If you're looking for another blog traffic exchange, here's one for you (free traffic if you surf using their site):

Posted by: Ogre at 09:23 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 28 words, total size 1 kb.

Smokey tagged me with another silly meme. It's a rather long meme answer, so I'll post my "results" in the extended entry.

I'll tag Mensa Barbie, Bou, and Gun-toting Liberal. more...

Posted by: Ogre at 03:04 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 538 words, total size 4 kb.

Robert Tracinski has an article online posted on the "Intellectual Activist" website. I guess if I had to categorize how many people will view it after they read it, the answer would be, "cold-hearted."

The article talks about the current man-made disaster and really slams the welfare state:

The man-made disaster we are now witnessing in New Orleans did not happen over four days last week. It happened over the past four decades. Hurricane Katrina merely exposed it to public view.

The man-made disaster is the welfare state.

It goes on and on, has a couple of questionable facts, but really drives it's point home:

In a city corrupted by the welfare state, the job of city officials is to ensure the flow of handouts to welfare recipients and patronage to political supporters; not to ensure a lawful, orderly evacuation in case of emergency.

But what about criminals and welfare parasites? Do they worry about saving their houses and property? They don't, because they don't own anything. Do they worry about what is going to happen to their businesses or how they are going to make a living? They never worried about those things before. Do they worry about crime and looting? But living off of stolen wealth is a way of life for them.

(Hat tip to VW Bug)

Update: TKC comes to a similar conclusion.

And NYGirl adds even more.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:14 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
Post contains 279 words, total size 2 kb.

1 A friend and I were talking about the effect of the Welfare State on things like this. We kept the argument to ourselves since we'd be stoned for our comments. But sadly, if you keep handing a man a fish instead of teaching him to fish, it's hard to rise above it..... thanks for the link...

Posted by: thordora at September 06, 2005 03:45 PM (lNvMh)

2 that is an interesting read/take on the situation. I can't argue with it, but I don't know if I exactly agree with it either.

Posted by: Contagion at September 06, 2005 03:55 PM (Q5WxB)

3 Welfare eliminates the need for self discipline & self reliance. It also breeds an entitlment mentality. His point about the city officials does have some merit, other cities have experiences disasters, but have not experiences the chaos the NO has.

Posted by: NYgirl at September 06, 2005 04:09 PM (JEAUq)

4 If you say anything like this, you will be branded a racist. In fact, New Orleans has already become racist-central -- if you say ANYTHING other than that it's Bush's fault, you're racist because there are blacks in New Orleans. I'm working (in my mind) about trying to explain the only logical conclusion if government truly is responsible for everything.

Posted by: Ogre at September 06, 2005 05:03 PM (L0IGK)

5 I came to the same sort of conclusion here: http://pubcrawler.blogspot.com/2005/09/failure-of-free-market-system.html

Posted by: tkc at September 06, 2005 06:10 PM (d0z/C)

6 It seems rather obvious when you really look, doesn't it?

Posted by: Ogre at September 06, 2005 07:51 PM (L0IGK)

7 I don't know what to think. He's right and he's wrong. Both at the same time. And yes, it is all Bush's fault. Everything bad that ever happens in the whole world is Bush's fault. He's racist, he's evil, he's out for oil. The rhetoric gets old.

Posted by: Raven at September 06, 2005 07:59 PM (7mbx+)

8 In the main article linked, there are a couple places he gets out of control. But most people who read it want to deny that there's any connection, while at the same time seeing the connection. Yes, it IS very disturbing.

Posted by: Ogre at September 06, 2005 08:03 PM (L0IGK)

9 Hi, I linked to this at http://onecornerma.blogspot.com/2005/09/tale-of-two-states.html but Haloscan isn't pinging. Thanks

Posted by: NYgirl at September 06, 2005 08:42 PM (JEAUq)

10 Thanks!!

Posted by: Ogre at September 06, 2005 08:45 PM (L0IGK)

11 Thanks for the link You're such a nice Ogre.

Posted by: NYgirl at September 07, 2005 03:07 PM (JEAUq)

12 Shhh! Don't tell anyone!

Posted by: Ogre at September 07, 2005 03:10 PM (/k+l4)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

A spokesman for the International Association of Chiefs of Police says that many police chiefs

feel that enforcing immigration law could have a detrimental effect on their abilities to police their communities effectively.

If you are in this country illegally, feel free to come to Charlotte, NC. The taxpayers there will give your children free education. You are required to pay zero in taxes. You will receive the best medical care in the world, all completely free. And if you're having trouble finding a job, the department of social services will give you money and food for as long as you like, again, 100% free since you will not be required to pay taxes.

If you're worried about being deported, again, Charlotte, NC is the place to be. Charlotte-Mecklenburg's official policy on illegals:

We don't want our police even looking to see if they're here illegally

Come to Charlotte, get anything you want free, and be immune to prosecution for crimes. I wonder if the government-run chamber of commerce will use that as their new city "slogan?"

Posted by: Ogre at 08:55 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 226 words, total size 1 kb.

As my regular readers know, I'm supporting Samaritan's Purse these days while trying to help those who are victims of the hurricane. I've been in contact with some folks at the organization to ask how people can help if they want to help in person, rather than just send money.

Here's what they're looking for now, if you want to help physically:

We are looking for volunteer teams of up to 15 people (age 18 and above) who are able to do manual labor in repairing homes, clearing trees, putting plastic on roofs, cleaning out homes that have been flooded, etc. If your team has tools, that would be wonderful, if not, we can supply the tools.

We are asking for teams, if possible, to come for a minimum of 3 days, but we are flexible if that length of time is not possible. Each team is responsible for getting to the disaster site that you would be assigned to, which would be either Mobile, AL or Biloxi, MS,. Once you are there, shelter (primitive) will be provided as well as meals.

You will need to bring your own bedding (air mattress, sleeping bag, cot, etc.), and your own towels, and personal effects. If you can put a team together, please let us know and we will send you a survey form to fill out and send back to us before we can schedule your team. If you aren't able to put a team together, we will be happy to add you to our "individual" volunteer list and possibly use you at a later date. We are currently using already existing teams
as our first responders.

Linked to Stop the ACLU's open post.

Posted by: Ogre at 07:02 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 311 words, total size 2 kb.

A press release from NC Representative John Rhodes:

The legislative session's scandal surrounding legislative leaders use of discretionary spending or secret SLUSH FUNDS continues in Raleigh. Earlier reports this year revealed the Speaker of the House Jim Black (D) Mecklenburg, former Co-Speaker Richard Morgan (R) Moore and Senate President Pro-Tem Marc Basnight (D) Dare directed tens of millions of taxpayer dollars from a special "secret fund" they apparently set up to reward their political allies and in one case the Speaker of the House provided $45,000 to fund a job for a former legislator who helped the Speaker of the House retain his position as Speaker.

Upon learning of this abuse of power and taxpayer dollars, Rep. John Rhodes (R) Mecklenburg and others called for an investigation by the state Auditor Les Merritt and State Attorney General Roy Cooper questioning the abuse of power and the use of these funds particularly as they relate to the separation of powers in the state's constitution and General Statute G.S. 143-16.3.

To date, the state auditor has completed his report with findings and forwarded his report to the Attorney General Roy Cooper's office for further investigation, the research department in the General Assembly has released a report on the use of the funds, and now the Attorney General's office has gone in to complete lockdown mode on the abuse of taxpayer's dollars.

Upon repeated calls to the Attorney General's office over the last weeks none have been returned.

Rep. Rhodes states, "The AG's office has gone into lockdown mode and apparently is in hiding on this important issue."

"Perhaps we should be casting a larger net over the abuses of power and perceived corruption occurring in the legislature with the taxpayer's dollars by these legislative leaders, perhaps we need to look closer into the Attorney General's office and ask why they refuse to return phone calls and provide cover for these abuses."

"The people of North Carolina should be outraged that this type of shenanigans is going on not only in their legislature but quite possibly expanding into the Department of Justice by the state's Attorney General. "The Attorney General has had this request since March."

Citizens of North Carolina should contact the Attorney General's office and demand that he release the NC Pork Gate Report surrounding legislative leaders at 919-716-6400. Ask to speak directly with Attorney General Roy Cooper and remember when calling....
"He's not roy-alty, he's just ROY.

Give ROY a call and tell him to do his job and release the NC Pork Gate Report surrounding legislative leaders
abuse of your money.

Rep. John W. Rhodes (R) Mecklenburg
Lucille Carter Legislative Assistant
North Carolina House of Representatives
16 W. Jones Street RM 1017
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-733-5530
johnrh@ncleg.net

Posted by: Ogre at 05:04 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 468 words, total size 3 kb.

Yay! The New Blog Carnival Showcase is here again! Well, actually, it's not HERE here. It's really over there at Bad Example.

This is the traveling blog carnival that highlights new blogs on the internet (or is that IN the internet?). Head on over and read the newest blogs -- can you remember how much you appreciated comments on your blog when you were brand new? Head on over, read, then comment. It only takes a minute, and it will be much appreciated.

Also, if you're interested in being a host for the carnival, drop me a line (email in the upper right corner of this page).

Posted by: Ogre at 08:01 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 115 words, total size 1 kb.

Especially for those who are yelling and screaming about "not enough" being done, or being done fast enough -- Eric has four simple questions. If you want to blame someone, especially if you are already trying to blame Bush, please head over and provide answers to some straightforward questions.

And no, they're not rhetorical questions -- he's asking some questions, looking for some serious answers.

Posted by: Ogre at 04:02 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 71 words, total size 1 kb.

It's Monday again, so it's time for our weekly blogburst! Here's Part 2 of our series (and our second Blogburst post) on illegal immigration from Mustang, who blogs over at Social Sense and graciously agreed to a reprint of his articles.

Dear President Fox,

A recent article by Reuter’s reported that you are disappointed with recent U. S. measures to stem the flow of illegal immigrants, calling it a “step back” for bilateral relations. You have been quoted as saying that Mexican migrants do jobs “that not even blacks want to do.”

Assuming that you were not discussing Labrador retrievers, may I just say what a clever diplomat you are in making such a disparaging remark about African Americans. But that really isn’t the point of this letter. I must tell you that you and I have very similar sentiments with regard to our immigration policy — I’m not happy with it either. The difference is that I pay taxes in the United States so that your people can be employed, fed, clothed, educated, healed, and prosecuted. What I keep hoping will happen is:

(a) The government of Mexico will begin to develop a society that incorporates every segment of the population so that a large portion (the poorest) will not be coming to the United States in the first place, or alternatively

(b) I will receive a check or draft drawn on the Bank of Mexico made out to me personally, which reimburses me for the taxes IÂ’ve paid to take care of your people. I can provide you with an accurate accounting of these expenses if you wish.

Just so that you understand—this is not an issue of racial or ethnic bias. As you know, many Hispanic peoples have made a substantial contribution to all that is good about the United States of America. This issue is simply one involving your inability, or your unwillingness, to take care of YOUR citizens.

I am hesitant to infer that you do not care about the people of Mexico, because such an assumption would imply the worst kind of dishonesty. Can you imagine wanting to be president only to enrich yourself at the expense of your own citizens? Rather, it is likely that you are simply unaware of the circumstances in Mexico that drive so many of your people toward the northern border. If you will please leave a comment (below) and include your email address, I will send you an in-depth analysis of the problem, and suggestions about how you can best serve the people of Mexico.

Meanwhile, hoping that you will refrain from disparaging our people of color in the future, I look forward to either helping you square this problem away, or the arrival of your check as discussed above.

Sincerely yours,
Mustang

Blogs on Board:

Posted by: Ogre at 10:01 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 519 words, total size 3 kb.

1 I'm glad that there is finally a group dedicated to guarding our borders. I'll sign up tomorrow As usual, Mustang makes wonderful points, it's high time we stopped picking up the slack for the Mexican government. There was a great article a few months back in Front page mag about racism in Mexico. It offered a lot of insight into the way Mexican society operates.

Posted by: NYgirl at September 05, 2005 08:18 PM (JEAUq)

2 One of the biggest problems with immigration is that many people refuse to realize or admit that there are even different cultures. People in different countries THINK differently. If everyone would admit that, as everyone KNEW a few decades ago, we would be on the right path. Thanks for stopping by!

Posted by: Ogre at September 05, 2005 08:21 PM (L0IGK)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Today I'll be working on the site layout and the new design. Things may fluctuate during the day, especially in the late afternoon, as I'll be cooking out around and after lunchtime.

Please excuse any weirdness that you might see today. It will be all fixed today and you'll see a completely new layout by late tonight or tomorrow morning!

Posted by: Ogre at 05:01 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 64 words, total size 1 kb.

It's time once again for a new neighbor from the Evangelical blogroll. This week's neighbor is

Cadmusings

The blog layout is great. It's fast loading and very clean -- just the right amount of color. It's very well-organized with a good focus on the main content in the middle. Head on over, if for no other reason, to see a good layout and design (Credit for the design and layout are given to Mike Little.)

The blog topic is "Thoughts and ruminations about religion, politics, books, writing, entertainment, technology, family and our culture." Lots of different stuff there. Like most in the world, recent posts focus on Katrina including church relief, survivor information, and news and information.

There's also a song meme that shows the author is so NOT pop-culture. Also, like a previous neighbor, the author really likes coffee.

The blog is updated mostly daily, so you're assured fresh content quite often. Head on over and see what CadMusings is all about!

Posted by: Ogre at 08:11 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 227 words, total size 2 kb.

Yar. We be gettin' close to Talk Like a Pirate Day. Only two weeks left -- are you prepared? Yar. If you're not yet prepared and need some inspiration, be sure to get your Pirate gear to git ya in the mood for talkin' like a pirate. I'd suggest you speak to your employers (since the day is on a Monday this year) and see if you can get the dress code suspended for the day. Just imagine what your place of work would look like with everyone dressed up in pirate gear, just for one day. Yar.

If'n ya need a more accurate countdown, be sure to check out Pirate's Cove. He's got a counter in the left sidebar that be countin down to the second.

Posted by: Ogre at 07:56 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 135 words, total size 1 kb.

In Arizona, a ranch has just been given to two illegal aliens. Why? Because they claimed to suffer from "Post-traumatic stress syndrome" from being detained by the owner of the land. The owner detained the criminals for trespassing and called authorities. The authorities came and apprehended the illegals.

The illegals then sued with the help of San Diego attorney James McElroy (American hater from the "Southern Poverty Law Center"). They apparently won the land in the lawsuit.

Kender makes a very valid point:

the next guy
that catches a couple of them are gonna do just that.......now that a precedent has been set regarding property it is a better bet to kill people than to take a chance that you will lose everything and go to jail

Now, apparently, according to the government, that is the way to deal with illegal alien trespassers. If you catch one on your property, if you call the police, you will lose your land and your livelihood. But if you catch one trespassing on your property, kill them, and bury them, all is ok.

Your federal judges in action.

Posted by: Ogre at 06:59 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 265 words, total size 2 kb.

This is just one of the many reasons why I would like to move to New Hampshire.

Just one paragraph:

We are free to not wear a seatbelt, or to not wear a motorcycle helmet. Most of us do these things anyway, given that it is good common sense, but we recognize that legislating common sense is a dangerous slippery slope we don't want to approach. We are happy to make our own decisions as adults, and to let our neighbors make theirs, knowing that each of us must live with the consequences of our decisions.

(Hat tip to And Rightly So, already a New Hampshire resident.)

Posted by: Ogre at 03:05 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 115 words, total size 1 kb.

Most people know that the left is really off their rocker. Most people realize that the majority of the left in this world blame President Bush for everything. Heck, Pirate's Cove even had a competition to see if someone could come up with something that he couldn't blame Bush for -- all in jest.

Now we have Robert F. Kennedy Jr. blaming Bush and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour DIRECTLY for the current massive devastation of hurricane Katrina. They're serious! They really, honestly think that this is Bush's fault!

Heck, the article STARTS with:

As Hurricane Katrina dismantles MississippiÂ’s Gulf Coast, itÂ’s worth recalling the central role that Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour played in derailing the Kyoto Protocol

Folks, the left has left this country. They seriously would not know reality if it hit them in the face with a 2x4.

Read more on the moronic politization of the act of nature at Reflections of a Libertarian Republican.

Posted by: Ogre at 12:27 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 199 words, total size 1 kb.

I am very seriously considering withdrawing all my support, financial and otherwise, for victims of the hurricane. When I work my butt off to earn money and do everything I can to try and help someone, and their response is:

"What took you so long? I'm extremely happy, but I cannot let it be at that. They did not take the lead to do this. They had to be pushed to do it."

"They should have been here days ago"

These people are complete and total a-holes. I'm sorry about the language, as I try and keep it clean here, but these people are horrible scum. If I were there and I held out water to someone who hadn't had a drink in 3 days and they said, "about time," I'd yank that damn water back and pour it on the ground.

This is what the "entitlement mentality" breeds. Sorry excuses for humans not just waiting for assistance, but demanding it. Hey scum of the earth in New Orleans: I OWE YOU NOTHING. NOTHING, DAMMIT.

I had been wondering for days why reports kept coming in about people in places "waiting for help." It confused me because if it were me, I wouldn't sit there waiting. I don't care if I had nothing, sitting still waiting wouldn't get me anything. I'd leave, if nothing else, and go find a public water fountain in Florida.

But no, these people sat and waited, because they had become so dependent on government that they were demanding someone come take care of them. ASSHOLES. One woman had the nerve to complain that her FREE meal wasn't heated!

I very seriously am considering changing all my plans for helping these ^^@#$$! people.

Linked to the trackback party at Stop the ACLU.

Posted by: Ogre at 08:07 AM | Comments (15) | Add Comment
Post contains 306 words, total size 2 kb.

My first reaction to this sign was, "Gee, those law makers in Colorado sure have a lot of time on their hands to be passing such laws."

My next reaction was, "Wait, there's llama PROFESSIONALS?"

What is that supposed to mean? Are there llama amateurs, too? Do you have to work for awhile as an amateur before you can become a professional? How much do llama professionals get paid? Is there an apprenticeship system? I wonder if my local voc-tech college has a free (taxpayer funded) program for retraining as a llama professional? I wonder what those classes are like...

Posted by: Ogre at 03:37 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 104 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Well Ogre your a llama professional as far as I am concerned!!

Posted by: David Holtz at September 02, 2005 09:37 PM (Hx+gi)

2 Yay! Where do I pick up my paycheck?

Posted by: Ogre at September 03, 2005 02:57 PM (L0IGK)

3 Me, I'm just wondering about the incident that spurred the writing of that law...

Posted by: Harvey at September 03, 2005 03:53 PM (ubhj8)

4 Hey, "llama activities" can be very, very dangerous -- they've got huge, pointy teeth!

Posted by: Ogre at September 03, 2005 05:02 PM (L0IGK)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

Yay! 3-Day Holiday Weekend coming up! With BASEBALL!

A llama for Friday:

Posted by: Ogre at 02:01 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 16 words, total size 1 kb.

Well there's just been too much seriousness going on. Time to lighten things up a little. If you can't laugh, what's the point in living?

I am: an Ibico® KomboTM lever-operated punch for making a row of rectangular holes in a stack of paper and fitting a plastic "comb" binding into them If you haven't seen one in use, you'd probably have no idea what it is.

Know what's scary? We actually have TWO of these where I work.

Hat tip to News from the Great Beyond.

Posted by: Ogre at 12:36 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 97 words, total size 1 kb.

1 It's scarier that is your personality.

Posted by: Jay at September 02, 2005 01:37 PM (2FcUc)

2 I'm a: A pair of AA batteries for a Walkman® When someone doesn't have an office door they can close, headphones are the next best thing.

Posted by: Oddybobo at September 02, 2005 02:01 PM (6Gm0j)

3 Get this... I end up a tin of Altoid mints, which by the way, I did not know was an Office Supply. This is what it said, "There are times when a good breath freshener can really improve the interpersonal atmosphere in an office. (Of course, these special mints might have been purchased to give an exquisite extra tingle to quickie oral sex in the supply closet.)" Ack! Did this come about because I felt forced to put I'm a colorful person based on something somebody said to me at work? Blog fodder. I see blog fodder.

Posted by: Bou at September 02, 2005 02:34 PM (5JHEt)

4 Jay, do I detect a bit of jealousy? Oddy -- you're not the headphones, you're just the batteries! And Bou...well...is that sexually frustrated?

Posted by: Ogre at September 02, 2005 04:53 PM (L0IGK)

5 I am: heavyweight (44 lb) cream white laser printable paper stock, for covers on lengthy documentsHaving the title page hanging right out in the open, when it's more than five pages, just doesn't show the right degree of class. Which office supply are you?

Posted by: Flannel Avenger at September 02, 2005 06:39 PM (Thh2u)

6 You're a piece of paper. And how does that make you FEEL? ROFL.

Posted by: Ogre at September 03, 2005 02:47 PM (L0IGK)

Hide Comments | Add Comment

By now, even those who live under rocks are aware that gas prices have jumped massively. In North Carolina they jumped over 40 cents in less than 24 hours. The prices here are well over $3 now, and may reach $4 before the weekend is over. There are problems with supply and many gas stations are running out of fuel.

If you want to understand how economics work without just screaming that this is Bush's fault, or SUV-driver's fault, read this post by Perry Eidelbus. He does an excellent job explaining what's going on and how the prices fluctuate -- including pointing out that politicians CANNOT help lower the prices without destroying people or companies.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:03 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 123 words, total size 1 kb.