Yesterday, as I was outside feeding the birds, my next-door neighbor walked over to bring me the little local paper. He wanted to tell me that he’s taken with the writings of Paul Krugman, whose column is temporarily replacing that of the vacationing Thomas Friedman.
Today, he brought me three freshly picked tomatoes. I stood over the kitchen sink and bit into the fleshy flavorful fruit, catching the juices with my tongue.
“HAL was up $2.51 a share today (4.03%),” my neighbor told me today. He watches such things as Halliburton’s stock, because it interests him and a bit because I shared with him the enriching opportunities awaiting Halliburton following Katrina’s devastation.
HAL. It reminded me of the nation’s uncontrolled, meaningless and mean-spirited odyssey since 2001.
[Regarding the supposed failure of the parabolic antenna on the ship, which HAL himself falsified]
HAL: It can only be attributable to human error.
Great parallel! Can’t decide whether Bush or Cheney is more HAL-esque, though. Cheney has the robotic imperturbability, but Bush is inanely disingenuous and oblivious.
“HAL has a right to a no-bid contract because they already had a contract with the US Navy.”
That’s the rationale the WH is using, heard it on Air America so I don’t have an exact quote or source. It makes no sense whatsoever.
I’m sorry Susan, I can’t do that… This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it…. ; )
I know I’ve made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I’ve still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you…
Sounds like Rumsfeld addressing the Iraqi peope doesn’t it?
Pax
Except that being a Bushite means never having to say you’re sorry, to borow from another film …
Actually it means I’ll never fucking apologize to any of you inconsequentials.
Another candidate might be the computer Colossus, from Colossus – the Forbin Project (1969), which takes over the world:
The scariest thing in that movie was that they didn’t manage to shut off the computer in the end, unlike 2001…
Oh Susan, this diary is too, too rich! ROTFLMAO.
HAL: “I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Interviewer: “HAL, you have an enormous responsibility on this mission, in many ways perhaps the greatest responsibility of any single mission element. You’re the brain, and central nervous system of the ship, and your responsibilities include watching over the men in hibernation. Does this ever cause you any lack of confidence?”
HAL: “Let me put it this way, Mr. Amor. The 9000 series is the most reliable computer ever made. No 9000 computer has ever made a mistake or distorted information. We are all, by any practical definition of the words, foolproof and incapable of error.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
An uncanny resemblance!
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ARLINGTON, Va. February 1, 2005 – The Southern Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFACENGCOM) announced today that KBR is one of four contractors awarded a U.S. Navy Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Multiple Award Construction Contract (MACC) to repair northwest Florida Navy facilities damaged by Hurricane Ivan. KBR was also selected as the contractor for the initial task order on this project. KBR is the engineering and construction subsidiary of Halliburton.
“KBR is honored to have been awarded a contract to support the Navy’s repair and renovation efforts in northwest Florida,” said Bruce Stanski, senior vice president, KBR’s Government & Infrastructure Division.
Center for Public Integrity – Halliburton
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