January 31, 2006

I Want to Join the Bad Example Clan Because

My Mom always used to say to me, "If everyone else were jumping off a bridge, would you do it, too?" For many years, my answer was the same hang-dog expression, slouching of the shoulders, and shuffling away, mumbling, "No."

Then on day I got smart. After I started answering, "Well gee, if they're all jumping, they must be having fun, so I think I'd need to try it. Mom, you always tell me to try new things, right?" -- she stopped asking me that question.

So, when faced with the opportunity to join the Bad Example Clan, I figured since everyone else is doing it, it must be some kind of fun!

But first, let me tell you about how I found the Bad Example Family. Once upon a time, in a land far away...

oh wait, that's not it...
more...

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Picky Eater Contest

It seems a challenge has been issued. Sissy, of And What's Next, has laid claim to the title of "Pickiest Eater in the Blogosphere."

BUT, she only laid the claim in response to Echo Zoe's claim when speaking of my wonderful Spam lunch, where he claimed

No Sissy, I am the world's pickiest eater. As far as arguments about it go, I am undefeated. My wife is super picky, but she caved in and conceded defeat in minutes when we first met and discussed it.

Sissy has posted her list of foods she won't eat. Echo? Is there enough room in the internet to post your list? Does anyone else dare attempt to post a longer list of things they won't eat?

I'll go ahead and post mine:

Brussel Sprouts.
Baloot.
Mushrooms.

I think that's about it.

Posted by: Ogre at 05:09 PM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
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New Advertisers

I'd like to introduce a couple of the advertisers here on this site. However, I might need to check with a lawyer or the FEC or something.

Over on the left sidebar, you'll see an ad for Nathan Tabor for NC Senate. He is running for election to the North Carolina Senate in district 31. Go check his site and read what his ideas are to help North Carolina.

Now, I'm pretty safe on that one, as the laws permitting free speech in NC don't prohibit using the internet for free speech. However, I have no idea what the current federal laws are. And, over on the right side, you should see a nice large yellow ad supporting Kissell for Congress.

Let's see...since his ad is appearing here on my site, do I have to report an "in-kind" contribution to his campaign? But his campaign paid someone else to place that ad on my site, and presumably, I will get a portion of that advertising revenue. Does that revenue to me that was paid by his campaign need to be reported as a campaign contribution from him to the ad company to me to him?

But don't newspapers get to run paid political ads without reporting them? Or does the initial expenditure to purchase the ad count as the reporting? But can a blog be considered anything related to a newspaper? Gee, both are supplying information to those who want it.

Oh, but wait, what if I say something more specific, like "Vote Kissell." Now do I have to report something? Do I have to report that I said it, or is there a cash value associated with it? Does it matter how many times I say it? Should I start reporting a 0.1-cent contribution each time I type "Vote Kissell?" Or should I report it every time someone READS what I typed?

And then, what if I type something bad, like "Don't vote Kissell." Now what? Does it cancel out the contribution from before? Should I keep track of how many times I type "vote" and "don't vote?" Or should the contributions be based on how many people actually READ those lines?

If the FEC decides they want to regulate freedom of speech over the internet, I might just have to print and mail them a report of each time I think someone has read those lines. I think I'll need a bulk mail permit.

OR, should I just have freedom of speech, especially political speech, to say whatever the heck I want to on this blog? I think we all know what the answer should be.

But anyway, please do visit both of those campaigns who have decided to advertise here on this little blog. Thank you both!

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Interview with a Deaniac

It seems this past weekend that Howie Dean was a guest on Fox News Sunday. And during the interview, he was referred to as Lord Governor Dean.

For those who tried to watch the interview, or just fell asleep during it; or were at church, or cannot stand wading through it to get to the good parts, we have once again assembled the crackstaff here to interpret and convert what was said into actual English, with attempts at finding the true meanings -- reading between the lines.
more...

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Corruption in NC Legislature

The North Carolina General Assembly is corrupt. I know many don't want to admit it, but it truly is. Democrats have run this state using the "good old boy network" for the better part of a century. Republicans have NEVER controlled the state. Keep that in mind.

This year a new law went into effect the REQUIRED all government school students to have a complete eye exam. No, there's no reason for it -- no one benefits because the students could attend no matter how they scored on the test, and the school would do nothing different for students who did poorly. And don't worry, if you couldn't afford it, the legislature would pay for it ($2 million new spending).

Oh wait, someone would benefit -- the doctors who performed the exam! Suddenly large numbers of preschool children would be getting eye exams. And do you know the profession of the Democrat Party leader of the NC House who personally added that requirement last year (to a spending bill)? He's an optometrist.

Go ahead, try and convince me that's not corruption.

But that's not even all. Now that the state is in the gambling business, the local "Native American Tribe" wants in -- the Cherokee tribe wants to put in Vegas-style games on their "reservation." Will they? Well, it depends on how much money they donate to the politicians -- just you watch.

Posted by: Ogre at 10:01 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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January 30, 2006

Hot Blog Sauce

Do you like Hot Sauce? I love it. Now I don't like the hot sauce that burns your taste buds off your tongue. But I do like things hot. For example, I like crushed red pepper on the pizza, and I like Tabasco on my BBQ.

There's two big blogs that blog about hot sauce (that I know of): The Hot Zone Online, and Hot Sauce Blog.

Well, it wasn't enough to just blog about it, Nick introduced a brand new hot sauce for bloggers. No really, the name of the hot sauce is "Hot Blog Sauce!" And all proceeds from it's sale go to the American Cancer Society.

I already ordered mine -- I'll post a review after I try it!

Posted by: Ogre at 08:06 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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A couple short videos

Some lighter fare for the Monday that won't end. And why haven't we done away with Mondays yet?

Breaking news report from Iraq. Yes, it's safe for work, and not remotely political. It's just damn funny. Hat tip to Kender.

And, in case you missed it the first time this ad made the rounds, a great commercial for Beer. If you wonder if you've seen it, well, just watch it again, it's really good. Completely safe for work. Hat tip to Smokey.

Posted by: Ogre at 06:04 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
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Tar Heel Tavern

This week's Tarheel Tavern is posted at BlueNC. Head on over and have a read.

The Tarheel Tavern is a weekly blog carnival of posts from and about North Carolina bloggers. And this week (February 4th), yours truly is the host! So if you're blogging in North Carolina, or even ABOUT North Carolina, feel free to participate! Just send your posts on to me (hit the email link over to the left).

Posted by: Ogre at 04:05 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Guard Our Borders, Dammit.

January 30, 2006 Guard the Borders Blogburst

By Heidi

This first month of 2006 has seen a spate of unprecedented media attention to on-going border breaches such as drug smuggling tunnels and Mexican Army incursions. Deceitful Mexican government officials have disavowed any knowledge of such breaches, instead presenting laughable theories of "American soldiers disguised as Mexicans". Even our own Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, has covered for the Mexicans by dismissing border incursion as mere navigational "mistakes". (He's failed to comment on the gunfire from said "lost" Mexican soldiers.)

No one is fooled. Our border agents continue to risk their lives confronting heavily armed Mexican soldiers and smuggling gangs, while our own American citizens living on the border continue to petition our government for security - to no avail. Two American states, Arizona and New Mexico, have declared a state of emergency in their states, as the financial and societal obligation of caring for illegal immigrants crushes their economy and resources.
more...

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Yet Another Government Problem

In May, the North Carolina State House will form a committee to solve a problem. Let's hope all they do is form the committee, because anything else will be bad, absolutely guaranteed.

Rep. Walter Church says

We want to see what can be done to help save people's homes

So what's the problem? "Too many" foreclosures. How many is too many? Don't worry, the government will tell you, since they know best. And what's the solution? Well, they're considering revoking the licenses of some of the 14,000 licensed loan sellers in NC.

So, where'd the problem come from? The government. It's the government, through loan guarantee programs, that encourages people who cannot afford houses to buy them. This is borne out by the fact that over 80% of the foreclosures were on loans of $150,000 or less.

But don't worry, even though it's a problem that individuals borrow more money than they can afford to pay, and the banks don't care because the government (taxpayers) will give them their loan money back upon default, instead of government STOPPING the activity that leads to the problem, government will attempt to "solve" the problem.

Being it's NC Democrats that are involved, look for the solution to be more spending. It's always their answer.

Posted by: Ogre at 10:09 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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January 29, 2006

Episcopal Political Position

In case you're interested in your organized religion's position on political issues -- the Episcopal Diocese of central NC has gone on record as wanting to ban the death penalty.

This is not a post about the death penalty -- I think that it's good to know that if you're participating in organized religion, you should know what they're doing with your weekly offering plate donations.

Posted by: Ogre at 11:48 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Blogging Competition

If you need another contest for your blog, feel to join in:

Announcing:
The Best So Far, Blog Awards, January 2006
(Note: All correspondence via email to BestSoFar@RightThinking.net )

Super Short Timetable
1. Nominations via email being accepted through Wed, February 1st.
2. Voting via email will take place February 1st through February 5th.
3. Winners announced (and all links posted) Sunday, February 5th.

Only 5 Categories
1. January's Best Pet Blogs
2. January's Best Political Blogs
3. January's Best LinkFest Blogs
4. January's Best Religious Blogs
5. January's Best Humor Blogs

3 Simple Rules
1. Send an email to BestSoFar@RightThinking.net with up to 5 nominations in each category (you may nominate yourself or others in more than one applicable category).
2. Post this announcement and/or link to this entry ( permalink ) on your blog and spread the word quickly (remember, nominations close Wed, Feb 1st).
3. Finalists will be notified on Wed, Feb 1st and listed here. You can then solicit votes at your own blog and have fans vote for their favorite blog in each category via email at BestSoFar@RightThinking.net by Sun, Feb 5th.

Additional Thoughts
1. All nominations will receive link recognition.
2. Winners will get special recognition (I just haven't thought of it yet).
3. Probably mid-stream adjustments. Comments and suggestions welcome.

Here's to the Best So Far!
From Bloggin' Outloud

Posted by: Ogre at 10:38 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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January 28, 2006

mmMMMmm...Lunch

How did something so good get associated with something so annoying?

spamlunch.jpg

Time for lunch!

Posted by: Ogre at 06:11 PM | Comments (22) | Add Comment
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More Waste of Tax Dollars

If you like your roads full of potholes, elect Democrats to the North Carolina Legislature. It really is as simple as that.

Every year since 1989, the Democrats in the North Carolina legislature have broken the law -- but there's no one to hold them accountable except the people who vote for them. Every year, for 17 years now, the Democrats vote to take tax money and use it in ways that it was not supposed to be used.

The state law says that tax money is to be used only for the purpose that it was created. In this example, the massively heavy (6th-highest in the nation) gas tax is supposed to be used for road construction. It is not.

First, the Democrats vote every year to take about $316 million from the gas taxes and move it to other places -- like personal checking accounts, kickbacks, and legislative salaries. Over time, this is now over three BILLION dollars that was raised to build roads, but has not been used on roads. That's $3,000,000,000.00 in roads we paid for, but didn't get, thanks to Democrats.

Then the Democrats take some of the leftover money that was raised to build roads and spend it on buses, train tracks, train stations, and other forms of "mass transit." Again, money that we paid for roads that is not being used for roads.

That's why they needed to raise the tax yet again this year -- they're running out of money for their personal projects, NOT because they need money for roads. Folks, the Democrats have run the North Carolina Senate for decades. The Republicans have NEVER been in power in the North Carolina Senate.

If you like your roads crappy and full of holes, keep electing those Democrats -- they're getting really good at not giving you what you paid for.

Posted by: Ogre at 01:05 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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January 27, 2006

I am the Champion!

Yay, me!

During the Football season this year, I was invited by another blogger to play in a Yahoo Pick 'em league. In this league, you just pick who you think will win each football game each week. You get one point for each correct answer. After being not in the lead the entire season, in the last two week, Ogre, who has never won anything like this before, took the lead and won!

Contagion, the host, score a 167, good enough for 3rd place. That 1 Guy, with 168, was in it until the end. But the big winner (me) got 172 points (out of 256). Yay, me!

Also, apparently mentioned during signups, was the prize. I didn't really pay attention to the prize offering, because I didn't really expect to win at all. Imagine my surprise earlier this week when the package addressed to "Ogre" arrived in my mailbox! And here is what I found:

dolphins.jpg

A helmet magnet of my favorite team! Hooray (and THANKS, Contagion!).

Now I just have to decide where to put it. I could put it with my other magnets on the garage door:

dolphins.jpg

Or I could put it on my car:

carhelmet.jpg

Decisions, decisions...

Posted by: Ogre at 07:10 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Look, a Llama!

smokey-barney.jpg

So...how long after this picture was taken do you suppose it was before the cat gave the llama a new nostril?

Posted by: Ogre at 06:06 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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Riviera Beach, FL, -- The Battle Continues

The battle continues in Riviera Beach, FL. In case you've been living under a rock, I'll remind you of the details of the situation -- government is trying to use eminent domain to take the privately-owned land of citizens and give it to other citizens, against their will. This latest article brings to light the mindset of the people trying to take this land by force:

Mayor Michael Brown says, "I am using the tools available to me to try to get more jobs and build our tax base, I am trying to take our most valuable property and leverage it to benefit the entire city.''

By what right? Only a true socialist believes that the purpose of government is to "build our tax base." That's wrong -- completely and totally, even if it is the prevailing thought in government today.

What if I don't WANT his money? What if I don't WANT him to increase my tax base? That's the case in Riviera Beach -- they don't WANT him to take their land -- and it's not his right to, no matter his personal desire to "increase his tax base."

''We need to do something in our city to create economic upward movement,'' said City Council Chairwoman Liz Wade. ``This is about our future.''

WHY?!? Why must you force people into "upward movement?" What if the people DO NOT WANT IT? By what right does this government get to decide what the people want? Know what? Some people actually LIKE being retired on their land with the income they have -- they don't WANT more taxes and higher prices.

But this city council will have none of that. They want cash, and they will use the force of government to get it, no matter what laws or rights stand in their way. It appears the government will succeed. Keep that in mind when you think you have any freedom in this country.

We may be the most free country in the world -- but it's getting to be more and more that it's like saying that you finished in the top ten -- and there were only 8 people in the race.

Posted by: Ogre at 04:03 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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People like evil WalMart

Despite the utter hatred of capitalism's symbol, WalMart, there appear to be quite a few people who like them (other than the socialist legislature in Maryland). Near Chicago, 25,000 people applied for jobs at a WalMart that's just opening up -- and there's only 325 positions.

If the people were in agreement with the left in this country, they wouldn't all be trying to work for WalMart, would they? But I'm sure the anti-capitalists will claim these poor, oppressed people were forced to apply because they didn't have any choice.

I'm no big fan of WalMart, but I'm a fan of freedom and capitalism.

(H/T to Raven).

Posted by: Ogre at 01:04 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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Blonde Joke

A blonde pilot decided she wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter. She went to the airport, but the only one available was a solo-helicopter.

The Instructor figured he could let her go up alone since she was already a pilot for small planes, and he could instruct her via radio.

So up the blonde went. She reached 1,000 feet and everything was going smoothly. She reached 2,000 feet. The blonde and the Instructor kept talking via radio. Everything was going smoothly.

At 3,000 feet the helicopter suddenly came down quickly! It skimmed the top of some trees and crash landed in the woods.

The Instructor jumped into his jeep and rushed out to see if the blonde was okay. As he reached the edge of the woods, the blonde was walking out.

"What happened?" the Instructor asked. "All was going so well until you reached 3,000 feet. What happened then?"

"Well," began the blonde, "I got cold. So I turned off the ceiling fan."

Posted by: Ogre at 12:54 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Charlotte Headlines

This week's headline news in Charlotte, NC, brought to you by the Charlotte City Council:

Charlotte Chamber declares thousands of new businesses open in Charlotte -- showing that Charlotte is a good place to do business.

Myers Park attack may be serial rapist -- police advise women to stay indoors

Monroe police hunt for robber

County Commissioner Parks Helms says top priority will be improving schools

Carjacking suspect sought

Lane closings to build sidewalk

Charlotte restaurant robbed

City to split road for light rail

Apparently I am just about the only one who notices the very disturbing trend there. If you don't see it, I'll give you a hint: Government priorities. If you like the trend, keep putting those Democrats in office.

Posted by: Ogre at 10:07 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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