The story of one man's Kafkaesque ordeal with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Why are healthcare costs so high?
We've all heard it said that frivolous lawsuits are to blame. In 2001, malpractice claims accounted for 0.46% of total healthcare spending in the United States. A decade ago, administrative overhead accounted for a staggering 31% of total healthcare expenditures. But perhaps things have changed in the last decade... or perhaps not.
Why are administrative costs so high? A study in California offers an answer.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Telecom Immunity Update **UPDATED**
I realize that most of you probably aren't interested in this issue, but take my word for it that this is a important test for the rule of law in this country. The Republicans are going to force a vote on a permanent FISA bill, and Harry Reid has determined to bring to the floor a bill containing the provisions for immunity for companies that participated in warrantless surveillance. The legality of this issue should be decided in a courtroom, not in Congress. This measure would effectively strip citizens of their right to redress in a court of law.
Those of us who oppose this measure have an ally in Sens. Dodd and Feingold. But we need more. Dodd was drafted into the movement by concerned citizens. Now, an attempt is being made to add another champion to our ranks: former Senator John Edwards. The folks at Firedoglake have more on this. Take the time to click on the link and write John Edwards an email requesting his leadership.
**UPDATE**
Harry Reid has thrown down the gauntlet to the opponents of telecom immunity.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Medical Marijuana and The 2008 Presidential Candidates
Sorry if its not your jam, but heres a few of the candidates positions on a not so well know campaign issue
Mitt Romney:
This one made me cringe. While I don't think the question was really fair (it seems baited and the cameraman is incredibly callous) his response sucks as well.
Huckabee:
lol
McCain:
"Not Yet" good point on the medical use expanding into other "medical" uses though
Giuliani:
Fails again
Clinton:
"More research blah blah" aka "hmm...ill try and put this off some more while im in office"
Theres plenty of studies out there already
Obama:
We all know he used to get high. Pretty brief, but says he would not prosecute for medical use
Ron Paul:
Good Call
Dolphins doing delphine things
The soundtrack is weak - it sounds like a slight reprise of "The Candy Man" from Willy Wonka.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Dave Odom resigns at the end of the season
Maybe we can dig up Dean Smith to coach the Cocks. You know what, fuck it. Spurrier coaches basketball from now on.
We Shall Overcome
A Bill Moyers essay on MLK, LBJ, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Providing some insight into the recent dustup between Clinton and Obama.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Twice in 3 Days
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBIA SC
351 PM EST FRI JAN 18 2008
...WINTRY WEATHER CAN BE EXPECTED ACROSS PARTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA
AND THE CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER BASIN IN GEORGIA ON SATURDAY AND
SATURDAY EVENING...
.LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPING OVER THE NORTHWEST GULF OF MEXICO WILL
SWING EAST ACROSS NORTHERN FLORIDA AND THEN NORTHEAST UP THE
GEORGIA AND CAROLINA COAST TONIGHT AND SATURDAY. COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF
MOISTURE WILL BE BROUGHT UP OVER THE COOL AIRMASS NOW IN PLACE
ACROSS THE AREA. THE PRECIPITATION WILL INITIALLY BEGIN AS RAIN
OVER ALL BUT THE FAR NORTHERN COUNTIES OF CHESTERFIELD AND
LANCASTER WHERE A MIX OF SNOW AND RAIN IS EXPECTED.
AS THE LOW PASSES TO THE EAST...COLDER AIR WILL BEGIN MOVING
ACROSS THE AREA ALLOWING THE RAIN TO BECOME MIXED WITH AND CHANGE
TO SNOW LATER SATURDAY. THE SNOW WILL ACCUMULATE WITH AN INCH
POSSIBLE BEFORE ALL PRECIPITATION ENDS SATURDAY NIGHT.
Yeah, I got your bionic contact lense. I got your bionic contact lense right here.
Sucks about the rabbits, though.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Worst thing I've seen in '08
http://cfn.scout.com/2/720771.html
I am greatful to see the cocks on this list but that is rediculous to put Ohio State at #1.
Until they prove they can beat a SEC team they should never be ranked ahead of one.
Telecom Immunity Update: Senate Preparing to Screw Us
Harry Reid et al. are preparing to bring up once again the Intelligence Committee version of the FISA bill, which includes immunity for telecommunications companies involved in warrantless surveillance. Harry Reid ownes from $15,001 and $50,000 in the Dow Jones Telecomunication Index Fund, and received $22,000 in contributions from AT&T during the 2001-2006 election cycle.
Meanwhile, donations from these companies to Sen. Rockefeller, one of their most vocal champions, amounted to $42,000 in 2007.
Conflict of interest much, you old men?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Could it Be? Accumulation in SC?
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO
3 AM EST THURSDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN COLUMBIA HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO
3 AM EST THURSDAY.
A WINTRY MIX OF RAIN...MIXED WITH SNOW AND SLEET WILL DEVELOP THIS EVENING.
THERE MAY BE A PERIOD OF LIGHT SNOW AND SOME LIGHT ACCUMULATION IS
POSSIBLE. LESS THAN AN INCH IS EXPECTED. THE PRECIPITATION WILL
CHANGE TO RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.
Can Everyone See Blog and Sidebar ?
Or is the sidebar being put under the blog still?
Everyone's display is different and everything is fitting on my screen so I need you guys to tell me any issues you guys are having.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Changes to the Blog
As you can see, I have made a couple of changes to the blog. What do you guys think?
Like the size, color, etc...
Your input is greatly appreciated..
And don't forget to check out http://www.frymedaddy.com/ (coming soon in the very near future).
Cops come and try to snatch my crops...
Cops and the media inflate the value of seized drugs. Who knew?
New Battery Technology
We were talking about this last night.
Here is another new battery technology to replace double and triple A batteries.
http://www.physorg.com/news76869631.html
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Cloverfield Monster
In other news, my dog is ripping some diesel farts today. What's the deal with that?
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Drunk History, vol. 1
Witness history as it's never been told before: Drunk.
Derek Waters Presents: Drunk History vol. 1 Featuring Michael Cera
Saturday, January 12, 2008
The Ur-Quan Masters
While we are on the subject of awesome older games, let me present Star Control II: The Ur-Quan Masters. [More Inside]
Friday, January 11, 2008
follow up on letterman/stern interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egQfu6Z3Wi0
this will get you to the first segment and you can go from there.
Letterman and Howard Stern
I have no link for this and maybe there is none, however, you guys should try and find the interview Letterman had with Stern tonight (1/12/08). Ridiculously funny to me. Perhaps it is due to the fact that I am a couple of miller lights into the evening but whatever. If you don't like it... go fuck yourself.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The term 'hero' is tossed around lightly these days...
but it is comforting to know that there still exist some truly magnificent individuals.
Cloverfield Is a Goddamn Godzilla Movie
Was the monster in the film inspired by H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu?
"What really happened was that during Mission Impossible 3, J.J. took his son to Japan for the premiere. While they were there, they visited a toy store in Tokyo. They saw shelf after shelf, row after row, of Godzilla toys. Just this huge toy store filled with toys. The image was really striking to J.J. He said, “Look at this. This is like a national monster.” He started thinking, “You know, we need our own national monster.” Obviously King Kong is kind of a national monster but not really in that way. That’s a great movie and he’s a legendary figure in film lore, but it’s not really the same thing. So the way that Godzilla was sort of a metaphor for the time, and for that place, the idea of creating a new monster for this time and place came about. It’s an original monster, and a monster that was inspired, really, by Godzilla."
Fuck.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Want to download Radiohead's Scotch Mist?
Cool blogspot neighbor that uploads rare B-Sides and live performances...I didn't check too far into their library, but it looked decent.
Here's a link to Radiohead's Scotch Mist, which can be downloaded as one mp3 or split into several tracks. Oh and it includes those cool poems
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Turn an old XBox controller into a PC gamepad
I just finished trying this. It took 20 minutes, and seems to work well.
Monday, January 7, 2008
The Ron Paul contingent doesn't take kindly to their candidate's exclusion from the FOX News debates
Pudgy blowhard Sean Hannity gets a taste of the revolution.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
My friend's brother...
recently returned to Gainesville for the first time since leaving for, and being wounded in, Iraq. Say what you want about Gainesville, but they do know how to treat someone properly.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
I'm getting fuckin' pumped.
Ever since Jon suggested that we do the Art Lobe, I've been getting pumped.
Way pumped.
So as my pumpitude increases, I've been looking all over the net for equipment - reading reviews, checking prices, getting gear boners, etc. - and I've found that if you're doing online shopping, campmor.com has excellent fuckin' prices. Click on the title of this post to go there.
Also, because experience says that planning a trip early can help things go more smoothly, lets try to get a head count on who wants in and when people are available (Copeland, this means you) so that we can plan gear buying, working out, and all that shit accordingly. It would be fucking incredible if we could get a sizable group together for a truly bad-ass hiking/camping experience.
P.S.: Jon, I was wrong - for this season anyway - North Face tents are bullshit. Terrible, terrible reviews. So far, looks like Mountain Hardware is the way to go.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
The Beast compiles its annual list of the 50 most loathsome people in America
Complete with punishments.
The Third Reich in Ruins
An interesting page with scores of photographs of wartime German architecture. Of special note is the Kongreßhalle, which may be the most impressive ruin of this period.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year's From Radiohead, Ninja!
An hour-long private taping of Radiohead performing "In Rainbows".
Suggestions
I have been asked to make some changes to the blog regarding the layout.
Please let me know what you would like done. Your patience greatly appreciated.
--J Rockington
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy new year mother fuckers!
2008 - the year that sees the Cocks go 10-2, votes Dub finally out of office only to see the next schmuck get stuck with a war in Venezuela, and tells B to follow his life-long dream of being a castmember of Good Times On Ice - Float like a butterfly, sting like a mite, that's what we call Kid Dynomite!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas!
Have a Merry Christmas everyone, and if things get too stressful take a load off and relax just like Santa with a smooth and satisfying Lucky Strike
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
More yoyo badassery
Though not as cool as two yoyos at once, freehand yoyo ("a weight (typically a casino die or small ball) is attached to the end of the yo-yo string that would otherwise be attached to the finger.")is pretty badass
"Tyler Severance nails the freehand (5A) world yoyo champion champion title with a technically challenge and exciting counterweight freestyle."
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Now hear this...
The "Long Black Train" - aka the old married bastard - turns 30 today. Let us all mourn appropriately.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Battle at Kruger
The most epic battle you'll see today (I recommend turning down the sound... the running commentary by the tourists queahs it up).
The Dark Knight
Here's the latest trailer for The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins which was, arguably, the greatest batman flick ever. Right, right, Keaton and Nicholson, yeah, yeah, that shit was badass, no doubt. But if you've dug the Bale version of ol' Batman, this new one seems like it won't disappoint.
Carl on the Mitchell Report
Let he who hasn't injected the extract from a grizzly bear's pituitary gland straight into his bellybutton cast the first stone.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Paul's Tea Party
Ron Paul has the largest fundraising day in political history. Yesterday's $6,000,000 haul puts his campaign at over $18,000,000 in donations for the fourth-quarter of the year (with two weeks remaining).
Power of the Pussy Rangers NSFW
You've got a handycam and some willing participants, why the hell not?
Telecom Immunity Update
Harry Reid has announced that he will be moving the Senate Intelligence Committee's version of the FISA bill to the floor of the Senate. This bill contains provisions for immunity for telecommunications companies that aided the government in warrantless surveillance. Reid has acted in this manner despite a hold placed on the bill by Senator Chris Dodd - a somewhat unprecedented move.
Fuck Harry Reid.
Friday, December 14, 2007
I have a strange family
Thought those of you that know my family might get a kick out of this. I couldn't stop laughing for twenty minutes after this mainly because of Jason.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1375495882
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Bush League Justice: Partisan Corruption of the DoJ
Dan Abrams of MSNBC discusses the politicization of the Department of Justice during the Bush years. Prepare to get your rage on.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
First five minutes of the new Alien vs. Predator
Why the fuck would Predators keep face-huggers on their starship?
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Looks like they played it...
Zeppelin. Stairway. December 10th, 2007.
Also:
Whole Lotta Love
Kashmir
Apparently, they jammed No Quarter, but I cannot find it. So here is fuckin TOOL doing it.
The Serpent's Wall
A Ukranian girl takes us on a virtual tour of some World War II battlefields near Kiev. See also her trip through the excluded zone around around Pripyat and Chernobyl.
Old, but good.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Cool posts, Chris
Glad to see that this thing still generates some interest. Here's a question for everyone: aside from OJ and whiskey, what should a guy do to get over the flu? I've heard about drugs you can take, but they appear to be prescription only.
Jon inspired me. Kinda.
Only kinda 'cause I'd estimate that I'm thinking about Radiohead for at least 6 hours a day. For real though, this shit rocks. Mad energy. Dig the 90's style.
Airbag, Jools Holland, 1997:
Paranoid Android, Jools Holland, 1997:
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