Major Nidal survived and will be going to trial... but I guess it has still not been determined whether he'll face a military or civilian court, at least according to his defense attorney, who was just on with Greta Van Susteren...
While I agree 100% with the concept that everyone deserves a fair trial, even a mass-murdering animal like Nidal who was caught in the act (sorry, I know - there's a presumption of innocence), I don't know if I would share the lawyer's sentiment that it is a "privilege" (his word, I swear) to defend such a creature.
Until the shooting, I confess that I had no idea that our military bases were "gun-free zones" (although I had heard grumbles around the internet in the past about having to register and check personal weapons with the base commander) and I have small hope that an incident such as this will change that policy. Our soldiers can be trusted to carry their weapons into battle, but in this day and age, where are the front lines? There are none, really. As Fort Hood demonstrated, our servicemen may need to do battle in their very homes.
Arm. Our. Soldiers.
Does the federal government understand how stupid that sounds, that we even have to demand that our guardians, our warriors who work tirelessly to protect us, be armed?
Well, it's out now - on every news channel. Looking for a safe, convenient place to go on a shooting spree? Look no further than your local neighborhood military base.
Unbelievable.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Lionel McIntyre, Master Debater...
... and Columbia professor, who in the midst of a heated discussion about "white privilege" - whatever the hell that is - realizing that he was not getting his point across to his opponent, a female white university employee, decided to reinforce his argument by putting his fist into her face.
Hard.
Eloquently put, professor.
I'm sure she will come to appreciate the thrust of your argument now.
I really cannot communicate my contempt for men who treat women this way. That this man is in a position of responsibility with influence over young minds makes it all the more worse. You expect thuggish behavior from thugs, but university professors?
McIntyre, you are a complete scumbag. However passionately you feel about whatever cause du jour, on what fucking planet is it ever acceptable to hit a woman? Not only hit her, but punch her in the eye so hard it closed up. Wow, professor, there are some SERIOUS gaps in your societal education that really need to be addressed. Hopefully by the judge at your hearing, asshole.
The female, fearing repercussions (hmmm.... "Ivy League privilege", perhaps?) did not even press charges for three days. The professor was booked and released without bail because apparently he isn't a threat to society.
Unless you're white, female and happen to disagree with him.
Hard.
Eloquently put, professor.
I'm sure she will come to appreciate the thrust of your argument now.
I really cannot communicate my contempt for men who treat women this way. That this man is in a position of responsibility with influence over young minds makes it all the more worse. You expect thuggish behavior from thugs, but university professors?
McIntyre, you are a complete scumbag. However passionately you feel about whatever cause du jour, on what fucking planet is it ever acceptable to hit a woman? Not only hit her, but punch her in the eye so hard it closed up. Wow, professor, there are some SERIOUS gaps in your societal education that really need to be addressed. Hopefully by the judge at your hearing, asshole.
The female, fearing repercussions (hmmm.... "Ivy League privilege", perhaps?) did not even press charges for three days. The professor was booked and released without bail because apparently he isn't a threat to society.
Unless you're white, female and happen to disagree with him.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Friday, November 06, 2009
That was interesting...
As I mentioned on Wednesday, I took pretty serious issue with my pastor's sermon last Sunday. After some thought, and encouragement, and time to calm down some, I decided to fire off a snail mail letter to him expressing my opinion. In no way did I want or expect an apology, I just felt that I had some feedback that he needed to be aware of. After a revision or two (the first draft was a little, shall we say, caustic) I mailed it yesterday with more than a little apprehension. I had no idea how receptive he would be, if at all to the letter.
Today, in the early afternoon, I received a call from an unknown local number that turned out to be my pastor. We had a pleasant conversation (at least as far as I was concerned) and he apologised for the tone of his sermon, as well as a few of the details. This was a little awkward for me, as I really hadn't looked for an apology, I was just expressing my opinion and told him so. I still don't think an apology is really warranted. I am, however, more firmly convinced by his response and our conversation that this church was a good choice for mine and my family's spiritual home.
Nuff said, though I will be cringing in my seat this Sunday if he makes any mention of this. I wrote him a letter by snail mail rather than posting it here or on facebook to let him address it as he wished - or if at all, if that was his wont...
Today, in the early afternoon, I received a call from an unknown local number that turned out to be my pastor. We had a pleasant conversation (at least as far as I was concerned) and he apologised for the tone of his sermon, as well as a few of the details. This was a little awkward for me, as I really hadn't looked for an apology, I was just expressing my opinion and told him so. I still don't think an apology is really warranted. I am, however, more firmly convinced by his response and our conversation that this church was a good choice for mine and my family's spiritual home.
Nuff said, though I will be cringing in my seat this Sunday if he makes any mention of this. I wrote him a letter by snail mail rather than posting it here or on facebook to let him address it as he wished - or if at all, if that was his wont...
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Fort Hood
My thoughts and prayers go out to all those caught up in the shooting at Fort Hood today, with the obvious exception of the perpetrator. He can go rot. I don't know matters military well enough to know how this crime will be handled, but I hope it falls under the military's jurisdiction. I don't think the army will take too kindly to a soldier shooting up a bunch of his own at all.
That's about all I'll have to say on the matter, at least until I know more.
That's about all I'll have to say on the matter, at least until I know more.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
It's been a rough week so far
It started out on Sunday with me having to sit through a poorly conceived anti-evolution tirade by my pastor at church, who was clearly angry (as was I) about the events surrounding the gang rape of that poor girl up in Richmond.
Sunday afternoon was spent manning a booth for our league's new tackle football program, which culminated in very few signups and a realization on my part that I wasn't going to see any NFL games at all, since the World Series was on.
As for the rest of the week, I've been getting progressively more sick with the attendant flu-like symptoms and rotten disposition. Feeling crappy, but not quite bad enough to call in.
The icing on the cake was my learning that our lords and masters in Sacramento have decided to avail themselves of an interest-free loan taken from the taxpayers without so much as a please or thank you as an idiotic and unethical budget shortfall stopgap, starting this week. I'm not kidding. Since it's not strictly a tax increase, (we'll supposedly get it back come tax time), those grasping thieves managed to slip this one under the radar. So until tax time, they'll get to use that money of mine, not me.
Well, maybe the rest of the week will improve.
Sunday afternoon was spent manning a booth for our league's new tackle football program, which culminated in very few signups and a realization on my part that I wasn't going to see any NFL games at all, since the World Series was on.
As for the rest of the week, I've been getting progressively more sick with the attendant flu-like symptoms and rotten disposition. Feeling crappy, but not quite bad enough to call in.
The icing on the cake was my learning that our lords and masters in Sacramento have decided to avail themselves of an interest-free loan taken from the taxpayers without so much as a please or thank you as an idiotic and unethical budget shortfall stopgap, starting this week. I'm not kidding. Since it's not strictly a tax increase, (we'll supposedly get it back come tax time), those grasping thieves managed to slip this one under the radar. So until tax time, they'll get to use that money of mine, not me.
Well, maybe the rest of the week will improve.
Last night
I finally realized the cause for the incessant ache I've been experiencing in my right elbow joint of late - and no, it's not what you may be thinking, thankyouverymuch...
When I take our big dog, Lena, out for her last potty break of the day, I hold the leash in my right hand. Being the last break of the day, it is always after dark, and living at the foot of the mountain means there are plenty of rabbits around. Lena has a strong prey instinct, made all the stronger by having caught and eaten a couple of these critters, so she knows full well how yummy they taste. Being the one responsible for cleaning up the gastrointestinal explosions that result from these deviances from her diet, I am quite reluctant to let her have any more.
So, the result is a wrestling match every evening where she spots a bunny, launches herself at it and yanks on the leash. Hard. Multiple times. Whereupon I yank back to regain control.
There you have it. See, I can figure things out eventually. Usually.
When I take our big dog, Lena, out for her last potty break of the day, I hold the leash in my right hand. Being the last break of the day, it is always after dark, and living at the foot of the mountain means there are plenty of rabbits around. Lena has a strong prey instinct, made all the stronger by having caught and eaten a couple of these critters, so she knows full well how yummy they taste. Being the one responsible for cleaning up the gastrointestinal explosions that result from these deviances from her diet, I am quite reluctant to let her have any more.
So, the result is a wrestling match every evening where she spots a bunny, launches herself at it and yanks on the leash. Hard. Multiple times. Whereupon I yank back to regain control.
There you have it. See, I can figure things out eventually. Usually.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Halo 3 ODST
Number One Son came into some money over the weekend and begged me to take him to GameStop after school on Monday, where he traded said cash for the latest in the Halo saga.
So far, it's an excellent game, game play being very much like Halo 3 with the obvious exception that the player is no longer a Spartan with powered armor, but an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, and as such much more susceptible to hits. The storyline is a little more complex - a lot of flashbacks rather than a straight line, but it's very interesting, made even more so since some of the voice actors portraying characters will be very familiar to those of you who are Firefly fans. Number One Son, however, is much more interested in completing the "vidmaster" achievements within the game to unlock the "Recon" armor in XBOX Live game play, which up till now was pretty much limited to employees of Bungie (the creators of Halo).
Of course, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying the game as much as him - at least when I've had the opportunity to play - it's been quite a busy week thus far...
So far, it's an excellent game, game play being very much like Halo 3 with the obvious exception that the player is no longer a Spartan with powered armor, but an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, and as such much more susceptible to hits. The storyline is a little more complex - a lot of flashbacks rather than a straight line, but it's very interesting, made even more so since some of the voice actors portraying characters will be very familiar to those of you who are Firefly fans. Number One Son, however, is much more interested in completing the "vidmaster" achievements within the game to unlock the "Recon" armor in XBOX Live game play, which up till now was pretty much limited to employees of Bungie (the creators of Halo).
Of course, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying the game as much as him - at least when I've had the opportunity to play - it's been quite a busy week thus far...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Yay!
Yesterday, the Big Brown Truck Of Happiness paid me a visit and dropped something off...
Hmm... now what could that be? All the way from North Carolina?
Why, it's my Del-Ton rifle kit! Woohoo! And only seventeen weeks after I placed the order! I was jazzed to finally receive it, but I had no time last night to tinker, so I repacked it back into its snug little box and got on with my evening. Of course, it was never far from top of mind all day today... so when I got home from work, my friend and I completed the build.
Voila!
Heh. What can Brown do for you?
Pretty, no? I took a shot of Number One Son holding it too, but I'd better not post it. The last time I did that, my mom didn't speak to me for two weeks :).
To recap:
Grizzly LAR-15 lower
CMMG LPK
Del-Ton A2 16in upper and 6 position stock
Bullet Button
Magpul PMAG permanently modified to 10 rounds
Can't wait to try her out... mwahahahaha!
Random Thoughts...
Obama. Dude. Shit or get off the pot. Seriously. I support the war in Afghanistan, always have, but if you’re not going to give your generals what they need to win, then just pull out. This half-assed limbo is achieving nothing but an increased American body count. Time for a little bit of leadership, bucko. While you’re at it, I’d also strongly recommend against second-guessing the guys on the ground, you know, the guys who have made a career out of the military, the guys who you hired to wage the wars because they’re the best at what they do, and much better at this stuff than a Chicago community organizer. The former president of our company once said in an interview that the secret to our success was to hire exceptional people and then get out of the way and let them do their jobs – some words of wisdom for you, Mr. President.
I hate Riverside nazis. Honestly, I was more than a little surprised to see these cockroaches comes out of the woodwork, having had no idea that there were any around here. I was very pleased to note that the counter demonstrators outnumbered them by a healthy 30 to 1. Yeah, yeah, freedom of speech, I know, but that’s the first thing that would go if these clowns got into power.
My worst nightmare. I have a particular dread of something like this happening to my own little girl, and a particular hatred of those who would do such a thing. This is disgusting. These are animals that need to be put down. There is no place in civilized society for such creatures. So much wrong on so many levels. That father must be despising himself for not being around when his daughter needed him. Why the hell he didn’t pick her up right at the school, in such a crappy town as Richmond we may never know. To the spectators who watched and did nothing: fuck you. You all need to be arrested as accomplices, especially those who took camera phone footage of this atrocity. The indifference to the crime is almost as appalling as the crime itself. My thoughts are with that poor girl.
I hate Riverside nazis. Honestly, I was more than a little surprised to see these cockroaches comes out of the woodwork, having had no idea that there were any around here. I was very pleased to note that the counter demonstrators outnumbered them by a healthy 30 to 1. Yeah, yeah, freedom of speech, I know, but that’s the first thing that would go if these clowns got into power.
My worst nightmare. I have a particular dread of something like this happening to my own little girl, and a particular hatred of those who would do such a thing. This is disgusting. These are animals that need to be put down. There is no place in civilized society for such creatures. So much wrong on so many levels. That father must be despising himself for not being around when his daughter needed him. Why the hell he didn’t pick her up right at the school, in such a crappy town as Richmond we may never know. To the spectators who watched and did nothing: fuck you. You all need to be arrested as accomplices, especially those who took camera phone footage of this atrocity. The indifference to the crime is almost as appalling as the crime itself. My thoughts are with that poor girl.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Quote of the day
....In the car with my friend Danny...
Talking about our Kia...
Danny: "You know, those damn Kias are throwaway cars, and you've done pulled that one out of the trash three times already".
Yup. I'll keep doing it until the wheels fall off, too...
Talking about our Kia...
Danny: "You know, those damn Kias are throwaway cars, and you've done pulled that one out of the trash three times already".
Yup. I'll keep doing it until the wheels fall off, too...
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Fascism...
...Defined.
The "pay czar" is now going to determine executive pay at those companies that received TARP funds, cutting pay by as much as 90%.
I'm glad that they're doing this.
Not because I think that they deserve the cuts, because it's "my" tax money, because it really isn't. It's deficit money - "pretend" money that the govt has pretty much just printed up, but that's another topic entirely.
Not because I buy into that class warfare bullshit either, because dragging rich people down does nothing to help me climb up.
No, I'm glad they're doing it because it serves as a perfect example of what happens when you look to the government to solve your problems.
You ask the government for help, eventually you're going to get fucked.
Hopefully people will learn from this.
The "pay czar" is now going to determine executive pay at those companies that received TARP funds, cutting pay by as much as 90%.
I'm glad that they're doing this.
Not because I think that they deserve the cuts, because it's "my" tax money, because it really isn't. It's deficit money - "pretend" money that the govt has pretty much just printed up, but that's another topic entirely.
Not because I buy into that class warfare bullshit either, because dragging rich people down does nothing to help me climb up.
No, I'm glad they're doing it because it serves as a perfect example of what happens when you look to the government to solve your problems.
You ask the government for help, eventually you're going to get fucked.
Hopefully people will learn from this.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Random things...
Been a little busy of late, hence no bloggage. This past weekend I went up to Redding to help a friend and his wife out who just bought a house up there - a 3 bedroom on 9 acres for 125K, the lucky buggers. I love it up there, and would move in a heartbeat were it not for the fact that we're so upside down on our house it's not even funny.
Anyways, during the time we were up there, three of us managed to put in a new, bigger window, frame up an interior wall, clean out two nasty sheds (the house has stood vacant for two years) cut out and install 6 can lights in the kitchen area, rewire a bunch of crap, pull out some flooring, and generally make a huge mess... lots of fun.
The town the house is located in is a little place called Ono, population 598. The town eatery and bar is pretty much right at the end of the driveway (although it's a pretty long driveway) and the serve $6 pitchers! Oh yeah, baby!
Forgot to mention that they have a year-round creek running through the property too... plenty of fish in it from what I saw... yes, I'm jealous!
Another reason that I haven't been blogging much is that I've been looking for a new job, tossing out resumes and doing the associated research. I like the place that I'm at right now - hell, it's less than two miles from my home, flexible hours and nice folks to work with - but I'm getting the distinct feeling that it's not going to be there forever. I'd rather get out on my terms than wait, if you know what I mean...
Finally picked up a copy of Monster Hunter International... late to the party again, I know. I got it last night and I'm already on page 391. Hard to put down - I'm really digging the story. Hopefully number two will be out soon... I'll have to drop Mr Correia a line and let him know how much I like it...
Anyways, during the time we were up there, three of us managed to put in a new, bigger window, frame up an interior wall, clean out two nasty sheds (the house has stood vacant for two years) cut out and install 6 can lights in the kitchen area, rewire a bunch of crap, pull out some flooring, and generally make a huge mess... lots of fun.
The town the house is located in is a little place called Ono, population 598. The town eatery and bar is pretty much right at the end of the driveway (although it's a pretty long driveway) and the serve $6 pitchers! Oh yeah, baby!
Forgot to mention that they have a year-round creek running through the property too... plenty of fish in it from what I saw... yes, I'm jealous!
Another reason that I haven't been blogging much is that I've been looking for a new job, tossing out resumes and doing the associated research. I like the place that I'm at right now - hell, it's less than two miles from my home, flexible hours and nice folks to work with - but I'm getting the distinct feeling that it's not going to be there forever. I'd rather get out on my terms than wait, if you know what I mean...
Finally picked up a copy of Monster Hunter International... late to the party again, I know. I got it last night and I'm already on page 391. Hard to put down - I'm really digging the story. Hopefully number two will be out soon... I'll have to drop Mr Correia a line and let him know how much I like it...
Monday, October 12, 2009
Mondays suck
Especially this Monday. Over at Say Uncle, I learned that Arnold signed AB962, the Ammo bill, right before midnight last night. There's not much more to say, really. If he represents the Republican party in this state, then I have no use for them. They're not protecting my rights or interests. Days like this make me wish I could just up and leave. I'm gonna go pout now.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Nordyke...
...Got punted by the 9th circuit panel, because they were waiting to see what would come of several Second Amendment cases before the Supreme Court. Guess they didn't want to see their decision overturned?
Anyway, the Supreme Court granted cert to one of the three cases today, and Alan Gura, the attorney who argued for Heller, will be going to Washington again. High hopes here... even with Sotomayor appointed earlier this year, the basic ideological makeup of the court remains the same as when Heller was decided.
I'm not sure exactly when this one will be heard, but I'll be keeping an eye out for sure...
Anyway, the Supreme Court granted cert to one of the three cases today, and Alan Gura, the attorney who argued for Heller, will be going to Washington again. High hopes here... even with Sotomayor appointed earlier this year, the basic ideological makeup of the court remains the same as when Heller was decided.
I'm not sure exactly when this one will be heard, but I'll be keeping an eye out for sure...
Monday, September 28, 2009
Preemptive...
When I was a kid living in the UK, I used to subscribe to a comic book called 2000AD. There were always several serial stories going on, but the centerpiece story revolved around a character called Judge Dredd - in a future post-apocalyptic America where much of the country was radioactive wasteland and the population was concentrated in a very few huge "MegaCities". It was an very authoritarian regime, where Judges were raised from childhood to their profession - they were cop, judge, jury and executioner rolled into one. Judge Dredd never had a romantic interest (none of the Judges did) because his only love was the Law.
As bad as life sounded there for a liberty-loving individual, there were worse places. Among his often recurring nemeses was a group of Judges (Fear, Fire, Death and Mortis) from an alternate universe where they had extinguished their populace and were themselves kind of undead. You see, they had come to the logical conclusion that all crime was committed by the living, so to produce a truly ordered society, they had passed a law stating that life itself was a crime. Obviously, they had eventually run out of perps, which was why they kept trying to break into JD's dimension, to bring law unto the lawless.
They had finally found that one law that would prevent all crime.
As bad as life sounded there for a liberty-loving individual, there were worse places. Among his often recurring nemeses was a group of Judges (Fear, Fire, Death and Mortis) from an alternate universe where they had extinguished their populace and were themselves kind of undead. You see, they had come to the logical conclusion that all crime was committed by the living, so to produce a truly ordered society, they had passed a law stating that life itself was a crime. Obviously, they had eventually run out of perps, which was why they kept trying to break into JD's dimension, to bring law unto the lawless.
They had finally found that one law that would prevent all crime.
Busy Sunday...
Another Chargers home game, so I get up at 5:30, pack an ice chest and meet up with my buddy at his house by 6:30. Hour and a half drive to the stadium, get in at 8am for five hours of tailgating prior to kickoff. The game lasts about three hours, then another hour waiting in the parking lot for the traffic to clear (we grilled up hot dogs while we waited) and the hour and a half drive home. A whole lot of fun, but a loooooong day....
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Neato!
What I initially thought was a weed in our garden, turned out to be a watermelon plant. Once we (or rather my father in law) had ID'd the leafy plant as such, I left it to its own devices, just to see what would happen.
Lo and behold, a watermelon, just chillin' on my driveway...
Looks like it's almost ready! My Little Princess proudly claimed the credit for surreptitiously planting watermelon seeds in the garden...
Lo and behold, a watermelon, just chillin' on my driveway...
Looks like it's almost ready! My Little Princess proudly claimed the credit for surreptitiously planting watermelon seeds in the garden...
Ce n'est pas possible!
Never thought I'd see the day where I'd take the side of the French premier over the US President...
But is Sarkozy really taking a principled stand, or is it just typical Gallic contrariness? They do, after all, pride themselves on squabbling with us...
Found at Instapundit.
But is Sarkozy really taking a principled stand, or is it just typical Gallic contrariness? They do, after all, pride themselves on squabbling with us...
Found at Instapundit.
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