Back for a Limited Time - Real Cane Sugar Sodas!

Here's the link from GeekDad...

the news is that the softdrink manufacturers are getting onboard the "retro" bandwagon and offering up some of their concoctions using the old sugar cane syrup vice the corn syrup recipes. I don't know if it will be discernable to the average soda drinker, but it is interesting.

LINK:

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/04/realdew/

Another LINK:

http://www.uncrate.com/men/culture/drinks/pepsi-throwback/

What the CIA did is hardly torture!

I went through SERE school just like the author of the link. He does a good job of comparing cucumbers to pickles. While you may think they are the same, they are drastically different!

Panties on the head, despite what the leftists/marxists/socialists say, is not torture!

LINK:

http://www.neptunuslex.com/2009/04/28/comparative-government/

Hurricane Predictions

The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article about the predictions being made for the number of hurricanes in the upcoming summer. It is an amazing article that can be summarized with the line..."these guys have no idea!"

LINK:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124096550135766317.html

History and Flu

Don't freak out with the flu! People get the flu all the time. People die from the flu all the time. It is a part of life.

Do your part to protect by using alcohol based hand sanitizers, alcohol wipes, etc. Keep away from large crowds and confined spaces with anybody who you suspect might be a carrier. Basically do what you probably already do.

The first link is to a good Forbes.com article and the second link is to a Wikipedia article that shows the various flu epidemic/pandemics through modern history. The numbers of people affected drastically sway the "deaths/1000" category.

LINK:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/27/swine-flu-mexico-sars-business-healthcare-flu-hysteria.html

Additional LINK:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_influenza

OMG!!! GUINNESS is 250 years old! That's worth Celebrating!

SPIRIT ME AWAY has all the news. I'm sure that GUINNESS does as well, but the former provides the necessary information in a wonderfully simple format. The GUINNESS site asks for all that day you were born stuff. It isn't like I'm going to buy a six-pack (or case) over the internet!
I'm going to have to try this to enjoy the "more malty brew" than the regular stout which I just adore!

LINK:
http://spiritmeaway.com/?p=970

Some people have WAY too much time

I'm a little amazed at the ability of true professionals that are able to put together interesting and enjoyable websites. I found this on one of my tried and true suppliers...NOTCOT.

TALK LIKE STEFAN is a soundboard. I'm sure that there are ways to have a great time with these, but again, I must confess that these are just plain fun.

LINK:
http://www.talklikestefan.com/

Rich States - Poor States!

Okay, when I saw this information on one of my favorite websites CARPE DIEM, I thought about trying to restate the facts in my own peculiar way. It is impossible to do. Mark Perry puts the facts together like very few people can.

Without further introduction...
here is the LINK:
http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2009/04/rich-states-poor-states.html

Guns on Campus Reduce Crimes!

Op-Ed by the Dallas News as pointed out by my good friend John Lott correctly points out that Gun Free Zones might as well be called "Sitting Duck Zones." Give Students a chance!

LINK:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/viewpoints/stories/DN-liebowitz_23edi.State.Edition1.205ac09.html

No stamp vending machines = more government failure!

Next it will be National Health Care...

So the report is that the vending machines which sell the overpriced stamps will no longer be a feature of the post office. Now you will have to wait in line for 30 minutes while the one service represenative works the desk. The cause of the removal is that many of the vending machines are over 20 years old.

LINK:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101801047.html

Cigars of My Friends

Well, I put the word out that I was looking for a box of cigars to present to my son upon his graduation. After turning 18, he has periodically taken to sittin g on the front porch with me and enjoying a nice smoke. He with a ginger ale and me with an Arturo Fuente. So, this wekend I'l be getting him all he needs to make it a wonderful graduation.

My friend Steve recommends the Arturo Fuente Churchill. So, my search has begun.

Photo: http://www.cigarinspector.com/images/brand/arturo-fuente.gif

Link:

http://www.bestcigarprices.com/arturo-fuente-cigars/

Are you a Right-Wing Extremist?

Okay, by now you have heard the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an assessment of the risk of Right-Wing Extremists. If you haven't, you should check it out. It is only nine pages, but in those nine pages, a lot is said.

Thomas Sowell, a brilliant writer and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute in Stanford, Calif., has summed up the situation in a wonderful article.

LINK:
http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/04/21/are_you_an_extremist

Worried that Obama is more a Citizen of the World than President of the United States

This was reported by Gun Owners of America, a group with stated goal of protecting the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
"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."
Pretty easy to understand by citizens over the past 220 years (not counting between 1776 and 1789), but the President, who is under oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States seem predisposed to throw it under a bus (along with his white grandmother) by saying that the U.S. will hopefully ratify the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficing in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials (affectionately known by the acronym CIFTA).

This will do nothing but restrict and limit the rights of U.S. Citizens. This is a significant risk to all gunowners, shooters, and those who believe in limited government.

LINK:
http://gunowners.org/obamaacalderon.htm

Creativity of the Right is just amazing

Found on Kay Brooks' website:

Remake of 1970's movie coming to you from EPA

From the link, QUOTE -The Environmental Protection Agency concluded Friday that greenhouse gases linked to climate change "endanger public health and welfare," setting the stage for regulating them under federal clean air laws. ENDQUOTE

When you go on to read the article, it is the tired statement that CO2 is the principle "greenhouse gas" that will be regulated.

SLIPPERY SLOPE - LEAP AHEAD

QUOTE - The Newly renamed Environmental Protection and Enforcement Agency has taken steps to reduce the output of those greenhouse gases that "endanger public health and welfare" and will begin terminating the said terrorists this afternoon. All citizens with last names beginning with a letters A-L, (excluding B) please proceed to the nearest Emissions Reduction Center, Biscuit Factory, for further instruction. END QUOTE

LINK:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97KBAC00&show_article=1

CHART:

http://graphjam.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/funny-graphs-ingredients-of.gif

Keep the change...Oh, and I round up to the nearest dollar!

This was a telling bit of information. Our esteemed Vice President, Mr. Biden isn't very giving with his money, but seems perfectly fine to give away the hard earnings of the U.S. Taxpayer.

LINK: http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2009/04/change-you-can-believe-in-as-long-as.html

Chart: http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2008/09/biden-releases.html

Mayor Bloomberg (NYC) thinks he knows best for Virginia

Alright, this has got to stop! The idea behind the states was that each state could set its own laws and people could vote with their feet. Those states with the best laws would benefit the most. This is disturbing. The mayor of New York City is wanting to rewrite the laws in Virginina. Screw you! Just because you have taken NYC down the crapper doesn't mean you can or should be involved in any way with Virginia.
Oh, and you'll notice that the amazing John Lott is cited in this editorial. If you want to read the facts and relationships between Guns and Crime, then read his book "More Guns, Less Crime." In four words, that about sums it up.

LINK:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/16/bloomberg-invades-virginia/

This picture explains a lot...it is by design!

Talk about intelligent design. When you can set the rules you can be the winner. Setting the Tax day about as far away from the Election Day just has to be thought out.

Check out this picture!

One of my favorite websites CARPE DIEM has it plus a whole lot more!

As Mark J. Perry says, "Given the national taxpayer outrage and foul mood this week about big-spending politicians, imagine if they went to the voting polls this week, or even this month?"

He and I both agree that a better idea for a responsible republic would be to have these two dates coincide. Then the money leaving the pocket would be a reminder that the person being elected is supposed to spend that money responsibly for the good of the country...a country of individuals, not one of groups.

I'm a big fan of Concealed Carry

I find it amazing that students will buy into the arguments presented by the Left. See the concise summary of these arguments and the answers to those arguments in the link below.
Students for Concealed Carry on Campus is an excellent organization that really is concerned for the safety of students. Visit their website SCCC.org.


LINK:
http://concealedcampus.org/common_arguments.php

My next pair of shoes?

I saw these "shoes" on KK:Cool Tools. I think these would be amazingly comfortable, but would involve a lot of explaining.

LINK:

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/003625.php

Misfits of Automotive Industry

A most interesting photo collection of Automotive Misfits provided by WIRED. I particularly take exception to calling the Edsel ugly. Neat collection if you like automobiles.



LINK:

http://www.wired.com/cars/coolwheels/multimedia/2009/04/gallery_car_museum?slide=1&slideView=5

Tax Freedom Day - Good News - Bad News

From Carpe Diem, the tax freedom day comes earlier than last year (that's the good news) meaning that you pay off your taxes earlier. The bad news is that "Americans will pay more in taxes than they will spend on food, clothing and housing combined."

That is simply amazing! Read that again...More in TAXES than FOOD + CLOTHING + HOUSING. The three items that are commonly known as necessities "Food, Shelter, Clothing" now take a smaller portion than the "two certainties in life"..."Death and Taxes." (I'm assuming that death happens at no cost.)

LINK:
http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxfreedomday/

An awesome shooter - out of the box!

My latest acquisition is this little number from Springfield Armory. Smooth action and reliability were both selling points that ultimately sold me on this gun. The additional items of holster and magazine holders was a nice little bonus.

My coworker "Ditch" who is a member of the USMC also was impressed with the action and accuracy. He is in the market for one now.

Photo Link:

http://www.the-armory.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/media/Springfield_Armory/SA_XD45ACP_4in_lg.jpg

LINK:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?model=1

Tax Form Circa 1913

This was how it started... page 1 of a 4 page document...IRS 1040 from 1913.

Looks innocent enough...what could possibly go wrong with this simple form?

LINK:
http://politicalcalculations.blogspot.com/2007/04/income-tax-original-form-1040.html

But, there is always the slippery slope and the Law of Unintended Consequences...

LINK:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040.pdf

TIME FOR A TAX REVOLUTION...JOHN GALT>>>

http://www.FairTax.org

Known as "Sheriff Joe"

You know that when you have a cool nickname (e.g. Sheriff Joe) you have distinguished yourself in a particular way. Sheriff Joe has done it by being a no nonsense, all common sense law enforcement officer. Those who break the law are treated fairly but not coddled. The lawbreakers are made uncomfortable but not tortured. The thought being, rightly so, that it will make the criminals think twice before engaging in illegal actions. Hats off to Sheriff Joe!


LINK:
http://gunowners.org/arpaio.htm

In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening

I thought of this song last night while sitting on my porch enjoying a stogie and a brew with my friend Tom. I thought I would post the lyrics here so that you could undertand while this song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1951. Johnny Mercer was a genius with lyrics. My father had the opportunity to meet him years ago in Savannah, GA.

Anyway, here are the lyrics as listed on "International Lyrics Playground"

http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/i/inthecoolcoolcooloftheevening.shtml

Sue wants a barbecue,

Sam wants to boil a ham,

Grace votes for Bouillabaisse stew.

Jake wants a weeny bake,

Steak and a layer cake,

He'll get a tummy ache too.

We'll rent a tent or tepee.

Let the town crier cry.

And if it's RSVP

This is what I'll reply:

In the cool, cool, cool of the evening

Tell 'em I'll be there.

In the cool, cool, cool of the evening

Better save a chair.

When the party's gettin' a glow on,

And singin' fills the air,

In the shank of the night,

When the doin's are right,

You can tell 'em I'll be there.

I can't wait for my garden to produce!

I've got the plants in the ground, the compost bin workin', weeds taken out...I'm just waiting (not patiently) for the plants to produce. It is a reminder that you can't rush Mother Nature. Plants grow at their own pace, so the wise thing to do is to not occupy too much time worrying, but remain diligent in your actions.

Recipe I'm dying to make...

http://southernfood.about.com/od/okra/r/blbb273.htm?p=1

Oh yeah, these are wonderful in Bloody Mary's!

Another economist with some erudite words

"The right has business, they have church, the have all sorts of other things they can do; the left only has government!" -Economist Mike Munger

April 2009 Limbaugh Letter p. 9

Milton Friedman - Pure Genius

You constantly hear of the brilliance of Milton Friedman. If you haven't watched him before, please take a look. We need more people who can think like this.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfdRpyfEmBE

Chocolate Banana Walnut Brownie Cake

This sounds intriguing. Possibly this is something to go along with the Tangerine-Ginger Caipirinha. I can see it now. Chocolate, Banana, Walnut, Tangerine, Ginger...what's not to like?

Enjoy my friends,

http://passionateaboutbaking.blogspot.com/2009/04/chocolate-banana-walnut-brownie-cake.html

Drink for the Weekend - Tangerine-Ginger Caipirinhas

I'm still getting used to this. I think that this is going to be my drink for the weekend. I may share with my neighbors if they are VERY nice!

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Tangerine-Ginger-Caipirinhas-238279

My friend "Jaws"

Author of "Lone Survivor" finds those who shot his dog.

An amazing story of daring and restraint. I don't know what I would do in this same situation, but Marcus Lutrell has been in situations very different from the majority of citizens. In fact, I would say that he is unique in the battles he has faced. My strongest support goes out for all the Navy SEALs. Past and present, they are some of the best our nation has created.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6365427.html#

The ONLY Public Radio Station I listen to

WFOS Radio Station - Chesapeake Public Schools - 88.7 FM is the only public radio station I listen to. No, there isn't "Fresh Air" or "Lake Wobegon" but there is Jerry Carter and Felicia Baker spinning some righteous blues tunes in the afternoon. There is Larry's Beach Party telling me about the Beach Music scene in the Hampton Roads area. The music is from a different period in America history...a period when the music was enjoyable.

http://www.cps.k12.va.us/departments/radio/

Virgina General Assembly overturns two bills vetoed by Tim Kiane (D)

I would have like to seen more of the gun owner limiting bills overturned, but I'll take the two wins. I contacted my Senator Ralph Northam and was glad to see that he supports self responsibility.
Gun owners need to be vigilant and protect the 2nd Amendment. If the right is ever taken away from law abiding citizens, the country will fall to the criminal element who break the laws by their very nature.

http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=4732

Test of my new mobile capability

Braxton Hicks reporting from the field.

Fantastic deal at Wal-Mart. Feed 8 for $35? Seems too good to be true. Not sure of the flavor, but as far as filling a belly, this would do.

http://walmartstores.com/FactsNews/NewsRoom/9065.aspx?rss=All_Press_Releases