I Still Despise Broccoli

The latest in what is becoming a long line of banned superbowl commercials (think GoDaddy.com) is by PETA. The commercial consists of women in lingerie licking and stroking various vegetables. see it for yourself:



First off, the commercial is over the top, which is a PETA trademark in its advertising, however it has nothing to do with treating animals ethically (most PETA commercials do not). Will it really get anyone who watches the superbowl to throw down their chicken wings covered in assorted flavors like tangy barbecue or triple hot kamikaze devil's goatee sauce or mild. (some people want to actually taste what their eating).

Are men going to really see this commercial and think, "yes, I am gonna eat that broccoli and arugula and have better sex?" Nope. They are going to think things like, "I wish I was that asparagus or I wonder what she's gonna do next with that pumpkin."

Peta is not alone in its vegetarian through sexism logic. Look at all the female contestants in GoVeg.com's sexiest vegetarian contest.

In short it's a bad commercial that perpetuates stereotypes and tries to use sex to sell abstaining from animal consumption in our diets. In spirit PETA is a good organization; in its dissemination of its information it fails miserably. Perhaps, this is a reason for the ill will towards PETA and its public image of a radical organization. Without fixing its persona, sexy vegetable adds will not help its tarnished image nor get its message across.

PETA could have discussed the environmental impact of reducing the consumption of meat. The environment being a well known topic of discussion, but I guess when you take the vegetables out of the bedroom they're not sexy enough to put in a superbowl ad.

Another NFL Season Winds Down.

It's the off week for football. The week before the superbowl where the teams spend forced time answering inane questions to the sports media from how does it feel to be in the superbowl to are you going to be in the new Cambell's Chunky Soup commercial?

However there are a few questions the players will not be asked, mainly; why are so many NFL players being arrested and what brand of jock strap do you wear? Let's concentrate on the 1st question.

The NFL Crimes Newsblog lists 2008 arrests week by week with a year total of 56 that doesn't include 2009. If all those arrested were a team 3 would have to be cut in order to make the 53 man roster limit.

Here's the latest:

Dave Meggett, who in the 1990's was the 3rd down back for the New York Giants, is facing rape charges for the 2nd or 3rd time.

The biggest news is Michael Vick will be released from prison in June and is planning on making a comeback.

Jemele Hill, blogging for ESPN believes Vick should be able to rejoin the NFl. She is mistaken. Hill tries to use the human life verse animal life distinction; a preposterous thought process that there is a difference when it comes to torture and killing. Out of her 5 points of why Vick should be back in the NFL, the top 2 are his accomplishments and his excitement potential. O.K. one of his accomplishments is housing and hosting dogfighting events. Idiot.

This is what he did:Are you kidding me Miss Hill? You should be ashamed of yourself!

Peta wants Vick to get a brain scan and a full psychiatric evaluation before they air a public service announcement from him and allegedly endorse his comeback attempt.


Listen I can't fathom why or how anyone could harm a domesticated animal such as a dog, cat, bird etc... I'll admit my undying love and appreciation for animals, wild and domesticated. I even swerve out of the way on icy roads to not kill one of these:

So don't tailgate me.

Archimedes' Principle

Although NASA says the average temperature is -58°, the ice in Antarctica is melting. NASA climate scientist, Drew Shindell says on the NPR morning show, The Takeaway, that the western portion of the ice cover is melting and if it completely melts it will raise sea levels by 20ft.

So much for those beach front properties. Try getting insurance for that you rich devils out there!

The Antarctic ice sheet is the largest in the world.

The Larsen Ice shelf not to be confused with the one who drew this:

this is it: (anyway) The Larsen Ice sheet already broke off in 2002. and other ice sheets are in danger. If this doesn't get naysayers to believe in global warming then let them go out in the sun for a few hours without SPF 3o and see what they think when they look like this:
That kid isn't the only one trying to keep down his breakfast. (just run kid! run!)



Seriously we need to do something or hope Darwinism gives our future ancestors gills or good buoyancy.

The New Presidency part 1

So, like most every other blogger, this post is about President Obama. However, I am not one to cover myself with the blanket of hysteria whether that hysteria be positive or negative. The inauguration speech was amazing. It was moving and full of hope. I'm just trying to be realistic and not think of the president as a savior.

Sporadically, the next posts will be about his cabinet selections, which are extremely important positions for this period "amidst gathering clouds and raging storms." I am somewhat skeptical abut these positions due to the lightning rise of the president who spent less than 4 years as an Illinois state senator and less than 4 years as a united states senator. Can someone really rise to become leader of this country especially at that speed without owing favors along the way?

Good luck America.

Bird Season Opens Today

Apparently for your safety airports kill thousands of birds. The Sacramento airport calls birds a safety threat and wants permission to kill (I'm sure Congress will get right on it). why? here are 2 quotes from the Sacramento Bee article by Tony Bizjak:

Birds and jets collide frequently, with 7,666 reported instances nationally in 2007, or about one known strike for every 10,000 flights. But it is rare for strikes to cause crashes, injuries or fatalities to passengers, federal officials said.

Sacramento, which lies in the Pacific Flyway bird migration path, has the most bird strikes of any airport in the West, and sixth most in the country, the Federal Aviation Administration reports.

It's not the birds faults that some idiot decided to build an airport directly IN THE WAY OF THEIR ancient migratory paths.

Maybe The Killings will eventually go something like this:

Charlie Alpha 2 this is Charlie Alpha 11 -break-

we have what a visual on a calliope hummingbird entering our airspace -break-


permission to shoot -over-

permission granted -over-

Let the freakouts begin!

NPR quotes the aptly named Carla Dove a feather identification lab expert as saying:

We like to think we're trying to help improve aviation safety, but we're also helping save birds by trying to identify what's causing the problem.

I don't think we need a lab to figure out half of the problem; there are too many planes in the air.

Everything That's Fit To Print

The major papers are in trouble, the bankruptcy at the Chicago Tribune hit hard as well to a lesser degree the Christian Science Monitor going to an online only edition.


I received these cry outs of desperation for subscriptions today in the mail by 2 of the top newspapers in the country. It made me sad to think a time is nearing where print journalism will be nothing more than a relic to Technologic America.

Both The New York Times and The Boston Globe are offering 50% off home delivery for 6 months. It's a great deal for the news consumer. The subscription savings by consumers will not hurt ether paper as the Times and Globe don't make their money off of subscription, they make it through advertising. The 50% off is a way to raise the subscription level, which will hopefully lead to greater advertising revenue.

There will always be a need for reporters. Even the online world will need people to get the story, otherwise the stories would be written without credibility and like PR pieces for corporations (not that they don't already own the media).

Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it and, above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light.
--Joseph Pulitzer

Nukes

The US under President Bush seems to have made a correct decision of sorts by not giving Israel Bunker Bombs capable of taking out Iranian suspected nuclear facilities, Although, David Sanger of the New York Times reports Bush did allow for disruption by covert-ops.




Really the fear of an Iranian nuclear attack, ever is unsubstantiated. An attack by Iran is a act of suicide by the Iranian nation. I believe the US would strike fervently probably Russia would retaliate, however, Russia would not want this to happen either. A nuclear weapon by Iran and any other country is a deterrent to invasion mostly by the US.

Gas: Nobody Rides for Free

Here is the lead by Joan Lowy of the Associated Press with the byline

Motorists' Habits Spur Call For Tax Increases:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Motorists are driving less and buying less gasoline, which means fuel taxes aren't raising enough money to keep pace with the cost of road, bridge and transit programs.

The government wants to raise gas taxes because obviously it needs money to fix federal run roads, etc. The proposal is a $0.10 raise on the federal tax, which is in addition to whatever state taxes exist. If the government needs additional tax money to generate the funds to fix their roads etc. and the government doesn’t have the money to give to the states, then isn’t it logical that the states will have to do the same with their gas tax?

Raising the gas tax by both the state and the federal government will only keep driving habits low if not lower them unless the consumer gets to a level of driving necessity that cannot be altered. Perhaps many of us will give the real American salute (you know, the one you gave to the hockey mom driving the Ford Explorer with Alaska plates that just cut you off).
And we’ll all get vespa’s with 60 miles per gallon. Sure it will take a little longer to get to work, but think of the money we’ll save and don't worry we’ll make it look cool.


In response, the government would more than likely raise the tax, end the subsidies on fuel efficient vehicles, and propaganda motor scooter users as crazed gangs of non-tax paying outlaws.