Has anyone seen the Bugatti Veyron?
Another supercar that will blow your mind and make your foot itch for the pedal. The Bugatti should be called something other than "car", as the word "car" just doesn't begin to cover what it is. "Car" reduces it to its many parts - seats, wheels, engine, etc. We need another word that really captures the pants-wetting, mouth-watering, hair-raising, knuckle-gripping, G-force inducing experience that this conveyance/experience/i'm struggling for a word here/supercar/steroidalcrazyspeedoflighteatmydustlosemylicense/fill in your own word will cause you to have.As much FUN as it's been to poke at Sarah "wink wink nudge nudge" Palin.....she really isn't all that bad. Sad, but not bad. Yeah, she's not the best or most qualified candidate for VP, but hey....so what. Reagan and Bush Jr weren't all that qualified to be President and yet, one turned out to be great. The other, not so much. It's always a crap shoot when we elect an official.
But here's my point....this AM a newscaster was editorializing and he said "Sarah Palin is the most controversial politician of our era." And I thought, "Really? Aww c'mon. No Way." There have been so many others. Elliot Spritzer. The guy who went gay and dumped his wife. Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton - he lied under oath. He was impeached. He was a huge tool. HUGE. TOOL.
I really dislike Bill Clinton. I would nominate him for most controversial politician of our era (era starting somewhere around 1980, let's say for the sake of our argument). I think he's an unethical, lying, cheating, scum. I resent his abuse of power when he was Pres. I detest his whoring out the Lincoln bedroom and his wooing and kissing of Hollywood tush. He made me become a hard-core conservative (economonically speaking) and you could conceivably blame him for the reason that the rest of the country took a hard turn right as well. I could go on but I'm out of time.
Who would you nominate for "Most controverial politician" of our era (starting in 1980). Doesn't have to be a nat'l politico...could be state or local. Go for it!
13 comments:
If you think Reagan wasn't qualified by 1980, please read (or listen- there's so much more in the listening) to his speech for Goldwater from back in 1964.
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganatimeforchoosing.htm
For an insight into his understanding of the role of world states in the pursuit and defense of liberty for mankind, something entirely lost by all four of our candidates this time around the carousel, listen to his Remarks on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day. Makes you step back and say, "Oh, I forgot..."
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganddayaddress.html
These and others are on my mp3 player, and when they come up at random intervals, I am humbled.
Most controversial *American* politician in a bad way? Clinton. Shame on you, Mr. Clinton. Or, extending the definition of era to be the 20th century, FDR.
Most controverial in a great way? Reagan. Again extending the definition of good to the world, the combination of John Paul II and Reagan.
The Bugatti is uber German. It's an Audi. There's a video of an Audi R8 (sex on wheels) and a Veyron romping on the gas at highway speeds, and the Veyron drops the R8 like Armstrong dropped Ullrich in '01.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t42JlWP0c_0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7THIhZEP4QM
LOL on all yer points Dennis.
No cheating! Extending the date to include FDR is TOTALLY cheating. You'll have to write your own blog comment if u want to chat about FDR.
Nice metaphor - Armstrong and Ullrich.
Excellent Veyron Utube choice. We def need another word to call cars like this. "Supercar" is weak.
And WHAT is up w/the Lance Armstrong URL? The cynic in me says LA is TOTALLY JUICING. The test to catch whatever goop he's snorting/injecting/drinking hasn't been made yet. But the guy is not on the up and up. Cynical? Hell yes. But THAT is the name of the blog.
Dennis - you REALLY have Reagan on your MP3 player? Really? I'm super curious as to what else is on there then or the reasoning behind why you do.
Hey Dennis,
I liked Reagan quite a bit. One of my favorite Presidents. But you do know that he didn't write those speeches. So what makes him qualified? The fact that he was an excellent orator?
Btw, I thought Clinton was an excellent President with a terrible taste in women...
;-)
Best, Joe
Didja like Millard Fillmore too?
Joe,
Actually, Reagan's first paragraph in that 64 speech was
Reagan: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you and good evening. The sponsor has been identified, but unlike most television programs, the performer hasn't been provided with a script. As a matter of fact, I have been permitted to choose my own words and discuss my own ideas regarding the choice that we face in the next few weeks.
Kathy,
>>No cheating! Extending the date to include FDR is TOTALLY cheating. You'll have to write your own blog comment if u want to chat about FDR.
Hence the caveat of "Or, extending..." And no, I'd hate to chat about FDR as much as I hate to watch a Clinton on television. Instant rage, just add water.
>>Nice metaphor - Armstrong and Ullrich.
Well, they both dropped their competition like nobody's business.
>>And WHAT is up w/the Lance Armstrong URL? The cynic in me says LA is TOTALLY JUICING. The test to catch whatever goop he's snorting/injecting/drinking hasn't been made yet. But the guy is not on the up and up. Cynical? Hell yes. But THAT is the name of the blog.
Yep, that's cynical. And certainly permissable by the purpose of the blog. I could teach you all a few fine points in cynicism. When I've been accused of being cynical (which is far too often) I always correct them by explaining that I'm simply an idealist with experience. Same thing goes with being called opinionated (of which I also get accused quite often. Hmmm... Character flaw or well considered thoughts ready to opine?)
Back to Lancy-pants. I feel the question of Lance will never be answered. In his defense, he had the opportunity when recovering from cancer to build up his body any way he liked, and he (obviously) chose to do so for cycling. For that particular clip, keep in mind the history of how the sport of cycling changed over the last 30-40 years. Merckx and Hinault were simply monsters. Le Mond recognized success by recognizing he should focus on only specific events; the premier event in cycling was the Tour. Lance took it two steps further. First of all, not only did he focus on one event, he focused on one stage of the event. Secondly, he focused on one part of one hill in one stage- the point you see in the video. That minute was the result of his year's training and plotting. Damn, talk about knowing your job.
Does Dennis love Lance? Not much- I think he's terrible to the women in his life, other than mommy. Read his book, he seems quite the self-centered jerk. But he could race, and he might just show us something again.
>>Dennis - you REALLY have Reagan on your MP3 player? Really? I'm super curious as to what else is on there then or the reasoning behind why you do.
Well, yes, of course I do. Such things as famous Reagan speeches (want goosebumps? Listen to the whole speech at Brandenberg Gate when Reagan threw down the gauntlet to Gorbachev, "tear down this wall!") are fabulous catalysts for thought and reminders that as we approach and pass the age of forty, we have lived through important phases of history. Just as shocking as the fact that Aerosmith's "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" is as old now (older ,even!) as Hendrix's "Purple Haze" was when we were teenagers, the significant American events of the 20th century start to gain for us sequence, perspective, cause, effect ...and motion. In my opinion, the significant events of the 20th century American experience were international involvement in WW1, income tax, the stock market crash of 29, socialism security (if you want a cynical post, there's the FDR tie in. I want my money back!!!), the fight for Liberty of WW2, the cold war, the legalization of abortion, and the fall of the communist stronghold in eastern Europe, and the creation of the Designated Hitter in the American League. As food for thought, contents non-musical on my MP3 player include a few other Reagan Speeches, "The Americans" radio editorial by Canadian Gordon Sinclair back in the 70s when America was being sneered at around the world, the Mistmantle Chronicles (oh, those squirrels and badgers are so cute!) and, of course, the ultimate sinner's guide to how the devil works, C.S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters as read by none other than John Cleese. The performance of his career. Oh, and I keep up the podcast of Dave Ramsey's radio show, as his insights into marriage and money have been deep and broad. A baseball game on the radio while you're changing the oil in your car can get you thinking. Yesterday, Tiger Woods said one could never master the game of golf, but you have to pursue it. If that doesn't get you thinking about mankind's struggle towards the image of God, what will?
Or were you asking about my taste in music? Lots of good stuff. I'm more Bealtes than the Stones, more McCartney than Lennon.
dang nabbit!
blogger ate my reply! it was quite a stream of consciousness type of thing. but alas my thought are like snowflakes no two are alike and they melt rather quickly, so your loss, i guess. maybe not.
dennis you found your way over here. the more the merrierer.....bah you know what i'n trying to say...or spell for that matter.
later
.bully
Fair point. But one self-written speech does not make someone a great president. So what was it that made Reagan a great president? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
Dave Ramsey I get. John Cleese could read the phone book and make it hilarious (I'm sure he does the same for C.S. Lewis). But Reagan speeches? Seriously? C'mon. I thought he was a tremendous president, but I very rarely watch his speeches on youtube. Perhaps, maybe I will...Dennis is wise. At least that's what Bully says...althought he usually says "wise-ass"...but I digress.
I've gotta ask...what made FDR a controversial president? I mean, citizens at the time seemed to like him. He was elected to serve four terms as president, guiding the country out of the great depression and through WWII. Roosevelt brough mass media into politics with his fire-side chat radio broadcasts. What was it that made him controversial? The New Deal? Was it that he was Episcopal?!
Also taking the liberty of extending the parameters of the era to the 20th century, I would have to place Nixon above Clinton for most controversial politician. I mean, he was actually a fine president...perhaps an excellent president...up until the Watergate Scandal. "Watergate" STILL shows up in our modern vernacular. Adding the suffix "-gate" to different terms. The most painful being, of course, the NE Patriots' "Spy-gate". Enough already!
One last tidbit, then I'll shut up:
"Yesterday, Tiger Woods said one could never master the game of golf, but you have to pursue it. If that doesn't get you thinking about mankind's struggle towards the image of God, what will?"
Well, certainly not that statement.
If anything, I would say that Woods' statement got me thinking that it's not the destination...it's the journey. But mostly when I listen to Tiger Woods, I see a guy who has remarkable talent and is not content to rely on talent alone. And that's something to strive for.
Now gimme the remote and pass the beer.
>>Fair point. But one self-written speech does not make someone a great president. So what was it that made Reagan a great president? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
I'm glad you agree that he was qualified.
What made Reagan great? End of cold war, trickle down economics. If you need me to drudge up the tax revenue increases as a result of lowering taxes in 84 (ergo, the economy of the late 80s through the 90s), I'll hop over to the congressional budget office's web site and dig up the numbers. What disappoints me about Reagan? He increased the size of government far too much and he didn't quite know how to handle the domestic issues. But given the state of the world back then, he gets an 'A,' if just for saving us from even more really bad Rocky and James Bond movies this day and age. Oh, wait. Shoot.
>>Dave Ramsey I get. John Cleese could read the phone book and make it hilarious (I'm sure he does the same for C.S. Lewis). But Reagan speeches? Seriously? C'mon. I thought he was a tremendous president, but I very rarely watch his speeches on youtube. Perhaps, maybe I will...Dennis is wise. At least that's what Bully says...althought he usually says "wise-ass"...but I digress.
Well, get back to me after you do your listening. Consider the concept of Liberty in the D-Day speech, and the role of sovereign states and mankind's right to self govern for Brandenberg Gate. Woah.
And yes, I'll take the "wise" part of wise-ass. Don't forget, I went to Bishop Guertin high school, which certifies me cat-five for issuing passive-agressive insults.
>>I've gotta ask...what made FDR a controversial president?
The New Deal and Social Security. Which aren't controversial by today's standards, but back then they were game changers in America. In my opinion, bad game changers. The country did not swoon en-masse for him in the 30s; Politicians and citizens across the fruited plain cursed him up and down as much as any Limbaugh to any Obama today. I'd bet the Manchester Union Leader editorials from the era are interesting. Hmm. That would be some good reading.
One thing that bothers me is grade school history's sunny portrayal of FDR as our happy uncle. Talk about watered down bunk. I mean, what were we taught? It was a dark and foreboding time in America. FDR's New Deal put people to work on important public works projects through the depression. He guided us through the dark nights of WWII with his fireside chats. Well, there's your history book's paragraph on FDR. Was that it? I think we're all cynical enough to know that history and politics didn't start getting controversial in the 1960s- it has always been thus and will always be thus. Hopefully.
>>Also taking the liberty of extending the parameters of the era to the 20th century, I would have to place Nixon above Clinton for most controversial politician. I mean, he was actually a fine president...perhaps an excellent president...up until the Watergate Scandal. "Watergate" STILL shows up in our modern vernacular. Adding the suffix "-gate" to different terms. The most painful being, of course, the NE Patriots' "Spy-gate". Enough already!
Yep, Nixon was controversial.
>>One last tidbit, then I'll shut up:
"Yesterday, Tiger Woods said one could never master the game of golf, but you have to pursue it. If that doesn't get you thinking about mankind's struggle towards the image of God, what will?"
If anything, I would say that Woods' statement got me thinking that it's not the destination...it's the journey. But mostly when I listen to Tiger Woods, I see a guy who has remarkable talent and is not content to rely on talent alone. And that's something to strive for.
That would be a good conversation over cocktails. That's what it got me to thinking. But it could have been due to a serendipitous sermon on Sunday (I was raised catholic too) where Jesus was put forward as the ultimate example of humanity- human perfection. Unattainable, yet the goal. I'd never thought of it that way. Good stuff.
I'll have a Sapphire martini, up with olives.
I kinda like President Garfield, as I picture him like the comic strip cat with a big stovepipe hat...
The only thing I know about Bugatti Veyron is that he's my favorite character from Star Trek...
Kath, glad to see you're being nice to Sarah. If I were in a Spaghetti Chevron and Sarah was sitting on my lap in a catwoman outfit, that would be a mouth-watering, hair-raising, knuckle-gripping, G-spot inducing experience!
(Yes, this post was completely unnecessary, but it's late, I had a long day, and I wanted to make Joe D. giggle like a demented schoolboy)
And you totally succeeded, my friend. I KNEW that was a character from Trek!
I always think the same thing when I hear about James Garfield. I'm not sure what that says, but I imagine that somewhere the ex-president is pretty P.O.'d that his name went to a lame comic strip cat who liked lasagne.
Kathy said HUGE TOOL!
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