MandelbrotSet

I wrote an iOS app called MandelbrotSet. It does what it says.

I'm a Tutor!

I'm available to tutor in the Blacksburg area! If you need a tutor for Earth Science, Math, Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Geometry, Algebra, Chemistry, SAT, and Computer Skills don't hesitate to check out my tutor profile or contact me directly. Thanks!

Blogilo on KDE on...

Well, on something else.

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It's Blogilo on KDE on Mac OS X

Yeah, so… obviously I don't use this blog that often. Like, it's been three years since I posted anything. I should change that. Of course, I say that every time I post.

Lipstick?

There is a swirling bit of controversy over Obama's comments yesterday. He may, or may not, have intended to refer to Governor Palin as a pig (and Senator McCain as a stinky old fish). This is actually irrelevant, and I'll tell you why.

The best face you can put on the comments is they were intended as an attack on the McCain campaign in general. The problem with that is Barack Obama is campaigning for the job of President of the United States. Not only that, but he has campaigned on the promise of engaging in open diplomacy with our adversaries. If Obama is willing to use potentially insulting attacks against his domestic political opponents, why should we assume his behavior would be different as President? What happens if he calls Vladimir Putin an old fish? Or refers to a Muslim leader as a pig? Even if he didn't intend for it to be taken that way, is the risk worth it?

It just proves, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Barack Obama is not suited for the office of the President. It's not an appropriate comment for the President to make. It isn't "Presidential." This is why, traditionally, the Veep candidate is the one who makes the attacks. It is simply inappropriate for a President to be insulting in this fashion.

Apparently, Governor of Alaska Doesn't Count

Much as it bothers me to keep defending a woman who believes in Creationism (blech), some things just require pointing out.

While the official Obama campaign has stayed away (in any traceable fashion, at least) from the most despicable and sexist of attacks on Sarah Palin, they have made some bizarre goofs. For one thing, it seems to be the official stance of the Obama campaign that being Governor of Alaska is meaningless. Every response from the campaign has referred to her as the Mayor of Wasilla. Obama compared his campaign budget to her budget as Mayor, and said that meant he had more executive experience.

This, unfortunately, completely ignores this little factoid: Alaska's $8 billion budget for 2008. It's a little transparent when you have to completely ignore her current position to make your point, Barrack…

Obama Supporter Blindness

Why do so many Obama supporters seem to be utterly ignorant of the poll numbers? The whole "Sarah Palin was a desperation pick!" "John McCain was on the ropes and had to try a trick!" bullshit only makes sense if you think Obama was/is way ahead. This simply isn't the case. The race is essentially tied, and has been for weeks. It shows an astounding ignorance of the realities of this election cycle when Obama supporters make these remarks.

Why? Why do they react this way? Is it because they're worried and trying to convince themselves? Is it because they think that insane overconfidence will bolster support more than realistic confidence? Or are they actually so blinded by Obama's charisma that they really believe what they're saying? I suspect it is the latter, and it will almost certainly cost them the election.

Racism, Sexism, and the 2008 Election

G. Plant Says: September 3rd, 2008 at 5:14 am All of this anger that is directed at the Palin family is just buyer’s remorse on the part of the Democrats for having chosen Barack Obama as their nominee instead of Hillary Clinton, who would have been the more formidable candidate. It is sad to see what has become of the party of FDR and HST.

This one nails it on the head. If the left actually thought Sarah Palin was a mistake on McCain's part, they'd have shut up and let him make it. Their reaction makes it clear they fear her and fear losing.

And another thing... I am FED UP with people who claim to be "liberals" or "feminists" then engage in BLANTANT sexism, racism, and misogyny. How can someone claim to be a liberal, and then in the next breath say "Sarah Palin should be at home taking care of her children instead of running for Vice President." Talk about hypocrisy! That just about takes the cake!! There's more to women's rights and more to equality than abortion (which I do not oppose, by the way... I'm actually a liberal, just a real one and not someone who has lost all his principles to become the Anti-bush).

What happened to the Democratic party? When did it become more about winning than about liberalism and equality? This year has been unbelievably shameful. Racism and misogyny have been defining qualities of the Democrats and it makes me sick to my stomach. I can't believe that I am forced to defend a woman who's every political viewpoint on actual issues I DESPISE! I have to vote for people I violently disagree with politically, just to punish the Democrats for losing their way and becoming sexist, racist, and anything but liberal.

Racist? Hell yes. If 95% of white people said they were voting for a candidate just because he's white... what would you call that? Why the hell is it different if I replace the words "white" with "black" in that question? It's even racist in a traditional sense, in that the Democratic party has been going easy on Obama. The racism of lowered expectations.

New version of Blogger Widget

Some day I will use this blog again. I swear it.

Frickin' Google buying things and changing the way they work…

Hey! I finally updated my Blogger widget, so I can easily make posts again! Who knows if I actually will, though.

This Day in History!

John H. Glenn, Jr became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962! Pretty cool. I wish we'd do something more with space flight. We seriously need to get off this planet.

I honestly believe that Mankind is kind of like the Earth's reproductive system. We should get to doing our job and spread life to other places. Seriously reduces the chances of extinction, too. Don't keep all your eggs in one basket, they say!

Blah, I say, blah blah

ddaa

How I'm dividing things up

OK, I've decided that I actually want to keep this blog just for political or politics related rants. So, no more posts like the last one. I have another blog, managed by iWeb, here at mac.com. I will be posting all Mac-related or non-politically sensitive technology related things there.

Mac Mini

Well, I haven't gotten around to the nuclear power thing, yet. But let me talk about Apple's new products. Specifically, the new Intel based Mac Mini and its lack of built-in DVR hardware. People just don't get the point here; why would Apple compete with itself by including a DVR? Let me try to state this plainly: Apple sells TV programs. DVRs are used to record TV programs for free, removing the need to purchase them from Apple. Therefore, Apple will never include DVR features on any Mac, and anyone who is holding out for that needs to give up. The concept is that you do not need a Cable TV account; all you need is broadband internet. Instead of dealing with TV schedules, or any of that, you just purchase the episodes you want to watch, and watch them whenever. That's the model Apple is pushing; a DVR would be off-message, off-putting, and counterproductive to their ends.

Edit: this post is also at my other blog. I also expand on it slightly there.

I think I'm going to have to post some things about nuclear power soon, it's my pet project of the moment.