Eisner's Last Stand?

Listen to the Live Webcast of the Disney Shareholder Meeting in Philadelphia. Maybe some sparks will fly, who knows?

UPDATE: Stanley Gold and Roy Disney are addressing the crowd, with Eisner and the Board in attendance. The Board will be able to rebut after Disney and Gold are finished.

UPDATE 2:Eisner seems to have been retained at 1.775 Billion shares voting to keep him, 771 Million abstaining (aka. voting to remove), which is about 30% removal - about what was expected.

Heh. Interesting - now that the meeting is over, the audio stream is playing "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" and then "Following the Leader" from Peter Pan. Appropriate, I suppose :)

FINAL UPDATE: Sorry, I must have slipped a decimal point or something, because the actual percentage of no votes was closer to 43%, well above anyone's wildest expectations - I suspect the YES votes must've been 1.077 Billion instead of 1.775 Billion, which added to 771 Million would equal the 1.8 Billion shares the news sources are saying are outstanding.

All this to say, the Board late tonight voted to strip Michael Eisner of his Chairmanship of the Board. Former US Senator and Disney Board member George Mitchell will assume the Chairmanship.

Sad and Scary Quote of the Day

Kerry Cements Nomination; Edwards Out

"In state after state, Democrats said their top priority was a candidate who could defeat Bush, a wartime president with a $100 million-plus campaign treasury."

If that was the voters main objective for voting for Kerry, solely as a protest vote, then the electorate truly hasn't the foggiest notion what electing someone to office means. Absolutely none. And it has nothing to do with Bush, Kerry, Edwards or Pat Paulsen.

If you don't like Bush, that's fine - I don't like him very much. But you must always vote for the person you feel would be the best person for the job. And it's different, in some ways, when you're talking local races for dogcatcher or County Commission or School Board - sure, they're important, but not in a way that could endanger the lives of every person on Earth.

If the voters put Kerry in office solely as a means of getting rid of Bush without being fully cognizent and aware of what kind of person Kerry is, and he screws up - they have no one to blame but themselves.

Again, this isn't really about Kerry. I supported Edwards after Lieberman dropped out and I would be saying the same thing if he had swept through Super Tuesday. People who don't vote their true convictions for President bear the responsbility for whom they elect. And if Kerry beats Bush, and 6 months later we're clouds of free-floating radioactive vapor because he wants the UN to take over the War against Terror, well, I'm coming back to haunt the survivors....

Free Will

Ok, time to wade back into the fray...

Today's Super Tuesday, John Kerry winning, John Edwards fading, yada yada yada.

There's some rumblings going on around the web regarding Kerry's response to a NYTimes reporter's question about whether God was on our side...

"Elizabeth Bumiller of the NEW YORK TIMES asked Kerry: "President Bush has said that freedom and fear have always been at war, and God is not neutral between them. He's made quite clear in his speeches that he feels God is on America's side.

"Is God on America's side?"

KERRY: Well, God will -- look, I think -- I believe in God, but I don't believe, the way President Bush does, in invoking it all the time in that way. I think it is -- we pray that God is on our side, and we pray hard. And God has been on our side through most of our existence.

There's a lot of opinions back and forth about what that answer means for Kerry, and its reflection on his campaign and presidential mindset (Michael Totten, Lileks). But one comment I read was telling, a quote from Abraham Lincoln (accuracy unverified but assumed):

BTW, during our own Civil War, some God-bothering type asked Lincoln the same question: did he think that God was on the Union's side?...Lincoln replied: "I am more concerned that we are on God's side."

There, from our 16th President, is the essential core to any question about who's side God is on.

God is on no one's "side". Period. Let me explain.

I have two kids, whom I love very much. Occasionally they squabble as children do - over toys, over the TV, over the phases of the moon, whatever - and sometimes I'm called in by the Tennessee Supreme Court to mediate. As dads do. Now, do I "favor" one kid over the other, as a matter of foreign policy? Am I on one kid or other's "side"? Of course, sometimes one is in the wrong and one is not, and I try to set things straight but there is no inherent favoritism.

Extrapolate up. W-A-Y-Y-Y up. We were created (as most Judeo-Christian beliefs hold) with a very special gift - the gift of free will. Humans have the built-in ability to ultimately decide their own actions. It is the most precious gift - and ultimately the most dangerous gift - we have ever or will ever receive.

God is good. That's something every Sunday School kid knows. But if we did not have the absolute ability to decide between right and wrong, good and evil, we would be automatons. Going about our programming without thought to morality or ethics.

But we're not - we have the ability to freely choose between one course of action or another. Between one thought or another, or between belief systems, or between philosophies, or religions, or lack of religions. Or milkshakes.

Every single day 1000's of people around the world murder, rob, steal, cheat, abuse, lie, commit adultery, speed, punch, curse out, badmouth, shoot up, cut off, flip off, oppress, starve, stab, shoot, poison, bludgeon, strangle, kick, attack, or blow up other people. Or, unfortunately, fly airplanes into tall buildings full of innocent workers. But each of them chose to do so, of their own free will.

You might say the Iraqi's under Saddam Hussein had no free will, or the citizens of the former Soviet Union, or Nazi Germany. I say, of course they did. They had tons of free will - their actions were heavily restricted, and the consequences of their actions could be grave but they could freely make up their own minds one way or another. No external force can make someone believe or not believe in anything.

So, is God on our side? Does He even now protect us from further terrorist attacks - none of which have happened since 9/11 on American soil (anthrax and ricin notwithstanding)? Or did He punish us for our Godlessness, as Jerry Falwell might believe, by manipulating the minds and free will of 19 Al Quaeda terrorists and causing them to attack our people?

As to the latter, no. As to the prior - hard to tell. I think it's possible God may be willing to actively cause certain events to happen that shape the future. I'd like to think we were under his deliberate protection, but it's difficult to say for sure.

But if Bush thinks God is "on our side" in the fight against totalitarianism, he's wrong. And if Kerry thinks "God has been on our side through most of our existence," he's also not quite right.

Like Lincoln said, we should be on God's side. That's the only way to ensure the integrity of our purpose.

But, you say, don't the Islamic terrorists believe they're on their own God's side, too? Yes, some of them, probably. Maybe even most of them. But from what I've heard of Islamic doctrine, especially fundamentalist Islamic doctrine, free will isn't a very prominent ingredient in their little Belief Salad (hold the anchovies).

Our side, their side - debatable. God's side - well, who am I to argue with Honest Abe?

I'd Like to Thank the Academy

No, not an Oscar post - although I wish I'd taped Billy Crystal's opening movie-clip romp and his song - but apparently while I was gone I won some kind of blogging accolade...

Watcher of Weasels (I didn't name it) holds a weekly "Watcher's Council" vote, and my entry "What to Write, What to Write" won for best non-council link. So, whoever nominated me, thank you!

PS - my links are bloggered, so just scroll down to Feb. 10.

I'm Back

Tanned, fit, rested and ready to take on the battle against the Soulless Minions of Orthodoxy.

So, any interesting movies open while I was gone?

Welcome to the Rocky Top Brigade

New Recruits:

Mick at FishKite from Memphis.

LissaKay at Oh... Really? from Knoxville.

Don at Road Warrior, also from Knoxville.

Doug McDaniel, again from Knoxville.

Welcome, everyone!

TAKEOVER?

Comcast makes $54.6bn hostile bid for Disney

""The combination would create one of the world's leading entertainment and communications companies with an unparalleled distribution platform and an extraordinary portfolio of content assets. The new company would have a presence in all of the nation's top 25 markets, and would propel broadband forward, expanding current services and inspiring new ones," Comcast said.

...

Comcast's proposed deal would leave Disney shareholders owning 42 per cent of the combined company."

Also...

The Mouse without Mike?

"Much of the weakness in Disney's share price is due to the perception, merited or not, that CEO Michael Eisner has become a liability to the company. Roy Disney and Stanley Gold quit Disney's board last year over their long-running dispute with Eisner, and have called for his ouster. In another blow, late last month Pixar pulled out of talks to extend Disney's five-picture deal to distribute Pixar films.

Because Eisner has apparently rejected Comcast's advances, it is unlikely that he would have a job at the combined company."

The conspiracy theorist in me keeps wondering if Roy Disney and Stanley Gold had some behind-the-scenes talks with Comcast as well as Pixar and are working together to boot Eisner and shake up the company.

UPDATE (02/12/04):

Kevin Yee at MiceAge has a nice FAQ explaining a lot of the details of the Comcast offer in easy to understand detail....

Subliminal Thoughts

Wierd....

1. Identity:: Secret
   
2. Reveal:: Source
   
3. Live:: Aid
   
4. Attitude:: Bad
   
5. Night:: Vision
   
6. Nevada:: Las Vegas
   
7. Weekend:: Off
   
8. Write:: It Down
   
9. Friend:: In Need
   
10. Seventeen:: And Never Been Kissed
    

(Hat Tip: Missives Anonymous)

MousekeShares

Do you own stock in the Walt Disney Company? Do you actually possess a stock certificate (i.e. not through a mutual fund, 401(k) or brokerage account)?

If so, have you received your Annual Report, Proxy Statement, and Voting Ballot?

If you haven't, you're like a lot of other Disney stockholders, and with the Annual Meeting and YES/NO vote on Michael Eisner and company looming on March 3rd in Philadelphia, some folks are talking....

Here's what they're saying:

"Could Disney be attempting to influence the coming vote by shrinking the amount of time shareholders have to read and return their ballots prior to the meeting?"

Check it out, it may be a case of foot-dragging in order to influence votes....

What to Write, What to Write...

I can't do it - I just can't do it.

Many blogs I turn to these last few days has pages and pages of insightful political commentary on who's right and who's wrong (they're always right, and we're always wrong, if you're keeping score at home).

They offer scores of supporting links and background information and research and first-hand reports and interviews with their kids' nannies, and all that.

Ah, to have the time and commitment.

Well, unfortunately I don't. I'm just the average guy who wants to do the right thing and the dutiful thing when voting. Today's Primary Day in Tennessee. I plan to go to the polls this afternoon after work, and make my choice for Democratic candidate for President.

Trouble is, I'm not sure I want a Democrat as President this time.

In the past, I've always considered myself a Democrat, and have mostly identified myself with liberal causes. The Republican mindset has mostly been alien and unfathomable to me.

But things have changed in this past year. I've seen Democrats and Liberals alike shift to the left and abandon a number of the principles that the party stood for, in order to pursue a partisan agenda against George Bush and his War on Terror/Iraq War plans. For some, it has to do with Bush's National Guard record, to some it's his background as an opportunistic frat rat; for a large, large number of people it's the continuing belief that he, his brother Jeb, the Florida government and the US Supreme Court stole the 2000 election from Al Gore. But underlying all of that is the pure desire for revenge for the eight years of partisan hell the Republicans put this country through opposing Bill Clinton.

That motivation, above almost all others, is what I've seen fueling most of the anti-war movement by the Democrats/Liberals in America. And the desire for revenge and the attitude of being wronged is a very powerful one - so powerful, in fact that in my opinion it's blinded many Americans to the single greatest challenge this country has faced probably since the Cuban Missle Crisis - security of America and its interests versus foreign Islamic fundamentalist terrorists.

So far, in the wake of 9/11, we've liberated Afghanistan and Iraq. We've begun the process of introducing freedom and democracy to the people of the Middle East - people who until recently that had been simply a dream, a memory, maybe even just a legend.

We opposed Hitler in World War II because he wanted to take over the world. We were attacked by the Japanese in their bid for world conquest. Except for Pearl Harbor and a few minor engagements off the California coast, the entirety of American involvement in World War II took place overseas - in Europe, in Africa, in Asia and in the Pacific. We didn't wait for war to come to us - we went to it. We saw the threat of Nazi and Imperial expansionist plans, and allied ourselves with other nations more directly threatened to put an end to it. We knew that if we continued our isolationism policies, war would come to New York, or Washington, or L.A. or Cleveland or Kansas City or Denver. America recognized the real threat, committed itself to the cause and ultimately we and our Allies prevailed.

That same threat exists today in the Middle East. It's been brewing for many years - hostages taken in Iran in the 70's, military bunkers attacked in Beiruit in the 80's, the USS Cole attacked in the 90's. Militant Islam Fundamentalists have been planning the forced expansion of their religious doctrine over the rest of the Middle East, Europe and the Americas for years. Recently it's come to a head - the World Trade Center was bombed in 1993, and finally destroyed (along with much of the Pentagon) in 2001. The war has come to American soil, much like Pearl Harbor in 1941, and we responded. The US recognized the primary staging areaof Al Quaeda and other terrorist organizations was in Afghanistan and we took care of it, freeing their people from oppresive Taliban rule and turning over the anthill of Al Quaeda.

Terrorism continued to spread throughout the Middle East, primarily fueled by the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Suicide bombings became commonplace as the War on Terror spread. The Middle East is Europe of the 1940's, the unfortunate battleground of this new war. Finally, the worst of the Middle East dictators was given a final ultimatem - disarm or face the consequences. Saddam didn't, and then paid the price. We liberated Iraq, freeing millions more oppressed in that country. Although Iraq was not an Islamic Fundamentalist state per se, terrorist groups such as Al Quaeda were encouraged and fed by them, and Saddam financially supported Palestinian terrorists. Another bulwark in the terrorist army was defeated.

Which brings us to today, and the impending change in leadership. What would have happened in the early 40's had an anti-war movement forced the US to abandon the Allies to the Nazis? Understandably, we still would've had to deal unilaterally with the Japanese, but consider the European theatre primarily in this case. Would England and Russia have been able to hold out by themselves? Would a similar movement have kicked in in England, forcing eventual capitulation? What would the world be like today if the US hadn't pressed on through D-Day? If Germany had conquered England and Russia, would they have developed the Atomic Bomb before we did? Would NYC still exist? Would Washington? Would the US? The American citizenry had no idea at the time of even the existance of atomic weapons, much less their strategic advantages. It would have been catastrophic to world history.

Yes, Edith Keeler was right - peace is the way. But at the wrong time. (If you get the reference, great. If you don't, don't sweat it)

You should be able to see the importance of continuing what we started in the Middle East until the threat of organized Islamic militant fundamentalism is removed from prominance. That's what worries me about a Democratic candidate....

Though all seem committed to a successful end to the Iraqi occupation, what next? Will a Democratic president continue the same (to this point) successful and historically correct strategy in the Middle East, or will they bow to their party wishes and pull back, appeasing the Liberal voters?

Of all the candidates, Joe Lieberman was my first choice to be able to do what was right. Since he dropped out, it seems John Edwards is most likely of the remaining candidates to resist temptation and continue the successful campaign. At this point, he's my choice for the nomination.

But if he ultimately does not win, or even if he's on the ticket as a VP, will I be able to put support behind another candidate like Kerry or Clark or Dean? Would that mean I'd ultimately vote for Bush in November.

We may be hit by a major terrorist attack today. We may not. We may be hit tomorrow, or next month, or in October, or in 2005. Or we may not. But I'm convinced - convinced - that the only reason we have not been hit again, worse than 9/11, since that date is because the policy we're pursuing in the Middle East is the morally, historically, and strategically correct one. Can we afford to take the chance on altering that policy, that's been successful so far at preventing the loss of more American civilian lives?

Absolutely, Bush has faults. He's smug, he's arrogant - if I had to have coffee with him I'd probably want to smack him after about five minutes - and his economic and social policies are wacked out. John Ashcroft is an abomination. Dick Cheney's business dealings are suspect. The Republican establishment is elitist and bigoted.

But the Democrats are supposed to be the antithesis of those things: fair, populous, open to new ideas, dedicated to assisting the oppressed....in the last year that's the farthest thing from their minds. All because of a botched election and anger over the Clinton years.

Is that what you want to build your children's future on? Revenge? Hate? If Kerry wins in November, will you all be satisfied that you're now vindicated? What happens when you're finished clapping yourself on the back and look out the window to see a mushroom cloud where New York used to be? Will you still sleep at night?

Like I said, I'm confused. I want to be loyal to what I believe and I want to do the right thing. It's just so many people have changed the rules I don't know where to look anymore.

I'm going to go play some more Civilization III. At least there I can reboot the computer if I get nuked.

Doesn't work in real life.

Make the right decisions. Make the moral decisions. Make the just decisions.

But decide.


UPDATE (02/11/04):

Regarding Iraq - one common controversy seems to be, are we safer?

Well, since we're all (meaning civilians) still alive 2-1/2 years after 9/11, 2-1/4 years after Afghanistan and almost 1 year after Iraq I'd say yes. And no.

What about invading Iraq made the US safer? Well, like Mike said we made it clear to our enemies what we would do when we feel threatened. And when you stand up to bullies, they tend to back down and leave you alone. We introduced a democratic possibility into the region - hopefully it will become a reality. Where there's hope for a better life, there's a reason to give up on your own country's oppresive leaders. When the people of Syria, or Iran, or even the PLO see that freedom and equality and promise and hope is possible in the Middle East, maybe they'll find another idea to gravitate towards.

Third, Saddam actively supported Palestinian suicide bombers and rewarded their families monetarily. It's a small step to assume from there he might support other terrorists pursuing other similar goals elsewhere, either with money, supplies or materials. Can anyone really see a disconnect, or is it just obvious to me? He had the means to obtain WMD (whether he had them, didn't have them, lost them, forgot them, whatever) and could deliver same to the terrorists if it was to his benefit. Plus, those such as Saddam (and his sons) just can't confine themselves to one country, they get itchy and want to expand. Witness Kuwait in 1990. How much longer before Saddam started eyeing those smaller ME countries again?

Achoo

Hypothetically speaking, has anyone ever had to change a flat tire when one or more of these conditions didn't apply:

1. It's raining
2. It's freezing cold
3. You have kids in the car, and they're needing to be somewhere
4. You're sick
5. Your cell phone can't find a cell, or it's losing power
6. You curse yourself for not subscribing to AAA just a couple of weeks ago when you had the chance.

Yeah, well take all of the above, and you'll know what my morning was like ;(

PEPPERONI TO THE PEOPLE!

This is the best idea I've seen come around in a long time....

Pizza Party U.S.A.

"Every four years at the end of February, we’ve got that extra day. Is it special? Well maybe it should be. Julius Caesar may have invented Leap Day, but writer Matthew Baldwin invented Pizza Party U.S.A., and he has a petition for you to sign.

Let’s begin by stating the obvious: Leap Day should be a holiday. I mean, come on: That pretty much goes without saying. It’s not even a real day. It’s like some kind of extra-dimensional day from the Phantom Zone that only phases into Earth Prime every four years. It’s a 100 percent free 24 hours, and employers should have no claim to it. Getting stuck working on Feb. 29 is like finding five bucks on a playground and having it immediately expropriated by a passing bully."

This is like, the greatest idea ever! A holiday celebrating the most useless yet totally bonus day of the quadrennium by indulging in the most quintessentialy non-essential American food ever. What could be more patriotic!

Well, you too can participate by signing the petition. Let's show Whoever Those Guys In Charge of These Things Are that we mean business!

At this moment that I signed the petition (1:57pm EST 02/05/04) there are 750 names. I will personally take credit for all the rest, due to this blog entry.

Pepperoni to the People!! Mushrooms for the Masses!!! Onions to the Unwashed and Anchovies to the Anguished...

No, wait, hold the anchovies.

(Hat Tip: Sugarfused)

Who Am I?

Bill Hobbs (here) and Michael Williams (here) have both recently commented on the reliability and credibility of anonymous and pseudononymous blogs.

Bill's contention, and Mike's supposition, is that those bloggers who don't provide first and last names are freer to engage in, shall we say, questionable journalistic practices. Apparently to some people, your identity begins and ends with your name - if they know how to find you in the phone book, that's all that's necessary to take you seriously.

I don't quite agree with all of that, although some parts make sense. Yes, it is easier to make an accusation, sling some mud, be sarcastic or just rude when you don't have to worry about people knowing who you really are - and by extension, you don't have to physically stand by your comments. South Knox Bubba does it all the time - his reasoning being that his business contacts and customers would not take kindly to his political philosophy. But being anonymous/pseudonymous allows him to conduct his business without fear that he may lose money because of his beliefs or views.

I'm more or less anonymous/pseudonymous, just using my first name, "Barry". Several of my readers know my last name - heck, Hatamaran works across the hall from me - and that's not a big deal. The main reason I don't use my last name is because I have a young family, and don't want to possibly put them at risk. I've posted pictures of them from time to time and don't want someone who sees a picture of GiggleGirl online...well, you get the picture.

One of my favorite bloggers, James Lileks of "The Bleat", is obviously not pseudonymous. I personally think he takes a big risk because of his identification, since he talk and posts so much about his young daughter "Gnat". However, he's also a nationally syndicated columnist and gets compensated for a lack of anonymity, and he is able to use some of that national exposure and popularity to drive traffic to his blog.

So does me not releasing publicly my last name to the online world undermine the credibility of my opinions? Does it make you, Bill, less sure that I say what I actually mean? Does it make me freer to insult you? Maybe, but I'll be back here online tomorrow and if I've insulted you you won't be back - and I want you back.

I'm not someone who's going to resort to insults and profanity to bring in viewers and readers - I'll let the pros handle that. I want people to read my blog because (hopefully) I'll occasionally have something interesting or amusing to say. I want to share my opinions with you, ask questions, debate philosophy, invite commentary, and occasionally illuminate a situation I want to bring attention to.

However, since I've been blogging most every day - sometimes more than once a day - for more than a year now, I feel I've established my own online credibility. I haven't attacked people and hidden behind my first-name-only. I haven't cursed them or insulted them. I've stayed pretty true to my views and beliefs, and when there's been a wavering I've addressed it.

So, Bill, am I credible? Are you going to delink me? Do I care - probably not, because I don't think he reads here anyway...if he does, he
doesn't comment.

Sugarfused, Busy Mom, Hatamaran are all anonymous/pseudononymous (check blogroll for links - I'm getting lazy) - do you skip these fine blogs because you can't track down their address?

Does it bother anyone that I don't post my last name? Would that enhance my credibility?

Oh, another thing about comments. PLEASE add a comment to my posts - I want to know what people think!

And I promise not to have Justin Timberlake rip off my shirt to convince you :)


UDPATE: SayUncle weighs in.

Volunteer Tailgate Party - Vol. XXI

Adam of agroves is hosting the latest Volunteer Tailgate Party, a bi-weekly compilation of the best and brightest blatherings of the Rocky Top Brigade.

This edition of the VTP is the SUPER BOWL Edition - apparently the entire Brigade travelled to Houston in SKB's RV. I don't recall this, but it may have something to do with the amount of Mountain Dew I consumed on the trip. Or at least I think it was Mountain Dew...anyway, play ball! (wait, that's something else..)

Sometimes You Have to Call a Spade a Club

Bill Hobbs says Saddam and his henchmen were deluded into thinking they actually still had WMD:

WMD: The Weapon of Mass Deliverance

"Saddam, himself deluded, deluded the world into believing he had weapons of mass destruction. Hence the many UN resolutions that he must disarm. Hence the deadline. Hence the U.S. military rolling into Baghdad."

Basically, it looks like what we did was call Saddam's unintentional bluff. He was working on a Royal Flush - 10, J, Q, and K of Spades down, Ace of Spades showing - but didn't realize the 10 of Spades was actually a 10 of Clubs. Oopsy! All his advisors and flunkies and bodyguards and sons and wives said, "But of course, your excellency - it is of course the 10 of Spades! Who would not think so? Those who say it is not will be shredded instantly, sir!"

After a while, even Saddam could look at the card and convince himself it was a Spade.

What does still trouble is, looking at the reflection in his glasses, we thought he had a 10 of Spades, too. If you're going to cheat, folks, cheat well. Our Intelligence community apparently relied only on communications and interviews with defectors, etc - not actually hands-on discoveries of WMD's. They relied on what the Iraqi's told each other (and covertly, the US) about the WMD programs. And hence believed what Saddam believed - that he had WMD and was prepared to use them (or sell them).

So we took a calculated risk and called the bluff. Saddam, smiling, laid down his hand and began to rake in the pot - only to be shown, forcefully, that ole' 10 of Clubs. The smile quickly vanished like a spider down a hole.

Grocery Store Harrassment

Jay at Classless Warfare is haranguing Publix Grocery Stores over their treatment of his father-in-law due to an unfortunate but accidental shoplifting incident.

Apparently his FIL slipped a tube of Chap-Stik into his shirtpocket to hold it there for a moment and forgot to pay for it on his way out. Security saw the incident and detained him.

It looks like the Publix management and security guards went way over the line in relation to the crime(?). A simple explanation and apology were not enough, and he was tossed out. Now he's being humiliated and told to pay a hefty fine (not by the police, by the store).

Read the whole thing. (And the UPDATE).

But remember this: if you are in an area with a Publix, don't boycott it. Don't harrass the employees or the management. There's simply no point. If you feel the situation warrants it, fire off a letter to the corporate management or the local press. But don't punish rank-and-file employees and management over circumstances they have no control over. That's foolish.

His FIL was likely taken advantage of for no good reason. You'd be doing the same thing to the employees.

"Call Me Janet - Miss Jackson, if you're nasty"

How about we call you "loser"?

Lest we forget, Janet was little "Penny" on Good Times and Willis's girlfriend "Charlene" on Diff'rent Strokes. Ouch, that hurts.

She was also briefly on "Fame" for a while.

See?

Pixar pact end turns up heat on Eisner (CBS Marketwatch, 01/30/04)

'Disney's shareholder meeting, scheduled for March 3, just got a little more interesting.

Pixar's decision Thursday to end its longstanding deal with Disney means the venerable studio could see a key source of numerous revenue streams drying up in a hurry.

And the calls by Roy Disney, nephew of the company's founder and former vice chairman, for Chief Executive Michael Eisner to step down could be heard by more shareholders as they wonder where the Disney chief is leading the company.

"The market already made a judgment which isn't good news for Disney," Roy Disney said in an interview with CBS MarketWatch as the company's shares fell nearly 5 percent in after-hours trading Thursday. "That's the market's judgment and that's my judgment."

But analysts are concerned that even though the company's stock has risen dramatically in recent months, Eisner won't see as many friendly faces when he takes the stage at the company's annual gathering, scheduled to take place in Philadelphia.

"Could it heat things up [at the annual meeting]? I think it has the potential," said David Mantell, analyst at Loop Capital Markets in Chicago. "I think it's too early to tell whether it's a serious threat [to Eisner]."'

And it gets worse:

"The timing could hardly be worse for Eisner. On Tuesday, Roy Disney and his business partner, fellow ex-Disney board member Stanley Gold, filed a statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission calling upon company shareholders to oust Eisner and three board members.

Roy Disney said Eisner has been unable to maintain the growth levels achieved during the first decade of his now 20 years at the company. Disney said Eisner's management has faltered since the death of President Frank Wells in 1995.

...

Will all this be enough to settle concerns among shareholders who may be antsy, or will they follow Roy Disney's lead in calling for Eisner's head?

"I think [that's] a bit of a stretch," said Guzman's Joyce. "But it'll keep the issue front and center."'

I'll keep on top of this, so maybe there'll be something more interesting and heartening to pay attention to than all the political nonsense on a lot of other blogs...

"Hit the Road, Mike, and Don't You Come Back Nemo"

Pixar has fired Disney.

Pixar Quits Disney Talks, Seeks New Partner (Yahoo News: 01/29/04)

"Pixar Animation Studios Inc. said on Thursday it had broken off talks with Walt Disney Co. to extend their lucrative movie distribution deal that has resulted in such blockbusters as "Toy Story," "Monsters Inc." and "Finding Nemo."

The computer animation pioneer said it said it would look for another studio partner and would begin talks with other companies to distribute its films starting in 2006.

The move was a blow to Disney, which reaped a financial and critical bonanza from the partnership and has struggled with its own strategy for animation. Their deal includes two more films in production."

In related news:

After the Bell: Pixar Up, Disney Down (Yahoo News: 01/29/04)

"Shares of Walt Disney Co. fell in trade after the closing bell on Thursday while shares of Pixar Animation Studios Inc. (Nasdaq:PIXR - news) rose after Pixar said it had broken off talks with Disney to extend their movie distribution deal."

Disney CEO Michael Eisner's chief claim to fame was that Disney's stock was rising. Now it ain't, and that may be all she wrote for Mr. Eisner.

Apparently, though I haven't seen a source yet, Disney stockholder Pixar will vote NO in a no-confidence vote of shareholders at the Annual Disney Shareholder Conference in Philadelphia the first week in March. Will they steer other companies their way, and remove Eisner from his position?

Roy Disney and Stanley Gold hope so, and they're urging all stockholders to vote NO as well.

My guess is, Pixar is using their enormous clout to tip the scales against Eisner, force him out, and a few months down the road resume ties with Disney under the new management. That's what it seems like to me.

"I'm wishing....."

....

In a completely unrelated, yet strangely similar situation, Paramount may be on the verge of firing current Star Trek head guy, and Gene Roddenberry protoge Rick Berman:

"It would seem the lackluster support of ENTERPRISE by Les Moonves and Dawn Ostroff at this weekend's UPN press junket has gotten the attention of Garry Hart, President of Paramount Television Productions. Quiet for some time regarding the dismal performance of his division's most important moneymaker, it has been rumored that Hart may be planning as early as March to make concessions to UPN to help keep ENTERPRISE on the air. From an insider in John Wentworth's office at Paramount Television's Marketing and Media Relations Department, a memo has been spotted suggesting Hart may be waiting until after ENTERPRISE's February sweeps performance to announce the possible replacement of some of the show's production staff, to possibly include longtime TREK Executive Producer Rick Berman. There is no word at this time of any possible replacements."'

This is interesting only in the fact I saw the two sets of stories within about five minutes of each other on different websites.

He's Got Those Reality-Show Blues

A certain country music singer/songwriter of my long-time acquaintance recently participated in an audition for a Nashville-based reality TV show, with mixed results. Read his story:

Blame it on Wapner! Part One:

"When you look at it listed like that, it's a little easier to see the absurdity of it all -- and ourselves for watching them, and, more importantly, buying the products advertised on them. And you know who started it all?? Judge Freaking Wapner."

...and Two:

"One attendee described seeing this show at Billy Bob's quite nicely, as "somewhere just north of listening to Zamfir while drinking non-alcoholic beer and chewing tin foil." To put it diplomatically -- it was a freakshow. Some of the acts (maybe about 5 - there were 28 of us) were decent, but most of them made Kenny Chesney look like Merle Freakin' Haggard. I had to sit there and watch 26 teeny-bopper chickies, college-age floppy-haired model/actor slackers, redneck rockers, and cutesy singer-songwriter dudes, most of whom brought their whole families and hordes of obnoxious drunken friends to scream for them and hold up signs like "Nashville Bound" and "Mike Rocks".'

Read the whole thing. Then, when you're through read the whole site. Then when you're through with that, go buy a few of his albums - if I can just set it up so he eventually hits it real big and starts making a ton of money, he can be the one that gets to take care of our parents later on!

Just kidding, mom and dad :)

You can even listen to MP3's of some of his tunes:

• Blow Wind Blow
• The Runaround
• Don't Nobody Love Me Like My Baby

Oh, The Places I've Been

The states that I have visited are in red below, the states I have not visited are in tannish/green:



create your own visited states map
or write about it on the open travel guide

"Visited" states include those I've driven through on the way to somewhere else, but not actually stopped for any meaningful time (Iowa, Missouri, Illinois) but don't include those I've flown over in a plane.

Interestingly, I'm sure I must have visited Mississippi at some time in the past but darn if I can remember exactly when, so for now it is Unvisited.

As for living in states, the only state I've lived in other than Tennessee for any length of time was Florida, and that was for a summer when I worked as a stage manager for the Seaside Music Theatre in Daytona Beach back in 1990.

Oh, and a similar map of the world showing countries I've visited would include only several islands in the Caribbean and Mexico. That's it for that.

(Hat tip: "What Hath I Wrought!")

Gollum, Yoda. Yoda, Gollum.

Just ran across this:

What NOT to do during "Return of the King."

Some of my favorites:

5. Ask everyone around you if they think Gandalf went to Hogwarts.

13. During a wide shot of a battle, inquire, "Where's Waldo?"

18. Imitate what you think a conversation between Gollum, Dobby and Yoda would be like.

Got any more?

Encourage, Not Discourage

On honor roll? Keep it to yourself (Knoxville News Sentinel: 01/26/04)

"The school honor roll, a time-honored system for rewarding "A" students, has become an apparent source of embarrassment for some underachievers.

As a result, all Nashville schools have stopped posting honor rolls, and some are also considering a ban on hanging good work in the hallways - all at the advice of school lawyers.

I think that's your key phrase right there - "on the advice of school lawyers".

"After a few parents complained their children might be ridiculed for not making the list..."

Who are these parents? Where are they? I want to sit down with them in their living room and explain to them that they're raising children, not Cabbage Patch Kids. Kids have been disappointed at not making this or that honor roll, or this or that Dean's List for years. It's called incentive, it's called encouragement, it's called impetus. How else do those people, whose abilities may not be a natural gift to them, learn to succeed? By being continually told that their mediocre grades are ok, no big deal, don't get upset?

It's a similar situation where so many youth sports leagues these days don't keep score, and as such don't keep standings, wins&losses, etc. That's fine for younger, training leagues - the point there is to learn how to play the game and learn not to run off the field at inopportune times - but once they're old enough to know how the games are played, scorekeeping should be reintroduced immediately, as should wins & losses, records, and standings. When there's no goal to strive for, there's no growth and no advancement. Sure, it's good exercise but not allowing kids the mental reward for having scored a goal, a run, a basket, a touchdown - you're giving them nothing to play for. Except their parents vicarious thrills, apparantly.

Back to academics: Who exactly is going to ridicule these non-honor roll kids? If a kid is smart enought and/or applies himself enough, they're not going to have the temperment or crassness (in most situations) to see a need to make fun of someone who didn't make the grade. And their even worse-performing peers won't care. Who's left? The teachers? Or are the parents worried about each other demeaning their children for sub-par schoolwork? Maybe this is a crutch to absolve parents from having a guideline to measure their children's work by - if there's no honor roll, there's no sense of really where in their academic career their children are.

When I was in school, I was on the honor roll most of the time. And I know from vast experience that we were never making fun of the kids who weren't - if anything, we were the ones made fun of for succeeding. And it's the same in every school, and has been the same since grades were invented. The brains and geeks and nerds are always vilified by the under-achievers, it's so common knowledge it's unfathomable that it could be any way else.

"Some schools have since put a stop to academic pep rallies. Others think they may have to cancel spelling bees. And now schools across the state may follow Nashville's lead."

It just gets worse and worse till you have to blink and gape openmouthed at the words for a few moments, then move on.

Ok, moralistic rant out of the way. Now on to the legal stuff:

"...Nashville school system lawyers warned that state privacy laws forbid releasing any academic information, good or bad, without permission.

...

In Knoxville, school district spokesman Russ Oaks said authorities do not think posting good information about a student violates state law. He said they put such information in the same category as sports statistics.

...

...But Nashville school lawyers based their decision last month on a state privacy law dating back to the 1970s - a law that's not always followed because no one challenged the honor roll status quo.

Some school have begun requiring permission slips from parents to release academic records, but that's just a band-aid.

"Others think it might be a good idea to get rid of the honor roll altogether, as Principal Steven Baum did at Julia Green Elementary in Nashville.

"The rationale was, if there are some children that always make it and others that always don't make it, there is a very subtle message that was sent," he said. "I also understand right to privacy is the legal issue for the new century."

Yes, Mr. Principal - but the subtle message that is being sent is not, "YOU'RE STUPID", but "YOU HAVE ROOM TO IMPROVE". One phrase discourages, the other encourages. Instead of killing the messenger, re-interpret the message.

'"I discourage competitive games at school," he said. "They just don't fit my world view of what a school should be."'

What?? What??? Do some teachers, administrators, parents, school board members, legislators actually think their children will not be required to compete in the real world? From the first day after graduation, they will be competing with other people for jobs, for mates, for houses.... They will be competing against other parents on how their own children will be raised, and what their environments will be like. They will be competing with someone or something every day for the rest of their lives - and you want to deliberately not teach them how to compete? That's like awarding someone a Masters Degree in Physics, without teaching them math...

Here's the thing: Competition doesn't necessarily mean I Win/You Lose. Competition can mean everyone improves. There's the old saw that says a sports team must compete against superior opponents to get better - you think the Lady Vols play UConn, Duke, etc. every year for their health? That's one big reason they are a consistently superior program - they set high goals for themselves, they intentionally play other superior teams, they test themselves, and by time for the NCAA Tournament they're ready to compete, excel, and maybe win.

You're not necessarily trying to be better than the other guy, you're trying to be better than they person you were the day before. If you make the honor roll - congratulations, you're doing something right. If you don't make the honor roll but are trying - congratulations as well because you're better than you were yesterday. If you don't make the honor roll because it doesn't exist and you're discouraged from seeing and recognizing that higher standards and goals exist? You're being cheated, and dishonored by the same people most entrusted to care for your well-being and growth: your parents.

There is some hope:

"The change has upset many parents who want their children recognized for hard work.

"This is as backward as it gets," said Miriam Mimms, who has a son at Meigs Magnet School and helps run the Parent Teacher Association.

...

Parents at most schools, though, have been close to outrage over the new rule.

Some people do get it, apparently. This is a story that does not need to slip through the cracks.

I could go on and on (and already have). Spelling Bees aren't important who wins, but that the competitors improve their spelling. Baseball games aren't truly important who wins, but that you have a goal to reach for and develop and improve your skills to reach that goal - scoring more points than the other team, and doing it better than you would have the day before. That's it.

Encourage, don't discourage.

UPDATE (01/28/04): It was pointed out to me that I slightly misinterpreted this:

"...As a result, all Nashville schools have stopped posting honor rolls..."

...to mean they had removed the concept of honor rolls altogether. This may not be the case - I would assume with this interpretation students still make an honor roll with good school-work, it just isn't publicly acknowledged or reported. If so, I stand corrected - however this doesn't change the fact that competition is still being actively discouraged in the schools, which is a Bad Thing.

Whistling in the Dark

Oh, what fun....

U.S. ships Libyan nuclear components to Oak Ridge (Knoxville News-Sentinel: 01/27/04)

"Tons of nuclear-related equipment from Libya arrived in Knoxville this morning and reportedly were trucked to a government facility in Oak Ridge for safekeeping.

...

"These materials include both sensitive documentation and equipment," [White House spokesman Scott] McClellan said in his statement released in Washington. "On the flight was UF6 – uranium hexafluoride – which is used for feedstock to enrich uranium. Also included on the flight were centrifuge parts, which are used to enrich uranium (for weapons use). Finally, the shipment contains ballistic missile guidance sets for longer-range missiles, which Libya has voluntarily agreed to eliminate."

McClellan said the shipment was sent to a "secure facility" in Tennessee. That facility is the Y-12 National Security Complex, which is a warhead-manufacturing facility that also houses the nation’s primary stockpile of weapons-grade uranium."

So, this is like the same facility that just in the last few weeks or so failed one security test and cheated on another? This is the same facility that supposedly could allow terrorists to access and construct a nuclear weapon in half an hour? This is the same facility that's about oh, say, 25 miles from my home?

I'm checking my travel agent.... wonder what The Congo is like this time of year?

I'd Look Good on the $1 Bill...

Which Founding Father Are You?

So That's What It Was...

Mars Rover Resumes Sending Data Back to Earth

"The Mars rover Spirit resumed sending data to Earth on Friday after the robot suffered from garbled communications and periods of intermittent silence, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory said on Friday."

Volunteer Tailgate Party - Vol. XX

Janet of Dagley Dagley Daily is hosting the latest Volunteer Tailgate Party, a bi-weekly compilation of the best and brightest blatherings of the Rocky Top Brigade.

This edition of the VTP is the Chinese New Year version, straight from the frigid shores of New Jersey. Enjoy!

Top 100 Movies

IMDB regularly publishes a list of its readers' top 250 favorite movies. Apparently, it's currently all the rage to post the top 100 and indicate which movies you've seen - so here's my list (with the ones I've seen in Bold:

(Also see Big Stupid Tommy, Pete, Bill and Danielle.

1 Godfather, The (1972) 9.0/10 (86650 votes)
2 Shawshank Redemption, The (1994) 8.9/10 (108244 votes)
3 Godfather: Part II, The (1974) 8.8/10 (50598 votes)
4 Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The (2003) 8.8/10 (43704 votes)
5 Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (2002) 8.8/10 (71742 votes)
6 Casablanca (1942) 8.7/10 (50286 votes)
7 Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001) 8.7/10 (115838 votes)
8 Schindler's List (1993) 8.7/10 (73955 votes)
9 Shichinin no samurai (1954) 8.7/10 (21178 votes)
10 Star Wars (1977) 8.7/10 (105834 votes)
11 Citizen Kane (1941) 8.7/10 (46916 votes)
12 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) 8.6/10 (52603 votes)
13 Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) 8.6/10 (47608 votes)
14 Rear Window (1954) 8.6/10 (30659 votes)
15 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) 8.6/10 (81483 votes)
16 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) 8.6/10 (72340 votes)
17 Memento (2000) 8.6/10 (64159 votes)
18 Usual Suspects, The (1995) 8.6/10 (79494 votes)
19 Pulp Fiction (1994) 8.6/10 (95979 votes)
20 North by Northwest (1959) 8.5/10 (27324 votes)
21 12 Angry Men (1957) 8.5/10 (20928 votes)
22 Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, Le (2001) 8.5/10 (40175 votes)
23 Psycho (1960) 8.5/10 (41653 votes)
24 Lawrence of Arabia (1962) 8.5/10 (23582 votes)
25 Buono, il brutto, il cattivo, Il (1966) 8.5/10 (18751 votes)
26 Silence of the Lambs, The (1991) 8.5/10 (71193 votes)
27 It's a Wonderful Life (1946) 8.5/10 (32110 votes)
28 Goodfellas (1990) 8.5/10 (49744 votes)
29 American Beauty (1999) 8.4/10 (84189 votes)
30 Vertigo (1958) 8.4/10 (25924 votes)
31 Sunset Blvd. (1950) 8.4/10 (11501 votes)
32 Matrix, The (1999) 8.4/10 (109569 votes)
33 Apocalypse Now (1979) 8.4/10 (48133 votes)
34 Pianist, The (2002) 8.4/10 (16395 votes)
35 To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) 8.4/10 (22571 votes)
36 Some Like It Hot (1959) 8.3/10 (18821 votes)
37 C'era una volta il West (1968) 8.3/10 (9939 votes)
38 Taxi Driver (1976) 8.3/10 (34763 votes)
39 Third Man, The (1949) 8.3/10 (13824 votes)
40 Paths of Glory (1957) 8.3/10 (10360 votes)
41 Fight Club (1999) 8.3/10 (78679 votes)
42 Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001) 8.3/10 (12647 votes)
43 Boot, Das (1981) 8.3/10 (21760 votes)
44 Double Indemnity (1944) 8.3/10 (8694 votes)
45 L.A. Confidential (1997) 8.3/10 (54644 votes)
46 Chinatown (1974) 8.3/10 (19079 votes)
47 Singin' in the Rain (1952) 8.3/10 (15458 votes)
48 Maltese Falcon, The (1941) 8.3/10 (15143 votes)
49 Requiem for a Dream (2000) 8.3/10 (30380 votes)
50 M (1931) 8.3/10 (8643 votes)
51 Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957) 8.3/10 (17103 votes)
52 All About Eve (1950) 8.3/10 (9878 votes)
53 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) 8.3/10 (45460 votes)
54 Se7en (1995) 8.3/10 (64725 votes)
55 Saving Private Ryan (1998) 8.2/10 (77044 votes)
56 Cidade de Deus (2002) 8.2/10 (7987 votes)
57 Raging Bull (1980) 8.2/10 (19237 votes)
58 Rashômon (1950) 8.2/10 (7974 votes)
59 Wizard of Oz, The (1939) 8.2/10 (29506 votes)
60 Sting, The (1973) 8.2/10 (18026 votes)
61 Alien (1979) 8.2/10 (47558 votes)
62 American History X (1998) 8.2/10 (41139 votes)
63 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) 8.2/10 (8732 votes)
64 Léon (1994) 8.2/10 (36596 votes)
65 Vita è bella, La (1997) 8.2/10 (29123 votes)
66 Touch of Evil (1958) 8.2/10 (8962 votes)
67 Manchurian Candidate, The (1962) 8.2/10 (9905 votes)
68 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) 8.2/10 (51106 votes)
69 Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The (1948) 8.2/10 (7760 votes)
70 Wo hu cang long (2000) 8.2/10 (40857 votes)
71 Great Escape, The (1963) 8.2/10 (14554 votes)
72 Reservoir Dogs (1992) 8.2/10 (49067 votes)
73 Clockwork Orange, A (1971) 8.2/10 (48891 votes)
74 Amadeus (1984) 8.2/10 (28383 votes)
75 Modern Times (1936) 8.2/10 (7267 votes)
76 Annie Hall (1977) 8.2/10 (15785 votes)
77 Ran (1985) 8.2/10 (8482 votes)
78 Jaws (1975) 8.2/10 (35646 votes)
79 On the Waterfront (1954) 8.2/10 (9043 votes)
80 Braveheart (1995) 8.1/10 (70850 votes)
81 High Noon (1952) 8.1/10 (9150 votes)
82 Apartment, The (1960) 8.1/10 (8182 votes)
83 Fargo (1996) 8.1/10 (51116 votes)
84 Sixth Sense, The (1999) 8.1/10 (73505 votes)
85 Aliens (1986) 8.1/10 (49504 votes)
86 Shining, The (1980) 8.1/10 (37003 votes)
87 Strangers on a Train (1951) 8.1/10 (7611 votes)
88 Blade Runner (1982) 8.1/10 (59571 votes)
89 Metropolis (1927) 8.1/10 (8543 votes)
90 Duck Soup (1933) 8.1/10 (7411 votes)
91 Finding Nemo (2003) 8.1/10 (19662 votes)
92 Donnie Darko (2001) 8.1/10 (25300 votes)
93 General, The (1927) 8.1/10 (4921 votes)
94 Toy Story 2 (1999) 8.1/10 (30366 votes)
95 Princess Bride, The (1987) 8.1/10 (42334 votes)
96 City Lights (1931) 8.1/10 (5559 votes)
97 Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) 8.1/10 (24984 votes)
98 Great Dictator, The (1940) 8.1/10 (7068 votes)
99 Lola rennt (1998) 8.0/10 (24118 votes)
100 Notorious (1946) 8.0/10 (7709 votes)

A couple of observations:

• I have a lot of catching up to do, especially with the classics.
  
• The Lord of the Rings films are too recent to be judged fairly. So is The Matrix.
  
• Not enough people, apparently, are watching The Wizard of Oz these days.
  
• No Disney animated films? Two Pixars, though. I would have had Beauty and the Beast, Lion King and Sleeping Beauty on there at least...
  

Here is the Bottom 100 list, same thing:

1 'Manos' the Hands of Fate (1966) 1.6 (5341 votes)
2 From Justin to Kelly (2003) 1.6 (3988 votes)
3 Future War (1997) 1.7 (914 votes)
4 Space Mutiny (1988) 1.7 (1220 votes)
5 Troll 2 (1990) 1.7 (1257 votes)
6 Eegah (1962) 1.7 (790 votes)
7 Hobgoblins (1987) 1.8 (1530 votes)
8 Backyard Dogs (2000) 1.8 (979 votes)
9 Santa with Muscles (1996) 1.8 (1965 votes)
10 Gigli (2003) 1.8 (6580 votes)
11 Going Overboard (1989) 2.0 (833 votes)
12 Werewolf (1996) 2.0 (742 votes)
13 Giant Spider Invasion, The (1975) 2.1 (663 votes)
14 Glitter (2001) 2.1 (3628 votes)
15 Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie (1997) 2.2 (793 votes)
16 Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994) 2.2 (3977 votes)
17 Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) 2.2 (1371 votes)
18 Kazaam (1996) 2.3 (2329 votes)
19 Leonard Part 6 (1987) 2.3 (1806 votes)
20 Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000 (2000) 2.4 (11353 votes)
21 Hercules in New York (1970) 2.4 (1713 votes)
22 Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1996) 2.4 (1790 votes)
23 Baby Geniuses (1999) 2.5 (2167 votes)
24 It's Pat (1994) 2.5 (1936 votes)
25 2001: A Space Travesty (2000) 2.5 (1171 votes)
26 Jaws: The Revenge (1987) 2.6 (3832 votes)
27 Cool as Ice (1991) 2.6 (899 votes)
28 Bolero (1984) 2.6 (1038 votes)
29 Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The (1994) 2.7 (1761 votes)
30 Mitchell (1975) 2.7 (971 votes)
31 House of the Dead (2003) 2.7 (736 votes)
32 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989) 2.7 (3209 votes)
33 Smokey and the Bandit III (1983) 2.7 (1022 votes)
34 Teen Wolf Too (1987) 2.7 (1584 votes)
35 Vercingétorix (2001) 2.8 (976 votes)
36 Captain America (1991) 2.8 (900 votes)
37 Steel (1997) 2.8 (1027 votes)
38 Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach (1988) 2.8 (3774 votes)
39 Cat in the Hat, The (2003) 2.8 (1995 votes)
40 Mannequin: On the Move (1991) 2.8 (832 votes)
41 Rollerball (2002) 2.8 (3525 votes)
42 Ringmaster (1998) 2.9 (1073 votes)
43 Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981) 2.9 (946 votes)
44 Master of Disguise, The (2002) 3.0 (2337 votes)
45 Problem Child 2 (1991) 3.0 (2445 votes)
46 Spice World (1997) 3.0 (5472 votes)
47 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) 3.0 (1335 votes)
48 Mr. Nanny (1993) 3.1 (904 votes)
49 Cop & 1/2 (1993) 3.1 (1072 votes)
50 Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997) 3.1 (3928 votes)
51 Street Fighter (1994) 3.1 (4716 votes)
52 Jaws 3-D (1983) 3.1 (3608 votes)
53 Double Dragon (1994) 3.1 (882 votes)
54 Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992) 3.2 (4009 votes)
55 Crossroads (2002) 3.2 (5900 votes)
56 Barb Wire (1996) 3.2 (3878 votes)
57 Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn, An (1997) 3.2 (924 votes)
58 Bats (1999/I) 3.2 (2169 votes)
59 FeardotCom (2002) 3.2 (3020 votes)
60 Universal Soldier: The Return (1999) 3.3 (2384 votes)
61 RoboCop 3 (1993) 3.3 (3021 votes)
62 Mangler, The (1995) 3.3 (779 votes)
63 Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) 3.3 (4539 votes)
64 Best Defense (1984) 3.3 (982 votes)
65 Iron Eagle II (1988) 3.3 (834 votes)
66 Mac and Me (1988) 3.3 (815 votes)
67 Mr. Magoo (1997) 3.3 (1817 votes)
68 Grease 2 (1982) 3.3 (4103 votes)
69 Ticker (2001) 3.3 (1031 votes)
70 Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997) 3.3 (9648 votes)
71 Glen or Glenda (1953) 3.3 (1030 votes)
72 Mr. Wrong (1996) 3.4 (1315 votes)
73 Highlander II: The Quickening (1991) 3.4 (7456 votes)
74 Pokémon the First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back (1999) 3.4 (2606 votes)
75 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987) 3.4 (4163 votes)
76 Avengers, The (1998) 3.4 (8821 votes)
77 Jury Duty (1995) 3.4 (1411 votes)
78 Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) 3.4 (2056 votes)
79 Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003) 3.4 (2106 votes)
80 Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) 3.4 (5538 votes)
81 Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) 3.4 (2037 votes)
82 Derailed (2002) 3.4 (691 votes)
83 Freddy Got Fingered (2001) 3.4 (6032 votes)
84 Weekend at Bernie's II (1993) 3.5 (1551 votes)
85 Caddyshack II (1988) 3.5 (3050 votes)
86 Omega Code, The (1999) 3.5 (1681 votes)
87 Super Mario Bros. (1993) 3.5 (3554 votes)
88 Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002) 3.5 (3012 votes)
89 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) 3.5 (1074 votes)
90 Endless Love (1981) 3.5 (835 votes)
91 Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) 3.5 (2246 votes)
92 McHale's Navy (1997) 3.5 (1296 votes)
93 On Deadly Ground (1994) 3.5 (2654 votes)
94 Nothing But Trouble (1991) 3.5 (2896 votes)
95 Kangaroo Jack (2003) 3.6 (2321 votes)
96 Batman & Robin (1997) 3.6 (22084 votes)
97 Stupids, The (1996) 3.6 (1151 votes)
98 Pet Sematary II (1992) 3.6 (1444 votes)
99 Leprechaun (1993) 3.6 (1690 votes)
100 Bio-Dome (1996) 3.6 (3181 votes)

Not many I've seen here, thank goodness - however, for the record, I've always loved Grease 2 and Sgt. Pepper - so there. Pttttthhh.

Probably makes a difference how old you were when you saw them - I was in my early teens.

Less than One Month to Go

From 2/16-3/1 I'll be here:



Doing this.

Even today (January 20) when it's -46 degrees here in Knoxville, it's 64 degrees in Boca Grande.

Heh.

Heh heh heh.

I say, heh heh heh heh heh heh.....

Not a Surprise

I took the President Match poll, and, unsurprisingly my closest Democratic candidate match is Joe Lieberman.

Pretty much what I figured...also dead last were Dean and Bush - also pretty much as I figured. What's funny is Al Sharpton came in second. Clark was somewhere in the middle.

So Lieberman's stated positions pretty much match my own, and Dean and Bush's views were most opposite mine.

Which doesn't really mean squat if I don't consider someone "Presidential material". I don't consider Dean, Clark, Sharpton, or Bush "Presidential material". I'm somewhat lukewarm on Lieberman - I need to study him some more. For some reason he Strongly Opposes a) Required Safety Course and Licenses before Gun Purchases, and b) Somewhat Opposes Partial Birth Abortions and Strongly Opposes Outlawing Abortions in Rape/Incest Cases. (note: I don't think any Democratic candidate is going to go on record opposing abortion, so I'm not certain those are his true positions).

I thought, and still think, that Gore was "Presidential material". Even though he endorsed Dean, we all know that endorsements are all political and have little to do with the candidate that someone feels closely matches another politician's personal philosophy, so I don't read too much into that.

Anyway, it's an interesting little quiz - take a look.

(Hat Tip: Hatamaran)

Silence, Milky-White...not to my liking..

Not much time to blog lately - a couple notes:

1. Justin of Elephant Rants has moved to http://elephantrants.blogs.com/. I've adjusted the community blogroll.
   
   
2. Volunteer Tailgate Party is at Dagley Dagley Daily this week. Rocky Top Brigadiers, visit her site for details about how to send in your entries and everyone else go take a look on Thursday for the latest edition.

Changing to Moveable Type?

What do you think of this?

"About 3 months ago, the great Blogspot Exodus of '03 began - thanks to a special offer from 1&1 Internet. They are offering free website hosting for 3 years. You don't need a credit card, just a valid phone number which they use to send a PIN number. More information on this offer is available here. They will also register a Domain Name for you for a mere $5.99 (per year).

The service works great with Movable Type, but installation can be a bit tricky. That is why Kevin (Wizbang) organized the the Exodus Team. This is a crew of techs who are perfectly willing to get you up and running on Movable Type - also for free.

Think about it. Free hosting. Free setup. For $5.99 you can have your blog powered by Movable Type using your own domain name. If you are interested, go to 1&1 signup page here. Then send an email to Exodus (AT) wizbangblog (DOT) com requesting assistance. I believe the Exodus team has already assisted nearly 50 people making the switch."

Has anyone done either switched to 1&1 and/or availed themselves of the Exodus Team's services? The rest of you Moveable Type people out there - is it worth it to punt the free Blogspot for someone who is once-a-day-or-so poster?

Any recommendations would be appreciated....

(Link and idea via Resonance)

I Win

Pholph's Scrabble Generator My Scrabble© Score is: 27. What is your score? Get it here.

Google Search Of The Day

Seen lately referencing my site:

"did+saruman+have+a+car+automobile"

Um, I would tend to say no.

Disney Update

• Roy E. Disney's website Savedisney.com has been updated and now features a much more professional interface and design than its original incarnation. I was very critical of the first version, even though I'd recommended it here - mainly due to a couple of poor choices in content around the holidays. But hey, on the internet anyone can read anyone's opinions so maybe somebody saw them. Take a look.
  
  
• As most folks know by now, The Disney Corporation has closed the Walt Disney Feature Animation Studios in Orlando, Florida. Jim Hill at Jim Hill Media has been covering the days leading up to, and the aftermath of, these layoffs with several sobering letters from the former animators and a report of the actual announcement to the employess of their firing from the Studio Head, David Stainton.
  
  
• Kevin Yee at MiceAge.com examines Michael Eisner's rather rosy comments about the Walt Disney Company's future at the Smith Barney Entertainment, Media and Telecommunications Conference on January 4, 2004. While it's undeniable from a Wall Street perspective that Disney's fortunes are on a bit of a upswing (mostly due to the success of The Pirates of the Caribbean and Finding Nemo, with the swell of direct-to-video animated sequels, it's creatively underwhelming California Adventure theme park, and inattention to safety and upkeep of the other theme parks, what Eisner's saying may play well to the suits but it's not playing - as they say - in Peoria.
  

We've decided to take a trip back to Walt Disney World this fall. The last time we visited was 2000, when Brainyboy was 4 and Gigglegirl had just turned 1. It will be a vastly different experience this time around, I'm sure, and I hope that the World will be a merrier place if Eisner is gone and improvements start to occur by then. Mission: Space at Epcot, Mickey's Philharmagic at The Magic Kingdom, and other new rides are something to look forward to - plus I've never ridden the Haunted Mansion, and I'm looking forward to that.

There's a quote on the Savedisney.com website that I like, that kind of sums it up:

"I am sorry to hear of the events at Disney. But as my daughter and I agree, Disney is not the Board. Disney is a verb. It means 'to create'."

Thanks, couldn't have said it better myself.

Happy Birthday To...

Hatamaran!!!

"Oh, did I say it was my birthday tomorrow? Oh well, in case you didn't know, it is! I'll be old as dog shit. Well, not really, I'll be 39, which was old as dog shit when I was in my early 20's, but now I realize life has just begun! Please feel free to PayPal money to me at anytime. Hee hee.

I just wanted everyone to remember that she's once again two years old than me.

Teresa is my across-the-hall co-worker, Intranet guru, and long-time friend. Wish her well!

One Year

Today is my one-year bloggiversary. Last January I started Inn of the Last Home - named after a fictitious Inn from the Dragonlance series of books - and asked South Knox Bubba to join the Rocky Top Brigade, and he graciously agreed. It's been an interesting year, and for those who may have started reading later in the year I wanted to submit to you what I consider are some of my favorite posts. To everyone who has ever visited, and especially those who are regulars, I humbly thank you. Enjoy.

Note: I've used permalinks, but this being Blogger the links may be, ahem, bloggered. If the link doesn't take you to the right post, then simply do a search for the title.

January:

Why I Hate Snow Days (or...Why My Kids Look At Me Funny) - I love summer and hate winter. Here's why

February:

February Sky - Tribute to the Columbia astronauts and on touching the face of God
Second Star to the Right, and Straight on till Hell - What the heck is up with Michael Jackson? If we knew then...
Jackson's Reply - A rebuttal, of sorts
Religious Persecution in East Tennessee...Who'd-a Thunk It? - My first take on the India Tracy/Union County case
Childish and Divisive Behaviour Disguised as Righteous Indignation - On "Freedom Fries" silliness

March:

Confessions of a Salty Mind - My quest to give up chips for Lent. It worked!
The Small Quiet Voice - Gentle fisking of local columnist Don Williams regarding terrorism

April:

Betrayal, Part 1 - On how I felt (and still feel) betrayed by the leftist wing of the Democratic party
Betrayal, Part 2
Volunteer Tailgate Party, Vol 1 - The first Volunteer Tailgate Party!

May:

Some Random Thoughts on my Trip to Las Vegas
We Have Met the Bigots, and They Are Ours - Reply to a whiny Metropulse article on how Democrats are bigoted toward Republicans, and why each side has plenty of their own

June:

A Round Dog Day - First of my posts highlighting my commuting conversations with my four-year-old daughter "GiggleGirl". Part of this article got picked up by the Knoxville News Sentinel.

July:

Bookends, Part 1 - These two posts illustrate two instances of racism I witnessed going to and coming back from Hilton Head, SC
Bookends, Part 2
Suffer the Children - Thank you, Qusay Hussein old pal for throwing your 14-year-old son into the line of fire...
Oh My, What Have We Gotten Ourselves Into? - Ye Gods, we got a dog...

August:

Fair - The origins of a mysterious recipe
The Magical Patriot Tour! - Sing along with John Lennon Ashcroft!
Bloggerview - I'm interviewed (kind of) by Queen Medb

September:

Stripping for Anti-Globalization - This one got me a lot of Google hits, let me tell you
More Drive-time Conversations - Is it fall yet, Daddy?

October:

Conversations - Read this, or my daughter will kick your butt
Blatant Discrimination? - Knoxville politics and racial diversity - polar opposites. Also a question about an archaic colloquialism
Panic - "I do..I do...I do believe in fairies! I do..I do...I do believe in fairies!" Well, at least I try...
Bad Ad! Bad Ad! - Actually, this got me even more Google links.
Put Me In, Coach - An homage to the Boys of Summer

November:

Conversations - Knock it off! Or I'll sick the Mynocks on you...
So then, why do it? - My initial take on the "God Amendment"
Nursery Rhymes - Castles, Clouds, boat parades, fun and frivolity and merriment for all

December:

A Question - A simple question that got huge (for me) response about personal responsibility
Should Have Known... - The location of the Gates of Hell -- and no, it's not in Gainesville. (This is a Photoshopped parody I'm kind of proud of)
Grim Grinning Ghost.. - Another Photoshopped parody, about the real identity of the London ghost
Vilification and Clarification - Move along, nothing to see here. Oy vey. Actually, if you read only one post read this one - the little post that started the big Carrying Concealed Weapon controversy. I actually was termed "mentally deficient" for this
Conversations - Daddy's the Grinch!
Ghosts of Christmas Past - Remembrances of Christmas while growing up
You'll Shoot Your Eye Out - A finer moment of cinematic history in "A Christmas Story"
What I've Learned - My birthday post - things I've learned in 37 years

Thank you for an interesting year - hopefully here's to many more.

Presidential

I passed the presidential motorcade on my way to work this morning on Pelissippi Parkway. I couldn't see the President, of course, but I figure he must have been in one of the two long black stretch limos with the little flags on the front. Knox County and Blount County police were all along the route.

It was a little thrilling, actually - like him or not, Bush is the President of the United States and it's our civic duty to be respectful to the office. I hope everyone today remembers that.

(Quick check around the blogosphere...)

Probably not.

Volunteer Tailgate Party - Vol. XIX

Manish of Damn Foreigner is hosting the latest Volunteer Tailgate Party, a bi-weekly compilation of the best and brightest blatherings of the Rocky Top Brigade.

This edition of the VTP is the Best-of-2003 Edition, featuring the favorite or most meaningful posts from the members of the Rocky Top Brigade over the past 12 months. Enjoy!

The Top 10 Complaints of Time Travellers

10) It seems Citibank still has you in its system, and you owe about $30 million in late fees.

9) Step on one little butterfly in the distant past and everyone acts all mad at you once you return to... er, your post-apocalyptic world... um, ruled by sentient kudzu...oops....

8) Cell phone reception in the ninth century? Really friggin' lousy.

7) Hey! It was MY turn to execute Hitler!!

6) You used to be able to just hang out with your friends, but now all they want from you are tomorrow's winning lotto numbers.

5) You'd think someone with a time machine would realize how quickly a DeLorean would get dated.

4) It's surprising how violently intolerant historic cultures were of strangely dressed people who appear out of thin air.

3) It's so difficult to keep track of which Bush recession you're in the middle of.

2) By going forward a couple of weeks, then coming back and sending in all of next week's TopFive submissions, and still failing to get a #1, I've pretty well determined Greg hates me.


and the Number 1 Complaint of Time Travellers...


1) "I traveled back in time to kill my grandfather and all I got wa-- "


[ Copyright 2004 by Chris White ]
[ http://www.topfive.com ]


I love Time Travel.

From Where I'm Sitting...

Michael Totten relates Tim Blair's column in the Australian Daily Telegraph and speculates where his own true political leanings are:

" I’m not really a part of the sane left anymore. I’m either an independent, a moderate, a centrist, or an objectively pro-Bush yeehaw flag-waving nationalistic warmonger, depending on where you sit."

A commenter makes a generalization:

"The so-called insane left know that they can't defend their stance on either Iraq or the war on terror. It doesn't matter to them. Their hatred for the US and the international capitalist system takes precedence over all else.

Since both Saddam Hussein and al-qaeda are enemies of the US, they are friends of the insane left. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. How else can you explain the insane left?"

I think this is a popular view of the anti-war leftists mentality, but in common practice I don't think it's the majority. I would assume the majority of American anti-war leftists hate Saddam and Al-Quaeda but love America just fine. It just seems to me - especially from reading various farther-left blogs - that a big reason for opposing the war was that it was "trendy". The actual politics of it aren't important, but being noticed (and linked to) is.

I'd even be willing to bet the majority of protesters don't understand why they oppose(d) action in Iraq - it's just what all their cool friends were doing.

That's why it defies such description, especially coming from liberals who are supposed to take up for the little guy, the downtrodded (i.e. the Iraqi people).

Still another reason Liberals opposed the war is one big word: Payback. Payback for enduring 8+ years of Clinton-bashing and Payback for stealing the 2000 election. A lot of anger has been seething since 1992, and that's where a lot of the "oiiiiiil" mentality comes from.

Unfortunately, I agree with them in principle: I thought what the Republicans did to discredit Clinton while in office was much more heinous and disrespectful than anything he did himself, and I've never been quite convinced everything was done to verify the results of the election in Florida - however, many who feel the same way can't let go of the hatred, and the hurt, and the pride to see what their vendetta is doing to themselves and the integrity of the philosophy they're supposed to be representing.

It's up to people like Michael, to stay true to your principles when those who claim to represent you ignore them. I hope to do the same.

UPDATE (01/05/03): Michael continues this theme by offering a general description of the difference between liberals and leftists. These broad definitions obviously contain room for sub-groups, and cross-groups but I think it's very accurate from what I've encountered. I'd love to see a counterpart slightly-right-of-center blogger offer a similar look at different types of conservatives....

And I don't want to turn this site into an "InstaMichael", but I find myself agreeing with his viewpoint quite a bit - and saying it much better than I could - and I want to make sure I bring it to everyone's attention.

A Message From the Lord

Pat Robertson: God told him it's Bush in a 'blowout'

'Pat Robertson said Friday that God told him President Bush will be re-elected in a landslide.

"I think George Bush is going to win in a walk," the religious broadcaster said on his "700 Club" program on the Virginia Beach-based Christian Broadcasting Network, which he founded.

"I really believe I'm hearing from the Lord it's going to be like a blowout election in 2004. It's shaping up that way," Robertson said. '

Way to go out on a limb, there, Pat. I'll bet God personally informs you the sun will rise the next morning, too.

First Post of the New Year

Begins with my 4-year-old's new lyrics to "Up on the Housetop":

GiggleGirl: Up on the Housetop, reinder pause, out jumps good old Santa Claus,
He's got a bag that's full of toys, all for little one's Christmas joys.

Oh, ho, ho...who wouldn't throw,
Oh, ho, ho, who wouldn't thr-o-o-o-o-w-w-w-w...up on the housetop click! click! click!
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick!

I guess it's inevitable after all those cookies all over the world...