Frankly Speaking

Happy Friday the 13th

2009-11-13T09:50:00.004-05:00

It's Friday the 13^th. You would think I would celebrate by posting a clip from an appropriate slasher movie, but instead I'll share some music. I've never heard this guy before this morning, but I'm already becoming a fan. The song I heard this morning was "Sugar Cane", but I couldn't find that on Youtube, so you'll have to make due with what I did find. Althought "C'mon Baby" is really growing on me. I've listened to it a few times already this morning. Very catchy.

I'm Pretty Sure This Was Written For Us Nerds

2009-11-03T17:00:00.001-05:00

I laughed my ass off. I'm pretty sure I own at least a dozen of these already.

h/t my lovely wife.

Taking A Stand

2009-10-29T13:45:00.002-04:00

I know I spend most of my time here complaining about Democrats, but today I took a stand against some Republicans. Today I unsubscribed from the GOPUSA newsletter.

Over the last several years I've enjoyed most of what they write, with the occasional article making me roll my eyes. However, lately a lot of their emails have had to do with the various court cases suing to prove that President Obama doesn't meet the constitutional requirements to serve as President.

So, today I drew a line. I'm not going to support craziness, no matter what name it wears, so I took my name off their list. It's not a big deal, and they won't even notice, I'm sure, but someone has to point at the crazies and say, "Hey, you're an idiot".

A Missed Opportunity

2009-10-28T09:15:00.002-04:00

Charlize Theron, who is smoking hot, raised $140,000 for charity recently. I think she could have made a lot more, but I'll explain that in a minute. She was auctioning off

"a 2010 trip to South Africa that included World Cup tickets, a safari and a meet-and-greet with Nelson Mandela."

Bidding stalled at $37,000, which didn't make her very happy, considering Jeremy Piven had just raised $280,000. To sweeten the pot, she offered the chance to kiss her for 7 seconds for $130,000. However, the winning bid went to a woman who bid $140,000. This is where she totally missed the boat. She should have immediately followed it with an auction to watch the two of them make out. Of course, she would have had to kiss the woman a little longer than 20 seconds, and there should have been some groping.

She could have made a LOT more money that way.

H/T to my lovely wife for sending me the link.

FiaF

2009-10-23T13:00:00.000-04:00

It's Fuck it all Friday, and I have so many things rattling around in my head that I want to write about, but sometimes you have to know when to say "What the fuck". So, I present for you listening pleasure, The Gourds covering Snoops Dogg's "Gin and Juice".

This, ladies and gentleman, is what the world should be like. Two styles that couldn't be more different, coming together in one glorious masterpiece. This is my dream for America.

Additional Awards Obama Should Receive

2009-10-09T16:15:00.003-04:00

Posted as I create them.

Barack Obama wins the National Spelling Bee

President Obama awards President Obama the Presidential Medal of Freedom
(Idea came from a commenter at Ace's place)

Was This Guy Ever Interesting?

2009-10-07T11:30:00.004-04:00

Seriously, has Garrison Keillor ever done anything interesting or original? I tried to watch A Prairie Home Companion with my brother and his wife, who happens to be as liberal as they come, and we couldn't do it. Within 15 minutes we were all sound asleep. We never tried again, because, to put it bluntly, it sucks ass.

Last week he wrote that

When an entire major party has excused itself from meaningful debate and a thoughtful U.S. senator like Orrin Hatch no longer finds it important to make sense and an up-and-comer like Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty attacks the president for giving a speech telling schoolchildren to work hard in school and get good grades, one starts to wonder if the country wouldn't be better off without them and if Republicans should be cut out of the health-care system entirely and simply provided with aspirin and hand sanitizer. Thirty-two percent of the population identifies with the GOP, and if we cut off health care to them, we could probably pay off the deficit in short order.

That's right, Republicans don't agree with him, so fuck them. Let them all die in their ramshackle shanty's in the south. They're all mouth-breathers anyway, not good for anything.

Apparently he got a little bit of a backlash from that column (Who woulda thunk it?), so this week he apologized

OK, it was wrong of me to say last week that we should deny healthcare to Republicans except for aspirin and hand sanitizer, and thank you to the many readers who kindly took me to task. It was so wrong. And I withdraw the idea that death panels should circulate through red states searching for the obese and slow afoot, the wheezy and limpy, spray-painting orange stripes on their ankles, marking them for future harvest. That was very, very bad.

Republicans have the same right to quality healthcare as anyone else, and you can quote me on that. Even people who are crazed stark raving berserk by the thought of a president with three vowels in his last name deserve to be treated with kindness and dignity, and shot with tranquilizer darts by game wardens and wrapped in quilts and taken to refuge.

That's right, even those lunatic Republicans deserve to be given a handout from Teh One. Even though we're all a bunch of inbred racists and don't really deserve it.

But wait, there's more. He couldn't stand to say something nice to Republicans, even in a back-handed kind of way, so he had to through in this parting shot in the end.

They're mostly about maximizing profit in the short run. They are the folks who buy a healthy company and then sink it under an enormous debt load that goes to pay them a vast profit even though the company is sinking, and the creditors get shafted.

They are the ones who are dead-set against government regulation and do not mind manufacturing hamburger patties contaminated by E. coli, and if someone becomes terribly ill from eating one -- a young woman in Minnesota almost died from a Cargill hamburger and will likely never walk again -- nonetheless Republicans remain staunchly opposed to G-men snooping around the slaughterhouse, and so I should never eat another Big Mac or Whopper or any other ground meat other than that ground from whole sirloin by a butcher as I watch. Never.

We are back to the 19th century so far as meat is concerned. This has been accomplished by those incredibly rude men who occupy first class on the airplane and elbow themselves ahead of elderly women in line as they yammer into dangly cellphones. They have nothing to do with art and even less to do with bringing up children. They are a danger to society and an embarrassment to their children. Nonetheless, if one of them falls down with a heart attack, he should be cared for, same as anyone else.

I'll pause a moment while that sinks in.

You see, Republicans want you to die. We don't care about safe food or safe drinking water or clean air or even about raising our children. All we want is to lay waste to the country, building as large a fortune as possible, screwing the little guy at every turn in search of the almighty dollar. Hell, if we're lucky the little guy will die so he can't sue us, and then we really win.

I am so fucking tired of hearing this same argument from asshole liberals like Garrison Fucking Keillor. I've heard it my entire life. Republicans don't care about children or the elderly or the environment. All we want is to fuck over the planet and everyone in it, so we can live in our mansions and spend our days counting our fortunes.

This is all such a giant load of horse shit. If you pay attention to the first quote up there, it was Keillor, your typical liberal fuckwad, that advocated the denying of health care to anyone who self identifies as a Republican. But we're the ones who want to see him die from contaminated meat.

Garrison Keillor, in two short opinion pieces, has perfectly demonstrated the sheer hypocrisy of the left. In one week he goes from advocating the death of Republicans to blaming Republicans for wanting people to die.

Congratulations Garrison Keillor. You are the new poster child for liberal hypocrisy. Maybe you and Michael Moore should consider getting a room together.

Maybe Wolf Should Just Drop To His Knees

2009-10-06T10:45:00.002-04:00

and bob on Obama's knob directly. I mean, seriously, how much more in the tank can they get for Obama?

Last Saturday, SNL ran a skit making fun of the fact that Obama has accomplished "nothing" so far in his presidency. Look, I'm anti-Obama, but even I know he has accomplished a few things. But apparently the knob-gobbling Obama lovers at CNN got their panties in a wad over someone insinuating something negative about Teh One. So, they took it upon themselves to fact check SNL. You heard that right, they ran a fact check on Saturday. Night. Live. Fucking morons.

Here's my question for these blatant suckers of Satan's cock, where the fuck where you during the election process when SNL was taking on Sarah Palin almost weekly? Did you "fact check" their claims then? Of course not, because that only helped Obama. And people wonder why I cannot stand to watch the news on NBC, CBS, ABC, MSNBC or CNN? Maybe because they all lost all semblance of impartiality right after they all bowed down to take turns servicing Obama.

h/t Ace

Funny Of The Day

2009-09-29T13:45:00.000-04:00

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

Optical Illusion Or Freudian Slip?

2009-09-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

I was reading a story on Fox News this morning when I noticed this picture in the right sidebar. My first thought was, "When did Fox start advertising pr0n?" Because that looks like a money shot to me.

Upon closer examination, it turns out that it's an ad for tooth whitening. I like my version better.

We Are Failing Our Children

2009-09-25T11:00:00.000-04:00

The following is my opinion. If you don't want to read my opinion, then you shouldn't be reading my blog.

The average college age person in America is a moron. What got me started on all of this was a chance encounter on Facebook.

One of my coworker's daughters paints in her spare time. She's actually pretty good. She has around 50 of her paintings posted online and I was checking them out the other day. About 7 paintings in, I come across one she has created of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Okay, the parents are liberal, Obama kool-aid drinkers, so I kind of expected it. But one of her friends left a comment which said something like, (paraphrasing here) "I can't believe you know about Che. Not many people around here do. He's totally my hero."

So, a middle-class, college educated, American girl, looking back at all of history, chooses for her hero a mass-murdering communist revolutionary. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what is wrong with America. Actually, no, that is not all this is wrong. It's not just the fact that one moron chooses Che as her hero, it's that she can say publicly that Che is her hero, AND NO ONE CARES.

Can you imagine the outrage were I to say that, say, Josef Goebbels is my hero? People would be outraged. Why is Che any different? How many deaths was he personally responsible for? But now he's little more than a pop culture icon worn by celebrities and bored college kids.

It makes me fucking sick.

Ted Kaczynski was a revolutionary, too. He also killed people trying to bring down capitalism in order to keep it from destroying nature. Why isn't he hailed as a hero by these same morons? Why don't they walk around wearing shirts emblazoned with his image like they do with Che? Oh right, because Che is "sexy".

There is an entire generation of idiots walking around out there, convinced that Che is sexy and Obama is a moderate.

Fucking morons, the lot of them.

F.I.A.F.

2009-08-28T14:15:00.001-04:00

It's Fuck-It-All-Friday, so let's skip politics for a few minutes and do something fun.

I love this remake. I'm not a huge Metallica fan, but I really enjoy the S&M double CD. If you have never heard it, you need to check it out at least once. There's just something about the juxtaposition of heavy metal over the philharmonic that I absolutely love.

To really get the full effect of this video, however, you really need to go to Metallica's site and watch the uncensored version. One of very few music videos I really enjoy.

Update: Ah, what the hell. Let's continue the cover theme. Below you find some of my favorite covers of 80s songs.

I'm not a big fan of Marylin Manson, but I love this cover of Tainted Love. I mean, really, how many of you ever saw this coming? Not me.

Alien Ant Farm covering Smooth Criminal. A few years ago this song was everywhere. I think the video amuses me more than I love their actual cover of the song, but it's catchy.

The last one has embedding disabled, which really pisses me off, but I enjoy the video. Again, it's a few years old, and technically it's not a cover, but it's my blog and I can do what I want. Bowling for Soup - 1985. The song is original, but they dress like bands from the 80s and it absolutely cracks me up. Especially the 400 pound Tommy Lee look-a-like. Plus, the mom dancing on the hood of the car is hot.

Show Me Your ID

2009-08-28T13:45:00.000-04:00

Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) held a town hall recently. People showed up to express their extreme displeasure with the health reform bill. Moran took control of the situation by accusing those opposed to the bill of being plants who aren't even from his district. He went so far as to demand ID from one gentleman before allowing him to ask a question.

Here's my question, if it's so vitally important to verify that someone is a citizens of your district before allowing them to ask a question at a town hall meeting, why do democrats steadfastly oppose asking for ID to vote? Surely voting is slightly more important than someone asking a question at a town hall, isn't it?

I'm Tired Of Apologizing

2009-08-14T12:15:00.000-04:00

I’m tired of having to be the one who keeps his views to himself. I’m tired of being part of the “silent majority”. The left has been in our face and vocal for years, and conservatives have sat back and let them push their agenda on us, because we don’t want to offend anyone. Well, I’m offended.

I’m offended that the media portrays me as some kind of radical because of my beliefs. I’m tired of being called a racist for not supporting a president I don’t agree with just because he happens to be black. I’m tired of being called greedy because I think taxes are too high and I would like to keep more of the money I earn with 45+ hour work weeks. I’m tired of endless lecturing from politicians who tell me they cannot find the means to “pay” for a tax cut, but expect me to meet my financial obligations on ever decreasing take-home pay because they cannot balance their budget. I’m tired of being told that I have to pay the mortgages of people who weren’t as responsible as I was, who bought homes they couldn’t afford. I’m tired of seeing the military vilified by people who think that terrorists are freedom fighters, but citizens exercising their right to assemble and protest a health care bill they disagree with are terrorists.

I’m tired of people who think that the government is the answer to every social ill that may befall us, but who give virtually nothing to charity on their own. I’m tired of President Obama telling me that it’s better for everyone if we “spread the wealth around”, while he gave less than 1% of his income to charity before running for office. I’m tired of watching the president of the greatest country in the world apologize to the rest of the world for our success.

I’m tired of being called a racist because I think illegal immigration hurts us all. I’m tired of being called a radical because I believe the second amendment is vitally important in preserving the first. I’m tired of high energy prices because leftist environmentalists block every effort to use the resources God has blessed us with in this country.

I’m tired of people complaining that life isn’t fair. When Jefferson was writing the Declaration of Independence, he didn’t declare that everyone had the right to life, liberty and a six figure income, he wrote that we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I want you to notice how that is phrased, the pursuit of happiness. Not the attainment of happiness. Not the right to have the government provide for your happiness. You have the right to pursue your own happiness, it’s up to you how you get there and how much you attain. If you falter in your pursuit, it’s not the job of government to then go to your neighbors and, through force, take part of what they have achieved and give it to you to make everything “fair”.

I’m tired of listening to news anchors and pundits sing the praises of the independents and the undecided voters. If you don’t care enough about your country and your freedoms to have an informed opinion, you are not a saint; you are either stupid, lazy, or intellectually dishonest. Whichever it happens to be, I hope you at least have the common sense to stay home on Election Day, because an uninformed vote harms us all.

I’m tired of watching the government punish success. What motivation is there for anyone to start a business and work long hours to make it succeed if the government is then going to punish him/her with confiscatory tax rates?

If you disagree with this, that’s okay. That is what tolerance truly means. It’s not that I have to accept your beliefs or that you have to accept mine. What you have to accept is the fact that we are free to voice our opinions and vote according to our conscience. Celebrate our differences, because you live in a country that provides the liberty for a multitude of beliefs. We live in a country where you can criticize the actions of your government without fear of prison or execution. We live in a country that has been a beacon of liberty to the rest of the world for over 233 years.

This is the United States of America, the greatest nation in the world.

Because You Can Make Money Off Of Anything

2009-08-12T11:15:00.001-04:00

And what kind of conservative would I be if I didn't try?

Natural Selection At Work

2009-08-10T18:00:00.000-04:00

Donna Munson, age 74, of Colorado demonstrates just what happens when natural selection works as it should. You see, Donna was known to feed the bears in the area. She went so far as to construct a metal cage around her porch so she could feed them through the fence. The Department of Wildlife has been warning her for years to stop feeding the bears, even sending her written notice.

Last Thursday she spoke with her brother on the phone and informed him that a larger bear had been harrassing a cub that she had been feeding hard boiled eggs and milk. She told him that she planned to chase the bear off with a broom the next time he came around. Apparently no one ever told Donna that bears aren't really scared of old women with brooms.

According to the county coroner, Munson was grabbed by the bear and it slashed her head and neck with such penetrating force that Munson would have bled out in 90 seconds.

Later that day, a witness found a large bear feeding on Munson's body as it lay outside her home. It's not clear if that was the bear that killed her.

When deputies arrived to investigate the report of a mauling, they were approached by two aggressive bears, which they shot and killed. A necropsy on one bear was inconclusive -- and did not prove whether that bear killed Munson. A necropsy on a second bear at the home was pending.

Let this be a lesson boys and girls. I know that Yogi and Smokey are really cute, but feeding the bears is never a good idea. Followed closely by never chasing the bears with a broom.

One Ring To Find Them All And Point Out What Giant Nerds They Are

2009-08-10T15:45:00.001-04:00

Something for the elf-loving, Tolkien fan, the LOTR Tungsten Carbide, Elf Love Ring.

"One ring to show our love
One ring to bind us
One ring to seal our love
And forever to entwine us"

The only thing that would make you look like a bigger nerd is wearing pointy elf ears and a robe while proposing with this ring.

Now I've Seen Everything

2009-08-10T13:45:00.001-04:00

Pictured above, one loud-mouthed, annoying, celebrity wannabe and her younger date.

D-list celebrity and used-to-be-slightly-amusing comic Kathy Griffin showed up to the Teen Choice awards this weekend with an unusual date, former almost son-in-law of Sarah Palin, Levi Johnston.

It's kind of sad, really, watching two people that are that starved for attention. he hopes to get his own reality show, she hopes to appear young and relevant. Or maybe just young. Who knows.

How much you want to bet that she puts her hair in a bun, puts on the librarian glasses and makes her call him Sarah while she's bent over the back of the limo?

What An Ass

2009-08-09T18:30:00.000-04:00

Lawrence O'Donnell interviews Peter Schiff, the only man to predict the housing bubble. Shriff happens to be a Republican who is going to challenge Chris Dodd for his seat next year.

Lawrence O'Donnell shows just what an incredible ass a liberal can be when they don't like the person they are interviewing. I don't know whether or not I agree with Schiff about anything, because O'Donnell won't shut his fucking pie hole long enough to let him answer a question.

It's idiots like this, whatever party they belong to, that seriously piss me off. If you're going to ask someone a question, shut up and allow them to answer. If you don't agree with their answer, wait until they're done and then ask a follow up question. I mean, seriously, I didn't go to J school and I can figure this out.

Personally, if I were Peter Schiff, I would have stood up about 30 seconds into the interview and told him he can stick the interview right up his ass. No one should have to sit through an "interview" like that. He may as well be reduced to monologues, because that is basically what he was doing here.

No Pants Is A Good Thing

2009-08-09T13:15:00.002-04:00

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

If you're a fan of The Watchman, then you'll probably enjoy this. I know I laughed my pants off.

H/T Sharp As A Marble

Well, Thank God That's Over

2009-08-07T09:15:00.000-04:00

After eight long years, we've finally won all of our wars. I mean, obviously we must have, seeing as how the White House says that we are no longer involved in a war on terror.

It's official. The U.S. is no longer engaged in a "war on terrorism." Neither is it fighting "jihadists" or in a "global war."

President Obama's top homeland security and counterterrorism official took all three terms off the table of acceptable words inside the White House during a speech Thursday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank.

"The President does not describe this as a 'war on terrorism,'" said John Brennan, head of the White House homeland security office, who outlined a "new way of seeing" the fight against terrorism.

Oh wait, I guess we're still at war after all, we're just going to change the terminology. You know, just like;

Global Warming became Climate Change

Health Care Reform became Health Insurance Reform

Stimulus Bill Will Create Jobs = Stimulus Bill Saved Jobs

Global War On Terror became Overseas Contingency Operation

Apparently when liberals don't like the way something is going, they just change the name. People aren't falling for your socialist health care plans? Stop talking about health care and start demonizing insurance companies. Don't want to piss of your dictatorial buddies in the Middle East? Stop calling them terrorists. But, let concerned citizens show up at town hall meetings to voice their opposition to this massive takeover of health care, and they are "mobs".

Do they really think we're that stupid, that we won't notice that President Obama has become hostile directly with the American people?

By the way, if you want to report me for "fishy" behavior, here's a link to Obama's snitch email address. Consider it my public service to volunteer to be reported for reeducation.

Four legs good. Two legs bad.

It's Zombie Time

2009-08-05T18:45:00.000-04:00

Red band trailer for Zombieland.

This trailer is so full of Teh Awesome that it's almost too much. I love a good zombie movie. Hell, I even like bad zombie movies. Sean of the Dead is right up there for me, but I see this one heading straight to #1 for me, as well as straight to my DVD collection.

hat tip Ed for the red band trailer.

Community Organizing Is Apparently Only Allowed If You're A Democrat

2009-08-05T16:00:00.001-04:00

Congressmen and Senators are getting their collective asses handed to them in town hall meetings. The Obama administration and the Democratic leadership are trying to discredit those who show up to question cap and tax and the health care reform

Apparently they are so used to protesters being poorly dressed, unwashed hippies that when "well dressed" people show up to voice their concerns, they must obviously be a well organized mob by that old vast right-wing conspiracy.

Apparently they forget their own advice. Here, I'll let then candidate Obama remind you.

If you're a democrat, you should talk to everyone. Get in their faces and tell them why they should fall into line and agree / vote with you. If you're a republican.. well, you're just an angry mob who doesn't know all the facts.

We're from the government, we're here to help.

Update: I thought maybe you would like to see examples of what a real, unruly mob looks like.

Code Pink protesting outside the Marine recruiting station in Berkley, California.

Anti-war protesters trying to break through a police line during the RNC.

Storming the stage to protest the Minutemen at Columbia University.

Who Is The Class Act Again?

2009-08-04T16:50:00.000-04:00

In the first photo, we have President Obama posturing for the cameras while the obviously racist Crowley helps the disabled Gates down the stairs.

Below we see how President Bush treated the elderly. No care for how he looks for the cameras, he just did what he thought was right.

My New Stamps

2009-08-04T16:00:00.001-04:00

Take one photo, apply some Photoshop, mix in some controversy, and pour into one U.S. postage stamp. I am totally on board with this. I can see me creating an entire line of these to use on everything that leaves my home from now on.

This was created using Picture It Postage. Go ahead, give them a look. I'm sure you can think of a thousand different photos you would like to see on a postage stamp.

Hat tip Scott

Artists Depiction of Ace's Honeymoon

2009-04-21T10:44:00.001-04:00

In response to this post at Ace's place.

Happy Tax Day

2009-04-15T14:48:00.002-04:00

I'm working today, so I don't have the opportunity to join the tea bag protests. So here is my little contribution to a movement for smaller government.

Hello Internets

2009-03-16T11:30:00.000-04:00

I got engaged this weekend. I just thought you would like to know, because my life is so very interesting.

That is all for now.

Her First Boomstick

2009-03-11T11:45:00.002-04:00

My younger daughter's 12^th birthday is coming up in a few weeks. Traditionally in our family, 12 is the shotgun birthday. When my older daughter turned 12 I passed on the Stevens single shot .20 gauge I received on my 12^th birthday. The younger daughter informed me that she doesn't want a shotgun, she wants a rifle. She always has to be different. So, this weekend I picked up the Mossberg 702 Plinkster .22LR. She is about to be the proud owner of her very first scary black rifle.

Of course, that was before I knew that they also offered it in pink. I see a paint job in her future.

Now I can't wait for her birthday, because I'm ready to head out and throw some lead down range. I haven't even shot the thing yet and now I want a .22 for me. I forgot just how much fun they are.

Woo Hoo! I'm Rich!

2009-03-06T09:45:00.000-05:00

Thanks to a restructuring of the tax tables, my take home pay has gone up. Today my pay was exactly $18 more than it was two weeks ago. Now all I have to do is figure out where to spend all this extra money.

This Is Highly Inappropriate

2009-03-02T15:15:00.001-05:00

But I can't help myself.

Am I the only one who notices a striking resemblance between the recently deceased Paul Harvey and Jim Carey as Fire Marshall Bill?

Uncle Jay's Year In Review

2009-01-05T09:30:00.000-05:00

Uncle Jay Explains the News. This time it's 2008, the year in review. I found every bit of it hilarious. He takes shots at everyone equally, but they are all done in good taste with just enough truth to each one to make it funny. You know, the way comedy should be.

School Cafeteria Worker Quits Over Giant Gunns

2008-12-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

A school cafeteria worker has resigned her close to $6k a year part-time job because she used to be a pr0n star.

When Tuck's past was revealed in November some parents in the school district, as well as the board of education president, wanted her fired, but district officials were advised by their lawyers and those from the New Jersey School Board Association they had no legal grounds to terminate the 32-year-old from her $5,772-a-year part-time job.

My question, if someone who looks like the woman pictured above comes in looking for a job, how do you NOT know that she was a pr0n star? I mean, seriously, have you ever seen a school cafeteria lunch lady with gunns like that?

I'm willing to bet that the boys of that school are very sad following her resignation. I also don't think she should have lost her job just because she took it in the ass on camera a couple of times. I've worked for a school district before, and believe me, there are plenty of school employees doing that for free on a regular basis. And some even with consenting adults.

My favorite quote of the whole article, though, is this one.

At the time, Vineland School District Superintendent Charles Ottinger released a statement saying, "It's one thing if it's an illegal activity, because that would come up in the check. There is no way for us to know if a person is involved in these types of activities."

...

"If this is about morality, our president-elect has admitted to doing crack, and he's our president. Does that make him a bad person?" Tuck said in November, referring to one of Barack Obama's books, in which he admits trying cocaine. "Bill Clinton smoked pot. Does that make him a bad person?" (emphasis mine)

A Word Of Warning

2008-12-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

If your daughter tells you that the digital camera she received for Christmas the year before is broken and asks you to fix it, here is something you should watch out for. When you remove the case, you'll probably notice a large piece of electrical tape across one end of the electronics. That is probably there for a reason, but if you're like me you rip it off without investigating why so you can get to the screws underneath.

When you rip off that seemingly harmless piece of black electrical tape, you will unknowingly be exposing the leads on a very large capacitor. For those of you who don't know what a capacitor is, it's a small, harmless looking piece of electronics that functions somewhat like a batter. It stores an electrical charge and then dispenses that electrical charge when triggered. Like, say, when your finger lays across both leads, which is immediately followed by "HOLY MOTHER OF G-D" and you throwing said digital camera across your office.

At least that's what I would imagine would happen, if I were to do something like that. Which I did, of course. I then decided it would be a good idea to put the electrical tape back in place. Only when I was in the process of sticking it back down, the leads poked through the tape, making contact with my finger, which then closed the circuit a second time and "SHIIIIIIIT". Yeah, I shocked myself twice in about 90 seconds.

Lesson learned. Next time we throw the damn thing away and buy another cheap digital camera like we're going to do this time. Only there won't be nearly as much yelling and cussing involved.

This. Guy. Rocks.

2008-11-24T10:15:00.000-05:00

I cannot imagine how much time he put into creating this, but he is definitely my new hero.

h/t IMAO

R.I.P. Free Speech In America

2008-11-10T11:30:00.000-05:00

A black man wearing a shirt in support of Obama walked into a crowd of McCain / Palin supporters. The police sprang into action to protect this individual from being harmed by the crowd by first ordering him to leave and then arresting him when he pointed out he has a first amendment right to walk down the street wearing a shirt in support of his candidate. The crowd then broke out into a chant of "U.S.A." to show their pleasure at his arrest.

Oh wait, that was a white guy wearing a McCain / Palin shirt wading through a sea of Obama supporters.

But how fast do you think the ACLU, Al Sharpton and the rest would be all over this case if it were as I described in the first paragraph?

I, for one, welcome our new ~~champions of~~ anti-free speech overlords.

h/t Ace

Obama: The Aftermath

2008-11-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Coincidence Or Timely Marketing?

2008-11-05T10:55:00.001-05:00

I just received an email advertising the "First Presidential Black" visa card. How long do you think they've been planning this campaign?

Barack Obama Is My President

2008-11-05T10:15:00.000-05:00

Less than 50 years after Jim Crow laws we have elected the first African American as President. I cannot help but feel pride in my country for this fact. I know there are millions of African-Americans who never thought this would happen in their lifetime, and I celebrate with them in the progress America has made in such a short time.

I am a life-long Republican and I did not vote for Obama. However, last night he was elected the 44th President of the United States by a majority of the electorate. For that, he has earned my respect. I disagree vehemently with him on just about every major issue, and will fight to elect those who are more in line with my beliefs, but I cannot find it within myself to hate this man the way so many hated George W. Bush. I will not do to this man what the far left has done to George W. Bush, John and Cindy McCain and Sarah Palin, nor will I ever support any candidate that does. There will never be a “He’s not my President” bumper sticker on my car, nor will I ever attack his wife or children. As I have seen elsewhere in the blog-o-sphere today, demonization is not essential to dissent.

I will spend the next four years as I’ve spent the last; being a father to my children and a reluctant tax payer. Come January I will watch the historic inauguration of our first black President with much pride. Pride because I live in a country where equal opportunity applies to all. A country where everyone, without regard to race, creed, color or gender, has the opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their children.

Today I celebrate the wonder that is the United States of America.

God bless us all.

That's All Folks

2008-11-04T23:20:00.003-05:00

Just to remind everyone, I called it first back on February 16^th.

At this point I am pretty much resigned to the fact that Barack Obama is going to be our next president. When he comes to power he is also going to increase the Democrat majority in the House and Senate.

But I will also remind you of this quote from the same post.

Obama is, from few examples you can find out there, a true a believer. He is as far left as Karl Rove is far right. Obama will not be making deals to stay in power, he'll be forcing his leftists, pacifist agenda through no matter what.

So when your taxes go up, your energy costs go up, and bad things happen to America, just remember you heard it from your old Uncle Frank first.

In other Frank news, anyone who calls America a racist nation from this point forward can kiss my hairy, white ass. Can we please move on now? I'm ready for my rainbows, unicorns and government cheese.

Election Links

2008-11-04T21:53:00.004-05:00

I do the legwork so you don't have to. Personally, I don't believe anyone on TV, I'm busy watching the number for myself. Now you can too.

Pennsylvania

Virginia

Georgia

Florida

Indiana

Missouri

Minnesota

North Carolina

Iowa

That's enough to keep us going for now. This race is far from over, people. I've just opened my ~~fourth~~ first cold one and I'm ready to stay the course.

Watching Virginia

2008-11-04T21:52:00.001-05:00

Conservative Optimism Goes Right Out The Window

2008-11-04T21:38:00.006-05:00

All over the blogosphere conservatives are throwing in the towel. Good Lord, people, the polls are still open in parts of the country and there are still a LOT of ballots to be counted. Quit your fucking whining.

They've already called Ohio for Obama, but according to the Secretary of State's count, McCain is leading by more than 15,000 votes.

Stop watching the media and start watching the actual numbers. Al Gore invented the internet for a reason, you know.

This is what Ohio looks like right now. Seems to be an awful lot of red for a state that has been called for Obama

Black Panther Poll Watchers

2008-11-04T13:15:00.001-05:00

And by watchers, I mean thugs with nightsticks intimidating people on their way into the polls.

It's going to be a long night, people.

h/t Ace

Why I'm A Conservative

2008-11-03T11:45:00.001-05:00

I vote Republican the vast majority of the time. I have voted for Democrats, but the times are few and far between. I am not one of the people who is going to lie to you and say, "I vote the man, not the party." Truth be told, very few people really do this. If it were true you wouldn't have large blocks of voters going to one party or the other every single time. For me the primaries are where I vote "the man". I look at who is running and who most matches what I believe and I vote for that (wo)man. When the general election rolls around, I vote for the party. Unless someone like Ted Stevens is running, then I write in a candidate.

What I believe is best summed up by the list written by William J. J. Boetcker.

* You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
* You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
* You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
* You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
* You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
* You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
* You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
* You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
* You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.
* And you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.

Does this mean that I think every Republican is going to adhere to these standards every time? No. I'm a believer, but I'm not naive. Which is also why I believe in term limits, but that's a discussion for another time.

So, here is why I'm voting for Johnny Mac and not for Obama.

John McCain is not my ideal candidate. He believes in "comprehensive" immigration reform, which amounts to forgive and forget to all the illegals currently in the country. Which, if the rules actually changed afterwards, might not be a bad thing. But we tried that once in the 80s, and then never bothered to enforce immigration laws and we found ourselves right back in the same place again.

He also cosponsored McCain-Feingold, which is one of the worst pieces of legislation to come out of Washington. It's a clear violation of the First Amendment, and should be done away with.

There is also his legendary temper, the Gang of 14, and the Keating 5.

However, of the two viable candidates, he is closer to me on the two most important issues; the economy and foreign policy. He believes in a strong defense, and he believes in lower taxes coupled with lower spending. We've discussed foreign policy here many times, so I'm going to go more in depth with my economic views.

I believe lower taxes for everyone, including businesses, are a good thing. As the list above states, you cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. The rich are who employees people, takes risks, starts businesses and keeps our economy going. Without the rich the economy comes to a stand still. Obama believes that it is the patriotic duty of the rich to pay higher taxes to fuel more social programs. I believe it's the duty of government to provide the opportunity for more people to take risks, start businesses and become self-sufficient on their own. I don't want my job, my livleyhood, my house, or anything else dependent on the government.

The fundamental difference between the Democrat and Republican parties today stems from their views on the role of government. Democrats, for the most part, believe that the government should be used to solve all social ills. Republicans, for the most part, believe it is the role of government to remove as many roadblocks as possible for people to be able to solve their own ills.

The difference really comes down to the old adage about giving a man a fish or teaching him to fish. Democrats see a problem and they immediate want to create a government agency to fix the problem. The problem usually involves throwing money at it. Republicans see a problem and they want to fix the problem, only they want to find the root cause of the problem and see if that can't be changed. The Republican solution is usually the slower solution, but like most things in life, the quick fix is usually not the best.

If a man is going hungry because he can't find a job, setting up a government agency that will come by and give him a sandwich every day makes everyone feel better about themselves, and the guy is not hungry any more. However, the situation that led to the man not being able to provide for himself isn't changed, he is now dependent on the government to provide that sandwich every day, and, most importantly, someone else is having their hard earned money taken away to pay for that sandwich, the van that delivers it, the bureaucracy that orders it and the guy driving the van to deliver it. Maybe all the guy really needed was a low interest loan to help him fix his car so he could drive himself to work every day and earn the money to buy his own sandwich.

Does all this mean I am cruel, heartless and don't want to see the less fortunate among us helped? The easy answer to that is no. I am a firm believer in helping out our fellow man. I've given a large portion of my income to charity all of my adult life. I've helped put a new roof on an old woman's house who couldn't afford to pay for the labor to have it done. I've passed out food in a church sponsored food bank. I've sponsored a child in Guatemala, handed out food to the homeless, and helped to provide health screenings to several thousand low income households over the course of a week in a larger city. Does any of this make me special? No. I am but one of millions of Americans who do this sort of thing every day. And millions more who can't get out and do the actual work but who are willing to give of their hard earned money to help charities that actually do the work.

I believe there are hundreds of thousands of people out there on the government payroll who are perfectly able to work but can't because if they earn too much money they will lose their government checks. But working won't provide enough for them to live, either, so they are stuck sitting at home, waiting on their next handout. This doesn't help the economy, their self esteem, or businesses in general.

Obama's comment about "spreading the wealth" is a great example of this. He has said repeatedly that he thinks that he can grow the economy from the bottom up. To do this, he must raise taxes on those making more money to provide the services to those on the bottom end. So now what you are looking at is someone who has worked hard, taken risks, started a business that employees actual people. That business is now going to pay higher taxes. This means that business now has less money to work with, less money to upgrade equipment, hire new employees, or expand. The government has decided that it knows better how to spend that money than the business owner, and is going to use to for whatever it so desires.

The owner's cost of doing business just went up, so (s)he's going to have to tighten the belt, and find a way to make up that lost revenue. The government, however has no idea what that is like. When the government wants more money, they take it. When was the last time you heard of actual spending cuts in a government program? Any program at all. And no, you don't get to count if they cut the amount of growth, because growth is growth, whether they get to expand spending by 10% or 15%. I mean a real life, honest to goodness cut, where any government program has less money this year than they had the previous.

It doesn't happen.

But I'm getting off track here. Let me summarize why I'm not voting for Obama.

Higher taxes.

Weak on national defense.

Bad energy policy. The man thinks that the best thing to help the American people is to keep energy prices high.

Infanticide. Forget the whole abortion debate for now, just focus on this one little part. Obama was the only Illinois senator to vote against the Induced Infant Liability Act, which was written to protect babies born alive during a late-term abortion.

Throughout his campaign Obama or his surrogates have used racism as a defense against any criticism. He very rarely does interviews with journalists who will actually give him tough questions, he through newspapers that have endorsed McCain off his plane just days before the election, his supports dug through personal records of Joe the plumber looking for dirt to use against him, and he and his campaign cut off journalists that don't sufficiently kiss his ass. He asked the Justice Department to look into a reporter who dared to investigate his work at the Chicago Annenburg Challenge. You want to complain about the erosion of rights under the Bush Presidency, just wait until you try to criticize Obama once he's ~~ascended to his throne~~ taken office.

Lastly, the man has a history of questionable associations. Everyone has one or two whackos in their history. Usually it's a crazy uncle or some friend you've had since cildhood. You overlook their one or two crazy beliefs because they are basically a decent person. With Obama you get William Ayers, Bernadette Dohrn, Khalidi, and Jeremiah Wright. And those are just off the top of my head. I'm sure if I dug a little I could remember a few more. Obama may not be a radical, but he has a habit of seeking out the most radical around him and befriending them. That is enough to give me pause, but added on top of all his policies, I just can't support him. I don't care how "clean and articulate" he is.

So there you have it. This is by no means all-inclusive, but it is a fairly accurate list as to why I'll be voting the way I do tomorrow.

A Small Business Owner In His Own Words

2008-10-31T16:10:00.003-04:00

This was forwarded to me this afternoon, and it's too interesting to not share. I've tried some google fu but don't see anything out there claiming this wasn't written by Cory Miller, so I'm assuming it's real until I find otherwise.

Given the furor about "Joe the plumber" I've written an open letter to Mr. Obama myself. I think it is worth the read. Maybe if Americans could take a closer look at what a small businessman is, they wouldn't want politicians penalizing their success. Feel free to forward it if you want…

Cory
* * * * * * * * *
Mr. Obama,

Given the uproar about the simple question asked you by Joe the plumber, and the persecution that has been heaped on him because he dared to question you, I find myself motivated to say a few things to you myself. While Joe aspires to start a business someday, I already have started not one, but 4 businesses. But first, let me introduce myself. You can call me "Cory the well driller". I am a 54 year old high school graduate. I didn't go to college like you, I was too ready to go "conquer the world" when I finished high school. 25 years ago at age 29, I started my own water well drilling business at a time when the economy here in East Texas was in a tailspin from the crash of the early 80's oil boom. I didn't get any help from the government, nor did I look for any. I borrowed what I could from my sister, my uncle, and even the pawn shop and managed to scrape together a homemade drill rig and a few tools to do my first job. My businesses did not start as a result of privilege. They are the result of my personal drive, personal ambition, self discipline, self reliance, and a determination to treat my customers fairly. From the very start my business provided one other (than myself) East Texan a full time job. I couldn't afford a backhoe the first few years (something every well drilling business had), so I and my helper had to dig the mud pits that are necessary for each and every job with hand shovels. I had to use my 10 year old, 1/2 ton pickup truck for my water tank truck (normally a job for at least a 2 ton truck).

A year and a half after I started the business, I scraped together a 20% down payment to get a modest bank loan and bought a (28 year) old, worn out, slightly bigger drilling rig to allow me to drill the deeper water wells in my area. I spent the next few years drilling wells with the rig while simultaneously rebuilding it between jobs. Through these years I never knew from one month to the next if I would have any work or be able to pay the bills. I got behind on my income taxes one year, and spent the next two years paying that back (with penalty and interest) while keeping up with ongoing taxes. I got behind on my water well supply bill 2 different years (way behind the second time... $80,000.00), and spent over a year paying it back (each time) while continuing to pay for ongoing supplies C.O.D.. Of course, the personal stress endured through these experiences and years is hard to measure. I do have a stent in my heart now to memorialize it all.

I spent the next 10 years developing the reputation for being the most competent and most honest water well driller in East Texas. 2 years along the way, I hired another full time employee for the drilling business so that we could provide full time water well pump service as well as the well drilling. Also, 3 years along the path, I bought a water well screen service machine from a friend, starting business # 2. 5 years later I made a business loan for $100,000.00 to build a new, higher production, computer controlled screen service machine. I had designed the machine myself, and it didn't work out for 3 years so I had to make the loan payments without the benefit of any added income from the new machine. No government program was there to help me with the payments, or to help me sleep at night as I lay awake wondering how I would solve my machine problems or pay my bills. Finally, after 3 years, I got the screen machine working properly, and that provided another full time job for an East Texan in the screen service business.

2 years after that, I made another business loan, this time for $250,000.00, to buy another used drilling rig and all the support equipment needed to run another, larger, drill rig. This provided another 2 full time jobs for East Texans. Again, I spent a couple of years not knowing if I had made a smart move, or a move that would bankrupt me. For the third time in 13 years, I had placed everything I owned on the line, risking everything, in order to build a business.

A couple of years into this, I came up with a bright idea for a new kind of mud pump, a fundamentally necessary pump used on water well drill rigs. I spent my entire life savings to date (just $30,000.00), building a prototype of the pump and took it to the national water well convention to show it off. Customers immediately started coming out of the woodworks to buy the pumps, but there was a problem. I had depleted my assets making the prototype, and nobody would make me a business loan to start production of the new pumps. With several deposits for pump orders in hand, and nowhere to go, I finally started applying for as many credit card as I could find and took cash withdrawals on these cards to the tune of over $150,000.00 (including modest loans from my dear sister and brother), to get this 3rd business going.

Yes, once again, I had everything hanging over the line in an effort to start another business. I had never manufactured anything, and I had to design and bring into production a complex hydraulic machine from an untested prototype to a reliable production model (in six months). How many nights I lay awake wondering if I had just made the paramount mistake of my life I cannot tell you, but there were plenty. I managed to get the pumps into production, which immediately created another 2 full time jobs in East Texas. Some of the models in the first year suffered from quality issues due to the poor workmanship of one of my key suppliers, so I and an employee (another East Texan employed) had to drive across the country to repair customers' pumps, practically from coast to coast. I stood behind the product, and made payments to all the credit cards that had financed me (and my brother and sister). I spent the next 5 years improving and refining the product, building a reputation for the pump and the company, working to get the pump into drill rig manufacturers' product lines, and paying back credit cards. During all this time I continued to manage a growing water well business that was now operating 3 drill rig crews, and 2 well service crews. Also, the screen service business continued to grow. No government programs were there to help me, Mr. Obama, but that's ok, I didn't expect any, nor did I want any. I was too busy fighting to make success happen to sit around waiting for the government to help me.

Now, we have been manufacturing the mud pumps for 7 years, my combined businesses employ 32 full time employees, and distribute $5,000,000.00 annually through the local economy. Now, just 4 months ago I borrowed $1,254,000.00, purchasing computer controlled machining equipment to start my 4th business, a production machine shop. The machine shop will serve the mud pump company so that we can better manufacture our pumps that are being shipped worldwide. Of course, the machine shop will also do work for outside companies as well. This has already produced 2 more full time jobs, and 2 more should develop out of it in the next few months. This should work out, but if it doesn't it will be because you, and the other professional politicians like yourself, will have destroyed our country's' (and the world) economy with your meddling with mortgage loan programs through your liberal manipulation and intimidation of loaning institutions to make sure that unqualified borrowers could get mortgages. You see, at the very time when I couldn't get a business loan to get my mud pumps into production, you were working with Acorn and the Community Reinvestment Act programs to make sure that unqualified borrowers could buy homes with no down payment, and even no credit or worse yet, bad credit. Even the infamous, liberal, Ninja loans (No Income, No Job or Assets). While these unqualified borrowers were enjoying unrealistically low interest rates, I was paying 22% to 24% interest on the credit cards that I had used to provide me the funds for the mud pump business that has created jobs for more East Texans. It's funny, because after 25 years of turning almost every dime of extra money back into my businesses to grow them, it has been only in the last two years that I have finally made enough money to be able to put a little away for retirement, and now the value of that has dropped 40% because of the policies you and your ilk have perpetrated on our country.

You see, Mr. Obama, I'm the guy you intend to raise taxes on. I'm the guy who has spent 25 years toiling and sweating, fretting and fighting, stressing and risking, to build a business and get ahead. I'm the guy who has been on the very edge of bankruptcy more than a dozen times over the last 25 years, and all the while creating more and more jobs for East Texans who didn't want to take a risk, and would not demand from themselves what I have demanded from myself. I'm the guy you characterize as "the Americans who can afford it the most" that you believe should be taxed more to provide income redistribution "to spread the wealth" to those who have never toiled, sweated, fretted, fought, stressed, or risked anything. You want to characterize me as someone who has enjoyed a life of privilege and who needs to pay a higher percentage of my income than those who have bought into your entitlement culture. I resent you, Mr. Obama, as I resent all who want to use class warfare as a tool to advance their political career. What's worse, each year more Americans buy into your liberal entitlement culture, and turn to the government for their hope of a better life instead of themselves. Liberals are succeeding through more than 40 years of collaborative effort between the predominant liberal media, and liberal indoctrination programs in the public school systems across our land.

What is so terribly sad about this is this. America was made great by people who embraced the one-time American culture of self reliance, self motivation, self determination, self discipline, personal betterment, hard work, risk taking. A culture built around the concept that success was in reach of every able bodied American who would strive for it. Each year that less Americans embrace that culture, we all descend together. We descend down the socialist path that has brought country after country ultimately to bitter and unremarkable states. If you and your liberal comrades in the media and school systems would spend half as much effort cultivating a culture of can-do across America as you do cultivating your entitlement culture, we could see Americans at large embracing the conviction that they can elevate themselves through personal betterment, personal achievement, and self reliance. You see, when people embrace such ideals, they act on them. When people act on such ideals, they succeed. All of America could find herself elevating instead of deteriorating. But that would eliminate the need for liberal politicians, wouldn't it, Mr. Obama? The country would not need you if the country was convinced that problem solving was best left with individuals instead of the government. You and all your liberal comrades have got a vested interested in creating a dependent class in our country. It is the very business of liberals to create an ever expanding dependence on government. What's remarkable is that you, who have never produced a job in your life, are going to tax me to take more of my money and give it to people who wouldn't need my money if they would get off their entitlement mentality asses and apply themselves at work, demand more from themselves, and quit looking to liberal politicians to raise their station in life.

You see, I know because I've had them work for me before. Hundreds of them over these 25 years. People who simply will not show up to work on time. People who just will not work 5 days in a week, much less, 6 days. People always looking for a way to put less effort out. People who actually tell me that they would do more if I just would first pay them more. People who take off work to sit in government offices to apply to get free government handouts (gee, I wonder how things would have turned out for them if they had spent that time earning money and pleasing their employer?). You see, all of this comes from your entitlement mentality culture.

Oh, I know you will say I am uncompassionate. Sorry, Mr. Obama, wrong again. You see, I've seen what the average percentage of your income has been given to charities over the years of 2000 to 2004 (ignoring the years you started running for office - can you pronounce "politically motivated"), you averaged less than 1% annually. And your running mate, Joe Biden, averaged less than ¼% of his annual income in charitable contributions over the last 10 years. Like so many liberals, the two of you want to give to the needy, just as long as it is someone else's money you are giving to them. I won't say what I have given to charities over the last 25 years, but the percentage is several times more than you and Joe Biden… combined (don't you just hate goggle?). Tell me again how you feel my pain.

In short, Mr. Obama, your political philosophies represent everything that is wrong with our country. You represent the culture of government dependence instead of self reliance; Entitlement mentality instead of personal achievement; Penalization of the successful to reward the unmotivated; Political correctness instead of open mindedness and open debate. If you are successful, you may preside over the final transformation of America from being the greatest and most self-reliant culture on earth, to just another country of whiners and wimps, who sit around looking to the government to solve their problems. Like all of western Europe. All countries on the decline. All countries that, because of liberal socialistic mentalities, have a little less to offer mankind every year.

God help us...

Cory Miller

just an ordinary, extraordinary American, the way a lot of Americans used to be.

P.S. Yes, Mr. Obama, I am a real American... www.cmillerdrilling.com

Why Is This Man Not In A McCain Ad?

2008-10-29T17:13:00.000-04:00

Too Funny

2008-10-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

It's been around a little while, but I thought I would share it anyway.

It doesn't really prove anything other than there are some stupid people out there, but we knew that anyway. And I don't mean just because these happen to be Obama supporters, because I'm sure you can find stupid people that support just about anyone. I just think it's funny.

"Those" Liberals

2008-10-27T12:30:00.002-04:00

I posted this is response to something Tom wrote, but my comment wouldn't publish. So here it is.

You've inspired me, I think I need my own list of qualifications about when I speak about "those liberals".

1. You think interrogating prisoners of war is out of bounds but advocate fratricide in the military.

2. You think the constitution should list the government's positive obligations toward the people.

3. Your primary emotion is outrage (I was going to link here, but feel free to read most any front page article on Daily KOS).

4. You repeat every bad thing any nutjob tells you.

5. You believe that the reason Democrats are going to lose this election are racism and voter intimidation.

6. You believe things that are obviously untrue.

7. You think the Daily Kos and Andrew Sullivan are reputable sources of anything.

8. You can't understand the difference between surrender (immediate withdraw) and changing tactics (the surge).

9. You think there are not large numbers of people born in this country, living under the freedoms provided by our constitution, who are violently against those very same freedoms, and who wouldn't mind seeing large numbers of Americans die to achieve the goal of overthrowing our current system of government.

10. You support a candidate whose entire campaign can be summed up with the phrase, "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs."

Update: What the heck, let's add a few more to the list.

11. You think abortion is a constitutionally protected right, but owning a firearm isn't.

12. You think the best way to generate more federal income is to raise taxes or cut defense spending.

13. You think investigating Joe the Plumber's tax history is more important than investigating Obama's 20 year relationship with a self-confessed terrorist.

I'll add more as the day progresses. This is starting to be fun.

Sounds To Me Like Someone Could Use A Steak

2008-10-20T10:45:00.000-04:00

Jennifer Thornburg, a 19 year old Ashville, NC woman, has changed her name to cutoutdissection.com.

Jennifer Thornburg changed her name to CutoutDissection.com -- or Cutout for short -- after graduating Asheville High School in the spring and becoming an intern for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which runs the anti-dissection Web site, The Ashville Citizen-Times reported Monday.

"I was really just interested in changing my name to Cutout to raise awareness about the numerous alternatives out there to students and teachers who don't want to dissect," she said.

I'm thinking of changing my name to ihatedumbpeople.com. What do you think?

Liberal Escape Plan

2008-10-15T11:15:00.000-04:00

Now this is funny. Liberals start planning now, just in case McCain somehow sneaks his way into the White House in November.

Bill Gates Has Pissed Me Off

2008-10-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

Consider this my continuing adventure with Vista. I use the Windows Server 2003 admin pack to, you know, administer my 2003 servers. It keeps me from having to use remote desktop to do it or to actually get up and walk into the server room to do something stupid, like unlock a user account or change a password. I hit the little shortcut on my quick launch bar, do what I need to do, close it out and I'm back to what I was working on previously. Everything is good.

And then along came vista. First I couldn't get any of the admin pack tools to work at all. They all gave errors that the path was not found. Fine, I made new shortcuts and had them run with administrative privileges. Then I got the error that the MMC snapin couldn't be found. That's when I found out that the .dll's don't register properly in Vista, so you have to do that yourself. So I did.

Okay, now we're finally working. I can actually open up something useful, like Active Directory Users and Computers. However, it now has limited functionality, meaning I can't find a way to edit or create group policies.

Oh sure, I could download the Remote Server Administration Pack for Vista SP1, but wait! I'm not running Server 2008 yet, so it won't let me do that.

Why the fuck does Microsoft constantly do stupid things like this? You provide a free tool with your sever to make life simple for everyone and everyone loves it. Then you upgrade the OS and decide that free tool that everyone loves should just go away, or not work the way it always has.

I am not a happy man this morning.

Biden's Best Moment

2008-10-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

Biden was very restrained last night. Was it because he didn't want to be perceived as the bully, beating up on a woman, or was it because when he lets loose and speaks off the cuff he becomes a gaffe machine? I don't think we'll ever know that. However, he had one moment when he dropped the facade of a Senator with 35 years experience debating on the floor and let his emotions show, and it was powerful.

If Biden had more moments like this during the debate, moments when he showed real passion for any other issue, I think he would have won. As it was, Biden did a good job, but not good enough.

In Which I Forget That Politics Even Exist For A Few Minutes

2008-10-01T12:45:00.000-04:00

So I finally took the plunge and upgraded my laptop to Windows Vista Ultimate last week. Why Ultimate, you ask? Shut up, that's why.

My impressions thus far; I love it and I hate it.

The good

My computer loads much faster on start up. That's even with me doing the ultimate No-No and actually running the upgrade over my XP Pro instead of wiping the hard drive clean and loading a fresh copy.

I love the Aero Interface. It's silly, I know, but little things like that make a difference.

Gadgets rock. I have two or three loaded that I am using just about every day, including watching the throughput on my network and watching the performance of my CPUs and Memory.

The instant search. It took me a couple of days to get used to it, but now I use it constantly to find programs and files. I'm a believer.

Now for the bad

I don't like the layout of the Start menu, or whatever you call it now. There are some things I use infrequently, and I spend too much time scrolling through the list of programs trying to find them because I can't remember what they're called.

Right Click, Run As Administrator can Kiss. My. Ass. I know it's a security thing, and I understand the reasoning behind it, but damn is it annoying. Half of the programs I run require me to be an administrator, mostly because I'm administering various servers, and those extra steps are starting to wear on my nerves. If I tell you that I'm the administrator, then give me the administrator rights and get the hell off my back about it.

I don't like the non-existence of the file tree when I Save As. There are too many extra steps to finding the folders where I want to save various documents, pictures, etc. If I was saving them all in My Documents, it wouldn't be a problem, but I have half a dozen network drives to deal with as well.

Well, I think that about wraps up my thoughts on Vista for now.

Cavuto Vs. O'Reilly

2008-09-17T16:30:00.000-04:00

Neil Cavuto debating Bill O'Reilly on gas prices and the current financial crisis.

O'Reilly tries his typical tactic of getting loud when his guest doesn't agree with him, but Cavuto gives it right back.

Imagine that, two of the big names on Fox News disagreeing with each other. And I thought they were all goose-stepping, right wing fascists. Someone didn't get the memo.

Just Clueless

2008-09-12T09:15:00.001-04:00

McCain and Obama visited Ground Zero yesterday, and the differences between the two are subtle, yet distinct. You can see the difference in the video below. The first 50 seconds tell most of the story, but you can see a little more later.

First, McCain takes the time to shake the hands of every person he passes. Obama talked to one person in the line and skipped past the fireman and the construction worker to move on to laying his rose. However, he didn't really "lay" his rose, either.

If you watch John and Cindy McCain, they each take the time to bend down and solemnly lay their roses on the ground. Obama and Mayor Bloomberg, however, each toss their roses onto the pile. It's a small gesture, but speaks volumes about life experience and attitude.

If you watch on, you'll notice that John and Cindy each receive a pin from two different fireman. I don't see any of the firemen giving anything to Obama. I wonder what the pin is, and what the firemen feel about Obama and the war.

It could be nothing, but it could be a very subtle clue as to how they view this campaign.

h/t Michelle Malkin

They Are Missing A Key Word In Their Question

2008-09-03T09:00:00.001-04:00

O'Reilly talking to Fox News Babe Megyn Kelly about whether women politicians are treated differently.

The key word they are missing here is "Republican". The question should be, "Are Republican women treated differently?" And the answer is, of course, yes.

And on a completely personal note, I would pay money to watch Megyn Kelly interview Sarah Palin. And if they both wore their hot librarian glasses I just may spontaneously combust.

They're So Patriotic They Just Can't Contain It Any Longer Bumped, Updated

2008-09-03T08:45:00.000-04:00

We've been told since the beginning of the Iraq war that dissent is patriotic. That just because you protest the way, it doesn't mean you hate America. These are both statements that I can agree with. However, just because I agree with those statements doesn't mean that I think that most protesters are anything more than idiotic scum, as is being demonstrated at the RNC this week.

As the Connecticut delegation was getting off a bus near the Xcel Center, a group of protesters broke free from authorities and attacked the delegates.

Connecticut delegate Rob Simmons told FOX 9 that a group of protesters came toward his delegation and tried to rip the credentials off their necks and sprayed them with a toxic substance.

The unknown substance burned their eyes and stained their clothes.

One 80-year-old member of the delegation had to be treated for injuries, and several other delegates had to rinse their eyes and clothing.

Can't you just feel the patriotism just dripping from them? Later in the article you find out protesters were also throwing sandbags and bags of cement off of overpasses at buses carrying RNC delegates.

Because apparently the best way to win people to your cause is to act like a murderous fucktard. I don't know what the Minneapolis police are us to these days, but they need to taser the hell out of these people, and then drag their twitching bodies off to jail for quite a long time.

h/t Ace

Update: Had to bump this post to add this story to it. Apparently not satisfied with throwing bleach into an old woman's eyes, these ~~modern day patriots~~ anarchist protesters then attacked a bus load of cub scouts who had the audacity to accept an invitation to present the colors to open the RNC.

A little later, a busload of Cub Scouts were en route to the convention, where they were to present the colors to open the convention. A group of protesters--liberals, Obama supporters, or whatever--blocked the road, surrounded the bus, and attacked it, rocking the bus back and forth, denting and scratching the sides, and generally terrifying the children trapped inside. The left-wing protesters attacked a number of buses in the same way, but there is something especially despicable about attacking a group of Cub Scouts.

Let's Talk Experience Again

2008-09-03T08:30:00.001-04:00

Even "Thrill Up My Leg" Chris Matthews hits the nail on the head with this one. When asked to list anything that Obama has accomplished in the senate, State Senator Kirk Watson (D-Texas) came up with exactly.. zero accomplishments.

I feel the changiness and hopitude washing over me.

Little Known Sarah Palin Facts

2008-09-02T17:00:00.000-04:00

Sarah Palin makes Andrew Sullivan regret some key life choices.

Sarah Palin got Tom Brady pregnant, and then left him.

Sarah Palin can read EBCDIC. (For you major nerds out there)

Sarah Palin doesn’t need a gun to hunt. She has been known to throw a bullet through an adult bull elk.

As the man says, go read the whole thing.

What Totalitarianism Really Looks Like

2008-09-02T14:15:00.002-04:00

Many on the left are fond of claiming that we have a fascist president, or that Bush has so eroded our civil liberties as to leave us living in a "police state".

This is what a police state looks like. Criticize the government, get arrested, be found a few hours later with a gunshot wound to the temple.

Magomed Yevloyev, owner of the www.Ingushetiya.ru Web site, was arrested at Nazran airport in southern Russia after disembarking a flight, according to a statement by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. Yevloyev was later found dumped on the side of the road, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, the news site's deputy editor, Ruslan Khautiyev, told the Associated Press. Yevloyev later died at a hospital, Khautiyev said.

If things were really as bad here in the good ol' U. S. of A., I know of quite a few liberal bloggers who would have been found lying in ditches a long time ago. But oddly enough, they are allowed to continue blogging, and no one has kicked in their doors or hauled them off to the concentration camps.

Meanwhile, people in real danger, in countries like Russia, are genuinely putting their lives on the line to speak the truth about what is going on in their countries.

What do you think the chances are that anyone on a nightly newscast would mention that a Russian dissident was arrested and subsequently murdered by the police? I'm thinking slim to none, as this doesn't meet their "communists as good guys" narrative.

How To Talk To An Obama Cultist

2008-09-02T12:03:00.001-04:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Jon Stewart Is Trying Really Hard Here

2008-09-02T11:15:00.000-04:00

to lose his job. Or at least be ex-communicated by the legions of Obama worshipers out there.

Found it at IMAO.

Dare We Dream?

2008-08-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

McCain is set to name his choice for V.P. today. Speculation is that it's going to be Governor Sarah Palin. There's also this flight, which arrived in Ohio last night.

If this turns out to be true, McCain may have just proved himself to be a lot smarter than everyone thought.

When I Say, "Who's The Master.."

2008-08-27T14:15:00.000-04:00

You say, "Sho Nuff".

I don't know how I missed this, but Julius Carry died August 19. He stared in several movies, but my absolute favorite was The Last Dragon.

If you've never seen it, I've included a little clip for you below. If you are like 99.99% of everyone I know in real life, you won't like it. But my brother and I love it. In fact, we still use the line from the title when we mock fight.

Dumbing Down America, Sports Edition

2008-08-26T10:30:00.001-04:00

A Connecticut youth baseball team has been disqualified from playing, because they are too good.

The team, Will Power Fitness, has an 8-0 record thanks in large part to pitcher Jericho Scott, the New Haven Register reports. His pitching is so fast and accurate, the Liga Juvenil De Baseball De New Haven asked the team's coach, Wilfred Vidro, to replace him so he wouldn't frighten other players.

So, kid plays baseball. Kid is good at baseball. Too good, in fact. Other teams get their asses handed to them, and the parents call for the disqualification of the child that hurt the feelings of their spawn by daring to be better than they are.

“The spirit of the league was community, family, well-being, nurturing," Peter Noble, the league's attorney, told the Register. "It’s an extended family and it’s been disrupted.”

Whatever happened to the spirit of the game being learning a love for the game and how to play it well so that you can win? Instead of being motivated to get out in the back yard and practice with their own children, these sorry excuses for parents bitch and moan that Jericho is too good and should be disqualified for disrupting their sense of community.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly what is wrong with modern liberal thought. Whenever a disparity exists between two entities, in this case a winning team and the losers, you can approach it one of two ways. You can strive to spur the lesser group on to greatness, pointing out those who are achieving as examples of what could be if they worked harder. Or you can point to the winners and say, "that's not fair, they have an unfair advantage" and attempt to hamstring them and bring them down to everyone else's level. Because it hurts my baby's feelings when someone else does better than her on a test.

That is what brought us the welfare state. And graduated taxes. And grade-less primary classrooms. And little league games where no score is kept.

We are raising a generation of pussies who are taught that if someone else does better than them, it's not their fault. They don't have to work harder or try to achieve more, because they are wonderful and special just they way they are, and to prove it will kick that other kid out of the league and give everyone trophies at the end of the season that say "I'm a winner", even though the kid has no concept of what winning really is, because he doesn't even know how to keep score at a fookin' baseball game, because he's never done it before.

I hope Jericho Scott grows up to be a major league pitcher despite the best efforts of the dipshits in his community who are trying to stifle his talent already.

And if any of the idiots in Connecticut want to see what they should be doing for their children, maybe they should read about Wayne Gretzky's father.

h/t Ace

Hey, Someone Does Read This Drivel

2008-08-18T11:15:00.001-04:00

Unfortunately, she also stole some of it.

My post is here.

I don't know if I should be mad or flattered. Or maybe something in between.

The Things You Overhear

2008-08-13T11:00:00.002-04:00

I was out to dinner last night, enjoying a large plate of sauerbraten, spätzle and rotkraut (basically, red cabbage) along with a Bitburger Pils*, when I happened to overhear part of the conversation at the table next to me. There were five or six white guys in their mid-60s enjoying a guy's night out. A couple of them spoke with pretty heavy German accents, and you can tell they have all known each other for quite a while. From their conversation, I assume they had all worked together and were now retired, meeting up monthly to reminisce and talk politics. Which brings us to the meat of the matter.

The first thing I overheard was that they were discussing a Republican senator from our state, and the fact that he was vulnerable this cycle. They spent quite a bit of time trying to come up with viable candidates who should be running against him, but never really found one. The the real fun began. Over the course of the next 45 minutes or so, they discussed all of the following topics.

We import too much oil and should be drilling here in America

Oil companies make too much money

CEOs in general make too much money, and there should be a cap on salaries. "Europe has the right answer to that. A CEO should never make more than 10 times the lowest wage in the company." I nearly spit out red cabbage when I heard that.

Obama is all but assured of a win in Novemeber. However, there are so many crazies out there with guns, they're sure he won't last long in office. "Not that I want anything to happen to the guy, but I really can't see him lasting out the first term."

There are too many guns in America, and too many people unfit to own guns. "That's why we have all these crazy school shootings." This was followed by, "What we really need to do is ban all guns in America. I just don't know how you could do it." It took everything in me to not turn around and say, "Are you fucking insane?" but I managed to keep my cool

I seriously had to keep eating to keep from jumping into this debate. You can tell they were nice old guys just trying to work through some big issues. The problem is that they use emotion instead of reason to tackle any of the problems.

I overheard them setting the date for their next get together. Maybe I'll just have to be there again so I can jump into this debate with them. They need some opposing viewpoints to get them to think.

*I love German food. And German bier. Ah, who am I kidding, I just love food.

The Savior Of The World.. Almost

2008-08-13T10:30:00.001-04:00

Acting quickly and decisively, Obama came out and condemned Russia's aggression against Georgia and called for an immediate cease-fire. Luckily Russia heard about Obama having to take time off from body surfing to make this announcement and, fearing the wrath of the Teh One, immediately complied. As is evidenced by this quote from Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA)

“[Barack Obama’s] goal was to be tough and smart, and so when the [Russian] action happened on Thursday, he immediately called for a ceasefire, condemned the unwarranted use of force by Russia. It was a bad crisis for the world. It required tough words, but also a smart approach to call on the international community to step in—and I’m very, very happy that the senator’s request for a ceasefire has been complied with by [Russian] President [Dmitry] Medvedev."

Thank G-d we had the messiah here to take care of things.

But wait, what's this?

Russian tanks rolled into the crossroads city of Gori on Wednesday then thrust deep into Georgian territory, violating the truce designed to end the six-day war that has uprooted 100,000 people and scarred the Georgian landscape.

You mean that Barack Obama utilized his Political Voice of Doom^tm and yet they still didn't stop? Do they not realize that if they don't comply with his wishes he will be forced to yet again call a press conference and use the Political Voice of Doom^tm to express his extreme displeasure at this turn of events?

I mean, all it takes to stop any conflict in the world is being willing to talk to the aggressor and ask him/her to stop all aggressive behavior, right? That's what Obama's been telling us during most of his campaign, that talking to your enemies is enough to make them stop.

I'm sure the Russians just didn't see how serious he was when he made his statement.

A Glimpse Inside My Mind

2008-08-07T10:45:00.001-04:00

Actual email conversation I had just a few minutes ago.

Her: "I just saw the cutest picture ever.. some little yorkie half buried in the sand, head and feet are the only thing out."

Me: "And then a flock of seagulls came along and ate him. It was both sadly horrific and quite amusing at the same time. Which shows you just how rough life has gotten for those 80s wave bands. I think this will be on VH1s 'Behind the Music' next month."

What Is Important?

2008-08-04T15:15:00.000-04:00

Actor Morgan Freeman was in a car accident late Sunday night.

There is also an historic uprising in the House of Representatives demanding a vote on domestic drilling.

Which one do you think is going to get more press coverage on the evening news tonight?

Don't get me wrong, I wish Morgan Freeman a speedy recovery. But in the grand scheme of things, which is more important; bringing relief from high oil prices, or the fact that Easy Reader had an accident at 71 years old?

Drill Here, Drill Now.. Bumped, Updated

2008-08-04T15:05:00.004-04:00

House Republicans are back on the floor to continue their protest about domestic drilling. To follow the action, check out the updates from Rep. John Culberson.

Congressman Culberson on Twitter.

Congressman Culberson on Qik.

For the first time in a long time I've found some Republicans I'm proud of. Let's see how long they can keep this fire in their bellies.

Update:
John Culberson has left the floor, but you can still follow the action here, or at the live blog.

If you haven't done so, be sure to call your congressman and tell him/her that you support this action. If your congressman is at home, enjoying his/her vacation, be sure to thank them for abandoning their constituents.

Yesterday Pelosi characterized the GOP uprising as a "war dance of the handmaidens of the oil companies." I would characterize it as members of congress finally realizing that putting the good of America first is the right thing to do. A lesson which Speaker Pelosi needs to learn.

Update 2:
Congressmen are using #dontgo to mark their tweets about the uprising. click here to search this tag.

Update 3:
Twitter feed of conservative blogger and journalist Robert Bluey.

Nick Schaper blogging live from the floor

The Republican Cloakroom has a list of all Republicans participating today. Check the list and see if your rep. is on it.

Update 4:
House GOP Leader's flickr.

Update 5:
Don't Go Video channel on Youtube.

Congressman Rob Wittman's twitter

dontgo.us, links and twitter feed of #dontgo

Update 6:
C-SPAN live streaming video, if/when the cameras ever get turned back on.

Need help contacting your representatives? Check out this site to find them.

I've already written my congressman and both of my senators in support of the uprising.

Viva la Revolución!

Update 7:
More Linky goodness
John Boozman's twitter
James Kotecki at Politico.com.
Don't Go petition to the 110th Congress.

Update 8: What is all of this without a little video?

McCain Is Missing An Opportunity Here

2008-08-04T15:00:00.000-04:00

John McCain has been ratcheting up the rhetoric about energy policy lately. If he really wants to both stick it to Obama and look very presidential, he should show up at the House in support of the uprising, media in tow.

If the media doesn't want to cover this event, then putting the GOP nominee right in the middle of it pretty much forces them to at least mention it. And if not, he should be streaming video of the event on his site.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn Dead At 89

2008-08-04T10:30:00.001-04:00

Alexander Solzhenitsyn dead at 89.

If there is one writer, outside of the founding fathers, that should be required reading in every American high school, this is that man. Of course, that would put an end to the nanny state, so the teacher's union would never stand for that.

If you've never read anything by Solzhenitsyn, you should start with his 1978 address to Harvard.

Socialism

It is almost universally recognized that the West shows all the world a way to successful economic development, even though in the past years it has been strongly disturbed by chaotic inflation. However, many people living in the West are dissatisfied with their own society. They despise it or accuse it of not being up to the level of maturity attained by mankind. A number of such critics turn to socialism, which is a false and dangerous current.

I hope that no one present will suspect me of offering my personal criticism of the Western system to present socialism as an alternative. Having experienced applied socialism in a country where the alternative has been realized, I certainly will not speak for it.

His insights into the west will really make you examine exactly what it is we have here in America. And maybe appreciate it a little more.

h/t Ace

Seriously, Are We Still Debating This?

2008-08-03T20:00:00.002-04:00

I just ran across something that I missed when it was published, but is still unbelievable. According to a July 11 article in the NYT, there is still debate about whether McCain is eligible to be President.

I rank this right up there with the idiots still making waves about Obama's birth certificate. Nothing will come of it, because no one wants to be the asshole that claims that because he was born to an American naval officer serving overseas that he is ineligible to serve as President.

Although the funniest of all outcomes would be to find out around September that neither Obama nor McCain is eligible and everyone has to scramble to find new candidates. Now that would be political theater at its best.

How I Spent My Day

2008-08-01T17:30:00.001-04:00

1. Receive copy of Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium
2. Realize that the 80gb hdd in my laptop is nearly full
3. Purchase 200gb SATA drive to replace it
4. Wait 3 hours while Norton Ghost creates an image of my hdd
5. Go eat Polla con Crema for lunch while I wait for the image to finish. Make sure to add extra jalepenos and habenera hot sauce because they make it really bland for the gringos around here.
5. Get back from lunch, pull old drive, replace with shiny, new one
6. Boot from CD and restore drive image to shiny, new drive
7. Spend another 3 hours watching the little line go across the screen
8. Boot up the shiny, new drive and, wonder of wonders, everything worked right the first time
9. Try not to act surprised that everything worked right the first time
10. Start installing Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Premium so I can start acting like I know what I'm doing with Photoshop, Flash and Dreamweaver.

And that is a day in the life of this computer nerd. Doesn't that sounds like fun?

Now That My Dreams Of Being In The White House Are Gone

2008-08-01T10:45:00.000-04:00

So are you dreams of going to college.

The scholarship program started by former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards that has sent rural high school graduates to college for free is ending after three years, a newspaper reported Thursday.

...

The pilot program has sent 190 Greene County students to college and cost $600,000 in its first two years. It was started in 2005, the year after Edwards was the Democratic vice presidential candidate.

Before his presidential nomination campaign ended this year, Edwards said he wanted a similar national program, spending $8 billion to send 2 million students to college.

According to the article, the program was designed to last three years and is now ending. Like it was intended to do. They are notifying rising seniors that they won't be eligible for the program, because the program never existed.

Now, this could all be perfectly legit, but it leaves a lot of unanswered questions.

1. Why would a program designed to pay for college be designed to only last three years. Last I checked, undergrad was four years.

2. Did Edwards really care about this program, or was this a thinly veiled attempt to swing some votes while he tried to make it into the White House?

3. The article also states that the program was privately funded and that Edwards was in charge of fund raising. Now that he's been caught with a love child, is he shutting down the program because he's going to need money for a good divorce attorney and child support?

Guess Who's Life Just Got A Little Better

2008-07-28T16:00:00.000-04:00

The liquor store where I buy my necessities has just started carrying Shiner Bock. Seriously, I could have kissed someone when I saw it there on the shelf. It's $7.99 for a six pack, but well worth the effort. This is, hands down, my favorite domestic beer.

I enjoyed a few this weekend, and it was everything I knew it would be. I haven't had one since spending a week in Austin during March 2007. Now I don't have to schlep myself all the way to Tejas to enjoy the stuff.

It really is that easy to make me happy.

Oil Prices - My Story

2008-07-26T14:45:00.000-04:00

Opponents of domestic drilling keep telling us that we can't drill our way out of this. I concur, domestic drilling is not the ultimate long-term solution.

However, three weeks ago I paid $4.21/gallon to fill up my car. Shortly thereafter, President Bush lifted the executive ban on offshore drilling. This morning I paid $3.79/gallon to fill up.

Question, if merely talking about domestic drilling brings the price of gas down $.42 a gallon, what impact do you think actually drilling the oil and putting it into the supply would have?

That Is Just Not Cool

2008-07-25T15:15:00.003-04:00

During his visit to the Western Wall last week, Obama placed a folded, white piece of paper with a prayer written on it into the cracks of the wall. Apparently someone took it almost immediately, and now it's been published in an Israeli newspaper^*.

I know I do quite a bit of Obama bashing, but this is really not kosher^**. What someone prays is between him and G-d, and shouldn't be used as political material by either side.

So mark this down, boys and girls, I'm on Obama's side on this one. Whatever he believes, and whomever he prays to, is none of our business and should be left private.

^*I originally put his prayer into this post. But since my whole point is that it should be a private matter, I took it out before publishing the post.

^**See what I did there? I made a Jewish joke. I know it's not really funny, but come on. It's the best I had.

What Media Bias - LA Times Edition

2008-07-25T11:00:00.001-04:00

The big news you won't hear on the news this week is that John Edwards was caught running around with his mistress and love child. Oddly enough, no major media outlet is covering it. You will only see this in the Enquirer and on the blogosphere. Given the sensitivity of something like this, the LA Times has ordered its bloggers not to cover it.

There has been a little buzz surrounding John Edwards and his alleged affair. Because the only source has been the National Enquirer we have decided not to cover the rumors or salacious speculations. So I am asking you all not to blog about this topic until further notified.

Okay, so they question the source and have decided not to cover it. I can respect that, if they apply that same standard to everyone.

But what's this The LA Times made quite a big deal about a rumor that John McCain was having an in appropriate relationship with a female lobbyist.

Aides to Sen. John McCain confronted a telecommunications lobbyist in late 1999 and asked her to distance herself from the Arizona senator during the presidential campaign he was about to launch, according to one of McCain's longest-serving political strategists.

So, let's review the rules, shall we?

1. Republican candidate: Fuck him, we'll run anything we can get our hands on
2. Former Democratic candidate and presumed VP front runner: I know there were witnesses who actually saw Edwards coming out of the hotel at 2:30 am where his mistress and love child were staying, but we really need to give him the benefit of the doubt. For the children.

h/t Ace

Straight From The Messiah's Mouth

2008-07-25T10:45:00.000-04:00

I told you all along the surge would work, even when I didn't say that.

January 2007—“And until we acknowledge that reality, uh, we can send 15,000 more troops; 20,000 more troops; 30,000 more troops. Uh, I don’t know any, uh, expert on the region or any military officer that I’ve spoken to, uh, privately that believes that that is gonna make a substantial difference on the situation on the ground.”

July 2007—“Here’s what we know. The surge has not worked. And they said today, ‘Well, even in September, we’re going to need more time.’ So we’re going to kick this can all the way down to the next president, under the president’s plan... My assessment is that the surge has not worked and we will not see a different report eight weeks from now.”

September 2007—“After putting an additional 30,000 troops in... we have gone from a horrendous situation of violence in Iraq to the same intolerable levels of violence that we had back in June of 2006. So, essentially, after all this we’re back where we were 15 months ago... It is a course that will not succeed.”

January 2008—“I had no doubt, and I said when I opposed the surge, that given how wonderfully our troops perform, if we place 30,000 more troops in there, then we would see an improvement in the security situation and we would see a reduction in the violence.”

Now: “What I said was even at the time of the debate of the surge, was if you put 30,000 troops in, of course it’s going to have an impact. There’s no doubt about that.”

h/t http://patriotpost.us/

Art Imitates Life

2008-07-25T10:30:00.000-04:00

Except for the cheating wife part, some days this feels like my life.

This Tells Me All I Need To Know About Obama

2008-07-25T08:00:00.002-04:00

Much has been made about the fact that Obama didn't visit Landstuhl or Rammstein during the German leg of his world tour. Seems he didn't think it was worth stopping off to visit the wounded soldiers there because he couldn't bring along his cameras.

A U.S. military official tells NBC News they were making preparations for Sen. Barack Obama to visit wounded troops at the Landstuhl Medical Center at Ramstein, Germany on Friday, but "for some reason the visit was called off."

One military official who was working on the Obama visit said because political candidates are prohibited from using military installations as campaign backdrops, Obama's representatives were told, "he could only bring two or three of his Senate staff member, no campaign officials or workers." In addition,
"Obama could not bring any media. Only military photographers would be permitted to record Obama's visit."

The official said "We didn't know why" the request to visit the wounded troops was withdrawn. "He (Obama) was more than welcome. We were all ready for him."

There you have it. He had scheduled the visit, was informed that no media could be present, visit gets un-scheduled, fast, quick and in a hurry.

This single event tells me everything I could ever want to know about Obama. The man wants to be Commander in Chief, but he can't visit wounded soldiers unless the press covers it? Are our soldiers nothing more than a photo op for the chosen one on the way to his coronation? It sure seems that way.

Here's a little story for you from my own experience to solidify why I would never vote for this man for any position. I was traveling over the fourth of July weekend. On my way to my connecting gate there were a couple of young soldiers walking through the airport, giving high fives to every person they passed. Every single person they walked up to gave them the high five except the two long-haired, hippy types wearing Obama T-shirts. They turned their backs on the soldiers and walked away. Looks like they were following the example set by their messianic leader.

I have absolutely no use at all for anyone who disrespects our military like that, U.S. Senator or not.

I question his patriotism. And his character. And if this is an example of the hopeychangitude he wants to bring to the country, I want no part of it.

Update: Well, this explains it all. According to Andrea Mitchell's repitition of an Obama camp rumor, Mccain used his Pentagon connections to sabotage Obama's visit to the wounded troops. And people still want to vote for this ass-clown. Boggles the mind.

h/t Ace.

I, Too, Started My Working Life At McDonald's

2008-07-24T19:45:00.000-04:00

Just not exactly like this.

A man who held up a McDonald's at gunpoint when he was 14 is one of two South Florida finalists in a contest to mix a new jingle for the fast-food giant.

Tamien Bain served 12 years in prison for the crime.

Now 29 and known in hip-hop circles as "BAiNG The Locksmith," Bain, of Miami, learned this week he's made the top five in McDonald's BIG MAC chant competition.

Now that is funny, I don't care who you are.

The good side to the story is that serving his time seems to have turned this guy's life around, and now he's trying to help out other juvenile offenders. And I have a new respect for McDonald's, in that he told them up front about his past but they let him compete anyway.

See, some stories do have a happy ending.

Headline Of The Day

2008-07-24T19:30:00.001-04:00

Russian Miners Too Terrified to Work After Bears Eat 2 Colleagues

To which I give a resounding, "DUH!" If people are being eaten by bears at your office, are you going to go plop your fat butt back down in your cubicle and wait for your turn to come?

I Know You Are As Shocked By This As I Am

2008-07-24T19:00:00.001-04:00

Apparently there is some sort of political bias amongst journalists. I know that you are all aghast to hear it, but it appears to be true. And it's not, as Tom has tried so many times to tell us, a bias towards the right. According to this article in Investor's Business Daily, journalists are donating to Democrats over Republicans by 100-1.

An analysis of federal records shows that the amount of money journalists contributed so far this election cycle favors Democrats by a 15:1 ratio over Republicans, with $225,563 going to Democrats, only $16,298 to Republicans .

Two-hundred thirty-five journalists donated to Democrats, just 20 gave to Republicans — a margin greater than 10-to-1. An even greater disparity, 20-to-1, exists between the number of journalists who donated to Barack Obama and John McCain.

Searches for other newsroom categories (reporters, correspondents, news editors, anchors, newspaper editors and publishers) produces 311 donors to Democrats to 30 donors to Republicans, a ratio of just over 10-to-1. In terms of money, $279,266 went to Dems, $20,709 to Republicans, a 14-to-1 ratio.

You mean those objective keepers of Teh Truth^tm are not really unbiased? You mean when Chris Matthews talks about how Barack "The Chosen One" Obama gives him a thrill up his leg, he's not talking hypothetically?

Here's my favorite part, though. Looks like Barack "The Real Thing" Obama has received quite a bit of money from PACs.

And while the money totals pale in comparison to the $9-million-plus that just one union's PACs have spent to get Obama elected, they are more substantial than the amount that Obama has criticized John McCain for receiving from lobbyists: 96 lobbyists have contributed $95,850 to McCain, while Obama — who says he won't take money from PACs or federal lobbyists — has received $16,223 from 29 lobbyists.

That's right, Barack "Middle Name Redacted" Obama, who gave us all his word that he wouldn't accept one penny from PACs (the DNC followed suit the next day), has had more than $9,000,000 in support of his candidacy.

Finally this. Of journalists who listed themselves as actually being employed by a major news organzation (most list themselves as freelancers), the giving was $315,533 to Democrats, $3,150 to Republicans. A whopping four individuals gave money to McCain. Four.

I'm no math major, but $315,533 to $3,150 looks to be about 100-1 in favor of Democrats to me.

But then again, I was educated, for the most part, by DODDS (Department of Defense Dependent Schools), so maybe I'm a little biased.

Go read the whole thing. It is very enlightening.

H/T Jawa

Am I The Only One Who Noticed That This Is Happening A Lot More Lately?

2008-07-23T21:15:00.001-04:00

Heather Kennedy, a former New York school teacher, got busted for having sex with a 16-year old.. at least five times since having pled guilty to fooling around with the kid previously.

And the five times claim is from the 16-year old himself. Most likely posted on his myspace page and overheard in the locker room. Because no self respecting teenager is going to nail his 25-year old teacher and not tell everyone about it.

Seriously, where were all these young, hot, insatiable teachers when I was 16? Because all of my teachers looked like Bea Arthur.

Granted, Ms. Kennedy isn't really that hot, but when I was 16 she would have been.

It's Twoo.. It's Twoo

2008-07-23T21:00:00.000-04:00

German Chancelor Angela Merkel, when asked about Obama, said, "I would say that he is well-equipped -- physically, mentally and politically."

Video of the conference below.

My apologies to Tom for stealing his post and my comment to post here. But it was too good not to share.

Friday Music

2008-07-18T13:45:00.001-04:00

I'm off to an outdoor concert tonight, so enjoy this whilst I get ready to head out of work early.

I'm a.. li-ttle.. ner-vous.. 'bout what you'll think, when you.. see me.. in my.. swimming trunks..

I'll be the old guy jumping around, dancing inappropriately for a guy my age.

When Is A Right Of The People Not Really A Right Of The People

2008-07-17T16:45:00.003-04:00

Answer: When it's the right to keep and bear arms.

The 32-year ban on handguns in D.C. expired today, allowing people to attempt to jump through a million hoops to legally register their handguns. Including Dick Heller, of D.C. vs Heller. His application was, of course, denied.

Dick Heller is the man who brought the lawsuit against the District's 32-year-old ban on handguns. He was among the first in line Thursday morning to apply for a handgun permit.

But when he tried to register his semi-automatic weapon, he says he was rejected. He says his gun has seven bullet clip. Heller says the City Council legislation allows weapons with fewer than eleven bullets in the clip. A spokesman for the DC Police says the gun was a bottom-loading weapon, and according to their interpretation, all bottom-loading guns are outlawed because they are grouped with machine guns.

You can find a rundown on the new rules for attempting to legally owning a firearm in D.C. here. They are, to put it mildly, insane.

Registration procedures for a handgun purchased for self-defense in a District residence:

1. A District resident who seeks to register a handgun must obtain an application form from MPD’s Firearms Registration Section and take it to a firearms dealer for assistance in completing it.

2. The applicant must submit photos, proof of residency and proof of good vision (such as a driver’s license or doctor’s letter), and pass a written firearms test.

3. If the applicant is successful on the test, s(he) must pay registration fees and submit to fingerprinting. MPD will file one set of fingerprints and submit the other to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for analysis and criminal background check.

4. MPD will notify the applicant whether all registration requirements are satisfied. At that point, the applicant returns to the Firearms Registration Section to complete the process and receive MPD’s seal on the application.

5. The applicant takes his or her completed application to a licensed firearm dealer to take delivery of the pistol. If the dealer is outside the District, the dealer transports the pistol to a licensed dealer in the District to complete the transaction.

6. The applicant takes the pistol to the Firearms Registration Section for ballistics testing. When testing is complete, the applicant may retrieve the pistol and take it home.

There are so many things wrong with this that I don't even know where to begin.

Let's start with the easiest first. According to the Second Amendment, an individual's right to keep and bear arms, "..shall not be infringed". I think that's pretty cut and dry myself, as in the government is not allowed to pass laws restricting an individual's right to own and bear arms. You know, just like the government is not allowed to restrict your G-d given right to free speech, the freedom of assembly, and the freedom of the press. Or here's another one for you, how about the right for all citizens of the United States to vote, regardless of race or gender? I seem to remember a time when local governments tried to restrict access to the ballot box by imposing taxes and making potential voters take a test to make sure they were competent. That didn't work out so well for them either, did it? Weren't the chief proponents of poll taxes mostly Democrats? And aren't the fascists in the D.C. council mostly Democrats? I'm starting to see a trend here.

I have an idea, from now on all journalists must pass a written exam, fill out an application requesting permission to report on the news, and then are limited to only print media of 1,000 words or less. The AP will be shut down completely, as it is the press equivalent of a machine gun, blasting news all over the world with a single click of the mouse. There is no way the founding fathers could have anticipated such an organization, so clearly we have to use our living constitution, which clearly allows us to regulate this new medium.

I mean, come on, there will still be reporters, but they will be responsible reporters; guaranteed to never show bias or misreport the news because we made them take a test first. Oh, and no felon will ever be allowed to be connected with the press ever again.

But back to the subject at hand.

Heller was denied his application because he has a semiautomatic handgun that holds seven rounds. D.C.'s new regulations require that handguns hold less than 12 rounds, because that must be the magic number that makes gun owners lose their minds and go on murderous rampages. Heller complied with that rule, but was denied because his handgun is bottom fed, and is thus lumped in with machine guns. Which, despite conventional wisdom, are not illegal in most of the country. They are just very, very expensive.

Along with the limited capacity requirements and the restrictions that basically limit you to owning a revolver, you have to keep your handgun disassembled, unloaded and with either a trigger lock or in a gun safe. These requirements, for all intents and purposes, render the firearm useless. The whole point of Scalia's majority opinion was that the constitution specifically guarantees the individual's right to self-protection. If someone is in the process of breaking into your home, do you think you will have the time to unlock the safe or trigger lock, assemble the weapon, load it and still hit your target? I seriously doubt it.

What D.C. is doing is, essentially, thumbing their noses at the constitution, the citizens of the United States, and the Supreme Court. They have decided that they know better what is good for us, even if that means trampling on a few of our individual rights which are constitutionally guaranteed.

And we're not even talking about a made up right, like abortion. They had to do some real verbal gymnastics to create that "right" out of the constitution. This one is spelled out in black and white, listed second (which implies to me that it's kind of important) that individuals have the right to keep and bear arms.

So now I expect Heller to start the process of challenging the current asinine rules, which will, of course, be overthrown. But along the way we will have several more years of government denying citizens constitutionally guaranteed rights.

But hey, at least all those terrorists in Guantanamo Bay get to have trials in federal court. I noticed no one had a problem enforcing that ruling, did they?

You Can't Argue With Logic

2008-07-16T17:15:00.000-04:00

In Their Own Words

2008-07-16T16:45:00.000-04:00

If you watch only one video today, let it be this one.

h/t Snoop

Dean Martin and John Wayne

2008-07-16T11:33:00.003-04:00

What do you think the chances are of hearing any of today's Hollywood stars saying something like this?

The Gift That Keeps On Giving The Whole Year Long

2008-07-16T11:10:00.000-04:00

A woman, searching for the perfect gift for her husband's 40th birthday, decides that she will have sex with him every day for a year.

On the eve of Brad's birthday, Charla told him that his present was going to be sex with her every day for a year. She had wracked her brains to think of a gift that was original, intimate and - most importantly - memorable.

'I never wanted him to look back and ask himself: "Now, what was it Charla bought me for my 40th?"' she says. 'When I came up with the idea of daily sex for a year, I thought I'd hit the jackpot. What man wouldn't think that was the best present ever?'

I know what you are all thinking right now.. does she have a sister?

The funny part is that the husband initially was not happy about it, and neither were any of her friends. One even told her to never mention it in front of her husband, because she didn't want him getting any ideas.

Go read the entire article. It's actually quite interesting to see the attitude that so many people have about sex.

And on a personal note to you-know-who-you-are.. I'll be 40 in 9 months. Just saying is all.

Bush Lifts Executive Ban On Drilling

2008-07-16T10:45:00.000-04:00

I'm sure everyone has heard by now that Bush made the largely symbolic move of lifting the executive ban on offshore drilling. Symbolic because congress still has to do something about its ban. This led me to again ponder what increasing domestic drilling would do for us.

First, let's hear from that voice of reason, the Speaker of the House:

“Once again, the oilman in the White House is echoing the demands of Big Oil. The Bush plan [to open more offshore oil drilling] is a hoax. It will neither reduce gas prices nor increase energy independence... If the President wants to bring down prices in the next two weeks, not the next two decades, he should free our oil by releasing a small portion of the more than 700 million barrels of oil we have put in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.” —House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Okay, so according to Nancy, increasing domestic production won't help consumers at the pump at all. Obviously she doesn't understand supply and demand and the effect increased supply has on speculators, who are mostly responsible for the dramatic increase in the price of oil.

Maybe Nancy and those like her should have been thinking about this over the last 20 years. You know, every time Republicans tried to relax restrictions on oil companies so they could actually poke some holes in the ground and take advantage of all that sweet black gold our nation is floating on.

What affect would that have had on domestic prices? Well, right now in Saudi Arabia they are paying 45 cents a gallon for gasoline. I don't know about you, but if we increased production enough to bring gas down to $2 a gallon I would be thrilled to death. If it dropped back to $1 a gallon, where it was roughly a decade ago, I would do a little dance. And record it. Maybe even post it on Youtube for all the world to see.

Oh Hell No

2008-07-11T11:00:00.002-04:00

If I didn't have reason enough to not vote for Obama before, this just did it for me.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting this morning that the Pittsburgh Steelers might soon be for sale. The word is that the team’s chairman Dan Rooney and his son Art II are trying to buy Dan’s four brothers out.

I’m thinking the Steelers are going to stay in the Rooney family, but there are a couple good reasons why I think it’s a good time to sell and I’ll some it up in one sentence: EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TAXES.

Daniel Rooney is attempting to buy out his three brothers so that he can comply with NFL rules that the controlling party own 30% or more of the team's stock. He currently owns 16%. The basic rundown is that if Obama takes office and raises taxes like he has promised, along with ending the moratorium on the estate tax, the Rooneys are screwed. Go read the full article for the details, I'm too sick to really go into it all.

I am a life-long Steelers fan, even during the 80s when they won like, what, three games? The Steelers are the last family run team, being in the Rooney family since Art started the team back in 1933.

And I just had an epiphany while typing this. If McCain wants to carry Pennsylvania, forget pandering to the unions or trying to win them over on economic issues. Just point out that if Obama wins the Steelers are most likely going to end up in the hands of some investment banker and watch the record voter turnout.

h/t Hot Air

Update: That I should have done sooner, but hey, better late than never. I wrote this in haste and didn't word it exactly as I should. It should have said that the Rooneys are one of the last family franchises in the NFL. They've owned the team since 1933, and there are far too few of these stories left around.

Thanks to Scott for pointing out my error.

My Oil Epiphany

2008-07-09T13:30:00.000-04:00

I had quite a long discussion with my sister-in-law this weekend about energy policy in the U.S. My basic argument was that we have no viable alternative to oil in the short term, so we need to drill here, drill now, and continue looking for an alternative that will work in the future. Her argument was that if oil is cheap, people will never change, therefore high oil prices are a long term good for the economy, because people are going to learn how to conserve and will eventually find an alternative.

That's when it hit me. We weren't really arguing about oil, we were arguing about the role of government in our every day lives. My solution involves getting government out of the way of business and letting the oil companies do their job and actually drill for oil that can benefit us. I argued that the only role the government should be playing is similar to McCain's proposal for battery technology. They should be offering large sums of money and tax incentives to whomever can invent the technology that will take us away from an oil based economy. Other than that, it should be private citizens and companies run by private citizens that take care of it. Because as sure as the sun is rising tomorrow, there is some kid in his parent's garage right this minute working on a battery that will be half the cost and last twice as long as current battery technology.

Her argument is based on her belief that government knows best and needs to parent us and show us that we don't really know what is best for ourselves. We just don't realize that although gas prices are high and there are thousands of people struggling to make ends meet, in the long run it will be better for us.

Personally, I prefer the solution where government stays the hell out of my business and lets me live my life as freely as possible.

Bush Tours Kansas...

2008-07-03T10:30:00.000-04:00

One of the 50 states directly in the path of his Presidency.

Bush Tours America To Survey Damage Caused By His Disastrous Presidency

I know it's over the top and silly, but I think this is hilarious.

h/t Hot Air

Another Obama Post? Yes We Can!

2008-07-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

Seriously, if McCain had ties to an anti-American traitor like this, do you think everyone would gloss over it? I think not.

And can someone please tell me why these two are still walking around free when they admit they are guilty as sin? They admire Manson and set bombs at the pentagon. What else do you have to do for someone to point out that you're not only an idiot, but a traitorous idiot?