I don't want to get political here, but I feel it necessary to point out yet another failing of our President.
I was watching the news coverage of the earthquake aftermath on Sunday, several hours after news about the tragedy reached the US public, when the newscaster on CNN broke away to say that there was word coming in from the President in Crawford, Texas. Of course, they had been expecting a Presidential statement for some time.
The man speaking was not President Bush, though. It wasn't his press secretary, either. It was a deputy press secretary, who made a brief statement expressing the President's condolences. He then took questions, and the first question was "To which countries has the President sent a letter of condolance?" The deputy said, "I don't have the list at this time, but I'll get back to you." How many countries did the President contact? "Seven or eight. I'll get back to you." In other words, this deputy press secretary didn't even have the basic information about the US government's response to this unprecedented humanitarian crisis. He did say that "during the war on terror, the US government will do everything in its power to protest Americans at home and abroad." These are approximate quotes, but basically this guy was told to link the story to the war on terror to try to score some political points. Despicable.
And now, here it's Tuesday night, and the President still has not made a public statement about the tragedy. Bush instead has chosen not to interrupt his vacation.
The world has taken notice. This is an event that deserves a top-level statement. Many other world leaders made immiedate statements. Bill Clinton spoke out today, saying that "someone needs to take the lead' to coordinate the massive amounts of aid flowing to the affected countries.
The US only sending a deputy press secretary and then the outgoing Colin Powell to make a statement about this worldwide tragedy speaks volumes. Many around the world are pointing to Bush's choice to stay on vacation rather than make a statement as yet another example of America's callousness and insensivity. Way to win hearts and minds, Mr. President. You are an embarrassment.
I was watching the news coverage of the earthquake aftermath on Sunday, several hours after news about the tragedy reached the US public, when the newscaster on CNN broke away to say that there was word coming in from the President in Crawford, Texas. Of course, they had been expecting a Presidential statement for some time.
The man speaking was not President Bush, though. It wasn't his press secretary, either. It was a deputy press secretary, who made a brief statement expressing the President's condolences. He then took questions, and the first question was "To which countries has the President sent a letter of condolance?" The deputy said, "I don't have the list at this time, but I'll get back to you." How many countries did the President contact? "Seven or eight. I'll get back to you." In other words, this deputy press secretary didn't even have the basic information about the US government's response to this unprecedented humanitarian crisis. He did say that "during the war on terror, the US government will do everything in its power to protest Americans at home and abroad." These are approximate quotes, but basically this guy was told to link the story to the war on terror to try to score some political points. Despicable.
And now, here it's Tuesday night, and the President still has not made a public statement about the tragedy. Bush instead has chosen not to interrupt his vacation.
The world has taken notice. This is an event that deserves a top-level statement. Many other world leaders made immiedate statements. Bill Clinton spoke out today, saying that "someone needs to take the lead' to coordinate the massive amounts of aid flowing to the affected countries.
The US only sending a deputy press secretary and then the outgoing Colin Powell to make a statement about this worldwide tragedy speaks volumes. Many around the world are pointing to Bush's choice to stay on vacation rather than make a statement as yet another example of America's callousness and insensivity. Way to win hearts and minds, Mr. President. You are an embarrassment.
Folks, I just made a donation to the good people at the Red Cross to help in the small way that I can with this unspeakably horrible earthquake and tsunami. Like everyone across the globe, I am saddened and shocked by this, and I'm sure I speak for everyone reading when I extend my deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones.
I was in Thailand staying along the beach exactly two years ago to the day. Had I been there this year, I would probably not be bringing this important blog to you right now. I'm absolutely horrified by this news, but of course I'm fortunate enough to be here in America and far from the devastation, and I can only imagine how horrific it is over there for everyone. I want to help in whatever way I can.
I urge you to do whatever you can to help. And, let's not forget that one year ago this week there was an earthquake in Iran which killed tens of thousands -- and the survivors there are still, one year on, living in temporary shelters. Those of us fortunate enough to live in a wonderful, rich country like you and I need to open our hearts to these devastated communities.
I'll get off my soapbox now. There's a list of organizations you might want to consider donating to here, courtesy CNN. For another list, check here, courtesy the BBC.
I was in Thailand staying along the beach exactly two years ago to the day. Had I been there this year, I would probably not be bringing this important blog to you right now. I'm absolutely horrified by this news, but of course I'm fortunate enough to be here in America and far from the devastation, and I can only imagine how horrific it is over there for everyone. I want to help in whatever way I can.
I urge you to do whatever you can to help. And, let's not forget that one year ago this week there was an earthquake in Iran which killed tens of thousands -- and the survivors there are still, one year on, living in temporary shelters. Those of us fortunate enough to live in a wonderful, rich country like you and I need to open our hearts to these devastated communities.
I'll get off my soapbox now. There's a list of organizations you might want to consider donating to here, courtesy CNN. For another list, check here, courtesy the BBC.
Well, folks, yes I do still blog from time to time, and I'll pick up the pace once I'm back in lovely California. I'm stuck in the cold here in lovely Detroit right now, and my desire to blog has been frozen recently. Thanks for sticking with us. And Merry Christmas to all the Christians in the house.
The New York Times today picked up on a theme that the Most Important Blog... Ever started covering months ago -- the need to reform our electoral system in the face of massive problems in Ohio and Florida.
Yes, the newspaper of record is again behind this, your Most Important Blog... Ever. We'll keep bringing it to you live, folks.
See you in the new year for more...
The New York Times today picked up on a theme that the Most Important Blog... Ever started covering months ago -- the need to reform our electoral system in the face of massive problems in Ohio and Florida.
Yes, the newspaper of record is again behind this, your Most Important Blog... Ever. We'll keep bringing it to you live, folks.
See you in the new year for more...
Those of you who have searched with Google or are lucky enough to have one of those "Gmail" email accounts know that the good folks at the world's favorite searching company put little targeted advertisements on the edge of the page. So, if you search for "Tom Clancy," you'll see a link to Amazon.com with "Tom Clancy Books On Sale Now!" and so on. Clever.
Well, recently a friend of mine sent me a little email joke with the word "Terrorism" all over the place. The Gmail program had a few of those targeted advertisements for me. One was for the New York Times, "The latest in the war on terror." OK. I can live with that. But how about this little number:
Wow. Nice work, eBay. Hilarious.
Well, recently a friend of mine sent me a little email joke with the word "Terrorism" all over the place. The Gmail program had a few of those targeted advertisements for me. One was for the New York Times, "The latest in the war on terror." OK. I can live with that. But how about this little number:
Terrorism
Great deals on new and used items. Search for terrorism now! -aff
www.eBay.com
Wow. Nice work, eBay. Hilarious.
I love the folks at the BBC. Especially when they cover what they call "Other - US Sport."
Just read this article with a British accent, and you'll see what I mean. Awesome.
Just read this article with a British accent, and you'll see what I mean. Awesome.
I seriously don't intend to make light of this tragedy in Columbus, but it does allow me to list yet another reason that Ohio BLOWS:
Reason 4,929: Ohio concert shooting. Besides the terrible loss of life last night, I think this will ruin concerts from now on. More security than ever before at every concert. F Ohio.
Reason 4,929: Ohio concert shooting. Besides the terrible loss of life last night, I think this will ruin concerts from now on. More security than ever before at every concert. F Ohio.
I don't want to belabor the point, but I've just been referred a list of 20 major problems with voting in the United States. As you know, The Most Important Blog... Ever has been working diligently to promote a simple but necessary reform in the way we vote here in the greatest democracy on the face of the earth. We need nonpartisian, public, and independent commissions to oversee our elections. Otherwise, we'll continue to see things like these and we'll lose what little democracy we have left.
Despite preparations for an official, legally requested recount, current Wal-Mart Douchebag Award holder Kenneth Blackwell has certified Ohio's presidential election for Bush. What a douche.
Folks, we're less than a month away from the year 2005, the year in which Transformers: The Movie is set.
And if that news isn't big enough for you, there are rumors floating around the internet (collected for the first time right here on your Most Important Blog... Ever) that Steven Speilburg will be producing an as-yet-untitled, live-action Transformers movie set for a summer 2006 release.
Yes. You heard me. A live-action Transformers movie. Speilburg -- and maybe Tom Hanks(?!) -- will be working on it. Completely unsubstantiated rumors. We're happy to bring them to you.
Don't believe it? Me neither. But check out the link from the Internet Movie Database. Apparently the film's story will come from a dude who worked on the X-Men films, and the screenplay will be written by a dude who worked on Catwoman and the upcoming Rush Hour 3. Interesting if true.
Let's just hope Optimus can keep the Decepticons and that damn Unicron away from earth next year so I can finally live up to my new year's resolutions and lose some weight.
And if that news isn't big enough for you, there are rumors floating around the internet (collected for the first time right here on your Most Important Blog... Ever) that Steven Speilburg will be producing an as-yet-untitled, live-action Transformers movie set for a summer 2006 release.
Yes. You heard me. A live-action Transformers movie. Speilburg -- and maybe Tom Hanks(?!) -- will be working on it. Completely unsubstantiated rumors. We're happy to bring them to you.
Don't believe it? Me neither. But check out the link from the Internet Movie Database. Apparently the film's story will come from a dude who worked on the X-Men films, and the screenplay will be written by a dude who worked on Catwoman and the upcoming Rush Hour 3. Interesting if true.
Let's just hope Optimus can keep the Decepticons and that damn Unicron away from earth next year so I can finally live up to my new year's resolutions and lose some weight.
This piece in Slate suggests that the inaugural winner of the Wal-Mart Douchebag Award, Wal-Mart, might be slipping just a bit from its undisputed title as the Greatest Retailer Of All Time. (Other winners of the Wal-Mart Douchebag Award include Ken Blackwell, Ohio Secretary of State.)
Apparently, Wal-Mart has dropped their sales forecast for the final holiday quarter of 2004. Wow.
Daniel Gross at Slate suggests that this is because of poor marketing and poor product selection. Maybe so. But I think it might also have something to do with the negative press Wal-Mart has received over the past year. Most folks know that Wal-Mart is an evil, douchey company. That will eventually take a bit of a toll on their sales. Not a lot, obviously, because most people will still go wherever the lowest price is. But it might be enough to help bite out 0.7% in their sales forecast.
Keep up the good work, folks, and don't shop at Wal-Mart.
Apparently, Wal-Mart has dropped their sales forecast for the final holiday quarter of 2004. Wow.
Daniel Gross at Slate suggests that this is because of poor marketing and poor product selection. Maybe so. But I think it might also have something to do with the negative press Wal-Mart has received over the past year. Most folks know that Wal-Mart is an evil, douchey company. That will eventually take a bit of a toll on their sales. Not a lot, obviously, because most people will still go wherever the lowest price is. But it might be enough to help bite out 0.7% in their sales forecast.
Keep up the good work, folks, and don't shop at Wal-Mart.
