It's a good rental, especially since not a lot of people saw it in the theatre. Could it have been better? Yes. Unfortunately Michael Bay was involved. If you want a critique of every Michael Bay movie ever made, rent Team America. But not the unrated copy.
Anyway the movie is has a solid premise, but unfortunately the middle of the movie is stupid. If you are told to clean something up, then destroying large swathes of Los Angeles is a bad idea. But what do I expect from the geniuses behind Con Air?
It's really much better than any Michael Bay movie has a right to be. You wont be thinking Oscar at the end, but you won't be kicking yourself for renting it either.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Gun Books
I bought a new one yesterday with the aid of a $25 borders gift card I received from my sister. She should be thrilled that I used her card for that. The book is an illustrated gun guide by David Miller, I'll try to get a title and link up as soon as I can.
The good: Lots of great pictures with some decent historical commentary to go along with them. The illustrations are beautiful. Most of the subject choices are quite good, for instance there are three Glocks pictured which vary by frame size and caliber. They also mention a fair number of early designs like the Austrian Roth-Steyr.
The bad: They omit the CZ-75 from the handguns section. Considering how widely copied this pistol is (the Israeli Jericho/Baby Eagle and the Italian made EAA/Tanfoglio Witness are two examples), it deserves at least a passing mention. It is probably one of the most important handguns developed after WWII. I'm sure there are a few more omissions people could argue about, but this was a prominent one.
They also completely botched the M1 Garand and M1 carbine in the rifle section. Both are mentioned together and they describe the Carbine as a miniature Garand. While they look similar and have similar names, the carbine is completely different from the Garand. They use different cartridges, different operating mechanisms, and are intended for different purposes. It is a grievous error.
The ugly: The firearms are broken down by nation of origin. It makes for a pretty muddled narrative. If they had been broken down by date of introduction and then nation, the book would have flowed much better. At the very least, they need to add an index.
The good: Lots of great pictures with some decent historical commentary to go along with them. The illustrations are beautiful. Most of the subject choices are quite good, for instance there are three Glocks pictured which vary by frame size and caliber. They also mention a fair number of early designs like the Austrian Roth-Steyr.
The bad: They omit the CZ-75 from the handguns section. Considering how widely copied this pistol is (the Israeli Jericho/Baby Eagle and the Italian made EAA/Tanfoglio Witness are two examples), it deserves at least a passing mention. It is probably one of the most important handguns developed after WWII. I'm sure there are a few more omissions people could argue about, but this was a prominent one.
They also completely botched the M1 Garand and M1 carbine in the rifle section. Both are mentioned together and they describe the Carbine as a miniature Garand. While they look similar and have similar names, the carbine is completely different from the Garand. They use different cartridges, different operating mechanisms, and are intended for different purposes. It is a grievous error.
The ugly: The firearms are broken down by nation of origin. It makes for a pretty muddled narrative. If they had been broken down by date of introduction and then nation, the book would have flowed much better. At the very least, they need to add an index.
A Commute of Cool Cars
My morning drive to work can be interesting. Interesting has different connotations of course. Sometimes traffic is horrible, the weather is bad, and it is "interesting" like the old Chinese curse. Other times you just get to see cool stuff. Things are clear and you can see for miles of lush green country. Today was a cool stuff day as there seemed to be an inordinate amount of nice cars on the road, especially for a day where the weather is bad.
I hadn't left my complex when a Pontiac Solstice pulled past me and into the shopping center next door. It was the first time I had actually seen one driven, mostly I just see them on trailers coming from the assembly plant in Wilmington. They are cool cars. Perhaps not practical, but definitely good lookers. He pulled into a shopping center. I hope he isn't buying much with his tiny trunk.
Further down the road a Dodge Charger passed me. They are also good looking cars. Even this one, which only had the V6, seemed to have enough power to move it around comfortably. The V6 probably isn't much faster than my car, but on the other hand I could park my Mazda inside it.
Finally an older Porsche 911 passed me on the highway. Picking up a theme? Yes I don't drive especially fast on local roads or near any of the speedtraps on I95. Anyway, this 911 was from back in the day when mere mortals could afford to buy them. It was a very nice car with a lot of old school pride to it.
I hadn't left my complex when a Pontiac Solstice pulled past me and into the shopping center next door. It was the first time I had actually seen one driven, mostly I just see them on trailers coming from the assembly plant in Wilmington. They are cool cars. Perhaps not practical, but definitely good lookers. He pulled into a shopping center. I hope he isn't buying much with his tiny trunk.
Further down the road a Dodge Charger passed me. They are also good looking cars. Even this one, which only had the V6, seemed to have enough power to move it around comfortably. The V6 probably isn't much faster than my car, but on the other hand I could park my Mazda inside it.
Finally an older Porsche 911 passed me on the highway. Picking up a theme? Yes I don't drive especially fast on local roads or near any of the speedtraps on I95. Anyway, this 911 was from back in the day when mere mortals could afford to buy them. It was a very nice car with a lot of old school pride to it.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
What Kind of Food Are You?
| You Are Chinese Food |
 Exotic yet ordinary. People think they've had enough of you, but they're back for more in an hour. |
Via Reverend Ed.
Narnia, Dude!
Amy and I went to see the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe on Friday. It was ok. While the Dreamworks version had vastly inferior special effects (and a far more annoying Lucy) it was truer to the actual story. Some of new movie's additions and alterations to the story worked well. They emphasized Edmund's betrayl more. Lewis had a tendency to put character vignettes (like the Witch running into the animals Christmas dinner) into his story that were outside the main plotline, the movie tried to merge them back in. It was fairly successful. I even liked the bickering beavers.
I really hate the bashful hero theme though. At no point do the children actually commit to their roles as the future Kings and Queens of Narnia. Even at the last moment they are talking about running back home. I can't imagine them staying and ruling for more than a few months before they got sick of it and popped back through the wardrobe door. In the real story the kids committed to help almost immediately after finding out about Mr. Tumnus and the prophecy. The filmmakers could have made this very powerful by emphasizing the parallelism between England fighting the Nazis and the children fighting the Witch. But they didn't. So what we have is annoying whiney kids for almost the entirety of the movie. Peter never acts like High King, which is good because they never call him High King either. He's just the bossy one.
I also thought there were a few Britishisms that could have been explained away with a few bits of expository dialogue. Most people didn't know who Father Christmas was when he showed up. He doesn't look like Santa Claus. He is a British Father Christmas: thin (in comparison), bearded, and all clad in fur. But if one of the kids said "Father Christmas", everyone would have understood.
All in all it is worth a watch, but it could have been better.
I really hate the bashful hero theme though. At no point do the children actually commit to their roles as the future Kings and Queens of Narnia. Even at the last moment they are talking about running back home. I can't imagine them staying and ruling for more than a few months before they got sick of it and popped back through the wardrobe door. In the real story the kids committed to help almost immediately after finding out about Mr. Tumnus and the prophecy. The filmmakers could have made this very powerful by emphasizing the parallelism between England fighting the Nazis and the children fighting the Witch. But they didn't. So what we have is annoying whiney kids for almost the entirety of the movie. Peter never acts like High King, which is good because they never call him High King either. He's just the bossy one.
I also thought there were a few Britishisms that could have been explained away with a few bits of expository dialogue. Most people didn't know who Father Christmas was when he showed up. He doesn't look like Santa Claus. He is a British Father Christmas: thin (in comparison), bearded, and all clad in fur. But if one of the kids said "Father Christmas", everyone would have understood.
All in all it is worth a watch, but it could have been better.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Foundations of Virtue
Hube is getting philosophical. It is a great post and please go read it. He mentions this quote from Robert Bork:
He goes on with this quote from Robert Heinlein:
We have learned that the founders of liberalism were wrong. Unconstrained human nature will seek degeneracy often enough to create a disorderly, hedonistic, and dangerous society. Modern liberalism and popular culture are creating that society.John Adams would agree. He once wrote:
"The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue"And
"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."Limited government can only work in a moral society. A moral society will regulate itself. Once the morality goes out the window, the government will have to break its limits in order to keep society functioning.
He goes on with this quote from Robert Heinlein:
Man has no moral instinct. He is not born with moral sense. You were not born with it, I was not -- and a puppy has none. We acquire moral sense, when we do, through training, experience, and heard sweat of the mind.I disagree with Heinlein. I would argue that most people are born with a moral sense just like we are born with arms and legs. There are a select few who may have an amoral birth defect, but for most people it is there. However like a child, we have to train it. We have to nurture it. We have to exercise it. If we don't our moral discernment will atrophy away and it may be less than worthless.
UN and Overhead
Wizbang is criticizing the UN for excessive overhead in their Tsunami assistance programs. Almost $600 million has been spent and critics are charging that a third of this has gone to "overhead". I expect a lot of conservative bloggers to jump on the bandwagon soon because, well, it's the UN.
Good charities like to have overheads of less than 10%. Checking some local literature shows that overheads of 20%-25% aren't unusual. Wizbang cites museums as having overhead of only 17%. Maybe so, but this is because museums have large endowments so that contributors rarely see overhead. In terms of their budget, it is probably much higher than 17%.
The "good" charities often take the form of grant writers and volunteer heavy organizations. If your charity takes in money and then redistributes it, then your overhead is low. All you need is a small office and a few people to answer phones, research requesters, and someone to sign the checks. If your charity is staffed mostly by self-financing volunteers, then we have another low overhead situation. However relief organizations don't work either of these two ways.
But the real problem is this: who and what is included in "overhead"?
This UPI article states that the one third number includes "staff, administration and other costs." Another states that "some UN agencies will not disclose staff costs and others account for items such as transport and equipment differently." Now depending on the staff and what they do, this may not be overhead at all. If you are a charity offering medical care, the doctors and medical personnel employed by your charity are staff. Christian organizations like Young Life have trouble with the 10% requirement too, their staff is a major expense and spiritual guidance does not have an associated monetary cost. The Red Cross has traditionally had a hard time meeting the 10% overhead requirement for these reasons.
In the case of Tsunami relief, we have a large number of relief workers entering a ravaged region. Even if they are unpaid volunteers they must still be transported there, clothed, fed, and sheltered all at considerable expense. Then we have the logistics tail of getting any supplies the region (both to distribute and support the volunteers) eating up money as well. Is that overhead? It could be.
My point is that all this talk of "overhead" is not cut and dried. Overhead is a very fuzzy amorphous term. 30% looks bad and probably means there is some fat that could be trimmed, but you have to consider the mission they are undertaking and what "overhead" includes.
Good charities like to have overheads of less than 10%. Checking some local literature shows that overheads of 20%-25% aren't unusual. Wizbang cites museums as having overhead of only 17%. Maybe so, but this is because museums have large endowments so that contributors rarely see overhead. In terms of their budget, it is probably much higher than 17%.
The "good" charities often take the form of grant writers and volunteer heavy organizations. If your charity takes in money and then redistributes it, then your overhead is low. All you need is a small office and a few people to answer phones, research requesters, and someone to sign the checks. If your charity is staffed mostly by self-financing volunteers, then we have another low overhead situation. However relief organizations don't work either of these two ways.
But the real problem is this: who and what is included in "overhead"?
This UPI article states that the one third number includes "staff, administration and other costs." Another states that "some UN agencies will not disclose staff costs and others account for items such as transport and equipment differently." Now depending on the staff and what they do, this may not be overhead at all. If you are a charity offering medical care, the doctors and medical personnel employed by your charity are staff. Christian organizations like Young Life have trouble with the 10% requirement too, their staff is a major expense and spiritual guidance does not have an associated monetary cost. The Red Cross has traditionally had a hard time meeting the 10% overhead requirement for these reasons.
In the case of Tsunami relief, we have a large number of relief workers entering a ravaged region. Even if they are unpaid volunteers they must still be transported there, clothed, fed, and sheltered all at considerable expense. Then we have the logistics tail of getting any supplies the region (both to distribute and support the volunteers) eating up money as well. Is that overhead? It could be.
My point is that all this talk of "overhead" is not cut and dried. Overhead is a very fuzzy amorphous term. 30% looks bad and probably means there is some fat that could be trimmed, but you have to consider the mission they are undertaking and what "overhead" includes.
Security Leaks
Michelle Malkin is discussing classified leaks to the press. She suggests that the Whitehouse:
I think we need strengthen the law in this area, especially with regards to elected officials who drop classified tidbits for political gain. Right now Congressmen have claimed separation of powers privileges with regards to their access to classified information. Senior managers should also be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If the upper echelons aren't held to task, then how can you do so with the lower ranks?
I also think Bush and Co. should start creating some really heinous programs. Awful things that would be completely unconstitutional. Create these programs on paper and only on paper. Make sure you have an ironclad trail that proves this. Then filter them down through the intelligence ranks to find out where the leaks are (hint: start with the CIA). Then prosecute with extreme prejudice.
1. Strengthen collective spine.Ditto. Ditto to this response from one of her readers:
2. Subpoena reporters.
3. Find the leakers.
4. Prosecute the lawbreakers.
My fiancee and I both work in the defense industry and hold security clearances of varying degrees. What strikes us both, and anyone else in our sphere of professional acquaintances, is the seeming double standard in place where the protection of classified information is concerned. While it seems that senior managers (and I use "manager" as a term of derision) and policymakers are cozy enough with the oversight committees and agencies that they feel at liberty to divulge carefully selected pieces of classified information whenever it suits their purpose, I *KNOW* that anyone at my level would be swiftly and thoroughly wrung out following anything but the most benign security violation.I also have a security clearance and the actions of people like Sandy Berger burns me up. The man smuggled classified data from the national archives, then he unlawfully stored it, failed to report what he did, and illegally disposed of it. If I did that I would be in jail. But he is a former Secretary of Defense so he got a slap on the wrist.
I think we need strengthen the law in this area, especially with regards to elected officials who drop classified tidbits for political gain. Right now Congressmen have claimed separation of powers privileges with regards to their access to classified information. Senior managers should also be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If the upper echelons aren't held to task, then how can you do so with the lower ranks?
I also think Bush and Co. should start creating some really heinous programs. Awful things that would be completely unconstitutional. Create these programs on paper and only on paper. Make sure you have an ironclad trail that proves this. Then filter them down through the intelligence ranks to find out where the leaks are (hint: start with the CIA). Then prosecute with extreme prejudice.
Questions for Jeff?
I was reading this post by Joe Carter and thought I might do something similar. Do any you guys out there in bloggyland have questions for me about me? Ask them in the comments and I'll answer them right here. Or email me and you will be kept anonymous.
Do you plan to stay in Delaware? - JohnAmybear and I both like Delaware a lot, so if we had our druthers that is where we would put down roots. But at the moment it depends on where Amy finds work. If she finds work far enough south (like Baltimore), I may end up moving to Maryland so we both have reasonable commutes.
What sort of engineering did you study in school? - JohnI have a Bachelors and a Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering. I specialized in advanced composite materials and numerical modeling. Like most people, I don't exactly do what I went to school for, although some of the computer modeling is still useful.
Do you ever think you'll get your PhD? - MichaelI started my Masters degree with an eye towards extending it into a Ph.D. My graduate advisor even approached me, asking if I would like to stay. But I had had enough of school sometime in the middle of my Master's program. I still loved the research, but the coursework was a chore I grew to hate (and my grades show it). Maybe I'll go back for a Ph.D. some day, but I'm in no hurry. I won't regret it if I don't.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Merry Christmas
And a Happy Holidays too.
I'm going to be tied up with Christmas activities until Monday or Tuesday. My family is exchanging gifts tonight, many of which I still have to wrap. Actual Christmas dinner will be after church services tomorrow.
I'm going to be tied up with Christmas activities until Monday or Tuesday. My family is exchanging gifts tonight, many of which I still have to wrap. Actual Christmas dinner will be after church services tomorrow.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Tragedy of the Commons
Someone has stolen the softsoap from the men's bathroom at work. Now I wouldn't mind if this was a product that the cleaning staff provided, but it isn't. I bought those soap dispensers with my own money, put them in the bathroom I use, and I refill them on my time. Ah well, what did I expect? For shame soap thief whomever you are.
A Very Army Christmas
Christmas Operations Order
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 12:20:01 - 0800 (PST)
From: OIC, Director of Christmas Operations
Subject: Ops order for Dec. 25 Christmas Operations Order: 12-24-05
Subject: Christmas
1. An official visit by Lt Gen Santa (NMI) Claus is expected at this headquarters 25 December 2005. The following instructions will be in effect and govern the activities of all personnel during the visit.
a. Not a creature will stir without official permission. This will include indigenous mice. Special stirring permits for necessary administrative actions will be obtained through normal channels. Mice stirring permits will be obtained through the Office of the Surgeon General, Veterinary Services.
b. Personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap prior to 2200 hours, 24 December 2005. Uniform for the nap will be: Pajamas, cotton, light, drowsing, with kerchief, general purpose, camouflage; and Cap, camouflage w/ear flaps. Equipment will be drawn from CIF prior to 1900 hours, 24 December 2005.
c. Personnel will utilize standard field ration sugar plums for visions to dance through their heads. Artificially sweetened plums are authorized for those in their unit weight control program. Specifications for this item will be provided by the servicing dining facility.
d. Stockings, wool, cushion sole, will be hung by the chimney with care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fire hazards caused by carelessly hung stockings. Unit safety Officers will submit stocking hanging plans to this headquarters prior to 0800 hours, 24 December 2005, ATTN: DCSLOG, for approval.
e. At the first sign of clatter from the lawn, all troops will spring from their beds to evaluate noise and cause. Immediate action will be taken to tear open the shutters and throw open the window sashes. DCSOPS Plan (Saint Nick), Reference LO No. 3, paragraph 6c, this headquarters, 2 February 2000, will be in effect to facilitate shutter tearing and sash throwing. Division chiefs will familiarize all personnel with procedures and are responsible for ensuring that no shutters are torn open nor window sashes thrown open prior to start of official clatter.
f. Prior to 2400, 24 December 2005, all personnel will be assigned "Wondering Eye" stations. After shutters are thrown open and sashes are torn, these stations will be manned.
g. The ODCSLOG will assign one each Sleigh, miniature, M-66, and eight (8) deer, rein, tiny, for use of Lt Gen Claus' driver who, IAW current directives and other applicable regulations, must have a valid SF 56 properly annotated by Driver Testing; be authorized rooftop parking and be able to shout "On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen, up Comet, up Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen".
2. Lt Gen Claus will enter quarters through standard chimneys. All units without chimneys will draw Chimney Simulator, M-6, for use during ceremonies. Chimney simulator units will be requested on Engineer Job Order Request Form submitted to the Furniture Warehouse prior to 19 December 2005, and issued on DA Form 3161, Request for Issue or Turn-in.
3. Personnel will be rehearsed on shouting "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night." This shout will be given on termination of General Claus' visit. Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of division chiefs.
//Original Signed//
CHRISTOPHER KRINGLE, COLONEL, US ARMY, OIC, SPECIAL SERVICES
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 12:20:01 - 0800 (PST)
From: OIC, Director of Christmas Operations
Subject: Ops order for Dec. 25 Christmas Operations Order: 12-24-05
Subject: Christmas
1. An official visit by Lt Gen Santa (NMI) Claus is expected at this headquarters 25 December 2005. The following instructions will be in effect and govern the activities of all personnel during the visit.
a. Not a creature will stir without official permission. This will include indigenous mice. Special stirring permits for necessary administrative actions will be obtained through normal channels. Mice stirring permits will be obtained through the Office of the Surgeon General, Veterinary Services.
b. Personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap prior to 2200 hours, 24 December 2005. Uniform for the nap will be: Pajamas, cotton, light, drowsing, with kerchief, general purpose, camouflage; and Cap, camouflage w/ear flaps. Equipment will be drawn from CIF prior to 1900 hours, 24 December 2005.
c. Personnel will utilize standard field ration sugar plums for visions to dance through their heads. Artificially sweetened plums are authorized for those in their unit weight control program. Specifications for this item will be provided by the servicing dining facility.
d. Stockings, wool, cushion sole, will be hung by the chimney with care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fire hazards caused by carelessly hung stockings. Unit safety Officers will submit stocking hanging plans to this headquarters prior to 0800 hours, 24 December 2005, ATTN: DCSLOG, for approval.
e. At the first sign of clatter from the lawn, all troops will spring from their beds to evaluate noise and cause. Immediate action will be taken to tear open the shutters and throw open the window sashes. DCSOPS Plan (Saint Nick), Reference LO No. 3, paragraph 6c, this headquarters, 2 February 2000, will be in effect to facilitate shutter tearing and sash throwing. Division chiefs will familiarize all personnel with procedures and are responsible for ensuring that no shutters are torn open nor window sashes thrown open prior to start of official clatter.
f. Prior to 2400, 24 December 2005, all personnel will be assigned "Wondering Eye" stations. After shutters are thrown open and sashes are torn, these stations will be manned.
g. The ODCSLOG will assign one each Sleigh, miniature, M-66, and eight (8) deer, rein, tiny, for use of Lt Gen Claus' driver who, IAW current directives and other applicable regulations, must have a valid SF 56 properly annotated by Driver Testing; be authorized rooftop parking and be able to shout "On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen, up Comet, up Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen".
2. Lt Gen Claus will enter quarters through standard chimneys. All units without chimneys will draw Chimney Simulator, M-6, for use during ceremonies. Chimney simulator units will be requested on Engineer Job Order Request Form submitted to the Furniture Warehouse prior to 19 December 2005, and issued on DA Form 3161, Request for Issue or Turn-in.
3. Personnel will be rehearsed on shouting "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night." This shout will be given on termination of General Claus' visit. Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of division chiefs.
//Original Signed//
CHRISTOPHER KRINGLE, COLONEL, US ARMY, OIC, SPECIAL SERVICES
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Gamer Pillow
Do you need more support while crouching in front of the TV, merrily mashing buttons like mad? Try the lazy gamer pillow. Now you won't have to use any of those pesky buttons in your back or abdomen. Unfortunately for me, my feet go to sleep long before my back or abs get tired of supporting my weight.
Loose Women
The Onion askes "Where Are All These 'Loose Women' My Pastor Keeps Warning Me About?" My take: College. Via John the Methodist.
Surprise
Amybear has a job interview today. I didn't think she needed to bring her interview suit on this trip, but she proved me wrong. Any prayers would be appreciated.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Methodological Naturalism
Several scientists are invoking this philosophical point to shut down Intelligent Design advocates. As I pointed out less than a month ago, Intelligent Design makes for poor science because it violates this fundamental scientific assumption.
The problem with all this is that, as Joe Carter is pointing out, what happens if God really did take direct supernatural action on the physical world? Then this fundamental philosophical scientific tenet becomes not an asset, but a philosophical blinder to the real cause behind the effect.
The problem with all this is that, as Joe Carter is pointing out, what happens if God really did take direct supernatural action on the physical world? Then this fundamental philosophical scientific tenet becomes not an asset, but a philosophical blinder to the real cause behind the effect.
Why Am I Surprised?
Joe Cathey has an excellent rant on the current "Bush is spying on the American people" rhetoric coming from the left. The hypocrisy of the whole situation still infuriates me. You would think I would get used to it by now.
For those that don't know, the federal government has built several systems to monitor digital communications. One is called Echelon and is operated by the NSA and another is called Carnivore and is operated by the FBI. These were created with bipartisan support during the Clinton Administration. Techno-libertarians on Slashdot used to rant about these programs for pages at a time when I was in college and grad school. You know, back before Bush was even running for President.
Now for the record, I'm not fond of either program because the techno-libertarians have some valid concerns. There are core civil liberties issues and important constitutional protections that are at least being bent, if not broken. The possibility and consequences of abuse are downright scary. I don't especially like any of that.
What enrages me is how this has become "Chimpy Bushilter Lied Version 2.0". Suddenly some of the major democratic backers of this program are claiming to have never heard of it. It was shocking news to Senator Rockefeller before someone reminded him he had known about it for years. My friends, someone here is lying to the American people, but it isn't George Bush. The democratic leadership has known about this all along. They helped create it. They have just brought it up now with the hope that the can pin it on Bush and put his approval ratings back in the crapper.
And this isn't an isolated case. It happened with PATRIOT Act II as well. Liberals were up in arms. The same liberals like Harry Reid who were celebrating after they passed PATRIOT Act I.
To be bipartisan it also happens when the rightwing gets on the conservative talk circuit. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.
For those that don't know, the federal government has built several systems to monitor digital communications. One is called Echelon and is operated by the NSA and another is called Carnivore and is operated by the FBI. These were created with bipartisan support during the Clinton Administration. Techno-libertarians on Slashdot used to rant about these programs for pages at a time when I was in college and grad school. You know, back before Bush was even running for President.
Now for the record, I'm not fond of either program because the techno-libertarians have some valid concerns. There are core civil liberties issues and important constitutional protections that are at least being bent, if not broken. The possibility and consequences of abuse are downright scary. I don't especially like any of that.
What enrages me is how this has become "Chimpy Bushilter Lied Version 2.0". Suddenly some of the major democratic backers of this program are claiming to have never heard of it. It was shocking news to Senator Rockefeller before someone reminded him he had known about it for years. My friends, someone here is lying to the American people, but it isn't George Bush. The democratic leadership has known about this all along. They helped create it. They have just brought it up now with the hope that the can pin it on Bush and put his approval ratings back in the crapper.
And this isn't an isolated case. It happened with PATRIOT Act II as well. Liberals were up in arms. The same liberals like Harry Reid who were celebrating after they passed PATRIOT Act I.
To be bipartisan it also happens when the rightwing gets on the conservative talk circuit. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.
Death of the Gunwriters
Once upon a time in a land not very far away, but a time that seems long forgotten, there were gunwriters worth reading. People like Elmer Keith. And they wrote and editted magazines worth reading as well, like the old Guns and Ammo.
But those days are gone, a fact ably demonstrated by the fact that none of Keith's books are currently in print. Today the gun mags are really just gun rags. You will never hear a bad word spoken of any firearm because to do so would anger the advertisers. You will see pretty pictures and little else. Unless you read Gun Tests, then you will see lots of shoddy statistical analysis. I subscribe to one gun mag, American Rifleman, because it came free with my NRA membership.
Which is why some of the best gun writing done right now is on then internet for free. Blogs, shooting forums like The High Road and The Firing Line, and dedicated model websites like this one for the excellent and inexpensive Bersa Thunder all do great work. Gun writing isn't dead, but it is slowly becoming an amateur art again. What a shame.
But those days are gone, a fact ably demonstrated by the fact that none of Keith's books are currently in print. Today the gun mags are really just gun rags. You will never hear a bad word spoken of any firearm because to do so would anger the advertisers. You will see pretty pictures and little else. Unless you read Gun Tests, then you will see lots of shoddy statistical analysis. I subscribe to one gun mag, American Rifleman, because it came free with my NRA membership.
Which is why some of the best gun writing done right now is on then internet for free. Blogs, shooting forums like The High Road and The Firing Line, and dedicated model websites like this one for the excellent and inexpensive Bersa Thunder all do great work. Gun writing isn't dead, but it is slowly becoming an amateur art again. What a shame.
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