Thoughts, Links, and An Espresso Revelation

I've been going back and forth on whether I actually want to keep up the the election process or not, and unfortunately, I'm still undecided. I don't want to go into my reasons too deeply because I'll only get frustrated and start typing nonsense, but I just can't get over how ridiculous the entire McCain/Palin situation is. I've been watching some of the videos of Palin's RNC speech and her recent interview, and I'm absolutely flabbergasted at her refusal to directly address issues. I don't know whether she thinks she's being clever and skirting the issue or whether she truly thinks she's answering the questions that are posed to her, but either way it's totally unacceptable. When it comes to electability, even if one were to completely ignore her lack of experience and her ultra-conservative politics, she is still the inferior candidate based on her apparent (actual?) lack of political/democratic ability. I would have thought that the last 8 years of presidency would have convinced the American people that ignorance in the White House doesn't actually work, and that our president should be someone who is educated, intellectual, and uses proper diction when speaking. Sure, I know a lot of Americans want their president to be a good ol' boy who they'd feel comfortable throwing back a Bud Light or two with, but when that trait comes at the expense of an ability to adequately and responsibly govern the nation, it's clear that an uneven trade has been made.


Here's Palin being asked point blank about what the Bush Doctrine is and whether she agrees with it, and her completely avoiding the question (presumably because she has no idea what it actually is)


Here's McCain completely contradicting himself on just about every major talking point he has discussed so far in his campaign:


This one, though, is my favorite: McCain getting Barack-Roll'd



Also, I recently visited both a Starbucks and another local coffee shop, and in both cases a single espresso cost $1.50! Apparently, my previous math was a little outdated. This means that if I were to apply the same formula as before, I would have actually spent $322.50 as of the beginning of this little experiment, well over the initial cost of the $230 machine. So the machine has paid for itself in a little less than 7 months, and I will have likely broken even on the remaining supplies and coffee I've purchased thus far by the end of the year. In summation, if you like espresso/cappuccino/lattes/etc. you should definitely invest in a quality machine. Even if you don't drink as much as I do, it will still pay for itself before you know it. I recommend the Saeco Aroma and the Capresso Infinity grinder.

Finally, here are a few fun things to check out. Enjoy!

You probably know that Japan is both more technologically advanced and more ecologically sound than America, but rarely is it demonstrated as simply and elegantly as it is here:
Japanese Bicycle Parking Garage

Liveplasma is a music recommendation site with a great interface. You can't preview music like you can with Pandora, but it provides a neat web-like representation of the band that you search for and its relationship to other similar bands.
Liveplasma.com

You may have seen this being passed around the net a few years ago, but it definitely deserves a second viewing:


Lastly, I'm all about passive-aggressive sarcasm in my daily life, and I see no reason why political commentary should be any different. Forget all the mudslinging and name calling; if you really want to win the votes, I say focus on the dry wit and cunning delivery.

Almost forgot...

Current shot tally: 248

The extent of your liability...

It's something most people probably don't consider very often, but people are WAY more legally liable than they think they are. At least, that's the impression I've gotten so far from my Torts course. I hesitate to speak with any authority, as I'm only 2 weeks into the class and we're only now getting into any current casework, but from what I've read so far it seems that one is liable for the unforseen consequences of his actions to an almost ridiculous degree. We haven't gotten into negligence yet, though, and that's where the real good stuff is, so I'm sure I'll have more to report then. But in the meantime, here's something to think about: Say I'm building something in my driveway, and I drop a nail. Later (that day, tomorrow, next week even) the neighbor's kid steps on this nail, contracts tetanus, gets an infection that spreads to his brain, and suffers permanent brain damage. My fault. Or if he dies, wrongful death suit, also my fault. Yikes.

Obviously the above scenario depends a lot on circumstances, and probably wouldn't be so cut and dry. However, as I'm rapidly learning, our legal system seems to have a pretty flexible view of what exactly 'justice' is.

In other news, I fear for the future of this country. I never had the intention of venting about political issues on this blog, but it's not like anyone actually reads it anyway, so I doubt it matters. Ok, specifically, I fear for the future of the nation if McCain is elected. Not so much as a result of him (although I disagree with him on 90% of his beliefs), but rather, because of his choice of running mate. Now granted, it's obviously just a political move; he knows that he wouldn't have a chance in hell of winning if he had chosen an old rich white man (GOP bread and butter), and he knows that his first choice of running mate (Joe Lieberman) would be viewed as unacceptable by most right wingers. But seriously, Palin? She's been in politics for what, 8 years? Unless, of course, you're counting 'town council' of Bumblefuck, Alaska, in which case it's like 10. She's on record saying she has no idea what exactly the VP does. She lacks the international experience to work at a certain house of pancakes, let alone the White House. And she's against abortion IN CASES OF RAPE AND INCEST, which pretty makes her an idiot. Say what you will about human life, you are, of course, entitled to your opinion. But to want to ban abortions, even when the woman has been raped? That is seriously just fucking evil. I would love to resurrect Hitler, Pol Pot, and Torquemada (the Grand Inquisitor) and let them have a go at Palin. Hell, throw in Vlad the Impaler (lol!!1!) for good measure. See if she's still against an abortion then.

Ok, wow. Maybe that was a bit much. But I really think this election is the last chance the world is going to give us to get our shit together, and I'm really hoping we don't disappoint them...

On a lighter note, here's some things to look at!

The Story of Stuff: Something EVERY consumer should watch

Amazing Aerial Photography...Definitely check out London at night.

Safe and Satisfying Anger Management

This is one of my old standbys...Great for grammar freaks like me