Keeper of the Clown Bell

Half-human, half-Vulcan, suppressing emotion because his ancestors destroyed their world through violence, Vulcan speech patterns and commitment to logic (and not doing stupid shit). The actor believed that the character appealed to viewers, especially teenagers, explaining: "Spock understands the trauma of human existence, for he is not home with earthmen or Vulcan; he can function only in the fabricated and neatly ordered society of the Enterprise. There, he knows who he is; he relates to his role very specifically, and this gives him a kind of cool."

It was always too good to last. The commanding heights of cyberspace had no master and for some that's a bad thing. "Net neutrality, a principle that all Internet traffic must be treated equally, was a founding concept for the web ." Really? I don't remember that - in fact, I don't think that was a founding concept at all. In the mid-80's when I would Telnet into CompuServe through the miracle of TCP/IP I was under no illusion that ALL internet traffic was treated equally because it wasn't. The entire Internet is built around the concept of "an uncertain path" which gives it the flexibility and resiliency it has enjoyed until yesterday . The Internet traffic wasn't treated "equally" then and it's not treated equally now .  But thanks to a bunch of nincompoop do-gooders and Tom Wheeler the Internet that most people use, day to day, is a telephone again - Thanks Big Government for taking us back to 1982 .

Studying Neuroscience at Wesleyan University costs $48,000 per year. With a bill like that the enterprising student needs to find ways to bring in some extra cash. And if your scheme sends some suckers to the emergency room , well, too bad - someone's got to pay. Just another Sunday night in Middletown, Connecticut where they eat MDMA like jelly beans in a quest for immediate ecstasy. Miss Molly had a dolly Who was sick, sick, sick So she called for the doctor To come quick, quick, quick The doctor came With his bag and his hat And he knocked on the door With a rat-a-tat-tat. You'd think students of Neuroscience would be educated on the dangers , or even the effects, of chemicals on the brain, but I guess $48 grand only buys you so much education.

ABOLISH DHS NOW!!! Rewrite the Homeland Security Act and scale back this leviathan. When I hear the current head of this executive agency talk about how "absurd" it is to not to give him whatever money he demands I start day dreaming about a sink hole opening up under his office building and swallowing it whole. "He also pointed out how extraordinary it is to expect employees to go to work without the guarantee of pay, as more than 75% of DHS employees — deemed essential — would be forced to do if the department is not funded." Are you fucking kidding me!!! DHS employs 240,000 people and 180,000 of them are ESSENTIAL! Jeh Johnson is asking for over $60B to fund his organization which = $250,000 per person! IBM has an operating budget of $18B for 430,000 employees and it actually makes something useful and doesn't pat you down at the airport. "Well it only goes to show And I told them where to go Ask a policeman on the street There's so m...

The hand wringers are in a lather about "torture" again and the gleeful idiots at Addicting Info are touting a NYTimes editorial "calling for the investigation and indictment of the Bush Administration for war crimes." But someone needs to tell these guys it's not so easy - first you have to have the investigation and then you might or might not indict someone. You might think the editors at the NYTimes would be able to figure this out by reading their own paper (screwed up though it is) that, just today, ran a story about the the US Justice Dept. DROPPING charges of civil rights violations by a fellow named George Zimmerman who shot and killed Trayvon Martin for wearing a hoodie (or something like that). So you see, investigation first, indictment later. Not that these investigations are without merit - as Eric Holder pointed out as he was dropping the ball: “It shook an entire community, drew the attention of millions across the nation, and s...

Turning on the TV tonight I was confronted with this uniform scheme which I found quite jarring.

The 87th is here and this year they've got a pretty good crop of movies to choose from. There's a unique symmetry to the choices and, weather by design or by accident, it makes for a fun competition (see below). American Sniper - There are Wolves (al-Zarqawi), Sheep (Seth Rogan) and Sheepdogs (Chris Kyle) and fortunately the USA has A LOT of sheepdogs. Plenty has been written about this movie, but the "message" is crystallized in the eyes of young Chris when his Father, after giving the Sheepdog talk, asks him if he "finished it." Yes, he did. Birdman - If you cross "Russian Arch" with "The Dresser" you'll realize "The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance" which is a long way of saying that thespians are batshit birdshit crazy. Makes you wonder how any movie or play ever gets made. Boyhood - "American Shotgun" this movie is Linklater's  bookend to Clint's sharp shooter tale. Shot in the same "matte...

The job of White House Press Secretary came into it's own with the New Deal and the centralization of civic life in Washington DC. The clapping seals who bark into the nationwide corporate megaphone needed to be fed and the press secretary carries a bucket of fish. The names of these fellows reflect the executive branch for which they serve. FDR had Stephen Early, Truman had Roger Tubby, leave it to JFK to hire a guy named Pierre for the job, LBJ had Bill Moyers (which deserves it's own blog posting - maybe some other day) but the names really start getting interesting in the 70's: Ron Ziegler - German for brick-maker was the perfect guy for Nixon and, correctly in my view, pleaded with Nixon not to resign but fight on and let him handle the "nattering nabobs of negativism" who wanted blood. Jody Powell - Of course Jimmy Peanut had a Press Secretary named Jody (he was a man BTW). James Brady (shot in head) followed by Larry Speaks and then Marlin F...

The 0-postate decided to lecture ISIS on their religion again today but I don't think they're listening - If the Beebs is questioning the effort will the head hackers get with the program? I'm skeptical. "They try to portray themselves as religious leaders, holy warriors. They are not religious leaders, they are terrorists." (that's why I drone them and bomb them, however)"Muslim leaders need to do more to discredit the notion that our nations are determined to suppress Islam."(because) "It is a lie... We are not at war with Islam. We are at war with people who have perverted Islam." (you see) "Terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIL  deliberately target their propaganda in the hopes of reaching and brainwashing young Muslims," (using) "high-quality videos, the online magazines, the use of social media, terrorists Twitter accounts - it's all designed to target today's young people online in cyberspace". ...

French Socialists are in meltdown because President Holland has invoked Article 49 in an effort to save his nations economy. Threatening the 35 hour work week has put the legitimacy of the French Government in question (sort of) but not to worry, the Socialists will never risk their jobs, fed by the teat of the State, over principle. Unfortunately for El Presedente Obama the US Constitution only has 7 Articles and none of them allow him to bypass the Peoples House to establish laws of his own - no matter how benevolent he imagines those laws to be. So his illegal immigration scheme, which he announced after last November's spanking, has been brought to a temporary halt . “Once these services are provided,” Hanen wrote in his ruling, “there will be no effective way of putting the toothpaste back in the tube should the plaintiffs ultimately prevail.”

Answer: Quite a lot you pompous hag. Having listened patiently to the endless accusations of illegality and US imperialism hurled at GWB, Cheney, Neocons, Rummy, Wolfie and all the rest by my fiends on the left I have to say that I was always surprised at how these same self-righteous critics rolled over like lap dogs for President Obama's Libyan adventure. I'm not sure what it will take for the ninnies to admit that Libya was a strategic disaster - I guess they can always blame Britain and move on... but move on to what?

"Having determined not to become a candidate for reelection, I shall have no motive to influence my conduct in administering the Government except the desire ably and faithfully to serve my country and to live in grateful memory of my countrymen." President James Buchanan March 4, 1857  Every third Monday in February we in the United States celebrate the Presidency of James Buchanan ( among others ) who's effigy sits in solemn judgement in  Meridian Hill Park (along with Joan of Arc and Dante) just a few blocks up 16th St. from the White House. Ten-Cent Jimmy was a respected party hack who did his best to keep the ossified "old order" in place even though it had long outlived it's expiration date. As a mirror for our times a biopic of Old Buck would be better than Lincoln and more entertaining. Of course, some of us reactionary (small r) republicans still celebrate George Washington's birthday, not just because he was a great President, but...

If there's one deformity of current American popular culture which makes me sympathize with the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, ISIS and other barbarians who hate the West it is t he Kardashian project . A vanity of such decadence that the civilization responsible for it will inevitably suffer God's wrath. Bruce Jenner's role in this travesty has always been something of a mystery, but it appears that the Decathlete has sailed beyond the point of no return on a tempestuous sea of estrogen. I still hold out hope that Bruce (a childhood hero of mine) is pulling one of the greatest pranks of all time and, at the proper time and place, will announce that he's just been goofing around with the tabloid press to expose them for the vultures they truly are. In the event that I'm wrong and he self mutilates to self actualize, I hope he enjoys his/her new gevalia .

Let me say, without equivocation, that the three pasha's who comprise The Young Turks are the lamest, laziest, most ignorant and stupid news commentators on the Internet - and that's saying something. If you want to torture yourself for 8:50 minutes watch these boorish yabbo's "resolve" the issue of "Gay Marriage" for the nation - cheer-leading RBG's musings about A CASE THAT IS CURRENTLY BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT and that she will, therefore, be asked to rule on (unless she's forced to recuse herself for said musings) and getting the objections and legal justification of Judge Roy Moore ass-backwards ( They're not alone in this ) and comparing the Judge to a segregationist preventing black children entering the Arkansas schoolhouse doors. Others who are very familiar with segregation did not feel the same way about Judge Moore or his ruling. So the Supreme Court is currently hearing and reviewing a "watershed case" regardin...

From the guy who ran against Authorization for Military Force in Iraq comes a request for Authorization for Military Force against ISIS (which he insists on calling ISIL) located in... you guessed it - Iraq. "But he vowed not to repeat the large and costly ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan." Promises, promises. After the Cold War went poof, Samuel P. Huntington wrote the Clash of Civilizations and all the soft-socialist lefties hated it. Those people all "occupy" the US State Department these days and they still can't see the picture. It makes the USA look foolish and weak when the President proposes a limited war resolution against an enemy he can't even name. It's all for show, but the real world grinds on. See the picture?

You want to talk about rape culture ? I've got a great story for you to mull over and lash out with blistering high dungeon about the systemic injustice embedded in the Socialist design. DSK had a " chance to revive reputation " but then the trial started and he testified. Strauss-Kahn: Only 12 sex parties in three years "The prosecution gives the impression of unbridled activity," he told the court. But, he added: "There were only 12 parties in total - that is four per year over three years." Your Turn to be Fucked “It’s not my concept of sexuality to do it with a prostitute,” Strauss-Kahn said, adding that he preferred the “party atmosphere” of partner-swapping and swinging. He said group-sex sessions had been rare “recreation” in his hectic schedule as head of the IMF . Lust Is No Crime “I dare you to distinguish between a prostitute and a naked socialite,” Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s lawyer, Henri Leclerc, told Europe 1 radio after the ...

What's the allure of gold? The Beebs t ries to explain by dragging out the periodic table and acknowledging how beautiful it is. Don't buy it as a hedge when history shows that the government can take it away any time it wants and it has no "real relationship" with the US currency - and it ain't ever going to in the future no matter how hard Ron Paul kicks and screams. Watch out for the Sorcerer's Apprentice

It was supposed to be a reset, but it really was a reboot and now the boots are about to stomp on the heads of Ukrainian saps who trusted the West to have their back. Lesson: Don't give up your nukes . You're next Poland .

My thoughts on Cosmopolitan Magazine are mixed - Though it glorifies a licentious lifestyle to the detriment of civil society it probably has brought more happiness to the men in this world than any publication in human history. Training young women how to dress, behave and perform fellatio has been a boon for men and that it's all done under the pretext of "liberating women" is brilliant and funny at the same time. But Cosmo has really stretched the bounds of decency with this story by Lane Moore on the chocolate anus . What gender, exactly, is targeted by this confection? Who volunteered their butthole to form the mold for the chocolates? Are there no chocolate lips or vaginas to sell? I'm not sure this item would have passed Helen "Girly's" edits - RIP.

Drug addiction is no laughing matter, that is, unless you're some ass wipe agency creative director tasked with getting the attention of people who measure PPC's, CPM's, Stickiness, PageRank and all the other marking acronym mumbo jumbo used to ascertain ROI using the latest and greatest analytics on their campaigns. Then you laugh your ass off at the plight of this suit jones'n for some clicks, even some likes, to hold him over until the end of the quarter. The life of a junky is far removed from their daily grind which consists of sitting in a cube housed with hundreds of other cubes within a glass and steel office building in nowhere land. Why not associate these keyboard tapping number crunchers with desperate drug addicts looking for a fix?

Oh boy, the light worker really stepped in it this time with his sermon at yesterdays National Prayer Breakfast. When you've lost MSNBC... He's getting broadsides from the right (as usual) and his defenders on the left don't have much ammo in this fight. Obama's incoherent comments on Islam and his "high horse" slander of Christianity make him sound like a sophomore philosophy major yakking it up at the coffee house. He's supposed to be the smartest President we've ever had so why does he sound so stupid? The history of Christianity is filled with sectarian conflict and, even today, there are violent outbursts within the faith - Protestant Britain vs. Catholic Ireland or Catholic Croat vs Orthodox Serb are just two examples of many. Christian treatment of different faiths, especially in parts of Europe, has also been contentious and oppressive (cruelly so in some cases) over the past 2,000 years. But drawing an equivilancy between Christian...

"There are many different kinds of bravery. There’s the bravery of thinking of others before one’s self. Now, your father has never brandished a sword nor fired a pistol, thank heavens. But he has made many sacrifices for his family, and put away many dreams." J. M. Barrie Brian Williams is being mocked on Twitter - heaven forfend! He's not only the news reader but also the managing editor of NBC news : Brian Williams is seen by more U.S. television viewers on a daily basis than any other individual .  Since taking over as anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News in 2004, he has strengthened the broadcast's position as the most-watched newscast in all of television and has become the most highly decorated evening news anchor of the modern era.  He has received eleven Edward R. Murrow Awards , twelve Emmy Awards, the duPont-Columbia University Award, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism and the industry’s highest honor, t...

In 1992 we put the right people behind bars, but today the wrong people are ending up in cages. There is an apathy and lack of will in the West that will continue to be exploited until 1. it's too late or 2. we fight back with merciless, unrelenting determination to wipe the earth clean of these barbarians. Unfortunately the US State Department is probably trying to broker a three way prisoner swap with ISIS and Peru right now. Mari Harf - "Ok, we'll have Peru send you Guzman and you send us the charred remains of Muath al-Kasasbeh and we'll send some GITMO prisoners to Peru."

Jaron Lanier is no clown but his conversation (video) on Edge.org takes on AI mythology and the formulation of, what he calls, "mass incompetence." "There is a social and psychological phenomenon that has been going on for some decades now:  A core of technically proficient, digitally-minded people reject traditional religions and superstitions. They set out to come up with a better, more scientific framework. But then they re-create versions of those old religious superstitions! In the technical world these superstitions are just as confusing and just as damaging as before, and in similar ways." Lanier's defense of AI (the technology) against fantasies leveled against AI (the mythology) are worth considering, though I don't think his notion of putting political/social control on the "actuators" is going to produce a very pleasant society. But I think he gets to a key point late in the conversation when he says: ...

Six more weeks of winter - thanks Punxsutawney Phil . How this big fat squirrel grabs the headlines every Feb. 2nd is a marvel of the information age. Cable News breaks away for live coverage of Phil being yanked from his hidey-hole at 7:20AM every year so that "he can look at his shadow." He sees it = more winter or he doesn't = less winter and now we can take you back to our regular scheduled program. The smart set ridicules all kinds of belief but this one gets wall to wall coverage every year - why? Because it's harmless? The woodchuck is a menace - digging holes, eating gardens and messing stuff up. Ground Hog Day is the inspiration for a fine movie of the same name , so I guess there is some good that's come out of the spectacle. H'wood Reporter list 5 things you probably didn't know about the movie USA Today lists the 7 best scenes from the movie Jonah Goldberg wrote the definitive review (IMHO) a decade ago - still holds up.

You might think I'd write a blog post about the ludicrous halftime show of Super Bowl XLIX or the pre-game travesty with it's strange cast of characters or the advertisements . Maybe the Presidents lame duck pregame interview deserves a few remarks. I should comment on the insufferable commentary during the game by Chris Collinsworth. But I'd like to take you back, dear reader, to a Super Bowl long, long ago and it's long tail reverberations for the USA. It was a time of happiness and relief - The Redskins were dominant in the NFL and no one complained about their mascot, the Soviets were defeated and Marxism was disorganized and in retreat, Islamic terrorism was something that happened somewhere else - the future looked bright. There was one humorous "scandal" rocking the Democrat Party because one of their prospective candidates had been accused of having an affair with the fetching Jennifer Flowers . It's hard to believe now, but this news was about...