget all the smear campaigns. Now we have a Congresswoman going so far as to accuse one of her peers of being anti-American.
Make sure you watch both videos.
I've mentioned Bachmann before on this site. I think, for me, the creepiest part about her is she doesn't blink. And when she does blink, I think that's her brain pressing the rewind button so she can repeat what's been programmed into her.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
back
Hi all.
Back from a little hiatus. So much to talk about. I won't get into the debates, or into the SNL Palin/Fey thingies. You've probably heard about it all and talked about it all ad nauseum.
So, let's see what I have for you today.
Oh, hey, let's talk about Joe the Plumber. Is this guy a douche, or what? It is impossible to get away from the internet, when you get thrust into the spotlight as this guy has. First, he was complaining about purchasing a busin... wait, watch the clip.
So, from this clip you'd have to believe that he's either close to making $250,000 a year... or he is.
Well, he's not. And now, word is, he's not even a licensed plumber.
If you saw last night's debate, you'll remember the two dozen or so 'Joe the Plumber' references. Well, the news is, now, that this guy's just a moron, and anything of substance that he tried to say has gone down the toilet.
DOWN THE TOILET!
Ahhh... that was funny.
It's very difficult to look at this situation, and this man, in a different light than the one I'm living under at the moment. At the most, in my life, I've made, in one year's salary, about one quarter of $250,000. That's the most I've ever made, in one year. And I have a marketable skill which should, in a better economy, be making me at least $90k. I've been looking for work now, steady, full time graphic design work, for over 1 year. I have sent out over 300 resumes in that time. Way over, in fact. I have three different head hunters working for me. And the fact is that there just isn't enough around.
The other fact is, there are more graphic designers and web designers in NYC than there are lawyers. I recently got an email from a company that has taken almost one month to go through the resumes they received for a part-time designer position. And I'm one of 12 people who fit the bill. We'll see how that goes.
But my problem with Joe is that, when the video first came out, he was concerned with paying an additional 3% in taxes on what would amount to $20,000 dollars. I say $20k because he initially said his business would be making about $270k or so.
So, from 36% to 39%, he's concerned about paying about $600 additional on that $20,000.
Well. First off, the majority of the people in this country don't even take home $600 a week! Secondly, he wouldn't get taxed any different for the $250k. Third... he's living in OHIO! He's not living in NYC, or LA, or some other city where the cost of living is so high that it would affect him thus... and I have news for you, I'm in NYC, and that $600 would not affect me one single bit. If I was making $250k a year, I would consider myself rich. Not to mention my girlfriend could lose her job and we'd still be ok, AND I could help my mom and sister out with the family business.
See, all of this is pre-information on Joe. Now we find out he's not making even remotely that much money, he was just bragging and talking out of his ass. Then we find out he's not even a licensed plumber. And then we find that the plumbers union is pissed at him... I mean, jesus christ. Can anyone make this stuff up? It's a joke!
Forget this guy. He's a blip, and it backfired severely, except for middle America, where they obviously don't know or care about the internet. Like these people that Al-Jazeera interviewed:
Or these people in Ohio:
Jesus, Ohio. What the hell happened to you?
Sometimes it's great to be an American. And sometimes it's embarrassing.
For those of you who are still paying ridiculous prices for gas, well guess what? Oil is down to $70 a barrel.. PLEASE, contact your local government officials and tell them that enough is enough.
Links are on the left. No excuse not to use them.
Back from a little hiatus. So much to talk about. I won't get into the debates, or into the SNL Palin/Fey thingies. You've probably heard about it all and talked about it all ad nauseum.
So, let's see what I have for you today.
Oh, hey, let's talk about Joe the Plumber. Is this guy a douche, or what? It is impossible to get away from the internet, when you get thrust into the spotlight as this guy has. First, he was complaining about purchasing a busin... wait, watch the clip.
So, from this clip you'd have to believe that he's either close to making $250,000 a year... or he is.
Well, he's not. And now, word is, he's not even a licensed plumber.
If you saw last night's debate, you'll remember the two dozen or so 'Joe the Plumber' references. Well, the news is, now, that this guy's just a moron, and anything of substance that he tried to say has gone down the toilet.
DOWN THE TOILET!
Ahhh... that was funny.
It's very difficult to look at this situation, and this man, in a different light than the one I'm living under at the moment. At the most, in my life, I've made, in one year's salary, about one quarter of $250,000. That's the most I've ever made, in one year. And I have a marketable skill which should, in a better economy, be making me at least $90k. I've been looking for work now, steady, full time graphic design work, for over 1 year. I have sent out over 300 resumes in that time. Way over, in fact. I have three different head hunters working for me. And the fact is that there just isn't enough around.
The other fact is, there are more graphic designers and web designers in NYC than there are lawyers. I recently got an email from a company that has taken almost one month to go through the resumes they received for a part-time designer position. And I'm one of 12 people who fit the bill. We'll see how that goes.
But my problem with Joe is that, when the video first came out, he was concerned with paying an additional 3% in taxes on what would amount to $20,000 dollars. I say $20k because he initially said his business would be making about $270k or so.
So, from 36% to 39%, he's concerned about paying about $600 additional on that $20,000.
Well. First off, the majority of the people in this country don't even take home $600 a week! Secondly, he wouldn't get taxed any different for the $250k. Third... he's living in OHIO! He's not living in NYC, or LA, or some other city where the cost of living is so high that it would affect him thus... and I have news for you, I'm in NYC, and that $600 would not affect me one single bit. If I was making $250k a year, I would consider myself rich. Not to mention my girlfriend could lose her job and we'd still be ok, AND I could help my mom and sister out with the family business.
See, all of this is pre-information on Joe. Now we find out he's not making even remotely that much money, he was just bragging and talking out of his ass. Then we find out he's not even a licensed plumber. And then we find that the plumbers union is pissed at him... I mean, jesus christ. Can anyone make this stuff up? It's a joke!
Forget this guy. He's a blip, and it backfired severely, except for middle America, where they obviously don't know or care about the internet. Like these people that Al-Jazeera interviewed:
Or these people in Ohio:
Jesus, Ohio. What the hell happened to you?
Sometimes it's great to be an American. And sometimes it's embarrassing.
For those of you who are still paying ridiculous prices for gas, well guess what? Oil is down to $70 a barrel.. PLEASE, contact your local government officials and tell them that enough is enough.
Links are on the left. No excuse not to use them.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Jack Cafferty tells it straight
Here's the Palin interview with Couric. I'm not sure if this is the first part of two, or both parts... but it's eye opening.
more videos and articles
Republican Thaddeus McCotter talks about the bailout.
An article on Palin about how she accepted $25,000 in gifts as Alaskan Governor.
A continuing article on Palin, about her returning donations from 'tainted' politicians.
Here's an article on McCain's aide, Rick Davis. McCain had mentioned that Davis had no connection with Freddie Mac for the past several years, even though he'd been receiving $15,000 a month since the end of 2005. It's a NY Times online article, you might have to sign up (takes less than a minute).
Oh, here's a fun article from Forbes, about how a treasury rep said that the $700 billion number actually has no basis in data, they just wanted to choose a really large number.
Anyone else think that these companies should just roll over and die, just like any other company? This seems to be just another situation where the Bush Administration has decided to use fear to get what they want, more money for their friends. I'm sure that the ramifications of these companies going under will shake the economy some, but this looks like a blank check scenario, and the losers are going to be the taxpayers, again. I guess something that costs more than the war in Iraq is worth fighting, whatever side of the aisle you're on.
People going to die? Yeah, whatever.
$700 billion? We have to talk about this!
Not to mention the fact that over the last 8 years there have been countless programs that the government has calculatedly decided were not worth it (like insuring poor children), because we just didn't have the money.
Not to mention, now, that McCain has cancelled the debate scheduled for this evening*, because he thinks we should be concentrating on the economy (he also cancelled his appearance on Letterman, check out the video below)... seems to me that the longer this goes on, the more Republicans are to blame, the more it's hurting McCain. Dave makes a good point about how Palin should be pushing the campaign through, instead of hiding from reporters, as she has been.
Have to wait and see what unfolds.
* Edit - McCain has decided to debate Obama tonight.
An article on Palin about how she accepted $25,000 in gifts as Alaskan Governor.
A continuing article on Palin, about her returning donations from 'tainted' politicians.
Here's an article on McCain's aide, Rick Davis. McCain had mentioned that Davis had no connection with Freddie Mac for the past several years, even though he'd been receiving $15,000 a month since the end of 2005. It's a NY Times online article, you might have to sign up (takes less than a minute).
Oh, here's a fun article from Forbes, about how a treasury rep said that the $700 billion number actually has no basis in data, they just wanted to choose a really large number.
Anyone else think that these companies should just roll over and die, just like any other company? This seems to be just another situation where the Bush Administration has decided to use fear to get what they want, more money for their friends. I'm sure that the ramifications of these companies going under will shake the economy some, but this looks like a blank check scenario, and the losers are going to be the taxpayers, again. I guess something that costs more than the war in Iraq is worth fighting, whatever side of the aisle you're on.
People going to die? Yeah, whatever.
$700 billion? We have to talk about this!
Not to mention the fact that over the last 8 years there have been countless programs that the government has calculatedly decided were not worth it (like insuring poor children), because we just didn't have the money.
Not to mention, now, that McCain has cancelled the debate scheduled for this evening*, because he thinks we should be concentrating on the economy (he also cancelled his appearance on Letterman, check out the video below)... seems to me that the longer this goes on, the more Republicans are to blame, the more it's hurting McCain. Dave makes a good point about how Palin should be pushing the campaign through, instead of hiding from reporters, as she has been.
Have to wait and see what unfolds.
* Edit - McCain has decided to debate Obama tonight.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
some articles and videos
Last leg of my trip, I'm in San Francisco. Figured I would put some stuff down, get it off my screen here (it's how I save articles... instead of bookmarking each one, I leave a hundred windows open, and it sure does get crowded!)
First article is on one of the largest political gathering/protests in Alaska. Against Sarah Palin.
If you haven't been on Reddit, you're missing out on some amazing news articles. Here's a great page that I saw, where the poster found that some fact checking on Palin had been removed from the ABC news website, without any explanation, and so the google cached page (along with the text) can be found here.
Here's a letter from Anne Kilkenny, about Sarah Palin, and her experience as a citizen of Wasilla, AK.
Here's a great article on how Republicans are trying to prevent people who've lost their homes in Michigan from voting.
Here are some great videos on different perspectives on... lots of things.
McCain gets interviewed in Maine and can't really answer any direct questions...
Oh, and to round out this entry, here's a list of the 20 most corrupt members of congress.
First article is on one of the largest political gathering/protests in Alaska. Against Sarah Palin.
If you haven't been on Reddit, you're missing out on some amazing news articles. Here's a great page that I saw, where the poster found that some fact checking on Palin had been removed from the ABC news website, without any explanation, and so the google cached page (along with the text) can be found here.
Here's a letter from Anne Kilkenny, about Sarah Palin, and her experience as a citizen of Wasilla, AK.
Here's a great article on how Republicans are trying to prevent people who've lost their homes in Michigan from voting.
Here are some great videos on different perspectives on... lots of things.
McCain gets interviewed in Maine and can't really answer any direct questions...
Oh, and to round out this entry, here's a list of the 20 most corrupt members of congress.
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