Monday, February 28, 2011
Rest in Peace, Mr Buckles
America's last WWI veteran has died. Not only did he survive WWI, he was a POW in the Philippines in WWII.
Rest in Peace and Godspeed, Mr Buckles. You've earned it, sir.
Lokidude
Friday, February 25, 2011
One of the best things I've ever seen
Everybody knows Mike Rowe. He's the Ford guy, the Dirty Jobs guy, the voice of Deadliest Catch. He's also incredibly intelligent, well-educated, and has an uncanny grasp of the human condition.
It's 20 minutes long, but watch the whole thing. Trust me, it's so very worth it.
It's 20 minutes long, but watch the whole thing. Trust me, it's so very worth it.
Lokidude
Sunday, February 20, 2011
365
One year ago today (right about now, in fact) was the best day of my life, and the first day in the best year of my life. For some reason, she let me fool her into thinking I was worth marrying, and she still seems to believe it. If the next year is half this good, it'll be epic.
I love you, honey!
Lokidude
I love you, honey!
Lokidude
In less fun news
Somali pirates have hijacked a yacht and are holding 4 Americans.
However... "US mulls responses?" I'm sorry, there is only one response to piracy where American citizens are involved. That response has been around for well over 230 years: The United States Marine Corps. It's what they're for. Point them at the general area and tell them "fix the problem."
The article also mentions that a court in New York has sentenced the one surviving pirate from the Maersk Alabama incident to 33 years in an American prison (quite an upgrade from his life in Somalia, I'm certain). Why, for the love of all that's good and decent, did we bring one home? By international law, which has never changed and is still valid, piracy is a capitol offense, violators are tried on site, and if convicted, summarily turned into chum.
I don't care about "fixing" Somalia, I know for a fact that it's an impossible notion. I just want to make piracy so dangerous that it's no longer a viable business model.
Lokidude
However... "US mulls responses?" I'm sorry, there is only one response to piracy where American citizens are involved. That response has been around for well over 230 years: The United States Marine Corps. It's what they're for. Point them at the general area and tell them "fix the problem."
The article also mentions that a court in New York has sentenced the one surviving pirate from the Maersk Alabama incident to 33 years in an American prison (quite an upgrade from his life in Somalia, I'm certain). Why, for the love of all that's good and decent, did we bring one home? By international law, which has never changed and is still valid, piracy is a capitol offense, violators are tried on site, and if convicted, summarily turned into chum.
I don't care about "fixing" Somalia, I know for a fact that it's an impossible notion. I just want to make piracy so dangerous that it's no longer a viable business model.
Lokidude
Addendum
As a side note, compare Martina McBride's handling of the Star Spangled Banner at Daytona to Christina Aguilera's rendition at the Super Bowl, if you will. I'll give you a hint. The country girl did it right. The princess, well, she did it entirely wrong.
Lokidude
Lokidude
It's that time again...
Time to reach on back, pull those belts tight, and crank it up!
Boogity boogity boogity, let's go racin boys!
Lokidude
Boogity boogity boogity, let's go racin boys!
Lokidude
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wheaton's Law, as applied to gunnies
Breda linked to a news story of some Michigan OC activists who (according to the story, and that's my caveat) violated Wheaton's Law* in the course of their activism.
The commenters on that post MOST DEFINITELY violated Wheaton's Law.
Here's the deal. You can either damn the torpedoes, and make your point at all costs, or you can be a bit pragmatic (I know, amongst some gunnies, that's an insult almost as bad as "fudd" or "democrat"). While taking a stand and making a point can feel damn good, it's not likely to get you much of anyplace. We didn't get where we are in this rights battle overnight, and we won't get Constitutional liberties restored overnight, either. At least, not in a way that any of us who has 2 brain cells to rub together wants.
Instead, let's take a lesson from the snowball. Start small, pick up support as you go, and soon, you become unstoppable.
The concept of open carry is something I dearly love. I don't OC as often as I might, in no small part because I don't want to deal with the stupid that comes from the tourists I've had to deal with in the past couple years. During the winter, though, I'm far less concerned and far more apt to OC. It is, quite simply, a convenience thing. However, there is a major difference between a holstered pistol (which can be an excellent icebreaker for a rights discussion), and a slung longarm, which, while legal, is going to make anyone nervous. It has nothing to do with rights or legalities. It has everything to do with a deeply-ingrained image in our souls. Men, ready-carrying long guns, brings to mind an image of so many police states and government oppressions. We've seen in on the news the world over, for the entirety of my generation and the one before it. And when people see those things, it causes a gut reaction of opposition, whether or not it is warranted. It's the same imagery that causes a gut reaction of acceptance and home in me when I see a gun rack in a truck, because that's just redneck good times. Conditioning like that will take a generation, maybe more, to weed out. And that weeding has to be done deliberately, slowly, and calmly.
So open carry whenever it's legal and appropriate. Be friendly and courteous. When someone asks about your pistol, and why you're open carrying, give them a friendly, simple answer, and maybe some direction as to where they can find further information. Don't become a shrieking harpy, screaming "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!"** Don't get into arguments with screaming harpies, because they'll drag you to their level and beat you with experience. We have to be ambassadors and diplomats, not conquerors.
So be good ones.
Lokidude
*In summary, "don't be a dick."
**A mighty hat tip to JayG and Vine, that.
The commenters on that post MOST DEFINITELY violated Wheaton's Law.
Here's the deal. You can either damn the torpedoes, and make your point at all costs, or you can be a bit pragmatic (I know, amongst some gunnies, that's an insult almost as bad as "fudd" or "democrat"). While taking a stand and making a point can feel damn good, it's not likely to get you much of anyplace. We didn't get where we are in this rights battle overnight, and we won't get Constitutional liberties restored overnight, either. At least, not in a way that any of us who has 2 brain cells to rub together wants.
Instead, let's take a lesson from the snowball. Start small, pick up support as you go, and soon, you become unstoppable.
The concept of open carry is something I dearly love. I don't OC as often as I might, in no small part because I don't want to deal with the stupid that comes from the tourists I've had to deal with in the past couple years. During the winter, though, I'm far less concerned and far more apt to OC. It is, quite simply, a convenience thing. However, there is a major difference between a holstered pistol (which can be an excellent icebreaker for a rights discussion), and a slung longarm, which, while legal, is going to make anyone nervous. It has nothing to do with rights or legalities. It has everything to do with a deeply-ingrained image in our souls. Men, ready-carrying long guns, brings to mind an image of so many police states and government oppressions. We've seen in on the news the world over, for the entirety of my generation and the one before it. And when people see those things, it causes a gut reaction of opposition, whether or not it is warranted. It's the same imagery that causes a gut reaction of acceptance and home in me when I see a gun rack in a truck, because that's just redneck good times. Conditioning like that will take a generation, maybe more, to weed out. And that weeding has to be done deliberately, slowly, and calmly.
So open carry whenever it's legal and appropriate. Be friendly and courteous. When someone asks about your pistol, and why you're open carrying, give them a friendly, simple answer, and maybe some direction as to where they can find further information. Don't become a shrieking harpy, screaming "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!"** Don't get into arguments with screaming harpies, because they'll drag you to their level and beat you with experience. We have to be ambassadors and diplomats, not conquerors.
So be good ones.
Lokidude
*In summary, "don't be a dick."
**A mighty hat tip to JayG and Vine, that.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Demotivator time
We packed up the cat and moved him to my mother-in-law's place today, in preparation for our big move (more about that when I have more time). About 2/3 of the way through the drive, we stopped for fuel and I snapped a photo of him, to show the family how much he loves traveling. It was such a representative shot that I had to make a demotivator of it.
As usual, click to embiggen.
Lokidude
As usual, click to embiggen.
Lokidude
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Top Shot Reloaded
It premiered tonight, but it's late, so you'll get your recap tomorrow. Sorry.
Lokidude
Lokidude
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Overheard at the game table...
S: We got the naked lady car!
A: I can't believe you lost my naked lady car!
It's a good night.
Lokidude
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Of all the names...
I just talked to a dude named Dragan on the phone. Guarantee you'd only get one response if you yelled that name in the mall.
Lokidude
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