So Stop It Already!

At last, some empirical evidence that I'm not just imagining it. This recession looks quite a bit like the one in 1981 - back when I was having such a great time finding a job in Detroit - and not really like the Great Depression of the 1930's.

Of course, as long as our president tries to nationalize the entire economy, he'll continue to do two things:

1. Try to make us believe that we're in the Great Depression's uglier and worse cousin. and
2. Force us down the path to that uglier and worse cousin by "trying to help" our economy get back on its feet.

Check this article for some excellent commentary and charts. As everyone knows, if it's on a chart, it must be true, but in this case they do actually tell an important story.
[The url is http://www.drjeffcornwall.com/2009/05/putting-things-in-perspective.html in case you're not getting the link above.]

OK now, folks - just stop taxing and spending and let the economy grow itself out of this recession before you do more real harm.

grr.

Reading Styles

Just wondering: am I very different from other people in that I tend to read several books at the same time?
When I've discussed this with other folks, the main objection I hear is that it would be impossible to keep track of what's going on in each book if one is reading more than one.
That seems to me to be an empty objection: how many TV series does the typical viewer follow these days? Certainly there's no lack of ability to keep track of which character belongs on which program and is doing what to or with whom. Why would reading be different?

At any rate, I'd be curious to know how many others read more than one book at a time, and how many books you're reading right now.

Thanks.

It's about time, but I'm still excited

Check out this article: http://www.powerpulse.net/story.php?storyID=20409

The short take: Pacific Gas & Electric is planning to beam solar energy from a Solaren Company geosynchronous satellite down to Earth - or rather to California.

This is exciting as all get out, and will be an excellent test of the true colours of the various "green" groups out there: are they really about cleaning things up, or about knocking us all back to the 19th century?

Can't wait for launch and the first few megawatts to start beaming their way down.

no grr needed!

Coinage du Jour - 02 May 09

TUBAPHORE - vi, n
1. To signal intent to an otherwise oblivious person using standard pieces of lumber; the act of such signaling.
2. To communicate across significant distance by waving large brass instruments in predefined patterns; that set of predefined patterns or signals.

Sample: "I got Bubba's attention by slappin' him up-side the head with a tubaphore."

Bloody Commies

So, just as they're "saving" Chrysler as an American car company by forcing it into bankruptcy and domination by an Italian "car" company, our Constitutionally deaf federal government is fast tracking its way into taking over our health care.

For a bunch of politicians who are desperately "pro-choice" in certain areas, they seem totally unaware of the value of choice in others. I'm certainly not thrilled with the prospect of finding myself in the same kind of situation our Canadian friends have occupied for years, but without a free country next door where I can turn while the government-run "health care" system spins its wheels while consigning me to a slow death by neglect.

As I said in the title, bloody Commies.

grr.

Army Strong

Well, we got him started on being strong, then he made himself still stronger, but now they're going to make Christian Army Strong.

He's excited, we're proud and conflicted, and the Army is lucky to have him.

Congrats, Christian!
(Don't forget to chest him.)

Single-Issue Extremist

Yep, the guys and gals down at Homeland Security must be watching me, because I'm one of those single-issue extremists that seem to be worrying them. I'm focused on the single issue of the Constitution.
Of course, if you consider the Bill of Rights as a separate entity (I do not, as that set of amendments were adopted as part of a deal to get the Constitution itself adopted), then I guess I'd be a two-issue extremist.

To quote:

The DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has no specific information that domestic rightwing* terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues.

Of course, the report then goes on to ape the most paranoid fantasies of the Keith Olbermann set. After all, isn't it obvious that if the Left Fringe are violent, anti-social freaks, then the Right Fringe must be as well? Clearly all the things the Left Fringe (or Statists) have done / considered / fantasized must be the same things the Right Fringe are planning to do right now, right?

Just because Penn State thinks that returning veterans are out to harm professors doesn't make it so. Frankly if this weren't so dangerous, it would be laughable.

No doubt it's ludicrous, but it's also dangerous, given the resources of the folks who are lost in their fantasy of evil Americans desperate for revenge for their losses in November. Frankly, that was hardly even the straw that broke the camel's back, if you ask me. We've been trading freedom for a feeding frenzy at the public trough for decades now - with only a little pause under Reagan - all the while slouching toward Gomorrah.

I suppose that once one moves far enough to the Left, any normal person looks to be a Far Right radical kook. Of course, I may just be being too kind by looking for a rational explanation.

Don't tread on me, but don't think I'm out to get you - that would just be paranoid.

grr.