Week-End Reading

Here's some of today's news for you reading enjoyment.

• The house is a-rockin' ...: I'm sure you're heard or read (or felt) all about this morning's excitement by now. The rumblings weren't detected at Diary Central but that might be because The Diarist is a heavy sleeper.
  

• Simply hedging their bets?: Though not exactly admitting to a design flaw, Apple has decided to appease the pitchfork-and-torch-wielding mob with freebies. Can't say I blame 'em, though it shouldn't have taken a grassroots effort to get them to do what should have been done last month when the issue was first discovered.
  

• New major development in SE living: The Washington City Paper is reporting that the run-down Skyland Shopping Center's days are numbered. The site is currently home to an AutoZone, Blimpie's, CVS, USPS warehouse, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Hill Top Cleaners, New York Fried Chicken, Murry's, Shoe City, Squashallbeefs Sports, Sports Zone, Kelly's Carry-Out, Discount Mart, Field's Music, Beauty World, and Alabama Express Liquor. We'd rather that this hadn't been the Charlie Foxtrot that it's been the past 10 years, but we are glad that Middle River East is finally getting some much needed redevelopment.

Week-End Reading

Here's some of today's news for you reading enjoyment.

• Bans are illegal ... except in Virginia: CNN is reporting that a federal judge has ruled that DOMA is unconstitutional "because it interferes with an individual state's right to define marriage". U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro stated that "irrational prejudice plainly never constitutes a legitimate government interest". This ruling could find state judges striking down state laws banning SSM and thus open the door to a Constitutional Amendment banning recognition for same-sex marriage.
  
  But in the meantime, some states are finding creative ways to ban SSM. If you wish to be legally recognized as "married" in Virginia, you apparently have to be legally married in Virginia. The Commonwealth apparently will not recognize marriages performed in other states. (Someone should introduce Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to this little bit of light reading.)
  

• Office etiquette: The DC Careers Examiner has a list of five things you shouldn't share at the workplace. I'd like to add a five more items to the list, if I may: flatulence, your spouse's cooking, your political opinions, the latest thing on the internet that you found side-splitting-ly hilarious, and unsolicited stories about your vacation/kids/grandkids/pets.
  

• Another step closer to a vaccine: The Wall Street Journal reports on some positive news for people with HIV. According to the article, "U.S. government scientists say they have discovered three powerful antibodies, the strongest of which neutralizes 91% of HIV strains, more than any AIDS antibody yet discovered." But they aren't stopping there. They hope that this new discovery will also help lead them towards a cure for the common cold. (Seriously.)

In Today's News

The United States has a new nation's capital ... of capitalism: David Frum opines on how the financial power of the world's greatest country has shifted from New York to the District.

But as Washington gains, the country loses. It loses something more than its ideals of free enterprise and private ownership. It loses the very American idea of a capital as a specialized locale to which specific tasks are delegated -- not an American Versailles where favors are distributed and attendance is mandatory.

While I agree that the federal government should never be in the business of business, Mr. Frum is a fool to imply that, at least over the past century, it hasn't been the ultimate decision-maker of financial dealings in this country. That the rest of the free-market movers and shakers have finally discovered this was bound to happen.

District metered parking will cost you $2 an hour ... or not: The city is looking at implementing a performance-based parking system.

The District is raising rates at most of the city's 17,000 meters to $2 an hour, expanding enforcement until 10 p.m. in eight "premium demand zones" and enforcing meter parking on Saturdays. The changes are expected to generate up to $7 million a year in additional revenue for the cash-strapped city.

The DDOT may succeed in changing people's commuting behavior. It just might not be the change for which they were hoping. I suspect that we'll start seeing this practiced more.

Washington Capitals to the rest of the Southeast Division - "Who's your daddy?": My Caps are 9-1 against its Southeast rivals, holding a 16 point lead over the second-place Tampa Bay Lightning (who they've defeated 12 straight times). Additionally, they're only 3 points off the lead in the Eastern Conference and 6 points off the lead in the league. With 38 games remaining in the season and with the return of several key members from injured reserve, expect to see them climb the leader board as the season progresses. A run for the Stanley Cup isn't out of the question, so long as the solid defense they've been playing lately doesn't waver.

More On Texting While Driving

Remember this? Apparently, the states cannot be trusted to make what laws they feel are best for their people ... thus this.

The New "Drinking And Driving"

A recent study has shown that texting while driving is not one of the best ideas.

After examining the behavior of truck drivers covering more than 6 million miles of road, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute concluded that people who send text messages while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a crash (or what they call a near-crash event) than nondistracted drivers.

I have been guilty of texting while driving, though lately I've been severely curtailing my texting time to red lights. But even that is not a good idea, since fourteen states plus the District of Columbia have banned texting behind the wheel.

The message in all of this? Don't use your cell phone while driving unless it's an absolute emergency.

Fire Chief, Surprised By Ash, Proclaims Sky Is Falling

Thank the gods that we have a top fireman who is watching out for public safety. The last thing this city needs is an epic-disater-in-the-making.

D.C. Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin yesterday ordered that all fireworks displays at Washington Nationals games be suspended until a safety review can be conducted, after fireworks debris landed on him as he watched a game, a department spokesman said today.

Rubin, who regularly attends Nationals games, was sitting in Section 130 yesterday when the Nats were facing off against the New York Mets. At the conclusion of the national anthem, there was a fireworks display as is customary, said department spokesman Alan Etter. As the debris fluttered down, it found its way to Rubin in his seat.

As you can see, Mr. Rubin had some sweet seats at first base, which are no where near where the fireworks are.

Now, I was a season ticket holder last year and my seats were in Section 141, pretty much directly beneath the fireworks. I had attended several games where the ashes fell from the sky onto us fans. And let me tell you, not once did any of us feel as if our lives were in jeopardy. Yes, ash is dirty. And, yes, it's a little startling the first time it happens. But that's how it goes sometimes. For Mr. Rubin to play the power card, covering it in the blanket of "immediate concern for safety", over something that has been happening for at least the past year (or longer ... I can't believe this never happened at RFK Stadium) is simply ridiculous and yet another example of our city leaders acting like that one kid in class who's put in charge while the teacher steps out for a minute.

Seriously. When will the insanity end in our local government?

Wish Me Luck

I haven't forgotten about telling you of this past weekend. I spent last night rebuilding my laptop and preparing for what I hope to be my final interview (where I currently am, waiting for everyone to arrive). I'll fill you in ... generically ... on this too. But for now, wish me luck.

Them's My Boys!

In today's Weekend section of The Washington Post, NightLife covers late-night eats around the city. And, lo and behold, there featured in the third picture in the slideshow are my boys Mark and Charlie! To quote Charlie, "How glam and tragic at the same time."

True that, my friend. True that.

Royals At War

Okay. First, WOOF! Second, good for him. Third, shame on the media for reporting the story.

I do understand the need to know, but this really isn't something that is a need to know. Perhaps the fact the he was serving overseas was something of which people should be aware, but what and where exactly should have been handled as TOP SECRET information. Whoever leaked this should be prosecuted.

Or maybe that's just me.

Thank You, Daddy! May I Have Another?

I'm sorry but I don't buy the results of this analysis. I would venture to guess that the majority of my generation was subjected to some form of corporal punishment in our childhood. (What is the plural of childhood? Childhood? Childhoods? Childrenhood?) But I doubt that the majority of that majority turned out to be kinky sex fiends. Hell, the fastest way to turn me off is to get rough with me. (Not that you needed to know that.)