What's Playing:
Movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Music: The Killers: Hot Fuss
The Sounds: Living In America
Book: Marvel Masterworks: Spiderman (issues 1-10)
Bible: Lamentations
The Itenirary:
1) Intro
2) Election Blues
3) WHO and AIDS
4) Madden & ESPN
5) Freedom
Intro:
Welcome to the second edition of The Rantdown. If you'd like to see the previous column click on the link at the bottom of the page or click here.
Election Blues:
Oh, where to begin. First I'll have to pick who I don't want to be president and vote for the other fellow. I like President Bush but he listens to his neocon advisors too much. His record isn't exactly steller. Good points: got rid of Hussein, no terrorist attacks on U.S. soil since 9/11 and the economy hasn't completely crashed and burned. Bad points: blown good will with the world that we had after 9/11, the occupation in Iraq hasn't worked out nearly as well as the war did and the economy isn't exactly rosy (most of the created jobs don't pay a living wage). I'd give him a solid C, not exactly what I want in a president.
Senator Kerry seems like a decent fellow and a genuine war hero but he isn't a leader type. BTW: memo to John Edwards: you can be a war hero AND a flip flopper. Senator Edwards defended Kerry's famous flipflop ("I voted for the 87 billion before I voted against it") by talking about Kerry's war record. If a war record is the yardstick for president why don't we just appoint the highest ranking military officer every four years? In addition, Kerry and Edwards looked out of sync during their 60 Minutes interview. Edwards interrupted Kerry repeatedly (prime example: the flipflop question previously mentioned was addressed to Kerry).
The only way it could get worse (well its not that bad but play along) is if the election were canceled. Oh wait, that might happen! The Administration and the Homeland Security boys are making plans to postpone the election in the event of a terrorist attack. This must not happen. They may have honorable intentions but it would set a dangerous precident. Unless something happens that makes holding elections impossible (and I mean impossible) they must go on. If they don't, the terrorists will have won.
WHO & AIDS
The World Health Organization has declared that the world has not done enough to treat AIDS in third world countries. UN leader Kofi Annan stated that since America has the resources we have the main responsibility in this plight. The UN won't go along with us when we want to enforce THEIR resolutions but when it's their pet cause then we're the bad guys for not unilaterally solving the problem. And they don't like our solution of teaching abstinence and getting off drugs. WHO and the "enlightened" Europeans believe that free condoms and fresh needles are the way to go. Excuse me for asking but how many cases of AIDS have been caused by monogomous relationships and not shooting up? Granted having a condom reduces the chance of contracting AIDS and other STDs but knowing your one partner is clean reduces the chance to about none. Fresh needles prevent contamination granted but isn't it a good idea to concentrate on teaching people that shooting up is bad? The idea to support and subsidize bad and risky behavior makes me insane. Oh yeah, Bush's AIDS program to these third world countries is another in the good column. Raise his grade to C+
Madden & ESPN
I'm not an avid video gamer anymore but I love football and I enjoy video football. It is with great rejoicing that I found out that Sega's ESPN football game will be out next week at $20. Might light a fire under Madden's derrier (the game not the guy). Looks like ESPN will have the presentation and Madden will have the franchise depth. I'll get both and see for myself. Look for a comparison in a future Rantdown. BTW: hope Madden moves up the release date also. Can they risk the $20 game being on the shelf for two weeks unopposed? If buyers enjoy ESPN will they have a reason to buy Madden? Oh sure they'll sell millions but in business you try to get every last dollar you can and if ESPN is good it will cost Madden some sales. There is a reason why Madden gets their game out first every year (except this one, maybe). I guess we'll see.
Freedom:
The Iraqis taking control of their own country was heartwarming. I'm very happy for them and it presents a good case for why its all worth it. This just in: for those keeping score at home Bush's grade went up to a B-. Not bad at all, until next time...
Go to Rufas Rants page
Go to Rufas main page