Blog @ MoreWhat.com

That Michael Moore proudly displays his love of the left is well known. That Michael Moore continues to express tasteless, despicable comments on behalf of the left is also well known. That other lefties like a former DNC Chairman would engage in such practices says a great deal about the Democratic Party.

Michael Moore: Gustav is proof of God

2:36 PM Sun, Aug 31, 2008
Wayne Slater-Dallas Morning News

Liberal filmmaker Michael Moore has his own take about the divine aspects of Hurricane Gustav’s scheduled landfall just as Republicans open their convention in St. Paul. Says Moore: “Gustav is proof that there is a God in Heaven.”

How the ‘letter’ described below is considered a backtrack by Michael Moore on his shameless comments about ‘proof of God’ is not known. If you actually read it the sentiment suggests he is only extending his reprehensible remarks.

Michael Moore backtracks on Gustav and the GOP

Top of the Ticket, Politics, Coast to Coast with the LA Times
– Leslie Hoffecker

Michael Moore calls on God to let Hurricane Gustav die offshore.Friday, we noted Michael Moore’s comments on MSNBC describing the timing of Hurricane Gustav (during the Republican convention) as divine intervention.

Today, Moore — who almost immediately came under fire for his remarks — responded by releasing an “open letter to God.”

The reference below is linked to its source while the VIDEOS are linked just below the excerpt. Another copy of the ‘Two Democrats’ video was linked rather than the one cited at the source as it seems the audio quality is better.

Meanwhile the Democrats — at least some of them — are gloating, as this YouTube clip shows.

“That just demonstrates God’s on our side,” former DNC chairman chairman said, with a smug smile and a snicker. “Everything’s cool.”

The remark from this Democratic leader was not received well, and, in fact, is less demonstrative of God’s will than it is of a new air of uncertainty and sweaty desperation coming from high-level Democrats. Clearly irked and frightened by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s entry into national politics, they’re now resorting to reading things into the tea leaves that aren’t really there, or as this case shows, just simply making up crap.

Even worse than Fowler’s snickering was Michael Moore’s outright guffaws along with — you guessed it — Keith Olberman on MSNBC.

“I was just thinking this Gustav is proof there is a God in heaven,” Moore said with a raspy laugh. “To have it planned at the same time. That it would actually be on its way to New Orleans for Day One of the Republican Convention in the Twin Cities at the top of the Missisippi River.”

Below are the VIDEO links as mentioned above.

Two Democrats Make Fun of the Hurricane and Palin (VIDEO) from reference above

Michael Moore Glad Hurricane Gustav Will Hit New Orleans, Louisiana (VIDEO) from reference above

Other reactions in the blogosphere…..

Fowler Apologizes For Offending, Attacks Recorder (Big Dog’s Weblog)

Democrats Laugh At Potential New Orleans Disaster (Big Dog’s Webllog)

Fmr DNC Chair Thinks Hurricane Proves God is on the Side of the Dems (Maggie’s Notebook)

While Louisiana prepares for Hurricane Gustav, Dems gloat and guffaw; RNC opening night cancelled; Fowler apologizes (Michelle Malkin)

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Most popular content at places like Google or Yahoo appear to be simply a count of clicks or how many times someone forwarded the content via email. With that in mind it is still telling to view such lists from time to time even if one cannot draw any significant conclusions from the activity. As you might suspect there are times when the ‘most popular’ lists contain such dribble it is a wonder the ‘clickers’ can muster the mental strength to dress themselves. And then from time to time some more noteworthy or entertaining content from the world of current events or politics or world affairs is included which can give pause for optimism. Lately that seems to be the case. There is more content that might actually be meaningful in the most popular content lists. Here are some examples:

Biden is Democratic favorite for Obama’s No. 2

AP -
Sent 102 times

CHICAGO - Sen. Joe Biden has emerged as the clear favorite among Democrats to be Barack Obama’s running mate for his understanding of foreign policy in grave global times and his fighting spirit against the rival Republican ticket.

Even though the MSM seems to again be hurting for new stories that satisfy their appetite for tabloid journalism, the ‘veepstakes’ is their clear winner lately. As the number two emailed story at the time, one can only guess at how many of the senders had a political affiliation. Maybe like the Presidential election polls that split is a dead heat and an even number of liberals and conservatives sent the story along with 20 or 25 independents.

But really, until the two presumptive nominees name their VP canididates, who cares? In terms of campaign strategy, sure it makes some sense on when and wher e and for how long you can control the news cycle. But other reports indicate Obama will announce soon and McCain will announce immediately following the Dems convention to steal the weekend news cycle and beyond, stealing the spotlight from The Annointed One. Again, who cares? But the story made the most popular list at Yahoo and we all know that matters. Even if we can’t tell what significance it holds at least someone is reading about something other than Britney or Paris, except for Obama. Paris Hilton may be Obama’s real Obamagirl and he may be offering her the job of VP is she can spell it. It would be no worse than his other suspected choices. If he picks Biden he will no longer have to steal speeches from Mass Gov Deval Patrick. The old plagiarizer Biden can handle that for him.

More most popular will be back later

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Obama backs away from McCain’s debate challenge

By DOUGLASS K. DANIEL
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic candidate Barack Obama on Saturday backed away from rival John McCain’s challenge for a series of joint appearances, agreeing only to the standard three debates in the fall.
In May, when a McCain adviser proposed a series of pre-convention appearances at town hall meetings, Obama said, “I think that’s a great idea.” In summer stumping on the campaign trail, McCain has often noted that Obama had not followed through and joined him in any events.
Obama’s reversal on town hall debates is part of a play-it-safe strategy he’s adopted since claiming the nomination and grabbing a lead in national polls

Whether you believe Barack Obama is an empty shirt or not or deserves the monikers suggested by his political opposition, his avoidance of debate with the other presumptive nominee in the upcoming Presidential election gives credence to the notion that Barack Obama is more of a marketing campaign than a political one. Of course political campaigns have an element of marketing but playing it safe by not meeting the competition head on and avoiding the need to show substance instead of only carefully prepared fluff will strengthen the belief there is nothing more than the marketing campaign behind the candidate Barack Obama.

Obama Central: Peace, Harmony and Deep Secrecy

Decisions are guarded with extreme secrecy, none more so than the upcoming vice presidential selection, and that has occasionally irked members of Congress. In recent days, as Republicans publicly accused Sen. Barack Obama of appearing presumptuous during his presidential-style trip to Europe, Democrats privately expressed concerns that Obama has become too Chicago-centric, relying on his inner circle rather than a broader group that encourages input from Washington and elsewhere.

It is funny that for as much as the Democrats like to criticize President George W. Bush, the article above cites a comparison between the Obama campaign of 2008 and the Bush campaign of 2000. Another comment in recent news provided a remark on the surprise that the polls were essentially a tie considering the 2006 mid term elections and the fall from grace of many in the Republican party. Yes, the Democrats are their own worst enemy in campaigns, elections and all things political. If there is a way to lose, they’ll find it. The bitter fights between Clinton and Obama in the primaries looks now more like a theatrical strategy with so many Clinton staffers moving to the Obama camp. Mr Obama, if the Clinton campaign was such a bad choice for Democrats, why are you hiring so many of their staffers? And why do you carefully suggest that Hillary would be on anyone’s VP short list as you compliment her abilities and importance to the Democratic party? Either she was a bad choice for President or she wasn’t. And if you don’t believe she was a good choice for President why would she be on your short list for VP? It is more of the say what you need to at the time and a not so carefully prepared communication that characterizes your campaign and the belief you think you are the chosen one and need not challenge the idea that you bring nothing to the table.

A brief resume’ in state politics, as well as a short time in the US Senate but with no shortage of baggage and now you want to be President. Maybe the Messiah or celebrity criticism for the “One” are not so off the mark after all.

A brief commentary from the Mirror in the UK supports the idea that the world tour of Barack Obama fell flat. Some say Obama lost nine points after the tour without the expected initial bounce in the polls. And while John McCain continues to request ‘townhall’ type debates with Obama, another report indicates Obama will agree to this in the fall, the arrangements are not clear. The strategy is that Obama does well with prepared remarks and speeches but had trouble in the primaries when required to think on his feet and provide spontaneous answers. McCain would obviously like to help Obama produce some serious gaffs in a debate. The point here is the notion that Senator Barack Obama needs all communication to be prepared and vetted in advance of distribution. It appears he may not have a grip on the task at hand. If one is well schooled on matters related to the job one seeks, it should be a simple proposition to engage in debate on such topics. To have a working knowledge of public affairs and all that goes with public service in government should enable a candidate to challenge an opponent in public debate. Perhaps Mr Obama is lacking these skills and postponing the risk of failure until well into the fall.

A report from the Economic Times (India Times) begins with a bleak title for the Obama camp. Obama’s downward spiral continue, McCain trails by 3 points, may say it all. The world tour of Barack Obama might lead one to make the leap that the Senator from Illinois is or wants to be a celebrity. But this report from another foreign country ( not on his world tour ) suggests there was a ‘bounce’ after the tour but it has faded. In contrast, Senator McCain’s campaign was given last rites early in the primaries only to see him emerge victorious when it really mattered. A feat repeated in his defiant support of the ’surge’ in Iraq when it was extremely unpopular, against political wisdom and far from a self-fulfilling prophecy. And yet, the surge worked, McCain’s campaign is doing just fine and the one referred to as a maverick has again demonstrated he just might know what he’s doing.

Neither campaign or candidate is perfect. From this blog, again, a major flaw with Senator John McCain is McCain/Kennedy or in other words, amnesty and that he favors it. The fallback for this problem is the hope that once again public anger over such a proposal will be adequate to defeat any such legislation or inaction on following the rule of law. With accusations of astroturfing by Axelrod from the Obama campaign while working in his capacity as a public relations operative, it is not a big leap to understand that the Obama campaign is little more than a public relations scheme of a candidate who took the shortest possible path to candidate for President with little or no substance to bring to the table.

That’s enough for the second post on this blog in many months. Except to leave you with some links by others on the topic from countries other than the US.

Obama Finds Himself In A Pickle On Offshore Drilling

Besotted by Obama, Canadians should look closer

Hold off on that Obama coronation

That’s what tops the most popular news stories at Google this a.m.  It really doesn’t matter if Clinton’s ‘moment’ turned the vote in NH or if yet another Britney story is absorbed by the mindless masses.  And certainly the porn story from a tech magazine is of little usefulness.  In terms of politics and judging from stories around the planet it appears no one learned anything from the discrepancy of the polls and the outcome in NH or how we choose leaders.

It might be wiser to allow some of the political contests play out minus all the predictions and forecasts.  Years ago a report suggested many voters, consciously or not, tend to vote for who they think will win.  It sounded as stupid then as it does now but is easy to believe.  No one wants to back a loser.  The fact that too many people do not vote, and that of those who do too many may select a candidate for the wrong reasons is compounded by the typical pattern we observe, participate in or ignore each election cycle.  And from this we pick leaders for this country as well as less significant elected offices.

Is it any wonder that Britney, sex, Clinton, sex and porn and, obviously sex lead the most popular stories at one search engine’s news rankings.  This of course is closely followed by an item about throwing kids from a bridge, Congress being engaged in baseball drug inquiries and fortunately a couple of stories that might matter.  And we’re going to pick a President this year.

May the best candidate win and please don’t say who you think that will be.  There is way too much of that going on right now.

By Barbara Schoetzau
New York
10 November 2007

Schoetzau report - Download MP3 (371k)
Listen to Schoetzau report

The lights dimmed on Broadway Saturday as members of the union representing stagehands went on strike. From VOA’s New York Bureau, correspondent Barbara Schoetzau has the story.

Picket lines replaced audiences lining up for matinees on the most popular day of the week for theater attendance. Most Broadway shows have afternoon and evening performances on Saturday.

The strike is not a surprise. The stagehands union, Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and the League of American Theaters and Producers, have been bargaining over work rules and staffing requirements for months. The union’s contract expired at the end of July.

Audiences hoped until the last moment that the doors would open.

“This is one experience of New York City that some of these kids will never have again,” said one resident. “Some of them will never even get to be in New York City again and to get to see a Broadway show, nothing compares.”

James Sanna is a producer of the recently opened holiday show, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. “It is devastating because we have seven sold-out shows between Saturday and Sunday,” he noted, “and not a lot of notification for the customers, so they’ll be coming here. It really hurts that the show is not going to happen.”

The strike comes at the start of the busy holiday season with several new shows scheduled to open within the next few weeks. A total of 26 Broadway theaters shut their doors just hours before Saturday matinees were to begin. Actors are not on strike, but will not cross picket lines. Several shows have separate union contracts, and at those theaters, the show will go on.

(click the pic)

The words of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s strategist, Mark Penn, keep finding there way onto posts at this blog. The point he made was essentially this. Every campaign must face a potentially career ending, or at least campaign ending, challenge before the game is completed. If you think about that long enough it may occur to you that there are a number of similar theories that can be offered. What’s to say that every campaign only faces one such challenge as Penn apparently suggests? It could be a string of candidate flaws all surfacing in succession or simultaneously.

As if there were not enough skeletons in HRC’s closet or under that rug in the Oval Office she joked about, it seems she is generating new ones every day. If one of your current obstacles to overcome is the legality of your campaign finances, the last thing you need is a documentary video being produced, possibly banned by media and receiving internet ratings that may fly off the charts describing your outlaw ways.

The video trailer will be followed by a film release date in November with showings at Harvard and Dartmouth. Columbia University hosts the thug of Iran while Harvard and Dartmouth a Hillary flick? Maybe Columbia will get in on this to make amends. Below are items related to the film.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xq8aopATYyw

‘Hillary Uncensored’ Film Draws Huge Web Audience
By Fred Lucas
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
October 23, 2007

(CNSNews.com) - The trailer to a new film about Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton, “Hillary Uncensored — Banned by the Media,” has garnered big audience numbers — about 1 million viewers — on the Internet. The movie documenting alleged campaign finance violations soon will have several screenings in the Northeast, including three in New Hampshire, the state that will hold the first presidential primary.

If you have skipped the recent ‘news’ story about David Copperfield, like all of us probably should, here are a few lead ins from various accounts of the magician’s latest trick, making $2 million dollars disappear. Aside from allegations by a Seattle woman, why Copperfield’s story is newsworthy is subject to debate. So here is the briefing.

FOX News -
AP David Copperfield has performed live around the world and starred in a series of well-received TV specials since the end of the 1970s. …

SI.com
(CNN) — Authorities are investigating a Seattle woman’s allegation that she was sexually assaulted by illusionist David Copperfield,

Contra Costa Times, CA -
The FBI is investigating a woman’s claim that magician David Copperfield raped her while the two were in the Bahamas, Fox News reported Friday. …

Radar Online, NY -
Suddenly it doesn’t matter so much whether David Copperfield is gay or straight. He’s now being accused of raping a Seattle woman in the Bahamas, …

2SNAPS.TV, CA -
David Copperfield issues a statement to media claiming he never raped a woman even though he seems to have no clue who the alleged victim is. …

TMZ.com, CA -
David Copperfield has been collecting items for his Museum of Magic for quite a while. The Museum was raided on Wednesday night by FBI agents reportedly …

New York Magazine, USA -
Yesterday, the FBI raided David Copperfield’s Las Vegas warehouse in connection with an rape investigation.

FBI Seizes Nearly $2 Million from Las Vegas Warehouse Owned by David Copperfield
By Ray McDonald
Washington
19 October 2007
FBI agents seized nearly $2 million in cash from a Las Vegas warehouse owned by illusionist David Copperfield.

Local media reports said agents also took a computer hard drive and a memory chip from a digital camera system during the October 17 operation. The reports said the raid stemmed from an investigation in Seattle.

In a statement cited by Las Vegas broadcasters, Copperfield’s attorney David Chesnoff said “We understand there is an investigation, are in touch with the investigators, and are respecting the confidentiality of the investigation.”

Local CBS affiliate KLAS-TV quoted a source as saying agents took the cash, which was stashed in a safe.

Born David Kotkin, the 51-year-old Copperfield is famed for such stunts as making the Statue of Liberty disappear and walking through the Great Wall of China. He regularly performs at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas.

Apparently there is curiosity with some who are interested in his sexual orientation. He stands accused of raping a woman while in the Bahamas. He may not realize who the woman is. The two million seems unrelated at least until the Feds disclose the significance. With no interest at this blog to research the story, the only reason for posting this has more to do with people like Spears, Ritchie, Hilton or other obnoxious celebs. This may be the first time their names appeared on this blog. Hence, the Copperfield post is explained. Tough to write about morons like the ones just mentioned and at least Copperfield’s story, again, except for the rape allegations, seems a bit of a puzzle.

This just might be the first ‘entertainment’ or Hol_ywood post ever to appear here. Celebs already take up too much time in the media whether broadcast, print or other forms like the internet and blogs. If they are not showboating on some public affairs issue they’re tabloid fodder for misdeeds, missteps or as a target for gossip. Quite the waste of time as a human endeavor but still quite popular based on all the time dedicated to it. But this is all the time that will be used for it here and now. With any luck the urge to use a celeb story for an alternate purpose will not happen on this blog again.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

It was either a mistake to use ‘Obama’ for a search term in the news this evening or just lazy luck since the surname is all one needs. You won’t see political headlines if all you enter is ‘Edwards’. After entering the term ‘Obama’ and pressing enter, skimming the headlines was painful. ‘ Fidel Castro tips Clinton-Obama as winning team ‘, was interpreted as a spoof but there was no worthwhile reason to read it. Oh Jesus!! That was the thought that came to mind when reading ‘ Obama: ‘We need to rebuild this city.’ ‘ The insanity over NOLA is simply never going to go away. But why be concerned with 300 years of insanity when you can get nearly everyone else in the country to ante up for at least one more rebuild with no solution.

Another headline too stupid to follow up on was ‘ Obama unveils radical mortgage plan. ‘ With the rank amateur stupidity of rookie investors who fail to buy low and sell high, too many people did what too many people do when greed is involved. Wait until just before the bubble bursts or bet the farm on inflated profit projections or other get rich quick notions only to wake up in a mountain of debt. Then vote seeking politicians devise equally misguided plans to right the ship of fools. And where does the magical funding come from for these grand strategies? Just raise taxes or pass it on to the next generation.

If an outburst from Ted Nugent is directed toward Obama and Clinton, complete with video viewed at least 560,000 times, there is no value in even posting the headline much less talking anymore about it. Almost makes you wish Congress was back in session for some classic wastes of time.

The only surprise about Alabama Senator Shelby putting Obama’s divestment bill on hold is who would expect any noise out of Congress or about Congressional business before September 4? But it appears that Shelby only made the point of the bill going through committee before bringing to a vote. The headline is from a quote to an Israeli paper from Obama. They claim it happened under orders from Bush due to EU angst over the idea . Who cares?

But the crazy headline from today related to the title of this post is, ‘ Oprah Goes Up Against Bride In Obama Party Plans. ‘ How could anyone refuse to check this out? Even if you absolutely abhor tabloid/gossip/Hollywood nonsense, this has to be worth the risk.

Along with the story being just plain nuts, it is representative of the fact there is no limit on how far out of bounds politics in this country will go. A billionaire, a millionaire and some poor schmuck trying to get married may have locked horns or wedding girl quietly acquiesced to the power on her left. Before the excerpts comes one aside. This version of the story has a better headline and is from PMSNBC. Can you believe the top of the page reads ‘ Breaking News’ and ‘Tabloid Tidbits’? Gotta be crazy or fatigued to read this stuff. But here is some of it.

Oprah to bride: Clear out of my hotel!
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 9:08 a.m. ET Aug. 28, 2007

An incensed Oprah Winfrey shouted her indignation to the world when prevented from entering a closed Hermès store in 2005. But she may have no compunction booting a bridal party from a booked hotel if she needs the rooms for her famous friends.
…

One version has the bride as an attorney and refusing to cave while the other has Oprah’s spokesperson denying any coercion yet rooms mysteriously opened up. One person is a billionaire supporting a millionaire to run for President but it makes you wonder how they intend to run the country if the campaign were successful. Oh, there is no suggestion here that Oprah will be the new Karl.

That’s it. No more reading of the PMSNBC gossip columns. Initially it was funny. Now it’s just plain weird.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

When Hollywood or parts of Hollywood play political, the result is an unintended comedy. Gee, what an incredible coincidence that a ‘film’ entitled ‘September Dawn’ about an 1857 extremely violent incident involving Mormons, Paiute Indians and newcomers from Arkansas debuts during the 2008 Presidential race. Hmmm, let’s see. One candidate for President just happens to be Mormon and the film’s antagonists include, huh, Mormons.

And how about the other coincidences like Martin Sheen is the narrator and Christopher Cain is the director. One of Cain’s previous credits for films is the 1988 movie, ‘Young Guns’, that featured Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen as well as Terrance Stamp who is in September Dawn.

Of course, those associated with the film explain that it was in development long before Romney announced his run for President. Nice try folks, since 1994 in a run for the Senate, people knew Romney was a likely contender some time in the future. At least political types did. But they would rather have you believe an unknown wrote her first screenplay and a director came out of retirement to make a movie and picked that long shot. Not to mention the movie is being panned. But then, a nice payday for an unknown and who cares if a political stunt makes money or not?

The nicest touch is the interview with Jon Voight and Chris Cain on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show. Probably the best work Voight and Cain have done to date. Voight even tries to sound conservative by expressing his support for the war and his stance offends the left. Have you even been asked to drink that much Kool-Aid before? Here are some links for the radio podcast and other related headlines.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

radio interview:
Hugh Hewitt Radio Show Interview with Jon Voight and Chris Cain (hour 2)

Hugh Hewitt Radio Show Interview with Jon Voight and Chris Cain (hour 3)

movie reviews, etc…..
‘September Dawn’ a grotesque WesternRoanoke Times

“September Dawn“ Opens to Negative Reviews

Film: ‘September Dawn’ fails story of grim tragedy

‘September Dawn’ overshadowed by silly melodrama Kansas City Star

Sappy direction mars ‘September Dawn’

Movie Review: September Dawn is blatant propaganda against the Mormons

‘September Dawn’ turns a hatchet job into a hack exercise

September “Yawn”

Grisly story of 1857 massacre is unbelievably ugly and an insult …

Jon Voight Denies September Dawn Controversy

Romney won’t be in line for this film

Romney Shrugs Off Mormon History Film

By Thomas Rippe
Kigali
15 August 2007

Rippe report - Download 528k audio clip
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Actors, athletes and politicians from Europe and the United States have joined genocide survivors from Rwanda and Darfur to put pressure on Olympic host China to help end genocide in Darfur. For VOA, Thomas Rippe has more from Kigali, where the gathering was held.

American actress Mia Farrow joined human rights activists and genocide survivors in Kigali Wednesday to put pressure on China to take on a bigger role in Darfur. Farrow lit a symbolic Olympic torch in memory of genocide victims.

“This flame was first lit on August 9 on the Chad - Darfur border, where genocide is ongoing,” she said. “This flame honors all those who have been lost and those who suffer. This flame celebrates the courage of those who have survived. And this flame symbolizes the hope we all share for an end to genocide everywhere.”

In the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, China, which is by far the largest foreign investor in Sudan and absorbs almost two thirds of its oil output, has been under mounting pressure to use it influence with Khartoum to ease the suffering in Darfur.

Dream for Darfur, a U.S.-based human rights group, organized the event. It was held at the Ecole Technique Officielle, a school where 2,000 Rwandans were killed in 1994.

According to the United Nations, a total of at least 800,000 people were slaughtered in the space of a few weeks during the genocide.

Director Jill Savitt says China is key to resolving the crisis.

“We believe that the host of the 2008 Olympic games, China, can play a powerful role, and a positive role, in resolving the Darfur crisis,” she said.

Omer Ismail is a survivor of the genocide in Darfur. He spoke directly to the Rwandans attending the event.

“I, like you, am a survivor. And us survivors, we know that we cannot leave anyone behind. We must work together to stop genocidal violence wherever it occurs,” he said.

U.S. Congressman Donald Payne helped push Congress to call the crisis in Darfur genocide back in 2004.

“Three years later, from the declaration of genocide, genocide is still occurring. And that’s wrong,” he said.

Activists hope that continued pressure will lead to a strong U.N. peacekeeping force in Darfur.

The ‘i’ in iPhone stands for idiot. Consumers pay too much for everything and then at some point complain that prices are too high. Everything costs too much because you keep buying it at ridiculous prices. The business community doles out technology products and services, as well as others, in tiny incremental phases at bloated prices and minimal or substandard capability, performance, features, quality, etc., etc., and consumers keep flocking to each new marketing ploy. The ‘i’ in iPhone stands for idiot.

The youngest among us are the easiest to fool. Haven’t been on the planet long enough or care about the trends that matter. Gotta have the newest and coolest even if it is a marketing campaign that defines the object. The trend is the business community has long known how to use hype to drive revenue. They not only target the younger demographic due to the extreme discretionary income as compared to other groups but they are keenly aware that they are largely clueless when it comes to intelligent purchasing decisions supported by fact.

As for the older demographic that follows suit, they once were part of the younger demographic that was clueless and no improvement in buying decisions has occurred over time. These two demographics are in large part responsible for the continued promotion of second rate products and services at unreasonable prices.

Why do houses cost so much? Because first time buyers only consider what they want and finding a way to qualify for a price they do not see as inflated. The mortgage industry is only too happy to invent flawed solutions like the subprime industry to accommodate such foolish transactions.

Why do cars cost so much? Why does health care cost so much? Why is the cost of an education higher than most think it should be? Although the details may vary the overall reasons for the cost of goods and services and their associated real value are so dramatically skewed. People convince themselves they need what they are buying and have no patience, discipline or any buyer sophistication adequate to the task. This is followed by subsequent complaints about how bad things are without the consumer accepting any guilt for the outcome. The ‘i’ in iPhone stands for idiot.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson’s Website, The Virtuous Republic, Right Truth, Big Dog’s Weblog, Stuck On Stupid, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, Pursuing Holiness, CatSynth.com “catback” weekend, The Magical Rose Garden, third world county, Right Celebrity, Wake Up America, Woman Honor Thyself, stikNstein… has no mercy, Pirate’s Cove, Nuke’s news and views, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, Church and State, The Random Yak, A Blog For All, 123beta, DeMediacratic Nation, Jeanette’s Celebrity Corner, Webloggin, Cao’s Blog, , Conservative Cat, , Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Allie Is Wired, Walls of the City, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, High Desert Wanderer, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Sometimes you could wonder if everyone involved in an investigation, scandal or other embarrassing moment is guilty of something. As far as Joe Wilson and Valerie (Plame) Wilson are concerned, they may only be guilty of bad taste. On the one hand it is hard to argue with someone taking offense at being exposed as working for the CIA. But then to have a major book deal and a movie in the works sure could ease a lot of pain and suffering. So what came first, an exposure of personnel matters or the self-promotion exposure? And since dear Valerie testified that the job she so loved involved investigating WMD, why has no one connected the dots on that part of the story? Hmm?

There are only two reasons this post has been published here. To see if we can get the conspiracy theory rumor mill percolating and at least one of us thinks Valerie is hot so we need an excuse to post her picture again. Ha, ha, ha. Hey it’s the weekend and a little comic relief (very little) is needed for recouping from the stress of March Madness.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com
(I’m in complete control until Stanford and the rest of the staff return)

At Hearing, Plame Rebukes Bush Administration
Valerie Plame, the CIA officer whose leaked identity triggered a federal investigation that reached into the White House, today publicly refuted claims that she was not a covert employee and accused the White House and State Department of “carelessly and recklessly” destroying her cover for political purposes….

Trackposted to The Virtuous Republic, Phastidio.net, Dumb Ox Daily News, 123beta, and Sujet- Celebrities, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

‘Law & Order’ Star Offers Moral Support to Libby at Trial

Former Tennessee Republican Sen. Fred Thompson, who plays a prosecutor on NBC megahit, helped organize Scooter Libby Legal Defense Fund for former vice president’s chief of staff, who faces perjury, obstruction charges in case of CIA leak.

Damn, and I like that show.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Wal-Mart launches movie, TV download service

NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Tuesday introduced a test version of its new video download service, making it the first major retailer to offer such a service with the backing of all of Hollywood’s big studios.

Of course the big studios support this. The good old days are gone in most places. Hollywood has been feeling the crunch for some time. That’s right, get in bed with and become beholding to Wal-Mart. Then parade Hollywood types all over the planet telling the rest of us how we should live. You can act. Not well in this case, but you can act.

First it was netflicks. Then Blockbuster entered the fray with “by mail” or in the store. Now it’s Wal-Mart.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com