Fuck!

[Box Burner]

FUCK!

I have just found THE MOST STUPID NEWS "HEADLINE" EVER!!!!!!!

Wait, that wasn't enough exclaimation points ... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And please remember, this is the Associated Press. Okay folks, are you ready for this? (hey, Dutch, can I get a drumroll?)





Farmers use bull semen to inseminate cows

Well hoooooolyyyyyyyyyyy cra-yap! I guess they tried fluffy bunny semen first and then tried guppy semen ... then maybe a researcher tried his own, 'cause it's research, right? Then failing to find a male cow, they settled on a bull because that was the closest creature they could find and IT WORKED! YOU CAN INSEMINATE *COWS* USING *BULL SEMEN* !!!!!

Who knew?

That is fucking hilarious. I am at work and I cannot fucking stop laughing.

[Kinetic IV]

Oh fucking cute. Right off the bat they add antibiotics to the mix. Let me guess, those aftificially inseminated cows are then given more fucking Monsanto antibiotics and bvgh and then the milk is sold as "organic"?

Getting past the rant what the fuck were the AP editors doing to allow a headline like that over the wire? And then they wonder why newspapers are struggling these days?

[geekster]

"Getting past the rant what the fuck were the AP editors doing to allow a headline like that over the wire? And then they wonder why newspapers are struggling these days?"

The entire FUCKing journalism trade is going straight into the toilet. They have nobody with real world experiance in the subjects on which they report and pretty much all the editors and publishers are from the same social circles. There is no diversity of life experiance or of world view and most of the time they have no damned clue what they are writing about. Oh, and they are getting lazy. Very lazy. They would rather simply copy the talking points put out in the press packet. They don't know the subject they are covering so they can't ask an intelligent question so rather than look like an idiot, they act like one and just publish what they have been spoon-fed.

That headline was probably some summer intern. Who is probably on his way back to The Hamptons or Martha's Vinyard or Malibu to be with their friends by now after being fired this afternoon.

Having said all of that, there are still a few journalists out there who know what they cover but there are getting to be fewer of them as they retire or flee the industry. The "correct" spin is becoming more important than accuracy.

[cowboyangel]

wow geeky I can agree with you on that one.

[geekster]

Give you a FUCKing example:

If you want to find someone who will be a great investigative reporter, chances are you can find someone with a background as a detective who loves to write and does it well. That person would probably make a much better investigative reporter than someone from a liberal arts school who decides to major in "journalism" and then becomes infatuated with investigative journalism but has no clue in the basics of doing an investigation.

In the "old days" not as many of the good journalists had "journalism degrees". They knew their field and they loved to write and they had a natural talent for it. But most of all, they knew what they were talking about.

Regardless of political view, a reporter covering national defense would be better served to have some military background or have grown up a military brat. They would know the difference between an air raid and an air assault. Air assault isn't done with an airplane. It is done with troops loaded in helicopters. I saw an article on CNN today describing an IAF "air assault" on Beirut this morning that caused me to start until I read further and realized the writer was describing an air raid. Terminology is very important and if your reader isn't familiar with the terminology you explain it as I did above and continue with your story. But in this case it was obvious that someone writing about a military operation had absolutely no clue about military operations so their writing came across as sophamoric. The journalist and therefore the publication gets more respect if they are accurate and come across as knowing what they are talking about.

These days the only thing that is obvious is that someone could afford tuition for a journalism degree.

[Kinetic IV]

Going off on a slight tangent...I'm NOT looking forward to Katie Couric taking over the CBS Nightly News. I have nothing against Katie....I think she's cute, smart, and has lots and lots of potential. I'm concerned that Les Moonves is going to use her to try out some grand experiment with the news that no matter how his spinmeisters package it, it's going to end up as News Lite, aka: fluff.

Continuing on the same tangent I am a Mark Cuban fan and I love the fact that he's giving Dan Rather a slot over on HD Net to do "HARD NEWS". I hated it when Jennings passed on and Brokaw retired, it's good to see one of the big three getting the opportunity to do what he truly loves to do...and we get the priviledge of going along for the ride.

Granted...Dan is a little weird...do a Wikipedia search on him and you'll understand. But quirks or no quirks...the way CBS ended his career there was wrong.

Getting back on track since I'm fucking ranting....one direction I do like where newspapers are going is the size of the broadsheet. I like the smaller sizes the KC Star and NY Post are going to...and that USA Today has used for years.

Anyway that's enough fucking ranting on the media from me...next?

[geekster]

It is all about "news" becoming "entertainment". It isn't a mirror of what is happening outside your view so you can become informed and draw your own conclusions, it is now more like making a movie. Can't trust what you are seeing.

What gave me a kick a couple of hours ago was reading the Lebanese blogs and seeing so many postings by major media outlets here in the US wanting interviews with the bloggers. Gene Weingarten of the Washington Post gave a commencement speech to graduating journalism students at the University of Maryland where he said ""the public appears more and more willing to receive its 'news' online from nincompoops ranting in their underpants." And what do I see but The Washington Post begging for interviews from bloggers.

The reason why the bloggers are getting so much reach these days is because often these people are professionals in the field they write about. They know what they are talking about. They educate the reader. Often the reader can directly interact and ask a question. In many cases they are people who love to write and do it well and aren't' all about ranting some political line or cussing someone out, they are describing some real world situation that they are in the middle of or have experiance with.

This short video hits the issue on the head. The good part starts almost halfway into it. Click the baby to start the video:

http://www.zefrank.com/theshow/archives ... 71406.html#

What blogs are doing is bringing back people who write for the fun of it, in addition to the nincompoops in their underpants.

Oh, and FUCK!

[Box Burner]

Some time during the late fucking 60s or early fucking 70s the big Three broadcasting companies noticed that adviertising agencies were not willing to spend much money for a spot during the news. So they issued an edict that the news must make money. Suddenly the news broadcasters found that they were to be in competition with Hawii fivo and the Smothers Brothers for advertising money. And if they could not compete it would mean their jobs. Walla!!! News Entertainment was born. So now instead of just being slanted, the news became wild and imaginative. (Or is that unimaginative?) And the whole thing is just a big three ring circus where the only seats available are high up in the nosebleed section, and what little news is there, is difficult to ascertain. Fuck!

[Box Burner]

Fuck!

Everytime I think I am going to get my fucking car back they tell me it isn't ready yet and it will cost another 250 fucking dollars.
Sigh...!

Fuck!

[cowboyangel]

2 fucking hot

[AntiM]

FUCK FUCK FUCK fucking UPS. They lost my fucking ticket and the only one who can trace it is the seller, which is alright, but FUCK! And it isn't even for me! FUCKING FUCKERS.

[pinemom]

FUck Anti M, that fucking sux!
BOX B what the fuck I thought it was a simple starter plate and assembly? what the fucks wrong with it now

[Zoom]

FUCK FUCK FUCKING FUCK FUCK
well when you think all could possibly not be fucked up enough sure enough here it fucking comes. fucking damn bitch of a boss i have. is fucking now questioning my leave. fucking assholes. i really like my fucking job. fuck well fuck it. I told Lorgasm i am still fucking coming. with or without my job on my fucking return. fucking assholes i put my absentee request fucking form in back the fuck in december. damn i am so fucking pissed. i really just want to get up from my fucking desk right the fuck now and walk the fuck out. they have no fucking respect for thier employees fucking communist mother-fuckers. oh fucking well i will see you all anyway. the stress and fucking anticipation just fucking putting a toll on my fucking heart lately. help me Lorgasm take me away.

[EspressoDude]

Whoa FUCK, zoom... Chill...There are always jobs,...I have always viewed those forms as a 'STATEMENT of absence" not a request to be "approved". YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE AT WORK ON THOSE DATES!!. Just remind them of money already spent, ticket, plane ticket.......etc. and if they want to be held legally liable for the cost of those items, and end with everyone pissed off, then tell them to go ahead and terminate you today......That way you get the rest of the summer off too.

[Kinetic IV]

FUCK FUCK FUCK fucking UPS. They lost my fucking ticket and the only one who can trace it is the seller, which is alright, but FUCK! And it isn't even for me! FUCKING FUCKERS.

This was one of my biggest worries when selling my tickets...would the shipping company fuck things up. Luckily the tickets made it to CA and FL without fuss.

And now after doing that there's a small window of opportunity for me to go this year...if I keep it short. Do I really want to spend $600 in gas and $250+ on a ticket (again I had 2 $185 tix I let go of) for 3 days in BRC? And burn ALL of my remaining vacation days in the process? Or would I be better off waiting until next year? Every fucking time I try and lock in a decision outside things come in and try to change it.

I guess I shouldn't be bitching, at least I've got the choice. Some people don't.

[nogganoodle]

well when you think all could possibly not be fucked up enough sure enough here it fucking comes. fucking damn bitch of a boss i have. is fucking now questioning my leave. fucking assholes. i really like my fucking job. fuck well fuck it. I told Lorgasm i am still fucking coming. with or without my job on my fucking return. fucking assholes i put my absentee request fucking form in back the fuck in december. damn i am so fucking pissed. i really just want to get up from my fucking desk right the fuck now and walk the fuck out. they have no fucking respect for thier employees fucking communist mother-fuckers. oh fucking well i will see you all anyway. the stress and fucking anticipation just fucking putting a toll on my fucking heart lately. help me Lorgasm take me away.

That fucking sucks Zoom, but I'm sure it will all get sorted out. Have faith

2 fucking hot

You're not fucking wrong CBA, but I live in Britain and it shouldn't get this fucking hot

[Kinetic IV]

Britain? Where the streets are physically melting and The Tube is almost too hot to ride? I'm glad I'm not there...but our midwest heat returns this week...I just hope it's not as hot as these other places are seeing.

[nogganoodle]

Yep, that will be the same Britain you are thinking of! We just weren't born to cope with this heat!

Oh yeah, FUCK

[AntiM]

Even Utah has seen record number of 100+ days. We're usually nice and cool up here in the northern half, but not this fucking week.

Oh, and the guy who sold me the ticket is already on the fucking tracer through fucking UPS; a step in the right fucking direction. All the useless crap I buy on fucking eBay never fucking gets lost.

fuck.

[geekster]

fucking damn bitch of a boss i have. is fucking now questioning my leave.

Is this earned vacation or "leave of absence"? If it isn't earned time off, you could be FUCKed but there is a bright side, the economy is good and nearly everyone is hiring.

[Lassen Forge]

Do I really want to spend $600 in gas and $250+ on a ticket (again I had 2 $185 tix I let go of) for 3 days in BRC? And burn ALL of my remaining vacation days in the process? Or would I be better off waiting until next year?

Fuck Yes.

Think of those who only get to spend 42 fucking HOURS out there this year. Would they instead choose to spend 72 out there? We would fucking think so.

There are also those of us who use *all* their accumulated CTO to go, *plus* use vacation days. Remember this - Leave credit accrues. The chance to stand in a dry lakebed, the opportunity to broil deliriously with other people similarly addled by the oppressive heat, the gift, nay, blessing, to taste the dry, hot, dusty wind that blows in from the southwest? To go without that for 1.9 years?

That is not just a fucking shame... it is, indeed, a fucking waste.

Get thee to the Playa!!

[Zoom]

Do I really want to spend $600 in gas and $250+ on a ticket (again I had 2 $185 tix I let go of) for 3 days in BRC? And burn ALL of my remaining vacation days in the process? Or would I be better off waiting until next year?

Fuck Yes.

Think of those who only get to spend 42 fucking HOURS out there this year. Would they instead choose to spend 72 out there? We would fucking think so.

There are also those of us who use *all* their accumulated CTO to go, *plus* use vacation days. Remember this - Leave credit accrues. The chance to stand in a dry lakebed, the opportunity to broil deliriously with other people similarly addled by the oppressive heat, the gift, nay, blessing, to taste the dry, hot, dusty wind that blows in from the southwest? To go without that for 1.9 years?

That is not just a fucking shame... it is, indeed, a fucking waste.

Get thee to the Playa!!

Fucking Amen

[Zoom]

fucking damn bitch of a boss i have. is fucking now questioning my leave.

Is this earned vacation or "leave of absence"? If it isn't earned time off, you could be FUCKed but there is a bright side, the economy is good and nearly everyone is hiring.

no this is actual fucking vacation time coming to my fucking ass.

[geekster]

Don't know about your state but you can't fire someone for taking earned vacation here, particularly when the request was submitted and approved well in advance. A lack of planning on their part doesn't constitute an emergency on your part. Earned vacation is considered part of your compensation. Your employer carries it on the books as a liability. Got an HR department? You have a valid gripe and your state labor board would probably back you all the way on it. I would call them and ask a couple of questions.

FUUUUCK.

[the fire elf]

Get thee to the Playa!!

Fucking Amen

fuck filial piety...and all the forms of social responsibility that come with it.

[Lassen Forge]

However (and this is the one that always worries me) depending on who you work for (this is true esp. in Civil Service) if there is an emergency or further, as determined by "business necessity", they can require you to postpone your vacation. And if you're in management, there are no rules, and you are totally fucked.

Even worse, for some of us, they can fucking cancel our leave and pull us back. It'd have to be one hell of an emergency, but we *have* had that done that to our people, and it's 100% legal. The 1989 earthquake in Oakland, or the '91 one in LA, or the firestorms or whatever are good examples of these.

Depends on what kind of fucked-up agreement you've signed with your employer.

Your options are, sure, you can resign. But when you have a retirement and pension on the line, with 20 years in with the company, you gonna fuck that off? Think not.

So far I've missed the bullet on these. But it always hangs over one's head.

[the fire elf]

Get thee to the Playa!!

Fucking Amen

fuck filial piety...and all the forms of social responsibility that come with it.

fuck getting thee to the playa...

what about giving thee to the playa?

fucking mindwaves conditioned to getting at the cost of giving

WTF?

[Zoom]

what is really fucked up here in florida, we have what they call a no fault state. you can get fired for wearing a red shirt if your boss did not like it. fuck i have fucking schedules to make out for the fucking production floor and i have schedules to make out for the fucking machine shop. must make fucking sure that all our friggin' machines are fucking lined up for assembly. fuck i hate being so fucking important here. for fucking example if Lorgasm and i want to take just a fucking day to spend together i catch all kinds of fucking shit. even though i had requested that fucking day off. just one fucking day. what the fuck

[Kinetic IV]

Somedays the karma gods are with you, othertimes they're fucking laughing while sending lighting bolts your way.

This morning it looked like I had a line up on a fucking ticket. Then I ran it by the ticket minions and without naming names or going into specifics they raised a red flag. So that's trying to tell me something.

I still have a month to go...and anything can happen in 30 days. I'll just ride it out and see what happens.

[PlayaPetal]

I wish I would fucking hear back about this job - I really fucking want it....fucking anxiety is killing me...