Carmichael's Position

Tom Walker Now Writing an Official Sports Car Column

My buddy Tom Walker, oft somewhat agreeable antagonist to many of my postings here, is now writing his own “for pay” column over at  examiner.com.  He is the designated “Denver Sports Car Driving Examiner.”  However, knowing Tom, I am sure his articles will apply to you even if you live in Vienna Georgia, or Manhattan Beach California.

Tom is a pretty knowledgeable car dude, and I’m sure will bring a thoughtful, informative take on the sports car genre. I am looking forward to reading his takes on Sports Cars, especially since I am a proud, recent inductee to the Sports Car Owners club. 

Pay Tom a visit, the more the merrier, especially since I think part of his compensation comes from unique hits.  My advice was to include bikini clad models in his reviews, but alas he is not usually one to resort to tricks like that to drive internet traffic.  Although I’m sure we’ll be seeing some topless… cars on his pages periodically.

Also he is of British heritage, so you may have to pardon an occasional reference to the “Boot” or “Bonnet” ;-)

His first two articles are already up:

• How do you define a sports car?
• A hatchback for the people

I’m going to add his column over in the left pane of Carmichael’s Position so take a look over there for his latest postings, and visit a few of my other friends’ articles too, all entertaining.

I Know, Let’s Pelt them with Marshmallows!

Or other equally damaging UN ideas.

In response to the rogue nation of North Korea (aka Norks) launching a missile fully capable of striking Alaska or any other nearby nation like Japan or South Korea, the UN is convening an EMERGENCY Session of the security council.  BIG DEAL!

The U.N. Security Council will hold consultations on the launch at 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday. U.N. diplomats said no country was considering imposing new sanctions but a resolution on stricter enforcement of earlier measures could be discussed.

“Stricter enforcement of earlier measures…”  Huh?  So you’re your telling me you numbskulls enacted earlier measures without plans to “Strictly Enforce” them.  What was your plan?  Say “Pretty Please with Kimchi on top?  This is precisely why the UN stands for Useless Numbskulls!  Business as usual.  Only now with our current administration, you are more empowered to sit idly by while we orate ourselves into oblivion.

Lets change the name of the United Nations to a more accurate moniker… how about Action-less Society of Sniveling Hottentots Obviously Lost Evermore… I’ll let you see the acronym.

The only thing worse than the UN’s ineptitude is the institutionalized lack of quality reporting by any press agency anymore.  Both the AP and Reuters reported part of this story stating that The NORKS claimed their rocket achieved its goal of depositing a satellite into orbit.  Yet then go on to claim that US, Japanese, and South Korean sources say it failed to reach orbit. 

Um… Seriously how tough is this to verify?  How about going out on a limb there boys and girls and unequivocally stating… The NORKS are FULL OF SHIT! Any 10 year old with a telescope can verify that nothing new is in orbit along that trajectory!  But no, in the press train’s ever increasing desire to be as vague as Jell-o and as accountable as OJ Simpson, always make is sound like the facts are debatable.  Sometimes they are not, you jackasses.  Did it reach orbit or not?  Just state it!

I Found the Silver Lining to a Barak Obama Administration

Humorists have a new target!  Ahhhh... I'm been looking forward to enjoying the Onion again.  This is a good start!

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Cartoonist Could Use Your Help

I have long been a fan of political cartoons, I love the ability of an artist to convey a poignant message in a minimal amount of space.  I've enjoyed both Conservative and Liberal cartoons if the imagery and message is delivered well.

I've long been a fan of the creative musings of Berke Breathed, Garry Trudeau, Cox & Forkum (John & Allen) and many more...  One of my recent favorites, I stumbled upon a couple of years ago in a blog post, is Chris Muir, the writer and artist for Day By Day.

Chris blends a edgy even sexy artistic style, with mainstream political issues we face daily.  He weaves together thoughts and philosophies of both Left and Right through the lives of 4 main characters and often illustrates the simple naivete of a position taken by today's political headliners, PAC's, and fringe groups by pitting one against the other in his characters' actions and words.

Chris obviously falls more on the Right side of the political spectrum, which I find refreshing (Duh...)  because as seems to be the case with everything artistic or media related, the majority of cartoonists come from a left leaning slant, understandable considering idealism and passion often drives great art.  Two traits the left has a PLETHORA of and two traits we conservatives often have to ask advice on how to.... um.... fake... learn!  Yeah... learn!

So I was a bit dismayed this morning when I read the following from Chris Muir:

Unfortunately, technology finally ended my main job ... , which left DBD my only income.

He is left to turn to his readership for donations in the form of a fundraiser to continue publishing Day By Day.  Which I actually respect a great deal.  It is never easy to ask for compensation... when was the last time you asked your boss for a raise?  But Chris has a bit more of a difficulty, we are his boss, all of us who enjoy his strip daily, intermittently... whenever. 

Chris is following capitalism in the truest form... he is asking for donations to the cause.  Personally I think it is more an issue of we consumers, pony-ing up and paying for the quality of writing and creativity we all enjoy.  Idealistically Chris obviously produces Day By Day because it is what he enjoys...  Pragmatically however he cannot continue to focus on creating these daily gems and pay the bills without some compensation.  He is truly an independent publisher.  And much like a server at your favorite restaurant... his livelyhood weighs heavily on... for lack of a better analogy... "TIPS!" from his patrons.  So if you like the service/product you've been consuming and want to consume into the future, he requests that you show your support in the most pragmatic way... with your wallet. 

Here's his deal... He is looking for donations to keep things going, in his words.

...according to 'The Long Tail' theory of Internet readers, there's usually a core 1% that come through for Internet publishers. All donations are critical, and I also ask again of that '1000'. Look what Leonidas did with the 300-except I don't have a 6-pack, I'm not a leader, and the thought of all of you in G-strings frankly worries me a bit.

But we share the same beliefs, I think.

The site's been redone, there's a forum coming up, there's an email subscription, searchable archives, new avatars, a new DBD banner that shows the strip in a popup (so you have more advertising space on your own blog),twitter, free Wowio DBD ebooks, and when you donate to DBD you receive pdfs of never released drawings of DBD's start back in 1998 (yes, 2 years before DBD went up), examples of just how different Jan, Damon, Sam, and Zed were before 2001.

Depending on which of the 4 Donation Levels you select, there is also a DBD Playing Card deck, Sam posters, plus Original DBD hand-written script sheets complete with hand-signed strips that derive from those scripts.

That was the carrot, now for the stick, and...I don't have a stick.

I'll still try & get DBD out.

I think you can tell from the strip that I'm something of a minimalist. I drive a Honda that was new when Arsenio was hot. My first vacation in 12 years, and I go to Iraq to research for the characters. This isn't for sympathy, but clarity. I love doing DBD. Every hard-earned dollar you send here is for one purpose-to make it possible for me to improve and continue DBD for you (and me!).

In a PC correct era, DBD's characters speak with you on issues you find important. PC still rules the MSM, whether newspapers, the networks, or well-funded 'pundits'. DBD connects with people directly, the only comic where the readers are the source and the feature. You might depend on DBD, but the reality is DBD depends on you.

Help keep our voice out there. In one day, all of you got DBD more than halfway through 2008. Again, whatever amount is donated, I'll give directly back in DBD strips.

And yes. This time I will leave the Fundraiser up for a month, not a day.

Chris Muir

If you too would like to contribute to Chris's work, I recommend you go here and throw a few bucks his way!  [Link]

Obama Campaign Couldn't Have Planned this Better!

Kwanza Christmas comes early for the Obama campaign!

The New Yorker Magazine released this cover it plans to publish for its July 21 Edition!  So how could something so tasteless be beneficial for the Obama Campaign?

Think about it... for the next few days (possibly longer depending on how much traction this gets, or is allowed to get in the mainstream media... I suspect quite a bit actually) we will be talking about how disrespectful this is, how insulting, how racist, etc...  Republicans and democrats alike will have to agree this is tasteless. 

In order to really demonstrate our disdain for tripe like this we Republicans will be forced to state things like: 

"Of course Barack Hussein Obama is a Patriotic American who loves his country... He would never do anything to weaken our stature in the world!"

"Having Michele carry an AK-47 is a travesty!  She's always been for GUN CONTROL!"

"Besides!  Good Democrats would NEVER BURN THE AMERICAN FLAG!... in a fireplace... in private... no press attention for "The Cause" to be gained in such a private act!"

"Oh... the picture on the wall illustrating support for Osama... well that's just silly!  Barack isn't a Muslim!"

Seriously, this cover is a boon for the Obama Campaign.  Just as the polls are beginning to narrow because real issues facing Americans are becoming harder and harder to ignore, the Obama camp can only benefit from redirecting attention from serious issues like Terrorism, Green Environmental Economic Destruction, Federal Economic Intervention levels, Energy Policy, His lack of any tangible leadership experience etc... Obama is able to refocus on the one element where he can leverage sympathy and empathy.  The Stereotyping, race-bating, religion-bating baseless attacks of the ignorant.

"Drown me! Roast me! Hang me! Do whatever you please," said Brer Rabbit. "Only please, Brer Fox, please don't throw me into the briar patch."

"The briar patch, eh?" said Brer Fox. "What a wonderful idea! You'll be torn into little pieces!"

The New Yorker is a long time supporter of Liberal ideals and as such one must be suspicious of a cover that so negatively portrays their guy!  There is an ulterior motive, don't doubt otherwise.  Getting Republicans to publicly proclaim that all of these satirical stereotypes imbedded in this cartoon are categorically false is the ultimate goal of a cover like this!

• Barack is not a Muslim - he's said so.
• Michelle is not a terrorist - She's proud to be an American... now.
• Obama would never celebrate Osama... Obama hopes more than anything that slippery sombitch is caught!... in 8 months!... So he can face trial...
• Burning the American Flag in such a fashion is a travesty!... We've already covered the "Proper Democrat Way to Burn An American Flag"
• Michelle in Camo?  Now that's just WAAAY over the top!  Michelle would NEVER be in Uniform!

Tune in to all the talking head shows and watch how many times issues are brought up over the next few days.  Remember once again how we treat BARACK is the topic of conversation!  Not how Barack will treat us... poor, poor Barack!

Example of Why I Find it Difficult to Believe Anything I Hear From the "Sky Is Falling Global Warming Alarmists"

This kind of reporting is nothing but irresponsible...From Australian ABC News:

Plasma, LCDs blamed for accelerating global warming...

Crap!  And I was going soooo green, watching Discovery HD channel and now the Green Channel in HD about how terrible we humans are for the the future of the planet.  See... If you all would have just let Ronald Reagan Nuke the Crap out of the world back in the 80's we wouldn't have any humans to mess things up for... uh... the cockroaches!

Sorry propensity for digression... Back to the article.  They are not happy enough with the headline... no they have to elaborate their sensationalistic BS with a sub-line:

A gas used in the making of flat screen televisions, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), is being blamed for damaging the atmosphere and accelerating global warming. 

Oh no!  Not Nitrogen Triflouride!  Damn! General Ripper in "Dr. Strangelove" may have been on to something!  Albiet he missed his chemistry by a Nitrogen atom and 2 more fluoride atoms. for those of you who need a refresher on General Ripper's concerns, I provide the following dialogue from the Kubrik film Dr. Strangelove:

Ripper: Mandrake?
Mandrake: Yes, Jack?
Ripper: Have you ever seen a Commie drink a glass of water?
Mandrake: Well, I can't say I have.
Ripper: Vodka, that's what they drink, isn't it? Never water?
Mandrake: Well, I-I believe that's what they drink, Jack, yes.
Ripper: On no account will a Commie ever drink water, and not without good reason.
Mandrake: Oh, eh, yes. I, uhm, can't quite see what you're getting at, Jack.
Ripper: Water, that's what I'm getting at, water. Mandrake, water is the source of all life. Seven-tenths of this earth's surface is water. Why, do you realize that seventy percent of you is water?
Mandrake: Uh, uh, Good Lord!
Ripper: And as human beings, you and I need fresh, pure water to replenish our precious bodily fluids.
Mandrake: Yes. (he begins to chuckle nervously)
Ripper: Are you beginning to understand?
Mandrake: Yes. (more laughter)
Ripper: Mandrake. Mandrake, have you never wondered why I drink only distilled water, or rain water, and only pure-grain alcohol?
Mandrake: Well, it did occur to me, Jack, yes.
Ripper: Have you ever heard of a thing called fluoridation. Fluoridation of water?
Mandrake: Uh? Yes, I-I have heard of that, Jack, yes. Yes.
Ripper: Well, do you know what it is?
Mandrake: No, no I don't know what it is, no.
Ripper: Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and dangerous Communist plot we have ever had to face?

Damn digression again... Back to the article.  If you stop at the headlines like most of our MTV generation is wont to do, you will obviously do the right thing and go back to watching TV on your RCA Black and White!  However reading the article to it's conclusion I am troubled by the lack of ANY SCIENTIFIC support for this sensationalistic Headline and Sub-line... Note the absolute nature of both using the term "IS being blamed..." 

However, reading further... I run across this:

Dr Paul Fraser is the chief research scientist at the CSIRO's marine and atmospheric research centre, and an IPCC author.

He says without measuring the quantity of NF3 in the atmosphere it is unclear what impact it will have on the climate.

"We haven't observed it in the atmosphere. It's probably there in very low concentrations," he said.

"The key to whether it's a problem or not is how much is released to the atmosphere."

So I fail to see the supportive argument for the major premise "Plasma, LCDs blamed for accelerating global warming..." When a specific fact of the matter is "...without measuring the quantity of NF3 in the atmosphere it is unclear what impact it will have on the climate. "We haven't observed it in the atmosphere. It's probably there in very low concentrations..."

Y'all getting this?  Scientific evidence has not even been being collected as to the effect NF3 has on the environment, it is not even being measured!!!!  Should it be? Probably... but to make an irresponsible unknown claim like  "Plasma, LCDs blamed for accelerating global warming..."  Is completely and utterly baseless and equates to nothing more than the continued incestuous relationship between the "Global Climate Change/Global Warming" as a religion freaks and the "mainstream responsible, J-school educated Media!" 

What a bunch of WONKS!

I'm going to put my Dr. Strangelove DVD in my high heat emitting Denon  Up-Convert DVD player and watch it on my 42" 1080P LCD flat screen!  Just on General principle!

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!

So, You're Telling Me They Call You "Mariah?"

Cool commercial...  Hat tip to my fiend Tommy for calling attention to it via his Blog "Driving Fast, Taking Chances."  Yeah, I figured out the metaphor about 10 seconds into it, creative though.

Especially relevant considering who I work for now... yes I can help your company explore alternative energy options... Ping me at jcarmichael@nuenergen.com and visit us at www.NuEnergen.com .

The Mariah reference, for those of you born in the MTV generation, is in regard to a song from the musical "Paint Your Wagon."  One of the only Musicals a Heterosexual male can publicly claim to enjoy!  Hell, It starred Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin for God's Sake!  (Who both sang in the Movie!!!! No Seriously!!! They Did!!)

William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008) Farewell...

One of my favorite writers, commenter and thinkers has passed, and the world will be a lesser place for it.

Bill Buckley founded one of the stalwarts of conservative thought and commentary with the publication of National Review in 1955.  And from that time has provided our citizenry excellent mentorship in the ways of Conservative Thinking.

Some of my favorite quotes are from this man.  Here are but a few:

• “Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”
• “Back in the thirties we were told we must collectivize the nation because the people were so poor. Now we are told we must collectivize the nation because the people are so rich.”
• “It had all the earmarks of a CIA operation; the bomb killed everybody in the room except the intended target!”
• “Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.”
• “I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University.”

All continue to have merit... especially in today's desert of political rhetoric, void of intellect, creativity and substance.

You will be missed Bill -- albeit more so by those of us on the right... those on the left on the other hand are just bummed the news of your passing interrupted the Oprah show!  Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Goodnight Bill...

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!