Milestone Reached: $100 Gas Tank Fill Ups

Photo from source, New York Times

Yikes! We use lots of measures for the impact of rising gas prices, the primary ones being the price of a barrel of oil, or a gallon of gasoline. But the shock really hits you when you do a fill-up of a nearly empty tank. My little Jeep Wrangler gets abysmal gas mileage, but it only has a 16-gallon tank. Not that $60 doesn't give me palpitations, but I don't drive around very much, so it's semi-rare.

But what would possess someone to buy a huge Suburban or similar vehicle now, and then be shocked by the price of a full tank? And what is GM going to do with all those big trucks?

[Excerpt]

At $100 for Tank of Gas, Some Choke on ‘Fill It’

Bryan Carisone, a heating and air-conditioning contractor in Raritan, N.J., “absolutely loves” his new GMC Denali XL, an extra-large sport utility vehicle with televisions built into the leather seats. But in June, one week after he bought it, he pulled into a station on a near-empty tank and watched the total climb higher and higher — to $109.

“It just about killed me,” Mr. Carisone said. . .

Boo hoo.

Read more at: New York Times

Obituary: Senator Jesse Helms

Photo from source, Guardian UK

I wrote an announcement earlier of the death of Senator Jesse Helms. At the time, I was unable to think of anything good to say about him, and so declined to comment. It would seem that I was not the only one having a difficult time. This obituary, from the Guardian UK (by way of AmericaBlog) sums it up best (emphasis mine):

[Excerpt]

Obituary: Jesse Helms

Senator Jesse Helms, member of the US Senate's foreign relations committee for two decades and its chairman from 1995 to 2001, has died at the age of 86. To echo this newspaper's memorable comment on the death of William Randolph Hearst, it is hard even now to think of him with charity. . .

Read more at: Guardian UK

Latest Meme: Barack Obama Moving to the Center

Image from FreeWebs

I often get irritated by trends and themes in the news that don't seem to bother other people. When watching cable news programs (kids, if you've never done it, don't start), I have a "Spidey-sense" for those trends and themes. I can see the framing that they're wrapping around a story or issue, and can't help but wonder how all these different shows seem to agree on the angle.

For instance, the "scandlets" that have hit the Barack Obama campaign. Most often, the impact of these incidents has been far greater than the offense, and the story seems to be driven by cable news and talk radio. Would the Reverand Wright issue have even been on the radar without (rightwing blowhole) Sean Hannity ranting about it for months? But there have been so many others, from the "clinging to guns" speech to Michelle Obama's "pride" speech. All silly destractions that we wouldn't even remember without the glow of the cable news/talk radio spotlight. A spotlight that has yet to shine very brightly on John McCain (mabye the glare would be just too much).

A couple of weeks ago, the meme was (courtesy of Rush Limbaugh), you can't criticize Obama for anything. Alternating weeks seem to focus on Obama's patriotism (or alleged lack of same). This week, it's Barack Obama is moving to the center. And it is spliced with flip-flopper. This disparaging term was grafted onto John Kerry, and he never successfully shook it. The truth is, John McCain has flipped and flopped as much as anybody. Fortunately, Barack Obama has shown a propensity for fighting back, and has been pointing that out.

[Excerpt]

Analysis: Obama's centrist emphasis gives GOP ammo

Is Barack Obama close to being shadowed by giant flip-flops and, worse, having the image stick with people all the way to the voting booth?

Read more at: TPM Muckraker

Gas Prices, Conservatives and Ann Coulter

My good friend Les has been trying to get me to read a recent column by Ann Coulter on the price of oil, and how that subject fits in the political arena. Knowing that I'm not a fan of Ms. Coulter's work (to say the very least), he thought this was a column where she was spot-on.

I didn't. . .um. . .see it that way. But that is a fun part of having a diverse group of friends: difference in opinion and spirited (but never nasty) discussion. Hopefully, Les won't mind getting feedback here on a public forum--particularly since my portion of the blogosphere is rather invisible! I'm aware that my response is somewhat disjointed, because there are so many areas in the piece that I disagree with! Oh well. . .

[Excerpt]

You can't fuel all of the people all of the time

Democrats couldn't care less about high gas prices. The consistent policy of the Democratic Party, going back at least to Jimmy Carter, has been to jack up gas prices so we can all start pedaling around on tricycles. [snip]

B. Hussein Obama's response to soaring gas prices is to have the oil companies collect even more money from us at the pump, proposing a "windfall profits tax" on oil companies. "Corporate taxes" sound like taxes on rich people, but all they do is force corporations to collect taxes on behalf of the government. . .

Read more at (of all places): Jewish World Review

Nothing backhanded about any of that, right? On to my disjointed, rambling response:

Les,

I'm not as enamored of the piece as you are. For instance, the "oil companies pay too much taxes" bit. What about the massive subsidies given to the oil companies by the Bush Administration? I would say that offsets their tax burden by quite a bit.

"B. Hussein Obama?" C'mon. . . there's only one reason she's doing that.

Windfall profit taxes come AFTER the profit is declared, which would be (at least in the short term) a difficult tax to pass on to consumers. . .because then they'd make more profit. . .and then pay more taxes.

I'm not an expert on this subject, but I have a problem with the logic in Coulter's column (and elsewhere in conservative opinon). The question not being asked: what happened in the last 18 months or so to make oil spiral upward? There seems to be a complete disregard for a big part of the real problem: speculators. We've had pretty much a status quo in where and how we get our oil over the last couple of years. Not drilling, or exploring, or getting new leases or whatever didn't just happen in the last year and a half. But it's only in the last year and a half that gas has doubled in price.

It can't be supply and demand. Demand is down. Supply is not curtailed. And yet gas is $4.30. I'm not sure how getting more oil (5 or 10 years down the road) will help that at all, I really don't. And if the oil companies have to go to the expense of drilling all over the place, getting new leases, etc., don't you think they're going to pass on THAT expense to consumers?

And why are so many conservatives so defensive of big oil, anyway? From my perspective, if the cost of materials for making a product go up, you raise your price accordingly. But your profits in that case would remain flat. The oil profits have ballooned bigger than any profits ever recorded for anything in human history. How did that happen?

Some links (which from another perspective might be as irritating as Ann's column was to me):

• Speculators – not supply and demand – are to blame for skyrocketing gas prices
• Wall Street fights to protect oil speculation
• The Great Oil Swindle: manipulation or fraud?

My Ponderings on Iraq

Photo from The Washington Note

This is just a short post to pose a question to the ether (since it is rare for me to get comments). What is winning in Iraq? How will we know when we've had a "victory?" Can we leave if we've won? Can we leave if we're losing? Do we have to stay in any case?

I ask, because it would seem that conservative politicians and pundits (not to mention the entirety of FOX "News") are bent on selling Iraq as a spectacular success. "We're winning," and "the surge is working/the surge has worked" are spoken so frequently on cable news, you'd swear it was an echo. And yet, seldom if ever are we told what "winning" means. I was under the impression that the war was over, that the "mission is accomplished." Isn't the Iraq situation now an occupation? How do you win an occupation?

And as a side note, how long can you call an increase of troops from last year a "surge?" Doesn't a surge eventually just become a presence?

Just wonderin'. . .

Faceless People: Connection to DC Comics' The Question?

First image from source, Visicage
Second image from source, Daily Mail
Third image from source, Wikipedia

A few days ago, I ran a piece about "faceless" people showing up at various public events. It's creepy and cool at the same time, and it prompted me to wonder if this was some sort of "viral" ad campaign for something.

Friend and contributor, Stupid Monkey Planet may have found a big clue. Below is an excerpt from a comics fan who dreamed up a way to dress as DC Comics hero, The Question. That hero dresses in a 40s style suit and fedora, and has no facial features. Could all of these faceless people be a marketing campaign for a Question TV series or movie? If they're not, could DC Comics sue for copyright infringement? Stay tuned!

[Excerpt]

Morgan Wessler's Question costume

If you should happen to glance over your shoulder at a comic book convention and see a faceless man in a fedora, don't jump to the conclusion that your comics have come to life: it's probably just Morgan Wessler. . .

Read more at: Vicsage.com

Damage From Disasterous Bush Presidency

From the Onion, bless them. . .


Bush Tours America To Survey Damage Caused By His Disastrous Presidency

Should America Rejoin the British Empire?

Photo from source, Asylum

This article tickled my fancy. Now, don't get me wrong, I love America--despite being a liberal! I even wore a star-spangled shirt yesterday for the Independence Day celebration. But I think it is fair to say that America has seen better days. And while I hold out hope for a change in direction, if John McCain were to somehow win in November, the points laid out in this article would be a lot more persuasive.

[Excerpt]

Arguments for Re-incorporating America into the British Empire

Dear Americans,On this day, 232 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was signed and sealed, forming the United States as its own nation and ending your colonial union with Britain and her empires. I think we can all agree, that idea has run its course. . .

Read more at: Asylum

Jesse Helms is Dead

Photo from source, CNN

Oh, my goodness. What do you do when a person you totally revile passes away? As the saying goes, mother always said, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. So, I have this to say: " ."

That is all.

[Excerpt]

Ex-Sen. Jesse Helms dies at 86

Former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, a North Carolina Republican who became an icon to conservatives, died Friday at age 86, the Jesse Helms Center said.

Helms once said his job was to derail the freight train of liberalism. . .

Read more at: CNN

The Return of the 55 MPH Speed Limit?

Image from AutoBlog

Aw, geez, I hope not! As a good liberal, I know that sacrifice is needed in several areas of our consumer culture. Sacrifice is something we have not been asked to do in any area of our lives over the last seven-plus years. Remember the directive The Decider gave us after September 11, 2001? Shop! Spend money!

During World War II, Americans sacrificed in many ways, all toward the war effort. That sacrifice gave us a victory and Miracle Whip. The only sacrifice asked of us during the Iraq War has been by the families of the military, and of course the long-reaching consequences to the economy.

So when it comes to energy--and specifically oil--it is obviously time (probably past time) for some sacrifices. No more big SUVs. No more frivolous driving. But a 55 MPH speed limit? Everywhere? Aarrrgh. Having just completed a trek to and from Palm Springs, I just don't want to do it.

[Excerpt]

National speed limit pushed as gas saver

An influential Republican senator suggested Thursday that Congress might want to consider reimposing a national speed limit to save gasoline and possibly ease fuel prices. . .

Read more at: CNN

Post inspired by AmericaBlog

Featured Blog: Project Rooftop

If you've been to my blog before, you might know I have a penchant for superheroes and comic books. What you might not know is that I used to dream up my own superheroes all the time as a kid. You can't imagine how delighted I was when DC Comics came out with Dial "H" for Hero, and asked for reader submissions of their own superhero creations!

I entered a woman, Bluejay, and a man, Zenith. Neither were used, much to my dismay, but there was a strange coincidence. My Bluejay character had a logo design that was very, very similar to the "WW" that Wonder Woman adopted as her insignia just a few months later. (My Bluejay logo, and the Wonder Woman logo presented here for your consideration).



Coincidence? Probably. And all rights were signed to DC in any event. But I can delude myself into believing that I altered the history of Wonder Woman, right?

This site (I'm not sure it should really be called a blog), Project Rooftop, allows people to indulge in their own fantasy hero creations. Only here, they are giving new looks to established heroes. I may have to revisit my rusty superhero drawing skills, and see what I can come up with!

[Excerpt]
Image from source, Project Rooftop

Superman: Man of Style Finalists!

"I think if Superman were created within the last ten years, this is about what he’d look like. It’s a little on the generic side, but it definitely feels like a Superman to me. I like the wide red bands on the gauntlets, pants, and boots, but the cape-over-the-neck-guard look is a bit cumbersome. I’m also missing the yellow in this normally primary-colored hero."

Read (and see) lots more at: Project Rooftop

And check out the history of Wonder Woman's costume here: Wonder Woman

Nobody's Perfect: Steven Weber's Thoughts on Obama

I've excerpted actor Steven Weber's column at Huffington Post several times in the past, and here I go again. As I've probably said each of those times, Weber writes in a way that I wish I was capable. And more often than not, his opinions feel like they were pulled out of my own head, and polished by a professional editor. Having enjoyed his acting, and having seen him flex his brain on Million Dollar Password, it's frankly amazing that he's also a talented writer. There has to be a flaw in there somewhere, but darned if I can find it.

Here, Weber expresses his acceptance--and also a sad disappointment--with the fact that Barack Obama isn't perfect. It's probably high time we all realized that, and just remember that he is just a far better choice than John McCain, despite his flaws.

[Excerpt]

Oy. Have a Dream?

Disappointment in our elected (or yet to be elected) leaders seems sadly inevitable. Hell, if anything is exposed to the elements for too long deficiencies will unintentionally crop up or be forcibly teased out. For those of us who laud certain persons for espousing ideas of grandeur and eloquence which inspire and delight, the shift from rapture to resignation can be crushing. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Movies I Can't Wait to See: The X-Files

Image from source, XFiles.com

I can't go on too much about The X-Files: I Want to Believe, because if I did I'd totally geek out. Just suffice it to say, it was my favorite TV show after Twin Peaks. Curiously, David Duchovny (Agent Fox Mulder) guest starred on Twin Peaks as Agent Dennis/Denise. See. Told you I'd geek out.

Anyway, also very glad that the big studios are finally letting bloggers like me post legitimate clips! And because I can't seem to keep this clip from playing automatically, you'll have to click the link after CONTINUED.

AFA Boycotting "Pro-Gay" McDonald's

Image from source, Think Progress

Oh, for Pete's sake. These creepy family groups--American Family Association chief among them--see the gay lurking behind every corner, don't they? It makes you wonder why they're so preoccupied with the subject. And really, AFA, do you think you can bring down McDonald's? Tilting at windmills again! Oh wait, that's from Man of La Mancha. . .which is sorta gay!

[Excerpt]

American Family Association Launches Boycott Against McDonald’s For ‘Promoting The Homosexual Agenda’

Today, the right-wing American Family Association (AFA) announced a boycott of McDonald’s. According to AFA, Ronald McDonald and his gang are part of giant gay agenda. . .

Read more at: Think Progress

Did Josh Brolin Already Play Bush?

Images from source, Film Experience Blog

Here's an interesting analysis of an old episode of 21 Jump Street, one of the early shows on FOX. It was the launching pad for Johnny Depp, if you're too young to remember. In this particular episode, Josh Brolin--soon to star in Oliver Stone's W., a docu-drama about The Decider--plays a spoiled rich kid who likes the booze, broads and cocaine. Sound familiar?

[Excerpt]

"Guest Starring" Josh Brolin

At the risk of getting cheesy with a Before They Were Stars moment, let's go back to the time when Josh Brolin was only James Brolin's son. It wasn't until his very recent amazing triple play (No Country For Old Men, American Gangster, Grindhouse) that he became a true star just as he was turning 40. Now he's in demand. He'll play the lead role in Oliver Stone's George Bush bio W. this October and then Harvey Milk's assassin in Gus Van Sant's Milk in November. . .

Read more at: Film Experience Blog

More on John Conyers and Karl Rove

Photo from source, Raw Story

Slowly (way too slowly for me), Congressman John Conyers has been tightening the screws on Karl Rove. He's a slippery critter (for some reason, a greased pig comes to mind), so let's hope he gets those lock-tight screws!

[Excerpt]

Conyers: Rove must testify or risk contempt

. . ."We want to make clear that the Subcommittee will convene as scheduled and expects Mr. Rove to appear, and that a refusal to appear in violation of the subpoena could subject Mr. Rove to contempt proceedings, including statutory contempt under federal law and proceedings under the inherent contempt authority of the House of Representatives," wrote Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-CA) and Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA), chair of an administrative law subcommittee.. . .

Read more at: Raw Story

Science is Cool: Watermelon Nature's Viagra?

Image from source, My Way

And here, cantaloupe has always been my favorite melon. . .

[Excerpt]

Scientists: Watermelon yields Viagra-like effects

A slice of cool, fresh watermelon is a juicy way to top off a Fourth of July cookout and one that researchers say has effects similar to Viagra - but don't necessarily expect it to keep the fireworks all night long. . .

Read more at: My Way

News of the Weird: Faceless "Aliens" in Crowd Scenes

Image from source, Daily Mail

I've always loved those advertising campaigns that trickle out slowly, giving you almost no information at first. You might see a billboard with nothing but a dot on it, followed a few days later by a couple more. Eventually the message is made clear. It's fun playing along.

These days, the same thing is accomplished with "viral videos" and the like. Something that attracts public attention for it's oddness, and then becomes known to be an advertisement, or a public awareness campaign. I have to wonder, if that is what this is all about. . .

[Excerpt]

Faceless 'aliens' spotted in crowd at Wimbledon

With the blankest of blank expressions on their faces, these mysterious figures have been popping up in the most unlikely of places.

The faceless mutants have a penchant for A-list celebrity bashes and have been spotted at Elton John's White tie ball and Harrods summer sale, opened by Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall. . .

Read more at: Daily Mail

Stuck on Stupid: Neighbor Robs House, Has Yard Sale

Image from Bilerico

I've had lots of yard sales in my day, going way back to when I was a kid. We didn't have a lot of money, but had lots of creative ways to get a little extra cash. Paper routes, shoveling snow, raking leaves, all of those were good. But our favorite time of year was "Whitehall Cleanup Week," a time in Whitehall, Ohio when you could throw away anything, and the garbage men would pick it up.

Well, mini-entrepreneurs that we were, we'd go a-trash pickin'. We got lots of choice stuff, kept what we liked, and had a yard sale with the rest. As you might imagine, some people were surprised to find something that they themselves had thrown out for sale in our front yard! What we never did was actually steal stuff and try to sell it. . .

[Excerpt]

Robbery Victims Stumble On Own Stolen Items At Yard Sale

Attention all would-be thieves: if you're going to steal something from someone, make sure you don't try and sell it next door. . .

Read more at: City News

What's With the Gushing over McCain's Plane?

OK, folks, whether you are a politician, an actor, a comedian or a rock star, if you're going gig-to-gig, you need transportation. That can mean a caravan, an RV, a decked-out bus, or an airplane. Or a combination of those. If you're Stephen Tyler or Mick Jagger, I might be interested in seeing some of the tricked-out things on your ride.

But freakin' John McCain?!? Why is the news media in rapturous awe of McCain's "Straight Talk Express" bus and his new even flashier plane? How is this remarkably unlovable man wrapping the press around his finger? Are they really that easy?

The MSM loves its new Lap Dog Express



From the JedReport, by way of AmericaBlog.