Justice Alito

I was pleased that Justice Alito was confirmed today, and that he was able to be present in his robes at the State of the Union address. It was kind of cool to see him standing there with Justice Thomas and Chief Justice Roberts.

As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap......

I hope everyone on the left remembers this confirmation fight. Because I guarantee that those of us on the right will.

We provided a recent example to the Democratic Party on how confirmations were supposed to take place. During President Clinton's (a man the right despised at least as much as the left despises Pres. Bush) term of office he appointed two Justices, and both confirmations were handled respectfully by the Republicans. (Even though it would have been easy to filibuster both of them.) Remember this is after the disgraceful actions of the Democratic Party in regards to Judge Bork and Justice Thomas. We had every reason to extract a measure of revenge, but instead did the mature thing.

Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsberg was a lawyer for the ACLU, and clearly a far-left Liberal. However she was confirmed with a 97-3 vote.

Justice Breyer was confirmed with a 87-9 vote.

Even though the Republican Party opposes the liberal and activist philosophies of these two Justices, Republicans recognized that President Clinton had won the election (and it must be noted won with less than 50% of the vote) and had the right to appoint the Justices he wanted. It would have been extremely easy to justify a filibuster on Justice Bader-Ginsberg by using her work for the ACLU, or even on the grounds that President Clinton had not won a majority, and thus should appoint someone more mainstream. (Remember at the beginning of the hearings when the left was telling evetyone that President Bush should appoint someone more mainstream, even though he had won election by a majority?) However, the Republicans acted maturely and responsibly, and confirmed President Clinton's appointees.

Now we have this infantile and emotional display from the left. It will not be forgotten. One day by some miracle the left might win the presidency again. And that president might have the opportunity to appoint a Supreme Court Justice.

Tell me truly, how do you expect the Republican Party to act then? You can treat us with disrespect and contempt for only so long before we will respond in kind.

Sen. Chafee

This guy really chaps my ass. He has received millions of dollars of support from the Republican party in fighting against more conservative challengers from the right. Then he turns around and supports the filibuster, thus giving the Democrats the cover they need to start calling the filibuster bipartisan. It's time to abandon Chafee, and let him change parties like he obviously wants to do, and support Stephen Laffey. I hearby pledge that I will donate no money to any Republican organization that does not repudiate Chafee and support Laffey.

Update: Apparently sanity returned, and Chafee voted for cloture. I'm still not thrilled with the guy. All he has managed to do is annoy both the right and the left.

Time to Halt the Gravy Train pt 4

I just heard on Headline News that FEMA is going to extend the deadline for those staying in hotels yet again! Somebody needs to wake up! These freeloaders aren't going to leave until you evict them! They're living better and more comfortably than they ever have, and than they will be when they are finally cut off from the government teat. Katrina hit New Orleans and Mississippi on August 29, 2005. According to FEMA, there are currently 27,000 rooms still being paid for by we taxpayers. Those people can get a code that will allow them to stay in those rooms after Feb. 7, 2006. Some of them will be allowed to stay Until March 1, 2006. (and theoretically even longer in some cases)

How many times are we going to tell these folks that their time is up...find yourself a place to live? I would love for somebody to do a survey of the people living in those 27,000 rooms and find out how many of them were, and are, on welfare and other government handouts.

Sir Arthur C Clarke

This visionary is one of my deadpool picks this year. He is 89 years old, confined to a wheelchair, and lives in a third world country. But somebody up there apparently likes him, not even the Tsunami that hit Sri Lanka ( He has lived there for fifty years) was able to touch him. He predicted satellites nine years before they were invented and that men would walk on the moon in 1945.

He was knighted by the Queen of England (after enduring charges of pedophilia that were disproved) for his work in science and science fiction. He has several awards named after him, and continues to encourage the exploration and exploitation of space.

My heart is glad he is still with us, but my greed says it is time to go.....

Whither the Democratic Party?

The Democratic Party is currently lost in the wilderness. It can't decide if it is the party of the center-left as represented by the DLC, or the party of the far left, as represented by the loonies like Michael Moore and the Daily Kos. Everyone knows that the Democratic Party can't win national elections. They haven't won a competitive election since LBJ in 1964. The only reason Pres. Carter won in 1976 was because he was running against an unelected president who had been appointed vice-president by Pres. Nixon and savaged by the popular media as a buffoon. President Clinton only won his two elections because they were both three candidate elections in which the third candidate syphoned off votes from the Republican candidate. (Clinton had a plurality, not a majority in both of his elections)

The loony left has convinced themselves that the reason why the Democrats can't win is because they aren't loony enough! They oppose thiose who try to maintain the Democratic Party's claims to being mainstream , like the DLC and Sen. Zell Miller. They are currently savaging people who are Democratic supporters, and all but Democratic operatives, such as Katie Couric and Chris Matthews. They have managed to draw the support of Sen.s Kerry and Kennedy, and this is forcing others like Sen.Feinstein and Sen. Clinton to tag along to protect their standing in the party.

We could be seeing the implosion of the current Democratic party. Will they follow the loony left into oblivion? Will they drive the loony left from the party? How will the party react when they lose in 2008?

The party of Andrew Jackson has fallen on hard times indeed.

Space Shuttle Challenger

Today is the 20th anniversary of the destruction of the Challenger. I remember that day quite vividly. I was in college at the time, and the shuttle was still new enough that I set my alarm clock to wake up in time to watch the launch. I remeber seeing the explosion, and knowing instantly what had happened. The TV reporter though didn't. (I believe it was Kent Shockneck) He kept up his routine of mindless chatter about what the mission was going to accomplish, while I was sitting there with tears of rage and grief running down my face screaming at him on the screen. I have always felt a deep and abiding love for the space program. I believe it is our destiny (and our best chance for ultimate survival) to settle the solar system and the stars. I was grieving not only the astronauts just killed, but the damage done to the exploration of space in general. I knew there would be a protracted delay, especially because of the presence of McAuliffe. (She was a civilian, a teacher, who was chosen to fly into space for essentially PR purposes.)

The shuttle program has proven to have been a major mistake. If we had simply maintained our manned rocket program we would have accomplished as much, and as probably more, as we have with the shuttles. In my opinion the shuttle program has set back our progress in space by at least a decade.

I believe that the Air Force has secretively developed a much more effective space plane program. Given both the facts that Rutan has developed an experimental space plane that works (and is currently developing a commercial version) and the retirement of the spy plane program, I think it must be assumed that the Air Force has developed a space plane.

That being said, I firmly believe that the future of space exploration and settlement is in private commercial enterprise. NASA has lead the way, now it is time for a modern Prince Henry to step forward.

Battlestar Galactica pt 8

A so-so episode last night. Looks like Pegasus needs a new commander. Again. It might be tough finding someone to do the job. (I imagine the wardroom full of officers going.."I'm not going to do it...you be the commander.") Actually it brings up a bit of military inconsistency. Since Pegasus is the more modern and militarily capable ship, Admiral Adama should have shifted his flag to her from Galactica, and left Col. Tigh in charge. Looks like Zarek is in charge of the black market now, building himself a new power base. That will probably come back to haunt Adama and Roslin. It also looks like Roslin is getting ready to put the hammer down on Baltar. With all of Adama's talk about family, I don't see him killing the Caprica Boomer or her baby.

Recent Elections

Well this week's elections were a mixed bag.

The results in Canada were good, but not great. The Conservatives won enough votes to form a governing coalition, but not an outright majority. They should be much better neighbors than the Liberals were. Hopefully they will govern well enough that they can call a new election in a couple of years and win a majority.

The results in Palestine were pretty bad. One the one hand, it was encouraging to see the Palestine National Authority run elections honest enough to vote Fatah out of power. On the other hand, that means that Hamas was votd into power. If Hamas uses this opportunity to launch more attacks on Israel, they must be slapped down hard. Ther results also play into the hand of Netanyahu in Israel's upcoming elections in March. It could be a long, hot and bloody summerin the Holy Lands.

Commander in Chief

Gee, could you be any more obvious? Guess what burning issue tonight's episode dealt with? A woman president supported by her husband and the idea of a "two for one " presidency. Now where have I heard that before? Oh yeah....that's what we were told we would get if we elected Bill Clinton president.

Oh look at how that evil Republican Senator tries to smear that hard-working, centrist female president by bringing her husband into things..that's just wrong!

I wonder if Hillary is going to claim these shows in her campaign contributions?

Battlestar Galactica Pt 7

We are told there are only twelve models of humanoid Cylon. (there are also twelve colonial planets...is there a connection?) So far the Humanoid Cylons we have seen:

1) Six - white female (played by Tricia Helfer)
2) Sharon Valerii (Boomer) - Asian female (8) (played by Grace Park)
3) Aaron Doral - white male (5) (played by Matthew Bennett)
4) D'anna Biers - white female (3) (played by Lucy Lawless)
5) Leoben Conoy - white male (played by Callum Keith Rennie)
6) Simon - black male (played by Rick Worthy)
7) Brother Cavil - white male (played by Dean Stockwell)

Update 2/24/06: Sharon is apparently model 8. Biers apparently model 3.

Update 3/10/06: A new model of Cylon. Played by Dean Stockwell.

Battlestar Galactica - Points to Ponder

What follows are some thoughts I've had late at night, unable to sleep, or upon awakening (apparently I even dream about BSG) about the Galactica universe, specifically the religious aspects.

I) The humans believe in what we call the Greek Olympian Gods. We know that some worship Apollo, Artemis and Athena. At one point Zarek describes Commander Adama as "Zeus returning to Olympus", so they are literally the Olympian gods. We also know that the Greek astrological zodiac is important to their culture, because their twelve colonies are named after them. We don't know how closely their theology mirrors that of Greek mythology. We know there are some differences. These differences appear to incoporate aspects of Mormon theology and a concept of a wheel of time.

II) The Cylons (the humanoid ones at least - we have yet to see evidence of individual personalities in any form of mechanical Cylon) are monotheistic. Their god seems to be an analog to the God of Earth's Old Testament, in the following ways:
1) He desires to be acknowledged and worshipped.
2) He is seen to be omnipotent and omniscient.
3) There is a concept of redemption.
4) There is a plan.
5) He punishes transgressors.
6) He is seen as a father as well as a creator of man.
7) He commands them to "be fruitful"

III) The humanoid Cylons know that their "soul" exists, and believe in an afterlife, as well as a form of reincarnation.
1) Human Cylons claim to have the ability to reincarnate when their body is destroyed, retaining both their Personality and memories. (We have yet to see any evidence of the truthfulness of this in the BSG universe...No instance has yet occurred of a destroyed Cylon Personality reappearing.)
2) No evidence exists that this ability is shared by mechanical Cylons. Their has been no sign of individual Personalities in the mechanical Cylons, and they are not treated as equals to the humanoid Cylons. (on at least one occasion they are referred to as "pets".)
3) There has been no explanation of the nature of the humanoid Cylon "soul", nor its origin. (is it mechanical? Biological? Are new "souls" being created? If so how?)
4) Humanoid Cylons believe in an afterlife beyond corporal existence, where they will dwell in the presence of their god. (is there a Cylon concept of Hell?, are their corporal actions judged? )

IV) The Cylon religion sees man as flawed and evil. They see themselves as god's redemption and punishment of humanity.
1) Part of this redemption (for both Cylon and human) seems to be a synthesis of Human and Cylon. The most religious of the Cylons (Caprica Six) places an immense importance on the offspring of Helo and the Caprica Boomer, in order to fulfill god's commandment to be fruitful. (by the way, Six is the only Humanoid Cylon referred to by her model number, all the others are referred to by a form of their "names")
2) This redeemer is a currently an unborn child. Its gender is as yet unknown, yet has already "miraculously" saved a life.

V) Roslin is important to the human religion. She seems to be fulfilling an ancient prophecy. Starbuck has some importance in the Cylon religion. She is told this by the Conoy Cylon she tortures in the fleet, and the Caprica Boomer after she is rescued from the Cylon hospital. But Starbuck is also important to the human religion, she is the one who retrieves the aArrow of Athena. Baltar also seems to be important, at least to the Caprica Six.

Update 1/27/06: In Home pt 2, at the end, the Caprica Six announces that she is an Angel of God, and that her purpose is to guide Baltar to the end of the human race. So the Cylon religion does have the concept of Angels. I wonder if they believe in Angels that were created before humanity also, or if in their theology, the Human/Angel genesis is reversed?

The Pink Panther

Peter Sellers is one of my all-time favorite actors. I love his work. Everything from Dr. Strangelove (in which he played three separate characters) , to The Mouse That Roared (sadly forgotten, this is a movie that deserves a re-make), to perhaps his most famous role as Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther films. ( The Pink Panther, The Return of the Pink Panther , and The Pink Panther Strikes Again- it is hard to believe he only made three of them.)

The Pink Panther films are notable in that an animated character from the title credits eventually became a movie short and TV cartoon as the Pink Panther. (winning an Oscar in 1964) In the live action movie the Pink Panther is a diamond.

There was a fourth movie, with Alan Arkin playing the role of Clouseau instead of Sellers. This was much less successful.

Now comes word that there is going to be a new Pink Panther movie, this one billed as a prequel to the original movie. This one features Steve Martin as Inspector Clouseau and Kevin Kline as his boss, Dreyfus. If anyone can bring back the spirit of the original films it is Martin and Kline. Here's hoping they pull it off.

National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2006

President Bush has proclaimed today the National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2006 . In a saner world, this would not even be controversial. One of the foundations of our republic is the inalienable right to life. Proctecting the unborn and the helpless should be a basic function of our government. The advancement of science is only going to make issues dealing with the sanctity of life more difficult the longer we put them off. The most valuable and unique resource in the universe is each individual life, even more so for those of us who do not believe in reincarnation or an afterlife.

(H/T: Michelle Malkin)

West Wing

NBC has just announced that The West Wing will end in May after seven seasons. One of the reasons they have cited is that the ratings have gone down since they moved the show's timeslot. That happens a lot. The network takes a show that is doing well, moves it to a new timeslot, and then cancels the show when the ratings drop. Why not just leave a successful show where it is?

West Wing was a guilty pleasure, I will miss it.

Authentic Frontier Gibberish

You want to know just how deranged the left is getting? Someone has created a blog just to attack Chris Matthews. Apparently Matthews made the mistake of comparing Michael Moore to Osama Bin Laden. Now as contemptible as Moore is, he is not a terrorist. Matthew's remark was a form of hyperbole.

The left however are busy savaging Matthews over his remark. Which is fracking funny for people on the right like me. Matthews has been carrying the water of the left for decades, and now they have savagely turned on him. That's gratitude for you. The left constantly accuses the right of not allowing dissent, but it is the left who savage their own for not being ideologically pure enough.

Just how much farther is there to go before the loony left hits rock bottom?

(H/T: Protein Wisdom)

Update 1/28/06: Now they are calling Matthews a rightwing extremist, who people percieve to be a serious journalist. If that isn't clear evidence of how deranged they are getting on the left, I don't know what is.

Upcoming Elections

There are two major elections coming up next week.

First there are national elections in Canada. Canada is a parliamentary system, so they are electing both their executive and legislative branch at the same time. Furthermore, they are electing their complete legislative branch at the same time, they do not stagger the elections as our legislature does. This provides for huge political swings, and by all accounts one is on the way. The Liberal Party has dominated post WW II Canada, but that could be coming to an end. It now seems likely that the Conservative Party will at least win enough seats to form a coalition government and come to power. The Conservative Party has made modest promises to reduce anti-Americanism and contribute more to the war on terror, so a Conservative win would be helpful.

Then on Wednesday the Palestine National Authority will be holding their elections. They will elect a parliament. Their president (who is the Head of State) is elected separately (Mahmoud Abbas was elected last January) and appoints the Prime Minister (who is the head of the government). (our president is both the head of state and the head of government, in Canada and the UK, the Queen is the head of state and the prime minister {elected by the governing party in parliament} is the head of government) Now the outcome of the election on Wednesday will have little effect on the United States, but it will have an effect on the upcoming Israeli elections in March, and those will have an impact on the United States. It remains to be seen whether or not Sharon's new Kadima party will win enough support to govern. That would seem to be the best outcome for the United States.

Battlestar Galactica Pt 6

I've been watching some of the deleted scenes available on the DVDs. If you are a BG fan, I highly recomend you getting your hands on them.

For instance I've always been bugged about Col. Tigh, his drives and motivations, and Adama's friendship with him. Well, all of this backstory is developed in some of the deleted scenes.

This week's episode was fairly interesting. Especially Roslin's flashbacks where she sees Baltar with Number Six on Caprica. What will she do about it?

Commander in Chief Pt 2

There is currently a video interview of Geena Davis talking about her TV show available on AOL. At the very end, she mentions that former President Bill Clinton was asked about female presidents on 60 minutes recently, and he mentioned her show. Really? I'm shocked! I wonder if he wife knows about the show?

Gonzales V Oregon

This was the Supreme Court decision that dealt with the right to commit suicide. The Court ruled that the Attorney General of the United States could not use the federal Controlled Substances Act to prevent Oregon from passing a law that allows doctors to prescribe a fatal dose of drugs. It was ruled 6-3. Dissenting was Chief Justice Roberts, and Justices Scalia and Thomas.

It is important to understand that the case never dealt with a "right" to die. Rather it dealt with the issue of federalism, and when it is OK for the federal government to trump State law.

What is most interesting about this case is contained in Justice Thomas' dissent. He notes that in the previous decision dealing with the same federal statute trumping State's rights (California medical marijuana) the Court ruled the opposite way. What happened to Stare Decisis?

Why is it OK for the federal government to tell California that its doctors may not prescribe marijuana, but not OK for the federal government to tell Oregon that its doctors may not prescribe a fatal dose of barbituates? As far as Constitutional issues go, the cases are identical.

For the record I believe the Court ruled correctly in the Oregon case, and incorrectly in the California case.

Local Teacher's Union pt 2

I have a long day today. The union is having all of the reps attend the school board meeting in a show of force to show our displeasure with contract negoiations.

For some reason, we start every year without a new contract and operate based on the old one. Our work year begins in July, and we still haven't come to an agreement with the school district on what we should be paid for the 2005-2006 school year. (the one that is half over already)

The State gave our District a 5% adjustment this year. So we are asking for a 5% raise. We are one of the lowest paid districts in the area, and we are losing teachers and have unfilled positions. The District offered us 1% at first. Then 2%, and I guess the latest offer was 2.5%.

I personally think we are going to get something around 3.5%. Then we are going to get this huge retro pay check for the differential back to last July. This money comes in a big chunk, and the government takes a bigger chunk of taxes the month it shows. Plus most of us could have used that extra $100 or so a month during the year.

Then in July, we'll start all over gain.

Clarence Ray Allen

Clarence Ray Allen was executed early this morning. Good riddance. There are three things notable about this execution.

1) His lawyers tried to get the sentence commuted based on Allen's age and sickness. They said that the 23 years he spent on Death Row, and his ill health and age would make his execution cruel and unusual. They even got Justice Breyer of the US Supreme Court to agree with them. This is like killing your parents and then asking the court for mercy because you are an orphan. If he had been executed 20 years ago, none of this would have been an issue. The reason he wasn't executed 20 years ago is that he and his lawyers tried every legal maneuver possible to prevent his execution.

2) His case gives all the argument necessary to support the death penalty. He was already serving a life sentence for murder when he arranged for the murder of one of the witnesses against him. His hitman also killed two innocent bystanders. So while he was in jail serving a life sentence for murder, he caused the murder of three more people. If he had been executed for the first murder in a timely manner, the other three murders would never have occured.

3) The State of California provided millions of dollars of medical care to Allen, including restarting his heart, the last time in September. Then they spent millions of dollars in order to execute him. Something is not right here. I understand that we have an ethical duty to provide inmates with medical care, but this case just doesn't sit right with me.

Blogosphere Etiquette

My recent contretemps has led me to ask myself: Is there an established code of behavior on the blogosphere? And if there is, what is it?

Is it appropriate to delete comments without informing the poster or leaving some sign that a post was deleted?

How many warnings should you give someone before considering them a troll and banning them?

Should you inform them there are banned, either by e-mail or in your comments?

When referring to another blog, or a story they are covering, when is it appropriate to tip your hat and/or provide a link?

When someone sends a huge amount of traffic your way, should you acknowledge the fact on your blog? On their blog? Both?

Those are just some questions off the top of my head. What say you?

High School Bitch Fest Pt 2

Apparently I have pissed off the BMOC of blogdom. He has responded to my earlier post in the comments section of his blog. Apparently even though I am "an egotistical moron who has convinced himself that you are somehow above the vicious, bloody fray of the rabble. ", Jeff feels the need to respond to me. Rather than respond on my blog in the comments section of the post he refers to, he responds on his blog, of which he has apparently banned me. In my opinion, that is simply rude.

Jeff, I'm not worthy. Seriously, I'm not. I don't know why you felt the need to come to my blog and attempt to insult me, or why you felt the need to respond to my post on your blog, but you did. Maybe I hit too close to home. Understand this: I will not be bullied. I will never be as popular as you, and probably not as good a writer. But I don't give a shit. My opinions are just as valid as yours, and I will express them.

I was going to post my response to your comment that I sent to you by e-mail, but have decided not to. Feel free to post them on your blog if you wish, but frankly I don't expect you to.

Good luck with your writing, and I sincerely hope your medical condition improves. Believe it or not, it was never personal for me until you made it so.

Update (1/17/06) I just wish to point out that my blogroll contains members of Pajamas Media and bloggers who have criticized PJM.

Update II (1/21/06) Apparently I am not the only one who finds the whole thing high schoolish.

Commander in Chief

Well, it has begun. Geena Davis won a Golden Globe tonight for Commander in Chief. If you have ever watched the show, you know that this one was not won on the merits. It was a political statement made by Hollywood to help prepare the way for Sen. Clinton in 2008. (just as the show itself is)

Mayor of New Orleans Pt 6

He's done it again. This time Mayor Nagin is blaming his, and New Orleans', troubles on the US invasion of Iraq. (God is angry about it, so he sent hurricanes) He also blames the hurricanes on the wrath of God about Racism in the US.

Then to cap these two lulus off, he pledges that one day New Orleans will be a "chocolate" city once again. (meaning majority Black)

1) It is clearly his goal to postpone the elections until this is true. He has the other main Katrina culprit Gov. Blanco in his corner on this one.

2) Could you imagine any White politician using the term "chocolate" to refer to Black people and getting away with it?

3) Could you imagine any politician pledging that his city would one day be majority White again?

Nagin has had his 15 minutes of fame and then some. It is time for him to hit the ash heap of history.

Welcome Fellow Hoggers

Welcome to all those coming over from Hog On Ice. Relax, take off your shoes and stay a while. As you can see my humble blog is no where near as professional or entertaining as Steve's, but I'd like to think that I have a worthwhile thought or two. Browse around, leave a comment or two, it don't cost nothing.

Update: Welcome also to those of you from the Riehl World View. I'm glad you are here, pull up a chair.

High School Bitch Fest

Remember all the cliques, and elites in high school? Remember all the infantile fights and bitch fests that happened when the groups re-arranged and some people got left out, and some people didn't join and formed new groups etc?

Well it is happening now in the blog world, and I feel like the chess club geek watching it all unfurl from the cheap seats.

Not too long ago Charles Johnson from Little Green Footballs and Roger Simon from his self-titled blog, formed an organization with the stated desire of promoting blogging and making a buck off it from advertising. They got some financing from venture capitalists and asked for bloggers to join them. They got around 300 responses. They immediately pissed off a huge number of people by cutting this down to an elite 70 or so, and abandoned the rest with nothing but a non-disclosure deal. They then had huge problems from the outset, including infringing on someone else's name (open source media) to an extremely slow roll out of their ads, which after all was the main purpose in the first place.

Now some other bloggers made note of these facts. Dennis the Peasant apparently had an agreement with Roger Simon to set up this organization, and was then cut out of the deal. Others merely took a little pleasure in pointing out the mistakes the new organization was making. Among them are Steve H and Moxie.

Throw in blogger awards, and allegations concerning those awards and you can practically smell the zit creme in the air. Hostile posts are springing up all over the blogosphere, friendships and working relationships are being destroyed, and several entertaining writers are wasting valuable bandwidth on this.

Just for the record, I was, and am opposed to Pajamas Media because I knew it would have exactly this effect. I still read several Pajamas Media sites everyday, although I do not go to their central site. I also read several of their critics everyday. I think there are excellent writers on both sides.

I am just sad to see that we never leave the silly high school stuff behind. I've seen it crop up in other, otherwise adult situations also. I guess it is just the flea picking, dominance-game-playing primate coming out in us.

By the way, my comments are being moderated at Hog on Ice, and deleted at Protein Wisdom. So it looks like I've managed to piss off people on both sides of the catfight.

Update: For an example of how pathetic it is getting, check out the comments on the post below this one. My "offense" was trying to post on Jeff's blog that I thought the whole thing was high schoolish.

Update II: Steve H is moderating all posts at Hog on Ice, not just mine.

NFL Playoffs

Oh my God. Tell me Bettis didn't just fumble the ball on the 2 with 1:13 left to play?

Comment Moderation

I have just discovered that my comment moderation did not work as I thought it did, and was holding comments submitted in abeyance without sending me an e mail that they were there. I apologise to all commentors, and I have immediately turned the moderation off. I'll just have to deal with the spammers.

Battlestar Galactica Pt 5

Season 3 Episode 2:

Ensign Ro gets killed by a Cylon? That's fracking weak! Apollo has a death wish? Adama kisses Roselin? What the hell is this General Hospital?

Battlestar Galactica Pt 4

Season 1 Episode 7:

Big Band music? The colonies never discovered Rock and Roll? Oh the horror.........

And at this point I am convinced that Tigh's wife is a Cylon.

Liberal Mythology

For some reason, the Left is still living in the age of mythology. These issues have all come up in my readings recently, and the Left still insists on clinging to false illusions.

Amongst other things, the fall of the USSR produced a great benefit. It provided the evidence we have needed in several cases to settle some of our historical issues. This, along with some good hard research by historians has proven beyond a doubt:

1) Sacco and Vanzetti were guilty.

2) The Rosenbergs were guilty.

3) Mc Carthy and the House Unamerican Activities Committee were right, Hollywood and the American government were heavily infilitrated with Communists and Soviet spies in the 1950's and 1960's.

4) The North Vientamese and the Vietcong were militarily defeated in South Vietnam in 1973. It was only the actions of the left wing protests and complicity of the mainstream media that forced the US out of South Vietnam. This allowed the North Vietnamese to recover and invade South Vietnam in 1975. (Don't take my word, ask the North Vietnamese generals and political leaders, there is a reason photographs of Kerry and Hanoi Jane appear so prominently in their war museums.)

These are simply undisputed facts among rational beings, yet the Left continues to reject them. It truly is either self-delusion and a rejection of reality, or a form of mental illness.

Local Teachers Union

I am the rep for my school at the local teacher's union. ( I am forced to belong, it is a closed shop, and no one else is willing to do the job.)

I was at the rep meeting last night, and the issue of endorsing political candidates came up. I made a motion that we not endorse anybody, and instead encourage the CTA and NEA to assume a politically neutral stance. We had a debate and I lost.

Then someone else made a motion that we endorse the (almost exclusively Democratic) recomended slate. I argued that we should allow our representatives to be independent actors instead and vote their conscience. I won that one.

By the point of my post, is that afterwards many people came up and thanked me for speaking out against the position of walking in lock step with the Democratic party. But they did so quietly and secretively. The same thing happens on my campus.

I have come to the conclusion that the teaching profession is much more conservative and even Republican than most people think, but that many people are intimidated by the Democratic and left wing domination.

Recall Gov. Blanco

If anybody reading this happens to live in Louisiana, or even knows somebody who does, I hope they'll support the movement to recall Gov. Blanco.

She deserves to be recalled based on her actions and inactions during Hurricaine Katrina alone. However that was sheer incompetence. It was her actions in delaying the mayoral elections in New Orleans to protect Mayor Nagin that has outraged me the most.

(hat tip: Michelle Malkin)

Alito Hearings Pt 3

I'm tired of conservatives having to pussyfoot around. I watched Alito parse his words again today. I want a nominee who is going to say:

"No I don't believe Roe V Wade is good precedent, I think it is an awful case and would overturn it if possible.

No I don't think there is a right to privacy in the Constitution. The word doesn't even appear there. There are some privacy rights, but they do not produce either a penumbra or an emanation.

Yes I do think the commerce clause has been over used and abused.

No I do not support Affirmative Action, it is racial discrimination pure and simple.

Yes I do support the right to own a gun. There is a reason the Founders made that our second Amendment immediately behind free speech."

It is time to stop these silly games we play with the Democratic Senators every time, especially when their nominees sail through without being grilled.

The Economy

The NYSE finished above 11,000 for the first time since 9/11 yesterday. Unemployment is beating historical averages. Home ownership is at an all time high. The growth rate of the GDP was just revised upward. Government revenues are at an all time high. Pres. Bush's economy is in full recovery.

Of course the Democrats and MSM will be able to tell us why this is a disaster.

Alito Hearings Pt 2

Well according to all written reports, yesterday went about the way I thought it would.

Look for the Dems to go into full attack mode today.

Election Day Thugs

The trial began today for the five Democratic Party operatives that sliced the tires of cars rented by Republican Party operatives on Election Day last year. Imagine that these five had been Republicans slashing the tires of Democrats. Wanna bet we would have heard exponentially more about it in the media?

Imagine if one of the men had been the son of a Representative of Congress? Oh wait one was, but of course Rep. Gwen Moore is a Democrat, so this is obviously not an important news story.

Or how about if one of them was the son of the former mayor of a major city? Oh wait, one was, Mayor Marvin Pratt. But he too was a Democrat, so this story is not important.

Tell me again there is no bias in the media.

(Hat tip: Michele Malkin)

Kill Them Now

I just saw the new Pepsi commercial. They ruined the most important scene of the movie Spartacus. Bastards. Pepsi and the mercenary bastard who let them do that with Spartacus.

The Joke is Just Too Easy....

Sen Kennedy has a dog named "Splash".

(hat tip: Michelle Malkin)

Alito Hearings

The hearings begin today on the confirmation of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. I expect most of the time today to be spent by the Senators giving stump speeches. NSA wiretapping, Roe V Wade and Affirmative Action should all be featured prominently.

The hypocrisy of Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Schumer should be particularly notable. (comparing their actions today to their actions in the hearings on Justice Bader-Ginsburg)

Battlestar Galactica Pt3

Reflections from a Battlestar Galactica marathon:

1) There is an awful lot of sex going on on Battlestar Galactica

2) Apparently the easiest way to uncover a cylon is to induce an orgasm and look for the red glowing spinal column.

3) Pretty brutal torture scene between Starbuck and a cylon in Season 1 Episode 8.

West Wing

It's weird watching the West Wing tonight. John Spenser plays a major role. I just can't stop thinking about the fact that he is already dead. I wonder how they are going to work around his death, and how many episodes he had finished before he died?

Vince Young

Vince Young just declared for the NFL draft today. He will probably be taken by Houston with the first pick. (If they don't the owner and head coach might get lynched, Young is from Houston.) If he falls to second, the Saints will definitely take him.

A lot of people have been picking Texas for #1 again next year. That has just changed. Losing Young and most of the offense line at the same time has moved them pretty far back into the pack. The big question facing college football right now is : What does LenDale White do?

With Young coming out, and Vick kicked of the team, Brady is the overwhelming Heisman favorite. If White stays, he will compete for the trophy also.

Battlestar Galactica pt 2

I bought the boxed set of the mini-series and season 1 on DVD today. I started watching them on my computer (17in flatscreen) rather than my TV. (28in tube) The difference is amazing. I'm definitely buying an HD TV as soon as possible, and hopefully a flatscreen LED one.

If you are a fan of BG, and haven't done so, I recommend you go back and watch the mini-series again. It gives you a whole new perspective.

It seems to me like the mini series was setting the Boxy character up to be a re-occurring character. His intro to the chief, and he is in the front row of the funeral scene with the main characters, in a fleet uniform. I don't remember him appearing in the regular series though.

Update (1/8/06): I missed this episode when it aired. First Boxy sighting in the regular series - a walk by cameo in Episode 3. He later appears with Starbuck in the ready room and is rude to Col Tigh. I'm not real happy about that. He has a couple of other cameos in this episode.

Update (1/15/06) I'm watching the deleted scenes from Season 1, and one of them is a scene of Boxy in Episode 2 (Water). He breaks into Boomer's locker and finds the bag she had in the beginning of the episode with her wet clothes and (bloody? Rusty?) towel. There is a second scene in which he again shows a smart mouth to an adult. Later in the scene he is dealing Ambrosia to a member of the crew. There is another deleted scene in Episode 12 (Kobold's Last Gleaming Pt.1) where Boomer is practcing quick drawing her gun, and pulls it on him. All in all, I'm glad it appears that they have decided to write the character out of the series.

Battlestar Galactica

The first episode of the new season is on tonight. This series bears very little resemblence to the original series beyond the names. It is quite dark, which I find much more fitting than the almost sitcom tone of the first series.

Predictions 2006 Pt 3

Ok, so I already blew prediction #4.

Ariel Sharon

I'm very conflicted about this man. He was a brave warrior in Israel's army. He is the man known as the Butcher of Sabra and Chatilla for allowing the massacres at those refugee camps. He is also the man who had the political strength and courage to lead the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza. I guess he epitomizes the complex nature of man, capable of both good and evil. I had hopes for his Kadima party. I hope his incapacitation or death does not allow Netanayhu to return to power.

Rose Bowl 2006

Well congratulations to Texas. It was all about Vince Young, he played a hell of a game. But it's oh so hard not to be bitter about the phantom second Texas touchdown. (and the botched call on what was clearly a Texas fumble in the 4th quarter.) Frankly I was shocked that SC couldn't stop Young though, and how well Texas stopped Bush.

It'll be interesting to see if this game change's Young's mind and he decides to go pro after all.

Response to the Left

I got up this morning and was greeted by a rant from the left on one of the list servers I belong to. The sender is a constant critic of the Bush administration and the War in Iraq. This most recent post complained about the loss of innocent life in Iraq. This is my response:

Innocent people get killed in wars. It has always happened, and always will. It's why war is so terrible. But the US has always lead the way in limiting innocent casualties.

We've come a long way since the reward for a victorious army was to rape and loot the city. Or human shields. Or carpet bombing whole cities to destroy one factory. Or gassing whole villages.

There is a reason why the US invented precision weapons, and continues to. There is a reason why the US spends billions researching non lethal weapons. There is a reason why the US spent billions dropping food, not bombs in the early days of the Afghan war. (and there is not another country on Earth that would have done so)

John there is a reason why the US has not had a successful terrorist attack since 9/11, and it isn't because Osama is a swell guy.

It's because the terrorists are busy fighting and dying in Iraq. it's because captured terrorists are being held and interrogated in Gitmo. It's because the NSA is monitoring communications of Al Queda (do you really think the government gives a damn what you say on your phone or what web sites you visit?)

The US has been safe because of all the things the left is currently condemning, and frankly it is starting to sicken me.

The left caused the holocaust in Indochina, and now apparently they will not be content until they endanger the US public also. History is not going to be kind to the actions of the left over the past 50 years, but I still have to live through it.

Is America perfect? Hell no, but it is the best, most humane country on Earth, with the best, most humane military on Earth, and it is past time for you on the left to remember that.

2006 Predictions (cont)

13) The Houston Texans will trade the first pick in the NFL draft. Reggie Bush will be drafted #1 by New England.

14) The Los Angeles Dodgers will not finish over .500; The Anaheim Angels will win their division.

15) The Yankees will win the world series.

16) The Clippers will finish with a better record than the Lakers, both will make the playoffs.

17) Detroit Vs San Antonio in the NBA finals, San Antonio wins.

18) Young returns for Texas, and White returns for USC next year, both teams compete for the national championship again.

19) Brady Quinn wins the Heisman next year.

20) There will be violence along the U.S.-Mexico border, it will involve drug cartels, U.S. Border Patrol and the Mexican Army

21) Castro, Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales will form an anti-American pact.

22) Canada will have a coalition government led by the Conservatives

23) The U.S. government will reveal the existence of a space plane program and kill the space shuttle program

Deadpool 2006

OK, it is 2006, so here is this year's roster for Deadpool.

1) Margaret Thatcher
2) Gerald Ford
3) Robert Byrd
4) Kim Jong-Il
5) Arthur C. Clarke
6) Ray Bradbury
7) Anne McCaffrey
8) Al Davis
9) Georgia Frontiere
10) Elizabeth Taylor
11) Michael J. Fox
12) Muhammed Ali
13) Mary-Kate Olsen
14) Keith Richards
15) BB King

Sleepless in Seattle

This has to be a coincidence....I was watching Sleepless in Seattle tonight, and just at midnight PST, it was midnight on New Year's Eve in the movie, and the movie showed a TV, and the ball dropping in Times Square. Definitely weird unless it was planned. If it was planned, it was masterfully done.