Stoopid Still Spills From Hopey Changeyness's Mouth

WASHINGTON - Democrat Barack Obama has a message for Tennessee's Republican Party: "Lay off my wife."

Obama, his party's presidential front-runner, and his wife, Michelle, were asked in an interview aired Monday on ABC's "Good Morning America" about an online video last week by the state's GOP taking her to task for a comment some considered unpatriotic.

Yes, given some of the things she's said, I think we SHOULD question her patriotism.

"The GOP, should I be the nominee, can say whatever they want to say about me, my track record," Obama said. "If they think that they're going to try to make Michelle an issue in this campaign, they should be careful because that I find unacceptable, the notion that you start attacking my wife or my family."

Be careful because I find that unacceptable" Kinda misses the point. Aside from sounding like an arrogant, elitist prick used to getting his own way, he very much forgets that as a public servant, he works for US, and should he be successful, his wife gets a position and title out of this also.
He called the strategy "low class."

The video, posted on YouTube, centered on remarks Michelle Obama made while campaigning in Wisconsin last February, when she said: "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country."

I wish that I could say its the first time in my life I have been very very offended by a comment made by a Dhimicrat officeholder or their spouse. Sadly, I'm not. Still, its an odd thing for her to say, given the fact that the country has been much better to her than to some people.

The four-minute video replayed the remark six times, interspersing it with commentary by Tennesseans on why they are proud of America. In a news release that included a link to the video, Tennessee's GOP said "the Tennessee Republican Party has always been proud of America." It urged radio stations to play "patriotic music" during Michelle Obama's visit to Nashville last Thursday.

Am I the only one who can remember when this was considered something different...like a valid campaign strategy.

Michelle Obama later clarified the remark, saying she meant she was proud of how Americans were engaging in the political process and that she had always been proud of her country.

Known by the official term "Damage Control" and more unofficially as "backpedaling".

"Whoever is in charge of the Tennessee GOP needs to think long and hard about the kind of campaign they want to run, and I think that's true for everybody, Democrat or Republican," Obama said in the ABC interview, adding: "These folks should lay off my wife."

Waaaaaa! Waaaaaaa! If you ar going to have her campaign for you, then her remarks are fair game. That's just how it is.

Obama said his wife "loves this country. For them to try to distort or to play snippets of her remarks in ways that are unflattering to her is, I think, just low class. I think that most of the American people would think that as well."

I think that like you, Hopey, she likes the power and perks that come with the office. Dhimicrapic love of country usually entails apologizing to our enemies for having a backbone and suggesting that we should be more enlightened, like the occupied states of EUrabia.

Tennessee's Republican Party was roundly criticized in March, including by likely presidential nominee John McCain, for a news release that used Barack Obama's middle name — Hussein — and showed a photo of him wearing what it said was "Muslim attire."

"roundly criticized" by a RINO who wants to be liked more than he wants to be a conservative, and the MSM who have annointed the Obamessiah. Mheh.

The release ultimately was removed from the party's Web site at the urging of the state's two Republican senators and Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, who said he "rejects these kinds of campaign tactics."

Thus demonstrating why the Republican party is no longer fit to lead either. Excuse me. I'm gonna go hurl now.

Pandering Needlessly to Arab Street

By now, you may have read the story about the U.S. Soldier who got in dutch for using the koran as a target at a small arms range. While I do question his choice of targets when he is in country, apparently there were no jhadis available.

Seriously. I'm really tired of PC and the worried handwringing over what the reaction on Arab Street will be about this or about that. Enough already. This is silly. We are saving their asses and making their country a beacon of civilization, and yes, this is disrespectful, but we're doing the heavy lifting, so maybe they can dial it back about ten or twelve notches. We are eradicating the vermin from their country.

The quote from the news story that is telling:

Bloody protests have sometimes been held across the Muslim world when the Islamic faith has been insulted.

Meanwhile, Christians in all parts of the world are murdered at the hands of these uulating bloodthirsty savages. If the muslims started burning Bibles in Mecca, we wouldn't see Christians howling in the streets, screaming for blood.

They want to act like animals? Treat them like animals. They love it when we pander to them. They hate it when we are firm. Maybe they need a reminder who the big dog is.

There are blogwars, and there are blogwars...

And usually it comes down to one thing: Somebody's feelings got hurt. What differentiates this one from others? I'll never howl for somebody's head. Just because someone else is wrong, like I dunno, the Muslims? Doesn't mean I'll be whipped into a bloodthirsty frenzy. My God takes care of his own business, and in his own time. In the interim, threatening me and mine puts you in the mad dog category, and we know what happens to them when they are perceived as a threat, right?

Web Site Sympathetic to Terrorists Blasts FOX News for Profile
Sunday, May 18, 2008

An English-language Web site that unabashedly promotes the work of Islamic terrorists has responded to a FOXNews.com profile of the site by assailing "the Kuffaar behind FOX News." Kuffaar, roughly translated, means "unbelievers."

I generally consider declining to believe in the bloodsoaked scrawlings of a murderous savage who thought it perfectly acceptable to bugger little girls a good thing. I'm funny that way.

After quoting FOX News.com's Friday story and citing verses from the Koran, the Revolution.Muslimpad.com blog affirms the belief that jihad is "an Islaamic obligation" rooted in Muslim texts.

Well, at least it should be credited with being truthful about that.

"So in reality, you are calling my Prophet, Muhammad — peace be upon him — a terrorist," the blog post continues. "But of course, you guys won’t say that directly because you fear the wrath of the Muslims."

Listen clearly. I'm saying that MoHamHead was a murderous thug who liked to kill anyone who did not agree with his warped world view and enjoyed being a pedophile, all wrapped in the mantle of rock-worshipping spirituality. Is that stated plainly enough for you?

The site also decries what it calls a double standard toward terrorists, comparing the attacks of Sept. 11 with the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima during World War II.

One was an act of war, designed only with the purpose to murder, the other was an act to end a war, undertaken with the purpose to save tens of thousands. No double standard, but well-versed in the ways of hyperbole and lunacy this one is. He could write talking points for the DNC.

Revolution.Muslimpad.com, also called "The Ignored Puzzle Pieces of Knowledge," is believed to be the brainchild of a 22-year-old American Samir Khan of Charlotte, N.C.

The only revolution I advocate is the attempted scouring of Idiotarianism from the halls of power and the corridors of the media.

The site's sleek modern style includes collections of the latest videos of U.S. military Humvees exploding from roadside bombs in Iraq, as well as pro-jihad messages aimed at radicalizing readers.

I suspect the only people who would be 'radicallized' in the manner intended already have a tendency to uulate and blow themselves up.

North Carolina Web Site Said to Be 'Gateway Drug' To Terror Its list of 63 top "scholars of Islam" and people to "take knowledge from" contained mostly known terrorists — including Usama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The site provides links to their works, all translated into English.

If they are so smart, how come they are dead or living in caves somewhere?

Terror experts say it is unique because it is written in English for a Western audience.

Yeah, because "Go Blow Yourself Up" resonates so well with Western youths.

Sunday Morning

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping their beaks off outside, the boys are running around grinning like idiots and the air has that sweet smell of summer morning that will bake off by afternoon. I sit here sipping my tea and and listening to Jake's half-formed words, and it helps me to think.

A song:



And I am to believe that it all is a random happenstance? That a some amino acids came together in a pile of goo, and Bang! One planet teeming with life? I'll take a creator for $5000, Alex. Between that, and a few personal experiences, I can'tand won't buy that. You all have a nice Sunday morning.

I think he explained it correctly...

...its the only reason I can think of that my tastes cross so many genres...

A memory...

It was one of those hot summer Michigan nights. The kind where the air feels like a heavy hot blanket that you can't get out from under. The humidity was high. Flashes of heat lightning occassionally punctuated the darkness of my room. The drone of the fan was soothing, but it was just too hot to sleep.

It was the summer of 1980, and the Flint area was suffering the worst economy since the Great Depression. I didn't know any of this. I was an eight-year old towhead who's Dad had a job. Air conditioning was reserved for offices, stores, restaurants, but still a rare thing in homes.

I turned over in the dark, having long since shed the sticky sheet, and shut my eyes for the millionth time, trying to fall asleep. At least tomorrow, I could go out and play in the water...the birthright of any Michigan kid. Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open. Light spilled aross the ceiling, floor and wall before my eyes.

"Come on." My Dad's voice floated through the muggy air. "Where?" I asked.
"We're going for a drive."
I looked at the clock. It was 10 pm.
"Ok. Let me get my shoes."

I got in the back of the LeBaron, and we were off. It felt like an adventure. Being up late, riding in the car in my PJs, with the windows down on a hot summer night. We seemed to be driving around aimlessly. Finally we came to the Burger King near Richfield and Center. Dad turned into the drive thru. He ordered three milk shakes, and Mom leaned over and whispered something in his ear. He turned looked at me, smiled, looked to her, and order one of the Empire Strikes Back glasses for me as well.

We drove around for over an hour after getting the shakes, waiting for the temperature to drop a little. It was an unusual thing for my Dad, and for a few minutes, he made me feel like the coolest kid in the world.

I slept very well that night.

No spring this year.

Here in Puget Sound we seemed to have gone from the tail end of winter earlier this week straight to summer. 80s and sun (sun? what's that?) yesterday, and the same today. I have to mow my lawn and powerwash my house now. And I don't go anywhere without my sunglasses. Since I got my eyes fixed, my pupils dialate to pinpoints in any sort of light at all. In full sun? Forgedabout it. Off to fill my gas can.

The Concert Was Fun

Every year, the Boss gets tickets to the Auburn Rotary Scholarship Show. He's a member of the Auburn Rotary, so he gets hit up for 4 fairly pricey tickets each year. He has to work at the show, so he doesn't use them. The last four years, I have scored at least two of the tickets. (Being a member of a neighboring Rotary Club not responsible for the show, I get to go enjoy myself.)

The show is always held at the Auburn Performing Arts Center, which is an 1100 seat venue, i.e. there are no bad seats. A local barbeque place sponsors with food, for the dinner, and normally, there are two shows. Two years ago, Phil Vassar was the headliner and it was a lot of fun. I really don't remember who it was last year. This year was the 25th Anniversary of the Show, and they only had one performance. The dinner was not up to the usual high standards, and the opening act was...interesting. The headliner made up for it. I'm not terribly familiar with his music, but the guy is a great perforrmer and singer and it was a lot of fun. Who was it? Blake Shelton. For me, the standout song of the night was this one, although Mrs. BiW would be very quick to disagree with me.



The drawback of a big act in such a small venue? It gets really LOUD. As in its at least a few hours until my hearing comes back loud. Oh well, never had it as bad as after seeing Queensryche at the Saginaw Civic Center in 1990. Two days. Two freaking days. I didn't think my hearing was ever coming back.

The Thought Police Are Coming.

Dutch cartoonist arrested for 'insulting people'
Cartoonist known for mocking Muslims, leftists has received death threats

updated 7:05 a.m. PT, Fri., May. 16, 2008
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - A Dutch political cartoonist was arrested this week on suspicion of insulting people because of their race or religion through his work, authorities said Friday.

How enlightened of them. Must be their muzzie masters and their outrage.

The cartoonist, who works under the pseudonym Gregorius Nekschot, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of violating hate speech laws and held overnight before being released, a spokeswoman for his publisher Uitgeverij Xtra said.

"Hate Speech" Not too far removed from "hate crime", which we know is a criminal act, but one committed against a minority.

"He was arrested with a great show of force, by around 10 policemen," the spokeswoman said.

Of course, the offender is much more threatening then the outraged parties screaming for beheadings.

She asked that her name not be used, and declined to give Nekschot's real name, because the cartoonist and publisher have both received death threats.

Can't say I blame her. The police would probably be kind enough to give the assassins an escort, just to be sure that justice was done.

Nekschot is known primarily for cartoons mocking Muslims and leftists, though the spokeswoman said he is a satirist who targets "any strong ideology."

Two groups deserving of mockery. Also derision and scorn.

Amsterdam public prosecutor spokeswoman Sanne van Meteren said Nekschot remains a suspect in a criminal investigation.

But the people who have undoubtedly threatened him are no doubt walking around unfettered, swinging their rusty scimitars in outrage.

"We suspect him of insulting people on the basis of their race or belief, and possibly also of inciting hate," she said.

How dare he say what he is thinking.

Each is a crime punishable by up to a year in prison under Dutch hate speech laws — or two years for multiple offenses.

Prison time. Think, people. The Obamessiah would love to see this here. Can't attack his hopey changeyness.

Police seize computer, sketches
Nekschot publishes primarily on several Web sites, including his own, but has also been featured on the Web site of Theo van Gogh, the filmmaker who was murdered by a Muslim radical in November 2004.

The same Theo van Gogh that was murdered for speaking out against the pestilence of islam that is infesting his country?

The cartoonist also works for HP/De Tijd, a major Dutch language weekly news magazine, and he has published two books.

One recent cartoon on his Web site caricatured a Christian fundamentalist and Muslim fundamentalist as zombies who met at an anti-gay rally and now wished to marry.

Funny, as a Christian, I don't feel moved to call for his head. What's the mood on Arab Street?

Van Meteren said prosecutors were investigating a complaint that dated from 2005. They are now focusing on eight or nine published cartoons, she said, but prosecutors are not disclosing which ones.

Speedy are the wheels of Dutch 'justice'.

Nekschot did not answer police questions during his arrest, she said, appealing to his right to remain silent to avoid self-incrimination.

I'd have given them the finger. All night long.

The spokeswoman for Xtra said police had seized Nekschot's computer, sketches, CDs, DVDs and telephone at the time of his arrest.

Because his CDs and DVDs are no doubt filled with hate speech. Either that or he had a few ultra-rare CDs and the cops took a shine to them.

Just Because I Can...

I have decided that I really like The Hostages BBF tradition, but in the spirit of the fact that this is my half-acre of the blogosphere, I'd rather follow my own eye candy traditions. With this is mind, I give you my latest musical crush...Sara Evans. I really don't understand my thing for brunettes, but I can't deny it, either.

More From the Brave New F***ing World...

Normally, I wouldn't waste my time with the Huffington Poo, but I was reading another story that someone had linked to, and saw this lurking in the sidebar.


Sex And The American Mom: 1 In 3 Report Getting Action On The Side
Posted May 13, 2008 | 07:32 AM (EST)


You or someone you know is having an affair. We know, it sounds surprising, shocking even, but apparently that is the case. Cookie Magazine and "AOL Body" did a survey on the subject and 30,000 people responded. As far as surveys go, that is a big number, and it's even bigger when you consider that their questions were aimed solely at married women with children. Yep, lots of mommies are getting action on the side.

Oh goodie. We just have to continue to screw around with the family. Its bad enough that we took away roles, and burdened both sexes with every responsibility, and told women they could have it all, just not how. Now we have to imply that their lives aren't complete without infidelity. Lovely.

The survey, "Sex and the American Mom," revealed that 34% of these married moms is in the midst of, or has already had, an affair. Think of three married moms you know and ask yourself, "Which one is cheating?" We tried this and Colleen came up empty. Taylor could think of one or two, but not one out of three--that number seems staggering. Are we just naive? In the dark? Out of touch? Which of our friends has managed to stray without anyone knowing (and when do they find the time and where they hell do they go?)?

Sadly, they are naive about it. But then so are many husbands. To their detriment. As for the time, its called "something has to give, and it is usually time with the family. Don't take my word for it. Read any relationship message board, or go to SurvivingInfidelity.com and read up on it there.

Another somewhat mind-blowing result of this survey was that 77% of the respondents said they want more sex. That's more than three quarters of the 30,000 women asked who said they aren't getting enough. Again, we ask, who are these people? And are we to conclude that so many stray because they are not sexually satisfied?

Actually, since I have done a lot of reading on the subject, I'll chime in on it. The conventional thinking on it is that many cheaters are actually less inhibited with their lovers since there are none of the other pressures present in their marriage. No issues with children, spouses, families, or bills. They can fantasize about sex and "write their own scripts" that they can act out in their clandestine meetings. They are also less burdened by the thought of acting out their wildest fantasies with the other parent of their children. A twist on the old analysis of the male ideals of the Madonna and the Whore.

Cheating seems to be a direct result of not getting what you need, be it sex, attention, openness, what have you. If there is a void, and it can be filled by someone else, chances are it will be. Affairs used to almost guarantee a trip to divorce court. Today, however, the "cheatee" might experience a sense of betrayal, but the "cheater" is not necessarily stigmatized socially, and often both agree to at least attempt reconciliation. It has even been viewed as a "wake-up call" -- one that can actually save a marriage, with each person expressing a sense of shared blame.

This can be true. However, taking the stigma away only makes it easier to stray. The fact is that the cheating is the result of selfishness, and if a wake-up call it is, it needs to be tempered with the realization that each spouse needs to take ownership of how they contributed to the trouble in the marriage, but the cheater owns the infidelity 100%, because it is a choice, not an inevitability.

As a society, it seems as though we've become less judgmental about affairs in general. Maybe we've realized how hard marriage is and have simply gotten more realistic. But, maybe the scope of the issue is bigger, and what's happening is that we're in the midst of redefining marriage as we have known it.

Or maybe its because we have rejected time tested and proven notions of marriage and family because some people in society want not only to do whatever they want without thought to consequences or damage they cause, and they want such behavior to have at least the tacit sanction of society at large.

The stereotype, of course, is if there's someone sneaking around in a marriage, it's the guy. In general, no one is surprised to hear that men cheat on their wives. However, when it comes to wives cheating on their husbands, while not entirely new, it is much more common than we thought. When we told men that one in three married moms cheat (or have cheated) on their husbands, and that a solid majority are actually looking for more sex than they're having at home, most mens' eyes light up with surprise and certainly curiosity. Some even joked about where they might find one of these gals. But, what we didn't hear was "Yes, I can understand that. I'm not in the mood very often and I'm probably not satisfying my wife's sexual desires."

Or maybe she's lost sight of the reason she married you in the first place, or maybe she thinks she missed out on something by not sleeping around when she was younger, but I'm not surprised that the authors implied that its Harry Husband's fault that Betty Bride decided to spread her legs for someone who isn't her husband.

Could the American male be suffering from a proverbial "headache?" Maybe the insatiable male sex drive is just a myth? After hearing what Michelle Weiner-Davis, an internationally recognized relationship therapist and the Director of The Divorce Busting Center, had to say in an interview with Psychology Today, this may not be far-fetched. She thinks we don't hear a lot about the man's lack of sexual interest because, "Men are so ashamed of speaking up about [it]." Estimating that it affects, "at least 20 to 25%" of adult males," Michelle adds, "...low desire in men is America's best-kept secret."

Well, some times stress and increased participation in all other aspects of family life take their toll. I don't get randy when I lie in bed at night thinking about the bills and how to pay them all.

Please don't confuse our effort to understand what's going on here with male-bashing. When a couple's sex life changes, for better or worse, generally both parties are complicit. For the record, we love men and we're aware that sex is complicated. Let's face it, marriage is complicated, and it only becomes more so after having kids. If mom or dad feels rejected by the other, he or she may cheat. And if you're married and you've got kids, you know that sex, or lack there of, can be loaded with a lot of other emotions and agendas that don't have anything to do with lust, or even love.

This almost sounds like an excuse. I suppose this is why many therapists suggest that when your life is in this busy phase, you should strive to make time for sex, even schedule it. Like anything else, practice makes perfect, and it does go a long way toward to increasing the chemical bonding between spouses. Because things are busy and you're tired is not an excuse to betray your spouse and go get a f*** buddy.

As the Hook-Up Generation grows up and gets married, chances are affairs may even go mainstream. It's hard for us to believe that this won't lead to hurt feelings and collateral damage (remember the kids), but maybe that's because we're from a different generation.

Or simply one that doesn't buy into the belief that anything goes if it "makes you feel more fulfilled as a person"? I think we are already seeing this becoming mainstream. Websites abound where people advertise their sexual prowess, appetites, and endowments, seeking playmates whether single, married or attached. Cell phones, Text messages, IMs, and free email accounts ease the communication, aiding the betrayer in the pursuit of their fanatasies.

We understand that the person who lies just outside of the daily grind--the one who's not figuring out how to pay the mortgage that month; the one who isn't angry about spending too little time with the kids--can seem like a vacation worth taking--at least once.

Vacation? Hhhhmmm. An interesting term to apply to a purely selfish and in this day and age, dangerous, endeavor.

We're glad to hear that women want more sex, because frankly, it's good news that the female libido is alive and well. As for the affairs....If we could add one question to the poll it would be this: "Is/Was the Affair Worth It? "

I don't know. Is it worth it to betray the people closest to you who have every right to trust you not dishonor them or the marriage and family? Is it worth it to push your family and spouse aside so you can get some tail on the side? Is it worth destroying the complete trust another has naively entrusted you with? Is it worth robbing your children of the stability of a home with parents who love and respect each other and provide a safe environment for living and growing? Is it worth it to cause such financial disarray as is the typical result of divorce. Broken people for selfishness and a few moments of carefree bliss is a fools bargain, and the price is often high, especially since you are dealing with not only the trust and emotional well-being of others, but also your very health, and the health of your spouse if you are so callous that you would expose them to the same risks you decided to take. But, hey, do what you want, and don't let others judge you. As long as you are happy, that's all that matters, right?

I have some reservations about this...

Mom indicted in MySpace suicide case
Computer charges against woman whose daughter feuded with victim

updated 2:49 p.m. PT, Thurs., May. 15, 2008
LOS ANGELES - A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted a Missouri woman for her alleged role in perpetrating a hoax on the online social network MySpace against a 13-year-old neighbor who committed suicide.

Interesting. If she really is guilty, then I think that she should suffer some unpleasant consequences, at a minimum.

Lori Drew of suburban St. Louis allegedly helped create a false-identity MySpace account to contact Megan Meier, who thought she was chatting with a 16-year-old boy named Josh Evans. Josh didn't exist.

Sock puppeteers everywhere, take note.

Megan hanged herself at home in October 2006 after receiving cruel messages, including one stating the world would be better off without her.

Seems like an overreaction. It would be true of the people I might be tempted to utter such things about, but then I don't pick on teenage girls. I save it for the loathsome and offensive and criminally stupid.

Salvador Hernandez, assistant agent in charge of the Los Angeles FBI office, called the case heart-rending.

Dead children usually are.

"The Internet is a world unto itself. People must know how far they can go before they must stop. They exploited a young girl's weaknesses," Hernandez said. "Whether the defendant could have foreseen the results, she's responsible for her actions."

An interesting concept. The eggshell rule for internet communications? That runs the risk of making something actionable that might otherwise be said in person. I think there are some valid First Amendment concerns here, and any court consider this should tread very very carefully. And if they are successful, I want the damn spammers in Bourkina Faso who keep sending me their scam emails to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

She's denied sending messages
Drew was charged with one count of conspiracy and three counts of accessing protected computers without authorization to get information used to inflict emotional distress on the girl.

Doesn't sound like serious jail time if convicted. Just enough to put a felony on her record.

Drew has denied creating the account or sending messages to Megan.

And she would if she were my client, too.

U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien said this was the first time the federal statute on accessing protected computers has been used in a social-networking case. It has been used in the past to address hacking.

On the one hand, I admire the cleverness of the prosecutors who find new applications of existing laws, but then I also remember that this carries novel implications for those who never intended to violate them. RICO comes to mind, as does most sexual harassment legislation.

"This was a tragedy that did not have to happen," O'Brien said.

No. It didn't.

Both the girl and MySpace are named as victims in the case, he said.

MySpace because it gives the prosecutors a justiciable controversy, perhaps?

MySpace is a subsidiary of Beverly Hills-based Fox Interactive Media Inc., which is owned by News Corp. The indictment noted that MySpace computer servers are located in Los Angeles County.

Thus giving jurisdiction to California. Read your Terms of Service, people. Pencil-pushers like myself write these with specific intents in mind.

Due to juvenile privacy rules, the U.S. attorney's office said, the indictment refers to the girl as M.T.M.

Thus showing that NOTHING is stronger than bureaucratic rules. It isn't like no one knows the girl's name at this point.

FBI agents in St. Louis and Los Angeles investigated the case, Hernandez said.

Internecine turf wars. Gotta love it.

Each of the four counts carries a maximum possible penalty of five years in prison. Drew will be arraigned in St. Louis and then moved to Los Angeles for trial.

If convicted, my prediction is that she serves a year. Maximum.

Citing terms of MySpace service
The indictment says MySpace members agree to abide by terms of service that include, among other things, not promoting information they know to be false or misleading; soliciting personal information from anyone under age 18 and not using information gathered from the Web site to "harass, abuse or harm other people."

This is where it gets hinky. If this kind of language is the basis for these kinds of charges, then the next time you get into a flame war with a leftie who is determined to shout you down because he can't win an argument on the merits, then you may find yourself guilty of harassment or abuse of one of these poor widdle flowers. Don't scoff. I see some chilliness ahead. Lefties and fundamentalist muslims tend to be threatened by the truth, and find it very abusive and harmful. These are the same people who run to the courts whenever anyone has the temerity to offend their nuanced beliefs with truth and fact.

Drew and others who were not named conspired to violate the service terms from about September 2006 to mid-October that year, according to the indictment. It alleges they registered as a MySpace member under a phony name and used the account to obtain information on the girl.

Sock puppets and cyber stalkers beware: Here there be monsters.

Drew and her co conspirators "used the information obtained over the MySpace computer system to torment, harass, humiliate, and embarrass the juvenile MySpace member," the indictment charged.

If the indictment didn't charge that, then a 1L could get the case dismissed, but thanks for the newsflash, Sparky.

After the girl killed herself, Drew and the others deleted the information for the account, the indictment said.

See immediately proceeding comment.

Last month, an employee of Drew, 19-year-old Ashley Grills, told ABC's "Good Morning America" she created the false MySpace profile but Drew wrote some of the messages to Megan.

Otherwise known as an admission against interest and an attempt to throw the co conspirator under the bus. No honor in crime any more.

A joke taken too far
Grills said Drew suggested talking to Megan via the Internet to find out what Megan was saying about Drew's daughter, who was a former friend.

Why did Mom care so much? Didn't she have a life of her own? Well, I guess that is one problem solved.

Grills also said she wrote the message to Megan about the world being a better place without her. The message was supposed to end the online relationship with "Josh" because Grills felt the joke had gone too far.

Stupid and cruel, but criminally so?

"I was trying to get her angry so she would leave him alone and I could get rid of the whole MySpace," Grills told the morning show.

Well, that is one explanation. I'm sure the prosecutor will have another.

Megan's death was investigated by Missouri authorities, but no state charges were filed because no laws appeared to apply to the case.

And while sad, I think that there may be a good reason for that. If you have to strain existing law to adapt it to meet a specific circumstance, then maybe you should very carefully consider what you are doing. Maybe, instead of opening Pandora's Box with respect to speech on the internet, you should let karma take its course. As I recall, Drew's family had to move, and I'm sure she is unemployable. Sometimes bad conduct carries all sorts of long-running consequences.

California Supreme Court Takes on Mantle of Legislature and Makes Bad Law. Rest of Country Yawns.

Calif. Supreme Court rejects gay marriage ban
Constitutional initiative drive under way in state to restrict unions

updated 1:18 p.m. PT, Thurs., May. 15, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO - In a monumental victory for the gay rights movement, the California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday in a ruling that would allow same-sex couples in the nation's biggest state to tie the knot.

Anyone who is surprised by this, speak up. *crickets chirp*

Domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage, the justices ruled 4-3 in an opinion written by Chief Justice Ron George.

Yeah. What the hell do those legislators know, anyway.

Outside the courthouse, gay marriage supporters cried and cheered as news spread of the decision.

I'll withhold comment.

"Our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation," the court wrote.

The city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples and gay rights groups sued in March 2004 after the court halted San Francisco's monthlong same-sex wedding march.

You mean the illegal one? Hhhhmmmm. I wonder why a court would do that?

"Today the California Supreme Court took a giant leap to ensure that everybody — not just in the state of California, but throughout the country — will have equal treatment under the law," said City Attorney Dennis Herrera, who argued the case for San Francisco.

The City Attorney demonstrates his incisive legal acumen, thus showing why he works for San Francisco instead of the private sector, where competent attorneys work. The California Supreme Court can affect California law, but not that of other states, especially the 26 or so that have passed variations on the DOMA acts.

As for equal treatment under the law, this was never at issue. Men were free to marry women, women were free to marry men.

Coalition to challenge
The challenge for gay rights advocates, however, is not over.

A coalition of religious and social conservative groups is attempting to put a measure on the November ballot that would enshrine laws banning gay marriage in the state constitution.

Damn those voters. Damn them, I say. Who the Hell do they think they are, anyway?

The secretary of state is expected to rule by the end of June whether the sponsors gathered enough signatures to qualify the marriage amendment, similar to ones enacted in 26 other states.

And if 26 states have passed laws against it, there isn't exactly a ground swell of support for the idea, as the pink swastika brigades would have you believe. Don't bother trying to tell them that, however. Facts are only cause to shout down who ever has the temerity to share the party sharing them.

If voters pass the measure in November, it would trump the court's decision.

As it should be.

California already offers same-sex couples who register as domestic partners the same legal rights and responsibilities as married spouses, including the right to divorce and to sue for child support.

So they get the benefits and the burdens without having to redefine what married people have, but of course this isn't good enough. They simply must be referred to in the same way or their riiiiiggggghts are being viiiiiolated. Wake up call, Nancy boy. He may live with you and get your health insurance and the right to screw you over in a nasty divorce, but it still ain't marriage. Thanks for cheapening mine, however.

But, "Our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation," Chief Justice Ron George wrote for the court's majority.

So, unlike Massachusetts, which at least took a stab at a legal reason with a technical argument, California is legislating from the bench based on emotion. I think every professor I had in law school said "Emotions make great cases, but bad law." And here, California had to go and prove it. Of course, this is the same court that rejected such hallowed common law concepts as coming to the nuisance, so anyone paying attention wouldn't be too terribly shocked by this ruling.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Marvin Baxter agreed with many arguments of the majority but said the court overstepped its authority. Changes to marriage laws should be decided by the voters, Baxter wrote.

A Justice on the Court who has a sense of restraint? Who understands that there is a separation of powers for a reason? A novel concept indeed.

Massachusetts is now the only U.S. state to allow gay marriage. Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Vermont permit same-sex civil unions that grant largely the same state rights as married couples but lack the full, federal legal protections of marriage.

What federal protections of marriage are you talking about? This is and always has been the purview of the states. The feds have only gotten involved when the states have tried to tie the privilege to Race (Loving v. Virginia) or Unrelated Offenses (Zablocki v Redhail){where a party was denied the right to marry because he was behind on child support payments}.

"I respect the court's decision and as governor, I will uphold its ruling," said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a statement. "Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this (ruling)."

But of course, he doesn't have to. If it is put to the voters, and it passes, then he doesn't win votes by opposing it (doing something) but he can pay lip service to his disappointment (an old trick used for decades by politicians in Quebec when they speak about sovereignty).

Let's be clear. I oppose this ruling because it does not appear to be supported by a legal rationale. Instead, the Court seems to have made, sua sponte, a decision to change the law because it doesn't match the majority's opinion of society today. If we let judges and not voters or legislatures make these determinations, then we abdicate our roles as citizens in a republic. Separation of powers exists for a reason. Courts have the right to overturn laws because they violate the Constitution, not because they do not feel them to be appropriate. However, the left long ago adopted the strategy of asking the courts to grant them what they want and could not get from legislatures or the voters. We continually allow a tyranny of a minority, with the express and explicit collaboration of a branch of government that fails to properly understand and act in accordance with its assigned role and limitations. If this continues, we may as well do away with legislators. Or elections, for that matter.

Thanks, PJM.

I just got back from the Doc. Its official. I have strep.

Happy Mother's Day

The calendar says its May, which in some parts of the country means spring. While I'm not certain spring has arrived in this corner of the Pacific Northwest, my rhodies say differently. Happy Mother's Day to all my blogfreinds, including those who are moms.

I think i used to work for this company

One Good Funny Deserves Another.

Folly posted the Lumberjack Song...one of my favorites from Monty Python.

So, From the Kids In the Hall, I give you every male attorney's worst nightmare:

Anyone Who Doubts That We Are In It For the Future of Civilization...

...needs to check this out.

How many Americans will have to die needlessly before we fully awake to this very real and intolerant threat?

Happy Friday!

The Episcopal Church Must Have A Differrent Bible.

Despite death threats, gay bishop plans civil union
It’s ‘what God is calling me to do,’ says controversial clergyman

TODAYShow.com contributor
updated 8:25 a.m. PT, Thurs., May. 8, 2008
Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson knows he is inviting death threats by entering into a civil union with his gay partner on the eve of his church’s biggest ecclesiastical conference. And he says it is worth it, because he is doing what God asks of him.

1. Death threats. If true, despicable. God takes care of his own business and in his own time.
2. What God asks of him??? He must be reading a different Bible. I have a King James, New King James, NIV, and NASB, and the prohibitions all read pretty much the same. I don't understand.

“When your life is at stake, you learn that there are things in life that are much worse than death,” Bishop Robinson told TODAY’s Matt Lauer Thursday in New York. “That’s the great reward of being a Christian. Not living your life — that’s worse than death. And if something were to happen to me, I would know that I am doing what I discern God is calling me to do.”

Of course the God who has specifically proscribed these behaviors probably has something very different for you in death then what you seem to be contemplating.

In 2003, Robinson became the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church when he was elected by the congregations of New Hampshire. Dubbed “the most controversial Christian in the world,” he faced death threats then and wore a bulletproof vest during his consecration. Now, he has announced that he will “marry” Mark Andrew, his partner of some 20 years, a move sure to outrage conservatives in his religion.

Maybe its just me, but I have real trouble with this guy using the appellation "Christian". I'm gonna go hurl now.

The Federalist 3 and 4

In Paper 3, John Jay discusses how a strong national government can do much to promote peace with neighboring powers by offering a whole perspective and response, rather than local independant units, and how as a nation, we can stand strong to grow commerce, rather than be forever divided and bickering amongst ourselves by stronger more established powers.

Paper 4 was about how a strong national government can protect us from threats within by offering a balanced perspective and response to local issues and demagogery.

No real money quotes in either one.

Too True

Sometimes, I Have a Lucid Moment...

...not often, but occaisionally. I was playing on this thread over at the Rott, and someone asked a question that none of my fellow rotties seemed to have the correct answer for. I helped them. As follows:

No, really - how do you envision an America under Obama?

A land where one will have to adopt a hyphen for their Americanism to even approach enjoyment of the blessings of Liberty.

A land where “Whitey” will feel the anger and reprisal of mobs whipped into frenzies for the slights and injustices committed by past generations.

A land where the liberally perverted notions of fairness and ‘equality’ will enforce mediocrity and utterly destroy the spark of genius that breathed life into this country and all it has achieved.

A land where reason and logic will be divorced from the law, and legislation by judical fiat will become the unquestioned norm.

A land where our leaders will allow those who hate freedom and liberty to inflict insult and injury on our populace at will, while those charged with securing and defending our liberty continue to kneel and grovel before our enemies in an attempt ‘have a dialogue’.

A land where the scorn and derision that the elitist left in this country harbor for it becomes completely mainstream, and normal Americans will be taught to loathe and apologize for all that is good about this country.

A land where everyone is special, so that no one is.

A land where the decieved would soon hope for change…back to a country worth having.

Does that answer your question?

I Miss This Show

I hate reality shows. Not much real about them. I did enjoy this one, though. This was classic. Everyone but the mark knows its fake, but he's the one who keeps screwing up the script! Through it all, he revealed himself to be a pretty nice guy, which of course left them all feeling that much worse for messing with the guy. A truly great idea, which would be difficult to repeat. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you ...Joe Schmo

Today's Melodies

Dichotomy is a wonderful thing.

I woke up this morning singing "You Didn't Know Me When" By Harry Connick, Jr. and then switched to "International Bright Young Thing" By Jesus Jones.

Oh, and April? Thanks for planting that new Eagles song deep, deep into my subconscious.

...I rode a rollercoaster, from Coney Island to Key West. I hung on with one finger, so the other ten could rest...

Yeah, Right.

TV Reviews

I Don't Know What Upsets Me More...

These people who pray at a symptom instead of a cause, or the severely mocking tone of the article. Its a close one, but I think the 'journalist' wins my "Asshole of the Day Award", whether its for the derision of American cars, or his sneering at faith and people's understanding that prayer can change things. I'd like to smack him for both.

I had a headache this afternoon, so I watched

Casino Royale again. I forgot how good they did with the girl this time around. Vesper Lynd, played by Eva Green,on the left side.





Stylish sassy brunettes. They rock.

An American Creation.

I watched IRON MAN yesterday. Freakin excellent,thanks for asking.

I sat and thought about it after and it came to me. The superhero is a uniquely American invention.

Really. I used to collect comic books years ago. Part of that phase of my life was understanding the history as well as the artists. (yes, I can look at it and know if it was drawn by Joe Kubert, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Gene Colan, Sal Buscema, Neal Adams, and others), and yes, we did it first, as long as you discount some of Nitsche's writings.

And we developed it. From the larger-than-life such as Superman, to Marvel's stamp on the superhero, which was to make them human...people with messy relationships, rent to pay, etc.

Which had me thinking...who might they make a movie of yet? The characters they have so far: The Fantastic Four, Spiderman, The Hulk, the X Men, and now, Iron Man. Teams are obvious choices: The Avengers, The Defenders, The Champions, Alpha Flight, The Invaders, but the characters? Doctor Strange, and Captain America come to mind. Maybe the Sub Mariner. Moon Knight? Rom? Omega?

So many opportunities. And that's just Marvel. I'd pay to see Green Lantern...Hal Jordan, of course.

And this just in from the sad but true desk...

Wife convicted in husband's shooting of lover
Woman cried rape when caught with her lover, so husband shot him

updated 7:07 a.m. PT, Sat., May. 3, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas - A Texas woman who caused her lover's shooting death by falsely crying rape was convicted Friday of involuntary manslaughter.

The girl who cried wolf and forgot what she was up to...

Tracy Denise Roberson, 37, cried a bit when the verdict was announced. The punishment phase was set for Monday, and she faces two to 20 years in prison.

Only a bit?

In late 2006, Darrell Roberson came home from a late-night card game to find his scantily clad wife with another man in a pickup truck in the driveway. Tracy Roberson was with her lover but cried rape, and her husband fired four shots into the truck as Devin LaSalle drove off, killing him.

I guess staying for one more really did kill him. I'd shed a tear but the guy willing to screw another's wife really isn't a sympathetic figure...

Darrell Roberson initially was arrested, but a murder charge was later dropped and a grand jury indicted Tracy Roberson instead.

Oh, yeah, that's right...he had reason to believe that his wife was actually being, you know, raped.

During her three-day trial, defense attorneys called no witnesses but blamed LaSalle's death on Darrell Roberson's jealousy and rage.

Yeah, that whole crying rape thing when he showed up had NOTHING to do with it.

But prosecutors placed all the blame on Tracy Roberson, showing evidence of the affair with LaSalle, 32, and a text message in which she invited him to her house that evening.

Sounds like "Case closed" to me.

Now This Had To Be A Fun Conversation...

I can just picture it. The band is rehearsing, and the phone rings. Its a call from their manager. "Hey guys, ABC just called. They want you to play on 'Dancing with the Stars'."

"You really have to stop drinking in the morning, or we'll fire you."

"No, really..."

Here's the link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J09scAF7zsg

Obamessiah Shows True Colors...Film At 11

Obama strongly denounces former pastor
Candidate calls Wright's recent comments 'wrong and destructive'

But is anyone listening?

updated 1:41 p.m. PT, Tues., April. 29, 2008
HICKORY, N.C. - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Tuesday he was outraged by the latest divisive comments from his former pastor and rejected the notion that he secretly agrees with him.

"I just let him marry me and my wife and baptize my children. I actually can't stand the guy." Obama was heard muttering under his breath.

Obama is seeking to tamp down the growing fury over Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his incendiary remarks that threaten to undermine his campaign at a tough time. The Illinois senator is coming off a loss in Pennsylvania to rival Hillary Rodham Clinton and trying to win over white working-class voters in Indiana and North Carolina in next Tuesday's primaries.

In other words, he's a drowning man. And as any Boy Scout knows, they are the most dangerous ones to deal with.

"I am outraged by the comments that were made and saddened by the spectacle that we saw yesterday," Obama told reporters at a news conference.

Translation: I am outraged that the press has been paying attention and asking questions when they are supposed to be selling me as the Second Coming...

After weeks of staying out of the public eye while critics lambasted his sermons, Wright made three public appearances in four days to defend himself. The former pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago has been combative, providing colorful commentary and feeding the story Obama had hoped was dying down.

Damn whitey for paying attention. Damn him I say.

On Monday, Wright criticized the U.S. government as imperialist and stood by his suggestion that the United States invented the HIV virus as a means of genocide against minorities. "Based on this Tuskegee experiment and based on what has happened to Africans in this country, I believe our government is capable of doing anything," he said.

Whitey Whitey Whitey Whitey! I don't have to take responsibility for myself or be a freaking leader in my community. I just have to whine until God kills Whitey.

And perhaps even worse for Obama, Wright suggested that the church congregant secretly concurs.

The trump card. If Obama gets too eager to dump on the left reverend Wrong, the Rev can throw him under the bus. Part 47 of 'When Libatards Attack'.

"If Senator Obama did not say what he said, he would never get elected," Wright said. "Politicians say what they say and do what they do based on electability, based on sound bites, based on polls."

Yes they do. I blame troglodytes such as yourself who refuse to demand more of the charges that they have authority over. When they don't see you being discerning and examining everything, rather than what fits your world view, the trouble begins at home.

Obama stated flatly that he doesn't share the views of the man who officiated at his wedding, baptized his two daughters and been his pastor for 20 years. The title of Obama's second book, "The Audacity of Hope," came from a Wright sermon.

A long, long time to be there without ever noticing that your pastor is a spittle-flinging nucking futs America hater.

"What became clear to me is that he was presenting a world view that contradicts who I am and what I stand for," Obama said. "And what I think particularly angered me was his suggestion somehow that my previous denunciation of his remarks were somehow political posturing. Anybody who knows me and anybody who knows what I'm about knows that I am about trying to bridge gaps and I see the commonality in all people."

If he believes this, even in the slightest, they need to send him home. Now.

In a highly publicized speech last month, Obama sharply condemned Wright's remarks. But he did not leave the church or repudiate the minister himself, who he said was like a family member.

I'm gonna make a sorta apology and hope that my ADD riddled electorate will accept it.

On Tuesday, Obama sought to distance himself further from Wright.

He scratches, pulls, and tugs, but the millstone remains around his neck. And the water's real deep.

"I have been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ since 1992, and have known Reverend Wright for 20 years," Obama said. "The person I saw yesterday was not the person that I met 20 years ago."

"Bullshit."

Obama said he heard that Wright had given "a performance" and when he watched news accounts, he realized that it more than just a case of the former pastor defending himself.

I'm Shocked I tell you. SHOCKED!

"His comments were not only divisive and destructive, I believe they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate," Obama said. "I'll be honest with you, I hadn't seen it" when reacting initially on Monday, he said.

"That crazy N****r is gonna sink my campaign if he won't shut his hole" Obama was heard to say to a close aide.

Wright had asserted that criticism of his fiery sermons was an attack on the black church. Obama rejected that notion.

Why? If he's a representative example of their clergy, then attacks are in order.

Obama said his earlier mild reaction came because he gave him the benefit of the doubt, but that evaporated when he saw Wright's speech. Wright's comments may well have severed the relationship.

Turnabout, and all that, Whot, old chap.

"He has done great damage, I do not see that relationship being the same," said Obama.

"I denounce you!" "No. I denounce you!"

Wright recently retired from the church. He became an issue in Obama's presidential bid when videos circulated of him condemning the U.S. government for allegedly racist and genocidal acts. In the videos, some several years old, Wright called on God to "damn America." He also said the government created the AIDS virus to destroy "people of color."

Really? I hadn't heard.

Obama said he didn't vet his pastor before deciding to seek the presidency. He said he was particularly distressed that the furor has been a distraction to the purpose of a campaign.

Don't make me laugh. He sat in those pews for 20 years. And we know Wrong has been spewing his "Hate Whitey" message for quite a long, long time.

"I gave him the benefit of the doubt in my speech in Philadelphia explaining that he's done enormous good. ... But when he states and then amplifies such ridiculous propositions as the U.S. government somehow being involved in AIDS. ... There are no excuses. They offended me. They rightly offend all Americans and they should be denounced."

The right words. Coming from a completely untrustworthy source. Give the Dems McCain, and let us choose a conservative candidate, already.

Did You Ever Wonder What R.E.M. Would Sound Like Liquored Up?

I don't. I know.

Cole Porter and Snark Too...Who'da Thunk It?

Yes, I AM In A Mood Tonight...What Of It???

Yes, there is a theme tonight...more than one, actually. If fewer embed disables were screwing with me, it might be downright INTERESTING...

Hot Drums, Horns, and Women...Who Can Say No?

But I Am A Fan of John Hiatt

No, I Am Not A George Michael Fan...

...But I have always loved this song.

Another meme to steal...

Stolen from USA Admiral.

1. Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!
2. Find page 123.
3. Find the first five sentences.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people

The World Encyclopedia of Battleships By Peter Hore.

Equipment and procedures for transmitting the range and correction of the data between ships were devised and the range tables for all major guns were revised. New shells with more reliable and predictable trajectories were designed and gun mountings improved, including smoke extraction fans to keep the turrets clear. With these gunnery improvements and more thourough training, Evstafi and Ioann Zlatoust formed the core of the squadron which aquitted itself when it came up against the more recent Goeben.

Pre-Dreadnought Chapter, Entry on the Russian (czarist) Navy's Evstafi class.

Tap yerselves...

Sunday Dinner

Chicken Noodle Stuff...

Start by sauteing the celery and onions in olive oil and the sooper sekrit spice mixture..



Then saute the chicken breasts in the same...



Mix togther...



Add the egg noodles and cream of chicken soup...simmer covered for five minutes...



Then serve. I like a little crushed red pepper on mine...



Enjoy with your favorite beverage. I had a Hornsby's, then switched to mud tea.
Screw desert.

The Federalist 1 & 2

As promised, I started reading the Federalist last night.

No. 1, written by Hamilton, was a recognition that a nation under the Articles of Confederation was not really a nation at all, and laid out a very basic plan to change that bythe founding of a stronger national government. Nothing contained therein that I found particularly deserving of a quotation.


Not so with No. 2, written by Jay, celebrates the national character of the states united, with an eye towards formalizing the relationship under the aegis of a strong national government. A few lines did stand out to my eye:

"They considered that the Congress [of 1774] was composed of many wise and experienced men. That, being converted from different parts of the country,thye brought with them and communicated to each other a variety of useful information. That in the course of the time they passed together in inquiring into and discussing the true interests of their country, they must have acquired very accurate knowledge on that head. That they were individually interested in the public liberty and prosperity, and therefore that it was not less their inclination than their duty to recommend only such measures as, after the most mature deliberation, they really thought prudent and advisable."

A far cry from the myopic, self-interested yeahoos who come to Congress to slice portions out of the national plate for their Hypenated-american constituencies. When was the last time you watched any of them on CSPAN communicating useful information or accurate knowledge? Yeah, I can't remember such a thing, either.

Jay closed with another line possessed of a certain prescience that is almost freightening:

"They who promote the idea of substituting a number of distinct confederacies in the room of the plan of the [Constitutuional] convention seem clearly to foresee that the rejection of it would put the continuance of the Union in the utmost jeopardy. That certainly would be the case, and I sincerely wish that it may be as clearly foreseen by every good citizen that whenever the dissolution of the Union arrives, America will have reason to exclaim, in the words of the poet: "FAREWELL! A LONG FAREWELL TO ALL MY GREATNESS."

Think about the people in Congress today, and the people who sent them, and more importantly, the asshattery they propound, and tell me it isn't true.

Saturday Night

I took Heir No. One to Fort Lewis today, so we could join his fellow cub scouts in getting the museum badge with a trip to the military museum. He was pretty good. I was impressed by the exhibits. Artillery, tanks, armored vehicles, jeeps, humvees, a Huey, pictures, uniforms, and oh yeah...Guns.

Must have been four different 1911's on exhibit. But I fell in love with a very sweet M-I-C sniper rifle. Too bad I didn't have a camera...

Oh, and tonight, I wanted to keep it simple, since it was a warm sunny day. And I wanted an adult beverage. I'm just in that frame of mind.





Hot dogs and Hornsby's Crisp Apple Cider. I might even have several...

Saturday Night

Justice Scalia

When I was driving home yesterday, Hugh Hewitt was playing clips of Justice Scalia speaking with students at a Virginia High School.

I love this guy. He gets it.

The money clip was his response to a student's question about the Court giving rights. I do not recall his exact words, and would not want to misquote him, but the gist of the answer was that the question itself showed the perilous shift in thinking that has become the norm in America today. Instead of going through the purposely arduous task of specifically granting a right by amendment to the Constitution, a process that is legislative...as it should be...we, as a society have become eager to give away our rights to have a debate and publicly weigh the merits of any such proposal before making it law in the manner prescribed by the Constitution and its Amendments, instead opting to give this power by default to an unelected Judge or Justice, who was never intended to have it.

He then admonished the students to actually read The Federalist Papers. All of them, not just the biggies, to get a better sense of respect and understanding for the founders and the system they designed.

As long as we have folks like him around, there is still hope.

Emails, I get emails...

My spammer of the week is none other than "okadima dick". Typical Nigerian scam only he says he's from Borkina Faso.

Maybe someone should tell these hustlers to pick better names...

Current pieces of mental gravitas...

I haven't had a true rant thread in a while. I feel like it is time again.

Heard on the way into work this morning: the Washington Department of Transportation had study done on ways to reduce congestion on freeways. The study concluded that per-mile tolls on the major freeways would reduce congestion without any corresponding rise in congestion on surface streets. The agency was considering applying the tolls on I-5, SR 520, I-90, and I-405.
For those of you who don't know, that pretty much ties up any route in or out of Seattle. It was an RCOB moment for me. I'm not a traffic engineer, but I understand physics. If the cars come off the freeway, they HAVE to use the surface streets. Secondly, I pay taxes to maintain these roads, and now they want to tax me for using them? These idiots are determined to drive business out of this state.

Overheard from a member of my tribe this afternoon: He can't wait for Obama to "get in there". Said in reference to the Oval Office. I almost swallowed my tongue. This guy is a former naval aviator, and ha$ a lot to lo$e if the Obamassiah gets elected in November.

What passes for journalism and the sheep who still feed off of its offerings:
The mainstream media's love affair with Obama and the near criminal omission of reporting on his own statements that reveal who he is, the company he keeps,and the company that keeps him. Really. If it were an equally inexperienced white guy spouting neo-Marxist tripe, and self-incriminating by recording himself reading his autobiography, and hanging out with self-proclaimed terrorists who as recently as last year decided to affirm their hatred of this country, he could not show his face in public, let alone have throngs of adoring crowds follow wherever he goes. We are going to delude ourselves into early graves.

HHHmmmmm....The 80's don't look as cool as I remember...

In case anyone needed proof that a good mullet, swinish attitude, and wad of cash could make you popular with the ladies...



Yeah, I always liked this song...I think it was the snide asides...so sue me.

Tell Everyone You Know...

...To check these things out.

The more I find out about the Obamessiah and the company that keeps him, the more I am convinced that the media who loves him and the witless clods who follow him with a freightening reverence have upped the ante from willful stupidity to consciously suicidal behavior in the electoral politics.

Go here. Listen to these clips. Read the detail very carefully. These people have never renounced their hatred of this country, and they LOVE the Obamessiah. LOVE him.

Be afraid...be very afraid...

And in case the link doesn't work: http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/04/020358.php

Adventures in Parenting, Chapter 447...

Well, I got great amusement from this post over at PJ Momma's place and I let slip about the time when Heir No. 1 thought he got a button stuck up his nose.

I can hear you saying "He did what?"

Yeah. That was pretty much my reaction too.

It was a summer day two years ago. I stayed home to watch the boys because my childcare was not available. Heir No. Two was sleeping on our bed, and I was in the bedroom folding laundry. Heir No. One came out of his room and ran into the bathroom. He had been making a game of it, seeing if he could hold it until his eyeballs threatened to burst, so I didn't think too much of it, even after he had been in there longer than usual.

When he finally came out, he tried to sneak by my room. I called out to him, and he turned, revealing a trail of blood all the way down the front of his t-shirt. Alarmed, I asked "What did you do?"
He immediately started crying, and through the blubbering, I divined that he had, for some reason, shoved a button up his nose, and it got stuck. As soon as it became clear that he was not having difficulty breathing and wasn't suffering any significant pain, I tried to stifle my laughter at his predicament. He stood there, leaning up against me, crying and blubbering because he thought I would be angry with him. I wasn't thrilled. I figured that if this visit to the doc didn't get a follow up from CPS, nothing would. I tried to calm him down, then I called the doc. The nurse made me hold for a minute, then came back on and asked me to repeat the story. I can only assume she had to gather everyone around and put me on the speakerphone. I swear I heard her snicker as she said to bring him in right away.
You can guess what happened next. The doc, being a consummate professional kept her composure during the exam. I suppose she's looked into far more frightening orifices in her time. She couldn't find anything and referred us to the ears, nose, and throat specialists up the road. Back in the car and up the hill.

That doc took an xray because she didn't see anything on her exam either. It revealed nothing, so she took me aside and expressed the opinion that since nothing was on the xray, and he didn't appear to be suffering sinus pain, then he most likely dislodged the button. If his condition worsened, then of course she wanted to see him again.

Three hours and $75 later, the three of us got in the car to go home.

The good news is that he hasn't shoved anything up his nose since.

And if you are wondering, yes, I will recount this tale to the first serious girlfriend he has. Just because I can.

Something Else I Can Recommend

I just finished watching the 7th and final installment of John Adams.

The man lived an incredible story.

If youhave the opportunity, watch it

I think his and Abagail's Story is one of the great love stories.

Some Perspective

Thanks Dick,

Somehow I always knew the perspective would come in handy someday.

A Story To Feel Good About...For A Change.

Now I really take back what I said about an addict playing an addict.

I genuinely hope it works out for him this time.

Dog Bites Man, Film At 11

I wish I could say that this is a shock.

CNN reporter faces drug charge after arrest in Central Park
I've been convinced that they have been on drugs for years.

So I was thinking this week...

...about the Papal visit.

I like Benny. I'm not catholic, nor am I considering conversion. I'm about as PROTESTant as one can get. However, I have generally been impressed by the intellectual talent that has bloomed under Catholic tutelage, and I the older I got, the more I appreciated JPII. No matter how intense the scrutiny, no matter how critical the attacks, he stood firm in his beliefs and in some ways helped me to understand that you don't change God; he changes you. And he did it with a grace and sincerity that could not be faked. [Trust me on this. As an attorney, my bullshit detector is usually cranked up to 12. Not much gets by me.] When he passed away, I was genuinely sorry to see him go. He was a figure that gave hope in a world sorely lacking it.

When Benny was appointed to succeed him, I was intrigued. The mainstream attacks told me that he must have been a good choice. Whenever I hear about a conservative being referred to as a scholar's scholar, and an institution's attack dog, I know someone is about to be told something they don't want to hear. He didn't disappoint.

I liked him even more when I realized that he was going to be a thorn in the side of the religion of pieces. Even more reason to like him. After listening to what he's had to say this week, I like him even more. He gets it. He knows that western civilization is in the battle for its very survival, and he knows that if Europe is to be saved from submission to the bloodthirsty savages of dar al islam, that sadly, once again the task will fall to us. And still he comes, the embodiment of grace, patience, and a firmity that can only originate from the bedrock of souls that the world tries so hard to deny.

Thanks for coming, Your Eminence. I hope you enjoy your stay.

Sometimes, In The Heat of Spirted Discourse...

...it helps to take a moment and breathe.



I used to live in the Midwest, and I miss having REAL thunderstorms. The kind that shake the house. I really have never known another tranquilizer like it. This is evocative of it.

Ok, back at it!

A Freind Of Mine Is A Little Down...

So I thought it was appropriate to remind her of a silver lining or two.

Admiral tapped me on a meme

In which I have to show my favorite drinking vessel.


Here it is.





I don't why I identify with this little guy so much, but I do. Appropriate for coffee, tea, canadian whisky or vodka.

I won't say "I told you so."

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island - Gay couples had to struggle mightily to win the right to marry or form civil unions in certain states. Now, some are finding that breaking up is hard to do, too.

In Rhode Island, for example, the state's top court ruled in December that gays married in neighboring Massachusetts — the only state to allow the practice — cannot get divorced because state lawmakers have never defined marriage as anything but a union between a man and woman.

But I thought they wanted to get married because they were going to love each other forever? I guess that doesn't mean what it used to.

In Missouri, a judge is deciding whether a lesbian married in Massachusetts can get an annulment.

OOOOHHHH! OOOOHHHH! I know the answer! NO!


"We all know people who have gone through divorces. At the end of that long and unhappy period, they have been able to breathe a sigh of relief," said Cassandra Ormiston of Rhode Island, who is splitting from her wife, Margaret Chambers. But "I do not see that on my horizon, that sigh of relief that it's over."

That's because people who get divorces are able to m-a-r-r-y in the first place.

Over the past four years, Massachusetts has been the only state where gay marriage is legal, while nine other states allow gay couples to enter into civil unions or domestic partnerships that offer many of the rights and privileges of marriage. The vast majority of these unions require court action to dissolve.

Gay couples who still live in the state where they partnered can split up with little difficulty; the laws in those states include divorce or dissolution procedures for same-sex couples. But gay couples who have moved to another state are running into trouble.

Maybe because the citizens of their adopted states don't want the practice there? Naaaaahhhh. I'm sure that's not it. After all, we want everyone to have the right to do whatever they want to do, right?

Massachusetts, at least early on, let out-of-state gay couples get married there practically for the asking. But the rules governing divorce are stricter. Out-of-state couples could go back to Massachusetts to get divorced, but they would have to live there for a year to establish residency first.

Enjoy the taxes while you're there. Nothing comes without a price.

"I find that an unbelievably unfair burden. I own a home here, my friends are here, my life is here," said Rhode Island-based Ormiston, who is resigned to moving across the state border to Massachusetts for a year.

Boo-flipping-who. Cry me a river. You don't get to bring your lifestyle and force it on anyone else's legal system, just because you chose to avail yourself of a dubious legal benefit offered in another state.

It is not clear how many gay couples have sought a divorce.

But I bet its enough to sap some of the sparkle from Neal and Bob's eyes...

Getting divorced gets tough
In Massachusetts, where more than 10,000 same-sex couples have married since 2004, the courts do not keep a breakdown of gay and heterosexual divorces. But Joyce Kauffman, a member of the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association, said probably more than 100 gay divorces have been granted in Massachusetts, and possibly many more.

She's a member of that bar association and she doesn't know? I really don't believe that.

She said she suspects the divorce rate among gays is lower than that among heterosexual couples, because many of the same-sex couples who got married in Massachusetts had probably been together for years.

Unsupported self-serving supposition? From the pink swastika crowd? My, my. Hell must be frezzing over as we speak...

Vermont has dissolved 2 percent of the 8,666 civil unions performed there since they became legal in 2000. Those numbers do not include couples who split up in another state.

And since there apparently is no data tracking how many of them remained, the statistic is only slightly biased in the way that it is quoted...in the same way a cheerleader can be slightly pregnant.

Chambers and Ormiston wed in Massachusetts in 2004 and filed for divorce in 2006. But the Rhode Island Supreme Court last winter refused to recognize their marriage. That means at least 90 other gay couples from the state who got married in Massachusetts would not be able to divorce in Rhode Island if they wanted to.

Good on the Rhode Island Supreme Court. If their judical system is as taxed as others around the country, they have more than enough LEGITIMATE cases to handle anyway.

Getting a divorce could prove toughest in some of the 40 states that have explicitly banned or limited same-sex unions, lawyers say.

Only if Judges choose to enforce existing law rather than make it up out of whole cloth, and we know how judges avoid the opportunity to legislate from the bench.

In Missouri, which banned gay marriage in 2001, a conservative lawmaker has urged a judge not to grant an annulment to a lesbian married in Massachusetts.

And rightly so, you nattering excuse for a journalist.

'A novel concept'
Oregon started allowing gay couples to form domestic partnerships this year. But to prevent problems similar to those in Massachusetts, lawmakers added a provision that allows couples to dissolve their partnerships in Oregon even if they have moved out of state.

Wow. Judges must be thrilled at the concept. I, however, am troubled by it.

The measure is modeled on California's domestic partnership system and represents a major change in the usual rules governing jurisdiction.

Change? That's polite. How about "complete departure" from the usual rules governing jurisdiction. Civil procedure sucked as it was in law school. Now we just opened up a whole set of exceptions. Forget blackhole jurisdiction, now we have gay jurisdiction. Faaaaaaaaabbbuuulous, honey!

"It's a novel concept in the family law area," said Oregon lawyer Beth Allen, who works with Basic Rights Oregon, a gay rights group.

Hurumpf!

Same-sex couples can form civil unions in Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and New Hampshire. They can enter into domestic partnerships or receive similar benefits in California, Oregon, Maine, Washington, Hawaii and the District of Columbia.

Even though the voters of Washington made it clear that they did not want it. Thank Washington legislature, and Queen Christine. May your unmittigated arrogance bite you in the ass.

New York does not permit gay marriage, but a judge there has allowed a lesbian married in Canada to seek a divorce. In 2005, Iowa's Supreme Court upheld the breakup of a lesbian couple who entered into a civil union in Vermont.

Your Honor, I'd like you to meet my wife, Sparky. Sparky is a border collie. She's been a little bitchy lately, and I want a divorce. Can you help me with that?

Some Rhode Island lawmakers are pushing to legalize gay divorce. But Gov. Don Carcieri, a Republican who opposes gay marriage, is against the idea. So are church leaders in the heavily Roman Catholic state.

No mention of religion other than as the evil buzz-killing moral authority determined to stop the slide down the slippery slope. So much for fair and balanced.

"Whatever name they want to give to it, it is a recognition of same-sex unions," said the Rev. Bernard Healey, a lobbyist for Catholic Diocese of Providence.

Dingdingdinging! Correct in one! Bob, tell the Reverend what he's won! Well, Wink, the good Rev has gotten an all-expenses paid trip to be pilloried in the public square for expressing an opinion consistent with centuries of his churches' teaching. That's right, you refusal to "change with the times", a/k/a "let people do whatever the hell they want" gets you free derision and scorn. Congratulations!

Sunday Dinner...BEEF!

I was at the store Sunday, and saw a pack of three petite sirloins for $4.15. I likes me my steak,so I bought it.

I was surprised that these were more than an inch thick...


So I cut them in half, trimmed them, and hand rubbed the garlic salt on Mrs. BiW's and Mesquite Seasoning on mine...


And threw 'em on the grill...


Served with mashed Yukon Gold potatoes and steamed peas...


And a cherry chip cake made by Mrs. BiW


Yum.