Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) is claiming that the gun found in possession of his aide Phillip Thompson was not the senator's.
At least that's how I read the story. It doesn't seem clear at this point.
The aide can't be stupid enough to take a prison term if it isn't his own pistol. If it's Webb's, how's he going to spin it?
He can count on the media downplaying it, since he's a Democrat, and if he committed an offense so obvious that he'd have to resign, it would throw the Senate to the Republicans.
Fun story....
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sheep, 15% Human.
via The Mail.
Apparently the sheep have political opinions; one of them nibbled on some shrubbery, spat it out, and said, "Bush baaaaaaaaad."
Apparently the sheep have political opinions; one of them nibbled on some shrubbery, spat it out, and said, "Bush baaaaaaaaad."
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Question Of The Day
I wonder why we don't have an Emergency Broadcast System for personal computers yet?
Or if we do, could someone point me at a link?
Or if we do, could someone point me at a link?
Consumer Protection Journalism - - In China
via Reuters.
Chinese journalists submitted samples of tea purporting to be urine samples to hospitals, and got diagnoses of Urinary Tract Infections in return.
Got that ol' lapsang souchong dripping out of my dong.....
Chinese journalists submitted samples of tea purporting to be urine samples to hospitals, and got diagnoses of Urinary Tract Infections in return.
Got that ol' lapsang souchong dripping out of my dong.....
Piano Owned By Chopin Found In UK.
via Reuters.
By Paul Majendie
LONDON (Reuters) - The grand piano Frederic Chopin took on his last concert tour has been found in an English country house thanks to detective work by a Swiss musical scholar.
"It came as a bolt from the blue," said British collector Alec Cobbe after discovering that the piano he bought 20 years ago for 2,000 pounds is a piece of musical history.
For more than 150 years after the composer's death, Chopin's piano vanished until Professor Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger researched the ledgers of French pianomaker Camille Pleyel.
The scholar, who had met Cobbe at a Chopin conference, came to see the collector armed with details of where and to whom all the Pleyel pianos were sold.
By its serial number, he was able to identify Cobbe's piano as the one the Polish-born composer brought to Britain on a farewell tour in 1848.
"There are only three other pianos known to have been possessed by Chopin. One is in Paris and one is in Majorca and neither of those work. The last is in Warsaw," he said.
"Ours works utterly beautifully. It is something very special when you are playing it."
Before leaving Britain to return to Paris after what turned out to be the last tour before his death, Chopin sold the Pleyel to an English aristocrat called Lady Trotter.
Bequeathed to one of her relatives, the piano ended up in a country mansion before being sent to auction and then sold to Cobbe by a dealer in antique pianos.
Chopin's piano is part of the Cobbe collection of musical instruments displayed at Hatchlands, a country house run by Britain's National Trust in the southern English county of Surrey.
It is billed as the world's finest music collection, boasting instruments owned or played by Purcell, Bach, Mozart and Mahler.
Now, after two decades in blissful ignorance, Cobbe can proclaim he possesses a Chopin grand piano.
By Paul Majendie
LONDON (Reuters) - The grand piano Frederic Chopin took on his last concert tour has been found in an English country house thanks to detective work by a Swiss musical scholar.
"It came as a bolt from the blue," said British collector Alec Cobbe after discovering that the piano he bought 20 years ago for 2,000 pounds is a piece of musical history.
For more than 150 years after the composer's death, Chopin's piano vanished until Professor Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger researched the ledgers of French pianomaker Camille Pleyel.
The scholar, who had met Cobbe at a Chopin conference, came to see the collector armed with details of where and to whom all the Pleyel pianos were sold.
By its serial number, he was able to identify Cobbe's piano as the one the Polish-born composer brought to Britain on a farewell tour in 1848.
"There are only three other pianos known to have been possessed by Chopin. One is in Paris and one is in Majorca and neither of those work. The last is in Warsaw," he said.
"Ours works utterly beautifully. It is something very special when you are playing it."
Before leaving Britain to return to Paris after what turned out to be the last tour before his death, Chopin sold the Pleyel to an English aristocrat called Lady Trotter.
Bequeathed to one of her relatives, the piano ended up in a country mansion before being sent to auction and then sold to Cobbe by a dealer in antique pianos.
Chopin's piano is part of the Cobbe collection of musical instruments displayed at Hatchlands, a country house run by Britain's National Trust in the southern English county of Surrey.
It is billed as the world's finest music collection, boasting instruments owned or played by Purcell, Bach, Mozart and Mahler.
Now, after two decades in blissful ignorance, Cobbe can proclaim he possesses a Chopin grand piano.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
He Once Was Lost But Now Is Found
The lost NC boy scout, that is.
(AP) A rescue dog led searchers Tuesday to a 12-year-old Boy Scout, who was weak and dehydrated but alive in the rugged North Carolina mountains, about a mile from the camp he had wandered away from four days earlier.
"He was a little disoriented, but he was great," said Misha Marshall, the South Carolina Search and Rescue Dog Association volunteer whose dog, Gandalf, found Michael Auberry on a wooded ridge.
Apparently the boy has read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen:
As a Scout, Michael had had some wilderness training. His father also talked about one of Michael's favorite books when he was younger, a story about a boy whose plane crashes in the wilderness, and how the boy survives on his own.
"I think he's got some of that book in his mind," Auberry said. "They do a great job in the Scouts of educating the kids of what to beware of and tips. I'm hopeful that Michael has taken those to heart."
It's a good book for young adults to learn survival from. I recommend it without reservation.
(AP) A rescue dog led searchers Tuesday to a 12-year-old Boy Scout, who was weak and dehydrated but alive in the rugged North Carolina mountains, about a mile from the camp he had wandered away from four days earlier.
"He was a little disoriented, but he was great," said Misha Marshall, the South Carolina Search and Rescue Dog Association volunteer whose dog, Gandalf, found Michael Auberry on a wooded ridge.
Apparently the boy has read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen:
As a Scout, Michael had had some wilderness training. His father also talked about one of Michael's favorite books when he was younger, a story about a boy whose plane crashes in the wilderness, and how the boy survives on his own.
"I think he's got some of that book in his mind," Auberry said. "They do a great job in the Scouts of educating the kids of what to beware of and tips. I'm hopeful that Michael has taken those to heart."
It's a good book for young adults to learn survival from. I recommend it without reservation.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Kids In Arkansas Find 2.5 Carat Diamond
Two kids at a state park in Arkansas found a 2.5 carat diamond.
"They thought it was a piece of mica. When they learned it was a diamond, there were many 'woo hoos' and high-fives exchanged," said Rachel Engrecht of the Crater of Diamonds State park.
She said the children found the 2.50 carat diamond during the weekend in the park, where visitors are encouraged to prospect for the precious stones.
Another park official, Bill Henderson told AFP on Monday the gem could be worth several thousands of dollars.
Probably more than that, depending on the quality of it.
Damp Squid?
Yah, according to the TimesOnline.
Pretty bad when the Times of London doesn't even know proper usage of a British metaphor.
Britney Spears, Puker
Britney Spears is bulimic and bipolar, according to an anonymous source.
Just who is this anonymous source, anyway? How come they are allowed to get away with revealing all this stuff about every celebrity out there without any obvious consequences? I'm guessing this one is from staff at the rehab facility.
It wouldn't surprise me if it's true, though. Hard to keep a smoking body with white-trash eating habits like Britney has unless you're a puker.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Puts His Foot In
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine General Peter Pace, has gone on record as saying that homosexual acts are immoral.
"I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts," Pace said in an interview with the newspaper. "I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is okay to be immoral in any way."
Well, I hope he's ready for the hue and cry that are about to go up, along with the summons to various Congressional committees to be scolded and scorned by the various Democrats who chair those committees. It's even possible he'll be forced to resign. The next few weeks will tell the tale.
"I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts," Pace said in an interview with the newspaper. "I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is okay to be immoral in any way."
Well, I hope he's ready for the hue and cry that are about to go up, along with the summons to various Congressional committees to be scolded and scorned by the various Democrats who chair those committees. It's even possible he'll be forced to resign. The next few weeks will tell the tale.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Tribute to The Spoiler, Don Jardine
Don Jardine, who wrestled as The Spoiler, died December 16th of last year, age 66, complications of leukemia. He was Canadian by birth, passed away there.
He was one of the two "heels" who most made an impression on me as a youngster, the other being Buddy Colt. Both were soft-spoken and very menacing, not given to shouting or lots of gesticulation/facial contortion. Cold, cold men, scary wrestlers.
The Spoiler was lean and in great shape compared to many wrestlers, and his sense of balace was extraordinary. He was the first wrestler I ever saw walk the top ring rope in perfect balance, no swaying or hesitation, as if he was on the mat below. (I understand he taught The Undertaker this skill). He used an "Iron Claw" as a submission hold. Others used it as well, I remember Pak Song and The Sheik using "Iron Claw," and wrestlers relying on Germanic/Nazi images seemed to particularly specialize in the move: Siegfried Stanke or Fritz von Erich come to mind. (I may be having a memory lapse on these, if I am, forgive me).
Don Jardine wrote some poetry after his retirement; here's one of his poems:
Dreams
I dream of sun and mountain streams too soon
The ones that flow through my life at noon
They ripple their waves against my sands of time
As if this pleasure was as tasty as gushes of wine
Yes, my dreams sometimes take the low road of shame
But then I escape to a sanctuary of higher up fame
As the wind coils it's life around the unforgiving sea
Only then will I see the meaning of sky blue trees.
I hear the spirit tree of life making a silent scream
Exploring the murky clouds soul searching for my lost dream
When will the sky release it's last snow flake earth-bound
I realize my passionate awakening alarms my sleepless sound
Donald Jardine
Copyright ©2007 Donald Jardine
Donald Jardine, The Spoiler. Rest In Peace.
Texas Rattlesnake Roundup Vs. Ecologists
via Reuters.
It's time for the annual rattlesnake roundups in Sweetwater, Texas, and the ecologists are there to register their formal ecological disapproval:
"There's no glory in rattlesnake hunting," said Lee Fitzgerald, an associate professor and curator of amphibians and reptiles at Texas A&M University.
Hunters scour the arid landscape for snake dens, into which they pump gas fumes to drive them out. Then they snatch them with the tongs.
Hunters say the fumes have minimal ecological impact but many scientists disagree.
"It's an unethical way to hunt and it harms other animals such as scorpions and rodents," said Fitzgerald.
Frankly, I'm not going to be overly concerned with the welfare of rats and scorpions, thanks all the same.
It's time for the annual rattlesnake roundups in Sweetwater, Texas, and the ecologists are there to register their formal ecological disapproval:
"There's no glory in rattlesnake hunting," said Lee Fitzgerald, an associate professor and curator of amphibians and reptiles at Texas A&M University.
Hunters scour the arid landscape for snake dens, into which they pump gas fumes to drive them out. Then they snatch them with the tongs.
Hunters say the fumes have minimal ecological impact but many scientists disagree.
"It's an unethical way to hunt and it harms other animals such as scorpions and rodents," said Fitzgerald.
Frankly, I'm not going to be overly concerned with the welfare of rats and scorpions, thanks all the same.
A Few Thoughts On Comic Books
Since the death of Captain America in the most recent issue of that comic book, I have been reflecting on a comment someone made; it was possibly by Joe Quesada, the publisher of Marvel, to the effect that based on letters he received, liberals think Captain America would be joining protesters marching against the Iraq war, and conservatives would want Cap to go to Iraq to kick Saddam's ass. It's another profound example of the political divide in the US right now.
I started wondering: would Marvel, for example, be able to increase its market share and number of comics sold if it catered to both red states and blue states?
Is that a good thing? Would it lead to the hardening of the divisions?
Isn't the same thing happening in the music industry? Country music is divided in red and blue camps now, isn't it?
Saturday, March 10, 2007
World's Hottest Chili Pepper: From India
via CNN.
It's called the Bhut Jolokia, or ghost chili.
On the Scoville units scale, the Bhut Jolokia measures 1,001,304, or twice as hot as the next hottest, the Red Savina. By comparison, the typical Mexican chili measures 1500, and a jalapeño comes in at 10,000.
Imagine that one being used in pepper spray for crowd control.
It's called the Bhut Jolokia, or ghost chili.
On the Scoville units scale, the Bhut Jolokia measures 1,001,304, or twice as hot as the next hottest, the Red Savina. By comparison, the typical Mexican chili measures 1500, and a jalapeño comes in at 10,000.
Imagine that one being used in pepper spray for crowd control.
Sincerity and Honesty: I Like That In A Writer.
In an article about the death of Captain America, I happened to glance at the small blurb that the writer, Steve Shives, included in his author profile:
I'm not especially intelligent or eloquent, but I'm honest, independent and prolific, so chances are I'll stumble over an insight here and there. Thanks for reading, and don't be shy with the feedback.
This is self-effacing, sincere and very charming. It makes me happy to see a writer make a statement like that about himself, especially in these days of arrogance and snark.
Thank you, Steve.
I'm not especially intelligent or eloquent, but I'm honest, independent and prolific, so chances are I'll stumble over an insight here and there. Thanks for reading, and don't be shy with the feedback.
This is self-effacing, sincere and very charming. It makes me happy to see a writer make a statement like that about himself, especially in these days of arrogance and snark.
Thank you, Steve.
Volcanoes On Io, Jupiter's Moon: Extraordinary!
via NASA.
Good article for those interested in volcanoes and space.
There are plumes from two different volcanoes in the photograph, positioned at 9:00 o'clock and 11:00 o'clock.
Apparently the fierce tidal pull of Jupiter and the other moons causes the vulcanism on Io(see animation toward bottom of article).
Friday, March 09, 2007
First Captain America, Now Lassie.
The news isn't good these days. Marvel Comics killed off Captain America, and now I read that Lassie died in a fire while saving her family.
These deaths always happen in threes, you know. Who'll be next? Bozo the Clown? Kermit from Sesame Street?
It gives me the shivers just thinking about it.
These deaths always happen in threes, you know. Who'll be next? Bozo the Clown? Kermit from Sesame Street?
It gives me the shivers just thinking about it.
New Edged Tool Arrives!
A Bark River Woodland. A2 steel and handle scales of bone, jigged to resemble stag. A2 is a nice old tool steel, it will take a patina and even rust if you don't care for it. Bone jigged to resemble stag is an old cutler's trick, this is one of the better efforts you'll see, it's possible that the Bark River people did it with CNC machines. The sheath is a little too heavy for the knife, and a little too small, too. The knife should slide easily into and out of the sheath; this one must be forced in or out, thus making it damned dangerous. I'm willing to bet that Bark River uses this sheath for all the knives of this pattern, not taking into account diffent handle materials; I'm betting that this knife of mine has thicker handle scales than if it had Micarta scales.
$108.00, all told. Nice knife.
UPDATE: after soaking in water for several hours to soften the leather, I put the knife in the sheath and wet-molded the sheath to the knife. This is the technique used by holstermakers to custom fit guns, and is called boning. I'm happy to say that after the boning, the knife and sheath are better matched now, and I'm much happier with the sheath.
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