August 2005 - Posts

I am the proud owner of a piece of paper
Published 08-31-2005 6:53 PM | Mark
that says I am a Cisco Certified Network Associate! I've taken a lot of tests in my life, but never one as difficult or rigorous as the CCNA. I've learned a lot, and I while am grateful for the experience, words cannot express the relief I feel that this...
The first episode of Rome
Published 08-30-2005 3:04 AM | Mark
aired on HBO last night, and I enjoyed it. The opening scene, a battle vs. Gauls, was a very realistic close up view of Ceasar-era combat. A Centurion whistles to keep the men tight in formation and barks out orders like a coach. The Romans stand patiently...
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Some interesting bits from the Iraq constitution
Published 08-29-2005 4:18 PM | Mark
The full text of the latest draft is here. My impression is that this new constitution is overly vague and contradictory. Article 2: Islam is the official religion of the state and is a basic source of legislation: (a) No law can be passed that contradicts...
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archival Titanic review
Published 08-28-2005 11:32 PM | Mark
After going through the archives for that smoking essay, I realized I need to get all this old stuff into the database and backed up so that future generations can behold the brilliance of my writing. So here is one of my personal favorites, a review...
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One of the things that gets me riled up
Published 08-28-2005 11:00 PM | Mark
is the anti-smoking fervor that has consumed our nation. I wrote an article about it many years ago, that I have reposted for your enjoyment. In light of the impending 1.50 a pack cigarette tax Maine is planning on extorting from us, it is still quite...
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Some jaw-dropping context
Published 08-26-2005 3:51 AM | Mark
And an example of amazing war reporting from Michael Yon. It must be nearly impossible to hold the camera steady for some of those pictures. Incredible. I can't use enough superlatives! Read it now!
Context
Published 08-25-2005 3:53 AM | Mark
A brilliant post from Powerline that lays bare modern context-dropping in war reporting. More on context-dropping and the importance of context regarding interpretation of the Constitution. Context Genus: Information Differentia: Specific background or...
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The debate over Male Genital Mutilation continues
Published 08-24-2005 7:18 PM | Mark
At Slate . I'm circumcised, but I am opposed to the practice and I find it barbaric. There is no excuse to perform a mutilating surgery on men just because the Bible says so, in this day and age. Yet we continue to do it to approximately 1.2 million boys...
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Review of Alexander - One star
Published 08-24-2005 4:26 AM | Mark
That's one more star than I thought I'd be giving it. Go ahead and read my rather self indulgent review . I was trying to copy Oliver Stone's style. But I didn't take any acid, honest.
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I was a Microsoft fan
Published 08-24-2005 3:09 AM | Mark
And I really still am! But they are making a huge mistake with the XBox 360. Bill Gates laid out their rationale for early release as follows: "Our view is basically: We've got a Ferrari. They've got a Ferrari. Our Ferrari is leaving the starting line...
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Will Iraq be ruled by objective or religious law?
Published 08-22-2005 12:42 AM | Mark
That's what will tell us whether we won or lost the war in Iraq. The State Department has a contact page for sending in opinion about such things (thanks, Little Green Footballs ). Here is the email I sent them: When MacArthur took control of Japan at...
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Civilization IV is coming
Published 08-21-2005 2:13 AM | Mark
And here's the hilarious trailer for it. Great advertising for what is sure to be a great game. The anticipation is killing me, but thankfully I have Rome: Total War to take the edge off while I wait. Have I mentioned that Rome is a seminal PC game? Seminal...
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Planet Xena
Published 08-09-2005 1:09 AM | Mark
This post at Samizdata reminded me how much I've forgotten about the planets. In light of the new find, a great refresher.
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Thoughts on the film Alexander
Published 08-06-2005 4:55 AM | Mark
I watched Alexander tonight. My initial thoughts are that the film lacks the backbone of a story to drive it, rendering it fairly boring as a standalone work. The constant flashbacks, flash-forwards, and narration are a cheap attempt to hide the structural...
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Wendy's - second only to Taco Bell
Published 08-03-2005 5:56 PM | Mark
As I write this, my stomach is rumbling with intense hunger. But I am not concerned, because I will soon be at Wendy's, ordering a bacon cheeseburger with fries. As far as burgers go, Wendy's is vastly superior to anything offered at McDonald's or Burger...