Das Neues Auto

OK, so it isn't German, but I don't do Japanese... ;-)

We purchased new transportation today. My youngest will be officially licensed anytime now and will be driving the Civic her older sister drove to college last year. Her sibling will take over the use of the CRV my wife has been using, and my wife will drive the new, more fuel-efficient car on her long commute.

And so I give you the latest vehicle in the 'stable':

The Silver Fox, a Honda Accord EX. (Notice a pattern here?)


Specifically an Accord EX with Leather and Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™

This addition from the Honda family confirms our path along the path of 'Hondaism' a peculiar quasi-religious order.

It also continues the tradition that finds me the only family member NOT driving a Honda and also driving the oldest vehicle in the clan. (Only as it should be.)

However, I am most disturbed to report that my WIFE now drives a vehicle with more Gizmos and Gadgets than I.

This is just fundamentally wrong...

Special Forces

Big John echoed what Little John had stated the night before.

They plan to double the size of Special Forces.

As if finding a person with the Will and Fortitude
the Temperament and Skill to become a member of these elite forces is easy.

As if it is merely a matter of budgets and bureaucracy.

I will state clearly, I have never served.

Some would say that means I have nothing to say.

I suppose only time and fire will prove me wrong.

God help us all if I am.

Presidential Lies

The President Lied.

The President’s personal and political agenda was dependant on world-wide belief in Iraqi possession of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

The President’s personal and political agenda required that this belief be maintained.

In order to maintain this belief the President did anything in his power to keep weapons inspectors from verifying UN mandated treaties. The President used every possible manipulation to thwart the inspectors. Simple verification of the existence of the WMDs could avoid war, but the President would rather the troops under his command fight and die, rather than let the truth be known.

The President Lied.

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The President?

Saddam Hussein

The Big Speech

Left rehearsal at church about 9:30pm. (Hey, got to have priorities...)
Big John is mid-speech. I suppose about half-way?

Stream of consciousness impressions:

Hmmmm, John Kerry talking about Vietnam...

His timing is off. He doesn't know how to work applause lines.

How is he going to pay for this?

HMitGtCMiT? (How Much is this Going to Cost Me in Taxes?)

40k added to the military. NOW he wants to do this?

HMitGtCMiT?

They don't call them Special Forces for nothing. Does he really think it will be that easy to double the ranks?

HMitGtCMiT?

(Home now, watching the visual feed.)

His timing is off. He doesn't know how to work the "Help is on the way" chant that carried over from Little John last nite.

HMitGtCMiT?

I had heard there was big-time control of signage all week. It is evident here. Lots of "Help is on the way!" signs in evidence.

HMitGtCMiT?

The good thing is, he is animated, in fact more animated and expending more energy than I have seen yet in this campaign.

The bad thing is, now that he has been seen this animated, people will expect him to be this animated and expending this much energy the rest of this campaign.

HMitGtCMiT? x 17

The direct to Bush message at the end is a nice touch. Won't happen, but his people can always claim Bush is playing dirty.

HMitGtCMiT?

HMitGtCMiT?

HMitGtCMiT?

The shot of Abe's statue is a bit over the top.

How are the Atheists in the crowd feeling right now?
---
Even Jennings notes Big John's uncharacteristic energy level. Says he never saw him sweat before...

Overall, he DID give the speech of his life.

Now the real fun begins.

What we have learned @ the Democrat Convention

The Top Ten (or sooooo) Reasons to Vote for John/John this November:

A. Bush Lied
2. Bush Lied
D. Vietnam
V. Bush Lied
d. Two Americas
9. Bush Lied
1.1.1 Dick Cheney is OLD.
q. The French don't like us.
a.B.1 Bush Lied
VIIXI. Cheney and Rumsfeld are really mean.
8. Michael Moore makes documentaries and that has the word document right there at the beginning and so, there you have it.
3. Bush Lied
a.1.E.33.fffff It will be great practice for the Clinton/Obama ticket in '08!
and finally
Z. Lie after Lie after Lie...

Uhhhhhhh, if we missed anything it is probably 'cause Bush Lied so much.

Fw: Scheduled Events for Dem Convention Tonight

Just received this from a friend. I think it is worth noting that I was attempting to Google (IBaNAaV) the legit schedule for the convention Monday evening while up in Minneapolis earlier this week.
I got nothing but hits to versions of this joke version on the first page of results.

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6:00pm - Opening flag burning ceremony.
6:05pm - Pledge of Allegiance to the United Nations.
6:10pm - Secular words by Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.
6:30pm - Anti-war concert by Barbra Streisand.
6:45pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
7:00pm - Tribute theme to France.
7:10pm - Collect offerings for al-Zawahri defense fund.
7:30pm - Tribute theme to Germany.
7:45pm - Anti-war rally moderated by Michael Moore.
8:25pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
8:30pm - Terrorist appeasement workshop.
9:00pm - Homosexual marriage ceremony for male and female couples.
9:30pm - CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN urge defeat of President Bush.
10:00pm - Posting the Iraqi Colors by Sean Penn and Tim Robbins.
10:10pm - Reenactment of Kerry's fake medal toss.
10:30pm - Cameo by Howard 'Yeeearrrrrrrgh!' Dean
10:40pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
10:50pm - Special thanks to the New York Times & Washington Post.
11:00pm - Multiple homosexual marriage ceremony for threesomes and groups.
11:15pm - Maximizing Welfare workshop.
11:30pm - Saddam Legal Defense Fund pep rally.
11:50pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
12:00am - Nomination of Democratic candidate.

Radio Redux - Radical Ravings Revealed - Leftie Levity Lacks Luster

Second day of listening to AA Radio and the initial comedic aspect has now degraded considerably. What yesterday seemed quaint is now just laughable. And some not funny at all. The trouble is, the non-funny parts are the places they THINK they are being funny. It is just all to tense. They try too hard. Look at us, we can make jokes. We can be light and breezy.

Really.

It is all kind of sad.

Really.

It is similar to the situation with Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes. Rooney has come under fire recently for some of his pieces. The left, as is their want, have invoked 'Free-Speech' and 'Censorship' both loud and often in his defense. I think he should be fired, not because of his opinions, but because he has CEASED to be FUNNY. So also do these gags fall flat. This morning there was a repeat call-in from Richard C. from Wyoming. According to the patter, this was the third day Mr. C had called the show. I missed the first day, but can attest that yesterday's bit had already lost any luster. By today it was both pointless, but even more important, tasteless. Mr. C, supposedly a thinly disguised Vice President Cheney, calling from the secret Republican 'war-room', kept trying to convince the host he was a typical Democrat. He started blathering on about attending an 'Abortion party'. Not that the Democrats ARE the Abortion party mind you. (Arguably true.) That he had ATTENDED an abortion party. This hYlarious banter was, I suppose, meant to represent the just how far the desperate Right-Wingers would go to try and besmirch the pure ideals of the Progressive Dems.

They made a joke about Abortion.

After all, some people get SOOOO uptight about that subject.

Assuming I heard correctly, this morning show is called UnFiltered. It certainly is, it also seems to be Tasteless and Boorish.
Later in the day there is another example of the repetitive, unfunny blather that passes for humor. As each caller to Al Fanken's show is introduced, their state is mentioned. You know, just like they do at the convention. "Now, from the great state of Minnesota, here is Frieda..." Then you hear crowd noise and Franken, speaking through some effects to make it seem he is speaking from the podium, goes into a homily of attributes about the state, interjecting ostensibly humorous facts. "Minnesota, the Land of Lakes filled with butter, Home of the Timberwolves, the Vikings and even some sports franchises... Etc." You get the idea, and no this is not a quote. It is probably funnier than some of the stuff I heard. Every time with this schtick. It got so repetitive and boring that by the time I listened to the last call while returning for my afternoon session, he went off-script, screwed up the banter and the woman's name and just... sort... of... petered... out...

Big Surprise huh? Al Franken being not funny.

During the time they were not attempting humor but ending up stilted, they divided their time pretty evenly between gushing and earnestness. The gushing is predictable, I guess. I was at a sales meeting a few years back and one of my compatriots from the techie side explained the goings-on (affirmations, rah-rah and then more pep rallies) like this:
It is one week of Yes in a lifetime of NO. This is, after all, their week. They get to script the show. They get to set the mood and the tone and raise the roof. And they NEED to get the troops excited, cause the faithful are just start'n to believe. Dean is still getting wistful glances...

And now, with AA they can get interviewed by people that will treat them like the rock-stars and Hollywood types they love hanging with. And NEVER get asked annoying questions that make you have to tell them to shove anything.

But in their earnestness, they may be making a fatal error. They are revealing their true beliefs. OK, I heard at least part of the kid's speech on the radio last night. He is good. Scary good. (From the I don't WANT Gov'mnt to come and help me perspective.) In that, their assessment the next day was correct. It was the reasons they expressed that I found interesting. One likened his 'rising star' status to Mario Cuomo. ?!?! This would be the Mario Cuomo who went exactly nowhere politically after his triumphant appearance at a Democratic convention of '84? The Mario Cuomo that some of you may need to go Google, (IbaNAaV) as you have never heard of him? Rousing endorsement if you ask me...

But the kid is the second coming, the beacon of hope, the new standard-bearer. He has proven himself worthy, by the very speech he delivered the night before. Tested and tried and ready for the national spotlight. Ready to lead. Not because of his experience. Not because of his record.

Because he delivered a good speech.

Maybe that's why the Hollywood types and the Democrats are so drawn together. If the only pre-requisite for political leadership is looking good in front of the camera and delivering lines from a prompter, the average actor IS qualified politically. Glen Close, a woman who is highly paid to stand in the glaring lights and deliver words someone else has written, flumuxed her lines in true Bushian fashion. Will she now leave the political lime-light? Will she be shunned?

I didn't think so either.

How do I react to this? How should you? Are the Republicans really any better?

To be honest, this is why we are crazy, as a society. We elect lawyers and act surprised when we get more and more complex laws and regulations. We elect pretty faces that can win popularity contests but seem perplexed that our officials seem pre-occupied and self-centered and willing to do anything to buy the votes to keep winning those popularity contests.

At least the AA people are honest enough to admit that it isn't about platforms and policies. It's about POLITICAL POWER. It's about Taxing you and me and using the constant flow of money in ways where people's perceptions are more important than the reality of the efficacy Federal programs. Where feeling good is more important than actually doing good. And if you listen in, they are all but stating this, right there in big letters between the lines. Just between you and me and a few hundred people listening in.

After all, we are talking about POLITICIANS here.

And their lips ARE moving...

Radio in the High Latitudes

As I drove to the client site yesterday, I performed my normal scan of the AM dial to sample the local talk stations and save the more interesting candidates. (Invariably, the rental car, this time it is a sifty Buick Rendezvous fear-wheel-drive model, is tuned to the local Latino/hip-hop station. Perhaps a dope-smokin' FM rock-n-roller. I ALWAYS have to re-set the AM dial buttons.) My first impression, there are a LOT of Christian stations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. As I drove around after the initial afternoon session I had found several political freqs. and settled into a Michael Medved broadcast. (It was a good thing too, as I kept getting flumexed attempting to find a non-construction constricted route back to the hotel. My second impression, is there ANY river-bridge in the area NOT being re-built this Summer?) I enjoy Medved while on the road, his broadcast time and my afternoon driving usually run concurrently. He is not on the air back in KC. So many choices, so little spectrum... ;-)

During this morning's drive I discovered one of the 'stations of interest' I had saved was Air-America! (Apparently they have kept up the payments up here...)

I found it was a real hoot! Unlike their reaction to the right-wing-conspiracy talk-show monopoly shows (or so they claim) I was mostly laughing at both what they were trying to pass-off as good radio as well as the 'de-bunking' of right-wing rhetoric. The whole thing was so predictable it was hilarious!

BTW, does anybody else find the name itself funny? It sounds more like a cargo-plane owning company located in Central or South America with NO, repeat NO CONNECTION to the CIA... ;-)

I suppose I should not be surpprised that they are on-the-air up here. After all, I could have just as easily flown into the Humphrey Terminal as the smaller Lindberg. And then there is the dome and various other erections. Also, this IS Wellstone country.

Still, I was REALLY surpprised to discover on the afternoon drive that there are TWO stations carrying the left-wing talk. The one I listened to in the morning was 1530 on the dial. The other is 780.

Clue: Since you seem to be renting the time to get this she-bang started rather than taking a more organic natural growth based on merit, i.e. RATINGS, you might want to spend the moo-la on a new market, rather than duplicating in the MNie/Paul area. You are, after all, preaching to the choir up here...

The Limelight is a Brief and Passing thing - For Now

Hillary has just finished introducing her hubby. She was nigh-on perfect. Not to hot (Maybe a little shrill when trying to speak over the crowd at the very beginning. Her handlers really need to work on that. It is big-time fodder for the loathed talk-show set.) not to cold. No, she was just right. (So to speak... ;->) She was a loyal trooper, building up Kerry-Edwards as a ticket.

She almost had me convinced she really wants them to win.

One quote of note:

At one point she says she is there to "introduce the LAST DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT!" Of course, she went on to talk about Kerry, but that is hardly the kind of fore-shadowing that the Dems intended...

Bill's speech is brilliant, as usual. That is precisely the problem. They need him to spice the festivities up. (Read they need SOMETHING to get prime-time broadcast time. I noted with interest that PBS is covering the whole she-bang, as are several of the cable networks. Only the Clinton slot, i.e. 10pm/9pm Central which contained the Clintons was deemed more important than Summer-time re-runs. It is, indeed a different world than my youth.) The problem is, he can out-shine Kerry by just standing there. Hell, he could be standing out in Harvard Yard and out-shine Kerry. SO the speech is early-on and they, especially he, will be GONE by the time Kerry takes the stage on Thursday.

I am listening to the speech while eating dinner on NPR. (The commentator actually used the PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE label earlier...) The NPR guys are talking about how good the speech was. I agree. His only faux-paux was early-on when praising the little-lady and thanked Arkansas for his Presidency. (Apparently none of the other states mattered? Maybe it was just an subtle jab at Gore who failed to carry his 'home' state and lost the brass ring... ;->)

Bubba starts strong with a deft invocation of the ghost of votes-not-cast. His section talking about how HIS tax-cut was paid for was equally effective. (Naughty Republicans, cutting my Policeman while putting Assault Weapons back on the street!) Finally his "John Kerry says send me" section at the end was a delectable cherry on the top of the rhetorical sundae. The crowd was chanting the mantra by the end.

Never mind that the things he accused the Republicans of are the very items at the top of the Democrat party list. (The Republicans are the party that want THEIR people to be in control? Or the even more outrageous: They NEED a divided America? Did Bubba ever LISTEN to Edwards when he was stumping for his old job?!?)

But all those things fall by the wayside when speaking to the faithful. And the 'moderate middle' gets drawn into the nets by the charming smile and the clever turn of phrase. Then Bill & Hill move out of the limelight. They walk quietly away and leave the choir energized and activated.

It only remains for the 'PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE' to show up Thursday and reel the catch in...

Kerry is toast.

The Folks Who Know Better Converge on Boston for their Big Confab

"Which is more important? That they make the right decision or, that they're the one's who make it? Because, I'll tell you, the only way to ensure that they never choose wrong is to not let them choose at all."

Michael Flynn's - The Wreck of the River of Stars

Flynn's character is speaking specifically of the decision of two young 'space-farers' to get married and raise their unborn child, but makes extended reference to the Nanny-State conditions on Earth in his not-so-distant future space story. In the next paragraph he refers to the Folks Who Know Better and questions the statement inherent in that label.

As I read this during my morning flight, I was struck not just by it's truth but also with it's relevance. How appropriate a passage to be reading on this, the first day of the official Democrat Party proceedings in Boston. And how appropriate that setting for the convention.

Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE Boston. I have passed many a pleasant day and evening there, both for business and pleasure. My wife and I have even contemplated the possibility of a move. But there is also no question that I would, politically, be in the minority. The ever perky Katie mis-read the prompter while interviewing the Massachusetts Governor this morning and stated that there were 13 Republicans in the state. The actual figure is 13%, but I imagine her estimate seems more accurate at times.

And so, back to the Revolutionary roots of our great Republic, and into the very heart of the modern-day liberal NorthEast come the delegates.

I heard on the radio, just before leaving my van at the ParkingSpot to fly to Minnesota, that there was a poll of the Dem delegations that yielded what I consider extraordinary results. It seems that the majority of delegates to the convention consider themselves moderates. I suppose not surprisingly, they consider John Kerry a moderate...

This from a party ready to nominate a ticket that is MORE LIBERAL it it's voting record than a Kennedy-Clinton ticket would be rated.

This alone sums up the problem with the present-day Democrat party. The fringe has recaptured the power (ala McGovern) and is pulling outward in all directions.

While the Donkey's may think they are returning to the point of origin of Liberalism, they have lost sight of Classical Liberalism entirely.

One of the young newlyweds in Flynn's novel was raised on Mars. The Free State of Marineris. Their Motto: Learn or Die.

This is thought most callous by the young doctor on The River of Stars. But Mars, (as we will find when we get there) is a very unforgiving place. To NOT learn is to not only endanger oneself, but everyone around you. Your carelessness could bring down the entire colony. What more could one expect in such an environment? The sentence is not carried out by society. It is carried out by nature itself.

Though it might seem curious to some, the character speaking to the young doctor found HER attitude callous.

His respect for the choices or others was not the result of some grand assessment of those peoples principles nor from a lack of one's own.

It is from a basic belief that it is NOT HIS PLACE to interfere. And so, the very willingness to meddle on the part of the young physician indicates a fundamental contempt.

The Republicans are likewise viewed as calloused. They would teach the man to fish. For those unable to accomplish this, your contribution of part of your daily catch to a local church, synagogue or mosque could feed the hungry.

The Democrat solution would be to send you out to fish, force you to give the fish to a government bureaucrat who will hopefully manage to distribute at least part of the catch before it rots on the docks to those they deem worthy. Most likely they would not be able to acquire a fishing license anyway with all that paperwork. (Do you realize what a problem we have with illiteracy? This problem needs more federal funding! After the requisite studies, of course...) And surely we all agree, we need to control overfishing. That can be a huge problem. And besides, they might get sea-sick...


"Which is more important? That they make the right decision or, that they're the one's who make it? Because, I'll tell you, the only way to ensure that they never choose wrong is to not let them choose at all."

Michael Flynn's - The Wreck of the River of Stars

Flynn's character is speaking specifically of the decision of two young 'space-farers' to get married and raise their unborn child, but makes extended reference to the Nanny-State conditions on Earth in his not-so-distant future space story. In the next paragraph he refers to the Folks Who Know Better and questions the statement inherent in that label.

As I read this during my morning flight, I was struck not just by it's truth but also with it's relevance. How appropriate a passage to be reading on this, the first day of the official Democrat Party proceedings in Boston. And how appropriate that setting for the convention.

Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE Boston. I have passed many a pleasant day and evening there, both for business and pleasure. My wife and I have even contemplated the possibility of a move. But there is also no question that I would, politically, be in the minority. The ever perky Katie mis-read the prompter while interviewing the Massachusetts Governor this morning and stated that there were 13 Republicans in the state. The actual figure is 13%, but I imagine her estimate seems more accurate at times.

And so, back to the Revolutionary roots of our great Republic, and into the very heart of the modern-day liberal NorthEast come the delegates.

I heard on the radio, just before leaving my van at the ParkingSpot to fly to Minnesota, that there was a poll of the Dem delegations that yielded what I consider extraordinary results. It seems that the majority of delegates to the convention consider themselves moderates. I suppose not surprisingly, they consider John Kerry a moderate...

This from a party ready to nominate a ticket that is MORE LIBERAL it it's voting record than a Kennedy-Clinton ticket would be rated.

This alone sums up the problem with the present-day Democrat party. The fringe has recaptured the power (ala McGovern) and is pulling outward in all directions.

While the Donkey's may think they are returning to the point of origin of Liberalism, they have lost sight of Classical Liberalism entirely.

One of the young newlyweds in Flynn's novel was raised on Mars. The Free State of Marineris. Their Motto: Learn or Die.

This is thought most callous by the young doctor on The River of Stars. But Mars, (as we will find when we get there) is a very unforgiving place. To NOT learn is to not only endanger oneself, but everyone around you. Your carelessness could bring down the entire colony. What more could one expect in such an environment? The sentence is not carried out by society. It is carried out by nature itself.

Though it might seem curious to some, the character speaking to the young doctor found HER attitude callous.

His respect for the choices or others was not the result of some grand assessment of those peoples principles nor from a lack of one's own.

It is from a basic belief that it is NOT HIS PLACE to interfere. And so, the very willingness to meddle on the part of the young physician indicates a fundamental contempt.

The Republicans are likewise viewed as calloused. They would teach the man to fish. For those unable to accomplish this, your contribution of part of your daily catch to a local church, synagogue or mosque could feed the hungry.

The Democrat solution would be to send you out to fish, force you to give the fish to a government bureaucrat who will hopefully manage to distribute at least part of the catch before it rots on the docks to those they deem worthy.

Most likely they would not be able to acquire a fishing license anyway with all that paperwork.
(Do you realize what a problem we have with illiteracy? This problem needs more federal funding! After the requisite studies, of course...)

And surely we all agree, we need to control overfishing. That can be a huge problem.

And besides, they might get sea-sick...

Men's Day at Worship

Busy morning's worship, we finally got around to officially joining and the Praise band was an 'all guys' affair, as the girls were off at a conference in St. Louis. We had a great time and sounded quite good, if I do say so myself. Last week's sermon was 'What Women STILL Wish Men Understood About Women'. It was only fair that these week should be 'What Men STILL Wish Women Understood About Men' Jim started the sermon with this little list:

The Men's List
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Saturday = sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. "Yes" and "No" are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 days.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colours, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a colour, Lilac is a flower. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as Sport, Cars or Bikes.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round is a shape.

;-)

Haute Couture

Fashion, not my Forte', as a quick glance will attest.

Did you know that the concept of following the 'latest fashion' was invented by our 'ol pals, the French? All a part of Louis XIV's little party out at Versailles... The entire operation was designed to keep the French nobility impoverished and unable to challenge his power.

Thus, new expensive outfits every few months.

Men have, thankfully, thrown off the shackles of French poofery, save one. The high-heeled shoes, the powdered wigs, the knee-high stockings and short pants. The wearing of make-up and lace cuffs and cravats.

Well, there is that one thing. The last vestige of the cravat, the neck-tie.

Most of my customers are business-casual, which, for me means I don't have to pack the loathsome things. Since I wear long-sleeve dress shirts on most of these trips, whatever the weather, this is but a small amount of room in my case, but much more comfortable.

Other than the width of these affectations, as well as the corresponding lapels of the suit-coat or sport-jacket and the whether pants should have a cuff or not are pretty much the limit to what passes for 'Fashion' for the average American male. And the whole cuff thing is more preference than anything else now-a-days. Barring some extreme widths, either narrow or wide, a suit of clothes looks today pretty much as it did back to the 1930's. Oh, I suppose you could throw in collars, but still, not exactly wild fluctuations.

Of all the fashion changes through the years, the cessation of the wearing of hats, I find most lamentable. I make it a personal habit and think this would make a fine new trend.

Of course, when it comes to the fairer sex, all bets are off.
I suppose this is one reason they are known as the fairer sex...

Why this particular subject matter you ask?

On this fine, but rainy day, I ventured to Dillard's department store with my wife and high-school junior. Apparently, last years formals are marked down 75% this time of year to clear the racks for the 'new' dresses...

At $25 each, we picked up 6 dresses for the price of what ONE went for originally.
What is not to like?

At $25, I only wish more formal occasions occurred, as a complete skirt and blouse can run me a higher tab than this.

As for me, I actually enjoy watching What Not To Wear with my daughters, but as to how much I apply personally, don't hold you breath.

Hey, I don't look THAT bad, do I?

Dinner, a movie and NET ACCESS!!!!

I'm Baaaaaaaack!!!!

At least it looks that way...

Got home from dinner and a movie out on the lawn of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. They are showing flicks on various Friday nights on a inflatable screen. They call it Shuttlecock Cinema. (Ten years ago a grand outdoor sculpture project was installed. Inspired by the view of the South Lawn and the Museum facade, badminton "birdies," or shuttlecocks, each nearly 18 feet tall, were placed in various positions throughout the Museum’s grounds. The artists’ concept for Shuttlecocks is the idea of the Museum’s expansive green lawn as a playing field, with the building serving as a game "net." Personally, I still don't like them, but I'm just an old curmudgeon, living in the past...) More of a 'happening' than a serious movie experience, but the weather promised to be ideal, quite cool for a July evening in KC. Tonight's selection was Pirates of the Caribbean, a thoroughly adventurous and entertaining romp.

Upon returning home, I checked the cable modem, with little hope of the results. Lo and behold! A rock-steady 'Cable' LED!

A quick cycle of the gateway and a re-tweaking of TCP/IP parameters and here we are!

No clue as to why it started working, just as the lack of sufficient signal had baffled me earlier...

Guess I should not look the horse in the mouth!

AAAAAAAAhhhhh! It's nice to be 'connected' again!

Nite all...

Cable Connection Cabashed - Service Stymied - Periodic Posts Prevented - MrGadgets Muted

The lack of postings the last few days is not for lack of topics (big surprise!) but rather, a lack of connectivity. The girls complained about spotty cable modem behavior during my Pittsburgh trip a few weeks back. After returning from DC last week, it was once again 'acting up'. By Sunday evening, there was no connection at all. The infamous blinking CABLE LED... :-(

Call to the week-end RoadRunner support resulted in no joy, but a suggestion that an equipment swap was in order.

Acquired new cable modem (the third model so far) on Monday and tried it out that evening after rehearsal. Still no go...

No evening/weekend times available yet. I did go downstairs and remove the ceiling panel where the cable modem line was tapped during installation. I hooked up the modem more directly (no easy task) and the modem DID manage to get a sufficient signal. However even with the shorter feed-line, the signal fails after a few minutes. I even got a solid CABLE LED signal once upstairs in the computer room. Once again, only for a few minutes.

No changes to any wiring. Just a mysterious lack of signal. The degradation did seem to take place over time. I have to disconnect cable to the entire house to run the next test. I may try that late tonight, once everyone is going to sleep, to see if there is any difference in removing the T connector (provided by the Cable company installer, and part of the connection from day one of high-speed cable operation) . If the signal stays strong, then the T or other cabling must be at fault, although I can't see how. If not, and I suspect it won't, either the path to the outside box has degraded, (once again, I don't see how) or, most likely, the connection from the house to their local nexus is at fault. I like this idea best, as it is their sole responsibility.

Really frustrating. And not having the connection, with various WiFi computers sharing same is a REAL bummer...

This posting is via RoadRunner Dial Up, which I arranged to use while on the road. Ironically, my connection in the Marriott in DC last week was better than I have had since...

More L8r (I Hope!)

Memorial to the Greatest Generation

I was lucky enough to finish early at my customer site in DC and stop by the Mall to visit the National World War II Memorial.

Take the time to visit in person if you get a chance, it is an awesome experience.
For now, take a virtual tour here: http://www.wwiimemorial.com/

I walked and read the many inscriptions.
I sat and pondered the huge sacrifice to maintain our own freedom and deliver it to the world.
I sang the Anthem.

Below are listed the inscriptions found on various walls:

HERE IN THE PRESENCE OF WASHINGTON AND LINCOLN, ONE THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY FATHER AND THE OTHER THE NINETEENTH CENTURY PRESERVER OF OUR NATION, WE HONOR THOSE TWENTIETH CENTURY AMERICANS WHO TOOK UP THE STRUGGLE DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND MADE THE SACRIFICES TO PERPETUATE THE GIFT OUR FOREFATHERS ENTRUSTED TO US: A NATION CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.

AMERICANS CAME TO LIBERATE, NOT TO CONQUER, TO RESTORE FREEDOM AND TO END TYRANNY

PEARL HARBOR DECEMBER 7, 1941, A DATE WHICH WILL LIVE IN INFAMY... NO MATTER HOW LONG IT MAY TAKE US TO OVERCOME THIS PREMEDITATED INVASION, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, IN THEIR RIGHTEOUS MIGHT, WILL WIN THROUGH TO ABSOLUTE VICTORY. President Franklin D. Roosevelt THEY HAVE GIVEN THEIR SONS TO THE MILITARY SERVICES. THEY HAVE STOKED THE FURNACES AND HURRIED THE FACTORY WHEELS. THEY HAVE MADE THE PLANES AND WELDED THE TANKS, RIVETED THE SHIPS AND ROLLED THE SHELLS. President Franklin D. Roosevelt WOMEN WHO STEPPED UP WERE MEASURED AS CITIZENS OF THE NATION, NOT AS WOMEN...THIS WAS A PEOPLE'S WAR, AND EVERYONE WAS IN IT. Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby THEY FOUGHT TOGETHER AS BROTHERS-IN-ARMS. THEY DIED TOGETHER AND NOW THEY SLEEP SIDE BY SIDE. TO THEM WE HAVE A SOLEMN OBLIGATION. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

BATTLE OF MIDWAY JUNE 4-7, 1942 THEY HAD NO RIGHT TO WIN. YET THEY DID, AND IN DOING SO THEY CHANGED THE COURSE OF A WAR...EVEN AGAINST THE GREATEST OF ODDS, THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE HUMAN SPIRIT - A MAGIC BLEND OF SKILL, FAITH AND VALOR - THAT CAN LIFT MEN FROM CERTAIN DEFEAT TO INCREDIBLE VICTORY. Walter Lord, Author THE WAR'S END TODAY THE GUNS ARE SILENT. A GREAT TRAGEDY HAS ENDED. A GREAT VICTORY HAS BEEN WON. THE SKIES NO LONGER RAIN DEATH - THE SEAS BEAR ONLY COMMERCE - MEN EVERYWHERE WALK UPRIGHT IN THE SUNLIGHT. THE ENTIRE WORLD IS QUIETLY AT PEACE. General Douglas MacArthur

WE ARE DETERMINED THAT BEFORE THE SUN SETS ON THIS TERRIBLE STRUGGLE OUR FLAG WILL BE RECOGNIZED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM ON THE ONE HAND AND OF OVERWHELMING FORCE ON THE OTHER. General George C. Marshall D-DAY JUNE 6, 1944 YOU ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK UPON THE GREAT CRUSADE TOWARD WHICH WE HAVE STRIVEN THESE MANY MONTHS. THE EYES OF THE WORLD ARE UPON YOU...I HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN YOUR COURAGE, DEVOTION TO DUTY AND SKILL IN BATTLE. General Dwight D. Eisenhower

OUR DEBT TO THE HEROIC MEN AND VALIANT WOMEN IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY CAN NEVER BE REPAID. THEY HAVE EARNED OUR UNDYING GRATITUDE. AMERICA WILL NEVER FORGET THEIR SACRIFICES. President Harry S Truman THE HEROISM OF OUR OWN TROOPS...WAS MATCHED BY THAT OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE NATIONS THAT FOUGHT BY OUR SIDE...THEY ABSORBED THE BLOWS...AND THEY SHARED TO THE FULL IN THE ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENEMY. President Harry S Truman

HERE WE MARK THE PRICE OF FREEDOM

--- --- ---

God Bless the Republic or the United States of America...

The Lady Who Would Be First

A Potential President's Wife!

Following is a brief background on Mrs. John Kerry . She hates being called
that, by the way:
Maria Teresa Thiersten Simoes-Ferreira Heinz Kerry. Married Senator Kerry in
1995. She only took his name eighteen months ago and she is an "interesting"
paradox of conflicts.

If you thought John Kerry was scary, he doesn't hold a candle to his wife!
Maria Teresa Thiersten Simoes-Ferreira Heinz Kerry was born in
Mozambique, the
daughter of a Portuguese physician, was educated in Switzerland and South
Africa. Fluent in five languages, she was working as a United
Nations interpreter
in Geneva in the mid-60's when she met a "handsome" young American, H. John
Heinz, III, who worked at a bank in Geneva. He told her his family
was "in the
food business."

They were married in 1966 and returned to Pittsburgh where his family ran the
giant H. J. Heinz food company. He was elected to the US House of
Representatives in 1971, and in 1976 he was elected to the first of
three terms in the
United States Senate. A Republican, he wrote a burning diatribe
against some of
the causes backed by young House member John Kerry.)

Several years later, in 1991, he was killed when his plane collided with a
Sun Oil Company helicopter over a Philadelphia suburb. The senator, his pilot
and copilot, and both of Sun's helicopter pilots were killed. He was
survived by
his wife, Teresa, and their three young sons.

Four years later, having inherited Heinz's $500 million fortune, she married
Senator John Forbes Kerry, the liberal then-junior senator from
Massachusetts.
She became a registered Democrat and the process of her radicalization was
set in motion.

Heinz Kerry is not shy about telling people that she required Kerry to sign a
prenuptial agreement before they were married. John Kerry may not have check
writing privileges on the Heinz catsup and pickle fortune, but he is certainly
a willing and uncomplaining beneficiary of it.

A lot of hard-earned money, made through many years of hawking catsup,
mustard, and pickles has fallen into the hands of two people who
despise successful
entrepreneurship and who believe in the confiscatory redistribution of wealth.

So how does Mrs. Heinz Kerry spend John Heinz's money?

Just one example:
According to the G2 Bulletin, an online intelligence newsletter of
WorldNetDaily, in the years between 1995-2001 she gave more than $4
million to an
organization called the Tides Foundation. And what does the Tides
Foundation do with
John Heinz's money?

They support numerous antiwar groups, including Ramsey Clark's International
Action Center. Clark has offered to defend Saddam Hussein when he's tried.

They support the Democratic Justice Fund, a joint venture of the Tides
Foundation and billionaire hate-monger George Soros. The Democratic
Justice Fund
seeks to ease restrictions on Muslim immigration from "terrorist" states.

They support the Council for American-Islamic Relations, whose leaders are
known to have close ties to the terrorist group, Hamas.

They support the National Lawyers Guild, organized as a communist front
during the Cold War era. One of their attorneys, Lynne Stewart, has
been arrested
for helping a client, Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, communicate with terror cells
in Egypt. He is the convicted mastermind of the 1993 World Trade
Center bombing.

They support the "Barrio Warriors," a radical Hispanic group whose primary
goal is to return all of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas to Mexico.

These are but a few of the radical groups that benefit, through the anonymity
provided by the Tides Foundation, from the generosity of our would-be first
lady, the wealthy widow of Republican senator John Heinz, and now the wife of
the Democratic senator who aspires to be the 44th President of the United
States.

Aiding and supporting our enemies is not good for America, regardless of your
political views.

---

BTW, there is one inaccurate statement I spotted in this piece.

John F. Kerry IS the junior Senator from Massachusetts.

He is also, almost unbelievably, the most Liberal Massachusetts Senator...

Airline Travel of Days Gone By OR Airlines Barely Getting By

I am winging my way back to DC this morning. Those who have delved into the very earliest days of this little enterprise, will remember that I was in DC when I discovered Blogger.com and the Almanac was born. Since I am only staying a single night, I don't know if I will venture back to the point of origin, Soho Tea and Coffee.

I am on a Midwest Airlines (Formerly Midwest Express) flight to Ronald Reagan (National) Airport, just across the river from DC proper.

Many amenities remain to make Midwest a great choice. Though travel rules at work preclude the non-stop when a cheaper fare is available, the arrival time of this flight made it a necessary (oh darn!) choice. Just HAVE to put up with the Business-Class sized leather seats… ;-)

Other things, alas, have gone by the wayside. I remember the second business trip I took for my present organization was a multi-segmented week that started out with an early Morning flight to Boston. At that time we were REQUIRED to fly to Boston via Midwest (then Express). Our company has so many Boston-area clients that , when US Air cancelled it’s KC-Boston direct flights, management negotiated with Midwest into offering daily early-morning and evening non-stops. One could theoretically fly in for a meeting and return the same day. They could guarrentee a minimum number of passengers on these flights, making it a win-win situation. The memo then came down from on high that you WOULD fly Midwest , (Once again, dang!) The same process was repeated a year or so later for New York trips. Alas! Those days have passed… On this particular flight I had made the mistake of specifying a Kosher meal with my profile at the travel agency. (This used to be a road-warrior trick to get a better meal than the usual fare. Of course, that was pre-911 when you still got meals on flights.) My meal on that flight was actually worse than the standard breakfast, and I made a point of specifying the normal meal on all subsequent trips. Back then meals on Midwest were a throwback to the hey-day of Airline travel before de-regulation. Real food on real china with real silverware. Complimentary Mimosas with breakfast, an excellent Red or White wine with other meals. And if your flight happens to not occur during a timeframe where a meal is not customary, hot chocolate-chip cookies!

After 911, with the need to minimize the number of people on the tarmac, most airlines have gone to box lunches. (I remember flying just after 911 on Midwest with plastic knives but normal silverware otherwise.) Midwest is no exception. Somewhere in the transition, they stopped being ‘complementary’ and you have to shell our cash to purchase pre-packaged nourishment. I have been desperate enough to try Midwest’s as well as some other offerings. The Midwest meals are still superior, in my opinion. I know we were really paying for the meals before, but I do wonder if the 7-10 dollars has been knocked off the price of the ticket…

(I believe the cookies are still on the menu, so, ironically, I would get a better treat if this WEREN’T a ‘meal’ flight… :-/)

I can hardly blame them; this flight is, if anything, half full. The only people sharing seats on their side of the row are obviously families traveling together.

Experts predict that Airline travel this summer will finally reach levels matching the time before the War on Terror became a reality. This is a Wednesday, and a fairly early flight.

Still, I don’t know that business travelers are ‘spreading the wealth’ amongst the Airlines, Rental Car companies, livery services, Hotels, Eateries and the like as they once were. All those employees (especially those who rely on tips) are still feeling the pinch.

I suppose I can’t complain, with so many Airlines in some form of financial distress…

Still, I do miss the good ol’ days!

The Newest 'Re-Imagining' of the Arthurian Myth

We arrived at the Lake on Friday in plenty of time for the kids to take a quick dip and head off for dinner at the nearby Golf Course clubhouse. Then we treated ourselves to the new King Arthur movie. I admit there were a few aspects where the suspension of disbelief was stretched rather thin. There was much debate amongst us all afterward. Overall, I liked it quite a lot.

Some have criticized it for the lack of Grail Lore. I would point out that most of the Grail portion of the legend actually could take place AFTER the portion of Arthur’s life depicted here.

Besides, as we watched the previews, I realized Nicholas Cage (One of our big favorites!) is making that movie.

Perhaps no other story has so captured the imagination of Western European thought.

This version does purport to be based on recent new historical investigations. There are several projects that have endeavored to discover some historical basis for the stories.

Without giving away so much as to become a spoiler, most of the main aspects of the stories are here, but with a different basis for their existence within the retelling.

Other than the traditional elements, the biggest new aspect is the non-traditional setting of the events much earlier in history.

Arthur and his Knights are Roman soldiers just prior to Rome’s retreat from British occupation.

There are many items I will discuss about this movie in a future post or two.

For now, here, in words far more eloquent than I could ever manage, is a brief synopsis of this new Roman element of this version:


The Roman Centurion's Song

by Rudyard Kipling

Legate, I had the news last night --my cohort ordered home
By ships to Portus Itius and thence by road to Rome.
I've marched the companies aboard, the arms are stowed below:
Now let another take my sword. Command me not to go!

I've served in Britain forty years, from Vectis to the Wall,
I have none other home than this, nor any life at all.
Last night I did not understand, but, now the hour draws near
That calls me to my native land, I feel that land is here.

Here where men say my name was made, here where my work was done;
Here where my dearest dead are laid--my wife--my wife and son;
Here where time, custom, grief and toil, age, memory, service, love,
Have rooted me in British soil. Ah, how can I remove?

For me this land, that sea, these airs, those folk and fields surffice.
What purple Southern pomp can match our changeful Northern skies,
Black with December snows unshed or pearled with August haze--
The clanging arch of steel-grey March, or June's long-lighted days?

You'll follow widening Rhodanus till vine an olive lean
Aslant before the sunny breeze that sweeps Nemausus clean
To Arelate's triple gate; but let me linger on,
Here where our stiff-necked British oaks confront Euroclydon!

You'll take the old Aurelian Road through shore-descending pines
Where, blue as any peacock's neck, the Tyrrhene Ocean shines.
You'll go where laurel crowns are won, but--will you e'er forget
The scent of hawthorn in the sun, or bracken in the wet?

Let me work here for Britain's sake--at any task you will--
A marsh to drain, a road to make or native troops to drill.
Some Western camp (I know the Pict) or granite Border keep,
Mid seas of heather derelict, where our old messmates sleep.

Legate, I come to you in tears--My cohort ordered home!
I've served in Britain forty years. What should I do in Rome?
Here is my heart, my soul, my mind--the only life I know.
I cannot leave it all behind. Command me not to go!

Hi-Tek Heartland Haul - iTunes Incredibly Idolized

Kevin Britten of Hays, Kansas downloaded the 100 millionth song from iTunes Music Store, winning the 17-inch Powerbook, a 40GB iPod, and a 10,000 song gift certificate.

Dang! And I Missed the Whole Thing!

Gender (Which used to be sex, but changed...)

If you're like most people, common everyday items look inert to you.  But what
you may not know is that many of them have a gender.  For example:

Ziploc Bags - They are Male, because they hold everything in but you can see
right through them.

A Copier - is Female, because once turned off, it takes a while to warm up.
It's an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can
wreak havoc if the wrong buttons are pushed.

A Tire - has to be Male, because it goes bald and often it's over inflated.

A Hot Air Balloon - is definitely a Male, because to get it to go anywhere you
have to light a fire under it .  .  and, of course, there's the hot air part.

Sponges - are Female, because they're soft and squeezable and retain water.

A Web Page - Female, because it's always getting hit on.

A Subway - is Male, because it uses the same old lines to pick people up.

Hourglass - has to be a Female, because over time, the weight shifts to the
bottom.

Hammer - Male, because it hasn't evolved much over the last 5,000 years, but
it's handy to have around.

The Remote Control - is a Female .  .  .  Ha!  You thought it'd be male.  But
consider that it gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he
doesn't always know the right buttons to push, he keeps trying.

What to do when you get a flat tire... Alabama style

A good ol' boy had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the
road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of  flowers in front of his
pickup truck and one behind it.  Then just stood back and waited
A passerby from the city studied the scene as he drove by and
was so curious he turned around and went back.
He asked the fellow what the problem was.
The fellow replied, "Flat tire."
In response the passerby asked, "But, what's with the flowers?"
The man responded, "When ya' break down they tell ya' to
put flares in the front and flares in the back.........I ain't never understood it neither."

Have a GREAT DAY!

I wish you a day of ordinary miracles----

A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself..

An unexpected phone call from an old friend.

Green stoplights on your way to work or shop.

I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in...

The fastest line at the grocery store.

A good sing along song on the radio.

Your keys right where you look.

I wish you a day of happiness and perfection--

I wish you little bite-size pieces of perfection that give you the
funny feeling that the Lord is smiling on you, holding you so gently
because you are someone special and rare.

I wish You a day of Peace, Happiness and Joy. Remember to Make the
Time TODAY, To do something Special for a Total Stranger. Have a TERRIFIC day!!!!

Off-Line and Off to The Lake

I will be off-line this week-end and travel down to the lovely Lake of the Ozarks. To most of my age-bracket, known more simply as 'The Lake'. It is the oldest of the man-made lakes here in the mid-west. It is also one of the last to be created by a private company and not be under the auspices of the Feds in the form of the Corp of Engineers.

I may fold-in some posts on actual days, or just comment on experiences.

Hope you have as great a weekend as I expect to!

Politics in Song!

Nothing like a good campaign song!

While Googgling (IBaNAaV) for something completely different, I ran across this little gem:

THE JOHN KERRY SONGBOOK
...where every number is in the key of F!


My personal favorite:
PAINT YOUR BANDWAGON

Away out here we have a name for bloviating liar,
And Kerry knows he gets no gain
From the windbag called “Moore-I-uh.”

Also worth noting:

Uptown Johns
Owned by the unions and the Mafia dons
I bet they never worked an honest day
I bet they quibble over which hairspray
They're almost gay...

JOHNNY THE JOKER
[Tune: "Minnie the Moocher", performed by Cab Calloway]

Well, let me tell you the story 'bout Johnny the JoKer,
A slip-slidin', unctuous o-okey-doker,
He trashes Bush's "incompetency",
But here's the JoKer's global terror po-olicy:

[Choruses--solo vocal/back-up vocal echo]
Jihadi-hadi-hadi-JIVE! (Jihadi-hadi-hadi-JIVE!)
Jihadi-hadi-hadi-JAM! (Jihadi-hadi-hadi-JAM!)
Jihadi-hadi-hadi-SCAM! (Jihadi-hadi-hadi-SCAM!)
You heard he served in Viet Nam? (You heard he served in Viet Nam?)

And especially:

I Am the Very Model of A Modern Kerry Democrat

Kerry :
I am the very model of a modern Kerry-Democrat,
I'm an information animal, a medal-dripping technocrat,
I know the Kennedys of Camelot, and hide my votes historical,
While my Deaniac supporters consult the Usenet Oracle;
I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters matrimonial,
I understand rich heiresses, and lust for figures patrimonial,
About Republican recessions I'm steaming up my views,
With many bogus facts about the bad news in the better news.

ALL :
With many bogus facts about the bad news in the better news.
With many bogus facts about the bad news in the better news.
With many bogus facts about the bad news in the better news.

--

What else is there to say? Like my oldest friend always says, the Dems just can't dance. I doubt they can sing either, so I can't see any Anti-Bush site being NEARLY as much fun!!!

Everybody SING!

Big Time Travel Tip - Rule 240

I must admit that these two words have been a Note in my Outlook file for years now. I ran accross the knowledge that Rule 240 existed in some back-of-the-seat Airline magazine, but had never done the due diligence to get the complete story. (Odd place to find this included, given the knowledge costs the airline money...)

I was reminded of Rule 240 during my Travel Travails (tm) last week, and did a quick Google (IBaNAaV) today.

Here is a synopsis from the excellent article here:
Rule 240: Don't Leave Home Without It!

Here's your secret weapon for fighting airline delays, cancellations, and missed connections:

Rule 240.

Before airline deregulation in 1978, Rule 240 was literally a federal requirement. Nowadays, it's a term describing what individual airlines will do for late or stranded passengers. In fact, the major airlines have filed "conditions of carriage" with the U.S. Department of Transporatation (DOT) guaranteeing their respective Rule 240s.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, or if you've missed your flight connection, these policies may give you free meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, phone calls, and other amenities. You may be booked on a substitute flight -- even on another airline -- and you may be compensated or given a full refund if the flight problems persist.

The article includes links to individual airline versions of the rule for print-out.

While I am at it, check out the rest of the site:
http://www.mytravelrights.com/

Lots of good info.

Recommended.

If you are traveling, be safe.

At least with Rule 240 in hand there is a bit less need for Caveat Emptor.

The Johns Episode 1 - The Initial Polls

"A Person is Smart - People are Stupid" K - Men in Black

Polls are such interesting things.  The modern-day pollster is always careful to point out their scientifically designed statistical basis.

"There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Dammed Lies and Statistics..."  Samuel Clemmons (Mark Twain)

On the radio just now they announced that a majority of people surveyed liked the choice of John Edwards for the Democratic ticket.  
(Is anyone using still using that 'presumptive' label when referring to Kerry?)
The public's alleged enthusiasm was of interest to me only in that this was their statement in spite of the fact they did NOT think he was qualified to be President...

Huh?

Poor Richard's Epitaph - The Man Who Would Be Speaker

Let us all take a moment to reflect on Little Dickey G. (Also-Known-As ET to some of his 'constituents')

Blew his chance to run for the open Missouri Senate seat back in '96 'cuz he wanted SOOOOO bad to be Speaker of the House. (Idiot actually thought Bubba had the coat-tails to maintain the 40 year Democratic majority...)

Skipped running for his house seat this year to try again for Prez.

Couldn't even parley his swing-state native-son and Big-Labor connections into a Veep nod...

Poor Dickey...

Buh-Bye!

Cinematic Nostalgia AND A Summer BlockBuster? Now That's Entertainment!!!

Taking a cue from my oldest friend I took the family out to see SpiderMan 2 at the Englewood Theater.

I had heard much about this theatrical jewel, but had never made it up to Independence to catch a flick. It remains a neighborhood theater, but built in Art Deco style. The original sconces are mostly intact and the concentric rings overhead are reminiscent of the premiere Art Deco palace, Radio City Music Hall. Kansas City's Music Hall, located in the Municipal Auditorium downtown, is the second best example of Art Deco I have had the pleasure of experiencing. While the lowly Englewood never claimed the gilt and glamour of these two great theaters, it is still a fine example of the style as well as the last Cinemascope screen in the KC area.

I confess I chose this venue for another reason. My lovely wife had quoted a letter to the editor not two days before concerning the theater group that operates the Englewood. In it the owners were explaining that no, they would NOT be profiteering on the Left-Wing Dogma that is F/911. In fact, they fully support the troops AND they play the National Anthem before each performance at their theaters! Choosing a theater whose owner was making a principled stand was just an added bonus.

Not only was the old News-Reel style Anthem played, but we were also treated to a Tom and Jerry cartoon!

As to the main attraction, you may have noticed that MrGadgets is more than willing to tread waist-deep into discussions on normally taboo subjects such as Religion and Politics. I do, however, fully respect the more sensitive and fervently held beliefs, such as Barbeque, Steaks and any movie version of one's favorite Comic Book, Fantasy Author or SciFi Novel... ;-)

(This week's Robot movie will be another test to try men's souls...)

I DO find it interesting that the storyline retains certain anachronisms as a Lunar Astronaut and an elevated train in Manhattan...

Enjoyed the day immensely, the perfect cap to the holiday weekend!

Memories of Past Independence (Days)

My oldest friend, always cogent, topical and right-on-the-money, had many recommended posts these last two days on and about our Country's birthday. I did not post the full text of the Declaration, as he had already reminded us of the great men who shaped the revolution and the world-changing tenants that are at the heart of American Independence.

He also mentioned the celebrations of our youth. We would gather the clan for each holiday, though some branches of the extensive tree would spend this or that one with the "Outlaws." (My Mother and his, as well as all who married into the extensive family that spawned our respective fathers adopted this moniker. It was only partially in jest...) Since my maternal grand-mother lived in the next railroad-town up the road, our family was around for all the respective holiday occasions. Some were around for Thanksgiving, others for Christmas, but, for some reason, everybody always made it for the Fourth. Some summers our cousins from back East would travel from Virginia or Maryland or wherever the present church our "Outlaw" preacher Uncle was presently pastoring. They numbered four boys in that particular branch, plus one girl. There were six of us that came as a kind of 'matched set'. Three were boys, Me, Bob-O-Rama and another who will never be hip enough to blog... (He was older by six months or so, Bob and I are four days apart.) We each had younger siblings, me a little brother, the other two sisters. These were also closely grouped in age, four years younger than us. Add to this 'core' various and sundry nieces, nephews, first and second cousins and there were always LOTS of kids running around.

And man, did we ever blow things up!

Big things, little things. One "Outlaw" Uncle was a Mason in nearby Lebanon, MO. (I used to joke with people about my Aunt and Uncle that lived in Lebanon. Of course, being Missouri, we pronounce it Lebnin'...) I don't remember Missouri being known as quite the FireWorks Mecca of the mid-west that it is now. The Masons ran the really BIG tent in Leclede county. (Several counties surrounding, for all I know.) He could purchase the stuff wholesale, so we had beau-coup amounts of ordinance. (Now there is a funny word combination: ETYMOLOGY: French : beau, bel, fine, handsome; see beau + coup, stroke; see coup. Now what the hell good stroke has to do with a lot might seem illusive at first. Unless one equates one's ability to beat somebody up and take their stuff with abundance... But that's for another more serious posting.) We had many 'combustibles' to play with through the years, many now totally verboten. I remember clearly there was one year when we had an unexpected visit by this same Uncles Niece and Nephew. Instead of dividing the spoils between ten kids, we had twelve participants in that years mock mayhem. To give you some idea how deprived we were that year, we had to make do with one dozen less than a GROSS of bottle-rockets apiece.

We three older boys acquired a length of pipe, can't remember if it was that year or another, and proceeded to play "Rocket-Propelled-Grenade" or Bazooka, if you prefer. One would hold, one aim and the third would light the projectile. We got pretty good. One day, while walking to "our tree" on the road below the high-school (it had a limb that had grown straight out, parallel to the ground, making a perfect bench) when we stopped short. Some high-school boy had the audacity to be parked in his convertible, right in OUR SPOT! He was busy making out with his girl-friend at the time and had not noticed our approach. We brought out the weapon, took careful aim and fired a salvo into the right-rear bumper. We immediately decided discretion was the better part of valor and beat feet to retrace our steps and head down another country road to find an unoccupied firing range.

We would walk for miles on the country roads surrounding my Grandparents small town. (Stoutland Missouri is, as far as I know, the most unique town in the US. It is the only municipality in Camden county through which the railroad passes and yet, it is NOT the biggest town in the county.) No one worried a bit on where we were or how long we took in these walks. Occasionally we would be passed by a farm vehicle, a tractor or pickup on it's way to town for supplies. Always a friendly wave and a smile, as if they recognized us as locals.

For that matter, the Halloween's of my youth were also ones of freedom and adventure, unlike today's world of 'mall treats'. Bob-O-Rama will remember one GI-Joe halloween night, I believe. We spent as much time skulking and stalking mock enemies as we did collecting loot. We were quite the sniper/ranger team...

A different time. Of HAND-CRANKED home-made ice-cream. (None of those electric doo-dads for us, no sir. I firmly believe this was actually some kind of penance for the amount of fun that otherwise occupied our time.)

I remember running up and leaping into the billowing smoke of the 'mushroom clouds' our bomb-lets produced. Baseball in the side yard. (Thou Shalt Not Steal, the Pastor turned pitcher would admonish.)

And most of all, playing guitars on the front porch. And being cajoled into one more years rendition of "I wandered today to the hill Maggie".

Memories of the care-free abandon of a childhood our parents never dreamed of and that we baby-boomers long to re-create for our own children.

I think I'll go pick up the guitar now...

History Lesson for the Day OR If we all celebrate the 4th what the heck was Adams talking about in yesterday's letter?

As a history geek like myself never learned this in any formal class, but rather, from an long-time German friend one 4th while he was here for a visit, (Hi Thomas!) here is the straight story:

The congress did indeed vote to separate from Great Britain on the 2nd, but did not adopt the final wording of the Declaration of Independence until July 4th, 1776.

So, there you have it. This should probably really be the week-end we all celebrate anyway.

While we are on the subject, go here for a sifty Hypertext version of the seminal document.

John Adams, Letter on Independence

John Adams to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776 (excerpt)

Yesterday, [July 2, 1776,] the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, find as such they have, and of right ought to have, full power to make war," conclude peace, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which other States may rightfully do." You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the causes which have impelled us to this mighty revolution, and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God and man. A plan of confederation will be taken up in a few days.
When I look back…and run through the…series of political events, the chain of causes and effects, I am surprised at the suddenness as well as greatness of this revolution. Britain has been filled with folly, and America with wisdom. At least, this is my judgment. Time must determine. It is the will of Heaven that the two countries should be sundered forever. It may be the will of Heaven that America shall suffer calamities still more wasting, and distresses yet more dreadful. If this is to be the case, it will have this good effect at least. It will inspire us with many virtues, which we have not, and correct many errors, follies and vices which threaten to disturb, dishonor, and destroy us. The furnace of affliction produces refinement, in States as well as individuals….
But the day is past. The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore.
…I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory…

This Day in History

On this day 228 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 brave men.

These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians.  They were soft-spoken men of means and education.  They had security, but they valued Liberty more.  Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “for the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

Suggested reading:

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=2

Who were these men?
Here is an excerpt from James Witt's excellent piece in the Daily News:

In a nation whose history abounds with heroes, the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence must be placed at the top of the list. Who were these patriots? With few exceptions, they were prosperous members of the colonial elite. A quarter of them were wealthy planters or farmers, four were physicians, eight were merchants, four were ministers and half had been trained in the law. Yet they signed the Declaration knowing that their property would be confiscated and, if captured, they could face execution. All paid a terrible price for their patriotism. Nearly a third had their estates destroyed. William Floyd, a signer for New York, fled with his family and his wife became ill and died. John Hart of New Jersey had to flee from the bedside of his dying wife as did his 13 children. His property was methodically destroyed. At the age of 66, Hart fled to the mountains and lived in caves and the forest for more than a year. Upon returning home he found that his wife had died and his children had vanished. He expired shortly afterwards. Three others died bankrupt. Among them was wealthy Pennsylvanian Robert Morris, who had helped finance the Revolution. After the war he spent several years in debtors' prison. At the Battle of Yorktown, the British Gen. Cornwallis was headquartered in the home of a signer, Thomas Nelson Jr. General Washington had graciously spared his home from destruction. Nelson, however, implored the general to fire on the house. The house was destroyed and Nelson, too, died bankrupt. Five signers were captured and given the choice of prison under harsh conditions or freedom and other rewards if they recanted their treason against the king. All chose prison. The signers' families often suffered more than those who had signed the revolutionary document. The wife of New York's Francis Lewis was captured by the British and spent three years in prison. Her health ruined, she died shortly after her release. Two sons of Abraham Clark of New Jersey were captured and imprisoned under horrid conditions.

God Bless the Republic of the United States of America

Oxy-Moronic Cinema OR The greatest Docmentary ever staged!

When all you have is a camera, everything seems like a good idea for a movie...

Mr. Moore is the subject of much discussion of late.

Monty Python fans will remember the tune for these words:

Michael Moore, Michael Moore, Railing at the Right.
Michael Moore, Michael Moore, Wants to pick a Fight.
His films have made him Rich...
Though the films themselves were Poor...
Mr. Moore...
Hum-Drum Moore...
Dumb, Dumb Dumb!

Now, Mr. Moore makes Documentaries, or so we are told.

Doc`u`men´ta`ry
Noun 1. documentary - a film or TV program presenting the facts about a person or event

But wait! Mr. Moore has been known to stage scenes in his movies, so thats not it...

Hmmmm, so what exactly DO we have here?

Well, let's see, we have a commentator/leader who comes up with arbitrary situations and interacts with real-life participants whom he places in these situations, filming the whole mess and calling it entertainment.

Hey! I don't watch the thing, but that sure sounds like Survivor to me!

The situations are designed to play on preconceived notions and maximize audience anxiety.

Fear Factor.

Wow! Michael Moore makes Reality Movies!

Now, I had the immense pleasure of viewing a commercial advertisement for Mr. Moore's latest foray into cinematic in-credulity.

In it, President Bush is pictured making a statement on the War on Terror. The shot immediately cuts to the President turning to the camera and saying: "Now watch this drive!"

Wow! Biting commentary! What artistic brilliance!

Now, don't get me wrong. I could care LESS if Mr. Moore has cleverly taken a shot of a press conference and spliced it with a later scene on the links.

If the President of the United States wants to play a round of the grand old Scottish game, more power to him. Being leader of the free world is a stressful existence, and any recreation he can eke out some time for in his busy schedule is fine by me.

Mr. Moore, of course, wishes to convince a gullible public of the cavalier attitude of the White House on weighty matters.

Apparently it is not proper to take in a round of golf.

All the while Mr. Moore and his ilk have no qualms about Bill Clinton holding up meetings in the Rose Garden while he gets off with an intern young enough to be his daughter in the Oval Office...

Can you say Double-Standard?

In the end, Fact is Fact and Fiction is Fiction and Fiction does not a Documentary make.

To mis-quote Robbie Burns: The Moore was Dreigh

My Business Travel Blues/The Golden Rule of Customer Service

I am tired.

To preface, if this seems overly negative at first, I will delve slightly into a personal issue.

I am tired of working for an organization that gives no consideration to endless evenings spent away from home. Of late Friday night return trips with delays that turn them into Saturdays. Of Sunday afternoons spent traveling for the bright-and-early start on Monday morning. An organization where, after 11 years of experience, I have managed to work my way exactly nowhere. Where being the only person whose knowledge and capabilities cover all the available products, but remains at the equivalent status of the newest hire, the lowest entry on the org-chart, should one exist.

I mention this, partially to explain my reaction to yesterday’s trip home. In addition, while this is my problem, it may impact you slightly, as it may influence my posts in the future, should you continue to honor me with your eye-time after this diatribe…

I plan on dealing with this on my own terms.

I have posted often on Time, the most unique resource available to each of us.

To be truly happy, more needs to exist in the transaction you make with your employer than money alone.

I quoted this before, but will repeat:

"It seldom happens that a man changes his life through his habitual reasoning. No matter how fully he may sense the new plans and aims revealed to him by reason, he continues to plod along in old paths until his life becomes frustrating and unbearable - he finally makes the change only when his usual life can no longer be tolerated."

Leo Tolstoy

Thank you Leo, duly noted. I shall be moving my butt and making changes. The by-product will drag all of you who are willing along with me…

That said, I continue.

I am ALSO tired of Airline employees who didn’t seem to notice that their employer’s were having financial problems before 9/11 and that the airports are just barely getting busy again since the terrorist attacks.

Whose reaction to my presence in their busy life varies from a distinct imposition at worst to bland neglect at best.

This holds true for counter agents, stewardi, airline ticket operator/agents. It does not seem to have infected the pilots, but that may just be a mis-perception on my part, as contact with the flight deck is very limited. The pilots are still doing something that they love, or at least did at one time…

Can it be a mere co-incidence that these are all Unionized jobs? I think not.

Weather/Equipment Failure/Scheduling SNAFUs (i.e. SHIT) Happens. Some is more or less within the control of someone somewhere. It is never in my control and rarely the person I am interacting with.

What IS in their control is the amount of effort they put into fixing the problem as swiftly and effectively as possible, given available resources. Likewise, the amount of effort they make to convince me they give a FLYING F**K!

What IS in my control is my selection of airline in the future.

While these two topics of dis-content may seem, to you, distinct, I contend they have a common solution.

And SO, in order to prove I am still Mr. Gadgets and not Mr. Negativity I offer the following:

The Golden Rule of Customer Service is:

The Golden Rule!

In a previous life, I worked in the International Department of a large and after a “merger” Major software company.

I was involved with various technical issues, including managing the software translation projects. This included researching, vetting and contracting various independent translation vendors. (Keep in mind; while this job gave me my first access to the Internet, this is long before, at least in computer years, the Web. Nowadays there are ample automated translation programs/services, back then it was still all human-bein’s doing the work.)

One vendor, ironically not one I ever used, sent me a memorable ‘Holiday Card’ one December. Unlike the lefties (lower-righties) of today, this was not a token PC gesture. The customer-base of this particular concern ran the gamut of cultural/religious persuasions. This was not a case of a political agenda; it was instead respectful acknowledgement of the true variety within the community they were addressing. As true an example of NATURAL diversity as I can imagine.

How to encompass this wide target market with a common message?

The card included every religion’s version of the Golden Rule.

Were you aware this fact? Indeed, the common thread of religious faith throughout the world is this simple message.

One of the quotes:

Hillel the Elder of Babylonia. Born 30BC The greatest Torah sage of the Second Temple period and founder of Bet Hillel Torah school was asked by a student to teach the entire Torah while standing on one foot. He replied:

“What is hateful to you, do not unto your neighbor. This is the entire Torah. All the rest is commentary. Go and study it.”

Remember it. Implement it. Live it.

It will surely improve your lot in life…