October 08, 2005
NPR
Just the other day I was telling a friend how I adored 3 things about America -
So today, as I was going to office (yes thats my life) around 1:40pm, I started up my car and was backing up out of my the garage and switched on the radio - its by default tuned into the local NPR station and I heard -
Chaahe jiyenge, marenge, Hum naa kisee se darenge
Hum ko naa roke jamaanaa, Jo chaahenge hum karenge
If it was possible to fall out of a seatbelted car seat, I would have done that.
I double checked to see that it was indeed NPR and not some old CD of mine, looked up to see that another second too late and I would have backed up bang into the tree behind me. Braked hard, put the car in neutral and heard out the rest of the song. Apparently they were into discussing various types of movies on 'Weekend America' and I had just caught the last of the segment on Bollywood. Whew, how a song can almost cause an accident.
So, NPR totally rocks. In a land where it is almost impossible to get anything other than the local news, NPR gives me the god of news - the BBC. It gives me humourous observations on life, controversial car repair talk shows, and heated arguments on world politics. It gives me the latest on science and medicine as well as its social repurcussions. On NPR I can listen to slow jazz and classical concerts in session and learn about the 'Powers of 10 Day'. To sum it up, NPR is the only radio station that makes me want to stay in the car and listen to it till the end of the current program. Thats something isn't it?
July 29, 2005
So whats new?
A new study tells us that physicians order unnecessary tests and hospitalizations out of fear of malpractise lawsuits. Big deal .. what else is new? Everyone knows the medical system in the US is in a mess - due to a variety of reasons - be it high insurance rates, the tort system, and probably many more things than I'd ever understand. Its all a vicious circle and the causes can be seen by others as effects of some other cause itself. Insurance rates are high because costs are high and costs are high because insurance is ready to pay big bucks. What actually amuses (perhaps not the best word to use ) me is that in this kingdom of capitalism - where supply and demand as well as a free market are supposed to keep everything in balance, how the medical system in the US is spiralling out of the common man's control.
February 10, 2005
The amriki Shiv Sena
The US state of Virginia passed a bill [sounds like passed a stone doesnt it?] yesterday, outlawing low-riding pants. If you display your underpants (in public) in an offensive manner, you stand to lose a neat 50 bucks.
I am going to refrain from commenting any more on this.
November 15, 2004
U.S. ---> India?
U.S. is turning into India. Okay I am being harsh here. Even in India we never go without water for 2-3 days, neither are stuck in traffic jams for 2 hrs or more.
November 11, 2004
Still mulling over the elections?
It is, in fact, very frustrating that I can't just let go. The election comes back to haunt me when I least expect it. Damn. I have to move on.
Sorry Everybody is a website put up by the kind ol folks we call americans, those from the blue states, or those from the red states who went against the current. Do visit the gallery. [via Leela]
If you, like me, are still mulling over the elections then [go do something better] this page is quite interesting. It gives a view of various cartograms of the recent elections. [via Pomegranate]
November 05, 2004
November 02, 2004
Tonight I pray
Tomorrow is the big day. The 2004 US Presidential elections. I can feel the tension within me. I will be very very dissapointed if Bush is re-elected. For 4 years he ruled america in an irresponsible manner. To borrow a phrase from long time pal Chinmay's blog .. a second Bush term would unhinge the future of the world. Dubya made more enemies throught the world than any other president before him. But hes an american and americans dont give a shit about the rest of the world, so cant really blame him.
The problem is .. Kerry himself is not a bad bloke .. but thats about it. He doesnt inspire a voter to vote for him. Anywyas .. I dont want to discuss this any further.
I rarely .. if ever, pray. Tonight I pray.
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Also heres the full text transcript of the latest bin laden tape. Will need free registration. Get it instantly from bugmenot.
August 04, 2004
Who will rule the world next?
The U.S. presidential elections this November are gonna be close. Thats how long I am willing to stretch my neck and make a statement about them. Not much is it? All these months I was thinking Bush will win. Close call .. but he will pull it off. My stand all along was that Kerry isn't that popular .. people will vote for him just because they don't want Bush; not bcos they want Kerry holding the reigns. And .. thats just not enough.
Now suddenly I find myself surprised by Kerry's tenacity and the pull he has had. Edwards (and Cheney too) changed the equations a bit. These elections are getting much like our own Indian General elections. We have been having hung parilaments for so long, we can write the book on them. Though what happened this time? Every single person was predicting a close shave for the BJP or a hung parilament; and the Congress snuck one up before anybody could blink! Hah! that just goes to show how much (or rather how little) people think before they vote. The US is no different. If they elected Bush once, they can do it again.
Russell Roberts at Cafe Hayek has a refreshing view of how he predicts election results.
August 02, 2004
This Land
'This Land'; the hilarious animation starring Dubya and Kerry has circulated all over the web, and also shown on CNN. If you missed it .. you have to check this out. This Land. [The file may take some time to load. Be patient.] The animation plus the song itself is pretty cool .. I laugh each time and notice new funny details each time.
And along the lines of Outkast's Hey Ya! comes Saddams an OutKast: Hey Allah!. It'll be funnier if you have seen the original OutKast video.
Also .. Build a better Bush.
June 30, 2004
Farenheit 9/11
Saw Fahrenheit 9/11 yesterday. I would strongly encourage everyone to see this documentary. If you love bush bashing you will love it, otherwise just sit through it and absorb the truth. I think Michael Moore stretched it a bit though, tried to extract all he could (emotionally) from the audience.
June 04, 2004
The Stella Awards
Who has'nt laughed at the silly, frivolous lawsuits that we keep coming across in ths US? Not only the lawsuits themselves, but also the ridiculous amount in damages that the plaintiffs get as a result? (Yes, I am jealous).
The Stella Awards were inspired by Stella Liebeck. In 1992, Stella, then 79, spilled a cup of McDonald's coffee onto her lap, burning herself. A New Mexico jury awarded her $2.9 million in damages.
Check out the 2003 Stella Award Winners and the 2002 Stella Award Winners.
Link Courtsey: Keyur
