Paolo Submits to Apple

DISCLAIMER: I am a happy owner of an iPod.

As my co-workers and bosses partied in San Francisco last week at MacWorld, I sat in my cubicle, listening to my iPod and reading the following article on my PC: "The Media's Crush on Apple." And if you think about it, the headline is true. Apple is the apple of the media's eye.

I swear to God the NYTimes wrote a half dozen articles previewing and reviewing the Nano. Jobs is on the cover of nearly every major newspaper and magazine everytime a new version of iPod is released. Sure, Bill Gates received big coverage for the release of the new Xbox360, but the last Xbox was released six years ago. Apple is releasing a new iPod every six months.

My question is: What happened to the computers? Mac computers are at least as capable as any PC, but who's buying them? The only places where I see Macs are in graphic design departments, Gramp's office and K-12 classrooms.

Which leads to my next question: Why are schools so prone to using Macs? I know schools are saving dollars, but if they want to prepare students, they ought put them in front of a PC because few offices use Macs. I am the case-in-point, working on my PC and listening to my iPod.

The Apple stock has soared, but investors should be worried about a such a large corporation hanging onto a single product, especially when cheaper, flashier MP3 players are coming after the market share. Or maybe they can rest because the media is too in love with Apple to consider any other suitors.

Sam Alito Juggles Balls

Sam Alito knows how to juggle. Seriously, the man can juggle balls, and he's proving his ability to tediously juggle loose answers around Democrats' tough questions. He's a classic Supreme Court justice nominee.

The man will be confirmed, in my opinion, but not without his fair share of opposition-party hazing. Democrats are citing two big issues during Alito's third-day of confirmation hearings.

First, they are not stoked about Alito's stance on abortion. Whereas John Roberts called Roe v. Wade the "settled law of the land," Alito is open to reviewing the case, stating, "I would approach the question with an open mind and I would listen to the arguments that were made." While most Democrats want to see the Roe v. Wade upheld, they should be more realistic. Any W.-appointed nominee will be open to at least reviewing the case, and any decent judge should be open to reviewing cases, if new, substantial evidence can be presented. Women and minorities would have fewer rights today if the Supreme Court didn't review cases regularly.

Second, Alito drew conflict-of-interest accusations three years ago after he upheld a lower court's dismissal of a lawsuit against the Vanguard Group. Alito had hundreds of thousands of dollars invested with the mutual fund company at the time. Conflicts of interests are about as severe a crime as jaywalking in D.C. for politicians, but Supreme Court justices should be held to a higher standard.

I hope to hear your opinions about Alito. I'll cook up some more fresh commentary as the confirmation hearings continue.

Battery Recharge

My comrades,

I've posted a new photo album, which includes pictures from the last couple of weeks.

I'm taking a short vacation from blogging. I'm too overwhelmed by life right now, and need to refocus my energies. As you know, I'm a big fan of quotes. Thus, I'll leave you with a favorite:

"To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others." - Anne-Sophie Swetchine

Regards,
Paolo

Bin Laden's Niece Poses for GQ

"It Isn't Easy Being the Sexy Bin Laden" - That's the title of a January 2006 "GQ" pictorial. Osama bin Laden's niece, Wafah Dufour, will be posing for the magazine. Dufour took her mother's last name after 9/11.

I'm really not sure what to think of this. It's not a national security issue, but it seems distasteful. "GQ" will attract major attention, but it's also begging for boycotts, likely to be led by a Bill O'Reilly-esque figure.

Dufour said about the pictorial:

"I was born in the States and I want people to know I'm American, and I want people here to understand that I'm like anyone in New York. For me, it's home."

I would argue that not everyone in New York has an uncle that organized the most significant terrorism attack against the U.S., but I could be wrong.

All I Want for Christmas is the Patriot Act

I've been meaning to blog about this whole domestic spying/Patriot Act renewal fiasco, but I've had trouble keeping up with the story between Christmas shopping and opening presents. There's a lot to it, but through the fog of political spin, the story is becoming more clear. The Miami Herald put together a fairly simple, comprehensive report about the domestic spying policies that are in question. Basically, W. authorized the implementation of a (formerly) top-secret program to track telephone conversations and e-mails from this country to suspected terrorists overseas.

Opponents say the domestic surveillance threatens the civil liberties that W. strives to defend. Adding fuel to the fire, U.S. District Judge James Robertson announced his resignation from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which oversees government applications for secret surveillance, citing concern that the surveillance program that Bush authorized was legally questionable. (The 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act made it illegal to spy on U.S. citizens in the United States without getting a court order.)

In response to criticism, W. said, "I've reauthorized this program more than 30 times since the September the 11th attacks, and I intend to do so for so long as the nation faces the continuing threat of an enemy that wants to kill our American citizens." And add a point to his scorecard for gaining Colin Powell's endorsement of the program yesterday.

W's actions really shouldn't suprise anyone. W. has always held the preservation of American power before protecting American freedoms. Can you say, "Patriot Act?" W. can:

"The Patriot Act is essential to protecting the American people against the terrorists. The Act tore down the wall between law enforcement and intelligence officials so that they can share information and work together to help prevent attacks. ... The Patriot Act has helped us disrupt terrorist plots and break up cells here in the United States. I will work closely with the House and Senate to make sure that we are not without this crucial law for even a day."

The Patriot Act is also the most highly criticized piece of legislation ever enforced. Eloquently described by the Washington Post, "The Patriot Act, approved after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, made it easier for the FBI to conduct secret searches, monitor telephone calls and e-mails, and obtain bank records and other personal documents in connection with terrorism investigations." It also supports W.'s ability to authorize controversial anti-terrorism programs, like domestic spying.

The Patriot Act is scheduled to expire Dec. 31. So, W. wrote Santa and asked him for a renewal of the Patriot Act for Christmas. And while it didn't come in a wrapped box, W. got a six-month extention of the act, so that Congress can resume efforts next year to rewrite it for the longer term. It's truly a Christmas miracle.