Wow. This should be in giant headlines across the entire country. The federal government actually said "No" to spending a gigantic pile of money! I can't believe it. I'm just totally in shock.

The state of North Carolina was waiting for about $400 million so they could build a train in Raleigh (the state was going to pony up about $200 million). The Federal Transit Authority actually denied the funding. That's just unbelievable.

Trains are supposed to be the absolute savior of the world right now. Why, if we could get trains everywhere, there would be no automobiles, no pollution, no congestion, everyone would be on time, and there would be no global warming.

But for some unknown reason, the FTA refused to give Raleigh the huge pile of cash for their train. Oh, but that's not going to stop Raleigh -- they're going to build it anyway, even if it will take longer. Hey, at least those morons are going to use the money from the local people rather than money from everyone else in the country.

I've never understood why the people of Seattle should be forced to pay for a train that runs in Raleigh...and Charlotte's still waiting for large infusions of cash from the FTA...

Posted by: Ogre at 03:06 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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Folks, this week the Tarheel Tavern will be HERE at Ogre's place!

Yay and Hooray!

Now I just have to think of a new, neat, and different way to format it...I should have the time, right?

Anyway, the Tarheel Tavern is a weekly carnival that I always read and always link to, and this week I get to host it! It's a carnival of posts from and about North Carolina, but it's for anyone who wants to read it. Usually it's not very political in nature and always has some REALLY good posts in it.

This week, if you're blogging in/from North Carolina and need a topic idea, you can go with "The Pre-Holiday Rush," or "All I want for Christmas." Be sure to get all your posts in to me (see email link over there at the top of the left column) by Saturday.

I just found out that I'll be at a party Saturday evening, so the Tavern will likely be posted either early Saturday night or Sunday morning. Be sure to get your posts in -- I know where you all live!

Posted by: Ogre at 02:01 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 I'll try and send something, but typepad is fubar at the moment, can only get stuff from the 9th and back until I can republish.

Posted by: William Teach at December 17, 2005 01:04 AM (AkiXU)

2 If'n ya don't send somethin', I'll be stealin' my choice!

Posted by: Ogre at December 17, 2005 01:22 AM (vp57A)

3 My email is giving me issues. This one (http://www.thepiratescove.us/2005/12/the_death_penal.html) isn't so much about NC, about the death penalty, thought it was good. If too depressing, try (http://www.thepiratescove.us/2005/12/12_days_of_chri_4.html) my Bad 12 Days of Christmas, which has an NC Pine Christmas Tree gif

Posted by: William Teach at December 17, 2005 07:31 PM (AkiXU)

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Here's one that will make you go, "Hmmmm."

It seems that a lawsuit has been filed that claims that North Carolina lottery was passed unconstitutionally. Here's the reasons the lawsuit lists:

1. The Lottery Act Unconstitutionally Raises Money on the Credit of the State for the Payment of Lottery Winnings.
2. The Lottery Act Unconstitutionally Pledges the Faith of the State for the Payment of a Debt.
3. The Lottery Act Unconstitutionally Creates an Implicit Tax.
4. The Lottery Act Unconstitutionally Creates an Express Tax on Residents.
5. The Lottery Act Unconstitutionally Creates an Express Tax on Nonresidents Who Receive Income in North Carolina by Winning a Lottery Prize.
6. The Lottery Act Unconstitutionally Draws Money from the State Treasury without an Appropriation Made by Law.

It seems like a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo, but that all sure looks pretty darn logical to me, even if I am biased against the whole idea of a lottery.

The lawsuit asks for an injunction to completely stop the entire process of the lottery. Now wouldn't that be interesting if a judge issued that injunction? I'll be watching...

Posted by: Ogre at 12:09 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 The State's lawyers will probably just go into court and repeat "It's for the children, won't anyone think of the children" over and over.

Posted by: William Teach at December 16, 2005 12:45 PM (AkiXU)

2 Oh sure, that will be the shrill call -- but I know at least some of the judges in North Carolina have a little sense about them -- including the State Supreme Court where this will most certainly end up. It could be VERY interesting -- the Supreme Court is also already p.o.ed at the Legislature... This could be REALLY entertaining if it weren't so serious.

Posted by: Ogre at December 16, 2005 12:58 PM (/k+l4)

3 But, but, but, the children!!!!! Gov Mike loves the children! Sorry, couldn't find a wav file of that lady from the Simpson's saying that. Really, you know my opinion, I could take or leave the lottery. But I have no faith in North Carolina's ability to keep it on the up and up.

Posted by: William Teach at December 16, 2005 01:34 PM (AkiXU)

4 Hey, the thing has been a cesspool from the beginning with complete corruption including FBI investigations regarding it. I'm sure the state will clean it up soon... And I need that wave file if you can find it. I think it would end up in every day's NC Government post...

Posted by: Ogre at December 16, 2005 01:38 PM (/k+l4)

5 Most of the usual wav sites are bereft of Simpson sound bites, something about lawsuits, yada yada yada. It's for the children. Got some other places to check. hey, BTW, you know the strip club owners who Black returned the money to? They were my customers years ago when I was starting out.

Posted by: William Teach at December 16, 2005 05:31 PM (cuTsc)

6 So, Teach runs strip clubs in Raleigh...interesting...

Posted by: Ogre at December 16, 2005 09:28 PM (vp57A)

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The North Carolina State-Sponsored Monopolistic Legalized Gambling program has a web site now. They're also hiring staff -- check the web site for details on open positions. They expect "between 2000 and 3000" applications for "200 to 300" jobs.

While they would "like" to hire NC residents, the director says that it is likely that "most" jobs will go to out-of-state lottery "experts." So much for the jobs it would create.

Anyway, I am SO going to apply to work there. Seriously.

Hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! There's going to be a whole pile of money flowing through that organization, and since it's government-run, everyone involved will get some. I'll let you know if they answer my applications. Maybe I should use an out of NC address to up my chances...

Posted by: Ogre at 10:01 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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I just watched the movie The Delta Force. The main terrorists in the movie, Abdul and Mustafa, were middle-aged males of arab descent. They targeted Jewish people. The movie was made in 1986. What a damn awesome movie.

Can you imagine someone trying to make a movie like that today?

How about this line from the captain: "Thank God the women are safe."

How far do you think that line would get today?

Oh, and the Americans were the good guys.

They sure don't make them like they used to.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:27 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Since I STILL keep getting hits from Yahoo searches for Redneck Quizzes, and since it's been a few hours since Smokey's taken a quiz, I thought I'd provide him with yet another one:

Congratulations, Your Score is 13 out of 15.

"You are a redneck. Be proud, Stand straight, Stand tall, but stand over there because the wind is blowing the smell of your skoal in my direction.

Posted by: Ogre at 07:05 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
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1 "You scored well this means you are one of 3 things. 1) You are exceptionally bright. 2) You used to be a redneck but have moved out of the south and are in remission. 3) You are a redneck but trying ot hide it."

Posted by: vw bug at December 15, 2005 08:44 PM (SCN6v)

2 VW? I think it might be #3... Nah, with you and Bou, I'm sure you're both #1!

Posted by: Ogre at December 15, 2005 09:51 PM (uSCkp)

3 Join us for a campaign to free IRAN! Check my blog

Posted by: Winston at December 15, 2005 10:03 PM (tM5yf)

4 Indeed. It would be nice if Iran were free, too.

Posted by: Ogre at December 15, 2005 10:38 PM (uSCkp)

5 How did this turn out to be an Iranian redneck quiz? If your family olive tree only has one limb, you're probably an Iranian redneck. If you introduce your wife and your cousin to Habib in Tehran, and there is only one chick standing there in a burkha, you are probably an Iranian redneck.

Posted by: Tomslick at December 16, 2005 12:35 PM (xNjHI)

6 Oh that's SO not right, Tomslick! ROFL!

Posted by: Ogre at December 16, 2005 12:37 PM (/k+l4)

7 I got redneck. If my high-brow fellow lawyers only knew.

Posted by: oddybobo at December 16, 2005 03:17 PM (6Gm0j)

8 I got 14 out of 15. I am not sure if it is the Vienna Sausage one or the Bill Dance one that I missed.

Posted by: joe-6-pack at December 16, 2005 07:40 PM (EJNjU)

9 Oddy, you must hide it well during the day. And yeah, Joe, that Vienna Sausage was a tough one -- I had to open the can I had in my desk to check...

Posted by: Ogre at December 16, 2005 09:21 PM (vp57A)

10 I got 4 out of 15 right, "A monkey is more redneck then I am."

Posted by: Contagion at December 17, 2005 03:03 AM (e8b4J)

11 So we can effectively eliminate the redneck-dome connection...

Posted by: Ogre at December 17, 2005 02:07 PM (vp57A)

12 YAAAA HAAA yall whats up? im billy the kid!!

Posted by: Bill The Kid at January 10, 2006 02:28 PM (1SWu2)

13 Uh...Ok.

Posted by: Ogre at January 10, 2006 02:31 PM (/k+l4)

14 dude this web site is awsome rednecks rock man totaly!!

Posted by: Kendell at March 02, 2006 12:22 AM (3ucNb)

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Jim Black is the "leader" of the North Carolina General Assembly. His official title is Speaker of the House, but he is the power-broker in Raleigh. Whatever Jim Black wants, Jim Black gets. If you cross him, he will punish you. If you do favors for him, he will reward you with cash. All of these are facts.

Last week, Jim Black "apologized" for getting caught making "poor decisions" in regards to the absolute cesspool that is the North Carolina lottery.

Jim Black employed an employee of a company that is "in the running" to run the NC state lottery. Although they claim there will be an open bidding process, everyone but the media will be absolutely shocked if anyone other than Scientific Games gets the contract.

You see, an employee of Scientific Games WROTE the lottery bill (while employed by Jim Black). Scientific Games has also given cash to various people who were on the lottery commission, or about to be selected to the lottery commission.

Jim Black is now being investigated by the FBI because two of his employees (political staff) may have violated ethics or lobbying laws. So Jim Black has apologized for getting caught bad decision-making.

Is he going to resign before the election next year? Some people think he's under pressure to resign quickly so that others may fill his seat before the election season begins. After all, if he's indicted after the filing period, the Republicans are going to have quite a platform to use against Democrats next year...

Posted by: Ogre at 05:14 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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If you don't know that the ACLU hates prayer, you've not been paying them much attention. The ACLU has adopted a very strange interpretation of the Constitution and the Amendments -- but with a very clear and obvious purpose that they will not state nor admit -- because they would be vilified if they did.

In yet another case, the ACLU is demanding that a government meeting cannot begin with a prayer. In this particular case, the ACLU says, "courts have ruled prayer improper if government bodies offer it to someone revered in a specific denomination."

Yet again this illustrates the real position of the ACLU. They have zero concept of right, wrong, or individual rights. Instead, they rely on the courts -- as they want everyone to do. The ACLU claims that since the courts have ruled something, that they are correct.

What this leaves out is the idea that the courts might actually be WRONG.

But the ACLU and the way it operates, cannot stand for that (unless, of course, the court disagrees with them). The ACLU is designed to use money, threats, and the court system to crush prayer in any way, shape, or form.

The ACLU wants to remove all prayer from individuals who happen to be in government buildings. The ACLU also supports removing ownership of private property. If their goals are reached, all prayer will be banned everywhere -- which is exactly what they want.

If you support the ACLU, you are working to destroy freedom of religion in the United States. more...

Posted by: Ogre at 05:04 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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For those who simply cannot stand Christmas and Christians (hello, ACLU), Joe Carter has posted a nice little creation story for the materialist. It starts out like this:

In the beginning was Nothing and Nothing created Everything. When Nothing decided to create Everything, she filled a tiny dot with Time, Chance, and Everything and had it explode. The explosion spread Everything into Everywhere carrying Time and Chance with it to keep it company. The three stretched out together leaving bits of themselves wherever they went. One of those places was the planet Earth.

Posted by: Ogre at 03:06 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 rofl. Presumably Nothing was an atheist.

Posted by: Laura at December 15, 2005 10:14 PM (6BLTq)

2 No, nothing was nothing. ?

Posted by: Ogre at December 15, 2005 10:41 PM (uSCkp)

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Amanda Alpert of Raleigh, NC is a bigot. And she's happy to announce that to the world (and, more importantly, the press).

You see, Amanda has asked that a sign be taken down that causes her to be offended and because the message on the sign is "upsetting" to her. She is clearly bigoted because she is intolerant of anyone else's religious view.

The sign? Oh, it says, "Merry Christmas, Jesus is the Reason for the Season."

Where is it? On a privately owned business property (McDonalds).

She called the corporate headquarters of McDonalds and tried to get them to force the local franchise to remove the sign. HQ told her that the owner could do what he wanted -- it was his store. There's no word whether the bigoted Amanda Alpert will be suing for emotional damages.

And my favorite part of this whole story? The part that shows I'm right all the time when I say the market will adjust?

McDonald's managers say the sign has been good for business. They say church groups have stopped by to eat, and some people who usually don't eat food from McDonald's have stopped by because of the sign.

Update: I noticed Teach blogged it and has the picture if you want to see it.

Posted by: Ogre at 12:02 PM | Comments (28) | Add Comment
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1 My sister in law lives in Raligh, I'm going to have to ask her about this!

Posted by: Jo at December 15, 2005 12:29 PM (xlos6)

2 I can agree with her on not wanting religion forced on her, but still let the sign stay. I wish people would grow up and realize that you can't have everything you want! If you don't like it don't go there! This is like the banning of smoking in bars, let the owners decide not the government.

Posted by: Arbitratorofall at December 15, 2005 12:31 PM (/k+l4)

3 The store is on the corner of Falls of Neuse and Spring Forest Road. Be warned -- I hear that store is pretty crowded these days...

Posted by: Ogre at December 15, 2005 12:32 PM (/k+l4)

4 I'm not sure exactly how it is that people feel that seeing something it the same as it being forced upon them. If that's the case, I could just as logically complain about any sign or billboard I see and demand it be taken down.

Posted by: Ogre at December 15, 2005 12:56 PM (/k+l4)

5 Amanda Alpert needs to see a shrink. Because she is really sick. McDonalds should enjoy the boom and favours of the reason for the season, Jesus Christ. God loves America. God bless.

Posted by: Orikinla Osinachi at December 15, 2005 01:30 PM (fAMw8)

6 I do believe in freedom of religion and the seperation of Church and State. However, I don't agree with freedom from religion. I can honestly say I was not upset on my trip when I saw a huge dradel(sp?), the jewish hannukah top thing, in a store. I'm not jewish, but it didn't bother me. It didn't even make me want to not shop there. Some people need to grow up.

Posted by: Contagion at December 15, 2005 01:51 PM (Q5WxB)

7 I am really amazed at how many people have this same point of view -- that they somehow have the right to determine what other people can and cannot do based on their own perceptions of reality.

Posted by: Ogre at December 15, 2005 01:57 PM (/k+l4)

8 it is all part of the entitlement society we live in today. I am entitled to drown out your beliefs and views because I don't agree with them. Gotta love private property and free expression!

Posted by: oddybobo at December 15, 2005 02:26 PM (6Gm0j)

9 That's exactly why I love private property (including gun rights).

Posted by: Ogre at December 15, 2005 03:08 PM (/k+l4)

10 They discussed this issue at length on the Bill Lemay show (680-WPTF) in Raleigh. I tried to get through, but the lines were slammed. Most people were very supportive of the sign. The only negatives were that it was using Jesus's name to sell food. Supposedly, the story was picked up by CNN, but, I don't watch the Commie News Network. I gotta drive that way today, gonna see if I can get some good photos of the sign and the intersection.

Posted by: William Teach at December 15, 2005 03:35 PM (AkiXU)

11 What? No one was offended that would dare do this? No Jewish people calling up, complaining? Oh, right, you're in Raleigh, not Chapel Hill...

Posted by: Ogre at December 15, 2005 03:46 PM (/k+l4)

12 The woman who complained was a Jew. Shame on her for not being a Christian! Maybe we conservatives can round up all the Jews who complain and...let's see, maybe concentrate them in one place, like a camp. Then we can have our state religion!

Posted by: Ronald Reagan at December 15, 2005 06:25 PM (LQJdM)

13 You give those loonies enough rope, they just hang themselves, don't they? Thanks for stopping along, Mr. Reagan.

Posted by: Ogre at December 15, 2005 06:29 PM (/k+l4)

14 I seriously doubt that Jesus would have any problem with it. He'd probably stop by and get a Filet o' Fish and a couple of extra rolls. Loaves and fishes and all that. Man, people have GOT to start lightening up. This is getting nuts. Everybody's "offended" by everything. My community has for decades put up rows of public menorahs and Christmas trees side by side on the city green, everybody loves it for crying out loud. There's a guy down our street who puts up little signs in his yard all year long quoting Scripture. He always chooses something uplifting, he's not telling us we're all going straight to hell, nobody minds, nobody's getting all upset. Anybody, ANYBODY running around all "offended" all the time has got far, far too much time on their hands, great galloping gators. Run out and do some community service or get a job or read to little kids, DO something with your mental energies other than being offended. Damnation.

Posted by: Laura at December 15, 2005 10:26 PM (6BLTq)

15 I only wish the courts would actually realize that you do NOT have a right to not be offended...

Posted by: Ogre at December 15, 2005 10:43 PM (uSCkp)

16 Wait . . . that means . . . should I be offended by this? Or just confused. I have no right to not be offended? O nooooooooo. Is that covered in the First Offendment? I'd better start running around being offended before I get busted for non-offendedmentness. Just kidding around with you. I like the Ninth Amendment, which says, "The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." Seems apropos here.

Posted by: Laura at December 15, 2005 11:05 PM (6BLTq)

17 THe first offendment? Classic! And you obviously misunderstand today's Constitution. Today's "living document" interpretation is that the Constitution GRANTS rights, you see...

Posted by: Ogre at December 15, 2005 11:12 PM (uSCkp)

18 Yes, I do have this quaint fondness for, nay, dedication to, the Constitution as actually written and intended, it's true. On my way downstreet to get a Filet o' Fish at MacDonald's now. There are Christmas trees, little menorahs with lights, and Christmas wreaths there. It's nice.

Posted by: Laura at December 15, 2005 11:58 PM (6BLTq)

19 mMMMmm...greasy McDonalds fish...and freedom...

Posted by: Ogre at December 16, 2005 12:37 AM (uSCkp)

20 Mr Ogre, At least get your facts straight when reporting the informaiton on your website. I did indeed call Corporate McDonald's and FILED A COMPLAINT. I never told them to take the sign down. THey also never told me it was the franchise owners sign and they could do what they wanted with it. They simply took down the information and paced it along. Just as if I had an eyeball in my chicken nugget, I would have done the same. The Franchise owner's assitant called me after receiving that complaint from the Corporate office. The woman was very rude, condescending and never once asked what she could do to help, She asked for my suggestion, which was to CHANGE the sign to one of more DIVERSITY and TOLERANCE, for ALL NON CHRISTIANS, Not just Jews. She adamantly said no, how this was her decision I don't know, she was not the owner. Then I got really pissed b/c of her horrible treatment of me and then I wrote a letter to the owner. I felt that McDOnald's Is not the appropriate place for this personal type of sentiment. I feel it was a bad decision by a woman who is a business person and leader in the community to be so intolerant of others. A church, fine, a christmas tree lot, great, your home, put up all the tacky blow up Santa crap and lights you want, but what other Public places do you see with this specific type of sentiment? All I wanted was a little respect and tolerance. I tolerate Christmas being crammed down my throat 4 months out of the year and I respect that Christmas is one of the more holy days of the Christian's year, but in my opinion, McDonald's is not the appropriate place for these words. We need to respect ALL people and ALL Holidays at this time of year. Which would Include Thanksgiving, New Year's, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzza, as well.

Posted by: Amanda Alpert at December 18, 2005 08:44 PM (EGq1J)

21 EVERYONE take a deep breath turn off your computers and call you mothers sheesh!

Posted by: Greg Dyson at December 19, 2005 05:32 PM (dGesX)

22 Then why, Amanda, do you insist on not letting others respect their own faith? By complaining about that sign, you are declaring that your faith is superior to others and that Christians should not be able to show their own faith. That's pretty intolerant of you, if you ask me. And thanks for stopping by! (Good idea Greg)

Posted by: Ogre at December 22, 2005 02:38 AM (dPyQ0)

23 Mr. Ogre, I believe 100% that people should respect their faith; yet at the same time be respectful of others as well. I do not believe I was being disrespectful or intolerant of Christianity. I do not believe my faith is superior to others, I was simply asking that other faiths be recognized. Ms. Martin (the owner) is a Christian woman and I respect that, what I don't respect is her decision to post the sign. THAT shows intolerance and disrepect to others. While her sign shows her faiths and beliefs, I believe that it is not the proper forum, or perhaps a more inclusive type of messsage such as "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men." Still a Christian quote from the Christmas story ( not the Red Rider BB Gun one, the one about Christ being born : ) ), but one that is inclusive of all people and faiths. And please no comments about "men". And if Greg Dyson that posted is my brother in law, I will freak out, too weird.

Posted by: Amanda Alpert at December 26, 2005 03:13 PM (VygPn)

24 I just don't see the difference, Amanda, between you saying that they're intolerant for posting the sign, but you're not intolerant for not wanting the sign posted. Asking other faiths to be recognized is silly -- the sign is only so big. It's not practical to say that all faiths should be recognized. Saying that the message should be inclusive is just as silly -- I'm sure muslim terrorists would be offended by your suggested "Peace on Earth" sign as well. To suggest there is ANY sign that can be posted that is not offensive to anyone is also silly -- SOMEONE will be offended no matter what is put on the sign, period.

Posted by: Ogre at December 26, 2005 03:21 PM (s2+Ck)

25 Mr. Ogre, Apparently we need to agree that we disagree, which is fine. I don't expect everyone to share my views on ANYTHING, a lesson very well learned with these events. The point I was inititally was trying to make, which I thought was a simple one was that, what other public places (malls, restaurants,, stores, etc) do you go at this time of year that their signs don't say Happy Holidays or Season's Greetings. Would you agree that about 99% of them do? Would you agree that this is a more proper and respectful sentiment? So this woman posts her religious beliefs on her sign, and it's okay (according to most) because it is her sign and her beliefs. My belief is that it isn't right and I did what I thought was the right thing to support what I believed in. Call it intolerant or what have you, I was only asking for some respect for others. And I really hope you aren't ignorant enough to think that all Muslims are terroists and don't want "Peace On Earth"

Posted by: Amanda Alpert at December 26, 2005 03:59 PM (VygPn)

26 Yes, we clearly disagree. "Would you agree that this is a more proper and respectful sentiment?" No, no I would not, and that's where we disagree. I think that a person who owns property should be able to express their own religious beliefs, and no one should be able to tell them otherwise. It makes no difference to me if that's their own home or a place that they own that they invite other people into (a business). If you owned the sign and wanted to put on the sign, "Christians Suck," I wouldn't ask you to take it down. Also note I didn't say all muslims were terrorists -- I simply said that there ARE muslims who ARE terrorists who would be offended by you asking for peace.

Posted by: Ogre at December 26, 2005 04:29 PM (s2+Ck)

27 Noted on the Muslim comment. I misread that, I apologize. So your basic arguement is that people can do what they want with their personal property, be it home or business. OK. I guess what I don't understand is why a more inclusive sentiment is wrong? Is it wrong because she CAN do what she wants with the sign?(in your Opinion) There is this "War on Christmas" that is all over the media, how do we address people this time of year, etc. The part that noone can explain to me is how Happy Holidays excludes Christmas or takes the Christ out of Christmas. These are the things I have been accused of. Aren't we better PEOPLE by expressing GENERAL greetings to others? So while I understand your view on the personal property front, I still am not sure how you feel about the general Happy Holidays statement. Is it or is it not more proper and respectful? Sign and personal property aside. Perhaps I need to poke around your website a bit more to learn a little more about your views on things. I do appreciate your respectful banter and opinions. The postings on the TV station website were for the most part absurd and ridiculous (and not b/c people didn't agree with me.) Most were along the lines of Mr. Reagan's from above. I sincerely appreciate your thoughts and opinions, because they are thoughtful and respectful, even though we disagree.

Posted by: Amanda Alpert at December 26, 2005 06:47 PM (VygPn)

28 Sorry for the slow reply, I'd been on vacation for the past week. At issue here, in my opinion, wasn't the sentiment in question at all -- at issue was one person requesting another person do something with their own property. To me, I view this the same as me coming to your house, walking in, and telling you that your bathroom decorations aren't correct, and that you should change them. As for the sentiment itself, "Happy Holidays" is fine with me. I originally thought that came from people wishing others "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year" at the same time! I don't see "Happy Holidays" as excluding anyone. However, if someone changes from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays" because another is offended, then that's wrong. You shouldn't change your ideals and beliefs because someone is "offended" by them.

Posted by: Ogre at December 30, 2005 09:00 PM (s2+Ck)

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If you read the Charlotte Observer (and I know there's fewer and fewer people who do), you should at least understand the people who are determining what you read, and how they decide to cover news and events. One good way to see that is to view what the editors of the paper decide is important.

The Observer just published their State of the Environment report -- showing exactly what the editors determine is important. They are illustrating here exactly what their agenda is, and how they will determine what and when to write about in the coming year.

Pay close attention if you want a detailed look into the minds of the people who work at the Charlotte Observer as I outline and detail their "Top 10" issues. more...

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They've released the first movie poster for M:i:III. It's pretty cool, I think, but I'm sort of biased towards the show and the movies (because the whole idea is just neat). If you'd like a copy for your desktop (or for whatever other reason), just follow the link below and at the top you'll see a link to the poster.

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More carnivals for your weekly reading pleasure, in completely random order:

The Carnival of True Liberties is designed to help expose the destruction of liberty in the U.S., primarily by the communist ACLU.

The Carnival of Education has been posted and has lots and lots of entries addressing education in various directions and themes.

This week's New Blog Showcase Carnival has been posted. This is a good one, as each week there's new entries of new blogs. If you only visit one carnival a week, make it this one, and let people know they're welcome in the blogosphere!

Finally, the Carnival of Liberty is up. Some of the best reading in the blogosphere can be found there, be sure to check it out!

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If you are in England, your thoughts and intentions will be monitored -- if you are deemed to be "homophobic" (whatever the heck that means).

A woman was investigated because someone claimed she made "homophobic" comments. It was actually deemed a homophobic incident -- which, according to the police, are priority crimes.

And in Cambridge, "It is standard practice for all parties to be spoken to, even if the incident is not strictly seen as a crime."

So if you don't break any laws, but anyone thinks you're homophobic (or racist), you WILL be investigated by the police. If that's not intimidation, I don't know what is.

Posted by: Ogre at 05:01 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Are a total mess and a nightmare. But if you live anywhere near here, you'd know that. Of course, if you live elsewhere and support a strong socialist idea of an education system, then you worship and adore the Charlotte-Mecklenburg System (CMS).

A year ago, a LARGE number of parents tried to secede from the school district. They wanted to break the gigantic, massively unresponsive school system up into smaller, more manageable districts. Of course, since the North Carolina General Assembly is Democrat, there was NO way they would succeed because it would require government to shrink.

So instead, in a miserably feeble attempt to appease these parents, the Democrat-controlled school board set up a "task force" to "study" the problem. The results of the "task force" are in. And yes, once again, I could have saved the state millions of dollars on the task force -- because the results were known before the task force even met for the first time. more...

Posted by: Ogre at 03:03 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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Well, okay, that headline's not exactly true. But it's about as accurate as the other headlines that I've seen in at least two places now that claim "China says hacking illegal."

For those completely uninformed, or educated by the government school system, China is a very large communist country that generally hates the United States and everything the US stands for. If they thought they could win, they would attack the US in a minute, just to destroy us.

The communist system demands that they destroy any outsiders who will show the truth of their horrible government system. Therefore, China is our enemy, even if we're really at a cease-fire at the moment.

So, China attacks the US. I know, I've seen it up close. The Chinese government and military ARE attacking US computers every chance they get. So when the news comes out that China has claimed that hacking is illegal, that's not quite true.

The actual words of the Chinese are, "No one can use the Internet to engage in illegal activities." That's a whole different story. Attacking foreign non-communist enemies is not illegal. So the Chinese who are attacking the US aren't actually engaging in illegal activities -- they're doing what their government tells them to do.

Posted by: Ogre at 12:06 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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And just think -- North Carolina doesn't even HAVE a lottery yet.

But, government, with it's monopoly on gambling, continues to screw things up. They have an official "start date" for the lottery: April 5. According to estimates, the government agency of "Alcohol Law Enforcement" needs 29 new agents to "watch over the stores."

These new agents are supposed to confirm that the 6,000+ stores obey the law when selling tickets.

Now for the usual government part:

The Alcohol Law Enforcement agency says they can only have 2/3 of that number ready by February. And what are they supposed to actually enforce? No one seems to know yet. You see, the rules have not been established. But we're going to hire and train people to enforce those rules!

Oh, and about that hiring thing? No, we don't know who is going to pay the salaries of these new agents we're hiring to enforce laws and rules that haven't been created yet.

Are you beginning to see why government shouldn't be in nearly ANY business?

Posted by: Ogre at 10:05 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Time to introduce another advertiser in that prime space on the left column. Once again, we have a repeat advertiser (must be some good space, huh?) in the form of

That blog is also hosting a "Blogger Secret Santa" program that I just found out about. It looks pretty neat, I'm trying to think of a good non-llama gift that I might be able to give so I can join up. Info about the Blogger Secret Santa program is right there on the front page, on the left side.

He's also giving away a bunch of stuff for free -- head on over for details...

Posted by: Ogre at 09:05 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Another quiz for unemployed smokey:

Found at The Flannel Avenger's.

Posted by: Ogre at 07:08 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 Guess I need to read the books... You are...Peter. Strong, intelligent, and ready for adventure, you are secure enough to admit when you need help or advice. You lead by example, not command.

Posted by: vw bug at December 13, 2005 11:31 PM (SCN6v)

2 Might as well read 'em now -- everyone else is.

Posted by: Ogre at December 14, 2005 12:31 AM (uSCkp)

3 I got Peter, too. I really can our Ogre friend as Trumpkin. I think that was a close match.

Posted by: Mindflame at December 14, 2005 01:07 AM (kJZEb)

4 It's been awhile since I read the books -- I'm trying to remember who Trumpkin was...

Posted by: Ogre at December 14, 2005 01:13 AM (uSCkp)

5 Trumpkin was the dwarf that helped Caspian gain the throne of Narnia.

Posted by: Flannel Avenger at December 14, 2005 03:29 AM (ue/5G)

6 Ah, the dwarf! That's right. Thanks, Flannel! And Smokey, are you sure you should be a lawyer? Have you taken a quiz yet that tells you what you should be?

Posted by: Ogre at December 14, 2005 10:17 AM (uSCkp)

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Go check out Six Meat Buffet's present for liberals. Just awesome and SO appropriate!

(HT to Michelle Malkin).

Oh, and Teach has a Christmas Poem...of sorts...

Posted by: Ogre at 04:09 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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