grpNiteroi's Blog

I'm back...

2007-11-02T06:28:00.000-07:00

but thought I'd start using this blog to also discuss the e-mails that float around on various topics. Got one today that likened illegal immigration to burglary. Just thought I'd modify the scenario to paint a more accurate picture of what's happened in the US, particularly with Mexico.

Imagine I want someone to clean my house but don't want to pay market rates for their labor (I can't find people to do that kind of work for a price I find economical). Imagine my neighbors are the same. Now, imagine I find you on the street and you're willing to work for obscene wages so I invite you to live and work in my house. I turn a blind eye to your illegal status because the fruits of your labor are cheap and my household budget is much lower than it would have been otherwise. Thanks to your hard work, my standard of living is also much higher.

Imagine that you get old and I hire your children, and grandchildren for generations. Now imagine someone from another neighborhood, also full of houses with illegal help, discovers this situation and starts complaining about it. Is tossing you and your family out on their collective ear the appropriate course of action?

This analogy is obviously imperfect but makes a critical point in this debate: illegal immigration is not a new phenomenon. It's been happening for decades and it's financed a standard of living we wouldn't have otherwise had. Putting an end to it is all well and good, but viciously turning on people who helped build this country seems far from the right thing to do.

It's getting chilly in Hades...

2006-01-26T09:20:00.000-08:00

Words cannot describe my shock when I read about W giving tough love to American automakers. "Make a product that's relevant" he says. As someone who's witnessed American car manufacturers embarrass this great nation for going on 30 years, I couldn't have said it better myself.

Maybe if we declare war on Japan and throw in the towel before things get ugly, they’ll return the favor we did for them after the Big One by coming over and showing us how manufacturing is done in the big leagues. For now, I'll keep buying Toyotas and in this one, very specific case, throw my full support behind our commander-in-chief.

My, how things change...

2005-12-22T12:29:00.000-08:00

for now at least. It was with great amusement that I read about the revelation of Rick Santorum's "sunny day fundamentalism". I don't think either party has a strangle hold on hypocrisy, but given the arrogance that has accompanied the spending of W's "political capital", it's especially satisfying to some of his poker buddies scrambling to stay in office (almost a year before the next elections!).

Christmas comes early...

2005-12-21T15:14:00.000-08:00

and on many levels. The recent ruling by a Bush appointee that incorporating creationism into science curricula is "un-intelligent design" makes this blogger happier than a gopher in soft dirt. The news regarding the Senate's having seen through the machinations of a bunch of oil company shills to block unnecessary drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge makes me feel greedy.

There has definitely been a shift in the cultural pendulum of late. How far and fast it swings remains to be seen. I, for one, am cautiously optimistic.

W's approval rating

2005-12-20T09:49:00.000-08:00

Fascinating how your perspective can be radically different depending on your news sources. From the headline, one can get the impression that Bush has failed to sway the American people on Iraq or (without reading to entire article), that his popularity is rebounding. While there is little doubt that a bit of encouraging economic news has been a ray of sunlight for our commander-in-chief, it's interesting to note that despite a full-court press tour, Americans aren't buying his rhetoric on the war in Iraq.

As I did during the last presidential election, I use Rasmussen as a bellwether. In that poll, Bush's popularity hasn't changed significantly (in my opinion) for some time.

It leaves this jaded patriot wondering (for the first time in a long time) if the system is working.

The Future of the Iraqi Government

2005-12-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

The premature jubilation of our commander-in-chief notwithstanding, it's interesting to think about what form of government Iraq is likely to have in another few years. For my money, one needs look no further than Iraq's relatively mature (in a political sense) neighbor to the East. I would be thrilled if some one could convince me that there's some compelling set of reasons that preclude Iraq's devolving into the same type of fundamentalist theocracy that is thriving in Iran.

We love to set them up...

2005-11-28T09:08:00.000-08:00

so we can knock 'em down. It will be interesting to see how Google fares the transition from media darling to huge, imposing mega-corporation. Is this a portent of Google's future?

I can sum up my prediction in two words: Wal-Mart.

And now on a lighter note...

2005-03-17T09:21:00.000-08:00

I'll be headed out for six weeks of parental leave on March 21st. I'll be spending the entire time with my family in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (the state and the city). Subject to availability of an internet connection, I'll regale you with tales of my exploits (appropriately edited to maintain this blog's PG-13 rating). Here's our basic itinerary:

5 days - Teresópolis, in the mountains outside Rio
4 days - Niterói, birthplace of my wife and son and home of one of the coolest museums (architecturally) in the world. This picture is really, really cool (if you squint you can seem my wife's grandmother's apartment building in the background ;-) ).
3 weeks - Ipanema. (a few more images in case your apetite has been whetted)
Few days - Teresópolis (to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday)
Few days - Niterói

I can't remember the last time I was this excited about anything. We'll be back stateside on April 29th.

Double Whammy

2005-01-17T09:40:00.000-08:00

Nice to see the guys in our military using the old noggin. Not only could we defeat our enemies in battle, we could condem them to an eternity of suffering once we killed them (according to the enlightened views of our Commander in Cheif).

One wonders why such a rediculous proposition ever made it from the white board to documents that could be requested via the Freedom of Information Act.

You have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

2004-12-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

Genious governer of Vermont would like to remove a statue/lamp of a nude woman (crafted by Hiram Powers) because he's afraid school children will see it. God forbid we expose our kids to fine art.

I'm (virtually) speechless.

I'm sure this is a coincidence...

2004-11-08T09:37:00.000-08:00

or an outright fabrication by the liberal, elite media: correlation of average IQ to the color of states on election map.

Thanks go to WHilpert for pointing this out.

And the winner will be...

2004-11-01T11:34:00.000-08:00

John Kerry. I said earlier in this blog that if Bush wasn't polling above an average of 50% that he'll lose tomorrow. That seems to be the case but I must admit, I think anything is possible in this election. Overall things look bad for the incumbant and I must admit that I feel good about that. Guess we're all in a holding pattern until tomorrow night.

Historical perspective on faith-based initiatives

2004-10-29T13:12:00.000-07:00

My views on this subject have changed drastically now that my research has given me the appropriate historical perspective. Please join me in a moment of reverence for the first three inductees into my "Faith-based Initiative Hall of Fame":

Pope Urban II, genius behind the first crusade
The Spanish Inquisitors (a team award)
Judge Jonathan Corwin, magistrate in Salem during America's "Golden Age" of faith-based initiatives

Stay tuned as recent development on the American political front seem ripe to produce a fresh set of hall-of-famers.

From the "better late than never" file...

2004-10-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

A Scottish town has decided to pardon alleged witches it executed in the "golden age" of faith-based initiatives. Other, more conservative boroughs have simply re-classified witches they killed as "heathens of interest".

Reminds one of the type of meticulous judicial process that led the Vatican to wait over 300 years to admit that, having a sound scientific basis, Galileo's heliocentricity was a pardonable form of heresy.

Downplaying the herd of elephants in the closet...

2004-10-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Dare I hope that the misplaced "hundreds of tons of high explosives" can compromise or abolish the wall of deceit built and actively maintained by W Incorporated? Although I shutter to think of the hundreds or thousands of people that will find themselves paying the price in terms of shrapnel wounds (and worse) for our incompetence , I take solice in the fact that from day one, the Iraqi Oil Ministry was well protected. Had we not ebraced this seemingly radical prioritization, gas prices might have soared to record levels by now. Oops!

I'm waiting with bated breath for a proclamation from the administration that the explosives were stolen by hoards of thankful Iraqis, hell-bent on blowing up statues, palaces and other vestiges of Saddam's reign of terror.

Maybe they're converting them into fireworks to celebrate the elections in January...

Naaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

The anti-Patriot act, a.k.a., the anti-Bush conspiracy

2004-10-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

Although I'm loathe to spawn yet another conspiracy theory, a cursory analysis of recent news stories leaves me with no other credible alternative. I've listened eagerly to Bush's assertions that the economy is the best of our lifetime and getting better; however, I am absolutely dumbfounded and appalled that American consumers have conspired to derail Bush's sunshine-blowing exercise by continuing to lose confidence in what is obviously a healthy, robust economy.
The proportions of this conspiracy are staggering given the number of consumers in this doubting nation of ours. This thing smacks of the Evil One. When are we going begin acting on our patriotic duty, i.e., perform a Patriot Act, to follow suite with the administration and suspend disbelief? Only time will tell.

Are the pollsters as lost as we are?

2004-10-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

I've repeated it in this blog: polling is what we do instead of thinking. As bizarre as it may sound given the maturity of polling methodology, Dick Morris asserts that the pollsters are on terra incognita given this election season's record voter registration and the likely concomitant increase in voter turnout. I think he makes a lot of sense.

My prediction: this will go down as the election that the pollsters blew.

My crystal ball…

2004-10-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

I believe if W is polling over 50% on the first based on the
this average, he’ll win the election; I don’t think this will happen though.

Walk'n the walk...

2004-10-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

vs. talk'n the talk.

You might be really suprised by the folks that have served (and those that haven't). Of particular interest of are the armchair media quaterbacks (see the end of the list).

They really are out of touch with reality!

2004-10-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

Interesing summary of the world according to Bush supporters.

Read the whole kitandkabootle here.

We're through the looking glass here people...

2004-10-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

From the "I admire your ability to utter this nonsense with a straight face" file:

"While Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with the actual attacks on America, Saddam Hussein's Iraq was a part of the Middle East that was festering and unstable ... was part of the circumstances that created the problem on September 11,"

Condoleezza Rice

The admission is fascinating. However, if the Middle East WAS festering and unstable, what shall we call it now, rotting and disintegrated? Seems like one could make a rather convincing argument that we too were "part of the circumstances that created the problem on September 11". W must be groaning in abject frustration that our military is overextended to the point we can't invade ourselves. Of course, there's more than one way to punish folks for not being on your side.

You say you want a revolution...

2004-10-22T09:45:00.000-07:00

Looks like America's youth is getting political again without the aid of poor hygiene and hallucinogens. It’s gratifying to know that Georgie Boy is at least bringing part of the country together: college students who support Kerry!

I'm being repressed...

2004-10-21T14:43:00.000-07:00

The following post has been cleaned up as I've ascribed the disappearance of the original to the invisible hand of automated censorship. I believe the offending term was one that describes the human posterior and begins with A. I’ve replaced all occurrences of this term with the word “cheese”.

Title: It’s the economy, dumbcheese!

I feel truly honored that W recently sought me out to avail himself of my scary therapeutic talents. The following is an excerpt from a totally apocryphal session I had with our nation’s leader earlier this week.

grpNiteroi: Very good Mr. President. I believe we’ve adequately addressed your “issues” with Saddam Hussein. He was a horrible man for embarrassing your family by staying in power. Let’s move on to word association.

W: Thanks. You’ve really helped me cleareate my mind and perspectify my problems.

grpNiteroi: Don’t mention it Mr. President. Please respond with the first thing that pops into your mind for each word or phrase that I say.

W: I’ll give it 110% focation!

grpNiteroi: four consecutive months of declining economic indicators

W: Recovery!

grpNiteroi: Pat Robertson

W: Friar

(Note: After intense analysis, I determined that W had munged the words “friend” and liar”.)

grpNiteroi: plan for withdrawl

W: Cupcakes!

(Note: After intense analysis, I was unable to determine the meaning of this response.)

grpNiteroi: Kerry

W: Liberal

grpNiteroi: Leahy

W: Cheesehole

grpNiteroi: Cheney

W: Dick

grpNiteroi: Our time’s up Mr. President. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Herr Hilpert's Blög

2004-10-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mr. Hilpert's new blog (recently relocated) from blogcity: http://whilpert.blogspot.com/

I am weary...

2004-10-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

so will therefore not burden you today with too much analysis and/or commentary; rather, I will point you to some interesting tidbits and let you draw your own conclusions as to what is wearing me out these days:

Bush didn't think we'd have casualties in Iraq according to a person I consider a highly reliable whack job, Pat Robertson.

The elections in Iraq have never seemed further away.

Taking CARE of people in Iraq doesn't seem to be as rewarding as we might have hoped.

Usama is as elusive as ever. Wonder if President Bush has spent much time thinking about him lately.

Lastly, Arnold has inspired me to propose a "Freedom FROM Information Act".

Sleight of Mouth

2004-10-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

Bush's latest assertion that he does NOT foresee a long-term American military presence in Iraq coupled with a surreptitious readjusting of expectations regarding the nature of the democracy that may (is likely?) to emerge there represents the type of well polished compound message that inspires "shock and awe" in the minds of we few who are inclined to dissect softball interviews.

Because I'm in an exceptionally good mood today, I'll tread lightly on the first message's prima facie absurdity. Bush has no idea how long our forces will be required to stay in Iraq and has spent an inordinate amount of time trying to paint Kerry as a "cut and run" artist for suggesting we consider how and when we might withdraw some fraction of the personnel currently "in country".

Taking a cue from Dennis Miller, I’ll also give the president “a pass” on the substance of the second part of the message. Most of us see the puppet government in Iraq as the house of cards built on quicksand that it is, as opposed to the bastion of democracy our administration has tried to spin into existence.

No -- today I will not quibble on the substance of the president’s message, the likely death of thousands of our finest notwithstanding. Today I choose to stand in awe of the president’s ability to smuggle this verbal container, laidened with a huge weapon of mass distortion, into the collective “port of entry” of the American psyche. Guess it’s not just our physical borders that are porous and vulnerable.

Finally, in the spirit of national unity that Bush promised but was unable to deliver, I’ll resist the temptation to add “fundamentalist Muslim democracy” to the lexicon of oxymorons to which this administration has so faithfully and consistently contributed.

Faith in numbers

2004-10-18T09:07:00.000-07:00

Ever since I skipped most of my summer semester statistics class in college, I've been convinced that Mark Twain understated his classification of truth-tellers ("There are liers, damn liers and then there are statisticians."). For many months I've read with great interest the various election polls published by news networks and independent polling organizations, e.g., Rasmussen.

For the life of me I can't understand how these organizations are capable of publishing such wildly different results. The latest USAToday poll has Bush up by 8%! Rasmussen has the race at a literal dead heat with each candidate receiving a nod from 47% of those polled. I heard one pundit say that polling is what we do instead of thinking -- enough said.

I decided months ago that I would monitor Rasmussen in an effort to spot trends. I think this decision has served me well. Kerry trended upward after the Democratic convention and the first debate with Bush doing the same after his party's convention. Rasmussen provides additional insight by way of state-by-state polls that are updated regularly. Based on what I've chosen as my relative statistical standard, I call the race a dead heat that will only get "deader" as we get closer to the election.

In the final analysis, I think this statistical confusion favors Kerry (see previous post for details). We'll know if I'm right in 15 days.

Who's going to win the election?

2004-10-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

I've held for some months now that we will head into election night with no reliable indication of who is going to win. I've also asserted for a considerable amount of time that John Kerry will win. I share below some of the rationale for my not having changed my mind -- yet.

In terms of the polls, pay attention to the incumbant's raw percentage.

Young voters are flying under the radar. In a close election, even a small percentage of uncounted voters can make a difference.

Record voter registration probably gives an advantage to Kerry. My belief is that Bush's traditional base of conservatives are more likely to have voted historically. I believe many of these new voters are young and, for various reasons [see above] are not being adequately represented in polls.

Howard Stern wants Kerry to win. As crazy as it seems, his audience could tip the balance in favor of the challenger.