The Swooshing Heard Round the World
Who'd a thunk that a little masturbating under the desk would get worldwide attention? As the UK's Reuters wire service reports (notice the headline):
OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - An Oklahoma state judge frequently masturbated and used a device for enhancing erections while his court was in session, charges a petition by the state's attorney general seeking his removal ... Several witnesses, including jurors in Thompson's court and police officers called to testify in trials, said in the petition they heard the "swooshing" sound of a penis pump during trials and saw the judge slumped in his chair, with his elbows on his knees, working the device.
What is a penis pump anyway? Is having a judge masturbate during your trial grounds for a mistrial?
Friday, June 25, 2004
Grumpy Old Men (and Women)
I ran into a grumpy old man in overalls today that cussed me out. I had been driving to a hardware store to pick up some lumber and got behind this guy in a faded blue van with a "I Pledge Allegiance" bumper sticker on his bumper. He was apparently confused because he was driving about 5 mph and coming to intermittent stops in the middle of the street. I was close to giving him a toot when he decided to pull in at the same store I was headed to. As soon as he got out of his van he started calling me a "stupid idiot" and worse = apparently unhappy that I had been following him too closely. I listened for a few seconds before telling him he needed some manners and went on into the store, purchased what I wanted and as I left he again spewed forth an invective that was choked with a deep anger. This guy was probably in his 70s, so I couldn't give him what he deserved - but the degree of pure, hostile aggression in this old fellow was something I've seen, or noticed, a lot lately.
Just last week I was working out on the treadmill at the gym when a very old man using a walker hobbled up to the front of the exercise room and in front of about a dozen people watching two wall-mounted TVs, changed both TVs to Fox News, looked at us like he was daring us to do something about it, and then hobbled out of the room. We all just looked at each other as if to say, "he's old, what can you do?"
Why do old folks get cranky and angry? Is is because they've tired of holding their tongues? Do they think they deserve something from others and have the right to behave badly just because they passed 60, or 70,or whatever? James Hillman has some advice to us on how to grow old gracefully without upsetting everyone else.
By the way, if any of you are wondering if the old man in the van was related to you, his tag # was Oklahoma #INM-044.
I ran into a grumpy old man in overalls today that cussed me out. I had been driving to a hardware store to pick up some lumber and got behind this guy in a faded blue van with a "I Pledge Allegiance" bumper sticker on his bumper. He was apparently confused because he was driving about 5 mph and coming to intermittent stops in the middle of the street. I was close to giving him a toot when he decided to pull in at the same store I was headed to. As soon as he got out of his van he started calling me a "stupid idiot" and worse = apparently unhappy that I had been following him too closely. I listened for a few seconds before telling him he needed some manners and went on into the store, purchased what I wanted and as I left he again spewed forth an invective that was choked with a deep anger. This guy was probably in his 70s, so I couldn't give him what he deserved - but the degree of pure, hostile aggression in this old fellow was something I've seen, or noticed, a lot lately.
Just last week I was working out on the treadmill at the gym when a very old man using a walker hobbled up to the front of the exercise room and in front of about a dozen people watching two wall-mounted TVs, changed both TVs to Fox News, looked at us like he was daring us to do something about it, and then hobbled out of the room. We all just looked at each other as if to say, "he's old, what can you do?"
Why do old folks get cranky and angry? Is is because they've tired of holding their tongues? Do they think they deserve something from others and have the right to behave badly just because they passed 60, or 70,or whatever? James Hillman has some advice to us on how to grow old gracefully without upsetting everyone else.
By the way, if any of you are wondering if the old man in the van was related to you, his tag # was Oklahoma #INM-044.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Just the Facts, You Decide
Just moments ago I was watching CNN and heard a report that President Clinton's biography had set a new record for first day sales of a nonfiction book. Then I flipped to Brit Hume on Fox and he was saying Clinton's book wasn't doing so well and named several bookstores in cities where there weren't lines to buy the book. This is so typical of the skewing of news. Either the book broke sales records or it didn't!! Who was right?
Just moments ago I was watching CNN and heard a report that President Clinton's biography had set a new record for first day sales of a nonfiction book. Then I flipped to Brit Hume on Fox and he was saying Clinton's book wasn't doing so well and named several bookstores in cities where there weren't lines to buy the book. This is so typical of the skewing of news. Either the book broke sales records or it didn't!! Who was right?
Condolences
OkiePundit's condolences to the family of Kim Sun-il, the South Korean interpreter murdered by terrorists in Iraq. Condolences also to Nick Berg's and Paul Johnson's families - American hostages that were murdered by sub-human lunatics.
I know most Muslims don't support the kind of outrageous cruelty being perpetrated in their name by these terrorists but I think Muslims need to be more outspoken in their opposition to it. Perception is reality and Islam is really looking bad as we see in this article from the Korea Times. I don't know if the faith will ever recover from its bad image - brought on by members of its own community.
OkiePundit's condolences to the family of Kim Sun-il, the South Korean interpreter murdered by terrorists in Iraq. Condolences also to Nick Berg's and Paul Johnson's families - American hostages that were murdered by sub-human lunatics.
I know most Muslims don't support the kind of outrageous cruelty being perpetrated in their name by these terrorists but I think Muslims need to be more outspoken in their opposition to it. Perception is reality and Islam is really looking bad as we see in this article from the Korea Times. I don't know if the faith will ever recover from its bad image - brought on by members of its own community.
The Green Country Conservative
I just received a "newspaper" in the mail purporting to be the "Green Country Conservative" but the newspaper seems to be a campaign piece from the Bill Wortman for Congress Campaign. In fact, the return address for the "Green Country Conservative" newspaper IS the Wortman Campaign HQ. Inside the newspaper there is an article titled "An Interview with Republican Candidate for Congress Bill Wortman - Bill Wortman sat down with the Editors of the ""Green Country Conservative"" and spent a couple of hours discussing issues" This is an example of what's known in the advertising industry as "borrowed legitimacy" - using the appearance of a trusted medium such as newspapers, radio etc to lend credibility to an advertising message. Advertisers (and political candidates) try to make their ads look like its coming from an objective third-party medium. While most people are intelligent enough to see through this deceptive tactic - many are not. Why else would advertisers continue to use the deception?
Ironically, inside this "newspaper" Wortman, er, the "Green Country Conservative" reprints a story from the Tulsa World about Congressman John Sullivan's (Wortman's opponent in the primary) staff members calling in to talk shows Sullivan is on and using fake names to ask the Congressman softball questions. At the bottom of this story Wortman is qouted as saying, "this shows the institutional dishonesty pervasive in Sullivan's political career". Perhaps true, but odd coming from a candidate trying to make his political ad look like a third party newspaper.
Wortman doesn't like Sullivan's claim to be a businessman either - pointing out that Sullivan was a real estate agent that only sold 8 houses in 3 years. Then, in an attempt to win the government employees vote, Wortman says "I don't believe our government should be run by rejects from the business community." Besides unfairly painting those who dedicate their careers to public service, this statement is just plain stupid.
What really gets me is a little table that shows Sullivan's alledged arrests for assault, loitering, and drunkeness - all charges from pre-1985!! Almost 20 years ago! Sullivan must have been a teenager or college-age at that time. I've got news for you Mr. Wortman - people change. If Sullivan assaulted someone five years ago then that would be news. As a Christian (Wortman makes sure we know he's Christian) you'd think Wortman would believe in a person's capacity to turn over a new leaf and to not throw stones at a man for 20-year-old bad behavior. It's really distasteful to bring up old charges like this.
The scariest facet of Wortman's campaign is that he thinks Sullivan is not conservative enough! As proof, Wortman points out that Sullivan voted for the National Endowment of the Arts budget. Do you have to be anti-art or anti-civilization to be a conservative these days? Is business all that matters? Just when I thought Sullivan was a far right extremist Wortman reminds us that - it could be worse. Maybe Sullivan isn't so bad after all? At least until a moderate comes along.
I just received a "newspaper" in the mail purporting to be the "Green Country Conservative" but the newspaper seems to be a campaign piece from the Bill Wortman for Congress Campaign. In fact, the return address for the "Green Country Conservative" newspaper IS the Wortman Campaign HQ. Inside the newspaper there is an article titled "An Interview with Republican Candidate for Congress Bill Wortman - Bill Wortman sat down with the Editors of the ""Green Country Conservative"" and spent a couple of hours discussing issues" This is an example of what's known in the advertising industry as "borrowed legitimacy" - using the appearance of a trusted medium such as newspapers, radio etc to lend credibility to an advertising message. Advertisers (and political candidates) try to make their ads look like its coming from an objective third-party medium. While most people are intelligent enough to see through this deceptive tactic - many are not. Why else would advertisers continue to use the deception?
Ironically, inside this "newspaper" Wortman, er, the "Green Country Conservative" reprints a story from the Tulsa World about Congressman John Sullivan's (Wortman's opponent in the primary) staff members calling in to talk shows Sullivan is on and using fake names to ask the Congressman softball questions. At the bottom of this story Wortman is qouted as saying, "this shows the institutional dishonesty pervasive in Sullivan's political career". Perhaps true, but odd coming from a candidate trying to make his political ad look like a third party newspaper.
Wortman doesn't like Sullivan's claim to be a businessman either - pointing out that Sullivan was a real estate agent that only sold 8 houses in 3 years. Then, in an attempt to win the government employees vote, Wortman says "I don't believe our government should be run by rejects from the business community." Besides unfairly painting those who dedicate their careers to public service, this statement is just plain stupid.
What really gets me is a little table that shows Sullivan's alledged arrests for assault, loitering, and drunkeness - all charges from pre-1985!! Almost 20 years ago! Sullivan must have been a teenager or college-age at that time. I've got news for you Mr. Wortman - people change. If Sullivan assaulted someone five years ago then that would be news. As a Christian (Wortman makes sure we know he's Christian) you'd think Wortman would believe in a person's capacity to turn over a new leaf and to not throw stones at a man for 20-year-old bad behavior. It's really distasteful to bring up old charges like this.
The scariest facet of Wortman's campaign is that he thinks Sullivan is not conservative enough! As proof, Wortman points out that Sullivan voted for the National Endowment of the Arts budget. Do you have to be anti-art or anti-civilization to be a conservative these days? Is business all that matters? Just when I thought Sullivan was a far right extremist Wortman reminds us that - it could be worse. Maybe Sullivan isn't so bad after all? At least until a moderate comes along.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Young Jerks
We are fortunate to live in a culture that understands the benefits of queing (getting in line) and waiting our turn. It's not always observed. Today I was watching a cute little girl walking up to a snowcone hut in Tulsa - you could see the joyful anticipation in her eyes. Just as she neared the hut a car screeched to a stop near the hut and a young guy with a goatee jumped out and ran to get in front of the little girl and order snowcones for himself and his girlfriend who was driving the car. This thoughtless young couple were driving a car with Oklahoma tag# 727-CLC.
We are fortunate to live in a culture that understands the benefits of queing (getting in line) and waiting our turn. It's not always observed. Today I was watching a cute little girl walking up to a snowcone hut in Tulsa - you could see the joyful anticipation in her eyes. Just as she neared the hut a car screeched to a stop near the hut and a young guy with a goatee jumped out and ran to get in front of the little girl and order snowcones for himself and his girlfriend who was driving the car. This thoughtless young couple were driving a car with Oklahoma tag# 727-CLC.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Beheading Craze
The Islamic terrorists that have beheaded Americans in recent weeks and are now threatening to murder a South Korean kidnap victim in Iraq are just about as evil as evil can get. Oddly enough, they claim to be doing this for religious purposes. The sad thing is they seem to want to provoke an Islam vs the West world war - what some in the West call a "clash of civilizations". We in the West must refuse to give them this war they seek. Yes, I want us to get these particular low-lifes and do justice but the notion of turning the other cheek as espoused by Jesus is the wise way. As you see, it's not just Christians who teach this way.
Here's an interesting take on who Al Qaeda wants to win the election this November.
The Islamic terrorists that have beheaded Americans in recent weeks and are now threatening to murder a South Korean kidnap victim in Iraq are just about as evil as evil can get. Oddly enough, they claim to be doing this for religious purposes. The sad thing is they seem to want to provoke an Islam vs the West world war - what some in the West call a "clash of civilizations". We in the West must refuse to give them this war they seek. Yes, I want us to get these particular low-lifes and do justice but the notion of turning the other cheek as espoused by Jesus is the wise way. As you see, it's not just Christians who teach this way.
Here's an interesting take on who Al Qaeda wants to win the election this November.
Strange Thinking at the Oklahoma Election Board
Further to the Oklahoma Election Board's decision to kick Bradshaw off the ballot, KFOR reports:
Board member Tom Prince says it would ``create chaos'' if Republicans and Democrats could bypass the primaries and file for office as independents without changing their registration.
The KFOR report also makes reference to a state law that "would have required Bradshaw to be registered as an independent for six months before filing for office."
It seems that the State Legislature (dominated by Democrats and Republican) enacted a new law to further restrict the right to run as an independent and independent of party platforms. Tom Prince's argument that it would be unfair for people registered as a party member to run as an independent and thus "bypass the primaries" puts forth the premise that by doing so independents would be unfairly advantaged. The logic of that premise escapes me. How often have independents been able to overcome the party machines in Oklahoma to win election? Is this really a problem in our state? Last time I checked there were 0 independents in the State Legislature.
Further to the Oklahoma Election Board's decision to kick Bradshaw off the ballot, KFOR reports:
Board member Tom Prince says it would ``create chaos'' if Republicans and Democrats could bypass the primaries and file for office as independents without changing their registration.
The KFOR report also makes reference to a state law that "would have required Bradshaw to be registered as an independent for six months before filing for office."
It seems that the State Legislature (dominated by Democrats and Republican) enacted a new law to further restrict the right to run as an independent and independent of party platforms. Tom Prince's argument that it would be unfair for people registered as a party member to run as an independent and thus "bypass the primaries" puts forth the premise that by doing so independents would be unfairly advantaged. The logic of that premise escapes me. How often have independents been able to overcome the party machines in Oklahoma to win election? Is this really a problem in our state? Last time I checked there were 0 independents in the State Legislature.