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38 posts from October 2008

October 29, 2008

Gas Prices in the UK, By Comparison

Per the Times Online:

The average price of unleaded petrol on BP forecourts yesterday stood at 99.5p a litre. The industry average is 95.8p.

Math+Google tells me that 99.5p/liter is $6.04 per gallon, a reminder that as much as we might dislike gas prices that are higher than we’re used to, we’ve still had it very easy in the US.  And of course, gas in Houston is down to $1.95 this morning.

Meanwhile, what’s a forecourt?  Do our gas stations have those?  Perhaps forecourts are pricey, and that’s why BP’s gas is so expensive.  I propose a move to cheaper, forecourt-free fueling stations would do the British a world of good.

October 27, 2008

Gas Prices in Houston

below $2 a gallon.  Ditto Tennessee (via Professor Reynolds.)

New Endorsement for McCain

This is pretty hilarious:

John McCain isn’t boasting about a new endorsement, one of the very, very few he has received from overseas. It came a few days ago:

“Al Qaeda will have to support McCain in the coming election,” read a commentary on a password-protected Islamist Web site that is closely linked to Al Qaeda and often disseminates the group’s propaganda.

Wow.

...the endorsement of Mr. McCain by a Qaeda-affiliated Web site isn’t a surprise to security specialists. Richard Clarke, the former White House counterterrorism director, and Joseph Nye, the former chairman of the National Intelligence Council, have both suggested that Al Qaeda prefers Mr. McCain and might even try to use terror attacks in the coming days to tip the election to him.

I'm not exactly sure what kind of terror attack would work for Obama.  Clearly, if they do try something like this, or even consider it, the terrorists do not understand US politics.

“From their perspective, a continuation of Bush policies is best for recruiting,” said Professor Nye, adding that Mr. McCain is far more likely to continue those policies.

An American president who keeps troops in Iraq indefinitely, fulminates about Islamic terrorism, inclines toward military solutions and antagonizes other nations is an excellent recruiting tool. In contrast, an African-American president with a Muslim grandfather and a penchant for building bridges rather than blowing them up would give Al Qaeda recruiters fits.

The piece goes on to describe the situation in Somalia, one, of which, I was previously unaware.  Something about Somalia trying to end their civil war, and the US greenlighting Ethiopia to invade, so that "islamofascists" didn't take over the country.  Fun stuff.

Rant About Superstition

I'm staying in a very new hotel in New York City, which opened about a month ago. Brand new construction. Very nice. And no 13th floor. Apparently, New Yorkers are still superstitious. They still believe that a 13th floor is bad luck. I don't know whether to be angry at such medieval thinking, or simply laugh at these New York idiots.

What makes me even more incredulous, is that they are clearly not actually scared of the "thirteeness" of the floor. It's still the 13th floor, even if you call it the "14th" floor. If the 13th floor is unlucky, you should build it and leave it unoccupied, empty. That's clearly the safest course of action. What they're really saying is that they're afraid of the numeral 13. Those two digits, in conjunction, bring about bad luck. Change the number on that button of the elevator, and then you're all set. Fate averted.

Fools.

October 26, 2008

links for 2008-10-26

Ratings Slater's Own Worst Enemy?

TV Squad:

My Own Worst Enemy, the new Christian Slater spy series that I'm really enjoying, continues to drop in the ratings. The premiere episode did only so-so, and this week's second episode saw a drop of 22%.

It’ll be too bad if this show doesn’t make it.  While I’m not convinced the show’s central premise makes any sense—why put your best agent in a position where even he doesnt’ know who he is, again?—I too enjoy how it’s played out.  Meanwhile the steaming pile that is the new Knight Rider gets a full season order?  Wow.

links for 2008-10-25

October 25, 2008

Kevin Rose at Samovar Tea Lounge

in San Francisco via Qik.  Check out the tea he’s drinking: there’s 8 kilograms of it in all the world. 

Now I want to check this place out.

links for 2008-10-24

October 23, 2008

Divergence

The Corner:

Reuters: Obama lead on McCain grows to 12 points

—Zogby said McCain, 72, appeared to have lost the traction he won after the third and final presidential debate last week.

AP: AP presidential poll: Race tightens in final weeks

—The presidential race tightened after the final debate, with John McCain gaining

Kathryn Jean Lopez: “You figure someone has got to be wrong here “  Pretty much.  Of course, I know who I’d like to be right…

UPDATE: Meanwhile, in related news:  Zogby Poll: John Zogby Coolest Dude In America

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