We've already surpassed the number of posts for the month of December...
Anyone for another New Year resolution?
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Greatest Christmas Gift... Ever...
Picture this:
All our kids, gathered under one of two trees in the house (neither real... so no bitching about deforestation, okay?) and looking over the expanse of wrapping paper, ribbons and tinsel that covers the floor. Liz and I enjoying the happy scene and drinking coffee. Then the kids give me my presents...
A tin of Boy Scout popcorn from Jacob (which I love and is already gone).
A small, book-sized package from Liz, Katey and Nolan.
I open the package and find a brand new Kindle. I know what they are, and I have seen them in operation both at work and through friends, but I have never owned one. I'm a bit old fashioned, I guess and I always wanted a real book in my hands.
Until now, that is.
This little miracle is the most FANTASTIC gift I have ever gotten! Barely a week into the New Year and I have more then 40 titles in the thing, with more than 1,500 to go before I actually need to sweat memory limits. Downloading the books is so easy its criminal... and I haven't paid for anything that cost more than $3.99 YET!
In fact, being able to sort titles by the "ratings" of other readers is one of the greatest perks to the whole thing! I find the most popular books, read a review or two, and decide if the effort is worth less than a buck. And I have found at least FOUR absolutely fantastic books already!!! Riveting reads, fantastic stories, and all by authors no one would have heard from in the traditional "paper" world.
In all honestly, if there is any way Jambo can get HIS title into Kindle-format (e-books), perhaps that is the key to making the book more widely read: all it would take is the initial formatting and a push to get people to rate it. Bingo... you are the next Kindle Best Seller!
All our kids, gathered under one of two trees in the house (neither real... so no bitching about deforestation, okay?) and looking over the expanse of wrapping paper, ribbons and tinsel that covers the floor. Liz and I enjoying the happy scene and drinking coffee. Then the kids give me my presents...
A tin of Boy Scout popcorn from Jacob (which I love and is already gone).
A small, book-sized package from Liz, Katey and Nolan.
I open the package and find a brand new Kindle. I know what they are, and I have seen them in operation both at work and through friends, but I have never owned one. I'm a bit old fashioned, I guess and I always wanted a real book in my hands.
Until now, that is.
This little miracle is the most FANTASTIC gift I have ever gotten! Barely a week into the New Year and I have more then 40 titles in the thing, with more than 1,500 to go before I actually need to sweat memory limits. Downloading the books is so easy its criminal... and I haven't paid for anything that cost more than $3.99 YET!
In fact, being able to sort titles by the "ratings" of other readers is one of the greatest perks to the whole thing! I find the most popular books, read a review or two, and decide if the effort is worth less than a buck. And I have found at least FOUR absolutely fantastic books already!!! Riveting reads, fantastic stories, and all by authors no one would have heard from in the traditional "paper" world.
In all honestly, if there is any way Jambo can get HIS title into Kindle-format (e-books), perhaps that is the key to making the book more widely read: all it would take is the initial formatting and a push to get people to rate it. Bingo... you are the next Kindle Best Seller!
Iacta alea est...
As distressed as I am to hear that you have become this upset at the prospect of a President exceeding his authority as defined by the Constitution, I feel it incumbent on me to remind you of two small points:
1) This is not the first time this has happened, nor (probably) will it be the last. Every President since Washington has fought for this kind of authority, and only in the rarest and most benign forms has it remained a prerogative of the Executive Branch as we know it today. Lincoln's policy during the Civil War was very similar, as was FDR's during WWII and Bush's during the post-911 crisis. It was my understanding that you approved of this sort of temporary measure to expand the authority of the Chief Executive in times of crisis and/or war... is this not the case anymore? As long as the final determination to end the authority rests with Congress (as it always does, and does again in this case) and as long as the Judicial Branch retains the authority to supersede this extension of Executive power... how is this different?
Frankly, it isn't YOU that I expected to have kittens over this... it was the radical Obamaniacs that elected him in the first place that are REALLY going to freak out. He ran (as you pointed out) 100% against this sort of executive authority even being granted, let alone exercised so they should find themselves sleepless and anxiety-ridden until it is repealed or another, more "liberal" President is sworn in.
2) In regards to your hyperbole, "it only takes one man to cross the Rubicon and your Republic is GONE, forever" I can't let this slip by...
It wasn't ONE man crossing that muddy little creek that ended the Republic... it was the 18,000 battle-hardened Legionaries he had following him, and the 20,000 more that were still on the way from Gaul. THAT was what ended the Republic... that and four years of bloody and destructive warfare that raged across the entire face of Europe and the Mediterranean once the river was waded.
We aren't there yet, my friend... we still have time.
1) This is not the first time this has happened, nor (probably) will it be the last. Every President since Washington has fought for this kind of authority, and only in the rarest and most benign forms has it remained a prerogative of the Executive Branch as we know it today. Lincoln's policy during the Civil War was very similar, as was FDR's during WWII and Bush's during the post-911 crisis. It was my understanding that you approved of this sort of temporary measure to expand the authority of the Chief Executive in times of crisis and/or war... is this not the case anymore? As long as the final determination to end the authority rests with Congress (as it always does, and does again in this case) and as long as the Judicial Branch retains the authority to supersede this extension of Executive power... how is this different?
Frankly, it isn't YOU that I expected to have kittens over this... it was the radical Obamaniacs that elected him in the first place that are REALLY going to freak out. He ran (as you pointed out) 100% against this sort of executive authority even being granted, let alone exercised so they should find themselves sleepless and anxiety-ridden until it is repealed or another, more "liberal" President is sworn in.
2) In regards to your hyperbole, "it only takes one man to cross the Rubicon and your Republic is GONE, forever" I can't let this slip by...
It wasn't ONE man crossing that muddy little creek that ended the Republic... it was the 18,000 battle-hardened Legionaries he had following him, and the 20,000 more that were still on the way from Gaul. THAT was what ended the Republic... that and four years of bloody and destructive warfare that raged across the entire face of Europe and the Mediterranean once the river was waded.
We aren't there yet, my friend... we still have time.
A Bund Buddy News Flash!
Please, read THIS ARTICLE and know that when we here at the Bund speak of "heroes" we are talking about people we know and love, not just an abstract notion, oft quoted but never understood.
Well done, Rick! Thanks for all you do, and stay safe!
Well done, Rick! Thanks for all you do, and stay safe!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Section 1021
Years from now, when some great, great grandson or daughter is doing research on their brilliant ancestor "F. Ryan", and they stumble across this treasure trove of insight into his soul, and that of his dear friends, I don't want to be thought of as "asleep" when this bill was signed in the middle of the night (read: New Years Eve).
The new defense reauthorization bill, for fiscal year 2012, includes in it an expansion of the Executive's Branch's powers under Section 1021. It's in legalese, but it breaks down like this (and from the man whom announced the closure of GITMO on his first day in office): the PoTUS, via the military (and some argue the DOJ, the language seems to be purposely vague) can now hold those "suspected of terrorist acts against the United States", to be held indefinitely without trial or charge. Now you may say "ok, we've been doing that to battlefield combatants at GITMO (and surely other sites) since the initiation of hostilities Mr. brilliant F. Ryan." And you'd be right... However, the authority now extends to American citizens, detained on American soil.
Do I have your attention yet?
The President can now use the military (and presumably the DOJ) to "scoop people up in the middle of the night" (as he accused the Bush administration of), in violation of Posse Cumitatus. With no Miranda, no court, no Habeus Corpus, no lawyer, no anything ... just disappear you like a Mafia snitch. Oh, and it includes the authority to transport you to GITMO or a sovereign foreign power for interrogation ... say Egyptian Secret Police. And, if he deems it necessary, the ability to try civilians in a military tribunal. May I remind you, we're atlking about US citizens "detained" on US soil. And they did it by extending the definition of the "batlefield" to America herself. This is the very stuff of despotism. But don't worry, the PoTUS issued a signing statement noting that his administration will not hold any US citizen, "indefinitely." Whew! Thank goodness, we really dodged a bullet there ... I thought for a second this is the type of power that might be abused ... its good to know that ... ARE YOU MAD AMERICA??? This is insanity! And even if this guy doesn't "abuse" this new power, it only takes one man to cross the Rubicon and your Republic is GONE, forever.
And FYI, on that signing statement - Senator Lyndsey Graham told the press that it was the White House that insisted on the specific language within Section 1021. By the way, do we not control the House? Here's a better question, has anyone in either Party read a single history book? Where's the ACLU? To busy breaking crosses off tombstones at Arlington or monitoring Boy Scout prayer meetings?
We have effectively suspended the Bill of Rights, yet where are the stories? Where is the Press coverage? I wish, and I mean this sincerely, that Bush would have signed this Bill - at least then it would be widely covered.
Your country changed 4 days ago ... where were you? Watching Dancing With the Stars? My nation is asleep.
The new defense reauthorization bill, for fiscal year 2012, includes in it an expansion of the Executive's Branch's powers under Section 1021. It's in legalese, but it breaks down like this (and from the man whom announced the closure of GITMO on his first day in office): the PoTUS, via the military (and some argue the DOJ, the language seems to be purposely vague) can now hold those "suspected of terrorist acts against the United States", to be held indefinitely without trial or charge. Now you may say "ok, we've been doing that to battlefield combatants at GITMO (and surely other sites) since the initiation of hostilities Mr. brilliant F. Ryan." And you'd be right... However, the authority now extends to American citizens, detained on American soil.
Do I have your attention yet?
The President can now use the military (and presumably the DOJ) to "scoop people up in the middle of the night" (as he accused the Bush administration of), in violation of Posse Cumitatus. With no Miranda, no court, no Habeus Corpus, no lawyer, no anything ... just disappear you like a Mafia snitch. Oh, and it includes the authority to transport you to GITMO or a sovereign foreign power for interrogation ... say Egyptian Secret Police. And, if he deems it necessary, the ability to try civilians in a military tribunal. May I remind you, we're atlking about US citizens "detained" on US soil. And they did it by extending the definition of the "batlefield" to America herself. This is the very stuff of despotism. But don't worry, the PoTUS issued a signing statement noting that his administration will not hold any US citizen, "indefinitely." Whew! Thank goodness, we really dodged a bullet there ... I thought for a second this is the type of power that might be abused ... its good to know that ... ARE YOU MAD AMERICA??? This is insanity! And even if this guy doesn't "abuse" this new power, it only takes one man to cross the Rubicon and your Republic is GONE, forever.
And FYI, on that signing statement - Senator Lyndsey Graham told the press that it was the White House that insisted on the specific language within Section 1021. By the way, do we not control the House? Here's a better question, has anyone in either Party read a single history book? Where's the ACLU? To busy breaking crosses off tombstones at Arlington or monitoring Boy Scout prayer meetings?
We have effectively suspended the Bill of Rights, yet where are the stories? Where is the Press coverage? I wish, and I mean this sincerely, that Bush would have signed this Bill - at least then it would be widely covered.
Your country changed 4 days ago ... where were you? Watching Dancing With the Stars? My nation is asleep.
My man Rick ...
From polling at 7% to within 8 votes of first place/beating Romney, that's a huge win for Santorum.
And I want the irony noted - here I am pulling for the Roman Catholic underdog over the name brand Mormon. Sorry Mitt, but there's no "Santorum-Care", is there?
I'm confident J.S. would agree ...
And I want the irony noted - here I am pulling for the Roman Catholic underdog over the name brand Mormon. Sorry Mitt, but there's no "Santorum-Care", is there?
I'm confident J.S. would agree ...
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Sports Agony
New Year, new levels of pain.
My last hope for 2011 was the Wisconsin Badgers, the home college team. Two Hail Mary plays away from a National Championship game. One lost time out in the second half of the Rose Bowl away from overtime.
While 2012 looks much better on the American political landscape, (Presidential election and a glorious, perhaps that once in a generation opportunity at change in two branches of government) my sports forecast is dismal. Short of a serious amount of explosives and some moving vans, I don't see the Minnesota Vikings improving. (Bad joke. There is a chance the Vikings could end up in Los Angeles, even now. And that, my friends, severs my relationship with the NFL permanently.) Without the blue chip quarterback Russel Wilson returning to Wisconsin, we'll be lucky to see the field of the Raid Death to Cockroaches Bowl in Morgan City, LA. The Minnesota Twins have made no qualitative improvements to their roster and have seen the exodus of several key and much loved starters via free agency. (Kubel, Cuddyer, Nathan are just a few that leap to mind)
What do I have left? The Mississippi Surge? Our minor league hockey team in Biloxi? Spring training in baseball in six weeks. Three months and some change before the Vikings screw up their number 3 pick in the draft. Maybe Wisconsin basketball can right the ship but they're a Sweet 16 tournament team AT BEST.
sigh
My last hope for 2011 was the Wisconsin Badgers, the home college team. Two Hail Mary plays away from a National Championship game. One lost time out in the second half of the Rose Bowl away from overtime.
While 2012 looks much better on the American political landscape, (Presidential election and a glorious, perhaps that once in a generation opportunity at change in two branches of government) my sports forecast is dismal. Short of a serious amount of explosives and some moving vans, I don't see the Minnesota Vikings improving. (Bad joke. There is a chance the Vikings could end up in Los Angeles, even now. And that, my friends, severs my relationship with the NFL permanently.) Without the blue chip quarterback Russel Wilson returning to Wisconsin, we'll be lucky to see the field of the Raid Death to Cockroaches Bowl in Morgan City, LA. The Minnesota Twins have made no qualitative improvements to their roster and have seen the exodus of several key and much loved starters via free agency. (Kubel, Cuddyer, Nathan are just a few that leap to mind)
What do I have left? The Mississippi Surge? Our minor league hockey team in Biloxi? Spring training in baseball in six weeks. Three months and some change before the Vikings screw up their number 3 pick in the draft. Maybe Wisconsin basketball can right the ship but they're a Sweet 16 tournament team AT BEST.
sigh
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