I for one welcome our Robot Overlords!

Politicians and pundits are quick to rail against the migration of American jobs to other countries where labor is less expensive. But what about the jobs now being done by workers who demand no paid time off, no sick leave, no pension benefits, and no overtime?
Watch out Sarah Conner, the robots are here! Are we doomed? Drew Carey opines over at Reason.TV. (h/t to Allison Kasic at IWF's Inkwell)




Photo © 2005 Robert Armstrong and blatantly used without permission

Robots of the world, unite!

Two video clips here for your viewing pleasure.
Use comments to tell me which one you find creepier...
First one:



Second one:

DO NOT CALL E-V-E-R!

Great news for those of us who do not enjoy calls from telemarkerters!

"The Federal Communications Commission has amended its rules to

require telemarketers to honor registrations with the National Do-Not-Call Registry indefinitely.

The previous rules provided that registrations would expire after five years."

If you change your number you will have to reenroll, but otherwise, it's one and done. Unfortunately, some other loopholes remain, for example the DNC Registry does not apply to solicitations by political groups and candidates (however did they miss that one?) or to certain charitable organizations.

R.I.P. Tim Russert

Tim Russert, NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and Moderator of NBC's Meet the Press died of a heart attack while at work today. More here. I thought Russert to be one of the best in the business.

Supremes - Some things you never get used to

Much has been written and said about the Supreme Court decision giving terror suspects detained at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility the right to challenge their status in Federal Court.
One of the most well reasoned discussions comes to us from the smart, vivacious, and fashionable Emily Zanotti, who offers lines like this, "The three dissenting judges went all Ike Turner on the majority opinion. "
Click on over to the American Princess and enjoy. Then come on back.

I suspect that in coming years, much as history will eventually count George W. Bush as one of this nation's best Presidents, we will look back on this decision and recognize the delicacy with with the Court attempted to balance the various needs of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches.
Can’t say I agree with the ruling, but I begin to grasp the logic. And I give kudos to Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Thomas in their strongly worded dissents.

A song for you

Kristin Mainhart (I do not believe we are related) is a talented independent artist in NYC. Her CD Stranger Things is good stuff. Here's one song from the album:

Climate change consensus

I'm in Philadelphia today where the temperature is preparing to soar to 99°.
Must be global warming, right?
Oh, wait, it's snowing today in Washington and Idaho. Must be global cooling, right?
Here's a link to an interesting article on the real scientific consensus regarding global warming over at Pirates Cove.

Inspired silliness

She IS the Internet. Just ask her. She is iJustine a talented (and not unattractive) video/multimedia producer/editor from the Pittsburgh area.
This clip is...
uhhh...
well, you decide...



She also does the lifecasting thing.





(Photo is © Justine Ezarik. All rights reserved.)

Who will McCain choose for VP

Hello there. Long time no blog.
Still busy at work, the golf game is improving, and [insert another lame excuse here].

Now that the Dems have BO - attention shifts to the second banana. My guess is he'll select a woman not named Hillary. If he were to select the New York Senator, he and Michelle would be well served to sleep with one eye open.
On the GOP side, McCain appears to have done a decent job of positioning himself in the center of the political spectrum. A younger (not hard to do), conservative would be an ideal choice. I've written here before of my growing fascination with Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. I think she's still a considerable long shot , but she would turn the race in November on it's ear.
Here's a video clip put together by a couple grassroots organizations promoting Gov. Palin.



(h/t Adam Brinkley at Draft Sarah Palin for Vice President)