The Bush administration hasn’t been without its controversies, and in its last days has found itself with another one over the ongoing issue of millions of missing emails.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John Facciola wrote a four-page opinion in which he claims that the Executive Office is ignoring the obligation to search for (and, one assumes, locate) the lost communications. Facciola states that the Bush camp is deliberately limiting its search to the requirements of the Federal Records Act, while ignoring the preservation requirements of the Presidential Records Act.
Currently, a variety of federal judges are demanding that the Bush administration spend their last few days in office conducting an appropriate search for these e-mails. Of course, when you’ve lived somewhere for 8 years and you have to pack up to move you do tend to find long-lost possessions. One might wonder whether they’ll find the missing e-mails with all those rogue, orphan socks that escaped the White House laundry room.
What’s most interesting about this news is that, in history as recent as the Iraqi shoe-thrower, this kind of headline would have begotten a flurry of t-shirts on the matter. And yet it seems that our designers – both pro and anti-Bush – have at this point decided to turn their attentions to the new administration to come. So whether you’re an Obama Mama or fear for a socialist future, it would seem that, indeed, a new chapter in American history has started.
A California teenager now serves as a poster child for unlimited texting by sending 14,528 texts in a month.
Whether that poster is lauding the massive savings brought on by having an unlimited texting plan or warning parents that their children may develop a text addiction due to the unfettered, glorious freedom of an unlimited texting plan is subjective.
The 13-year-old girl managed to text herself silly by sending an average 484 text messages per day. This breaks down to about 30 messages an hour, assuming she slept for 8 hours (unknown, and perhaps a bad assumption). What’s not listed is how many phone calls she made, and how many texts might have been avoided by (a) making a phone call or (b) going over to a friend’s house to have an in-person conversation.
Without an unlimited plan her texting habit would have cost Dad around $3000. As it is, the 440-page bill was enough to make the logging industry look good by comparison, and has led her parents to limit her texting after dinner.
On the plus side, her new texting restrictions will prevent this one teenager from unduly influencing the results of American Idol. No word on whether her efforts were instrumental on keeping Sanjaya in the running for so long, but we have our suspicions.
Perhaps you already have your perfect Obama t-shirt, but you’re looking for something a little different to celebrate the inauguration – and an Obama thong isn’t really your style.
The plot centers around Obama and Spiderman facing off with a supervillain at the inaugural ceremonies, after the ever-astute Peter Parker notices that there’s an Obama impostor trying to… well, I don’t want to spoil the ending. Let’s just say he’s a bad dude.
Marvel was compelled to write this story after the President-elect told reporters that he collected Spider-Man comic books as a child, thus earning him the title “Nerd-in-Chief” by Spider-Man editors.
You can of course choose your own Fantasy T-shirt for this occasion, so if you find a better one feel free to holler. The comics selection alone is worth a browse, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Those of us who live in California have a particularly unpleasant tax season ahead of us. The massive California budget deficit coupled with the government’s long-standing impasse over a solution has led to the possibility that California taxpayers will be receiving IOU’s instead of tax refund checks this year.
The budget sessions have been contentious for several months, and Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the most recent budget plan submitted by legislative Democrats. The main friction points are taxation and spending issues, with arguments over the extent of spending cuts and tax increases and where they should be made leading to the current stalemate.
Hasta la vista, refund.
While The Onion has provided some levity, the budget situation has been a weighty issue in the public sector. The pinch is already being felt by a variety of public services – hospitals, public schools and universities have been under siege throughout 2008, and with the budget still stalled and massive cuts expected the situation isn’t looking any better for 2009.
With America’s most populous state facing the possibility that taxpayers will be getting IOU’s instead of refund checks, the question as to the banking industry response looms. In 1992 California issued IOU’s to some of its employees and taxpayers. These IOU’s were honored by banks at the time, but in 1992 we weren’t in the middle of a credit crisis and global economic downturn.
As a California taxpayer, I’ll just point out that not getting my money prevents me from personally stimulating the economy with my refund check. So I guess I’ll just be California Dreamin’ for my money back. Or for someone to decide that California merits a bailout – I mean, as long as we’re handing them out…
With that in mind, Governor Schwarzenegger and the entire California legislature win a Fantasy T-Wearer award this week, in the form of the “outraged” bumper sticker seen at the beginning of this post. May it be seen on all official state vehicles – and whatever Arnold chose to replace his fleet of Hummers.
I’ll also note that I wouldn’t mind getting one of those stickers as an insert with my IOU. Then again, that probably means that I paid for it…
One might think that an arrest of this nature combined with taped evidence, a call from his party and the President-elect to resignand a subsequent impeachment might lead some politicians to call it a day, but Blagojevich has shown that he’s anything but a quitter. He continues to deny any wrongdoing, and it would seem that he’ll keep showing up for work until the Illionois State Senate proceeds with their own impeachment trial – or until Patrick Fitzgerald gets impatient and shows up with a stage hook. (Though one might assume that a wad of cash with a sly wink in his direction would work too.)
Our Blagojevich t-shirt collection has continued to grow as the Still-Governor has continued to retain his office, and although he’s already won a Fantasy T-Wearer award we’re compelled to give him another one today.
And so it is that the first Fantasy T-Wearer award of 2009 goes to the ever-tenacious Rod Blagojevich, with the “Never Say Die” pirate hoodie (since it’s winter and all) at left.
The first shoe had an accurate trajectory and the President narrowly avoided being hit. The second shoe was thrown slightly outside the strike zone, at which point the pitcher was out of shoes and the President was therefore able to escape the ordeal unharmed and unsullied.
The journalist in question, Muntadar al-Zaidi, called the President a “dog” before dramatically ridding himself of his footwear. Though his exact reasons for the attack are unknown, it’s speculated that al-Zaidi is upset due to having been kidnapped and beaten by a militia.
While some may find the choice of shoes to be a curious weapon, in Arab culture projectile shoes are considered a serious insult. It would seem that the attack was in fact a symbolic gesture rather than one intended to inflict actual damage – Iraqis also threw shoes at Saddam Hussein’s statue after his overthrow.
Iraqi officials called the incident “shameful” and detained al-Zaidi for questioning. This prompted thousands of Iraqi citizens to assemble in Baghdad to demand the release of the shoeless journalist they call a “hero.” The fate of al-Zaidi is as of yet unknown; however, Iraqi officials have noted that he is being interrogated to determine whether someone paid him to throw his shoes. (Note to footwear companies: product placement of this nature is probably A Bad Idea.)
The President himself laughed off the incident, noting that the scintillating facts of the matter are that the shoes in question are a size 10. No word on whether the President will adopt the Japanese shoe tradition for future press conferences overseas.
Not surprisingly, it wasn’t long before we saw some motivated designers commemorating the incident via Shoes Conference merchandise.
Let’s face it: holiday shopping isn’t for everyone. Some people just don’t have the time or energy to get out there and hit the pavement in search of The Perfect Gift, and some people are just out of ideas for those hard-to-buy-for, Ungiftable members of their list.
Figuring that a wireless connection was the only barrier between some frustrated shoppers and the checkmark next to their Ungiftable, we hit Union Square in San Francisco – the shopping mecca of the city – to help some people find a great present while hanging out with me, my computer and a latte.
We achieved gifting success for all parties involved, and a good time was had by all.
So if you’re stumped for a gift, feel free to shoot me a note. I’ll help you find something that fits your budget and thrills your giftee – and even if we’re not hanging around drinking coffee and watching ice skaters together while finding a great gift, you can of course do that with your own computer.
Gas prices may be down, but Pickens Plan visionary T. Boone Pickens will warn you not to celebrate. In fact, he’ll point out that OPEC lowers oil prices whenever Americans get serious about losing our dependency on foreign oil, that this kind of intentional price fixing has gone on for decades, that our foreign oil consumption has risen from 24% to 70% in the past 40 years, and that it’s high time for the United States to get serious and use our own resources to produce our own energy.
So who is this guy, anyway? And what’s the Pickens Plan?
T. Boone Pickens is an Oklahoma oil billionaire who has a lot to say on the topic of oil and energy. These days he’s on a mission: replace at least 1/3 of our foreign oil imports in the next 10 years by harnessing natural energy native to the United States, most notably wind. As he puts it, “The United States is the Saudi Arabia of wind power.”
The Pickens Plan notes that using the windy Midwest to help power a nation will not only create clean, renewable energy but will also allow for job revitalization in these states.
The plan also calls for solar power, bio-fuels and natural gas as a replacement for oil – Pickens is most interested in shifting the trucking industry to natural gas, as trucks of that size can’t run on a hybrid engine. At this point most of our natural gas is used to produce electricity, so Pickens proposes a swap: use the sun and wind to produce electricity, swap vehicles (most notably trucking) over to natural gas, and we’ve just reduced our foreign oil investment by 1/3 or more while reinvesting money into our own economy, not to mention creating thousands of American jobs.
To help spread the word, they have a Pickens Plan shop with merchandise available at cost. For more information about the plan or to get involved, check out the Pickens Plan website.
And yes, T. Boone himself wins a Fantasy T-Wearer award, with the “Stiff Breeze” design above. Though he’s rarely seen out of a suit and tie, so perhaps a trucker hat might work better.
It would seem that Governor Blagojevich viewed the Senate vacancy left by Barack Obama’s Presidential win as his own personal trading card. Other charges include attempts to fire Chicago Tribune journalists that criticized him in exchange for state help of the Wrigley Field sale, which is owned by the newly (financially, but apparently not ethically) bankrupt Tribune Company. The arrests are a culmination of a 3-year investigation.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald noted, “The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering. They allege that Blagojevich put a ‘for sale’ sign on the naming of a United States senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism.”
And so it is that Governor Blagojevich wins a Fantasy T-Wearer award this week with the “For Sale” t-shirt here at left. (With so many Blagojevich t-shirts to choose from we had a hard time finding the best one, but we liked this one for its general message and it being the closest color we have to prison jumpsuit orange.)
We do realize that this shirt may contain a dangerous message to be sporting in the slammer, but then again federal prison offers no end of opportunity for Blagojevich to leverage the hidden supply of cigarettes and chewing gum he traded for preferential seating at the Cool Kids Table in the prison cafeteria. So it’s apt to be… well, apt.
(Fortunately for this writer, CafePress is out of Blagojevich’s jurisdiction. And we don’t have a baseball stadium for sale either.)
‘Tis the season to be jolly… unless you’re one of those folks who’s feeling hassled under the pressure of finding the perfect gift on a limited budget for your entire family, your best friend’s dog and your workplace Annual Non-Denominational Secret Magical Gnome Gift Exchange recipient.
But hey, don’t feel overwhelmed – the perfect gift is always in reach. And we’re here to help you find it by finding easy solutions to…
3 common GiftingChallenges
I hate the mall, I hate crowds, and the holiday shopping process makes me want to throw a popcorn ball at someone.
I want to get thoughtful gifts for everyone, but time is money and I’m short on both.
That guy is impossible to buy for. Like seriously impossible.
Sound about right? No worries: we have answers.
1 : The Holiday shopping scene turns me into the Grinch
Crowded holiday shopping centers aren’t for the faint of heart. So why go there? You can find gifts for the entire family in the CafePress Marketplace, and that includes the dog. Save on shipping by having everything sent to you; alternatively, avoid lugging packages through airport security by having gifts shipped directly to their recipients. Either way, you can sit in the comfort of your own home, skip the crowds and shop in your underwear. We won’t judge you.
2 : Time is Money, and I’m short on both
‘Tis true: finding a thoughtful gift requires… well, thought. And that can require a lot of legwork. But since CafePress has 175 million+ items all based around people’s interests, chances are that you can save yourself time by thinking about your gift recipient’s hobbies, passions and lifestyle.
Remember, it’s the content of the t-shirt or mug that’s meaningful; the actual product is a canvas that allows for self-expression. So focus on hobbies, passions and interests – then think about your budget and what exact product works within it. Most our merchandise is $25 or less, and we even have millions of gifts around the $10 mark. So don’t worry – there’s something in there that fits your budget and your gift recipient’s wish list.
The more modifiers you use on a search, the more time you save. If you know your sister loves her dog, think about what kind of dog she has. Then think about her own personal style. A search like “Boston Terrier Retro” is going to be a lot more manageable than “Dog.”
3 : That guy is impossible to shop for
We all have that person on the list that seems Ungiftable – and to that end, we’ve come up with The Ungiftables, a series of archetypes that frighten even the most intrepid of shoppers.
Thing is, nobody’s truly ungiftable. Even an easily-sunburned nudist can find something great at CafePress, and that means that your Ungiftable is truly only a few mouse clicks away from the perfect present.
If you have an extra-special gifting challenge that needs addressing, you’re welcome to take part in our Ungiftables Challenge 2008. We can help you find that perfect gift for anyone on the list, so bring it on.
So, to sum up: finding the perfect, thoughtful gift is easier and less painful than a root canal. Really. And it’s a lot cheaper, too.
The Bush administration hasn’t been without its controversies, and in its last days has found itself with another one over the ongoing issue of millions of missing emails.
Currently, a variety of federal judges are demanding that the Bush administration spend their last few days in office conducting an appropriate search for these e-mails. Of course, when you’ve lived somewhere for 8 years and you have to pack up to move you do tend to find long-lost possessions. One might wonder whether they’ll find the missing e-mails with all those rogue, orphan socks that escaped the White House laundry room.
Perhaps you already have your perfect 
