rantlust

Posted by Suman on February 22nd 2011 in Rants
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One of the most iconic images of World War II is the photograph of five Marines and one Sailor raising the U.S. flag on Mt. Suribachi, on the Pacific island of Iwo Jima, on February 23rd, 1945. One of the Marines was Private First Class Ira H. Hayes, a Pima Native American from Sacaton, AZ, a town about 30 miles southeast of Phoenix on the Gila River Reservation. The photo, taken by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal while the battle for the island still raged, reinvigorated waning public support for the war in the U.S. and brought considerable fame to Ira Hayes and the other two flag-raisers who survived the Battle of Iwo Jima. It also served as the basis for the Marine Corp War Memorial outside Arlington National Cemetery, where Ira Hayes, after being promoted to Corporal but leading a troubled post-war life, was buried.

(photo credit: www.iwojima.com)

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Posted by Suman on April 07th 2010 in Motorcycles, Nature, Outdoors, Raves, Roads, Travel, USA
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The valley of death. El valle de la muerte. Das Tal des Todes. Sounding ominous in any language, Death Valley has nonetheless beckoned for many years, despite conjuring images of desiccated steer skulls and shimmering heat waves that would make a Phoenix (or possibly even a Dubai) summer seem comfortable by comparison. Perhaps the psychological need to master a challenge played a role in this desire, but there was also quite simply the curiosity of wanting to see a place famous for having both the highest recorded temperature in the United States as well as the lowest point in the western hemisphere; extremes that are not coincidentally linked.

Taking just half a vacation day, my friend Derek and I left Phoenix early Friday afternoon on March 26th.
(All images are clickable for larger versions)

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Posted by Suman on February 01st 2010 in Bicycles, Health & Fitness, Raves, Reviews
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If you’re expecting this post to be about the fine music of either of the above artists, you will be sorely disappointed. If, however, you want to ride your bicycle down to Electric Avenue, in a manner of speaking, read on.

(image courtesy youtube)

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Posted by Suman on January 07th 2010 in Motorcycles, Outdoors, Raves, Roads, Travel, USA
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My friend Derek and I decided to do a day ride in late December 2009. There were a few roads I hadn’t yet ridden in southern Arizona that I was eager to see, and we were both on vacation, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get in some saddle time.
(all images clickable for larger versions; 1st image courtesy Mapquest)

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Posted by Suman on April 16th 2009 in Internet, Raves
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I just found out about the Wordle site, which allows you to create “word clouds” out of text passages (or web sites), with the most frequently occuring words showing up in the largest font. For example, here’s a preview of what my solar energy blog post’s word cloud looks like (click image for full-size view on the Wordle site, where you can create your own):

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Posted by Suman on November 19th 2008 in Africa, Crime, India, Military, News, Raves
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With all the negative press the U.S. military gets (most of it undeserved, frankly), it’s nice to see the military of at least one other country (especially one I have a connection to) in the news for unleashing righteous violence on those who deserve it!

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Posted by Suman on September 11th 2008 in Rants
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Last night I attended a book signing by former Minnesota governor, actor, wrestler, and Navy SEAL Jesse Ventura.  He gave a good talk on various topics he’s concerned about, such as how the federal government has been increasing in size/spending while decreasing individuals’ freedoms, and his view that the Commission on Presidential Debates intentionally obstructs independent candidates’ participation.  He’d like to abolish federal income taxes, and rely instead on a national sales tax for revenue (i.e. frugal people shouldn’t be taxed the same as extravagant people with the same income).  Instead of auditing citizens, the IRS could then audit the government and businesses to make sure they’re accountable.  This is only a brief smattering of the topics he discussed.  I don’t agree with all of his views, but I find a lot to like about this guy (just as there’s a lot I like and dislike about both McCain and Obama).
The best part?  If he *did* have time to bleed, he’d bleed solar: his second home (located in Mexico) is not only off-grid, but 100% solar!

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Posted by Suman on August 29th 2008 in Rants
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Earlier this week, a Maryland beauty queen was arrested for breaking into a home and assaulting a woman there.  What makes this newsworthy is the luscious irony that her pageant platform was to prevent bullying.  Last year an Arizona beauty queen was charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault, among other things.  The irony there was that she was a second-year law school student at the time.  Similarly, I recall a news story a few years ago (but can’t find a link), about a beauty queen who was an advocate against drunk driving, getting arrested for - you guessed it - drunk driving.

Far be it from me to overgeneralize against all beauty pageant contestants, but I think it might be fun to predict what sort of future irony-laced news stories some of them might generate.  For example, one whose platform includes protection of third-world children, but whose designer clothing line is made in sweatshops exploiting such children.  Or one who took up preventing animal cruelty as her pet passion (pardon the pun) but is later found to be running a puppy mill supplying illegal dog fighting rings (or simply running a puppy mill, period).

Any other suggestions?

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