How Time Flies

Well - I've been out of sorts this past week re: news from the job front. I was laid off last week from the start up I joined about a year ago. That's the bad news. The good news is my former company has offered me a job - and I am excited about returning. I'll also be moving to be closer to the office. I've been thinking about moving for some time. The new job gives me the chance to start over in more ways than one.

I'm also hoping that with the job change I can return to regular postings to outrage.com. Lord knows it's needed now more than ever. Outrage, that is.

Riddle me this, Bushman

Why was so much misdirection needed for your trip to Baghdad? And don't give me the security bullshit. The problem is not the secrecy. It should have been secret. My problem is that for days prior the news media was writing about this significant strategy session -- all a smokescreen. All they had to do was not lie. Why is that so hard? Is the Bush team so incompetent that they couldn't keep this secret without resorting to fiction?

When will the White House press corps wake up? I've been watching the continuing PR stunt as Bush holds a press conference in the Rose Garden. I am waiting for one reporter to ask the only question that should be asked: why did you go to such elaborate lengths concerning your trip to Iraq? You are the president of the United States - and you're asking us to believe you couldn't get to Baghdad secretly? Pulleeze. (Okay, I added that - I don't expect a reporter to say that - except NBC's Gregory came close after the Cheney shooting with "Oh come on." Same thing really.)

Too bad no one has the balls to organize a boycott - no one in the WH press corps should show up until there's some assurance that red herrings won't be allowed. We all know that the Bush team doesn't reveal all - nor should they. But such blatant falsehoods should not be allowed to stand. And my real outrage is so few actually think it matters.

A "tsunamic oxymoron" of epic proportions

Excellent column by Richard Cohen today - thanks for the link JB. But if the state of media isn't summed up by the fact that a company is willing to pay $4 million for Brangelina baby photos - but considered journalist salaries too much to bear - I don't know what does. But it makes me wonder - is the problem with news companies - or does it lie square at the feet of news consumers. An age old defense I know - can't fault media companies for giving the people what they want. Or can you?

Just when I think they can't sink lower...

The level of deceit and manipulation Bush II and his regime will stoop to in order to bolster public opinion is approaching almost legendary status. They scheduled a press conference to misdirect attention while he's flying to Baghdad - the level of contempt for the press and the people is obviously boundless. Where's the outrage?

Does 888 mean anything?

Am I the only one who noticed? The #8 horse came in first in each of this year's Triple Crown races: Barbaro at the Derby, Bernardini at the Preakness and Jazil at the Belmont. All #8 at the post. Weird, huh? And in the interest of full disclosure, I had Bluegrass Cat across the board and Sunriver to show. So I won about $10. Gotta love OTB.

One down, millions to go

I have no solution for what's happening in Iraq. But I do know one thing: gloating over the death of Zarqawi is just plain stupid. We all know that there are 10 just like him, ready to take his place, right?

Scarred for Life

Gotta love a headline like this one. Reminds me of the line from "Parenthood" - you have to have a license to own a dog but they'll let any asshole become a [parent].