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Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Emoticons (mirror of wikipedia page)


List of emoticons

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of notable and commonly used emoticons or textual portrayals of a writer's mood or facial expression in the form of icons. The Western use of emoticons is much different than the Easternuse, and Internet forums, such as 2channel, and Internet forums, typically, show expressions in their own ways. In recent times, graphic representations, both static and animated, have taken the place of traditional emoticons in the form of icons.

Contents

 [hide]

[edit]Western

The emoticon in Western style is written most often from left to right. Thus, most commonly, one will see the eyes on the left, followed by the nose and mouth. Typically, a colon is used for the eyes of a face. However, an equal sign, a number 8, and a capital letter B are also used interchangeably.
IconMeaning
:-) :) :o) :D :] :3 :c) :> =] 8) =) C:smiley or happy face[1][2][3][4], version without colon common in Russia
:-D :D 8D =D =3laughing,[1][2] big grin, [3][4]
<=3 <=8 8===Dpenis[1][2] [3][4]
( o )( )( ) ( . Y . )breasts, flash me[1][2][3][4]
:-( :( :c :< :[frown[1][2][3][4]
D: D8 D; D=horror, disgust, sad [1][3][4]
:-9licking chops[1]
;-) ;) *) ;] ;Dwink[1][2][3][4]
:-P :P :-p :p =p :-Þ :Þ :-b :btongue sticking out, cheeky/playful, blowing a raspberry[5][1][2]
:-O :O 8Osurprise, shock, nondescript[5][1][2]
:-/ :/ :\ =/ =\ :Sskeptical, annoyed, undecided, uneasy[5][1][2]
:|straight face[3], disgusted, grim, no expression[1]
d:-) qB-)cap, backwards cap (incorporating elements of the "shades" emoticon)[citation needed]
:)~Drooling[1]
:-X :X :-# :#sealed lips, embarrassed[5][1][2]
O:-) 0:3 O:)angel[1][2][3] innocent[5]
 :'( ;*(crying[5][1]
:-* :*kiss
>:) >;) >:Devil[3]
B) B-) 8) 8-)shades[5]
D:< >:( D-:< >:-( :-@[1] ;( `_´ D<angry, mad
<3 <333love, heart, lots of hearts
\,,/ \m/Rock on, sign of the horns[6]
\m/\>.Rock on, sign of the horns[6] used with an emoticon
\o/Praise, excitement, jumping for joy
\o o/Greeting, hello, goodbye, sieg heil
\==D~~ `;*(Salute
o/\oHigh five
vi:) ^i:)I'm With Stupid, Stupid's With Me
@}-;-'---Rose[2]

[edit]Eastern emoticons

Users from East Asia popularized a style of emoticons endemic to their region.
IconMeaning
d^_^b d-_-blistening to music, thumbs up[5]
 ;A;  ;w;  ;__;  ;~;  ;m; ;n;  ;^;  ;o;  ;u;  ;x;  ;v;instances of crying
(^_^) (^-^) (^ ^) (^.^) ???smiley[5]
(~_^) (^_~) ~.^ ^.~wink[5]
(>_<) (>.<)cartman[5] Ah Crap / dammit
(>_>) (¬_¬)annoyed or rhetorical
(-_-)upset, not amused[5]
(^o^)singing, laughing[5]
(^3^)kiss[5]
(^_^') ^_^_^') ^^" ^^^_.^') ^^_^^; ^&^^.^;& ^^^; ^^^7nervous, sweat-drop, embarrassed[5]
d(>w<)bdouble thumbs up
q(;^;)pdouble thumbs down
(;_;) (T_T) (T~T) (ToT) (T^T) ಥ_ಥcrying[5]
(._.) (,_,)disappointed, bitter
ಠ_ಠ σ_σlook of disapproval
[(--)]ZZzzz...sleeping[5]
(X_X) x_xdead or unconscious[5]
0.o O_o @_@ O_O ಠ_ಠ σ_σ [7][8] ಠ_ರೃ (*_*)Surprise or Disbelief. Not Amused. Look of Disapproval[5]
^///^ >///< >///> o///o -///- =///=Blushing, Embarrassed[5]
( °٢° )drooling[5]
_|_ (-.-) _|_ t(>.Flipping Off[5]
(V)!_!(V)Crab[5]
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄ƷButterfly[5]
ツSmile[5]
ʘ‿ʘInnocent face [5]
\m/*.*\m/Rocker smiley
O?OWAT?!? [5]
&_&Eye Roll [5]
0-0Sweet! [5]
(^^^)SHARK [5]
(\_/)Bunny Ears
B)Evil Face~ Happy
B(Evil Face~ Unhappy
X3Super Happy
:3Mew! (Kitty/chibi face)
x_O O_xPunched in the face
(///_-)Emo

[edit]2channel emoticons

The Japanese language is usually encoded using double-byte character codes, which can be reproduced as ASCII art.
IconMeaning
m9(^Д^)Rock on, sign of the horns[6]
m(_ _)mkowtow as a sign of respect, or dogeza for apology [9]
(´・ω・`)deflated [9]
<`∀´> or <丶`∀´>stereotypical Korean character (Nidā)[9]
[ (★) ]
<丶´Д`>
stereotypical North Korean character (Kigā) [10]  
∧_∧
( ;´Д`)
stereotypical Japanese character (Monā) [10]  
∧∧
/ 中\
(  `ハ´)
stereotypical Chinese character (Sinā) [10]  
∧∧
/ 台\
( ^∀^)
stereotypical Taiwanese character (Wanā) [10]
∧∧
/ 越 \
( ・∀・ )
stereotypical Vietnamese character (Venā) [10]
γ~三ヽ
(三彡0ミ)
( ´∀`)
stereotypical Indian Character (Monastē) [10]
| ̄ ̄|
_☆☆☆_
( ´_⊃`)
stereotypical American character (Samū)[10]
 ┏━┓
━━━━━━
ミΘc_Θ-ミ
stereotypical Jewish character (Yudā) [10]
__
│〓.│
━━━━━
ミ ´_>`)
stereotypical English character (Jakū)[10]
____
(〓__>
ξ ・_>・)
stereotypical French character (Torirī)[10]
_、,_
ミ  _⊃)
stereotypical German character (Gerumandamu) [10]
≡≡彡
彡 ´_)` )
stereotypical Austrian character (Osutō) [10]
,,,,,,,,,,,,,
ミ;;;,,,,,,,ミ 
( `_っ´)
stereotypical Russian character (Rosukī)[10]
_γ⌒ヽ_
lXXXXXXXXl
( ´m`)
stereotypical Mexican character (Amīgo) [10]
_
<(o0o)>
(>ミ - ミ )>
stereotypical Persian character (jujø) [10]
(`・ω・´)feel perky [9]
_| ̄|○given up [9]
(`-´)>salute [9]
(´;ω;`)terribly sad [9]
ヽ(´ー`)ノpeace of mind [9]
ヽ(`Д´)ノbe irritable [9]
(#゚Д゚)angry [9]
( ´Д`)yelling, or panting [9]
( ゚Д゚)Moustache-y Face per Lynda Julie [9]
┐('~`;)┌don't know the answer [9]
(´∀`)carefree [9]
( ´_ゝ`)indifferent [9]
Σ(゜д゜;)shocked [9]
( ゚ヮ゚)happy, upbeat [9]
キタ━━━━━━(゚∀゚)━━━━━━!!!!!  "It's here", a general expression of excitement that something has appeared or happened or "I came". [9]
キタワァ*・゜゚・*:.。..。.:*・゜(n‘∀‘)η゚・*:.。. .。.:*・゜゚・* !!!!!  Girlish version of "It's here". [9]
⊂二二二( ^ω^)二⊃"bu-n", being carefree and above, with arms stretched out while running/soaring. [9]
(*´Д`)ハァハァErotic stirring, haa haa [9]
( ´Д`)ノ(´・ω・`) ナデナデPatting, nade nade [9]
(((( ;゚Д゚)))Spook [9]
Σ(゚Д゚)Huge surprise [9]
( ´∀`)σ)∀`)Jog someone's cheek [9]
(・∀・ )ヾ(- -;)コラコラBlaming "now now" [9]
( ゚д゚)Amazed [9]
(´ー`)y-~~Smoking [9]
( ^_^)o自自o(^_^ )Toast "Cheers"[9]
m9(・∀・)Flash of intuition [9]
ヽ(´ー`)人(´∇`)人(`Д´)ノFriendly [9]
('A`)Lonely [9]
( ´,_ゝ`)Depressed, unsatisfied (based on indifferent)[9]
(´-`).。oO( ... )Thinking [9]
(゚Д゚;≡;゚Д゚)Impatience [9]
( ´д)ヒソ(´Д`)ヒソ(Д` )Whispers [9]
(・∀・)つ⑩Carrying money [9]
⊂(゚Д゚⊂⌒`つ≡≡≡(´⌒;;;≡≡≡Sliding on belly, "whooaaa!!!" [9]
(゚д゚)Unforeseen [9]
(゚⊿゚)"I don't need it" [9]
щ(゚Д゚щ)(屮゚Д゚)屮Come on [9]
(・∀・)Mocking, "good" [9]
(・A・)"That's bad" [9]
(゚∀゚)Discharged drug-in-brain, goofing around, "A-HYA!" [9]
( つ Д `)Sad [9]
エェェ(´д`)ェェエNot convincing [9]
( ̄ー ̄)Simper, Snorlax [9]
( ゚∀゚)アハハ八八ノヽノヽノヽノ \ / \/ \Evil laugh (literally ahahaHAHA...) [9]
[゚д゚]Deflagged [9]
♪┏(・o・)┛♪┗ ( ・o・) ┓♪┏ ( ) ┛♪┗ (・o・ ) ┓♪┏(・o・)┛♪Happy expressions, dancing to the music [9]
d(*⌒▽⌒*)bHappy expression [9]
STO or OTZ or OTLDespair. The "O" or "o" represents one's head on the ground, "T" or "r" forms the torso and "S" or "z" forms the legs. [9]
OGCRotate your head 90° counter clockwise and you'll see a Man masturbating. "O" is ones head, "G" represents his body and penis with hand, and "C" is legs [9]
(╬ ಠ益ಠ)Extreme Distaste, meant to appear as an exaggerated grimace [9]
(≧ロ≦)Shouting [9]
(ΘεΘ;)Pretending not to notice, asleep because of boredom [9]
お(^o^)や(^O^)す(^。^)みぃ(^-^)ノ゙Kana reading "O ya su mi" meaning "Good night" or "Night" [9]
(*゚ノO゚)<オオオオォォォォォォォーーーーーイ!Calling out, "Ooooi!" [9]
\|  ̄ヘ ̄|/_______θ☆( *o*)/Kick [9]
(‐^▽^‐)オーホッホChuckle
┌(;`~,)┐Discombobulated [9]
ε=ε=ε=┌(;*´Д`)ノRunning [9]
ヽ(´▽`)/Happy [9]
^ㅂ^Happy [9]
(l'o'l)Shocked [9]
ヽ(o`皿′o)ノreally angry [9]
o/ o_ o/ o_"It's here"
(☞゚ヮ゚)☞ or ☜(゚ヮ゚☜)"Do it" [9]
☜(⌒▽⌒)☞Angel [9]

Drive-by Post w/ Photos and a Flip Flop



I've been busy lately, and too tired to even surf in the mornings before work. I caught an open terminal while at a meeting, and voila! Here are a couple of pix from work to prove I'm not (totally) lazy. In about 6 weeks, I should have enough money saved to purchase an entry-level laptop and that will allow me access via my cell.



Hey, a guy can pause and watch the sun rise, can't he?
Wait! Let me move my truck before you land-lock me!

Parting Shot

I'm listening to "Morning In America with Bill Bennett" via the stream from KRLA, and just found out that the U.A.E. boycotts Israeli products and won't even allow their ships to dock in their country.

Since the U.A.E. boycotts Israeli products, I will switch sides in this bru-ha-ha, and am now opposed to the deal on issues of solidarity with Israel. Yes, I AM in the tank for Israel.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Is this a Dream Job, or what?



You know, if I weren't so attached to my place of birth, this job would be ideal...

Saturday, February 25, 2006

More on the port terminal bru-ha-ha


Dubai Ports World Homepage


Here is an article claiming Frank Gaffney of The Center for Security Policy was the first nationally syndicated columnist to break the port terminal story and push it as a bad idea.

Here is his Feb 21, 2006 commentary for the Washington Times. I don't know how long the piece will stay up.

And here is an earlier piece.

Commentary


Perhaps I am stupid, or at best naive, but I really don't understand what the hubub is about on this story. The Chinese operate terminals on the west coast, and on both ends of the canal zone in Panama. No one has complained about these deals, or the fact that most of our port terminal facilities are run by foreign companies and have been for quite some time.

It is hurtful to me that the "right" has mostly led the dogpile on the issue. This has been an ugly snowball of a story that can have no good ending for all of us.
Our reactions will confirm suspicions, grounded or not, that we are a xenophobic culture and cannot be trusted to practice what we preach. This deal is a part of our free market economy. If we are so afraid of "things" that might come in through our port terminals, then we should nationalize those facilities. And that would be a boondoggle that would make Social Security look like a good idea.

It is my belief that the President will loose this debate for the following reasons:

1) His inaction on our border problems with Mexico have left him extremely vulnerable on the issue of trust and may result in a Democrat victory in 2008 unless Congress steps up and forces him to act to secure our borders and do someting about illegal immigrants. If he lets these people go, then we should at least stop prosecuting minor crimes committed by citizens if we are going to let non-citizens go free. We are close to achieving Critical Mass on this issue.

2) People have gotten it that Islam is our enemy in this war called World War IV. Only thing is, we have committed a sweeping generalization and lumped all those who practice Islam into one group. All these moderate or liberal Muslims are as apostate from their religion as moderate or liberal Christians are. That is a harsh statement, but one I believe is truth, and this truth hurts. They may as well be practising different religions.

3) The media is constantly shaping the debate by using misleading words to describe the deal. We are selling no ports. Only a minority of terminal facilities within those ports...Something like 24 out of 800 plus terminals in 6 Ports. Normal people I have talked to about this cannot get past this argument. I even went a round with Matt Mittan of The Take A Stand radio show on WWNC AM570 on Friday afternoon. It was this point I tried to convey, and I don't think he believed me, but I hope he takes it into consideration.

Wow! I didn't expect to go on this long, I got kinda wound up. On to other things...

Battlestar Galactica

The episode "Downloaded" was, I thought, very well done and once more, these creative storytellers have chosen a direction I would have not even considered.
I also think I know how these guys come up with their storylines...Brain Storming. There is no other explaination I can come up with. I'd like to see some of the stuff that didn't make it.
There are only two episodes left this season. Time has certainly flown.

Friday, February 24, 2006

Downloaded



Too much any irons in the fire to do much useful posting except:

New Battlestar Galactica episode

Episode title: Downloaded

From the promos, this promises to be a Cylon-centric episode featuring Sharon-One !!!


Go here for info on the UAE bruhaha, scroll down to a post titled: Port of Call. Sorry I didn't properly paste a link...At 28.8K and 10 minutes before leaving for work...not much choice!

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

What the heck is going on?



I haven't commented on the United Arab Emirate purchase of a British company that has major operations in some of our largest east and gulf coast ports because, frankly, I thought it was a non-story. Boy, have I been proven wrong.
What does it really matter who owns the company? Most the workers are Americans. And we only check about 5% of the containers anyway !!! Did people just suddenly become stupid overnight?

Over the past week or so, the story has been covered on the various radio talk shows, and here is where they break down:

Rush Limbaugh sees nothing wrong with it, but thinks it was a bad political decision. He did joke that since Jimmy Carter supported the deal, it was doomed to failure.

Matt Mittan says the Emirates were a safe haven during Desert Shield/Desert Storm for U.S. troops.

Sean Hannity came down with both feet against The President on this one.

I didn't get to listen to my other shows, although I believe I know where they stand.

LOCAL POLL RESULTS

UpdateNumbers inside {parenthesis} indicate final numbers. {03-01-006}

My Internet service Provider, DNET,
has a section on their front page where they run polls on various issues of the day, and today's poll was very timely. (It may have been up for a couple of days, I've been logging on in a hurry and by-passing the intro screens.)
Here is the poll and the choices. I have placed the results beside the choice:


The Bush administration will allow a UAE company to run the operations of some large US ports.

Do you believe this was a good decision?

01.23% Yes, we have an open market and they had the best bid.
{01.13}

04.93% Yes, they (the US gov't) reviewed the purchase and said it was fine. {This {04.54} was my choice}

12.34% Not a security threat, but not a good decision.
{12.50}

77.77% No, this is a threat to national security.
{77.27}

03.70% I don't care either way.
{04.54}



Commentary

The results of the poll shocks me to no end. Although the vast majority of people on this ISP are in a couple of counties in Western North Carolina, past results have been generally translatable to the national population.

One ray of sunshine out of all this is that people are viewing people who practice Islam (even moderately) with a jaundiced eye. That is progress. In this case, I believe we are throwing out the baby with the bath water. If the UAE, or anyone else wanted to ship nasty stuff into the USA, the door has been wide open. No need to buy a company that runs ports. After all, this IS where most of our drugs have come through, and our illicit arms trade goes out. Trust me on this. The stuff that comes and goes by human mule across our borders is where the amateurs play before going pro.

I have sympathy for Bush 43 on this, but can't help laughing at him at the same time. In my opinion, this is a case of the chickens coming home to roost in regards to his criminal neglect of the borders...In particular the southern one. The people know this, and don't trust him with border security in general. If he had been tough on our border with Mexico, this deal would have barely made a ripple.

But, but, but Jimmy Carter agrees with Bush 43 ?!?

I'm torn.


Warning...Conspiracy Alert!

I wonder Who broke the story, and Who has been pushing so hard for it to get traction? Just wondering.

Monday, February 20, 2006

Full Auto in Oklahoma !!!



Warning: this video requires major bandwidth and is very funny!
I only wish I had that kind of firepower! Viva la 2nd amendment!

Star Trek Character Quiz



I was cruising NC Blogs and found a Star Trek Character Quiz at this blog. Since I love Star Trek, I took the quiz and pasted the results below. As a former First Responder, I'll accept the results...but Paula's results were funnier, given her lifestyle. ;-P

Your results:
You are Leonard McCoy (Bones)

































Leonard McCoy (Bones)
95%
Chekov
95%
Geordi LaForge
90%
Mr. Scott
80%
Worf
70%
Spock
69%
Jean-Luc Picard
65%
Data
63%
James T. Kirk (Captain)
55%
Beverly Crusher
55%
An Expendable Character (Redshirt)
55%
Mr. Sulu
40%
Deanna Troi
40%
Uhura
35%
Will Riker
35%
You are a pessimistic and bitter doctor,
but you are skilled in the ways of medicine and science.


Click here to take the "Which Star Trek character are you?" quiz...

John Armor announces run for 11th District Seat




I've been playing catchup on the Armor story...here is an excerpt of his article in The North Carolina Conservative:


The first question about running for Congress should be, what are the needs of the District? For the 11th District, those can be boiled down to two words: jobs and education.

The economy here divides roughly into thirds: manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. All are under pressure. In manufacturing, whole factories – especially in textiles – have been packed up and shipped outside the US, leaving behind vacant buildings, asphalt parking lots dotted with grass, and thousands of able workers without jobs. Federal, state and local cooperation is needed to stem the bleeding of existing jobs, and attract new companies into this area of relatively low costs, excellent climate, and most of all, reliable employees.



I believe this guy can win both the primary and general election this year. I, however, disagree with the support of tourism. My reason is most jobs in tourism are seasonal and pay low wages. A Tourist business is good if you own it, not if you work for the owner. My bias is showing, No?

Monday Briefing



Winds of War Briefing by Security Watchtower and Peace Like A River.


John Armor enters race against Charles Taylor in the Republican primary. I haven't had a chance to read any stories...since I was away from the internet for the weekend. This is going to be very interesting, indeed. Personally, I think Armor stands a very good chance of blowing away Taylor because of one primary reason, CAFTA.

Hat Tip to Screwie Hoolie for letting me know.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Untitled Post



I couldn't thnk of a title off the top of my head, and the topics to diverse to pull together in a few words.

More winter weather may be headed my way. I live in Northern Jackson County, at the north pole of the area...we still have snow on the ground out here, although yesterday put a lot of it away.

I'll be starting a series of posts on the 11th District US House Race next week with the official entry of Heath Shuler as an official candidate. The incumbent, Charles Taylor, may have a callenger in he primary...more later.

Now to the important stuff...

Battlestar Galactica

New episode "The Captain's Hand" is on tonight at 10pm and 1am eastern Time on theSciFi Channel.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Thursday Links



Here is what I found on my patrol this morning:


The Coming Storm of Censorship is a piece every blogger and lover of Free Speech should read and shudder over.

Life in the Bubble by Armed Liberal over at Winds of Change

And another couple of articles on the same site here concerning the two remaining members of the Axis of Evil, and there is a rebuttal article here.

Commentary

What does it all mean? I believe that things will continue to get more interesting and more frightening. We must remain vigilant, maintain situational awareness, and get involved. Call and/or Email your Elected Critters with your opinions on all these matters.

On the matter of making Blogs subject to The Abomination of The McCain-Feingold Act: Blogs are the modern-day version of the soap box of yesteryear. Everyone has the God given right to put forth in this public space. If you are offended by the speaker, you should move along, but don't you dare try to shut him/her up. I will fight to preserve liberal, conservative, libertarian, and other viewpoints to be spoken from this modern day soap box. And I believe you should, too.
Personally, I am against the censorship described above, and I believe that Iran wasn't paying attention when we invaded Iraq in 2003, which I think was partially aimed at them. I hope we stop them in time, for the longer we wait, the more it will cost us.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

New web Cams via BlogAsheville

A Really Cool Quiz



I found this quiz on Glenn Reynold's blog, and the results I got back were pleasing to me:


You scored as Serenity (Firefly). You like to live your own way and don't enjoy when anyone but a friend tries to tell you should do different. Now if only the Reavers would quit trying to skin you.

Serenity (Firefly)

100%

Millennium Falcon (Star Wars)

88%

Deep Space Nine (Star Trek)

81%

Babylon 5 (Babylon 5)

81%

Bebop (Cowboy Bebop)

75%

Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica)

75%

Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix)

69%

Moya (Farscape)

69%

SG-1 (Stargate)

63%

Enterprise D (Star Trek)

63%

Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda)

56%

FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files)

44%

Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics)
created with QuizFarm.com


I am a little disappointed I didn't rate higher than 75 percent on fitting in with the Galactica crew, but the Serenity crew makes me happy.

Middle East/SW Asia Strategic Analsis



This post will be updated throughout the day. (Yes, Another Snow Day!)

Sean Osborne of Northeast Intelligence Network

If I were you, I'd keep storing extra petro and food. What? You're not!
Too bad for you then. I jumped on that train before Christmas.

The Anti-American War Protest crowd is gearing up to stop the coming war with Iran. I'd like to see conservative groups infiltrate these (well, you know)
-people and mount counter-demonstrations. Too bad all the conservatives have jobs, families, and other important stuff.

Michelle Malkin has asked Al "The Traitor" Gore a very important question. Well, Al?

An excerpt...


In January 2002, ex-President Clinton addressed the JEF, which paid him $267,000 for his speech...It's not known whether - or how much - Mr. Gore was paid for his speech.


Here is the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review in Adobe Acrobat pdf form.
Ity is over 2 Megs in size.

Monday, February 13, 2006

Another Show Day !!!


A view from the windshield as I drove white knukled to WCU on the morning of February 13th, 2006. For those inclined, click to view larger image.


This is the view I saw as I walked up Pumpkintown Road to my great-aunt Paulines' place. This image is also clickable for a larger image for those in Rio Linda.



More later as I get a chance. Scroll Down, please.


Check Out this list of banned books!
City Crabs' Pix of Blizzard of 006


Prediction: At his next press conference, Dick Cheney will invite some reporters to go quail hunting.

Yahoo! Photo Album Test Link

Friday, February 10, 2006

Friday Picture



Tiny Mom



New Battlestar Galactica episode tonight !!!

Schedule for Feb 2006 Times are 10pm and 1 am Eastern
Date Episode Title
2/10 Sacrifice
2/17 The Captain's Hand
2/24 Downloaded

Thursday, February 9, 2006

Reid connected with Abramof?



Story here.
I thought it significant enough for a separate posting. I've currently got 7 windows going on this machine at the Library...mine chokes on two windows!!!

Snow Day !!!



View from WCU Cam




New posts will be added below during the day

Israel to withdraw from West Bank ???

Stop Shuler, Hmmm?

And finally, Ann Coulter zings.

Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Are things coming to a head?



Global Guerrillas continues with systems disruption series as practiced by terrorists. The whole series is worth a read. Who needs Stephen King anymore?
Politics of CP has uncovered a nugget about the NSA eavesdropping.
Over at The Gates of Vienna, Dymphna has a thoughtful post on the Iranian thing.


In my last post, I was wondering what would happen if rioting Muslims had a reason, well, someone thinks this may be the case with the current round.
How does this Trackback thing work?

Security Watchtower has more coverage of the rioting, as well as an excellent links page.

No time to think now, must go to work. ;-)

Sunday, February 5, 2006

The "Religion of Peace" shows its' True Colors



D.C. Watson: Islam unhinged
The Gates of Vienna has several good posts on the affair.
The Winds of Change have a few as well, you'll have to scroll down to find them.


Commentary
I have been guilty of secretly hoping that there was a slight chance of being able to balance the bad Muslims with the judicious (is that a word?) use of the good Muslims. I now realize I was mistaken. It appears that the ignorant, hating masses FAR outweigh the good few. It is now time to comptemplate religicide.

Imagine what the Muslims of the world would do if they were given a real reason to practice their nihilistic desires. I mean this. Think about it.

Now come to the realization that this tendency, if you will, can be tripped into action by any government (ours, theirs, sadistic bystander) or even individuals willing to detonate these people into action...

I have no pictures in my collection suitably dark enough to accompany the train of thought I am currently riding. I would suggest a visit to Ready.gov, or even to United States Action to get the drift.

Saturday, February 4, 2006

Note to NASA in regards to man in space



Q from Star Tek: The Next Generation noted about space exploration, "If you can't take a little bloody nose, maybe you ought to go back home and crawl under your bed. It's not safe out here. It's wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it's not for the timid."

Friday, February 3, 2006

T.G.I.F. !!!


It's been a rough week.
Flight #93 movie review

Battlestar Galactica episode "Scar" is due tonight on the SciFi channel.

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Thunder Pig goes to Asheville




This is one of my favorite landmarks in Asheville. I believe it is called St. Lawerence. I'd love to go inside and take some pictures of the place when I have more time, but yesterday I was on a tight schedule and didn't stray too far from the library on Haywood Street.



I took this picture on the main drag in downtown Maggie Valley as a Pave Low Chinnok flew right over me...really cool thing for a military entusiast like me. I took more, and later on, snapped a couple long-distance shots from the jobsite as a couple repeated their flyover of Maggie Valley. The Mexicans on the workcrew asked me why so many helicopters, and I told 'em we were practicing for the invasion of Iran, which has some mountainous terrain like WNC. Hey, a guy can hope can't he?



And here is one of the pix I took Monday morning (the 30th) ahead of the rain that came in about four hours later,terminating our workday.

I'll post more pix later, as time allows.

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Linkagery


Images of mohammad...Zombie Time
Danish Food Fight
Islam's Nancy Boys

Glenn Reynolds I ain't.

I will be so happy when my place is repaired and I can live like normal people again. This boarding house thing really, really sucks. Unless I use a public terminal, my internet access is limited to when everyone else is asleep...forget about extra phonelines or satellite dishes, as they are forbidden. Oh, and did I mention that cell phones won't work until you travel two miles down the road.
Sorry for the rant, had to get that off my chest...at least I convinced the owners that a computer won't cause the place to catch on fire. ;-)

Monday, January 30, 2006

An interesting post...



A local blogger has an interesting post that is very well thought out and has handy links. The post concerns Arcata, California and the newly minted Sandy Springs, Georgia. Keep an eye on these two experiments in local government. And thanks to Tim Peck for noticing and caring enough to write about it.

Monday Links



Monday's Winds of War: 30 Jan 2006
by WoW Team Monday at January 30, 2006 05:47 AM

Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused every Monday & Thursday. Monday's Winds of War briefings are given by Peace Like a River and Security Watchtower...Grab a cup of Joe and read the rest.

Have you ever wondered what the neocons are up to? Go here for a taste of what some people are thinking. Full Disclosure: Since I used to be a member of the Democrat Party, and liberal, I am considered a Neoconservative. My views on this Fourth World War we are engaged in lead me to believe that the Bush 43 administration aren't warlike enough for my taste. Remember, I think Ghengis (hard g, Mr. Kerry) Khan is to the left of me. ;-p

I send out my prayers to the ABC co-anchor, his cameraman; and their family and friends. These guys aren't afraid to leave the green zone, and should be respected for their efforts to cover the story of the Iraqi Theater of WWIV.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Sunday Contrails

Battlestar Galactica episode "Black Market"



No content spoilers, psychological spoilers only.

I hope this was an aberration. My personal nickname for this episode is "Saigon on a Freighter" and just, well, I dunno. Threw me for such a loop I forgot to continue recording after the 2nd commercial break. The deleted scenes for this episode better show an editing problem of biblical proportions. Too much new material to absorb at once, I guess I'll have to record again Monday night and watch it a few times.

Note to Ron Moore:

Please don't pull a "V"-style Elizardbeth with the hybrid Homo sapiens cylonensis. Please, man. I am begging you. Don't go there.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

A Question for The Legacy Media




Imagine these guys were Americans celebrating an election win.


Would the Legacy Media approach their coverage the same way?

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Hamas wins elections?



I guess the old adage that says the Palestinians don't miss an opportunity to mess up IS true.
I hope this finally beats it into some thick skulls in the Israeli electorate that the Palestinians are so driven by hate that they have forfeited any right (if they ever had any) to be regarded as rational people.
I heard the news from the BBC this morning, but didn't give any credence to it because of the Beeb's bias against Israel. Later, as I checked out the Top Stories on FOX, I saw a promo for the rebroadcast of Cavuto talking about a Hamas win. What? Has the world gone mad?
In my opinion, this makes war virtually inevitable. Whether it is a low-intensity conflict or a full-blown affair remains to be seen.


The one bright spot in this whole thing is I believe it improves the chances of Bibi Netanyahu being elected to the office of Prime Minister this spring.
Oh, and one more thing, maybe this will bring the stupid, misguided policy of the Bush 43 administration of trading land for peace to an end. It is folly of the highest order to assume that Palestinians, or their allies, are capable of being faithful to any agreement.
Pray for Israel, her people and her leaders, as well as our own. I see Dark Days ahead.
The Jerusalem Post has a story. I am sure the Blogosphere is inundated with similar stories and misgivings about the future.


I don't even have to check out The Gates of Vienna to know that an insightful analysis is soon to be, if not already, posted.
Another two sites to check are The Belmont Club and the Winds of Change. While I don't always agree with some of the crew at Winds, I am assured that they have thought things through from their point of view.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Strike Three for the Unfit Nations


What? A Scandal at the UN involving money?
The boys in Powder Blue ran away while people were being killed?

Wretchard has the details.
I just wish i could meet someone who works for the UN face-to-face, just one time, I'd laugh at him/her/it until it hurt.
I find myself beginning to believe they are far more dangerous to us than all our oher enemies because they provide shelter for them.


I guess the prefix their acronym spells out was a Freudian slip after all, at least The League of Nations had a ring to it, even if they were just as an incompetent bunch of boobs as the current bunch.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Why did Canada vote Conservative?


Because they didn't want our liberals moving there!

Since I didn't work yesterday (it was raining), I was fortunate enough to be ensconced in Hunter Library at WCU all day.
I got to hear the last few minutes of Ken Bagwell before 9 am on WZNNWZGM.

Later, I listened to a little Rush and then Take A Stand with Matt Mittan. Visited my very first Chat Room also during the show. It was different, hearing the host on the radio and seeing his words typed on the screen as he carried on conversations with the "Cave Dwellers". Found out wb means welcome back. ;-)
I had to google chat room abbreviations and print them out to get a better grip on what was happening.
It's too bad I'll be listening at work, OUTSIDE, and unable to see what's happening in the Cave. And Yes, What happens in the Cave, Stays in the Cave.
You can visit Matt's website here, and as a friendly warning: DO NOT PLAY THE PENGUIN GAME !!!
It is addictive and my best score is 298.4 Matt's is 324 or so...But we don't really know that do we? I think that is one reason he hasn't put his site up sooner, He wanted to boost his Penguin score to a number virtually impossible to reach. And since I can't play it very well on a 28k connect speed, I'll never beat him. (sniff)

Monday, January 23, 2006

Monday Briefing 01-23



Monday's Winds of War: 23 Jan 2006
by WoW Team Monday on January 23, 2006 05:21 AM

Welcome! Our goal at Winds of Change.NET is to give you one power-packed briefing of insights, news and trends from the global War on Terror that leaves you stimulated, informed, and occasionally amused...read the rest.



No work today...more rain.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Sunday Blogger for 01-22-006



I found this blog whilst surfing. In particular, this article was my landing spot. Very nicely done, Ed. Oh, and he is located in NC as well. Add him to your favorites, or use my sidebar to visit him, you'll be glad you did.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

CLoud Pictures




Picture taken 01-21-2006 around 10am.

Lots of contrails all day long!

Fire on the Mountain



Yesterday, some contract workers tried to burn a brush pile without raking around it, and even worse, had no rakes or shovels with which they could've combated a breakout. WoW ! And to think we had a hard time keeping our piles going. Go Figure. Anyhow here are some photos I shot of the fire and the response...
















































About four brush trucks from the NC Forest Service and a truck from the Maggie Valley Volunteer Fire Department responded. They all left out the other way, so I didn't get to take their pix while leaving. I don't see how more than an acre could've been burnt. Since we left our fires after dark, I couldn't get a photo of the aftermath. I'll do that Tuesday, since Monday looks to be a rain-out and a day at Hunter Library.

The History Guy

My first Friday without the good Doctor Forstchen on the radio. Bummer. At least I had Dr. Walter Williams to listen to on the other station as he subbed for El Rushbo.

Battlestar Galactica

Oh.My.Freaking.Gosh. (!!!) Somebody slap Dr. Baltar.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Blue Screen of Death



I've restored emergency life-support and may have to abanbon ship.
I have demanded too much for too long from a 300 MHz chipset and cheated death with 32 Meg of RAM and under 4Gb of Hard Drive space.
This episode has beaten into my thick skull that perhaps it is time to get another ship. Maybe even leave Windows 98SE behind and switch to XP...
I have much to say this weekend, and will leave you a photo (should my system remain stable long enough) to ponder...




New Episode of Battlestar Galactica tonight !!!

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

American Civil Liberties Union



Does the ACLU stand for American Civil Liberties Union, or does it stand for All Criminal Liberties Union?



(Google Search) ACLU files lawsuit


(Google Search) ACLU files lawsuit against Bush



I think they stand with our enemies. I just haven't really decided if it is naive, stupid, or malicious.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Ha !!! Take THAT Lefties !


I found this post recently on Western World Politics:
emphasis mine



10 ways Nazis and Communist are both far left

"There is more that binds us to Bolshevism that separates us from it...I have given orders that...Communists are to be recruited into the party at once. The petite bourgeois Social Democrat and the trade union boss will never make a Nazi, but the communist always will" - Adolf Hitler


Read the rest here.

Blame Me...



They serve for me — blame me.
They were wounded for me — blame me.
They died for my freedom — blame me.


In my heart, every day is Memorial Day.


There is a lot of contention regarding the war on terror recently. I don't understand why. We're at war with people who would destroy us without thinking twice. I certainly respect the feelings of mothers who have lost children in the service of our country. In another way I also thank people like them, because the precious sacrifices of their children keep me free. God bless them, for they have offered up a priceless sacrifice. The anti-war activists among them do America great harm. They undermine morale at home and on the battlefield. They have gone too far for too long...

Click Here

Death of a Friend



My favorite radio station is changing its format to Fox Sports, and will change its call letters as well.


A brief Roll Call:
Local Show Top of the Morning with Brian O'Brien and Betsy O'Betsy
National Laura Ingraham
Local Shows No Apologies Radio (Brandon Randolph)
Mountain Guardian with Peter Dawes and Carri Hudson
Entrepreneurs' Edge with Elaine Robinson
Lifestyles Food and Wine with April Adams
The Tech Know Dude (Matthew Ledford)
The History Guy (Dr William R. Forstchen of Montreat)
Dennis Prager
Heads Up America with Ken Bagwell


I couldn't listen to the other programming because I live out of range of the signal and my internet connection too slow to get the streaming.

I wish all the talent at the station well, and hope the listeners will stay active in their communities. If there is one epilogue to WZNN, I hope it is an increased civic involvement.

More to come, as I gather my thoughts...I just found out about this as I updated my mirror of Kens' site.

Message to Brian O'Brien...Stay in touch here and via e-mail!

Bobby

Update Rained out of work, will probably post more and will check my email thunderpigblog AT yahoo DOT com or robertcogginsjr AT yahoo DOT com.

This too funny !!!

New Terror Tactics spread to Nigeria

John Robb, of Global Guerrillas, reports on new tactics used by MEND of Nigeria.
An excerpt from the article follows:



Monday, January 16, 2006

NIGERIAN EVOLUTION

"Our aim is to totally destroy the capacity of the Nigerian government to export oil..." from an e-mail sent by the new Nigerian guerrilla group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Nigerian Delta (MEND), that claimed the recent attacks.

A series of high tempo attacks (four in the last five days) have deeply disrupted Nigeria's oil production -- attacks on oil platforms, a pumping station, and pipelines have already reduced the country's oil production by 10%. Shell has withdrawn 330 employees from the region, and shut down four pumping stations. Four Shell employees are currently being held hostage.

These attacks are substantially more sophisticated than previous efforts which were typically either riot/protests or bunkering gone awry. These new attacks include:

Swarm-based maneuver. The guerrillas are using speed boats in the Niger Delta's swamps to quickly attack targets in succession...(read the rest).



If it rains,I'll post more here today.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Monday Morning Briefing


Every Monday morning, I get my briefing at Winds of Change. This morning's article is entitled:
Monday's Winds of War: 16 Jan 2006, and it is good reading over a couple cups of coffee.

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Alito Poll from local ISP



If you had a vote, would you vote to confirm Judge Alito?

Yes 76.11%
No 23.88%

Go here to participate. No telling when they'll put another question up, so haste is of the essence.

We got snow!!! Ya Hoo! But, I'll still have to go to work tomorrow. Bummer. No MLK observation in the construction industry.