2014 archive
Serendipity 0
I knew golf had to be good for something.
For three years, technology education teacher Stefani Kirk has required her students to make mini-golf courses.
“They’re real-world projects” that let students “see their brainstorms start as pencil sketches,” she said, “and evolve into something people actually use.”
Nothing To Do, Nowhere To Go 0
(snip)
The four-week average of claims, a less-volatile measure than the weekly figure, decreased to 311,500 from 322,750 the week before.
There is a lesson here: Play the percentages. Always bet against Bloomberg’s experts.
Jet Set 0
Reuters’ Bethany McLean investigate the stealth jets.
What’s interesting is that despite all the furor about corporate jets, and the complaints about executive compensation, experts say this situation is not uncommon.
(snip)
Jos. A. Bank’s plane is not identified in the company’s financial statements. I searched its proxy statements and 10Ks going back to 2003 for the terms “jet,” “personal use,” “aircraft,” and “airplane,” and found nothing related to this aircraft. And this is technically proper — if the plane is being used entirely for business purposes.
Read the rest, in which she explains how the perk can be kept in a poke, right there next to the pig.
When does “compensation” turn into plain ordinary skimming? Inquiring minds want to know.
If One Standard Is Good, Two Must Be Better 0
Dick Polman:
Things only got worse. By mid-2007, the VA’s disability claims backlog exceeded 400,000. Meanwhile, Nicholson had already approved bonuses for top VA officials, totaling $3.8 million. And in spring ’07, when he was confronted with reports of widespread vet treatment shortfalls, he said the evidence was merely “anecdotal,” and he voiced this memorable gem: “When you are treating so many people, there is always going to be a linen towel left somewhere.”
Funny, I don’t remember congressional Republicans calling for Nicholson’s head, or blaming Bush for mismanaging the leviathan.
Do read the rest, in which he also takes some jabs at President Obama.
Break Time 0
Off to drink liberally.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
To thine own self be polite.
Troopers say Bell was attempting to get off his ATV with a loaded shot gun when the weapon discharged, causing his fatal injuries.
Requiem for a Road Warrior 0
I don’t miss stepping on airplanes two or three times a month any more.
Standing at the Confluence of Marketing, Propaganda, and Stupid 4
Dick Polman comments on this weekend’s mass shooting in Santa Barbara, California (emphasis added):
He said it himself, in his social media “manifesto.” He couldn’t score with girls, he thought it was “unfair,” so therefore he would get “retribution” by blasting the girls. Misogyny, entitlement, and the American gun culture – perfect synchronicity.
Read it.
In other news, Joe the Not a Plumber plays the trump card.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Warning shots, the polite way.
Deputies arrested Miller. His daughter told Action News her father called her from jail and said he did not intend to hurt anyone.
“‘I said, ‘You shot Tammy?’ He said, ‘Yes, I didn’t mean to. I meant to shoot up in the air.’ And he says, ‘I don’t know what happened,'” said Mary Bhogal.
Special Drinking Liberally Cheasapeake Tomorrow 0
Relax and discuss politics and everything else in a liberal atmosphere.
When: Wednesday, May 28, 6:00 p.
Where:
Greene Turtle
Greenbrier Mall (between Sears and Macy’s)
1401 Greenbrier Pkwy, #2260
Chesapeake, VA (map)
Chipotle Putcsh 0
If Not-White persons pulled stunts like these, Wingnuts would be all “New Black Panther Party” all the time.
How To Identify Astroturf 0
In the Bangor Daily News, conservative commentator Jim Fossel offers advice for identifying phony “advocacy” groups.
Given the current tendency for the proponents of the most venal causes to wrap themselves in the most colorful display of American flag bunting, like buzzards in pheasant suits, his guidelines are timely. The Society for Puppies and Kitty Cats, from which you received a touching appeal, may turn out to be a front for the CCCCFF (Corporation for Commercially Canning Canines and Freezing Felines).
Another telling indication of partisanship is legislative ratings. Many organizations rate legislators, supposedly on how well they agree with their issues. Groups that are merely partisan fronts will have highly polarized ratings — for example, almost all Democrats getting 10 percent or less, and all Republicans getting 90 percent or more. Of course, though it’s rare, an issue may be truly partisan, so it’s not fair to judge based on that alone; this is just one indicator.