Mitt Romney declines to self-immolate his perfect coif

Posted: February 29, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: National Politics | Tags: , , | 2 Comments

Despite a willingness to waffle, flip flop, go negative, lie, obfuscate, take things out of context, and pander in his desperate attempt to get enough Republicans to hold their noses and nominate him, Willard M. Romney has drawn a line in the sand that he will not cross:

“I’m not willing to light my hair on fire to try to get support,” Mr. Romney said.

Now, I’ve literally been on fire, and realize that it’s no fun.  But it sure would be neat to see the fireball that would erupt from that mess of hair product and dye.

The Opposite of Disgust: Kudos to the University of Iowa

Posted: February 28, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Education, Iowa City, The Opposite of Disgust | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

The University of Iowa has declined to invite the University of North Dakota to a spring tack meet due to UND’s use of the Fighting Sioux mascot.

UI denies North Dakota invitation to meet by Emily Schettler from the Iowa City Press Citizen, Feb. 27, 2012

The University of Iowa has decided against inviting the University of North Dakota to compete in an upcoming track meet because of its use of the Fighting Sioux mascot.

[…]

UI policy prohibits the athletics department from scheduling competition with schools or attending tournaments hosted by schools using American Indian mascots unless those mascots have been approved by the NCAA and their respective American Indian tribes.

It makes me proud as an alumnus to see the University of Iowa stand up for sensitivity and respect.  Words have meaning, strength, and consequences.

It is worth noting that there are limits to UI’s policy:

The University of Illinois, whose nickname Fighting Illini also has come under fire, is exempt from the UI policy as “a result of our contractual obligations within the Big Ten Conference.”

Competitions that UI has no control over scheduling, such as bowl games and NCAA or conference-sponsored competitions also are exempt, as are competitions with institutions that have NCAA approval for the use of American Indian mascots.

All in all, I find those to be fair exceptions to the policy given the reality of collegiate sports obligations.

Thank you, Iowa City Hy-Vee #2!

Posted: February 28, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Iowa City | Tags: , | 1 Comment

I would like to claim the second success on the part of DailyDisgust.  The first came when a post on this blog was singlehandedly responsible for passing a law limiting the trading practices of lawmakers.  This time, I was able to convince the manager of Iowa City Hy-Vee #2 to change the signage in aisle 3 to indicate “Aisan” and “Hispanic” food rather than “Chinese” and “Mexican” with an email.  I was informed earlier today that they have already ordered the new signs!

****Now with picture!!!

The dirty deritus of winter

Posted: February 28, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: West Branch | 1 Comment

Today I am again focusing on the petty disgust and disappointment I encounter in my daily life.

Despite the near total lack of winter we experienced this year, we still are left with various piles of brown dirt/sand/ice/debris scattered around.  I was soothed during this encounter with the winter sludge by the presence (in the background of the picture) of the two-room cottage in which Herbert Hoover was born, and the faithful companionship of Surya.

I’m looking at you, Aisle 3

Posted: February 27, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Iowa City | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

At times I deal with national and international issues on this blog.  Other times I look at the goings on in Iowa, West Branch, and Iowa City.  Today I would like to narrow that focus down even further, and bring attention to the ethnically insensitive signage in aisle 3 in the Hy-Vee on First Ave. in Iowa City.

I really, truly, love Hy-Vee, and good old Iowa City Hy-Vee #2 holds a very special place in my heart.  But darnit, Iowa City Hy-Vee #2, sweetheart, please use the more appropriate (both in terms of political correctness and accurate descriptiveness of the items you sell in aisle 3) terms of “Hispanic” and “Asian”.

***Success–The manager of Iowa City Hy-Vee #2 contacted me today to let me know that he has ordered new signs!

For the second time in less than a year I have taken to my virtual soapbox and submitted a comment to the good people at Hy-Vee.  Please consider joining me in this effort thanking Hy-Vee #2 for agreeing to change the signs by using this contact form.

“Be proud to be a decent American rather than be just a wanker whipping up fear”

Posted: February 27, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: National Politics, Pop Cultural | Tags: , , , | 2 Comments

Words of wisdom from Michael D. Higgins, the President of Ireland, issued two years ago to right wing radio host Michael Graham.  This is how a true master communicates his disgust.

I got this from Mashed Potato Bulletin who got it from Whatever Works who got it from The Fifth Column.

This Disgusting Week v. 3

Posted: February 26, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Site Bidness | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A quick review of the disgusting and disappointing things I have posted about this week. There are certainly many more awful things out there than I have time to cover, so keep in mind that you should continue to be dismayed and disheartened even if you can wrap your head and heart around these things.

Ind. Rep. Bob Morris–The week started strong with a bit on this conspiracy minded moron from Indiana.  He ended up being the search term that brought more traffic to this site than any other.  And man, this guy is dumb.

Iowa City Taxi Cabs–Finally, a story I was born to opine on:  the Iowa City Press Citizen reported that there are 262 cabs registered in Iowa City.  Never mind the fact that their statistic was comically inaccurate, their story gave me a great opening to discuss what I’ve seen happen to the Iowa City Taxi industry over the last 10+ years.

  • Too many taxis in Iowa City.  My first of several posts related to cabs this week.  If nothing else, it was a good excuse to drag out the picture of myself dressed as a young Fidel Castro driving for OCC.
  • Taxi Cab Story Correction.  I must admit to feeling a bit sheepish for not realizing how ridiculous the PC’s numbers were–many thanks to Roger Bradley for pointing this out to me.  The saddest part: not only did they not print a retraction, they reprinted the story in the Des Moines Register today!

John Boyd, Jr.–It was an honor this week to have this humble blog cited in an article by the president of the National Association of Black Farmers.  I can’t imagine a better endorsement for calling out Monsanto on the ridiculous and offensive nature of their black farmer billboard.

All online schools recruiting in Iowa–This is one I’d been meaning to write about for a while.  There is no reason whatsoever these schools should be allowed to operate in this state, or any other for that matter.

“Clean” coal–Before all the disappointments of his presidency began piling up, I was annoyed by candidate Obama’s embrace of “clean” coal.  I guess it made sense given the power the coal lobby has in Illinois, but this would have been a great opportunity for him to stand up for the earth.

  • “Clean” Coal.  Despite the slickness of their ad campaign, all I could think of when I saw the most recent “clean” coal ad was what a shame it is we depend on this dirty rock for our electricity needs.

Rick “Dick” Santorum–I was hoping to make it a whole week without commenting on the ramblings of this desperate, hateful man.  His comments today, however, needed a response.

This is why “they” hate us: Please stop talking, Rick Santorum

Posted: February 26, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: National Politics | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

I was hoping to make it a whole week without getting any Santorum on my blog.  Most of what he says is more of the same stupidity, and his strength in being able to say really dumb and offensive stuff has been plenty well documented without any need for my comment.  But this one from ABC’s This Week sees him entering into new offensive, and frankly dangerous territory.  No longer is he restraining his comments to subjugating American women and denigrating the dignity of American homosexuals.  He has reached out into the tinderbox that is America’s entanglement in Afghanistan and applied the match that is his thoughtless commentary.  For god’s sake, shut the hell up, Rick.  (Oh, and I know that Gingerich has been saying essentially the same thing, but fortunately the press has chosen to largely move on from his buffoonery.)

Rick Santorum: Obama Wrong to Apologize for Koran Burning by George Stephanopoulos, from ABC News, Feb. 26, 2012

GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum slammed President Obama for apologizing to Afghans earlier this week for the recent burning of Korans at a U.S. military base this morning on “This Week.”

“There was nothing deliberately done wrong here. This was something that happened as a mistake. Killing Americans in uniform is not a mistake, ” said Santorum. “Say it’s unfortunate…but to apologize for something that was not an intentional act is something that the president of the United States in my opinion should not have done.”

 

“Clean” Coal

Posted: February 25, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: The Environment, Uncategorized | Tags: , , | 2 Comments

Having gotten rid of the television when the baby was born, we are mercifully infrequently subjected to advertising. One time that we do find ourselves enduring it is when watching streaming video on the web. While watching the Republican debate earlier this week, I actually found the “Clean” Coal ad more offensive than the content of the debate–nothing new from the candidates, they are either out of touch, out of place, or out of their minds.

The first time seeing the “Clean” Coal ad, I actually thought it was another parody, highlighting the dirtiness of the majority of our electric supply. (An aside, I can’t figure out what good an all electric car is if it is run off of electricity generated by coal, it is just polluting somewhere other than out its exhaust pipe.) But no, the coal industry was just targeting those most likely to buy their message, people willing to listen to the four horseman of (hopefully) the Republican apocalypse.

Some good information on what complete bullshit “Clean” Coal is and the advertising budget and strategy behind it from Richard Conniff: The Myth of Clean Coal from Yale environment 360, from Jun. 3, 2008

A great counter-advertisement from the “Reality” Coalition:

My own father accuses me of supporting job killing regulations and other responses to my piece on taxis in Iowa City

Posted: February 24, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Iowa City, Site Bidness | Leave a comment

I posted the other evening on the overabundance of taxi cabs and taxi companies in Iowa City.  I submitted a slightly edited version to the Press Citizen, who helped me further edit it and graciously printed it in today’s paper.  This opened my piece up to greater scrutiny by the public, and solicited a number of responses, including one from my father.  Not having a Facebook, I am unable to respond to the comments directly on the Press Citizen, so after the jump are quotes from the comments and my responses to them.

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