Random Yankees Thoughts

Thomas Sowell has a bunch of Random Yankees thoughts up. I like the Yankees. They've got a great history. And no, I don't just like them because they're winning, I've been a Yankees fan since back in the 1980s. A couple samples:

During Alex Rodriguez's great season this year, he became the first player in a quarter of a century to have more than 150 runs batted in. But Lou Gehrig had more than 150 RBIs in 7 of his 14 full seasons. That's the record. Even Babe Ruth had only 6.

Gehrig was probably the greatest clutch hitter of all time. Even though more than 20 players hit more home runs during their careers, Gehrig still holds the lifetime record for the most home runs with the bases loaded.

Go read the rest, it's neat.

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Jason Bourne vs. Johnny English

Sorry, this is NOT a post to discuss which James Bond is the coolest, or whether Chuck Norris could beat Jack Bauer (he could). Instead, just a quick note on a couple spy movies.

I don't see many movies. In fact, it is a rare year when I watch more than two in the entire year. It's just not that common. And it's not because I'm trying to make a political statement against Hollywood or actors (they would NOT get it). I just don't see many movies. But in the past week I saw two spy movies: The Bourne Ultimatum and Johnny English. If you're looking for a good spy movie, I'd suggest Johnny English.

Yes, I realize Bourne is making millions. And I know the actors there are using that cash to crush freedom -- and I'd be willing to bet that the irony of using capitalism and freedom to destroy freedom never dawns on those doing it.

Besides all those points, I'd suggest Johnny English simply because of the story. In the Bourne Ultimatum, pure evil is one thing, and one thing only: America. Not only is America completely and totally evil; not only is America the protagonist; but this movie is so twisted that even the HERO turns out to be utterly and totally evil America. That was very disappointing.

It was especially disappointing considering the movie had absolutely nothing to do with the book. The book was much, much better -- evil was an evil person and NOT America. In Johnny English, the protagonist is a silly Frenchman megalomaniac. I'd much rather watch a movie with an individual who is evil than a movie that completely and totally paints anyone and anything associated with America as evil. But apparently I'm rather alone in my opinion. That's sad.

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Ride Amtrak?

So, isn't the train wonderful? It's so relaxing and scenic, right? I like riding the train. Did you know that Amtrak, the wonder of the train world, only survives because your tax dollars pay for it? It's a business that simply DOES NOT WORK in today's economy. But that doesn't stop government Government honestly doesn't care about supply and demand, instead, they will FORCE you to pay for Amtrak.

So at least it's good, right? Well, you might want to ask Kender about his experience with their customer service and the attitude of the permanently employed government people working for Amtrak:

[W]hen I say Amtrak Sucks I mean that Amtrak sucks in the worst way it is possible for anything to suck:
...
They are the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked a sucked.

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Bary Bonds & Home Runs

I know it's still difficult to actually HIT a baseball, much less hit home runs, but I still can't argue with this very clear image:

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Identifying Olympic Runner

I'm looking for some help from you, the good reader! There's an Olympic runner and I simply cannot remember his name. I can remember the story, but his name absolutely eludes me at the moment. Various Yahoo and Google searches haven't helped, so I'm hoping someone who reads this might be able to remember this fellow's name.

He was an Olympic runner. I think he was from England. He was running in a qualifying heat in a recent Olympics. It was a sprint, not long-distance. Partway through the race, he pulled up with a bad leg injury. After stopping, he wanted to finish the race. He was clearly in great pain, but he limped along, wanting to finish running the race. Eventually, the pain was too great, but he continued to move forward. Finally, someone stepped out of the crowd and helped him to the finish line. But for the life of me, I cannot remember his name. Does anyone know who I'm talking about?

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Napster Customer Support

In the past, I've had Napster service. No, I didn't participate with anything illegal, I joined when they were legal and have used their services without doing ANY copyright infringments. However, I HATE month recurring bills. I would rather pay a lump-sum up front than have recurring billing to any credit card. Napster has been good about allowing me to pay for a year in advance. I often let my year laspe and then re-sign up under whatever promotion might be in play at that moment. I recently tried to do that again, however while Napster is quick to take my money, they are also quick to have crap for service.

On June 1 of this year, I signed up for Napster service. I did not want to have a recurring bill, so I emailed their sales team to ask how I could sign up and pay all at once. They very quickly replied and told me how to do that. I then signed up for 1 year of service with a free music player.

Before the end of the day, my credit card was charged $189.00

I patiently waited for my package to arrive. I checked the online status of my order and it said, "processing." I checked the next week. It said that orders normally take 7-10 days and this one was processing. I checked the next week. It said "processing." After 14 days, I sent an email to their store's customer support team, asking why I hadn't received my order. I reminded them that I was billed with hours, but it had now been 14 days and the order was still "processing." I received a reply immediately:

It is possible to check the status of your order by returning to our store and logging into your account.

Once logged in, click the 'Continue' button to select a list of your orders. By clicking on an order, you can review a detailed list of each item ordered, its status and track your order (if a tracking number is applicable).

Please note that "Open" does not indicate that your order has not processed. Please allow 3-5 business days from your order date for the status of your order to update. "Open" indicates that your order is processing. Please also note that orders containing more than one item may be shipped from different warehouses and, therefore, arrive at different times. Thank you again for shopping with us.

Sincerely,
Shop Napster Customer Assistance Center

***This message has been auto-generated. No additional action will be taken. To avoid receiving another auto-response, please reply to this email and we will route your email to the best customer service consultant to assist you.***

Note the last section -- asking me to reply if I want additional action. Of course, I replied, explaining that it had now been 14 days since my order. Napster's response from "the best customer service consultant:"

That's right, absolutely nothing. So I waited. I checked the status of my order. It said, "processing." A week later, June 20th, I attempted to contact them again. Once again I got the same auto-response email, asking me to reply if I wanted more assistance. Once again I replied (this is now my fourth attempt to contact them). And yet again, the same response from Napster Customer Support: Absolutely nothing.

Later in the day on the 20th, I tried contacting Napster support (instead of the Napster store support). The form automatically sent me to the store. Finally, I tried contacting Napster support (not the store) and explained my entire situation, including my order number and all the details about my order. I knew this would go to "Napster" and not the store, but the store wouldn't respond, so I thought I'd try something. Two days later I got a response (from Mike R):

What was it that you purchased?

Sigh. Well, at least I got a response, 21 days after my credit card had been charged. I yet AGAIN explained what I had purchased, when I had bought it, and the order number. Two days later, I got another response (this time from David G.):

Unfortunately I was unable to locate your order on June 1st. Please contact our free Customer Support line at 1-800-839-4210. Live Customer Support is offered Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Holy crap. Once again, they had NO problem charging me within hours, but now they don't seem to be able to find my order. *I* can still find it -- it's online and shows up as I write this as, yes, you guessed it, "processing." You may want to think twice about using the Napster Store. They're really incompetent. I did call the number once. After spending the first few minutes listening to their message about their FAQs and how to check my account status online, I was on hold for about 15 minutes. I had to go, so couldn't wait any longer.

Today, 40 days after my credit card was charged, I still have nothing. I think that today I shall send 5 emails to Napster, asking for help. Tomorrow I'll send 10. Maybe if I send 50 emails in one day, they'll actually respond to me -- but I'm not holding my breath.

Again, beware of the Napster Store. Their customer service simply does not respond.

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Immigration Attitudes Survey

Increasingly, Americans are turning to the web for news about politics. This is a survey about online news coverage of the immigration issue. We are interested in your thoughts on this important political controversy. If you decide to participate in our survey, you will start off by answering a few questions about yourself and your political attitudes. Then you will watch a short news clip of an immigration story. After the clip, we will ask you some questions about your position on immigration policy. In total, the survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. The survey is completely anonymous and you can skip any questions you do not wish to answer.

Click here to take the survey:

http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/stu/crweber/TAKESURVEY/videohuddy.htm

Please feel free to contact Chris Weber (crweber@notes.cc.sunysb.edu) or Mary-Kate Lizotte (mklizotte@yahoo.com) at Stony Brook University with any questions or concerns. Thanks for your help!

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Mt Ararat

I imagine most people have heard of Mt. Ararat. It sounds like a neat place to visit. It's supposed to look especially imposing because the mountain rises up to it's massive height straight out of the plains. Well, now you, too, can see Mt. Ararat -- right now. Live.

It's at the Mt. Ararat web cam. No, really. It's kind of cloudy over there today, but check it out and wait for the weather to clear -- it's pretty neat. Oh, and keep in mind the time difference if you're viewing from the US...

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He is Risen!

1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” 8 And they remembered His words. 9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

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16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

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If you'd like to know more, please do leave a comment or send an email.

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The King on a Cross

32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” 38 And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Jesus Dies on the Cross

44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed His last. 47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” 48 And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. 49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Jesus Buried in JosephÂ’s Tomb

50 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. 55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

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16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

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R.I.P. Brad Delp

I can't say it any better than the Boston home page:

Brad Delp - June 12, 1951 to March 9, 2007

The nicest, kindest, most caring, down to earth rock star the world has ever known.

May you rest in Peace

If you don't know the name Brad Delp, he's the lead singer from the rock band Boston. If you've ever listened to a radio, you've probably heard his voice. I think the most famous of all their recording was either "Long Time" or "More than A Feeling." Classic 70s rock at it's best.

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Cool Clock

Thanks to Big Dog -- he points out this really cool clock. That's just neat. I wonder if I can find a way to get it on my desktop...yup, there it goes. That's just pretty cool. Active Desktop works sometimes. But go check out that clock, it's neat.

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Television and Physics

Just a quick note to people who might need to know such things. Something that I learned today by experience that, well, just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I found that spending an afternoon watching The World's Strongest Man competitions, including monster Mariusz Pudzianowski, does NOT make you able to lift more weight yourself at the gym. So don't bother trying, you'll just look like a fool.

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How Things Change

Raven send this one along to me in email. How amazingly true this is -- and how wrong society is today:

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Scenario: Jack pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack.

1956 - Vice Principal comes over, takes a look at Jack's rifle, goes to his car and gets his to show Jack.

2006 - School goes into lockdown, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.

Ogre says: Morons. Did anyone else notice that as there were less guns in schools, there was MORE crime and MORE shootings? It's true, whether you want to admit it or not. Guns are NOT evil.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.

1956 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best friends. Nobody goes to jail, nobody arrested, nobody expelled.

2006 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it.

Ogre says: Good thing we've got huge, bloated, enormous government to be able to do such things, isn't it? The reason they didn't get arrested in the past is because we didn't have the resources and we knew that there was no damn reason to jail a couple of kids.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students.

1956 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by Principal. Sits still in class.

2006 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.

Ogre says: So true. Today's government education system is about money, NOT about education. There's no way any school will throw a student out of class for ANY reason because they'd lose money. Heck, Charlotte schools have registered sex offenders in school -- and they get paid by the federal government to keep them there.

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Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his father's car and his Dad gives him a whipping.

1956 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2006 - Billy's Dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. Billy's sister is told by state psychologist that she remembers being abused herself and their Dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has affair with psychologist.

Ogre says: Note the result in the first case: Billy grows up normal. Spankings do not destroy a child, no matter what Dr. Spock or other liberal whiny-pants people say. Social services is the most worthless and destructive government agency in existence, second even to the scum that is the IRS.

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Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some headache medicine to school.

1956 - Mark shares headache medicine with Principal out on the smoking dock.

2006 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.

Ogre says: Yup. That's true. Take an aspirin to school and lose all your rights and go to jail. Can anyone give any possible reason why? Oh, right, because liberals run the schools and they're stupid morons. I guess that's a reason.

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Scenario: Mary turns up pregnant.

1956 - 5 High School Boys leave town. Mary does her senior year at a special school for expectant mothers.

2006 - Middle School Counselor calls Planned Parenthood, who notifies the ACLU. Mary is driven to the next state over and gets an abortion without her parent's consent or knowledge. Mary given condoms and told to be more careful next time.

Ogre says: Either that or Mary gets special treatment for all her classes, extra federal funds, extra time, free excuses for anything and then expects special treatments and free money, housing, and food from the state for life.

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Scenario: Pedro fails high school English.

1956: Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.

2006: Pedro's cause is taken up by state democratic party. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he can't speak English.

Ogre says: And if there were justice, if Pedro were an illegal alien, he'd be deported or jailed. And in the 50s, Pedro would learn English and assimilate. But today he will expect everyone else to speak his language, whatever that happens to be, and the government will punish anyone who does not.

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Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.

1956 - Ants die.

2006 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Ogre says: Hey look, it's that big, nanny-state government again. You know, if government were shrunk by, oh, 90%, they wouldn't have enough money to investigate Johnny and his firecrackers. And yes, that would be a good thing.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary, hugs him to comfort him.

1956 - In a short time Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

2006 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison.

Ogre says: Wrong ending. Because she is female, she can have sex with Johnny and not be punished. But if she doesn't, she will be charged with assault, the school district will be sued, and the taxpayers will have to pay millions to Johnny's lawsuit-happy mom.

And you know what? Every single one of these examples illustrates a total loss of freedom in America. Every one. Oh, how I yearn for freedom.

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Saturday Afternoon

So this year Christmas falls on a Monday. That was quite obvious if, like me, you worked on Friday and had to drive home. 33 miles in 3 hours is not the longest time I've ever taken, but it was getting close.

For those who consider Christmas a holy day, it will make Sunday rather interesting. There was much discussion last year about "having church" on Sunday/Christmas. Well, that 7-year discussion is over, now how about this year?

From what I'm seeing, you can get to church in the morning, like usual, and most churches are having their traditional Christmas eve services just a few hours later! So if you've not a church goer, you've got a whole TON of times that you can head out to church on Sunday -- whatever time fits in your schedule.

And if you've never been and you're anywhere near Mooresville, NC, just drop me a line -- we'd love to have you join us at our church -- at any of the services.

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Ogre's Driving Tips

Well folks, if you're here checking out the latest from Ogre before you head out of the holiday weekend, thanks for stopping by! And if you're just wandering around because you're NOT heading out, thanks, too. But before you get behind the wheel (whether you're driving far away or not) two quick driving tips for this well-traveled weekend for you:

1. If the weather is so bad that you can only go 40-45 mph, by all means, please do so. Do not go a speed at which you are not comfortable with your vehicle. However, please don't do this on the interstate where the speed limit is 65 and everyone is going 70. It's you that's going to cause the accident, that's just not safe.

2. If you're NOT driving anywhere this weekend, this tip is for you: Keep in mind that even though you're not going anywhere, EVERYONE else is! So when you head down to the corner store for the milk that you forgot, keep in mind that 1 out of every 3 cars you see is someone who really doesn't know where they are. They don't know about that turning lane. They're too confused to put their turn signal on. So, especially local drivers, take a little extra patience out there with you -- everyone else really IS lost!

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Sprint/Nextel Wireless Service

I strongly suggest that if you are looking for a new wireless service provider, you avoid Sprint/Nextel. Why? Well, I'll tell you the experience I have had with them over the past few weeks and you can decide for yourself if you'd like to deal with this organization.
more...

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Monday Night Football

So, did anyone watch the Monday Night game last night? I only caught part of it (it stays on way past my bedtime), but what I saw was absolutely awful. No, not the football players, the announcers.

My impression was that I was listening to a radio talk show and there happened to be a football game going on. I watched about 45 minutes to an hour of the game and not one time did the announcers say the down and distance -- not one time. They were too busy talking to one another, telling jokes, picking out whether Aquaman could beat Superman, and other such crap.

They missed penalty call announcements on the field because they were answering emails from viewers. They missed injured players because they were talking about the history of some other players that weren't even on the field.

That was really, really awful. Maybe the second half they actually announced the game.

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Before You Go

Wow. All I can say is, "Wow." Really. If you've never seen the video or heard the song "Before You Go" by Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Blues Band, please go watch it now. Seriously. It won't take but just a few moments. You need to see this video. Now I've got to go get the dust or something out of my eye.

(Found at This, That, and Frog Hair2).

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Atlanta Braves: A Review

Yesterday, Sunday, I traveled from Charlotte to Atlanta to watch an Atlanta Braves game. The drive was about 4-1/2 hours each way. In case you're thinking of going to a Braves game, here is my review and opinion of everything involved.

The Game: 9/10. The Braves played the Marlins. It was a really interesting, close game. The players did a great job (for the most part), including the Braves' left fielder diving over a wall into the crowd to catch a fly ball. The only reason it wasn't a 10 was the horrible play of the Marlins in the 10th inning. After 9 innings, it was tied 3-3. The Marlins scored 4 in the top of the 10th, but then committed 4 errors (not all were scored as errors, but they were errors all the same) in the bottom of the 10th to allow the Braves to score 5. Other than that inning, it was a great game.

more...

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