It's time for a new blidget

What's a "blidget"? It's a widget to syndicate a blog. Huh?

Basically, if you've got a blog, and you'd like to allow other web sites, blogs, profiles (MySpace, FaceBook, etc.) to embed your blog, a blog widget is an easy way to do it. Using the tools found at widgetbox.com, creating the initial widget was very quick and easy. Creating a Facebook application out of the initial widget was a little more complex and time consuming, but the instructions offered by widgetbox got me through that as well.

Here's what my two main blogs look like when widgetized:

(Note: If you'd like to use either of these blog widgets on your page, just click the "Get Widget" button at the bottom of each one.)

I've also just started a new blog specifically for my video making over at kenrgpresents.com, but I haven't widgetized that yet.

Carnival of the Decline of Democracy - Edition 2.24

Welcome to the Carnival of the Decline of Democracy, Edition 2.24 - Blogging 'till the secret police take us away.

Starting us off this week is Rickey Henderson, who dares to suggest that the pablum fed us by the media may play a role in our current political problems in This Week in Media Malfeasance... posted at Riding with Rickey.

Ian Welsh writes that the extent to which "a State controls violence and law within its territory is the most basic of all tests of power." He puts that test to work in New Jersey and Iraq in New Jersey: when gang rule trumps state power posted at The Agonist.

Judy Aron wonders what you think your right to vote is worth in Trade You My Vote For An iPod Touch posted at Consent Of The Governed.

John suggest that the abuse of power since 9/11 extends to all sectors of our society in Flying the not so friendly skies posted at hell's handmaiden.

Madeleine Begun Kane uses haiku to compare the threat of a nuclear Iran against another potential problem area in First Pakistan And Then? posted at Mad Kane's Humor Blog.

Ian Welsh provides the most frightening bit of information that most people would rather ignore in Cell phones are essentially spies in your pocket. And now cops don't need a warrant to use them. posted at The Agonist.

As always, I'll be back in two weeks (December 10) with the next edition of the Carnival of the Decline of Democracy - Submit Your Posts Here. More information on future carnivals can be found on our carnival home page.

A Thanksgiving Video

This is just a quick video with some of my thoughts as we go into the Thanksgiving holiday weekend here in the U.S.



Politics aside, I wish all my readers/viewers a happy and healthy holiday. Enjoy the feasts, and the games, and the shopping, but don't forget to think about the serious aspects as well.

Carnival of the Decline of Democracy - Edition 2.23

Welcome to the Carnival of the Decline of Democracy, Edition 2.23 - Blogging 'till the secret police take us away.

Starting us off this week of Veteran's Day is Ian Welsh, who points out the dangers of a professionalized army in which only a few serve, in Democracy And the Mobilization Society posted at The Agonist.

Charles H. Green looks at the de-humanizing (and expensive) effect of treating everybody with equal distrust in Terrorists and Convenience Stores: When Social Trust is Threatened posted at Trust Matters.

Does the FBI have a file on you (yet)? Judy Aron tells you how to find out in Get Your FBI File posted at Consent Of The Governed.

Holly Ord questions how a nation that prides itself on democracy and equality can allow millions to go without health care in America: The Country That Kills It’s Citizens posted at Menstrual Poetry.

In the satire department, Daveman presents Invasion of Iceland Imminent posted at BushFriedRice.

Finally, Jon Swift waxes eloquently about the 'right to be who you are not' in Pseudonym-Americans Fight Back posted at Jon Swift.

I'll be back in two weeks (November 26) with the next edition of the Carnival of the Decline of Democracy - Submit Your Posts Here. More information on future carnivals can be found on our carnival home page.

Poetic SPAM

From my junk email today:

I've heard a lot about you
A friend should bear a friend's infirmities, But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
I have a rendezvous with Death at some disputed barricade.
When you step onto that field, you cannot concede a thing.

It's a heck of a poem, borrowing from such divergent sources as William Shakespeare and Gayle Sayers, and sent under the subject of "Marriage is the only adventure open to the cowardly."

News Flash! Congress Still Has Power!

For the first time since G.W. Bush assumed the presidency (actually, for the first time since 1998), Congress has actually voted to over-ride a Presidential veto!

It wasn't anything dramatic, like ending a needless and illegal war, or providing health care to un-insured children, but it's a significant step never-the-less. The bill was the $23 billion water resources bill that Bush claimed was "filled with unnecessary projects."

"Unnecessary projects" like restoration efforts for a few communities that have been hit by hurricanes and building dams and sewage treatment facilities. You know, nothing that we need or rely on or anything.

Considering it's now been a full year since the public showed their dissatisfaction with the Bush administration by electing a new, Democratic controlled, Congress, it's about time they stood up to the President and did the right thing, despite his protests.

Has democracy returned to the land? Can we expect Congress to move on other issues where the public and the president are at odds?

Don't hold your breath. Unless you can figure out how to put $23 billion of local construction contracts into a bill to end the war, you'll never get enough Reps and Senators to sign on.