I Love Beach Music

One of my favorite music genres. Shaggin' on the beach with a beer.

Moyers off the deep end

I think the man spent just a little too much time under the hot lights in the studio. This rant is crazy stuff.

Vintage Patton

Now, this is what I call a motivational speech. I suppose W, in a kinder, gentler way, has the same determination and perseverance that the good General had 60 years ago.  Put another way, 30 years from now W will tell his grand son that he really did something in the war on terror.

You’ve got to love leadership like this!

NCSU 80 - Clemson 70

Way to go Pack!

They did not die in vain

Wow! This says it all.

Thank you Francis, and Andy.

Harvard - Bastion of Free Speech?

Now that Larry Summers as sufficiently irritated every left wing nut case, a deeper discussion of the issues has ensued.  Can free speech and thought be allowed to flourish in our educational institutions?

Dr. Summers's comments - which he said were intended to provoke discussion about why women were underrepresented in top science posts - have ended up raising an even larger question: Have universities become so steeped in sensitivities that certain topics can't be openly discussed?

Free speech to these people is only when it is their free speech.

Good Advice to SUV'ers on Ice

We’ve all seen it. Crazed drivers in SUV’s who decide to go sledding on ice covered roads. When will the over-equipped, under-educated ever learn. I really don’t have much room to speak here. Many years ago, I was the proud driver of an old Jeep Wagoneer that got stuck so deep it took a tractor to pull it out. So there, for fairness in my rant.

Addendum: I have to pick on my sister's ex here too. He had one of those big Chevy 1500's. He stuck it deer hunting one evening in a central Alabama cotton field, which is composed of black gumbo soil, essentially super glue to a trucks tire. A tractor couldn't pull this one out. It finally took a log skidder to extract this puppy. We all live and learn.

Hollywood Thanks

Now I am sure the egos of our Hollywood elite will be able to “tolerate” this type of thank you.  Way to go Citizens United!

Blockbuster Branding

P&G and Gillette coming together create one of the most powerful portfolio of brands ever assembled. We may finally have a challenger who can stand up to Walmart.

Intelligent Design leads to Scientist's persecution

Amazing how secularists can dish it out but can’t take it. Here is the offending article.

Now that is what I call relief

Now this is what I call ingenuity.  And, you thought beer was bad for you.

Ouch! Pack drops another

Fl State 70 – NC State 64

Chirac tax

Now why am I not surprised that our favorite Frenchman would come up with a hair brain idea like this?

Another view on global warming

As an engineer with considerable background in thermodynamics, I have always been skeptical of the notion of man-made induced global warming. This article takes a step back and compares natural events (solar flares, volcanoes) to the impacts of human interaction with the atmosphere.

The energy output of the Sun is far greater in one second than human activity could produce in a million years.

Simple facts such as the one above frankly overwhelm the pseudo-scientific models put forth in the cry for emission curbs.

I learned along time ago that data can be manipulated to sell a point of view. Not that I subscribe to this view. In fact, I strongly disdain it. All of us can remember an easy example of data manipulation from high school math classes. When you plot a graph with a large scale or a small scale, the larger the scale is the flatter the data looks. There is more detail on how this is done to, say, tell one side of a story in court.

My impression is that the ENGO’s who are the loudest proponents of the global warming bombast are more interested in perpetuating their business model - how else can they raise revenue, er funding. Or, perhaps, they have a desire for a global governance structure - ahhhh – liberal nirvana. I apparently am not the only one seeing through the environmentalists' charade.

China is a big consumer of oil

Looks like we are increasingly getting competition for oil from the big beast from the east.

HT - Dad.

Passing Over the Passion

Well, as predicted the Hollywood elites snub The Passion. I think this was expected.

The Hildebeast Can't Find No Leadership

Well, well.  Looks like she will stand by her man after all.  Per the Hillster, Bill’s “leadership” was brilliant.

Conservatives need not apply for an honorable mention.

Nanotechnology and weapon systems

It appears that nanotechnology has made its way into the DoD and the next generation of weapons systems.

Researchers can greatly increase the power of weapons by adding materials known as superthermites that combine nanometals such as nanoaluminum with metal oxides such as iron oxide, according to Steven Son, a project leader in the Explosives Science and Technology group at Los Alamos.

"The advantage (of using nanometals) is in how fast you can get their energy out," Son says.

Son says that the chemical reactions of superthermites are faster and therefore release greater amounts of energy more rapidly.

"Superthermites can increase the (chemical) reaction time by a thousand times," Son says, resulting in a very rapid reactive wave.

Pack 85 - Terps 69

Pack lays the wood to the Terps.

When 1 plus 1 doesn't add up

And you wonder why people are frustrated with liberal educators.  The notion that mulitculturalism takes precedence over fundamentals is beyond the pale.

Washington State Govenor's race challenged

The Washington State GOP has filed a challenge to reject the recent election results.  As you recall Christine Gregoire won on the 3rd recount by 129 votes.  The Seattle Times points out some of the problems with the election results.  Dead people and felons are not legally supposed to vote.  Can you say “Duhhhh…”

Blue Boys Direct the Tsunami Action

Simply stunning that our military has to bite their lips and tongues to deal with this trash. God bless our military men and women. They have so much more class and character than the liberal scum that they have to deal with.

Data Smog

Interesting article about the immense amount of data which flows to us everyday. We have to work hard to find time for reflection and solitude.

Gregoire provides Dem radio response

The Donks are simply beneath contempt. I truly believe there is little they will not do.

HT Matt Margolis.

GE shows strong earnings performance

Good quarter! I am especially encouraged by Immelt's comments regarding global growth.

GM Bonds Slammed

I wonder if we are on the verge of seeing the automakers head down the same path as the airlines?

The Bush Doctrine

The President's inaugural speech

We are led, by events and common sense, to one conclusion: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world...

...So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.

George W. Bush
Jan. 20, 2005

The Dem's Plantation

The Democrat's are on the verge of utter collapse. It will not be long before a majority of Black America will stop drinking the koolaid.

The larger Issues Surrounding Social Security

Here is an analysis at 30,000 feet of the larger issue around social security reform.

Ugh...Pack loses in another squeaker

Hokies 72 - Pack 71

ABC pulls a Rather

This is beneath contempt. The MSM will use anyone, even in their time of grief, to attack this president. Have they no shame? They should send all of them to help Harry with his dad's pig sty.

Civil Discourse

I cured myself of the cursing plague a few years back. My kids asked me why I spoke that way. I did not have a good answer. So, I quit. Well, I am 99 and 44/100th's percent cured (still get those d**nable 3 putts occasionally).

Who says you can't learn from children. Oh, and one other thing, cussing is a sign of one's command of the English language.

Boxer Needs To Read Before Bloviating

Crush Kerry gives Sen. Boxer a good lickin' .

Worst Economy Since Herbert Hoover?

Read the truth here.

Psychology and Blue States

I am not sure what this analysis suggests about liberals. One theory may be in this...

Are there a higher percentage of people with mental health problems in blue states than red states? The listed red states have much higher regular church attendance ratios, by and large, than the listed blue states. Could religious affiliation be a factor in preserving mental health?

Our pastor gave a sermon this past Sunday asking "What are you looking for?" It was based off the ministry of Jesus as expressed in John 1:29-42. We know that a significant majority of people who characterize themselves as liberals seldom go to church or are unchurched. Psychologists could be filling a void. Do you have a hunch what they may be looking for?

The Interview With God

Inspiring...

A380 - Flying Cattle Carrier

The A380 Airbus prototype revealed. I am not sure the marketing work here is correct or not. But, at least the EUnuchs have bragging rights on airborne bus capacity.

Update: Need I say more.

The Good News from Iraq

You will not here this news in the mainstream media. It ceases to amaze me that the mainstream media appears intent on writing and saying anything, potentially to the point of providing aide and comfort to the enemy, in order to bring down Bush. Fortunately, the new media and people like Arthur Chrenkoff bring us the broader picture of what is going on. And, the news is good.

Wow, 2nd place...Again!

Emily gets 2nd place in spelling bee for second year in a row!
Posted by Hello

Pack by 8!

NC State back on track with 76-68 win over Ga Tech.

More on DDT use

More on DDT following up on my last post on the subject.

Inaugural Prayer OK

The court decided not to intervene in the Michael Newdow case brought to enjoin an invocation at the inaugural.

Luke 19:10

10 For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.

We should all pray for this man.

Return of the paper ballot

So...paper is now preferred.

Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, the state's top election official, on Wednesday ordered Ohio's 88 counties to use optical scan machines, which read the marks voters make on paper ballots.

The digital age has been an amazing renaissance for us. However, it is not without its drawbacks. Moving around 1's and 0's is simply too easy. Paper, on the other hand, has many archival properties, which make it a preferred medium for keeping original records - especially voting records. A lot of the data behind the discovery of the CBS forgeries on Bush's guard service, were exposed due to the analysis of the paper documents. Just the other day, a colleague showed me a picture of his family that had been digitally re-touched to make it "perfect." You can't do that with a Polaroid!

Liberal Mindset

Insight into the mind of the liberal. Very good, almost clinical analysis by Ron Pickrell.

What needs to be understood more clearly by some
conservatives is the reality of the 'feedback disorder' that afflicts the
Left. We joke about the lack of this 'feedback gene' in liberals, without
realizing with sudden shock how close we may have come to putting our finger on the root problem of our time.

Read further...

CBS - Understated

Charles Krauthammer has a good analysis of why most of us are underwhelmed with CBS's response.

Now comes the twist: The independent investigation — clueless,
uncomprehending and in its own innocent way disgraceful — pretends that this fiasco was in no way politically motivated.

Courage!

Zarqawi, where are you?

Tough talk from General Hammond. Get 'em!

Duke 86 - N.C. State 74

Great start, no follow through. 4 straight losses.

Let's go Wolfpack!

Left Hate Speech

Michelle Malkin is a decent person expressing sound ideas. When the libs can't win with their ideas, they attack with vitriol. The left is losing on ideas, losing their cool and, well, just losing it.

Deficit? What Deficit?

Way under-reported...Haven't seen this in the press, have you?

Oh, and net job losses too?

Straight Talk from Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby has some candid observations and advice. I once heard a saying that "the truth shall set you free." Bill is offering this in a genuine and sincere manner. I hope people are listening for the truth.

Old Media

Howard Fineman takes the "mainstream" media to task for the bias and often blatant partisanship of the past presidential election season. He further postulates that this is the beginning of the end of media as we have known it.

Ending the WMD search

It looks like Duelfer is wrapping up the process. Either the weapons were carted off or Saddam was doing some weird, sick deception with no benefit other than to perpetuate Oil for Food; i.e., keep them guessing.

One other observation...the press almost sounds gleeful reporting this. Frankly, the final result is good. If he didn't have them, he couldn't use them on our troops.

What are the Dems thinking?

I can understand disagreement. That is healthy for democracy. We need a strong two party system to prevent excesses by the party in power. And, Republicans can do stupid things at times. But when you lose by a majority of the vote and continue to only obstruct, you can bet that the Dems will get more of the same at the ballot box, especially with these type antics or this tripe. Is there any voice in the Democratic party today willing to reach out to red staters or should I say red county residents?

No Athlete Left Behind

Frankly, this news surprises me. The NCAA is putting teeth into the awarding of athletic scholarships. I never thought that the big schools would sign on to performance tests to improve academic standards for student athletes.

The good news is that there is an opportunity to improve the education of student athletes. A few athletes make it out to the pros, but many college athletes do not win the pro lotto and are either under-educated or not educated to succeed beyond their college years. I hope the program is administered with integrity.

Positive professional role models

I like to see positive press and good role models emphasized some of the time in the sports press. Too often we hear only about the disruptive or inconsiderate behaviors.

Update: At least Moss has to "pay" for his immature display.

Update: Need I say more?

The next digital storage frontier

Home network storage devices could be the next growth market. Considering the proliferation of digital photos, mp3's, dvd's, etc., people will eventually run out of hard drive space on their computers. Additionally, linking multiple computers in the home to a common, large storage system will be needed. I suspect their will be a market for protecting and insuring the storage device from theft, and fire or water damage, too.

McCoffee

From USAToday, the Golden Arches may be getting into the gourmet coffee business. Can you say supersize that caffeine?

What happens when the teacher cheats?

President Bush often talks about the "soft bigotry of low expectations." Read this article about cheating by teachers on the "No Child Left Behind" tests. Then, read between the lines what some of these educators are saying, "Stop the testing and throw more money at the problem."

As long as you have teacher unions and libs running education, we will always achieve least common denominator outcomes. W's assessment is still dead on.

The New Golf Car(t)

We had a golf cart when we lived in Florida. Came with the house. Unfortunately, never played much golf there. Stupid me. Nevertheless, we got some use out of it, like taking the kids around on Halloween trick-or-treating.

Wasn't as fancy as these, though. I guess the H2 style is 4 wheel drive. Makes for easy recovery of wayward shots.

The Colts with Manning will be tough

This Colts team simply keeps finding ways to win. They have arguably one of the most potent offenses to ever play the game. And, Peyton Manning is having a career year. Wow!

Hate speech from the pulpit

A religion of peace?

Miami Edges NC State, 67-66

Tough loss. Hope that the Pack gets healthy soon.

Cell phone plastic

Hang on. The future is coming fast! Is there a special ring tone for an overdraft warning?

Will a scuffed golf ball fly straight?

I have often wondered what those small imperfections and blemishes will do to a golf ball and your golf game. Others do too. In fact, the original golf balls were smooth. The first golfers soon discovered that scuffing the ball would make it fly further. Baseball pitchers have known about the advantages of a scuffed ball even if they are sometimes outside the rules. Others have looked at the golf ball in more philosophical ways, relating the condition of a golf ball to the ups and downs we face in life.

For me, I am interested from a technical view. Do those scuffs change the aerodynamics of the ball? Will it still fly straight, or in the case of those of us more swing challenged, can it correct that proverbial slice by spinning less.

Most golfers prefer not to use a scuffed ball. The golf ball industry understands this and leverages the high turn to its financial advantage.

Of course most us still ask the golf gods for the answers to our golf prowess, and blame them when it goes wrong. As we move toward Spring, make sure you get your equipment tuned up along with your swing.

So, should you hit a scuffed ball, my research suggests that most of our weekend golf swings are not consistent enough to see the difference. But, if you on the 18th tee with lots of water right and left, your lowest round within your grasp, well.., it all depends on how confident you are when you make that swing.

Paper planner changes

It looks like Franklin Covey's languishing stock value is forcing a make over. Wonder if this new business model will work?

Not much runway left

Looks like the major airlines have moved into the final death rattle. Cutting revenue this much in a highly volatile oil market with the cash flow problems they are experiencing is a recipe which can only lead to the liquidation of one or two of the majors. While it finally looks like the unions see the hand writing, it is probably too little, too late.

Dead Ducks Tomorrow?

Michelle Malkin provides this interesting analysis based on an article by Nicholas Christoff in the New York Times and then proceeds to provide some great background updates on the potential use of DDT today. Specifically, shouldn't we use DDT to avoid mosquito born diseases in the tsunami ravaged regions of South Asia? DDT is one of the most effective anti-mosquito agents ever developed. Sadly, we have dismissed using this chemical to prevent "alleged" harm to waterfoul.

I can imagine the ENGO's outrage already. Amazing how the wackos have no compunction to discriminate in the name of "responsible" environmental activism. How is it that one duck potentially saved due to a belief derived from junk science is more important than thousands of lives?

Update: Looks like the ice may be breaking!

A Real American Hero

The Corner mentioned this sad news of a true American hero's passing.

THANK YOU, ADM. SHELDON KINNEY; R.I.P. [KJL]A retired Navy man whose life, as this profile reports, was a service to our nation, dies: He took command of the USS Edsall in 1943, becoming the youngest commanding officer of a destroyer-type ship. He then commissioned and took command of the USS Bronstein. The Bronstein was credited with sinking three German U-boats in one night and putting a fourth out of action. He was awarded the Navy Cross, and the Bronstein received a Presidential Unit Citation. Adm. Robert Carney, chief of naval operations from 1953 to 1955, described the Bronstein's fight that night as "the most concentrated and successful antisubmarine action by a U.S. Navy ship during World War II."

What are they afraid of?

Now the Donks are demonizing the proposed changes to social security. Why are they so afraid of privatizing a part of social security?

Update: George Will seems to agree.

Alabama Sunset

Sunset on the Alabama River. Still flowing south.
Posted by Hello

Sunshine always cleanses the corporate soul

The new disclosure laws which have appeared as a result of the shenanigans of the past few years in corporate America have developed more teeth. Now we will get to have a peak at the perks.

Help at the speed of...uh the UN?

This article from Reuters provides some insight into why the UN always seems to operate at a snails pace. Maybe this horrible disaster will shed some light on the inefficiencies of large bureaucracies and how people's egos get in the way of doing what is right.

Remember...

I came across an interesting article this morning on Betsy's Page. She had found an interesting article on Andy Card, W's Chief of Staff and the memory techniques he uses. Did some follow-up research and discovered some fascinating background on memory and how it works. Seems that ancient story telling had more meaning to it then we first thought. I wonder if this explains why we see so many stories and much poetry in the Bible.