Thursday, December 25, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Well I Guess Leonard Cohen's Money Troubles Are Over For A While
Glad to see that he's back on the charts and bankin' some royalties. A Christmas classic to be sure.
For proof that the Europeans really are different from us, go see this horror show. I keep waiting for someone to start machine-gunning the zombies off the balcony.
Merry Christmas to readers one through two.
For proof that the Europeans really are different from us, go see this horror show. I keep waiting for someone to start machine-gunning the zombies off the balcony.
Merry Christmas to readers one through two.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Once You Go Jap, You Never Go Back
Snow in south Texas. Is Al Gore in town?My daughters' 96 Camry (made in Japan) with ornament, as photographed when I got home with my wife's 2001 Windstar van (made in Canada). I picked up the van from the shop after spending $369.00 to repair one (1) of the four (4) automatic windows that won't operate. All the windows on the Camry work just fine, as do all the windows on my Accord (assembled in Mexico). Now which American auto company am I supposed to bail out, exactly?
I haven't owned a GM vehicle since the front-wheel-drive '84 Chevy Citation. That's a memory I'll never shake. The sound of that thing going around a corner was similar to the sound of my shoulder joint when I slipped on a wet ladder and hung by my arm for a couple seconds.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Dean Barnett RIP
I first ran across him as SoxBlog, and then on Hugh Hewitt's radio show, and then at the Weekly Standard. Fine writer and better on the radio than one would think, given his "Baahstan" accent. Always good natured and positive on the radio.
The only "major" blogger kind enough to visit this poor blog and send an email. I'll miss him.
The only "major" blogger kind enough to visit this poor blog and send an email. I'll miss him.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Got Power Back - 9/17/08
...just too busy to post.
couple miles west of downtown Houston, Monday night, looking out my office window. Couple million people out there.
...glad I didn't mail the Netflix.
...please let there be ice cream...
ohh, and don't forget Galveston/Bolivar Peninsula
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Gas line
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Live Blogging Hurricane Ike...4:20 am
woke up from branch landing on roof - that's the sound I've been afraid of. Big winds right now and will get bigger for next half hour at least. Power still on. Something small just fell on neighbors car.
Cat wants out. Maybe not.
Cat wants out. Maybe not.
Friday, September 12, 2008
weather nerd
The Weather Nerd is serving as a pretty nifty clearinghouse of info on Hurricane Ike. At least until my power goes.
Live blogging Hurricane Ike...waiting
The boards are on most windows, trimmed a few tree limbs away. Stood in awe of the number of trees around our house and cars and decided one of them would fall by morning.
The problem with the Woodlands is that every property has five trees that can hit a house two properties away. It's impossible to guess which one has your name on it. But at least we're not in Galveston. Lord help those people.
9:05 pm and the breeze is blowing. Galveston is already a major mess but the outer bands haven't really hit Houston yet. Local weather says Ike has slowed down. Not good.
As reported elsewhere, we have our first death. I was cutting limbs down this afternoon with my daughters in attendance. Those things fall HARD.
The problem with the Woodlands is that every property has five trees that can hit a house two properties away. It's impossible to guess which one has your name on it. But at least we're not in Galveston. Lord help those people.
9:05 pm and the breeze is blowing. Galveston is already a major mess but the outer bands haven't really hit Houston yet. Local weather says Ike has slowed down. Not good.
As reported elsewhere, we have our first death. I was cutting limbs down this afternoon with my daughters in attendance. Those things fall HARD.
Here #1 daughter patches some roof leaks I've been ignoring.
#2 daughter hands me a nail. Can't imagine why so many end up at the ER.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Live blogging Hurricane Ike - 90 miles north of Galveston
A few weeks after Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Rita tore through the (relatively sparsely populated) Texas - Louisiana border region and made a helluva mess.
My house. Waiting on those 100 mph gusts!
We haven't had 75 - 100 mph winds for over 20 years. Some of these babies are going to fall. I saw Punta Gorda, FL in 2004. I don't want that.
It’s easy to forget that Rita was supposed to hit Houston, but broke right, leaving 1 million Houston-area evacuees on the highway.
Now comes Ike. It may break right but for the time being it appears that it could hit Galveston Bay and head straight up Interstate 45.
I’m here in The Woodlands. Note the trees. Lots of trees.
I’m here in The Woodlands. Note the trees. Lots of trees.
My house. Waiting on those 100 mph gusts!
We haven't had 75 - 100 mph winds for over 20 years. Some of these babies are going to fall. I saw Punta Gorda, FL in 2004. I don't want that.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Summarizing McCain
Waaaay better than I hoped. The crowd helped. He showed good instinct in taking the crowd with him.
Brit Hume and Juan Williams mention green backdrop. Heh.
Rove goes through his checklist. He keeps stats. Cool. 67 paragraph.
So I wasn't the only one wondering what the hell the backdrop was. Oh it was a school.
Sorry I was so slow posting comments. Don't get many of those.
Brit Hume and Juan Williams mention green backdrop. Heh.
Rove goes through his checklist. He keeps stats. Cool. 67 paragraph.
So I wasn't the only one wondering what the hell the backdrop was. Oh it was a school.
Sorry I was so slow posting comments. Don't get many of those.
Live Blogging McCain
College night... a little late to the party.
Well, Cindy's never going to project a lot of warmth. The new hair almost makes her look too young and for such an old guy.
The little sincere head shakes seem kind of overdone with the camera so close - too close.
Here comes the video -
Nothing here you couldn't do with a nice home computer
Momma's boy. Okay
First I've heard of his father standing at the North Vietnamese border. Kinda creepy/cool.
"ferocious opponent of pork-barrell spending" Good.
not in it for the glory? Are we sure? "The stars are aligned." Kinda weird for RNC.
________________________________________
Darkness - the voice of God, no, Fred Thompson.
On stage - finger point - wave. The year of the shiny solid necktie.
Not the rip-roaring response of last night....but pretty good.
USA USA. tiresome. tiresome.
In good voice, looks a little nervous and wide-eyed but this will pass. What's behind him? Tara?
No success without a good fight. Nice compliment to other Repub contenders and Bush. Might as well link up with Bush now. BHO will do it tomorrow.
9:18 - sweet compliment of Cindy. Hope he doesn't slap her on the ass when she comes on stage. Sudden interest in her charity work, of which I will admit ignorance.
9:20 - very sneaky reference to his mother's age. Nice....
9:21 - shout out and snaps to BHO.
9:24 - reach out to any patriot...how about the screaming grandmother. "Don't be diverted by the ground noise and the static."
9:25 - stand on your side and not in your way....could do without the "fight" reference. Sounds too Clintonian/Edwardian.
9:28 - "I can't wait until I introduce her (Palin) to Washington." Perfect
- "I understand who I work for." also perfect
9:30 - he fought corruption. I hope he's fighting Ted Stevens. Genuine emotion regarding using the veto pen.
He fought a lot of people.
Wish he hadn't fought free speech quite so hard.
9:33 - Props to David Petraeus and troops. I hope the war is as won as everyone says.
Fight, fight, fight, okay... guess it doesn't hurt.
I don't know. The new stage kind of works for me. It makes him look like late period Sinatra.
- good bit about the deceased soldier whose name I missed.
9:36 - we let Washington change us... we lost their trust.... welfare for oil companies Silence in the auditorium.
- "a culture of life" a clever formulation... "don't legislate from the bench." bloody red meat.
9:39 - I'm not so cool with the kindergarten teacher cadence when talking about Obama. With attendant boos.
- second highest business tax rate in the world....I did not know that.
9:41 - least effective when he talks like he's explaining things to a six year old. He's slipped into a lot of that here in the past few minutes.
- aaaahh retraining - that old bugaboo. We need more nail salons.
9:43 - good poke in the eye of public schools. NEA is already lost. Resent the bad teachers comment - almost never the real problem. "I want schools to answer to parents and students." I'd also like parents to answer to basic sociological requirements, but maybe that's just me.
9:46 - drill new wells offshore (not ANWR). His energy programs sound as empty as ever. "restore the health of our planet". yawn. Maybe the oceans will stop rising.
9:49 - Smack at Russia - good. The only adult on this topic so far. "The brave people of Georgia need our solidarity and our prayers." That's pretty thin John.
9:51 - good bit about his father again. excellent language on stable and enduring peace.
9:57 - "I didn't think there was a cause more important than me." Excellent. Admits that his father's status saved him. Classy.
10:00 - "and they broke me" "no man can always stand alone" Tears all around - horrifying in it's understatedness.
10:01 - all the reasons he loved his country. Painful contrast with BHO and MO. I think he'll get a bump in the polls for now. Now some self-deprecating self-awareness...."so help me God"
- calls for public service or military service...'bout time somebody did.
10:04 - big climax re: fighting. I think he feels it and is feeding off the crowd. Just outstanding. I didn't think he had it in him. Wow.
Now the godawful music.
Postscripts
CNNs coverage seems a little better than Fox at this point. Love Brit Hume but he's talking too much. CNN is capturing the size and energy better.
Love the use of the song "Barracuda". Repubs always have better senses of humor.
Well, Cindy's never going to project a lot of warmth. The new hair almost makes her look too young and for such an old guy.
The little sincere head shakes seem kind of overdone with the camera so close - too close.
Here comes the video -
Nothing here you couldn't do with a nice home computer
Momma's boy. Okay
First I've heard of his father standing at the North Vietnamese border. Kinda creepy/cool.
"ferocious opponent of pork-barrell spending" Good.
not in it for the glory? Are we sure? "The stars are aligned." Kinda weird for RNC.
________________________________________
Darkness - the voice of God, no, Fred Thompson.
On stage - finger point - wave. The year of the shiny solid necktie.
Not the rip-roaring response of last night....but pretty good.
USA USA. tiresome. tiresome.
In good voice, looks a little nervous and wide-eyed but this will pass. What's behind him? Tara?
No success without a good fight. Nice compliment to other Repub contenders and Bush. Might as well link up with Bush now. BHO will do it tomorrow.
9:18 - sweet compliment of Cindy. Hope he doesn't slap her on the ass when she comes on stage. Sudden interest in her charity work, of which I will admit ignorance.
9:20 - very sneaky reference to his mother's age. Nice....
9:21 - shout out and snaps to BHO.
9:24 - reach out to any patriot...how about the screaming grandmother. "Don't be diverted by the ground noise and the static."
9:25 - stand on your side and not in your way....could do without the "fight" reference. Sounds too Clintonian/Edwardian.
9:28 - "I can't wait until I introduce her (Palin) to Washington." Perfect
- "I understand who I work for." also perfect
9:30 - he fought corruption. I hope he's fighting Ted Stevens. Genuine emotion regarding using the veto pen.
He fought a lot of people.
Wish he hadn't fought free speech quite so hard.
9:33 - Props to David Petraeus and troops. I hope the war is as won as everyone says.
Fight, fight, fight, okay... guess it doesn't hurt.
I don't know. The new stage kind of works for me. It makes him look like late period Sinatra.
- good bit about the deceased soldier whose name I missed.
9:36 - we let Washington change us... we lost their trust.... welfare for oil companies Silence in the auditorium.
- "a culture of life" a clever formulation... "don't legislate from the bench." bloody red meat.
9:39 - I'm not so cool with the kindergarten teacher cadence when talking about Obama. With attendant boos.
- second highest business tax rate in the world....I did not know that.
9:41 - least effective when he talks like he's explaining things to a six year old. He's slipped into a lot of that here in the past few minutes.
- aaaahh retraining - that old bugaboo. We need more nail salons.
9:43 - good poke in the eye of public schools. NEA is already lost. Resent the bad teachers comment - almost never the real problem. "I want schools to answer to parents and students." I'd also like parents to answer to basic sociological requirements, but maybe that's just me.
9:46 - drill new wells offshore (not ANWR). His energy programs sound as empty as ever. "restore the health of our planet". yawn. Maybe the oceans will stop rising.
9:49 - Smack at Russia - good. The only adult on this topic so far. "The brave people of Georgia need our solidarity and our prayers." That's pretty thin John.
9:51 - good bit about his father again. excellent language on stable and enduring peace.
9:57 - "I didn't think there was a cause more important than me." Excellent. Admits that his father's status saved him. Classy.
10:00 - "and they broke me" "no man can always stand alone" Tears all around - horrifying in it's understatedness.
10:01 - all the reasons he loved his country. Painful contrast with BHO and MO. I think he'll get a bump in the polls for now. Now some self-deprecating self-awareness...."so help me God"
- calls for public service or military service...'bout time somebody did.
10:04 - big climax re: fighting. I think he feels it and is feeding off the crowd. Just outstanding. I didn't think he had it in him. Wow.
Now the godawful music.
Postscripts
CNNs coverage seems a little better than Fox at this point. Love Brit Hume but he's talking too much. CNN is capturing the size and energy better.
Love the use of the song "Barracuda". Repubs always have better senses of humor.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Nuclear Jihadist
Hugh Hewitt just finished his interview with authors of the book, The Nuclear Jihadist: The True Story of the Man Who Sold the World's Most Dangerous Secrets...And How We Could Have Stopped Him.
I listened and got scared. You should too! The transcript from a 3-hour interview may not be up for a while, though.
I listened and got scared. You should too! The transcript from a 3-hour interview may not be up for a while, though.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Thanks Florida!!
Borrowing Mickey Kaus's old line...
In September, when it becomes to clear to the last subterranean dwelling Republican that McCain can't beat Clinton, or Obama, or Clinton-Obama, we'll have Florida to thank.
In September, when it becomes to clear to the last subterranean dwelling Republican that McCain can't beat Clinton, or Obama, or Clinton-Obama, we'll have Florida to thank.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Live Blogging the SoU - why do I do this to myself...
CNN will be interviewing John McCain and Mitt Romney, and SENATORS Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
"Tired of leaders who ask nothing of us at all." Good line.
She's good enough on TV, but just a little too understated. East Coasters are yawning gigantically.
Nobody cares about Greensberg, KS. Sorry. How did we get to global warming? Whining about deployed Kansas National Guard. Calls herself commander in chief. Well, okay...
Health care - stimulus package. I'm detecting an urge to not offend Republicans and to take the focus off a very unpopular Congress.
You are an American first. Not real sparkly opening. "What does any of it have to do with me?" Struggling families in Kansas? I'm from there. Farmers are doing well. Johnson County is doing very well. Where are they struggling?
Dems: Sebelius is speaking from Topeka.
Chris Wallace on immigration. All candidates are running from the President.
Back to Fox.
Wolf Blitzer refers to radio talk show hosts opposing immigration reform. Never mind 70% of citizens R and D.
I have to say Bush looked a little more comfortable in his skin than he had for a while.
CNN Ed Henry acknowledges progress in Iraq.
No introductions of individuals in the audience which is out of character.
Immigration discussion was short and had no point. Hard to see how he could blame Congress for that mess. He really needs to blame us yahoos.
Hume - "extremely conservative speech"
Bush twin on left looks THIN. Hope she's taking care of herself.
___________________________________________________
Let us set forth to do their business.
Wants hiring preferences for spouses of military. Hmmm, hadn't occurred to me.
Veterans funding up 95%. Seems like small ball, but I'm not a veteran. Nice shoutout to Dole.
Malaria, AIDs, Wants 30 billion more over 5 years. Gee, tough call.
More than half the worlds food aid comes from US. Forgot this too.
Wants liability protection for companies assisting in intelligence gathering. I'd forgotten this.
Wherever freedom advances in the Middle East, Iran is there to oppose. People: We have no quarrel with you. America will threaten those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, etc. I wonder what he means by that.
Empty promises re Palestine.
Way more time on Iraq than I expected. Wish he'd been doing this for the past few years. Maybe I don't watch enough news.
Promises 20,000 troops coming home. Wonder how many are headed for Afghanistan. Any further drawdown will be based on conditions in Iraq. Kinda quiet.
No need to mention some who deny the surge is working. Unless it was a dig at Harry Reid. More time than I expected on Iraq. Speak directly to services. Very nice. In the fight ahead you will have all you need to protect our nation. Nutroots must just be shitting bricks.
80,000 Iraqi citizens fighting the terrorists? Hadn't heard this.
Iraq as Surgistan. It is now officially safe for Democrats to cheer the war. Weird.
3000 Marines to Afghanistan. John Kerry standing. Well good for him.
Defining ideological struggle of the 21st century. Spreading the hope of freedom. Sounds better now than a year ago. Surprisingly positive response.
Ukraine, Georgia, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq. These images of liberty have inspired us. Well some of us.
Horrific images, thanks for reminder - really.
Immigration - blah, blah, claims to have ended catch and release. Wants lawful way for foreign workers to come and suppor economy. Must uphold laws and highest ideals. Seems like one and the same.
Entitlement spending
More on faith based organizations. Asks for extension of charitable choice. Gulf Coast reference. North American summit in New Orleans. Bring bleach.
Asks for ban on cloning.
Wondered if he'd mention stem cells. Yep. Cool. expanding funding for ethical medical research.
More funding on physical science, how about pharmaceutical industry? Are they okay.
Clean energy technology draws a yawn. Coal power with capturing carbon emissions. Nuclear!! Finally. Cars and trucks of future, blah, blah. International clean energy fund. Keep it away from the UN please. Slap at China.
Trust American workers to compete with anyone in the world. More trade agreements.
No one can deny results of No Child Left Behind. Well..... okay.
Over to CSPAN
Trust patients and doctors to make medical decisions. Hillary working on her health care face on Fox. Obama "reflective".
Direct fed agencies not to fund earmarks that aren't voted on in Congress. Ow.
Straight to earmarks issues. Good for him, cut to Jeff Flake. Threatens veto on budget if it doesn't cut earmarks in half.
Charlie Rangel laughs pleasantly at tax reference.
Seems like a "small" start to begin with pushing Congress's button on the rebate program.
sop to collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. Haven't heard that for too many years. Wonder if it applies to immigration?
Call for cooperation, okay, nice
Treasury Secretary is one smilin' dude.
Sheila Jackson-Lee "all right my brother how are you?" Hume "she does like to be photographed with the President." Heh
Britt Hume mentions Bush's threat to the earmarks spending.
"Tired of leaders who ask nothing of us at all." Good line.
She's good enough on TV, but just a little too understated. East Coasters are yawning gigantically.
Nobody cares about Greensberg, KS. Sorry. How did we get to global warming? Whining about deployed Kansas National Guard. Calls herself commander in chief. Well, okay...
Health care - stimulus package. I'm detecting an urge to not offend Republicans and to take the focus off a very unpopular Congress.
You are an American first. Not real sparkly opening. "What does any of it have to do with me?" Struggling families in Kansas? I'm from there. Farmers are doing well. Johnson County is doing very well. Where are they struggling?
Dems: Sebelius is speaking from Topeka.
Chris Wallace on immigration. All candidates are running from the President.
Back to Fox.
Wolf Blitzer refers to radio talk show hosts opposing immigration reform. Never mind 70% of citizens R and D.
I have to say Bush looked a little more comfortable in his skin than he had for a while.
CNN Ed Henry acknowledges progress in Iraq.
No introductions of individuals in the audience which is out of character.
Immigration discussion was short and had no point. Hard to see how he could blame Congress for that mess. He really needs to blame us yahoos.
Hume - "extremely conservative speech"
Bush twin on left looks THIN. Hope she's taking care of herself.
___________________________________________________
Let us set forth to do their business.
Wants hiring preferences for spouses of military. Hmmm, hadn't occurred to me.
Veterans funding up 95%. Seems like small ball, but I'm not a veteran. Nice shoutout to Dole.
Malaria, AIDs, Wants 30 billion more over 5 years. Gee, tough call.
More than half the worlds food aid comes from US. Forgot this too.
Wants liability protection for companies assisting in intelligence gathering. I'd forgotten this.
Wherever freedom advances in the Middle East, Iran is there to oppose. People: We have no quarrel with you. America will threaten those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, etc. I wonder what he means by that.
Empty promises re Palestine.
Way more time on Iraq than I expected. Wish he'd been doing this for the past few years. Maybe I don't watch enough news.
Promises 20,000 troops coming home. Wonder how many are headed for Afghanistan. Any further drawdown will be based on conditions in Iraq. Kinda quiet.
No need to mention some who deny the surge is working. Unless it was a dig at Harry Reid. More time than I expected on Iraq. Speak directly to services. Very nice. In the fight ahead you will have all you need to protect our nation. Nutroots must just be shitting bricks.
80,000 Iraqi citizens fighting the terrorists? Hadn't heard this.
Iraq as Surgistan. It is now officially safe for Democrats to cheer the war. Weird.
3000 Marines to Afghanistan. John Kerry standing. Well good for him.
Defining ideological struggle of the 21st century. Spreading the hope of freedom. Sounds better now than a year ago. Surprisingly positive response.
Ukraine, Georgia, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq. These images of liberty have inspired us. Well some of us.
Horrific images, thanks for reminder - really.
Immigration - blah, blah, claims to have ended catch and release. Wants lawful way for foreign workers to come and suppor economy. Must uphold laws and highest ideals. Seems like one and the same.
Entitlement spending
More on faith based organizations. Asks for extension of charitable choice. Gulf Coast reference. North American summit in New Orleans. Bring bleach.
Asks for ban on cloning.
Wondered if he'd mention stem cells. Yep. Cool. expanding funding for ethical medical research.
More funding on physical science, how about pharmaceutical industry? Are they okay.
Clean energy technology draws a yawn. Coal power with capturing carbon emissions. Nuclear!! Finally. Cars and trucks of future, blah, blah. International clean energy fund. Keep it away from the UN please. Slap at China.
Trust American workers to compete with anyone in the world. More trade agreements.
No one can deny results of No Child Left Behind. Well..... okay.
Over to CSPAN
Trust patients and doctors to make medical decisions. Hillary working on her health care face on Fox. Obama "reflective".
Direct fed agencies not to fund earmarks that aren't voted on in Congress. Ow.
Straight to earmarks issues. Good for him, cut to Jeff Flake. Threatens veto on budget if it doesn't cut earmarks in half.
Charlie Rangel laughs pleasantly at tax reference.
Seems like a "small" start to begin with pushing Congress's button on the rebate program.
sop to collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. Haven't heard that for too many years. Wonder if it applies to immigration?
Call for cooperation, okay, nice
Treasury Secretary is one smilin' dude.
Sheila Jackson-Lee "all right my brother how are you?" Hume "she does like to be photographed with the President." Heh
Britt Hume mentions Bush's threat to the earmarks spending.
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