Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Paul Begala--- perhaps the slimiest Democrat since Mark Green--- congratulated Armstrong Williams as a "stand-up guy" for appearing on "Crossfire" and then offered a "God bless you for that" when Williams admitted to having crossed "some ethical lines."

Robert Novak--- perhaps the slimiest Republican since Joe McCarthy--- praised Armstrong Williams as "one of the foremost voices for conservatism in America."

Armstrong Williams--- perhaps the slimiest commentator since Robert Novak--- said he made a few mistakes because he wasn't part of the "media elite" and didn't know all the "rules and guidelines" of journalism.

What happened to my country?

Monday, January 17, 2005

Can we discuss how much the new Blockbuster policy is actually not the end of late fees?

Well, let's let the company itself tell us. From their new "rental terms:"

"Movie and game rentals are due back at the date and time stated on the transaction receipt. There is no additional charge if a member keeps a rental item beyond the pre-paid rental period. However, if a member chooses to keep a rental item more than a week after the end of the rental period, Blockbuster will automatically convert the rental to a sale on the eight (8th) day after the end of the rental period. Blockbuster will charge the membership account the selling price for the item in effect at the time of the rental. The selling price will be discounted by the amount of the initial rental fee paid by the member at the time of rental. If the member returns the item within 30 days of the sale date, Blockbuster will credit back to the membership account the amount previously charged to the member’s account or the member’s credit card, as applicable, for the selling price of the item, but the member will be charged a minimal restocking fee. All rental items must be returned to the proper BLOCKBUSTER® store. These rental terms are subject to change without notice at any time. Participating stores only. Additional membership rules apply for rentals. See participating BLOCKBUSTER store for details." (EMPHASIS MINE.)

So you see the wonderful new deal. The policy is: "We're not fucking around with that late fee pansey-ass bullshit anymore. Keep the movie longer than a week and you're paying for it."

Fabulous!