http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/362107
Two things strike me about this article.
1. Of course it's Dr. Teeth to suggest this plan, he has a reputation from his Senate days of taking the Amtrak commute every day from Wilmington to DC.
2. Why is our train system so outdated? It's everywhere too, not just the nationwide Amtrak system. Rail based public transit systems haven't been updated in decades in most places. Philadelphia's El doesn't even reach city limits at its north, south, and east (northeast) limits (yes, it is shaped as a cross -- the backbone of public transport for a large area'd city and the 5th most populous metro-region in the nation is essentially a cross).
The way I see it, the rail system, at least for people transport, should be based around the nation's densely populated areas, and then there should be smaller networks to connect these to one another. It doesn't really matter the cost incurred because of the boost it will give economically.
-- Knuttel
2.10.2011
Genetics or eugenics or something
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/02/06/enriquez.gullans.human.species/index.html
I could list an infinite number of science fiction stories that says this is ultimately a bad idea, and maybe a handful that says it's a good idea.
I could list an infinite number of science fiction stories that says this is ultimately a bad idea, and maybe a handful that says it's a good idea.
The Sudan Splits
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110207/wl_nm/us_sudan_referendum
The south of Sudan votes to separate from the north in a landslide election.
I wonder how cohesive this region has actually politically been, and how much of their borders are defined by British colonial convenience, ala Nigeria.
Either way, there's been way too much violence between those from the north and those from the south. Even if Sudan should be a united country, now is not the time for that.
-- Knuttel
The south of Sudan votes to separate from the north in a landslide election.
I wonder how cohesive this region has actually politically been, and how much of their borders are defined by British colonial convenience, ala Nigeria.
Either way, there's been way too much violence between those from the north and those from the south. Even if Sudan should be a united country, now is not the time for that.
-- Knuttel
2.09.2011
Knuttel Makes Beer: Day Bottling
Yes, so as the title indicates, I have bottled the beer I have been making.
To bottle, on adds the brewed contents into a bottle along with some sort of priming sugar. What I was following recommended regular white sugar, though some prefer corn syrup, as it gets metabolized by the remaining yeast quicker without changing the flavor as much. Other options can include anything that has some sort of sugar in it: brown sugar, molasses, maple syrup, honey, etc.
For one batch, I used the recommended white sugar. For the other batch, I used skittles.
Yes, skittles. You see, the story goes a long ways back, and it's probably not even really worth repeating at this moment, but damnit, I was determined to make some skittlebrau. I had to leave them uncrushed, as an attempt at crushing them in a sandwich bag with a food hammer left a broken sandwich bag, not crushed skittles. Upon trying the same thing with no holding container, skittle pieces flew everywhere; the skittles went into the beer whole.
I'm already looking forward to my next batch, where I will likely make "real" beer.
-- Knuttel
To bottle, on adds the brewed contents into a bottle along with some sort of priming sugar. What I was following recommended regular white sugar, though some prefer corn syrup, as it gets metabolized by the remaining yeast quicker without changing the flavor as much. Other options can include anything that has some sort of sugar in it: brown sugar, molasses, maple syrup, honey, etc.
For one batch, I used the recommended white sugar. For the other batch, I used skittles.
Yes, skittles. You see, the story goes a long ways back, and it's probably not even really worth repeating at this moment, but damnit, I was determined to make some skittlebrau. I had to leave them uncrushed, as an attempt at crushing them in a sandwich bag with a food hammer left a broken sandwich bag, not crushed skittles. Upon trying the same thing with no holding container, skittle pieces flew everywhere; the skittles went into the beer whole.
I'm already looking forward to my next batch, where I will likely make "real" beer.
-- Knuttel
2.06.2011
Knuttel Makes Beer: day whatever, Knuttel makes a Mash Tun
Since it's officially been a week of fermenting my first batch(es) of beer, i pulled a sample of each to test them, see if they're ready or not for bottling (since it was from a kit and they gave me no hydrometer, I simply had to taste the beer to see if it tasted like, well, flat beer). And it wasn't ready yet. Will probably test it again sometime in the middle of the week.
But I also did some important fact finding and mash tun making today.
That's right, I made my own mash tun; all grain brewing is only a step away.
I used a 5 gallon water cooler.
And a piece of flexible tubing.
Then I drilled holes into the tubing, carving them afterward to make sure they were big enough and clean enough.
And inserted the tubing into the spigot on the inside of the cooler.
You see, a mash tun is supposed to extract the sugars from the grain using hot water, so basically there are two things you need -- an insulated container (in this case, a water cooler), and a filtering mechanism of some kind to separate the sugar water from the grain (in this case, the holed piece of tubing). I made mine for around 21 bucks, looking around the internet, it's usually been done for like 25-30 bucks. If you buy a premade one, well that will probably run you a hundred or (more likely) two.
I still have to find a way to close (at least a majority of) the hole on the other end of the tube, but I also still have to clean it, so that will happen. Regardless, I am just that much closer to creating the vaunted "Knuttelbrau". Besides, now I can say things like "Sparge the mash" and make total sense.
-- Knuttel
But I also did some important fact finding and mash tun making today.
That's right, I made my own mash tun; all grain brewing is only a step away.
I used a 5 gallon water cooler.
And a piece of flexible tubing.
Then I drilled holes into the tubing, carving them afterward to make sure they were big enough and clean enough.
And inserted the tubing into the spigot on the inside of the cooler.
You see, a mash tun is supposed to extract the sugars from the grain using hot water, so basically there are two things you need -- an insulated container (in this case, a water cooler), and a filtering mechanism of some kind to separate the sugar water from the grain (in this case, the holed piece of tubing). I made mine for around 21 bucks, looking around the internet, it's usually been done for like 25-30 bucks. If you buy a premade one, well that will probably run you a hundred or (more likely) two.
I still have to find a way to close (at least a majority of) the hole on the other end of the tube, but I also still have to clean it, so that will happen. Regardless, I am just that much closer to creating the vaunted "Knuttelbrau". Besides, now I can say things like "Sparge the mash" and make total sense.
-- Knuttel
Knuttel Makes Beer: Day 5
So I haven't had the opportunity/time to properly play music for my beer the past two days due to work-related issues, but I assume its all gonna be fine. Tomorrow I will test to see how close it is to bottling.
Tomorrow I may also attempt construction of what is known as a mash tun. A mash tun is used to extract the sugars from grains (barley, etc) to make the wort. If I ever want to do any all-grain kind of brewing, I would need this. And let's be honest, I do not want to keep making beer from a can. That is not beer. It's like making cake from a box. Technically you just mixed it and put it in the oven (or in beer's case, cooked the wort a lil and set up fermentation). I just want to take pride in a product that is all mine.
That being said, I believe I may have created a mathematically perfect beer recipe. It will be the first one I test, but I will only make it in 2.5 gallon format, not the 5 that is deemed standard. I am also debating whether I should make the heavier (probably very heavy) 6.6 abv version or the about 5 abv version.
Guess I'll figure it out.
-- Knuttel
Tomorrow I may also attempt construction of what is known as a mash tun. A mash tun is used to extract the sugars from grains (barley, etc) to make the wort. If I ever want to do any all-grain kind of brewing, I would need this. And let's be honest, I do not want to keep making beer from a can. That is not beer. It's like making cake from a box. Technically you just mixed it and put it in the oven (or in beer's case, cooked the wort a lil and set up fermentation). I just want to take pride in a product that is all mine.
That being said, I believe I may have created a mathematically perfect beer recipe. It will be the first one I test, but I will only make it in 2.5 gallon format, not the 5 that is deemed standard. I am also debating whether I should make the heavier (probably very heavy) 6.6 abv version or the about 5 abv version.
Guess I'll figure it out.
-- Knuttel
2.04.2011
Knuttel Makes Beer: Day 4
So the waiting game continues.
Today I played my beer Bitches Brew by Miles Davis and Meat is Murder by The Smiths.
I worry sometimes that my basement is too cold for properly fermenting the beer. I guess I'll find out later. Maybe I should have left it next to the heater.
-- Knuttel
Today I played my beer Bitches Brew by Miles Davis and Meat is Murder by The Smiths.
I worry sometimes that my basement is too cold for properly fermenting the beer. I guess I'll find out later. Maybe I should have left it next to the heater.
-- Knuttel
2.03.2011
Knuttel Makes Beer: Day 3, more maintenence
The beer's music for the day was some Mastodon and Slayer, though some of the more mature offerings from each. I guess you could say it was "brewtal" heheh. Anyways, during the day I played Crack the Skye by Mastodon, and the night offered Seasons in the Abyss by Slayer.
I decided to pull the blanket up a little bit to see the progress of the fermentation, and I suspect only one of them is fermenting. Guess Knuttel-made products are better than non-Knuttel made. Anyways, it will be interesting to see how these turn out. But seriously, I should be seeing some krausen by now.
-- Knuttel
I decided to pull the blanket up a little bit to see the progress of the fermentation, and I suspect only one of them is fermenting. Guess Knuttel-made products are better than non-Knuttel made. Anyways, it will be interesting to see how these turn out. But seriously, I should be seeing some krausen by now.
-- Knuttel
2.02.2011
Knuttel Makes Beer: day 2, maintenance
Ok, so I realize it is technically day 3, by date, but here is the rundown of what happened on day 2.
As far as music is concerned, I played it Rush's Moving Pictures during the day, and followed that with Black Sabbath's Vol. 4 at night. As I have stated before, this is vital to the growth of the yeast, as the beer is living. Suck on that vegans, you guys technically drink beer.
Moving on, there really wasn't that much maintenance. I mean, it's still fermenting, so the best thing to do is to keep it out of light and everything, so I have speakers set up right next to the batches, and the wire runs out and over top the tarp that's covering them. So when I put on some music for them, I don't have to expose them to light. The one batch was definitely fermenting the last time I opened the tarp up, didn't really check the other one, but I don't see any reason it won't.
I also took a trip to the local Homebrewing store yesterday to learn more about this great, mysterious, and arcane art (that some people treat as a science). I learned a lot on this trip, and realized that if I am going to really take this seriously, I am going to need to brew these batches at 5 gallons a piece (would turn out to be like just over 2 cases). Technically I am brewing about 5 gallons right now, but they are two separate containers, and the one is definitely not designed for any brewing. I did some research and I could probably pick up some food buckets to do brewing in from like a bakery or something, as they get them all the time. They get their ingredients in these, and so long as they're the proper size, it will do fine for fermenting as it is a food grade bucket, and there shouldn't be any plasticizing of the flavor -- they also sell buckets similar to those at like Home Depot and stuff, and while they are not approved by the FDA, they are essentially the same material. Given that one was definitely used for food, while the other was not though, and that one would likely be free, I think it's a given what I would look for first. Basically the same thing is sold at the Homebrew Store at like just under 20 bucks. Also learned I would need a second bucket for bottling (and this would pretty much be just for bottling, as beer could also be fermented in a carboy, as some prefer because they can come in glass also), sugars must be added just prior to bottling, this completes the fermentation process and gives the beer carbonation.
Basically my head is just overflowing with beer ideas, and at the very least I need more equipment to test them out. Shit, going to be making alot of beer though. Whatevs, like that's a bad thing.
-- Knuttel
P.S. figured I'd give a link or whatever to the homebrew store I visited, even though there's like nothing on their website. They were pretty damn helpful there -- http://www.winebarleyandhops.com/
As far as music is concerned, I played it Rush's Moving Pictures during the day, and followed that with Black Sabbath's Vol. 4 at night. As I have stated before, this is vital to the growth of the yeast, as the beer is living. Suck on that vegans, you guys technically drink beer.
Moving on, there really wasn't that much maintenance. I mean, it's still fermenting, so the best thing to do is to keep it out of light and everything, so I have speakers set up right next to the batches, and the wire runs out and over top the tarp that's covering them. So when I put on some music for them, I don't have to expose them to light. The one batch was definitely fermenting the last time I opened the tarp up, didn't really check the other one, but I don't see any reason it won't.
I also took a trip to the local Homebrewing store yesterday to learn more about this great, mysterious, and arcane art (that some people treat as a science). I learned a lot on this trip, and realized that if I am going to really take this seriously, I am going to need to brew these batches at 5 gallons a piece (would turn out to be like just over 2 cases). Technically I am brewing about 5 gallons right now, but they are two separate containers, and the one is definitely not designed for any brewing. I did some research and I could probably pick up some food buckets to do brewing in from like a bakery or something, as they get them all the time. They get their ingredients in these, and so long as they're the proper size, it will do fine for fermenting as it is a food grade bucket, and there shouldn't be any plasticizing of the flavor -- they also sell buckets similar to those at like Home Depot and stuff, and while they are not approved by the FDA, they are essentially the same material. Given that one was definitely used for food, while the other was not though, and that one would likely be free, I think it's a given what I would look for first. Basically the same thing is sold at the Homebrew Store at like just under 20 bucks. Also learned I would need a second bucket for bottling (and this would pretty much be just for bottling, as beer could also be fermented in a carboy, as some prefer because they can come in glass also), sugars must be added just prior to bottling, this completes the fermentation process and gives the beer carbonation.
Basically my head is just overflowing with beer ideas, and at the very least I need more equipment to test them out. Shit, going to be making alot of beer though. Whatevs, like that's a bad thing.
-- Knuttel
P.S. figured I'd give a link or whatever to the homebrew store I visited, even though there's like nothing on their website. They were pretty damn helpful there -- http://www.winebarleyandhops.com/
2.01.2011
Knuttel Makes Beer: maintenence day 1
Ok, well the beer is definitely fermenting in the one "cask", didn't really get a good look at the other, but I assume it's all going swimmingly.
As the photos show I replaced the tissue filter with one made of fabric. I realize this is still far from ideal, but at the very least it is far more waterproof.
The fabric comes from leftover material from my trip to the rally to restore sanity and/or fear, therefore this batch will be called "Dr. Stephen T. Colbert's Skittlebrau, Presented by Prescott Pharmaceuticals."
Other than that, I played my beer some music today -- a jazz compilation I put together for a trip to Chicago I think. It includes some Mingus, Eric Dolphy, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Charlie Parker/Dizzy Gillespie, possibly among others, but I think that's it -- you know, the basics. Let me put it this way, beer is a living thing, what with the yeast and all. You gotta nurture it.
-- Knuttel
1.30.2011
Knuttel Makes Beer, phase I
Someone had given me a beer making kit, and I decided for some reason that it just didn't go far enough, so I improvised a second device to make more beer (take a wild guess which one it is).
I realize my equipment is far from professional, but fuck measuring.
Anyways, this first day was mostly cleaning and preparing -- boiling the wort, adding yeast, etc. There really isn't anything special about these two (yet), so there really isn't anything to write, it's mostly stuff from that first beer making kit.
If these two batches turn out as planned, then I shall move on and begin making "real" beer, using like real grains and hops and shit, I hear theres a homebrew store in like Southhampton that should have the stuff I need (maybe even a real funnel!), and if not, I think there's one in Princeton.
Anyways, these lovelies will sit for like a week and a half to two weeks, and then I shall move ahead with the process, and more fully describe the knuttel-ness that is knuttel-brau.
-- Knuttel
1.28.2011
Snowstorm Puns
So I was thinking about how weather channels can get out of hand with their descriptions of upcoming snow storms, and I saw the word "snowlocaust" written somewhere. So it got me thinking, what other barely passable terms could we use for an upcoming winter storm?
child snowlestation
snowicide bombing
hirsnowshima and snowgasaki
vesnowvius
the armenian genosnowd (gesnowcide)
the snownguska event
snowbal warming
the snowdiac killer
the downfall of western snowciety
snowpartheid
the snowlden horde
the siege of constantisnowple
the fall of snowme
the communist revsnowlution
chersnowbyl
snowmageddon
snowpacolypse
snowkakke
snowxual assault
snownslaught
snowjob
rusty trumsnown
baltimore snowfish
9/snowleven
-- Knuttel
(thanks to petey for the brainstorm)
child snowlestation
snowicide bombing
hirsnowshima and snowgasaki
vesnowvius
the armenian genosnowd (gesnowcide)
the snownguska event
snowbal warming
the snowdiac killer
the downfall of western snowciety
snowpartheid
the snowlden horde
the siege of constantisnowple
the fall of snowme
the communist revsnowlution
chersnowbyl
snowmageddon
snowpacolypse
snowkakke
snowxual assault
snownslaught
snowjob
rusty trumsnown
baltimore snowfish
9/snowleven
-- Knuttel
(thanks to petey for the brainstorm)
1.27.2011
Sometimes the Setup is the Punchline
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-ultimate-collection-of-stupid-michele-bachmann
I could try correcting them, but that would remove the humor. I know, I'm resisting every bit of my corrector-ness.
-- Knuttel
ps, thank you kevin for the link. see, im definitely giving credit and all that jazz.
I could try correcting them, but that would remove the humor. I know, I'm resisting every bit of my corrector-ness.
-- Knuttel
ps, thank you kevin for the link. see, im definitely giving credit and all that jazz.
1.26.2011
Extolling the Virtues of All Fiction
Sometimes I wonder why, in the literary world, science fiction and fantasy are often entirely ignored. Some of the most important literary works are forebearers of the genres, if not the genres themselves -- Frankenstein IS about the effects of reanimating a piecemeal corpse, Dracula IS about vampires, 1984, Animal Farm, Faust, Dorian Gray, I mean the list goes on.
Fiction to me is comprised of two worlds, two possibilites -- that which has not happened, and that which can not happen.
And yes, I will admit that much of the works in Science Fiction are derivative and/or cliche, but can't the same be said for regular fiction? The basic rule of thumb is 90% of EVERYTHING is crap, no exceptions -- 90% of my posts are probably crap.
"Oh, but we can't possibly take anything seriously about anything with elves, dragons, or spaceships"
Oh, well I can't possibly take anything seriously about how difficult it is to be European upper class, but then I'd have to ignore War and Peace. You see, it can't be done.
"Oh, but Foundation is just about smart people trying to outsmart each other ... in space." Aside from space, how is that different from Othello or Much Ado About Nothing?
Maybe I should clarify my argument -- I am not defending science fiction or fantasy, per se, but I am saying that genre is not equal to quality. I think it's ridiculous that in order for a fantasy work to be taken seriously, it must be called "magic realism," or for a science fiction work to be taken seriously, it must be called "speculative fiction." Every genre has its merits, and to ignore them entirely, or let them in on technicalities and exceptions, is pompous, arrogant, snobbish, and ignorant.
-- Knuttel
Fiction to me is comprised of two worlds, two possibilites -- that which has not happened, and that which can not happen.
And yes, I will admit that much of the works in Science Fiction are derivative and/or cliche, but can't the same be said for regular fiction? The basic rule of thumb is 90% of EVERYTHING is crap, no exceptions -- 90% of my posts are probably crap.
"Oh, but we can't possibly take anything seriously about anything with elves, dragons, or spaceships"
Oh, well I can't possibly take anything seriously about how difficult it is to be European upper class, but then I'd have to ignore War and Peace. You see, it can't be done.
"Oh, but Foundation is just about smart people trying to outsmart each other ... in space." Aside from space, how is that different from Othello or Much Ado About Nothing?
Maybe I should clarify my argument -- I am not defending science fiction or fantasy, per se, but I am saying that genre is not equal to quality. I think it's ridiculous that in order for a fantasy work to be taken seriously, it must be called "magic realism," or for a science fiction work to be taken seriously, it must be called "speculative fiction." Every genre has its merits, and to ignore them entirely, or let them in on technicalities and exceptions, is pompous, arrogant, snobbish, and ignorant.
-- Knuttel
1.25.2011
Extolling the Virtues of Midnight Ice Running
Midnight ice running came about as a necessity.
I was training at the time to go to Marine Corps OCS, something which now seems a further away dream than other somewhat preposterous goals of mine (but I intend on completing them anyway). It was the winter of 09/10, a particularly wet and snowy winter, and i still needed to run regularly to both keep in shape and keep my 3 mile run time down. Sidewalks were unreliably shoveled, and roads were too lined with snowbanks to share with cars during the day.
Now that I look back upon it, the first midnight ice run was actually before any snow came that winter. I had the idea that running in the freezing cold would toughen me up, make me stronger in ways more than running itself could. So I went out in the same kind of gear I would wear in the heat of the afternoon in summertime. The skies were clear (which at nighttime actually makes it darker) and all the stars were shining prominently. Anyways, I was freezing, not even the increased body heat of rigorous activity could keep me warm -- and then I guess about 2 miles in I noticed I tore my calf (again) and had to walk the rest of the way home, making me even colder. But the initial run high coupled with the freezing temperatures (making a nice burning sensation in the lungs each breath) and the prominent stars -- it was a magic feeling. And then as I was limping home I got pulled over by a cop, probably suspecting a dude running around in his shorts at 1am in 30 degree weather was tweaking.
Due to the injury incurred (a fatigue injury, not an accidental), that was my last run for a while, but they quickly became a fixture in that winter, for the aforementioned reasons. I adapted better to the colder running environs of nighttime, getting warmer running clothes and the like, but the mystical quality of that first one never really faded.
I was still mostly alone on those roads, no outside noises, just my thoughts and my music were with me. I could run through schools too, as there were no students upon which to trespass.
Physically, in addition to the regular benefits of regular running, midnight ice running worked more muscles in the leg (having to always be on one's toes, shifting quickly laterally, hopping and jumping around ice patches, running through and over snow patches and banks) and eyesight and mental discipline (always looking for ice patches, which can come into the field of vision at the last second, and other obstacles, most efficient routes to get around everything).
If running on a treadmill is a too perfect form of running, midnight ice running makes regular road running look like running on a track.
-- Knuttel
I was training at the time to go to Marine Corps OCS, something which now seems a further away dream than other somewhat preposterous goals of mine (but I intend on completing them anyway). It was the winter of 09/10, a particularly wet and snowy winter, and i still needed to run regularly to both keep in shape and keep my 3 mile run time down. Sidewalks were unreliably shoveled, and roads were too lined with snowbanks to share with cars during the day.
Now that I look back upon it, the first midnight ice run was actually before any snow came that winter. I had the idea that running in the freezing cold would toughen me up, make me stronger in ways more than running itself could. So I went out in the same kind of gear I would wear in the heat of the afternoon in summertime. The skies were clear (which at nighttime actually makes it darker) and all the stars were shining prominently. Anyways, I was freezing, not even the increased body heat of rigorous activity could keep me warm -- and then I guess about 2 miles in I noticed I tore my calf (again) and had to walk the rest of the way home, making me even colder. But the initial run high coupled with the freezing temperatures (making a nice burning sensation in the lungs each breath) and the prominent stars -- it was a magic feeling. And then as I was limping home I got pulled over by a cop, probably suspecting a dude running around in his shorts at 1am in 30 degree weather was tweaking.
Due to the injury incurred (a fatigue injury, not an accidental), that was my last run for a while, but they quickly became a fixture in that winter, for the aforementioned reasons. I adapted better to the colder running environs of nighttime, getting warmer running clothes and the like, but the mystical quality of that first one never really faded.
I was still mostly alone on those roads, no outside noises, just my thoughts and my music were with me. I could run through schools too, as there were no students upon which to trespass.
Physically, in addition to the regular benefits of regular running, midnight ice running worked more muscles in the leg (having to always be on one's toes, shifting quickly laterally, hopping and jumping around ice patches, running through and over snow patches and banks) and eyesight and mental discipline (always looking for ice patches, which can come into the field of vision at the last second, and other obstacles, most efficient routes to get around everything).
If running on a treadmill is a too perfect form of running, midnight ice running makes regular road running look like running on a track.
-- Knuttel
1.24.2011
The Deadpool Cometh
Coming to the conclusion that I am ignorant of whatever Marvel is doing with Deadpool nowadays, I decided to find out.
The story begins with rocking an all you can eat sushi lunch special for 5 rolls at like 10 bucks. Dice, I know.
Moving on, the local comic shop is like right next to this sushi place, so I go in and check it out. I had forgotten how messy and unkempt these places can be, but that's exactly how they want them. Gotta keep out the outsiders, you know "hey, I just saw spiderman 3, can you show me some spiderman stuff, I like that venom guy, his face peels back when he talks, that is neat." Anyways, local businesses equal awesome businesses, usually (still gotta keep out the riff raff), and I'd rather support the community than some corporate headquarters in East St. Louis.
So I check out the Deadpool titles (yes, they are plural, they are legion).
The story begins with rocking an all you can eat sushi lunch special for 5 rolls at like 10 bucks. Dice, I know.
Moving on, the local comic shop is like right next to this sushi place, so I go in and check it out. I had forgotten how messy and unkempt these places can be, but that's exactly how they want them. Gotta keep out the outsiders, you know "hey, I just saw spiderman 3, can you show me some spiderman stuff, I like that venom guy, his face peels back when he talks, that is neat." Anyways, local businesses equal awesome businesses, usually (still gotta keep out the riff raff), and I'd rather support the community than some corporate headquarters in East St. Louis.
So I check out the Deadpool titles (yes, they are plural, they are legion).
1.14.2011
Trouble in Tuscon
So possibly this could be the first (and maybe) last time I write about Tuscon.
So everyone knows what happened by now. I don't need to get into the deets.
So let's get straight into fallout.
So everyone knows what happened by now. I don't need to get into the deets.
So let's get straight into fallout.
1.13.2011
200!!
Yay, so I got to like 200 posts somehow.
This just doesn't feel like a huge milestone.
anyways, I've decided to put some more "experimental" (sometimes, at least) writings (meaning prolly mostly fictions) on a different blog -- http://natemwinters.blogspot.com
check it out, it's hella dice.
-- knuttel
This just doesn't feel like a huge milestone.
anyways, I've decided to put some more "experimental" (sometimes, at least) writings (meaning prolly mostly fictions) on a different blog -- http://natemwinters.blogspot.com
check it out, it's hella dice.
-- knuttel
1.08.2011
Meh, Linkdup
Again I have accrued a backlog.
Why do I feel the need to keep doing things in linkform? whatevs, here goes.
HYPOCRISY
-- two faced sunbitches they are.
more hypocrisy?
-- not really, I think he's genuinely coming from the heart most of the time. That or he just hates America.
ah, baby boomers
-- they never cease to amaze. is it all about me now? huh?
new chief of staff
-- 'bout time some moderates are put in the spotlight.
thats good enough for now. the rest i can coherently put into larger articles (at least currently in my head).
-- Knuttel
Why do I feel the need to keep doing things in linkform? whatevs, here goes.
HYPOCRISY
-- two faced sunbitches they are.
more hypocrisy?
-- not really, I think he's genuinely coming from the heart most of the time. That or he just hates America.
ah, baby boomers
-- they never cease to amaze. is it all about me now? huh?
new chief of staff
-- 'bout time some moderates are put in the spotlight.
thats good enough for now. the rest i can coherently put into larger articles (at least currently in my head).
-- Knuttel
1.05.2011
The New Congress
So the new Congressional session opens up sometime this week, so I thought I'd share the following article.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/21/AR2010122103054.html?hpid=topnews
Arlen Specter, departing longtime Senator of Pennsylvania offered up those thoughts about a month ago, alongside other departing congressmen. Some of the speeches were lightly attended, some not at all, regardless of how long or reputable their public service had been.
Ideologies are threatening to doom our political process.
This is America -- we do not elect parties into power; we elect people. A person, a single congressman has the ability to vote whichever way he (or she) decides to on any given piece of legislation.
This has not been the case as of late, especially within the Senate, where unless 60 people can agree (insert topic) is to be discussed, there will be a filibuster, regardless of whether it's needed or any of that.
Discourse and dialogue have left the arena, to be replaced by party pandering and extremism.
This is the reason Arlen Specter originally left the Republican party (I believe the quote was something along the lines of the Democrats more willing to have someone who agrees with them 30% of the time than the Republicans are to someone who disagrees 70%). Of course that was all rhetoric, and Specter was voted out of his new parties primary. I guess he just didn't agree with them enough. How sad and pathetic is it that a moderate state like Pennsylvania can't even elect a moderate Senator anymore? If Specter had stayed in the Republican party he would've gotten voted out in their primary by Toomey, regardless of anything involving healthcare, the stimulus, or TARP.
The sad part is the change has to come from within. It has to happen in Washington, because switching to another system simply would be finding a way to hand power over to a far more formal party system.
Like I said before, this is America, we elect people, not parties.
Or at least that's the way it ought to be.
-- Knuttel
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/21/AR2010122103054.html?hpid=topnews
Arlen Specter, departing longtime Senator of Pennsylvania offered up those thoughts about a month ago, alongside other departing congressmen. Some of the speeches were lightly attended, some not at all, regardless of how long or reputable their public service had been.
Ideologies are threatening to doom our political process.
This is America -- we do not elect parties into power; we elect people. A person, a single congressman has the ability to vote whichever way he (or she) decides to on any given piece of legislation.
This has not been the case as of late, especially within the Senate, where unless 60 people can agree (insert topic) is to be discussed, there will be a filibuster, regardless of whether it's needed or any of that.
Discourse and dialogue have left the arena, to be replaced by party pandering and extremism.
This is the reason Arlen Specter originally left the Republican party (I believe the quote was something along the lines of the Democrats more willing to have someone who agrees with them 30% of the time than the Republicans are to someone who disagrees 70%). Of course that was all rhetoric, and Specter was voted out of his new parties primary. I guess he just didn't agree with them enough. How sad and pathetic is it that a moderate state like Pennsylvania can't even elect a moderate Senator anymore? If Specter had stayed in the Republican party he would've gotten voted out in their primary by Toomey, regardless of anything involving healthcare, the stimulus, or TARP.
The sad part is the change has to come from within. It has to happen in Washington, because switching to another system simply would be finding a way to hand power over to a far more formal party system.
Like I said before, this is America, we elect people, not parties.
Or at least that's the way it ought to be.
-- Knuttel
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