What Did I Miss?

I knew this was happening. I don't get out much but I do get out on occasion.

Went through the company cafeteria and glanced up at the TV monitor and immediately regretted it. Kind of like accidentally glancing at the sun and then quickly turning away. I did not wish to burn out my retinas, or my brain.

You all know how I feel about the recent unpleasantness election, but for a far better take on all this, you need to go read the DiploMad 2.0.

He nails it.

Oh Look, An Eagle

This one has been around for a while. But it's a classic.

Ya Gotta Love the Law... Right?

Supreme Court in 1968

Saw this over at the View From The Porch. Did my standard "Say what...?" then did the Wiki-thing. Found this:

Haynes v. United States

The National Firearms Act of 1934 required the registration of certain types of firearms. Miles Edward Haynes was a convicted felon who was charged with failing to register a firearm under the Act. Haynes argued that, because he was a convicted felon and thus prohibited from owning a firearm, requiring him to register was essentially requiring him to make an open admission to the government that he was in violation of the law, which was thus a violation of his right not to incriminate himself. 

In a 7-1 decision, the Court ruled in 1968 in favor of Haynes. Earl Warren dissented in a one sentence opinion and Thurgood Marshall did not participate in the ruling.

Um, okay. Apparently the Supremes "fixed" that later on. (Sure they did.)

All I can think to say is that sometimes the interpretation of the law makes no sense. But when it does, count on someone coming along and over-complicating things. (See 2nd Amendment national "discussion". Yeah, right.)

Can't have everyone understanding the law now can we?

Then we wouldn't need lawyers.

Wait a minute...

Read me that last bit again...

Now there's a thought!

We're a Plague?

"Humans are a plague on the Earth that need
to be controlled by limiting population growth"
Sir David Attenborough

When I first saw this over at Random Acts of Patriotism I was a bit irate. (The link to the whole article in The Telegraph is over there as well.)

So, we're a plague? My guess is that what they really mean is that all of those poor people in the Third World are the plague. Perhaps they should not breed so much so that the well-off television personalities of the world can guarantee resources for THEIR progeny in the future. Not theirs. (Wouldn't surprise me if they considered conservatives to be part of the plague as well.)

What is it with these people? You see and/or hear of this kind of thing from time to time and it always makes my head spin. Here's another quote from (ahem) Sir David:

“We are a plague on the Earth. It’s coming home to roost over the next 50 years or so. It’s not just climate change; it’s sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde. Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now,”

Yeah pal, that's what nature does. Your problem is that you don't view yourself as part of that "enormous horde". You and yours are somehow special. But don't worry, you lot will fix it all up won't you?

Seems Sir David belongs to "Population Matters", which according to the Wiki-ites, 

Population Matters, formerly known as the Optimum Population Trust, is a registered United Kingdom charity, think tank, and campaign group concerned with the impact of population growth on long term sustainability, quality of life and the natural environment, specifically natural resources, climate change, and biodiversity. The Optimum Population Trust was founded in 1991 by the late David Willey. 

At least Mr. Willey has done his bit. Note that he is the "late David Willey". Guess that frees up a slot for another Western liberal to survive. I'm guessing that members of that "enormous horde" need not apply.

File this under "people who piss me off".

I'm sure they "mean well".

Grrrrrr....

Monday Gun Stuff

Tip of the old Balmoral Bonnet to SKK

And another writer who "gets it".

Ah Crap!

Though I haven't done sports here in a while, it's time. Because the New England Patriots season is over...

...ended by the Baltimore Ravens, 28 - 13.

Ah, well. There's always next year (actually there's always "later this year").

Well, things COULD be worse. After all, it's not like the Obummer got inaugurated for a second term on the same day the Pats lost. Right?

Oh, wait a minute...

Ah crap...

He Had A Dream

He was a polarizing figure, a controversial man, but he was also a necessary man. He was what the time needed, no, what the time demanded. Regardless of how you felt about him then or feel about him now, he fought for what he believed in and he paid for it with his life.

I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

Watch it here:

Read it here.

It was a good dream...