July 31, 2005

New Neighbor #24

Time once again to introduce a New Neighbor. This week I present for your reading pleasure,

A Ticking Time Blog


All sorts of interesting stuff over there. Now, I'm not exactly sure how often the site is updated, because the posts have no dates. Instead, it's a riot, because each post for a time/date stamp has something like "Posted by Byron when it was time for the after-dinner nap" or "Posted by Byron during the afternoon snack break." Fun stuff.

The blog is run by one Byron Harvey. Why is it named "A Ticking Time Blog?" Well, for that answer you'll have to read the site. However, numerous references on the front page to the "No Kool-Aid Zone" might give you a hint.

There's a nice list of books and videos down the right side, and you know the author of a blog is alright when the FIRST listed "Favorite Flick" is The Princess Bride. I mean, come on!

His most recent post is "Christian Hype," which include his first recipient of the first "Hypie" award -- an award given for individuals, groups, or organizations that go overboard in selling something in the name of Christianity -- usually to make a buck.

There's also an excellent fisking of Bob Stern's Documentary; a nice blasting of Trent Lott (deservedly so); and yet another example of the FMSM (Formerly MainStream Media) bias. Good reading all around.

So it's Sunday, and you've got some time on your hands. Why not head over to A Ticking Time Blog, have a read, and leave a comment or two?

Posted by: Ogre at 10:56 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Blog Crawl '05: Remains

Well it seems the Blogcrawl was a success...as much as such a thing can be successful or a failure... I'm pretty sure no one ended up in jail or eating charcoal, but I'm not too sure about That 1 Guy...

It seems someone was taking pictures of Contagion late in the evening. Some people posted other twisted pictures. Others just threw up on electric fans. Madfish Willie lost his pants early, while Susie crashed all over the place. Sissy's Place got TPed and the she lost her thong or something.

All in all, it seems like everyone had a good time.

Posted by: Ogre at 08:34 AM | Comments (19) | Add Comment
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July 30, 2005

Blog Crawl '05

blogcrawl2005.gif

It's time. I think I'm ready:

refrig.jpg

BlogCrawl 2005 has officially started!

Update 7:40pm EST: See that big bottle in the picture? I'm preparing to crack that baby open. It is Stone Old Guardian: Barley Wine Style Ale. This should be interesting. I've been to 12 blogs on the crawl so far. Cool.

Update 7:49pm EST: Rumor has it that Evil Glennn may Blogcrawling, too! Eeek!

Update 8:33pm EST: I've stumbled to quite literally every member of the Frizzen Sparks and the Bad Example Family. Whee!

Update 9:22pm EST: Stone Old Guardian is odd (that's the large bottle in the picture). It tastes like a cross between sweet wine and Guiness. It's totally indescribable.

Posted by: Ogre at 07:00 PM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
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Bedside Table Meme

Ah, carp with a side-order of fries. It seems I've been tagged by Boudicca (a short Celtic woman continually checking her watch outside the restroom) with a silly bedside table meme.

Most of my gentle readers know how I feel about memes. Then again, I am an Ogre, so I pretty much feel the same way about everything else in the world. But I am a truly optimistic Ogre -- no, really! Despite what you might think of what you read here, I almost always see the glass as half full. Anyway, on to the meme:

The first thing you have to do when answering a meme is read the rules in the post in which you were tagged. So, I headed over to post and looked for the rules -- no rules! Yay! One of the first rules of memes is that when no rules are posted, you may follow your own rules!

It would appear that the meme wants to know what's on my "bedside table." What is this "table" thing of which you speak? I looked up bedside in the dictionary, and it said, "The side of a bed." So apparently, some people have tables on the side of their bed. Ok, sounds like fun, I'll give it a shot:

bedtable.jpg

I don't know how you people actually get things to stay on your bedside tables...

Posted by: Ogre at 11:58 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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People ARE Stupid

As some of my returning readers might remember, I occasionally complain when politicians do something that shows their utter contempt for people, and indicates how stupid they think you are. However, I think I'm learning that they really are right. Perhaps it's time for me to join them as the anointed and simply lord over people because they really are stupid.

According to a Fox News Poll, Americans really are dumb. The headline was "Bag Searches Yes, Racial Profiling No," but it could have been "People are just idiots."

76% of people believe random searches are "a necessary action" in "today's times."
60% of people believe random searches are effective ways to prevent future terrorist attacks.

Yet there is zero evidence that any random searches have actually done anything at all to prevent, slow down, or modify in any way any crime or terrorist act. In other words, they are completely, 100% for show.
65% of people think that personal safety is more important than liberty.
64% are willing to give up personal freedom to reduce the threat of terrorism

Wow. That's incredibly scary. It says the majority of people in this country are willing to give up quite literally anything for perceived safety. With that attitude, I'm afraid that we're actually moving closer to a civil war -- you see, I'm not giving up my firearms, no matter how safe it makes you feel for me not to have them.
49% of people disapprove of using racial or ethnic profiling in the fight on terrorism.

Sad. That's truly sad. Look, when ALL the terrorists fit an exact profile, why won't we actually look for them?!? It's absolutely assanine NOT to use profiling. If you local police chief took this view on crime-fighting, when a woman reported that she'd been raped by a 6'6" Asian male, they'd have to arrest and question 75-year old ladies and 6-year old kids!

I think America has indeed changed. If this poll accurately reflects the attitudes of Americans today, we are no longer the country that was formed in 1776, and we have no hope of ever being that great country again. This country was founded on individual liberty -- once that's removed, this country is not a representative republic. I think it's time to move to a compound in MT.

Linkly love for Mudville Gazette and Outside the Beltway.

Posted by: Ogre at 08:20 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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July 29, 2005

Blogcrawl 2005

blogcrawl20051thumb3jz.jpgIt's here! The first (?) ever blog crawl, brought to you by Miasmatic Review!

What's a blogcrawl? Well, no one is really sure. Therefore, we get to make up our own rules. Actually, Contagion already has those made up, too. And Harvey's got 'em reposted, just in case. The idea is to drink and post. That's pretty much it. You're supposed to confine yourself to Saturday 7pm to Sunday 7am. And posting and linking in the Bad Example Family and Frizzen Sparks Family is also encouraged. I'm not technically "in" the family, so I'm just going as a house crasher (what else would you expect from an Ogre?).

So come along! Get ready to party! It's also Tammi's birthday party. Lots and lots of posting and commenting to be had for all! Non-drinkers are also invited. I think I might dress up in my pirate costume, just to set the mood...

Posted by: Ogre at 11:30 AM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
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Car Wax?

Does anyone ever wax their car?

I was just wondering if I'm the only person still actually buying car wax. If you look at the majority of cars on the road today, the paint processes used to paint the cars seems to be more and more improved, lessening the need for waxing. I should probably just ask Machelle.

It used to be, many years ago, when I waxed my car, I could see, as I waxed, one side get shinier after waxing, before I got to the second side. That doesn't seem to be the case today -- and the vehicle I'm talking about now is a 2002 model with 50,000 miles on it -- and it's bright red. Now when I wax it, the only way I can even tell is that the water beads up on it.

I wonder if there's any reason left to wax the car, other than being able to spend some time outside while listening to Cheap Trick.

Posted by: Ogre at 09:21 AM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
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Legislature Pay Raises

This post is for the State Employees of North Carolina, and especially for those State Employees that support and endorse Democrat politicians. This year, 600 workers at the legislature building (state employees) got larger pay raises than other state workers.

How is that possible? Remember those slush funds of Jim Black, Richard Morgan, and Marc Basnight? They "set aside" some tax dollars for "operations" of the building, and then decided to use it for pay raises. Please note, I did not say the pay raises were VOTED upon. Instead, these Democrats used their power to give away tax money to some state workers, but not others.

Jim Black says it was too expensive to give raises to all state workers, so he simply picked out the ones he liked and gave THEM a raise. Keep in mind that the average salary of these workers is $45,000, while the average state employee salary is $38,000. Democrat state employees, I think you need to think again who you want to support in the elections.

And yes, this is the same Legislature that has cut spending "to the bone."

Posted by: Ogre at 04:32 AM | Comments (21) | Add Comment
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July 28, 2005

Brother Against Brother

Kit Jarrell of Euphoric Reality has completed Part 7 of the explosive series, "Brother Against Brother."

This is an incredible story about heroism and teamwork in the hostile jungles of Vietnam. If you haven't read any of this story yet, start with Part 1 and read it all -- it's well researched and a very powerful story.

Posted by: Ogre at 08:11 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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ACLU and Muslims

I know many of my good readers still believe in the ACLU. They believe the stories that the ACLU tells, and the claims that the ACLU actually believes in civil rights. I'm here to tell you, the ACLU wouldn't know civil rights if they hit them upside the head with a 2x4.

This month, the NC ACLU is suing North Carolina. Why? Primarily for money (despite what the press reports currently read). In this case, they are suing to put the Quran in courtroom for people to pray over, or swear upon. Keep in mind this is the same organization that wants to suppress any and all prayer or signs of religion, if that religion is Christianity.

Currently, NC state laws allows terrorists and other muslims the option to


They may lay their hand on the Bible.

* They may raise a hand if their faith does not allow them to swear on the Bible.

* They may affirm that their testimony is truthful if they have no religious faith.

In other words, they are already completely free to NOT swear on the Bible if they do not want to. In this case, the ACLU and the terrorists (and other muslims) want to force their religion on the citizens of North Carolina. Similar to the various "civil right" battles fought by gays, this is not about equal rights, it is about forcing their views on others.

Patrick said it best a few days ago:

In fact, the medieval doctrine enshrined in the Islamic hate manual—which is still interpreted literally by Muslims—is completely hostile to the rights and laws that our courts are charged with protecting and upholding. Whether or not you believe in the Bible’s spiritual components is, in a court of law, not as important as whether you believe in the democratic principles its moral teachings helped to forge. And Muslims do not believe in those principles.

Did you read that last sentence? Muslims do NOT believe in our government principles. Their "holy book" instructs them to KILL the people in our government. There is absolutely NO reason to allow a book, or a religion, into the courtroom that is actively opposed to the court room and the very system of government of the courtroom!

The mulsim religion has NO place in North Carolina's courtrooms. This is NOT about acceptance, diversity, or tolerance -- it is about destroying the uniquely American way of life and the American government system from within. That is the ACLU's mission today.

Part of the Stop the ACLU weekly Blogburst.

Posted by: Ogre at 03:59 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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No Free Speech Zone

In case you are a bit uninformed, I'd like to make a correction to "commonly accepted thought" in today's society. When asked where people have the most intellectual freedom, quite often the answer would be in higher education. While that may have once been the case (especially in the radical 60s & 70s), it is most certainly NOT a place that welcomes freedom today.

As Wendy McElroy, points out in her weekly editorial, freedom of speech on today's campuses of "higher learning" is only protected for some, while it is utter bashed and destroyed for others.

At issue here are the words uttered in an unsolicited email -- in other words, Person A sent a mass email to Person B. In the email, there was a specific link to click to reply to the sender. Person B followed that link and replied:

Do not send me any mail about 'Connie and Sally' and 'Adam and Steve.' These are perversions. The absence of God in higher education brings on confusion. That is why in these classes the Creator of the heavens and the earth is never mentioned.

That's it. There was zero other communications of any sort between Person A and Person B. Nada, nothing, zilch. The response of person B?
"I don't want to feel threatened at my place of work"

The result? Not what logic would dictate, a boot to the head of Person A, but instead, a letter of reprimand to Person B!

So yes, in today's version of academic, you are free to insult people if you insult them and their intelligence in the name of lesbianism, but if you DARE to actually be offended by lesbianism, or even have the apparent unmitigated GALL to actually request to NOT receive email about lesbians, YOU ARE SEXUALLY HARASSING AND THREATENING PEOPLE!

This is utterly insane! I am NOT exaggerating this -- the Person B is accused of making a hostile workplace FOR ASKING NOT TO RECEIVE EMAILS ABOUT LESBIANS!

It gets worse.

This complete and total twisting of sanity is completely supported by the Attorney General of New Jersey.

It's hard to believe there's anything that can be done to save this country at times like this. Oh, and if you're offended by this, I'm telling the thought police when they come to pick me up for writing this.

Posted by: Ogre at 01:39 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Cheryl Ann Magner

is missing. Jay asked for help looking for her from her aunt. Instapundit beat me to the request, but I'll put it here anyway, just so word gets out.

Posted by: Ogre at 10:05 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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John Edwards on Tour

Anyone remember John Edwards? He bought a seat in the US Senate for a few years, and even showed up to vote once or twice. He was also a vice-presidential candidate for a little while. After he lost that election, he was rewarded by the University system of North Carolina with a chair of some sort. Well, he's back in the news, annoying Democrats again.

This time, he's touring AZ, NM, MI, and OH to promote raising the minimum wage in those states. Why him? No one knows. Why those states? Check them again. It's starting to appear that he wants to be Hillary's running mate in '08. After all, he brought so much to the ticket in '04, why not?

What's even funnier about his trips is that the North Carolina Legislature Democrats are mad. Did you know Edwards was from North Carolina? He is, but he's not been campaigning in North Carolina for their minimum wage increase!

Posted by: Ogre at 05:42 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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July 27, 2005

John Roberts vs. The Left

Once again, The Alliance has a question. This week they're wondering

How will the left attack Supreme Court nominee John Roberts?

With all due respect to Harvey and GEBIV, I think they've asked the wrong question. If I were to actually list every way that the left will attack Mr. Roberts, I'd write enough to fill the entire internet. Instead, a question that can be answered much more succinctly and more accurately, without a calumny, is:
How will the left NOT attack Supreme Court nominee John Roberts?

To answer that question is rather simple:

The left will NOT use the United States Constitution to attack Mr. Roberts (mainly because they've never read it).

The left will NOT use logic to attack Mr. Roberts (mainly because they don't understand the concept).

The left will also NOT use anything remotely related to reality to attack Mr. Roberts (mainly because they seem to completely avoid it at all times).

Posted by: Ogre at 08:47 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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The Center for Purposeful Living

I was sent another story from a former student at the Center for Purposeful Living, aka University for Human Goodness. This is a group in North Carolina that spends a lot of time insisting that it is not a cult:

Is CPL a cult? The reader can make his or her own decision. For those who are convinced that CPL is a cult, nothing written here will matter. For others, let them consider that, yes, it is unusual for a group of people to come together, with long-term commitments, be focused on a specific work, create a community based on common values, and then try to transfer to students a “teaching”—all without looking like a cult at first glance. These things do exist at CPL. Yet, there are significant differences from cults.

Well, as they say on their own site, you can make your own decision. If you're researching that group, I would suggest reading the words of someone who's been there. Personally, I've not had any direct contact with anyone associated with that group -- I'm just pointing out the information so people can make an informed decision.

Posted by: Ogre at 04:30 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Christian Harry Potter?

This week's question for the Christian Views Symposium (brought to you by Cross Blogging) is:

Is Harry Potter a Christian Allegory and why or why not?

Each week the Christian Views Symposium asks a question and seeks answers from other bloggers. If you have writer's block or want a regular question to make you think and answer, why not head over and answer one some time? As you can see, the questions range far and wide, and you do not have to be a Christian to answer them.

But on to my answer for this week. more...

Posted by: Ogre at 01:04 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Low Ride Er.

I head the Barry White song "Low Rider" today on the way in to work. Every time I hear it now, I think of an Easter special I saw on TV a long time ago (maybe 10 years ago?). It had rabbits and I think a rabbit in a low rider VW convertible. I've never seen the show again, and I have SEARCHED for it every year when Easter comes around.

Has anyone else ever seen this show, or did I imagine it? If you've seen it, does anyone have any clue how I can get a copy of it or view it again? Who can I write to in order to get it playing again next Easter? I don't remember a lot about it, but I do remember laughing quite a lot...

Posted by: Ogre at 10:21 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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McCrory Veto

Mayor McCrory is the mayor of Charlotte (it's a world-class city, you know). He wins every year on the Republican ticket, and I have, in the past, categorized him as...well... less than a conservative Republican, certainly. I'd say he's a moderate or RINO Republican.

However, when he gets one right, I'll be the first to say so. On Monday, he vetoed a "cultural arts" plan. He does not use his veto power very often, and in this case the council will very likely override his veto because they only need 7 of 11 votes to override him, and the vote passed 8-3. But this was still a good move on his part.

Good job, Mr. McCrory! This stupid plan would spend $150,000,000 on "cultural arts" -- including building a building for Wachovia, a private business; move a museum that was already moved once; give more money to the incredibly, obviously racist "Afro-American Cultural Center"; and give more money to Discovery Place. And where was the money to come from? Higher taxes, of course!

Council Member Susan Burgess (D) is clearly firmly entrenched in the liberal version of reality. She actually told businesses that she was helping them by making them pay more taxes. "It is good for all our people," she said.

And communist artist Ray Overman said he would be supportive of taking money out of your pocket to build a building for his own, personal use. There's a lot of good art, and "art lovers want more." Hey "art lovers" -- use your own damn money and do whatever the heck you want! Stop taking my money for YOUR crap.

Once again, good job Mayor McCrory. If only your veto would hold up.

Posted by: Ogre at 06:14 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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July 26, 2005

Brother Against Brother

Kit Jarrell of Euphoric Reality has started posting a rather contentious series titled, "Brother Against Brother. The page is a bit slow to load, but it is well worth the wait.

The story is

A seven-part series about jealousy, truth, and honor between men who fought in a place called Vietnam.

The "story" is quite extensively researched and is actually facts about a small group of men in Vietnam. According to Kit:
This story is just that – a quest for the truth. We were asked to uncover what we thought was a case of fakery, horrific deeds and falsely claimed honor. In our own research, we ended up finding more than we bargained for. As the layers of the story were peeled away, we found a group of men that are not perfect; who made mistakes and paid for them. We found men who fought in a war that was dirty and unconventional; who did what they had to do in situations that most of us cannot even fathom. We found boys who went to the other side of the world and came home as old men before they were even old enough to drink. But we also found men who were honorable; who did their very best and made it home.

It's a 7-part story and part 3 was just posted today. It's quite a long read, but very, very interesting so far.

Posted by: Ogre at 06:35 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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It's Hot

The last few days I've been working on some landscaping in the yard. I've got pictures, and as soon as I organize them, I'll post some. Unfortunately, I didn't take them until after I started, so you won't get the full effect of "before and after."

Today I'll be outside from about 3-5pm moving some more rocks and shoveling dirt. According to the weather channel:

CONTINUED HUMID CONDITIONS WILL COMBINE WITH THE HOT TEMPERATURES TO RESULT IN AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES BETWEEN 105 AND 110 DEGREES.

THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE ARE POSSIBLE. BE SURE TO DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS. IF YOU HAVE TO WORK OUTSIDE BETWEEN NOON AND 6 PM...TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS IN AN AIR CONDITIONED BUILDING.


A number of my neighbors (usually after sunset) have come by and seem to think I'm a loony, and they don't even know my (correct) political views. However, they do seem to understand the name "Ogre." However, what I want to know is why I haven't been arrested.

After all, the government has clearly determined that it is dangerous to be outside. Heck, the forecast for Tuesday is for 100 degrees, and that would put the heat index even higher. Why do they allow me to risk getting heat stroke? I could go to the hospital and cost people money. It's dangerous. Why do they allow me to continue this way? After all, we now know that it's not even my land, it's the government's.

It is clearly dangerous for me to be outside shoveling. It's not inconvenient for me to go inside and wait until sunset, is it? So why do they allow me to do it? Maybe it's just that the police haven't driven by my house yet. If you don't hear from me tomorrow, you can guess that I've been arrested. After all, it's for my own good, right?

Posted by: Ogre at 04:02 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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