Archive for 2005

There are a lot of topics in the web development world that come around every so often like clockwork. Usually it’s a “how do I do this?” question from another newbie for the umpteenth time on a list you’ve been a member of for five or six years. Sometimes, it’s a higher-level discussion about “where is the web going?” I suspect the newest discussion that will ebb and flow will be about the “Web 2.0.”

Then there are the meta-discussions that contain dozens of smaller discussions that also go around and around. The separation of style and content would be a meta-discussion. Originally it was just a regular discussion, but then it actually start happening and it spawned (or maybe it was spawned by) discussions about the semantic web. One of the conversations that further fractured from that regarded a standardized nomenclature for styles.

That is something I’ve thought about for a while for my own personal use. As a designer, I could create my own templating system akin to what they do over at CSS Zen Garden. I’ve even thought about using the Zen Garden HTML template and seeing how well I could adapt it to my customers’ websites. Taking it a step further, I thought about using the Zen Garden HTML template to develop WordPress themes and seeing how well I could adapt those to my customers’ websites. Sounds crazy doesn’t it? It might be.

It’s entirely possible that, in many instances, such applications wouldn’t be the best solution for a client. In those instances, the solution would have to be abandoned in favor of a better one. But, in other instances, it might work out great. For that group, a common set of solutions would exist which would improve my workflow and turnaround time. As an independant web developer that would improve my bottom line.

More altruistically though, it would also allow me to apply that common set of solutions to give back to the community by creating templates. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but hear me out. Each template could be put up on CSS Zen Garden as an example of what is possible and at the same time could be used as an actual WordPress Theme. People use blogging tools like WordPress because it lowers the barrier to entry: they can self-publish on the web without having to learn how to write XHTML, CSS, and PHP code. They don’t have to create their own .htaccess files to make their URLs more human (and machine) readable. In as little as five minutes they can be up-and-running with a robust content publishing/management system and all they have to do is put their content out there for the world to read.

You might think this is a bad idea since, let’s face it, most content will be utter schlock, but that’s ok. You don’t have to read it. Blogs are the harbinger of the Web 2.0. The web as a two-way medium. I post something that, like this very post, is only read by a handful of people, half of whom probably know me in “real life.” But they can comment on my post and I can comment on their comments. It’s the web as a two-way communications medium, not just me pushing content out there and you can like it or shut up–or both.

Putting out templates that could be used by people to help them communicate their message to a wider audience, when they might not otherwise have been able to communicate their message at all, is a great thing. Besides, as a designer, it’s the best contribution I can make to the blogging community. As a WordPress user, I feel a certain obligation to give back for what I’ve gotten.

Just something funny: can’t seem to get to the confirmthem.com website. I’ve been trying for a few minutes now. It’s funny because the site was devoted to getting Bush’s nominees confirmed unquestioningly. The mere suggestion that Democrats might have valid concerns or questions was ridiculed.

Then came the revelation that everything they had been spouting was nothing more than partisan hackery, and her name was Harriet Miers. All of a sudden a site called “Confirm Them” was all about not confirming them. A lot of people felt it was worth pointing out the irony in that. A lot of people on the left that is. Now, all of a sudden, the site isn’t available.

If only more right-wing pundit websites could drop off the face of the earth so easily. If only this disappearance is permanent.

Just a short little wish here: wouldn’t it be great if the Gang of 14, the group of moderate senators that forged the compromise on judicial nominations, split from their respective parties to form a centrist party? I’d support that. He’ll, it’d be the first time I supported a party financially.

No word yet on whether you can also indict a ham sandwhich twice. Teehee.

It was a separate Grand Jury and a separate charge. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Republican COC has to be stopped. Insomuch as this draws attention to the problem and helps correct it, the indictments are a Very Good Thing.

Man, it’s 93 degrees outside right now but it’s never felt more like Christmas.

I cross-posted my last entry to Daily Kos. One of the responses I received was to the effect of “this is not a game; the Senate needs to advise and consent, demand documents, etc., then make a decision; and that celebrating is premature.” (paraphrased) That’s fair, I respect the opinion, and I felt I hadn’t explained myself fully enough. So, some clarification:

The Republican party realized a long time ago that politics is a game and they set about learning how to win it. That said, I in no way mean to imply that this is frivolous or not of consequence.

When planning a strategy you have to account for even the things you don’t want to hear. Otherwise, you might as well go sign up for the Bush war planning department. Here is reality: she will get confirmed. Do you honestly think there is a snowball’s chance in $@#% of any other outcome?

Another thing about strategy planning: it’s a good idea to have an endgame planned before you go in. So you can’t count on any blinding revelations to come out of the confirmation hearings. If by some miracle that does happen, there will be time enough left to filibuster or give a straight down vote with moderate Republican support.

So if we assume a) that nothing revealing will come out and b) that she will be confirmed, the question becomes: what advantage can we gain from this? What is our endgame?

Have you read any right-wing blogs today? We have a very clear opportunity here. I think this concept of blindly doing the same thing over and over again is BAD. We need to analyze the situation and gain whatever we can here. In military terms, a wedge is a great way to break the ranks of the enemy. I can see no better gain here.

Read the original post if you haven’t already.

Harriet Miers is an unwilling gift to the Democratic party.

The Republican party, by strength of their own scandals, no longer has the political will for the nuclear option. That means Democrats could have filibustered an extremist nominee with impunity. Knowing that, Bush was stuck.

Here’s how I (hopefully) see this playing out: Democrats will call for documents (of course) and talk about having questions answered. Other than that though, they’ll sit back and let the far-right do all of the bashing. They won’t really sit back though. They’ll endorse her because it will prove to the far-right that they’re being duped. Going into the 2006 primaries, it’s a great wedge between the moderates and the zealots.

The usual obstination just isn’t worth it. It would leave the Democrats looking obstructionist but, on top of that, I think there is a good chance she’s another Souter or Kennedy. And, whether we want to admit it or not, the winner of the election does have some say, to put it mildly.

UPDATE: I just listened to Sen. Mark Pryor (D – Arkansas) talking on Hardball. He is taking a neutral stance and sounding every bit the statesman on this issue. That’s fine. He came off great. So far I haven’t seen any Democratic senator have a kneejerk response against Miers. Meanwhile the right-wing blogs haven’t let up. They’re still apoplectic over this nominee.

I didn’t post this yesterday, but as a lifelong Redskins fan, it cannot go without comment: they are 3-o for the first time since 1991. That was also the last time they won the superbowl. I’m under no illusions here, this is only our second season with coach Gibbs back and our quarterback is 35 years old. But! Our owner finally seems to have gotten his ass out of the decision making process, we have stability and growth, and Gibbs. And did I mention that we are 3-0? Woohoo!

PS I ripped off the headline from Bozzy’s Word.

Once upon a time I knew what it was to write eloquently. Those were the days when I read more than just the political rantings of the left and not-so-right. Those days are long gone for me, but not for others. I present you with the most beautifully written rant I’ve come across in a long, long time:

Bush Supporters of the Far Right: Cries from the Lake of Fire

If you’re like me, you’ve been talking about the rampant corruption in the Republican party lately. But, from time to time, people ask you “what corruption?” Sure, they man know about DeLay and Frist. Some of them may even have heard of Abramoff.

But they probably haven’t heard the whole litany including Thomas Noe (CoinGate), Governor George Ryan of Illinois, Governor Robert Taft of Ohio, Representative Randy “Duke Cunningham, and on and on and on. (For a complete round-up, I suggest Salon, which is keeping a running tally.)

When you talk about a “Culture of Corruption,” or, as I like to call it, the Republican COC, people may not make the connection between the dozen or so corrupt Republicans and their leader, the great and mighty Bush. Well, here is one way to help make that connection: Abramoff, Noe and Cunningham are all Bush Pioneers. That means that each of them has raised at least $100,000 for Bush. Not coincidentally, a lot of these political donations now appear to have happened around the same time they’re each alleged to have commited crimes (theft, money laundering, fraud, etc.).

So remember to do this: whenever you refer to one of these individuals, precede their name with the word “Pioneer.” As in, “Pioneer Abramoff was indicted for bank fraud.” If they don’t already know what a pioneer is, this opens up the conversation so you can connect the dirty little dots.

The phrase “culture of corruption” is the new meme in regards to the Republican party. That got me thinking about acronyms (well, one in particular anyway). Republican COC. Sound it out. Republican COC does not represent American values. Republican COC does not represent religious values. Republican COC doesn’t represent much of anything, except for the corporatization of America. Just a random post. Remember to refer to the Republican COC the next opportunity you have.