2Political Episode 71

2PP071 - 16 May 2012

 





2Political Podcast Episode 71 is now available. You can listen to it or download it from the podcast site, 2political.com. You can leave comments there as well as download or listen to any episode (you can access the five most recent episodes from the list on the right side of my blog).

This episode was again severely delayed by Arthur’s lack of time to edit. Once he found the time, he decided to go ahead and edit the episode and post it anyway, because he could and liked the discussions (though he has no idea where the dog barking in the background was coming from). Besides, it’s short.

Instead of special days, we begin with a special election: Jason talks a bit about a recent special election Washington, DC. Then Jason fills us in on his trip to Missouri, then has an update on his battle with his cellphone company.

When we turn to politics, we start with President Obama’s statement that he supports marriage equality. We talk about the political implications for both sides, including what polls tell us. Are there any downsides for President Obama? What about for Romney’s opposition? From there, it’s on to Mitt Romney and his teenage bullying. Finally, it’s on to the world economy and the implications of the turmoil in Europe.

Please leave a comment (anyone's welcome—agree or disagree!), or you can ring the 2Political Comment line on 206-350-3982.

Links for this episode:
Verizon Wireless Disconnect - Jason's blog post on his adventures in mailing things
Half Say View of Obama Not Affected by Gay Marriage Decision – Pew Research Center
CBS Poll: Most Americans support same-sex unions
Marriage is marriage – Arthur’s blog post on correct terminology
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

Get 2Poltical Podcast for free on iTunes

Artomatic

Artomatic runs until June 23. Don't miss it. A little more about it:

The event: Artomatic 2012 in Crystal City

Artomatic 2012 is a month-long art festival in the DC area that is "by artists, for everyone." It is absolutely free to the public.

This year's event is in a former office building that's slated for demolition. It features 10 floors of art by more than 1,000 artists: Visual art, music, performance, film, fashion, and more. Workshops, tours, seminars and other events are held all month long.

No matter what kind of creative events you like, you will find something for you at Artomatic.

The Variety of Artomatic

The variety at Artomatic is truly amazing. A wide range of subjects. An even wider range of formats used to present those subjects.

More from Artomatic

This gives you an idea of the wide range of styles at Artomatic.

The Peep Dioramas

The Peep Dioramas are one of the highlights of Artomatic. They are just so much fun to see.

More Peep Dioramas

Yes, I love these. I'm always pleasantly surprised and amused when I walk through and see them.

Occupeep DC

What is amazing about this on is it is completely accurate on the way McPherson Square was when it was occupied.

Open Studios from Mid City Artists

Saturday afternoon I went to about 10 of the Open Studios. It was a great deal of fun. It is always interesting to see where the artists do their work. What they are working on. Also what tools and materials they use to make their work.

Mid City Artists is:

a diverse and talented group of professional artists who have come together for the purpose of promoting their art and the Dupont/Logan neighborhoods of Washington DC that they call home.

Twice each year, the private studios of select member artists are open for visitors. Always the weekend before Memorial Day and another weekend in the Fall. During an election year, usually the first weekend in December. Discover painting, photography, sculpture, glass, mixed media, prints and much more.

Enjoy a day touring with friends and observing the artistic process. Explore how artists have carved out their working spaces and build your collection from the connections that you make with these artists. 

Dogs and Cats

Jennifer sent this to me. It is hysterical and sooooo true.

From a Dog's Diary 

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!



From a Cat's Diary
  

Day 983 of my captivity.  My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.  In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet.  I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.  Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight  I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.  However, I could hear the noises and smell the food.  I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of  'allergies.'  I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.  I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.  The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant.  I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move.  My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...

DC Craft Mafia and Tina Sea Monster

My friend Tina had a both at the DC Craft Mafia. She has some really great things to sell. You can see some of them below or go to her site to learn all about her. Follow this link.

These are t-shirt for dogs. They are designed by Tina's twin girls and a friend. They are raising money for their new school play ground.

As Tina's told me zombies are the new bunnies.

DC Craft Mafia Part II

Some of the wide variety of arts and crafts at DC Craft Mafia.

An Arts and Crafts Weekend

That is indeed what I had this past weekend. I went to DC Craft Mafia, Mid City Artist Spring Open Studios and Artomatic 2012.

Throughout this week I will be posting some of the incredible arts and crafts that I saw at these three events. Artomatic runs through June 23.

A Few Last Pictures from Springfield Trip

Here are a couple of finally pictures from my trip to Springfield. The first two are of a tree in front of a house. The tree was damaged in a storm and this is what the owners of it decided to do to it. Pretty funny. The last speaks for itself.

Verizon Wireless Disconnect

Well more fun with Verizon. Here's the second letter that I sent to them over my wireless service. This one has much more to do with the payment address that is listed on their web site.

Here's the letter:

To whom it may concern:

I am writing yet again to you to inform you of a series of events involving Verizon Wireless.

I’ve enclosed a copy of my original letter as way of back ground into these events.

I will say I was impressed that I actually got a response from Verizon. I received two calls about the problems set forth in the first letter. I was a little puzzled why the calls were to my home phone instead of my cell phone. As it turned out, I was out of town at the time and unable to return the calls.

There have been additional events that have occurred since the first letter.

As detailed in my original letter, I sent a payment in before I received the first call from Verizon. I went to your web site and found a screen with contact information. Part of the information on that screen was an area of mailing addresses. There was specifically an address for payments. I’ve enclosed a page that shows a screen shot of this particular page on your web site.

On May 2, the letter I sent with payment was returned to me. The tag on it from the post office said: return to sender, attempted — not known, unable to forward. I was incredulous. I thought that perhaps some how I had written down the wrong address on the envelope. I compared my envelope to the address on the web site. They were exactly the same.

I decided to try a little experiment. I will admit that my hand writing is not the best, so I asked a co-worker to address another envelope to the payment address listed on your web site. I mailed this on May 4 interested to see what would happen.

When I returned from my trip, the second letter had been returned to me as well. On it another tag from the post office saying the exact thing the first tag said. I’ve enclosed a copy of the two envelopes.

I have a very simple question what is going on.

The series of events and the way I was treated as described in the first letter was, as far as I am concerned, completely unacceptable. But having the payment address on your web site wrong well sort of goes beyond the pale.

I had been considering switching my internet service to Verizon getting one of the bundled packages but after these events it is extremely doubtful that will happen.

Sincerely from one very unhappy customer,

Below is a screen shot of the address on the Verizon Wireless sight and the two envelopes that were returned to me.

Screen shot of the Werizon Wireless webs site showing the payment address

The two envelopes sent to the payment address that were returned to me