AsheVillein --The Electronic Mountain Serf--

incongruent? but real

2008-07-23T14:07:00.002-05:00

incongruent?, originally uploaded by Bill in Ash Vegas.

Apologies for the dirty windshield.

But this is a real Hummer H3 which, when I took this photo, was cruising through Old Fort, NC.

The stickers read clockwise from top... Who Would Jesus Bomb, Imagine Nothing to kill or die for, Well behaved women seldom make history, Coexist, Globalize Peace, Karma, and Unite against racism.

And, yes, those are air horns below the bumper.

I would love to hear the story behind this one.

Something not to forget

2008-07-20T05:22:00.002-05:00

As we move into yet another election cycle. This is a tailer for FREE FOR ALL! Yes, I know it is almost 7 minutes long, but it is worth it.

Do you suppose they have designs on the 2008 elections?

Nah.

Go back to sleep.

Carl of the People

2008-07-16T07:09:00.001-05:00

Carl of the People, originally uploaded by Bill in Ash Vegas.

well, as long as the Police are around anyway

no, seriously Carl has been the most responsive city councilman to the Parkside issue

who would have thunk it?

Man Arrested for.... "Illegal Photography"

2008-07-14T22:18:00.003-05:00

Yep, that is what WJHL reports here.
Apparently the officer felt the perp's iPhone was a threat of some kind, and arrested him for taking his picture.
Ah, Tennessee.

shady deals? or shade?

2008-07-12T14:01:00.002-05:00

Which side are YOU on?

shady deals, originally uploaded by Bill in Ash Vegas.

The Buncombe County Courthouse on a wonderful summer day. What a lovely building.
But wait.
What is that coming from the second floor commission room?

Magnolia Watch Day5

2008-07-12T13:56:00.002-05:00

Magnolia Watch Day5, originally uploaded by Bill in Ash Vegas.

Day 5, Saturday, July 12th is a lot calmer than the weekdays. Mid-day brings a few people to hang out and chat while a seemingly endless stream of motorcycles head west through downtown. Below, Lady Passion gives Jamie Rhodes a Stop Parkside sticker.

Magnolia Watch day4

2008-07-11T02:04:00.001-05:00

Magnolia Watch day4, originally uploaded by Bill in Ash Vegas.

Stewart Coleman says "get off my lawn" in a sign near the city hall magnolia tree. Lady Passion hovers over him.

Magnolia Watch day 3

2008-07-11T02:03:00.001-05:00

Magnolia Watch day 3, originally uploaded by Bill in Ash Vegas.

Checking email and weather forecasts under the magnolia tree in front of Asheville City Hall.

Take it. Print it. Spread it. Be there

2008-07-09T17:07:00.003-05:00

Magnolia Day2 Laughing Singing

2008-07-08T23:28:00.001-05:00

Magnolia Day2 Laughing Singing, originally uploaded by Bill in Ash Vegas.

On the evening of the second day of 24-hour tree sitting, several families came and sang songs and played in and around the tree.

Meanwhile, a few blocks away, plans were hatched for a big party for Tuesday, July 15 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. between the tree and City Hall. Music, Food, and Fun for all.

More to come.

magnolia sitters day 1

2008-07-07T21:48:00.001-05:00

magnolia sitters day 1, originally uploaded by Bill in Ash Vegas.

Today the Asheville City Technical Rules Committee ruled in favor of the Parkside project which directly threatens this 100-plus-year-old magnolia tree in front of city hall.
A 24-hour-a-day vigil has been established for defense of the tree.
First watch this night is Lady Passion and Lindsey Simerly (left to right) in front of the tree.

steel magnolias will not bend

2008-07-01T19:16:00.002-05:00

steel magnolias, originally uploaded by Bill in Ash Vegas.

Gene and Mariahsage chat under the endangered 100-year-old magnolia tree in front of Asheville City Hall this afternoon.

The land on which the old tree sits was sold under questionable, at best, practices of the county commission to a former business partner of one of the commissioners.

A gathering is being held every afternoon from 4-7 p.m. under the shade of the tree. All are welcome.

Come, join the people of the tree.

George Carlin, 71... RIP

2008-06-23T00:31:00.002-05:00

Thanks for all the laughs, man.
You will be missed.

Too bad you did not make a couple more weeks to destroy Ann Coulter on the Tonight Show.

Take that, gecko!

2008-06-19T07:14:00.001-05:00

time-lapse photos of a gecko being devoured by ants... too cool!

Life in Rutherfordton

2008-06-18T21:55:00.001-05:00

Girlfriend/Wife Dispute Special, originally uploaded by Bill in Ash Vegas.

well, at least seen there...

Miami Photographer Sort-of-Not-Guilty

2008-06-17T23:15:00.004-05:00

I have blogged a number of times about the completely merit-less case against Carlos Miller, a Miami-based photojournalist who was arrested (and assaulted) by police there for photographing an accident investigation on a public street.
Anyway, he went to trial Monday 16 June, and the verdict is in late tonight...

Not guilty on disorderly conduct.
Not guilty on unlawful refusal to obey a police officer.
Guilty on resisting arrest without violence.
Guilty of obstructing a public highway.
He’s gonna have to do 100 hours of community service, 1 year probation and pay about $400 in court costs.
The judge got high and mighty saying Carlos was cavalier during the trial and we found out the jury felt that Carlos hurt himself by testifying.

That from his blog, here...

WTF is "resisting arrest without violence?" And if you are not guilty on refusing to obey a police officer, why get arrested?

Indeed, what law, exactly did he violate?

Or did he just not bow and scrape low enough to these thugs in blue?

Downtown Dubai from the newest tallest building

2008-05-28T22:42:00.002-05:00

Apparently, this guy, took the photo. At least he claims it. It is making the rounds, soon to be emailed to you.

And yes, the new building is that much taller than the rest of the city.

Amazing.

Dispatch from Marion....Groundhogs Beware

2008-05-27T09:23:00.003-05:00

City Issues Groundhog Warning

According to the McDowell News, the city of Marion has a groundhog problem. The city offers traps to residents to remove "problem" groundhogs to "the wild."

Heh.

They must bring them to Asheville and dump them on the interstate medians. I wonder what our Groundhog Day resident expert thinks of this?

The message, it seems, is not getting through

2008-05-26T20:28:00.002-05:00

I had to work today. Which, for those of you who know me, or have suffered through my blog posts (or worse yet, both! horrors!), means I was out driving around in the day's horrendous traffic.
Had to go from Waynesville to Saluda, but I-40 was stalled due to an accident and the volume. So I took the twisties NC-215 and US-276 through the savage heart of the Pisgah National Forest.
If I saw one group camp with 4 SUV's each with a trailer hauling motorcycles, jetskiis, ATV's, or boats, I saw 100.
Observed one group up close as they pulled into the Sonic in Marion. First SUV had the pontoon boat. Two people in it. Second one had Jetskiis on a trailer, and lots of gear in the back. One person in it. Third SUV was pulling the camping trailer, presumably where they all stayed. Two adults, two kids in there. Finally a last SUV with one adult, one kid, pulling a trailer with 2 HD road kings, an ATV, and an outboard motor.
Seems like $4/gallon gas ain't slowing this show down at all.

Maybe $10/gallon will get their attention, huh?

The Parkside Deal

2008-05-23T09:36:00.002-05:00

The satirical truth, here.

If this don't make you laugh 'till you cry, I don't know what will.

John McCain vs. err, well, John McCain

2008-05-19T23:19:00.001-05:00

You HAVE to watch this.

Interesting, compared with a year ago

2008-05-19T22:13:00.003-05:00

We are not much better off this May than last, it appears. The drought continues, in spite of a much cooler and wetter spring, so my rapidly-growing grass says. Here below is this weeks drought map and last year's side by side.

Not a lot of change, but it sure seems more "wet" this year.

What do you think?

You can dig up these nugs yourself here.

US Senate Overturns FCC Rule

2008-05-15T20:46:00.003-05:00

Until December, 2007 it was law that no one person could own all the newspapers, radio, and television stations in one market.
The FCC, in a 3-2 party line vote, "modified" in the words of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, the rules which would allow such local consolidation of media.
Yes, there were lots of obscure rules in there about if the owner of the #2 newspaper in a market could not buy the #1 TV station, it would have to be like eighth in the market, but if the #1 TV station wanted to buy the #2 newspaper, it would be okay, because the #1 paper would still be "independent."
Got that?
In other words, it was filled with loopholes, and therefore crappy regulation.
So, the Senate has voted to overturn this boondoggle media land grab.
Hooray for them!
Senators Clinton and Obama were co-sponsors along with many others.
Senator Obama had this to say a short while ago...

"Today the Senate stood up to Washington special interests by voting to reverse the FCC's disappointing media consolidation rules that I have fought against," he said. "Our nation's media market must reflect the diverse voices of our population, and it is essential that the FCC promotes the public interest and diversity in ownership."

Senator Inouye, long one of my favorite Senators said...

"In recent years, we have seen an increase in coarse and violent programming, coupled with a decrease in local news and hard-hitting journalism," Inouye said Thursday night. "To say these trends are not in the best interest of the American people, and especially our youngest citizens, is clearly an understatement."

This is a great step made possible by grassroots organizing, beginning, I believe with http://www.stopbigmedia.com/ Hop on over there and spread the love.

Of course, the current occupant of the White House, a certain Mr. Bush has indicated he will veto this measure. That should be fun.

MEDFORD Guilty

2008-05-15T10:53:00.002-05:00

I am amazed.
I would say my faith in the judicial system is restored, but that might be taking it a bit too far.
Justice, it seems, has been served.

Thoughts on Mr. Medford's Trial

2008-05-14T20:08:00.004-05:00

I have read everything I can on this, the Buncombe County 'Trial of the Century', Federal prosecution of our ex-Sheriff, Bobby Medford.
Now it appears the case is headed for the jury tomorrow or Friday.
All partisan politics and such aside, I find the whole affair sad on many levels.
The man clearly had a problem with gambling. Even a simple background check would have shown that. Certainly other law enforcement professionals such as Asheville Police Chief Hogan, District Attorney Moore, and other federal officers who worked with Mr. Medford should, SHOULD, have noticed something was amiss with this guy.
Did they do anything? Say anything?
If not, why not?
As it stands now, it is pretty clear to me which way I would vote were I on the jury. What the jury will do is another story.
He is a sick, old man, with problems most of us could not even begin to understand.
I would not be surprised to see him walk out of the courthouse next week moderately vindicated.
If so, justice will not be served.