Philibuster

Apparently there’s a hostage situation at the Discovery channel’s headquarters. He’s demanding an end to the frivolous TV programs it runs and more real science shows. Shows that concentrate on problems that the world faces, overcrowding, evolution, Darwin, etc. He is also demanding an end to the programs about war.

Well I can understand where he’s coming from. I’d love the Discovery channel (one of the few channels that I will actually watch) to have more real science programing. There are a bunch of shows that I would cut down with a vengeance if they gave me control of its’ programing but as a whole the network isn’t that bad. I think the History channel as a whole has fallen a lot further down. TLC is a cesspool that has completely been cut off by me. The Science channel seems to be the best at the moment. Of course I don’t watch a lot of TV so my opinions here are mainly based on the few times I switch the TV on and flip through the channels.

I do not agree with his methods. Way to go jackass, now you’re just like all the crazy-ass religious nuts with guns. We do not need asshole, gun waving, nut jobs in the skeptic/scientific/atheist/agnostic/whatever groups thank you very much. Waving a gun around does not get your demands met. Also American public is mostly stupid and a good chunk are pretty anti science. They will not be watching these channels much, and if you put on real science then even less would. I am Ok with frivolous programs up to a point if it brings them more viewers. The History channel has pissed me off lately as every other week it seems to be adding a new reality show that has little to nothing to do with history. Please stop and fire the person adding these shows.

Looks like the guy just got shot by the cops. Gee didn’t see that one coming.

Update: Oh and I finally got a look at his demands. The website wasn’t working when I first hear about this. Yeah this guy was bat shit insane. He pretty much wanted everyone to stop having babies. Like seriously, not one more baby at all period, until the problems of the world are fixed. He also thought that a TV channel could bring about the massive culture, economic, and environment changes that would be required to meet his requirements. Here’s a copy of his demands after the jump. (more…)

I’m a regular reader of the Pharyngula blog and I enjoy it a lot. So when PZ Myers puts out a call to action I first check whatever it is to make sure I agree with it and then I go to action. Most of the time it’s to crash a poll somewhere. Today it is to bring attention to a quack.

First off what the hell is a naturopath? And why the hell do they get to call themselves doctors? Maine why are you so crazy? Alright anyway here’s a quick version of the story in a poem.

Christopher Maloney is full of baloney

gave out garlic pills for children’s chills.

Flu shots? Oh Contrary instead try elderberry!

Enter Michael who knows the flu cycle.

“Mr.” Maloney what you think vital is only your fake title (Doctor)

Your claims unfounded I am astounded!

I’ll let people know, how much you blow.

Mommy Mommy (Wordpress) Michael was mean to me!

Shut him down I’m not a clown.

I’m a Doctor not a quack! You take it back!

Oh what the hell wordpress why do you supress!

Now enter PZ Myers who will fan the fires

and his horde who desires to point out the liars

and show people the reality of Maloney’s lethality.

I mean how could I not. But if you couldn’t follow that Maloney made wordpress shut down Michael Hawkins’ blog because he dared call Maloney out on his bullshit. Maloney was providing nonsense proven to not do anything remedies to ward off and help fight the Flu and H1N1. Hawkins also pointed out the fact that naturopath have no right to call themselves doctors. Well like PZ says there’s no way this won’t become 20 times bigger now that wordpress censored Hawkins. I’m helping as well. Here’s PZ Myers take on it.

So here’s a news article on the AIG bonus fiasco on the BBC. It’s basically a guy, Jake DeSantis, who received a bonus from AIG and is all upset that AIG didn’t defend him and his “right” to the bonus “he was promised.” There’s also some more whining about how he’s not at fault for the massive problem and that there are a lot of people that also aren’t at fault, blah blah blah, whine whine whine. He’s quiting AIG because of how they hurt his feelings calling the bonus distasteful.

I’m sorry but this jackass idiot, and that’s what he is, doesn’t get a few things.

First I’ll start with the “not my fault so I still deserve a bonus” bullshit. So your company basically fails and you work in the department that while maybe isn’t completely at fault but was a major reason why, and you deserve a bonus because you didn’t cause it to fail. This is arrogance, greed, and pass the buck all rolled into one. I wonder what he thinks about all the people that have been laid off because their company is crashing. I guess the blame lies at their feet. They don’t deserve a bonus, hell it’s OBVIOUS that they don’t even deserve their JOBS. Fire them pass the savings on to someone that actually does deserve it, like some exec.

No just because you were promised a bonus does not entitle you to it. Tough shit.

Another thing asshole Jake DeSantis doesn’t get is that bonuses are should be paid out for good work and helping the company to succeed and prosper. If the company does slip and slide bonuses should be scaled back to the minimum, to ONLY the most exemplary employees who go WELL beyond their normal duties to fix the problems or minimize their impact. Not just because you were “told” when you where hired that you’d get a bonus. Again what about the people that took a job under the impression that they’d still have it a year later?

I’m sorry but you don’t get a bonus if your company fails. You get your base pay and be happy that you got that and not a pink slip.

The third thing is that the whole article reads like he is some sort of victim and we should feel sorry for him. “Oh Boo hoo hoo, AIG gave me close to a million dollar bonus when it’s also asking for government money so it doesn’t fail and then they aren’t defending me in face of public disgust. The big boss called the bonuses distasteful and I don’t think they are bad.” Whine whine whine. Alright Mr. Jackass I know you know what your boss is doing because you’re doing the same god damn thing. Damage control. I don’t think the head of AIG thought the bonuses were a problem when they were paid out. It’s just business as usual. Only when the big backlash hit the fan did he suddenly try and play the “I didn’t like it either, but a contract is a contract” card. He’s playing it so he can stay away from the head hunters. Much like Jake is when he says that he’s going to give all of his bonus to a charity. Gee I wonder if he’s ever given all a previous bonus to charity. NO I DON’T THINK SO! Damage control. He wants to whine about the “oh so sorry” situation he is in and also be see as the good guy here. Remember “He’s a victim too.”

Let me get on the phone right away and call you up a Whamulance, it will be here shortly to take you to the “I don’t give a shit about your wannabe problems” hospital where you will be treated with 500 CCs of  “You’re an out of touch jackass.”