Pop Culture Cuisinart

In a confluence sure to strike fear into the hearts of religious right book burners and science hating mouth breathers everywhere. Scientists have announced they are close to actually having the technology to create an Invisibility Cloak. Apparently the military is financing some of the research, since in modern times science can't be done merely for the sake of science. Still if they can get this to work and then get cracking on that flying broomstick technology, they could put the stealth bomber to shame. I can see it now, the 303rd airbourne invisible broom squad. The sweeping 303!

Former Enron CEO Jeff Skilling and company founder Ken Lay were found guilty of fraud and conspiracy charges. A long awaited and well deserved prison stay awaits these two. That is unless Boy George decides to pardon his buddies. It certainly would be a quid pro quo if you look at the political donation history of these two. Kenny "Boy" Lay's contribution history reads $651,760 to Republicans, $61,960 for Democrats, and $62,150 to special interests. He served on the Bush-Cheney Transition Advisory Committee and was rumored to be a strong candidate for the Secretary of the Treasury before the whole annoying fraud thing came to light. Skilling has likewise been an ATM to right wing Washington with a campaign contribution history of $162,750 to Republicans, $9,750 to Democrats, and $50,783 classified as special interests.

Looks like Bush lost a couple of "pioneers"!

Will Shrub pardon the @ssholes? Stay tuned.

Achievement among high school students continues a precipitous decline. This is generally the time in which I lambaste the GOP crony responsible for the disaster du jour, in this case Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. Spellings is a unique case though in that she has not as yet proven to be inept at anything but fawning over W. Considering the performance of her fellow masters of the universe--which include such notable administrators of failure as Donald Rumsfeld, Doc Rice, Michael "Heckuva Job" Brown, Michael Chertoff, David Safavian, and Claude Allen. Among this rogues gallery the fact that Spellings hasn't been indicted, investigated, or literally killed hundreds due to negligence of emergency planning qualifies her as above average in this Cabinet.

The most genuine criticism I can make of Spellings is that she eagerly participates in an administration that is heavily dependent on spreading propaganda and passing off faith as science. Which isn't exactly the stuff of educational excellence. It is, of course, understandable as to why the Administration is so anti-education. It's a lot easier to overcome a horrific record and get past any irritating skepticism, if your electorate can be taught to accept the initial premise that facts don't matter, or lacks the critical thinking skills to discover reality for themselves. With a President who proudly proclaims he doesn't read the paper, and is the "decider" based on his gut; is it any wonder that the base of the GOP is happy to declare their ignorance of current issues. Of course it's easier to be proud of the idea of "intelligent design" and "global warming doesn't exist" if you're sure no one else knows any science either, and that my friends is what the department of education is for.

this guy would be a Darwin awards candidate. As is he's a complete moron. Linkage here.

I'll let it speak for itself.

establishment. I thought wistfully of the corner of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue in S. Philly(aka Cheesesteak Mecca). As I ate the pale imitation of a Philly cheesesteak that I was handed, I thought about how much better it the food is at Geno's/Pat's , and how much easier it is to order. So in an effort to make life easier for non native's who trek to S. Philly for the world's greatest sandwich; I give you how to order a Philly Cheesesteak like a local.
When ordering a cheesesteak, the idea is to make the purveyor of steak aware 1.) that you would like a cheesesteak, 2.) what type of cheese you want on it, and 3.) whether or not you want fried onions. And you had best be as concise as possible while doing so, lest you incur the rath of the others waiting in line.
Locals have become so adept at this practice that they basically have it down to three words: saying “one wiz with” to the person behind the counter means that you would like a single cheesesteak [denoted by the “one”] with Cheeze Wiz as your choice of cheese [“wiz”] and with fried onions [“with”]. On the other hand, saying “one provolone without” would secure you a single cheesesteak [one] made with provolone cheese [provolone] and without fried onions [without]. Are we clear? Good then you won't be the next person to experience another cherished Philly tradition, getting booed.

A 44 year old teacher apparently had relations with a 16 year old student on a field trip. You gotta love the way current educators just keep raising the bar for sexual misconduct. Hey, back in my day field trips were rewards in and of themselves, you got out of school, didn't have to eat cafeteria food, and no homework. Now you might get lucky, BONUS. Personally, I never envisioned going farther than second base during a field trip.

Owner of the single greatest line in American political debate history. "Senator,I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy." If only we had a presently serving Democrat of significant eloquence to so cleary convey the failure of this current President as well as that. Sigh, we'll miss your candor Senator...

R.I.P

Sure Namibia is a small poor country in southern Africa with a GNP less than that of many states in the US. But that doesn't mean these people don't love pop culture. A recent poll, taken by a Namibian radio station showed that 50% of the populace feels that the birth of the Brangelina baby should be a holiday. While the birth of this baby is undoubtedly news, particularly for the People, Us Weekly, New York Post page six set. I don't think it quite qualifies as national holiday material. Though I guess not much happens in Namibia, so hey party away!

First off this stuff is even nastier than you think it is. Picture your eyes sneezing as if you have a sinus infection and you get the idea. My eyes aren't even that red, they're a little red, but not overwhelmingly so. They do itch though, man do they itch. Of course I can't touch them or I risk spreading it too others perhaps my girlfriend or even my puppies the horror! The eye drops are helping some, but they sting like crazy and I just want this to go away. I do know this, I will never ride in a spaceship with Scott Baio again.

I am not under alien control.