Fish Tales: The ones that got away

I have had a terrible time posting lately. Something has happened everytime I even attempt it and I'm getting pretty frustrated. Good thing I don't get paid for this because I would have been fired (and/or gone broke) long ago. Anyway, I have "lost" several outstanding articles, not to mention some long excellent comments. I really do need to improve my computer skills. But why do things go wrong after I finish the text?

Ever wonder where these lost messages go? Is there a graveyard for all the lost bits and bytes, you know a final resting place for all those pesky characters who never got to where they were going ? Or is there some mountainous pile of packets derailed somewhere along a dead end or broken pathway? Is the network full of data dumps?
I need an explanation, even if I have to imagine it, which takes me back to the ones that got away...

More later, when I am convinced my posts aren't destined for Never Never Land.

Editors Ponder How to Present a Broad Picture of Iraq

This article covers a meeting of editors whose newspapers are members of the Associated Press. Some excerpts are:

"It was uncomfortable questioning The A.P., knowing that Iraq is such a dangerous place," she said. "But there's a perception that we're not telling the whole story."

Mr. Silverman (managing editor of the A.P.) said in an interview that he was aware of that perception. "Other editors said they get calls from readers who are hearing stories from returning troops of the good things they have accomplished while there, and readers find that at odds with the generally gloomy portrayal in the papers of what's going on in Iraq," he said.

A perception? I think justifiable accusation is more accurate.

This is the stuff that makes my blood boil. The Associated Press' excuse is that Iraq is such a dangerous place that reporting the "full story", (you know some of the objectives met as well as the fatalities), is just too difficult.

"For example, she said, the editors understood that it was much easier to add up the number of dead than to determine how many hospitals received power on a particular day or how many schools were built.
Mr. Silverman said the wire service was covering Iraq "as accurately as we can" while "also trying to keep our people out of harm's way."

The Associated Press is the oldest and largest news organization in the world and has received 48 Pulitzer Prizes. They consider themselves the essential global news network. I believe their readers deserve more responsible, balanced journalism.

Thanks to Mr. B at New Optimates for the title link.

Creating Victims

I've been thinking of victims and victimology lately and there are a few articles floating around the web that have piqued my interest. Dr. Sanity's Aug 9th post called The Cult of the Victim mentions an article written by Thomas Sowell on how the press has made soldiers into victims.

"The plain fact is that the mainstream media have been too busy depicting our troops as victims to have much time left to tell about the heroic things they have done, the far greater casualties which they have inflicted on their enemies, or their attempts to restore some basic services and basic decencies to this country that has been torn apart for years by internal and external wars -- even before the first American troops arrived on the scene. "

It seems our culture and the press is keen on creating victims as if there weren't enough already.
I do not consider any of the soldiers in Iraq as victims. The idea that soldiers are not adults, do not have free will and were somehow coerced by the "evil Bush regime" to join the military and get killed in war is ridiculous, demeaning and insulting to those who serve.
But that is sort of the point isn't it? The insinuation is that no one could freely choose to join the military and fight the war. No, they must ALL be victims, manipulated, lied to and misled by President Bush, the entire US Congress (no wait they were lied to too), the CIA, Rumsfeld, the State Department etc....Honestly,I believe our soldiers deserve more credit and respect than that.

But then again, I've always had problems with the victim status given to so many so easily. Partly because everyone, at one time or another is victimized, but, in my experience, not everyone, as a result has to become a victim.
I have long believed that creating victims has been and continues to be a mostly political endeavor, a persuasive tool in getting and keeping power over people. The victim mentality never accepts responsibility for themselves and refuses to acknowledge the power of choice. When they receive aid and support, they are often deceived into thinking they are unable or incapable of achieving for themselves. No wonder a state of perpetual victimhood exists!
The good news is just because people may consider you a victim , doesn't mean you have to act like one (or consider yourself one).
For example, I smoked for many years and despite knowing its many risks and dangers, I still enjoyed it. It's taken me several attempts to quit and it has been difficult. But this has been entirely my choice. I do not blame my addiction on the big bad tobacco companies. Nor do I feel victimized by their zealous advertising. Contrary to popular belief , (and falsely advocated by our government, self serving politicians and grasping lawyers), tobacco companies are not responsible for my behavior. I am.

The movie: Stealth

It was a rainy day in Denver so I rewarded myself with a matinee. I took myself to see the movie Stealth. Based on the vast majority of reviews, I must be be in the miniscule percentile who actually enjoyed the movie.
The storyline is a bit worn, unbridled power combined with ruthless ambition and technology run amok. Even with a few twists, it was still predictable. But I didn't go see it for the plot. I went to see it for the Black Jets and I was not disappointed.
Visually, this movie is captivating , really beautiful and exciting to watch. I loved the camera zooming onto the aircraft carrier in open water and it was flat out thrilling to see these jets take off and land not to mention the spectacular aerial shots. (I love roller coaster rides too).
Make no mistake, this is a action film and there is plenty of it with lots of big time explosions. Shakespeare it's not.
Still I liked the actors. I thought they were well cast. I admit I have a fondness for Sam Shepherd an actor in my opinion who never bought into the Hollywood glamour ideals. He makes the best of a disappointing role playing an over zealous military commander.
But, I really liked the female pilot. I thought she was the obligatory eye candy until she took off her jacket and revealed well developed deltoids and (gasp) triceps, a woman with real muscles, no skinny chick with fake boobs! With a slight stretch of imagination, it's almost conceivable that she could survive being shot down and chased in enemy territory.
As I said before , the plot and the characters were not the reasons I saw the film. The B-2's stole the show.
So why is it that every single review I've read or seen absolutely pans it? Am I the only person on Earth mesmerized by the power, beauty and technological wonder of the Stealth fighter? Of course not.
I don't think the critics want you to like this movie. Americans aren't supposed to be awestruck by the incredible technology our military advances. We're not supposed to be impressed by Aircraft Carriers and the precision flying required to land on them. We're not supposed to be astonished by in-flight refueling. The tools of the military are "war machines" and should in no way be glorified , much more be sources of entertainment. Well phooey!
Stealth is an exciting, action packed, beautifully filmed movie. I plan on seeing it several times and maybe even picking up the soundtrack. Chrissy Hynde from the Pretenders sings. So don't be fooled by the reviews (and the somewhat preposterous plot). It's still worth seeing.

Hooray to the Students for Saving Social Security

Finally the people who will be most impacted by the current Social Security system are speaking up at Secure Our Future.

"Students for Saving Social Security is a grassroots network on college campuses across the country. We represent the interests of our generation by advocating for genuine Social Security reform through personal ownership. "

"Students for Saving Social Security will lead the charge to inform, organize, and mobilize today's college students to engage in the Social Security debate. Through honest, non-partisan debate we hope to represent the interests of young Americans. We want politicians to understand that an entire generation of voters can be won – or lost – on an issue with lasting implications for our future."

I would suggest reading Kerry, Lieberman used to favor Personal Retirement Accounts and Remembering the Hyde Park Declaration which are both excellent bi-partisan arguements for reform.

Moon Trees

I've never heard of moon trees before. But thinking about them sort of appeals to me. Afterall what could a moon tree be? My mind conjures up unearthly images, weird surreal things, foreign to my existance and experiences. It's like visualizing oxymorons, looking for unlikely combinations and obvious contradictions, studying the absurd. No wonder I like science fiction and abstractions so well. Alas! The truth is rarely as compelling. Moon trees are the results of seeds that traveled to the moon on Apollo 14. You can read about them
here and here.