"Just like us"

I'm in a writing funk, so no snark. And I'm suffering from outrage fatigue, so here's the Boston Globe on Trayvon Martin.

(via)

Please attempt to enjoy your weekend, if you have one.

Fingers crossed

Thanks to a mild influx of funds and some internal restructuring,* the company may have the cash to send a few of us to a trade show.

In Las Vegas.

This is not a junket, we have been informed. It is a Learning Experience where we will mingle with our industry colleagues and learn about the latest and greatest technology that we might be able to afford in five years when it's obsolete.

Also, free booze and accomodations.

To anyone who has some time off (and bail money) in mid-June, I will keep you posted.

*Which, highly surprisingly, resulted in no lay-offs at all from our department. I was as shocked as everyone else.

Researchers? What are those?

From this "I wish I had made this up and it wasn't real" files...

Sports wear company Nike has apologised for a controversy that arose over the name of its new runner - "The Black and Tan".

Nike said the shoe “has been unofficially named by some using a phrase that can be viewed as inappropriate and insensitive. We apologise. No offence was intended.”

The company released two new beer-themed skateboarding shoes to coincide with St Patrick’s Day - the Guinness, featuring a black leather upper and tan elements, and a variation of a Nike shoe that was called The Black and Tan because of its colouring.

The nickname refers to a mixed-beer drink popularised in the United States, consisting of a half pint of stout topping a half pint of ale or lager. An image of the drink is pictured on the inside of the shoe.

For Irish people, however, the name recalls the British paramilitary unit that was involved in violent action against civilians in the 1920s.

Also, beer-themed merchandise to "coincide" with St Patrick's Day? Not stereotypical at all.

Editing the Internets

Andrew Breitbart could not be reached for comment:

"We are taking a beating over this," said Lee, who defends the investigation. "This is all very unsettling. I'm sure if George Zimmerman had the opportunity to relive Sunday, Feb. 26, he'd probably do things differently. I'm sure Trayvon would, too."

 Let's just shorten that a little.

"We are taking a beating over this," said Lee, who defends the investigation... "I'm sure Trayvon would, too."

Better.

(via)

Putting their money where their feet are

On Feb. 2, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation (S. 1925) reauthorizing [The Violence Against Women Act]. The bill was sponsored by Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) -- who is not on the committee -- and cosponsored by 34 senators from both parties. Nevertheless, the legislation attracted no GOP support among committee members and passed out of committee on a party-line vote of 10-8. It was, according to Leahy's office, the first time VAWA legislation did not receive bipartisan backing out of committee.

This is Sandra Fluke's fault, obviously.

Complaints

1. I am officially spam at Von's place, which amuses me to no end.
2. Everyone is spam at 3Bulls! Except when they aren't. It's all very quantum.
3. It is windy enough today to rattle my office windows. So much for that nice mild Spring we get promised every year. If there's a blackout, I already have a six-pack of beer stashed away in the break room.
4. Well, someone's beer, anyway. There must have been a meeting on Friday afternoon. I never get invited to these things, or there wouldn't have been leftovers.
5. And it's too early to drink. Well, for a Monday, anyway.
6. Quote of the day, from Huffington, emphasis mine: 

Fluke became the subject of attacks after she testified to House Democrats about birth control, following a ruling by the Obama administration that contraception be covered by employer insurance. Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney (N.Y.) originally requested that Fluke testify in front of the House Oversight Committee, but she was rejected by Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who said she was unqualified. Fluke would have been the only woman on the panel.

I was asked once what I thought of American democracy. I said, "I think it would be a good idea."

Testing, testing

Dear Food Network

Please stop running weight loss ads targeted to college-age women. The most cursory research will tell you that eating disorders in both women and men frequently start at university, and you are only reinforcing these problems.

I shouldn't have to be pointing this out at all, but I suppose that is the nature of advertising.

Sincerely,

MenD

A summary

of the week that almost killed me:

MEMORANDUM 

To: all staff
From: the Mendacious
Re: Clairvoyance 

This is a friendly reminder that if you are organizing any special events in the department, to please notify me more than two days prior. Three times in the past two weeks we have had last-minute requests for computers, microphones, sound systems, and full-scale videoconferences. It may seem as if these things are set up by magic, but they are the result of careful scheduling, planning, and precisely regulated coffee intake, and we have fairly limited resources to work with. 

For example, we have six laptops that can be loaned out. Three of them are quite nice, but the other three are rather old and temperamental. Advance scheduling allows me to avoid having to sign these out, and also lets me avoid explaining why their startup time can be measured in 15-minute increments. 

Also, if your event will be catered, informing me of this will guarantee prompt service, especially if those little blueberry cheesecake squares are involved. Many of this past week's events have resulted in missing my already occasional lunch break, so every bit helps. A well-fed technician is a happy technician. Also, I have access to literally every door in the building. I will find where you stashed the sandwiches, and you will never seem them again.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns. I will be under my desk, weeping quietly until today's shift is over. 

Sincerely,
The Mendacious

I wonder if they'll call this one

the "Defense of Abusive Marriage Act:"

A portion of the bill reads as follows:

“In promoting those campaigns and materials, the [Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board] shall emphasize nonmarital parenthood as a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect.”

The Wisconsin State Senate never ceases to amaze.