Thursday, May 06, 2004
Slow news day...
Some interesting stuff, but nothing really comment-worthy. We are kicking ass in Najaf. w00t! Ehh. Its all the same comments. All sort of a "Yay!" or "What idiots/this sucks" sort of comment day. And I am sleepy here at work. And no one has change for my $5 bill for the coke machine. Blast!
See yall tomorrow....
people had something to say.
See yall tomorrow....
people had something to say.
A heartfelt moment captured by a father's camera...
Bush pauses to comfort teen
"In a moment largely unnoticed by the throngs of people in Lebanon waiting for autographs from the president of the United States, George W. Bush stopped to hold a teenager's head close to his heart.
Lynn Faulkner, his daughter, Ashley, and their neighbor, Linda Prince, eagerly waited to shake the president's hand Tuesday at the Golden Lamb Inn. He worked the line at a steady campaign pace, smiling, nodding and signing autographs until Prince spoke:
"This girl lost her mom in the World Trade Center on 9-11."
Bush stopped and turned back.
"He changed from being the leader of the free world to being a father, a husband and a man," Faulkner said. "He looked right at her and said, 'How are you doing?' He reached out with his hand and pulled her into his chest."
Faulkner snapped one frame with his camera.
"I could hear her say, 'I'm OK,' " he said. "That's more emotion than she has shown in 21/2 years. Then he said, 'I can see you have a father who loves you very much.' "
"And I said, 'I do, Mr. President, but I miss her mother every day.' It was a special moment."
.....
But this time was different. She understood what the president was saying, and she got close enough to see him face to face.
"The way he was holding me, with my head against his chest, it felt like he was trying to protect me," Ashley said. "I thought, 'Here is the most powerful guy in the world, and he wants to make sure I'm safe.' I definitely had a couple of tears in my eyes, which is pretty unusual for me."
......
"I'm a pretty cynical and jaded guy at this point in my life," Faulkner said of the moment with the president. "But this was the real deal. I was really impressed. It was genuine and from the heart." "
I don't care what anyone thinks about Bush. This was a tearjerker when I read it. Great story. I havent seen this kind of thing from a candidate ever.
BTW, the only photo of this is the one above, and was only taken by the girl's father. NOT by a reporter. So please keep your "It was staged" BS to yourself.
people had something to say.
"In a moment largely unnoticed by the throngs of people in Lebanon waiting for autographs from the president of the United States, George W. Bush stopped to hold a teenager's head close to his heart.
Lynn Faulkner, his daughter, Ashley, and their neighbor, Linda Prince, eagerly waited to shake the president's hand Tuesday at the Golden Lamb Inn. He worked the line at a steady campaign pace, smiling, nodding and signing autographs until Prince spoke:
"This girl lost her mom in the World Trade Center on 9-11."
Bush stopped and turned back.
"He changed from being the leader of the free world to being a father, a husband and a man," Faulkner said. "He looked right at her and said, 'How are you doing?' He reached out with his hand and pulled her into his chest."
Faulkner snapped one frame with his camera.
"I could hear her say, 'I'm OK,' " he said. "That's more emotion than she has shown in 21/2 years. Then he said, 'I can see you have a father who loves you very much.' "
"And I said, 'I do, Mr. President, but I miss her mother every day.' It was a special moment."
.....
But this time was different. She understood what the president was saying, and she got close enough to see him face to face.
"The way he was holding me, with my head against his chest, it felt like he was trying to protect me," Ashley said. "I thought, 'Here is the most powerful guy in the world, and he wants to make sure I'm safe.' I definitely had a couple of tears in my eyes, which is pretty unusual for me."
......
"I'm a pretty cynical and jaded guy at this point in my life," Faulkner said of the moment with the president. "But this was the real deal. I was really impressed. It was genuine and from the heart." "
I don't care what anyone thinks about Bush. This was a tearjerker when I read it. Great story. I havent seen this kind of thing from a candidate ever.
BTW, the only photo of this is the one above, and was only taken by the girl's father. NOT by a reporter. So please keep your "It was staged" BS to yourself.
people had something to say.
Kerry's First Purple Heart...
Ok, I have the utmost respect for veterans of all flavors. But I have had worse injuries sharpening my knife or working on my car. Had some doosies from my cars, which require you to bleed on them for them to function correctly...but I digress.
Kerry's Doctor has a different story on his Purple Heart. NRO brought to you by AlphaPatriot
"Kerry was treated for the wound at a medical facility in Cam Ranh Bay. The doctor who treated Kerry, Louis Letson, is today a retired general practitioner in Alabama. Letson says he remembers his brief encounter with Kerry 35 years ago because "some of his crewmen related that Lt. Kerry had told them that he would be the next JFK from Massachusetts." Letson says that last year, as the Democratic campaign began to heat up, he told friends that he remembered treating one of the candidates many years ago. In response to their questions, Letson says, he wrote down his recollections of the time. (Letson says he has had no contacts with anyone from the Bush campaign or the Republican party.) What follows is Letson's memory, as he wrote it.
I have a very clear memory of an incident which occurred while I was the Medical Officer at Naval Support Facility, Cam Ranh Bay.
John Kerry was a (jg), the OinC or skipper of a Swift boat, newly arrived in Vietnam. On the night of December 2, he was on patrol north of Cam Ranh, up near Nha Trang area. The next day he came to sick bay, the medical facility, for treatment of a wound that had occurred that night.
The story he told was different from what his crewmen had to say about that night. According to Kerry, they had been engaged in a fire fight, receiving small arms fire from on shore. He said that his injury resulted from this enemy action.
Some of his crew confided that they did not receive any fire from shore, but that Kerry had fired a mortar round at close range to some rocks on shore. The crewman thought that the injury was caused by a fragment ricocheting from that mortar round when it struck the rocks.
That seemed to fit the injury which I treated.
What I saw was a small piece of metal sticking very superficially in the skin of Kerry's arm. The metal fragment measured about 1 cm. in length and was about 2 or 3 mm in diameter. It certainly did not look like a round from a rifle.
I simply removed the piece of metal by lifting it out of the skin with forceps. I doubt that it penetrated more than 3 or 4 mm. It did not require probing to find it, did not require any anesthesia to remove it, and did not require any sutures to close the wound.
The wound was covered with a bandaid. "
Even the most serious of playground injuries that I recieved did not qualify for a Purple Heart. Certainly not ones that I did to myself.
people had something to say.
Kerry's Doctor has a different story on his Purple Heart. NRO brought to you by AlphaPatriot
"Kerry was treated for the wound at a medical facility in Cam Ranh Bay. The doctor who treated Kerry, Louis Letson, is today a retired general practitioner in Alabama. Letson says he remembers his brief encounter with Kerry 35 years ago because "some of his crewmen related that Lt. Kerry had told them that he would be the next JFK from Massachusetts." Letson says that last year, as the Democratic campaign began to heat up, he told friends that he remembered treating one of the candidates many years ago. In response to their questions, Letson says, he wrote down his recollections of the time. (Letson says he has had no contacts with anyone from the Bush campaign or the Republican party.) What follows is Letson's memory, as he wrote it.
I have a very clear memory of an incident which occurred while I was the Medical Officer at Naval Support Facility, Cam Ranh Bay.
John Kerry was a (jg), the OinC or skipper of a Swift boat, newly arrived in Vietnam. On the night of December 2, he was on patrol north of Cam Ranh, up near Nha Trang area. The next day he came to sick bay, the medical facility, for treatment of a wound that had occurred that night.
The story he told was different from what his crewmen had to say about that night. According to Kerry, they had been engaged in a fire fight, receiving small arms fire from on shore. He said that his injury resulted from this enemy action.
Some of his crew confided that they did not receive any fire from shore, but that Kerry had fired a mortar round at close range to some rocks on shore. The crewman thought that the injury was caused by a fragment ricocheting from that mortar round when it struck the rocks.
That seemed to fit the injury which I treated.
What I saw was a small piece of metal sticking very superficially in the skin of Kerry's arm. The metal fragment measured about 1 cm. in length and was about 2 or 3 mm in diameter. It certainly did not look like a round from a rifle.
I simply removed the piece of metal by lifting it out of the skin with forceps. I doubt that it penetrated more than 3 or 4 mm. It did not require probing to find it, did not require any anesthesia to remove it, and did not require any sutures to close the wound.
The wound was covered with a bandaid. "
Even the most serious of playground injuries that I recieved did not qualify for a Purple Heart. Certainly not ones that I did to myself.
people had something to say.
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
'Friends' Finale: Must-NOT-See TV
Its Finally Over!
Well, I cheered when Seinfeld went off the air (of which I am proud to say I have seen approxamately 75 seconds of in its entire running), and now I am cheering that Friends is going off the air. Those shows were targeted at the 18-35 age group, and having seen a small amount of the shows, I dont know what they were thinking. But then again, I dont understand most people my age, and how they find such insipid, witless prattle amusing. Hell, I laughed more making this post than I have watching either of those shows. But then again, I didnt see much of them, lest my eyes implode and my brain melts out of my ears. Its a similar reaction to looking in the Ark of the Covenant on Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. The screaming, the melting, the beams shooting into my heart, the spontaneous combustion. Oy.
On a sad note, a show actually worthy of my viewing (and a show that often came on when I was at work :( ) is going off the air: Frasier. Its a damned funny show. I get the humor. Friends look at me like I am insane; how could I ever watch such a boring & "stupid" show? It had good roots. Cheers was a great show, one that I enjoyed even when I was a kid during its showing on primetime.
How many 20yr olds do you know that enjoy MASH, Cheers, and Frasier?
people had something to say.
Well, I cheered when Seinfeld went off the air (of which I am proud to say I have seen approxamately 75 seconds of in its entire running), and now I am cheering that Friends is going off the air. Those shows were targeted at the 18-35 age group, and having seen a small amount of the shows, I dont know what they were thinking. But then again, I dont understand most people my age, and how they find such insipid, witless prattle amusing. Hell, I laughed more making this post than I have watching either of those shows. But then again, I didnt see much of them, lest my eyes implode and my brain melts out of my ears. Its a similar reaction to looking in the Ark of the Covenant on Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. The screaming, the melting, the beams shooting into my heart, the spontaneous combustion. Oy.
On a sad note, a show actually worthy of my viewing (and a show that often came on when I was at work :( ) is going off the air: Frasier. Its a damned funny show. I get the humor. Friends look at me like I am insane; how could I ever watch such a boring & "stupid" show? It had good roots. Cheers was a great show, one that I enjoyed even when I was a kid during its showing on primetime.
How many 20yr olds do you know that enjoy MASH, Cheers, and Frasier?
people had something to say.
Rall's anti-Tillman cartoon nets death threats
Fox News: Death Threats against Rall
Cant say I blame anyone. They aren't right for threatening this life, but I cant blame them. If the man never found another drawing implement I would probably join in the celebrations. Yes, the man has a right to say what he wants. He also better damned well expect people to be pissed off if he starts degrading the memory of people who valiantly served their country. Personally, Rall can kiss my ass. I want him to go to Afganistan or Fallujah and hump a 60# pack while people who believe they are fighting for their god (the most worthy and high duty to some), people who believe the highest honor one can achieve is to die for their god. I want him to see the bloody carnage of war for both sides. I want him to see what combat is like. I want him to see just what kind of hell these soldiers go through so he can sit in his comfy office and be paid to spit on their memory. No matter what you believe someone is dying for, be it oil, Bush's desire to make the world a Christian world, oil, $$$, freeing Iraq from SoDamned Insane, or fighting terrorism, these people volunteered to go where they were ordered, without question. All so Rall wouldnt have to.
Again Mr. Rall, incase you didn't catch it the first time: Kiss my ass.
people had something to say.
Cant say I blame anyone. They aren't right for threatening this life, but I cant blame them. If the man never found another drawing implement I would probably join in the celebrations. Yes, the man has a right to say what he wants. He also better damned well expect people to be pissed off if he starts degrading the memory of people who valiantly served their country. Personally, Rall can kiss my ass. I want him to go to Afganistan or Fallujah and hump a 60# pack while people who believe they are fighting for their god (the most worthy and high duty to some), people who believe the highest honor one can achieve is to die for their god. I want him to see the bloody carnage of war for both sides. I want him to see what combat is like. I want him to see just what kind of hell these soldiers go through so he can sit in his comfy office and be paid to spit on their memory. No matter what you believe someone is dying for, be it oil, Bush's desire to make the world a Christian world, oil, $$$, freeing Iraq from SoDamned Insane, or fighting terrorism, these people volunteered to go where they were ordered, without question. All so Rall wouldnt have to.
Again Mr. Rall, incase you didn't catch it the first time: Kiss my ass.
people had something to say.
Micro$oft says "Show me the money!" to spammers
CNNMONEY sprinkled with Farkage
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday it has adopted an e-mail program by IronPort Systems Inc. that will allow legitimate marketers to thread the gauntlet of spam filters protecting its e-mail services.
Microsoft's (MSFT: unchanged at $26.35, Research, Estimates) Hotmail and MSN e-mail services, which together claim 170 million regular users, will require marketers to put money up front if they wish to ensure their messages aren't mistaken for unwanted spam.
IronPort's "Bonded Sender" service guarantees that legitimate marketers who post a cash bond and adhere to a set of guidelines will get their messages delivered. "
And what if I dont want Micro$oft Approved™ SPAM? God Forbid someday I use Hotmail™ again, I will have to put up with spam from the highest bidders. Ugh... What the Hell is it with Micro$oft? Being the biggest software company with billions of people using your software and writing software to only work 100% with your software and being the right hand of Satan himself not good enough for you eh?
people had something to say.
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday it has adopted an e-mail program by IronPort Systems Inc. that will allow legitimate marketers to thread the gauntlet of spam filters protecting its e-mail services.
Microsoft's (MSFT: unchanged at $26.35, Research, Estimates) Hotmail and MSN e-mail services, which together claim 170 million regular users, will require marketers to put money up front if they wish to ensure their messages aren't mistaken for unwanted spam.
IronPort's "Bonded Sender" service guarantees that legitimate marketers who post a cash bond and adhere to a set of guidelines will get their messages delivered. "
And what if I dont want Micro$oft Approved™ SPAM? God Forbid someday I use Hotmail™ again, I will have to put up with spam from the highest bidders. Ugh... What the Hell is it with Micro$oft? Being the biggest software company with billions of people using your software and writing software to only work 100% with your software and being the right hand of Satan himself not good enough for you eh?
people had something to say.
Michael Moore whines about Disney's exercising their control over Miramax...
Disney tries to stop release of Moore film
Ok, allow me to pick on a few parts of this article that stand out to me. To preface this, I have not seen Mr. Moore's "work", but have heard enough about Bowling for Columbine to make a Mountain Goat puke. "Documentary" indeed. Maybe I will rent it someday when I need to induce vomiting...
""In May 2003, The Walt Disney Company communicated to Miramax and Mr. Moore's representatives that Miramax would not be the distributor of his film," Zenia Mucha, a Disney spokeswoman, said in a statement.
"Contrary to his assertions, Mr. Moore has had and continues to have every opportunity to either find another distributor or distribute the film himself," Mucha said.
In addition, Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, Democrat of New Jersey, called for hearings of the Senate Commerce Committee to look into the pattern of politically based corporate censorship of the news media and the entertainment industry, the senator's office said. "
Ok, where to begin. Miramax was bought by Disney over 10 years ago. Disney "frowned" upon Miramax's executives funding a portion of "Fahrenheit 9/11", and in May of 2003 (one year ago) told Moore that the film WOULD NOT be released by Miramax. Miramax is the property of Disney, and those who control Disney control Miramax. Its called "property rights," something not found in the socialist utopia Moore has wetdreams about.
Like it says above, Moore can still distribute the film himself, or through a different company. Free speech is being able to say what you want to, not requiring people to listen to it or distribute it, publish it, or broadcast it. Welcome to America Mr. Moore. You would be doing some of us a favor by leaving. But we wont kick you out 'till you give us a reason. Please do so at your earliest convenience.
As far as Lautenburg (a Democrat) looking into the corporate censorship of the media, his little committee can start by looking at CBS, ABC, NBC, and CNN. However, I am taking bets that he will start with Fox first. Any takers?
One more thing: What the hell is this doing in CNNMONEY?
people had something to say.
Ok, allow me to pick on a few parts of this article that stand out to me. To preface this, I have not seen Mr. Moore's "work", but have heard enough about Bowling for Columbine to make a Mountain Goat puke. "Documentary" indeed. Maybe I will rent it someday when I need to induce vomiting...
""In May 2003, The Walt Disney Company communicated to Miramax and Mr. Moore's representatives that Miramax would not be the distributor of his film," Zenia Mucha, a Disney spokeswoman, said in a statement.
"Contrary to his assertions, Mr. Moore has had and continues to have every opportunity to either find another distributor or distribute the film himself," Mucha said.
In addition, Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, Democrat of New Jersey, called for hearings of the Senate Commerce Committee to look into the pattern of politically based corporate censorship of the news media and the entertainment industry, the senator's office said. "
Ok, where to begin. Miramax was bought by Disney over 10 years ago. Disney "frowned" upon Miramax's executives funding a portion of "Fahrenheit 9/11", and in May of 2003 (one year ago) told Moore that the film WOULD NOT be released by Miramax. Miramax is the property of Disney, and those who control Disney control Miramax. Its called "property rights," something not found in the socialist utopia Moore has wetdreams about.
Like it says above, Moore can still distribute the film himself, or through a different company. Free speech is being able to say what you want to, not requiring people to listen to it or distribute it, publish it, or broadcast it. Welcome to America Mr. Moore. You would be doing some of us a favor by leaving. But we wont kick you out 'till you give us a reason. Please do so at your earliest convenience.
As far as Lautenburg (a Democrat) looking into the corporate censorship of the media, his little committee can start by looking at CBS, ABC, NBC, and CNN. However, I am taking bets that he will start with Fox first. Any takers?
One more thing: What the hell is this doing in CNNMONEY?
people had something to say.
One more state succumbs to the PC stance on Illegal Aliens...
Kansas Gov. to sign illegal immigrants tuition bill
"TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) -- A bill offering some illegal immigrants a tuition break at Kansas' public colleges and universities cleared the Legislature on Tuesday and headed to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who plans to sign it.
The House voted 68-54 for the measure, which won Senate passage earlier this year.
The proposal extends in-state tuition -- which is much lower than tuition for nonresidents -- to illegal immigrants who have attended a Kansas high school at least three years and graduated or who earned a general educational development certificate in Kansas."
Ok, lets look at one thing first: Aiding and Abetting.
I would say that most of the Kansas legislature just committed number three. Don't get me wrong, I welcome those who immigrate here legally with open arms. But they are called illegal aliens for a reason.
One more thing: Gov. Sebelius, we now have you on record on several things. You like citizens of another nation who are here illegally, but you dont like your own citizens enough to let them go through rigorus background checks, an FBI screening of their records, and proficiency tests in a Concealed Weapons class to carry a handgun concealed. Nice. Its too bad to, because I would like to have added Kansas to my list of states I can carry through. Prepare to be voted out.
people had something to say.
"TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) -- A bill offering some illegal immigrants a tuition break at Kansas' public colleges and universities cleared the Legislature on Tuesday and headed to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who plans to sign it.
The House voted 68-54 for the measure, which won Senate passage earlier this year.
The proposal extends in-state tuition -- which is much lower than tuition for nonresidents -- to illegal immigrants who have attended a Kansas high school at least three years and graduated or who earned a general educational development certificate in Kansas."
Ok, lets look at one thing first: Aiding and Abetting.
- A person (including a group of persons, business, organization, or local government) commits a federal felony when she or he:
- Assists an alien s/he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him or her to obtain employment, or
- encourages that alien to remain in the U.S. by referring him or her to an employer or by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or
- knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions.
I would say that most of the Kansas legislature just committed number three. Don't get me wrong, I welcome those who immigrate here legally with open arms. But they are called illegal aliens for a reason.
One more thing: Gov. Sebelius, we now have you on record on several things. You like citizens of another nation who are here illegally, but you dont like your own citizens enough to let them go through rigorus background checks, an FBI screening of their records, and proficiency tests in a Concealed Weapons class to carry a handgun concealed. Nice. Its too bad to, because I would like to have added Kansas to my list of states I can carry through. Prepare to be voted out.
people had something to say.
I know its not a transcript of the press confrence...
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth letter to John sKerry
"May 4, 2004
Senator Kerry,
We write from our common heritage as veterans of duty aboard Swift Boats in the Vietnam War. Indeed, you should note that a substantial number of those men who served directly with you during your four month tour in Vietnam have signed this letter.
It is our collective judgment that, upon your return from Vietnam, you grossly and knowingly distorted the conduct of the American soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen of that war (including a betrayal of many of us, without regard for the danger your actions caused us). Further, we believe that you have withheld and/or distorted material facts as to your own conduct in this war.
We believe you continue this conduct today, albeit by changing from an anti-war to a "war hero" status. You now seek to clad yourself in the very medals that you disdainfully threw away in the early years of your political career. In the process, we believe you continue a deception as to your own conduct through such tactics as the disclosure of only carefully screened portions of your military records. Both then and now, we have concluded that you have deceived the public, and in the process have betrayed honorable men, to further your personal political goals.
Your conduct is such as to raise substantive concerns as to your honesty and your ability to serve, as you currently seek, as Commander-in-Chief of the military services.
It is vital that the American public have as much information as possible about candidates for President of the United States. In various ways, you have rightly called upon President Bush to be fully accountable and to provide full disclosure. In the same spirit, now that you are the presumptive nominee of your Party, we believe it is incumbent upon you to make your total military record open to the American people.
Specifically, we the undersigned formally request that you authorize the Department of the Navy to independently release your military records (through your execution of Standard Form 180), complete and unaltered, including your military medical records. Further, we call upon you to correct the misconceptions your campaign seeks to create as to your conduct while in Vietnam. Permit the American public the opportunity to assess your military performance upon the record, and not upon campaign rhetoric.
Senator Kerry, we were there. We know the truth. We have been silent long enough. The stakes are too great, not only for America in general but, most importantly, for those who have followed us into service in Iraq and Afghanistan. We call upon you to provide a full, accurate accounting of your conduct in Vietnam.
Respectfully,"
Signed by 189 veterans, including those who served with him from his own squadrons and his former commander.
Note to self: dont do anything in these early years that will come back to bite me later in life.
people had something to say.
"May 4, 2004
Senator Kerry,
We write from our common heritage as veterans of duty aboard Swift Boats in the Vietnam War. Indeed, you should note that a substantial number of those men who served directly with you during your four month tour in Vietnam have signed this letter.
It is our collective judgment that, upon your return from Vietnam, you grossly and knowingly distorted the conduct of the American soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen of that war (including a betrayal of many of us, without regard for the danger your actions caused us). Further, we believe that you have withheld and/or distorted material facts as to your own conduct in this war.
We believe you continue this conduct today, albeit by changing from an anti-war to a "war hero" status. You now seek to clad yourself in the very medals that you disdainfully threw away in the early years of your political career. In the process, we believe you continue a deception as to your own conduct through such tactics as the disclosure of only carefully screened portions of your military records. Both then and now, we have concluded that you have deceived the public, and in the process have betrayed honorable men, to further your personal political goals.
Your conduct is such as to raise substantive concerns as to your honesty and your ability to serve, as you currently seek, as Commander-in-Chief of the military services.
It is vital that the American public have as much information as possible about candidates for President of the United States. In various ways, you have rightly called upon President Bush to be fully accountable and to provide full disclosure. In the same spirit, now that you are the presumptive nominee of your Party, we believe it is incumbent upon you to make your total military record open to the American people.
Specifically, we the undersigned formally request that you authorize the Department of the Navy to independently release your military records (through your execution of Standard Form 180), complete and unaltered, including your military medical records. Further, we call upon you to correct the misconceptions your campaign seeks to create as to your conduct while in Vietnam. Permit the American public the opportunity to assess your military performance upon the record, and not upon campaign rhetoric.
Senator Kerry, we were there. We know the truth. We have been silent long enough. The stakes are too great, not only for America in general but, most importantly, for those who have followed us into service in Iraq and Afghanistan. We call upon you to provide a full, accurate accounting of your conduct in Vietnam.
Respectfully,"
Signed by 189 veterans, including those who served with him from his own squadrons and his former commander.
Note to self: dont do anything in these early years that will come back to bite me later in life.
people had something to say.
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Wow. Got alot done today...
Took my last final (w00t!), changed the oil and filter in my car, washed the car, washed and waxed the bike. Heck of a lot more taxing than those typed words seem. I dont know if I will blog more tonight, cause I am kinda tired. If not, see yall tomorrow.
people had something to say.
people had something to say.
Watching C-Span's replay of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth Press Confrence...
Wow. Very damning stuff. I will try to find a link to a transcript or file. "Senator Kerry is not fit for command." His former commander, now a Retired Rear Admiral says it pretty clearly.
people had something to say.
people had something to say.
Monday, May 03, 2004
I have linkage from Mad Ogre...I feel special now. :D
Mad Ogre
Can someone fill me in on this "blogging backwards stuff" Ogre is talking about? Thanks.
Backstory: I chose Moparmike as a handle years ago, like when I was 14 back when AOHell was my only internet connection. I chose it because I always wanted a 1969 Dodge Daytona Charger with a 426 HEMI. Examples below. I always have been a gear head, and can appreciate many fine examples of automobiles. Ricers dont meet that description, except for a privledged few, like the WRX and Z-models.
or 
Damn "Diamond tastes on a quartz budget"... I take donations...:D
people had something to say.
Can someone fill me in on this "blogging backwards stuff" Ogre is talking about? Thanks.
Backstory: I chose Moparmike as a handle years ago, like when I was 14 back when AOHell was my only internet connection. I chose it because I always wanted a 1969 Dodge Daytona Charger with a 426 HEMI. Examples below. I always have been a gear head, and can appreciate many fine examples of automobiles. Ricers dont meet that description, except for a privledged few, like the WRX and Z-models.
or
Damn "Diamond tastes on a quartz budget"... I take donations...:D
people had something to say.
How shall we fuck off, O Lord?
FOXNews.com - 'Life of Brian' Capitalizes on Success of 'Passion'
"PHILADELPHIA — Monty Python's Flying Circus alumnus Terry Jones doesn't mince words about why the troupe's film "Life of Brian" (search) is being rushed into rerelease this month.
"It's shameless commercial opportunism on our part," Jones told the Philadelphia Inquirer in Sunday's editions. "
Cant say as I blame him. BTW, the title is a line out of the movie.
people had something to say.
"PHILADELPHIA — Monty Python's Flying Circus alumnus Terry Jones doesn't mince words about why the troupe's film "Life of Brian" (search) is being rushed into rerelease this month.
"It's shameless commercial opportunism on our part," Jones told the Philadelphia Inquirer in Sunday's editions. "
Cant say as I blame him. BTW, the title is a line out of the movie.
people had something to say.
Bill Gates to pay $800k in anti-trust fines; Gates to sleep for 8 hours to earn it back...
Farked up Yahooing...
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) Chairman Bill Gates (news - web sites) has agreed to pay $800,000 for violating antitrust regulations in two stock purchases, U.S. antitrust authorities said on Monday. "
Yes, good strategy. Hit him in his wallet. With a feather.
people had something to say.
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) Chairman Bill Gates (news - web sites) has agreed to pay $800,000 for violating antitrust regulations in two stock purchases, U.S. antitrust authorities said on Monday. "
Yes, good strategy. Hit him in his wallet. With a feather.
people had something to say.
Crime pays in Oregon
More linkage supplied by Drudge...
"SALEM, Oregon (AP) -- Convicted felon Nicholas Krahmer kicks back on a bunk and enjoys one of the latest perks of prison life: A spanking new flat-screen TV that's still the envy of many viewers on the outside.
The tiny 7-inch set resembles flat-screen models installed in cars or on airplane seats. But it beats the alternative, he says -- a night in the recreation room with about 150 other inmates who are prone to brawls over what to watch and where to sit."
"It was really the best solution," Geer said. "It is not a luxury item."
WHAT THE HELL? 'Not a luxury item?" Where are you from buddy? What happened to prison being worse than life on the outside, in your own house? Why is someone put in prison and incarcerated? Lets look at the definition of punishment: 1 : the act of punishing 2 a : suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retribution b : a penalty inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure 3 : severe, rough, or disastrous treatment . Which of those definitions rhymes with "small plasma screen?" I had to take out a loan just to buy a computer 2 1/2 years ago, and its now almost obsolete! Kiss my ass "not a luxury item"!!!
That HMMWV down at the dealership really is looking more and more in need of a joyride....
people had something to say.
"SALEM, Oregon (AP) -- Convicted felon Nicholas Krahmer kicks back on a bunk and enjoys one of the latest perks of prison life: A spanking new flat-screen TV that's still the envy of many viewers on the outside.
The tiny 7-inch set resembles flat-screen models installed in cars or on airplane seats. But it beats the alternative, he says -- a night in the recreation room with about 150 other inmates who are prone to brawls over what to watch and where to sit."
"It was really the best solution," Geer said. "It is not a luxury item."
WHAT THE HELL? 'Not a luxury item?" Where are you from buddy? What happened to prison being worse than life on the outside, in your own house? Why is someone put in prison and incarcerated? Lets look at the definition of punishment: 1 : the act of punishing 2 a : suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retribution b : a penalty inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure 3 : severe, rough, or disastrous treatment . Which of those definitions rhymes with "small plasma screen?" I had to take out a loan just to buy a computer 2 1/2 years ago, and its now almost obsolete! Kiss my ass "not a luxury item"!!!
That HMMWV down at the dealership really is looking more and more in need of a joyride....
people had something to say.
Oil Price Hits Highest Level Since 1990
Linkage brought to you by Drudge
"The wholesale price of gasoline also reached a new record, signaling the likelihood of even higher pump prices by Memorial Day, which marks the beginning of the summer driving season.
Crude for June delivery gained 83 cents on the New York Mercantile Exchange, settling at $38.21 per barrel - the highest price since Oct. 16, 1990, when oil was valued at $38.89 per barrel."
Ugh. More good news. That is about what I paid for 21 gallons of gas, and it is the price of 55gal of oil. Damn it.
"On Monday, unleaded gasoline futures increased 2.7 cents to $1.263 per gallon - the highest settlement on record since the contract started trading in December 1984."
Goodie. $1.26 a gallon before it is even taxed. For those of you in AR, the state charges 21.5¢ plus the federal 18.5¢. So, without the gasoline company's profit margin, transportation to your local gasoline station, and cost of station operation, you are already paying $1.66 a gallon, or what I was paying for regular gas 3 weeks ago. And we dont even know if cost of refinement is included.
Everyday I find more reasons to be happy about my motorcycle...
people had something to say.
"The wholesale price of gasoline also reached a new record, signaling the likelihood of even higher pump prices by Memorial Day, which marks the beginning of the summer driving season.
Crude for June delivery gained 83 cents on the New York Mercantile Exchange, settling at $38.21 per barrel - the highest price since Oct. 16, 1990, when oil was valued at $38.89 per barrel."
Ugh. More good news. That is about what I paid for 21 gallons of gas, and it is the price of 55gal of oil. Damn it.
"On Monday, unleaded gasoline futures increased 2.7 cents to $1.263 per gallon - the highest settlement on record since the contract started trading in December 1984."
Goodie. $1.26 a gallon before it is even taxed. For those of you in AR, the state charges 21.5¢ plus the federal 18.5¢. So, without the gasoline company's profit margin, transportation to your local gasoline station, and cost of station operation, you are already paying $1.66 a gallon, or what I was paying for regular gas 3 weeks ago. And we dont even know if cost of refinement is included.
Everyday I find more reasons to be happy about my motorcycle...
people had something to say.
Sunday, May 02, 2004
Huh. A weird map of news stories that can give anyone an aneurysm...COOL!!!
Linked for your linking pleasure on the "news" sidebar....
Newsmap
Found on The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
people had something to say.
Newsmap
Found on The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler
people had something to say.
April 19, a day that is often lightly mentioned...
Ok, yes I am very late in posting this.
Publicola has a very good writeup of events on this day for America and a few brave souls in 1943 Germany.
My comments: Bless those who took up arms in not only 1775, but also in 1943 in Warsaw, Poland and fought against their oppressors. What I cant believe is that in 1775 people in Massachusetts of all places fought against GUN CONTROL. That's right: people in a state that spewed forth the Hellspawn known as John Forbes Kerry and Teddy Kennedy fought 229 years ago against the government that came to confiscate their arms. Massachusetts had so much going for it....
people had something to say.
Publicola has a very good writeup of events on this day for America and a few brave souls in 1943 Germany.
My comments: Bless those who took up arms in not only 1775, but also in 1943 in Warsaw, Poland and fought against their oppressors. What I cant believe is that in 1775 people in Massachusetts of all places fought against GUN CONTROL. That's right: people in a state that spewed forth the Hellspawn known as John Forbes Kerry and Teddy Kennedy fought 229 years ago against the government that came to confiscate their arms. Massachusetts had so much going for it....
people had something to say.
I qualified for my Concealed Carry Weapon license!
w00t! I passed! And on the first try! And the other classmates were all shooters (whom had shot MANY more hangun rounds than I had, at ~200rds) who didnt get it on the first try! w00t!
Ok, enough bragging. Those of you from THR may know a poster known as hillbilly, who runs Possum Pistol Academy emailed me and told me he was having a class. So I jumped at the chance, and I got down there. As some of you know, my pistol is a EAA Witness 10mm semi-automatic. Its a big bastard. It leaves big holes too. Like a moron, I got it for my first freaking pistol. Dumbass. *smacks forehead* Oh well, at least I have learned to use it fairly well. I was encouraged by Roy (hillbilly) telling me my flinch really wasnt as bad as I thought, and he had seen MUCH worse. We went though the normal safety routine, learning various handguns (single action and double action revolvers and autos, American magazine releases and European magazine releases, etc.). We learned about the legal aspect of carrying, where not to carry, how to carry, the legal repurcussions of drawing and/or pluging someone. And then we qualified after some drills.
I was the only person in the class to qualify 10/10. The requirement was to use a full magazine and hit a 8" x 11" peice of paper at 7yds. Not as easy as it sounds. I was using the biggest pistol in the class.
The other pistols: a Baby Eagle .40S & W, a Ruger P94 in .40 S & W, and some sort of Czechoslovakian 9mm. We all shot eachother's pistols at the end of the day, and that Czech had a really nice trigger. The guy with the Ruger also had a Czechoslovakian or Yugoslavian production German Wehrmacht officer's pistol in 7.65mm, or .32acp. It was really nice, and had a weird "pop".
Now all I have to wait for is my 21st birthday, so I can send in the paperwork.
people had something to say.
Ok, enough bragging. Those of you from THR may know a poster known as hillbilly, who runs Possum Pistol Academy emailed me and told me he was having a class. So I jumped at the chance, and I got down there. As some of you know, my pistol is a EAA Witness 10mm semi-automatic. Its a big bastard. It leaves big holes too. Like a moron, I got it for my first freaking pistol. Dumbass. *smacks forehead* Oh well, at least I have learned to use it fairly well. I was encouraged by Roy (hillbilly) telling me my flinch really wasnt as bad as I thought, and he had seen MUCH worse. We went though the normal safety routine, learning various handguns (single action and double action revolvers and autos, American magazine releases and European magazine releases, etc.). We learned about the legal aspect of carrying, where not to carry, how to carry, the legal repurcussions of drawing and/or pluging someone. And then we qualified after some drills.
I was the only person in the class to qualify 10/10. The requirement was to use a full magazine and hit a 8" x 11" peice of paper at 7yds. Not as easy as it sounds. I was using the biggest pistol in the class.
The other pistols: a Baby Eagle .40S & W, a Ruger P94 in .40 S & W, and some sort of Czechoslovakian 9mm. We all shot eachother's pistols at the end of the day, and that Czech had a really nice trigger. The guy with the Ruger also had a Czechoslovakian or Yugoslavian production German Wehrmacht officer's pistol in 7.65mm, or .32acp. It was really nice, and had a weird "pop".
Now all I have to wait for is my 21st birthday, so I can send in the paperwork.
people had something to say.
OH MY GOD...A USSC Judge who knows his role!!!
Scalia: Judges Should Know Their Role
"As long as judges tinker with the Constitution to "do what the people want," instead of what the document actually commands, politicians who pick and confirm new federal judges will naturally want only those who agree with them politically, Scalia said. "
"Good judges are honest lawyers who stick to the letter of the law or the Constitution, whatever their political philosophy, Scalia said. "
"Both justices call themselves "textualists."
As judges should be. Personally, there are several parts of the Constitution that I would like to see restored. Like the entire Bill of Rights.
people had something to say.
"As long as judges tinker with the Constitution to "do what the people want," instead of what the document actually commands, politicians who pick and confirm new federal judges will naturally want only those who agree with them politically, Scalia said. "
"Good judges are honest lawyers who stick to the letter of the law or the Constitution, whatever their political philosophy, Scalia said. "
"Both justices call themselves "textualists."
As judges should be. Personally, there are several parts of the Constitution that I would like to see restored. Like the entire Bill of Rights.
people had something to say.
Ever wonder why housing is so damned expensive in places?
Could it be because of this guy and his practices?
Guy makes $$$ off housing in NJ
...
Prior to selling, Feeney found another new construction project around the block and signed an option to buy a 1,300-square-foot unit for $340,000. "I put the place on the market the day I closed," he said.
In June 2002, Feeney sold his second condo for $395,000 and moved into yet another brand new condo.
This time he paid $410,000, which seemed like a bargain for three bedrooms and, best of all, a private backyard.
No kidding. This past March Feeney put the condo on the market and – after five days and a bidding war that added $25,000 to asking price – accepted an offer for $676,000.
...
Ugh. Cant say I would cry if the IRS knocked on his door.
people had something to say.
Guy makes $$$ off housing in NJ
...
Prior to selling, Feeney found another new construction project around the block and signed an option to buy a 1,300-square-foot unit for $340,000. "I put the place on the market the day I closed," he said.
In June 2002, Feeney sold his second condo for $395,000 and moved into yet another brand new condo.
This time he paid $410,000, which seemed like a bargain for three bedrooms and, best of all, a private backyard.
No kidding. This past March Feeney put the condo on the market and – after five days and a bidding war that added $25,000 to asking price – accepted an offer for $676,000.
...
Ugh. Cant say I would cry if the IRS knocked on his door.
people had something to say.
GAS IS HOW MUCH??? Thank God I bought that motorcycle....
Goddamn!!! I paid $40 fucking dollars for a tank of gas. $40!!! For 21 gallons! And IT WAS ONLY MIDGRADE!!! Now, if anyof you are in the People's Republic of Kalifornia, you might be asking "What is the big deal? You have it easy!" Well, I make $8k a year. It costs me a gallon a day to travel to school and work in my car, a 1983 Mercedes-Benz 380 SEL (which I just paid off yesterday. w00t!). A similar Australian model (RHD) is pictured below.
Damn OPEC. I pine for the days when I was 16. My first car was a big ol' Land Yacht, a Buick Electra, like this guy's only not a wagon. Gas prices here were 97¢ a gallon in 1999 (a great summer) so I didnt worry about it. 10mpg wether I did 30mph or 130mph, and I couldnt have cared less. Ah, those were the days.
Now I have a motorcycle. Just for the gas mileage. A Yamaha Virago 250.
Oh yeah, the pic of my car. Imagine it in Left Hand Drive, with the longer US impact bumpers. Yes, it really is in this good of shape. Ok, some pitting on the hood. But it was a Minnesota and Colorado car.
people had something to say.
Damn OPEC. I pine for the days when I was 16. My first car was a big ol' Land Yacht, a Buick Electra, like this guy's only not a wagon. Gas prices here were 97¢ a gallon in 1999 (a great summer) so I didnt worry about it. 10mpg wether I did 30mph or 130mph, and I couldnt have cared less. Ah, those were the days.
Now I have a motorcycle. Just for the gas mileage. A Yamaha Virago 250.
Oh yeah, the pic of my car. Imagine it in Left Hand Drive, with the longer US impact bumpers. Yes, it really is in this good of shape. Ok, some pitting on the hood. But it was a Minnesota and Colorado car.
people had something to say.
Study: Shoppers bagging supermarkets
Study: Shoppers bagging supermarkets
"High oil prices, both at the pump and for home heating, depress consumers' ability to spend more," the study said.
Gasoline prices have been soaring: about 35 cents a gallon since December, driven by surging crude oil prices, according to gasoline industry analyst Trilby Lundberg.
The food industry report said the fuel price increases are tightening the pressure on personal budgets that already were squeezed hard by credit card bills.
"In 2003, for the second consecutive year, we detected among consumers that minus inflation, ... They are managing to buy their groceries for less than they did last year," Michael Sansolo, FMI's senior vice president, told the group's opening conference Sunday.
Umm, this is a surprise to people? Surely market analysts aren't that stupid. Gas prices go up, and it becomes a more precious commodity because of how much it hits the consumer's wallet. Therefore, the consumer makes fewer trips to large supermarkets (which, if they are anything like the ones here have inflated prices) and going where food is cheaper. And they buy in bulk, so they don't have to waste as much gas. Seems like an obviously plausible scenario to me.
people had something to say.
"High oil prices, both at the pump and for home heating, depress consumers' ability to spend more," the study said.
Gasoline prices have been soaring: about 35 cents a gallon since December, driven by surging crude oil prices, according to gasoline industry analyst Trilby Lundberg.
The food industry report said the fuel price increases are tightening the pressure on personal budgets that already were squeezed hard by credit card bills.
"In 2003, for the second consecutive year, we detected among consumers that minus inflation, ... They are managing to buy their groceries for less than they did last year," Michael Sansolo, FMI's senior vice president, told the group's opening conference Sunday.
Umm, this is a surprise to people? Surely market analysts aren't that stupid. Gas prices go up, and it becomes a more precious commodity because of how much it hits the consumer's wallet. Therefore, the consumer makes fewer trips to large supermarkets (which, if they are anything like the ones here have inflated prices) and going where food is cheaper. And they buy in bulk, so they don't have to waste as much gas. Seems like an obviously plausible scenario to me.
people had something to say.
Gun safety presenter shoots self, says gun did it...
Gun safety presenter shoots self, says gun did it...
ORLANDO, Florida (AP) -- A federal drug agent shot himself in the leg during a gun safety presentation to children in what police describe as an accident. His bosses, however, are still investigating the incident.
Brought to you by the Only Cops Should Have Guns Society. He should have checked it himself and kept his finger away from the trigger. Guns in good repair dont just go off. Moron. Bet its a lesson he never forgets.
people had something to say.
ORLANDO, Florida (AP) -- A federal drug agent shot himself in the leg during a gun safety presentation to children in what police describe as an accident. His bosses, however, are still investigating the incident.
Brought to you by the Only Cops Should Have Guns Society. He should have checked it himself and kept his finger away from the trigger. Guns in good repair dont just go off. Moron. Bet its a lesson he never forgets.
people had something to say.
