I could never bring myself to forward all the email jokes, cartoons and other Internet comedy that land in my inbox. But then I started posting the ones my dad sends me. Judging from my comments and emails, my dad has become one of my greatest blogging assets. So for your morning blog chuckle I present: From My Dad.

24 THINGS (THAT MAY BE) ABOUT TO BECOME EXTINCT IN AMERICA

24. Yellow Pages: This year will be pivotal for the global Yellow Pages industry. Much like newspapers, print Yellow Pages will continue to bleed dollars to their various digital counterparts, from Internet Yellow Pages, to local search engines and combination search/listing services like Reach Local and Yodel Factors like an acceleration of the print ‘fade rate’ and the looming recession will contribute to the onslaught. One research firm predicts the falloff in usage of newspapers and print Yellow Pages could even reach 10% this year — much higher than the 2%-3% fade rate seen in past years.

23. Classified Ads (in newspapers): The Internet has made so many things obsolete that newspaper classified ads might sound like just another trivial item on a long list. But this is one of those harbingers of the future that could Continue Reading »

Found in my electronic chapbook.

Establish a hard and fast rule to get a manuscript back in the mail within twenty four hours of its receipt. Better yet, send it out immediately-make it the first order of business to get that script off your desk and back in the mail. p. 60

From Telling Lies for Fun and Profit: A Manual for Fiction Writers by Lawrence Block.

Robert Reich writes:

Few fictions of modern economic life are more assiduously defended than the central importance of the Street to the well-being of the rest of us, as has been proved in 2009.

Inhabitants of the real economy are dependent on the financial economy to borrow money. But their overwhelming reliance on Wall Street is a relatively recent phenomenon. Back when middle-class Americans earned enough to be able to save more of their incomes, they borrowed from one another, largely through local and regional banks. Small businesses also did.

2143: Link Roundup #10

0808: Article Discussion: U.S. citizen’s jailing in Myanmar drawin

0722: Conservative Youth Project FAIL

Science Fiction analogies are always tricky at best, but I’ve been re-reading Frank Herbert’s Dune books (along with the fill-in novels by his son Brian, and when I read this news out of China, I immediately thought of the Baron Valadimir Harkonnen who famously said: The spice must flow.

From Mizzima:

Chinese vice-president Xi Jinping”s visit to Burma over the weekend reaffirmed ties and resulted in the granting of exclusive rights to build and operate a controversial oil pipeline. The Chinese leader was also given assurances that stability would be maintained on the border. However, relations between Beijing and Naypyidaw have not always been so cordial over the past year.

The visit to Burma was part of a four nation tour that also included Cambodia, South Korea and Japan. The significance of Xi”s role in the weekend visit was seen by analysts as diplomatically introducing the probably future Chinese president to Burma”s leaders. It may also have been a show of support for the generals after several months of strained relations between the two countries.

Xi Jinping is widely believed to be the frontrunner to succeed current president Hu Jintao in 2012. Xi is currently the highest ranking member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China and ranked sixth in the Politburo”s Standing Committee. Although Xi was not selected as vice-chairman of the important Central Military Commission in September, he is still believed to be in a strong position.

The most significant outcome of the meeting was Xi”s overseeing the signing of an agreement granting exclusive rights to the China National Petroleum Corporation to build and operate a crude oil pipeline. The 2,000 kilometer pipeline will extend from Burma”s western coast across much of the length of the country to China”s southwest Yunnan province and on to Chongqing. The pipeline operation will be run by CNPC-controlled South-East Asia Crude Oil Pipeline Ltd. which also received tax concessions and customs clearance rights to bring in construction materials as part of the deal.

The real reason for the visit, of course, was the oil.

Burmese officials gave assurances to Xi that the junta would maintain security along the 771 kilometers of the pipeline that run through Burma. This is a contentious issue among human rights organizations which allege that the military”s efforts to secure the area will result in large-scale human rights abuses.

The spice oil must flow!

Roldo Bartimole writes:

It seems to be the time for looking back. Sometimes when you look back you are really looking at the present and future. Here was my “Saying Goodbye” swan song in December 2000. It was the final issue of a newsletter I wrote for more than 32 years.

In re-reading it, I found that much of it stands up as we enter a new decade. It will also, I think, remind us of what is happening today. Same institutions. Same motives. Same intentions.

Things don”t change as much as they may seem to change. However, we have come a way and conditions for many have advanced. We just need to do more to bring more along.

Here it is: Continue Reading »

Yes, I know that many of these TED For The Holiday videos are repeats here at Have Coffee Will Write. But I’m including them for two reasons: first, they’re part of TED’s For The Holidays series and well worth watching again, and second, TED has made them all available via audio download to put on your laptop, mp3 player or phone for you — to keep at-the-ready on your laptop or iPhone for those times when the only other options are mass market paperbacks.

The myth of authenticity, however, has got to go…

I could never bring myself to forward all the email jokes, cartoons and other Internet comedy that land in my inbox. But then I started posting the ones my dad sends me. Judging from my comments and emails, my dad has become one of my greatest blogging assets. So for your morning blog chuckle I present: From My Dad.

It started at Christmas in 2004, when Bennett and Vivian Levin were overwhelmed by sadness while listening to radio reports of injured American troops. “We have to let them know we care,” Vivian told Bennett. So they organized a trip to bring soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital to the annual Army-Navy football game in Philly, on Dec. 3, 2005.

The cool part is, they created their own train line to do it. Yes, there are people in this country who actually own real trains. Bennett Levin – native Philly guy, self-made millionaire and irascible former L&I commish – is one of them.

He has three luxury rail cars. Think mahogany paneling, plush seating and white-linen dining areas. He also has two locomotives, which he stores at his Juniata Park train yard. One car, the elegant Pennsylvania, carried John F. Kennedy to the Army-Navy game in 1961 and ’62. Later, it carried his brother Bobby’s body Continue Reading »

Found in my electronic chapbook.

[H]e”s in the market for twelve or fifteen stories annually, and how many fiction submissions per year do you suppose he receives? Four thousand. p. 59

From Telling Lies for Fun and Profit: A Manual for Fiction Writers by Lawrence Block.

Inmates die in American prisons. They die from fights. They die from disease. They die from old age. They don’t, however, die from medical neglect as was the case with Tin Tin Htwe who died on 23 December in Myanmar’s Insein Prison from a burst aneurism, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners:

[Tin Tin] was arrested on 26 September 2007 with 14 other political activists because of their involvement in the 2007 Saffron Revolution and initially they were released with bail. However, on 24 November 2007, they were sentenced under sections 332 (hindering a public servant from carrying out their duty) and 294 (covering obscene acts and songs in public) to three years and three months with hard labor.

She is not, of course, the only political prisoner to die in the State Peace and Development Council’s prisons.

In 2009, there have been three political prisoner deaths. Salai Hla Moe, Saw Char Late and Tin Tin Htwe, died in prison without getting proper medical health care.

According AAPP”s documentation, there are 143 political prisoners who have died in prison since 1988.

From OpEdNews:

Present sorrowful affairs in Burma re-confirm that the military junta is making a determined march along the anti-democracy course. For instance, the junta continues to detain and incarcerate more than 2,200 political prisoners. They include Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi who has been confined to her residence for 14 of the last 20 years. Su Su Nway, recipient of the 2006 Humphrey Freedom Award from the Canada-based group, Rights and Democracy, is lodged in the notorious Insein Jail since November 2007. This is her second jail stint since 2005.

Leaders of the ’88 Generation Students such as Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Jimmy (aka) Kyaw Min Yu, Htay Kywe, Hla Myo Naung, Mee Mee and Nilar Thein are sentenced to 65 years. Ethnic Shan political leader Hkun Htun Oo and a prominent comedian Zarganar are also still in prison despite medical complications.

In fact, there are many more political prisoners who are seriously sick; they receive just rudimentary health care. Most political detainees are intentionally transferred to remote prisons where health-care is in a state of desolation. Most prisoners of conscience have to face terrible torture as a matter of routine daily. The International Committee of the Red Cross has been denied free access to prisons since December 2005.

I seriously doubt that news of Tin Tin’s death will appear in any American newspaper and I would be amazed if any radio or television broadcast uses her name. This is the power of the Internet and why I continue to do what I do here. If one person stops to read and reflect on the world we create daily, then we take a step forward.

Yes, I know that many of these TED For The Holiday videos are repeats here at Have Coffee Will Write. But I’m including them for two reasons: first, they’re part of TED’s For The Holidays series and well worth watching again, and second, TED has made them all available via audio download to put on your laptop, mp3 player or phone for you — to keep at-the-ready on your laptop or iPhone for those times when the only other options are mass market paperbacks.

Senator George Voinovich just can’t win…

…because there was no year zero, but that’s not stopping everyone, including NPR, from compiling their lists for the best of the Oughties. From Salon comes its Top 10 Viral Videos of the Almost Decade.

I could never bring myself to forward all the email jokes, cartoons and other Internet comedy that land in my inbox. But then I started posting the ones my dad sends me. Judging from my comments and emails, my dad has become one of my greatest blogging assets. So for your morning blog chuckle I present: From My Dad.

The U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides), as a combat vessel, carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea. She carried no evaporators (i.e. fresh water distillers!).

However, let it be noted that according to her ship’s log, “On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot, 11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of rum.”

Her mission: “To destroy and harass English shipping.”

Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of flour and 68,300 gallons of rum.

Then she headed f or the Azores, arriving there 12 November. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine.

On 18 November, she set sail for England. In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war and captured and scuttled 12 English merchant ships, salvaging only the rum aboard each..

By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, although unarmed she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Her landing party captured a whisky distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of single malt Scotch aboard by dawn. Then she headed home.

The U.S.S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February, 1799, with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum, no wine, no whisky, and 38,600 gallons of water.

Go Navy!

A brief aside, my ship, the USS Bainbridge, CGN-25, was named after Commodore William Bainbridge — our nickname for the ship was the Billy B — who was the captain of the Constitution during the War of 1812.

Found in my electronic chapbook.

All it means is that a particular editor didn”t want to buy a particular story on a particular day. p. 59

From Telling Lies for Fun and Profit: A Manual for Fiction Writers by Lawrence Block.

While I’m out of town visiting family, I thought everyone might benefit seeing a bit of what the is appearing on television in Myanmar. Frankly, I’m surprised that the State Peace and Development Council (aka, Myanmar’s military doctors) went for this, but even the most evil of people must have some corner of compassion, right?

From Bernama:

A documentary film of the international Music Television has been introduced in Myanmar, to raise the awareness about human trafficking in Asia and the Pacific, China’s Xinhua news agency reported, citing the official newspaper New Light of Myanmar as saying on Tuesday.

The 30-minute film, made by the MTV End Exploitation and Trafficking campaign and supported by the United States Agency for International Development, will soon be broadcast in such Myanmar television channels as MRTV, MWD and MRTV-4.

Here’s Part III…

The film is narrated in 12 different languages by Lucy Lieu of Hollywood, Rain of South Korea, Ta Ta Yang of Thailand, Karen Mok of China, Lara Dutta of Bollywood and Myanmar vocalist Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein.

The film would raise the awareness of Myanmar women in human trafficking and produce a good outcome for Myanmar youths, said the Myanmar vocalist.

Roldo Bartimole writes:

You may have noticed that the Plain Dealer gave cover to its favorite Senator, George Voinovich, on the health care bill. Of course, Voinovich – who has spent more than 40 years on a government health plan – voted NO on a bill that could help more than 1.3 million Ohioans.

No pressure from the PD, however, to care about the 1.3 million. Voinovich remained with his Republican NO Party on this bill. He played obstructionist with his 38 other buddies.

More than 1.3 million Ohioans have no health insurance. George Voinovich always has health insurance. We pay for his family”s care. We have for 40 plus years as he went from public office to public office. Never had to worry about getting sick.

The PD story allowed Voinovich to play the “responsible” politician as usual, reporting about his concern for jobs. Not about his lack of concern for the 1.3 million.

But what could you expect from someone who called President Barack Obama a “Socialist.” Talk about absurd.

The story on Page One the other day noted Voinovich”s complaint that the health bill would hurt one of his favorite corporations, Invacare. And, of course, his favorite corporate leaders – Mal Mixon, Invacare”s boss. Mixon is a leading corporate official here.

The costs, they both said, would force Mixon and Invacare to ship Ohio jobs to China and Mexico. This from a guy and a company that makes much of its money from Medicare, Medicaid and the Veteran”s Administration for its medical devices and products. In other words from American taxpayers.

Of course, Mixon and Invacare are helpful to Voinovich. He”s their favorite. In 2008 Mixon gave Voinovich $4,700 and Invacare”s political action committee added $3,500. His wife, Barbara, gave Voinovich $6,000. It wasn”t an election year for Voinovich and he isn”t running again in 2011. But money is always nice to have.

Mixon also co-hosted a fund-raising party for Voinovich in 2007 with attendees paying $1,000 to $2,300 for the opportunity to be with Voinovich. Guess most readers couldn”t afford it. Wonder who could?

Mixon is also generous to well-placed Democrats. In total, he made $78,500 in donations in 2008. When so much business comes from the government and its regulations can you blame him? The investment comes back in piles and piles.

Mixon, of course, laid it on about the job losses he”d have to make for the PD article. Neither Mixon nor Voinovich mentioned the 1.3 million people (and growing) without health care.

You can always bet that Voinovich will get the benefit of any doubt in the Plain Dealer. Always has. Always will.

Luckiest politician I”ve ever observed.