hans.friedrich

10 Apr
∞

“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.

— Mark Twain

08 Apr
∞

In Oregon, rain is a state of being

St. John's Bridge in November

While digging through some old photos in Lightroom last week I found this photo of the St. John’s Bridge. Taken in November, it could have been shot yesterday, except for a few more leaves on the trees today. Same grey sky, same wet grass and mossy dampness. In Oregon, we really do have two season: raining, and not raining.

03 Apr
∞

“Not to know what happened before you were born is to be a child forever. For what is the time of a man, except it be interwoven with that memory of ancient things of a superior age?

— Cicero

02 Apr
∞

Obama Temper Hits 1.1 on the McCain Meter

Drudge is currently running an italicized “oh noes, Obama is showing his temper as the campaign wears on” story above the fold, with a link to a brief ABC news item:

In three separate acts — perhaps entitled “The Irritation of Obama” — the normally calm and collected candidate grew increasingly agitated:

Run in #1:
Outside the first shop, on the way in
Man: “Senator, can I have a quick picture with you?”
(Obama has his arm on the guys arm in a very nice way, like he does when he shakes a hand but refuses to take a picture and walks away)
Man: “It will take you two seconds. Don’t cram me, I’m not doing anything to anybody. Jesus.”

Run in #2:
After the first shop
Man: “Senator, can I get a picture with you?”
Obama: (slightly annoyed) “You are wearing me out brother.”
Man: “I got one with Hillary Clinton, and I got one with McCain. Come on Senator, that’s not right.”

Run in #3: 
In the street
Man: “Senator, can I please, a quick one?”
Obama: (very annoyed) “No, you know what, no.”
Man: “Can I just say something to you real fast?”
Obama: “Yea, you can.”
Man: “I had one with Hillary Clinton and I had one with Senator McCain.”
Obama: “I am sure you do. Because when I was trying to talk to some kids –- and, I know, look…
Man: “No, my wife is a school teacher and she was there. She had to go back and that wasn’t right. What, won’t you just take a picture with me? I’m not asking you for a autograph; it’s for my family.
Obama: “Yeah, well, whatever. Just take it. I won’t be smiling. Because you’re wearing me out… No no, you’ve been really rude about it. Just take a shot.”

Obama and the man did not take a shot. The man was still arguing with the Senator when Secret Service stepped in (non confrontationally) to provide the denouement.

Perhaps a good time to do a little Wednesday night review of another ABC story from February 16 on John McCain’s legendary cool-headed demeanor?

Choice bits:

“F—- you,” he shouted at Texas Sen. John Cornyn last year.

…

“I’m calling you a f——— jerk!” he once retorted to Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley.

…

“F—- you. I know more about this than anyone else in the room,” McCain reportedly shouted.

Thank you, John McCain, for raising the bar for civility and grace in public discourse.

After 30 years in the Senate and with an ego the size of Texas, McCain may consider this type of behavior towards his Senate colleagues acceptable, but the American voter needs to realize that anyone with a temper problem like his is unqualified to be Commander-in-Chief of the Virgin Islands. Saying FU to an Iowa senator may be something you can smooth over, but Dmitry Medvedev may not have the same “grin-and-bear-it” attitude. McCain might enjoy a return to the Cold War, but I think ordinary Americans would rather be directing more of our GDP towards continued prosperity rather than fighting proxy wars in Asia and Eastern Europe.

24 Mar
∞

Currently reading - Late March 2008

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