High Gas Prices: McCain says, “It’s Barack!”
Seen the latest McCain TV-ad? I mean, I can accept dueling strategies or a difference of opinion between the two candidates. But blaming an individual (or the whole party, if that’s the inference) for high gas prices? That’s ridiculous. I’ll update the link later, but here’s a look at the ad (don’t mind the other commentary before it):
Now, here’s a report by Keith Olbermann (I do miss him on Sportscenter, but he does ok) explaining the Enron Loophole and why it’s to be blamed the most, not any person or party:
Makes far more sense, doesn’t it?
Creative Out of Control: The Process
For anyone who has to deal with developing creative as part of their job, this video is exactly why the phrase “Too many cooks spoil the broth” still holds true:
If you are someone who makes creative for others, always remember two things:
1. Your Creative Isn’t You. Change is Good.
2. Not Every Idea Needs to be Used.
(Basically, if you don’t like an idea, explain why. They might listen.)
If you are someone who hires people to be creative for you, let me give you a hint that will provide not just future success but both efficiency and a better end product from your creative vendors:
Think Before You Speak. You Hired Us For a Reason.
(And it wasn’t because your ideas were that good.)
Knight Rider Series 2008
Apparently they’re going to announce something on the NBC Knight Rider website on July 25, 2008. Who knows what.
September 24, 2008 at 8pm EST is the premier! And Turbo Boost is finally back. Thank god. Mark your calendars!
The new, but not as good as the old, intro to the 2008 series:
Here’s a nostalgic look back. The introduction to the original series (with narration):
Profile of the Sociopath
I found this explanation pretty interesting and applicable to a certain person of my past. If you ever wonder whether someone is a little off-kilter, start a checklist like this one and if you start checking them off, run far, far away.
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Summarization of common features of descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths:
- Glibness and Superficial Charm
- Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims. - Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as “their right.” - Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests. - Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way. - Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises. - Incapacity for Love
- Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common. - Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others’ feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them. - Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others. - Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet “gets by” by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc. - Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others’ lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed. - Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts. - Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively. - Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
Other Related Qualities:
- Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
- Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them
- Authoritarian
- Secretive
- Paranoid
- Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
- Conventional appearance
- Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
- Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim’s life
- Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim’s affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)
- Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
- Incapable of real human attachment to another
- Unable to feel remorse or guilt
- Extreme narcissism and grandiose
- May state readily that their goal is to rule the world
(The above traits are based on the psychopathy checklists of H. Cleckley and R. Hare.)
NOTE: In the 1830’s this disorder was called “moral insanity.” By 1900 it was changed to “psychopathic personality.” More recently it has been termed “antisocial personality disorder” in the DSM-III and DSM-IV. Some critics have complained that, in the attempt to rely only on ‘objective’ criteria, the DSM has broadened the concept to include too many individuals. The APD category includes people who commit illegal, immoral or self-serving acts for a variety of reasons and are not necessarily psychopaths.
DSM-IV Definition
Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture. There is a marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules. Individuals with this disorder are sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths.
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
1. Since the age of fifteen there has been a disregard for and violation of the right’s of others, those right’s considered normal by the local culture, as indicated by at least three of the following:
A. Repeated acts that could lead to arrest.
B. Conning for pleasure or profit, repeated lying, or the use of aliases.
C. Failure to plan ahead or being impulsive.
D. Repeated assaults on others.
E. Reckless when it comes to their or others safety.
F. Poor work behavior or failure to honor financial obligations.
G. Rationalizing the pain they inflict on others.
2. At least eighteen years in age.
3. Evidence of a Conduct Disorder, with its onset before the age of fifteen.
4. Symptoms not due to another mental disorder.
Skyscraper “Demolition”
What do you do, when you have buildings all around, and you need to demolish a building?
Apparently, chew it away from the bottom, slowly and lower the building. Amazing.
How NOT to Ride your Motorcycle
At least he was wearing (sort of) a helmet. Heh.
Daily Ponder
If a page says “This Page Intentionally Left Blank” it’s not blank, is it.
Post-Independence Day Thought
A friend posted the following, and I replied to it.
- Have you ever asked a native American what they think of Independence Day? What was this land before it was invaded along with millions of Native Americans being slaughtered and persecuted for their beliefs. Killed for what they believed in.
What part of the world hasn’t been conquered a thousand times over? What makes the plight of the Native American any more special or worse than any other race or culture?
I don’t think Xerxes cared whether the Greeks kept their culture.
I’m positive Hitler didn’t care about the Jews.
The Israeli/Palestinian conflict continues to this day, because a country was “established” on an already existing homeland.
Again, while I agree with the statement (since ‘da man’ took over North America), what makes it any different than any other time in human history? On top of that, don’t we celebrate a whole heap of strange days from years past based on totalitarian violence against a race or culture, that really could be argued whether or not they are valid?
Call me Mr. Devil’s Advocate.