Quote of the Day: Hair plug, on how to bore your audience to death

Lots of online sources for this. Let's go to Politico.com:
"Joe Biden jolts 'dullest audience'"
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43324.html

Going back a few weeks, Joe Biden was in Wisconsin. While there he gave what was, apparently, a very boring speech. Even by his low standards. The speech was given at a fundraiser for Democrat gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett. The fundraiser took place in Madison, which is one of the bluest cities in the nation.

"'You’re the dullest audience I’ve ever spoken to,' he added, sparking laughter and applause. 'Do you realize how many jobs Wisconsin lost? It’s staggering!'"

Biden was blissfully unaware that maybe the audience was quiet, not responding well to his speech, because they know that Democrats in Wisconsin, under the corrupt leadership of outgoing governor Jim Doyle, have absolutely run that state into the ground. (It pains me to say that. I lived there for many years, but am unlikely to go back unless things radically change.)

Don't forget, this was in MADISON, WISCONSIN. MAD-TOWN!!! The Democrats can't even generate any interest, any passion, among their strongest supporters.

What is wrong with people?

Here is a story from suburban Detroit that just makes me sick. What is wrong with people?

From the Fox affiliate in Detroit, WJBK:
"Parents: Dying Girl, 7, Taunted by Neighbors in Trenton"
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/the_edge/dying-girl-taunted-by-neighbors-in-trenton

From the story:
"A member of Kathleen's family says the bad blood started about two-years ago after the two families had a falling out over a birthday party at the Rose house. At the party, kids were using a 'bounce-house' and playing games in the front yard. The source says that Jennifer Petkov texted someone in the Rose family, asking if her kids could come to the event. A response to the text did not come quickly enough and it angered Jennifer. According to the Rose family, she's been harassing them ever since."

My first reaction is that we can't assume that this is true, or that it is the whole truth. It may just be one side of the story. But if this was the root of the bad blood, I have to ask once again: What is wrong with people?

Song of the Day: Black Lab - Mine Again

Have I mentioned how much I like independent music? Who needs a record label anyway?

Here is a great song from Black Lab's third album, Passion Leaves a Trace:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvl0ML7r_bg

Traffic Enforcement: It's all about the money.

In case there was any doubt (I realize that there wasn't, not among intelligent people anyway), here is another story that demonstrates that traffic enforcement is not about safety. It's about money.

The Truth About Cars: "Louisiana: Parish Red Light Camera Program Caught in Bogus Billing Scandal"
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/louisiana-parish-red-light-camera-program-caught-in-bogus-billing-scandal/

Red light cameras are not about safety. Police don't care about safety. They care about money. Their job is to generate revenue. I have seen people run red lights in front of police and they don't care. I have been hit by someone who ran a red light. Police didn't care. You can see people run red lights every single day, around here in Atlanta anyway. Extremely dangerous.

Song of the Day: Joshua Radin - Closer

Here is a beautiful song I first heard on Scrubs. I think Scrubs was ahead of its time in showcasing great music as part of the show.

Song of the Day: Joshua Radin - Closer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HaTGAMbd8I

Life in the Beer League

Here is a very funny (and all too true) look at a hockey player's life in the beer league.

Life in the Beer League
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7192553/

Some of this is disturbingly accurate, I have to admit. But don't feel sorry for me! If you're reading this at the time it is first posted, I'll be on my way to the Thrashers game tipping one back in a private suite with my Beer League buddies as we celebrate our recent championship ("Champions! Hockey Time, 2010!").

Search Engine Optimization? Or Manipulation?

Here is an interesting post on the Daily Kos (never thought you'd see a Daily Kos link on this blog, did ya?).

Daily Kos: "A different way to make a big difference in 2010"
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/8/908577/-A-different-way-to-make-a-big-difference-in-2010

Essentially, what they are trying to do is coordinate their activity to identify online articles that are damaging to Republicans and drive those articles higher in Google search rankings, so that more people are exposed to those articles.

I don't see anything illegal about this. But it is interesting to see how technology changes the battle lines. It is important to be aware of the channels through which people get information, and to influence those channels if possible.

Will it work? I don't know. I don't have any inside information on this, but I think it's fair to say that people have been trying to influence search engine rankings for a long time. And search engines are aware of this and actively make changes to avoid being manipulated.