January 20, 2005
The Stockholm Syndrome
In a hostage situation the victims will tend to become appreciative of their captor. He is God-like in his ability to take life away and the hostage is grateful that their life is being spared. The hostage comes to see it, emotionally, as the captor granting them life and is appreciative of this gift. I see this very same mentality in our society today. America has Stockholm Syndrome with our government playing the part of the captor.
It boils down to one statement. This is the truth: The Government Does Not Grant You Rights
How often do you hear or read phrases about rights granted by the Constitution or Bill of Rights? How many times have you heard somebody say that this or that country should grant their citizens certain rights like our government grants us? These sentiments are exactly wrong and directly contrary to the documents and ideals that founded our country. Just as the hostage taker is not granting life by not taking it, neither is our government granting us the rights that it does not remove.
Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
In simple language this is saying that you are born with the right to do anything and that the purpose of government is to protect your rights. This is a powerful and often forgotten sentiment. Government is not here to grant you rights. You already have them. Government is here to stop other people from taking away your rights.
The core concepts to remember are that you begin with every right, the Constitution protects certain of your rights, and laws restrict or remove your rights. This is a heady concept, and frightening as well for many people. Taken literally this means that a critical component of the job of every Congressman and Senator is to pare away your rights.
This mistaken groupthink is pervasive. In the Presidential debates one of Bush's criticisms of Kerry was the relatively low number of laws he has authored during his tenure as Senator. Kerry disputed this, claiming to have been instrumental in a very large number of bills. I was horrified by this exchange. Both men were making it clear that they considered the removal of my rights to be not only a just goal but the lack of such efforts to be a considerable failing. They were both saying that a good Senator is one who makes a lot of laws.
Wrong. Very, very wrong. A good Senator or Congressman should be a terrible legislator. A good Senator should be primarily concerned with protecting the Constitution, not increasing the bulk of the Code of Law. Anything else is a direct contradiction of their oath of office.
Oath of Office, Congress:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
Note that there is absolutely nothing in the oath regarding the crafting of laws. The entire focus of the oath that every Senator and Congressman takes is that they will protect the Constitution.
The same thing goes for the President.
Oath of Office, President:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
The documents are so clear. The sentiments are impossible to misunderstand. Even so, later today George Bush will repeat that oath of office. A short time later in a speech he will completely ignore it as he talks about forming a cooperative coalition of legislators to craft new laws and further snip away at the Constitution he has just sworn to protect.
It is frightening that this Stockholm Syndrome is so widespread that even the President of the United States is a victim of it. It is absolutely terrifying that it is so pervasive that this perfidy is not only accepted but actually lauded by the populace at large.
Posted by: Jim at
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I'm gonna pick a nit. I believe you're referring to the "Stockholm Syndrome" when you mention becoming appreciative of one's captors.
Nevertheless, your point in this excellent post is well-taken.
Posted by: Harvey at January 20, 2005 11:21 AM (tJfh1)
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That's it! Damn, I was trying to think of that all morning. Thanks, Harv.
Posted by: Jim at January 20, 2005 11:24 AM (tyQ8y)
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Yeah stockholm wrong word, but anyway aside from that good point.
Posted by: pylorns at January 20, 2005 11:47 AM (FTYER)
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So I missed the speech; did it go as (badly) as you expected it to or were you pleasantly surprised?
Posted by: Rachel Ann at January 20, 2005 04:14 PM (hvZdQ)
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I missed it as well. No headphones at work. ;-)
I'll give it a listen in the morning and see how it went.
Posted by: Jim at January 20, 2005 07:09 PM (GCA5m)
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I rather enjoyed the speech. I think the President is on a good track. He has a HUGE agenda... I wonder how much of it he can force Congress to actually take action on.
I can't say if his ideas are good or bad yet... we won't know for twenty years. It's very interesting -- Bush may go down in history as one of the most influental presidesnts of all time or as an ineffective elader with terrible ideas. Only time will tell.
Posted by: Garret at January 21, 2005 07:59 AM (IOwam)
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It wasn't as bad as I feared. He spoke in generalizations and didn't specifically mention the crafting of laws. Then again the topics he spoke about generally will be pursued with legislation so I guess it's really six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Posted by: Jim at January 21, 2005 08:00 AM (tyQ8y)
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What truly amazed me about his speech this time was how WELL spoken he was.He did not stumble and stutter as he usually does.That again proofs to me that Bush is a PERSON,a REAL person with flaws like every other person.Which makes me feel very comfortable to have him as a president.He has big plans and I doubt he can put them all into reality,but in my opinion he tries hard and is very considerate of people opinions.
Posted by: LW at January 21, 2005 10:56 AM (GCA5m)
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January 19, 2005
No heat
They're doing electrical work in the building and we were without heat until about 20 minutes ago. It's about 25 degrees outside. It's about 55 degrees inside.
I'm the only person who wasn't bitching about it. You might assume that this is because I'm from Little Antarctica* but you'd be wrong. It's because my Lovely Wife bought me one of those massage/heat chair pads for our anniversary and I've been toasty warm and laughing on the inside* all day long.
* Also known as Buffalo.
** Okay, occasionally I laughed out loud too. There are some pretty efficient bitchers here with some fairly eloquent vocabulary.
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Toasty heat chair! I need one of those.
Posted by: annette at January 19, 2005 07:20 PM (m/BC0)
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Hey.....that was for christmas!You got a screwdirver for our anniversary!:-P
Posted by: LW at January 20, 2005 09:54 AM (GCA5m)
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Oh, right. I should have remembered that since screwdrivers are romantic* and seat warmers are festive.
* Not a joke - use your imagination.
Posted by: Jim at January 20, 2005 11:43 AM (tyQ8y)
Posted by: LW at January 20, 2005 12:53 PM (GCA5m)
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I have a friend from Buffalo and he says that they have two seasons "Winter and the Fourth of July"
Posted by: Frick at January 20, 2005 08:03 PM (IkvNl)
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How to change the world
Defeating Nazi Germany
Do: Invade Germany.
Don't bother: Turning off Hitler's speech with a very forceful twist of the radio's knob.
Ending segregated busing
Do: Sit in the front of the bus.
Don't bother: Sending a 'strongly worded letter' to the CEO of the bus company.
Getting your own holiday
Do: Dedicate your life to a worthy goal, motivate and move your people toward it, live as an example of it, die in the pursuit of it.
Don't bother: Bitching at the TV set.
Send a man to the moon
Do: Put a guy in a big ass rocket and launch it.
Don't bother: Blasting loud music at the neighborhood Luddite.
Change the world for the better
Do: Put on your Birkenstocks and your best hemp shirt, get out of your house and actually fucking do something constructive that works toward the goals you profess to have.
Don't bother: Protesting against a welcome back party.
Bitching and whining will never change a thing. Jesse Jackson will never make the world a better place because he doesn't actually DO. Bill Gates made the world a better place because he does things in the real physical world to support and promote his ideals.
These protesters are the worst sort of hypocrite. They want only to scream their disillusionment in the hopes that somebody else will do something about their problems.
(Tip credit to DCeit)
Posted by: Jim at
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"There are two superpowers in the world. One is the U.S. and the other is world opinion."
1...2...3... DRAW!
[world opinion falls dead in dusty street]
What REALLY chaps my ass about this is how much free publicity these jags are getting in the unbiased media.
At least Protest Warrior will be there.
Posted by: Harvey at January 19, 2005 10:50 AM (tJfh1)
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Ever notice that Republicans don't bother to protest? Anything?
If a group of Republicans has a problem, rather than bitching in the street about it, they form a congressional lobby and get the ears of the people who can actually make change happen.
Another note: Protesting the inauguration is illogical. Protesting a policy like Social Security change makes logical sense in that you have a goal and a desired effect (change of policy). What is the goal of protesting the inaguration? No more inaugurations? Should Bush be Dictator for Life? Are you protesting Democracy (or a Republic)? No, my friends... you are only showing sour grapes and a desire for attention. What a bunch of losers.
Posted by: Garret at January 19, 2005 11:57 AM (IOwam)
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Unrelated, but, Jim, do you know anything about a large digital fly featuring my head that's apparently buzzing around my blog?
http://ramblingrhodes.mu.nu/archives/063869.html
I personally don't see it, at work or at home, but some people are seeing it.
Posted by: Ryan at January 19, 2005 12:49 PM (Sc71i)
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The first steps to a cleaner,safer USA should include the elimination of idiots and morons.
After that we should get rif of extremists and feminists.Safe the wales if you have time left...BUT PLEASE get rid of the WHINERS!
Posted by: LW at January 20, 2005 10:06 AM (GCA5m)
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January 18, 2005
Monkey business
There's a new short story up at
Protomonkey. This one is a corroboration between
Paul and myself.
Go. Read. Enjoy!
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"corroboration"? Maybe you meant "collaboration" - or are you simulating a very non-PC ethinc accent?
Posted by: MojoMark at January 18, 2005 03:46 PM (E+LQu)
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Congratulations, MojoMark! You win the stealth point I cleverly hid behind an apparent word gaffe.
Cause we all know I would never do that.
[cough]
Well you get a point anyway.
Posted by: Jim at January 18, 2005 03:58 PM (tyQ8y)
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That damn monkey still frightens me.
Posted by: DeAnna at January 19, 2005 06:34 PM (IdVP4)
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Caption contest results
The coolest thing about caption contests is that even when you have nothing to blog about you have something to blog about.

(Click here if you are Paul)
Grand Prize: 5 points
Objects in mirror are closer than they appear
Frick
First runner up: 3 points (selected by President Bush, confirmed by the Senate)
Forgetting that the reindeer were still attached, Santa threw it in reverse and floored it.
Machele
Second runner up: 2 points (selected by 17 rats while Victor was out)
The local deer craze known as 'Overpass Diving' came to an abrupt end Thursday night when, following a near-perfect 3 1/4 rotation dive, tragedy struck.
Ryan
Third runner up: 1 point (selected by a duckbilled platypus)
How come I don't see any picture?
Paul
Special bonus section
I came up with a couple myself:
"Bob thanked his lucky stars that he'd had the foresight to get his truck sighted in." (This will only amuse hunters.)
"Ram tough? Sure. Deer tough? Not quite."
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Posted by: Paul at January 18, 2005 10:46 AM (vbP6L)
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That ain't no picture! Check out these pictures... not during lunch. http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=777869
See how many parts you can identify...
Posted by: Nate at January 18, 2005 03:37 PM (uKuUC)
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Hmph. I didn't win. I'm insulted. Now I pout. :-(
Posted by: Kathleen at January 18, 2005 07:58 PM (zGCA0)
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January 17, 2005
Is it Monday already?
Egads this weekend went fast. It must me Monday though since I'm at work and there are lots of grumpy people all around.
What to do to dispel that fine case of the Mondays? Get a cup of coffee and look over the Bestofme Symphony. It beats the hell out of working and today's a holiday so you don't even have to feel guilty about it.
Posted by: Jim at
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1
yeah, unfortunately its monday.
Posted by: pylorn at January 17, 2005 09:57 AM (FTYER)
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They have some nice content there, but it's layout is quite disorienting. Thanks for the link though!
Posted by: tre at January 18, 2005 10:40 AM (CgnKQ)
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January 14, 2005
I'm on the grill
And you can add the briquettes. I'll be interviewed by
Jen, Queen of History and Stuff, and the questions get supplied by y'all. And the one or two readers she has that don't read this blog, I guess. And maybe a few folks who just follow the interviews. And the occasional flightless bird.
Anyway, send your questions to her by noon central next Thursday (1/20/05). She'll put them all together and give them to me in anonymous fashion. Not that she'll be anonymous. I mean, when somebody comes up and says "Yo! Here's the interview questions" and hands you the interview questions that's not really anonymous at all. I mean she collects them and gives them to me without telling who asked what question. So ask away in the knowledge that you will be free from my diabolic retribution.
I will of course naturally assume that boob related questions come from Harvey.
Posted by: Jim at
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1
If I submit questions, I have a feeling you'll know where they came from. I have the inside track, you know... and I bet I could come up with some doozies you'd rather not answer!
But hey... family first. I wouldn't do that to you!
Posted by: Garret at January 14, 2005 01:02 PM (IOwam)
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Go for it. You've been reading this blog for a year. Surely you realize by now that I have no shame.
Posted by: Jim at January 14, 2005 01:07 PM (tyQ8y)
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That doesn't mean that ONLY Harvey can ask boob related questions, does it?
Posted by: RP at January 14, 2005 03:31 PM (LlPKh)
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Oh, of course not. It just means that if you do ask a boob related question I'm going to blame Harvey.
A reputation can be a terribly weighty thing.
Posted by: Jim at January 14, 2005 03:33 PM (tyQ8y)
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mmmm... weighty boobs...
Posted by: Harvey at January 14, 2005 04:00 PM (tJfh1)
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So if I ask if you were breastfed as a child, you would blame Harvey? Cool!
Posted by: vw bug at January 16, 2005 09:00 PM (YcCf5)
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Caption Contest
Contest will be open to sometime next week. Don't wait to the last day because nobody but me knows when it'll be. And to tell you the truth I don't know either. Woo hoo!!
As usual, 5 points to the winner and a handful to the also-rans.

Posted by: Jim at
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1
Forgetting that the reindeer were still attached, Santa threw it in reverse and floored it.
Posted by: Machelle at January 14, 2005 11:23 AM (ZAyoW)
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"The new Dodge Durango: Everyone wants to look inside."
Posted by: Ryan at January 14, 2005 11:58 AM (Sc71i)
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How come I don't see any picture?
Posted by: Paul at January 14, 2005 12:56 PM (vbP6L)
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Try it with your glasses on.
Posted by: Jim at January 14, 2005 12:59 PM (tyQ8y)
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"I thought
you tied it to the bumper."
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at January 14, 2005 12:59 PM (UquFN)
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I heard that putting some peanut butter on it would encourage the animals, but I didn't know how much!
Posted by: Too embarassed at January 14, 2005 01:00 PM (IOwam)
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I'm telling you, I see NO PHOTO here. Really and truly.
This is why I never enter your contests...I never see the damned photo.
I'm tellin' ya...I don't see it!
Posted by: Paul at January 14, 2005 01:24 PM (vbP6L)
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Brents experiemnt with driving with night vision googles came to a quick ending.
Posted by: pylorns at January 14, 2005 01:40 PM (FTYER)
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"The local deer craze known as 'Overpass Diving' came to an abrupt end Thursday night when, following a near-perfect 3 1/4 rotation dive, tragedy struck."
Posted by: Ryan at January 14, 2005 03:25 PM (Sc71i)
Posted by: Kenny at January 14, 2005 03:44 PM (sVrPB)
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Santa's new, high-tech American-made sleigh had a few mechanical problems. Dodge is issuing a recall.
Posted by: 8ZERO8 at January 14, 2005 04:36 PM (p6ZOT)
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Objects in mirror are closer than they appear
Posted by: Frick at January 14, 2005 07:01 PM (IkvNl)
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When Michael Moore says he'll get lunch on the road, he really means it.
Posted by: Kathleen at January 14, 2005 08:10 PM (zGCA0)
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"Honey, he REALLY needed a ride..."
Posted by: mitzi at January 15, 2005 07:15 PM (1ns/L)
Posted by: LeeAnn at January 16, 2005 10:59 AM (vqSdN)
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DOH!
A deer!
A female deer!
Posted by: Harvey at January 16, 2005 05:21 PM (ubhj8)
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Another embittered Kerry voter decides to end the pain.
Posted by: Harvey at January 16, 2005 05:27 PM (ubhj8)
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"That's not an airbag."
Posted by: Simon at January 16, 2005 09:45 PM (JQ8pC)
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It was a sad day for all when Bambi learned to jaywalk.
Posted by: Spirit Fingers at January 17, 2005 08:32 AM (14C1v)
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I have no funny things to add, since I am humorless today.
But please, please let Machelle win. I laughed my fool ass off with her entry.
Posted by: Helen at January 17, 2005 08:44 AM (uFX1z)
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Paris and Nichole are at it again....
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,144465,00.html
Posted by: Tiffani at January 17, 2005 10:50 AM (KE4Gu)
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"This Dodge owner later sued Dodge for not being quite as "Ram Tough" as he'd hoped."
Posted by: Clancy at January 18, 2005 08:42 AM (JxYJc)
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Victor loves him some split pea soup
Victor asked for
Lovely Wife's split pea soup recipe. She gave it in the comments but I'm putting it up here where everybody will notice it. It's my good deed for the day - spreading goodwill and yummy food, not to mention AssWar ammunition.
Just to warn y'all, this isn't quite so much a recipe as it is a force of nature. Lovely Wife cooks her soups the old fashioned way, by love and intuition.
more...
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January 13, 2005
Dear nameless coworker,
I know that you are efficiency minded but sometimes corners should not be cut and procedures should not be rushed. This could be for any number of reasons including quality, performance or, in this particular case, etiquette.
What I am specifically referring to is your behavior in the men's room this morning. You may recall that when you entered said bathroom I was already occupying the first urinal. You quickly analyzed the situation and correctly (according to the tenets of the Big Book of Men's Room Etiquette) proceeded to the last urinal. My concern is with your actions while traveling to your post.
It was particularly unnerving to be in the semi-compromised position mandated when urinating to hear your zipper open when you were directly behind me. Furthermore your motions and mannerisms, as well as your speed off the blocks, showed that you had already taken the tool in hand before arriving at your destination.
To reiterate, these two actions (unzipping behind another man and walking through the bathroom with your cock in hand) are both egregious violations of the BBMRE. I trust that merely bringing these errors to your attention will suffice to correct these deficiencies but I must warn you that I am prepared to retaliate if this behavior continues. I have homemade pea soup in storage and I am not afraid to use it.
Regards,
Jim Peacock
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You're giving him a written warning?
You're getting soft in your old age, Jim.
Posted by: Harvey at January 13, 2005 10:33 AM (tJfh1)
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Come now Harvey. You know that it is the anticipation of retaliation, not the retaliation itself, which most strikes fear in the hearts of evil doers.
Posted by: Jim at January 13, 2005 10:39 AM (tyQ8y)
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Sometimes I am just really really glad I'm a woman...
Posted by: Boudicca at January 13, 2005 10:54 AM (z7nbM)
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I say let slip the peas of war!!!
Posted by: Rob at January 13, 2005 11:46 AM (kXZI6)
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I've said this before to myself, but this time I mean it: Jim, this is the LAST time I read your blog while on a conference call!!! Trying to pretend that I had coffee go down the wrong pipe gets old, you know?
Posted by: RP at January 13, 2005 12:23 PM (LlPKh)
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"Furthermore your motions and mannerisms, as well as your speed off the blocks, showed that you had already taken the tool in hand before arriving at your destination."
That's a fine piece of business writing, Jim.
If I heard a zipper open behind me in that situation I think I would have turned around and sprayed the bastard, nonchallantly. You know...let him know that kind of shit's not right.
Posted by: Paul at January 13, 2005 12:30 PM (vbP6L)
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Jim, you never read the appendices in the BBMRE. It's obvious to me this man was micro-seconds away from pissing in his pants (
"your motions and mannerisms, as well as your speed off the blocks"). It's happened to you, admit it: You have to go, bad, but you're stuck in traffic. As you get closer and closer to home, the need arises more and more; as you park the car, you're all but dancing in your seat. As your hand fumbles with the door key, you find you have to pinch that puppy closed, and (provided there are no children present) you, too, have unzipped in the hallway during the mad dash to the porcelain convenience.
Dude, when a man has to go a man has to go, and that man
had to go! Cut him some slack, bro!
Posted by: Victor at January 13, 2005 12:58 PM (L3qPK)
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Yes, Victor, I've been there before but never in this bathroom. You see I am on the 2nd floor and the only way up is on an elevator. That elevator is
right next to a bathroom.
No, if his need was so urgent upon arriving at work he would have taken care of business before waiting for an elevator.
Also, he was unencumbered by coffee cup, lunch or briefcase. The traffic induced bladder emergency exemption just won't work here.
Posted by: Jim at January 13, 2005 01:06 PM (tyQ8y)
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Ah, with more details we begin to see more and more of the picture. So the bathroom is located next to the elevator on the first floor? Our building is laid out in similar fashion (the johns are near the elevators) except for the first floor.
I must say, tho: While the time of day adds support to your side, your noticing of details shows you, yourself, violate one of the Rules of Men's Room Etiquette: No checking out other guys while in the can.
Posted by: Victor at January 13, 2005 02:50 PM (L3qPK)
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It was a fear reaction. In the moment of decision of the fight or flight response you have amazing clarity.
Posted by: Jim at January 13, 2005 03:07 PM (tyQ8y)
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Hmph. Men!
Posted by: Kate at January 13, 2005 10:57 PM (8c4Q2)
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I am with Boudicca here; so glad that my anatomy has required more priavate accomadations all around.
Hmm, perhaps America should have family type bathrooms. In Ulpan, and in a few other places, there are bathrooms where the toilets are enclosed completely by the stalls, and the sinks are outside. It took awhile to get use to seeing a guy come out of one stall, but it wasn't really inconvienent and posed no real problems at all.
Posted by: Rachel Ann at January 14, 2005 04:58 AM (iQxKa)
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We HAVE family bathrooms here in America!
Its awefull.......two men and their combined four sons pissing in the sink while mom took the seat.......wonderfull!LOL
Posted by: LW at January 14, 2005 06:29 AM (GCA5m)
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In the moment of decision of the fight or flight response you have amazing clarity.
Excellent point. Thanks for...clarifying...
Posted by: Victor at January 14, 2005 09:57 AM (L3qPK)
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I wonder how long it will be...
...before the Islamic terrorists start killing relief workers in Indonesia?
Relief and aid workers are a favorite target of Muslim extremists and there are shitloads of Muslim extremists in Indonesia. Right now the whole country is a target rich environment for these murderers. Chaos, unknown people everywhere, lots and lots of westerners with limited security.
In fact the Indonesian government is now setting up American forces for murder by these monsters. In an effort to remain in country to continue providing assistance our Marines will now be unarmed.
In a major compromise, the Marines agreed not to carry guns while on Indonesian soil and for the vast majority of troops to return to ships stationed off the coast after each day's operations.
I do not see good things coming out of this compromise.
(Hat tip to e-claire)
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I started writing a post about this yesterday, but I was interuppted and never made it back. I don't quite understand the compromise. Surely we don't want to turn our backs on these poor people, but, dammit, when you get American Soldiers on the ground helping you, you get American Soldiers. And an American Soldier is an Armed Soldier!
here's the article I found - it had some more interesting tidbits about the corruption that exists in these areas...
http://abcnews.go.com/International/Tsunami/wireStory?id=405767
Posted by: Clancy at January 13, 2005 10:00 AM (JxYJc)
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Its like........yes,we want your help,but on OUR terms and only if WE can shoot YOU in the back,anytime we want to.
Personally,yes,we should not turn our backs on them,but then again,if you are getting greeted by ungreatfull,political bastards,I would say.....sorry,I am NOT going to help you.Not without security and safety for my own gut!
Unfortunatly its the poor people who suffer from what politicians do.Its not the vicims who mess up and thats where peoples heart goes,despite cricket politics.
Posted by: LW at January 13, 2005 11:30 AM (GCA5m)
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Sorry, Jim.
I on't agree with you on this one.
The UN is sending in un-armed troops as well. England is talking about sending in their own un-armed troops. The Tamil Tigers have laid down their weapons and formed a tentative peace agreement in Sri Lanka for the good of the nation. Indonesia will/is doing the same.
I think this has to be done in goodwill and as a gesture of rebuilding. This is not about a war. This is about cleaning up after a natural disaster. Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia are crippled by the lack of tourists in their areas. This will help bring them back, and regardless of the religion, people do want the toursits back (I have been to Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Tourists are needed, wanted, and the only "no travel" areas are in the other islands of Indonesia. The island area of Indonesia affected, particularly Banda Aceh, are "no risk" areas without the threats of kidnapping you get if you go east of Jakarta. Jakarta is one whole island away from where the reconstruction needs to take place).
It's like Marines taking their guns into Thailand. Would that be neccessary? Really?
If the U.S. is unwilling to accept this compromise, then I think the U.S. Marines should not go over. If I had anything remotely helpful to contribute in terms of rebuilding, I'd be on a plane in no time, not armed with anything but my mobile phone.
Sorry. Blitz me if you want, but that's honestly the way I feel.
Posted by: Helen at January 13, 2005 12:01 PM (uFX1z)
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No blitz from me. I very much hope you're correct.
Posted by: Jim at January 13, 2005 12:40 PM (tyQ8y)
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Pea soup
We had Lovely Wife's homemade pea soup for dinner last night. Mmmmmmmm. Most of you have probably never had homemade pea soup; it's a vanishing art here in the States. Lovely Wife makes her soups old school style. She starts with a big pork butt bone, does some magic thing to get the flavor out of it, strips the meat, slow cooks the dried split peas, hand mashes the stuff and oh my Lord is it good stuff.
But it's more than just a fantastic dinner. You see peas, like their cousin beans, are a musical fruit. Pea soup for dinner means more than just a delightful repast. For a person like me it means ammo.
My strike runs are already planned. There'll be some cubical bombs dropped today.
Oh, yeah!
Posted by: Jim at
08:19 AM
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1
I love split pea soup, but I confess I've never had homemade. Would you ask LW to submit it to the Carnival of the Recipes?
Posted by: Victor and his seventeen pet rats at January 13, 2005 01:00 PM (L3qPK)
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I'll ask her, Victor. It's not a question of sharing, it's a question of if there's a recipe. Like I said, she cooks
old school.
Posted by: Jim at January 13, 2005 03:02 PM (tyQ8y)
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I am not using recipes.....soup is one of the easiest things to do.Go get some marrow bones or a ham bone (I buy butt or picknick roast,or what they call it, make a meal and safe the bone),put them in a big ole pan (I think mine is like 2 quarts)with water and boullion cubes (Knorr Beef,2 of'm),boil up and reduce to a simmer for a few hours (usually like 3) till all falls off the bone,get the bone out,add 2 16 ounze packs of dry split peas (don't aok them first,whoever put that on the pack is full of crap!),simmer till all is soft and mushy (probably about 2-3 hours),add any meat thats left from the bone and if you want (I do that sometimes) add two or three big potatoes (peeled and cut into cubes).Some people add carrots and or soup greens,I don't do that.Don't like it.
Best if made the evening (start at 3pm or 4pm its done by 10pm) before,let it cool down all the way (don't put it in the fridge,thats just nasty!!!) and then the next day warmed up.Left overs can be frozen for MONTH!
So now go ahead and win a prize....:-)
I did before with my goulash (REAL GOULASH,Hungarian style) recipe.The radio station picked it as best recipe and I got a 150 Dollar gift certificate to PF Changs and 5 tickets to Sesame Street show!LOL
Posted by: LW at January 13, 2005 04:30 PM (GCA5m)
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Oh and btw.....the basic to make the boullion is good for ANY kind of soup!
I start ALL mine that way.
Posted by: LW at January 13, 2005 04:31 PM (GCA5m)
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Thank you, LW; that made perfect sense. And Jim, I know all about old-school cooking. In my Carnival/recipe submission, I mentioned I've never measured a single thing when making beef medallions in a mustard-cream sauce (for two). It comes out awesome every time.
Posted by: Victor at January 14, 2005 10:00 AM (L3qPK)
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YW Victor.
I don't like messuring or following recipes.It makes it difficult to describe them to others,but then again,if you ALWAYS give your recipes away then they won't be special anymore.:-)
Its...weird.....but I can't even follow a recipe!Even a pack of Mac-a-cheese I m ess up!LOL
Posted by: LW at January 14, 2005 11:55 AM (GCA5m)
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January 12, 2005
Conversations with brilliance
[The scene: The boys are in the tub. Lovely Wife and I are having a conversation while they are relatively quiet. ]
Me: [To Lovely Wife] So I'm going to be involved in setting up KPIs for the company as well as metrics for Development.
Bear: [Interrupts] What's that?
Lovely Wife: What? Metrics?
Bear: No, kaypeeayes.
Me: It's an acronym. KPI stands for "key process indicator".
Lovely Wife: Do you know what that means?
Bear: No.
Lovely Wife: Can you figure it out?
Bear: Well, an indicator is like a light or something so it's probably a light to help you find your keys.
Lovely Wife: You're pretty good at figuring stuff out bear but...
Bear: [Interrupts] I know. I'm brilliant.
Lovely Wife: You're brilliant?
Bear: Yeah. I'm even smarter than you.
more...
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1
I LOVE your Bear. I bet he is too smarter than an Octopus. He is clearly smarter than Henry the Octopus - have you seen that guy's hat?
Have I told you lately that your site is all that and a bag of barbequed chips? Because it SO is.
Posted by: Elizabeth at January 12, 2005 10:08 AM (BHf3Z)
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Thanks, Elizabeth.

Personally I think toe sludge is smarter than Henry the Octopus. Man that thing's irritating. Actually the penguin is even worse. Who thought that a morose passive/agressive penguin would be a good character in a children's show? Yeesh!
No, wait a sec. I'm thinking of Oswald. Is Henry the one from The Wiggles? Damned octopi.
Hey, I wonder - If our Bear's meet would it be more like matter and anti-matter coming together or two highly charged polarly aligned plates? Heh.
Posted by: Jim at January 12, 2005 10:34 AM (tyQ8y)
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Stories like that are the only things that make me think I might want kids after all.
Posted by: 8ZERO8 at January 12, 2005 05:53 PM (cxdq0)
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I'm not happy to admit I know all your references. The Penguin is in Oswald. Henry is in the Wiggles. Blech.
I help with the kindergarten PE classes at our school. I have some kid telling me that he's trying to be as smart as an ostrich. Maybe he really meant octopus...
Posted by: Boudicca at January 13, 2005 10:59 AM (z7nbM)
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From when I was little I swor to myself that I will NEVER EVER have kids.Then I "accidentially" had one and the crack party started.I think they keep us young by making us laugh our asses off.
Afterall,It is clinically proven that laughing keeps you healthy!
Yet.....on days like today........ANYONE WANT MY KIDS??
I'll proceed to Ebay now......
Posted by: LW at January 13, 2005 11:35 AM (GCA5m)
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LOL. Loved this story. Can't wait until mine hit 5 yrs old. It sounds like it will be fun.
Posted by: vw bug at January 16, 2005 09:09 PM (YcCf5)
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January 11, 2005
The curtain is withdrawn
Random Penseur has another installment of his
Behind the Curtain series where he shines the spotlight on history's supporting players.
Claudius Smith was a swashbuckling cowboy, jailbreaker, and "a bold, handsome man, around whom secretly clustered all those unprincipled and daring men". He was also a murderer and villain, an American who terrorized New York and New Jersey in support of the Crown of England.
Go read. It's a good 'un.
Posted by: Jim at
11:00 AM
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Live from the "So what?" files
There's some controversy about perennial favorite band Nickelback. Mikey Smith noticed a disturbing similarity between their older hit
How You Remind Me and a newer hit
Someday. He synched the songs up to play together and found that they do indeed share a baseline. That really pissed him off.
Nickelback, you lazy, talentless bunch of wankers. What, did you think nobody would notice that you're recycling your hideous dirge and selling it all over again to your deluded fan base? You bastards, you're taking advantage of those tone deaf MTV brainwashed twats who are too thick to notice you're releasing songs that are EXACTLY THE SAME as ones you recorded earlier. And here's the proof, people. Listen to their first godawful hit, played through the left speaker. At the same time, an equally shite single (released two years later) will be played through the right speaker. Can you spot the difference?
He maintains that this is effectively theft by deception. While I agree with some of his points ("deluded fan base" and "tone deaf MTV brainwashed twats" to be precise) my overall impression of his argument is "So what?".
In order to be popular a group must produce an identifiable sound. Think of any band that has had more than a single hit and you should have no trouble finding similarities in their songs. In this particular case they are recycling a base line. In three chord rock. How do you not recycle a baseline when you've only got a handful of them to work with?
They aren't talentless wankers, they are wankers of limited talent. Successful wankers of limited talent. Rich successful wankers of limited talent. Rich successful wankers of limited talent that get a whole lot more pussy than Mikey Smith.
And they deserve it. They made a sound that people like. They're smart enough to keep making the sound that people like. Eventually people will get bored with that sound and they will either come up with a new sound that people like or they will descend into obscurity like almost every other band in the history of music to resurface only as guests on Hollywood Squares or the occasional Trivial Pursuit question.
Posted by: Jim at
08:21 AM
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1
I agree.
Who cares...all that shit sounds the same to me anyway.
Posted by: Paul at January 11, 2005 09:24 AM (vbP6L)
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I couldn't agree more.
AC/DC comes to mind. I'm sure you could do the same thing with most of their songs, but that doesn't diminish what they've created. To me AC/DC is fundamental 100% pure rock & roll.
Heck - you could even go farther... 50% or more of all rock and roll tunes use G, C & D chord paterns. Tis must mean they're all stealing from each other!!! (The percentage quoted above comes directly from my butt - but any musician will agree.)
Anyhoo... If it works (and judging by album sales it's working) then more power to them.
Posted by: Clancy at January 11, 2005 09:40 AM (JxYJc)
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Question: I'm no music expert so what is the difference between a bass line and a baseline?
Posted by: Jim at January 11, 2005 10:14 AM (IOwam)
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One smells a bit fishy.
Posted by: Jim at January 11, 2005 10:24 AM (tyQ8y)
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The other is made out of chalk and connects the bases.
Posted by: Harvey at January 11, 2005 11:37 AM (tJfh1)
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You make very good points, Jim. But regardless of what bass line is recycled to achieve a signature sound, the least a band can do is try to change the harmony a little.
I don't listen to much of this stuff myself, but I've caught it enough on the radio. In the back of my head, I thought both of those pieces were the same song. Are they cheating anybody? Hard to say. Both songs are moderate hits and people are obviously into them. Still, in the whole scheme of things, who gives a damn. Nobody is any worse for it.
Posted by: Mick at January 12, 2005 08:40 AM (VhRca)
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January 10, 2005
Sick and tired
That's me. Bloody sick and bloody tired. Sick enough that I'm going home shortly. Tired enough that my eyes keep going unfocused. This is despite enough drugs to keep Snoop Dog flying and about 24 hours of sleep in the past 2 days. Bleh.
Damned flu!
Anyway, here's a thought for the day:
Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
Posted by: Jim at
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1
I wish you a speedy recovery! Try the chicken soup, can't hurt.
Posted by: RP at January 10, 2005 12:01 PM (LlPKh)
2
New Mexico, cleaner than old mexico.
Posted by: pylorns at January 10, 2005 01:23 PM (FTYER)
3
C'mon Jim, take that frown and turn it upside down. At least now you have an excuse to lay in bed watching movies all day!
Posted by: tre at January 10, 2005 07:48 PM (tC3pG)
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Nyquil. And Dayquil. And lots and lots of liquids. And heavy blankets. I was there last year, dude, and it's no fun at all. I hope you feel better soon.
Posted by: Kathleen at January 10, 2005 08:39 PM (zGCA0)
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Amazing, that this CRAP FLU has travelled all the way across the country..Feel better soon, buddy...
Posted by: mitzi at January 10, 2005 10:12 PM (DSCCI)
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Thanks y'all. I'm feeling much better today. :-)
Posted by: Jim at January 11, 2005 05:39 AM (GCA5m)
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Nyquil.
That stuff is so awesome it's a good thing they don't sell that over here. I have "junkie" written all over me.
Posted by: Helen at January 11, 2005 07:28 AM (uFX1z)
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Not so fast Jim! Even Lileks does the movie thing when ill. How can it not be right?
http://www.lileks.com/bleats/
Posted by: tre at January 11, 2005 09:25 AM (Rpdxv)
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Heh. Lileks only has one demon in residence at his house. I've got three.
Posted by: Jim at January 11, 2005 10:30 AM (tyQ8y)
Posted by: 8ZERO8 at January 12, 2005 05:55 PM (cxdq0)
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January 07, 2005
Nigerian scammers are really pissing me off
The quality of Nigerian scams has degraded so much over the past couple of years. Just look at this piece of garbage I got today:
Hello,
My greetings.
I got your email address from a casual enquiry wherein I sought for trustworthy potential partners with whom to go into business with in the investment of some contact funds ( $ 8,500,000.00 U.S ) currently trapped. It is my hope that you will be of assistance in helping me free the trapped funds, transfer it, and put it to investment purpose. 10% of the funds will accrue to you for your assistance.
The source of the funds are as follows: During the last military regime in my country,government officials awarded contracts that were grossly over-invoiced to Contractors. The present civilian government set up the Contract Review Panel, and mandated it to use the instruments of payments made available to it by the decree setting up the panel, to review those contracts and if necessary pay those who are being owed outstanding amounts.I have identified the above mentioned sum which have been lying unclaimed for years and would like to transfer and invest it.My position as a current serving Civil servant forbids me from operating foreign Bank accounts, this is why I need your assistance.
Here is where you come in : I need you to furnish me with the following information :
1. YOUR FULL NAMES
2. BUSINESS NAMES
3. ADDRESS
4. TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
With these information, I will forward an application for payment in your busines's favour and ensure that it is approved. Upon the transfer of the funds, I will meet with you in your country so that we can go into investment after sharing in the agreed percentages ( 10% for you ).
Please do reply,
Olawale
I mean - that is truly pathetic. It breaks my heart to see the fine tradition of Nigerian scamming headed straight into the shit heap. Being me, I could not let this go without expressing myself. My reply is in the extended entry.
more...
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1
That is the best fake name i've ever seen, good on yeh!
:-D
Posted by: tommy at January 07, 2005 08:23 PM (y0fBO)
2
Not even crooks take pride in their work anymore...what is this world coming to???
;-)
Posted by: Mick at January 08, 2005 12:15 PM (VhRca)
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Have you seen the website where a guy documents his yanking the chain of whomever sent him a Nigerian scammer email? It's really funny. Do a google search on it.
Posted by: Kate at January 09, 2005 04:14 AM (Tv6ZW)
4
There's a hobby group out there somewhere that does that. They're a riot.
Posted by: Jim at January 09, 2005 04:39 AM (GCA5m)
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The new low of such requests includes, at least in an e-mail I received, this line "Now I want you to assist me in getting some
cash deposit claim and distribute to charity and people of the tsunami disaster."
I'm tempted to ship him the dog that bit me. The two deserve each other.
Posted by: Rachel Ann at January 09, 2005 08:13 AM (ZSjbT)
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Don't you also worry about and shake your head at the people who don't understand this is a terrible mistake and exploitation of their generosity....Someone somewhere must be "assisting" them or they wouldn't keep coming up with newer versions.
Posted by: Crystal at January 09, 2005 09:58 PM (E5Eyf)
7
How do I get in on this deal?
Posted by: Kenny at January 10, 2005 11:53 AM (fIFtd)
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It's easy, Kenny. Just use your email address anywhere on the internet and eventually these good samaritans will find you. The breaking point for me was giving my email addy to my utility company. Georgia Power takes care of its customers in more ways than one.
Posted by: Jim at January 10, 2005 11:56 AM (tyQ8y)
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Getting into work was a bit difficult today
Oh, the traffic wasn't any worse than usual so it was a relatively fast 45 minutes to drive in. Getting up to my office was the hard part.
I hit the button for the elevator and after a minute or so the right side elevator car (there are two elevators) arrived. The doors opened and I was greeted by darkness. The lights were out in the car and the little back-up light was on casting a feeble glow about. I figured what the heck and got on. I pushed the button for the second floor. Nothing happened.
I pushed the button numerous times but nothing continued to happen. After a little bit I realized I was acting like a lab rat clicking the lever even when it was obvious no food pellets were arriving. I exited the non-functioning elevator and pushed the call elevator button again. It didn't light up. Since there was an elevator already arrived on the floor it wasn't calling the other elevator.
This presented a problem. You may recall from previous posts that the stairwell doors are locked on the first floor so people are forced to go by the security desk to get to the upper floors. The security desk was currently unoccupied.
No elevator. Can't use the stairs. Nobody to report the problem to.
I was going to have to wait until somebody came down to the first floor on the elevator.
I waited several minutes and suddenly the defunct elevator closed its doors and headed upwards, no doubt to confound and irritate somebody on another floor by sitting idle and dark while they did their own lab rat routine. I pressed the call elevator button again and was rewarded with its cheery familiar glow.
The left elevator arrived momentarily and I was able to proceed to my offices without further mishap.
If anybody asks why I was late I'll just tell them I had trouble getting up this morning.
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Posted by: Victor at January 07, 2005 12:35 PM (L3qPK)
2
Great movie. I'll give you a point just for reminding me of it and giving me an excuse to look through the quotes. Of which I found none that matched the stuff in this post. But that's academic because we both know that movie would have been twice as funny if they'd paid me a lot of money. I mean, if they'd consulted with me.
Posted by: Jim at January 07, 2005 01:39 PM (tyQ8y)
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Next time, if you can't get it to go up, try talking dirty to it. Just a thought.
Posted by: RP at January 07, 2005 03:13 PM (LlPKh)
4
Oh, ok. I must've been thinking of some other movie. For once, I'm in the points lead for the year...I think...
Posted by: Victor at January 08, 2005 11:30 AM (etHvD)
5
Only in Bizzaro World, Victor. The Leader Board shows you've just been welcomed to the fold.
Posted by: Jim at January 08, 2005 11:36 AM (GCA5m)
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