My Manifesto: The Incoherent Ramblings of a Madman

Glorified G - Pearl Jam

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Got a gun. Fact I got two. That's Ok man 'cause I love god.
Glorified version of a pellet gun feels so manly when armed.

Glorified version of a pellet gun.
Glorified version of a pellet gun.
Glorified version of a pellet gun.
Glorified version of a pellet gun.

Don't think dumb is strength. Never shot at a living thing.
Glorified version of a pellet gun feels so manly when armed.

Glorified version of a pellet gun.
Glorified version of a pellet gun.
Glorified version of a pellet gun.
Glorified version of a pellet gun.
Glorified version of a...

Always keep it loaded.
Always keep it loaded.
Always keep it loaded.
Kindred to be an American.

Life comes... I can feel your heart.
Ooh, life comes... I can feel your heart in your neck.
Life comes... I can feel your heart in your neck.
Like some... I can steal your heart from your neck. Oh.
Glorified.
Glorified.
Glorified.

I have been looking into the stormwater drainage issues in town lately. It is really annoying that the people who complain the loudest have the least worries and vice-versa. The person who had a bit of water lap their bottom corner of their garden complains almost daily till i get there to inspect - the person who has water up to waist height - was like: "Well - you win some, you lose some"

Usually the problems are easy to work out. The designers and certifiers haven't followed the Australian Standards (of the day), they haven't followed the laws (of the day), and they haven't followed the Council Standards (of the day) - when you compare the old standards with todays - they are no where near complying.

Today was different. Today was the day when the design worked on paper. Today was the day when they abided by the current standards. Today was the day when everything should have been fine in an ideal world. Today was the day that the utopian design should still be running at optimal condition because it was checked by maintenance and found to be fine. Today was the day I was perplexed. I sort of sat there for half an hour trying to work out how in the hell I could show what was wrong with it. It fails in practice - there is obviously something wrong - but on paper it complies.

Tomorrow is the day I work out why.

There's a few to many McDonalds Senior executives getting cancer lately for my liking - coincidence? I think not.

They Don't Come Any Dumber...

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Bemused diners watched as three hapless thieves unsuccessfully tried to kick open a sliding door in a botched attempt to rob an Australian seafood restaurant, police said on Monday.

The men, wearing balaclavas, ran off empty-handed but left their bootprints on the industrial-strength glass door in a robbery bid that Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio said could have been mistaken as "a rehearsal for a slapstick comedy."

Police said about 20 diners watched as the men, one of whom was carrying a knife, tried to push open the door of the restaurant in the coastal village of Gerringong, 140 km (85 miles) south of Sydney, and then began kicking the glass.

"They're probably more dangerous because they're dumb," police investigator Jamie Williams said.

Restaurant owner Greg Moore said diners remained calm as they watched events unfold while enjoying dessert and coffee.

"The door's open, the sign says 'Slide' but obviously with their balaclavas they couldn't read too well," Moore said.

Diners were given complimentary bottles of wine after the bizarre episode. Police later found what they believe to be a stolen car used in the robbery attempt, and are continuing their investigations.

"The people of your culture blame human nature for their troubles. It's still true that you think of yourselves as belonging to a flawed, doomed race, but now we both have a better understanding of why you think of yourselves this way. It serves a purpose. It enables you to shift blame from yourselves to something that is beyond your control--human nature. You are blameless. The fault is in human nature itself, which you cannot change."

My Ishmael

The 5 year treaty for landmines has ended. The worlds largest producers of landmines never signed the original treaty to begin with. Now no country is under any obligation to stop making landmines. The scary thing is they haven't even managed to remove the last lot of landmines that were put down pre-treaty. Now there is no treaty - what will happen? Bill Clinton was in power when the landmine treaty wasn't signed by America: "There is a line that I simply cannot cross - that line is the safety and security of our men and women in uniform". America changed the name of landmines to "devices" so that when they promised to destroy a large amount of landmines in 1998 - effectively they were destroying old stock. Thirty-four (34) percent (%) of all American Gulf War 1 casulties were caused by American landmines laid by themselves to protect themselves from the Iraqi's.

An extract from a web-page on landmines.

Fields of Nightmares
The Not-Yet Eliminated Global Landmine Industry
by E. J. Hogendoorn
Multinational Monitor, March, 1998

From 1969 to 1992, the United States exported 4.4 million AP mines to at least 34 different countries. U.S. mines have been sown in Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Cuba, Iraq, Kuwait, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Korea, Sudan and Vietnam.

Forty-seven U.S. companies have been involved in the manufacture of anti-personnel landmines, their components or delivery systems. Because U.S. stockpiles are full, there is apparently no current production of AP mines.

With 19 other producer states refusing to sign the Ottawa Treaty, the threat of ongoing or renewed AI' production and commerce is not limited to the United States. Among the other countries that will face increased scrutiny are:

* China, probably one of the two largest producers of AP mines today. The China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) and Chinese state factories produce a variety of mines, including the Type 72, one of the most common AP mines in mine-infested countries. China has declared an export moratorium.

* Egypt, one of the most significant mine producers in the developing world (as well as one of the most mine-affected, with an estimated 23 million uncleared landmines). Egyptian landmine producers include the Heliopolis Company for Chemical Industries, Kaha Company for Chemical Industries, and Maasara Company for Engineering Industries (all controlled by the Ministry of War Production). Many mines produced in Egypt are copies of mines designed in the United States, Italy and Russia. Egyptian mines have been found in Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Nicaragua, Rwanda and Somalia. Egypt has declared an export moratorium.

* Iraq, which produces a wide variety of AP mines. Although Iraq has imported huge quantities of mines, Iraqi factories have also produced copies of Italian, Yugoslavian and Russian mines. Iraq used huge numbers of mines in Kuwait and Iraqi Kurdistan, and is alleged to have exported AP mines.

* Israel, home to Explosives Industries Ltd. and Israeli Military Industries, which produce at least three different AP mines. Israeli mines have reportedly been sold to Argentina (used in the Falklands/Malvinas War), Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nigeria and Zaire. Israel has declared an export moratorium.

* Pakistan, which is among the largest AP mine producers in the developing world. Pakistan Ordnance Factories manufactures several types of AP mines. (The Pakistan Ordnance Factories' marketing campaign for the P4 MK2 included an unusually candid description of the mine's design. "The mine has been designed with a view to disable personnel," says a company brochure. "Operating research has shown that it is better to disable a man than to kill him. A wounded man requires attention, conveyance and evacuation to the rear, thus caus[ing] disturbances in the traffic lines of the combat area. Also, a wounded person has a detrimental psychological effect on his fellow soldiers.") Pakistani mines have been found in Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia. Pakistan has declared a moratorium on exports of AP mines.

* Russia, probably one of the two largest producers of AP mines in the world. Most of the Russian production facilities are still state owned, although many of the export decisions are made privately by factory managers. Russia has recently declared an export moratorium.

* Singapore, which is one of the most significant producers of mines in the developing world. Chartered Industries, controlled by the state-owned Sheng-Li Holding Company, produces and markets copies of two Valsella (Italy) designed AP mines. Singapore is reported to have exported AP mines to Iraq, among other places. Singapore has declared a moratorium on exports of AP mines.

* South Korea, where the Daewoo Corporation and Korea Explosives Company Ltd. produce landmines for the South Korean armed forces. It is not known if South Korea has exported landmines.

* Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), which inherited some of the former Yugoslavian landmine production capability (the other former Yugoslav republics have signed the Ottawa Treaty). Yugoimport is the holding company for the Federal Directorate of Supply and procurement (SDPR), which manages the export of Yugoslavian weapons. Yugoslavia exported a large number of AP mines and millions were used during the war in Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia has exported AP mines to Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Namibia. South Africa and Zambia.

They had this documentary on tonight that dealt with how China being the worlds "fastest growing economy" was going to become the worlds largest polluter. There were American scientists and academics there shaking their heads in shame at how China could care so little about the environment in its quest to become the worlds primary economy.

People in glass houses should not throw stones.

Is there anything wrong with ironing clothes dry? (Other than the fact it's wasteful on energy resources)

The bucks party was alright. I was expecting the right-wing christians to not know how to have fun on a bucks night - after all - if you take out the alcohol and the hookers/strippers there's usually not much left you can do on a bucks night.

The premise - Anthony had to complete a list of 10 things which was loosely as follows:

1. Purchase condoms.
The catch was that all he could say when purchasing them was "I love condoms". It went like this:

"How are you today?"
"I love condoms"
"That'll be $6.95"
"I love condoms"
"Have a good day"
"I love condomes"

The girl was quite distressed.

2. Walk from one side of Glendale (think yanksville style strip mall) to the other side of Glendale in nothing but his underwear.

The scary thing was there were old men yelling out in excitment: "Take it all off! Take it all off!"

3. Everytime there was a red light had to open up the car doors...get out and run around the car in cirles...this was lame, rather dangerous, and managed to get them in trouble with the police.

4. Wear a dress outside.

Originally he was to wait half an hour in a movie theatre line with a dress on - the trouble was - there was no one there waiting in line, and those who were, didn't even raise an eyebrow when they saw him in the dress. Apparantly those Charlestown people think nothing of a 6 foot burly man in a dress. So we went to the only place we could find where people were - a pub - it worked to his favour. He was being complimented and shouted beers by everyone. He really was the hit of the pub - ah the laughs we had at his expense.

5. Give a girl his phone number

This was the most bizarre thing. He managed to pull a girl at Hungry Jacks (i.e Burger King) aside as she was cleaning up outside. So he had to essentially stalk her outside. He gives her his number on a piece of paper after an awkward conversation along the lines of:

"You look nice. When do you get off work? Can I give you my number?"
"UMMmmmm..sure" *puts number into garbage she is cleaning up - walks straight inside - tells the manager - and he hides her outback as they move into emergency type procedures expecting Anthony to be some type of crazed stalker*

I cannot for the life of me manage how the hell he could be so awkward as to scare a girl so much. It's damn good that he's getting married - otherwise he'd have no hope in hell of picking up if fear is the only emotion he can get out of girls. For the record she looked NICE :)

6. Criticise the food - but compliment the waitress.

"That meat was a rough ride- but I like 'em rough" etc.

Again she managed to get weirded out. He certainly is a ladies man.

7,8,9,10 i have no idea what the rest were.

Ah - fun times.

Aria top 50 Albums has 15 of the top 50 as "greatest hits"

E! Online:

1. Encore, Eminem
2. Greatest Hits, Shania Twain
3. Greatest Hits 2, Toby Keith
4. Greatest Hits: My Prerogative, Britney Spears
5. Now That's What I Call Music! 17, various
6. Real Talk, Fabolous
7. R.U.L.E., Ja Rule
8. Confessions, Usher
9. Suit, Nelly
10. 50 Number Ones, George Strait


Where the hell has all the creative talent gone? What the hell is happening to the world? How in the hell did Britney Spears manage to get a greatest hits album? call me crazy - but shouldn't you have more than two albums that have "hits" on them before bringing out a "greatest hits" album?

Samantha Fox, Atomic Kitten, Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Sublime, Robbie Williams, Amy Grant, Lonestar, Bare Naked Ladies, Lenny Kravitz, Creed, Leanne Rimes, Collective Soul, Mariah Carey, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, MC Hammer,Weird Al Yankovic, Taylor Dayne, New Kids on the Block, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Baha Men, Big Audio Dynamite, etc, etc.....HAS THE WORLD GONE MAD?

I prefer to remember her sober and in her glory days:

.

I've been watching to many zombie movies lately. Tonight is one of those nights where i should have given them a miss - even without the zombie movie there has been a high speed police chase that nearly hit my car, and a rowdy bunch of people smashing things outside who I hope, for my sake, aren't yelling "brrrrrraaaaainnnnns"

i understand that each division within Microsoft is a business unit and, i presume, works as a different entity - but is MSN creating a computer search engine really such a great idea? Would it not be better for MSN to get into bed with the Windows division and just make a decent computer search engine to begin with? Or create a decent search engine that comes in the next Windows update?

The online search engine that MSN is working on, well, that is fine - but competing in the desktop search engine stakes seems ludicrous when Windows is meant to already have a search engine!

CONFESSIONS OF A CULTURAL ELITIST - Ted Rall

Win or Lose, Kerry Voters Are Smarter Than Bush Voters

Democratic hand wringing is surrealy out of hand. No one is criticizing the morally incongruous Kerry for running against a war he voted for while insisting that he would have voted for it again. Party leaders have yet to consider that NAFTA, signed into law under Clinton, may have cost them high-unemployment Ohio. No, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, darling of the "centrist" Democratic Leadership Council, blames something else: the perception "in the heartland" that Democrats are a "bicoastal cultural elite that is condescending at best and contemptuous at worst to the values that Americans hold in their daily lives."

Firstly, living in the sticks doesn't make you more American. Rural, urban or suburban--they're irrelevant. San Francisco's predominantly gay Castro district is every bit as red, white and blue as the Texas panhandle. But if militant Christianist Republicans from inland backwaters believe that secular liberal Democrats from the big coastal cities look upon them with disdain, there's a reason. We do, and all the more so after this election.

I spent my childhood in fly-over country, in a decidedly Republican town in southwest Ohio. It was a decent place to grow up, with well-funded public schools and only the occasional marauding serial killer to worry about. The only ethnic restaurant sold something called "Mandarin Chinese," Midwestese for cold noodles slathered with sugary sauce. The county had three major employers: the Air Force, Mead Paper, and National Cash Register--and NCR was constantly laying people off. Folks were nice, but depressingly closed-minded. "Well," they'd grimace when confronted with a new musical genre or fashion trend, "that's different." My suburb was racially insular, culturally bland and intellectually unstimulating. Its people were knee-jerk conformists. Faced with the prospect of spending my life underemployed, bored and soused, I did what anyone with a bit of ambition would do. I went to college in a big city and stayed there.

Mine is a common story. Every day in America, hundreds of our most talented young men and women flee the suburbs and rural communities for big cities, especially those on the West and East Coasts. Their youthful vigor fuels these metropolises--the cultural capitals of the blue states. These oases of liberal thinking--New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Boston--are homes to our best-educated people, most vibrant popular culture and most innovative and productive businesses. There are exceptions--some smart people move from cities to the countryside--but the best and brightest gravitate to places where liberalism rules.

Maps showing Kerry's blue states appended to the "United States of Canada" separated from Bush's red "Jesusland" are circulating by email. Though there is a religious component to the election results, the biggest red-blue divide is intellectual. "How can 59,054,087 people be so DUMB?" asked the headline of the Daily Mirror in Great Britain, and the underlying assumption is undeniable. By any objective standard, you had to be spectacularly stupid to support Bush.

72 percent who cast votes for George W. Bush, according to a University of Maryland's Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) and Knowledge Networks poll, believe that Iraq (news - web sites) had weapons of mass destruction or active WMD programs. 75 percent think that a Saddam-Al Qaeda link has been proven, and 20 percent say Saddam ordered 9/11. Of course, none of this was true.

Kerry voters were less than half as idiotic: 26 percent of Democrats bought into Bush-Cheney's WMD lies, and 30 percent into Saddam-Al Qaeda.

Would Bush's supporters have voted for him even if they had known he was a serial liar? Perhaps their hatred of homosexuals and slutty abortion vixens would have prompted them to make the same choice--an idiotic perversion of priorities. As things stand, they cast their ballots relying on assumptions that were demonstrably false.

Educational achievement doesn't necessarily equal intelligence. After all, Bush holds a Harvard MBA. Still, it bears noting that Democrats are better educated than Republicans. You are 25 percent more likely to hold a college degree if you live in the Democratic northeast than in the red state south. Blue state voters are 25 percent more likely, therefore, to understand the historical and cultural ramifications of Bush's brand of bull-in-a-china-shop foreign policy.

Inland Americans face a bigger challenge than coastal "cultural elitists" when it comes to finding high-quality news coverage. The best newspapers, which routinely win prizes for their in-depth local and national reporting and staffers overseas, line the coasts. So do the cable TV networks with the broadest offerings and most independent radio stations. Bush Country makes do with Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity syndicated on one cookie-cutter AM outlet after another. Citizens of the blue states read lackluster dailies stuffed with generic stories cut and pasted from wire services. Given their dismal access to high-quality media, it's a minor miracle that 40 percent of Mississippians turned out for Kerry.

So our guy lost the election. Why shouldn't those of us on the coasts feel superior? We eat better, travel more, dress better, watch cooler movies, earn better salaries, meet more interesting people, listen to better music and know more about what's going on in the world. If you voted for Bush, we accept that we have to share the country with you. We're adjusting to the possibility that there may be more of you than there are of us. But don't demand our respect. You lost it on November 2.

You know how people say that "i'll try anything once!" ? I guess it is one of those cliches that almost means the exact same thing as "you have to be in it to win it" or even "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" - well all that is crap. If anyone ever offers you pineapple or orange flavoured icecream tell them:

"Adam said it's crap so I won't even bother trying it once" and for good measure you could even try throwing in a:

"I don't care how great tasting you're pretending that stuff is - there's no way in hell you can use your treacherous trickery to try and make me help you eat it! I'm awake to your games! Try giving it to the dog!"

I think the next icecream I get will be something along the usual flavours of vanilla and something, chocolate and something, peppermint and something, caramel and something and various variants there of.

Bush, Blair and Howard - the axis of evil will most likely remain in power.

Do we blame the week opposition? Or do we blame ourselves for being dim-witted racist fucks? Or both?

I'd say option three is the most likely - if we had a real opposition that actually stood for something, other than almost the exact same thing as the incubent parties, then maybe there would be some change. The next hurdle is actually making the majority of us see that there needs to be.