hey Colbert, take it like a man!

In a previous post, I accused Stephen Colbert of stealing an idea from my blog. Well what a surprise... Comedy Central has made the video clip unavailable. I've searched high and low on the Internets, and I can't find a copy of the clip. I suppose I should have just saved it and embedded it myself, but I honestly didn't think that Cry-baby Colbert would stoop so low.

But that's alright. Just look at this image of Colbert boo-hooing, with his mascara running and everything!

Colbert, why don't you grow a pair and take it like a man?!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Supplemental, May 2009:

It appears that Comedy Central and Stephen Colbert have jointly grown a pair. If you go back to the above-referenced post, you should now be able to view the video clip of discussion. But remember, Colbert, I've got my eye on you....

whatever happened to silent prayer?

President-elect Obama chose a preacher by the name of Rick Warren to give the inaugural invocation. Why has this been controversial?

Well, whatever one's view is regarding gay-rights, the fact is the homosexual community has already been burned by one Democratic president, Bill Clinton. When Clinton campaigned in 1992 (back when campaigns didn't last two years), he made all kinds of promises and gestures in support of gay-rights. As president, what did he do? He endorsed and signed in to law both the don't-ask-don't-tell military policy, and the Defense of Marriage Act.

We're on to the subsequent Democratic president, Obama, who also has made promises and gestures in support of gay-rights. The selection of a minister who actively works against gay-rights is a telling sign that Obama may be like Clinton on the issues. For a better in-depth analysis, check out Richard Cohen's Op-Ed in The Washington Post.

So, what do I think? I think Obama is a Christian and a pluralist; but for political reasons, he keeps the pluralist side under wraps. It is inevitable that even if Obama plans to work 100% in favor of gay-rights, he has to work with people who oppose him on the issues. In sum, I don't think the selection of Rick Warren necessarily means Obama will be another Clinton, but this is not the best start.

Could Obama have picked another minister who is in favor of gay-rights? Actually, he did. Joseph Lowery was chosen to give the benediction. Perhaps Obama is trying to set an example of what pluralism is all about. Yes, people of political and social ties are going to be at odds with others who believe differently; but perhaps there are times when our differences should take a back seat.

Personally, I'd rather there be no prayer nor anything religious affiliated with a civil/governmental ceremony. But I expect Jesus will return before that'll ever happen.

If you're still unclear on the whole "pluralism" thing, check out this speech from Obama, himself:

quote of the random moment, no. 2

I don't play Guitar Hero; I am a guitar hero.

...Wild Bill

did Colbert steal from my blog?

If anyone read my election day post, the main theme one could gather from it was the fear factor in the election. On November 5, Stephen Colbert selected Change as The Word. Now, I can see the connection in that almost everyone fears change. But Colbert should have simply made his word of the day Fear.

Unless, he was trying to distract viewers from the fact that he was stealing my ideas... COLBERT!!!

Well, fortunately for him, I don't endorse the majority of US copyright laws, and I will not sue. But I do think in fairness, I should show that very Colbert Report clip without his express permission... HA!

election day

As most people vote today, unfortunately their votes are driven mostly by fear. Some crazies fear Obama because they think he's a Muslim, terrorist, socialist, or just because he's half African. Others fear McCain because they think he'll be just like Bush, or they fear, as I do, that Palin could actually be in a situation to take his place.

For many years growing up, I was under the false impression that FDR was referring to World War II when he said we had nothing to fear but fear itself. Yeah, I didn't have the greatest history teachers. Of course now I know it was part of his inauguration speech and in regards to the Great Depression.

I have to say, though, that with all the hype around this particular election, I have no real fears, no real enthusiasm, and no more confidence in our electoral process than in the past.

Should McCain win, I don't think he'll be as Right-winged as he's tried to convince the Republican base. As with all politicians, he lies. It's supposed to be OK to lie, though, because this is politics, after all. I think he will be a true 'Maverick' in that he will follow his conscience before the concerns of any political party or lobbyist group.

Should Obama win, I don't think he'll be as Left-winged as maybe some of us hope. Again, he's a politician and a liar... but that's somehow OK. He's a very calculating individual, which is an especially good characteristic considering the economy. But he's calculating in the sense that he does not make rash statements or decisions. I do believe he will have a 'Team of Rivals', as Lincoln did, to give him as many perspectives as possible on each issue and decision.

If anything, I feel fear-less today. I no longer fear another term of George Walker Texas Ranger Bush. I no longer fear incompetent leadership for our military. I no longer fear another failed attempt at 'trickle-down' economics (which I thought the Reagan administration had already proven a failure). And I no longer fear our alliance with other nations is on the verge of collapse.

So, whatever happens today, whether the election goes your way or not, don't fear. We've already had the worst President in US history, so it can only get better.

other points-of-view

I showed you my point-of-view in an earlier post. But I also have desktop images from a couple friends. I've even included my current desktop on my Vista PC. I want to share my thoughts on Vista in a future post, but it'll be a long post. I can summarize Vista here: Pros: looks cooler; Cons: every other feature. Anyhoo, I hope these images get you thinking about customization. You can make your computing experience much more enjoyable by creating the right shortcuts, toolbars, widgets and even the wallpaper. [Click on image to enlarge.]

quote of the random moment, no. 1

Remember that yesterday was the tomorrow you worried about the day before yesterday.

i'm feeling googley

So, recently I changed my homepage. Besides using Google as my first-option search engine, I use Gmail, Images, obviously Blogger, YouTube is owned by Google, then there's Maps, Patent Search, Scholar, Groups, and I recently started using Calendar. For an online, so-far-so-good secure calendar that can also be shared with and edited by others, and even embedded into a webpage, Google's Calendar is pretty sweet. And if you have Gmail (actually, any email address should work), you can get email reminders (timed at your choosing), as well as an email with your day's agenda, including all details originally entered into the calendar entry.

However, I would not advise using Google's Calendar as a primary date-book. For that matter, I wouldn't advise using any electronic devise (desktop computer, laptop, hand-held device, etc.) as a primary date-book. I'm a big fan of the pocket-size, pen-and-paper calendar. Google's Calendar is great for sharing specific info with specific people for a specific purpose. Non-Internet electronic devices are fine, but there is always the problem with durability, battery life, or even the rare but possible event of crossing an electromagnetic pulse or frequency that could erase everything.

As stated, my primary calendar is pen-and-paper, and it's portable. If you want an effective, yet simple, calendar for your desktop (or laptop, or whatever), I recommend Rainlendar. I use the free "Lite" version. It's available for Mac and Gnu/Linux, also.

Some of you may be wondering, Why not use Thunderbird with Lightning? (which now interacts with Google's Calendar), or MS Outlook, or [fill in application here]. I'm not saying those are bad. You may even be required to use certain apps at your workplace. I would suggest, whether it be for home or business, that one tries the simplest solution first and only upgrade as the certain application adequately fills the certain need.

my point-of-view

Normally, I like to begin a blog post with an image in order to provide a visual context for the post's content. But, since this post is image-oriented, I just need to provide a little text right here. I thought it would be interesting for you to see how I see my computer and the Internet. Below are simple pics of my screen. I hope they tell you something about me, and maybe even give you a few ideas for customizing your own environment. [Click on image to enlarge.]

introduction

Hey, I'm Josh. This is my free-for-all blog, where I can rant and rave, or just ponder, on any subject that's on my mind. This first post, for instance, is just some free-form writing. So, what are some subjects I may address? Oil prices, politics, religion, technology, literature, art... who knows?

I hope you'll give me some comments telling me what you like or don't like (not that they will change the blog, but I may devote more time to a specific issue), or maybe you'll want to supplement one of the posts.

If you want to learn about me, just check out my profile where I provide a link to my other blog and to my personal website.

That's all for now. I'll keep you posted.