Friday, June 27, 2003

The Word "Values". Dear Washington:  Do the world a favor, and stop using the word values.  It's a useless word -- we've all realized it by now.  It conveys nothing.  What is a value?  What is a belief?  What is moral?  Where are the lines between these things and everything else?  In other words, I don't know what you mean any more. Say what you mean. Stop hiding behind a generic term and tell us exactly what you believe goes into the word.  What specific issue do you take to be a values issues?  What side are you on?  Why?  What is the basis for your belief?  We need a new kind of politician in this day and age -- we need politicians who are not scared of or embarrassed by their political platforms.  It's fine to be on the left, or on the right.  Just explain yourself, and stop hiding behind the easy words.  Stop deceiving others directly, or by leaving things unsaid. 5:15:07 PM    comment []

Comparing Media. CalPundit notes the difference between British Media and American Media in their treatment of politicians. One of the best things about the British system is question time, where the PM (Blair) has to get in front of the entire parliament and answer whatever questions the members feel like putting to him. I think it's great. Yes, there's plenty of grandstanding on both sides, but it's a great opportunity to directly connect the executive with the legislative bodies. Some real questions get asked, and some real answers are delivered. The PM cannot hide behind his "team" and act as the invisible hand. Politicians here are so used to giving nuanced and noncommital answers to even the simplest of questions that interviews with them are generally pointless. Condoleezza Rice is to all accounts an extremely competent person in here role, but interviews with her are as dull as drain water. Why? Rather than impart any of her insight, she simply parrots party line on any topic she is asked a question about. Which means that there's really no point in interviewing her. She isn't going to say anything interesting, or attempt to explain anything. 12:39:49 PM    comment []

IE isn't Usable. You know it and I know it.  Internet Explorer is no longer usable as a web browser -- I've switched entirely to Mozilla...the reason being popup control.  Yes, there are some popup solutions for IE, but none works anywhere near as well as Mozilla's simple denial of unrequested popups.  So many sites on the internet are popping things up all over the place now, and it's just beyond frustration to have to close all that crap.  Mozilla means I don't have to, and everything pretty much just looks the way it should. I particularly enjoy reading the Washington Post without annoying popups.  Here's the thing -- I really don't mind inline ads.  They're fine with me.  I even click on them sometimes.  Just like in a normal print publication, the ads can be there without overwhelming the read, or being jarring.  I read Aero News, and they've got a set of display ads lined up on the right hand side of their site.  Some of the ads are pretty interesting -- they rotate them on a regular basis and, shock of shockers, they're relevant to the viewing audience.  The viewing audience will therefore click on them some times. Idiot spenders pretending to be marketers seem to think that there's no point in ads being directed at a specific audience, when on the web.  I will never buy anything presented in a popup.  Stick with inline ads. And stop using IE -- it's poison, because of the popup issue, plain and simple. 11:12:32 AM    comment []

It's the Books, Stupid. Noted: The Supreme Court's Librarian has resigned.  Fantastic!  This is an unparalleled opportunity for Bush to appoint a right-wing librarian and get busy with some serious book burnin'!  Books that humanize gays -- Gone!  Books that describe the destruction of the environment -- Gone!  Books that describe what has happened in other countries when money has bought the political structure -- foosh!  Away with them. Welcome to the monoculture. Keep in mind that we have Supreme Court Justices who cannot tell the difference between morality and religion.  Or they choose not to. 10:58:34 AM    comment []