I don't know how I missed this one the last five times I did this.

So anyway... happy new year.

The outcome of the war is in our hands; the outcome of words is in the council.
Homer (800 BC - 700 BC), The Iliad

I am admittedly entering an area that I know rather little about, but from my perspective Israel is losing the public relations war on this battle in Gaza with Hamas.

If Canada or Mexico were firing rockets into Seattle or San Diego one or the other would eventually become the 51st state and the United States would not have exhibited the patience Israel did.

Now Israel is returning fire far more fiercely and everyone seems to be up in arms. The Palestinians are pointing out all the innocent victims to Israel’s bombing attacks, but the terrorists are hiding behind the citizens and jeopardizing the lives of these civilians.

These tactics need to be publicly called out continually and the United Nations and other countries need to specifically consider such cowardly tactics as crimes against humanity.

Update from the publication "PRWeek:"

Israel boosts efforts for support of Gaza attacks
Alexandra Bruell
December 30 2008

NEW YORK: The Israeli government and consulate in New York launched a series of outreach efforts to garner support for Israel's military operation in Gaza that began December 27. It is working to communicate its position against Hamas, which ended the ceasefire on December 19. Hamas is considered to be a foreign terrorist organization by the US State Department.
“Our message is that Israel right now is under attack,” said David Saranga, consul for media and public affairs at the Israeli Consulate in New York. “People of Israel... have been under daily missile attack on part of the terror organization of Hamas.”

Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures.
Jessamyn West (1902 – 1984), writer

Grand Torino – Grrr. Clint Eastwood as a misanthropic old man who points a military assault rifle at kids ordering them to “get off my lawn,” (perfectly acceptable behavior and endorsed by the NRA). I thoroughly enjoyed it and now my neighbors know what to expect in a few years.

Frost/Nixon – Outstanding. Daughter came home and wanted to see it, I most likely would have missed it thinking that I watched the original with my grandfather. I would have missed a fascinating look at all the behind the scenes cat and mouse games. Nothing was ever how it seemed with Nixon.

Revolutionary Road – The Wheeler’s (Frank and April -- Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet) were neighbors to Martha and George from “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” This movie shows marriage as the institution it truly is…
. . . who's afraid of living life without false illusions. And it did strike me as being a rather typical, university intellectual joke. — Edward Albee on "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf."

Video worth renting
Transsiberian – A wonderfully suspenseful movie also about a marriage not as strong as inhabitants would prefer. Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer and Ben Kingsley are all terrific to watch.

You know, I have always wondered what took place in the bookcase when I was not looking. This is the bookcase in my den and below is what transpires when no one is looking.

A tip of the hat to Paper Cuts Blog from the NYTimes




This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.

Majel Barrett, widow of Gene Roddenberry and the voice of the Starship Enterprise's computers (on Star Trek), passed away December 18 at 76. BoingBoing's Joel Johnson writes, "she was gorgeous and charming and awesome."

She had recorded the voice work for the upcoming Star Trek movie just two weeks ago.

The company I work for sent out a reminder that our holiday season is upon us, and that the office will be closed now and then. Here's the reason, as stated in the official email:

Celebrated annually Dec. 25, Christmas honors the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, church activities, and various decorations – including the Christmas tree, lights, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. Children also identify Santa Claus as a popular figure who brings gifts at Christmas. Because gift-giving and several other aspects of the holiday involve economic activity, Christmas has become a major event for many retailers.

Along with Christmas, several other holidays are celebrated by our professionals in December, including: Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Id-ul-Zuha (celebrated earlier this month).

Gee, thanks for the "also-ran" mention!

I don't drive around much in the city anymore (I'm a train commuter, when I go in), so I may be behind the times -- if so, my apologies.

I saw these outside my office in downtown Los Angeles... pretty neato. Apparently you find the number on the curb near your spot, and use your cellphone to pay the parking fee on the gadget thingy.

Most awesome Flash game evar! Check it out -- you're the mythical Minotaur, and you've taken a job working in a china shop. Either try to get the items your customers want, or go on a rampage and hope your insurance kicks in to cover the costs of the damage. Easy to play, and fantastically wonderful. Click here to check it out.

Thanks again, BoingBoing!]

For me it’s impossible to name my top all time favorite songs, so taking an idea from Nick Hornby's book “31 Songs” I hope to put into writing why I like select songs for various moods.

As Daughter prepared to leave this summer for the Midwest to pursue an education that will lead to a successful career in law, I burned a CD for her to play for the drive out there and to provide encouragement when the stress gets turned up.

When our conversations are over and it is just Daughter putting forth the effort alone, I wanted her to feel that sense of love and support whenever she feels the need.

Daughter’s encouragement and songs of love from pop (this list is dedicated to my nephew too who is also very bright and has a tremendous future):

• “Stop Your Sobbing” by the Pretenders
• “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by The Hit Crew
• “You Can Do It” by No Doubt
• “If” by Joni Mitchell
• “I Believe” by Frank Sinatra
• “High Hopes” by Frank Sinatra
• “Your Life is Now” by John Mellencamp
• “You’re Gonna Hear from Me” by Frank Sinatra
• “Come Blow Your Horn” by Frank Sinatra
• “Pick Yourself Up” by Dianne Reeves
• “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
• “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
• “I am a Rock” by Simon & Garfunkel
• “Gonna Fly Now” (theme from “Rocky” by Bill Conti)
• “Razzle Dazzle” by Richard Gere & Cast from the movie “Chicago”
• “Nothing But the Best” by Frank Sinatra
• “Who Needs Sleep?” Barenaked Ladies
• “Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon
• “Lord Protect My Child” by Susan Tedeschi
• “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan & The Band
  
• “Better Things” by The Kinks
• “Don’t Forget to Dance” by The Kinks
• “Laugh and Be Happy” by Randy Newman

I've got an email account that I use when I know I'll wind up on a list somewhere -- my spam account, if you will. Here's what I've gotten lately:

View Your Credit Report
Brazil is Booming - Buy Land
You're not crazy, Everything is really FREE
I found you a new job
The incredible pet nail trimmer [a product my wife had actually already bought!]
Stop Snoring So Everybody Get's A Good Night's Sleep
You're Hired - Check for Positions in your area
Invest in the worlds hottest emerging market! BRAZIL
Create the life you've always wanted
Uncensored Internet Television Now Available
Find the One For You
郝瑞英，您好 [I have no idea what that even means]
24k in 25hrs ... take my next challenge
Seeking financial freedom? The secret is out...
Chat and email FREE with local singles
Holiday Cosmic Glassware on SALE
Brazil Land Rush! Private Beach lots from $20K
You Could Qualify for a Complimentary Meter for Diabetics
Meet your Mate
New Message: Can you beat today's high IQ score?
New Pastel Coffee Mugs Just In