When I was a boy my grandparents gave me two volumes of the Readers Digest Condensed Books for Children (I am not sure if that is the correct name). They probably got them for free with a subscription to RD, but in any case I only got the 2 volumes. I loved those books and I read over and over Tom Sawyer, Call of the Wild and especially Robin Hood. I played Robin Hood all the time, my backyard was Sherwood Forrest and I had an imaginary ball putting that villain Prince John and his cohorts in their place.
When I first saw the epic and fabulous Errol Flynn version on late night TV, I was overcome, it was exactly as I had imagined it! Man, I wanted to be Errol Flynn.
Yesterday, I bought The Adventures of Robin Hood, starring my hero Errol Flynn, on DVD. This would replace my worn out copy I recorded from commercial TV. Wow, it was great, stunning visuals, stunning chicks, stunning action. Flynn would swirl that sword above his head and fight 5 men at once.
After I watched the movie, I thought about the message: steal from the rich and give to the poor. This is a noble sentiment, after all, those rich people have enough. Of course, the whole notion was that the "rich" got the money at the expense of the poor. Robin Hood disguised the scheme under the pretense of "justice and fighting oppression". I have no doubt that Prince John and Sir Guy were total tyrants. History will tell us this is true. I am more concerned about the language used by Robin. The very principles and words he used would later be espoused by none other than Marx, Lenin, Trotsky, Castro, and Mao. This is pure communist drivel. Take from the rich and give to the poor.
We hear a similar bray from the Ass Party (hey I did not chose the Donkey for their symbol). "The rich have too much". "We should take some of that money and give it to the poor". Well Sir Robin you can gussie it up and tie all the ribbons you want, but stealing is stealing, no matter how noble your cause. Prince John was right, you were a common criminal, and should have been hanged.
I still love the movie. Errol Flynn remains one of the suavest swordsmen to take to the silver screen. But Robin Hood can no longer be one of my heroes. I feel too much like one of the Normans in the movie everytime the Government decides I have too much money and takes it to give to the "poor". Yes, that is stealing from me, and I am tired of it. Tyranny indeed.
ed. I think I will make Like Cato the Elder and end every post with a phrase'
Newsweek lied -- people died.
May 16, 2005
May 14, 2005
The Noble 24th Foot or the South Wales Borderers
You may be familiar with this unit unknowingly if you have ever watched the classic war movie ZULU or ZULU DAWN. If you have not seen these movies go rent them or buy them. Now. This post will still be here, go now.
OK. Awesome right? I planned to talk in detail about Isandlhwana and Rorke's Drift this weekend, but in my research I found that this regiment is not only remarkably heroic, but cursed with hard luck, so what better day to write about bad luck than today?
The 24th foot is an old regiment in HRM Army (hence the number!). The Regiment took part in the ill fate attack on Brest in 1694 where over 300 English soldiers were killed. More than half the regiment died of disease in the West Indies during the War of Jenkins Ear (1739 - 1743). In 1756 the regiment surrendered to the French at Minorca. The entire regiment was captured in the Revolutionary War at Saratoga (Freeman's Farm). Almost half of the second battalion were casualties at Talavera in the peninsula War. Almost half the regiment was captured by the French off a troop ship bound for India in 1810 (before the French became surrender monkies). Over 500 men were casualties (238 killed) in the idiotic bayonet charge at Chilianwala (India now Pakistan) during the 2nd Sikh war. Most of the 1st battalion was destroyed by the Zulus at Isandlhwana. It was at Gallipoli in WWI. The 24th left the lines in France at the end of WWI with 76 men and officers, total. They were captured by the Germans at the disastrous Battle of Tobruk in WWII. The ship carrying the Regiment hit a rock and sank on the way to the Invasion of Norway.
The 24th Foot were great and heroic fighters. But the regiment was cursed with bad luck as well.
Happy Friday the 13th!
OK. Awesome right? I planned to talk in detail about Isandlhwana and Rorke's Drift this weekend, but in my research I found that this regiment is not only remarkably heroic, but cursed with hard luck, so what better day to write about bad luck than today?
The 24th foot is an old regiment in HRM Army (hence the number!). The Regiment took part in the ill fate attack on Brest in 1694 where over 300 English soldiers were killed. More than half the regiment died of disease in the West Indies during the War of Jenkins Ear (1739 - 1743). In 1756 the regiment surrendered to the French at Minorca. The entire regiment was captured in the Revolutionary War at Saratoga (Freeman's Farm). Almost half of the second battalion were casualties at Talavera in the peninsula War. Almost half the regiment was captured by the French off a troop ship bound for India in 1810 (before the French became surrender monkies). Over 500 men were casualties (238 killed) in the idiotic bayonet charge at Chilianwala (India now Pakistan) during the 2nd Sikh war. Most of the 1st battalion was destroyed by the Zulus at Isandlhwana. It was at Gallipoli in WWI. The 24th left the lines in France at the end of WWI with 76 men and officers, total. They were captured by the Germans at the disastrous Battle of Tobruk in WWII. The ship carrying the Regiment hit a rock and sank on the way to the Invasion of Norway.
The 24th Foot were great and heroic fighters. But the regiment was cursed with bad luck as well.
Happy Friday the 13th!
May 13, 2005
Are You Conservative? The HB Guide to Life
Here is a little quiz I made up to see what Political Party you belong to. I am not smart enough to make the little buttons and boxes, so you will have to keep score at home on a piece of paper. Go ahead; it will not hurt you to actually WRITE something with your hands. No, there is no portable keyboard for that piece of paper – get outside and away from that computer this weekend, OK?
Answer the following if they are Good, Don’t Know, or Bad.
Good you get 10 points, don’t know = 0 points, and if you think these things are bad you get negative one points. I will provide the answers and score code at the bottom.
• ACLU
• Senators from New York
• Any President form Georgia
• Any President from Arkansas
• Blue dresses on interns
• Labor unions
• Abolishing the death penalty
• Taxing the rich
• Giving tax money to the poor
• Giving our military non-lethal weapons
• Talking out and negotiating our problems
• Spotted owls
• No logging
• No coal plants
• Electric or hybrid cars
• Organic food
• No meat eating
• Killing those who smoke
• Outlawing smoking
• Outlawing guns
• Outlawing cars
• Torture for anyone who owns an SUV
• Elf
• Peta
• Abortion clinics
• Saving the whale
• The Chicago Seven
• Jane Fonda
• Burning flags
• Outlawing Christmas, Easter and Halloween parties at school
• Taking “GOD” out of , well EVERYWHERE
• Banning prayer in school
Bonus: was Ronald Reagan or either of the Bushes evil =100 points
Answers: These are all BAD
Score:
0 or higher you are a liberal/socialist/communist/Democrat/asshat/appeasing/ moonbat/leftist or just stupid
Any negative number – welcome to reality.
Answer the following if they are Good, Don’t Know, or Bad.
Good you get 10 points, don’t know = 0 points, and if you think these things are bad you get negative one points. I will provide the answers and score code at the bottom.
• ACLU
• Senators from New York
• Any President form Georgia
• Any President from Arkansas
• Blue dresses on interns
• Labor unions
• Abolishing the death penalty
• Taxing the rich
• Giving tax money to the poor
• Giving our military non-lethal weapons
• Talking out and negotiating our problems
• Spotted owls
• No logging
• No coal plants
• Electric or hybrid cars
• Organic food
• No meat eating
• Killing those who smoke
• Outlawing smoking
• Outlawing guns
• Outlawing cars
• Torture for anyone who owns an SUV
• Elf
• Peta
• Abortion clinics
• Saving the whale
• The Chicago Seven
• Jane Fonda
• Burning flags
• Outlawing Christmas, Easter and Halloween parties at school
• Taking “GOD” out of , well EVERYWHERE
• Banning prayer in school
Bonus: was Ronald Reagan or either of the Bushes evil =100 points
Answers: These are all BAD
Score:
0 or higher you are a liberal/socialist/communist/Democrat/asshat/appeasing/ moonbat/leftist or just stupid
Any negative number – welcome to reality.
Music
This is the way I feel about music. I have not heard of this artist, but I think I want to find out more. I love the blues, I love about any kind of music. I especially like the way she talks about music and how it can make you feel.
I have music running through my head all the time. Classical, classic rock, blues, Sinatra, I can hear every nuance of the composition in my brain. Too bad I cannot sing or play any instrument. I love the music in my head. For example, I replay in my mind the entire extended version of Awaken by Yes when I mow. This has been my "song" of choice for years when bored. The Doors accompany me on long plane trips. Today Hank Williams Jr. is playing a concert in my brain.
Does anyone else do this? Yeah, I realize this probably makes me crazy!
I have music running through my head all the time. Classical, classic rock, blues, Sinatra, I can hear every nuance of the composition in my brain. Too bad I cannot sing or play any instrument. I love the music in my head. For example, I replay in my mind the entire extended version of Awaken by Yes when I mow. This has been my "song" of choice for years when bored. The Doors accompany me on long plane trips. Today Hank Williams Jr. is playing a concert in my brain.
Does anyone else do this? Yeah, I realize this probably makes me crazy!
May 12, 2005
Thursday Rants Part II
Here it is another Thursday morning and I find a couple of items in the news that I find unbelievable.
A student pilot and his teacher violated the airspace in the Capitol yesterday, causing widespread panic and evacuations. Their excuse was they were navigating by landmarks and got lost. If you have ever been to Washington or flown into Reagan Airport you are aware the monuments and Government buildings can be seen for miles. The Capitol Building sits on a hill. The Washington Monument is one of the tallest and most recognizable landmarks, and the Pentagon is the world's largest office building. How in the Hell can you miss them? The fact that the airspace around Washington DC is regulated should be a surprise to no one, especially pilots. Were these jerks not tuned to any radio channel? Did the F-16's not spring their memory? Finally it took flare shots at the plane to make these butt monkeys quit performing foliatio and pay attention to their surroundings? "Uh Jimbo, That big old phallic symbol over there makes me a little horny." "Yeah, lets fly closer, I wonder what it is?" Just a couple of beetle brained morons. The student should be grounded for being stupid. The instructor should loose his license immediately. How can he teach ANYONE to navigate by landmarks when he fails to recognize the most recognizable landmarks in the country? For god's sake you can buy a GPS handheld for a couple of hundred bucks. What were these guys thinking?
But that is not where my real anger is directed. It is against the leftist assholes who heard this lame ass excuse and just said, "Oh well they were lost." Bullshit. These jerks caused mayhem and panic by being ignorant butt monkeys and we are just to say forget it? That is a typical leftist feel good approach, only consider the intentions. I bet they would feel different if it was someone who brought a gun to DC. What if it accidentally discharged and killed or wounded someone. Would we get the OH, well response? Sheese these people make me want to puke.
Now about that psycho woman in Georgia. I do not care if she did or did not want to get married. The fact that she filed a false report and lied to police is important. Is there not a law on the books about false reporting in New Mexico or Georgia? She clearly thought (at least a little) the story out when she was able to provide details about the man and woman and how the BOTH sexually assaulted her (calling Doctor Freud). Once again we get the old "she was confused" excuse. Charge this bitch with something, even a misdemeanors, to keep the countless copycats who cannot wait to get themselves on TV from repeating this horseshit. Come on, look what people will do to get on Springer. You think some piece of white trash is not already scheming to out run the runaway bride?
Man I am sick of these appeasers. Let people take responsibility for their actions.
A student pilot and his teacher violated the airspace in the Capitol yesterday, causing widespread panic and evacuations. Their excuse was they were navigating by landmarks and got lost. If you have ever been to Washington or flown into Reagan Airport you are aware the monuments and Government buildings can be seen for miles. The Capitol Building sits on a hill. The Washington Monument is one of the tallest and most recognizable landmarks, and the Pentagon is the world's largest office building. How in the Hell can you miss them? The fact that the airspace around Washington DC is regulated should be a surprise to no one, especially pilots. Were these jerks not tuned to any radio channel? Did the F-16's not spring their memory? Finally it took flare shots at the plane to make these butt monkeys quit performing foliatio and pay attention to their surroundings? "Uh Jimbo, That big old phallic symbol over there makes me a little horny." "Yeah, lets fly closer, I wonder what it is?" Just a couple of beetle brained morons. The student should be grounded for being stupid. The instructor should loose his license immediately. How can he teach ANYONE to navigate by landmarks when he fails to recognize the most recognizable landmarks in the country? For god's sake you can buy a GPS handheld for a couple of hundred bucks. What were these guys thinking?
But that is not where my real anger is directed. It is against the leftist assholes who heard this lame ass excuse and just said, "Oh well they were lost." Bullshit. These jerks caused mayhem and panic by being ignorant butt monkeys and we are just to say forget it? That is a typical leftist feel good approach, only consider the intentions. I bet they would feel different if it was someone who brought a gun to DC. What if it accidentally discharged and killed or wounded someone. Would we get the OH, well response? Sheese these people make me want to puke.
Now about that psycho woman in Georgia. I do not care if she did or did not want to get married. The fact that she filed a false report and lied to police is important. Is there not a law on the books about false reporting in New Mexico or Georgia? She clearly thought (at least a little) the story out when she was able to provide details about the man and woman and how the BOTH sexually assaulted her (calling Doctor Freud). Once again we get the old "she was confused" excuse. Charge this bitch with something, even a misdemeanors, to keep the countless copycats who cannot wait to get themselves on TV from repeating this horseshit. Come on, look what people will do to get on Springer. You think some piece of white trash is not already scheming to out run the runaway bride?
Man I am sick of these appeasers. Let people take responsibility for their actions.
May 11, 2005
The Smell of the Leather Glove, The Sting of the Bat
When I was a kid we played a lot of baseball. We lived in a subdivision, but had a fairly large backyard. We had a baseball diamond, and the bare spots for the "mound" and bases lasted for years after we outgrew our little diamond.
We usually played our games with a tennis ball, to make sure there was no damage to our house or the neighbor's. You can throw a tennis ball hard enough that you need gloves to play. We used my dad's broken softball bats (fastpitch)or some of the neighborhood kids had their own bats. Of course they were all wood. I had a Roger Maris autographed model. I did not like it because it was not a Louisville Slugger. My grandparents gave it to me as a gift. I did not see an aluminum bat until I was in my teens.
Games usually started early in the morning and lasted all day. Kids would come and go as they were allowed, leaving for lunch or whenever their Mom called them home. Often you had to switch teams to keep things even. We kept track of balls strikes and outs. The fun was THE GAME. My brother and I would go in to eat supper and the game continued until we got back.
It was hot and sometimes Mom would make everyone Koolaid. More often we got a drink from the hose. There was no reason to go inside, it was just as hot there. We did not have air conditioning. No one I knew had air conditioning. There were only three channels and the soaps were on during the day, the news in the evening. That was nothing I wanted to watch.
I coach my son's baseball teams now. He is very good, but I knew more about the how to "play" the game than he does. Playing every day you learned about what would happen in game situations, how to move, how to play the ball, how to read a hitter and a pitcher. These things he is learning through organized and structured play. I learned through peer pressure, intimidation, and ridicule. Is he better off?
One thing I do share with my son is a deep love of the game, the nuances of play, pleasure in a well hit ball or catch. The sheer joy of the diamond, the smell of the leather glove, the sting of the bat are all memories I hope he can share with his boy someday.
We usually played our games with a tennis ball, to make sure there was no damage to our house or the neighbor's. You can throw a tennis ball hard enough that you need gloves to play. We used my dad's broken softball bats (fastpitch)or some of the neighborhood kids had their own bats. Of course they were all wood. I had a Roger Maris autographed model. I did not like it because it was not a Louisville Slugger. My grandparents gave it to me as a gift. I did not see an aluminum bat until I was in my teens.
Games usually started early in the morning and lasted all day. Kids would come and go as they were allowed, leaving for lunch or whenever their Mom called them home. Often you had to switch teams to keep things even. We kept track of balls strikes and outs. The fun was THE GAME. My brother and I would go in to eat supper and the game continued until we got back.
It was hot and sometimes Mom would make everyone Koolaid. More often we got a drink from the hose. There was no reason to go inside, it was just as hot there. We did not have air conditioning. No one I knew had air conditioning. There were only three channels and the soaps were on during the day, the news in the evening. That was nothing I wanted to watch.
I coach my son's baseball teams now. He is very good, but I knew more about the how to "play" the game than he does. Playing every day you learned about what would happen in game situations, how to move, how to play the ball, how to read a hitter and a pitcher. These things he is learning through organized and structured play. I learned through peer pressure, intimidation, and ridicule. Is he better off?
One thing I do share with my son is a deep love of the game, the nuances of play, pleasure in a well hit ball or catch. The sheer joy of the diamond, the smell of the leather glove, the sting of the bat are all memories I hope he can share with his boy someday.
May 10, 2005
The South Was Right
The South was right. Their position on States Rights was backed by the 10th Amendment.
The Founders were very clear in their understanding of Rights. They did not want a powerful Federal Government. The Constitution clearly limits the government in nearly every Article. It spells out what the Government can and cannot do. Anything else is a State issue. Unfortunately the Constitution discussed Slavery. By allowing slavery, it made it a federal issue. The Slave States understood it was only a matter of time before the institution had to end. The Confederate States were considering such a move at War's end.
The North was also correct. The Unionist view that allowing the several states to withdraw from the union would destroy them all was valid. The British and French both saw the War as a chance to get back at the fabulous resources of America. I also believe there is ample evidence that the loose confederation the Jeffersonian had in mind would not have allowed the US to become the Superpower it is today.
The steps Lincoln took to preserve the Union were unprecedented. Suspending habeas corpus, income taxes and the draft were so onerous to citizens at the time we cannot understand today.
Jefferson Davis and every other Southerner who participated in discussions, conventions and meetings that discussed succession were TRAITORS. They actively pursued a course of rebellion against the sovereign United States. So while their intent was right, the course of action was wrong.
It was incumbent upon the President to do whatever was necessary to save the Union. Lincoln did the job. Many of the actions he took were duplicated by Roosevelt during WWII. Again, the country's survival was at stake. Does this indicate that ends justify the means? I am not sure. One thing is clear, by the end of the War, the South new their best friend was Abe Lincoln. There was true sadness on both sides when he was killed. The Radicals under Johnson inflicted suffering on the losers and caused hurt and humiliation that lasted for more than 50 years.
I once heard a comedian reply to the famous Charlie Daniels song "The South's Gonna Do It Again". He said "the South's gonna do it again -- what lose another major fuckin' war". Well, as the DigitalCowboy has pointed out the South has risen again. What he fails to note is that it is in conjunction with the Midwestern and Western states. The Blue States are the remnant of the old Yankee states that went to war for the wrong reasons. Those states that wanted to impose their world view upon the rest. That wanted the government to enforce morality, to decide what was best, to make the rest of us bend and pay for THEIR beliefs. Not much has changed, once they were called aboloshinists, now they are liberals. You cannot disagree with their moral position they take. We should have gotten rid of slavery. We should feed the poor and take care of the less fortunate. It is just that most Americans do not like to be forced to pay for these things. Taking money from one person to give to another is stealing. Robin Hood was a thief, no matter his pretenses. Taxing me to give to someone else is equally theft.
Lincoln was a scumbag politician. OK, as I stated before, show me a President who wasn't. He did hold the country together and for that I give him a pass. The South was correct in their interpretation of the 10th Amendment. The means they chose to prove their point did lasting harm. The act of rebellion incensed many Americans. That gave rise to the strong Federal Government of Lincoln. We are paying for it today. Thanks Jeff Davis, you asshole. I pissed on your monument in Kentucky twice before. I will do it every time I pass close. Because of you we have Swimmer Kennedy and KKK Byrd and Nancy Pissonme in office. I can only hope the South Isn't gonna do it again. Freedom and liberty and conservatism cannot take it.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
The Founders were very clear in their understanding of Rights. They did not want a powerful Federal Government. The Constitution clearly limits the government in nearly every Article. It spells out what the Government can and cannot do. Anything else is a State issue. Unfortunately the Constitution discussed Slavery. By allowing slavery, it made it a federal issue. The Slave States understood it was only a matter of time before the institution had to end. The Confederate States were considering such a move at War's end.
The North was also correct. The Unionist view that allowing the several states to withdraw from the union would destroy them all was valid. The British and French both saw the War as a chance to get back at the fabulous resources of America. I also believe there is ample evidence that the loose confederation the Jeffersonian had in mind would not have allowed the US to become the Superpower it is today.
The steps Lincoln took to preserve the Union were unprecedented. Suspending habeas corpus, income taxes and the draft were so onerous to citizens at the time we cannot understand today.
Jefferson Davis and every other Southerner who participated in discussions, conventions and meetings that discussed succession were TRAITORS. They actively pursued a course of rebellion against the sovereign United States. So while their intent was right, the course of action was wrong.
It was incumbent upon the President to do whatever was necessary to save the Union. Lincoln did the job. Many of the actions he took were duplicated by Roosevelt during WWII. Again, the country's survival was at stake. Does this indicate that ends justify the means? I am not sure. One thing is clear, by the end of the War, the South new their best friend was Abe Lincoln. There was true sadness on both sides when he was killed. The Radicals under Johnson inflicted suffering on the losers and caused hurt and humiliation that lasted for more than 50 years.
I once heard a comedian reply to the famous Charlie Daniels song "The South's Gonna Do It Again". He said "the South's gonna do it again -- what lose another major fuckin' war". Well, as the DigitalCowboy has pointed out the South has risen again. What he fails to note is that it is in conjunction with the Midwestern and Western states. The Blue States are the remnant of the old Yankee states that went to war for the wrong reasons. Those states that wanted to impose their world view upon the rest. That wanted the government to enforce morality, to decide what was best, to make the rest of us bend and pay for THEIR beliefs. Not much has changed, once they were called aboloshinists, now they are liberals. You cannot disagree with their moral position they take. We should have gotten rid of slavery. We should feed the poor and take care of the less fortunate. It is just that most Americans do not like to be forced to pay for these things. Taking money from one person to give to another is stealing. Robin Hood was a thief, no matter his pretenses. Taxing me to give to someone else is equally theft.
Lincoln was a scumbag politician. OK, as I stated before, show me a President who wasn't. He did hold the country together and for that I give him a pass. The South was correct in their interpretation of the 10th Amendment. The means they chose to prove their point did lasting harm. The act of rebellion incensed many Americans. That gave rise to the strong Federal Government of Lincoln. We are paying for it today. Thanks Jeff Davis, you asshole. I pissed on your monument in Kentucky twice before. I will do it every time I pass close. Because of you we have Swimmer Kennedy and KKK Byrd and Nancy Pissonme in office. I can only hope the South Isn't gonna do it again. Freedom and liberty and conservatism cannot take it.
May 9, 2005
Snakes in the Grass and other Obstacles
Saturday was a beautiful day in Hoosierdom. Clear skies, it was sunny with a temperature around 70 degrees.
I had my fat butt firmly on the seat of my riding mower doing my best to not have the worst yard in the neighborhood this year. I was jamming to tunes on my MP3 player. Suddenly, from the corner of my eye I saw a snake lying in the grass next to the path I was mowing. It was slim and brown with spots and about 2 feet long.
I am TERRIFIED of snakes. I jumped off the mower immediately. I should have swerved and mowed it into nasty, bloody snake parts. I was too terrified to think.
I went to shut off the mower and realized I am a total pussy.
It was just a bungee cord that I use to tie on the pad to my kids' trampoline. It must have fallen off when I moved the damn trampoline to mow.
Man, sometimes I feel like a total dumbass. But I do hate snakes.
I had my fat butt firmly on the seat of my riding mower doing my best to not have the worst yard in the neighborhood this year. I was jamming to tunes on my MP3 player. Suddenly, from the corner of my eye I saw a snake lying in the grass next to the path I was mowing. It was slim and brown with spots and about 2 feet long.
I am TERRIFIED of snakes. I jumped off the mower immediately. I should have swerved and mowed it into nasty, bloody snake parts. I was too terrified to think.
I went to shut off the mower and realized I am a total pussy.
It was just a bungee cord that I use to tie on the pad to my kids' trampoline. It must have fallen off when I moved the damn trampoline to mow.
Man, sometimes I feel like a total dumbass. But I do hate snakes.
May 7, 2005
The Civil War was not about Slavery
Well it was, kind of. The Civil war was about States Rights. In this case it was about whether or not the Whole of the United States had a right to dictate public policy about a moral issue -- slavery. At the time there was a general sense that slavery was wrong and that it should not be encouraged or spread. Slave trade and importation had been declared illegal some years before. For most slave owners, it was an economic issue. They viewed the situation as a farmer would today if you were declare that combines and tractors were illegal and took them away without compensation.
The prevalent view of the big plantation with hundreds of slaves is a farce. The vast majority of slave owners owned one or two slaves. In many cases these slaves lived and worked beside their owners. This was still wrong, but the notion that all the South was a big Tara is just not true. There were evil and bad masters who whipped the slaves. The separation of families did occur, but most owners had a significant amount of money tied up in their "property" and knew that a well fed, happy slave was a more efficient worker.
As new territories were added to the union the slave states saw the beginning of the end. They knew eventually the industrial North and small farmers in the plains and Midwest would overwhelmingly reject slavery. These individuals had no need (or money for) slaves like the labor-intensive cotton and indigo farms of the south.
The issue was, and I repeat myself, did the WHOLE OF THE UNITED STATES have the right to dictate to the individual state? In today's terms, does California have a right to insist its onerous gun control laws or air standards be forced upon the rest of us? The burning question of the day concerned the make up of the collection of states. Should the union be a loose confederacy held together for common defense and economic strength? Should the union be a strong central government where the individual states were concerned with local issues? These are the same questions we face today. The EU will wrestle with this for years to come. Before the Civil War there is little doubt that the union was a loose confederacy. The common man owed his allegiance and identified more with his state.
By the middle of the 19th century there was a change in this attitude. Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, the states formed from the Northwest Territories were all populated from the original colonies. Many families moved west several times in search of better land and way of life. Lincoln was born in Kentucky, spent his boyhood in Indiana, and finally moved to Illinois. His example is not unusual. These pioneers did not have the same loyalty to the state as the original colonists. A soldier from Virginia or New York would say they were fighting for Virginia etc. A soldier form Illinois or Iowa would have said he was fighting for the Union.
Thus the Civil war was not about slavery. It was about the future of the Union and its make up. It was about States Rights and the Union as a whole. The majority of Southerners did not own slaves (less than 20% did). Their position was that no outsider from (name your state) was going to tell him what to do. For the average Union soldier the issue was preserving the union, they view the war as a rebellion, not a revolution. The War changed forever the view of the Federal Government and fostered enmity and anger for a generation after the end of fighting. In many ways the fight continues to this day. The role Lincoln played in this, I will address in the next post.
The prevalent view of the big plantation with hundreds of slaves is a farce. The vast majority of slave owners owned one or two slaves. In many cases these slaves lived and worked beside their owners. This was still wrong, but the notion that all the South was a big Tara is just not true. There were evil and bad masters who whipped the slaves. The separation of families did occur, but most owners had a significant amount of money tied up in their "property" and knew that a well fed, happy slave was a more efficient worker.
As new territories were added to the union the slave states saw the beginning of the end. They knew eventually the industrial North and small farmers in the plains and Midwest would overwhelmingly reject slavery. These individuals had no need (or money for) slaves like the labor-intensive cotton and indigo farms of the south.
The issue was, and I repeat myself, did the WHOLE OF THE UNITED STATES have the right to dictate to the individual state? In today's terms, does California have a right to insist its onerous gun control laws or air standards be forced upon the rest of us? The burning question of the day concerned the make up of the collection of states. Should the union be a loose confederacy held together for common defense and economic strength? Should the union be a strong central government where the individual states were concerned with local issues? These are the same questions we face today. The EU will wrestle with this for years to come. Before the Civil War there is little doubt that the union was a loose confederacy. The common man owed his allegiance and identified more with his state.
By the middle of the 19th century there was a change in this attitude. Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, the states formed from the Northwest Territories were all populated from the original colonies. Many families moved west several times in search of better land and way of life. Lincoln was born in Kentucky, spent his boyhood in Indiana, and finally moved to Illinois. His example is not unusual. These pioneers did not have the same loyalty to the state as the original colonists. A soldier from Virginia or New York would say they were fighting for Virginia etc. A soldier form Illinois or Iowa would have said he was fighting for the Union.
Thus the Civil war was not about slavery. It was about the future of the Union and its make up. It was about States Rights and the Union as a whole. The majority of Southerners did not own slaves (less than 20% did). Their position was that no outsider from (name your state) was going to tell him what to do. For the average Union soldier the issue was preserving the union, they view the war as a rebellion, not a revolution. The War changed forever the view of the Federal Government and fostered enmity and anger for a generation after the end of fighting. In many ways the fight continues to this day. The role Lincoln played in this, I will address in the next post.
May 6, 2005
Lincoln was a Liar and who cares?
Alli alerted me to this guy's website where he is posting about Abe Lincoln. He clearly is not a fan. Normally I do not use this blog to offer comments, but I thought this subject deserved more than just a few lines. So instead of a description of the Battle of Mill Springs as I had planned, I will offer a discussion of the Civil War in general.
There is some pretty compelling evidence that Abe Lincoln did not have sufficient votes to win the Republican Nomination in 1860. His supporters filled the convention hall in Cleveland and voted as if they were actual delegates. When notified he had won the nomination (candidates did not attend the conventions in those days) Lincoln is said to ask what he had to give up to get the party, and if there was "any [the powers of the President] left for me?". Most of his cabinet posts were promised in advance of the election in return for support. Does this make Lincoln an opportunist and beholden to special interests? Name one president, including Washington who was not? Do the scandals that accompanied both of Lincoln's elections taint him any more than Kennedy or Roosevelt or Bush or Jackson? To claim that Lincoln is the first President to be elected by special interests is a fraud and naive.
Mr Shaw goes into some detail about Lincoln being a liar because he stated previously he was not in favor of freeing the slaves. A thorough study of history will show that most Americans, North or South, were not in favor of freeing the slaves. Most held a pretty bigoted view of Blacks at the time and viewed them as subhuman. Some of the bias was fears that freed slaves would come North and take jobs at cheaper rates. The abolishinest view was held pretty much to the Northeast and Canada. Ironically these are the current "blue staters". States in the "West" like Illinois, Indiana, Iowa were not fighting to free the slaves and editorials and diaries from the time back this position. Being from Illinois it is likely that Lincoln held this view as well. We should not be shocked that a politician will take and change a position at any given time to get elected.
I am aware it is a very cynical position to state that Lincoln was not so bad because he was no better or worse than any other politico since the Roman Empire. Instead we should look at his policies and positions and the way he ran the war to make our judgment. This is a subject I will address in future posts.
There is some pretty compelling evidence that Abe Lincoln did not have sufficient votes to win the Republican Nomination in 1860. His supporters filled the convention hall in Cleveland and voted as if they were actual delegates. When notified he had won the nomination (candidates did not attend the conventions in those days) Lincoln is said to ask what he had to give up to get the party, and if there was "any [the powers of the President] left for me?". Most of his cabinet posts were promised in advance of the election in return for support. Does this make Lincoln an opportunist and beholden to special interests? Name one president, including Washington who was not? Do the scandals that accompanied both of Lincoln's elections taint him any more than Kennedy or Roosevelt or Bush or Jackson? To claim that Lincoln is the first President to be elected by special interests is a fraud and naive.
Mr Shaw goes into some detail about Lincoln being a liar because he stated previously he was not in favor of freeing the slaves. A thorough study of history will show that most Americans, North or South, were not in favor of freeing the slaves. Most held a pretty bigoted view of Blacks at the time and viewed them as subhuman. Some of the bias was fears that freed slaves would come North and take jobs at cheaper rates. The abolishinest view was held pretty much to the Northeast and Canada. Ironically these are the current "blue staters". States in the "West" like Illinois, Indiana, Iowa were not fighting to free the slaves and editorials and diaries from the time back this position. Being from Illinois it is likely that Lincoln held this view as well. We should not be shocked that a politician will take and change a position at any given time to get elected.
I am aware it is a very cynical position to state that Lincoln was not so bad because he was no better or worse than any other politico since the Roman Empire. Instead we should look at his policies and positions and the way he ran the war to make our judgment. This is a subject I will address in future posts.
Do not mess with old ladies...
I stole this from the GOC:
Speeding...
An older lady gets pulled over for speeding...
Older Woman: Is there a problem, Officer?
Officer: Ma'am, you were speeding.
Older Woman: Oh, I see.
Officer: Can I see your license please?
Older Woman: I'd give it to you but I don't have one.
Officer: Don't have one?
Older Woman: Lost it, 4 years ago for drunk driving.
Officer: I see...Can I see your vehicle registration papers please.
Older Woman: I can't do that.
Officer: Why not?
Older Woman: I stole this car.
Officer: Stole it?
Older Woman: Yes, and I killed and hacked up the owner.
Officer: You what?
Older Woman: His body parts are in plastic bags in the trunk if you want to see.
The Officer looks at the woman and slowly backs away to his car and calls for back up. Within minutes, 5 police cars circle the car. A senior officer slowly approaches the car, clasping his half-drawn gun.
Officer 2: Ma'am, could you step out of your vehicle please!
The woman steps out of her vehicle.
Older woman: Is there a problem sir?
Officer 2: One of my officers told me that you have stolen this car and murdered the owner.
Older Woman: Murdered the owner?
Officer 2: Yes, could you please open the trunk of your car, please.
The woman opens the trunk, revealing nothing but an empty trunk.
Officer 2: Is this your car, ma'am?
Older Woman: Yes, here are the registration papers.
The officer is quite stunned.
Officer 2: One of my officers claims that you do not have a driving license.
The woman digs into her handbag and pulls out a clutch purse and hands it to the officer.
The officer examines the license. He looks quite puzzled.
Officer 2: Thank you ma'am, one of my officers told me you didn't have a license, that you stole this car, and that you murdered and hacked up the owner.
Older Woman: Bet the liar told you I was speeding,too.
Don't Mess With Old Ladies
Speeding...
An older lady gets pulled over for speeding...
Older Woman: Is there a problem, Officer?
Officer: Ma'am, you were speeding.
Older Woman: Oh, I see.
Officer: Can I see your license please?
Older Woman: I'd give it to you but I don't have one.
Officer: Don't have one?
Older Woman: Lost it, 4 years ago for drunk driving.
Officer: I see...Can I see your vehicle registration papers please.
Older Woman: I can't do that.
Officer: Why not?
Older Woman: I stole this car.
Officer: Stole it?
Older Woman: Yes, and I killed and hacked up the owner.
Officer: You what?
Older Woman: His body parts are in plastic bags in the trunk if you want to see.
The Officer looks at the woman and slowly backs away to his car and calls for back up. Within minutes, 5 police cars circle the car. A senior officer slowly approaches the car, clasping his half-drawn gun.
Officer 2: Ma'am, could you step out of your vehicle please!
The woman steps out of her vehicle.
Older woman: Is there a problem sir?
Officer 2: One of my officers told me that you have stolen this car and murdered the owner.
Older Woman: Murdered the owner?
Officer 2: Yes, could you please open the trunk of your car, please.
The woman opens the trunk, revealing nothing but an empty trunk.
Officer 2: Is this your car, ma'am?
Older Woman: Yes, here are the registration papers.
The officer is quite stunned.
Officer 2: One of my officers claims that you do not have a driving license.
The woman digs into her handbag and pulls out a clutch purse and hands it to the officer.
The officer examines the license. He looks quite puzzled.
Officer 2: Thank you ma'am, one of my officers told me you didn't have a license, that you stole this car, and that you murdered and hacked up the owner.
Older Woman: Bet the liar told you I was speeding,too.
Don't Mess With Old Ladies
May 5, 2005
Thursday Rants
Here it is, random thoughts for a Thursday.
I have no comment on this. I just find it ironic and interesting.
When will the American People wake up and realize that the UN has become nothing more than a farce run by third world countries in typical corrupt third world manner. If we could actually get legitimate press coverage of the oil for food scandal and all the other nonsense, we would finally burn that leech of an organization from our shores.
At some time in the next few years can we actually see some ideas from Democrats? Their sole purpose in life seems to obstruct and hate. I think your typical Democrat is a member of the party out of tradition. If the Gary steelworker actually studied what the Party of Hate has come to stand for, he would reject it immediately.
Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. As a member of that generation between the Boomers and Gen X, I am screwed. The Boomers will vote in politicians that keep them in benefits while I am in my peek working years. That means I will pay higher taxes. By the time I retire the Gen Xers will be sick of retirees sucking them dry and will vote to reduce benefits. I am not sure of the fix, but something has to be done.
Why can't we force State, Local, and Federal Governments to live within their means? My local government is allowed to increase taxes by 5% every year. Inflation is running under 2%. I have not seen a raise in three years. I am sure not many of you have had a 5% raise since the early 1990's. Do the math.
I am a salesman that calls on heavy manufacturing. So many of my old customers are gone -- moved to Mexico or overseas, or just closed. These jobs will not be coming back. Wake up people. CHINA IS OUR ENEMY. We all like cheap clothes and electronics, but eventually we will not be able to buy these items if we all just provide services! I am not a protectionist at heart, but the current situation is not working.
Throughout history, there has been the equivalent of a "world war" or at least Europe-wide war within 50 years of a unified Germany.
I have a new goal in life to make sure Hillary Clinton is never elected President. I will register Democrat if necessary just to vote AGAINST her in the primaries. That woman will say and do anything to get elected. I think she may be a bigger liar than Bill. I have almost as much loathing for her as that lying traitor Jane Fonda. I just want Clinton to go away. I want Fonda executed as a traitor.
edit: American Idol scandal, Don't care. Michael Jacklson,. Don't care. Runaway Bride, Don't care. Tm Delay, Don't care. Go Pacers.
I have no comment on this. I just find it ironic and interesting.
When will the American People wake up and realize that the UN has become nothing more than a farce run by third world countries in typical corrupt third world manner. If we could actually get legitimate press coverage of the oil for food scandal and all the other nonsense, we would finally burn that leech of an organization from our shores.
At some time in the next few years can we actually see some ideas from Democrats? Their sole purpose in life seems to obstruct and hate. I think your typical Democrat is a member of the party out of tradition. If the Gary steelworker actually studied what the Party of Hate has come to stand for, he would reject it immediately.
Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. As a member of that generation between the Boomers and Gen X, I am screwed. The Boomers will vote in politicians that keep them in benefits while I am in my peek working years. That means I will pay higher taxes. By the time I retire the Gen Xers will be sick of retirees sucking them dry and will vote to reduce benefits. I am not sure of the fix, but something has to be done.
Why can't we force State, Local, and Federal Governments to live within their means? My local government is allowed to increase taxes by 5% every year. Inflation is running under 2%. I have not seen a raise in three years. I am sure not many of you have had a 5% raise since the early 1990's. Do the math.
I am a salesman that calls on heavy manufacturing. So many of my old customers are gone -- moved to Mexico or overseas, or just closed. These jobs will not be coming back. Wake up people. CHINA IS OUR ENEMY. We all like cheap clothes and electronics, but eventually we will not be able to buy these items if we all just provide services! I am not a protectionist at heart, but the current situation is not working.
Throughout history, there has been the equivalent of a "world war" or at least Europe-wide war within 50 years of a unified Germany.
I have a new goal in life to make sure Hillary Clinton is never elected President. I will register Democrat if necessary just to vote AGAINST her in the primaries. That woman will say and do anything to get elected. I think she may be a bigger liar than Bill. I have almost as much loathing for her as that lying traitor Jane Fonda. I just want Clinton to go away. I want Fonda executed as a traitor.
edit: American Idol scandal, Don't care. Michael Jacklson,. Don't care. Runaway Bride, Don't care. Tm Delay, Don't care. Go Pacers.
May 4, 2005
Foolish Youth
I was reading this when I decided to elaborate a little on some of the dumb things I have done in the company of alcohol.
I have a brother that is 2 and 1/2 years older than me. After he turned 16, he and his best buddy Bill used to go out cruising. I usually whined and begged to along. Often my mom made the older boys take me. Sometimes Bill would say I could come.
In the summer before my freshman year of High School we started drinking beer on these evenings out. We would get a six pack and head to the drive-in movie. Usually those six beers would get us each a little buzz. Gradually it would take more (Now I wish I could get a buzz from 2 beers -- you cannot buy a case of beer for $6 anymore!).
When he was a Senior in High School, Bill had me write his Government and history papers. As a reward he took me to qualifications for the Indy 500. This was before the Indy car split when the race was the biggest sporting event in the world. Tens of thousands would come just to watch practice and qualifications. We routinely skipped school to go to the track just to watch cars practice. Daytona has speed week, Indy had the entire month of May.
Inside the first turn was what was known as "the snake pit". This was an area of perpetual party. You could see and experience ANYTHING here. At the end of the day there was always at least one old car on fire. Couches, kegs and smashed coolers would litter the always muddy ground.
We arrived bright and early. We headed straight for the snake pit. It was raining, so we drove around in the mud for a while, doing doughnuts. Eventually we made our way to the stands where Bill broke out a bottle of Southern Comfort. This was my payment. I think we mixed it with Coke, but I also remember taking some direct pulls off the bottle.
At one point I headed for the restrooms. There was a sight I remember to this day. A biker had this girl down in the mud and was fucking her for all he was worth. He was dressed , his pants pulled down. She was buck naked. He was pounding away, looking around at the crowd that had formed with a shit-eating grin on his face. She just lay there, her breast moving up and down in rhythm to his thrusts. You have to remember I was like 14 or 15. This was awesome!
Eventually, I headed back to the booze. I made a fateful mistake, I thought you could drink whiskey like beer. Namely, drink until you get a good buzz, then quit. Big mistake. OMG, was I drunk. I passed out. I fell in the mud. I was sick. I passed out again. I was in terrible shape. Bill had to drive me around for hours before he could take me home.
To this day I cannot stand the sight, smell, or taste of whiskey, bourbon, or scotch. If I try to drink it, I immediately puke. I cannot even eat food cooked in whiskey. This is the ultimate example of what I learned in Psych 101 as a "learned taste aversion". But man, what good times we had.
I have a brother that is 2 and 1/2 years older than me. After he turned 16, he and his best buddy Bill used to go out cruising. I usually whined and begged to along. Often my mom made the older boys take me. Sometimes Bill would say I could come.
In the summer before my freshman year of High School we started drinking beer on these evenings out. We would get a six pack and head to the drive-in movie. Usually those six beers would get us each a little buzz. Gradually it would take more (Now I wish I could get a buzz from 2 beers -- you cannot buy a case of beer for $6 anymore!).
When he was a Senior in High School, Bill had me write his Government and history papers. As a reward he took me to qualifications for the Indy 500. This was before the Indy car split when the race was the biggest sporting event in the world. Tens of thousands would come just to watch practice and qualifications. We routinely skipped school to go to the track just to watch cars practice. Daytona has speed week, Indy had the entire month of May.
Inside the first turn was what was known as "the snake pit". This was an area of perpetual party. You could see and experience ANYTHING here. At the end of the day there was always at least one old car on fire. Couches, kegs and smashed coolers would litter the always muddy ground.
We arrived bright and early. We headed straight for the snake pit. It was raining, so we drove around in the mud for a while, doing doughnuts. Eventually we made our way to the stands where Bill broke out a bottle of Southern Comfort. This was my payment. I think we mixed it with Coke, but I also remember taking some direct pulls off the bottle.
At one point I headed for the restrooms. There was a sight I remember to this day. A biker had this girl down in the mud and was fucking her for all he was worth. He was dressed , his pants pulled down. She was buck naked. He was pounding away, looking around at the crowd that had formed with a shit-eating grin on his face. She just lay there, her breast moving up and down in rhythm to his thrusts. You have to remember I was like 14 or 15. This was awesome!
Eventually, I headed back to the booze. I made a fateful mistake, I thought you could drink whiskey like beer. Namely, drink until you get a good buzz, then quit. Big mistake. OMG, was I drunk. I passed out. I fell in the mud. I was sick. I passed out again. I was in terrible shape. Bill had to drive me around for hours before he could take me home.
To this day I cannot stand the sight, smell, or taste of whiskey, bourbon, or scotch. If I try to drink it, I immediately puke. I cannot even eat food cooked in whiskey. This is the ultimate example of what I learned in Psych 101 as a "learned taste aversion". But man, what good times we had.
Another @#$%^&*( Quiz
Here is another quiz. Like everyone else I do this when I am too lazy to think up a post..
for the most part this is pretty accurate. The making new friends easily part I have to disagree with. I have never been nervous in front of large crowds. Being IN large crowds does make me nervous.
Your Birthdate: March 20 |
Your birth on the 20th day of the month adds a degree of emotion, sensitivity, and intuition to your reading. The 2 energy provided here is very social, allowing you to make friends easily and quickly. Yet you are apt to have a rather nervous air in the company of a large group. You have a warmhearted nature and emotional understanding that constantly seeks affection. You are very prone to become depressed and moody, as emotions can turn inward and cause anxiety and mental turmoil. It can be hard for you to bounce back to reality when depression sets in. When things are going well, you can go just as far the other way and become extremely affectionate. |
for the most part this is pretty accurate. The making new friends easily part I have to disagree with. I have never been nervous in front of large crowds. Being IN large crowds does make me nervous.
May 2, 2005
The Famous Irish Pub in Utrecht
Thank you to the Delftsman for his link. In honor of him I will tell another funny story that happened to me in The Netherlands.
There were about four of us in Utrecht, and we had been visiting the pubs and drinking a few beers. One of my colleagues remembered visiting, or hearing of, a pub called the Irish Pub. According to him, this was the best drinking spot in the city. Its' charms increased as the night wore on.
Finally, we set off in search of this Mecca of Partying. We traveled up and down streets and alleyways all over the central city no no avail. Occasionally we were forced to stop and get refreshments. Everyone knows that looking for a bar is a thirsty business. Finally, against every instinct I possess, we decided to ask for directions. I know, a major pussified moment.
My good friend and colleague from Germany and I were elected to ask. No one in the group could speak Dutch. I spoke a little French and my friend of course spoke German. You should know EVERYONE in Holland speaks English, most better than I But, as I said we had a few beers, so the plan made sense.
We approached a group of guys walking along the canal and my German friend asked if they has ever heard of the Irish Pub (in English). "Sure", they answered. I asked if they could give us directions. They conferred among themselves.
One finally said "Ok, go up this street for two blocks. Turn right and go about 100 meters. Then you... ask somebody there." He then walked off. To this day that is the funniest directions I have ever received.
We never did find the Irish Pub, but we sure had a good time looking.
There were about four of us in Utrecht, and we had been visiting the pubs and drinking a few beers. One of my colleagues remembered visiting, or hearing of, a pub called the Irish Pub. According to him, this was the best drinking spot in the city. Its' charms increased as the night wore on.
Finally, we set off in search of this Mecca of Partying. We traveled up and down streets and alleyways all over the central city no no avail. Occasionally we were forced to stop and get refreshments. Everyone knows that looking for a bar is a thirsty business. Finally, against every instinct I possess, we decided to ask for directions. I know, a major pussified moment.
My good friend and colleague from Germany and I were elected to ask. No one in the group could speak Dutch. I spoke a little French and my friend of course spoke German. You should know EVERYONE in Holland speaks English, most better than I But, as I said we had a few beers, so the plan made sense.
We approached a group of guys walking along the canal and my German friend asked if they has ever heard of the Irish Pub (in English). "Sure", they answered. I asked if they could give us directions. They conferred among themselves.
One finally said "Ok, go up this street for two blocks. Turn right and go about 100 meters. Then you... ask somebody there." He then walked off. To this day that is the funniest directions I have ever received.
We never did find the Irish Pub, but we sure had a good time looking.
I'm About Sick of This...
For a large portion of my life the Democrats were in charge of the Senate and House. I do not remember a single time when they were interested in compromise. The Donk attitude was always "we were elected by the people based on our agenda and we should legislate accordingly". The Republicans moved into power based on the Contract with America and have abandoned that which put them into power.
Why is the Rebublican party so keen on kissing Democrat ass? The liberal policies of that party no longer represent the beliefs of most Americans. If the Ass party wants to filibuster, then let them get in there and do the Mr. Smith thing -- I want to see Swimmer Kennedy passing out in a alcoholic withdrawal seizure, shaking with the DTs as he reads from the Washington DC phonebook.
I want to see Byrd lose his mind from exhaustion and begin spouting the Klan Ritual as he loses his voice after 10 hours of pontificating on the pureness of Big Government.
I want to Hillary Clinton talk and talk and talk until we can finally get the truth out that lying bitch. Maybe she will spontaneously explode into flames, I have heard that can happen.
Why doesn't the Republican Party grow some balls? Why don't they start acting like they are in charge? The liberal judges we have on the bench now are there because the Democrats were not afraid to tell the Republican minority to bugger off when it came time to confirm judges.
When are going to see some actual fiscal responsibility out of this bunch? I have been a registered Republican since I was 18. I have spent 25 years voting for this party. I am starting to believe they are failing me. I am not sure I could vote for a Democrat, but I am not sure I will vote for the Republicans who are just becoming Democrats lite. Bring back the fucking Whigs I say. I have about had it.
Why is the Rebublican party so keen on kissing Democrat ass? The liberal policies of that party no longer represent the beliefs of most Americans. If the Ass party wants to filibuster, then let them get in there and do the Mr. Smith thing -- I want to see Swimmer Kennedy passing out in a alcoholic withdrawal seizure, shaking with the DTs as he reads from the Washington DC phonebook.
I want to see Byrd lose his mind from exhaustion and begin spouting the Klan Ritual as he loses his voice after 10 hours of pontificating on the pureness of Big Government.
I want to Hillary Clinton talk and talk and talk until we can finally get the truth out that lying bitch. Maybe she will spontaneously explode into flames, I have heard that can happen.
Why doesn't the Republican Party grow some balls? Why don't they start acting like they are in charge? The liberal judges we have on the bench now are there because the Democrats were not afraid to tell the Republican minority to bugger off when it came time to confirm judges.
When are going to see some actual fiscal responsibility out of this bunch? I have been a registered Republican since I was 18. I have spent 25 years voting for this party. I am starting to believe they are failing me. I am not sure I could vote for a Democrat, but I am not sure I will vote for the Republicans who are just becoming Democrats lite. Bring back the fucking Whigs I say. I have about had it.
May 1, 2005
God's Country -- After all it is Sunday
Here is another Email from my dad:
A man decided to write a book about famous churches around the U.S. He bought a plane ticket to Orlando, thinking he would start by working his way across the USA from south to north.
On his first day he was inside a church taking photographs when he noticed a golden telephone mounted on the wall above a sign that read "$10,000 per call." The man, being intrigued, asked a priest who was strolling by what the telephone was used for. The priest replied that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 you could talk to God. The man thanked the priest and went his way.
Next, he stopped in Atlanta.There, at a very large cathedral, he saw the same golden telephone with the same sign under it. He asked a nearby nun what this phone's purpose was. She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 he could talk to God. "O.K., thank you," said the man, and left.
He then traveled to Minneapolis, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston, and New York. In every church he saw the same golden telephone with the same "$10,000 per call" sign under it.
Upon leaving New York, he decided to travel to the Midwest to see if he would find the same phone. He arrived in Indiana, and in the first church he entered, there was the same golden telephone. This time, however, the sign under it read "40 cents per call." The man was surprised. Just then, the minister walked in and he asked about the sign."Pastor, I've traveled all over America and I've seen this same golden telephone in many churches. I'm told that it is a direct line to Heaven, but in the East, the North, and the South the price was $10,000 per call. Why is it so cheap here?"
The pastor smiled and answered, "You're in Indiana now son, it's a local call."
not much more I can add.
A man decided to write a book about famous churches around the U.S. He bought a plane ticket to Orlando, thinking he would start by working his way across the USA from south to north.
On his first day he was inside a church taking photographs when he noticed a golden telephone mounted on the wall above a sign that read "$10,000 per call." The man, being intrigued, asked a priest who was strolling by what the telephone was used for. The priest replied that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 you could talk to God. The man thanked the priest and went his way.
Next, he stopped in Atlanta.There, at a very large cathedral, he saw the same golden telephone with the same sign under it. He asked a nearby nun what this phone's purpose was. She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 he could talk to God. "O.K., thank you," said the man, and left.
He then traveled to Minneapolis, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston, and New York. In every church he saw the same golden telephone with the same "$10,000 per call" sign under it.
Upon leaving New York, he decided to travel to the Midwest to see if he would find the same phone. He arrived in Indiana, and in the first church he entered, there was the same golden telephone. This time, however, the sign under it read "40 cents per call." The man was surprised. Just then, the minister walked in and he asked about the sign."Pastor, I've traveled all over America and I've seen this same golden telephone in many churches. I'm told that it is a direct line to Heaven, but in the East, the North, and the South the price was $10,000 per call. Why is it so cheap here?"
The pastor smiled and answered, "You're in Indiana now son, it's a local call."
not much more I can add.
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