Friday, April 28, 2006

Rock, Paper, Scissors, Dynamite?

Thanks to del.icio.us for pointing me to the World Rock Paper Scissors Society ("Serving the Needs of Decision Makers Since 1918") and its handy guide to the myth that is the use of "dynamite" in the classic game of Rock Paper Scissors.

I must admit that I have been a dynamite user, having learned the art of RPS on the playgrounds of Pratt Elementary School in Malvern, Ark. But now I have seen the light and resolve to preach the anti-dynamite gospel.

Though the society has not officially ruled on the "most devisive issue in theoretical RPS," the Society says the introduction of dynamite disrupts the elegant mathematical harmony of the game. And what does paper do to dynamite? (Fuse burns paper, we always said.)

They quote a former World RPS executive vice chair of theoretical throws:

"The misconception of Dynamite still hangs above RPS games like a great Death's Head, forcing otherwise reasonable RPS players into a whirling vortex of circular arguments. Let it be known that The World RPS Society does not now, nor has it ever condoned the use of Dynamite in professional matches."

Glad that's cleared up.

The Myth of Dynamite Exposed [World RPS Society]

Thursday, April 27, 2006

FEMA: That's All You Had To Say

A Congressional committee thinks FEMA should be scrapped and rebuild better, stronger and faster. Sounds reasonable in the wake of Katrina.

Of course, for me, this roundup of the FEMA news in the LA Times cuts to the chase:

"FEMA was independent — and highly regarded — until March 2003, after the Department of Homeland Security was created because of the Sept. 11 attacks. Designed to put all domestic security programs under a single umbrella, the new department combined 22 agencies employing more than 170,000 people."
To paraphrase the bumper sticker that's a popular item in the Clinton Library Gift Shop ("I Miss Bill"): I Miss James Lee Witt

Panel Says to Scrap FEMA [LA Times]
Bush Tore Down the FEMA That Clinton Built Up [The Hill]

A Katrina refresher:
TGIF [Jonworld]
Reports of Death Greatly Exagerrated? [Jonworld]
A Can't Do Government [Jonworld]
'Hot and Stinking Superdome' [Jonworld]
When The Levee Breaks [Jonworld]

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

On Pro Sports Age Restrictions

So Dan Wetzel, writing for Yahoo Sports about the evolving story that ties USC RB Reggie Bush to a sports agent after a potentially smelly real estate deal, almost convinces me that there should be no age limit for pro sports. Currently the NFL and NBA have age restrictions. He says the NCAA's "outdated amateur rules" hurt student athletes. He almost convinces me.

He argues that because Bush was forced to come back for his sophomore year at USC. The school, the coach and folks selling USC trinkets made millions, Wetzel writes, while Bush was forced to live like a "pauper." He goes on to compare age restrictions in football and basketball to other sports (gymnastics or figure skating) and careers.

"By the time Britney Spears would have graduated from Kentwood (La.) High School, she sold 19 million albums for Jive Records. No one suggested she should have been singing in the school choir, let alone forced to attend Louisiana State for three years before she was 'ready' to embark on a career."

Back when Ohio State RB Maurice Clarett was challenging the age restriction by seeking to enter the NFL draft after his freshman year, JP favorite Gregg Easterbrook, who writes the Tuesday Morning Quarterback column (who has moved back to ESPN from NFL.com, I see) defended age restrictions as a matter of the leagues protecting the quality of play - and thus a money issue. Back in 2004, he used Wetzel's trick when he wrote on his blog for his day job with The New Republic:
"Why shouldn't a 19-year-old be allowed to be an airline pilot--how dare the airlines keep 19-year-olds out of the cockpit? Numerous professions require minimum age, possession of degrees or minimum years of training experience for entry."

Easterbrook goes on to argue that the NBA experienced a decade long plummet in ratings and popularity when it started drafting high schoolers who were not ready for prime time. The quality of play suffered, he argues, because those players lacked training in fundamentals.

"They launch crazy off-balance shots, refuse to do anything but go one-on-one, and endlessly try to mega-dunk like in the shoe commercials--but they miss ten shots for every one mega-dunk that succeeds."

I think I still agree with Easterbrook more. The NFL and professional sports leagues are businesses and they can (and should) set their own minimum qualifications.

But then again, I also think that college athletes should be allowed a stipend (yes, even on top of their athletic scholarship) so that they can live and not be taken in by some of these con artists posing as agents who are out to make a quick buck.

Let 'em Play [Yahoo Sports]
Easterblog [The New Republic]

Chernobyl +20

Lots of coverage this week on the 20th anniversary of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Russia (then the Soviet Union), the world's worst nuclear accident.

Many heartbreaking stories and photos of the lasting effect of radiation from the plant explosion.

I am a supporter of nuclear energy as an alternative to oil. But no one can dispute the dangers inherent and the need for absolute safety.

Writes the AP: "The April 26, 1986, pre-dawn explosion and fire became the world's worst nuclear accident, spewing radiation across vast stretches of Europe. It cast a radioactive shadow over the health of millions of people; many believe it contributed to the Soviet Union's eventual collapse."

As for the human toll:
"Death tolls connected to the blast remain hotly debated, as do the long-term health effects.

"Thousands have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, one of the only internationally accepted illnesses linked to Chernobyl, and the U.N. health agency said about 9,300 people were likely to die of cancers caused by radiation.

"Some groups, however, including Greenpeace, have warned that death tolls could be 10 times higher and accused the U.N. of whitewashing the long-term effects of the accident in order to restore trust in the safety of atomic power.

"About 350,000 people were evacuated from their homes following the explosion, never to return. A whole city, Pripyat, and dozens of villages were left to decay, and experts say some may not be habitable again for centuries, perhaps even longer."

Chernobyl Disaster Anniversary [Yahoo Full Coverage]

Monday, April 24, 2006

Seven for Sunday 4/23

As expected, there's a new number one song for the week.

Here are the top 7 most listened-to songs on my iPod, based on playcount.

1. Danni California - Red Hot Chili Peppers (2)
2. No Way Back - Foo Fighters - I realized when I reorganized my current playlist that this one had migrated down, so it took the week off. But now its back. Seems to be everywhere around the house since its played over the intro on the Madden football GameBoy game my son just got.
3. The Fallen - Franz Ferdinand (1)
4. World Wide Suicide - Pearl Jam (4)
5. I'm American - Queensryche (3)
6. Foxy, Foxy - Rob Zombie (6)
7. Lonely Day - System of a Down (-)

Friday, April 21, 2006

Star Trek XI??

Reuters points to a Daily Variety report that says sci-fi saga Star Trek is headed for another big screen revival, this time thanks to Lost producer and Mission Impossible director J.J. Abrams (Jeez, this guy is everywhere these days.) (Hey, I didn't know he wrote the screenplay for Regarding Henry...my third favorite Harrison Ford movie.)

Now, Star Wars is my true love when it comes to space sagas, but I am a Trek fan (having been acquainted with it longer, since I remember watching the original series on weekday afternoons back in the pre-SW days). I think they oversaturated the market and quality took a hit in recent years. I thought niether of the last two movies, Nemesis nor Inssurection, where that good.

Maybe a reboot of the whole thing is in order and Abrams seems to know a thing or two about entertaining drama. And maybe they can pull off the kind of kick a$$ reincarnation that Battlestar Galactica has achieved (coincidentally orchestrated by a former Trek writer...who did the screenplays for the last good Trek movie, First Contact.)

Star Trek Set for 2008 Revival: Report [Reuters via Yahoo]
Five for Friday, Vol. 22: Favorite (non SW, non Indy) Harrison Ford Movies [Jonworld]

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Because I Said So!

The president resorted yesterday to a version of every parent's favorite refrain when your judgement is doubted and you've no better defense.

The scene was media questioning of criticisms by several former generals of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield's job performance re: Iraq.

"I hear the voices and I read the front page and I know the speculation but I'm the decider and I decide what is best and what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the Secretary of defense."
My buddy Scott has this comparison:

"Doesn't he sound like the fascist dad in every bad teen-rebellion comedy of the 80s? "As long as you're under MY roof, in MY country, you'll live by MY rules!

"Which would be funny, if I didn't believe that was actually the way he thinks."

Bush: 'I'm the Decider and I Decide What is Best' [Crooks and Liars]

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

You Mean No One Suggested 'Welcome to the Rock'?!?

So the city of Little Rock is seeking a new nickname and enlisted the public to help in its search.

After a local radio DJ suggested the city shop for a new nickname, something memorable like The Big Easy or The Windy City, public comment was sought by the city. City officials received about 200 responses, they said. Now a committee will review the suggestions and either pick one, pick something different or pick nothing at all.

"Among the favorites identified by the city are: River City, Diamond of the South, Southern Comfort, America's Gem Stone, Bridge City and several suggestions that play on the word "rock," said assistant city manager Bryan Day."

What, no one suggested "Welcome to the Rock"?!?! C'mon, imagine the ad campaign with Sean Connery intoning said line as he does while playing John Mason in the movie. And using a hackneyed line from an action flick is no worse than "A River Runs Through It," which was suggested.

Ehhh, what do I care, I live in Sherwood, "Rated recently by the Wall Street Journal as one of the ten best cities in the United States in which to live." Doesn't roll off the tongue like my hometown Malvern as "The Brick Capital of the World."

Little Rock Searching for New Nickname [AP via Baxter Bulletin]
Suggested Nicknames From Public for Little Rock [The AP via the Baxter Bulletin]

Monday, April 17, 2006

Seven for Sunday, 4/16

Two long time favorite bands are back with new music and hit the countdown of my most-listened to songs of the week.

Here is the list, based on my iPod playcount (last week's):

1. The Fallen - Franz Ferdinand - Hanging on to #1 for dear life with some new challengers. But I still enjoy this tight piece of Brit pop rock. (1)
2. Danni California - Red Hot Chilip Peppers - Another slab of funk-infused rock that kind of picks up the storyline of "By the Way" and paints some more of that "Californication" landscape. Keidis lays down some interesting rhymes but I think the part that grabbed me first was the solo at the end. Fruscante tears it up as he plays over Flea's meandering bass line. It's delivered so effortlessly you know these guys are at the top of their game. Looking forward to hearing the whole album now. (-)
3. I'm American - Queensryche - OK, expect a full review on "Operation:Mindcrime II" this week as I gave myself a week to listen to and consider what I thought of a sequel to one of my favorite albums of all time. This song is strong enough with the wonderfully relevant chorus: "Cuz I'm free, I deserve everything I can get/I'm American, I'm American." (-)
4. Worldwide Suicide - Pearl Jam - Been a fan of PJ for a while but didn't get the last 2 albums for one reason or another. This seems to be a straight forward rock tune with Eddie Veder capturing the feel of the moment with the US at its war on terror. This one has really started catching on me in the last week or so. (3)
5. One Foot in Hell - Queensryche - It's been 18 years since the original "Mindcrime." One wonders if a sequel is necessary but this is another strong song. (-)
6. Foxy, Foxy - Rob Zombie - Usually, I get a kick outta hearing the kids singing along to the music while we're in the car. When I heard Lucas singing the chorus of this one, I thought, "Uh-oh...what have I done?" (4)
7. Perfect Situation - Weezer - This long time number 1 may be on the verge of falling out. Still a great tune. (5)

Friday, April 14, 2006

Best Jobs

So Dallas buddy Dr. Mike points me to the annual list of "The Best Jobs in America" as a "fun read." Poor Mike, an actuary, bemoans the state of the pension business (slowly becoming extinct). But hey look at this, public relations specialist is #20 on the list...even ahead of actuaries at #24. Now if only I was getting paid the average salary. :)

You know, as a recovering journalist, I spent a long time resisting the accusation that I worked in public relations. It was always the Dark Side of The Force to any journalist. I work in "communications" I would counter. PR people work for PR firms, serving a variety of clients, I would argue. I work to promote and communicate information for one entity - and I usually don't work with the public, mainly employees or members of the media. Oh well, never underestimate the power of the Dark Side.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Lost Boy

OK, I admit it. I am a "Lost" fan. Probably my favorite show on TV these days now that "West Wing" is going away soon (though some argue it jumped the shark already). It just edges out "West Wing," "Battlestar Galactica," "The Daily Show," "My Name is Earl," "The Office," "House" and "Nip/Tuck" (and sometimes "Grey's Anatomy" but don't tell anyone) as my must-see prime time TV (thank goodness for DVR). Yeah, sure I miss "Seinfeld" (though I can catch it on DVD whenever) but these are good days for TV. So many great shows.

Anyway, I have been with "Lost" since the first episode aired and still think it has held up well as an entertaining, dark and mysterious show. Tonight was no different. So apparently the island can heal cancer, paralysis and impotence...hmmm...

Well, I do like to follow up each new episode by checking to see what the folks on the Net are seeing and thinking. Always can get some screen captures...such as "The Map."

Here's where I do most of my Lost board watching.

I personally don't think the show can last past 3 or 4 seasons. How long before most folks will stop caring whether or not those survivors are rescued from that weird island?? We'll see. Hopefully it'll be a fun ride.

Fool Me Once...Won't Get Fooled Again (Oh Yes, We Will!)

President Bush once famously mangled the old saying "Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me." He said in 2002:
"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again."

I was reminded of that this week in TIME magazine in an essay by retired Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold, who served as director of operations at the Pentagon's military joint staff. He is now speaking out against the war in Iraq and criticizes the administration for not focusing on Afghanistan and al-Qaeda following 9/11. He invokes the famous anti-Vietnam War song "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who in saying we have been fooled again, this time on Iraq.
"I now regret that I did not more openly challenge those who were determined to invade a country whose actions were peripheral to the real threat--al-Qaeda. I retired from the military four months before the invasion, in part because of my opposition to those who had used 9/11's tragedy to hijack our security policy."

This all was slammed home for me again this morning when I read in the Washington Post that a secret report has come to light that again undermines the stated initial reason for invading Iraq: that the rogue country had weapons of mass destruction and was poised to use them.

Fifty days after the fall of Baghdad, the president declared: "We have found the weapons of mass destruction." This was in the form of two small trailers that were said to be mobile labs for making biological weapons.

Reports the Post:
"A secret fact-finding mission to Iraq -- not made public until now -- had already concluded that the trailers had nothing to do with biological weapons. Leaders of the Pentagon-sponsored mission transmitted their unanimous findings to Washington in a field report on May 27, 2003, two days before the president's statement."
You see, we can get fooled again.
"There was no connection to anything biological," said one expert who studied the trailers. Another recalled an epithet that came to be associated with the trailers: "the biggest sand toilets in the world."
No, I'm starting to feel like we're the biggest sand toilets in the world.

Why Iraq Was a Mistake [TIME magazine]
Lacking Biolabs, Trailers Carried the Case for War [Washington Post]

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Alice Back In Chains

Not sure if I'm happy about this or not. I really like the band Alice In Chains but four years after lead singer Layne Staley died, I'm not sure how I feel about a reunion with a new singer.

But apparently that will come to pass, according to Pollstar. The band will soon begin a 25-date tour of Europe with vocalist William DuVall of LA band Comes the Fall. No word on if he will take on the vocal duties permanently.

Now AIC's "Dirt" is one of my all time favorite albums and I've certainly enjoyed guitarist Jerry Cantrell's solo work (check "Anger Rising," "Angel Eyes" and "Locked On" off Degradation Trip). I'm apprehensive of an AIC reforming.

JP's 7 Favorite AIC songs (thanks to Allmusic for reviews that nail much of the reason I like each tune):
1. Would - The band I was in while in college, Mad Hatter, used to cover this. Ominous bass line.
2. Them Bones
3. Hate To Feel - "Used to be curious/no the sh!t's sustenance"
4. Man In a Box - They had me at first riff.
5. Put You Down - I'm sure it was a drug pean, but it reminded me of someone I once dated: "I can see what the cost will be/honey, I don't need you, I just can't put you down"
6. I Stay Away
7. Dam That River

Oh how I miss that truly unique mixture of the voices of Staley and Cantrell.

Thanks to Pop Candy for the tip.
A New Chapter for Alice [Pollstar]

Short Takes: Movies and Corpses

Catching up on some thoughts I meant to blog the last couple days. Got to do some movie watching over the weekend.

Saw "House of Flying Daggers" on cable. Awesome color, sound and movement in what was a very operatic style story. The "echo game" scene was memorable as was the fight in the bamboo forest, but this was no mere chop sockey flick, rising to include elements of dance and ballet, as Roger Ebert and A.O. Scott both noted when the movie was released. Writes Scott,
"Two [scenes] in particular - the "echo game" set piece that takes place in a brothel and a later battle in a grove of whispering bamboo - are likely to become classic reference points, cherished like favorite numbers from "Singin' in the Rain" or "An
American in Paris."
Personally, I liked "Hero" better as to me the story had more heft and didn't putter out at the end as Daggers seemed to.

Also finally got to see "Fahrenheit 9/11." Provocative and gripping for sure - especially if you have some doubts about how this administration has reacted to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. While certainly slanted to Moore's opinions, he does deal with actual footage of the president and others and reports facts that have been reported elsewhere (such as how some Saudi Arabian citizens, including members of the bin Laden family were allowed flights out of the U.S. even while all other flights were grounded after the attacks). This certainly has to be viewed separately as a piece of political expression and a movie. It is pretty engaging as a movie, though a bit slow and ridiculous at times (when Moore takes to an ice cream truck loudspeaker to read the Patriot Act). Writes the NY Times' Scott (a favorite reviewer of mine),
"After you leave the theater, some questions are likely to linger about Mr. Moore's views on the war in Afghanistan, about whether he thinks the homeland security program has been too intrusive or not intrusive enough, and about how he thinks the government should have responded to the murderous jihadists who attacked the United States on Sept. 11."
And finally, I must add a recent blog post from friend and former bandmate Scott. Entitled "Phillip and the Corpse" this nicely done fiction fragment reminds me that I recently loaned him my (UPDATE: OK, so I was busted, it was Susan "Official Wife of JP"'s copy) copy of "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers," a fun and fascinating book. Now Scott, "Phillip" is a movie I cannot wait to see. :)

It Depends on Your Definition of "Leak"

Howard Kurtz, Wash Post media writer, makes a point today about the recent revelation that it was the president who apparently authorized the "leak" of the identity of an undercover CIA operative - allegedly in response to critics of the administration's case for going to war in Iraq.

Kurtz writes, within the context of a recent "leak" alleging the administration is mulling a nuke strike against Iran if it doesn't give up its nuke program, "Interesting juxtaposition, by the way, that Bush acknowledged today that he okayed Libby's 2003 leak on Iraq because he wanted the 'truth' out--especially when some of the administration's own experts were disputing that 'truth' about whether Saddam was trying to buy yellowcake uranium from Africa.

"Oh, and by the way, if the president wanted the truth out, and he was declassifying the thing anyway, why not make a speech about it, rather than having it secretly slipped to Judith Miller [the NY Times reporter jailed for contempt after refusing to give up her source for the leaking of the CIA agent's identity] (who didn't write a story anyway)?"

Going Nuclear Over Leaks [Washington Post]

Seven for Sunday (two days late)

Running a little behind this week, but life is mostly back to normal after my two-week Nine Inch Nails phase. So let's check out what I listened to the last week.

The top 7, based on my iPod playcount
1. The Fallen - Franz Ferdinand - "So they say you're a troubled boy/just because you like to destroy, all the things that bring the idiots joy/well, what's wrong with a little destruction?"
2. No Way Back - Foo Fighters - "Lately, I've been living in my head/the rest of me is dead, I'm fighting for truth."
3. World Wide Suicide - Pearl Jam - "Medals on a wooden mantle/next to a handsome face, that the president took for granted/writing checks that others pay."
4. Foxy, Foxy - Rob Zombie - "She who looks back, she looks away/she internalizes the motion wave, she is the butcher/she wants the air, she hides the scar under her hair."
5. Perfect Situation - Weezer - "There's the pitch, slow and straight/all I have to do is swing and I'm a hero, but I'm a zero."
6. Gave Up - Nine Inch Nails - "Of the trust I will betray/give it to me, I throw it away. After everything I've done, I hate what I've become."
7. Headlong - Queen - "You're getting in a fight then it ain't so groovy when you're screaming in the night, let me out of this cheap B movie."

Monday, April 10, 2006

And the Word of the Day is...

So now I've learned something new, the origin of the term scumbag. And it ain't too pretty. Thanks to the NY Times crossword, and Slate. But don't tell Wikipedia.

The Dirty Word in 43 Down [Slate]

Like Something From a Movie: Gunfight at Mena

This article in the morning paper caught my eye with the headline "2 Dead in Gunfight at Marijuana Site." It reads like something out of a movie. Especially out of the ordinary for small town Arkansas - though Mena has had its share of noteriety through its infamous Contra-supplying airport.

Anyway, it seems some guys tried to rob a fairly big time pot grower outside Mena, Ark., and a gunfight erupted. Two of the would-be robbers were killed and another injured. The pot grower was injured, too.

Officers only found out about the gunfight when another would-be robber showed up at a neighbor's house, saying they were out of gas. Apparently this pot operation, with about 500 plants being grow indoors was "as elaborate an indoor growing operation as I've seen," said the sheriff.

The officers found one body in the driveway. The other in the metal building where the pot was being grown. He had fallen through a plateglass window. Both were shot with a 9mm "assault type" weapon, according to the sheriff.

The capper for me was that the pot grower was 40 and, according to the story, his wife, who was taken into custody, was 19. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it is quite the age difference. Especially when you read they have a 7-month old child, who was placed in the custody of the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Two Dead in Gunfight at Marijuana Site [Ark Democrat-Gazette]

Sunday, April 09, 2006

To Blog or Not To Blog

So, I guess I've reached the point in the life of Jonworld where I start second-guessing everytime I start to blog something. Then there is the time element - or rather the lack of time.

I see something that piques my interest and in the early months of Jonworld, I was logged in and posting it within minutes. Now, having done that for a while...and having seen several blogs and Web sites and so forth that hit roughly the same area - pop culture, music, movies, TV, politics - you start thinking before you post: "Well that's been done before." or "Ehhh...that's not that interesting." or "I really don't have time to do what I want to do for this."

And so the blog grows cobwebs. Or is it cogwebs? I guess it's cobwebs.

So, I'm ready to make another go of it. I promise. I've missed not blogging. But I want to do something that entertains me or possibly entertains the friends or strangers who happen across this site.

Stay tuned.

And while you're at it, check this stuff out:
Senior Republican to Bush: 'Say Exactly What Happened...' [Reuters via Yahoo] - Will the president ever be held accountable for the leak, or the cherry-picked intelligence in the Iraq war run-up, or the Katrina bungling, or the mounting budget deficit, or the inability to nab Osama, or the unwillingness to tackle rising gas prices and no energy policy other than drilling for more oil, or the coziness between lobbyists and Republican leaders (at least Delay might be held accountable), or the mess that No Child Left Behind is making (even college students can see it), or the underfunded rebuilding of Iraq (a 'dismal failure' says some)...

Monday, April 03, 2006

Seven for Sunday, 4/2

Still haven't gotten the Nine Inch Nails out of my system.

Here's what I've been listening to, based on my iPod playcount. (Last week)
1. The Fallen - Franz Ferdinand (1)
2. No Way Back - Foo Fighters (2)
3. Wish - Nine Inch Nails (4)
4. Last - Nine Inch Nails (-)
5. Gave Up - Nine Inch Nails (-)
6. Perfect Situation - Weezer (-)
7. Happiness In Slavery - Nine Inch Nails (-)