Friday, December 31, 2010

Horrible Smell Part III

Really just a joke sent to me by the folks. 
If allowed to fester this would create a bit of a stink.
Splinters in her Crotch?


A woman from Los Angeles, CA who was a tree hugger, a Democrat, and an anti-hunter, purchased a piece of timberland near Colville, WA. There was a large tree on one of the highest points in the tract. She wanted a good view of the natural splendor of her land so she started to climb the big tree. As she neared the top she encountered a spotted owl that attacked her. In her haste to escape, the woman slid down the tree to the ground and got many splinters in her crotch.

In considerable pain, she hurried to Mt. Carmel ER to see a doctor. She told him she was an environmentalist, a democrat, and an anti-hunter and how she came to get all the splinters. The doctor listened to her story with great patience and then told her to go wait in the examining room and he would see if he could help her.

She sat and waited three hours before the doctor reappeared. The angry woman demanded, "What took you so long?" He smiled and then told her, "Well, I had to get permits from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management before I could remove old-growth timber from a recreational area. I'm sorry, but due to Obama Care, they turned me down."

MegaVote: GA 13th, 12/23/2010

I am on unfamiliar ground here, the gut tells me that Isakson voted yes for more than the President's verbal promise spend more money missle development.  A promise everyone knows is hollow. I have to wonder if maybe because the Republican Senators are under a microscope that they aren't passing around the unpopular votes that they really want to make but know their consituents will crucify them for.  Next he'll be hard right on a hot botton topic.  In the end they all suck.
Congress.org (congress.org) presents: M E G A V O T E  December 23, 2010

In this MegaVote for Georgia's 13th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes -
* Senate: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
* Senate: START Treaty Ratification
* House: FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
* House: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
* House: James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act

Editor's Note:
The 111th Congress adjourned sine die on Wednesday, December 22, 2010.  The first session of the 112th Congress is scheduled for Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 12 p.m.

Recent Senate Votes:
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=289&chamber=S&congress=1112
Vote Agreed to (79-16, 5 Not Voting)

Congress agreed to this short-term spending bill that funds government operations at 2010 levels through March 4, 2011.  The president signed the bill into law on December 22, 2010.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO
START Treaty Ratification
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=298&chamber=S&congress=1112
Vote Agreed to (71-26, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate ratified this treaty with Russia that would reduce the size of each countrys nuclear arsenal by 30 percent.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Recent House Votes:
FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=661&chamber=H&congress=1112
Vote Passed (215-144, 74 Not Voting)

The House gave final approval to this bill overhauling the Food and Drug Administrations regulatory authority.  The Senate passed the bill by voice vote on December 19, 2010.  The president is expected to sign the bill into law.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=662&chamber=H&congress=1112
Vote Passed (193-165, 75 Not Voting)
Congress agreed to this short-term spending bill that funds government operations at 2010 levels through March 4, 2011.  The president signed the bill into law on December 22, 2010.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=664&chamber=H&congress=1112
Vote Passed (206-60, 168 Not Voting)
Congress cleared this $4.2 billion measure for the president that will reopen the Victim Compensation Fund and make payments to people exposed to toxic material at Ground Zero.  The Senate passed the measure by voice vote earlier in the day.  The president is expected to sign the bill into law.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
MegaVote is powered by the CQ-Roll Call Group (http://corporate.cqrollcall.com)
Copyright (c) 2010.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Cashback

No clue what so ever as to why I chose this movie from Netflix, it is like there is a gremlin screwing with my queue. Cashback came in and I watched it the same night.
Released in 2006, this is billed as romantic comedy. The male lead is a an art student who has just broken up with a girlfriend. The breakup was his own doing but leads to insomnia. In that situation, he decides to trade his extra time for money, taking night shift in the local grocery store. The grocery store is inhabited by a group of similar oddballs who in their boredom devise ways to pass the time, other than working that is. Ben Willis, being and art student, has a real love for the female form, he imagines that he can stop time and enjoy his unknowing models on his own terms. After a time Ben befriends a pretty female cash register worker. They start to date but are broken apart by a moment that was innocent but misunderstood.
He had fallen for her, but she is gone. In his pain he expresses in his art, pictures and sketches of Sharon. The art is so good, Ben gets a show in a gallery before he even graduates. Sharon comes to the show, learns of Ben's love by the focus of his subject, all of her, imagined from frozen moments. Sharon promises Ben she trusts him and he shows her how to freeze time. The end.

 
The actors were...
  • Emilia Fox as Sharon Pintey, the object of Ben's attention. A really pretty girl she kind of reminds me of the woman in that old television show the Avengers.
  • Sean Biggerstaff as Ben Willis, a part played in a low key approach that I really enjoyed. The young man looked really familiar and when I looked him up learned that he had been in the Harry Potter movies.

On the whole I really liked the movie and recommend it.  If I had to characterize the movie I would call it a chick flick that has enough weirdness to keep the interest of men.   
 

Junky

A few months ago I was watching the Matt Dillon movie Drugstore Cowboy. It has Heather Graham, early in her career, mmmmm. Anyway there was this old man in the movie that by reading the credits learned that he was William S. Burroughs. My interest was piqued.
Found the book Junky, in a used bookstore.  Published in 1953 this is a semi-autobiographical book that was written at the insistence of poet Allen Ginsberg.
The book is basically about the erratic and nomadic life of a heroin addict. Apparently such a life has been a part of the American culture for more than the last 100 years.  The lifestyle is centered around the users quest for money as the means to prolong the habit.
Burroughs himself is unapologetic about his desire to alter his perceptions on life, an in that willing to try anything, drinking, homosexuality, theft, mugging, pushing and mainly, drugs.  He discusses using morphine, heroin, cocaine, pot, Benzedrine, peyote and methadone to further thought alteration.
On the whole I was interested in the short book and read it quickly.  Would not really recommend it to anybody who wasn't one who partakes.
In some background reading, learned that in 1951, Burroughs killed his wife in Mexico.  An avid gun enthusiast, the couple was playing William Tell, trying to shoot an apple off her head, the bullet instead went through.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Horrible Smell Part II

Had just finished the previous post when I read Grouchy Old Cripple's latest blond joke.
Not to steal Denny's credit, just follow the link.

Saturday Blond Joke

Maybe it smells because it's itchy.

Horrible Smell

You need to follow the link and read the police narrative of arrest. It seems that a young lady was bound and determined to have some satisfaction. If the man wasn't willing to face (literally) the lethal smell, his next choice was a knife.

Woman Utters Line Never Previously Recorded In A Police Report The Smoking Gun

Iowahawk Congressional Outplacement Services

The heads up for this piece was sent to me by DGJ.  I don't really care if the door hits them in the ass, but here is a helpful check list to help the unfortunate reintegrate.
  • Step 1: Assess Your Skills and Competencies
  • Step 2: Familiarize Yourself With Your New Industry
  • Step 3: Get the Skills You Need
  • Step 4: Finding Job Openings
  • Step 5: Preparing Your Resume
  • Step 6: The Job Interview
  • Step 7: Going on Public Assistance
Funny stuff, check it out at Iowahawk.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

MegaVote: GA 13th, 12/20/2010

Saxby and Johnny got it right on DADT, guess how David Scott voted, the opposite, YES.
I can just hear him now, "Stick that up your ass!".
Frankly I don't care, I think the Pentagon brass regularly sells out to the Executive, and in the end they will make work it out.

Congress.org (congress.org) presents: M E G A V O T E 
December 20, 2010
In this MegaVote for Georgia's 13th Congressional District:
Recent Congressional Votes -
* Senate: Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010
* Senate: Cloture Motion; DREAM Act
* Senate: Dont Ask, Dont Tell Repeal Act of 2010
* House: Dont Ask, Dont Tell Repeal Act of 2010
* House: Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010
Upcoming Congressional Bills -
* Senate: New START Treaty
* House: Continuing Appropriations Act
Recent Senate Votes:
Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=276&chamber=S&congress=1112
Vote Agreed to (81-19)

The Senate approved this bill extending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts that were due to expire at the end of 2010 for another two years.  The bill also extends unemployment benefits for 13 months.  The House gave final approval to the measure several days later.  The president signed the bill into law shortly after House passage.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted  YES
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted YES
Cloture Motion; DREAM Act
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=278&chamber=S&congress=1112
Vote Rejected (55-41, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate fell short of the votes needed to move forward on this bill that would provide a path to legal status for certain undocumented children brought into the U.S. illegally by their parents.  The measure is unlikely to be brought up again in the 111th Congress.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO

Dont Ask, Dont Tell Repeal Act of 2010
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=281&chamber=S&congress=1112
Vote Agreed to (65-31, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate gave final approval to this bill repealing a 1993 law prohibiting homosexuals from serving openly in the military.  The president lobbied for repeal and is expected to sign the bill into law.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO

Recent House Votes:
Dont Ask, Dont Tell Repeal Act of 2010
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=638&chamber=H&congress=1112
Vote Passed (250-175, 9 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill repealing a 1993 law prohibiting homosexuals from serving openly in the military.  The Senate passed the bill several days later, clearing it for the presidents signature.
Rep. David Scott voted YES

Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=647&chamber=H&congress=1112
Vote Passed (277-148, 8 Not Voting)
The House gave final approval to this bill extending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts that were due to expire at the end of 2010 for another two years.  The bill also extends unemployment benefits for 13 months.  The president signed the bill into law later in the day.
Rep. David Scott voted YES

Upcoming Votes:
New START Treaty -
The Senate continues work on this treaty with Russia that would limit the size of each countrys nuclear arsenal.

Continuing Appropriations Act - H.R.3082
Both chambers are expected to take up this continuing resolution to fund government operations through March 2011.

MegaVote is powered by the CQ-Roll Call Group (http://corporate.cqrollcall.com) Copyright (c) 2010.


Groundhog Day 2011

This coming year, both Groundhog Day and the State of the Union address occur on the same day.
Its an ironic juxtaposition of events; one event involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of limited intelligence for prognostication...
while the other involves a groundhog.

Obama Pledges Economic Focus

If I remember correctly, last year, just before the President flew off for hie Christmas vacation in Hawaii, he promised the same thing. He may have focus, he just doesn't know what to do to make it better. His background tells him to control it more, this is in conflict with the known reality that the only things that consistently works on the entire economy is laissez faire (non-interference). There are excellent and provable arguments that there is already too much governmental inference. The answer is to un-do, not do-more. Freedom for people, freedom for business.
Back to the story, he set that focus a year ago, what makes you think that he can do better in the coming year.

GOPUSA » Fresh Ink » Obama pledges economic focus during next 2 years

Voters Question Whether Russia Will Honor New START Treaty

Rasmussen poll shows that only 1 in 4 citizens believe that Russia will honor their obligation in the new START Treaty. This much I believe, that the treaty is crap, it seems to be widely believed that the treaty restricts US caps while Russian stockpiles are already under capacity, plus there is no substantive verification. Reagan wouldn't have signed it. Verify, verify, verify! The Democrats always had the votes to pass this thing, I think mainly because in the lame duck, the Republicans were picking their fights. The way things smell right now the Senate is going to continue to piss off the Tea Party core, because of the extremes of both parties, the moderates have a lot of power. Moderates, by definition think the compromise to the middle is best. Conservatives see the self-styled moderates as liberals. A parallel to the current Senate moderates is the Independent voters and their relationship to the main parties.
Voters Question Whether Russia Will Honor New START Treaty

Monday, December 20, 2010

The Digital Nativity

Found this by way of the Don Surber site linked above in the title. This leads to a site called Bits & Pieces which must be popular because the hits ther are inthe millions.
This leads to a YouTube clip which you can't help but enjoy.


Reid and Pelosi Finally Get Mugged by Public Opinion

Near the end, Barone says....
How effectively the 112th Congress will respond is unclear.
No doubt true. I think what will happen will be that the President and House Democrats will very publicly offer legislation and programs that appeal to the center but contain poison pills that the Republicans will reflexively refuse. Then when the economy turns, the President can campaign on the improved economy and the benefits denied to the public by the ornery Republicans.
The House Republicans need to, for the next two years, and I would argue forever, ban earmarks, repeal national Health Care, revert to 2001 Social Security benefit package with levels adjusted inflation, defund the Department of Education and allow a non-political cost-benefit analysis of miltary spending. In the Senate, we may have to wait for two years and hope Murkowski gets run over by a bobsled. Maybe Voinavich outed by his whimpering boyfriend.

Reid and Pelosi Finally Get Mugged by Public Opinion

Friday, December 17, 2010

Christmas Pecans

PEAcans or peCaans, I've heard southerners say that both pronounciations are the true way. In my mind peaCaan is more fun to say, so that's the way I do it.
When my son was about 6 or 7, I wanted him to be involved in Chrstmas gifting in a more personal way that writing his name on a tag. Every year we made these together. When he went to college people started asking me where the damned nuts were.
Congress of course.
No, here is what I make every year, directions are in my regular batch size. These days I am making about 15 pounds a year.

Ingredients
  • 3 pounds shelled pecan halves
  • 3 egg whites (or 9 tablespoons egg white mix)
  • 3 tablespoons cold water
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoons salt
  • 2-1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
Directions
  1. Get three cookie sheets.
  2. Heat oven to 275 degrees F.
  3. Mix sugar, salt and cinnamon.
  4. Separately mix the egg whites and water, whisk until frothy.
  5. Pour the pecans over the egg-water mixture, stir until all the nuts are wet.
  6. Pour the sugar-salt-cinnamon mixture over the wet nuts, stir until evenly coated.
  7. Spread the nuts on cookie sheets.
  8. Place in oven and bake for 17 minutes.
  9. Remove from oven, stir and spread, replace to oven and bake for 17 minutes.
  10. Remove from oven, stir and spread, replace to oven and bake for 17 minutes.
  11. Remove from oven, stir and spread, replace to oven and bake for 17 minutes.
  12. Remove from oven, cool, eat.
This is my adaptation of other recipes, some call for 15 minute cook cycles, some call for 225 degrees F, but I like the nuts a little more crisp.

I Need Me Some Heat

You fat cow. Complaining about the cost of power bills while standing in front of a big flat screen television. If you cannot pay your power bill, hock the television and save by closing the cable contract.
This person is a leech, not poverty stricken.
Funding cuts leave many without home heating assistance in Macon - Local & State - Macon.com#storylink=omni_popular

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

MegaVote: GA 13th, 12/13/2010

Monday's report, big surprise, the little bastard voted for the DREAM act.  Yes that is bad language , but I've come to the conclusion that this man represents the opposite of all my beliefs.  Southern Cobb County is filling up with illegal Mexican workers and the representative for the 13th Congressional District votes to extend them back door citizenship.

Congress.org (congress.org) presents: M E G A V O T E for December 13, 2010

In this MegaVote for Georgia's 13th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes -
* Senate: Cloture Motion, Defense Authorization Act
* House: Continuing Resolution
* House: DREAM Act

Upcoming Congressional Bills -
* Senate: Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010
Recent Senate Votes:
Cloture Motion, Defense Authorization Act
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=270&chamber=S&congress=1112
Vote Rejected (57-40, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate fell short of the 60 votes needed to move forward on this bill authorizing defense expenditures for the 2011 fiscal year.  The bill included a provision that would have repealed the "dont ask, dont tell" law. The bill is unlikely to move forward if it includes the "dont ask" provision. This will be the first time in 49 years a defense authorization bill has not been cleared.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO

Recent House Votes:
Continuing Resolution
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=622&chamber=H&congress=1112
Vote Passed (212-206, 16 Not Voting)
The House passed a long-term continuing resolution to fund government operations through the end of fiscal year 2011 at fiscal year 2010 levels.  The overall funding would remain $1.09 trillion, but billions of dollars in program funding would shift. The bill would also include an overhaul of food safety laws and expand Food and Drug Administration enforcement powers. It is unclear at this time whether the Senate will take up this measure.  The current continuing resolution expires December 18, 2010.
Rep. David Scott voted YES

DREAM Act
http://capwiz.com/congressorg/issues/votes/?votenum=625&chamber=H&congress=1112
Vote Passed (216-198, 20 Not Voting)
The House passed this measure that would provide a path to legal status for certain undocumented children brought into the U.S. illegally by their parents.  Shortly before the vote, the House voted to replace the language of a bill further along in the legislative process with the language of the DREAM Act.  The Senate may take up the bill the week of December 13.
Rep. David Scott voted YES
Upcoming Votes:
Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010 - H.R.4853
This bill is being used as the vehicle to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.  The Senate is scheduled to begin procedural votes this week.

MegaVote is powered by the CQ-Roll Call Group (http://corporate.cqrollcall.com) Copyright (c) 2010.

Voters Still Put Border Control Well Ahead of Legalizing Those Here Illegally

By a margin of 2 to 1, voters put the need for a border solution before the need for legislation to deal with the illegals already there. That is in part because all legislation being offered is a form of relaxation of laws already on the books. The government is looking to match law with progressive actions already undertaken. There will be no general public approval unless the government acts on border security, otherwise the border will remain porous and we will be continually revisiting the problem.
The Democrats are morally wrong on this issue and don't care. They are willing to pervert the Constitution to improve their voting base. It's all about maintaining the uneducated class that reflexively supports their oppressors.
Voters Still Put Border Control Well Ahead of Legalizing Those Here Illegally

Monday, December 13, 2010

Daily Presidential Tracking Poll

The man cannot catch a break, he compromises with Republicans and gets no bump in popularity from right, and on the flip side he gets new taxes, e.g. death, a continuance of an already established tax level and his own party wants to skin his hide.
We do see two things that are very evident in this adventure:
1) The Democrats in Congress want every bit of OUR money that they can get their hands on. All logic points to keeping money out of the government, that it is inefficient and wasteful, they want it anyway.
2) The President while rhetorically supporting the Democratic position, has no backbone for a fight with a strengthened opponent. This is different than when Health Care went through, then he had an overwhelming position of power, the main bitch was that he could not convince any of the Republicans to sign up and make it appear this was a bi-partisan bill.
Daily Presidential Tracking Poll

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Judge dismisses bid to remove Anwar al-Awlaki from US 'kill list'

Jewish World Review reports that a judge has ruled that Anwar al-Awlaki cannot be removed from an Exectutive Branch 'kill list'. The rational was evasive in manner, the judge claiming that he did not have the authority to to imposes such and injuction. The suit was brought by the ACLU who claimed that the UNited States could not target its own citizen. The judge suggests that if the claim was presented personally by Anwar al-Awlaki, that the result may have been different. This begs the conclusion that the ACLU was sticking its nose in where it did not belong. Sound familiar?

By the way, yesterday I sent off my yearly Christmas card to the anarchist scum.

Judge dismisses bid to remove Anwar al-Awlaki from US 'kill list'

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

MegaVote: GA 13th, 12/6/2010

Sending on my e-mail, lazy sure.  It is worth noting that only 1 in every 5 representatives voted not to censure Charles Rangel, my 13th representative is one of those bastards.  I can't beleive people re-elected the man.  Well, next year the gerry mandering of my district will be flipped over slamming to Democrats.

Congress.org (congress.org) presents: M E G A V O T E  December 6, 2010

In this MegaVote for Georgia's 13th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes -
* Senate: FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
* House: Continuing Resolution
* House: Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
* House: Censure of Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY)

Upcoming Congressional Bills -
* Senate: DREAM Act of 2010
* Senate: 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010
* Senate: Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2010
* House: FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
* House: Continuing Resolution

Recent Senate Votes:
FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
Vote Passed (73-25, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this bill to overhaul the nation's food safety rules.  Shortly after passage, it was pointed out the bill contains revenue raising provisions and the constitution requires bills that raise revenue to originate in the House.  At this time, the strategy to move the bill forward was unclear.
Sen. Saxby Chambliss voted NO
Sen. Johnny Isakson voted NO

Recent House Votes:
Continuing Resolution
Vote Passed (239-178, 16 Not Voting)
The House passed a continuing resolution that funds government operations through December 18, 2010.  This is the second CR since the 2011 fiscal year began on October 1, 2010.  None of the annual spending bills have been completed yet.  The Senate gave final approval to the resolution on December 2, 2010.
Rep. David Scott voted YES

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
Vote Passed (264-157, 13 Not Voting)
The House gave final approval to this ten year, $4.5 billion bill that would increase spending on child nutrition programs.  The bill now goes to the president.
Rep. David Scott voted YES

Censure of Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY)
Vote Passed (333-79, 21 Not Voting)
The House voted to censure Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) for violating House ethics rules.
Rep. David Scott voted NO

Upcoming Votes:
DREAM Act of 2010 - S.3992
The Senate is scheduled to take up this bill that would create a path to citizenship for some children of illegal immigrants.
9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 - H.R.847
The Senate is expected to take up this House-passed bill establishing a medical program and reopening a relief fund for individuals exposed to debris from the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2010 - S.3991
This Senate bill would extend collective bargaining rights to public safety workers in certain states.

FDA Food Safety Modernization Act - S.510
The House may also work on the food safety bill.

Continuing Resolution -
The House may take up a continuing resolution to fund government operations through the end of the 2011 fiscal year.

MegaVote is powered by the CQ-Roll Call Group (http://corporate.cqrollcall.com/)
Copyright (c) 2010.

Anti-Semitism

Burt Prelutsky expresses my feelings very well in this opinion piece, posted yesterday at Patriot Post. Muslims with the assistance of third world countries, the United Nations, Europe and oil glutinous Chinese use the liberal community to hammer the global perception of Israel.
Parallel behaviour in the United States would be something like the NAACP calling Tea Party member racists, NOW representative attacking Sarah Palin, and congressmen claiming tax breaks are their way of giving.
In the new world order white is black, and a heart is a spade. Orders intentional.

Anti-Semitism - Opinion - PatriotPost.US

http://irritableengineer.blogspot.com/2009/11/suzanne-fields-deaf-ears-dumb-voters.html


Monday, December 6, 2010

Best Hiding Place

"If we want to keep our Nation's secrets 'SECRET' ... store them where President Obama stores his college transcripts and birth certificate."
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Old Wisdom

"The sober people of America are weary of the fluctuating policy which has directed the public councils. They have seen, too, that one legislative interference is but the first link of a long chain of repetitions, every subsequent interference being naturally produced by the effects of the preceding."
James Madison

Kin

Two good ol' boys in a Waverly, GA trailer park were sitting around talking one afternoon over a cold beer after getting off of work. After a while the 1st guy says to the 2nd, "If'n I was to sneak over to your trailer Saturday & make love to your wife while you was off huntin' and she got pregnant and had a baby, would that make us kin?"
The 2nd guy crooked his head sideways for a minute, scratched his head, and squinted his eyes thinking real hard about the question. Finally, he says, "Well, I don't know about kin, but it would make us even."

Understanding Engineers

My son is in the Civil Engineering program at Georgia Tech.

Understanding Engineers # 1
What is the difference between mechanical engineers and civil engineers?
Mechanical engineers build weapons. Civil engineers build targets.
Understanding Engineers # 2
The graduate with a science degree asks, "Why does it work?"
The graduate with an engineering degree asks, "How does it work?"
The graduate with an accounting degree asks, "How much will it cost?"
The graduate with an arts degree asks, "Do you want fries with that?"
Understanding Engineers # 3
Three engineering students were gathered together discussing who must have designed the human body.
One said, "It was a mechanical engineer. Just look at all the joints."
Another said, "No, it was an electrical engineer. The nervous system has many thousands of electrical connections."
The last one said, "No, actually it had to have been a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?"
Understanding Engineers # 4
Two engineering students were biking across a university campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?"
The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday, minding my own business, when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike, threw it to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want."
The first engineer nodded approvingly and said, "Good choice: The clothes probably wouldn't have fit you anyway."
Understanding Engineers # 5
To the optimist, the glass is half-full.
To the pessimist, the glass is half-empty.
To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
Understanding Engineers # 6
A priest, a doctor, and an engineer were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers.
The engineer fumed, "What's with those guys? We must have been waiting for fifteen minutes!"
The doctor chimed in, "I don't know, but I've never seen such inept golf!"
The priest said, "Here comes the green-keeper. Let's have a word with him." He said, "Hello, George. What's wrong with that group ahead of us? They're rather slow, aren't they?"
The green-keeper replied, "Oh, yes. That's a group of blind firemen. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime."
The group fell silent for a moment. The priest said, "That's so sad. I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight."
The doctor said, "Good idea. I'm going to contact my ophthalmologist colleague and see if there's anything he can do for them."
The engineer said, "Why can't they play at night?"
Understanding Engineers # 7
Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet.
Understanding Engineers # 8
An engineer was crossing a road one day, when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess."
He bent over, picked up the frog, and put it in his pocket. The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn back into a beautiful princess and stay with you for one week."
The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket. The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want."
Again, the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.
Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess and that I'll stay with you for one week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"
The engineer said, "Look, I'm an engineer. I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog - now that's cool."

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Your Basic Arch


A few weeks ago the university at Athens began deliberations with state Regents officials to add engineering cirricula. The caption says it all.

South of Broad

South of Broad is the latest offering from Pat Conroy, the author who has given us The Great Santini, Prince of Tides, and the Lords of Discipline. This book was released in the spring of 2009

Th story is centered on a Charleston columnist Leopold Bloom King. The columnist is named for his mothers favorite character in the James Joyce novel Ulysses. Beginning with completion of a probationary period, Leo brings together a group of eight that includes upper crust snobs, black athletes, and orphans, all seniors together in the first year of integration at a Charleston high school. The group has its high school trials and triumphs all go into the world and become a diverse group of adults.  Twenty years later the group is still close and the gay brother of Sheba, Trevor is missing somewhere in San Francisco. From here story becomes more of  Conroy adventure.   The brother is saved from an absurd ex-NFL football player. After bringing Trevor home the group is savaged by hurricane Hugo.  All survive the storm, but one doesn't make it through the next week.

If you are a fan of Pat Conroy, this book is a must read.  For the rest of you I would suggest a pass, start with some of the better established novels such as Beach Music.

Later.

Midnight Cowboy

After a long string of unremarkable Netflix rentals a surprise. Midnight Cowboy was a forty-one year old movie that I found I knew little about.
 
Released in 1969, this movie was directed by John Schlesinger, who over a nearly 50 year directorial career worked on many well known movies such as, The Falcon and the Snowman, Marathon Man ending with the forgettable Madonna film The Next Best Thing. The director passed in 2003.

 
The movie is about a Texas greenhorn named Joe Buck. Buck is a handsome young man with past that hinted at throughout the movie, a past that includes maternal abandonment and molestation. Fresh out of the service Joe decides to leave his dish washing job in Texas for a New York career as a male prostitute. On arrival he soon finds that New York is burgeoning with the easy pickings of women wanting to pay for getting laid. In his downward spiral he is befriended by down-and-out but outcast named Ratso Rizzo. In their deepening poverty Buck has to turn to street hustling with the only people who will pay, men. It's not what he wants but from his earlier experiences knows he will survive. Joe's friendship with Ratso is one of cooperation, they learn to steal and cheat effectively as a team. Their targets are small, usually food to eat, booze to drink. Living in an abandoned tenement Ratso is become very sick, he wants to escape to Florida. As the infirmity become critical, Joe Buck takes to the street and is picked up by an older man who he kills in his hotel room for the cash in his wallet. With enough money for the trip, the two are on bus ride south, a trip Ratso does not survive

 
The cast is small but skilled.
  • Dustin Hoffman plays Ratso Rizzo a role for which he should have won the Academy Award.
  • Jon Voight play Joe Buck the Texas greenhorn
  • Sylvia Miles plays Cass, an interesting part, Joe's first mark who turns the tables.
  • Brenda Vaccaro plays Shirley the only woman that pays Joe for the pleasure. Love that voice.

I give this movie a rating of 44 of 50. A very good movie that won 1970 Oscars for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Writing. This is the only movie released with an X rating to ever win Best Picture.

  • Character Development, 10 of 10, the descent of man under stress.
  • Screenplay, 8 of 10.
  • Acting, 8 of 10, no Academy Awards, Hoffman is superlative.
  • Photography, 8 of 10. Some of that outdated sixties color shifting and collage views.
  • Plot, 10 of 10.  Unique.