Crickets Chirping...

More proof, as if more was needed, that Mainstream Media coverage of a court decision about gun control is directly proportional to how much control of guns that decision gives.

This recent decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals - in California, of all places - found that the Second Amendment was a "fundamental" right, and the Fourteenth Amendment applies it to states and localities. (You heard about it here first, dear readers. -ed.) That's a pretty big decision, especially if upheld by the Supreme Court. It could invalidate hundreds of firearm restrictions and bans across the country.

Our New Quayle, Speaks.

And tries to shut down the airlines and mass transit with one blow of his mouth:

Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that he would not recommend taking any commercial flight or riding in a subway car “at this point” because swine flu virus can spread “in confined places.” A little more than one hour later, Biden rushed out a statement backing off.

Instead of avoiding planes and subways, perhaps the Vice President should just avoid live microphones.

Wednesday Evening WTF!

Taking this "going green" thing... just a bit too far.

(Mildly NSFW. -ed.)

Some Good Economic News.

Just not the kind Team Hopenchange wanted: American firearms sales topped three million per quarter in 2008. And over 1.5 billion rounds of ammunition were bought in December 2008 alone.

I know I did my part. For the recovery, of course.

Hattip: Instapundit.

Architects - The New 9/11 'Trufers'

There are days I wonder about my profession, and more particularly, about my professional organization - the American Institute of Architects (AIA). While I belong to the AIA, I do so grudgingly - my partner likes us to have the "AIA" after our names for marketing reasons, and it gives us a discount on the standardized forms and specifications. But I'm not so sure it's worth it anymore after getting this email yesterday:

Come Visit AE911Truth's Booth at the AIA National Convention in San Francisco
Thursday/Friday/Saturday, April 30–May 2, 2009

Dear Fellow Architect,

The National AIA has approved the participation of Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth at the AIA Convention in San Francisco, April 30 through May 2. We invite you to please come and visit us at booth #2609. We will be displaying and discussing key information regarding the collapses of the 3 World Trade Center high-rise buildings on 9/11/01. Over 640 architects and engineers are calling for a new investigation.

Yes, that's right, dear readers, the American Institute of Architects is giving floor-space to a bunch of 9/11 conspiracy types so they can preach the nutty theory that the World Trade Center was... blown up... by... somebody.

What's next? An Architects for Creationism booth? Or, Architects and Engineers Abducted by Aliens professional development seminars? How about offering continuing education credits for watching 'X-Files' reruns??

To say this insults my intelligence is beyond understatement, and by giving this kind of twaddle a legitimizing venue, the AIA proves once again how irrelevant it has become to the actual practice of architecture.

SNARKY AFTERTHOUGHT UPDATE: If 9/11 really was an inside job, why aren't interior designers all up in arms...?

The Upcoming Decade Of Greed.

Public-sector greed, that is. Boomer Greed. You better get your kids and grand-kids positioned for some high-paying private-sector jobs, because they're the ones who will have to pay back the Chinese, the Russians, and the Saudis after the Boomers get finished spending it all.

Hattip: Powerline.

Jindal Stops By "The Only Job He Wants"... And Finds A Pair.

I've been pretty hard recently on our Governor, Bobby Jindal, mostly because he has seemed more interested in national ambitions than in the interests of the State.

But his speech at the opening of the legislative session earlier today appeared to be the old Bobby; the Bobby we saw during Gustav and Ike; the Bobby who can astound with his off-the-cuff command of facts and figures; the Bobby who got my vote. The folks at The Old River Road saw the same thing, and like them I am willing to give Jindal a break if he stays in 'Old Bobby' mode. (And stays here! -ed.) Time, and his effectiveness at getting his priorities through the House and Senate, will tell.

But unlike Charlie and Danny over at The Old River Road, I do not think all of the blame for Jindal's recent stumbles can be laid on his youthful, politically ambitious staff. While I agree that Timmy Teepell and company are Jindal's biggest political and governing liability, Jindal picked them and he has kept them on. He owns some of the blame.

Did anyone else catch this subtle backhand: One of the State Senate "escorts" appointed for the governor today was... Senator Dan Claitor. Ouch.

The Stimulus Diet.

What 0.00002857% looks like. All Team Hopenchange did here was the fiscal equivalent of getting a triple helping of jambalaya and putting back one grain of rice. Because they're on a diet.

Hattip: Pat at And So it Goes in Shreveport.

It's September 10th Again! (UPDATED)

You would think that somewhere in that $780 billion stimulus package someone would have budgeted a clue: A Boeing 747, chased by two F-16's, flies low over New York City; panic ensues. Reason: a photo-op for Team Hopenchange, who seemed quite surprised about the fuss.

More here.

UPDATE: Via Powerline, here is video. Pretty much brown trousers time, IMHO.

UPDATE: More video here. The White House did apologize, but give no explanation as to why the White House Military Office wanted the pictures, or who told them to take them. I wouldn't bet on the Mainstream Media pressing Team Hpoenchange on it, either.

Carbon Is A Lefty's Best Friend. (UPDATED)

The Grey Man muses on the Great Carbon Debate. In Part I, he takes on Al Gore. Because math and science are utilized, Gore, of course, loses.

UPDATE: In Part II, The Grey Man looks at why regulating carbon is so dear to the bleeding little hearts of Lefties, and discovers that you're too free for your own good, dear readers.

An excellent argument against the cap-n-trade charade. Read 'em both.

Rowan Williams' Hope Coming True.

European Union judges want Sharia Law in Britain. I have this haunting feeling that, just like the 1930's, the bulk of Western Europe will turn turtle in the face of this Fascist tide until it's too late - and we'll have to go over there and save their sorry asses. Again. I just hope there is a Britain remaining when we can get there. Hell, let's hope we're remaining...

A Lady Stands Up For Our Lady. (UPDATED)

Balls. Former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Mary Ann Glendon has 'em. Great big ones. Let's see how Team Hopenchange responds.

UPDATE: Responses. Notre Dame will find someone (anyone!) to accept the award Professor Glendon refused, and Team Hopenchange issues a mushy comment.

Compare and Contrast.

While the Mainstream Media Hopenchange Cheerleading Department is declaring the first 100 days of Hopenchange a super-duper amazing success that's adored by the people, here's a bit of historical perspective.

Boutique Religion-R-Us.

Just another day in The Episcopal Church (tm). Move along.

Sunday Architectural Distraction.

Also via Maggie's Farm, a great video about the collection of post-war Modernist houses in New Canaan, Connecticut.

I fell in love with Philip Johnson's Glass House while in architecture school, and my opinion hasn't diminished over time. It is still one of the greatest expressions of American modern design.

Sunday Required Theology Reading.

A rousing defense of Christian orthodoxy, and why the Jesus-as-Marx or Jesus-as-Falwell political approaches to theology fall very short:

But Christ did not incarnate to create a more “socially just” world; note that when others identified Christ as an earthly king and associated Him with “social justice,” they were rebuked. Christ came to save souls, and the salvation of souls is the church’s sole mission. Everything else is cursory.

Hattip: Maggie's Farm , via a tip from The Grey Man .

An Improved Sign Of The Jindal Times.

The folks at The Old River Road ran into a bit of a snag with their original Jindal bumper sticker concept - "Where's Bobby?" - but not to worry, dear readers - they came up with a better one (with a bit of help, I might add). So place your orders today!

The bumper sticker idea (the old one) got a bit of press today.

To Be, Or Not To Be, Another Year Older.

Tradition has it that William Shakespeare's birthday is today. In celebration, here's a bit by Rowan Atkinson and Hugh Laurie.

A Few New Places.

A couple of blogs for your reading pleaseure:

And So It Goes In Shreveport. Pat puts up a pretty good read, so drop by.

The Grey Man. It could be any of us...

Putting Some Diversity In "Earth Day."

Here's something for you Lefties who monitor "hate sites" such as this - We celebrated "Earth Day" this past weekend. No, really.

Here's how we did it: We drove 1,000 miles, to northern Alabama and back, in a V-8 SUV doing, um, respectable speeds. We got 21.5 miles per gallon highway, and those gallons were no-ethanol Premium. We ate at Cracker Barrel, Arby's, and Wendy's along the way. Lots of red meat and fried foods.

Oh, and because I have a concealed carry permit, we had a loaded pistol in the car the whole time.

How are you going to celebrate "Earth Day?"