SafariMari.vox.com

“Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

Who said it? See if you can guess who said it, or click to find out.

Oh, by the way, here's the newest chic color coding system to protect us from terrorism.
But seriously folks, today was a yellow alert for the country, and orange for people flying. 

*Looking for a bar graph or chart that shows that we've basically been on 'elevated' or 'high' alert, ad nauseum, since this rainbow was enacted.  Can't find it as of this moment--please, Reader, send me a link if ever it is found or made.

If the suspense is killing you about who said it, and/or you're really annoyed at me for leaving it out, it was Hermann Goering, the Nazi.

I had seen the nokillnow page before, but didn't dig too deeply as I doubted the authenticity.  After reviewing this link, and some of the accompanying news articles, I won't be able to support them anymore or until they completely change.  How awful.

TMZ is tabloid to the maxx!  It's seen on late night tv in my locality.  They show videos and photos, often with the papparazzi trying to ask questions or offer opinions to whatever celebrity.  In our household, we're in a phase of watching ~5 hours of tv per week.  It's usually some nighttime watching and left on in the background of 'net surfing or Jay doing artwork. 

It's usually just "mindless entertainment".  Almost any American knows something or other about so-and-so's life.  It's like how total strangers can chat about sports together.  Since I don't give a d*mn about sports, and really like discussing taboo topics like religion & politics, even with complete strangers, I allow myself to watch TMZ and learn something about Paris Hilton, or MJ.

Last week, though, I was prompted to comment on their website when they showed some video of a celebrity who was going grocery shopping; driving up in her Prius, and carrying in a cloth bag.  The voiceover was smarmy and mocking. 

In case you're wondering, I also sent my comment directly to their comment webform; we'll see what, if any, response is sent.

Mrs. Clinton has eroded the ground upon which she stands. The condescension and derisive attacks against Sen. Obama and his supporters (myself included) lead me to say that if presented with the spectre of voting for her or McCain, I would choose to write in. The Democratic Party will lose for the long-run.
[At this writing, I am not sure what the write-in requirements are for my state and whether a written-in vote would even officially be counted, but that would be my choice.]

Concede. Throw your support behind the momentum and retain some viability as a political figure.

Thank you for the reply to my letter concerning my husband's and my recent meal at Applebee's. 

I would like to better explain that we eat out 4-6 times per week.  We like variety, like many other consumers.  Applebee's has 2 locations that are convenient to us.  One location we enjoy visiting because there is an excellent server there and the atmosphere is friendly.  The other is closer to our house, and we have eaten there 2-3 times before because of its location and relatively-late hours.

On the recent visit, the menu had changed.  The vegetarian pizza was not available.  As a consumer, I want choice.  The choices you presented in your email might have been available if we had thought to bring the matter to the attention of a manager.  FYI: I don't like the idea of paying the higher cost for an entree that would normally have meat.  Think of it as an added bonus of being vegetarian--you get to save money on a regular basis and splurge on nice things.

Well, because I was not in the mood for mozzarella sticks (which are available in every other establishment in town), I asked our waiter what he could recommend.  I have worked in restaurants and know how important the waiter is as the first representative of business.  I know that they have an understanding of what the kitchen might be able to make--or they can go ask.  I asked our waiter if they kitchen might be able to prepare a burrito (using the ingredients that are stocked and used for other items on the menu).  He didn't think so but went to the back to ask.  Understand, I have no issue with our waiter.

What he suggested were the nachos, a salad without meat, and quesadillas.  We shrugged at those unoriginal offerings and asked about the vegetarian pizza.  He inquired of another waiter (maybe dining room mgr?) who said the veg'n pizza was not available.

We made do; we did not get up and leave.  We ordered the nachos (with beans instead of ground meat), and quesadillas (with mushrooms requested inside).  These items were good because the kitchen had made them good.

My letter to Guest Relations was to suggest that the menu be designed with more vegetarian options that all Applebee kitchens and staff are made aware of.  And the reason I would go out of my way to suggest such a thing is for your benefit as well as mine, because plant-based food (using plant foods as the predominant ingredients) are better for the environment, and for one's health.  Check it out if you don't believe me--I've been vegetarian for so long, I had stopped checking the scientific community's opinion.  Now, even the American Dietetic Association supports it as a viable diet.  See for yourself. 1

To reiterate, it would be to your benefit as well as mine, to prepare a menu that offers "an overall healthy, well-balanced approach to dining."

Sincerely,
Mrs. Mari Vega

1. American Dietetic Association (2003, June).  Vegetarian Diets.  ADA Reports, Vol. 103, No. 6.  Abstract retrieved 17 Mar 2008 from ADA website www.eatright.org

I'm a new Wamu customer, and have been meaning to send them a letter (hardcopy to HQ) to let them know it's ridiculous to ask this.  As it is written in their Terms of Service:

"By using the Site, you agree that all access and use of the Site and its contents are at your own risk. You acknowledge that we specifically disclaim any liability (whether based in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise) for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising out of, or in any way connected with, your access to or use of the Site (even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damage). This includes liability associated with any viruses that may infect a user's computer equipment." 1

It's probably just in need of a rewrite, right?

Interesting to note that the Wamu Investments Terms of Use has same or similar wording but this passage is in bold.  As it is written:

"By using the Site, you acknowledge that we specifically disclaim any liability (whether based in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise) for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of the Site, (even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages) including liability associated with any viruses which may infect a user's computer equipment." 2

The problem, as I see it, is that it asks for a Get Out of Jail Free card, right off the bat, even if they knew that I might be jeopardized by their inaction I'm supposed to agree to not hold them accountable.  How crazy!  The thing is, many people probably never read such contracts.  Caveat emptor -- Buyer beware.

Another thing this will prompt me to share is that I have the benefit of 'having a lawyer on retainer' to, among other things, look over contracts for me and tell me how it may put me at any disadvantage.  3 Not everybody's heard of it, so I'll plug it because it is a valuable thing to know/have for little money per month.  Did I get them to look over this contract?  Nah, because I saw that problem on my own!  Look for my correspondence with Wamu to be posted here.

1. WaMu Online Banking Terms of Use.  Retrieved 15 Mar 2008 from http://www.wamu.com/online_banking/terms/default.asp
2. WaMu Investments, Inc. Terms of Use.  Retrieved 15 Mar 2008 from http://www.wamu.com/wamuinvestments/help/termsofuse.asp
3. Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. explanation of a pre-paid legal plan.  Retrieved 15 Mar 2008 from http://wserver0.prepaidlegal.com/newCorp2/legal_plans/legal_plans.html