Interesting and Quaint

Sure beats the hell out of Double Dribble.

Literally.

Trivial, but fun

Ashlee Simpson Karaoke Edition iPod

Sick and Hilarious

2004's Scariest Halloween Costumes

Interesting and Helpful

Carve this!

Helpful - Fashion advice

Indigo, don't be that guy.

Helpful Review -- Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs

Truly, a hilarious book.

Chuck Klosterman, pop culture expert and reviewer for Spin magazine, kicks out a fine work that deconstructs the Real World, Saved By the Bell, and Pamela Anderson.

My favorite part is where Klosterman lists the "23 questions I ask everybody I meet in order to decide if I can really love them. Here's one:

You meet your soul mate. However, there is a catch: Every three years, someone will break your soul mate's collarbones with a Crescent wrench, and there is only one way you can stop this from happening: You must swallow a pill that will make every song you hear--for the rest of your life--sound as if it's being performed by the band Alice in Chains. When you hear Creedence Clearwater Revival on the radio, it will sound (to your ears) like it's being played by Alice in Chains. If you see Radiohead live, every one of their tunes will sound like it's being covered by Alice in Chains. When you hear a commerical jingle on TV, it will sound like Alice in Chains; if you sing to yourself in the shower, your voice will sound like the deceased Alice vocalist Layne Staley performing a capella (but it will only sound this way to you.
Would you swallow the pill?

I + H + Scary as hell -- Update from Iraq

From Phil's e-mail this morning to his fiancee:

I almost got to call you for free last night and the night before last. I was hit by an IED each day while I was up in the turret. What an initiation, two days in a row! Don't worry, I just ate a mouth full of dirt and my ears are ringing a bit. That is why I didn't get the free call; only if you suffer a significant injury do you get the call. That is ok, I would rather pay :) No one else was hurt either. Our vehicle came away with only a cracked windshield.

Helpful -- let's clear up this HDX business.

Scott, it looks like the President's hopes of having MSNBC save his ass are fading.

Helpful to Kerry -- C'mon Iowa!

DesMoinesRegister.com | Editorials

Holy Crap -- "the greatest explosives bonanza in history"

Tracking the Weapons: Huge Cache of Explosives Vanished From Site in Iraq

And people are voting for Bush because he will make us safer?

Wolfpacks For Truth

Hee hee.

Look out Josh

I'm coming after you, tough guy.

Helpful -- Voters for Bush aren't stupid

They're just wildly misinformed.

Helpful -- Visualize winning

A much more pleasant picture.

Interesting - Bush bigger than God?

photo coutesy Atrios.

Helpful -- New feed

If you use My Yahoo! or other RSS readers, you can now syndicate this site by clicking the FeedBurner button on the right. Blogger uses Atom, which isn't used by all services, so I decided to expand.

If what I just wrote makes no sense to you, feel free to leave now and look at something adorable and cuddly.

I also have been surprised at how many people are finding the site through topical searches like U.S. Rejects U.N. Plan for Women, Cheney threatens attack on U.S. or Christine Cegelis.

Very strange, this blogging thing.

I + H + Scary as Hell -- Update from Iraq

I got this note from Phil today!

If you want Phil's address to send a postcard, please e-mail me at [kuzmatt9 AT yahoo DOT com] or leave a comment here and I'll send it to you.

I have now been at my job for a month. I have been IED'ed, mortared, shot at, blessed, cursed, praised and everything in between. It can sometimes make for an exciting time but most of the time it is just dull. I am part of what is called a mobile strike team. The team is six armored humvees and we do everything from just a random patrol to supply escort duty. Unfortunately, we haven't caught that many bad guys but we have found quite a few unexploded IED's and arms caches.

Life here is pretty basic. I have gone two weeks without a shower and in this heat with all the gear you wouldn't have gotten within 30 feet of me. When I am back at base I have a nice cot to sleep on but out in the field you find me on the hood of my humvee or the ground. I do get a little time on the computers when I am back at the main base so that is good.

Most of the people we come across love us. I have walked through town markets and felt like a hero. They love to have their picture taken and hopefully I will get some pictures back home to you all before long. The kids are the best. They instill a hope in me that someday this place may be a peaceful beautiful country.

I want to thank you all for your support. Please keep the letters coming, you cannot understand how much just a postcard with one sentence can brighten my day. You all take care of yourselves. I will do the same. I can't wait to see you all again,

Phil

Helpful -- Kerry is winning big

And don't you even think otherwise.

Not Interesting or Helpful -- The Electoral College

I'm burned out this week, and there isn't anything new and fun to tell you about.

Meanwhile, Dave Barry's going on extended vacation, George Bush is still president, and we might have a Texas/Massachusettes World Series, which of course will be extremely annoying and incite all sorts of stupid sports/politics metaphors.

Bah. Oh, and the Electoral College is stupid.

Revolting -- Everything Alan Keyes says

Can he just go away, please?

Rest in Peace

Memorial for Daniel Wyatt, 22, of Racine WI.

I +H + Scary as Hell

Latest update from Phil's commander in Iraq:

It is with the deepest sadness and most profound grief that I must report to you the loss of Daniel Wyatt, LCpl, Fox Co, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, USMC. Daniel was killed in the line of duty, while conducting foot patrolling operations in Yusufiyah Iraq. Daniel was killed by a command detonated improvised explosive device. He died instantly, suffered no pain and was immediately recovered by his fellow Marines. My command security element and myself personally recovered Daniel's body and escorted him back to the forward operating base, and then onto the helicopter for the beginning of his final ride home. I cannot even begin to express to you the soul touching sight of combat hardened Marines, encrusted with weeks of sweat and dust, who have daily been engaged in combat, coming to complete and utter solemnity and respect in the handling of the body of one of their own. It puts on display a level of brotherly love you just cannot see anywhere else.

We conducted a memorial service for Daniel in the battle space owned by his fellow Marines, as well as one the following day at the Bn forward operating base. I have spoken with his fiancee and expressed the sorrow and sympathy of the entire Battalion. If I might for a moment, I hear and see some of the media coverage. I hear the accusations and charges. I hear what could almost be labelled as hysteria over the situation in Iraq. Let me tell you something from ground level. The town of Yusufiyah that Daniel and his fellow Marines seized, had not seen government structure or security forces for over 8 months. FOREIGN FIGHTERS, TERRORIST AND THUGS have had free reign and have routinely murdered people in the market for no reason other than one day they MIGHT support a democratic process and speak for themselves. For nothing more than they MIGHT choose a version of religion even slightly different than the terrorists and foreign fighters. They live in squalor and fear. The Marines of Daniel's unit have not had a shower since seizing the town. They have eaten MREs day on stay on. They live a Spartan existence that few can imagine. And, on all my trips to their position for planning, coordination and command visits, I ask them if they want to be relieved. To a man, they look me in the eye and tell me NO WAY. Why? Well, I am not going to soften it for anyone, the primary reason why is to kill terrorists. Please remember, that is what they are trained and paid to do. But, they also tell me, they want to help the people of Yusufiyah. They want to show all of Iraq that they can stand on their own feet, push back against extremism, and with our help live the life of freedom that all men yearn for. Yes, from the mouths of these young and hardened warriors, this is what they tell me. And then...and then...they ask me how I am doing! Unfreakingbeliveable! They worry about everyone else but themselves.


So believe what you want. That is your right as Americans. But I am telling you, there are no heroes on any football fields, basketball courts or halls of government. Their are honorable and decent people all over America. However, the heroes are on the battlefields of Iraq. Suffering, killing and DYING that others might live, and live in FREEDOM. Americans free from terror, Iraqis free from opression and tyranny. I am an under-educated gun toter from Indiana who is just lucky there is an organization like the USMC where a half-wit like myself with some rudimentary combat skills can succeed. But I do know heroes! I am surrounded by over a thousand of them. And I am not the least bit ashamed to tell you I have wept like a baby for Daniel Wyatt. Because when one of these heroes falls, it is if an Angel of God himself has fallen from heaven! I will not profess glory of battle or any other such hype. I will profess duty and sacrifice. Daniel showed us all true duty and ultimate sacrifice. I have no doubt that the instant he died, he was whisked to heaven on the wings of Angels and placed before the unapproachable light of Jesus, who himself said: "greater love hath no man, than a man lay down his life for his friends."


GOD BLESS AND KEEP DANIEL WYATT, HIS FAMILY AND FIANCEE AND GOD BLESS AND KEEP ALL THE FAMILIES OF 2/24.

Yours in profound sadness

Mark A. Smith, LtCol

TF 2/24 Cmdr

Mahmudiyah, Iraq

Helpful -- 98 tax raises?

Thank you, Jonathan Chait, for putting the smackdown on this "Kerry voted to raise taxes a million times" crap. And I just love this paragraph:

Meanwhile, Dick Cheney as a member of Congress from Wyoming voted to raise taxes 144 times. If 98 tax-hike votes make Kerry a far-out liberal, than Cheney would have to be placed somewhere in the ideological vicinity of Che Guevara

Unbelievable -- U.S. Rejects U.N. Plan for Women

The United States has refused to join 85 heads of state and government in signing a statement that endorsed a 10-year-old U.N. plan to ensure every woman's right to education, healthcare and choice about having children.

The Bush administration said it withheld its signature because the statement included a reference to "sexual rights."

I guess if we're not talking about lesbians, women's issues just don't matter.

Update: Here's link without registration required.

By the way, the United Nations site is really hard to navigate, so I haven't been able to pull up the text of what this plan says. But I mean c'mon, if it's about women's rights and even China will support it...

What about Poland?????

Yahoo! News - Poland to Reduce Number of Troops in Iraq

Interesting -- Old school blogging

Here's Drew, the first livejournal/blogger I ever met. We met at a writing workshop/retreat last year in Michigan. I totally lost track of his journal, so I have some catching up to do.

Debate thoughts

Boring debate. By the end of it, I was as tired as they were. I actually avoided the spin on MSNBC, CNN, FOX, etc. afterward, because it was just too exhausting to watch.

Bush's blatant lie (only 4 minutes in) about Bin Laden was about the only exciting moment. Does he think no one was paying attention? I talked with a couple of co-workers who had never watched a debate before, and both thought it was boring, that neither candidate was all that impressive. They thought that Kerry's answer on gay marraige was insufficient, but probably the only answer practical for someone running for president of this country right now. They thought Bush sounded silly bringing everything back to No Child Left Behind. Hello, 55-year-old guys getting laid off from the factory aren't taking the 6th grade reading tests, dude.

Overall, my expert political analysis is that Kerry did well enough, looked like a President, and did nothing to lose the momentum. He may have even won a few votes. Meanwhile, I get back to work.

Being Helpful

I just made 15 calls for John Kerry, and got 2 people to go out canvassing door-to-door in Florida this weekend. 2 people can reach 100 voters in 1 day, and help pull them out for our side. It barely takes any time at all, and it's easy as pie. Do it!

Alert -- RNC funds voter supression efforts

Can't wait for Kerry's attorney general to send these slimeballs to jail when all is said and done.

Despicable.

Interesting -- A new favorite dictator

Saw this blog listed over at claptrap* and just had to share. Enjoy.

Helpful -- Hack hack hack

I just found Hitz's new favorite site.

I + H + Scary as Hell -- Another Iraq update

Just got this in:

> Actually early on this update. However, want to keep all in the loop since media coverage has been extensive. We are the focus of Operation Phantom Fury, that you hear referred to. The 24th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) is our HHQ and they are Headquartered in Camp Lejeune, NC. Do not be frustrated if the media does not mention 2/24 specifically, we are not here for the glory or fame, simply to destroy terrorists and terrorism. With that said, and even though our email is back up, a large percentage of the Battalion is operating forward from the Forward Operating Base.

Myself and the Command Staff move virtually daily about our battlespace checking up, planning and supporting the different elements as they close with and destroy the enemy in their assigned zones of action. They do it very well, and are only getting better each day. In addition, they truly are bringing stability, freedom and peace to people who have known nothing but terror and oppression. The town of Yusufiyah had not had any government presence for months and the terrorists had absolutely dominated the people and their lives. Randomly killing and demanding money and youth service for anti-coalition fights. NO MORE! Now they must deal with the Warriors of 2/24. That is a deal they are losing, and losing in a big way. They have thrown every sinister attack you can think of, including multiple attempts at suicide car bombers. All have been thwarted with only the suicide bomber being killed in the process. The saddest part is how they have seriously injured several Iraqi children. Children who have life saving first aid applied to them by the very Marines and Corpsman who just seconds before were engaged in full scale combat to destroy the terrorists. To see that in action is to see the battle between good and evil played out before your eyes. And to all the anti-war, anti-American crowd, I ask them, where else do you see such disciplined and proper violence, followed by such compassion and mercy. I guarantee you it is uniquely American! And there are no better ambassadors of it than the WONDERFUL Marines of 2/24. They absolutely humble me and everything about my existence, and you should feel nothing but extreme PRIDE in them. They are amazing.

That said, currently many of them are without the standard comforts and are living spartan in support of the mission. We are working non-stop to push them mail, hot chow, ice, fruit and all we can possibly support. We also are pushing a couple of satellite phones around so they can attempt at least some 5 minute phone calls home for an update. PLEASE BE PATIENT! The focus of the day is combat. But, everywhere I am I see the Marines with pictures of their loved ones. YOU ARE NEVER OUT OF THEIR HEARTS OR MINDS.

As I already said I am nothing but humbled by these magnificent Warriors, citizens and Marines; and I can ensure you that MANY fanatics who dreamed of one day destroying innocent "infidels" on the streets of America have met with a violent end at the hands of the disciplined, precise HEROES of 2/24.

God Bless You All and Thank You for your continued sacrifice.

LtCol Mark A. Smith
Commanding Officer
Task Force 2/24

Helpful -- Do something!

As I've mentioned before, you can volunteer for Kerry from home just using your cell phone. There is no excuse!

Helpful -- How's Kuz doin?

I just took a trip down memory lane by looking at the blog archives here. Post #1 was in late February, and I've noticed that, like my life, my blog has gone from time-wasting, unfocused goofy interests to obsessive politicism. I mean for goodness sake, isn't it time I put up some shameless topless action?

Overall, I'm very happy with the time I have spent writing this. I've always been a pusher. I enjoy persuading people to try the restaurants I like, to try out and listen to the music I like, and to read the books that I've found enlightening. I'm sure it's mostly ego, and I think I've also always been the kind of person who gets the biggest thrill from helping others. I don't know what that says about me. Am I being helpful for selfish reasons? If I am, is there anything wrong with that?

Jeez, I need to go the gym. I'm out of my gourd.

Interesting -- "Rampant lesbianism"

No, I'm not talking about the new Jennifer Tilly/Gina Gershon movie. I'm talking about the great state of Oklahoma.

Helpful -- Round 2 spin

"Battling green eyshades."

That's about all I can say about this debate. Kerry, like last time, was not perfect. He drops names in an awkward way, he takes forever to get to the question, he's kind of boring. But Bush's big "upgrade" of performance was a bump up from "bumbling idiot" to just "idiot."

Here's what I learned:
*Bush was disappointed to learn that Saddam didn't have WMD.
*He wanted give Charlie Gibson some wood. (Is that what the kids are calling it this day?)
*Bush likes to yell. A lot. He's testy.

More than anything, I was just happy that there were clear questions, and that the major differences between Bush and Kerry shown through. Whatever you think about what Kerry talks about, he wants to make things better. He has plans to change things. Bush couldn't acknowledge a single mistake he's made, except for some appointments. That's a jackass thing to say.

By the way, I'm writing this from the Christine Cegelis campaign office, so I may be a bit distracted. I decided that my lame-ass punditry is pretty worthless, so I'm calling people on Saturdays so we can get Henry Hyde out of office.

PS - as a commenter noted, I think Battling Green Eyeshades would be a kick-ass name for a band.

Interesting -- that's weird, Grandma

It's not just weird. It's hilarious. Go see it, Chicago.

Interesting -- Potty mouth diplomacy

Compared to Cheney, this is child's play.

Debates -- Round Two

I have a board meeting to be at, so I will miss the beginning of the debate, but I gotta say, tonight could be huge. Historically, undecideds break between 3-1 and 3-2 for the challenger. So I don't think a VP debate is going to change that all that much either way. This will be a close race, regardless. But the HUGE danger for Republicans is that if Cheney comes off as creepy, and Edwards looks good, you might see borderline Republicans or other casual Bush supporters change their minds.

Cheney is the scary, twisted face of the Cold War; Edwards is the handsome face of the future for Democrats. And the strategy of having Edwards hit small towns, below the national radar screen, is perfect -- tonight can be an ambush of smiles and tough trial lawyer talk. Again, having gone to Iowa for the primaries and having watched the debates on TV, I can tell you: Kerry and Edwards sealed the deal during the debates.

Four more weeks!

Interesting and Rude

The Rude Pundit gives Edwards debate prep. I don't think he'll use these exact words, alas.

Interesting -- Holy man?

I knew that Bush wasn't a strong United Methodist, since he has refused to meet with church leaders his entire presidency, but I honestly didn't know that he doesn't even go to church.

Not that presidents are required to, but isn't that surprising for someone who talks so much about faith and community?
Have a great weekend, everyone.

One more spin

From Eleanor.

Interesting -- CNN is ridiculous

Do these people realize we're watching?

Supremely disgusting

Check out paragraph #15.

Here comes the judge!

Interesting -- More Spin

From that liberal rag, BusinessWeek.

"Sputtering screwup"?

Wow.

Helpful -- the I + H debate spin

I watched the debate on C-SPAN, where not only did they have a constant split-screen the entire time, but I got to see Jim Lehrer's instructions to the crowd and everything. It was kind of cool to see that. "You are not here to cheer, to yell, to have a pep rally. You are here to bear witness to these two men speaking directly to the voters of the United States."

Bush's main critique was that Kerry says one thing, then says another. He's right on this. It's what we're pissed at with Kerry. Bush was fully prepared to keep saying this, and I think he expected that Kerry would get tied up by it. But Kerry was smooth, and went a long way to deflect it, by contrasting that charge with Bush: Bush says one thing, then does another, then keeps doing that thing forever, no matter how poorly it's going. "Certainty can get you in trouble."

Physically, Bush looked like he was going to cry, and I wonder if he had prepared fully, actually having someone attack him in practice so he wouldn't roll his eyes and sigh and harumph and do that weird mouth thing. What was that? Kerry took notes, but more importantly, when Bush would talk about Kerry's "mixed message" statements, Kerry would nod, and almost mouth the words, "yes, I said that." It took so much of the zing out of Bush's charge, I thought. He didn't sweat, didn't stammer, didn't lose his cool once. He brought facts to the table, and actually used some facts that the average person didn't know. Like the 95% of unsearched containers. And the 4-7 nukes that N. Korea's got now. How's that multilateral negotiation going, Mr. Pres?

There was one time that Bush looked pissed off, asked for a 30-second extension, then sat there fuming for 15 seconds without saying anything. It was obvious that he doesn't hear criticism to his face all that often.

Oh, and a line that will haunt Bush: Kerry talked about spending money on homeland security, and Bush said something like "I don't know where he's going to get the money for all these promises." We have money for tax cuts, but don't have the money to protect America? Is that your position?

Interesting -- How much is inside?

An innocent question about Goldschlager at work leads to this fascinating discovery.