Ross is love.

Top ten DVDs of 2006.

My almost unbearably eclectic 2006 DVD list can be found here. Thanks Heather for turning me on to my #1 pick.

The shape of things to come.

If anyone deserves the death penalty, it's Saddam Hussein. His "first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" trial was a farce, though, and so rather than dying having been brought to justice he dies a martyr.

In another, far more frightening portent of things to come, and ancient ice sheet larger than Manhattan has broken off of an island in the Canadian Arctic. The signs of permanent global warming damage seem to be swirling around us with ever-greater frequency and moment. Data shows that within a few decades there may not even be arctic ice year round, and that the shrinkage is increasing. One immediate effect: polar bears are losing habitat, with the result being a rapidly dwindling population facing drowning and starvation. I've noticed that the global warming naysayers have been conspicuous by their silence over the past several months. Unfortunately, "I told you so" won't undo the damage that they have helped perpetuate. If there's any hope whatsoever about slowing this process, and I'm not certain that there is, it's now or never. 

"Better late than never"

"My only regret about Mary Cheney's pregnancy is that it didn't happen earlier -- say, during the 2004 presidential race, when Cheney was working for her father's campaign and his running mate was busy trying to write discrimination against people like her into the Constitution."

-Ruth Marcus, Washington Post

OK, Shan likes Doctor Who (see her comment below), which is no surprise since her taste (except, occasionally, in politics) has always been impeccable. I'm with you too on liking Christopher Eccleston slightly better than the new guy, but the new guy's pretty great too. I'm also very upset that Billie Piper's leaving, mostly 'cause I like her but partly because it's nice to see a female lead with a little meat on her bones.

Eccleston (who I also realized is the husband in The Others, and the evil Major in 28 Days Later) is joining Heroes on NBC, by the way, along with George Takei after the hiatus. That show's not exactly brilliant, but it is highly addictive. Oh, and do also take Shan's plug for Battlestar Galactica seriously. Even if the low-key Brit-charm of Who isn't your bag, Battlestar is without hyperbole one of the best shows on TV, and one of the all-time greats, as far as I'm concerned.

Why they gotta be hatin' on Rip Torn?

And does anybody watch Doctor Who? Anybody? OK, fine. Well, some British people have named David Tennant as the all-time best Doctor. Go back to watching your Wife Swap.

"Guess what though? I'm pregnant!"

Company party with heavy food and booze = sleepy Ross, so just a couple of things:

Congratulations to Nammy K and Shan, one having had a littl'un, one who will be. Two of the few people left that I'm comfortable to see breed, so have at it, gals. I think everybody's biological clock went off at once this year. Even Mary Cheney's doing it.

Thank goodness the Democrats have assumed the reins of government. Never let it be said that the Reds have a monopoly on tackling the tough issues. Hillary and Joe Lieberman held a joint press conference today to deal with the pressing and tragic problem of...naughty videogames. Good thing there's nothing else important going on, guys.

I also enjoyed this quote, tremendously:

“Keeping us up here eats away at families...marriages suffer. The Democrats could care less about families — that’s what this says.”

That's Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga), horrified that the new Democratic leadership is imposing a five-day work week on the 110th Congress. The previous Congress has been working three days a week, for a total of 103 days this year. I think my boss doesn't care about families, either.

Quickies

A couple of quick things, then bed:

Adding the phrase "Britney Spears' Vagina" earlier today has been a tremendous boon to my hit count today. So I'll say it again. Britney Spears' Vagina. I can talk about Iran and Henry Kissinger all damn day, but I know what you people really want. Here's a different picture on the same topic for you pervs. For Christ's sake don't look at it at work. I can't be responsible.

My credibility on politics down the shitter, just like that. I'll give it a shot, though:

"Mary and Heather's decision to have a child is an example that families in America come in all different shapes and sizes...the bottom line is that a family is made up of love and commitment."   - Joe Solmonese, The Human Rights Campaign

Mary Cheney and her partner are having a baby. Mary's partner of fifteen years will have no legal right whatsoever to the child Mary is carrying, largely thanks to her mother and father, who are "looking forward with eager anticipation" to the grandchild. I wish all of them the best, but one wonders how some people sleep at night.

Finally, check out my review of the original Mission: Impossible on DVD, and by all means check out the 2005 Pride & Prejudice, which I watched this evening. Devotees of the '95 version might be tough sells, but seriously, this one's magnificent.

Daily Ross - December 6, 2006

Here's what's on my mind today:

ℜ DO NOT click here, unless you really want to see some of those Britney Spears vagina photos. I had to, but I have a sickness. Save yourselves.

ℜ NASA has some pics, strangely resembling Britney Spears' vagina, that indicate that liquid water may have been flowing on Mars within the past several years. The media seems quick to jump on anything that even hints at the slightest possibility of life on Mars, so I take this with a grain of whatever.

ℜ James Kim, a CNET editor whose product reviews I've seen many a time, was found dead in Oregon after a search. Apparently the car carrying his wife and two daughters became stranded, and Kim went off into the woods looking for help. The car was later rescued, but he wasn't found in time.

ℜ Salon.com has this article about America's favorite possible future president Rudy Giuliani, and the ways in which 9/11 gave him a pass. I didn't forget.

"9/11 gave America amnesia about the real Rudy Giuliani. He's an authoritarian narcissist -- and we don't need another one of those in the White House."

It also includes this Giuliani quote, directed at ferret-lovers after imposing a ban:

"There is something deranged about you ... this excessive concern with little weasels is a sickness ... you should go consult a psychologist or a psychiatrist with this excessive concern, how you are devoting your life to weasels. You need somebody to help you. There are people in this city and in this world that need a lot of help. Something has gone wrong with you."

God, I hope people remember what a dick he is before it's too late...