Archive for January, 2009

Another look at scrooge

Posted: January 4, 2009 by datechguy in Uncategorized
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Since this is still the 11th day of Christmas this post I found at DarwinCatholic seems an excellent companion to my long one on a Christmas Carol.

I’m far from being alone in my affection for A Christmas Carol, and so there are any number of movie adaptations available as well. This particular year, it happens that I saw two versions, the George C. Scott adaptation which is an absolutely superb film, and also The Muppet Christmas Carol with Michael Caine.

A number of comparisons might spring to mind when watching two such different treatments a few days apart, but in this case what struck me immediately was the way in which each movie attempted to convey the heartlessness of Scrooge’s business methods.

It’s an interesting look at 19th century economics through the eyes of Dickens greatest character.

Now that’s an unemployment problem

Posted: January 4, 2009 by datechguy in employment, personal
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How bad is unemployment in Massachusetts?

So bad that when I try to call the TeleCert Number at 617-626-6338 I’ve gotten “All Circuits are busy” all day.

Of course I could sign up for online weekly filing here (more…)

Payback?

Posted: January 4, 2009 by datechguy in opinion/news
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This story was a huge surprise to me:

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.

The captain raises a very good point:

That Richardson would accept the nomination and then withdraw under these circumstances says something about how uncomfortable this scandal will get.

When this first started coming out I didn’t think anything would come of it.

I’m remembering how Richardson was the first of the Clinton people to go with Obama.

Here is the public one:

I can’t help but think of yesterday’s party. I had two guests standing next to each other, one a strong conservative and one a liberal (both great people) my conservative friend theorized that the Clintons would bring Obama down for 2012. My liberal friend took exception to it.

Maybe the president elect is too smart for this stuff, but I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Clinton remember the clips above fondly. Is this a coincidence? Who knows?

All I know for sure is that the Governor of New Mexico doesn’t apparently have the gall of either of Governor of Illinois or the former president.

Language games

Posted: January 4, 2009 by datechguy in opinion/news
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We talked about the old tradition of saying one thing in arabic and another for the consumption of the international community before.

At the back of the hill reports from the San Francisco that this tradition is alive

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