Pull up, find a comfortable place, circle around three times, and get settled...
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9.02.2005
> Friday, September 2nd, 2005
>
> Dear Mr. Bush:
>
> Any idea where all our helicopters are? It's Day 5 of Hurricane Katrina
> and thousands remain stranded in New Orleans and need to be airlifted.
> Where on earth could you have misplaced all our military choppers? Do you
> need help finding them? I once lost my car in a Sears parking lot. Man,
> was that a drag.
>
> Also, any idea where all our national guard soldiers are? We could really
> use them right now for the type of thing they signed up to do like helping
> with national disasters. How come they weren't there to begin with?
>
> Last Thursday I was in south Florida and sat outside while the eye of
> Hurricane Katrina passed over my head. It was only a Category 1 then but
> it was pretty nasty. Eleven people died and, as of today, there were still
> homes without power. That night the weatherman said this storm was on its
> way to New Orleans. That was Thursday! Did anybody tell you? I know you
> didn't want to interrupt your vacation and I know how you don't like to
> get bad news. Plus, you had fundraisers to go to and mothers of dead
> soldiers to ignore and smear. You sure showed her!
>
> I especially like how, the day after the hurricane, instead of flying to
> Louisiana, you flew to San Diego to party with your business peeps. Don't
> let people criticize you for this -- after all, the hurricane was over and
> what the heck could you do, put your finger in the dike?
>
> And don't listen to those who, in the coming days, will reveal how you
> specifically reduced the Army Corps of Engineers' budget for New Orleans
> this summer for the third year in a row. You just tell them that even if
> you hadn't cut the money to fix those levees, there weren't going to be
> any Army engineers to fix them anyway because you had a much more
> important construction job for them -- BUILDING DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ!
>
> On Day 3, when you finally left your vacation home, I have to say I was
> moved by how you had your Air Force One pilot descend from the clouds as
> you flew over New Orleans so you could catch a quick look of the disaster.
> Hey, I know you couldn't stop and grab a bullhorn and stand on some rubble
> and act like a commander in chief. Been there done that.
>
> There will be those who will try to politicize this tragedy and try to use
> it against you. Just have your people keep pointing that out. Respond to
> nothing. Even those pesky scientists who predicted this would happen
> because the water in the Gulf of Mexico is getting hotter and hotter
> making a storm like this inevitable. Ignore them and all their global
> warming Chicken Littles. There is nothing unusual about a hurricane that
> was so wide it would be like having one F-4 tornado that stretched from
> New York to Cleveland.
>
> No, Mr. Bush, you just stay the course. It's not your fault that 30
> percent of New Orleans lives in poverty or that tens of thousands had no
> transportation to get out of town. C'mon, they're black! I mean, it's not
> like this happened to Kennebunkport. Can you imagine leaving white people
> on their roofs for five days? Don't make me laugh! Race has nothing --
> NOTHING -- to do with this!
>
> You hang in there, Mr. Bush. Just try to find a few of our Army
> helicopters and send them there. Pretend the people of New Orleans and the
> Gulf Coast are near Tikrit.
>
> Yours,
>
> Michael Moore
> MMFlint@aol.com
> www.MichaelMoore.com
>
> P.S. That annoying mother, Cindy Sheehan, is no longer at your ranch. She
> and dozens of other relatives of the Iraqi War dead are now driving across
> the country, stopping in many cities along the way. Maybe you can catch up
> with them before they get to DC on September 21st.
10:24:00 PM
3.06.2005
Make Money
11:26:00 PM
12:12:00 AM
You will never find anyone who tells you that planning a wedding is easy. It's not. It's also not the hyper, crazed planning mess that you hear about. But then again, we're still 4 months away. Maybe you go into hyper-drive at 3 months, or 2 months... I know you're crazy the last month. But, now we have a nice and relaxing honeymoon to look forward to. Barcelo Maya Beach Resort, near PDC in the Mayan Riveria, Mexico. Very excited. http://www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com That is all.
Except for the fact that I watched a bunch of movies today. Win A Date with Tad Hamilton, Zoolander (finally!), bits of Goldmember, and bits of A Night at the Roxbury. You'll notice the last three all had Will Ferrell in them... and I'm not a big WF fan. It just happened that way. I AM a big Topher Grace fan, so despite my best intentions, I ended up loving WADWTH! Good grief.
12:01:00 AM
1.07.2005
Boston.com / A&E / Movies / Search / Movie details / Hotel Rwanda
9:59:00 PM
1.05.2005
Ok, I knew I gave up soda for a good reason! ;)
Soda drinkers beware?
Soda drinkers beware?
Study links soft drinks to esophageal cancer
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
Special to MSN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fran Bozdech, a 59-year-old high-school counselor in Larkspur, Calif., counts soda as one of her favorite beverages. Everyday, she pops a can of Diet Coke at lunch, and later in the evening, usually has another one during dinner. "I've probably been drinking Diet Coke as long as it's been available," she says.
Bozdech says she considers the soda routine a far-from-harmful habit. But is it?
For years, carbonated soft drinks have gotten a bad rap from dentists who say most of them are sugar-laden and encourage the growth of cavities. Nutritionists have blamed sodas in part for the obesity problem in America, saying they're full of empty calories. Now a team of digestive-disease doctors at a hospital in India are once again taking the fizz out of the popular drinks, declaring in a recent study that sodas may also be linked to esophageal cancer. Given this recent finding, should you skip sodas for good?
No definitive conclusion
Not necessarily, says Dr. Philip Jaffe, a gastroenterologist who teaches at the University of Connecticut Health Center. "The study is intriguing, but like all epidemiological studies, it has its limitations," he says. The problem is one of association. In the study, researchers cited U.S. data that showed per capita consumption of carbonated drinks rose by more than 450 percent from 1974 to 2000, from 10.8 gallons on average to 49.2 gallons in 2000. During that same period, the incidence rates of esophageal cancer rose by more than 570 percent in white American men. While the two trends may be associated with each other, however, some outside experts say the connection is tenuous.
Some of the harshest criticism comes from the soft-drink industry.
"I don't think this study has any scientific merit," says Dr. Richard Adamson, vice president of scientific and technical affairs for the National Soft Drink Association, a trade group that promotes the industry. "They looked at numbers and didn't establish a causal link."
Adamson says that because study authors didn't dig further to see if those diagnosed with the cancer also drank the beverage, asserting that sodas may cause esophageal cancer is a considerable reach. According to Adamson, people also ate more pizzas over that time span; cell phone and computer use skyrocketed as well. And yet, he points out, researchers didn't correlate those behaviors with esophageal cancer.
Link between GERD and esophageal cancer
On the other hand, GI doctors are aware that carbonated beverages like sodas can exacerbate gastroesophageal reflux disease (better known by its acronym GERD), which has been linked to esophageal cancer. The drinks can distend the top part of the stomach, which in turn relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, a band of muscles that acts as a gatekeeper between the esophagus and the stomach. The LES normally remains shut; when left open, stomach acid can back up the swallowing tube, causing the burning sensation we call heartburn. In severe cases, the acid reflux can cause damage to the lining of the esophagus in a condition known as Barrett's esophagus; in a small number of these patients, Barrett's esophagus progresses to become a cancer.
In spite of the link between acid reflux and esophageal cancer, though, gastroenterologists say there's really no reason to go cold turkey and ditch sodas. After all, esophageal cancer, while deadly, is extremely rare; it affects approximately 15,000 Americans each year, accounting for just a small fraction of the more than 1.3 million cancer cases diagnosed annually. Plus, many other factors determine whether you'll suffer from GERD, including diet, the structure of the LES and genetics. "If you have serious acid-reflux disease and soda bothers you, then by all means avoid it," says Jaffe. But if you find that you tolerate it well, however, he says he sees no need to forgo it.
The bottom line? "Don't take the news about soda and esophageal cancer to heart," says Jaffe, who gave precisely that advice to a patient who swore he was going to give up the fizzy brew after hearing about the research from India. "If part of what makes life enjoyable for you is having a couple of Diet Cokes, then go ahead. Life is short and there are worse habits to have. You have to put everything into perspective."
That's just fine for Bozdech, who also suffers reflux symptoms now and then. "I wouldn't cut it from my diet unless there's more evidence," she says.
11:45:00 PM
12.18.2004
Petey, honey, we're so over you as a pitcher... Good luck being on a losing team...
FOXSports.com - MLB - Martinez: 'I'm way over Schilling as a pitcher'
Martinez: 'I'm way over Schilling as a pitcher'
Enrique Rojas / Associated Press
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) - Pedro Martinez returned home Friday and bashed the team he led to a World Series title. He knocked the Boston Red Sox for their front-office moves and negotiating tactics, and predicted a rough season awaits.
"They will field the best bad team in baseball history," Martinez said at a news conference Friday.
In a story published in Friday's Boston Herald, Martinez discussed his displeasure with his former employer and the way the negotiations broke down. Martinez also disputed recent claims made by Curt Schilling, who said Martinez followed his own set of rules while with the Red Sox.
"I don't have my own set of rules or nothing," Martinez told the Herald. "When I'm going to get to the stadium late, I call, ``I'm doing this, I'm doing that.'' I let Francona know and he can answer those questions for you. That's very unfair for somebody to say that I had a different set of rules or that I'm a prima donna. Prima donnas don't perform the way I do, they don't work as hard as I do. I take pride in my work."
Martinez told the Herald he wanted a similar deal to Schilling's, at the very least.
"Schilling is 38, I'm only 33," Martinez told the Herald. "The fact that I had an off-year doesn't mean that I can be below Schilling. Still, with an off-year, I'm way over Schilling as a pitcher and I've pitched pretty much like Schilling the last few years, if you're going to talk about durability. Schilling's not taking anything away from me and they should have known the basics of the numbers, the performance, before they did it. More than the salary is the fact that the fans are the ones left hanging, and that's the sad part. I didn't want the fans to have to see me in another uniform."
Martinez also told the Herald that the Red Sox didn't give him enough attention, dating back to the '03 season.
"I'm not saying that the Boston Red Sox mistreated me, but what I'm saying is they should have shown a little more interest than they showed, even though they were negotiating and were probably being cautious,:" Martinez said. "But I was always honest about what I wanted, how I wanted it and I made a lot of sacrifices to give Boston the opportunity to keep me. I went way below my salary. At the time they picked up my option, that could have been taken away and reduced to $14.5 (million) and they would have had me still this year and probably for next year.
"I was willing to tear up the option and go to a new extension and take $14.5 million, or less than that, to stay in Boston. That was 2003, spring training."
One day after he was introduced by the New York Mets - who signed him to a four-year, $53 million contract - Martinez criticized the Red Sox for firing key employees, including team doctor Bill Morgan.
Martinez said he was "dumbfounded" to hear that fellow Dominican Manny Ramirez could be mentioned as possible trade bait after winning the World Series MVP.
"After giving seven great years, Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe and I were not signed," Martinez said.
Red Sox principal owner John Henry said the club "offered Pedro exactly what he said it would take to sign him" when team officials visited Martinez in the Dominican Republic on Dec. 8.
"Our organization went out of our way to treat Pedro with the greatest respect over the past three years. I am surprised and very disappointed by the continuing negative comments in that regard," Henry said Friday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Nevertheless, I wish him great success with the Mets."
"To be honest, I think John Henry wanted me back in Boston more than anybody else, but I don't know about the rest," Martinez told the Herald. "I can't tell you that. (Red Sox team president Larry) Lucchino seemed like he was trying. I don't know how well he and Henry are communicating, but it seems to me that Henry wanted me back. I don't think Theo really wanted me back."
The three-time Cy Young Award winner said the Mets "have shown more respect in days than Boston did in seven years."
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein discounted the comments, and said Friday that Martinez is "a brilliant pitcher ... an emotional person as well."
"It doesn't bother me," Epstein said. "I don't necessarily define myself by what anyone says about me, let alone a player that we just didn't sign to bring back to Boston. We'll be fine as an organization.
"I just don't put much stock in that. It's a heat of the moment type thing," Epstein said. "I choose to look at the man, not one comment."
Martinez told the Herald that Epstein's arrogance during negotiations with Martinez's agent, Fernando Cuza, didn't help Boston's chances.
"That's what happened," Martinez told the Herald. "Theo got really arrogant on Fernando and I didn't appreciate it. This was at Anaheim, at the winter meetings, at the last hour.
"Theo believed that he had me and wasn't the nicest man communicating with Fernando. That is my perception, to what Fernando was saying."
Accompanied by Mets vice president Fred Wilpon, general manager Omar Minaya and agent Fernando Cuza, Martinez said Boston had "every opportunity" to sign him in the past two years, even below market value.
Martinez, 33, said he could retire after finishing his contract with the Mets.
"I don't plan to play until I'm 40 years, but I will have four years to study that decision," he said.
Martinez shook off questions about the condition of his arm in light of a 16-9 record and a 3.90 ERA in his final season with Boston.
"I felt good this year and I feel good now," he said. "I don't know where rumors about my health started," Martinez said. "I didn't have a bad year, but it wasn't the norm for me."
Martinez hopes to inject new life into the Mets, who finished next to last in the NL East in 2004 after finishing last the two previous seasons.
"My goal now is to stay healthy and get the Mets back to the World Series and win it," Martinez said.
1:30:00 AM
12.09.2004
THIS JUST IN: Bush is an idiot!
12:23:00 AM
Factoid of the day: Of every $100 the US has, it spends $0.14 of it on worldwide humanitarian aid. If you factor out direct emergency relief and the salaries of the consultants (rather than helping combat the root of the problems), it turns into $0.05. Which means that for all we say about wanting to help teach those countries to fish, we spend most of our money just handing them fish. It doesn't help!
12:22:00 AM
Hey there...knock knock knock...uh White House?? Ever hear of a little thing called SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE? Uh, it's in the Constitution! It's partially the reason for the formation of this country? Hello?? White House??
Yahoo! News - White House Plugs 10 Commandments Displays: "White House Plugs 10 Commandments Displays
By GINA HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court to allow Ten Commandments displays on government property, adding a federal view on a major church-state case that justices will deal with early next year.
The government has weighed in before in religion cases at the high court, including one earlier this year that challenged the words 'under God' in the classroom recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The government supported a California school district in that case. Now, it is backing two Kentucky counties that had framed copies of the Ten Commandments in their courthouses.
The American Civil Liberties Union (news - web sites) sued McCreary and Pulaski counties, claiming the displays were an unconstitutional promotion of religion. The group won.
Justices will hear arguments, probably in February, in the counties' appeal and in a second case involving a Texas homeless man who wants a 6-foot granite monument removed from the state Capitol grounds.
The administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, Paul Clement, told justices in Wednesday's filing that Ten Commandments displays are common around the nation ? and in the court's own building, the Capitol and national monuments.
'Reproductions and representations of the Ten Commandments have been commonly employed across the country to symbolize both the rule of law itself, as well as the role of religion in the development of American law,' Clement wrote.
Clement said the displays are important in educating people 'about the nation's history and celebrating its heritage."
12:16:00 AM
12.07.2004
12:47:00 AM
11.01.2004
1:55:00 PM
10.29.2004
2004 BOSTON RED SOX: WORLD CHAMPS!!!!!
11:53:00 PM
6.11.2004
MSNBC - This is just horrifically sad. I did not agree with Reagan's politics, but no one can look at that picture of Mrs. Reagan and not feel something. Her words as her children came to comfort her, "I can't leave him here."
11:35:00 PM
5.27.2004
This is unbelievable. Do you know that we have given the INC (Iraqi National Council) $39 million? $39 million! ($33 million from the State and $6 million from the Defense Intelligence Agency)Where do we get money to give away for no reason, and to organizations which are headed by people formerly charged with and convicted of fraud? Why do we not have enough for schools? For the arts? Why is it that people are constantly fighting for more money in areas where money should be, if not plentiful, at least accessible? Schools, people. Where our kids learn how to grow up and be productive members of society. You know, where they spend that small portion of their day that isn't spent in front of a TV or video game? You remember, right?
Bush sucks. End of story.
BTW: Factoid of the day: People spend, on average, 30,000 hours watching TV. In a lifetime. That's insane.
11:12:00 PM
5.20.2004
"Laura Bush yesterday called gay marriage "an issue that a lot of people have a lot of trouble with," but she stopped short of endorsing a federal constitutional amendment to ban same-sex unions." (from Boston.com)
Way to take a stand, Mrs. Bush. You and your husband make a great couple. You're both idiots. I long for the days when we have an intelligent First Lady (or First Gentleman). You know, one who isn't afraid to step out of the kitchen and have opinions?
11:34:00 PM
5.19.2004
Pardon my crassness here for a second, but FUCK those self-important religious types who think that they can impose their beliefs on others. Religion is a personal matter, and I have no problem with people having and following their own brand of religion, but (as they are so fond of reminding people) this is America, assholes. Separation of Church and State and all that? Sound familiar? Not all of us subscribe to your version of the world. There are even some, *gasp*, ATHEISTS in the country. They don't try to make you disbelief, so stop trying to make them and everyone else follow your stupid teachings and beliefs. And yeah, I said stupid. I am so sick and fucking god-damned tired of you people and your assholickness. Get a clue, get some tolerance, read the Bible (especially the Love Thy Neighbor bullshit) and WAKE UP! Yesterday meant absolutely nothing to you people. Your lives didn't change one iota just because a bunch of people got married. So shut the fuck up and go back into your holes. You can come out when the world ends. I'll let you know when it happens.
This ends the crass portion of this blog...I'll try to be more sensitive from here on out... ;)
12:14:00 AM
5.18.2004
Pics from Cambridge...
9:31:00 PM
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