Program Note
[ Posted Wednesday, October 28th, 2015 – 11:12 UTC ]
There will be no column today. However, there's a fun reason why I'll be too busy to write: later today I will be appearing in a HuffPost Live conversation, about tonight's upcoming Republican presidential debate. I'm not sure exactly when the panel will appear (some time around 5:00 PM East Coast time), but this link should take you there. So today, instead of reading what I think about the third Republican debate, you can watch and listen instead. Enjoy!
Update: I think that link above may be outdated now. To see the panel discussion segment where I appear, try this link instead.
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
Oh, yeah, should also have added "and I've got to carve the pumpkins."
Any ideas for scary GOP and Dem Jack-o-lanterns, anyone? I'm not sure my carving ability is up to tackling faces, I warn you in advance...
-CW
the donald trump pumpkin: it's HUGE!
I was thinking of doing just Trump's hair.
Make it into a scary beast with glowing eyes, maybe?
I dunno....
As for the Dems, what? An FBI logo? (snerk, snerk)
-CW
nypoet22 -
You forgot: It's HUGE! And it's ORANGE!!!
Heh.
-CW
It's the biggest and the best pumpkin in the history of pumpkins, and all the other pumpkins are losers!
JL
p.s. enjoy the live panel and do us proud
I created a nice stencil for a Trumpkin, but it was too complex for my carving skills and the poor pumpkin was repurposed as pie filler. A pity.
You should carve a pot leaf on that Jack-O-Lantern. I'm expecting a heaping helping of reefer madness tonight.
What was that thing you were holding?
John From Censornati [8] -
My microphone wasn't up to snuff, so they called me up and I did the whole thing while holding a phone. That's an AT&T desk phone receiver, circa 1960s. Heh.
As for CO, I was all ready with the line: "Well, since it's in Colorado, maybe Rand Paul will show up stoned. But I sincerely hope Carson doesn't partake before the debate, because a stoned Carson would tip him over into appearing almost comatose."
Heh.
:-)
-CW
Oh, I should mention I've updated the link, above. I think the first link is just for "here's what's coming up," whereas the second link takes you right to the show I was on.
-CW
Watched the spot -- was it fun? You looked and sounded good!
OHMYGOD!!
CW, did you notice the name of one of the ladies that you were on with!
That's the FIRST time I have seen that name outside of our family!!
Interesting... :D
Haven't watched the spot yet... The lovely wife and I are watching THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Michale
Paula -
Yep, it was pretty fun. Thanks for the good review!
Michale -
I did notice that -- only other one I've ever come across as well. Which reminds me, give my regards to your wife!
You don't have any ideas for a Dem pumpkin? C'mon, I gotta get the Hallowe'en column out this Friday -- what would be the Dems biggest nightmare?
:-)
-CW
You don't have any ideas for a Dem pumpkin? C'mon, I gotta get the Hallowe'en column out this Friday -- what would be the Dems biggest nightmare?
Besides me?? :D
President Carly Fiornia...
Can you imagined how much that would piss off the Democrats that a REPUBLICAN broke their vaunted glass ceiling.. :D
Michale
Re: The 3rd GOP Debate...
Well.. THAT was fun! :D
Michale
I think Rubio had the best line..
"The Democrat Party has a Super PAC. It's the media.."
Heh
"It's funny because it's true"
-Homer Simpson
:D
Michale
I did notice that -- only other one I've ever come across as well. Which reminds me, give my regards to your wife!
As soon as she wakes up.. :D
She get's to sleep in... Til 0445.. :D
Michale
Hmmmmmm....
http://sjfm.us/temp/pinicho.jpg
Do I see a little of Pinocchio in Reince Priebus?? heh
:D
Michale
I can't let the Left Wingery off the hook, so...
http://cdn.newsbusters.org/cartoons/33411_image.jpg
Once again...
"It's funny because it's true.."
-Homer Simpson
:D
Michale
Michale [14] -
OK, you've got me thinking. I thought Pres. Trump would be the worst, but you do make a strong case for Pres. Fiorina, I have to admit.
[18] -
OK, that photo of the guy I like to refer to as "RNC PR BS" (without the vowels, in other words) is freakin' hilarious!
I don't say this to you often, but this proves you have a true independent heart (and not, as most assume, the dark heart of an uber-Republican). If you were just a GOP stooge, you never would have posted that link...
Heh.
-CW
OK, you've got me thinking. I thought Pres. Trump would be the worst, but you do make a strong case for Pres. Fiorina, I have to admit.
Yea.. I think if we actually had a POTUS Piorina, the Left's heads would collectively EXPLODE from indignation..
OK, that photo of the guy I like to refer to as "RNC PR BS" (without the vowels, in other words) is freakin' hilarious!
I don't say this to you often, but this proves you have a true independent heart (and not, as most assume, the dark heart of an uber-Republican). If you were just a GOP stooge, you never would have posted that link...
"I know, right??"
-Felix, WRECK IT RALPH
:D
In all seriousness, thanx. I sincerely appreciate the acknowledgment.. :D
Michale
Yea.. I think if we actually had a POTUS Piorina, the Left's heads would collectively EXPLODE from indignation..
Grrrrr Why to the 'F' and 'P' keys have to be so close together.. :D
That, of course, should read POTUS Fiorina..
My bust...
Michale
So, what's yer thoughts on the debate, CW??
Or is that today's commentary??
Michale
Holy crap, CW
You look so.... so... distinguished!! :D
As you can deduce, I am just now watching the video. :D
Michale
My running thoughts on the video...
Looks like ya jumped on Betina's question, eh? :D
What were some of the offensive things that Carson supposedly said?? What HuffPo showed wasn't offensive at all..
One thing I am struck by is the fairness of the interviewer.. Being HuffPoop, I expected a lot of bambastic "GOP IS EVIL!!" type rhetoric. But she seems very fair and objective in her interview..
Frank makes the point about Trump that *I* have been making.. When you get past all the political bigotry, the hold that the vaunted "-X" has over people, Trump is a DREAM Democrat Candidate...
Paula just made the point in the previous FTP Commentary... She said she may not agree with everything Hillary says or does, but she STILL supports Hillary..
Well, while ya'all might not agree with EVERYTHING Trump says or does, there is PLENTY of Trump ideas that ya'all *CLAIM* to love...
But ya'all just CAN'T get past the "-R" after Trump's name..
It's strange to see a "Republican Strategist" ( I can't call her 'Betina' because that would just be too weird.. :D) arguing FOR illegal immigration..
The girl in the background is playing Galaga!!! :D
"That man is playing Galaga! Thought we wouldn't notice. But we did."
-Tony Stark, AVENGERS
Regarding "GREEN ROOM GATE"...
A *LITTLE* childish?? How about a whole helluva lot childish??
All in all, a sterling performance, CW!! :D
Michale
CW-
Well done! You deserve a better format. Too much moderator, not enough panel, if you know what I mean, but what can you do? Did you know you can crack walnuts with that black phone receiver of yours? Using my Sherlock-like powers of deduction, I conclude you have a lot stuff in your attic and that you or a family member are fond of garage sales.
All-
Having ditched cable (don't get me started), I had no way of watching the debate in real time. That's not all bad, reading transcripts is a lot faster, even if you miss body language, voice inflection and audience response. The papers seem to think Rubio was the standout, and from the printed page I have to agree.
As usual on the morning after the debate, there was a surge in trading volumes and some big inflections/deflections on the Betfair Prediction Market:
Rubio, big uptick, his inferred prob. of winning the nomination is now about 35% and he is the clear market leader. Polls tend to lag the markets, but Rubio is largely an exception to the rule...so far.
Trump, flat p about 17 or 18.% Kind of matched his debate performance. Where is The Old Donald? Audience does not like The New Donald in taste tests.
Bush: how low can he go? Sharp drop to 10%. Only a few weeks back, he was still the market favorite. At his high he was 40%!!! The markets see a candidate in real trouble. Ooohhh Poppy!!! Wipe that smirk off your face Dubya, he's your brother!
Carson also took a big hit, he's now plunging through 7%. His high poll numbers have never been mirrored in the markets.
Cruz showed a sharp uptick, with a quick partial retreat. P around 7% this AM.
Fiorina, steady as she goes, which is down to 4%. Also a candidate in real trouble, but, one who CAN smile!
Cristie, a lot not to love. He may actually be moving cones if this keeps up.
Kasitch, he got some nods from the press, but the markets said thumbs down, again, take a hint!
Also embarrassing, Rand Paul. He's not your father's Paul, the apple has fallen far from the tree, rolled down the street and been squished by the Truck of Public Opinion/Apathy.
Looks like ya jumped on Betina's question, eh? :D
"What's the FIRST rule of Hero's Duty!!??"
"No cuts, no butts, no coconuts??"
-WRECK IT RALPH
:D
Michale
Did you know you can crack walnuts with that black phone receiver of yours?
"When I hit bottom, I was crushing man's skull like sparrow's egg, between my thighs... and I think, why you have to be so bad, Zangief? Why can't you be more like good guy. Then I have moment of clarity... if Zangief is good guy, who will crush man's skull like sparrow's eggs between thighs? And I say, Zangief you are bad guy, but this does not mean you are *bad* guy."
-Zangief, WRECK IT RALPH
:D
Having ditched cable (don't get me started),
I am with ya there! The wife and I haven't watch ANY Cable or Network TV in over a decade...
Granted, I have an 8TB HTPC I have to maintain.. But it's a HELLUVA lot nicer than being chained to a cable..
Michale
TS,
Kasitch, he got some nods from the press, but the markets said thumbs down, again, take a hint!
Interesting that the only candidate with any sense of reality gets a thumbs down from the market.
It's not possible to have a serious conversation about the Republican debates until the candidates start behaving like serious people ...
M-28
Between broadcast HD PBS, NetFlix Blue Ray and Streaming + Google Prime "free" streaming I mostly get by.
"When I hit bottom, I was crushing man's skull like sparrow's egg, between my thighs..."
I'll raise you:
"Three marriages and an adventurous girlhood had left Nanny Ogg with thigh muscles that could crack coconuts…" Terry Pratchet, best fantasy humorist ever, Wyrd Sisters
8TB HTPC???
Storage device? Is that as big as a HAL 9000? Has it ever tried to lock you out of your garage:)
Michale, although you took very thorough precautions in the car against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.
Watched 2001 again for the billionth time last week. It got glass cockpits almost dead on, but not computer processing power. Also got the gait of the early humans is wrong....could not foresee the near demise of Howard Johnson, I think there are just two left, none in orbit.
"Three marriages and an adventurous girlhood had left Nanny Ogg with thigh muscles that could crack coconuts…" Terry Pratchet, best fantasy humorist ever, Wyrd Sisters
I don't get it..
"Hay, Hamm look!! I'm Picasso!"
"Ehhhh, I don't get it.."
"You uncultured swine!! What are you looking at, ya hockey puck!!"
-Potato Head, TOY STORY
:D
8TB HTPC???
Storage device? Is that as big as a HAL 9000? Has it ever tried to lock you out of your garage:)
It's a Windows 7 Bookshelf PC w/ 2 4TB Hard Drives..
I am looking to upgrade to 2 6TB HDs as my hard drives are getting full...
I don't think there's another piece of information we could squeeze into the memory banks. Next time, we'll design a bigger one.
-Carol Marcus, STAR TREK II-The Wrath Of Kahn
I am on a roll!!! :D
Michale, although you took very thorough precautions in the car against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.
Watched 2001 again for the billionth time last week. It got glass cockpits almost dead on, but not computer processing power. Also got the gait of the early humans is wrong....could not foresee the near demise of Howard Johnson, I think there are just two left, none in orbit.
It isn't easy ta do... But ya lost me.. :D
" And I say, Zangief you are bad guy, but this does not mean you are *bad* guy."
"I don't... Ya lost me.."
-WRECK IT RALPH
I am on fire!!! :D
Michale
LIZ -29
Kasitch is a niche politician in the niche political market of purple Ohio. He is a skilled politician, but is not exactly well liked and generally keeps a fairly low profile for a governor. He has a mean streak which he can sort of control/contain. Too moderate to play well in the GOP nomination process. Ohio voters mostly sort of want state government that works, sort of. That's the best I can describe it.
It isn't easy ta do... But ya lost me.. :D
Not a 2001 fan I'll eager. I'll walk you through.
The quote is a slight variation of 2001's dialog when the ship's room sized sentient computer HAL deliberately kills one astronaut and tries tries to strand another in space when he returns from a rescue EVA....
The movie featured actors in prosthetic suits playing early humans (the baby humans were played by baby chimps, presumably working for scale). It's all still very realistic looking, but the "humans" walk like chimps, even though they live in a desert habitat. The fossil Lucy that indicated early humans walked upright wasn't discovered until 1974.
The movie 2001 is loaded with "corporate placement" references to well known late 60's business icons that no longer existed or barely existed by 2001. In the movie, Howard Johnson operates a restaurant on a revolving space station.
Most Americans in 1968 had eaten fried clams at a Howard Johnson (most lived to tell the tale). See Mad Men.
CW-check your E-mail for my Trumpkin stencil!
@TheStig [#30], @Michale [#31]
If y'all gonna geek out here, my home-built HTPC is a Silverstone case, Intel i5, silent fans, with Nvidia GTX650, 8GB ram and 128GB SDD and 1TB HDD, running Win 8.1 (about to be Win10) with Kodi and Argus TV using OTA HD via SiliconDust HDHomeRun, Netflix streaming, Sling (sports), and Plex for streaming away from main TV. It has a Blueray optical drive and is hooked up to a separate file server with 4TB HDD for music media storage.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
TheStig (3):
Terry Pratchet, best fantasy humorist ever
Amen!
Yea, 2001:ASO is a bit before my time...
My geeky SciFi period didn't start til 7th grade.. But I can pinpoint the EXACT circumstances.. :D
RD,
If y'all gonna geek out here, my home-built HTPC is a Silverstone case, Intel i5, silent fans, with Nvidia GTX650, 8GB ram and 128GB SDD and 1TB HDD, running Win 8.1 (about to be Win10) with Kodi and Argus TV using OTA HD via SiliconDust HDHomeRun, Netflix streaming, Sling (sports), and Plex for streaming away from main TV. It has a Blueray optical drive and is hooked up to a separate file server with 4TB HDD for music media storage.
I bow to the master.. :D
I don't really need all the fancy OTA doo-dads.. Mine's a simple Duo Core Bookshelf, 4GB RAM with a HalfHeight 2GB Nvidia Video Card.. But storage?? TB is slowly becoming the GB of the here and now.. :D
What's next?? MB, GB, TB...???
Michale
I don't really need all the fancy OTA doo-dads.. Mine's a simple Duo Core Bookshelf, 4GB RAM with a HalfHeight 2GB Nvidia Video Card.. But storage?? TB is slowly becoming the GB of the here and now.. :D
But it IS running KODI... We're die-hard XBMC'ers all the way back to the original XBOX... Matter of fact, we're so locked into it that we have to use an old XBOX Controller with our current KODI install. :D heh
Michale
TheStig [30] -
Don't forget the TWA shuttle (or was it PanAm?) -- didn't foresee that corporate demise either. Heh.
Although the "news tablet" is now looking pretty prescient, no?
Even with the weird ending, 2001 is still the most influential sci-fi movie of all time. The look and mood of the space scenes raised the bar for everyone who followed.
TheStig [32] -
I think Kasich is (at this point) basically running for veep. Anyone who might bring Ohio with them is going to be tempting for the GOP nominee...
[34] -
I will check my email! Thanks!
:-)
-CW
Rdnewman-35
Sounds like just the thing for some combat flight simulation....there seems to be some new life in that genera. I used to love Mig Alley- a flawed masterpiece. These days, even a $400 machine can handle most of my math needs. It's buying new math software that breaks my bank. I run a lot of old stuff, and even maintain some archaic OS to do so.
Michale, although you took very thorough precautions in the car against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.
Ahhhhh I get it now... :D
Michale
TB is slowly becoming the GB of the here and now.. :D
What's next?? MB, GB, TB...???
Terabyte
Petabyte
Exabyte
Zettabyte
Yottabyte
Anyone know where I can pick up a 1 Petabyte HD?? :D
Michale
M-
You really should watch 2001 - otherwise you'll never appreciate all the parodies and homages that litter TV and film. It really was groundbreaking, although not fully appreciated in 1968. The ultimate stoner movie too!
I think it's still streaming on NetFlix or Amazon...I saw it just last week on one or the other.
CW- Pan Am shuttles. Pan Am aircraft had the most beautiful paint jobs. The picture phone in 2001 was labeled Bell Telephone. I remember an audible gasp from the audience when the charge for the call from space to Earth was shown on the monitor - $1.70 for a 3 minute call!!! That was pretty expensive in 1968. You could buy quite a palace for $50 K in the late 60s. Gas at 29.9 cents a gallon. New car for $3000.
What Does One Petabyte Of Storage (And $500K) Look Like?
http://www.tomshardware.com/picturestory/582-2-petarack-petabyte-sas.html
"Honey, I downloaded the internet!"
Heh
Michale
You really should watch 2001 - otherwise you'll never appreciate all the parodies and homages that litter TV and film. It really was groundbreaking, although not fully appreciated in 1968. The ultimate stoner movie too!
I think it's still streaming on NetFlix or Amazon...I saw it just last week on one or the other.
I am sure I can download it... I am not a big fan of streaming...
Thanx for the recommendation... I have a feeling it might be a bit too cerebral for me (knuckle-dragging ground-pounder, remember?) but I'll give it a shot.. :D
Michale
"The ultimate stoner movie too!"
Too? Haha. I think that's essential if you're gonna watch that one. Isn't it like 6 hours long, man?
I believe that I probably did eat at HoJo's at some point in the distant past. I don't remember for sure. That's probably not a bad thing.
M-
Knuckle dragging dragging pounder? Why, you will feel right at home for the first 30 minutes or so. It's chock full of knuckle dragging and ground pounding! Don't try and figure out what it means, just enjoy the ride. It set the standards of what we know expect in special fx, you can enjoy it on that level alone. Compare and contrast to the original Star Trek, both made at roughly the same time.
JFC - 2hrs 20 or 2 hrs40 depending on the version. Works as movie in normal or altered states of consciousness. Trust me on that one.
@TheStig [#40]
My son and I definitely get some game playing on there, but tends to be more of the Skyrim, Dark Souls variety.
@Michale [#38]
Oh, cool. I just switched from WMC to Kodi so now I know who to ask when I have questions (still have a few little things not quite working as well as I'd like).
@Michael [#44]
Wonder how long the tapes will take to back it all up? Or just hook Google Drive to it and wait for the inevitable email...
Oh, cool. I just switched from WMC to Kodi so now I know who to ask when I have questions (still have a few little things not quite working as well as I'd like).
I'll do what I can.. But I definitely follow the engineer's creed when it comes to Kodi..
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
:D
My big project for my day off is to install the NETFLIX plugin....
Wonder how long the tapes will take to back it all up? Or just hook Google Drive to it and wait for the inevitable email...
Heh... It's taken me about 3 years to nearly fill up 8TB... A PB is simply mind-blowing..
Michale
My son and I definitely get some game playing on there, but tends to be more of the Skyrim, Dark Souls variety.
When our boys were young, I used to set up DUKE NUKEM LAN PARTIES in our rec-room. Have about 10 machines going and they would invite their friends and we would all play DUKE NUKEM to the wee hours of the morning. :D
Had a blast!!
Michale
Quentin Tarantino Backlash Continues Among Police Groups
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/30/us/quentin-tarantino-backlash-continues-among-police-groups.html?_r=0
... and remind the few, when ill of us they speak...
That we are all that stands between the monsters and the weak...
5 Things to Know About the 'Halloween Asteroid'
https://gma.yahoo.com/5-things-know-halloween-asteroid-002900478--abc-news-Halloween.html#
Ice Cream Sundae will happen on Tuesday...
Michale
Hay TS,
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2109/1811127538_8fcbc91165_z.jpg?zz=1
That yours?? :D
Michale
RD,
Speaking of KODI help.. :D
Have you integrated Netflix into KODI??
I tried to do it yesterday and keep getting a SCRIPT error thru XBMC/KODI..
I didn't really have time to troubleshoot it.. Will likely do that tomorrow..
But I was curious if you had set it up and how you did it..
Michale
@Michale [#54]
Sorry, we just use a browser to bring up Netflix, etc., instead of doing it inside of Kodi. Though now that you mention it, I suppose accessing Netflix from within Kodi might be easier.
I do software development in my day job, so I still might be able to help? What's the script error?
I'll ask CW to forward my personal email to you, so we don't have to do this over the message boards.
-Richard
'preciate RD.. Very much..
I am in the process of updating the Holodeck (my computers are named Enterprise, Lexington, Potemkin, Intrepid, Exeter, Excalibur.. Sensing a pattern?? :D ) HTPC Hard Drive and once that's done, I'll get you the log files..
This is the process I followed to install NetFliXBMC...
http://lifehacker.com/netflixbmc-brings-a-better-remote-controlled-netflix-t-1484237283
It's an old one, but the most easily understandable one I could find..
Thanx again..
Michale
I do software development in my day job, so I still might be able to help?
My thing is hardware.. I can disassemble a plasma TV or a laptop (or an M-60 incidentally :D ) blindfolded but software is like voodoo to me..
"How many software programmers does it take to change a light bulb??
None.. It's a hardware problem."
That kills 'em at the Geek Conventions... :D
Michale
That kills 'em at the Geek Conventions...
hehehehehehehe
OMG THAT was funny!!!! :D
I'll have to remember that one for my shop.. :D
Michale
RD,
if yer still reading this, email me direct... my CW.COM user name, lower case 'm' AT Mike Foxtrot Charlie Charlie Foxtrot Lima DOT Uniform Sierra, all lower case...
:D
Michale
@Michale [#60]
Pretty sure I followed your instructions to the, uh, letter, but it bounced.
So try my CW handle + two (as a numeral) + four (as a numeral) AT gee-male (but spell correctly) DOT see oh em.
@Michale [#60]
Pretty sure I followed your instructions to the, uh, letter, but it bounced.
So try my CW handle + two (as a numeral) + four (as a numeral) AT gee-male (but spell correctly) DOT see oh em.
Message received.. :D
Michale