Now we are talking! I want one for my house!
I can already hear the environmentalists screaming about this. As a group they have been against every attempt at building more nuclear reactors for the past 30 years. If they are really worried about the environment and pollution, they would be for nuclear power but they are not. This is because they are not so much pro-environment but are actually anti-capitalism. They don't want to see the US or any other democratic, capitalistic society succeed and concern for the environment is their excuse. Otherwise, they would not only be pro-nuclear power but pro-hunting as well. Hunting is the most efficient way to control native animal populations. It is the least expensive and has the added benefit of generating locally produced, all natural meat.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Just say yes to Fred
For what it is worth, Fred is in my opinion (and that is all that it is) the best man for the job of President. He has the will and the integrity to say what he means and do what he says. He may not be as smooth as Reagan but based on what I know about him, they are of the same cloth. For me, Fred is preferable to all of the other running candidates of either party. He is for smaller government and a stronger homeland. He is against illegal immigration and for the military. I think he is a little soft on his support of the 2nd amendment but can live with that based on everything else. I am not a single issue person and at this point, Fred is the whole package.
Religion of peace
When it is a basic tenant of your religion that it is OK to denigrate and kill non-believers (read Jews and Christians) is it such a stretch to think that to some within your religion other “believers” qualify too?
Many Muslim leaders in the Middle East and elsewhere have spent generations instructing the populace that those that do not believe as you do are less than animals and do not deserve to live. It is on the placards at every demonstration, “death to the non-believers”. As any wildlife specialist can tell you, when push comes to shove eventually even wolves eat their own. In this case, as the French would say, bon appetite.
Many Muslim leaders in the Middle East and elsewhere have spent generations instructing the populace that those that do not believe as you do are less than animals and do not deserve to live. It is on the placards at every demonstration, “death to the non-believers”. As any wildlife specialist can tell you, when push comes to shove eventually even wolves eat their own. In this case, as the French would say, bon appetite.
Mitt Romney and guns
It seems to come down to that same tired old argument that if it looks "mean" it is bad and we should ban it.
Often it is a matter of context. Like that scene in the original "Men in Black" when Will Smith was being evaluated at the firing range with the other candidates. They all start shooting at targets except for Will who scans the scene and finally shoots a silhouette of a little girl. His reason is the books she was carrying were far too advanced for a girl her age and what was she doing out so late in such a bad neighborhood? She must have been up to no good.
The assault weapons ban did nothing but ban guns that contained things that looked mean and bad and war like. All legal guns since the 1940s have been single shot. You pull the trigger and a bullet is fired. You want to fire another bullet, you pull the trigger again. Regardless of how they look nearly all civilian rifles still operate just that way. You need a special government permit to own a true, fully automatic rifle. When a criminal uses a fully automatic rifle during the commission of a crime (which is rare in and of its self) it is typically an illegally modified weapon. Again, not something a criminal is going to care about anyway. So banning lawful citizens from owning “mean” looking rifles is nothing but a political feel good gesture that accomplishes nothing constructive.
Often it is a matter of context. Like that scene in the original "Men in Black" when Will Smith was being evaluated at the firing range with the other candidates. They all start shooting at targets except for Will who scans the scene and finally shoots a silhouette of a little girl. His reason is the books she was carrying were far too advanced for a girl her age and what was she doing out so late in such a bad neighborhood? She must have been up to no good.
The assault weapons ban did nothing but ban guns that contained things that looked mean and bad and war like. All legal guns since the 1940s have been single shot. You pull the trigger and a bullet is fired. You want to fire another bullet, you pull the trigger again. Regardless of how they look nearly all civilian rifles still operate just that way. You need a special government permit to own a true, fully automatic rifle. When a criminal uses a fully automatic rifle during the commission of a crime (which is rare in and of its self) it is typically an illegally modified weapon. Again, not something a criminal is going to care about anyway. So banning lawful citizens from owning “mean” looking rifles is nothing but a political feel good gesture that accomplishes nothing constructive.
Since banning guns costs lives, shouldn't the individuals who ban self-defense pay the price?
This sentiment is a growing trend, thank goodness.
When a property owner denies a visitor the right to self defence, that property owner assumes the responsibility for that visitor's protection and well being. In too many recent cases, they have failed miserably in that responsibility.
When a property owner denies a visitor the right to self defence, that property owner assumes the responsibility for that visitor's protection and well being. In too many recent cases, they have failed miserably in that responsibility.
Batteries 10X better
Interesting article and it would be fantastic if this can get into production. If a two hour laptop battery lasted 20 hours using this new technology, what will most likely happen is the batteries will be made 4 times smaller saving a lot of weight and size and still give you over twice the life.
This will have applications in many spaces besides this. I can see much more powerful RC planes and helicopters as a result of the additional power that will be available as well as things like (as noted in the article) better electric cars but also longer lasting cell phones (not necessarily a good thing) and other portable electronic devices. Maybe we can finally have an battery operated leaf blower that is actually worth getting.
This will have applications in many spaces besides this. I can see much more powerful RC planes and helicopters as a result of the additional power that will be available as well as things like (as noted in the article) better electric cars but also longer lasting cell phones (not necessarily a good thing) and other portable electronic devices. Maybe we can finally have an battery operated leaf blower that is actually worth getting.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
This might just clinch the democratic ticket for him...
NATIONAL ENQUIRER WORLD EXCLUSIVE: JOHN EDWARDS LOVE CHILD SCANDAL!
Galactic "ray gun" blasts neighbor
Interesting and fascinating. The "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" had a line in it about the universe being so large and so vast that anything you could create, existed as a creature somewhere. This sort of thing can lead one to almost believe that. The exhaust jet from a galactic black hole striking another near galaxy.
One of the possible results of such a thing, as mentioned in the article, is the destruction of the ozone layer that protects life from space radiation. The Earth's ozone hole was at one time a "very big deal" and many people spent a lot of time fretting over it. I often wondered that since we know how to produce ozone and it can in fact be a pollutant when close to the surface of the Earth, could we not come up with a way to produce ozone in the upper atmosphere where it is useful? Using high altitude balloons or high altitude electronic planes? The generators could be either nuclear or solar powered and generate ozone as needed based on analysis of ozone quantities in the vicinity of the generator. Just a thought.
One of the possible results of such a thing, as mentioned in the article, is the destruction of the ozone layer that protects life from space radiation. The Earth's ozone hole was at one time a "very big deal" and many people spent a lot of time fretting over it. I often wondered that since we know how to produce ozone and it can in fact be a pollutant when close to the surface of the Earth, could we not come up with a way to produce ozone in the upper atmosphere where it is useful? Using high altitude balloons or high altitude electronic planes? The generators could be either nuclear or solar powered and generate ozone as needed based on analysis of ozone quantities in the vicinity of the generator. Just a thought.
John Stossel and Ron Paul on war
I was looking for reasons to like Ron but his answers to John related to Muslim fanaticism and no concerns if Islamic fanatics get the bomb are disturbing. This argument if false. Russia knew that there was a high likelihood that if they bombed us, we would bomb them. That if a nuclear device was detonated in a U.S. city, we would "know" it was from Russia "with love" and would retaliate. If fanatics get the bomb, against whom do you retaliate? These are people that see strapping on a bomb vest and blowing up a crowd of women and children as something to celebrate. What does Ron think will stop them from putting a bomb in a freight container and setting it off in New York harbor? Talk? With this as his outlook, I don't think the country can afford Ron Paul.
speaking on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to comment.
This is turning into one of the most often read/heard phrases in any news article produced on just about any subject you can imagine. If this were a truly righteous world, 99.999% of the time that this phrase appeared in a story a reporter and a news editor would be fired. This phrase has come to represent the worst aspects of and most of what is wrong with the news. It is a cheap, lazy way for a reporter to complete a story. They speak with someone not authorized or allowed to speak to the press to get an angle. It is both intellectually lazy and dishonest and a REAL reporter would not do this nor countenance its use.
Just so sick!
This is a video that is aimed at children and is being (was being?) sold out of a mosque in Britain. A little girl is singing the song and together with the accompanying video depicts her mother leaving to be a suicide bomber and the little girl ends with how she will follow in her mother's footsteps.
Apparently this is a Hamas production. Yet another uplifting contribution to the world from the wonderful religion of peace.
Apparently this is a Hamas production. Yet another uplifting contribution to the world from the wonderful religion of peace.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Jane Fonda, American Traitor B*tch*
Even after Jane Fonda's 70th birthday, she is still an unapologetic American Traitor B*tch and as noted, nearly all of the media give her a pass. She gave aid and comfort to the enemy in a time of war and faced no consequences. She ever remains unapologetic and firm in her beliefs against America and for our enemies. Even after the hundreds of thousands were killed by the Khmer Rouge she stands firm for her Communist friends. Unlike the lies of John Kerry, our POWs were tortured for real despite what Hanoi Jane said. She has been and remains both a media darling and an American Traitor B*tch.
* As once seen on a bumper sticker
* As once seen on a bumper sticker
Monday, December 17, 2007
Timeline of a fraud
I do not believe as yet that there has been any honest apology or even an admission that this entire episode was used to falsely accuse the Israelis of murder. As with most of these types of stories, world wide MSM is blind to the reality as well. Israel is always the aggressor and never the victim even after there is clear evidence of malfeasance on the part of Palestine.
So much for "no state mandated religion"
At least at at Normandale Community College and as long as the religion is Islam. This is just more of the same.
The school says it is still a multi-use room but I wonder how well it would be tolerated if an unveiled, shoe wearing, Christian, female Cheerleader sat on the "men's" side or if a shoe wearing Jewish man sat on the female side while the "space" was in use by Muslims, what kind of raucous that would cause.
You have to "love" the literature that was left about as well. If this "literature" had said this about Islam, CAIR would be screaming about hate crimes but again as this is from the perspective of Islam it is all right and is tolerated.
The school says it is still a multi-use room but I wonder how well it would be tolerated if an unveiled, shoe wearing, Christian, female Cheerleader sat on the "men's" side or if a shoe wearing Jewish man sat on the female side while the "space" was in use by Muslims, what kind of raucous that would cause.
You have to "love" the literature that was left about as well. If this "literature" had said this about Islam, CAIR would be screaming about hate crimes but again as this is from the perspective of Islam it is all right and is tolerated.
Stand firm Joe!
Three things.
First, is "management reserves the right to refuse service" no longer allowed?
Second, as he paraphrases: To be an American, you have to be American and nothing else. For if you say you’re something else, then you’re not a true American. I have always felt as he does, that you are American or not. You can be an American of Italian descent or Mexican descent or what ever but you are or at least should want to be "an American".
Third, what does the city truly want him to do? Attempt to serve everyone in what ever language they speak? When I travel abroad, I appreciate when people I speak with in other countries can speak English but I don't expect them to be able to and if they do not, it is my loss. I happened to get lucky and be born in America and grew up speaking English. If I were to move to central America, I would surely learn Spanish before going there so as to be able to make my way. I would not "expect" everyone I encountered to be able to speak English. I wonder how many government forms are available in "English" in Germany, France, Columbia or Mexico or are all of their government forms in their respective native languages?
First, is "management reserves the right to refuse service" no longer allowed?
Second, as he paraphrases: To be an American, you have to be American and nothing else. For if you say you’re something else, then you’re not a true American. I have always felt as he does, that you are American or not. You can be an American of Italian descent or Mexican descent or what ever but you are or at least should want to be "an American".
Third, what does the city truly want him to do? Attempt to serve everyone in what ever language they speak? When I travel abroad, I appreciate when people I speak with in other countries can speak English but I don't expect them to be able to and if they do not, it is my loss. I happened to get lucky and be born in America and grew up speaking English. If I were to move to central America, I would surely learn Spanish before going there so as to be able to make my way. I would not "expect" everyone I encountered to be able to speak English. I wonder how many government forms are available in "English" in Germany, France, Columbia or Mexico or are all of their government forms in their respective native languages?
Adding a new blog link
I am adding a new blog to my blog link list. It is the Civilian Gun Self Defense blog. It lists stories of citizens using guns for self defence purposes. Something that you don't hear or read much about from the MSM. They would much rather you think that all guns are evil and that no good ever comes from having or using a gun.
Don't cry wolf
This is news worthy for its rarity. A fabricated crime by someone belonging to a conservative group. As is typically the case (based on recent news reports of these types of things) hoax crimes like this are usually perpetuated by liberals. I hope that charges are pressed for, at a minimum filing a false police report if a report was filed. Neither article includes that information. False crimes/hate crimes are wrong and should be punished regardless of who files them. They serve to inflate crime stats and sensationalize crime when it is not discovered to be a hoax. When they are proved to be a hoax they undermine anti-crime efforts and create a willingness to disbelieve real crime reports. Neither of which are beneficial to the general public safety.
Of taxes and politicians
Well, yet another study that shows tax rates are down across the board but not down as much for the upper tax payers. Don't expect to hear or see this on the news though and don't expect any of the democratic candidates for President to change their tunes. Why let reality or the truth get in the way of a good campaign sound bite? They will continue to push the "need" for more taxes on the "evil rich". You know, those folks that are already carrying much of this country's tax burden.
Good for you!
I am glad that more and more in the MSM are getting as fed up with this acquiescing to barbarity as I am. If these people want to live in the rest of the world, they have to learn to adjust to more civilized norms. If a Jewish man in the upper west side strangled his 12 year old son because he would not wear a yamaka, the condemnation from all quarters would be swift and justified. Let a practitioner of Islam do such a thing though and "it is his culture". Grow up.
Sorry for the blackout...
Was on an office trip for a week and when I got back, the office filter had been updated to stop access to blogs. Noticed today that the filter is off so, off we go...
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Welcome to the supply-side, Whoopi!
How true! This is one of the reasons (but not the only one) that I am a fan of the "Fair Tax". It is always a bad idea to tax earnings, investments and savings. It is much more fair to tax consumption. Have no or a low rate on "necessities of life" like food and a flat rate on everything else. In the case of the Fair Tax, this is resolved via a pre-bait on what you would be expected to spend on necessity taxes.
This just seems to make sense
Sorry if you disagree but think it through...
I do not think that "gun free zones" are a good idea. You are basically telling non-law abiding people where they can carry on without worry. In my opinion, if you as a business or organization declare a zone to be free from a citizen's ability to protect them selves then you are assuming all responsibility to protect them while they are within your "zone". That should mean that if someone gets attached and/or shot by someone else not abiding by your zone, you should be responsible for that act and be libel because you failed to properly protect them while they were in your zone.
I do not think that "gun free zones" are a good idea. You are basically telling non-law abiding people where they can carry on without worry. In my opinion, if you as a business or organization declare a zone to be free from a citizen's ability to protect them selves then you are assuming all responsibility to protect them while they are within your "zone". That should mean that if someone gets attached and/or shot by someone else not abiding by your zone, you should be responsible for that act and be libel because you failed to properly protect them while they were in your zone.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
She was SO regal and calm!
When the hostages had been released and their alleged captor arrested, a regal-looking Hillary Rodham Clinton strolled out of her Washington home, the picture of calm in the face of crisis.
Well of course she was calm in the face of a crisis, she was not involved. She was a at her Washington home. She might have been truly concerned and worried for their safety but she was not involved in the incident. Under those sort of circumstances, calm is easy. The AP sure did a fine job of objectively reporting the incident too, didn't they!
Well of course she was calm in the face of a crisis, she was not involved. She was a at her Washington home. She might have been truly concerned and worried for their safety but she was not involved in the incident. Under those sort of circumstances, calm is easy. The AP sure did a fine job of objectively reporting the incident too, didn't they!
Monday, December 3, 2007
More do as I say, not as I do; Texas Style
This is more of that "do as I say" stuff that government at all levels can not help but do cause you know, they do know best.
State governments outlaw gambling but promote lotteries. They pass laws to restrict cigarettes cause they are bad for you but they won't outlaw them and will tax the crap out of them to raise money. They restrict alcohol cause it is bad for you but they won't outlaw it and they tax the crap out of it to raise money. Here in Florida you are required to wear a seat belt while driving a car but you can ride a motorcycle without a helmet. Teenagers are not allowed to buy cigarettes or alcohol because they don't have the capacity to make "adult" decisions on their use but it is perfectly OK for teenage girls to get on-demand abortions without parental consent in many parts of the country.
And now they are busting down the door at the local VFW cause they have no other more pressing crimes to investigate or put a stop to, like drug dealing and such. Welcome to more of the nanny state.
State governments outlaw gambling but promote lotteries. They pass laws to restrict cigarettes cause they are bad for you but they won't outlaw them and will tax the crap out of them to raise money. They restrict alcohol cause it is bad for you but they won't outlaw it and they tax the crap out of it to raise money. Here in Florida you are required to wear a seat belt while driving a car but you can ride a motorcycle without a helmet. Teenagers are not allowed to buy cigarettes or alcohol because they don't have the capacity to make "adult" decisions on their use but it is perfectly OK for teenage girls to get on-demand abortions without parental consent in many parts of the country.
And now they are busting down the door at the local VFW cause they have no other more pressing crimes to investigate or put a stop to, like drug dealing and such. Welcome to more of the nanny state.
Judge Shopping
It is items like this that Activists (and activist lawyers) love to read and ordinary citizens fear. Judges that seem to allow their personal feelings and views to so invade their court rooms and rulings that lawyers of like cases actively seek them out for more favorable standing and rulings.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Barbabas Fund responds to Muslim open letter to Christians
This is a critical and honest look at the letter and a reasoned response. If only others were as insightful.
Update 07-23-2014: It appears that the original link above is broken. A search for the original article turned up this one which should be the one that was linked above.
Update 07-23-2014: It appears that the original link above is broken. A search for the original article turned up this one which should be the one that was linked above.
Standard Hollywood Storyline #4
Well it would seem that Hollywood has finally gotten around to updating that good old staple; storyline #4. It no longer is "bigoted blue collar white guy hates foreigner that helps him". It has been updated for the new millennium to include "bigoted blue collar white guy hates 'undocumented' work that helps him". This new expanded storyline made an appearance on TV this week in both Gray's Anatomy (old form) and ER (new form) storylines.
In the case of Grey's, a (black female) paramedic has a seizure while driving a rig that results in two ambulances being wrecked. The female paramedic has a (white) male partner who is very concerned for his partner and wants her to be checked out first. When they try to check him out, he tells his black female doctor that he wants a male doctor. When confronted with a black male doctor he then asks for a white doctor. This was because he had a swat-sticker tattooed on his belly and did not want the non-white staff to see it. If you watch the story, the white "bigot" did not follow any of the normal Hollywood bigot stereotypes, he appeared clean-cut, educated, well spoken and concerned for his non-white partner. He appeared to get along with his black partner and was concerned for her. The only indication that anything was amiss was his tattoo. At first I thought that they were trying to show the tattoo as a poor adolescent decision but based on the remainder of the story I think their real intent was to show us all that the white (what other kind are there in Hollywood) bigots still exist but have just gone underground (you can never be too careful around those white guys). As icing on the cake they have the "bigot" insist on a white doctor as a witness during his surgery to make sure that the female black and asian surgeons don’t have an "accident" while operating on him. Of course the black and asian doctors "rise above" this insult and operate on the man anyway and save his life.
In ER they follow the updated script and are even more blatant about it. They try to score extra points by tossing in the helpful illegal alien that does not speak much English. A blue-collar working man gets his arm caught and would have died except that he is helped/saved by a female illegal alien working as a cleaner (aren't they all?) and when everyone gets to the hospital, the man's bigot son blames the woman for his father's injuries. The woman (of course) has a son in collage (and doing quite well thank you) and her injuries are superficial. The two boys get in a scuffle at the hospital and plenty of the typical racial insults are used and the non-white boy gets to say how he in an American because he was born here. The writers try to cover all of the bases to make sure that you really dislike the white boy. Later the white boy tracks down the other boy and beats him with a bat. The second boy dies and then the first boy finds out from his father that the woman actually saved his life. He gets arrested and hauled away in cuffs.
Is this the only way Hollywood knows how to play this mime? That all white guys (sometimes gals) are bigots and all non-whites are down-trodden, hard working missionaries only trying to better themselves and their families? How about they mix it up just once in a while and try using a Muslim man that refuses to be treated by a woman? Or how about a black racist refuses to be treated by a white doctor? How about we use an actual story “ripped from the headlines” about a drink illegal alien driver with multiple convictions that runs over a little white girl? I would not hold by breath for that one, there are still some things Hollywood thinks is just too unbelievable.
In the case of Grey's, a (black female) paramedic has a seizure while driving a rig that results in two ambulances being wrecked. The female paramedic has a (white) male partner who is very concerned for his partner and wants her to be checked out first. When they try to check him out, he tells his black female doctor that he wants a male doctor. When confronted with a black male doctor he then asks for a white doctor. This was because he had a swat-sticker tattooed on his belly and did not want the non-white staff to see it. If you watch the story, the white "bigot" did not follow any of the normal Hollywood bigot stereotypes, he appeared clean-cut, educated, well spoken and concerned for his non-white partner. He appeared to get along with his black partner and was concerned for her. The only indication that anything was amiss was his tattoo. At first I thought that they were trying to show the tattoo as a poor adolescent decision but based on the remainder of the story I think their real intent was to show us all that the white (what other kind are there in Hollywood) bigots still exist but have just gone underground (you can never be too careful around those white guys). As icing on the cake they have the "bigot" insist on a white doctor as a witness during his surgery to make sure that the female black and asian surgeons don’t have an "accident" while operating on him. Of course the black and asian doctors "rise above" this insult and operate on the man anyway and save his life.
In ER they follow the updated script and are even more blatant about it. They try to score extra points by tossing in the helpful illegal alien that does not speak much English. A blue-collar working man gets his arm caught and would have died except that he is helped/saved by a female illegal alien working as a cleaner (aren't they all?) and when everyone gets to the hospital, the man's bigot son blames the woman for his father's injuries. The woman (of course) has a son in collage (and doing quite well thank you) and her injuries are superficial. The two boys get in a scuffle at the hospital and plenty of the typical racial insults are used and the non-white boy gets to say how he in an American because he was born here. The writers try to cover all of the bases to make sure that you really dislike the white boy. Later the white boy tracks down the other boy and beats him with a bat. The second boy dies and then the first boy finds out from his father that the woman actually saved his life. He gets arrested and hauled away in cuffs.
Is this the only way Hollywood knows how to play this mime? That all white guys (sometimes gals) are bigots and all non-whites are down-trodden, hard working missionaries only trying to better themselves and their families? How about they mix it up just once in a while and try using a Muslim man that refuses to be treated by a woman? Or how about a black racist refuses to be treated by a white doctor? How about we use an actual story “ripped from the headlines” about a drink illegal alien driver with multiple convictions that runs over a little white girl? I would not hold by breath for that one, there are still some things Hollywood thinks is just too unbelievable.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Unbelievable!
Read this Times story, I hope you find it as hard to believe and understand as I did.
In summary, a 47 year old woman pretended to be a 16 year old boy to first befriend and then verbally attack a 13 year old girl who had once been a friend of her daughter's. The verbal attack resulted in the young girl hanging her self.
What kind of sick, twisted woman pulls such a cruel and tragic hoax on a 13 year old girl? A girl she knew was on anti-depressants and claim to not have any idea that suicide could not be a probable outcome?
To add insult to injury, the only reason this became public is because when the girl's parents found out about what transpired, they took out their anger and frustration on a foosball table they were actually storing in their house for the other family as it was a surprise Christmas present. The broken pieces were thrown in the other family's drive way and they called the police. This caused the store to come to light. What a screwed up woman! The local prosecuting attorney was still reviewing the case to see of the woman could be prosecuted. I am not a lawyer but I would think of a few possibilities like: child abuse, manslaughter or how about negligent homicide?
I would hope that we don't need a new set of laws to cover this sort of occurrence but could use existing laws. In most (not all) cases, reactionary laws are written too quickly and too poorly and result in too many unintended consequences.
In summary, a 47 year old woman pretended to be a 16 year old boy to first befriend and then verbally attack a 13 year old girl who had once been a friend of her daughter's. The verbal attack resulted in the young girl hanging her self.
What kind of sick, twisted woman pulls such a cruel and tragic hoax on a 13 year old girl? A girl she knew was on anti-depressants and claim to not have any idea that suicide could not be a probable outcome?
To add insult to injury, the only reason this became public is because when the girl's parents found out about what transpired, they took out their anger and frustration on a foosball table they were actually storing in their house for the other family as it was a surprise Christmas present. The broken pieces were thrown in the other family's drive way and they called the police. This caused the store to come to light. What a screwed up woman! The local prosecuting attorney was still reviewing the case to see of the woman could be prosecuted. I am not a lawyer but I would think of a few possibilities like: child abuse, manslaughter or how about negligent homicide?
I would hope that we don't need a new set of laws to cover this sort of occurrence but could use existing laws. In most (not all) cases, reactionary laws are written too quickly and too poorly and result in too many unintended consequences.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Of torture and Stephen King
InstaPunk makes some very good points and to be honest I expected a better perspective from Stephen King (being a big fan of his writing). As InstaPunk points out, if you can not contemplate the torturing of one to save hundreds from torture or death then you really should not be allowed to sit at the grownup table. That is the sort of dilemma and decision that adults should be able to face and make. It is black at one extreme and white on the other with every shade of gray in between and to continue to call it a simple black and white issue is to show the type of naivety that can only be tolerated in grade school or by liberals but not by adults.
Read his entire post and follow his links. The story of Ms. Wang, that is torture. After reading her story and looking at her picture, answer this question; would you water board one of her guard to find out where she is being held in order to stop her torture? If not, why not? Would it help you decide if it was your mother/wife/daughter instead of a stranger? If so, why? Honestly answer that and you just might be ready to start growing up.
Read his entire post and follow his links. The story of Ms. Wang, that is torture. After reading her story and looking at her picture, answer this question; would you water board one of her guard to find out where she is being held in order to stop her torture? If not, why not? Would it help you decide if it was your mother/wife/daughter instead of a stranger? If so, why? Honestly answer that and you just might be ready to start growing up.
Uncle Jay Explains Congress
This is one of those things that is both funny and will make you mad/sad at the same time. Watch and enjoy(?)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Oh just grow up!
This opening paragraph hits it out of the park, nice start!
It is interesting to note the seeming contradiction when schools find it necessary to teach all the best ways to have “safe” sex to minors who cannot legally consent to have sex in the first place and yet also find it necessary to suspend students for legal handholding or hugging. The same contradiction is observed in schools allowing profane t-shirts as “freedom of expression” but suspending a student who used the word “noose” as a racial slur.
The entire thing is worth a read but you have to love the closing...
We expect silliness of babies and small children. It’s disturbing when seen in ostensible adults and it is alarming when it is promulgated as public policy.
It is interesting to note the seeming contradiction when schools find it necessary to teach all the best ways to have “safe” sex to minors who cannot legally consent to have sex in the first place and yet also find it necessary to suspend students for legal handholding or hugging. The same contradiction is observed in schools allowing profane t-shirts as “freedom of expression” but suspending a student who used the word “noose” as a racial slur.
The entire thing is worth a read but you have to love the closing...
We expect silliness of babies and small children. It’s disturbing when seen in ostensible adults and it is alarming when it is promulgated as public policy.
eMail Joke: "The Deer Hunters"
Two deer hunters were standing on a ridge near a highway in rural Wisconsin on the opening day of deer season.
They both saw a trophy-class buck meandering towards them. As the one hunter raised his gun to shoot, a funeral procession came slowly by. The hunter lowered his gun, took off his hat, and stood with his head bowed until the procession was past.
Of course by then, the deer was long gone.
The other hunter exclaimed, "Wow! That was the most sportsmanlike act I've ever seen! You allowed this trophy buck to escape while showing such compassion and kindness toward someone's dearly departed. You are a great humanitarian and a shining example to sportsmen throughout the world!"
The first hunter nodded and said, "Well, we were married for 42 years'."
They both saw a trophy-class buck meandering towards them. As the one hunter raised his gun to shoot, a funeral procession came slowly by. The hunter lowered his gun, took off his hat, and stood with his head bowed until the procession was past.
Of course by then, the deer was long gone.
The other hunter exclaimed, "Wow! That was the most sportsmanlike act I've ever seen! You allowed this trophy buck to escape while showing such compassion and kindness toward someone's dearly departed. You are a great humanitarian and a shining example to sportsmen throughout the world!"
The first hunter nodded and said, "Well, we were married for 42 years'."
Mankind shortening the universe's life
What a rather stupid headline for this article. If you take the time to read it, mankind has not affected the universe but instead a group of scientists have raised questions about how we have previously measured aspects of it. Things like its age, size and weight. It is quite a leap from questioning if we got our measurements right to saying that because we observed it, we affected it which is a principle of quantum mechanics. And even that is not entirely true. It is actually that quantum particles can exist in a number of states and that there is a probability of the particle being in any of those states and all states are possible until that particle is observed in which case its actual state is now known and so the probability of it being in the other states is reduced to zero. Quite a stretch to go from that to saying because we observed the universe, we locked it into a quick decay model. If it is in a quick decay model, it was always there, we just did not know it.
This is about on par with man-made global warming. The Earth is getting warmer, well so is Mars and so is the Sun. Which is more likely? That man is affecting not only the Earth, Mars and the Sun too or that maybe, just maybe the Sun is going through a warming cycle and as a result is heating up Mars and the Earth? To say that man is driving this increase instead of attributing it to the Sun is going back to the middle-ages and putting man at the center of the universe.
This is about on par with man-made global warming. The Earth is getting warmer, well so is Mars and so is the Sun. Which is more likely? That man is affecting not only the Earth, Mars and the Sun too or that maybe, just maybe the Sun is going through a warming cycle and as a result is heating up Mars and the Earth? To say that man is driving this increase instead of attributing it to the Sun is going back to the middle-ages and putting man at the center of the universe.
Verizon’s new phones sound alarm when you call 911
How so very helpful! Sounding an audible alarm when you dial 911. Its not like you might need to call 911 while hiding from your attackers or anything. Apparently this "feature" has been introduced in all of Verizon's new phones with little or no fan-fare. Wonder why?
More global warming hypocrisy
So, there will be so many private/charter jets planning to be at the Bali U.N. Conference on Climate Change that there is not enough room at the airport to park them all and some will need to be flown to other airports in the area for storage. I wonder what the carbon footprint of that will be but it is for a good cause and it is not like they could fly commercial or use, I don't know, teleconferencing (WebEx, NetMeeting) or something.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Religion of peace at it again...
Read the entire pathetic story, I will wait...
Back? Good. So, according to the religion of peace, you can not name a teddy bear Muhammad. It is an insult to the great religion of Islam. Well, now a days what is not an insult to this religion or their followers? Don't know about the rest of you but I am getting pretty tired of this constant eagerness to be insulted. This finding of slight in the smallest of things. This is so third grade or dare I say, so 500 AD of them. When are the followers of Islam going to get tired of being forever on the verge of or in the middle of a grade A hissie fit? I mean it has to be exhausting, always being angry about this sort of childish stuff, really don't you think? I mean this kind of crap is right up there with "stop looking at me" and these people want to rule the world? They want the entire big blue marble to be under Sharia law? Yeah that will happen. I would be very curious to know what advancements have come out of any of the regions that are currently under Sharia law in say the last 100 years. I mean real things, not the mad ravings of mad mullahs or presidents. Best I can recollect, it is a pretty short list but am open to any comments that will enlighten.
As I am sure others have pointed out, where is NOW or ANSWER in all of this? Where are the protests for the release of an innocent that wanted nothing more than to nurture and teach the young? Oh yeah, I remember, she is a Christian in a Islamic country, it is not PC to protest for her freedom. We save that stuff for murderers in U.S. prisons, not for innocents abroad.
Back? Good. So, according to the religion of peace, you can not name a teddy bear Muhammad. It is an insult to the great religion of Islam. Well, now a days what is not an insult to this religion or their followers? Don't know about the rest of you but I am getting pretty tired of this constant eagerness to be insulted. This finding of slight in the smallest of things. This is so third grade or dare I say, so 500 AD of them. When are the followers of Islam going to get tired of being forever on the verge of or in the middle of a grade A hissie fit? I mean it has to be exhausting, always being angry about this sort of childish stuff, really don't you think? I mean this kind of crap is right up there with "stop looking at me" and these people want to rule the world? They want the entire big blue marble to be under Sharia law? Yeah that will happen. I would be very curious to know what advancements have come out of any of the regions that are currently under Sharia law in say the last 100 years. I mean real things, not the mad ravings of mad mullahs or presidents. Best I can recollect, it is a pretty short list but am open to any comments that will enlighten.
As I am sure others have pointed out, where is NOW or ANSWER in all of this? Where are the protests for the release of an innocent that wanted nothing more than to nurture and teach the young? Oh yeah, I remember, she is a Christian in a Islamic country, it is not PC to protest for her freedom. We save that stuff for murderers in U.S. prisons, not for innocents abroad.
Stupid decisions, part 1
This story includes just about everything that is wrong with today's public education environment. Students having a conversation about Innocent things that goes wrong and because there are no adults left in the public school system, two student pay the price.
"Travis was accused of using a racial slur for saying the word 'noose.' Then he was suspended for 10 days," Kim said.
So now the word "noose" is a racial slur.
"Someone asked if anybody knew how to tie a noose and Travis did admit he knew how to tie a noose,"
Well we can't have any of that can we! Nooses have been in the news as of late, used in both real and faux racial incidents and so it too gets added to the list of things that can not be discussed, regardless of circumstances. Instead of either ignoring this or using it as an opportunity to discuss the issue, two students are punished for a "perceived" slight. When is enough going to be enough? This is the sort of garbage that would be improved by both school vouchers and more home schooling. Anything to keep these politicrats away from the kids.
"Travis was accused of using a racial slur for saying the word 'noose.' Then he was suspended for 10 days," Kim said.
So now the word "noose" is a racial slur.
"Someone asked if anybody knew how to tie a noose and Travis did admit he knew how to tie a noose,"
Well we can't have any of that can we! Nooses have been in the news as of late, used in both real and faux racial incidents and so it too gets added to the list of things that can not be discussed, regardless of circumstances. Instead of either ignoring this or using it as an opportunity to discuss the issue, two students are punished for a "perceived" slight. When is enough going to be enough? This is the sort of garbage that would be improved by both school vouchers and more home schooling. Anything to keep these politicrats away from the kids.
Kerry accepts Swift Boat challenge
but apparently he still has not fully signed the standard form 180 to release all of his records as he said he would over 1000 days ago. You would expect it to be quite easy for him to win this challenge if as he says, they all lied about him and his service record. We will see.
Mayor Giuliani
I don't agree with everything he says though I do respect the man. I most definitely agree with him on this portion of his speech:
I get very, very frustrated when I . . . hear certain Americans talk about how difficult the problems we face are, how overwhelming they are, what a dangerous era we live in. I think we've lost perspective. We've always had difficult problems, we've always had great challenges, and we've always lived in danger.
Do we think our parents and our grandparents and our great grandparents didn't live in danger and didn't have difficult problems? Do we think the Second World War was less difficult that our struggle with Islamic terrorism? Do we think that the Great Depression was a less difficult economic struggle for people to face than the struggles we're facing now? Have we entirely lost perspective of the great challenges America has faced in the past and has been able to overcome and overcome brilliantly? I think sometimes we have lost that perspective.
He is so right. So many people are walking around talking about how very bad things are right now without an iota of perspective on what their parents and grand-parents went through. They cry about the cost of health insurance forgetting that until recently, it did not exist. They cry about the price of gas forgetting how expensive it was when Carter was in office. They cry about the war, forgetting the cost of past wars (in money and lives) while at the same time belittling the threats from abroad while also forgetting that there has not been a domestic attack since 9/11.
Yes this country still has problems to solve but blowing the wrong problems out of proportion while ignoring real problems is not an answer. It shows both a lack of perspective and how well our government is doing it primary job (protect the people) that more citizens think global warming is a bigger threat than terrorism. More of this country's citizens expect so much to be handed to them while being so ignorant of the efforts needed to keep things going. They are like little spoiled kids that want it all and want it now without having to face the reality of today's world. Instead of being responsible adults that can weigh an issue and understand that sometimes hard decisions need to be made for the general good or because of bed-rock principles, they would rather take the easy way and do things like picket returning solders or block military shipments using themselves and their kids as human shields.
I get very, very frustrated when I . . . hear certain Americans talk about how difficult the problems we face are, how overwhelming they are, what a dangerous era we live in. I think we've lost perspective. We've always had difficult problems, we've always had great challenges, and we've always lived in danger.
Do we think our parents and our grandparents and our great grandparents didn't live in danger and didn't have difficult problems? Do we think the Second World War was less difficult that our struggle with Islamic terrorism? Do we think that the Great Depression was a less difficult economic struggle for people to face than the struggles we're facing now? Have we entirely lost perspective of the great challenges America has faced in the past and has been able to overcome and overcome brilliantly? I think sometimes we have lost that perspective.
He is so right. So many people are walking around talking about how very bad things are right now without an iota of perspective on what their parents and grand-parents went through. They cry about the cost of health insurance forgetting that until recently, it did not exist. They cry about the price of gas forgetting how expensive it was when Carter was in office. They cry about the war, forgetting the cost of past wars (in money and lives) while at the same time belittling the threats from abroad while also forgetting that there has not been a domestic attack since 9/11.
Yes this country still has problems to solve but blowing the wrong problems out of proportion while ignoring real problems is not an answer. It shows both a lack of perspective and how well our government is doing it primary job (protect the people) that more citizens think global warming is a bigger threat than terrorism. More of this country's citizens expect so much to be handed to them while being so ignorant of the efforts needed to keep things going. They are like little spoiled kids that want it all and want it now without having to face the reality of today's world. Instead of being responsible adults that can weigh an issue and understand that sometimes hard decisions need to be made for the general good or because of bed-rock principles, they would rather take the easy way and do things like picket returning solders or block military shipments using themselves and their kids as human shields.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Weird movie ideas that were actually made, #1
I bet it was one weird pitch session for this movie, titled "The Number One Girl". The guide description for it is: Carnage ensues when a gangster asks a martial artist to judge a beauty pageant. Made in 05. If this is the one they decided to make, I would love to see some of the ideas they threw away!
Apparently it was not well received by IMDb.
Apparently it was not well received by IMDb.
Sorry for the lack of postings...
I was on holiday and out of town. Went to Georgia to stay with relatives. They have no Internet access and I did not have a chance to borrow an air-card so no postings. I am back now and things should return to normal.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Ron Silver
Our national mission, a worthy and ennobling one, is to expand freedom where we can. These are revolutionary goals very much in keeping with our Founders’ vision. They are hardly conservative, let alone neo-conservative goals.
Of societies
...it turns out that cultural and religious tolerance are necessary qualities for capitalist success.
How true. Capitalism has been the single most liberating and equalizing force in human history. No other concept, when put into practice has allowed more people more personal and economic freedom. By its nature, a pure capitalistic society will be the most efficient user of resources and produce the most real value for an amount of expended effort. In order for this process to work at its highest level, any enterprise must be able to draw upon the best resources as inputs. This includes materials and people. There is a constant struggle to produce better; be they better answers or better products. As soon as inefficiencies enter into the effort, another producer will spring up to better meet the needs of that market. For this reason, a true capitalistic society can not afford the luxury of being prejudice. Doing so removes from the available pool of talent and another group will reap the benefits of those that were excluded. That is why Islam MUST own the world. Just as with the former USSR and communism, it has no chance to succeed when there are competing societies. Neither communism or Islam can keep up with the pace of production (be it goods, ideas or inventions) when compared to capitalist societies. That is one of the reasons that both of these forms work best when in isolation. If everyone is miserable, it does not seem so bad. If no one has shoes, you can erase the idea of shoes.
How true. Capitalism has been the single most liberating and equalizing force in human history. No other concept, when put into practice has allowed more people more personal and economic freedom. By its nature, a pure capitalistic society will be the most efficient user of resources and produce the most real value for an amount of expended effort. In order for this process to work at its highest level, any enterprise must be able to draw upon the best resources as inputs. This includes materials and people. There is a constant struggle to produce better; be they better answers or better products. As soon as inefficiencies enter into the effort, another producer will spring up to better meet the needs of that market. For this reason, a true capitalistic society can not afford the luxury of being prejudice. Doing so removes from the available pool of talent and another group will reap the benefits of those that were excluded. That is why Islam MUST own the world. Just as with the former USSR and communism, it has no chance to succeed when there are competing societies. Neither communism or Islam can keep up with the pace of production (be it goods, ideas or inventions) when compared to capitalist societies. That is one of the reasons that both of these forms work best when in isolation. If everyone is miserable, it does not seem so bad. If no one has shoes, you can erase the idea of shoes.
Ghost in the machine?
I think that the do not call registry was a great first step though they are currently debating a 5 year expiry which will cause you to have to re-register. It has dramatically cut down on the "crap calls" that come into the house. Now a big issue is false or misleading caller ID information. The standard rule at my house is if the name does not look familiar, we don't answer. If it is important, they will leave a message.
I have a phone for me to use, just like I have a cell phone for me to use. If you are important to me, you have my number and I have yours. You are in my directory and the phone identifies you when you call. If I don't know you or the number, most likely you should not be calling me and so I don't answer. Again, if it is important, you will leave a message and I will call you back.
I have a phone for me to use, just like I have a cell phone for me to use. If you are important to me, you have my number and I have yours. You are in my directory and the phone identifies you when you call. If I don't know you or the number, most likely you should not be calling me and so I don't answer. Again, if it is important, you will leave a message and I will call you back.
Sun no longer largest object in our solar system
Wow.
The Holmes coma's diameter on Nov. 9 was 869,900 miles (1.4 million kilometers), based on measurements by Rachel Stevenson, Jan Kleyna and Pedro Lacerda of the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy. The sun's diameter, stated differently by various sources, is about 864,900 miles (1.392 million kilometers).Holmes is still visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy star anytime after dark, high in the northeast sky. You can find it by using this sky map.
The Holmes coma's diameter on Nov. 9 was 869,900 miles (1.4 million kilometers), based on measurements by Rachel Stevenson, Jan Kleyna and Pedro Lacerda of the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy. The sun's diameter, stated differently by various sources, is about 864,900 miles (1.392 million kilometers).Holmes is still visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy star anytime after dark, high in the northeast sky. You can find it by using this sky map.
Interent safe for another day!
It seems that the U.N. committee on the Internet was unable to come to an agreement as to how to manage the U.S. created Internet. Well in my mind that can be seen as nothing but good news. The U.N. wants to take control of the Internet from the U.S. The same U.N. that managed the "Oil for Food" program with such great success. The same U.N. that manages to avoid stopping any conflict their peace keepers are sent to but do manage to engage in massive under age and/or coerced sex-capades. The same U.N. that continues to allow member countries with atrocious human rights records to serve on the human rights council. That U.N. wants to manage and control what is currently a mostly open and mostly uncensored Internet.
This is a funny comment: ''As we approach the end we're going to have to see what the world wants and perhaps it will be necessary to take more concrete decisions, or if not decisions, recommendations,'' That is easy. What the world wants is what it currently has. The only reason this is an issue is this is not what governments want. Governments want to be able to limit, control and filter the Internet. This is not an issue about access it is an issue about controlling access.
Update: 2:45PM
Apparently Fred Thompson agrees with me on this one.
This is a funny comment: ''As we approach the end we're going to have to see what the world wants and perhaps it will be necessary to take more concrete decisions, or if not decisions, recommendations,'' That is easy. What the world wants is what it currently has. The only reason this is an issue is this is not what governments want. Governments want to be able to limit, control and filter the Internet. This is not an issue about access it is an issue about controlling access.
Update: 2:45PM
Apparently Fred Thompson agrees with me on this one.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Its a woman's choice
A commenter nailed it (pardon the pun) with this:
It is simply undeniable that under current law concerning procreation, men have responsibilities and no rights; while women have rights and no responsibilities. Men have no choice, women have absolute choice.
I have often wondered at what a number of the commenters voiced; women have the choice to have sex, have an abortion, have the child or abandon the child while the man has the choice to have sex or not. Once a man has sex with a woman, he has no other choices or options under current law. He is completely at the mercy of the woman and the courts. Yes, I know they are few but there are actual cases of men being forced to pay child support for children that are genetically proven NOT to be theirs. Where is the justice in a system that allows this? Back in the 60s when women were fighting for the "right to choose" the argument was it was her body and she should be able to choose to carry to term or not. She has the "right" to choose. Well she can choose now but where is the man's rights? The man should have some sort of reciprocal right, should he not? A man can not force a woman to carry a child to term, why is it a woman can force a man to pay for the next 18 years?
It is simply undeniable that under current law concerning procreation, men have responsibilities and no rights; while women have rights and no responsibilities. Men have no choice, women have absolute choice.
I have often wondered at what a number of the commenters voiced; women have the choice to have sex, have an abortion, have the child or abandon the child while the man has the choice to have sex or not. Once a man has sex with a woman, he has no other choices or options under current law. He is completely at the mercy of the woman and the courts. Yes, I know they are few but there are actual cases of men being forced to pay child support for children that are genetically proven NOT to be theirs. Where is the justice in a system that allows this? Back in the 60s when women were fighting for the "right to choose" the argument was it was her body and she should be able to choose to carry to term or not. She has the "right" to choose. Well she can choose now but where is the man's rights? The man should have some sort of reciprocal right, should he not? A man can not force a woman to carry a child to term, why is it a woman can force a man to pay for the next 18 years?
Is there no one left on the left with any decorum?
What is going on here? These women were representing their country in an international event, which they won and while they are being honored for winning, waving American flags and while the star spangled banner was playing, they decide that is the very best time to make a political statement against their own country. That shows all of the maturity of a freshman collage student.
The players have been stunned by the reaction to what they saw as a spontaneous gesture, “a moment of levity,” said Gail Greenberg, the team’s nonplaying captain and winner of 11 world championships.
“What we were trying to say, not to Americans but to our friends from other countries, was that we understand that they are questioning and critical of what our country is doing these days, and we want you to know that we, too, are critical,” Ms. Greenberg said, stressing that she was speaking for herself and not her six teammates.
So what they actually meant was, we are so sorry that anyone back home found out about this cause we were just trying to kiss up to our foreign friends and did not think anyone else was looking. We did not think it was all that important that during an international ceremony honoring our team's efforts WHILE representing our own country that we should actually show support for our country as a whole. We waived the flag and stood there while they played the star spangled banner so what else did you want from us?
Robert S. Wolff (one of the country’s pre-eminent bridge players, who has served as an executive and board member of several bridge organizations) summed it up nicely when he said that he understood that the women might have had a legal right to do what they did but that they had offended many people.
“While I believe in the right to free speech, to me that doesn’t give anyone the right to criticize one’s leader at a foreign venue in a totally nonpolitical event,”
Exactly right and it is a disappointment that more on the left don't see that.
The players have been stunned by the reaction to what they saw as a spontaneous gesture, “a moment of levity,” said Gail Greenberg, the team’s nonplaying captain and winner of 11 world championships.
“What we were trying to say, not to Americans but to our friends from other countries, was that we understand that they are questioning and critical of what our country is doing these days, and we want you to know that we, too, are critical,” Ms. Greenberg said, stressing that she was speaking for herself and not her six teammates.
So what they actually meant was, we are so sorry that anyone back home found out about this cause we were just trying to kiss up to our foreign friends and did not think anyone else was looking. We did not think it was all that important that during an international ceremony honoring our team's efforts WHILE representing our own country that we should actually show support for our country as a whole. We waived the flag and stood there while they played the star spangled banner so what else did you want from us?
Robert S. Wolff (one of the country’s pre-eminent bridge players, who has served as an executive and board member of several bridge organizations) summed it up nicely when he said that he understood that the women might have had a legal right to do what they did but that they had offended many people.
“While I believe in the right to free speech, to me that doesn’t give anyone the right to criticize one’s leader at a foreign venue in a totally nonpolitical event,”
Exactly right and it is a disappointment that more on the left don't see that.
When one kick in the head is not enough...
Here is another relevant article about campus indoctrination. This one covers the lack of adequate news coverage by the MSM (You remember them right? The last bastion of truth and justice left in America!) on this growing problem and how when the MSM can manage a mention this issue, it is down played as a difference of opinion about a program verses a refusal by students and parents to be bullied into believing that "all whites are racists" and that "Students will recognize that systemic oppression exists in our society". This is not diversity training, this is forcing an ideology on students until they accept the "truth" at least as higher ed sees it.
There is a good summary of this article here.
There is a good summary of this article here.
Fine for thee but not for me
Yet another example of how Mexico has stricter rules and regulations that affect foreigners than the US does but that does not stop both Mexico and a number of US politicians from suggesting that we as a country are just too hard on illegals in this country. In Mexico, it is the equivalent of a federal offence to be in that country illegally and as this article makes clear, it is not legal for illegals in Mexico to have drivers licenses but here in the good old US of A, they are trying to hand them out like party favors. As most of our illegals come from Mexico, the least we can do is adopt their penalties for violators of our immigration and residency laws. It is only fair.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
RC helicopters
I tried one of these and one of these because I was looking for a simpler RC helicopter that I could fly in the house in order to keep my skills up and improve my side-in and nose-in flying but was not happy with either of them. After flying this for a while, those others did not feel right. I will just need to continue to practice with what I have and use a video simulator in doors. Though, I am hoping to get one of these soon for out door, back yard flying!
Update 1/21/09:
Looks like the "ultimate" mini-practice helicopter has been created by the guys at E-flight. It is the Blade Micro CX. I got a chance to give one of these a test fly. It is a little pricey but handles very well. It is a very scaled down version of their popular Blade CX. I will need to pick up one of these...
Update 1/21/09:
Looks like the "ultimate" mini-practice helicopter has been created by the guys at E-flight. It is the Blade Micro CX. I got a chance to give one of these a test fly. It is a little pricey but handles very well. It is a very scaled down version of their popular Blade CX. I will need to pick up one of these...
Movin' On Up
...nearly 58% of filers who were in the poorest income group in 1996 had moved into a higher income category by 2005. Nearly 25% jumped into the middle or upper-middle income groups, and 5.3% made it all the way to the highest quintile.
Well, that seems rather strange for a "stagnant economy" now, doesn't it? More than half of those that filed tax returns that were in the lowest income bracket, were in a higher income bracket within 10 years and this has been steady for the last few decades. Most of those that enter the lowest economic level don't stay there. They work they way up and out. Also, it appears that there is fairly constant churn on the high end as well.
You know how it goes though, we can't let a simple thing like facts get in the way of a perfectly good campaign speech now, can we?
Well, that seems rather strange for a "stagnant economy" now, doesn't it? More than half of those that filed tax returns that were in the lowest income bracket, were in a higher income bracket within 10 years and this has been steady for the last few decades. Most of those that enter the lowest economic level don't stay there. They work they way up and out. Also, it appears that there is fairly constant churn on the high end as well.
You know how it goes though, we can't let a simple thing like facts get in the way of a perfectly good campaign speech now, can we?
Well an't that a kick in the head!
Due to threatened legal action from a major taxpayer-funded university, we've temporarily taken down the Indoctrinate U homepage while we assess our options.
So the hollowed halls of academia are all for free speech and free expression and the questioning of the status quo; that is until someone dares to question them and what they are doing in the name of education. Then, well you have just gone too far and the gloves come off…
So the hollowed halls of academia are all for free speech and free expression and the questioning of the status quo; that is until someone dares to question them and what they are doing in the name of education. Then, well you have just gone too far and the gloves come off…
Monday, November 12, 2007
They portray nothingness
Read this article.
Duncan Anderson hits this one out of the park. Modern monuments reflect nothing because their creators are ashamed and embarrassed for themselves and their country. They are expressing nothingness with their 'art' because they don't want to bring any attention to the honor and sacrifice of those these monuments are meant to honor. The artists themselves can not conceive of making such a "useless" personal sacrifice and as such, can not conceive of why anyone else would so they reflect this lack of empathy with their 'art'.
Update 11/13/07:
I though about this some more, over night and I managed to get worked up all over again. One of the comments in the article had to do with an effort to get a flag pole and flag added to the monument and the push-back from the artist. I am sure the argument was that any change would change the "vision" of the artist and that is a major no no in the art world. Artists have it so much easier today than they did generations ago and have been given so much more power for no apparent reason. In prior centuries artists worked either for patrons or on consignment. In either case, you mostly delivered what you were told to produce. Some big name artists had more freedom of expression "on other peoples dime" than your average artist but mostly, you produced what you were told to. Today artists expect to produce their "vision" and have everyone take it as is. They no longer produce "spec work" even when being specifically paid. They take our (mostly) government money and are either given or demand absolute freedom to produce whatever they wish and resist any attempts to mold their vision to our wants. That is how you wind up with public art that is neither art or for the public and monuments that stand for nothing.
Duncan Anderson hits this one out of the park. Modern monuments reflect nothing because their creators are ashamed and embarrassed for themselves and their country. They are expressing nothingness with their 'art' because they don't want to bring any attention to the honor and sacrifice of those these monuments are meant to honor. The artists themselves can not conceive of making such a "useless" personal sacrifice and as such, can not conceive of why anyone else would so they reflect this lack of empathy with their 'art'.
Update 11/13/07:
I though about this some more, over night and I managed to get worked up all over again. One of the comments in the article had to do with an effort to get a flag pole and flag added to the monument and the push-back from the artist. I am sure the argument was that any change would change the "vision" of the artist and that is a major no no in the art world. Artists have it so much easier today than they did generations ago and have been given so much more power for no apparent reason. In prior centuries artists worked either for patrons or on consignment. In either case, you mostly delivered what you were told to produce. Some big name artists had more freedom of expression "on other peoples dime" than your average artist but mostly, you produced what you were told to. Today artists expect to produce their "vision" and have everyone take it as is. They no longer produce "spec work" even when being specifically paid. They take our (mostly) government money and are either given or demand absolute freedom to produce whatever they wish and resist any attempts to mold their vision to our wants. That is how you wind up with public art that is neither art or for the public and monuments that stand for nothing.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Tell'em Joe!
There is something profoundly wrong--something that should trouble all of us--when we have elected Democratic officials who seem more worried about how the Bush administration might respond to Iran's murder of our troops, than about the fact that Iran is murdering our troops.
And I am sure that Cindy Sheehan will have much to say...
on this as she is such a close friend and confidant of Hugo Chavez. I am sure she will just give him a call and tell him to stop all of this foolishness cause he is just so much more reasonable than that evil Bushitler fellow.
Xbox Timer allows parents to control play time.
Parents can use it to restrict children's activity time. As their usage time diminishes, "helpful notifications" will appear to warn young gamers that their session is coming to an end. At the appointed time limit, the tool will automatically turn off the console.
Sounds like a good idea but I wonder how many parents will 1) know that it is available and 2) be able to get and install and actually use it. Most parents have no idea how "those things" work and what can be done with them. For a lot of families, the kids know much more about technology devices than the parents do. Kudos to Microsoft for trying though.
Sounds like a good idea but I wonder how many parents will 1) know that it is available and 2) be able to get and install and actually use it. Most parents have no idea how "those things" work and what can be done with them. For a lot of families, the kids know much more about technology devices than the parents do. Kudos to Microsoft for trying though.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Thought control, part II
Walter E. Williams continues to make good points with his column Academic Cesspools II. It is related to this post of mine. Two things become clear from his pair of articles.
The first is that academia is quickly approaching the point of diminishing returns. More and more time is being spend on shepherding students down the "proper" path of though and behavior and less time being spent on teaching students how to evaluate an issue or problem and come to a rational conclusion as well as teaching the skills that will be needed if they are to become productive, functional adults.
The second is highlighted by the photograph and caption attached to the article. In what is becoming typical liberal behavior, the message of others is being silenced because it is not agreed with. In the photo, a someone reported as being a Democrat is trying to cover up a sign that a student is displaying because the message is not agreed with. Let us not debate the message but silence the messenger. This occurs with increasing frequency everywhere but especially on the campuses of higher education, the place that is supposed to be open to all ideas. Right wing and conservative speakers are either denied access out right or are simple shouted down when they are permitted to appear, all in the name of tolerance. When students are not trying to shut down speech that they don't agree with, they are committing fake hate crimes and when they are not, they are encouraged by their professors to attend anti-war rallies, write protest letters to politicians or vandalize displays that they don't agree with. Enough already. It is long past time for educators to return to educating and not preaching.
The first is that academia is quickly approaching the point of diminishing returns. More and more time is being spend on shepherding students down the "proper" path of though and behavior and less time being spent on teaching students how to evaluate an issue or problem and come to a rational conclusion as well as teaching the skills that will be needed if they are to become productive, functional adults.
The second is highlighted by the photograph and caption attached to the article. In what is becoming typical liberal behavior, the message of others is being silenced because it is not agreed with. In the photo, a someone reported as being a Democrat is trying to cover up a sign that a student is displaying because the message is not agreed with. Let us not debate the message but silence the messenger. This occurs with increasing frequency everywhere but especially on the campuses of higher education, the place that is supposed to be open to all ideas. Right wing and conservative speakers are either denied access out right or are simple shouted down when they are permitted to appear, all in the name of tolerance. When students are not trying to shut down speech that they don't agree with, they are committing fake hate crimes and when they are not, they are encouraged by their professors to attend anti-war rallies, write protest letters to politicians or vandalize displays that they don't agree with. Enough already. It is long past time for educators to return to educating and not preaching.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Hear hear
I agree 100%. In this country we have far too many people voting for all of the wrong reasons and far too many voting without a clue as to what they are really doing. They enter the voting booth and pull the Dem or Rep lever because their friends, parents or favorite Hollywood star does. As has been pointed out by others, voting is not a right but a privilege and as with driving, I would not mind seeing a voting test required before you could enter the booth.
It is not yet Christmas!
It is not yet the Christmas season. Heck it isn't even Thanksgiving yet and there are already Christmas commercials on the TV. Can't they even wait until after Thanksgiving anymore, for cry’in out loud? Annoying!
Fake but accurate?
...student journalist/College Democrat at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., admitted that she had drawn swastikas on her own dorm room door.
...she told the staff that she "only drew the final three of six swastikas on her door in an attempt to highlight what she characterized as GW's inaction.
Oh, it was political speech, well then that makes it all, all right.
This article highlights two things, one directly and the other indirectly. The first is this ongoing drive to manufacture news to fit the mime when you can not find it naturally. The other is this spate of manufactured hate crimes. Hate crime in and of its self is problematic because you are criminalizing thought. In this "new world" hate crime laws make it preferable to kill someone for money than it is to kill them for their race or sexual orientation. The victim is just as dead but modern society has determined that committing a crime for the second reason is worst than for the first.
If a hate crime is worst than a "normal" crime, should not a fake hate crime be just as bad as a "real" hate crime? Should not someone faking a hate crime still have to face the same penalties as someone that commits them for real? The intent is the same, to inflict pain and suffering against persons based on issues of race, sexual orientation, religion and/or other issues of prejudice. In this case, the student's hate crime was against herself and the rest of the local community because they were falsely inflamed and lead to believe that a crime was committed. They felt the same emotional pain and suffering at hearing and seeing the results of this student's fake crime as they would have felt had it been real. One could argue that a fake hate crime is actually worst than a real hate crime because of the emotional backlash that those who witnessed or heard about the original crime would suffer from, after learning that it was faked and their emotional involvement was wasted.
As is the norm these days though, cause "she meant well" and was just "trying to make a point" she will most likely get off with little to no punishment and may even be praised for her "courage" in bringing issues of race, religion and/or politics to light.
...she told the staff that she "only drew the final three of six swastikas on her door in an attempt to highlight what she characterized as GW's inaction.
Oh, it was political speech, well then that makes it all, all right.
This article highlights two things, one directly and the other indirectly. The first is this ongoing drive to manufacture news to fit the mime when you can not find it naturally. The other is this spate of manufactured hate crimes. Hate crime in and of its self is problematic because you are criminalizing thought. In this "new world" hate crime laws make it preferable to kill someone for money than it is to kill them for their race or sexual orientation. The victim is just as dead but modern society has determined that committing a crime for the second reason is worst than for the first.
If a hate crime is worst than a "normal" crime, should not a fake hate crime be just as bad as a "real" hate crime? Should not someone faking a hate crime still have to face the same penalties as someone that commits them for real? The intent is the same, to inflict pain and suffering against persons based on issues of race, sexual orientation, religion and/or other issues of prejudice. In this case, the student's hate crime was against herself and the rest of the local community because they were falsely inflamed and lead to believe that a crime was committed. They felt the same emotional pain and suffering at hearing and seeing the results of this student's fake crime as they would have felt had it been real. One could argue that a fake hate crime is actually worst than a real hate crime because of the emotional backlash that those who witnessed or heard about the original crime would suffer from, after learning that it was faked and their emotional involvement was wasted.
As is the norm these days though, cause "she meant well" and was just "trying to make a point" she will most likely get off with little to no punishment and may even be praised for her "courage" in bringing issues of race, religion and/or politics to light.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Digital water
This is kind of cool. Using water to create a display device. Obviously there are some limitations to what you can display as in you are limited to information that can "flow" from top to bottom and unless you go to extremes, you are limited to two color monochrome displaying but cool none the less.
The link is to an animation of the concept, enjoy.
The link is to an animation of the concept, enjoy.
The hypocrisy of bio-fuels
A recent study by the Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen shows that the official estimates have ignored the contribution of nitrogen fertilisers. They generate a greenhouse gas - nitrous oxide - that is 296 times as powerful as CO2. These emissions alone ensure that ethanol from maize causes between 0.9 and 1.5 times as much warming as petrol, while rapeseed oil (the source of more than 80% of the world's biodiesel) generates 1-1.7 times the impact of diesel. This is before you account for the changes in land use.
And using bio-fuels mean that somewhere someone is going hungry. Stop using bio-fuels. Do it for the children.
The next time you hear an environmentalist say NO to fossil fuels, ask them about nuclear power. If they say NO to that too, then they are indeed a hypocrite because nuclear power does not emit any CO2 and could generate an enormous amount of electricity. When was the last time the U.S. built a new domestic nuclear power plant? A very long time ago. If you want clean energy, go nuclear, do it for the children.
And using bio-fuels mean that somewhere someone is going hungry. Stop using bio-fuels. Do it for the children.
The next time you hear an environmentalist say NO to fossil fuels, ask them about nuclear power. If they say NO to that too, then they are indeed a hypocrite because nuclear power does not emit any CO2 and could generate an enormous amount of electricity. When was the last time the U.S. built a new domestic nuclear power plant? A very long time ago. If you want clean energy, go nuclear, do it for the children.
He is a bit of an idiot but this is just funny...
"Somebody told me the other day that the Secret Service has orders that if George Bush is shot, they're to shoot Quayle. There isn't any press here, is there?" -- John Kerry, Nov. 16, 1988
TV bugs must die!
It is getting to the point that I can no longer watch the History Channel, Discover Channel and a number of the other not quite mainstream cable stations. The reason for this is not the content. Most of the content on these off channels is quite good, interesting and well made. I particularly enjoyed "Ice Road Truckers" (even though is was an idea ripe off of "Dangerous Catch"). The reason I may have to boycott these channels for a bit is their annoying habit of showing large, active, invasive screen station bugs during the various shows.
For anyone that does not know what I am talking about, a screen bug is that small station logo that appears in the lower right corner of the TV screen while you are watching a show.
Some stations have reasonable, small, unobtrusive bugs that do not get in the way but allow you to see at a glance what station you are watching. A number of them are even translucent so you can see through them to the part of the screen that they cover. Others though, take annoying screen bugs to new heights. I feel that the History Channel is the current "worst offender" in this regard. Their bugs are large to start with, are active, change size and worst of all, at times take up the bottom 25% to 30% of the screen. This completely blocks the show you are watching and is very distracting because the bugs are active and are in many cases, ads for other shows. Normally this is just distracting and bothersome but it is down right fatal to shows that include sub-titles. These bugs completely overlay the sub-titles so you can not read them.
A fear of mine is that with the advent of Tivo and PVRs, that more and more networks will move to these larger, active screen bugs to make up for people zipping through commercials, allowing us no respite from that annoyance. So if any TV execs are reading this (especially History Channel) do us all a favor and kill the bugs!
For anyone that does not know what I am talking about, a screen bug is that small station logo that appears in the lower right corner of the TV screen while you are watching a show.
Some stations have reasonable, small, unobtrusive bugs that do not get in the way but allow you to see at a glance what station you are watching. A number of them are even translucent so you can see through them to the part of the screen that they cover. Others though, take annoying screen bugs to new heights. I feel that the History Channel is the current "worst offender" in this regard. Their bugs are large to start with, are active, change size and worst of all, at times take up the bottom 25% to 30% of the screen. This completely blocks the show you are watching and is very distracting because the bugs are active and are in many cases, ads for other shows. Normally this is just distracting and bothersome but it is down right fatal to shows that include sub-titles. These bugs completely overlay the sub-titles so you can not read them.
A fear of mine is that with the advent of Tivo and PVRs, that more and more networks will move to these larger, active screen bugs to make up for people zipping through commercials, allowing us no respite from that annoyance. So if any TV execs are reading this (especially History Channel) do us all a favor and kill the bugs!
Stop "Making A Difference"
Thomas Sowell makes a number of good points with this article and it is worth a reading. His first point concerns the current, fashionable need to "make a difference" and to "give back" without much care to what kind of difference you are making and to whom you are actually giving back. Good point. Hitler made a difference but most people would agree we would have been better off without his efforts. Those that worked so hard to get DDT banned made a difference too and so far that difference has cost thousands of Africans their lives due to malaria and other insect born diseases. In their rush to "make a difference" many people see the issue as black and white and do not properly weigh the ramifications or consequences of their actions. They are in such a hurry to "do something" that they don't notice until it is too late or don't care that their "something" makes things worse than they were before they got involved but at least they "meant well" and their "hearts were in the right place".
His other point has to do with "giving back" and this need people have to insist that corporations or people of means must "give something back". What they usually, actually mean is to give money to their cause du jour. To give to the right social causes to help the right groups because you OWE it to them as if you are only where you are today because you took from these others. As Thomas points out, to truly give back in a way that helps society and supports the ideals that allow us to be where we are today is to give to those groups and organizations that actively support this country and the freedoms that have made this country possible. Unfortunately, most of those types of groups are not on any progressive 'A' list. Things like "free needle exchange" or "free condoms" is not giving back. Job training programs are. Supporting those causes and organizations that work to help people help themselves are worth supporting with time, effort and money verses those organizations that simply deliver handouts and excuses.
His other point has to do with "giving back" and this need people have to insist that corporations or people of means must "give something back". What they usually, actually mean is to give money to their cause du jour. To give to the right social causes to help the right groups because you OWE it to them as if you are only where you are today because you took from these others. As Thomas points out, to truly give back in a way that helps society and supports the ideals that allow us to be where we are today is to give to those groups and organizations that actively support this country and the freedoms that have made this country possible. Unfortunately, most of those types of groups are not on any progressive 'A' list. Things like "free needle exchange" or "free condoms" is not giving back. Job training programs are. Supporting those causes and organizations that work to help people help themselves are worth supporting with time, effort and money verses those organizations that simply deliver handouts and excuses.
Santa is TOO FAT and must conform
cause you know, it is for the children...
So not even Santa Clause is safe from the march of the progressives. In the UK he is just too fat for modern times and must slim down or go down. Now that Santa has been put in his place, I guess the next item on the list will be to get everyone to give out vegetables for Halloween.
So not even Santa Clause is safe from the march of the progressives. In the UK he is just too fat for modern times and must slim down or go down. Now that Santa has been put in his place, I guess the next item on the list will be to get everyone to give out vegetables for Halloween.
Monday, November 5, 2007
The Charge of the Ultra - Capacitors
Very interesting article on current activity in the area of ultra-capacitors. The ability to store electricity in capacitors to augment or replace batteries. Give it a read.
I wish that every electronic device with a clock on it contained a capacitor to help that device maintain its time through a brown out or quick blackout. Would save me a lot of clock resetting...
I wish that every electronic device with a clock on it contained a capacitor to help that device maintain its time through a brown out or quick blackout. Would save me a lot of clock resetting...
Schumer showing some common sense
In 2004, then-Attorney General John Ashcroft testified before the Judiciary Committee on the question of "torture," and Schumer injected some common sense into the proceedings. Here is what he said:
There are times when we all get in high dudgeon. We ought to be reasonable about this. I think there are probably very few people in this room or in America who would say that torture should never, ever be used, particularly if thousands of lives are at stake.
Take the hypothetical. If we knew that there was a nuclear bomb hidden in an American city and we believed that some kind of torture, fairly severe maybe, would give us a chance of finding that bomb before it went off, my guess is most Americans and most senators, maybe all, would say, "Do what you have to do."
So it's easy to sit back in the armchair and say that torture can never be used. But when you're in the foxhole, it's a very different deal. And I respect--I think we all respect the fact that the president's in the foxhole every day. So he can hardly be blamed for asking you or his White House counsel or the Department of Defense to figure out when it comes to torture, what the law allows and when the law allows it and what there is permission to do.
There you have it. You do what you have to do. Adults get that. Adults understand that. If asked "would you torture one criminal in order to gain information to save 1000 innocents", an adult says yes and whom ever is the next president of the US, you better be able to count on to say yes as well. You don't want to have to resort to motivations like torture but you MUST have that option available. Our enemies are currently using it for amusement, we need to be able to use it to save lives. That may not be all warm and fuzzy but it is reality.
There are times when we all get in high dudgeon. We ought to be reasonable about this. I think there are probably very few people in this room or in America who would say that torture should never, ever be used, particularly if thousands of lives are at stake.
Take the hypothetical. If we knew that there was a nuclear bomb hidden in an American city and we believed that some kind of torture, fairly severe maybe, would give us a chance of finding that bomb before it went off, my guess is most Americans and most senators, maybe all, would say, "Do what you have to do."
So it's easy to sit back in the armchair and say that torture can never be used. But when you're in the foxhole, it's a very different deal. And I respect--I think we all respect the fact that the president's in the foxhole every day. So he can hardly be blamed for asking you or his White House counsel or the Department of Defense to figure out when it comes to torture, what the law allows and when the law allows it and what there is permission to do.
There you have it. You do what you have to do. Adults get that. Adults understand that. If asked "would you torture one criminal in order to gain information to save 1000 innocents", an adult says yes and whom ever is the next president of the US, you better be able to count on to say yes as well. You don't want to have to resort to motivations like torture but you MUST have that option available. Our enemies are currently using it for amusement, we need to be able to use it to save lives. That may not be all warm and fuzzy but it is reality.
At this time, the Hollywood writers’ strike is still on...
and me thinks, so what? They don't have anything to do with keeping the trains running on time...
Daylight savings time, NUTS
Why is it that we as a people, as a civilized (mostly) nation continue to put up with this screwball idea called daylight savings time? I mean, get real, enough already! I thought we had a real shot to get this thing once and for all, put to bed but noooooo, they just moved the end date around a little bit. This thing is annoying and mostly stupid and we should STOP IT.
I have an idea, why not just split the difference? What do you say? Instead of setting our clocks back an hour when the next change date rolls around, why not just set it back 30 minutes and call it a day? Leave the time set half-way between the start and stop times for the REST of time? This way everyone wins a little something? The time savers get 30 minutes and the rest of us can stop messing with all of our freakin clocks twice a year? What do you say? Would you be willing to sign a petition?
I have an idea, why not just split the difference? What do you say? Instead of setting our clocks back an hour when the next change date rolls around, why not just set it back 30 minutes and call it a day? Leave the time set half-way between the start and stop times for the REST of time? This way everyone wins a little something? The time savers get 30 minutes and the rest of us can stop messing with all of our freakin clocks twice a year? What do you say? Would you be willing to sign a petition?
Life choices 101
Via instapundit.com:
"YOUNG STRIVERS" IN WASHINGTON find that being a "professional world-saver" doesn't pay as well as they'd hoped.
And they're not getting much sympathy.
UPDATE: A reader emails:
Geez, we’ve been dealing with this in academic science for decades now.
I wish these people would do the math: Doing something that’s stimulating and fun, sounds great at a cocktail party, and is supported by charity or tax money means that you will probably be making peanuts. (In my field, there are usually about 200 applicants/permanent position, all with Ph.D.s.)
Don’t like being broke? Do something that makes you a profit center instead of a cost center.
Good advice anywhere.
Sounds eerily similar to this item:
I am 24, live with my parents, can’t find work and am floundering in a sea of debt five figures high. I think of myself as ambitious, independent and hardworking. Now I’m dependent, unemployed and sleeping under the same Super Mario ceiling fan that I did when I was 7.
Why is that, we have to wonder? Well, maybe this can give us a clue:
Upon graduating, I was helplessly launched headfirst into the “real world,” equipped with a degree in history and $32,000 in student loans. Before ricocheting back home, I would learn two important lessons: 1) There are no well-paying — let alone paying — jobs for history majors. 2) The real world is really tough.
I can not help but love this line:
I had no intention of living in a society that was as unfair as this one.
There it goes again, that bit about society being unfair because it does not hand a newly minted collage graduate with a HISTORY degree a job in history, paying $100K, where he wants to live and where he wants to work. Boo Friggin Hoo. The real world is like that. It allows you to stand or fall on your own and tends to reward those skills that are needed and it doesn't so well reward those skills that are not so needed. This is called supply and demand. He should have learn about this while in collage but maybe they no longer cover that lesson cause it is so, you know "old school". What in the world did he think he could do out in the real world with a history major? Be the CEO of a video game company? Head of Starbucks? What?
This is also a good one:
Suddenly, living at home didn’t seem nearly as degrading as selling out. But sadly, other graduates don’t have any choice but to work for temp agencies and retail stores to eke by.
Yeah, don't sell out and support yourself at just any old job! That is too much like being an adult. It is much better to stay at home and mooch off of your parents. His closing statement says it all:
My loan payments can’t wait much longer, and soon I must leave home to find work that doesn’t compromise my integrity. Although I sometimes wonder what it would be like if I had declared as an accounting major and got a cushy job punching numbers somewhere, I’ll take my history major, my debt and my mom’s cooking any day of the week.
So, an honest day's work compromises his integrity and (having NEVER been an accountant) he knows that accountants have cushy jobs punching numbers all day. Well he showed them didn't he! Living at home, off of his parents with a nearly useless (but apparently fun) history major degree, crying in his pillow cause HE choose to go to school and get an nearly useless degree (but had fun) and didn't immediately get the "grand easy life" he feels he is entitled to. Yep, he is certainly ready for life in the real world. After reading his diatribe, I for one am glad that he had a chance to go off to collage and grow up some. I would have hated to see what he was like before that maturing experience.
Let's see if we could have helped him make some better, more informed decisions if he had asked, shall we?
Well first off, he could have gone to the local community or 4-year collage instead of initially to Alfred University (a pricey private school) and then to University at Buffalo. That decision could have turned his $32K in dept into a slightly more manageable $2.2K to $5.8K per-year. Going high end, that would have been $23.3K. A savings of at least 9K in loans.
Another choice he could have improved on was NOT being a history major. What is the world did he think he was going to do for a living with a degree in history? If we assume he has some brains, then he must have given some thought to what he was going to do the day after he graduated. For history majors that generally means teaching or research. Nether one a career choice known for the big bucks. That being the case, he should have expected to either spend a long time looking for a job in his career field or spend some more time getting a teaching certificate. Can't really tell cause he doesn't really say.
All in all a nice little peak into the mind of the average collage graduate today. Picked a fun degree, went to an expensive school and didn't think much about the cost of the degree, didn't give much thought to what would happen the day after graduation, feels it is the governments job to "fix the problem" with the cost of education, lives at home with mommy and daddy cause he doesn't want to compromise and wants his parent's standard of living handed to him. Well we can't all be Paris Hilton now can we?
"YOUNG STRIVERS" IN WASHINGTON find that being a "professional world-saver" doesn't pay as well as they'd hoped.
And they're not getting much sympathy.
UPDATE: A reader emails:
Geez, we’ve been dealing with this in academic science for decades now.
I wish these people would do the math: Doing something that’s stimulating and fun, sounds great at a cocktail party, and is supported by charity or tax money means that you will probably be making peanuts. (In my field, there are usually about 200 applicants/permanent position, all with Ph.D.s.)
Don’t like being broke? Do something that makes you a profit center instead of a cost center.
Good advice anywhere.
Sounds eerily similar to this item:
I am 24, live with my parents, can’t find work and am floundering in a sea of debt five figures high. I think of myself as ambitious, independent and hardworking. Now I’m dependent, unemployed and sleeping under the same Super Mario ceiling fan that I did when I was 7.
Why is that, we have to wonder? Well, maybe this can give us a clue:
Upon graduating, I was helplessly launched headfirst into the “real world,” equipped with a degree in history and $32,000 in student loans. Before ricocheting back home, I would learn two important lessons: 1) There are no well-paying — let alone paying — jobs for history majors. 2) The real world is really tough.
I can not help but love this line:
I had no intention of living in a society that was as unfair as this one.
There it goes again, that bit about society being unfair because it does not hand a newly minted collage graduate with a HISTORY degree a job in history, paying $100K, where he wants to live and where he wants to work. Boo Friggin Hoo. The real world is like that. It allows you to stand or fall on your own and tends to reward those skills that are needed and it doesn't so well reward those skills that are not so needed. This is called supply and demand. He should have learn about this while in collage but maybe they no longer cover that lesson cause it is so, you know "old school". What in the world did he think he could do out in the real world with a history major? Be the CEO of a video game company? Head of Starbucks? What?
This is also a good one:
Suddenly, living at home didn’t seem nearly as degrading as selling out. But sadly, other graduates don’t have any choice but to work for temp agencies and retail stores to eke by.
Yeah, don't sell out and support yourself at just any old job! That is too much like being an adult. It is much better to stay at home and mooch off of your parents. His closing statement says it all:
My loan payments can’t wait much longer, and soon I must leave home to find work that doesn’t compromise my integrity. Although I sometimes wonder what it would be like if I had declared as an accounting major and got a cushy job punching numbers somewhere, I’ll take my history major, my debt and my mom’s cooking any day of the week.
So, an honest day's work compromises his integrity and (having NEVER been an accountant) he knows that accountants have cushy jobs punching numbers all day. Well he showed them didn't he! Living at home, off of his parents with a nearly useless (but apparently fun) history major degree, crying in his pillow cause HE choose to go to school and get an nearly useless degree (but had fun) and didn't immediately get the "grand easy life" he feels he is entitled to. Yep, he is certainly ready for life in the real world. After reading his diatribe, I for one am glad that he had a chance to go off to collage and grow up some. I would have hated to see what he was like before that maturing experience.
Let's see if we could have helped him make some better, more informed decisions if he had asked, shall we?
Well first off, he could have gone to the local community or 4-year collage instead of initially to Alfred University (a pricey private school) and then to University at Buffalo. That decision could have turned his $32K in dept into a slightly more manageable $2.2K to $5.8K per-year. Going high end, that would have been $23.3K. A savings of at least 9K in loans.
Another choice he could have improved on was NOT being a history major. What is the world did he think he was going to do for a living with a degree in history? If we assume he has some brains, then he must have given some thought to what he was going to do the day after he graduated. For history majors that generally means teaching or research. Nether one a career choice known for the big bucks. That being the case, he should have expected to either spend a long time looking for a job in his career field or spend some more time getting a teaching certificate. Can't really tell cause he doesn't really say.
All in all a nice little peak into the mind of the average collage graduate today. Picked a fun degree, went to an expensive school and didn't think much about the cost of the degree, didn't give much thought to what would happen the day after graduation, feels it is the governments job to "fix the problem" with the cost of education, lives at home with mommy and daddy cause he doesn't want to compromise and wants his parent's standard of living handed to him. Well we can't all be Paris Hilton now can we?
As Glenn Reynolds notes, GOOD POINT ON THE MURTHA SCANDALS: "Just imagine for a moment if this had been Newt Gingrich." Think we would have heard more?
Well that goes without saying. Had any of the Clinton issues been issues for either of the Bush(es) or if any of the recent Democratic scandals been Republican scandals, you would never hear the end of it but because they are Democrats and as such "mean well" and are "fighting for the people instead of evil corporations" then well that makes it all right. It will just be our little secret. Cause EVERYONE knows that Republicans and conservatives are evil whereas Democrats and liberals are just looking out for the little guy and well, you know, sometimes the ends justify the means.
Well that goes without saying. Had any of the Clinton issues been issues for either of the Bush(es) or if any of the recent Democratic scandals been Republican scandals, you would never hear the end of it but because they are Democrats and as such "mean well" and are "fighting for the people instead of evil corporations" then well that makes it all right. It will just be our little secret. Cause EVERYONE knows that Republicans and conservatives are evil whereas Democrats and liberals are just looking out for the little guy and well, you know, sometimes the ends justify the means.
More U.N. sex-capades
Join the U.N. Peacekeepers and get a free round the world sex jaunt vacation! Based on the events of the past few years with peace missions involving U.N. forces, this would seem to be an apt ad slogan. What good are these guys? They stand around watching genocide all the while buying, bribing or forcing their way with the local boys and girls. As others have pointed out, if this story involved the U.S. military, it would not only be front page news all over the world but there would be major calls for an overhaul coming from all corners but as this is the U.N. and everyone KNOWS that they mean well, we will let it slide but just this once (again).
More Fred news
but not as bad as it would first appear.
As was pointed out in the story, Philip Martin was a criminal where as Norman Hsu IS one. I will be curious as to how hard the Dems will kick this one as they are always talking about how a criminal past is just that, a criminal past and they are the ones pushing for easier or automatic restoration of voting rights to released criminals. This could get interesting if anyone is keeping score.
As was pointed out in the story, Philip Martin was a criminal where as Norman Hsu IS one. I will be curious as to how hard the Dems will kick this one as they are always talking about how a criminal past is just that, a criminal past and they are the ones pushing for easier or automatic restoration of voting rights to released criminals. This could get interesting if anyone is keeping score.
Will wonders never cease?
While states such as New York are increasing the risk of such fraud, a half-dozen states have recently adopted laws requiring voters to offer proof of identity or citizenship before casting a ballot. A federal commission, co-chaired by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker, gave such laws a big boost in 2005 when it called for a nationwide policy requiring a photo ID before voting.
From the November 2, 2007 OpinionJournal.com.
Amazing! Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks! The former President that never met a dictator he didn't like agrees that it is a good idea to require a photo ID for voting. I guess it is true, even a broken clock is right twice a day! The integrity of the voting process is paramount for a democracy. If you can not trust the voting booth, you can not trust the outcome. If you can not trust the outcome, you can not trust the government. It seems we know where the former president stands and it seems we also know where Senator Clinton stands as well.
Despite her muddled comments this week, there's no doubt where Mrs. Clinton stands on ballot integrity. She opposes photo ID laws, even though they enjoy over 80% support in the polls. She has also introduced a bill to force every state to offer no-excuse absentee voting as well as Election Day registration--easy avenues for election chicanery. The bill requires that every state restore voting rights to all criminals who have completed their prison terms, parole or probation.
From the November 2, 2007 OpinionJournal.com.
Amazing! Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks! The former President that never met a dictator he didn't like agrees that it is a good idea to require a photo ID for voting. I guess it is true, even a broken clock is right twice a day! The integrity of the voting process is paramount for a democracy. If you can not trust the voting booth, you can not trust the outcome. If you can not trust the outcome, you can not trust the government. It seems we know where the former president stands and it seems we also know where Senator Clinton stands as well.
Despite her muddled comments this week, there's no doubt where Mrs. Clinton stands on ballot integrity. She opposes photo ID laws, even though they enjoy over 80% support in the polls. She has also introduced a bill to force every state to offer no-excuse absentee voting as well as Election Day registration--easy avenues for election chicanery. The bill requires that every state restore voting rights to all criminals who have completed their prison terms, parole or probation.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Voter fraud rates slap on wrist
Three defendants in the biggest voter-registration fraud scheme in Washington history get a slap on the wrist. Does the light sentences have anything to do with the fact that these were ACORN employees and not members of the "vast right wing conspiracy"? Where is Al S., Jessie and Al Gore with their complaints about disenfranchised voters and the need to set an example and the integrity of the voting processes and all that? Oh yeah, I forgot, this was Democratic voter fraud, not Republican voter fraud. In that case, it is all right because they meant well and were just trying to save us all from the evil right wing conspiracy and all that.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Is It Good News Or Bad News...
Basically, Republicans can run a stuffed animal against Hillary and still get 48% of the vote.
Well isn't that good news? Though one should not get too cocky about it as even the cutest "stuffed animal" can develop a tear or two and loose a little luster.
What this does mean (at least to me) is that there is a large core of people that have not bought into Hillary and her "vast number" of ideas for making the country and world a "much better place" for us all to live. Between her and her husband, they have a mountain of baggage that is ripe for exploitation by whom ever winds up being the Republican front-runner and I would normally say, "if we could survive 8 years of her husband, we can surely survive 4 years of her" but this time we have a Democrat majority in congress to contend with. I much prefer governmental grid-lock to the damage that a one party government can do, especially when that one party is the Democrats.
As much as the Republicans have shown them selves to be money whores that can out spend and out party the best that frat-boys can dream up, they generally look like nuns compared to the Democrats. At least Republicans mostly remember where the milk comes from and try to protect the cow whereas Democrats want the milk and a nice porterhouse at the same time and only after the fact notice that they have killed the cow. Dems seem to think that the only answer to every problem is more taxes and more/larger government programs. Give me a red pen and a weekend and I am sure I can fine much to trim out of the government while still leaving it whole enough to function and fill its original role.
Well isn't that good news? Though one should not get too cocky about it as even the cutest "stuffed animal" can develop a tear or two and loose a little luster.
What this does mean (at least to me) is that there is a large core of people that have not bought into Hillary and her "vast number" of ideas for making the country and world a "much better place" for us all to live. Between her and her husband, they have a mountain of baggage that is ripe for exploitation by whom ever winds up being the Republican front-runner and I would normally say, "if we could survive 8 years of her husband, we can surely survive 4 years of her" but this time we have a Democrat majority in congress to contend with. I much prefer governmental grid-lock to the damage that a one party government can do, especially when that one party is the Democrats.
As much as the Republicans have shown them selves to be money whores that can out spend and out party the best that frat-boys can dream up, they generally look like nuns compared to the Democrats. At least Republicans mostly remember where the milk comes from and try to protect the cow whereas Democrats want the milk and a nice porterhouse at the same time and only after the fact notice that they have killed the cow. Dems seem to think that the only answer to every problem is more taxes and more/larger government programs. Give me a red pen and a weekend and I am sure I can fine much to trim out of the government while still leaving it whole enough to function and fill its original role.
Sicko-Sicko
The first survey of Britons opting for treatment overseas shows that fears of hospital infections and frustration of often waiting months for operations are fuelling the increasing trend.
Almost all of those who had received treatment abroad said they would do the same again, with patients pointing out that some hospitals in India had screening policies for the superbug MRSA that have yet to be introduced in this country.
Of course, none of this will stop the push for socialized medicine in the US, because if there’s one thing progressives excel at it is convincing themselves that any failure of ideology is attributable to the failure of the person or persons leading it — and that all that is required for Utopian policy to prove truly viable is the right kind of leaders: confident and brilliant (by their own lights) elitist bureaucrats who will resist the corrupting influences that “free market types” are always arguing are inherent to such systems.
Besides: it is better to have tried and failed — and in the process, kill or endanger the health and wellbeing of millions — than never to have tried and failed at all.
Almost all of those who had received treatment abroad said they would do the same again, with patients pointing out that some hospitals in India had screening policies for the superbug MRSA that have yet to be introduced in this country.
Of course, none of this will stop the push for socialized medicine in the US, because if there’s one thing progressives excel at it is convincing themselves that any failure of ideology is attributable to the failure of the person or persons leading it — and that all that is required for Utopian policy to prove truly viable is the right kind of leaders: confident and brilliant (by their own lights) elitist bureaucrats who will resist the corrupting influences that “free market types” are always arguing are inherent to such systems.
Besides: it is better to have tried and failed — and in the process, kill or endanger the health and wellbeing of millions — than never to have tried and failed at all.
We don't need no thought control*
Well, the The University of Delaware thinks that your kids do, in fact need thought control. Read the reference link above. This is bordering on the re-education camps used by the old USSR and China to ensure that everyone was "right" thinking.
*Pink Floyd, Another Brick In The Wall
*Pink Floyd, Another Brick In The Wall
Fred, Guns and the U.N.
My own feeling is that the U.N. would screw up the recipe for ice water. The U.N. could not break up a fight between a couple of girl scouts.
I agree 100%. The U.N. is the largest waste of resources, potential and hope that has ever existed. It promises solutions and salvation and only brings corruption and misery. Just ask anyone in Rwanda, Bosnia, or Darfur.
I agree 100%. The U.N. is the largest waste of resources, potential and hope that has ever existed. It promises solutions and salvation and only brings corruption and misery. Just ask anyone in Rwanda, Bosnia, or Darfur.
eMail Joke: Why I hate Fridays
One day a guy dies and finds himself in hell. As he is wallowing in despair, he has his first meeting with the devil...
Satan: "Why so glum?"
Guy: "What do you think? I'm in hell!"
Satan: "Hell's not so bad. We actually have a lot of fun down here. You a drinking man?"
Guy: "Sure, I love to drink."
Satan: "Well, you're gonna love Mondays then. On Mondays, that's all we do is drink. Whiskey, tequila, Guinness, wine coolers, Tab, and Fresca . We drink 'til we throw up, and then we drink some more! And you don't have to worry about getting a hangover, because you're dead anyway."
Guy: "Gee that sounds great!"
Satan: "You a smoker?"
Guy: "You better believe it!"
Satan: "All right! You're gonna love Tuesdays We get the finest cigars from all over the world, and smoke our lungs out. If you get cancer - no biggie, you're already dead, remember?"
Guy: "Wow...that's awesome!"
Satan: "I bet you like to gamble."
Guy: "Why, yes, as a matter of fact I do."
Satan: "Good, 'cause Wednesdays you can gamble all you want. Craps, blackjack, roulette, poker, slots, whatever. If you go bankrupt, it doesn't matter, you're dead anyhow."
Guy: "Cool!"
Satan: "What about drugs?"
Guy: "Are you kidding? Love drugs! You don't mean...?"
Satan: "That's right! Thursday is drug day. Help yourself to a great big bowl of crack or smack. Smoke a doobie the size of a submarine. You can do all the drugs you want. You're dead so who cares."
Guy: "Wow! I never realized Hell was such a cool place!"
Satan: "You gay?"
Guy: "No..."
Satan: "Oooo , Fridays are gonna be tough..."
Satan: "Why so glum?"
Guy: "What do you think? I'm in hell!"
Satan: "Hell's not so bad. We actually have a lot of fun down here. You a drinking man?"
Guy: "Sure, I love to drink."
Satan: "Well, you're gonna love Mondays then. On Mondays, that's all we do is drink. Whiskey, tequila, Guinness, wine coolers, Tab, and Fresca . We drink 'til we throw up, and then we drink some more! And you don't have to worry about getting a hangover, because you're dead anyway."
Guy: "Gee that sounds great!"
Satan: "You a smoker?"
Guy: "You better believe it!"
Satan: "All right! You're gonna love Tuesdays We get the finest cigars from all over the world, and smoke our lungs out. If you get cancer - no biggie, you're already dead, remember?"
Guy: "Wow...that's awesome!"
Satan: "I bet you like to gamble."
Guy: "Why, yes, as a matter of fact I do."
Satan: "Good, 'cause Wednesdays you can gamble all you want. Craps, blackjack, roulette, poker, slots, whatever. If you go bankrupt, it doesn't matter, you're dead anyhow."
Guy: "Cool!"
Satan: "What about drugs?"
Guy: "Are you kidding? Love drugs! You don't mean...?"
Satan: "That's right! Thursday is drug day. Help yourself to a great big bowl of crack or smack. Smoke a doobie the size of a submarine. You can do all the drugs you want. You're dead so who cares."
Guy: "Wow! I never realized Hell was such a cool place!"
Satan: "You gay?"
Guy: "No..."
Satan: "Oooo , Fridays are gonna be tough..."
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Shy Millionaires
This is the sort of thing that sets my teeth on edge. This general perception that it is not only fair but just to forcibly take from one group of people to give to another group. As this one commenter said:
I'm not ideologically opposed to taxing wealth, mainly because I know a lot of fat cats that aren't working. But it seems to me that there's no pragmatic way (or at least, not one we've discovered yet) to penalize them without also hitting a lot of people who are working.
Not ideologically opposed to taxing the wealthy cause he knows a "lot of fat cats that aren't working". So what? This commenter feels that they should be penalized for having wealth and not working. I believe that is what most people in this country or even the world would like to be able to do and that is the nut of it. Jealousy and envy and the sense that most of the rich must not have worked for their wealth or don't deserve it and so we MUST make it right by taking it away from them. Grow up already. You "generally" have the life you deserve and earn. If you are not happy with your lot in life, do something about it. Get off of your butt and make the changes necessary to improve your future. If you look hard enough, you can find DAILY stories about people that started with NOTHING and now have their own business and are making a fair, honest and successful life for themselves and their families. Anyone can do it if they want to and are willing to put in the effort and take the chance. Will it be easy? No of course not but most of the things in life that are worthwhile take effort. So, do me and the rest of us a favor, stop your petty whining about the evil rich and either get off your butt, work hard and become one of the evil rich too or just sit down and shut up.
I'm not ideologically opposed to taxing wealth, mainly because I know a lot of fat cats that aren't working. But it seems to me that there's no pragmatic way (or at least, not one we've discovered yet) to penalize them without also hitting a lot of people who are working.
Not ideologically opposed to taxing the wealthy cause he knows a "lot of fat cats that aren't working". So what? This commenter feels that they should be penalized for having wealth and not working. I believe that is what most people in this country or even the world would like to be able to do and that is the nut of it. Jealousy and envy and the sense that most of the rich must not have worked for their wealth or don't deserve it and so we MUST make it right by taking it away from them. Grow up already. You "generally" have the life you deserve and earn. If you are not happy with your lot in life, do something about it. Get off of your butt and make the changes necessary to improve your future. If you look hard enough, you can find DAILY stories about people that started with NOTHING and now have their own business and are making a fair, honest and successful life for themselves and their families. Anyone can do it if they want to and are willing to put in the effort and take the chance. Will it be easy? No of course not but most of the things in life that are worthwhile take effort. So, do me and the rest of us a favor, stop your petty whining about the evil rich and either get off your butt, work hard and become one of the evil rich too or just sit down and shut up.
Code "how rude and disruptive can we be" Pink
While watching the video I was just starting to wonder where the tasers were, then there they were! Why is it that you only see lefties protesting in this manner? This "in your face", "my way or the highway" type of activities (though to be honest some of those pro-choice protesters can get pretty fired up too)? This is just more of that "the ends justifies the means" for the "community based reality" folks.
And John at PowerLine makes a VERY good point, where was security when these people were filing into the meeting room? Folks that get ejected from meetings like this for being disruptive should face some sort of penalty. Yes they have a right to be heard but that was not the point of this meeting. They could have protested outside of the meeting or waited for a Q&A portion of the meeting. Instead, because their opinion is more important and the only "right one", no one else matters. It is all about their rights to the exclusion of everyone else's. Why debate when they can just shout you down, get in your face and make a big scene because you know, they care.
And John at PowerLine makes a VERY good point, where was security when these people were filing into the meeting room? Folks that get ejected from meetings like this for being disruptive should face some sort of penalty. Yes they have a right to be heard but that was not the point of this meeting. They could have protested outside of the meeting or waited for a Q&A portion of the meeting. Instead, because their opinion is more important and the only "right one", no one else matters. It is all about their rights to the exclusion of everyone else's. Why debate when they can just shout you down, get in your face and make a big scene because you know, they care.
Media myths about the Jena 6
Read this article and then see if it sounds vaguely familiar. It certainly reminded me of another recent incident involving a racially charged episode involving young people that was jumped on by the media and held up as a prime example of the racism that "still" exists in this country until that is, the dust settled and the true facts of the case came out, to include DNA evidence (or the lack there of) and other witnesses and video that placed key defendants in other locations, etc.
As with the Duke Lacrosse case, the truth about Jena will eventually be known. But the town of Jena isn't expecting any apologies from the media. They will probably never admit their error and have already moved on to the next "big" story.
Yeah, that is the one I was thinking of and he is right, I do not remember reading/hearing a lot of apologizing by all of the media and pundits that jumped on the bandwagon cause you know, they were white and she was black and so they HAD to be guilty. Now with this case, they are black and he is white and well they were provoked and all so it was JUSTIFIED!
As with the Duke Lacrosse case, the truth about Jena will eventually be known. But the town of Jena isn't expecting any apologies from the media. They will probably never admit their error and have already moved on to the next "big" story.
Yeah, that is the one I was thinking of and he is right, I do not remember reading/hearing a lot of apologizing by all of the media and pundits that jumped on the bandwagon cause you know, they were white and she was black and so they HAD to be guilty. Now with this case, they are black and he is white and well they were provoked and all so it was JUSTIFIED!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Not Their Fault
This is quite the amusing piece of literature and has a number of quotables to include:
Legend has it that, when he was a young boy, Richard Mellon Scaife's father would take him for ice cream cones, but before he handed a cone to young Richard he would take a large bite out of it. "That," he would exclaim, "is what taxes are!" No wonder the young Scaife grew up hating taxes. His boyhood experiences with ice cream cones taught him that taxes were stealing something from him, without returning any benefits.
and this one is a hoot:
This may come as shocking news for those of you in the upper 5 percent, but many middle class families can no longer afford health insurance, nor can they afford to pay their medical bills out of their own pockets. And this is NOT THEIR FAULT.
The first passage is fairly true. Now a days, taxes are what the government takes out of my pay without returning equivalent benefits. The current level of government spending is out of control with no end in sight. Government programs are breeding like rabbits and their budgets are growing. You would be hard pressed to find any government programs that have been disbanded. It don't happen. They just continue to grow and spread.
The second passage is telling as well. I would wager that this glut of middle class families that can't afford health insurance have plenty of color TVs, cars, homes, pools, boats, vacations, X-Boxes, computers, cable boxes, etc. Hell, look at the published standard of living for the "official poor" in America. Most of them live better than I did when I was a kid and we were considered middle-class (lower but still in there). This is just more of the "no consequences" attitude that permeates much of society today. Give me what I want, now and I should not have to give up anything to get it.
They don't want to give anyone, no matter how needy, a bite of their ice cream cone.
There is a big difference between offering someone a bite and having someone take it at knife point which is what taxes are, generosity at the point of a gun. It is one thing to help support the basic functioning of society and quite another to in affect reward poor planing and poor life choices with handouts and bailouts. This all goes back to life choices. You generally get the life you earn. If you can not afford health insurance, what are you willing to personally give up to get it, fewer nights out at the movies, cable TV, delivered pizza, what? It seems that for a lot of people, the answer is nothing.
Legend has it that, when he was a young boy, Richard Mellon Scaife's father would take him for ice cream cones, but before he handed a cone to young Richard he would take a large bite out of it. "That," he would exclaim, "is what taxes are!" No wonder the young Scaife grew up hating taxes. His boyhood experiences with ice cream cones taught him that taxes were stealing something from him, without returning any benefits.
and this one is a hoot:
This may come as shocking news for those of you in the upper 5 percent, but many middle class families can no longer afford health insurance, nor can they afford to pay their medical bills out of their own pockets. And this is NOT THEIR FAULT.
The first passage is fairly true. Now a days, taxes are what the government takes out of my pay without returning equivalent benefits. The current level of government spending is out of control with no end in sight. Government programs are breeding like rabbits and their budgets are growing. You would be hard pressed to find any government programs that have been disbanded. It don't happen. They just continue to grow and spread.
The second passage is telling as well. I would wager that this glut of middle class families that can't afford health insurance have plenty of color TVs, cars, homes, pools, boats, vacations, X-Boxes, computers, cable boxes, etc. Hell, look at the published standard of living for the "official poor" in America. Most of them live better than I did when I was a kid and we were considered middle-class (lower but still in there). This is just more of the "no consequences" attitude that permeates much of society today. Give me what I want, now and I should not have to give up anything to get it.
They don't want to give anyone, no matter how needy, a bite of their ice cream cone.
There is a big difference between offering someone a bite and having someone take it at knife point which is what taxes are, generosity at the point of a gun. It is one thing to help support the basic functioning of society and quite another to in affect reward poor planing and poor life choices with handouts and bailouts. This all goes back to life choices. You generally get the life you earn. If you can not afford health insurance, what are you willing to personally give up to get it, fewer nights out at the movies, cable TV, delivered pizza, what? It seems that for a lot of people, the answer is nothing.
The Global-Warming Debate Isn't Over Until It's Over
This article is a bit of a retread of this post but it is a good summary and has some good lines like:
"If you must declare a debate over, then maybe it's not."
That certainly seems like what is happening here. Gore and Co. have claimed that there is a crisis and that there is a consensus, end of story. What they don't tell you is that a) science is not driven by consensus, it is driven by facts and 2) there are a large number of scientists that absolutely do have a problem with man-made global warming and that they are not getting a chance to be heard because of Gore and Co.
"If you must declare a debate over, then maybe it's not."
That certainly seems like what is happening here. Gore and Co. have claimed that there is a crisis and that there is a consensus, end of story. What they don't tell you is that a) science is not driven by consensus, it is driven by facts and 2) there are a large number of scientists that absolutely do have a problem with man-made global warming and that they are not getting a chance to be heard because of Gore and Co.
Sharp Drop Seen in US Deaths in Iraq
Will wonders never cease? A positive story about Iraq by the AP? But don't worry, they were still able to find some less than positive news to include, to you know, keep it "fair and balanced".
"While U.S. death figures appear to be in sharp decline, the number of Iraqi civilians and security forces show a less dramatic drop. And any significant attack — by insurgents or civilians caught in the crossfire — could quickly wipe out the downward trend."
Funny thing is, I just don't recall any prior AP stories that discussed the rising death toll including a similar caveat that "any significant offensive operations by US forces -- could quickly wipe out the upward trend". I must have just missed those...
"While U.S. death figures appear to be in sharp decline, the number of Iraqi civilians and security forces show a less dramatic drop. And any significant attack — by insurgents or civilians caught in the crossfire — could quickly wipe out the downward trend."
Funny thing is, I just don't recall any prior AP stories that discussed the rising death toll including a similar caveat that "any significant offensive operations by US forces -- could quickly wipe out the upward trend". I must have just missed those...
Volunteer radar gunslingers nail speeders
Not sure how I feel about this cause a neighbor with an ax to grind could cause a lot of trouble. I'll tell you though, I would sure like to have a ticket book! I could go through that thing in no time. I am not as concerned with general speeding as I am with obeying all of the other rules of the road. My biggest two beefs are with drivers that don't use their signals when turning or changing lanes and with drivers that don't turn on their lights in the rain. The first is to help inform the other drivers of your intentions and the second is a BIG safety issue. You don't turn your lights on in the rain for you as much as you turn them on for everyone else. Rain cuts down on the general visibility and by turning your lights on, it is easier for everyone else to see you.
Reid reviving 'amnesty' for illegals
"reviving and fast-tracking plans to grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens"
Will they NEVER learn? Are they just hoping that we are all to stupid or easily distracted to notice when they try to pull this kind of garbage?
Just a few months after intense pressure from U.S. citizens triggered the rejection of President Bush's comprehensive immigration plan, a compromise supported by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. – the DREAM Act proposal by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. – is being rushed through the Senate.
Call your Senator and let them know that this is wrong for the country and wrong for our future!
Will they NEVER learn? Are they just hoping that we are all to stupid or easily distracted to notice when they try to pull this kind of garbage?
Just a few months after intense pressure from U.S. citizens triggered the rejection of President Bush's comprehensive immigration plan, a compromise supported by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. – the DREAM Act proposal by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. – is being rushed through the Senate.
Call your Senator and let them know that this is wrong for the country and wrong for our future!
HEH
“I was reading an article in the NY Times and thought to myself, ‘imagine if that were actually true?’”
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Go Thompson GO!
He just makes sense. Most notably the following:
End Sanctuary Cities by cutting off discretionary federal grant funds as appropriate to any community...directs its public officials not to comply...regarding the immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of an alien in the United States.
About time! Cut off municipalities and public institutions at the knees for violating U.S. law. Follow that up with strong penalties against businesses that hire illegals. Turn off the benefits and the monies and most illegals will go home to their own countries.
If they want to be in the U.S., let them come legally with a vested interest in making it here and assimilating into American society.
Yes, I know that this next bit is phobic but SO WHAT!
English as Official Language: Make English the official language of the U.S. to promote assimilation and legal immigrants’ success, and require English proficiency in order for any foreign person to be granted lawful permanent resident status.
If I go to France I am expected to speak French, well this is America where we speak and read and write in English. Learn it, live it, love it. Voting, driving, employment, etc. should all be in English and ONLY English. If you can not speak, read and write English, you can not intelligently function in this country. If you can not speak, read or write English you should not be living here. I don't mean visiting, I mean living. Spending years in this country and working at a job and STILL not able to speak English with any proficiency.
End Sanctuary Cities by cutting off discretionary federal grant funds as appropriate to any community...directs its public officials not to comply...regarding the immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of an alien in the United States.
About time! Cut off municipalities and public institutions at the knees for violating U.S. law. Follow that up with strong penalties against businesses that hire illegals. Turn off the benefits and the monies and most illegals will go home to their own countries.
If they want to be in the U.S., let them come legally with a vested interest in making it here and assimilating into American society.
Yes, I know that this next bit is phobic but SO WHAT!
English as Official Language: Make English the official language of the U.S. to promote assimilation and legal immigrants’ success, and require English proficiency in order for any foreign person to be granted lawful permanent resident status.
If I go to France I am expected to speak French, well this is America where we speak and read and write in English. Learn it, live it, love it. Voting, driving, employment, etc. should all be in English and ONLY English. If you can not speak, read and write English, you can not intelligently function in this country. If you can not speak, read or write English you should not be living here. I don't mean visiting, I mean living. Spending years in this country and working at a job and STILL not able to speak English with any proficiency.
When disagreement becomes infringement
Interesting article by someone trying to oppose this inane infatuation today's young people have with the brutal murdering Che Guevara with some fascinating spillage into related areas.
Hillary's latest strawman
At this rate one has to seriously wonder who's administration will be more scandal wracked, the first President Clinton's or the second.
The first put in a effort with TravelGate, White Water, Monica Lewinsky, etc. (here is a link to the entire hit parade) but it looks like Hillary is planning on showing that she is no slouch and plans to making a good showing...
The first put in a effort with TravelGate, White Water, Monica Lewinsky, etc. (here is a link to the entire hit parade) but it looks like Hillary is planning on showing that she is no slouch and plans to making a good showing...
Pork seems to be all that congress eats...
This is not a partisan problem any more. The Republicans are as bad as the Democrats and they all act like it is "free" money. I do not believe in term limits, I believe that we deserve the government that we get. If you are willing to continue to vote for the same liars and cheaters that you voted for before, than shame on you but this is getting ridicules. It is time to throw them all out and start over. The government could run so much more lean and mean than it is now and return so much more money to the people that earned it but that would get in the way of the designs of these grandstanding buffoons in Washington. The Republicans lost big in the last election, in part for their free spending ways and it looks like the new Democratic majority is no better. I say vote for no incumbents and lets send a completely fresh generation to Washington.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Initial justice
The perp still has a long way to go to pay for his crime but at least this was a start and based on the current state of justice in America, this may be all the family ever gets in the way of justice.
Had the home owner NOT been armed, this could have turned out to be a far more tragic story as in "Husband and father killed after surprising a burglar in the act".
Had the home owner NOT been armed, this could have turned out to be a far more tragic story as in "Husband and father killed after surprising a burglar in the act".
They wish to be safe in their castles.
It’s not the score of a Hawkeye football game. It’s the number of Democrats versus the number of Republicans in the University of Iowa history department...
'Gun-free' school zones?
Since the 1970s, on school campuses in Israel, policy requires teachers and parent aides to arm themselves with semi-automatic weapons. The result? School shootings have plummeted to zero.
Update: 10/22/07 4:55PM Additional, relevant reading is available here.
Update: 10/22/07 4:55PM Additional, relevant reading is available here.
IMF protesters in DC stick'in it to the man!
This is an ongoing theme with many on the liberal left. Anarchy rains. Don't worry though, it will be excused like all of the prior breakouts of vandalism and assault because, you know, it was for a good cause and they "meant" well but just "got out of hand". Justice for the people and all that. Also, she was probably just a Republican or a corporate oppressor of the underclass.
Collages, opening your mind to all the "right" ideas
whether you want to hear them or not, which is a valid roll for schools of higher education. Part of the point is to present a broad range of ideas with the pros and cons of each so that students can build reasoning and evaluation skills to be used once they leave school and enter the real world. It seems though, as of late, only the "right" ideas are given any air time at today's schools.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Enviro-hypocrites celebrating
Ain't that always the way "do as I say not as I do" cause you know, they are just better than the rest of us and they CARE...
Peace prize committee disbands!
"I truly don't believe they realized how frivolous and absurd they had become, how ridiculous, vapid, self-centered and dim-witted they appeared to intelligent people all over the world, how silly, provincial and uninformed they made the people of Norway look, how bizarre, counter-productive and downright dangerous some of their choices had been and how hackneyed and self-righteous their announcements sounded."
About time! Now if only we could get the UN to do the same!
About time! Now if only we could get the UN to do the same!
Randi's Inconsistent Explanation Defies Credibility
She said she was mugged but it is everyone else' fault that they believed her!
The Last March Of The Dinosaurs
"Worst of all, they lost their collective news judgment years ago, and still haven't figured out how to get it back."
HEH, Krauthammer's razor
"In explaining any puzzling Washington phenomenon, always choose stupidity over conspiracy, incompetence over cunning. Anything else gives them too much credit."
Thursday, October 18, 2007
KDFW Suspends Rebecca Aguilar After Controversial "Ambush"
"It makes me proud to read these stories about my home state and know that the laws back up women and 70 year old senior citizens over potential murderers and rapists. It also makes me proud to know Texans will stand up to nitwits like her. "
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
See there is just NO good news in Iraq, anywhere...
It don't run if it can't be spun, as bad news. The headline is "As violence falls in Iraq, cemetery workers feel the pinch ". The MSM just has to find the cloud in every silver lining. This sort of thing is getting so past the point of being ridicules that it is actually getting to be funny. What is next? An article about how as violence in Iraq drops and the status of living rises, stores can't stock enough merchandise causing critical X Box shortages?
But there is not left bias in higher ed...
So far, President Knapp has been less than enthusiastic about taking any type of disciplinary action now that liberals have been revealed to be the culprits.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Peace Prize part II
"We're brainwashing our children," said Dr Gray, 78, a long-time professor at Colorado State University. "They're going to the Gore movie [An Inconvenient Truth] and being fed all this. It's ridiculous."
"It bothers me that my fellow scientists are not speaking out against something they know is wrong," he said. "But they also know that they'd never get any grants if they spoke out. I don't care about grants."
"It bothers me that my fellow scientists are not speaking out against something they know is wrong," he said. "But they also know that they'd never get any grants if they spoke out. I don't care about grants."
Monday, October 15, 2007
General Sanchez speaks truth to power.
The truth is of little to no value if it does not fit your own preconceived notions, biases and agendas
All the news that fit to print?
Every major daily paper in New York took note of President Bush's deci sion to bestow the first Medal of Honor of Operation Enduring Freedom on Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy - a Long Islander who gave his life for his country and his fellow SEALs.
Every paper but one, that is.
And it shouldn't be particularly hard to guess which one.
Every paper but one, that is.
And it shouldn't be particularly hard to guess which one.
Just a sample of those that did NOT win a Nobel Peace prize
Read this article and then make ANY case that this award means anything at all today. Take all the time you need and write in when (if) you can come up with an answer.
Monday, October 8, 2007
A rebuttal to the rebuttal over Bush's SCHIP veto...
The 12 year old (and his family) that was used to rebut Bush's veto of SCHIP has some explaining to do...
Mommy and daddy can't afford private heath insurance for their two kids but they can afford $40K per year per child for private school tuition and though their combined incomes are listed as $45K per year, daddy has owned his own company "Frostworks" since at least 1992 and as such CHOOSES to not have health insurance. His company is run from a building that he purchased in 1999 for $160K and homes like the one they live in is estimated to be worth ~$485K.
It is all about responsibility and priorities. The Frost's did not have heath insurance as a priority. Fine, this is America and that is their right but to then use the [foreseeable] consequences of that decision used as a partisan tool to beat up on the administration is both dishonest and misleading but I would suspect that the dems knew that and just did not care.
Mommy and daddy can't afford private heath insurance for their two kids but they can afford $40K per year per child for private school tuition and though their combined incomes are listed as $45K per year, daddy has owned his own company "Frostworks" since at least 1992 and as such CHOOSES to not have health insurance. His company is run from a building that he purchased in 1999 for $160K and homes like the one they live in is estimated to be worth ~$485K.
It is all about responsibility and priorities. The Frost's did not have heath insurance as a priority. Fine, this is America and that is their right but to then use the [foreseeable] consequences of that decision used as a partisan tool to beat up on the administration is both dishonest and misleading but I would suspect that the dems knew that and just did not care.
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