MikeAbleXray

TBS, You Suck

2008-06-04T18:55:00.004-06:00

TBS has taken to doing those lame ads where they stop your show and on the lower 1/3 of the screen another dork form some other show starts talking to your about his retarded show. In any case I've written a letter. Feel free to insert your name and send it in.

--INSERT DATE--

TBS
1010 Techwood Dr. NW
Atlanta GA 30318

To Whom it may concern at TBS:

When watching TBS I witnessed an instance where an episode of the show I was watching was interrupted by a plug for the another show. It wasn't a commercial; rather the show was "paused" while a character from the second show made an inane comparison between the two shows.

This is not the first time I have seen this method of advertising and I find it obnoxious. I understand that your business model relies on advertising and that cross promotion of shows is very important. However, I must strenuously suggest that this kind of invasive lower 1/3 screen intrusion is detestable.

Such interruptions are sufficiently annoying that the viewing experience is severely diminished. If it becomes a notably common occurrence I'll stop watching TBS shows and I'm likely not the only one.

Regards,

--ENTER YOUR NAME--
A TBS viewer.

If you feel really hostile I recommend you add the following as the 3rd paragraph:
I like to zone out during commercials. Sometimes I watch if the commercial is interesting but generally I don't pay attention or just TIVO past the commercial. But since you've decided to sneak in a cross promotion I don't have much of a choice. As a consumer I consider it a form of optical rape.

What is this?

2008-05-27T13:10:00.004-06:00

Its a fairly straight stick with another branching stick glue or otherwise permanently inserted into the side. If I recall the price was 10 dollars. I found it in a country crap store. There was a pile of them. I couldn't figure it out and need an explanation from the clerk.

Do you know what it is? I'll post the answer after I get a few comments.

Fun with Food: Cheep Frozen Pizza

2008-05-23T09:25:00.005-06:00

It would seem that the manufacturer of this low-end frozen pepperoni pizza (Schwans) has managed to discover an important number... The number 7. You see the number 7 is the exact minimum number of pepperoni needed to call a frozen cheeze pizza a frozen pepperoni pizza. Any less than seven and it becomes unclear whether each piece will have a pepperoni on it. Though in Schwans defense the best eating method mandates that the pizza be cut in only 2 pieces, which are then folded over in sort of a taco configuration.

The persnickety amongst you probably think that that I misspelled "cheese" in the prior paragraph. I did not. I spelled it with a 'z' because I figure if Schwans wants to use nonstandard cheese ingredients (such as: modified food starch, potassium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium aluminum phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, tri-calcium phosphate, magnesium oxide, ferric orthophosphate, cyancobalamin pyridoxine hydrochloride, and others that choke my spell checker) then I can spell cheese with nonstandard cheese letters like 'z' or perhaps even 'qu'. A big fat slice of queeze, anyone?

One final note. This Schwans frozen pepperoni pizza (sold under the name "Tony's) uses in its marketing the trademarked phrase "Tastes Like Fun". I will leave it as an exercise for the reader to think of something fun that is also tasty. Chances are if you think of one its probably not an activity that is appropriate to be put on a pizza box.

Our New Famly Member

2008-05-23T09:08:00.005-06:00

The next in the long line of crappy but free-to-cheap rides has come. This fine yellow seatless International Scout will be the new camping / gopher-getter. One day (probably in three years or so) it will die. But considering the price (free to a good home) it will fun to light it on fire and roll it off a cliff.

Featured in the photo is Robert pulling away from the curb. The unfamiliar with Robert and his projects might mistake the thing he is siting on as a seat. While you would be correct I promise that its not bolted to anything. Further one might think that there is a roll bar in the back. I promise that piece of safety equipment is sitting in the back and is not connected with the Scout in any way. One might thing that the doors on this "project truck" have been removed for painting or body work. Wrong again. No doors on the Scout. They were sent to the recycler for gas money. With the price of fuel today it will become a trend.

Solution for Global Warming

2008-05-09T22:37:00.003-06:00

I've got the solution! We solve the problem... And no surprise... The its all the fault of the dimwits south of the equator. Thats right! Those lazy jerks have created so little land (and by extension so few plants) that when its summer in southern equator CO2 levels spike because less trees are warm and happy and breathing fast.

My solution? Lets help those southies out and crack open the sea floor (I'm thinking in the pacific or Indian oceans) and make a big new continent. Then the trees and other plants will grow and blam! Problem solved.

Your Welcome.

Battle of the New

2008-02-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

Looks like I've lost the New England v. New York Wager. I guess that would make me the sucker. Congratulations Peter. And bonus credit to Peter for saying that the giants were going to win by a field goal. Of course, if you hadn't welshed on your own offered bet of $50 with no spread you would have done better. HA HA! thats what you get! I think its the universe telling you not to welsh on bets.

The check is in the mail. Well not really. Its Sunday so no mail, but tomorrow for sure. Well, not for sure, but I intend to send it tomorrow. No guarantees though. I'm totally doing it this week, just not yet! God Damn it Peter, Lay off!

I would like to go on record as saying its awfully inconsiderate of the Pats to not only fail to cover my modest spread of 4.5 but to go ahead and lose. Shame, shame.

Hey! Are any of you with me in thinking that the last snap was retarded? At some point cant you let the losing team just give? Is it really super necessary to see Eli on his knees with his face in the center's butt for the sake of 1 second of clock time?

I wanted the the Patriots to win. Then we know that the 2007 New England Patriots were the best team ever to lace 'em up. No longer would we have to compare the '72 Dolphins to the '89 Niners, or ponder how the Ditka Bears compare to the Aikman Cowboys. The 2007 Patriots are the best ever, no more discussion. Well Suck, the inane debate continues. Whats worse... its the beginning of the Which-Manning-is-Better debate.

If your one of those who thinks gambling is an ugly taint on sports, I ask you, What says "fan" like putting your money where your mouth is?

XLII Wager

2008-02-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

I've got The Patriots at even odds but I had to give away 4.5 points. The Wager is for $25.00. I think I got myself a good deal, in-fact a great deal. So I'll not embarrass the dufuss who I made the bet with by exposing his name. Sucker.

DEAR IRS AUDITOR and MONTANA STATE GAMING COMMISSIONER: The wager spoken of above is not for actual currency. Instead we have agree to bet a non-monetary commodity, our immortal souls. Specifically $25.00 worth of soul. Soul betting isn't covered by the gaming commission and souls aren't taxable so this wager doesn't concern you.

Gung-Hay-Fat-Choy Rats

2008-02-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

The Chinese New Year Parade is upon us. Soon Butte's Chinese New Year Parade will being. It's the Coldest, Loudest, and Shortest Chinese New Year Parade In the World. Today was the day to take the dragon out of is home at the Mai Wah Chinese History Museum and put it in the courthouse. The parade will take it back.

And of course like years past there will be firecrackers all along the parade route. However unlike years past this time the whole affair will be illegal. The Council of Commissioners showed a profound disregard for personal freedoms last month and passed an ordinance against fireworks except for immediately before and after New Years and the 4th. This is the face of 0 fireworks related incidents; and after reassurance to the public that Chinese New Year would be specifically excluded from the ban.

Word of The Day: Crapalanche

2008-01-28T20:34:00.000-07:00

Today's "Word of the Day"

Crap-a-lanche - When a pile of your crap falls over, esp. if it blocks a passage like the door, or your route to the fridge.

And no. I don't actually intend to come up with a new word every day; and you are a freak for thinking so.

Don't Look At Me!

2007-05-17T10:42:00.000-06:00

Every time you start the Prius this message pops up. There is some beeping and you must agree. That is to say, you must agree with this statement every time you start your car. Oh and be sure to pull over if you want to check your gps map to make sure your going the right way.

Gas Out Day

2007-05-10T16:34:00.002-06:00

The following is a conversation I have via email earlier this week. I was copied in a long list with some other folks. The original email was sent from what I suspect to be a mom and pop trucking company. Their emails will be presented in ALL CAPS (Because thats how I got them). The text of the missives has not been altered.

To random list of email addresses: GAS OUT............... THE OIL INDUSTRY IS OUT OF CONTROL THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING ELSE. PLEASE PARTICIPATE AND SPREAD THE WORD. DO NOT BUY ANY KIND OF FUEL ON MAY 15TH. THIS IS A GAS OUT DAY SPREAD THE WORD ANY WAY YOU CAN, THIS WILL CAUSE A PINCH IN THE PROFITS OF THE OIL INDUSTY. THANKS

My Reply: In what way is the oil industry out of control and how does a single day of reduced profits followed by a day of expanded profits affect the oil industry? -Max

Their Response: WELL I GUESS YOU DO NOT PURCHASE 500 GALLONS OF FUEL EVERY OTHER DAY, AND IF THINK ABOUT IT FILL UP THE DAY BEFORE AND THEN AGAIN 4 DAYS LATER, DO YOU EVER COUNT THE AMOUNT OF SEMI TRUCKS ON THE ROAD??? NOW THINK ABOUT THAT ONE THE PRICE OF UNLEADED GAS IS NOW 4.33 PER GALLON IN SAN FRANCISCO I DON’T WANT TO PAY THAT MAX DO YOU??? IT IS A WAY TO SHOW WE ARE NOT HAPPY. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE THAT IS COOL, THANKS FOR READING THE MEMO.

My Reply: Yipes, 500 Gallons. That is a lot of fuel, indeed. I don't spend nearly that much, about $250.00 or so a week for the maintenance truck fleet. But I'm still not clear on how the oil industry is out of control or how a one day stoppage of consumption will affect them.

I own a property management company with a construction and maintenance unit, so I am quite empathetic to the notion of rising prices on key business costs. Cement for example has quadrupled in price in the last two years. Copper pipes have doubled (or tripled I've lost track).Copper, Cement, and Fuel are all the same in the sense that all three are currently in high demand world wide. The higher the demand the higher pressure on prices for those goods. So I would think that its only natural that pipe makers, cement makers, and fuel makers charge more for their products when they are in high demand (and relatively low supply). To suggest otherwise would be to say I shouldn't raise rents on my apartments when they are in high demand. (or conversely, to lower them when they are in low demand).

Increased costs are certainly a hindrance to business (especially us small business owners) but my business responds to these increased costs by passing the cost onto the consumer. If the customer is unwilling to pay those increased costs then my business is simply not profitable and I should look to get out of it. I don't believe there is any natural right that I have to demand that someone be forced to reduce their profits for the sake of preserving mine. That would be like saying that I'm more important than anyone else (or at least I'm more important than my suppliers)

On the issue of fuel specifically, Fuel costs are indeed high but It seems the causes have little to do with so called "profiteering" on the part of oil companies. Rather it seems that increased world wide demand, a general shortage of sweet crude supply, increased risks associated with the area's of the world richest in sweet crude, and an oppressive fuel tax scheme are to blame.

If we apply your short term boycott strategy then I think your best bet would be to refuse to pay the federal gas tax portion of your next fuel bill. Really let those Fed's know your fed up. (hah, a pun! I kill me). Of course not paying taxes is a great way to get yourself noticed by the wrong people. However, in a few years my business will be indeed not paying that Federal Fuel Tax, and getting away with it. Plans have already been set in our company to convert our fleet to electric. Not only are we saving on fuel and not paying the gas tax, we get another important benefit. We get a PR bump by being super earth friendly. While tree-hugging isn't my cup of tea, it is popular these days, we might as well cash in. In fact We'll probably find some government grant program to partially compensate for the out of pocket cost for the whole endeavor. Perhaps all electric isn't viable for you, but plug-in hybrid technology is (works on trains).

On the issue of your proposed boycott, I wonder... It seems that the stakeholder that would be the most cost affected is not the intended target of Big Oil but rather the station owner/operator. While companies like Exxon-Moble do operate their own stores many stores are chains or locally owned and are not oil producers themselves. Will this boycott not hurt them more than big oil? A one day stoppage of purchases will affect them more profoundly than their fuel provider who probably gets paid on a weekly, not daily basis. The oil producer isn't likely to notice even a blip in profits unless you go to a "No Gas Week".

Further, all retailers (regardless of ownership) are regulated very tightly on how much they can mark up the fuel. Which brings up two points. 1.) The retailer of gas really doesn't care if you buy gas at all. The big profit maker for the retailer is the sunglasses and junkfood sales, where the markups are unregulated and customarily huge. 2.) If all gas retail is so harshly regulated then one key reason why fuel is so expensive is that retailers are not free to compete. Which is a key reason you'll never see a "sale" on gas. Perhaps then a better direction for your outrage is towards your congressman.

I do want to participate. I'm all about letting those who wrong us feel our discomfort. But is No-Gas Day the way to go? Perhaps May 15th should be Write-Your-Congressmen-About-The-Oppressive-Fuel-Tax-And-Harsh-Regulatory-Environment-Day. What do you think?
-Max

That was yesterday, I'm still waiting to hear back.

Tax Freedom Day

2007-04-21T14:33:00.000-06:00

Happy Tax Freedom Day!

Today, April 21st 2007, is Tax Freedom day. Today is the day when the average citizen has worked off their federal and state tax burdens for 2007. The government has contented its self this year with a mere 16 weeks of your earnings.

Aren't you glad you could work 16 weeks out of the year for "The Man"? Look around at all the splendor the government provides you in return. Well maintained and regularly cleaned streets; a foreign policy predicated on making friends and allies around the globe; a top notch ferderal disaster response team; protection from virtually all crime; a transparent government run by politicians of the highest moral fiber; a strong stable currency; a good trade balance with foreign nations; a strong labor market that rarely loses jobs oversees; unintrusive and highly effective airport security; courteous and helpful civil servants who are eager to handle your specific request at the DMV, IRS, TSA, ICE etc; and reasonably priced health care are just a few.

Oh. Um. that 16 weeks (i.e. 1/3 of your pay) doesn't included the hidden tax of inflation (which is caused by the federal reserve using play money to buy the bonds we use to cover the deficit. but thats a whole different topic). Thats an additional two weeks.

Oh and one more thing. April 21st is the Montanan Tax Freedom Date. If you live elsewhere it might be different. Californians (just as random example) will need to work 16 more days (May 7th) to achieve 2007 tax freedom. But its worth it, right?

Further Reading: Tax Freedom Day - The Tax Foundation

Let VA Fly

2007-01-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

There is a law that prevents any foreign person or entity from operating a domestic airline. I'm sure it's very well intentioned. We don't want the French or Chinese to buy up all our airlines. Nor would it be all that bright to have most domestic air service provided by an individual who may well hate Americans.

However... It should be my choice. If Aeroflot wants to give me non-stop service from Bert Mooney here in Butte to San Francisco International they should be allowed. I would find that a very compelling product. And the risks are mine. I'll take the risk that Aeroflot is in for the money and thus has a vested interest in my safe arrival.

Further... Freedom of the sky means greater peace. If Iran (just as an example) uses JFK as a hub for its substantial service provided to Americans then our Government is going to that much less likely to fabricate some reason to attack them. In the off chance Iran deserves a good ass whoopin' I would imagine that Americans would come out the wood work to neutralize any threat poised by Iran Air.

In any case... This law has ensnared Virgin Atlantic. Branson is a Brit and that disqualifies him from prodding us excellent service. I've never met Sir Branson (it's Sir, right?) but from everything I've heard I would imagine any airline he makes would be great. His intention (if I may be so bold as to tell you what Branson's intentions are) is to provide a safe, high-quality airline at whatever price point he thinks the market will bear. I doubt he has some evil scheme to position the UK for a first strike.

If you would like to see Virgin Atlantic air service and think the DOT should aprove them then write your Congressman, write your Senator, write your President and let them know!

Google Phone Prank

2007-01-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a fun way to screw with your buddies and have fun at work too.

Go to google maps and search for a business. A funny business like a whore house or the local headquarters for the party opposite your buddy's.

Click "call" on the desired listing and type in your buddy's phone number and then click connect.

Your buddy will get called. When he/she picks up the other end will ring at the business and hilarity ensues. The only down side is that you can't listen in.

I give it a week before Google has to pull the feature. Sigh.

Are You Mad Yet?

2007-01-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

The ability of Americans to be apathetic is astounding. The Government can read your email! "So what?" you say. "Anybody who thinks email is private is dumb" you say. The Government can listen into your calls. "So what?" you say. "There are too many to listen to. They aren't listening to mine." you say.

The list of 4th amendment violations goes on! Sneak-and-peek searches, no-knock search warrants, tracking your cell phone, using your phone as an ease dropping device. Every time the Government takes some of your rights your warned about the "slippery slope". "Bah!" you say. "I'm not a criminal it's no problem. And besides they will stop here."

What if one day the Government decided it could read your mail. You'd be sufficiently pissed about that, yes? Well it happened. While we were all enjoying our holidays the Democrats and Republicans both pushed forward H.R. 6407, the "Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act". The President's own press release following the out-of-session signing states that the Government no has the power to open your mail.

I'd say that now that your angry you could get a hold of me and we could talk about how this a clear violation of our freedoms and what can be done about it.... oh but wait! I forgot! we can't use the cell phone, email, telephone, or regular mail. That leaves us with notes under rocks and smoke signals.

Montana - Only Getting Better.

2006-12-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

According to my nifty 2007 Farmer's Almanac temperatures will increase by roughly 3.7 degrees by the end of the century. However the distribution is far from even. The north will get the majority of that warming. Most warming will come in the form of night time temperatures and milder winters. So essentially Montana will be getting far nicer while the south, say New Mexico will be getting only slightly more unbearable. There is an upside for everyone. The milder temperatures in the north will reduce heating costs more than the increased need for air conditioning in the south. So energy demand from heating and cooling should diminish. The Old Farmer's Almanac 2007 got its information from a study done by Stanford Researcher Dr. Thomas Gale Moore and the U.S. Department of Energy.

What's Your Problem?

2006-12-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

Seems a lot of folk are out of sorts today. I'm noting depression, agitation, and general grumpiness. Robert usually holds that the change in weather is accompanied by a change in the ions in the air, which in someway affect mood. That would hold for Butte but I'm noting cantankerous attitudes across the country.

I'm in a pretty good mood, so the rest of you should just snap out of it. In fact, you should all just take a moment to think about me. It's a sure ticket to joyfulness.

Spoofing

2006-11-30T01:51:00.000-07:00

I have a problem. Some spammer is spoofing email headers so that they look like they come from random mikeablexray.com email addresses. Any tips?

The Fate of the Universe (as told by Wikipedia)

2006-11-28T00:20:00.000-07:00

The universe is expanding. The universe looks (from our vantage) like it's expanding in every direction. No, we're not the center of the universe. It's like we're a raisin in a ball of rising raisin bread dough.

Even more creepy... The expansion is accelerating. It's as if the vacuum of space has a magic force that acts to push things apart, and is stronger than gravity over great distances. As the gaps get bigger so does the vacuum energy. So one day the universe will rend itself apart.

But don't let that prevent you from sleeping at night. The universe will have used all of the high quality energy leaving only borderline useless heat energy. Burnt out pulsars, black holes, frozen planetoids, and other bits of deary randomness will be all thats left. But before that the sun will have long since swollen up; either cooking Earth to a crisp or cooking it and then eating it.

That might be a blow to the positive thinkers in the crowd. Cheer up! This may not be the only universe around.

Thanksgiving in Review

2006-11-27T23:57:00.000-07:00

I'm back from my sojourn to California. I had some thoughts of skipping it this year and pleading busy. But a promise is a promise, so off I went. In hindsight, I am glad I did.

I very much enjoyed my trip. I got to spend a lot of quality time with friends and family. Thank you to all of you who made the time. I don't think I've ever has so little time to kill on a trip back. I miss you all.

For those keeping score at home this is my sesquicentennial post.

Summer's End

2006-11-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

It promises to be a crazy winter here in Butte. The two most reliable sources of weather information (the Farmer's Almanac and Robert) both agree that this winter will be all over the place, i.e., hot and foggy and cold and dry and rainy and snowy and windy and calm and all manner of other adjectives.

There will be a few things we can count on. 1) The days will be short. 2) We will have weather. 3) Most of the weather will be in or from the sky. 4) I will not regrow my hair.

South West Montana Summer '06 was a good time. I had some friends and family out. I went floatin' a few times. We made a bunch of progress on Silver Bow Properties, LLC and somewhat less progress on Silver Bow Software, LLC. All in All, a great time was had.

Now it's late fall and we're even coming up on the end of hunting season. I'm pleased to report that I'll have a freezer or mule deer steaks, ground venison, mule deer salami, and jalapeno cheese venison kielbasa. Oh, and the head will make a great dog toy. Disturbing pictures to follow.

It's been brought to my attention that not all of you know what I look like anymore. I've shaved my head and face; but I promise I'm not running from the law.

I'd like to thank Billy-Bob for posting this picture of us floatin' the Jefferson to his myspace profile.

List of Demands

2006-11-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

There is a new section. It might be the most self serving section yet!

Democrats Can't Do Algebra

2006-10-28T16:03:00.000-06:00

I'll go on the record as a small 'l' libertarian. I'm likely to vote for Libertarian Senatorial Candidate Stan Jones for the Montana Senate seat despite his inability to update his webpage since his failed bid for Governor of Montana, and his largely true but man-off-his-meds sounding rants during debates. The point being I'm not encouraging anyone to vote for the has-been Republican Senator Burns nor am I suggesting that a supporter of Democratic Senatorial Candidate Jon Tester change their vote even though he is clearly distorting Senators Burn's support for the so called Fair Tax.

Instead this blog post is about how someone in the Democratic camp must either have sleep through high school algebra or slept with their high school algebra teacher to pass. (The details are unknown to me but I'm pretty sure sleeping and high school algebra are involved). Like the the "Fair Tax" or hate it; the Democratic camp is not only miss representing the issue but if they had done their math right they could accuse Burns of worse.

In question is the recent Democratic campaign ads claiming that Senator Burns supports a "23% extra [tax] on everything you buy". Lets begin with a short list of the primary distortions just to get them out of the way before we get into the math.

While not the worst possible crime it is shady that none of the ads mention the Fair Tax by name, keeping a key piece of information from the audience that might allow them to educate themselves. Since I like to help people educate themselves I encourage you to read the Fair Tax Acts for yourself (there are four versions in '05, '06, Senate and House flavors)
I'll make you a bet. Send me a dollar to escrow and if the Fair Tax passes in its original mostly pork free form I'll send you $100.00. Otherwise your buck is mine. Enter as often as you'd like. That's 100 to 1 odds for any Democrats who are struggling with the math.
The phrase "everything you buy" is just a filthy lie. "The Fair Tax is a single-rate, federal retail sales tax collected only once, at the final point of purchase of new goods and services for personal consumption. Used items are not taxed. Business-to-business purchases for the production of goods and services are not taxed. A rebate makes the effective rate progressive." - fairtax.org. While all retail goods and services are a lot stuff "everything you buy" is either a lie or overt ignorance. (Is the difference significant?)
The Fair Tax is designed to be net neutral to government tax revenue and your pocket book. The Fair Tax would: Abolish the IRS, close just about every tax loophole, ensure Social Security and Medicare funding (at least better than the current plan of -uh- wait, there is no plan), make taxes easy to understand, make a taxes easy to file (no more CPA's, 1040s, HR Block, or TurboTax. April 15th becomes just another nice spring day.) eliminate all hidden payroll and business taxes buried in prices, Make it harder for the government to slip new taxes by you, allows American products to compete fairly, reimburses everyone for taxes on spending up to the poverty level, enables retirees to keep their entire pension, enables workers to keep their entire paycheck, abolishes all federal personal taxes, abolishes all gift taxes, abolishes all estate/death taxes, abolishes all capital gains taxes, abolishes all alternative minimum taxes, abolishes all Social Security taxes, abolishes all Medicare taxes, abolishes all self-employment taxes, abolishes all corporate taxes and makes it harder for special interests to build in special tax breaks for themselves. The Fair Tax replaces all that crap with a simple federal sales tax. So if you spend wisely you can essentially decide how much of your own money you get to send to government every year.
The Democratic literature also accuses Burn's of supporting the elimination of the coveted mortgage deduction. Well Duh! If your not paying income taxes at all you wont need any deductions.

On to the math!! Yaaay for math!

The claim is that the Fair Tax would add an extra 23% onto prices (which as I already pointed out are not all prices, only some). But that's also wrong. The plan, amusingly enough, adds more than that. It includes 23% in the price. That's Add vs. Include - big difference!! If you add 23% to $100 you get a $123 price tag. But the Fair Tax says that if your ring up a $100 item, a $23.00 portion of that is tax. In other words the $23 would already be included! Which means that the price of the item doesn't go from $100 to $123 like the Dumb-ocrats are saying. The price goes from $77 to $100 (an increase of $23); which is an increase of, $23 divided by $77, or 29.87%. So really the Fair Tax will increase prices 29.87% or $29.87 on top of a $100 item. That's more than 23% or $23 on a $100 item. But those Democrats can't do the math even when it benefits them.

In defense of the Fair Tax there is allot of economic data that suggests that the prices wouldn't actually go up 29.87% or even 23% because the Fair Tax would eliminate the business, payroll, and other taxes baked into the price already.

So my ultimate point (Aside from having some fun at the expense of a major political party) is that politicians aren't to be trusted. They not only lie but are just plain dumb. The only real way to know what the sneakily morons are up too is to read primary sources like actual legislation, or watch primary sources like CSPAN. Ignore the pundits (they're no better), ignore the ads. Its all crap.

But hey, you knew all that anyway; because in highschool you passed algebra.

Blovie

2006-10-05T14:35:00.000-06:00

The Wall Street Journal today reports that the new trend in Japan is to base mainstream media like TV and books on blogs and other internety stuff like chat room logs. For example: A blogger who complains about how evil his wife now has a spin-off TV series, comic-book, novel and soon a movie. The content is often taken verbatium from his posts. I breifly considered finding you his blog, but its probably slammed and in Japanese so I lost intrest.

It's not the worst idea. If reality TV is so popular then reality books and movies should be a slam dunk. My problem is the name. Books based on blogs are being called "blooks". BLOOKS! It kinda makes you want to vomit, yes? But I'm a whore for a good bandwagon so I want to be on the record as coining the term Blovie to refer to a movie based on a blog.

Tips for Chicks #5: I'd Rather Be In France

2006-09-18T15:45:00.000-06:00

Tip: Look for guys who are happy to be there. Avoid Dudes who are too cool for the room.

What Your Looking For: Look for guys who can get along and have a good time just about anywhere. You'll want a chap who is open to going the bar, cool at the office, not adverse to the park, pleased to be camping, not finicky about were to go to dinner, and chill at your parents BBQ.

What Your Looking To Avoid: Avoid the dipsticks who can't seem to stop talking about where else they would rather be. Example "I'd Rather be back in France. America is so crude. In France I could eat cheese, drink wine, and watch passively as an enraged and oppressed French-Algerian burned my car." Or "How do you survive here? This is horrible. This is why I never want to leave Manhattan. I can't go without my 24 hour a day Sushi, or the trendy and pretentious Sake bar, or the alternative atmosphere of Pasgustramini's Espresso Shoppe, or the latest fashions of the boutiques on South 5th Broad Parkway Avenue, or the silent desperation of millions of people living on-top of each other in lonely wretched debt who gaze at you with their soulless eyes and don't give a damn whether you live or die. I could never leave all that."

Why it matters: At first Joe-I'm-Too-Cool will seem like quite the worldly catch. But his BS will wear thin quick. When it does you'll tell him "If its so great then just go live there". And surprise... surprise! He'll have all manner of excuses why he can't.