Can your country do anything big and important?

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Scott Adams is jealous of countries with governments and wishes he had one:

“…the Democrats are poised for a big win during the next election based on their excellent track record of doing nothing for years. Doing nothing might not sound like a good strategy to you, but if you compare it to what happens when the government actually does something, you can make an argument.

A good test of whether you have a government is this: Can your country do anything big and important? For example, could the United States start a new war, or end an existing one, or change its dependence on foreign oil, or provide health care to all citizens? Apparently not.“

I hate it when the cartoonists are the only ones with a clue.

Google Earth

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Just installed Google Earth on the MacBook and….oooh! Nice. Last time I looked at the app it had just come out and I was on a PC. Everything about Google Earth is better. The images have been updated and the tools are amazing. Here’s the smays compound:

 

Like Steve McQueen, All I need’s a fast machine

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Sheryl's ShirtI posted a short video clip last month of some of Sheryl Crow’s clothing and costumes which she donates to raise money for a childrens home in Kennett, Missouri.

What I did’nt mention (for fear of ruining the surprise) was the item I discovered hanging on a rack in a back room: a slinky top (T-shirt?) Ms. Crow wore in the Steve McQueen video. I thought that would be a cool gift for my pen-pal and Sheryl Crow uberfan, Ann.

I liberated the shirt with a donation and sent it off to Ann, who lives in Belgium. After a month held hostage in Belgian customs (the shirt, not Ann), Ann has the shirt and promises a photo.

Sheryl Crow tops unlucky at love list

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Rocker SHERYL CROW has topped a new Unlucky in Love list following a string of failed romances. The SOAK UP THE SUN singer, who has had flings with ERIC CLAPTON, KID ROCK and OWEN WILSON, broke off her engagement to cycling champion LANCE ARMSTRONG last year (06).

But she hasn’t given up on finding true love, confessing, “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life alone. That’s the only true fear I have.” Her optimism hasn’t kept her off the top of In Touch Weekly magazine’s new love losers list, in which she narrowly beat best pal JENNIFER ANISTON. The top 10 is:

1. SHERYL CROW
2. JENNIFER ANISTON
3. PAULA ABDUL
4. HILARY DUFF
5. TYRA BANKS
6. LAUREN CONRAD (US reality TV star)
7. MARIAH CAREY
8. CARRIE UNDERWOOD (AMERICAN IDOL winner)
9. KIRSTIE ALLEY
10. CAMERON DIAZ

Well, that kinda sucks. I might argue that splitting with Lance could go in the “Lucky” column. But I no doubt our girl will find true romance and lasting happiness.

BusinessWeek: Don’t quit your day job, podcasters

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Good article in Business Week about how difficult it is to make a living as a podcaster. Seems I am one of about 35,000 daily listeners to Keith and the Girl:

“Keith Malley and Chemda Khalili, the couple behind Keith and the Girl, an engaging, sometimes raunchy Howard Stern-like podcast, have cultivated a devoted online audience. (Six fans have already had Keith and the Girl tattoos done.) The show, which has 35,000 daily listeners, is just one part of the brand. Just as important to fans are the online forums and MySpace.com (NWS ) pages where they gather to talk about the show and their lives. As a result of this devotion, the audience last year was willing to snap up about $80,000 worth of T-shirts, key chains, and other merchandise.”

Some would argue that $80K ain’t bad for just shooting the shit for an hour a day. But, as a regular listener, sounds to me like they’re working damned hard and earning every penny.