The Trill is Gone

Nothing was happening in the world today. Then Pimp C was found dead in an upscale hotel room. One half of the Port Arthur rap duo UGK, Pimp C is an original legend in the annals of Southern Rap, especially in the Houston scene.

Pimp C on Russell Simmons, "I just made peace with the lil change his name. Yeah, I said 'dick-in-the-booty-ass-nigga.' I know what I'm talking about. Bitch, I'll air you out too."

UGK classic, Diamonds and Wood

Bad News-3, Good News-0.3

I've been searching for some good news about the economy today per Ben Stein's instructions but unless you were long white truffles the past year the news continues to be gloomy. For the good news, Macao gambling magnate "Uncle Stanley" Ho, bested the highest price ever paid for a white truffle by over 50%!! This will undoubtedly have a negative effect on my power to purchase even low market truffle goods such as pizza and scrambled eggs(that's right). I'm more than a little annoyed that The Merc has yet to create a forward market for this good that would allow me to hedge my future truffle needs. When will they get off their duffs and start meeting the world's demand for unique derivatives? And for the bad news... I won't even explain, you should just be aware of it all before you go into Christmas shopping mode. Bad, Badder, Badderer

Feral Pig Attacks Austin Resident

When John McCain was asked how he felt about his captors in the Hanoi Hilton, he responded, "I hated the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live.". He later clarified by saying he was referring to his captors and not the Vietnamese population in general. Politically incorrect, yes, but also an eminently reasonable sentiment from a man who spent five years being beaten in a prison that probably did not meet Geneva Convention standards. When I refer to the police officer in the linked video as a pig I'm saying it in the same way McCain meant. Not all police officers are bad, I have met many more good ones than bad ones, my distaste for many of the laws they enforce not withstanding. But the actions of this cop render him a truly diseased swine pizzle and is one of the reasons I have such a soft spot for Ron Paul. The increasingly militarized police force in this country needs less funding not more in order to rein in their all too frequent unnecessarily violent and aggressive behavior. I hope this guy loses his job and pension.

FOLLOW UP: Apparently the swine served three(!!!) days suspension and returned to duty where he is free to terrify the citizens of Austin again. I bet the suspension was paid as well. Pig.

Beyond Chocolate Rain

Tay Zonday has received a LOT of well deserved attention for his unique song Chocolate Rain. We wouldn't know who he was if he hadn't been born with that voice but he is utilizing it to the max right now and he seems to be a smart dude so will probably make the right decisions on how to use it in the future. One aspect of his oeuvre that hasn't gotten as much play is his exquisite reading of Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried". The reading sounds great and showcases a talent for comedic timing as well. GTFO James Earl Jones.

I Couldn't Agree More

I am extremely excited to see that the New Hampshire Union Leader has endorsed John McCain in the upcoming primary. Like everyone else in America I don't agree with everything the candidate I've chosen to support believes in, but overall John McCain is correct on the issues that will keep America competitive economically for the coming years. There are obviously other issues but economic health is the macro issue from which many aspects of society are derived. Most importantly he is correct about free trade. This is one reason I could not vote for a Democrat. People who don't support international free trade don't understand the way the world really works and are taking the short term view over the long term benefits that trade brings and will bring. The trade imbalance is a problem right now but it is a natural step in the path to increased wealth per capita for the entire world. It is cheaper to buy goods from overseas because labor is relatively less expensive. As they provide us with goods, they will become more wealthy, healthy and educated. When this occurs they will increasingly demand the higher quality and more technologically advanced goods that we create. Wealth can be created, it is not a zero sum game where capital is shifted around creating only winners and losers. Not supporting free trade will cause the price of goods in America to rise unnecessarily but more importantly will deprive developing countries the opportunity to better themselves. Many on the left argue that factories and long work days are not beneficial to the beautiful pastoral societies that existed before capitalism moved in, they stubbornly refuse to see that when a society becomes richer that it means better schools, better hospitals and longer lives, which is better for us and them. America went through an industrial revolution with the same pains and consequences. Why deny others the chance?

Here is a McCain endorsement by thoughtful moderate David Brooks. I will provide more justification for my support later or as demanded...

I-35 Highway to HELL!

The lazy folks over at the 700 Club have finally figured out what Austin residents along America's middle finger have known for a long time, I-35 is a crappy highway. What we, or at least I did not know is that I-35 was mentioned in the Bible and is the actually highway to holiness! Unfortunately it is abutted by numerous Gay Hangouts, Porn Stores and Mexican Restaurants so a brave group of Christians on fire has taken it upon themselves to consecrate the holy asphalt delivering it from Satan's glory holes. And for those of you not fortunate enough to be touched by the Holy Spirit, Mr. Stabile offers a testimony of which you will no doubt understand, man.

Audiophile In Chief

Good time guy, Charlie Rose, recently did a two part interview with Director of CIA Michael Hayden which offers insight into this former military man's thoughts on the future of our national intelligence service. Wait did I say former military man? Why is he still wearing his uniform? Isn't that a little Musharrafy? Part 1, Part 2

BiblioBeauty

My friend Krishan linked me to this blog, BiblioOdyssey, which is a compendium of scans from very old books. My fortune says ten hours spent on this over the Christmas holiday. Hold on a sec, it is also telling me that the big trend in tattoo's for the next five years is going to be pictures from 17th century texts. You heard it here first. Get 'em while they are hot!

You Know How I Know Your Son is Gay?

Via fazed, I'm pretty sure when this kid is looking back on his life he will think about this as the moment he "knew".

China vs. Japan

Two great and proud nations whose cultural differences are on display in this link.