Quick Note

I found this 'how to become a republican' clip on AndrewSullivan.com, its pretty hilarious.

Technology is grrrrreatt!!

I've been getting into podcasts lately. I'm still trying to find good ones but in the process I found a song I really like by a band I would have never heard of called De La Vega. The song is called "Wait Too Long", it's catchy. You can download all their songs if you want.

~gama

The Truth is fun!!!

With my affection for Tucker Carlson already documented, I have to wholeheartedly with The Machine's ;) assertion that I would much rather argue with someone who has his own ideas, however much I believe them to be moronic. Is the truth in the middle though? I'm not sure. There are pretty definitive lines. Federalists vs. Republicans (no, not those republicans, the other one really is...uh...well...here and here).

It simply comes down to the role of the government and where. Battles on this ground have historically ridden along federal government specifically, but as in Smurf's post notes, the political parties in this country (which represent ideologies) have permeated down to the local level. Looking back at where our country started with political parties like the Know Nothings sprouting up and disappearing, it makes a citizen feel frustrated that there is no real ability to voice your opinion (as idiotic as the know nothings may have seemed) in a truly public forum. Most people have personal philosophies that vary, contradict, and are in some ways probably based on illogical conclusions through the knowledge we gain in life. However, we are not given clear options to express those views in a real effective political way. The two party system has been the mainstay in this country for at least 150 years and before that there was a 2 party rule as well.

So where is the truth? Well, MY truth is probably all over the place. Some shit here, some shit there, some shit I just haven't figured out, some shit I just don't care about. But at the end of the day we are all (if we care about participating in our democracy) forced to essentially choose between Dems and Reps just like Smurf in his story. PepsiCoke PepsiCoke PepsiCoke PepsiCoke. Well at the end of the day I pull out my TI-82, plug in all the numbers, maybe graph some parabalas, play that snake game, and Mr. Calculator says "You Are a Democrat". ugh...The Myers Briggs was more satisfying!!

I guess at the end of the day we are all stuck in the system we live in.

So are you philosophically attached to your ideas, regardless of party (which is harder in everyday life) and want to organize, voice your beliefs and only purchase/vote/donate/participate only in efforts that support your beliefs? Man that seems hard just writing it.

Or option 2 (a.k.a. the "pseudo-sellout option"). Buy into the idea that you should vote locally with your heart (aligned with your personal philosophies) and vote nationally with your head (with what outcome would most benefit your interests in supporting the majority of those interests).

OOORRRR option 3 (a.k.a. the "super-sellout option" aka the "puppet option" aka the "playbook" option a.k.a. the Fox News option hiyoh!!!). I think you get the idea. Exactly what Smurf was complaining about.

None of those seem wonderful and the first two are much more work (we all know we're lazy folks), so the good ole' option 3 rears its ugly head far too often.

wow that wasn't much fun. :)

The Machine

Ninjax has offline dubbed PeonSmurf a 'machine' so I a nominating a name change or addition to our beloved PeonSmurf. There is no doubt in my mind PeonSmurf has at least 5 child laborers slamming at keyboards night and day. Hey I admire that, politically/environmentally astute child laborers are pretty hard to find these days.


Annnnyway...He definitely deserves some recognition for churning out (legally or not) posts while somehow keeping a full time job. Not only that, Mr. Smurf is moving back to the East coast to the fine shores of Northern Virginia. He's had enough of the harsh San Deigo weather and can't stay away from the Gama. This is a very big moment in the swing of the 'Power Triangle' back to the East coast. One request though...please leave your pillows in California, or at least take them to New Jersey because they belong in landfills!!!

So back to the name...I was thinking something like 'Peon Machine', 'Blog Machine', or simply 'The Machine'. Even better, the Smurf Machine!

I need feedback and suggestions!!!
~Gama

Bow ties and recipes

I don't know what's wrong with me. Tucker Carlson gets on my nerves but for some reason I like it. I used to hate this guy when he was on Crossfire but now I actually find myself listening to what he says and being entertained by it. His new show, The Situation, is actually very good other than the fact that they totally took a bite off of PTI with the whole topic list thing. But then I think lots of shows do that now. Anyway I can't believe I'm saying this but I recommend at least checking it out. They get on a few strong personalities to debate the liberal side and it at some level turns out to be a good, balanced show at the end. Well, other than the fact that the star is still Tucker Carlson so the finishing touches are always of a conservative bent. Critical to my appreciation for his sense of humor is more that he isn't some blind Bush apologist and seems to actually stand by a conservative point of view. When people you don't agree with actually have a logical position, it makes it much more tolerable, and even interesting to listen to them. The thing is, I swear he used to be one of those hard-line-read-from-the-administration-playbook-pundits. What could have happenned? Does this all stem from John Stewart's confrontation and the subsequent dismantling of Crossfire?


The second person out in TV land who's irritating mannerisms make me smile is Rachael Ray. I am sure everyone at least knows who she is... She's the giggling little girl trying to pretend she is a cook on the Food Network. She is originally known for the show 30-minute meals and now has like 14 shows, including the most interesting and annoying -- 40 Dollars a day. Now, ninjax swears that this is bullshit because he could live on $5 dollars a day. He's a moron. It's not Survivor...the point isn't to spend the least amount possible in any given city! But I digress...
Anyway she really is obnoxious and no one could not get on my nerves anymore than she does. The real thing is, she's developed her own language of annoying phrases and sayings. The worst of which is "YUM-O!".

Okay so there is a point to all of this. Is this entertainment? Being generally irritated to the point of that laughter only mad scientists and otherwise insane people make can't be good for you. Or maybe I'm just too proud to admit that I like it...I like her little giggles and I love his little bow-tie. Hmmm...That is really hard to swallow, there must be another explanation!
~Gama

Top Ten Reasons that Sam hasn't been posting

10) Getting worked like a rented mule at new job.
9) Petey and Ellie won't let him near the mouse (ohhh!).
8) Spending all his time online looking for jobs in Austin.
7) Mismanaging fantasy football team.
6) Training for a triathlon on a mountain bike.
5) Too much celebrating volleyball victories.
4) Catching up on Felicity episodes.
3) Watching 'The Notebook' again.
2) Stalking Lance Armstrong.
1) Designing a viable hydrogen car and the necessary infrastructure.

Chai & Kanye

Over the last year or so, I have developed an addiction to chai lattes. Since it's impossible to ever be more than a mile from a $tarbucks, I normally end up getting my fix at one of their locations. Occasionally I'm near a small chain, like Greenberry's, and I would like to support them, but their chais just don't measure up. Greenberry's, for example, make their chai lattes too sweet and without enough spices. Oftentimes, it tastes like frothy syrup. Other chai drinkers I've talked to have echoed similar sentiments. I think Tazo makes the syrup that Starbux uses, so unless Tazo and SB have some exclusive deal, these other shops should just get Tazo syrup and undercut SB a little bit.

A well done remix of Kanye West's Gold Digger, "George Bush Don't Like Black People."