Station WTFO

Apocalypse Pin-Ups

2012-02-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

Counting down to the Mayan Calendar Apocalypse?

Geek Tyrant suggests you enjoy your "last days" with Andrew Tarusov's latest piece, the Apocalypse Tomorrow 2012 Pin Up Girl Calendar.

Sea World: Today's Slave Owners?

2012-02-08T01:00:00.000-08:00

A San Diego judge will decide if animals have Constitutional Rights against slavery.

Talk about elevating stupid to a new level...and wasting tax dollars. It's also insulting. Slaves are people; animals are not.

A federal judge ... this has to be some PETA wack-job lawyer thing ... I guess this means you can't stop your dog from going out and you can't have it neutered without it's express consent. Leashes? How barbaric !!! Dog food? That's for animals !!!

The twisted logic is that if you treat animals as if they're people, people will treat their fellow humans in a kinder/gentler way. Historically, this has not always been the case. When animals are elevated to the same level as humans, then human beings become de-humanized. Nazi Germany had the most stringent laws against animal experimentation--but they had no qualms about conducting medical experiments on Jews.

Other reactions to this impending landmark case:

Argentina to Make a "Big Announcement" Regarding the Falkland Is.

2012-02-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

At 5 PM EST, Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, will make a major announcement on TV, regarding the Falkland Islands.

Argentina has resurrected claims to the islands, which Great Britain has staunchly defended since the Falkland Island War. Her Majesty's Government is dispatching its newest destroyer, HMS Dauntless to the Falklands.

Several days ago an author acquaintance of mine, Piper Bayard, posted this Wash, Rinse, Repeat article on her blog.

We'll see what "Evita 2.0" has in mind in the next 45 minutes, or so...

Update: 5:10 PM PST--this just in from a friend--

Yawn. Evita 2.0 is going to whine to the UN about the "militarization" of the South Atlantic.

Hmm, wonder why it is "militarized!"

And Comrade Karla Senior put things in a witty, historical perspective:

What a giggle. The argies have been mumping about the Falklands off and on since WW2, maybe before. I remember reading articles about it in the Illustrated London News as a boy, and later, off and on, in Britain. Interesting is the date cited as the islands having been a possession of Britain: 1833. The US has only 'owned' California and the Southwest since 1846. Texas broke away from Mexico in 1836, was annexed by the US in 1846, left the Union in 1861, retaken in 1865 and rejoined a couple years later. Considering how the US acquired California and the Southwest, and when they did, what kind of precedent will it be if Mexico starts making noises? Texas would probably be another matter. I guess the fact that Mexico may be re-acquiring areas of the US near the border, it could beg the question. I have friends in El Paso who assert the 'reconquista' has already taken place. Interesting times we live in. This stuff is more fun that all the s*** in the Near-and-Mid East.

Obama's "Truths" vs Reality

2012-02-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

Today's Patriot Update contains this article comparing Our Dear Leader's ideology vs reality.

Here's something else to keep in mind:

Community Organizing in Afghanistan?

2012-02-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Now that the US military, but not other agencies and contractors, are out of Iraq, how is the war in Afghanistan going?

According to Lt. Col Daniel Davis, all is lost.

After reading the article, I was reminded of the pacification policy used during the Vietnam War. I posted a comment on a friend's Facebook page, that we needed a clearer war-winning strategy than having our troops play "Live Fire Whack-A-Mole."

But Max Boot says, whoa! Hold on a moment! Maybe things aren't as bleak as Davis says it is.

In short, it's anybody's guess as to how Afghanistan will turn out.

However, when an administration, such as Obama's, continues to talk about "exit strategy," my confidence in a happy ending for Afghanistan isn't all that high. Especially since, according to Max, we're pulling out too much and too soon in Iraq.

Not a Good Framework for Government?

2012-02-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

Several days ago Justice Ginsburg travelled to Egypt, where she recommended they not use the US Constitution as a foundation for modern law.

Why would a justice of the US Supreme Court say such a thing to Egyptians, who will possibly be governed by the Muslim Brotherhood?

Because the original drafting of the US Constitution doesn't pass Ginsburg's liberal sniff-test, due to the "...original exclusion of women, slaves and Native Americans."

Her comments don't surprise me. I've encountered this attitude in my personal dealings with liberals. Anything that doesn't measure-up to their secular-progressive sensibilities is to be completely discarded. To liberals, "dead white guys" have nothing to offer today's chic, 21st Century society.

The Komen Controversy

2012-02-06T12:15:00.000-08:00

I haven't paid any attention to the controversy swirling around the Susan G. Komen Foundation until I read the latest commentary by Mark Steyn in the Orange County Register.

Mark's comment below gets to the heart of liberal "tolerance:"

But Komen is not a congressman or a senator or any other part of the government, only a private organization. And therefore it is free to give its money to whomever it wishes, isn't it?...Dream on.

Israel: America's National Security Threat?

2012-02-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

According to Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, an Israeli pre-emptive strike against Iran, "...could spell trouble for America..."

Really?

This gem promted the following comments:

But Iran getting nuclear capability is no big deal, I guess. These people are true, strategic geniuses. To quote the character in the western Bad Company: “You have some real thinkers in your outfit…”

Personally, this is tough - the U.S. COULD live with a nuclearized Iran as they would not be an existential threat, though it would be a really crappy situation given the inevitable proliferation break-out that would follow. Israel, on the other hand, is too small and vulnerable to do so. Three nukes (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa) and they cease to exist. Add a couple more to eliminate their nuclear weapons facilities, and a surprise attack starts to look like a reasonable and achievable option for Iran. The world would be angry, of course, but the Iranians know that sooner or later the Chicoms and Russians would forgive them, followed by everybody else, especially when the Iranians claimed it was preemptive self-defense. Add in all the crazy Twelth Imam, apocalyptic stuff they are steeped in and it starts to get very scary for Israel. They have no choice but to attack. Sometimes I wonder if the real debate on their end is nuclear versus conventional attack.

...what we have been seeing out of DOD and DOS (let alone the administration) has been pretty much “amateur hour.”

That's since day 1 of this Administration!

I'm sure the Israelis are "hoping for change" this November.

Breaking News: Josh Powell's House Explodes

2012-02-05T15:15:00.000-08:00

Earlier today, we received the call that Pierce County Emergency Management was deploying its mobile command post to coordinate the investigation of the explosion at Josh Powell's home. The Seattle Times also has the story.

Even the national networks, like Fox News, have immediately picked up the story.

Obama Boasts vs The Facts

2012-01-31T16:42:00.000-08:00

Ann-Marie Murrell crunches the numbers on Our Dear Leader's claims in today's Patriot Update.

State of the Lunar Address

2012-01-30T17:13:00.000-08:00

Mark Steyn rolls-in on Obama and Newt Gingrich, regarding their handling of the US Debt.

Ridiculous ROE Jeopardizes A Career

2012-01-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

Today's Washington Examiner has another story of the effect our ludicrous Rules of Engagement (ROE) is having on our troops.

My dad said the most vicious killers her encountered during the Korean War were teenagers. The genital-eating tyrants of sub-Saharan Africa know this all-too well, along with the the jihadist masterminds.

Once the teen-titans decided to evac the Taliban bombmaker they became legit targets.

Obama's State of the Re-Election Address

2012-01-25T21:16:00.000-08:00

Last night, Our Dear Leader gave his State of the Union Address, which was watched by 38 million viewers. I wanted to avoid it, but I was on duty and the speech was on every station. There was no escape. Fortunately for me, this is what mute buttons were invented for. I know it's bad form of me not to listen, even if it's to hear directly what I would disagree with.

However, from what I've heard since, it was as I suspected--the same leftist rhetoric of more government programs to solve individual problems, higher taxes on all those rich folks (which will trickle down to anyone with some money in a savings account), more not-so cost-effective green programs, etc, so-on and so-forth.

Most of our Lamestream Media are singing praises to Obama's speech. The UK's Telegraph, though sounds the warning of where Obama's plans will take us as a nation--into further decline.

The Week's Weak Logic Regarding the Muslim Brotherhood

2012-01-25T01:00:00.000-08:00

Comrade Karla stumbled across a Yahoo News editorial section called The Week. Today's offering was an attempt to re-assure us Islamophobes that there is nothing to fear from Egypt's Islamist parliament.

After reading the article, I came up with the following rebuttals:

1. The religious parties are divided.

Yes, they are. However, the scholars at The Week forget the Mideastern motto--The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Islamist hatred towards Jews and other assorted infidels outweighs whatever intra-parliamentary bickering the different parties engage in. Just ask the Coptic Christians.

2. The military is still in charge.

For now. But for how long? The same was said for Turkey--until the AKP took over.

3. Liberal parties will (slowly) gain influence.

Really? Where? The only Mideastern country where liberal parties have gained influence, that I know of, is Israel.

4. Egypt's Islamists won't seek trouble abroad.

Oh? Just like the Hamas and Hezbollah Islamists won't stir-up trouble with Israel? Once all the Coptic Christians are killed, or driven out of The Land of the Pharaohs, the Islamists will have to look beyond the borders for enemies.

"Women and Children First"--So Hundred Years Ago

2012-01-24T04:15:00.000-08:00

(Image from: The National Post)

On 13 January, the Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Isola Di Giglio. Last week's National Post contains several dramatic photos and illustrations.

Captain Schettino was one of the first to abandon ship. However, the behavior of many of the men on board the stricken vessel was equally contemptable.

What does this maritime tragedy say about social norms of the 21st Century?

On 15 April 1912, when the RMS Titanic struck an iceburg, the call went out for "women and children first." Now it's "every man for himself." No one clarifies how far our society has sunk than Mark Steyn.

Update, comments added, 7:25 PM:

Kind of like the episode of Seinfeld where George was at his girlfriend's son's birthday party and there was a fire in the oven and George went screaming out the door pushing people (including an old lady in a walker) out of the way and later in the show Jerry said to him, "So I guess for you, the idea of women and children first is a little outdated?"

Kind of sad how life is imitating art.

Lockhead-Martin--We Have a Problem

2012-01-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

The F-35, like previous aircraft progams, has had it's teething problems. But a major issue has now come to has come to light.

Unlike this computer-generated photo: The F-35 cannot land on an aircraft carrier--one of the critieria for calling this aircraft a "Joint" Strike Fighter. Aviation Intel has the story.

Several of my friends were, or still are, in the Navy. So this story spawned the following comments:

No kidding! This one is particularly scary, because it means almost every weight distribution parameter on the F-35C’s simulated and model-based tests were inaccurate. So I cringe to think what the other 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order effects will be.

I'm hesitant to take this at face value. The F-35 has suffered through a lot of problems but so have plenty of other weapon systems. I have very fond memories of some of the great stuff that people wrote about the B-2 when I was working on that program like, "It won't fly very well because it doesn't have a tail," (thank you Senator Glenn) to claims that the airframe disintegrated when it got wet because of the composite materials needed to make it stealthier.

...the particular issue we were discussing (carrier landing tests) is genuine and accurate and—this late in the program—not a good sign at all. I am sure that 15 years down the road, most people (except GAO and other watchdogs) will have forgotten all the teething pains for the F-35, just as we tended to forget the teething pains from the F-14, F-18, F-16, F-15, B-2, B-1, and just about every major combat aviation program. The principal concern is that those “teething pains” are trending in an ominous direction (much more costly and indicative of systemic management, engineering, and other weaknesses). At least with all the other aircraft I listed above, what we got on the other end made all the previous pain worth forgetting. I am not sure we will be able to say that of F-35, given the expectation gap that surely exists between what industry/DOD posits about what that aircraft will be able to do and what we will actually get in the final product.

Anybody recall reading about ‘teething problems’ of earlier aircraft? Seems like we always had three or four types going all at the same time, each more suitable for one sort of deployment, less for others. Of course, there were many other, different problems to be dealt with in those days, and there were usually greater numbers involved. Today, we have one type intended for many tasks

Not only do we only have one type, but we have no real give in our industrial base to have say, Corsairs and Hellcats. We just have the F-35.

Better make sure that F-18 line stays open.

The problem for the F-18 production line is that once the USN stops buying them that is pretty much it because the Australians are the only foreign customer for the Super Hornet. On the Air Force side, the F-16 and F-15 lines are still open because of numerous export customers. However, the USAF does not seem to be interested in more of those. Granted the air frames are a bit dated but with AESA radar, new avionics, and new weapons the 15, 16, and 18 are all still pretty bad ass jets and they are a lot cheaper than the 5th gen fighters - that's why they are still competitive in the global market over the newer designs like the Rafale and the Eurofighter.

I understand that. Two thoughts; We (Navy) were about to shut the DDG-51 line but didn't so there's precedent and we are the only customer. Obviously some differences b/t ships and planes, but doable and worth thinking about. Second, I think industry and program managers over inflate the capabilities of an adversaries weapon systems, particularly aircraft. I'm with you and agree that the 15, 16, 18 are all good a/c and with our pilots training and experience should be able to wipe the floor with our adversaries.
Having a Wildcat equivalent in case the Buff...I mean "Lightning II" doesn't work out would be prudent.

Mind you, the Buffalo does sometimes get a bad rap—there’s an Air and Space article (IIRC) that was pretty good covering this. Similar conclusions can be drawn about the P-39. If it sucked so bad, how come V-VS pilots racked up 30, 40 and 50+ kills with it? Right now we have a problem on an order of magnitude far larger—it seems we’ve shrunk our industrial base to the point where we can only build one or two really high tech things—and if they don’t work, there’s no back up. So if your P-39 performs below specs, you can’t turn to a P-40 or design a P-51 in short order to fill the gap.

Our Mouseketeer-in-Chief

2012-01-23T20:10:00.000-08:00

A few days ago our Dear Leader gave a jobs speech at Disney World--right after axing the Keystone Pipeline. This was wrong on several levels and Michelle Malkin puts it best in her Land of Obama Make-Believe article.

Obama's latest excursion sparked a few great observations from my friends:

...what is the point in going to Disney World to talk about job creation and tourism. If there is one place in the US that is not hurting for tourists, it's freakin' Disney World. Plus, I'll argue that it is incredibly rude and insensitive for POTUS (any POTUS not just the current) to go to a place like Disney World given the security requirements. I'd like to know how many people's vacations got screwed up because of this. How many "working class" families saved their money to take a trip there and in some way shape or form had it disrupted because of all Pratorian Guard like security protection that POTUS gets. I'm sure if Bush had gone to Disney World, we would have been subjected to seven or eight weeks of human interest stories on the news with little kids crying because they didn't get ride Space Mountain or the Flying Dumbos because POTUS and his entourage took over the park that day.

Tourism is also a lousy economic model because there are only so many good paying jobs in the restaurant and hotel industries. Everything is minimum wage or not much higher. A number of cities, Cleveland and Baltimore to name two based their urban renewals on the false logic that new stadiums downtown with flashy waterfront districts with bars and restaurants would bring their cities back from the dead. They're nice places to visit, go see a ballgame, and have dinner but at the end of the day the tourists go back home and the locals with a few exceptions are stuck with low paying, low skill service jobs.

This admin is pretty much bankrupt when it comes to economic ideas that work (they’re trapped in some sort of hellish 1970s government-control model). He’s getting a bit desperate to do something like this—sort of how the Italian economy works “come and see where the gladiators walked…”

Adding "Ad Sense"

2012-01-22T22:16:00.001-08:00

Writers are always on the lookout to earn money for their work. With this in mind, I finally signed up for Google's Ad Sense this evening. After Google reviews my blog, there will be advertisements placed in the side bar. I could have opted to have ads attached to each post, in addition to the sidebar notes, but I didn't to bombard my readers with "This post brought to you by..." messages.

Endangered Species?

2012-01-19T02:00:00.000-08:00

(Image from the movie: Willard)

Washington DC is infested with rats. No not politicians, but the real-rodent variety, thanks to the Occupy DC movement. Instead of calling the exterminators, DC officials are opting for a catch and release program. This of course, has DC's neighbors in Virginia very concerned.

Reading--Important for a Healthy Civilization

2012-01-19T01:00:00.000-08:00

Victor Davis Hanson (VDH) comments on why reading is so important. Otherwise, societal decay ensues.

Snowmaggedon 2012

2012-01-18T20:50:00.000-08:00

Western Washington State got hit with another snowstorm last night. This one worse than the previous one. Several counties activated their Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), which promted the State Emergency Management to follow suit. Because snow is relatively rare event in the Seattle-Tacoma Metropolitan Area, it often makes national news headlines.

While the snow tapered off by late morning the temperatures are suppose to drop below freezing tonight. This will make tomorrow's morning commute --interesting--to say the least.

Western Washington's Winter Wonderland

2012-01-15T14:46:00.000-08:00

(Image by: Courtney Blethen Riffkin of the Seattle Times)

While snowfall in the Cascade Mountains is measured in feet, it only takes an inch or two of fluffy flakes to put the Seattle-Tacoma Metropolitan Area into a tailspin. Sometimes literally as pictured above. We're currently under a Winter Advisory, which normally wouldn't be anything to get excited about--except in metropolitan areas.

Urinating Scandal for USMC

2012-01-13T13:27:00.000-08:00

Speaking of having a lack of empathy, (see previous post), several US Marines could be facing charges because they were filmed peeing on the bodies of several Taliban terrorists.

Okay, I admit it--I have no empathy for anyone trying to kill Americans. Most of my like-minded friends don't either.

Comrade Karla Sr. put it best:

I really hate war. War is not civilized. Any persons subject to involvement in personal combat, especially front line troops, are supposed to hate the enemy. Pissing on enemy corpses is only one manifestation of some troops who survive bitter fighting. If our leaders do not like war, they shouldn’t have them. If, for whatever reason the US must get involved in a war which involves sending anyone into a firefight with a tough enemy, for God’s sake don’t expect them to act like missionaries. Encourage them to be mean. In war, you want such people to be heartless determined killers who hate and detest the enemy. Be happy some of them manage to have piss in their bladders after a fight.

In the second war, US troops behaved cruelly, especially in the Pacific Theatre. It’s happened in every war. It’s perfectly normal to abuse the enemy; it’s part of the game. Many, perhaps most, troops who get blood in their mouths manage to ‘turn it off’ after a fight; some do not, Just don’t take photographs and don’t brag about it!

Well said, sir.

A couple other comments followed:

Wonder if Karzai feels the same way about abuse/murder of underage women?

Pissing on dead Taliban sounds fine to me. I’d poop on them, too, for good measure.

Non-Empathy for Non-Liberals

2012-01-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

Mark Steyn points out the Left's lack of empathy towards non-liberals in his article Politics Trumps Left's Empathy.

2012-01-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

"Sultan Knish" discusses three fundamental mistakes in dealing with Islam.

The Seattle "Whines" About Illegal Immigrant Students

2012-01-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

This article in the Seattle Times complains about the lack of scholarships and other funding for illegal aliens.

Not too many of us feel this is a problem:

Easy enough to answer: NO, they are not. And, predictably, rather than fix the problem they whine about the consequences of not following the law and then act like that result is the cause of these problems. I note there’s no way to comment on the article….

I was trying to find the comments too, but I was wondering if it was my usual lack of cyber skills. In past ST articles I noticed well over half the comments are conservative-leaning. If this article were open to comments, I have a sneaky feeling, two-thirds to three-quarters of the comments would be conservative.

They were sneaky and put the comments link at the top of the article under the "Share" section. I found a good portion of the comments to from conservative minded people.

Here's the masked reader feedback section.

I've noticed that about the responses to the ST's articles. Looks like Seattle doesn't quite have the liberal majority liberals claim there is.

The funny thing is, the more I pay attention, the more it appears there is not the liberal majority liberals claim there is anywhere. The Media seems to be a Force Multiplier. Take the OWS crowd. Their numbers pale in comparison to Tea Party events across the country, yet if you watch and listen to the reports about this hack group, you would think that they represent.... Oh wait, 99% of the population and have influence and power that is sweeping from Sea to Sea. While the Tea Party are just a bunch of terrorist-Astroturf-white-ex-Klu-Klux-Klan members. I'm not sure what's more pathetic, the reporting or the people who believe all this crap.

I think they are both on the same plane. The scary thing is, the MSM will go all out to reelect their guy—it’s already starting. I sure hope the Romney camp (or any of us who don’t want to see a 2d term of The One) are on their game and (1) understand the nature of the forces aligned against them and (2) are ready to do what it takes to discredit this nonsense. Let’s hope so.

55 Days At Peking II?

2012-01-04T02:00:00.000-08:00

(Image: Siege of Peking, Boxer Rebellion)

President Hu of China is worried that his country is once again being hemmed in by foreign devils. Of course, we're doing nothing of the sort. It's not our fault the world finds American culture more appealing than what the PRC's Politburo has to offer. However, Walter Russell Mead writes just how the come to feel this way in The American Interest.

Comrade Karla pointed out these tidbits that would have added weight to Mead's article:

Imperial Germany used similar arguments prior to 1914, calling it “Einkreisung.” Just sayin’.

But the author might have taken it a step further—China does have an history of being divvied-up and “overseen” by non-Chinese powers—not that anybody’s trying to do that (that I’m aware of), but when trying to reason out a country’s motivations, it’s something that must be considered.

We still kind of suck at doing that.

Changing Hollyweird back to Hollywood

2012-01-04T01:00:00.000-08:00

John Nolte discusses the Top 10 Ways Hollywood Can Win Its Audience Back.

This line sums up the article: Everyone loves movies, but most everyone has contempt for Hollywood.

Some extensive commentaries followed:

I think Hollywood needs actors, true craftsmen of the trade. I’ve been watching a lot of BBC shows like Doc Martin and Kingdom ( and of course the Dr.) and the quality of acting, writing and production is as good or better than many Hollywood films movies. For the most part, the actors in the UK treat acting as a occupation not a series of appearances intended to maintain movie star or celebrity status. I mean look at Michael Cain, Anthony Hopkins, and the like. They will work on stage when not doing films (most started there anyway). Granted in film they’ve done some really bad ones (Jaws 4 for Cain for example) but the point is they keep working. The only equivalent in American I can think of are the old school country musicians like George Jones who keep touring no matter where they are on the charts or the size of the venue. It is their chosen occupation and they go to work every day like us.

Yeah, and the United States needs Statesmen…Not holding my breath for either
Cain was quite frank in several interviews that he considered even the bad films to be ‘work’ and that Jaws 4 paid for the new deck on his house.

Getting Riled Up--For the Cameras

2012-01-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

Ed Driscoll, from PJ Media, illustrates the media's influence and even active participation in protest movements, in his How the Sausage Gets Made article.

Of course, the lamestream media and Barack Obama, complain about the one "biased" news network.

Can you guess which one?

Here's a hint...

No Carriers Allowed

2012-01-03T10:57:00.000-08:00

Iran is now making bold noises about "taking action" against any US aircraft carriers re-entering Persian Gulf.

Iranian leaders are either:

a. Deluded, or

b. As Comrade Karla said--They must really be confident we aren’t going to do anything.

POS Post-Mortem

2012-01-03T10:39:00.000-08:00

POS = Piece of "Crap."

Said POS wound up as a corpsicle on the slopes of Mount Ranier. True, it doesn't bring Margaret Anderson back, but at least we won't have to go through the media circus--formerly known as a trial--for a POS like this.

Park Ranger Slain, Manhunt Continues

2012-01-02T09:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Margaret Anderson a Park Ranger at the Mount Rainier National Park (pictured on the right), was shot and killed. The manhunt for Benjamin Colton Barnes (left), considered a person-of-interest, continues. The shooting occurred yesterday morning.

I was on duty and spent the better part of my shift trying to coordinate the employment of aircraft and helicopters. We're hoping for a swift conclusion to this tragic incident.

Update, 1:55 PM PST: Suspect possibly found dead.

Not Off To A Good Start

2012-01-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

Despite my hopes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year, 2012 is not off to a good start. Last week Obama asked for yet another $1.2 trillion. Normally, this would have warranted it's own "WTF?" posting, but I spent most of the Holidays away from the internet.

Anyway, to catch you up on things, Mark Steyn "...rings out the new and rings in the old...", with his Puncture the Cocoon of Denial article.

2011 provided Mark with a lot of fodder for us denizens of "the brokest nation on the planet." Here is Pundit & Pundette with a 2011 Year in Review, Via Mark Steyn.

But Steyn isn't the only source of news this New Year's Day. Comrade Karla finished off 2011 by forwarding an article on the White House's establishing a new obstacle for illegal immigration enforcement.

(Sigh)

Not quite the harbinger of glad tidings for 2012 is it?

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T07:32:00.000-08:00

Best wishes to all of you throughout the New Year!

Surprise Windstorm Causes Christmas Tragedy

2011-12-26T10:11:00.000-08:00

While on duty yesterday, the National Weather Service issued a Gale Warning and Wind Advisory for the Puget Sound area. Winds were predicted to gust up to 35 knots. Due to a convergence of low pressure, yesterday's wind gusts were 45-56 mph. After the 3-hour storm, thousands were left without power. Before my Christmas Dayshift ended we heard about the tragedy on Whidbey Island.

Since I was on duty yesterday, the story of this girl's death hits me harder, than it would if I merely saw it on the news at home. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

The Best Holiday Cheer

2011-12-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted a Health and Fitness article in a while. Too much bad news going on in the world, I guess. But on this Christmas Day, I came across this article in The Daily Meal rating the best and worst of my favorite holiday drink: Eggnog.

There's also this article by some eggnog-haters in New York Magazine. The taste-testers actually liked a couple samples. Being lactose intolerant, I end up settling for Silknog. Although I did get a kick out of the "pretty darn awful" rating the NY Mag folks gave it. I find Silk products to be very watery and only buy their special flavors. It's better than no eggnog at all, right?

No matter what brand of Holiday Cheer you chose, I hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T01:00:00.000-08:00

May there truly be Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards All.

Santa Not Welcome in MA School District

2011-12-23T01:00:00.000-08:00

The PC Grinch Superintendent of Schools in Saugus, MA tried banning Santa from visiting the elementary schools according to this commentary by Todd Starnes.

The reason of course, is to make the kiddies aware about the secular progressives' twist on the seperation of church and state.

Behind Every "Great President"...

2011-12-22T01:00:00.000-08:00

In a Newsweek interview, Joe Biden declared the Taliban are not our enemy. On Monday, the White House spokesmoron claimed the VP's comments are being viewed "out of context," according to this story on FOX Nation.

Chaulk this up as another "great accomplishment" for this presidency. (See yesterday's post).

So if the Taliban isn't the enemy, I wonder who Joe thinks is the real enemy of America...

A Legend in His Own Mind

2011-12-21T20:50:00.000-08:00

Apparently, 60 Minutes did some selective editing of their interview with Obama during the prime-time show this past Sunday (18 Dec 11). They posted the edited footage to their on-line Overtime show, maybe thinking no one would pay attention to our Dear Leader's outrageous claims to fame. Fortunately several blogger watchdogs did, according to this article in Politico.

The biggest jaw-dropping comment:

I would put our legislative and foreign policy accomplishments in our first two years against any president — with the possible exceptions of Johnson, F.D.R., and Lincoln — just in terms of what we’ve gotten done in modern history...

Really?

With North Korea building nukes and Iran following suit, along with China and Russia's belligerency, not to mention being $15 trillion in debt, I wonder what Obama's opinion of failure is.

I rate this presidency as: Epic Fail.

And if Obama gets re-elected, I'll move it up to: Catastrophic Fail.

At least one person is happy about the Obama Presidency...

Leaving Iraq/Leaving Things Undone

2011-12-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

Well at least there wasn't any images of helicopters plucking desperate refugees off roof-tops, a-la the fall of Saigon 1975. However, our departure from Iraq, may spawn repercussions similar to what Southeast Asia experienced in the wake of the Vietnam War. Already, the sectarian faultline is shaking things up in the Iraqi government, according to this Yahoo News/Reuters article.

And Comrade Karla sent us this Black Five article with the following recommendation:

an excellent summary of what we’ve done in Iraq and left undone, thanks to the self-fulfilling politics of hopey-changey foreign policy.

Breaking News: So Long So Rohnery!

2011-12-18T19:40:00.000-08:00

(Image from Team America)

Minutes ago, news agencies began reporting the demise of Kim Jong Ill, aka "So Rohnery," to fans of Team America. The most complete story at this time, comes from CNN.

I doubt anyone south of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) and outside the Korean Peninsula will mourn him.

Appeasment--Inside and Out

2011-12-17T20:15:00.000-08:00

("Obamerlain" I've used this image before, but I thought it was appropriate)

A few days ago, in the wake of our downed surveillance drone, Charles Krauthammer wrote this scathing piece for the WaPo.

Unfortunately it's not just external adversaries our president specifically and Americans in general, are appeasing. Yesterday Mark Steyn rolled-in on an undisclosed Catholic university giving in to political correctness over it's annual Christmas card. He ties this together with a number of other subjects, in a way only Mark Steyn could do on the Hugh Hewitt Show.

And despite America's plethora of in-your-face slogans, Mark points out that even Americans are as compliant as any Canadian or European in this Sign of the Times article.

Gun and Grenade Attack--Liege, Belgium

2011-12-13T21:54:00.000-08:00

(Image: Wounded being evacuated from Saint Lambert Square)

This story broke earlier today: A gunman opened fire and tossed grenades at Saint Lambert Square. Additional stories can be found on: The BBC and the Daily Record.

Occupy Seattle's Not-So Peaceful Protest

2011-12-13T21:44:00.000-08:00

I found the Seattle PD Blotter reporting on the latest Occupy Seattle demonstration at Pier-18.

Not quite the peaceful darlings the media portrays them to be are they?

Too Much of a Good Thing?

2011-12-13T21:35:00.000-08:00

Scotland was battered by a windstorm, with gusts up to 165 mph. In addition to the damage and lives disrupted, the high wind proved too much even for windmills.

Remember: There's always uninted costs and consequences.

Comrade Karla Senior, made this observation:

I didn’t think they were supposed to heat themselves . . .

Iranian Scimitar Rattling

2011-12-13T21:19:00.000-08:00

Iran plans on conducting an exercise to close the Straits of Hormuz.

Two of my friends exchanged a point/counterpoint discussion:

Presumably these idiots are aware of the international legal implications of blocking a waterway like the Straits of Hormuz? Egypt found out the hard way in 1967 how that works.

I don't think Iran is really concerned about the legal implications.

Kicking the Can to Oblivion

2011-12-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

(Image by Gorrell)

Mark Steyn, once again, sounds the warning about the disapearance of billions of dollars to ever-increasing government control, in this OC Register article.

Pulling Punches on Sanctions

2011-12-09T16:45:00.000-08:00

(Image by Gary Varvel)

In a rare moment of bipartisanship, the US Senate voted 100-0 for sanctions against Iran's central bank, or anyone doing business with it. With such unanimous support, you'd think Our Dear Leader would follow through with this whole Will-of-the-People thing.

Think again.

Obama, however, wants to soften the blow, such as it is, against the mullahocracy, according to Roger Simon writing for PJ Media.

This tidbit of "leading from behind," brought out the following comments:

Not that it hasn’t been obvious for some time that this administration is terminally stupid on this topic, but still.

Based on my simple understanding of math and my simple understanding of politics, I would think that anytime the Senate votes 100-0 on anything, that pretty much defines what people often refer to as bi-partisanship.

I thought it was the little people unfairly hindering the Greatest President Ever™ in his wondrous, brilliant genius.

Circling the Gunrunner Wagons

2011-12-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

Thing got hot under the Capital Dome during yesterday's committee hearing over Operation Fast and Furious. Eric Holder is refusing Republican calls for firing any "top men" in the Justice Department (DOJ)over this scandal.

This makes me think back to Watergate, where the Nixon presidency imploded over the mere break-in of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Headquarters. Unlike Fast & Furious, which is responsible for the death of one Border Patrol Agent and hundreds of weapons in Mexico still unaccounted for.

More than a handful of DOJ lackeys should loose their jobs.

Resetting the Reset Button?

2011-12-09T15:40:00.000-08:00

The results of the parliamentary elections in Russia are in and a lot of Russians aren't happy. Protests broke out in several cities this week as the United Russia party eked out a bare majority. Many are therefore suspicious of election fraud. The Once And Future President, Vladir Putin is not amused. In fact, he "knows" exactly who to blame for all the unrest in Mother Russia--America.

Yup. According to the ex-KGB operative, we're spending "hundreds of millions of dollars" to rain on his coronation parade.

Looks like the warranty on that infamous Reset Button, just got voided. Or as Comrade Karla put it:

The glorious success of the reset button is now bearing fruit…

Ft Hood Massacre Merely "Workplace Violence"

2011-12-08T11:50:00.000-08:00

The Department of Defense declared the Ft. Hood massacre, caused by Major Nidal Hasan, to be a case of "workplace violence." Congressional lawmakers rolled-in on the whitewash.

This is similar to how honor killings are merely chalked-up as "domestic violence."

This story garnered a couple comments:

Because we never, ever want to call it “terrorism.” Just like the shootings at the Little Rock Army recruiting station—I’m sure that was “gang violence” or something.

...9/11 was merely a combination of workplace violence (most of the victims were at work) and air safety issues (since planes crashed).

My response was: Of course this is workplace violence. Everyone who goes postal shouts "Allahu Akhbar!" while they're reloading.

Remembering Pearl Harbor

2011-12-07T17:19:00.001-08:00

Breaking News: Iranians Claim They Shot Down a US Drone

2011-12-04T16:57:00.000-08:00

(Image: Predator drone firing a Hellfire Missile)

I caught the news headline as I woke up this morning, that Iran claims it downed a US drone.

Here's another breaking headline, this time from the WaPo.

While this incident is being investigated, I'm inclined to believe it was the drone we lost contact with (mechanical failure?) and the Iranians are merely nabbing the credit.

One thing is certain: The Iranians will continue to make a public scene over this. Even if we prove they didn't shoot it down, they'll respond by saying this is another of the Great Satan's lies.

Connecting the Dots With Mark Steyn

2011-12-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

Julius Caesar once said: In war, events of importance are the result of trivial causes.

My favorite commentator, Mark Steyn has a gift of being able to connect-the-dots of seemingly unrelated issues, and yet see a disturbing pattern in these "trivial causes."

Take for instance, this story about a 7 year-old boy being investigated for committing a sexual assault for kicking a school mate in the crotch. This isn't merely overreaction, but a slavish devotion to regulations that erodes common sense decision making.

If you don't believe this, keep in mind 7 year-olds become adults (eventually) and may end up working for some agency like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), for instance. Three days ago, a teenage girl was stopped at the airport because her purse had a handgun design on it. While the girl can be criticized for her fashion sense, it shouldn't have warranted her being detained.

Of course, TSA isn't budging on the issue, which means it's a Federal offense to be carrying or wearing an image of a weapon on board an airplane. Who knew?

In his typical glib style, Mark declared this is a case of society being too stupid to survive.

Our spiral into bureaucratic stupidity is already having global repercussions.

Remember how most of the news media thought Egypt's "Facebook Revolution" was the next best thing to our own? Well the Coptic Christians probably don't think so, while the Jews fled Egypt years ago and have no intention of going back. Mark points out that our leaders refuse to push our national interest on the world stage and we're on the verge of loosing the middle east--long before the final curtain is drawn.

Recession's Impact on Western WA State

2011-12-04T03:02:00.000-08:00

Today's Seattle Times features a series of charts & graphs illustrating the effect the Recession has had on the Puget Sound area.

The Once and Future President

2011-12-03T01:00:00.000-08:00

As if Islamic jihadists and China's "Underground Great Wall" isn't enough to worry about, it looks like Imperial Russia's about to make a comeback. My friends saw that Medvedev was merely keeping the throne warm for Putin's return. This article in The Guardian spells out what the world, Europe and the US in particular, may be in store for.

However, even at it's greatest height, Russia/Soviet Union was always something of a ramshackle empire. Living conditions have been deplorable throughout it's long and tortured history--and in many areas they still are. So there's no telling how far any future imperial resurgence will go.

Or as one friend put it:

I'm hoping (and sort of expecting) this Putin sequel to go the way of the Star Wars prequels -- full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Of course, it will lay bare the utterly impoverished leadership and foreign policy of our very own dear leader.

I've always said a bear can't change its fur--no matter how many times you hit the "Reset Button."

OWS Encampments = Hazmat Sites

2011-12-02T01:00:00.000-08:00

(Image from: The Christian Science Monitor)

The other day, Los Angeles joined the ranks of cities in evicting the Occupy Wallstreet squatters. In the wake of the eviction, the "99%" left behind tons of garbage--literally--30 tons to be exact.

Some commentators, for both the right and left, have stated that the Occupy Wallstreet and Tea Party movements share common issues, goals, themes, etc. While this may be true regarding some facets of the respective movement, there is one glaring difference between the two: Tea Partiers pick up after themselves.

The United Kingdom, Great Britain, England--Whatever

2011-12-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

Once again, Obama has demonstrated:

a. Contempt for our closest allies, and

b. He is in dire need of a basic Western Civ lesson.

The other day, the British Embassy was stormed by an Iranian mob, most likely with the blessing of the Iranian government. The BBC has the story.

So what's Obama's response?

Condemn the attack on the "English Embassy." Nile Gardiner, of The Foundry, delves into what's wrong with this clinker.

Our good friend, Comrade Karla, had this to say:

I wonder if our President understands about that whole Act of Union thingy in 1706 or the other one in 1801? Sounds like a game of Kingmaker.

The Underground Great Wall

2011-11-30T19:25:00.000-08:00

(Image: Chinese ICBMs on parade)

Apparently, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) hasn't been all that forthcoming about their nuclear capability. According to today's Washington Post article, a bunch of Georgetown U student's managed to uncover evidence of an extensive underground network China is using to shelter it's larger-than-previously-assumed nuke arsenal. The Chinese even have a nickname for it: The Underground Great Wall.

In addition to this disturbing news, a number of points irk me about this article.

First, is this quote:

But the strongest condemnation has come from nonproliferation experts who worry that the study could fuel arguments for maintaining nuclear weapons in an era when efforts are being made to reduce the world’s post-Cold War stockpiles.

I grew up during the Cold War and I've never been able to understand the nuclear disarmament activists. On paper, their cause sounds like a noble endeavour. However, it's always America--a free, democratic nation--that always draw the ire of No Nuke crowd, never the totalitarian regimes that posses them. Or in the case of Iran, are hell-bent on possessing them.

Even now, these "experts" appear to be more worried about the US and it's allies deciding to maintain--or Heaven forbid!--increase their nuclear arsenal.

I guess they want to shrug it off as the PRC "not getting the memo."

Then there's this comment:

It’s not quite a bombshell, but those thoughts and estimates are being checked against what people think they know based on classified information...

Not quite a bombshell? Really? I guess it's not bombshell-worthy, because the media can't tie this to Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann, Herman Cain or Newt Gingrich.

The Collateral Damage of an Exit Strategy

2011-11-30T01:00:00.000-08:00

While appalling, it's come as no surprise that there's been a spike in assassinations against anyone suspected of helping the US or coalition troops in Afghanistan.

When you put military operations on a time clock, all the enemy has to do is wait us out--and exact revenge on our abandoned allies.

This story came to our attention via the NY Times.

What also drove my friends and I nuts reading this, is how "The Fishwrap of Record" continues to call the savages we're fighting "militants," "insurgents," or some other white-washed term.

Global Warming Dogma

2011-11-29T18:10:00.000-08:00

(Image from: Carbon Confessions)

Brett Stephens wrote an excellent article in the Wall Street Journal comparing Global Warming to dogmatic religion.

I found the above picture via Google, which led me to the Carbon Confessions blog. Initially, I thought the site poked fun at "warmists." But after scrolling through it for 30 minutes, I realized it was serious about it's global warming beliefs--treating the topic in a humorous manner.

I get the impression the folks on the Carbon Confession YouTube Video, don't attend church (or synagoge, mosque, etc) services on a regular basis, if at all. They've merely substituted one religion for another.

Black Friday Mayhem

2011-11-26T18:55:00.000-08:00

Several incidents of crime and violence across the nation, marked this year's Black Friday sale day. Yahoo News takes a glimpse of the shopping feeding-frenzy.

Myself and just about everyone I know personally, stays away from the malls and department stores on Black Friday. My time is more precious to me than my money and I'd rather not spend my Thanksgiving weekend in an emergency room.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T03:11:00.001-08:00

New Website

2011-11-23T16:40:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine started a website a few months ago, called Bootstrap America. I've provided a link to the Station under the Commentator tab.

Last week she asked me to be a guest-blogger, so now I've been scrounging the internet for material to add to her site.

I don't have any OWS stories, I just hijacked the latest photo she posted on Facebook.

A Boy and His BB Gun

2011-11-23T15:20:00.000-08:00

(Image from the movie: A Christmas Story)

An 11 year-old boy became a hero to his mom and to everyone who read his story on KOMO News.

The Inevitable Result of the Super Committee

2011-11-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

No one should be surprised about the deadlock of the Super Committee, as this NY Post article explains.

Besides, if this Super Committee succeeded in coming to an agreement, what would they accomplish?

Not much.

Out of Favor With His Base?

2011-11-21T13:05:00.000-08:00

MSNBC's Chris Matthews--he of the tingly leg--rants about Obama's lack of drive and direction in this video posted by Breitbart TV

Is this an indicator, Obama's loosing support of his base?

Probably not.

As one friend commented:

The comPost had an article today explaining how his base still loves him and remains very loyal no matter what...

The "comPost" refers to the Washington Post, and this article in particular.

Well, the die-harder lumpenproletariat/limousine libs aren't going to turn on him. But Matthews is smart enough to know better--and it'll be interesting to see if he maintains his skepticism or if this is a momentary lapse, as they say.

Another friend made this observation:

If the base is going to really turn on him (as opposed to just being unhappy with him) there needs to be an alternative however impractical that alternative may be. At this time, no such alternative exits. In 1992, Pat Buchanan ran against GHW Bush and while he was never really a threat, he did make noise rally a segment of the base to his banner. You also had the whole Perot wild card as well.

Unless somebody emerges to make some noise and at least give voice to the Democrats who are not thrilled with Obama, he should sail to the nomination without any trouble and he'll enter the general election with his party more or less behind him.

So, the cult of personality will continue...

The Ultimate Bureaucratic Decree

2011-11-21T11:50:00.000-08:00

The EU-rocrats issued another decree that made them the laughing stock of the international community--again.

Earlier, they tried to outlaw "bendy" bannanas and cucumbers. Now Brussels wants claims that water can help prevent dehydration removed from the labels of bottled water.

Why?

Because, according to the enlightened despots, there's no scientific evidence in making such a claim.

Here's the story of bureaucracy running amok this UK Telegraph article.

Biting the Hand that Feeds Them

2011-11-21T11:35:00.000-08:00

Rex Murphy rolls-in on the OWS crowd in this National Post article.

I love his non-politically correct assessment of the OWS rank & file.

Meanwhile, one of John Stewart's reporters uncovers the social divide within the Peoples Democratic Republic of Zuccotti Park, for an episode of The Daily Show.

Penn State Scandal: The Tip of the Society-Sinking Iceburg

2011-11-19T15:35:00.000-08:00

On 5 November 2011, Jerry Sandusky was charged and arrested for sexually assaulting boys over a 15 year period. Within days, Penn State elders quickly found themselves in the midst of a firestorm, when it was discovered head coach Joe Paterno knew about it. Three days later, Joe Paterno was fired.

But the flames continue to rage, inexplicably, in support of Penn State's now-former head coach. On 10 November, the students rose up in revolt.

A thumbnail sketch of this shameful and disgusting chain of events is available on Wikipedia.

So how is an image of the RMS Titanic tied to a long-running case of child sex abuse?

Leave it to Mark Steyn, to spot the symptoms of societal decline in the eye of this storm. He connects the dots-of-doom in his latest article in the OC Register.

OWS Disrupts the Working 99%'s Commute

2011-11-18T10:35:00.000-08:00

(Image: From the Seattle Times)

Yesterday evening, at the height of rush-hour, Seattle's OWS Franchise decided to occupy University Bridge.

I noticed, the reporter(s) didn't interview any irate commuters, who had their lives disrupted because of these moonbats. While there are some supporting comments after the article, the majority I saw were negative. This is something I've noticed in a lot of politically-charged stories in the Seattle Times, which could be an indicator on just how small the liberal minority truly is.

So not too many of us feel sorry for any of the protestors getting a dose of pepper spray, like the gal shown above at yesterday's Occupy Portland vs PPD skirmish.

Nigel Farage: EU's Nemesis

2011-11-18T10:05:00.000-08:00

Nigel Farage, rips into the non-elected EU-rocrats in this YouTube video.

While in this episode, he warns Iceland to "save themselves."

After watching Mr. Farage lay into the EU's "supercommitte," someone came up with the great idea of making him a US citizen--so he could run for Congress.

Comrade Karla had this to say about Mr. Farage:

He rocks. He's been the bane of the EU for some years now. He's dead on...and as usual, the EU-weenies are impervious to logic. The stuff he's talking about was clear as early as the 80s where things were going.

And for the EU in general:

At its very heart, the EU has always been Soviet Union 2.0. In the 80s, all the unelected Eurocrats set this edifice in place--and publicity was almost nil. Nobody heard about it; nobody knew about it. Then, in the early 90s when they began to implement some of this stuff, some member states pushed back (the Danes rejected the open borders stuff in 94).

But like any good dictatorship, they just kept holding refernda until they got the result they wanted. The public in Europe (which in the broad scheme of history is a mixed bag on actual, functioning democracy) have been seemingly unable to do anything about it.

The ruling classes are for the most part very much conditioned to worship at the altar of the EU. Unfortunately for Europe (and by extention, the rest of the west), Farage is a minority. This might change. Hard to see how, at this point.

While another friend made this observation:

It's going to change (for better or worse) if the EU collapses or starts to dump members.

Which led me to the cartoon I used in this post.

Today's OWS Laugh Break

2011-11-17T12:19:00.001-08:00

Taking Out the Trash at OWS Sites

2011-11-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

(Image: From the movie Soylent Green)

Police--and sanitation crews--moved-in on several OWS (Occupy Wallstreet) sites across the country. "Flea Partiers" are now squawking about having their First Amendment rights squashed. However, on this side of reality, city officials throughout the nation, are concerned about the health hazard these "People's Democratic Republic enclaves," pose for the citizenry going about their daily lives. Not to mention the burgeoning crime rate.

Michelle Malkin posted several live shots of the "storming" of Zuccotti Park, two days ago. Yahoo News, via AP, reported 70 arrests were made during the clean sweep.

Meanwhile, here on the west coast, Seattle's mayor apologized to an 84 year-old activist. She managed to get herself pepper sprayed, when police rolled-in on the Occupy Seattle site. The Seattle Times has this sympathetic article.

In Portland, OR, protestors decided blocking traffic would endear them to morning commuters. Oregon Live has the story, along with a timeline update.

Most of the lamestream media thinks this is all-so grand. Phillip Kennicott writes glowingly about this "vibrant brand of urbanism," in this WaPo article.

Comrade Karla called this article and video on Power Line, "a great antidote to the stupid WaPo article," and "how it didn't really activate the urban core."

One of comments that irk me, is when people compare OWS to the Tea Party.

Yes, I admit I'm a Tea Party fan, so I have a biased opinion. However, I feel my feelings are grounded within the realm of reality. I can't recall a single Tea Party rally causing property damage, or disrupting the lives of ordinary folks going about their business.

That being said, SE Cupp, does point out some emotional commonalities between the two opposing grass-roots movements.

Despite my feelings about the Tea Party, I haven't felt the need to "take to the streets." Now if Janine Turner, is scheduled to make an appearance, you can count me there!

Miller Goes Spartan on OWS

2011-11-14T18:40:00.000-08:00

(Image from: 300, the graphic novel by Frank Miller)

Frank Miller unloaded on the Occupy Wallstreeters over the weekend and the fallout has finally been detected by the Lamestream Media, to include: The Atlantic Wire, the The Washington Post, Forbes and Comic Book Resources.

In case you want to skip the media blather, here's what Mr. Miller had to say on his website, titled Anarchy.

While I own a copy of 300, I've never heard of Miller's politics--until now. Although, now that I think of it, anyone who draws the Immortals as Uruk hai isn't likely to be your typical, hippy-dippy, multi-culti, graphic artist.

Just about everyone in the comic book industry has gone rabid against Miller's latest work: Holy Terror.

Woo-hoo! It's less than $16 on Amazon.com! Gotta go folks and place my order!

Superficial Decisions from the Supercommittee

2011-11-13T17:25:00.000-08:00

(Image: DC Comics' The Superfriends)

Mark Steyn rolls-in on the creative accounting, the so-called Supercommittee is concocting to lower the deficit. You'll understand the Superfriends reference when you read Mark's Veterans Day column in the OC Register.

As you would expect, Congress's grandiose scheme will boil down to business-as-usual...

(Image: Family Guy T-Shirt)

Honoring Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T19:24:00.000-08:00

Here's the story behind the Eagle on the Headstone, from The Last Refuge.

Gaming the Next War?

2011-11-10T20:45:00.000-08:00

(Image: From Clash of Arms Games)

Now the Bush the Younger is no longer president, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)has decided that Iran is attempting to build nuclear weapons afterall. While our current administration and the EU-nuchs dither, speculation is high that Israel will launch a preemptive strike against Iran.

The question is: When?

Possibly before Christmas, according to this article in the UK Mail. Victor Davis Hanson point out some political-historical peculiarities and is also convinced that such a move will most likely occur under Obama's watch, rather then a Republican successor, in this NRO article.

What would be the fallout of such an operation?

Clash of Arms Games latest product, Persian Incursion, explores the geo-strategic and operational dilemmas, such a strike would entail.

What can be learned from playing such a game?

Michael Peck discusses his lessons learned in his latest article in Wired.

A lot of my like-minded friends are also wargamers, so today's news generated the following comments:

I thought there was a good chance the Israelis would attack between Obama's election and inauguration, but it didn't happen. I think I'll be more circumspect in my predictions, but this article is interesting.

One quote that got my attention: "the source ruled out direct British support, adding: ‘Of course we are not in favour of Iran developing a bomb – but do we think they’d use it: no."
I'm not so sanguine on that point.

"the source ruled out direct British support"

Kind of easy to rule something out when your capabilities are pretty much zilch anyhow. That's like a football team with a weak armed quarterback ruling out the deep passing game.

Very nice commentary! It occurs to me that one good side effect of an Israeli attack would be to solve our concerns with Iraq being weak and vulnerable to Iran. If the latter were crushed in a war, the problem would be solved! Win-win!
Ironically, as far as fallout goes (the diplomatic kind), while Israel is castigated publicly most countries will be going (whew, thanks for doing that...sorry we didn't have the stones to help.)

Yeah, to include all of the Gulf Arab states.

Christmas Tree Tax Imposed, Now "Delayed"

2011-11-09T17:40:00.000-08:00

Well, our Grinchy Leader came up with a unique way to tax us 99%--through Christmas Tree sales. David Addington explains in his article in The Foundry.

Hmm. A 15-cent fee/per tree to help "...improve the image and marketing of Christmas trees?" It seems to me, the only ones who have an "image problem" with Christmas Trees are aethists--who primarily, if not exclusively, vote Democrat.

But for now, Holiday Shoppers can rest easy, because the imposition of the tax--I mean "fee"--has been delayed, according to ABC News.

One friend did spot an opportunity here:

This could be lucrative. What's next? Menorahs, Easter Baskets, Halloween Pumpkins, Valentine's Day flowers?

Yes, all these items are in dire need of "image improvement."

OWS Shenanigans & Generational Cold War

2011-11-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

Since we enjoyed Whittle's video so much, Comrade Karla dug up this PJ Media article in Eject! Eject! Eject!

Unfortunately, this wasn't the only OWS tidbit of the day. According to David Kahane, OWS, is part of the Left's culture war. Or, as Mr. Kahane calls it, a Cold Civil War.

In case you want up-to-date information on the latest OWS Shenanigans, check out OWS Exposed, because you'll hardly find any of these stories from the Ministry of Truth (formerly known as "the media").

The End Result of the Touchy-Feely Movement

2011-11-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

This Afterburner video, by Bill Whittle, got two thumbs-up, from my like-minded friends.

And here's a college degree guaranteed to put someone on the fast-track to Zuccotti Park, or whatever piece of downtown real estate today's spoiled hippies are occupying: Occupier of the Day

C for Coporate Sponsorship

2011-11-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

Today is Guy Fawkes Day. When I noticed the Occupy Wallstreet (OWS) hippies started wearing "Guy Fawkes" masks, I had to look him up on Wikipedia. The masks are actually from the graphic novel, V for Vendetta, which was made into a movie back in 2006.

How did a 17th Century traitor and 20th Century graphic novel become symbols of OWS?

Edward Lovett explains in this article on the ABC News Blog.

(Image: from the movie V for Vendetta).

The rest of us non-V-mask-wearers are both dismayed and delighted by irony of the corporate sponsorship of this "anti-capitalism" movement. Mark Steyn, however, points out, this unholy alliance is directed against the most productive portions of society. From the OC Register.

Wishful Thinking About Iran

2011-11-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

The folks at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), are under the impression all will be well, regarding Iran's nuke program. Here's their assessment in the End Game article.

Comrade Karla rolled-in on this quote:

“Third, no matter what Iran's response, negotiations are always beneficial. If successful, they can lead to diplomatic breakthroughs; and even if they aren't, they can provide the U.S. with important information about Iranian intentions.”

I’m not really sure about the above quote. Don’t these people read history?

To which, another friend provided this insightful commentary into the State Department's mindset:

That quote...from the article hits the mentality at State absolutely on the head - the guiding principle in the organization is not to ever actually accomplish anything, but to keep the process moving. And, it constantly amazes, me, too, because almost all FSOs really have read a lot of history and do know quite a bit about the local background and cultures of the countries they're stationed in. I think it all comes down to an organizational culture - very much akin to that of Oceania in 1984 - that automatically prevents people from reaching any sort of conclusion that would be anti-thetical to received dogma. In the case of Iran, if we ever gave up on negotiations and diplomacy we might have to finally accept that there are incorrigibly bad actors in the world. But, that conclusion would be contradictory to the mindset that everyone can be reasoned with and that mutually agreeable outcomes are always achievable.

And, unfortunately, I don't think that there's any possibility of any change in the organizational culture, so basically this is the sort of foreign policy apparatus the U.S. is going to be stuck with for a long time to come. Which in turn is why I think it better that the U.S. minimize its footprint overseas, because since we are essentially destined to have a foreign policy not rooted in reality, any foreign intercourse we have is bound to not work out.

Game Over in Iraq...

2011-11-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

...or at least it will be for us. Who "lost" Iraq?

Charles Krauthammer lays this right at Obama's feet, in this NRO article.

One friend rolled-in with this commentary:

An excellent article. For me the most interesting thing is the mention of Kurdish President Barzani heading off to Tehran - it's apparently finally become obvious to him now that the promises the U.S. made to him were meaningless. Too bad, too. The Kurds really did want to believe that all the sacrifices they made on our behalf and help they gave us really meant something. Our betrayal of them is going to haunt us for years.

Non-Judgementalism = Moral Abdication

2011-11-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

For the past several weeks we've been wondering where the OWS hippies get their dippy ideas. We've traced some of the problems to the indoctrination kids receive at school, both in the K-12 and college campus realms.

Mona Charen writes about her encounter with the moral relativism infecting her son's school, in this NRO article.

If someone doesn't take a stand against human sacrifices, what will they stand for?

Or as Comrade Karla put it:

Remember, condemning human sacrifice is just being insensitive to somebody else’s culture.

Wars and Rumors of War

2011-11-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

While the OWS hippies are tearing-up Oakland and filing legal complaints in the Big Apple, it seems events are moving towards an Iranian-Israeli showdown.

Israel is supposedly considering a pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuke facilities, according to this Sky News article.

And the "Zionist Entity" may not be acting alone either. In this article, from the UK Guardian, Her Majesty's Ministry of Defence (MoD), is ginning-up plans to help--if the US leads the way.

I'm not sure this will happen, since Barack and Bibi have two radically different world views...

Some are even wondering if this story is part of a psyops campaign to get Iran to cease & desist from its "peaceful" nuke program...

Either way, Bibi isn't happy about Israel's plans/faux plans being leaked to the press and is launching an investigation, as mentioned in another Guardian article.

The current situation sparked a couple, in-depth comments:

Actually, the fact this is being leaked out probably is more indicative of a means to pressure Iran rather than an impending attack. That said, I don't put anything past the Israelis if they really feel their survival is at stake (and it may very well be).

The spate of these stories reinforces my belief that there is a concerted effort to pressure Iran using threats of military action. Unfortunately, despite Libya, I don't think this administration is willing to do anything concrete, and I think the Iranians know that, too. I'm still unsure of how Barry O would react if the Israelis went in unilaterally. Would we overtly or covertly support them? Would we go with Zbiggy Brzezinski's idea that we should "shoot them down" if they tried it (not very likely!)? Things are coming to a head, both in Iran and Pakistan (and maybe even in North Korea, though I've given up trying to understand or predict that place!)

The New Dirty Word in Political Discourse

2011-11-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Mark Steyn discusses "disabilities," formerly known as "fetishes" and how it can lead to bankrupting the republic. From the OC Register.

While "disabilites" are in, "self-reliance" is out.

Blogger's Note: I meant to post this four days ago, but after attending a Halloween dance and handing out candy to Trick-or-Treaters, I forgot to post this.

Occupy Ironies Continue...

2011-11-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

I was off duty for several days and was hoping the OWS hippies would have packed it in by now. (Sigh). No such luck.

Yesterday, things turned violent in Oakland, CA, which called for a nation-wide job walk-off. CNN US has the story.

The "northern front" of Occupy Oakland, even saw some skirmishes here in Seattle.

Mark Steyn rolled-in about the hypocrisy of OWS's corporate sponsorship in his Revolution Inc article.

A lot has been said about the hippy/occupiers naivete--and even down-right ignorance. So who's to blame for that?

Bruce Thornton faults our failing schools in this Front Page article.

He certainly has a point. How can we expect kids to know about economics, finance, foreign affairs and civics, when they blow their tuition money on courses like Jay-Z 101?

And how's the rest of the nation taking all this? Not all that well, apparently. In a recent poll, nearly 40% of responders viewed the OWS in an unfavorable light, according to this National Journal article.

Breaking News: 13 Americans Killed in Suicide Bomber Attack in Kabul

2011-10-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

A suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into a bus carrying US and Afghan troops. The breaking story can be read in Yahoo News, while the WaPo has several pictures loaded on it's photo gallery.

Gaddafi's Gone: Now What?

2011-10-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

The image above shows Muammar Gaddafi's last moments before the mob of rebels capped him.

My like-minded friends are glad he's dead, but as with Egypt, we wonder: What's next?

What also irritates us, is how everything former President Bush did was bad, yet everything Obama does (according to the Lamestream Media/Ministry of Truth) is good. As one friend put it:

I have no problem with his death, though I find the (not unexpected) barbaric
means distasteful. I do have a real problem with the clear hypocrisy of the
President and Sec State.

Andrew McCarthy comments on this issue in the NRO.

Gaddafi's execution is already added to his Wikipedia page.

"Do You Want Arugula With That?"

2011-10-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

Irony continues for the OWS movement. Apparently all is not well among those toiling away to feed the masses at the Peoples Democratic Republic of Zuccotti Park. Or, as Comrade Karla put it:

Sounds like redistributing the food wealth is not working out so well.

He sent us this story the other day from the NY Post.

The plight of the cooks promted the following message traffic:

Can you blame them? The poor souls are working 18 hour days. These people went to this thing because they don't want to work and instead they are working 18 hour days as short order cooks and they aren't even getting paid minimum wage. What is this called? Irony? Poetic justice? Help me out here...

If only the Bolsheviks had been similarly FUBAR.

I like how the "volunteer security" force was searching tents and other things. I wonder if any of them have ever read Animal Farm?

Turns out the "99%" is really just the 2%

What I'd like to know is what kind of "revolutionaries" are these folks? Eating "upscale" meals?

Why not get people like, Susan Sarandon and Michael Moore, to cough up some of their money--which is somewhere in the top-tier of the "99%"--and buy truckloads of MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and bottled water.

This way, no one's toiling away for 18 hours/day. All they have to do is hand out an MRE and a bottle of water 3 times a day.

This will also have the benefit of keeping the masses so constipated, that no one will be defecating on police cars anytime soon.

The "Real" Cause for the Viaduct Closure...

2011-10-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

Obama Promises "Peace in Our Time"

2011-10-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

(Image: "Obamerlain")

No one could, or should, argue that our reason for going into Afghanistan in the wake of the 9/11 attacks was a just one.

The rationale to stay and conduct nation-building in a land where the only two things that grow, are poppies and warlords, is certainly debatable.

I've also heard some valid reasons for not invading Iraq while we were still involved in Afghanistan.

How-e-ver, once we've committed ourselves to bringing war to our enemies, we should fight to win.

Over the weekend Obama announced our troops were leaving Iraq by the end of this year.

Here's what Michael LeDeen has to say about this in PJMedia.

Obama's "Mission Accomplished" Moment?

2011-10-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago, in keeping with his campaign promise, more or less, Obama announced US forces will be out of Iraq by the end of the year.

Does this mean the war will be over?

According to Max Boot, the short answer is no. For the longer version, read his article in Commentary.

One friend asked:

So, how many Marlboro Men, I mean "security contractors" will remain in place?

To which, another responded with this article from Spencer Ackerman in Wired's Danger Room.

2011-10-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

The OWS (Occupy Wallstreet) Liberation Front, continues to entertain & amusement for the rest of us.

A couple days ago, Ginger Adams Otis, discovered the unwashed masses are shocked, SHOCKED, to discover they're required to submit requisition forms to the Peoples Ministry of Finance, for basic necessities. Or for material that was "redistributed," formerly referred to as "stolen." Her article appeared in the NY Post.

One friend said:

I believe this is referred to as a "teachable moment."

And in a "more things change" theme, Mark Steyn points out how--like zombies in a horror movie--aging hippies are rising from their figurative graves, to rejoin the ranks of the unwashed. Mark writes from The Corner.

Meanwhile, VDH (Victor Davis Hanson), writes about the adult adolsecents' "rage against the machine," in a piece in Pajamas Media.

Really? You should have saved yourself the trip--and your gas money.

So Long to the Alaskan Way Viaduct

2011-10-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

(Image: Seattle, with the Alaskan Way Viaduct in the foreground)

Yesterday, Seattlites got to walk on the Alaskan Way Viaduct for the last time, before demolition begins. The Seattle Times has the full story on yesterday's rainy-day festivities.

Some People Have Other Things To Do

2011-10-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

Divine Humor

2011-10-22T09:32:00.001-07:00

A friend posted this on Facebook and I had to share. We can only hope there'd be such Divine justice.

The Robespierre of Occupy Charlotte

2011-10-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

(Image: Robespierre shot and apprehended)

The first purge in the Occupy (Insert Name of City Here) movement occurred in Charlotte, NC. The Occupy Charlotte voted it's leader "off the island." CBS Charlotte has the details on the coup.

The comments are also enlightening and entertaining. The friend who sent this particularly liked these two:

Lets all go down there to eat. All of us, even the people that don’t agree with the Occupy policies. If we were respectful of the other people there we shouldn’t be turned away. We can even be politely vocal about disagreeing. It would be hypocritical for Occupy to deny us food and shelter. Let’s overload or highly tax their system and see how it is liked. Most of the non-working individuals there have been sponging off your tax paying way of life for years. Your tax dollars are still be used to keep police in the area and land upkeep. What better way to take some of that back? Be respectful, eat their food. (pig out for a while). Tax their system at the same time you are telling them you are not one of them. Take, take, take from them and give nothing in return. Don’t forget to be polite.

Kindergarten Coup. Amazing. This is like a Romper Room version of the French Revolution.

Former Commandante Shope should count himself lucky he didn't end up like Robespierre, or Trotsky, just to name two revolutionaries, who found themselves branded enemies of the state.