Archive for August, 2012

Armstrong (August 27, 2012)

Posted in On [Traits/Characteristics], Pogo Plight, Sports, Supreme Court, Technology on August 27, 2012 by e-commentary.org

. . .

1          “Legstrong is not sexy.”

2          “Walk on moon, pedal a bike.  More leg than arm.”

1          “Some members of the public will opine that he did not receive a de novo trial before the United States Supreme Court, yet the court of public opinion may do a clearer job of determining truth.  Something did not seem right about him and so many of the other riders who were too superhuman.”

2          “Where is the line?  What is the rule?  Photos can be photo shopped.  Songs can be synthesized.  With the intervention of editors and the involvement of focus groups, a book is about as individual an accomplishment as winning the Tour de France is a singular achievement.  Athletes are as much a product of technology as of training.  Who is the real thing?  What is real?”

1          “Neil was real.  He did it with skill, sang-froid, integrity and humility.”

. . .

(Neil Armstrong – 1930 – 2012)

Bumper stickers of the week:

One small step . . .; one giant leap . . .

Girls like guys on bikes

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Men In Pink: Today’s Sensitive New SWAT Togs (August 20, 2012)

Posted in Civil Rights/Civil Liberties, Crime/Punishment, Pogo Plight, Privacy, Society on August 20, 2012 by e-commentary.org

. . .

C1          “Conventions will soon convene in the fashion capitals of Charlotte and Tampa.  Rather than adorning the security and SWAT teams in Darth Vader storm trooper assault gear, they should sport pink outfits.”

C2          “The same level of personal protection without the swagger.  The attire is part of a negative attitude and a threat to those citizens they . . .  serve and protect.”

C1          “The Darth Vader togs are part of the in-kind payment in lieu of higher wages or more leave.”

C2          “Yet they don’t act any kinder in practice.”

C1          “The black gear does not blend into the landscape.  Look around, we are becoming a society of cops and cameras.  And while you are looking around, some camera is recording your retinal image.”

C2          “And rather than beating their breasts or ours, they can show support for those seeking a cure to breast cancer.”

. . .

C_          “Some of the police types ensconced in black Kevlar carapaces are sympathetic types just trying to get through the day.”

. . .

[C1 = Citizen 1; C2 = . . . ]

[See the “e-ssay” titled Occupy America: The “Bonus March/Chicago Police Riot/Kent State” Of 2011? (October 17, 2011).]

Bumper sticker of the week:

Fight more, smile less

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“You’re fired. Sue me.” (August 13, 2012)

Posted in Judges, Pogo Plight, Political Parties, Politics on August 13, 2012 by e-commentary.org

. . .

Er           “104 degrees and you are listening to that fiery crap on Anger Mongering radio.  That poison only makes you hot under the blue collar.  On my time and on my dollar.”

Ee          “Listening to what?”

Er          “AM radio.  Anger Mongering radio.  You know, radio that stokes hate and provokes rage.  So that is your politics.  What if I cut your pay to a dollar an hour?”

Ee          “I’d sue you.”

Er          “What if you were stuck with a Republican judge who tossed you out of court and assessed you for fees and costs?”

Ee          “Then I would demand a Democratic judge.”

Er          “You elect a Republican judge and then you select a Democratic judge.  How does that work?”

Ee          “Because I’m a Republican.”

Er          “That might not work and you might not work.  What if only Republican judges get elected?”

. . .

[Er = Employer; Ee = Employee]

Bumper sticker of the week:

“All things are subject to interpretation; whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.”  Friedrich Nietzsche

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Plastic Pirates (August 6, 2012)

Posted in Boycott Series, Environment, Global Climate Change, Plastic, Water on August 6, 2012 by e-commentary.org

. . .

WS         “We were promised yellow rubber ducks, plastic bottles, sneakers and other debris and detritus.  Gyres of the stuff haunt and ply the waters.  And we were not disappointed.  The engine stalling in clear blue water with no visible junk was the great mystery.  After looking at the intake, we scooped up and strained some of the water and discovered very small plastic particles that blocked the intake.  Plastic has saved many trees and other living things, yet plastic does not revert to its elements in an environmentally friendly way.  The plastic particles are getting into everything.  Plastic pirates plying the Pacific.” 

. . .

[WS = World Sailor]

[See the “e-ssay” titled Playa Plastica / Plastic Beach (September 13, 2010).]

Bumper sticker of the week:

Boycott plastic

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