Howard Stern's press conference this morning was priceless. But he forgot to mention something -- shouldn't the FCC fine Dick Cheney for using the F-word on the Senate floor?

If Stern can be find for making repeated fart sounds -- which I will admit make me laugh out loud despite my advanced age -- then for sure Cheney should be clapped in irons. I've never been a consistent Stern listener until now. It's just so nice to hear someone get as outraged as I do about what's happening in this country.

Hmmmm...let me get this straight. Same-sex marriages in this country would actually HELP the federal budget's bottom line? Even if it's just a little bit. You gotta wonder if that's what GOP Rep. Chabot expected to hear from his inquiry to the CBO. I'd bet not. So let's hear no more nonsense about how gay marriage means financial ruin. Then again, the idiots like the ones described here from Public Advocate are legion, as my mother would say.

I have been saying that Middle Age Females Play More Games Online Than Teen Males for years -- only because I play online games alot -- but all I got were blank stares, an occassional snicker and way too many "Crazy Ellen" comments. Now there's actual proof that I'm right. I LOVE it when that happens.

The World According to Ralph - how convenient for him.

I'm trying to figure out why my stomach knots up every time I hear or read that we're "two days early" handing over sovereignty to Iraq. There's something that feels so disingenous about it but I can't quite put my finger on it. I'm starting a little research into it and find this article from last November. We may be early but is that what's most important?

This is not a time for pessimism and rage, says the Bush II court. Good to know. (Outrage is okay though, I'm sure.) As they post a new ad giving Hitler a bit part, it forces the question: will the real Hitler please stand up? Remember their outrage over MoveOn's amateur video contest? Now they've used it in such as way that they can claim another non-denial denial. Classic.

My dad sent me the link, and noted the irony that on this day in 1963, JFK (the first one) gave his "ich bin ein berliner" speech. Comparing Gore and Dean to Hitler is one thing. Labeling Kerry supporters as "an angry, rage-filled group" is quite another (someone should tell them that angry and rage-filled are redundant, but I digress.) But they've pushed me right over the edge by saying "Team Kerry ... offers no positive vision for America." Now that's just fucking nonsense. Here's just a glimpse of the positive vision: better healthcare, better schools, higher minimum wage, leadership, honesty, Bush goes back to Texas -- I can't think of a more positive vision than that.

Found this -- Ralph-Nader-As-Suicide-Bomber -- on Altercation today. I may have to make it a permanent link.

You learn early on as a journalist to never tout "facts" from a research study without first finding out who funded said study. So thankfully someone other than the companies peddling alzheimers drugs have done their homework. The conclusions reached by the British National Health Service indicate that Alzheimer's Drug Provides 'Little Overall Benefit' (r.r.) Where are those stem cells when you need them? Oh yeah, they're in a garbage dump somewhere in New Jersey.

Howard Stern needs to brush up on SchoolHouse Rock -- remember "I'm Just A Bill?" Well for all his talk this morning, the Senate did vote yesterday on a bill that would Raise Fines for On-Air Indecency . But that does not mean there's a bill ready to go to Bush for signing. The House and Senate version must now be reconciled and maybe, just maybe, some voice of reason will prevail. Stern should have had a list of representatives and Senators responsible for reconciling the two versions -- and asked his legion of fans to start lobbying Washington today.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion -- as long as it agrees with mine. Or so that saying goes. But who in the hell does Ralph Nader think he is giving John Kerry VP advice? Was his counsel solicited by the Kerry campaign in any way? So while Nader rails against the evils of Kerry and Bush alike, he actually thinks this is his place? That his voice matters here, of all places? Anyone who says Nader's presidential run is not the work of an egomaniac ought to take a beginner psychology course. His every move is so textbook.

Nader is like that kid you never wanted to invite anywhere -- because he spent most of his time telling you how superior he was to you and didn't want to join you -- and then did all kinds of smarmy things to get invited -- to the very place he insisted he didn't want to go.

It's so frustrating to think that he will siphon enough votes from Kerry to put Bush back in office for four more years - and Nader refuses to hear it from any source. His posture that he will attract conservative voters away from Bush is beyond flawed logic. Maddening.

Sometimes you really do have to define what "is" means. Oops, sorry, I meant to say what "relationship" means.

Good God, what hath the Supreme Court wrought? They point to a law passed in 1974 -- THAT'S 30 YEARS AGO -- and yes I'm literally screaming as I type this -- to justify their decision to Side With H.M.O.'s on Patient Suits (r.r.). It will only embolden HMOs to ignore doctors recommendations and a patient's health in the interest of saving the almighty dollar. The quoted exchange at the end of the Times article is priceless. Just priceless.

Wow - how did I miss this one: Bill Allows Mixing of Religion, Politics. Just when I really think it can't get any worse...

Update: Well, something stopped it last week, according to this article. Luckily, the outrage market is booming. And I've been so preoccupied with school (luckily only two more weeks left of the summer session) that I haven't been keeping up with my reading. My outrage genes are mortified. Truly red-cheeked with embarrassment that I missed the opportunity to add my voice to this potential outrage. But I'm still outraged that it ever got as far as it did. Right now, I'm taking it all as a sign that the system works -- even without my outrage. And for that I am mighty grateful.

I felt sooo bad for Phil Mickelson yesterday - a double bogey on the 17th, just when it looked like he had it. Golf is a cruel, cruel game. But what's there to whine about?

First - good gracious, what happened to last week. It just disappeared for crying out loud. (had to get that off my chest)

Now, at first glance, one might say this isn't such a big deal -- what's the harm in giving your name to a police officer when asked. (thanks for the link RE)

But if I'm reading this correctly, what the SCOTUS has done is uphold the premise that it's ILLEGAL not to give your name. You MUST do what the police officer tells you to do. I guess in the interest of fighting terrorism -- on the rural roads of Nevada or [plug in your hometown here.] They just keep pecking away, you know?

Someone should make a documentary about all of the related events surrounding the making and the release of Michael Moore's documentary. I don't know which line I like better -- "taking cues from Jesus" or "sit back as the outraged hordes flock to the box office." Okay - no contest really. It's the second one. Outraged hordes? I guess they're everywhere nowadays.

The word "creepy" doesn't quite cover the latest online advertising trend -- ads that follow you around. Let's pray that consumers NEVER get comfortable with this type of profiling.

I've been in this business full time since 1997 and it still freaks me out when an ad makes some connection I never requested it to make or I get a spam (on an ancient AOL account) that's connected my home address and my husband's name. Now that's just plain wrong.

I get outraged about a lot of things. If that means I have too much time on my hands, so be it. (I don't btw -- that's just something I heard from someone at my 20th college reunion who thinks outrage is a waste of time; needless so say, we didn't spend much time catching up with one another ;o) But I just love the fact that AP picked up this article about the L.I. Seniors' Condom Prank. Selden's not a big town -- and most of these parents who are so outraged likely have no problem with the video games, R-rated movies and revealing clothing that are standards. But mention condoms? God help us...

Sometimes the NY Post is no different than reading the National Inquirer. Okay, most of the time. But I heard about this so-called "cup and gown" trend on the radio and was of course outraged, thinking the biggest boobs in this story had to be the parents.

But after seeing the article, why is only one person featured? Heather seems to know what she wants and while I don't agree with her choice, it's her choice to make. Now I'd like to know if this is seriously a growing trend for girls just out of high school or if the NY Post sensationalized this a bit. The NY Post sensationalize a story? I write, you decide.

Taking the gloves off in the stem cell research battle is a good thing. But how is that Patti's political stance gets immediate attention, while Ron Jr.'s eulogy to his father goes relatively unnoticed by the mainstream press.

Now of course he doesn't mention Bush by name, but you know to whom he's referring here:

"Dad was also a deeply, unabashedly religious man. But he never made the fatal mistake of so many politicians wearing his faith on his sleeve to gain political advantage.

True, after he was shot and nearly killed early in his presidency, he came to believe that God had spared him in order that he might do good. But he accepted that as a responsibility, not a mandate. And there is a profound difference. "

Ron - from your mouth to God's hears, as my grandmother would say.

Some outrages, like this one, speak for themselves.

I think this survey serves as notice to web site operators that they have a lot more work to do to make consumers feel secure about making online purchases. A third? Good lord...

I've been wondering for months why anyone would remake a classic like The Stepford Wives. Now lo and behold, I find that the remake is a comedy of all things -- the original being anything but, IMO.

What outrages me more though is the stars' group-think insistence that this was a fun little flick and nothing too deep should be read into it. WHAT?? Men turn their independent, imperfect, individual wives into Barbie clones without their consent -- and I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ENTERTAINED? Sorry, lost my head for a moment there. Unlike Gibson's Passion movie, I will have no trouble blogging my heart out about my Stepford outrage without spending $9 for a ticket. And I'm considering an official Outrage.com boycott. Will keep you posted...

I am outraged (yes I know - big surprise) that there is even a hint of the possibility that Reagan could replace Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill. How dare they remove the very man that almost single handedly saved this country from falling into total chaos after the Revolutionary War. It's no surprise that Norquist, the godfather of the vast-right wing conspiracy, is behind it.

Right after Sam Adams, the nation's ultimate troublemaker and my favorite hero of all time, Alexander Hamilton ranks has one of the most intelligent and under-rated people in American history and someone I admire very much. It's outrageous that there's even talk of replacing him.

I started reading about brain research last year during my Educational Fundamentals class. I did a report on whether boys and girls learn differently (the answer is yes btw) and most of it can be traced to brain function, structure and development. So now they've discovered brain changes after 40. What else is new?

How is it possible that a team from Calgary, Canada LOSES the Stanley Cup to the Tampa Bay Lightning? It just seems wrong somehow. And it seems I'm not alone -- there's something Freudian about the Tribune's "mistake" (and yes I worked in the news biz - there were always two version ready to go...) I know that players come from all over but the mental image I have of Calgary is much more befitting of the Stanley Cup than a balmy city like Tampa Bay. But that brings me to another issue -- why in god's name are we still watching hockey in June. I think the hockey season should start say, at the first sign of frost -- and I think the Stanley Cup should be decided by the last recorded snowfall of the season say, in International Falls, MN. Doesn't that make more sense?

Now if I told you I said something very similar to this two years ago would you believe me? Read why Ad Age thinks Interactive Television has no future. He forgot one thing -- if the TV programmers and the web content people were actually ever able to work together, things might be different. The key to finding the holy grail rests almost entirely in figuring out the best utility of both mediums. Just call me Cassandra.

I drove home today after attending my 20th college reunion in DC (and visiting my family in NoVA) -- all of which was really great. But I didn't expect to run into the Day of the Locusts -- primarly from Virginia, through Maryland and Delaware. Didn't see many bugs in NJ - maybe it has something to do with the number of toxic waste sites per square mile. Maybe.

Anyway, I did my part to continue the survival of the fittest - I stopped counting after the 12th cicada thwacked my windshield and bounced into insect oblivion -- or heaven or hell or wherever cicadas go once they've been blown to smithereens by a Honda going about 80. And each one left a nasty bunch of shit on the windshield I might add. Despite what these Cicada Maniacs have to say, I cannot stand the sight or sound of them.

Two positives that I can think of - the thwacking on my windshield was so loud there was no chance I could get drowsy and fall asleep at the wheel (which I've done twice in my life btw) and two, if there had been fewer cars on the NJ Turnpike today I could have held a Locust Slalom event. There were that many. They'd better emerge from whatever hell hole they come from and be gone quickly -- but I'm afraid it's going to be a long, hot, very noisy summer.

As an education graduate student, I don't know exactly what's wrong when I read about States' End Run Dilutes Burden for Special Ed. It caught my attention also because parents are outraged. And it sure sounds like they should be.

Before we start hearing about proposals to put ole' Ronnie's buss on Mt. Rushmore, could we PLEASE get a little perspective here? If we stopped in our tracks for every politician with good timing, great one-liners and a knack for storytelling -- well never mind, you know what I'm getting at.

I'm sorry for the Reagan family's loss. It's sad that a life so full of history is now over. I'm sympathetic to the legions of Reagan worshippers around the world who are grief-stricken. But it ends there. Must we retrace the true legacy of Ronald Reagan? Voo doo economics, "we begin bombing in five minutes" off mike comment, Star Wars (and I'm not talking about the movie), tax increases, Black Monday, huge deficits, the Me-Decade, Iran-Contra, a cruel and disgusting indifference to the burgeoning AIDS epidemic, Grenada, union busting and firing air traffic controllers, an attempt to designate ketchup as a vegetable, the death of the Equal Rights Amendment...So forgive me if I don't see his death as being much of
a factor in November.

And no, surprisingly enough, I don't give Reagan credit for the wall coming down and putting an end to old-style Communism. I think it's an insult to what really happened. He had a role to be sure -- but the true dismantlers of Communism were the people living under it -- and as Reagan knew better than most, timing is everything.

We're to have a National Day of Mourning? He was 93 and likely lying in a fetal position for the past few years but I guess a National Day of Relief That He's Passed On and Left His Wife With What Little Strength She Has Left won't wash in an election year. And while Reagan's public service is laudable, let's not kid ourselves. The Reagan's got as much as they gave. So let's pay our respects and move on. Instead I'd like to propose a National Day of Mourning for the 500 + soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan this past year. At the very least a national moment of silence -- so we don't have to hear everyone -- from journalists to waitresses -- talking about how great Reagan was. For a moment at least.

Update (June 8, 7:24 p.m.): See the last sentence in this article (r.r.) and don't say I didn't warn you. And no, I didn't realize conservatives had already started a Mt. Rushmore drive when I wrote this.

After a 10-year struggle with Alzheimers, former president Ronald Reagan dies on the same day I attend my 20-year college reunion. Not that I think he did this on purpose.

I only mention this because I spent a good part of my senior year of college as an intern for the Mondale campaign -- sure that another four years of Reagan would be the end of the world as we know it. (After graduation, I joined Mondale's campaign staff full time.) And here I am 20 years later, and again, and thinking the same thing about Bush II. But none of that really outrages me.

What outrages me is the fact that most of the news coverage surrounding RR's death tonight concerns Alzheimers and the devastating effect it has (my grandmother died of Alzheimers in 1989 so I've seen firsthand what it can do.) And Bush II talking about what a sad day it is. But not so sad that this administration will reverse its decision concerning stem cell research. It's sad alright.

So an email goes out to churchgoers from the BC04 campaign soon after the court ruling on the partial-birth abortion ban. It all comes back to the same thing: the religious right's power and the grand schemes in place to retain it. 'Cause they have no plans to give up their platform to say who gets to say what's right and wrong, good and evil. BTW, who challenges tax-exempt status for church's in NY?

What hath Madison Avenue wrought? The real outrage over this Souped-Up Sales Pitch is that there won't be any real outrage. Present company excluded, of course.

So Mel's leaving Viacom. All I could think of this morning -- and now the NYT wonders But Wait, What Does All This Mean for Howard Stern?

I've just finished setting up my new Dell desktop. Very cool.