2004 TAM Music Awards

1. Van Lear Rose Loretta Lynn

   She may be old, but Loretta Lynn can rock. It helps to have The White Stripes' Jack White helping with production and bringing in a backing rock band. But what shines on this is album Lynn's storytelling. It starts off in the title song with a lovely tale of her mother and father's courtship. "Portland, Oregon" is a great duet with White about love while drunk. "Have Mercy on Me" is a country/rockabilly gumbo song. "Women's Prison" may seem cliche for a country artist, but Lynn tells the story so well to make it a four-minute musical novel.

2. Ethnomixicology Outernationalists

   What a wonderful mix of world music chants and instruments, funk, rock, and dance beats--and that's just in one song on this hour+ mix. In the late 80s, REM's Michael Stipe thought the future of music would be indigenous sounds fused with cutting-edge technology. Ethnomixicology fulfills that prediction.

   "Mash ups" may be hot with The Grey Album and Jay-Z's and Linkin Park's joint effort, but Ethnomixicology literally embodies the concept. We need a new term to describe music of such diversity. How about a "mix-up?" You may think that the combination of sounds should be a mistake, but the music sounds too good.

3. How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb U2

   This album had the most hype with it prior to release. This was supposed to be U2's first "rock" album. What the previous ones were, I don't know. Then with rocker "Vertigo" becoming the theme song for the iPod fans were expecting big things.

   All the typical U2 sounds are here: The Edge's one-of-a-kind guitar; Bono's passionate voice; a flawless rhythm section. The songs pack energy, heart, and sheer love for making music. "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" changes pace with beautiful honesty and Bono's hitting a few high notes. With a song titled "Love and Peace or Else" you may think it's a threat. Instead it's a cry. "We need love and peace," sings Bono in this mid-tempo burner. U2 offered no letdown from All that You Can't Leave Behind.

4. Hot Fuss The Killers

   Until recently I though power pop was dead. Sugar is no more, and it's been years since the Goo Goo Dolls put out an album that incorporated power to their pop. Pop punk has the guitar crunch. But the vocals are as whiny as the songs' lyrics. So I had to look elsewhere for my pop rock fix. The retro sounds of The Killers grabbed me. Hot Fuss contains hooks, tough guitar riffs, and the Moog syths that transport you to 1983. "Mr. Brightside" and "Somebody Told Me" are full of lyrical wordplay which adds to the subject's troubled psyche. The band is from Las Vegas, but they sound like 80s Euro pop. You can hear echos of The Smiths, The Cure, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and New Order, especially in Brandon Flowers' vocals.

5. Crimes of Passion Big Head Todd & the Monsters

   This album is a slow burner on the heels of the rockfest Rivera. BHTM have done this before. After their Sister Sweetly album they came back with Strategem. In both cases the follow-up album is more subdued, but not less interesting. BHTM kind of tricks you with "Dirty Juice" the first song on CoP. While not a full-throated rocker, it's got an addictive groove. Next, you come to "Beauty Queen." The smoky jazz vibe in this one assures you the band has taken a break from high-powered rock and roll. This song like "Drought of 2013" and "ICU in Everything" are the type that requires multiple listenings to really appreciate. Todd Park Mohr tells some good stories in these songs, and his precise, unexpected guitar playing shows the breadth of his talent. The best song is "Imaginary Ships." The dynamic soundscape created is heartbreaking, sublime.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Music at 09:03 PM | Comments (0)

   She Must Be Stopped

   Lisa is thinking about reading the business bestseller Who Moved My Cheese? One of my specialties at my bookstore are business books. The truth is most of these books are awful reads. They're trite, banal, and full of so many bullet points as to make them Powerpoint presentations printed on paper. Cheese may be the worse. Here's my Amazon review:
   

   This book contains some of the most banal prose I've ever read. The book reads for a sixth-grade reading level. Then there's the obvious theme: accept change. After living in the real world for the past 20+ years, who doesn't know that s/he must accept change? I'm saddened, because of the high sales of this book, to wonder about the literacy level of many managers.

   
   If Lisa wants to take any insight from the book all she'll have to do is read page 74. It's all layed out there without having to numb your brain with a lousy fable. Stay away from it Lisa. Stay away!

   "Who Moved My Cheese?"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Books at 05:25 PM | Comments (8)

   Fill 'er Up

   Michele's special. One reason is she has a shiny new U2 iPod. One thing I don't understand with some iPod owners is why they don't immediately fill it up. When I first got mine I put all the songs on my computer into the iPod folder and clicked the update button. Because I have slightly more songs than space on my player I let iTunes pick and chose. The end result was 4000+ songs at my fingertips. If you have more space than songs why wouldn't you load all of them? The point of a 20GB or 40GB iPod is to have all your music with you where ever you go.

   "I'm a Pod Person!

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Tech at 03:33 AM | Comments (0)

   First Impressions: "Like You Like an Arsonist"

   

   Thank God for iTunes. It's how I discovered a real treat in Paris, Texas new album Like You Like an Arsonist. I adore good power pop (think Goo Goo Dolls and Sugar), so when I listened to PTX's "Bombs Away" I knew I needed to immediately get the rest of the album. All these songs are tight. They ripple with energy. One qualm with my first listen is the lead vocals aren't super dynamic. There's no sign of the annoying whining that plagues pop punk and no Pavement droning, but Scott Sherpe is no Bob Mould. Another flaw is there are few real guitar solos. There are some moments when a riff is repeated, but Nolan Treolo and Nick Zinkgraf can play. They could have stretched out a little.

   It's wild knowing a band this good was in my neck of the woods (Madison, WI). Too bad for me it took me this long to discover them.

   Below are some thoughts about some of the songs while going through my first listen.
   

   
   
   • "White Eyes": Has machine gun, Ramones-like riffs and a dab of vocal harmony.

   • "Your Death": The fluttering notes at the beginning immediately signal no break from the fast pace. Big thick guitar chords in the chorus. I could live without the tempo shift just before the chorus.

   • "Strike My Heart": The intricate guitar layering and interplay are the key to this song.

   • "One Hot Coma": Do I detect a snarl in Scott Sherpe's vocals.

   • "Hip Replacement": More neat guitar combinations. Power chords with harmonies and stacotto swipes of the strings.

   • "Better Off": The intro riffs drip with power pop purity. Melody and crunch unite to become fist-pumping, tune-humming yummyness. This is the most "emo" of the songs so far. That's probably because there are moments of sparse guitar work where I can focus on the lyrics.

   • "Gemini": Jumpy. Slightly off-kilter rhythm guitar makes for a cleaver change of pace.
     

   
   

   
   
   

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Music at 02:23 AM | Comments (1)

   Yeah, Real Stingy

   Americans are giving Millions of dollars for tsunami disaster relief. Here's just one example:
   

   John Hewitt is used to opening his checkbook when disaster strikes overseas.

   The Virginia Beach entrepreneur, who typically gives a quarter-million dollars to charitable organizations each year, says he expects to provide as much or more to help buy food for victims of the tsunami that has killed nearly 80,000 people and devastated parts of a dozen nations that rim the Indian Ocean.

   Hewitt, owner and chief executive of Liberty Tax Service, which prepared nearly 1 million tax returns last year, says he will "donate something for every tax return we do" to Stop Hunger Now, a charity in Raleigh, N.C., that is among dozens of U.S. organizations rushing aid to southern Asia and East Africa. "My feeling is that God wants us to give back," says Hewitt, 55. "I don't think God just says arbitrarily, 'You win, you lose.' "

   Some consider it "stingy" when a government isn't the source of cash, but show me a more benevolent private sector than that of the U.S. Take that Jan Egeland.

   "Rush of Donations from USA is Immediate and Immense"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Foreign Affairs at 01:24 AM | Comments (2)

   December 30, 2004

   Business Can Be Strange

   A few years ago, the bright spot for AT&T was its wireless unit. AT&T Wireless got spun off. Earlier this year, it merged with Cingular. Now, AT&T will be going back into the wireless business by using Sprint as its backend. It just has to get back the AT&T Wireless name from Cingular.

   It's stories like this that make me understand how some can view capitalism as a chaotic, confusing mess.

   "Coming in '05: AT&T Mobile (Via Sprint)"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 01:08 AM | Comments (5)

   December 29, 2004

   Dealing with Future Disasters

   The best way to deal with natural disasters is to be rich enough to take precautions and have the resources available to handle the aftermath. Only when a nation like Sri Lanka is rich enough can she seriously contemplate a tsunami warning system. Madsen Pirie on the Adam Smith Institute weblog offers some ideas to help make poor countries richer:
   

   Cancel their debts (which were run up by a previous generation of predatory despots) and open our markets to their goods. Help them fight AIDS/HIV and Malaria. Help everyone gain access to clean water. Help them tackle corruption and predatory government. Buy their stuff.

   
   These are simple answers that go back to Adam Smith (go figure). The challenge is to build the political will to get them enacted. Hopefully this disaster will wake people up. Then something good will come from this.

   "Ending World Poverty"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 11:30 PM | Comments (1)

   Making Sense

   Bryan at Arguing with Signposts... and Steven Taylor are both peeved at the tsunami Monday morning quarterbacking. Bryan writes,
   

   The key thing that seems to be escaping peopel about this event is that this is a *once in a century* event. Not a very high priority on a list with a region facing civil war, poverty on massive scales, religious persecution, nuclear brinksmanship, and the other assorted second and third world problems of the region.

   Steven comments,
   

   The bottom line is that when something like this happens, we want to blame somebody or something. It is, as I noted earlier, a key part of our modern mindset.

   
   I think the seed of a good article or book is in his remarks.

   "Two Hours is Not a Lot of Time"

   "More on the Politics of Disasters"

   UPDATE: Russell Roberts reminds us that President Bush didn't send his money to Asia; it was the money from every U.S. taxpayer.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Foreign Affairs at 10:33 PM | Comments (0)

   A Tsunami of Bush Bashing

   QandO has links to weblogs that scold President Bush for not doing enough for tsunami relief efforts. An easy dead horse to kick is Juan Cole who complained about the "hundreds of billions" spent on the Iraq War while castigating Bush for initially offering $15 million, "a mysteriously chintzy response." These people want to fund humanitaian efforts while neglecting to fund the war effort. In the big scheme of things the latter is what's going to make the world a safer place. This thinking is on par with the notion that somehow it was more morally just to send U.S. troops to the Balkans because there was less for the U.S. to gain.

   "The Predictable Criticism of Bush Continues" [via Darn Floor]

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Foreign Affairs at 10:07 PM | Comments (0)

   Columnist Unhinged

   Hell hath no fury like a newspaper columnist scorned. The Minneapolis Star Tribune's Nick Coleman took up an entire column to rant about Power Line. This must be one of the few cases where a MSM columnist focused on a single weblog. I'm sure many Twin Cities readers where wondering what a "blog" is. John Hinderaker responds as does Captain Ed and Mitch Berg.

   "'Blog of the Year' Goes to Extremes"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Media at 09:41 PM | Comments (2)

   Beach of Death and Bad Coverage

   As the body count goes up I become more numb. Now, there's word 3,000 people may have died on one stretch of beach in Thailand.

   I've had a problem with some media coverage of the tsunami disaster. On Sunday, CNN had the most coverage. Fox News decided talking about Michael Jackson's upcoming trial was more pressing. Strange, since News Corp. has a presence in Asia with its Sky satellite service. MSNBC was completely worthless. They didn't bother with any news, and broadcasted their travel/adventure shows instead. It's already Wednesday, and Fox News is finally covering the story. This was one story where cable news got trounced by the internet. This was no contest.

   "Tsunami Toll Soars at Thailand's Khao Lak Beach"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Foreign Affairs at 09:09 PM | Comments (0)

   Lonely Bonfire

   Centerpiece is feeling the effect of hosting a linkfest during the interholiday week. Only six entries were submitted to the Bonfire of the Vanities.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 08:55 PM | Comments (0)

   December 28, 2004

   2005 Dead Pool

   You only have a few days left to get into Laurence's Dead Pool. Here are my picks of who won't be alive in 2005:
   

   
   
   • William Westmoreland: general; 03/26/1914
     
   • Willie Mays: baseball player; 05/06/1931
     
   • Jane Wyman: actress; 01/04/1914
     
   • Robert Downey Jr.: actor; 04/04/1965
     
   • William F. Buckley: conservative; 11/24/1925
     
   • Gene Simmons: musician; 08/25/1949
     
   • Muhammad Ali: boxer; 01/17/1942
     
   • Bob Woodward: reporter; 03/26/1943
     
   • Jann Wenner: crappy magazine publisher; 01/07/1946
     
   • Roger Clinton: sibling of ex-President; 07/25/1956
     
   • Louie Anderson: commedian; 03/24/1953
     
   • Neil Armstrong: astronaut; 08/05/1930
     
   • Dick Cheney: VP; 01/30/1941
     
   • Janet Reno: ex-Attorney General/ugly woman; 07/21/1938
     
   • Rob Reiner: actor/director/obnoxious liberal; 03/06/1945
     

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 10:38 PM | Comments (3)

   Insubstantial Warning Unheeded

   Even if there was a tsunami warning system in place for the Indian Ocean it may not have helped at all if people didn't act on the limited information available to them at the time.
   

   The Thai government has generally maintained that it has done what it could under intensely difficult circumstances, with little warning and limited resources. But a front-page story published Tuesday in a Bangkok newspaper, the Nation, reported that Thai officials were aware of the possibility of the tsunami early Sunday morning -- more than an hour before it hit -- but rejected suggestions of an evacuation, fearing the consequences for the tourism industry during one of the busiest weeks of the year. The report could not be independently confirmed.

   
   If the report is true I will grant Thai officials didn't have much to offer the effected areas. The best they could have done was inform beachfront resorts that a strong earthquake could produce tsunamis. There's no assumption any warning would have been heeded. Locals could have just brushed it off since tsunamis rarely happen in that area. So, I disagree with Kevin when he writes, "Unbelievable." When a natural disaster happens for the first time in hundreds of years any sort of blame game is pointless.

   "'There Were No Ambulances, No Cars . . . Nothing'" [via Wizbang]

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Foreign Affairs at 10:08 PM | Comments (1)

   The Numbers Rise

   At least 68,000 have died and over $13 billion in damages were caused by Sunday's tsunamis. Indonesia suffered 27,000 deaths while India has endured 12,000. Expect the death toll to rise as rescue workers reach remote areas and disease plagues the living. An Italian offical thinks the toll could rise to 100,000.

   To help with the relief efforts, Amazon is collecting donations to the Red Cross. The Command Post also has a list of links on how to help with the relief. I'm sure many of our wallets are thin from Christmas gifts, but please donate as much as you can.

   "Tsunami Death Toll over 68,000"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Foreign Affairs at 09:40 PM | Comments (0)

   Two Papers, One Subject

   The Philadelphia Inquirer's Bill Lyon has a beautiful ode to Reggie White. Sadly, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's sports department has no one as eloquent. The best that paper has is opinion columnist Eugene Kane's nice rememberance.

   "Fame Used Well Means More than Sacks" [via Galley Slaves]

   "White Meant Well, Despite His Fumbles"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Sports at 09:00 PM | Comments (0)

   Last CotC of 2004

   This week is the worst week of the year to host a weblog linkfest. Last year, I hosted the Carnival of the Capitalists. It was one of the only weeks that wasn't linked by Glenn Reynolds. Thus, I'm giving Dane Carlson some linky love.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 08:43 PM | Comments (0)

   Tsunamis' Possible Economic Effects

   Early guesses indicate the deadly tsunamis won't hurt U.S. insurance companies. That means the U.S. economy shouldn't see a direct economic effect. But there could be indirect effects to the U.S. economy. That area of Southeast Asia is a source of cheap labor. Look on the tags of your clothes and you'll probably read "Made in Thailand" or "Made in Indonesia" on it. The tsunamis could disrupt a lot of production. That could mean temporary shortages or higher prices on some imports, at least until manufacturers can move production.

   "U.S. Insurers Seen Little Exposed to Asia Tsunami"

   UPDATE: It's good U.S. insurers have little exposure in SE Asia. They had a rough 2004 with U.S. hurricanes and Asian typhoons. Here's a "wow" statistic I found:
   

   Total insurance premiums per capita in the U.S. averaged $3,638 last year, according to Swiss Re. In Indonesia, the average was $14.50.

   
   One needs to be richer to afford insurance in addition to a tsunami warning system.

   "Insurers Took a Hit in 2004"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 12:07 AM | Comments (1)

   December 27, 2004

   Preparing for the Big One

   Glenn Reynolds' latest TCS article expands nicely on the points I've made about economic trade offs and tsunami warning systems. Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, and the other nations severely hit would have been better off had they been richer. That's easy for me to say since I have the luxury of typing my thoughts on a computer that's connected to the internet. But what is needed is the never-ending fight for global economic freedom. That means tax cuts where they impede growth, adequate law enforcement to protect life and property, innovation, and global free trade.

   "Catastrophes and Their Cures"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 11:54 PM | Comments (0)

   Post-Christmas Shopping Rant

   One would have thought some Christmas cheer would have rubbed off on some people. Unfortunately, the post-Christmas creatures are as rude, condescending, and impatient as the pre-Christmas creatures.

   Christmas fell on a Saturday this year. Therefore, today was the first business day after Christmas. Somehow, many shoppers didn't seem to understand that much of what they couldn't get before Christmas was still unavailable. My bookstore just got its first shipment of new stock in, and I can tell you many more will be needed to fill up our store. For example, the new Brett Favre book wasn't available for days going into Christmas because the publisher didn't expect such demand. Just because we're past 12.25 it doesn't mean more copies arrived. No one worked on Christmas. How could they get here? My employees and I are good at what we do, but we can't just wave our hands and make stuff magically appear.

   The store is also in a state of semi-chaos. It's going to take time to reorganize sections. Many customers don't seem to realize that employees can either wait on a customer or put the store back into some semblance of order. We can't do both.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 10:25 PM | Comments (2)

   Cell Phone Users are Idiots

   It's bad enough when rude people allow their cell phone to interrupt a conversation, talk on one while going through a check out line, or loudly yap one-half of a personal conversation in public. I've now learned that California 911 operators see an increase in calls on Christmas because morons are testing their new phones by dialing 911. Why couldn't a tsunami hit there?

   "Testing Cell Phones Ties up 911" [via Engadget]

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Tech at 10:08 PM | Comments (1)

   Tsunami Tradeoffs

   Many Sri Lankans feel the same way about the lack of a tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean as air force chief Harry Goonetilleke: "This is tragic. There should have been such an arrangement for the region. This is absolutely not acceptable." So those Asian nations hit by the devestating tsunamis are considering building an early warning system. Of course this will cost money, something countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka don't have a lot of. The costs of building a system have to be weighed against its effectiveness. A warning means nothing if local areas don't take advantage of it. One can't simply say a tsunami early warning system should be built. If one killer tsunami happens in the Indian Ocean every century would the system be worth it? What must also enter the equation is what will be sacrificed if money is put into an early warning system. Would programs fighting disease get lesser funding? Would infrastructure improvements be postponed? Money going to an early warning system and away from other programs may make nations worse off.

   Even during disasters Man cannot change the laws of economics.

   "Asia Considers Disaster-Warning System"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 09:35 PM | Comments (2)

   It's Even Worse

   Over 20,000 are dead from the tsunami with more being counted. Beaches have become mass graves that would make Saddam proud. Now, the worry is disease from all the dead bodies. It's cliche, but it's going to get worse before it gets better. Thankfully, relief efforts have begun.

   "Tidal Waves Kill 22,000 in Nine Countries"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Foreign Affairs at 10:16 AM | Comments (0)

   Don't Tell PETA

   But I think Stephen Bainbridge is admitting to animal abuse.

   "Reindogs of Christmas"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 01:05 AM | Comments (0)

   December 26, 2004

   Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!

   Reggie White is dead. His stay in Green Bay wasn't as long and his time in Philadephia. But his six seasons helped bring a title back to Titletown and made the Packers one of the most beloved franchises in all of sports.

   Brett Favre's golden arm and incredible toughness will be what is most remember about this Packers revival, but I feel safe claiming that a third Super Bowl title wouldn't have happened without #92. It wasn't just that Reggie White was the most dominating defensive end in NFL history. By White coming to Green Bay it told the rest of the league that the Packers were serious about winning. As Tom Silverstein writes, "Soon after his arrival, the Packers were able to recruit free agents from all walks of life because they had the great Reggie White recruiting for them."

   Reggie was a leader on the field and for the most part was a good man off the field. Packers fans gave generously to rebuild a burned out church White was a part of. The church was never rebuilt and questions about where the money went weren't answered.

   White took flack for a March 1998 speech before the Wisconsin State Legislature where he mentioned racial stereotypes. The overblown attention to his remarks cost him a CBS sports analyst position.

   What I'll most remember about Reggie was one play against the Vikings (I think). Reggie was lined up again a big, hulking offensive tackle. The ball was snapped. Reggie didn't run around him, cut to the inside, or try to spin on him. He just got his arm underneath the tackle's armpit and tossed him aside like a rag doll. I don't even remember if Reggie ended up sacking the quarterback. It doesn't matter because I was in awe of such strength and leverage.

   If there's a version of Lambeau Field in heaven--and you know there it--all the fans there are chanting "Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!"

   I knew Michele was a Favre fan, but I'm not surprised she liked Reggie too.

   Godspeed, Reggie.

   "Reggie White Dies of Heart Attack"

   UPDATE:

   Here's some blogospheric reaction:

   Glenn Reynolds, who rarely posts on sports items, speaks kindly of Reggie.

   Steve at Lake View "can't believe it."

   Philip Winn, a Vikings fan, shows Reggie some love.

   James Joyner links to a story on how influential Reggie was to one teammate.

   And then there are also asses like this.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Sports at 02:18 PM | Comments (3)

   Deadly Wave

   Over 10,000 are dead from an earthquake-induced tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Yet Waverly Person of the U.S. Geological Survey said many could have been saved if the countries hit had early warning systems.
   

   Most of those people could have been saved if they had had a tsunami warning system in place or tide gauges. And I think this will be a lesson to them."

   
   Just one problem which Person admits: tsunamis are rare in the Indian Ocean. This is like saying that people in Wisconsin could be better prepared if more earthquake detection devices were in the Badger State. Such Monday morning quarterbacking after a disaster ticks me off. All decisions come with trade offs. If India, Thailand, Indonesia or Sri Lanka chose to have early-warning systems that money would have not gone to some other concern. The countries hit are not the richest nations in the world. They have other pressing needs like dealing with diseases and making sure there's enough clean water. It's pretty arrogant for a man from a rich nation like the U.S. (along with this Slashdot poster) to suggest options poorer nations didn't have the luxury of having.

   For a collection of stories about the deadly tsunami visit The Command Post.

   "USGS: Warnings Could Have Saved Thousands in Asia"

   "Asia Quakes' Tsunamis Kill Nearly 10,000"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Foreign Affairs at 01:39 PM | Comments (1)

   December 25, 2004

   Merry Christmas

   I wish all of you a great, splended Christmas. Enjoy your gifts and enjoy the company you're keeping. Stay safe and remember the reason for the season.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 12:33 AM | Comments (0)

   December 24, 2004

   Eight Hours to Go

   One more shift and it's Christmas for me. Because of the lame NFL decision to schedule the Packers-Vikings game in the middle of the afternoon on Christmas Eve I expect a rush until the 2:00 kickoff time. 10+ will be waiting for our doors to open at 8:00 a.m. Once the game starts it will die down with the few non-football fans and truly desparate shoppers left.

   This will be a wild day in that desparate people will buy anything we put in front of them. Some book we haven't moved all season could vanish in a matter of hours. The really hot item will be gift cards.

   If this Christmas Eve is like the others I've worked, when my store closes at 6:00 we'll be kicking out 50-100 customers. Some will even grumble that we should be open later and even on Christmas Day. All the employees will try to make the store look somewhat decent quickly. No one will want to be there any longer than we have to.

   Some may think that with Christmas here retailers can catch their breath. Not so. We'll be busy until kids finish their Christmas vacations. Even then, people will be returning stuff and spending their gift cards. To use a football analogy, we're almost to the end of the third quarter.

   "Retailers Brace for Last-Day Blitz"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 12:44 AM | Comments (0)

   December 23, 2004

   Commenting on Lasee's Plan

   Boots & Sabers' Owen likes State Assemblyman Lasee's version of TABOR and points that it wouldn't require any cuts in current state government spending. It would only shackle future growth.

   "Lasee's New Proposal"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 10:54 PM | Comments (0)

   TAM's Terrific Treats #16

   Here is your last bit of gift-giving advice for the toughest people on your list. If by some chance you failed to plan properly, were just plain lazy, or went out on a really wild drinking binge, you will wake up tomorrow, Christmas Eve, realizing you still need to buy gifts. If the malls and stores have closed by the time of your "epiphany" your last resort is Walgreens. Don't fret. Hope is not lost. For you can get a big, floppy dog. Or you could force your recipient to dig out his VHS player to watch the new movie you bought him. There is also a foot spa for that person you know walked the miles at the malls to get you something. And if all else fails, buy everyone a Whitman's Sampler.

   [Added to Wizbang's "The 10 Spot - Christmas Eve Eve Edition."]

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 08:26 PM | Comments (0)

   Buy the World Some Coke

   Mediaguru tells a story of The Smithereens coked up. I wonder if lead singer Pat DiNizio was high when he ran for the U.S. Senate on the Reform Party ticket?

   By the way, The Smithereens are a highly underrated band. They have a knack of balancing great pop hooks with muscular guitar crunch. I was hooked with "Girl Like You," and I've never looked back. Go get their greatest hits collection.

   "Smithereens=Cokeheads" [via ASV]

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Music at 08:14 PM | Comments (0)

   A Paris-Free Zone

   Lloyd Grove has created a Paris-free zone. Will Kevin Aylward follow? I doubt it.

   "Paris Hilton Banned"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 07:34 PM | Comments (0)

   Homemaker Steve

   Steve of Norway is doing his best Martha Stewart impersonation--just without the prison guards. Two things: 1. Chocolate chip cookies are great, but do they qualify as "Christmas cookies?" 2. Who's this "someone?" We want details.

   "Cookie Blogging"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 06:40 PM | Comments (0)

   December 22, 2004

   TAM's Terrific Treats #15

   We're almost near the end of these Christmas gift suggestions.

   For a gift that keeps on giving try a [Blank] of the Month Club. Now, you could be boring and sign someone up for a Book of the Month or Wine of the Month, but how about these unique subscriptions:
   

   • Magic Trick of the Month Club

   • Mineral of the Month Club

   • NOFX 7" of the Month Club

   • Sock of the Month Club (you have to knit them yourself)

   • Potato Chip of the Month Club

   • Peanut-Butter-And-Jelly-Of-The-Month Club
     

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 09:12 PM | Comments (0)

   Castro's Thin Skin

   Fidel Castro has been having a fit with the U.S. interests section in Havana. Here's the BBC's description of the section's Christmas display:
   

   The display at the US interests section includes a huge white Santa Claus, an image of galloping reindeer and a flashing sign wishing Cubans a Happy Christmas.

   
   What's ticked off Castro is this:
   

   A large figure 75 is picked out in neon, inside a large circle, in reference to the number of Cuban dissidents jailed last year.

   
   State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, "We think that remembrance of the 75 people in jail is entirely appropriate to the season. And we intend to leave the lights up."

   In response, 5000 Cuban students protested outside the section. Along with that big pictures of Abu Ghraib victims, caricatures of an eagle and the head of the U.S. section, and swastikas are all posted outside the section.

   All in response to one number in lights.

   "Protest Targets US Cuba Mission"

   "Cuban Cartoonists Join U.S. Xmas Lights Dispute"

   "Spawn of Bush-Hitler"

   [Added to OTB's Beltway Traffic Jam.]

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Foreign Affairs at 07:59 PM | Comments (0)

   Lasee's TABOR

   It was non-stop shopping craziness today. Thus, the tardiness of the first post of the day (evening).

   The big issue in Wisconsin politics is TABOR, the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights. It's a proposed state constitutional amendment that would limit the growth of state government. Last year, State Senate Republicans couldn't agree on how strict to make the amendment. That cost GOP Majority Leader Mary Panzer her job. Today, State Assemblymen Frank Lasee proposed a TABOR that was tied to population increases and the Consumer Price Index. It's tougher than any proposal on the table last year.

   I don't think Lasee really expects his version of TABOR to be the one that eventually is enacted. He just decided to make it so strict so as to pull the final TABOR closer to his position. The final compromise will end up more conservative than if the farthest right position were not as strict. It also makes the very conservative State Assembly Speaker John Gard look more moderate. Intentionally or not this is a good cop/bad cop tactic. The end result is (hopefully) an end of Wisconsin's tax spiral.

   One group who will fight tooth and nail to oppose TABOR are city governments. Rich Eggleston, spokesman for the Wisconsin Alliance of Cities said the GOP should give cities a chance to curb spending. "But if you give us time to produce smarter, more efficient, more productive government . . . then we can develop the solutions that preserve services and hold down taxes." The cities have had years to stop the ever-increasing tax burden on Wisconsin citizens. The only way to see real reform is to turn off the tax dollar spigot.

   "Lawmaker to Push Tougher Version of Property Tax Limits"

   This is just the beginning of a long debate.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 07:47 PM | Comments (0)

   December 21, 2004

   One Week Later

   In hawking his book Eugene Volokh writes,
   

   And remember, some people appreciate New Year's gifts as well as Christmas gifts. (I'm not making this up, that's indeed the way we always did it in my family.) And some people appreciate gifts on any day.

   
   A simpler excuse would simply be celebrating Christmas under the Orthodox calendar.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 10:30 PM | Comments (0)

   What I Don't Want for Christmas

   Hummer for Men. I mean the cologne, not something you pay a cheap whore to give you.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 07:18 PM | Comments (0)

   Cash Register Blues

   Steven Taylor has posted some thing he doesn't get. I'll respond to his first item:
   

   Three workers, long line of customers, yet only one register is open.

   
   If the store operates the same way as my bookstore it's a combination of allocating labor and the power of accountants.

   Even during the busiest shopping day there are lulls. For instance having every register manned when the store opens at 8:00 a.m. is a waste of money (wages). The store manager has to make educated guesses as to when to max out his cashiers. If he guesses wrong and customers flood the store early, lines build and tactical adjustments have to be made.

   Which segues nicely to the second part of my explanation. If they know it or now accountants rule the world. They can take down global companies like Enron and WorldCom, and they can stick wrenches into public policy proposals--we'll see plenty of this with Social Security reform. In a store it's important to give limited access to cash and cash functions. Doing so prevents internal theft and mistakes that can lead to the retail buzzword "shrink." In order to minimize shrink only the management team has access to the store safe, and individual cashiers are assigned a register. That means that when more customers than expected appear in line an "excess" employee can't just hop onto a register and start checking people out. They have to get a manager to get them a cash drawer which has to be counted. Then the employee has to get a manager to sign them onto an unused cash register. Since lots of needy customers are around finding a free manager can take some time. I've seen many instances where someone found a manager, got a drawer, got signed in only to find no one left waiting in line.

   There's probably a better way of handling the wax and wane in a store. If you figure a solution out you'll probably be able to make some good money in the consulting business. But for now we're bound by imperfect projections and accounants who have a lot more power than they realize.

   "Things I Don’t Get (Christmas Shopping Edition)"

   [Of course I shouldn't discount the most obvious explanation: lazy incompetence.]

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 06:37 PM | Comments (5)

   Way to Go Apple

   When it seems like customer service is going down the toilet, some of us get pleasantly surprised.

   "I was So Ready to Hate Apple Today"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 04:20 PM | Comments (0)

   Mosul Attack

   It won't be a merry Christmas for those soldiers attacked in Mosul nor for the families of those killed. A really awful part of this story is two soldiers from the 276th Engineer Battalion of the Virginia National Guard were killed. They're going home in about a month, and battalion lost no one--until today.

   "Mosul Attack Kills 24, Wounds 64; Local Reporters on Scene" [via Michelle Malkin]

   UPDATE: Samizdata's Johnathan Pearce writes:
   

   As an aside, it makes me wonder how those critics beating up Donald Rumsfeld at the moment would have written about the calibre of F. D. Roosevelt's defence chiefs 50 years ago, during the Battle of the Ardennes, better known as the Battle of the Bulge. Andrew Sullivan might have been calling for Eishenhower's head on a stick by now.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in War at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)

   TAM's Terrific Treats #14

   You may have a hard core Red Stater on your Christmas list. This person may be so hard core they think President Bush is a wimp for not nuking Fallujah. They may also be the type who thinks you're not a "real" American if you didn't see The Passion of the Christ. For a person like this only one talking head will do: Ann Coulter. Say what you want about her she dishes out the bromides as well as anyone. She's even some-what attractive--though that's fading fast.

   Any Ann Coulter fan needs this new DVD Is It True What They Say About Ann? It's 40 minutes of Ann yapping, pontificating, and harping on Lefities.

   The DVD won't arrive by Christmas, but don't let that stop you. Just print out this web page, put it in an envelope, and put it under the tree. The anticipation of Ann on their television screen will give them a giddy feeling inside.
   

   
   
   

   [Added to OTB's Beltway Traffic Jam.]

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 02:57 PM | Comments (0)

   What's Old is New Again

   Retro will never die. At least if marketers have their way.
   

   Remember Spam, that mystery meat in a can? Does Popeye ring any bells? How about White Castle burgers? Maybe you're familiar with these products just from listening to your parents talk about the good old days. But chances are your familiarity will grow next year. Marketers are revving up the publicity machine to turn these darlings of yesteryear into 21st century stars.

   Madison Avenue, Hollywood, and even Broadway are betting that many of these ubiquitous icons still retain some cachet. Witness the recent success of The Brady Bunch family reunions and the return of chocolate drink Ovaltine. Marketers know it's tougher to launch a new, unknown, and untested brand than to bring back oldies but goodies for a second act. "Marketers don't have to explain the brand, just build on latent appeal," says Drew Neisser, CEO of Renegade Marketing Group, a brand-marketing firm in New York.

   
   "Old Brands, Renewed Appeal"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Economics at 02:40 PM | Comments (3)

   Lack-Luster Review

   Stephen Taylor claims to be trying to help last-minute shoppers with a review of Michael Moore is a Big Fat Stupid White Man. But he thinks it's only an average book so only search for this if you have a big Michael Moore hater on your Christmas list.

   "Book Review II: Michael Moore is a Big Fat Stupid White Man"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Books at 02:30 PM | Comments (2)

   Harry Potter VI

   July 16 will be one of the craziest nights in book history. That's when J. K. Rowling's next Harry Potter book is released to her adoring millions. So along with the last-minute Christmas shopping I'll have to deal with people already wanted to order the book.

   Last year was an experience for me. This July, the mania could be worse. I better get that vacation request in soon.

   "Sixth Harry Potter Book Due Out in July"

   "New Harry Potter"

   "Harry, Azkaban, and a Prince Down a Few Quarts"

   "Harry Potter and the Half-Bood Prince"

   UPDATE: The stocks of the book publishers surged upon the news.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Books at 02:10 PM | Comments (0)

   Christmas Progress Report

   The turducken is in the fridge. The wine is in the cooler. All important people have been covered in the gift department--that could change since I'll be out shopping again tomorrow. All I have to do is wrap gifts. It's been a stupid tradition for me to wrap presents just before they were opened, but I'm closing the bookstore Christmas Eve. I'll want to get home and start celebrating.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 12:03 AM | Comments (0)

   December 20, 2004

   TAM's Terrific Treats #13

   This Terrific Treat is slightly extreme in that it transforms a part of the house. But for a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan how could they not like a room carpeted in green and gold?

   Logistically you can't get it installed by Christmas, but some pictures of what it will look like will make them drool. Just ignore this dork.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 11:28 PM | Comments (0)

   A PC President

   I think I know why President Bush said "Happy Holidays" twice at today's press conference but didn't say "Merry Christmas" once. Some of his best friends are Jewish.

   Not saying "Merry Christmas" disappointed me, but it shows Bush is his own man no matter what the Bush bashers think.

   UPDATE: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger did the opposite of the President by calling the state Christmas tree exactly what it is.

   UPDATE II: As to my "best friends" quip I was almost correct:
   

   Some leaders of Jewish organizations were miffed that the White House chose to meet with a hand-picked group of rabbis —and predominantly Orthodox ones at that —rather than appointed heads of leading Jewish groups, as is usually the custom.

   
   "A White (House) Chanukah" [via BrothersJudd]

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Religion at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)

   Separation of Church and Football: Not this Friday

   Captain Ed makes some good points about the upcoming conflict between church and football. I don't quite understand the conflict since I didn't know many churches held afternoon services on Christmas Eve. As a kid, my Lutheran school had it's program during the evening of Christmas Eve. What I don't get is the NFL's thinking of playing a rivalry game (Packers-Vikings) on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. Evening I'd understand, but as Ed points out many fans would be doing their last-minute Christmas shopping. With the huge implications of Friday's game stores in both Minnesota and Green Bay will empty out during the game*. Everywhere else there will be no change.

   "NFL Game Causes Stir In Upper Midwest"

   "O Come, All Ye Packers Faithful"

   * Since I close up shop at the bookstore that day I won't complain about the lack of shoppers. I really confident that those hours before the game will turn the store into a madhouse.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Sports at 09:44 PM | Comments (1)

   Fire on Ice

   If you happen to be in Duluth, MN beware of exploding Zambonis.
   

   Leaking propane from a Zamboni ice resurfacing machine was blamed for an explosion and fire that destroyed Peterson Arena in the midst of a broomball game Sunday night, according to press release issued by Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson Monday.

   Bergson said the city's fire marshal had determined the leaking gas reached an open flame on a gas-fired hot water heater, which triggered the explosion.

   "Said explosion breached into the arena and rapidly spread into the upper level and across the ceiling," the release said.

   Damage to the building and equipment inside was estimated at $850,000.

   
   At least it wasn't the DECC. My beloved Bulldogs aren't affected. What the explosion has done is mess up tons of local hockey events.

   "Peterson Arena Damage $850,000"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Minnesota at 09:23 PM | Comments (0)

   Wonkette Wacked

   On Rathergate Wonkette doesn't get it. The focus was on the fraudulent National Guard documents because that's what the new part of the story was. For months, even years the MSM was digging around trying to determine if President Bush did or did not fulfill is National Guard service. They couldn't find proof that he didn't, but his paper trail led to some dead ends. Instead of just writing it off as poor handling of paperwork in the 1960s guard they assumed a conspiracy.

   Then in the middle of a Presidential election some damning memos miraculously appear. Of course the focus should have been on "evidence" that could swing a Presidential election. Once the memos were found to be fake (with little forensic work needed) the story then became how CBS News let themselves be so easily fooled.

   Ana Marie Cox once again demonstrates why I don't bother with her lame weblog.

   "Wonkette to Bloggers: F**** You"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Media at 02:57 PM | Comments (15)

   Book Recommendations

   We see the end of the Christmas shopping tunnel, and the light we see is a beautifully decorated tree. Unlike the TAM's Terrific Treats series I've entertained you with (I hope) the past week or so here are some more serious picks for you last-minute shoppers. I realize even though some online stores claim they can still get you your gifts by Christmas ordering now involves some risk. So I'll not only provide a link to the item, but I'll give you the ISBN. Booksellers love it when customers have that number because all we have to do is type it into a computer to see if it's in stock.

   First, fiction:
   

   
   
   • I've become a big fan of Donald Westlake's Dortmunder books. The most recent is The Road to Ruin (ISBN: 089296801X). The main character is a professional thief. While he's a man who breaks the law he still abides by a moral code. Dortmunder is a crook with a soul. The capers have plenty of twists and turns. They never quite end the way you think, but you'll laugh and smile watching how it turns out.

   • Daniel Silva's The Confessor (ISBN: 0451211480) is a taught, action-packed spy book where a Jewish art restorer is also an Mossad agent. It would be good for those who like Robert Ludlum's Bourne series.
     

   Now onto non-fiction:
   

   
   
   • For someone with little exposure to the study of economics a great place to start is with Henry Hazlitt's Economics in One Lesson (ISBN: 0517548232). It's short so it won't overwhelm the reader. Yet it's full of insight with talk about the importance of tradeoffs and unintended consequences.

   • John Stuart Mill's On Liberty is a classic political tract for a reason: his arguments must still be tackled today.

   • Michael Lewis' Moneyball (ISBN: 0393057658) isn't just a great baseball book. It's a great business book, and it's a great economics book. Lewis wondered how the Oakland A's won with small payroll. By answering that question we learn the importance of discipline, creative thinking, deep analysis, and taking advantage of other's missed opportunities.

   • If you think someone would be daunted with a copy of Tom Wolfe's large novel I Am Charlotte Simmons, then give them Hooking Up (ISBN: 0312420234) a collection of essays and a novella. It has Wolfe's wild, wizbang style, and the title essay should let the reader understand what Charlotte Simmons is about.

   For more ideas Thomas Sowell offers his recomendations. [via PrestoPundit]

   Me, I'm off to finish up some shopping.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Books at 02:09 PM | Comments (0)

   [Blank] of the Year

   President Bush was named Time's Man of the Year. I'm not surprised, and it's a good choice. I just think awarding it to Mel Gibson & Michael Moore would have made for a more interesting issue. I followed the election all year so I'm quite familiar with all the twists and turns that reelected Bush. Reading about Bush's successful past year is "old news" to me.

   I won't say too much yet about any weblogs of the year. That will be saved for the TAM Awards later this month. Time named Power Line the "Blog of the Year." [UGH! Why, oh why must they call it a "blog?" It's such an ugly word.] The honor's fitting with their work taking down Dan Rather. I just wonder if some of them are getting a little out of touch with the rest of us in the blogosphere. For instance, John Hindraker, A.K.A. Hindrocket calls the initial post skeptical of the Rather memos "the most famous post in the (short) history of the blogosphere." Then in an AP story--ironic since Power Line's most well-known work before exposing the memos was exposing the anti-GOP lies from the wire service) Hindraker said Power Line only made "a couple thousand bucks a month." Heh, some of us old fogey webloggers haven't made a hundred bucks total in the years we've been posting. This is a "Let them eat cake" moment, but without the arrogance.

   If weblogging was anything like a serious business Hindraker's statements would signal that the bubble may soon burst. However, what would it mean for the weblog bubble to burst? Servers wouldn't collapse; keyboards would stop working. At worst, advertisers would stop paying webloggers. A few weblogs would then shut down. The blogosphere would still hang around since most of us write in this medium not for money but for the ability to be read.

   "Blog of the Year"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 01:18 PM | Comments (0)

   December 19, 2004

   TAM's Terrific Treats #12

   Here's something for the fisherman or Simpsons fan on your Christmas list.
   

   
   
   

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 11:48 PM | Comments (0)

   Being Fooled

   Many months ago Milt Rosenberg was kind enough give me notice of a paper by Dr. Steve K. Dubrow-Eichel on on how smart people, scholars, can be fooled. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle believed in fairies and Uri Geller fooled Stanford scholars into thinking he could bend spoons with his mind.

   The ideas in this paper go beyond just social psychology research. They can be applied to the political arguments of our day. How did NY Times editors let Jayson Blair get away with his fake stories? How do Bush bashers walk away from Fahrenheit 9/11 believing Moore's outlandish conspiracy theories? Why do a few on the Right insist the Clintons had Vincent Foster killed?

   Research has found attractiveness, prestige, and confidence led credibility to consumers of information. Maybe that's why President Bush never publically admits to mistakes as President. He fears that a public display of insecurity would hurt his ability to get reelected or to rally the public to his side.

   What's the solution? Dr. Dubrow-Eichel looks at dispersed, especially opposing, viewpoints:
   

   I believe anyone who studies highly controversial and polarizing social movements needs to be especially respectful of how prior biases impact on subsequent research strategies and interpretations of data. In fact, I go so far as to state that it is not enough to rely on ourselves and our like-minded peers; we need to routinely employ critical consultants from “the opposing side” to keep us honest.

   "Can Scholars Be Deceived? Empirical Evidence from Social Psychology and History"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Culture at 12:22 AM | Comments (0)

   December 18, 2004

   TAM's Terrific Treats #11

   We're knee-deep into the last shopping weekend before Christmas. Empty store shelves are what remains from shoppers' craziness. I'm sure many of your first, second, third, ... eighth choices can't be found. With grouchiness and frustration setting in what do you give to someone? Two words: bobble heads.

   

   This Andre the Giant bobble head won't remind you of his quaint role in The Princess Bride, but it's made from "heavy ceramic-type resin."

   

   This Buckwheat bobble head is sure to insult the ethnically sensitive on your list. So you better tack on a Jesse Jackson bobble head along with it.

   

   I saved the best for last. Say you have a religious or history buff on your list. You'd like to choose a book, but you're sure their collection rivals that some some small universities. If you're in such straights I sugest a Martin Luther bobble head.
   

   
   
   

   
   They'll love it. "This is most certainly true."

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 11:48 PM | Comments (0)

   My Christmas Has Begun

   My Christmas celebrating started today with my mom's side of the family. We all gathered in southwest Wisconsin for our annual weekend before Christmas bash. The new and the old were there. This was a newborn second cousin's first Cooper gathering and my grandfather's umpteenth. My grandfather has been through a lot of medical problems recently. He's weak, but his mind is still sharp, and he enjoyed the party. The family was loud, and boisterous. We always tell newcomers to the family not to mind our "debates." We may yell and scream to get our point across, but we always leave happy.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Miscellaneous at 11:45 PM | Comments (0)

   Marking the Calendar

   A gathering of Minnesota webloggers is planned for 01.22.05. I'm tempted to crash it. It will be post-Christmas, and I'd love to meet some fine webloggers I've been reading (and losing too). For them, they might pick up some tips from and "elder statesman" like myself.

   "Minnesota Blogger Gathering Announced"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 10:50 PM | Comments (1)

   Tech Note

   To prevent comment spam I've installed MT-Close2 that closes the comments on old posts. I've set it so posts older than two weeks will have their comments closed. That shouldn't be a problem except for the occasional person who finds an old post via Google. Let me know if you notice anything wrong.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 10:29 PM | Comments (2)

   Move Over MoveOn

   RedState has moved beyond being simply a weblog and information resource for conservatives. It's now officially a 527. The Right is behind the Left in online political activism, but their catching up.

   It also appears the weblog looks more like a conventional weblog. I avoided RedState before because I didn't want to click on the "Read On" link. I'm a firm believer in posting whole posts on one page (unless it's footnote-type material). I don't mind using my scroll wheel.

   "Big News for RedState"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Weblogging at 08:45 PM | Comments (0)

   Clinic Scaring Students

   The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater may have the only health clinic in the nation that is telling its patients that the Patriot Act requires them to release personal information without their knowledge should the government ask. The clinic's executive director John Macek said mentioning this in the privacy policy wasn't a political statement.

   I'm suspicious. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asked a local hospital about their privacy policy. Waukesha Memorial Hospital told the newspaper that it too allowed access to medical records if the government was performing a national security investigation. However, they don't mention the Patriot Act because the National Security Act of 1947 applied long before anyone even thought about the Patriot Act. It's safe to assume that act applies to UW-Whitewater's clinic too. Therefore, explicitly mentioning the Patriot Act is just a way to scare students. The ability of government investigators to look into personal medical records was already in place before the Sep. 11-inspired legislation existed. Combine that with the fact that a journalism professor who researches hospitals' privacy statements has never come across a mention of the Patriot Act. Also note that Macek admits no one from the government has ever asked for any records.

   No matter how much Macek claims to care more about gardening than about the Patriot Act he allowed its mention in his clinic's privacy policy. What reason could it's mention be in there but to frighten? He should get that fixed by either removing its mention or adding additional legislation, such as the National Security Act of 1947, to give his patients a fuller understanding.

   "University Warns Students of Patriot Act Disclosures"

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 09:14 AM | Comments (0)

   December 17, 2004

   Salvation Army Needs Help

   

   The Milwaukee area Salvation Army is behind in donations. This is partially due to Target banning the bellringers from their stores. Talk radio yapper Charlie Sykes allowed a representative on his show today to ask for donations of time and/or money. The SA is looking for volunteer bellringers. If they can't find enough they have to hire replacements which cuts into the money coming in. If you don't have any time--understandable during Christmas--you can stuff any of the 100+ red kettles throughout the Milwaukee area or donate online.

   Posted by Sean Hackbarth in Wisconsin at 01:56 PM | Comments (8)

   TAM's Terrific Treats #10

   Are you almost finished with your shopping but need just a little something extra? There's always the SpongeBob SquarePants Square Pants Shower Radio. Imagine the look on the recipient's face every morning waking up to this: