What? You Didn't See This Coming?

The reason.

Can A Bureaucratic Nanny-State Mentality Kill You?

Um, yes:

A pregnant woman, her husband and their three-year-old son were killed in a house fire early yesterday as police who arrived before the fire brigade prevented neighbours from trying to save them. The woman screamed: “Please save my kids” from a bedroom window and neighbours tried to help but were beaten back by flames and were told by police not to attempt a rescue.

By the time firefighters got into the house in Doncaster, Michelle Colly, 25, her husband, Mark, 29, and son, Louis, 3, were dead. Their daughter, Sophie, 5, was taken to hospital and believed to be critically ill.

Davey Davis, 38, a friend of the family, said: “It was the most harrowing thing I have ever witnessed. Michelle was at the bedroom window yelling, ‘Please save my kids’ and we wanted to help but the police were pushing us back and not allowing us near. We were willing to risk our lives to save those kiddies but the police wouldn’t let us.

They hate it when the sheep think for themselves.

Hattip: Samizdata.

Put On Your Cap And Trade...

... And celebrate your Hopenchange future. Yes, the article actually used the term, "dishwater-detergent smuggler."

Pop Quiz.

The Zo, he speaks. And you, should listen:

This Should Surprise No One.

The New York Times allegedly spiked a story last October on Obama-ACORN connections that would have been “a game changer.”

This story dares question the purity of the Hopenchange Revolution, so don't expect it to get much attention. Remember, ACORN is going to get rather a few Franklins from the "Stimulus" package.

Yeah. Me, Too.

Heinlein fan that I am, I'm slapping myself on the forehead for not thinking of this one before: I Am Simon Jester. It sure does fit with the current times. Kudos to Liberty Girl!

For the uninitiated, here's a bit of background.

I'm SO Going To Episco-Hell. (Wherever That Is...)

My Anglican / Episcopal readers my already know that someone seems to have come up with a cunning new plan to stop the bloody freefall steady decline in participation in The Episcopal Church (tm), and make it grow, all at the same time - cook the books. If the way you are counting isn't giving you the desired result, count something else as well:

Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That the 76th General Convention request the House of Deputies Committee on the State of the Church to consider supplementing the definition of Average Sunday Attendance, so as to maintain the integrity and comparability of attendance statistics while also accounting for the regularly scheduled primary weekly worship services of missional, co-located or emergent congregations that occur on days other than Sundays or Saturdays; and be it further

Resolved, That the House of Deputies Committee on the State of the Church consider adding a quantifiable measure of mission to count the number of people served including, but not limited to, schools, soup kitchens, food pantries, campus ministries other ministries through which the congregation lives out its mission.

So if you walk into an Episcopal Church, you can be considered as having attended that church. Of course, why stop there? We can't be too inclusive, now can we?

Jaw, Meet Floor.

GM really is "Government Motors" now:

It is my hope that the steps I am announcing today will go a long way towards answering many of the questions people may have about the future of GM and Chrysler. But just in case there are still nagging doubts, let me say it as plainly as I can -- if you buy a car from Chrysler or General Motors, you will be able to get your car serviced and repaired, just like always. Your warrantee will be safe.

In fact, it will be safer than it's ever been. Because starting today, the United States government will stand behind your warrantee.

Yes, dear readers, that was actually uttered by President Hopenchange. Maybe this lady wasn't so far off the mark after all.

FWIW, my next car will be German. Made by a private corporation. In America.

UPDATE: There's a crisp, new Twenty in it for the first reporter to call him "Presidnet Goodwrench" at a news conference.

Blut und Ehre!

The Obama Youth Government mandated 'volunteerism' for your kids is on the way. Can you say, 'Hoffnung und Änderung!?'

I knew you could.

Oh yes - ACORN gets a cut.

A Medicine For The Age.

I think I'll stay drug free, thank you.

Hattip: Maggie's Farm.

A Disturbance In The Search.

Looking through my recent Google referrals (I was bored), I've noticed a disturbing trend - folks Googling for RSR who can't seem to get the name of this little blog quite right. (Especially disturbing since most of the incorrect ones seem to be coming out of the Baton Rouge area. - ed.) I've had "Red Stick Ranter", "Red Stick Rants", "Red Stick Ranting", "Red Rant", or "Ranting Red Stick.". The best was a search for "stick ranting in Baton Rouge". And, yes, he seemed to be looking for RSR.

I'm always amazed what Google searches bring people to RSR. The most popular is still "clown communion", which gets RSR at least one referral a week. RSR apparently also pops up on searches for Episcopal church welcomes you" (that's gotta piss off 815 Second Avenue), "FEMA regulations", and even "nagin is an idiot". My favorite, though, is someone once got to RSR by googling "hot porn christian abba".

What a world.

Sunday Evening Distractions.

Why Architects, Technology, and Alcohol Don't Mix.

From the same site, why literalists shouldn't use computers.

Danke, Deutschland.

What?? A European not emulating The Messiah? The duce, you say!

Oh, no. Reality.

For my Anglican / Episcopal readers - it seems the light at the end of the tunnel really is an oncoming freight train:

There are some indications that what the committee describes as “tensions” are growing in congregations. In a similar survey undertaken in 2005, 37 percent of congregations reported serious conflict that resulted in at least some members leaving. About one-third of those responding in 2005 attributed the conflict to decisions made during the 2003 General Convention. In a similar survey conducted in 2008, 64 percent of congregations reported some level of conflict over the ordination of homosexual clergy, with most reporting such conflict to be serious.

“Overall, 47 percent of Episcopal congregations had serious conflict over this issue, 40 percent indicated that some people left and 18 percent indicated that some people withheld funds,” the committee report states. “Furthermore, the rate of decline in Average Sunday Attendance from 2003-2007 among congregations with serious conflict over the ordination of gay clergy was 35 percent higher than congregations with no conflict over the issue (and accounted for more than double the aggregate loss).”

Remember these recent words from our current Presiding Bishop:

But Bishop Jefferts Schori also said the fallout for the Episcopal Church, with 7,700 congregations in the United States and elsewhere, has been exaggerated.

"We know of about 55 or 60 [congregations] which have had a majority of members decide to leave the Episcopal Church. That's well under 1 percent," she said.

and these as well,

"I think we're well past the worst of the crisis,"

Oops.

Anglican dhimmis...

...shouldn't cause offense: Only five of England's 44 bishops want the bells to ring out on St George's Day.

No wonder Rochester's Bishop, the brilliantly outspoken Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, is giving the Church of England the heave-ho.

Sunday Required Reading.

It's Sunday, so both Ten Years After and the Ten Commandments are involved. Enjoy.

The Thank God For Modern Technology Hour.

Tomorrow night (28 March) between 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, we intend to turn on every light in Villa RSR. Turn down the AC to about 60, too. Here's why.

UPDATE 29MAR09: Via Glenn Reynolds, it seems some folks had another campaign at the same time called Celebrate Human Achievement Hour. I celebrated it. Did you?

Friday Required Reading.

Michael Yon, who I have not posted about in a while - and should have - has some new dispatches, here and here, about a great American. (Hint: There is a CSI-NY connection.)

If you haven't kept up with Michael's travels lately, here is his homepage. Take a few and see what he's been up to. I'm sure your employer won't mind - Obama says we're in the middle of this recession thingy, so your boss probably doesn't have too much for you to do anyway...

Your Honor Reverend Mother.

Now that The Messiah is calling the shots, I guess we don't need that "seperation of church and state" thing anymore:

Emily C. Hewitt, one of the first women ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church, was named March 23 by President Barack Obama to be the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Not to worry, dear readers - she is an Episcopalian; which means she likely doesn't beleive in all that God/Savior twaddle anyway.

And what better person to put in as chief judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims than someone who ignores the rules when it suits her:

Hewitt was a leader of the effort to open Episcopal Church priestly ordination to women. She was one of the first 11 women ordained to the priesthood on July 29, 1974, before the church's canons allowed women to be priests.(emphasis mine.)

A Troll. In The Flesh.

Much has been written recently about the "buyers remorse" some elites are feeling with Team Obama, but tonight I got to witness first-hand a show of "buyers anger" by a true-believer, venting because "change" isn't happening fast enough for him.

In Cabela's tonight (yes, Cabela's) to pick up an order, I got into a conversation with a lady at the counter about the empty shelves in the firearms department, our new President's stand on the Second Amendment, and upcoming gun control measures that worried her. Just then a man who was also at the counter - 60-ish, pudgy, with what remained of his white hair in a rat-tail - started shouting about how it was Republican George Bush who ruined our country, how Republicans like me were responsible, and how people like me were at fault for Obama not being able to fix our problems. And, ooooh, he was tired of it! I replied that we were discussing the Second Amendment, not Bush or economics, and I wasn't a Right-wing Republican. But our geriatric hippie wasn't having any of that. He came over and started poking me with his finger as he continued his rant of frustratation, as if proximity and physical contact made his argument more persuasive. I... left.

So, to that temperamental ex-flower child, please know that your objection and your anger are noted. But since dissent is patriotic, get used to it.

You Know Of Course, This Means War... (Mildly NSFW)

The baddest-ass animated bunnies since Bugs:



Hattip: Jason at Countercolumn.

National Medal Of Honor Day...

...Is today. If you didn't know that before, now you do. Remember folks like Cpl. Jason Dunham.

A Message From The Management.

Rolfe: For the record, this blog ain't for hire, it ain't for sale, and your humble blogger here ain't being paid to promote or disparage anyone.

M'kay?

Calling MENSA...

Albert Einstein once said:

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

And Bobby Jindal wants to prove him right.

At least a lot fewer people will see it.

Monday Afternoon iPhone Cool.

Let's see a Blackberry or Treo do... this:



(Jealous, Anne?)

See - Government Run Health Care...

...Is a joke.

Hey Bobby, Any Openings On The Ethics Board?

I mean, I gave you a grand during the governor's race in 2007...

You Put The Words Right Into My Mouth.

Barack Obama's TelePrompter... has a blog. Really.

Hattip: Feed Your ADHD.

BWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Classic:

Today's Required Reading.

Via Vodkapundit, the incomparable James Lileks attempts to apply common sense to The National Endowment for the Arts, and finds the two are mutually exclusive. Read it all.

A Guest Post.

(Note: The management here at RSR is trying out a little experiment. We have invited an acquaintance, who is known as The Grey Man, to do a guest post. We are doing this because he writes pretty well, it saves us the time of having to come up with this stuff, and because he doesn't want certian photos in our possession posted here. If this works out, he may become a regular. So without further ado...)

First, Red Stick Rant has graciously, or foolishly, asked me, "The Grey Man", to occasionally pen a bonus essay for your entertainment pleasure.

Second, we'll discuss the AIG bonus scandal.

My opinion mimics one of my favorite movie lines. "So what. Big deal". This is nothing more than a tempest in a Teapot Dome. Merely MUD (made up drama).

The new AIG boss had two Shakespearean choices. To pay or not to pay, that was the question.

He chose to pay the bonuses required by the employees' contracts, and is getting pilloried for it. We hear cries about "wasting the taxpayer's money", from the same Congress that tells us earmarks are no big deal.

It's not like this was a surprise to Congress or the administration. Senator Dodd inserted the language, at the behest of an unnamed treasury official, which means the administration left their fingerprints. And of course the Congress fully read and understood the bill before voting for it, right?

Let's say he chose option 2, and refused to pay. Then we'd be hearing about how he shorted the working man, and willfully breached contracts. Then the lawyers sue and collect. After legal fees, court costs, punitive damages, pain and suffering, in would cost more like 330 million instead of 165.

Either way, there would be scandal. But why?

That's easy. It was their turn.

We've all seen magicians on TV. And they all, even the female ones, have a very cute female assistant. Wearing a nearly NSFW outfit. No one who likes girls is watching the magician's hands.

For the rest of the audience, there are fireworks and sparklers and colored lights and streamers, so they're not watching the magician's hands either .

With no one watching the hands, we're all amazed when the magician turns an elephant into a walnut or a mostly prosperous republic into a bankrupt oligarchy.

The bonus scandal is mere razzle dazzle, mere distraction. It fits a pattern. Santelli then Limbaugh then Cramer, now AIG. It's about as mature as a boy in the schoolyard pointing and yelling "fight" so he can hop the fence and cut class. Also pretty effective.

Notice each of these lasts a week or so, then we get a new one. In a few days, we'll be dealing with a new distraction. The current favorite is White House and MSM vs. The basketball coach. Take the coach and give 2.5 points.

So what are the hands doing?

How about the Fed massively buying back bills with nonexistent cash. Holy inflation Batman! Or having a Ron Paul sticker makes you a domestic terror suspect. (Remember way back, last year, when profiling was wrong?). Or federal troops deploying on a "peacekeeping" mission. In Alabama.

I'll end by telling you a little lesson I learned while earning my DT. (Doctorate of Thinkology). Ignore the smoke and flame and lightning and thunder.

But DO pay attention to the little man behind the curtain.

The Grey Man

Hurrumph.

I'm in a funk, and am not much interested in posting on the normal RSR issues of the day. Nationally, the Democrats are trying hard to prove that they are slimier than the Republicans they replaced. In Louisiana it's the opposite - the Jindal gang Republicans are trying hard to prove they are slimier than the Democrats they replaced. And in The Episcopal Church (tm), they would try to ordain a hunk of slime if it made them look 'relevant' and 'inclusive.' (Actually, some would say they've already done that a few times. -ed.)

So to fill your time, dear readers, here's a couple of things from Theo's:

A detailed engineering animation for my wife, sorry, the House RSR .45 champion.

The new number one on my Christmas wish list.

This Should Make Some Androids Pretty Dreamy.

Electric sheep:



Philip K. Dick would have been pleased.

Hattip: Theo.

P.S. Here is a website about androids and electric sheep . Well, sort of. In a tangential, more-teeth-than-McGoo's, NSFW kind of way.

Three Guesses.

Hattip: Village of Joy. Lots more here.

The Green Prize.

Stephen Green, the Vodkapundit, has issued a (NSFW) national challenge with a cash prize.

Competition in the pursuit of financial gain - go capitalism!

WWMD?

Daver finds the geek t-shirt for the ages.

And yes, I want one.

What Is The Value Of A College Education?

Well for starters, it allows you to do things like this.

The Failblog is particularly good today. Check it out.

The 'O' Guards.

Are coming to a front door near you. This weekend.


Welcome to change, 1917 1933 1949 1968 1975 2009 style.

Lokai and Bele In New Orleans.

Hey there, dear readers - let's play SPOT THE IRONY!

Most of what they are saying about Stacy Head is scurrilous or irrational, but she cannot look you in the face and deny the fundamental charge against her.

Head, as alleged, is white. And that is unacceptable, according to Malcolm Suber, who is leading a campaign to recall her. This is "a majority black district, and we think it should have black representation," he said.

Uh-hm. So, by that logic, we should toss our mayor, Kip Holden, because Baton Rouge is a white majority city? I think not. Kip's done a pretty good job.) Suber went on to call Head a racist.

I'm glad that Mr. Suber has the right to say what he thinks. I really am. It allows the rest of us to recognize 'hypocrite' from a long way off.

Bonus Points: Name the TV show the post title obtusely references.

UPDATE: In the comments, McGoo wins the Bonus Points. I guess a prize is in order - something from here, perhaps?

iPhone OS 3.0 Preview.

From Apple. Copy and paste and landscape email will be included in 3.0. About time.

A Note From The Management.

People who come here for the first time often rummage round in the older posts, archives, and subject tags. I encourage them to do so, and hope they return. But considering the current level of interest during the middle of a most uncivil political campaign, I'm beginning to wonder if Charlie Buras is right. So let me put this up front - if you want dirt on your humble blogger, you don't need to spend hours online digging for it.

Save yourself some time and email me. I'll tell you myself.

But I'm afraid you'll be underwhelmed. I've never been arrested, divorced or unfaithful to my wife, and I've never been fired. I'm an Eagle Scout, honorably served in the Army National Guard, active in my church, and I pay my bills. I've had one traffic ticket in 24 years. OK, the story about me and my friend Laurent tearing off mattress tags in D. H. Holmes' in 1969, while his mom bought pillows, is true. As is that time I snuck into Pontchartrain Beach in 1973. And summer school in 1974 - yeah, I had to do that. But I hardly think these rise to the level of scandal.

But not to worry, dear potential inquisitor - if the truth doesn't suit you, I'll be happy to make something up. My life is so devoid of turpitude nobody would believe it anyway, so the opportunity to give my image a bit of secular libertine street cred sounds like fun. Heck, maybe I can swing a book deal. Just one request: twins. There's gotta be twins.

UPDATE: Daver, many thanks for the offer. I'm quite flattered. But I think I can handle it (see this.)

Who Says You Can't Learn Anything From A Crawfish?

Let's, um, segway into some cool Coonass Tech:

Uploaded by vadlefou

Hattip: Theo Spark.

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Oh, yes.

We Have A Record!

Last night, Someone at Louisiana State University here in Baton Rouge spent 31 minutes and 32 seconds visiting this little blog, viewing 145 seperate posts!

That's one post every 13 seconds. I wonder what they were looking for?

UPDATE: Another 55 minutes, 57 seconds, and 158 pageviews. Hmmm. What are you looking for, Christopholes?

Bias? What Media Bias?

The Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy, exists.

3.0 Is Coming.

All right. Enough about politics, boobs (sorry, I repeat myself), teeth, and funny pictures of cats. Here is something really important: Apple is going to preview the iPhone 3.0 firmware, and the new SDK, at 12 noon CDT tomorrow (17 March). Engadget will be liveblogging.

Yes, dear readers, I'm that much of a geek.

Never On The First Date.

I know, I know. I said I wasn't going to post anymore on the Senate District 16 race here in Louisiana, but... ouch.

This is embarrassing on two fronts: first, the election isn't 6 April OR 7 April, but 4 April; and second, these appeared on a website of one of the candidate's biggest supporters.

If I were this candidate, I'd be sending some campaign staff packing. Fast. Things like this tend to go viral, and will be remembered more than any issue ad, debate, or TV commercial.

Monday Rainbows.

One of my favorite sites, Maggie's Farm, posted this image of a rainbow today. One of my other favorite sites, Theo Spark (Last of the Few), also has a, um, rainbow image as well.

Three guesses which site I visit more often...

Let's Be Frank.

Massachusetts Congressman-for-life Barney Frank, (he was our rep when we lived in Newton 20 years ago!), is all kinds of upset today about "rewarding incompetence."

Funny, he doesn't seem to have too much of a problem with electing incompetence...

See, You Are Not Alone.

Follow up to an earlier RSR post - Glenn Reynolds has images from today's Cincinnati Tea Party protest. Note the second picture. The more times numbers like these (or larger) show up, the harder it becomes for Obama/Pelosi/Reed to claim we want them to make our health care choices, redistribute our wealth, and burden our descendants with endless debt.

Louisiana readers - your chance to show up and be counted is coming: 15 April in Baton Rouge and Shreveport / Bossier City.

I'm Humbled.

Like many growing up in New Orleans in the 70's, I spent many hours listening to 'Captain Humble' on WRNO (back then "The Rock of New Orleans"). It was his studio interview with an obscure British group then touring the US (in a used van) called 'The Police,' that introduced me to New Wave/Alternative music.

So when I read this article I was saddened to hear that the good Captain has, like so many after Katrina, fallen on hard times. But I'm glad to see he still has friends. There are a lot more of us out there than you think, Captain.

Hattip: Dead Pelican.

Fair Enough.

In an earlier post I noted that this Form 990 seemed rather odd, and appeared to raise questions (and eyebrows) about candidate Lee Domingue's claimed charitable activities. I (and others) thought an explanation was in order.

An email this evening alerted me that information addressing the issue is now up on Mr. Domingue's website.

UPDATE 15MAR09: Charlie Buras isn't impressed.

How About, "Undocumented Extremist?"

The Obama Administration drops the term "enemy combatant." (Except for this guy, that is...)

Head to the comments and post your own idea for a new term.

Your Friday Friedman. (UPDATED)

Econiomist Milton Friedman, some 30 years ago, nailed the problem with The Obama Deal:



We need more like him.

Hattip: My buddy Karl.

UPDATE: What?? The White House agrees?

UPDATE 14MAR09: Via Instapundit, Ilya Somin over at The Volokh Conspiracy points out the utter hypocracy of the Administration's sudden embrace of Gordon Gekko. Read it all.

Thursday Night Merchandising FAIL.

This may explain why they're called 'X-MEN'.

UPDATE 13MAR09: Stephen Green finds an even better FAIL. Journalism (or lack thereof) is involved.

Ouch Of The Day Department.

Via Instapundit, comes this headline:

Left finally comes to terms that Obama is not Jesus. Jesus could actually build a cabinet.

The Most Important Endorsement In The District 16 Race.

No, not this one. I mean this one by Laurinda Calongne :

"I am grateful for the support our campaign received on the March 7th primary election. After meeting with both candidates and discussing the issues and the upcoming campaign, I have made a personal decision that I will support Dan Claitor in the April 4th general election."

No matter how much money Domingue puts in, I do not see how he can win the Calongne vote now (not likely he was before). IMHO, without that support it's all over but the election; Claitor is in.

UPDATE: I know, I shouldn't; but I stirred the pot just a bit.

Deciding Not To Decide Is Still A Decision, Isn't It?

The Federal Eternal Misery Organization has decided to make a "Decision Team" to "jump-start" languishing Katrina projects. As someone who has been involved with a FEMA languishing project (as in, languishing over two years), I'm not holding my breath.

This Ain't No Party. This Ain't No Disco. This Ain't No Foolin' Around.

Louisiana has already had it's first 'Tea Party' anti-stimulus protest in Lafayette, Louisiana, the other day, and it seems others are planned for 15 April, in Shreveport / Bossier City and Baton Rouge. See the websites for more information, times, places, etc.

Dear readers, and especially my Louisiana readers, I cannot implore you enough - if you believe the massive spending and the uber-Leftward track of Obama/Pelosi/Reed are wrong for our country, you need to show up at a protest.

If there is a protest in your state, take the day off and attend. Drive hours if you have to. Bring family and friends. Numbers matter, and the current powers that be know it. 10 people is not news. Or 20 or 30. If 1,000 people show up - or 10,000 - well friends, that's news. The Left thinks they know how this game is played, and they are banking on you not showing up (you never have before). If you don't, they will say that a few flag-waving die-hard Limbaugh zombies doesn't prove anything. But if you, and thousands like you, are mad enough to take time off from (private-sector) work or from school to let them know where you stand, well, they got a problem even James Carville can't spin away.

Protests like these are now happening all over the country, so the gatherings in Louisiana will not be an isolated event. Show others what you think. And show those who think similarly that they are not alone. There is strength in numbers, dear readers, and it is high time the silent, productive majority in this nation flex it's strength and be heard.

UPDATE: My friend Greta Perry will be talking about the Tea Party movement on her radio show this Saturday (14 March) on AM 690 WIST in New Orleans. Greta is on from 9-10 AM and would enjoy some calls: 888-880-WIST or (504)260-0690.

Stimulus Wars.

I sense a great disturbance in the Force.

From ar15.com, via The Smallest Minority and Instapundit.

UPDATE: If you continue the metaphor, doesn't that make this guy... Yoda?

Making Jimmy Carter Look Good.

It's not easy, but The Messiah and his peeps are pulling it off:



That's right - 25 DVDs. Here is the Daily Telegraph article Glenn Beck mentioned.

Expect four more years of this kind of behavior.

Where is Louisianaconservative.com? (Updated)

I stopped over at Louisianaconservative.com last night and I got a SUSPENDED page. Same thing again today.

Wassup with that? Jim Brown, fellow baseball fan, never answered my question over there about why Satan is his "perennial favorite."

UPDATE 12MAR09: It's back up. Don't scare me like that, Jeff.

Shooting Blanks.

When is a Supreme Court decision about guns not news? When the wrong side wins, of course.

This SCOTUS decision Monday - which the press is generally ignoring - turned down attempts by Washington, DC and New York City to make a back-door gun ban to sue firearms manufacturers.

Had this decision gone the other way, you know it would have been the lede on every nightly news channel out there and all over the front page of The New York Times.

Hattip: Instapundit.

Dr. Funnylove.

Or, How I Stopped Worrying And Learned To Laugh At The Bomb:


Hey, if you can't make a nuclear war winnable, at least make it fun.

From McGoo's place. It's particularly good today, so head on over. (Lots of teeth.)

UPDATE: OK, it's not all that original. I'd forgotten about this poster for one of my wife's favorite movies. (Mine, too.)

Not Taking The Bait (And Switch).

South Carolina governor rejects some of the money Obama is borrowing from Communist China stimulus money. Hmmm. I think another governor was talking about doing the same thing.

A trend, perhaps?

Be careful, South Carolina - such talk makes chief executives spend a lot of time out of state.

Fly, My Pretties! Fly!

The Wicked Witch of the East The Queen Mother Joan Crawford's Younger Sister House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Too Good To Stand In Line Like The Rest Of Us) is in a bit of hot water over her imperial travel habits.

Dr. Dave over at Feed Your ADHD thinks he may have uncovered some, um, related e-mails. (Warning: Graphic image! Do not open link if you have a weak stomach, under 18, or are prone to projectile vomiting.)

Who? What? When? Where? Why? Will It Make Republicans Look Bad?

Journalism 101 - it's only big news if the right kind of people protest.

Wednesday Morning Kitteh. (CLUE Version.)

LOLcats. I don't care who you are, this is funny:


This one is pretty good as well. Many more LOLcats here for your enjoyment.

Thank You...

How do we respond? "You're welcome?"

Hattip: Maggie's Farm.

Taking A Ride On The Honey Wagon.

Quite a number of folks have been stopping by looking for information about the Senate District 16 general election and the candidates - Dan Claitor and Lee Domingue. I'm pretty much done with that subject, but if you want the latest SD 16 info, rumors, innuendo, personal opinions, conjecture, attacks, and flaming rants, this seems to be the place to go.

Make sure to check your intellect and reason at the door, and shower afterward.

UPDATE: One last thought - Would Lee Domingue support a law like this in Louisiana? Just asking.

UPDATE 11MAR09: Heh.

Connecticut Legislature Wants To Do Away With Separation Of Church And State.

Well, for those unregulated, abortion-hating, breeder Roman Catholics, that is:



Watch it all. The Episcopal Church (tm) gets a mention. Makes my previous post pretty germane.

Hattip: Creative Minority Report.

UPDATE: In the comments, Ontario Emperor is reporting that the issue caused quite a political firestorm (duh) and is dead. This story confirms it. Why is is that the people always worried about religion intruding on the state, rarely see a problem when the state intrudes on religion? I mean, what were they thinking??

To The Catacombs?

A piece in The Christian Science Monitor today has some dire warnings on the future of Evangelical Christianity in America. Being an orthodox Anglican, I especially found this bit interesting:

We Evangelicals have failed to pass on to our young people an orthodox form of faith that can take root and survive the secular onslaught. Ironically, the billions of dollars we've spent on youth ministers, Christian music, publishing, and media has produced a culture of young Christians who know next to nothing about their own faith except how they feel about it. Our young people have deep beliefs about the culture war, but do not know why they should obey scripture, the essentials of theology, or the experience of spiritual discipline and community. Coming generations of Christians are going to be monumentally ignorant and unprepared for culture-wide pressures.

Do I believe Christianity will collapse in the US as this article predicts? Well, no. I think that conclusion is a bit alarmist. But Christianity dramatically receding in some areas, such as parts of California and (ironically for the The Christian Science Monitor) large parts of the Northeast, is a very real possibility. And secularist efforts to demonize and marginalize Faith when it conflicts with secularist purposes, is already upon us. UPDATE: Stunts like this make those efforts to demonize and marginalize that much easier.

Read the whole thing. I don't agree with the meta conclusion, but it is good food for thought that should provoke reflection.

Three Bedrooms, Two Branches...

Via Daver, some really cool treehouses. Yeah, like you didn't dream about something like this when you were a kid.

Mmmm. Storage.

Realistic food USB flash drives. I think the idea of having a stuffed shrimp plugged into the side of your laptop is kinda neat. Though, a 'Bacon USB' would be killer.

That Ain't Pocket Money.

I've seen it several places already today, but I think this is a great illustration of just how far The Messiah and the Democrat Congress want to put us (and our children, and our grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren) in the hole so they can do some 'hopenchange wealth redistribution.

The Things You Find When You Can't Sleep.

So I was knocking round at Maggie's Farm and came across this: a recipe for Boston Baked Beans from my old Wednesday lunch haunt in Quincy Market, Durgin Park.

Which reminds me - Opening Day is in 27 days, 12 hours, and 31 minutes.

So How's That Ethics Reform Going, Bobby?

During a break from his hectic schedule collecting checks for a run at President something-or-other, Louisiana's Governor Bobby Jindal (R-Out-Of-State), the current savior of the Republican Party, gave out free tickets to a Britney Spears concert in New Orleans to state legislators and other state officials.

Personally, I always pegged Jindal as a Debbie Gibson fan.

UPDATE 10MAR09: And speaking of Jindal, it seems someone has been going around vandalizing campaign signs. That's dirty pool, IMHO. The Calitor campaign should be ashamed.

A Natural Idiot.

From the "We Can't Make This Stuff Up Department." Want to know how out-of-touch with the natural world - and with reality - the earthy-crunchy Left is? This much:

"To all you hunters who kill animals for food, shame on you; you ought to go to the store and buy the meat that was made there, where no animals were harmed."

(From a "Speakout" response to an editorial in The Daily Journal [Kankakee, Michigan - subscription required] via Theo.)

Read that again, dear readers. Yes, this nature worshipper actually thinks that meat literally comes from the grocery store. They whip it up in the back or something.

OK, let's review a recent post to remind everyone exactly where beef comes from. Any questions? Good.

I hope this person gets eaten by a bear.

Welcome MCJ readers! Glad y'all stopped by. Look round a bit, there is even more weirdness (and the occasional Episcopal rant) to be found.

And to Therese Z who commented over at The MCJ, the quote is indeed sourced; you have to register to see it, alas, or dig a bit. It comes from a transcript of the paper's "Speakout" section - published 4 January 2009 - in response to an earlier editorial. I have seen the actual quote. Do a search on their website for "Speakout".

Well, Duh...

Lookee what I found today - some common sense:

When you're in a hole, the first lesson is to stop digging. Let's start by putting down the shovel and admitting we are heading in the wrong direction.

Instead of the Obama/Pelosi/Reed concept, which seems to be, "We're loosing money on everything we do; but we can make up for it by doing it in volume."

Hint: The Lee Domingue campaign would do well to heed that hole/shovel advice...

UPDATE: Wiser men agree; such as J.R.R. Tolkien's best friend:

"We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."

We Now Return You To Our Regularly Scheduled Weirdness.

This image (stolen, yet again, from McGoo's place) of a nice young lady exemplifies how most of us in Senate District 16 feel right about now:


I've spent too much time in the slime, dear readers. So let's move on, shall we?

Here's something over at Theo's that is both non-political and quite squeaky clean. Hope that changes the subject. Nice hat, too.

Diatrict 16: On To Round Two.

The Primary for Louisiana's District 16 was held yesterday, and Dan Claitor and Lee Domingue will be heading into a runnoff. Laurinda Calongne, who we voted for, came in third. All are Republicans.

But the big story here is the real looser in this race: Bobby Jindal. Jindal came out at the last minute and endorsed Lee Domingue - who raised some hefty sums for what is a local race - and Domingue still came in second. The only thing that seemed to link Jindal to Domingue was the latter's impressive fundraising for Jindal. That, and the timing of the endorsement right after Domingue got hit with some bad press, raised eyebrows.

If Jindal truly had the stature here that he is trying to convince the rest of the nation he has, Domingue should have walked away with this. But he didn't. Partly, that is because Domingue is a weak candidate - he puts off folks with his negative attacks, his on-the-sleeve social-conservatism, and his past that he either can't, or won't, shake. But partly, this is a conservative district (where Jindal grew up) of mostly moderate, economic republicans, with some university folks (LSU is in the district), and conservative democrats - who are more worried right now about their 401(k)s and businesses than about about prayer in school. They are ticked at Jindal for jetting off all over the country running for President while seemingly ignoring the state. And when he does pay attention, he endorses of one of his biggest contributors, Domingue - which smacks of politics as usual.

If Domingue wanted to help Jindal, he would withdraw from this race and save Jindal the embarrasment of looking like he not only has no coat tails - he has no coat. There is no way Domingue can win next month - he has alienated the voters of both of his opponents, and I don't think going even more negative on Claitor will win any of them over to his side. The majority in District 16 are mad about what they see as politics as usual. Right now, they now see Jindal as part of that problem, and Domingue as his poster boy.

For more perspective, go over to Charlie's place.

UPDATE 09MAR09: I spent a bit of time today in a local mud-wrestling forum local politics forum trying to get Domingue supporters to convince me that their candidate was the better choice. They answered some of my questions, but no matter what, there was always that last bit of negativity tossed in against a fellow Republican. Unless things change radically, I'm supporting Dan Claitor.

Let's Be Bad Guys.

Stephen Green, the Vodkapundit, suggests the way to GOP victory. Sounds like a plan to me.

Friday Afternoon Required Cartoon.

Alas, they don't make 'em like they used to:



Watch it all. As relevant today as it was then - maybe more so. And if you take off the moustache, the skinny "Dr. Utopia" salesman does look kinda familiar...

UPDATE: Speaking of kinda familiar, doesn't the "John Q. Public" character look a bit like a lovable little fuzzball we all know? He is standing up to our very own Dr. Utopia.

New Blog De Jour.

In keeping with this week's RSR focus on local Louisiana politics (apologies to our StandFirm readers), the 'BLOG DE JOUR' is a site for Louisiana political junkies - Charlie Buras' Old River Road. Check him out.

Faith, Hope, And Lee Domingne.

My sentiments exactly. The charity's IRS 990-EZ is public record, not "baseless crap."

The Domingne camp's hostile refusal to explain this issue makes the charity, and Domingue, look rather suspect. A reasonable answer this late may not help in this race, but it could get the issue off the table if (when? -ed.) Domingue runs again.

Note To Pam Anderson.

This is why we have incisor and canine teeth.

Mmmm...

Hattip: Theo.

UPDATE: Did someone mention teeth?...

A Well Planned "Welcome Surprise." (UPDATED)

(UPDATE 05MAR09: Welcome to all the folks stopping by from PoliticsLA.com, Tigerdroppings.com, and Opinionted Catholic. As the Senate race comes down to the finish line, I'm noticing that tensions are running high and tempers are flaring. (Yes, even your humble blogger's) So we at RSR recommend you take a quick mental vacation over at Theo's, or at Daver's, or - if you dare - McGoo's (check out the, um, teeth.) There now - don't you feel better? C'mon, admit it. C'mon...)

We now return you to our regularly scheduled post:

Senate district 16 candidate Lee Domingue, when asked this morning on WRKF about Bobby Jindal's endorsement yesterday, said the following:

Well, as far as working hard to get it, we were just honored to receive it. It came as a welcome surprise to us.

My ass.

One day after Jindal made his endorsement, a slick flier arrived in the mail at our house touting Jindal's endorsement.

UPDATE: Here is the website for Cyrus International, one of the charities Domingue said in the interview he and his wife started which is active in combating human trafficking. Accusations about the legitimacy of the charity have been posted recently, and a review of the charity's 2007 IRS Form 990-EZ Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax appear to give the accusations credence. The IRS form shows no assets, no income and no expenditures reported - just lots of zeros. Maybe this was at the inception of the charity before things got up and running. I hope so. Either way, Domingue needs to explain this.

UPDATE: Looking up the 990's on the partner charities listed at Cyrus' website, here is the one for Churchasia, (2007, from Louisiana), In His Steps (2007, in Colorado), and Global Expeditors (2005 - latest one found - in Louisiana). The others didn't get a search hit, though that doesn't conclude anything. All listed did show activity, which makes the zeros on Cyrus International's 990 all the more curious.

Thought For The Day, Indeed.

Glenn Reynolds points out this very timely Robert Heinlein quote.

Rereading The Moon is a Harsh Mistress would be rather aprops right about now. After you finish reading this, of course.

Do I Have To Worry About This Anymore?

Our mortgage payment was due on the first of the month and... I paid it. All of it. On time. Like I did the month before, and the month before that, and the month before that.

Boy, do I feel like a chump.

Wednesday Afternoon Cool.

Over at Village of Joy, nighttime images from space. Note the one showing Japan and Korea. See anything unusual about North Korea? (If Al Gore had his way, the US would look like that at night, too.)

The '60's Don't Get Better With Age.

What does an aging hippy "dreamy overachiever" do after having:

...worked as a senior physical therapist at three Baltimore hospitals; recorded and toured nationally as a rock drummer; taught Tai Chi in the Baltimore city prison system; and built an acupuncture practice with more than 350 patients.?

Why, you spend eight years at seminary (eight years!?! - ed.) and become an Episcopal Priest.

So, with a flourish of tie-dye and patchouli, let me introduce the recently ordained....

"Mother" Julia Anne Fritts.

This kind of PC twaddle isn't fresh, dynamic, or revitalizing. It's why people are leaving the church.

Bonus Points: Search the article for the words "Jesus" or "Christ". Didn't see 'em? Me, either. And "God" is only mentioned once. Not really a surprise.

Honey, Look What I Found On The Ash-Heap Of History.

Why, it's the Obama agenda. The American Thinker compares The Messiah's vision with the 2008 platform of the Communist Party USA, and doesn't find much difference.

Sadly, I'm not surprised.

Hattip: Maggie's Farm.

Aren't Guns Already Illegal In Mexico?

A very good point. Plus, a border fence is "shovel ready."

Personally, I see a golden opportunity for some major foreign policy leverage: we tell the Mexican government we'll stop the guns illegally going south, if they'll stop the people illegally coming north. Everybody wins!

Jindal Takes Sides. (UPDATED)

This morning Governor Bobby Jindal endorsed Lee Domingue for State Senate. Not surprising, actually, since Jindal has seems to like backing evangelical social conservatives with election-killing skeletons.

Given the district is heavily Republican and pro-Jindal, this may have been timed to try and negate possible damage from the recent revelations about Domingue.

UPDATE: Does the last-minute endorsement of Domingue have something to do with with his standing in the polls? Hmmm. You don't tend to go negative if you're leading. We'll see Saturday, which is the only poll that really matters.

UPDATE: Welcome to the folks at the Domingue campaign who are stopping by. Oh, and the Jindal folks, too. Have a look around - you'll find I'm not as big a git as you think. (And if the stats are any indication, not very widely read... -ed) If you think I'm wrong or took something out of context, email me or post a comment. And if I am wrong, I'll be Christian enough to admit it; and I'm sure you'll be Christian enough to forgive me.

UPDATE 04MAR09: The Advocate notes a curious tidbit in their article about Jindal's endorsement - which is starting to look a lot like politics as usual:

Domingue, his family and his company have contributed $118,500 to Jindal’s political campaigns, his transition committee and in post-election political support since 2006, according to records filed with the Louisiana Board of Ethics and the Federal Elections Commission.

Interesting - Domingue didn't have time to vote during that period, but he did have time to write checks. Not very "conservative reformer," IMHO. Here's a picture of Jindal and Domingue announcing the endorsement yesterday:



UPDATE 04MAR09: Oh, wait! Sorry.... Sorry... That's an image of some rather healthy mushrooms I wanted to post today after someone told me it was "National Eat A Fungus Day." Or, something like that. Anyway, the image was shamelessly stolen from McGoo's place in case you were interested, and was posted incorrectly. We do, of course, regret the error.

Obamanomics, Explained.

Yeah, this is sustainable:

“Even if we’re busting the budget, we’ve got to solve some of these problems,” said a member of his inner circle. “I’d rather live with a debt than have people go without health care.”

In other words, driving the rest of us into the poor house so the government can make our health care choices is a good thing. I thought we needed national health care in order to control and reduce costs. Silly me.

Poverty is Wealth, Comrades!

Hattip: Kaus.

Convenient Conservative, Or... What, Me Vote?

It seems Lee Domingue's definition of "conservative reformer" doesn't include, well, showing up at the polls regularly:

State Senate candidate Lee Domingue did not vote in nearly half of the elections since 2000, including a prior special election to fill the Baton Rouge-based District 16 seat he now seeks.

First excuse - I was too busy:

Domingue said between 2006 and early 2008 he was “extensively traveling and involved with business transactions with the sale of my company.”

Isn't that why absentee ballots and early voting exist?

UPDATE: Note the second excuse in the same article - at least I'm better than most of you:

“My record is better than a vast majority of voters,” said Domingue.

So, it shouldn't matter because he's better than us? Yeah, that'll win folks to your side.

Zen And The Art Of Selective Omission at Episcopal Life Online.

My Anglican / Episcopal readers (at least, those who are not also avid Standfirm readers) will be pleased to hear the the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan has elected a new bishop, the Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester . What you may not be pleased to hear, and what was conveniently left out of this Episcopal Life Online article, is that, according to this article, the Rev. Kevin Thew Forrester is also a practicing Buddhist. It seems he is even ordained in the Buddhist faith:

Manuel Padilla received his Doctorate of Ministry from Seabury-Western Seminary. Anita Wingert got married! (to Hal Martin) Jane Cisluycis (our new Diocesan Operations Coordinator) graduated last spring from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Communications. Kevin Thew Forrester received Buddhist "lay ordination" - so now he walking the path of Christianity and Zen Buddhism together. Arlene Gordanier retired, after many years of teaching in Munising. Ben and Leila Johns celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Note, the quote above was from 2004, when the then bishop mentioned it in a littany of good things that had happened in the diocese - as if this was a thing to be commended. For some reason, I don't think the national church leadership will be all that upset over a Buddhist-Episcopal bishop. (They only seem to get upset at Christian-Episcopal bishops.)

401(k)... 301(k)... 201(k)...

Glenn Reynolds posts a graphic showing how the market has reacted so far to Obama's "stimulus", budget, and nationalizing health care. It's not very good. Does Obama truly think the market tanking only hurts "the rich," or does he realize it's killing the rest of us (as in the "middle class") as well? Can you say "vanishing IRA/401(k)?" I knew you could.

Would You Buy A Used Law From This Man?

If you live in Louisiana's State Senate District 16, you likely know that the special election to fill that seat is this weekend, March 7th. If you got your mail today, you likely saw that candidate Lee Domingue is, at the last minute, going negative on his fellow Republican contenders with a slick mailer making vague claims that Laurinda Calongne and Dan Claitor are "Closer to the past. More dangerous then they appear."

OK, if he wants us to question the past, fair enough. Then maybe someone should ask Winston, sorry, Lee if this bit of the past shows a "proven businessman" or "a conservative reformer":

Domingue launched AppOne after returning from a failed business venture in Houston.

Domingue’s Winston Motorcars Inc., a firm that specialized in selling second-hand luxury cars, ended up in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in 1996. Winston is Lee Domingue’s given first name.

The bankruptcy filing came after lender Olympic Financial Ltd. filed suit in Houston federal court accusing Domingue and his company of breach of contract. The firm provided financing for Winston car deals.

Much more on the issue at The Houston Business Journal, including this:

According to the lawsuit and former customers, the program began to develop problems early this year. Arcadia claims Domingue began to receive payments from customers but failed to turn those payments over to Arcadia. And customers say they began to get late payment notices for cars they had already sold back to Winston Motorcars.

Arcadia also claims Domingue was reselling its luxury cars without paying off customer obligation notes held by Arcadia.

When Arcadia filed suit and Winston Motorcars declared bankruptcy, several customers in the Elite Fleet were left owing on two or three cars, because Winston Motorcars had continued to make monthly payments instead of paying off the financing notes.

"Confidence."

We were watching BBC's Red Dwarf over the weekend (a House RSR favorite - got the whole series on DVD for my birthday this year) and who do we see in a bit part but an American late-night talk show host. Really. I'll let you figure out which one.

Today's Required Reading.

Victor Davis Hanson nails it. Read it all. The next question is, what are you going to do about it?

It's A Trend.

First Obama sets a timetable for leaving Iraq; now this.

Gonna miss them. The National Guard (Louisiana and others) - and the Louisiana State Police - have been a godsend to New Orleans since Katrina. I, and many, many others, still don't trust the NOPD - and for good reason.

And Now He'll Know... The Rest Of The Story.

Paul Harvey passed away yesterday.