Just bought a bike (Gary Fisher Ex-Calibur in case anybody cares) and John has apparently been abducted by Martians. While I kvetch some more about how ridiculously busy I am, not counting when I’m out riding my bike, you can let me know what I missed.
Via email from a reader, this story seems particularly interesting: it appears that we already had a wide-reaching program to monitor domestic calling activity in America, codenamed thinthread, except that it had effective encryption and oversight mechanisms to guarantee the callers’ privacy. Naturally it was scrapped for what we have now. Not to conflate correlation with causation, but if the administration wanted to surveil specific Americans without the risk of getting caught by a pesky judge or congressional committee the current “system” would be much better. Or it could be just a case or ordinary cronyism involving a contractor whose political connections trumped the last guy’s. Who knows.
CaseyL
John: – gotta put me right back where you found me! I have a blog to run! Students to terrify!
Marvin: [clenches his fists and shakes all over]
John: Oh, so now you’re mad. That’s great. That’s just –
Marvin: I’m not angry. Just terribly, terribly hurt.
John: Do you know how gay you sound when you say that?
Paul Wartenberg
Lemme guess. It was because none of Bush’s friends were making money off of it.
Mean Gene
I have a Fisher Mamba, which is probalby six generations behind the times when it comes to space-age frame materials. I was down the North Shore yesterday at the Venture Outdoors shingig, hoping all the bike clubs and tan, slender people will get me motivated and riding again.
And I know that it seems ironic that I’m writing this instead of enjoying the gorgeous day, but in truth I’m waiting for the burgers on the grill to be done. So, nyah.
Ancient Purple
A couple of things to report:
1. What the hell was John McCain (R-Dobsonville) thinking by giving a campaign speech at the exceptionally progressive New School University graduation ceremony? How could he even think to express shock at being booed? Talk about dumb.
2. Ned Lamont got 33% of the delegates at the Connecticut State Democratic Convention on Friday night, totally humiliating Joe Lieberman (D-Bushbandwagon) and forcing a primary election between Lamont and Lieberman. I guess Lieberman’s praise for Bush on the Iraq war is just too much for some Connecticut Yankees. Best line of the night was when a delegate from a small town got up and said (paraphrase): “Senator Lieberman was scheduled to address us in our small town and didn’t even bother to show up. All of our delegates vote for Ned Lamont.”
You’re doing a heck of a job, Joey.
3. Bush signed into law a bill that would raise the tax rate on teenagers’ college funds. Yet another piece of proof that tax cuts are only for the wealthy. Not to worry, though. With that great “trickle down” economic theory, those kids will have enough money in 10 years to be able to get the can opener to open their can of beans.
Steve
Poor McCain. So much whining from the party of purple heart band-aids about the terrible disrespect shown to a war hero.
tBone
He was thinking “Please God, there’s got to be somebody in this country dumb enough to still buy the “Maverick riding the Straight Talk Express” bullshit. Please?”
Par R
It would appear from the drivel posted thus far, that John may have been kidnapped and tortued by one or more of the nutjobs who have effectively taken over the site. Or, maybe he just offed himself in disgust at what he had created.
Sojourner
Nah. He’s just been overcome with gratitude for what a fantastic job the guy he voted for is doing.
Paul Wartenberg
McCain was thinking if he could sell out to the conservatives at Falwell Egomania U, then he could do the same at New Pinko Liberal. It’s called balance.
This is a sign of how out of touch incumbants can get. Lieberman was so used to being unchallenged that when a legit challenger (Ned) on a legit issue (Joe’s embrace of an unpopular war and unpopular president) showed up, Lieberman forgot the fact he had some ‘plaining to do to his local constituents. So he blew them off, thinking that the party apparatus would bow down before the incumbant as always. This wasn’t the case. Now, Lieberman can still win his primary. But now he’s got to actually campaign for it, and he’s got to answer to his voters about his actions in supporting the Iraqi mess and supporting the mess that is Bush. He says he doesn’t want to run as an independent, but isn’t it interesting how he’s already thrown that idea out on the floor for consideration…?
It’s interesting to note how NOONE is picking up on this. Please do provide a link on this report. If this is true… Bush makes a big deal about the massive tax cut bill and the media buys into it. Bush raises the taxes on an ‘obscure’ single issue such as this and the mainstream media doesn’t even notice. Go figure.
Darrell
It appears that there isn’t much solid evidence one way or another. This must be a Faith-based approach, speaking so confidently about programs when details and facts are so lacking.
Maybe there was no competing program called “thinthread”, or maybe there was, but it didn’t work very well.. or maybe it required magic fairy dust for the encryption algorithms to work properly. Or maybe, as Kevin Drum suggests, it could be a case of sour grapes from a rival programming team within NSA bad-mouthing a competing program that won out..
Either way, these anonymous sources sound like noble truth tellers with only the best of intentions.
Ozymandias
Paul, I read about it in the NY times this morning.
Ozymandias
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/21/washington/21tax.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Ancient Purple
Paul,
Here is another link to the story. Sorry about the NYT block.
Enjoy!
Mr Furious
Always wanted a Fisher…
…then again, I never ride the bike I have so I’m coveting your bike the same way I once would have.
DougJ
Ah, Darrell, I knew I could count on you to kneel before the Bush adminstration yet again.
I’m going to start referring to you as Deep Throat.
Ancient Purple
I would gamble on that before I would ever believe that Bush, Cheney and the GOP are noble truth tellers with only the best of intentions.
Of course, you are their bitch, Darrell, so your comments are hardly surprising.
Par R
Ahhh, the level of discourse is already approaching the scintillating extremes usually reached only when such rabid practitioners of the profane as ppGaz are active participants.
DougJ
Knock off the boldface, Par R. It’s too spoofy.
Are you exicted about your Scaninavian bretheren, Lordi from Finland, winning the Eurovision song contest?
The Other Steve
God, it would please me to no end to see Lieberman ousted in a primary.
If he’s not, it’d actually be better off if a Republican won the seat. I mean that’s what you got now, and at least you’d have a chance to run a real candidate against a Republican.
The Other Steve
BTW. CAn Rep. Jefferson please just resign?
This shit pisses me off.
The Other Steve
I’d like more details on that tax thing. It sounds like they were eliminating a loophole.
The Other Steve
Although then again that doesn’t make sense, as there are usually tax-free ways for parents to put money away for their kids for college.
Ancient Purple
TOS,
Here is the story from the NYT as posted in an L.A. paper.
Those taxes on students are also retroactive to the beginning of the year.
Further, it was part of the tax bill that Bush signed. Look at the dollar savings amounts for each tax group:
Less than $10,000 — $0
$10,000 to $20,000 — $3
$20,000 to $30,000 — $10
$30,000 to $40,000 — $17
$40,000 to $50,000 — $47
$50,000 to $75,000 — $112
$75,000 to $100,000 — $406
$100,000 to $200,000 — $1,395
$200,000 to $500,000 — $4,527
$500,000 to $1 million — $5,656
Over $1 million — $42,766
Now, I am in the $40-$50K range. I am on the low end of that, so as a percentage of income, my tax savings is:
0.1% ($47/$40,000)
Now, let’s look at the amount for someone on the low end of the $500K bracket. They get a tax savings as a percentage of income of:
1.1% ($5,656/$500,000)
Finally, here is the tax savings for someone in the million dollar bracket on the low end:
4.3% ($42,766/$1,000,001)
Glad to know that tax bill was equitable to all Americans.
Ancient Purple
Ooops.
My source for the above table is:
Tax Policy Center
Paddy O'Shea
Got a wee doggy of a movie that needs a little help? Get the usual fundies all foamed up and the world will stampede to the theaters to witness your cinematic opus.
BBC: Millions Flock to Da Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Code movie took $224m (L119m) at box offices around the world at the weekend despite controversy and bad reviews, its distributor has said.
That is the second most successful opening in history, Columbia said.
It could not beat Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, which made $253m (L135m) in its first weekend last year.
Many critics were disappointed with the Da Vinci Code film, while Catholic groups around the world have protested against its portrayal of the church.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5003044.stm
of course, I haven’t seen it. Took the kids to see Over the Hedge today, however. If you have kids, I recommend it highly.
The Other Steve
Not surprised by the box office figures. I went to see it last night.. 8:45pm show, completely sold out. From what the theatre said all the shows on friday and saturday were sold out.
And this is in a “red leaning” district.
Ancient Purple
It’s funny that people are getting their panties in a wad about “The DaVinci Code.” The idea that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdelene had some sort of romantic, intimate, or sexual relationship is hardly a new thought or concept.
To this day, I still cannot understand how Christ having a wife, children or even just a girlfriend in any way, shape or form changes anything about his ministry and sacrifice. I guess the great “people of faith” aren’t so faithful after all.
(Then, there was some clown on the local news who said, “I don’t care if it is a work of fiction, it is full of lies!!!” A brain trust he isn’t.)
demimondian
Is _Over the Hedge_ good? I’d expected it would be…at least one, and possibly two, of the demi-offspring would be good ages for it.
srv
The only cyclists I know who can afford a Fisher are either pros, wanna-bees with more money than talent, or Republicans who don’t care about blowing that kind of change.
Which are you?
Slide.
nahhh… I think it more likely that he is disgusted with the Republican party and its idiot President that he voted for the last two times. John was never one that could admit his mistakes. It must be difficult for him to realize how profoundly wrong he was on both George W. Bush and this huge blunder of a war. I would be in a witness protection program also if I had been so easily hoodwinked by the Moron in Chief, who for so many of us, was clearly totally unqualified for the job. But when we said it we were just called Bush Haters by his naive supporters. By last count I guess about 65% of the country are now firmly in the Bush Hater’s camp.
Al Maviva
Right on, SRV. You ride a 1974 Huffy fixed gear with a banana seat for your mountain biking rides, because you were poor, riding in the dirt, and hardcore before all that was cool. And REM didn’t suck then either.
Al
– Who roadraces a couple un-blingy Giants, and rides a vintage fixie and a rigid Kona for fun, but who is looking at building a rigid 29’er, like a typical conservative.
Ps. SRV, the only thing more annoying than a poseur on a bike, is an anti-poseur on a bike. Bush – high end Trek MTB. Kerry – custom built Serotta with Dura Ace. Read them tea leaves. Or shut up and ride, as the man said.
Pps. Good on ya, Tim. If you get a chance check out Patapsco State Park near Bal’mer or the Watershed near Frederick MD. Both are epic rides. I’m a roadie and only hit the dirt for giggles and a change of pace, but even I feel the love at Patapsco… And if you ride at Patapsco the Ellicott City Brewing Co. brewpub has a $5 lunch that usually features chili and craft brew, for post-ride carb replenishment. The Pale Ale is worthy.
Paddy O'Shea
NY Daily News: Justice prays for a Prez in ‘real trouble.’
Just how bad are things for President Bush?
Pretty bad, I’d say, if even Clarence Thomas is worried about him.
The other night at a Washington book party for the president’s sister, Doro Bush Koch, the Supreme Court justice arrived with his wife, Ginny, on the tented roof of the Hay Adams Hotel, overlooking the White House, and made a beeline for the author.
“We have to pray for your brother. He’s in real trouble,” Thomas told a wide-eyed Koch, whose older brother is, indeed, suffering from near-catastrophic public-opinion ratings.
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/419835p-354492c.html
You can only wonder what manner of trouble old Clarence was going on about …
yet another jeff
Hey, nothing wrong with being poor and forced to ride the bike equivalent of The Dead Milkmen’s Bitchin’ Camaro… Back in the day I had a 64 Western Flyer Buzz Bike with a duct taped banana seat, huge handlebars, knobby tire in back, street up front, no fenders or chainguard. 1981, all the other kids had nice Mongoose bikes on the trails, but somehow I still won a few races. Good times. Now I’m 37 and trying to get back into things with a Balance XR350. Great geometry, but no one seems to have heard of the company.
North Florida trails suck, unless you like tree roots. I wanna move back to Tx…
And I’d like to hear more about that encrypted monitoring system.
tBone
My kids loved it, and I really enjoyed it too. Probably the closest Dreamworks has come to a Pixar-caliber film. The squirrel character voiced by Steve Carell was hilarious, and had a great sequence near the end that rendered my 6-year-old almost unable to breathe.
demimondian
You lost me at “REM didn’t suck”. Al, REM is the operational definition of suckage…
demi “Walking is cheaper than biking” mondian
Pb
I don’t know, I saw The Da Vinci Code instead. Hey, someone needs to balance out those illiterate ‘othercott‘ fools. Maybe I’ll see it later… :)
Punchy
wha? Gary Fisher sold out years ago to the “Walmart crowd”, and produced a line of complete CRAP, “affordable” bikes, after having one of the best reps in the industry prior to that. Frames cracking, pitting, bottom brackets splitting, auto-welding shit together, components sucking, etc. Unless he improved his quality-control, I’d be wary of any Gary Fisher. He should have stuck with the upper-level riders and not attempted to mass-market a $350 Crapola.
Christ…REM…suckage? Rage fills me…trying…hard…not to type that….Stipe…was a…yes…genius.
srv
Actually, we were busting frames back then because the mountain bike hadn’t been invented. We would have if the adults had let us play with welding tools.
I was having fun, and now you go off and embarrass him.
Par R
Ancient Purple complains about the smaller savings it recieves from the tax cuts. Given that the overwhelming majority of taxes are paid by the higher earners, I’m not very sympathetic to the complaint. Based on IRS data released last Fall, the top 50% of earners paid 96.54% of all personal federal income taxes.
And DougJ, you get sillier with each subsequent post. DougJ, I used to think that was not possible, but no longer, DougJ. In fact, DougJ, I’m becoming convinced that you, DougJ, are a “spoof.”
srv
You catch on real quick.
DougJ
Nice try, Al, but REM didn’t form until 1980 — six years after 1974 by my count. Or is that fuzzy math?
If you’re going to do pop culture references, get your facts straight. But what should I expect from someone who thought the Iraq war would cost 1.6 billion? Maybe I’m giving you too much credit — maybe you still believe that it has cost only 1.6 billion. Lord knows what havoc faith-based accounting can wreak.
Sojourner
This argument would have value if the rest of us were not going to get stuck paying for the interest resulting from the subsequent debt. Which will be many times the pittance we’ll get from the tax cut.
demimondian
DougJ, REM didn’t form. It coagulated.
Al Maviva
DougJ, the point wasn’t about when REM formed or whether Gary Fisher f***ed up with the mass market licensing of what – rebadged Magnas? – but rather with that lame hipper-than-thou anti-corporate warrior pose.
So how does this work with bikes, anyhow, SRV? Keith Bontrager ran a successful small company making good stuff – he was a bike culture guy then and presumptively good, and a Dem voter, right? But then he partnered with Trek, and now Bush rides Trek and appointed Trek’s president to the Presidential Counsel on Physical Fitness. Since asshole Republicans ride Trek, Keith Bontrager must therefore be a bad guy, right? What if you have an old Bontrager seat, from the pre-Trek era. Is that seat cool, like Reckoning and Fables?
What other bikes can’t I buy for political reasons? Is Serotta off limits to me because John Kerry rides one? Are you precluded from using Ultegra or any Shimano products because that’s what I like? I guess we aren’t satisfied with bad roads and wankers in pickup trucks actually aiming at us, so we need to make us a few enemies within the riding community and impute foul political motivations to people riding the wrong brands. Lame.
srv
Dazed and confused, you are, young Trek-master. You must have gotten laughed at too much as a kid for having to ride your sisters bike.
Not knowing that tiny Gary Fisher sold out, I snark that it’s more bike than most guys (easily 95%) would ever need or use. Which was certainly true back in the day. That made me a anti-corporate? You guys always want to turn any issue (like poseurs) into politics.
Next you’ll be offended when I laugh at the ridiculousness of your $250 retro-Adidas. Or your Hummer with bike-racks.
If Bush rides as much as they say, I’d have recommended a Trek for him myself. I have no idea how much Kerry rides, but I’d guess he fits easily into the wanna-be with too much money (multi-millionaire).
Well, life is hard, maybe you could get Auto/MB collisions turned into a hate crime. I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
srv
Oh, for victim Al
Alot of hikers and runners feel the same way about MB’ers.
Barry
Par R Says:
“Given that the overwhelming majority of taxes are paid by the higher earners, I’m not very sympathetic to the complaint. Based on IRS data released last Fall, the top 50% of earners paid 96.54% of all personal federal income taxes.”
What words changed from the first to the second sentance, concerning taxes?
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Al Maviva
>>Alot of hikers and runners feel the same way about MB’ers
Yeah, SRV, ‘cuz you know, MB’ers kill hundreds of hikers and runners every year. The trails are practically littered with bodies. In fact, two road riders I know were assaulted by cars while riding legally – not accidentally bumped but intentionally driven into – just during the last week. One was just in front of me on a group ride, I was a witness and the woman pretty clearly intentionally swerved into our paceline. Yeah, it’s just like an MTB’er riding past some hikers and irritating them. I’m just a whiny Republican though, so perhaps you want to discount this and cheer for the cars…
>>>Next you’ll be offended when I laugh at the ridiculousness of your $250 retro-Adidas. Or your Hummer with bike-racks.
You got the wrong guy if you think that’s me. I’m strictly pickup trucks, Tevas, or hiking boots, unless I’m at work. Yeah, I eat frickin’ Meusli too, and organic produce and locally baked bread. Got a problem with that?
I don’t value Gary Fisher as a brand either way, but I respect what he’s done for the sport and get tired of the player hating. If some guy wants to drop $10k on a Trek Madone S, that’s his problem. Even better for Trek – they have a pretty good con going with that one. I don’t dis bikers on form, only particular riders on the merits. I’ve helped with some bike law lobbying – trying to win some more legal protections for cyclists run down on the road – and I’ve gotten to see a lot of stupid equipment or riding style based divisions in the cycling community and have come to think it’s stupid, because the more of us that ride, the harder it is for lawmakers and cops to gaff us off and deny us equal protection of the laws. When I see the immigrant guy on his beat up Magna pedaling off to work at WalMart or his landscaping job, I don’t sneer, he’s another rider that gets counted in traffic studies. I wouldn’t try to punk John Kerry, either, he’s another guy on a bike in the ranks. Well, unless he challenged me to a townline sprint, in which case he’s gettin’ punked.
The Other Steve
Are you aware that there are other taxes besides income?
The Other Steve
Huh?
Bah, bikes today, unless you get to the real high end, are all the same shit. You get your choice of frame color, but the frames made virtually with the same aluminum or whatever… and then it’s just a combination of componentry. At least now a days they mix and match components(I think this was a concept Bridgestone introduced), back in the day you used to get a bike and you’d know it had Shimano 105 or Shimano Dura Ace and everything would be from that one series. With the mix and match you get kind of a choice as to where you think the weak point is on the bike for your riding style and be a bit better there.
Fisher is as good as Trek, or Giant or any of them
RonB
Ok, people. I’m getting a little concerned about Al’s BP. No more mentioning bikes around him. Any kinds.
I’m kind of a Green fan myself, re REM.
srv
JAMBN
demimondian
Just Another Mountain Bike Nerd?
Shimano Dura ace
A week or two ago I found your website and have been following along quietly. I decided I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to write except that Ive really enjoyed reading it. Interesting blog. I will carry on coming to this site frequently. I have also grabbed your rss feed for any updates.