Home of the jester in the court of the ragtag soldiers.
Archive for March, 2009
Tuesday Triple Play
Mar 31st
I don’t have much to say tonight. Feeling rather beat up after the day’s events. So, some songs for your Tuesday night.
This one by Weezer was, I believe, the theme song for many today:
[video http://www.diecast-dude.com/gac/weezer_we_are_all_on_drugs.flv nolink]
For an unknown reason, this classic track by the Kinks was stuck in my head all day. Might have something to do with having been there this past Sunday:
[video http://www.diecast-dude.com/gac/kinks_celluloid_heroes.flv nolink]
And finally, one of the most painfully beautiful songs I’ve ever heard, courtesy of Fish:
[video http://www.diecast-dude.com/gac/fish_a_gentlemans_excuse_me.flv nolink]
A Brief Moment Of Self-Indulgent Grousing
Mar 30th
To the people who follow me on Twitter:
Hi there.
The other day, I said some nice things about Twitter and the avenues for communication it offers.
The thing to remember about Twitter is that’s all it is. An avenue for communication.
Earlier today, I posted a note about how the publisher of my book sent me a note that the first copy — a test copy, but the first copy nonetheless — will be in my possession in a few days.
And I twittered about it.
See, to me this is a big deal.
Now, I’m not expecting it to be a big deal for anyone else.
But it is to me.
I was rather hoping someone on Twitter who follows me — and there are 371 of you at last count — would have said something about it.
Like congratulations.
Or that’s terrific.
Or I’m happy for you.
Maybe even “so what’s the book about?”
But no.
Some friends on Facebook said these things, and I’m deeply thankful to each of them.
And you?
How did you respond?
You didn’t.
Not a word.
Not one.
You were too busy railing against Obama or talking up Tea Parties on April 15th to say anything.
Anything at all.
I know that shouldn’t bother me.
But it does.
It was rather rude.
Now, I know I don’t always say congratulations or I’m happy for you or things like that to all of you when you share good news.
I’m working on that.
Going to be better about it.
Mind if I suggest you start doing the same by talking to someone who’s actually reading your twitters?
President Obama isn’t.
In case you were wondering.
That’s all I have to say right now.
Good night.
Cash Cow
Mar 29th
The news that the CEO of General Motors has quit under de facto orders from the White House should be bothersome to everyone. Whether Rick Wagoner had performed so badly he needed to go is a decision not only best left to the employees and shareholders of GM, it is solely their prerogative, not that of the federal government. The matter smacks of state-run business. If this is the desire. then let the government buy the company and run it in whatever manner it sees fit. Government involvement in private business should never extend past the boundary of defining, prohibiting and when it occurs punishing illegal behavior. Beyond this, there should be no interference in how a business conducts its affairs. Its success or failure should rest entirely on its shoulders. If its succeeds, so much the better for the government due to the corresponding increased tax revenue taken from the business. If it fails, let there be no one to blame save itself, and let those responsible for the failure bear the consequences of their actions.
It is regrettable in the extreme that GM went to the government cap in hand, begging for funds with which to temporarily stave off its looming failure due to its refusal to abandon an utterly unsustainable business model. No company can lavishly compensate all employees past and present at a level far above its income. Yet this is precisely what GM, as well as Chrysler and Ford, have done for decades and continue to do even as the competition — Toyota, Honda and others — have simultaneously engineered product of genuine or at least perceived superiority and kept a firm grip on labor costs by not allowing the United Auto Workers’ insane belief in an auto factory job equaling entitlement to obscenely high compensation for life to gain a foothold. While the present administration is paying some lip service to the need for the UAW to embrace reality, the sole tactic demonstrated thus far in its dealings with the auto industry has been beating down management while stalling for time with labor. Given the Democratic party’s lengthy history of being organized labor’s marionette, it would be surprising if genuine pressure was exerted on the UAW to get in line. There would be no surprise whatsoever if part of the final denouement on this matter includes the government agreeing to take on all or part of the benefits and retirement package currently enjoyed by UAW members, thus passing on the bill for their greed to the taxpayer.
No one wishes to deny anyone fair compensation for their labor. Certainly far more can and should be done to create a more equitable pay scale for corporations, one where all employees from the CEO to the lowest person on the totem pole have both share and stake in the company’s well-being. However, any such system must be structured so it will not be the downfall of the very organization from which its employees draw a salary. One would think this would be clear to all. Apparently it is the opposite.
Ultimately, the matter comes down to pride and greed. Pride, demonstrated by those in the government saying they can do a better job of running a business than career professionals. And greed, demonstrated by labor and management alike, each in their own fashion. The latter’s avarice has been widely broadcast. It is time for the former to receive similar treatment. The UAW has for decades treated GM like a cash cow without once believing the evidence their doing so is killing the bovine. We will now see if it takes GM going four hooves in the air for it to get the message.
Don’t count on it.
P.S. Forget those “listen to Bob Marley” shirts. Listen to Steve Taylor:
[video http://www.diecast-dude.com/gac/steve_taylor_cash_cow.flv nolink]
Act I
Move
Move in closer
Move in closer to the
Move in closer to the middle of the frameAct II
It was a morning just like any other morning
In the Sinai Desert
1200 B.C.
It glistened, it glowed, it rose from the gold of the children of Israel
(And most of the adults)The Cash Cow
The golden Cash Cow had a body like the great cows of ancient Egypt
And a face like the face of Robert Tilton (without the horns)
And through the centuries it has roamed the earth like a ravenous bovine
Seeking whom it may lickCash Cow, Cash Cow
From the Valley of the Shadow of the Outlet Mall
To the customized pet-wear boutique
From the trailer of the fry chef
To the palace of the sheik
The Cash Cow lurks
The Cash Cow lurks
The Cash Cow lurksWho loves you, baby?
Who’ll give you good credit?
Who says you’ll regret it?
Who loves you, baby?
Who’ll give you good credit?
Who says you’ll regret it?“I was young and I needed the money”
“I had money, and I needed more money”
“I was filthy rich–all I wanted was love. And a little more money”Woe to you, proud mortal!
Secure in your modest digs
You think you’re immune?
You, who couldn’t finger said cow in a police line-up with the three little pigs?Cash Cow, Master of Disguises
Who’s gonna change shape at will?
Who’s the eye in the pyramid on the back of the dollar bill?
Who loves power lunching from Spago to Sizzler?
Guess who’s coming to dinner?Who loves you, baby?
Who’ll give you good credit?
Who says you’ll regret it?
Who loves you, baby?
Who’ll give you good credit?
Who says you’ll regret it?
Who loves you, baby?
Who’ll give you good credit?
Who says you’ll regret it?One yank on that udder
Will land your butter
In a slingFirst one’s free
Cow junkies take heedCash Cow, coming to getcha!
Why?
Because you think this is stupid, don’t you?
The Cash Cow will not be mocked!
The Cash Cow’s planning a coup!
The Cash Cow chews cud bigger than you!Woe, woe, woe to you who blow off this warning
Perhaps you’ve already been licked
I, too, was hypnotized
By those big cow eyes
The last time I uttered
Those three little words
“I deserve better!”Intermission
Act III
You Don’t Know How Beautiful You Are Unless Someone Tells You
Mar 28th
Earlier this evening, Mrs. Dude and I went to see 4·4·1 play at the church to which the band’s drummer belongs to commemorate their release of a new CD (yes, MP3 generation, people still manufacture actual physical product for the purpose of storing for playback recorded music… but I digress). The advantage of a built-in audience notwithstanding, the show was well attended and enthusiastically received. All participants did their best to overcome the room’s sound-swallowing acoustics and performed with energy and skill. The highlights for this listener were “Pray For Rain,” my favorite 4·4·1 song, and when the band’s most popular tune “Break Out” featured two sons of drummer Steve Giali plus a friend coming on stage to play synchronized tom-toms, including a solo, all with the track’s infectious beat.
During the show, I found myself thinking about back in the day when 4·4·1 was one of the dozens of bands playing shows every Saturday night throughout southern California. I’d read about this in CCM magazine and whatever other printed material was available, becoming quite envious of those who had such a wealth of music at their disposal. Up in the San Francisco Bay Area we had concerts of this nature once, maybe twice a month which put us far ahead of most other places. But every weekend filled with the new music I loved so much… now that would have been heaven on earth.
After it was done, I said hi and chatted for a bit with the band members. They were genuinely touched that Mrs. Dude and I came down for the show, and were excited by the book’s imminent publication. Naturally, Mr. Marketing Department neglected to bring so much as a business card to hand out, thus missing out on a golden opportunity to do some promotion. Oops. I have got to start doing this sort of thing automatically.
Anyway, said all that to say this.
Saying thank you is something we’re taught from day one to do whenever someone does something for us. Someone holds the door open for us, we thank them. Someone offers good advice, we thank them. Someone offers a sympathetic ear or lends a hand, we thank them. It’s what we do.
And then we’re done with it.
Or are we.
When someone has an impact on our life that like a stone hitting the surface of a pond causes movement extending beyond the initial point of contact, should we consider thanks for solely the beginning of it all to be sufficient? No. The moments brought about by movement also deserve expressed gratitude to the one or ones who planted the seed now grown.
Somewhere during the book writing process I realized it was in one sense my thank you to the bands and artists whose stories it tells. I owe them much. The least I can do is give something back to them by reminding as many people as possible who were there during that time of the debt they, too, owe. And inform those who weren’t there about the lives and times of a generation that built a foundation yet is seemingly forgotten.
Are there people who’ve influenced your life in a positive fashion? A teacher, a minister, a co-worker present or former? Track them down. Let them know how what they did then has brought you to where you are now. Let them know how much it, and they, have meant to you all these years.
And say thank you. Again.
They deserve to hear it.
Aw, Twit
Mar 27th
I’ve been spending a lot of time on Twitter lately. For the uninitiated, Twitter is a social networking Web site enabling you to follow the messages, or tweets, of whomsoever you please. They in return can follow your tweets. You can mark a tweet to someone’s attention even though everyone else can also read it, and you can send a message directly to someone else provided they’re following you. Also, you can mark a tweet via a hashtag (otherwise known as #) which will, provided a group has been set up for said hashtag, allow all who choose to do so to read said tweet. For example, should you desire all NASCAR fans to read a particular tweet you’d include #nascar in the body of the message. It’s highly recommended any message with a hashtag be at least somewhat pertinent to the group for which it is designated, as for example a group dedicated to some political school of thought may not be too keen on “i LuV u JoNny.”
In the “and I hear you like Sarah Palin” department as far as surprise value, I tend to most tweet and be tweeted in the realms of conservative politics, NASCAR, and fellow believers. I’m sure at least a few members of the first group are looking for the ignore switch most Sundays during the race, but hopefully I make up for it during the rest of the week.
Some days I’m far more active in terms of participation — on Twitter, jumping into the conversation isn’t bad manners providing you have something of genuine value to add — than others during which I’m quite content to kick back and read. This may seem like a daunting task when you’re following a large number of people, but since not everyone is on at once and Twitter limits each tweet to a maximum length of 140 characters including spaces and punctuation skimming multiple tweets isn’t much of a problem.
There are two kinds of tweets that leave me decidedly nonplussed. One is the mouth-frothing spittle specials about how President Obama’s stormtroopers will be at our doors in five minutes to drag us all away for forcible conscription into his people’s army with a copy of Thoughts From Chairman Barack stapled into our hands for 24/7 indoctrination. I’m hardly in agreement with many of his policies and philosophies, but maintain a grip on reality, please. The other flavor of Twitter twaddle that drives me up the wall is when someone decides every single tweet must be a masterpiece of political and/or philosophical discourse. The end result of this is invariably an unreadable exercise in pretentiousness. Honest, folk, you don’t have to impress me. Just be you.
Yes, it is possible to establish personal and professional relationships on Twitter as well as simply kick back, chat, and be entertained. My favorite tweet of recent days is this gem courtesy of one Lincoln Adams:
It’s Friday night, and once again I have no plans because my life sucks and nobody loves me and I just wanna die and OH COOKIES! *chomps*
Beats sitcoms a mile.
The Doldrums
Mar 26th
I had a hunch this would happen. The book’s done, it’s been sent to the publisher, I now have time to write all the things I’ve been setting aside while the book was in process…
… and I can’t string three words together.
Maybe I really do need a vacation.
How Not To Be The Better
Mar 25th
The first tenet of the blogging evangel states the ability to broadcast ones opinion neither elevates nor validates said opinion. Or, for that matter, the person holding said opinion. It does, however, provide exquisite opportunities to show your ass in public by acting like one.
The latest example of lower cheek exposure on the blogosphere comes from some clown who’s filed an ethics complaint against Sarah Palin for — brace yourself, this is the mortal sin of mortal sins — wearing a jacket. Outside. In Alaska. In the winter. You’d think it gets cold up there or something.
Ah, but this was no ordinary jacket. It bore the logo of the company sponsoring Alaska’s first dude Todd Palin in a snowmobile (snowmachine, to be precise) race. Ah ha! By wearing the jacket, she was misusing her office to endorse a company! No, seriously, that’s the complaint.
This is almost too inane to insult. Some pretentious twit looking for their fifteen seconds of fame (“look, they’re singing my praises at Democratic Underground — I am somebody!”) with nothing better to do than waste Alaskan taxpayer money while suffering the delusion this will somehow hinder Palin’s career or hurt her in the wallet comes up with this feldergarb in lieu of, oh, actual political debate. Palin has stated complaints such as this have forced her to consider setting up a legal defense fund to pay the lawyer bills, for no matter how stunningly stupid such charges may be — and this is hardly the only time such monuments to moronic have been erected — they still have to be hashed out via due process. News flash for the nitwit crew: not only are you not speaking truth to power, since that implies you’re speaking truth, you’re not stopping anyone or anything. We of the Palin Posse are armed and at the ready to pick up the tab for this nonsense. See, we have these things called jobs. And another quantity you seem to lack.
It’s called a clue.
And didn’t I see President Obama wearing a White Sox hat a while ago? Well, I never! The nerve! Endorsing one baseball team over others when he’s supposed to be the leader of all America! That’s it! I’m gonna sue! (By the way, Mr. President, that offer to attend a NASCAR race with me on my dime still stands. I’m serious.)
As to the blogger who’s taken this special moment to embarrass themselves and what they allegedly stand for, we appreciate you stepping up to be a shining example of what be the better doesn’t look like. Oh, and this one’s for you:
[video http://www.diecast-dude.com/gac/kinks_death_of_a_clown.flv nolink]
Let’s Throw This Out There
Mar 24th
Only a mildly political mellow rant this morning, hence no need for…
 |
| Danger Will Robinson!
Political rant ahead! |
 |
Actually, I was looking for an excuse to run the graphic again.
Anyway, Wall Street is currently going ga-ga over the Obama administration’s plan to purchase toxic assets (i.e. bad loans) from banks, thus freeing them from debt burdens ranging from heavy to crushing so they can, um, go out and give more loans. Hopefully these won’t be such stinkers, because if they are… you know the definition of insanity.
Maybe I’m missing the target, but if one of the ideas behind the current economic plan is to encourage consumer spending should something that directly addresses this be considered? Like, oh, taking a good long look at credit cards? While no one advocates consumers running up massive credit card bills they can’t pay — at least I hope no one is doing so — it’d be nice to see some measures taken that would benefit people who are responsible with heir credit cards while still using them. Let’s throw this out there:
- An immediate ban on canceling the account altogether or lowering the available credit amount on all cards held for more than a year where the holder has not been delinquent in payment for more than sixty days total during the previous year.
- An immediate freeze on interest levels.
- Further, an immediate cap on interest levels with none higher than 12%.
- Reintroducing the ability to write off interest paid on federal income taxes.
Just a thought.
Playing The Martyr, Playing The Fool
Mar 23rd
Picking up from yesterday:
There are few things easier than playing the martyr on the Internet. It’s a simple process. Say something controversial. Draw attention to it. Get someone else attacking you for what you said. Point to said person with one hand and your “wounds” with another while crying out to those who agree with you over your grievous and unjust hurt. Because, you know, someone on the Internet said something bad about you. Oh the humanity.
While I’m a firm believer in keeping public discourse as civil as possible, I’m also hardly averse to slinging sarcasm when I believe it’s called for. As a result, I’ve had it thrown back at me a few times. Eh, it’s part of the territory. You learn how to laugh it off, and when called for offer counterpoint. In either case, you deal and proceed forward. As the saying goes, the dogs bark but the caravan moves on. There’s no suggestion here you’re supposed to like being lied about, but in the grand scheme of things what other people say about you doesn’t matter. As Paul said:
I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
There are two things one should never bother with: going to the blog of someone who’s attacking you and leaving a comment (or two or three or four dozen) in your defense, and trying to get in the last word no matter what. If you’ve got a beef, lay out your case on your own space. You’re not going to win on someone else’s turf, so why bother? And no argument is won based on who gets in the last word. Besides, the last word has already been spoken:
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
The fine art of knowing when the time to agree to disagree is at hand is in grave danger of becoming the lost art. We need to reclaim it starting now. There is too much vastly more important stuff taking place in our lives both individually and collectively to waste time nursing hurt feelings and grudges. We have got to git’r done. There is no other option.
None.
And in case you’re feeling put down because someone has put you down, here’s a musical interlude courtesy of Tim and Neil Finn (i.e. Finn Brothers) to help set you right:
[video http://www.diecast-dude.com/gac/finn_brothers_nothing_wrong_with_you.flv nolink]
Because, You Know…
Mar 22nd
In the NASCAR world, there’s a blogger named John Daly (no, not the golfer) who writes the ever-so originally named The Daly Report. His shtick is using his claim of decades in the broadcast journalism field as a basis upon which to offer tedious critiques of assorted network NASCAR broadcasts. Because, you know, he’s worked for decades in broadcast journalism. He therefore obviously knows more about what should and shouldn’t be done than the people actually creating the broadcasts he scrutinizes in minutia for every little everything he finds displeasing.
I gave full vent to my opinion of his blog on my NASCAR blog a while ago, so I’ll skip repeating myself. I add that Daly is the only blogger I know who refers to their blog in the third person as if it was a disembodied entity, which is a trifle spooky plus pretentious in the extreme.
I also add that Daly is the blogging equivalent of what one finds in most every office of more than a single individual: the one who knows beyond knowing they are the linchpin of the entire organization plus are far and away the best employee. When asked why if this is so they are forever relegated to the middle/bottom of the hierarchy, said person immediately responds with both barrels blazing about how everyone above them is resentful of the oppressed one’s superiority and thus conspire to keep their leading light hidden. And take credit for his or her work which is the company’s sole salvation. But it’s okay. Those who attempt to subjugate will one day get theirs when he or she leaves them to their fate and rises up to save some other fortunate company. And tell everyone the truth. Or at least tell everyone how things out to be done. Because, you know, they know better. No, really, just ask them. They’ll tell you.
Actually, all they do is annoy everyone.
Except when they drive good people to walk out the door.
Then they tick me off.
More tomorrow.
