Ohioan@Heart

The Ultimate O(W)S Statement

2011-12-25T14:34:00.001-08:00

I could never say it so clearly...

Merry Christmas.

Sad Commentaries on "Life in California"

2011-01-02T13:12:00.000-08:00

Over at Beers with Demos there is a very sad story about how bad life in California is getting in the Central Valley that is definitely worth reading. But what really prompted this post is the oh-so-perfect story from yesterday's Rose Parade.

Seems that the float from the city of Sierra Madre won this year's Governor's Award, one of the Tournament of Roses Parade's most prestigious awards, which is awarded to the float which "best depicts life in California." What makes their depiction of "Life in California" so richly ironic is that the float broke down, right at the main TV area, and had to be towed the rest of the way (see full story).

Two Links To See

2010-04-23T09:46:00.001-07:00

First here is a stunning view of the sun in the extreme ultraviolet (false color of course).

Then I wonder if this is a peek into the house of the Maximum Leader? (Note: I couldn't figure out ow to make that first link always point to the entry for April 23, 2010, so be sure to go to that date.)

Tomorrow is Pi Day...

2010-03-13T10:15:00.000-08:00

So go out and party like it's 3.13...

I Don't Know Why This Makes Me Laugh

2009-11-27T18:48:00.000-08:00

But it does...

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Words of Wisdom... True Then, True Now

2009-10-01T19:27:00.000-07:00

I just got back from an extended trip back east for leadership training. The one thing that really stood out to me is all the lessons that we've learned collectively, but forgotten individually.

Here's one in particular that I wish our current political "leadership" (and some of the recent past ones as well) would have learned. The quote (with my emphasis):

As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is, to use it as sparingly as possible; avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it; avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge the debts, which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden, which we ourselves ought to bear.

The source of this apparently long forgotten wisdom?

The Farewell Address of President George Washington.

Beautiful, But a Bit Bothersome

2009-09-06T19:49:00.001-07:00

Over at Astronomy Picture of the Day they have this beautiful picture of the Cosmic Microwave Background - Beautiful.

They point out that the dipole nature of the colors you see are due to us moving "600 kilometers per second relative" to it. See that's bothersome to me. To me it implies that there is a preferred "stationary" frame of reference. Such a thing is contrary to Einstein's Theory of General Relativity.

(For those versed in the theory, Yes, "contrary" is too strong a word. But certainly there is an implied preferred frame which is not supposed to exist.)

Everythings Great, Go About Your Business

2009-09-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

See it's like this.

The Vice President of the United States says "The Recovery Act is doing more, faster and more efficiently and more effectively than most people expected," and that the accomplishments over the past 100 days provide proof of promises kept when he and President Obama began rolling out the plan earlier this year. here for full story.

But see there's this problem...

The fact is that SOMEBODY did expect more, the President. See his folks put out data on how much better things would be (one could argue promised the improvement), and then it turned out worse than their worst projections for what would have happened without the orgy of spending. Here's the data.

Bummer for the Veep.

Spectacular Einstein "Ring" Image

2009-08-22T22:53:00.000-07:00

This image just blows me away.

If you want a description of why there are so many blue image that seem to form a circle around the center of this image go to the description at Astronomy Picture of the Day.

Hugs...

2009-08-18T22:27:00.000-07:00

Bucket List Item #6

2009-08-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

Of the things I want to see with my own eyes...

Mt Rushmore (not necessarily at night).

Bucket List Item #5

2009-07-31T13:40:00.000-07:00

No photo for this one. I want to see a baseball game in every Major League Park in the same year. This is number one on my "Once I'm Retired" list. I've even figured out the sequence to make the driving doable in a reasonable time. The hard part will be finding a time in the schedule when everybody's in town such that resequencing is not too great, then getting tickets (I hate to think about the scalper prices for a few of those places, but that won't stop me).

OK, I changed my mind, here's the home park... Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres

... Hey, I think that's me in the left field lower grandstand!

Bucket List Item #4

2009-07-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

So here's the fourth thing I really want to see with my own eyes before I die.

Yellowstone National Park.

Bucket List Item #3

2009-07-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

... that I want to see with my own eyes...

The Great Wall of China.

Bucket List Item #2

2009-07-28T19:21:00.000-07:00

The second thing on the list of things to see before I die...

A total eclipse

Bucket List Item #1

2009-07-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

Over at Astronomy Photo of the Day there is this absolutely beautiful photo of an aurora from Alberta, Canada.

This is one of those things on my bucket list... See an aurora with my own eyes. Photos like this make me want it more. This is item #1 on my go see it bucket list.

I promise to add to this list over the next few days...

The Angels Among Us

2009-07-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in this world we need to stop and be reminded that almost all people are inherently good and would prefer to help one another. Yesterday I saw a story that slammed me up side the head with that.

If you doubt this go here and watch total strangers convince you.

As the father is quoted "There are angels all around us". Well said. Well said, indeed.

40 Years Later

2009-07-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

A wonderful image of Eagle returning to Columbia 40 years ago after the first moon landing

Click on image for larger view.

R.I.P.

2009-07-18T11:53:00.001-07:00

Rest in Peace Mr Cronkite, you escorted me to the Moon, safely home on Apollo 13, through assassinations and riots, and Vietnam and Watergate.

A voice of reason, sanity, and reassurance. The likes of which we do not have today, and are not likely to see again.

Now That's an Overdraft !

2009-07-15T19:01:00.000-07:00

If you hadn't seen the article, a bunch of folks found incorrect charges on their Visa accounts, with the biggest charge being $23,148,855,308,184,500. Yeah, you read that right, over $23 quadtrillion dollars. He also got a $15 overdraft charge. Seriously, $23 quadtrillion dollars and he couldn't cover it? Well then he deserves the $15 ping. That'll teach him!

I also couldn't help but think... Let's see Obama's managed to rack up a $1 trillion deficit for the first 9 months of fiscal year 2009. At that rate it will take him over 17,000 years to rack up a debt that big.

He must be so jealous...

A Chance to Re-Live History

2009-07-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

For all of you who are too young to remember or, if like me, this represents one of those moments that helped to form your life's goals, or even if you'd just like to be reminded about the moment in history when humans first trod upon an object other than the Earth, there is a web site that will recreate in real-time the Apollo 11 lunar landing.

Visit here.

The fun starts at 06:32 AM PDT Thursday July 16th and runs through the lunar excursion.

Anybody Interested?

2009-07-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

To all CA taxpayers...

The California Constitution (Article 4, Sec 12, part 3) reads

(3) The Legislature shall pass the budget bill by midnight on June 15 of each year

and further, later in Article 4, section 22 begins

SEC. 22. It is the right of the people to hold their legislators accountable.

Whereas we CA taxpayers we are being subjected to additional costs due to the legislature not fulfilling their constitutionally mandated requirement I believe we have legal standing to sue them in State court.

We could ask for the remedy to be removal from office and a permanent injuction against any of them ever holding any elected office.

Thoughts?

Now I've Seen Everything

2009-06-20T19:29:00.001-07:00

Hmmm... Knowing what's next, somehow that didn't come out quite like I intended.

Anyways, tomorrow is Naked Hiking Day.

And, seriously, Happy First Day of Summer.

Something for Ray

2009-06-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to post more pictures.

Here are three from a long ago trip to the San Diego Zoo with the family.

An Okapi through the trees

A colorful reptile (that's the best I can do as to species) and

Giraffe (Duh!).

What Star Trek Character Are You?

2009-05-18T18:28:00.003-07:00

With a hat tip to Wolf.

My results:
You are James T. Kirk (Captain)
You are often exaggerated and over-the-top
in your speech and expressions.
You are a romantic at heart and a natural leader.

65% James T. Kirk (Captain)
65% Beverly Crusher
60% Worf
55% Geordi LaForge
50% Jean-Luc Picard
47% Spock
47% Data
45% Will Riker
40% Leonard McCoy (Bones)
40% Deanna Troi
35% Mr. Scott
35% Chekov
35% Uhura
20% Mr. Sulu
20% An Expendable Character (Redshirt)

Click here to take the "Which Star Trek character am I?" quiz...

Except for the Dr. Crusher at #2 I love the top of that list...

San Diego Photo

2009-05-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

Over at the Scratching Post, KT has posted a beautiful photo of the San Diego skyline.

Reminded me that I have an older photo from back in January of 2004 from when we had a snow fall in the local mountains.

Enjoy,

Try to Imagine The Reaction...

2009-05-04T20:09:00.000-07:00

...if say Sarah Palin had said this.

That's right our wonderful, brilliant, supreme one, oratory master of a President said welcome to "Cinco de Quatro" when he was speaking on May 4, about the upcoming May 5 celebration of "Cinco de Mayo".

Now understand that I speak essentially no Spanish. I'm stumped beyond counting to about 6, ordering a beer, and asking where the bathroom is (those last two are a necessary combo). But even I know that Cinco is 5 and Mayo is not mayonaise, but May. So this poor dumb, conservative, mouth breathing, neaderthal of a Republican wouldn't have said that. I can only imagine if a Republican had said that.

Or for that matter imagine the reaction if some Republican had done this. I don't see Sen Kerry having his back.

Take a Ride That's Impossible to Return From

2009-04-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

Here's a simulation of what one might experience if you could fall into a black hole.

When it's done you won't be quantum foam, and can go about your business. Something impossible if you ever went on the real trip.

The "Blob" Attacks - 12.9 Billion Years Ago

2009-04-22T18:25:00.001-07:00

A report of an amazing blob. A 12.9 billion year old, 55,000 light year sized blob of something has been observed see full article.

Basically, the scientists have no idea what it is (although that didn't stop them from making some WAGs as to its identity).

The universe continues to surprise us.

Geek Heaven.

Opening Day

2009-04-06T22:33:00.000-07:00

Today was opening day for the Padres. A 4-1 loss to the hated Dogers (not a typo or mistake, that's what they are Dog-ers). The first loss of what will probably be a great many this year.

The good news is winning and losing are not the keys to my enjoyment. A well played game is what I go to see. This one was almost in that category. A hideous stupid needless error that lead to a run in the Dog-er 3rd was the only real mar.

NCAA final four ended. My Spartans lost to a much better team. Congrats to UNC.

But, the baseball season is underway, and all is right with the world.

Physics Foolies

2009-04-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

Yes Foolies, not Follies.

Seems there may be two new things that the all-knowing physicists didn't know (i.e., they've been fooled).

First, on March 17 Fermi Lab announces a new particle, dubbed Y(4140) - it's rest mass is about 4140 MeV. The Fermi Lab announcement on the web says

Physicists did not predict its existence because Y(4140) appears to flout nature’s known rules for fitting quarks and antiquarks together.

We will learn something new. Cool.

Speaking of cool, six days later at the American Chemical Society there was an announcement that maybe Cold Fusion is real after all. Sounds like they have a reproducible experiment and clear evidence. They even managed to publish in a peer review journal, Naturwissenschaften. It will be interesting to see if all those folks that were so full of themselves when they denounced Pons and Fleischmann 20 years ago have enough integrity to admit they were wrong.

In any case, sounds like there may be new things to learn about science after all. Isn't that what science is all about?

Hurricane Season Finally Winding Down On Jupiter?

2009-04-02T19:23:00.001-07:00

The (at minimum) centuries old Great Red Spot on Jupiter seems to be shrinking here.

Will it disappear completely, or merely shrink then re-grow. No one knows. Ain't that great?

Here we have an object, observed for over 100 years, and yet no one understands it.

So we all get to watch the science happen right in front of our eyes.

Gotta love it.

Happy PI Day

2009-03-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

Just in case you missed it, and no one already wished you a happy Pi day...

Well, Happy Pi Day.

The Night Sky We've Lost

2009-03-03T21:53:00.000-08:00

If you've lived your life in American cities (like I have), then you've lost the night sky. Here are ten images of what we've all lost.

Sad.

Oh, and if you happened to look up at the right time on Monday, you might have noticed the passage of a asteroid within only 38,000 mi. That's less than 10 times the radius of the earth. A fifth of the distance to the moon. On a cosmic scale, that's freaking close.

Not quite scary, no worth losing sleep over, but someting to make you think.

Those are the two sides of the same coin. Beautiful, but dangerous and untamed.

Sad Ending to the Best Named Satellite Ever

2009-02-25T20:40:00.000-08:00

It's really the truth. The Orbiting Carbon Observatory was brilliantly named. It was designed to measure the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. The acronmym is OCO. Not only is that CO2, but it's the line formula O=C=O.

Too bad the launch failed.

This is a Must Read - OK Must Hear

2009-02-24T18:59:00.000-08:00

Go over to Beers with Demo and read the article, but most of all, take the time to hear Gov Jindal.

There's a man who makes sense.

Sometimes I Hate It When I'm Right

2009-02-11T18:31:00.000-08:00

In a post back on Jan 18, the Maximum Leader posted about how the handouts would have to end in California due to the budget disaster (here).

I commented that that was not going to happen, as the legislature would not tighten their belts, they'd raise taxes and make us tighten ours.

Well, here's the latest from Bloomberg:

Lawmakers have a “common framework” in place... Under consideration are proposals to raise the state’s sales tax rate to 8.25 percent from 7.25 percent; increase the vehicle license fee to 1.15 percent from 0.65 percent of the value of the automobile; a 12-cent per-gallon excise tax on gasoline and a 0.25 percent surcharge on income taxes, according to a lawmaker briefed by party leaders who asked not to be identified because the presentation was confidential.

Like I said, sometimes I hate it when I'm right.

Ohioans Are Not All That Stupid

2009-02-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you've seen the story about the man who died today, because while he was out ice fishing on Lake Erie the ice broke up, stranding him and about 150 other people. Back when I lived in Ohio, it seemed that there was a story about rescue of ice fishermen every year.

I always thought that when someone got caught out there they probably got caught because they really didn't pay attention to the obvious, and must have been a bit careless, bordering on stupid. But it seems that here, someone actually used pallets to build a "bridge" from the ice attached to the shore to another section that was separated by water.

Are you kidding me? They built a bridge to get to the part of the ice breaking away?

I think I have to agree with the local sheriff who is quoted as saying, "I have no problem with people ice fishing, but these idiots should realize that when you see open water, you should not build a bridge and cross it... It's a shame you can't arrest people for stupidity."

While I'm on the topic of Ohioans, if you wonder if you could pass as an Ohioan go to the survey below.

You are 100%ohioan

WOW! You are a true Ohioan, you know everything. Well not everything but you know all I knew about ohio and that good stuff. Thanks you crazy ohioan! bye

Are You a True OHIOan?
Take More Quizzes

You Heard It Here First

2009-01-19T16:22:00.000-08:00

I think I'll go out on a limb here.

If the soon to be President, and his chums in Congress, come anywhere near a trillion dollar deficit, I predict that the 2012 campaign slogan for the Republican party nominee will be...

Change!

No Possibilty of Conflict of Interest... Right

2009-01-14T20:14:00.000-08:00

During Sen Clinton's confirmation hearings yesterday she talked about how none of the contributions to the foundation of her husband, the former President, could not influence her, since she wouldn't know who was contributing until after they had done so. (the quote is about two thirds of the way through this clip: video here)

That's so stupid, and yet no one is calling her on it. Wait, what's so stupid?

Simple. OK, so she didn't know who was giving, and it didn't influence her. I can buy that. But now she knows who gave. And might it influence her in the future? Sure it might. In fact, shouldn't she FROM THAT MOMENT ON recuse herself from anything related to that person/group/country? Of course, she should. But she won't. And that my friends is at least the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Back From Hiatus

2009-01-14T19:53:00.000-08:00

Been out of the on-line loop for a few weeks. Wasn't by choice. Let's put it this way, if I ever meet the author of that piece of spyware, I'm going to remove their spleen, through their ear, using my car keys.

Anyways, I'll try to get back to posting as I was.

Spirit of the Season

2008-12-19T11:14:00.001-08:00

In the spirit of the season I thought I'd point over to one of my favorite Christmas songs...

I always have had a warped sense of humor.

Dave Smith - R.I.P.

2008-12-18T20:00:00.000-08:00

Former Major League Baseball player (pitcher), Dave Smith passed away yesterday.

Normally, I wouldn't mention something like this, except that I had the pleasure of meeting this fine man. He gave pitching lessons to my youngest son, and we both had the opportunity to see a small glimpse into the man, on those occasions where we simply sat and talked before/after the lessons.

Both my son and I have fond memories of the time with him. We will both miss him.

Rest In Peace Dave. Rest In Peace.

Oh That He'd Won...

2008-12-15T18:10:00.000-08:00

See this post over at the Scratching Post.

Just, think someone preaching fiscal sanity.

It's just too bad that he didn't win.

Well at least we have a very qualified President-elect.

What I Believe (Part 4)

2008-12-10T20:06:00.000-08:00

I was getting ready to post this, and had to rewrite...

I believe that ethics matter. I believe that morality matters.

They are not the same. To be clear (as I use them) from Wikipedia:

Ethics is a major branch of philosophy, encompassing right conduct and good life. It is significantly broader than the common conception of analyzing right and wrong.

Morality (from the Latin moralitas "manner, character, proper behavior") has three principal meanings. [here I use the second] In its second, normative and universal sense, morality refers to an ideal code of conduct, one which would be espoused in preference to alternatives by all rational people, under specified conditions. In this "prescriptive" sense of morality as opposed to the above described "descriptive" sense, moral value judgments such as "murder is immoral" are made.

Today I fear that too many people no longer believe that morality matters. That there are no "value judgements" that can or should be applied. That somehow whatever anyone believes is good, is good. I disagree. There is right and wrong. This absolute right and wrong is the only justifiable basis for ethics.

Here are two examples (and what made me re-write).

Two days ago, here in San Diego a true tragedy struck. A Navy fighter had double engine failure and the jet fell out of the sky and into a home. A home that was, at that moment, occupied by a woman, her mother, and her two children (both under 2 years old). They were all killed. The woman's husband instantly lost his family. Since then Mr. Yoon has shown tremendous strength. He has publicly forgiven the pilot, and expressed his hope that the pilot not suffer from the "accident". Mr Yoon is the ultimate expression of a moral man, behaving ethically based on what his morality tells him.

Meanwhile, the local media continue to haunt this man like vultures. They push their cameras into his face and bemoan that "he must grieve in public". They know its wrong. Their words show this. Yet they persist. They are moral, but unethical. The media puts its own selfish, ghoulish, interests before the victim. Shame on them.

The second example is the Governor of Illinois. Here we have a man who had risen to power and fame. But because he is a man who has lost his moral compass, he self-immolated his future with greed and hubris. He has done unrepairable harm to his family. His ethics were simply missing. They left when his sense of morality failed.

These two examples show why I believe that morality and ethics are important.

I originally wrote this using the financial meltdown. It applies in obvious ways. I see our systems breaking down due to our loss of both. A loss that has happened because we seem to not care enough to keep them. Shame on us.

What I Believe (part 3)

2008-12-01T21:44:00.000-08:00

I believe in personal responsibility.

I don't believe that everything that happens to a person is someone else's fault. Sometimes it is the fault of others. Sometimes it isn't, it's their own fault. And sometimes it's no one's fault.

I don't believe that anyone should expect to be given things, or taken care of. I don't believe that anyone is responsible to take care of anyone else (other than spouses, children, and parents), and I believe that if you want something, then you need to earn it (it will mean more that way). You are responsible for your own needs and wants.

I believe that personal responsibility means that you have to be true to your word. If you say something, you must be responsible to keep your word.

I believe that part of personal responsibility includes that you need to give back to your community. I was fortunate enough to be able to play organized baseball as a young boy. I put in years on the board of directors of the leagues my sons played in. One day they asked me what they could do pay me back. Wrong question. From then on they participated in field maintenance days. They were the only non-dads, but they were there, and they worked. They put in to the system, in order to get something out. I also told them that they'd pay me back by ensuring the same opportunity to the kids in their children's generation. I took from the system as a child. I was responsible for putting something back in.

I find that personal responsibility seems intimately linked in my own mind to the previous topic - fiscal sanity. I fail to see how I could have one without the other.

What I Believe (Part 2)

2008-11-21T21:45:00.000-08:00

I believe in fiscal sanity.

I don't believe in massive bailouts payed for by taking money from hard working citizens. It doesn't matter if the method of taking is a tax increase or simply borrowing (and printing money) with the inflation and reduction in buying power that produces.

I don't believe in promising health care and prescriptions, welfare and retirement, or any other hand out, any more than I believe in corporate welfare.

I believe in earning what you have and being careful with what you earn.

And I believe that the government should take as little as possible from its citizens and then spend no more than it takes. To spend future dollars, only burdens our Posterity and robs them of their Liberty.

What I Believe (Part 1)

2008-11-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

I don't know how often I'm going to post this series, but I am going to try to post a set of statements that describe what (and why) I believe as I do...

I believe in limited government.

Not no government. Limited government.

The Government has certain functions it must do. More that it may (and probably should) do. But many more that it should not do.

Now I know lots of people that say this, but don't seem to understand what constitues an appropriate limitiation, or why.

I believe that the government should be limited to those things that are tracable to this:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

As examples, proper funding of the Department of Defense is required by "provide for the common defense".

Environmental law is allowed under "promote the general Welfare", but since keeping businesses in business also "promotes the general Welfare", there is a tension that should keep both in balance.

On the other hand, a law that would, for example, require radio stations to provide time for talk for any specific point of view (i.e., "fairness doctrine"), can not be traced to any clause and must be resisted.

That's the first thing that I believe.

Geeking Out

2008-11-13T19:54:00.000-08:00

Today, photos were released of the planets beyond our own planetary system.

Total geek out.

If you want to see them, go here.

If you don't, what's wrong with you?

No Kidding...

2008-11-12T17:38:00.000-08:00

more animals

A nice way to ease back into blogging after the ends of the baseball season and the election.

The Campaign Is Finally Over

2008-11-03T17:00:00.000-08:00

Today the campaign ends. Tomorrow the voting ends.

There has been rancor on both sides, and I fear that there has been much voter fraud. Especially in my beloved Ohio.

But despite it all, tomorrow we finally find out: McCain or Obama.

I've been clear that I support McCain. I hope he wins. I have my doubts that it will happen.

Tomorrow, no matter who wins, I will support my President-elect. I will hope and pray that he makes good choices, for my children and yours, for all our futures. May the next President be blessed with good health and wisdom. May God truly bless them.

And May God Bless America.

And the Liberal Left Will Do... What?

2008-11-03T15:17:00.000-08:00

We all know that the left believes in government interference in our lives.

We also know that "Hollywood" and the left are tightly coupled.

So now we have the data to show that teens that see sexual images are more likely to become teenage parents (here).

So, will our friends on the left in Washington make a law to protect our teens (even the most liberal members know that teenage pregancy is bad - see Sen. Obama's comment). Or will they protect their friends in Hollywood?

I know which way I'll bet.

So I Wonder How Steve Breen Is Voting...

2008-11-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

Hint: Go look at his Sunday Editorial Cartoon at the San Diego Union Tribune (here).

Wow!

The Proper Response to an Obama Speech

2008-11-01T19:22:00.001-07:00

'Nuff said.

Game 5B Is Over and the Void Is Upon Us

2008-10-31T22:31:00.000-07:00

While I was off on the east coast, the Phillies and Rays finally got around to finishing that absurd thing that can only be called World Series 2009 Game 5A and 5B.

Congrats to the Phillies, and to the Rays for a great year as well. Ugly way to end a season.

But with that, the baseball season is over, and now we enter the other season, the Void.

The Void will end on 14 Feb, when pitchers and catchers report. Until then all we have is politics, football, baskeball, hockey, and other so called sports. Yep the Void.

Baseball Interruptus - Or Yet Another Reason Why Dud Selig Needs To Go

2008-10-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

First I need to get this off my chest... AAAARRGGHH!!!!

OK. Now I feel better.

Did you watch last night's Game 5 or the World Series? Well don't worry, no one did.

Not because they weren't tuned in. I have no idea how many sets were on FOX.

Not beacuse they didn't try to play. Both teams did their level best.

Not because of the miserable weather conditions. Weather is what it is. So be it.

And not even because the game got suspended. That's just what happened.

No no one watched Game 5 because THAT WAS NOT BASEBALL!

Seriously, have you ever seen: 1) an All-Star quality shortstop miss a pop-up after backing into shallow left, losing the ball in the rain, and then running in like mad as the wind blows the ball almost all the way across the infield mud, er, I mean dirt, or 2) a professional umpire (at any level, let alone 6 MLB umpires), watch a pop-up in the infield, with runners on first and second and one out, and not call an infield fly rule?

Both of those showed very clearly that what was happening was not baseball. See that's what happens in the rain. The game isn't the same. You should not play under those conditions. No one will ever convince me that if that had been a regular season game they would have been playing after the 4th inning.

I believe the umpires know that Dud Selig wanted that "game" (and I am using that word loosely) to be complete. Well that's a nice thing to want, but the weather wasn't cooperating. Tough luck Dud.

Now they've "played" themselves into a corner where we will be down to a 3.5 inning game with only the bull pens to pitch.

Nice going guys. Way to make Baseball fans "happy".

Spot On

2008-10-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

B-Daddy has it right, and said better than I ever could.

it is important that the voices of those who believe in freedom of speech, freedom of markets, limited government, and anti-socialism be heard. This has been a terrible year, capping off a terrible eight years, because we have been betrayed by the party we thought most wedded to the cause of liberty. The sooner we move the country back towards a freedom agenda the better off we will all be.

Do yourself a favor, read the whole thing.

I Am (With) Joe

2008-10-26T19:05:00.000-07:00

A great post over at Iowahawk.

He has it exactly right. The way the MSM attacking my fellow Ohioan Joe is disgusting. All of us that think we can actually question our leaders (or in this case proposed leader), like, by the way, all those who insisted that they could mouth off against Bush and the War (and they are right!), we are Joe.

Please note that you are not to use this logo in anyway that anyone (other than Joe) makes any money.

If you think that the way Joe has been treated is an anomoly, I am afraid I must tell you that much worse is yet to come if Obama wins.

If you think that the way Joe was treated was wrong, well... Vote McCain, You Know You Should.

Lessons From My Cat

2008-10-24T21:15:00.001-07:00

Its funny where inspiration can come from.

I've been off traveling (to DC), and spent a lot of time thinking about the upcoming election. Particularly about how we could actually go about doing something about the ease with which voter fraud seems to be occuring.

I really didn't have any ideas. Then I got back home last night, and this morning my wife and I took our new kitten in to the veternarian for some basic stuff, that includes microchipping.

Hmmm... Microchips under the skin. This means that she can be positively identified, no matter what... no need for an ID tag or anything else.

Now I know that if anyone seriously suggested that we might want to consider implanting microchips in our citizens, they'd get creamed with calls about "big brother" and the "right to privacy", but... I think it is worth considering.

Consider: No need for photo ID's to board a plane, swipe your arm and you are cleared. No need for a photo ID or password to use a credit card (and actually why bother with the card?). Easier to ID a dead body. Much harder to do identity theft. Easier to know who's here legally and who isn't. It would solve a lot of problems.

Too bad it won't be done.

Spreading My Money, and Yours, But Not Theirs

2008-10-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

So I'm sure you've heard Barack Obama's comments to "Joe the Plumber" (another great Ohioan - Go Joe!) in which he says essentially I want to take the money you earned to spread it around it help those coming along behind.

Do you also remember Michelle Obama's comments about how unfair it is to have to pay back her student loans?

Together this means that she doesn't want to use THEIR money to pay back a debt she volunteered to take on, and which would then provide the resources to spread it around for those that are coming behind, but he'll happily take the money YOU earn to give to others.

Seems fair.

A big "tip of the hat" to my wife, who first pointed this out to me.

And These Folks Get To Vote

2008-10-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

OK I'm not a Howard Stern fan (truth be told - in the interest of full disclosure - I've never listened to him). I would have never heard this but for CDR Salamander

But they aren't voting based on race...

My "Autumn" Results

2008-10-12T21:36:00.000-07:00

With thanks to Fellow Feline Theocracy member Justin.

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions.

When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy.

You embrace change. You love change. You see change as a rebirth.

You find love to be the most comforting thing in the world. You feel at peace when you're with your loved ones.

Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine.

You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

The Autumn Test

Am I On Candid Camera?

2008-10-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I can't think of any other explanation for this.

There was an article in today's San Diego Union Tribune (on-line here), in which I told, and am supposed to believe, that the Swiss Parliament requires geneticists to consider, no not possible side effects to the environment, and no not the possibility of killing off humans, but rather the dignity of the plants they were working with.

Yes, you read that right, the dignity of the plants.

The Parliament had a group of folks get together and they wrote a 22-page treatise on “the moral consideration of plants for their own sake.”

This has to be a joke...

Pledging Fealty to the Maximum Leader

2008-10-09T20:29:00.000-07:00

I, Scooter, so named by those who feed and wait on me because of my former mode of locomotion, do hereby swear my fealty to KT Cat, the Maximum Leader of the Feline Theocracy. All Hail the Maximum Leader.

Air Show Yesterday

2008-10-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the family went to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar for the annual air show. Nice day, great flying.

The highlight wasn't the Blue Angels. They were great as always, but the star of the show was the F-22 Raptor.

This things flys like something out of a cartoon. It turns, slides, twists, hovers, flips. Absolutely unreal. (Photo credits to my son, using my camera.)

Too Funny!

2008-10-05T09:19:00.001-07:00

So What's Martian for "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow"?

2008-09-30T22:21:00.000-07:00

The geek in me has to come out from time to time. Here's a peek...

Today it was reported that a laser sensor has detected snow in the atmosphere of Mars.

Who cares, in the big picture, about the stock market? Sometimes it goes up, sometimes it goes down. Long ago I got this advice, "only invest the money you can afford to lose". I live by that. So who cares which way it goes.

The housing market. If you bought a house to live in it, who cares how much it's worth? Make your payments and snuggle warm and tight in your bed. If my house value goes to zero, so what?

But, Snow on Mars??? That's something that excites me. It makes absolutely no difference in the here and now. It's way more important than that. It tells us something about the universe and how it really works. It tells us that water is everywhere. Water, the solvent of life, is everywhere. If water is everywhere, will not life be also?

I sleep well knowing that when we humans finally shuffle away, as all species do, the universe will keep on living, long, long, long from now.

Back - So Much Has Happened

2008-09-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

I've been off on a series of business travel and just finally got myself back in the groove. So much has happened that cries out to be blogged...

Let's see, let's start with yesterday's big sports news. It was close, it was fun, and there were lead changes to the end. No not some stupid football game, the NASCAR race. Actually a fairly uninteresting race, with a fantastic last few hundred yards. If you weren't watching, I won't try to explain it. Suffice to say that the guy in second tried to pass by using the physics of potential energy => kinetic energy (by driving down the banking in a turn), without considering what would happen as he came up the other side (hint: Mr Car meet Mr Wall, Mr Wall meet Mr Car).

Next there's the whole fiscal melt down. I've commented in a few places that I'm not thrilled with the bailout (that has failed currently in the House), but still think that it is better than doing nothing. I read lots of things about why it happened. One thing I'd like to mention, that seems to have missed everyone's sight, is that all our big businesses are run by Business Majors. They care only about "this quarter's profits". They really don't know the business. They really don't care about the long term health of a company. They care about their bonuses and that means this quarter's profit. It doesn't take a mental giant to realize that no upward trend lasts forever, but if I'm betting for this quarter's profit, then bet on the up-tick to continue for 3 more months.

I guess the last thing for this one is that the regular season for baseball has ended (the White Sox not withstanding). Now we get the playoffs. Nothing better.

The NFL - Either It Is Fixed or It Needs to Be

2008-09-14T16:40:00.000-07:00

Today's Chargers v. Broncos game was won by the officials. The Chargers were flat out cheated.

First, on their second play from scrimage the Chargers Chris Chambers catches a pass (dual possesion with a defender) is down by contact and then the defender takes it. They rule an interception. The Chargers challenge the play, and, low and behold, the replay equipment does not work. So, even thought the images are clear, they can't reverse the call, and the Broncos get a cheap 19 yard TD drive.

Finally, after a long wild game the Chargers have over come this and have a lead 38 to 31.

Broncos have moved down to the 3, and their quarterback drops back and when throwing, the ball pops out of his hand (while the arm is going backwards) and the ball goes BACKWARDS. A Charger jumps on the fumble/lateral. After reviewing, the same official, decides that yeah it was a fumble, and yeah the Charger got it, and yeah it was BACKWARDS so it couldn't have been an incomplete pass, even if the arm was moving forward, but I decided to blow the whistle, so Broncos get to keep the ball. To the Broncos credit, they put the ball in the end zone and go for and get a two point conversion to win 39 to 38 (with several obvious holds not called).

Either the officials are completely incompetant, or they have been bought and sold.

Pick one.

So again, either the NFL is fixed, or it needs to be.

In either case I'm off the NFL. I stopped watching the NBA a few years ago because I felt they were fixed (and it turns out I may well have been right), now I'm doing it for football.

Thank goodness for baseball.

ABC - Did They Learn Their Techniques From the Simpsons?

2008-09-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

First, there have been lots of well written take downs of Charlie Gibson for the way he (or someone at ABC) did a hack job edit on the Gov Palin interview (like here. I'll leave that to everyone else.

I want to explain it. I think these folks at ABC learned how to edit an interview by watching the Simpsons.

Seriously, does anyone else remember the episode where Homer gets accused of sexual harrasment? (See here). There is a great scene where an interviewer edits his inteview with Homer to completely distort the message (the clock hands jumping all over are a great sight gag).

If they learned their journalism skills from this, it would explain so much...

Watch to the End...

2008-09-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

Vote McCain - If You Didn't Know You Should Before - You Do Now.

9/11 + 7 Years

2008-09-12T00:04:00.000-07:00

Today is 9/11. Time has healed many wounds, but not all. Never all.

Normally the days go by, and we don't think about what happened 7 years ago. Today we remind ourselves.

I try to remember often. I still have the calendar from September of 2001 on my office wall to ensure I remember.

On 9/11 I take the time to remember...

I remember the words coming from the radio as I woke up here in California with both towers burning.

I remember rushing out to the TV and those images.

I remember my thoughts as I heard the first reports of "confirmed reports of smoke coming from the Pentagon".

I remember saying, "We are at war starting today".

I remember being sent home from work in mid-day as the base was closed.

I remember seeing the towers come down.

I remember the worry as I looked at my high school sons.

I remember the strength of Guiliani. And New York. And those who ran INTO the Pentagon. And Flight 93.

I remember the first Saturday Night Live Opening after with Guiliani and FDNY and NYPD standing there, declaring that New York was back in business.

I remember the bagpipes. Many, many, too many, bagpipes.

I remember singing God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch.

I remember the unity.

I remember.

May we never forget.

McCain - Not a Great Speech, But It Should Do

2008-09-04T22:50:00.000-07:00

McCain's acceptance speech today, wasn't great. It was slow at the start, and I thought it kinda wandered. Then at the end he spoke from the heart.

I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here; I loved it for its decency, for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people.

I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore, I was my country's. (Extended cheers and applause.)

I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. (Cheers, applause.) My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God. (Cheers, applause.)

(Audience chanting "USA, USA, USA, USA.")

My friends, if you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you're disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist -- (cheers, applause) -- enlist in our armed forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an -- an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed.

That's the John McCain I will be proud to vote for.

Vote McCain - You Know You Should.

For the whole transcript click here.

Palin, Inspired or Insipid?

2008-09-04T22:23:00.000-07:00

That really seems to be the question that's been tossed around since John McCain selected Sarah Palin as his VP running mate.

I thought about it and decided that what I want is consistency. Not perfection, no one's perfect, just consistency. Live as per your beliefs. Do as you say.

Sarah Palin's daughter is pregnant. That's horrible, no 17 year old has ever had that happen to them before (sarcasm warning!). Seriously, is there a less signifcant fact that you could tell me?

On the other hand, the Palin's are pro-life. Sarah Palin had a child, knowing it was oing to be a Downs baby. Would not abort it. Does as she says. Her daughter is going to have her baby, and the father is taking responsibility and marrying her. Good luck to them both. Pro-life and doing as they believe. That's what I want.

I have no beef with any of this. In fact, I think it is just as things should be.

Let's look at what Sarah Palin said yesterday. Here's some of her best:

No one expects us to agree on everything.

But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and ... a servant's heart.

I pledge to all Americans that I will carry myself in this spirit as vice president of the United States. This was the spirit that brought me to the governor's office, when I took on the old politics as usual in Juneau ... when I stood up to the special interests, the lobbyists, big oil companies, and the good-ol' boys network.

Sudden and relentless reform never sits well with entrenched interests and power brokers. That's why true reform is so hard to achieve.

...

In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers.

And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change

...

Harry Reid, the Majority Leader of the current do-nothing Senate, not long ago summed up his feelings about our nominee.

He said, quote, "I can't stand John McCain." Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps no accolade we hear this week is better proof that we've chosen the right man. Clearly what the Majority Leader was driving at is that he can't stand up to John McCain.

...

For a season, a gifted speaker can inspire with his words.

For a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds.

'Nuff Said. McCain - Palin.

Vote McCain - You Know You Should.

I Can Hardly Wait

2008-08-27T21:36:00.000-07:00

As I'm sure you know by now, tomorrow night Sen Obama will accept the Democratic nomination for President. I'm sure you also know that he'll be doing so at in huge stadium, on a stage that looks like, well some sort of greek-ish temple.

Which leads me to a question: Is he insane?

Does he really think this is a good image?

I can't help it, it's really bad of me, but all I can think of is that that is the image I always have of Hitler. A guy standing in front of greek-ish architecture and speaking words that mesmerize (some). Scary (to me).

Anyways, getting back to my title, what I can hardly wait for is to see how much the main stream media gushes over the "image" and his speech, and then to see if he gets ANY bump from it all. That is, to see if the populace, those great unwashed, but not as stupid as you think, masses are fooled - I'm betting they won't be.

I'm Gone For a While and Nothing Happens

2008-08-25T22:16:00.000-07:00

I just got back from an 8 day trip to the East Coast (some work, some play - Valley Forge, Independence Hall, a Phillies drubbing of the Dodgers - YEAH!). Anyways, as I was there each day I'm thinking, hmmm... what would I write if I were able to reach my computer?

Basically, nothing ever came up.

Oh sure, the Yawn-lympics finally finished, and yes the chinese girls, er, that is, women and men did great in gymnastics and diving, US folks did great in basketball, volleyball, swimming, and track (except for that nasty little baton). Big whoop.

Then there was the on-going hand wringing over Russia in Georgia. It's horrible. It's the beginning of the end of the world. Oh wait, they've sorta left you say? Nevermind.

Then there was the least interesting thing. Obama sends a text message to a bunch of suckers at 3AM (EAST COAST!) to tell them he's searched all throught the Party of Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Kennedy, and he found the best possible VP... Joe Biden?!?!? Well, I guess he's never been caught with his pants down, or his hand in the cookie jar. Sadly, that's the best thing I can say about him. At least he'll secure those critical three (3) electoral votes from Delaware. I have to stop, I'm at my sarcasm limit for the day.

Sometimes All I Can Say Is, I Wish I'd Written That

2008-08-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

In this case a brillant postulate on how three Americans would handle the Russia vs. Georgia war.

Read it here.

Well done m'lady.

Moon Over San Diego

2008-08-10T21:39:00.001-07:00

I was just playing with my camera to see what it could do at night and got this shot of the moon

Tried to get Jupiter and it's moons, but the camera wasn't sensitive enough unless it was in timelapse, and then all I got was streaks

Not too bad really.

As Time Goes By, or Where Did the Time Go?

2008-08-10T09:46:00.001-07:00

I posted a while back about a work softball team I'm on, and that we aren't very good. Well after the first few games (and thanks to the addition of a couple good - young - players) we got better. After an 0-5 start, we ended up 5-7. Not too bad.

Anyways, that got us the 8th seed in a 14 team double elimination tourney, and last week we had game #1.

We totally spanked our opponents (33 to 6). The thing that led to the title of this post was that although I had a decent game (3 for 6, 2 doubles, 2 runs, 4 RBI's, no errors, a couple of OK plays), I also got one of those double because of my blazing speed where I turned a triple into a double. Took a bit of ribbing on that. The worst part was that my dear wife defended me by saying "What do you expect? He's 50 today." Where did all those years go?

I felt just like this...

Love It...

2008-08-07T22:54:00.001-07:00

'Nuff Said.

If I Was Governor

2008-08-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

Today we are 38 days past the date by which the legislature of the state of California are Constitutionally required to pass a budget. The oath they take here includes the phrase

... and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter ...

OK they swear to do what they are required, then fail to do so. That's malfeasance in my book. Arrest them. Lock the doors to the state capital building and don't let out. Completely suspend their salaries. Prosecute them.

But that's me. I'm not very subtle.

I do wonder how fast the legislature would work under those conditions, or if they'd ever fail to meet the deadline again.

Total Chemistry-Geek Out

2008-08-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

A clickable periodic table of the elements with brief descriptions of the elements here.

Too cool for words.

Wish I'd though of it (and had the time to do it!).

To Boldly Go...

2008-08-03T22:31:00.000-07:00

To the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

I went to the Star Trek Exhibit recently. Such a blast. Here are a couple of photos...

Well worth the price of admission (if you are a hopeless geek and fan like me).

As We Argue Over Politics, Nature Reveals A Secret

2008-07-31T19:30:00.001-07:00

Sometimes when I get depressed about the inanity of our political system, or the general insanity of humanity, I retreat to science. Logical, sensible, understandable,... science. Always makes me feel better.

Today science made a premeptive strike. There is water on Mars. story

'Nuff Said. Enjoy your tax dollars at work.

Dead Right

2008-07-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

The Maximum Leader pointed to this quiz.

Where Should You Spend Your Summer?

My result:

You Should Spend Your Summer on a Road Trip

For you, the summer is all about possibilities. And you're not going to be tied down.

This is the time for you to embark on an epic road trip, with no ultimate destination in mind.

You know you'll have a ton of crazy adventures... at least until you run out of cash!

Amazing...

The best vacation I ever took was a week of driving all over the southwest (Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Yosemite, Sequoia) with the family. How'd it know?

Inside Joke...

2008-07-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

What do you get if you cross WSA and LSS?...

...60% more pink flamingo-y-ness.

That was all I could think of when I saw this last week at the zoo...

I Guess This Will Be My Life...

2008-07-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

Seems my in-laws found a kitten that had (apparently) been struck by a car. Two broken legs, a few other, comparably minor injuries. Almost healed now. Once it's fully recovered, we get it. Current photo:

I can expect that this might be my future...

I guess I can live with that...

The Main Stream Media Continues to Show Its Neutrality

2008-07-06T21:47:00.000-07:00

...Or something like that.

Seriously, when I read this (Scroll downto heading "After...") in this mornings San Diego Union Tribune, I thought it had to be a joke.

Sadly, it isn't.

Unbeliveable. Un-frickin-believable.

I'll Bet He's Puzzled

2008-07-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Barack Obama suggested that he "puzzled by the frenzy" (read the story here) over his remarks concerning the Iraq war. Seems after months of having a strict time table he's now softening (can you say waffling for political expediency??).

Anyways, he was "puzzled" when the media reported it and suggested he was changing.

I'll bet he is puzzled.

Not because a "frenzy" over a presidential candidate chaning his stance is unusual or surprising.

It's because the media reported what he'd said, and actually pointed out that it meant he'd changed his stance.

In other words, the media actually reported something that almost sounds like he's not perfect.

And that must puzzle him.

Say What???

2008-06-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

So first Gen. Wesley Clark, USA (ret) takes a shot at John McCain by saying (on FACE THE NATION, CBS)

"I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president."

Is he serious?

But wait, it gets better. To qualify and explain his remarks he expounded today

John McCain is running his campaign on his experience and how his experience would benefit him and our nation as President. That experience shows courage and commitment to our country - but it doesn't include executive experience wrestling with national policy or go-to-war decisions.

If you want more deatils go here)

Let's see... McCain served in the military, spent 4 years in the House of Representatives and 22 years in the Senate. Barack Obama did not serve in the military, he served 7 years in the Illinos Senate, lost a campaign for the US House and then has served all of 4 (yes, four) years of his first term in the Senate.

Question: So Gen. Clark who has better experience?

Answer: McCain. No contest.

Vote McCain. You know you should.

Baseball is a Funny Game

2008-06-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

... and the couple days have proven that.

Yesterday, the LA Dodgers won a game without getting a hit. The Florida Marlins catcher, Matt Treanor, started a double play by catching a foul bunt. The San Diego Padres got the third out of an inning when, with runners on first and third, the pitcher bluffed to third and then caught the runner breaking from first (after that it was a routine 1-3-6-3-2-5 sequence to get the runner from third). Then later they got a double play on a suicide squeeze (ball popped foul to third, runner doubled off).

Today the Padres continued with the routine stuff. With a man on first, a ground ball to the first baseman. He steps on first, then got the runner with a simple 3-6-1-6-5. Yeah, that's right "5". After the pitcher threw to short, the shortstop dropped it, then the third baseman picked it up and tagged the runner. Routine. Of course it's plays like that, that explain why the Padres are 32 and 51.

Because Everyone Should See This

2008-06-28T22:57:00.000-07:00

I know that "everyone" dosen't read this blog, but still, I wish everyone would see this image

(if you want to see a bigger version click here.)

This is a Hubble photo of M104, a beautiful spiral galaxy.

That's it. I don't have anything more to say. The image says it all.
I hope your day is as beautiful as this photo.

Well... DUH!

2008-06-25T22:41:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article about how math teachers aren't teaching kids well enough at the very young ages (and probably because the teachers themselves don't know math well enough), and followed a link to an older article about how to teach kids math better.

While the article waxes poetically about "teacher-centered" vs. "student-centered" learning, and other physco-babble, they do say the basic point is... "Hammer the basics". Otherwise known as practice, practice, practice.

That sound you are hearing is your throat trying to choke down your reflexive need to shout "DUH!"

A Long But Important Read

2008-06-21T10:58:00.000-07:00

First a hat tip to CDR Salamander for pointing to this.

The US News and World Report posted their story from May of 1973. It tells, in mostly his own words, the story of a certain LCDR that was shot down and taken prisoner by the North Vietnamese.

The last words in the article are the most important. Here they are

I had a lot of time to think over there, and came to the conclusion that one of the most important things in life—along with a man's family—is to make some contribution to his country.

That's John Sidney McCain, III.

Compare that to what you hear from Barack Hussein Obama and his wife.

Vote McCain. You know you should.

The Road to Financial Ruin

2008-06-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

I've blogged before that the one and only issue I will use to choose my President (and Congress person, and mayor, and...) is whether they understand that deficit spending must end. Consider these two stories.

First here we have a story about statements from two of the government's top financial analysts they

told the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday the federal budget is on an "unsustainable path," and unless major steps are taken to restrain soaring health care costs the budget deficit could drag the U.S. economy to the point of collapse before mid-century. The heads of the Government Acountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office used the identical term and similar numbers in warning that the projected steep climb in the federal debt and resulting jump in interest payments would impose such a burden on revenues that the government could not pay for other programs and would starve the economy of investment capital. ... The government would have to borrow more, spend less or raise taxes, he said. ... Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., [said] "If we control healthcare cost, then along with prudent policies for the rest of the budget, we will be able to control federal budget deficits. But if we fail to control healthcare cost, it won't matter what else we do."

I tend to agree with this simple plan which really boils down to 'control spending'.

OK, that being the case. And given that this sensible statement came from the leading Democrat on the committee, what does thier candidate for President suggest? Does Sen Obama suggest "prudent policies for ... the budget"?

Well, actually according to this he suggests

According to the National Taxpayers Union, Obama has proposed at least $287 billion a year in new government spending. He also co-sponsored a Senate bill to spend at least $845 billion a year to fight global poverty.

That's a more than a trillion dollars. One thousand billion. One million million. One thousand thousand thousand thousand. $1,000,000,000,000. A mere $3,000 per man woman and child in the country. Even more per taxpayer. I just can't match these statements. Sen Obama wants to guide us down the road to ruin.

That's why I'm voting for McCain.

Baseball, Time Zones, & Championships

2008-06-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

There is a recent story over at Science News On-Line about how time zones can affect baseball games (here).

Basically it says that if one team travels 3 times zones, when the other doesn't, then there is a statisical advantage to the non time zone changing team. The result seems to be less for teams traveling east than for ones going west. The article also says that these games are a small number each year (like 16). Assuming that they tend to even out, it's not clear that it will make a big difference, but with Championships determined by 1 or 2 games, it might matter. It makes those teams that "send pitchers ahead" look really smart.

So here's a case where the statistics are clear. Wanna bet that baseball ignores them? I wonder if the bookies will?

I suspect that the effect is even bigger in football, and, with fewer games in those seasons, it could really be a big deal, and if I owned a team that made the playoffs, I'd get my team there at least 3 days early to get the time zone adjustment done. But that's me...

The Apocalypse is Upon Us, II

2008-06-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I don't know what else to say about this.

Speechless. Wordless. Stunned. Depressed.

Gamma Ray Telescope Launch

2008-06-12T20:21:00.000-07:00

The latest gamma ray telescope was just launched (story).

The geek in me always loves to know that once in a while we spend our tax dollars on something that will actually uplift our species, in this case by adding to our knowledge of the universe. This new gamma ray telescope (GLAST) will be able to cover the entire sky in a mere 3 hours (compared to the previous 15 months), about 3600 times faster than the previous telescope, and at better resolution.

I can't wait for the results it will produce and the knowledge we'll gain. Sure beats spending the money on, for example, Foreign aid to Mexico...

I Officially Surrender, or the Apocalypse is Upon Us

2008-06-09T19:18:00.000-07:00

I've written a couple of blogs on marriage lately, and tried to show why I'm against homosexual marriages. I suggested that it was only different in degree from allowing people to marry absurd things. In a second blog I noted that maybe I was wrong and that people will be able to marry other species, since there are those trying to get "person" status conferred on a chimp. I even pushed it to what I thought was absurdity once or twice by suggesting that maybe people should be allowed to marry inanimate objects (although that got me to publish a note about what I think the future might look like once machines become intelligent).

Well, I surrender.

This story clearly shows the apocalypse is truly upon us.

I guess I'm out of touch. Everyone should be able to marry anyone, any group, any minor, any species, any object.

The Goths overran the Romans as Rome became decadent and narcisstic. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it - George Santayana (1863–1952).

Some Simple Thoughts on a Complex Subject, or Is It Vice Versa?

2008-06-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

A couple of posts back concerning the recent California Supreme Court ruling on homosexual marriage I used a sequence of possible future marriage "rights" that might have to be given out. The last two were marriages to "other species" and "inanimate objects".

The point, at the time was to suggest that somewhere in that list there had to be a line between things that could get married, and things that couldn't, because clearly people couldn't possibly marry those things. Just a simple thought on what looks like a complex subject, that would force people to think complexly about what is really a simple subject.

Or at least that was the idea.

See, a few days ago I ran into this article about an effort to have a chimpanzee declared "a person" so the chimp can have a guardian named. Well if a chimp gets that status, then maybe it isn't so goofy to think a person could marry that "person".

Then there is, more seriously, the question of what happens in the future (in my opinion not so far in the future), when an "inanimate" object has a brain, with sufficient complexity to pass a Turing test. If that object is then conscious (or at least claims it is), should it have civil rights (including the right to get married)? It seems it should.

So there I am. I wonder if any of my list is really a dead certainty to not be allowed to be married. Maybe the definition of "human" is something that needs to really worked out. Maybe we all need to start thinking about what is and isn't a human, and what does and doesn't have civil rights.

I semi-jokingly call myself a Luddite. I know that's not litterally true, that I actually am reasonably open to progress and technology (while remaining a certified fiscal conservative). I wonder what I'll do as technology does produce something that qualifies as intelligent. I wonder what I'll do as the capability to augment our intelligence with non-biological components opens. And I wonder, if I decide to augment myself, how much can that be done and still be me.

These are questions bigger than the simple issue of letting same sex people marry. But I really see the whole thing as a continuum. One we as a species are moving through. I hope we are all still as human, when we get to the other end.

So there I am, back to my simple thoughts on a complex subject.