Obama's Asshattery Continues

As if this news wasn't bad enough, the Obama administration announced that it's only the beginning of the Federal government's intrusion into state rights.

The Justice Department hasn't ruled out filing a second lawsuit challenging Arizona's immigration law if evidence shows racial profiling at work, Attorney General Eric Holder says.

Ignore the fact that the Arizona law specifically states that law enforcement is not permitted to racially profile. Still, Holder believes Arizona is way off base with this new law.

"The Arizona statute, if you look at the guts of it, really puts in place a whole variety of things that are inconsistent with what we have decided to do as a federal government," Holder said.

Of course the Arizona statute is inconsistent with things the Federal government has decided to do ... which would be nothing at all. The fact that Arizona has been forced to do something due to the Fed's inaction should force Holder (or someone) to re-evaluate the Federal government's response to the immigration problem. Instead, they all chose to bury their heads in the sand. That's right, they've decided to follow The Clancy Doctrine.

At least other state governors are alarmed at the Federal response to Arizona.

Democratic governors expressed "grave" concerns to White House officials this weekend about the Obama administration's suit against Arizona's new immigration law [...]

Thank the gods that some people in authority in this country find this toxic. Way to stick up for Arizona, people.

[...] warning it could cost the party in crucial elections this fall, The New York Times reported late Sunday.

Oh. I'm sorry. I thought for one moment there that you were more concerned about the precedent being set here. I mean, If Obama's Federal government could step all over state rights, wouldn't you think that (maybe, perhaps) a future, enterprising Republican Federal government might think they could do the same? I guess not.

At least the Justice Department is pursuing cases with merit, right?

Right?!

Musical Musings: Mario Spinetti And Such

It's been a hot minute since I last wrote about him, but [1/1] is currently playing on my iPod and it got me thinking about Mario Spinetti. I haven't played his EP in a while and almost forgot how much I love it.

That, of course, got me reminiscing about my experiences with Mario and his music.

It got me thinking about my boys (First and Second Brain), how I don't spend enough one-on-one time with Second, and how much I miss First.

It got me thinking about that recording session in NYC and how much I want to do that for a living.

It got me thinking about a good friend of mine who is doing it for a living, how I don't chat with him enough, and how much I miss him.

And it took me back to Mario. While I would never have the conceit to consider myself a good friend (or even a friend), I'm glad to know him. I'm thankful for the few times we did talk. I wish I could know him better. I understand that he is a busy teacher and an even busier entertainer. Still, it would be nice to have a few minutes once a week to catch up with him to see how things are going.

Because he truly is one of the good people and his music is definitely worth the time to check out.

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.)

Wow! Is Someone Actually Listening?!

Remember this post from a couple of days ago where I expressed dismay at the news of a "big box only" development proposal? It seems that nothing is set in stone quite yet.

"Everything I have heard, there are other pieces to that puzzle, because it couldn't just be a Wal-Mart," [Ward 5 Councilmember Harry] Thomas told Housing Complex after one of his town hall meetings. "You're talking about one big box store on that corner. I don't think that would fit the needs of the residents. ...Whatever it is, I don't think it's going to be a traditional Wal-Mart. No one has signed a deal. What I think you have is Wal-Mart being a potential anchor for Wal Mart [sic] as a mixed-use development there."

Now this alone is good news but it gets even better.

Thomas also mentioned that there are other contenders for the space, naming Lowe’s as a store that could potentially be interested in coming to the District.

I don't really care, honestly, what business anchors the spot so long as the mixed-use opportunity isn't squandered. If we're going to develop the area, let's do it right.

Ruh-Oh!

The Obama Administration recently officially announced that the United States was suing the State of Arizona over its recently passed immigration law. This move was first announced last month by an administration official while on official business in Ecuador.

To say it's raised some eyebrows would be a drastic understatement. In fact, I just read that it's become such a hot potato that the White House is already starting to warm up the "Hope and Change" Bus for another turn around the neighborhood.

The White House has said the decision to challenge Arizona's immigration law was out of its hands, left completely up to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and the lawyers at the Justice Department.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but I have always been led to believe that the President sets the agenda and that the President directs his staff to act on issues he wants addressed. But, even eighteen months into his Presidency, I'm willing to give President Obama the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure that if the White House says that Holder is acting on his own, then it must be the case.



*cue dramatic music*

A Convention With A Place To Rest

Thank the gods this is over!

The JBG Cos. and Marriott International have reached an agreement in principle to allow construction to begin on the District's planned $550 million convention center hotel this fall.

The District, with Marriott as a partner, has been trying to build a dedicated convention center hotel since before the Walter E. Washington Convention Center opened in 2003. The project appeared ready to begin last year until JBG, a Chevy Chase-based developer, sued the city alleging an irregular procurement process, halting the project.

The Walter E. Washington Convention Center has been losing business to its closest rival, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center since the Maryland venue was finished. The Gaylord is larger and, more importantly, has a hotel on the premises. The hotel, more than any other reason, is what has made the Gaylor such an attractive venue. The people at the Washington Convention Center have been screaming for years to have a world-class hotel next door to lure and keep people coming to D.C. instead of running off to other venues.

And now, finally, the District will get competitive again.

Congratulations to everyone involved for doing what's right.

Maybe I Should Be Adrian's Friend, Too

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of Mayor Adrian Fenty. While he has done a fine job of continuing (and finishing) projects begun under the Anthony Williams administration, while he picked his school chancellor wisely, and while his (controversial) choice for Police Chief has been (in my opinion) a decent success, I still think the man is a huckster and the second coming of The Night Owl.

Seriously, D.C., do we honestly need more of the same political crap that made the city a national punchline for most of the past 30 years? I think not. And I hope that, come voting time, you think not too.

Levi Lied? Oh-NOES!

People Magazine is reporting that Levi Johnston is apologizing to the Palin family for saying "things about the Palins that were not completely true".

Wait. What?

You mean this Vanity Fair article could contain fallacies? Are you saying that this UsMagazine.com article might be a tad bit off the straight-and-narrow? Am I to believe that this interview with 70news.com plays with the facts a bit?

Levi Johnston admits lying about the Palin family?!

Why ... I ... I don't know who to believe anymore.

A Little Geekery

Follow these instructions explicitly:

1. Go to Google's search site.
2. Type "How to find Chuck Norris" in the search box.
3. Click the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button.

Mmm hmm! Tru dat!

"Who Are You?"

"Someone like you. Someone who'll rattle the cages."

I know, I know. Everyone loves Batman. Iron Man's made it good too. Even peons like Dave Lizewski are getting some love. But please, please, PLEASE ... for the love of all that's good and holy in this universe ... do not let this become the next big thing. Because the last thing we need in this world is another arms escalation. And, besides, we already know how well it's gonna play out.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Federal Money And Attention Spent Wrongly

You have got to be kidding me with this nonsense.

The Justice Department has decided to file suit against Arizona on grounds that the state's new immigration law illegally intrudes on federal prerogatives and will seek a preliminary injunction to stop the legislation from taking effect, law enforcement sources said Tuesday.

The lawsuit, which three sources said could be filed as early as Tuesday, will invoke for its main argument the legal doctrine of "preemption," which is based on the Constitution's supremacy clause and says that federal law trumps state statutes. Justice Department officials believe that enforcing immigration laws is a federal responsibility, the sources said.

You know, they're right on one point - enforcing immigration laws is a federal responsibility ... a responsibility at which the Federal Government is failing miserably.

Arizona has written the law in a way that complements existing federal laws, not replaces them. And anyone with an 8th grade education can see that the Arizona law will not infringe on American's lives, rights, or liberties. It is only those who are in our country illegally who need worry ... and then only if they break the law.

Look, I understand why people want to live and work here. You'll be hard-pressed to find another country that offers the freedoms and the possibility of achieving your dreams that America offers. But we have rules on how one comes here and becomes an American. Many of us have the benefit of birth to American parents on American soil. Some of us have been blessed to have followed the rules and became naturalized Americans. But far too many people are breaking those rules ... spitting in the face of every person who followed our laws and demanding that they be treated the same way.

Bullshit.

You want to be an American? You want to be part of our rich national tapestry? You want to partake of our wealth and our freedoms? Then do the right thing ... the hard thing ... and follow our goddamn laws.

As for our Federal Government - shame on you! It is your responsibility to protect our borders and our sovereignty. It is your job to enforce our immigration laws. If you were performing your duties, your citizenry wouldn't have to pass local laws to do what you're supposed to be doing.

Do your goddamn job already!

A Sad Day In District Development

There are more than a fair number of people who are pleased to hear that Wal-Mart is "expected" to sign a lease to open its first store within the District of Columbia. They tout that this will offer more employment in the city and more inexpensive (read: cheap) goods for those with lower incomes. They say that this is a victory for those who feel socially marginalized and who haven't been able to enjoy in the economic bounty that the District has been seeing. To that I guess I can't argue very much.

But I can't help but question whether it's a better deal than what was planned to be there before the economy went belly up.

See, New York Avenue NE is one of the worst roads in the District. It's supposed to be The Grand Gateway into our city from the north. Right now, it's a stretch of desolation, depression, and destruction. And it needs the kind of development that Arbor Place would have brought ... mixed-use development ... to help it become The Grand Gateway that has long been envisioned.

I can't for the life of me understand why housing couldn't be included into a Wal-Mart development. Surely apartments could be added on top of a Wal-Mart. Or surrounding an expansive parking lot of Wal-Mart. Or encasing a parking structure (or two) of Wal-Mart. Certainly, our city officials can find a way to work with Wal-Mart, the Schaeffer's, Abdo Development, and the financial institutions to make lemonade out of this proposed lemon.

Because, seriously, what would you rather see while driving into the District down New York Avenue ... this or this?

I Don't Know What It Is ...

... but this commercial for AT&T is visually stunning. Now if only I could figure out what they're trying to say.

Song To Ponder

I Really Need Some Advice

It's unlike me to be this paralyzed. I mean, I do tend to take an inordinate amount of time to make a decision because I want to weigh all the factors and consequences. But this time ... I'm stuck.

I've invested a lot into a project, but I've been thinking for some time that it just isn't going to make it in the market. Because I've put so much into it, it's hard for me to look objectively at where reality actually stands.

To those of you who have walked away from something to which you've dedicated a lot of personal resources, no matter how easy or difficult it may have been, how did you walk away?

I seriously need some advice here.

A Blessing In Disguie?

If I hadn't recently renewed my AT&T contract, which disqualifies me from smartphone discounts until May 2011, I probably would have been one of the early adapters to the new iPhone 4.

I guess now I'm glad I did.

It appears that while the iOS 4 is a thing of beauty even if it still lags behind other smartphone OSes in some areas, the iPhone 4 hardware, while still a thing of beauty, is a major step backwards for Apple.

So I suppose that I will gladly wait until next year, when my contract is up for renewal, to see if Apple fixes the design flaws in the iPhone 4 ... or releases the new-and-improved iPhone 5.

Initial Thoughts On iOS 4

I downloaded and installed the latest, greatest iPhone operating system (iOS 4) late yesterday afternoon. I haven't played with it much, but what I have played with makes me smile. For instance:

• Folders means no more unlimited scrolling screens of apps! It was such a pain in the ass to have to scroll 8 screens over to play Zombie Farm. Creating folders is quick and painless. I can now dump those native apps that I never use (*coughcoughStockscoughcough*) into a folder and never see them again if I don't want to. And, I only have one screen now ... oh, yes!
• Multitasking ... that is all.
• More customization! Any time I am granted my gods-given right to be *mostly* unhindered me, I am a happy man. So it's a major positive step that Apple has loosened its grip a bit more on what I think my iPhone should look like.

But I have one major gripe (at least for now). I had recently bought an alarm clock/iPhone dock for my nightstand. And it works beautifully. Or at least it did until I upgraded to iOS 4. Now my music won't play through the system.

Not cool, peeps. Not cool at all.

Why Liberals Irritate Me

I've stayed out of political discussions for quite a long time. I used to run a politically-themed blog, but it was exhausting and stressful. And I'm not the kind of guy who thrives on those types of conversations ("screaming at the wind" is how I described it in my final post on that long-dead blog). But Eugene Robinson, who is typically one of those Liberals I can't stand, opined today on last night's Presidential speech on the Great Gulf of Exxico Oil Slick (thanks, Craig Ferguson). Mr. Robinson said:

Less than a minute into President Obama’s Oval Office address, my heart sank. For the umpteenth time since the Gulf of Mexico oil spill began, an anxious nation was informed that Energy Secretary Steven Chu has a Nobel Prize. Obama’s speech pretty much went down hill from there.

[...]

We can all applaud Chu’s accomplishment. But here’s the thing: Chu is a physicist, not an engineer or a biologist. His Nobel was awarded for the work he did in trapping individual atoms with lasers. He’s absurdly smart. But there’s nothing in his background to suggest he knows any more about capping an out-of-control deep-sea well, or containing a gargantuan oil spill, than, say, columnist Paul Krugman, who won the Nobel in economics. Or novelist Toni Morrison, who won the Nobel in literature.

Or President Obama, who won the Nobel in peace, for that matter.

See, they are all smart people. And that is the problem with Liberals. Most of them are smart ... went to college, got a degree or two, became very important people with very important jobs ... and they won't hesitate to make sure that you know how smart they are. So smart, in fact, that they know what's better for you than you do.

It doesn't matter that they don't have your life experience. It doesn't matter that they don't live in your neighborhood. It doesn't matter that they don't know the variables in your personal universe. They have degrees. They have awards. They have elevated social positions. They can look down from on high and divine what is best.

But, Diarist, the President and his people have meetings and commissions. Liberals seek out knowledge and understanding. They must have a better idea of how to do things than I do!

See, I have to disagree with you there. Yes, it's true that Liberals tend to be more intellectually curious than the rest of us but, from my experience, it isn't out of a desire to learn or know more. They are simply looking for justifications to their pre-conceived notions ... voices of agreement with their pre-planned agendas. Is it any accident that last night's speech dealt more with the President's energy agenda and less with addressing the catastrophe at hand? I think not.

I don't have a witty ending to this post. I just needed to get that off my chest.

Being Left Behind

At one point in my life, I was riding on the wave of technology. I was up-to-speed on the latest-and-greatest and updated my tech just about every three years.

But that was over five years ago.

These days, I'm using a Power Mac G4 as my desktop, a Power Book G4 as my laptop, and an iPhone 3Gs as my phone.

As you can see, everything except for my iPhone has been obsolete for at least four years. Also, everything except for my iPhone has been a hand-me-down.

My desktop is running along just fine and does everything I need it to do. I haven't used the desktop as my primary computer in a couple years ... it exists primarily to house my digital music catalog. My laptop, however, is dying a slow death and seriously needs to be replaced.

Which is where I find myself today. I'm very picky about my tech. As you can see, I've made my bed with Apple. I know exactly what I want and need in a new laptop. The problem is that I can't afford to buy it outright, I can't get financing through Apple, and I can't add any more credit through my current cards.

I know how I got into this predicament. I was in a relationship in which we racked up a lot of debt. Some of it was solely mine. Some of it was solely his. Most of it was ours shared. But I've ended up being the one left holding the tab on the vast majority of it. I've enrolled in a Debt Reduction Plan to get the interest rates back down to a manageable 9.25% (from a criminal 28.99%) on each of my two credit cards. Even with that, it's going to take me almost five years to pay off what is owed. That's left me in a bind in many areas of my life (i.e. selling the current condo and buying something in an area I want to live, saving money, replacing older things with newer things, et cetera).

But back to the tech issue. I have no choice but to ride the back of my laptop (and then desktop) until I'm in a financial place to get what I need to replace the laptop.

It's just irritating that I'm left in this position ... a position that I am not solely responsible for being in.

I Just Got Lost ...

... and slept right thru the dawn. And the world spin sadly on.