Keith B. Darrell's Blog, page 46

We Can Build a Mars Rover But...

America needs high-speed rail access throughout the country and mass transportation in all metroploitan urban areas, like every other major nation. We also need to replace the automobile industry, which is based on a century-old technology, pollutes the environment, has created massive sprawl, and ties us to oil -- a commodity controlled by our enemies. The only ones benefiting from it are the oil companies and the car manufacturers. The government gives subsidies and tax breaks to the oil in...

Natural Disaster Imminent, But First, A Word from Our Sponsor

Way to go, local TV! The station interrupted a TV show to broadcast a tornado alert and then interrupted the bulletin to broadcast a commercial.

Who Watches the Watchmen?

The TSA, which spent $2 million of your tax dollars on equipment it has sitting unused in warehouses, is now outsourcing to private firms at 16 airports! Instead of government employees, our security is being outsourced to... whom exactly? Who are these private individuals (not government-screened employees) who are patting down passengers and rifling through their belongings, and how do we know they are not thieves, child molesters, or terrorists themselves? Unlike the government, these priv...

Dark Shadows, Not Twilight

I appear to be somewhat out of touch with popular culture of the day. I told my friend Flo, after we watched the movie "Snow White and the Huntsman", I thought the actress who played Snow White was cute and asked who the she was. Flo answered, "Kristen Stewart." I asked if she had been in any other films. Flo's mouth dropped and she told me she was also in "Twilight". I asked which "Twilight" film and she replied, "All of them. She played Bella," Flo replied. Sorry, I come from a different ge...

I appear to be somewhat out of touch with popular culture...

I appear to be somewhat out of touch with popular culture of the day. I told my friend Flo, after we watched the movie "Snow White and the Huntsman", I thought the actress who played Snow White was cute and asked who the she was. Flo answered, "Kristen Stewart." I asked if she had been in any other films. Flo's mouth dropped and she told me she was also in "Twilight". I asked which "Twilight" film and she replied, "All of them. She played Bella," Flo replied. Sorry, I come from a different ge...

The Rewards of a Classical Education

Alex Wagner is showing her chops! Commenting yesterday on a discussion of Mitt Romney's chances of winning after alienating black, latino, women, and elderly voters, she described the task as Sisyphean. When John Heilman said her knowledge of Greek mythology was greater than his, Wagner shot back "That's why I got the (MSNBC achor) job." Go Alex!

In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a king in ancient Greece who offended the god Zeus. His punishment was to roll a huge boulder to the top of a steep...

Voting is a Right, Not a Privilege

Florida Gov. Rick Scott is trying to cut early voting from 12 days to 8 days to depress Democratic voter turnout. Only one state supervisor of elections has stepped forward to challenge Gov. Scott. Republican (yes, I said Republican) Harry Sawer, Monroe county supervisor, stated his intention to offer early voting for the traditional 12 days. Gov. Scott has threatened to remove the supervisor. Monroe is one of only two Florida counties with a plurality of Republicans that voted for Obama, a D...

Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire!

Aren't you tired of lying politicians? I sure am. They lie to two types of audiences: those  ignorant of the facts who they hope will believe their lies, and those of us who know the truth and easily spot their lies.

Politicians have always stretched the truth, but consistent outright lying is something new. This week, for example, I listened to an outrageous lie not only come out of Congressman Paul Ryan's mouth, but be repeated by Mitt Romney the next day. Maybe you heard this one, too:...

The Anti-Christ Comes to Washington

The man who may be one heartbeat from the most powerful office in the world is an admitted devotee of, and adherent to, the extremist philosophy of Ayn Rand. Congressman Paul Ryan, the Republican vice presidential pick, says Ayn Rand's philosophy is what got him involved in politics. But do you know what that philosophy is? Let's ask Ayn herself, and please, read her words very carefully:

Ayn Rand explained her philosophy of objectivism: "The basic principle of objectivism is that man must be...

Huge Sale At Amazon

Just a heads up for you. It appears Amazon has placed the brand new edition of Issues In Internet Law on sale today for 23% off the list price. The special price, as far as I can tell, applies only to the hardcover edition. I don't know how long the sale will last, but it also includes Free Shipping! So don't delay, order today!

Huge Sale At Amazon!