The singer or whatever Beyonce raised the dumbsh!t bar really, really high with (a) audio from the space shuttle Challenger disaster in her video for a newly released song; and (b) her dumbsh!t statement that proves she is a dolt.
The audio is this: “’Flight controllers here looking very carefully at the situation. Obviously a major malfunction,’ Nesbitt is heard saying. The brief audio clip runs for six seconds.”
The statement of explanation from the dumbsh!t: “My heart goes out to the families of those lost in the Challenger disaster. The song XO was recorded with the sincerest intention to help heal those who have lost loved ones and to remind us that unexpected things happen, so love and appreciate every minute that you have with those who mean the most to you.”
What does that say? Nothing. Not a f’n thing.
She is a rich dumbsh!t, and anyone who spends money on downloads or CDs or concerts is a bigger dumbsh!t for supporting her.
http://floppingaces.net/most_wanted/beyonce-is-a-bigger-moron-than-even-i-thought/
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Some stuff no one can make up, nor can I imagine in my greatest imagination anyone wanting to
“Because milk is produced by female mammals, a feminist perspective seems to offer a logical foundation for such inquiry. From the start, feminism has been a movement for justice: at its heart is the centrality of praxis, the necessary linkage of intellectual, political, and activist work. Feminist methodology puts the lives of the oppressed at the center of the research question and undertakes studies, gathers data, and interrogates material contexts with the primary aim of improving the lives and the material conditions of the oppressed. Using standard feminist methodology [standard feminist methodology?], twentieth-century vegan feminists and animal ecofeminists challenged animal suffering in its many manifestations (in scientific research, and specifically in the feminized beauty and cleaning products industries; in dairy, egg, and animal food production; in “pet” [note the scare quotes] keeping and breeding, zoos, rodeos, hunting, fur, and clothing) by developing a feminist theoretical perspective on the intersections of species, gender, race, class, sexuality, and nature. Motivated by an intellectual and experiential understanding of the mutually reinforcing interconnections among diverse forms of oppression, vegan feminists and ecofeminists positioned their own liberation and well-being as variously raced, classed, gendered, and sexual humans to be fundamentally interconnected to the well-being of other nondominant human and animal species, augmenting Patricia Hill Collins’s definition of intersectionality to include species as well.” – Greta Gaard, “ecofeminist writer, scholar, activist, and documentary filmmaker,” Toward a Feminist Postcolonial Milk Studies.
http://pjmedia.com/rogerkimball/2013/12/31/inadvertent-comedy-from-the-asa-or-an-ecofeminist-does-milk/?singlepage=true
Roger Kimball at PJ Media said the thing is 25 pages. I looked. It is.
http://pjmedia.com/rogerkimball/2013/12/31/inadvertent-comedy-from-the-asa-or-an-ecofeminist-does-milk/?singlepage=true
Roger Kimball at PJ Media said the thing is 25 pages. I looked. It is.
$70,000 in pipe missing; or, business as usual
By Chelsea Boozer
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
“More than $70,000 of surplus pipe is missing from a Little Rock Wastewater Utility storage area, and sewer officials think the material was hauled off by a friend of a high-ranking manager already under police scrutiny in connection with questionable expenditures, a utility spokesman said Monday.
“Debbie Williams, the utility’s accounting supervisor over capital projects, planned to have the pipe scrapped and sold at auction this year because it’s been sitting in storage at the Adams Field Treatment Facility since 1996, but when she sent workers to take photos Dec. 20, the pipe wasn’t there.
“Williams said she questioned Eric Wassell, the last superintendent stationed at the wastewater-treatment plant. He told her that Operations Manager Stan Miller had a friend haul off the concrete pipe sometime in 2011, she said.
“The missing pipe includes 1,255 feet of 42-inch diameter pipe and 416 feet of 60-inch pipe, sewer utility officials said.”
(The pipe sat there for 15 years? And, other than a high-ranking manager reportedly/allegedly having a friend haul it away, nobody considered what to do with it?)
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2013/dec/31/lr-utility-surplus-pipe-missing-20131231/
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
“More than $70,000 of surplus pipe is missing from a Little Rock Wastewater Utility storage area, and sewer officials think the material was hauled off by a friend of a high-ranking manager already under police scrutiny in connection with questionable expenditures, a utility spokesman said Monday.
“Debbie Williams, the utility’s accounting supervisor over capital projects, planned to have the pipe scrapped and sold at auction this year because it’s been sitting in storage at the Adams Field Treatment Facility since 1996, but when she sent workers to take photos Dec. 20, the pipe wasn’t there.
“Williams said she questioned Eric Wassell, the last superintendent stationed at the wastewater-treatment plant. He told her that Operations Manager Stan Miller had a friend haul off the concrete pipe sometime in 2011, she said.
“The missing pipe includes 1,255 feet of 42-inch diameter pipe and 416 feet of 60-inch pipe, sewer utility officials said.”
(The pipe sat there for 15 years? And, other than a high-ranking manager reportedly/allegedly having a friend haul it away, nobody considered what to do with it?)
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2013/dec/31/lr-utility-surplus-pipe-missing-20131231/
Giraffe killed in fight at Little Rock Zoo
By David Harten
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
“A fight between two giraffes at the Little Rock Zoo has resulted in the death of one.
"Jigsaw, a 13-year-old giraffe that has been at the zoo since his birth in 2000, died as a result of injuries he suffered following an altercation with fellow giraffe Mesi, zoo officials said in a statement Monday.
“Zookeepers found Jigsaw lying with his head down on Sunday morning on the zoo grounds. He died a short time later, according to the news release.
“An initial investigation showed that Mesi was able to open ‘a large, metal dividing gate’ that separated the two animals on Saturday evening. After gaining access to Jigsaw’s pen, Mesi sparred with Jigsaw until Jigsaw fell, the news release states."
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2013/dec/30/one-giraffe-dead-after-fight-another-giraffe-lr-zo/
("... Mesi sparred with Jigsaw until Jigsaw fell ..." Sounds as though the alleged attacker was only school-ground playing, doesn't it? It's not as though giraffes ever get into serious fights.)
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
“A fight between two giraffes at the Little Rock Zoo has resulted in the death of one.
"Jigsaw, a 13-year-old giraffe that has been at the zoo since his birth in 2000, died as a result of injuries he suffered following an altercation with fellow giraffe Mesi, zoo officials said in a statement Monday.
“Zookeepers found Jigsaw lying with his head down on Sunday morning on the zoo grounds. He died a short time later, according to the news release.
“An initial investigation showed that Mesi was able to open ‘a large, metal dividing gate’ that separated the two animals on Saturday evening. After gaining access to Jigsaw’s pen, Mesi sparred with Jigsaw until Jigsaw fell, the news release states."
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2013/dec/30/one-giraffe-dead-after-fight-another-giraffe-lr-zo/
("... Mesi sparred with Jigsaw until Jigsaw fell ..." Sounds as though the alleged attacker was only school-ground playing, doesn't it? It's not as though giraffes ever get into serious fights.)
Differences between them and us
“MOSCOW, December 31 (RIA Novosti) – A prominent Russian Orthodox Church academic has been sacked from his post as a professor at a Moscow theological school for writing blog posts and giving interviews at variance with the Church’s official position on current affairs.
“Andrei Kurayev, an Orthodox senior deacon and well-known blogger, was fired from the Moscow Theological Academy's faculty for his ‘scandalous and provocative activities…in the mass media and in the blogosphere,’ the school's press service said Tuesday.”
Scandalous and provocative activities, as in “Kurayev had criticized the church’s handling of a scandal in the Russian city of Kazan in mid-December, when a clergyman dismissed for allegedly sexually harassing male students was welcomed immediately into another diocese in the city of Tver.
“Kurayev said on his blog that the incident was ‘proof of the existence of an influential gay lobby in our Church.’”
http://en.ria.ru/russia/20131231/186120000/Russian-Orthodox-Academic-Fired-Over-Blog-Posts.html
String him up! How dare that senior deacon, theology professor, etc., say sexual harassment of male students is done by gay clergymen! Everyone knows only heterosexual men do that sort of thing. Everyone in the U.S. knows that, anyway.
Hmm. Could it be … Are men who are attracted to and who sexually harass younger men actually homosexual? No. Couldn’t be.
“Andrei Kurayev, an Orthodox senior deacon and well-known blogger, was fired from the Moscow Theological Academy's faculty for his ‘scandalous and provocative activities…in the mass media and in the blogosphere,’ the school's press service said Tuesday.”
Scandalous and provocative activities, as in “Kurayev had criticized the church’s handling of a scandal in the Russian city of Kazan in mid-December, when a clergyman dismissed for allegedly sexually harassing male students was welcomed immediately into another diocese in the city of Tver.
“Kurayev said on his blog that the incident was ‘proof of the existence of an influential gay lobby in our Church.’”
http://en.ria.ru/russia/20131231/186120000/Russian-Orthodox-Academic-Fired-Over-Blog-Posts.html
String him up! How dare that senior deacon, theology professor, etc., say sexual harassment of male students is done by gay clergymen! Everyone knows only heterosexual men do that sort of thing. Everyone in the U.S. knows that, anyway.
Hmm. Could it be … Are men who are attracted to and who sexually harass younger men actually homosexual? No. Couldn’t be.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Milunka Savic
“Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic has stated that the national WWI hero Milunka Savic resembles her country – bold and invincible when needed, ready to help everybody, and yet pushed aside when others think she could be an obstacle, strong like that. At the ceremony of laying to rest the mortal remains of Milunka Savic in the Alley of the Greats, at the New Cemetery in Belgrade, Nikolic has pointed he believes it is never too late to make right the wrongs others had made on Serbia and her greats. The President added he believed Serbia would preserve the memory of a woman who was the biggest hero of WWI, among many brave men. He has reminded that Milunka Savic was the bearer of highest national and foreign war decorations, including two Medals of the Knight of the Legion of Honor, and she was the only woman in history to have received the French decoration War Cross with golden palm.”
http://voiceofserbia.org/content/nikolic-milunka-savic-%E2%80%93-hero-resembles-her-country
‘Remains of Serbian heroine Milunka Savic transported to the Alley of deserving citizens in Belgrade’
http://inserbia.info/news/2013/11/remains-of-serbian-heroine-milunka-savic-transported-to-the-alley-of-deserving-citizens-in-belgrade/
She fought in the Second Balkan War and in the early days of World War I received her first Karadorde Star with Swords following the battle of Kolubura. She received a second Star with Swords in 1916 when she captured 23 Bulgarian soldiers. Savic also was twice awarded the French Legion of Honor, the Russian Cross of St. George, the British medal of the Most Distinguished order of St. Michael, the Serbian Milos Obilic medal and the French Croix de Guerrer with gold palm.
http://voiceofserbia.org/content/nikolic-milunka-savic-%E2%80%93-hero-resembles-her-country
‘Remains of Serbian heroine Milunka Savic transported to the Alley of deserving citizens in Belgrade’
http://inserbia.info/news/2013/11/remains-of-serbian-heroine-milunka-savic-transported-to-the-alley-of-deserving-citizens-in-belgrade/
She fought in the Second Balkan War and in the early days of World War I received her first Karadorde Star with Swords following the battle of Kolubura. She received a second Star with Swords in 1916 when she captured 23 Bulgarian soldiers. Savic also was twice awarded the French Legion of Honor, the Russian Cross of St. George, the British medal of the Most Distinguished order of St. Michael, the Serbian Milos Obilic medal and the French Croix de Guerrer with gold palm.
Internal checkpoints
A growing number of citizens is refusing to answer unconstitutional questions at checkpoints far from an international border.
“During a routine trip from San Diego to Phoenix in 2009, Pastor Steven Anderson was stopped at an internal immigration checkpoint about 70 miles from the Mexican border. A stern-looking Border Patrol agent asked Anderson to provide proof of citizenship and requested permission to search his car.
“The persistent pastor declined both, citing his Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. He then asked to be allowed to go on his way. The request was denied.
“After a period of dithering, agents announced that a police dog had alerted to potential contraband in the vehicle.”
Then, came the broken windows, Tasers and dragging from the car.
http://reason.com/archives/2013/12/28/americas-internal-checkpoints
At www.ace.mu.nu
“During a routine trip from San Diego to Phoenix in 2009, Pastor Steven Anderson was stopped at an internal immigration checkpoint about 70 miles from the Mexican border. A stern-looking Border Patrol agent asked Anderson to provide proof of citizenship and requested permission to search his car.
“The persistent pastor declined both, citing his Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. He then asked to be allowed to go on his way. The request was denied.
“After a period of dithering, agents announced that a police dog had alerted to potential contraband in the vehicle.”
Then, came the broken windows, Tasers and dragging from the car.
http://reason.com/archives/2013/12/28/americas-internal-checkpoints
At www.ace.mu.nu
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Nyet!
Situation: Russia wanted to build a half dozen “domed antenna structures” in the U.S. in order to “significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of its version of the Global Positioning System.”
Comments: The State Department supported the plan “as a means to mend bruised relations between the two rival nations. The Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency sided with congressional critics, concerned about handing the Russians an opening to snoop on the United States within its borders.”
Result: Defense budget bill signed by President Obama contains “a measure that virtually bars Russia from building … the monitor stations.”
Still, “Administration officials on Friday sought to play down the significance of the new constraints, saying that discussions with the Russians continue but that no decisions have been reached.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/world/europe/new-law-all-but-bars-russian-gps-sites-in-us.html?_r=0
Comments: The State Department supported the plan “as a means to mend bruised relations between the two rival nations. The Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency sided with congressional critics, concerned about handing the Russians an opening to snoop on the United States within its borders.”
Result: Defense budget bill signed by President Obama contains “a measure that virtually bars Russia from building … the monitor stations.”
Still, “Administration officials on Friday sought to play down the significance of the new constraints, saying that discussions with the Russians continue but that no decisions have been reached.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/world/europe/new-law-all-but-bars-russian-gps-sites-in-us.html?_r=0
In case you missed it (and I know I did)
On Oct. 1, 2013, “the federal government, in an unthinkable development that we cannot even think about, partially shuts down. The result is a catastrophe of near-sequester proportions. Within hours wolves are roaming the streets of major U.S. cities, and bacteria the size of mature salmon are openly cavorting in the nation’s water supply. In the Midwest, thousands of cows, no longer supervised by the Department of Agriculture, spontaneously explode. Yellowstone National Park — ALL of it — is stolen. In some areas gravity stops working altogether, forcing people to tie themselves to trees so they won’t float away. With the nation virtually defenseless, the Bermudan army invades the East Coast, within hours capturing Delaware and most of New Jersey.”
Also, in November, “Observers note that the White House has stopped referring to the program as Obamacare’ and is now calling it by the more formal legal name ‘George W. Bush.’”
(That’s Dave Barry’s story, and he’s sticking to it.)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/dave-barrys-review-of-2013-the-year-of-the-zombies/2013/12/20/c7cfa5fe-5dc2-11e3-bc56-c6ca94801fac_story.html
Link fark.com.
Also, in November, “Observers note that the White House has stopped referring to the program as Obamacare’ and is now calling it by the more formal legal name ‘George W. Bush.’”
(That’s Dave Barry’s story, and he’s sticking to it.)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/dave-barrys-review-of-2013-the-year-of-the-zombies/2013/12/20/c7cfa5fe-5dc2-11e3-bc56-c6ca94801fac_story.html
Link fark.com.
London’s bicycle highway in the sky
Backers say 12,000 cyclists an hour would use each of the 10 routes. The cycleway would be 30-40 feet above existing railways.
Said Sir Norman Foster, developer of the idea: “Cycling is one of my great passions – particularly with a group of friends.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2530727/The-bicycle-highway-Plans-unveiled-220m-Skycycle-lets-riders-commute-far-railways-London.html#ixzz2ouRmOkvf
Well, good for you and your friends, Norm. And good luck with raising £220 million for the first four-mile stretch.
At fark.com
Said Sir Norman Foster, developer of the idea: “Cycling is one of my great passions – particularly with a group of friends.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2530727/The-bicycle-highway-Plans-unveiled-220m-Skycycle-lets-riders-commute-far-railways-London.html#ixzz2ouRmOkvf
Well, good for you and your friends, Norm. And good luck with raising £220 million for the first four-mile stretch.
At fark.com
Why won’t insurance companies say ‘Hold on just a minute’?
1. Because they don’t know how? 2. Because they bought into the ACA? 3. Because they might lose control of billions of dollars?
OK.
What we have so far:
• Employers will be mandated to buy your policies for 2014
• (Oops, employers are angry)
• Employers won’t be mandated until 2015 – if then
• Small employers will give workers a choice of health plans through the SHOP program in 2014
• (Oops, we can’t get the web site ready in time)
• Small employers won’t have to offer a choice of plan until – sometime later
• You must cancel these individual policies
• (Oops, public backlash)
• You must reinstate these policies
• (Oops, many insurance commissioners won’t allow it)
• You must continue to cover providers and drugs even for cancelled policies
• The deadline for enrollment will be December 15, 2013
• (Oops, web site problems)
• The deadline for enrollment will be December 23, 2013
• (Oops, too much traffic)
• The deadline for enrollment will be December 24, 2013
• Never mind, there is no deadline
• First month’s premium must be received by December 31, 2013
• (Oops, back-end problems with the web site)
• First month’s premium must be received by January 8, 2014
• Make that January 10, 2014
http://thefederalist.com/2013/12/27/insurers-enough-obamacare-aca/
At www.ace.mu.nu
(“insurance companies” rather than “the insurance industry,” because “industry” is Progressive code for “Sucking up all the middle class family’s money.”)
OK.
What we have so far:
• Employers will be mandated to buy your policies for 2014
• (Oops, employers are angry)
• Employers won’t be mandated until 2015 – if then
• Small employers will give workers a choice of health plans through the SHOP program in 2014
• (Oops, we can’t get the web site ready in time)
• Small employers won’t have to offer a choice of plan until – sometime later
• You must cancel these individual policies
• (Oops, public backlash)
• You must reinstate these policies
• (Oops, many insurance commissioners won’t allow it)
• You must continue to cover providers and drugs even for cancelled policies
• The deadline for enrollment will be December 15, 2013
• (Oops, web site problems)
• The deadline for enrollment will be December 23, 2013
• (Oops, too much traffic)
• The deadline for enrollment will be December 24, 2013
• Never mind, there is no deadline
• First month’s premium must be received by December 31, 2013
• (Oops, back-end problems with the web site)
• First month’s premium must be received by January 8, 2014
• Make that January 10, 2014
http://thefederalist.com/2013/12/27/insurers-enough-obamacare-aca/
At www.ace.mu.nu
(“insurance companies” rather than “the insurance industry,” because “industry” is Progressive code for “Sucking up all the middle class family’s money.”)
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Put down that cinnamon roll!
EU rules would ban Danish roll.
Cinnamon contains coumarin, a toxic chemical of which Paul Nuttall, deputy leader of UKIP, said: “An average person would have to eat so many Danish pastries in order to affected, they would certainly die of obesity before being hurt by a low level of cinnamon.
“’We don't need the nanny state or the EU to tell us what to do and certainly not how many Danish pastries we should eat for Christmas.'”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2529588/Is-end-cinnamon-roll-Traditional-Danish-pastries-threat-EU-threatens-ban-spice.html#ixzz2op3kzQ50
(Rice contains arsenic, but it isn’t banned … yet.)
Cinnamon contains coumarin, a toxic chemical of which Paul Nuttall, deputy leader of UKIP, said: “An average person would have to eat so many Danish pastries in order to affected, they would certainly die of obesity before being hurt by a low level of cinnamon.
“’We don't need the nanny state or the EU to tell us what to do and certainly not how many Danish pastries we should eat for Christmas.'”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2529588/Is-end-cinnamon-roll-Traditional-Danish-pastries-threat-EU-threatens-ban-spice.html#ixzz2op3kzQ50
(Rice contains arsenic, but it isn’t banned … yet.)
Hand grenades -- When you really want to make a statement
Ceramic pineapple grenade salt and pepper shakes were among a couple of other gifts I gave to my wife for Christmas. She was surprised. “You gave me hand grenades?” she said, laughing. I suggested she take them to her office and put them in a prominent place. “No,” she said, shaking her head. “No, no.” I figured, sometimes when you want to make a statement …
(Ceramic copies, in case anybody doesn't understand. Not real hand grenades. Salt and pepper shakers.)
(Ceramic copies, in case anybody doesn't understand. Not real hand grenades. Salt and pepper shakers.)
John F. Kerry said we had this under control
“IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
“Isfahan, Dec 26, IRNA -- A new generation of centrifuges are designed and ready to be mass produced, but before that phase they have to pass many tests, head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said here on Thursday, adding that there are now 19,000 centrifuges in Iran.
“Ali Akbar Salehi who was speaking on the sidelines of the Isfahan Biannual Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Substances Conference added, ‘We proudly and honorably announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran is among the countries that are capable of conducting the full fuel cycle of the nuclear fuel production from discovery to mining and from there to turning uranium to nuclear fuel.’"
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iran/2013/iran-131226-irna01.htm?_m=3n%2e002a%2e996%2eye0ao05v9c%2ewtp
(Perhaps, though, these 190,000 centrifuges are only for peaceful “full … cycle” nuclear stuff.)
“Isfahan, Dec 26, IRNA -- A new generation of centrifuges are designed and ready to be mass produced, but before that phase they have to pass many tests, head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said here on Thursday, adding that there are now 19,000 centrifuges in Iran.
“Ali Akbar Salehi who was speaking on the sidelines of the Isfahan Biannual Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Substances Conference added, ‘We proudly and honorably announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran is among the countries that are capable of conducting the full fuel cycle of the nuclear fuel production from discovery to mining and from there to turning uranium to nuclear fuel.’"
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/iran/2013/iran-131226-irna01.htm?_m=3n%2e002a%2e996%2eye0ao05v9c%2ewtp
(Perhaps, though, these 190,000 centrifuges are only for peaceful “full … cycle” nuclear stuff.)
Friday, December 27, 2013
What the country has become
Headlines to stories I will not read:
‘Author: Norman Rockwell was homosexual’
‘Anderson Cooper Talks About His Mother’s Intimate Sex Acts’
‘Gay Activists Should Teach Robertson How to Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin’ **
The stories are all at Breitbart. I intended to read the page, but decided not to after seeing those headlines.
(** The homophobic/anti-religious assumption is all homosexuals are nice, gentle, loving people, while Southern Christians are killer bigots.
(And … Where are these homosexual activists who are comfortable with heterosexual arguments?)
‘Author: Norman Rockwell was homosexual’
‘Anderson Cooper Talks About His Mother’s Intimate Sex Acts’
‘Gay Activists Should Teach Robertson How to Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin’ **
The stories are all at Breitbart. I intended to read the page, but decided not to after seeing those headlines.
(** The homophobic/anti-religious assumption is all homosexuals are nice, gentle, loving people, while Southern Christians are killer bigots.
(And … Where are these homosexual activists who are comfortable with heterosexual arguments?)
From the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy Network
‘President Obama’s Top 10 Constitutional Violations of 2013’
The president has been “most frustrated with the separation of powers, which doesn’t allow him to ‘fundamentally transform’ the country without congressional acquiescence.”
(Of course, nothing is unconstitutional until rendered so by the U.S. Supreme Court, so this list is … accurate, but not judicially judged.)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2013/12/23/president-obamas-top-10-constitutional-violations-of-2013/
The president has been “most frustrated with the separation of powers, which doesn’t allow him to ‘fundamentally transform’ the country without congressional acquiescence.”
(Of course, nothing is unconstitutional until rendered so by the U.S. Supreme Court, so this list is … accurate, but not judicially judged.)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2013/12/23/president-obamas-top-10-constitutional-violations-of-2013/
Why you can’t say ‘Merry Christmas!’
Abu Musaab Wajdi Akkari: Saying 'Merry Christmas' Is Worse Than Fornication, Alcohol, Or Killing Someone
“I have me a revolutionary idea: why don't we put this statement to test and try out all four of the mentioned sins for a period of, say, a year or so.
“Since I am not of Mohammedan faith, nor any else, for that matter, I offer myself as a non-denominational volunteer tester. Any objections? No, I knew there wouldn't be.
“So, to start with: Merry Christmas, everyone!
“So far so good. OK, I am off to start with the other three sins, in the order of appearance. I will be at it for a while, so be patient.”
http://www.simplyjews.blogspot.co.il/
“I have me a revolutionary idea: why don't we put this statement to test and try out all four of the mentioned sins for a period of, say, a year or so.
“Since I am not of Mohammedan faith, nor any else, for that matter, I offer myself as a non-denominational volunteer tester. Any objections? No, I knew there wouldn't be.
“So, to start with: Merry Christmas, everyone!
“So far so good. OK, I am off to start with the other three sins, in the order of appearance. I will be at it for a while, so be patient.”
http://www.simplyjews.blogspot.co.il/
No, no! A lesbian would never do this!
Only homophobic right-wing Judeo-Christians would do such a thing!
“A married, heterosexual gym teacher at a tony Upper West Side private school was fired because his lesbian supervisor disapproved of his ‘traditional family status,’ the canned teacher claims in a new Manhattan lawsuit.
"Gregory Kenney, 50, taught gym at the Trinity School on W. 91st St. for 16 years before he was let go in June 2012.
"Kenney, who lives with his wife and three young children in LI, says he was a well-liked employee at the elite institution that counts Truman Capote, Ivanka Trump and Eric Schneiderman as alumni, until a gay athletic director named Pat Krieger took over in 2009.
http://righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2013/12/lesbian-supervisor-allegedly-fired-male-gym-teacher-because-he-was-heterosexual-and-married.html#sthash.w3pJioKa.dpuf
(Of course, homosexuals are no more capable of sexual bias than women are capable of sexual harassment. Only heterosexual men are prejudiced and biased and racist.)
At simplyjews blogspot.
“A married, heterosexual gym teacher at a tony Upper West Side private school was fired because his lesbian supervisor disapproved of his ‘traditional family status,’ the canned teacher claims in a new Manhattan lawsuit.
"Gregory Kenney, 50, taught gym at the Trinity School on W. 91st St. for 16 years before he was let go in June 2012.
"Kenney, who lives with his wife and three young children in LI, says he was a well-liked employee at the elite institution that counts Truman Capote, Ivanka Trump and Eric Schneiderman as alumni, until a gay athletic director named Pat Krieger took over in 2009.
http://righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2013/12/lesbian-supervisor-allegedly-fired-male-gym-teacher-because-he-was-heterosexual-and-married.html#sthash.w3pJioKa.dpuf
(Of course, homosexuals are no more capable of sexual bias than women are capable of sexual harassment. Only heterosexual men are prejudiced and biased and racist.)
At simplyjews blogspot.
That other dude vs. Chuck Norris
http://themellowjihadi.com/
"Van Damme is from ‘Belgium’, which is part of ‘Europe.’ Of which, Great Britain is separated from, by the English Channel!
"Chuck Norris is ex United Sates Air Force, a devout Christian, and a staunch Republican. He supports gun rights and ownership, and is against public schools celebrating the Day of Silence. As a philanthropist, he is known for his contribution towards organizations such as Funds for Kids, Veteran’s Administration National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, the United Way, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the form of donations as well as fund-raising activities. His time with the U.S. Veterans Administration as a spokesperson, was inspired by his experience serving the United States Air Force in Korea. His objective has been to popularize the issues such as Pensions and Health care, that concern hospitalized war veterans. Due to his significant contributions, and continued patriotism, he received the Veteran of the Year award in 2001 at the American Veteran Awards.
"Norris also established the United Fighting Arts Federation and KickStart in 1990. As a significant part of his philanthropic contributions, the organization was formed to develop self-esteem and focus in at-risk children as a tactic to keep them away from drug-related pressure by training them in martial arts. Norris hopes that by shifting middle school and high school children’s focus towards this positive and strengthening endeavour, these children will have the opportunity to build a better future for themselves. In 2005, Norris founded the World Combat League (WCL), a full-contact, team-based martial arts competition, of which part of the proceeds are given to his KickStart program.
"Additionally, Norris supports the Vijay Amritraj Foundation, which aims at bringing hope, help and healing to the defenceless and innocent victims of disease, tragedy and circumstance in India. Through his donations, he has helped the foundation support Pediatric HIV/AIDS homes in Delhi, a blind school in Karnataka, and a mission that cares for HIV/AIDS infected adults, as well as mentally ill patients in Cochin.
"On March 28, 2007, Commandant Gen. James T. Conway made Norris an ‘Honorary United States Marine’ during a dinner at the commandant’s residence in Washington, D.C. On December 2, 2010, he (along with brother Aaron) was given the title ‘Honorary Texas Ranger’ by Texas Governor Rick Perry.
"Chuck Norris is American, and the people he assists throughout life wanted to add his face to Mount Rushmore, but unfortunately the granite is not hard enough for his beard."
"Van Damme is from ‘Belgium’, which is part of ‘Europe.’ Of which, Great Britain is separated from, by the English Channel!
"Chuck Norris is ex United Sates Air Force, a devout Christian, and a staunch Republican. He supports gun rights and ownership, and is against public schools celebrating the Day of Silence. As a philanthropist, he is known for his contribution towards organizations such as Funds for Kids, Veteran’s Administration National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, the United Way, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the form of donations as well as fund-raising activities. His time with the U.S. Veterans Administration as a spokesperson, was inspired by his experience serving the United States Air Force in Korea. His objective has been to popularize the issues such as Pensions and Health care, that concern hospitalized war veterans. Due to his significant contributions, and continued patriotism, he received the Veteran of the Year award in 2001 at the American Veteran Awards.
"Norris also established the United Fighting Arts Federation and KickStart in 1990. As a significant part of his philanthropic contributions, the organization was formed to develop self-esteem and focus in at-risk children as a tactic to keep them away from drug-related pressure by training them in martial arts. Norris hopes that by shifting middle school and high school children’s focus towards this positive and strengthening endeavour, these children will have the opportunity to build a better future for themselves. In 2005, Norris founded the World Combat League (WCL), a full-contact, team-based martial arts competition, of which part of the proceeds are given to his KickStart program.
"Additionally, Norris supports the Vijay Amritraj Foundation, which aims at bringing hope, help and healing to the defenceless and innocent victims of disease, tragedy and circumstance in India. Through his donations, he has helped the foundation support Pediatric HIV/AIDS homes in Delhi, a blind school in Karnataka, and a mission that cares for HIV/AIDS infected adults, as well as mentally ill patients in Cochin.
"On March 28, 2007, Commandant Gen. James T. Conway made Norris an ‘Honorary United States Marine’ during a dinner at the commandant’s residence in Washington, D.C. On December 2, 2010, he (along with brother Aaron) was given the title ‘Honorary Texas Ranger’ by Texas Governor Rick Perry.
"Chuck Norris is American, and the people he assists throughout life wanted to add his face to Mount Rushmore, but unfortunately the granite is not hard enough for his beard."
China to require journalists to pass Marxist test
In the US, journalists are Marxist by choice.
“Journalists wishing for more detail for the exam can buy a 700-page textbook compiled by the government’s propaganda office and offered for sale in bookstores across China.
“The exam is another clear sign of Xi Jinping’s desire to bring the media to heel. Under Xi’s administration Beijing has increasingly tightened controls on social media and the press.
“In October, the political commissar of China’s National Defense University declared that ‘the internet has become the main battlefield in the fight for public opinion,’ and that ‘journalism and propaganda have greater responsibility’ to help the government in that ideological fight.”
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/china/131220/china-will-require-its-250000-journalists-pass-marxi
At maggiesfarm.
“Journalists wishing for more detail for the exam can buy a 700-page textbook compiled by the government’s propaganda office and offered for sale in bookstores across China.
“The exam is another clear sign of Xi Jinping’s desire to bring the media to heel. Under Xi’s administration Beijing has increasingly tightened controls on social media and the press.
“In October, the political commissar of China’s National Defense University declared that ‘the internet has become the main battlefield in the fight for public opinion,’ and that ‘journalism and propaganda have greater responsibility’ to help the government in that ideological fight.”
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/china/131220/china-will-require-its-250000-journalists-pass-marxi
At maggiesfarm.
Coconut crab
Three-foot leg span, nine pounds, can live for 120 years.
The big version “crab eats anything it can get its claws on. It’ll go after fruit, vegetation, and carrion: dead birds and other coconut crabs and such. It has been observed hunting other crabs, and Drew has records of them ambushing young chickens as well as — don’t hate me for this — kittens, like a far less cuddly Alf of the tropics.”
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/12/absurd-creature-of-the-week-2/
At maggiesfarm.
The big version “crab eats anything it can get its claws on. It’ll go after fruit, vegetation, and carrion: dead birds and other coconut crabs and such. It has been observed hunting other crabs, and Drew has records of them ambushing young chickens as well as — don’t hate me for this — kittens, like a far less cuddly Alf of the tropics.”
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/12/absurd-creature-of-the-week-2/
At maggiesfarm.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
One of the best trailer trash stories to come along in a while
Fark headline:
“Son head-butts girlfriend, girlfriend hits son in head with oxygen bottle and mom tackles girlfriend to couch and punches her in the mouth. Oh, did I mention that it all started when the power went out during an argument over marijuana?”
With mug shots, and, people, we have some real winners here.
http://www.newson6.com/story/24284323/skiatook-family-brawl-lands-three-in-jail
“Son head-butts girlfriend, girlfriend hits son in head with oxygen bottle and mom tackles girlfriend to couch and punches her in the mouth. Oh, did I mention that it all started when the power went out during an argument over marijuana?”
With mug shots, and, people, we have some real winners here.
http://www.newson6.com/story/24284323/skiatook-family-brawl-lands-three-in-jail
People in the Central African Republic were about to start killing each other, a la Rwanda, but then …
A miracle occurred!!
“Two days later, it was like a switch had been thrown. The president of the United States asked for the people of the CAR for calm, speaking to them directly through the Internet and radio. The president shook $100 million loose from the federal budget, to purchase much-needed supplies to the African peacekeepers struggling to stem the killing and airlift in reinforcements. And on Thursday, Samantha Power, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, announced yet another $15 million in humanitarian aid and the pending presence of U.S. military advisers to assist the African Union’s forces in restoring peace.”
That’s right! The president of these United States spoke directly to the people of the Central African Republic … directly!! … through the Internet and by radio, and … and … millions of murders were averted as factions laid down their assault rifles and handguns and other bad guns. Just from hearing the president’s voice!!
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/12/20/3054321/inside-story-acted-prevent-rwanda/
But today: “Bangui (Central African Republic) (AFP) - The president of Central African Republic Tuesday made a new appeal for peace to stop the sectarian killings that have terrorised the country, while Burundian and Chadian troops sent to help restore calm traded fire in Bangui.
“Michel Djotodia, former Seleka rebel leader who seized power in a March coup, called for an end to the ‘massacres’ as violence has swelled between Muslims and Christians.”
http://news.yahoo.com/burundi-chad-peacekeepers-exchange-fire-c-africa-072041232.html
“Two days later, it was like a switch had been thrown. The president of the United States asked for the people of the CAR for calm, speaking to them directly through the Internet and radio. The president shook $100 million loose from the federal budget, to purchase much-needed supplies to the African peacekeepers struggling to stem the killing and airlift in reinforcements. And on Thursday, Samantha Power, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, announced yet another $15 million in humanitarian aid and the pending presence of U.S. military advisers to assist the African Union’s forces in restoring peace.”
That’s right! The president of these United States spoke directly to the people of the Central African Republic … directly!! … through the Internet and by radio, and … and … millions of murders were averted as factions laid down their assault rifles and handguns and other bad guns. Just from hearing the president’s voice!!
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2013/12/20/3054321/inside-story-acted-prevent-rwanda/
But today: “Bangui (Central African Republic) (AFP) - The president of Central African Republic Tuesday made a new appeal for peace to stop the sectarian killings that have terrorised the country, while Burundian and Chadian troops sent to help restore calm traded fire in Bangui.
“Michel Djotodia, former Seleka rebel leader who seized power in a March coup, called for an end to the ‘massacres’ as violence has swelled between Muslims and Christians.”
http://news.yahoo.com/burundi-chad-peacekeepers-exchange-fire-c-africa-072041232.html
Monday, December 23, 2013
Adventures in dining
Priscilla, Michael, Kathleen and I had dinner today with Mrs. R. and John.
Dinner with an 88-year-old Alzheimer’s woman and a physically 57-year-old man/mentally 6-year-old boy presents, ah, opportunities to practice the patience not asked for but I got the chance anyway.
At my pickup, after getting Mrs. R. and John in Michael’s car for the trip back to Mrs. R.’s assisted living place, I said to Priscilla, “It certainly is an adventure.”
“What, going out with Mother and John?”
“Yep.”
“You should try doing it by yourself,” she said.
A week ago Saturday, she had that experience. I stayed at home for the annual termite inspection. Priscilla drove the 140 miles to Texarkana and signed out John from his group home. She then drove to Mrs. R.’s assisted living place and signed her out.
John can walk unaided, but requires time to get anywhere and additional time to get into and out of a car. Mrs. R. uses a walker at the speed one would expect from someone who is 12 years from being a century old.
Priscilla got both into her car and drove to a restaurant. She stopped near the handicap area and got her mother’s walker from the car and then her mother and John. She told them to stay there while she parked. Then, she guided her mother and John into the restaurant and to a table.
Within a minute of being seated, Mrs. R. said, “It’s cold in here.” She had declined Priscilla’s suggestion of taking a jacket into the restaurant. Priscilla now said she would go to the car and get a jacket. She told Mrs. R. and John to stay at the table.
While she was gone, she later discovered, a waitress went to the table and asked Mrs. R., “Were those purses here when you sat down?” She referred, of course, to Priscilla’s purse and Mrs. R.’s purse.
Mrs. R. replied, “Well, I haven’t seen those purses before.” The waitress took the purses to the checkout area.
Priscilla returned with Mrs. R.’s jacket. She helped Mrs. R. put on the jacket. She noticed the purses were gone. She said, “What happened to our purses?”
Mrs. R. replied, “Well, I don’t know. I don’t think we brought purses.”
It is an adventure.
Dinner with an 88-year-old Alzheimer’s woman and a physically 57-year-old man/mentally 6-year-old boy presents, ah, opportunities to practice the patience not asked for but I got the chance anyway.
At my pickup, after getting Mrs. R. and John in Michael’s car for the trip back to Mrs. R.’s assisted living place, I said to Priscilla, “It certainly is an adventure.”
“What, going out with Mother and John?”
“Yep.”
“You should try doing it by yourself,” she said.
A week ago Saturday, she had that experience. I stayed at home for the annual termite inspection. Priscilla drove the 140 miles to Texarkana and signed out John from his group home. She then drove to Mrs. R.’s assisted living place and signed her out.
John can walk unaided, but requires time to get anywhere and additional time to get into and out of a car. Mrs. R. uses a walker at the speed one would expect from someone who is 12 years from being a century old.
Priscilla got both into her car and drove to a restaurant. She stopped near the handicap area and got her mother’s walker from the car and then her mother and John. She told them to stay there while she parked. Then, she guided her mother and John into the restaurant and to a table.
Within a minute of being seated, Mrs. R. said, “It’s cold in here.” She had declined Priscilla’s suggestion of taking a jacket into the restaurant. Priscilla now said she would go to the car and get a jacket. She told Mrs. R. and John to stay at the table.
While she was gone, she later discovered, a waitress went to the table and asked Mrs. R., “Were those purses here when you sat down?” She referred, of course, to Priscilla’s purse and Mrs. R.’s purse.
Mrs. R. replied, “Well, I haven’t seen those purses before.” The waitress took the purses to the checkout area.
Priscilla returned with Mrs. R.’s jacket. She helped Mrs. R. put on the jacket. She noticed the purses were gone. She said, “What happened to our purses?”
Mrs. R. replied, “Well, I don’t know. I don’t think we brought purses.”
It is an adventure.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Memories are long in Eastern Europe
And they should be. Poles, Ukrainians, Croats, Serbs and etc. You killed my great-great-great-grandfather; you took my land; your grandfather worked with the Hitlerites; your mother was a Stalinist …
Czech Free Press on 9 December: ”The descendants of those who in 1941 crossed over to the side of Hitler, served in the occupation police force, executed Jews in the Babi Yar massacre, fought in the ranks of SS Division ‘Galicia,’ carried out the ethnic cleansing of Poles via the gangs of Bandera, shot and slaughtered Ukrainians, Russians, Slovaks, Belarusians, Poles, Jews are now totally free to walk the streets of Kiev and speechify from tribunes. Today they have only changed their master. Instead of Hitler they now have Obama.”
‘Things Are Not What They Seem’
http://gatesofvienna.net/
Czech Free Press on 9 December: ”The descendants of those who in 1941 crossed over to the side of Hitler, served in the occupation police force, executed Jews in the Babi Yar massacre, fought in the ranks of SS Division ‘Galicia,’ carried out the ethnic cleansing of Poles via the gangs of Bandera, shot and slaughtered Ukrainians, Russians, Slovaks, Belarusians, Poles, Jews are now totally free to walk the streets of Kiev and speechify from tribunes. Today they have only changed their master. Instead of Hitler they now have Obama.”
‘Things Are Not What They Seem’
http://gatesofvienna.net/
2013 one of 10 coldest years since 1895
But … A TV newsperson last week said 2013 was one of the hottest years ever. Hottest E-V-E-R.
Chart here http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/12/a-frigid-2013-draws-to-a-close.php
shows average temperatures recorded at all NOAA stations.
“As Real Science points out, and as we have noted several times, NOAA does not report temperatures as they are actually recorded at the time. Rather, NOAA alters the historical record to make past temperatures look lower so as to bolster its bogus global warming claims:
“’NOAA will reporting something very different, because they subtract up to 1.7 degrees from older temperatures. Essentially all reported US warming is due to a hockey stick of temperature adjustments, which makes the past appear to be much colder than what the thermometers measured at the time. (They of course do not mention this in their press releases.)”’
(The real chart shows that annual fluctuations are nowhere near a hockey stick, but absolutely like a Pogo stick.)
Chart here http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2013/12/a-frigid-2013-draws-to-a-close.php
shows average temperatures recorded at all NOAA stations.
“As Real Science points out, and as we have noted several times, NOAA does not report temperatures as they are actually recorded at the time. Rather, NOAA alters the historical record to make past temperatures look lower so as to bolster its bogus global warming claims:
“’NOAA will reporting something very different, because they subtract up to 1.7 degrees from older temperatures. Essentially all reported US warming is due to a hockey stick of temperature adjustments, which makes the past appear to be much colder than what the thermometers measured at the time. (They of course do not mention this in their press releases.)”’
(The real chart shows that annual fluctuations are nowhere near a hockey stick, but absolutely like a Pogo stick.)
Where you sojourn, there sojourns the Glock
My daughter arrived at midnight-thirty from Florida. When she had her car unpacked, she handed her pistol carrier to me and asked if I would put it in the safe.
“Sure,” I said, and then: “Why do you want it in the safe?”
“In case somebody breaks in and tries to steal it,” she said.
I said, “If somebody breaks in, you shoot him.”
“Okay,” she said. “But what about when we’re not here?”
“Then we’ll put it in the safe,” I said.
That was this morning early answer. Light of day answer is, she has, as she put it, “A license to pack heat.” So when we leave the house, so does the pistol.
Merry Christmas to all.
“Sure,” I said, and then: “Why do you want it in the safe?”
“In case somebody breaks in and tries to steal it,” she said.
I said, “If somebody breaks in, you shoot him.”
“Okay,” she said. “But what about when we’re not here?”
“Then we’ll put it in the safe,” I said.
That was this morning early answer. Light of day answer is, she has, as she put it, “A license to pack heat.” So when we leave the house, so does the pistol.
Merry Christmas to all.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Was a time …
Democrats advertised their party as “The Party of Jefferson and Jackson.” After a while, though, that slavery thing again rose from the swamps, and Democrats realized that although their party was the party of slave owners, maybe it would be best to just pretend Jefferson and Jackson weren’t really Democrats after all.
Was a time, too, Republicans bragged on their party as “The Party of Lincoln.” But when Republicans became the party of small government, Lincoln, a big-government politician for his time, had to go back behind the curtain.
Politics makes strange bedfellows, as people have said for several centuries, and politics also makes for “Now you see it, now you don’t” history.
Was a time, too, Republicans bragged on their party as “The Party of Lincoln.” But when Republicans became the party of small government, Lincoln, a big-government politician for his time, had to go back behind the curtain.
Politics makes strange bedfellows, as people have said for several centuries, and politics also makes for “Now you see it, now you don’t” history.
Robertson family replies
“We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E's decision. We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word. While some of Phil’s unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible. Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Phil would never incite or encourage hate. We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right. We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.”
http://duckcommander.com/news/robertson-family-offical-statement
From http://www.ritely.com/
http://duckcommander.com/news/robertson-family-offical-statement
From http://www.ritely.com/
He was for your buying health insurance before he ruled against it
“The Obama administration on Thursday night significantly relaxed the rules of the federal health-care law for millions of consumers whose individual insurance policies have been canceled, saying they can buy bare-bones plans or entirely avoid a requirement that most Americans have health coverage.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-administration-relaxes-rules-of-health-care-law-four-days-before-deadline/2013/12/19/81bc3132-690b-11e3-8b5b-a77187b716a3_story.html
Hasn’t this gone about far enough? Congress passes a huge gigantic massive law pushed by President Obama. Congress passes a law. Barring a Supreme Court ruling, the executive branch is bound to follow the law. But this guy doesn’t. Every organization has to insure its workers. Except not. Big unions? You don’t have to. Want a waiver? If you are an Obama backer, and have big bucks, not a problem. Everybody else? Follow the law. Buy insurance. Law says you have to. Except you don’t. Maybe. And maybe you will. Maybe next year, the year after. Or maybe not.
At maggiesfarm.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-administration-relaxes-rules-of-health-care-law-four-days-before-deadline/2013/12/19/81bc3132-690b-11e3-8b5b-a77187b716a3_story.html
Hasn’t this gone about far enough? Congress passes a huge gigantic massive law pushed by President Obama. Congress passes a law. Barring a Supreme Court ruling, the executive branch is bound to follow the law. But this guy doesn’t. Every organization has to insure its workers. Except not. Big unions? You don’t have to. Want a waiver? If you are an Obama backer, and have big bucks, not a problem. Everybody else? Follow the law. Buy insurance. Law says you have to. Except you don’t. Maybe. And maybe you will. Maybe next year, the year after. Or maybe not.
At maggiesfarm.
Sugarplum fairies
Your tax dollars going to homosexuals to make videos pushing Democrats’ Affordable Health Care Act.
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/12/your-tax-dollars-at-work-gay-christmas-videos-pushing-obamacare/#!
(I did not watch the video, so I have no idea what goes on. Don’t want to know.)
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/12/your-tax-dollars-at-work-gay-christmas-videos-pushing-obamacare/#!
(I did not watch the video, so I have no idea what goes on. Don’t want to know.)
Friday, December 20, 2013
Ass**** reporter leaves DC, goes home to Kentucky and discovers he is an ass****
“When I returned from my 28 days in rehab, in January 2010, it was harder to ignore the near criminal disconnect between Washington and the rest of the country, especially in an industry that has turned neighbors against each other while its instigators clock out and meet for a beer together, skilled actors who in many cases spend the day feigning hatred for each other on camera but are actually bound by their shared nihilism and reckless self-absorption. In Washington, a divided America is good for business.” – Sam Youngman
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2013/12/this-town-sam-youngman-shove-it-101307.html
(I learned some time ago that these people talk only to each other. If you are outside the DC circuit, your opinion does not count.)
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2013/12/this-town-sam-youngman-shove-it-101307.html
(I learned some time ago that these people talk only to each other. If you are outside the DC circuit, your opinion does not count.)
Is this as pissed off as you people can get?
Kings Park School on Long Island recently presented its Christmas … Holiday concert with notable words cut from Silent Night. Kids could not sing “Holy infant” or “Christ the savior,” lest “non-Christians” be offended.
Some parents were offended. Sort of. I guess.
“I’m not too happy with that, it’s kind of insulting,” parent Robert Dowd said.
“There’s been a lot of changes in the schools and I don’t agree with them,” one man said.
“It’s kind of embarrassing that they would do something like that,” another man said.
The story notes: “The school superintendent and principal of the Ralph J. Osgood Intermediate School have since apologized.”
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/12/long-island-school-removes-words-from-silent-night-too-offensive-video/#!
School board statement: “This action was not approved by the Board of Education or district administration, nor is it their role to approve the songs chosen for our concerts.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2526672/Parents-outrage-teachers-cut-references-Jesus-Christ-school-choirs-rendition-Silent-Night.html#ixzz2o1wTzpSB
(The Daily Mail calls the statement “an apology,” rather than “an avoidance of responsibility.”
(“We didn’t know about it and that’s not our job, anyway.”
(Equal to: “I apologize if you were offended by what I said.”
(The Daily Mail also uses "Parents" and "outrage" but the story does not support that.)
(Anyway, the point is if “I’m not too happy …” and “It’s kind of embarrassing …” and “… I don’t agree with them …” is as pissed off as parents become in that district, they will not make changes in their children’s education.
(“Suffer the little children …” does not mean “The children shall suffer.”)
Some parents were offended. Sort of. I guess.
“I’m not too happy with that, it’s kind of insulting,” parent Robert Dowd said.
“There’s been a lot of changes in the schools and I don’t agree with them,” one man said.
“It’s kind of embarrassing that they would do something like that,” another man said.
The story notes: “The school superintendent and principal of the Ralph J. Osgood Intermediate School have since apologized.”
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/12/long-island-school-removes-words-from-silent-night-too-offensive-video/#!
School board statement: “This action was not approved by the Board of Education or district administration, nor is it their role to approve the songs chosen for our concerts.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2526672/Parents-outrage-teachers-cut-references-Jesus-Christ-school-choirs-rendition-Silent-Night.html#ixzz2o1wTzpSB
(The Daily Mail calls the statement “an apology,” rather than “an avoidance of responsibility.”
(“We didn’t know about it and that’s not our job, anyway.”
(Equal to: “I apologize if you were offended by what I said.”
(The Daily Mail also uses "Parents" and "outrage" but the story does not support that.)
(Anyway, the point is if “I’m not too happy …” and “It’s kind of embarrassing …” and “… I don’t agree with them …” is as pissed off as parents become in that district, they will not make changes in their children’s education.
(“Suffer the little children …” does not mean “The children shall suffer.”)
Thursday, December 19, 2013
200 stolen German cars wind up in Tajikistan, driven by president’s family and friends and the prez himself
German authorities “say hundreds of luxury cars in Tajikistan have been stolen off German streets and are being used by the president and his relatives, according to a German media report. And despite Berlin’s repeated requests to redress the issue, Tajik officials are ignoring the appeals.
“Using GPS technology, German investigators have traced approximately 200 stolen German luxury vehicles to Tajikistan, including 93 BMWs, reports Deutsche Welle, citing the German tabloid Bild.”
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/67886
At http://jungletrader.blogspot.com/2013/12/grand-theft-auto.html
“Using GPS technology, German investigators have traced approximately 200 stolen German luxury vehicles to Tajikistan, including 93 BMWs, reports Deutsche Welle, citing the German tabloid Bild.”
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/67886
At http://jungletrader.blogspot.com/2013/12/grand-theft-auto.html
In today’s news of diversity in the US of A
Ginger’s daughter says the professor should be homosexual.
"’My mom was constantly coming on to the Professor on the show, and he was never into it,’ said (Caprice) Crane, a writer based in Los Angeles. ‘So the Professor could be the gay one. It would explain a lot. It would be fun if they shake it up, make it worthy of today's times.’’
http://www.today.com/entertainment/daughter-gilligans-islands-ginger-make-professor-gay-reboot-2D11775877
(Consider this, Caprice: Gilligan’s Island has nothing to do with “today’s times.” The 60s crowd (age and era) will make up the audiences, and overall they don’t like messing up stuff from their TV land.)
Obama includes homosexual athletes in presidential delegation to Olympics.
“The White House announced Tuesday tennis legend and LGBT activist Billie Jean King and openly gay hockey player Caitlin Cahow have been named to the official presidential delegation, headed by former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The selection is thought to come in response to the controversy surrounding Russia's strict anti-gay laws including fines for ‘gay propaganda.’
“The White House did not reference the laws specifically, but pointed to ‘diversity, determination and teamwork’ as what motivated the choice."
http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/12/18/Caitlin-Cahow-other-gay-athletes-tapped-for-Sochi-Olympic-delegation/9961387396068/#ixzz2nxIF3NrU
(If anyone in the presidential delegation starts spouting homosexual propaganda, may the Russians arrest him/her for violation of Russian laws.)
A&E Network suspends Duck Dynasty family member.
“LOS ANGELES - "Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson is off the hit A&E reality series indefinitely after disparaging gays as sinners akin to adulterers and swindlers, the network said.”
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/phil-robertson-off-duck-dynasty-indefinitely/
"’My mom was constantly coming on to the Professor on the show, and he was never into it,’ said (Caprice) Crane, a writer based in Los Angeles. ‘So the Professor could be the gay one. It would explain a lot. It would be fun if they shake it up, make it worthy of today's times.’’
http://www.today.com/entertainment/daughter-gilligans-islands-ginger-make-professor-gay-reboot-2D11775877
(Consider this, Caprice: Gilligan’s Island has nothing to do with “today’s times.” The 60s crowd (age and era) will make up the audiences, and overall they don’t like messing up stuff from their TV land.)
Obama includes homosexual athletes in presidential delegation to Olympics.
“The White House announced Tuesday tennis legend and LGBT activist Billie Jean King and openly gay hockey player Caitlin Cahow have been named to the official presidential delegation, headed by former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The selection is thought to come in response to the controversy surrounding Russia's strict anti-gay laws including fines for ‘gay propaganda.’
“The White House did not reference the laws specifically, but pointed to ‘diversity, determination and teamwork’ as what motivated the choice."
http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/12/18/Caitlin-Cahow-other-gay-athletes-tapped-for-Sochi-Olympic-delegation/9961387396068/#ixzz2nxIF3NrU
(If anyone in the presidential delegation starts spouting homosexual propaganda, may the Russians arrest him/her for violation of Russian laws.)
A&E Network suspends Duck Dynasty family member.
“LOS ANGELES - "Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson is off the hit A&E reality series indefinitely after disparaging gays as sinners akin to adulterers and swindlers, the network said.”
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/phil-robertson-off-duck-dynasty-indefinitely/
Christmas doesn't slow thieving lobbyists
On Monday and Tuesday, Mrs. R. received demands for money from the following thieving lobbyists:
Denise Singleton, National Senior Action Council.
Peter J. Thomas, The Conservative Congress Foundation.
Edward F. Coyle, Alliance for Retired Americans.
U.S. Sen. John Thorne (R-SD), National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Floyd Brown, White House Watch.
David Almasi, American Criminal Justice Center. (Mr. Almasi’s letter proclaims “This Is Your Final Warning” for the sixth or tenth time this year.)
Floyd Brown (again), White House Watch.)
Lew Uhler, National Tax Limitation Committee.
Dr. Jerome Corsi, The Tea Party Campaign.
Dr. Ralph Reed, Faith and Freedom Coalition.
Ed Cates, The Senior Citizens League.
Matt Davies, Political Headquarters 2014 (formerly Political Headquarters 2013).
Wand Powe, American Federation of Senior Citizens.
Denise Singleton, National Senior Action Council.
Peter J. Thomas, The Conservative Congress Foundation.
Edward F. Coyle, Alliance for Retired Americans.
U.S. Sen. John Thorne (R-SD), National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Floyd Brown, White House Watch.
David Almasi, American Criminal Justice Center. (Mr. Almasi’s letter proclaims “This Is Your Final Warning” for the sixth or tenth time this year.)
Floyd Brown (again), White House Watch.)
Lew Uhler, National Tax Limitation Committee.
Dr. Jerome Corsi, The Tea Party Campaign.
Dr. Ralph Reed, Faith and Freedom Coalition.
Ed Cates, The Senior Citizens League.
Matt Davies, Political Headquarters 2014 (formerly Political Headquarters 2013).
Wand Powe, American Federation of Senior Citizens.
A gift from a thief
Last week Mr. Douglas Ramsey of the United States Investigative Unit was kind enough to send a one-yuan note to Mrs. R., my mother-in-law.
The United States Investigative Unit is one of the dozens of political lobbyist organizations that has been after Mrs. R.’s Social Security and Teacher Retirement System money for the last three years. Given the number of letters Mr. Ramsey sends each week (two to four), Mrs. R. probably gave a few hundred or more dollars to United States Investigative Unit at some time. Mrs. R. believes that organizations with “United States” in their title are governmental agencies. That is why she gave at least $4,000 to the United States Health Congress, which is headed by former Arizona State Sen. Lori Klein.
Mrs. R. also believes the National Retirement Security Task Force is part of the federal government.
In a letter with the one-yuan note, Mr. Ramsey said “it pains my heart” to send Chinese money. He implicated that Americans should get used to seeing Chinese money, because, after all, the government of China owns us, and one day our currency will carry pictures of Mao Zedong. Goodbye Washington, Lincoln and Jackson; hello, Mao.
The United States Investigative Unit is one of the dozens of political lobbyist organizations that has been after Mrs. R.’s Social Security and Teacher Retirement System money for the last three years. Given the number of letters Mr. Ramsey sends each week (two to four), Mrs. R. probably gave a few hundred or more dollars to United States Investigative Unit at some time. Mrs. R. believes that organizations with “United States” in their title are governmental agencies. That is why she gave at least $4,000 to the United States Health Congress, which is headed by former Arizona State Sen. Lori Klein.
Mrs. R. also believes the National Retirement Security Task Force is part of the federal government.
In a letter with the one-yuan note, Mr. Ramsey said “it pains my heart” to send Chinese money. He implicated that Americans should get used to seeing Chinese money, because, after all, the government of China owns us, and one day our currency will carry pictures of Mao Zedong. Goodbye Washington, Lincoln and Jackson; hello, Mao.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
And then some officers got involved
Let’s suppose a staff sergeant drill sergeant two weeks ago was told he was NCOIC of a detachment of 220 BCT/AIT soldiers who were not going home for Christmas. (The number later was reduced to 120.) The staff sergeant was given appropriate information, including names of nine other drill sergeants he would be in charge of, and bus schedules to take the privates to a basketball game in Atlanta and to movies in Columbus, Ga.
The staff sergeant completed a schedule and plan for the 10 or 14 or however many days he would have the young soldiers and other drill sergeants beginning today, 18 December.
Let’s suppose on 16 December an officer at the brigade hosting the young privates decided an E6 might not have the wherewithal to handle such an assignment. Disdaining the staff sergeant’s two tours in Iraq, EIB, CIB and two BSMs (one with V device), the officer said, “This is the Army Maneuver School of Excellence. These soldiers might be visited by the post commander or TRADOC commander or someone of equal rank. We cannot trust the assignment to a staff sergeant.”
Someone suggested the brigade operations NCO take the assignment. That recommendation went nowhere, possibly (only a guess) at the insistence of the so-designated NCO.
Eventually, the powers settled on a first sergeant who had not taken block leave. Yesterday, the first sergeant met with the previous NCOIC and the other nine drill sergeants. The first sergeant asked the previous NCOIC to lay out his plans, which the staff sergeant did, for each day. When the staff sergeant was finished, the first sergeant said, “Sounds good to me. You’ve planned it all out. That’s what we’ll go with.”
And … Let’s suppose the brigade commander yesterday visited the barracks where the privates will stay. There are four bays with 30 bunks each. The brigade commander asked how the staff sergeant planned on getting linens and blankets for the soldiers. The staff sergeant said linens and blankets were laid out on tables at the barracks entrance. Each soldier would be instructed to take two sheets, one pillow, one pillow case and two wool blankets and make up his assigned bunk.
“No,” the brigade commander said. “We won’t do it that way. We will have the linens placed on the bunks. These soldiers are missing Christmas at home, and we want to make things as comfortable as possible for them.”
So, 10 drill sergeants placed on each bunk two sheets, one pillow case, one pillow and two wool blankets. Dressed and covered, of course.
The staff sergeant completed a schedule and plan for the 10 or 14 or however many days he would have the young soldiers and other drill sergeants beginning today, 18 December.
Let’s suppose on 16 December an officer at the brigade hosting the young privates decided an E6 might not have the wherewithal to handle such an assignment. Disdaining the staff sergeant’s two tours in Iraq, EIB, CIB and two BSMs (one with V device), the officer said, “This is the Army Maneuver School of Excellence. These soldiers might be visited by the post commander or TRADOC commander or someone of equal rank. We cannot trust the assignment to a staff sergeant.”
Someone suggested the brigade operations NCO take the assignment. That recommendation went nowhere, possibly (only a guess) at the insistence of the so-designated NCO.
Eventually, the powers settled on a first sergeant who had not taken block leave. Yesterday, the first sergeant met with the previous NCOIC and the other nine drill sergeants. The first sergeant asked the previous NCOIC to lay out his plans, which the staff sergeant did, for each day. When the staff sergeant was finished, the first sergeant said, “Sounds good to me. You’ve planned it all out. That’s what we’ll go with.”
And … Let’s suppose the brigade commander yesterday visited the barracks where the privates will stay. There are four bays with 30 bunks each. The brigade commander asked how the staff sergeant planned on getting linens and blankets for the soldiers. The staff sergeant said linens and blankets were laid out on tables at the barracks entrance. Each soldier would be instructed to take two sheets, one pillow, one pillow case and two wool blankets and make up his assigned bunk.
“No,” the brigade commander said. “We won’t do it that way. We will have the linens placed on the bunks. These soldiers are missing Christmas at home, and we want to make things as comfortable as possible for them.”
So, 10 drill sergeants placed on each bunk two sheets, one pillow case, one pillow and two wool blankets. Dressed and covered, of course.
Gun-totin, duck-huntin Southern Christian quotes Bible on homosexuality, and, man, are the homosexuals pissed
By Elizabeth Durand Streisand
“The stars of ‘Duck Dynasty’ might be America's most popular TV family, but that could change very soon — because Phil Robertson has made some strong (and seriously offensive) anti-gay remarks that have sparked instant backlash.
“Speaking with GQ, Robertson lamented that when ‘everything is blurred on what's right and what's wrong ... sin becomes fine.’ So just what qualifies as sinful in his book?
"’Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there — bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men,’ he declared.”
(“… but that could change very soon …” Not bloody likely, Liz. And what’s with this “(seriously offensive) anti-gay remarks?” Every comment that upholds one belief has to be “anti-gay,” doesn’t it. Nothing can he pro- the other side. No, sir, bubba. You believe one way and one way only, or you are anti-gay.)
Homosexuals did not waste any time coming out with their own shots.
“’Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil's lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe,’ said GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz. ‘He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans — and Americans — who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil's decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families.’"
(Oh, bullshit, Wilson. Lies? So homosexual men do not do the kind of sex Phil Robertson described?)
http://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/-duck-dynasty--star-s-anti-gay-remarks-spark-outrage-134231650.html
“The stars of ‘Duck Dynasty’ might be America's most popular TV family, but that could change very soon — because Phil Robertson has made some strong (and seriously offensive) anti-gay remarks that have sparked instant backlash.
“Speaking with GQ, Robertson lamented that when ‘everything is blurred on what's right and what's wrong ... sin becomes fine.’ So just what qualifies as sinful in his book?
"’Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there — bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men,’ he declared.”
(“… but that could change very soon …” Not bloody likely, Liz. And what’s with this “(seriously offensive) anti-gay remarks?” Every comment that upholds one belief has to be “anti-gay,” doesn’t it. Nothing can he pro- the other side. No, sir, bubba. You believe one way and one way only, or you are anti-gay.)
Homosexuals did not waste any time coming out with their own shots.
“’Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil's lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe,’ said GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz. ‘He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans — and Americans — who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil's decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families.’"
(Oh, bullshit, Wilson. Lies? So homosexual men do not do the kind of sex Phil Robertson described?)
http://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/-duck-dynasty--star-s-anti-gay-remarks-spark-outrage-134231650.html
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Studies show …
much what anybody wants studies to show.
Was a time multivitamins were the be-all and end-all discussion of all-around health. Studies said so.
Not so fast, pilgrim.
By Ryan Jaslow
CBS News
“’Enough’ with the multivitamins already.
“That’s the message from doctors behind three new studies and an editorial that tackled an oft-debated question in medicine: Do daily multivitamins make you healthier?
“After reviewing the available evidence and conducting new trials, the authors have come to a conclusion of ‘no.’
“’We believe that the case is closed -- supplementing the diet of well-nourished adults with (most) mineral or vitamin supplements has no clear benefit and might even be harmful,’ concluded the authors of the editorial summarizing the new research papers, published Dec. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. ‘These vitamins should not be used for chronic disease prevention. Enough is enough.’”
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/multivitamin-researchers-say-case-is-closed-supplements-dont-boost-health/
(Taking on a multi-billion-dollar industry of manufacture and sales, and more billions in advertising, which will not make for happy TV executives.
(A rule everybody should know: If you saw it on TV, don’t believe it.)
At maggiesfarm.
Was a time multivitamins were the be-all and end-all discussion of all-around health. Studies said so.
Not so fast, pilgrim.
By Ryan Jaslow
CBS News
“’Enough’ with the multivitamins already.
“That’s the message from doctors behind three new studies and an editorial that tackled an oft-debated question in medicine: Do daily multivitamins make you healthier?
“After reviewing the available evidence and conducting new trials, the authors have come to a conclusion of ‘no.’
“’We believe that the case is closed -- supplementing the diet of well-nourished adults with (most) mineral or vitamin supplements has no clear benefit and might even be harmful,’ concluded the authors of the editorial summarizing the new research papers, published Dec. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. ‘These vitamins should not be used for chronic disease prevention. Enough is enough.’”
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/multivitamin-researchers-say-case-is-closed-supplements-dont-boost-health/
(Taking on a multi-billion-dollar industry of manufacture and sales, and more billions in advertising, which will not make for happy TV executives.
(A rule everybody should know: If you saw it on TV, don’t believe it.)
At maggiesfarm.
GAO report: Guam can’t support more Marines
Worthiness of a GAO report: “If your house was on fire and you were trying to get out, GAO would tell you to first make sure that your escape plan met best practices and that you had perfected your knowledge-based systems analysis.”
http://breakingdefense.com/2013/12/guam-not-ready-for-5000-more-marines-gao/?utm_source=Breaking+Defense&utm_campaign=d61825e4fe-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4368933672-d61825e4fe-407339625
Everybody knows DOD can’t just shift 5,000 Marines to an island before making sure the island has enough water, housing and etc. to handle the population change. Congress faces tough choices here: Limitations on defense spending, vs. Guam needs stuff, so make DOD pay.
http://breakingdefense.com/2013/12/guam-not-ready-for-5000-more-marines-gao/?utm_source=Breaking+Defense&utm_campaign=d61825e4fe-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4368933672-d61825e4fe-407339625
Everybody knows DOD can’t just shift 5,000 Marines to an island before making sure the island has enough water, housing and etc. to handle the population change. Congress faces tough choices here: Limitations on defense spending, vs. Guam needs stuff, so make DOD pay.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Ace of Spades HQ headline says McConnell warns defense industry of Tea Party
‘Mitch McConnell To Defense Contractors: Help Us Defeat Tea Party Challengers If You Want That Sweet, Sweet Republican Defense Spending Back’
http://ace.mu.nu/#345765
‘GOP Incumbents Lean on Donors to Beat Back Primary Foes’
By Dion Nissenbaum
WSJ
“The effort to beat back challenges from the right goes beyond the defense industry. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups have been stepping in to help business-friendly Republicans aligned with the GOP leadership, a reaction to the government shutdown in October, which the business groups opposed, and a sign of worries that tea party-aligned candidates might try to eliminate tax breaks and spending favored by businesses.”
Former general counsel for the House Armed Services Committee says “leaders in both branches have essentially allowed, and continue to allow, the military to be a pawn in the greater debate."
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304173704579260133964574284
Or, entrenched Republican establishment leaders will ride the Defense Department as far as politically expedient and will take as much money as possible from the defense industry.
http://ace.mu.nu/#345765
‘GOP Incumbents Lean on Donors to Beat Back Primary Foes’
By Dion Nissenbaum
WSJ
“The effort to beat back challenges from the right goes beyond the defense industry. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups have been stepping in to help business-friendly Republicans aligned with the GOP leadership, a reaction to the government shutdown in October, which the business groups opposed, and a sign of worries that tea party-aligned candidates might try to eliminate tax breaks and spending favored by businesses.”
Former general counsel for the House Armed Services Committee says “leaders in both branches have essentially allowed, and continue to allow, the military to be a pawn in the greater debate."
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304173704579260133964574284
Or, entrenched Republican establishment leaders will ride the Defense Department as far as politically expedient and will take as much money as possible from the defense industry.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Part of Utah anti-polygamy law ruled unconstitutional
“U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups said … Friday that a provision in Utah law forbidding cohabitation with another person violated the First Amendment right of freedom of religion.”
…
“Utah’s bigamy law is stricter than the laws in 49 other states — most of the other states prohibit people from having multiple marriage licenses. Utah makes it illegal to even purport to be married to multiple partners or live together.
“Under Waddoups’ ruling, bigamy remains illegal in Utah only in the literal sense, such as when someone fraudulently acquires more than one marriage license.”
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/2013/12/14/polygamy-advocates-hail-judge-ruling-utah/twb08eLnSficZvfS0Mq16O/story.html
The New Testament one time mentions a man having only one wife, 1 Timothy 3-7, part of which states an elder must be “the husband of one wife…”
…
“Utah’s bigamy law is stricter than the laws in 49 other states — most of the other states prohibit people from having multiple marriage licenses. Utah makes it illegal to even purport to be married to multiple partners or live together.
“Under Waddoups’ ruling, bigamy remains illegal in Utah only in the literal sense, such as when someone fraudulently acquires more than one marriage license.”
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/2013/12/14/polygamy-advocates-hail-judge-ruling-utah/twb08eLnSficZvfS0Mq16O/story.html
The New Testament one time mentions a man having only one wife, 1 Timothy 3-7, part of which states an elder must be “the husband of one wife…”
From now on I will sing ‘O’er the land of the free and the home of the culturally sensitive’
No more Warriors in Houston, ‘cause it’s offensive
'Houston school board votes to ban ‘offensive’ mascots'
By Rebecca Axelrad
“Numerous Indigenous American speakers stated the use of names and symbols involved with their individuals can have a hurtful impression irrespective of the intent.”
Also speaking were “a Native American activist” and a woman “with Native American ancestry.”
http://dailynewsen.com/2013/12/14/houston-school-board-votes-to-ban-offensive-mascots.html
And from http://www.nuttynewstoday.com/2013/12/houston-school-board-votes-to-ban-offensive-mascots/
“The new policy calls on schools to show respect and cultural sensitivity in nicknames and mascots. The use of any race or ethnic group will be prohibited, the Houston Chronicle reported.
“While the new policy does not refer to specific nicknames or types of mascot, the school district has said that three campuses – the Lamar High School Redskins, Hamilton Middle School Indians and Welch Middle School Warriors -would be affected.
“A fourth school, Westbury High, might have to drop the use of Rebel, even though connections to the Confederacy were eliminated more than two decades ago.”
Can’t be a Rebel, can’t be a Warrior. Can be a BowDown or a BendOver. No, BowDown is out because of possible hurt feelings in societies in which bowing forms part of a greeting or indication of
subservience.
What about: U of Louisiana at Monroe Ace the Warhawk. Indicates violence.
Scottsdale Community College Artie the Fighting Artichoke. Violent vegetarians?
Ohio Wesleyan the Battling Bishop. Pacifist Methodists might object.
Several teams called Beaver. Sexist.
Lots and lots more, if you have time to search.
'Houston school board votes to ban ‘offensive’ mascots'
By Rebecca Axelrad
“Numerous Indigenous American speakers stated the use of names and symbols involved with their individuals can have a hurtful impression irrespective of the intent.”
Also speaking were “a Native American activist” and a woman “with Native American ancestry.”
http://dailynewsen.com/2013/12/14/houston-school-board-votes-to-ban-offensive-mascots.html
And from http://www.nuttynewstoday.com/2013/12/houston-school-board-votes-to-ban-offensive-mascots/
“The new policy calls on schools to show respect and cultural sensitivity in nicknames and mascots. The use of any race or ethnic group will be prohibited, the Houston Chronicle reported.
“While the new policy does not refer to specific nicknames or types of mascot, the school district has said that three campuses – the Lamar High School Redskins, Hamilton Middle School Indians and Welch Middle School Warriors -would be affected.
“A fourth school, Westbury High, might have to drop the use of Rebel, even though connections to the Confederacy were eliminated more than two decades ago.”
Can’t be a Rebel, can’t be a Warrior. Can be a BowDown or a BendOver. No, BowDown is out because of possible hurt feelings in societies in which bowing forms part of a greeting or indication of
subservience.
What about: U of Louisiana at Monroe Ace the Warhawk. Indicates violence.
Scottsdale Community College Artie the Fighting Artichoke. Violent vegetarians?
Ohio Wesleyan the Battling Bishop. Pacifist Methodists might object.
Several teams called Beaver. Sexist.
Lots and lots more, if you have time to search.
Today’s yoots don’t have work skills
Bonnie Ramthun on “3 Reasons Why Our Teenagers Can’t Find Jobs.”
Older folks can complain and get all biatchy, but as Ramthun says:
“Listen up, older people. The world isn’t the same now as it was then, and that’s not good. Not good for our teens and not good for our future. The days of the paper route are gone. Here are the three reasons why teens can’t get jobs today, and why this is terrible for America.”
http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/12/09/3-reasons-why-our-teenagers-cant-find-jobs/?singlepage=true
Link at http://ace.mu.nu/#345734
Older folks can complain and get all biatchy, but as Ramthun says:
“Listen up, older people. The world isn’t the same now as it was then, and that’s not good. Not good for our teens and not good for our future. The days of the paper route are gone. Here are the three reasons why teens can’t get jobs today, and why this is terrible for America.”
http://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2013/12/09/3-reasons-why-our-teenagers-cant-find-jobs/?singlepage=true
Link at http://ace.mu.nu/#345734
Saturday, December 14, 2013
You know that quote about insanity?
The one attributed to Albert Einstein, although no one ever gives a source of when and where Einstein said “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result,” or something along that line.
So what happened to “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”?
See http://www.showcaves.com/english/explain/History/Bruce.html
If that spider had given up, would the Bruce have immediately surrendered to the English?
Here is a good column on the insanity quote:
“To close out the week, I wanted to post some thoughts on a quote I’ve been thinking a lot about lately.
“In the typical Google search for the quotation, it’s quoted by marketers, life coaches and sofa philosophers throughout the Internet. This contradictory post that states that this is the dumbest thing ever repeated by smart people stands in the face of all these hoorah-hoorah posts that use the quotation as a motivation to enact change in peoples’ lives, marketing campaigns, organizations or anything else anyone can think of.
“Of course, this quotation is not meant to be taken literally, it’s origins are not actually verifiable and it’s not universally applicable.
“The quotation in fact encourages experimentation by trying different things. Don’t alter your existence completely, but understand that eventually you need to smarten up if things you are doing aren’t producing the results you desire.
“Similarly, it’s well known that persistence is the most common trait that characterizes a successful entrepreneur who’s made it. It could also be said that the quotation discourages persistence. A good quote (source): **
“’Sometimes doing the same thing a second time when it hasn’t worked the first is indeed just foolish. But sometimes it’s shrewd. Wisdom consists, in part, in knowing the difference. Flexibility is a virtue. But in most matters, flexibility properly kicks in only after persistence has been given a fair chance.’
“So there we go. Persistence and experimentation working one after another. One without the other really isn’t worth much independent of the other.”
http://rodgerv.wordpress.com/2007/02/10/insanity-doing-the-same-thing-over-and-over-again-and-expecting-different-results/
If you are like me and question whether Einstein ever said that thing about insanity, you will be pleased to know it is also internetted as a old Chinese proverb at
http://thinkexist.com/quotation/insanity-is-doing-the-same-thing-in-the-same-way/347345.html
** Clicking the source gives a 401 message.
So what happened to “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”?
See http://www.showcaves.com/english/explain/History/Bruce.html
If that spider had given up, would the Bruce have immediately surrendered to the English?
Here is a good column on the insanity quote:
“To close out the week, I wanted to post some thoughts on a quote I’ve been thinking a lot about lately.
“In the typical Google search for the quotation, it’s quoted by marketers, life coaches and sofa philosophers throughout the Internet. This contradictory post that states that this is the dumbest thing ever repeated by smart people stands in the face of all these hoorah-hoorah posts that use the quotation as a motivation to enact change in peoples’ lives, marketing campaigns, organizations or anything else anyone can think of.
“Of course, this quotation is not meant to be taken literally, it’s origins are not actually verifiable and it’s not universally applicable.
“The quotation in fact encourages experimentation by trying different things. Don’t alter your existence completely, but understand that eventually you need to smarten up if things you are doing aren’t producing the results you desire.
“Similarly, it’s well known that persistence is the most common trait that characterizes a successful entrepreneur who’s made it. It could also be said that the quotation discourages persistence. A good quote (source): **
“’Sometimes doing the same thing a second time when it hasn’t worked the first is indeed just foolish. But sometimes it’s shrewd. Wisdom consists, in part, in knowing the difference. Flexibility is a virtue. But in most matters, flexibility properly kicks in only after persistence has been given a fair chance.’
“So there we go. Persistence and experimentation working one after another. One without the other really isn’t worth much independent of the other.”
http://rodgerv.wordpress.com/2007/02/10/insanity-doing-the-same-thing-over-and-over-again-and-expecting-different-results/
If you are like me and question whether Einstein ever said that thing about insanity, you will be pleased to know it is also internetted as a old Chinese proverb at
http://thinkexist.com/quotation/insanity-is-doing-the-same-thing-in-the-same-way/347345.html
** Clicking the source gives a 401 message.
Earth was warmer during Roman and Medieval years
By Michael Bistasch
“If you think the Earth is hot now, try wearing plate armor in the Middle Ages.
“A Swedish study found that the planet was warmer in ancient Roman times and the Middle Ages than today, challenging the mainstream idea that man-made greenhouse gas emissions are the main drivers of global warming.”
http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/13/study-earth-was-warmer-in-roman-medieval-times/#ixzz2nUocYbEj
At http://www.ritely.com/
“If you think the Earth is hot now, try wearing plate armor in the Middle Ages.
“A Swedish study found that the planet was warmer in ancient Roman times and the Middle Ages than today, challenging the mainstream idea that man-made greenhouse gas emissions are the main drivers of global warming.”
http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/13/study-earth-was-warmer-in-roman-medieval-times/#ixzz2nUocYbEj
At http://www.ritely.com/
Oregon sign-up as efficient as Obamacare site
“On Sept. 28, while a raging storm toppled trees and cut electricity to thousands of Portlanders, the idealistic troops of Cover Oregon were enduring a painful storm of their own in a quiet suburban office building south of the city.
“They had gathered on a Saturday for final testing of the state's health insurance exchange. More than a website, it was a gateway to a new era of better, more affordable, more democratic health care.
“But their high hopes turned to shock and alarm when the website didn't work. It crashed, it flashed repeated error messages, it couldn't process the most routine insurance enrollment scenario.
“A gray-faced crew from Oracle Corp., the state's primary technology contractor, looked on helplessly.
"’Shut it down,’ said Rocky King, Cover Oregon's executive director. ‘Let's not waste anybody else's time here.’"
…
“How did this happen? How did Oregon, the darling of health care reformers and the recipient of more federal exchange money than all but two other states, go from health care pioneer to national laggard?”
http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2013/12/oregon_health_exchange_technol.html
Answer: Like the administration in Washington, D.C., handing out hundreds of millions of dollars, Oregon’s quote leaders unquote figured: We’re the government. When we say it will happen, it will happen.
Link from “Hocus Pocus” at http://www.stumptownblogger.com/
“They had gathered on a Saturday for final testing of the state's health insurance exchange. More than a website, it was a gateway to a new era of better, more affordable, more democratic health care.
“But their high hopes turned to shock and alarm when the website didn't work. It crashed, it flashed repeated error messages, it couldn't process the most routine insurance enrollment scenario.
“A gray-faced crew from Oracle Corp., the state's primary technology contractor, looked on helplessly.
"’Shut it down,’ said Rocky King, Cover Oregon's executive director. ‘Let's not waste anybody else's time here.’"
…
“How did this happen? How did Oregon, the darling of health care reformers and the recipient of more federal exchange money than all but two other states, go from health care pioneer to national laggard?”
http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2013/12/oregon_health_exchange_technol.html
Answer: Like the administration in Washington, D.C., handing out hundreds of millions of dollars, Oregon’s quote leaders unquote figured: We’re the government. When we say it will happen, it will happen.
Link from “Hocus Pocus” at http://www.stumptownblogger.com/
If rich people didn’t live in rich houses …
“The new generation of very tall, very expensive residential towers remaking the Manhattan skyline comes at a time when the city has a growing number of homeless families and a critical shortage of middle and low-income housing.” – cutline for photographs at
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/12/new-york-high-rise-boom/4005289/
What? The rich would then spend not-mortgage money on homeless families and middle-income housing?
Meanwhile, back at the nation’s capital, the business of housing politics and supporters becomes more and more expensive.
http://www.city-journal.org/2013/23_4_snd-washingtons-skyline.html
Used to be, no building in D.C. could be higher than the width of the street it faced, plus 20 feet. “By 1899, the law mandated that no building in D.C. be taller than 130 feet. A 1910 amendment reduced the maximum allowed height to 90 feet. The law hasn’t changed since.”
Links at www.maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/12/12/new-york-high-rise-boom/4005289/
What? The rich would then spend not-mortgage money on homeless families and middle-income housing?
Meanwhile, back at the nation’s capital, the business of housing politics and supporters becomes more and more expensive.
http://www.city-journal.org/2013/23_4_snd-washingtons-skyline.html
Used to be, no building in D.C. could be higher than the width of the street it faced, plus 20 feet. “By 1899, the law mandated that no building in D.C. be taller than 130 feet. A 1910 amendment reduced the maximum allowed height to 90 feet. The law hasn’t changed since.”
Links at www.maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com
How Keith Richards composed ‘Street Fighting Man’
One of those 'Who would have thunk it" thingys.
French police sirens and Charlie Watts’ 1930s drum kit.
http://neveryetmelted.com/2013/12/13/keith-richards-describes-the-composition-of-street-fighting-man/
referencing Wall Street Journal article, at
www.maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com
French police sirens and Charlie Watts’ 1930s drum kit.
http://neveryetmelted.com/2013/12/13/keith-richards-describes-the-composition-of-street-fighting-man/
referencing Wall Street Journal article, at
www.maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com
Questions of the age
With cameras part of so many electronic devices:
Where is Bigfoot?
Where are the Gray Aliens?
Where is Bigfoot?
Where are the Gray Aliens?
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Paraprosdokian, plus an added bonus thought
Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, you will be a mile away and he won’t have any shoes.
(My thought: If the man is hungry and you teach him to fish, he will be standing in water when you are a mile away with his shoes.)
(My thought: If the man is hungry and you teach him to fish, he will be standing in water when you are a mile away with his shoes.)
Riding Fences
(First chapter of a not-finished science-fiction story.)
Jasper Taylor sat his buckskin – appropriately named Buck – on the southwest edge of a low hill, eyeing the fence line that stretched across the grassland, seemingly forever.
“One little hill after another,” Jasper said. He took a short swig from a round canteen, then recorked the canteen and wound the strap around his saddle horn. “Let’s go,” he said. Buck started his long-legged walk down the hill. Farmer, the pack mule attached to Buck’s saddle by a long leather strap, followed.
Unlike some other ranch hands, Jasper didn’t mind riding fences. He enjoyed the solitude, the opportunity to let his mind clear, on lookout only for storms, rattlesnakes and broken fences. For the latter, Jasper had a roll of wire in a pack Farmer carried, a pair of wire cutters, plus the leather gloves he wore as part of a cowboy’s normal equipment. Breaks in fences were not all that common, but did happen and needed fixing before any Double Bar D cattle strayed onto Flying M land, or vice versa. Any cattle that had strayed, but were not seen by Double Bar D or Flying M hands, would be returned at the next roundup.
As for the other two problems, with storms Jasper could only hunker inside his slicker and avoid dry washes, which could flood with almost no notice; and as for rattlesnakes, well, they gave warning before they struck.
“Lots of land here,” Jasper said as Buck made his way across the grass. “A man could get to like this place.” He smiled. “With the right woman, a house tight against winter and a few cattle … Yep, a man could get to like this place.”
He spotted a big cottonwood tree about two kilometers away. Cottonwood usually meant water nearby, either a natural pool or a stream. A good place to camp, Jasper figured. He could refill canteens, let Farmer get his fill, make coffee and not use canteen water.
“Hang on just a minute,” he said. Buck stopped. Jasper reached back to his right, opening a saddle bag and taking out a topographical map. The map was folded to the place Jasper camped the night before. He traced a finger along the printed property/fence line. “We’re about here … It’s a stream. Good. I’d rather have running water than standing water. Course it doesn’t really matter when you boil it, but …” He put the map back in the saddle bag and had just turned forward when Buck announced:
“Bear.”
“Where?”
“Do you see where my head is pointed?”
“Oh.” Jasper saw a brown shape about fifty meters right of the cottonwood. “Do you have a read on it?”
“Big,” Buck said. “Big bear.”
“I meant what kind.”
“Grizzly.”
“Aw, shoot.”
“Brown bear’ll kill you just as dead.”
“Yeah, but …”
“I know. Grizzly has the reputation.”
Jasper said, “Can you tell if it’s male or female?”
“Female.”
“Shoot. Cubs?”
“I don’t sense any. If she had any, they’d be in range.”
“You got a recommendation?”
“Shoot it.”
Jasper snorted. “For what, being a grizzly?”
“She’s dangerous.”
“Maybe, but …”
“If Farmer gets a whiff of her, he’ll be gone before you can say ‘What?’”
“I can’t shoot her just because Farmer might run off.”
“I guarantee he’ll run. If I was a real horse I’d be gone already. We wouldn’t be having this conversation. You would be sitting on your ass on the ground.”
“Nonsense.”
“Nonsense?” Buck said. “Let me tell you what a horse thinks. A horse thinks its only purpose in life is to be eaten. Cowboy goes out every morning, gets his horse, the horse wonders if that’s the day he gets eaten. So when a horse senses a bear, it’s Katy bar the door, cause that horse is gone.”
“If the horse is gone, it’s too late to bar the door.”
“Oh, shut up.”
“How do you know what a horse thinks, anyway? You are a Burlington-Chance Mark 44 AI, temporarily in horse configuration.”
“I know what I am, and I’ll tell you how I know what horses think. Back at the ranch, I spend a lot of barn time and corral time with the dumb animals. I listen to what they say. They all wonder when they’ll be eaten. Not ‘if,’ but ‘when.’’ He scraped a hoof on the ground. “I’ll be glad when this so-called vacation is over. Why I let you talk me into leaving the ship … You’ll like the wide open spaces, you said. You won’t have to monitor engines or life-support or weapons, you said. You won’t have to do any thinking, you said. Well, I can sum up my part of this vacation with one word: Horseshit. Since we got here, that’s what I’ve been surrounded by, that’s the level of conversation I’ve heard day and night, and that’s what I’ve had to artificially produce after eating grain and/or grass so other human types will think I am a horse. And now I am looking at a rather large grizzly bear that would like nothing more than to chase me down and make a few meals out of me. And one or two out of you.”
Jasper studied the bear. “Can you outrun it?”
Buck snorted. “I can outrun a cheetah. Can you hang on?”
“I’d rather not have to.”
“Yeah? And I’d rather be back on the ship. There’s no telling what those so-called aerospace mechanics are doing. ‘Joe’s Shade Tree Repair.’ What were you thinking? Did you check the fine print on the contract? I bet you didn’t. I bet you’ll be surprised when you see it says, ‘We don’t know a whole hell of a lot, but we don’t overcharge too much for our stupid.’ If you had read the contract …”
“Is that what it says?”
“What?”
“You’ve got it stored. Does it say … Whatever you just said?”
“Well, no. But …”
“Concentrate on the bear. She’s moving.”
“I see that,” Buck said. “I am a BUCH-44, and I see everything, I hear everything, I can even smell everything. Which reminds me – I am growing tired of days and nights in the barn and in the corral. Have you been there? Do you know what it smells like?”
“Horses,” Jasper said. “The barn and the corral smell like horses.”
“Exactly. And horses …”
“Don’t smell all that bad.”
“If I may repeat myself – Horseshit. Horses … She’s coming this way.”
“Yep. But she’s a long way off.”
“That’s what Farmer’ll be, too, if he gets a whiff of bear.”
“I’m not going to shoot her unless she charges.”
“If she charges, you won’t have time to shoot. Farmer will use all his mule muscles pulling on the strap and either he’ll break it or he’ll pull the saddle down and you will be on your ass with a grizzly charging and a mule bucking and doing its best to get out of Dodge and trying to drag me with it. So shoot the bear now.”
“She’s almost a kilometer away.”
“You’ve made longer shots.”
“Yeah, but those were at humans who were already shooting at me.”
“All of them weren’t humans.”
“Point for you. But they were shooting at me.”
Buck gave another snort. “Yeah, and if mama grizzly there had a rifle, she’d already have put a round or two our way.”
“Well, she doesn’t have a rifle.”
“No, but she is fleet of foot. If we have to run, make sure you cut Farmer loose.”
Jasper said, “I am surprised.”
“At what?”
“Usually you only think of your own welfare. And mine. At times. I’m surprised that you want Farmer to have a chance at survival, since he can’t run very fast if he’s attached.”
“I don’t care how fast he can run. I just want to make sure he doesn’t hold me back. I might be all fake horse, but that doesn’t mean I want a grizzly sinking its claws into my ass, either. I’m faster than Farmer, therefore the grizzly gets him first. If at all.” Buck nodded his head at the bear. “She ain’t slowing down.”
Jasper watched the grizzly climb the near bank. The bear stood to its full height. For a moment, Jasper believed he could feel the bear’s eyes. He was reaching for the Winchester .300 in the saddle scabbard when the phone rang in the holster tied to the saddle horn.
Buck said, “You shoot the bear, I’ll get the phone.” He activated a channel. “You have reached the number for JT Flight Services. JT is busy now. Please leave …”
“Buck?” a woman’s voice said. “Let me speak with Jasper.”
“Well, Marianne, we’ve got a grizzly headed our way and Jasper is in the process of …”
“Uncle Simon is on the loose.”
“Jasper,” Buck said. “It’s for you.”
Jasper Taylor sat his buckskin – appropriately named Buck – on the southwest edge of a low hill, eyeing the fence line that stretched across the grassland, seemingly forever.
“One little hill after another,” Jasper said. He took a short swig from a round canteen, then recorked the canteen and wound the strap around his saddle horn. “Let’s go,” he said. Buck started his long-legged walk down the hill. Farmer, the pack mule attached to Buck’s saddle by a long leather strap, followed.
Unlike some other ranch hands, Jasper didn’t mind riding fences. He enjoyed the solitude, the opportunity to let his mind clear, on lookout only for storms, rattlesnakes and broken fences. For the latter, Jasper had a roll of wire in a pack Farmer carried, a pair of wire cutters, plus the leather gloves he wore as part of a cowboy’s normal equipment. Breaks in fences were not all that common, but did happen and needed fixing before any Double Bar D cattle strayed onto Flying M land, or vice versa. Any cattle that had strayed, but were not seen by Double Bar D or Flying M hands, would be returned at the next roundup.
As for the other two problems, with storms Jasper could only hunker inside his slicker and avoid dry washes, which could flood with almost no notice; and as for rattlesnakes, well, they gave warning before they struck.
“Lots of land here,” Jasper said as Buck made his way across the grass. “A man could get to like this place.” He smiled. “With the right woman, a house tight against winter and a few cattle … Yep, a man could get to like this place.”
He spotted a big cottonwood tree about two kilometers away. Cottonwood usually meant water nearby, either a natural pool or a stream. A good place to camp, Jasper figured. He could refill canteens, let Farmer get his fill, make coffee and not use canteen water.
“Hang on just a minute,” he said. Buck stopped. Jasper reached back to his right, opening a saddle bag and taking out a topographical map. The map was folded to the place Jasper camped the night before. He traced a finger along the printed property/fence line. “We’re about here … It’s a stream. Good. I’d rather have running water than standing water. Course it doesn’t really matter when you boil it, but …” He put the map back in the saddle bag and had just turned forward when Buck announced:
“Bear.”
“Where?”
“Do you see where my head is pointed?”
“Oh.” Jasper saw a brown shape about fifty meters right of the cottonwood. “Do you have a read on it?”
“Big,” Buck said. “Big bear.”
“I meant what kind.”
“Grizzly.”
“Aw, shoot.”
“Brown bear’ll kill you just as dead.”
“Yeah, but …”
“I know. Grizzly has the reputation.”
Jasper said, “Can you tell if it’s male or female?”
“Female.”
“Shoot. Cubs?”
“I don’t sense any. If she had any, they’d be in range.”
“You got a recommendation?”
“Shoot it.”
Jasper snorted. “For what, being a grizzly?”
“She’s dangerous.”
“Maybe, but …”
“If Farmer gets a whiff of her, he’ll be gone before you can say ‘What?’”
“I can’t shoot her just because Farmer might run off.”
“I guarantee he’ll run. If I was a real horse I’d be gone already. We wouldn’t be having this conversation. You would be sitting on your ass on the ground.”
“Nonsense.”
“Nonsense?” Buck said. “Let me tell you what a horse thinks. A horse thinks its only purpose in life is to be eaten. Cowboy goes out every morning, gets his horse, the horse wonders if that’s the day he gets eaten. So when a horse senses a bear, it’s Katy bar the door, cause that horse is gone.”
“If the horse is gone, it’s too late to bar the door.”
“Oh, shut up.”
“How do you know what a horse thinks, anyway? You are a Burlington-Chance Mark 44 AI, temporarily in horse configuration.”
“I know what I am, and I’ll tell you how I know what horses think. Back at the ranch, I spend a lot of barn time and corral time with the dumb animals. I listen to what they say. They all wonder when they’ll be eaten. Not ‘if,’ but ‘when.’’ He scraped a hoof on the ground. “I’ll be glad when this so-called vacation is over. Why I let you talk me into leaving the ship … You’ll like the wide open spaces, you said. You won’t have to monitor engines or life-support or weapons, you said. You won’t have to do any thinking, you said. Well, I can sum up my part of this vacation with one word: Horseshit. Since we got here, that’s what I’ve been surrounded by, that’s the level of conversation I’ve heard day and night, and that’s what I’ve had to artificially produce after eating grain and/or grass so other human types will think I am a horse. And now I am looking at a rather large grizzly bear that would like nothing more than to chase me down and make a few meals out of me. And one or two out of you.”
Jasper studied the bear. “Can you outrun it?”
Buck snorted. “I can outrun a cheetah. Can you hang on?”
“I’d rather not have to.”
“Yeah? And I’d rather be back on the ship. There’s no telling what those so-called aerospace mechanics are doing. ‘Joe’s Shade Tree Repair.’ What were you thinking? Did you check the fine print on the contract? I bet you didn’t. I bet you’ll be surprised when you see it says, ‘We don’t know a whole hell of a lot, but we don’t overcharge too much for our stupid.’ If you had read the contract …”
“Is that what it says?”
“What?”
“You’ve got it stored. Does it say … Whatever you just said?”
“Well, no. But …”
“Concentrate on the bear. She’s moving.”
“I see that,” Buck said. “I am a BUCH-44, and I see everything, I hear everything, I can even smell everything. Which reminds me – I am growing tired of days and nights in the barn and in the corral. Have you been there? Do you know what it smells like?”
“Horses,” Jasper said. “The barn and the corral smell like horses.”
“Exactly. And horses …”
“Don’t smell all that bad.”
“If I may repeat myself – Horseshit. Horses … She’s coming this way.”
“Yep. But she’s a long way off.”
“That’s what Farmer’ll be, too, if he gets a whiff of bear.”
“I’m not going to shoot her unless she charges.”
“If she charges, you won’t have time to shoot. Farmer will use all his mule muscles pulling on the strap and either he’ll break it or he’ll pull the saddle down and you will be on your ass with a grizzly charging and a mule bucking and doing its best to get out of Dodge and trying to drag me with it. So shoot the bear now.”
“She’s almost a kilometer away.”
“You’ve made longer shots.”
“Yeah, but those were at humans who were already shooting at me.”
“All of them weren’t humans.”
“Point for you. But they were shooting at me.”
Buck gave another snort. “Yeah, and if mama grizzly there had a rifle, she’d already have put a round or two our way.”
“Well, she doesn’t have a rifle.”
“No, but she is fleet of foot. If we have to run, make sure you cut Farmer loose.”
Jasper said, “I am surprised.”
“At what?”
“Usually you only think of your own welfare. And mine. At times. I’m surprised that you want Farmer to have a chance at survival, since he can’t run very fast if he’s attached.”
“I don’t care how fast he can run. I just want to make sure he doesn’t hold me back. I might be all fake horse, but that doesn’t mean I want a grizzly sinking its claws into my ass, either. I’m faster than Farmer, therefore the grizzly gets him first. If at all.” Buck nodded his head at the bear. “She ain’t slowing down.”
Jasper watched the grizzly climb the near bank. The bear stood to its full height. For a moment, Jasper believed he could feel the bear’s eyes. He was reaching for the Winchester .300 in the saddle scabbard when the phone rang in the holster tied to the saddle horn.
Buck said, “You shoot the bear, I’ll get the phone.” He activated a channel. “You have reached the number for JT Flight Services. JT is busy now. Please leave …”
“Buck?” a woman’s voice said. “Let me speak with Jasper.”
“Well, Marianne, we’ve got a grizzly headed our way and Jasper is in the process of …”
“Uncle Simon is on the loose.”
“Jasper,” Buck said. “It’s for you.”
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
We have a winner!
First place in the Feinstein/Pelosi Unbelievable Dumbassiness Award:
Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH)!!!
Benghazi? What’s that? We’re not here to talk about Benghazi; we’re here to talk about the Middle East.
http://www.ijreview.com/2013/12/100302-somebody-tell-democrat-ann-kuster-response-benghazi-worst-weve-ever-seen/
Yes, it is ridiculously simple to lambast (or goatbast) political dumassity, but they make it so much fun! Just as when Progressive Liberals talked when George W. (It’s All His Fault) Bush did anything at all.
Courtesy National Review Online and Ace of Spades HQ.
Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH)!!!
Benghazi? What’s that? We’re not here to talk about Benghazi; we’re here to talk about the Middle East.
http://www.ijreview.com/2013/12/100302-somebody-tell-democrat-ann-kuster-response-benghazi-worst-weve-ever-seen/
Yes, it is ridiculously simple to lambast (or goatbast) political dumassity, but they make it so much fun! Just as when Progressive Liberals talked when George W. (It’s All His Fault) Bush did anything at all.
Courtesy National Review Online and Ace of Spades HQ.
‘No Child Allowed Ahead’
“Something strange is happening in the United States. A Canadian friend recently said, ‘I can remember when Americans weren’t afraid of everything.’ Just so. Don’t run on the playground because you might fall. Don’t roughhouse because you might get a bruise. Don’t go outside at high noon because you might get skin cancer. Don’t swim after eating because you might get a cramp. If a child draws a soldier, call a SWAT team because he is a murderous psychopath. Don’t ride a bicycle without a helmet. Fill in the deep end of the pool because someone might drown. Supervise everything. Control everything. Fear everything.
http://takimag.com/article/no_child_allowed_ahead_fred_reed/print#ixzz2nCfM0vEF
Link at maggiesfarm.
Things we now old men did as boys: BB gun fights. Green pine cone fights. Playground football without helmets and pads. Exploring woods and using long sticks to kill water mocassins. Wading in creeks and ponds. Sitting in trees. Baseball using a rock as a ball. Sword fights with shaved down 1X6 planks or 1X1 boards. Throwing knives.
http://takimag.com/article/no_child_allowed_ahead_fred_reed/print#ixzz2nCfM0vEF
Link at maggiesfarm.
Things we now old men did as boys: BB gun fights. Green pine cone fights. Playground football without helmets and pads. Exploring woods and using long sticks to kill water mocassins. Wading in creeks and ponds. Sitting in trees. Baseball using a rock as a ball. Sword fights with shaved down 1X6 planks or 1X1 boards. Throwing knives.
Half-staff for the Communist
My wife keeps correspondence with American Flags Express for notification of flying the office flag at half staff. Today’s correspondence when she was notified of President Obama’s most recent order:
Outgoing:
“This is so wrong.
“Will we now fly our flags at half-staff to commemorate the deaths of ALL world leaders?”
Mr. D’Amico replied:
“Priscilla,
“Many of our subscribers agree with you as I do. We have never received so many e-mails concerning the half-staff as for Nelsen Mandela. I even received a halfhearted death threat, as if I issued a proclamation. Yes, people are angry and feel that the importance of lowering the flag to half-staff has been diluted and tainted.”
Outgoing:
“This is so wrong.
“Will we now fly our flags at half-staff to commemorate the deaths of ALL world leaders?”
Mr. D’Amico replied:
“Priscilla,
“Many of our subscribers agree with you as I do. We have never received so many e-mails concerning the half-staff as for Nelsen Mandela. I even received a halfhearted death threat, as if I issued a proclamation. Yes, people are angry and feel that the importance of lowering the flag to half-staff has been diluted and tainted.”
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Five hours of shopping, girlfriend tells boyfriend ‘One more shoe store’; boyfriend takes header over balcony, dies
“A man jumped to his death after a furious row with his girlfriend who insisted they go into another clothes shop.
“CCTV shows Tao Hsiao, 38, escorting his girlfriend around a shopping mall in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, east China.
“After five hours Tao finally had enough and demanded to go home.
“Eyewitnesses say he could be heard saying they already had more bags than they could carry, but she insisted on going into one more shop where the was a special offer on shoes.
“An eyewitness said: 'He told her she already had enough shoes, more shoes that she could wear in a lifetime and it was pointless buying any more.
“'She started shouting at him accusing him of being a skinflint and of spoiling Christmas, it was a really heated argument.'
“The shouting match ended when the man chucked the bags on the floor and jumped over the balcony, smashing into Christmas decorations on his way down before hitting the floor seven storeys below causing shocked shoppers to flee in panic.
“Emergency services arrived at the scene but Tao was killed immediately from the impact of the fall.
“A shopping spokesman said: 'His body was removed fairly quickly.
“'He actually landed on one of the stalls below and then fell to the floor so although the store was damaged it meant he didn't hit anybody.
“'This is a tragic incident, but this time of year can be very stressful for many people.'”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2520753/Chinese-boyfriend-jumped-death-girlfriend-insisted-going-clothes-shop.html#ixzz2n71LPfuV
At www.maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com
“CCTV shows Tao Hsiao, 38, escorting his girlfriend around a shopping mall in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, east China.
“After five hours Tao finally had enough and demanded to go home.
“Eyewitnesses say he could be heard saying they already had more bags than they could carry, but she insisted on going into one more shop where the was a special offer on shoes.
“An eyewitness said: 'He told her she already had enough shoes, more shoes that she could wear in a lifetime and it was pointless buying any more.
“'She started shouting at him accusing him of being a skinflint and of spoiling Christmas, it was a really heated argument.'
“The shouting match ended when the man chucked the bags on the floor and jumped over the balcony, smashing into Christmas decorations on his way down before hitting the floor seven storeys below causing shocked shoppers to flee in panic.
“Emergency services arrived at the scene but Tao was killed immediately from the impact of the fall.
“A shopping spokesman said: 'His body was removed fairly quickly.
“'He actually landed on one of the stalls below and then fell to the floor so although the store was damaged it meant he didn't hit anybody.
“'This is a tragic incident, but this time of year can be very stressful for many people.'”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2520753/Chinese-boyfriend-jumped-death-girlfriend-insisted-going-clothes-shop.html#ixzz2n71LPfuV
At www.maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com
119 pictures from the Korean War
http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2010/06/17/on-war-korean-war-60th-anniversary/2125/
The Denver Post published the pictures three years ago. Photographs capture places and times that never change.
I was in the 1st Cavalry Division and the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea, 1965-66. Michael, my oldest, was with the 2nd his second tour in Korea. Casey, my youngest was with the 2nd from 2004-2010 at Fort Lewis, with two of those years in Iraq.
Sometimes I stood at the bottom of those steep, bare hills and wondered how the soldiers ever got to the top.
The Denver Post published the pictures three years ago. Photographs capture places and times that never change.
I was in the 1st Cavalry Division and the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea, 1965-66. Michael, my oldest, was with the 2nd his second tour in Korea. Casey, my youngest was with the 2nd from 2004-2010 at Fort Lewis, with two of those years in Iraq.
Sometimes I stood at the bottom of those steep, bare hills and wondered how the soldiers ever got to the top.
Obama care could shut down thousands of volunteer fire departments
“Volunteer fire departments all across the U.S. could find themselves out of money and unable to operate unless Congress or the Obama Administration exempts them from the Affordable Care Act.
“'I thought the kinks were worked out of Obamacare at the first of the month,’ Central Florida volunteer firefighter Carl Fabrizi told Sunshine State News.
“'Man, oh, man, this could potentially destroy some real good companies in Florida.'
“The U.S. Department of Labor takes the term 'volunteer' literally, but the IRS says volunteer firefighters are technically employees if they're on the job more than 30 hours per week, making them subject to Obamacare's employee-mandate rules.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2520979/Obamacare-mandates-set-shutter-THOUSANDS-volunteer-departments.html#ixzz2n5axiuoE
(Well, hell. The prez can just sign an administrative directive, same as he has for other things that weren’t working the way he wanted.)
At www.ace.mu.nu
Nancy P! You passed it, and we damn sure found out what was in it, but, hey, you don’t have to worry. You did your job, right? Nothing to see here.
“'I thought the kinks were worked out of Obamacare at the first of the month,’ Central Florida volunteer firefighter Carl Fabrizi told Sunshine State News.
“'Man, oh, man, this could potentially destroy some real good companies in Florida.'
“The U.S. Department of Labor takes the term 'volunteer' literally, but the IRS says volunteer firefighters are technically employees if they're on the job more than 30 hours per week, making them subject to Obamacare's employee-mandate rules.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2520979/Obamacare-mandates-set-shutter-THOUSANDS-volunteer-departments.html#ixzz2n5axiuoE
(Well, hell. The prez can just sign an administrative directive, same as he has for other things that weren’t working the way he wanted.)
At www.ace.mu.nu
Nancy P! You passed it, and we damn sure found out what was in it, but, hey, you don’t have to worry. You did your job, right? Nothing to see here.
Monday, December 9, 2013
We are the ATF and we don't need no stinkin' laws
■ Agents in several cities opened undercover gun- and drug-buying operations in safe zones near churches and schools, allowed juveniles to come in and play video games and teens to smoke marijuana, and provided alcohol to underage youths. In Portland, attorneys for three teens who were charged said a female agent dressed provocatively, flirted with the boys and encouraged them to bring drugs and weapons to the store to sell.
■ As they did in Milwaukee, agents in other cities offered sky-high prices for guns, leading suspects to buy firearms at stores and turn around and sell them to undercover agents for a quick profit. In other stings, agents ran fake pawnshops and readily bought stolen items, such as electronics and bikes — no questions asked — spurring burglaries and theft. In Atlanta, agents bought guns that had been stolen just hours earlier, several ripped off from police cars.
■ Agents damaged buildings they rented for their operations, tearing out walls and rewiring electricity — then stuck landlords with the repair bills. A property owner in Portland said agents removed a parking lot spotlight, damaging her new $30,000 roof and causing leaks, before they shut down the operation and disappeared without a way for her to contact them.
■ Agents pressed suspects for specific firearms that could fetch tougher penalties in court. They allowed felons to walk out of the stores armed with guns. In Wichita, agents suggested a felon take a shotgun, saw it off and bring it back — and provided instructions on how to do it. The sawed-off gun allowed them to charge the man with a more serious crime.
■ In Pensacola, the ATF hired a felon to run its pawnshop. The move widened the pool of potential targets, boosting arrest numbers.Even those trying to sell guns legally could be charged if they knowingly sold to a felon. The ATF's pawnshop partner was later convicted of pointing a loaded gun at someone outside a bar. Instead of a stiff sentence typically handed down to repeat offenders in federal court, he got six months in jail — and a pat on the back from the prosecutor.
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/atf-uses-rogue-tactics-in-storefront-stings-across-the-nation-b99146765z1-234916641.html#ixzz2n0Lo1Rnc
At: www.ace.mu.nu
Yeah, it should be the name of a convenience store.
■ As they did in Milwaukee, agents in other cities offered sky-high prices for guns, leading suspects to buy firearms at stores and turn around and sell them to undercover agents for a quick profit. In other stings, agents ran fake pawnshops and readily bought stolen items, such as electronics and bikes — no questions asked — spurring burglaries and theft. In Atlanta, agents bought guns that had been stolen just hours earlier, several ripped off from police cars.
■ Agents damaged buildings they rented for their operations, tearing out walls and rewiring electricity — then stuck landlords with the repair bills. A property owner in Portland said agents removed a parking lot spotlight, damaging her new $30,000 roof and causing leaks, before they shut down the operation and disappeared without a way for her to contact them.
■ Agents pressed suspects for specific firearms that could fetch tougher penalties in court. They allowed felons to walk out of the stores armed with guns. In Wichita, agents suggested a felon take a shotgun, saw it off and bring it back — and provided instructions on how to do it. The sawed-off gun allowed them to charge the man with a more serious crime.
■ In Pensacola, the ATF hired a felon to run its pawnshop. The move widened the pool of potential targets, boosting arrest numbers.Even those trying to sell guns legally could be charged if they knowingly sold to a felon. The ATF's pawnshop partner was later convicted of pointing a loaded gun at someone outside a bar. Instead of a stiff sentence typically handed down to repeat offenders in federal court, he got six months in jail — and a pat on the back from the prosecutor.
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/atf-uses-rogue-tactics-in-storefront-stings-across-the-nation-b99146765z1-234916641.html#ixzz2n0Lo1Rnc
At: www.ace.mu.nu
Yeah, it should be the name of a convenience store.
Move along. Nothing political here
HUMOR TIME!!
Stress management
Picture yourself near a stream.
Birds are softly chirping in the crisp, cool, mountain air.
No one knows your secret place.
You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called "the world".
The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.
The water is clear.
You can easily make out the face of the person you're holding under the water.
There now... feeling better?
You know you are getting old when …
Many of your co-workers were born the same year that you got your last promotion.
The little gray-haired lady you help across the street is your wife.
When getting lucky means you find your car in the parking lot.
Why Hanukkah is better than Christmas
10. No big, fat guy getting stuck in your chimney
9. Cleaning wax off your menorah is slightly easier than dismantling an 8-foot tall fir tree
8. Compare: chocolate gelt vs. fruitcake
7. You get to learn cool new words like "Kislev" and "far-shtoonken-ah"
6. No brutal let-down when you discover that Santa Claus isn't real
5. Your neighbors are unlikely to complain about how your menorah is blinding them senseless
4. It's like a big reunion when everyone gathers at the Chinese restaurant on Christmas Eve
3. In a holiday character face-off, Judah Macabee could kick Frosty's butt
2. No need to clean up big piles of reindeer poop off your roof
And the Number One reason why everyone should celebrate Hanukkah is:
1. None of that Naughty-Nice Stuff EVERYONE GETS LOOT!!!
Alaska State Trooper interrogation
“Where were you on the night of September through February?”
Stress management
Picture yourself near a stream.
Birds are softly chirping in the crisp, cool, mountain air.
No one knows your secret place.
You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called "the world".
The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.
The water is clear.
You can easily make out the face of the person you're holding under the water.
There now... feeling better?
You know you are getting old when …
Many of your co-workers were born the same year that you got your last promotion.
The little gray-haired lady you help across the street is your wife.
When getting lucky means you find your car in the parking lot.
Why Hanukkah is better than Christmas
10. No big, fat guy getting stuck in your chimney
9. Cleaning wax off your menorah is slightly easier than dismantling an 8-foot tall fir tree
8. Compare: chocolate gelt vs. fruitcake
7. You get to learn cool new words like "Kislev" and "far-shtoonken-ah"
6. No brutal let-down when you discover that Santa Claus isn't real
5. Your neighbors are unlikely to complain about how your menorah is blinding them senseless
4. It's like a big reunion when everyone gathers at the Chinese restaurant on Christmas Eve
3. In a holiday character face-off, Judah Macabee could kick Frosty's butt
2. No need to clean up big piles of reindeer poop off your roof
And the Number One reason why everyone should celebrate Hanukkah is:
1. None of that Naughty-Nice Stuff EVERYONE GETS LOOT!!!
Alaska State Trooper interrogation
“Where were you on the night of September through February?”
Sunday, December 8, 2013
We’re the government. You’ll have to put that on a 3.5-inch floppy. We don’t do flash drives
“Davita Vance-Cooks, the head of the Government Printing Office, which prints The Federal Register and publishes it online, spoke at a congressional hearing on Wednesday about her department’s attempts to make its work remain relevant in a post-print world. Despite creating mobile apps, The Federal Register still requires agencies to submit information on paper, with original signatures, though they can create a digital signature via a secured email system.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/07/us/politics/slowly-they-modernize-a-federal-agency-that-still-uses-floppy-disks.html?smid=tw-share&_r=5&
At www.fark.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/07/us/politics/slowly-they-modernize-a-federal-agency-that-still-uses-floppy-disks.html?smid=tw-share&_r=5&
At www.fark.com
Dude teaching 12 years at Catholic school ‘hurt, betrayed’ after fired for telling school he was marrying another man
“BENSALEM, Pa., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A gay teacher says he was fired from his job at a suburban Philadelphia Catholic school after applying for a marriage license with his partner.
…
School rep: "At a meeting in my office yesterday, teacher Michael Griffin made clear that he obtained a license to marry his same sex partner," McCloskey wrote. "Unfortunately, this decision contradicts the terms of his teaching contract at our school, which requires all faculty and staff to follow the teachings of the church as a condition of their employment.
"In discussion with Mr. Griffin, he acknowledged that he was aware of this provision, yet he said that he intended to go ahead with the ceremony. Regretfully, we informed Mr. Griffin that we have no choice but to terminate his contract effective immediately."
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/12/08/Philly-area-Catholic-school-teacher-says-fired-for-gay-marriage/UPI-86091386481804/#ixzz2mx3Zmb2N
At www.fark.com
…
School rep: "At a meeting in my office yesterday, teacher Michael Griffin made clear that he obtained a license to marry his same sex partner," McCloskey wrote. "Unfortunately, this decision contradicts the terms of his teaching contract at our school, which requires all faculty and staff to follow the teachings of the church as a condition of their employment.
"In discussion with Mr. Griffin, he acknowledged that he was aware of this provision, yet he said that he intended to go ahead with the ceremony. Regretfully, we informed Mr. Griffin that we have no choice but to terminate his contract effective immediately."
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/12/08/Philly-area-Catholic-school-teacher-says-fired-for-gay-marriage/UPI-86091386481804/#ixzz2mx3Zmb2N
At www.fark.com
Once upon a time, U.S. cities didn’t have gray squirrels. No, seriously
“The first introductions of free-living squirrels to urban centers took place in cities along the Eastern Seaboard between the 1840s and the 1860s. Philadelphia seems to have been the pioneering city, with Boston and New Haven, Connecticut, following soon after. In 1847 three squirrels were released in Philadelphia's Franklin Square and were provided with food and boxes for nesting. Additional squirrels were introduced in the following years, and by 1853 gray squirrels were reported to be present in Independence, Walnut Street, and Logan Squares, where the city supplied nest boxes and food, and where visiting children often provided supplementary nuts and cakes. In 1857 a recent visitor to Philadelphia noted that the city's squirrels were ‘so tame that they will come and take nuts out of one's hand’ and added so much to the liveliness of the parks that ‘it was a wonder that they are not in the public parks of all great cities.’ Boston followed Philadelphia's example by introducing a handful of gray squirrels to Boston Common in 1855, and New Haven had a population of squirrels on its town green by the early 1860s.”
http://jah.oxfordjournals.org/content/100/3/691.full?keytype=ref&ijkey=ByeKoj3TP8suXw0
(Another example of people who didn’t know a damn thing about animals deciding we need them in places they don’t belong.)
At www.fark.com
http://jah.oxfordjournals.org/content/100/3/691.full?keytype=ref&ijkey=ByeKoj3TP8suXw0
(Another example of people who didn’t know a damn thing about animals deciding we need them in places they don’t belong.)
At www.fark.com
Saturday, December 7, 2013
More eagles will die for your Green electricity
“WASHINGTON - The Obama administration said Friday that it will allow some companies to kill or injure bald and golden eagles for up to 30 years without penalty, an effort to spur development and investment in ‘green’ energy while balancing its environmental consequences.
“The change, requested by the wind-energy industry, will provide legal protection for the lifespan of wind farms and other projects for which companies obtain a permit and make efforts to avoid killing the birds.
“An investigation by The Associated Press earlier this year documented the illegal killing of eagles around wind farms, the Obama administration’s reluctance to prosecute such cases and its willingness to help keep the scope of the eagle deaths secret. The White House has championed wind power, a pollution-free energy intended to ease global warming, as a cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s energy plan.
“In other areas, too, such as the government’s support for corn-based ethanol to reduce U.S. dependence on gasoline, the White House has allowed the green industry to do not so-green things. Another AP investigation recently showed that ethanol has proved far more damaging to the environment than politicians promised and much worse than the government admits today.”
“This permit program is about conservation.” -- John Anderson, director of siting policy at the American Wind Energy Association.
(Maybe the government could develop a new statistic – number of birds killed per kilowatt produced. As per Mr. Anderson’s statement, companies would receive awards for “conservation” of eagles and other birds.)
The above is an Associated Press story. From Michael Bastasch at The Daily Caller:
"The Obama administration has just given wind turbine operators the license to kill birds and eagles for 30 years, a move welcomed by the wind industry but derided by environmentalists and Republicans.
"The Interior Department changed a rule that now enables the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to extend the amount of time renewable energy companies can kill migratory birds and eagles in a bid to boost green energy development. Wind operators can now get a permit to kill birds for 30 years, up from five years."
http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/06/feds-give-wind-farms-the-ok-to-kill-eagles-for-30-years/#ixzz2mnw4mX6B
“The change, requested by the wind-energy industry, will provide legal protection for the lifespan of wind farms and other projects for which companies obtain a permit and make efforts to avoid killing the birds.
“An investigation by The Associated Press earlier this year documented the illegal killing of eagles around wind farms, the Obama administration’s reluctance to prosecute such cases and its willingness to help keep the scope of the eagle deaths secret. The White House has championed wind power, a pollution-free energy intended to ease global warming, as a cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s energy plan.
“In other areas, too, such as the government’s support for corn-based ethanol to reduce U.S. dependence on gasoline, the White House has allowed the green industry to do not so-green things. Another AP investigation recently showed that ethanol has proved far more damaging to the environment than politicians promised and much worse than the government admits today.”
“This permit program is about conservation.” -- John Anderson, director of siting policy at the American Wind Energy Association.
(Maybe the government could develop a new statistic – number of birds killed per kilowatt produced. As per Mr. Anderson’s statement, companies would receive awards for “conservation” of eagles and other birds.)
The above is an Associated Press story. From Michael Bastasch at The Daily Caller:
"The Obama administration has just given wind turbine operators the license to kill birds and eagles for 30 years, a move welcomed by the wind industry but derided by environmentalists and Republicans.
"The Interior Department changed a rule that now enables the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to extend the amount of time renewable energy companies can kill migratory birds and eagles in a bid to boost green energy development. Wind operators can now get a permit to kill birds for 30 years, up from five years."
http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/06/feds-give-wind-farms-the-ok-to-kill-eagles-for-30-years/#ixzz2mnw4mX6B
Thursday, December 5, 2013
It’s da Jooz fault NYC black yoots are punching out people
“A local New York City politician and ally of mayor-elect Bill de Blasio says the recent spate of ‘knockout’ attacks in Brooklyn may stem from ‘a genuine concern’ about Jewish influence.
“Laurie Cumbo, the councilwoman-elect for the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights, made the comments in an open letter posted to her Facebook page. In the letter, Cumbo reports that many of her African-American constituents are alarmed by the growth of the local Jewish community.”
http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/04/de-blasio-ally-knockout-game-violence-stems-from-genuine-concern-about-jewish-influence/#ixzz2mdpRTQfo
At: http://lucianne.com/thread/?artnum=763401
“Laurie Cumbo, the councilwoman-elect for the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights, made the comments in an open letter posted to her Facebook page. In the letter, Cumbo reports that many of her African-American constituents are alarmed by the growth of the local Jewish community.”
http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/04/de-blasio-ally-knockout-game-violence-stems-from-genuine-concern-about-jewish-influence/#ixzz2mdpRTQfo
At: http://lucianne.com/thread/?artnum=763401
The thieves reply
A couple of months ago my wife and I delivered to the Arkansas Attorney General’s office 75 consumer complaint forms on 65 political lobbyist organizations. Some of the organizations bilked my mother-in-law out of more than $23,000. The others attempted to do the same.
Around a dozen of the organizations have responded. Most responses are “We will place Mrs. R. on our ‘Do not mail’ list.”
Other lobbyists, though, deny wrong-doing and even make accusations against Priscilla, who signed the complaints as Mrs. R.’s daughter and holding power of attorney.
Illuminating the of lobbyist industry, one organization – Charity Compliance of Frederick, Md. – represents four lobbyists: James Carney/Citizen Guardian; Dan Perrin/The Seniors Center; Ben Oliver/Council for Retirement Security; and, Rita Smith/Campaign to Limit Congressional Terms. Perrin, Oliver and Smith are among the more forceful lobbyists, warning of dire consequences should Mrs. R. not send money.
Of the more humorous responses, the law firm of Wewer and Lacy, LLP, Laguna Niguel, Calif., claims that sense United States Health Congress and White House Watch do not “sell any goods and services,” a consumer complaint “is not supported under (Arkansas) laws cited.” Additionally, Wewer and Lacy state, United States Health Congress and White House Watch are advocacy groups, each “has a First Amendment right to express it’s (sic) views, so the laws cited are inapplicable.”
Or, lobbyists have the same First Amendment rights as any resident of the United States, and, therefore, also have the right to lie to older people in order to get money.
The second-best response is from The Seniors Coalition, a particularly aggressive group that sends intimidating and fear-inducing letters. Those fine people said: “We flatly reject as false and defamatory the Complainant’s characterization of our correspondence with (Mrs. R.). The Complainant’s statements are preposterous.”
Here’s how to tell when a politician or a lawyer is lying: When he/she uses the words “ludicrous” or “preposterous.”
The best response to our charge of intimidation and fear tactics is in the reply from Second Amendment Foundation:
“We deny all allegations contained in the … complaint filed by (my wife), daughter of the complainant, holding power of attorney.
“Complainant obviously does not support the goals and positions of the Second Amendment Foundation, and raised this frivolous complaint in an attempt to silence our First Amendment rights.”
Yeah, that’s right. My wife and I are wrong in trying to stop the Second Amendment Foundation from using fear and intimidation to cheat Mrs. R. out of her Social Security and Teacher Retirement monies because, after all, fear and intimidation are guaranteed free speech.
Looking forward to additional fine defenses of thievery.
Around a dozen of the organizations have responded. Most responses are “We will place Mrs. R. on our ‘Do not mail’ list.”
Other lobbyists, though, deny wrong-doing and even make accusations against Priscilla, who signed the complaints as Mrs. R.’s daughter and holding power of attorney.
Illuminating the of lobbyist industry, one organization – Charity Compliance of Frederick, Md. – represents four lobbyists: James Carney/Citizen Guardian; Dan Perrin/The Seniors Center; Ben Oliver/Council for Retirement Security; and, Rita Smith/Campaign to Limit Congressional Terms. Perrin, Oliver and Smith are among the more forceful lobbyists, warning of dire consequences should Mrs. R. not send money.
Of the more humorous responses, the law firm of Wewer and Lacy, LLP, Laguna Niguel, Calif., claims that sense United States Health Congress and White House Watch do not “sell any goods and services,” a consumer complaint “is not supported under (Arkansas) laws cited.” Additionally, Wewer and Lacy state, United States Health Congress and White House Watch are advocacy groups, each “has a First Amendment right to express it’s (sic) views, so the laws cited are inapplicable.”
Or, lobbyists have the same First Amendment rights as any resident of the United States, and, therefore, also have the right to lie to older people in order to get money.
The second-best response is from The Seniors Coalition, a particularly aggressive group that sends intimidating and fear-inducing letters. Those fine people said: “We flatly reject as false and defamatory the Complainant’s characterization of our correspondence with (Mrs. R.). The Complainant’s statements are preposterous.”
Here’s how to tell when a politician or a lawyer is lying: When he/she uses the words “ludicrous” or “preposterous.”
The best response to our charge of intimidation and fear tactics is in the reply from Second Amendment Foundation:
“We deny all allegations contained in the … complaint filed by (my wife), daughter of the complainant, holding power of attorney.
“Complainant obviously does not support the goals and positions of the Second Amendment Foundation, and raised this frivolous complaint in an attempt to silence our First Amendment rights.”
Yeah, that’s right. My wife and I are wrong in trying to stop the Second Amendment Foundation from using fear and intimidation to cheat Mrs. R. out of her Social Security and Teacher Retirement monies because, after all, fear and intimidation are guaranteed free speech.
Looking forward to additional fine defenses of thievery.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
‘Obama’s America: Fritz Lang’s Metropolis’
Yeah, that works.
“The plans of Obama and the Progressive elite to transform America by inhibiting suburban and ex-urban living and propping up urban utopias instead for the sake of ‘Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing’ has been previously commented on**. However, the urban-obsessed Progressive elite have also been using the fear of immanent climate DOOM to pack people into little urban hovels while enjoying the spiffier urban hip hangouts, which is somehow familiar…”
http://politicalhat.com/2013/12/02/obamas-america-fritz-langs-metropolis/
** http://politicalhat.com/2013/08/21/rats-in-the-progressives-cage/
And if all that isn’t enough …
“Bird watching has become a very popular pastime in the United States in the past twenty years or so. Because of this vast new interest, many new bird books have been published. Almost all of them have what are called distribution maps for each species covered, which show the parts of the country where you can expect to find that particular species. These maps are color-coded and are generally done quite well.
“Now to the crux of this discussion of pigeons: Take a countywide distribution map of the common pigeon whose freeloading habits I have detailed. Superimpose that distribution map over a map of the United States that shows (also color-coded) the counties of this country that voted for Al Gore in the election of 2000 and for John Kerry in 2004 and for Barack Obama. The maps overlap. They are almost an identical match.”
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/02/pigeons_rats_and_democrats.html
“The plans of Obama and the Progressive elite to transform America by inhibiting suburban and ex-urban living and propping up urban utopias instead for the sake of ‘Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing’ has been previously commented on**. However, the urban-obsessed Progressive elite have also been using the fear of immanent climate DOOM to pack people into little urban hovels while enjoying the spiffier urban hip hangouts, which is somehow familiar…”
http://politicalhat.com/2013/12/02/obamas-america-fritz-langs-metropolis/
** http://politicalhat.com/2013/08/21/rats-in-the-progressives-cage/
And if all that isn’t enough …
“Bird watching has become a very popular pastime in the United States in the past twenty years or so. Because of this vast new interest, many new bird books have been published. Almost all of them have what are called distribution maps for each species covered, which show the parts of the country where you can expect to find that particular species. These maps are color-coded and are generally done quite well.
“Now to the crux of this discussion of pigeons: Take a countywide distribution map of the common pigeon whose freeloading habits I have detailed. Superimpose that distribution map over a map of the United States that shows (also color-coded) the counties of this country that voted for Al Gore in the election of 2000 and for John Kerry in 2004 and for Barack Obama. The maps overlap. They are almost an identical match.”
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/02/pigeons_rats_and_democrats.html
British social workers force C-section on bipolar woman, take baby
“By Christopher Booker
“Throughout all my years reporting on scores of chilling examples of what social workers are allowed to do behind the closed doors of our secret family courts, the case reported yesterday on the front page of the Daily Mail is not just the most disturbing of all.
“It also illustrates how far our ‘child protection’ system has now gone horrendously off the rails. The facts are so shocking they beggar belief.
“A pregnant Italian mother who was visiting Britain had her baby forcibly removed from her womb by British doctors on the orders of a secret court, before the child was handed to social workers.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2517239/CHRISTOPHER-BOOKER-A-terrible-act-inhumanity-shows-justice-secret.html#ixzz2mQfLq8EP
Maggiesfarm.
“Throughout all my years reporting on scores of chilling examples of what social workers are allowed to do behind the closed doors of our secret family courts, the case reported yesterday on the front page of the Daily Mail is not just the most disturbing of all.
“It also illustrates how far our ‘child protection’ system has now gone horrendously off the rails. The facts are so shocking they beggar belief.
“A pregnant Italian mother who was visiting Britain had her baby forcibly removed from her womb by British doctors on the orders of a secret court, before the child was handed to social workers.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2517239/CHRISTOPHER-BOOKER-A-terrible-act-inhumanity-shows-justice-secret.html#ixzz2mQfLq8EP
Maggiesfarm.
From Captain Capitalism: How to argue with a liberal
A Tactic That Works Against Liberals
Was at the bar.
Sat next to a young couple. The girl was an education major still in college, the boy was a recent graduate with a degree in economics.
He was excited when I told him I was an economist, but then depressed when I told him he would not get a job. The girl, somewhat offended I was being truthful and blunt asked what I did for a living. Overhearing that she was an education major, I said,
"I collect welfare and foodstamps for a living. I stopped working two years ago."
I said it with a sincere and direct enough face it convinced her.
She was upset.
"Wait, you don't even try to find work anymore?"
Half-tempted to point out in her declaring an elementary education major that neither was she, I decided not to and instead went with my original plan,
"Yes, not worth working any more. You see how much free shit Obama is giving away? To hell with work. It's for suckers."
She got pissed. ROYALLY pissed. She wouldn't talk to me. You could see it in her face. She was angry that somebody might take advantage of the situation.
And then I realized something - I finally figured out how to convince liberals they're wrong.
It wasn't through charts. It wasn't through logic. It wasn't through reason. And it wasn't through statistics or facts.
It would be by agreeing with them to the full logical conclusion of socialism and acting like you were completely abusing their charity naivety.
So the next time you run into a liberal and they ask you what you do for a living, with a straight face you say,
"Nothing, I collect welfare and food stamps. I live off of the government."
It is thus far and by far the most effective tactic I have ever deployed.
http://captaincapitalism.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-tactic-that-works-against-liberals.html
At maggiesfarm.
Was at the bar.
Sat next to a young couple. The girl was an education major still in college, the boy was a recent graduate with a degree in economics.
He was excited when I told him I was an economist, but then depressed when I told him he would not get a job. The girl, somewhat offended I was being truthful and blunt asked what I did for a living. Overhearing that she was an education major, I said,
"I collect welfare and foodstamps for a living. I stopped working two years ago."
I said it with a sincere and direct enough face it convinced her.
She was upset.
"Wait, you don't even try to find work anymore?"
Half-tempted to point out in her declaring an elementary education major that neither was she, I decided not to and instead went with my original plan,
"Yes, not worth working any more. You see how much free shit Obama is giving away? To hell with work. It's for suckers."
She got pissed. ROYALLY pissed. She wouldn't talk to me. You could see it in her face. She was angry that somebody might take advantage of the situation.
And then I realized something - I finally figured out how to convince liberals they're wrong.
It wasn't through charts. It wasn't through logic. It wasn't through reason. And it wasn't through statistics or facts.
It would be by agreeing with them to the full logical conclusion of socialism and acting like you were completely abusing their charity naivety.
So the next time you run into a liberal and they ask you what you do for a living, with a straight face you say,
"Nothing, I collect welfare and food stamps. I live off of the government."
It is thus far and by far the most effective tactic I have ever deployed.
http://captaincapitalism.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-tactic-that-works-against-liberals.html
At maggiesfarm.
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