John Ashcroft is gone. Wow I did not see that coming. In the article I read, I saw this section.
"Bush called Evans, whom he has known for three decades, "one of my most trusted friends and advisers," and lauded his efforts. Evans departs office in January, leaving behind a lukewarm economy."
If our economy is lukewarm, what is the rest of the world's??? Oh well, what can you do. It is not like you can point out the growth rate or the number of jobs created.
cube
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Major Changes
Recently there have been some major changes in my life. I am not going though the "change" or having the "change"done, nor am I coming out of the closet.
EverQuest II (EQII) went live yesterday. I was one of the ones to get it a little earlier than the rest of America. This is a online computer game, where you pay a monthly fee. I played the first EQ a good bit, and was interested in this version.
At the base, EQII is much like the fist one, but visually it is much different. The first everquest relied on text much of the time, this one uses voiceovers for the non-player characters (NPCs). The current version of EQII does not have voice over IP. That is understandable, considering the problems with voice over IP in the game. Though Microsoft has seemed to solved similar problems with X-box live, SOE (Sony Online entertainment) has not implemented it in EQII yet.
One of the biggest problems with the first EQ was the economy. It suffered from rampant inflation. EQII has many ways in which the SOE team has tried to pull money out of the economy, to decrease the inflation or at least control it.
Because of the popularity of EQ, many entrepreneurs built websites catering to EQ information (Spell lists, item lists, NPC lists ). SOE has taken many of the best features of those websites, and combined them with player ranks. They have not created just a game, they have created an experience.
My character's name is Titor, here is my personal webpage.
So basically, I will be blogging less.
cube
EverQuest II (EQII) went live yesterday. I was one of the ones to get it a little earlier than the rest of America. This is a online computer game, where you pay a monthly fee. I played the first EQ a good bit, and was interested in this version.
At the base, EQII is much like the fist one, but visually it is much different. The first everquest relied on text much of the time, this one uses voiceovers for the non-player characters (NPCs). The current version of EQII does not have voice over IP. That is understandable, considering the problems with voice over IP in the game. Though Microsoft has seemed to solved similar problems with X-box live, SOE (Sony Online entertainment) has not implemented it in EQII yet.
One of the biggest problems with the first EQ was the economy. It suffered from rampant inflation. EQII has many ways in which the SOE team has tried to pull money out of the economy, to decrease the inflation or at least control it.
Because of the popularity of EQ, many entrepreneurs built websites catering to EQ information (Spell lists, item lists, NPC lists ). SOE has taken many of the best features of those websites, and combined them with player ranks. They have not created just a game, they have created an experience.
My character's name is Titor, here is my personal webpage.
So basically, I will be blogging less.
cube
Tactics
I am not a military tactician, though I play one in video games
This entire assault on Fallujah rubs me the wrong way. Do not get me wrong, I want to see the terrorist feel the might of our military as much as the next guy. Let me give you a short time line of the Iraq situation, and you will probably see what I mean.
Major Ground assault disperses with Iraq army
The enemy melted away into the population and did not fight to the death. The Iraq army dispersed is due to the fact they knew they would lose if they stood their ground. We knew this, they knew this. Live again to fight another day was their motto.
A coordinated decentralized insurgency forms and general instability
The reasons for an insurgency forming are wide and varied. Internal resistance to the American occupation, external groups funding internal groups resistant to the American occupation, and foreign fighters joining and fueling the fray. We dismissed the military. Saddam released a lot of criminals. We could have had a few more million troops over there. Yada. Yada. Yada.
My point is that these groups strength arose out of their nature. They had stealth, terror, plentiful supplies, wide range of movement, and willing members.
A coordinated centralized insurgency forms
We move from seeing violence and instability in several cities and in many different places in Iraq to seeing violence and instability only in a few areas, which we left by choice. The insurgency then uses those areas as staging areas for attacks, places to live, places to sleep, places to eat, and places to keep arms.
Here is the part that I do not understand and which makes me nervous.
When we get ready to attacked the few places left on the map the insurgency STAYS there. The allow us to surround them, prepare for a wide ranging attack, and they prepare to defend their ground. In other words, they are preparing to more or less fight to the death.
The two most viable options that I see are:
We are walking into a trap of some kind. Right now the insurgency has 10,000 to 15,000 Americans in one place, with even more Iraqi soldiers. A bio or chem attack would hurt us.
Or the insurgency is blinded by the desire to spread their culture and is not thinking tactically.
NOTE: I have been reading some of the reports, and it seems that our guys are ahead of schedule in clearing areas. The are facing resistance, but that resistance is fading when we push harder. Are they leaving to fight another day? Or they drawing us in to the center of the city? I do not know, but this seems a little odd to me.
UPDATE: Maybe they are not to dumb, or maybe they are dumber than I think.
Khalid said insurgent leaders had debated how many men to leave in the city. "There were different views about that," he added. "They discussed percentages like 20 per cent inside the city and 80 per cent outside, to save as many fighters as possible for future operations. In the end, they settled on a 50-50 split.
As a commander would I want to leave my most dedicated men in a city to die? It sounds like a winning strategy for us at least.
cube
This entire assault on Fallujah rubs me the wrong way. Do not get me wrong, I want to see the terrorist feel the might of our military as much as the next guy. Let me give you a short time line of the Iraq situation, and you will probably see what I mean.
Major Ground assault disperses with Iraq army
The enemy melted away into the population and did not fight to the death. The Iraq army dispersed is due to the fact they knew they would lose if they stood their ground. We knew this, they knew this. Live again to fight another day was their motto.
A coordinated decentralized insurgency forms and general instability
The reasons for an insurgency forming are wide and varied. Internal resistance to the American occupation, external groups funding internal groups resistant to the American occupation, and foreign fighters joining and fueling the fray. We dismissed the military. Saddam released a lot of criminals. We could have had a few more million troops over there. Yada. Yada. Yada.
My point is that these groups strength arose out of their nature. They had stealth, terror, plentiful supplies, wide range of movement, and willing members.
A coordinated centralized insurgency forms
We move from seeing violence and instability in several cities and in many different places in Iraq to seeing violence and instability only in a few areas, which we left by choice. The insurgency then uses those areas as staging areas for attacks, places to live, places to sleep, places to eat, and places to keep arms.
Here is the part that I do not understand and which makes me nervous.
When we get ready to attacked the few places left on the map the insurgency STAYS there. The allow us to surround them, prepare for a wide ranging attack, and they prepare to defend their ground. In other words, they are preparing to more or less fight to the death.
The two most viable options that I see are:
We are walking into a trap of some kind. Right now the insurgency has 10,000 to 15,000 Americans in one place, with even more Iraqi soldiers. A bio or chem attack would hurt us.
Or the insurgency is blinded by the desire to spread their culture and is not thinking tactically.
NOTE: I have been reading some of the reports, and it seems that our guys are ahead of schedule in clearing areas. The are facing resistance, but that resistance is fading when we push harder. Are they leaving to fight another day? Or they drawing us in to the center of the city? I do not know, but this seems a little odd to me.
UPDATE: Maybe they are not to dumb, or maybe they are dumber than I think.
Khalid said insurgent leaders had debated how many men to leave in the city. "There were different views about that," he added. "They discussed percentages like 20 per cent inside the city and 80 per cent outside, to save as many fighters as possible for future operations. In the end, they settled on a 50-50 split.
As a commander would I want to leave my most dedicated men in a city to die? It sounds like a winning strategy for us at least.
cube
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Saturday
My parents wanted to meet me and my sister halfway in Little Rock. My parents live in south Arkansas, they had about a 2 and a half hour drive as did I. On the way there I picked up a hitchhiker. This one was the quietest hitchhiker that I have ever given a ride. His name was Paul. When he first spoke, I thought that he was mentally handicapped. His voice sounded weird, the more I talked to him I begin to think he was from the north. I found out later that he was from Montana. I have met a few people from Montana, and they did not sound like him. The closest thing I can compare his accent to is that it sounded like what the dumb chicks on golden girl voice would have sounded like. I dropped him off at the love's. There is a large amount of traffic around that place, I hope he found a ride.
On the way to little rock, I saw two guys is a very, dirty, and small truck skinning, or at least picking up a deer. Only in a red state.
Also, it seems to me that Mexicans make unholy use out of our interstate system. For every single car I see, it seems that nearly half of them are Mexicans with everything inside of an old truck. I do not think that is a bad thing, it is just interesting.
Another interesting thing that happened, was my sister bought some running shoes. She is training to run a half marathon this coming December. She went to athlete's foot, and they had the most amazing shoe system I have ever seen. The have a "state-of-the-art FitPrint" system. It sounds like a lot of bull crap on their site.
"The FitPrint System is a state-of-the art computer system that measures pressure points in the feet, providing detailed information regarding foot characteristics and proper fit. After stepping onto the FitPrint System, the customer receives a complimentary personalized hard copy analysis within minutes! The Athlete's Foot has exclusive rights to this cutting-edge technology. "
This is what all that mumbo jumbo equates to. You step on a pad, which is connected to a computer. That computer has a screen which displays a static map of the pressure points of you feet, it also shows you your balance points. While a static map is good to get a general idea of your foot type, it only gives specific clues to what shoe fits you best. They take it one step further. After you get a static map, you then walk over the square sensor with you left foot. Turn around. Then you walk over the square sensor with you right foot. These two steps take a dynamic, moving scan of your feet, showing you balance curves and power curves.
The most impressive thing is that they have broken down their product line to three or four different types of feet. So if you have high arch, they have a shoe and insert line to fit your general foot type.
While the technology was impressive, I found the use of technology to drive the customer selection process more impressive.
cube
On the way to little rock, I saw two guys is a very, dirty, and small truck skinning, or at least picking up a deer. Only in a red state.
Also, it seems to me that Mexicans make unholy use out of our interstate system. For every single car I see, it seems that nearly half of them are Mexicans with everything inside of an old truck. I do not think that is a bad thing, it is just interesting.
Another interesting thing that happened, was my sister bought some running shoes. She is training to run a half marathon this coming December. She went to athlete's foot, and they had the most amazing shoe system I have ever seen. The have a "state-of-the-art FitPrint" system. It sounds like a lot of bull crap on their site.
"The FitPrint System is a state-of-the art computer system that measures pressure points in the feet, providing detailed information regarding foot characteristics and proper fit. After stepping onto the FitPrint System, the customer receives a complimentary personalized hard copy analysis within minutes! The Athlete's Foot has exclusive rights to this cutting-edge technology. "
This is what all that mumbo jumbo equates to. You step on a pad, which is connected to a computer. That computer has a screen which displays a static map of the pressure points of you feet, it also shows you your balance points. While a static map is good to get a general idea of your foot type, it only gives specific clues to what shoe fits you best. They take it one step further. After you get a static map, you then walk over the square sensor with you left foot. Turn around. Then you walk over the square sensor with you right foot. These two steps take a dynamic, moving scan of your feet, showing you balance curves and power curves.
The most impressive thing is that they have broken down their product line to three or four different types of feet. So if you have high arch, they have a shoe and insert line to fit your general foot type.
While the technology was impressive, I found the use of technology to drive the customer selection process more impressive.
cube
Well it was only a matter of time
"Hezbollah flew an unmanned surveillance plane over Israel Sunday. Israel said the plane crashed in Lebanese territory, while Hezbollah said that its drone had returned safely to base."
Where are they getting the money to put into R&D? I probably do not want to know the answer to that question.
My guess is that I will be about 11 to 13 months until one of these are used in an attack by terrorists. The plane probably will be built with technology you can buy from the internet. It probably will not do much damage, but that will only be the first one.
The problem with these small planes is that they will be hard to find and stop.
cube
Where are they getting the money to put into R&D? I probably do not want to know the answer to that question.
My guess is that I will be about 11 to 13 months until one of these are used in an attack by terrorists. The plane probably will be built with technology you can buy from the internet. It probably will not do much damage, but that will only be the first one.
The problem with these small planes is that they will be hard to find and stop.
cube
Culture War
In the Netherlands they are either experiencing growing pains from transitioning into an unsettled society, or they are on the brink of a culture war.
"Earlier this week, a small fire was set at a mosque in Utrecht, and a pig's head was left in a plastic bag outside a mosque in Amsterdam."
"Mainstream Muslim groups condemned the killing but nevertheless have been the target of anger in the Netherlands."
The only solution for the mainstream muslim groups is to clean house, and clean it well. They can condemn all they want, but until they join the fight against extremist they will be caught in the middle and suffer the most casualties.
cube
"Earlier this week, a small fire was set at a mosque in Utrecht, and a pig's head was left in a plastic bag outside a mosque in Amsterdam."
"Mainstream Muslim groups condemned the killing but nevertheless have been the target of anger in the Netherlands."
The only solution for the mainstream muslim groups is to clean house, and clean it well. They can condemn all they want, but until they join the fight against extremist they will be caught in the middle and suffer the most casualties.
cube
Monday, November 08, 2004
60 days of hell
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Trying to make a convert II
Friend,
The first thing that we must agree on in this up coming conversation is that owning a gun is a right which has been granted to us by the constitution and has been a long standing tradition. If you do not agree with that, please read below. If you do agree please go to the section labeled Argument Scope.
It has been a long standing tradition to own, use, and keep guns with you in America. If you have reasons for changing that tradition, they must be valid, unbiased, and have a clear understanding of why the tradition was created in the first place.
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
The right to bear arms is in the same realm as freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Some people believe that the right to bear arms does not exist outside of a "militia". There are a few problems with this idea.
The first problem I see is that the US constitution says the federal government has the right to regulate the "Militia", that does not mean fund it. So if the federal government does not fund this state"Militia", who buys the guns? It is the people who buy the guns, own the guns, and use the guns.
Another reason why the right to bear arms exist is because of the "shall not be infringed" clause. It is obvious to me, that not being able to by any type of gun that I want (up to and including military machine guns, anti tank guns, and sniper rifles) is an infringement. I would like to point out the steps it takes for me to get a CCW. I will spend over two hundred dollars taking state mandated courses and paying license fees to the sate. I will also under go a federal back ground check (Invasion of privacy). Should the government know if you own guns? I personally do not mind them knowing, but I do mind them not letting me have effective (ie military quality) weapons in which to defend myself from criminals, invaders, and they government itself.
Finally, it goes against many of the founders other writings and thoughts to suggest that owning guns is not a right, necessary, or essential part of American heritage.
"Never trust a government that doesn't trust its own citizens with guns." - Benjamin Franklin
"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore by the constant companion of your walks." - Thomas Jefferson
"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials." -George Mason, 3 Elliot, Debates at 425-426.
"The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed." -Thomas Jefferson.
Love your country, but never trust its government.
-- Robert A. Heinlein.
"To disarm the people (is) the best and most effectual way to enslave them..." -George Mason, 3 Elliot, Debates at 380.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined...The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.: -Patrick Henry.
More quotes here....
Argument Scope
Bearing arms is a right, but is also a right that you can abstain from. The up coming talks will discuss the personal trade offs of gun ownership, the societal trade offs, and the resulting public policy of gun ownership. This discussion will require effort on both sides to research data, remove the cloud of biases, and be honest. I am willing to put forth the effort to research gun ownership and the effects, and I ask that you will be able to do the same and join me in this discussion.
cube
previous Post
The first thing that we must agree on in this up coming conversation is that owning a gun is a right which has been granted to us by the constitution and has been a long standing tradition. If you do not agree with that, please read below. If you do agree please go to the section labeled Argument Scope.
It has been a long standing tradition to own, use, and keep guns with you in America. If you have reasons for changing that tradition, they must be valid, unbiased, and have a clear understanding of why the tradition was created in the first place.
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
The right to bear arms is in the same realm as freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Some people believe that the right to bear arms does not exist outside of a "militia". There are a few problems with this idea.
The first problem I see is that the US constitution says the federal government has the right to regulate the "Militia", that does not mean fund it. So if the federal government does not fund this state"Militia", who buys the guns? It is the people who buy the guns, own the guns, and use the guns.
Another reason why the right to bear arms exist is because of the "shall not be infringed" clause. It is obvious to me, that not being able to by any type of gun that I want (up to and including military machine guns, anti tank guns, and sniper rifles) is an infringement. I would like to point out the steps it takes for me to get a CCW. I will spend over two hundred dollars taking state mandated courses and paying license fees to the sate. I will also under go a federal back ground check (Invasion of privacy). Should the government know if you own guns? I personally do not mind them knowing, but I do mind them not letting me have effective (ie military quality) weapons in which to defend myself from criminals, invaders, and they government itself.
Finally, it goes against many of the founders other writings and thoughts to suggest that owning guns is not a right, necessary, or essential part of American heritage.
"Never trust a government that doesn't trust its own citizens with guns." - Benjamin Franklin
"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore by the constant companion of your walks." - Thomas Jefferson
"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials." -George Mason, 3 Elliot, Debates at 425-426.
"The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed." -Thomas Jefferson.
Love your country, but never trust its government.
-- Robert A. Heinlein.
"To disarm the people (is) the best and most effectual way to enslave them..." -George Mason, 3 Elliot, Debates at 380.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined...The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.: -Patrick Henry.
More quotes here....
Argument Scope
Bearing arms is a right, but is also a right that you can abstain from. The up coming talks will discuss the personal trade offs of gun ownership, the societal trade offs, and the resulting public policy of gun ownership. This discussion will require effort on both sides to research data, remove the cloud of biases, and be honest. I am willing to put forth the effort to research gun ownership and the effects, and I ask that you will be able to do the same and join me in this discussion.
cube
previous Post
Trying to make a convert
I have been talking about guns a lot recently with my friends. On of them who is not very political in general, sent me this email.
Subject: Prospective purchase
This morning I kept hearing about a study about having a gun in the home and how it drastically increases the chances of being killed in a homicide, etc.
I can't find the study but I know it was from the CDC.
Older Studies:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9715182&dopt=Abstract
http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/factsheets/?page=firefacts
Guns in the Home - A Greater Risk to Family and Friends
For every time a gun is used in a home in a legally-justifiable shooting [note that every self-defense is legally justifiable] there are 22 criminal, unintentional, and suicide-related shootings
The presence of a gun in the home triples the risk of homicide in the home
The presence of a gun in the home increases the risk of suicide fivefold.
http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcdgaga.html
He just cited the brady campaing to me. Well I have not have time to respond, but I am going to do some research on each of links, send him the correct numbers, read to him the bill of rights, and then take him gun shopping.
cube
Subject: Prospective purchase
This morning I kept hearing about a study about having a gun in the home and how it drastically increases the chances of being killed in a homicide, etc.
I can't find the study but I know it was from the CDC.
Older Studies:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9715182&dopt=Abstract
http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/factsheets/?page=firefacts
Guns in the Home - A Greater Risk to Family and Friends
For every time a gun is used in a home in a legally-justifiable shooting [note that every self-defense is legally justifiable] there are 22 criminal, unintentional, and suicide-related shootings
The presence of a gun in the home triples the risk of homicide in the home
The presence of a gun in the home increases the risk of suicide fivefold.
http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcdgaga.html
He just cited the brady campaing to me. Well I have not have time to respond, but I am going to do some research on each of links, send him the correct numbers, read to him the bill of rights, and then take him gun shopping.
cube
OH no!!!
This was the short part that I read on google news -
"European leaders urged President Bush to work closely with America's allies on issues like terrorism and the environment in his second term, while critics of the president worried re-election would embolden him to pursue conservative policies..."
Oh no bush is going to pursue conservative policies, just like we elected him to.
What it actually said was the above part + "...more aggressively than ever."
Now as the president is making his plans for the next four years it is a good idea for me to put my wishlist together. I demand that bush handle these problems and give me what I want, or I will just complain in uppercase, if he does not.
Here is the list in no particular order.
Removing the personal income tax and imposing just national sales tax.
Simplifying the corporate tax code (flat tax like Russia and some eastern bloc countries)
HSA's
Allow me to put MY social security money into MY personal 401k type account.
Fix Iraq.
Stop North Korea, and disarm them
Stop Iran, and disarm them
Solve the Israel problem
Secure our border
Keep an eye on Russia and China
Encourage growth in china and Russia
Do not get in the way of the growth of the internet.
Get rid of farm subsidies
And how about getting rid of the law that says I cannot buy new machine guns.
On thing to note: According to supply side economics, lowing the tax rate should come before fixing social security.
cube
"European leaders urged President Bush to work closely with America's allies on issues like terrorism and the environment in his second term, while critics of the president worried re-election would embolden him to pursue conservative policies..."
Oh no bush is going to pursue conservative policies, just like we elected him to.
What it actually said was the above part + "...more aggressively than ever."
Now as the president is making his plans for the next four years it is a good idea for me to put my wishlist together. I demand that bush handle these problems and give me what I want, or I will just complain in uppercase, if he does not.
Here is the list in no particular order.
Removing the personal income tax and imposing just national sales tax.
Simplifying the corporate tax code (flat tax like Russia and some eastern bloc countries)
HSA's
Allow me to put MY social security money into MY personal 401k type account.
Fix Iraq.
Stop North Korea, and disarm them
Stop Iran, and disarm them
Solve the Israel problem
Secure our border
Keep an eye on Russia and China
Encourage growth in china and Russia
Do not get in the way of the growth of the internet.
Get rid of farm subsidies
And how about getting rid of the law that says I cannot buy new machine guns.
On thing to note: According to supply side economics, lowing the tax rate should come before fixing social security.
cube
Remember when i told you fat people were a problem for airlines
Well in truth, i did not tell you that. I just mentioned that and assumed you agreed.
"4. You could make discrimination based on BMI (Body Mass Index) legal. This would allow planes, trains,and public transportation to charge the truly fat peoples more. It would also allow health insurance to charge the fat more also. BMI can be calculated very exactly using other tools besides height and weight. This would only be fair, because if you have large amounts of muscle and small amounts of body fat, you BMI would still be high. (same amount of government)"
Big bottoms crushing airlines' bottom lines
Heavy suitcases aren't alone in weighing down airplanes and requiring them to burn more fuel, raising flight costs. A new government study reveals that airlines increasingly have to worry more about passengers' weight.
American's growing waistlines are hurting the bottom lines of airlines as extra pounds on passengers cause a drag on planes.
I just took nine months for the world the catch up. Well actually heavy suitcases are part of the problem, thin people's clothes weight less. As do short people's clothes.
cube
"4. You could make discrimination based on BMI (Body Mass Index) legal. This would allow planes, trains,and public transportation to charge the truly fat peoples more. It would also allow health insurance to charge the fat more also. BMI can be calculated very exactly using other tools besides height and weight. This would only be fair, because if you have large amounts of muscle and small amounts of body fat, you BMI would still be high. (same amount of government)"
Big bottoms crushing airlines' bottom lines
Heavy suitcases aren't alone in weighing down airplanes and requiring them to burn more fuel, raising flight costs. A new government study reveals that airlines increasingly have to worry more about passengers' weight.
American's growing waistlines are hurting the bottom lines of airlines as extra pounds on passengers cause a drag on planes.
I just took nine months for the world the catch up. Well actually heavy suitcases are part of the problem, thin people's clothes weight less. As do short people's clothes.
cube
Friday, November 05, 2004
Wow i thought i was crazy
Remember to obey local laws in purchasing firearms (I personally think all gun laws are un-Constitutional and according to Marbury vs. Madison do not need to be obeyed, but I leave that to you).
Man i love the internet.
cube
Man i love the internet.
cube
Your true colors are shining through
It could be that I am viewing biased blogs, but I am reading a lot of hate coming from the party of tolerance. It is not just limited to Americans, either.
"How can 59,054,087 people be so DUMB?" Britain's liberal Daily Mirror tabloid asked. "March of the Moral Majority," said the front page of the Daily Mail, above a photo of Mr. Bush with his wife and daughters. "
Here is a list of good ones.
"Sorry, but the American people are stupid and blind and driven by hatred and fear. They can have the fucking election, I'm buying a gun."
"The unavoidably obvious explanation is that Americans are by-and-large morons. Simpleminded, uninformed and undereducated, intellectually lazy and proud in their ignorance to boot, self-important and self-righteous, arrogant and benighted idiots. They are a reflection of George W. Bush, and in him they saw themselves. That’s why they love him and trust him so. Their reality is the faith-based myth that America is blessed and always right and great and perfect and freedom is handed down by God and not manmade constitutional governments and cultures of tolerance and inquiry. The are certain that the “real” America is in the unpleasant, xenophobic, homophobic, red states in the middle, where everybody has a white picket fence in the brain and they don’t seem aware of their own squalor and the fact that they make ends meet only because the far more prosperous blue states continue to subsidize their light beer guzzling. "
"Fuck you, Ohio. Fuck you fuck you fuck you. You stupid redneck mullet-haired fucking freaks, how could you vote for Bush?"
What we are seeing among the members of the left are several of the psychological effects of losing. The anger, the rationalization, the dissociation. A good example of dissociation happens when "we" changes to "they". For example, if bush lost the election, I would said the republicans or "they" lost, but since he won, "we" won.
The shameless name calling I can accept and shrug off, but the suggestions that I am dumb bother me. Just by calling an idea dumb, does not allow you to dismiss it. Where is the political discourse? Where are their ideas? Are their ideas lost in the complex world they have made?
I do not mind if you call my ideas dumb, because I am sure I have plenty of dumb ideas, but you have to tell me why my ideas are dumb for me to listen. In other words, if the right is so dumb, they should be easy to beat, because their ideas will be bad, unworkable, and easy to point out the flaws in. Yet that is not the case, they group that defeated you in this election, is the group that you call dumb.
Well if I am dumb, then what does that make you.
Some members of the left are so prideful. Pride before the fall, my friends, pride before the fall.
Keep it simple, stupid
What is wrong with simple? Simple processes, simple ideas, and simple actions make things easy and simple. I do not what my life complex, hard to explain, or unclear. I like things simple and easy.
"How can 59,054,087 people be so DUMB?" Britain's liberal Daily Mirror tabloid asked. "March of the Moral Majority," said the front page of the Daily Mail, above a photo of Mr. Bush with his wife and daughters. "
Here is a list of good ones.
"Sorry, but the American people are stupid and blind and driven by hatred and fear. They can have the fucking election, I'm buying a gun."
"The unavoidably obvious explanation is that Americans are by-and-large morons. Simpleminded, uninformed and undereducated, intellectually lazy and proud in their ignorance to boot, self-important and self-righteous, arrogant and benighted idiots. They are a reflection of George W. Bush, and in him they saw themselves. That’s why they love him and trust him so. Their reality is the faith-based myth that America is blessed and always right and great and perfect and freedom is handed down by God and not manmade constitutional governments and cultures of tolerance and inquiry. The are certain that the “real” America is in the unpleasant, xenophobic, homophobic, red states in the middle, where everybody has a white picket fence in the brain and they don’t seem aware of their own squalor and the fact that they make ends meet only because the far more prosperous blue states continue to subsidize their light beer guzzling. "
"Fuck you, Ohio. Fuck you fuck you fuck you. You stupid redneck mullet-haired fucking freaks, how could you vote for Bush?"
What we are seeing among the members of the left are several of the psychological effects of losing. The anger, the rationalization, the dissociation. A good example of dissociation happens when "we" changes to "they". For example, if bush lost the election, I would said the republicans or "they" lost, but since he won, "we" won.
The shameless name calling I can accept and shrug off, but the suggestions that I am dumb bother me. Just by calling an idea dumb, does not allow you to dismiss it. Where is the political discourse? Where are their ideas? Are their ideas lost in the complex world they have made?
I do not mind if you call my ideas dumb, because I am sure I have plenty of dumb ideas, but you have to tell me why my ideas are dumb for me to listen. In other words, if the right is so dumb, they should be easy to beat, because their ideas will be bad, unworkable, and easy to point out the flaws in. Yet that is not the case, they group that defeated you in this election, is the group that you call dumb.
Well if I am dumb, then what does that make you.
Some members of the left are so prideful. Pride before the fall, my friends, pride before the fall.
Keep it simple, stupid
What is wrong with simple? Simple processes, simple ideas, and simple actions make things easy and simple. I do not what my life complex, hard to explain, or unclear. I like things simple and easy.
cube
International Broken Window theory
It is time to scale up to the international level.
"Republican Mayor Giuliani adopted this strategy in New York City. He had the police strictly enforce the law against subway fare evasion and stopped (some say persecuted) the "squeegee men" who had been wiping windshields of stopped cars and demanding payment.
Rates of more serious crimes fell significantly.
Democratic New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is also a prominent adherent of Broken Window Theory, especially in the context of white collar crime."
Countires that perpetuate small crimes need to be punished while they are small crimes. This will stop small rouge countires from becoming big rouge countires and also stop the the growth of rouge countires. This will prevent new problems from arising, so we can starting coming up with individual soultions for rouge countries we currently have.
cube
"Republican Mayor Giuliani adopted this strategy in New York City. He had the police strictly enforce the law against subway fare evasion and stopped (some say persecuted) the "squeegee men" who had been wiping windshields of stopped cars and demanding payment.
Rates of more serious crimes fell significantly.
Democratic New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer is also a prominent adherent of Broken Window Theory, especially in the context of white collar crime."
Countires that perpetuate small crimes need to be punished while they are small crimes. This will stop small rouge countires from becoming big rouge countires and also stop the the growth of rouge countires. This will prevent new problems from arising, so we can starting coming up with individual soultions for rouge countries we currently have.
cube
Thursday, November 04, 2004
You know you have kicked their tales
Election Round Up
Most everyone is calling it for Bush. Many people in the blogsphere, and several of the media outlets, though there are some hold outs.
first off I would like to say that I was wrong.
I projected that bush would get 52 percent of the popular vote and Kerry only 48. In my haste I forgot to include Nader. I am deeply sorry that I misled you, and that my predictions where one percent off. I promise to try harder, and be more accurate in the future.
Secondly, I was wrong again on the electoral college. I missed Iowa and Wisconsin. For that I apologize. A 0.031598513011152416356877323420074 percent error rate is unacceptable. I have failed my readers, American, and my left testicle.
UPDATE: I misread Wisconsin. I had that one correct. The only state that i missed was Iowa. that makes my error rate in the electoral college perdiction .013. This is better than any other perdictions that i saw, but it is not perfect by any means. I am sorry i failed you.
I am again torn between not wanting Kerry to drag America through an election scandal, but that is countered by my desire not to hear democrats complain about not all the votes being counted for the next four years.
I am with Of the mind. Count them if it does matter, count them if it does not, and count them for the entire next week. We are America and we must set an example for the world. This is how you handle close elections, with poise, calmness, and precision.
Kerry also has a role in setting an example for the rest of the world, he cannot be a sore loser. He must concede, and concede with a certain amount of finality. If he does not, the new democratic countries that we have created might get the idea that it is normal to contest elections, and that it is ok, normal, and emotional healthy to get angry when you do not get you way. If Kerry pushes this he will damage America, his party, and tarnish the democratic process for the entire world. It is time for America to lead, and lead Kerry must.
cube
first off I would like to say that I was wrong.
I projected that bush would get 52 percent of the popular vote and Kerry only 48. In my haste I forgot to include Nader. I am deeply sorry that I misled you, and that my predictions where one percent off. I promise to try harder, and be more accurate in the future.
Secondly, I was wrong again on the electoral college. I missed Iowa and Wisconsin. For that I apologize. A 0.031598513011152416356877323420074 percent error rate is unacceptable. I have failed my readers, American, and my left testicle.
UPDATE: I misread Wisconsin. I had that one correct. The only state that i missed was Iowa. that makes my error rate in the electoral college perdiction .013. This is better than any other perdictions that i saw, but it is not perfect by any means. I am sorry i failed you.
I am again torn between not wanting Kerry to drag America through an election scandal, but that is countered by my desire not to hear democrats complain about not all the votes being counted for the next four years.
I am with Of the mind. Count them if it does matter, count them if it does not, and count them for the entire next week. We are America and we must set an example for the world. This is how you handle close elections, with poise, calmness, and precision.
Kerry also has a role in setting an example for the rest of the world, he cannot be a sore loser. He must concede, and concede with a certain amount of finality. If he does not, the new democratic countries that we have created might get the idea that it is normal to contest elections, and that it is ok, normal, and emotional healthy to get angry when you do not get you way. If Kerry pushes this he will damage America, his party, and tarnish the democratic process for the entire world. It is time for America to lead, and lead Kerry must.
cube
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
live blogging
well it is 10:07
New hampshire, heh heh.
above 90 percent in florida and bush is ahead by 5 percent. Florida looks like it is going to bush, but as the The agitator said thier are a lot of ballots left to count even after tonight.
Fox is saying that the ACLU has sued jeb, and they want to extend the absentee ballot counting, which it would be extended to November 12 if the ACLU wins. There are a lot of absentee ballots out there.
update: 10: 12
Bush 197
Kerry 144
update 10:37
Fox says some of the most heavy GOP districs in Ohio have not reported yet.
64 percent precints reporting bush up by four percentage points in Ohio
update 10:37
Flordia
%Reporting Bush Cheney(REP) Kerry Edwards(DEM)
93.8% 51.8% 47.4%
update 10:48
Precincts Reporting: 63.04%
Bush, George W. Republican 1,829,594 52.08%
Kerry, John F. Democratic 1,660,527 47.27%
update: 10: 57
Daschle is going down, down, down
update: 11:24
provinsonal ballots, a couple hundred thousand in ohio, could make a difference.
update 11:47
Fox has called ohio for bush.
bush has 266 according to fox. worse case bush ties. No way kerry can get the presdency.
update 11:52
it has been five mins since fox called it for bush.
and la times still have not updated their website.
drudge is still have not give ohio to bush, the stupid msm.
update 11:58
Ok fox is not setting up their call for bush, explaining the auto recount.
Bush still has a shot of catching MI, MN, NM, WI, and IA. If bush catches half of those, this will be the frist un contested presdential election of this centruy.
a Concession will be given tonight by Kerry.
at 11: 58
drudge calls it for bush.
update: 12:01
the la tims still has not called it for bush.
Fox at the Bush HQ, setting up the win.
update: 12:04
bush has 269, and all the other networks have that also
update: 12:14
thune ahead in south dakota, but it is close
update 12:15
recount in folordia, it has to be closer than .05 percent.
WI it is close
update: 12: 17
La times still not giving it to bush.
update 12:19
IOWA bush is ahead by a few hundred votes with 90 percent reporting.
update 12:23
CNN still has not called ohio for bush, but NBC has
update 12:27
fox is toying with me, they have not called New mexico yet. They are talking to some guy from OHIO. they are still talking about provinsional ballots. they could still be counted
update 12:29
kerry disputing Ohio.
kerry would have to win all outstanding ballots, that is a load of crap. He will not give his consession speech, he will shoot himself.
12:32
ohio provisinoal ballots, 70 percent of people in ohio used old fashioned punch cards
oh no
12:35
centering in on ohio. Kerry will have to scrape together enough votes from several different souces, not likly.
He had better concede, or i will be mad
12:49
fox has not called New mexico, this will be my last post. I am calling it for bush, it might be 11 days until we know for sure, but i think he has it.
cube
New hampshire, heh heh.
above 90 percent in florida and bush is ahead by 5 percent. Florida looks like it is going to bush, but as the The agitator said thier are a lot of ballots left to count even after tonight.
Fox is saying that the ACLU has sued jeb, and they want to extend the absentee ballot counting, which it would be extended to November 12 if the ACLU wins. There are a lot of absentee ballots out there.
update: 10: 12
Bush 197
Kerry 144
update 10:37
Fox says some of the most heavy GOP districs in Ohio have not reported yet.
64 percent precints reporting bush up by four percentage points in Ohio
update 10:37
Flordia
%Reporting Bush Cheney(REP) Kerry Edwards(DEM)
93.8% 51.8% 47.4%
update 10:48
Precincts Reporting: 63.04%
Bush, George W. Republican 1,829,594 52.08%
Kerry, John F. Democratic 1,660,527 47.27%
update: 10: 57
Daschle is going down, down, down
update: 11:24
provinsonal ballots, a couple hundred thousand in ohio, could make a difference.
update 11:47
Fox has called ohio for bush.
bush has 266 according to fox. worse case bush ties. No way kerry can get the presdency.
update 11:52
it has been five mins since fox called it for bush.
and la times still have not updated their website.
drudge is still have not give ohio to bush, the stupid msm.
update 11:58
Ok fox is not setting up their call for bush, explaining the auto recount.
Bush still has a shot of catching MI, MN, NM, WI, and IA. If bush catches half of those, this will be the frist un contested presdential election of this centruy.
a Concession will be given tonight by Kerry.
at 11: 58
drudge calls it for bush.
update: 12:01
the la tims still has not called it for bush.
Fox at the Bush HQ, setting up the win.
update: 12:04
bush has 269, and all the other networks have that also
update: 12:14
thune ahead in south dakota, but it is close
update 12:15
recount in folordia, it has to be closer than .05 percent.
WI it is close
update: 12: 17
La times still not giving it to bush.
update 12:19
IOWA bush is ahead by a few hundred votes with 90 percent reporting.
update 12:23
CNN still has not called ohio for bush, but NBC has
update 12:27
fox is toying with me, they have not called New mexico yet. They are talking to some guy from OHIO. they are still talking about provinsional ballots. they could still be counted
update 12:29
kerry disputing Ohio.
kerry would have to win all outstanding ballots, that is a load of crap. He will not give his consession speech, he will shoot himself.
12:32
ohio provisinoal ballots, 70 percent of people in ohio used old fashioned punch cards
oh no
12:35
centering in on ohio. Kerry will have to scrape together enough votes from several different souces, not likly.
He had better concede, or i will be mad
12:49
fox has not called New mexico, this will be my last post. I am calling it for bush, it might be 11 days until we know for sure, but i think he has it.
cube
This weekend
This weekend I went camping with several long time friends and some friends from church. Friday night we sat around the fire, talked, joked, and had fun.
Saturday morning I had the privilege of shooting two different guns: A Sig 9mm and a Kimber 45.
I could not control the .45 worth anything. It jumped around a lot, and it felt like I was wildly off every time I shot. The 9mm was nice, sharp, and clean. The particular model I was shooting was a little small for my hands. The trigger was not what I expected. It was loose at first. When I felt resistance it was sharp and short. For any gun knowageable readers, is that normal for sig and/or preferable in general.
Since I am also looking to get my CCW, I decided to go to a local gun store and see what they had to offer. This gun store, Guns and Ammo in Memphis, had more hand guns than I have ever see before. They had a little bit of everything. Off in the corner away from all the guns, separate and apart as I like to say, were the HK's. They were very expensive. I was able to talk to a guy about the glocks and ask some questions. He almost sold me on buying a glock, because of Glock's popularity you can always find holsters and accessories.
I personally have never shot a glock, but you can rent them from a local gun range. I decided I should do that next. I went to the local gun range and shot a Glock 17, a 9mm. The gun I shot had the extended magazine, 17 rounds!!! If glocks had a normal safety I probably would not have a problem buying one, but I have a hard time getting over the lack of a safety. The trigger was what I expect from a gun. I asked the guy at the range desk, if he could field strip it for me. He showed me how, and pointed out a few things to me. I thought I saw rust on some of the parts , but I am not sure about that.
I am still looking around at different guns, studying, and trying to shoot as many different ones as I can. I am probably going to take the CCW class, and then buy a pistol after the class. I am open to suggestions or ideas.
cube
Saturday morning I had the privilege of shooting two different guns: A Sig 9mm and a Kimber 45.
I could not control the .45 worth anything. It jumped around a lot, and it felt like I was wildly off every time I shot. The 9mm was nice, sharp, and clean. The particular model I was shooting was a little small for my hands. The trigger was not what I expected. It was loose at first. When I felt resistance it was sharp and short. For any gun knowageable readers, is that normal for sig and/or preferable in general.
Since I am also looking to get my CCW, I decided to go to a local gun store and see what they had to offer. This gun store, Guns and Ammo in Memphis, had more hand guns than I have ever see before. They had a little bit of everything. Off in the corner away from all the guns, separate and apart as I like to say, were the HK's. They were very expensive. I was able to talk to a guy about the glocks and ask some questions. He almost sold me on buying a glock, because of Glock's popularity you can always find holsters and accessories.
I personally have never shot a glock, but you can rent them from a local gun range. I decided I should do that next. I went to the local gun range and shot a Glock 17, a 9mm. The gun I shot had the extended magazine, 17 rounds!!! If glocks had a normal safety I probably would not have a problem buying one, but I have a hard time getting over the lack of a safety. The trigger was what I expect from a gun. I asked the guy at the range desk, if he could field strip it for me. He showed me how, and pointed out a few things to me. I thought I saw rust on some of the parts , but I am not sure about that.
I am still looking around at different guns, studying, and trying to shoot as many different ones as I can. I am probably going to take the CCW class, and then buy a pistol after the class. I am open to suggestions or ideas.
cube
"He's tan and healthy."
"On Friday, we [three widows whose husbands died in the World Trade Center] cried when we say the tape of Osama bin Laden," said Kleinberg. "He's tan and healthy. He does not look desperate or scared. Three years ago, President Bush promised us he would capture Osama bin Laden dead or alive. He didn't do that. Instead, he diverted our attention and resources to a war in Iraq."
I feel for you loss, but calling an Arab tan is like saying I am pale. IT IS HIS SKIN COLOR!!!!!!! If you saw Arafat, and he was looking good, would you say he was tan and healthy? No you would say his skin is normal color and he is healthy.
As far as looking desperate or scared? If I was going to make a video I would make sure I looked good in it also.
OBL looked tan? Where did he ever get that tan from living in a cave? His skin is not naturally that color is it?
Remember what our favorite singer Eddie glen has to say about Arabs, "They are darker than me so they must be bad."
cube
I feel for you loss, but calling an Arab tan is like saying I am pale. IT IS HIS SKIN COLOR!!!!!!! If you saw Arafat, and he was looking good, would you say he was tan and healthy? No you would say his skin is normal color and he is healthy.
As far as looking desperate or scared? If I was going to make a video I would make sure I looked good in it also.
OBL looked tan? Where did he ever get that tan from living in a cave? His skin is not naturally that color is it?
Remember what our favorite singer Eddie glen has to say about Arabs, "They are darker than me so they must be bad."
cube
If you win...
you get this fiddle made of gold. If you lose the devil gets your sooooooooooouuuul.
Better than betting your soul you can bet your blog.
I offer to bet this blog against any liberal blog rated as a large mammal on the TTLB Ecosystem. Winner is the blogger who backs the prevailing candidate, Bush or Kerry. I take Bush. Loser shuts down his or her blog. For good. Effective inauguration day, 2005.
WOW.
cube
Better than betting your soul you can bet your blog.
I offer to bet this blog against any liberal blog rated as a large mammal on the TTLB Ecosystem. Winner is the blogger who backs the prevailing candidate, Bush or Kerry. I take Bush. Loser shuts down his or her blog. For good. Effective inauguration day, 2005.
WOW.
cube
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