Rich, I borrowed your AGW myths article and spliced in some data from other scientists for our pamphlet. We credited you with the contribution. Hope you don’t mind. You didn’t get back to me with any material, so I figured you were busy and that you wouldn’t mind.
I was just reading Andy McCarthy’s piece on the transfer of Gitmo prisoners to Illinois, and was amused by his claim that unlawful enemy combatants are now officially called “unprivileged enemy belligerents.”
One Bing later, and I’m not amused anymore. It’s no joke. I thought Mr. McCarthy had invented a silly phrase to parody the left’s cult of political correctness.
Can “disadvantaged non-allied persons” be far behind?
I think Republicans are complaining about the wrong things on the Gitmo transfers to Illinois. It’s not the safety issue that concerns me it’s that these asshats will now have all of the rights and legal wrangling ability of American citizens and you know activist lefty attorneys are going to do everything they can to get them out. God forbid one of them was inconveniencedmade uncomfortable tortured.
McCarthy’s article focuses on the potential for releasing some of these guys.
Predictably, judges have proved hostile to indefinite detention without trial. [Quite an understatement there!] Thus, they have made some preposterous rulings reversing the military’s enemy-combatant designations (e.g., the case of Khaled al-Mutairi, discussed here). The judges also reason that their newfangled power to review detention cases implies an unwritten power to order the release of detainees they’ve decided are not combatants. As the Left is fond of asking when it seeks to expand judicial authority: What is a right without a remedy?
I’m doing a short survey for my site, and I would greatly appreciate it if you guys would take part. I’m posting the questions below – there’s only four – and I guess you could either post your answers here, or email them to me at three@republibot.com , you know, whichever you feel more comfortable with. I’ll explain *why* I’m asking the questions to anyone who Emails me the replies, or I’ll just explain it on this thread in a couple days, but I don’t want the reason to affect your answering of the questions.
Anyway, here y’go:
1) What is Science Fiction? I don’t want an essay, just give me the shortest sensible definition of what *you personally* think it means, what you think of when the term comes up. I want your definition, so don’t look it up in a dictionary or whatever.
2) Is “Lost” a Science Fiction show? Yes or no? Please include a *short* explanation as to why you think it is or isn’t. If you haven’t actually seen the show, that doesn’t matter, you can give me your impression from hearing other people talk about it and/or commercials.
3) What is “Doctor Who” all about? Just give a *short* explanation of what you think the show’s premise is. Again, if you haven’t actually seen it, that doesn’t matter, I want to know what you *think* the show is about from secondhand comments. Again, don’t cheat and look it up, I want your own opinion.
4) Name five science fiction movies or TV shows that don’t have “Star” in the title, and aren’t members of the *major* SF Franchises. (By which I mean Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, and Dr. Who aren’t elligiable.) Minor franchises are acceptable, however. If you can’t think of five off the top of your head, just list as many as you can think of.
5) What’s the last Science Fiction book you’ve read? If you’ve never read one, just say that.
1. Science Fiction is a genre that explores scientific and technological ideas, and tries to imagine how they could change society or the individual.
2. When science is used to drive the plot (a la Star Wars) some people call it science fiction, but that’s confusing the trappings with the essentials. Lost is fantasy/mystery. The time-travel element could just as easily be caused by magic as technology for all that we know, Eloise Hawking’s chalkboard equations notwithstanding. (Now, if as some speculate the big reveal at the end of the series is some sort of time travel “loop” then I’d have to reassess.)
3. Dr. Who (classic—I’m not too familiar with the new series) is an episodic series about a traveler through time and space who explores alien cultures or human societies in different time periods. There is usually a conflict between factions when he arrives. The Doctor assesses the situation and tends to side with the faction which supports individual freedoms.
4. Total Recall, Blade Runner, Gattaca, Minority Report, The Matrix (if The Matrix is a franchise, you have to admit the two sequels exist). If you can’t count Matrix, Dune.
5. It’s been years since I’ve read much fiction, much less any science fiction. Could be The Golden Globes by John Varley. Maybe “Light of Future Days” by Arthur C. Clarke.
1) What is Science Fiction? Speculative fiction centering on technology that does not yet exist. There are hard and soft varieties, and the soft can be indistinguishable from fantasy.
2) Is “Lost” a Science Fiction show? I’ve never watched it.
3) What is “Doctor Who” all about? I haven’t seen the new series, not having cable service. I read somewhere that the original TV series was intended to teach children traditional (and religious) values through the mechanism of time travel. I don’t think that’s in the prospectus anymore.
4) Name five science fiction movies or TV shows that don’t have “Star” in the title, and aren’t members of the *major* SF Franchises. Fantastic Planet, The Day the Earth Stood Still, War of the Worlds (original preferred), The Time Machine, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
5) What’s the last Science Fiction book you’ve read? The Guns of Two-Space, by Dave Grossman and Bob Hudson.
1. Science fiction is when an author wants to make an adventure story but doesn’t like fantasy, orcs and elves nor ancient gods or mythical creatures so he sets it “in the future.” Of course, they want fantastic things to happen so he has to make up bullshit science to explain it based on fuzzy understanding of scientific principles. Then some real scientist who has no imagination because university beats it out of them realizes that the writer’s idea isn’t actually all that out there and he should get out of his box and try to make it happen for real.
2. I’ve not seen a single full episode of “Lost”. But from what my friends tell me it contains a lot of bullshit science like teleportation, therefore, it is science fiction.
3. Doctor Who is about someone’s unspoken love of old British telephone boxes mixed with copious amounts of hallucinogenic substances. It’s also about mankind’s deep rooted love of exploration.
4. The Prisoner, Lost in Space, Surrogates, Terminator (although I guess that would be major, like also Predator and Aliens?), Time Bandits, Sunshine.
1) Science fiction deals with extrapolating the implications of science and ideas conceived of in science, along with the human, philosophical and existential consequences of those ideas.
2) Depends are whether or not you allow for the supernatural in science fiction. Since the emphasis is on the supernatural elements, as opposed to the loosely scientific ones, it falls more into modern fantasy.
3) A self-righteous narcissistic liberal git who may or may not make things better, but is always guaranteed to leave a mess for others to clean up. He’s as decadent as the rest of the Time Lords, just not nearly as apathetic.
4) Babylon 5, Outer Limits, Andromeda, Space: Above and Beyond, and Earth 2.
By the way David, be expecting an email tomorrow from me on our ongoing discussion. I actually finally have a day off!!! It will be my first one off in roughly 45 days (minus Thanksgiving dat)albeit I still have the chaos of my engagement ceremony.
Need Help
Okay Threedonians I have a potentially very odd question but it’s one I need answers on nonetheless.
As most of you know I’m running for office in 2010 here in TN and campaign season gears up on 1/4/10. With this looming I’m left doing some odd evaluation and here is my issue. The area I live in can be described as very prosperous and I myself do okay but am no Bruce Wayne, however in spite of doing pretty well I see no reason to spend ungodly amounts of money on a new car so I’m still driving my 12 year old Nissan. This mostly stems from my financially being a very responsible and pragmatic person not prone to needless spending. To me this would be a desirable quality in a candidate, however as a voter would seeing a political candidate driving around in a 12 year old “clunker” somehow diminish your view of them?
Not all beat up necessarily, I did get a ding on the driver’s side rear door while living in Denver (if you live in Denver you will be hit by a drunk driver), but that aside nothing a bit of polish can’t clean up. My only concern is in this area it’s not uncommon to see Bentley’s, Ferrari’s, and at least a Mercedes or Beamer so I wonder how people who are loaded will feel about having a leader whose car is worth as much as one of their rims. I suppose they could find it charming like Sam Walton driving a beat up truck. Maybe I could somehow make it a trademark? You know turn a weakness into a strength.
I think you should go with making it a strength. According to Dave Ramsey, the average millionaire drives (or drove) a 5-10 year old car. Nothing looses value faster than a car.
How do you expect to get elected when you so flippantly make ethnic slurs like this?!
Why does it have to be a Polish person washing and waxing your car? Under a Veruckt administration can we expect all Poles to be treated with similar disdain? On behalf of Rich, I am offended.
Veruckt didn’t Fred Thompson drive all over Tennessee in his old truck when he was campaigning? Go with God and drive the Nissan…..it gives the appearence of being normal. People want to connect. THats why Palin connected and McCain did not. She bought her suits at a consignment shop and he bought his from a well known Capitol Hill Tailor. Connect. Connect. Connect.
Now that you mention it I think Fred may have too, possibly even Ned McWhorter. I don’t have a Ford truck but a Nissan would play well here since we have a giant Nissan plant the next county over. Maybe I could play it as a “some people say their financially conservative but I live it.”
This is something very important Mrs. Firefly taught me after we were married. We both share blue collar origins, yet her and I are College educated and live in a white collar world. Like you, I have always been very frugal. Despite earning a good living I didn’t buy a new car until I was 30 years old, and that was for Mrs. Firefly. I bought my clothes from J.C. Penney. Mrs. Firefly is also very frugal, but she believes in quality. It took her awhile to win me over, but you know what? A nice, name brand dress shirt lasts 3 times as long as those J.C. Penney shirts, and I look better in them.
My motto now is, “Dress like you own the place.” I am never under-dressed, anywhere, and I drive nice cars. Not expensive cars. Not “status” cars, but nice cars. Yes, many people will judge you by outward appearances and as a candidate you may only have 5 minutes, 30 seconds… to make an impression. I don’t think the car matters too much. Very few people will see it when it’s parked at events, or know it’s yours, but your physical appearance will be very important. I recall from other comments that you are, or were, into body building. That’s good. You probably look healthy. That matters to people. Wear clothes that are well-tailored for you, and pay attention to the colors of your clothes. Colors really do matter. I am very fortunate that my wife has a great, natural sense for this stuff because I can’t match colors or fabrics at all, but I ask her and she tells me. I also don’t hesitate to ask sales people in stores. Many of them are talented at that. Also, beware of relying on your fiance too much. Mrs. Firefly gets mad at me sometimes when I ignore her advice because she is sincerely good at design, but a woman who loves you won’t always dress you best for a professional, public appearance. Mrs. Firefly has tried several times to sneak “young guy” pants into my wardrobe. I dress like a character in a 1940’s noir film. My pants have big pleats in front. I know that’s not the style with 20 year old kids, but I’m not a 20 year old kid. If I go to work dressed like a 20 year old kid, even a well-dressed 20 year old kid, I’ll lose respect. When she buys slacks like that for me I refer to them as “Taco Bell” pants, because that’s the uniform at Taco Bell.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to dress well, but you need to dress well. It’s better to have a few well tailored suits, shirts and ties, and a good pair of dress shoes, than 10 cheap, ill-fitting suits. The car is a different story. If your car looks like crap folks on the perphery of the campaign will notice, and gossip, but it’s not likely to trickle up and become an issue.
If you want to be a state rep dress like a state senator. If you want to be a state senator dress like the governor. If you want to be a governor dress like a U.S. Senator and if you want to be a U.S. Senator dress like the Commander in Chief. People need to be able to envision you in the office. Make it easy. Some epaulets and a beret, or some faux medals on your lapel might also be a nice touch.
I agree my appearance will be far more important and there I am at least moderately confident. Fortunately I am in good shape which does seem to play well, it does make finding well fitting clothes more important but I know I’m going to have to bite the bullet and get something tailored. My dress style is classic, nothing trendy and no crazy colors, more along the Don Draper line but a lot of this is due to being partially color blind so I tend to not get very adventerous on colors. Perhaps the thing I am least looking forward to is that I’m going to have to have pictures taken. I loathe cameras and detest having my picture taken.
You did remind me of a story from one of my beneficiary meetings. Obviously in my line of work I deal with a lot of seniors and in a meeting back in March I was doing the usual meet and greet with a group of older gentlemen and after shaking hands with one he said;
“Now that’s a good handshake. Let me see your hands young man”
Being that it was far from the oddest thing I’ve ever been asked I turned my hand over and I have a weightlifters hands with calluses in the predictable places. He saw that and slapped me on the shoulder and said,
“You’ve got a working man’s hands. You’re all right in my book.”
You never know what you’re going to get when you are dealing with the elderly particularly ones who have grown in really rural areas but that is one of my favorite stories from my job. I always tell that one to my new agents.
About taking photos–here’s the trick. Relax. I know it’s tough, but breathe in from your nose, out from your mouth, look that camera straight in the lens, and say (silently), “I know your tricks and you can’t hurt me.”
Me, I’m an ugly, fat old man. But I generally take good pictures. Because I know the trick.
You might have to practice this. Ask your fiancee to take a lot of pictures of you with a digital (you can wipe them all), until you get the relaxation down.
That’s not a bad idea Lars. Much appreciated. I have always joked that I suffer from FCS (Fat Crackhead Syndrome) wherein the moment a camera flashes I immediately assume the appearance of a fat crackhead.
Practice is important. I never have, and my photos are very erratic. In a New York minute Mrs. Firefly can adopt a picture perfect pose and smile. It’s uncanny, but I guess if I looked as good as she does I’d spend a lot of time looking at my reflection too.
When we were posted to the War College, hubs needed new suits. We went to Jos A. Bank. We got a couple of suits, some good shirts. Hubs looked good and we didn;t spend billions. Thats my advice.
Sisu asked a question a couple of days ago which I didn’t see until it was too late to answer. For anybody who’s planning to send anything for the troops, if you’re in a position to throw a few dollars in to help with shipping costs it would be appreciated.
Shipping to APO addresses is the same price as domestic mail, so if you could manage to include the same amount you paid to ship the package to CT, that would be perfect. But no worries if you can’t—I’ve got an anonymous donor on the hook to cover any (reasonable) shortfalls.
Veruckt – Middle Tennessee is it? If you live in Davidson or Williamson counties, I’d buy another car. Something practical, but high-end. A sedan or something. If you live in Rutherford, I’d keep the Nissan. The plant folks would like that. They still have a plant there, right? If you live anywhere else, buy a pick-up truck.
See Tracy I’m a big Ramsey guy and oddly enough can throw a rock from my balcony and hit Financial Peace Plaza.
To me buying another car is out of the question. It’s not in my budget and I will not spend money I do not have, ie borrow, as a matter of principal. This is something I am hoping to take into office with me and that is why I’m inclined to make it a strength. When I was a kid Lamar Alexander was running for governor here and he drove around the state in a beat up old truck because it appealed to people and made them think he was an “average guy”.
What do you think of equating it to my fiscal conservatism somehow? Not fully sure how to do it…might be picking your brains quite a bit.
If it is a car that’s manufactured in Tennesse no problem. If not, trade it for a similarly aged car with more local appeal. It can be close to an even money trade. You don’t have to spend a lot.
It’s wonderful! Fantastic! Such a marvelous, real world example of what lunatics these bureaucrats are. If you want more bureaucracy, hire a bureaucrat. If you want to find a baby, hire Tex Cobb.
And the photo on this post? My Mom had a coat like that. Beautiful isn’t it? I wish she still had it she would have given it to me. I also wish women dressed like that still.
Go to Lileks’ Black & White World page, scroll down to the very bottom and play the last video clip. Then try to leave without playing it again. It’s impossible.
He’s vague about it. Talked about cutting back, but then admitted he’s doing pretty much the same as before. But he’s writing for a couple pay sites, revamping some things. Also taking contributions at the Bleat. He’s actually started posting at his Star Tribune blog again. All is in flux.
THE GOOD WIFE, or what I have seen of it, has an incredibly traditionalist bent on Adultry. It is wrong.
There are several character stories
-Margulies trying to balance life out with getting a new job, dealing with the fallout from her husband’s Spitzer-esque infidelities, taking care of the kids, and her husband is also in the slammer. All the while dealing the the Chicago Machine. `
-Chris Noth is also good as the husband trying to gain redemption. The confrontation between him and The Other Woman and the ensuing parking lot scene in the 9th episode is, in my opinion, one of the great scenes in television (along with Gibbs sniper shot in this NCIS season’s premier).
Oh, trust me, I’m not at all busy looking that up. I don’t actually care.
Anyway: Our erstwhile-yet-seldom-seen leader, Republibot 1.0, has posted the first of what will undoubtedly end up being several reviews of “Avatar” over at our site. My favorite line is, “I find it hard to appreciate as an important and serious work when the primary theme is designed to be a condemnation of Human (American) hubris, while it itself is just a massively budgeted remake of Ferngully: The Last Rainforest.”
You can check out his thoughts here. http://www.republibot.com/content/movie-review-avatar?page=0,1
Ain’t It Cool News has a similar review. Of course, it’s from a “non-regular” contributor if it’s a bad review of a movie this huge. That site only licks the boots of filmmakers that grant them interviews. But I think they let these “temps” review things so that they don’t cut themselves off from future interviews by writing under their usual pen names.
Rich, I borrowed your AGW myths article and spliced in some data from other scientists for our pamphlet. We credited you with the contribution. Hope you don’t mind. You didn’t get back to me with any material, so I figured you were busy and that you wouldn’t mind.
No problemo David – glad you did. Sorry I didn’t package some stuff for you as promised, just been up to my pooper in alligators lately…
I was just reading Andy McCarthy’s piece on the transfer of Gitmo prisoners to Illinois, and was amused by his claim that unlawful enemy combatants are now officially called “unprivileged enemy belligerents.”
One Bing later, and I’m not amused anymore. It’s no joke. I thought Mr. McCarthy had invented a silly phrase to parody the left’s cult of political correctness.
Can “disadvantaged non-allied persons” be far behind?
I’m liking Bing. Not the engine so much as the name.
Bing!
should that be -Bing! ?
I think Republicans are complaining about the wrong things on the Gitmo transfers to Illinois. It’s not the safety issue that concerns me it’s that these asshats will now have all of the rights and legal wrangling ability of American citizens and you know activist lefty attorneys are going to do everything they can to get them out. God forbid one of them was
inconveniencedmade uncomfortabletortured.McCarthy’s article focuses on the potential for releasing some of these guys.
I’m doing a short survey for my site, and I would greatly appreciate it if you guys would take part. I’m posting the questions below – there’s only four – and I guess you could either post your answers here, or email them to me at three@republibot.com , you know, whichever you feel more comfortable with. I’ll explain *why* I’m asking the questions to anyone who Emails me the replies, or I’ll just explain it on this thread in a couple days, but I don’t want the reason to affect your answering of the questions.
Anyway, here y’go:
1) What is Science Fiction? I don’t want an essay, just give me the shortest sensible definition of what *you personally* think it means, what you think of when the term comes up. I want your definition, so don’t look it up in a dictionary or whatever.
2) Is “Lost” a Science Fiction show? Yes or no? Please include a *short* explanation as to why you think it is or isn’t. If you haven’t actually seen the show, that doesn’t matter, you can give me your impression from hearing other people talk about it and/or commercials.
3) What is “Doctor Who” all about? Just give a *short* explanation of what you think the show’s premise is. Again, if you haven’t actually seen it, that doesn’t matter, I want to know what you *think* the show is about from secondhand comments. Again, don’t cheat and look it up, I want your own opinion.
4) Name five science fiction movies or TV shows that don’t have “Star” in the title, and aren’t members of the *major* SF Franchises. (By which I mean Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, and Dr. Who aren’t elligiable.) Minor franchises are acceptable, however. If you can’t think of five off the top of your head, just list as many as you can think of.
5) What’s the last Science Fiction book you’ve read? If you’ve never read one, just say that.
Thank you to everyone who chooses to participate.
1. Science Fiction is a genre that explores scientific and technological ideas, and tries to imagine how they could change society or the individual.
2. When science is used to drive the plot (a la Star Wars) some people call it science fiction, but that’s confusing the trappings with the essentials. Lost is fantasy/mystery. The time-travel element could just as easily be caused by magic as technology for all that we know, Eloise Hawking’s chalkboard equations notwithstanding. (Now, if as some speculate the big reveal at the end of the series is some sort of time travel “loop” then I’d have to reassess.)
3. Dr. Who (classic—I’m not too familiar with the new series) is an episodic series about a traveler through time and space who explores alien cultures or human societies in different time periods. There is usually a conflict between factions when he arrives. The Doctor assesses the situation and tends to side with the faction which supports individual freedoms.
4. Total Recall, Blade Runner, Gattaca, Minority Report, The Matrix (if The Matrix is a franchise, you have to admit the two sequels exist). If you can’t count Matrix, Dune.
5. It’s been years since I’ve read much fiction, much less any science fiction. Could be The Golden Globes by John Varley. Maybe “Light of Future Days” by Arthur C. Clarke.
#5 doesn’t count anthologies I may have read, because I wouldn’t know their titles if I heard them. “Year’s Best Science Fiction 2000-something?”
1) What is Science Fiction? Speculative fiction centering on technology that does not yet exist. There are hard and soft varieties, and the soft can be indistinguishable from fantasy.
2) Is “Lost” a Science Fiction show? I’ve never watched it.
3) What is “Doctor Who” all about? I haven’t seen the new series, not having cable service. I read somewhere that the original TV series was intended to teach children traditional (and religious) values through the mechanism of time travel. I don’t think that’s in the prospectus anymore.
4) Name five science fiction movies or TV shows that don’t have “Star” in the title, and aren’t members of the *major* SF Franchises. Fantastic Planet, The Day the Earth Stood Still, War of the Worlds (original preferred), The Time Machine, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
5) What’s the last Science Fiction book you’ve read? The Guns of Two-Space, by Dave Grossman and Bob Hudson.
1. Science fiction is when an author wants to make an adventure story but doesn’t like fantasy, orcs and elves nor ancient gods or mythical creatures so he sets it “in the future.” Of course, they want fantastic things to happen so he has to make up bullshit science to explain it based on fuzzy understanding of scientific principles. Then some real scientist who has no imagination because university beats it out of them realizes that the writer’s idea isn’t actually all that out there and he should get out of his box and try to make it happen for real.
2. I’ve not seen a single full episode of “Lost”. But from what my friends tell me it contains a lot of bullshit science like teleportation, therefore, it is science fiction.
3. Doctor Who is about someone’s unspoken love of old British telephone boxes mixed with copious amounts of hallucinogenic substances. It’s also about mankind’s deep rooted love of exploration.
4. The Prisoner, Lost in Space, Surrogates, Terminator (although I guess that would be major, like also Predator and Aliens?), Time Bandits, Sunshine.
5. The Bighead
1) Science fiction deals with extrapolating the implications of science and ideas conceived of in science, along with the human, philosophical and existential consequences of those ideas.
2) Depends are whether or not you allow for the supernatural in science fiction. Since the emphasis is on the supernatural elements, as opposed to the loosely scientific ones, it falls more into modern fantasy.
3) A self-righteous narcissistic liberal git who may or may not make things better, but is always guaranteed to leave a mess for others to clean up. He’s as decadent as the rest of the Time Lords, just not nearly as apathetic.
4) Babylon 5, Outer Limits, Andromeda, Space: Above and Beyond, and Earth 2.
5) That Hideous Strength.
Note: I was talking about the new Dr. Who series.
“Note: I was talking about the new Dr. Who series.”
Damn straight you were.
~Mike!~
More super villain answers from David.
By the way David, be expecting an email tomorrow from me on our ongoing discussion. I actually finally have a day off!!! It will be my first one off in roughly 45 days (minus Thanksgiving dat)albeit I still have the chaos of my engagement ceremony.
Science fiction is a science that is man-made. Like climate change science.
I’ve never really seen what the big deal about Betty Grable was, back in WWII. Now Rita Hayworth–there you’ve got something.
C’mon, Lars. She’s got calves all the way up to her knees!
Need Help
Okay Threedonians I have a potentially very odd question but it’s one I need answers on nonetheless.
As most of you know I’m running for office in 2010 here in TN and campaign season gears up on 1/4/10. With this looming I’m left doing some odd evaluation and here is my issue. The area I live in can be described as very prosperous and I myself do okay but am no Bruce Wayne, however in spite of doing pretty well I see no reason to spend ungodly amounts of money on a new car so I’m still driving my 12 year old Nissan. This mostly stems from my financially being a very responsible and pragmatic person not prone to needless spending. To me this would be a desirable quality in a candidate, however as a voter would seeing a political candidate driving around in a 12 year old “clunker” somehow diminish your view of them?
I drive a very reliable 14-year-old car, Veruckt so I’m entirely with you on the principle.
And yet—I wouldn’t be surprised if people found it odd. I think its appearance might be a bigger factor than its age. Is it all beat up?
Not all beat up necessarily, I did get a ding on the driver’s side rear door while living in Denver (if you live in Denver you will be hit by a drunk driver), but that aside nothing a bit of polish can’t clean up. My only concern is in this area it’s not uncommon to see Bentley’s, Ferrari’s, and at least a Mercedes or Beamer so I wonder how people who are loaded will feel about having a leader whose car is worth as much as one of their rims. I suppose they could find it charming like Sam Walton driving a beat up truck. Maybe I could somehow make it a trademark? You know turn a weakness into a strength.
I think you should go with making it a strength. According to Dave Ramsey, the average millionaire drives (or drove) a 5-10 year old car. Nothing looses value faster than a car.
How do you expect to get elected when you so flippantly make ethnic slurs like this?!
Why does it have to be a Polish person washing and waxing your car? Under a Veruckt administration can we expect all Poles to be treated with similar disdain? On behalf of Rich, I am offended.
Drive a Ford. That speaks volumes these days … or should.
Doesn’t one of the Japanese car companies have a big plant in Tennessee?
Veruckt didn’t Fred Thompson drive all over Tennessee in his old truck when he was campaigning? Go with God and drive the Nissan…..it gives the appearence of being normal. People want to connect. THats why Palin connected and McCain did not. She bought her suits at a consignment shop and he bought his from a well known Capitol Hill Tailor. Connect. Connect. Connect.
Now that you mention it I think Fred may have too, possibly even Ned McWhorter. I don’t have a Ford truck but a Nissan would play well here since we have a giant Nissan plant the next county over. Maybe I could play it as a “some people say their financially conservative but I live it.”
Veruckt,
This is something very important Mrs. Firefly taught me after we were married. We both share blue collar origins, yet her and I are College educated and live in a white collar world. Like you, I have always been very frugal. Despite earning a good living I didn’t buy a new car until I was 30 years old, and that was for Mrs. Firefly. I bought my clothes from J.C. Penney. Mrs. Firefly is also very frugal, but she believes in quality. It took her awhile to win me over, but you know what? A nice, name brand dress shirt lasts 3 times as long as those J.C. Penney shirts, and I look better in them.
My motto now is, “Dress like you own the place.” I am never under-dressed, anywhere, and I drive nice cars. Not expensive cars. Not “status” cars, but nice cars. Yes, many people will judge you by outward appearances and as a candidate you may only have 5 minutes, 30 seconds… to make an impression. I don’t think the car matters too much. Very few people will see it when it’s parked at events, or know it’s yours, but your physical appearance will be very important. I recall from other comments that you are, or were, into body building. That’s good. You probably look healthy. That matters to people. Wear clothes that are well-tailored for you, and pay attention to the colors of your clothes. Colors really do matter. I am very fortunate that my wife has a great, natural sense for this stuff because I can’t match colors or fabrics at all, but I ask her and she tells me. I also don’t hesitate to ask sales people in stores. Many of them are talented at that. Also, beware of relying on your fiance too much. Mrs. Firefly gets mad at me sometimes when I ignore her advice because she is sincerely good at design, but a woman who loves you won’t always dress you best for a professional, public appearance. Mrs. Firefly has tried several times to sneak “young guy” pants into my wardrobe. I dress like a character in a 1940’s noir film. My pants have big pleats in front. I know that’s not the style with 20 year old kids, but I’m not a 20 year old kid. If I go to work dressed like a 20 year old kid, even a well-dressed 20 year old kid, I’ll lose respect. When she buys slacks like that for me I refer to them as “Taco Bell” pants, because that’s the uniform at Taco Bell.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to dress well, but you need to dress well. It’s better to have a few well tailored suits, shirts and ties, and a good pair of dress shoes, than 10 cheap, ill-fitting suits. The car is a different story. If your car looks like crap folks on the perphery of the campaign will notice, and gossip, but it’s not likely to trickle up and become an issue.
If you want to be a state rep dress like a state senator. If you want to be a state senator dress like the governor. If you want to be a governor dress like a U.S. Senator and if you want to be a U.S. Senator dress like the Commander in Chief. People need to be able to envision you in the office. Make it easy. Some epaulets and a beret, or some faux medals on your lapel might also be a nice touch.
I agree my appearance will be far more important and there I am at least moderately confident. Fortunately I am in good shape which does seem to play well, it does make finding well fitting clothes more important but I know I’m going to have to bite the bullet and get something tailored. My dress style is classic, nothing trendy and no crazy colors, more along the Don Draper line but a lot of this is due to being partially color blind so I tend to not get very adventerous on colors. Perhaps the thing I am least looking forward to is that I’m going to have to have pictures taken. I loathe cameras and detest having my picture taken.
You did remind me of a story from one of my beneficiary meetings. Obviously in my line of work I deal with a lot of seniors and in a meeting back in March I was doing the usual meet and greet with a group of older gentlemen and after shaking hands with one he said;
“Now that’s a good handshake. Let me see your hands young man”
Being that it was far from the oddest thing I’ve ever been asked I turned my hand over and I have a weightlifters hands with calluses in the predictable places. He saw that and slapped me on the shoulder and said,
“You’ve got a working man’s hands. You’re all right in my book.”
You never know what you’re going to get when you are dealing with the elderly particularly ones who have grown in really rural areas but that is one of my favorite stories from my job. I always tell that one to my new agents.
About taking photos–here’s the trick. Relax. I know it’s tough, but breathe in from your nose, out from your mouth, look that camera straight in the lens, and say (silently), “I know your tricks and you can’t hurt me.”
Me, I’m an ugly, fat old man. But I generally take good pictures. Because I know the trick.
You might have to practice this. Ask your fiancee to take a lot of pictures of you with a digital (you can wipe them all), until you get the relaxation down.
That’s not a bad idea Lars. Much appreciated. I have always joked that I suffer from FCS (Fat Crackhead Syndrome) wherein the moment a camera flashes I immediately assume the appearance of a fat crackhead.
Practice is important. I never have, and my photos are very erratic. In a New York minute Mrs. Firefly can adopt a picture perfect pose and smile. It’s uncanny, but I guess if I looked as good as she does I’d spend a lot of time looking at my reflection too.
When we were posted to the War College, hubs needed new suits. We went to Jos A. Bank. We got a couple of suits, some good shirts. Hubs looked good and we didn;t spend billions. Thats my advice.
They do have good stuff, and often run sales. Men’s Wearhouse is another good resource when they have a sale on.
Sisu asked a question a couple of days ago which I didn’t see until it was too late to answer. For anybody who’s planning to send anything for the troops, if you’re in a position to throw a few dollars in to help with shipping costs it would be appreciated.
Shipping to APO addresses is the same price as domestic mail, so if you could manage to include the same amount you paid to ship the package to CT, that would be perfect. But no worries if you can’t—I’ve got an anonymous donor on the hook to cover any (reasonable) shortfalls.
Veruckt – Middle Tennessee is it? If you live in Davidson or Williamson counties, I’d buy another car. Something practical, but high-end. A sedan or something. If you live in Rutherford, I’d keep the Nissan. The plant folks would like that. They still have a plant there, right? If you live anywhere else, buy a pick-up truck.
Karen,you can sign up for our Tennessee Caucus…join Veruckt and me for a roadkill potluck!(not all Threedonians are as Euro as Floyd and Rufus).
“as Euro as Floyd and Rufus”
So a Fiat Spider wouldn’t be a good car choice for Veruckt?
Not good! Iranians seize an Iraqi oil field.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091218/wl_afp/iraqiranoilborder_20091218153543
With The One in charge I am pretty sure they will get that field.
See Tracy I’m a big Ramsey guy and oddly enough can throw a rock from my balcony and hit Financial Peace Plaza.
To me buying another car is out of the question. It’s not in my budget and I will not spend money I do not have, ie borrow, as a matter of principal. This is something I am hoping to take into office with me and that is why I’m inclined to make it a strength. When I was a kid Lamar Alexander was running for governor here and he drove around the state in a beat up old truck because it appealed to people and made them think he was an “average guy”.
What do you think of equating it to my fiscal conservatism somehow? Not fully sure how to do it…might be picking your brains quite a bit.
If it is a car that’s manufactured in Tennesse no problem. If not, trade it for a similarly aged car with more local appeal. It can be close to an even money trade. You don’t have to spend a lot.
Fortunately I do know for a fact that it was made in Smryna TN. I bought it as a demo car 12 years ago from the dealership by the Nissan plant.
Then you’re golden, Kid!
Mr. Verucktsmith goes to Washington!
Hey guys is it me or should they just shut down the talks at Nopenhagen? What a fiasco. Oh and call Ben Nelson’s office…tell him to stand firm.
Stephanie,
It’s wonderful! Fantastic! Such a marvelous, real world example of what lunatics these bureaucrats are. If you want more bureaucracy, hire a bureaucrat. If you want to find a baby, hire Tex Cobb.
And the photo on this post? My Mom had a coat like that. Beautiful isn’t it? I wish she still had it she would have given it to me. I also wish women dressed like that still.
American fashion peaked in the 1940’s.
“American fashion peaked in the 1940’s.”
A-MEN! My brother from another mother!
Could be the same mother… As my dad says every year when I hand him his Father’s Day card, “Thanks for the card, but only your mother knows for sure.”
Bull-shit!!!
Here’s a challenge to all Threedonians:
Go to Lileks’ Black & White World page, scroll down to the very bottom and play the last video clip. Then try to leave without playing it again. It’s impossible.
Sad that such awesomeness has departed forever, along with the mink coat and Rita Hayworth.
“Then try to leave without playing it again. It’s impossible.”
I pulled it off! It was difficult, but I. Did. IT!
I AM INVINCIBLE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKO0RrM7LvI
Is Lileks dumping the Bleat? Rumor I read …
He’s vague about it. Talked about cutting back, but then admitted he’s doing pretty much the same as before. But he’s writing for a couple pay sites, revamping some things. Also taking contributions at the Bleat. He’s actually started posting at his Star Tribune blog again. All is in flux.
As long as he has a bucket.
He can’t compete with our numbers. Threedonia killed the bleat.
Yeah, I can’t think how many times I’ve been reading the Bleat and thought, “Man, this would sure be better with some man b**bs.”
Thank you, David, Lars, and Mike.
Anyone else wanna’ take a stab at it?
I honestly haven’t read SciFi in years (hell, fiction in general), but I’ll take a run at the movies …
Blade Runner
Minority Report
Total Recall (that Phil Dick wasn’t too shabby for a paranoid lefty)
Running Man
Gattica
THE GOOD WIFE, or what I have seen of it, has an incredibly traditionalist bent on Adultry. It is wrong.
There are several character stories
-Margulies trying to balance life out with getting a new job, dealing with the fallout from her husband’s Spitzer-esque infidelities, taking care of the kids, and her husband is also in the slammer. All the while dealing the the Chicago Machine. `
-Chris Noth is also good as the husband trying to gain redemption. The confrontation between him and The Other Woman and the ensuing parking lot scene in the 9th episode is, in my opinion, one of the great scenes in television (along with Gibbs sniper shot in this NCIS season’s premier).
The characters are
Look, Kid, Chuckles the Clown was the apogee. It’s been all downhill since.
Chuckles the Clown?
Maybe have Republibot 3.0 research it for ya, Kit. He’s not busy looking up “What’s a Nubian?”
Oh, trust me, I’m not at all busy looking that up. I don’t actually care.
Anyway: Our erstwhile-yet-seldom-seen leader, Republibot 1.0, has posted the first of what will undoubtedly end up being several reviews of “Avatar” over at our site. My favorite line is, “I find it hard to appreciate as an important and serious work when the primary theme is designed to be a condemnation of Human (American) hubris, while it itself is just a massively budgeted remake of Ferngully: The Last Rainforest.”
You can check out his thoughts here. http://www.republibot.com/content/movie-review-avatar?page=0,1
Fine, sourpuss, you win…
P.S. KWANZAA!!!!!
Ain’t It Cool News has a similar review. Of course, it’s from a “non-regular” contributor if it’s a bad review of a movie this huge. That site only licks the boots of filmmakers that grant them interviews. But I think they let these “temps” review things so that they don’t cut themselves off from future interviews by writing under their usual pen names.
Here’s a slice of obscure TV Christmas awesomeness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmKXTYY0Q80&feature=related