Cheney on Larry King

depressing, depressing
click here and get over to you tube.
"I do not recall"

Dummies for Jesus

Naked Dummies Ruining Town (how?)

This is almost amazing. Reminds me of Chris Bentley and his cadre of mannequins, dressed in beads and wedding dresses.
naked dummy
big dummy

NOVAK Does It Again!

I don't get this guy, he outs Valerie Plame and gets away with it.
Now, in his latest column he does it again.

Here's the money quote:
What is Washington to do in the dilemma of two friends battling each other on an unwanted new front in Iraq? The surprising answer was given in secret briefings on Capitol Hill last week by Eric S. Edelman, a former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney and now under secretary of defense for policy. A Foreign Service officer who once was U.S. ambassador to Turkey, he revealed to lawmakers plans for a covert operation of U.S. Special Forces helping the Turks neutralize the PKK. They would behead the guerrilla organization by helping Turkey get rid of PKK leaders that they have targeted for years.

Edelman's listeners were stunned. Wasn't this risky? He responded he was sure of success, adding that the U.S. role could be concealed and always would be denied. Even if all this is true, some of the briefed lawmakers left wondering whether this was a wise policy for handling the beleaguered Kurds who had been betrayed so often by U.S. governments in years past.

The plan shows that hard experience has not dissuaded President Bush from attempting difficult ventures employing the use of force. On the contrary, two of the most intrepid supporters of the Iraq intervention -- John McCain and Lindsey Graham -- were surprised by Bush during a recent meeting with him. When they shared their impressions with colleagues, they commented on how unconcerned the president seemed. That may explain his willingness to embark on a questionable venture against the Kurds.
Well, I guess the U.S. role won't be concealed anymore. How does Novak learn this stuff? Oh, I get it now.

When Wrestlers Didn't Need Steroids

Ray Gunkel and Manager Jack Dempsey.
More Wrestling Stars here

I Probably Won't Be Complaining About the Heat For Awhile

From my friend in Irag. His blog, acute politics is linked in right side of the page in those blogs I read and visit.
Sleeping in Hell
After five days in a row of having the power go out every afternoon around 1 pm, we finally seem to have consistent electricity again. Hopefully the juice stays on- it's hard to stay up on sleep for nighttime missions when the power continually goes out during the hottest part of the day (and during the time we have for sleeping). I talked with the lead KBR electrician who was sent to fix the problems as they arose each day- it seems there are a number of reasons for the difficulties. First, the electrical system is a hash of several different standards: US, British, and one or two Middle Eastern. ME triangular cable does not fit well into round receptacle American circuit breakers. Secondly, the generator is a different model than the in service in most areas. When the generator goes down, there are often no spare parts to fix it immediately. Lastly, the KBR electricians are short on correct tools. Apparently, KBR has enough money to pay their workers the exhorbent sums required to retain them in spite of the danger and poor conditions, but not enough to equip them properly. Normally, blatant, soulless capitalism doesn't concern me much- the open market usually produces a contractor who is capable of providing decent service. In a closed-bid world such as the one enjoyed by KBR in Iraq, where almost all non-combat support roles are contracted- from food service to laundry to electricity to latrine supply and maintenance, it is unlikely that KBR will lose a contract simply because it will not spend the money to keep a few soldiers in power for 5-6 hours every afternoon.

Not that I am bitter.

Viva la monopoly!

Red Light Cameras Are Small Potatoes

You know I love you. But you have to do as you are told People are trying to kill us. If I have to take away some of your civil liberties, it's just going to affect the bad guys, if you are not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to be afraid of. Most people think like this, why should you be any different.

Trust us, we won't hurt you. (I saw what you did last summer with your food but I didn't tell anyone. See, you can trust us.)

I'd Voter For Her

"Since Xmas vacation, I’ve gone through three and a half metamorphoses and am beginning to feel as though there is a smorgasbord of personalities spread before me. So far, I've used alienated academic, involved pseudo-hippie, educational and social reformer and one-half of withdrawn simplicity," Hilary Rodham, 1967

1967 was a different world. It was the summer of love, the summer of introspection. I really believed we could change the world. I will write more about 1967 later, but suffice to say I was so into myself, totally and cosmically. that I didn't realize it. Looking back, I am embarassed by some of the things I did and thought. (A bj's a bj, if you really loved me...and this was the summer of love) My world revolved around two things: Me and that's enough talk about me. Let's talk about you, do you like my shirt? Now, my wife says I am egocentric. But in 1967 I thought I was living on the edge. Evidently I wasn't the only one.

FORE!

Horton Smith watch out

Hit Me Over The Head With A Hammer

Two blogs that I read and like (one and the other) recently linked to "The Voice of Truth"..

I went over there, read it, didn't like what I read and left. Now, I keep finding myself going back there. I am beginning to understand the conservative's fascination with pornography. I know the site is not good for me yet I keep going back.

During my latest trip over there. I noticed the blogs that he links in his blog. Now, most bloggers title their links as "blogs I read", "sites to see", "local blogs", "417land blogs", etc. You get the drift.

On THE VOICE OF TRUTH it is BLOGS YOU SHOULD READ. Again, telling people what to think and do. Everything is in black and white on this guy's blog. In my world, there is touch of grey in everything.

Branson = No Alcohol + God

There is an interesting discussion going on at Branson MO blogspot on alcohol and Branson Landing. (See his post on Jerry Roars and the First Amendment.)

I have been to Branson Landing. The city took something that was unique to Branson and had some local flavor and turned it into an outdoor mall that could be anywhere. Homogenous shopping is like McDonald's----it all tastes and looks the same.

Read the links in his posts also. Makes for interesting reading about the little town to the south of us.

Yesterday my daughter was telling me about her trip to Branson Landing. She said she and her husband got a glass of beer at some outdoor restaurant. She was surprised to find the beer and how expensive it was.

That American Idol Guy, Taylor Hicks, thinks Branson is like Las Vegas without the glitter. or something like that.

Me, I don't go there anymore unless I have to. The sales tax is almost 10%. Better to drive to Forsyth, no crowds, less traffic and cheaper prices. OK, I do shop at the outlet malls.

Lots of entertainers and wannabe entertainers are looking for work in Branson MO.

This is an example of why I don't like Branson:

Congratulations on Graduating!

Bush Calls For Easier WireTap Rules

In his weekly radio address today, President Bush said "Today we face sophisticated terrorists who use disposable cell phones and the Internet to communicate with each other, recruit operatives, and plan attacks on our country."

"Technologies like these were not available when FISA was passed nearly 30 years ago, and FISA has not kept up with new technological developments.

"As a result, our nation is hampered in its ability to gain the vital intelligence we need to keep the American people safe."

Bushed urged lawmakers to work in a bipartisan manner to pass the legislation before leaving for August recess, saying: "Our national security depends on it."

Something's going on here: If the administration violated the law with eavesdropping, wire tapping and "other intelligence activities" and then passes a law which makes those illegal activities the administration engaged in legal,....what difference will it make?

Gonzales Technically Correct ?

This one comes from the "Talk About Splitting Hairs" department:
The New York Times has published an article, Mining of Data Prompted Fight Over Spying, in the July 29, 2007 online edition.

In December 2005, The Times published articles describing the program, the data mining and the internal legal debate. The newspaper reported that the N.S.A. had combed large volumes of telephone and Internet traffic in search of patterns that might point to terrorism suspects.

Civil liberties groups, Congressional Democrats and some Republicans reacted to the disclosures with outrage, accusing the administration of operating an illegal surveillance program inside the United States. The uproar grew when USA Today reported in May 2006 more details of the N.S.A.’s acquisition from telephone companies of the phone call databases. In response to the articles, Mr. Bush confirmed the eavesdropping, saying it was limited to communications in and out of the United States involving people suspected of ties to Al Qaeda. He did not, however, confirm the data mining, nor has any other official done so publicly.

Mr. Gonzales defended the surveillance in an appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee in February 2006, saying there had been no internal dispute about its legality. He told the senators: “There has not been any serious disagreement about the program that the president has confirmed. There have been disagreements about other matters regarding operations, which I cannot get into.”

So, when Gonzales says, under oath, that the conversations were about "other intelligence activities", technically, he may be right.
But is it "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"?
Who thinks this stuff up? Who's running the show?
Tony Snow?

English Speeking Reeporters Right on Bomb Threat On Airplain

From the Tennessean:

A local doctor who works in a Spanish-speaking medical practice is in federal custody after he admitted calling in three bomb threats to a Northwest Airlines jetliner, prompting the plane's return to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Wednesday.

From the Seattle Times:
Peter Friedman, Chiu's attorney, said Chiu has strong community ties in Nashville, provides medical services to underserved members of the city's Spanish-speaking population and has no criminal history.

Both stories were written by reporters who work for English language newspapers. Additionally, the story was reported on English language television stations and was both heard and read by English language speaking readers and viewers.

The English language speaking attorneys, pilots, newspaper reporters, policemen, passengers and flight attendants were put out by the actions of the doctor, who has an Asian sounding name and is probably an Asian speaking person.

The blog posting was written by an English Speaking individual.

What Karl Rove Thinks of the US Constitution and the Rest of Us

Pot Calls Kettle Black

Rove's Diagnosis
by Robert Novak

"Karl Rove, President Bush's political lieutenant, told a closed-door meeting of 2008 Republican House candidates and their aides Tuesday that it was less the war in Iraq than corruption in Congress that caused their party's defeat in the 2006 elections.

Rove's clear advice to the candidates is to distance themselves from the culture of Washington. Specifically, Republican candidates are urged to make clear they have no connection with disgraced congressmen such as Duke Cunningham and Mark Foley.
In effect, Rove was rebutting the complaint inside the party that George W. Bush is responsible for Republican miseries by invading Iraq."

Novak would know, he has admitted he and Karl Rove have a unique relationship.

Colored Trucks

Yellow Truck
Green Truck
Blue Truck
Red Truck
Orange Truck

Pot Smokers Nuts

Study Suggests Even Infrequent Use of Marijuana Increases Risk of Psychosis by 40 Percent.

What came first: The pot smoking or the psychosis?
It is thought that, used during teenage years, the drug can cause permanent damage to the developing brain.

Professor Robin Murray, of the Institute of Psychiatry in London, warned yesterday that the risks were likely to be heightened by the increasing use of powerful skunk cannabis. 'My own experience suggest to me that the risk with skunk is higher. Therefore their estimate that 14 per cent of cases of schizophrenia in the UK are due to cannabis is now probably an understatement.'

blog test

blog test

Flying Drunk

The countdown starts: "Ten, nine, eight, seven... go for engine start." Vibrations and a loud roar jolt the cabin as guests feel the main engines firing up. "We have main engine start, two, one..." The "kicker" shakes the cabin as the twin Solid Rocket Boosters ignite. The cabin leans backward as vibration generators engage, causing "crew members" to sink into their seats.

"We have booster ignition and liftoff!" Occupants will shake and rattle as the shuttle "lifts off" and clears the launch pad. The sensations of launch continue as they experience Max Q - the zone where enormous forces squeeze the shuttle - Solid Rocket Booster separation, main engine cut-off and the External Tank separation.

NASA offers tourists a Space Shuttle Launch experience.

Of course, the vast majority of us will never actually experience sitting on top of tons of highly combustible rocket fuel and feel the vibration and jostling as the shuttle slowly lifts free of earth's gravity. We do have the experience of watching them blow up.

So it comes as no surprise to us that an astronaut would fly drunk.

Gonzales Overload: Falling On The Sword or Taking One For The Team

Tuesday night I stayed up late and watched Attorney General Gonzales meet with the Senate Judicary Committee.
Even as my wife got home from work and suggested I turn off the tv and go to bed I continued watching.
It was painfully obvious that General Gonzales was waltzing around difficult questions and that his testimony was in contraction to his earlier testimony and the testimony of others.
There is now written documentation that his testimony differed from the official record.
If he is charged with contempt of congress, if the case proceeds through the legal system, if it goes the Supreme Court, what happens if the court decides in Gonzales'
favor? Would that give more strength to the notion of an "imperial presidency"?
If Harriet Meiers and Josh Bolten are charged with contempt, would they go the same route?

I remember the "Saturday Night Massacre" in the early 1970s. I hope congress can find the courage to stand up to Bush, Cheney, Gonzales, Rove, Meiers, Bolten, etc.

I want to know what is the attraction of Bush and Cheney that seemingly intelligent people (Libby, Gonzales, Meiers, Bolten, etc) are falling on their swords for them?

And what happens to people who don't fall on the sword? Remember this guy?

Baghdad Diarist ---

TNR, The New Republic,

Woman Banned For Life From Walmart

The headline is actually better than the story.

I was sorta expecting the story to be something like this or this.

Inmate Found Guilty In Masturbation Trial

Inmate found guilty in masturbation trial
By ROBERTO SANTIAGO AND JENNIFER LEBOVICH
rsantiago@MiamiHerald.com

20-year-old Terry Lee Alexander was alone in his jail cell in November when a female deputy, watching him from a nearby control room, became offended when she saw him masturbating.

The inmate unsuccessfully fought the charge, which had been brought by a female Broward Sheriff's Office detention deputy who saw him perform the sex act in his cell in November.

In reaching the guilty verdict, jurors found that an inmate's jail cell is ''a limited access public place'' where exposing oneself is against the law.

Maybe a better lawyer could have got him off. Now he has to do hard time.

Full story here.

Was the AG Lying?

Documents contradict Gonzales' testimony
By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 1 minute ago

WASHINGTON - Documents indicate eight congressional leaders were briefed about the Bush administration's terrorist surveillance program on the eve of its expiration in 2004, contradicting sworn Senate testimony this week by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

The documents underscore questions about Gonzales' credibility as senators consider whether a perjury investigation should be opened into conflicting accounts about the program and a dramatic March 2004 confrontation leading up to its potentially illegal reauthorization.

This is so depressing.

Desdinova- Supervillain of the Ozarks

Desdinova has an interesting blog with takes on the Ozarks.

I remember the Normal Heart controversy, house burning and all.

Question: Jean Dixon was against the Normal Heart---Who was she and why was she so adamantly opposed to the production of the play?

The winner gets an original red felt heart from the early 1990's. Well, maybe I won't give the heart to the winner, but I will let them look at it and touch it.

Thrill The World: Are You Ready, Springfield?

Marine Thriller
Phillipine Prison Thriller
Wedding Thriller
Bollywood Thriller
Lego Thriller
Walmart Thriller
Marching Band Thriller
Second Life Thriller
Final Fantasy Thriller
Toronto Thriller
Michael Jackson Thriller
Thrill The World is a worldwide attempt to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the Largest Simultaneous Dance with Michael Jackson's “Thriller.” Thousands of people in cities around the world will learn the “Thriller” dance and perform it at the exact same time on October 27/ 28, 2007.

Taxi Ride

Taxi Ride

Deny.C.Lee.Hill, Beloved Daughter

There's a story here. I came across this tombstone in an old, old cemetary in Arkansas many years ago.
I don't even know if I can find it again, I think I know where it is located.
I hope it is still there.
I may take my grandsons down to see it.
Click on the photo to see a larger image and read what is engraved on the stone.
Quite the obituary.

I Was Just Kidding!

September 24, 2005 Anti-War Rally in Washington, D.C.
Photo: Rick McKay, Cox Washington Bureau

I was just kidding, no seriously, I was just kidding.

On July 17th, The White House quietly announced an Executive Order entitled "Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq." This order, among other things, gives Bush the power to "block" the property of people in the US found to "pose a significant risk of committing" an act of violence which might undermine "political reform in Iraq".

The terms "significant threat" and "act of violence" are unclear. If you attend a demonstration against Bush’s definition of "political reform in Iraq", as the tens of thousands of people in the above picture are doing, would that count? How about writing a letter or blog posting against the war?

The order also makes illegal "the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order." What if you donate to an anti-war group which, outside of your knowledge, has been blacklisted by the government? Does that mean that your property can be “blocked”?

Here is the press release.

Here is something I blogged a couple of days ago, before I was aware of this executive order. And the money quote is: "Rove knows that one big event that is perceived as a military challenge to America can erase all the accumulated negative perceptions of Bush for enough time to ride the next Republican presidential candidate through an election cycle (or according to the worst fears of some, suspend the elections based on Executive Branch emergency powers that Bush has been incrementally accumulating through executive orders and with the consent of Congress.)"

It is not about what is good for our country, it is about keeping the power. And it appears the Republicans have a play book that makes the Democrats look like squabbling children. On a local level, look at how Mel Hancock's changed stance on term limits will be used. Here are some reactions to the SNL Tony Messenger's article and his blog:
"Hancock and the rest of the Republicans wanting to end term limits are hypocrites. These frauds don'[t care about lobbying and government jobs - they now have the incumbancy and want to keep it by ending the term limits that got them the majority." Posted by: Casino on Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:24 am

"Its ironic that when Democrats were in control Mr. Hancock wanted term limits. Now that term limits endangers potentially safe and powerful Republicans when the state is in Republican control, suddenly its a bad idea." Posted by: vampireduck on Sun Jul 22, 2007 1:29 pm

Why I Like To Drive Big Trucks

In reference to a previous posting on big trucks, I neglected to tell why I like to drive big trucks.

Power Failure At Gateway Arch: Tram Passengers Stranded

This happened several times before. I like going up in the Arch, but the tram ride is a bit claustrophobic.
Ameren says it is the fault of the Arch's equipment.

I was a child in grade school in St. Louis when the Arch was being built. Our Little Messenger, a weekly publication designed for catholic schools, had an article about the Arch. I remember it saying that if the footings were off by as much as a period "." this size, the Arch wouldn't meet at the top.

I remember going down to watch it go up.

FEINGOLD CALLS FOR CENSURE OF PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS OVER IRAQ & ATTACK ON RULE OF LAW

Feingold to Introduce Resolutions Censuring President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and Other Administration Officials
July 22, 2007

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold announced today that he will introduce two censure resolutions condemning the President, Vice President and other administration officials for misconduct relating to the war in Iraq and for their repeated assaults on the rule of law. Feingold called the resolutions appropriate and necessary steps for Congress to rebuke an administration that is responsible for some of the worst misconduct and the worst abuses of the law in American history.

“Censure is about holding the administration accountable,” Feingold said. “Congress needs to formally condemn the President and members of the administration for misconduct before and during the Iraq war, and for undermining the rule of law at home. Censure is not a cure for the devastating toll this administration’s actions have taken on this country. But when future generations look back at the terrible misconduct of this administration, they need to see that a co-equal branch of government stood up and held to account those who violated the principles on which this nation was founded.”

Feingold will work with his colleagues, as well as seek input from his constituents and the American people, as he crafts the final language of the resolutions. The first resolution will condemn the President and others for misconduct relating to the war in Iraq including:

Overstating the case that Saddam Hussein had WMD, particularly nuclear weapons, and falsely implying a relationship with al Qaeda and links to 9/11.

Failing to plan for the civil conflict and humanitarian problems that the intelligence community predicted.

Over-stretching the Army, Marine Corps and Guard with prolonged deployments.

Justifying our military involvement in Iraq by repeatedly distorting the situation on the ground there.
The second resolution will focus on the administration’s attack on the rule of law with respect to, among other things:

The illegal NSA warrantless wiretapping program.

Extreme policies on torture, the Geneva Conventions, and detainees at Guantanamo.

The refusal to recognize legitimate congressional oversight into the improper firings of U.S. Attorneys.

In March 2006, Feingold introduced a resolution censuring the President for authorizing and misleading Congress and the public about the illegal NSA warrantless wiretapping program. In January 2007, the administration finally brought its wiretapping program within the FISA statute.

“At my town hall meetings, online, and everywhere I go, I hear the American people demanding that the President and his administration be held accountable for their misconduct, both with regard to the disastrous war in Iraq and their flagrant abuse of the rule of law. Censure is a relatively modest response, but one that puts Congress on record condemning their actions, both for the American people today and for future generations,” Feingold said.

Feingold is encouraging people to email suggestions of what to include in the censure resolution. People can email Senator Feingold at Russell_Feingold@feingold.senate.gov or visit his webpage at
http://feingold.senate.gov.

Feingold, Democrat senator from Wisconsin, further explains his actions in an opinion piece published here.

Poor Taste

This is why catering to the base doesn't always work. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is holding a sign saying,"NO to Obama, Osama and Chelsea's Moma".
Other than the grammatical errors, to compare Barak Obama and Hilary Clinton to Osama Bin Laden is patently offensive. I have a feeling we will see and hear more of this one, sort of like we did this one.

Prime, Republicans, Trucks, Gambling, Race Horses

I like trucks.
I like big trucks.
I like to drive big trucks.
I like the smell of diesel fuel.
I like the sound of big diesel trucks.
I know how to drive a big diesel truck.

Look at the two big truck lines here in Springfield: Trailiner and Prime.
The guy who owns Prime has race horses. It sticks me as humorous that this guy who has all these trucks, this guy who owns all these race horses, that this guy who can spend millions on a campaign for a casino in Rockaway Beach is supporting republicans. Weren't they are the ones who were totally against the project.
mmm, mmm, mmm....politics sure makes strange bedfellows.
Here is more about Prime, Inc.

What Me Worry

Been drinking too much of that Perry Kool-aid. Look at this webpage.

Dubya's World

37 million people now live below the poverty line -- 12.9 million of those are children.

The official poverty line is an income of $19,971/yr for a family of four.

A single parent working full-time for minimum wage makes $10,712/yr.

3.9 million families had at least one member go hungry because they couldn't afford enough food.

1,600,000 jobs lost in the private sector since Dubya took office.

46.6 million people lack health coverage.

1.7 million VETERANS -- including some Iraq War Veterans -- have no health insurance.

750,000 Americans are homeless, 250,000 of them are Veterans

Welcome to Dubya's World!

Here's an interesting take on the events of the past week:
Rove knows that one big event that is perceived as a military challenge to America can erase all the accumulated negative perceptions of Bush for enough time to ride the next Republican presidential candidate through an election cycle (or according to the worst fears of some, suspend the elections based on Executive Branch emergency powers that Bush has been incrementally accumulating through executive orders and with the consent of Congress.) Read the full article. It is not as farfetched as it seems. Just follow the playbook. According to an article in the Kansas City Star that's what Blunt and the Highway Patrol did to Jay Nixon.

Speaking of the highway patrol, I see where Patti Penny has company advertizing on the city buses.

The Voice of Truth

Ron D, our pal over at Chatter, has a link to a new blog on the uberspace, "The Voice of Truth".

When someone titles his blog, The Voice of Truth, what does that mean?

Does it mean that his blog is full of the truth? By whose standards? I cruised over to the VOT, wasn't comfortable with the style or the tone:
"Now, to the liberals who dropped me a few love notes. I know that you’d prefer I not continue because (to quote you) “there are enough Christian conservative bigots forcing their views on everyone else.” You need to quit drinking the Soros Kool-Aid and realize that’s the attitude that’s keeping you from reaching out to conservatives and have them listen to your views. No one’s going to sit down and have a serious discussion when the other side of that chat is sitting there spewing terms like “bigot” when you disagree with them. Try turning down the rhetoric and just bring your ideas and facts to the table. If you really believe you have the better way for the country to run then you can present it without insulting those who disagree with you."

That's what I need, a lesson in how not to insult people by someone who insults me in teaching the lesson.

What's this Soros Kool-Aid, I've seen that term popping up in several places lately.
Is it an oblique reference to Jim Jones and Jonestown down in Guyana where all those hudnreds of people committed suicide by drinking poison kool-aid? I remember when that happened. It was horrible. I'll google it. It's a reference to George Soros, the money man behind moveon.org.

He is the left's version of the
Swift Boat Robert Perry who, in 2006, surpassed Soros as the largest political donor in the country, contributing over nine million dollars to GOP senate and house candidates nationwide.
The Turner Report has more on the Blunt/Perry connection..

I think I'll take a lead from Ezra Kornscrabble and pass on this one, Ron.

Bush Strips Cheney of Presidential Powers

In a dazzling blandishment of presidential powers, President George W. Bush stripped Dick Cheney of all of his presidential duties, once again reminding us if why the "W" or "43" is called the "decider".

Things I Would Not Know If I Did Not Read The Springfield News-Leader

1. How to steal catalytic converters off of automobiles.
2. How to steal millions from the city.

NO ARTICLES WERE PURCHASED IN THE WRITING OF THIS POST.

I recall reading a story several weeks ago on the increased theft of catalytic converters. While reading the paper that morning, I commented to my wife that the article detailed how to steal a converter (get a sawzall).

In researching the SNL website site (Ozark Snow)preparing for writing this post (What? You thought I just made this stuff up?), I found the headline and dates of three articles relating to catalytic converters.

What I further found was enlightening. I pay $182.00 a year to read the Springfield News-Leader. My wife makes me throw the paper away when we are done reading it, effectively negating any opportunity I might have to cull articles from past issues.

I have been going to the Library and using their microfilm files to glean articles and interesting tidbits from the SNL, but that involves heading south to Payless Cashways and passing through the dreaded Campbell/Republic Road/James River Slow-Way/Git N Go intersection. I would rather have my teeth pulled than go through that mass of engineering ingenuity.

I thought it would be much easier to research the SNL archives from the ease and comfort of my computer chair.

HOLY MOLY! THESE GUYS CHARGE BIG BUCKS TO LOOK AT THEIR ARCHIVES!
ALMOST TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A ONE YEAR PASS!

Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, I should note that purchasing a one year pass for $1995.00, would allow the purchaser to look at 1,000 articles.

I can understand paying for obituaries and wedding announcements. Paying for archived articles I don't understand.

Maybe I'll google it and see if that works.

It worked.

I googled Springfield MO and catalytic converters and came up with more articles than the SNL had listed in their archives. And, as of now, there is no charge to use google.

Randy Turner's blog has an interesting take on newspapers and revenue generating schemes.

Cruising Cause For Concern

Cruising is a cause for concern.

Hey, This President Stuff Ain't That Bad!

I get to wave as if people actually liked me(as I reach for my pistol in case any anti- neocons make a move on me). I'm not too sure about that guy in sunglasses. What's he looking at?

Haig's Law

When Bush under goes his colonoscopy,
We will not have to worry about nothing.
(What me worry?)
As of Saturday morning,
The Haig law falls into place and
They will be in control.
What me worry?
Yeah, just a little.

Move Over Boris Boys: Someone Still Loves You George Bush

Move over Boris Boys, Someone Still Loves You George Bush!