Nathan

News: "The research, published in Science, is the first to prove that the dimming is a global phenomenon"

Weird phenomana. Pretty interesting.

MoveOn PAC

Just got to see the clips. Great speech Mr. Gore.

MoveOn PAC: "Dominance is not really a strategic policy or political philosophy at all. It is a seductive illusion that tempts the powerful to satiate their hunger for more power still by striking a Faustian bargain. And as always happens - sooner or later - to those who shake hands with the devil, they find out too late that what they have given up in the bargain is their soul. "

ESPN.com: Page 2 - The Lakers armor is tarnishing: "You think Ben Wallace cares? You think Ben Wallace will shrink in front of Shaquille O'Neal and say, 'Please, sir, may I have another?' Ben Wallace is one of 10 children of poor sharecroppers from a little spot on the map called Benton, Alabama. Ben Wallace has gone up against cotton gins and giant threshing machines and nine brothers and sisters for food. Do you really think Shaquille O'Neal is going to intimidate him? You better play on."

Fucking a.

The Gaia Hypothesis

Thanks again mefi... awesome link homunculus.

MSNBC - An Overreaction?: "May 26 - Even as Attorney General John Ashcroft warned on Wednesday that Al Qaeda planned �to hit the United States hard� in the next few months, U.S. intelligence officials were privately divided about whether the government had obtained any fresh information that justified such an extraordinary public announcement."

Shaping, shifting the topics the news is covering maybe?? Hmmmm....

What's Beef?

CNN.com - Gore calls for resignations in Bush administration - May 26, 2004

Get him homey.

MSNBC - Arctic researchers see early warming signals: "OSLO - Global warming is hitting the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the planet in what may be a portent of wider, catastrophic changes, the chairman of an eight-nation study said Monday in summarizing what scientists have learned about climate in the region."

Kings fall short in the playoffs again

Sorry to see it boys, but like in every year, every playoffs it is about the one go-to guy. The one guy who can take the game into his hands and win it, be the game, be the ball. KG, da kid, is it this year. Can he beat the lakes? It will be fun to find out.

ESPN.com: Page 2 - Deciding game: KG or C-Webb?: "And Chris just never quite worked out."

Kneel for Neel.

Not sure if I've got this in here yet or not.



Fellas, I'm really sorry to hear your little dog Ralph had to be
euthanized. Put to sleep, passed away, "sent to the farm;" it is all
the same, and it is best to face the hardest truth, first. Ending
Ralph's life sounds like it was a medical and humanitarian necessity,
and I am sorry for it, and sorry for you in having to bear it.

But the sum of any creature's life, man's or dog's, is seldom (except
in circumstances exceptional for their heroism, or pathos), in the
manner of their death. It's always in the conduct of the life just
passed; how many times the opportunity was taken in that life to afford
others happiness.

In the case of your dog Ralph (since dogs are the most truly innocent
of God's creatures, having all of man's virtues with none of mankind's
faults), it was a life lived almost fully for the happiness of others--
you two, his masters; with your Mom and Dad, his family-- and that is a
great gift, for which I know you have adequate appreciation.

And of course, I love you boys, even though you're all big and bad,
with fast cars, hot chicks, and rocking on the night; still I know that
your hearts will stretch and expand a little more, now, to accommodate
the pain of your little friend's passing from your sight. That is,
when your cool cynicism dies down, and in that grey 4am light you know
you'll never hear again those toenails on the floor, or catch a glance
from that bright eye (one dawg to another).

Your memories of him, fierce about his food bowl, racing the ghosts of
rabbits around the yard perimeter, sleeping in the family room in the
sun, and pissing on your shoes, will sometimes cause you pain. But I
know, because I know your separate characters, that you will comprehend
this feeling in a way that will broaden your understanding of
everything. One life -is- everything.

Here's a free-verse by Gene O'Neill, a great American playwright. He
wrote the play I first acted in, Ah! Wilderness! I recommend the play,
and the canon, to you; if you can pry yourselves away from Fortune
magazine and the TV.

He is not, usually, a soft, sentimental man, but maybe in this case
was.*



Last Will and Testament

I, Silverdene Emblem O'Neill (familiarly known to my family,
friends and acquaintances as Blemie), because the
burden of my years is heavy upon me, and I realize the end of my
life is near, do hereby bury my last will and
testament in the mind of my Master. He will not know it is there
until I am dead. Then, remembering me in his
loneliness, he will suddenly know of this testament, and I ask
him then to inscribe it as a memorial to me.

I have little in the way of material things to leave. Dogs are
wiser than men. They do not set great store upon
things. They do not waste their time hoarding property. They do
not ruin their sleep worrying about objects they
have, and to obtain the objects they have not. There is nothing
of value I have to bequeath except my love and
my faith. These I leave to those who have loved me, to my Master
and Mistress, who I know will mourn me most,
to Freeman who has been so good to me, to Cyn and Roy and Willie
and Naomi and - but if I should list all those
who have loved me it would force my Master to write a book.
Perhaps it is in vain of me to boast when I am so
near death, which returns all beasts and vanities to dust, but I
have always been an extremely lovable dog.

I ask my Master and Mistress to remember me always, but not to
grieve for me too long. In my life I have tried to
be a comfort to them in time of sorrow, and a reason for added
joy in their happiness. It is painful for me to think
that even in death I should cause them pain. Let them remember
that while no dog has ever had a happier life (and
this I owe to their love and care for me), now that I have grown
blind and deaf and lame, and even my sense of
smell fails me so that a rabbit could be right under my nose and
I might not know, my pride has sunk to a sick,
bewildered humiliation. I feel life is taunting me with having
over lingered my welcome. It is time I said good-by,
before I become too sick a burden on myself and on those who love
me.
It will be sorrow to leave them, but not a
sorrow to die. Dogs do not fear death as men do. We accept it as
part of life, not as something alien and terrible
which destroys life. What may come after death, who knows? I
would like to believe with those of my fellow
Dalmatians who are devout Mohammedans, that there is a Paradise
where one is always young and
full-bladdered; here all the day one dillies and dallies with an
amorous multitude of houris, beautifully spotted;
where jack-rabbits that run fast but not too fast (like the
houris) are as the sands of the desert; where each blissful
hour is mealtime; where in long evenings there are a million
fireplaces with logs forever burning and one curls
oneself up and blinks into the flames and nods and dreams,
remembering the old brave days on earth, and the
love of one's Master and Mistress.

I am afraid this is too much for even such a dog as I am to
expect. But peace, at least, is certain. Peace and long
rest for weary old heart and head and limbs, and eternal sleeps
in the earth I have loved so well. Perhaps, after all,
this is best.

One last request I earnestly make. I have heard my Mistress say,
'When Blemie dies we must never have another
dog. I love him so much I could never love another one.' Now I
would ask her, for love of me, to have another. It
would be a poor tribute to my memory never to have a dog again.
What I would like to feel is that, having once
had me in the family, now she cannot live without a dog! I have
never had a narrow jealous spirit. I have always
held that most dogs are good (and one cat, the black one I have
permitted to share the living-room rug during the
evenings, whose affection I have tolerated in a kindly spirit,
and in rare sentimental moods, even reciprocated a
trifle). Some dogs, of course, are better than others.
Dalmatians, naturally, as everyone knows, are best.

So I suggest a Dalmatian as my successor. He can hardly be as
well bred, or as well mannered or as distinguished
and handsome as I was in my prime. My Master and Mistress must
not ask the impossible. But he will do his
best, I am sure, and even his inevitable defects will help by
comparison to keep my memory green. To him I
bequeath my collar and leash and my overcoat and raincoat, made
to order in 1929 at Hermes in Paris. He can
never wear them with the distinction I did, walking around the
Place Vendome, or later along Park Avenue, all
eyes fixed on me in admiration; but again I am sure he will do
his utmost not to appear a mere gauche provincial
dog. Here on the ranch, he may prove himself quite worthy of
comparison, in some respects. He will, I presume,
come closer to jackrabbits than I have been able to in recent
years. And, for all his faults, I hereby wish him the
happiness I know will be his in my old home.

One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you
visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret
but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my
long happy life with you: 'here lies one who
loved us and whom we loved.' No matter how deep my sleep I shall
hear you, and not all the power of death can
keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.


-cm
- - - - - - - - -
write@pixelero.com

*The reputation of Eugene O'Neill as the American Shakespeare was
established even before his death in 1953. O'Neill's output was
formidable - more than 30 plays, including the posthumously produced
classic, Long Day's Journey Into Night. He was a Nobel Prize winner.

Reflecting his own tempestuous emotional background - be came from a
yeasty but tragic Irish-American family - his plays are rarely
engaging.

So his epitaph to his dog is a rarity among O'Neill documents--
sentimental, even whimsical, close in spirit to his one major comedy,
Ah Wilderness! The dog was acquired at a relatively peaceful period
of O'Neill's life. He and his protective third wife, the beautiful
actress Carlotta Monterey, looked upon it as their 'child.'

O'Neill wrote Blemie's will as a comfort to Carlotta just before the
dog died in its old age in December 1940.

Hello and welcome.

I am scared, bio attack coming? But wait, no, I am happy- jobs are back and Greenspan 'the Architect of the Dot Boom' got renominated. Actually no, I am pissed, that Berg video pissed me off. But wait, I am ashamed too... Abu Ghraib ashamed me and all our country. I am so like Kerry, or like Bush? So flippity floppy.

Back in my little world- I am happy to report that Dragon Lady has been slayed. It happened about a week ago. My career has hit a high point ladies and gentleman. What happens when you peak so early? Ha! Just staring down the barrel of retirement now though my dad reminds me it is a good 30 years out.

Been interviewing for a new job that sounds scary and exciting at the same time. I have been doing the same thing for too long so I figure it would be a good change and also hopefully a good $$ move. It would be a position mainly onsite at one of our customers (very large customer) which is where the scary part comes in because they simply cannot fail. I will make sure to update you, my one loyal reader, with the details once I know them.

On the personal front, my beautiful angel is as gorgeous as ever, even in these trying times for her. See, her great grandmother passed away this past weekend. They were very close to each other and I know how much it hurts her. I hope that I have been there for her in the way that she needs me to- it is tough to know what to do or say in these situations.

Just to give you an idea of how amazing their family is, compared to my selfish, weird clan... Her great grandmother had a 'husband' for many years (they were not officially married however). He is also around 95, like she was, and pretty much blind and deaf. My angels mother offered the other day though to take him into their home. What an amazing group of people. Salt of the earth, savoir of my belief in people.

News and Information | News PS. Thank you Mefi.

News and Information | News: "But today isn�t about how my presence here devalues this fine institution. It is about you, the graduates. I�m honored to be here to congratulate you today. Today is the day you enter into the real world, and I should give you a few pointers on what it is. It�s actually not that different from the environment here. The biggest difference is you will now be paying for things, and the real world is not surrounded by three-foot brick wall. And the real world is not a restoration. If you see people in the real world making bricks out of straw and water, those people are not colonial re-enactors�they are poor. Help them."

ABCNEWS.com : Intel Staffer Cites Abu Ghraib Cover-Up: "According to Provance, some of the physical abuse that took place at Abu Ghraib included U.S. soldiers 'striking [prisoners] on the neck area somewhere and the person being knocked out. Then [the soldier] would go to the next detainee, who would be very fearful and voicing their fear, and the MP would calm him down and say, 'We're not going to do that. It's OK. Everything's fine,' and then do the exact same thing to him.'"

Turning Points (washingtonpost.com)

The unraveling of history chronicled.

Politics News Article | Reuters.com: "The film shows the raw emotion of Lila Lipscomb, doubled up with grief outside the White House as she contemplates the death of her soldier son in Iraq.
In one of the most moving scenes, she reads out the last letter received from him before his death. "

The New Yorker: Fact

CNN.com - Report: Rumsfeld policy allowed Abu Ghraib abuse - May 15, 2004

MSNBC - Drivers' beware! Italian cops get speedy wheels

Fun, for some.

MSNBC - 'A Long Road Ahead': "These scenes establish a kind of hatred for the U.S. For a long time we have had problems with the American administration, not the American people. I am afraid these things will accumulate and people will no longer distinguish between the U.S. administration and its people, and this is dangerous."

His point about the American administration, to me, is an important one. Many other peoples seem to make this distinction- are Americans on their way to making it too? That our 'leaders' are not representing who we are.

MSNBC - Photo may show intelligence officers in charge

very sad days. where does the rabbit hole end?

MSNBC - Abu Ghraib and Beyond

'I just wanted to write in to thank you for all your hard work on Orcinus- it is a very enjoyable read. For what it is worth I just wanted to write into you with my own views on your Media Revolt posting.

First off, I really appreciate you taking the view of, 'what can we do about it' instead of just complaining as many do. Personally however I think this issue with the media not doing their jobs is just a tip of the iceberg type thing to address. It probably is as good a place to start as any, but I just feel like we have gone too far all ready and that the changes we do need to make at this point are huge if we want to save any part of the America you and I know for our children.

Just as greed, deception and secrecy have torn apart our ideal America I do believe it will be love and truth and openness that will one day save it.'

What did you think about Disney denying the free speech of Michael Moore to air his movie, Fahrenheit 911, because supposedly it
might "endanger" millions of dollars of tax breaks Disney receives from the state of Florida because the film will "anger" the Governor
of Florida, Jeb Bush?

Does it change your opinion of Jeb? Of Disney? For me personally I find it very disturbing how free speech is being infringed upon in
many ways, in many different arenas. I think one good example from an arena not yet identified too much is to think about this: how
little you have heard about one of the largest financial scandals ever- the UN oil for food program with Iraq (or check here:
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/Investigation/oil_for_food_ripoff_040420-1.html)

It makes me wonder why and I will tell you the reason to me and that is that censorship has been so integrated into our system. It is
only now that we are truly starting to realize it with releases like Mr. Moores and the way they are treating Howard Stern, among others.
Very sad... this is integral to any democracy.

'Mr. Moore's agent, Ari Emanuel, said Michael D. Eisner, Disney's chief executive, asked him last spring to pull out of the deal with
Miramax. Mr. Emanuel said Mr. Eisner expressed particular concern that it would endanger tax breaks Disney receives for its theme
park, hotels and other ventures in Florida, where Mr. Bush's brother, Jeb, is governor.

"Michael Eisner asked me not to sell this movie to Harvey Weinstein; that doesn't mean I listened to him," Mr. Emanuel said. "He
definitely indicated there were tax incentives he was getting for the Disney corporation and that's why he didn't want me to sell it to
Miramax. He didn't want a Disney company involved."

Disney executives deny that accusation, though they said their displeasure over the deal was made clear to Miramax and Mr. Emanuel.'

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/05/national/05DISN.html?ei=5062&en=89983012bdce5ec0&ex=1084334400&partner=GOOGLE&pagewanted=print&position=

What did you think about Disney denying the free speech of Michael Moore to air his movie, Fahrenheit 911, because, supposedly it
might "endanger" millions of dollars of tax breaks Disney receives from the state of Florida because the film will "anger" the Governor
of Florida, Jeb Bush?

Does it change your opinion of Jeb? Of Disney? For me personally I find it very disturbing how free speech is being infringed upon in
many ways, in many different arenas. I think one good example from an arena not yet identified too much is to think about this: how
little you have heard about one of the largest financial scandals ever- the UN oil for food program with Iraq (or check here:
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/Investigation/oil_for_food_ripoff_040420-1.html)

It makes me wonder why and I will tell you the reason to me and that is that censorship has been so integrated into our system. It is
only now that we are truly starting to realize it with releases like Mr. Moores and the way they are treating Howard Stern, among others.
Very sad... this is integral to any democracy.

'Mr. Moore's agent, Ari Emanuel, said Michael D. Eisner, Disney's chief executive, asked him last spring to pull out of the deal with
Miramax. Mr. Emanuel said Mr. Eisner expressed particular concern that it would endanger tax breaks Disney receives for its theme
park, hotels and other ventures in Florida, where Mr. Bush's brother, Jeb, is governor.

"Michael Eisner asked me not to sell this movie to Harvey Weinstein; that doesn't mean I listened to him," Mr. Emanuel said. "He
definitely indicated there were tax incentives he was getting for the Disney corporation and that's why he didn't want me to sell it to
Miramax. He didn't want a Disney company involved."

Disney executives deny that accusation, though they said their displeasure over the deal was made clear to Miramax and Mr. Emanuel.'

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/05/national/05DISN.html?ei=5062&en=89983012bdce5ec0&ex=1084334400&partner=GOOGLE&pagewanted=print&position=

MSNBC - Altercation: "I know of only one standing rule about empires. Mark Twain put it most simply in 1897, the year before we started ours: 'It is easier to stay out than get out.'"

Good point, Mr. Twain.

Mountain biking ride turned Survivor episode.

I meant to wright in about this earlier, but now is as good a time as any I suppose. This weekend I followed my hippy friend Al to go take a ride in the mountains. Unfortunately we started late in the day so didn't get going until the sun was starting to blink and yawn. The day got later as we got lost two times trying to find the trail head. Finally we started a pretty cool ride in the forest around 5pm.

We started with a downhill- never good. It was fun, but a little depressing cause you know you need to make up the vertical feet sometime. And how we fucking had to make up those vertical feet. We climbed what I can only describe as one of the most amazingly tough ridges. The switchbacks had switchbacks. There also was no level parts of this climb as one might reasonably expect. At the same time that the sun started hiding behind the trees the 'trail' we were on went from about 6 feet wide to goat trail like. Anyway, I don't know how we walked up it and I could not see anyone being able to ride up it.

Finally we hit the top of this monstrosity and had a decent in front of us. During this equally extreme decent I locked up my brakes and started sliding towards an embankment that quickly dropped off to a cliff. I jumped off my bike and grabbed onto the embankment dirt while my bike went its own way (down). It took all four of us to get the bike, but so far I can say that neither bike nor rider seems too worse for wear (just a rip on my bike seat that I noticed).

The problem that I quickly started to realize however was that we were going down and down and down.... a few too many vertical feet. Once we hit the river and had to cross over it a number of times (ah, nice, now wet, cold and quickly getting dark). Thankfully we quickly reached the road and started another ascent. By this time we had travelled 15.5 miles and me and two others were done. Thus we sent Frodo aka Al to go get our precious truck for us. Two and a half hours later (two hours of that being pitch black with skeeters eating us alive) or so he picked us sorry sacks up off the side of the road.

Point here? Don't take a ride with Al.

The Daily Star - Politics - Past US diplomats criticize Bush's handling of Mideast: "Over 60 former US diplomats and civil servants signed a letter issued to US President George W. Bush Tuesday, contending that his 'unqualified support' for Israeli policies is undermining the United States' credibility and foreign relations in the region, as well as placing the country's citizens abroad at risk.
Inspired by the letter issued last week by 52 British former diplomats criticizing Prime Minister Tony Blair's Middle East policy, the US signatories expressed support for their cross-Atlantic counterparts' initiative. "

ESPN.com - GOLF - Sizzling Singh loves Mondays: Wins again: "'I shot 32 on the front side, and I felt like I was in control pretty much the whole way around,' Ogilvie said. 'Then I saw him make an eagle on 15, then a birdie on 16. I don't know how long the putt on 18 was, but what can you say. I mean, that's why he's probably the best player in the world right now. He shot 29 on the back side.'"

29?????????