Unconcerned

I heard a bit of bellyaching about Tim Tebow's Super Bowl commercial and concerns about the anti choice message. I thought the commercial was rather benign. The message was simple, not the "if you don't have an abortion then your son will win the Heisman. " I agree with the message, to discourage abortions, though as you know I stop short of wholesale banning.
It was fine, much ado about nothing.

Cheat Sheet

Let me just say, while I think it's funny that people still take Sarah Palin seriously as a candidate, every now and then she does something that really makes me wonder what kind of dream world these supporters live in. After months of Republicans lambasting the President for use of a teleprompter, we now have an image of Sarah Palin writing notes on her hand to help her remember what her priorities are when she's "President," though I seem to remember reading that she called for a Revolution last night, which one would assume would make her unfit for office (advocating the overthrow of the country is enough to disqualify you from holding a security clearance, so shouldn't it hold true for those who would lead the military).

Of course, one of the problems with not standing for anything concrete is that you can't remember what your positions are...

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/

Super Bowl Sunday

And I'm somewhat excited about the game. I am close to ambivalent about who wins, though I think I am leaning slightly towards the Colts because I am a Manning fan and we have family in Indiana...

Saturday, Again

Well, I've got my resume out to several different leads. We'll see if anything bites.

On the Market

Well, my job, that I was hired for back at the end of 2007 to do for 8-10 weeks has come to completion. My last day will be next Friday.

While I'm disappointed at leaving, particularly because I genuinely like the people with whom I work. But I can't say as it's a real surprise - we've seen the work dwindle for the last little bit...

Anyway, I've got my resume going out, and a couple leads to follow up on. We'll see how it all works out.

Rahm's Apology

First off, I'm not sure that he needed to apologize. What he said was crass and unprofessional, but it was also said behind closed doors.

Second, I'm not sure which I'm feeling is more surprising, that Sarah Palin's ghostwriters on Facebook have never used the word for which they've expressed such shock and disdain (seriously, this is like "he who is without sin" stuff), or that the first thing Sarah Palin apparently thought when she heard the word was her son.

The record seems to suggest that Sarah Palin treats Trig as a prop for publicity purposes - why is a special needs child being handed off to her at book signings and other rallies instead of receiving the specialized treatment he ostensibly should be getting - so is there a double standard being applied here - that it's ok to sensationalize special needs when it's a Republican doing it?

It's Sunday

The last day in January.

I might need to go see a movie today.

Her Perspicacity is Astounding. Also

Sarah Palin had some input on the State of the Union address yesterday. I have read a transcript of her "interview (read: opportunity to get semi-coherent talking points and cheerleader statements out)" with Hannity. You can get a copy of the entire transcript with a link to a youtube video of the "interview" here, (the Mudflats) but for an example, I provide the following series of words of the English language:

Hannity: First of all, your initial reaction.

Palin: Ohhh, I think there was a lot of lecturing going on tonight versus inspiring the American people and independent politicians who were sitting in the audience waiting to hear some acknowledgment that there has been a disconnect between the White House and people who are expecting more from our government – more in terms of empowerment of the people not relying on government to meet all of our challenges, but empowering our families, our small businesses to fix the problems that we’re facing today.

Notice that she says that 1: the people want the government to do more by 2: having the government do less. She doesn't have any follow-up questions to answer, just softball leads for her to attempt to answer to get her diatribe out there.

Whenever she speaks, I'm more and more glad she's not our VP.

Y'all Might Be Hearin' More From Me

As it appears I might be on the job market here shortly. We'll see how things go.

Just Curious

But, how, exactly, is Coakley's defeat in Massachusetts (where she ran a Shelly Sekula-Gibbs campaign of "vote for me because I'm the Democrat") a referendum on Obama?

2 Weeks

We go to trial in 2 weeks. I'm not exactly freaking out, but it's stressful. I'll be the guy at home base pulling the info we need.

It looks to be interesting.

I'm thinking the Colts are going to win tonight, but I'm not fully certian.

I'm not sure what to think about this

I will have to think it over some this weekend...
Judge: Roeder can seek manslaughter defense - KansasCity.com

Happy Friday

Someone explain to me the appeal of the cartoon Chowter?

Have I finally reached that magical adulthood age where I am appalled by how far they push the envelope? Or is it really just crassness with no redeeming value?

Stay Classy, GOP

Pat Robertson probably only speaks for a minority of the GOP anymore, but he's still influential and, clearly, not very compassionate. Rush Limbaugh, on the other hand, does speak for the GOP, and that's what makes his statements perhaps more awful than what Robertson said with regard to Haiti.

But, people keep giving them money.

Home Improvement

As I said we had a contractor come out over the weekend to inspect the windows and get us an estimate for replacements/new windows. While he was here, I had him do a quick check of a spot on my son's roof where we had some wind-driven rain damage from the hurricane at the end of '08. Today he'll be coming in to take care of that patch, which means I'm home this morning waiting for him to get it done.

We'll see how things go, hopefully they'll be right in and out.

Off to School and Work

Gotta take the Boy in to school this morning. He has Oboe Practice, and must go in a few minutes early 2 days a week. I don't mind, as it gives him a little more practice - he's pretty good, but needs to practice more (don't we all).

Then it's back to work. I had a nice weekend off - I'd more or less forgotten what it was like to have weekends free during last year. I'd worked the majority of weekends, which makes for a difficult attempt to recall what free time feels like. It's going to be a fun year.

Now That They Won a Game

Can we stop hearing the incessant babble about the Dallas Cowboys? I mean, really - does anyone really care how long it's been since they won a playoff game? The Lions have gone much longer without a playoff game, and haven't even sniffed the playoffs in longer than I can remember (thanks, Matt Millen).

Oh, and Sarah Palin is/was a train wreck.

taking a look

We're not sure we're actually going to do it, but we had a contractor come out yesterday to look at our windows to get an estimate on new or replacement double-panes. We'll see what the estimates are. I think at the very least we're going to replace the windows in the Apple's room (it's broken), and, depending on the cost, possibly the windows in the Princess's and Boy's rooms, just to improve the insulation in their rooms...

This Just In - Sarah Palin Lied!

Of course, what would be more powerful is if the campaign manager whose candidate chose such a horrific running mate actually owned up to the trainwreck he helped create vice pointing out what has been apparent for a year and a half.

http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/checker.aspx?v=Gd2GaGqGQu

A Few Things I Don't Care About

The Kardashians, Paris Hilton, Nicole Hilton, Perez Hilton, anything Hilton, the Pussycat Dolls, Dick Cheney's opinion on anything, "Birthers," "Truthers," the New York Yankees, the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Tech, Tyra Banks, The Bachelor, Big Brother, Survivor, Billionaire Bankers' cash "woes," Blue Dogs, professional obstructionists, Ann Coulter, Ann Althouse, the death of newsprint, the "liberal Bias" and health care reform opponents who oppose simply because it's a Democrat idea.

Good News in the Good Year

Not necessarily for everyone, but the Big Ten won two Jan. 1 games this year - go Ohio State and Penn State, and conference joke Northwestern was one missed field goal away from winning their bowl game, only to lose in overtime.

As far as we're concerned, we have a new computer being delivered today. Finally. I'm ready for some processing awesomeness.

Funiculi, Funicula

It's the end of the year.

Sorry for the dearth of posts, though I can see that my audience is rather smaller recently, too.

The computer's been acting a bit hinky lately, and as such, we've been wanting for internet access for a while. I've just (sort of) fixed the wireless, though it's unsecured now.

For the Rest of Us

Happy Festivus!

I got a lot of problems with you people*




(* in this context, "you people" refers to the discourse/level of maturity in this country)

What is it about mornings

that make my kids not want to get ready? I think it has something to do with their not being happy until I'm sufficiently angry.

Kudos to Bill

I'm not a big fan of Bill O'Reilly, but he deserves credit for dressing down Laura Ingraham here for being unable to accept a compliment directed at the First Lady:

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/12/yglesias-award-nominee-3.html#more

Random Biblical Trivia

Noah invented wine.

Friday Afternoon

So we got the afternoon off of work today - it was nice. We didn't get bonuses this year - that wasn't so nice. Still, we work for the paycheck and the internal reward, not the bonuses, right? After all, I don't have benefits or insurance or profit sharing or any semblance of job security...

I sometimes wonder if being a school teacher would somehow be less stressful, but I think it's more the grass is greener syndrome. I'm generally in a bit more of a cantankerous mood in the Christmastime, anyway...

Like having a Kidney Returned

For the 3 of you who still occasionally view this blog, you'll be happy to know that I have gotten my computer back, which means that I have the ability to waste a few moments of your time with my drivel from time to time again!

The holidays are wearing on me. I'm tired, I'm irritable, and I am ready for time off. How are you?

Fomenting Fear And Loathing - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

I think appalling is the right word. Fomenting Fear And Loathing - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

Nearing Christmas

We had brunch yesterday with the Photogs. It was rather fun, and a habit that needs to happen more often. I've still not got my computer back - not that I'm having withdrawals or anything.
Oh, and I still hate CSI Miami.

Face Of The Day - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

Just a little creepy. Face Of The Day - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

I Wonder

What is the rate of developmental defects in IVF births in relation to natural births.

As Glad As I Am to Have a Smartphone

I am really starting to miss my computer.

From the Urban Dictionary

Misogynist. - a man who wins an argument with a feminist.

Friday

So, my first day off since returning from Rome and I start the day by working. I only put in a couple hours, though so it wasn't too bad. Then off to run errands. Had to drop off the laptop for a diagnostic and see if we can get it up and running again. Then to the Korean market to buy some bulgoki fixings for the party tomorrow. After that, I had to run to the mall to get some books for the kids to take to school, a couple gifts, and then to Kroger for some groceries. I also bought a new desktop computer today, which should be delivered by mid January.
It'll be nice to have. What a day off.

Busy week

Discovery is due on our case tomorrow. As such, we have been quite busy with discovery. Depo cuts took a lot longer than the powers that be anticipated. I have worked no less than 12 hours per day for the last 8days, and really have been worn down. The wife has been phenomenal with watching the kids and holding down the fort.
Our laptop died this week, which made work somewhat more difficult, and puts us in the market for a new desktop. I'm looking to upgrade - it's been nearly six years, we're due.

Sorry for the Absence

But discovery's due on Friday and we've been cranking in the overtime to try to get it all done.

I should have more time next week.

And while I have nothing against Time Tebow as an individual (he seems like a class act and carries himself well, and really, who wouldn't want him as a captain on their team?), I'm so tired of hearing about Florida and Urban Meyer that I'm glad to see them lose. Even to a Nick Saban team.

Afghan Surge

The parts of President Obama's speech that I heard last night (I was working and helping deal with kids) sounded much like President Bush's surge speech. I'd considered copying and pasting my post on his surge here, but instead decided I'd just echo my thoughts then - I referred to it as "hopeful pessimism."

I do hope the surge works to create some stability in Afghanistan, and I hope that it will give us the space to be able to withdraw safely and with some dignity - a la Nixon. But I'm unconvinced because we're dealing with a country that does not appreciate foreign influence and who has no stable centralized government.

I believe the invasion of Afghanistan was justified - more so than the invasion of Iraq (which the President had the authority to do based on the 1991 AUMF and subsequent cease-fire), and I think it's important to do our best to create some stability out of the mess we've helped make through several years of neglect and half-hearted commitment. For that, I am hopeful.

We'll see how it goes.

The Last Episode of Monk

Will be playing this Friday. It saddens me to think that this show will be over, as I think it's one of my favorite shows on television. Clever writing, good characters who you like (though I'm not terribly fond of Natalie's new boyfriend - I'd kind of hoped that she and Monk would end up together, though that was always a long shot), and stories that more often than not required a little thought to figure out.

Fortunately, I have several seasons on DVD and we also have Psych to keep us occupied, so while there will be a void, it won't be quite as big as it could have been.

Also available in Rome

At the Castel Sant'Angelo - Nutella Pizza. We did not partake.

At Least One Republican Has the Guts to Tell it Straight

One GOP Senator has openly called for the Health Care Reform issue to be delayed. Senator Luger of Indiana has said that it's more important to figure out how to pay for Barack Obama's plans for Afghanistan and thus we should consider shelving health care reform.

For anyone who's been paying attention, it's clear that this has been one of the GOP's central plans with regard to health care from the beginning. After announcing over and over during the previous election cycle that health care was in "crisis," they decided to delay, bitch and moan. and shout vitriolic rhetoric over the past year to avoid giving any honest debate on the matter or allow health care reform to come to an up or down vote - the very same thing that they hoped the farce of a Supreme Court candidate Harriet Miers deserved (I agree that she deserved a vote, but truly believe that any serious politician would vote no on her candidacy, though given the number of Republicans in Senate at the time, that doesn't mean that she wouldn't have been approved). Not that Republicans would be hypocritical about something (and yes, I know Democrats are hypocrites as well - they're politicians - but there's something about the holier-than-thou approach to governing that Republicans took during the Bush administration that is in opposition to how they act in the minority.

Anyone looking for a serious political party to follow needs to look away from the GOP.

Sunday Afternoon

I'm not looking forward to work tomorrow. A week off was rather nice. I'd like it to continue, but I also like getting paid.

More on Rome

So, while we were on our trip to Naples and Pompeii, we were fortunate enough to find another couple, a husband and wife who work for the WHO in the Congo. Great couple, lots of fun and good conversations all around. This was the couple with whom we had dinner at Ristochicco twice (totally recommend, if you haven't figured that part out yet). Apparently, during one of these dinners, Jim and I got to discussing where to go on vacations for next time. They were planning on Greece, while I have been making tentative plans to try to take the kids to England in a couple years (good place for a first trip overseas inasmuch as they have English-speakers there).

Somehow during the course of dinner, Jim and I managed to agree that we would go to Spain next summer. Not just Spain, but Pamplona. To run with the bulls.

I still am not entirely sure how we came to this agreement, but I think it's already planned.

The spouse was nonplussed, apparently.

It's No Exaggeration

To say that there's plenty to see and do while in Rome. Fortunately, the city is very compact, and you can get to most of the sites with relative ease just by walking. We spent 2 full days in Rome and managed to get to most of the big sites without too much worry.

The Pantheon was the wife's favorite site. It's hard to disagree, as the building is just astounding. It's dome is as high as it is wide, and has been used for multiple religious activities over its existence.

I don't know that I could say what my favorite was, as there was just so much to see there. I did enjoy Hadrian's mausoleum/Castel Sant'Angelo (the castle is built around the mausoleum), as it offered a tremendous view of the city. We managed to get there after dark and saw the city as it was lit up for the evening. That said, the Colosseum and the Forum were both pretty amazing, as were the city walls. The artwork in the museums of the Vatican, including the Vexullum Regis (rumoured to have pieces of the Cross in it) were unbelievable. The detail found in the frescoes and sculptures were beyond what one might seem possible.

We didn't get to the Borghese Galleries, which is somewhat unfortunate, as I understand the artwork there is also tremendous. And we missed out on Trastevere, and most of Campo dei Fiori. But what we did see was pretty amazing. Piazza Navona was chock full of painters hawking their wares, some of it rather nice, but nothing we were going to spend money on. The fountains there were pretty interesting, though not as spectacular as Trevi Fountain. Another set of fountains that were really interesting were the Quattro Fontane, which we happened by on accident. The detail in these wall fountains were also somewhat spectacular.

It was a very interesting trip, and one that I hope to make again someday, perhaps with a little more time to move around and see things (and a little more cash, too).

All Right

I really need to start sleeping in past 4 a.m. This is rather annoying.

Pray for President Obama

I would suggest that those who don't particularly care for President Obama should pray for his safety as well. Like him or not, just like President Bush was, he is our President. This is why it concerns me that the "Pray for Obama Psalm 109:8" T-shirts have been made and sold.

The verse by itself ("May his days be few; may another seize his position.") seems somewhat benign, but the intent behind it is anything but. The entire psalm can be found at this link, but for those who aren't much for clicking links, an extended portion of the prayer reads:

Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labor. Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favor his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

I first heard about this prayer, known as an Imprecatory Prayer about 2 years ago. The context in which I first heard it was that it was being invoked by a Baptist Minister (a Reverend Drake) against Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU). The reason was that he felt that AU was an enemy of God because AU "asked the IRS to probe the tax-exempt status of Drake's congregation. You see, generally, churches are tax-exempt, which carries with it the burden of not being able to campaign for political candidates. It turns out that Rev. Drake issued a statement endorsing Mike Huckabee as a presidential candidate," (from my post linked above).

The problem then, as now, is that the concept of imprecatory prayer is being misapplied. The original intent for imprecatory prayers are to ask God to intervene against His enemies. There is no call in the prayer for enemies of individuals, and there's no evidence whatsoever that President Obama, himself a Christian, is an enemy of God.

While I can only speculate that the majority of people who would purchase this are members of the Religious Right, or the Right in general, it seems likely that these would be the individuals who came up with the idea of putting this clever little line on a t-shirt. This is interesting, because it wasn't too long ago that this group of individuals (the Right) had among their number people who openly called for sedition trials for those who opposed the President or his policies (see comments), or advocated sedition against the Democrats. I remember very clearly reading several comments on blogs that I followed where individuals were calling for sedition trials for anyone who opposed the Iraq war or other Bush policies. My question, then, is why would this type of act not be considered a form of sedition? Or do First Amendment rights only apply when it's a Republican or "Right" individual doing the talking? (FTR - I believe that the idea of protected speech is a good one, and don't advocate sedition charges, but think the hypocrisy is astounding.)

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of this is that this type of inflammatory rhetoric by itself might seem shrewdly humorous, but the concern for me is that, much like what happened with Dr. Tiller's murderer or Charles Guiteau, all it takes is one person to determine that it was his calling to carry out this action to really wreak havoc, and I think that this lack of foresight by the makers of these shirts is appalling (and if that's their plausibly deniable intent, then its downright evil and nothing my God would ever approve of).

When in Rome

Eat at Ristochicco. It's at Borgo Pio 186, between the Vatican and Castel Sant'Angelo. The place is outstanding, and a terrific value. It's quite easy to overspend while in Rome, particularly on the food, but this place will fill your belly with some of the best food I've ever tasted (the gnocchi was phenomenal) and fill your heart with some very engaging and kind service. This place was fantastic, and without question the best meals we had in Rome (we ate there twice, we enjoyed it so).

I would also suggest trying La Famiglia, near the Terminii on Via Gaeta. It's a good restaurant, though it seemed more of a tourist place to me. Still, their pasta was very good, in my opinion. I had a stuffed tortelini in a great cheese sauce. All things considered, quite good.

And while we were there, I found that I wasn't as hungry as I tend to get at home, though I was moving a whole lot more - we walked like it was going out of style. Plan on lots of hills when going to Rome, and streets that are not terribly smooth - they pave with basalt cobblestones called "sampietrini" by the locals - literally "Little stones of St. Peter." You'll be tired at the end of the day, but you'll have seen quite a bit.

The Day After Thanksgiving

I can now say that I'm no longer going to root for the Packers as long as their current head coach is the head coach. Challenging that play with just over 2 minutes left and a 20 point lead was bad form. You've got the win, there was no sense in that challenge but to try to pad your lead/stats.

I ate entirely too much last night. It's been a long time since I've overeaten like that, but it was Turkey day, and the wife makes an outstanding turkey, as my kids will agree.

I think exhaustion from the trip set in last night, as I fell asleep around 6:30-ish, and really didn't move after that. I feel a lot better this morning, though I've already been up a couple of hours.

All things considered, I've had a good week, and I think the kids really enjoyed spending the week with their grandparents.

I'll post a bit about Rome here shortly, but to satiate you a little, here's a picture of the Colosseum:

Wine in Rome

I'm not a big fan of wine, generally speaking. I more or less stopped drinking several years ago, however, I do occasionally imbibe - a glass of beer from time to time. I can't exactly say why I never developed a taste for wine, but, I think it has something to do with the reds and whites that I drank. They always had a bitter taste with them that I couldn't get around.

While we were in Rome, though, I tried a few different house wines. Far and away, the best house wine that I found was called Villa Cervia. This was a house red that we had at the fantastic Ristorante Ristochicco, at Borgo Pio 186, just between the Vatican and Castle Sant'Angelo. This wine was quite smooth, with no bitterness that I could detect at all. It drank easily, and tasted terrific with our meals there. While I've looked on the website, it doesn't appear that we would be able to pick up a bottle here in Houston, though that would be nice. We do have one bottle that we brought home with us, and perhaps we'll use that to ring in the new year.

Random Trivia, Happy Thanksgiving Style

I first posted this on Thanksgiving in 2005.

Every year, Americans gather together with their families to celebrate the bounty of the year and to give thanks for all that we have on the Fourth Thursday in November with a huge Turkey and all the fixin's, a tradition that started in 1621 with the Pilgrims, Squanto, and the Wampanoag Indians, right? Well, not exactly. We'll look at some of the history of the holiday today.

First, it's true that there was a day of Thanksgiving in 1621, but, it doesn't look as though there was one in 1622. The harvest wasn't as good, there were many new settlers that needed housing and whatnot. The Pilgrims probably weren't in the best of moods for celebrating.

Second, The First Thanksgiving most likely wasn't in November. It was probably much closer to the harvest in September/October. Anyone who has spent any time in Massachussetts in November would tell you it's not exactly the best weather for celebrating.

Third, the Pilgrims didn't call themselves Pilgrims. They called themselves Saints.

Fourth, The letters and journals of the time indicate that Turkeys were not the big ticket item. The colonists came from England, where the lords greatly restricted hunting, and thus most people had never had venison before. In the states, where deer was plentiful, venison was very prominent at the first Thanksgiving.
- So where did Turkey come from? It appears as though it was a product of marketing in the late 1800s. Turkey was a much more profitable than other birds, so the lobbyists advertised immensely, showing pictures of a family gathering around a table with a big turkey in the middle. It caught on, and the picture printers (Think Currier and Ives) followed suit, with pictures of Pilgrims and a big Turkey.

So, if there was no second Thanksgiving, how the the 4th Thursday become the day? Well, Abraham Lincoln. In 1863, after the victory at Gettysburg, President Lincoln declared a national day of thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday of November. In 1864, after the victory at Antietam, they had another Day of Thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday. In 1865, President Lincoln was shot and killed. President Johnson decided to follow the Thanksgiving tradition set up by President Lincoln, and it became the holiday it is now.

Everything is fine and dandy right? Not quite. You see, in the 1930s one year, There were five Thursdays in November. Since Thanksgiving had traditionally been the last Thursday, (usually there are only 4), this posed a problem. The lobbyists for the big department stores wanted Turkey Day to be the 4th Thursday, because it gave people more time for Christmas shopping. Traditionalists felt that this undermined the historical significance (unaware as to the actual history of the holiday), and pushed for it to be on the Last Thursday. There was some fallout from that, with some states going on the 4th Thursday, and some going on the last. Colorado had a Thanksgiving Week, and another state had 2 thankgsivings. Thankfully, Congress intervened, and passed a law in 1941 signed by President Roosevelt that established Thanksgiving as the 4th Thursday in November. And The Lions have been playing ever since.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

We just got back from Rome, and the trip was fantastic. I didn't eat nearly as much as I thought I would, though what we did eat generally was fantastic. The walking will get your legs in shape in no time, as there are hills all over (yes, I'm aware of the Seven Hills). I'll write more about the trip here shortly. Today I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

On blogging

I'm losing my motivation lately. I miss the days of respectful disagreement with another's position. To my recollection, I've not targeted a private individual on a post, though I have been critical of some politicians and Sarah Palin. While more often than not my take on a topic has met with polite discourse, there have been enough ad hominem assaults to sour my taste for this. That I have less time than in days past to devote to a regular contribution of better-suported posts and my comments have been wanting of late,leads me to my thought that perhaps it's time for a break. I don't think I can quit altogether, but I feel the urge to submit my time as I had. We'll see what happens after my trip.

What do these religiously-motivated terrorist acts tell us?

What do these religiously-motivated terrorist acts tell us?

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Veteran's Day

This is a day for Veterans. It's a day to honor and pay respects to those who have served, and are serving. It's not a day for politics, for politicians, for political speeches. It's not a day for divisiveness between parties, as Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, and many others serve and have served. It's not a day for Christians, Jews, Muslims, Wiccans, Hindus, Athiests, or Agnostics, as all of these religious beliefs (or disbelief) are represented among those who serve or have served.

Let today be filled with honor for those who have sworn to defend this country and our way of life. A day to celebrate the freedoms that we enjoy because of the liberties these men and women have sacrificed, including, for far too many, trading their lives for ours.

To those with whom I served, those who served before me, and after me, to my Father, my Father-in-law, my brothers-in-law, my grandfathers, my great-grandfather, thank you for your sacrifice. Two days a year are but reminders - your service is appreciated every day.

11 Days

And then we'll be in Rome. I'll try to remember to take pictures. I know you'll want to see them.

CLE is Done

I've finished my hours for the year. And I've gotten a pretty good start on next year's hours (I've done 2.5 and have another 3.5 paid for). I just need to sit through another 3.5 hours tomorrow and I'll be in pretty good shape.

Things like this give me the desire to do one of those CLE cruises in the Gulf - get out in the water and enjoy my mandatory hours.

My wife asked me what I want for our Anniversary. I'm taking her to Rome. I'm not sure what else I need/want.

Three kids and dad

At James Coney island. Good dinner. Wife working late. I'll be working tomorrow

Brwakfast

I prefer ihop to Denny's, but Cliff's is superior to both.

A Small Victory for Consumers

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied an en banc hearing on Stormans v. Selecky, according to this article from Religion Clause Blogspot. This is the case ruling on whether or not a law passed requiring pharmacists to hand out prescribed medications regardless of whether it ran in controversion to their religious beliefs was kosher.

The Court basically denied an en banc rehearing, but did authorize a rehearing by the panel, which reached the same conclusion it did before (in a nutshell - the law is not unlawful, nor could any reasonable person believe it to be).

The allegedly aggrieved pharmacists' argument is that by forcing them to hand out prescriptions they disagree with (i.e. the morning after pill), then the State is forcing them to violate their religious principles. This, as I've mentioned before, is a load of crap. The state isn't forcing these pharmacists to do anything. Rather, the state is giving them a quid pro quo - you want the license to dispence phamaceuticals and make the copious amounts of money associated therewith, then you agree to obey the laws of the state and follow the requirements set out for you. If you don't want to do what the state (who dispenses the licenses) asks, then you don't have to do it, but you will not be able to dispense drugs.

Again, the state isn't forcing the pharmacists to do anything. They knew when they got involved in the pharmaceutical business what that business would entail (the Birth Control pill, condoms, and other prophylactic devices were available long before the current crop of pharmacists got their start), and they knew that their job included dispencing said items. Just because a new form of birth control doesn't jibe with what they decide is ok does not make it all right for them to ignore what is required of their job.

You don't like it, do something else. Period.

trick or treat

My wireless is on the fritz. Joy. But we still can get a couple things done. Just about time to change some money.

Yglesias Award Nominee - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

Good on the president. Yglesias Award Nominee - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

mmm, scones.

Twenty days. I should probably start thinking about changing some money to euros.

Happy Halloween

Trick or treating here we come

And not that I'm counting or anything,

But in 22 days, I'll be on a plane crossing the Atlantic with my beautiful wife, who I plan to bring back at the end of the trip. Probably.

Some Things Confuse Me

Like how, in the face of all that has happened over the past 14 months, people can still think Sarah Palin is Presidential material? These must be the same people who think "I could be President." Much like you or I thought when we were 20. Except some of us get a larger grasp of things as we get older...

I Read the News Today, Oh Boy

Interesting story in the San Antonio News Courant - apparently a man is going to trial after being arrested earlier this year for malicious mischief at Sea World. He reportedly took a Sharpie and drew all over the dolphins at the dolphin tank. His lawyer's statement makes it look like his defense is going to be an accidental occurance - he claims his client "didn't do it on porpoise."

Advocating Holy War?

That seems to be what Ross Douthat was advocating in his recent NY Times Article that was lambasted by Glenn Greenwald here.
Glenn writes:

It's obviously true that some Islamic extremists are inherently incompatible "with the Western way of reason," but that's just as true of Christian extremists and Jewish extremists and a whole array of other kinds of extremists. And some measures taken in the name of accommodating Islam are in tension with core liberties -- just as laws enacted in order to impose Judeo-Christian dogma are.

But the claim that Islam itself -- and the world's 1.5 billion Muslims -- cannot be accommodated by, or peacefully co-exist with, Western values or Christianity specifically is bigotry in its purest and most dangerous form. It's hard to imagine anything more inflammatory, hostile and outright threatening than a call for Christians of all denominations to unite behind the common cause of fighting against Islam as Christianity's most "enduring and impressive foe." No more "conciliation" or appeasement. What, exactly, does Douthat have in mind for vanquishing the Islamic menace from Europe? What weapons will this "united Anglican-Catholic front" employ against its reason-hating enemy? Which "accommodations" of Islam exactly should cease?

Read the whole article, and read Douthat's first. But understand that this is a dangerous opinion - "Muslim Extremists are bad." "Some Muslims are extremists." "Therefore we must wage war against all Muslims," and ask yourself how this is compatible with Jesus' teachings ("Love your neighbor as yourself," "Turn the other cheek," "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," etc.)?

BTW, Glenn's updates show western Christian examples that are not necessarily compatible with "the Western way of reason."

Anatomy of Propaganda

Mudflats dispels some myths being perpetuated via e-mail about Michelle Obama, particularly with regard to staffers, and the source of the myth.

You might be surprised to find out the source is a hardcore Christian Conservative...

Where did the Month go?

I turn around, and it's Oct. 27. In 4 weeks, I'll be waking up in Rome on my anniversary, enjoying my last full day in Europe (hopefully just for this trip, not for ever).

The Lions didn't Lose

Of course, they had a bye this week, but still - small victories.

Very tired. Another busy week ahead of me.

Cocacola update

I've now gone 9 days since I've switched to Diet Coke, and I've not cheated yet. I may have cut down my caffeine intake slightly, as well (it's possible, but it wouldn't be by much). My Coca-cola habit was pretty bad, I'd say generally speaking I have cut about 900 calories a day from my diet by switching from Coca-cola classic. That's over 2 pounds fewer calories over the past 9 days (though I don't think I've actually lost 2 pounds).

I have also changed my diet a little (it's a slight change, not a "diet"). I am doing the Subway for lunch thing - I walk through the downtown tunnels to the subway by Beck's Prime (best burgers in Downtown, but definitely expensive) and I get a six inch sub from their "Low-fat" menu. I do still get cheese on the sub (so it's not the "less than 6 grams of fat"), but not the mayonnaise, oil, or vinegar. I also am only eating a 6 inch instead of the foot longs that I used to have.

Dinner I do the same. For Breakfast, I'm actually eating a little now, instead of purely a liquid breakfast. I don't know how much help that is, but it's probably better than nothing.

At any rate, I'd venture to say I've managed to cut close to 3 pounds' worth of calories from my diet by making these little changes. If that's the case, then maybe I'll be a little trimmer when I fly out in 26 days.

It's the Constitution, Stupid!

A bill to cut off all funding to ACORN is unconstitutional. A bill to deny funding to any contractor who works with the DOD who denies the right of rape victims to sue in court for their injuries is constitutional. These are different situations.

The difference is key - one (cutting off funding) is designed to make illegal actions that affect ONE entity - ACORN. This is called a bill of attainder and is expressly prohibited in the Constitution. The other (allowing rapists to sue their rapers) effects ALL entities that would contract with the government and is perfectly legitimate. It doesn't make actions that happened before the bill illegal - that is to say Jamie Leigh Jones still won't be able to sue Halliburton or her rapists (alleged) over her ordeal. That would be unconstitutional as an ex-post facto law. But going forward, unless Inouye gets his way, then future injuries of this kind would be viewed in court. It doesn't require that defense contractors quit putting rape arbitration clauses in their contracts. Rather it says that defense contractors who don't take these clauses out will not be able to contract with the government. (He who pays the piper calls the tune).

I've been having troble with embedding video recently on here, so I'm going to direct you to Glenn Greenwald's site, where you can watch a video of a congressman being educated on what you would hope he would already know (though he's a Republican congressman, so perhaps ignorance of the Constitution is allowed?)

The unconstitutionality of the Congressional GOP's ACORN obsession

The unconstitutionality of the Congressional GOP's ACORN obsession

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Four Weeks

Until my trip. I don't know if I've mentioned this or not, but I'm taking the wife to Italy for our anniversary. I'm kind of looking forward to it.

At home, all seems well. At work, we're rather busy.

And this is my seventh day Coca-cola free. I've possibly made the successful switch to Diet Coke, which, if I calculate correctly, is saving me about 900 calories a day. I've not changed my eating habits other than to eat less - with less fat - during lunch. I eat the same amount at dinner.

Wednesday is Haiku Day

It's been four long months
But, in just thirty more days
We're going to Rome!

Making the Switch

I quit smoking in 2003 about a day or two after passing out on the interstate feeder road while taking the family to Chuck E. Cheese's. While the passing out certainly played a role in the quitting, it wasn't "the" reason I quit. It was time.

I firmly believe that when it comes to quitting something, you need to be physically and mentally ready to quit, both on a conscious and subconscious level. I think there are several people who "want" to quit but are not ready and therefore their attempts to quit will not be fruitful. Once you're ready to quit, though, then it is rather easy - you essentially just stop.

I had a similar situation happen to me yesterday - I made the switch from regular Coca-cola, which I've had virtually every day since 1995 (and a whole lot before that, as well, but '95 was the last time I stopped drinking it), to diet Coke. While I don't expect merely making this switch is going to result in my losing copious amounts of weight, I do think it will help stem the tide of weight gain I've been noticing over the last couple of months.

I still need to exercise more (I looked at Bikram yoga, but I'm a little too Middle Class Midwestern at heart to make that plunge, especially at $140/month), and might start running in the mornings, or something to get on the way down...

But it's a start.

It's Friday

And I wouldn't mind grilling tonight. Though it depends on the weather.

Definitely have to cut the grass this weekend.

And we missed the second Sunday - so may need to try to get in touch with Mr. and Mrs. Photog...

Fear and Governning in Austin Texas

Some of you may have already heard about the Cameron Todd Willingham case. In a nutshell, Willingham was convicted of arson and murdering his wife and children in said arson. Since the conviction (which Willingham maintained his innocence), and even during the trial, where he turned down a plea offer for life in prison, new evidence has come out suggesting that the fire was NOT arson. This new evidence led to Willingham's attorneys asking for a stay of execution for their client. In fact, they submitted a request on the day of Willingham's scheduled execution at 4:52pm. At just after 5pm that same day Texas Governor Rick Perry stated that he wouldn't intervene. Willingham was executed about an hour later.

There was to be an inquiry into the execution of Willingham, particularly to the question of whether or not the State of Texas executed an innocent man. The board was set to convene, when Governor Perry fired 3 of the panel members (including the chair). The new board, with a chair appointed by Governor Perry consequently cancelled the hearing. Governor Perry has now canned a fourth member of the committee (he can only remove four, the remaining five are appointed by other state officials). Governor Perry has essentially stated that the inquiry is unnecessary because he's convinced Willingham is guilty. As Publius wrote in the article linked above,

Of course, his motive is fairly clear. Perry contributed to the execution of an innocent person. And the formal recognition that Texas executed an innocent man would trigger a massive political earthquake -- one that would clarify to an inattentive public the utter barbarity and immorality of Texas's criminal justice system.

So yes, I can understand Perry's motives. But it doesn't change the fact that he is acting in a profoundly immoral way. The whole thing reminds me of a banana republic dictator clumsily covering up his crimes.

But in addition to making me mad, I'm hopeful that this story will change some "hearts and minds." Specifically, I hope that social conservatives (particularly in Texas) take some time to reflect on the implications of the fact that Texas executed an innocent person -- and that Rick Perry is trying to cover it up. It's hard to think of something that more directly contradicts the "culture of life."

The problem in this instance isn't that the Death Penalty exists. While I am reluctant to advocate its use, I believe that its presence in and of itself does serve as a deterrent. There are enough criminals who manage to lead very productive lives even in prison and enough violent crimes that take place in prison to suggest that merely putting someone in prison for the rest of their life might not be sufficient as a deterrent, and the presence of capital punishment as a possible sentence might affect actions that otherwise might have occurred. The problem comes with its utilization - in order for it to be defensible as a sentencing tool, it needs to be rare and reserved only for the most clearly brazenly guilty.

No, the issues isn't with the existence of capital punishment, rather the issue is with Governor Perry's brazen cover up of his mistake. He knows that he did something completely and utterly indefensible and he's trying to deflect attention. He has gone on the record stating that he believes Willingham was guilty, so the execution was justified. However, the key piece of evidence of the murder (the arson) has been called into legitimate question by renowned arson experts such as Austin forensics expert Gerald Hurst and Baltimore Forensics expert Craig Beyler, and Governor Perry doesn't want this information getting out. This cover-up is what is at issue. As far as I know, nobody is calling Cameron Todd Willingham an angel - they're merely stating that he likely didn't commit the murder for which he was executed - he was innocent. He was not convicted of any other heinous acts, and to execute him for reasons for which he wasn't convicted laughs in the face of our criminal justice system and our Constitution. He may have been a "monster" as Governor Perry refers to him, but that doesn't mean he was a murderer. And an inquiry that could have brought this to a final conclusion has been quashed by the person who could most benefit from its potential conclusion.

Kay Bailey Hutchison (a gubernatorial candidate) piles on in an eerily partisan manner.

About Freaking Time

Orly Taitz has been sanctioned by a judge for her outrageous refusal to accept that President Obama is actually president and her "clients" don't have "standing." A federal judge in Georgia slapped her down, saying (quoted from the article linked above): "The absolute absence of any legitimate legal argument, combined with the political diatribe in her motions, demonstrates that Ms. Taitz's purpose is to advance a political agenda and not to pursue a legitimate legal cause of action," and, "[that while Taitz's speech is protected by the U.S. Constitution,] the federal courts are reserved for hearing genuine legal disputes, not as a platform for political rhetoric and insults."

Orly Taitz claims that this sanction is just an attempt to intimidate and make her stop. She's half right.

My Two Cents' on Obama's Peace Prize

I agree with the sentiment that it's premature. I also agree that President Obama's not done enough (e.g. investigations into violations of laws of war perpetrated by the previous administration or under its watch, continued policy of preventive detention, etc.), though he's done a bit.

What I think, more than anything else, is that his name was the one placed on the award, yet the award was for the American people, who elected to remove a blight from office (yes, he was on his way out anyway, but we could very easily have chosen John McCain, who basically vowed to continue with Bush's techniques), and we chose to look a different direction. I think this was our award, rather than the President's, and it speaks to how the international community views us on the leaderboard.

Like I said - it's my 2 cents' worth - so it's not too profound, maybe I'll expound later...

Obama's Administration - continuing the wrongs of the Bush Administration?

They're the Worst of the Worst, right? Check out Andrew Sullivan.

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"Sarah Palin" has arrived

"She" did the Run to Nowhere!

As much as I can't stand these stupid "I can haz" posters, this one made me laugh.


From Obsidian Wings, who posted this poster with some commentary on what led to President Obama's nomination/win (it wasn't for what he did, it was what we as a country did in electing him after 8 years of the alternative - though imho the jury is still out on just how much better President Obama has been/will be on indefin

Homemade Chicken N' Dumplin's

I have been very tired lately. Listless, almost. I think some of it has to do with work, and some of it has to due with the season change, and some of it has to do with the seeming lack of an outlet for myself. I've lost a lot of my motivation to blog, and I'm worried about time for other activities, such as bowling or something to that effect.

But I do have a good dinner waiting to be eaten. I have some solace there.

It's Saturday Morning

And I'm sort of watching football. I'm somewhat tired - it's been a long summer.

I haven't read the new Conservative Bible yet, though I have seen a couple suggested amendments - use "Liberals" for "Pharisees," etc.

"Objectively Pro Rape"

That's the headline given to the Balloon Juice post where I found the link to this Think Progress article. The article discusses Senator Al Franken's bill amendment that was recently voted on: "Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) proposed an amendment to the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill that would withhold defense contracts from companies like KBR 'if they restrict their employees from taking workplace sexual assault, battery and discrimination cases to court.'" This amendment stems in part from what Think Progress reports as a gang rape of Jamie Leigh Jones, who was "prevented from bringing charges in court against KBR because her employment contract stipulated that sexual assault allegations would only be heard in private arbitration."

The amendment passed Senate Vote by a vote of 68-30 with Senators Byrd (D) and Specter (D) not voting. The 30 nays?

NAYs ---30
Alexander (R-TN) Barrasso (R-WY) Bond (R-MO) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS) Corker (R-TN)	Cornyn (R-TX) Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Gregg (R-NH) Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE)	Kyl (R-AZ) McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Risch (R-ID) Roberts (R-KS) Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL) Thune (R-SD) Vitter (R-LA) Wicker (R-MS)

Apparently, for these Republicans, it's ok for contractors to go overseas and help in the fight to defend our constitution from the menace of those marauding insurgents that we created, but it would be ghastly to allow the employees of these agencies the benefits guaranteed by the Constitution...

The Liberal Bias

It's infected religion! That's why there is such a huge faction of the Religious Left!

Boy What a Weekend

I didn't do nearly as much as I could have. I'm beat. Just completely exhausted. It's been a busy, strange week at work, not so much with me, but with co-workers. It could have been much worse, though.

We're having Shrimp Boil tonight - there is little in the world better than a good old shrimp boil.

Huskies and Wolverines Lose

It's a bad weekend for fans of storied football teams.

So I got my finger checked out

I have had this sore on there for about 3 months, and didn't think much of it - it kicked up last year for about a month then went away, and I figured it would do the same thing this year, however it didn't.

3 months and much cajoling later, I finally yielded to the lamentations of my wife and co-workers and went to get it checked out. Let me first say that I was not terribly impressed with the clinic at which I was seen. The wait was over 2 hours just to get in to the room, and then another 25 minutes after that. I saw a Nurse Practitioner for all of about 3 minutes, who looked at my finger, didn't know what it was, and decided to give me steroids and antibiotics. I don't feel at all uneased about this situation.

Still, I'll take the medicine and hope it all clears up for my trip to Rome in 48 days.

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

Apparently, there's not much Michele Bachmann won't say in the interest of being heard. Here, she preys upon the concerns of the pro life crowd with the absurd notion that Health Care reform will mean that your kids are going to be getting abortions at school while you can do nothing about it. Never mind that there's nothing in any proposed bill that would say that, or that Federal and State laws requiring notice would still apply, we need to make the most outrageous, Beck-esque statement we can think of so that we can really fire up the opposition. The link below is from The Moderate Voice.

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

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The more that comes out, the worse it looks

And the former president KNEW, and Dick Cheney KNEW, and the staff knew, and they all knew they were torturing an innocent man -unconscionable.

Wednesday is Haiku Day

Fifty-one more days
Then we fly to Rome - what an
anniversary!

52 days and a wakeup

Until we fly to Rome.

Be jealous.

Words Fail

Someone is now in print openly advocating the overthrow of the President via military coup...

When did this kind of talk become acceptable? I understand the option is there if a leader decides to hijack the country, but outside of wingnutville, rational people see a rational president making rational (if not always popular) decisions.

Warranless wiretapping, indefinite detention, torture and the alleged referring to the Constitution as a "goddamn piece of paper?" - fine and dandy. Attempting to dig the country out of massive debt the result of 8 years of deficit spending, decreased oversight, wild speculation and government expansion the likes of which hasn't been seen since the Great Society - coup-worthy?

First read on Balloon Juice.

Directelevising

I'm currently sitting at home while the satellite guy is upstairs installing our satellite service. We finally broke down and got a service (it's only been 6 years). While it will be nice to be able to do crazy little things like watch college football, the History Channel, ESPN, TLC, CBS, ABC, and PBS, I don't particularly care to spend $30/month to do so. Still, it's probably time we had something to watch other than Fox, NBC, and 30 Trillion Bible networks.

Anyway, maybe now I can see what the big deal is about The Daily Show - apparently Jon Stewart might be kind of a liberal???

Big Pharma

They have their hands in just about everything - and they consider anything to be a marketing opportunity.

These companies hire "authors" to write "articles" about their medicines, touting the efficacy/effectiveness of the drugs while minimizing the side effects that might come out. They then publish these "articles" with the backing of the "authors'" name recognition highlighting the positives. The problem is that these "authors" don't write the articles, rather company-paid ghostwriters do. What ends up happening is a 6000 word article written by pharmaceuticals with data-mined information pulling one or two positives from a study and skewing the results in favor of the company paying for the article.

This isn't a new development, though it's arguably a more recent one. Here's a blog post from January 2008 discussing issues with a published article from 2006 highlighting data-mined information. This is but one example, and if you look, you can find several more.

Let's hope Sen. Grassley is serious about his inquiries into this major effort to advertise through "information."

I hadn't heard about this in the news...

First off, it's unfortunate when anybody is found dead, but the facts that are known at this time according to this Huffington Post article, is that a 51 year old Census worker and part-time teacher was found hanged near a cemetary in southeastern Kentucky, and reportedly the word "Fed" was scrawled on his chest.

The FBI is investigating the matter and have reportedly ruled it "an apparent homicide," but haven't given any more details.

As Dougj at Balloon Juice writes, it's too early to jump to conclusions, though it does seem interesting to speculate what would be on Rush had this happened to a census worker in New Orleans or Detroit... If one taped incident of a fight on a school bus (that turned out to not be racially motivated) was the result of "Obama's America," then with the same limited facts in this situation, couldn't Rush just as easily say that this type of violence against the Federal Census is the result of Bachmann and Beck's America? I prefer to wait until we know what's actually happened, though the MSM blackout of this incident might keep that from happening...

It's Not OK

I know exactly what the congresscritters in MA are doing, and it's not right. You don't play games with the electoral process just for the sake of making it easier for one of your own to get back in office. Here's the post on Balloon Juice.

It's Fall

And we're not a socialist Muslim Fascist nation yet.

Clearly the tea partiers saved us.