John Masters, Author at Deep Something

Weather Man, The

October 31, 2005September 29, 2018 B. John 428 Views Drama, Nicolas Cage, Gore Verbinski, Michael Caine, The Weatherman, Comedy

A Chicago weather man (Cage), separated from his wife and children, debates whether professional and personal success are mutually exclusive.

Legislature Courts War Business Religion Culture Science Economy Society Family Corruption Fun Stuff Gay Issues Politics Technology Congress Right Wingnuts Election

What Democrats Stand For

October 29, 2005September 29, 2018 B. John 371 Views

What do Democrats stand for? It seems a common refrain, or assumption, that Democrats do not have an overall theme or narrative, and I will certainly agree that the party as a whole does a rather bad job of articulating the message. But it lodged in my brain, and after a half hour of thought I realized that I, at least, know what I stand for. And it’s not complicated.

Culture Society Gay Issues

Sulu is Gay

October 29, 2005 B. John 446 Views star trek, Movies, gay, george takei, homosexual, sulu

It seem George Takei, Sulu, the Helmsman on Star Trek, has decided its now safe to come out.

Culture Movies Politics

Lord of War

October 29, 2005 B. John 478 Views weapons, War, arms, Culture, dealer, good, movie, Movies

An arms dealer (Cage) confronts the morality of his work as he is being chased by an Interpol agent (Hawke).

Culture General

Why Golf Courses Have 18 Holes

October 27, 2005April 29, 2018 B. John 1228 Views 18, holes, golf course, golf

Golf courses didn’t always have 18 holes. The number of holes used to vary widely: 11, 22, 24, etc. As with most golf tradition-related questions, the reason why 18 became the standard goes back to St. Andrews of Scotland, the granddaddy of all golf courses.

General Politics Society Crime Corruption

Screaming Profits for Big Oil

October 27, 2005 B. John 445 Views gas, gas prices, profiteering, profits, Congress, Corruption, oil, big oil, giveaways, big companies

While you and I are cringing with every stop at a filling station, the big oil companies are raking in the big bucks.

Environment Weather Science General

Hurricane Relief Complaints

October 27, 2005September 29, 2018 B. John 322 Views

Last year, I had to evacuate due to Charlie, and we huddled down here for several other storms. We’ve been a bit more lucky this year, but have had to prepare for several. I count my blessings that Tampa hasn’t been hit harder than it has, and so I can’t fully appreciate the frustration being felt by the people in South Florida….BUT….

Politics Religion Society Corruption Right Wingnuts

Wishful Thinking

October 27, 2005September 29, 2018 B. John 288 Views

A great idea from a good friend of mine.

Politics Congress War Society Crime

V.P. Fights Against Outlawing Torture

October 25, 2005 B. John 421 Views Crime, government, Congress, cheney, vice president, criminal, torture, V.P.

The Bush administration wasn’t happy when the Senate overwhelmingly voted to limit and define U.S. interrogation techniques against terrorism suspects. Vice President Cheney is now attempting to exempt the Central Intelligence Agency from this measure.

Places Tampa Science General Environment Weather

Monday Morning Update-Wilma

October 24, 2005September 29, 2018 B. John 348 Views

Well, as I noted in the update last night, it started raining about 7PM, and has been pretty steady since then, with some strong rains at various times. I’m guessing we’ve had less than 4 inches of rain. The wind didn’t start until right at 3AM, and while it has been gusty at times, I’ve seen it just as bad during some of our thunderstorms.

Environment Weather Tampa Science

Sunday Afternoon Update — Wilma

October 23, 2005September 29, 2018 B. John 425 Views update, hurricane, wind, florida, winds, Tampa, wilma, afternoon, fl, rain, storm, sunday, tropical

It is amazingly quiet here today. As of 4pm there is no wind, and while it has been overcast all day, we have yet to have even a drop of rain.