The Naked Emperor

Moses Called

2008-08-30T20:23:00.003-06:00

Just a brief note since darkness has stopped my preparations for Gustav.

It seems I'm wasting my time. The Obama called Nagin earlier today (they exchanged private phone numbers!! OOOOOH!), and assured Nagin that New Orleans would be alright. Since He has the power to stop the seas from rising, I guess the storm surge will spare the city. But since I live north of the Chocolate City, maybe we should prepare after all.

I was outside working when Nagin announced this. And I need to explain a bit.

Thenakedempress proudly voted for Clinton twice. And Gore. And she is much less given to obscene invective than I.

When she came out to tell me about this, her language startled me. Her words: "How can The One assure anything? He's just a fucking Senator!"

I was so proud to witness the birth of another Libertarian.

Remember, The One's holy word came after we'd heard the former DNC chair laughing about our impending troubles, and saying that our possible doom was proof that "God is on our side after all".

So much for Democrats caring about the common voter.

Between today's BS, and The One's speech promising to be all things to all genders, thenakedempress is now a confirmed McCain voter.

As for me, I have been, and am, a reluctant McCain voter. But after this, I will never vote for a Democrat again. I'd sooner vote for an honest communist than a lying democrat who is gleeful over the devastation of my home, my parish, my state. This shows me that they privately were thrilled with the outcome of 9/11. All I can see is the democrats as the celebrating Palestinians on that day.

Dear Deamocrats - Fuck Off.

thenakedemperor

Our Brother's Keeper

2008-08-28T20:40:00.002-06:00

This is Obama's example of being his brother's keeper:

Save me now.

The American Caesar

2008-08-28T19:06:00.001-06:00

This is the speech I want to see given at the Republican Convention next week:

Friends, Americans, Countrymen, lend me your ears; I come tonight to discuss Senator Obama, not to praise him. I have witnessed the victorious Senator in his classic triumph at his Roman Forum in Denver. I choose to answer in kind.

The evil that candidates do lives after them; the good is oft ended with their race. So let it be with Obama. Many have told you Obama is ambitious; If so, it is a grievous fault. And the electorate shall grievously make him answer it.

Yet we are told Obama is an “honorable” man.

He hath brought much cash back to his freinds in Chicago. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He has long histories of friendship with unrepentant racists and domestic terrorists. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He wishes to place your children in involuntary servitude, called “mandatory volunteerism”. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He thinketh that unions and bureaucrats are more capable than you at deciding where your children should go to school. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He says it is acceptable to slaughter children at anytime up to and including birth. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He believeth that the rewards of hard work should go to his government, not to your children. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He seeks to criminalize any dissent from his Almighty policies. He thinketh dissent is patriotic only if your dissent agrees with the One. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He believeth that America is not a voice or force for freedom, merely another agressor nation. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He sayeth our noble fighting men and women intentionally target civilians. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He wisheth to retreat rather than stand up to agression. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He refuseth to wear a flag, or salute the flag, or to visit our injured warriors, our sons and daughters. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He thinketh the opinions of the rest of the world matter more than the voters, his voters, here in America. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He believeth all the good in America has come from government , none from honest, hard working Americans in the private sector. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He thinketh the answer to any problem is a new tax or a higher tax on working Americans. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

He believeth the only decision we citizens of America are qualified to make without government oversight is between Merlot and Chardonnay. Yet Obama is an honorable man.

What cause withholds you, then, from voting for the Annointed One, The Obama? Could it be that most gracious gift from above, love, including love of country? Or the next greatest gift, the gift of reason?

Although I fear the retribution of that “honorable” man, as for me, my heart is in the race for McCain.

thenakesemperor

Unconventional Wisdom

2008-08-09T23:30:00.002-06:00

OK, so I've been MIA. So what? You get what you paid for, right?

I won't rattle on about "ridin the Silky Pony", or Georgia/Russia, or even about the horrors of the Tangipahoa Animal Controls mass euthanasia.

Tonight, I want to be presidential.

Right now, the "conventional wisdom" is that the race is Obama's to lose. But I disagree.

I think it's McCain's to lose.

Let me explain.

First of a funny thing happened on the way to the coronation. Clinton's that is. Yes, the voters want something different, "change". But more than that they're fed up. They're mad as hell, and they're not going to take it anymore. (Apologies to Albert Brooks.)

We voters are sick and tired of being told what we're going to do by a bunch of elitists who know about as much about average American life as a fish knows about bicycles.

The Democrat voters didn't like being told of the "inevitability" of Sen. Clinton, and have instead picked the most unlikely potential nominee just out of sheer cussedness.

So we got Sen. Obama. And what did he immediately do? Start acting like he's already president, awaiting HIS coronation. BAAAD move, democrats.

First off, they left a pile of pissed off Clinton supporters in their wake. Remember that those you pass on the way to the top will likely see you again on your way down.

Second, it's not just democrats who are mad. Independents, republicans, and even us libertarians are a bit peeved with politics as usual. See Congressional approval rates for proof.

So when Obama presents himself as inevitable, we react like many of you did for Clinton. When told "you must..." our response is "like hell we do".

So, in a year when every fundamental favors democrats, Obama only led by a handful of points. Then he paraded His Imperial Inevitability (HII) on an overseas trip, and his lead disappeared. Surprisingly, McCain is about even.

But what does the future hold?

The Democratic Convention is just around the corner. Normally, these things are just four day infomercials for the candidate.

But those pissed off Clinton supporters that HII treated so badly, with racist accusations and suchlike, will be there. For the first time in many elections, it could come to a floor fight.

Clinton supporters feel, like many, that the media is in the tank for Obama. They know that events which would normally be covered might end up on the cutting room floor. Unless, of course, such event is so dramatic that it MUST be covered. There may be something big happening in the convention hall. And that would be good for McCain.

Outside, the above average number of demonstrators face the same media dilemma. They too, must be overly dramatic. Some want to recreate 1968, some openly talk of violence. This plays well to get media coverage, but will definitely cause moderates, independents and rural voters to shift away from Obama to McCain.

OK, I predict no real post convention bounce for HII. Maybe a week. But it's also possible he could fall some after. That would have McCain leading going into his convention, a highly unusual situation.

The republican convention should proceed smoothly inside, perhaps contrasting with a turbulent democrat one. TV viewers will be more inclined to vote for smooth running government over turmoil. Outside? After the democrat convention, the protesters will be east to paint as quacks and loons. Give them rope, they'll hang themselves politically.

With a republican post convention bounce, McCain will be leading not only popularly, but also electorally. Blue collar Michigan, Indiana, and especially Ohio will turn red, not wanting to be associated with the excesses seen on TV.

As Obama trails, his first, and most likely attack is racism. Not really McCain of course, but his staff, PR, and most importantly his voters. But that card has been played already, and he'll sound like the little Senator who cried Wolf.

Also, accusing voters of heinous things that they're NOT guilty of is not a good way to persuade them.

Then come the debates. Obama didn't do particularly well there in the primaries. He can deliver a really good prepared speech, but ain't worth a tinkers damn unscripted. That's why he wont do townhall meeting with McCain. Look for McCain to do well.

If McCain doesn't do something to blow it, I'm thinking he'll get about around 290 electoral votes.

And if I'm right, I look for news agencies to call me and pay a lot for face time since I was the first to call it. Righhhhht!

Thenakedemperor

The Technicolor Candidate

2008-06-23T16:24:00.002-06:00

OK, the preemptive race card has been played.

On Friday, Barak Obama said "They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?”

So, if you decide to vote for anyone else, you're a racist.

As I said a couple of days ago, I'm going to very reluctantly vote for McCain, so I guess this applies to me.

But how?

OK, so he's black. But according to the environmentalists, he's also very green. And his handlers would have you believe that Obama's past is as pure white as the driven snow. When he's talked about international affairs, Obama occasionally tries to prove he's not yellow. A couple of his associates used to be, and some think still are, very red. Obama's economics also seem to drive me into the, and make me see, red. He's supported by Code Pink. All of this makes me rather blue.

Frankly, Obama's more colors than my first box of Crayons. Hell that's more colors than my first computer had.

And if I'm racist which one of his colors am I alleged to be opposed to?

For me, it's the yellow, red, green and pink that frighten me. Those colors are an ugly combo. That's why I don't golf, so I won't have to wear pants with that combo.

The yellow/red/green/pink combo is so objectionable that I wouldn't ever vote for him if he bled purple and gold (Geaux Tigers!)

If this has convinced you, orange you glad you read it? And if not, I'm sorry I blue it.

thenakedemperor

Delightful Failure

2008-06-21T21:18:00.003-06:00

OK, I've tried writing three different blogs today, and got nothing. They were preachy, and about as funny as used Depends. I wanted to write something about the environment, but kept failing.

Recently, I've become quite the fan of Theo Spark's posts over at Last of the Few. He had posted a few videos by Jeremy Clarkson, Brit auto critic. Clarkson's documentaries about Brunel and the St. Nazaire Raid are very well done. But his best is his biting wit about cars. I saw the following video, and realized that I could never be so eloquent. Tonight, Clarkson speaks for me.

thenakedemperor

UPDATE - Holy Poop, one case of writers block, and one smartass comment on Pajamas Media, and the hit counters go WILD!!

2008, Straight Up with a Twist

2008-06-19T19:53:00.002-06:00

We are now well and truly into the 2008 Presidential election. And I'm depressed.

We're down to only two candidates who will be our next President. I'm not going to talk about the third party candidates, except to bring to your attention one statistic. 3 of 4 people with severe mental disorders are living below the poverty line. The other 1 of 4 is apparently running for national office. Bob Barr? Cynthia McKinney? Nader? If any of these clowns get in, either they must be medicated, or we will.

So I have to pick one of the two major party candidates. Damn.

Back in college, "major party" was sooo much more fun.

We have McCain. OK, I admire his military service and his determination. And I think he's right on the war. But he's bought into the "man-made global warming" kool-aid despite logic, reason, and oh, scientific evidence.

He thinks we should reward illegals for breaking the law. (What's next, free gas for DUI's?) His ethics have been questionable at best.

He may not be the candidate from hell, but damn close. Maybe the candidate from Newark. The only way I'll vote for him is if he's up against the candidate from hell.

Which brings us to Obama. Charismatic, but pretty much a standard Chicago/Daly machine politician.

Don't get me wrong, I like Chicago politics. Growing up in New Orleans, we all knew we had a lot of Zombie voters. The undead vote early and often. And Chicago is about the only place that's worse. Our only sense of pride in Louisiana elections was "At least we're not as bad as Chicago.

Obama changes positions more often than most folks change socks. And it's our fault if we think he's lying, it's just that us rubes don't understand "Nuance". Sorry, Senator. But I calls 'em as I sees 'em. "Nuance" sounds like a sophisticated way to say "I'm full of shit".

And those positions he's firm on are pretty much failed things from the past. Windfall profits tax? Tried that, failed utterly. Made things worse. Surrender to terrorists? We first tried that in the 1790's with, dare I say, Muslim terrorists and kidnappers. Led to the Tripolitan war, 1801-1804. We kicked the muslims ass, and they left us alone for a while. See Marine Hymn, "Shores of Tripoli", Battle of Derna, etc.

Tax our way to prosperity? Done that. Give the Europeans veto over how we lead our lives? Did that for a couple of hundred years. It seems Americans chafed at that, and defeated the worlds only superpower. Little thing called the American Revolution. Look it up sometime, should be in a grammar school history book.

And he has so little experience, he may actually believe his own PR.

OK, O'bama IS the candidate from hell. So I'll reluctantly pull the lever for McCain. but I'll hold my nose while doing it, and wash well immediately afterward.

Right now O'bama seems to be leading. Why?

Well the American voters are "pleading for change".

Pardon me, but I must have missed a memo.

Just when did the American People go from being proudly self reliant to unwashed downtrodden, holding a tin cup and pleading for change?

And if We as a People did, I can assure you that I, and most of my neighbors have not. I am no beggar asking my betters for alms. Besides, I hate metallic stemware.

No, I am a Man. I rely on my own abilities. I worked my arse off to get an education, when almost all my family and friends thought I couldn't do it. Sure, I was helped by a few great professors, vets, and encouraging friends. And I got loans to pay for it, I'm still paying for it.

Crime? I have a concealed handgun permit, and will carry if the situation requires. And shoot as needed. The bad guys may kill me, but they'll know they've been in a fight. I'll call the cops as soon as it's over.

Health Care? I've had my own health insurance since '91. I pay for it, myself. I made the CHOICE to have coverage. I didn't sit around and whine for it.

"But the cost!" I hear you cry. That's why I got an education. So I could earn enough, not "be given" enough, but earn enough to take care of my family.

Taxes? I play by the rules, pay what they say I owe so Big Government goons won't ckuck me in jail or take away my house. And I pay an accountant well to see that I don't have to pay more.

No, I take care of my family's needs. That's what a Man does.

I refuse to turn important decisions over to some Government bureaucrat to make for me. If I chose that route, at best I'd be some beggar boy in a government workhouse.

And I'm sure I'd be beaten for having a set of balls enough to say, politely, "Please Sir, Can I have some more?"

With apologies to Dickens and Oliver Twist.

Thenakedemperor

A Saturday Night Treat

2008-06-14T21:02:00.009-06:00

Well, if you've been keeping up with the surgery saga, all is well. But I've been housebound since Tuesday. The knee is feeling better than it did before the scope, but I'm still a bit leery of doing too much. Hell, I haven't even seen the PT yet.

And I've been behaving myself. Thenakedempress hasn't grabbed a weapon or my Vicodin, or even threatened to.

So it was time to reward her, and myself, and break my confinement.

So we went out to supper at La Carreta's in Amite.

(Click on pics to enlarge)

They have always had good food, and decent service.

But that wasn't the only reason. It was a pleasant summer evening, and we would dine outside. Why? Because Greg Hayden was playing on the patio.

While Greg does mostly original music, he does do the occasional cover. A Van Morrison, one Allman Bros. and a folk song I've only heard from Greg. And while Greg really seems to enjoy playing "Folsom Prison Blues", one of his younger fans couldn't help but dance to the Eagles "Peaceful Easy Feeling".

They also played most of their best, including "Leave It All Behind " from their "Directions" CD, and "Click Your Heels" from the upcoming CD. "Click Your Heels" is such an engaging song that I think I can now sing, well, mutilate the chorus along with the band, even though I've only heard it a couple of times. Sadly, I didn't get to hear one of my favorites, "Dignity".

Gradually the sun set. Good food, good company, and good music. That equals a great evening.

I strongly encourage you to get his CD, or, even better, go see Greg and the boys sometime.

The Naked Emperor

Unprotected Politics

2008-06-14T11:30:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, those paragons of virtue, the UN Human Rights Council, said the Brits should "consider" scrapping the monarchy.

Amazingly, the Brits, arguably one of the most free peoples on the planet, have shown little inclination for this.

It seems that the Brit's UN critics know better.

Syria, who loves to support wanton murder and terrorism, and assassinates foreign leaders it disagrees with, says the UK is "discriminating" against muslims. Oh, just because they don't want to clean up any more bodies from a 7/7 attack repeat?

And Iran accused the Brits of "sexual discrimination". What, the same theocracy that preaches that women are second class and thinks sexual mutilation is acceptable? See the Koran and Haditha for further details.

Mostly Cajun had a good response here.

My own, southern American response? F&*K THAT!

And to translate for my Brit readers: Sod Off, UN!

Politics is a lot like sex.

If you have unprotected politics, you should at least know when to pull out.

The Naked Emperor

White Coat and Pink Crustacean

2008-06-13T00:57:00.002-06:00

I really don't know what my readers think.

Do they think I have talent, or are they just trying to shut me up?

Anyway, one of them sent me this.

You've just got to read it before we go on.

Is this a gauntlet thrown before me, or a "Go ahead, I dare you?".

Well, impetuosity has always been one of my failings, there just aren't enough windmills to tilt at.

My first reaction to the article was "Are they friggin NUTS?". C'mon, nakedemperor, press the clutch, and move the gearshift from emotion over to brain, and THINK.

I did a bit of research. I frankly didn't know much about lobsters.

You see, we just don't think about them down here.

To us, a lobster is just a crayfish on steroids, and poorly prepared. I mean, you just boil it? In salty water, with maybe a touch of lemon? And you just serve it with a little butter? How bland can you get? This is like a mayonnaise sandwich on white bread. Kind of the "Bob Dole" of suppers. And you want to charge me WHAT for that? Now, if you boiled it in some Zatarain's, maybe you'd have something.

I learned about the diet of lobster. They eat "mainly fresh food which includes fish, crabs, clams, mussels, sea urchins, and sometimes even other lobsters!". This data is from NOAA.

OK, PETA, I'll (pardon the pun) bite. I'll go along with your assumption that boiling a lobster is cruel, for the sake of argument.

Let's face it, a lobster cruelty museum ain't worth spit if you haven't got any, oh, lobsters. So you'll have to keep some lobsters in nice, eco-friendly conditions. But what will they eat?

All research points to the fact that lobsters don't like soy/wheat germ/bean curd protein shakes. You'll have to feed them their natural diet. Which means they'll be using those allegedly tasty claws to rip apart the above fish and shellfish before chowing down.

Pardon me, but is being shredded by huge pincers less cruel than boiling? You'll be subjecting the lobster's prey (it's called predation, don't ya know?) to cruel torture just for your own political ends.

Oh, those rubber band thingies? Those are used because they EAT EACH OTHER!!

And to prove your point, you'll be subjecting humans to what you believe is cruelty and I presume, charging for it. Kind of kinky. And illegal in most states.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if I'm a masochist who's willing to pay, there's no way in hell I'll be going to your "museum" I'd just as soon have my torturer be a redhead wearing leather. Maybe a congressman could recommend one for me.

So that's the Pink Crustacean. And the White Coat?

I have several. And I recommend that PETA get some, but cut a bit differently.

We have a prima fascia case here for deep delusions and self loathing, if not worse.

My white coats button in front. I think yours should tie in back.

The Naked Emperor

John Fleming, 4th LA

2008-06-11T23:29:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I got a comment from someone on one of my posts. He left a phone number, and I was intrigued. ( I deleted the post in the interest of privacy )

He was some sort of campaign consultant out of Ohio, doing blogger "outreach".

How he came up with me, I have no clue. I haven't been the most consistent blogger, and certainly haven't got the biggest audience.

See barrel, look deep, and here I am!

Anyway, we played phone tag a while and lost touch. But he had asked me to look at Dr. John Fleming of Minden, running for 4th LA.

Dr. Fleming's site is very professional, and, in some cases, very specific. There's money here. Hell he has enough to be able to pay people to find me!!

His positions are good, damn good.

He wants the Fairtax. Points in my book. He also realizes that Republicans didn't lose Congress, they threw it away by spending like drunken sailors and basically acting like Democrats. Fiscal conservative. Strong on the Second Amendment.

Dr. Fleming is most specific about illegal immigration. NO anchor babies!! I could have written the rest of that, it's so close to my views.

Navy vet. Thinks he can help health care since he's a Doc and knows the system from the inside, no just by holding showtrial "hearings". He also thinks he can straighten out the VA.

Dr. Fleming, if you want to get the VA up to snuff, it's easy. Just make it mandatory for elected federal officials to get THEIR health care from the VA. Do they deserve better than our bravest? This is a simple, elegant solution.

So far, I'm enthused about his candidacy.

As luck would have it, I also talked to a source in Minden about something else and decided to ask my source if there was any personal knowledge of Dr. Fleming.

OK, my source can be a bit opinionated.

The source has been to Dr. Fleming, and was not impressed. It was said the he doesn't touch his patients. Not good bedside at all. My source described him as a void surrounded by a sphincter.

Not good.

OK, here's the question. Is it better to have an ass who supports good legislation, or a nice guy who "feels your pain" while robbing you and continuing failed policies of the past?

I'm not in the 4th district. But if I were, I'd vote for Dr. Fleming.

If he's an ass, so what? I'm not asking to go fishing with him or out to dinner. I'm interviewing him to do a job.

He has a clear knowledge of the Constitution, and believes in it and living by it. He seems to have thought out good positions.

I just hope he keeps his word if he gets in, most of them don't.

The Naked Emperor

Sad Local News

2008-06-11T23:04:00.002-06:00

It was said that the tree of Liberty must occasionally be watered with the blood of Patriots.

Last Sunday, our liberty was fed a bit more.

A local man, Cpl. Justin Mixon, was killed by an armor piercing IED in his vehicle. He was with the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

He is survived by his wife, Tia, and a son, Tony.

Cpl. Mixon was welcomed home in by police, fire, and anonymous well wishers along the route from Bogalusa, through Franklinton, to Friendship Baptist Church, just east of my house, where his father, Walter is Pastor.

He was laid to rest in the family cemetery on Hwy 16, just a bit east.

We didn't know him personally, but we ask that you keep him and his family in your thoughts.

To the family, we hope you know that we, as a community, are very proud of Justin, and deeply grateful for the sacrifice he, and you, made for our liberty.

with deepest thanks,

The Naked Emperor

(Thanks to the Amite Tangi Digest and Melissa Harrison for the source material)

The Truth About Dogs...And Cats

2008-06-11T07:33:00.002-06:00

Well, I've been a bit too serious lately.

Last night, I couldn't sleep (no, NOT the knee, just insomnia), so I did a long overdue update to the site. OK, I was bored silly.

NOW - Updated Links!! NOW - 20% more Strangeness with 40% less drivel!! NOW - This Site is Guaranteed Zero cholesterol and Trans-Fat Free!! But Still the Same Great Taste!!

I do recommend the music links especially, we've go some great local talent.

As a Vet, I've noticed some strange things about our pets.

When we are younger, pets not only watch when their humans have "intimate relations", but actually hover like East German judges at the Olympics, waiting to mark you down.

As we age, this stops. They actually look disgusted and leave the room. This is your sign to throw out Bikinis and Speedos.

No matter how lightweight and dainty your pet, they can exert roughly the same ground pressure on each paw as a small mansion. This weight will be placed upon breasts, genitalia, or any sore spot you may have as they step on, run across, or lay on these areas. And at the worst possible moment.

Only dogs and middle managers stick their nose up somebody else's butt to see who their friends are.

No matter how expensive or gourmet the treat or food, three day old trash, roadkill, and cat shit will ALWAYS taste better to them.

The more recently they've had the above trash, roadkill, or cat shit, the more they want to lick your face.

Your cat will never love you in the afternoon when their beloved Mr. Sun is available.

Your dog loves you, it's an adoration relationship. With cats, it's more of a friendship based on common interest. Because you both love the cat.

I guess blogging about politicians makes me appreciate higher forms of life.

The Naked Emperor

Pretty, but What Do They Mean?

2008-06-10T22:23:00.002-06:00

While the drugs left my system this morning, a few apparently disconnected thoughts and quotes somehow fused in my mind, and gave me several ideas for essays. So with enforced stillness for the next few days, we may have some rich, if strange, fodder for the blog.

Somehow, the film "The Dirty Dozen" combined with Obama's speech claiming the nomination, and fused with Robert Heinlein. Either I'm really bloody strange, or it's the drugs.

Obama gave a very moving speech to claim the nomination. He had a great line near the end:

"This was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal".

My brain said, "Very pretty words."

That brought me to "The Dirty Dozen". In there, Donald Sutherland's character was faking being a general, inspecting some troops. His comment to their officer was "Very pretty. But can they fight?"

My brain went back to Obama's words. "Very pretty", I thought, "but what do they mean?".

When facing situations like this, I tend to rely on an old saying of Robert Heinlein:

"What are the facts? Again and again and again — what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what "the stars foretell," avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable "verdict of history" — what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!"

So let's look at the pretty statement in detail.

"the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow"

OK right off, this sounds somewhat messianic. Last guy rumored to have power over ocean levels was Moses. Does Sen. Obama really equate himself with biblical saviors?

And now the facts.

Fact:There are castles in Britain that were built on the coast. Many of these are now high and dry, hundreds of yards to miles inland. Why? The sea levels fell for hundreds of years. And these are not Iron Age timber forts, but Medieval stone castles. Less than 1000 years old.

Fact: Also some of the receding glaciers have revealed lost human settlements from hundreds to a thousand years ago.

Fact: There were no IC engines, no coal plants, no nuke plants and no industrialization back then.

Therefore sea levels were much higher hundreds of years ago, and have fallen and risen, with other evidence showing many, many times without human intervention.

Therefore, climate change is not human based, and human intervention will be ineffective, let alone unwise.

Let's move on to the second clause:

"our planet began to heal"

Heal? Webster's defines heal as "to restore to health".

If health needs to be restored then the body in question is either injured or not at ease, AKA diseased.

An injured body has been assailed by another body or force. And disease is caused by poisons if the cause be chemical, or a pathogen it the cause is biologic.

So just what is he talking about?

Has the planet been assailed by an asteroid or comet that I missed? Don't think so. We have had a few severe natural occurrences, but we have always had those. And they are, by definition, NATURAL. Part of the planet.

Has there been a chemical attack on the planet from outside? Must have missed that one too.

So we are left with a pathogen causing a disease on the planet. Nothing has come from space when I last looked so it must be native to the planet. Now what could he mean?

Cockroaches? Mosquitoes? Elephants? Probably not.

The best I can figure, he means US. People. Humans. You and me.

Some believe that Humans are inherently good, with just a few that go astray.

Some believe that Humans are inherently evil.

But I never truly believed that anybody thought of us as pathogens. Freaky. And damn scary.

Heinlein said the way to spot those believers was that they lovingly praised dams built by beavers, for a beaver's own purpose and benefit, while deploring dams built by humans for human benefit.

As a medical man, I know that to heal a diseased patient with pathogens, one should eliminate the pathogen. And that's us, in this case.

This one line, and the speech in general, cause me concern.

This line is,at best, we hope, a meaningless political platitude. At worst, it is both suicidal and genocidal.

And this is the speech he chose to give. There are three possibilities:

1) He didn't read it beforehand. Is that the behavior we want in a President?

2) He read it, but didn't think about it. Again, not too desirable.

3) He read it, thought about it, and truly means it. Enter Rod Serling.

Oh, there is a fourth possibility.

"This isn't the (speech/person/statement/community) I know" See Rezko, Wright, Dorn, Ayers, etc, ad. nauseum.

I found this speech very disparaging of my species. Think I ought to report him to the Canadians?

The Naked Emperor

After the Cut

2008-06-10T09:53:00.002-06:00

Well, obviously, I survived.

And they also cut the right, er, CORRECT leg.

I just got home, and the wife is fixing me a big breakfast to make up for the one I missed today. Not bad. Six hours from admit to home. And the Orthopod said it all went well. Damn, my speller circuit and my typer circuit are REALLY off today.

Some observations.

They make you shave your own leg. Never done that before. And they have a TINY clipper with changeable blades to use. Might need to find one for the housecall practice.

They didn't seem to take offense at the "CUT HERE" and "NOT HERE!" above the appropriate knees.

I did get concerned when the gas passer was talking about "putting you to sleep". I had to explain that "putting to sleep" means a WHOLE OTHER Thing to a Vet. He then was a bit more precise in his verbiage. I was very relieved.

Now, I get to endure enforced immobility for a while, followed by medical torture.

But on the good side I get Jello. I like Jello.

It's cute, wiggly, you can't nail it down, there's really not much to it, and it melts if you raise the heat. Kind of like Obama.

And like Jello, Obama too will pass.

Damn, I'm pretty conciliatory today. Must be the drugs.

Now that we've eaten, thenakedempress will re-ice my knee, and then go out to pick up dessert.

And what would that be?

Yup. Vicodin. Delicious, nutritious, and makes Presidential races MUCH more tolerable.

I drink rarely, so I've never been able to "drunk-blog" a debate or suchlike. But now I'll be on Vicodin.

Does anybody know of an event in the next few days that I could "loaded blog"?

Oh, another down side. I can't take a shower until Friday. I've always aspired to be a dirty old man, but I didn't mean LITERALLY. If you send flowers, I just might make them wither and die by Friday.

Well, time to hobble outside for a smoke.

Back later,

The Naked Emperor

Making the Cut

2008-06-09T20:59:00.002-06:00

Before we get into the gristle of today's topic, a brief aside is in order.

When I write, I try to follow facts to logical conclusions. By doing that I'm not very terse, and can ramble on a bit. I've been told by some that I write well.

But sometimes, just a single line of sarcasm works much, much better than my long essays.

Today, I was showing thenakedempress a story on the web saying that over one quarter of the population of New York City has genital herpes. Her instantaneous response:

"And these are the people worried about trans-fat?"

Priceless.

But on we go.

"This really ain't the place or time,
To reel off rhyming diction;
Yet we'll write a final rhyme,
While awaiting Crucifiction."

Harry Morant

The reason for the title of today's drivel is because, at dawn tomorrow, I go under the knife.

Nothing too dramatic, just an arthroscopic meniscectomy. Assuming all goes well, I should be home by afternoon.

But it still worries me.

I haven't been under general anesthesia since Ed White made the first spacewalk. (Google that to discover that I'm an old fart) And I have seen, albeit rarely, fatal idiosyncratic anesthesia reactions. But gas passing has probably progressed since the Gemini program.

I know that the odds of anything that bad happening to me are extremely small. I just have to be ready in case of that eventuality.

Actually, what has a greater chance of going wrong is for them to cut the wrong leg. Unfortunately my MRI was mis-labeled. It says it was on my left knee, but the problem, and the MRI, were on the right. No Problem. I'm just going to write "CUT HERE" in large, friendly letters on my right thigh.

OK, there's a teensy weensy chance that today could be my last. So what to do?

Well, I determined that if it were to be my last, it would be a great day.

I worked ER down in Houma until 7 AM, and helped a bunch of patients. I then drove home, and had a great wife breakfast, then a nap. I decided to keep the clinic closed this afternoon and cut the yard. A shower and a typically great dinner at home. Later the wife suggested we go to Sonic for a malt.

In short, nothing special about today. And yet everything special about the day.

I once read something about telling someone they had 24 hours to live, and wondering what they would do. The moral was that a happy man would just do what he does every day. I guess this means I'm damn happy.

Only one thing left to do, and I'm doing it.

In the movie about Harry Morant, "Breaker Morant", the star asks the Padre to get his last poem, the one above, published. The quote is "We poets do crave immortality".

I guess bloggers do too.

Okay, I've admitted I'm a bit afraid. But this is also a bit different fear experience. When I was in and out of New Orleans after the storm, I was also afraid.

But that was not the same as now. I certainly had much more to fear then. I knew it was there. But I just had to put it out of my mind, I frankly didn't have the time for it. I was just too busy doing what I had to do. And we didn't know what would happen when, you just kept going.

Now, I've had the luxury, or curse, of knowing what will happen and at what time. It's kind of annoying. I just want this damn thing over with.

After the surgery, I'll be shackled here at the house for a couple of weeks. Boredom will probably lead to a productive time for blogging.

I'll also have to undergo PT. I'm supposed to be seeing the best local guy. But dammit, it's a guy. If somebody is going to get paid to torture me, couldn't it be a pretty girl in a leather bustier?

In keeping with my reputation for inappropriate responses to situations, I've also been thinking about my situation and the movie "The Princess Bride".

After Westley has defeated Andre' the Giant, he tells the passed out Andre', "Rest well, and dream of large women". Wouldn't it be cool if, as I'm going under anesthesia, the gas passer would tell me to "Sleep well, and dream of large breasted women". Beat the snot out of that counting backwards crap, wouldn't it?

Oh, assuming I'm alive tomorrow, I offer this caveat.

You know that I'm just the teensiest bit, oh, weird. Tomorrow, I'll be just a weird, but also on pain meds. You've been warned!!!

The Naked ( and Limping ) Emperor

The Gospel According to the Founders

2008-06-08T12:35:00.002-06:00

Over the last few days, I've been reading about Sen. Obama's positions on gun control.

When answering such serious questions, I find it handy to pull up a copy of the Constitution, and try to put myself in the Founder's place.

The main body of the Constitution is concerned with the organization and powers of the federal government. But the founders wouldn't pass it.

Why? Well it said what the Feds were able to do but it didn't say a word about what they were NOT allowed to do.

Remember that these people had just been through a tyrannical king and fought a very bloody and long war for their liberty.

They had witnessed first hand the excesses of government. And paid, in blood, to be free from those excesses, no mater what government it was.

And they were trying something VERY radical. A democratic Republic. Never been tried before.

These guys had a lot of horse sense.

Before you trust a potentially wild horse, it's a good idea to put hobbles on it.

So they came up with the bill of rights, and the Constitution was passed. Hopefully, a government that could NOT go to excess. But in case it did, they built in a safety valve.

As I said, these boys were not just smart but wise too.

So lets read these Amendments.

(This being Sunday, perhaps I should say "A Reading form the Constitution, Amendments 1 through 2".)

Amendment 1: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This nation was "Conceived in liberty" as Mr. Lincoln so eloquently put it. But not just physical liberty. Liberty of the spirit and of the mind as well.

You are allowed to worship as you want and think what you want, and express those ideas however you want. Paint a painting. Write a pamphlet or book. Carry placards. Or even, dare I say (Dare, Dare!) blog.

Notice this amendment doesn't say a word about "politically correct" speech, or "popular speech". Saying what the "in" crowd likes hardly needs protecting. But unpopular speech does.

It makes no exception for "hate speech". If I find your candidate too tall, and I express that, that idea is a freedom purchased for me (and you!) with the blood of patriots. It means freedom for all, Not just your views.

Perhaps the First Amendment could be better thought of as "Freedom of Ideas".

And immediately behind it follows the 2nd Amendment:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Notice it does not say the right of the state or portion of government to keep and bear arms.

It says the right of the people. You. Me.

This is the safety valve.

Remember that it was the people who rose up against tyranny, not the Feds. They didn't even exist back then.

At the time, the people here were armed with weapons equal to, and in some cases superior to that of the tyrannical power.

The 2nd Amendment means the ultimate veto over tyranny, not from a foreign prince or potentate, but from our own government should it turn tyrannical.

It says nothing about "may not", or "only if we feel like it". It says the right of the people to not just keep arms, but to bear arms, SHALL NOT be infringed.

It doesn't mention "Assault Weapons", or hunting, or sporting purposes, or crime.

It was intended to keep the population well armed, with military capable weapons, to defend our liberty, should our government get too big for it's britches.

Let's look back at the 1st Amendment.

What good is freedom of thought and expression, if at any time and place they choose, the government can decide that they object to your ideas and either chuck you in prison or kill you?

If you can not defend your right to free expression, then it is worthless.

I have chosen to accept the gift of free expression from my forefathers. And I also accept the responsibility of defending it, with my own life if necessary.

Please reread these Amendments.

On these two hang all the law and the liberties.

Here endeth the epistle.

The Naked Emperor

A Crisis Of Leadership, Not Energy

2008-06-06T20:22:00.003-06:00

Today, I bought gas.

I sought to fill up B.B., my Dodge Ram. But I couldn't. It seems that gas stations limit you to $75 worth of gas. And I was sucking fumes. So no fill up. And this has been going on for a couple of weeks.

Funny how nobody has said anything about it.

When I was there, I paid $3.74 per gallon, relatively cheap. Fortunately for me, Murphy's and Racetrac try to outdo each other on low pricing.

So why am I paying so much?

That's easy. Supply and demand. Even Democrats know this. Thats why Chuck Schumer tried to threaten the Saudis into increasing supply , and Bush has tried begging them into increasing supply. Increase supply and prices will drop.

I'm also curious why we're paying so much when Speaker Pelosi said the Democrats had a plan over two years ago to lower prices. When she said that, we were paying, on average $2.31 per gallon.

You know my love of inconvenient math.

Let's see. The Dems have controlled Congress for almost two years. In that time, gas prices have risen over 50%. Nice "commonsense plan", huh? How's that working out for you?

So OK, we need to increase supply to drop the prices. But why do we have to either threaten other nations or go begging to them?

Why not just increase our domestic supply?

Oh, that's right, it's illegal to do so.

You see, this same Congress that's posturing on gas prices, are the very ones limiting domestic oil production.

By law, we can't drill off the Atlantic coast. But no problem. Uh oh, they've also made it illegal to drill off the Pacific coast. Now I'm worried. We're also not allowed to drill in the huge reserve in ANWAR. Now I'm despairing. Congress just decided that we can't convert shale to oil, AGAIN. And we can't drill in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Hell even the Chinese can drill there, but Congress says it's illegal for Americans

That only leaves my area, the western Gulf.

I know, I know. It's the "Environment". Funny how all those rigs off our coast did just fine through Ivan, Rita, Katrina and other major storms without a major spill.

We don't have a crisis in gas prices, we have a willful design by Democrats in Congress to impede the free market.

Look, folks, I don't care how "green" you claim to be. This nation uses, and needs energy. You need energy for your laptop and your blackberry and your blu-ray, for your washer and dryer, and fuel to get you to work and to transport food to your local store and for private jets to go to Global Warming conferences around the world.

So where do we get it?

Nuclear? Do you really think that the environmental types would let us build Nuke plants? Even though they produce 80% of the electricity for the French?

Increasing our domestic oil? Look at the above. The Democrats WANT us in the pockets of the Royal House of Saud. Does the phrase 18 of 19 mean anything to you? Hell, we haven't even been able to get a new refinery built for over 30 years.

Coal? Clean coal is well proven but, again, the environmental movement denies us.

Alternative? You must be kidding. It's not well proven, not terribly economical, and even pro-environmental lawmakers, like Ted Kennedy, don't want it. The nation might need the energy, but it's not worth spoiling Kennedy's view of yacht races.

OK, we're not going to get any more energy.

So what to do? Conserve?

Dr. Timothy Leary told people in the 60's ( we know how you loved that decade! ) to "tune in, turn on, and drop out"

Now, if you're truly "green", you should turn off, walk on, and grow up.

Don't take offense.

Turn off? What I mean is you should totally eliminate electricity from you life. No laptop. No cellphone. No A/C. No refrigeration. No heat. No TV. No washer. No dryer. No hair dryer. Nothing. Forget compact flourescent. No light at all. And no phone. And no online shopping.

It is possible to do this. I, and many others did this, involuntarily, for a few weeks after Katrina. Try it for a year or two.

Walk on? Sell your car. Don't accept rides. No internal combustion at all. And no horses, they produce methane. If you can't walk there, you just don't go. And no bikes either, there's a lot of energy used in their production, and a lot of greenhouse gases released when the metal is refined.

Grow up? No this isn't a personal assessment. I mean grow your own food. Odds are, you won't be able to get all you need if you can't ride to work, and thereby have cash to spend at a market, even if there is one within walking distance. So you will have to grow your own.

For the vast majority of you who have never done a food garden or farm, I need to tell you that it takes more land than you think, and a LOT more effort. Oh, and no cheating with pesticides, most are derived from crude oil. And only hand tools, no sneaking about with tillers either. And the same rules about horses and other beasts of burden apply.

Of course you'll need more land with just plant production, since eating animals violates animal rights.

So if you want to be energy free, there is a name for it. It's called the 12th century. But that's OK.

That's just when Ahmadinejad and Bin Laden want to go back to, to re-establish thier Caliphate.

Is that what you really want?

If so, don't call me (oops, no phone) when your child freezes (no sneaky cutting the forest for fuel! ) or dies of heat stroke ( hundreds do in every Chicago heat wave ) or dies of cholera ( no diesel to transport vaccines or medicines and no refrigeration to keep them cold ) or dies of starvation like millions do every year where they have almost no energy.

If this doesn't appeal to you, then we need ENERGY.

We need to start drilling offshore and in ANWAR and the Bakken Reserve NOW. We need to start building refineries NOW. We need new Nuclear Plants NOW.

I'd love to see alternative energy. But having the government starving an energy hungry people and nation is not the way to get it.

Government didn't displace firewood as a fuel. Free enterprise did. It was called coal. Not a perfect solution, but better than firewood. Free enterprise brought us petroleum to replace coal and whale oil. Not perfect again, but again, an improvement. Then free enterprise found a way to turn nuclear to peaceful means. Talk about turning swords into plowshares. It is cleaner than coal or oil, but government stepped in.

And they've been stepping all over our energy industry ever since.

One day, hopefully in my lifetime, industry will find a better alternative. Not government, but industry. Not some freegan, but industry. Only they have the tools to do the job.

All they lack is the will. And that's understandable. Why pour billions upon billions into research when you know that government just might take away all your work by nationalizing the new industry?

Government should stop scapegoating productive people and let them get on with, well PRODUCING.

Oh, and those eeeevil oil companies and their huge profits? Just remember that the Feds make almost four times as much per gallon as the oil companies do. So who's gouging here?

the Naked Emperor

Change and Charisma

2008-06-05T18:45:00.002-06:00

One of the major slogans for Democratic Nominee Obama is "Change You Can Believe In".

From what I recall, the Chinese character for "change" is a combination of the character for "opportunity" and character for "danger".

And surely any change can be either an opportunity or a danger.

When I look to change, I look for specifics. The more specifics, the greater the opportunity. The less specifics, the greater the danger.

Now when I hear great platitudes from Sen. Obama with little specifics, I start to get nervous.

One of Sen. Obama's great strengths is his charisma.

But my knowledge of the history of charismatic leaders is a bit troubling.

In my lifetime, we've had two fairly charismatic Presidents. Reagan and Clinton.

Reagan still stands the test of time well. Clinton fares far less well. Hell, even half of Democrats have turned their backs on him now, only eight years since he left office.

In European history there have been a few VERY charismatic leader in the last couple of centuries.

Napoleon, Hitler and Mussolini.

What do they all have in common? Someone or something to blame.

The oddest was Reagan. He blamed government, and said we could change that. He believed in US, not the government.

All the others found either internal or external enemies, and decided that government was the solution.

For Clinton, it was the evil rich and corporations who didn't fund him, or the mythical "vast right wing conspiracy". Fortunately he wasn't all that charismatic or effective.

The other three were VERY charismatic and effective.

They took their citizens desire for "change" and desire for government solutions, and enslaved their nations to their will. Notice that all three were freely elected. Also notice that all three became leaders of republics. (And yes, Virginia, America is NOT a democracy, it is a republic) By the end, all three were in charge of brutal dictatorships.

Also notice that the people willingly gave up their liberty for "change". Napoleon, Hitler, and Mussolini used their charisma to get into power. All the evidence of their intentions was there for those who weren't blinded by charisma.

So now, we have a very, very charismatic candidate for the Presidency. And it frightens me.

His followers literally pass out at his events, like he were some rock star.

Listen people, you are not here to worship ANY candidate. You have a job to do. A responsibility entrusted to you by millions of dead heroes who gave their lives for this republic, your liberty and you.

And what is this job?

You are the employer here in a democratic republic. And it's time to decide on a new leader. Would you be star struck if you had to interview job applicants for you business?

If the HR department of your employer swooned and hired the first pretty face they saw, would you want to trust that person?

People it's your responsibility to examine, in detail, each applicant for the job.

Does what they say make sense? What are the details of what they propose to do with the job? What are their accomplishments? Are they credible? Did they pad their resume'? They will be asked to bring on staff. Do they have a good record of being a good judge of character for their associates?

Only when you have researched these things YOURSELF should you decide. Don't take the word of the media, or a neighbor, or co-worker, or person in line at the grocery. And don't take MY word. Only trust yourself.

And only when you have answered the above should you make a decision.

But for me, right now, Obama scares me.

The Naked Emperor

Hillary, the Gorilla

2008-06-04T10:47:00.002-06:00

OK, just put your emotions on hold and turn your brains on. None of this is meant or is to be taken as sexist.

But right now, Hillary Clinton isn't just a female candidate. She's the 800 pound gorilla sitting in the room.

Last night, according to most reports, Obama clinched the nomination for the Democrats. As the first black to do so, that SHOULD have been the big news.

But it wasn't.

All eyes were on Clinton.

Will she concede? Will she just suspend her campaign? Will she file suit? Will she run as an Independent?

Neither Obama nor McCain are driving the election. Clinton is.

Now it's come out from some of her staffers that she'd "accept" the VP slot.

This is win/win for Clinton.

If it's offered, it will be herself that made the decision, not the presumptive nominee. She would be perceived as the stronger of the two. She wins.

If it isn't offered, many of her voters may stay home or vote McCain, leaving Obama high and dry. This could well lead to a McCain rout. She will be well positioned to "Told you so" for 2012. She wins.

For Obama, it's lose/lose. If he refuses her, he will piss off millions of loyal Clinton supporters, and probably lose. It may be a generation before another black is nominated.

If he choses her, his weakness is apparent. And it gets even worse. We all know that Clinton is a tough competitor. And a rival. Having her in his inner circle is like holding a wolf by the ears. And she'll bring her husband, a well known loose cannon. If he isn't in government, he can do whatever he likes. The only way to control him would be to give him a position. But would he accept a demotion? With his ego?

If we get even more conspiratorial, Would you want to be the one man between Clinton and her dearest ambition? If she's VP, she will literally be a heartbeat away from the Presidency. And Obama, being young and black would make a great martyr for the Democrats. I know he has to have this on his mind.

In other words she's in the driver's seat for the election.

Her actions, will determine the election. If she's the VP, the democrats win. If she just sits at home and stays quiet, they lose. She could also choose to run as an Independent. McCain would win, but Clinton's platform would control the Democrat's agenda for a generation.

For Democrats this is a case of too much of a good thing all at once.

Nomination the first black candidate is a victory for them. Having a Democrat woman control the election is a victory for them. But both at once will likely cost them the election.

The Naked Emperor

Personal Update

2008-06-02T00:13:00.000-06:00

Well, I just haven't had much to say for a few months, or time to pay too much attention to the news.

So far the new practice is going well. I've been doing a lot of promotional things, and thenakedempress has compared me with Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. In the last two weeks I've been interviewed on the radio once, been interviewed for a column, held a Grand Opening with the Mayor of Hammond, which was also in the paper, and featured in a newsletter.

I guess I'm growing into a media whore. I just need some catchy slogans. How about "If your dog has a loose def-e-cate, you forgot to vac-ci-nate!"

I'm still very new to business. Some days, medicine seems easy compared to running a business. Lawyers, accountants, suppliers, licensing, marketing, networking. I'm still treading in these waters, but am learning how to swim here.

Since I last wrote, I brought home my 15 year old clinic cat, and had to euthanize him for renal failure. I've blown out my knee, and will be scoped on the 10th of June. Maybe I'll blog more with forced recovery from that. Thenakedempress has been exercising and has lost 40 pounds. I'm very proud of that.

I've also become rather active in my community now that my professional life is here too. I'm very active in 3 Chambers of Commerce, and on the Team City Committee for one community.

Does this make me a "community activist" like Mr. Obama? If so, then why haven't I been able to get wealthy off it like he did?

I've also been getting more into local music. Right now, in the Amite area there are three acts I highly recommend.

Will Vance, who just returned from Nashville is very talented and can create great lyrics on the spot. Will can be found here: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=134056518

Chris Grey, who I don't know and don't know much about. He's a former sailor on the Battleship Missouri, and really knows how to get the audience into the act. He does covers, but has a lot of damn good original music. Try "Red White and Blue", you'll probably like it. I need to go see him more. He's at www.chrisgrey.com

And last, but certainly not least, is The Greg Hayden Band. I've known Greg a while. He's got a good voice and is a very talented lyricist. His song "Dignity" is very moving and defiant. I hear he has another CD coming out in the fall. In the band is a rather young man named Damien who does the backup vocals. I sure hope he decides to sing professionally, he'll go very far. Find him at www.greghaydenmusic.com

Again, I apologize for the hiatus. I guess I got so disappointed in our choices for President this year that I just tuned out for a while. Now, I think I'm just pissed off enough to take up the keyboard again. I hope I'm more regular in the future.

The Naked Emperor

Fuzzy Math

2008-06-01T10:55:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, the Democrats decided that the delegates for Michigan and Florida would only get a half a vote each at the convention. Therefore the Democrat voters in those states are only worth 1/2 of what voters in other states are worth.

This is hardly news.

This is the party that favored slavery, Jim Crowe, grandfather clauses, and thought that blacks were worth 3/5 of a white man.

Now blacks in Michigan are only worth 1/2 of a white man in New York or California.

Congratulations, Black Democrats!!! In all the years since Republicans passed the 19th Amendment, Democrats have devalued you from 3/5, or 60%, to 1/2, or 50%. Boy, do the Democrats value your loyalty.

Funny how a black Republican is automatically called "Uncle Tom". But the leading Black Democrat today was fighting to reduce your value even more, just for his own political purposes. Where are the cries of "O'Tom-a"?

One Democrat candidate, who agreed to the rules, was fighting to change them in the middle of the game. So if the Democrats try to posture on law and order, basically rules, we know that they don't really believe in it. Especially when the rules are attempted to be applied to them.

The other Democrat candidate did not want millions of voters to have a say in the party's nomination, just because they went for the first candidate. So "Count every Vote" only applies if they are votes in your favor. Florida wasn't based on principle, just an attempt by the Democrats to steal an election, as they have now shown.

These positions by the only contenders show that BOTH candidates only believe their own statements when it favors them, not you. I.E., they're both just bullshitting you.

And now the rules committee has decided a "halfway" solution. This is the worst thing they could have done.

If they had decided the issue one way, the Democrats would be branded political opportunists, to whom rules mean nothing.

If they went the other way, the Democrat reputation would be disenfranchisisng legal voters.

By deciding the way they did, both apply, and more. Now, they are not only rampant opportunists, not only disenfranchising at will if the voters disagree with party hierarchy, but also too weak to make a damn decision.

Let's see. They'll ignore the will of the people for their own gain. They'll break the rules for personal gain. And they can't make a decision.

I know many Democrat voters do not like America. But unless you plan on relocating, you'll be living here. Are these the people you want being your political Lords and Masters for four years?

As an Independent, I find nothing here worth supporting.

I didn't think that in this day and age we would have an allegedly mainstream political party would be deciding that one voter is equal to anything but one voter, regardless of race, gender, or location.

I think I'll just go shake my head in disappointment.

The Naked Emperor

2008 Manifesto

2008-05-13T21:45:00.002-06:00

I am a man, a southerner, and a voter.

And I'm fed up.

I'm just damn tired of having everything about me "interpreted" or rather misinterpreted.

So let's set the record straight.

I was born here. I'm a citizen. And I've played by the rules for thirty years.

I'm NOT anti-immigrant. If you want to come here, just learn to speak with us and obey our laws, and I'll welcome you with open arms. When you try to turn my hard work, and the deaths of my forefathers meaningless while you turn my nation into the same shithole you left, I get upset.

I'm not racist. I never imported anybody and never enslaved anybody. My ancestors died for the freedom of several races. When one presidential candidate belongs to a racial superiority cult for twenty years and "didn't notice it", I won't support that candidate. I disapprove of racism, no matter the color of the racist.

I'm opposed to Roe v. Wade. Not on moral grounds, but because it's just bad law. The Constitution never mentioned a right to privacy. And the 10th Amendment says those things not SPECIFICALLY given to the Feds, should be decided by the states. Therefore abortion should be a state by state question, not a federal thing at all.

I believe the Bill of Rights was written to protect the individual from the Federal government, and yes, this includes the Second Amendment.

Yes, I am a gun owner. And a shooter, not just a collector. I hold a Concealed Permit, and will use it if the situation requires. I don't give up without a fight.

Nor do I think my nation should. How we got into war is immaterial. We're in it NOW. Sure I want the troops home as soon as possible. AFTER we win.

I am not a sexist. Saying "Ma'am" and opening doors for ladies is NOT sexist, just simple courtesy. You don't have to accept these courtesies. But it is incumbent on me as a gentleman to try.

I refuse to be labeled as sexist because I don't like your particular candidate's policies. Same thing for being racist.

I don't believe that throwing ever increasing amounts of money at problems without actually solving them is wise.

I don't think that punishing achievement is a real damn smart way to run a business or a country.

I believe that there are damn few things that government does well. This especially applies the further away the government in question is. This includes mail, social policy, taxation, and levees.

As a small businessman, and habitual taxpayer, I find that government is far more often the cause of the problem than it is a solution.

I believe that I'm not special. If I can achieve, than others can too. There is no need for multigenerational government dependence. Grow up and handle your responsibilities like a man (or woman), not some whiny child.

I don't think my beloved nation has caused all the world's woes. The arabs and jews have been trying to kill each other for nearly two thousand years before there even was a USA. The same goes for the rest of the world's ills. One of this nation's first actions was to stand up to Muslim terrorists, the Barbary Corsairs. We should continue in the footsteps of Jefferson (Not Bill, D LA!!)

The USA has only conquered one people, the CSA. That included one hundred forty years ago, and that included many of my ancestors. I'm over it. When will you get over your problem?

I think that there are not two Americas, but three. The givers, the perenial takers, and their facilitators, i.e. the government.

As a scientist, I find "global warming" totally indefensible. It's a made up crisis to extract more money from the givers to the government. Remember the tobacco settlement to aid smokers and fund smoking cessation programs? See how well that "crisis" has worked out?

I believe in the old saw about millions for defense, not one penny for tribute.

I don't see how musicians or actors, many of whom never could get into college, think they're smarter than the rest of us, and unendingly lecture us on how to lead our lives. Especially when they don't do what they tell us to do. ("OOH, I hate guns!!"
You just hire guns for protection while denying me that same right)

I think any and all politicians should be doubted until proven correct by your own research.

I think things are never as bad or as rosy as the MSM shows.

I don't think we've had a statesman since Reagan. All the rest are self serving political hacks. (Test: Read the evidence and statements of Democrats about Bob Packwood or Clarence Thomas. Then see the strength of their convictions with Bill Clinton. Other side, see Republicans with Clinton, then David Vitter)

And finally, for now, I believe I'm tired and will go to bed.

The Naked Emperor

Realizations

2008-01-29T21:43:00.000-06:00

Things are being realized.

The new prectice website is up, and in the process of being modified to suit a housecall practice, and my philsophy specifically.

We've also picked a new logo. It's a pre-made minimalist line drawing of a dog and cat, one that reminds me of the old 7 line caricature of Alfred Hitchcock. Now that the site is up and confirmed, I can call in the address tomorrow, so we can hopefully get the new card and magnet design to the printers before close of business.

My dreams and plans are being realized.

I've also realized something else.

As the primary season continues, it suddenly dawned on me: Holy Crap, one of these bozos will be the next leader of my nation. It's too late for any other choices to appear.

I've also realized that I've been ruined by decades of Mac driving. Life, and politics, have no "undo" button. Oh poop.

But with the practice restructuring going on, and one other big obligation, I've also realized that I've got too much on my plate to let the news and politics bother me.

And what is this other big thing?

I'm a riding officer in the oldest continuously parading night krewe in Mardi Gras.

That means a big, elegant dinner in New Orleans tomorrow night, and the ball rehersal and then the ball taking up all day Thursday. We have lunch down there Friday, on a balcony on Bourbon Street, then a walking parade through the Quarter, then the actual parade downtown.

Quite frankly, I realized the latest HilAck McHuckNey crap just can't compare.

Laissez les bon temps roullet!

Les Naked Emperor

Keep the Change

2008-01-27T01:29:00.000-06:00

An old saw is that women marry men expecting them to change, and we never do, while men marry women expecting them to never change, which they ALWAYS do.

The redneck version of this is a story about a middle aged couple riding in the truck on a Saturday night. They're behind another truck with a young couple in it. The middle aged wife looks longingly at the young couple snuggled up and asks "why don't we do that anymore?". The husband looks over from the driver's seat and replies "I'm still right here".

As you know, I love music. I'm basically an old style rock and roll fan. And that's why I listen to more country than anything else modern. Modern country is a lot like old rock and roll, but with a twang and a sense of humor.

I haven't abandoned rock and roll. It abandoned me.

And I feel the same way about politics. I came of age during the Carter fiasco. Even though I was much more liberal then, as most young people are, I was a libertarian who was strong on defense. My first presidential vote was to fire Carter and hire Reagan.

So a fiscal conservative, pro defense type, but social libertarian was and has been considered overall a conservative.

And for the most part, those views have best been upheld by the Republicans. Until the last few years.

I haven't abandoned my mostly conservative views. But my party has.

Look, I quit being a Republican in a fit of pique during the aftermath of Katrina. When the President congratulated, publicly, "Brownie" for doing such a great job, I just quit.

Those of us on the ground knew so much better.

And looking at the Republican Congress spending like drunken sailors, just as bad as the Democrats, really pissed off this fiscal conservative.

Later, they tried to ram through their amnesty for illegals. What happened to the law and order conservatives? What happened to defending the borders of our once soverign nation? This isn't rocket science. Federally elected official swears to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. What happened to that early bit, that minor point about oh, providing for the common freakin' defense?

I was excited by the candidacy of Fred Thompson. He seemed to be a true conservative who believed in the principles and more than any other recent candidate, actually lived up to them. Apparently I was more excited by this prospect than he was.

So what to do?

I'm a libertarian/conservative. If not the Republicans, where can I go?

The Democrats? Their principles alone just seem wrong to me. Sorry, I can't become a socialist. Throw in their love of identity politics, where something you can't control counts for more than your thoughts and ideas, and I'm thoroughly turned off.

The Libertarians? In my lifetime, the only candidates they've put up would make a Ron Paul/ Dennis Kucinich ticket seem positively lucid.

OK, I'm reluctantly stuck with the Republicans. But it's with the deep understanding that I trust you to uphold my conservative principles just as much as I'd trust the Democrats. I.E. Not at all. Trust is a fragile commodity. And you've broken mine. If you ever want it, it will take time, and your deeds will speak much louder than any words. Here, as in life, action is the most eloquent.

But which candidate?

McCain? I'm impressed with his service record, but let's face it, that was 35 years ago. His recent record is much more troubling. Damn good on the Southwest Asia theater, best in the bunch. But he's also the worst in the bunch on defending the North American front from the reconquista. Throw in the "Gang of 14" and McCain Feingold, and he scares me.

Giuliani? He proved to be a great leader during 9/11. When I was in New York about 16 months ago, I couldn't believe it was the same city as when I saw it 20 years previous. Everybody there said the same. Giuliani. Great so far. But in this election, he seems to be taking a donor funded extended Florida vacation. He appears only slightly more serious than Thompson. I'll hold my breath. But not for long.

Huckabee? I love the fact that he supports the FairTax. But the rest of him seems kind of slimy. Look, we once tried a populist governor of Arkansas as president, and I didn't think it worked out all too well. I'm not to sure I want to watch that particular re-run.

Romney? He's pro-business, seems to have done OK in Massachusetts. Did well with the olympics. But I'm a southerner. Between Reconstruction and the carpetbaggers who've been coming since Katrina, I'm wary of any New Englander who's going to "fix" things for me. So far he's the most likely, but I'll be watching him closely. Any Yankee arrogance, and I'll start playing "Wearing of the Grey" on my iTunes.

It's just so hard.

I just want a good solid conservative, like many of us. Yet it seems that conservative means something totally different now.

I haven't and won't abandon my conservative beliefs. But it sure appears that conservatism has abandoned us.

This is change that's not good for me or America. If and when the Republicans decide to return to conservatism, "I'm still right here".

until later,

the naked emperor

Kinky Fantasy

2008-01-26T17:55:00.000-06:00

When one is young, one often thinks about sex. OK, us guys think about it constantly.

But as one ages, thoughts often turn to more productive items.

And when one does think about sex, sometimes it gets unpleasant. Don't scream yet, I really am going someplace with this.

Sadly, those unpleasant sexual thoughts color our fantasies. And lately I've had a new, rather kinky fantasy.

I don't know what brought this on.

Perhaps it's just the time of year. Perhaps it's the loss last week of the only candidate I actually wanted to vote for. Perhaps it's that when it comes to sex between my checkbook and my government, I feel "overserved".

OK, here goes. Here's my kinky fantasy.

I want to be an "undocumented taxpayer".

No more forcible monetary sex.

Since MLK day was last week, his words echo in my ears.

I too have a dream.

I dream of a day when my employer is not forced to pay the US government 7.65% or so that never appears on my checks.

I dream of a day when my government can't just automatically take money that I've earned and they haven't.

I dream that refusing to submit to such fiscal rape will not land my employer or myself in jail.

I dream of a day when the IRS must prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in front of a jury of your peers, instead of a presumption of guilt where you must prove your innocence infront of one of THEIR judges.

I have a dream.

These days with "redefining" of terms, I do not choose to be a tax evader. But I wish I, as a productive member of society, would be decriminalized.

"Illegal immigrants" are now "undocumented workers". Why can't I just be an "undocumented taxpayer"?

If only I had the guts.

Look, I know this is just a fantasy that will never come true. The politicos rely too much on us bowing to their wishes (and force) so they can redistribute wealth and stay in power.

But I still can dream.

Disturbing and Disappointed Readers

2008-01-15T20:51:00.001-06:00

As I said a few days ago, I may be changing the name of my practice. I'm working with some business and marketing consultants, and they want me to consider it, and are working up alternatives.

I've also given a brief moment of thought to changing the name of my blog. "The Naked Emperor" is attracting some disturbing hits, and I presume very disappointed people.

But a little background first.

I thought "The Naked Emperor" was a good title since I freely admit my weaknesses and failings. I don't put on airs and claim to be something I'm not.

I also take great delight in using simple logic, reason, and occasionally math to reveal nudity in the pompous thoughts of the self important.

But I'm disappointing people, and they are deeply disturbing me.

How?

If you notice the GoStats link on the right, I occasionally check the stats here and see who's been by.

Readers get here one of three ways: By link at another site, through the ether (AKA I have no clue), and by Google search.

It is the Googles that have me worried about my name.

I've gotten hits when people Googled "Naked Emperor" or variants. Fine, I wanted those.

Google has also brought people who have searched for ar-15 stuff or "kitty farts" or "the Guns of August". Fair enough, I've written about those.

And I've also had someone googling for "shootng (sic) naked ladies game" I like online games, it might be fun.

But I've also had someone from India looking for "naked ladies" Here is where I think the name begins to be trouble. I wasn't too worried, I happen to like naked ladies myself.

Alas the trouble was noticed when someone, also from India, arrived after searching for "naked 15 models". Given my name, and the weapon posts, it's understandable. But if that person's "15" was an age, I'm sure they were disappointed. And I'm quite happy to disappoint such people.

But these were merely sublime. The turn for the weird was just ahead.

Frankly, the Queen's subjects take the cake.

Someone in the UK found me by searching for "naked 60 year old ladies". That's a visual I just didn't need.

And of her subjects, it's the Canadians who worry me most. I've had them arrive looking for "naked boys and girls", and "my dad wants me to be naked around the house".

I'm fairly certain, and quite happy, that these people left my site with both hands on the keyboard.

And no, I'm not making this up. And this is all within the last few days.

I can't remember (and am too tired to google) who said that the world is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we CAN imagine. My Canadian readers prove that.

I never cease to be amazed by the world's weirdness.

I, along with Thenakedempress, the pseudo-daughter, and a few others occasionally threaten to come up with the strangest sexually oriented site we can think up, just to see if we'd get any hits. So far, our leading candidate is "Wombats in Leather". My recent readers make me think it would be a huge success.

If you, dear readers, can top that, I welcome your suggestions.

And no, I won't be changing this name.

If somebody wants to make this name into a sexual thing, it's their problem, not mine. And I invite those people to perform an impossible solo sexual act.

Until later,

thenakedemperor

American Perestroika

2008-01-13T11:59:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, it is wise to not combine genres in entertainment and education.

Of course, I have been paying attention to the Presidential primaries, through blogs, internet, and MSM.

And my recent reading has combined geopolitical with classic sci-fi.

This is a bad and revealing combination.

Gorbachev's "Perestroika" is mildly interesting. Mainly it is a bunch of self serving statist twaddle. Lots of sound bite phrases that are semantically meaningless strung together.

What I find most curious is the meaning of "Perestroika". That's Russian for "Change".

Entering stage...oh, left, are the Democratic candidates. "We need Change!"

In my teeny mind, a chord was struck.

Gorbachev - Free health care, full employment (regardless of ability), and Perestroika.

Democrat Candidates - Universal health care, evil capitalist corporations, and Change.

Anybody else see the parallel?

Suddenly it's 1984, the Russian version.

Orwell would be so proud. According to the democrats, censorship is "Fairness", victory is defeat, and "new" ideas are merely a rehash of the death throes of an evil dictatorship.

It's worked out ever so well for the Russians, as long as they tow Putin's line.

Do we really want that for our future?

Which bring me to the mildly weird part.

Last week I was looking for some light "recreational" reading before heading into the "Room of Contemplation and Bad Odors".

Unfortunately, I picked up an old favorite, Niven and Pournelle's "Mote in God's Eye". Big mistake. I not only had to finish it, but also the sequel, "The Gripping Hand".

In those two books, the aliens have a recurring sort of character in their history. They call him "Crazy Eddie" Their description of Crazy Eddie is "Always he does the wrong thing for excellent reasons".

At best, the Democrat candidates are Crazy Eddie.

Lets look at their stance on, oh, oil companies.

Gas is $3/gallon. Last year, Exxon/Mobil made about $10 billion in profits.

Senator Clinton publicly expressed her desire to take all of those profits.

First, the price of gas is NOT a crisis. It's $3/gallon. Gasoline comes from crude oil, a toxic substance that takes extraordinary effort to find and pump from thousands of feet below the ground. Once obtained the oil must be refined into gasoline, also toxic and, by the way, very explosive. Then this dangerous substance must be transported without blowing up. Then you get to buy it. And it's $3/gallon.

Let's compare it to milk. If you want, you could buy a cow and get your own milk. Can't do the same with gas. A cow must have given birth, be fed a nutritious diet of grasses and grains, and be milked twice a day. And I've never seen milk explode. Not nearly as tough as gasoline, and milk is $4.50/gallon.

Or water. Water falls from the sky for free. I personally get mine from a well. But many, including trendy liberals, buy those cute little pints of water for $1 or more. Let's see. Two pints per quart. Four quarts per gallon. That comes up to $8/gallon. And most of that water comes from some city or other's municipal supply. In other words, tap water is $8/gallon.

Sorry, but gas seems like a bargain to me.

Yes, oil companies make a profit, ideally. The people who invest in them, i.e. put up the money, are taking a risk with their capital. Why would someone take a risk if there is no reward?

Sen. Clinton wants to take those profits from the greedy oil companies. She wants the money to go to government, "for the children" no doubt. Crazy Eddie.

Let's say oil companies make a 10% profit, although I think it's less. That would be 30 cents per gallon of gas. But the last I recall is that taxes, i.e. the government's profit is 48.3 cents per gallon. So the government is taking 50% more profit than the greedy oil companies.

So if we have a crisis in the cost of gasoline, the government could instantly save is about 50 cents per gallon just by not taxing us. Could be done in a week.

Sen. Clinton is apparently not happy with just getting 48 cents/gallon, she wants it all. Pardon me, but who's greedy here?

OK, let's give in to Sen Clinton, just for arguments sake.

The oil companies get no profit. That means no reward on investment. The investors will move their money elsewhere, including overseas.

The companies also have no money to explore for new oil, or to upgrade refineries to meet new EPA regs. Eventually those greedy companies are driven out of business.

We have lots of people unemployed. Crazy Eddie. And scarce gas supplies, so the price goes up. Crazy Eddie. Average plain folk can't afford gas anymore. Crazy Eddie. Only elitists traveling in private jets can afford to travel, like Al Gore. Crazy Eddie.

And that's just one small segment of our economy, not 1/7 like healthcare.

And that's just assuming they want to do this for excellent reasons.

Of course, this could all be election year hyperbole. Or they could be megalomaniacal gits. I'll let you decide.

Sorry this has been so roundabout. Some say that if you drink, you should not mix too many different types of alcohol. I guess I have proven the same is true with what you read.

until later,

The Naked Emperor

Guess When?

2008-01-12T18:11:00.000-06:00

Imagine a time when the ability to publish your thoughts about life, government, or anything is so easy that many people are doing it. Not professionals. Just anybody that thinks they have something to say. A recent technological revolution has made all this possible.

Needless to say, those in power at this time are deeply troubled. They scorn this free flow of ideas. They try to clamp down on this new found liberty.

But those amateurs just keep writing. Most of their work is drivel. But amidst those lesser works will be some masterpieces. And those masterpieces just might change everything.

Can you guess the time I'm spewing THIS drivel about?

If you guessed the internet and blogging, you're....

WRONG!!

Try the British Colonies in the late 1700's.

Printing was so available that just about anybody could produce a pamphlet on whatever they thought was important. Most of these are lost to time. But some of the ideas expressed were so innovative and revolutionary that they not only survived but thrived.

Thomas Paine. John Adams. The Federalist Papers.

These were the bloggers of their day. One could argue that America was founded on the ideas of the bloggers.

But one must pay attention to what has survived. Not "Adams is a butthole". Not "the King is a git". The negatives faded with time. But those that presented positive ideas and solutions for the future remained. (Remember that when you want to comment that Thenakedemperor is a jerk)

Also notice that we do not remember those that talked about how the king would take care of you. Nor do we recall any giving greater autonomy to the state.

We remember those works that expanded the liberty of the individual. Those that talked about the rights and responsibilities of the individual.

This is a very minor blog.

Even so, it stands on the shoulders of great men. While I sometimes use my keyboard for light topics and may not take myself too seriously, I take the medium VERY seriously.

Give me blogging or give me death.

The Naked Emperor

First Semi Occasional Contest

2008-01-11T23:19:00.000-06:00

As anyone who knows me will tell you, I love music. I used to play it, and have been approached to take up the guitar again. I often toy with the idea, promising I'll be serious about it again.

But I only like good music. From classical to '60's (including 1860's) to current.

Yet, sadly, I occasionally have a very bad song stuck in my head. Thenakedempress reports this same phenomenon.

So tonight, just for fun, we'll start a Worst Song Contest.

The rules are simple.

1) It must have been popular. No songs by your cousin's uncle's neighbor.

2) It must be truly bad, nonsensical and/or really annoying.

3) Just overplayed songs don't count. (Sorry Frampton and Zeppelin)

4) It must get stuck in your head all too annoyingly often.

My current nominees:

"MacArthur Park" by Richard Harris (Someone left my cake out in the rain? WTF?)

And my honorable mention goes to Elvis for "In the Ghetto" Maybe it's all the years at the ER, but this song arrives in my head with annoying regularity.

Thenakedempress' Nominees:

"Having my Baby" by Paul Anka

"Only Women Bleed" by Alice Cooper is her honorable mention (or DIShonorable mention).

Unfortunately, when Thenakedempress gets one of these stuck in her head, she insists on "sharing". She's got a great voice, but sometimes her choice of material just sucks.

We encourage all of my loyal hundre....doz.....er, ones of readers to submit their unfavorite songs.

No, there is no prize. But maybe at least we'll have something different pissing us off.

until later,

The Naked Emperor

My Two Cents on Change

2008-01-10T21:52:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm back.

Just because I've been MIA on the web, doesn't mean I haven't been paying attention.

So here we are, the Iowa Caucus (Silly MSM, Caucuses are in former USSR) and New Hampshire primary down, with SC and MI coming up. Tonight we had yet another debate, the Republicans in SC.

At least on the Democrat side, the theme is "Change".

I have some recent experience in that, thus the temporary MIA status. The end result of mine is that I'll only be doing emergency on the weekends, being free to build my housecall practice during the week, every week. We're working with business consultants, may be changing the name, and should have a nice web presence within two weeks. Lots of changes.

That seems to be all the Democrat candidates can talk about.

"We need Change"

"I know how to make Change"

"I've got 35 years experience in making Change"

Aren't we supposed to be electing a national leader, defender of liberty around the world? These bozos sound like they're interviewing to be cashiers at a convenience store.

And maybe we need them there, most clerks can't make change without a calculator.

And if we want experience at "Change", vote for Hillary, she's got experience with "The Change". (If you don't understand that reference, you're male, and either young or unmarried).

All three candidates are tapping into some dissatisfaction in the democrat base. So they want "Change".

But one must be careful with what one asks for. Going from the frying pan into the fire is "Change". So is going from living to dead is likewise "Change". Neither seems too desirable to me.

So far the Democrat situation is fairly simple. Obama is black and young. Hillary is female and a Clinton. Edwards has GREAT hair. Great Identity politics, not good Ideas politics.

The Republican side is a bit more muddled. First we had the inevitability of Romney with all his money, and Giuliani with national recognition and 9/11 experience. Then came Iowa with the Huckaboom, and New Hampshire with the McCain-gasm. Tonight the web is all atwitter about the debate performance of my man, Fred. Given the lack of a national leader, and a bounce from tonight's performance, he could upset and win South Carolina. Right now he's # 3 in delegates. So the field is wide open.

As a personal aside, I'm somewhat surprised at Thompson's poor performance so far. He's got well thought out positions, solidly conservative, a record that nearly matches, and minimal baggage. I thought that he's the sort of candidate we've all been complaining about finding, and here he is and we (collectively) ignore him. Are we conservatives just as caught up in celebrity and candidate of the week as liberals are?

I know we think of liberals as shallow, but perhaps we need to truly examine a mirror here.

Oh, if you Paypal me $1.00 for this .02, I'LL make change. I promise. Trust me.

until later,

thenakedemnperor

Need I Say More?

2008-01-07T22:59:00.000-06:00

LSU #1

Shooting Redeux

2007-10-21T01:47:00.000-06:00

Well it happened again, about 45 minutes ago. Another shooting here in glorious New Orleans.

Yes, we did kill 3 in 5 hours earlier today. But I don't care about that. I care about the one that happened near me.

I had just settled down to read a bit of "Dreadnought". Two inpatients doing well, nothing on the horizon. I heard multiple shots from different weapons. I was pulling my shoes on and grabbing my sidearm even before my head tech hit the panic button.

On the way up to the front of the clinic, I cut the lights to be a harder target. As I got up front, I saw numerous vehicles maneuvering out of the parking lot at high speed. I cautiously exited with weapon drawn. The JP Deputies were maybe 15 seconds later entering the parking lot. Can't say enough good about those boys (and girls)!

The shooters did better this time. They left about 14 or 15 shell casings. They also shot through the Hookah Cafe's window. I had the privelege, or maybe just desire to find the spent bullet. And the cops say somebody got shot in the ass who fled. He also had a shotgun in his car.

So much for reporting. Meanings?

It isn't good when your 21 year old tech is calmly hitting the floor and simultaneously dialing 911. Just routine.

It isn't good when you are not only practiced but experienced in responding to shots fired. I'm not in Fallujah or Baghdad. They're more peaceful now. No, I'm in Gretna. I'm sure that most Iraqi cities similar in size to New Orleans have lower homicide rates.

It isn't good when you commonly wear a sidearm to practice medicine on Saturday nights.

We used to joke about the emergency game causing "combat blunted sensibilities". I didn't know it would become literal.

If you know someone in Tangipahoa Parish who has pets, convince them they need a housecall vet.

Save a vet. Have a housecall.

With frustration,

The Naked, and well armed Emperor.

Dead Election Blogging

2007-10-20T21:39:00.000-06:00

Sorry to have been away so long. I was swamped last week, and have been busy this week. Just got done with my third emergency surgery (laceration repair and enucleation on an already one-eyed dog. No no eyed. And yes, named "Lucky")

We're waiting on an eclampsia or mastitis case right now. I took a moment to see RedStickRant for the first time in over a week and see he's live blogging the election. Unfortunately it's hard to get Tangipahoa Parish results.

So far, it's a mixed bag. Jindal won, I hope he's up to it. Strain will probably be Comissioner of Ag. I've met him a few times. He's a vet, seems to know what he's about. On the bad side, Gordon Burgess has either won or is in a runoff. He's a clueless git if ever I met one. He's our Parish President. And our Parish Councilman, Tennis Rick has won outright. He'll lie straight to your face.

Oh well, we'll be back to life in a day or two. Right now, I'm just looking forward to being off next week. Lots to do for the housecall practice and around the house. But I'll get some sleep, have a dinner planned with a friend, and I get to escort three lovely ladies to a gun show on Sunday.

Sorry to be so brief. But I'm in the middle of "Dreadnought", a history of the politics and naval arms race prior to WW I by Robert Massie. Really interesting, I didn't know so much. And a friend brought me several volumes, including "Dereliction of Duty", an analysis of White House, JCS, and Sec Def's decisions leading to Vietnam. It's by Col. H. R. McMaster, who whipped a Republican Guards reginent with a single Cav troop at 73 Easting. I'm drooling. Also Gorbachev's "Perestroika".

Until next week,

The Naked Emperor

Cool Toys

2007-10-02T18:52:00.000-06:00

Look, I'm middle aged. The last time I had any idea what cool was happened in the mid '80s. But I guess you probably don't think "Flock of Seagulls" hair is cool anymore. Neither do I.

I've gotten so bad that several times in recent years, I've had a recurring episode. I either meet or work with a pretty young lady. She'll say "you're so funny/cool. You remind me of my dad"

Ladies, the phrase "you remind me of my dad" will NOT ingratiate yourself with a middle aged man.

And thenakedempress laughs and laughs and laughs.

With that caveat, I want to tell you about some toys I've either purchased or played with that an old fart thinks are "cool".

As you know, I'm forced to pay attention to politics. I've been uncertain which Presidential candidate to support.

So far, none of the Democrats appeal at all. On the Republican side, there are several choices. I like Giuliani's leadership during 9/11 and that he was able to clean up New York. But his history on gun control and some others trouble me. McCain may be in favor of victory in Iraq, but he really pushed amnesty for illegals. Romney I don't know enough about, but like most Southerners, we're very leery of Boston yankees coming to "save" us. Been there, done that. I've read a bunch of Fred Thompson's writings and like them, but I'm not sure how serious he is. So far, he's my first choice.

The other day, I was reading Neal Boortz's site, and he had a curious link. It's a Candidate Calculator. You enter your views on various issues, and it tabulates the candidate whose views most closely matches your positions.

I was impressed. It told me that Romney matched me 90.91%, and he should be my choice. But curiously, it listed Fred Thompson as second even though he also matched 90.91%. Some bias in favor of Romney?

After this, I'll give Mitt Romney much more scrutiny. And thenakedempress was surprised that Giuliani should be her choice. Clinton was very low for both of us.

In June, I had a conference at Beau Rivage in Biloxi. (No link, they pissed me off). To check your e-mail, there's no wireless. They want you to buy an ethernet cord from their shop that's never in stock. No problem, we went to Wal Mart. After that, Beau Rivage wants $11.95 per day for internet access. Bag that. And they also left cookies on my machine that would only let you access the internet at the standard price from them AFTER YOU GET HOME!!

But occasionally you find a pearl. At Wal Mart in Biloxi, we found the most helpful person EVER at Wal Mart. He set us up with the little ethernet retractable cable on the far right below. Only $8, made by Phillips.

As I wrote yesterday, I've lost the USB cable for my camera. I went again to Wal Mart and found another Phillips product. It is the retractable USB cord second from the right and all four adapters on the bottom left. Only $16. The adapters fit just about any device from Ipod on up.

Now, instead of carrying a printer cable, a camera cable, an ethernet cable, etc. et al, I just have to carry these two retractable cords and four tiny adapters. The last item at the top left is a plug in modem that comes with the MacBookPro. Now I can connect to just about anything just about anywhere.

All these tiny items fit neatly into the carrying case that came with the adapters, and it fits nicely into the upper end pocket of my clinic bag along with specula for my otoscope.

Look, I know these aren't the coolest items ever made. But they are kinda cool and VERY functional. I now use them almost daily. Tiny, gadgety (Is this a word? It oughtta be.), and very functional. My kind of cool.

Until later,

The Naked Emperor

PS. I did find a picture that exemplifies "cool"

The Guns of ...August?

2007-10-01T19:36:00.000-06:00

I know, I know, this is way late. But between housecalls last week, and a major medical conference, there was little time. Gotta get them CE hours, you know.

I actually started out to do this last Wednesday, but had a couple of self induced technical glitches.

First, I hadn't charged the camera's batteries. And after that, I discovered, or DIDN'T discover that my USB cable for the camera had gone missing. I got a cool replacement, more on that in a cool gadget post.

But I did try the girl out Wednesday with the GripPod.

For those like me, a vertical foregrip is unusual. Not bad, just a bit different.

She seems to point better toward the weak side. less so to the strong.

One thing I thought about is heat. Under rapid fire, an M-4 will heat rapidly. The hand grips will become uncomfortable after 2 or 3 minutes of 30 rounds per minute.

To start testing, I put one magazine through in the standing position.

Again, being used to horizontal grip, it's a bit different. But it does seem more controllable. The vertical grip let's you hold the weapon tighter to you shoulder, decreasing felt recoil and movement. So it seems a plus.

I then switched to prone, using the integral bipod.

Let's talk about said bipod.

It deploys rapidly with an affirmative push on the button at the top back of the grip. The button seems easy, but has enough resistance to avoid accidental deployment. There is a rather loud "thunk" as it gets into position. The manufacturer recommends, if silent deployment is desired, to hold the bottom of the grip against your thigh. This works well.

To retract, just close the legs and push up. Very easy.

All in all, this is a well designed product.

Once I got prone, I noticed that the stance of the weapon is slightly higher than my short little arms would hold it. So my "prone" is slightlier higher than normal. Not a problem, I can adjust. And this will not be a problem for those taller than my 5'7".

I put two magazines through while prone.

The first 20 rounds were normal single fire. Being on the bipod greatly improved stablilty and therefore accuracy. After that, I started doing "double taps". My point of impact hardly moved between first and second shots.

Magazine changing while prone with the bipod out is no porblem.

With the second prong mag, I started rapid fire. On target, double tap, regain target, repeat. Toward the end I tried a few "triple taps". To the uninitiated, it sure sounds like full auto. Again, my point of impact hardly moved.

For the last mag I wanted to check heat. I went back to standing, rapid single fire. The felt heat was GREATLY diminished on the vertical grip vs. standard horizontal.

This is the second best mod I've made to my toy, after the 14.5 barrel. And not far behind. The benefits in control and accuracy are well worth the price and effort.

Thanks to the guys, especially Ned, at MountsPlus.

And for my next project, maybe I'll get a diesel 1 ton 4x4. I've learned much from thenakedempress. She's taught me that it's all about the accessories, and my how she's right.

Until later,

The Naked Emperor

Fail Columbia!!

2007-09-25T06:14:00.000-06:00

I used to have a good impression of the Ivy League schools.

Personally, I hold a bachelor's in Animal Science from Southeastern Louisiana University. So not only are I a redneck, I have a diploma in redneck.

I also have my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University.

As I said, I held elite schools like Columbia in high esteem. But no more.

When I heard about Columbia's invitation to Iranian President Ahmedinejad to speak, questions flooded my wee redneck brain.

What was Columbia president Lee Bollinger thinking?

Did he have so much hubris that he thought a few questions from his students would change Ahmedinejad's mind? Or that a sharp rebuke would cause the Iranian leader to change his policies?

The Iranian theocracy began by kidnapping Americans. Since, they have executed homosexuals, supported terrorism through Hezbollah, and are currently actively killing American servicemen, and pursuing a "peaceful" nuclear program. The theocracy also wants to erase Israel, presumably perpetrating another holocaust in the process.

Did Bollinger think all that would change just because of a couple of questions from some sophomores?

One stated reason was for "free speech". So you let a tyrant prattle on, who slaughters homosexuals, but won't let ROTC speak on campus because they follow the federally mandated "Don't ask, don't tell" policy?

Could Bollinger and Columbia be that intellectually dishonest? Are you granting free speech to a regime that suppresses that freedom routinely?

There is a third possibility. It may not be hubris or intellectual dishonesty at all.

It may well be that Bollinger and Columbia are just that damn stupid.

And what is the result of this brainless act?

Columbia has severely angered it's alumni and benefactors. I strongly suspect that donations will be significantly be curtailed as long as Bollinger is president.

It has also angered a LOT of America. Personally, I'll be upset if Columbia gets ever one dollar of federal funds. EVER.

And has your "free speech" affected anything in Iran? Well, this is how Iran's state run media covered it. I dare you to find truth there. Standing O my rosy red arse.

To do such harm to a revered institution, to coddle enemies of freedom, all for no gain? And handing that tyrant a propaganda victory at home into the bargain?

Again, just damn stupid.

So, evermore, we hereby change the tried and true "Hail Columbia" to the above title.

I may have graduated from a regional university and a state university. But compared to Columbia grads, I feel pretty damn smart.

The Naked Emperor

Everything Old is New

2007-09-23T20:54:00.000-06:00

As of this moment, Iranian President Ahmadinejad is in the US, and will be speaking at Columbia university tomorrow night.

Now, being the age I am, I recall well my first real knowledge of Iran, back in '79.

And back then, New Orleans had a great local band, Vince Vance and the Valiants. The leader of the band, Vance Degeneres, had an unknown kid sister back then. Her name is Ellen.

Well folks, Ahmadinejad's visit has put this Mr. Peabody into his Way Back Machine, and I thought I'd take all you Shermans along.

Back at that time in history, we were actually shocked that fundamentalist muslims would attack us. Even normally left of center types like musicians were so outraged that they made parody songs that took what seems rather harsh, but appropriate positions.

Vince Vance did the best song for that moment in history. A young lady named Vickie Arroyo I knew back then, who's brother or some such was connected to Vince Vance managed to get me a copy of this precious 45. Unfortunately, is was lost to time in my parent's house in the flood.

Through the wonders of technology, I have an mp3 of the song. But , unfortunately, dear ones of readers, I can't figure how to upload it to blogger for your entertainment pleasure. Google provided me with an answer.

President Ahmadinejad will speak tomorrow. But Vince Vance spoke for me twenty nine years ago, and still does.

Without further adieu, I give you, the original and only,

Bomb Iran

The Naked Emperor

The Big Top comes to Jena

2007-09-21T05:15:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, one ring of the media circus rolled gaily into Jena, LA.

Normally there are three rings to any circus, and the media circus is no different. One ring is permanently based in Washington, DC, leaving two to travel the country. If only Brittany had been in residence, my fair state could have provided even more entertainment to the world.

But why did they roll into the sleepy little town of Jena?

Well, it seems there are allegations of "racism" there in the town.

Just so we are all on the same page, we will use definitions from Webster's online dictionary.

Racism : Main Entry: rac·ism
Pronunciation: 'rA-"si-z&m also -"shi-
Function: noun
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
- rac·ist /-sist also -shist/ noun or adjective

I choose definition 1 as number 2 is more specifically addressed below.

Bigot: Main Entry: big·ot
Pronunciation: 'bi-g&t
Function: noun
Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance
- big·ot·ed /-g&-t&d/ adjective
- big·ot·ed·ly adverb

Prejudice: Main Entry: 1prej·u·dice
Pronunciation: 'pre-j&-d&s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praejudicium previous judgment, damage, from prae- + judicium judgment -- more at JUDICIAL
1 : injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights; especially : detriment to one's legal rights or claims
2 a (1) : preconceived judgment or opinion (2) : an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b : an instance of such judgment or opinion c : an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics
synonym see PREDILECTION

There, now we all know what we mean.

Now in this incident there is much talk about nooses being hung, then black outrage over that incident causing the assault on a white student.

In this case, I'm handicapped by not having been there in years, and being at a distance, although less than most of the nation. In short, I'm in the same boat as the media and the protesters.

But I hate being so ignorant, and decided to go looking for facts to make up my mind. I came across this, from the The Town Talk out of Alexandria, the largest paper in the area. It's a time line to the events.

What I find interesting is that the "nooses" incident happened on Sept. 1, 2006. And the assault happened on Dec. 4 2006. Pardon me but that makes any subsequent assault seem less like an act of passion or outrage. If the two were truly connected, it seems much more likely to be premeditation.

Another key feature is that the victim of the assault, Justin Barker, had no connection to the noose incident. Isn't assault on a person, just because of the color of their skin, the very definition of a hate crime?

As to the nooses, I have no clue. According to the top comment for the timeline, the nooses were for a football game, the local team was playing the "Cowboys". It is stated it was something to the effect of "hang 'em high" directed at the other team, not anything racial.

If so, it was poorly chosen. If, on the other hand, it WAS a racial message, it would be reprehensible. Not racist, according to the definition, but bigoted. And it is not, and should not be a crime.

We here in America have a little known law called the First Amendment. It gives us the right to speak freely. It does not grant us the ability to speak wisely. And this is just the sort of speech it was designed to protect. Popular speech hardly needs protecting, everybody likes it. But our founders saw fit, and rightly so, to protect UNpopular speech.

Was charging the alleged assailants racist? I find no evidence of it. If a victim chooses to press charges, and there is sufficient evidence to support those charges, it is the duty of the District Attorney to file said charges. That is a matter of law.

At one point, the alleged assailants were charged with attempted murder. Even a cursatory glance at the situation shows those charges to be unwarranted, and they were not pressed. But there does seem to be enough evidence to bring the current charges.

And are the alleged assailants guilty? I have no clue. That's a matter of fact, not law, for a jury to decide.

And while we are on the subject of the jury, one of the assailants has already been tried. Much has been made of the fact that the jury was all white. But of the 150 people receiving jury summons, only 50 showed up, and there were no blacks in that number. Sorry, but lack of performance of civic duty is not the DA's fault.

So on to the circus we go.

LOTS of people were in Jena yesterday. Why? Because they were concerned about......?

Well, if it's racism, the above definitions solve that one. Even if every allegation of the speakers and protesters is true, it's NOT racism. If so, it could be called bigotry and/or prejudice 2(1) or 2(2)c.

If they're so concerned about bigotry and prejudice, doesn't an assault on an innocent person of just because of the color of his skin count? If one is truly concerned about such things, the color of skin of perpetrator and assailant matter not.

If they were there because they care about black people, this is a bad test case.

Just a few miles down the road, in New Orleans, nearly 150 blacks have been murdered so far this year. Slaughtered. And none of these protesters or speakers say a peep. One of the attendees of the march was New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin. His concern about slaughtered blacks in his city is so deep that he considers it part of the New Orleans Brand.

And this is not a new problem. Last year, over 160 were murdered, with only 1 or 3 of the cases solved. Yet the Mayor, or Rev. Jackson, or Rev. Sharpton say nothing. Could this be because the perpetrators were also black? As is the Police Chief? As is the Mayor? As is the DA?

Perhaps this agnostic could give the reverends a refresher course in biblical studies. Something about sin and stones?

Let's assume, for a moment, that we give in to the popular protest.

As I've said before in Dam Racism, I abhor racial epithets. If we give the protesters their way, would I be allowed to beat someone of another race because a different person of that race used an epithet? Does free speech mean free battery?

So if the organizers weren't serious, why did all this happen? No clue. Media time maybe. Or power or donations.

Now I will freely admit I witnessed as little of the media coverage as I possibly could. But what I did hear and see covered the popular "truths", not mentioning the three month delay or that the beating victim was unconnected with the noose incident. And if I, as a tenth rate blogger with little time could find out these things, where is our integrity in journalism?

It seems that the writers of the movie "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence" had the media pegged way back in 1962.

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend"

until later,

thenakedemperor

UPDATE 13:22 CDT 23 Sept.: Several blogs have linked here (Thanks, "Classical Values", "Astuteblogger" and "Red Stick Rant"!!), but with some misinformation. No, I'm not from Jena. I grew up in Lakeview, New Orleans, and call Tangipahoa Parish home now. I did get to spend considerable time in the greater Alexandria area in college 25 years ago.

News Alzheimer's

2007-09-19T21:29:00.000-06:00

I'm on duty this week, and don't have much time to comment on the news.

Also, I'm beginning to show some signs of early onset Alzheimer's

Just this week, I've been having to ask people what year it is.

Just look at the news.

Hillary Clinton's health care plan. The O.J. trial. Another Clinton fundraising scandal.

I know we can't just be doing the same things as 1994 or 1995 all over again. So it must be Alzheimer's.

Either my mind isn't working right or the world has gone from being warped to totally bent.

With confusion,

thenakedemperor

The Bard and Betrayal

2007-09-13T21:47:00.000-06:00

Admit me, Chorus to this history;
Who, prologue-like, your humble patience pray,
Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our.....Blog?

To compensate for the aches and pains of advancing middle age, there are a few benefits too. One of these is an increasing love and appreciation for the Bard.

William Shakespeare's words are music when done well. Lately I have been indulging, perhaps a bit too much.

Henry V is my favorite, and I've just re-read it, and also seen the film. Kenneth Brannagh's 1989 production of Henry V is excellent, and loses but little dialogue. Try it sometime.

But I offer this warning: Do not mix the Bard with news if you write. It give you ideas.

Recently, MoveOn.org published a full page ad in the NY Times insinuating treason on the part of Gen. David Petreus. The General is literally the man who wrote the book on counter-insurgency warfare, and under whose command the coalition forces have made quite substantial progress. The charge is blatantly false.

After all, no Democrat senators, including their Presidential candidates found reason to vote against him just a few months ago.

We have been told that we can't question the patriotism of such accusers. Bullshit. I question it.

What is interesting is that none of the Democrat candidates for President have said a peep about such scurrilous allegations. One could assume, reasonably, that they don't disagree.

The Bard had something to say about all this:

You have conspir'd against our royal person,
Join'd with an an enemy proclaim'd, and from his coffers,
Receiv'd the golden earnest of our death;
wherein you would have sold your king to slaughter,
His princes and peers to servitude,
His subjects to oppression and contempt,
And his whole kingdom into desolation.

(Henry V Act II Scene II)

There is no doubt as to the oppression, contempt, and desolation awaiting the enemies of radical Islam. That means us westerners, folks. You and me.

So why would the candidates of one party actively desire our surrender to such forces?

I know their leading candidate's political past includes shady international dealings. But is this Trie-son? Would she sell out American interests for foreign cash? I hope I'm Huang, but if the Hsu fits... I don't know if I'm Riady to see all this come to pass.

That candidate is also rather lax with her ideas of national security.

And if they're not selling us out for cash, then why?

Could they be so filled with self-hatred that they would subject us to oppression and contempt? Or is the lust for power so strong that they desire to be a Quisling rather that a Von Stauffenberg?

I don't know, but it frightens me. For I feel they think America, "being ours, We'll bend it to our awe, Or break it all to pieces."

While I'm on this Henry V kick, while this has little connection other than the source, I just can't resist putting this modified quote in:

thou hast me, if thou hast me, at the worst;
and thou shalt read me, if thou read me, better and better:-
and therefore tell me, most fair reader, will you have me?

until later,

thenakedemperor

2007 Bin Laden Transcript and Commentary

2007-09-08T20:08:00.000-06:00

"All praise is due to Allah, who built the heavens and earth in justice, and created man as a favor and grace from Him. And from His ways is that the days rotate between the people, and from His Law is retaliation in kind: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth and the killer is killed. And all praise is due to Allah, who awakened His slaves' desire for the Garden, and all of them will enter it except those who refuse. And whoever obeys Him alone in all of his affairs will enter the Garden, and whoever disobeys Him will have refused."

Flowery rhetoric here with two exceptions: First Allah's law of retaliation. He mentions Jesus as a prophet later on. What happened to love thy neighbor and turning the other cheek? Apparently, he and his followers only believe the parts of their prophet's teachings that are convenient and fit in with their political agenda. And two, we are God's SLAVES? I thought religion taught we were his children. Big difference to me.

"As for what comes after: Peace be upon he who follows the Guidance. People of America: I shall be speaking to you on important topics which concern you, so lend me your ears. I begin by discussing the war which is between us and some of its repercussions for us and you."

"To preface, I say: despite America being the greatest economic power and possessing the most powerful and up-to-date military arsenal as well; and despite it spending on this war and is army more than the entire world spends on its armies; and despite it being the being the major state influencing the policies of the world, as if it has a monopoly on the unjust right of veto; despite all of this, 19 young men were able - by the grace of Allah, the Most High- to change the direction of its compass. And in fact, the subject of the Mujahideen has become an inseparable part of the speech of your leader, and the effects and signs of that are not hidden."

We got noticed, we got noticed, We're big time now. I'm sure he's proud.

"Since the 11th, many of America's policies have come under the influence of the Mujahideen, and that is by the grace of Allah, the Most High. And as a result, the people discovered the truth about it, its reputation worsened, its prestige was broken globally and it was bled dry economically, even if our interests overlap with the interests of the major corporations and also with those of the neoconservatives, despite the differing intentions."

"And for your information media, during the first years of the war, lost its credibility and manifested itself as a tool of the colonialist empires, and its condition has often been worse than the condition of the media of the dictatorial regimes which march in the caravan of the single leader."

Look, our media may have been pretty bad. But it is a hell of a lot better that Al Jazeera or Kim Jong Il's or the Iranian mouthpieces. Remember "Baghdad Bob"?

"Then Bush talks about his working with al-Maliki and his government to spread freedom in Iraq but he in fact is working with the leaders of one sect against another sect, in the belief that this will quickly decide the war in his favor."

Wrong. The Malaki government is primarily Shia. And the Anbar Awakening is primarily Sunni. We've also been working very well with the Kurds

"And thus, what is called the civil war came into being and matters worsened at his hands before getting out of his control and him becoming like the one who plows and sows the sea: he harvests nothing but failure."

There is no civil war. No Shia army, no Sunni army, no Kurd army. What has happened is that a bunch of outside controllers, like AQ and the Iranians are trying to spark sectarian differences into a civil war. So far they've failed.

"So these are some of the results of the freedom about whose spreading he is talking to you. And then the backtracking of Bush on his insistence on not giving the United Nations expanded jurisdiction in Iraq is an implicit admission of his loss and defeat there. "

"And among the most important items contained in Bush�s speeches since the events of the 11th is that the Americans have no option but to continue the war. This tone is in fact an echoing of the words of neoconservatives like Cheney, Rumsfeld and Richard Pearle, the latter having said previously that the Americans have no choice in front of them other than to continue the war or face a holocaust."

True. One doesn't make nice with murderers so they can kill again. You hunt them down. You corner them. You try them and execute them under rule 5.56 or rule 7.62.

"I say, refuting this unjust statement, that the morality and culture of the holocaust is your culture, not our culture. In fact, burning living beings is forbidden in our religion, even if they be small like the ant, so what of man?! The holocaust of the Jews was carried out by your brethren in the middle of Europe, but had it been closer to our countries, most of the Jews would have been saved by taking refuge with us. And my proof for that is in what your brothers, the Spanish, did when they set up the horrible courts of the Inquisition to try Muslims and Jews, when the Jews only found safe shelter by taking refuge in our countries. And that is why the Jewish community in Morocco today is one of the largest communities in the world. They are alive with us and we have not incinerated them, but we are a people who don't sleep under oppression and reject humiliation and disgrace, and we take revenge on the people of tyranny and aggression, and the blood of the Muslims will not be spilled with impunity, and the morrow is nigh for he who awaits."

Partially true. Yes it was non-muslims who perpetrated the Holocaust. Is Bin Laden disputing the Iranian leader's assertion that it didn't happen?

And isn't your peaceful religion the same one that targeted rockets on an Israeli day care on the first day of school last week? The same peace loving bunch that shot schoolkids in the back at Beslan? Oh, and how about Darfur? Peace through annihilation?

"Also, your Christian brothers have been living among us for 14 centuries: in Egypt alone, there are millions of Christians whom we have not incinerated and shall not incinerate. But the fact is, there is a continuing and biased campaign being waged against us for a long time now by your politicians and many of your writers by way of your media, especially Hollywood, for the purpose of misrepresenting Islam and its adherents to drive you away from the true religion. The genocide of peoples and their holocausts took place at your hands: only a few specimens of Red Indians were spared, and just a few days ago, the Japanese observed the 62nd anniversary of the annihilation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by your nuclear weapons."

Sure, we trust you. How many churches burned in Muslim Kosovo, that we saved from being wiped out?

And as far as being misrepresented, You, sir, have spent the last two decades trying to make the west fear Islam. And now that your peacful religion of wanton slaughter is seen as a credible threat, you cry foul. You, sir, are a child who has bashed a toy repeatedly against a wall, against adult advice. Now that you have broken it, you cry like the pampered brat you have always been. How many muslims would be better off now if you'd used one tenth of your capital to help them instead of financing the murder of innocents?

"And among the things which catch the eye of the one who considers the repercussions of your unjust war against Iraq is the failure of your democratic system, despite it raising of the slogans of justice, liberty, equality and humanitarianism. It has not only failed to achieve these things, it has actually destroyed these and other concepts with its weapons - especially in Iraq and Afghanistan- in a brazen fashion, to replace them with fear, destruction, killing, hunger, illness, displacement and more than a million orphans in Baghdad alone, not to mention hundreds of thousands of widows. Americans statistics speak of the killing of more than 650,000 of the people of Iraq as a result of the war and its repercussions."

First, your data is highly skewed and dead wrong. Second, the majority of Iraqis would rather be free, with all it's problems, than to live under a a far more murderous tyrany like Saddam or yourself.

"People of America: the world is following your news in regards to your invasion of Iraq, for people have recently come to know that, after several years of the tragedies of this war, the vast majority of you want it stopped. Thus, you elected the Democratic Party for this purpose, but the Democrats haven't made a move worth mentioning. On the contrary, they continue to agree to the spending of tens of billions to continue the killing and war there, which has led to the vast majority of you being afflicted with disappointment."

No, sir, we want it over, not stopped. The majority of us want victory, and soon. The democrats rode a wave of anti-war sentiment and republican broken promises into office. And you expected Democrats to keep their word? BWAHAHAHA

"And here is the gist of the matter, so one should pause, think and reflect: why have the Democrats failed to stop this war, despite them being the majority?"

Because they don't truly believe the swill they're peddling. If they did, they could have voted to cut off funding on day one. But it seems they're even more cowardly than you. They either lack true convictions or the courage to take a stand for their convictions. They aren't lacking in indictments though. If the Hsu fits....

"I will come back to reply to this question after raising another question, which is:"

"Why are the leaders of the White House keen to start wars and wage them around the world, and make use of every possible opportunity through which they can reach this purpose, occasionally even creating justifications based on deception and blatant lies, as you saw Iraq?"

Sorry, we're so keen to start wars, that it took twenty years of you murdering Americans before we did anything about it. Two decades is hardly a rush to war.

"In the Vietnam War, the leaders of the White House claimed at the time that it was a necessary and crucial war, and during it, Rumsfeld and his aides murdered two million villagers. And when Kennedy took over the presidency and deviated from the general line of policy drawn up for the White House and wanted to stop this unjust war, that angered the owners of the major corporations who were benefiting from its continuation."

Wrong again. Kennedy was the first one to send in advisers to RSV. He never deviated from that.

"And so Kennedy was killed, and al-Qaida wasn�t present at that time, but rather, those corporations were the primary beneficiary from his killing. And the war continued after that for approximately one decade. But after it became clear to you that it was an unjust and unnecessary war, you made one of your greatest mistakes, in that you neither brought to account nor punished those who waged this war, not even the most violent of its murderers, Rumsfeld. And even more incredible than that is that Bush picked him as secretary of defense in his first term after picking Cheney as his vice president, Powell as secretary of state and Armitage as Powell's deputy, despite their horrific and blood history of murdering humans. So that was clear signal that his administration - the administration of the generals- didn't have as its main concern the serving of humanity, but rather, was interested in bringing about new massacres. Yet in spite of that, you permitted Bush to complete his first term, and stranger still, chose him for a second term, which gave him a clear mandate from you - with your full knowledge and consent- to continue to murder our people in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Rumsfeld was responsible for Vietnam?? Maybe you'd better consult with one of those new hi tech devices called a CALENDAR.

Cheney I'm not sure about, but Powell served in country as a Captain and Major. Hardly enough rank to dictate national policy. Cheney and Armitage and Rumsfeld are Republicans, hardly likely to have had the ear of Johnson, a Democrat President. And certainly not senior enough. That pesky calendar thing again.

And yes, we chose Bush again because he is willing to fight you, sir.

"Then you claim to be innocent! This innocence of yours is like my innocence of the blood of your sons on the 11th - were I to claim such a thing. But it is impossible for me to humor any of you in the arrogance and indifference you show for the lives of humans outside America, or for me to humor your leaders in their lying, as the entire world knows they have the lion's share of that. These morals aren't our morals. What I want to emphasize here is that not taking past war criminals to account led to them repeating that crime of killing humanity without right and waging this unjust war in Mesopotamia, and as a result, here are the oppressed ones today continuing to take their right from you."

First line makes sense. You attacked us first sir. And I fail to see how secretaries and stockbrokers and fireman bear responsibility for national policy.

And you also score again when you say that ours morals are not yours. We do not intentionally slaughter the innocent, a moral that Islam has no problems with.

But the last is nonsense. Should we have imprisoned or killed the men in the above paragraph for something they had nothing to do with, merely to appease you? And if your problem was with them, why did you start killing Americans more than a decade before they were even in office? Are you that prescient? If so, give me the winners of the next five Kentucky Derbies and I'll consider Islam.

"This war was entirely unnecessary, as testified to by your own reports. And among the most capable of those from your own side who speak to you on this topic and on the manufacturing of public opinion is Noam Chomsky, who spoke sober words of advice prior to the war, but the leader of Texas doesn't like those who give advice. The entire world came out in unprecedented demonstrations to warn against waging the war and describe its true nature in eloquent terms like "no to spilling red blood for black oil," yet he paid them no heed. It is time for humankind to know that talk of the rights of man and freedom are lies produced by the White House and its allies in Europe to deceive humans, take control of their destinies and subjugate them. "

The war is against terror, and is global. Iraq is merely another theater in that war. And after our people have been repeatedly slaughtered and mutilated.

I haven't read Chomsky, so I can't comment intelligently on it.

As an American, I assure you that my rights and freedoms are NOT illlusions or lies. I am free to speak my mind, to worship how I choose, to listen to whom I choose. I can legally bear arms, and if I don't like my leaders, I can throw them out in the next election. How many Muslim nations can say that?

"So in answer to the question about the causes of the Democrats' failure to stop the war, I say: they are the same reasons which led to the failure of former president Kennedy to stop the Vietnam war. Those with real power and influence are those with the most capital. And since the democratic system permits major corporations to back candidates, be they presidential or congressional, there shouldn't be any cause for astonishment - and there isn't any- in the Democrats' failure to stop the war. And you're the ones who have the saying which goes, "Money talks." And I tell you: after the failure of your representatives in the Democratic Party to implement your desire to stop the war, you can still carry anti-war placards and spread out in the streets of major cities, then go back to your homes, but that will be of no use and will lead to the prolonging of the war."

Not much argument here. Only all the star power and most of the money now are on the Democrats side. But on a positive note, look at the major support the immigration bill had. And the people stopped it cold.

"However, there are two solutions for stopping it. The first is from our side, and it is to continue to escalate the killing and fighting against you. This is our duty, and our brothers are carrying it out, and I ask Allah to grant them resolve and victory. And the second solution is from your side. It has now become clear to you and the entire world the impotence of the democratic system and how it plays with the interests of the peoples and their blood by sacrificing soldiers and populations to achieve the interests of the major corporations."

You list two solutions. Total defeat, or abject surrender. You my not like democracy sir. But only alternative is some form of autoritarian rule. It could be military, with a dictator, religious, with a pope or bishop or rabbi or mullah, or geneological, witha king. You have anybody you want to nominate for these roles in mind, perhaps?

But you forget a third and very real solution. We kick your ass.

"And with that, it has become clear to all that they are the real tyrannical terrorists. In fact, the life of all of mankind is in danger because of the global warming resulting to a large degree from the emissions of the factories of the major corporations, yet despite that, the representative of these corporations in the White House insists on not observing the Kyoto accord, with the knowledge that the statistic speaks of the death and displacement of the millions of human beings because of that, especially in Africa. This greatest of plagues and most dangerous of threats to the lives of humans is taking place in an accelerating fashion as the world is being dominated by the democratic system, which confirms its massive failure to protect humans and their interests from the greed and avarice of the major corporations and their representatives."

Ooohhh, now we get good. Your first reason to commit murder I forget. Then it was that the Saudi's had invited us in to prevent Saddam from overrunning them. Than it was our troops still in Saudi after the '91 phase of the Iraq war. Then it was because of the 2003-07 phase of the iraq war. Not you want to kill us to stop global warming? Such a changing rationale destroys your crediblilty, sir. Will there ever be a time when you see no reason to kill me and my countrymen, except when we're already dead?

"And despite this brazen attack on the people, the leaders of the West - especially Bush, Blair, Sarkozy and Brown- still talk about freedom and human rights with a flagrant disregard for the intellects of human beings. So is there a form of terrorism stronger, clearer and more dangerous than this? This is why I tell you: as you liberated yourselves before from the slavery of monks, kings, and feudalism, you should liberate yourselves from the deception, shackles and attrition of the capitalist system."

Ok, now it's capitalism's fault. Silly us. We're sorry. Now if we can divvy up the land, appoint some nobles, we'll all go back to being good serfs. And if we eschew capitalism, shouldn't we get rid of all of it? Like the SUV's you ride in. And the Casio watches that make such good detonators. Oh, and the medicines that keep you alive.

I forgot, we'll need a king to watch over us dumb serfs. I think you have someone in mind....

"If you were to ponder it well, you would find that in the end, it is a system harsher and fiercer than your systems in the Middle Ages. The capitalist system seeks to turn the entire world into a fiefdom of the major corporations under the label of "globalization" in order to protect democracy."

Bring back the plague. Bring back the plague. (With deep apologies to Monty Python.) We're worse off than the middle ages? You're kidding, right?

"And Iraq and Afghanistan and their tragedies; and the reeling of many of you under the burden of interest-related debts, insane taxes and real estate mortgages; global warming and its woes; and the abject poverty and tragic hunger in Africa: all of this is but one side of the grim face of this global system."

You're right. In Islam, there is no usury, ie no mortgages. Ergo, no mortgage crisis. Of course you'll have to pony up the balance due on your home. Now.

"So it is imperative that you free yourselves from all of that and search for an alternative, upright methodology in which it is not the business of any class of humanity to lay down its own laws to its own advantage at the expense of the other classes as is the case with you, since the essence of man-made positive laws is that they serve the interests of those with the capital and thus make the rich richer and the poor poorer."

Yep, sometimes we make bad laws here. But we usually reverse them. It's why my wife hasn't worn a burqah in years. And as far as the old saw, "poor get poorer", perhaps you missed the data released last week. See the number of our poor who have color TV's cars, own their homes, etc. Our poor would be called middle class everywhere else in the world. Perhaps you didn' understand this since there is such a small middle class in arabia, and a multimillionaire like you would never have noticed them.

"The infallible methodology is the methodology of Allah, the Most High, who created the heavens and earth and created the Creation and is the Most Kind and All-Informed and the Knower of the souls of His slaves and the methodology that best suits them."

Now we come to the gist of it. All of the specious arguments lead here. Basically, convert. But coming from someone with your history, the implication is clear: convert or die.

"You believe with absolute certainty that you believe in Allah, and you are full of conviction of this belief, so much so that you have written this belief of yours on your dollar."

"But the truth is that you are mistake in this belief of yours. The impartial judge knows that belief in Allah requires straightness in the following of His methodology, and accordingly, total obedience must be to the orders and prohibitions of Allah Alone in all aspects of life."

So is that why some of your beloved 19 murderers were out with strippers on the night of Sept 10, 2001, drinking alcohol heavily? Isn't that a sin is Islam?

"So how about you when you associate others with Him in your beliefs and separate state from religion, then claim that you are believers?!"

So separation of church and state is wrong. LIBERALS, PAY ATTENTION HERE. So we need a state religion, which is, of course, Bin Laden's flavor of Islam. Only burqahs. Only "Muslim approved" haircuts. Death to homosexuals. Adulterous wives can be killed with impunity. Women can't drive, vote, and are, by law, only worth on half the same as a man. Total subserviance to men. Women can't work outside the home. Agnosticism, Judaism, Christianity, Buddism, etc. are outlawed by the state. Are these the things liberals want? If not, be advised, they won't be negotiated out of this. It's kill or be killed. Should we kill these bastards, or should you be measured for your burqah of coffin soon?

"What you have done is clear loss and manifest polytheism, And I will give you a parable of polytheism, as parables summarize and clarify speech."

"I tell you: its parable is the parable of a man who owns a shop and hires a worker and tells him, "Sell and give me the money," but he makes sales and give the money to someone other than the owner. So who of you would approve of that?"

"You believe that Allah is your Lord and your Creator and the Creator of this earth and that it is His property, then you work on His earth and property without His orders and without obeying Him, and you legislate in contradiction to His Law and methodology."

OK, we're all supposed to believe in one god. But here it's my choice. My religious training says that a god gave us free will. You say different. We'll talk about your religious scholarship in a moment.

"This work of yours is the greatest form of polytheism and is rebellion against obedience to Allah with which the believer becomes an unbeliever, even if he obeys Allah in some of His other orders. Allah, the Most High, sent down His orders in His Sacred Books like the Torah and Evangel and sent with them the Messengers (Allah's prayers and peace be upon them) as bearers of good news to the people."

So you belive that god made the torah and the bible, and their corresponding prophets.

"And everyone who believes in them and complies with them is a believer from the people of the Garden. Then when the men of knowledge altered the words of Allah, the Most High, and sold them for a paltry price, as the rabbis did with the Torah and the monks with the Evangel, Allah sent down His final Book, the magnificent Quran, and safeguarded it from being added to or subtracted from by the hands of men, and in it is a complete methodology for the lives of all people."

So okay, we believe in the same god and prophets until Mohammed came. So you say we got it wrong. If so, when did god repeal the ten commandments? What part of "thou shal't not kill" don't you get? Or did god make a mistake? And if the torah and bible were contaminated by man, what impertinance is it to claim that none of your fellow muslims might have been in error?

"And our holding firm to this magnificent Book is the secret of our strength and winning of the war against you despite the fewness of our numbers and materiel. And if you would like to get to know some of the reasons for your losing of your war against us, then read the book of Michael Scheuer in this regard."

We're strong, you're weak , you're doomed. WRONG!

"Don't be turned away from Islam by the terrible situation of the Muslims today, for our rulers in general abandoned Islam many decades ago, but our forefathers were the leaders and pioneers of the world for many centuries, when they held firmly to Islam."

Don't pay any attention to the man behind the curtain. We're not the murderous savages we appear to be. And just because every muslim run country sucks in comparison to yours, it's just bad lighting.

"And before concluding, I tell you: there has been an increase in the thinkers who study events and happenings, and on the basis of their study, they have declared the approach of the collapse of the American Empire."

We're Doomed!! The prophet of death has declared it. Let me put on my boots, so I can begin shaking.

"Among them is the European thinker who anticipated the fall of the Soviet Union, which indeed fell. And it would benefit you to read what he wrote about what comes after the empire in regard to the United States of America. I also want to bring your attention that among the greatest reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union was their being afflicted with their leader Brezhnev, who was overtaken by pride and arrogance and refused to look at the facts on the ground. From the first year of the Afghanistan invasion, reports indicated that the Russians were losing the war, but he refused to acknowledge this, lest it go down in his personal history as a defeat, even though refusal to acknowledge defeat not only doesn't do anything to change the facts for thinking people, but also exacerbates the problem and increases the losses. And how similar is your position today to their position approximately two decades ago. The mistakes of Brezhnev are being repeated by Bush, who - when asked about the date of his withdrawing of forces from Iraq - said in effect that the withdrawal will not be during his reign, but rather, during the reign of the one who succeeds him. And the significance of these words is not hidden."

The Soviet's Afghanistan is not ours. We're doing a lot better.

"And here I say: it would benefit you to listen to the poignant messages of your soldiers in Iraq, who are paying - with their blood, nerves and scattered limbs - the price for these sorts of irresponsible statements. Among them is the eloquent message of Joshua which he sent by way of the media, in which he wipes the tears from his eyes and describes American politicians in harsh terms and invites them to join him there for a few days. Perhaps his message will find in you an attentive ear so you can rescue him and more than 150,000 of your sons there who are tasting the two bitterest things: "

I've listened to the troops. They want to be given the tools to finish the job. I support the troops, so I support the victory they so desire.

"If they leave their barracks, the mines devour them, and if they refuse to leave, rulings are passed against them. Thus, the only options left in front of them are to commit suicide or cry, both of which are from the severest of afflictions. So is there anything more men can do after crying and killing themselves to make you respond to them? They are doing that out of the severity of the humiliation, fear and terror which they are suffering. It is severer than what the slaves used to suffer at your hands centuries ago, and it is as if some of them have gone from one slavery to another slavery more severe and harmful, even if it be in the fancy dress of the Defense Department's financial enticements."

If this is so, why does a free Iraqi flag fly over Ramadi, AQI's self declared capitol? And why is it so safe there that the President dropped in just last week. If your guys can't even hold their own capitol, the above statement is totally false.

"So do you feel the greatness of their sufferings?"

"To conclude, I invite you to embrace Islam, for the greatest mistake one can make in this world and one which is uncorrectable is to die while not surrendering to Allah, the Most High, in all aspects of one's life - ie., to die outside of Islam. And Islam means gain for you in this first life and the next, final life. The true religion is a mercy for people in their lives, filling their hearts with serenity and calm."

Don't die without Allah!

T"here is a message for you in the Mujahideen: the entire world is in pursuit of them, yet their hearts, by the grace of Allah, are satisfied and tranquil. The true religion also puts peoples' lives in order with its laws; protects their needs and interests; refines their morals; protects them from evils; and guarantees for them entrance into Paradise in the hereafter through their obedience to Allah and sincere worship of Him Alone."

Ok, you guys who know the truth, take heart. It won't suck so bad after you're dead.

"And it will also achieve your desire to stop the war as a consequence, because as soon as the warmongering owners of the major corporations realize that you have lost confidence in your democratic system and begun to search for an alternative, and that this alternative is Islam, they will run after you to please you and achieve what you want to steer you away from Islam. So your true compliance with Islam will deprive them of the opportunity to defraud the peoples and take their money under numerous pretexts, like arms deals and so on. "

Nothing like bringing back the 12th century for what ails you. Just re-establish the Caliphate, so the big boys will suck up to us.

"There are no taxes in Islam, but rather there is a limited Zakaat [alms] totaling only 2.5%. So beware of the deception of those with the capital. And with your earnest reading about Islam from its pristine sources, you will arrive at an important truth, which is that the religion of all of the Prophets (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them) is one, and that its essence is submission to the orders of Allah Alone in all aspects of life, even if their Shari'ahs [Laws] differ."

This one could be a problem for liberals. Lower taxes. But think about it. The women's movement is substantially liberal. but once they are no longer allowed a voice in public or domestic or even household affairs, they can't complain. The gay movement? They'll all be killed, again, no complaints. Blacks? Darfur suggests you won't be able to complain either. Even if you're alive, you'll have no freedom to speak, it's against the will of merciful Allah.

"And did you know that the name of the Prophet of Allah Jesus and his mother (peace and blessings of Allah be on them both) are mentioned in the Noble Quran dozens of times, and that in the Quran there is a chapter whose name is "Maryam," i.e. Mary, daughter of 'Imran and mother of Jesus (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both)? It tells the story of her becoming pregnant with the Prophet of Allah Jesus (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both), and in its confirmation of her chastity and purity, in contrast to the fabrications of the Jews against her. Whoever wishes to find that out for himself must listen to the verse of this magnificent chapter: one of the just kings of the Christians - the Negus - listened to some of its verses and his eyes welled up with tears and he said something which should be reflected on for a long time by those sincere in their search for the truth."

Jesus is a prophet to him too. Or so he says. But that little bit about he who is without sin and some stones apparently missed him.

"He said, "verily, this and what Jesus brought come from one lantern": i.e., that the magnificent Quran and the Evangel are both from Allah, the Most High; and every just and intelligent one of you who reflects on the Quran will definitely arrive at this truth. It also must be noted that Allah has preserved the Quran from the alterations of men. And reading in order to become acquainted with Islam only requires a little effort, and those of you who are guided will profit greatly. And peace be upon he who follows the Guidance."

September 7, 2007 06:30 PM

This last bit is almost funny. I can just hear it on TV at 3AM. Just call this toll free number now to get your free copy of the Koran. See how it will change the lives around you.

And if you can get into a radical mosque, the indoctrination will be faster. The quicker that happens, the quicker the Caliphate takes over the world, and the sooner we can all start bowing down before King Bin Laden the Murderous.

Actually this is one of the more lucid pieces I've read from Bin Laden. He lays out his reasons and follows them to a conclusion.

But the problem is that he uses specious if not totally wrong facts. Then add in some flawed logic, and misguided religious scholarship, and you come up with a bad conclusion. Here in the west, we call this GIGO. Garbage In, Garbage Out.

Even with that conclusion, I have another way of looking at things and people and causes.

I like to see how they treat those who they have no reason to please. How does a man treat a cashier at a convenience store. How does a cause treat people who's cause isn't politically popular? Are they consistent?

In bin Laden's case, he is very consistent. But also very evil. Anyone who stands in his way of what he wants is to be killed. Don't give in, you die. It's that simple.

The question here is to western liberals. Do you care enough about your cause to fight for it when the choice is to fight or surrender? Are you in favor of women's rights? Black rights? Gay rights? Free speech? Freedom of religion? If so, then you need to attend to the fact that this man will stop at nothing to subjugate your chosen cause. If you don't convert, you are marked for death. And so are those you allegedly care about.

This is a fight that will take more than placards and slogans and "we shall overcome". If you truly care, let the fight be on. Let the warriors loose. We need not the high pitched yips of restrained poodles of war. Slip the leash from the hounds of war.

Good Hunting,

thenakedemperor

G of A Update II

2007-09-05T20:14:00.000-06:00

I don't have much time tonight. And there is so much that deserves attention.

Running Hsu's. Non-guilty guilty pleas and non-retiring retiring Senators who play footsie. Fred is officially in. But these take more than the available time if I'm to do any justice to them.

And all those events happen a world away from me.

Today, the good news is that my Add-a-Rails and GripPod arrived.

They're almost installed. Okay, I'll have to redo the screws with Locktite next week. But I was able to gather first impressions.

The rail is secure and holds the grip very well.

The GripPod itself seems to be a winner. A forward handgrip lets me point on target somewhat faster, or so it seems. The bipod deploys very rapidly and the trigger is easy to use but not overly sensitive. And once on the bipod, the rifle sure seems rock steady.

Remember that these are early impressions. I'll be able to field trial the system next week and get a picture or two for your entertainment pleasure.

And no, I haven't stood on top of the rifle with the bipod out like they advertise. It's OK in an advert, but I have to pay for this thing.

until later,

thenakedemperor

The President's Iraq Publicity Stunt

2007-09-03T16:21:00.000-06:00

Today, the President made a surprise visit to Iraq, spending a number of hours on the ground at Al Asad airbase in Anbar.

Already, some are calling this a publicity stunt. And I couldn't agree more, but for totally different reasons.

First, we must remember that all warfare is psychological.

It is rare for one side to kill ALL of the opposition in a war, almost as rare in a battle. I can't think of an exception to the war rule, and the only two battles that pop into my weak mind are Masada and the Alamo. Also notice that those victories were pyrrhic at best, highly motivating to the "losing" side. Israel is reborn, the Roman empire is dust. And the Alamo is still Texan.

So if not all the opposition is killed, what happens to them? Well, they either surrender or retreat in a battle, or their nation or cause surrenders or just quits fighting.

But why? Because the victor has created conditions in the mind of the loser that those are the only choices: surrender, yield or die.

Before we get to the President's stunt, I find it's always beneficial to look at a war from the enemies point of view.

Al Qaeda, and it's subsidiary, Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) have a major problem. Soldier to soldier, tank to tank (oops, they don't have any), plane for plane (must have forgotten to get those), and ship to ship (Damn, where did that shopping list go?), they have hot been able to beat Coalition forces.

So how can they force us to surrender, yield or die, if they have not much threat of death there? Easy, they use terror. They make the possibility of death retail instead of wholesale. They can't say, "we're going to wipe out the infidel's army, go to their homeland left undefended by that defeated army, and impose our will".

So they make the possibility of death retail. Personal. YOUR death. We'll come over there, plant bombs, and kill YOU. Or your spouse, or child, or your dog if he doesn't bark in Farsi or whatever.

And for them it's working.

Notice that major newspapers won't run the latest "Opus" cartoon, out of fear of offending Muslims.

But how does this work? How do they get their message out? Do they have a reality show we all must watch like "The Jihad World"? Or maybe a sexy Muslim show named "Burqah Watch" with lots of sand and......lots more sand? Or maybe they do a direct mailing to everyone in the non Muslim world? Can you imagine the postage?

No, they do it through the ever present eye of the news media. Just have your group detonate a bomb killing a lot of people and scattering a lot of body parts and the newsies will be there like flies on carrion. And a lot faster than the flies, too.

Col. Jack Warden has it right with our present media, "every bomb is a political bomb". Our enemies know this much better than the average news viewer, and they use it to their advantage.

Now that I've said all the above, let me back up and tell you my point of view. I'm an American in general, southern red-neck Doctor gun toting American specifically. And no, I'm not just a knee jerk American. I want America to win because I love freedom. Want to worship your way, or my way, or no way? Fine. your choice. Want to be straight, gay, bisexual, trisexual, or any other sexual with other consenting adults? Again, you choice. Want to be left, right, center, or upper third picoquadrant? Have at it.

Our enemies don't feel the same way about freedom. If it's Yaweh, you pay. Ladies, you won't have to worry about the latest fashions any more. Black burqahs, in style for over a thousand years. Sharia, the wife beater's dream. (And wife killer's)

So I want us to win. But how do we fight this?

If we kill people, the news media ignores the RPG lying in the masked corpse's hand and calls them "an innocent civilian". Any alleged misdeeds of our troops will be trumpeted by Jack Murtha, or made into feature films by Brian De Palma, bankrolled by Mark Cuban.

So our fine troops do the tedious job of rebuilding a nation into a functioning, cohesive unit. Person by person, block by block, street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood, town by town, province by province.

But the news media says "if it bleeds it leads". There's no dramatic video of a shopkeeper installing windows since he's confident they won't get blown out or shot up. So they don't show it.

How do we attract a news media seemingly only interested in sensation and blood? Well, the media also follows major politicians around, especially Presidents. Cool, that might help.

Traditionally in war, the sign of the beginning of the end is the capture and securing of the enemy's capitol. Well AQI declared a few years ago that Ramadi, in Anbar province was their capitol. It was the heart of the AQI attacks, and where AQI had the most luck in attempting to incite civil war. Just a year ago, Anbar was given up for lost.

Just a little geography lesson. Al Asad is right near Ramadi, Haditha, Hit, and Fallujah, all in Anbar. These are places made infamous for terrorism, fierce insurgency, and sectarian violence.

But a lot has changed. We have seen the Anbar Awakening. The local tribal chiefs, including many former insurgents, switched sides. The restraint of the Coalition, and the naked brutality and barbarism of AQI convinced them. They have done a stellar job in helping Coalition forces hunt down many of their AQI former comrades. And they've been very successful hunting on their own, thank you very much.

Anbar is now substantially pacified and quiet. We're winning there, and in most of Iraq.

Just about now is a good time to drag some of those White House reporters to see what is really happening in Iraq, not just what they want to hear at the news desk a continent or two away, or in the lobby of a luxury hotel in the Green Zone. Maybe we should tell the world how many lives, especially muslim lives, have been taken by our murderous foes. Maybe we should tell Al Jazeera and the New York Times that all that blood spilled has been wasted. Instead of gaining ground, they are losing it, rapidly. Hell, we took their capitol away, and it's now controlled by locals with coalition help, not by some bearded cave dwelling murderer. It's safe enough for the President to visit there. And we and the locals will not permit them to come back. EVER.

So was the President's trip a publicity stunt? To say we're winning? HELL YEAH, and IT"S ABOUT FRIGGIN" TIME!!

Gladly,

thenakedemperor

A Poor Solution

2007-09-02T20:21:00.000-06:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, I've done it!! I've solved a problem that even Jesus couldn't.

He is quoted as saying "The poor will be with you always".

But I, your humble correspondent, have solved the problem of poverty here in America.

According to the latest government statistics, family of four with two children making less than $20,445 is poor.

By now you know I like to do the math to see a solution.

First, we must make a logical assumption. Since two of the members of the family are children, it stands to reason that the other two are work age adults. Let's assume these adults are not physically infirm and have enough IQ to pour piss out of a boot if the instructions are on the heel.

So let's give our notational adults jobs.

They didn't graduate high school, so let's make them burger flippers at WenDonaldKing.

Let's pay our fictional adults $8/ hour, with a net of $6/hour.

If our adults just work 40 hours a week, no overtime, that gives our fictional family a net income of $480 per week. ($6x40x2=$480)

Now, we don't want to deprive our family of stress relief, we'll have them take two weeks off per year.

So, if they work 50 weeks per year, their net income is $24,000 each year. ($480x50=$24,000)

Notice that I'm using net figures, not gross. I don't know if the census bureau was talking about using net or gross, so I decided to err on the side of caution.

And also notice that If the parents just work full time at a very low paying job, that family is no longer in poverty. ($24,000>$20,445)

IE if you don't want to be poor, GET A JOB!!

If we add in all the benefits that are given, that family is now rapidly approaching middle class.

If you choose to just take the benefits, and not work full time, then YOUR POVERTY IS YOUR FAULT, NOT MINE.

I chose to get an education, and I choose to provide well for my family. I average not 40 hours per week, but 60. And my tax bill shows that I paid more than enough to totally support out fictional family. Add in thenakedempress's compulsory cash, and the two of us are supporting 5 or 6 people by ourselves.

I don't mind being generous, it's just that when it's forced on you it's hardly sincere. And being a southerner and old fashioned, I do expect some manners. Why couldn't the people I support send a thank you note? Or come by and wash a dish?

To sum up. If you just work at a menial job, you won't be in poverty. And it's your life, not mine. I've made my decisions. Go to work, and you won't be poor. Keep being a leech on the arse of good people, and you'll be poor. It's up to you.

Logically, I've now found the solution for poverty here in America. Yes, I know that it may be blasphemous to claim to have done what the Christ said couldn't. And I know that there are a few ways my solution will go wrong. As they say, God is in the details. Maybe I'll have to get religion after all, once the comments start.

Until later,

thenakedemperor

Guns of August Update

2007-08-31T13:09:00.000-06:00

Last week, I told all of my thousands...er hundreds...er ones of readers about my plans to complete my M-4 Carbine in The Guns of August

I'm pleased to tell you that I spoke to Ned at MountsPlus out of Miami. Very good guy to deal with. The Add-a-Rails and the GripPod are en route. In a couple of weeks I'll tell you about the trials.

thenakedemperor

Two Years On - A Katrina Anniversary Ramble

2007-08-29T01:45:00.000-06:00

Well, two years ago, minus two hours or so, we lost power. And thus the adventure began.

Normally, I try to stick to a central idea for my posts. But I still can't make any sense out of the Katrina experience. And I feel the need to write. So please forgive your humble correspondent if I just ramble on a bit.

By this point, we had my parents here along with a couple of their friends they invited. We also had a house full of animals. All the outdoor stuff was stowed, and the house was sealed tight as a tick. I'd had the last breakfast I'll ever have at
Landry's two days prior, on the day we had to flee New Orleans. I was on duty down there that week.

Housing relatives in time of crisis can be a bonding experience. Or not. Sadly, my family's dynamic has always been a troubled one. And Katrina shattered that.

I saw my father at Mardi Gras, we ride in the same parade. He mentioned my mother to someone else, so I assume she was alive in February.

My relationship with my brother had been deteriorating for years. Thenakedempress and I busted our butts to have some contact with him and his family. After things went bad with the parents, we told my brother we wanted a relationship with him, but felt we were continually getting the brush off. We said that we would reciprocate, but the next move was up to him.

I haven't seen him or received a call from him since then. It's his choice and I'll respect it.

So I lost my family.

We only had minor damage to the house. The major damage was the memories.

I grew up in Lakeview. And that is just gone.

Between the physical devastation and losing my family, I feel as if the first quarter century of my life has just been erased.

Sadly, the contemporary memories of the storm won't go away. Even when I try to cover them, they come back. Even in my sleep. So here are a few.

The total blackness of the water. The smell. It gave the impression that the water itself was actually angry.

My canoe screeching to a sudden halt on top of submerged cars.

Having my body 75% encased in black rubber waders in the incredible heat and feeling the waders burning where they touched my body.

Looking down the wrong end of an M-16 in the hands of dubious cops from Florida, and being threatened by them.

The feeling of not being able to breathe in the parents house due to the heat and chemical fumes. Smelling dead pets there and not being able to find the bodies in the water.

Getting to the boa constrictor my parents had, still alive. And his skin just splitting where ever my hands touched.

The kindness of Dr. Martin at Metairie Small Animal who put the snake down for me. I just couldn't do it myself.

Being disoriented in my parents house with things rooms away from where they had been before the flood.

A doll left hanging from a bush in the West End neutral ground. To whom did it belong? Were they alive? Was the doll beloved?

Putting my foot through a table to with almost no resistance. Stair rails splitting in my hand with no pressure.

The fear of having some of that water get inside my waders.

The constant bickering of my parents. Constantly being told "but your brother read on the internet, etc".

As they say, "thanks for the memories".

We've been having candidates and other media whores coming in for a few days, and the influx will reach it's peak today. There will be speeches and prayers and memorials.

Tell me what they're like if you want.

As for me, I'll celebrate the anniversary in my own way.

I'll lock the door and enjoy privacy. I'll take a hot shower and flush toilets for no reason except to celebrate having running water. I'll turn the AC down and also run the axillary window unit we have and freeze my butt off. I'll have numerous cold drinks with ice. I'll open the freezer and marvel at it's operation. I'll go around turning lights on and off. I'll go out to buy cheap and plentiful gas at any station I see, instantly and with no lines. Maybe I'll have ice cream. Or maybe I'll use the phone for no reason other than that I can. I'll watch TV, anything but Katrina memorials.

Sorry, I lived it. I don't want to glorify it. I certainly don't want to remember it.

I'm just going to revel in this fiction we consider boring normality.

I'll try to be more eloquent and relevant in a day or two.

thenakedemperor

Come Back, Shame!!

2007-08-24T20:09:00.000-06:00

This is all Glenn Reynolds fault.

I have an ability to just glance at something and get it weirdly wrong.

As an example, I'll cite an incident from 14 years ago.

I was driving on Hixon Pike with my fiancee. Thenakedempress is from Tennessee, just about an hour or so from Instapundit country. We were going along, rather cheerfully, when out at the edge of my vision I saw a Chinese restaurant. The name seemed, for a moment, to be "The Human Wok". The rather rapid double take I did revealed the name to be "Hunan Wok, and eased my anxiety.

But the wrong name stuck in my mind ever after.

Well fast forward to a few days ago. I'm a fan of the Instapundit, and was scanning the stories. I happened to see a link titled "Come Back, Shane!!" and of course misread it in my haste.

But not all mistakes are bad. Since I was already tackling the social ills of American society, the way I misread it blended in perfectly, and gave good words to an idea. Hence the title of this article.

The last of the three major problems we face is the death of shame in this country.

In years past, it was considered a scandal to be an unwed mother. There were homes for them where they could give birth in secret. We even had a special word, that I'm all too familiar with, to say someone was of dubious parentage.

In short, it was shameful.

But, in our desire to be "good" people, we've done away with the shame.

And the result? Now it's common for a majority of children in many communities to be born into single parent situations.

I'll stand up here and metaphorically expose myself. No, I don't have children.

But it is tough today just to keep up with normal life even sans kids. To add kids into the mix requires a LOT of effort. That effort is best spread between two people.

This is not to say that there aren't some single mothers doing a fantastic job. There are. But overall, children benefit by having two parents. Higher graduation rates, lower drug rates, lower incarceration rates.

Our lack of shame is hurting children.

When I want something I can't afford, why don't I just go out and knock off a convenience store? Or even more profitably, sell illegal drugs?

Easy. Assuming I'd be caught, I'd bring a great deal of shame on thenakedempress. She's very old school about things like this. Could she live with that shame? I don't know, but I sure as hell don't want to risk it. (Loony blogging vets are a dime a dozen. Wives to put up with them are rare!!)

But to many, such formerly shameful acts are not only permissible, they are actually sought to raise "street cred"

And our entertainment industry doesn't help.

Brittany, our most infamous daughter from Tangipahoa Parish, has been photographed getting out of a car without her delicates. Is she ashamed? Far from it. Hell, thenakedempress is sometimes apalled at the ratty clothes I wear to do yard work, not even going off the property.

Ms. Lohan has had numerous trips to rehab, and spent more on them than most people pay for a house. All before 22 years of age, if I recall. Are her parents ashamed? Certainly not. Her mom appears to be one of her hangers-on when she's out getting smashed on booze and coke.

Maybe we'd all be better off with a little less "tolerance" and a little more shame.

To kick off this campaign, we need a good slogan. So far my best effort is to paraphrase from the Spanish-American war.

"Remember the Shame!!!"

Societal Astronomy

2007-08-23T23:14:00.000-06:00

Last might I wrote a rather poor article about societal ADD.

After considering my thoughts further, I realized that ADD is but one of three main problems confronting modern western society.

Tonight, we'll consider part II, Lessons on Societal Astronomy. Soon, we'll paraphrase a great movie line, "Come Back, Shame".

Societal astronomy must deal with just one fact, and one only.

This fact is without serious scientific dispute, and has been considered proven both mathematically and by direct observation for over one hundred years.

Yet many, if not most, in our society do not believe in this one simple fact, or choose to ignore it in their daily lives.

And just what is this fact?

It's quite simple really. Uranus revolves around the Sun, the Sun DOES NOT revolve around Uranus.

In day to day life, this means that you are just one part of a much larger world. You are not THE world. And yes, Virginia, rules apply to YOU!

I can't tell you how many times people just wander back into the treatment area of the ER, despite a sign that takes up the entire upper half of the entry door.

We have numerous signs requiring people to turn off cell phones. These signs even have graphics in case the client is a "guest client" or otherwise can not read English.

Despite all this, nearly nightly we have one or two yakking merrily away while the patient bleeds and I'm trying to take a history from a verbally occupied client.

Could it be that that can't even see the graphic?

Or do they just think that rule is meant for everyone but them?

To paraphrase the recently departed Leona Helmsly "Only little people obey rules".

So how do you apply this in daily life?

Simple. Remember that the sign was meant for you. Yes, YOU. If in doubt, assume it does until you check with the author of the sign.

A few thoughts come up that I didn't think would require a sign, but the evidence shows that many people need instruction in these areas.

Remember that the living breathing person in front of you takes precedence over the disembodied voice on your cell phone. Even if it's just a cashier at a grocery store.

If you're out to eat with friends, either ignore the phone or, if you just must talk, take the conversation elsewhere. It's rude to ignore the guest you invited to eat because someone else is more important.

Always turn the phone off in movies, shows, and at church, weddings, and funerals. "Dearly beloved, we are here..."

Behind the wheel, the left lane is for high speed and passing. Do not sit there doing 40 shaking your fist angrily at people who you force to pass on the left.

A right hand turn lane is NOT for high speed passing.

Never mix driving with makeup, a newspaper, texting, a DVD, or drugs and booze.

Just remember that you are just one of 280 million here in the US and of about 6 billion in the world. We all have to live here. Let's try to make each others stay a pleasant one.

Until later,

thenakedemperor

Societal ADD

2007-08-23T01:36:00.000-06:00

For all of my ones of readers, if you have a short attention span, please tune out now.

Perhaps it is just my middle age talking, by we seem to have sped life up so much that it has lost a bit of flavor.

Here we are linked by the internet and satellites and cell towers that we are in constant communication. We're all ALWAYS busy.

It started with TV. We got used to the sitcom and the half hour or hour shows where a problem was presented, and always solved, within the alloted time.

We began to think that life imitated the art, rather than the other way around. Look at Iraq. You mean we haven't won by the 6pm news? Could you imagine the Hundred Years War now? Or even WWII?

It got worse with the remote control. If a show had a flat spot or advert, we'd skip around to see if there was something else that caught our ever shortening concentration. As a writer, it's nigh impossible to write an essay, let alone an hour drama or comedy without a few less than riveting moments.

Then came cable and satellite TV. Hundreds and hundreds of choices to surf, all with one press of your thumb.

Then came the internet. That's when our attention span got so short that we couldn't even stick around for entire words, IMHO.

And the process accelerated with text messages on our phones. Entire conversations were abbreviations. WTF?

I have a brother I get an e-mail from two or three times a year. The last I heard from him was a couple of months ago, and he didn't even send a word. Just "FYI" and some pictures.

I know he meant no offense, but some was taken. Not at him, but at where we've come in our communications abilities.

What he sent was correct for our modern society. We've reached a stage where, to paraphrase an old advert "you care enough to send the very least"

I mean this as no slur on him, we've all gotten that way

Look at your dining habits. How many times this week did you opt for fast food or take out or something from the microwave? Would slowing down just a bit cost you so much?

And look at what you gain. Better nutrition to start. We can add in MUCH better flavor. So you want a cheeseburger? Every area has at least one place for a really good cheeseburger. So it costs a bit more that WenDonaldKing. And it'll take a half hour instead of ten minutes. Is where you're rushing to so important that you can't enjoy a half hour?

Look at our modern media. People don't want to take the time to read a newspaper, and we've learned that they are about as trustworthy as politicians. Their readership is way down.

And TV isn't any better. When was the last time you saw a story on any news broadcast that was longer than five minutes? Generally they allot two minutes, no more.

So you might get a headline and a couple of sentences along with the most dramatic video. Car bombing with scattered body parts? That leads. Terrorist activity way down? No sensational video to go with it, they cut that.

Cable news is just as bad. Just in from Iraq goes to hottest summer fashions (like a middle age man needs to know this?) goes to the latest Anna Nicole/Lindsey/Brittany tripe.

As an aside, some of the celebutainment is quite funny. Just recall Chevy Chase on SNL doing the news from the seventies. "This just in...Anna Nicole is STILL dead...". Gets me every time.

And since TV news won't do in depth reporting of facts they have a bit of a problem. There just aren't that many headlines to read. So TV, especially cable, fills the time with pundits.

They have a couple of rude people who shout at, and over, each other.

That is one of my pet peeves. Not that I mind invective. But I do expect it to be clever.

The English, who invented this great language are still much better at invective.

""He's depriving some poor village of a desperately needed idiot"

"He's a sheep in sheep's clothing" Winston Churchill - the master

As an example of how we've degenerated, I must tell a wee story.

I bought my wife a car for Valentine's Day. It came with satellite radio, but she thought she had to call to activate it. Well in June we were on the road to a conference/vacation, and I discovered it worked. So I tried every station.

I wound up lingering for as long as I could on a liberal talk station called "The Left". Yeah, libertarian me. Apparently the host thought President Bush is "an asshole". She never stated why. She just kept repeating that charge about him. Others in the administration qualified for the same title. Again, no explanation. I got bored and switched.

So much for satellite radio. And we here in blogosphere are sometimes no better.

Few actually write essays, we just like to pen a sentence or two with a link to a news item or other blog. Can't we concentrate long enough to give a complete rounded thought?

And if you believe our invective has improved with the speed of communication, just look at the comments section of political blogs.

We see slogans like "bush lied", buzzwords "quagmire" "approval rating", and unsubstantiated charges "Nazi" "Communist". What we rarely see are well reasoned arguments either for or against the original authors position. And the invective that is used is, in almost all cases, pedestrian and boring.

It seems Paul Simon was prescient. " He says why am I short of attention, Got a short little span of attention" "There were incidents and accidents, There were hints and allegations"

So what do we do about this?

I've always been interested in emergency preparedness/ survival topics. NOT survivalism end of the world poop. But what do do for hurricane or plane crash or bridge collapse sort of thing.

The first response to any emergency is STOP. That acronym stands for:

Stop. Think. Observe. Plan.

We, as a society, rarely follow these simple instructions. Too often we rush to write a response or pen a comment before we have actually thought about the issue for a few moments.

I like listening to Neal Boortz. He tells his audience, frequently, not to believe him unless you know what he says is true or you are willing to do the research to prove him right or wrong.

Our first response should be to stop and think. Is the author reliable? Does your own experience or research verify or deny the conclusion? Is responding worth my time, or would I be happier doing something else? (the cheeseburger might come to mind now) And if I choose to respond, isn't it worth the time to actually reason out a position rather than just use slogans or insults? And to actually use words?

And if you don't want to be part of the solution, STFU. ROFLMAO!!

Until later,

thenakedemperor

The Guns of August

2007-08-22T22:24:00.000-06:00

Well, we're now deep into hurricane season again. I just can't believe that it's been two years as of next Wednesday.

We all watched Dean for the last week or so. On last Friday, one of the more reliable models, he GFDL showed Dean hitting between Lafayette and Baton Rouge. Ohhh, Goody!

Fortunately it was just a glitch. The model swung dutifully away and we breathed a sigh of relief.

But it put my preparations into sharp focus. They say we need three things to survive, food, water, and shelter. But "They" forget one of the most important categories. Let's face it, all your food, water, and shelter do no good if you can't defend them.

Which brings us to weapons.

OK, to start, DON'T have weapons if you aren't skilled in their use, and aren't familiar with the laws governing their use.

I shoot regularly and hold a concealed handgun permit.

During Katrina days, I carried my Taurus PT99 9mm openly. Nobody ever looked twice at me. But with all the shooting going on, I felt a bit naked.

Coming underdressed to a gunfight is not only tacky but potentially fatal.

So I needed something better.

I looked to history for an answer.

Before WWII, the US decided it needed something more potent that the beloved .45 Auto for non-infantry types. These are the guys who don't shoot for a living. But they wanted some assurance that the non-shooters would be well enough armed is the feces impacted the rotating blades.

Solution: The M1 Carbine. Simple, light, rugged, easy to maintain, an ergonomic dream. But it fired a dubious cartridge, and performed poorly in extreme cold.

Well, I'm not law enforcement or military. I don't shoot for a living. And here in south Louisiana, we have had very little problem with extreme cold.

So an M1 was a candidate.

I was concerned about the cartridge, but then a deal killer hit me.

Amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics.

In the post storm days, it was a major challenge to get food or gas, let alone ammunition or parts for a rifle the military hasn't used for 40 years.

So the M1 was dead.

I looked ahead at military type weapons. We've used the M-16/AR-15 for those same forty years.

True, it's heavier. And more finicky. It is a maintenance nightmare. The standard AR-15 didn't handle as well as the old M1. And it still fires a dubious round.

So much for progress.

But the military and the police use them, so it's possible to beg/borrow/scrounge spares and ammo. So it was a strong candidate.

But the best argument in favor of an AR-15 was what I found in my closet.

She's a Colt A2 Heavy Barrel that I bought in 1994 the day Congress passed the assault weapons ban. (And I didn't have any ammunition for her during Katrina. DOH!!!)

Very accurate, but she handled like a pig. And that heavy barrel made her heavier than I wanted to carry for any amount of time.

So I began the modifications.

First, I went with a 14.5" barrel upper with the Phantom suppressor permanently attached. That brings her up to 16.1", and makes her legal. Thanks, Bushmaster! She now handles MUCH better and is much lighter.

I decided to not go with a flat top receiver or optics. Why?

The ACOG is great at distance. The Eotech is great at close quarters battle (CQB).

But I don't know if or when I might have to use her, and under what circumstances.

I know that iron sights are good at any distance, and I'm used to them and good with them. In a crisis, stick to what you know.

Also, no optics means no batteries, lowering my logistic needs.

The next decision was the stock.

I know that a folder would be a little lighter, and more convenient.

But the A2 stock has the storage compartment.

As I said before, the AR-15/M-16/M-4 is a finicky beast, and doesn't like to be dirty. So I got an Otis buttstock cleaning kit that fits in the storage compartment.

That way if all I have time to grab is that weapon, I know I can keep her functioning in the field.

So here's what she looks like now.

Okay, I know the buttstock mag pouch can get in the way. But if all I can grab is the weapon, I'll have a maintainable weapon and 60 rounds. The mag in the stock pouch will go in a pocket first opportunity.

I got the bandoleer with 6 mags that function well with her. If I have a half second more, I'll have 240 rounds available. That should be enough for my needs. If not, maybe I'll get religion.

As for the green furniture, I have no good reason. Just a bit of vanity on my part.

Since This was taken, I've added a Mamba three point sling. Very handy. Also I clipped on a Maxpedition RolyPoly dump pouch to the bandoleer.

So what's next?

Well, I've always been a fan of bipods. They're a great way to improve accuracy. But unfortunately they're rather bulky and rather heavy.

But recently I've been looking at a GripPod from MountsPlus.com. It's a vertical handgrip with a spring loaded bipod inside. Low profile and only 7 oz. They run about $149.

But the problem is that they're designed to mount to a rail system. I didn't want one on her.

First, they're expensive. About $200 to $600.

And second, they might tempt me to violate the KISS principle that I designed this weapon for. I might decide I need a light/laser/Night sight/gps/tissue dispenser.

All of the above would add weight and complexity.

So how will I attach my GripPod?

Fortunately, MountsPlus.com has a solution. It's called the Add-a-Rail.

Cool, huh? This way I can keep her a KISS weapon, add almost no weight, and not break the budget. They're only $20 for pete's sake.

Here's what MountsPlus has to say about them:

Add-A-Rail from Mounting Solution Plus

The ADD-A-RAIL SYSTEM is an easy and affordable solution to add rail mounted accessories with out the cost the and frustration of add full railed forearm. ADD-A-RAIL SYSTEM works with factory standard AR-15 forearms. Designed to allow use of a detachable rail mounted accessories such as a Surefire flashlight, Harris Bipod or foregrip, or other . ADD-A-RAIL comes in two version and can be used on either TOP/BOTTOM or RIGHT/LEFT side of your forearm.

Mounting Solution Plus specializes in tactical mounts and gun accessories for professional and competition shooters.

Click Hear to learn more

So next week, when I'm off duty I'll make an order. Then, what someone I grew up with has dubbed the "Katrina Kannon" will be finished. I can't wait to give the new goodies a try.

Until later,

thenakedemperor

Mental Twister

2007-06-12T02:25:00.000-06:00

OK, I give. I hereby formally withdraw my candidacy for President

I'm just not cut out to be in politics.

But why the change I hear you ponder?

Lately, I've been playing a game I've named Mental Twister. And yes, Virginia, it involves politics.

But I must begin at the beginning.

For years, I've wanted a semi-serious Bubba truck. Don't get me wrong, I love the Puppy (the current F-150). She's been dependable, tough, done almost anything I asked, and done it with grace.

But I've had this secret yen for a big 4x4 with winch and cool tires and a killer bumper on the front for nearly thirty years. So call it a mid-life crisis.

Alas, such a creature will cost a pretty penny. Or 5 million pennies near about.

So how do I afford it?

Well, we'll be down to just the house, student loans, and the vehicles in a month or so. That frees up some to buy the new project. And if thenakedempress's student loan didn't exist, we could swing my new toy with ease.

She's a resource teacher at a Head Start. Been there 4 years. Before that she did Special Ed at a couple of lower income schools. There's some resource to forgive student loans for teachers, right?

Silly me. I didn't read the fine print. Sure there are programs!! Had 'em since "98!! But just try to qualify.

First we were told that she didn't qualify. Then we were told she did. Then she didn't.

So I dug deeper.

First, she has Stafford loans. According to the program, you can get 5 grand cancelled.

Ay, but here's the rub. These programs only apply if you took out your FIRST loan AFTER Oct. 1 1998. And then, you must teach in a Head Start or low income school for five years.

Silly me, I like math sometimes. And this is a good time to do some.

Since the program only applies to loans after the start of the fall semester of 1998, and most students start in the fall, let see how this applies.

Take a typical student, Lucretia (OK, I'm feeling a but poisonous myself tonight). She starts in education at the University of Fredonia in the fall of 1999. Assuming a normal experience of four years, Lucretia graduates in the spring of 2003.

She gets a job a Head Start after graduation, starting in the fall of 2003. Now just when will she have completed her five years to qualify for the cancellation? Anybody?

Correct, not until May or June of 2008.

So in other words, Congress passed a program that NOBODY has been able to qualify for!!

Maybe Lucretia rushed through school in three years. In that case she will only be able to qualify for cancellation within the last two weeks or so. Boy, that's progress.

Digging through the maze of government speak, bureaucratese, and call centers in Tijuana and India made my head spin. Every step I took sent me to another bizarre dead end. That's why I've titled this little game Mental Twister.

And have faith, dear readers, it get worse still.

I made the mistake of thinking about the political implications of this program.

I feel fairly certain that the members of Congress who inserted the language starting this, and those who voted for it back in '97 or '98 patted themselves long and loud over this. "We've done something to help the underpaid teachers at Head Start and low income schools!!" WRONG!! No one has been able to qualify.

And what the hell are you doing passing something that won't start for 10 or eleven years, long after your term has expired? And you may be dead or in prison? (yes, Bill Jefferson was there back then)

And was this bullshit ever funded? Did the Congress actually fund a non-functional program? And what sense did that make?

I'm sure they did fund it. No, I haven't gone into the actual budgets to find out. If you want to, please let me know what you find.

But they had to have funded it. After all, no one wants to be accused of not funding Head Start or for teachers of low income students. "Why that's cruel to the children!! And Racist!!!"

So we've had a well funded, totally unkillable program for 9 years that has helped not one person. How do they live with themselves?

And right now there is a bill, H.R. 1429, to reauthorize Head Start. It's been passed by the House, and is awaiting Senate action. And in there, someone named Sestak put in an amendment to forgive loans for new teachers if they commit to three years at Head Start. But what about those who have been busting their collective asses for years at very low pay to do the right thing? SORRY, screwed again!!!

Thinking about all of this just made my poor teeny brain twist in ways it just wasn't designed to do.

I'm technically a genius, but I just can't fathom a universe where any of this makes any kind of sense.

And It makes me mad.

I can't believe I'm going to write this, but John Edwards was right about one thing, and only one thing. There ARE two Americas. Or maybe three.

But he's wrong about what they are. It's not rich/poor or white/black.

It's working-Americans and taking-Americans.

I've been working now for thirty years. Nobody gave me trips to Europe, no inheritance, no trust fund. My only benefits have been a guarantee on my student loans, and I got $2000 from FEMA after Katrina and a $288 food stamp card. Everything I have I've earned.

And I do give to charity, as much as we can to help those less fortunate. But I choose what to support and how much to give.

But the taking-Americans insist I owe them. So they scream louder and louder until they get the money from me.

And it's not voluntary. They have allies.

That's where I think there's a third America. The political class.

It doesn't matter whether they're republican or democrat. They get into positions of power and use it to enrich themselves, while bribing the taking-Americans for their votes with benefits paid for by me. Great job if you can handle it. Or stomach it.

And they use the full force of government on the working-Americans to enforce these involuntary "contributions" and "Paying your fair share" (Fair? FAIR? To Who??)

They can threaten us, fine us, imprison us, and kill us. If one of us working-Americans tried to do the same thing, it would be extortion at best, more likely armed robbery.

So with this program they can lie (oh really!) and say they've helped the "working people" when they've done nothing, and hope nobody looks to see where OUR money has been taken to.

I just can't believe I'm part of such a bizarre world.

After all this, I'm going to take some ibuprofen and go to sleep.

thenakedemperor

Shooting Down Amnesty

2007-05-20T03:31:00.000-06:00

I know that right now there is a lot of disagreement about the new immigration compromise. Hell, It hasn't even been written yet.

But as of tonight, all arguments have been made mute. I oppose ANY amnesty for illegals, in any form.

Why the sudden decision. I can give you seven reasons.

BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. And faster than you can read.

I was informed of the reasons suddenly at about 0130 this AM CDT.

Down the strip mall from the ER is a restaurant/bar call the "Hookah Cafe".

Their clientele on a Saturday night is mostly young, and greatly immigrant. Either Hispanic or Middle Eastern.

The crowd can get rough. I routinely have to escort clients to and from their car, when the crowd is a bit rowdy. I do this while using my right as a concealed handgun permit holder.

Tonight I had to ask young loiterers not to commit their preferred form of entertainment from directly in front of the ER. And yes, Virginia, I was armed.

About 0130, there was a gang getting pretty rowdy right in front. I went out, carrying openly, and asked them to move on.

They did.

But less then a minute later the shots rang out (forgive horrible cliche). FAST. Not automatic fire, but damned fast semi-auto. Too fast for well controlled fire by all but a serious competition shooter.

I ordered my tech to cover and call 911. I sought cover in the back of the clinic.

We waited a minute or so. I cautiously went out front to check for victims. And what I saw shocked and appalled me.

Look, I may just be a vet, but I've been doing ER for 15 years. I've seen a lot, medically speaking.

What pleased me was that the shooter was a remarkably bad shot. No victims. No damage to cars in a full parking lot. Look, I may not be the male Annie Oaklely, and I'll never win Camp Perry. But I usually hit what I aim at.

No, what horrified me was the "bystanders" were already policing up the brass. These kind folks were so compassionate to their fellow man that they were being sure a threat to society, a raving gunman, would never be convicted.

It had only been a literal minute. I'll give two to allow for combat time dilation. But within that time, there was an organized effort to cover up the crime.

Sorry, but these people, who "no comprendo", know how to commit felonies and cover for other felons. These are NOT good people.

Catch them. Convict them. Jail them. Then deport them. And never allow any of them, or any of their families back in. EVER.

I'll pay increased taxes, willingly for this.

Build a fence. Tall. Deep. And build it along the entire southern border. Search every vehicle. Every container.

The Mexican government will scream bloody murder because their economy will have to actually support their own citizens, and pay for the benefits that you and I are paying for them right now. Screw 'em.

To the politicians, I say READ THE FUCKING CONSTITUTION!!! It tells you to provide for the common defense. How can you be doing that if you won't defend our borders? It's become bloody simple. No Defense, No Vote. I don't care if you call yourself Democrat, Republican, or New Fredonian. No Defense, No Vote.

I did not like being 30 feet from a raving, and possibly drunk, madman who decided to discharge a weapon. And I don't think it is alright for my government to give a pass to these lunatics.

Would you want your daughter, or son, or wife near these people? If not, then DO SOMETHING!! Call your congressmen and senators. Better still, E-mail them. Or even better, write them by snail mail. They really pay attention to that. Tell them to throw out every one who has violated our laws. And to NEVER, EVER let those people back in.

As I said before in this blog, if you follow the law, and are willing to speak a common language, I, and most others will welcome you. We will do this with open arms, and gladly call you neighbor, friend, and citizen.

But if you commit a crime by entering my nation, or commit crimes in my nation, or cover up crimes in my nation, I will just as gladly turn your sorry ass in. And I'll fight until my government does it's job.

So if you're here illegally, GET THE HELL OUT!! Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Y'all don't come back now, y'hear?

Angrily,

thenakedemperor

Dam Racism

2007-05-06T02:04:00.000-06:00

I recently got to see the British version of a classic old (1955) movie called "The Dam Busters". It's a fairly true story of a British genius who designed weapons to destroy dams in Germany during World War II and the men who carried out the mission.

I hadn't seen the movie for many years, it rarely comes on TV. And now I know why.

It's a "bad" movie. Not the acting, directing, writing, or cast. They're all very good. Some say that the final battle scene in the original "Star Wars" was stolen from "the Dam Busters".

No, it's bad because in the movie the Squadron commander's dog is named "Nigger". He' a beautiful black lab. I understand that in the American version, his name was dubbed to "Trigger". Another problem is that the commander was so taken with his dog that the code word they radioed back to tell of success was chosen for his dog. They forgot to dub that use of "nigger".

So I doubt you'll ever see it. Pity, it's a great movie otherwise. They rarely make them like that nowadays.

Coming on the heels of the Imus affair, I guess we're all a little sensitive. I just don't know what we can say anymore.

As you know, I love words. But I tire of having to chase they're ever changing meanings and correct usages.

Imus was fired for saying "ho". Is this bad now? Will Santa now have to say something else on 2007 Christmas cards? Will I now have to ask thenakedempress to pass me the long handled flat bladed cultivator when I'm out in the garden?

Frankly the whole Imus affair was handled rather badly.

At best, he's a minor national shock jock. I never heard the comments he made, and given that his audience is maybe a few million at best, I doubt if you did too. He reaches, at best, one percent of the population.

But now, with all the airplay and controversy, I'm sure you heard ABOUT his comments. It was major news McNuggets until a real story came along.

I didn't know about the team. All I know is that they played for a national championship. I don't recall what school they were from, and I don't know if they won.

He call them "nappy headed hos". I haven't bothered to check out if what he said was true. I automatically dismiss his comments because he is just a shock jock looking for attention. But I guarantee that many, if not most individuals, upon hearing about this flap, first question was "Well, is it true?".

So instead of having maybe a million or so "intellectuals" who listen to Imus wondering if any of the comments were true, all the airplay meant that there were a HUNDRED million or so asking.

And how much good did that do for the girls reputation? Thanks, Al.

Since we are all up in arms over racism, I thought I'd pose a couple of thoughts.

Notice I said thoughts, not feelings. Before you continue, please depress your psychological clutch, put your emotions in neutral and put your brain in gear.

I hope you can do that because most of my readers, all hundreds, er ones of you, are nekulturny. Very nekultury.

Are you offended?

Only if you're Russian.

In Russian, that means "uncultured", and is a high insult coming from any westerner, especially an American.

But since I know of no Russian readers, I doubt if I'll get hate mail or death threats.

I've tried my best to insult you, yet you're not offended. Why?

Because although words are powerful, they only have the power we each give them. Others have the power to speak or write words. We decide how much power to give them.

Another good example is "Nigger" or "Ho". If a non-black person uses those words towards a black, there's a racial incident. But if a black person uses them on another black person, no offense is taken. Same words, different outcome. But why?

Are members of one race allowed to use words that non members are not?

Or is is because the listener decided not to take offense from some races but will from others?

We decide, each of us individually, what power to give the words used around us.

Which bring us to the main principle of fighting racism. Consider the source.

Frankly Imus is a has-been desperately seeking attention. The girls played for a national title, among the best twenty or so people in their sport. Should your self image be "Champion", or what a person such as Imus says you are?

Not that the girls, and only the girls should have been a bit annoyed. I know I would have been. But remember the person making the comments is an attention hound. The cruelest thing you could do to him is ignore him.

Just tell Al, and Jesse, and the media,"He's just using our talent to try to get ratings. We ask that you not give him the controversy he so desperately wants. Please let the matter drop and let him crawl back into his unimportant little world. Please allow us to enjoy our hour of triumph without the flea bites and gnat stings of such parasites. Thank you. We will now entertain any questions about our team, our play, and our school, but the subject of Imus is closed.

When considering sources of racism, lets look at racism from the racist's point of view.

Classically, racism is when someone believes one race, usually his own, is superior in some or all ways to one or all other races.

We have folded the classic definition of prejudice, believing racial stereotypes into the modern definition of racism.

For the sake of argument, we will accept the following is true. We'll accept it because, well it IS true, and because it's my blog and I get to write it. Nyah Nyah Pfffft.

I have met many people of many races. I have met a few greats, mostly good people, and several outright jerks from all races. When it comes to telling the good people from the jerks, skin color is a totally unreliable indicator.

So when you go to an interview, and someone says we don't hire (insert racial epithet here), lets look at that person. For the sake of example, we'll make him white, and the interviewee black.

I've tried to recall what percentage of blacks there are here in America. Lets use 15% to argue.

So this prejudicial person has just automatically cut himself off from 15% of the available talent pool without even looking at that persons abilities. What would you call such an employer? What would you call a businessman who cut himself off from 15% of available customers without even trying?

I think the word stupid is well used here.

And if the prejudicial person is black, cutting out 85% of available talent or business makes even less sense.

So racists are, by nature, stupid.

So if someone calls you nigger, kike, wop, cracker, spic, etc. that person is stupid. I'd have included more epithets, but that's all I can recall at the moment. Guess I'm not too good at racism.

If a stupid person calls you a name, and you believe it, what does that make you?

I remember back in the second grade or so, I and another student were asked to stay by the teacher. There was a problem of cheating. It seemed that this person had cheated off my test, copying all my answers. He was so intent on writing down exactly what I did that he even put MY name on the top of his page.

That taught me a great lesson. Never accept the person next to you's answers, ever. He is probably a good bit more stupid than you are. I know that boy was.

So to sum up. Racists are stupid. One says you are (insert insult X here). Therefore you are "X".

(Insert annoying basketball buzzer here) WRONG!!!

Let's get these lessons straight. Words only have the power YOU give them. Racists are stupid. Never accept your worth to society from a stupid person.

Clear enough?

Before I end the lesson today, class, and let you turn your emotions on, lets talk about those emotions.

One should never get emotional about racism. With one great exception.

If someone makes a racist comment to you, you may feel angry. Only accept this anger if it is productive.

I'll give you an example from my own life.

My educational career was checkered at best. Moments of great failure and moments of great triumph. The failure came first.

When I went back to school with the intention of gaining admission to Veterinary school, most around me cautioned me against it. After all, I hadn't been successful at all in college so far, and Vet school is one of the hardest professional programs in the nation. They didn't think I could do it.

They told me so, and it really pissed me off. I used that anger to keep me going in tough times, both in undergraduate and in Vet school. I was determined to "show" them that I could do it. I knew that the best revenge is living well, and i was determined to succeed.

That anger kept me motivated. Here I am, years later, doing OK. And I'm a doctor.

Do not let anger over a stupid person's comments eat you up. They can if you'll let them. Only accept anger if it will help you accomplish a goal.

Some guy called you a "X" and refused to hire you? Go to school, do well there and in business, buy his business from his boss and FIRE HIS ASS. Can you think of a more eloquent or effective response to racism?

It's a lot harder than just a protest, but much more satisfying and effective.

Take it from me, making critics eat their words is one of the best moments.

until later,

thenakedemperor

Political Darwinism

2007-05-04T13:10:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about the Gettysburg address. Let me quote:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure."

And somehow, my strange brain was also thinking about Charles Darwin. You know, the guy who told us about "survival of the fittest"

But the fittest what?

It seems most of the wars we've been in for the last 60 years have been to decide this question.

In World War II, we battled Facism. The Master Races. We believed that Darwin was talking about the fittest individual, whatever his race. And we settled that argument fairly convincingly. We fought for the right of an individual to be equal, to be free from enslavement by other races.

Next, we fought the Cold War, or World War III. Capitalism vs. Communism. In other words, we struggled to decide the fittest economic system. Once again, we fought for the individual, the other side fought for the state. We fought for the rights of the individual, only this time to be free to choose his own destiny, or be enslaved by a state.

For the last twenty years we've been in World War IV, we fight to determine what Darwin meant. We've only recently begun to fight fight for the right of the individual to choose his religion, or none at all. The other side wishes to impose Islam on us all, with all it's connotations. This war is religious Darwinism.

Should you ritually wash your feet five times a day before you pray to Mecca? Should you be killed for your sexual orientation? Should women be allowed to drive? Vote? Can they be killed for adultery or perceived adultery? Can you commit murder of anyone you please as long as they are not muslim? Should All jews be killed? All Christians? Should we perpetuate a new Holocaust only orders of magnitude larger? Is Genocide God's Will?

If you answered yes to all of the above, I think you are already on the other side.

I've been called conservative. Someone once said I made Ted Nugent look like a communist. But I don't think so. I believe in the individual.

Not the State. Not any Race. Not any Religion.

States have many times committed barbarity and evil. See Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, North Korea. All races have committed barbarous acts on other races at some point in their history. And organized religion has many times been twisted into getting it's followers to commit most ungodly acts, whatever god you believe in. See how the Muslims murder children and target innocents daily.

No, I believe in individuals. You want to be Gay? Fine, none of my business. That's between you, partners, family, friends, and any god you choose. You want to be Conservative/ Liberal/ Religious/ Agnostic/ Communist/ or Fruit Bat Worshiper, go right ahead.

But when you wish to use the power of the state, and the rule of law to compel my behavior or participation in something I may or may not believe in, we have a problem.

Therefore, I have a problem with our enemies. I choose not to become a muslim. I find it's practice to be brutal and barbarous, cruel and callous. I will therefore live and die an infidel. I answered no to all of the questions I posed earlier.

And no, I will not change my mind, no matter how many innocent of whatever religion they choose to slaughter.

If we ever finally decide the question of religious Darwinism in favor of the individual, we might have time to finish the first question of political Darwinism, the one that consumes domestic politics.

We currently argue a form of Darwinism, does he mean the fittest individuals or the fittest groups?

To debate this, I'm going to talk about Republicans and Democrats.

I can't talk about the true champions of individuality, the Libertarians. They believe so strongly in individuals that it's hard to get a consensus view from them on anything. It's kind of like trying to hold a convention for us Agnostics. Ask where to hold it or when, or how much to spend, you always get the same answer - "I don't know." Try mentioning the entertainment and it'll get worse.

Republicans believe much more in the individual. Democrats believe in groups.

Look at the republican constituency. Only a few groups there. Religious groups. Second Amendment supporters. And maybe business types. But notice that these are all groups that anyone can join. Republicans are very inclusive.

Now lets look at the democrats. Hispanic rights groups. Immigrant rights groups. Black groups. Hell, they even have congressional caucuses with purely racial agendas. Sexual orientation groups. All of these groups are based on qualifications over which individuals have no choice.

The democrats only major constituency group to which qualification may be voluntary are the unions. And they fight tooth and nail to eliminate a workers right to choose to join, and give them no say in how all their political dollars are spent.

I choose to go where my rights to choose as an individual are respected.

One day, I'd love to debate with the opposition over individual rights versus group rights (aka mob rule).

But right now, we just don't have the time.

The democrats want to fight this fight right now.

If we don't win the fight for the individual in religious Darwinism, al of their arguments become mute.

The muslims believe in stoning to death for homosexuals. If we lose the religious Darwinism fight, there will be no more gay/ lesbians, and no need to discuss the rights of the dead.

The same goes for black rights. Just look at Darfur. Muslims win, no blacks to have rights to argue for.

Jewish rights? Oops, sorry, you're all under a death sentence. Hispanic rights? Given the way they feel about Jews and the way they treat Blacks, how confident are you in a long life as a hispanic muslim?

Unfortunately, the democrats choose to pander to their different groups for political advantage rather than try to win the defining struggle of our times.

If, and only if we win, will the question of individual versus group domestically be important. In that case, those who sought to distract us from the fight for religious freedom will be remembered quite poorly by history.

Arnold. Quisling. Reid?

until later,

thenakedemperor

Redefining Tragedy

2007-04-20T19:08:00.000-06:00

I've been bad about the blog again. So much has happened. Harry Reid conceding defeat to the terrorists. The Virginia Tech suicide gunman. Upholding the partial birth ban.

I find myself quite angry at most of this. But sadly I find my gift for invective lacking. Not that I'm too bad at it, I can do a good zinger or two at need. But my abilities pale in comparison to the current situation.

We'll start with Virginia Tech.

I saw something the other night with Dennis Miller. He said we should give everyone a pass on comments about tragedies for 48 hours. Good policy. So I didn't want to write until we had some more complete news.

Some have questioned whether the victims should have charged the murderer. My Katrina experience makes me loathe to trust media reports, and also to make a judgement on a situation when I wasn't there. I don't know if the murderer's tactics were such as to make a rush highly unsuccessful. They may have been. But I'm not in awe of his capabilities.

We need to remember to be thankful that this murderer was, on the whole, unskilled.

The use of the chain to delay anyone from interrupting his plans was effective.

But the use of a .22 caliber weapon is fortunate for the victims. That explains several of the "through and through" wounds with minimal expansion of the projectile.

The news also says he had 17 magazines. How many were for the Glock and how many were for the P-22 is unknown to me. The press says that he could have fired nearly 200 rounds. Sorry, but I'm a shooter. And hold a concealed permit. I practice. For close range pistol, one hit in four is atrocious. We're lucky he didn't know too much.

Also, he could never have qualified for a CHP with such poor accuracy.

Maybe he was mentally disturbed, but his response was just evil. I'm sick of the question of "why". Because he was a homicidal maniac, that's why.

He railed against "privelege" in his manifesto. Sorry, son, but you had an opportunity to get a degree from Va. Tech. Your sister went to Princeton. That's better than 95% of Americans, the wealthiest nation on Earth. Then just compare yourself to the rest of the world. You were just a self pitying psychopath. Here is where my invective fails me.

What would I say to him if I could? I'll have to paraphrase Shakespere. Scorn and defiance, slight regard, contempt and anything that may not misbecome the sender, doth he prize you at. Thus says thenakedemperor. Take that, english major.

My condolences to the families and friends, to Virginia Tech, to Blacksburg, and the nation. I know thenakedempress sends hers too.

Let's examine the responses to this tragedy.

The Virginia Tech faculty and students had cameras shoved in their faces. They were totally unprepared for this tragedy, or the media storm that has followed.

Every single one I've seen has been articulate, eloquent, compassionate, and dignified in this time of the near ultimate test. They have shown great poise and dignity when their world was shattered.

Tragedy is by nature a defining moment. But sometimes the response is so positive that it is the response that is the defining moment, not the tragedy. See Apollo 13 for full details.

Rest assured, Hokies, that the murderer will fade. You response never will. Well Done.

The media, on the other hand, rushed to feed on the bodies of the dead. Vultures. And they just had to show the graphic pictures and play the ranting of the murderer.

Your sports departments refuse to show people (not players) running across the field at sporting events. The sports guys know that to give such publicity hounds a break only encourages more like them.

It seems the "dumb jocks" have figured out what the smart newsies haven't.

This murderer killed to get his maniac raving publicized. Should we give a murderer what he wants? And don't you think that the next time some raving loon figures he has nothing to lose, he'll figure out that you guys will give him his 15 minutes? Maybe next time he'll even have the correct Zip code.

So now we come to the new definitions from this tragedy:

Hokie: Adj. Elegance under extreme pressure.

Hokey: Adj engaging in dangerous and enabling behavior using contrived excuses to cover greed. See NBC. See MSM.

Until Later,

thenakedemperor

Random Thoughts of the Day

2007-03-23T21:15:00.000-06:00

Well, the Congress went and did it. The House managed to vote out their bill solving the peanut storage crisis, hogtying a Commander in Chief, and incidentally funding the troops. Except they didn't do it.

As I said before, the President will veto, so they've accomplished absolutely NOTHING in the last few weeks. Sorry, folks, but a symbolic effort is no match for substance. All you've done is to place our troops in needless jeopardy and for what? So you can score a few brownie points?

It is said that they were following the "will of the voters". But you've determined that will by hammering on the President for six years, making shit up if it didn't suit your needs. It's funny that your approvals are similar to the Presidents, and thats without a concerted effort to demonize you. You've done it all yourselves.

I feel like a parent right now. Folks, there's a war on. One that was started many years ago by killers using Islam to justify their heinous deeds. And the best the Congress can do is "symbolism". Kids, stop playing with your food, the bus will be here soon. If you miss it, and I have to drive you to school, you'll regret it. I'll take away your "fact finding junkets" to exotic locales, and make you use the same health care the rest of us do. So hurry up and eat.

Another little random thought. Everybody's upset about the VA system. It's been reformed many times and still is shameful.

But isn't this government run health care? It's a tragedy that our bravest have to suffer so. But if we listen to some, soon we'll ALL be in the same boat.

The answer to that one is simple. Make the Congress use the VA system for their primary health care. Just watch it improve.

Another news item today is that John Breaux, (D-MD) has all but thrown his hat in the ring for Louisiana's Governor's race. And no, the notation behind his name is not a typo.

Breaux was a Representative and then Senator from Louisiana. When he left public life, he never came back. He's now officially a resident of MD and votes there. Hasn't really lived here for more than twenty years.

Louisiana law says that you must be a citizen of Louisiana for the last five years to run for Gov. Breaux is having a friendly Democrat ask the also Democreat Attorney General of LA. for a ruliing of his status. He argues that he's still a "citizen" of the state, although he's no longer a resident.

Any takers on how the ruling will come down?

So another carpetbagger comes down to rape us. What else is new.

Sorry John, but you chose to stay up there and didn't come back. If you'd come back 18 months ago, I wouldn't mind. But we have been here through the entire Katrina experience while you made millions as a paid lobbyist in DC. If you were so concerned, where was your sorry butt?

If you thought you had any leadership skills, we could have used you from September 05 on. We've certainly had damn little leadership and too much command since then. But to come back now is pure opportunism.

And John, If the above makes you unhappy, I'll be the one in the booth pulling the lever for a dog that stayed with us over anyone who's been MIA for a year and a half.

And lastly, I do have some good news.

I came across the blog of Micheal Yon, a private blogger with the troops in Iraq. Whether or not you support the war, it's still a good read. As I said in an earlier post, I just love it when words are well used. His writing is deeply personal, and very moving. Some have called him the Iraq war's Ernie Pyle. I won't disagree.

And I'm happy to put a link to his site on mine.

Since he's private, he lives by donations. Forego a Latte once in a while and support a guy writing his butt off in terrible conditions.

Until later,

thenakedemperor

Spring!! And my back is Sprung!!

2007-03-23T00:31:00.001-06:00

To those of you who are looking for politics or my usual grumping, this won't be it. This will be about the infamous farm.

I don't know how to post pictures to the blog, but I'll try.

As I have said, I've been very busy with Spring around the farm.

Partially it's my fault, since I had been just doing bare maintenance since Katrina. Unfortunately, the storm destroyed my garden, along with my wooden trellises. I just didn't plant last year, and the garden got overgrown with weeds. And the flower beds got really nasty.

I did design and build one storm proof wooden trellis over my raspberries last year, but the rest just got ignored.

After the storm, lots of extra stuff wound up in the shed I'd built as a workshop. MRE's, water, tarps, a Coleman stove and lantern, coolers, etc. I couldn't walk in there and could barely get to my tools, let alone actually WORK in there.

So to get going this spring, I needed to get some extra storage so I could access my tools to do the rest of the work.

I got lucky. My neighbor's wife let her car roll into the open door of their storage shed. This knocked off the door and did major damage to the front framing and sheathing. He was looking to get a bigger shed anyway, so he offered the damaged one to me. He said there's something about testosterone to rednecks and sheds. We always want a bigger one.

It cost $125 to get it moved, and about another $325 in materials. A new one like this goes for $2000, so we got a good deal. It just took about five full days work to restore it completely. And get shelves built and get it stocked. But here it is:

So now I could clean out the workshop. That took another day, plus more time to paint it anew. I hadn't built the door well, just 1x4's over the plywood edges on the front. So it was sprung. I spent most of another day destroying it and rebuilding with LOTS of 2x4 bracing, plus making the 1x4 cross for the front.

But it's good to go now. Here it is with the raised beds of the veggie garden in the front:

The "storm proof" trellis is by the shop, and my permanent blueberries at the back corner.

So once the construction was done, I could actually get to working on the yard. But wait a minute. Still had to change the blades on the tractor, and but a new gas weed whacker, the old one was dead. But my ramps to roll the tractor up rotted over winter, so I headed into town to buy some plastic ones. And I ran straight into the Oyster Festival parade. There went another hour.

So NOW I could get on the yard. I had to cut all the weeds in the garden, and I redid the flower beds in front of the house and built one new one.

This is just for reference. All the beds were tilled, potting soil added, then weed cloth and mulch on top.

Around the sycamore, I did petunias. The bride and I both like them, even though they're annuals. The boxwoods have been there for years.

In front, I added aztec verbenas in front with lantanas behind to go with the holly bushes. Forgive the junk on the porch, I've got another run to the dump coning up next week off. We'll be replacing the cheesy wooden border with brick next year.

So what to do now?

Well besides the dump run, my next week off will see me doing a paving stone border around the crabapple tree at the front of the property, and a flower bed in there. But what I'll put there, I have no clue.

We also will clean out behind the liriope at the chimney and do a bed with a couple of butterfly bushes.

Also the old Katrina and Rita damaged antenna will be down on Tuesday!! Got some help coming for that one.

All that will be left for sure will be to plant the veggie garden. I know I'm late, but so what. It probably won't be full sized this year, but I am planning to try growing potatoes in old tires.

And I've designed some new trellises to be made from PVC and fencing, so I'll build a few to try with my climbers. They will be more flexible than the wood, but much lighter and much easier to move. If they work out, I'll post the design

If I have time, I'd still like to redo the beds behind the kitchen window and around the persimmon tree. But who knows. Also I need to get a load of dirt to full in the ruts made when the new shad came, Add some fill to my backstop and cut and install a new target board on my small bore range.

I not only "keep and bear" arms, I use them as regularly as time allows.

So as you can see, I just don't have much time at home to sit on the computer. That's why I do my research and blogging between patients.

One of the problems of my profession, and many professions, is a lack of physical gratification. When the shift is over, the only physical reminder of my hard work is paperwork. Not terribly rewarding. But at the farm, my handiwork is evident year round.

Now if I can just find a way to sell "carbon credits" to ecofreaks in high rise condos to pay for all this greenery, I'd have it made.

Until later,

thenakedemperor

The Peanut Storage Crisis!!

2007-03-22T23:06:00.000-06:00

I've been bad about the blog again.

But this is spring, and there's a lot of work to do around the farm. More about the farm in another post. Working on the land yields immediate results, while blogging is just for fun. OK, the farm is fun too. But blogging is a lower priority.

We've all heard about this new congress and how much good or evil they'll do, depending on your point of view.

When I've been reading about the congress for years, I just keep coming back to the comedian Gallagher. He once asked "If pro is the opposite of con, is Congress the opposite of progress?"

And this new bunch is no different.

As far as I know, they've passed no legislation that has made it to the President's desk yet. Nothing.

Right now they're caught up in two controversies.

The first is the President firing two political appointees for what they call "Political" reasons. Hell, they're the President's appointees. If they're not doing the job he hired them to do, it's his right and responsibility.

If you fire your gardener, it's up to you. He's not doing my yard, it's your business.

And it's not like the critics really object. Most of these people were in office when a former President fired ALL of the US Attorneys. But he was a member of their party, so no one said "BOO". If they thought such things were so bad, why didn't they speak up then?

So if they don't really care about the US Attorney firings, why are they doing this?

Easy. They're playing "Gotcha" politics. It's all about scoring political points for an election that won't happen for another 18 months. Apparently members of the House of Representatives no longer have time to do the work we sent them there to do, they're just campaigning for re-election. And they've only just arrived for this term.

The second big controversy is about a bill funding the war in Iraq.

Some members of Congress support the war and others do not.

Those that do not have put language into the funding bill that will do a "slow bleed" (not my words) by imposing restrictions on the Commander in Chief and the troops. This is blatantly unconstitutional, but they put it there anyway. The President has promised to veto such a bill. And the anti-war members know this and know they do not have the votes to override a veto.

It get worse.

Some members opposed the bill, opposing any funding for the war. Others did not want to hamstring our troops. Or so they said.

I guess their views aren't too strongly held though. The funding bill has been so loaded down with pork that it makes a Texas Bar-B-Que look like a Slimfast. And that was one of the reasons I quit being a Republican. Sorry, Congress, this is NOT the way to impress the center.

They said the only additional funding was for "emergency" items. Like peanut storage somewhere. Millions of dollars for peanut storage. Why I was just saying to my bride the other day ,"When is Congress going to act on the peanut storage crisis?".

None of these "esteemed" members of Congress seems to have any courage of their convictions. "I'm anti-war. But I'll be for the war for enough peanut storage." "I support the troops mission. But I'll cut them off for peanut storage."

And they've spent weeks working on this. In that time they've revealed their cowardice and just how much it takes to buy them off.

And all for something that's going to be vetoed anyway.

They've been terribly busy with all this garbage, but haven't gotten around to any actual legislation that will become law. It's as if I spent my time cleaning the clinic windows, while patients die. I'd be very busy, but would have failed to do my job. And these people aren't doing their jobs either.

I know that if anybody reading this is left of center, you might say "but it's President Bush!!". To paraphrase Herman Wouk, you don't work with a Captain (or President) because you like the way he parts his hair, you work with him because he's got the job or you're no good.

So I guess they're no good.

What I find amusing is how the Democrats and some Republicans are running away from voting to authorize the war. "We were duped" some of them say. If you read Democrats true thoughts on the President, they find his intellect somewhere south of Kumquat. And yet those in Congress say the President duped them. So how intelligent does that make you?

And it gets even more pathetic. One of the main adversaries of fighting arab terrorists is Rep. Murtha, who was willing to take bribes from alleged arab businessmen as long as he didn't get caught. See FBI videotapes from the "Abscam" scandal back in the seventies.

And the new leadership is shocked by Scooter Libby's conviction, while protecting William Jefferson (D-LA), who was given 100K in a sting operation, and the feds recovered 90K of it in his freezer. He also commandeered Army trucks, needed for rescue operations, to recover his personal property from Katrina's flood. Not only do they protect him, the new leadership gave him a seat on the Homeland Security Committee.

Does it make sense to take advice on Arab American relations from someone who took bribes, or to entrust our security to another who took bribes?

This isn't a paradigm shift, it's just restocking a bunch of self-centered bastards with some that wear slightly different clothes and make slightly different noises.

No wonder their approval is even less than the President's.

Some good things come from unexpected places. I've seen a bumper sticker I loved, and sums up my feelings quite well. It is on a pickup outside Guy's bar in Amite, LA, and belongs to the owner. I went in to meet Mr. Guy Spitale, and he said he was going to order some of the stickers for sale. I told him to sign me up, I should have it in a few weeks.

Stop in and have a beer at Guy's if you're in the area. Corner of Hwy 16 and Hwy 51 in Amite. He's good people.

Oh, that's right. The bumper sticker. It simply says:

Don't Re-Elect Anybody

Until Later

thenakedemperor

A damn good day

2007-03-12T00:09:00.000-06:00

Significant is defined as:

1) important in effect or meaning,
2) fairly large, and
3) rich in significance or implication.

For example, normally this blog is insignificant.

But the news tonight, no doubt to be glossed over by most of the mainstream journalists is highly significant.

A few days ago, the Iranians started accusing us or the Israelis of kidnapping their Brigadier General Ali Reza Asgari from Turkey. But it gets better.

It seems he was recruited several years ago as a "defector in place" and has been gathering intel ever since. Apparently things were getting a bit hot so a few months ago, there was a plan made to get him out. And not just Asgari, but his whole family.

The news seems to indicate that he is currently being debriefed at a NATO base in Europe, and that his family are all out safe.

His history is interesting to us. He apparently led the Iranian connection with Hezbollah in the 90's and has information on their terrorist activities both in and out of Palestine. So much for their claim of just being "freedom fighters". More like hired assassins now.

He later headed up the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and would know most of their secrets.

Further on, he was a Deputy Defense Minister in charge of internal investigations and uncovered a lot of corruption. That makes enemies, including the current Iranian president. One should be careful of who you piss off.

Last he was a consultant for their defense ministry.

So why is this "significant"?

First for the Israelis. Asgari can show that Hezbollah are not "just trying to be free from Jewish tyranny". They are mere paid killers. Nothing more. Bombings around the world, including in the Americas as far back as 1984 can now be laid at Hezbollah's feet without question.

And for us, it's just as good.

Back in Nov of 2005, the head of the Revolutionary Guard bragged how they were exporting the revolution, including to Iraq. Now I know that captured Iranian officers and certain Iranian weapons have been pooh-poohed by the mainstream media. But now we have a guy on our side who knows the people supplying the weapons. He may even know routes and standard procedures for the Guards to bring the weapons into Iraq.

Not to undermine the capture by the Iraqis the other day of a head of the "Islamic state of Iraq", but that was tactical. It's like cutting off one of the hands of someone you're fighting. That hand can't hit you anymore.

But being able to interdict the flow of weapons into Iraq from Iran is like having a choke hold on the throat of the enemy. It's a big strategic advantage.

We've got to move fast before the Iranians can change their operational patterns.

But more important, he knows all of the senior Iranian leadership. Asgari will know personality conflicts that we could exploit. And as a head of internal investigations, he knows where the figurative bodies are buried. If his doing that job caused his conflict with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, maybe the dear delusional pres isn't as clean as he would have his followers believe.

And last, but best of all, he may know a decent amount about the Iranian Nuke program.

I've read a report that said the Iranians are already recalling personnel from embassies worldwide, apparently before Asgari's information can "out" them. Always best the stay one step ahead of the law if you're in the terror business.

So this seems to be having an impact even now.

I have nothing but admiration for the grunts and fly-boys and track toads who serve with pride. But even they must admit that the intel weenies may have hit one out of the park here.

Now whether the mainstream guys have the sense to see this for what it is, and the courage to report it honestly is a whole other story.

But otherwise it's a good day. A damn good day.

Tomorrow or so I'll get back with some common sense energy stuff, and maybe a little humor. I've been too serious for a while now.

Until Later

thenakedemperor

Kitty Farts

2007-03-09T00:20:00.000-06:00

Well, it's been a busy week.

Two weeks ago we got a new shed. Well new for us. Our next door neighbors wife had her car roll into the edge of the door while it was open. This destroyed some of the framing on the front along with some of the sheathing.

Her husband was looking for an excuse for a bigger shed, and this was it. So he offered us the old one.

And thus my last week off was mostly spent in honey-doing the new shed. New framing, new sheathing, repainted barn red. All I have to do now is cut two pieces of trim and paint the trim.

I even built two sets of shelves. I wanted to take back the first shed I'd built as a workshop. But between all the Christmas lights, the tree, assorted decorations used once a year, and all the hurricane supplies we've gathered post-Katrina, I could barely get in the workshop, let alone get to tools.

So the new shed now has all of my part of Christmas, a dozen cases of MRE's, forty gallons of water, numerous tarps, ice chests, and a Coleman stove I picked up. (Grilling is OK once in a while. But to use it as your main method of cooking for a couple of weeks is VERY annoying. I haven't grilled a damn thing since.) We also put in a bunch of folding yard chairs, the hammock and the grill. So now I can walk in the workshop, I'll finish re-organizing it next week off.

I got to thinking about honey-dos. Since I had spent the better part of four days on this project, could we say that I'd honey-did? Someone else suggested I'd honey-dood. Or honey-dude?

One thing about honey-dos. They multiply like bacteria. And if you don't honey-do on a regular basis, you can end up in honey-doo-doo. Just ask any married man.

Actually I didn't mind doing all of the above. Maybe there's something to my English/ Scot heritage, but as spring arrives my thoughts turn out of doors, and especially to the garden.

Unlike some commentators, I live on a small (OK, tiny) farm. I normally grow a veggie garden every year. I may be death incarnate to house plants, but my garden usually does pretty well.

Instead of reading pamphlets on the political benefit of such and such, I download literature from my extension service. I actually grow things and eat what I grow.

So my ideas on the environment are a bit more realistic than most.

A couple of environmental stories caught my eye recently.

First, there's a company in Australia that will sell you carbon off-sets, for $6 US to make up for the damage to the environment caused by your pet cat's flatulence.

I'm not, and never could make up anything this ridiculous.

Yes, the environmental movement has reached the point where your kitty's farts will be the doom of us all. But that's OK, just send in $6 and all will be forgiven by carbon off-sets.

In other words, you send them money, that they will supposedly "invest" in "green" technology, and then it's OK for Fluffy to break wind.

Who gets the money, and how they spend it are not terribly clear. But you're off the hook, you're forgiven.

I know we shouldn't mix religion and politics, especially being an agnostic. I get shot at from all sides. But doesn't this sound an awful lot like the indulgences that the Catholic church sold to build the Vatican?

Catholicism used to be the only Christian game around. But the rampant corruption and hypocrisy of the indulgences led to a monk named Matin Luther. He saw the lies for what they were, and nailed a list of theses to the church door. Unfortunately for the Church, he did this just when a communication revolution was happening. Little guy named Gutenberg with a device called a printing press. Before long, Luther's ideas were spread through all Christendom. Ever hear of Lutherans? Or protestants? The Catholic Church has never been the same for the last 500 years.

Saying "it's OK to sin (pollute) as long as we get paid" is the lowest form of callous hypocrisy. It shows that the leaders of the environmental movement actually care nothing for the environment. It's just a dodge to them, a shell game to get their hands on money.

Maybe that's why Mr. Gore feels safe running up a monthly energy bill 25 times larger than mine and flitting about in jets while saying I have to turn my thermostat up and give up my pickup. I know the "global warming" crowd will never believe this, but hell will freeze solid before I'm without a pickup.

And If you mix lies to cover greed with unrestricted communication, you risk losing big time. With blogoshpere and Myspace, the environmentalists risk losing almost every shred of credibility by screaming "the sky is falling" and selling carbon "forgiveness".

Their only choices are to back off the warming hysteria and get back to sound science, or restrict communication to protect their con game. Many countries are trying to restrict the internet, and our own Congress is attempting to silence talk radio for having an alternative viewpoint.

And as long as we are near Mr. Gore, that brings me to the second story. Apparently PETA thinks he's not a "true" environmentalist since he doesn't advocate a vegan lifestyle. (wow, vegan isn't even in my spellcheck!) They say that farm animals pollute more than all the internal combustion engines in the world or suchlike.

I guess these people just don't think before they open their mouths.

Animal products provide not only employment but a substantial portion of the nutrition for the developing world. To do away with them would require one of two things. For lesser developed nations agriculture to meet bare minimums for nutrition without animal products, they'd have to get much much more productive. And since they wouldn't have any manure based fertilizers, they would have to use massive amounts of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Holy Dow and Monsanto, Batman! Big business would make money, we can't have that, they're capitalists and evil.

They'd also have to mechanize their agriculture much more. Holy Big Oil, Batman! Holy Big Agriculture, Batman!

How adding so much more artificial chemicals and exhaust would be good for the environment escapes me.

There is one other alternative. They can starve and die.

If we go with the first choice, the animal rights people will have to battle the environmental people. All I ask is that they wait while I have my people burn some fossil fuels to provide the electricity to nuke some popcorn and fix an ice cold Coke before they start.

In thinking about environmentalists Vs. big business, I come to realize something. Politically correct environmentalism IS big business. I'm sure that industry makes a hell of a lot more than many. But unlike most big businesses, PC environmentalism produces nothing. Like the lilies of the field neither do they spin nor do they toil. All they have is scare tactics.

Sounds a lot like extremist islamic terrorists, doesn't it. They're just better at it. They use political blackmail instead of murder.

My we've come a long way, Cat farts to big business to terrorism. And we started at....... Oh, thats right. The shed and the garden.

Before the yelling at me begins, I do like a clean environment. And I practice what I preach. I've done organic, vertical gardening, square foot gardening, raised beds, double digging, natural amendments, no pesticides except once when the bugs were about to destroy the entire crop, companion planting, no treated lumber, composting. Every year I pick a couple of new things to experiment with. Some work, some don't.

If you don't know what some of the above terms mean, maybe you aren't the environmentalist you think you are. And just maybe you should leave the overpriced coffee shop where you're reading about environmental issues on the internet, and actually get out IN the environment.

Well that's about enough for tonight. The veggie garden won't be as big this year. With a new practice, the job, and some honey-do priorities, there won't be enough time. The wife wants me to redo the flower beds near the house, and repaint inside.

If you know of some butterfly friendly perennials that bloom a lot with little work, please let me know.

until later,

thenakedemperor

Election Burnout

2007-02-25T10:26:00.000-06:00

It seems my wife actually reads this drivel, and makes intelligent comments.

Last night she mentioned something about Hillary saying Bill was "the most popular man in the world right now" , and thought I should opine on that. She also mentioned Obama, and the race so far.

But as she well knows, my brain has a mind of it's own so to speak.

I hadn't heard Hillary's comment. Something politicians just will not get is the fact that we just do not hang on their every word. Between the Emergency Room, my housecall practice, my wife, the farm, normal day-to-day problems and trying to have an occasional bit of fun, who's got the time? And we don't even have any two-legged kids.

Let's face it, it's February 2007 right now. The Presidential election isn't until November 2008, with the winner taking office in January 2009. Do these people honestly think we've got time to devote our entire attention to them for that long?

And this isn't the beginning, they've been running for months now.

Let's apply a little common sense here. Politicians spent two years or more running for President, a job that only lasts four years. Have you ever interviewed for a job that will last only twice as long as the interview?

Also I heard on the news that Hillary and Obama are each trying to raise $100 million before the primaries. Not the general election, just the primaries. This is for a job that only pays $300,000 each year, for a total of $1.2 million. Has any person with more than two brain cells ever spent over 100 times their lifetime earnings just to get a job?

In other words, this whole system is way out of control.

It gets worse. The Supreme Court decided that political dollars equal political speech. So now we have lots of interest groups on all sides raising tons of money, and throwing that into the fray as well. Billionaires use these groups to exert an inordinate amount of sway on the candidates. (i.e. Buying them). As an ordinary man, how can I compete with all this?

The short answer is that we can't. Before too long, if we can't be a part of the process, we get annoyed and just quit caring. See voter turn out numbers for proof of this.

We've got to do something about this. Now while pitchforks and torches sounds really good about now, it would probably be counterproductive. Damn.

I just happen to have a few ideas on the subject.

First, our elections take way too long. Other nations manage with much less time. Let's face it, none of these candidates has two years worth of valuable things to say. Most of them don't even have a good five minutes worth.

So we voters listen to these people saying the same thing over and over and over and over. Frankly, it's quite boring. So we hope for the occasional train wreck or cat fight.

See Hillary and Obama right now fighting over David Geffen. It's just like being back in grade school. Someone yells "Fight, Fight" and we all go over to watch until it's over. Then we go back to playing with our marbles.

So let's first limit the amount of time we spend on this.

I think that for Congress, sixty days is sufficient. Thirty days for the primary, and thirty days for the general election. Then we can all go back to our lives. For President, let's double that. Just four months. That should be enough hot air for anybody. This time limit includes campaign contributions too.

Question - Do alarmist politicians rantings contribute to global warming? Maybe we can cut down the election cycle for environmental reasons? Should they have to file an environmental impact statement for every speech?

That part was easy. Now here is where I get into deep doo-doo.

Yes, I believe strongly in free speech. I also believe that free speech has limits. After all, you are not allowed to yell "fire" in a crowded movie theatre.

As I said, the Supremes have equated money with speech. But how can we have fair elections when a billionaire can spend unlimited sums on "issue advocacy" or "I hate candidate X" ads? Their money gives them a much greater voice than I or anyone I know. My message may be better, but with him blaring his at such volume, mine will never be heard.

That, to me, fundamentally violates one man - one vote. To be honest, they spend such excessive sums so they can have the politician return their calls. But why shouldn't the average voter have as much right? We lowly voters should have as much chance to buy our politician as anyone else.

Therefore I think that the maximum given to any candidate from any source should be $500. I know politicians will say this is too little. But we're supposed to be electing you to manage our (repeat "OUR' not your ) money, to make our tax dollars go as far as they can. If they can't get elected with this amount, then they would be incapable of managing taxes well and shouldn't be elected in the first place.

Another point is where the donations to a candidate come from. Many years ago, a former Klansman got elected to the Louisiana Legislature. Amazingly, over 80% of his donations came from outside the district. No offense, but if you don't live in my district, SHUT THE HELL UP. I won't tell you how to vote in yours, and you don't tell me how to vote in mine. If you are not a legal resident, you have no right to interfere in my elections.

Since money equals speech, therefore you can not give money to any candidate not running in your district.

The same applies to corporations and non-profits as well. If your organization is not heaqduartered in the district, you cannot give. In other words the National Fredonian Society could only give money in it's home district. Any subsidiaries or related organizations, either financially of practically are covered by this. You can not give in more than one district.

I also believe that an election is the most personal and important thing we ever do in a democratic Republic.

It should be private, like sex. We don't need outsiders yelling "helpful" suggestions, or strangers in the process.

While we are near the subject of "issue advocacy" ads, I'm all in favor of them. Within reason.

First they must only be printed or aired in the district wherein they are headquartered. You can not publish an ad in my district with money raised in Fredonia. If your group is nationally headquartered in Fredonia, you may air there and only there. If there is a similar and totally independent group with similar concerns in my district, they may air here. But they must be totally, and I do mean totally independent.

And you may not air while there is an election underway. You only need to be quiet for six months out of every four years.

During that time, it is important for other voices to be quiet so we voters and the candidates may listen to each other. You can air all you want at other times, as long as the money is local and you can afford it. Let's apply a little parlimentary proceedure to this mayhem. Everybody gets to speak, let's take turn nicely children.

Before I depart, I want to bring up another thing to do with candidates and money. How they spend it.

A well known phenomenon is "walking around" money. Large sums of cash that go away on election day. The truth is that candidates use this for "get out the vote" efforts. They get as many fools as they can, give them each five or ten bucks, tell them who to vote for, and bus them to the polls.

This is common and is an attempt to buy an election, pure and simple.

From now on, all of the candidates expenditures and collections must be by check or credit/debit. And the donors and recipients must be published. The FEC will check for vote buying after each election.

One last thing. Any money left after an election must be donated to charity. No warchests. The next election we will start fresh, all candidates equal.

Well, now that I've made sure that both the Democrats and Republicans are gunning for me, my work is done for the day.

And if we did all this, maybe we could get back to our busy lives and not have to worry about what a candidate is wearing.

Until later,

The Naked Emperor

Coming to America

2007-02-24T07:34:00.000-06:00

Well after my last post, I figured I would be in for a lot of heat for being "anti-Immigrant"

Bullshit.

There could be nothing further from the truth. One of my dearest friends is an immigrant, her parents from one nation, she's technically from another, and her brother was born here and is an American. A strange, true, and uniquely American tale.

Everybody in the Americas, and I do mean everybody, either is an immigrant or is descended from immigrants. There are no "native" Americans, their ancestors just came over a hell of a lot earlier.

I am interested in my ancestry, and really do not care about yours. This may sound cold, but it isn't.

I couldn't care less about your ethnicity. I care about who someone is. Where your people came from is your own business. If there's an interesting story, tell me over dinner. But I won't like or dislike you on that basis.

The United States is the most mixed population in the world. We're from all over the planet. And that is one of our strengths.

In science, there is something called heterosis. It is also called hybrid vigor. And we Americans are loaded with it.

What this tells us is that hybrids tend to thrive because they come from a broader genetic background. Most nations draw from a few ethnic sources. We draw from the entire planet.

Sociologically too, we have some advantage. Our immigrant ancestors had to be bold enough and daring enough to leave familiar surroundings and risk the unknown. I think that's why Americans love to explore and favor the brave.

We are the only nation that has to worry about too many people coming here, not just when a neighbor is in crisis. The communist and totalitarian nations sure don't have that problem. Hell, they had to put up fences and guard towers just to keep their people in.

With all that said, let's look at responsible and sensible immigration. First from the point of view of the American Citizen.

When someone comes here illegally, their first act on American soil is to flaunt the laws of this nation. Remember that we are a nation of laws, not of personalities.

If their first act is to violate the law for personal gain, what other laws would they be willing to violate? Drug laws? Gun Laws? Murder? Rape?

I don't know and if you're even middling honest, neither do you.

We do not defend our borders, and such people are in this country right now. Do you honestly believe that members of drug cartels applied for a Green Card?

Unfortunately our elected leaders either didn't listen to their oaths, or have chosen to ignore them. That silly "provide for the common defense" thing. They've also forgotten that minor bit about "securing" the blessings of liberty for us.

And I'm not picking on one side of the aisle, they both lied about this one.

Also, we citizens have a few rights too.

Look, I've been here all my life. It's my home.

And I certainly don't mind sharing.

But don't come into my home as a guest and tell me how I've got to change my home to suit you. A family member did that to me once. And only once.

If you do not want to live the American lifestyle, there are hundreds of other countries to pick from. Delta (or whatever human trafficker you choose) is ready when you are.

If your country was so bad why do you want to turn mine into a carbon copy of yours?

If we look at the Constitution from the point of view if an illegal, it is meaningless. If an illegal is too afraid of deportation to speak up about wrongs they have suffered, then the Constitution can not "establish justice" for you.

Unfortunately, we do have jerks here. And they do terrible things to illegals, knowing their silence is tantamount to permission.

Illegals tend to live in horrible conditions. And many "decent" folks will hire them only to stiff them at the end of the day. With absolutely no recriminations.

Legal immigrants can raise their voice for justice, and get it, without fear from the INS.

The moral is that legal immigration is much safer for the immigrant.

Since I am running for President, let me propose a few things to you.

First, we should make a law that the HR person and the president of the company are liable for knowingly hiring illegals. If someone has no documentation, or blatant forgeries, DON'T hire them.

If you do, the Justice Department will try you and convict you. Minimum of one year in jail. No exceptions.

And the illegal goes back to which ever country immediately.

Secondly, we need to take a hard look at the quotas for immigration in this country.

Since we've already absorbed twelve or so million illegals, as they're deported, we'll have lots of room for new immigrants. Legal ones.

And while we are on the subject, we need to have one official language.

Before you yell "racism!!", let me explain why.

After 9/11, many were surprised that the FBI couldn't talk to CIA, who couldn't talk to NSA, etc.

Some of the most surprised were in Congress, who had passed the legislation ensuring these obstacles in the first place.

We are a nation from many other nations, and many other languages.

Wouldn't it be best if we could all talk to each other?

If you want to speak Fredonian at home, that is your business. But when dealing with other Americans, we need to speak a common language, both for business and for government.

In my profession, I sometimes have to deal with those who speak another language and ONLY another language. This makes communication in the emergency room very, very difficult. I can't inform the client properly, therefore they have a hard time dealing with the life and death decisions we need to make rapidly.

I'm just one man, there is no way I can learn all of the possible languages my clients speak.

If we were all fluent in one common language, these situations would be greatly eased.

A hypothetical for government is in order.

Suppose there is a dangerous chemical spill. The police go out announcing an evacuation on the loudspeakers. But you only speak Fredonian, and can't understand what they say. You stay home. You die.

Who's fault would this be?

Would it be the police's fault since they didn't have a translator for every language on the planet? Or the Fredonian's for not learning a common tongue?

We need to be able to communicate with all our people. And do so instantly in these troubled times. Therefore we need a common language. Since English is by far the most common tongue here in America, let's make it English.

How much money does the government or business spend on written communication in unpteen languages? Let's cut these costs and make everyone safer by all mastering a common language.

In short, if you want to partake of the American lifestyle, we welcome you. All we ask is that you respect our laws, and be able to speak with us.

Until later

The Naked Emperor

Dirtying Words

2007-02-23T18:15:00.000-06:00

I love words.

As a writer, even a hack one, words just thrill me when well used.

I know that "a picture is worth a thousand words", but visual images are much better at capturing emotions, and words are better for ideas, logic and reason. I do have to admit that I wish pictures were valued so highly by an essay instructor or two of mine. That would have made college much easier.

Poe or Shakespere could take ordinary words and paint portraits with them and make them sing as well. As I age, I discover that there are many writers who can succinctly capture an idea far better than I. I regularly use their words, and deeply value them not just as tools to communicate, but as true art.

Dictionaries try to give specific meaning to words. But politics tries to blur their meanings, if not to render them totally meaningless.

To deface such artistic tools is, to me, the equivalent of drawing a crayon moustache on the Mona Lisa. It drives me crazy. OK, too late for that. It just pisses me off.

An old example is the word "gay". A good word, generally meaning "happy". The gay nineties. We had a gay old time.

But political forces have changed the standard meaning to homosexual, male gender. This too is changing to also include homosexual, female gender.

I don't understand why. It seems to me that the homosexuals I meet are no more happy nor unhappy than the heterosexuals. Every life has its joys and curses, do with it what you want.

But the debate over the meaning of the word "gay" is long over.

Let's look at a couple of more modern examples. When discussing criminals, we have always listed the most serious crime and left the other crimes be. Nobody talks about "Charles Manson, jaywalker". It's Manson, murderer.

So why do we now talk about "suicide" bombers? Was suicide their most serious offense? Or was it mass murder?

Even Michael Moore didn't label the Columbine murderers as "suicide gunmen".

These terrorists are mass murderers, nothing more. They kill innocents, usually of their own religion. You know, the ones they're dying for? Forget their agenda, they are just killers. Murderers.

Grow a set of testicles and tell the truth.

The other modern example that drives me up the wall is "undocumented worker"

That is a person who has willingly decided to violate the law for their own purposes.

Basically, it's someone who has committed Breaking and Entering on a nation instead of a home or business.

I know the standard rationale of needing people to do the things most citizens don't want to do. To respond, let me ask you something. If you came home and found a stranger lurking in your bedroom, would you care if they had made the bed?

And to the do-gooders out there, let me give you this challenge. Pick any Hollywood celebrity. Break into their house and do the dishes. Wait to ask for an autograph.

I guarantee you will not be described as an "uninvited worker". You will be arrested and charged with breaking and entering, along with stalking.

I therefore put it to you that there are no "undocumented workers". There are only illegal aliens. Alien - in a place but not a citizen, and illegal - doing so without lawful authority.

That's the plain and unvarnished truth. So when you hear some political hack taking a crayon to our precious words, please just stand up and shout.....

Remember the Dictionary!!

Until Later

The Naked Emperor

Cooling on Warming

2007-02-22T19:56:00.000-06:00

Recently, I read a column by Ellen Goodman of the Boston Globe about global warming. Apparently, if you do not believe that humans are destroying the earth by global warming, you are the equivalent of a holocaust denier.

And I thought that as an American, she believed in the freedom of speech.

Unlike Ms. Goodman, I am saddled with a scientfic background. And I do not believe we should panic or take massive action about this phenomenon.

I will try to explain the science with as little math as possible for those of you without scientific education. Let’s just call this common sense science

Fact 1 - The Norsemen farmed in Greenland 700 or so years ago. This isn’t done now because it’s too cold.

Fact 2 - Wine grapes were grown in Britain 2000 years ago according to written Roman records. It got too cold to grow them for a while but written records tell of them doing well 650 years ago. Then the little ice age came, which some think also started the Dark Ages in Europe. They think they may grow them again soon.

Fact 3 - There have been many Ice Ages. For each to end, the Earth had to become warmer. And for the next to start, the planet had to undergo “Global Cooling”

Therefore we come to:

Fact 4 - The Earth has undergone repeated warming and cooling cycles long before we got here. There is no evidence that this process has stopped since we grew on the planet, or since the Industrial Age. Ergo, these cycles continue to present day.

I’m in medicine, not geology. As far as I know there is no workable or proveable theory as to the mechanism of these changes.

Which brings us to:

Theory 1 - We can not prove if any temperature fluctuation is being caused by normal cycles. When I treat a patient, I must try to rule out all possible causes of the patient’s condition. If I can not rule out a possible cause, I must consider that cause possible.

Given that the Earth’s temperature cycles have been going on for billions of years, it is likely that they continue. While other theories have been proposed, none of them have the credible data to raise their status from theoretically possible to likely.

Now let’s look at the case made for human’s causing global warming.

One of the main talking points for global warming is that the temperature has risen a degree or two in the last hundred years.

A caveat - I’ve pulled these figures from googling the web, but they should be sufficient to drive a few nails.

According to data I’ve seen the Earth’s average temperature has risen between 0.5 to 1.0 degree Fahrenheit over the last hundred years to 58.1 degrees. Remember that this is F not centigrade.

Is this signignificant? I doubt it, either in the statistical or scientific meaning.

“But why not” I hear you cry.

At best this change is less than two percent over a very short period of time. It may not seem short to us but we aren’t talking about us. We are talking about the Earth, and it’s life span is, well, geologic.

The Earth is believed to be 4.5 billion years old. That’s billion with a capital B. The data is for a hundred years. We are looking at just 1/450,000,000 of the Earth’s life to date.

If we equate that data to a human life span of eighty years, we would be looking at less than 6 seconds of data.

The average human heart rate is 72 beats per minute. A two percent increase would bring it to 74.

I can’t imagine any cardiologist making any decisions about a patient’s care with such a small increase in rate over such a short time, let alone push for any radical change.

If that cardiologist did, those actions would be scientifically, medically, legally, ethically, and morally indefensible.

The other argument I hear lately is consensus. But consensus is often wrong. Only recently has most of civilization decided that slavery is wrong. And so was the consensus on that issue for thousands of years.

And scientific consensus has been just as wrong, repeatedly. The consensus thought the Sun revolved around the Earth for thousands of years, or that the Earth was flat. More recently, the same Time magazine that Ms. Goodman quoted told us about the coming Ice Age only thirty or so years ago. And back then there was consensus, and again it was all caused by human activity. Logically, we cannot have consensus about global cooling and global warming. Either one or both is wrong.

Anyone remenber Thalidimide? Or the Planet Pluto? How about the low risks of hormone replacement therapy for women?

Consensus has absolutely no place in science, only facts based on good experimentation and reason.

To argue consensus defies science by it’s very definition.

Science is a search for truth using experimentation and logic to prove fact, and basing fact on repeatable results. Consensus building has never and will never, by definition, be a part of science. Consensus building is by definition “politics”.

To determine policy on scientific matters based on consensus is as nonsensical as allowing makers of fad diet drugs to run the CDC. After all, those drugs are hugely popular and have a “consensus” with consumers.

With these thoughts in mind, I reject the popular conception of “global warming”.

The data does not show a show a geologically significant change. And even if one assumes such a change, we can not prove that it is not natural, therefore we can not prove human causality. And if the best proponents can offer is “consensus”, then we are not talking about a scientific phenomenon, but a political cause.

Look, I want a clean place to live. We shouldn’t make messes, and if we do, we should clean them up. I support reasonable, repeat reasonable environmental policy and spending. And I mean reasonable in the literal sense of the word. Any policy or spending, environmental or not, should be backed by reason, logic, and fact.

To try to decide such important questions based on hysteria is extremely dangerous. How bad would global warming be now if we had taken radical actions thirty years ago to prevent the “coming ice age”? Rash actions serve no one well.

Now the hysteria has gotten to the point of name calling by Ms. Goodman. I fully support her right to call me and others who share my views whatever she wants. It is her right under our Constitution, a privelege purchased for her by the blood of patriots. But I would hope that she would believe in that same first amendment, and also in my right to free speech. And as I last read it, it supports free speech for all, not just those who believe in the “consensus” view. The first amendment was put in place to support the minority’s right to speak out, to protect them from name calling and worse from the “consensus”. Her article makes it evident that she does not believe in rights for the minority. How sad.

As far a being compared to a holocaust denier, quite frankly I’m proud. Newton, Darwin, and especially Galileo suffered great criticism, but stuck with what the science told them. And I choose to follow their lead. I will never compare myself to such greats of science, but to merely understand what they went through a little better is a great honor indeed.

Until Later,

The Naked Emperor

We're Back and We're Running

2007-02-11T01:36:00.000-06:00

Well, I’m back.

Yes, I know that a two and a half year leayoff is a bit much. I offer no apologies, but maybe a bit of an explanation.

I guess after the election, I was a bit burned out. We got busy with other things. I remember reading once that someone said “I allow the world to live as it chooses, and I allow me to live as I choose.”

So I started ignoring the world at large, just paying attention to my little piece of it. Living at the farm made hiding out easy.

A few months later, we lost our beloved Pomeranian Icarus. We called him “Icky”, and it fit. I’ve never been so affected by a pet nor more devastated by one’s loss.

So we withdrew a little further into the farm life.

Sadly, we had a visitor just a few months later. Her name was Katrina, and the world got turned upside down. We got only cosmetic damage at the farm, but our world’s changed forever.

She taught me how little I understand about some things. I thought I understood some things in history, but I was wrong. I thought I understood the Depression, World War II and other times. But to me it was just an intellectual exercise. I didn’t live it every hour of every day. I can comprehend, or sympathize, or empathize. But I’ll never understand.

And neither can those who haven’t been here this last year and a half.

For us, it’s been a roller coaster ride. We’ve had a few decent ups, and some of the deepest downs of our lives.

With all that going on, I’d love to have stayed in hiding. But sadly, the world finds its way in.

There’s now a house being built on the property across the road, our road got paved, and there’s a new subdivision going in up at the highway. There’s even a new Wal-Mart in town as of last July.

They said if you built a better mousetrap, the world would beat a path to your door. I tried building the worst one, but they still came. So I’ve got to deal with the world, I can’t just run away from it.

So I’ve been listening to the news more, reading more. And the old problems came back.

The reason I write is because the world doesn’t make sense. Everybody up in arms about Anna Nicole Smith’s death. Does this make sense? I didn’t know her personally, never saw her movies, or layouts, and only saw her TV show (reluctantly) with the wife once.

There are so many important things to cover, and our society fixates on such drivel. This is just one small example.

Politics is just loaded with nonsense. And it just makes me want to stand up and shout “Does anyone actually believe this tripe?”

But standing and shouting is likely to get you arrested as a nut job. So I wrote instead.

The world won’t let me live as I choose. So now I return to write once again, and blog.

II’ll probably not change the world. Or even change a mind. But If it won’t leave me alone, I’ll just stand and tilt at the windmills. At least I’ll have stood for something, and I’ll go down swinging.

So what will we discuss? There are so many things weighing on my mind. Immigration. Iraq. Taxes. Global warming. Katrina response. Election Reform. Racial issues. Leaving the Republican party

These sounded like planks in a political platform when I thought about them. Since I need to write about them anyway, why not make them a platform for real.

So I’ve decided to run for President of these United States in 2008.

But why?

Once there was a movie called “Network”. The main character had a meltdown and got everyone to shout out their window “I’m mad as hell and I won’t take it anymore”.

In one MASH episode, Alan Alda described a hero as being too tired/cold/hungry to care anymore.

These days, I’m just mad at the senselessness of modern society and politics, and tired enough of it to not care about the consequences.

And Away We Go.....

I ‘m not going to be your traditional candidate. No conventions, I won’t kiss babies, no private jet.

Instead I’m going to run from blogosphere. I’ll be (with no research to back this up) the first to mount a candidacy purely from cyberspace. So basically I’ll write my ideas as they dribble from my head.

To start things off, any candidacy must make campaign promises.

I promise to be as articulate as George Bush 43. I’ll be less aloof than Kerry. I promise to have worse hair and a smaller house than John Edwards. I’ll try to keep my Flip-Flops on my feet and not in my mouth. I promise to never jump on Oprah’s couch.

I promise to have fewer affairs than Kennedy or Clinton. And If I break that, I promise they’ll at least be as attractive as Kennedy’s. If I break the affairs promise, I promise to have a nice sedate state funeral, and to leave a signed Presidential pardon for my wife.

I promise to not try to look cool in a silly looking suit. I promise to annoy France. Hell, just speaking English does that, so I’ve fulfilled my first promise!!

I promise to never read polls and decide an issue with that basis. I promise to have Air Force One do a buzz job on the farm. (sorry neighbors, but that would be SO cool.!!)

But above all, I promise to speak my mind and speak plainly. No legalese, no spin, no parsing. I won’t debate what the meaning if “is” is. With no offense to American agriculture, we have an overabundance of bullshit here. I won’t speak it and I won’t tolerate it. And that, I promise you, will piss off Washinton something fierce.

The Naked Emperor

Why we Fight/For the Boys

2004-11-16T10:16:00.000-06:00

It has come to my attention this morning that these rants are now being read in Kuwait by servicemen. My initial reaction was to write something profound about why they are there, something to inspire our brave boys in uniform.

During the late unpleasantness with Germany, Japan, and Italy, the great filmmaker Frank Capra made a series of films for our troops called "Why We Fight". They were deeply moving films, if a bit of propoganda. But alas, I'm no Capra. And I'm not politically correct, never have been, and won't start now.

I also recalled a wonderful scene from a film called "Rough Riders" made a few years ago. In the scene, a soldier played by Chris Noth is lying next to another soldier, an Indian, while the spaniards have the Rough Riders pinned at the base of Kettle Hill. As enemy fire chews up the ground in front of their faces, the Indian asks Noth's character what he's thinking about. Noth goes into this bit about his father and advice he was given before he shipped out. At the end of the speech, he asks the Indian what he's thinking about. The Indian replied, simply and directly, "Naked women."

Now that's more like it! I can understand that. Concepts such as mom, apple pie, and Ford Mustangs become a bit dim when surrounded by heat, sand, and lunatics whose only desire is to kill Americans. And ideas like patriotism, and flag grow even more distant. But naked women, any American male can wrap his mind around that.

My personal favorite are breasts. (if there is reincarnation, I want to come back as a 36dd bra) Big, round, jiggly, don't care if they're fake or real, squeezable, kissable American breasts. Scantily bikini covered, love 'em when they're cold American breasts. That if why you fight.

On 9/11 many pairs of wonderful breasts were killed. Your opponents seek to kill all the American breasts they can, and cover the rest with burkas. That is unacceptable.

Fortunately, our nation, besides having the best breasts in the world, also has young men with the courage to leave the breasts they love and fight to defend all American breasts.

Jeff Foxworthy has got us guys pegged. He says that when you ask a male, age 14 to 80+, what he's thinking, the real answer is "I'd like a beer and to see something naked". Unfortunately, arabia has no alcohol, and no naked breasts. So do your duty, and come home to your just rewards.

To those of you who have a personal connection to me, especially Kim's Steve, when you get home, if you come down here, I'll personally take you to find naked breasts and buy the beer.

Good luck, good hunting, come home soon, and......

REMEMBER THE BREASTS!!!!

the naked emperor

The Mosquito Epiphany

2004-10-30T10:45:00.000-06:00

The Mosquito Epiphany

Last night the latest Osama bin Laden video, so close to the election, was on my mind. I went outside to have a cigarette, and was promptly bitten by a mosquito. Then It hit me. Maybe not a lightning bolt epephany, but a strong light bulb type.

Living in Louisiana, I�m quite familiar with mosquitos. We even have t-shirts naming them the state bird.

Mosquitos are very annoying little insects. They sting and cause pain. They can drive you crazy if you get caught in a swarm of them. If you throw in malaria, yellow fever, and west nile virus, mosquitos can even be fatal.

Terrorists are mosquitos. Osama bin Laden is a mosquito. Nothing more and nothing less.

Mosquitos cause inflict misery on larger creatures totally disproportioate to their size. You can see one ton bulls running from mosquitos. Same with terrorists. See Spain. See Spain run. Run Spain Run.

Unless disease is transmitted, a single mosquito bite shouldn�t be fatal. Just like a single terrorist attack shouldn�t be fatal. 9/11 was the worst attack in history. But it was hardly fatal. 3000 of our countrymen died. But remember, that many are killed in traffic accidents every month. And medical mistakes account for that many every ten days. Do we panic and throw out our leaders?

And what about the obsession with OBL? When I am bitten by a mosquito, I don�t obsess on killing that one mosquito. Sure, I want him dead. But my main goal is to not be bitten again. Most people grab a can of bug spray and declare war on all nearby mosquitos. Their own war on terror.

Me being a bloodthirsty redneck, I go one better. The bug zapper out back goes on. Little is as satisfying as that sizzle and pop.

If I obsessed over the mosquito that bit me, I wouldn�t have time to turn on the zapper. The goal is safety, not vengence.

So to handle mosquitos, you can run away. You can try to kill the one that bit you , ingoring all others that are about to bite you, or apply repellat to yourself so that you are less attractive. This is the �bite someone else� tactic. You can use the spray or a zapper to eliminate all mosquitos in a small area. Or if you�re really serions, you can get rid of all standing water in a large area, thus eliminating mosquito breeding areas and drastically decreasing the population of mosquitos. The same tactics and strategies apply to terrorists.

Some countries use the run away approach. Again, see Spain.

Focusing on the one that got you is the Kerry approach. Just OBL, other terrorists are not our problem.

Others use the repellant approach. But we�re French! We haven�t met an arab ass we haven�t kissed yet!

The Israeli�s use the zapper approach. They live deep in the terrorist swamp, and it�s the most effective approach for them. If they can ID the target as a terrorist, they zap him. No muss, no fuss.

George Bush has chosen the �Drain the swamp� approach, thus protecting not only this country or a small area, but a large number of countries. When you start draining a swamp, it�s hand going. All the mosquitos in the swamp will try to bite you. You must tactically kill them while strategically eliminating their breeding ground.

Remember tactics is going up to the farmer every morning when he�s done milking, and kicking over the bucket of milk. A strategy is when you shoot the cow.

President Bush has chosen the only long term strategy that will work. And that strategy will BE work. Just remember that Mr. Kerry�s criticisms and �I have a plan� are tactics, not a coherent strategy.

But if we drain the terrorist swamp, and light the torch of freedom and porsperity, very few terrorists can grow in that environment.

Next week, I�ll compare the upcoming many electoral challenges to boiled crayfish. or maybe gumbo.

The Naked Emperor

OBL Tape Analysis/ DNC ad

2004-10-30T08:25:00.000-06:00

First, let me aplolgize. I'm going to be commenting on OBL's latest tape WITHIN the body of the transcript, so as not to disturb the flow of the author's original words, or breakup paragraphs. But, as I've said before, I'm a computer idiot. I still don't know how to change fonts here or boldface. So I'll just do all caps. I certainly don't mean to shout at my readers, but it is the only way I know right now to visually differentiate OBL's words from my own.

BIN LADEN TRANSCRIPT
FRI OCT 29 2004 17:45:46 ET

Newsreader: A new message from Bin Laden to the American people about the reasons and resulats of the 9/11 attacks.

Newsreader 2: The head of AL Qaeda says the continuation of us policy will lead to the repetition of what happened.
SO SURRENDER AND WE WON'T BE FORCE TO HURT YOU.

Male presenter: The head of AL Qaeda organization directed a message to the American people and this video and audio apearence in this tape which Jezeera required for the first time for two years. In the beginning of his message, he spoke about the reasons why they chose the US to execute 9/11..

OBL: You American people, my speech to you is the best way to avoid another conflict about the war and its reasons and results. I am telling you security is an important pillar of human life. And free people don't let go of their security contrary to Bush's claims that we hate freedom. SO WHY ARE YOUR FRIENDS TARGETING POLICE RECRUITS IN IRAQ? He should tell us why we didn't hit Sweden for instance. MAYBE BECAUSE SWEDEN HASN'T STOOD UP AGAINST AN EVL IN THE LAST CENTURY? THEY EVEN LET NAZI TROOPS AND SUPPLIES ROLL MERRILY THROUGH THEIR COUNTRY ON THE WAY TO NORWAY. AND THEY'RE BECOMING A RATHER ANTI-SEMITIC COUNTRY. Its known that those who hate freedom don't have dignified souls.like the 19 who were blessed. SO I GUESS THE TALIBAN AND AL ZARQAWI'S BUDDIES AREN'T "DIGNIFIED SOULS".But we fought you because we are free people, we don't sleep on our oppression. We want to regain the freedom of our Muslim nation WHY AREN'T YOU FREE? COULD IT POSSIBLY BE YOUR OWN FAMILY AND FRIENDS? as you spill our security, we spill your security.
THIS WHOLE PARAGRAPH IS "WE'RE THE GOOD GUYS". I'M SO SURE THE 9/11 FAMILIES, THE COLE FAMILIES, ETC. WILL AGREE.

Female presenter: Bin Laden spoke for the first time about the main reasons he thought of executing Sept 11 attacks, confirming that the Israeli operation in Lebanon was the first incident where he thought of it.
NEW 9/11 COMISSION FINDING! IT'S THE ISRAELI'S FAULT!

OBL: I am so surprised by you. Although we are in the fourth year after the events of sept 11, Bush is still practicing distortion and misleading on you, and obscuring the main reasons and therefore the reasons are still existing to repeat what happened before. I will tell you the reasons behind theses incidents.
PLOT POINT 1. BUSH MISLED US. WHO SAID THAT? KERRY? MCAULIFF? MOORE? OBL?

I will be honest with you on the moment when the decision was taken to understand. We never thought of hitting the towers. But after we were so fed up, and we saw the oppression of the American Israeli coalition on our people in Palestine and Lebanon, it came to my mind and the incidents that really touched me directly goes back to 1982 and the following incidents. When the US permitted the Israelis to invade Lebanon with the assistance of the 6th fleet. In these hard moments, it occurred to me so many meanings I cant explain but it resulted in a general feeling of rejecting oppression and gave me a hard determination to punish the oppressors. APARRENTLY HEZBOLLAH ROCKET RAINING ACROSS THE BORDER INTO ISRAEL ARE NOT OPRESSIVE, BUT TAKING THEM OUT IS. While I was looking at the destroyed towers in Lebanon, it came to my mind to punish the oppressor the same way and destroy towers in the US to get a taste of what they tasted, and quit killing our children and women.

Male presenter: Bin Laden considered in his message that the results of Sept 11 were successful in his opinion and as a reason of that, he said that the similarity between the administration of Bush the father and the arab regimes said Bush learned so much from them during his visits.
THIS STATEMENT IS, QUITE LITERALLY NONSENSICAL. ERROR IN TRANSCRIPTION?

OBL: We didn't find difficulty dealing with Bush and his administration due to the similarity of his regime and the regims in our countries. Whish half of them are ruled by military and the other half by sons of kings and presidents and our experience with them is long. Both parties are arrogant and stubborn and the greediness and taking money without right and that similarity appeared during the visits of Bush to the region while people from our side were impressed by the US HE LIKED BUSH 41 AT FIRST. and hoped that these visits would influence our countries. Here he is being influenced by these regimes, Royal and military. SO OBL'S FAMILY WAS A BAAAD INFLUENCE ON 41. And was feeling jealous they were staying for decades in power stealing the nations finances without anybody overseeing them. NOW 41 WANTED TO STAY IN POWER FOREVER? DIDN'T HE LOSE AN ELECTION AND GO QUITE PEACEFULLY? So he transferred the oppression of freedom and tyranny to his son and they call it th e Patriot Law to fight terrorism. SORRY, OBL, BUT THE PATRIOT ACT WAS PASSED IN RESPONSE TO 9/11. He was bright in putting his sons as governors in states and he didn't forget to transfer his experience from the rulers of our region to Florida to falsify elections to benefit from it in critical times. OH MY GOD, HE LISTENS TO AL GORE AND AL SHARPTON. NO WONDER HIS VIEW OF AMERICA IS WHACKED. CALL IT PLOT POINT 2.

Female Presenter: Bin Laden considered the way Bush dealt with the first moments of Sept. 11, giving a good chance to the executors of Sept. 11 to complete it.

OBL: We agreed with Mohamed Atta, god bless him, to execute the whole operation in 20 minutes. HE WANTED OPERATIONAL SURPRISE AND TO FINISH THE OP BEFORE ANYONE COULD REACT. Before Bush and his administration would pay attention and we never thought that the high commander of the US armies would leave 50 thousand of his citizens in both towers to face the horrors by themselves IF HE THOUGHT 50K PEOPLE WOULD BE IN THE TWIN TOWERS AT THAT HOUR OF THE MORNING HIS INTEL WAS A BIT OFF. when they most needed him because it seemed to distract his attention from listening to the girl telling him about her goat HE DOES WATCH MICHAEL MOORE! PLOT POINT 3. butting was more important than paying attention to airplanes butting the towers which gave us three times the time to execute the operation thank god. EVEN ACCORDING TO MOORE, IT WAS 7 MINUTES. 20 X 3 = 60. 7 DOES NOT = 60 UNLESS YOUR MAIN SCHOOLING WAS IN A MADRAS, OF YOU'RE DELUSIONAL.

Male presenter: the final part of the message is that the security of the Americans depends on the policy that they execute despite the winner of the elections.

OBL: Your security is not in the hands of Kerry or Bush or Al Qaeda. Your security is in your hands. Each state that doenst mess with our security has automatically secured their security. THE GRAND FINALE. SURRENDER OR DIE.

Female Presenter: In Bin Laden's message he approached other points. He pointed to the contradiction which considers oppression and killing of innocents a legal act. They formed an international law as bush the father did with the children of iraq according to bin laden. 41 WENT TO WAR WITH THE FULL BLESSING AND COOPERATION OF THE UN. EVEN SYRIA COMMITTED A DIVISION. THE COALITION WAS BIG ENOUGH THAT KERRY NOW LAUDS IT, EVEN THOUGH HE VOTED AGAINST USE OF FORCE. AND WE WENT TO WAR TO LIBERATE QUWAIT, A MUSLIM ARAB NATION, FROM THE CONQUEST BY IRAQ. Bin Laden pointed to the millions of pounds of explosives dropped on Iraqi children as bush his son had done, as he said to remove an old agent and install a new agent to help instealing the oil of iraq. A FULL HOUSE! WAR FOR OIL!. PLOT POINT 4. And bin laden said the events of 9/11 came as an answer to this oppression and said that if the answer to this oppression is considered bad terror, then we need to do it. THIS SEEMS TO HOSE THE "NO LINK BETWEEN IRAQ AND AL QAEDA" THOUGHT. And he stressed that he wants to deliver this message to the Americans in words and in deeds since the 9/11 events. He reminded Americans of a few warning messages through various news media like Time Magazine and CNN and other Arab and correspondents since 1996. USS COLE KHOBAR, JAKARTA, MADRID. He warned them of the conswquences of their countries policies. AGAIN, YOU SURRENDER OR DIE. He talked abou t the damage Sept 11 caused the US economy and that it cost close to a trillion dollars. He talked about President Bush and that the emergency law requires more money.

END

OK, I'm back to normal. Kind of hoarse from all that "shouting".

This tape was released just a few days prior to our election. Why? To change the outcome of the Presidential election, of course. OBL normally releases tapes as a call to action by some cell or another, but I don't think so this time. Again, why? Notice the lack of the usual inflammation and invective. This seems to be a persuasion speech. He lays out the case for 9/11, with arguments and leads to conclusive statement. "Change your policy and we won't hurt you again". Whether he changed his style willingly, or if the lack of substantive operational capability within the US changed it for him, historians will have to decide. My money is on the latter.

OBL knows that Bush will NOT change our policy. So notice the plot points: 1) Bush misled us 2) Bush stole Florida 3) Bush reading "My Pet Goat" the morning of 9/11 4) War for oil. Don't these sound Al Franken/Bill Maher/Terry Macauliffe, etc.? Couldn't OBL's arguments have come from just about any DNC talking points memo? All we'd need is "I'm john Kerry and I approved this message." The only difference is that OBL takes these arguments to their logical conclusions. 1) 9/11 was all because of Bush and his policies 2) Bush won't change his policies 3) If you elect Kerry and surrender, you might live.

No one in the media or blogoshpere has mentioned these plot points to my knowledge. They seem the most blatant endorsement for Kerry.

Personally, I DO NOT take election advice from mass murdering terrorists. I'm just a pickup driving, gun owning redneck with a doctorate. I don't threaten or intimidate worth a damn. You can hurt me. Maybe even kill me. But you can never defeat me. I will live, and die if necessary, free and standing tall, not laying on my back and piddling on myself like a whipped dog.

Defiantly,

The Naked Emperor

60 Minutes transcript

2004-10-28T00:44:00.000-06:00

Tick Tick Tick Tick

Good evening, I’m Ed Bradley and welcome to the last “60 Minutes before voters can overturn the evils of the last four years.

I’ll be hosting our first segment, where psychologists reveal that constant exposure to ticking sounds will replace a persons competence with arrogance.

In the second segment, Morley Safer will discuss the current educational crisis sweeping the nation. Apparently millions of students are protesting their poor grades, saying their test answers may be untrue, but are technically accurate and reveal “higher truths”.

Soon to be President Elect Kerry was asked about this, “I have a plan! We will eliminate all testing and attendance requirements and give all students A’s as long as they register at least two gangbangers to vote Democrat”.

And in our final segment, Dan Rather has found documents revealing Illigitimate President Bush’s secret plans after he supresses the black vote and steals the election. According to the documents, verified by our janitor, all citizens under forty will be drafted into born again churches, and armed with “assault style” weapons. Talk radio hosts will then brainwash them into shooting all retirees, allowing Karl Rove to steal all Social Security benefits. Halliburton has been give a no bid contract to dig the mass graves.

Also, Mary Cheney will be placed in charge of Queer concentration camps located in New Orleans, Atlanta, New York and San Francisco. In these camps, men will be forced to wear flannel and women will be forced to wear make up while they are being “re-educated” No show tunes will be allowed.

Other documents show that the richest two percent will be give bounties for running over crippled poor people with their SUV’s, and tax breaks will be give to the car maker who produces the most polluting car, which will of course be produced overseas. A constitional amendment will require KFC and Popeye’s to serve beld eagle and spotted owl.

And finally, Andy Rooney will blather on about......something or other, I couldn’t care less.

Be sure to watch this Viacom station later, running all “Farenhight 9/11”, all the time.

Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick

trial

2004-10-27T05:43:00.000-06:00

this is a test

House Guests

2004-09-15T19:09:00.000-06:00

Well, this is waaay overdue. I've spent all of this last week on duty, including extra shifts for labor day, and Monday night filling in for my opposite number. And since then, I spent an entire day trying to get home from New Orleans, mixed in with the evacuees. Since I got home, we've been preparing for house guests.

A friend was supposed to come stay with her dogs. My folks evacuated here and brought their cats. But the main guest we were preparing for is named Ivan. Fortunately, he's apparently decided to go east into Mobile. Should he change his mind, I'm pleased to report we are secured and in all respects ready for hurricane.

Anyway, I know you might want to read something. Since I've been so short of time, I haven't had any chance to come up with coherent thoughts for you. "What?", I hear you cry. "Your rantings have never been coherent". That's why I decided to give you a change. A guest ranter. Please welcome J C Grout IV, AIA, Etc. Without further ado,

9/11/04

Why I am voting for Bush

I really don’t care who went to Cambodia when. I don’t care who didn’t take
a physical where. This election is about the next half of the first decade
of the 21st Century, not about behavior in the Hippie Era. The world has
changed. Such issues deflect from the Question of the Day.

I don’t care what CBS says about this election, or the New York Times, or
Fox, or ABC, or CNN. They are (quite literally) old news, the last
un-busted Trust, willing to do anything (including lie) to hold onto their
monopoly on the dissemination of Information. Their arrogance and bias
insult my intelligence; I no longer believe a word they say. They are
utterly clueless as to the Question of the Day.

Do I care about prescription drugs, or affordable housing, or tax reform, or
gay marriage, or the environment? Sure. But they pale in comparison with
respect to the Question of the Day.

And what is the Question of the Day?

Simple - How do we WIN the Fourth World War?

Yes. Fourth. The First World War vanquished Imperialism. The Second World
War put paid to National Socialism, while the Third slam-dunked Scientific
Socialism into the dustbin of history. This war is to eliminate the threat
of Islamic Fascism. This is not a “War on Terror”. That sounds so…..
clinical. So banal. So limited. And so utterly wrong in what’s at stake
here.

The major Candidates stand on the Question of the Day can be distilled down
to this:

BUSH: We are at war. We gotta kill the bastards!

KERRY: I was in Viet Nam. We need to ask the French.

NADER: Bush is the terrorist!

Three years ago today, our enemy announced his intent with the deaths of
thousands of our countrymen. You see, our enemy isn’t mad at us. He hates
us. We are “infidels”. We are not even human in his eyes. Our enemy wants
to see our country - it’s people, it’s freedoms, and it’s way of life -
crushed and destroyed. Not humiliated, or forced to change some foreign
policy. Destroyed. Wiped from the face of the Earth. This conflict cannot
be resolved at a negotiating table. IT MUST BE WON.

In the past three years, the UN has ignored the threat posed by Islamic
Fascism, as have some of our “traditional” allies. (see Sudan, genocide in)
They have therefore have abrogated their moral right to lead. Turning to
them will accomplish nothing. Nor can we ignore the threat or run away.

And that is why I am supporting Bush. He has the right answer to the
Question of the Day. We can argue about how our country will address gay
marriage, or tax rates, or health care benefits once our first priority -
making sure that our country will continue to safely exist - is resolved.
Think about it in terms of the movies. ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’,
to be exact. Nader is the ‘Brave Sir Robin’ of this race, standing in front
of the Bridgekeeper from Scene 23 debating whether his favorite color is
green, or blue. John Kerry wants us to trust him because he has a different
plan. To continue the ‘metaphor, he is 'Sir Bedevere', trying to interest
us in a “large wooden badger” after the large wooden rabbit of big
government had failed. And Bush? He is 'King Arthur' - simplistic, but
clear of vision and driven to achieve his goal. Plus, he is willing to
truncate the Black Night and use the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch in order
to do so. (No, Bush is not Lancelot. RUMSFELD is Lancelot - ed.)

…..GROUT

Military Blunders

2004-09-06T14:09:00.000-06:00

6 September 2004

A great deal has been made about the Vietnam war lately. Especially by the democratic candidate for president. Now without trying to re-fight a thirty year old war, this whole episode is rather troubling.

Many claim Lt. Bush was AWOL from the Alabama Air Guard from December 1972 to March 1973, or his entire service there, depending upon the sources. Was he? I don't know. And don't care. But why?

It happened thirty years ago, that's why. It has not shown any bearing on his conduct as governor or president. Other than the "seven minutes" on 9/11, has he been missing from either position? No.

Lt (jg) Kerry's record in the service is also questionable. Did he lie? Maybe. Possibly. Did he inflate his own importance? Almost certainly. Is it important? Yes. Is it a double standard? No. But why?

Lt. Bush did not make his National Guard record the centerpiece of his campaign. Lt (jg) Kerry did. And that reflects on his judgment, not thirty years ago, but right now.

Lt (jg) Kerry, upon his release from active duty, said many things about his fellow veterans. He accused them of not serving honorably, of being murderers and war criminals. Lt (jg) Kerry gets very upset when someone questions his military service. The millions of veterans who served in Vietnam likewise are upset when accused of dishonorable service and atrocities. Yet he has not apologized for his youthful charges, and maintains his position. So he makes the centerpiece of his campaign something guaranteed to raise strong negative emotions in millions of voters. That is not good judgment.

When Kerry's positions or service are challenged, his staff members have pointed out that Kerry served in combat, but Lt. Bush only served in the National Guard. Millions more veterans have served in Guard and Reserve with honor and distinction. They have taken care of us at home (see the Guardsmen who are now on duty in the hurricane's wake), and have fought and died in every major war for the last century. Now Kerry's people question the validity of their service. Again, this is bound to piss off lots of voters. Poor judgment.

According to the polls, the RNC convention was relatively successful. Immediately afterwards, Senator Kerry went on the attack. He accused Vice President Cheney of attacking his patriotism. I watched Cheney's speech, he didn't. Then the Senator talked about Cheney getting five deferments during Vietnam.

Many people wished to avoid going to war during that time for many reasons. Now the Senator implies that they are unfit for office. That's million's more voters potentially pissed off. Bad judgment.

So to sum up, if you served during Vietnam, you're a murderer. If you've ever been in the reserves, that doesn't count, your service is meaningless. And if you sought not to go, you're a coward. One hell of a way to gather support for your candidacy. This is definitely the way to build strong alliances, but only to oppose you.

Senator Kerry chose to focus on Vietnam. Did he not know that his maligning of his "Band of Brothers" would raise strong emotion? Is he that out of touch? And when that comes to light, he chose to annoy not only those who didn't serve in Vietnam, but all the reservists and reservist veterans too boot? What does that say about your abilities?

This can of worms was opened when the Senator and his running mate told us to ask those who served with him. While most of his subordinates support him, his peers and superiors almost totally do not. Kerry's negatives started rising. His polls started falling. Is this the work of the "vast right wing conspiracy"? No, only Kerry's message. As the fall continued, he has grown increasingly more desperate, maligning all reservists, and now those who chose not to serve,

If the Senator is elected, would he run the country the same way? Would he seek to castigate ever increasing numbers of decent Americans when his own mouth is the cause of the trouble? And is this the kind of judgment we want our chief executive to have?

As a moderate conservative, I believe in a healthy multi-party system for our republic. In that spirit, I offer Senator Kerry some sage redneck advice. When you're in a hole, the first thing to do is STOP DIGGING.

Until Later,

The Naked Emperor

Big Changes

2004-09-05T20:18:00.000-06:00

Well everybody, it's been up a day, and I haven't blown anything up. This is a major accomplishment for me.

To remind all of you, I'm middle age and decidedly computer illeterate. I remember back in high school, back in my street racer days, we used to make fun of people, especially guys, who knew nothing about cars. Knowing a camshaft from a crankshaft from a Johnson rod were an acid test of virility.

Now the world has gone computer and I'm ashamed. I used to be interested in computers, back in the early days. I even owned a TI 99/4a, and had spent $800 to upgrade the memory from 4K to 16K and get a 8.5in. floppy drive to replace the cassette recorder. State of the art.

But school intervened, and I lost knowledge and interest. I did take a Computer Science class, one that taught (remember this?) Cobol. I did have a used Commodore 64 I did papers on.

When I graduated Vet school, a good friend gave me a rebuilt Mac. And I've been hooked on them ever since. They enable ever the computer stupid to function.

I don't know languages or subroutines. I just put the keys in and drive the bloody thing. In the last dozen or more years, the macs have been extremely reliable, so I haven't needed to learn much. (Unlike HP printers!)

So today I decided to add a few links to sites I find interesting, especialy the political ones in this election season. Now I don't know html or whatever the template for the blog is written in. I just copied a links thing from Blogger. Finding where to put it was a bit of a challenge. But I fumbled aroung until it looks like it does now. It took maybe an hour. For four links.

But it's done and nothing fried. I'm very proud.

All you computer literate folks are heartily entitled to chuckle at me for at least an hour.

Uh Oh, I gone and done it

2004-09-05T01:48:00.000-06:00

Well, this is it.

After months of abusing friends and family with occasional rantings, I've decided to go live with a blog.

Will I have enough to say? Will it be worth saying? Or reading? Will I be swamped with hate mail? Beats me.

I figure that this may not last, so I might as well have fun while it does.

As you get to know me through my writing, you may learn a few things about me.

I like it when the world makes sense. And it usually doesn't. A few examples:

Scott Petersen is currently on trial for murdering his wife and unborn child. But if the wife had terminated her pregnancy, it's her constitutional right. Now that I've pissed off every one in the Anti Choice/Pro Death debate, just calm down. I don't care what side of the debate you're on, it doen't make sense.

At eighteen, you can be tried as an adult and sentenced to death, or serve in law enforcement or the military and take a life legally. And you can wield the greatest power in a democracy, the vote. But you're not responsible enough to have a beer. Again, it doesn't add up.

Celebrity adoration in general, and Britney Spears specifically. Now THAT'S nonsense.

Anyway, when the world goes stupid, it prompts me to write. I don't claim to be any sort of great authority, but I hope I have some common sense.

If you think I'm way off base, or maybe right, please comment. If you find good examples of nonsense, please let me know.

And sometimes the nonsense comes from me. Sometimes there's not a lot to say or an idea may not be fully developed. Then I may spew some drivel, but I'll try to keep it entertaining.

To start, I've archived my prior rants, so feel free to browse.

I'm going to go now and watch the hurrican coverage. Back in a day or two, so check back often.

No Rant Needed

2004-09-03T23:25:00.000-06:00

3 September 2004

This one is too easy.

From Chicago Sun-Times:

August 27, 2004
BY THOMAS LIPSCOMB
In the midst of the controversy between the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and Kerry campaign representatives about Kerry's service in Vietnam, new questions have arisen.
The Kerry campaign has repeatedly stated that the official naval records prove the truth of Kerry's assertions about his service.
But the official records on Kerry's Web site only add to the confusion. The DD214 form, an official Defense Department document summarizing Kerry's military career posted on johnkerry.com, includes a "Silver Star with combat V."
But according to a U.S. Navy spokesman, "Kerry's record is incorrect. The Navy has never issued a 'combat V' to anyone for a Silver Star."
Naval regulations do not allow for the use of a "combat V" for the Silver Star, the third-highest decoration the Navy awards. None of the other services has ever granted a Silver Star "combat V," either.
B.G. Burkett, a Vietnam veteran himself, received the highest award the Army gives to a civilian, the Distinguished Civilian Service Award, for his book Stolen Valor. Burkett pored through thousands of military service records, uncovering phony claims of awards and fake claims of military service. "I've run across several claims for Silver Stars with combat V's, but they were all in fake records," he said.
Burkett recently filed a complaint that led last month to the sentencing of Navy Capt. Roger D. Edwards to 115 days in the brig for falsification of his records.
Kerry's Web site also lists two different citations for the Silver Star. One was issued by the commander in chief of the Pacific Command (CINCPAC), Adm. John Hyland. The other, issued by Secretary of the Navy John Lehman during the Reagan administration, contained some revisions and additional language. "By his brave actions, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant (j.g.) Kerry reflected great credit upon himself... ."
Burkett, who has spent years working with the FBI, Department of Justice and all of the military services uncovering fraudulent files in the official records, is less charitable: "The multiple citations and variations in the official record are reason for suspicion in itself, even disregarding the current swift boat veterans' controversy."

And now for the petards.

1996: Kerry judged false decorations 'very wrong'
WorldNetDaily ^ | 8/28/04 |

Amid questions about one of John Kerry's combat "V" decorations, unearthed remarks by the senator eight years ago reveal he judged an admiral's allegedly false awards as a serious offense that disqualified him from leadership.
After the suicide of Adm. Mike Boorda in 1996, National Review columnist Kate O'Beirne notes Kerry gave his response to two Boston papers.
"In a sense, there's nothing that says more about your career than when you fought, where you fought and how you fought," Kerry told the Boston Herald.
"If you wind up being less than what you're pretending to be, there is a major confrontation with value and self-esteem and your sense of how others view you."
At that time, a left-leaning news service had raised questions about Boorda's combat "V" clip, which is awarded for valor under fire. The doubt was over whether Boorda's two tours in Vietnam aboard combat ships qualified him for the awards. The Washington Post reported Boorda's right to wear the clips apparently was supported by a Navy manual, but hours before he was scheduled to address the issue with Newsweek reporters, he shot himself.
The Herald described Kerry as among the veterans who said although they would take offense at someone falsely wearing the "V" pin, they couldn't see how it would drive Boorda to suicide.
"Is it wrong? Yes, it is very wrong. Sufficient to question his leadership position? The answer is yes, which he clearly understood," Kerry told the Herald. (highlight mine - pmg)
Kerry also spoke with the Boston Globe.
"The military is a rigorous culture that places a high premium on battlefield accomplishment," he told the paper.
Of Boorda and his apparent violation, Kerry said: "When you are the chief of them all, it has to weigh even more heavily."

Let the hoisting begin.

See Attachment for Navy Awards Regulations and Kerry's DD 214

So let's see.

His campaign now admits his first purple heart might have been for an unintentional self-inflicted wound. No enemy fire, no award.

His "seared in" memory of Christmas 68 in Cambodia is rapidly fading, along with his secret mission to deliver the CIA agent with the "magic" hat.

And when several people wound up in the water, Kerry rescued Rasmussen "under intense enemy fire". This fire was so intense that not one of the five boats, each fifty feet long, had small arms damage? In a 75 yard wide river? In 90 minutes of fire? I may not be the best shot in the world, but I can hit the literal broad side of a barn once in a while.

This is just like playing CSI.

And maybe the Swifties weren't so crazy after all.

Peter Grout

Save the Hamsters!!

2004-07-30T23:24:00.000-06:00

30 July 04

Dear gentle reader,

I'm baack. My deepest apologies, but I've been a bit busy with work, garden, and an erection that's taken way too long. The erection was only supposed to be a few weeks, but it's been extended to a couple of months now due to weather, scheduling delays, etc.

I don't know where you were going with that, but I'm talking about the building of the new shed. And yes, you doubters in the audience, I'm finally getting my shed together.

But enough about me, let's talk politics.

This week I tried to watch as much of the DNC convention in Boston as I could between patients. The convention was held at the old Boston Garden, now renamed the "Fleet Center". My limited knowledge of corporate naming could only come up with one association for a "Fleet" company. The enema company. It seemed somehow appropriate to hold a political convention sponsored by said company. "This crap brought to you by Fleet Enemas." But alas dear reader, I knew that was too good to be true, so I did extensive research on your behalf. OK, I called my brother who used to live in Boston. Apparently, the center was renamed for Fleet Bank. Pity. I like my way better.

I was looking for Senator Kerry's positions on issues and to learn about his history in government. Instead, I found a reason to vote for him. During PBS' coverage on Thursday night, one of his daughters was speaking. She told a story about how he'd saved a drowning hamster. I am NOT making this up. I may not know what his plan is for Iraq or terrorists, but I now know he has a firm Hamster policy. I've been trying to tell the pollsters who don't call my house that a strong Hamster policy is my number one concern this election. Trying to make a candidate cute and fuzzy is one thing but I really can't see "Save a Hamster, Vote Kerry" bumper stickers in my future. And if he's trying to save a hamster, does that mean he want's Nader to stay in? Or just adopt Nader?

I did see about half of Mr. Kerry's speech Thursday night and read a transcript today to fill in the blanks. A good speech. The best he's ever given. He was a war hero in Vietnam. He reminded us of that repeatedly. Once again, I'm behind the times. Just a few years ago, military service was no qualification for the Presidency. Even combat. If it was so Important, why did the democrats nominate Bill Clinton? And more importantly, when up against the youngest Navy pilot ever, who had a distinguished combat record in the Pacific, why did the dems vote for him? Since the sands have shifted so much, I suspect an opportunistic motive. Another question. If a combat record is so Important, does this mean very few dems would support Hillary if she decides to run? Petards can be sharp and hoist even the most serious politico.

But I digress. The speech seemed a bit long on platitudes and short on specifics. It raised more questions than answers. OK, he's for freedom, mom, and apple pie, but so's everybody. How are you going to do it? Also, I would like some clarification about a few items in your political history.

Senator Kerry, you are proud of your military service, and talk about loyalty to your "band of brothers" So why were you the only Swift boat sailor to apply for early return to the US, leaving your "band of brothers" behind?

You, in your sworn testimony to Congress upon your return, talked of committing atrocities and listed many others you had witnessed. Are these atrocities part of your service you are proud of? Did you provide details on the perpetrators of the atrocities you witnessed, so they could be brought to justice? Did you cover up for them? Do you think someone who has admitted to atrocities is fit to be Commander in Chief and an example to our young servicemen and women?

You talk about the shipping of jobs overseas. Will the Heinz company, your wife's family's company, be closing it's overseas operations and re-hiring their American workers? What did you do to stop the outsourcing? What legislation will you propose to stop the outflow?

You also talk about the loss of manufacturing jobs. Will you subsidize inefficient plants just to keep the jobs? Or will you impose tariffs on countries that provide less expensive goods? Would tariffs upset our allies and trading partners? Would we have a trade war with them?

You say you would strengthen our alliances. That primarily comes from building a consensus. The Senate is a body that passes legislation once consensus has been built. What major legislation have you gotten passed that you proposed or spearheaded, and how did you build the consensus to pass it? Would you use the same methods with our allies?

You say we shouldn't have gone to war in Iraq based on misguided intelligence. If you knew the intel was flawed, why did you vote for war? And why did you vote for regime change in Iraq in 1998 based on the same intel? If you knew it was flawed what steps did you take to correct it? If none, then why?

What is your plan for Iraq? You sort of glossed over this one. Please, no politician answers. We need and deserve specifics. Will you keep the troops in? For how long? Is there a definite time limit? What new nations will provide troops and how many?

What about the war on terror? What have you done to assist the war effort?

Arrgh! I'm getting a headache and am on duty. So on to ibuprofen and less serious thought.

The best parts of the convention were Clinton's speech and the balloon drop. Even now Clinton is a talented and powerful speaker. Even me the skeptic was rapt. I may not like his behavior or agree too much with his politics, but I sure wish I had his gift of gab.

And the balloon drop was just a slight sadistic pleasure. After seeing everything so scripted, micromanaged, and, well, boring, it was nice to see a little reality enter the room.

The worst was the constant celebrities. OOOHHH, Rob Reiner is sitting in the Presidential box!!! Like anyone would take political advice from someone who's best known character was "Meathead" Look, I live in LA. That's Louisiana. I don't need a bunch of east coast elitists to tell me what to think. Or a bunch of Hollywood types. If you think that helps, you're dumber than you think we are. And If you think that, I'm deeply insulted. My home is close to where Britney Spears allegedly grew up. Hell, her daddy put the roof on my house. (tours $10/person, room just below the "Spears" roof $149/night) We know celebrity. And it doesn't impress us.

Neither did the specifics of the candidates. So far all I know is that he wants to keep a nice tone while criticizing his opponent (I can bash you, but I you bring up my past you're just mean), and of course, the National Hamster Policy.

Will the hamster policy mean all government employees scurry about and stuff seed in their cheeks? Maybe we should have seen the Hamster Policy sooner. After all, Sandy Berger, one of Mr. Kerry's advisors, was caught stuffing classified documents in his pants not long ago.

Now, in keeping with the National Hamster policy, I have disgorged from my cheeks most of the insight I've built up recently. I will scurry off to find more tidbits for you, and stuff them in my cheeks while I go round and round on the great wheel of life.

Remember, if you don't vote for Kerry, you are an anti-Hamsterist. God (or other PC acceptable deity you choose, although not choosing one is OK and will result in no action against you in hiring or government funding) Save the Hamsters!!!

Until Later,

Dr. Peter M. Grout

A non-Rant

2004-05-10T23:23:00.000-06:00

10 May 2004

Sleep depravation can be ever so much fun.

Last week was rather long at the clinic. I honestly tried to get as much rest as possible, but it still wasn't enough. To get what relief I could, everything else had to wait. You know, normal life things like the yard, the garden, writing, et cetera.

So today, when I got off duty this morning, I felt compelled to play catch up. After running an errand or two I got started on the lawn and garden. It took all day. So there were only a few hours sleep in the last three days.

Normally riding the tractor or the drive home gives me a good chance to collect my thoughts on what to compose. But today my brain was on strike. Temporary ADD.

There are so many things going on in the world. The Iraqi prisoners scandal, gay marriage, the Kerry campaign, and dear friend's better half getting deployed all are interesting topics. I really tried to think about them. I went looking deep inside my brain for meaningful thoughts but all I saw was a sign saying "closed for repairs, try again tomorrow".

What really amazes me is that our servicemen function so well like this when in hostile contact. I know that my job is stressful, with little sleep and lives at stake. But not my life. The troops are not only deprived of sleep, but also of the closeness of friends and loved ones. Hey, I miss the wife when I'm pulling the weekend long shift, but I can call a time or three each day and I know I'll see her on Monday. Not only are lives at stake in their profession, but their own lives are at risk.

Stress and lack of sleep combined can have potentially fatal consequences. I make myself double check even commonly used drug doses and consciously read drug labels whenever seconds aren't critical. The risk of fatality are too great. Yet these people manage to perform well under far worse circumstances than I've ever had to. Just look at the drop in "friendly fire" incidents during the combat phase.

The really cool thing about sleep depravation is it's kind of like going on a bender. Weird, stupid everyday things are so much funnier. This is a good time to watch a Stooges movie. You'll be going along seemingly alright, then you suddenly get a craving for a chocolate Pop-Tart. (It was good, too! Fortunately the wife has seen me after a duty weekend a time or a hundred.) Just like being drunk, any filter between mind and mouth is gone. You have to be careful who you talk to. If you write, this is a time to be very thankful for spell check and that it's hard to slur on a keyboard.

But this is better than being drunk. I'll be just fine tomorrow, ready to go with no hangover. And I don't suddenly believe that an ex from fifteen years really wants to hear from me at three AM.

This is a good time to think outside the box, if you're so inclined. Thinking outside the box is vastly overrated, especially if you're a housecat. Think about it.

On that note, I'd better go and fall in bed. I'll be clever in a day or two.

Until later,

Dr. Peter Grout

Diet and Exercise

2004-04-28T23:22:00.000-06:00

28 April 2004

It's a beautiful day here. I've spent all the daylight hours this week working on the farm, and I'm tired. So I'm taking the afternoon off to write drivel, then maybe a nap.

On our recent trip to Tennessee, my in-laws gave us a "Fitness Chair" by NordicTrak. When I heard about it, the first impression was "a piece of equipment so you can exercise without getting off your butt". I can't make up stuff this good. Anyway, that got me thinking about healthy things like diet and exercise. So here goes.

There are currently lots of "informed" diets out there like Atkins, South Beach, Sugar Busters, and LA something or other. One will say eating fats causes you to get, oh gee, fat. Others say carbohydrates are the problem. Remember that food is made up of four or five things. The first four are carbs, fats, proteins, and trace nutrients. Here in Louisiana, we have a fifth item, taste. But carbs and fats are out.

I'm reminded of a song from World War I. To help with the war effort, citizens were encouraged to give up certain items on one day a week. Meatless Mondays, wheatless Wednesdays, you get the picture. "My Mondays are meatless, my Wednesdays are wheatless, I'm getting more eatless each day....."

If we follow these "experts", we're getting pretty eatless. We're down to just proteins. But too much protein is bad for your kidneys, so thats out too. Also, protein generally comes from animals, and that is against animal rights.

Also, studies find most foods either cause cancer or heart disease or other problems. One advert suggests their product is "good for colo-rectal health". Personally, I find that there is an overabundance of disgustingly healthy rectums walking around day to day.

In the bad old days, convicts were fed bread and water. But bread is loaded with carbs, so we're left with just water. Other studies find that tap water and bottled water have pollutants and additives, so that's out too.

To sum up. To be healthy, we must give up all food and drink. We can be healthy for a month until starvation gets us, or a week until dehydration kills us. Peachy.

In reviewing the above, I've realized an omission of something that's actually good for you. Wine. So we can give up all other food and drink, and subsist solely on wine. The ratty overcoat and tin cup are optional. We'll live a bit longer that way, and at least be very happy as long as the wine lasts.

The experts apparently believe that the road to good health is to become a wino. I guess researchers don't ride in busses too often. But it does bring a whole new meaning to "Here's to your health".

One reason I write this stuff is boredom. My career won't pay to cure that boredom. I mean, if I was sitting on a beach or a yacht with some cute scantily clad woman serving me drinks, when would I have time to write? But in my next life, I'll fix that. I'll go into the exercise equipment business.

That's the best business. Remember "The Graduate"? When Dustin Hoffman's character graduated, some one gave him good advice for 1969. "Plastics". Today it's exercise equipment.

Your products don't actually have to work, no one will use them anyway. They just have to look cool, be expensive, and have a celebrity endorsement. After all, the product will just end up in a bedroom somewhere covered in the owner's clothes. Our Fitness Chair was actually at my in-laws neighbor's, also covered in clothes. That's the important thing for home exercise gear, it must hold a LOT of clothes. Everything else is optional.

I guess old fashioned sit-ups or push-ups or running aren't good for you anymore. You need a $500 to $1000 AbdominoChrunchTrak-o-Matic. Personally autographed by Rube Goldberg.

All kidding aside, there actually is some good stuff out there. Our Fitness Chair actually works pretty well. But don't blow a lot of money. Just go to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. They have loads of exercise gear that's just about new, donated by people who had an overabundance of cash as well as body mass.

But will I actually use it? Probably not. My exercise gear is a bit more simple. A shovel. A hoe. If I do my exercises now, I get to eat the results. Now that's motivation. And if that doesn't work, I'll introduce my best exercise routine to the public.

Jump to Conclusion. Fly off Handle. Repeat. Feel the burn?

Until later,

Dr. Peter Grout

Media-ocrity

2004-04-27T23:21:00.000-06:00

27 April 2004

Last Friday, I happened to see a brief blurb on ABC's Good Morning America. They reported that American forces had gotten a tip that led to the discovery of 24 Iraqi Mig 25 fighters buried in the sand.

Cool, I thought. I even called my brother, "guess what I heard?" I only saw the story for a few seconds, but my curiosity was fully engaged. When I got home, I went to ABC's web site. No story. So I googled.

Apparently the story broke a bit before ABC reported it. Say about eight and a half months earlier. The pictures ABC showed were from another source that published to the web on August 6. Using my handy dandy digital counter on the end of my wrist gave me a figure of nearly nine months.

Also, they mentioned 24 fighters which the other story contradicted. So ABC wasn't only late but not quite accurate either. Oh Mr. Murrow, are you listening?

This story seemed important to me. After all the "there are no WMD's" we've heard, this seemed troubling. There are still 10,000 gallons or so of anthrax missing. That quantity would fit in two tanker trailers each measuring about 48 by 8 by 12 feet. A single Mig 25 fighter is about 70 feet long and 20 feet high. If they could hide numerous aircraft buried in the desert, what else could they be hiding?

Apparently it was only important to me since I'd never heard of it. All the major news outlets had access to this info. But it seems evidence of Saddam's regime hiding weapons wasn't fit to air. Maybe I'm not the biggest news junkie, but I do manage to keep up on the big things. Given the implications of hidden weapons caches, shouldn't there be a larger alarm?

After the 1991 war, we looked at Saddam's WMD capabilities. If we found evidence that he had acquired or made X amount of a WMD, but either he or the UN had destroyed (or used!!) Y amount, we assumed that he still had the remainder. Not just the US, but the UN, France, Germany and everyone else. But when we opened the second front by invading Iraq, the world and much of the US changed their minds. Now, if something isn't in plain sight, and Saddam says he doesn't have anymore, we should just believe him. After all why would he lie? Someone as nice as Saddam hiding weapons? Pshaw! I hope the State Department has forwarded Saddam's invitation to my next candlelight supper.

But the buried aircraft ruin that theory. We still can't account for the missing WMD's. The thought of a terrorist getting their hands on a WMD is chilling. Just the other day, the Jordanians broke up a terror cell that was going to do a WMD attack there hoping to kill 80,000. That's 80,000 islamics they wanted to murder. And the fact that Saddam was less than honest about his weapons doesn't make the cut over the latest Jackson fiasco (just pick which Jackson) is appalling. The same morning I heard about the planes, I heard NBC's Today show on my car radio. "Next, we'll have the hottest spring colors". I swear. My, how newsworthy.

While Richard Clark's fifteen minutes were ebbing thankfully away, Fox news took him to task. Jim Angle remembered the briefing that Clark had done on background. He also remembered that what was said totally contradicted Clark's printed and "60 Minutes" version. I don't think that briefing was an exclusive. Where were the reporters from ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC? Didn't they remember Clark? Didn't they remember what he said? Playing "Gotcha" and catching bureaucrats and politicians changing stories is a big part of the news game. Are those other reporters so inept and incompetent? If so, why weren't they fired? There is only one other possible explanation.

Some nameless faceless network editors decided that these stories weren't worthy of air time. We didn't really need to know. These facts didn't fit into their agenda of what is good for us to hear. "Really, we're not biased". What a load of poop. They claim to be non-biased because they get guests and interviews from different sides. They pick the best advocate they can for their position, and the most ravenous, salivating near mental patient on the other.

A non-biased visual media just doesn't exist. We now have a multiple biased media. We can just tune to whichever channel most closely shares our bias and enjoy.

Silly me, I thought reporters were supposed to report facts. Not opine or describe the feelings. Just the facts. But they can't do that well. For example, they miss the fact that most news viewers aren't airheads only interested in spring colors. We are , in fact, relatively smart. We don't need or want someone to "interpret" the facts for us. That's why we have brains. We can figure these things out pretty well.

Hey, we've had reporters figured out for a long time without you telling us.

Until later

Dr. Peter M. Grout

grout@i-55.com

Postscript:

Look, I know what you're going to say. I do opine quite a bit. But I don't claim to be non-biased. I'm not trying to tell you the basic facts. These are just what dribbles out of my head. If you don't like them, just send a check for $10,000 to me and I'll be sure you don't get them anymore. If you do like them, Please send the same check for ten grand to renew your subscription

We're Hated

2004-04-21T23:20:00.000-06:00

21 April 2004

I saw in a news article yesterday that Egyptian President Mubarak was talking to the French. First, ain't that a combination. But more important was what he said. He said that we are hated in the mideast ( golly gee whillikers!) and that the hatred was growing due to the war in Iraq and our continuing support of Israel.

At first, I was a bit annoyed, but I'm now rather pleased.

We've known we were hated, but now it's worse. It's grown since we took out Saddam.

Saddam was such a pinnacle of virtue. Systematic rape, torture, and murder. Mass graves. He invaded his islamic neighbor to the east, thus launching a war that cost over a million lives. He used poison gas in that war. Later he invaded another islamic neighbor, this time to the south. He threatened to invade another southern islamic nation. That was only averted because that nation asked us for help. Not long after he again used poison gas, but this time to kill thousands who desired freedom from his tyranny.

There must be a simple, one word description of such a man and regime. Let's ponder a moment. Could it be, oh.......

Evil?

And they're pissed because we took him out.

They're also angry because we won't roll over while they destroy Israel.

In the Holocaust eleven million were murdered. Six million of them were jews. Today there are about forty million Israelis.

Our enemies want to wipe out a mere forty million people.

Evil.

Ethnic cleansing is too sterile a word. It sounds like you want to dust a bookcase. "Dear, we've got to do the ethnic cleansing before your mother arrives." Genocide is also too timid. "To get rid of streaks, use Fred's Window Cleaner, now stronger with Genocide."

What they want to do is murder, with premeditation, forty million souls. To give you a taste of what I'm talking about, please write the word murder forty million times. Each time you write the word, put a unique face on a person. Give them hopes, dreams, and families. Then imagine that person's charred, bullet riddled corpse. Forty million times. Call me when you're done.

They want to perpetrate the holocaust all over again, just four times worse.

Evil.

Our enemies hate us because we stand up to evil. I have a black hat in my truck. But I may have to go buy a white one. If we stand up to evil, I think that makes us the good guys. So I'm rather pleased.

And our enemies support evil. Wouldn't that make them the bad guys?

Okay, so here we have it. We're the good guys. Our enemies are the evil bad guys. Clear cut.

But what about our own people who want us to back down, or those around the world who protest so vigorously anytime America acts? There I'm not so clear cut. Are they misguided or evil too? Their behavior confuses poor old me.

They don't like war. Ok, neither do I. Nor any sane person. But war is the chosen recourse of our enemy. Murder, kidnapping, bombs. They didn't ask to negotiate or send a strongly worded letter.

But where were the anti-war activists when Iraq invaded Iran? Or Kuwait? Or when Saddam was gassing the Kurds? Were there thousands marching in Paris and Prague to denounce the bombing of Khobar? Or the Marine barracks in Beiruit?

Apparently, they dislike war only when America stands firm. For anyone else it's OK. Maybe I'm too simple, but those people's actions seem more anti-American then anti-war. Seriously, look at their actions. Their level of hatred for the president is frightful. Where is that level of emotion against Osama or the terrorists who murdered three thousand of our neighbors and friends? When civilian contractors in Iraq are murdered and their bodies set on fire and dragged through the streets, they are silent. But mention, shh ,(Florida) just one time and watch the reaction.

In case you are one of those, you must make a decision. Sixty years ago we did nothing. Europe did nothing. All while a tremendous threat gathered. It cost eleven million just in the holocaust. That doesn't count the Chinese, Koreans, Russians, and countless others who were murdered. Or the millions who died to stop the evil.

Today doing nothing will cost far more. Will you just sit idly by singing Peter, Paul and Mary while millions die? Do you care so little for your fellow man?

And if you choose this course, is it because you are anti-war? Or anti American. Or just evil?

Until later,

Dr. Peter Grout