Friday, January 18, 2008
Progressives, aren't they just the sweetest!
There is nothing like a wedding to bring out the best in people.
Perspective
Recieved via email...
John Glenn said... This should make you think a little:
When some claim that President Bush shouldn't have started this war, state the following:
In the years since terrorists attacked us;
Our Commander-In-Chief is doing a GREAT JOB ! The Military morale is high! The biased media hopes we are too ignorant to realize the facts But wait!
There's more!
JOHN GLENN (on the Senate floor - January 26, 2004) Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do for a living. This exchange between Senators John Glenn and Senator Howard Metzenbaum is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive impromptu speech, but it's also a good example of one man's explanation of why men and women in the armed services do what they do for a living.
This IS a typical, though sad, example of what some who have never served think of the military.
Senator Metzenbaum (speaking to Senator Glenn): 'How can you run for Senate when you've never held a real job?'
Senator Glenn (D-Ohio): 'I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the space program. It wasn't my checkbook, Howard; it was my life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me ... as I went the other day...to a veteran's hospital and look those men ... with their mangled bodies in the eye, and tell THEM they didn't hold a job! You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and Orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee...and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their DADS didn't hold a job.
You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags.
You stand there, and you think about this nation, and you tell ME that those people didn't have a job? What about you?' For those who don't remember during W.W.II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney representing the Communist Party in the USA .
Now he's a Senator!
John Glenn said... This should make you think a little:
- There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq in January.
- In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January.
When some claim that President Bush shouldn't have started this war, state the following:
- FDR led us into World War II.
- Germany never attacked us; Japan did.
- From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost. An average of 112,500 per year.
- Truman finished that war and started one in Korea North.
- North Korea never attacked us.
- From 1950-1953, 55,000 lives were lost. An average of 18,334 per year.
- John F. Kennedy started the Vietnam conflict in 1962.
- Vietnam never attacked us.
- Johnson turned Vietnam into a quagmire.
- From 1965-1975, 58,000 lives were lost. An average of 5,800 per year.
- Clinton went to war in Bosnia without UN or French consent.
- Bosnia never attacked us.
- He was offered Osama bin Laden's head on a platter three times by Sudan and did nothing.
- Osama has attacked us on multiple occasions.
In the years since terrorists attacked us;
- President Bush has liberated two countries, crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida, put nuclear inspectors in Libya, Iran, and North Korea without firing a shot, and captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people.
- It took less time to take Iraq than it took Janet Reno to take the Branch Davidian compound.
- That was a 51-day operation.
- We've been looking for evidence for chemical weapons in Iraq for less time than it took Hillary Clinton to find the Rose Law Firm billing records.
- It took less time for the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marines to destroy the Medina Republican Guard than it took Ted Kennedy to call the police after his Oldsmobile sank at Chappaquiddick.
- It took less time to take Iraq than it tookto count the votes in Florida!!!
Our Commander-In-Chief is doing a GREAT JOB ! The Military morale is high! The biased media hopes we are too ignorant to realize the facts But wait!
There's more!
JOHN GLENN (on the Senate floor - January 26, 2004) Some people still don't understand why military personnel do what they do for a living. This exchange between Senators John Glenn and Senator Howard Metzenbaum is worth reading. Not only is it a pretty impressive impromptu speech, but it's also a good example of one man's explanation of why men and women in the armed services do what they do for a living.
This IS a typical, though sad, example of what some who have never served think of the military.
Senator Metzenbaum (speaking to Senator Glenn): 'How can you run for Senate when you've never held a real job?'
Senator Glenn (D-Ohio): 'I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps. I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the space program. It wasn't my checkbook, Howard; it was my life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me ... as I went the other day...to a veteran's hospital and look those men ... with their mangled bodies in the eye, and tell THEM they didn't hold a job! You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and Orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee...and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their DADS didn't hold a job.
You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags.
You stand there, and you think about this nation, and you tell ME that those people didn't have a job? What about you?' For those who don't remember during W.W.II, Howard Metzenbaum was an attorney representing the Communist Party in the USA .
Now he's a Senator!
Evil rich are at it again!
Those dastardly evil rich are at it again! For the 4th straight year in a row, the top 1 percent of wage earners have paid more in Federal taxes! While this has been going on, completely unopposed by congress, the bottom 80% of income earners have had to continue to pay less!
Call your congressman NOW, this madness must end!
Some other amusing factoids:
- The richest 1% of households in the U.S. are now paying a record 27.6% of all federal taxes and a record of 38.8% of all federal income taxes.
- The richest 1% of households only earn about 17% of all income.
- The top 1.1 million households (the evil rich) pay a greater share of the income tax burden than the bottom 90 million households combined.
- The chart and the report from the CBO shows that the nation's tax burden has been shifting away from typical Americans to the wealthiest households since the early 1980s.
This dose of reality is not brought to you by any Democratic presidential candidate. It has been brought to you care of Nealz Nuze (link will work tomorrow, use this link today).
When are people going to wise up and realize that the top wage earners in this country, those the Democrats love to call the "evil rich" are the ones that help drive this country's economy. If you make over 100K you are considered rich. Most small business owners make over 100K. A lot of that money is reinvested into the business but even if that were not so, so what? These are people that are taking a risk and are trying to be their own bosses and deliver a service or product that is either cheaper, better, or faster than what is available today, if at all. To try and castrate this economic engine by raising taxes on this segment is ridicules. The bottom 50% of wage earners already don't pay their fair share of taxes and it will just continue to get worse as politicians continue to pander to those with little or no drive to better them selves or their situations. People do not value what they have not had to work for. Working for something gives you a stake in it and makes it mean something to you, the effort needed to acquire it. As the government continues to hand out "presents" like Santa Clause, people value those gifts less and less and want more and more. No one "deserves" a home, car, good credit, etc. You earn those things. Instead, this country is turning into one big game show with the government as the host. In this game everyone wins but those that actually try.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
History is what you make it
As is often the case with those on the left, if you don't like the history you only have to rewrite it.
Don't be a hater
In the end, we have to face the fact that political intolerance in America -- ugly and unfortunate on either side of the political aisle -- is to be found more on the left than it is on the right. This may not square with the moral vanity of progressive political stereotypes, but it's true.
Let the demonetization of Mr Brooks begin which would be sweet irony in that that would further prove his point but I suspect that the irony will be missed by those most in need of seeing it.
Let the demonetization of Mr Brooks begin which would be sweet irony in that that would further prove his point but I suspect that the irony will be missed by those most in need of seeing it.
I believe that the psychology term for this is "projection"
It always amazes me how those on the left talk a good game on racism and sexism but are the first to pull out the racial or sexiest slurs and diatribes as soon as the rubber meets the road. They called Colin Powell & Clarence Thomas the worst racist names possible because they dared to not tow the expected party line. Let us not forget Condilisa Rice. She got it for being black, a woman and Conservative.
Least they on the left forget, there was a woman presidential candidate on the republican side before any ran on the Democratic side.
I think that part of what has the liberals in such a spitting frenzy of rage is that Bush dared to protect the country from a clear and present threat and not apologize for it. I am less than thrilled with his over all performance (spends way too much money). I am somewhat underwhelmed by the list of Republican candidates this time around but think we have one (Fred) or two that are worth keeping because they can be trusted to protect the country. I get no such warm and fuzzy from any of those on the Democratic side (and rarely do). With the WOT still in the news, the democrats know that they can't win unless they can shift the attention away from threats from abroad and refocus everyone on domestic issues. With their friends in the MSM they have a shot at doing that.
Least they on the left forget, there was a woman presidential candidate on the republican side before any ran on the Democratic side.
I think that part of what has the liberals in such a spitting frenzy of rage is that Bush dared to protect the country from a clear and present threat and not apologize for it. I am less than thrilled with his over all performance (spends way too much money). I am somewhat underwhelmed by the list of Republican candidates this time around but think we have one (Fred) or two that are worth keeping because they can be trusted to protect the country. I get no such warm and fuzzy from any of those on the Democratic side (and rarely do). With the WOT still in the news, the democrats know that they can't win unless they can shift the attention away from threats from abroad and refocus everyone on domestic issues. With their friends in the MSM they have a shot at doing that.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Fraud, its not a crime, its a First Amendment right!
At least it is if you are a member of the political class.
"I'm a retired Marine of 25 years," Alvarez said. "I just retired in 2001. Back in 1987 I was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. I got wounded many times, at the same time. I'm still around."
Alvarez later admitted he never served in the military.
He has pleaded not guilty to the medal charge, and his attorney has filed a motion to dismiss the case on the grounds that the federal statute violates the First Amendment and is therefore unconstitutional.
This is why politicians and lawyers are held in such high esteem...
"I'm a retired Marine of 25 years," Alvarez said. "I just retired in 2001. Back in 1987 I was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. I got wounded many times, at the same time. I'm still around."
Alvarez later admitted he never served in the military.
He has pleaded not guilty to the medal charge, and his attorney has filed a motion to dismiss the case on the grounds that the federal statute violates the First Amendment and is therefore unconstitutional.
This is why politicians and lawyers are held in such high esteem...
The Official Handbook of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy 2008
Well, there you go! Proof that there really is a "vast right-wing conspiracy"! The "community based reality" was right all along.
Too many rights make a wrong
Related and worth reading and repeating...
Freedom of speech is the first amendment for a reason, it is our most important freedom and must be protected from assault from all quarters (religious, PC, etc.). If it falls, the rest matters little.
Freedom of speech is the first amendment for a reason, it is our most important freedom and must be protected from assault from all quarters (religious, PC, etc.). If it falls, the rest matters little.
Why national socialism is not fascism
It is all about the meaning of words and how they are used. George Orwell knew that being able to control the language gives you control over the mind. Some have learned that lesson well.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Giving verses Giving Back
I have been doing some thinking on this lately.
When I was younger, we were taught to give to others. That giving to others was the charitable thing to do. Giving to charity was lending a helping hand to those in need. It made one feel better about themselves in part for performing a selfless act. Giving is not really taught that much any more. Nowadays the lesson that is taught is “giving back”. There is a big difference. Giving is a personal act of charity whereas giving back is repaying a dept, it is in affect an obligation. You give back something you took. Giving back to society as they now say, is treated more as an obligation than a personal act of charity. It is as though anyone that does anything to reach a certain level of prosperity or fame owes it all to society and as such has an obligation to return something to the community. As though they had little to do with where they have gotten. Sorry but no. I already meet or exceed my “obligations” to society and the community by being a law abiding, tax paying citizen. Anything above or beyond that is a personal gift of giving that I elect to make, not something I owe.
When I was younger, we were taught to give to others. That giving to others was the charitable thing to do. Giving to charity was lending a helping hand to those in need. It made one feel better about themselves in part for performing a selfless act. Giving is not really taught that much any more. Nowadays the lesson that is taught is “giving back”. There is a big difference. Giving is a personal act of charity whereas giving back is repaying a dept, it is in affect an obligation. You give back something you took. Giving back to society as they now say, is treated more as an obligation than a personal act of charity. It is as though anyone that does anything to reach a certain level of prosperity or fame owes it all to society and as such has an obligation to return something to the community. As though they had little to do with where they have gotten. Sorry but no. I already meet or exceed my “obligations” to society and the community by being a law abiding, tax paying citizen. Anything above or beyond that is a personal gift of giving that I elect to make, not something I owe.
Tom Cruise, crazy as hell
Watch the video and see if you don't agree.
Either he is on some very serious medication or he needs to be.
Nice sound track though...
P.S. For those that do watch the entire video, here are definitions of some of the abbreviation used in the video:
Here is a review of the tape and situation that is interesting and amusing.
Another update:
Apparently Will Smith is getting into the Scientology act as well.
Either he is on some very serious medication or he needs to be.
Nice sound track though...
P.S. For those that do watch the entire video, here are definitions of some of the abbreviation used in the video:
- SP = suppressed person, someone that criticizes Scientology
- KSW = Keeping Scientology Working, policy letters
Here is a review of the tape and situation that is interesting and amusing.
Another update:
Apparently Will Smith is getting into the Scientology act as well.
Mercury fly by
Cool! Space is "the final frontier" and we really should be doing more space stuff, more often.
Chemical Reactions Create Undulating Brew
Everyone may have seen this already but I don't care. I think it is pretty cool and is the type of thing that can get someone interested in science so I am posting it.
This is an example of complexity in a chemical reaction that most would think far to complicated to occur. It is fascinating that we are still uncovering areas of such wonder in this field. I used to work with someone who's husband was a chemist in VA and his job was to create custom foam for specific purposes. Light weight, dense, flexible, stiff, all kinds of foam. He created foam with specific properties for each specific job requirement. I thought that was pretty cool too.
This is an example of complexity in a chemical reaction that most would think far to complicated to occur. It is fascinating that we are still uncovering areas of such wonder in this field. I used to work with someone who's husband was a chemist in VA and his job was to create custom foam for specific purposes. Light weight, dense, flexible, stiff, all kinds of foam. He created foam with specific properties for each specific job requirement. I thought that was pretty cool too.
Monday, January 14, 2008
NYT shows why its circulation continues to fall
Poor reporting from the NYT is becoming so common place that one gets tired of reading about it. Maybe that is their "master plan" to run so many bad, ill conceived and factually wrong stories so often that is just becomes so much white noise (like all of the untruths that the Clintons told so often during his presidency) and no one will care.
The cartoons that would not be stopped...
Watch these videos. This is yet another reason why we can not let the Mohammad cartoons drop. Why we must continue to publish them and not bend to pressure or threats.
WD My Book World Edition
I picked up one of these last week from eBay and expect it to arrive mid-week. It is a network storage device that can be accessed from any computer on the network. I purchased the 1.5T model and expect to use the RAID-1 mirroring giving me ~750Gig storage. It will mostly be used for computer backups (I will miss Norton Ghost) and for photo storage.
Sams Club has the 1T unit for about $300 now but I was able to get the 1.5 from eBay for only slightly more and as I plan to use mirroring by getting the 1.5, I still have a fairly usable amount for files and photos. I could not quite talk myself into getting a 2T unit though in a few years I may wish that I did.
This model has a nice feature in that I can create a folder on the drive and designate it as Internet accessible. It can then be accessed via a web page or PCAnywhere style client software. In this way, instead of having to compress or reduce photos to share with friends and family, we can just send them to the web site or the client access software. Like a mini-myspace or youtube.
The device plugs right into my wireless router and when I hook it up, I will put both on a UPS. All of the computers that are on my network are now wireless and so even if the power goes out, my network will stay up. As soon as I get another UPS for the HP all-in-one, all of my network resources will be available 24/7 regardless of the power situation outside. I just want to make sure that the printer UPS allows me to turn off the alarm as it will be in the bedroom closet and we have brown-outs and mini-black outs all of the time where I live in Florida.
Update: 2/3/2008
I purchased a 1.5TB unit from an eBay seller at a pretty good price. The unit turned out to be used, not new and broken to boot. I returned it, they replaced it with the SAME unit and I returned it a second time for a refund. I picked up a 1TB unit from SAMS but it turned out to be a World Edition, not a World Edition II. The difference being the IIs have support for RAID 1. I will wind up retuning it and most likely get a 2TB unit from COSCO. During all of this, I tried to get the various drives to work with limited success. I can access the drives using a direct IP path but the included MioNet software never seems to be able to find the drive. When I get the (hopefully) final drive from COSCO I will give it another attempt and then call WD support. From my limited experience with this system it is a real good idea but I am not very happy with or impressed with the MioNet client software.
Update: 2/23/2008
I am going to have to give up on this for a bit. It is just not working out right. I tried yet another unit but could not get the software to work and apparently the drive was more than 6 months old and as such, the "free" support ran out so I could not get support for getting the software working properly. I returned it and will try sometime in the future after these have been out longer and have had the kinks worked out (of the software and support chain).
Sams Club has the 1T unit for about $300 now but I was able to get the 1.5 from eBay for only slightly more and as I plan to use mirroring by getting the 1.5, I still have a fairly usable amount for files and photos. I could not quite talk myself into getting a 2T unit though in a few years I may wish that I did.
This model has a nice feature in that I can create a folder on the drive and designate it as Internet accessible. It can then be accessed via a web page or PCAnywhere style client software. In this way, instead of having to compress or reduce photos to share with friends and family, we can just send them to the web site or the client access software. Like a mini-myspace or youtube.
The device plugs right into my wireless router and when I hook it up, I will put both on a UPS. All of the computers that are on my network are now wireless and so even if the power goes out, my network will stay up. As soon as I get another UPS for the HP all-in-one, all of my network resources will be available 24/7 regardless of the power situation outside. I just want to make sure that the printer UPS allows me to turn off the alarm as it will be in the bedroom closet and we have brown-outs and mini-black outs all of the time where I live in Florida.
Update: 2/3/2008
I purchased a 1.5TB unit from an eBay seller at a pretty good price. The unit turned out to be used, not new and broken to boot. I returned it, they replaced it with the SAME unit and I returned it a second time for a refund. I picked up a 1TB unit from SAMS but it turned out to be a World Edition, not a World Edition II. The difference being the IIs have support for RAID 1. I will wind up retuning it and most likely get a 2TB unit from COSCO. During all of this, I tried to get the various drives to work with limited success. I can access the drives using a direct IP path but the included MioNet software never seems to be able to find the drive. When I get the (hopefully) final drive from COSCO I will give it another attempt and then call WD support. From my limited experience with this system it is a real good idea but I am not very happy with or impressed with the MioNet client software.
Update: 2/23/2008
I am going to have to give up on this for a bit. It is just not working out right. I tried yet another unit but could not get the software to work and apparently the drive was more than 6 months old and as such, the "free" support ran out so I could not get support for getting the software working properly. I returned it and will try sometime in the future after these have been out longer and have had the kinks worked out (of the software and support chain).
3D color printing for under $50K
All I can say is WOW. The ability to turn CAD drawings into physical 3D parts, in color, in just a few hours for less than $50K is unbelievable. If this continues, one day soon, these machines will be cheap enough so that the serious hobbyist will be able to afford one.
Here is a video of the printer being demostrated.
This is already happening with laser cutters and automatic CNC machines. Small shops can afford these types of systems today and you can home build a laser cutter your self.
I have seen a couple of home built 3D printers created with Lego parts (one was a chocolate printer). High end hobby versions can not be far behind.
Here is a video of the printer being demostrated.
This is already happening with laser cutters and automatic CNC machines. Small shops can afford these types of systems today and you can home build a laser cutter your self.
I have seen a couple of home built 3D printers created with Lego parts (one was a chocolate printer). High end hobby versions can not be far behind.
Friday, January 11, 2008
"spray on" displays and related things
This is an older story but wow the possibilities are endless. I tried to find an update but was not able to. May search more when I have time...-
Researchers have filled an off-the-shelf inkjet printer with semi-conducting polymer "ink" to print computer displays and solar cells on to a multitude of different surfaces.
The researchers have so far used the technique to make simple organic LED arrays that display images when connected to a power supply, as well as power-generating solar cells. But Jabbour believes the technique could be used to create many different types of device.
Researchers have filled an off-the-shelf inkjet printer with semi-conducting polymer "ink" to print computer displays and solar cells on to a multitude of different surfaces.
The researchers have so far used the technique to make simple organic LED arrays that display images when connected to a power supply, as well as power-generating solar cells. But Jabbour believes the technique could be used to create many different types of device.
Care clinics in retailers
The decision by the state Public Health Council, "jeopardizes patient safety," Menino said in a written statement. "Limited service medical clinics run by merchants in for-profit corporations will seriously compromise quality of care and hygiene. Allowing retailers to make money off of sick people is wrong."
Well he certainly sounds like a politician. Oh and ummm I hate to break this to you but that is the same definition of a doctor's office, hospital or emergency care facility, people making money off of sick people. No one does it for free. And no, when hospitals treat those that can not pay, they are not doing it for free. They just charge everyone else that can pay a little more. There ain't no free lunch.
Walmart did a lot of good with their drug programs, some would say better than what the government did. Who is to say that they can not do the same for medical care?
Dr. Paula Johnson, a board member and physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said episodic visits to a drug store clinic could defeat efforts to provide patients with a reliable continuum of care.
And you think occasionally visiting a hospital emergency room for treatment leads to "a reliable continuum of care"? If my choices are wait 30 minutes to see someone in CSV or 3 months to see my doctor or 8 hours at the emergency room, well just take a guess at which I will choose. For a bonus question, guess which is likely to be cheapest.
Well he certainly sounds like a politician. Oh and ummm I hate to break this to you but that is the same definition of a doctor's office, hospital or emergency care facility, people making money off of sick people. No one does it for free. And no, when hospitals treat those that can not pay, they are not doing it for free. They just charge everyone else that can pay a little more. There ain't no free lunch.
Walmart did a lot of good with their drug programs, some would say better than what the government did. Who is to say that they can not do the same for medical care?
Dr. Paula Johnson, a board member and physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said episodic visits to a drug store clinic could defeat efforts to provide patients with a reliable continuum of care.
And you think occasionally visiting a hospital emergency room for treatment leads to "a reliable continuum of care"? If my choices are wait 30 minutes to see someone in CSV or 3 months to see my doctor or 8 hours at the emergency room, well just take a guess at which I will choose. For a bonus question, guess which is likely to be cheapest.
Ms. Magazine's Kerfuffle
Yet another left wing, liberal agenda at any price group. They will gladly promote any women involved in peace activities as long as they are against the west and will gloss over how Islam denigrates women but let us do NOTHING to promote the good that comes from the only true democracy in the middle east because they are on the wrong side of all of the 'right' issues.
Shame on them!
Shame on them!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The reason I haven’t gone all out attacking Islamism in my art is because I feel real fear that someone will slit my throat.”
That is why it is so much easier to pick on the religions of Christians and Jews as they generally don't slit throats any more regardless of what you do, whereas radical Islam will (in some instances) just for saying "radical Islam".
And what does that say about these "artists"? They are willing to "be bold and take risks" as long as there are no real consequences for those risks. Kind of like all of the "truthers" that speak truth to power so boldly in a country that protects the right of free speech. Actually speaking truth to power would be going to Iran and protesting in the street about how radical Islam has become or how oppressive to women it is. But like our "daring" artist above, that could ACTUALLY get one killed so most truthers will leave that sort of truth telling to the other guy.
And what does that say about these "artists"? They are willing to "be bold and take risks" as long as there are no real consequences for those risks. Kind of like all of the "truthers" that speak truth to power so boldly in a country that protects the right of free speech. Actually speaking truth to power would be going to Iran and protesting in the street about how radical Islam has become or how oppressive to women it is. But like our "daring" artist above, that could ACTUALLY get one killed so most truthers will leave that sort of truth telling to the other guy.
A car for the masses?
Indian automaker Tata Motors has finally unveiled the Tata Nano -- its already legendary $2,500 (1-lakh)car. As expected, the car that Tata claims will change the face of not only the Indian car market, but the global auto industry will be a four door, five seat hatch, powered by a 30 HP Bosch 624 cc four stroke engine...
Poster child for voter ID opponents registered in two states
This is too perfect! One of the people held up by those opposed to voter ID laws as a reason why those laws are not needed and is the first person mentioned in the Supreme Court brief opposing Indiana's law ... (wait for it) ... is registered to vote in TWO states.
She has also been claiming a homestead exemption in both states, something else you are not allowed to do.
Kind of proves why we DO need these laws, eh? Oh and in case you were wondering she is a registered Democrat.
She has also been claiming a homestead exemption in both states, something else you are not allowed to do.
Kind of proves why we DO need these laws, eh? Oh and in case you were wondering she is a registered Democrat.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Impressive technical skills and craftsmanship!
This is a long video but if you are at all interested in electronics, this is worth a watch. The video is of a skilled home hobbyist building his own vacuum tubes from scratch. Very impressive!
GA: Second Amendment Protection Act of 2008
Good deal! I hope it passes. We need more "common sense" gun laws on the books in more states. Any gun law that makes it easier for lawful citizens to obtain guns is the best crime deterrent you can have.
As others have noted, draconian gun laws are not only bad but discriminatory. Wealthy people can afford lawyers and/or body guards as well as the ability to not live in high crime areas. Poor people can not afford any of these things. In some cases a gun is the only form of protection these people have. DC is a prime example of bad gun laws gone crazy. DC is a two-fer. They have some of the toughest gun laws and greatest restrictions as well as about the highest murder rate in the nation. Anyone else see a correlation? Especially when compared to Michigan. It should not take a rocket scientist!
As others have noted, draconian gun laws are not only bad but discriminatory. Wealthy people can afford lawyers and/or body guards as well as the ability to not live in high crime areas. Poor people can not afford any of these things. In some cases a gun is the only form of protection these people have. DC is a prime example of bad gun laws gone crazy. DC is a two-fer. They have some of the toughest gun laws and greatest restrictions as well as about the highest murder rate in the nation. Anyone else see a correlation? Especially when compared to Michigan. It should not take a rocket scientist!
Voter ID, its the right thing to do
A grand jury report prepared by then-Brooklyn District Attorney Elizabeth Holtzman in the 1980s revealed how difficult it is to catch perpetrators. It detailed a massive, 14-year conspiracy in which crews of individuals were recruited to go to polling places and vote in the names of fraudulently registered voters, dead voters, and voters who had moved. "The ease and boldness with which these fraudulent schemes were carried out shows the vulnerability of our entire electoral process to unscrupulous and fraudulent misrepresentation," the report concluded.
Those opposed to voter ID requirements using arguments like disenfranchisement are throwing up a smoke screen.
U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker, who first upheld Indiana's photo ID law in 2006, cited a state study that found 99% of the voting-age population had the necessary photo ID. Judge Barker also noted that Indiana provided a photo ID for free to anyone who could prove their identity, and that critics of the law "have produced not a single piece of evidence of any identifiable registered voter who would be prevented from voting."
Those opposed to voter ID requirements are not so worried about legitimate people being refused the ability to vote as much as they are worried that the "right" people won't be permitted to vote and in some cases vote multiple times. This includes illegal aliens and felons.
Those opposed to voter ID requirements using arguments like disenfranchisement are throwing up a smoke screen.
U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker, who first upheld Indiana's photo ID law in 2006, cited a state study that found 99% of the voting-age population had the necessary photo ID. Judge Barker also noted that Indiana provided a photo ID for free to anyone who could prove their identity, and that critics of the law "have produced not a single piece of evidence of any identifiable registered voter who would be prevented from voting."
Those opposed to voter ID requirements are not so worried about legitimate people being refused the ability to vote as much as they are worried that the "right" people won't be permitted to vote and in some cases vote multiple times. This includes illegal aliens and felons.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Please Mr. Bush, have the guts!
"President Bush could ignore the 90% of earmarks that never make it to the floor of the House or Senate for a vote," says Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, who has read the CRS report. "He doesn't need a line-item veto."
Michigan sees fewer gun deaths -- with more permits
Well, who would have thought, more carry permits equals lower gun crime? ... Just anyone who has been paying attention!
Academic studies of concealed weapons laws that generally allow citizens to obtain permits have shown different results, Lott said. About two-thirds of the studies suggest the laws reduce crime; the rest show no net effect, he said.
So, one third of the studies show no change and two thirds of the studies suggest they reduce crime. This would mean that worst case, carry laws have no detrimental effect and best case, reduce crime. Why now allow it everywhere? It would seem to be a no-brainer (meaning those that don't get it, have no brains).
Academic studies of concealed weapons laws that generally allow citizens to obtain permits have shown different results, Lott said. About two-thirds of the studies suggest the laws reduce crime; the rest show no net effect, he said.
So, one third of the studies show no change and two thirds of the studies suggest they reduce crime. This would mean that worst case, carry laws have no detrimental effect and best case, reduce crime. Why now allow it everywhere? It would seem to be a no-brainer (meaning those that don't get it, have no brains).
Friday, January 4, 2008
Hellgate London
I acquired a new PC (yes PC not console) video game over the holidays, Hellgate London. It is by some of the same team that created Diablo II. I was and am a big fan of Diablo II and continue to play it online. I got a copy of Titan Quest on the advice of a friend that is was what Diablo III would have been if it had been released. I liked it OK but just OK. It did not catch me like Diablo did. Having spend a week or so with Hellgate London I have to say that this IS what Diablo III might have been. I have enjoyed it a lot. I am not thrilled with their online model where you can play for free for basic content and can upgrade via a subscription to enhanced content, but nothing is perfect. The online game still has a few minor bugs in it but so far I have not run into any show-stoppers. The bugs I have found have mostly been graphics clipping issues and one time a bit of network comms problems but for the most part it plays smooth and well. If you play both, you can get some of the "inside" jokes whereas the Hellgate London world references the Diablo world. Cute. I like what they have done with the weapons mod feature which is their variation of the socketted items. You can (for a price) undo your mods and reuse them in another item. I have not progress far enough to know if they have a version of the Diablo Horadric Cube recipes in this game but it would be nice as I liked that part of Diablo quite a bit. Overall good story and good play, nice selection of character types and the skills look interesting as well.
I did like the ability in Titan Quest of reallocating skill points and would like to see that added to this game. I would also like to see them add the ability for a player to trade items with other characters that belong to the same account as in if I have two characters and one finds something that would be real useful to my other character, let me trade it to that other character. That is not currently possible as you have to be online to trade. You could get around that in Diablo II by creating a private game under the first character, dropping your trade item, log out, log in under the second character and pick up the dropped item. If after creating the private game you waited at least 2 minutes, the game would persist long enough for you to exit out your first character and re-enter with your second. A lot of players have mule characters for just such a purpose as well as to store excess items that you wanted to save but did not have room in your active characters to store. A larger "locker" in Hellgate London would help with that as well.
Again, overall a good game that I would recommend to any current Diablo II players out there looking for something related but new.
Update: 2/6/09
Apparently there were financial issues with the U.S. distributor of this game and the online servers have been taken down. It does not seem possible for U.S. game owners to connect to any of the games servers hosted in other countries. The single player version still functions but I liked the online play. Hope it gets resurrected. We shall see.
I did like the ability in Titan Quest of reallocating skill points and would like to see that added to this game. I would also like to see them add the ability for a player to trade items with other characters that belong to the same account as in if I have two characters and one finds something that would be real useful to my other character, let me trade it to that other character. That is not currently possible as you have to be online to trade. You could get around that in Diablo II by creating a private game under the first character, dropping your trade item, log out, log in under the second character and pick up the dropped item. If after creating the private game you waited at least 2 minutes, the game would persist long enough for you to exit out your first character and re-enter with your second. A lot of players have mule characters for just such a purpose as well as to store excess items that you wanted to save but did not have room in your active characters to store. A larger "locker" in Hellgate London would help with that as well.
Again, overall a good game that I would recommend to any current Diablo II players out there looking for something related but new.
Update: 2/6/09
Apparently there were financial issues with the U.S. distributor of this game and the online servers have been taken down. It does not seem possible for U.S. game owners to connect to any of the games servers hosted in other countries. The single player version still functions but I liked the online play. Hope it gets resurrected. We shall see.
I donated to Fred, did you?
I think that of all of the current candidates running for president, Fred is the best man for the job. He seems to have a clear understanding of the issues, realistic plans to address the issues, is not afraid to articulate those plans, does not talk down to people or settle for sound bites and by word and deed stands for most of the things that I stand for. He comes across more as seeing the need to run than wanting to run which sets him apart from your average politician. I personally like the way that he says what is on his mind in a straight way with little hedging which is quite refreshing. I don't agree with Fred on everything. For instance I wish he would support the Fair Tax plan.
I am not a single issue voter though I do have my "show stopper" issues. I think that all of the amendments to the Constitution should be honored and protected, not just the first. I don't believe in the judiciary creating public policy. Their job is to rule on existing law not make law. Out of all of the current candidates, I believe that Fred runs closest to my beliefs and to what I think the role of government should be.
If you have not yet looked at Fred, please do. If you did give him a look and were left wanting, please look again. You just might realize that he is your candidate too. He could really use your donations now, to help keep his campaign running.
I am not a single issue voter though I do have my "show stopper" issues. I think that all of the amendments to the Constitution should be honored and protected, not just the first. I don't believe in the judiciary creating public policy. Their job is to rule on existing law not make law. Out of all of the current candidates, I believe that Fred runs closest to my beliefs and to what I think the role of government should be.
If you have not yet looked at Fred, please do. If you did give him a look and were left wanting, please look again. You just might realize that he is your candidate too. He could really use your donations now, to help keep his campaign running.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
More armed citizens in action
As much good as the police do, they are not everywhere and in some areas, they only have time and resources to clean up after crimes occur. Armed citizens help stop crimes in progress. Right to carry reduces crime.
Remember, when seconds count, the police are only minutes away...
Remember, when seconds count, the police are only minutes away...
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