Just recently purchased a Nikon D40X for my wife, for her birthday. She already had a Cybershot and it is nice but she wanted a "real camera" and spent a lot of time researching the D40. Opted for the D40X for the extra mega pixels, 10.2 instead of 6.1. I like the fact that it is an SLR and that it has a nice sized screen on the back for menu access and picture review. It is light enough and the "package" I purchased included a set of lenses. I wound up upgrading the telephoto lens to the AV version for an extra $50. We both are getting older and are not as steady as we used to be so I am hoping this will help on those long shots.
So far it is working out nice enough. It cycles fast enough to do 3 fps for 3 or 4 seconds and can go longer with faster SD cards. At max resolution I was told to expect 200 +/- pics on a 2 gig card. We'll see. That was a bit of a disappointment, that the cards for the Nikon are different from those used in the Cypershot so back to the electronics store for more. I like the weight and feel of it and just love that SLR sound it makes when you take a picture.
Update: 11/6/07
We have been using this camera for a bit now and we continue to like it. The menus can be a little complicated because there are just so many setting you can adjust and control. It supports multiple menu styles and has a programmable button that you can setup for that thing that you want to do that this is not already a button for. Most people use it for the timer but as it is programmable, you can use it for whatever you want. We got the camera from Ritz and the package I purchased included a set of 18 classes that cover the camera as well as things like photo editing and taking different types of photographs. We have only been to a couple but so far they are nicely organized and useful.
You can use the camera in full auto mode or select from about 10 different preset specialties like portrait, close up, action and full manual. The picture are very nice and we can tell the difference in quality between pictures taken with this verses the CyperShot (as you would well hope based on the higher pixel density). The battery seems to last a good long time and we did wind up getting very close to 200 photos on that memory stick. We did have a small issue getting some of the on-screen setting changed but the class we took walked us through it so no problem. The biggest complaint we have about the camera so far is that we had a real problem finding the menu setting that allowed us to adjust how long the LCD displayed the menus when you were using the camera. The default time is very short and the documentation was not clear on how to set it for a longer delay. The instructor of the class knew about this and walked everyone through setting it to a longer display time. Like I said earlier, we like this camera and so far it is a real winner with us.
Update: 1/14/08
We continue to have fun with this camera. We have taken a class or two and expect to take some more. The first class was on the basic D40X (using it, menu access, configuration changes, changing lenses and what all of the buttons and options are for). Was very useful if only for showing us where to go to check the default menu timeout (make it longer). I really like the 10 MPix of this camera. It allows even a "fair" shot to be zoomed and cropped a lot, to improve it. I also really like it being all digital. We have an HP all-in-one as well as a dedicated HP photo printer (4 X 6) and create many of our own prints. We got the camera at Ritz and that is where the classes are given. They have a lot of nice services there along with the cameras and accessories. We took our own Christmas photo and turned it into a card at Ritz. They are knowledgeable and know their stuff. I would like a better telephoto lens for this camera and will most likely pick one up this year.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Smoke signals on the horizon
Many on the left like to talk about how we live in a fascist state and that all of our personal liberties are being destroyed. Based on their examples, they have little to no clue what a fascist state is. It is when the government uses its power to restrict and punish citizens for performing perfectly legal activities. An example of this type of behavior is; State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Senate Concurrent Resolution 21. (JCX-43-07). This resolution will add additional taxes to tobacco and most notably cigars. Specifically a cigar tax of 53.13% PER cigar up to a maximum of $10. Cigars are sold by the box or individually and individual cigars range in price from less than a dollars (for something that you would not really want to smoke) to mid-range $3 to $5 per cigar to high end smokes that top out at $20 to $25. Under this law, a $5 cigar will cost about $7.50. A $10 smoke goes to $15 and a $20 goes to $30.
Last I checked, smoking is still a legal activity in this country. The government and society as a whole, don't want you to engage in this activity but it is still legal. So instead of being “adult” about it and out-right banning the growing, manufacturing, sale and consumption of tobacco products, the government (at nearly every level) instead chooses to tax it for your own good. The government’s financial reward is then used to help offset tax shortfalls elsewhere. Smokers are treated as a bottomless pit of money that the government can hit up any time it needs a little extra cash. Why should you care you ask, you don’t smoke and it is a filthy, disgusting habit that affects the smoker and those around him (or her) and should be stopped anyway. Maybe but until the government gets off of its fat, lazy *ss and outright outlaws it, it is still a legal activity that any American adult is free to engage in. Another reason you should care is that today the government is going after tobacco partially because it is a risky activity that they feel “safe” attacking. What is next, after the tobacco train stops running? Firearms and bullet taxes? Higher alcohol taxes? Risky sports taxes? SUVs? Gambling winnings? The list of “bad” or “evil” targets is as great as the vices of man and there is always someone somewhere that will disapprove of some activity and want to “punish” it by tax or law “for your own good”. I only smoke an occasional cigar so I have no direct dog in this fight but I am getting just plain fed up with the nanny state chipping away at what was once considered adult responsibility and self determination.
Last I checked, smoking is still a legal activity in this country. The government and society as a whole, don't want you to engage in this activity but it is still legal. So instead of being “adult” about it and out-right banning the growing, manufacturing, sale and consumption of tobacco products, the government (at nearly every level) instead chooses to tax it for your own good. The government’s financial reward is then used to help offset tax shortfalls elsewhere. Smokers are treated as a bottomless pit of money that the government can hit up any time it needs a little extra cash. Why should you care you ask, you don’t smoke and it is a filthy, disgusting habit that affects the smoker and those around him (or her) and should be stopped anyway. Maybe but until the government gets off of its fat, lazy *ss and outright outlaws it, it is still a legal activity that any American adult is free to engage in. Another reason you should care is that today the government is going after tobacco partially because it is a risky activity that they feel “safe” attacking. What is next, after the tobacco train stops running? Firearms and bullet taxes? Higher alcohol taxes? Risky sports taxes? SUVs? Gambling winnings? The list of “bad” or “evil” targets is as great as the vices of man and there is always someone somewhere that will disapprove of some activity and want to “punish” it by tax or law “for your own good”. I only smoke an occasional cigar so I have no direct dog in this fight but I am getting just plain fed up with the nanny state chipping away at what was once considered adult responsibility and self determination.
37 million people live in official poverty
In the richest country in the world, this is a shame…though, it does depend on what your definition of “official” poverty is, doesn’t it? In America today, if you are “officially” poor, the odds are you exist as follows:
- 46 percent of all poor households actually own their own homes. The average home owned by persons classified as poor by the Census Bureau is a three-bedroom house with one-and-a-half baths, a garage, and a porch or patio.
- 80 percent of poor households have air conditioning. By contrast, in 1970, only 36 percent of the entire U.S. population enjoyed air conditioning.
- Only six percent of poor households are overcrowded; two thirds have more than two rooms per person.
- The typical poor American has more living space than the average individual living in Paris, London, Vienna, Athens, and other cities throughout Europe. (These comparisons are to the average citizens in foreign countries, not to those classified as poor.)
- Nearly three quarters of poor households own a car; 31 percent own two or more cars.
- 97 percent of poor households have a color television; over half own two or more color televisions.
- 78 percent have a VCR or DVD player.
- 62 percent have cable or satellite TV reception.
- 89 percent own microwave ovens, more than half have a stereo, and a more than a third have an automatic dishwasher.
As a group, America’s poor are far from being chronically undernourished. The average consumption of protein, vitamins, and minerals is virtually the same for poor and middle-class children and, in most cases, is well above recommended norms. Poor children actually consume more meat than do higher-income children and have average protein intakes 100-percent above recommended levels. Most poor children today are, in fact, super-nourished and grow up to be, on average, one inch taller and ten pounds heavier than the GIs who stormed the beaches of Normandy in World War II.
There are indeed “poor” people in America, those that go hungry and those that have nothing. This is not the norm for American poor though. Most poor Americans are not “dust bowl, migrant worker poor” and are instead “can’t afford the new X Box” poor. Big difference, though most government agencies and class warfare politicians don’t want you to know that.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Oh how the mighty have fallen
It is also true that The New York Times is not a crusading newspaper. It is impressed with the responsibility of what it prints. It is conservative and independent, and so far as possible -- consistent with honest journalism -- attempts to aid and support those who are charged with the responsibility of government. There are many newspapers conducted along different lines, some of them vicious, ill-natured, and destructive of character and reputation, and for mere purposes of sensation they frequently terrorize well qualified and well meaning men to the point where they are discouraged from accepting invitations to give their ability, genius, and experience to the administration of public affairs."
Those words were in a letter written in 1931 by Adolph Ochs, the publisher of The New York Times.
This came from a Power Line post with William Latz. That those words quoted above were once said by the publisher of the old gray lady is both exceedingly funny (in light of recent NYT events) and at the same time exceedingly sad. Sad that the "paper of record" has become a caricature of a news paper, has sold its integrity and reputation for cheap partisan shots and has done all that it can to soil the profession of journalism. It is though the paper has spent the last 30 years doing all that it could to invalidate that once proud quote.
Those words were in a letter written in 1931 by Adolph Ochs, the publisher of The New York Times.
This came from a Power Line post with William Latz. That those words quoted above were once said by the publisher of the old gray lady is both exceedingly funny (in light of recent NYT events) and at the same time exceedingly sad. Sad that the "paper of record" has become a caricature of a news paper, has sold its integrity and reputation for cheap partisan shots and has done all that it can to soil the profession of journalism. It is though the paper has spent the last 30 years doing all that it could to invalidate that once proud quote.
Texas, U.S.A
Statement by Robert Black, spokesman for Texas Governor Rick Perry, concerning the European Union’s appeal that Texas enact a moratorium on the death penalty:
August 21, 2007
"230 years ago, our forefathers fought a war to throw off the yoke of a European monarch and gain the freedom of self-determination. Texans long ago decided that the death penalty is a just and appropriate punishment for the most horrible crimes committed against our citizens. While we respect our friends in Europe, welcome their investment in our state and appreciate their interest in our laws, Texans are doing just fine governing Texas."
That was a lot more polite than I would have expected...
August 21, 2007
"230 years ago, our forefathers fought a war to throw off the yoke of a European monarch and gain the freedom of self-determination. Texans long ago decided that the death penalty is a just and appropriate punishment for the most horrible crimes committed against our citizens. While we respect our friends in Europe, welcome their investment in our state and appreciate their interest in our laws, Texans are doing just fine governing Texas."
That was a lot more polite than I would have expected...
Making all news bad news
This is getting ridiculous. If this were happening under a democratic president, the story would be about the economic boom and the low unemployment and how it was so good for the area workers (which it is) but because there is a republican in charge, we get a story on how it is so, so sad for the business owners because they will have to start raising salaries (which it may be) but that is business. When the economy is good, more jobs are created, unemployment goes down and salaries go up. That is over all, a good thing but not when you have a wide spread BDS infection like the one that has hit the media for the last 3+ years.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Good for me but not for the
Well, isn't this a pickle? It seems that some electronic voting machines may allow votes to be recovered and matched back to names. This is a problem because as noted in the article:
Making a secret ballot less secret, of course, could permit vote selling and allow interest groups or family members to exert undue pressure on Ohio residents to vote a certain way.
So people are justifiably worried about undue pressure being exerted on residents to vote a certain way. That is indeed a valid issue. In fact this concern is valid in more than just the voting for politicians. It is also valid in voting for whether to unionize or not. So why is congress moving to do away with the requirement of secret votes for unionization? One could rightfully surmise that union voting is even more of a high pressure event than general elections. These are your co-workers, not just distant politicians. Oh I forgot, unions support democrats much more than republicans and union membership as well as the number of unions is down, that is why.
Making a secret ballot less secret, of course, could permit vote selling and allow interest groups or family members to exert undue pressure on Ohio residents to vote a certain way.
So people are justifiably worried about undue pressure being exerted on residents to vote a certain way. That is indeed a valid issue. In fact this concern is valid in more than just the voting for politicians. It is also valid in voting for whether to unionize or not. So why is congress moving to do away with the requirement of secret votes for unionization? One could rightfully surmise that union voting is even more of a high pressure event than general elections. These are your co-workers, not just distant politicians. Oh I forgot, unions support democrats much more than republicans and union membership as well as the number of unions is down, that is why.
New York being a bully?
I used to live on Long Island and liked it well enough but have not been back to the big apple in many years and have not had much desire to return. Things like this don't help change my mind...
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Popular Mechanics Investigates 9/11 Myths: FAQs
A conspiracy theory never dies, the names, dates and events just change to protect the theorists.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Bias, what bias?
It is this kind of thing that has people thinking that there is a leftest bias in the media, even if there is not (though anyone with even a few years of school can see that there is). The news article makes the congressman's party affiliation part of the lead when he is a Republican but when the story is corrected to read that he is really a Democrat, the party affiliation moves from the lead to the second paragraph. Why does it matter? Well first off, if it did not matter, why not just update his party and leave everything else alone? Instead the affiliation is moved to the second paragraph because most people that won't finish the story, stop at the first paragraph. If they didn't, there would either be no reason to move it or it would have been moved farther down (or not mentioned at all). But the news is not bias, that is just the vast right wing conspiracy talking...
Friday, August 10, 2007
Big media doing what amateur bloggers can't
cause they are professionals and have a big staff of fact checkers and all that...
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
If you don't like the outcome, change it...
At that moment, Rep. Mike McNulty ( D-N.Y.), who was in the Speaker's chair, gavelled out the vote, thinking that it was a tie and the motion had failed. But he had miscounted — the motion had actually passed. The Democrats were only able to change this by cheating and changing more votes after the gavel.
And I thought they were different and were going to change the atmosphere of corruption in Washington, I am so disillusioned...
Update (9/6/07): Glad to see that this has not been completely swept under the rug. Republicans have named a panel to investigate this issue. Not that you will hear about it in the MSM...
And I thought they were different and were going to change the atmosphere of corruption in Washington, I am so disillusioned...
Update (9/6/07): Glad to see that this has not been completely swept under the rug. Republicans have named a panel to investigate this issue. Not that you will hear about it in the MSM...
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Don't forget your daily Stossel
His articles and book "Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel--Why Everything You Know is Wrong." should be required reading by everyone, especially politicians!
Georgia to Require Voter ID in September
Well thank goodness! About time! You need a frigging ID card to cash a check or to buy beer, what is so wrong about requiring proper ID to vote? Unless your problem is you don't want to ensure that only people that should be voting, vote. It should be required in EVERY state.
Exposing the Real Che Guevara and the Useful Idiots Who Idolize Him
This is the second article in two days that I have read about Che and it is pretty refreshing to see the truth about this man being promoted instead of the usual false accolades. The other article. more satire really is here but still truthful. Too many "kids" that sport the Che shirts either don't really know anything about the man or don't care (cause it is a fashion statement, dude). Either way, they are showing themselves to be the "useful idiots" that they are.
I don't know what Robert Redford's excuse is.
I don't know what Robert Redford's excuse is.
HEH, Community Based Reality
More accurate might be members of the Community-Based-Reality. The other way around just plain isn't accurate.
Posted by: TMSG Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Sorry but I like that turn of phrase. It does seem more accurate to me too.
Posted by: TMSG Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Sorry but I like that turn of phrase. It does seem more accurate to me too.
Indoctrinate U
See the trailer, look for the movie...
I am actually taking some collage courses now and this sort of thing is happening in the most insidious of ways. Classes I have taken on business make sure to push "green business" and the science class I am currently taking makes sure to mention man-made global warming and climate change in the most forced of contexts. What ever happened to just teaching the subject and the facts? Why does every course and every subject have to be politicized?
I am actually taking some collage courses now and this sort of thing is happening in the most insidious of ways. Classes I have taken on business make sure to push "green business" and the science class I am currently taking makes sure to mention man-made global warming and climate change in the most forced of contexts. What ever happened to just teaching the subject and the facts? Why does every course and every subject have to be politicized?
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Even friendlier nuclear power
This is the only nuclear-energy releasing process in the whole world that releases fusion energy and three helium atoms -- and no neutrons. This reaction is completely radiation free.
This could be "a very good thing". Just the ticket and about just the right time, if it all works out. I wonder what argument the environmentalists will use to try and get this stopped. Probably something to do with the construction site would be my bet. Some endangered creature or habitat or some such.
This could be "a very good thing". Just the ticket and about just the right time, if it all works out. I wonder what argument the environmentalists will use to try and get this stopped. Probably something to do with the construction site would be my bet. Some endangered creature or habitat or some such.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
To "kid" or not to "kid"...
I often find stories like this amusing. The media are quick enough to consider someone a "kid" when it suits their purposes. Kids killed because of alcohol. Our kids killed in Iraq. Kids killed in shooting. All the while ignoring the fact that these "kids" are 18 and able to make a very many of their own decisions. The flip side is a real "kid" of 12 or 13 or 15 is expected to be old enough and mature enough to make a decision about having an abortion on her own.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The problem with wanting to change the world...
is that sometimes you succeed!
Soon after the program collapsed, mosquito control lost access to its crucial tool, DDT. The problem was overuse—not by malaria fighters but by farmers, especially cotton growers, trying to protect their crops. The spray was so cheap that many times the necessary doses were sometimes applied. The insecticide accumulated in the soil and tainted watercourses. Though nontoxic to humans, DDT harmed peregrine falcons, sea lions, and salmon. In 1962 Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, documenting this abuse and painting so damning a picture that the chemical was eventually outlawed by most of the world for agricultural use. Exceptions were made for malaria control, but DDT became nearly impossible to procure. "The ban on DDT," says Gwadz of the National Institutes of Health, "may have killed 20 million children."
Soon after the program collapsed, mosquito control lost access to its crucial tool, DDT. The problem was overuse—not by malaria fighters but by farmers, especially cotton growers, trying to protect their crops. The spray was so cheap that many times the necessary doses were sometimes applied. The insecticide accumulated in the soil and tainted watercourses. Though nontoxic to humans, DDT harmed peregrine falcons, sea lions, and salmon. In 1962 Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, documenting this abuse and painting so damning a picture that the chemical was eventually outlawed by most of the world for agricultural use. Exceptions were made for malaria control, but DDT became nearly impossible to procure. "The ban on DDT," says Gwadz of the National Institutes of Health, "may have killed 20 million children."
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Breaking news: Pot calls kettle black!
I just love this part:
Melanie Sloan, the executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, who is representing the Plame and her husband Ambassador Joe Wilson in a civil suit against Libby and other top Bush administration officials, slammed the decision on behalf of the Wilsons.
“First, President Bush said any person who leaked would no longer work in his administration. Nonetheless, Scooter Libby didn’t leave office until he was indicted and Karl Rove works in the White House even today,” Sloan said in a statement sent to RAW STORY. “More recently, the vice president ignored an executive order protecting classified information, claiming he isn’t really part of the executive branch. Clearly, this is an administration that believes leaking classified information for political ends is justified and that the law is what applies to other people.”
Melanie Sloan and the Wilson should be ashamed but of course they won't be. This entire fiasco was caused by the Wilsons to start with. Their manipulations and lies. Then this investigation into the non-leak whereas Fitzgerald knew from the get-go who released Plame's name to the press but he soldiered on anyway until he was able to get someone for something. No matter what. Then a DC (what do you expect) jury actually convicted Libby of the crime of perjury for mis-remembering something that happened 4 years earlier. The circus just never ends.
Melanie Sloan, the executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, who is representing the Plame and her husband Ambassador Joe Wilson in a civil suit against Libby and other top Bush administration officials, slammed the decision on behalf of the Wilsons.
“First, President Bush said any person who leaked would no longer work in his administration. Nonetheless, Scooter Libby didn’t leave office until he was indicted and Karl Rove works in the White House even today,” Sloan said in a statement sent to RAW STORY. “More recently, the vice president ignored an executive order protecting classified information, claiming he isn’t really part of the executive branch. Clearly, this is an administration that believes leaking classified information for political ends is justified and that the law is what applies to other people.”
Melanie Sloan and the Wilson should be ashamed but of course they won't be. This entire fiasco was caused by the Wilsons to start with. Their manipulations and lies. Then this investigation into the non-leak whereas Fitzgerald knew from the get-go who released Plame's name to the press but he soldiered on anyway until he was able to get someone for something. No matter what. Then a DC (what do you expect) jury actually convicted Libby of the crime of perjury for mis-remembering something that happened 4 years earlier. The circus just never ends.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Sounds like a good idea to me, recall Senator Martinez
We here at recallmel.com have a very simple & defined mission, to effect a legal recall petition drive with the ultimate goal of a special election to remove Senator Mel Martinez from office. It is our belief that our home America is crumbling at the foundation and this proposed legislation is a dangerous & misguided tragedy that has the potential to bring the US down. When our elected leaders betray their campaign promises and display reckless disregard for our interest, it is our duty to do everything possible to take away the power they so desperately crave. Please give us your support by Signing the Petition today and getting everyone you know to help our cause!
Bill of No Rights
This counter argument to the ever creeping liberalism and ever growing list of so called "rights" was spot on when I first read it in the mid-90s and still nails it on the head today. The only "real" right this country gives you is the right to fail. You win or loose on your own in this country. That is the price of personal responsibility. The ability to make right and wrong decisions.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Well now, this is cool
Picture of the International Space Station and shuttle taken by high school astronomers.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Senate Blocks Immigration Bill
Update (6/29/07): Let us NOT forget who voted for this trash! This includes both Martinez (R) and Nelson (D) of Florida! Remember this when it is voting time at home!
Amnesty is dead for now? One can only hope.
Again, this was a poorly written bill that did nothing to actually fix the problem of countless numbers of illegal aliens coming into and staying in America.
Amnesty is dead for now? One can only hope.
Again, this was a poorly written bill that did nothing to actually fix the problem of countless numbers of illegal aliens coming into and staying in America.
Free speech update
FREE SPEECH UPDATE:
Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin got his long overdue comeuppance in the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday. The court ruled the senator is not above criticism before an election, no matter what law Feingold may author.
And three justices even reminded him that Wisconsin is not Morocco. . . . A key provision of this "reform" is a restriction on political ads just before an election.
Oh, not on the ads of the politicians. Senators can run all the TV ads their fat-cat supporters are willing to buy.
No, the politicians restricted what ads the citizenry may run on TV before an election.
This "campaign reform" is like a drunk "curing" his alcoholism by telling his wife she cannot imbibe.
I hope that there's a lot of publicity in this vein, as I fear we're about to see another bipartisan effort by the inhabitants of Incumbistan to shut down criticism.
Glenn Reynolds is so right. This needs to get a lot of publicity (but sadly, most likely will not). This is just more of the "do as I say and not as I do" mentality that is so prevalent in DC today.
Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin got his long overdue comeuppance in the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday. The court ruled the senator is not above criticism before an election, no matter what law Feingold may author.
And three justices even reminded him that Wisconsin is not Morocco. . . . A key provision of this "reform" is a restriction on political ads just before an election.
Oh, not on the ads of the politicians. Senators can run all the TV ads their fat-cat supporters are willing to buy.
No, the politicians restricted what ads the citizenry may run on TV before an election.
This "campaign reform" is like a drunk "curing" his alcoholism by telling his wife she cannot imbibe.
I hope that there's a lot of publicity in this vein, as I fear we're about to see another bipartisan effort by the inhabitants of Incumbistan to shut down criticism.
Glenn Reynolds is so right. This needs to get a lot of publicity (but sadly, most likely will not). This is just more of the "do as I say and not as I do" mentality that is so prevalent in DC today.
Orlando Centennial sure has their priorities in order...
Update (6/29/07): The Centennial ran yet another front page, above the fold story on Disney today. This one to talk about how the 4 teens that were "banned for life" from Disney really are not anymore. They did run a post immigration bill story that was actually on the front page too but this ran below the fold and was a column wide. Great priorities! A week old Disney story still front and center and the defeat of a poorly conceived and written bill gets below the fold mention.
I noticed the front page of the Orlando Centennial today and they were running yet another story on Disney and the Disney crack down on disruptive behavior. This headline was concerning if the new crackdown unfairly targeted black teens. This is the second or third front page article I have seen this week on this topic. I wish the paper had put this much effort into fairly covering the immigration bill working its way through congress as they have to this story. That would have been an important use of the paper, doing in-depth analysis of BOTH the pros and cons of this legislation that though is a national bill, will have local ramifications for generations to come. But no, that would be asking too much of the MSM. They would rather show flattering pictures of poor “undocumented” workers marching to protect “their” rights instead of highlighting the facts around illegal immigration and the costs both to our society and economy.
Yet another reason I prefer the web for any real news on important stories.
I noticed the front page of the Orlando Centennial today and they were running yet another story on Disney and the Disney crack down on disruptive behavior. This headline was concerning if the new crackdown unfairly targeted black teens. This is the second or third front page article I have seen this week on this topic. I wish the paper had put this much effort into fairly covering the immigration bill working its way through congress as they have to this story. That would have been an important use of the paper, doing in-depth analysis of BOTH the pros and cons of this legislation that though is a national bill, will have local ramifications for generations to come. But no, that would be asking too much of the MSM. They would rather show flattering pictures of poor “undocumented” workers marching to protect “their” rights instead of highlighting the facts around illegal immigration and the costs both to our society and economy.
Yet another reason I prefer the web for any real news on important stories.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Sad, just sad (via Instapundit)
RAMMING THE IMMIGRATION BILL THROUGH FASTER THAN ADVERTISED?
"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid may be using an 'unprecedented combination of legislative procedures' to push through the controversial Kennedy Immigration Bill - today!"
He couldn't do that if the Republican leadership was determined to stop him. But it's not.
He is so right. The republican leadership has let down their base yet again. Just how long do they think they can do this and not face any consequences? Most likely up until the next election.
"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid may be using an 'unprecedented combination of legislative procedures' to push through the controversial Kennedy Immigration Bill - today!"
He couldn't do that if the Republican leadership was determined to stop him. But it's not.
He is so right. The republican leadership has let down their base yet again. Just how long do they think they can do this and not face any consequences? Most likely up until the next election.
Immigration bill news here
It looks like the closure vote passed. I can not figure out what congress is thinking on this one. It is a bad bill done poorly. It is NOT good for America or Americans. It is too light on screening and enforcement and makes a mockery of existing laws and safeguards. There is nothing in this bill to "solve" our immigration ills and does nothing to prevent us from having to go through this all again in another dozen years. This is already a repeat of the late 80s.
iPhone service plan details
The phone looks cool but I have heard that the hype exceeds what is delivered. I hope that is wrong. It looks to have a lot of nice functionality, integrated well. Is it a full featured PDA though? I have a Palm phone now and was considering a MS Mobile 5 as an upgrade. Is the iPhone good enough to stand in for Mobile 5?
Monday, June 25, 2007
A wooden mirror
This is very interesting. It would be even more so to see if this could be done with smaller, multi-faced wooden tiles where the extra faces are progressively darker. This would improve both the density and registration of the resulting image. In affect improving both the fineness of the image and the number of gray (or brown) shades in the resulting image.
Enough already...
I do not understand what Kennedy and Pres. Bush are thinking here. A majority of the public want our current immigration laws enforced. We want our borders protected and we want the pandering to illegal aliens to stop and THEY JUST DON'T GET IT!
Have you called congress to tell them enough? I have.
Have you called congress to tell them enough? I have.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Well, don't that beat all!
I am shocked, shocked I tell you to learn that this sort of thing goes on, in this country!
Watch the entire video and remember it the next time you hear about the shortage of qualified US workers.
Watch the entire video and remember it the next time you hear about the shortage of qualified US workers.
Guantánamo, the worst place on earth
Well, except for some other places.
The Center for Constitutional Rights in New York identified one of the Tunisians as detainee Abdullah bin Omar, 51, and said his return "put him at grave risk for torture and abuse." . . .
Human Rights Watch also raised concerns.
"Most of the detainees desperately want to go home. But there are a small number who are at such grave risk of torture that they would rather stay in Guantánamo," said Jennifer Daskal, advocacy director in Washington. . . .
She urged the Pentagon to establish a ``transparent process for this small set of detainees to raise fears of torture and have their claims evaluated, before the U.S. government sends people back to a fate worse than Guantánamo.''
I thought Guantánamo was the worst place on earth anyone could possibly be sent to and that the U.S. was cruel and inhuman for keeping these poor, poorenemy combatants people there against their will? So, as they are processed and determined to not be a threat or are no longer a threat, they are returned to their countries of origin. Now the government is evil to keep them and evil to return them. I guess these human rights groups will not be satisfied until all of the detainees are given beach side condos in Miami for the trials and tribulations that they have been put through. We should just ignore the fact that these "detainees" are being detained in the first place because they were CAPTURED either actively attacking US forces or were actively supporting those who were attacking US forces and that they have been given far more rights than is required by the Geneva convention and that the Geneva convention does NOT even apply to them because they are not an "enemy state" but are in fact terrorists that honor no rules of war. But let us not let that get in the way of our feelings for these poor peoples.
The Center for Constitutional Rights in New York identified one of the Tunisians as detainee Abdullah bin Omar, 51, and said his return "put him at grave risk for torture and abuse." . . .
Human Rights Watch also raised concerns.
"Most of the detainees desperately want to go home. But there are a small number who are at such grave risk of torture that they would rather stay in Guantánamo," said Jennifer Daskal, advocacy director in Washington. . . .
She urged the Pentagon to establish a ``transparent process for this small set of detainees to raise fears of torture and have their claims evaluated, before the U.S. government sends people back to a fate worse than Guantánamo.''
I thought Guantánamo was the worst place on earth anyone could possibly be sent to and that the U.S. was cruel and inhuman for keeping these poor, poor
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Seen on a man's tee-shirt in Orlando
If a man says something
and a woman isn't there,
is he still wrong?
Monday, June 18, 2007
Air lighter than lead and other obvious news...
It took the BBC a year long investigation to discover what the average person could have uncovered in just 4 hours of random viewing. I don't know which is the more curious, that they took a year to complete their report or that they actually did find bias? Media organizations are notorious for having a self blind-spot.
Sauce For the Gander
Makes a lot of sense to me too.
Would not hurt for all "celebrity greens" to follow this too. If it is good enough for the masses, it should be good enough for them (how about it Al?).
Would not hurt for all "celebrity greens" to follow this too. If it is good enough for the masses, it should be good enough for them (how about it Al?).
Friday, June 15, 2007
Post travel thoughts
I was traveling on business last week and as will happen on trips with lots of airline time, I ran out of things to read. You can only look through the SkyMall magazine so many times. A prior passenger had left a Harpers magazine in the seatback next to mine and so I flipped through it to help pass the time.
I stopped in the letters section and came across what is becoming a common reader comment in many newspapers and magazines. The gist of the comment was that people need to stop paying attention to the main stream media because they are all just parroting the administration on every issue. Let that digest for a bit. This person and he (or she) is by no means alone, thinks that the media in this country is bought and paid for by the Bush Whitehouse.
It takes a special kind of person to hold such a thought. That ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, AP, etc. all get their economic, civic and war reporting notes straight from Washington. The sort of person that can watch the nightly news or read a newspaper and make that sort of statement with earnest should not be allowed to operate motor vehicles. To be able to sit through endless “America is loosing the war” stories, the media reporting of the Plame debacle and all of the “Al Gore says the world is ending” stories and claim that the main media outlets are getting their talking points and stories straight from G. W. Bush is to admit to a level of self delusion that precludes one from operating anything mechanical.
If you happen to come across one of these folks and take the time to actually engage them in debate on this subject by asking for proof of this grand conspiracy, you will usually be told “Well look at FOX, everyone knows they are just reporting what the government wants them to.” I have heard this rebuttal often but have yet to receive more than that general comment. No proof of bias can be found but lets’ not let that stand in the way of our “feelings”. This is usually my cue that this person is a lost cause. To view FOX news, which has the most balanced reporting and highest track record for standards and integrity, as bias shows just how lost the commenter truly is. They have been listening to liberal bias for so long that “fair and balanced” now sounds like right-wing propaganda. You will not be able to have any sort of meaningful debate or discussion. You should just save your breath and move on.
I stopped in the letters section and came across what is becoming a common reader comment in many newspapers and magazines. The gist of the comment was that people need to stop paying attention to the main stream media because they are all just parroting the administration on every issue. Let that digest for a bit. This person and he (or she) is by no means alone, thinks that the media in this country is bought and paid for by the Bush Whitehouse.
It takes a special kind of person to hold such a thought. That ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, AP, etc. all get their economic, civic and war reporting notes straight from Washington. The sort of person that can watch the nightly news or read a newspaper and make that sort of statement with earnest should not be allowed to operate motor vehicles. To be able to sit through endless “America is loosing the war” stories, the media reporting of the Plame debacle and all of the “Al Gore says the world is ending” stories and claim that the main media outlets are getting their talking points and stories straight from G. W. Bush is to admit to a level of self delusion that precludes one from operating anything mechanical.
If you happen to come across one of these folks and take the time to actually engage them in debate on this subject by asking for proof of this grand conspiracy, you will usually be told “Well look at FOX, everyone knows they are just reporting what the government wants them to.” I have heard this rebuttal often but have yet to receive more than that general comment. No proof of bias can be found but lets’ not let that stand in the way of our “feelings”. This is usually my cue that this person is a lost cause. To view FOX news, which has the most balanced reporting and highest track record for standards and integrity, as bias shows just how lost the commenter truly is. They have been listening to liberal bias for so long that “fair and balanced” now sounds like right-wing propaganda. You will not be able to have any sort of meaningful debate or discussion. You should just save your breath and move on.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Powdered Alcohol
You may have already seen this, powdered alcohol. What will they think of next? I remember seeing the "solid" alcohol in the last Alien movie, the commander puts a solid cube in a class and places it under a dispenser, a "beam" hits it and turns it back into a liquid. This is in that ballpark.
Of course, since it is not a liquid, it appears that kids can order it over the Internet and it is not illegal. Go figure, once more technology has out-paced the law.
You can read more here and here. Am a little surprised I did not see a link from Slashdot.
Of course, since it is not a liquid, it appears that kids can order it over the Internet and it is not illegal. Go figure, once more technology has out-paced the law.
You can read more here and here. Am a little surprised I did not see a link from Slashdot.
John Stossel, telling it like it is
I wish more people understood economics better, especially reporters. It might just stop them from asking so many stupid questions and help them better question stupid statements and laws that affect the economy.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Friday, June 1, 2007
Something else you might not see on the nightly news
Female pershmerga, the Kurdish security force, show off some moves during a hand-over ceremony from US forces to the Kurdish regional government in the northern city of Arbil. Reponsibility for security in Iraq's three northern provinces -- Sulaimaniyah, Arbil and Dohuk -- was given to the Kurdish regional government today.(AFP/Ahmad al-Rubaye)
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Cool stuff
I thought that this article and related links with video on movable buildings was pretty cool and then I ran into this, a razor thin bendable TV. Now that has a lot of possibilities. TVs and computers that roll up into little tubes a-la the movie Red Planet where they used a flexible computer/communicator/navigation system that was way cool. Looks like it should be just around the corner now.
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