Color Coding

I knew vaguely that NBC had at one time had two parallel networks, the Red Network and the Blue, and that one of them had been sold off and become a separate network. I'd always had a vague intention to look up which network was which -- was the modern NBC the Blue Network? Was CBS the Red?

I had the feeling that ABC was the original competitor to NBC -- the American network versus the National, like with baseball leagues, right? -- and with those names taken, the spinoff network had to settle for the lesser alternative of "Columbia", right? But somehow I never thought to look them up when I was on the Internet, or at the library.

Today I finally did think of looking it up, and found that I was, as is so often the case, about half right:

NBC was the first commercial broadcast network. Almost from the first, they had separate Red and Blue feeds (also regional networks called White, Orange and Gold). Also almost from the first, their upstart rival CBS (founded by the Columbia record label) complained that the color-coded networks were the beginnings of a broadcast monopoly. In 1937, the Blue Network was sold off, briefly known simply as "the Blue Network" and eventually renamed ABC, while NBC retained the Red Network.

Some people at NBC remembered over the years: when they adopted their "Big N" logo in 1976, it was made up of two identical shapes, one red and one blue. In 1992, the network ran three separate feeds of Olympic coverage: Red, White and Blue.

Well, I suppose very few people under seventy know or care about all this, but I'm pleased to finally know the whole story. I still harbor a fond hope that one day NBC will offer Red andBlue" cable feeds, even though these days people would doubtless be expecting some "Red and Blue political agenda.

//The Magic Eight-Ball says, "Knowing where you come from helps you to know where you're going."\\

The Amazing Power of Bill O'Reilly

He makes me think seriously about watching Keith Olbermann's show.

Know what would make me feel powerful? Believing that my votew in the 2006 election will be counted.

I doubt whether buying a pixel's worth of the Internet would make me feel powerful, but it doesn't cost much.

Still, disempowered as I am, at least I don't have to eat off this menu.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Easy, there."\\

Dances with Golden Retrievers

Spring Break progresses. I have downloaded my first reading assignments for Spring Term, but have not yet started on them. Gee whiz, it's only Wednesday.

Kathe sent me a link to a story which is funny, but also a chilling object lesson. The lesson being, buy a paper shredder (or gerbils).

And speaking of animal-based tehcnology, Jake sent me a link to an article about cybernetic war-butterflies.

Kathe also sent me a link to the Worst. Website. Ever. It reminded both of us of the posters people made, back when the Mac was new, unable to restrain themselves from printing in a dozen different fonts.

Much better websites, also visited by me due to a link sent me by Kathe, include Waste and Chase Me Ladies, I'm in the Cavalry
.

Finally, Kathe sent me a link to a video which confirms the stereotype that Golden Retrievers are immensely fond of running around and playing -- and demolishes the stereotype that they're stupid.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Honor competence, even among the humble."\\

Why'd He Say That?

The International Planned Parenthood Foundation wants the U.N. to choose its first female Secretary-General. Sounds like a good idea to me.

MoveOn thinks it would be nice if the corporate news media actually tried some of that "fair and balanced" stuff. I'll buy that.

Al-Qaida member Zacarias Moussaoui, on trial for his alleged involvement in the 9-11 attacks, now claims that he was supposed to hijack a fifth plane and crash it into the White House, along with Richard Reid, the Get Smart shoe bomber.

I don't believe it. It doesn't ring true to me. On the other hand, what benefit would he gain from telling such a lie? Sow confusion among the enemy?

But what benefit does he gain by telling such a truth, either?

The only thing I can think of is that he wants to make sure he is executed. No doubt he'd rather be a martyr than a plain old convict.

I hope they don't execute him. I hope he gets to grow old in prison, gradually forgotten by the world like the surviving members of that other conservative faith-based organization, the Order.

I like the thought of a frail old man hobbling down the corridors of a prison, and a young guard asking why he's there.

"He's a terrorist," says an old guard. "He killed people for his cause."

"What cause was that?" the young guard asks, and on being told "White supremacy" or "The Wahabi interpretation of Islam" or "stopping women from controlling their own reproductive functions", the young guard may be excused from looking blank, or bursting out laughing.

"He threw his life away for that?"

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Future prospects are good."\\

Homeland Security

It not only doesn't work,

It doesn't even work.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Ask again later."\\

Yes, Let's Do Hear the Revolution, But....

I'm enjoying Spring Break. I don't even mind working night shifts during the break, since it gives me an opportunity to watch gorgeous spring sunrises. I'm spending nights at a house way out on the Valley floor, with no buildings to block my view to the east. Most mornings, the sky is overcast, but even then the light is beautiful.

Now if only Mercury were a morning star this month. I always like to get a glimpse of it, and so rarely get the chance.

I am favorably impressed by what I saw at heartherevolution.com. I believe that their hearts are in the right place.

What a shame, then, that they chose to engage in a slimy practice like posting advertising spam in the Comments section of this blog. What a shame. And shame on them.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Begin as you mean to go on."\\

Pointless But Funny

Some people are as offended by dog-breed stereotypes as they are by ethnic stereotypes. For the rest, there's:

How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?

Border Collie: "Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code."

Afghan: "Light bulb? What light bulb?"

Golden Retriever: "The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned-out light bulb?"

Rottweiler: "Just one. You want to make something of it?"

Lab: "Oh, me, me! Pleeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Can I? Huh? Can I?"

Jack Russell Terrier: "I'll just pop it in while I am bouncing off the walls and furniture."

Cocker Spaniel: "Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark."

Pointer: "I see it, there it is, there it is, right there . . . ."

Greyhound: "It isn't moving so who cares?"

Australian Shepard: "First I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle . . ."

Boxer: "If I could stop wiggling my butt long enough to quit falling off the chair..."

Golden Retriever #2: "I'll be glad to change the light bulb for you, but first can't we play catch with the tennis ball, or frisbee - and then I want to lick your face and rest my head in your lap and look up at you with my sad eyes. What, you're changing the light bulb yourself - you didn't have to do that - but I looooove you so much for being my friend and doing that."

Dalmatian: "Just one, but I will really hate the new bulb."

Wolf-dog hybrid: "Let me see that light bulb, anyway. What's it made of, what's inside of it, what will happen if I drop it. I might change it, but let me think about it. You're not trying to tell me what to do, are you? Hey, I just had a great idea. I think I'll change that light bulb!"

Pit bull: "Just one, but then I'll hang on to it, dangling from it until the ceiling falls in."

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Shame on you."

Keeping America Safe From Old Ladies in Funny Hats

Demonstrating the Administration's usual keen grasp of priorities....

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Don't read the news anymore. Go listen to old radio shows at http://otr.net instead."\\

I'm Back

After being mysteriously white-screened for days on end, this blog is back online.

To celebrate, I'll post here some nifty things Kathe has sent me:

Distressing evidence of evolution in action: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,184973,00.html


An amusing meme generator: http://memegen.net/viewmeme.pl?meme=1074766802

A highly educational filmstrip: http://www.filmstripinternational.com/

Really good news (for a change) out of South Dakota: http://www.indianz.com/News/2006/013061.asp

An awe-inspiring database of sidewalk art: http://rense.com/general67/street.htm

The Calvin and Hobbes Searchable Database: http://www.transmogrifier.org/ch/comics/search.cgi

A discussion of dangling modifiers. You know, like Jesus: http://www.yarnivore.com/francis/archives/001463.html

The Telemarketing Counterscript: http://www.xs4all.nl/~egbg/counterscript.html


A marvelous idea: that arguing should not be considered "fighting" but rather "carpentry": http://ozarque.livejournal.com/214503.html?style=mine


A mathematical joke: 2+2=5*

*for extrememly lage values of 2

Scruffy, the world's cutest sea urchin:

http://user.mc.net/~mena/scruffy/scruffy.htm


Teaching your fish to play soccer: http://www.fish-school.com/

And finishing off the fishy theme, the ultimate sea creature, the Intelligent Octopode Designer: http://xiphias.livejournal.com/292111.html

And also something I found on my own:

Joan's Army. Joan of Arc, that is. A blog devoted to tough chicks who aren't going to take it from the patriarchy any more: http://joansarmy.blogspot.com/

Anyway, I'm back. I'm sure that will be a relief to both of you.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Don't fish for compliments."\\

I'm (Still) In

It was very close, but apparently my grades for Winter Term are juuuust good enough for me to return for Spring Term, and continue on my way to becoming a nurse.

But really, I must not let it get so close henceforth.

Now that I'm on Spring Break, I can catch up with some of the news, like this Ben Domenech guy.

Well, good Heavens, what a guy!

What else have I been missing?

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Are you sure you want to know?"\\

Jake sent me this

Kathe's son Jake sent me this:

A recent SPAM enticing me to become involved in the import of "artificial
arts and crafts." They have a comprehensive database...

------------------------
Dear Intended partner,

On behalf of China HuaMao Arts & Crafts Organisation, it's our pleasure to
introduce to you our new sales/marketing initiative as we are world
leading producer and export of artificial arts and crafts. The company
maintains a comprehensive database of inter-national trade in artificial
arts and crafts, we export into Canada/America and some parts of Europe...

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Stick to natural crafts."\\

Architectural Tromp L'Oeil

L'oeil needs to take a nap now....

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Ever see a bloshot 8-Ball before?"\\

Reptilians in Government

Has the U.S. government been taken over by inhuman blood-drinking reptilian creatures?

No, I mean, literally?

No, of course it hasn't, but it sure is fun to read about it at educate-yourself.org.

There's something very entertaining in the combination of paranoid looniness and inadvertant political satire found here.

It's no V for Vendetta, but it's worth a look.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Are you entirely sure?"\\

How Not To Do It

Handle liquid nitrogen, that is.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Ouch."\\

Oops

The last week of classes finishes. Next comes finals week. Meanwhile, I'm visiting Feministe instead of studying, following a link Kathe sent me, checking out these embarrassing answers to casual nosy questions: http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/03/16/open-mouth-insert-foot/

I also liked the "nerd headstone" piece at Feministe:

http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2006/03/16/2453/#comments

http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=1936061

Although my all-time favorite nerd headstone is still HGWells':

I TOLD YOU SO

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "It is better if people wonder why you do not speak, than if they wonder why you do."\\

Wisdom From the Ancestors

Well, I got it from Jake, and I don't know where he got it, but:

On April 20, 1795, James Madison, who had just helped shepherd through the
Constitution and Bill of Rights, and would become President of the United
States in the following decade, wrote:

"Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be
dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is
the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes. And armies, and
debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the
domination of the few."

"In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended. Its
influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied;
and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing
the force of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be
traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud,
growing out of a state of war...and in the degeneracy of manners and
morals, engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the
midst of continual warfare."

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Sigh."\\

Cover the Uninsured

No, Mr. Gonzales, not with your sidearm, they're not attacking (though they're entitled to).

No, Rev. Robertson, not with your overcoat, they're uninsured, not naked. Besides, who knows where that overcoat has been -- I notice it has slit pockets.

No, Mr. Guckert, please step back. This is real news, not the kind you cover.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Be nice."\\

And Then Kathe Sent Me...

From Shakespeare's Sister:

The so-called "Let the People Decide" bill claims to be about controlling corruption by replacing private funding with public monies. In practice, it is about making it impossible for a small party to gain the influence needed to become a larger one. Under this bill, public money is available only to those parties who manage to gain signatures equal to at least 10% of the previous vote for partial funding, and at least 20% for full funding. That's bad enough, but here's the kicker: "candidates who don't qualify for funding would be barred from spending any privately raised money on their campaigns."

You read that right. If you don't qualify for public funds, you don't get to use your own funds either.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Do the right thing."\\

Impeachment When?

Right now?

Or after the November election?

I can see good arguments on both sides.

I don't see a single damned reason not to ITMFA.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Me, neither."\\

Good News

Had to go far enough to get some: There is evidence of liquid water on Enceladus.

On the other hand, there is also evidence of liquid water on the continental landmass of Antarctica, where it would really be better for us if there weren't.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "I hope that when the school year ends you start to lighten up."\\

Maria Cantwell Sent Me This

How thoughtful of her.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Virtue is a woman's finest decoration."\\

Kathe Sent Me This

Kathe sent me this:

One of my favorite quotations is the famous one from Thomas Hobbes (a veritable musician of the English language). But here's a new take on it, from Ken McLeod's blog:

As one of Ted Hondereich's students wrote in an essay, 'Hobbes tells us that life in the state of nature is poor, solitary, nasty, British and short.'


And this:

It's been too long since we visited Planet of the Geeks:

http://www.planetofthegeeks.com/


And this:

http://www.world-science.net/othernews/060216_causefrm.htm

And this, which is awfully cute:

http://www.clocky.net/

And this:

http://www.woot.com

And this, which takes fanfic to a new level:

http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/

And this:

forgot to tell you all, I had dental surgery yesterday. An abcess suddenly appeared, having eaten a hole clear through my lower jaw. Fortunately, I was able to get it taken care of right away. Unfortunately, as I discovered, dentists no longer bill, and it cost $1113.00!!! Fortunately, I was able to pay. I don't know what the dentist would have done if I had not been able. If you have dental insurance, or vision care insurance, you are very lucky. My fed employees plan insurance is great in most ways, but it doesn't cover these little optional extras. Of course, if I got knocked over by a car because I couldn't see the traffic signal, my injuries would be fully covered. . .

My poor sweetie. It was painful to watch her lying there, her jaw swollen, reluctanty even to speak because of the residual pain.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Man was made to marry."\\

Medically Amusing

[Recycled from 9 February 2006]

I use a veterinary syringe to remove earwax, myself.

If you can't get one, you might try a turkey baster, although the pressure won't be as great as with a syringe.

Or one of these.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Go with the flow."\\

Who's Next?

Will your state defend the right of incestuous rapists to become fathers as vigorously as South Dakota has?

Maybe you'd like to say something to your representatives about that.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Give it some thought."\\

Michael Brown -- Not As Bad As All That After All

What a bizarre turn of events, that the now-famous pre-Katrina video reveales that, narcissistic incompetent though he might be, Michael Brown wasn't anything like as lackadaisical and callous as he appeared to be, based on material available at the time. He showed signs of genuine concern, by golly. Guess we were too hard on him.

George W. Bush, however, is revealed to be every bit the Nero he seemed to be.

Interesting.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Examine all the facts before you act."\\

Paying Your Bills and Other Terrorist Acts.

Haven't spent much time up here in the lookout. The term is ending, and it looks as though I might well pass, and get to come back again. That'd be nice.

you pay your credit card bill off, instead of letting interest accumulate, then the terrorists have won.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Consider your options."

So, How Open-Minded Are You?

You Are 76% Open Minded

You are so open minded that your brain may have fallen out! Well, not really. But you may be confused on where you stand. You don't have a judgemental bone in your body, and you're very accepting. You enjoy the best of every life philosophy, even if you sometimes contradict yourself.

How Open Minded Are You?

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Flexibility is often mistaken for weakness."\\

Where Ya Been?

Since I don't have an RV to post this map on, I'll put it here:



create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "You are going on a trip."\\

It's Difficult to Parody Little Green Footballs

But they're trying at Little Green Fascists.

Personally, I always refer to that site as "The diaper full of little green footballs", because that's what the phrase makes me think of.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "There's also the smell of the contents."\\

When You Say "Everyone", You Mean...Everyone...?

Pastor Carlton Pearson lost 90 percent of his congregation by adopting the shocking, unheard-of doctrine that when Jesus said salvation was available to everyone...he actually meant everyone.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "Quality vs. quantity, take your pick."\\

What She Said -- I Mean He (Do I?)

Shakespeare's Sister is right when she quotes this person who truly speaks my mind:

The enemy we face is brutal and determined. [They] have an ideology. They share a hateful vision that rejects tolerance and crushes all dissent. They seek a world where women are oppressed, where children are indoctrinated, and those who reject their ideology of violence and extremism are threatened and often murdered.

[They] have aims. They seek to impose their heartless ideology of totalitarian control… To achieve their aims, [they] have turned to the weapon of fear. [They] do not understand America. They're not going to shake our will. We will stay in the hunt, we will never give in, and we will prevail.

Of course, when George W. Bush said those words, he was talking about someone other than his own gaggle of crooks, but they apply equally well to either racket.

//The Magic 8-Ball says, "You said it".\\