I pretty much dozed off after that, but then it was like "BING! Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. In twenty minutes we will begin preparations for our final descent into Detroit, so if you have to use the restrooms, blah blah blah." Crap, I had completely forgotten to blow up the plane, and the concierge was giving me the hurry up sign. So I walked back to the loo, and there was already a line of hippies. So I told them, "hey dude, do you mind? I really gotta pinch one bad." I guess my eyes were kinda dilated from the suicide relaxants, so they let me by.Read the whole thing here.
Lemme ask you: have you ever tried to inject a glycerin detonator syringe into some plastic explosives glued under your nutsack, while you were stoned out of your gourd, in an airplane bathroom, during Lake Erie turbulence, while some stupid hippie is pounding on the door? Take my word for this, it. is. a. mofo. I must have stabbed myself in the junk eight or ten times before I finally got it smoldering. So I stroll out of the loo, real casual-like, with my nuts on fire, and headed back to my seat to blow out the fuselage.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The BVD Bomber: Inside Story...
Put down any breakfast beverages you may have in your hand. Swallow anything in your mouth. Then read this sample of IowaHawk's latest satirical masterpiece, wherein he brings you the inside story straight from the Christmas Day BVD bomber himself, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab:
Blogger Up...
I have more-or-less recovered from my bout with the flu. I'm functional enough this morning to go into work (I've been playing hooky the past couple of days).
The best part about being sick is how good it feels when you're done...
The best part about being sick is how good it feels when you're done...
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Iran...
Charles Krauthammer on the year of living fecklessly, a review of what Obama has done wrong on Iran.
Reading this, I can't help thinking how much better it would be have an eyes-wide-open realist like Krauthammer determining our Iranian strategy, rather than Obama and his “engagement” policy that's so reminiscent of Chamberlain.
On the other hand, the New York Times yesterday published a commentary piece that essentially said it's time to bomb the crap out of Iranian nuclear facilities. That's about as expected (coming from the NYT) as a clean-shaven Santa. Obama's left reacted in a tiredly predictable way, insisting that military action can't work and only engagement can. The lessons of history apparently really can't be learned...
Meanwhile, as Krauthammer points out, Iran is another year closer to having the bomb that absolutely everyone knows they're trying so hard to make. If they obtain that bomb, the political dynamics of the Middle East will be changed in ways that are to the detriment of every other Middle Eastern nation, and they all know it. So my bet is that the most militarily capable nation in the Middle East (Israel) will mount the attack that the U.S. won't make – and that they'll be covertly aided by some countries we ordinarily think of as Israel's enemies. Candidates are Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq...
Reading this, I can't help thinking how much better it would be have an eyes-wide-open realist like Krauthammer determining our Iranian strategy, rather than Obama and his “engagement” policy that's so reminiscent of Chamberlain.
On the other hand, the New York Times yesterday published a commentary piece that essentially said it's time to bomb the crap out of Iranian nuclear facilities. That's about as expected (coming from the NYT) as a clean-shaven Santa. Obama's left reacted in a tiredly predictable way, insisting that military action can't work and only engagement can. The lessons of history apparently really can't be learned...
Meanwhile, as Krauthammer points out, Iran is another year closer to having the bomb that absolutely everyone knows they're trying so hard to make. If they obtain that bomb, the political dynamics of the Middle East will be changed in ways that are to the detriment of every other Middle Eastern nation, and they all know it. So my bet is that the most militarily capable nation in the Middle East (Israel) will mount the attack that the U.S. won't make – and that they'll be covertly aided by some countries we ordinarily think of as Israel's enemies. Candidates are Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq...
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Around Our House...
...are animals. Lots of animals. More animals than most people could imagine sharing their space with. Only crazy people like us would think this was a desiable situation.Our four dogs (seen here posing in front of our Christmas tree) and seven cats are quite happy today. The dogs got presents (tug toys that squeak – everything a dog could desire) and everybody got lots of yummy food. At right, the dogs are (clockwise starting with the black-and-white border collie): Racer, Mo'i, Lea, and Miki. The angelic-looking kitty framed by the wreath is Halala Pala, affectionately known as the “Ha”. He is the king of deception; his angelic looks conceal a devil on loan from Hades. Curled up asleep is Maka Lea, who also looks angelic and innocent – but who actually is a well-practiced bully that rules the feline hierarchy here with unrelenting claw and vigilance.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all 12 of my regular readers!
Mao on a Christmas Ornament – at the White House!
I've no idea what the process was that led to this, nor do I know if these ornaments were approved by either of the Obamas personally.But I do know this: as an American who cares about his fellow humanity, presenting Mao – responsible for more human death and misery than any other person in all of history – in such a context is insulting, wrong, and outrageous.
I can't even begin to imagine what anyone involved was thinking...
ClimateGate: A Climate Scientist Speaks Out...
Interesting WSJ piece by self-described “odd person” Hans Von Storch, a well-known climate scientist and participant in the IPCC process...
ClimateGate: The AGW Timeline...
An excellent graphic (in PDF form) showing the significant events in the development of AGW theory, from a skeptic's perspective. Hat tip to JoNova.
Blogger Down...
With the H2N2 flu, or something much like it. As I write this, I'm running a slight fever, I'm breathing mainly through my mouth, I've lost my speaking voice, and I ache all over. And this represents an improvement!
I'm looking forward to more improvement by tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll be able to speak again!
I'm looking forward to more improvement by tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll be able to speak again!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Oh, Jeez...
The Democrats are playing dangerous games again. This time they're trying to make Senate rules changes inside a bill – something that has never been tried before, to my knowledge. Normally a Senate rules change requires a 2/3 vote, which of course the health care reform bill will never get.
There are several such rules changes embedded. The most egregious one is on page 1020 of the bill:
Of course, future Congresses can defund the bill, effectively repealing it.
What a bunch of clowns! Dangerous clowns, though...
There are several such rules changes embedded. The most egregious one is on page 1020 of the bill:
It shall not be in order in the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider any bill, resolution, amendment, or conference report that would repeal or otherwise change this subsection.They want to prohibit future Congresses from modifying or repealing this bill.
Of course, future Congresses can defund the bill, effectively repealing it.
What a bunch of clowns! Dangerous clowns, though...
Political Hari-Kari?
Peter Wehner concludes a commentary piece:
Read the whole thing.
Mr. Obama has revived the worst impressions of the Democratic party – profligate and undisciplined, arrogant, lovers of big government, increasers of taxes. The issues and narrative for American politics in the foreseeable future has been set — limited government versus exploding government, capitalism versus European style socialism, responsible and measured policies versus reckless and radical ones.I'm hoping he's right – that by shoving this corrupt, awful health care “reform” bill down our collective throats, the Democrats are committing political hari-kari.
Barack Obama is in the process of inflicting enormous damage to his presidency and his party. And there is more, much more to come.
Read the whole thing.
Monday, December 21, 2009
ClimateGate: Steyn on Copenhagen...
A teaser:
So just to recap: The Prince of Wales, a man who has never drawn his own curtains, ramps up a carbon footprint of 2,601 tons while telling us that western capitalist excess is destroying the planet. Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, the railroad engineer who heads the International Panel on Climate Change and has demanded that "hefty aviation taxes should be introduced to deter people from flying," flew 443,226 miles on "IPCC business" in the year and a half before the Copenhagen summit. And Al Gore is a carbon billionaire: He makes more money buying offsets from himself than his dad did from investing in Occidental Petroleum.Go read the whole thing.
Legal Murder...
In Virginia, the police believe it is legal to kill newborn babies...
Doesn't common sense have a place in here somewhere?
Doesn't common sense have a place in here somewhere?
ClimateGate: Wikipedia Police...
An interesting look at how Wikipedia's AGW articles were maintained in a deceptive way...
Sunday, December 20, 2009
A Non-Work Weekend...
I haven't worked (for my job) even 5 minutes this weekend. I can't remember the last time I did that. Please note that this is not a complaint – I love the work I do. I work long hours because I want to, not because anyone asks me to. I'm just making the observation that I haven't worked at all this weekend.
But that's not to say that I just stayed in bed or watched TV!
Friday night I replaced our kitchen sink's faucet. This is challenging mainly because it involves lying on your back under the sink, working overhead in a very tight space. The old faucet (a top-of-the-line Moen) had a piece of cast iron in its guts that had rusted and falling apart (after 8+ years of good service). I replaced it with a new top-of-the-line Moen – but one whose innards are entirely made of brass and stainless steel.
Saturday morning I assembled Debbie's Christmas present. Crazy woman that she is, a couple of months ago she announced that the only thing she wanted for Christmas was a barbeque grill. We've had a cheapie “baby” grill for the past year, and we've gotten much good use out of it – and I'm a frequent beneficiary of the good food resulting. So I had no objection to this notion. I did some research, asked some friends, and ended up selecting a Weber Genesis S-310. The best price (including free shipping in the equation) was from Amazon, so I ordered it about 10 days ago, and had it in just two days. I was a little shocked at its weight: 220 pounds.
Yesterday morning I finally had the time to open the box and see what I'd gotten myself into. Unpacking it carefully took the better part of an hour, and left our living room strewn with dozens of large metal parts and bags full of small parts. My first impressions were positive: the packaging was very well done, finished metal parts were covered with protective plastic film, and all the fabrication work looked to be top notch. There were a half-dozen or so large aluminum castings, all very well made. All but a few of the steel parts (and all of the exposed parts) were stainless steel, and heavy gauge (which is where the 220 pounds came from).
There was but a single sheet of instructions, which was a little worrisome given the quantity of (often mysterious-looking) parts littering the living room. But as I started in on the assembly, I found the instructions to be clear and complete. I had very little trouble finding the right parts and putting them together. About the only critique I can make of the instructions is that there were a couple of occasions when the size of the part I was looking for was so different than what I'd expected (based on the drawing) that I had trouble identifying it – but compared to most such assembly experiences, that is a trivial criticism. The fit of every single piece was literally perfect – I had no banging, sawing, filing, or “encouraging” to do. Best of all, when I finished (after about three hours), there wasn't a single part missing, or left over – and the resulting grill looked great and felt solid.
But now that we owned a “real” grill, we had to wander down the hill to buy and fill a propane tank. We took the opportunity to stop by the Bravo Cafe to deliver our Christmas gift to Manoli (and to receive ours in return!). We had one of his delicious-but-gut-expanding breakfast burritos (which was the end of our eating for the day). Then we went home and tried out the new grill. Worked the first time, producing large quantities of heat with no effort at all.
We are now ready for serious grilling!
But that's not to say that I just stayed in bed or watched TV!
Friday night I replaced our kitchen sink's faucet. This is challenging mainly because it involves lying on your back under the sink, working overhead in a very tight space. The old faucet (a top-of-the-line Moen) had a piece of cast iron in its guts that had rusted and falling apart (after 8+ years of good service). I replaced it with a new top-of-the-line Moen – but one whose innards are entirely made of brass and stainless steel.
Saturday morning I assembled Debbie's Christmas present. Crazy woman that she is, a couple of months ago she announced that the only thing she wanted for Christmas was a barbeque grill. We've had a cheapie “baby” grill for the past year, and we've gotten much good use out of it – and I'm a frequent beneficiary of the good food resulting. So I had no objection to this notion. I did some research, asked some friends, and ended up selecting a Weber Genesis S-310. The best price (including free shipping in the equation) was from Amazon, so I ordered it about 10 days ago, and had it in just two days. I was a little shocked at its weight: 220 pounds.
Yesterday morning I finally had the time to open the box and see what I'd gotten myself into. Unpacking it carefully took the better part of an hour, and left our living room strewn with dozens of large metal parts and bags full of small parts. My first impressions were positive: the packaging was very well done, finished metal parts were covered with protective plastic film, and all the fabrication work looked to be top notch. There were a half-dozen or so large aluminum castings, all very well made. All but a few of the steel parts (and all of the exposed parts) were stainless steel, and heavy gauge (which is where the 220 pounds came from).
There was but a single sheet of instructions, which was a little worrisome given the quantity of (often mysterious-looking) parts littering the living room. But as I started in on the assembly, I found the instructions to be clear and complete. I had very little trouble finding the right parts and putting them together. About the only critique I can make of the instructions is that there were a couple of occasions when the size of the part I was looking for was so different than what I'd expected (based on the drawing) that I had trouble identifying it – but compared to most such assembly experiences, that is a trivial criticism. The fit of every single piece was literally perfect – I had no banging, sawing, filing, or “encouraging” to do. Best of all, when I finished (after about three hours), there wasn't a single part missing, or left over – and the resulting grill looked great and felt solid.
But now that we owned a “real” grill, we had to wander down the hill to buy and fill a propane tank. We took the opportunity to stop by the Bravo Cafe to deliver our Christmas gift to Manoli (and to receive ours in return!). We had one of his delicious-but-gut-expanding breakfast burritos (which was the end of our eating for the day). Then we went home and tried out the new grill. Worked the first time, producing large quantities of heat with no effort at all.
We are now ready for serious grilling!
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