July 10, 2007

  • Coming To Odds And Ends

    Mixed bag of stuff.  Link-tastic!

    This is a follow-up to the whole "China Is Trying To Kill Us" thing.  Well, they're also killing their own people, and not just by accident or greed.  It's open season on corrupt ministry officials:  they have executed the Chinese version of the FDA head for accepting bribes to approve untested medicine.  Original article that Wonkette linked to is here.  Dude, that's harsh.  It's, like, the other end of the spectrum from, say, George Tenet getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  It's such a perfect looking-glass reflection that it should have a goatee.

    This is for Mr Fresh, occasional visitor to the iRant:  Nate Berkus' freakishly beautiful gaze.

    More freakishly beautiful eyes, the new, fuzzy Daniel Radcliffe. Boy is growing up fine.  I admit, I raised an eyebrow in his bathtub scene in Crotches of Fire.  Um, Goblet.  Goblet.

    Pope to World:  "Other" Christians Not True Churches.
    Jews to Pope:  Your point, you brownshirt heretic?

    Also, Barbie of Willendorf. (Andrew Sullivan pointed me to it.  Here comes lunch!)

    In other news, my furniture, now a month overdue with a succession of four slipped dates of delivery, finally, really, truly, will be here tomorrow.  I hope.

Comments (2)

  • I was taken aback by the Chinese leadership's reaction myself, though hardly surprised.

    It won't solve their basic problems though, it's more of a cerimonial killing for show. Almost every level of transaction in China requires an unofficial payment of some sort just to do business. From getting your food at a restaurant, to seeing a doctor, to obtaining a building permit, to signing a multinational business contract. Call it a tip, call it a bribe.

    The more generous you are, the less accountable you are. Like the obnoxious business men I used to wait on. They could set the table on fire for all I cared, because I knew their tip was going to be bigger than the total of everyone else in my section combined. Without more transparency in China's business practices and constant testing of their products on the part of buyers they'll be back to business as usual in six months.

  • Ohh.... Nate!  Yum!!!  I have to admit that I bought his book over a year ago, but haven't done any decorating yet.  (Me bad!)  I need to write Oprah and request her to have him come decorate my apartment...  Sorry, need a moment.....   OK, I'm back.  ;)

    And that Daniel is growing up well isn't he!?!?!

    Cheers!

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