"The baby did it: Father blames two-year-old son for shooting death of mother."
First of all, can a typical 2-year-old even manipulate a Glock to fire it?
The dad has a license to carry concealed, indicating a clean (conditionally) criminal record, which would mitigate against him being the shooter. Of course, if he were wearing rubber gloves and had his son in his lap with the gun held in both his own hands and his son's, the gunpowder trace residue would show up on the boy's hands but not his...
A lot to think about in this case, huh?
Friday, April 22, 2011
No Bears Were Harmed In the Crucifixion of This Filipino
I saw this over at the UK Daily Mail a few minutes ago:
While my friend Wally will sneer about this proving that the Daily Mail is just a tabloid, it's an error I see all of the time because editors rely too heavily on spell-check programs, which don't catch homonyms such as these. In this case the word needed was grisly: adj. gris·li·er, gris·li·est
Inspiring repugnance; gruesome.
What they used, of course, was grizzly: adj. griz·zli·er, griz·zli·est
Grayish or flecked with gray.
n. pl. griz·zlies
A grizzly bear.
And they could have easily used gristly, which is also the wrong word: adj. gris·tli·er, gris·tli·est
1. Composed of or containing gristle.
2. Resembling gristle.
(Gristle is, of course, connective tissue found in meat, pieces of ligament and tendon.)
So that is your grammar/spelling lesson for the day.
While my friend Wally will sneer about this proving that the Daily Mail is just a tabloid, it's an error I see all of the time because editors rely too heavily on spell-check programs, which don't catch homonyms such as these. In this case the word needed was grisly: adj. gris·li·er, gris·li·est
Inspiring repugnance; gruesome.
What they used, of course, was grizzly: adj. griz·zli·er, griz·zli·est
Grayish or flecked with gray.
n. pl. griz·zlies
A grizzly bear.
And they could have easily used gristly, which is also the wrong word: adj. gris·tli·er, gris·tli·est
1. Composed of or containing gristle.
2. Resembling gristle.
(Gristle is, of course, connective tissue found in meat, pieces of ligament and tendon.)
So that is your grammar/spelling lesson for the day.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
It Was An Assault Spoon, No Doubt
In Prichard, Alabama, a man gouged his uncle's eyes out with a spoon.
No word on whether it was a high-capacity tablespoon.
Or perhaps it was one of those plastic spoons, the kind that can pass through an airport metal detector? Ban 'em. Ban 'em all, I say.
FOR THE CHILDREN!
No word on whether it was a high-capacity tablespoon.
Or perhaps it was one of those plastic spoons, the kind that can pass through an airport metal detector? Ban 'em. Ban 'em all, I say.
FOR THE CHILDREN!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
"Ballistic Boxers?"
And no, I'm not talking about pugilistic fisticuffs, but armored Jockey shorts.
Funny pic included with the story:
This Won't Hurt.
Funny pic included with the story:
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
I Guess He Tried To Rape Her *rolleyes*
Crystal Mangum, who falsely accused lacrosse players at Duke University of raping her a few years ago, has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of her boyfriend.
Presumably she'll claim self-defense, saying that the boyfriend was trying to rape her, but it's probably not going to be one of the more credible defenses, if you know what I mean. Of course, maybe if she's lucky she'll get members of the Group of 88 Duke faculty on her jury, who will presumably acquit her out of sympathy for her oppression by the white power structure.
Presumably she'll claim self-defense, saying that the boyfriend was trying to rape her, but it's probably not going to be one of the more credible defenses, if you know what I mean. Of course, maybe if she's lucky she'll get members of the Group of 88 Duke faculty on her jury, who will presumably acquit her out of sympathy for her oppression by the white power structure.
Malaysia Sends Boys To Gay-Cure Boot Camp
Where, presumably, they will learn not to lisp, swish, wave their arms about in a limp-wristed manner, or engage in buggery in public restrooms.
Because, even though all of those things are perfectly acceptable in the US, they aren't quite so accepted in Malaysia.
Because, even though all of those things are perfectly acceptable in the US, they aren't quite so accepted in Malaysia.
I'd Wrap Them Up In Celophant
It's the only way to keep the little chirrens safe, you know.
This passage made me LOL:
Researchers found that conkers have been banned from nearly one sixth of playgrounds for fear that they could cause injury or trigger a nut allergy, even though they are not nuts.
update: Not to be outdone by the UK, the state of New York thinks Freeze Tag is dangerous.
h/t Jammie Wearing Fool.
This passage made me LOL:
Researchers found that conkers have been banned from nearly one sixth of playgrounds for fear that they could cause injury or trigger a nut allergy, even though they are not nuts.
update: Not to be outdone by the UK, the state of New York thinks Freeze Tag is dangerous.
h/t Jammie Wearing Fool.
Just Call Him...
...Barack W. Obushamaburton.
And, in news too recent to be included in the list linked above, the Hypocrite-In-Chief is now issuing "signing statements" that he condemned when GW Bush used them.
And, in news too recent to be included in the list linked above, the Hypocrite-In-Chief is now issuing "signing statements" that he condemned when GW Bush used them.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Bet He'll Buy A Gun After This
A teenager in Windsor, Florida, defended his home against four burglars, armed only with a small pocket knife.
Well, if he's not a felon and thus forbidden by law from legally owning a gun, maybe he'll invest in one so he doesn't have to do a Nathan Bedford Forrest on someone. ("No man kills me and lives," said Forrest before stabbing his assailant to death with a pen knife.)
Well, if he's not a felon and thus forbidden by law from legally owning a gun, maybe he'll invest in one so he doesn't have to do a Nathan Bedford Forrest on someone. ("No man kills me and lives," said Forrest before stabbing his assailant to death with a pen knife.)
She Survived By Staying Put
Apparently she went hiking to see a sunrise on a nearby mountain, and didn't take any gear with her. Maybe she'll know better next time.
A minimalist survival kit, which can fit in an Altoids tin, would comprise a butane lighter, button compass, tiny knife, and whistle, would allow you to make a fire for warmth or signalling, and the whistle would allow you to attract attention better than shouting could. Add a bottle of water, some granola bars, and a space blanket (all of them will fit into a woman's purse, or clip to it) and you would be fairly comfortable, instead of shivering and miserable.
Think about it.
A minimalist survival kit, which can fit in an Altoids tin, would comprise a butane lighter, button compass, tiny knife, and whistle, would allow you to make a fire for warmth or signalling, and the whistle would allow you to attract attention better than shouting could. Add a bottle of water, some granola bars, and a space blanket (all of them will fit into a woman's purse, or clip to it) and you would be fairly comfortable, instead of shivering and miserable.
Think about it.
No, It Did NOT "Go Off."
You were admittedly playing with it, you stupid son of a bitch, you pointed it at him and pulled the trigger. Probably said "bang!" with a smirk on your stupid face as you pulled the trigger.
Now your brother is dead. You violated every one of the rules for safe gun handling (see blog sidebar) and your brother paid the price.
Now your brother is dead. You violated every one of the rules for safe gun handling (see blog sidebar) and your brother paid the price.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Who Puts a Cocked Revolver In His Trouser Pocket?
Some 17-year-old dumbass from Lancaster, South Carolina, that's who.
You just had your wakeup call...dumbass.
You just had your wakeup call...dumbass.
The End of an Era
ABC TV is cancelling the soap operas All My Children and One Life To Live.
Replacing them will be shows entitled The Chew and The Revolution. So help me God.
Replacing them will be shows entitled The Chew and The Revolution. So help me God.
In Which I Step Into the Modern Flashlight Era
Picked up one of these from Amazon:
It's the first flashlight I've purchased in a while, and the first of the modern small, multi-mode LED flashlights. I've been eyeing flashlights for a while now - - it seems all the cool bloggers have them - - and I thought I'd try one out, but without going all spendy and dropping over $100 for one. I'm a working stiff, after all.
I saw this one originally in A.G. Russell's Russell's For Men catalog, then did what I normally do these days, which is purchase it from Amazon sans shipping charges. It takes three AAA batteries, which are easier to replace than lithium batteries (cheaper, too, as Ican steal them from work find them in an alternate venue)
I can't believe how light in weight this flashlight is. It's just a little longer thanmy flaccid penis a Sharpie, or approximately the size of a Boy Scout pocket knife. It has only three modes (bright, dim, strobe); no fancy S-O-S mode. It also has an adjustable beam. There is a cheaper version with non-adjustable beam. It didn't come with a lanyard, but has a drilled hole for installing one.
It's a pretty thing. I'll let you know how it performs.
It's the first flashlight I've purchased in a while, and the first of the modern small, multi-mode LED flashlights. I've been eyeing flashlights for a while now - - it seems all the cool bloggers have them - - and I thought I'd try one out, but without going all spendy and dropping over $100 for one. I'm a working stiff, after all.
I saw this one originally in A.G. Russell's Russell's For Men catalog, then did what I normally do these days, which is purchase it from Amazon sans shipping charges. It takes three AAA batteries, which are easier to replace than lithium batteries (cheaper, too, as I
I can't believe how light in weight this flashlight is. It's just a little longer than
It's a pretty thing. I'll let you know how it performs.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
If You're Engaged To A Pasta Heiress...
...you'd best avoid that guided factory tour.
You might end up like this:
"This'll Interest You," He Said...
You might end up like this:
I Hate Trojans
No, that's not me quoting Achilles or Agamemnon or Menelaus or Odysseus from The Iliad. Say rather that I discovered this morning that my computer was infected with Trojan horse malware programs, and I've spent most of the morning doing cleanup and trying to get Mozilla Firefox working again. I've had to clean these up in the past, because my sister shares my computer and has a distressing tendency to click on "free" stuff she sees on the internet, with the predictable consequences. This time, though, I'm not certain whether she caused the problem or I did, since the results of antivirus and antispyware scans showed infections on my side of the computer as well as hers. I'm rather suspicious of a blog entry I saw yesterday that had a link to a porn site. Oh, well.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Some Amazon Kindle Notes
I acquired an Amazon Kindle e-reader during my hiatus. Before acquiring it, I had downloaded Kindle For PC, which allows you to read your Kindle acquisitions on your PC; there are also versions for Apple, various phones, etc.
Well, I went nuts downloading free e-books onto the Kindle For PC, thinking that I could transfer them over to the Kindle when I acquired one. When I did acquire the Kindle, I discovered that the process wasn't all that intuitive, really. And, once I did manager to figure it out (Amazon Kindle phone support was next to useless), I discovered that for some reason the books I transferred over often times weren't recognized as mine, thus I could not read them in the Kindle.
So, on Monday night I reset my Kindle to factory specifications, which basically wipes out everthing you have in it. Then I accessed the Kindle Store via wi-fi, and, as if by magic, all of my 400+ books magically appeared in the "archived books" section of the Kindle. Hey ho, I thought to myself, this is better.
It wasn't. What was in the "archived books" section of the Kindle was a record of the books I had previously downloaded, and if I wanted to actually read them, I had to download them again.
And no, there is no provision for downloading 400+ books in a single swallow. You have to do it one at a time. Which sucks, but, most of an 8-hour work shift later, the job was done.
Tonight I've been organizing the books into "collections," which means less scrolling through pages in order to find a book among the 400+. I have them mainly organized by author name, but have one collection titled Desert Island Books for those ones that I want to keep handy.
I haven't really done much with the Kindle, but I like having such a plenitude of books available, many of them old favorites. I'll comment more as I become more familiar with this new (to me) technology.
Well, I went nuts downloading free e-books onto the Kindle For PC, thinking that I could transfer them over to the Kindle when I acquired one. When I did acquire the Kindle, I discovered that the process wasn't all that intuitive, really. And, once I did manager to figure it out (Amazon Kindle phone support was next to useless), I discovered that for some reason the books I transferred over often times weren't recognized as mine, thus I could not read them in the Kindle.
So, on Monday night I reset my Kindle to factory specifications, which basically wipes out everthing you have in it. Then I accessed the Kindle Store via wi-fi, and, as if by magic, all of my 400+ books magically appeared in the "archived books" section of the Kindle. Hey ho, I thought to myself, this is better.
It wasn't. What was in the "archived books" section of the Kindle was a record of the books I had previously downloaded, and if I wanted to actually read them, I had to download them again.
And no, there is no provision for downloading 400+ books in a single swallow. You have to do it one at a time. Which sucks, but, most of an 8-hour work shift later, the job was done.
Tonight I've been organizing the books into "collections," which means less scrolling through pages in order to find a book among the 400+. I have them mainly organized by author name, but have one collection titled Desert Island Books for those ones that I want to keep handy.
I haven't really done much with the Kindle, but I like having such a plenitude of books available, many of them old favorites. I'll comment more as I become more familiar with this new (to me) technology.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Well, To Be Perfectly Fair...
...it was the "Christ-Choosing Church of God," not the "Christ-Emulating Church of God."
But still, Vicar, don't you think that maybe you should be feeding and clothing the homeless man, not stabbing and scalding him?
Just wondering.
Kind of a hardcore church, if you ask me.
But still, Vicar, don't you think that maybe you should be feeding and clothing the homeless man, not stabbing and scalding him?
Just wondering.
Kind of a hardcore church, if you ask me.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
This Is Good Enough For Me
One of the last remaining questions regarding President Barack Obama's birth certificate is whether the "long form" birth certificate, which is filled out and signed by the physician in attendance, exists. Well, it does.
As the top Hawaiian official in charge of state health records in 2008, when the issue of Obama's birth first arose, Fukino said she thought she had put the matter to rest. Contacted by NBC, Fukino expanded on previous public statements and made two key points when asked about Trump's recent comments.
The first is that the original so-called "long form" birth certificate — described by Hawaiian officials as a "record of live birth" — absolutely exists, located in a bound volume in a file cabinet on the first floor of the state Department of Health. Fukimo said she has personally inspected it — twice. The first time was in late October 2008, during the closing days of the presidential campaign, when the communications director for the state's then Republican governor, Linda Lingle (who appointed Fukino) asked if she could make a public statement in response to claims then circulating on the Internet that Obama was actually born in Kenya.
Before she would do so, Fukino said, she wanted to inspect the files — and did so, taking with her the state official in charge of vital records. She found the original birth record, properly numbered, half typed and half handwritten, and signed by the doctor who delivered Obama, located in the files. She then put out a public statement asserting to the document's validity. She later put out another public statement in July 2009 — after reviewing the original birth record a second time.
"It is real, and no amount of saying it is not, is going to change that," Fukino said. Moreover, she added, her boss at the time, Lingle — who was backing John McCain for president — would presumably have to be in on any cover up since Fukino made her public comment at the governor's office's request. "Why would a Republican governor — who was stumping for the other guy — hold out on a big secret?" she asked.
OK, then. It exists, and has been seen on at least two occasions. Law prevents even President Obama from requesting it be photocopied and published. Presumably such law could be waived in the public interest, but it's a moot point. It's been seen by both supporters and opponents of the President, who presumably have no agenda or reason to lie about it.
So please give it up, birthers. You're hurting the Republican cause, fully as much as 9/11 "Truthers" hurt the Democrat cause.
h/t Hot Air Headlines.
As the top Hawaiian official in charge of state health records in 2008, when the issue of Obama's birth first arose, Fukino said she thought she had put the matter to rest. Contacted by NBC, Fukino expanded on previous public statements and made two key points when asked about Trump's recent comments.
The first is that the original so-called "long form" birth certificate — described by Hawaiian officials as a "record of live birth" — absolutely exists, located in a bound volume in a file cabinet on the first floor of the state Department of Health. Fukimo said she has personally inspected it — twice. The first time was in late October 2008, during the closing days of the presidential campaign, when the communications director for the state's then Republican governor, Linda Lingle (who appointed Fukino) asked if she could make a public statement in response to claims then circulating on the Internet that Obama was actually born in Kenya.
Before she would do so, Fukino said, she wanted to inspect the files — and did so, taking with her the state official in charge of vital records. She found the original birth record, properly numbered, half typed and half handwritten, and signed by the doctor who delivered Obama, located in the files. She then put out a public statement asserting to the document's validity. She later put out another public statement in July 2009 — after reviewing the original birth record a second time.
"It is real, and no amount of saying it is not, is going to change that," Fukino said. Moreover, she added, her boss at the time, Lingle — who was backing John McCain for president — would presumably have to be in on any cover up since Fukino made her public comment at the governor's office's request. "Why would a Republican governor — who was stumping for the other guy — hold out on a big secret?" she asked.
OK, then. It exists, and has been seen on at least two occasions. Law prevents even President Obama from requesting it be photocopied and published. Presumably such law could be waived in the public interest, but it's a moot point. It's been seen by both supporters and opponents of the President, who presumably have no agenda or reason to lie about it.
So please give it up, birthers. You're hurting the Republican cause, fully as much as 9/11 "Truthers" hurt the Democrat cause.
h/t Hot Air Headlines.
The Duffer-In-Chief Would Have You Know...
...that the reason he spends so much time golfing is that he isn't allowed to wash the car, or buy groceries, or people-watch in New York's Central Park.
Or something to that effect. Anyway, he's apparently heard all the snarky complaints about the golfing and wanted to snivel about it a bit, maybe inspire the MSM to not feature so many golfing stories and golfing pictures.
"Now watch this drive."
Or something to that effect. Anyway, he's apparently heard all the snarky complaints about the golfing and wanted to snivel about it a bit, maybe inspire the MSM to not feature so many golfing stories and golfing pictures.
"Now watch this drive."
Friday, April 08, 2011
Let's Call Them I-tards
Some hikers and backpackers are relying on Iphone apps to navigate in the wilderness.
Lake District rescue teams said that younger walkers rely too heavily on mobile phones equipped with navigational “apps” and sat nav technology.
Dubbed the “shorts and flip-flops brigade” hardly any are familiar with the traditional methods of using a map and compass.
Nick Owen, Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team leader, said: “They’re great with technology but they can’t walk up a hill without getting into trouble.
“They take no sensible kit like spare clothing and they rely on technical gadgetry which they’re not familiar with.”
If you're a hiker or backpacker, you should know what the Ten Essentials are, and more importantly, you should carry them with you on your hike. You should also know the basics of navigating with a map and compass.
Lake District rescue teams said that younger walkers rely too heavily on mobile phones equipped with navigational “apps” and sat nav technology.
Dubbed the “shorts and flip-flops brigade” hardly any are familiar with the traditional methods of using a map and compass.
Nick Owen, Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team leader, said: “They’re great with technology but they can’t walk up a hill without getting into trouble.
“They take no sensible kit like spare clothing and they rely on technical gadgetry which they’re not familiar with.”
If you're a hiker or backpacker, you should know what the Ten Essentials are, and more importantly, you should carry them with you on your hike. You should also know the basics of navigating with a map and compass.
Going Back To Prison Is His Thang
James Tyrone Huntley and an accomplice, fleeing the scene of a home invasion, left behind a vital clue:
A t-shirt featuring a photograph of Huntley with the slogan Making Money Is My Thang.
And the dumb SOB just got out of prison last November, so presumably he's still on parole status and can have it revoked, thus sending him back to prison while the state of NC prepares its prosecution in the new case. Probably no trial in that one, since Huntley left such overwhelming evidence at the scene that he'll have to plead.
Dumbass.
A t-shirt featuring a photograph of Huntley with the slogan Making Money Is My Thang.
And the dumb SOB just got out of prison last November, so presumably he's still on parole status and can have it revoked, thus sending him back to prison while the state of NC prepares its prosecution in the new case. Probably no trial in that one, since Huntley left such overwhelming evidence at the scene that he'll have to plead.
Dumbass.
Thursday, April 07, 2011
It Was One Of Them Assault Cigarettes
She stuck a lit cigarette in a woman's eye in self-defense, she claims.
Ford said three women, including the one she’d previously had a dispute with inside, then attacked her outside the bar.
“By this time, I’m about to suffocate,” Ford said. “They’re wailing on my head.”
Ford said she burned one of the women with a cigarette in an attempt to stop a beating.
“I didn’t mean to hurt her, but I wanted to make her stop,” Ford said.
What I want to know is, was the cigarette from one of those high-capacity 20-cigarette packs? We can't have people going around with the possibility of burning 20 eyes in a single attack, now can we? We need to restrict cigarette packs to a more reasonable number, like, say, 1 or 2. Or hell, ban them outright. Cigarettes ain't mentioned in the Constitution, so no one should have the right to keep and bear cigarettes. Save people's eyes, ban cigarettes!
FOR THE CHILDREN!
Ford said three women, including the one she’d previously had a dispute with inside, then attacked her outside the bar.
“By this time, I’m about to suffocate,” Ford said. “They’re wailing on my head.”
Ford said she burned one of the women with a cigarette in an attempt to stop a beating.
“I didn’t mean to hurt her, but I wanted to make her stop,” Ford said.
What I want to know is, was the cigarette from one of those high-capacity 20-cigarette packs? We can't have people going around with the possibility of burning 20 eyes in a single attack, now can we? We need to restrict cigarette packs to a more reasonable number, like, say, 1 or 2. Or hell, ban them outright. Cigarettes ain't mentioned in the Constitution, so no one should have the right to keep and bear cigarettes. Save people's eyes, ban cigarettes!
FOR THE CHILDREN!
Just Get Rid of the Gas-Guzzler, Ya Dumb Redneck
President Obama finally answers a question about high gasoline prices.
The party of the working class.
h/t Alan at Snarkybytes.
update: Looks like the Associated Press is trying to make that embarrassing passage disappear.
The party of the working class.
h/t Alan at Snarkybytes.
update: Looks like the Associated Press is trying to make that embarrassing passage disappear.
7.2 Richter Earthquake Off Japan
Heard it on the radio just now. Dear gods, haven't those poor people suffered enough?
Father of the Year
Police pulled Lamonte Smith over for expired license plates. In addition, he didn't have a driver's license on him (imagine that), and when the officer walked back to his car to run the information, Lamonte had outstanding arrest warrants out on him (imagine that), so he took the opportunity to flee the scene, leaving his 2- and 4-year old children in the car.
Whatta guy.
Whatta guy.
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
You Know Your Economy Sucks...
...when people shoot each other over scrap metal.
Or, if you're a Democrat and have to try and spin the story, you'd perhaps say that it shows how serious the men are about recycling.
And in a related headline, thieves in Charlotte are stealing car batteries to be sold to recyclers.
Sounds like recycling is becoming a form of organized crime, doesn't it?
Or, if you're a Democrat and have to try and spin the story, you'd perhaps say that it shows how serious the men are about recycling.
And in a related headline, thieves in Charlotte are stealing car batteries to be sold to recyclers.
Sounds like recycling is becoming a form of organized crime, doesn't it?
Cue the Banjo Music
North Carolina's own "Bonnie and Clyde" were captured after an extended chase by police.
I personally like the part where they stole a truck used to perform maintenance on train tracks, driving it down the tracks until they could find another vehicle.
Peckerwoods, gotta love 'em.
I personally like the part where they stole a truck used to perform maintenance on train tracks, driving it down the tracks until they could find another vehicle.
Peckerwoods, gotta love 'em.
They've Trotted Out the "C" Word
Cult.
And you know what happens when they start using that word. Warm up the tanks, and notify Lon Horiuchi.
And you know what happens when they start using that word. Warm up the tanks, and notify Lon Horiuchi.
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Motherless Child
My mother passed away this morning around 6:30 Eastern time. She'd been in a nursing home for the last couple of years after breaking her hip. Back in February she had a fall in her room and broke her right thigh, and after surgery came down with MRSA, (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which put her into a cycle of rally/relapse which her 89-year old body could not cope with, although she had no other chronic illnesses that would have prevented her living for several more years.
It's possible I'll write more of her in the future, but I just wanted to put this post up so you folks would know why I'll not be posting that much in the next day or so.
It's possible I'll write more of her in the future, but I just wanted to put this post up so you folks would know why I'll not be posting that much in the next day or so.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Nuke Mecca!
via Blackfork, a little interactive map that allows you to vicariously nuke a target of your choice:
Of course, I chose to nuke Mecca:
I would advise being a little careful with your target selection, as you don't want the FBI, ATF or Secret Service knocking on your door to carry out a personalized investigation.
Of course, I chose to nuke Mecca:
I would advise being a little careful with your target selection, as you don't want the FBI, ATF or Secret Service knocking on your door to carry out a personalized investigation.
Put It On The Fiction Shelves?
Over at Reason Magazine, Bill Steigerwald set out to retrace the tracks of John Steinbeck from the book Travels With Charley, and discovered that Steinbeck played fast and loose with his facts.
To the point where it can hardly be classified as non-fiction.
To the point where it can hardly be classified as non-fiction.
Welcome To The Coventry University Hospital
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
So Paul Smith took it on the lam. Unfortunately he was caught by police and returned to the hospital.
So Paul Smith took it on the lam. Unfortunately he was caught by police and returned to the hospital.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
I Was Living In Spain...
...when Jack Nicklaus won his last Masters, in 1986.
A fine Ron Green, Jr., tribute in today's Charlotte Observer.
A fine Ron Green, Jr., tribute in today's Charlotte Observer.
Friday, April 01, 2011
It Must Suck Being A Public Defender
A 22-year-old man raped a 92-year-old woman.
Well, the jury did its job and found him guilty, and even noticed aggravating factors that would keep this raping SOB in prison for 85 years. Hooray! Jury did the right thing!
But wait a minute, the rapist's public defender, doing her job, argues that it's too much:
“He’s 22,” public defender Carol Cline said of her client. “If there were no sentencing enhancements he’s probably going to be in his 60s when he gets out. The upward departure (in sentence) means he never gets out.”
Well, yes, that's the plan. But Cline wasn't done defending the rapist:
Cline argued before Johnson County Judge Stephen Tatum that the jury did not have sufficient cause to recommend the stiffer sentence. She said the state did not do a scientific risk assessment to determine if he posed a future danger to society.
She also challenged the contention that the enhanced sentence was justified by the victim’s age and infirmity.
“She was sharp as a tack,” Cline said of the woman, who managed to call 911 during the attack. “She did all the smart things she was able to do and she was not severely injured.”
And your point is?
Cline said the attack on the victim only lasted a couple of minutes and the rape Angilda committed “was not necessarily worse than the average” rape. She also noted that Angilda faces a longer sentence than he would have if he had murdered the woman.
So in other words, it was rape-lite. Not really "rape-rape."
Cue Whoopi:
How soul-destroying must it be to work for raping pukes like this?
Well, the jury did its job and found him guilty, and even noticed aggravating factors that would keep this raping SOB in prison for 85 years. Hooray! Jury did the right thing!
But wait a minute, the rapist's public defender, doing her job, argues that it's too much:
“He’s 22,” public defender Carol Cline said of her client. “If there were no sentencing enhancements he’s probably going to be in his 60s when he gets out. The upward departure (in sentence) means he never gets out.”
Well, yes, that's the plan. But Cline wasn't done defending the rapist:
Cline argued before Johnson County Judge Stephen Tatum that the jury did not have sufficient cause to recommend the stiffer sentence. She said the state did not do a scientific risk assessment to determine if he posed a future danger to society.
She also challenged the contention that the enhanced sentence was justified by the victim’s age and infirmity.
“She was sharp as a tack,” Cline said of the woman, who managed to call 911 during the attack. “She did all the smart things she was able to do and she was not severely injured.”
And your point is?
Cline said the attack on the victim only lasted a couple of minutes and the rape Angilda committed “was not necessarily worse than the average” rape. She also noted that Angilda faces a longer sentence than he would have if he had murdered the woman.
So in other words, it was rape-lite. Not really "rape-rape."
Cue Whoopi:
How soul-destroying must it be to work for raping pukes like this?
Shipwreck: Unidentifed, Lake Michigan
Story.
The discoverers think it is from the 1820-1830 era. That's Andrew Jackson's era.
They are sending divers down again when the water is warmer, so we'll know more later, hopefully including a name.
The discoverers think it is from the 1820-1830 era. That's Andrew Jackson's era.
They are sending divers down again when the water is warmer, so we'll know more later, hopefully including a name.
Meanwhile, At The Carolina Raptor Center...
...which is just up I-77, an eaglet has died.
Blackfork has some links to other Eagle Cams around the country, including the one at Norfolk Botanical Gardens that I have blogged on in the past.
Blackfork has some links to other Eagle Cams around the country, including the one at Norfolk Botanical Gardens that I have blogged on in the past.
The C Girls
Catholic girls, that is, as in a Catholic Girls' sports team of some sort. Staying at our hotel until Sunday morning. When I got in to work last night I was fully expecting to see girls in the lobby, roaming the halls, etc. None to be seen, and it was quiet as the grave all night long. When I went to deliver receipts and newspapers I discovered why: on each of the doors to rooms containing Catholic Girls, the chaperones had sealed the doors with pink masking tape, so as to be able to tell if any had violated curfew.
Very old-fashioned, and very much appreciated by this hotel worker.
*grins*
Very old-fashioned, and very much appreciated by this hotel worker.
*grins*
The D Boys
I've been monitoring news stories here in Charlotte and elsewhere for a while now over what I call the "D Factor." The D Factor is the likelihood that, on any given day, a crime involving violence, shootings, stabbings, murders, robberies and burglaries will feature an African-American man in his 20's with a stupid-sounding name beginning with the letter "D."
For example, in today's Gainesville Sun: (Gainesville was my birth city)
Kevin Dushay Collins, 26, committed sexual battery;
A brawl at an apartment complex landed Deshard Collins, 24, in jail. Don't know if he's related to Kevin Dushay Collins mentioned above. (His opponent was Tuquana Yolanda Williams, 22.)
Shaun Donte Watson was arrested for burglary.
Scanning arrests here in the Charlotte area I see:
Austin Demar Burnett, drug possession;
Dontavious Damarcus Hollis, larceny; (Double D on this one!)
Desmin Martez Logan, resisting arrest;
Charles Darneil Norwood, drug possession;
Demarcus Antonio Sings, failure to produce ID.
And since I first drafted this entry a week ago the following have appeared:
An armed robbery down in Monroe, NC, one of the participants was Donnell Montez Haley, 19.
Down in South Carolina in the Charleston area, a crime spree occurred in the aptly-named Folly Beach area, with fighting and gunfights leading to one death and two wounded. One of the participants was named Detrichia Sellers.
If the infamous "Sumdood" were to be given a name, it would probably start with the letter D.
Presumably if I had a Masters in Anthropology I could publish a learned paper with a title such as Some Factors In Crime Statistics As Related To Naming Trends In African-American Communities and be taken seriously, but since I don't, we'll just dismiss this as racist stereotyping.
For example, in today's Gainesville Sun: (Gainesville was my birth city)
Kevin Dushay Collins, 26, committed sexual battery;
A brawl at an apartment complex landed Deshard Collins, 24, in jail. Don't know if he's related to Kevin Dushay Collins mentioned above. (His opponent was Tuquana Yolanda Williams, 22.)
Shaun Donte Watson was arrested for burglary.
Scanning arrests here in the Charlotte area I see:
Austin Demar Burnett, drug possession;
Dontavious Damarcus Hollis, larceny; (Double D on this one!)
Desmin Martez Logan, resisting arrest;
Charles Darneil Norwood, drug possession;
Demarcus Antonio Sings, failure to produce ID.
And since I first drafted this entry a week ago the following have appeared:
An armed robbery down in Monroe, NC, one of the participants was Donnell Montez Haley, 19.
Down in South Carolina in the Charleston area, a crime spree occurred in the aptly-named Folly Beach area, with fighting and gunfights leading to one death and two wounded. One of the participants was named Detrichia Sellers.
If the infamous "Sumdood" were to be given a name, it would probably start with the letter D.
Presumably if I had a Masters in Anthropology I could publish a learned paper with a title such as Some Factors In Crime Statistics As Related To Naming Trends In African-American Communities and be taken seriously, but since I don't, we'll just dismiss this as racist stereotyping.
USS Nassau (LHA-4) Decommissioned
Story.
I served aboard her briefly on two occasions. She and her sister ship Saipan (LHA-2) made the best Navy cinnamon rolls for breakfast I've ever eaten. Big, comfortable ships, although when the Marines were embarked the queues for chow, ship's store, and even the geedunk (soda) machines were ridiculous. I got the chance to fly as a passenger in Nassau's helicopters and landing craft, and even departed the ship once via landing craft and amphibious landing at Little Creek Amphibious Base. Lots of good memories there.
I served aboard her briefly on two occasions. She and her sister ship Saipan (LHA-2) made the best Navy cinnamon rolls for breakfast I've ever eaten. Big, comfortable ships, although when the Marines were embarked the queues for chow, ship's store, and even the geedunk (soda) machines were ridiculous. I got the chance to fly as a passenger in Nassau's helicopters and landing craft, and even departed the ship once via landing craft and amphibious landing at Little Creek Amphibious Base. Lots of good memories there.
Orcas & Tunas On The NC Outer Banks
Fishermen at Oregon Inlet at the North Carolina Outer Banks were happily hooking Bluefin Tuna when a pod of Orcas (Killer Whales) decided to join in.
Orcas aren't normally found this far south, so it was a rare treat for the fishermen to see them, even if they were losing their hooked tunas to the cetaceans.
More info here, including photos.
Here's one sample pic:
Orcas aren't normally found this far south, so it was a rare treat for the fishermen to see them, even if they were losing their hooked tunas to the cetaceans.
More info here, including photos.
Here's one sample pic:
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Our Wilsonian President & His Wilsonian War
A fine analysis by Walter Russell Mead.
If you're the thoughtful type, you should probably be reading Mead's blog regularly.
If you're the thoughtful type, you should probably be reading Mead's blog regularly.
Message In A Bottle: Baltic Sea, 24 Years Later
Tossed off the side of a ship by a German boy, found 24 years later by a Russian boy.
The article theorizes that the glass bottle spent most of that time buried in beach sand, and that's probably true; fragile glass wouldn't easily have survived in the water for 24 years, and would have been covered with marine growths.
You're better off, if you wish to throw a bottle message into the sea, to use a modern lightweight plastic bottle. I've had pretty good success with such bottles, myself. It's a great thrill to receive an email noting that a bottle you threw into the sea had been found. Click the tag below for some of those stories.
The article theorizes that the glass bottle spent most of that time buried in beach sand, and that's probably true; fragile glass wouldn't easily have survived in the water for 24 years, and would have been covered with marine growths.
You're better off, if you wish to throw a bottle message into the sea, to use a modern lightweight plastic bottle. I've had pretty good success with such bottles, myself. It's a great thrill to receive an email noting that a bottle you threw into the sea had been found. Click the tag below for some of those stories.
Bull Market In Satanism Creates Opportunities For Careers In Exorcism
Sorry, couldn't resist giving this story a headline of the sort that might be found at USA Today or Yahoo! News.
Meanwhile, Also In South Carolina...
...the Lucky Seven #2 convenience store in Gadsden has been ordered to stop selling raccoon meat.
I'd have to guess that, if Robert Earl Keen had been a native of South Carolina instead of Texas, that raccoon meat would have been on the list of items to buy in the song Merry Christmas From the Family:
I'd have to guess that, if Robert Earl Keen had been a native of South Carolina instead of Texas, that raccoon meat would have been on the list of items to buy in the song Merry Christmas From the Family:
Babysitter FAIL of the Day
IF you're going to be a babysitter and you have a habit of smoking marijuana, it's probably good policy NOT to teach your young charges how to roll joints.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Fried...Pie
Now I'll be the first to admit that although I'm a Southerner born and bred, there's a lot of traditional Southern cuisine I don't eat, nor have ever tasted. One such treat is Fried Pie.
Note: I haven't tried this recipe, so I don't know how it tastes or will turn out. I just offer it for your consideration.
I'll see if I can find one in a local convenience store, since I'm not a skilled baker. If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out.
Note: I haven't tried this recipe, so I don't know how it tastes or will turn out. I just offer it for your consideration.
I'll see if I can find one in a local convenience store, since I'm not a skilled baker. If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out.
Interesting Side-Effect Of War
Because so many military members stationed in North Carolina are deployed overseas in our various wars, North Carolina will not receive an additional Congressional seat that it would have been awarded from the results of the 2010 Census.
It works this way: if the military members had been home in North Carolina, they would have been counted as NC residents for Census purposes; since they were all deployed, the Census counts them as part of their home state, or state of origin. (It's explained better in the linked story, believe me).
Another interesting side-effect of this Census practice is that, since most of the large US military bases are in the South, potential loss of seats in Congress would be larger from Southern states than northern/midwest states with smaller military populations. Of course, those same northern and midwest states are the ones that lose residents due to high taxes/high cost of living, so it seems to balance out, doesn't it?
It works this way: if the military members had been home in North Carolina, they would have been counted as NC residents for Census purposes; since they were all deployed, the Census counts them as part of their home state, or state of origin. (It's explained better in the linked story, believe me).
Another interesting side-effect of this Census practice is that, since most of the large US military bases are in the South, potential loss of seats in Congress would be larger from Southern states than northern/midwest states with smaller military populations. Of course, those same northern and midwest states are the ones that lose residents due to high taxes/high cost of living, so it seems to balance out, doesn't it?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Our Son-In-Law, the Pirate
A Somali pirate who is holding a Danish family captive is willing to forego ransom demands if they instead give him their 13-year-old daughter as a wife.
This is so bizarre a story I don't even know how to comment on it.
This is so bizarre a story I don't even know how to comment on it.
Over At Massad Ayoob's Blog...
...Mas celebrates the birthday of the 1911 by showing off the first one he ever owned, and still owns.
And it's a 1911, not a 1911A1, but has been customised a bit down through the years; not, however, to extremes. He didn't turn it into a racegun, in other words.
And it's a 1911, not a 1911A1, but has been customised a bit down through the years; not, however, to extremes. He didn't turn it into a racegun, in other words.
Drunkenness, Or Perhaps Tourette's
That's the only thing I can conclude as to the reason Jacqueline Howett destroyed her budding writing career with an ill-advised series of replies to a bad book review. The review and the comments have gone viral, and Howett is a laughingstock.
h/t John Scalzi.
h/t John Scalzi.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Whole Lot Erasin' Goin' On
In some Washington DC schools where low standardized test scores are endangering teacher jobs because of the No Child Left Behind Act, there's a whole lot of erasing being done on those tests.
*nudge nudge wink wink* Say no more!
*nudge nudge wink wink* Say no more!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Treasure Blog: Atocha
If you thought that Mel Fisher's success in finding the Nuestra Señora de Atocha was finished back in the 1970's, you'd be wrong.
Fisher is dead now, of course, but his company still owns the salvage rights to the Atocha, and they'll tell you that all of the treasure hasn't yet been recovered: for instance, this gold cross and chain, fished up recently:
Apparently the contents of the stern castle of the ship, where the wealthy passengers were quartered, have not been found, and there is potentially billions of dollars in treasure to be gained if the stern castle is discovered.
Fisher is dead now, of course, but his company still owns the salvage rights to the Atocha, and they'll tell you that all of the treasure hasn't yet been recovered: for instance, this gold cross and chain, fished up recently:
Apparently the contents of the stern castle of the ship, where the wealthy passengers were quartered, have not been found, and there is potentially billions of dollars in treasure to be gained if the stern castle is discovered.
Traveler's Advisory
If you're traveling to Austria, don't yodel during the Islamic call to prayer. That's now a crime.
h/t reason.com
I note that the yodeler's name is Helmut Griese, which sounds like a character name from Spaceballs.
h/t reason.com
I note that the yodeler's name is Helmut Griese, which sounds like a character name from Spaceballs.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Knobby In Shelby
In other words: Bigfoot (Sasquatch) in Shelby, NC.
Shelby is about 40 miles from here; I go up there occasionally to eat BBQ.
I'm as skeptical on Bigfoot/Yeti/Loch Ness Monster sightings as I am on the subject of God and necrodestinations. When someone brings in a Bigfoot carcass for scientists to study, or even better, brings one back alive á la Frank Buck, I'll give it some consideration, but until then, not so much. These things usually turn out to be canny rural people hoaxing city people, and it's not a new phenomenon.
If you go to the details of the story at the website linked by Fox News, you read some fun stuff, such as:
4. I was there on the road with it and I truly believe it was real. I clearly saw its private parts and it was a male. I have never saw a suit with male parts. I could clearly see its rear and anal region when it ran into the woods.There was a very distinct odor coming from this animal. I believe it was real. I do not see how it could have been anyone wearing a suit. Unless I am proved wrong I will always believe this was a real living breathing being.
And...
5. It is a Slick brand cheap video camera I purchased at the Dollar Store. I wish I had been in possession of a better camera but it was what I had. When it ran into the woods I tried to follow it in but the camera would not pick up anything in the darkness there under the trees.
And, don't provoke it!
7. When it growled at me I saw yellow teeth in a very real looking mouth. It threw its hands up in the air and I don't know why when it growled at me. I do not think it was waving at me I think it was pissed that I was there on the road with it.
Like so many other people in rural NC, Knobby needs some dental work.
h/t Hot Air Headlines.
Shelby is about 40 miles from here; I go up there occasionally to eat BBQ.
I'm as skeptical on Bigfoot/Yeti/Loch Ness Monster sightings as I am on the subject of God and necrodestinations. When someone brings in a Bigfoot carcass for scientists to study, or even better, brings one back alive á la Frank Buck, I'll give it some consideration, but until then, not so much. These things usually turn out to be canny rural people hoaxing city people, and it's not a new phenomenon.
If you go to the details of the story at the website linked by Fox News, you read some fun stuff, such as:
4. I was there on the road with it and I truly believe it was real. I clearly saw its private parts and it was a male. I have never saw a suit with male parts. I could clearly see its rear and anal region when it ran into the woods.There was a very distinct odor coming from this animal. I believe it was real. I do not see how it could have been anyone wearing a suit. Unless I am proved wrong I will always believe this was a real living breathing being.
And...
5. It is a Slick brand cheap video camera I purchased at the Dollar Store. I wish I had been in possession of a better camera but it was what I had. When it ran into the woods I tried to follow it in but the camera would not pick up anything in the darkness there under the trees.
And, don't provoke it!
7. When it growled at me I saw yellow teeth in a very real looking mouth. It threw its hands up in the air and I don't know why when it growled at me. I do not think it was waving at me I think it was pissed that I was there on the road with it.
Like so many other people in rural NC, Knobby needs some dental work.
h/t Hot Air Headlines.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Another Type of Gallantry
A newly published book claims that Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie engaged in sexual intercourse during the love scene for the movie Don't Look Now.
Mr. Sutherland is refuting the claim, saying that intercourse didn't occur.
While Sutherland is a liberal ideologically and has starred in several left-wing films from the debauched 60's and 70's, his refutation in this instance is very virtuous. It could simply be the truth; if it's not, then Sutherland is displaying an old-fashioned gallantry in his denial of dalliance with the lovely Ms. Christie. In these latter days of reality shows, such a denial would be unheard of; boasting, smirking and winking (by both man and woman involved) would be the order of the day.
Well done, Mr. Sutherland.
Of course, it's not the same order of magnitude as single-handedly taking on 30 Taliban or charging two machine-gun nests, but...well, it IS Julie Christie we're talking about here...Hmmm.
I'll have to think about this one for a while. Here's a pic of Christie from the time period involved, you decide for yourself if you could forgo:
Mr. Sutherland is refuting the claim, saying that intercourse didn't occur.
While Sutherland is a liberal ideologically and has starred in several left-wing films from the debauched 60's and 70's, his refutation in this instance is very virtuous. It could simply be the truth; if it's not, then Sutherland is displaying an old-fashioned gallantry in his denial of dalliance with the lovely Ms. Christie. In these latter days of reality shows, such a denial would be unheard of; boasting, smirking and winking (by both man and woman involved) would be the order of the day.
Well done, Mr. Sutherland.
Of course, it's not the same order of magnitude as single-handedly taking on 30 Taliban or charging two machine-gun nests, but...well, it IS Julie Christie we're talking about here...Hmmm.
I'll have to think about this one for a while. Here's a pic of Christie from the time period involved, you decide for yourself if you could forgo:
1 Gurkha, 30 Taliban: Gurkha Wins, Of Course
You expected differently from a Gurkha?
My only disappointment is he didn't decapitate the SOB's with his Kukri.
My only disappointment is he didn't decapitate the SOB's with his Kukri.
Chuck Him Out, the Brute!
Meanwhile, over in Oz (Australia)...
The Australian Defence Minister had to apologize to the Afghan government over Australian soldiers calling Afghans "Sand Niggaz," "Ragheads," and "Dune Coons."
The head of the Australian Navy has warned the seagoing service to end its culture of alcohol-fueled debauchery. (Knock off the rum and sodomy, or it's the Lash!)
The Prince of Wales is defending the Australians for referring to him as a "Pommy Poofter."
And also, almost incidentally...
a member of the Australian SAS won the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry in Afghanistan, charging two separate machine-gun nests single-handedly.
All of this simply reinforces the words of Rudyard Kipling:
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.
From Tommy.
update: added the Churchill reference in the Navy link.
The Australian Defence Minister had to apologize to the Afghan government over Australian soldiers calling Afghans "Sand Niggaz," "Ragheads," and "Dune Coons."
The head of the Australian Navy has warned the seagoing service to end its culture of alcohol-fueled debauchery. (Knock off the rum and sodomy, or it's the Lash!)
The Prince of Wales is defending the Australians for referring to him as a "Pommy Poofter."
And also, almost incidentally...
a member of the Australian SAS won the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry in Afghanistan, charging two separate machine-gun nests single-handedly.
All of this simply reinforces the words of Rudyard Kipling:
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.
From Tommy.
update: added the Churchill reference in the Navy link.
Best Wishes Sought
Sara, the companion of my BBQ forays, underwent gastric bypass surgery this past Monday. She intends to lose a lot of weight, and this was the solution she chose. Please send her your best wishes as she recovers from her surgery.
A Question I'm Sure You'll Ask
"So, Bob, are you going to be any more profound this time? What makes you think you're qualified to be a blogger?"
Well, if Barack Obama feels himself qualified to be Commander-In-Chief and send our young men to war in Libya, I certainly feel qualified to snark on that subject.
Well, if Barack Obama feels himself qualified to be Commander-In-Chief and send our young men to war in Libya, I certainly feel qualified to snark on that subject.
Zippos & Rippos
Zippo of Bradford, PA has problems with Chinese knock-offs.
I have a few Zippos at home, but they basically stay in a drawer. You're better off with a $3 disposable butane lighter than you are with a Zippo. And if you're a non-smoker and don't need the convenience of a lighter, you can carry a Swedish Army Firesteel as an emergency firestarter.
I have a few Zippos at home, but they basically stay in a drawer. You're better off with a $3 disposable butane lighter than you are with a Zippo. And if you're a non-smoker and don't need the convenience of a lighter, you can carry a Swedish Army Firesteel as an emergency firestarter.
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