Linux

Welcome to openSUSE.org

I'm trying to learn Linux with SUSE. Oh dear...if it was only more intuitive. It just isn't. It is still written for total programming nerds. It can't even detect and run my wireless card. COME ON! If Linux-heads want more people to use Linux, then they need to at least make getting online the easiest part of downloading the program so people can go online and get answers. It's the biggest mistake that I can see with Linux...maybe another version of Linux, other than Suse, would do this.

But what do I know, anyway?

"If you're reading this..."

U.S. Troops' Last Letters From Iraq - Newsweek/MSNBC.com

We got the new Newsweek yesterday, and this article was a reprint of four letters sent home from soldiers that died in Iraq.

I'm not a cryer. It takes a lot for me to just bust up and start bawling, and a national news story might break me up every two years or so.

Reading these letters broke me down in about five minutes. I don't know these guys, I don't know their families, I can't even imagine how that loss feels.

I felt helpless and somehow complicit in their deaths-- like I didn't do something right, or I didn't call my representatives in congress and scream enough in 2003 or something.

The US needs to end this war and stop buying foreign oil. As a big "FU" to the war, start walking everywhere and start taking public transportation. Sacrifice something, for god's sake. Fight this in your own way if it offends you. It offends me. I walk a lot. My husband and I bought a really efficient MPG car, not from the big three automakers who are also in on this war. I will start looking into what companies are also defense contractors and stop doing business with them. I was doing some stuff right before, but now I'm going to do as much as I can in my stupid daily life to not support this immoral war.

New Orleans gives little gifts...

It's like the city knows we're not long for her precincts...and gives us little presents that make her so seductive, so interesting. For instance...

The photo at right is an old hearse. Yes. An old hearse that has been leased for the filming of a motion picture. The wall is Lafayette Cemetery Number 1, just a block from where I live. The filming is going on around the cemetery this week and involves a funeral I suppose, so this old hearse has been brought in. The film crew also has a mock casket within the hearse. In this photo, it was sitting on Coliseum Street, as were many other old wagons. All the cars were GONE. GONE. At night, it was like looking back in time to the 1860s when you walked by. It was a gift that not many people get, you know...a visual time machine, thanks to Hollywood. Another great pic my husband took:

Yes, we walk at night. C'mon, walk with us. We get coffee, talk politics, economics, and the crazy soap opera that is New Orleans.

It was amazing to be able to look back in time. This is not the first strange thing that has happened to me here...


This photo is of the hearse, but later. This is the ONLY photo in this sequence of photos that had orbs. I wonder...

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I apologize for the post about the electric car. I was so pissed off that I could barely form a sentence, let alone write a coherent blog post. If I was publishing that, for real, I would have given it at least two or three more drafts. It's a good idea; it was really difficult to write about in a passionate moment. I felt the same way after I saw "The Corporation," and "Tucker: A Man and His Dream."

Anger. I wonder why more people aren't as angry as they were in the 1960s. Really. Why is that? We're in an immoral war, we have less freedom than we did then...where's the anger? Where's the righteous indignation?

Top Three Automakers Show Alt-Fuel Cars at the White House in desperate bid to cover their asses

Top Three Automakers Show Alt-Fuel Cars at the White House

This little dog-and-pony show today is pitiful backtracking to cover up how badly the Big Three bungled their chance to have a piece of the alt-fuel market.

Did you know...

...that all of the big three US automakers had manufactured and sold Electric cars in California at the behest of California lawmakers between 1998 and 2003? California decided to drop their "zero emission mandate" and let automakers off the hook...just as their product started to make some headway in the market, as soon as California dropped the law, the big three came in and scooped up all their cars. They were all leased, so they just tore up the contracts and threatened the very happy drivers with grand theft auto if the cars weren't returned.

WATCH THIS MOVIE. RENT THE DVD NOW:

"Who Killed the Electric Car?"

You will be pissed. Pissed. PISSED.

You will also gloat at how karma has come back around to the big three because they could have had dominance over the hybrid and completely electric car market. Now they are struggling to stay afloat.

What really made me the most angry watching this film was the fact that I had never heard of the "EV" cars being made just for California. I had no idea. I didn't know about the "electric charging stations" being created for the drivers. I didn't know that people that drove the car LOVED the car.

As a free market proponent, I disagree with the state of California mandating that a company produce a certain kind of product. However, when the automakers started seeing the cars get popular, that's when they scrambled to destroy the market and reclaimed them. Now THAT is strange. It's obviously not in the best interest of the company to destroy a product that could have put their company at the top of the auto industry. CLEARLY...the market isn't really free if GM chose to dismantle a popular division that would have saved people thousands of dollars in gasoline, and maybe even ended the war in Iraq in the longer run since Americans wouldn't be dependent on foreign oil. I'll stop my rant with this quote from the Big Three from today:

"Plug-in hybrid vehicles can play a significant role in our transportation future. Increased funding for domestic battery research and development can help accelerate bringing these vehicles to market," the CEOs said.

Hey you guys...you already HAVE the technology and people in California and former employees KNOW you have the technology, you big fat liar.

"Overall, we were pleased with the exchange that we had with the president and all parties came away with an understanding of the significant, positive impact that biofuels can make on the environment and in reducing our nation’s reliance on oil," they said.

General Motors chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said, "We very much share the President's vision, and we definitely see a path through to both lower oil consumption, lower amounts of imported oil, and fewer carbon emissions.

General Motors makes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall vehicles.

And...they used to make the EV-1, the car that could have saved GM and saved American lives.

And the Main Stream Media, I have to say...it looks like all those big oil commercials that Shell, BP, and ConocoPhillips bought during the summer of 2005 bought your silence in reporting what was going on in California with the protests and the last of the EVs being taken away to be destroyed. Screw you, MSM...I thought that was why there were 24-hour news channels--to report the NEWS, you know, and watch the people's back.

American Freedom Agenda

American Freedom Agenda

Especially since 9/11, the executive branch has chronically usurped legislative or judicial power, and has repeatedly claimed that the President is the law. The constitutional grievances against the White House are chilling, reminiscent of the kingly abuses that provoked the Declaration of Independence.

The 10-point American Freedom Agenda would work to restore the roles of Congress and the federal judiciary to prevent such abuses of power and protect against injustices that are the signature of civilized nations.

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As a means to gauge the seriousness of current candidates for the Office of the President, the AFA unveiled a "Freedom Pledge," based on the principles outlined in its legislative package, which it is issuing to all Presidential candidates of both parties to sign.

Congressman Ron Paul, who has announced his candidacy for the Presidency, has signed the pledge, and the AFA will continue to work with the campaigns of all other candidates of both parties to secure their signatures, especially Republican aspirants.

Go and read the few items on the AFA web site; you'll be heartened to know that somebody in Washington actually cares...even conservatives.

Leaving 30.08N 89.95W

Our time in New Orleans is slowly coming to a close. I wish I could say I did more looking around at real estate, but I have been busy. I did look around at houses and buildings when we would go out on walks, since there is nothing else to look at, except people...who are interesting...especially in the French Quarter.

The work on the condo unit we have come to do is almost done. Mardi Gras sort of kept us from working for almost two weeks. We have finished the IKEA kitchen for all practical purposes, and now that I have actually put one together from the boxes (shown at left), I think I'm still a huge IKEA fan. I think that if you want to update your whole kitchen look every decade, then IKEA is for you because that would be real easy. BUT--if you're looking for something more substantive, then perhaps something more solid might be to your liking. They are not bad little cabinets...they're just fancy particle board, that's all. IKEA isn't very upscale; it's where the middle class of Europe furnish their homes. But it is quirky, cool, and very well thought-out. I was talking about IKEA with a friend, and she owns many antiques, but she's pretty sure she'd love IKEA. Upon reflection, I think that antiques from the Arts & Crafts era are analagous to what IKEA is doing now--artisan-designed furniture and other home products. Some IKEA stuff will stand the test of time; other things will be quickly forgotten.

After a very short break driving around central Texas, husband and I may have found our next home. AND--I may not have to change the name of my blog after all. More to come on this front once we actually commit, either via a real estate deal or actually moving there, then buying something.

We thought about staying in New Orleans many times...and it seemed like there were always better reasons not to stay than there were to stay and try to build a life and another business. *sigh* It's sad because I love this town, and yes, we'll always come and visit as time allows, but we can't commit to the Grand Dame. We've become country folk during our time out west, and once you've tasted the quality of life in a small town, you want to live somewhere with cleaner air and streets, and less crime. We've met some cool people here, and the family we have here are all just wonderful. BUT--we've also met our share of really rude people, from snotty check-out girls at every grocery store in town (except Whole Foods) to the snooty Mercedes drivers who simply cannot think beyond the three-foot circle around them that is THE universe (they shop at Whole Foods). It's not the rude people that made us decide to leave...they were just the last straw of a load of other problems that the city may or may not ever solve. There is too much uncertainty here to really feel comfortable. Maybe that's why people are so rude. How the hell do you act when you don't know if your town will even exist in ten years? What if THE BIG ONE hits this summer? It's just too much to consider...then throw in the crime, the hideous infrastructure, the pollution...it's not for us. But it has been fun. And we will come back again...maybe for the first week of Mardi Gras. That was really nice.

IKEA

IKEA | United States

So I finally got to go inside an IKEA store for the first time in my life on Tuesday night.

*sigh*

It was just as incredible as I knew it would be. It got me jazzed in about 154 different ways about business ideas, home-building ideas, and just appreciating interesting design ideas. They have a restaurant tucked into the store about midway through, serving--yep--Swedish Meatballs. They also have a daycare center if you want to drop yer little bundle off while you do grown-up stuff and wander the store.

The items are affordable as well. You can build a kitchen, furnish a living room, and provide lighting for your entire house for around $3500 (maybe even less than that).

Yeah, it's a big box store, and perhaps that's a turn-off for some. But it is a great place to wander if you're about to build a new home, or start a new business. IKEA is definiately not for people that like antiques or fussy, overly-ornate furniture or chandeliers. That would put most of New Orleans' residents in the "not interested" category; the IKEA we visited is in Austin, Texas, one of the most progessive cities in the U.S.

I hope to go back in a few months to pick out the better part of my new home.

I can believe it...

Priests to purify site after Bush visit - Boston.com

Quote of the Day

Atlas Shrugged -- 50 years later

This is a fine commentary on Ayn Rand and her philosophies. She was, and still is, polarizing, but some of what she writes actually makes some sense. As I've gotten older I can't agree with everything she believed, but she had a few ideas that still resonate with me. And what a gem of a quote the writer of this article threw in at the end:

As Benjamin Franklin said, "By the collision of different sentiments, sparks of truth are struck out, and political light is obtained."

When discussing politics, you must hash out different ideas and listen to people...LISTEN to what they think, and yes, be a flip-flopper. There is nothing wrong with that. NOTHING! An intelligent person changes their mind if an idea is well-argued and supported by facts. I think Americans have forgotten how to listen to each other in political discussion because Congress and the White House set such a bad example for the nation, and the media does NOTHING to help.

FBI abused Patriot Act

FBI agents abused Patriot Act powers, report concludes | The Register

We all knew this would happen, didn't we? Now it's official. I am PISSED, in the words of C. Ray Nagin.

There never has been, nor will there ever be, anything even REMOTELY patriotic about the Patriot Act. In fact, it's pretty un-American in my mind...because it is too easy for its administrators to abuse it.

Don't you just love how these stories come out on Friday nights? So no one's paying attention?

Hey, new Congress: Please, for the love of GOD, repeal the Patriot Act, and the Military Commissions Act.

Recycling all those Mardi Gras beads

UP--Unique Products--Mardi Lights

Remember when I was irked by all the bead nonsense by the end of Mardi Gras? Well, I found an artist that makes cool stuff out of the extra beads. Some of it is really outstanding. I may even give some bead art a try myself.

I just love stuff like this. Also--click through this site and check out the laundry detergent bottle lamps.

The State Trooper.

SO--this is Carolyn (center) and I talking to a Lousiana State Trooper on Lundi Gras. This is a fun story. My friend wanted to know about nudity laws in Louisiana, and we walked over and she asked him about that. He was explaining that from the waist up, it is legal for a woman to be nude. He emphasized the "waist up" part. Then she says...

"Well, I was curious because she (meaning me) wanted to know what it would take to get THAT." Carolyn pointed at his badge, I think--perhaps a lapel pin. I'm not sure. It is at this point the picture was taken...he started guffawing and talking about how he couldn't do that, and how he might lose his job if he did something like that. Carolyn then said..."It would be SO worth it." We were all laughing at that point.

We left him alone after that...I think he was scared that I might show him something, I don't know. But I DID love that badge in the shape of Louisiana. It was cool--COOL.

NASA fires astronaut

NASA fires astronaut Lisa Nowak - MSNBC.com

Well it's about damn time. Clearly NASA is an insane bureaucracy by waiting this long to fire Mrs. Nowak. I think that NASA should fire her "boyfriend," too. She's nuts, no doubt, but from what little I've read of their emails, he's a first-class jerk. Too bad NASA's psychology tests didn't weed out serial philanderers.

Geico 'Cavemen' getting their own show

Variety.com - ABC developing 'Cavemen'

It's ridiculous, I know, but...I love these commercials, especially the "Airport Walkway" installment. I'm not sure how well or how long this will be able to be a TV show, but I'm hoping it'll be good for awhile.

Remember when Yahoo! chat was cool?

I remember when I used to LOVE going into online chat rooms provided by Yahoo!. During the whole 2000 recount uproar, it was loads of fun. My favorite room used to be Washington Watch 1. Now, it has degenerated into a right-wing dirtball flame-hate-fest. But I met some pretty cool people in there that I still think about every now and then...and I get nostalgic for the days when smart people used to hang out in there and talk about anything.

The debates in those early days of Yahoo! chat were so much fun. You never knew what issue would come up next, and watching the text go by while listening to some dirtball on the voice chat option was extremely entertaining, and usually REALLY funny.

I remember a really interesting conversation/debate I had with some guy about strategic voting versus voting for the correct candidate to represent you...the whole mainstream v. third party candidate argument. After we had finished, I knew I had won over some folks listening to the debate.

With the 2008 elections coming up, I still feel that way. I always will. Voting is your voice, and if you "vote strategically," or vote for the "lesser of two evils," basically you're lying--lying to yourself, lying to the rest of America, lying...lying...lying. And why would you want to do that? What good in the end is it, after all, to lie in any way? To me, with the whole voting thing, it simply prolongs a painful situation, i.e., bad government.

Don't buy the main-stream media opinions about third parties; it is their intent, being shills for the republocrats, to keep their patrons in government in power. You should always vote your conscience--always.

Just a sample of my side of the arguement...but I do think about how much I really liked hashing out the finer points of political discussion, and I believe that I could apply myself in some way to a campaign that I feel strongly about...perhaps I'll go and beg for work with some small campaign somewhere. I read James Carville's book "Stikcin" two years ago and I LOVED it. I don't agree with his politics 100% but I think he's an incredible human being, a go-getter, super-interesting and entertaining.

There was a small part of one chapter about how Carville fell out of love with practicing law and how he wanted to get into politics. So he went to D.C. and knocked on every door. He ended up with no work, broke, and crying on the street in the rain with a broken garment bag, as I recall. He finally got a job on a campaign in Pennsylvania (I think this is how the story went!) and the rest is history. I loved this vignette. The book is about character and why he remains friends with the Clintons, etc., but that story, about finding his purpose, his calling, and at an older age than most people would be brave enough to search for such things, speaks volumes about the man, and about what it means to be a "true believer" in politics.

I would love to run into Mr. Carville while I'm here in New Orleans, because I have a thousand questions for him about working in politics, campaigns, public relations, and all kinds of stuff like that.

But I remember how I was first turned on to all of this in Yahoo! chat...