Society: January 2010 Archives

Gustavo Arellano lays down the cultural legacy of Taco Bell as he reflects on the death of it's founder.

This week in "compassionate conservatism":

"My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed.

"You're facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don't think too much further than that. And so what you've got to do is you've got to curtail that type of behavior. They don't know any better."

That's South Carolina's Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer on why he thinks needy people are like stray animals. And yes, he's running for governor.

Suddenly I understand why the Palmetto State was fine with keeping a hypocrite and scumbag who sleeps around with his wife in office.

The irony here, as with most things Republican, is that Bauer used to be on a reduced school lunch system as a kid.

Some interesting pieces of American life as we head into census season.

I like this. There is finally a label for my condition.

I already knew this but didn't have the data to prove it, but the so-called "traditional marriage" states are full of degenerates divorcing each other at far greater percentages than the rest of the country.

So, let's be honest, who is a greater threat to the institution of marriage: gay people who have been in relationships for decades who would like to get married and can't OR rednecks who knock each other up and get hitched and learn to hate each other but do it because they are told they have to?

I think you already know the answer.

And I'm pretty sure the divorce map hews closely to the bottom map. Yes, it is a bit out of date since New Jersey went all Talibangelical and did not allow gay marriage like people thought. Granted, it isn't pertinent to divorce necessarily, but if you are bigoted enough to fear gay marriage, why are you cool with first cousins procreating?

I mean, I already knew this nation was filled with people proud of their ignorance. Besides the random Oakland Raiders fans and folks who actually enjoyCeline Dion, you've got the risk of Tea Party Traitors who genuflect in orgasmic glee and supported - and voted for - a complete nitwit for Vice President.

What I did NOT know was that our lack of educated citizens - and geeky folks in particular - was a national security risk. So sayeth DARPA. Read about it here.

Yep, your birther/Talibangelical co-workers, neighbors, and family members are in league with the enemies of America. THEY are the problem.

As for you: go read and play with gadgets!

A few deaths lately related to popular culture. First off, we lost Jan Gabriel last week. You might not know the name, but you certainly have heard his shouts of "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!" if you have ever heard a small track racing commercial back in the MidWest...and Southwest apparently. More on his passing here

In quick food news, we also recently lost Donald Goerke, the creator of SpaghettiOs, which used to be a big favorite of mine back in the day. His obit can be found here.

And just today, I read of the passing of Glen Bell, the founder of Taco Bell. Granted, besides the annual 7 layer burrito, I avoid the place at nearly all costs, but you cannot deny The Hell. I mean, Demolition Man just wouldn't be the same without it. More on Mr. Bell here.

We've been trying to find out how best to give to those in need in Haiti. I figure this is probably the way to go as they've already been on the ground there. More info here.

We have also supported OxFam in the past, and they too have a presence in Haiti already.

We don't have a lot to give and I imagine you guys don't either, but every little bit helps.

As for the situation itself, all aid groups are having a rough go of it.

UN Comissioner for Haiti Bill Clinton had some good words and advice on the situation. And honestly, how often do I recommend the former president on anything?

Thanks to Ned for linking me to this chart based on info from Nate Silver's data I linked to a bit ago.

Some historical looking back on how China have taken the initiative in a variety of areas over the US specifically and the West in general.

A lot of food for thought.

"You have to actually look for the things that are dangerous, and not just scan everybody. This calls for a total change in approach to the transportation security issue."

- Rafi Sela, a security consultant at Ben Gurion International Airport

According to the Israelis, who - as you may know - have some experience in dealing with terrorists, relying on privacy-invading scanning machines won't keep us safer. Neither will patty down every brown-skinned male who just *might* be Muslim.

Eye contact, checking the behavior of folks in your airport, and basically NOT TAKING THE LAZY WAY OUT are the keys to defeating terrorist acts in most public venues.

But no, we've got to depend on gadgets instead of skill. I swear, I work in technology and realize that the Mark One Eyeball and the brain behind it is still capable of being better than the best sniffer, camera, or X-Ray nudie picture machine we can build.