The Light's of Grand Central - revisited

As you know I was pointing to (read: crabbing about) this subject back at the beginning of March (I See This: The Light's of Grand Central) and what do you know? Progress has indeed been made. Perhaps there was some effect just in the fact of putting it out in the universe? Whatever. I am pleased for all of us. Congratulations!

The Humble Off/On Switch

Ya' just can't beat a story like this one

BBC NEWS | Technology | Nano switch hints at future chips

US army robot suits tested

Yeah I know it's all about the military and what they're doing to optimize their ability to kill, but this is way cool and really worth checking out... Ultimately this tech will find its way into the marketplace and frankly - I'd like to have one:-) I have no idea what I would do with it but I'm sure that I'd think of something. . .

Naw I don't need a hammer to pound those nails - I'll just use my fist.


BBC NEWS | Technology | US army robot suits tested

Okay - I just found this kinder gentler version that isn't quite so bulky:

She's Baaaack...

Randi Rhodes is now back on another station and I consider this to be a very good thing in the progressive movement in America.

This country belongs to all of us Progressives and Conservatives alike. On the other hand if you're a conservative I just have to ask, "have you noticed the condition of our country?"

Click on http://www.novamradio.com/live/stream.php and choose the last of the three links to stream through iTunes. Support the message in any way you can.

What Exactly Does He Mean By That?

I saw this article in the Metro yesterday and it stayed with me because I realized that there was a message in it that had to do with much more than the subject at hand. (If you click on the image it will take you to the article online where you will more clearly see this quote): "It takes courage to ask people to change — even if it won’t really cost them much. Political leaders today are afraid of their constituents,” he [Bloomberg] said.

There is an underlying idea that politicians have more common sense then the rest of us, that they somehow know better and should therefore be given free rein to do whatever they damn well please. To be specific on this Bloomberg wanted the congestion tax levied on anyone entering the city within certain streets. As far as it goes, at least on the surface it sounded like a good idea. On the other hand it is exactly the same plane that has already been put into place in London and has been declared a dismal failure in the reduction of traffic. Where it has been successful is as a money raiser. A tax without calling it a tax - let's call it "pricing." Right. Also, as a person who, in terms of taxation lives in the city, but as an occasional driver across the 59th street bridge is someone who does not live in the city. Bloomie ya' can't have it both ways. Those of us who live across the river are also a part of the New York community.

Now let me get to that offhanded remark concerning the so called fear that political leaders have of (us) their constituents. Lets get real. The people we elect are supposed to be responsive to our needs. What Bloomberg has called fear I am going to take as another word for respect. So, I'm not saying that they should be afraid of us, but at least they should have enough respect for us and our opinions that they'll listen and take what we have to say seriously. We are not children. We did not elect a parent. A politician that does not have a certain and healty amount of "fear" of his constituents is called a King or a Queen. Politicians are not in the positions that they are in because they know so much more than the common man, but because the common man elected them fully trusting that the decisions they make will be just and representative of their constituents. The reason that the US is at war with Iraq is due in large part to the fact that we currently have an administration in office that has no fear whatsoever of their constituents. What a better world it might be if only they did. . .

Re: STATEMENT OF AIR AMERICA RADIO, FROM CHAIR CHARLIE KIREKER | Air America Radio

This is the posting that I've been attempting to add to the Air America blog in response to their statement concerning the suspension of Randi Rhodes for remarks about Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro (she called each of them, in their turn, f-king whores) made off air in a stand-up comedy routine, (video embed below), but for some reason my posting never appears on their site:

Get real Charlie. While I believe that the usual message that Air America delivers is what progressives want and need to hear, I also believe that its actions in this matter are counter progressive and work to support a very conservative position. Randi Rhodes has been the jewel in the crown of the progressive movement. Suspending her is the stupidest thing I can imagine, and represents the sort of pissy and scolding type of behavior that I would expect of the repressive Bush administration and the formerly Republican congress.

I notice that there is a lot of talk around the net and even on this blog calling for a boycott of Air America until Randi is reinstated. I want you to know that I reject that idea because it will not get the message across.

I am calling for a boycott of all advertisers and asking that people take the time to call each advertiser and tell them that you would never think of doing business with them until Randi Rhodes is not only reinstated but offered a sincere apology as well.

Hit Air America in the pocketbook.
When that happens they will listen to us.

Here are a few numbers, that I will continue to update, to get everyone started (listen for others on the air and call them as well):

The Nation Magazine 800-999-6863
Zoom Credit 888-367-2144
ITM Trading 888-696-4653
Sears Kitchens 800-264-9994
Debt Solution Adviser 877-712-8114
Education Connection 36educationmatching.com 561-912-1855
Senior Lending Network 800-995-4290
Jay Warren Financial 888-912-9090
Direct Buy 800-711-1052
General Steel Corp 800-965-1295
My Debt Negotiation 800-651-5279
Power Tax Relief 888-931-5511
Swiss America 800-818-3967
Novation Capital 800-260-5446
SEOP Internet Sales 800-819-8329
Diabetic Testing 800-368-6704
Company Corporation 800-499-8458
Term Life Insurance 800-430-6722
American Tax Relief 800-622-5931

STATEMENT OF AIR AMERICA RADIO, FROM CHAIR CHARLIE KIREKER | Air America Radio

Warning: Video Contains Strong Language