Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year My Friends!

New Year's Eve is my favorite time of year.  I'm an introspective guy, and I like to look back and wonder what I did right, what I did wrong, and what I wish I had done.

And more importantly, what I have to be so very thankful about.

We live in a strange new world, Amigos.  We don't necessarily look upon the future with grand hope and optimism.  With that said, I believe what we need is a "reset".

Reset.  Let's try again in 2012.  When you think about it, isn't that what this holiday is about?  The "Big Reset"?  Take a look around.  Figure out what needs to be fixed.  Figure out if you can control what needs to be fixed...

...and then do it.

2012.  Who is John Galt?

As I always love to laugh, here's a little palate cleanser thanks to Hot Air.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Verbum Caro Factum Est

May you and your family enjoy the most wonderful Christmas this year!  May we all cherish peace and goodwill this season.

"When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others."

Now...keep an ear out for Santa this year.  When the reindeer get tired, he likes to take his other ride.



And let the maestro say it the best...


Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment...

...of the U.S. Constitution.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the pace to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature an cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense."

In the Senate's National Defense Authorization Act (voted approved on Tuesday) , a provision allowed the military to detain terrorism suspects on U.S. soil and hold them indefinitely without trial.

It applies to citizens and non-citizens.

In other words, a terrorism suspect would get just one hearing where the military could assert that the person is a suspected terrorist.  That "suspect" could then be locked up for life, without ever formally being charged.  It allows the military to hold suspected terrorists indefinitely without a trial or due process.  These "terrorists" (I use quotations because, really, who actually defines what a terrorist is?  Is it Al Qaida?  Is it someone attempting to blow up a building?  Is is someone protesting a bank?  How about someone who argues against a public figure? Who makes this call?  And what political party are they affiliated with?) The only waiver is from the Secretary of Defense.


Oh, good.  I thought the Bill of Rights were endowed unto us by our Creator.  I guess the Secretary of Defense has a direct line to the Almighty.


This bill passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 93 to 7.  Yup, just 7 Senators objected to a direct violation to the U.S. Constitution.

Does the Senate actually read the Constitution?  Or do they just pass laws to get reelected, knowing that the Supreme Court will correct their stupidity mistake?

But what if the Supreme Court doesn't correct such an affront to our basic Constitutional rights?

Oh, I know.


Monday, December 19, 2011

Turn up the thermostat...

...because it's apparently very cold in the Capitol.  I guess he was going for the "Old Navy / Sport coat / hard nipple" look.  I hear it's the rage in D.C. this time of year.



I'll be sad to see the "Honorable Gentleman" from Massachusetts retire.

Not really.

Via HotAir.



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

It Was A Very Good Day

Good times and good friends.  And a good cigar...tasted even better leaving the IO.


Monday, December 12, 2011

It's A Joke

So, fourth (out of 6) quarter complete today in my MBA program.  Life is good.  To celebrate, a little humor.

New Scientific Evidence:
Vodka mixed with ice causes brain degeneration.

Scotch mixed with ice causes kidney failure.

Whiskey mixed with ice causes liver failure.

Tequila mixed with ice causes loss of sight.

Bottom line, ice is bad.  Please, don't drink any liquids with ice.  Ice causes many bad health effects and should be avoided at all costs.

Please pass to your closest friends.


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Paradox

Just a short message from Ben Stein worth contemplating...shortly followed by a face palm.

"Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured...but not everyone must prove they are a citizen."


Happy Birthday!

Congratulations, Department of Energy!  You turned 34 this year!

Thirty-four years after its creation, the DOE employees 16,000 federal workers and 100,000 contract employees...with a $26 Billion budget.

Its charter?

In 1977, the Department of Energy was created to "lessen our dependence on foreign oil".

Now that's progress!

Happy Birthday, big government bureaucracy!


Saturday, December 3, 2011

Ol' Stompin' Ground

Except for the Case III comms on a clearly Case I day (let me guess...a layer at 2K), this is a pretty cool video.

Nice to see the Prowlers get some love, too!

Hat tip to Lex for the video.



Friday, December 2, 2011

The Sheep Are Nervous

Well, the U.S. Senate seems unable to figure out our current economic dilemma.  They also seem unable to figure out a better tax code, a replacement space vehicle, appointing judges...well, let's just say they can't seem to agree on much of anything.

Except sex with animals.

Yes, the Senate Armed Services Committee unamimously approved S. 1867, the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a provision to repeal sodomy and sex with animals in the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

My guess is that sodomy was repealed so that the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" will actually work, of course.  But as collateral damage, they've also agreed that human sex with animals...specifically, personnel who wear the nation's uniform...is perfectly legal.

Is this really in the best interest of the country and military?  Of course not.

But there's an agenda to promote, and the Senate is not going to make a little sex with goats stand in the way of a "good" cause.

Georgetown University: Hip Hop Elective

So, I turn on the news this morning and find out that Georgetown University will be offering a new, amazing course that conforms really well to it's distinguished, Jesuit background in higher academia...

..."Sociology of Hip Hop: Jay-Z".  You see, it's a course dedicated to to the rapper Jay-Z and his career.  Michael Eric Dyson, a liberal author and radio host (and oh, also a professor at Georgetown), will teach this class.  What could you possibly spend a semester at one of the most distinguished Ivy League schools learning about a rapper?  From his lyrics, you'll learn about "racial and gender identity, sexuality, capitalism and economic inequality."

Oh.

I guess it's good they are not offering courses such as:
"Capitalism: A Profound Masterpiece"
"WWII: A Study of American Sacrifice and Triumph"
"The Great Depression: A Study on How to Avoid Socialist and Government Interventionism"
"The 1960's: Contrasting Those Who Sacrificed for the Greater Good and Those Who Were Self-Absorbed"
"The American Housing Bubble:  How Good Intentions From Politicians Paved the Road to Hell"
"The Basic Economics of Supply and Demand: Why People Still Don't Get It"
"The American Media: A Study of Absurdity"
"Political Ethics: A Study of the Lack of Ethics and Morality in Public Officials" Part I
"Political Ethics: A Study of the Lack of Ethics and Morality in Public Officials" Part II
"Political Ethics: A Study of the Lack of Ethics and Morality in Public Officials" Part III
"Common Sense: A Study in Libertarian Thinking"

Let's hope the Georgetown alumni have something to say about this sham Jay-Z class.  If they don't, then shame on them.  President Clinton--you first.


Thursday, December 1, 2011

A Classic Blast From the Past

It's been a long week in grad school...and boy did I need some humor.  Thanks to my friends from the Saturday morning old guys club for this clip.

I miss Richard.  Now he...was funny.