Mare's Mess

When I first found "Fred on Everything" I loved him. Then I found I wasn't very interested in anything he's written since then. Today (see Pitying the Poor) he backed up my thoughts on poverty. I think he nails the problem and I gave the explanation for why the poor are the way they are. How fun!

As he so often does, Vox rocks once again!

. . .the libertarian Right is opposed to the war because it and many things inspired by it are violations of libertarian principles. The Left opposes it because George Bush is for it.

You may recall that both the libertarian Right and the Republicans were against the Balkan war as well, while the Left was for it. As is all too often the case, of the three parties involved, only the libertarian Right is consistent in applying the same principles to different situations.

Danny introduced me to this very fun website, and now I'll share it with you, my beloved readers. The website works like this: You go to stumbleupon.com and open an account. They ask you to identify topics of websites you are interested in. After you have registered, a toolbar is added to your screen with the words "stumble," "i like it," and "not for me." Just for kicks you can click on "stumble" at any time and a random website will be shown to you, based on the categories you chose when you registered. After viewing each page you can click on "i like it" or "not for me." Stumbleupon keeps track of the sites you like so as time goes on, the theory is, that they will be more accurate in sending you websites you will like. Most of the sites they have shown me so far are pretty ridiculous. A few times they sent me to sites I was already aware of (The Onion, Liberty for All, etc.). I have found a few cool sites as a result of stumbleupon. Mostly it's just addictive (I guess like the slots) to keep hitting "stumble" and watching with anticipation to see what they'll send you next. There are other fun things you can do like keeping track of sites friends have found that they like. And there's more, but I haven't been very adventurous with it so far so you'll have to check it out for yourself.

One of the cool sites I found through stumbleupon (which was highlighted on The Plain View podcast #7) is bookcrossing.com. Since I talked about it on the podcast, I won't go into detail here, but check it out. Pretty cool if you're a book lover. Another site I just found today is The Best Page in the Universe. It's pretty obnoxious, but parts of it made me laugh out loud. One of my favorite items on this site was The Movie Signs in Four Easy Steps. Not very timely or really all that funny in itself, but I hated the movie too and our shared disdain for the movie made me laugh. Unintentionally Sexual Comic Book Covers also made me laugh.

So give stumbleupon.com a try and then share any good finds with me!

After several days of technical difficulties and a couple weeks of being extremely busy and not having much to write about, here I am. First off here's the link to our latest podcast dated 4/13/05. I think they've been getting progressively lamer, but a regular listener says he thinks they've been getting better. I'll let you be the judge. So far we've had listener mail every week for the show so keep those comments coming.

One more piece of news, I found a liberal blog that I like. I really have been keeping my eyes open for one, but most of them turned my stomach. This one's called Lean Left. I actually found him because he does a thing where he sends 5 questions to someone and asks them to reply. Some of the questions are silly and some are serious. He sent 5 questions to Joe Carter of Evangelical Outpost (another blog I frequent). This guy seems very rational and doesn't just blindly follow the Democratic party line. And he doesn't spew hatred - a big plus! Check him out.

I've got some ideas brewing for other posts, but they'll have to wait for another day.

A friend sent me a link to Timothy McSweeney Conforms to the Natural Curve of the Spine. Good find. It is a hoot and I had to share this one.



AN OPEN LETTERTO THE GENTLEMAN AT THE BAR WHO ASKED IF I WOULD LIKE A PIECE OF HIM.

BY KYLE SUNDBY
- - - -

Dude,


I apologize for only now getting back to you. When first asked if I did, in fact, want a piece of you, I could muster no reply. Frankly, I was taken aback by your surprising offer. Never have I witnessed such an act of selfless generosity.


Alas, my soul does not possess the same depth of compassion for my fellow man as does yours. While I do not always think of myself first, my welfare often holds a position among the front-runners. I treasure my pieces too deeply. I am, therefore, flattered and intrigued by your proposal.


Are you truly willing to give me—someone who only met you moments before, when you bumped into me and my drink on your way to the table shared by you and your acquaintances—a piece of yourself? The tone of your voice and your posture at the time indicated your sincerity regarding the issue, but please, you must be sure. This is not something to be taken lightly and, I assure you, I regard it in all seriousness.


Now, before I return to you my answer, I must ask if there is any piece in particular you wish to give. Surely, when you asked if I wanted a piece of you, you had specific parts in mind. I ask because I do not wish to take something that was not truly offered. Neither do I really wish to receive a piece that I may already possess. The portion that regulates your alcohol intake, for example, is similar to a part that already exists within me (though mine is certainly not nearly as worn from use). You do have some pieces that I do not. The multiple veins that pulsed and expanded throughout your neck are an example. The embarrassed girlfriend would be another.

Additional details that I would like to work out involve location. When you suggested we take it outside, what was your intent? Would this facilitate my receiving your piece? I would appreciate some feedback on this issue, as well as on any other issues you feel have not been addressed.


Your recommendation that I get some, as you insisted, depends on your prompt reply.


Thanks, bro,


Kyle Sundby


Oh and I thought this one was funny too.


New Slogans for America to Use to Sell Itself to the Islamic World.

BY ROB BATES
- - - -

The Great Satan Is Now Just Plain Great!
Standing for Freedom and Democracy a Good Percentage of the Time

Home of the Brave, Land of the Free Moist Towelette
The Overwhelming Military Power with a Heart

We're Infidel-ightful!

Who Needs Al Qaeda When You Got Al Roker?