Buying TV channels

I don't like being forced to subscribe to the Top 100 or Top 200 channels by my satellite provider. I can count the channels I watch on my fingertips and the vast majority I flip through. I'd like to see a model where I can pick and choose channels and build my own subscription. If I pick more, I should pay more, If I pick less, I should pay less. It should be akin to shopping at the grocery store. Sooner or later, somebody is going to offer this and if the current players don't adapt, they'll be toast.

Non-HD

Ever since I started watching TV in HD, I just don't have the time for non-HD channels. Two TV stations broadcast news in HD and the other two don't. Guess what? I don't watch the two that are broadcast in non-HD. I don't know when was the last time I watched CNN or Fox News. It's time they started broadcasting in HD.

Is the surge working?

This article in the WaPo doesn't make me more supportive of the war in Iraq, but it is the first good news in a long time. I hope that this is a sign that things are beginning to turn around.

Bush and GDP

On the radio, I heard Bush talk about the federal deficit and say: "the deficit is now 1.2% of GDP". And the manner in which he said it gave me the impression that it was the first time he had ever heard of the term GDP!

Hillary

Given the marvelous job that the current administration is doing, I think the next election is for the Democrats to lose, and clearly Hillary has the best chance of securing the Democratic nomination. I am worried though about her polarizing effect. While she has been clearly the front runner in terms of raising campaign funds, she also has the dubious distinction of helping the opposition raise funds. I fear come October of next year, the Republicans will try to take advantage of her high negatives by blasting the airwaves with negative ads. That may essentially force people to make a choice based on fear and that can often turn out to be a recipe for disaster.

Why is this news?

I don't quite fathom why this news item is "news"? Hasn't she been around the block more than once? I know the likes of Matt Lauer of NBC get paid millions to anchor news programs, but I'd hate to be in their shoes and have to deal with these kinds of stories first thing in the morning. I'd feel cheap and disgusted. But I guess I am not being paid millions and who knows how I'll feel if I am paid that kind of money to read from a teleprompter.

Florida vs LSU

That was a good game, though it hurts to know that the Gators lost. The last turnover with twelve minutes to go was crucial. Had Florida not turned it over, they might have wrapped up the game. I kept thinking that the LSU coach had pulled the trigger once too often, but his maverick decision making payed off in the end.

Go Gators!

Florida seems to be struggling against a tough LSU defense. But the LSU offense are making mistakes as well and turning the ball over. I get nervous watching such games. I hope the Gators win!

Back....

.....in circulation. I hope to post more regularly in the future

Jaded

...by the long schedule of the Cricket World Cup that concluded yesterday with yet another Australian triumph. I was hoping that Sri Lanka would turn the tables, but the Australians proved yet again that they really are the best team in the World today.

Lame

...is what George Tenet's book is. If he was really appalled by how the Bushies misused information to make the case for the War, then he should have resigned right then and there. Instead he kept silent and provided his stamp of approval. As late as Dec. 2004, he unashamedly accepted the highest civilian award that a President can bestow: the Medal of Freedom. Now he sings a different tune. Mr Tenet: it is a little too late for you to wash your hands off this. You will go down in history as another feckless individual, who failed to stand up when it counted!

Enough

Back in 2002 and 2003, I bought the view of this administration, that Iraq posed an imminent threat. I supported the war and the overthrow of Saddam. I still think the world is better off without him in power. But I think we have overstayed our welcome in Iraq. We are in the midst of a civil war and our continued presence will only be detrimental to the long term prospects of peace in that part of the world. We ought to get out and let the Sunnis and Shia's settle this amongst themselves. If dividing Iraq is the answer to longterm peace between the two communities, so be it. Let's get out of there and cut our losses. I don't buy the argument that Iraq will go to pieces if we leave. We have been there 5 years and even our presence doesn't stop the daily occurrence of violence. It's time to leave!

Bill O'Reilly vain defense

Papa Bear tries to defend himself against accusations that he "threatened dissenters" in the leadup to the Iraq War. These accusations were part of Bill Moyer's program on PBS that you can watch online. O'Reilly clarifies the context in which he made his remarks. But to me they sound to me like verbal threats against anyone who didn't agree with his view, don't they?

Virginia Tech

Tragic! My heart goes out to the families of those who died and were hurt in this senseless violence. I doubt if something like this could have been avoided. This was the act of a troubled boy who was bedeviled by demons.

My thoughts

• I am excited about the prospect of Barack Obama running for President. I am afraid though that he may have peaked too early. It'll be hard to keep this image right through '07 and '08
• I don't know what to make of Hillary's candidacy. Her hectoring style may prove to be a major disadvantage
• I liked John McCain once, but his stance on the war makes me reluctant to support him at the moment. But '08 is still a long way away.
• I think we should give Mitt Romney a chance to make his case - not dismiss him because he is a Mormon. I am wary though of his shifting stance on gay rights and abortion - he supported it in '94 and 12 years later is singing a different tune. People can change, but can he explain this evolution in his thinking convincingly?
• John Edwards I think is still fighting a losing battle.

Anna Nicole Smith

Do we really have to endure wall to wall coverage of her death? As far as I can tell, her only claim to fame was marrying a 90 year old guy who was clearly out of his wits. Why do we have to spend so much time on something so inconsequential and inane?

Superbowl

Watched it on HDTV at a friends place. Another disappointment. The last game that came close to being a contest was the one between the Rams and the Titans. I am glad though that Peyton and Tony Dungy got to win a ring. No one deserves it more than Tony Dungy and when nice things happen to good people, it is always a happy event.

Colts vs Patriots

Great game! I wanted Peyton Manning to win, but was afraid Tom Brady would mount one of those last minute drives that stole victory from defeat. Fortunately, it wasn't to be and hopefully Peyton will get to win a Superbowl ring