tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:41:27 +0000http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/noreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)Blogger260125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-5870610865959557737Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:04:00 +00002008-07-20T21:22:25.100-04:00 You know, I think I'm finally getting over the shutdown of the Ford Nuclear Reactor: I missed the fifth anniversary. At 3:45 p.m. on July 3, 2003 I drove in the rods for the reactor's final shutdown. I still miss the cool blue glow. Speaking of anniversaries, this is the 25th anniversary of my around-the-world cruise on the U.S.S. Texas (CGN-39). The Texas was chopped up into razorblades in http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/07/fifth-anniversary-of-fnr-shutdown.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-2636613462498713914Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:24:00 +00002008-07-24T09:41:27.569-04:00Ypsilanti schoolsI confess. I was surprised to learn that Jim Vick is a leading candidate -- the leading candidate? -- to replace Mike McIntosh as assistant principal/athletic director at YHS. I understand that he has the support of Superintendent Dr. James Hawkins. I like Dr. Hawkins and I trust his judgment. But then I remember former YHS principal Dr. Layne Hunt. And I hesitate. Surely, I say to no one http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/07/ypsilanti-schools-can-do-better.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-5787578365593832252Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:15:00 +00002008-07-11T15:15:58.962-04:00What does it take to get the mainstream media to break off their luv affair with John McCain? In a week full of missteps, I've seen only a little attention paid to the remarks of McCain's chief economic advisor, Phil Gramm. We can't have free and fair elections with news media like ours, can we? Max Bergmann: The Week That Should Have Ended McCain's Presidential Hopes - Politics on The http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/07/what-does-it-take.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-8679237713696776796Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:36:00 +00002008-06-17T09:46:14.578-04:00Talk about revolutionary... a Japanese company has found a way to power an automobile with water. And not just ultra-pure water -- even tea provides enough hydrogen to power this vehicle. Imagine filling up your car from a rain barrel. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/06/future-of-automobile.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-3740181581211089631Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:40:00 +00002008-06-09T14:24:26.243-04:00 The first one is free; you can have more with a donation. https://pol.moveon.org/obamastickers/?id=12818-3869542-UTiId1&t=3http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/06/get-free-obama08-bumpersticker.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-1149641842460997199Mon, 19 May 2008 13:46:00 +00002008-05-19T09:47:25.470-04:00Ypsilanti LivingWoohoo! Ypsilanti Township has decided to help us celebrate Julie's birthday with fireworks. Truthfully, I thought the Ford Lake fireworks were always a great show. Despite the increased crowds and the congested traffic that seems to encourage drivers to do things they'd never do in the light of day, I look forward to seeing them again.http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/05/a2news-ford-lake-fireworks-are-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-1638498752043275180Sat, 10 May 2008 04:05:00 +00002008-05-10T00:05:57.917-04:00Conspiracy theorists and tin-foil milliners need blogs, too. This one postulates that Obama got 1/6 of a city lot in Chicago for (wait for it) Palestinian homeland for Hamas. Da-yum, that's some twisted logic. Obama Hamas Connection ? That’s Right Natehttp://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/05/believe-it-or-dont.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-6905017482511019180Fri, 09 May 2008 16:42:00 +00002008-05-09T12:42:58.386-04:00The Ugly Mug, which arguably serves the best coffee roasts around, is now smoke-free. Julie and I really appreciate the smoking ban. We found that we could avoid most of the smoke by sitting at the front counter, but those seats weren't always available. I also like the new paint and flooring. The post-industrial look was good, but I appreciate the new brightness, too.http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/05/a2-news-ugly-mug-cafe-gets-facelift.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-7925149626192946373Wed, 07 May 2008 03:30:00 +00002008-05-06T23:48:01.162-04:00As of 11:30 pm with 100% of precincts counted: Sarah Devaney 1468 44.78% Edward Jackson 930 28.37% Tom Reiber 871 26.57% Kira Berman 1130 56.27% Katherine Weathers 875 43.58% Proposal F Yes 1143 54.09% No 970 45.91% Congratulations to http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/05/unofficial-election-results.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-2606366002290695502Tue, 06 May 2008 16:18:00 +00002008-05-06T12:18:42.564-04:00Please check in on the Huffington Post and read Arianna's withering critique of John McCain and the enabling media. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/05/arianna-huffington-what-john-mccain.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-6882028882619432374Tue, 06 May 2008 14:37:00 +00002008-05-06T10:42:21.013-04:00Ypsilanti LivingWelcome news for Ypsilantians from Michigan's treasurer. Steve has the scoop over at YpsiNews.com.http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/05/fiscally-sound-ypsilanti.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-5218818657682373348Tue, 06 May 2008 14:27:00 +00002008-05-06T10:35:08.726-04:00Ypsilanti schoolsFive candidates are vying for three seats on the Ypsilanti School Board. I urge you to vote for Sarah Devaney, Edward Jackson and Kira Berman. Also, please vote yes on Prop F to renew the Headlee override. Voting yes will not increase your property taxes. Rather, it will keep much-needed revenue in the school district. Unsure of your polling place? Check out the list of polling places over http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/05/vote-today.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-1959792857732133311Tue, 06 May 2008 00:30:00 +00002008-05-05T20:34:24.787-04:00Tonight Andrew was inducted into the YHS chapter of National Honor Society. I couldn't be happier for him or prouder of his achievement. On a lighter note, school board candidate Katherine Weathers had people passing out her flyers at the NHS reception. Classy.http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2008/05/national-honor-society.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-6098676373195300849Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:46:00 +00002007-10-16T09:46:18.691-04:00Gossip more powerful than truth, researchers say - Yahoo! News Ever talk to a Dittohead at length? I've found it nearly impossible to dissuade Dittoheads from their beliefs, even given fact after fact. And I think this research explains why. Radio is intimate, probably the most intimate of all mass media. And the bond formed between host and listener is the modern equivalent of neighbors http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/10/is-this-secret-to-rush-limbaughs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-2643576384487802638Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:20:00 +00002007-10-02T13:20:59.771-04:00Radar Quiz : Radar Online : Resignation Nation I only scored 6/10 correct -- woulda-shoulda-coulda done better. Take the quiz and post your score!http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/10/radar-quiz-radar-online-resignation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-6242604938602227719Mon, 03 Sep 2007 01:28:00 +00002007-09-02T21:46:01.328-04:00MusicThese guys got together in New Hampshire then moved to Austin. What a great town that must be! I don't know much more about them than what I heard on NPR this evening and saw on their website. But check out their video for "Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe" from The Stage Names. A guy could become obsessed with them. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/09/okkervil-river-brilliant.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-2502510480260442240Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:38:00 +00002007-08-15T13:46:28.262-04:00Watch Dick Cheney discussing Iraq in 1994. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/08/video-before-invasion-of-neocons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-5757308610870882573Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:07:00 +00002007-06-29T15:07:02.153-04:00Another good one from the NYT's Frank Rich via truthout. Frank Rich | They'll Break the Bad News on 9/11http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/06/frank-rich-theyll-break-bad-news-on-911.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-7755393346656201245Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:51:00 +00002007-06-19T13:51:51.026-04:00The LA Times picked up on the EMU-Dickinson cover-up. Hopefully we'll make national news for something positive someday soon. Outrage at school's silence on killing - Los Angeles Timeshttp://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/06/dateline-ypsilanti.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-6612758596660832315Thu, 03 May 2007 18:56:00 +00002007-05-03T14:56:57.081-04:00MoveOn.org Political Action: Petition: Congress must stand firm Too many lives have been wasted. Too many people have died for the lie that the war in Iraq makes America safer. Please click the link and sign the petition.http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/05/petition-congress-must-stand-firm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-6274459279250047809Wed, 25 Apr 2007 18:01:00 +00002007-04-25T14:01:14.067-04:00It has reunited Spinal Tap. Is it too much to wish for a performance of "Big Bottom"? Mock metal group Spinal Tap to reunite - Yahoo! Newshttp://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/04/one-good-thing-about-global-warming.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-4696974826482626521Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:11:00 +00002007-04-12T10:11:34.375-04:00If you've been suffering WTF?-itis whenever the school board is mentioned these days, Dr. Eric prescribes Kathleen Conant's reporting in this week's Courier to cure what ails you. The side-effects, however, are daunting. When you realize that the claim of racism against an African American is used as a smoke screen -- for two different issues! -- you'll reach for the ibuprofen. Then, try to http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/04/ypsi-courier-must-read.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-145190664714492111Sun, 11 Mar 2007 20:35:00 +00002007-03-11T16:35:05.717-04:00Frank Rich | Why Libby's Pardon Is a Slam Dunk Daniel Schorr predicted that Libby will be pardoned immediately after the November 2008 elections. By then, Libby's appeals will have run their course and the pardon won't affect the election. But Rich's explanation is far more visceral. As much as I try to practice forgiveness, my outrage continues undiminished.http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/03/must-read-frank-rich-why-libbys-pardon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-2042300170036731328Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:37:00 +00002007-02-15T19:37:47.651-05:00Tony Snow: 'I'm Not Sure Anything Went Wrong' In Iraq Tony Snow, military historian: "...no, Jessica, the fact is, a war is a big, complex thing. And what you're talking about is a 2002 assessment. We're now in the year 2007, and it is well-known by anybody who has studied any war that war plans immediately become moot upon the first contact with the enemy." (emphasis mine) http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/02/what-utter-bullshit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042544.post-2248822798647894697Sat, 03 Feb 2007 16:22:00 +00002007-02-03T11:22:20.909-05:00The Accidental Candidate You will be amazed by the prescience of this article. It appeared in Vanity Fair in October 2000, but it explains so much of the last six years. For example, to understand why the President advocates an escalation of American forces in Baghdad despite all reason and advice, see how he tried to avoid losing games as a child. If only more of us had listened maybe he http://www-personal.umich.edu/~touch/2007/02/gail-sheehy-accidental-candidate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Eric 3.0)