tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30912694778774108572024-03-14T06:05:05.471-04:00Catalog of Teh Burning StoopidA politically-incorrect and snarky commentary on the idiocies found in current news.
Now IMPROVED with relevant and/or sarcastic weblinks. . . .Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-31639030024100844502015-10-02T07:48:00.003-04:002015-10-02T08:10:22.121-04:00No, if you see something, DO something. . . .<br />
So, here we are, the day AFTER another mass shooting in a
gun-free zone. No, I’m not going to argue about gun control or about the
idiocy of victim-disarmament zones.<br />
No, I’m talking about the almost universal passivity of the students in the face of death, with one exception.<br />
<br />
The shooter ( and, no, not going to mention that thing’s name or link a photo), <a data-mce-href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11906108/Oregon-shooting-Chris-Harper-Mercer-kills-nine-Roseburg-live.html" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11906108/Oregon-shooting-Chris-Harper-Mercer-kills-nine-Roseburg-live.html" target="_blank">ASKED victims to lay on the floor, and then asked them to stand, one by one, queried them on their religion</a>,
and based on their answer, shot them in the head (if they answered
“Christian”), or in the leg (other religions or no answer). <a data-mce-href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3257223/He-wasn-t-going-stand-watching-horrific-happen-hero-Army-veteran-shot-five-times-charged-Oregon-college-shooter.html" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3257223/He-wasn-t-going-stand-watching-horrific-happen-hero-Army-veteran-shot-five-times-charged-Oregon-college-shooter.html" target="_blank">Except for one Army veteran, Chris Mintz, who charged the shooter, and took 5 hits from the gun</a>. He survived, and will recover.<br />
<br />
But
my question is, WHY DID ONLY ONE PERSON do **ANYTHING** other than
acquiesce? Why do people not resist anymore? And this isn’t a limited
thing: in the last week or so, stories have been circulating about the <a data-mce-href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201509/declining-student-resilience-serious-problem-colleges" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201509/declining-student-resilience-serious-problem-colleges" target="_blank">college students who saw a mouse in their apartment . . . and CALLED THE POLICE TO DEAL WITH IT</a>. Why are people afraid to DO anything about difficult situations, much less the immediate threat of death??<br />
<br />
Why
didn’t students rush the shooter, or throw books or chairs at it?
People **USED** to take action. The one bright point on 9/11, was the
story of the <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_93#Passenger_revolt" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_93#Passenger_revolt" target="_blank">passengers of United Flight 93</a>, led by <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Beamer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Beamer" target="_blank">Todd Beamer</a>.
They knew that they had to do something, or they would die. And so
“Let’s Roll” was the cry. They died anyway, but they died WELL. Fighting
for their lives, and the lives of others. Why DON’T people tend to do
that, anymore? Personal bravery in the face of danger used to be common,
especially in the older generations. The example of <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liviu_Librescu" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liviu_Librescu" target="_blank">Professor Liviu Librescu</a> at <a data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech_shooting" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech_shooting" target="_blank">Virginia Tech in 2007</a>, serves as a shining example of what was once considered normal behavior. You still see it, for example, in that <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11818756/All-American-heroes-of-train-terror-drama.html" target="_blank">attempted French train hijacking in August, and three Americans and a Brit to the rescue</a>. <br />
<br />
It’s
not surprising that Mr. Mintz is a veteran, and that Mr. Stone and Mr. Skarlatos are military. Military service repeatedly
trains you to take the initiative, and that doing SOMETHING
constructive now is far better than thinking back to what you should or
could have done. And repeated requests from those who encourage us to
stand back, and let the “professionals” deal with a dangerous situation
haven’t helped either. As the old bromide goes, when seconds count, the
police are minutes away. It’s up to individuals, not the cops or other
“professionals”, to provide the last line of defense.<br />
<br />
<br />
Friends,
the world is dangerous. And despite gun-free and weapon-free zones, I’m
always armed. With the one weapon they can’t take from me: it’s between
my ears and under my scalp, and I do my best to keep it fully loaded at
all times. So I don’t always carry a firearm, or even a knife . . . but
I will just note the surprising potential of a <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-22-01769-Shard-Keychain-Tool/dp/B002ZK45IQ" href="http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-22-01769-Shard-Keychain-Tool/dp/B002ZK45IQ" target="_blank">full ring of keys</a> or a <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014KMDZ0" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014KMDZ0" target="_blank">pocket screwdriver</a>.<br />
<br />
Remember, weapons aren't dangerous: men are. Be Dangerous, always . . . your safety, and that of others, depends on it. . . <br />
<br />
. . . .An old Sheepdog.Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-19675391979736111562013-12-07T20:44:00.000-05:002013-12-07T20:51:10.568-05:00And on a slow Saturday Morning: fighting a Troll. . .It's a cold, rainy Saturday in December. A big winter storm is about to hit, and is already roaring through the Midwest: a friend of mine down in Arkansas is remarking how 4 cars have spun out on the ice at the bottom of the hill on which she lives.<br />
<br />
Basically, a boring Saturday. And then, a spark of something fun. A Troll has appeared. Nothing to do but don my armor of fact, and pick up my rapier wit, and go to battle. . .<br />
<br />
The Troll has got himself into a pants-wetting fit over. . . this logo. . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=32686.0;attach=540381;image" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=32686.0;attach=540381;image" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This requires a bit of explanation both over the logo AND the fit.<br />
<br />
First, the logo. This is the Mission Patch of Satellite "NROL-39". Not much is publicly known about it, <a href="http://www.americaspace.com/?p=46186" target="_blank">but that it launched on an Atlas V booster on December 5th, 2013, and is classified in purpose and capabilities, but it is widely believed to be the third member of the Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) constellation of radar-reconnaissance satellites, located in circular, 680-mile-high (1,100-km) orbits. </a><br />
<br />
In other words, it's a reconnaissance satellite, with world-wide coverage. So, yes, if it's visible to the sensors, nothing on Earth is beyond their reach, and they can view it. It's the sort of thing our Aerospace industry does routinely and quietly, and they're damned good at it.<br />
<br />
The Satellites are all controlled by the <a href="http://www.nro.gov/" target="_blank">National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)</a>, one of the Intelligence Agencies of the Department of Defense. These are the people who design, acquire, launch, and use the Strategic Reconnaissance Assets of the United States. Remember way back when, before DESERT STORM, when Colon Powell was showing images of Iraqi buildups and suspected chemical facilities ? NRO. Remember reading about the Cuban Missile Crisis and those photos of under-construction missile launch farms in Cuba, NRO.<br />
<br />
Anyway, their engineers and programs tend to have images and logos for each bird. You can trace THAT back to the Mission Patches of the manned Space Program, and before that, all the way back to Nose Art on airplanes in World War Two.<br />
<br />
I PARTICULARLY like this patch, from an unknown NRO Program:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IWouldTell59_small-e1308342149480.gif?resize=450%2C417" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://i0.wp.com/vigilantcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/IWouldTell59_small-e1308342149480.gif?resize=450%2C417" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For those of you who DON'T read Latin, it translates as: "If I could tell you. . . I'd have to kill you. " Needless to say, Mission Patches/Logos are generally humorous, and tend towards dark humor. I have a few from my old days flying the B-52:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EcLiOxmjaA/UqO_1lLDR_I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/hSDFR4tEMfk/s1600/KAG_B52_Patches001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EcLiOxmjaA/UqO_1lLDR_I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/hSDFR4tEMfk/s640/KAG_B52_Patches001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The first was an unofficial patch from my old outfit, the 69th Bomb Squadron, the other came from a fellow crewdog at Minot AFB, from the 5th Bomb Wing: it's an unofficial patch of the wing logo. . . and "Death From Above".<br />
<br />
So much for Logos, and now onto the Troll.<br />
<br />
Said Troll was obsessing about that logo, and the NSA gathering network and phone data on all of us. How he got from A to B is a bit of tortured logic, but I **THINK** it went like this: NRO has a satellite that "Nothing Is Beyond Their Reach". NRO is an Intelligence Agency. Intelligence Agencies share Information. NSA is an Intelligence Agency. NSA intercepts, stores, and analyzed internet and phone net data on American Citizens. Therefore:<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
<u>"OMFG ! This satellite is here to steal our Interwebs, and they're being brazen about it !!!!"</u></h4>
<br />
<br />
And the conversation went a little like this:<br />
<br />
<u><b>Me to Pathetic Idiot Troll (known hereafter as "PIT"):</b></u> <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45,"tn":"*G"}" id="fbPhotoPageCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">you speak of mission patches in the same way virgins speak of sex: with enthusiasm and utter ignorance. . .<br /> <br />
To wit: You obviously haven't been in the Military. . . My old B-52
squadron had an unofficial patch which featured a winged skull dripping
blood over the world. With the motto: <br /> <br /> "Low and out of the Dark: We make Nightmares"<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> <br /> And the second one is an UNOFFICIAL Patch of the 5th Bomb Wing: that motto, translated from the Latin, is "Death from Above".<br /> <br />
Your pants-wetting at NRO mission patches, which, BTW, are used for
OVERHEAD imagery, not domestic internet intercept and data-mining, is,
frankly, embarrassing.<br /> <br /> Here's a dollar, go out and buy a clue. . .</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45,"tn":"*G"}" id="fbPhotoPageCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"><b><u>PIT:</u></b> </span></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45,"tn":"*G"}" id="fbPhotoPageCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098031}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098031}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098031}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">When
a mission patch is used for an Organization that shares DATA on
American citizens and the patch is directed at spying on those citizens
instead of at the enemy For instance using the Motto "Better the Devil
You Know". Then I get concerned. I may not have served but I worked for
the military for many many years and have several commendations for
service in maintaining operational readiness and a secret clearance. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45,"tn":"*G"}" id="fbPhotoPageCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098031}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098031}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098031}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098046}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098046}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098046}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">The person that brought the patches to my attention and was concerned with the motto as well was an ex army officer.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45,"tn":"*G"}" id="fbPhotoPageCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098031}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098031}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098031}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098046}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098046}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098046}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]"><b><u>Me:</u></b> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">
And again, you display your ignorance. NRO specializes in OVERHEAD
RECON. NRO is ENTIRELY SEPARATE from NSA. Just like CIA, DIA, the
various service and Federal Department Intel sections. The only thing
they have in common, i</span></span><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">s that all report to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).</span><br data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[1]" /><br data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[2]" /><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]">And,
since you obviously haven't been paying attention, more than "OMG, the
Feds SPY on us!", allow me to inform you: the ubiquitous surveillance
placed on American Citizens was done by the National Security Agency
(NSA), and was done with the full cooperation of the major telecoms and
ISP, who not only allowed access, but generally bent over, spread their
cheeks, and applied fruit-flavored lube* to make it easy for No Such
Agency to have done so. . .</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]"> <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]"><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]"><i>(*Intelligence from a source at Google reveals that it was, in fact, Strawberry-flavored Lube.)</i></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]">Quite frankly, anyone who has been paying attention knows this is not new. Google the following terms: ECHELON. CARNIVORE. TOTAL INFORMATION AWARENESS. They've been doing this stuff for DECADES. . . </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098058}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]"><b><u>PIT:</u></b> </span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098060}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098060}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098060}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">Sorry one insult per person </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098072}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098072}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098072}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">If you can discuss this without insults I am willing otherwise. I am not. </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098082}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098082}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098082}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">BTW
the wiki article on the NRO states that members of the NSA work for the
NRO. I don't take wiki as gospel truth but it is good for somethings.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098082}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098082}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098082}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">Note: Gee, Wikipedia as an even VAGUELY authoritative source ? He didn't even bother to check Wikileaks ? Not just a tinfoiler, but a not terribly competent one. . . </span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098082}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098082}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098082}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]"><b><u> Me:</u></b> </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">
There is nothing TO discuss. If you wish to continue to wet your pants
over politically-incorrect mission patches, I merely recommend you stop
by your local Wal-Mart and pick up a pack of "<a href="http://www.depend.com/mens-solutions/products/19740/" target="_blank">Depends</a>". Obviously,
invest in the extra-absorbent steaming pantsload type. . .</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><i>(I kill myself, sometimes. . .) </i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><b><u>PIT:</u></b><i> </i></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">Goodbye since you refuse to discuss rationally.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">(ooooh ! I've been KILLFILED !!! Oh, the huge manatee!!!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<b><u><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">Me: </span></span></span></span></span></span></u></b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098093}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098093}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098093}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">Yes,
NRO **IS** a joint Intel operation. But again, you show your
ignorance. NSA's major job is SIGNALS intelligence. So they have an
interest in Overhead ELINT*. As opposed to DataInt. . . which is NOT
what NRO does. . .</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098093}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098093}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098093}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">(*ELINT: Electronics Intelligence: monitoring the signals and other electronic emissions of a potential opponent. to gain insight into their capabilities and plans.. . ) </span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098084}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098086}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]"><b><u>PIT:</u></b> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098104}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098104}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098104}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">Wait you just said earlier that NRO is entirely separate from NSA and accused me of ignorance. Hmm. </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098112}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098112}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098112}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">Do you really trust this agency under Obama?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><i>(And there it is: Obama is teh Deebil: not that I disagree, but, geeze, at least use some CREDIBLE tinfoil. . . .) </i></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><i><br /></i><u><b>Me:</b></u> One,
I thought I was kill-filed. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">Two, again, you show ignorance of basic
organizational structure. Organizations OFTEN second personnel to other
organizations. Hell, I was seconded to HQ NATO and to the RAF. . .</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><u><b>Amused By-stander</b></u>: Grabbing Popcorn. . . </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><b><u>PIT:</u></b> <a href="http://www.nro.gov/careers/nsa.html">http://www.nro.gov/careers/nsa.html</a></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0].[3]"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0].[3]">Well that is not what the NSA says about the NRO</span></span><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0]"><br data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0].[0]" /><br data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0].[1]" /><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0].[2]">"Along
with the NRO and the NGA, the National Security Agency (NSA) is a major
intelligence agency within the Department of Defense. The NSA is the
nation's cryptologic organization charged with protecting the
government's information systems and producing foreign signals
intelligence information. The NSA works closely with the NRO to
accomplish their goals. The NRO is staffed in small part by NSA
personnel."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0].[2]"><i>(Note: there are SEVERAL intelligence agency career links here. And it's what the NSA is saying about the NRO **ON** the NRO site. . . ) </i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0].[2]"><b><u>Me: </u></b> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0].[2]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">Yes,
it says they are a SEPARATE organization, and that some NSA people work
at NRO. As I already noted. You have not, however, shown ANY
connection between NRO and spying on American's private data. And you
are offended by some Mission Patches tha</span></span><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">t
JUST HAPPENED to be on Drudge in the last 24 hours. Might I, again,
suggest you go find some Big Boy Pants, and put them on ??</span><br data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[1]" /><br data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[2]" /><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]">But,
please, DO elucidate on your vast experience with the inner workings of
the Intelligence Agencies, gained while running a small vanity press
and working as a contract archeologist. . . . which has also given you
deep insight into the means and methods of major intelligence
organizations, while, somehow, evading detection and prosecution for
doing so. I know what I know from general experience in the military
and in Federal IT Contracting.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0].[2]"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]">(Note: the PIT blogs, generally on other tinfoil theories, reportedly runs a small vanity press, and worked as a contract archeologist: i.e. a technician at dig sites. . . .) </span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0].[2]"><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098113}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098136}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3].[0].[2]"><b><u><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]">PIT:</span></span></span></span></span></u></b><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098195}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[3]"></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098213}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098213}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098213}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]"> It says exactly what I said it says they share information which is my major concern.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="UFICommentSocialContext" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"><a data-hover="tooltip" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2].[1]" data-tooltip-alignh="center" data-tooltip-uri="/ajax/mutual_friends/tooltip.php?friend_id=541944429" href="https://www.facebook.com/browse/mutual_friends?uid=541944429" rel="dialog"></a></span><br />
<div data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">Since
you refuse to discuss without insults or provide evidence for these
thing you know, beyond the fact you say so I think we know that you have
a very weak argument.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]">
</div>
<div data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]"><u><b>Me:</b></u> </span></span></span><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098239}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098239}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098239}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098239}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">You're
a SPECIAL kind of stupid, aren't you ?? You do not use OVERHEAD to do
NETWORK surveillance: you just plug in to the network. NSA does
infosec, cryptosec, and ELINT. You DO use OVERHEAD for ELINT, but not
for network surveillance. It would be like using a satellite to look
into your neighbor's 14-year-old-daughter's room, when she leaves the
curtains and the window wide open. . . . especially as she's SEEN you peeping at her, and occasionally puts on shows. . .<br /><br /><i>And then, the final bit from PIT:</i></span></span></span></div>
<div data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098239}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098239}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098239}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098218}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]">
<b><u><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098239}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098239}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098239}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">PIT:</span></span></span></u></b><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]"> Obviously
I am stupid because I continue to discuss this with someone whose
entire argument is to call names and suggest the person that disagrees
has poopy pants.</span><br />
<div data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><br data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[2]" /><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[3]">Quoted from the NRO site...</span><br data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[4]" /><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[5]">" The NSA works closely with the NRO to accomplish their goals." obviously one of us is wrong.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<div data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]">
</div>
<div data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[5]"><i>Alas, all good Troll stomping sessions must end. . .</i> <br /><br /><b><u>Me:</u></b> </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098268}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098268}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098268}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">Glad
to see you admit it. I have provided information and noted
relationships: you have provided outrage and claimed connections where
there is no good or logical connection, and an astounding ignorance of
how things actually work.</span><br data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098268}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[1]" /><br data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098268}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[2]" /><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098268}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]">And I suggested you're **wetting** your pants, it you also have poopy pants, I suggest <a href="http://www.imodium.com/" target="_blank">Imodium</a>(tm)</span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[osu0].[1][3][1]{comment10151879069904891_10098247}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[5]"><u></u></span></span></span></div>
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******************************************************************<br />
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And so ended a slow Saturday. . .Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-21658895306414857742013-11-18T20:56:00.000-05:002013-11-18T20:58:09.063-05:00Something Different for me. . . . .things that absolutely blew me away today. . . I know, you're used to the snarking of the truly stupid things out there.<br />
<br />
But Tonight. Something different. Something GOOD. Something worth sharing. I only hope you like them as well, and spread them as well.<br />
<br />
First: the best 99 cents you'll ever spend . . . .<br />
<br />
A VERY personal, very bad story, and how someone overcame it:<br />
<a href="http://www.upworthy.com/its-hard-to-speak-about-these-things-in-public-so-he-drew-this-instead-5?c=ufb1" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.upworthy.com/its-hard-to-speak-about-these-things-in-public-so-he-drew-this-instead-5?c=ufb1" target="_blank">Something Terrible.</a><br />
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<a href="https://upworthy-production.s3.amazonaws.com/nugget/52857e5d55b21d3edf0012a9/attachments/Something-Excerpted_728_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://upworthy-production.s3.amazonaws.com/nugget/52857e5d55b21d3edf0012a9/attachments/Something-Excerpted_728_2.jpg" /></a></div>
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This is just the summary version, the full version is <a href="https://sellfy.com/p/kvTh/" target="_blank">here</a>. It's the best 99 cents you'll ever spend.<br />
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**************************<br />
<br />
Item Two on the menu. An ad, from Google India.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gHGDN9-oFJE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Tell me you're not wiping away a tear or two.<br />
<br />
I'll be back with snark, but every once in a while, you HAVE to share the things of beauty. . . <br />
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<br />Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-6424536929162086282013-10-15T17:37:00.001-04:002013-10-15T17:37:48.894-04:00Early Storm Warning, and yet more burning "Zero-Tolerance" stoopid. . . First up: a storm warning. If President Stompy Foot does NOT get his way by Halloween, and we're still in Shutdown and/or the Debt Limit hasn't been raised. . . . .do NOT go grocery shopping, or near<br />
ANY store that accepts EBT cards in early November. . . . .<br />
<br />
Why, you ask ?? Because the Department of Agriculture has <a href="http://nukegingrich.com/2013/10/15/usda-directs-states-to-halt-snap-by-november-1/" target="_blank">told all the states that it will NOT be funding SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better know as Food Stamps, or, more recently, EBT, as of November 1, 2013.</a><br />
<br />
Read for yourself. . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://nukegingrich.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/usda-letter-re-snap.jpg?w=462&h=600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://nukegingrich.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/usda-letter-re-snap.jpg?w=462&h=600" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
So, why avoid them ?? Perhaps you weren't following the news: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2013/10/12/food-stamp-debit-cards/2972713/" target="_blank">there was a "glitch" at a Xerox Data Center. . . and 17 states lost their EBT programs</a>. <a href="http://twitchy.com/2013/10/12/riot-time-food-stamp-users-in-near-panic-over-ebt-card-failures/" target="_blank">And people lost their ever-lovin' MINDS</a>. . . And at <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2458815/Louisiana-Walmart-shelves-left-food-stamp-glitch-gives-shoppers-UNLIMITED-funds-hours.html" target="_blank">two Wal-Marts in Louisiana, it didn't go down: instead, it showed NO LIMIT. . . and very quickly, both stores were mobbed, and the shelves stripped bare</a>. . . <br />
<br />
Well. . . I've worked in IT for 20+ years, and I'm not buying it, and here's why:<br />
<br />
They <u><b>claim</b></u> it was due to an issue in backup at one site, during a maintenance period.<br />
<br />
RIIIGHT. I've worked mission-critical apps. Which are engineered with automatic failovers to backup (or clustered systems). For a system that serves multiple states with a mission-critical app, you have entire failover SITES, at LEAST one, geographically separated from the main site, so that a disaster does not take down the system.<br />
<br />
And doing maintenance on such a system at 10AM during a high-use period ? Sorry , not even CLOSE to Best Practices. You schedule a Maintenance Window during a known period of low activity, say, Midnight Saturday until 6AM Sunday morning. AFTER manually failing over to the backup site(s).<br />
<br />
THEN, claiming a backup error caused this. Sorry, that doesn't make sense EITHER for a high-volume, mission-critical app. Best practice for at LEAST the last 6-8 years, is do a flash copy of the database to a totally separated and dedicated disk array, and then do backup from the array, So Production keeps running at full speed.<br />
<br />
No, friends, this was a trial run. Of what's been come to be known as "<a href="http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/bracken-when-the-music-stops-how-americas-cities-may-explode-in-violence/" target="_blank">Making the Music Stop</a>", the purposeful shutdown of the EBT system, <a href="https://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/bracken-will-obama-stop-the-music-this-november/" target="_blank">INTENDED to cause social chaos by inflicting pain for political points</a>. . .<br /><br />I'll let <a href="https://mattbracken.com/" target="_blank">Matt Bracken</a>
explain it to you, in both of the excellent links above. And, BTW, for
the next three weeks, his "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enemies-Foreign-Domestic-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B004JF4L98" target="_blank">Enemies</a>" trilogy is free on Amazon. . .
recommended reading, and did I mention free ?? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/p480x480/1383279_666611493358294_1127558767_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/p480x480/1383279_666611493358294_1127558767_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anyway, that's your storm warning. Hopefully, it will not happen. But forewarned is half an octopus. . .<br />
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********************************************************************************<br />
<br />
And now, moving from national-level Burning Stoopid, to the source of MOST of teh Burning Stoopid in America today, our schools. . .<br />
<br />
Meet High School Senior, and until recently, Captain of the Volleyball Team, Erin Cox. . . <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/High-school-student-Erin-Cox-suspended-for-rescuing-drunk-friend-WBZ-TV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/High-school-student-Erin-Cox-suspended-for-rescuing-drunk-friend-WBZ-TV.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />She's been stripped of her captaincy and suspended from the team for five games for violating the school's zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol. Except, she wasn't drinking. She got a text from a friend who said she was too drunk to drive, and could she pick her up and drive her home ?<br /><br />And, as a good friend, and <a href="http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/columnists/margery_eagan/2013/10/eagan_school_slaps_teen_for_doing_the_right_thing" target="_blank">following the advice given to kids these days, that if you shouldn't drive, call someone to pick you up. . . .she did</a>. Her timing was, apparently, inauspicious, because a minute or three after her arrival, police from **4** different jurisdictions swooped down on the party and arrested 12 students for drinking, and issued summons to 15 others for ALLEGEDLY drinking. <br />
<br />
Although <a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/14/high-school-punishes-senior-for-rescuing-drunk-friend-from-party/" target="_blank">one of the arresting officers vouched, in writing, that she was, in fact, sober and NOT drinking</a>, the school suspended her anyway. <a href="http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/columnists/margery_eagan/2013/10/eagan_school_slaps_teen_for_doing_the_right_thing" target="_blank">Because "being at a party where alcohol was served" was considered an infraction as well</a>. . .<br />
<br />
Her family did what any other red-blooded American family would do: they appealed, and when the appeals were ignored, the sued. And that's where the REALLY nasty part occurs: The Judge ruled that the Court had no jurisdiction, and the Lawyer for the school district materially lied under oath, claiming she had, in fact, been arrested.<br /><br />Now, maybe it's just me, but I'd think that any activity in a judges' district falls under the jurisdiction of their court, but apparently not, when the mavens of Zero-Tolerance/Zero-Thought are involved. <br /><br />And Erin is just another casualty of their ill-placed zeal. . . <br /><br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-80825448403550660832013-10-07T17:31:00.001-04:002013-10-07T17:31:20.588-04:00Call to Patriots. . . . .time to get out and DO something.OK, people. . . . I don't know about you, but your Wizard is mad enough to shoot Fireballs out of each and every orifice, at the crap the Administration is pulling.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Closure-of-War-Memorials-Continues-to-Cause-Conflict-226481851.html" target="_blank">Going out of their way to close open-air monuments</a>. <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/feds-evict-elderly-couple-from-their-home-cite-shutdown/article/2536875?custom_click=rss" target="_blank">Throwing people out of homes they've lived in for 40 years.</a> <a href="http://siouxfallsbusinessjournal.argusleader.com/article/20131004/UPDATES/310040047/S-D-officials-object-feds-barring-visitors-from-highway-viewing-areas-near-Mount-Rushmore" target="_blank">Closing a road because you MIGHT see Mount Rushmore from it</a>. Even <a href="http://www.bizpacreview.com/2013/10/05/feds-close-parts-of-the-ocean-due-to-shutdown-84722" target="_blank">trying to close the fricking OCEAN</a>.<br />
<br />
This has gone too far. And it's time for We, the People, to make our voice heard. And as such, I'm asking you to support and come out for two events: The Trucker's Ride for the Constitution and the Million Vet March on the Memorials.<br />
<br />
Remember<a href="http://foxnewsinsider.com/2013/09/11/dc-denies-permit-911-2-million-biker-rally-was-it-political" target="_blank"> the Two Million Biker Ride on 9/11</a> ?? The one that the Media barely covered, and that DC Traffic Cameras were, mysteriously, not working for ??? Or, as they said "Heavy Internet Traffic, Cameras are down". RIIIIGHT. . . Well, if at first we don't succeed. . . .<br />
<br />
THIS Weekend. Thursday, October 11th through Saturday, October 13th, 2013, Starting with the (depending who you're talking to), <a href="http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/09/1-million-truckers-to-shut-down-america-protest-gains-momentum-rally-date-approached/" target="_blank">Truckers To Shut Down America</a> , the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ridefortheconstitution" target="_blank"> Trucker's Ride for the Constitution</a>, or the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/1MillionTruckersDC" target="_blank">1 Million Truckers to DC</a>. It's all the same. People who are sick and tired of all the Beltway Insiders playing their silly little power games are going to <a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/10/07/truckers-for-the-constitution-plan-to-slow-dc-beltway-arrest-congressmen" target="_blank">LISTEN to the roar of a million rigs, bringing traffic around Washington to even MORE of a stand-still than usual</a>.<br />
<br />
IF you come to DC this weekend, you NEED to show your colors. Your rear window should have a visible "T2SDA" in your rear window. Nothing fancy, but I've taken the liberty of making a printable sign/strips for your rear window, you can download it <a href="https://app.box.com/s/u7cuva3gpqwymg9z7qpx" target="_blank">HERE</a>. (Color PDF).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dCoq82mryg/UlMmDKsRN1I/AAAAAAAAAJg/cHbDljkxjEM/s1600/T2SDA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dCoq82mryg/UlMmDKsRN1I/AAAAAAAAAJg/cHbDljkxjEM/s400/T2SDA.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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(or just save this and print. . . )</div>
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Then, Saturday the 13th, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Million-Vet-March-on-the-Memorials/539097822833735" target="_blank">Million Vet March on the Memorials.</a></div>
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If in DC, be at the World War II Memorial at 9AM. If you're not in DC, here's a <a href="http://1mvetmarch.wordpress.com/rally/" target="_blank">list of local sites where we're also gathering</a>. . </div>
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Ground rules: PEACEFUL PROTEST. We leave<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/23/tons-garbage-collected-obama-inauguration/" target="_blank"> trashing the town to the Anarchists, Hippies, and other left-wing groups</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://constitutionallyspeaking.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/trash-and-other-debris-scattered-across-the-national-mall-after-obama-inauguration-ceremony.jpg?w=600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="417" src="http://constitutionallyspeaking.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/trash-and-other-debris-scattered-across-the-national-mall-after-obama-inauguration-ceremony.jpg?w=600" width="640" /></a></div>
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We're better than that. Pick up your trash. If confronted by counter-protesters, turn the other cheek and walk away. . .</div>
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Be there. I will . . . </div>
<br />Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-1680294855392996262013-10-06T11:35:00.003-04:002013-10-06T11:35:34.417-04:00OK, this is just beyond the Pale. . .It really IS turning into Bizarro World out there. Due to the Shutdown, <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/feds-evict-elderly-couple-from-their-home-cite-shutdown/article/2536875?custom_click=rss" target="_blank">National Park Service Rangers have evicted an elderly couple from their home</a>. Meet Joyce and Ralph Spencer. She's 77, he's 80. They've owned the home since the 1970s, and <a href="http://www.ktnv.com/news/local/Lake-Mead-Property-Owners-Forced-Out-Until-Gov-Shutdown-Ends-226557661.html" target="_blank">were given 24 hours to gather belongings and leave</a>. They never were evicted in any of the OTHER 17 shutdowns since they built their home there. <br />
<br />
Now, it's QUITE obvious what's going on here: just like the Doomsday Sequester, the Administration has made a conscious decision to inflict maximum pain on the little people. They've<a href="http://beforeitsnews.com/power-elite/2013/10/unbelievable-police-prevent-drivers-from-pulling-over-and-viewing-mt-rushmore-2443410.html" target="_blank"> stopped people from pulling over on public roads and LOOKING at Mount Rushmore</a>. . . I've already mentioned the shenanigans at the World War Two memorial, but they're doing it at the Vietnam Memorial as well.<br /><br />But the real over-the-top stunt is ordering the Ocean closed. <a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=baldwin&book=fifty&story=canute" target="_blank">King Canute ordered the waves to stop</a>, Obama <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0tuAJkbUWU" target="_blank">claimed the seas would stop rising under his rule</a>. . . but now <a href="http://www.bizpacreview.com/2013/10/05/feds-close-parts-of-the-ocean-due-to-shutdown-84722" target="_blank">Obama has ordered the OCEAN closed</a>.<br />
<br />
Well, since we're closing the Parks and evicting private property owners, I figure what's good for the goose is good for the gander. You see, the White House is, technically, a National Park (<a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hVe3v9FQmUEJ:www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">Google cache</a>, since the NPS.gov site was TAKEN down. An effort that, BTW, COST MONEY. . .) <br />
<br />
You see, a crucial part of American Jurisprudence is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Protection_Clause" target="_blank">Equal Treatment Under Law</a>. Remember the Spencers ?? They OWN their house, and were forced out. The Obama's don't even pay rent on the Residence. It's only applying existing law that they need to decamp as well.<br />
<br />
Of course, we know that won't happen. Because, after all <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Farm" target="_blank">Some Animals are More Equal than Others</a>. . . <br />
<br />
But that may be changing. <a href="http://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2013/10/bikers-ride-for-ww-ii-veterans-memorial-oct-5-2013-details-escort-honor-ride-kick-stands-up-again-2727588.html" target="_blank">The Bikers came to DC yesterday to support the WW2 Vets</a>. <a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/09/30/dc-shutdown-is-full-speed-ahead-say-organizers-of-trucker-protest" target="_blank">The Truckers are coming next weekend</a>. . .<br />
<br />
One or two more of these outrages, and I could see another <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahrir_Square" target="_blank">Tahir Square</a> or "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_Power_Revolution" target="_blank">People Power" revolution</a>
starting. . . Hell, the way things are going, in another week, it
could be crowds around the White House with torches and pitchforks. . <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://blog.unitrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/torches-and-pitchforks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://blog.unitrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/torches-and-pitchforks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />And, heck, I might join them. . . <br />
<br /><br />Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-62600005309872078072013-10-03T17:50:00.001-04:002013-10-03T20:26:23.977-04:00Today's news from inside that Eight-Lane Deathstrip that Separates Washington from Reality. . . First, up, this is based on a DEVELOPING news story. We don't have all the facts in, yet. But still, initial reaction and commentary.. . . <br />
<br />
Leaving work, and driving home, I switched on the radio, expecting my usual Talk Radio. . . . Instead. . . <br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">If
you haven't been following recent news, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/10/03/us-capitol-in-lockdown-reports-shots-fired/" target="_blank">apparently a woman tried to ram the White House Barricades on Pennsylvania Avenue, then led a car chase to Capitol Hill, where, reports say she was shot dead.</a> This was a little after 2PM Eastern. The usual chattering heads, passing on what little info they had, over and over again. An unfortunately familiar pattern these days. . . .</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> </span></span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> Several
points I noted in the coverage. The White House, The Capitol, and the
House and Senate Office buildings went into lockdown. <a href="http://www.kentucky.com/2013/10/03/2857571/capitol-police-report-shots-fired.html" target="_blank"> But tourists in Lafayette Park, behind the White House ? No protection</a>. They
apparently shut the Capitol Visitor Center down, and shooed out the
tourists, but then the Capitol Police ordered it re-opened, and "herded"
the tourists into it. But Senators ? Staffers ?? THEY got Police Escorts to their buildings and safety,</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> </span></span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> Moral: Our Betters in the Ruling Class,
and their attending Mandarins <b>**must**</b> be protected. But the Little People ?
Afterthought, if at all.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> </span></span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> The woman was <a href="http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/10/u-s-capitol-on-lockdown-94855.html" target="_blank">reportedly shot to death on Capitol Hill</a>. She is reported as NOT having a weapon, and no
weapons were found in the car. So why was she shot, instead of
Pepper-Gassed or Tazed ??</span></span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> </span></span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> Last observation, as the news is
still coming in. She was driving a leased car with-out-of-state plates,
had a small child in the car (reportedly uninjured), and zero
identification or clues to why she did this. I'm willing to guess
she will turn out to be mentally ill and off her meds. . .</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> </span></span><br />
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"> Situation still developing, but it was all over before 3PM Eastern by all reports. . . . Will update as actual data gets released. . .</span></span><br />
<br />
UPDATE: <span data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"></span><span data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">Looks
like I was right. Suspect is reported as "Miriam Casey", a 33-year-old
dental hygienist from Connecticut with a history of mental illness. . .</span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><br data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[2]" /><a class="" data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]" href="http://nypost.com/2013/10/03/capitol-shooter-was-conn-based-dental-hygienist/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://nypost.com/2013/10/03/capitol-shooter-was-conn-based-dental-hygienist/</a></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]">And guess what ? <a href="http://theothermccain.com/2013/10/03/isolated-incident-in-d-c-today/#.Uk36ZJ5TCfY.twitter" target="_blank">She looks like Obama's daughter.</a> Assuming Malia and Sasha are actually his. <br /></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j8BpLS-SZ_Q/Uk30HzGuDBI/AAAAAAAAQ1s/6KYfKlipMQ4/s1600/Miriam_Carey_Connecticut_DC_Rampage_Crime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j8BpLS-SZ_Q/Uk30HzGuDBI/AAAAAAAAQ1s/6KYfKlipMQ4/s320/Miriam_Carey_Connecticut_DC_Rampage_Crime.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And, of course, the loving, accepting, tolerant left was showing their usual grace. . . <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JBXObL9Mm-Q/Uk39J2nrZAI/AAAAAAAAQ18/Rm-tZCpqhNE/s1600/DC_Shooting_Twitter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JBXObL9Mm-Q/Uk39J2nrZAI/AAAAAAAAQ18/Rm-tZCpqhNE/s400/DC_Shooting_Twitter.JPG" width="322" /></a></div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2juh5].[1][4][1]{comment10151739381679891_211435346}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><br /></span></span>
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">**********************************************************************</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="yt" id="watch-headline-title">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent">Now, what I was GOING to lead with, today. Remember, just a few months ago ?? When the topic du jour was gun control after Newtown ?? The Mantra was: </span></span><span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Joe Biden: "If our actions result in only saving one life...""> "If our actions result in only saving one life..."
</span></div>
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"><br /></span></span>
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<br /></div>
<div class="yt" id="watch-headline-title">
<span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Joe Biden: "If our actions result in only saving one life..."">Fast forward to October, 2013. Senator Harry Reid, Majority Leader of the Senate. . . </span></div>
<div class="yt" id="watch-headline-title">
<span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Joe Biden: "If our actions result in only saving one life...""><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Oh, but that's DIFFERENT. . . . . because it doesn't support our
agenda. Of course, that's almost to be expected, given the stories
already coming out of the Exchanges. Oh, and by the way, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2013/10/03/need-health-care-coverage-just-dial-1-800-fuckyo-to-reach-obamacares-national-hotline/" target="_blank">NICE 1-800 number</a>. . . . try getting through. . . although we DO have an update. .
. </div>
<div class="yt" id="watch-headline-title">
<span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Joe Biden: "If our actions result in only saving one life...""><br /></span></div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/q71/s720x720/1379961_10151777083807740_2031368302_n.jpg" width="640" /> </div>
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<br /></div>
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And someone who DID get though, did NOT like what he found. . . </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1382820_10201751253038044_413133661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="596" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1382820_10201751253038044_413133661_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://fundamentalrefounding.ning.com/forum/topics/a-man-who-attempted-to-sign-up-for-obamacare-online-was-told-that?commentId=6483638%3AComment%3A113779&xg_source=activity" target="_blank">(Additional data here)</a><br />
Gee, pay about 50% over par for a normal plan, and get a HUGE deductible, or pay a large fine.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, I'm currently on what would be considered a "Silver" plan from work, at least according to the letter I got from my insurer last week. And what the Large Print Giveth, the Small Print Taketh Away. From what I've personally received, it looks like a 50% increase in premium and deductibles rise from 5K individual and 10K family, to $7500 and 12.5K. The fine print also states that the "office visit" charge is only AFTER the deductible is met, likewise, the discount prescription plan.<br />
<br />
<br />
Note, that's PRIVATE, CORPORATE insurance. I don't even want to THINK what the official Obamacare Exchange Rate might look like. . .<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130820034653-kaitlyn-hunt-819-mugshot-story-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130820034653-kaitlyn-hunt-819-mugshot-story-top.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And another update. Remember <a href="http://catalogoftehburningstoopid.blogspot.com/2013/05/green-sistance-is-futile-you-will-be-en.html" target="_blank">Kaitlyn Hunt</a> ?? Her mugshots:<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/03/justice/florida-kaitlyn-hunt-plea-deal/" target="_blank">she plead no contest. . . </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
Signing off for now, will update the DC story as more real data develops. . .<br />
<br />Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-47329214541063127452013-10-02T13:52:00.000-04:002013-10-02T13:59:22.245-04:00Welcome to Bizarro World. . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_31YKhnbrW0s/S76u3eqhE6I/AAAAAAAACbg/2fJTv2XX79g/s320/Bizarro+World+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_31YKhnbrW0s/S76u3eqhE6I/AAAAAAAACbg/2fJTv2XX79g/s320/Bizarro+World+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It's almost not worth pointing out teh Stoopid anymore. Because it seems to be The New Normal.<br />
<br />
Consider:<a href="http://www.northwestohio.com/news/story.aspx?id=953619#.UkxTwxAhLLO" target="_blank"> the Park Service is threatening to ARREST 90+ -year old World War Two vets</a>, for DARING to visit<a href="http://minx.cc/?blog=86&post=343852" target="_blank"> an open-air memorial </a>during the Shutdown. . . <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/10/02/Obama-Administration-Decided-to-Block-Access-to-Memorials" target="_blank">because the White House told them to</a>. With <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/shutdown-overreach-more-guards-at-wwii-memorial-than-benghazi-park-service-closes-park-it-doesnt-run/article/2536710" target="_blank">more reinforcements</a> than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Benghazi_attack" target="_blank">Benghazi</a> ever got. . . . <br />
<br />
Trust me, the guys who did this. . . .<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR6NQEegq_gIb9At9TfB2DnQBNRqBfqSwA-6URH_su41E8XJlsYYkUJQ4-w" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="403" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR6NQEegq_gIb9At9TfB2DnQBNRqBfqSwA-6URH_su41E8XJlsYYkUJQ4-w" width="640" /></a></div>
. . . .and this. . . <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.defense.gov/specials/nativeamerican01/images/lflage.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.defense.gov/specials/nativeamerican01/images/lflage.gif" width="518" /></a></div>
<br />
Are NOT going to be afraid of these guys. . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BVk3yMeCMAA92QC.jpg:large" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BVk3yMeCMAA92QC.jpg:large" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Oh, and by the way, that World War Two Memorial ?? I have a message for you, Mr. President. . . . <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wwiimemorial.com/default.asp?page=funding.asp&subpage=intro" target="_blank">YOU DIDN'T BUILD THAT</a>. . .<br />
<br />
But. . . . I have a genuinely bi-partisan solution to the underlying budget problem. An Amendment to the Constitution.<br />
<br />
With the following terms:<br />
<br />
A budget, NOT a continuing resolution, must be passed by the House and submitted to the Senate by June 1st of every year. The Senate must hold a vote on the budget by July 1st of every year.<br />
<br />
If the House and Senate cannot agree on a budget, they MUST go into conference on the budget on the next business day, and neither the House or Senate may consider ANY other business until the Budget is settled.<br />
<br />
A Continuing Resolution may be allowed from October 1st until November 1st.<br />
<br />
Enforcement: If any deadline is missed for any reason, the entire membership of the offending body (i.e. the House or Senate) is automatically recalled from office, and the entire current personal and committee staffs of the offending body are immediately dismissed from their employment for cause, without possibility of appeal. No elected member shall be eligible for re-election to the Congress in any district or State, for a period of five complete terms of office for the last office held. And in case of auto-recall, all pensions for elected members are forfeit, less any contributions made directly from the elected members' salary.<br />
<br />
(And yes, that WILL clear out the geriatrics in the Senate. That's a Feature, not a Bug. . . . )<br />
<br />
No staff member may be employed by any Federal Agency or Organization for ten calendar years after auto-recall. <br />
<br />
(And the staffs are an even worse problem: de-facto mandarins. . .)<br />
<br />
And, after recall/dismissal, neither elected members or staff enjoined from being employed by, or compensated in any way by, any organization that participates in Lobbying to the Federal Government.<br />
<br />
(Which tries to fix the Revolving Door Problem in Washington. . . )<br />
<br />
Should both bodies fail to pass a permanent budget by November 1st, the budget of the previous Fiscal Year shall be adopted for the new Fiscal Year.<br />
<br />
That should clear the deadwood, both political and institutional, from the Hill, stop the shutdowns, and maybe, just maybe, get some actual citizens elected. . . . <br />
<br />Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-78927724302155074292013-09-02T12:34:00.001-04:002013-09-02T12:34:31.093-04:00And thus, we return, like the dog, to its' vomit: "My Month with a Gun, Parts 3 and 4"I was GOING to fisk this in 3 parts, but, frankly, there's not all that much her other than Ms. Yewman emoting and describing her embarrassment for the high thought-crime of owning and carrying a gun.. .<br />
<br />
And so, let us return to the Pacific Northwest, for the<a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/07/22/stupid-immoral-dangerous-coward-my-month-with-a-gun.html" target="_blank"> latest adventures of our intrepid vegetable-that-walks-like-a-man</a>. . . .<br />
<br />
She's entering a dimly-lit municipal garage that smells of urine. Or, in other words, she's entering a public garage. But it sounds FAR more dangerous her way. After all, all SORTS of awful things happen in garages, Oprah says so. (And this is a new one to me, I didn't know Oprah taught Situational Awareness, I tend to trust people like <a href="http://massadayoobgroup.com/" target="_blank">Massad Ayoob</a> far more on that point. . .)<br />
<br />
A "large guy" is "following" her. She starts obsessing. Now, while SOME Situational Awareness is good, this lady takes it to the level of near-psychosis. Apparently, EVERYONE is carrying and they all might threaten her. And then the guy passes her. Nothing happened, no harm, no foul (Pity it wasn't <a href="http://larrycorreia.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Larry Correia</a>. <b>**He**</b> would have instructed her on the spot. . . ) . Considering that she was entering a public parking lot, she apparently forgot the fact that LOTS of people park their cars in public lots, that's what they're for. . . <br />
<br />
Oh, and BTW, carrying your gun in your PURSE ?? Epic fail, unless you're talking about one of those <a href="http://www.armedinheels.com/fantastic-concealed-carry-purses-from-shot-show-2012-pg-5.html?CDpath=3" target="_blank">"concealed carry" purses with a special slot and holster for the weapon that's easy-access</a>, and yet not obvious. . .<br />
<br />
And then she complains about doing errands, and having to leave her gun in the car at some places, where it could be stolen. Of course, since she's decided to make a virtue out of doing the bare legal minimum, she NEVER considered a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=car+gun+safe&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">vehicle gun safe</a>. . . . She also complains about the "difficulty" of hugging someone when carrying a gun on your belt or in a carry-purse. Funny, we had a party at my place this weekend. EVERYONE was armed, either on belt, nearby (I have a desk gun-safe). No difficulty, no embarrassment. Perhaps she was embarrassed around her fellow lemmings who think that inanimate objects are inherently evil, as opposed to the people who use those tools for evil ends, but hey, that would pop her over-inflated bubble of disillusionment that she actually thinks to be a virtue. . . <br /><br />She goes on to emote how strapping a gun on made her realize how scary and unsafe the world is, and then notes that some days she can't bring herself to go out in it. All because she has a gun. Until this, I was unaware of the psychoactive side effects of owning a firearm: apparently, in liberal hausfraus, it results in bouts of clinical depression. Or, alternately, psychotic hallucinations making everything appear to be a mortal danger. And she suggests, but does not say, that removing the gun will eliminate these symptoms. . .<br />
<br />
Which brings us to Part 4, getting rid of her gun. Here, she emotes again, talks about gun-turn-ins (which, BTW, are a great place to BUY guns. . . ) and apparently gave it to an artist who melted it down into a plaque. But wait a moment. . . did she TRANSFER the pistol legally ? Did she require a background check on the artist. There's no evidence of this: OH NOES!! SHE USED THE "GUN-SHOW LOOPHOLE" !!!!!!<br /><br />She again cites statistics, that say a gun is 22 times more likely to be used against a family member than a criminal (Again, they're counting suicides. . . ). Which is interesting, because about a page up, in Part 2, it was 43 times. Good thing she's not writing Part 5, by which she'd site it was even odds. . .<br /><br />All in all. . .the end result of this is an angry, uniformed housewife/activist spent several months and at least a thousand bucks proving she was, and remains, a self-righteous harridan who apparently thinks a straw-man argument made flesh is sufficient to override the Constitution of the United States.<br /><br />At time, I wish the old <a href="http://www.newgrounds.com/collection/youareafuckingmoron" target="_blank">YAAFM web-series</a> was still running, because I would pay money to hear Reginald and Slugger point out that you, Heidi Yewman of Vancouver, Washington, are a fucking moron. . . .Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-66528710024607198862013-09-01T13:03:00.002-04:002013-09-01T13:04:14.144-04:00Back for more punishment: the "My Month with a Gun", part 2Those of you who follow my scribblings might remember Ms. Heidi Yewman, of Vancouver, Washington, who <a href="http://msmagazine.com/blog/2013/06/12/my-month-with-a-gun-week-one/" target="_blank">decided to crusade against guns by carrying one for a month, and showing how easy and dangerous it was</a>. . .<br />
<br />
At which she utterly failed, and multitudes of people tore her story to shreds, as she conveniently forgot to mention a lot of, shall we say, Inconvenient Truths. As I've documented <a href="http://catalogoftehburningstoopid.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-forest-fire-of-teh-burning-stoopid-in.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://catalogoftehburningstoopid.blogspot.com/2013/06/updates-my-month-with-gun-story-starts.html" target="_blank">here</a>. . .<br />
<br />
<a href="http://nocera.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/the-gun-report-june-21-2013/?_r=0" target="_blank">Ms. Magazine decided not to carry the other 3 parts</a>, out of "respect for Ms. Yewman's privacy and safety". Riiiiiiight. And <a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2013/07/26/the_desperate_life_of_carlos_danger__119374.html" target="_blank">Carlos Danger was just playfully flirting</a>. . . .<br />
<br />
Still, our Heidi soldiered on, and finally <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/07/22/stupid-immoral-dangerous-coward-my-month-with-a-gun.html" target="_blank">persuaded The Daily Beast to carry to rest of her diatribe</a>. Which is mostly political kvetching, but we'll fisk it anyway....<br />
<br />
First, she reviews the first piece and the reaction, repeatedly pointing out how CARING and CONCERNED she is. And how Ms. Magazine knuckled under to the hordes of gun-toting Neanderthals out there. I also note that the rest of this came out nearly 6 weeks after the original. I guess she must have sprained something, patting herself on the back. <br />
<br />
And so she begins:<br />
<br />
<i>Responsible gun owners will seek out training. But what worries
me—and what should worry everyone—is the irresponsible owners possessing
some of the more than 200 million guns in the U.S. today. Here are the
remaining installments of my month with a gun:</i><br />
<br />
Now, I could end this right here. Because she is CHOOSING to be irresponsible and dangerous purely to make a political point is a strawman argument, and thus invalid. I just have a question for Ms. Yewman: have you sought out training for parenting ? You mention your children here and there: aren't you worried about being an irresponsible parent ?? Because raising a child or three to maturity is a FAR more complex and important task than carrying a gun, but as far as evidence shows, that's not a concern of yours.<br />
<br />
She goes on, and, OH NOES!, forgot she left her gun in her purse, and worse still, her 15-year-old son was playing video games 10 feet away. And he might look in her purse for the pair of socks she bought him, (Apparently, in Heidi's neighborhood, you place your purchases in your purse, instead of a plastic bag with the store logo on it. And odder still, apparently in Heidi's neck of the woods, 15-year-old boys will stop playing video games to go on the trail of the elusive wild new socks. . . )<br />
<i><br /></i>
Mind you, most 15-year-old videogamers **I** am familiar with know their way around a gun far better than Ms. Yewman. . . I am reminded of a friend of mine, whose son's friend loaded, cocked, and fired an AK-47-pattern rifle expertly. When asked where he had gotten so experienced with an AK, he responded "Call of Duty, bro!"<br />
<br />
She then goes on to cite numerous statistsics on how dangerous it was to have a gun around the house. Except, when you actually LOOK at her <a href="http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcdgaga.html" target="_blank">quoted numbers</a>, she's including suicides in "family members killed with a gun, vs stopping a criminal. But is she railing against sleeping pills, garages, rope, or razor blades ???? <i></i><br />
<i><br /></i>She goes on, obsessing on what she might do if she heard a noise at night, what she should do, et cetera. Which goes right back to her refusal to do any training: the POINT of training is knowing what to do, and what not to do, in a given situation. But actually being PREPARED, well, that's obviously wrong and totally against her attempt to make a point, so we're supposed to ignore that. . . <br />
<br />
She mentions a neighbor kid who was given access to the family gun safe, got cut from the team the VERY NEXT DAY, grabbed a gun, and suicided. Now while this is an awfully convenient story (with, of course, no references or links to the incident, so that the intelligent reader can draw their own conclusions. . . .), given Ms. Yewman's track record so far of omitting crucial details, we can pretty much consider this as a constructed exaggeration of something that may or may not have actually happened.<br />
<br />
Her paranoia extends to the fear of pointing a gun at her son by mistake. Again, her refusal to train in any way shows through, to the point of not even knowing that you do NOT point a gun at anything that you have not already made the decision to shoot. . .<br />
<br />
And thus ends part 2. Part 3, tomorrow. . . <i><br /></i>Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-32395044675145309862013-08-30T21:22:00.001-04:002013-08-30T21:38:54.627-04:00A Blast from the Past: Essays from the former blog. . . .On <a href="http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/175086/#respond">InstaPundit</a> tonight, saw a bit about <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/nasa/space-experts-nasa-is-dangerously-adrift-15864948?click=pm_latest" target="_blank">how NASA has lost its' way, and is adrift</a>. . .<br />
<br />
Oddly enough, one of the responders there noted without a frontier, that America loses a major reason for its' existence. Something I concluded YEARS ago. So, bringing back a blast from the past, an entry from a previous blog, dated Nov 13, 2009:<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
Essay: LCROSS, Water on the Moon, and Conservative Politics
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
This afternoon, driving home from a job interview, I switched on a talk
radio station here in DC, as they have great traffic and weather
coverage. It was Hannity's show, but he was out, and some generic guest
host was on. This guy was wondering what the big deal was, about finding
water on the Moon with the LCROSS satellite and the so-called "bombing
of the moon". He was laughing it up, and when an engineer called in from
Huntingdon Beach, California to explain, the chimp on the radio was
asking about who would stock the Costco on the Moon with Triscuits.<br />
<div class="content">
<br />
And
it got me thinking. Better yet, it lead me to what I think is some
basic insight as to exactly what's wrong with America today, and perhaps
even how to fix it.<br />
<br />
In short form, it's this: America NEEDS a Frontier. And when we stopped having one, things started to go wrong.<br />
<br />
Think
about it: from the founding of the Colonies, until, really, sometime in
the early 20th Century, we had the West. The Wide Open Spaces, where a
man could farm, or mine, or build to his heart's content. We got
interrupted by the World War, both parts 1 and 2, and by the 1950s, the
only genuine frontier we had left, was Alaska.<br />
<br />
For a while, it
looked like we were going to open up a whole NEW frontier in the 1960s
and early 70s: Space. But then, somehow, we lost the nerve. The Apollo
Project got shortened. The Shuttle/Station got dropped to just the
Shuttle, and it was no longer 100% re-usable. Heck, the original idea
for the External Tank was to take it into orbit and park it, so it could
later be used as part of a Space Station, and William Proxmire killed
even that.<br />
<br />
So, by the end of the 1970s, The High Frontier was
only in the eyes of a relatively small handful of dreamers. I know, I
was one of them. I was even a national-level officer of a college
spinoff of the L-5 Society, that I forgot the name of. But nobody cared
anymore. I suggested Lagrange Habitats and Power Satellites, and people
looked at me like I was from Mars.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I was coming
of age as a young Conservative. And we were excited by a strong voice,
from the West. It was 1980, and Ronald Reagan was running for President,
with a muscular, optimistic, and positive conservatism that is sorely
missing today. We were helping to make Morning in America again. . . .
we won the election, Conservatism was marching forward, and the Shuttle
was climbing into the skies. . .<br />
<br />
Then we lost the Challenger, and
what little spark was left in the Space Program, was smothered in the
effort to make it zero-risk in the future. The Reagan Administration
drew to a close, and George Bush was just not the man, and not the
conservative, that Ronald Reagan was. Bush segued into Clinton, and
Government grew, and Space shrank as a priority. Political correctness
grew, and suddenly, being Conservative was automatically bad in the
"mainstream" view. The Frontier no longer really exists outside of the
Discovery Channel, and THAT is primarily entertainment.<br />
<br />
So what
am I getting at here ? My insight for today is this: The American
Experiment, the Conservative Movement, and the Frontier are intertwined:
all three depend on the the other two to grow and thrive. When one goes
away, the others falter.<br />
<br />
Consider where the truly great
conservative leaders of the last 50 years have come from: Barry
Goldwater came from Arizona, in the days when it was still partially
wild, and not the retirement mecca it is today. Ronald Reagan came into
his prime in California, when it was still growing and a land of
opportunity, not the groaning welfare state it has become. And the one
potentially great conservative leader-to-be we have today, Sarah Palin,
coincidentally comes from the single frontier we have left, the wilds of
Alaska. I'm convinced this is for a reason.<br />
<br />
Think about it:
Living on the frontier, REQUIRES self-reliance, industry, personal
discipline, and skill. And the willing help of others who ALSO want to
better their situation. That, pretty much, is practical Conservatism in
its' most basic form: it literally is the mother's milk of the frontier.
Success by some on the frontier helps persuade the fence-sitters in
turn to try their hand at the Frontier. The dynamism of the movement,
combined with the new resources discovered and employed by those who
settle the Frontier, provide much of the growth in the economy. This
even shows up, to a lesser degree, both in the regular economy today,
and the so-called red/blue divide (which is really more of the City Folk
vs the Country Folk). Look where the growth is concentrated: in small
business in the economy, and in the "red state" areas far more than the
urban "blue" areas. And there's the flip side: so much of the misery in
our society, and much of its' ills, are concentrated in the cities.<br />
<br />
A
frontier also gives an outlet to the more entrepreneurial and/or
aggressive members of society, where they can grow and strive and build
without being restrained by the "older and wiser" heads of the
established elites. Think about it, even in terms of technology, the
entrepreneurs tend to be out west: Silicon Valley is the most obvious
example. And where were so many of the original astronauts recruited
from: Test Pilots. The cockiest, most aggressive, try-anything pilots
there were (well, at least if you believe Tom Wolfe. . . ). And, coincidentally, our first explorers of the High Frontier. . .<br />
<br />
It
all seems, at least to me, to point to the conclusion that if you want a
prosperous America, and a dynamic Conservative Movement. . . you need a
Frontier.<br />
<br />
Which brings us back to where I came in: that radio
host. Even when it was explained why the finding of water on the Moon
was important, the host just didn't see WHY the Moon is important. That
worries me: if a supposedly major conservative cannot see the value of
the Moon as a New Frontier. . . maybe we HAVE gone too far, and are
doomed to follow the path of Europe, into homogenized mediocrity. If so,
then today is a sad day.<br />
<br />
But, instead, I see a different vision.
It CAN be Morning in America again. The Sun CAN rise over a peaceful,
prosperous, conservative nation. It just needs a Frontier to set into.
And all we have to do, is to look UP, instead of looking West, at the
end of the day. . . .<br /><br />********************************************************************************<br /><br />Postscript, 2013. <br /><br />We don't even have manned launch capability anymore, at least in NASA. On the other hand, people like <a href="http://www.spacex.com/" target="_blank">SpaceX</a> and <a href="http://www.virgingalactic.com/" target="_blank">Virgin Galactic</a> are building spacecraft. Hell, SpaceX is currently testing the <a href="http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/08/14/grasshopper-100m-lateral-divert-test" target="_blank">"Grasshopper"</a>, a spacecraft-tester that takes off and lands vertically, the way God and Heinlein INTENDED rockets to operate. . . .<br />
<br />
We may yet open the High Frontier. . . <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br /></div>
Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-32510484028825000152013-08-13T20:14:00.000-04:002013-08-13T20:14:05.744-04:00On hiatus. . .Dear readers. . . .<br />
<br />
Due to heavy workload, some bouts of illness and injury (not all mine. . . ). and life in general, The Catalog is on Hiatus.<br />
<br />
I hope to be back, snarking and fisking for all I'm worth by mid-September. . .<br />
<br />
<br />
Sotarr the Wizard. . . Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-7678755188283556422013-07-05T19:00:00.000-04:002013-07-05T19:00:09.299-04:00Teh Burning Stoopid in Academia (. . . but I repeat myself. . . .)First off, I hit a milestone, on the blog today: I had my first Spam comment: some guy in Australia pushing recycled paper. The electrons of his post have been recycled, and the only reason I'm not PERSONALLY recycling him, is that he's Down Under, and I'm Up Here. No matter, I'll let the <a href="http://australianmuseum.net.au/Drop-Bear" target="_blank">drop-bears</a> get him . . .<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
******</div>
<br />
So, there I was, checking the news at one of my favorite sites. . . .and I find this mentioned:<br />
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/07/should-colleges-charge-engineers-more-than-english-majors/277516/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/07/should-colleges-charge-engineers-more-than-english-majors/277516/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><br />
<h1 class="headline">
<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/07/should-colleges-charge-engineers-more-than-english-majors/277516/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Should Colleges Charge Engineers More Than English Majors?</span></a></h1>
Now, mind you, I have a B.A., but it's in <a href="http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibit/geology.html" target="_blank">Geology</a> and <a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/become.php" target="_blank">Geophysics</a>. So I'm, at least on paper, caught in the middle. But I'm not. Ye Olde Wizarding Schoole only offered BA's in Geo, back then: if I had wanted a BS, it would have had to have been Physics, Chemistry, or some flavor of Engineering. . .<br />
<br />
The author of this monstrosity points out that, in some graduate programs, especially in the Hard Sciences and Engineering, teaching a single student absorbs up to 5 times what that student pays in tuition. . . .<br /><br />Well, in THAT case, let's get rid of "distribution" courses. After all, for the most part, students are generally FORCED to take these, and since we're worried about costs, would remove the costs of professors and departments that cannot justify their costs otherwise. You know what I'm talking about: "<a href="http://www.genderstudies.ucla.edu/" target="_blank">Gender Studies</a>". (Insert-ethnic-group-here) Studies. <a href="http://wmst.gmu.edu/" target="_blank">Women's Studies</a> (After all, they never seem to have a <a href="http://www.hws.edu/academics/mens/" target="_blank">Men's Studies</a>. [OK. . . .there IS one place that has such a department. . . ] If they did, I would had scholarship money pay for my college subscriptions to <a href="http://www.playboy.com/" target="_blank">Playboy</a> and <a href="http://penthouseletters.com/" target="_blank">Penthouse Letters</a>. . . . )<br />
<br />
No, what Academia is starting to realize, is that the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor%27s_degree" target="_blank">Bachelor's Degree</a>, of whatever flavor, has become the basic <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credential_inflation" target="_blank">Job Credential</a>. . . once upon a time, (and by that I mean when **I** was in High School. . .) most jobs only needed a High School Diploma. Maybe Trade School or an Apprenticeship after graduation. Or, alternately, a term in the Armed Forces, where you picked up a skill. <br />
<br />
But that slowly stopped being the case somewhere along the line. In the mid 1990s, I started seeing Secretaries, excuse me, "Administrative Assistants" with Bachelors' degrees. And, come to think of it, that was about when "Personnel" morphed into "Human Resources". . . which accelerated the credential inflation process. . . <br />
<br />
So what does this have to do with charging Engineers and Scientists more ???<br />
<br />
Simple: Economics. Now that the Bachelor's has become the standard job credential, students are doing the math. They are noticing that they can make serious coin if they major in accounting or business, or REALLY serious coin if in certain science or engineering disciplines. <a href="http://petroleum.mines.edu/" target="_blank">Petroleum Engineering</a>, especially, if you're willing to work the <a href="http://www.ndoiljobs.com/" target="_blank">Dakota</a> or <a href="http://www.ndoiljobs.com/listings/texas" target="_blank">Texas</a> <a href="https://www.bucknell.edu/script/environmentalcenter/marcellus/default.aspx?articleid=QDLOXTBTZX39QZNWSC0ZZBS88" target="_blank">Shale Gas belts</a>. . .<br />
<br />
And they also notice that their pals who majored in English Lit or Queer Studies or such can't seem to find a good job, out in the <a href="http://frontpagemag.com/2012/joseph-klein/spinning-the-obama-conomy/" target="_blank">Obamaconomy</a>. . . but they make GREAT <a href="http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/default.aspx" target="_blank">Subway</a> Sandwiches or <a href="http://www.recipebridge.com/r/frappuchino-latte-recipes" target="_blank">frappuchino lattes</a> at <a href="http://www.starbucks.com/" target="_blank">Starbucks</a>. . . .<br />
<br />
Yes, the kids are waking up to the Great Unspoken Secret of Academia: Most of college is. . . crap. Paid for by massively increasing Student Loans (<a href="http://catalogoftehburningstoopid.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-iron-law-of-teh-burning-stoopid-if.html" target="_blank">And yes, I **HAVE** ranted on this before</a>. . . . ) And this is leading to the Mother of All Economic Bubbles: the <a href="http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/?s=student+loan+bubble" target="_blank">Student Loan Bubble</a>. . . <br />
<br />
To make matters worse, those who take, for lack of a more gentle term, USEFUL fields of study generally DO have to pay more. Lab fees. Higher tuition for the higher credit load (I typically did 17-19 credit terms. English Majors ? 15 credits. At a thousand or so per credit-hour, it adds up fast. . . )<br />
<br />
This is simply and purely a trial balloon to get more money out of fields of study that generally graduate highly-employable students, in order to shore up the costs of departments whose demand is declining, yet are full of tenured professors that would be difficult to lay off. . .<br />
<br />
And so, we turn to a SLIGHTLY more honest effort to do the same thing. . .<br />
<br />
<h2>
<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324251504578582101593420808.html" target="_blank">Oregon Explores Novel Way to Fund College</a></h2>
<br />
It's got the virtue of at least being HONEST about stealing from the productive. . .<br />
<br />
The basic idea: Zero tuition, up front. And you pay a percentage of your income (Actually, your Adjusted Gross Income) for 20 years after you leave school. Not Graduate, **LEAVE**. And the rate would differ, 1.5% for community college students, 3% for public universities.<br />
<br />
And, of course, Student Loans, if necessary, for Dorms, Meals, and Books.<br />
<br />
They actually have a germ of a decent idea here, but they haven't thought it out completely.<br /><br />
<h3>
So. . .let's look at the Sotarr the Wizard Plan :</h3>
<br />
1. You pay a fixed percentage of your future income for your college education, for 20 years after you graduate or quit. Go back to school later ? Clock resets. You have the option, at graduation or quitting, to halve the time of payback, for three times the percentage. Bet well, young graduates. . . <br />
<br />
2. The percentage is based on your major and GPA: majors are rated by the average income of a graduate of the program, ten years after graduation, multiplied by the percentage of graduates actually employed. The higher-paid and more-employable majors will get something of a break here, but make up for it in sheer volume of dollars paid back. <br />
<br />
GPAs are rated inversely: those who perform well pay a lower percentage than those who flunk out or barely pass. Yes, I'm talking an economic incentive to perform well. Make studying hard and "keeping your nose to the grindstone" pay off directly. . . and make the students who major in partying PAY . . . <br />
<br />
3. Your percentage ALSO goes down IF you graduate. We need to incentivize effort and perseverance. . . and, frankly, punish quitters. Don't start what you can't finish. . .<br />
<br />
4. Special Rules: Athletic Scholarships: win an athletic scholarship, and go to the Pros afterwards, and you owe a flat 20% of all compensation related to your participation in athletics. That includes Endorsement Deals, follow-ons as a TV announcer or commentator, or whatever. You're getting the Big Bucks, and wouldn't be getting NEAR that much if you hadn't played in College.<br />
<br />
5. Disability: IF you get hurt to the point where you can't work, the clock stops until you CAN work again.<br />
<br />
6. National Service: For every two years served in the Armed Forces on Active Duty (including the Coast Guard) , or in the Public Health Service, cuts a year off your total. Guard and Reserve time ? Three years for one.<br />
<br />
This is, obviously, just the skeleton of an idea. But ONE more clause. . . <br /><br />7. Academic Departments get funding, based on the performance of their graduates. Graduate a lot of people who can't find jobs ?? Get your funding cut. And on the other hand, generate a lot of very productive people out of a given department ?? They now have incentive to keep doing it, and expand. Yes, it WILL play hob with Tenure. Deal with it, the rest of us do. . . <br /><br />In short, what I'm suggesting is returning economic incentives to higher education, at least in the state-run schools. Want to go to a private university or college ?? You get the equivalent of the same funding a state-school student would have, you're on your own for the rest. Choose wisely. . . <br /><br />Questions, comments, sarcastic remarks ??<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
******</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One last bit today. I stumbled across something remarkable yesterday, on the 4th of July. You really ought to read it, so you have some idea of the liberties we enjoy here in the States. I will make no comment, other than it's powerful, and my pointy Wizard's hat is off to the author. . . <br /></div>
<h1 id="site-title">
<a href="https://aveilandadarkplace.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/what-it-is-like-to-be-a-muslim-woman-and-why-we-know-what-freedom-is/" rel="home" title="Between a Veil and a Dark Place">Between a Veil and a Dark Place</a></h1>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
. . . until the next time. . . <br />
<br />
- Sotarr the Wizard<br />
<br />Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-65325194208197254502013-06-30T20:21:00.001-04:002013-06-30T20:21:07.157-04:00Two bite-size hors d'ourves of teh Burning Stoopid. . .Been busy, between <a href="http://obb.teddroberts.com/" target="_blank">Operation Baen Bulk</a>, and fixing Mrs. Wizard's computer (she got hit by a particularly nasty pop-under virus, from what I can reconstruct. . .) and as such, can only do a posting in the same fashion as the Mainstream Media. So this will be two quick drive-bys. . . <br /><br />Our first story begins in Charlottesville, Virginia. Meet UVA student Elizabeth Daly. She was jailed overnight, for (officially) endangering the life of a police officer. But the REAL reason is, she pissed off the cops. Or, should we say, sort-of-cops.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/bottled-water-purchase-leads-to-night-in-jail-for-uva/article_b5ab5f62-df9b-11e2-81c4-0019bb30f31a.html" target="_blank">It all started one night last week</a>, when Daly and several of her sorority sisters exited a <a href="http://www.harristeeter.com/" target="_blank">Harris-Teeter</a> supermarket, with a case of <a href="http://www.lacroixwater.com/" target="_blank">LaCroix sparkling water</a>, cookie dough, and ice cream. Loading it into her car, they were approached by SIX plainclothes agents of the <a href="http://www.abc.virginia.gov/" target="_blank">Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control</a>. Shouting for her to stop, flashing badges, and one agent jumping onto the hood of her car, while another pulled a gun. They even tried breaking the windows of her car. . . <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/ZAXM_weX1lpWfawS3XdOOg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTQyMTtweG9mZj01MDtweW9mZj0wO3E9ODU7dz03NDk-/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/thesideshow/lacroix-blue-carton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/ZAXM_weX1lpWfawS3XdOOg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTQyMTtweG9mZj01MDtweW9mZj0wO3E9ODU7dz03NDk-/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/thesideshow/lacroix-blue-carton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
At this point, there are a few questions to ask. <br />
<br />
One: SIX plainclothes agents at a GROCERY store ? At Night ? And ARMED ??? Who were they expecting, the entire <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Outfit" target="_blank">Chicago Mob</a> ???<br />
<br />
Two: Why are investigators for the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control armed in the first place ? They're INVESTIGATORS. I might see agents going armed, when voyaging into the deep woods looking for a clandestine <a href="http://www.milehidistilling.com/" target="_blank">Moonshine Still</a>, but in a suburban parking lot of a college town ?? <br />
<br />
Three: "Suspicion" because she had a box that appeared to be a case of beverages of some sort. So why didn't ONE agent announce himself, show his badge, and ask to see the case of beverages, to determine whether it was alcoholic or not, and THEN, if it was alcohol, ask for ID ????<br />
<br />
But they didn't do that. Instead, they freaked the girl out, who thought she was being attacked by criminals. . . once she found out what ACTUALLY was going on, she apologized. But that wasn't enough for the investigators.<br />
<br />
They charged Daly with two counts of assaulting a law
enforcement officer and one count of eluding police, all Class 6
felonies carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison and
$2,500 in fines per offense.<br />
<br />
She only stopped because <a href="http://reason.com/blog/2013/06/28/six-plainclothes-cops-attack-and-arrest" target="_blank">ONE of the investigators started a siren and lights</a>: she was apparently dialing 911 and was planning to go to the nearest police station. <br />
<br />
She spent the night and part of the next day in the regional jail. Not to worry, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2013/06/29/uva-student-jailed-for-possession-of-bottled-water-ice-cream/" target="_blank">charges were dismissed entirely on the 28th</a>.<br />
<br />
But ABC had to get the last word in. According to their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/virginia-department-of-alcoholic-beverage-control/clarifying-abcs-involvement-in-april-11-charlottesville-incident/10151739068971788" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span></span></i><br />
<i>Agents were working in the area, concentrating on underage
possession enforcement. An agent observed what appeared to be an
underage person in possession of what appeared to be a case of beer, and
approached her to investigate. The agent identified herself as a police
officer and was displaying her badge. Other agents did not join the
incident until the subject refused to cooperate. Rather than comply with
the officers' requests, the subject drove off, striking two officers.
She was not arrested for possessing bottled water, but for running from
police and striking two of them with a vehicle.</i><br />
<i>
<br />
The agents were acting upon reasonable suspicion and this whole
unfortunate incident could have been avoided had the occupants complied
with law enforcement requests. We take all citizen complaints seriously
and the matter is currently under review by the ABC Bureau of Law
Enforcement.</i></blockquote>
Virginia ABC, there's a phrase for this sort of thing: EPIC FAIL. . . . <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
******</div>
<br />
And now, Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my. . . . <br /><br />What, you want to see my USDA permit for the rabbit ??<br />
<br />
Bet you didn't know the USDA requires permits for magicians to use rabbits. I certainly didn't, and I am, after all, a Wizard. . .<br />
<br />
Meet Marty Hahne. <a href="http://readingmagician.com/" target="_blank">Professional stage magician, specializing in kids shows</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.theblaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Screen-Shot-2013-06-29-at-9.02.09-PM-e1372554201258.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.theblaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Screen-Shot-2013-06-29-at-9.02.09-PM-e1372554201258.png" /></a></div>
<br />
It seems that, on and off since 2005, he's had some inspector from the USDA who, for lack of better terms, is jonesing to take him down on some technical violation of some obscure policy resulting from an equally obscure regulation.<br />
<br />
You can read the sad history of it <a href="http://bobmccarty.com/2011/05/25/usda-rabbit-police-stalking-magicians/" target="_blank">here</a>: it's mind-boggling the time, taxpayer dollars, and effort the USDA has put forward to protect what is basically a furry prop in a standard magic illusion. <br />
<br />
So, let's look at this alleged rabbit abuse. . .<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XGyI1TPLhWg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Even more amazing is that, when asked if they would be concerned if
he fed the rabbit, live, to his neighbor's boa constrictor, the said
that it would be fine, no permit required. . . .<br />
<br />
This apparently is due to the rising influence of animal-rights organizations inside the Department of Agriculture. I'd say it's due to the lowering of common sense, but that's just me. . . .<br />
<br />
But it gets even WIERDER. . . . he was just hit with a <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/06/29/hare-brained-usda-reportedly-orders-childrens-magician-to-produce-disaster-plan-for-his-rabbit/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">demand to provide a detailed disaster plan for the care of the rabbit</a> in case of any number of different disasters.<br /><br />Not sure what Marty replied, but **I** would have replied with this:<br />
<br />
<h3 id="rI">
Ingredients:</h3>
<ul>
<li class="ingredient">1 rabbit, about 3 pounds, cut up</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 cup all-purpose flour</li>
<li class="ingredient">3 tablespoons butter</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 cup chopped celery</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 medium onions, thinly sliced</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 teaspoon seasoned salt</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 teaspoon salt </li>
<li class="ingredient">dash pepper</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 bay leaf </li>
<li class="ingredient">4 cups water </li>
<li class="ingredient">4 cups dry red wine</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 cups diced carrots </li>
<li class="ingredient">4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced</li>
<li class="ingredient">4 ounces sliced mushrooms, sauteed</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 cup all-purpose flour</li>
<li class="ingredient"> 1/3 cup water</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="rP">
Preparation:</h3>
Directions for rabbit stew. <br />
Dredge rabbit pieces with 1/2 cup flour. Melt butter in a Dutch oven
over medium heat; brown rabbit pieces on all sides. Add celery, onion,
salt, pepper, bay leaf, 4 cups water, and wine; bring to the boil.
Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and simmer rabbit stew for 2 hours. Add
carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms; cook for about 25 to 30 minutes
longer, or until vegetables are tender. Combine 1/4 cup flour and 1/3
cup water; stir until well blended and smooth. Stir flour mixture into
the broth; cook and stir until thickened.<br /> Rabbit stew recipe serves 4. (Recipe courtesy of <a href="http://southernfood.about.com/od/venisongame/r/bl30317q.htm" target="_blank">About.com Southern Cooking</a>) Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-85237083873530156292013-06-29T12:43:00.002-04:002013-06-29T12:51:02.501-04:00Public Service Announcement: Operation Baen BulkPutting aside the snark for a day, I'd like to talk about something positive, for a change.<br />
<br />
That would be <a href="http://obb.teddroberts.com/" target="_blank">Operation BAEN BULK</a>. A cause near and dear to my heart, because, oddly enough, I created it. And we just kicked off our 2013 Campaign. . .<br />
<br />
First, a handy promotional video. made by my colleague, <a href="http://www.teddroberts.com/" target="_blank">Tedd Roberts</a> : neuroscientist, writer, blogger, videographer, and graduate of the same Wizarding Academy as your humble author. . . <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ErbB-wU8nV4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
It started in the fall of 2009. I was working at a large Defense contractor (who shall remain un-named, but it rhymes with "going". . . ), when I, along with ~15,000 OTHER co-workers, got a layoff notice. And was immediately pulled from my job and placed in the "Layoff Pool", a mostly-empty cube farm at the same facility, with a internet-attached computer, and a phone, and told to go find a job: I had 90 days.<br />
<br />
At the same time, one of my occasional acquaintances on the <a href="http://bar.baen.com/" target="_blank">Baen Bar</a> had been assigned to run a detachment to train Afghan Army soldier somewhere deep in Talibanland, called "Camp Blackhorse". From the pictures we got, it was pretty Spartan living conditions: barracks and bunks made from CONEX containers, and the nearest <a href="http://www.shopmyexchange.com/" target="_blank">PX</a> to buy "American" stuff was a 6+ hour drive through sniper and mine-infested dirt roads.<br />
<br />
He complained, most of all, of the lack of Coffee. They were on short rations already, and basically could get ONE cup of coffee a day, plus the freeze-dried hyper-caffinated coffee powder that comes in an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meal,_Ready-to-Eat" target="_blank">MRE</a>. (Rumor has it that recent-production MRE's have standard commercial stick-packs of freeze-dried coffee. . .). The Zombie-Killers (his unit) were NOT happy. . . <br />
<br />
I was spending 8 hours a day in the cube farm, and other than Mondays (when MOST of the new jobs seemed to get posted), was sitting there, waiting for callbacks, 6 hours a day. So I did a lot of reading. Especially from the <a href="http://www.baen.com/library/" target="_blank">Baen Free Library</a>. I was reading Michael Z. Williamson's "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Freehold-Michael-Z-Williamson/dp/0743471792" target="_blank">Freehold</a>", when the protagonist was being complemented for applying a logistics approach to guerilla warfare, when it hit me: use LOGISTICS: instead of a few CARE packages, find out what they needed and wanted, and arrange large shipments of it. And Operation Baen Bulk was born.<br />
<br />
I contacted the gang online, and we INUNDATED the Zombie Killers with stuff. Coffee ?? Ten pounds of Panama's finest, <a href="http://www.durancoffee.com/" target="_blank">Cafe Duran</a>. Immense quantities of hard candy and cookies. Three entire 4-6 foot pre-lit Christmas Trees. A coffeemaker, GoldFilters, and an entire case each of creamer and sugar. We ended up giving enough that the ENTIRE FIREBASE had a decent Christmas.<br />
<br />
Oh, and a friend in the movie industry mentioned us to <a href="http://www.sonypictures.com/" target="_blank">Sony Pictures</a>, who had released "<a href="http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/zombieland/" target="_blank">Zombieland</a>" that summer. They gave us boxes and boxes of "Zombieland" swag that we sent on to the Zombie Killers as well. . . <br />
<br />
And just before Christmas, just as my 90 days was running out. . . I found a job. At a nice raise in pay. Karma, I guess. . . .<br />
<br />
Spring 2010 comes around, and their are more Barflies deployed. And one group has a different coffee-related problem: Cups. They had all the coffee, sugar, and creamer they wanted, but were issued ONE case of ~600 styrofoam coffee cups. And told that it was a 6-month supply. There was more than a problem with that: they were an Ammo Supply unit, and routinely got calls in the middle of the night for emergency ammo supply runs. Now, while an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRAP" target="_blank">MRAP</a> vehicle IS rather mine-resistant, it's also a bit of a bumpy ride. Especially at high-speed runs on dirt roads at <a href="http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/zero-dark-thirty" target="_blank">0-dark-thirty</a> in the morning. Styrofoam Coffee cups, in such situations, have a half-life of less than 5 minutes. And the Military RUNS on Coffee. . . .<br />
<br />
A solution was needed. Spill-proof and durable, that could take shocks and not crack or break. The solution: the Baen Bulk Cup. . . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DUGN-IFQkzo/Uc8Jnip8g8I/AAAAAAAAAJE/z45IBVhHv0Y/s542/travelcup+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-DUGN-IFQkzo/Uc8Jnip8g8I/AAAAAAAAAJE/z45IBVhHv0Y/s542/travelcup+004.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<br />
Metal. Grippable. Spillproof top. And imprintable. We threw our logo on the mug, and offered it with the following deal: Buy one for yourself, we send two to deployed units. In the 2010 and 2011 campaigns, we sold nearly 500 of these, and sent another 1000 to deployed units. . . as seen below. . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2ffcM0nNU4/Uc8KTOn1GwI/AAAAAAAAAJM/uHNdQHT2OS4/s960/Bulk+Cups+in+action.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-a2ffcM0nNU4/Uc8KTOn1GwI/AAAAAAAAAJM/uHNdQHT2OS4/s960/Bulk+Cups+in+action.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Live action shot, somewhere in Iraq, as I recall. . . .</div>
<br />
By 2012, we had pretty much saturated the market with travel mugs, and besides, my wife told me if we did mugs one more time, I'd be eating them (1000 mugs, and shipping preps thereof, kind of overflowed the living room and the dining room. . . .)<br />
<br />
So we tried crowd-funding. And along the way, got the help of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Reynolds" target="_blank">Glenn Reynolds</a>, the <a href="http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/" target="_blank">Instapundit</a>. And got Instalanched. We had intended to raise $2000. to get some supplies to the same Ammo unit we got the mugs for two years earlier, and ended up raising just under $3200.00 in under a day. We stopped accepting donations, upped the size of the supply buy, and got it shipped to Afghanistan, adding an Intel unit to the deliveries.<br />
<br />
Well, it's 2013 and the troops are now filtering back. So we decided to help those GI's who were injured, and in prolonged recovery due to their injuries. And noticed that the books and magazines typically donated to military hospitals aren't the typical troop fare: tends to be heavy on bodice-ripper romances and housekeeping/cooking mags, not a lot of action-adventure books, hunting/fishing/gun/car mags, etc.<br />
<br />
We aim to change that. We're now raising money to buy a large quantity of Amazon Kindle e-readers, and pre-loading them with the military and science fiction of Baen Books, as well as some other publishers. We've even been approached by some independent authors wishing to donate e-books to the effort.<br />
<br />
So, that's the story of Operation BAEN BULK. We're running our 2013 fundraising campaign as we speak, and are hoping to be able to deliver 30-40 loaded-up Kindle readers to the Military Treatment Facilities at Fort Bragg and Camp Lejune. If we exceed our goals: we'll add more MTFs.<br />
<br />
If you would, check us out at:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://obb.teddroberts.com/">http://OBB.TeddRoberts.com</a></span></div>
Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-87931149892094351742013-06-24T19:45:00.000-04:002013-06-24T19:45:12.259-04:00Battle Cry of teh Burning Stoopid: "But those rules shouldn't apply to MEEEEEEE!"Meet Danielle Powell (on the right). Former student at a fundamentalist Christian College in Nebraska. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.5488721.1371294174!/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/display_600/image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.5488721.1371294174!/httpImage/image.JPG_gen/derivatives/display_600/image.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
She was kicked out, because of the OTHER woman in the photo, her wife, Michelle Powers (on the left). I know, this SOUNDS like a discrimination case. But it's not. . . . <br />
<br />
You see, at Grace University, students sign an agreement. The agreement is, that they will live by the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.graceuniversity.edu%2Fstudent_resources%2Fstudent-handbook.pdf&ei=Gb7IUfLvHYX48gSd2oD4CA&usg=AFQjCNE0ASRKNWQs2EKd4tlxsHl5wNF3IQ&sig2=7TJMXC6dACXp8fwJcG7CTw&bvm=bv.48293060,d.eWU" target="_blank">Code of Conduct</a>. By the standards of most of America, the code is rather broad and quite strict. 7 1/2 pages of "thou shalt nots" (starts on page 8), including several TV channels, public displays of affection, dancing, pre-marital sex, and, of course, homosexual acts (page 11). Mind you, **I** would never agree to even a tenth of that (What, no HBO ? Sorry, but MUST HAVE MY GAME OF THRONES !!!!) , but then again, Christians have this thing about Wizardry. . . . (Grin)<br />
<br />
There are ANOTHER 6 1/2 pages of procedures and levels of infraction, with all consequences spelled out. And here's the kicker: each student is REQUIRED to agree to this Code of Conduct, and sign and date their agreement (page 27). We call this a "contract": the signer has agreed to certain things and to pay a specified amount of money, and in return, they are enrolled in the University and allowed to take classes for credit. It's a simple transaction: agree and sign, and attend, OR disagree, don't sign, and no longer attend. <br />
<br />
And the agreement ALSO spells out the processes and outcomes for violating the code of conduct, and thus the contract (starting on page 15). In extreme cases, the student forfeits their right to attend, and legally, as they agreed to the contract terms, it's a voluntary separation from the college.<br />
<br />
You will note the lack of force to sign: Don't sign, you
don't get enrolled, but nobody forced ANYONE to sign. Choosing to
attend a school like that, is a choice, and all the choices that flow
from that initial choice. . . .<br />
<br />
Now, let's get to the <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/danielle-powell-lesbian-at-nebraska-s-grace-university-expelled-charged-tuition-1.5488714" target="_blank">particulars of the case</a>. Danelle had attended Grace for several years, and says she was NOT originally a lesbian. OK, fine, we'll take her word on that. But in the fall of 2011, she started a same-sex relationship with another girl who ALSO claims that she was not, at the time, a lesbian. It's starting to get thin, but, we'll accept THAT too. And then they got caught somehow, and <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2013/06/14/christian-university-expels-lesbian-student-demands-scholarship-repayment/" target="_blank">her adviser notified the university</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/12/danielle-powell-grace-university_n_3428514.html" target="_blank">The University told her she could go into a "restoration program"</a>, involving counseling and regular church attendance, and of course, no more relationships with women. And she agreed, to preserve her academic standing. She also got kicked out of the dorms and prohibited from staying overnight in any dorm.<br />
<br />
She also, apparently, kept dating her girlfriend, violating THAT program as well, and in March 2012, she was ejected from the University.<br />
<br />
And thus it gets interesting. She did NOT finish 60% of that term, which would have been her last, and had federal aid (type unspecified) that term. Apparently Federal Regulations (<a href="http://studentaid.psu.edu/eligibility/federal-student-aid-satisfactory-academic-progress-standard" target="_blank">unspecified, but discussed here</a>) require you to complete 67% or better of credits attempted in order to keep the Federal Aid, otherwise it must be paid back to the school (who dispensed it as an agent of the Federal Government). That sounds about right, I remember people flunking out way back in MY day, and owing their grants and loans for that term immediately. . .<br />
<br />
But Danelle, <a href="http://www.omaha.com/article/20130614/NEWS/706149894" target="_blank">who now is married to a different woman</a>, doesn't want to pay back the money she legally owes. After all, she signed a contract, but that's nothing because she FOUND LOVE. . . . <br /><br />Right. Tell that to any OTHER creditor. And she's especially irritated that, until she clears what she owes to the University (and to us Taxpayers. . . ), they won't release any official copies of her transcript. Which makes sense: it's the only leverage they have to get what they are legally owed. . . .<br /><br />If you're not sensing any sympathy here, you're absolutely correct. She signed a contract, of her own free will, broke that contract, entered into "restoration" without complying with its' requirements (ALSO in the contract), and now is whining that they're picking on her because she caught a case of <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=teh%20ghey" target="_blank">Teh Ghey</a>.<br />
<br />
Being a lesbian may have been the trigger, but the bottom line here is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breach_of_contract" target="_blank">Breach of Contract</a>. Which is pretty darned serious. And yet, familiar.<br /><br />Remember <a href="http://catalogoftehburningstoopid.blogspot.com/2013/06/burned-by-teh-stoopid-we-got-trayvoned.html" target="_blank">Kaitlyn Hunt</a> ?? Same thing: not guilty because of being gay. But that's not the only way it's played these days: ANY group can play that game: there have been several cases of Muslims raping underage girls because they were considered fair game under the Qu'ran, after all, they <a href="http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/university-washington-senior-may-not-be-able-gradu/nYJLC/" target="_blank">dressed provocatively</a>. . . <br />
<br />
What ever happened to a contract being a binding document, and the law being the same for all ???Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-15716922386044440032013-06-23T17:29:00.002-04:002013-06-23T17:29:57.090-04:00The Iron Law of Teh Burning Stoopid: if you subsidize it, you get MORE of it. . . .Those of you who've been following this blog since the early days (All of 2 or so months ago. . .) have seen a slow escalation from commentary on particular acts of utter burning stoopid, to more general commentary on teh stoopid in society. . . .)<br />
<br />
Well, here we go into the Big Issues. So, riddle me this: what claims to reduce the Stoopid amongst us, while actually producing it in such massive lots that it makes the <a href="http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/santas-workshop/" target="_blank">Chinese slave-labor factories</a> look like pikers ??? Yes, it's the <a href="http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=10069" target="_blank">Educational-Industrial Complex</a>. . . . .<br />
<br />
Once upon a time, going to college was the gateway to the American Dream. It wasn't easy to get in, and STAYING in and passing required quite a bit of effort. But somewhere along the line, somebody decided that it wasn't "fair" that only the best and brightest would go to college, but EVERYONE should have the opportunity to go to college. Call it an application of the <a href="http://cafehayek.com/2006/01/the_lake_wobego.html" target="_blank">Lake Woebegone Fallacy</a>, that all kids are "above average".<br />
<br />
Sorry, but that's just not the case. And we're paying for it, literally. Back in Ye Dayes of Olde, when your host was but an apprentice mage, we tracked kids in school. You had the General Track, the Academic Track, the Business Track, the Trades Track, and for the ones who REALLY were above average, the Academic Accelerated track.<br />
<br />
The idea was, to provide appropriate skills and background for the real world after graduation. General track was the biggest, prepping people for generic jobs out there that required a range of basic skills. Trades track people spent half their time at the Vo-Tech (Vocational-Technical) campus, shared amongst all the schools in the county, where they'd learn specific technical skills: electrician, plumber, HVAC, construction, etc. There were even programs for medical technicians and computer operators. Mind you, this was long before the rise of the PC, when a 10MB hard drive was the size of a washing machine, and a single computer might take up a thousand or so square feet. . .<br />
<br />
But the point was, they graduate from a Vo-Tech program, they were ready and trained for work, and moved immediately into productive jobs. And that's where the problem began. Somehow, for some reason, parents don't WANT their precious little Johnny or Janie to be a mere technician. Which is **beyond** stoopid: skilled tradesmen and technicians are what **make** Civilization work. Sure, we need SOME managers and SOME Engineers and Some Professionals. We already have metric butt-loads of all of them, and far more than we need<br />
<br />
But we need a hell of a lot more people who just make things work. It's TOUGH finding a job out there these days. And yet, more than <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57547342/three-million-open-jobs-in-u.s-but-whos-qualified/" target="_blank">3+ million jobs jobs out there for people with skills</a>. Currently unfilled, because the people simply don't exist.<br />
<br />
And WHY don't they exist ?? Because, instead of doing vo-tech/trade school/etc. . . . they are pointed to college instead.<br />
<br />
I'll let Mike Rowe explain. . .<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/VSFnETYcOcw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Now, let's look at the flip side: what has nearly universal access to college bought us ??<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.moneynews.com/Economy/college-retail-jobs-degrees/2013/01/30/id/488038" target="_blank">Over a million retail sales clerks. . . with bachelor's degrees or better. </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2013/06/deborah-jones-merritt-.html" target="_blank">"Lawyers". . . with less than a 50% chance of actually practicing law.</a> On the other hand, they make GREAT coffee at Starbucks. . . <br />
<br />
On the other hand, you keep hearing about all the <a href="http://www.ndoiljobs.com/" target="_blank">great jobs up in the Dakotas, on the new Oil and Gas fields</a>. . . . take a look. NO COLLEGE REQUIRED. Experience IS required. Hands-on Technical expertise is required.<br />
<br />
Take this position: <a href="http://www.ndoiljobs.com/featured-listings/manager-drill-site-oxy-1" target="_blank">Manager - Drill Site - OXY</a> (That's Occidental Petroleum, for those who don't know the oil industry) Even as a manager, they require only a high school education. . . . . and ten year's actual experience.<br />
<br />
Because they don't particularly care about the academic background of their managers, whether they've mastered the intricacies of Elizabethan Poetry, or the role of women in agriculture. They're worried about actually PRODUCING something, Oil and/or natural gas, producing a lot of it, at the lowest cost consistent with safety.<br />
<br />
So, what got us here ?? In short, the 1960s . So many went to college, that it became the norm, not the exception. And that set the pattern. MORE colleges. MORE professors. MORE buildings. Which, of course, costs money. And so Uncle Sam started making it easier: Grants, and more importantly, LOANS.<br /><br />Easy credit, generous terms. With one LITTLE exception: unlike any other form of debt, a <a href="https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation" target="_blank">Student Loan could NOT be discharged in a bankruptcy</a>. The easy credit, that kept getting easier as time went by. Back in the day when your Wizard was getting Student Loans, he had to apply to his BANK. Who wanted details on my credit, my grades, and what I was majoring in. After all, it was THEIR money they were risking, so they would evaluate the risk.<br />
<br />
But not anymore: more and more over the years, and finally <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/26/us/politics/26loans.html" target="_blank">OFFICIALLY in 2010, Uncle Sugar does the loans directly</a>. And pretty much, you can have all you want, as long as it's close to tuition, fees, books, and living expenses.<br /><br />The funny thing is, that as student aid got easier and easier to get, prices got higher and higher. This is the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/18/opinion/our-greedy-colleges.html" target="_blank">Bennett Hypothesis</a>, and it's not exactly new.<br />
<br />
Let's look at an example: ME.<br />
<br />
I entered Wizarding School in 1979 (Well, Engineering School, but it's pretty much the same thing. . . . ). Tuition at the private Wizard Academy I attended was a hefty $2550. /year. According to the <a href="http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/" target="_blank">US Inflation Calculator</a>, if everything ELSE hadn't changed, I **should** be paying approximately $8182.00/year today, or just under 221% of what I paid in 1979. INSTEAD, it seems the tuition at Ye Olde Alma Mater is an astounding 43,200 plus fees. That's a 1695% increase. Trust me, the instruction is NOT that much better, and certainly not nearly 7 1/2 times the inflation of everything ELSE in the meantime. . . let's see, massively increasing prices supported by easy credit. . . where have we seen THAT before ?? Yep. . . . just like real estate, <a href="http://reason.com/archives/2013/06/21/easy-credit-is-inflating-a-massive-stude" target="_blank">Education is in a Bubble Economy. . . </a><br />
<br />
And what are those massively increased fees buying us ? More buildings, more professors, and more programs. . . .when we ALREADY have far more than the actual need would support. Then there are the secondary effects: requiring the students to take courses they neither need nor want, to support the costs of the colleges. It's the economics of education: make the students pay for the expensive stuff by forcing survey courses, distribution, etc, that can be provided at low-per-student cost, to pay for big-ticket items. <a href="http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/blog/despite_massive_budget_cuts_th.php?page=all" target="_blank">Shiny new buildings</a>. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/15/us/in-luxury-student-housing-gym-tan-and-study.html?pagewanted=all" target="_blank">Dorms that would have been considered resort hotels</a> when I was a student. <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-14/bureaucrats-paid-250-000-feed-outcry-over-college-costs.html" target="_blank">Massive growth in "Administration", far beyond student growth.</a> . . <br />
<br />
. . .and yet not enough jobs for the graduates we DO produce. Don't take my word: ask your barista what THEIR Master's is in. . .<br />
<br />
Even what's left of Vocational Education is bloated: I see it in what my daughters put up with. THEY are enrolled in the local community college, doing trades certification programs. And yet THEY get told they MUST take irrelevant "distribution" courses to "round them out". Which of course, take time and cost money, when they are ONLY attending to get a technical certification needed to get work. <br />
<br />
Lastly, let's talk about the OTHER effects of "universal college". Face it, college is SUPPOSED to be hard. But with the hordes of not-really-college-material students entering our colleges and universities, that would be a problem. Kids flunking out means no more tuition from them. Less tuition in means less funds to spend. And that means that there ACTUALLY WOULD HAVE TO BE CUTS in faculty and staff, and we just can't have THAT, now can we ?? So, the collective mind of the Educational-Industrial Complex have done the obvious thing: dumbed College down. To the point where the skills of GRAD students a few years ago, compared unfavorably to those of 10th graders, back in the mid-1970s. And I've SEEN that: I went back to grad school, finally, in 2006, primarily because my manager told me it was get a Masters, or don't get promoted. So off I went, and was underwhelmed. With a few exceptions, I sleepwalked through Grad School, and STILL got a 4.0 GPA. When your competition would not have survived your 10th grade English class (And a shoutout to Mr. Moyer, wherever he may be today. . . )<br />
<br />
So. . . .what should we do about it ?? THAT will be the subject for another day. . . but by all means, sound off with YOUR suggestions. . . Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-33017758080056536612013-06-22T13:43:00.000-04:002013-07-22T17:22:40.285-04:00Updates: The "My Month with a Gun" story starts to smell, Well, it seems teh Stoopid is strong with our intrepid gun carrier, <a href="http://gunvictimsaction.org/boards-of-directors/heidi-yewman-vancouver-washington/" target="_blank">Ms.Heidi Yewman of Vancouver, Washington</a>. . . . it seems her story is falling apart.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://catalogoftehburningstoopid.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-forest-fire-of-teh-burning-stoopid-in.html" target="_blank">Let's do a playback, shall we ???</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Getting the permit to carry a concealed weapon was simple. I filled out a
form, had my fingerprints taken for a background check and paid $56.50.
No training required. It took far longer to get my dog a license.</i></blockquote>
Oh really ?? <a href="http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/firearms/faconcealreq.html" target="_blank">It's NOT that simple and quick</a>. You are supposed to:<br />
<br />
1. Present yourself at a local law enforcement office during specific hours (which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction).<br />
<br />
2. You pay a fee of $52.50 NOT the $56.50 she claims. But I'll give her a pass on that because <a href="https://fortress.wa.gov/wsp/watch/" target="_blank">some local law enforcement agencies DO charge for fingerprinting in Washington State</a> . . . <br />
<br />
3. They take your fingerprints and you fill out a form. Call it 20 minutes.<br />
<br />
4. They run your prints and your background check. Which is NOT instant. I have a little expertise here, part of my work with the FBI, years ago, involved the <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/fingerprints_biometrics/iafis" target="_blank">Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) </a>: I was part of the team that built two of their submission systems,<a href="http://www.gosps.com/downloads/CaseStudy_JABS.asp" target="_blank"> JABS</a> and <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.archives.gov%2Frecords-mgmt%2Frcs%2Fschedules%2Fdepartments%2Fdepartment-of-justice%2Frg-0060%2Fn1-060-08-028_sf115.pdf&ei=CsDEUcbvG4Pa8wSRxoGoAQ&usg=AFQjCNGxAd457Ojm677Qt89so6OoMrwWDQ&sig2=9MeRs8sWGhdYowydshDIvA&bvm=bv.48293060,d.eWU" target="_blank">CAS</a>. While <b>URGENT</b> JABS requests would typically return results within 30 minutes (or did back when I was working the program, ~10 years ago. . .), a non-urgent civilian check could take days or weeks. In fact, the <a href="http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/firearms/faconcealreq.html" target="_blank">Washington CCW FAQ</a> states that the entire background check process can take up to 30 days.<br />
<br />
So it was NOT faster than getting a dog license: it was a detailed and prolonged process, most of which occurred outside Ms. Yewman's rather myopic field of view. I can only assume she subscribes to the "If I didn't see it, it didn't happen" school of thought. . . .<br />
<br />
And so, we continue, as she goes shopping and stops by Tony, the friendly merchant of death. . .<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The whole thing took 7 minutes. As a gratified consumer, I thought,
“Well, that was easy.” Then the terrifying reality hit me, “Holy hell,
that was EASY.” Too easy. I still knew nothing about firearms.</i></blockquote>
No, the transaction MIGHT have taken 7 minutes, from being handed the ATF 4473 to the conclusion of the NICS check (as I said in the previous installment). But here again, she fails to mention a few things. Like, for instance, that <a href="http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/firearms/firchart.html" target="_blank">there's a mandatory 5-day waiting period to buy a pistol, UNLESS you already have a Washington Concealed Pistol License</a>. . . . which as we just discussed, takes up to a month. So, she's a LEETLE bit short on her reckoning of the time it took. . .<br />
<br />
And ANOTHER update: we won't have old Heidi Yewman to kick around anymore: <a href="http://nocera.blogs.nytimes.com/category/gun-report/" target="_blank">Ms. Magazine decided they couldn't handle it, at least according to the New York Times</a> on June 21. . . apparently, although not for the record, Michelle Kort, an editior at Ms. Magazine decided that it was too dangerous, that people were posting Ms. Yewman's address ( and the comments on the blog ? Absolutely amazing examples of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear,_uncertainty_and_doubt" target="_blank">FUD</a> and <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hoplophobia" target="_blank">Hoplophobia</a>, and, of course, tarring any defender of the Second Amendment with absolutely none of the acceptance and tolerance demanded by those self-same lefties. . .). I will admit that I noted that she lives in the Vancouver, Washington area. And how do I know this ?? <a href="https://www.google.com/" target="_blank">Google, bitches</a> !!<br />
<br />
The VERY FIRST result of any Google search on her gives this result:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sycjLfPvX8w/UcXWHPvnqPI/AAAAAAAAAI0/8t4z9GEdpGg/s1600/Heidi+Yewman+Google.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-sycjLfPvX8w/UcXWHPvnqPI/AAAAAAAAAI0/8t4z9GEdpGg/s1600/Heidi+Yewman+Google.png" width="640" /></a></div>
As noted elsewhere, Ms. Yewman seems to have a habit of trying to create controversies where none actually existed.<br />
<br />
My final comment on this brouhaha, in the traditional photomeme. . . <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.political-humor.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Ax5gN-PCMAAJxoX.jpglarge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://www.political-humor.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Ax5gN-PCMAAJxoX.jpglarge.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /><br />
******<br />
And just one MORE update. Remember Kaitlyn Hunt ? The girl who is being prosecuted for her lesbian love affair with an underage girl.<br />
<br />
She wants a new judge. <a href="http://www.onenewsnow.com/ap/legal/attorney-judge-in-gay-sex-trial-should-step-down#.UcCkxfmkrEw" target="_blank">Because the current Judge on the case is straight.</a><br />
/boggle. . . Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-8032665690899894962013-06-18T20:13:00.001-04:002013-06-18T20:13:08.044-04:00A forest fire of teh Burning Stoopid in the Northwest. . . .First, apologies to all for the hiatus: been sick as a dog, and the potions dispensed by the healer at the Wizard's Conclave had all sorts of nasty side effects. And Obamacare hasn't even kicked in yet. . . .<br />
<br />
Many of you have read the Ms. Magazine article on "<a href="http://msmagazine.com/blog/2013/06/12/my-month-with-a-gun-week-one/" target="_blank">My Month with a Gun: Week One</a>". And many more have, wisely, ignored it, for teh Burning Stoopid inside is truly a conflagration of idiocy not seen since. . . . January 20, 2013. . .<br />
<br />
But here we are. Meet Heidi Yewman. Anti-gun activist, Ms. Magazine occasional writer, <a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Starbucks-sticks-to-its-guns-887790.php" target="_blank">failed influencer</a> of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PIHlplOampA" target="_blank">StarSchmucks</a>, and <a href="https://thelibertyzone.wordpress.com/tag/heidi-yewman/" target="_blank">wielder of weapons-grade burning stoopid</a>. . .<br />
<br />
To prove JUST how evil guns are, she's decided to buy and carry a gun for a month, and chronicle her adventures. But <a href="http://laracroft.wikia.com/wiki/Lara_Croft" target="_blank">Lara Croft</a>, she's not. . . .<br />
<br />
Let's follow her adventures, shall we ???<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Getting the permit to carry a concealed weapon was simple. I filled out a
form, had my fingerprints taken for a background check and paid $56.50.
No training required. It took far longer to get my dog a license.</i></blockquote>
It turns out Ms. Yewman lives in Washington State. And, yes, it IS <a href="http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/firearms/faconcealreq.html" target="_blank">easy to get a Concealed-Carry Permit in the State of Washington. You basically need to not be a criminal or a recent drug-user, submit to a background check and a fingerprint check, fill out a form, and pay $52.50. . . </a>And so ??? Last time I checked, the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. For those of you unfamiliar with Liberty, living in some godawful place like Red China, Chicago, or Maryland, that would be the <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/second_amendment" target="_blank">Second Amendment to the United States Constitution</a>, and appears to be working as designed. . . .<br />
<br />
She goes on. . .<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I started my 30-day gun trial with a little window-shopping. I visited a gun show and two gun dealers. I ended up buying a <a href="http://www.glockmeister.com/9-mm/products/4/">Glock 9mm</a>
handgun from Tony, a gun dealer four miles from my house. I settled on
this model because it was a smallish gun and because Tony recommended it
for my stated purposes of protecting myself and my home. </i></blockquote>
Good thing she didn't use the dreaded, and <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/30/the-gun-show-loophole-myth/" target="_blank">non-existent Gun Show Loophole</a>. . . although I'm more of a <a href="http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/" target="_blank">Kel-Tec</a> or <a href="http://www.stiguns.com/" target="_blank">STI</a> man, myself. . . .Glocks aren't bad, I owned a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glock" target="_blank">P-80</a> years ago. . .<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>
</i><i>It was obvious from the way I handled the gun that I knew nothing
about firearms. Tony sold it to me anyway. The whole thing took 7
minutes. As a gratified consumer, I thought, “Well, that was easy.” Then
the terrifying reality hit me, “Holy hell, that was EASY.” Too easy. I
still knew nothing about firearms.</i></blockquote>
Of course, had she gone to Lowes and bought power tools, or Home Depot and bought a chain saw, they ALSO would have sold it to her, no questions asked. Just like any OTHER legal product: the buyer is responsible for the operation of a tool, not the people who sold it to them. . . <br />
<br />
It's also interesting that she FAILS to mention part of that waiting time in the sale was her <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics" target="_blank">NICS check</a> and filling out her <a href="http://www.atf.gov/files/forms/download/atf-f-4473-1.pdf" target="_blank">ATF 4473</a>. But, unless it's a heavy weekend, the legally-required eligibility check to see whether she was banned from owning a firearm probably took around 30 seconds, after the technician at the call center picked up the call from the dealer and got the dealer's Federal Firearms License number. And a rather extensive and expensive network of computers (and FOUR 9s worth of uptime: they are allowed less than 8 minutes of downtime per year. . . ) with links to all the criminal records in the US (and elsewhere) go to work with the detailed information she provided on the ATF form. . . <br />
<br />
(Once upon a time, your Wizard worked out at the <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis" target="_blank">FBI Data Center</a> where all the computers are for the checks. Average transaction time exceeds 30 seconds, management gets involved. One of the FEW examples I can point to of our Benevolent Federal Masters actually doing something right. . . ) <br />
<br />
But it gets better. . .<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Tony told me a Glock doesn’t have an external safety feature, so when I
got home and opened the box and saw the magazine in the gun I freaked. I
was too scared to try and eject it as thoughts flooded my mind of me
accidentally shooting the gun and a bullet hitting my son in the house
or rupturing the gas tank of my car, followed by an earth-shaking
explosion. This was the first time my hands shook from the adrenaline
surge and the first time I questioned the wisdom of this 30-day
experiment.</i></blockquote>
A pity she didn't look in the box. She'd see something like this:<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://us.glock.com/img/products/pistol_case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://us.glock.com/img/products/pistol_case.jpg" width="353" /> </a></div>
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And what IS that strange white object in the pocket in the lid of the case ??? Why, it's an OPERATOR'S MANUAL. . . .</div>
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<a href="http://us.glock.com/img/products/component-instruction_manual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://us.glock.com/img/products/component-instruction_manual.jpg" width="338" /></a></div>
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And there's ALSO a brochure about Firearm Safety !!!</div>
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<a href="http://us.glock.com/img/products/component-safety_manual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://us.glock.com/img/products/component-safety_manual.jpg" width="347" /></a></div>
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But for our Heidi, the were OBVIOUSLY <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/tldr" target="_blank">TL:DR</a>. . . . . not to mention that, nowhere in this missive of hers, was there ANY mention of buying, much less LOADING ammo into the pistol.</div>
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A quick review for Heidi, care of the <a href="http://www.thedissidentfrogman.com/blog" target="_blank">Dissident Frogman</a>. . . all she needed to know about actually handling a gun. . . .</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/A2sAFHBptJE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
As <a href="http://www.georgetakei.com/" target="_blank">George Takei</a> would say. . . Oh, Myyyyyyyy!!! And she goes on . . . <br /><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I needed help. I drove to where a police officer had pulled over
another driver. Now, writing this, I realize that rolling up on an
on-duty cop with a handgun in tow might not have been fully thought
through.</i></blockquote>
Ya think ??? <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I told him I just bought a gun, had no clue how to use it. I asked
him to make sure there were no bullets in the magazine or chamber. He
took the magazine out and cleared the chamber. He assured me it was
empty and showed me how to look. Then he told me how great the gun was
and how he had one just like it.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The cop thought I was an idiot and suggested I take a class. But up to that point I’d done nothing wrong, nothing illegal.</i></blockquote>
Au contraire, Heidi, you've done PLENTY that's wrong here. Shall we start a little list ??<br />
<br />
1. You decided, on your own, to purchase and carry a tool that, when handled improperly, can potentially cause grievous injury or death.<br />
<br />
2. To show JUST how smart you are, you didn't even bother to <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/rtfm" target="_blank">RTFM</a>. While embarking on your quest to show that Guns are evil, icky, et cetera, you proved YOURSELF to be Dangerous. Because, contrary to popular opinion on the left, there is no such thing as a dangerous weapon. They do not load, carry, aim, or fire themselves. Only adding a human being to the picture, can ANY gun be used to do damage. Or in short, YOU, Heidi Yewman, are dangerous, and an irresponsible threat to any and all around you. . .<br />
<br />
3. And then, you approach a cop about it. You COULD have asked the friendly gun dealer, Tony. Gun people are more than happy to give you any and all advice about selecting, buying, maintaining, and using a weapon, and we all do it for free. Because we're not just Gun People, we're RESPONSIBLE Gun People. Carrying a weapon implies the responsibility to use it wisely, and YOU, Heidi, are doing for the most idiotic of reasons, as a political stunt. <br />
<br />
Surprisingly, at least to you, the officer did not draw down on you, because you were at LEAST smart enough to not wave it around, not to look like a threat to him or others, and had the bare presence of mind to identify your situation and problem.<br />
<br />
And now the MINOR ones:<br />
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4. As noted, you haven't indicated you bought any ammunition for your pistol, much less a cleaning kit, ear protection, perhaps even shooting glasses. Hint: even by themselves, guns DO get dirty. Perhaps not over the 30 days you plan to own your Glock, but a gun, like ALL machinery, needs maintenance and lubrication. ALSO mentioned in that manual you didn't bother to read. . .<br />
<br />
5. The cop gave you the single best piece of advice you'd gotten all day: if you're going to carry, then get trained. It will reduce the danger to you, and more importantly, to those around you. Because, at the moment, you are an extreme danger to anyone around you, even if your weapon is NOT loaded. . .<br />
<br />
This truly IS weapons-grade Burning Stoopid. And yet, we're likely to see three more articles. Well, Heidi: <a href="http://www.faqs.org/docs/jargon/F/fisking.html" target="_blank">you write 'em, I'll Fisk 'em</a>. . . .Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-26927666980853093342013-06-05T12:24:00.001-04:002013-06-05T12:24:13.077-04:00Teh Burning Stoopid: Animal Farm Edition. . . .For those of us who remember the days when we required to read difficult, important works of literature in High School, one book that never got missed was George Orwell's "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Farm" target="_blank">Animal Farm</a>". In it, Napoleon the Pig put forward the ultimate commandment of the "liberated" Animal Farm: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal that others. . . ."<br />
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Fast forward to 2013 America, because some are more equal than others here as well. . .<br />
<br />
Ask <a href="http://www.startransport.com/" target="_blank">Star Transport</a>, of Peoria, Illinois. They are being sued by the <a href="http://www.eeoc.gov/" target="_blank">Equal Employment Opportunity Commission</a>, for <a href="http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/5-29-13.cfm" target="_blank">not allowing Muslim truck drivers to refuse loads that include alcoholic beverages</a>. (And while we're at it. . . the EEOC needs map-reading lessons. <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=morton,+Illinois" target="_blank"> Morton is ~6-8 miles from Peoria</a>, and separated by a river and some "greenspace". . .)<br />
<br />
And what, exactly, is wrong with firing employees who refuse to do their jobs ??<br />
Yes, Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol. According to the online Korans, that would be in Surahs <a href="http://quran.com/2/219" target="_blank">2:219</a> and 5:<a href="http://quran.com/5/90" target="_blank">90</a>-<a href="http://quran.com/5/91" target="_blank">91</a>. It even <a href="http://en.islamtoday.net/node/1082" target="_blank">covers the use of alcohol as a trace ingredient in foods</a>, for those who <a href="http://www.al-islam.org/laws/najisthings.html" target="_blank">strictly follow the Koran</a>. <br />
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But Commerce ?? Zip. Zilch. Nada. In fact, there are <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17044236" target="_blank">Islamic Wine Merchants</a>. <br />
And we've been here before. Several years back, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/25/AR2006102501727.html" target="_blank">Islamic taxi drivers (mostly Somalis, it has been reported...) refused to take passengers who were carrying bottles of alcohol</a>, or <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=2827800&page=1" target="_blank">had guide dogs</a>. And in the end: they lost: first offense for refusing to carry a passenger: 30 days suspension: second offense: loss of taxi permit.<br />
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The whole issue here is one of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_accommodations" target="_blank">Public Accomodation</a>: these businesses are open to all comers, and may not refuse service to anyone based on religious or other criteria (based on protected groups) . . . . firing an employee who objects to their regular duties is NOT included in this. And this is not the first try at this: a <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2188056/Muslim-woman-sues-Disney-letting-wear-headscarf-work.html" target="_blank">Disney "Cast Member" sued because she was not allowed to wear the hijab to work</a>. Disney even offered a compromise: an outfit that covered her head as she required, but she rejected it because it made her look "silly". . .<br />
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Now, I'm quite sure some wag will quote the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_Freedom_Restoration_Act" target="_blank">Religious Freedom Restoration Act</a> at me. . .except that it's scope has been limited to that of the Federal Government by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Boerne_v._Flores" target="_blank">several</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonzales_v._O_Centro_Espirita_Beneficente_Uniao_do_Vegetal" target="_blank">court</a> decisions. The issue is NOT freedom of religion here, it's the ongoing effort by SOME religions (namely Islam) to <a href="http://camelphotos.com/tales_nose.html" target="_blank">get the entire camel into the tent by allowing the nose first</a>. . . <br />
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The threat here ?? The following is a description (slightly modified) from <a href="http://www.frontline.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1266&Itemid=210" target="_blank">Dr. Peter Hammond</a>'s book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Slavery-Terrorism-Islam-Historical-Contemporary/dp/0958454981" target="_blank">Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>As long as the Muslim population remains
around 1% of any given country they will be regarded as a peace-loving
minority and not as a threat to anyone. In fact, they may be featured in
articles and films, stereotyped for their colorful uniqueness. </i><br />
<br />
<i>
At 2% and 3% they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and
disaffected groups with major recruiting from the jails and among street
gangs [Europe, Australia, USA and Japan]. Six percent of US prison
inmates are Muslim. <b>Like any other minority, they won’t integrate, but work to build their own separate community.</b></i><br />
<br />
<i>
From 5% on they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their
percentage of the population. South Africa's Muslim population is 2%,
but they control 35% of the businesses, a large percentage of the banks
and have five Cabinet seats while Christians (77% of the population)
have none. </i><br />
<br />
<i> They will push for the introduction of halaal (clean
by Islamic standards) food, thereby securing food preparation jobs for
Muslims. They will increase pressure on supermarket chains to feature it
on their shelves (along with threats for failure to comply). </i><br />
<br />
<i> At
this point, they will work to get the ruling government to allow them
to rule themselves under Sharia; Islamic Law. The ultimate goal of Islam
is not to convert the world, but to establish Sharia law over the
entire world. </i><br />
<br />
<i> When Muslims reach 10% of the population, they
will increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their
conditions. (i.e.: car-burnings in France last October.) Any non-Muslim
action that offends Islam will result in uprisings and threats. </i><br />
<br />
<i>
After reaching 20% expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militia
formations, sporadic killings and church and synagogue burning (India,
Mindanao, Philippines). </i><br />
<i> At 40% you will find widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks and ongoing militia warfare [Indonesia]. </i><br />
<br />
<i>
From 60% you may expect unfettered persecution of non-believers and
other religions, sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocide), use of Sharia Law
as a weapon and Jizya (infidel tax). (Sudan, Kosovo, Lebanon and
Egypt). </i><br />
<br />
<i> After 80% expect State run ethnic cleansing and genocide [Western Papua (New Guinea), Iran, Biafra, Turkey and North Nigeria]. </i><br />
<br />
<i> 100% will usher in the peace of "Dar-es-Salaam" - House of Peace - as in Saudi Arabia, Libya and Yemen. </i><br />
<br />
While this seems a bit paranoid initially, when you start actually looking at recent history and demographics. . . it tracks. And THAT, gentle readers, is a truly scary thing to behold.<br />
<br />
Well, the Wizard knows where HE stands on this: do you ?????<br />
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Well, the Gun Propaganda wars continue. . . as students at <a href="http://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/cl" target="_blank">Chase Lake Elementary School</a>, in Edmonds, Washington found out. . . they were suspended for bringing a <a href="http://www.hasbro.com/nerf/en_us/" target="_blank">NERF gun</a> to class, for a <a href="http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Edmonds-students-suspended-for-using-Nerf-gun-at-school-210013811.html" target="_blank">teacher-approved project in probability</a>. .<br />
. Moral of the story: don't trust your teacher. . .<br />
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And back to Calvert County, Maryland (and hey, what IS it with Maryland lately ?? Have they installed a large SuperConducting Stoopid Magnet or something ???). Because at <a href="http://nmsweb.calvertnet.k12.md.us/" target="_blank">Northern Middle School</a>, in Owings, Maryland, <a href="http://pro.wmal-af.tritonflex.com/common/page.php?pt=WMAL+EXCLUSIVE%3A+11-Yr-Old+Suspended+From+School+For+Merely+TALKING+About+Guns&id=26543&is_corp=0" target="_blank">they suspended an 11-year-old boy for TALKING about guns</a>. That's right friends. . .<br />
No action, just a kid saying that he wished that he had been at Sandy Hook with a gun, to stop that madman from murdering all those children. On the bus ride home, not even in the school. After hearing this conversation, the bus driver hauled the sixth-grade student back to school, where he was questioned by the principal, one Mr. <a href="mailto:Prioleaud@calvertnet.k12.md.us" target="_blank">Darrel Prioleau</a>, and an unnamed sheriff's deputy who queried the boy's father about whether he had firearms, and that he wanted to search the home. Without a warrant, of course. . .<br />
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<a href="http://www.libnot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bill-of-rights-void.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.libnot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bill-of-rights-void.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
Anyone else see the entire CASCADE of teh Burning Stoopid here ???<br />
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Weep for the nation and the future. . . <br /><br /><br />
<br />Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-13987953926905573802013-06-02T14:40:00.002-04:002013-06-02T15:06:25.214-04:00Burned by teh Stoopid: we got Trayvoned by the tale of Saint Kate of the Blessed Finger. . . .A <a href="http://catalogoftehburningstoopid.blogspot.com/2013/05/green-sistance-is-futile-you-will-be-en.html" target="_blank">bit under two weeks ago</a>, I mentioned the "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/19/kaitlyn-hunt-florida-teen-felony-same-sex_n_3302713.html" target="_blank">Stop the Hate: Free Kate</a>" story of a high-school relationship short circuited by hater parents ?? Well, gang, we fell for it hook, line and sinker. Turns out, we got <a href="http://catalogoftehburningstoopid.blogspot.com/2013/04/occaisional-post-lexicon.html" target="_blank">Trayvoned</a>. . .<br />
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(A warning to our gentle readers: many of our links today are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_safe_for_work" target="_blank">probably NSFW</a>. Click accordingly. . . )<br />
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Kaitlyn Hunt as the narrative would have us see her:<br />
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<a href="http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1348418.1368986257!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/expel20n-1-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1348418.1368986257!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/expel20n-1-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Except, they left a few crucial details out. Kate started this relationship when she was 18, and her girlfriend was 14. And as an adult,<a href="http://supporthonesty.net/#socialmedia" target="_blank"> she was breaking the law and SHE KNEW IT. . . . </a>But, hey, it was young teenage love, and they didn't care, it was all rainbows and unicorns and. . . . their first time. Those of us out there old enough remember our <a href="http://www.nerve.com/love-sex/my-first-time" target="_blank">First Times</a>. In the<a href="http://www.askmen.com/dating/love_tip_400/413_love_tip.html" target="_blank"> backseat of a car</a>. In a <a href="http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090821073827AAloxhJ" target="_blank">romantic glade</a>. Or, for those with the means and the <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Fake-ID" target="_blank">fake ID</a>, in a <a href="http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120220014818AA97T9w" target="_blank">cheap motel room</a>. . .<br />
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No, Kate and her lover were nothing like that, their first time was in a <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/142642135/Kaitlyn-Hunt-Redacted-Affidavit-Redacted" target="_blank">sordid bathroom stall in school, where Kate removed the younger girls pants and fingered her</a>. Classy, Kate, really classy way to introduce someone to the <a href="http://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Latin/ArtofLoveBkI.htm" target="_blank">Art of Love</a>. . .(note: as a courtesy to our gentle readers, I've linked the English translation, we Wizards are familiar with <a href="http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/ovid.html" target="_blank">Latin</a>, but it's not that common anymore. . .)<br />
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We just got a more recent, and realistic photo of <a href="http://supporthonesty.net/" target="_blank">Saint Kaitlyn of the Blessed Finger,</a> snapped in the locker room of her former High School: <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GDlqllRwnvs/UauXoWa0o5I/AAAAAAAAAIg/Ecc8jrlRbk4/s1600/Pedo-Bear-PowerPuffa-480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/-GDlqllRwnvs/UauXoWa0o5I/AAAAAAAAAIg/Ecc8jrlRbk4/s1600/Pedo-Bear-PowerPuffa-480.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But it's not just the age difference here, it's the lies being put forward. For example, that nobody would have prosecuted an 18-year-old BOY for having a relationship (actually, having sex. . .) with a 14-year old girl. <a href="http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/317647/19/Online-support-grows-for-student-facing-sex-charges" target="_blank">Except that isn't the case.</a> . . In fact, another mother approached the mother of the younger girl, and told her what was going on. And the supporters of Saint Kate not only outed the names of the parents, but their address, phone numbers, and even the younger girl's name. This, friends, is clearly<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intimidation" target="_blank"> INTIMIDATION</a>, and a clear sign that there's an agenda at play here. . . This is another parallel with the <a href="https://statelymcdanielmanor.wordpress.com/category/courts-and-cops/the-trayvon-martin-case/" target="_blank">Trayvon Martin case</a>: intimidate the person who did nothing wrong, to cut off attempts at defense in a court of law. . .<br />
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So. . .what is to be done with ADULT Kate ?? <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/24/kaitlyn-hunt-refuses-plea-deal-gay-teen-charged_n_3331434.html" target="_blank">She turned down the plea deal</a>, and the <a href="http://supporthonesty.net/" target="_blank">evidence</a> makes it an open-and-shut case. . . but <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_prison_film" target="_blank">sending a lesbian to a women's prison</a> for 15 years ??? I still like my proposed punishment: <a href="http://www.askmen.com/entertainment/special_feature_400/483_solitary-confinement-5-things-you-didnt-know.html" target="_blank">Solitary Confinement </a>with an <a href="http://www.infinitelooper.com/?v=Ys7-6_t7OEQ#/37;270" target="_blank">endless loop of Justin Bieber</a> for the term of the sentence. . . <br />
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<b>Note:</b> <i>the contributions of <a href="http://theothermccain.com/" target="_blank">The Other McCain</a> and his <a href="http://spectator.org/people/robert-stacy-mccain/all" target="_blank">columns at American Spectator</a>, and that of <a href="http://supporthonesty.net/">SupportHonesty.net</a> have been invaluable to writing today's entry. The links there argue far more persuasively, and with far less snark, than I have. Go, check them out !</i> - Sotarr<br />
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And now, a few minor WTF ???? items from the news:<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.fda.gov/" target="_blank">Food and Drug Administration</a> and <a href="http://www.dhs.gov/" target="_blank">Department of Homeland Security</a> <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/story/2013/05/31/wdr-moore-tornado-relief-us-border.html" target="_blank">won't let a convoy of relief supplies and food for the Moore Oklahoma Tornado Victim</a>s in from Canada. . . . because, gee, they weren't itemized and inspected. Yes, we know the Feds are just overflowing with teh Burning Stoopid, and the disaster is waaaaay out in <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FlyoverCountry" target="_blank">Flyover Country</a>, and<a href="http://www.politico.com/2012-election/results/president/oklahoma/" target="_blank"> that area voted 2:1 for Romney.</a> </div>
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Thus, under the doctrine of "<a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2010/10/25/obamas-turnout-pitch-to-latinos-get-out-there-and-punish-your-enemies/" target="_blank">support our friends and punish our enemies</a>", we don't REALLY need to send aid anyway. . . </div>
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Lastly, once again the <a href="https://maaadddog.wordpress.com/official-registry-barack-obama-nicknames/" target="_blank">Ear Leader</a> and <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet" target="_blank">his minion</a>s have continued to <a href="http://www.military.com/spouse/military-life/military-resources/how-to-support-our-troops.html" target="_blank">Support Our Troops</a> . . .by <a href="http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/31/18592339-the-drawdown-diet-marines-steamed-by-loss-of-hot-meal-at-afghanistan-base?lite" target="_blank">denying them hot meals in Afghanistan</a>. Come on, with <a href="http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/willis-report/blog/category/Pork-Barrel%20Spending" target="_blank">all the pork spending</a>, we could cut SOMETHING other than hot chow for combat troops. . .</div>
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That's all for today, but sure as the sun will rise, teh Burning Stoopid will be back tomorrow. . .</div>
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<br />Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-53052557583768152072013-05-31T19:23:00.002-04:002013-05-31T19:23:47.143-04:00Zero-Tolerance for teh Burning Stoopid. . . .Today, we have yet another tale of massive over-reaction thanks to a Zero-Sentience, excuse me, Zero-TOLERANCE policy. . . .<br />
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First, an update: you may remember Josh Welch, aka "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/18/student-suspended-for-pop-tart-gun_n_2903500.html" target="_blank">Pop-Tart Gun Boy</a>". Today, he was <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/boy-suspended-gun-shaped-pop-tart-lifetime-nra-membership-article-1.1359918" target="_blank">honored by his state legislator</a>, <a href="http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa14623.html" target="_blank">Delegate Nick Kipke</a>, and awarded a<a href="http://www.nra.org/benefits.aspx" target="_blank"> life-time membership in the NRA</a>. . .<br />
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But this is the People's Republic of Maryland we're talking about, and as such, the balance of the Universe demanded a truly idiotic act balance it out. . .<br />
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And Calvert County, Maryland delivered. . . .<br />
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We jump to the town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lusby,_Maryland" target="_blank">Lusby, Maryland</a>, and <a href="http://desweb.calvertnet.k12.md.us/" target="_blank">Dowell Elementary School</a>. . . .<br />
. . .and, oh, my, it's an <a href="http://desweb.calvertnet.k12.md.us/desgreen.htm" target="_blank">official Green School</a> !! As Master Yoda would say, the Stoopid is strong here. . .<br />
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But sometime, earlier this week, a kindergarten student decided to show his best friend the nifty Cowboy Cap Gun he had gotten at <a href="http://www.frontiertown.com/" target="_blank">Frontier Town</a>, in Ocean City, Maryland. . . . . <br />
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And THAT is where the trouble began . . . <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2013/05/31/kindergartener-interrogated-over-cap-gun-until-he-pees-his-pants-then-suspended-10-days/" target="_blank"> Someone reported that the boy pointed this utterly deadly weapon at someone and said "bang!". Although eyewitness reports, including that of the boy and his sister, who was ALSO on the bus, said that never happened.</a><br />
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After being reported, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/cowboy-style-cap-gun-gets-5-year-old-ousted-from-school-in-calvert-county/2013/05/30/a3a8a178-c93c-11e2-9245-773c0123c027_story.html" target="_blank">the boy was interrogated by school officials for approximately two HOURS, before his mother was called</a>. And sometime during this interrogation, for some reason (Stress ?? Official simply not letting him go ??) he wet his pants. It could have been worse: if he had left a <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/Legends-2-400-Shots-Roll-Caps/17300820" target="_blank">roll of caps</a> in the toy, the Principal has stated that she would have called the Police, as he also would have had EXPLOSIVES.<br />
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Now, there are several questions here. First, if this was so serious, why did they take two hours to call the mother ?? Last time I enrolled a child in ANY school, we needed to supply (and update. . . ) home, cell, and work numbers, as well as email. You can't even give a sick child an aspirin without parental notification and permission. And yet isolating a 5-year-old boy, and stressing him to the point of involuntary urination is ok ???<br /><br />Second, it's OBVIOUSLY a toy. ALL toy guns have had to have readily identifiable marks, generally brightly-colored orange muzzle caps, to distinguish them from a REAL gun, and <a href="https://law.justia.com/cfr/title15/15-3.1.3.7.1.html" target="_blank">have been required to do so since the late 1980s</a>. So there was obviously no danger. In fact, the ONLY reason to make toy guns an "offense" is indoctrination to develop <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hoplophobia" target="_blank">Hoplophobia</a> in as many inmates, excuse me, STUDENTS enrolled in the <a href="http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/28-signs-that-u-s-public-schools-are-rapidly-being-turned-into-indoctrination-centers-and-prison-camps" target="_blank">State Indoctrination Facilities</a> that call themselves our Public Schools. This is part of the larger <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/russell-simmons/-the-anti-violence-approa_b_2481664.html" target="_blank">anti-violence indoctrination</a> that teaches victims not to <a href="http://www.turtlepress.com/articles/how_to_stop_bullying.aspx" target="_blank">fight back against bullies</a>, lest they be assessed equal punishment for the high crime of standing up for themselves.<br />
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Because, a student who defends him or herself may later <a href="http://www.beyondintractability.org/bi-essay/human-rights-protect" target="_blank">defend their rights as a citizen</a>, instead of being a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sheeple" target="_blank">compliant consumer-revenue unit</a> who waits for the authorities to intervene. . . <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_tolerance" target="_blank">Zero-tolerance</a> is the flip-side of this: action that requires no thinking, used to train youth into not thinking for themselves.<br />
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No WONDER we've been hearing all these examples lately, and almost all from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_states_and_blue_states" target="_blank">"Blue" states</a>, or at least <a href="http://apeoplesconstitution.wikispaces.com/file/view/Congressional_dist_map2010_red_vs_blue.png/244594703/800x491/Congressional_dist_map2010_red_vs_blue.png" target="_blank">"Blue" areas</a>: <a href="http://www.democrats.org/" target="_blank">group-centered politics</a> encourages <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groupthink" target="_blank">groupthink</a>, and discourages <a href="http://www.lp.org/" target="_blank">individuals choosing their own actions</a>. . . <br />
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There is an update to this story, but I have not found it online: it WAS reported on WMAL Radio in Washington DC this afternoon: The 5-year-old-boy will NOT be getting suspended, but as of ~3 PM Eastern today, also would not be getting the record expunged or an apology. Lawyers are on the case. Considering the interrogation-without-parental-notice, and placing the child under sufficient stress to mess himself, I see a lawsuit coming.<br /><br />And I **VERY** much suspect he just got his college education paid for. . . <br /><br />More skinny-dipping in teh Sea of Stoopid tomorrow. . . .<br />
<br />Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-67380642706887606692013-05-30T19:25:00.002-04:002013-05-30T19:25:58.371-04:00And we're back, and no shortage of teh Burning Stoopid. . . So. . . off we go, on a whirlwind tour of the highlights of the utter conflagration of teh Burning Stoopid covering this planet, and the semi-evolved apes that claim to be its' highest life form.<br />
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Our first stop tonight is the town of Palmer, Massachusetts, and Old Pond Mill Elementary School. Specifically, a 6-year old boy pulled a gun on the bus, and reportedly <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2332273/Kindergartener-given-detention-bringing-TINY-Lego-figure-gun-school-bus.html" target="_blank">"caused quite a disturbance, and traumatized the other children on the bus", according to the driver</a>. Reportedly, one of the other students yelled "He's got a GUN!!!"<br />
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Authorities were summoned, and the EVIL BLACK GUN confiscated, and all was rainbows and bunnyrabbits. Except for one TEENSY little fact: this is the gun in question:<br />
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Yes, it was a <a href="http://www.lego.com/" target="_blank">LEGO</a> gun for a <a href="http://www.lego.com/en-us/products/" target="_blank">LEGO figure</a>. <a href="http://www.brickarms.com/" target="_blank">A little piece of injection-molded plastic</a> <a href="http://www.firestartoys.com/Shop/Minifigure-Weapons/LEGO-Guns.html" target="_blank">with a peg to fit the hands</a> of a <a href="http://www.gibrick.com/" target="_blank">typical 2-inch tall plastic figure. . </a>.<br />
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Now, originally this young terrorist would have faced detention or suspension, was going to be forced to write a letter of apology, and, horror of horrors for a suburban kid, possibly lose his bus privileges (gee, that his parent's tax dollars have already paid for, but. . . .)<br />
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BUT. . . sense has fought through, even if it IS the People's Republic of Burning Stoopidchuetts, <a href="http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2013/05/29/Mom-says-school-overreacted-to-Lego-gun/UPI-59371369869918/" target="_blank">and the school has decided not to punish the boy. . . </a>.<br />
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Still there's plenty of Stoopid to go around here. For instance, the kid who screamed that the boy had a gun. REALLY ??? Are kids THAT indoctrinated against the very idea of a gun causes do-gooder kids to scream warnings, and bus drivers to claim a bus full of kids has been traumatized ??? If that's the case, lock up the TV's, the typical <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creature_Double_Feature" target="_blank">Saturday Afternoon Monster Movie on the local UHF station </a> (OK, I'm dating myself here, on a old movies channel or <a href="http://www.syfy.com/" target="_blank">whatever SyFy is calling itself this week</a> . . ) would cause large masses of children to vaporlock as soon as the first scary scene hit. . .<br />
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Next, closer to home, we're having a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_gubernatorial_election,_2013" target="_blank">Gubernatorial Election here in the Old Dominion</a>. <a href="http://www.cuccinelli.com/" target="_blank">Ken Cuccinelli</a>, <a href="http://www.teaparty.org/" target="_blank">Tea-Party Conservative</a> for the<a href="http://www.rpv.org/" target="_blank"> Repubs</a>, and <a href="http://terrymcauliffe.com/" target="_blank">Terry McAuliffe</a>, <a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2008/11/20/clintons-cronies" target="_blank">Clinton Crony</a> for the <a href="http://www.vademocrats.org/" target="_blank">Dems</a>.<br />
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Terry has broken truly new ground in politics: he's blaming his father's death on <a href="http://www.georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu/" target="_blank">George W. Bush</a>. No, Dubya never met the man, much less <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072184/" target="_blank">snuffed him out</a>. McAulliffe claims <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/30/Dem-VA-McAuliffe-Bush" target="_blank">that the mere FACT of Dubya being elected killed his father.</a> . . <br />
REALLY, Terry ?? No wonder <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/20/clinton.announcement/" target="_blank">Hillary lost in 2008</a>, if that's your political acumen. . . call it, to paraphrase <a href="http://www.americanconservativedaily.com/2011/02/the-wisdom-and-wit-of-ronaldus-magnus/" target="_blank">Ronaldus Magnus</a>, "Voodoo Politics" . . . .<br />
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Now, across the seas to the <a href="http://www.saudiembassy.net/" target="_blank">sand-drowned oil-washed wilds of Saudi Arabia</a>, where <a href="http://www.emirates247.com/crime/region/two-maids-get-10-years-1-000-lashes-for-sorcery-2013-05-20-1.507147" target="_blank">two housemaids have been found guilty of Sorcery</a>, and sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1000 lashes of the whip. Now, assuming they SURVIVE the 1000 lashes, I'm QUITE sure that one or both will turn out to be, shall we say, "magically" with child.<br />
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<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/13/saudi-arabia-treatment-foreign-workers" target="_blank">Simply because both physical and sexual abuse of domestic help is endemic with the estimated 1.5-2 million domestic employees who live and work in Saudi households</a>. Almost all are foreigners, <a href="http://www.barenakedislam.com/2013/01/14/three-foreign-maids-in-one-week-hang-themselves-because-of-employer-abuse-in-saudi-arabia/" target="_blank">doing the work that Saudis just won't do</a>. <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-24/saudis-turn-to-ethiopian-maids-after-beheading-limits-supplies.html" target="_blank">Which all to often has fringe "benefits" like not getting paid, being beaten, or rape</a>. Because, after all, they're not Saudis, and many aren't even Muslims.<br />
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But the creme de la crap of this week's Burning Stoopid takes us back to the shores of old Blighty. . . .<br />
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Remember Drummer Lee Rigby ?? The British soldier murdered in cold blood and beheaded on the streets of London ??<br />
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A moment of remembrance: Mr. Rigby left behind a<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/10076791/Soldier-murdered-in-Woolwich-named-as-Drummer-Lee-Rigby.html" target="_blank"> 2-year old son</a>, <a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/london-attack-lee-rigby-identified-british-soldier-hacked-death-article-1.1352671" target="_blank">a wife he was separated from</a>, and <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2013/05/29/proud-fiancees-tribute-to-murdered-soldier-drummer-lee-rigby-3817455/" target="_blank">a young fiancee he was planning to marry</a>. . .<br />
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Well, the London Metropolitan Police stand ready to stop any violent reaction to this horrible murder of an innocent soldier, husband, and father, by a pair of Radical Islamist savages, right ???<br />
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Well. . . .sort of. They've <a href="http://frontpagemag.com/2013/bruce-bawer/brits-arrested-for-internet-comments-after-london-horror/" target="_blank">arrested English Patriots for Facebook Posts critical of Islam</a>. They've <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2013-05-24/85-year-old-arrested-for-shouting-outside-mosque/" target="_blank">arrested an 85-year-old lady yelling insults outside a mosque</a>. <br />
They've responded to Islamic reports of "vandalization" of Mosques. . .<br />
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Oddly enough, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2331598/War-memorial-vandalised-mosque-firebombed-ugly-clashes-street-Tensions-rise-slaughter-British-soldier-Lee-Rigby.html" target="_blank">they're NOT arresting whoever was responsible for vandalizing British military memorials with "ISLAM" and grafitti. . . </a>.<br />
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Yep. SOP. Musn't upset the Muslims. . . .<br />
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/boggle.<br />
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I'll be back with more Burning Stoopid in a day or three. . . Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-65646599218381071632013-05-29T04:35:00.001-04:002013-05-29T04:35:24.769-04:00We'll be back shortly. . . .. . . .I'm just swamped with work, AND fighting a bug. Besides, it's not like teh Stoopid is going anywhere. . .<br />
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-Sotarr the Wizard. . . .Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091269477877410857.post-21553229961829162712013-05-22T17:15:00.001-04:002013-05-22T19:42:47.718-04:00Terrorism ? YA THINK ??????? Nuclear-level Burning Stoopid in the UK. . . . Originally, I was planning on skewering the vegetables-that-walk-like men who blamed this week's <a href="http://www.wtsp.com/weather/article/317791/3/Oklahoma-tornado-victim-search-efforts-winding-down" target="_blank">Oklahoma Tornadoes</a> on <a href="http://www.redstate.com/cargosquid/tag/globull-wormening/" target="_blank">Globull Wormening</a> or the <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2013/05/20/daily-show-creator-twister" target="_blank">Republicans</a> or <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2013/05/20/democratic-senator-goes-on-anti-gop-rant-over-climate-change-as-tornadoes-hit-oklahoma/#ixzz2TxHbyJrE" target="_blank">both</a>. . . .<br />
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And then I heard the news on the way home. How a<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10074029/Shootings-and-machete-attack-in-south-east-London-live.html" target="_blank"> British soldier was run over, hacked to death, and beheaded by two men with knives, machetes, and a meat cleaver</a>. <br />
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First things first: prayers and condolences to the family, friends, and comrades-in-arms of the soldier, assigned to the <a href="http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200064/local_history_and_heritage/1139/the_king_s_troop_royal_horse_artillery" target="_blank">King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery at Wollwich Barracks</a>. The soldier was wearing a T-shirt for "<a href="http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/" target="_blank">Help for Heroes</a>", a British charity that helps British soldiers, wounded in the line of duty. It's a worthy cause, and worth a donation. I just did. . . .<br />
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Now. . . . on with the rant. . . <br />
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This rampant political correctness is positively SUICIDE for Western Civilization. Friends, the barbarians are ALREADY inside the gates, and we refuse to even alert the guards, much less take up arms and defend all that we stand for: Liberty, Rationality, and the Rule of Law.<br /><br />British Prime Minister David Cameron was quoted as saying that the attack "<a href="http://www.myfoxny.com/story/22397283/uk-official-london-attack-could-be-terror-related" target="_blank">appeared to be terror-related</a>". Gee, YA THINK ??? Even MORE wishy-washy were two anonymous Government officials, who spoke off the record and said that the attack "seemed to have been ideologically motivated by radical Islam". REALLY ? <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2329089/Woolwich-attack-Two-men-hack-soldier-wearing-Help-Heroes-T-shirt-death-machetes-suspected-terror-attack.html" target="_blank">Two guys who RUN OVER A SOLDIER IN THE STREET, then hack him to death with a machete, some long knives, and a meat-cleaver, and then BEHEAD him ?? All while shouting "Allahu Ahkbar", and "in our land, women have to see this every day"</a>. . . I suppose they might have been incensed by Fox cancelling "Firefly", but I doubt it. Pardon my language, but WHAT THE FUCK ?? I mean, WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK do they think this was ??? And beheading ?? Not too many people behead people anymore, and they ALL seem to be terrorists of one sort or another. In fact, the last time I remember a beheading in the news, it was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaeda" target="_blank">Al-Qaeda</a> beheading Wall Street Journal Bureau Chief <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Pearl" target="_blank">Daniel Pearl</a>.<br />
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I take this personally: I lost 13 friends and colleagues in the Pentagon on<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks" target="_blank"> 9/11</a>: I **HEARD** <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlines_Flight_77" target="_blank">American 77</a> fly by <a href="http://dc.about.com/od/virginianeighborhoods/a/Rosslyn.htm" target="_blank">my office building</a>, and felt the floor shake when it rammed the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pentagon" target="_blank">Pentagon</a> 2 miles away. <br />
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That's the day I recognized we were at war. Since then, I've learned that, to the best of my knowledge, <a href="http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/jcs/jcslongwar_12jan06_j5.pdf%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">The Long War (download link)</a> began in March 1968. So, we're 55 years into it. . . .and we're LOSING. We're so afraid of OFFENDING someone, that we've effectively surrendered. There IS, at least, a little good news tonight: it appears that the <a href="http://englishdefenceleague.org/" target="_blank">English Defence League</a> is on the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10074029/Shootings-and-machete-attack-in-south-east-London-live.html" target="_blank">move and patrolling Woolwich tonight</a>. Good on ya, lads, next time I'm in London, I need to buy some of you a pint. Shockingly, they've been met by police in riot gear. THEY aren't the problem. . . .<br />
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Now, I'm in favor of law enforcement, but where was the Metropolitan Police, <a href="http://legalinsurrection.com/2013/05/beheading-of-british-soldier-in-south-london-reminiscent-of-syrian-bloodletting/" target="_blank">when it took **20** minutes to respond to the "incident", because they needed to call in an armed unit</a>. Once again, proving what many people here in the States say, that when seconds count, the police are minutes away. And the Bobbies are stopping the wrong people. After all, it's not the EDL people who callously attacked and mutilated a soldier. . .<br />
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This also highlights the need for free citizens to be allowed to carry the means of self-defense. We already know why incidents like this take place in disarmed areas, like London, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Marathon_bombings" target="_blank">Boston</a>, and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/28/us/connecticut-shooting-documents" target="_blank">elementary-school "Gun-free" zones</a>: it's EASY to do terror and kill when you know you're not going to be counter-attacked. Try it in, say, Texas, and you'll be suffering a 45-caliber cerebral hemorrhage by the time you started swinging the first knife: before, even, if they cried out "Allahu Ahkbar!" first. . . <br />
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Friends, people have been warning us about this for years. <a href="http://www.jihadwatch.org/" target="_blank">Jihadwatch</a> comes to mind. As does the semi-fictional essay by author Dan Simmons, "<a href="http://www.dansimmons.com/news/message/2006_04.htm" target="_blank">The Time Traveler</a>". . .there are many who've sounded the alarm. . .<br />
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But at this point, I fear what it's going to take to wake us all up. I suspect we're going to lose a city or three, and then all hell will break loose when we finally decide that first, we've had enough, and second, that it's time for Islam to pay the piper.<br /><br />This, is the Buckman Scenario. For those who have never read <a href="http://www.baenebooks.com/p-748-caliphate.aspx" target="_blank">Tom Kratman's "Caliphate"</a>, this is the back-story that shows up as vignettes throughout the novel. It starts in the near-future, and yes, we lose several cities, and nearly lose several more. Only then, after politicians STILL don't respond. . . the people do, and a new government is elected. It's not a pretty tale, but you ought to read it anyway (and the book is free at the link. . . ). The way things are going, I'm pretty sure that this is the likely general path for all our futures. And it's not going to be a pleasant one. . . . <br />
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The saddest part of all of this, is that I **KNOW** quite a few Muslims. They're good people. But, for some reason unknown, all too many radicalize. I've heard it attributed to the aggressive missionary work of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahhabi_movement" target="_blank">Wahabbi Movement</a>, funded by Saudi Petrodollars (and THAT, reportedly, is due to their support of the <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/saud/cron/" target="_blank">House of Saud. . . )</a>. I've read other opinions that it's due to the rise of the <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/399387/Muslim-Brotherhood" target="_blank">Muslim Brotherhood</a>. All I do know, is that Islam does not seem to have gone through the equivalent of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation" target="_blank">Reformation</a> that split Western Protestantism from Roman Catholicism in Christianity, and that there are no real centralized authorities in Islam.<br />
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I really hope that the "moderate Muslims" we keep hearing about in the news finally succeed in policing the more radical and violent. Because, if this keeps on, and keeps escalating. . . well, I rather suspect that all too many Muslims will finally see the light, at the end. . .<br />
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<br />Keith Glasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190296702572064845noreply@blogger.com15