Words and Links

The Manhattan Supreme Court has required Google, the host of the blog “Skanks in NYC”, to release the personal information of the blogger behind the blog to Liskula Cohen.  Cohen is a fashion model who was referred to in the blog with the line “How old is this skank? 40 something? She’s a psychotic, lying, whoring, still going to clubs at her age, skank”.  At best this is needlessly offensive and at worst slanderous.

But is the court justified in forcing the identity of the formerly anonymous blogger to become public knowledge?  Absolutely!  While being able to be hidden behind blogs and posts has encouraged people to express themselves to a far greater degree than anything else in modern times, these people do need to take responsibility and be held accountable for what they say.  If you craft your words you can avoid civil penalties and still make your point, no matter how offensive.

Freedom of speech should in no way be confused with a freedom to remain anonymous.

The Family Guy animated television series is at least as popular as The Simpsons, and arguably far funnier.  With millions watching the show there has to be some curiosity as to who is behind the cast of Family Guy characters.  Here are the faces that you can now associate with the Family Guy cast.

Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane is the voice of Peter Griffin, the patriarch of the Griffin household and central character of Family Guy.  MacFarlane also voices the characters: Brian Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Glenn Quagmire, The Kool Aid Man, Bill Clinton, William Shatner and others.  Seth MacFarlane is the creator of the series.

Alex Borstein

Alex Borstein voices Lois Griffin, Peter’s wife and the sometimes voice of reason on the show.  She also plays Loretta Brown, Barbara Pewterschmidt, Tricia Takanawa, and Queen Latifah among others.

Seth Green

Seth Green is the voice of Chris Griffin, son of Peter and Lois, and probably the dimmest bulb of the show.  Green also portrays Neil Goldman.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis, That 70’s Show girl is the voice of Meg, the awkward daughter of the Griffins.

Mike Henry

Mike Henry voices Cleveland Brown, Herbert, The Greased Up Deaf Guy, Magic Johnson, Fred Rogers, and O.J. Simpson among others.

You can view a good clip of the actors performing their roles here on YouTube.  Learn more about Family Guy here.

I was going to go somewhere a little more fun today, but a discussion at home changed the topic to this one.

My wife and I were watching the news when the story came on (again) about how outraged congress and the President are about the huge bonuses given out to some of AIG’s top employees and how they intend to correct this gross miscarriage of compensation.  My better half says something like “Good for them, I hope they can get it all back.”  I was actually shocked.  I didn’t think that people could really think like this just because someone makes more money than themselves.

The rationale here was that since the government had to bail out the company with a huge pile of cash, certain employees didn’t deserve their full compensation.  Also, we  now have the right and obligation to try to get this money returned retroactively since we the people now own an 80% stake in the company.

This is just nonsense.

First of all, government fiscal policy shouldn’t be based on jealousy and getting even.  Yes, these people made almost obscene amounts of money but wouldn’t we all like to one day?  I don’t want the government telling me that I can only make X dollars because anything more than that wouldn’t be right.

Second.  These bonuses were more like salary than anything else.  They were contracted for at the beginning of the employment period.  They were not based on performance, but based on being competitive and keeping their employees.

Third.  If Congress is so concerned about the 165 million dollars,  how about they look in the mirror first.  I could sneeze and find 165 mil of waste in the budget.

Lastly.  Rule of law.  These employees are legally entitled to these bonuses.  If it ever went to the courts they would have to be paid.

If Congress wants to act hastily and not weigh all of the implications of an issue they should take the fall.  Not anyone else.