Random stuff I scribbled down to blog about while on my trip:

1. Self-contained Taser shells!  It's taserrific!
2. For whatever reason, I've been encountering the term "bespoke" more and more often of late.  While originally referring to custom-tailored suits on Savile Row, it's now used in IT to refer to any customized output (a "bespoke report," for example).
3. I'm fascinated that while the US media covering the current dissident-bashing in SE Asia refers to the country by its newfangled name Myanmar and its capitol as Yangon, the BBC still uses the old-fashioned colonial Burma and Rangoon.  Evidently everyone is confused.
4. Pity poor Alabamans ... not only do they have to live in Alabama, but nobody in the state can sell them sex toys.  It's not illegal to possess them, mind you, nor is it illegal to buy them elsewhere and transport them across state borders, but it's illegal to sell them.  Unless, of course, you're marketing them as "bona fide" medical devices.
5. Add to John McCain's goofballness his mind-numbing ignorance of the US Constitution.  ""I would probably have to say yes, that the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation."  Right.  And that's in Article ... which one, now?
6. Yeah, I know the Dems really want to steer clear of the whole "Party of Tax Increase" meme -- but, honestly, I think an Iraq War Tax is an excellent idea.  If we're going to be there, it should hurt (beyond the cost of coffins and body bags and opportunity costs of the billions being spent).  Funding the war by not funding other things (especially now that Dubya has magically "gotten religion" about vetoing spending bills). 
7. Did you know that if you are renting a car from Hertz (at least), you can drive through the EZPay lanes of the various tollways in Houston (at least) and the toll will just get added to your rental bill (with a small convenience fee)?  I was told this by a senior manager today, which made the drive back to Bush Intercontinental a lot more convenient than the drive from Bush Intercontinental.  Of course, if I get a $250 fine slapped onto my Hertz bill, she is never going to hear the end of it.
8. No matter how much you are tempted to do so, there is absolutely no long-term benefit to laughing at a TSA agent named Phlegm.  Really.

Filed under :: Elections 2008 :: Geopolitical Brouhaha :: Homeland Security :: Travel :: Writing and Language :: ZT & PC
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Quoth Boulder Dude ...

The beeb had a bit about how because of the Coupe happening before the elected officials could be sat in parlament....that the UK's offical position was that they would to Burma as Burma. I guess the US has te same position.

I want the war to be funded like a little check off box for the Presidentail elections. You support it...you pay for it.

I much prefer "Burma" and "Rangoon" -- but I'm a traditionalist. It does become (as the article notes) something of a dilemma -- how much time and effort do you take changing all your references if it isn't going to last, vs. how do you know what renaming *will* stick? (Zaire, anyone?).

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The funding checkbox is an interesting idea -- but, honestly, I'd rather have it hit everyone. That way those who support it pony up, and have to listen to the complaints of those who don't. I'm not a big believer in individual tax recipient selection.

But I do still think it's a fine idea.