WHATSAMATTA U?

Gun ownership up, especially among women

2012-01-06T11:40:00.000-05:00

A right not exercised soon becomes a privilege.
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news-channel/45897106#45897106

But the anti-gunners tell me gun ownership is down
http://www.saysuncle.com/2012/01/05/but-the-anti-gunners-tell-me-gun-ownership-is-down/

Rear Ended - FORD POS does have a 5 Star crash rating

2011-12-28T11:13:00.001-05:00

So there I am stopped at a light yesterday, behind another car, just patiently waiting for the light to turn green when WHAM, I get rear-ended by some texting fool who never hit the brakes b/c they werent paying attention. Luckily little ones 1 and 2 were with their grandmother for the day post-Christmas and not in the backseat of my Ford P.O.S.
But, turns out that all my grumbling about how much I dislike the car (its a 2005 Taurus and rides fine, but I've never really liked it) didnt show the car enough respect. The little Korean hatch back slid under my rear bumper and scratched up my paint job and lifted my back end up and dropped me back on the ground. The import was accordioned in the front back to the wheels, with the radiator set back and the hood crumpled all the way back to the windscreen. Somehow her headlights survived unscathed. Maybe the Koreans should have built the rest of the car the way they did the headlights.
But, my ugly Taurus will live to drive another day. I'm not saying I'm falling in love with her (She's named Sandy) but I have more respect for her today than I did yesterday morning when I woke up, thats for sure.
So, I guess I have to admit my wife was right when she convinced me the 5 star crash rating was more important than fuel economy. Does that mean I have to tell her that?
:)

My home town finally catches up, We are winning.

2011-09-29T10:35:00.001-04:00

In 2006 the State of Ohio passed a law providing that no municipality in Ohio could make gun laws that were more restrictive than the State of Ohio Revised Code. Well, it took 5 years but Columbus finally voted last night to remove its draconian gun laws from the books to avoid being sued. No more limits on magazine size, owners of concealed carry permits can now carry legally in city parks, no obtuse restrictions on ammo and make and model of firearm and no more worries about Columbus re-instituting its Columbus Gun License that you formerly had to apply for and purchase before purchasing a gun (that was removed about 5 years ago).

I'm not saying they were happy to do it, but they finally did (only after the Ohio Supreme Court upheld the state law though).

Happiness is decommissioning old servers

2011-09-28T12:58:00.002-04:00

While using a 10lb sledge.

Been a bit busy

2011-09-09T22:03:00.000-04:00

Started a new IT contracting job, been busting my hump deploying VMWare servers left and right, plus soccer season has started back up and practices and games are taking up most of my free time. So I've been a little lax in spreading my intarwebz joy and mirth, I'll try and do a better job now that the new job is getting into a groove.

In the meantime, watch this video wait for it..you'll see it.

Later gator.

58 down, 42 to go

2011-08-25T14:13:00.000-04:00

.Hat tip to Feral Irishman and others around the net
I'll have to get on my library's website and start reserving some books apparently.....some of these I have never even heard of, and I read a lot of sci fi. I dont read a ton of Fantasy though, so I imagine thats where the list diverges.

The NPR's Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy novels with the ones I have read in bold:

1. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
3. Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card
4. The Dune Chronicles, by Frank Herbert
5. A Song Of Ice And Fire Series, by George R. R. Martin
6. 1984, by George Orwell
7. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
8. The Foundation Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov
9. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
10. American Gods, by Neil Gaiman
11. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman
12. The Wheel Of Time Series, by Robert Jordan
13. Animal Farm, by George Orwell
14. Neuromancer, by William Gibson
15. Watchmen, by Alan Moore
16. I, Robot, by Isaac Asimov
17. Stranger In A Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein
18. The Kingkiller Chronicles, by Patrick Rothfuss
19. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
20. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
21. Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick
22. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
23. The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King
24. 2001: A Space Odyssey, by Arthur C. Clarke
25. The Stand, by Stephen King
26. Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson
27. The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury
28. Cat’s Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut
29. The Sandman Series, by Neil Gaiman 30. A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
31. Starship Troopers, by Robert Heinlein
32. Watership Down, by Richard Adams
33. Dragonflight, by Anne McCaffrey
34. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein
35. A Canticle For Leibowitz, by Walter M. Miller
36. The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells
37. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, by Jules Verne
38. Flowers For Algernon, by Daniel Keys
39. The War Of The Worlds, by H.G. Wells
40. The Chronicles Of Amber, by Roger Zelazny
41. The Belgariad, by David Eddings
42. The Mists Of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
43. The Mistborn Series, by Brandon Sanderson
44. Ringworld, by Larry Niven
45. The Left Hand Of Darkness, by Ursula K. LeGuin
46. The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien
47. The Once And Future King, by T.H. White
48. Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman
49. Childhood’s End, by Arthur C. Clarke
50. Contact, by Carl Sagan
51. The Hyperion Cantos, by Dan Simmons
52. Stardust, by Neil Gaiman 53. Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson
54. World War Z, by Max Brooks
55. The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle
56. The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman
57. Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett 58. The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever, by Stephen R. Donaldson
59. The Vorkosigan Saga, by Lois McMaster Bujold
60. Going Postal, by Terry Pratchett 61. The Mote In God’s Eye, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle
62. The Sword Of Truth, by Terry Goodkind
63. The Road, by Cormac McCarthy 64. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke
65. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson 66. The Riftwar Saga, by Raymond E. Feist
67. The Shannara Trilogy, by Terry Brooks 68. The Conan The Barbarian Series, by R.E. Howard
69. The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb
70. The Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger
71. The Way Of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson
72. A Journey To The Center Of The Earth, by Jules Verne
73. The Legend Of Drizzt Series, by R.A. Salvatore 74. Old Man’s War, by John Scalzi
75. The Diamond Age, by Neil Stephenson
76. Rendezvous With Rama, by Arthur C. Clarke
77. The Kushiel’s Legacy Series, by Jacqueline Carey
78. The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. LeGuin
79. Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury
80. Wicked, by Gregory Maguire
81. The Malazan Book Of The Fallen Series, by Steven Erikson
82. The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde
83. The Culture Series, by Iain M. Banks
84. The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart
85. Anathem, by Neal Stephenson
86. The Codex Alera Series, by Jim Butcher
87. The Book Of The New Sun, by Gene Wolfe
88. The Thrawn Trilogy, by Timothy Zahn
89. The Outlander Series, by Diana Gabaldan
90. The Elric Saga, by Michael Moorcock
91. The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury
92. Sunshine, by Robin McKinley
93. A Fire Upon The Deep, by Vernor Vinge
94. The Caves Of Steel, by Isaac Asimov
95. The Mars Trilogy, by Kim Stanley Robinson
96. Lucifer’s Hammer, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle 97. Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis
98. Perdido Street Station, by China Mieville
99. The Xanth Series, by Piers Anthony
100. The Space Trilogy, by C.S. Lewis

Lemonade Stands ARE NOT A CRIME!

2011-08-20T10:35:00.010-04:00

Well, in most places they are, but they shouldn't be. Today is National Lemonade Freedom Day, find a stand to support or set up your own, kids should be able to sell lemonade in their neighborhood without a business license or getting harassed by cops.
WHAT IS THIS COUNTRY DOING TO ITSELF?

Is the world changing forever?

2011-08-19T17:18:00.000-04:00

With China having double digit growth in its GDP and Europe and the US showing anemic rates, barely staying out of recession territory, are we looking at a fundamental shift in the socio-economic mapping of the globe?

And, whats going to happen to me and my family while the economic tsunamis change the landscape?

Pew Pew Pew

2011-08-12T19:15:00.000-04:00

Takes a brave man to take on armed thugs with only a smirk and an imaginary gun.

Iran can send peace keepers to UK

2011-08-12T13:43:00.000-04:00

Man wouldn't that be fun to watch on CNN?

Want to push for change? Watch out for the fentanyl darts

2011-08-12T12:15:00.000-04:00

This story outlines some really cool hi tech ways that the .gov can keep you from protesting using less than lethal devices.
The final paragraph caught my eye:
"Perhaps these less-lethal tactics for crowd control do result in fewer injuries. But they also severely weaken our capacity to enact political change. Authorities have ever more creative ways to manage dissent, at a time when the need for change by popular demand is vital to the future of our society and the planet."

Our debt is more like 211 Trillion Dollars

2011-08-11T16:43:00.000-04:00

"If you add up all the promises that have been made for spending obligations, including defense expenditures, and you subtract all the taxes that we expect to collect, the difference is $211 trillion. That's the fiscal gap," he says. "That's our true indebtedness."

See more here

Wow, all I can say is wow. We. Are. So. Screwed.

The Prez sure does like doing things his own way

2011-08-10T10:24:00.001-04:00

Reason.com looks at the ways Obama is expanding executive power, something he railed against as he was running for office if you recall....more of the same here

The death of a Democratic Republic

2011-08-09T09:04:00.000-04:00

If some of the more progressive states have their way, they will forgo the Electoral College in Presidential elections and award their states electoral votes to whomever wins the popular vote nationwide. This means that California, for example, could give its electoral votes to someone who DID NOT WIN THE POPULAR VOTE IN CALIFORNIA. How about them apples Cali voters?
You don't even need to vote in California apparently, and candidates now have no reason to campaign there either. You'll just auto-award your votes by proxy to the candidate that wins most of the rest of the country. Boy, there's an ideal situation.

Monday humor

2011-08-08T14:53:00.003-04:00

Its so hot....

2011-08-08T14:38:00.002-04:00

How hot is it?

Its so hot that the playgrounds are melting!

Debt reduction via hidden taxes

2011-08-06T09:57:00.000-04:00

Joe Huffman, who I like even if he is a Microsoft guy, has some interesting thoughts on how the .gov is going to raise revenue.

Tam has a round up of other topics of note

and
Uncle has some news on the whole Fast and Furious debacle

So, to sum up, the EPA and OSHA are looking to start generating revenue instead of you know, doing their job watching out for us, 4 guns and a box of ammo is considered an arsenal in England, the US is allowing cocaine into the country in exchange for information and my head hurts.

Solar Water Heater Offer from DR Power

2011-08-05T12:22:00.000-04:00

I like DR products, made like tanks and made in the USA.

They are ~~partnering with~~ built by a sister company firm that build solar water heaters, selling a DIY kit that includes solar collector, heat exchanger and a water storage tank that connects to your current hot water heater. Plus the solar collector has a small photovoltaic cell that powers the pump, which A: means you don't need to run any new electric for this system and B: the solar water heater only runs when their is sun enough to power the PV cell. So another one on the plus side is that it looks easy to install in that you don't have to re-plumb your house.

This is all well and good and I have been considering one, especially with the federal and state tax credits knocking about $4K off the price, plus as a previous DR owner, I get a special $450 coupon.

I initially was confused by Sunward's pricing information, but thanks to their help I have seen that it is pretty straight forward and I hope to be able to place an order in 2010.
Heating water in your home and refrigerating food are about 80% of an average homes energy usage. If I can knock a dent in one of those, that's not a bad thing. Running a fridge on alternate power.....now that's for another blog post on anther day.

UPDATE, August 2011: Well, with my change of vocation at the end of 2009 and the ongoing economic troubles making me save every dime I could for a rainy day, I still haven't bought this system.....but I still want to. Anyone out there own one that wants to give a review? DR and Sunward, any chance you'd long term loan me one to try? ;)

This country is going down fast, Linoge sums it up

2011-08-05T09:47:00.000-04:00

Linoge has an interesting essay on the video I posted earlier, its a good read on how we can't expect things to get better b/c everyone wants what they feel is coming to them.
My generation and the generation coming after are all about "show me the money" and damn the consequences. When we hit a wall with the global economy eventually, its going to be sad seeing them all standing in soup lines saying "this isn't right, wheres my check?".
None of them, including my own kids, comprehend whats going to happen due to the unstoppable deficits and debts being left them by the baby boomers. I stay up at night worrying sometimes, but I don't think I can do more than put away a few more cans of soup in the basement.

badass of the week

2011-08-04T15:06:00.000-04:00

Honey Badgers, always good for a laugh.

DIY Nuclear Power ....or Not

2011-08-02T15:18:00.000-04:00

So, this guy decides to build his own nuclear reactor, and calls up the Swedish Radiation Authority to see if its legal (which makes sense both b/c he lives in Sweden and b/c building a nuclear reactor should be an approved project) and he was promptly arrested.
Just goes to show, sometimes its better to beg forgiveness rather than ask for permission ;P

I don't think he was a potential terrorist...
"The man began his experiment some six months ago and has reportedly been open about his plans to construct a nuclear reactor in his apartment in the small Swedish coastal town, maintaining a blog of his nuclear adventure." (emphasis mine)
"he has confirmed that in the future he intends to focus on the "theoretical" aspects of nuclear physics."
Sounds good to me, hate to have a neighbor building his own fission device...

Watch the whole thing without punching your monitor, I dare you

2011-08-01T14:26:00.000-04:00

Welfare society at its ~~best~~ worst.

This guy is getting $20,000 a year in tuition, $1000 a month stipend and $450 a month in rent assistance, and he inst paying his rent, and is using the money for whatever he wants and he doesn't understand why the judge is telling him that is fraud and theft. To top it all off, the woman he's shacking with who wants some money for the rent, isn't paying her rent either.

The downfall of modern society in 7 minutes.
Courtesy of the Feral Irishman

Monday Humor

2011-08-01T13:56:00.000-04:00

OK, the Zombie meme has officially gone too far

2011-07-29T12:22:00.000-04:00

The whole idea is to never find yourself running from zombies, so when they ask you to sign up to do so, something has gone wrong.

Carry a pocket knife because

2011-07-27T13:41:00.002-04:00

It can be useful for:
1. Opening a box.
2. Cutting rope, tags, and string.
3. Cutting an apple. I love eating an apple that I’ve cut with my pocket knife, slice by slice. You feel like a bad ass doing it. You hold the apple in your non-dominant hand and then make a slice with the knife using your dominant hand. After you make the slice, pinch it between your thumb and knife blade. Bring the blade to your mouth and deposit the apple slice. Do this in front of people you are trying to intimidate.
4. Opening a letter. Sure, you could use your finger, but using a knife is just more manly.
5. Weapon. Not the most effective, but it’s better than nothing.
6. Camping. How else will you sharpen the point of a stick in preparation for stabbing your prey? And by prey I mean hot dog. And by hot dog I mean marshmallow.
7. You never know when you’re going to have to MacGyver your way out of a crisis. Be prepared.
8. You need something to clench in your teeth when swinging from a rope.

Terrapower has a new design, no funding or land though

2011-07-27T11:42:00.001-04:00

So the vaporware is getting pretty thick here, but they have put out a really nice press release. Using Uranium 238, though, would be awesome if they can pull it off.

This may not result in cheaper power or faster built power plants like a Thorium reactor, but it would be safer than current designs b/c it doesn't need electricity to power cooling pumps.

OK, so now they are taking over 100 miles from any border

2011-07-26T13:54:00.000-04:00

let me measure the distance from my house to central Lake Erie and make sure I'm still under State authority....
Why does no one else not worry when our Dept of Homeland Security is making work for itself?

Courtesy of wirecutter.

Domestic Terror Alert

2011-07-25T13:40:00.000-04:00

Napolitano: Domestic Terrorists Central to Threat

Do you think she's referring to the ATF (selling guns to narco-terrorists) and the TSA (sexually assaulting children and grandmothers)?

Sad to think that George Orwell was right, even if his claim of "1984" was off by a decade or two. Anyone else get the shivers when they hear "Dept of Homeland Security"?

Well, every PERSON should, not just men, but you get the point

2011-07-25T13:38:00.000-04:00

Everyone should carry a pocket knife

You never know when it will come in handy.

Monster Hunter Alpha has shipped!

2011-07-22T08:48:00.001-04:00

Amazon says it will be here on Monday, so I may have to call in sick to work on Tuesday....feel a cough coming on.....ooohh, my throat.....yeah that's the ticket.
See more info here

Proud member of the

My house (well yard) got robbed, I'm looking for ideas

2011-07-19T09:24:00.000-04:00

Any useful ideas on preventing another theft?

Slick Willy actually has some good ideas

2011-07-19T08:57:00.000-04:00

Bill Clinton is actually outlining a dozen or so (ok 14 if you must know) easy steps that will help the economy. He isn't saying these steps will solve all our problems, he just points out most of them are easy and would help. Since the first one is decreased government regulation prior to construction starting and #12 is Cut Corporate Taxes, I'm all for it.
Check out the whole list here, its worth a read.
I like them all except #3 plus #14 isn't really an idea, its an idea to get together and find other ideas.

Its worse than you think

2011-07-19T08:53:00.028-04:00

So, the economy is already starting to tank so bad that even in a middle class suburb such as my neighborhood, where I am on a first name basis with the majority of folks living within ten houses of me, I get all my tomatoes, squash and zucchini stolen. My extra propane tank for my grill is also missing. I know animals didn't get the veggies, b/c of the fence and netting I have in place around my garden, the lack of animal footprints and the set of human shoe prints in the garden that don't match any shoes I own and are too big to be my wife's.

Someone went in my yard, stole from my garden and stole a 20lb tank of propane. This really makes me mad, sad and scared all at the same time. I seriously doubt it was any of my next door neighbors, I have a suspicion it was someone from the crew that came and cut down my neighbors backyard tree on Saturday. Although we do have curb side pickers/scrap guys who roll through the neighborhood daily, but they don't ever seem to take anything not on the curb, at least I haven't heard of anything going missing that wasn't out for the taking.

I was looking forward to eating those veggies. If I have to start protecting my garden 24/7 from two legged predators, which I can't, things are worse than I think.

Monday Humor

2011-07-18T15:15:00.000-04:00

Ever see a warning sign that make you go "wtf?"

Check out the rest of the Feral Irishman's pics for other laughs

Its worse than you think

2011-07-18T08:52:00.000-04:00

If you read anything this week, it should be this
"Please soberly consider the implications of the National Debt, and think through what it means for you and your children. In the years to come, we can expect to see higher taxes, a panoply of new fees and fines, decreased pension benefits, and orchestrated currency inflation. Simultaneously, we will face a declining standard of living, shortages, riots, higher property crime rates, labor protests, currency devaluations, currency expatriation controls, bank runs, forced redistribution of wealth, and "social justice" programs that will nationalize entire industries and expropriate productive farmland. This may very well spin out of control until the wealth redistribution and social engineering schemes resemble those in Pol Pot's Cambodia, or Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe."
James Wesley, Rawles
Survivalblog.com

How do we fix this? Is it even possible?

2011-07-11T14:26:00.002-04:00

Really great read, for a really bad reason

2011-07-08T16:58:00.000-04:00

You need to read this, its long, but it tells you why and how Goldman Sachs has basically been bamboozling us all since the 1800's. If we arrested all their former alums in high government posts, we wouldn't have much government left.

Makes you shiver realizing some conspiracy theories might actually be true.

Who owe who what?

2011-07-08T15:41:00.000-04:00

Ok, so, we sell our debt to the Federal Reserve, they then print more money, we then have to pay them interest on the debt we owe them, but they in turn pay us the majority of their profits back to the US .gov each year.

Does anyone else think this is screwed up?

"We owe, like, $1.6 trillion because the Federal Reserve bought that debt, so we have to work hard to pay the interest to the Federal Reserve," Paul said. "We don't, I mean, they're nobody; why do we have to pay them off?" Congressman Ron Paul

However, the Fed returns the interest earned on those holdings to the federal government. Last year, the Fed sent $79 billion to the Treasury.

I agree with Tam 100% - Our tax dollars at work.

2011-07-08T12:11:00.000-04:00

"If you're going to steal money from me at gunpoint, promise me you'll use it to do cool stuff like shake the ground with thunder and punch holes through the sky."

Good luck STS-135, sure has been fun watching all those missions. I can remember watching the first shuttle launch sometime around kindergarten or 1st grade, they wheeled TV's on carts into most classrooms and those without went into a classroom that did. We all watched with great wonder and awe as that spaceship blasted off and flew into the great beyond. I was enamored from that moment on, visiting Cape Kennedy and writing letters to NASA asking for mission patches (I got some cool stickers and a poster, but no patches, had to buy them at the gift shop, LOL).

On a related note, Congress is trying to defund the NOAA weather satellites, one congresscritter went so far as to tell the NOAA director at a hearing to just get the data they need by "turning on the weather channel". Apparently he doesn't know where TWC gets their data, where electricity comes from, or how to pull his head out of his ass.

God speed STS-135; heres hoping I see more space ships blast off in my lifetime.

Buy Monster Hunter Alpha

2011-07-08T11:31:00.000-04:00

Larry Correia writes some of the best fiction out there these days, and he needs support to keep his full time job as 'writer'. I already own the previous two Monster Hunter titles and have pre-ordered the 3rd at Amazon. The books are cheap and you can read them again and again and enjoy details you missed the first time.
As Linoge says "Buy the book today"

I will personally send you mental hugs and warm wishes if you buy a copy.

Commercial message ends here.

Funniest thing i've seen in weeks

2011-07-08T11:19:00.000-04:00

For those who don't know, Plaxico Burress just got out of jail after serving a term in NY for illegally carrying a handgun after shooting himself in the leg in a nightclub. A: use of a holster and B: some common sense would have helped him avoid jail time.
Click on the link above the watch the funniest PSA I've ever seen.

Why do we care about the wrong things?

2011-07-07T10:30:00.002-04:00

We just don't seem to care that the country is falling apart.....

Thought of the week - Show someone you care about them

2011-07-07T00:24:00.000-04:00

If you meet a woman who enjoys your hobbies and enjoys spending time with you, perhaps you should drop what you're doing and show her you care. Just a thought.

Included below is a picture of a beautiful over under shotgun with some gorgeous inlay on the receiver. The wood of the stock and grip are fantastic as well.

China and India are going nuclear, using Thorium, US did this in 1964

2011-07-06T13:17:00.000-04:00

Thorium based molten salt nuclear reactors (MSR) have multiple built in safeties against meltdown or explosion and actually can in theory provide more power per ounce of fuel than uranium based reactors. Why isn't the US doing this anymore? B/c the government regulations for nuclear power plants are all based on the Gen II Westinghouse uranium reactor design and its mods, generating electricity from a new style of reactor would almost be impossible in the US b/c of bureaucracy (the H3TR project in Texas is a proposed research reactor using thorium coated beads, but is not an MSR).

Of course, its not a mature technology, but how is it going to become one if no one in the US is funding it?

No emergency cooling system is needed, which is both expensive and adds thermal inefficiency. In the basic design, an MSR generates heat at higher temperatures, continuously, and without refuelling shutdowns, so it can provide hot air to a more efficient (Brayton Cycle) turbine. An MSR run this way is about 30% better in thermal efficiency than common thermal plants, whether combustive or traditional solid-fuelled nuclear.

China won't grow forever

2011-07-06T09:16:00.001-04:00

Interesting look at why and how China will eventually have its economy cool and the affects this will have on them and the US.

If you don't check out the business insider website from time to time, you really should.

OK, even CNN is saying it

2011-07-05T21:44:00.000-04:00

Could America go the way of Greece?

The BBC is asking the same questions.... I don't even have to comment

2011-07-05T15:28:00.000-04:00

Will the US or Greece default first?

"Will the US government default on its debt before Greece does? The fact that I can even pose the question tells you we live in peculiar times."
Stephanie Flanders, Economic Editor, BBC News

"As someone in their thirties this to me is a depressing sign that perhaps developed societies have enjoyed higher living standards than might have been possible had they been obliged to live within their means. As with Greece, throwing good money after bad, I worry that kicking the can further down the road for both countries will simply mean younger generations picking up the tab." Comment from 'Laurent'

Thoughts on Great Men in History TRUE LEADERS

2011-07-05T10:40:00.000-04:00

I am a big fan of Teddy Roosevelt and truly believe he was one of our greatest presidents, if only he were alive today....
Well, with the 4th of July weighing on my mind, I also wanted to share some history of Ted Roosevelt Jr, Brigadier General US Army. He fought in both World War I and II and was the only General to land on the beaches at Normandy, and to top it all off, he landed with the very first wave of troops. He personally directed troops for hours and was given much credit for establishing the first US beachhead in France. General Omar Bradley was quoted as saying the bravest fighting he had seen during the war was Ted Roosevelt on Utah Beach. Pretty amazing praise considering Ted Jr never fired a shot himself that day.
When he was informed the boats had come ashore a mile off course, he famously shouted “We’ll start the war from right here!”.
We could use more of that spirit.

More of the same old same old

2011-07-05T08:47:00.001-04:00

Obama thinks he can step in and offer the same old tired dialogue of spending cuts and raising taxes on the rich to fix our deficit and debt ceiling problems.
Man, when is DC going to wake up, realize the country is not pleased with their performance and do WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE!

Drastic problems require drastic solutions.

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T00:03:00.006-04:00

Independence Day is always a good time to reflect on those things that make America great.
Have a safe and happy holiday!

Carry your gun, someones child may thank you some day

2011-07-03T10:27:00.000-04:00

1. If you have a concealed carry permit, or live in a state where one is not required, keep your gun handy. Not all dog owners are good ones, and a 7 year old boy might want to keep his face.
I hear having a face is a good thing. Also, if you don't carry a gun, look into carrying a brick, apparently.

2. If you are the parent of small children, keep your eyes open. Bad things happen quickly.

I have two wonderful kids and I have had to ward off dogs plenty of times while walking in our neighborhood and in parks. Only once did I ever have to actually touch a dog in question; it tried to bite my daughter and my yelling at it and waving my arms wasn't scaring it away. Eventually I resorted to grabbing it by the scruff of its neck, and drop kicking it a few feet and it ran away. A nice .380 in my pocket would have left me with other options if the situation had gotten worse.

KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE

Hat tip to A NC Gun Blog for the story.

Florida, They know how to handle things....

2011-07-01T05:24:00.000-04:00

Reporter asks Sheriff why his deputies fired 68 rounds at a man who was suspected of having killed an officer during a traffic stop and fled from other officers in a police cruiser;
Sheriff replies "Because that's all the ammo they had..."

From wirecutter:

They only had 68 rounds? That's budget cuts for you...

I need to move back to the South,
in Ohio they would have a recall election for the Sheriff for his comments and the family of the deceased would have sued for a civil rights violation since he wasn't given a fair trial.

The Deficit Is Worse Than We Think

2011-06-30T17:08:00.002-04:00

I've pointed this out to a few people over the last few years, as soon as the Fed finally raises interest rates beyond their supernaturally low current levels, the amount of money we will have to pay to MAINTAIN THE INTEREST PAYMENTS on the national debt will balloon out of control. These current talks about raising the debt ceiling another trillion and cutting some discretionary spending are going to look ridiculous in hindsight.

Only drastic changes can fix drastic problems.

1. The rise in interest expense will cause more Federal revenue to go into paying debt interest, cancelling out any small gains made from cost cutting.
2. The economy is not going to grow by 4% annually as predicted by the White House, leaving us another 4 Trillion in debt over the next ten years even if we don't allocate an extra dollar.
3. The long run costs of Obamacare are going to be much higher than anyone anticipated, further adding to the debt.

We must bring the troops home, war is killing this country. We must end the Federal Reserve and let Congress dictate financial policies; buying our own debt with money we print is insane. We must raise retirement ages and cut back on the amount of Social Security, medicare and medicaid a citizen can collect. We must do these things now, before we turn into a failed state and leave my children living in a 3rd world country.

Greece, home of Democracy, now with more Anarchy

2011-06-30T14:06:00.001-04:00

Looks like the vote to destroy their ~~entitlements~~ ~~retirement at 35~~ country has gone over well with the people. Must not have a 2nd Amendment over there if everyone is going melee instead of FPS.

Why does the MSM use such odd analogies for measurements?

2011-06-30T13:47:00.000-04:00

Why, in stories such as this, do we equate liquids (concrete) to olympic swimming pools and solids such as steel, to the number of Eiffel towers?
These aren't units of measure that help explain anything better than the cubic feet and tons that were used in the article. If people don't get cubic feet, so be it, but I don't think telling them it would fill up a football field to a depth of 10 feet really gets the point across any better.
Chalk it up to my scientific background, but that sort of thing in articles annoys me.

Best way to sum up the article? This bridge is really long and makes getting to an island 20 minutes faster.
There, no crazy analogies needed.

Fuckitol from the makers of Dangitamin

2011-06-30T10:39:00.001-04:00

http://www.thefunnybox.com/2006/10/04/fuckitol-de-stress-pill/

heh.

Balanced Budget Amendment Being Put on Schedule

2011-06-30T09:46:00.000-04:00

A balanced budget amendment is getting put on the legislative schedule in both the Senate and the House. I'm not overly optimistic, but it makes me glad to hear its even being considered. I still think the states should pass it and force it on the .gov.

Top 5 Places Not to be if things go bad with the Global Economy

2011-06-29T15:57:00.001-04:00

1. Israel
2. Southern California
3. England
4. New York City
5. Washington, DC
"To sum up, those areas that have lived highest on the hog in the dollar paradigm will most likely be the worst places to live when the dollar collapses."
More here

“You can ignore reality,but you can’t ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.” -Ayn Rand

I don't think my neighborhood would fair too well either, but central Ohio will likely do better than NYC or DC and a damn site better than the deserts of the US Southwest. At least here we have rain and land to farm.

The question is whether free peoples will choose to remain free, or to submit.

2011-06-29T15:02:00.000-04:00

Interesting read about how Iceland basically just shrugged off any chance of joining the EU b/c the Government and its people have voted, again, not to repay money lost by PRIVATE BANKS to foreign citizens.

Let me repeat: The EU is declaring financial war on Iceland b/c the Icelandic .gov won't repay money that PRIVATE BANKS lost to non-Icelandic citizens.

They are going to be denied entry into the EU, banks and brokers are downgrading their bonds and they will be made a pariah on the international stage b/c they aren't willing to jump on the same band wagon as other 1st world governments who all says "banks are too big to fail".

Man I wish my country had balls like this.

On a side note, if Iceland has to live with itself, at least the average Icelandic lady looks like this

Alan Greenspan says we're screwed, S&P says we're boned, Obama says things are looking up!

2011-06-28T15:49:00.000-04:00

Greenspan says we are likely headed for another recession (this one ended at some point?) if a major economic bump in the road such as a Greek default, hits us anytime soon.

S&P says they are again warning the .gov that a downturn in their credit rating is in store if they don't stop playing games and fix something quickly

Obama and his financial gurus would have you believe things are getting better

Some folks who are big in the markets are calling for drastic changes soon to avoid Greek-style riots in the streets here in the good 'ol US of A. That's never good.

All I know is that between gas for my car and cereal for breakfast, I have no 'extra' funds for what life throws at me like I used to. Here's hoping a major appliance doesn't croak any time soon.

Random Pic of the week

2011-06-24T11:12:00.000-04:00

Random thought from tha Intarwebz

2011-06-24T09:59:00.000-04:00

lxa374 on Apr 6, 5:33 PM said:
"If we raise the debt ceilng, a loaf of bread would eventually cost $2000 thanks to inflation. Why dont we just slash Social InSecurity in 1/2, Military spending in 1/2 (bring troops home), pass tort reform and slash medicaid in 1/2? that will basically get us out of debt. That and impose tariffs on Chinese made crap (that I use)."

Not sure this approach would work, since it might leave a lot of people seniors starving in the streets, but I like the general gist; we look at where we actually spend money and cut there, instead of tryign to get blood from a stone by cutting spending in the small areas of discretionary spending. Entitlements and Defense are the only things worth cutting to fix this mess.

Bees by mail

2011-06-23T17:12:00.000-04:00

My best friend and his wife are beekeepers, and this video shows them "hiving" their latest delivery of bees (by mail no less).
Pretty interesting if you've never seen it done.

Scary thoughts from Ol' Remus

2011-06-22T17:40:00.001-04:00

I usually take his writings with a grain of salt (or three) but Ol' Remus has some thoughts on what to expect under martial law in the US of A., makes an interesting thought exercise at the very least, especially if you've ever read the "The Day the Dollar Died" series by Shenandoah. or payed attention to what happened in NOLA after Katrina for that matter.....

One wonders what the portent of this is....

2011-06-20T08:29:00.002-04:00

So China actually announces that Billions have been stolen by businessmen fleeing state owned companies to the US. Knowing that this could be embarrassing to themselves, I doubt they announced it just to be nice.

Either they are A: inventing reasons to crack down domestically on the autonomy offered to companies currently, in an effort to sidestep any criticisms of the economy in China (hey, whatever is happening isn't the Govt's fault, its all b/c these crooks, so we're going to crack down on them and HARD) or B: Looking for a way to stage a platform of grievances from which to declare economic war with the US (those shady Americans knew what was going on but allowed all that money into their country illegally, and WE WANT IT BACK) or C: All of the above. Another possibility is D: Something else, that I haven't even thought of, but is still bad for the US of A.

Don't expect this to go away, at least not domestically in China, the govt there will beat this horse whenever they feel it is in their best interest (the ruling cabal, not China). Combine this with China divesting itself of American debt in areas that it can quickly liquidate, and it looks like the Chinese are preparing for something. Keep your eyes peeled and if you aren't already out of the stock market, now's your chance.

Weed your garden after a good rain

2011-06-18T11:40:00.000-04:00

Its that time of year again, and you should be watching out in the garden for those pesky weeds. They steal nutrients and water from your actual plants and if they touch, can pass diseases. Wait until after a good soaking thunderstorm and you should be able to easily pull those weeds, roots and all, right from the garden bed. Then they don't grow back and the wet ground pulls apart easily. This leaves more soil in the ground and doesn't disturb the roots of what you want to grow.
It might be a little muddy, but I promise that the dirt will come off your hands with a little soap and warm water. :)

Michelle Obama doesn't like Jelly

2011-06-17T11:36:00.000-04:00

So my mother-in-law comes home from working a shift at the church food pantry and she says that they can no longer get .gov assistance in receiving jelly to pass out with the peanut butter and loaves of bread. Apparently Michelle O' feels that Jelly is nothing but hollow calories.
Great, so the poor kids should eat nothing at all if they can't eat "healthy"? Somehow this is the opposite of "let them eat cake" and it rings just as false in my ears.
I was raised on PB&J, hell I ate two of them for dinner one night this week, and I'm not obese, I don't have diabetes and I don't have unhealthy eating habits. I would wager in fact that Michelle has the same BMI that I do.
Maybe the Nanny-In-Chief can just stick to campaigning for bigger nutrition labels on food and stop branding staple food items as 'trash'.
I will be buying jelly for the food pantry from now on, instead of my normal cans of tuna fish.

Oh my, that is pretty

2011-06-16T16:38:00.003-04:00

Well, I found what I want for Christmas. Ruger just released a new 22 pistol in a "gun fighter" frame with polished wooden grips, fiber optic sights and a ten shot cylinder (compared to 6 for most Ruger 22 revolvers and 8 on a few other manufacturers). Titled the "Single-Ten", referring to its single action and ten round capacity, its just plain "purdy"; the satin finish just looks nice. And the fiber optic sights on a cowboy frame give it just a touch of steampunk...has a very Firefly vibe to it. I have no purpose for owning it, but I'll happily use it to dispatch groundhogs in the backyard if the need arises.

For your viewing pleasure

2011-06-15T15:20:00.002-04:00

I just couldn't refrain...

The .Gov has gone nuts - Now they don't want us to poison mice!

2011-06-14T13:04:00.000-04:00

So, I knew they were banning 100w light bulbs soon, I didn't realize they are also going to ban rat poison. Well, at least the effective kinds.
The press release from the EPA says they will be banning the strongest types (i.e. most effective) and consumers will only be able to buy poisons with less toxicity that are sold in child and pet proof containers. If a pet can't get in it, whats the likelihood a rat will be able to? And if its less toxic, how much will the mice have to eat?
Plus, though they quote thousands of children exposed to rat poison, I can find no numbers online of the number of deaths attributed to pest poisons. Every child's death is tragic, but if this is affecting a very small number of people, shouldn't we regulate this a different way, maybe a public media campaign? Some PSA's on TV and radio would probably help stop a lot of those cases of child exposure. Maybe put some big warnings on the packaging ala cigarettes?

Now we're stuck with rat poison that isn't really poisonous.

Good luck to all you folks in AZ fighting mice with the Hanta virus. As SayUncle says, its for your own good
I have kept away from New Jersey b/c I didn't want to live in a Nanny State, now all 50 of them are. Great.
Guess I'll be adding rat poison in with all the preps in the basement....

US Government to have technical default on debt?

2011-06-12T14:42:00.002-04:00

While I applaud the Redumblicans attempt to bring the national debt into the debate in DC, even a technical default (letting interest payments slide a couple of days) would have us lose our AAA debt rating, and would require the Fed Reserve to raise interest rates, something that would be horrible during a recession.

Hopefully we can discuss options in DC without a gun to the head of ol' Uncle Sam.

Frightening thoughts about world resource usage

2011-06-11T10:03:00.003-04:00

From Hugh Pickens, via Slashdot
"Pulitzer prize winning writer Thomas Friedman writes that in few years we may be looking back at the first decade of the 21st century — when food prices spiked, energy prices soared, world population surged, tornados plowed through cities, floods and droughts set records, populations were displaced and governments were threatened by the confluence of it all — and ask ourselves: What were we thinking?'We're currently caught in two loops,' writes Friedman. 'One is that more population growth and more global warming together are pushing up food prices; rising food prices cause political instability in the Middle East, which leads to higher oil prices, which leads to higher food prices, which leads to more instability.' According to the Global Footprint Network we are currently growing at a rate that is using up the Earth's resources far faster than they can be sustainably replenished, so we are eating into the future. Right now, global growth is using about 1.5 Earths. 'Having only one planet makes this a rather significant problem,' says Paul Gilding. 'We either allow collapse to overtake us or develop a new sustainable economic model. We will choose the latter. We may be slow, but we're not stupid.'"

Lets hope we do choose a more sustainable model. I hate to go all socialist all of the sudden, but it occurs to me that certain resources, such as oil, are the bedrock of the global economy and might need to be state controlled. The Libertarian in me hates that idea, however, the father of two who enjoys eating and being warm in the winter is largely OK with it really.

And now for something completely different....

2011-06-10T13:53:00.000-04:00

This video rocks, check it out at the Feral Irishman

Bikes are free to ride where they want. Bike lanes are nice, but not necessary. In my neighborhood they start and then peter out so randomly I tend to ignore them. They tend to be in the straightaways, and then at intersections or busy throughways where they would be the most useful, they don't exist.

My wife's cousins in Germany, however, have bike and pedestrian only "roads" between villages that are completely separate and sometimes faster than the paved roads and highways. I've been over there twice and each time I was able to ride my bicycle I had rented between the two villages and the small city where her cousins lived without ever using the car roads. Now thats what I call bike lanes.

Just the facts ma'am. UN Global Small ArmsTreaty is an attempted gun ban.

2011-06-09T10:22:00.000-04:00

From Forbes' Larry Bell
"In fact law-abiding citizens in America used guns in self-defense 2.5 million times during 1993 (about 6,850 times per day), and actually shot and killed 2 1/2 times as many criminals as police did (1,527 to 606). Those civilian self-defense shootings resulted in less than 1/5th as many incidents as police where an innocent person was mistakenly identified as a criminal (2% versus 11%).
Just how effectively have gun bans worked to make citizens safer in other countries? Take the number of home break-ins while residents are present as an indication. In Canada and Britain, both with tough gun-control laws, nearly half of all burglaries occur when residents are present. But in the U.S. where many households are armed, only about 13% happen when someone is home.
Recognizing clear statistical benefit evidence, 41 states now allow competent, law-abiding adults to carry permitted or permit-exempt concealed handguns. As a result, crime rates in those states have typically fallen at least 10% in the year following enactment."

No comments from me needed, this sort of stuff speaks for itself.

Default Looms One Way or the Other

2011-06-08T15:24:00.000-04:00

This article from the Utah Herald is frightening but I can find nothing wrong with the columnists logic.

$61.6 Trillion in unfunded mandated spending. plus $14 trillion in national debt. We are currently "borrowing" money from the .gov employee retirement system (I have grave doubts that money was even parked there to begin with) and Congress and the Vice president are holed up somewhere trying to decide on what band-aid measure to apply so that redumblicans and dumbocrats can raise the debt ceiling and look like they got their way.

This country isn't falling off a cliff, but it sure is sliding downhill fast. Hope you brought your walking shoes, this is going to be a long journey before things get better.

Mexican Drug War

2011-06-07T14:10:00.000-04:00

So the mexican marines capture a large weapons cache supposedly belonging to the narco group, Los Zetas. The number of weapons captured is impressive, even if it is just a small amount in the big picture, but what the heck are the Narco's doing with 2000lbs of fireworks? I love fireworks more than the average joe, but even so it would take me at least a long weekend to run through a ton of them. Maybe with a couple of my brothers in town I could do it one day, maybe.
I wonder if the mexican gov will auction off the fireworks? hhmmmmm

Enjoy the fall of Rome - RUM PUNCH

2011-06-06T15:04:00.000-04:00

Well, the economy is spiraling towards...well..something bad, the .gov is still printing money like crazy, the EU is falling apart, and China is divesting their Trillion dollars in US Debt as quickly as they can without causing a panic. The Redumblicans can't find a candidate to run against Obama worth a damn, and all in all, things are most definitely NOT looking up.
Well......not much I can do about it.

Best to enjoy these times with a nice adult beverage on the back porch.

RUM PUNCH

Splash of lemon juice

2 Cups Bacardi light rum

2 liters ginger ale

1 qt. pineapple juice

1 qt. orange juice

Ice cubes

Pour into punch bowl. Stir well. To serve: pour over one ice cube in each glass.

Good deal on a good meal. Yum.

2011-06-03T11:53:00.001-04:00

Preparedness Pantry/Emergency Essentials (beprepared.com) is having a product giveaway for their new Mexican Food Combo. Emergency Essentials is one of my favorite places to shop online, Give it a look, whether you win or not, its not a bad combo to have around, I'm going to buy one, either way. One question; I wonder how well tortilla's freeze?

Mexican Food Combo:
1 Can of spiced "taco" TVP
1 Can of white rice
1 Can of dehydrated re-fried beans
1 Can of freeze dried super sweet corn
1 Can of black beans
1 Can of dehydrated chopped onions

Mix in some salsa and sour cream with some flour tortilla's, splash a little lime juice in the rice, and you've got my favorite Chipotle burrito (although I always use black beans and leave out the re-fried). I'm going to see if I can figure out how to take this recipe backpacking......

Penn and Teller on the 2nd Amendment and my ramblings

2011-06-01T13:34:00.001-04:00

Anyone who knows me for more than a few days will invariably find out that I am a strict Constructionist. Meaning I like our system of government and the framing document that supports it. It also means I fully support any amendments to the original, especially the one that repealed prohibition. :)
I don't like how far our government has strayed from the Constitution, especially since the framers put in a wonderful mechanism for modifying it. Want a Dept of Education, no problem, get an amendment passed. Want a balanced budget requirement for Congress with some teeth? No problem, amendment. Want to do anything not spelled out in the document? Amend that puppy. Its a simple system and since we need a majority of states to ratify an amendment, not one that lends itself to abuse. Nothing is stopping us from having the government we have today codified in our Constitution, so why don't we take the extra steps to make it official? legislative laziness? Fear the amendments would never pass muster? Lack of anyone in DC caring about the Constitution? I don't know. I do know I get tired of people who complain about parts of our Constitution.

That being said, I know a lot of people personally and many more online who simply despise firearms (and those who own them in many cases). Since this is a right given to the people expressly in the 2nd Amendment and one that really isn't that big a deal, I don't for the life of me understand how we let people get away with railing against it. We wouldn't condone people setting up a "Repeal the 16th Amendment and put Blacks in as 2nd class citizens" Foundation. I know it'd be tough to get 503c status from the IRS at least, much less donors. Yet, groups that want to take away this Constitutionally granted, explicit right can indeed set up PAC's, charities, accept tax deductible donations and publicly rail against something, that if it were "civil rights" related would tie the ACLU in knots as they ran for their lawyers to stop you, or label you a hate group. Yet, really, when you consider life and liberty, what section of the constitution better addresses those "civil rights" needs then the Bill of Rights; all of them (well, maybe not the 10th, that's more about State's rights). The 1st allows us to say what we want, where we want, be it political or religious gatherings. The 4th prevents the government from just snooping around our house when its not warranted, so on and so forth. I think the 2nd, while a big deal to some hoplophobes out there, is actually pretty tame and is a reflection of the fact that our country had just fought a war to overcome a tyrannical government. Anyone who tells me that need could never arise again, obviously has their eyes shut and their ears plugged. Tyranny exists all over the world, the idea that it couldn't visit the US of A again is naive. A gun alone will never do anything, its just a tool after all, much like a hammer, rake or saw. But take away those tools, and you are powerless to do anything, be it build a chair, or defend you country or home. Yet, people all over this country stand up every day and say we need to take away guns for this reason and that. I'll be the first to admit there are guns in the hands of some bad guys out there, but that is no reason to take away my 2nd amendment rights b/c of what SOMEONE ELSE did. Punish them, not me.The justice system is delineated pretty well in the Constitution as well.

I just don't get it. I like Penn & Teller's thoughts on the 2nd, so I thought I would share.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GNu7ldL1LM&feature=player_embedded

Excellent job, politicians. Keep up the good work!

2011-05-24T14:35:00.000-04:00

We got trouble, right here in River City....

"President Obama's budget is $3.8 trillion. That's at minimum of $1.3 trillion more than the nation will get with projected revenues. But projected revenues will be even less [due to increased unemployment], thus amplifying the situation and adding to our total debt.
No wonder Congress is waffling and will raise the debt ceiling – by hook or by crook. Crook is more like it, when it is "borrowing" from the civil employee pension and disability funds. Good grief! Just stop the spending!
Things are about to get worse, much worse, before they get better. The stock market, bond market and our currency will wallow in the aftermath."

From Kirk Elliott via World Net Daily

Seen on twitter

2011-05-17T09:40:00.002-04:00

HeardinLondon HeardinLondon

Oh the irony that Dominique Strauss-Kahn isn't allowed to get bailed out.

15 hours ago Unfavorite Retweet Reply

We are now running the government off federal workers retirement money

2011-05-16T14:05:00.000-04:00

Um, just when are we supposed to notice things have gone down the crapper? When they tell us they have or when they run out of smoke and mirrors?
This will only get worse before it gets better. We still owe billions to the social security trust fund we haven't paid back and now we're 'borrowing' from the federal employees retirement fund to actively run the government?

Plus I hate to be the one to point this out, but isn't that still debt?
We're doing this to avoid selling treasuries (debt) b/c the debt ceiling was hit this morning. but, isn't what we're doing creating more debt? Shouldn't we just close down the .gov for a few days until Congress decides to buckle under to the pressure from the treasury and the federal reserve and raise the debt limit?
I mean, we all know that's what they are going to do, they might as well get around to it. No way that they could stomach doing the right thing and making the .gov live of revenues.

Get your 'preps' ready, b/c if someone sneezes in the petrodollar/gold/silver/insert important economic indicator here market, we're looking for a rough summer.

Really Ohio Legislature? Really?

2011-05-12T16:57:00.019-04:00

You got a Republican super-majority elected in both houses and the Governors mansion* (and the state Supreme Court while were at it) on a platform of jobs and the economy and you're squabbling about which flavor of anti-abortion bill to pass?
Really? I don't remember you having fixed Ohio's economy yet, so I have the feeling you have other things to do with your time right now. Get off your asses, cut spending, lower taxes, raise taxes, invent new grants for business, argue about ways to fill Ohio's budget gap, declare tomorrow "spend some money in Ohio day", something, anything, but focus on JOBS AND THE ECONOMY!

*per se, the Governor actually already lived in the capitol city of Columbus and chose to remain at his family home for his term, forgoing the actual mansion. Hopefully that will save the state a few bucks.

Child Safety Measures

2011-05-11T16:55:00.001-04:00

So the #1 child is now taking the bus home from school as an experiment (she just turned 8 and has been pushing for this for months). I walk her to the bus every morning and that won't change; she'd never get dressed and on the bus without me playing drill sergeant.
BUT and its a big but, no one will be with her for the walk home. Now, to be honest its only a block and a half and its a safe neighborhood and other kids get off the bus with her and there is even one boy who lives across the street who will walk with her most of the way, but I didn't get as crazy as I am without being paranoid.

Anyone out there have any ideas for security measures for an 8 year old?

Obviously she cant take weapons like pepper spray, knives, saps to school (or leave them 'hidden' at the bus stop). She is a 4th degree belt (purple) in TaeKwonDo and knows not be in 'condition white' when walking home, but I'll feel more comfortable giving her something more substantial than a whistle. Perhaps she could always carry a freshly sharpened number 2 pencil? LOL.

Aaahhh, the joys of being a parent in the 21st century.

Zombie Proof house? Maybe, but I don't want to pay the $$$

2011-04-28T15:34:00.000-04:00

This house is awesome, and awe inspiring. Don't think I could afford it though, but still pretty nifty.

Age of America nears end

2011-04-27T12:31:00.000-04:00

For the first time, the international organization has set a date for the moment when the “Age of America” will end and the U.S. economy will be overtaken by that of China.

5 years, and then we will no longer be the dominant economy. Oil won't be traded in USD, international trade wont be conducted in USD and the USD will be worth a lot less then it is even now.
My kids will be 13 and 8 and they will be entering a new world, where the US is sliding towards default, permanent recession and 1 in 5 will be unemployed.

I just have to pray that things don't get as bad as they possibly can. Any chance we can get that balanced budget Constitutional Amendment we need?

Tax Reform Now!

2011-04-26T14:58:00.000-04:00

American middle class families pay more federal taxes on a single gallon of gasoline (18.4 cents) than Exxon Mobil paid in U.S. income taxes in all of 2009.

Exxon Mobil Paid No U.S. Income Taxes In 2009

Looks like CNBC has noticed as well...

2011-04-25T12:59:00.003-04:00

$6 gas? Man I have to setup a VPN at work.
Story from CNBC about weak dollar leading to $6 gas.
Yikes.

Uh Oh

2011-04-20T15:07:00.000-04:00

We're flat broke, our leaders are squabbling in Congress and our President is re-arranging the deck chairs as the Titanic sinks and somebody over at Standard and Poor's has noticed.
http://phelps.donotremove.net/2011/04/sp-cuts-u-s-ratings-outlook-to-negative/

The Big Idea: Perennial Grains

2011-04-17T16:20:00.007-04:00

Scientists think they can create perennial grains, thus solving many of the problems we have today with farming annuals. Can I hear a big 'woot' for science? Got to love those geeks out there solving problems with their minds. :)

Don’t trust the AP for news. by SnarkyBytes

2011-04-16T11:03:00.001-04:00

Completely ripped off from SnarkyBytes ,Thanks Alan.

If you haven’t realized it yet, the AP is totally untrustworthy.
Here’s a gem from today.

Oil has topped $108 a barrel, the highest price since 2008. Regular unleaded gasoline now goes for an average $3.69 a gallon, according to AAA’s daily fuel gauge survey, up 86 cents from a year ago.
The higher costs have been driven by unrest in Libya and other oil-producing Middle East countries, along with rising energy demand from a strengthening U.S. economy.

Completely and totally wrong. The price of oil is at a record high because the value of the dollar is at a record low. Oil is priced in dollars. When those dollars are devalued and buy less, Oil becomes more expensive. You can thank the Federal Reserve for it.
“Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon” –Milton Friedman
For you liberal reporters out there, “monetary phenomenon” means it’s caused by the central bank’s manipulation of the money supply*.
But you won’t learn that from the AP.

* Yes, I know other things affect the money supply but in this case it is directly caused by the quantitative easing the Federal Reserve is doing. For you journalists out there, quantitative easing = printing money.

Who do we owe? The national debt is crazy scary

2011-04-15T11:36:00.000-04:00

So, China doesnt have to go to war with us, they just keep buying our debt until they own us. Nice.
http://www.defeatthedebt.com/understanding-the-national-debt/who-do-we-owe/

Spring, baseball and hot dogs

2011-04-13T06:27:00.002-04:00

For those of you in North America, spring is finally coming in and its time for hot dogs. My favorite way to eat them is slathered in chili sauce, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, onions on a steamed bun.

Sauce Recipe (suspected to be Tony Packo's)
2 lb lean ground beef
1/2 T thyme
2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
1/2 T cumin
Dash cayenne pepper
2 T chili powder
3 c water
1 T black pepper
1 T Hungarian paprika (no substitutes)
1 t salt

Brown ground beef, breaking into very small pieces as it cooks; drain off fat. Add remaining ingredients; simmer 1 hour or until desired consistency.

Serve with chopped sweet onions, relish, shredded cheese and maybe even a pickle. Mustard, no ketchup on a chili dog. Steam your buns people.

Note: Serve over a Nathan's dog, Hebrew national, Bahama mama or any other high quality beef frank, not just any hotdog.

Why aren't we listening to the IMF

2011-04-12T11:25:00.000-04:00

The IMF says we have to do something about our defecit/debt soon or the International economy will crash.

Why arent we listening to our armed forces?

2011-04-11T13:07:00.000-04:00

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen has described our national debt as the greatest national security threat facing our nation.

Methinks that would get someones attention when the top soldier (ahem, ok, sailor) mentions that the government is its own worst enemy.

We have to act

2011-04-05T08:40:00.000-04:00

Speaking of bad governments - Quote of the Week

2011-04-04T15:51:00.000-04:00

"If George Washington knew you were Tweeting about the British royal wedding, he'd snatch the iPhone from your hand and kick your ass." Tam

Our Government is out of touch

2011-04-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

Man, this graph sums it all up

I'm too lazy for an April Fool's joke

2011-04-01T14:27:00.002-04:00

So I will just link to someone else s.

Enjoy!

YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG

2011-03-31T10:28:00.001-04:00

Yo dawg, I heard you like towing, so we put a tow truck in your tow truck, so you could tow while you tow!