SPRING HAS COME

Spring is here. Have you heard about Walpurgis Night? Cheers!

INTERNET ADVERTISING

It looks like advertising will increase on the Internet in the near future. From Investor's Business Daily:

Interactive advertising sales set a record last year of $9.6 billion, according to a report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The figure exceeds the previous record, set in 2000, by almost 20 percent. (Investors.com, 04/28/05.)

The Internet has only 3% of the total ad spending, so it is has a huge potential. See page 27 in Morgan Stanley's presentation, The Age of Engagement, or Henry Copeland's post, The latest obituaries for an industry that doesn't yet know it is dead. The Economist has an article (The online ad attack), discussing how Google and Yahoo could start to take advertising revenue from the three big television networks (ABC, CBS and NBC). It will still be shares up for grabs for new players on the market, e.g., Pajamas Media. For more on PJ Media, read Roger L. Simon's post, An Open Letter to All Bloggers, and Marc Danziger's post, The New New Media. If you are interested in reading more about advertising on blogs, go to the Blog Herald and read Duncan Riley's post, DIY Blog Advertising.

Related posts:

• TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF ADVERTISING...
• THE WILD WEST IN BLOG ADVERTISING
• NEW BLOG ADVERTISING
• BLOG SUPPORTERS AND SPONSORS

Technorati tag: blog advertising.


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VIET NAM CONG SAN

On this day in history, please read the following:

• Vietnam War is History, Not Current Events for U.S. Teens - Voice of America.
• America's Bitter End in Vietnam - The History Net.
• Vietnam? Not This Time - Democratic Peace.

The Vietcong guerilla troops had strong support by communists and leftists in Sweden during the 70's. The FNL (Front National de Liberté) movement was very strong in Sweden. Even the prime minister, Olof Palme, was participating in a FNL demonstration together with the North Vietnamese ambassador of Moscow, Nguyen Tho Chyan. My guess is that the hard-core elements of the FNL movement and sympathizers of the former National Front for the Liberation of Vietnam are members of today's anti-war gang. Here is an excerpt from Billy McCormac's post, Analogy Wars.

Tomorrow people everywhere will observe the 30th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Yet this Saturday also marks the 30th anniversary of the beginning of something. For ever since the last helicopter airlifted American personnel out of Saigon, Vietnam has become a benchmark against which any armed conflict involving U.S. military forces is measured. (Stockholm Spectator, 04/29/05.)

FRIDAY FESTIVITIES

If you want to see more pictures of cats and other animals, check out Friday Ark at the Modulator. I forgot to send an entry to this week's edition of the Carnival of the Recipes. I am thinking of posting a recipe on how to make zwieback (crisprolls).

FOTOFLIX

I read about FotoFlix on Blogger Buzz. Check out my fotopage. I will publish more photos of Morris guarding our property in the next few days. In the meantime, please enjoy the show!

SHOULD I "NUKE" CERTAIN COMMENTS?

I have said it over and over again, I appreciate COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK, but now and then I wonder if I should hit the "red button" and "nuke" certain types of comments... Look at these comments on my post, ATOMIC IRAN AND IRANFREE.ORG. The comments are made by a person called Lea Daleo:

#1 DR,-- IF YOU ARE ONE,?? YOU ARE SO FULL OF SHIT, YOU AND YOUR HYPED UP FEARS, ABOUT A NUCLEAR ATTACK... YEAH YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT ONE THING, IF OR WHEN IT HAPPENS-GEORGE BUSH,S-- NAME WILL BE ON IT, BECAUSE HE WENT INTO IRAQ AND NOT IRAN.. BUT THEN HE, NOR YOU- ARE THE BRIGHTEST BULB IN STOCK....LEA--LAS VEGAS NEVADA.

#3 GET A FUCKING LIFE, I HOPE ALL LIBS SUE YOUR LYING ASS.......LAS VEGAS NV.

LEA DALEO, 04/27/05.

An ad for Atomic Iran has been rejected by some stations. Gary King is asking the question: Is Atomic Iran a hoax? Here is my suggestion: Read Carol Devine-Molin's review and if you think the book is worth buying, click on this link, and you will support my blogging! With that said, see you around and so long!

In the news: Iran Not Worried Over Threat of Sanctions.

READING MATERIAL

I recommend you to read the following posts:

• Where Changes Are Most Needed? - d-Anconia Online.
• Individual Rights - Reclaim Your Brain.
• TheocracyWatch & a philosophical dilemma - The Secular Foxhole.
• Hines Calls Me a Neander-Blogger! - Gus Van Horn.
• Hunting Terrorists Online - The Washington Re-Post.
• The Pope's Heroes - Illustrated Ideas.

Do you see how the posts and comments are covering the different branches of philosophy?

REALISTIC PAINTINGS BY EMILY ZASADA

Check out Emily Zasada's works of art. [Hat tip to Sarah Beth.] Here is an excerpt from the About page:

An Emily Zasada painting is realistic, certainly, but rather than simply replicating reality, her works seem to vibrate with a translucent energy. Quietly kinetic and infused with light, the objects in a Zasada painting seem to be ready to participate in scenes just outside of the scope of the canvas: wine glasses shimmer with anticipation and shadows seem almost ready to shift again with the passing of the sun.

Go to her blog and follow the progress of a still life of a bottle of wine and two glasses.

Day 1

Just started a new commissioned piece!

This is Day 1 of a painting I expect to take 10 - 12 days. In a lot of ways, this is one of my favorite stages; everything is very rough but there's something powerful about just seeing the areas of light and dark in a piece. (Paintings.typepad.com, 04/14/05.)

ELIAN GONZALEZ HAS BEEN IN PRISON FOR FIVE YEARS

Thanks to Nicholas Provenzo of the Rule of Reason for reminding me about Elián González. Here is an excerpt from his post, The Day America Lost its Soul.

I was active in the movement to keep Gonzalez free and in America, on the grounds that returning him to Castro's Cuba was tantamount to sentencing him to prison. Looking back, I ask myself why the "Free Elian" movement failed.

There has never been the same revulsion in America against communism as there has been with Nazism. Even though communists murdered far more people then the Nazis and held on to power far longer, a portion of their message has resonated with America. While many object to communism's practice, not so many object to communism's moral message, even in the light of its fantastic failure. Communisms alleged concern for the meek still speaks to many, even of its means of implementation are acknowledged to be unworkable. (RuleOfReason.blogspot.com, 04/23/05.)

In the news:

• Elian Raid Lawsuit Goes To Trial - CBS.
• Elián saga altered lives - Miami Herald.
• Little Havana remembers Elian - Houston Chronicle.
• Elian Gonzalez Thanks U.S. at Cuban Political Rally - Reuters.

Read the following posts:

• Elian (part 1) by George Moneo.

Five years ago this morning, Elian Gonzalez was kidnapped by Clinton/Reno goons to prepare him for his trip back to the Socialist Worker's Paradise of fidel castro. I am still very angry about it, and I do not think I will ever get over it. (No, I can't "move on.") This was written on June 28, 2000 as Elian's plane took off. I feel exactly the same today as I did that day... (BabaluBlog.com, 04/22/05.)

• Not Forgotten by Ice Scribe.

Hard to believe it's been five years ago already. Every time I think about it, I feel physically nauseated. (MyGorramDen.typepad.com, 04/22/05.)

Have you read Humberto Fontova's book, Fidel: Hollywood's Favorite Tyrant?

Related: My post, FIDEL CASTRO IS OUT OF BALANCE.

WHY IS ABDULLAH INVITED TO BUSH'S RANCH?

In the news: Saudi Leader Visits Bush at His Texas Ranch.

President Bush hosts Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah at his Texas ranch Monday for talks on surging oil prices and other issues. (Voice of America, 04/25/05.)

I hope they will discuss the "missing link" between Saudi Arabia and terrorist groups. What has happened since the last time they met?

It could be interesting to see what the newspapers in the Middle East are saying:

• What Should Be the Focus of Talks Between Bush, Abdullah - Arab News.

House of Saud


Related: My post, SAUDI ARABIA'S TERRORISM CONNECTION.

FRANCE IS DEALING WITH COMMUNIST CHINA

In the news:

• France says no objections to China's Taiwan anti-secession law - EUbusiness.com.
• France Not Softening on Push to Lift China Arms Embargo - CNSNews.com.
• French leader signs Chinese trade deals and criticizes arms ban - IHT.com.

Read Superhawk's post, France to Taiwan: Submit or Perish. I think that I will stay away from FRENCH TOAST for awhile...

Taiwanese Take-out


Related: My post, STAND UP FOR TAIWAN.

CARNIVALS AT OUBLIETTE, CHARLOTTE CAPITALIST, AND PEAKTALK

Check out the following carnivals:

• Carnival of the Cats at the Oubliette.

carnival of the cats #57

Welcome everyone to my little corner of the world. I've lit a few more candles so it's not quite as dark as usual for all of my guests tonight. I know it's a little cramped, oubliettes aren't really made for entertaining, but we'll manage. I've brewed up a fresh batch of catnip tea for any of our guests, feline or human, and there are some trays of snacks so help yourself. (TheOubliette.blogspot.com, 04/24/05.)

• Reason Roundup at the Charlotte Capitalist.

Welcome to The Reason Round-up. Please, not another Earth Day. The beauty of "Jenny". What the pope and Rick Warren evade. An entrapped beauty? Are you too fat or too thin? The disappointing David Lean. The scoop on those China protests...and lots more. (CharlotteCapitalist.com, 04/24/05.)

• Carnival of the Capitalists at Peaktalk.

CARNIVAL OF THE CAPITALISTS

IT'S ALL ABOUT RISK

Some fifteen years ago I walked into a London office as a young banking trainee and my first boss, one of these seasoned and arrogant investment bankers, gave me only a few moments of his expensive time to tell me: "It's all about one thing, risk".

And how right he was. My journey across the globe was in essence a quest to strike the right balance between risk and reward, each time hoping a new equilibrium could help me move forward. Playing safe when you need to, roll the dice when you think you can. From the relative safety of investment banking to working with promising early stage companies, each time trying to find the right balance.

Capitalism in itself is a long historic journey where the participants always had to manage risk during their pursuit of wealth. From that perspective we're no different from the Dutch who settled Manhattan in the 17th century, only today the boundaries are no longer geographical. But the tools we use today to manage uncertainty are no different: sales techniques, legal documents, currency hedging, technology, insurance; they all have been around for ages.

This week I am proud to host a group of contributors who will update you on the state of affairs in their area of expertise. Each of them has assumed a measure of risk and is able to talk about an aspect of it. Marketing, sales, law, technology, entrepreneurship, it's all capitalism, and it's all about risk. (Peaktalk.com, 04/25/05.)

NO SWEDE IN THE MISS UNIVERSE COMPETITION

In the news: Miss Sweden cancelled after "feminist harassment".

The organiser of the annual 'Miss Sweden' beauty pageant has been forced to cancel this year's contest following "harassment from feminist groups". The decision means that Sweden will not be sending a delegate to the global 'Miss Universe' event - for the first time since it was inaugurated in 1952. (TheLocal.se, 04/22/05.)

From a press release (Sweden without Miss Universe Contestant for the First Time Ever) by Panos Emporio AB:

When the Scandinavian swimwear company Panos Emporio last year purchased the rights to the Miss Sweden pageant from TV3, the intentions were to bring the contest back to its original high status. Harassment from feminist organizations has however forced the company to put the competition on hold. This has led to the fact that in 2005 Sweden will not send a contestant to the Miss Universe pageant for the first time ever. (PRWeb.com, 04/14/05.)

Check out MissUniverse.com.

Related: My post, SHARIAH LAW IN AFGHANISTAN AGAINST BEAUTY PAGEANT.

CAT FOOD

Time to eat!



Finished!



One of his favorite dry food brands is called Best Friend. What's your cat's favorite?

CUT THE TAXES

You could read several interesting articles on the tax situation around the world in the April 16th issue of the Economist.

• The flat-tax revolution.
• The case for flat taxes.
• The burden of complexity.

The Logical Meme has comments on the issue.

Although we probably won't see serious discussion of a flat tax in our lifetime (given the current political climate surrounding entitlements in this country), there's a fine editorial in The Economist ("The Flat-Tax Revolution") that clears up several mischaracterizations surrounding what such a tax structure would portend. (LogicalMeme.com, 04/18/05.)

Maybe it is time to move a bit east as a first step, before I take the big jump to the west? The Swedish Taxpayers Association has started a petition campaigning for a flat tax. [Editor's note: By the way, I am happy to hear that the "dark forces" didn't manage to enter the board of directors.] So, what's my take on a flat tax ? Here is an excerpt from my post, "SCRAP THE CODE".

Moxie wants to have a discussion on alternative tax methods. I thought that Steve Forbes' flat tax plan was a pretty good idea back in the day, but I changed my mind after I listened to Leonard Peikoff's interview with Bill Archer (The Leonard Peikoff Show, 06/17/96) and came to the conclusion that a retail sales tax is a better idea. Bruce Bartlett thinks that the flat tax makes a comeback. I wonder if the tax reforms in Slovakia could be implemented in other countries in Europe. For information on the situation in Sweden, read my post, TAX PRESSURE. (EGO, 12/06/03.)

Please be sure to read the comments on the above mentioned post.

TUNGSTEN = HEAVY STONE

Under the business section of the April 16th issue of the Economist, you could read an article (Hard luck) on the price development of tungsten metal. I have purchased tungsten welding electrodes, so I got interested in reading the article. Higher raw materials prices is one of the top trends according to Inc. Magazine.

• High prices on raw materials.

During my 8+ years as a purchaser of raw materials, I had several price negotiations with suppliers. I have seen e.g., nickel and stainless steel prices going "thru the roof." The solution is to find alternative sources for the future and at the same time work in a long-range fashion with your current partners. It was important to point out to the suppliers that the business relationship was based on the "trader principle." For my take on the problems with steel tariffs, read my post, "ASSOCIATED STEEL" VERSUS "REARDEN STEEL"? (EGO, FIVE TRENDS ACCORDING TO INC. MAGAZINE, 01/02/05.)

Tungsten is classified as a critical material according to the Defense National Stockpile Center. The article claims that "America's government has a stockpile that could meet all that country's demand for the next three years." I think it is a bit worrying that China is controlling 85% of the total production in the world, and is consuming about 35% of it. The good thing that has come out of this scary situation is that the North American Tungsten Corporation Ltd. "has emerged from bankruptcy protection and hopes to restart the idled site in July." It could be good if the Western companies could stabilize the situation and look out for China's aggressive strategy of bulking up on raw materials. For more on this topic, read Mary Lynn Young's article, China's power lights up international tungsten market.

The reversal of fortune at North America Tungsten, a small British Columbia mining company, over the past three decades mimics the dramatic highs and lows of a professional wrestling match. But the company's experiences are harbingers in miniature of the future and the potential power of the Chinese economy. (TheGlobeAndMail.com, 03/31/05.)

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AN EXAMPLE ON HOW TO FIND INTERESTING STUFF

Thanks to the visitor who did a search on Google for the following key words: "organizational behavior blog." My post, PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, is #1 of about 102,000. Number 3 on the list is David Allen's blog, The Salon. I will definitively add his feed to my list of subscriptions at Bloglines.

ANIMAL CRACKERS

Have a bite of an animal cracker and join the zoo over at the Modulator. Check out this week's edition of the Carnival of the Recipes at Bebere.com.

WHICH AMERICAN CITIES BEST FIT YOU?

This quiz could be a sort of follow up to my post, WHAT KIND OF AMERICAN ENGLISH DO YOU SPEAK?

American Cities That Best Fit You:

60% Washington, DC

55% Atlanta

55% New York City

50% Austin

50% Chicago

Which American Cities Best Fit You?

I have been in New York City, Austin, and Chicago. I look forward to comments on these cities in the quiz, and other places in North America that you think could fit my profile.

BLOGSPOTTING AT BUSINESSWEEK

Here is an excerpt from the article, Blogs Will Change Your Business, by Stephen Baker and Heather Green. [Via InstaPundit.]

In a world chock-full of citizen publishers, we mainstream types control an ever-smaller chunk of human knowledge. Some of us will work to draw in more of what the bloggers know, vetting it, editing it, and packaging it into our closed productions. But here's betting that we also forge ahead in the open world. The measure of success in that world is not a finished product. The winners will be those who host the very best conversations. (BusinessWeek.com, 05/02/05.)

CYBERTIPS

Here is an excerpt from Beth Gillin's article, Bloggers increasingly rely on cybertips to finance posts. [Via InstaPundit.]

Tip jars can generate controversy wherever they appear, from sub shops soliciting "for the sandwich artists" to sports arenas where purchasers of $6.25 beers encounter an empty cup asking for more.

"They're everywhere. And it's frustrating for customers who don't want to tip if the level of service doesn't warrant it," Philadelphia-area business psychologist Larina Kase said.

At least in cyberspace, nobody can see you're not tipping. Plus, bloggers write thank-you notes. (Macon.com, 04/17/05.)

Read Laurence Simon's post, Looking back in anger?

Related my post, DROPCASH CAMPAIGN.

WEEKLY BLOGROLLING

I want to highlight the following posts by fellow bloggers, by Gus Van Horn, Sarah Beth, and Felipe Sediles:

• Yousefzadeh Strikes Out Again! - Gus Van Horn.
• Still Apologizing? - Reclaim Your Brain.
• What Fiction is on Your Bookshelf? - d'Anconia Online.

FRIDAY CATBLOGGING

I was planning to take a great photo of Morris sitting in the doorway, looking very photogenic. But when I walked toward him, he started to move. [Editor's comment: Do you have tricks on how to "freeze" the cat object?! ;)] After awhile he went to a bed for a nap.

DRINK RECIPE

Do you care for a drink?

Hula-Hula Beachfloat

Ingredients:

• 2 cl vodka
• 2 cl Passoã
• Cranberry juice
• Orange juice
• ice
• fruit, e.g., lime, pineapple, kiwi

Pour Passoã and vodka in a highball glass filled with ice. Add equal amounts of cranberry and orange juice. Decorate with fruit. Don't stir.

Have you heard about the tiki trend? Read Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub's article, 'Polynesian Pop' is everywhere.

BLOGGER PROBLEM...

I hope that the engineers at Blogger will have a successful investigation...

Blogger Problem

This server is currently experiencing a problem. An engineer has been notified and will investigate.

Status code: 1-500-24

I have the following posts in the pipeline:

• Weekly blogroll
• Drink recipe
• Catblogging
• "Cypertips"

Stay tuned! In the meantime, read my related posts:

• BLOGGER ERROR
• ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE: I AM TAKING A BREAK...
• NET DISASTER AND FRIED EGGS...

ANCIENT PAPYRUS

Have you heard about the multi-spectral imaging process? In the Human Achievements section of TIA Daily, Shrikant Rangnekar writes:

Technology Transforms Classical Studies.

Oxford University scientists using infrared technology have succeeded in deciphering papyrus documents found in an ancient garbage dump in Egypt and found a large number of previously unknown or lost works of Sophocles, Euripides, Hesiod, and other classical writers. (TIADaily.com, 04/18/05.)

Listen to Noah Adams's interwiev (Secrets of Ancient Papyrus Fragments Revealed) with Dirk Obbink, professor of classics at Oxford University. For more information, compare and contrast the following articles:

• Infra-Red Brings Ancient Papyri to Light.
• The "classical holy grail" or unholy hype?

THE GRAND INQUISITOR

I don't have much to say about the new Pope. I don't think the Catholic church will change too much. Scott Holleran of the Concord Crier has the following comment (A Grand Inquisitor Assumes Power Of Papacy):

Time will tell about Pope Benedict and the Crier is surprised that the Church didn't tilt toward the multiculturalist Francis Arinze, though this Pope has also made overtures to Islam. This pope has it in for atheists and every non-believer and he isn't called the Enforcer for nothing. Those claiming he's a transitional figure are wrong: Pope Benedict means it and he may be just the pope to unite faith and force in action. (ConcordCrier.com, 04/20/05.)

If you are interested to learn a bit more about Joseph Ratzinger, read Jefferson Morley's article, Three Ways of Looking at a Pope.

Check out: BishopAccountability.org.

POPERAZZI

THE MORALITY OF WAR

Here is an excerpt from Daniela Perdomo's article, Ayn Rand Institute director discusses morality of war.

He said Syria, Iran and Saudi Arabia are nations that currently pose large threats to the United States, but that Bush will not and is not doing anything because "a man truly dedicated to self-defense cannot justify going to war with them. Iran threatens the United States the most, but we can't attack because there has been no genocide and there is no universally-accepted monster in power there."

Brook attacked just-war theory's principles that force used in war must be proportionate to the threat. "In my view this is horrific," he said. "That's saying we must balance the deaths of U.S. soldiers and civilians with the deaths of enemy soldiers and civilians ... and sacrifice the greatest nation in the history of the world to the worst countries today." (TuftsDaily.com, 04/20/05.)

SUPPORT DANESHJOO

Daneshjoo.org is offline at the moment due to financial difficulties.

From DoctorZin's post, Urgent Help Needed By Iranian Students' Movement.

One such group, "Student Movement Coordination Committee for Democracy in Iran" (SMCCDI), has always been on the forefront of the opposition movement against the regime of terror. This opposition group has been a key figure in aiding the freedom fighters in Iran with the aim of establishing a secular political structure elected by the majority of Iranians and returning human rights to Iran. By way of its web site, SMCCDI has been a major source of political inspiration for many young Iranians striving for modernism and democracy. (RegimeChangeIran.com, 04/18/05.)

Related: My post, DANESHJOO VERSUS MULLAH.

ICON 2005

Check out iCon 2005 - an Objectivist Conference.

Lectures:

• Appreciating Ayn Rand's Tiddlywink Music by Kristi Hall.

• For the New Intellectual: A Seminal Text in the Study of History and

• Bringing Reason to the West: The Greek Cities of Southern Italy and Sicily by John Lewis.

• Humor in The Fountainhead by Robert Mayhew.

• People Inspired by Ayn Rand by Scott McConnell.

• Ayn Rand's Russian Correspondence by Dina Schein.

• On the Evolution of the Conceptual Faculty by Adam Smith.

HAS THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT TAKEN OVER THE GOP?

Here is an excerpt from Leonard Pitts Junior's column, Christian right raises eyebrows.

That realization crept over me much as Christian fundamentalism has crept over American life: steadily. The movement has made itself the primary ideological engine of the Republican Party, climbing to power from school boards to state legislatures to Congress to the White House.

And along the way, books were burned and banned. Religion masquerading as science elbowed its way into classrooms. Legislation requiring recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance became law. Pharmacists, citing religious objections, refused to fill prescriptions for birth-control pills. A lawmaker suggested unmarried pregnant women be prohibited from teaching. ...

Thirty-nine percent is not exactly a majority. And for the record, another 39 percent think the Christian right has just the right amount of influence. Still, as USA Today points out, the numbers represent a change from previous polls in which roughly equal numbers thought conservative Christians wielded too much power or too little. Now "too much" leads "too little" by two to one. (Freep.com, 04/13/05.)

The author is referring to the following Gallup poll (Public disliked Schiavo intervention):

By more than 2-to-1, 39%-18%, Americans say the religious right� has too much influence in the Bush administration. That's a change from when the question was asked in CBS News/New York Times polls taken from 2001 to 2003. Then, approximately equal numbers said conservative Christians had too much and too little influence. (USAToday.com, 04/06/05.)

Listen to Mara Liasson's story, Political Fallout from the Schiavo Case.

From Stephen's post, No More Big Tent:

The Republican Party's big tent seems to have been folded up. No more federalism. No more disagreement on Senate procedures. No more secular science. Instead, we have... Blowhard's Ark. How about you? Will you join Blowhard and his good blogger family in the GOP's new ark? (BTW, one of the animals over there on the right will join him I'm sure.) (Politburo Diktat, 04/17/05.)

So, will the South Park Republicans and the "evil scoffing bloggers" have a chance in taking back the control of the GOP? Check out TheocracyWatch.org. (Hat tip to the Secular Foxhole.)

BE WARNED: ANTI-MAN DAY ON APRIL 22

Moxie is warning us for the upcoming Earth Day on April 22.

This year I have already:

- Ordered a few rainforests to be leveled for condos where even slightly used toilet paper will be recycled. Green Capitalism. Doncha love it?
- Drilled for oil in my backyard. Found some. My Hummer is running great and the refinery on my south lawn isn't going to hurt me at all.
- Worn fur, proudly. All it takes is a raised hand to PETArds, if you are wearing rabbit or mink. As much as they want to kill YOU, they don't want to hurt the little furry critters. (Moxie.nu, 04/18/05.)

It is a bit strange that we don't "celebrate" this kind of day in Sweden yet. In America it has been going on for 35 years. The Green Party (a.k.a the "watermelons") in Sweden has been pretty influential in the political debate. Here is an excerpt from my post, EARTH DAY: THE ANTI-MAN DAY.

Have you survived the day? It is scary to listen to how Bush and Kerry are saying to each other: "I'm Greener Than You Are."

Here is an excerpt from Michael Berliner's article, Earth Day's Anti-Human Agenda:

"The fundamental goal of environmentalism is not clean air and clean water; rather, it is the demolition of technological/industrial civilization. Environmentalism's goal is not the advancement of human health, human happiness, and human life; rather, it is a subhuman world where "nature" is worshipped like the totem of some primitive religion."

For more links, go to Cox & Forkum's post, Weight of the World. (EGO, 04/22/04.)

UPDATE 04/20/05:

From Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

Firebombings early yesterday at two homes under construction in Sammamish are believed to have been the work of a serial arsonist or arsonists aligned with the Earth Liberation Front -- described by the FBI as one of the top domestic terrorism groups in the country. (SeattlePI.com, 04/14/05.)

From Reuters:

An aspiring physicist was sentenced to more than eight years in prison on Monday and ordered to pay $3.5 million for his role in a spree of arson and vandalism that targeted gas-guzzling Hummers and other sports utility vehicles.

Rejecting pleas for clemency from William Cottrell, a 24-year-old doctoral candidate in physics at the California Institute of Technology, U.S. District Judge Gary Klausner added more time to the sentence after finding that Cottrell was trying to sway consumers with his anti-SUV message.

The slogans Cottrell spray-painted onto vehicles included "Fat Lazy Americans," "No Respect for Earth" and "SUV = Terrorism." (Reuters, 04/18/05.)

Read Nicholas Provenzo's post, And just in time for Earth Day . . .

Earth Day

CARNIVALS OF REASON, CAPITALISM, AND CATS

Check out the following carnivals:

• Reason Roundup at the Charlotte Capitalist.

Welcome to the Reason Roundup! Is McDonald's your kind of place? When did you have your last blast of TANG? Priming good. So is Miss USA from Charlotte. How much "bull" can the United Nations take? Do you believe in "intuition"? Lots more... (CharlotteCapitalist.com, 04/17/05.)

• Carnival of the Capitalists at Gongol.

Welcome to the Carnival of the Capitalists, a weekly compendium of the best in business and economics on the Internet. Due to the Carnival's considerable growth and some associated growing pains, this edition of the Carnival tries a brand-new layout and approach, which we hope will improve the reader's experience. Your comments and suggestions for improvement are welcomed. This edition is as "big-tent" as it gets, and is an experiment to see if the Carnival can happily keep itself both big and on-task. Carnival founders Jay Solo and Rob May have both weighed in on the subject. If the barriers to entry this week seem artificially low, please forgive that as the cost of this experiment. To join in next week, please use the CotC entry form. Next week's Carnival is scheduled for Bob Hayes's "Let's Try Freedom". (Gongol.com, 04/17/05.)

• Carnival of the Cats at Watermark.

Boo and Spike welcome you to the 56th Carnival of the Cats, and are pleased to present their own versions of Flickr's new photo badges. You should see new Spike and Boo portraits each time you reload the page. (Sbpoet.com, 04/17/05.)

• Friday Ark at the Modulator.

Cats, Dogs, Spiders and ? every Friday.

I'll post links to sites that have Friday (plus or minus a few days) photos of their chosen animals as I see them (photoshops at my discretion and humans only in supporting roles). (TheModulator.org, 04/15/05.)

MORRIS IN ACTION

Morris has a special attraction to one of the windows in the house. His routine is to enter the room and jump up in the window, and then he starts to "catch" the Venetian blind inside the glass. A funny game is to put the string around his tail and let him control the movement of the blind.



[Editor's note: My photo album at Flickr is full for this month, so I have signed up for an account at Buzznet.]

MOBILE PHONES AND PRODUCT CYCLES

I am sure it is hard to become an expert on the mobile phone industry, but I wonder why the mobile manufactures often have problem to predict the life cycles of their different products.

Meanwhile, Sony Ericsson, a joint venture of Sony and Ericsson, turned in a dismal performance for the first quarter. The number of total cell phones shipped fell 25% from the previous quarter, as the big-name partnership got caught in a product cycle slump. (TheStreet.com, 04/15/05.)

What's Ericsson's explanation? From the article, Sony Ericsson Blames Weak Phone Market.

Sony Ericsson said that the entire mobile phone market had weakened in the quarter, partly because overhanging inventories made for a more competitive environment.

But the company also admitted to its own shortcomings, notably a lack of new mobile phone models to stir buyers' interest.

"The product line-up was mature and few new products were launched during the period," Sony Ericsson said. (Toptechnews.com, 04/15/05.)

Here is an excerpt from Nicholas George's article, Cheap phones cut into Sony Ericsson sales.

Sony Ericsson, the mobile phone producer, yesterday reported falling sales, profits and prices as consumers favoured cheaper phones and the market struggled to shift inventories built up before Christmas. (FT.com, 04/16/05.)

In the news:

• En olycklig händelse i svängig mobilbransch - Svenska Dagbladet.
• Sony Ericsson Sees Profit Drop - Red Herring.
• Mobile phone slump fans tech sector fears - International Herald Tribune.

Maybe they should read Eliyahu M. Goldratt's business novel, Critical Chain? [Hat tip to Jim Woods.] I have read the first two chapters. Here is an excerpt from the first chapter:

"Our products have a very short life-span. Right now it's about six months, and all indications are that it will continue to shrink. At the same time, in spite of all our efforts, our product development time is roughly two years. Do you see our problem?" (Page 5, ISBN 0566080389.)

For more information on the theory of constraints, go to the Avraham Y. Goldratt Institute.


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TV SERIES

The third season of Alias has started in Sweden. What's your take on the series? I haven't followed a situation comedy for many years. Check out Britain's best sitcom page. Did you watch the premiere of Stacked, starring Pamela Anderson?

In the news:

• Stacked sends shock through book world - Canada.com.

Related: My post, "JUMP THE SHARK".

THE BEST PLACE TO GET WELL

The title of this post is a remark against Paul Krugman's article, The best places to get sick.

In 2002, the latest year for which comparable data are available, the United States spent $5,267 on health care for each man, woman and child. Of this, $2,364, or 45 percent, was government spending, mainly on Medicare and Medicaid. Canada spent $2,931 per person, of which $2,048 came from the government. France spent $2,736 per person, of which $2,080 was government spending. ...

Why is the price of U.S. health care so high? One answer is doctors' salaries: Although average wages in France and the United States are similar, American doctors are paid much more than their French counterparts. Another answer is that America's health care system drives a poor bargain with the pharmaceutical industry. (The New York Times / IHT.com, 04/16/05.)

I don't want to become old and sick in Europe. My goal is to live well in America.

The problem is not the doctors' salaries or the pharmaceutical industry, the problem is the SOCIALIZED MEDICINE. Go to Donald Luskin's blog, "Poor and Stupid," and give your nomination for "Minister of Socialized Health Care."

KASPAROV ATTACKED IN MOSCOW

Who do you think could be behind the attack against Kasparov? From ChessBase news [Via InstaPundit.]:

Garry Kasparov was attacked after a meeting with youth activists in Moscow. He was approached by an autograph seeking participant. The young man circled Kasparov and delivered a sharp blow to the head with the chessboard. Russian news agencies place the blame on the pro-Putin organisations Nashi. We spoke to Kasparov (ChessBase.com, 04/16/05.)

Read Victor Yasmann's article, Russia: Radicalized Youth On The Rise, and Peter Finn's article, Another Russian Revolution?

Related: My post, KASPAROV: THE NEXT PRESIDENT AFTER PUTIN?

HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY TO THE SECULAR FOXHOLE

Stop by the Secular Foxhole and wish Blair a happy blogiversary.

CARNIVAL OF THE RECIPES

This week's edition of the Carnival of the Recipes is hosted by the Countertop Chronicles.

I'm half Swedish, and sadly, as my mor-mor gets older she has lost the ability to make swedish meatballs. In my family, they are an appetizer, a main course, and a desert that we eat all year long. (Countertop-chronicles.blogspot.com, 04/15/05.)

I have been talking to the Swedish Chef, and he directed me to check out Jone's Swedish Meatballs at the Scandinavian Cooking site. My personal favorite variant of meatball recipe is the Greek version, Keftédes. The following recipe is roughly translated [together with some additional notes by the editor ;)] from the book, Vi lagar grekiskt ("We are cooking Greek dishes", ISBN 91-20-06133-1), by Hará Ljunggren.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg ground beef
• 1 big yellow onion, minced
• 3 table spoons parsley, finely chopped
• 7 - 8 slices white bread
• 1 lemon
• 2 eggs
• 1 table spoon oil
• salt and pepper
• rosemary
• oregano

Dunk the white bread in water and then squeeze out the liquid. Mix the ground beef with the onion, bread, and the rest of the ingredients in a big bowl. Let the mixture "rest" for 60 minutes. Roll the meat mixture into pretty big balls, and then roll them in flour. Add margarine in a frying pan and let the balls "rock'n'roll around the clock" in the pan until they are brown all over. How about serving ouzo together with the meatballs?

WHAT KIND OF AMERICAN ENGLISH DO YOU SPEAK?

Please take the quiz - What kind of American English do you speak? [Via Accidental Verbosity.] [Editor's comment: I wonder what my friends in Ohio will say about my Midwestern score... Hopefully my friends of the alumni association at Southern New Hampshire University will be happy with my Yankee profile! ;) Being a 20% Dixie, it looks like I have to explore the INTERNET POLITICS ON THE MAP a bit more, and think about the possibility of Looking South in my future exploration of THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY...]

Your Linguistic Profile:

55% General American English

25% Yankee

20% Dixie

0% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Related: My post, RED OR BLUE STATE OF MIND.

MCDONALD'S HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 50 YEARS

In the news:

• The Big Mac Daddy Is 50 - The New York Post.
• McDonald's celebrates 50 years with supersized copy of first store - The Globe and Mail.
• After 50 years, influence of McDonald's still felt - MSNBC News.

You are welcome to tell me about your first hamburger meal at McDonald's.

Here is an excerpt from the article, McDonald's Hamburger Hell.

The second top executive Cantalupo has recruited is a bona fide outsider--at least by company standards. Lederhausen holds an MBA from the Stockholm School of Economics and worked with Boston Consulting Group Inc. for two years. However, he jokes that he grew up in a french-fry vat because his father introduced McDonald's to Sweden in 1973. Lederhausen is in charge of growth and menu development. (Business Week, 03/03/03.)

It was a huge resistance in Sweden against the American "imperialism" at first, but now the fast food chain is accepted by most people, except for hard-core leftists and "animal rights" activists.

Related: My post, PETA DAY: BIG TASTY MEATY BURGER.


PETA DAY: BIG TASTY MEATY BURGER
Originally uploaded by Lyceum.

UPDATE 04/16/05:
Thanks to Eric Lester for sharing his memories. For more food for thought, read Michele Catalano's post, I'm Loving It.

So I was going to have a contest, like I did for the Twinkies birthday, but I don't if anyone wants to write a poem about fast food.

So let's just talk about McDonald's, ok? Unless you feel like writing a poem, then have at it.

I'm loving it!

(such a slave to the jingle and fast food, I know) (ASmallVictory.net, 03/15/05.)

NOGGER BLACK ICE CREAM

In the news: Ice cream giant slammed for "racist" ads.

Sweden's biggest ice cream maker, GB Glace, has been accused of racism after launching an advertising campaign for its new ice cream, Nogger Black.

The company has been strongly criticised by the Centre Against Racism for associating the ice cream with black youth culture, including using graffiti-style writing in the ad. (Local.se, 04/13/05.)

The name "Nogger Black" is derived from the ingredients, nougat and liquorice. As a fan of licorice, I have to test this ice cream as soon as possible.

Related: My post, MIND YOUR LANGUAGE.

MORRIS RELAXING IN THE ARK ON A FRIDAY

Morris is relaxing on a lamb skin rug. I will post an action photo of Morris this weekend.


MORRIS RELAXING
Originally uploaded by Lyceum.

TAX FREEDOM DAY

On this particular day it could be good to know that Tax Freedom Day is on April 17. [Via Modulator.] Have a look at the different cartoons at Slate.

Related: My post, TAX FREE DAY AND GOLD STANDARD.

TOTAL EXPOSURE OF THE PROBLEM WITH IDENTITY THEFT

I have to comment on this story because it happened in my former home town, Troy, Ohio. [Via Wizbang.] I will contact some friends and see if they could find anything more on this story in Troy Daily News, or through the grapevine... The locals told me that Total Xposure was called a "juice bar," and the establishment had been a hot topic for many years.

In the news:

• Woman's identity taken by state agents (Tactics by Big Brother Ohio) - Free Republic.
• Citizen identity theft unjustified - Bowling Green News.
• Ohio Agents Use Woman's Identity in Strip-Bar Sting - Officer.com.

UPDATE: THE UNDERCURRENT CAMPAIGN

If you scroll down the page and look in the left column, under the Support category, you could see that the set amount of the Undercurrent dropcash campaign is now reached. We will soon have a meeting with the company that will print the paper and see how many copies we could print. We will keep you posted on how the distribution of the first issue goes. If you want to support the printing of future issues of the The Undercurrent, please click the PayPal button and mark the donation with "Undercurrent." Thanks to the following individuals for the donations so far:

• Sarah Beth
• Henrik Unné
• B-Å.H.

MIDWEEK BLOGROLL

With the case that plenty of posts and carnivals are concentrated to the beginning of the week (Carnival of the Capitalists on Monday) and during the weekend (Friday Ark, Carnival of the Recipes on Saturday, and Carnival of the Cats and Reason Roundup on Sunday), I was thinking of doing a midweek blogroll with links to interesting post by fellow bloggers. They often have an interesting Carnival of Vanities on Wednesdays, but this week the host (with the fitting blog name, "yeah whatever") is totally off... Look how he commented on Andy Clarkson's post:

Andy at The Charlotte Capitalist is not a fan of Rick Warren. He "fisks" The purpose-driven life in eight (fairly short) parts. I've never been a great fan of "fisking" because I'm a great fan of Robert Fisk, whose intellect and acuity dwarf those of most, if not all, of his detractors. And I wasn't totally convinced that Warren was any more than grazed by Andy's onslaught. You need to punch him with reasoning, Andy, not slap him like a girl. Next time get the robot chick to do it. (gollyg.blogspot.com, 04/13/05)

Here is a list of interesting posts:

• Carnival of The Coward - The Politburo Diktat.
• For Those Who Are Not Pod-People - Dithyramb.
• Life, Death and the Real Reason - Reclaim Your Brain
• SBIC Program: Stop the Bleeding - Small Business Trends.
• How to "Get" Tom DeLay - Gus Van Horn.
• I should sue the IRS for extreme emotional abuse - Blue-Eyed Infidel.
• History Channel Show on September 11, 2001 - d'Anconia Online.

You are more than welcome to comment or trackback on this posts with tips on posts by fellow bloggers.

UPDATE 04/14/05:
Laurence Simon commented on this post and informed us that he has created an alternative version of this week's edition of the Carnival of the Vanities. Go to This Blog Is Full Of Crap and read the post, Carnival of the Vanities #134 - Avignon Edition. I hosted the 101st carnival (CARNIVAL OF THE VANITIES 101) on 08/25/04.

TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF ADVERTISING...

I didn't see any real result with only displaying the new ad links, so I have inserted Google's AdSense again. Blog Herald reports that Weblogs, inc. has an Adsense revenue of about $180,000 per year. I have made about 0.01% of this amount so far... Here is an excerpt from my post, THE WILD WEST IN BLOG ADVERTISING.

Blogads has so far been the most successful form of advertising for me. I like Henry Copeland's description on how advertisers' placement of ads is an act of "joining an ongoing conversation." (WSJ, page B1) I haven't made any real money from Google AdSense yet, due to the fact that I can't get a check until the number of clicks have reached a certain level, generating the minimum dollar amount for Google to write me a cheque. Recently I have changed the format to Ad Links. I have to evaluate this a bit later on in the future. On a related note, read Roger L. Simon's post, Google Ads Are Back...

Talking about ads, have you seen that you could place a classified text ad on my blog now? (EGO, 03/25/05.)

From the article, The future of blogging:

Is there a business model?
While corporations can chalk up blogging as a marketing expense, the story is a little different for individuals. Can blogging pay the bills? If you are lucky, you can pay the hosting fees, but that's about it, say Wharton experts. Nevertheless, Werbach predicts that multiple business models will emerge. Individuals ages 18 through 25 are spending more of their time online, and marketers need to reach them. That means blogging could become a way to target the most coveted audience for media. (News.com, 04/05/05.)

On a related note, read James Joyner's post, Wordpress Banned by Google for Spamming.

OBJECTIVIST CONFERENCE IN LONDON IN SEPTEMBER

I have received an advance notice from the organizers of the Objectivist conference in London, that it will be a new conference in September (09/09 - 09/11). The iCon 2005 team (Kristine L., Richard B., Adam S. and Merlin S.) will set up a new web site in the near future. The following speakers are scheduled to have lectures:

• Robert Mayhew
• John Lewis
• Scott McConnell
• Dina Schein Garmong
• Kristi Hall
• Adam Smith

IS EGO A SOUTH PARK REPUBLICAN?

Read Matt Bramanti's post, Are you a South Park Republican?

Here is an excerpt from my post, X-MA$.

Stan (South Park) knows about the true "spirit of X-mas." I am not a huge fan of South Park (I got a dose of the show during my years at college...), but I would prefer to watch an episode of South Park's political incorrectness instead of socialist propaganda à la Robin Hood in Christopher's Christmas Mission on Swedish television. Here is an excerpt from Jason Roth's editorial, The True Meaning of Xmas:

"Despite all the commercialism, childish greediness, spiked eggnog, and endless gift-wrapped mountains of materialistic extravagance, there's a lot not to like about Christmas." [SaveTheHumans.com, 12/25/02] (EGO, X-MA$, 12/20/03.)

If you want to create your own figure, go to South Park Studio (version 2) at Planearium in Germany. [Via A Small Victory.] Do you think that my figure should belong to the gallery at My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy? I am taking a similar position as Laurence Simon, except for his last sentence. I am not a neocon.

But I do not consider myself a South Park Republican. Any hints of loyalty to that or the other party are just figments of your imagination.

Neocon all the way. (ThisBlogIsFullOfCrap.com, 04/10/05.)

By the way: Have you seen Team America - World Police? Here is an excerpt from C.A. Wolski's review, Puppet Masters of the Universe.

Like South Park, the movie also has musical numbers, which again display Parker and Stone's brilliant comic writing skills. Among them are "Everyone Has AIDS" (from a fictional musical starring hero Gary) and Kim Jong Il's balladic lament "I'm So Ronry." The best piece of musical writing however is the Team America Anthem, "America, F—k Yeah," which is played at the beginning of each mission. (BoxOfficeMojo.com, 10/15/04.)

CARNIVAL OF CATS, CAPITALISTS AND RATIONAL INDIVIDUALS

Here are some fresh and upcoming carnivals:

• Friday Ark at Modulator.
• Carnival of the Cats #55 at Enrevanche.
• Reason Roundup at the Charlotte Capitalist.
• Carnival of the Capitalists will be at TJ's Weblog. My entry could end up at JSLogan...

UPDATE 04/11/05:
This week's edition of the Carnival of the Capitalists is up and running.

CHILE HEAD

It is fascinating how they could come up with new hybrids of chile peppers.

• Cherrapeño - One hot chile pepper.
• Habaneros for those who can't take the heat.

Go to my other blog if you want to check out how my chile pepper and paprika plants are doing. It is soon time for the next phase.

CATS IN ART

It is spring time, so Morris wants to spend most of his time outside. He comes in, gets some food, and then out again.

Here he is sitting at the door, looking out. If you don't open at once, he will start meowing and sighing until you open the door.

MORRIS INSIDE
Originally uploaded by Lyceum.

This is our ca(s)t iron house cat. He was a drive-thru "feeding station" for one of other cats in the past. We placed dry cat food between the paws.

CA(S)T IRON
Originally uploaded by Lyceum.

"Ah, freedom! Outside again!"

MORRIS OUTSIDE
Originally uploaded by Lyceum.

If you like cats and great art, check out the following:

• Sandra J. Shaw's sculpture, My Kitten, at Quent Cordair Fine Art.
• Robert Tracy's painting, Cat in Window.

[Cat in Window (1987) by Robert Tracy.]

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS ON SESAME STREET

It is time for the Cookie Monster on Sesame Street to change his name... How about "fruitcake"? My suggestion is that you cool down your nerves by visiting the Patent Baristas. Drink a strong cup of espresso and read Karlyn Schnapp's post, A Cookie is a Sometimes Food? Sesame Street Re-packages its Beloved Cookie Monster. If you have kids, go and play the Letter of the Day game, before it is too late...

CONSUMER POWER

I am not especially fond of the following slogans: "the customer is king" and "the customer is always right." It could have something to do with that I am a true republican and trader in spirit and matter. I see myself as a producer advocate, instead of a consumer activist. Nevertheless, it was a pretty interesting article (Crowned at last) in the April 2nd issue of the Economist. The magazine had conducted a survey of consumer power.

"Who actually controls distribution in this type of world?" asks Bill Gossman. "The individual does. That's where the ultimate consumer power comes from." His company, Revenue Science, is developing new ways of "behavioural targeting". This involves analysing online consumer behaviour and then delivering ads that are likely to be relevant to groups with common interests. Mr Gossman thinks that as the world becomes more digital, his techniques will increasingly be used by all kinds of electronic media. (Economist.com, 03/31/05.)

Omar Tawakol (Senior Vice President of Marketing, Revenue Science), has written an article on "the long tail of the web." Here is an excerpt from the article, The Tail Wagging the Net.

The growth of the tail and the shift of mainstream consumers' reading to the tail is very significant because it will require publishers and marketers alike to get skilled at aggregating reach by adding up targeted volume rather than mainly concentrating on high volume, untargeted places. It also means that power is now shifting away from those who control distribution in favor of those who embrace fragmentation and learn to aggregate reach. ...

Blogs are the best example of this and the micro-sites at About.com are close approximations. It turns out that more than a third of people's time online is spent in the last third of the tail. This is huge because it means that mass media fragmentation isn't just a trend where people are shifting from three major TV channels to 200 cable channels; rather it is akin to the complete shattering of a of glass window. We should forget trying to glue the pieces back together and embrace the fragmentation because there is great value to be had in those shards. (MediaPost.com, 03/18/05.)

Related: My post, CONSUMER SATISFACTION INDEX.


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