The juxtaposition of two videos I saw today is eerily representative of the current state of American affairs.
The national hero, Buzz Aldrin, speaking on the future of space travel. It all sounds great, unless you listen to more that five contiguous words and try to make a coherent concept out of them.
Obviously Xeni Jardin had a great opportunity to interview such an important man, and couldn’t let the footage go to waste. The inanity is somewhat like a bus wreck. A bus full of parakeets juggling crystal goblets. Shiny.
The other interview was Bill Moyers talking to Andrew J. Bacevich (includes transcript). I actually only heard the audio to this one, though the video snips I did watch made it that much more revealing.
This almost hour of discussion is one that every American should be required to listen to and ruminate on. But we’re much more likely to watch the first one and yell “Go, Buzz!” (Hey, despite the incoherence, I did.)
Such is America’s attention span, and such will be its downfall.
I think I may have to go back and listen to Bacevich again. He did such a good job of relating his points, and the discussion was thick with content.
[Edit: a few days later SciAm had a cogent interview with Buzz. Seems like Xeni just had the bad luck of catching him when he had brain overload – apparently he’s been on a publicity tour of late for several things.]
August 21st, 2008
Posted by
bshirley |
government, politics, presidents, television, web |
one comment
I never would have thought I would hear “running for office” and “XKCD” in the same sentence, toss in “Kansas” and I’d be sure I’d never hear it.
I’d be wrong…
My name is Sean Tevis [photo]. I’m an Information Architect in Kansas running for State Representative. I’m going to win. This is my story (XKCD homage style) so far…
July 17th, 2008
Posted by
bshirley |
politics, web |
one comment
I was reading my Alcalde, because I am a lifetime member of the TexasExes, and I was struck by the one of the award winners. It’s actually not surprising to me, having attended there. They have a Distinguished Alumni award and this year there were six recipients. (I assume there are usually six recipients.) They graduated from the University of Texas at quite varied times (1943-1986). They have led quite varied lives (US Ambassador, actress, CEO, general rich guy from oil, president of one of the UT sister schools. Three have been UT regents (hmmm). They live in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, New York. But the most interesting is
Salam Fayyad, PhD ‘86, Jerusalem, is prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority and a former representative to the International Monetary Fund. Fayyad is widely respected in international circles and seen by analysts as one of the best hopes for peace between Palestine and Israel.
I bet he’s an interesting guy. One I’d like to meet, have a beer with, and discuss things.
June 9th, 2008
Posted by
bshirley |
inthenews, politics |
no comments
Stuff That Happens tells me all about politics and beer.
I know that the Beer Politico would enjoy the train of thought. But, it also reminded me of the Pixies singing “politics goes so good with beer”…
One two three
She’s a real left winger ’cause she been down south
And held peasants in her arms
(more…)
April 15th, 2008
Posted by
bshirley |
beer, politics |
no comments
I’ve been watching the daily politics podcast from CNN for a while. I loved CNN in the 80’s but their worthiness has been drifting for over a decade. I tend to vary my sources of news just to know what they’re all saying.
But something about this podcast, which is easily solvable has been annoying me for quite some time. So, I chased the links till I found a page to send feedback. I’m not sure if it will get to those it needs to, but I sure hope so. An easy fix to an annoying situation.
(Wolf Blitzer’s annoying, but they’re not going to solve that.)
CNN,
The only podcast I watch regularly is the CNN Politics podcast, a video daily release.
You really, really, really really need to mention WHAT DAY it is at the beginning of each podcast. On either the audio portion or displayed on the video, preferably both!
Otherwise enjoying it, thanks.
-bill shirley, houston
The trick is, these things download daily to my iPod/iTunes and if I haven’t watched them in a while, there’s a bunch of them. There is NO way to tell if it’s the most recent one when you’re watching. And, of course, the introductions are all identical.
Note: I should have said, it’s the only video podcast I watch regularly from CNN.
April 1st, 2008
Posted by
bshirley |
corporations, media, politics |
2 comments
I voted in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, but wasn’t up for going to the Precinct Convention when I got home. I wanted to go just to experience it, but it didn’t happen.
I consider all the elections in recent years to be suspect. I’m resolving to write up a letter to that effect to hand over to the precinct workers come the full election.
Nothing wrong with this ticket to the right. The problem is the complete unauditability of the process. There is no way to confirm what I click on and what I am displayed is ever actually accounted for. The only way to provide that functionality is to provide a hard copy in the voting booth.
That’s the only issue that needs to be considered. But on top of that is the closed nature of the system. How it works is not public knowledge. This is what we call security through obscurity and 1) it is never secure 2) it is suspect to collusion by insiders, and 3) the secret nature of it makes people lazy.
And, the nature of humans is to be cheaters. Everyone wants something without working for it.
March 6th, 2008
Posted by
bshirley |
government, politics, resolution |
one comment
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