Should I start a label for robot posts?

After a short (four month) break from gainful employment I find myself back on the payroll. That's right, I've sold out and I'm working for the man...at the YWCA. And my boss is a woman. But whatever. The important thing is that I'm drawing a paycheck, which is good since without my first check I wouldn't have enough money to feed myself or pay November's rent. After some other weird job things went the way of the buffalo I took this position working as an advocate in one of the shelters here in Portland. Basically I hang out with folks and make sure the shelter runs as it should. Pretty cool. I'm working the swing shift-3 p.m. to midnight-which should feel a lot like the Migrant Resource Center in Mexico. I'm excited, but I'd be lying if I said it's not weird to have to work eight hours a day again. That's like, 1/3 of my day! Just sayin'. I'm still in training right now, but I'll be on the beat starting November 4th. That date seems so familiar for some reason. Oh well, it can't possibly be important.

For today's musical interlude I bring you Keenon the robot dancing to Spoon's "Don't You Evah."
It's got all things that are good: a robot(s), the Japanese, a scientist, an oldschool boombox, Spoon...I'm not even sure why you're still reading and not watching the video. One final note: my mighty fine older sister introduced me to both this song and this band. For some reason I never checked them out. Maile for the win!

I Really Am A Sucker For Handclaps.

The people over at Chicago Public Radio put out a show called "This American Life," which I really don't know that much about to be honest with you. However, the last two weeks I listened to a couple of shows they have produced which tackle our current economic malaise in a way that is very enlightening. With the notable exception of Paul Krugman, I have yet to see, read, or hear anything that comes even remotely close to how well these guys have reported on this situation. The first episode, called "Giant Pool of Money," came out in May and focused on the sub-prime mortgage mess. Last week's episode, "Another Frightening Show About the Economy," zooms out to take a larger look at the financial crisis- and why we should all be very, very scared. Follow the links to stream the shows. They are each an hour long, but I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Also, new TV On the Radio is dancetastic. Yeah, I said it. I just never thought I'd say it about this band.

File it under "psychosexual political humor"...

just before Craig, Larry.

From Frank Rich's NYT column:

[When House GOP members complained about Nancy Pelosi's "partisan" bailout speech], "Barney Frank taunted his G.O.P. peers with pitch-perfect mockery: 'Somebody hurt my feelings, so I will punish the country!'
Talk about the world coming full circle. This is the same Democrat who had been slurred as 'Barney Fag' in the mid-1990s by Dick Armey, a House leader of the government-bashing Gingrich revolution that helped lower us into this debacle."

Dick Armey really turned another man's name into a homophobic slur? Dick Armey?

Speaking of Pork...

Warning: Links are NSFW.

I have many, many, many problems with PETA. I will never excuse the blatant sexism (and often racism) of their campaigns. However, I am highly sympathetic to their cause. I sort of stumbled upon this video today looking for stuff about the subprime mortgage extravaganza, and was reminded that becoming a vegetarian was a good choice. I am just going to throw this out there. It's pretty disturbing.

In Praise of Pork

In its coverage of the Senate passing the bailout bill Politico is reporting that "tucked away in the tax chapter is a virtual bill onto itself: landmark mental health parity legislation that bars group plans from imposing stricter limits on mental health patients than individuals under the same plans who suffer from physical illnesses demanding surgery and hospitalization." First of all: it's about time. I'm going to show my liberal bias here, but sometimes government really works. This legislation is good news for, well, everyone actually. More parity in coverage will lead to increased treatment, or at the very least better treatment, for individuals with a wide range of mental health disorders. Better treatment will lead to decreased suffering for individuals and families, which is clearly the most important effect of the bill. Of equal importance is the impact that it will have on productivity among members of the workforce. Take depression, a fairly common mental health condition that can be easily treated for many people. Employees who are currently under-insured now have access to medication and doctors that will allow boost their performance. The insurance companies will probably cry foul, and it might lead to higher premiums overall. However, since the entire system is insane anyways, it's not really fair to punish one demographic just because there are pre-existing flaws.

Shorter sarcastic post: It's this type of heinous earmark legislation that must be stopped. McCain '08!

On a side note, if I keep this up I might find myself blogging again. No promises.

Hat tip: Ezra

Quick thought on a Wednesday

Now that W. has hit a 70% disapproval rating he has stolen the mantle of the least beloved POTUS from Tricky Dick Nixon. Some might think that this proves what a national disgrace he has become. Well, most of you would think that I guess. That's why they call it disapproval. I myself admit to being less than thrilled with his handling of, well, the economy, "war on terror," protection of civil liberties, immigration, education...you get the picture. But overlooked by basically everyone has been the beautiful gift that Bush has given to this great nation.

Americans can't agree on Coke or Pepsi, college or pro, Nascar or arugula (wry smile). In case you haven't been paying attention, half of the country hates the other half. That's what I keep hearing on CNN. Apparently, we can't agree on anything. But those days are over my friends. Walk down the street and ask ten people whether Bush has been good for America or not. Seven of the ten will say no. Much like that great Republican Abraham Lincoln, Bush launched a war and united a country. Call it a pyrrhic victory if you must. But please call it a victory. It might be the only one he gets.