Carmichael's Position

Looks Like the RACE is On!

JEEZUSSS PEOPLE!!!!

News flash!  Barack Obama is BLACK!  Or African American, or whatever the most inoffensive politically correct flavor of the day is!  GET OVER IT!  This means all y'all! 

You friggn' backwards ass rednecks who judge a man on the color of his skin need to get a life! Or better yet, just go away all together!

You Arian Caucasian Liberal Elitist Apologetics, sipping your Gin and Tonics claiming "It is about time an African American became President... yada yada yada..."  need to get a life, that doesn't pretend to mimic the last episode of Sex in the City meets the Sopranos!

And (reaching toward the third rail here) all you all of color need to stop with this Victim Based, "I can not gain any ground because..."  insert favorite "Because of the MAN" metaphor here!  You're no better if you are judging me, on my color too!

I was taken aback by a number of articles I read today about RACE in the current campaigns.  Unfortunately I think we're going to hear a lot more of it!  In one case reported in the Washington Post, Obama campaign workers were shocked at the blatant racism displayed by many white people approached... now understand, many campaign workers were themselves "white."

..."The first person I encountered was like, 'I'll never vote for a black person,' " recalled Ross, who is white and just turned 20. "People just weren't receptive."

and another

...Victoria Switzer, a retired social studies teacher, was on phone-bank duty one night during the Pennsylvania primary campaign. One night was all she could take: "It wasn't pretty." She made 60 calls to prospective voters in Susquehanna County, her home county, which is 98 percent white. The responses were dispiriting. One caller, Switzer remembers, said he couldn't possibly vote for Obama and concluded: "Hang that darky from a tree!"

If an accurate recounting of the experienced faced by these campaigners (and I have no reason to doubt, other than my usual filter of skepticism in the face of any political victimology represented that may benefit a candidate) it is telling and despicable!

In another article it is reported that a Cobb County Georgia bar is selling "Questionable" tee-shirts:

...Marietta tavern owner Mike Norman says the T-shirts he's peddling, featuring cartoon chimp Curious George peeling a banana, with "Obama in '08" scrolled underneath, are "cute." But to a coalition of critics, the shirts are an insulting exploitation of racial stereotypes from generations past.

Again in my view, satirist attempts at humor such as this are disgusting, degrading, and downright dehumanizing!

Grow up!  I'm a white guy!  I happen to be white by either luck of the Darwinian draw,or because GOD saw fit to torture my parents with a dude like me!  And hey wow!  Two Caucasian parents usually conspire to make a Caucasian offspring!  I had nothing to do with it!!!!  And neither did you in your color choice!

Your color is simply that!  Yours!  You can chose your life and what you do with it!  You can associate with others who are of similar color or other attributes or not, and if someone gives you grief for it!  Tell them to pound salt! 

Racism is all about doing something or judging someone based on their color!  It is not about who has the power to oppress!!!  That in America is archaic! Black, White, Yellow, Green, Purple no matter you can all be racists and once we recognize that!  Well hell, we might begin to gain some ground on this bastard RACISM!  Until that time, if you consider yourself immune from racism because you are a person of ... well... race!  You're an idiot!  And that is certainly not because of the color of your skin!  Its because of the color of your mental filters!

Do I judge people on appearance?  You bet I do!  Usually based on what you're wearing and how you wear it! Am I always accurate in my assessment of a person's character based on this visual judgement... nope!  But I continue to have my opinions, however, I make a concerted effort to not base my judgements on race, sex or age... but honestly it is impossible to dismiss recognition of any of these traits in another... it is what you do with that information that is important!

Which brings me to my point... FINALLY!!!!... I know!

Voting for any of the candidates because of what color he is, what sex she is, or how old and what color he is!  IS COSMICALLY STUPID!!!!  I feel I get dumber every time I hear someone utter She should vote for Hillary because she's a woman!  Or that "I'm going to vote for Barack, because it's time for a Black man to be in the White House!" 

Uh... Why? Because he's Black?... Now there's a credential.  Um... so I leave you with the following... who below is more qualified to be president?

Seriously!  Where does he stand on the issues?  If he aligns with your interests in National Security, the Economy, Foreign Affairs, Taxes, and Domestic Programs... Great, vote for him, but if you don't know crap about his positions on issues and you vote because "Its time for a "Black Man" to be in the White House!"  You're a fool... besides he's 1/2 white!

And the same applies if you "Refuse to Vote for a Black Man!"  because of his color!  You're a fool too!... besides he's 1/2 white!

But if you do not, agree with his policies and you are any color... don't vote for him out of guilt about, or obligation to race.  It is time we moved on from our obsession with race!  For every idiot in a race group I can show you brilliance!

Republicans Don't Riot!

A lot of hubbub has been raised about Rush Limbaugh's purported encouragement of Rioting in Denver at this year's upcoming Democratic National Convention.

Look... Get real!  Rush in no way would be encouraging his listeners or anyone else for that matter to riot.  However he is stating a premise that bears some honest analysis.  If a riot does happen (a very real possibility being properly planned for by local police) perpetrated by any number of the extremist leftist, anarchist organizations it will have a negative effect on the Peace Love and Understanding, "I feel your pain" Democratic party.

Republicans do not protest in violent actions... it takes too much effort!  First, We would have to take time off of our JOBS!  We would have to buy a new suit!  We'd have to get a haircut, so we looked good on FOX News!  We would have to get or BMW's cleaned so we looked good doing it!  AND... We would have to actually sell some of our Exxon-Mobile or Haliburton stock to pay for our Hotel Rooms at the Magnolia or the Brown Palace.  Nope... we won't be there!  We have a tee time!

Both parties have extremists... The "Ultra" direction of the "Left" or "Right".  And like an "Old weird uncle" when we in the party, hear the rants and ravings of our own extremists like a tourette's syndrome sufferer in church, we become a bit... well... uncomfortable.

This brings me to Recreate 68.  A group I suspect makes the "mainstream" Democrats (if there is there such a thing?) uncomfortable. I have long been of the belief that today's "Progressives" are idealistic nostalgics getting fat on Brady Bunch and Partridge Family reruns!  They want a return to their "Glory" days of 1968, Burning Bras, Burning Draft Cards, Burning the American Flag, and Burning Hemp!  Ah what a great time to be had by all!  Unfortunately they are now a bit frustrated with their previously supportive party.  No longer can the radical left Burn anything without first acquiring a Carbon Off-set from Al Gore.  Remember this convention is to be GREEN!

I am suspicious of groups who state on their website:

Sometimes we need to look back to move forward. In 1968 there existed a spirit of change, the Paris Rebellion, Prague, Chicago, Vietnam, etc. People believed, around the world, that they were capable of taking over the institutions that controlled their lives. The smell of revolution was in the air.

Join us in the streets of Denver as we resist a two-party system that allows imperialism and racism to continue unrestrained.

...We intend to recreate that revolutionary feeling and pick-up where our predecessors left off. It is time to reclaim the ideals that we have forgotten and leap forward by stepping back and using that voice inside of us that has been telling us something is seriously wrong, a voice that is shouting for change, a voice that has realized we live in a police state and we have stopped moving forward 40 years ago.

Uh... Sound like the words of a group bent on PEACFUL statements?  Not to me. 

1968 is not commonly recognized as a "Good Year" for the world.  And to want to return to the "Spirit" of '68 is dangerously misguided!  Anarchy is never a good idea!  Let's briefly recap the events of 1968, shall we?

• Vietnam Battle of Khe Sanh
• North Korea seizes the USS Pueblo, claiming the ship violated its territorial waters while spying.
• Tet Offensive begins, as Viet Cong forces launch a series of surprise attacks across South Vietnam.
• Viet Cong soldiers attack the United States Embassy in Saigon.
• A Viet Cong officer is executed by Nguyen Ngoc Loan, a South Vietnamese National Police Chief. The event is photographed by Eddie Adams. The photo makes headlines around the world, eventually winning the 1969 Pulitzer Prize, and sways U.S. public opinion against the war.
• A civil rights protest staged at a white-only bowling alley in Orangeburg, South Carolina is broken-up by highway patrolmen, leading to the deaths of 3 college students.
• My Lai massacre -
• A demonstration in London's Grosvenor Square against U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War leads to violence - 91 people injured, 200 demonstrators arrested.
• Students at Howard University in Washington, D.C., signal a new era of militant student activism on college campuses in the U.S. Students stage rallies, protests and a five-day sit-in, laying siege to the administration building, shutting down the university in protest over its ROTC program, and demanding a more Afrocentric curriculum.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. is shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Riots erupt in major American cities for several days afterward.
• A shootout between Black Panthers and Oakland police results in several arrests and deaths, including 16-year-old Panther Bobby Hutton.
• Student protesters at Columbia University in New York City take over administration buildings and shut down the university
• "May of 68" is a symbol of the resistance of that generation. Agitations and strikes in Paris lead many youth to believe that a revolution is starting. Student and worker strikes, sometimes referred to as the French May, nearly bring down the French government.
• U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy is shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California by Sirhan Sirhan. Kennedy dies from his injuries the next day.
• The Prague Spring of political liberalization ends, as 200,000 Warsaw Pact troops and 5,000 tanks invade Czechoslovakia.
• Police clash with anti-war protesters in Chicago, Illinois, outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention,
• 150 women protest against the Miss America Pageant, as exploitative of women. It is one of the first large demonstrations of Second Wave Feminism.
• Tlatelolco massacre: A student demonstration ends in a bloodbath at La Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Tlatelolco, Mexico City, Mexico,

Seriously, Rush in this case is right.  If, there are riots in the streets of Denver this year, it will not reflect negatively on REPUBLICANS! It will illustrate in vivid 24hour a day news coverage, that the "Left" is violently out of control!  And questions among most Americans who are not dedicated party participants will ask, "Do we want these types of people or those perceived as sympathetic to these types (The Democratic Party) running our country?"

If a violent protest does happen in Denver, perpetrated by the extreme anarchist left groups the likes of Recreate '68, Code Pink, or similar (Not something desired by any law abiding Democrat or Republican) Republicans will be the political beneficiary... Democrats (the de facto party of tolerance of these idealistic special interest groups) will have a difficult time pointing an accusatory finger or distancing themselves from the association.  After all, Colorado has a Democrat Governor, A Democratic  majority in their State Congress, and Denver has a Democrat Mayor, all who are responsible for the safety of the DNC.

For the record... I would prefer the macramé heads of the extreme left, remain calm, peaceful and blissfully insane.  Protest what you want in your jubilant costumes and drum banging chants.  But if they choose to follow their anarchist instincts followed by the obligatory "Blame the Man!" accusations... my desire is for them to be fire hosed all the way to the pokey for a long stay! Hell, it'll probably be the first shower many of them will have had in a month!

Peace Out Man!

Move Over Murtha, Pelosi and Reid, There's a New Democratic Party Spokesman in Town!

And his name is Ayman al-Zawahri!  The second in command, behind Osama Bin Laden.

Quoting directly from the MoveOn.org, Code Pink, Democratic Party HQ talking points memo, the Democratic party spokesman, al-Zawahri...

"...in a new audiotape released on a militant Web site early Friday [said] that five years of U.S. occupation of Iraq brought only "failure and defeat," which the Bush administration will pass on as a "problem" to the next American president.

In the recording, Ayman al-Zawahri alleged that by acting on the advice of his top commanders in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, and halting further U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq until after July, U.S. President George W. Bush was "covering up for the failure" of his Iraq policies...."

..."Bush declared that he will grant Petraeus all the time he needs, a ridiculous show to cover up for the failure in Iraq and to allow Bush to evade the decision to withdraw the forces, which is an admission of the failure of the crusader invasion of Iraq, by passing the problem on to the next president..."

Hmmm... And here I though all this type of talk was nothing more than Leftist Amerikan, presidential debate propaganda.  Well! Now I'm convinced, if anyone knows how to cut the head off of the Bullshit, it's Al Gore Qaeda!

And in another show of Solidarity with the Democratic Party and specifically the Obama camp, Ahmed Yousuf, the terrorist organization Hamas' top political adviser in the Gaza Strip had this to say:

"We like Mr. Obama, and we hope that he will win the elections,"... "I understand American politics and this is the season for elections and everybody tries to sound like he's a friend of the Israelis," he said. All that would change if Obama would get elected. "I hope Mr. Obama and the Democrats will change the political discourse.... I do believe [Obama] is like John Kennedy, a great man with a great principle. And he has a vision to change America to make it in a position to lead the world community, but not with humiliation and arrogance,"

All this was stated before meeting the former President Jimmy Carter to discuss how to best neuter Israel.

At Least Your Mother Named You Appropriately... Dick!

I would normally confess that I cannot believe I missed this when published on April 11th... but then again since when to I make a habit of reading the intellectually bankrupt opinion section of the New York Times?

In a piece of shit written by Dick Cavett (yes that Dick Cavett) he takes on the oratory skills of General Petraeus and Ambassador Cocker in their recent testimony before Congress on the progress in Iraq.  Now I too have been critical of public figures oft ignorance of proper oratory, our current sitting president leaps to mind.  However, even if I were to critique someone who's politics I disagreed with (Al Gore and his three step inflection cadence) I would try to focus on the technical aspects of the presentation.  I would not stoop to the insulting degree the "Oh So Perfect" DICK.... Cavett did in penning the following paragraph:

I can’t look at Petraeus — his uniform ornamented like a Christmas tree with honors, medals and ribbons — without  thinking of the great Mort Sahl at the peak of his brilliance. He talked about meeting General Westmoreland in the Vietnam days. Mort, in a virtuoso display of his uncanny detailed knowledge — and memory — of such things, recited the lengthy list (”Distinguished Service Medal, Croix de Guerre with Chevron, Bronze Star, Pacific Campaign” and on and on), naming each of the half-acre of decorations, medals, ornaments, campaign ribbons and other fripperies festooning the general’s sternum in gaudy display. Finishing the detailed list, Mort observed, “Very impressive!” Adding, “If you’re twelve.”

FRIPPERIES!  FRIPPERIES????  You SOB!  for those of you who do not want to waste your time looking it up, Fripperies are "Something trivial or nonessential".

What is it with Liberal Elitist Media Cretins of your ilk that cannot recognize that these Fripperies, are conferred, not handed out freely!  These ribbons, epaulettes, insignia all convey immediately to the KNOWLEDGABLE the service rendered by the one wearing them.  One does not have to know the details of the actions taken by the wearer, to recognize that the Bronze Star!  Is not given for a good one liner right before the commercial break!  You try earning one.. DICK!

And as for your reference to ... “Very impressive!” Adding, “If you’re twelve.” 

Or maybe... Just Maybe!!!...  If you were raised to respect sacrifice?  Dedication to Duty?  Honor? Courage? Commitment? Bravery? Selflessness?  All words of which you appear to be completely ignorant... DICK!

Here's some of what is on the General's Chest (an Oak Leaf signifies additional times the medal was awarded, and "V" device signifies "Valor" in Combat):

  Defense Distinguished Service Medal

  Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)

  Defense Superior Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)

  Legion of Merit (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)

  Bronze Star (with “V” Device)

  Defense Meritorious Service Medal

  Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)

You sanctimonious venal elitist... You sicken me!  I used to find you mildly amusing.  Now that you have unveiled your true colors in your contempt for men like General Petraeus and by proxy all men and women in uniform, I have no use for you or your opinion.  Go sip your Gin and Tonic at the local MoveOn cocktail party cracking malicious mean spirited grammatically accurate vocabulary rich jokes at the Military's expense.  But understand this... those who serve in the Armed Forces get paid to protect YOU and YOUR fellow liberal intellectual's FREEDOMS... All other Americans, they protect because they want to!

Nice... DICK!

My Mind is a Lottery Basket of Thoughts Lately

Have you ever felt just out of mental sorts...  where the jumble of thoughts running through your mind once spilled will be so desultory that Mitchell Feigenbaum himself would say "Dude! Can you get any more random?"

It has been going on for a few weeks now, nailing down a specific thought for me right now is seriously like nailing pudding to the wall.  It probably comes from having 27+ ice cubes in the fire at a time and trying not to let any of them melt. 

My insomniac nature has been in full swing as I continually find myself waking in the wee hours of the morning, when the blessed and civil among us would be better served trying to find light leaks in ones eyelids.  And the causes of these episodes are as random and meaningless as the tangled balls of Cotton doubling as thoughts running though my restless Velcro mind.  I was only slightly comforted, as I lay there counting dolphin safe sheep, of a particularly poetic passage written recently by one of my favorite bloggers describing so elegantly my inconvenient experiences of recent nights.  He quotes:

"Woke early, couldn’t sleep. Restless, head filled with half-formed thoughts and shapeless anxieties. Things which you stuff away in a box in the course of the day, but which peek out and steal away in the early morning hours when the guards doze at their posts. Sometimes I can stuff them back away and return to lethe..."

Oh to be able to wax as poetic as he.

But alas my words, are mine, the feces of my overflowing mind.  I wonder oft if I'm writing too little in an effort to exorcise these slumber stealing thoughts, or maybe too much, constantly trying to string together reasonable and logical syllogistic passages to out maneuver those of opposing ideals.  A jump ball!

So what are some of the random musings spinning aimlessly in my blendtec mind?

• Current politics is annoyingly juvenile, reported by preschool media!
• Barack Obama is Black... so figgn'n what!!! Our nation needs to get off the "Race" horse!  That means everyone!!! White people, Black people, off auburn people, green... just stop!!!! It's Bovine Scatology at its worst!  Diversity training is BS-- how about a little Unity Training!!!
• Think before you vote please.  Is he/she qualified to work in your company?  Then how is he/she qualified to run the free world!
• Is it possible to "Quickly Meander?"
• Big screen LCD TV's tuned to sports or Bikini contests with a bar furnished with comfy leather chairs .. should be mandated by LAW! To be in EVERY department store's Womens' section!  With score cards in a magazine basket next to each seat!  That oughta take the sting out of trying to find a balance between Being a "Man", Being a "Good Husband" and being just plain "Gayishly-"Yes-Dear-Let's-Go-Shopping-while-the-Masters-is-on"-with- your-onions-in-her-hand-Whimpy!"
• Although she does look awesome in that dress!!!!
• Vertical stripes on size 17 women's pants are not "Slimming!" Please don't buy into the marketing!  Buy into a gym membership!
• There's only one kind of Kenmore dryer belt... so when it breaks don't waste the 14 minutes trying to find a model number!  Despite being prompted for one by the lady behind the parts counter at Sears!  seriously!!! THERE IS ONLY ONE!
• Dryer belt stores close at 5!  Liquor Stores close at Midnight, coincidence?.... nope!
• 78 today... Snow tomorrow!... Gotta feel for the tourists in Denver this week.  We?.... Hell we're used to it! 
• The weather matches my brain!
• Mixing peanuts and Exlax is the Lazy Man's way to itch a hemorrhoid! But it sure makes a funny sound in practice, though!

Now, with troubling thoughts like that, how'd you sleep?

Ummm.... Yeah.... OoohKaaaayy!

I'm speechless! 

His own words... hard to confuse his stance...

What's next? In an effort to bring a re-unification to our Divided America, Barak will plan to remove both the Democrat (Blue) and Republican (Red)reference colors from the American Flag... that ought to help!

Or he could always replace the flag with this one found in one of his more fervent campaign supporters in Houston!

Yep, you can judge a man by the company he keeps...

Careful when Firing a Hand Howitzer!

I've fired many 'o weapons in my life, from growing up skeet shooting, to a number of Desert Ex's with Jim Kilroy.  I've fired literally thousands of rounds ranging from Shotgun shells of all gauges, to 30 ought 6, 44 magnums, Colt 45 longs, 7.62, and .223's.  I'm pretty comfortable around firearms (in the proper hands) and I've learned many of valuable lessons over my 41 years. 

I caught this video on the net today and was reminded of one very useful lesson from a Navy Seal Team Chief... no, not the art of "Triple Tapping" although that one is a cool one to know.  Rather his clear statement of "If the caliber of the weapon is larger than your forearm... BOLT THE F**K*R DOWN!"

Hehehe obviously a lesson not known or taught to this frail waif!  Caution, Brad Feld, Navy Bosun, Red Neck Mechanic or 9-year old "HALO-3 player" language/ Printed word follows...("R").

Skinny Girl Owned By Desert Eagle - Watch more free videos

And is it me or does this little adventure appear to be taking place in the local park?

US Marines Not Welcomed in Berkeley California

I put this on the Tailhook Daily Briefing also:

"The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave..." 

This is not a quote from some Afghani rebel, or some Iraqi insurgent.  No, these are the words of the MAYOR! of Berkeley California (still a United States city last I checked...)

Seriously though, is anyone really surprised by this? 

From the Contra Costa Times:

Berkeley Council Says Marine Recruiting Center is not Welcome

BERKELEY, Calif.—Local officials in this liberal city say it's time for the U.S. Marines to move out.

The City Council voted 8-1 Tuesday to tell the Marines their downtown recruiting station is not welcome and "if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome guests."...

Not surprising to many readers of my site, our Marines are pretty accustomed to the status of "Uninvited and Unwelcomed Guests". Seldom however is this the prevailing opinion anywhere between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans! 

But wait there's more!

...In a separate item, the council voted, also 8-1, to give protest group Code Pink a parking space in front of the recruiting office once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week.

..."I believe in the Code Pink cause. The Marines don't belong here, they shouldn't have come here, and they should leave," said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates....

I commented on another of my favorite blogger's site on this subject, "Wouldn't this equate to giving a 'Reserved' parking space to the Neo-Nazis outside of a synagogue?

The entire Bay Area of the great state of California has melded into a melting pot of pacifists and the more vile, "passive aggressive's" toward those who CHOOSE to defend the freedoms we all enjoy in our great nation.

Must be nice to relax in the Barko-Lounger of freedom provided by those who serve!  And then snipe at those who do!

But alas I would not worry about our Brother's in Green.  They are fairly used to, and conditioned to be amidst Hostile Situations!

I think Chesty said it best:

It is a good thing our Marines understand Semper Fidelis because the self proclaimed intellectuals of Berkeley obviously need to study up on their Latin.

Good Night Chesty Wherever You Are...

Illegal Immigrants to Receive Rebate Funds Too! Remember Folks, You Read it Here First!

Remember last week when I was a bit critical of our Lawmakers use of the word "REBATE" referring to the economic stimulus handout coming not to soon to a mailbox near you?  [Link] I said, fully intending it to be somewhat tongue in cheek,

"For those who did not pay any income tax, you will be receiving a "Hand-Out" of $300.00 negotiated by the "Government knows best" Socialist Democratic Party Leaders Infamous.  As a purchase of your vote in the upcoming election.  Negotiations are still in process to insure that all "Undocumented Residents" are compensated as well (remember, your vote matters too!)..."

I meant that as a somewhat sarcastic stab at our nation's Socialist Democrat party and their willingness to "Accept" not just "Tolerate" every special interest known to man and beast (and vegetable and mineral... many of which are voting members of the Democrat party too.) And cater accordingly.

Well, fast forward to today and the following headline from the Politico:

Lou Dobbs alert: Illegal immigrants may get rebates

"In their bipartisan zeal to quickly cut a deal on an economic stimulus bill, GOP lawmakers overlooked something that will certainly inflame the conservative base _ illegal immigrants could receive a tax rebate check from the government.

The text of the House passed bill contains language making "non resident aliens"  -illegal immigrants-  ineligible for the tax rebates. But every year, hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants use individual taxpayer identification numbers, known as ITINs, to file income tax returns with the IRS. These ID numbers are used instead of Social Security numbers. There are no exact statistics for how many illegal immigrants file tax returns, but this New York Times story from last year details the significant increase in use of ITINs.  This story also lays out the issue.

Immigration advocates point out that many legal immigrants use ITINs, so it would be impossible to outlaw rebates for everyone who uses this form of ID in tax returns.

And our Colorado Representative Ken Salazar expressed the following, illustrating his complacency relating to Illegal Immigration in the United States:

"The reality is that those who filed a tax return will be eligible" for tax rebates of $600 to $1,200, said Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.). "This [issue] has not been addressed" by the senators writing the bill.

Wow!  This is screwed up in so many ways!   A humorous metaphor escapes me.

Gene Pool Flotsam

What's wrong with this picture?  Other than... These guys are probably Engineering Students!  (Reminds me of one of my best friend's college roommate and how he heated the bathtub!)

HT: REX

Vocabulary Lesson!... "REBATE"

re·bate  (rbt)

• n.  A deduction from an amount to be paid or a return of part of an amount given in payment.
• A partial refund following a purchase.
• : a return of a part of a payment
• n 1: a refund of some fraction of the amount paid [syn:discount]

Ok those definitions are gathered from 4 separate and distinct sources across the net.  Not one of the definitions or thesaurus look-ups connects the word Rebate with "Hand-Out".

Functionally the word rebate by definition implies discount on amount previously paid or due to be paid!

So how in the hell can the giving -- That's right "GIVING" -- $300.00 to people who did not pay one dime (or were they expected to!) toward an Income Tax be described as a REBATE!!!!

Tax Rebates Deal Announced

Individuals who pay income taxes would get up to $600, working couples $1,200 and those with children an additional $300 per child under the agreement. Workers who make at least $3,000 but don't pay taxes would get $300 rebates.

Quit parsing words you elected twits!  The proper statement would and should be:

Tax Rebate and Welfare Hand-Out Announced

American Income Tax payers (not those evil rich and corporations from whom our paychecks come from...) will be receiving a $600.00 Rebate on their 2007 income tax.  And an additional $300.00 per miniature "House Ape" you decided to conceive.

Albeit not a fair percentage based on the amount of what each individual actually contributed to the government coffers; No...  rather an arbitrary amount established by "We-not-the people" to allow the bourgeoisie to acquire a new xBox 360, iPhone or similar device (maybe two!). 

For those who did not pay any income tax, you will be receiving a "Hand-Out" of $300.00 negotiated by the "Government knows best" Socialist Democratic Party Leaders Infamous.  As a purchase of your vote in the upcoming election.  Negotiations are still in process to insure that all "Undocumented Residents" are compensated as well (remember, your vote matters too!)

This will serve to stimulate our already prosperous economy for at least a couple of days in May and June 2008 when we have long forgotten that the Dow Industrials lost a few hundred points for a few days in January (which, the savvy investor recognized as equating to nothing more than his favorite components going on SALE! And purchased as many new stocks as he could.)  Alas it was certainly not reported this way by the hyper-sensationalistic-sky-is-falling pinko liberal economically ignorant free media outlets!

My God!  How can we expect to advance as a country when we Marketeeringly Spin everything we say!  If it looks like crap, smells like crap, squishes like crap... it's the AMERICAN WAY!

Oof! Yeah... Don't Want to be "That Guy"

Watching the Holiday Bowl tonight on ESPN between Arizona State and Texas.  I'm not really for or against either team, I just want to watch some College Football before the long dearth begins in January.

I just watched an amazing turn of events that will plague a young guy for some time to come.  Knowing Texas Fans, despite this really being only a game for "Pride" this year, no first or second place being on the line and all... if Texas goes on to blow their 21 point lead at the time of the incident and loses this game... well ol' Chris (What's His Last Name) will be infamous in University of Texas lore. 

In the first half, Texas was on top of AZ State 21 to squat!  But State was pressing into the "Red Zone" and looking like they might get 7.  When on a third down and 11 The Sun Devil's QB faded back into a rapidly desintigrating pocket!  Being pursued and grabbed by a Texas Defence the QB tried to throw the ball away.  Unfortunately for him the resulting pass was not forward but turned out to be a latteral and in reality a fumble!  LIVE BALL on the ground!!!

The escaping pigskin was rapidly headed toward the Texas Sideline, which would have resulted in Arizona State retaining the football albeit with a resulting 4th down and very long.  This is where things took a turn for the sublime.  An individual standing on the Texas Sideline, looking like he thought the bounding ball was the result of an incomplete pass, and thus "Dead" went to pick the dadblame thing up!  It is claimed that he touched it... but I ain't too sure, personally I think he might have retracted his hands prior to contacting yon wayward ball.  Anyway the ball somehow stayed in the field of play and was recovered by the Longhorns.  First and Ten headed the other way!!!   Or "Not so fast..." according to the official Zebra herd.

After reviewing the play a number of times the lead zebra stated that the ball was indeed interfered with by the Texas Sideline.  Dead Ball, and possession stays w/ the Sun Devils, with an additional "Half the Distance" to the goal line awarded.

Well... OK...

Except, ESPN continued to keep the cameras focused on the poor guy who went to pick the ball up... Good 'ol Chris!  Yeah Chris just got his 15 minutes of fame, as undesired as it may be.  You can tell the dude feels terrible, his innocent efforts did indeed change an outcome of a play... The outcome of the game??? Cannot be determined, it will be what it will be.  But Arizona State did get 7 in the turn of events.

Chris is young, and what is worse so are his friends, and many Texas Football fans never grow past the playground, so yeah Chris can expect that he will definitely make the Sports Pages of tomorrow papers, if not the Front Page in Austin!  Don't fret Chris, this will only be a "Defining" moment if you let it.  You define you... not ESPN. 

Well... maybe not ... but it sure sounded good.  My suggestion, play it up! Get a spot on Letterman, or Best Damn Sports Show on their Greatest Dumbass Plays of the year special.  Get rich... and get the chicks!  I recommend looking in Tempe for the latter...

Well... That was FUN!

Or maybe not so much...

I am finally holed up in a warm comfy hotel room in the lovely town of Waterbury CT after spending almost my entire day on the freeways of Massachusetts and Connecticut... well 8 hours! anyway! (I say almost, because the first 3.5 hours of my morning were spent finalizing plans for my company's next coolest release for our customers...)

You:  "Wow John you must have traveled from one end of one state to the other..."

Me:  "Nope,... went 94 miles..."

You:  "huh?"

Me:  Allow me to illustrate...

Today after completing a software improvement  project with our developer, I needed to traverse some 140 miles from Marlborough MA to Danbury CT.  I didn't make it...

After 8 hours on my butt, no food, and one very impromptu pit stop on the not so side of the freeway, I had had enough...  Ya see, there was this Snow Storm I drove right smack into...  weird actually went from East Coast gray overcast, to... well...  A curtain of SNOW... A lot of SNOW!  In very short order! Some 9 inches in 4 hours! Here's a taste:

At 11:45 I took a photo as I was approaching the toll booth at the end of I-90 transitioning onto I-84, it had literally just begun no more than 2 minutes earlier.

This next shot was 12 minutes later:

26 minutes later...

2 hours and 11.3 miles later... seriously...

Then a few hours after sitting parked, well not really parked... every couple of minutes or so we advanced a car length or two... sometimes only a Mini Cooper length or two, I decided that my back teeth had been floating LONG ENOUGH!  And without a Gatorade bottle to spare, decided to mark some Connecticut territory and melt some ice right there on the freeway.  After all, we weren't going anywhere anytime soon.  No one blamed me!  And through the rest of my winter wonderland odyssey, I observed that I was not the only one who's bladder could be leased out as a Workout Ball!  Seven.... count 'em Seven others applied de-icing to I-84 in the course of the next hour or two.  Nope, don't know how you ladies do it!

This next photo I took looking back behind me... it was quite eerie in that I was actually the LAST person in the traffic line on the freeway... I had just cleared an icy hill that many semi's had jack-knifed on, and where many others' velocity vector was not pointing the same direction as their headlights!Somehow I finagled my way through... never once hitting the brakes or in reality nudging the gas more than the amount it would take to advance yourself in the drive-through window at McDonalds!  Oh... Did I happen to mention my Hertz rental car for this week's festivities was non other than an '07 Mustang!  Gotta just love rear wheel drive... with lotsa torque... in SNOW!  Anyway back to the pic...   after pulling up to the all too familiar eternal line of cars on the I-84 parking lot, it was some 5 minutes before I realized that I was LAST IN LINE!  I mean no one was behind me for over a 1/4 a mile (that was as far as I could see!)  That can't be good!

It was at that time... or in the next 20 minutes that I sat parked there... I made the decision to cut my trip shorter (distance-wise... it was already 6 hours longer) than planned, call the nearest Marriott and see if they had a room for yon weary traveler.

They did!  Now if my 1/4 tank of gas holds out for another 20 miles (and maybe 3 hours!)

Miracle!  About 10 more minutes passed and we the intrepid, began once again our snow laden mosey.  We cleared through another "Charlie Foxtrot" of Semi's and "See Dumbass!!! Four Wheel drive does not make you 'Captain Invincible's!" ("Captain Imbeciles" maybe...) and the plowed road lay presented before us... now mind you 20 miles per hour may not seem like much to you all sitting back reading this in Sunny San Diego... but let me tell you it was good to get the wind blow'n through my hair again... did I mention that my windshield wipers froze up on me?  So my head was out said window a couple of times knocking the frozen crap of the ol' vinyl "flick-fluncks" (can't really call then windshield wipers at that there particular moment) with the extended ice scraper/broom so thoughtfully supplied by Hertz!  Good people those Hertz guys... except for the ol' Mustang thing in the first BIG ASS Winter Storm of the season!  At least it wasn't a convertible!  Small blessings doncha know.

Alas I arrived at my recently altered hotel... and you know... the winter scene out my 6th floor, quite warm, Internet, and TV equipped room takes on a whole new peace about it once spectate'n  instead of participate'n...

Peace on Earth to all of you... I'm just happy having a little peace here in Waterbury Connecticut.

Sleep well... I know I will...

Curious... I'm thinking next time I call support, I'm pressing "2" for the "Spanish" help.

I had a problem today with McAfee screwing up my e-mail delivery.  I called Comcast originally who I had to tell what I had read in the various forums about my error message.  Then after not being able to get the problem to reoccur, he forwarded me to McAfee support.  OXYMORONIC!

After getting a hold of Ishtar,  I spent the next 5 minutes spelling Carmichael.

C-A-R-M---- No!...  "C"  No not "P"... "C"  I'm telling you minutes passed in the ol' "Spelling Dance."  Finally he go my name right.  To which he realized that I did indeed have McAfee but I purchased it through Toshiba and not Comcast.  "Yoooll hav to coll a differennt numbah tank you berry much!"

Well that different number started with the recording "Please have your credit card ready... you will be charged $2.14 per minute for McAfee support..."

SAY WHAT!!!!

Nice!  I just paid you for your dumbass virus protection, that is now screwing up my business and to get rectification I need to pay you more for your own screwed up product. 

Of course if any of the support guys are reading this, their first accusation of me would be "But you don't know if it was our product, Vista, or Outlook or Comcast screwing things up."  Answer = "Right Sparky!"  But because you have the $2.14/minute work-avoidance message on your support line, you're going to take my flack!

Now back to pressing #2 for Spanish.  I was talking to a buddy of mine at lunch and we came to the conclusion that we'll bet $10.00 that if I pressed #2 for Spanish the dude (or Dude-ette) on the other end of the phone would not only speak pretty good Spanish, but I bet better ENGLISH than Ishtar does! 

Customer Support is what I do, and when you lose sight of your customer... well hell you need to begin losing customers!  Good luck on my re-up McAfee!

This is why I have problems with how the "War" is reported.

I'm sure the AP, CNN, NBC the NYT and the usual suspects in the media were as giddy as a 5 year old waiting for Santa's visit on Christmas, waiting in grotesquely eager anticipation for the number 853 to arrive!  Knowing they would be able to publish the following headline!

"2007 Is Deadliest Year for US in Iraq"

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S. military on Tuesday announced the deaths of five more soldiers and one sailor, making 2007 the deadliest year for U.S. troops despite a recent downturn, according to an Associated Press count.

At least 853 American military personnel have died in Iraq so far this year—the highest annual toll since the war began in March 2003, according to AP figures.

The grim milestone passed despite a sharp drop in U.S. and Iraqi deaths here in recent months...

"Sharp Drop..." here's just how sharp! [From the Department of Defense]

 

And I might add that is with a significant increase in the number of Americans in country beginning in June!  Remember the much criticized "Surge" that had failed according to "Give-up" Harry?

Why the drop off?  Well it would appear based on IED explosions (what killed the 5 that triggered the "Headline Alarm!") the US and coalition forces have begun to succeed in their efforts to get to the cowards before they get to us!

Yes, it is truly tragic to have lost 853 Americans in the efforts to bring freedom to the people of Iraq, but to leverage their deaths to advance the questionable slant of the left and their media lap-dogs is a disgrace!

Look at the "Trend!"  our efforts are dramatically IMPROVING!!! or would that be detrimental to the nay-sayers and surrenderists? 

Now, excuse me... I have to go lick my cat's butt to get this taste out of my mouth!

Uh.... What the..... Marketeering Gone Nutty?

This is what happens when you let "Marketing" run "Product Development!"

I Don't Care What Party You're Affiliated With... This is Funny!

HT to Jerah for the following:

Video Link for the above: [Link]

And for those of you un-initiated on the "Chocolate Rain" reference Obama makes in the spoof above... I provide the following... holding your dogs ears is highly recommended!

[Chocolate Rain Vid Link]

Went Mosquito Feeding Tonight

So, Ginger had to work late tonight, her current employer is understaffed with nurses, and overstocked with patients (yeah that's rare in the medical profession)... anyway after I cleaned the cat box (Pudge and Scrunch were beginning to build "Poo-Henge" again)  I thought I'd head out, grab a bite to eat and kill some time getting a little exercise and take some photos while I walked around one of our local lakes.

Wouldn't you just know it, I arrived at Johnson Reservoir just as the sun was setting and the Mosquitos (that happen to resemble small birds here in Colorado!) were rising!  And me with carbon dioxide to spare and an all to apparent dearth of deet! 

Damn it!  I wasn't going to let these little bastards ruin my walk!  Of course then again... I'm blessed with an IQ resembling a hockey score!  I proceeded to get my exercise, feed the little blood suckers, and take my pictures.  Below are a sampling of the fruits of my trip to the Blood Bank!  Hope they're worth it.

 

Muskrat... I think... Captain and Tenille  couldn't be found for verification!

Yep, (in the above image) those are but a mere modicum of the mosquito flock!

Autumn is neigh here in the foothills of the Rockies.  Lots of GOLD in our future! 

 

Creativity Around the Office

Working at NewsGator, I am surrounded by creative people... Being in a Web 2.0 Software company will promote that type of person.

However, I have to say that I was caught off guard by one of our employees' creativity in the break room.  You see we're one of those cool companies that provides free fattening agents  snacks for our folks.  These nutritional goodies include M&M's (peanut doncha know!) Bowls of Snickers bars, Red Vines, Pop-tarts etc... you know good wholesome food to help creative minds bloom!

Well a few months back one of our employees came up with a brilliant idea to have dispensers replace the "free-for-all" bowls.  You know the bowls, the ones where no-one uses the "provided spoon" for scooping the contents into their "I have no idea where those have been... ahhh chooooo!.... hands!"  The cool new dispensers are kind of a "No charge" gumball machine.  Place your hand under the dispenser, twist the knob, and voila', goodies in hand!  Looks like this:

Great Idea!  We've got a bank of these things dispensing all manner of goodies:

 

Like Assorted nuts... Chex mix... The aforementioned M&M's...  And of course

  Cheese and Crackers... or if you're lucky Peanut Butter and Crackers!

Aaaahhh NewsGator... breaking the daily monotony with a sledge hammer!

God luv'em!

I Bet our Boots on the Ground in Iraq Sure Wish there were more Terrorists using Volkswagens in Their Quest to Meet 27 Virgins (or however many are left up there)

Hehehe...  Unfortunately because of our sque