Pandering Idiots

Obama vs McCain?  Dumb versus Dumberer... Is anyone besides me sick of idiocy like "we should buy up all the bad mortgages and write down the losses" or "let's declare a three month freeze on foreclosures?"  Does anyone that wants to run the place have a clue?  If we elect another pandering idiot who refuses to face that fact that this country needs to return to living on what we make and EARNING what we want, then we deserve what we get...

Check out Bob Barr... (The libertarian)...  He's the only guy making any sense...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXQ9Op8thmA

The Democrats had an Armed Wing of the Party?

I am in the middle of a book entitled "Redemption:  The last Battle of the Civil War" by Nicholas Lemann.  This book is entirely disturbing to me as it discusses a period of history I, and I suspect most of us, know very little about.  The time frame is the early to mid 1870's in the post-Civil War South, at the tail end of reconstruction.  It's basically detailing the methods that white terrorist organizations used to essentially reverse the outcome of the civil war, returning the black populations to effective slavery or serfdom.   

These terrorist organizations were known as white leagues and they were, as the book describes, essentially armed adjuncts to the democratic party, working through intimidation and violence to unseat the Republican party which they considered to be full of carpetbaggers and negroes.  This shameful and shocking period is described, and includes murder and thuggery that one would never imagine possible in our country.  It makes me wonder if what is going on in Iraq right now is all that different from what went on in Mississippi and Louisiana not much more than 100 years ago.   No matter how messed up we think this country is, it is ironic to me that the first major party to run a black candidate is the very same party that worked to impose virtual slavery on the freed blacks less than 150 years ago.  

I'm still in the middle of this book; but so far I find it completely fascinating and it really makes you think.  Check it out here:  http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/10/books/review/Wilentz.t.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/L/Lemann,%20Nicholas

Dark Horse - James Garfield

I just finished the book "Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of James A. Garfield" by Kenneth Ackerman. I just can't say enough good about it and in this season of McCain versus Obama it's even more relevant. The behind the scenes look at the Republican convention, the politics, the whole process was just fascinating. I couldn't put the book down! This book really paints a picture of a time when the US was more innocent and naive in a lot of ways, but more brutal and cutthroat at the same time. If you've ever wondered how these guys like James Garfield and Chester A. Arthur got elected and what they are about (OH C'MON!! SOMEBODY BESIDES ME MUST BE INTERESTED IN HISTORY!), then this book is a really excellent read illuminating not only those people but a truly fascinating time in our history... Oh for the days when you could just march into the white house and let the president know you need a job... :-) Great book... Check it out! http://kennethackerman.com/darkhorse.html

I hate Google

OK:  Google is over the top...  They claim that nirvana is "when you walk up to the terminal and it knows what you want before you ask" or some such craziness.  Anything to get quoted in the press...  I'm disgusted...

http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,24343384-5014108,00.html

The first Phone Book?

Here is something kind of fun... The very FIRST phone book from 1878. Only 40 pages and no numbers... Just names! Someone bought it for $170,000!!

http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/video?id=541

Save your phone book! Who knows what they will be worth once the internet puts them under! :-)

THUNDERSTRUCK

Latest book review...  Thunderstruck by Erik Larsen was AWESOME.  The backdrop for the story includes two threads; Marconi and his development of the "wireless" and all the politics and intrigue associated with that, and then a Dr. Crippen, who was married to some overbearing and domineering woman whom he eventually carved up into tiny pieces.  The story follows the paths of each of these until the point they intersect.

You can read about the book here; but its extremely interesting to read about the advances of technologies and how they come about.  This all occurred in the early 1900's; but the story could have been about any silicon valley startup today.  Young aggressive entrepreneur, new technology and a rush to push it into the mainstream before its really ready...  Lots of competitors and intrigue and incredibly high stakes.  

We then follow the personal story of Crippen and his overbearing wife and how he dealt with a very unsatisfying life, until he meets his soul mate and cracks...  It all comes together in a OJ Simpson-esque chase across the Atlantic, brought to you in living newsprint thanks to the miracle of wireless communications.  This book in addition to being a really good read, makes you think about how technology changes our entire society.  How one guy can change the world with nothing more than an idea and a will to make it real.

I've also read Larson's Devil in the White City awhile ago, and this book is just as good...  Highly recommended!

Six Man Football Rocks

I have to say that one of the best parts of living in Texas is high school football.  The kids pour their heart and souls into it, even at little 'ol schools like our own NYOS Charter School.  And every week is an event.  There are even websites dedicated to tracking the kids progress, speculating on pre-season rankings, and the whole nine yards!  The following site covers our school (look for Austin NYOS): http://www.sixmanfootball.com/index.php

We've had three of the boys playing now and its amazing how important grades and such become when you can't play...  All the kids enjoy it, the games are very competitive and there are memories being created that will last a lifetime.

Go JAGS!