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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=horrordisgustsad [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]
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.

Friday, January 13, 2006

The Idiots' Guide To the Alito Confirmation, part one



Chair...The purpose of this hearing is to determine whether my colleages can trick you into taking their rope, tying a noose in it, then placing it around your neck and jumping off your chair on live television.

Alito...I'll try not to do that, sir.

Sen D...Here is some pretty rope. Do you want to hold it?

Alito...It sure is pretty. I'll pass.

Sen R...That was a bad rope Sen D tried to offer you. I am sure you know how to handle that kind of rope, and am glad you left it alone.

Alito...I know a bad rope when I see it.

Sen D...My rope is pretty. Far prettier than the other ropes. Hold it in your hands and notice how well it is made.

Alito...It sure is pretty, and smooth, too. But, I am not sure it is all that well made. Sure is pretty, though.

Sen D...Notice the length of that rope you are holding, and think of how easy it would be to tie it into a noose for me.

Alito...It sure is long, but I am not sure it would be appropriate for me to tie this rope into a noose. Thanks for asking, though.

Sen R...Here is a piece of rope. You don't want it, do you?

Alito...Sure don't.

Sen D...I think Alito has already had a rope in his hands before these hearings. In fact, I believe there is evidence that he tied the rope into a noose and jumped off a high place with the noose around his neck. I demand that my minions be allowed to prove this thing.

Chair...I don't think so, Sen D.

Sen D...I demand it !!!

Sen R...You are in no position to demand anything, Sen D. However, out of the goodness of my heart, I will allow your minions to pursue this red herring.

Time passes...

Chair...The minions of Sen D searched and searched, but they could find no red herring, nor were there ropes to be found.

Alito...I don't remember the piece of rope Sen D says I had. I never did anything with it, I just, well, I just flirted with it was all.

Sen D...I hope you do your job like I would.

Alito...I'll do the job as well as I can. If approved, that is.

Sen R...I hope you do your job like I would.

Alito...I'm not going to commit to that, either.

Sen D...I hope you do your job like the person you are replacing did. (sniffles)

Alito...That person did the job well, and I'm not sure I'll do as well. I'll just do what I can given what I run across during my tour...if approved, that is.

Sen R...Soon we will vote on you, and at how well we thought you avoided doing bad things with all the rope that was offered to you.

Sen D...I think you wanted to use the rope. I know I wanted you to do so... so that people like me could have your job.



Coming in part two...The Vote

Thursday, January 12, 2006

WWII Bomber captured midflight



Thanks to Defense Tech for the Heads Up.

Go here for the story

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Political Quiz Results



Forgive me for posting two quizes so close together. I took this one last fall and lost the address. Thanks to the wonders of Google, I found it again. I plan on adding this to my sidebar AND in my bookmarks site. Here are my results, which are the same as what they were earlier. (No flip-flopper am I!)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enterpriser
Based on your answers to the questionnaire, you most closely resemble survey respondents within the Enterpriser typology group. This does not mean that you necessarily fit every group characteristic or agree with the group on all issues.

Enterprisers represent 9 percent of the American public, and 10 percent of registered voters.

Basic Description
As in previous studies conducted in 1987, 1994 and 1999, this extremely partisan Republican group’s politics are driven by a belief in the free enterprise system and social values that reflect a conservative agenda. Enterprisers are also the strongest backers of an assertive foreign policy, which includes nearly unanimous support for the war in Iraq and strong support for such anti-terrorism efforts as the Patriot Act.

Defining Values
Assertive on foreign policy and patriotic; anti-regulation and pro-business; very little support for government help to the poor; strong belief that individuals are responsible for their own well being. Conservative on social issues such as gay marriage, but not much more religious than the nation as a whole. Very satisfied with personal financial situation.

Who They Are
Predominantly white (91%), male (76%) and financially well-off (62% have household incomes of at least $50,000, compared with 40% nationwide). Nearly half (46%) have a college degree, and 77% are married. Nearly a quarter (23%) are themselves military veterans. Only 10% are under age 30.

Lifestyle Notes
59% report having a gun in their homes; 53% trade stocks and bonds in the stock market, and 30% are small business owners – all of which are the highest percentages among typology groups. 48% attend church weekly; 36% attend bible study or prayer group meetings.

2004 Election
Bush 92%, Kerry 1%. Bush’s most reliable supporters (just 4% of Enterprisers did not vote)

Party ID
81% Republican, 18% Independent/No Preference, 1% Democrat (98% Rep/LeanRep)

Media Use
Enterprisers follow news about government and politics more closely than any other group, and exhibit the most knowledge about world affairs. The Fox News Channel is their primary source of news (46% cite it as a main source) followed by newspapers (42%) radio (31%) and the internet (26%).

Note: All descriptions and percentages are based on the national sample of adults surveyed by telephone in December. Based on your answers to the survey questions, you most closely resemble survey respondents within this group, even though you may differ significantly on one or more issues or traits.

In the overall typology there is a ninth group called “Bystanders” who are defined as adults who are not registered, who do not follow news about government and public affairs, and who say they rarely or never vote.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is what they say about other "types"...

What has happened to Thunder Pig ???



I have intended for this blog to be secular.
That is not working out for me.
I won't push my faith on anyone.
There has been self-censorship on my postings, being that I have conciously not posted things I have run across that are Christian-related.

No longer.


I found an interesting post here.

Here is an excerpt to get a taste to help you decide whether of not to follow the link:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SECURITY BREACHES IN THE UNITED STATES

Shortly after 9/11, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out that America’s freedoms could eventually destroy her. What did he mean? I believe he was alluding to something he saw in our national psyche. He realized that America was so concerned with protecting the civil rights of individual terrorists and other groups planning the destruction of America, that we were jeopardizing our own freedoms and nullifying our own rights.

We can see this occurring at the present. In Cuba, a detention center for alleged terrorist suspects is called “ Gitmo Bay.” Prior to the 2004 Presidential election, liberal politicians were jumping on the band wagon by saying that these men were being mistreated. Such alleged “mistreatment” included eating food that was against their religion, mishandling the Qu’ran, and keeping them in the heat instead of an air-conditioned building. The same cry is being raised again, as the left is raising opposition to the President for allowing wiretaps of terror suspects.

The brain-dead of the beltway establishment attempt to make the argument that “poor old grandmother is having her rights taken by the government invading her privacy.” First of all, a law-abiding person is not going to be wire-tapped. Secondly, if grannies are hanging around terrorists or people who have threatened to attack America, then by all means, expose the grannies’ plans before they happen.

It seems that some with short-term memory loss have forgotten that we have not had another 9/11 attack on American soil as of December 31, 2005. Wonder why? Could it be that the 3,000 people who have been arrested and deported were exposed BEFORE the attacks unfolded because of the surveillance and intelligence operations at work?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, January 9, 2006

I never heard of this character !



I think while the Dhimmicrats and RINOs attempt to burn Judge Alito on the altar of abortion, I will ignore it today and post on the lighter side.
Which Winnie The Pooh character are you?

I took another quiz, and this result has me puzzled:


Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!


Who is kanga?

Oh, I get it, she is Kanga, and her child is Roo. I guess me forgetting all bout Pooh HAS been a blessing after all...

Sunday, January 8, 2006

NewsMax Poll on NSA "Comm Intercepts"

NewsMax continues to update its online poll. You can still vote - just Go Here Now.


NewsMax Poll: Bush Justified in Wiretapping

Americans overwhelmingly support President Bush's authorization to the National Security Agency to tap the private conversations of U.S. citizens to search for evidence of terrorist activity, an exclusive NewsMax.com poll reveals.

In one of the largest responses to a NewsMax poll ever, more than 150,000 people across the Internet have made their opinions known about this controversy.

And they resoundingly say that the President was justified in taking this action to protect America.

Here is a breakdown of the poll results for several key questions:

1) Has President Bush been justified in tapping the conversation of U.S. citizens?
Justified - 80%
Not Justified - 20%

2) Do you believe the President must have a court-approved warrant to conduct a wiretap?
Yes - 23%
No - 72%
Not Sure - 5%

3) Do you believe President Bush's claim that he undertook this action to protect America?
Yes - 83%
No - 17%

4) How would you rate media coverage about President Bush's actions?
Fair - 20%
Unfair - 80%


Saturday, January 7, 2006

Saddams' Terror Training Camps?



Pat Campbell of AM540 WFLA has blogged on PC540: Saddam's Terror Training Camps. it is worth a look.

Bobby

P.S. President Roslin Rocks!!! (BSG inside comment)

Friday, January 6, 2006

Battlestar Galactica Returns !!!



I promise this will be the last post of the day!!! (...and the crowd roars)

The last half of seaoson two of Battlestar galectica airs tonight at 10pm for most, 1am for me. (long story)

SciFi Channel Site

Bulletin Board

Another Site

Heads Up America guest schedule for next week




I just heard Ken give a list of expected guests next week on his show.
His Guest Page is here for more current updates.

I hope he doesn't get mad, but I'm gonna post it here:


Monday Thomas Woods The Politically Incorrect Guide to History
Tuesday Bob Terrell Local Writer (You don't want to miss this !!!)
Wednesday (was interupted) something about the ACLU
Thursday Richard Weikart From Darwin to Hitler
Friday Charles Liebert sixdaycreation.com

Monday link

Tuesday link

Thursday link

Friday link

Macon County not afraid of ACLU





Sharon not dead



Well, I guess I just got bit by rushing to publish instead of trying to get multiple sources to confirm. This is definitely a case I am glad to be wrong!

FLASH...Drudge Report says Ariel Sharon dead

Drudge

World Tribune Article

In the time it took to type this...Drudge steps back and says reports are conflicting. I hope Sharon makes it. My prayers are with him and his family, and his nation.

Bobby

Text of article follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ariel Sharon dies



SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, January 6, 2006
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the most powerful Israeli leader in 50 years, has died. He was 77.

Sharon was declared dead by physicians at Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital before 1 p.m. Israeli time [6 a.m. EST], Middle East Newsline reported. Authorities have already been notified of the death, and a government announcement was expected to be issued over the next hour.



The prime minister was felled by a massive stroke on late Jan. 4. A nine-hour operation failed to repair what physicians and officials termed was widespread damage to his brain and other vital organs.
A computed tomography scan taken on Friday morning showed little to no brain activity in Sharon. At that point, Sharon's son, Omri, called aides and senior officials to the hospital to prepare for an announcement of the prime minister's death.

Sharon was expected to be succeeded by Vice Premier Ehud Olmert, who is also the nation's finance minister. On Friday, Olmert met Sharon's political ally, former Prime Minister Shimon Peres, in an attempt to form a working relationship ahead of parliamentary elections on March 28.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2005 East West Services, Inc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Via The Corner

Congressman Taylor responds

I recently e-mailed Congressman Charles Taylor supporting his stance on denying citizenship rights to children born to illegal immigrations after I posted about it here.

You may e-mail him here.

I know it is a generic response, but hey, here goes!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thank you for your kind words of support for my representation of the
Eleventh District of North Carolina. I appreciate hearing from you and
having the benefit of your views.

As your Member in Congress, I do my best to represent the voice and
interests of every citizen of the Eleventh District. It is always
encouraging to receive words of support such as yours, and to know that I am
meeting the challenge of representing the needs of Western North
Carolina. Please be assured that I will continue to stand up for the principles
upon which I was sent to Congress, and will strive to best represent
the people of the Eleventh District of North Carolina.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Should you need any assistance in
the future, please do not hesitate to call or write. Your thoughts and
comments are always welcome.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miscellaneous links while away from work



WW IV Daily returns!
Northern Virginiastan remebers TWA 847 and murdered Navy Diver
Trackback test because I don't really understand how to use it yet and am conducting an experiment.

Friday Morning Links

Dymphna has an excellent post on the "youth problem" in the land of the lilly-livered...France.

Given my love of Science and Science Fictionn, this post over at Defense Tech on an apparently theoretically workable Hyperdrive. While I don't have schooling on the subject, I suspect it'll end up panning out like this: Workable only for vessels that are really really tiny on a microscopic or nanoscopic scale. Although that would make for a fast comm network with tiny "ships" delivering packets of info on an interplanetary or interstellar scale.

Wish I could say more, gotta get ready for work in the bitterly cold weather. The above link will give current forecast...the wind chills are forecast in the 20's or less. Brrr!! Good day to linger at a burning brush pile.

Bobby

UPDATE: Thank Goodness for copy & paste!

Here are a couple of things to show what today is expected to bring.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
348 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2006

...LIGHT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS EXPECTED TODAY IN PORTIONS OF THE
NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS...

NCZ048-051-052-058-061700-
/O.CON.KGSP.SN.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-060106T2300Z/
MADISON-SWAIN-HAYWOOD-GRAHAM-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CHEROKEE...WAYNESVILLE
348 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2006

...SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON.

NUMEROUS SNOW SHOWERS WILL AFFECT THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES ALONG THE TENNESSEE BORDER THIS MORNING. SNOW
SHOWERS WILL TAPER OFF TO A FEW FLURRIES IN THE AFTERNOON.

BY THIS AFTERNOON...SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE
EXPECTED OVER THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS AND LOCATIONS NEAR THE
TENNESSEE BORDER. LOCATIONS FARTHER AWAY FROM THE BORDER SUCH AS
ROBBINSVILLE...BRYSON CITY...WAYNESVILLE...CANTON AND MARSHALL
WILL SEE LOWER TOTALS...POSSIBLY AS LITTLE AS A DUSTING.

A SNOW ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND
LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

$$
MCAVOY

AND THE WIND WILL BE BLOWING!!!

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG SC
354 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2006

NCZ033-048>053-058-059-062>065-061700-
/O.CON.KGSP.LW.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-060106T2300Z/
AVERY-MADISON-YANCEY-MITCHELL-SWAIN-HAYWOOD-BUNCOMBE-GRAHAM-
NORTHERN JACKSON-MACON-SOUTHERN JACKSON-TRANSYLVANIA-HENDERSON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...NEWLAND...SPRUCE PINE...CHEROKEE...
WAYNESVILLE...ASHEVILLE...SYLVA...FRANKLIN...BREVARD...
HENDERSONVILLE
354 AM EST FRI JAN 6 2006

...LAKE WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON...

A LAKE WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON.

GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS IN THE WAKE OF A COLD FRONT WILL CONTINUE
ACROSS MOUNTAIN LAKES TODAY. WIND SPEEDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH
GUSTS TO AROUND 35 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE.

A LAKE WIND ADVISORY INDICATES THAT WINDS WILL CAUSE ROUGH CHOP
ON AREA LAKES. SMALL BOATS WILL BE ESPECIALLY PRONE TO CAPSIZING.

$$

NED

Wednesday, January 4, 2006

Illegal Immigration: Charles Taylor

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U.S. House Representative Charles Taylor is supporting a bill to deny citizenship to children born to illegal immigrants. Please follow this link to let him know you support him in this issue.

Here are a couple of links on the issue:

Asheville Citizen-Times
The Olympian

BTW, Tom Bethell, author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science will be on Heads Up America at 3pm on WZNN at 3pm today.

Last Link before work:

Largest Prime number discovered.
Story
Warning! first link is a 9 Meg download file containing all the digits of the number. For folks like me, at 28.8 k, it would take a while to download.

The Phone Game in Real Life

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The tragic death of 12 of 13 Miners, and the communications mixup which ensued reminds me of a somthing I learned right after becoming a volunteer firefighter in the late eighties, the phone game.
I believe we were in a communications class, and our instructor told all of us rookies to line up in a semi-circle. He had a message to deliver to the last person in line. There were between twenty and thirty of us betwwen him and the last person in line. He whispered his message, that person then whispered it to the next, and so on until the last person inline received the message.
Our instructor then asked that person to repeat the message. The instructor read the original message and confirmed it with the first person in line.

The instructor then proceeded to explain to us the vital importance in reducing uneccesary information from any communications we had while involved in a response to any call we had, and the equal importance of including unambiguous data in those comms with other firefighters and incident commanders.

That lesson also included the importance of correcting erronous reporting as soon as possible, which served our fledgling department well in the coming years. We learned from the mistakes of those who had come before us.

Here is a link relating the story:
Heartbreak in West Virginia

I hate that the miscommunication happened, but I sorely wish that the people in possession of the correct information had not waited so long.

My heart and prayers go out to the families of the miners, and to the surviving miner.

Monday, January 2, 2006

Why? Freedom.