Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The Noise Machine (01/05/10)

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water....

That's right: Election time is again upon us. Because what the State needs right now is a group of marginally employable personalities telling us why we should vote them into office. (Oh, and more bad commercials. That'll take the edge off of the post-holiday blahs.)

Charles Kuffner gives you the rundown from the Left, where the news is both good and bad (No candidate for Comptroller, gimmicky opposition against Steve Radack and a Lite Gov slate that's...well...light on gravitas only partially offset a strong Gubernatorial candidate and hopes for consolidating the Democratic hold in the Metroplex and making gains in Harris County.)

David Jennings, at Big Jolly Politics, notes that the Republican candidate slate is heavily influenced by the Tea Party crowd this year. (How close will the HCRP align itself with the nullification fringe? And, more importantly, will this hurt them with the majority of the population that don't cotton to the idea of either secession or open defiance of the federal government?)

One positive note: Sheila Jackson Lee has a serious opponent. One Jarvis Johnson. (If nothing else the primary campaign should be fun.) I would argue that this could be a winning challenge for Johnson. Ms. Jackson-Lee's exploits at the Michael Jackson cash cow memorial service has turned a lot of her constituents off.

Finally, A political ad that doesn't suck. (Like Perry, dislike Hutchison whatever that's a pretty effective ad. Can she win on that issue? I'm doubtful, but the ad was fun.)


In case you missed it: Houston has a new (gay) Mayor. So far there's been no fire and brimstone falling from the sky. (So...we've got that going for us)


If you're a liberal policy ideal and you've lost California things are looking grim. (Got a fall back investment Al? Because Air America and Current TV are already scrapped.)


New York is the top travel destination in the US. In related news, Summer's are hot in Houston. (What this means is that some advertising wonk with an understanding of Houston's inferiority complex is going to make a mint off of a hastily prepared marketing campaign designed to stem this tide. Oh...wait)


Living next to that bar isn't all it's cracked up to be. (Convenience has it's price. You think it's quiet in Manhattan? Paris? Au contraire mon amie.)


Today's sign that the Apocalypse is upon us. (Set to music fortunately)


That liberal revolution we keep hearing about? Not so fast. Of course, most of the publics blanching probably has more to do with a chunky, ineffective financing plan (concentrating the costs on certain groups at unsustainable levels) rather than the ideals themselves. (For example, I've a feeling that the IDEA of universal healthcare, free from those "greedy" insurance companies would poll fairly high. The problem liberals have is that their politicians are too incompetent (and greedy) to craft a bill that would be affordable for all. It could be done, but that would mean forgoing the usual political pork that's inserted into a bill to help incumbents win re-election. Because of that, we get the mess we have today.) **That being said, a healthcare bill written to actually improve healthcare wouldn't really be all that liberal IMO. It certainly wouldn't be conservative, but it might be effective.**


Is it just me? Or does the Apple Tablet, as it's being described, feel a lot like the much-maligned netbook? Granted, a netbook with panache, and that famous Apple markup (about $700 if reports are accurate) Conversely, had Apple jumped on the Netbook bandwagon would fanboi tech-writers be singing their praises, instead of anxiously waiting for a mobile platform that's going to do pretty much what one can already do with existing technology? (Of course, existing technology doesn't LOOK as cool, which is important)


This just in: You probably don't like your job as much. Which is pretty normal during down economic times. (Your boss knows you can't go anywhere so the work piles on) Of course, the best companies take advantage of this and treat employees well even during down times.


Out yonder. You know, yonder....that's where the future of oil development will be found. (That and natural gas will fuel the world for years to come)


When you create solutions that are looking for a problem, the problem typically manifests because of the solution. A case study for our politicians to consider.


Exercise more. It will make you happier dammit.

No comments:

Sports Section