I was directed to this article by Bill Whittle from the Rachel Lucas blog. Normally I do not go to other links to read full articles, but this once, I did. Boy am I glad I did! And I suggest that you go to the full article too. The link is at National Review site
Take a bit of time and read it and think about it. I have never read Whittle's stuff before, but if he writes like this, I will make sure to read more of him.
Another thing I got from this, is I am REALLY glad I live where I do. I would be silly crazy if I lived in his part of the country. How does he keep sane?
Later!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
So what makes Obama more qualified?
In a string of hypocritical comments by someone I was talking to yesterday, I realized that everything negative this person was saying about Sarah Palin, could be turned around and said of Barack Obama.
First, Palin has had very little time as a politican, with only time as a mayor and two years as a Governor. Well, guess what. Obama is only a freshman senator from Illinois (where most of us in Illinois had never heard of him!) and most of that time has been spent campaigning instead of working on behalf of Illinois citizens in Congress!
Next, Palin has no foreign policy experience. Well, I don't think good old Barack has any more experience. As a matter of fact, I would think he has less! At least as a governor, you are making deals and working with foreign leaders for business matters and the like. I would count that as having some experience.
It was also said, that Palin is popular because she is just like the majority of Americans. Trouble at home, busy schedules with school, work and kids, and other things that plague normal American families. It was said, that the American people should not vote for someone that is just like them or reminds them of their neighbor, but vote for the smartest person or the person that is part of the political machine because they are better suited for it. Well, as far as I can tell, it has been the "smart politicians" who have failed us and maybe we do need a regular old neighbor like person in the White House. Maybe balancing a checkbook will not be so unfamiliar to them that something like a balanced budget is not a unknown concept to them!
And what really struck me was that this person was comparing Obama to Palin. Like Obama was running against Palin. Excuse me, but isn't Obama running again McCain? Looks like this person, and the media for that matter, are more afraid of Palin than McCain. Either way, I think that having Palin on the Republican ticket, has made people look more closely at Obama and they are coming to realize that maybe, he is not the messiah that they thought he was.
I don't like to talk politics but I was just floored by the fact that everything that was spewed to me, could have been completely reversed and applied to Obama, but it never occurred to the person to do so. Talk about single mindedness.
For what it's worth...
Later
First, Palin has had very little time as a politican, with only time as a mayor and two years as a Governor. Well, guess what. Obama is only a freshman senator from Illinois (where most of us in Illinois had never heard of him!) and most of that time has been spent campaigning instead of working on behalf of Illinois citizens in Congress!
Next, Palin has no foreign policy experience. Well, I don't think good old Barack has any more experience. As a matter of fact, I would think he has less! At least as a governor, you are making deals and working with foreign leaders for business matters and the like. I would count that as having some experience.
It was also said, that Palin is popular because she is just like the majority of Americans. Trouble at home, busy schedules with school, work and kids, and other things that plague normal American families. It was said, that the American people should not vote for someone that is just like them or reminds them of their neighbor, but vote for the smartest person or the person that is part of the political machine because they are better suited for it. Well, as far as I can tell, it has been the "smart politicians" who have failed us and maybe we do need a regular old neighbor like person in the White House. Maybe balancing a checkbook will not be so unfamiliar to them that something like a balanced budget is not a unknown concept to them!
And what really struck me was that this person was comparing Obama to Palin. Like Obama was running against Palin. Excuse me, but isn't Obama running again McCain? Looks like this person, and the media for that matter, are more afraid of Palin than McCain. Either way, I think that having Palin on the Republican ticket, has made people look more closely at Obama and they are coming to realize that maybe, he is not the messiah that they thought he was.
I don't like to talk politics but I was just floored by the fact that everything that was spewed to me, could have been completely reversed and applied to Obama, but it never occurred to the person to do so. Talk about single mindedness.
For what it's worth...
Later
Friday, September 12, 2008
How's this for an ego booster?
Recently, while substitute teaching at my local school, I was treated to a wonderful ego booster from one of the 5th graders I know. I will call him Eleven, as his volume goes that far. I have know Eleven for a number of years now and he has always seemed to take a shine to me. I was his Cub Master and he is in the same grade as my daughter. Anyway, I was in the classroom I was a substitute for and Eleven comes in and sees me there and immediately begins to act like an announcement was made that pop tarts, candy and pop will be served for lunch. Anyway, I manage to get him under control for the class. But then, out of nowhere, during a lull in the class, he blurts out, "Deane, you are just too awesome for this school!"
Daaaannnng! What a compliment and one coming from a 5th grader at that! I guess I passed some test of his at some point and became one of the cool guys in his life. I also assume I made his day by being a substitute teacher, but I know he made MY day with his comment!
So just in case you ever wonder or in doubt, I am "too awesome" for school!
Later!
Daaaannnng! What a compliment and one coming from a 5th grader at that! I guess I passed some test of his at some point and became one of the cool guys in his life. I also assume I made his day by being a substitute teacher, but I know he made MY day with his comment!
So just in case you ever wonder or in doubt, I am "too awesome" for school!
Later!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
What my birhtday means.... according to Facebook
Oddly, alot of this is spot on right about me. Fun little application!
October 8, (year deleted)
Lucky Color: Amber
Personality Strengths: Compassion, Drive
Personality Weakness(es): Impatience
Successful Career Path: Fashion
Sense of Humor Style: Quick-witted
Adjectives to Describe You: courageous, enterprising
Description:
Driven and focused - you know what you want from life and importantly you know how to get it. You have always been hard-working and a perfectionist, you understand that there is no substitute to hard work in life.
October 8, (year deleted)
Lucky Color: Amber
Personality Strengths: Compassion, Drive
Personality Weakness(es): Impatience
Successful Career Path: Fashion
Sense of Humor Style: Quick-witted
Adjectives to Describe You: courageous, enterprising
Description:
Driven and focused - you know what you want from life and importantly you know how to get it. You have always been hard-working and a perfectionist, you understand that there is no substitute to hard work in life.
Monday, September 08, 2008
And you thought American Animal Righters were loopy!!!
Here is a short blurb from the my local paper. I will reprint in it's entirety. It is part of the Earth Week: Diary of the Planet articles that appear in many newpapers and is distributed by Universal Press Syndicate.
Here goes... you won't believe this.
Swiss Animal Rights.
Strict new laws that went into effect across Switzerland on Sept. 1 have some wondering if legislators have overreached in efforts to safeguard the animal kingdom. It is now illegal to flush live goldfish down the toilet. The law stipulates that they must first be knocked out and killed before being disposed of. Fishermen may no longer practice catch and release fishing, and the use of live bait is prohibited. Pets such as parrots and hamsters may no longer be kept by themselves, and livestock such as sheep and goats must have at least "a visual contact with their fellows," under the new law. Dog owners are now required to take classes to learn how to keep their pets from biting. Even with regulations saying that pigs have a legal right (my emphasis)to shower and freshen up after roling in the mud, the country's leading animal rights group, STS, says the new law doesn't go far enough.
Holy Crap. Not far enough? Legal rights to shower for pigs? I think that too many centuries of neutrality has rotted the brains of Swiss legislators. I really don't know what to say of this. Apparently, some law makers in Switzerland are taking big bankrolls from the animal rights group, otherwise I cannot imagine anyone in their right minds coming up with laws like this. I believe in the ethical treatment of animals, but not to the point where you elevate them to human status! Oh I am so disappointed in the Swiss.
Later!
Here goes... you won't believe this.
Swiss Animal Rights.
Strict new laws that went into effect across Switzerland on Sept. 1 have some wondering if legislators have overreached in efforts to safeguard the animal kingdom. It is now illegal to flush live goldfish down the toilet. The law stipulates that they must first be knocked out and killed before being disposed of. Fishermen may no longer practice catch and release fishing, and the use of live bait is prohibited. Pets such as parrots and hamsters may no longer be kept by themselves, and livestock such as sheep and goats must have at least "a visual contact with their fellows," under the new law. Dog owners are now required to take classes to learn how to keep their pets from biting. Even with regulations saying that pigs have a legal right (my emphasis)to shower and freshen up after roling in the mud, the country's leading animal rights group, STS, says the new law doesn't go far enough.
Holy Crap. Not far enough? Legal rights to shower for pigs? I think that too many centuries of neutrality has rotted the brains of Swiss legislators. I really don't know what to say of this. Apparently, some law makers in Switzerland are taking big bankrolls from the animal rights group, otherwise I cannot imagine anyone in their right minds coming up with laws like this. I believe in the ethical treatment of animals, but not to the point where you elevate them to human status! Oh I am so disappointed in the Swiss.
Later!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
BattleStar Galactica/Presidential election. Compare and Contrast!
For those familiar with BattleStar Galactica, this will mean alot to you! For those unfamiliar with it, you poor, poor bastards. It is the best sci-fi show, possibly the best all-around show, there is on TV. Watch it Damn It! And for those who are familiar with the Rachel Lucas Blog,(www.rachellucas.com) then you might be familiar with this posting. If you are not familiar with her blog, you should be. Anyway, you should definately check this out! It is bang spot on with the current selection of candidates. If you have to ask, who is who in the photos, then you need to watch BSG! Just take it that the the lower two are Cylons... (bad guys!)
http://rachellucas.com/index.php/2008/09/03/so-say-we-all/
http://rachellucas.com/index.php/2008/09/03/so-say-we-all/
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Get with the PLAN!
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
My Johari Window
While going back through old favorite bookmarks on my computer, I found this. I thought it worth posting to the blog. Granted only 5 people participated in the window experiment, but at least those five people thought well of me! Whew! If you want to contribute to it, there is a link for that too!
Arena(known to self and others) adaptable, energetic, friendly, organised, trustworthy | Blind Spot(known only to others) clever, confident, dependable, extroverted, helpful, intelligent, knowledgeable, mature, patient, reflective, religious, responsive, sensible |
Façade(known only to self) proud | Unknown(known to nobody) able, accepting, bold, brave, calm, caring, cheerful, complex, dignified, giving, happy, idealistic, independent, ingenious, introverted, kind, logical, loving, modest, nervous, observant, powerful, quiet, relaxed, searching, self-assertive, self-conscious, sentimental, shy, silly, spontaneous, sympathetic, tense, warm, wise, witty |
Dominant Traits
80% of people think that Longbowman is dependable
60% of people agree that Longbowman is energetic
80% of people agree that Longbowman is trustworthy
All Percentages
able (0%) accepting (0%) adaptable (20%) bold (0%) brave (0%) calm (0%) caring (0%) cheerful (0%) clever (20%) complex (0%) confident (40%) dependable (80%) dignified (0%) energetic (60%) extroverted (20%) friendly (40%) giving (0%) happy (0%) helpful (20%) idealistic (0%) independent (0%) ingenious (0%) intelligent (20%) introverted (0%) kind (0%) knowledgeable (40%) logical (0%) loving (0%) mature (20%) modest (0%) nervous (0%) observant (0%) organised (20%) patient (20%) powerful (0%) proud (0%) quiet (0%) reflective (20%) relaxed (0%) religious (40%) responsive (20%) searching (0%) self-assertive (0%) self-conscious (0%) sensible (20%) sentimental (0%) shy (0%) silly (0%) spontaneous (0%) sympathetic (0%) tense (0%) trustworthy (80%) warm (0%) wise (0%) witty (0%)
Created by the Interactive Johari Window on 2.9.2008, using data from 5 respondents.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view Longbowman's full data.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view Longbowman's full data.
Guns and girls
Hey! Labor Day has come and gone. And with it another Firepower Weekend. A weekend filled with Guns, Grilling, Explosives, and generally good times. This year however was a muted affair, seeing that good friends of ours were getting married and so we decided to go to the wedding rather than camping out. Now isn't that good of us?
Anyway, we still got all the weaponry out and had a great time, if only for one day. But this time I got to enjoy watching my wife and some of my female friends do some shooting. I found this very rewarding. To be able to shoot and handle a gun with some proficiency is normally thought to be a manly ability, but to see women work their way around a gun is something I find to be really cool.
And before you get you mind in the gutter, this is not a comment on jiggly girls in bikinis with machine guns. Although that has a certain appeal to it too.
My wife only really tried her hand at shooting at clay skeet targets about a year or so ago when I bought for my son a youth sized gun. She found that she could actually handle it and after getting comfortable with it, found she could hit with it! This weekend she was doing really well, hitting about 6 out of 10 and even knocking a few high speed sideways moving targets. It was really impressive to see and made me pretty proud!
And then there were some of the other gals who had never shot before, or had only limited experience. Two young ladies got to try shooting for the very first time. Whether they will ever try to shoot again, I cannot say, but I think that they at least enjoyed the experience and might not be afraid to try it again if the opportunity arises for them.
One of my good friends is just now discovering the fun that shooting can be. She has even recently obtained her Firearms Owners ID card. Big step. She is even considering buying a gun! The more guns in legal hands the better! I think that she always had an affinity for guns, but never had the exposure or opportunity to try them out. As of right now, she is well on her way to becoming part of the gun culture in the USA! And I would like to think I had something to do with that.
I have at least one more girl that I need to turn on to guns. That is my daughter. She does have her own BB gun, (pink and everything!) but she is reluctant to shoot a big gun. I think she is intimidated but she will get over that. I refuse to have a child of mine not be comfortable around guns and not know how to handle them. Whether or not she takes to them is up to her, but at least she will know how to use them properly and safely.
So conclude this little posting, if you have a gun, take your daughters, girlfriends, neighborhood girls, wives, moms and grandmas out shooting. I don't think you will regret it and I am pretty sure they will enjoy it!
Later!
Anyway, we still got all the weaponry out and had a great time, if only for one day. But this time I got to enjoy watching my wife and some of my female friends do some shooting. I found this very rewarding. To be able to shoot and handle a gun with some proficiency is normally thought to be a manly ability, but to see women work their way around a gun is something I find to be really cool.
And before you get you mind in the gutter, this is not a comment on jiggly girls in bikinis with machine guns. Although that has a certain appeal to it too.
My wife only really tried her hand at shooting at clay skeet targets about a year or so ago when I bought for my son a youth sized gun. She found that she could actually handle it and after getting comfortable with it, found she could hit with it! This weekend she was doing really well, hitting about 6 out of 10 and even knocking a few high speed sideways moving targets. It was really impressive to see and made me pretty proud!
And then there were some of the other gals who had never shot before, or had only limited experience. Two young ladies got to try shooting for the very first time. Whether they will ever try to shoot again, I cannot say, but I think that they at least enjoyed the experience and might not be afraid to try it again if the opportunity arises for them.
One of my good friends is just now discovering the fun that shooting can be. She has even recently obtained her Firearms Owners ID card. Big step. She is even considering buying a gun! The more guns in legal hands the better! I think that she always had an affinity for guns, but never had the exposure or opportunity to try them out. As of right now, she is well on her way to becoming part of the gun culture in the USA! And I would like to think I had something to do with that.
I have at least one more girl that I need to turn on to guns. That is my daughter. She does have her own BB gun, (pink and everything!) but she is reluctant to shoot a big gun. I think she is intimidated but she will get over that. I refuse to have a child of mine not be comfortable around guns and not know how to handle them. Whether or not she takes to them is up to her, but at least she will know how to use them properly and safely.
So conclude this little posting, if you have a gun, take your daughters, girlfriends, neighborhood girls, wives, moms and grandmas out shooting. I don't think you will regret it and I am pretty sure they will enjoy it!
Later!
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