June 29, 2009
May 14, 2009
Bank of America's Squeegeemen
I was expecting a call from a relative and so I didn't check the number on my phone before answering this evening, only to find myself on the line with a telemarketer representing Bank of America.
He told me how I would be getting a "free" credit report from all three credit reporting agencies through Bank of America in weeks to come, along with a packet on how to increase and protect my credit rating.
Along with that "free" information, I would be enrolled in a credit monitoring service provided by Bank of America. The service would be free for the first month, and thereafter I would be billed roughly 40 cents a day, or $12 and change a month, if I didn't opt out of the program within the free period.
I politely told the young man on the phone that I found opt-out scams to rook customers both immoral and unethical, and told him I had no interest in being part of the program.
Repeatedly.
He responded by continuing with his script, never acknowledging that I desired to opt-out of this involuntary opt-in program, one designed to take advantage of busy people who would doubtlessly see free credit reports show up in the mail, and either shred them or throw them away without finding the fine-print legalese that will allow them to opt out of a program they never signed up for.
This is robbery. To be sure, they walk just inside the line of legality, but when someone starts providing you with a service that you don't want, and then extract payment for it, it is coerced, and it is wrong.
Bank of America has become little more than squeegemen, using trickery to extract payment for an unwanted service.
I doubt they'll get the $33.9 billion that Tax Cheat Timmy requires, but they seem desperate enough to try any and all measures to raise the funds the Obama requires, no matter how vile or unethical.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
08:09 PM
| Comments (4)
| Add Comment
Post contains 336 words, total size 2 kb.
1
I'm not an expert on the relevant business law, but I'm pretty sure that most judges would look favorably on a lawsuit by a consumer who argues, "I never asked for this to show up in my mailbox, I never wanted it, and I never signed *or* gave verbal consent to any agreement to provide me with this service. Without any form of contract, written *or* verbal, with me, the bank has no right to charge me for a service I never requested. If they want to put junk mail in my mailbox, I can't stop them -- but I certainly will not pay for a service that I never agreed to receive in the first place."
I very much doubt that the situation you describe is "just inside the line of legality." It may appear to be, but I'm pretty sure that were it tested in court, the judge would agree that the bank has no right to sign you up for a
paying service without your explicit consent. Raising their rates and fees, yes, they have the right to do that -- but signing you up for a new service without your consent? This has "lawsuit" written ALL over it. Worse yet for BoA, it has "class-action lawsuit" written all over it, and class-action lawsuits mean MILLIONS of dollars for the lawyer who manages to land the case. So I imagine there WILL be a suit filed at some point, if the situation is as you describe.
Posted by: Robin Munn at May 14, 2009 11:16 PM (ccwhk)
2
This is why I sign up on the state and federal no call lists. It took about 4 months to take full effect but once it did I received no calls for several years until I had to renew on the Federal list.
Also, these marketers cannot get off the phone fast enough if you tell them you are on the federal no call list.
Posted by: Alec at May 15, 2009 02:12 AM (nBLxr)
3
I severed all business relationships with BofA last year because they were turning into vile slimebags.
I suspect their policies are driving customers away in droves and this will be reflected in earnings a few quarters down the road. I can't be the only one who decided to pack it in on them.
Once alienate someone and they leave, they never come back.
Posted by: PA at May 16, 2009 02:32 PM (UqwYX)
4
I got the same message from Chase. I guess they are all on the ropes and pimping as best they can.
I guess Obama has cut off their toilet paper budget.
Posted by: Typical White Person at May 16, 2009 10:24 PM (p/VzK)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
Bank of America's Squeegeemen
I was expecting a call from a relative and so I didn't check the number on my phone before answering this evening, only to find myself on the line with a telemarketer representing Bank of America.
He told me how I would be getting a "free" credit report from all three credit reporting agencies through Bank of America in weeks to come, along with a packet on home to increase my credit and protect my credit.
Along with that "free" information, I would be enrolled in a credit monitoring service provided by Bank of America. The service would be free for the first month, and thereafter I would be billed roughly 40 cents a day, or $12 and change a month, if I didn't opt out of the program within the free period.
I politely told the young man on the phone that I found opt-out scams to rook customers both immoral and unethical, and told him I had no interest in being part of the program.
Repeatedly.
He responded by continuing with his script, never acknowledging that I desired to opt-out of this involuntary opt-in program, one designed to take advantage of busy people who would doubtlessly see free credit reports show up in the mail, and either shred them or throw them away without finding the fine print legalese that will allow them to opt out of a program they never signed up for.
This is robbery. To be sure, they walk just inside the line of legality, but when someone starts providing you with a service that you don't want, and then extract payment for it is coerced, and it is wrong.
Bank of America has become little more than squeegemen, using trickery to extract payment for an unwanted service.
I doubt they'll get the $33.9 billion that Tax Cheat Timmy requires, but they seem desperate enough to try any and all measures to raise it, no matter how vile, unethical, or base.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
08:09 PM
| Comments (1)
| Add Comment
Post contains 334 words, total size 2 kb.
October 27, 2008
Just A Guy in My Neighborhood
I first met Joey Bozik and his wife Jayme last Monday. It just a quick chat between the new couple about to move into the neighborhood and someone who has been there a little while. Today, they got the keys to their new home. It happens every day, right?
A Hero's Homecoming: Jayme and Sgt. Joey Bozik. Jayme is due with their first child Christmas Eve. Joey's jacket? Kevlar.
Not unless you consider having your keys parachuted by the Black Daggers after an overflight and landing by a flight of Blackhawks in the neighborhood "normal."
Airborne Express: SOCOM's Black Dagger jumpers brought the keys to the Bozik's new home.
Blackhawks Down Home:A flight of three Blackhawks overflew the ceremonies before landing on some of the undeveloped lots in the neighborhood.
I took some more pictures that I will post later and I'll write a bit more about Operation: Coming Home in the weeks ahead, but in the meantime, here is an account of Sgt. Joey Bozik's homecoming that should warm your heart:
The house was built by Operation Coming Home, a group of military veterans who are now real estate agents and home builders. All the material and labor were donated.
The mission of "Operation Coming Home" is to provide injured war veterans with free houses that they call "Hero Homes." Bozik was the first recipient.
The home was built with special features to make Bozik's life easier, including radiant heat floors, easy-access cabinets, a sprinkler system and appliances with special hinges and levers that make opening doors easier.
Bozik and his pregnant wife were moving in Monday, because Oct. 27 is his "Alive Day" – the anniversary of the day he came out of coma from his injuries.
Veteran's and volunteers in the community provided the lot, the labor, materials and furnishing to say "thank you" to a soldier and his wife for the sacrifices they have made in defense of liberty.
There's a right way to spread the wealth around.
It happened here, and with your help, it will happen again.
Update:One of Joey and Jayme's biggest supporters is milblogger Blackfive, who has an extensive trove of articles about what they gone through to get to where they are today.
Original
First Update (pictures)
Second Update
Third
Fourth
Fifth (pictures)
Sixth (pictures)
Seventh (wedding pictures)
Eighth
Ninth (Love Story)
Tenth (Green Ramp Reunion - pictures)
Eleventh (Welcome Home! - pictures)
Twelvth (Joey and Phil Mikelson team up)
Thirteenth (pictures)
Fourteenth
Fifteenth
Sixteenth (White House Visit)
Seventeenth
Eighteenth (Receives Bronze Star)
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
01:04 PM
| Comments (5)
| Add Comment
Post contains 434 words, total size 5 kb.
1
God bless 'em, one and all.
Posted by: C-C-G at October 27, 2008 05:00 PM (sII0T)
Posted by: Dan Irving at October 27, 2008 07:03 PM (Kw4jM)
3
Nice. What a great story.
Posted by: Pablo at October 28, 2008 12:15 AM (yTndK)
4
Hi,
I am Joey's mom, Gail. I just want to say "thank you" for this article. The pictures are great.
Yes, Blackfive, Matt, really helped Joey's name and donations. Also, Soldier's Angels, Patti Bader, helped us greatly when the tragedy happened on Oct. 27th, 2004. Joey is my inspiration too. I, as his mom, could not have made it without his precious spirit and outlook. God has a plan for him. Just pray Joey obeys.
Love,
Gail Bozik
Posted by: Gail Bozik at October 28, 2008 07:03 PM (GAf+S)
5
That was a great, great article.
That guy sounds pretty cool.
Posted by: brando at October 28, 2008 11:43 PM (ttotQ)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
May 03, 2008
Hmmm...
Last month as Michael Yon's
Moment of Truth in Iraq came out, I provided links so that you guys could go to
Amazon.com and buy a copy.
Buy you did.
One person bought seven copies; another bought six, another bought three, and of course most people bought a single copy for themselves. On behalf of Mike I'd like to thank you for buying what I personally feel is an important book, one that tells the truth of what is going on in Iraq far outside the range of most news organizations and pundits.
And while it's a crappy segue, Amazon is pushing their "Wireless Reading Device" (we used to call that "paper", didn't we?) to me via email, a device called Kindle that they've developed. It looks petty interesting, but I don't know much about it.
Anybody got any experience with this?
Who is going to be the brave soul to test-drive this thing and let me know if it lives up to its promise?
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
07:49 AM
| Comments (12)
| Add Comment
Post contains 167 words, total size 1 kb.
1
I think the Sony equivalent is supposed to be better, although more expensive.
Posted by: Kevin at May 03, 2008 08:21 AM (eWFIE)
2
Can't remember any more where I saw the posts, but one of the blogs just RIPS Kindle to shreds. IIRC, that's due to a stone-age technological base and serious limits to the functionalities.
Upshot: wait a few years...
Posted by: dad29 at May 03, 2008 08:32 AM (UJZm/)
3
I've been using the Sony competitor for about 18 months and love it. However, I think the Kindle may be a better choice as they have a larger inventory of books, somewhat lower prices, and the instant gratification of Wireless downloads.
The e-paper technology is great and on my Sony I get 5000+ page turns on a single battery charge. I suspect the Kindle isn't as good on charge life as it's doing much more.
Posted by: RiveRat at May 03, 2008 08:45 AM (ybWKw)
4
get a cheap laptop from WalMart. The kindle is less useful and smaller screened.
Posted by: JP at May 03, 2008 01:12 PM (Tae/a)
5
I have a Kindle. It's a wonderful device *for reading books*. If anyone is expecting it to do anything more than that, they are barking up the *wrong* tree.
The wireless delivery is fantastic and the selection, while not yet ideal, is leaps and bounds (and bounds and leaps) better than any of the competing devices.
Sure, it doesn't have the gee whiz appeal of the Sony or iRex devices but, where it counts (actually buying and reading books), it eats the others alive.
The only downside is that you can't share the books with anyone so if they want to borrow one they have to take the device with them. Hopefully there's at least some chance in the future the DRM issues like this will be loosened enough so that you can at least share them amongst other Kindle users in some fashion.
In summary: buy one!
Posted by: ECM at May 03, 2008 01:53 PM (q3V+C)
6
It is not worth it. The tech is not ready for prime time.
Posted by: Mekan at May 03, 2008 03:07 PM (Vfwfe)
7
Well, I like books - although I can remember when a paperback was $0.25-0.75, not $6.50-44.00, which latter on my income pretty much restricts me.
But it has DRM. Major League Baseball went through some contortions to get limited support for their users when they pulled their plug. Microsoft is pulling the plug on their stuff [music], although the claim is that you need not worry since you can either keep the devices with the files forever or write to a CD (if you can figure out how to convert the format, which you are not supposed to do if RIAA hears of it).
The original idea of DRM was fine: let a corporation have confidential files (like blueprints for a new television) available online to people with a valid password, and if the company went under nothing (well, jobs...) was lost. Then the media companies decided that since they were developing this protection they could apply it to products meant for outsiders. If one goes under, millions may lose their files.
Messy.
Posted by: teqjack at May 03, 2008 03:12 PM (CEphM)
8
I love mine. It's great for reading, and the wireless net makes it effortless to get new books.
But you have to remember this is a v1.0 device, so it isn't perfect. There is room for a lot of improvement. You have to have an early-adopter attitude, willing to deal with a few hassles in order to have the latest tech.
If that's not you, then I would wait for version 2.0. (whenever that is)
Posted by: Lee at May 03, 2008 08:35 PM (aFzJC)
9
I have a Kindle and my only complaint is that I can't get all the books I want on it. It's annoying that Book 1 of a particular trilogy is available but if I want to finish reading the story I have to go to hardcover.
Posted by: GISAP at May 03, 2008 11:17 PM (g5kuC)
10
I had one, and hated it:
1. I hate DRM, and I refuse to support (through purchases) anything DRM'ed if there is a reasonable alternative.
2. With a real book, when you're done with it, you can pass it on, donate it to a library, leave it at Starbucks for others to read, and so on. With a Kindle file, no one else can ever use that file. Ever. (Unless Amazon 'grants' them the right.)
3. I can take a book with me anywhere, leave it around for weeks, and when I open it up, it "works." With a Kindle, you're tied to your battery.
4. I can drop a book and it might get creased. I can put it in my backpack and it might get dented. If I drop a Kindle or "dent" the screen, it's broken.
5. I have books that are almost 70 years old - some paperbacks, some hardbound. Benchley, Parker, Thurber. They still "work." I can't see a Kindle lasting 5 years before it breaks or is obsolete.
6. I have books I bought from a variety of bookstores throughout the years. With a Kindle, I'd be tied to one source - Amazon.
Don't get me wrong. Kindle is amazing in other ways. But DRM absolutely breaks it for me. The cost of the device is completely unreasonable. The cost of books is unreasonable, especially when you consider that you can't reuse the book in other contexts (give aways, sell, and so on).
Posted by: steve miller at May 04, 2008 08:12 AM (OHn8w)
11
The Kindle is actually a really nice device. I have had an ebook reader for over 10 years. My son has now appropiated it, changing from hardbacks to read David Weber Honor Harrington's stories. The pro is that you can store a lot of books. For those of us who have stacks of books that is an issue. The Kindle also has a neat trick unlike any other reader. It pays for the wireless connection fees from the purchase of the books. The reader allows Newspapers and blogs to be daily downloaded. Some email etc. The purchaser does not pay a monthly subcription for the connection service.
It is easy to purchase using your Amazon account.
The downsides. It is eink which is very readable but can not be back lit. It cannot be read in the dark. It also uses DRM for the books.
I really like the ability to read in the dark since I have used my rocket book for over 10 years on camping trips and with boyscouts trips. My rocket book battery would last a week, much longer than a laptop and fit into a small bag.
DRM is a principle with me , I avoid it assidously. I actaully buy most ebooks at BAEN and Fictionwise and ask for DRM free. Baen is always DRM free. IT is a principle agianst DRM.
Amazon had to use DRM since publishers would not allow their books without DRM. This has been a hard argument to show DRM is useless and does not save the authors and publishers money. That is another argument.
I personally would recommend the Kindle though, most people have been very happy with it.
Posted by: RAh at May 05, 2008 01:39 PM (dkIgz)
12
I still use my Palm M125 as a book reader. If the Kindle included all the other PalmOS functions, as well as the ability to read Mobipocket books that I could upload to it for free, I'd probably look at it.
Until I get even a hint that it can, I'll stick with what I've got.
Posted by: Jeff at May 05, 2008 06:30 PM (yiMNP)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
February 15, 2008
Best Valentine's Day Gift Ever
Sure trumps a steak dinner.
Kathryn (we'll call he Kate) was born six weeks early at 3:58 PM on Valentine's Day, and this picture was taken while she was than an hour old in neonatal intensive care. After running a series of tests, our little fighter was moved into the nursery with the full-term children, 100% healthy and hungry. The staff regards her as something of a little miracle. I certainly agree.
My wife Christine is doing remarkably well after her c-section, and we're getting ready to have breakfast. Big sister Maya will be by after school to see her new sister again.
Blogging is probably going to be light.
Life is good.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
07:29 AM
| Comments (47)
| Add Comment
Post contains 123 words, total size 1 kb.
1
She's sooo, cute. You're one lucky SOAG, Bob. Congratulations.
Posted by: Dusty at February 15, 2008 08:05 AM (GJLeQ)
2
Congratulations, son. She's a beauty. Best to Momma.
Subsunk
Posted by: Subsunk at February 15, 2008 08:16 AM (Pyd3M)
3
Congratulations, Bob. It's an amazing thing, isn't it?
Posted by: Pablo at February 15, 2008 08:22 AM (yTndK)
4
Congrats!
Now where's my cigar!
/jk
Posted by: Dan Irving at February 15, 2008 08:23 AM (zw8QA)
5
Woohoo! I THOUGHT that you weren't doing much online lately - now I see why. Congratulations to you and your wife!
BTW, my mother's birthday is the 15th.
Posted by: Grey Fox at February 15, 2008 08:29 AM (dzXNT)
Posted by: Frank G at February 15, 2008 08:38 AM (Ydps9)
7
She's gorgeous! Absolutely beautiful, congratulations.
Now get some sleep!
Posted by: pajama momma at February 15, 2008 08:41 AM (f3xJa)
8
Congratulations. Life, indeed, is good.
Posted by: Mark L at February 15, 2008 09:02 AM (AfORa)
9
She looks wonderful. Congrats.
Posted by: brando at February 15, 2008 09:05 AM (qzOby)
10
Congrats on a beautiful new addition, Bob!
Posted by: C-C-G at February 15, 2008 09:40 AM (Txk9z)
Posted by: The Maximum Leader at February 15, 2008 09:51 AM (WpYbd)
12
Congratulations to you and your (now enlarged) family. God bless all of you.
It was a busy day in the conservative babysphere -- Wyatt Earp (
Support Your Local Gunfighter) and his wife had a son.
Posted by: bRight & Early at February 15, 2008 09:54 AM (E725N)
Posted by: Tony B at February 15, 2008 09:58 AM (187Jq)
14
Congratulations ! She's beautiful.
Posted by: Bradley at February 15, 2008 10:05 AM (8DaCp)
Posted by: w3 at February 15, 2008 10:09 AM (Qv6bq)
16
Congratulations on the new tax deduction. Glad everyone is healthy.
Posted by: daleyrocks at February 15, 2008 10:09 AM (0pZel)
Posted by: t.ferg at February 15, 2008 10:20 AM (2YVh7)
18
Congratulations! May her life be filled with light, love, health, prosperity, and happiness.
Posted by: Laughing_Wolf at February 15, 2008 10:37 AM (0N2E8)
19
Congratulations, Bob. May the road always rise in front of her and the sun shine brightly on her face.
Posted by: Mark at February 15, 2008 10:41 AM (4od5C)
20
Congrats! I wish the very best for you guys.
Not that you'd be interested, but I almost died in birth, myself, and look how big and strong I'm now
Posted by: Anonymous Reader From Finland at February 15, 2008 11:03 AM (RkwYf)
Posted by: Penfold at February 15, 2008 11:06 AM (lF2Kk)
22
BOB!
Congrats to you and yours on this glorious occasion! May her life be filled with pleasure and goodness and my the Good L*rd Bless you all! Best wishes!!!
Billy
Posted by: Big Country at February 15, 2008 11:28 AM (SIzGZ)
Posted by: ExUrbanKevin at February 15, 2008 11:34 AM (ppKzH)
24
Congratulations, Bob. Well done.
Posted by: R. Stanton Scott at February 15, 2008 12:35 PM (iL2/6)
25
What a wonderful gift. She is beautiful. And I love her name. Congratulations to you and Mom.
Posted by: Sara at February 15, 2008 01:04 PM (Wi/N0)
26
Congratulations!
Now with three gals in the house you are truely in deep doo-doo! How are you going to get anything done when you're twisted around three little pinkies?
;-)
Posted by: joated at February 15, 2008 01:23 PM (d/RyS)
27
What a beauty! Congratulations to you and your wife. Very glad to hear that all is well.
What a Valentine, eh?
Posted by: Phoenix at February 15, 2008 01:33 PM (4N2f4)
28
What a beautiful little girl. So glad she's healthy even thought she's early. I'm proud to share my Valentine birthday with her.
Beverly
Posted by: Beverly Williams at February 15, 2008 01:48 PM (d/RyS)
29
So, when is she gonna blog?
hoho,
C
Posted by: Chris Muir at February 15, 2008 02:07 PM (Qn+aj)
30
Congrats!
Looks like a future Marine Aviator to me.
Posted by: DaveW at February 15, 2008 02:12 PM (YGhCF)
31
What beautiful and poetic Valentine's Day gift - the birth of a beautiful healthy baby!
God Bless, Mom, Dad, Big Sister Maya, and newcomer Kate!
Posted by: Tara at February 15, 2008 03:12 PM (Dqxeq)
32
Whoo hoo! What a present! I am sure not very many people got a darling as sweet as yours.
Glad to hear all is well with both your wife and the little one.
Posted by: Suzi at February 15, 2008 03:30 PM (h/khF)
33
Kate:
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
You are totally beautiful!!
Posted by: Maggie45 at February 15, 2008 03:46 PM (D1oYx)
34
(surfed on over from LGF)
What a precious - & she's so big!
Bless you all!
Posted by: Susan at February 15, 2008 04:10 PM (rUIye)
35
One hour after being born six weeks early? That's one of the healthiest newborns I have ever seen! Gratz.
Posted by: Aplomb at February 15, 2008 05:58 PM (2lZrY)
36
Makes you realize whats important huh, Congradulations Christine and Bob on the birth of a beautiful baby.
Posted by: D-lo at February 15, 2008 08:18 PM (4FSAp)
Posted by: Tarheel at February 15, 2008 08:33 PM (5EyBQ)
Posted by: mescalero at February 15, 2008 10:12 PM (78keD)
39
What a cutie she is. Congratualtions.
Posted by: Retread at February 16, 2008 06:36 AM (j74de)
40
Another olive shoot. What a blessing.
To help young Kate's nervous system continue to develop apace, I strongly encourage your wife to start scorfing down sardines. The essential fatty acids will favorably alter the fatty acid profile of her milk.
Posted by: Bart Hall (Kansas, USA) at February 16, 2008 07:57 AM (w2kpq)
41
Outstanding! What a beautiful little girl.
Congratulations to you both. Welcome to the world, Kate. Listen to the old man, he knows stuff.
Posted by: maxx at February 16, 2008 08:41 AM (bFNvP)
42
I'm looking right now at my oldest daughter who was born seven years ago last week, also six weeks premature.
Life is a good and wonderful thing, if a bit scary at times like this. Good luck and have fun!
Thanks for the pic and the memories.
Posted by: Douglas Winship at February 16, 2008 08:43 AM (hcQ3t)
43
Congratulations. Children are a great blessing to the world because they embody hope for the future. God bless you all.
chsw
Posted by: chsw at February 16, 2008 08:47 PM (KUTuD)
44
Bob,
Congratulations! I can't think of a better Valentine's day gift for you and your family.
Jim C
Posted by: Jim C at February 17, 2008 11:16 AM (ON55K)
Posted by: Mohammed the Teddy-Bear at February 17, 2008 04:36 PM (27Dth)
46
Simply beautiful....congrats..!!!
Posted by: Jaded at February 19, 2008 08:19 AM (0lpqx)
47
Life is excellent. What a beauty!
Posted by: baldilocks at February 20, 2008 12:59 AM (7kLWM)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
September 10, 2007
That Time of the Year
Last summer or early last fall (I'm too lazy to look which at the moment), I had a week-long fundraising effort here at
Confederate Yankee, where readers were kind enough to provide me with enough funds to buy a laptop to replace my aging and dying Dell 733R from which I'd been researching and writing. I was humbled and awed at your outpouring of support.
This year, I'll not be needing any new equipment, and I do't have any particular dire needs that the Lord won't take care of for me. He's granted me everything I need and most of what I want, including something else my wife and I have been wanting for a long time:
As I said, the important things are taken care of.
That said, I'd still like to ask my readers for a couple of bucks, if they can spare it.
I promise I'll put it to good use. Thanks.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
09:32 AM
| Comments (14)
| Add Comment
Post contains 165 words, total size 7 kb.
1
Great news! Congrats, Bob!
Posted by: marykatharine at September 10, 2007 09:48 AM (3toqq)
2
Congratualtions to you and your wife.
Relish all the spare time you enjoy now.
Posted by: 1sttofight at September 10, 2007 09:52 AM (T714S)
3
"... This year, I'll not be needing any new equipment ..."
Looks like the equipment you have is working pretty good!
Wishing you and your wife and new baby all the best!
Posted by: John Pennylegion at September 10, 2007 11:45 AM (GHyUE)
Posted by: seawitch at September 10, 2007 11:52 AM (BCDZE)
5
Congrats!
Your next ten-fifteen years are the pinnacle of the human existence in my experience and the greatest test of being a Man. Savor this time, gird yourself for the tests that are to come.
Posted by: DaveW at September 10, 2007 01:43 PM (lrfik)
6
Yup - congratulations!
Enjoy every hour of sleep you get now.
It will become a fond memory
Boy or girl?
Posted by: Timothy S. Carlson at September 10, 2007 02:46 PM (uBBUD)
7
congrats! I know what it is like my wife just gave birth to a little girl wed the 5th. both are healthy and at home.
Posted by: Rich at September 10, 2007 04:22 PM (siQqy)
8
Hey, congrats!
Many blessings to you, the better half, and the new addition.
Posted by: C-C-G at September 10, 2007 07:18 PM (viASe)
9
Congratulations!!!!! Better load up on sleep now, 'cuz you ain't gettin' any after wee one arrives.
Posted by: GradualDazzle at September 10, 2007 07:29 PM (iHegN)
10
Congratulations to you and your wife, Bob.
Posted by: Dusty at September 10, 2007 08:06 PM (1Lzs1)
11
3/23? My wife is a couple of weeks ahead of yours.
Right now we're thanking the Gods for Zofran. (Write it down! Ask for it by name!)
Posted by: Richard Riley at September 10, 2007 10:45 PM (LibFF)
12
Very cool. Start working on your reduced-sleep-training program now...
Posted by: mrkwong at September 10, 2007 11:20 PM (G8Eo0)
13
3/23? Hey, that's my birthday!
If it is a boy, and born on that day, David is a good name.
Posted by: C-C-G at September 10, 2007 11:49 PM (viASe)
14
Excellent!
Congratulations.
Posted by: EW1(SG) at September 11, 2007 09:15 PM (YcNsA)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
June 28, 2007
Something or Nothing Open Thread
Yeah, I know that the amnesty Bill has gone down in flames and that other things of importance are happening in the world, but I'm attempting to run something down that may either be nothing, or something, and don't have time to really get into too much else at the moment.
As I'm going to be a slacker, enjoy yourself: I this is going to be the first open thread here, ever (at least as far as I recall).
Touch gloves, come out swinging, and please keep all punches above the belt.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
12:33 PM
| Comments (8)
| Add Comment
Post contains 102 words, total size 1 kb.
1
Anybody wanna guess what I've go in my pocket?
Posted by: phin at June 28, 2007 12:42 PM (CQcil)
2
The heck with what's in your pocket, put up your dukes! Mike Tyson rules and to paraphrase Chuck Wepner 'My three best punches are the choke hold, the rabbit punch and the head butt.'
Posted by: Dusty at June 28, 2007 01:33 PM (GJLeQ)
3
Slate has an interesting article by Reagan deputy AG Bruce Fein on why Cheney should be impeached. I can't link to the article because the spam filter apparently doesn't like the mention of that web site.
The individual examples of malfeasance are compelling, but I can't say the same for his last sentence, in which he summarizes the charges:
Cheney is impeachable for his overweening power and his sneering contempt of the Constitution and the rule of law.
This is a pretty lame restatement of a lot of serious problems.
Cheney seems like a very, very bad man to me, based on his penchant for absurd secrecy and his repeated attempts to exempt himself and Bush from accountability.
Sadly, No! mentioned a rumor that Cheney is going to step down, be replaced by Fred!, thus making Thompson the heir-apparent. Has anyone else heard anything along these lines?
Posted by: Doc Washboard at June 28, 2007 02:01 PM (O2QIW)
4
Anybody wanna guess...
A toad? I was always carrying around a toad when I was a kid...
Posted by: Purple Avenger at June 28, 2007 02:08 PM (G2DEp)
Posted by: Purple Avenger at June 28, 2007 02:10 PM (G2DEp)
6
Doc I've heard the same thing, but don't think its any more credible than the rumor several months back that Cheney was stepping down so they could bring in Dr. Rice as a serious contender.
I doubt that Fred! would want to take it. He'd be joining part of a lame duck administration, that just tried to muscle through a bill that a overwhelming majority of their base didn't want. Instead of actually help Fred! it'd destroy his chances.
I kind of look at it this way. If the current administration was batting around a 50 - 60+ percentage approval rating, it'd be a winning proposition. But with the approval ratings at a low point and him being unable to bring about any significant change he's nothing to gain and everything to loose.
It'd be kind of like jumping on the Titanic to rearrange the seats hoping to earn the captains chair.
Posted by: phin at June 28, 2007 03:26 PM (CQcil)
7
still believe those mission accomplished sign excuses?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/03/AR2007050302138.html
Posted by: mac at June 28, 2007 06:58 PM (YlQ//)
8
Here's some bare-knuckle street fighting from a surprising Corner:
LINK
A key moment was last night when the Baucus amendment on REAL ID wasn't tabled. The Bargainers had been running through the clay pigeon, tabling amendments to get them out of the way so they could get to the Graham-Kyl-Martinez "apprehend and deport" amendment. Then, the plan was, that amendment wouldn't be tabled, signaling that it would pass and giving some cat-nip to on-the-fence Republicans to vote for cloture. But Baucus wasn't tabled, stopping the process before it got to Lindsey "Deportation" Graham's creation. That helped blow away a big piece of the political strategy of the Bargainers.
A few shrewd conservatives had seen the potential here and voted against tabling Baucus—even though they didn't support the amendment—because they knew it would throw a monkey wrench in the process. When Baucus wasn't tabled because of those surprise conservative votes, a desperate Reid moved to vote on it right away to try to get it out of the way. But he couldn't because he couldn't get unanimous consent from opponents of the bill.
Procedurally, he had been check-mated; politically, the cover of the Graham-Kyl-Martinez amendment wouldn't be available; and it was downhill from there.
Posted by: capitano at June 28, 2007 07:34 PM (+NO33)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
May 31, 2007
How not to welcome your son-in-law into the family...
If he didn't want this guy bagging his daughter wouldn't Necrotizing fasciitis or some other flesh eating bacteria have been quicker?
From Fox News:
The father-in-law of the 31-year-old man under federal quarantine with a rare and dangerous form of tuberculosis is one of the leading TB researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, FOX News has learned.
Dr. Robert Cooksey, who works in the CDC's Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, confirmed to FOX News that he is the father-in-law of Andrew Speaker, a personal-injury lawyer who practices in his father's law firm in Atlanta.
Asked by FOX News whether it was possible that he had passed along the dangerous strain to his son-in-law, Cooksey said, "Absolutely not." He added that he "works in the lab" and "is not authorized to talk about that."
I've heard about fathers being overprotective of their daughters and all, but this guy has taken it to a new level.
Overheard in the halls of the CDC Atlanta Office just moments ago: What do you call a personal injury lawyer with a rare and dangerous form of tuberculosis? A good start.
Too soon?
Posted by: phin at
02:57 PM
| Comments (6)
| Add Comment
Post contains 209 words, total size 1 kb.
1
So it turns out the guy who was warned not to travel and did so anyway is a personal injury attorney? And married the daughter of the guy who knows most about how to treat his TB? You can't make this stuff up!
Maybe those passengers on the flights he took could get John "Silky Pony" Edwards to sue him. I expect he'll need work after the first primary or so.
Posted by: Retread at May 31, 2007 03:04 PM (P/AfD)
2
After seeing the daughter, I would almost be willing to get a dread disease in order to bang her.
Posted by: 1sttofight at June 01, 2007 12:55 AM (51r8a)
3
But isn't the real issue here Bush's attack on the CDCÂ’s budget:
– 2002: Proposed a $174 million cut.
– 2003: Proposed a $1 billion cut, with no new funding for preventive health divisions working on TB.
– 2004: Proposed an increase of “less than 1 per cent.”
– 2005: Proposed a $263 million cut, while simultaneously proposing a $270 million increase in abstinence education.
– 2006: Proposed a $500 million cut which would have slashed grants to state and local health departments like the Fulton County Health and Wellness Department involved in this week’s TB-scare.
– 2007: Proposed a $179 million cut, in addition to unspecified plans for more CDC “savings.”
– 2008: Proposed a $37 million cut, including “massive funding cuts in proven health protection programs.”
Posted by: Frederick at June 02, 2007 08:11 AM (6MrxL)
4
Of course it is, Frederick. It always is -- always.
Posted by: Mike at June 02, 2007 08:17 AM (G9Hfm)
5
Mike: Of course it isn't Bush's fault. The guy was trying to get back in the country not leave. Maybe he was getting US medical care mixed up with the excelllent care provided in Cuba.
Posted by: Davod at June 02, 2007 01:38 PM (RdotW)
6
Good research Fredrick. Think that one of our number one concerns is that we will have a biologic attack by terrorist. Yet we have no answer for the newer strains of smallpox and numerous other new/old diseases such a TB. But is our great leader worried about this? Is he worried about terrorist crossing the borders? No, he and out previous part are worried about how much pork they can mine and making their 20 million friends feel good. So, do we really have a war on terror, or are we all dupes?
Posted by: David Caskey, MD at June 02, 2007 08:54 PM (mk/ht)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
May 30, 2007
A whore or a prude, either path leads to sexual enlightenment...
... there is no middle ground.
via ace:
Crying Over Spilled Semen
Why women who don't use condoms feel happier [ed: an so do their herpes laden partners].
The finding that women who do not use condoms during sex are less depressed and less likely to attempt suicide than are women who have sex with condoms and women who are not sexually active, leads one researcher to conclude that semen contains powerful—and potentially ddictive—mood-altering chemicals.
Study author Gordon G. Gallup, Ph.D., a psychologist at the State University of New York in Albany, also found that women who routinely had intercourse without condoms became increasingly depressed as more time elapsed since their last sexual encounter. There was no such correlation for women whose partners regularly used condoms.
Gallup's survey of 293 college women also found that those who did not use condoms were most likely to initiate sex and to seek out new partners as soon as a relationship ended. "These women are more vulnerable to the rebound effect, which suggests that there is a chemical dependency," says Gallup.
Semen contains hormones including testosterone, estrogen, prolactin, luteinizing hormone and prostaglandins, and some of these are absorbed through the walls of the vagina and are known to elevate mood.
...
Gallup says he has since replicated the findings with a sample of 700 women and will examine whether "semen withdrawal" places women at an increased risk for depression...
Really, she said they were going to examine whether "semen withdrawal" places women at an increased risk for depression. Rise up men! No longer do women control the only bedroom commodity. Okay, sure they're still in control, and they get half your stuff, but at least we have a bit more bargaining power, maybe, if we weren't such suckers.
and from Dan Collins posting at protein wisdom.
The Porn Myth
...I will never forget a visit I made to Ilana, an old friend who had become an Orthodox Jew in Jerusalem. When I saw her again, she had abandoned her jeans and T-shirts for long skirts and a head scarf. I could not get over it. Ilana has waist-length, wild and curly golden-blonde hair. “Can’t I even see your hair?” I asked, trying to find my old friend in there. “No,” she demurred quietly. “Only my husband,” she said with a calm sexual confidence, “ever gets to see my hair.”
When she showed me her little house in a settlement on a hill, and I saw the bedroom, draped in Middle Eastern embroideries, that she shares only with her husband—the kids are not allowed—the sexual intensity in the air was archaic, overwhelming. It was private. It was a feeling of erotic intensity deeper than any I have ever picked up between secular couples in the liberated West. And I thought: Our husbands see naked women all day—in Times Square if not on the Net. Her husband never even sees another woman’s hair.
She must feel, I thought, so hot.
Just remember ladies, the burka isn't oppressive, it's sexy.
ITS.FOR.YOUR.OWN.GOOD.YOU.IGNORANT.HUSSY.
Sorry, where was I, oh yeah, because nothing says the sexy at the beach like a burkini clad woman:
Posted by: phin at
10:52 AM
| Comments (4)
| Add Comment
Post contains 539 words, total size 4 kb.
1
First we discover that sex is fun, now we discover that it may actually be addicting.
Will the species stop at nothing to continue?!?!?
Posted by: iamnot at May 30, 2007 12:25 PM (onj4J)
2
Isn't it equally possible that women who insist on the use of a condom are more responsible, that is, they worry about the consequences of their actions? Understanding the responsibilities that accompany sexual activity they wouldn't immediately jump in the sack with the next guy who came along nor would they be as inclined to worry when time elapses between encounters. All their conclusions can be explained via psychological differences between the samples.
Or, semen is a powerful drug.
Which sounds more likely?
Posted by: DoorHold at May 30, 2007 12:48 PM (+G23B)
3
First, any "burkini" clad woman would be attacked by the morals police in Iran.
Second, your friend chose her lifestyle. She was not coerced into it. That has a lot to do with the psychology of what her choices mean to her.
Lastly, the study only examines injections and not oral dispensing.
chsw
Posted by: chsw at May 30, 2007 02:37 PM (WdHqZ)
4
Is it entirely beyond the realm of possibility that the reason some women don't use condoms is because they (gasp!) WANT CHILDREN?
Posted by: Trish at May 30, 2007 08:13 PM (C9KHN)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
May 29, 2007
Dirty Scandi Trips Miss USA, Miss Japan becomes Miss Universe
Miss America proves something that very few Miss Universe hopefuls knew, that they're subject to the laws of gravity. Damn you Sir Isaac Newton...
A 20-year-old dancer from Japan was crowned Miss Universe 2007 on Monday night, marking only the second time her country has won the world beauty title.
Dressed in a black, red and purple Japanese-style gown, Riyo Mori nervously grabbed the hands of first runner-up, Natalia Guimaraes of Brazil, just before the winner was announced. Then she threw her hands up and covered her mouth, overcome with emotion...
Riyo Mori hypnotizes unsuspecting judges into thinking she can fly like an eagle.
...Miss USA Rachel Smith, who slipped and fell to the floor during the evening gown competition and was jeered by the Mexican audience during the interview phase, was the contest's fourth runner-up...
...Smith was booed during her interview and several audience members chanted "Mexico! Mexico!" until she spoke in Spanish, saying "Buenas noches Mexico. Muchas gracias!" which earned her applause. Mexico has a fierce rivalry with its northern neighbor.
Apparently the "fierce rivalry" doesn't apply if you want to sneak across the border. Which if all Mexicans are as easily distracted as the crowd in attendance instead of a fence we should just have recordings of President Jorje Bush and Teddy K. blairing Buenas noches Mexico. Muchas gracias!". Now that would be a sooper-dooper virtual fence and couldn't be any less affective than the border protection we have now.
Missing from this year's contest was Miss Sweden, whose country is one of the few to win the crown three times. Isabel Lestapier Winqvist, 20, dropped out because many Swedes say the competition does not represent the modern woman.
Thus the trap and alibi had been planned out. I keep telling you guys, you just can't trust an Ice Wop. Next year they'll probably kidnap Miss USA and replace her with some drunken hobo like Parasite Hilton.
Posted by: phin at
02:40 PM
| Comments (4)
| Add Comment
Post contains 340 words, total size 3 kb.
1
All I can say is,
Ai Chingau!
Posted by: David Terrenoire at May 29, 2007 03:33 PM (kxecL)
Posted by: Purple Avenger at May 29, 2007 06:55 PM (VgTsb)
3
I'll have you know I'm a happily married man.
Posted by: phin at May 29, 2007 07:16 PM (YgMQV)
4
A lot has been said about Mexicans booing the US contestant. This is nothing new. I went to Mexico in the mid 60's to help build churches. We were pelted with rocks and generally looked upon as scum. We were not doing anything controversal (even with the Catholic/Protestant divide). The fact is that Mexicans hate us with a passion. The more I have thought about a fence the less attractive it seems. The best option would be to take over the government and make Mexico a territory.
Posted by: David Caskey at May 30, 2007 09:54 AM (sHwkr)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
Saint Cindy to quit stalking George Bush
The underwear gnomes have left Crawford Texas.
At least she's finally admitting to being an Attention Whore.
I have spent every available cent I got from the money a "grateful" country gave me when they killed my son and every penny that I have received in speaking or book fees since then. I have sacrificed a 29 year marriage and have traveled for extended periods of time away from CaseyÂ’s brother and sisters and my health has suffered and my hospital bills from last summer (when I almost died) are in collection because I have used all my energy trying to stop this country from slaughtering innocent human beings. I have been called every despicable name that small minds can think of and have had my life threatened many times. ...
I am going to take whatever I have left and go home. I am going to go home and be a mother to my surviving children and try to regain some of what I have lost. I will try to maintain and nurture some very positive relationships that I have found in the journey that I was forced into when Casey died and try to repair some of the ones that have fallen apart since I began this single-minded crusade to try and change a paradigm that is now, I am afraid, carved in immovable, unbendable and rigidly mendacious marble.
Let's just hope that she's gone through "the change" so we don't end up with any little peace warriors running around as Saint Cindy and Father Hugo continue to nurture their relationship.
The cabby said he recognized my girly by the back of her head.
Posted by: phin at
02:00 PM
| Comments (3)
| Add Comment
Post contains 290 words, total size 2 kb.
1
I feel sorry for her in that she got sucked in by the Left to promote their agenda and is now being dropped like a hot potato.
Posted by: Mike at May 29, 2007 04:17 PM (ag9hj)
2
I don't disagree, Mike, but you can't ignore the ugly things the right wing said about her. Liddy called her an anti-Semite because she referred to the culpability of the neocons, which Liddy said was "code for Jew."
This woman has been ill-used by left and right and I find it disgusting.
When we resort to using Gold Star mothers for political advantage, it is a shame for our country.
I saw a mother during Vietnam attack the Lieutenant in charge of the honor guard, screaming at him, saying he had killed her son, and he stood there and took it, knowing she was bereft and because of her grief, not responsible for the things she was saying.
When Sheehan took her grief public, we all should have turned our heads. It is a dark time for our nation that we did not.
Posted by: David Terrenoire at May 29, 2007 09:59 PM (tk0b2)
3
She will not be having any more children she had a hystorectomy, remember she buried her uterus in Texas. Good Riddance!
Posted by: Jaded at May 31, 2007 10:41 AM (0lpqx)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
March 26, 2007
I Fought the Lawn...
...and the lawn
almost won.
I rented a rear-tine tiller to cut through the red clay and rock so that I can reseed my backyard over the weekend.
Fun thing rocky soil; tilling isn't easy anywhere, I suspect, but when you've got a 400 lb machine bucking every few feet when it hits a softball-sized rock, it takes a heavy toll on both the machine and operator. The yard killed the tiller. I broke off no less than four tines in the rocky soil, and perhaps as many as six. The folks I rented it from couldn't even get the engine to re-fire to unload it, and told me that it was going to have to be retired.
Sunburned, blistered and sore, I'm not feeling too good myself.
Light posting expected today due to work-related meetings.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
08:35 AM
| Comments (4)
| Add Comment
Post contains 144 words, total size 1 kb.
1
Been there, done that, got the blisters to prove it.
I've since decided that, if it's green, it's lawn.
Posted by: old_dawg at March 26, 2007 07:33 PM (p/rH0)
2
Give up on grass; the soil here is too acidic and clay-ee to support it. However, now's the time to load up the 'fertilizer sprinkler' thingee on wheels with sulpher instead. This will promote moss growth, which is a two-fer: green, no mowing necessary.
Posted by: Cindi at March 27, 2007 02:11 AM (asVsU)
3
Nobody said the price for sweat equity and curb appeal was free.
Posted by: markm at March 27, 2007 06:17 AM (hVOTO)
4
Must have been some pretty hefty rocks to break off the tines.
I've had to do what you're trying but in a soil that wasn't quite so rock strewn nor clayey. Ended up letting it revert to moss after spreading enough lime to make it look like it snowed. (Heavy rain washed most of it away.) Shade also from some massive oaks (hence the acid soil) contributed to that decision.I felt like I had "wasted" two summers.
Posted by: joated at March 27, 2007 03:23 PM (H+ly+)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
January 14, 2007
More Sectarian Violence
This time it struck not the Hurriyah neighborhood of Baghdad, but
my hometown of Greenville, NC. Coincidence?
Probably.
While two churches were burned and another was broken into, there have no Associated Press reports of Baptists being pulled out of Sunday school, doused in moonshine, and burned alive by a mob of Methodists in four-by-fours.
Yet.
In all seriousness, I'm thankful that no one was hurt. As Memorial Baptist's associate minster Rick Bailey noted, "That's bricks and concrete, and that stuff can be replaced."
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
11:10 PM
| Comments (8)
| Add Comment
Post contains 90 words, total size 1 kb.
1
Oh please. Stop sugarcoating, the violence has spiraled out of control and Greenville is sliding toward all-out civil war.
Posted by: TallDave at January 15, 2007 03:31 PM (oyQH2)
2
Yeah, and if you'd get out of the Columbia Green Zone, or out of your hotel, you could report the truth! Embed with some Sunday schools, perhaps!
Man, you left wing media types!
By the way, the local commander of the SC State Police, Captain Jamie Hussein says that they're just willy-nilly killin' folk out there!
Posted by: Matty J at January 15, 2007 04:12 PM (AUaQ8)
3
US out of NC...NOW!!! Redeploy! No blood for tobacco! Communism is good!
Posted by: Cindy the Centrist Mainstreamer at January 15, 2007 04:14 PM (AQj/2)
4
The violence has not reached Winterville –yet.
Posted by: jim at January 15, 2007 04:54 PM (eyRxA)
5
Do you know why the Baptists build their churches out of brick? It's to repel the Knights of Columbus when they attack.
Posted by: Pete at January 15, 2007 05:54 PM (SPozC)
6
The violence seems to be getting out of hand maybe you should move to Iraq, I here the streets are flowing with milk and honey.
Posted by: Jarhead at January 15, 2007 08:41 PM (yW+no)
7
Sounds like a quagmire. And how will you ever handle the brutal North Carolina winter?
Posted by: Achillea at January 16, 2007 01:20 PM (ulV3f)
8
BECAUSE OF THE CHITLINS!!!
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at January 16, 2007 01:25 PM (g5Nba)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
December 12, 2006
Surreallaw
Must have been a
butterfly indictment (my bold):
A day after authorities announced that a former New Hanover County deputy had been indicted in the shooting death of a Durham teen during a raid on a Wilmington home, members of the grand jury now say the indictment was a mistake.
The grand jury never intended to charge Cpl. Christopher Long with second-degree murder, but the foreman checked the wrong box on the indictment, authorities said Tuesday.
Peyton Strickland, 18, a Cape Fear Community College student from Durham, was shot to death Dec. 1 at his Wilmington home by deputies serving arrest and search warrants. Strickland and two friends were charged with assaulting a University of North Carolina at Wilmington student last month and stealing two PlayStation 3 consoles from him.
UNC-W police asked for support from the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office during the arrests of the suspects in the case because of the potential that they were armed and dangerous, authorities said. Strickland had an earlier arrest on a felony assault charge.
Was Theresa LePore the jury foreman by any chance?
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
06:10 PM
| Comments (5)
| Add Comment
Post contains 184 words, total size 1 kb.
1
These guys sound like jerks, but don't you think it is past time to stop the cops from this type of activity? They are really beginning to become opressive.
Posted by: David Caskey at December 13, 2006 01:32 PM (xxoPt)
2
David, Stop cops from what type of activity? Protecting themselves while they perform their duties? We had an officer who was shot and killed here in Warren County, NC while serving an arrest warrent. What sort of "opressive" behavior was he demonstrating as he knocked on the door just before a shot came through the door killing him? I don't have any sympathy for Strickland.
Posted by: Jack at December 13, 2006 03:20 PM (2sR7f)
3
Jack, the police were using a battering ram on the door; that's some knock, eh? According to the defense, it's the very method of forcible entry which caused the noisy confusion which caused the officer to fire shots.
Also stated in one of the news reports was that it was known one of the men present with Strickland had an interest in guns, although neither man was armed at the time. If that's the qualifying characteristic for a SWAT-raid, 80 million of us are in equal danger of the same judgement of presumption of guilt.
The police take the job knowing the risks; it should not be off-loaded onto the presumed innocent at the time of arrest.
I agree with David; these SWAT-style raids need to be drastically curtailed. The concept of Peace-officer needs to be restored and any officer held to account for killing innocent citizens.
Posted by: Cindi at December 13, 2006 04:22 PM (asVsU)
4
Cindi, To say one of the men there "had an interest in guns" is an understatement. Photos of him on the internet posing with his guns and a loaded gun in his car seem to imply he may present a problem come arrest time.
Also, Strickland had an earlier arrest on a felony assault charge.
It is ridiculous to imply that they were just a bunch of innocent kids playing video games.
Posted by: Jack at December 13, 2006 11:05 PM (JqRZA)
5
No excuse, Jack. I travel with a loaded gun, although there are no internet pictures of me with them. That the man has guns is not a reason to presume he will shoot at law enforcement, thus a SWAT raid. I'M NOT BUYING IT.
I didn't say they were 'innocent kids playing video games'; I'm saying that until a court of law has decided they're guilty of the charge on the warrant, it is wrong to presume guilt at the time of arrest.
Knock on the gods-pounding door like you're supposed to and if ya run into trouble, then act accordingly. We have a murdered young man here, don't you get it? He had a remote in his hand, not a gun.
Posted by: Cindi at December 14, 2006 12:20 AM (asVsU)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
December 06, 2006
Harsh Nature
CNET.com senior editor James Kim, who went missing in Oregon while trying to get help for his stranded family,
is dead:
"At 12:03 hours, the body of James Kim was located at the bottom of Big Windy Creek," Oregon State Police Lt. Gregg Hastings said at a press conference.
My heart goes out for the Kim family. James Kim left behind a wife and two small children, all of which were rescued in good condition on Saturday.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
04:20 PM
| Comments (2)
| Add Comment
Post contains 81 words, total size 1 kb.
1
I've been following the story for days and I'm sadden it's ended like this. At least Kati and the daughters were rescued in time. I've been reading comments at other places like SFGate and CNET and noticed a small trend. There are some staying he was foolish for leaving the car and trying to go for help; that when your lost you should stay put. I'm an Eagle Scout that spent my childhood up in the wilderness of Northern Maine. Staying put is excellent advice but only for so many days/weeks. I'll tell you: after a week has passed, your out of food, freezing, burned tires, car out of gas, the wife is running low on breast milk, it's high time to make an attempt. The time "limit" for most Search and Rescue attempts is roughly a week. After that efforts are dramtically reduced to just a few personnel. Sorry for the long comment. In the end hindsight/armchair quarterbacking is 20/20. He took a gamble to save his family, Rest in Peace James.
Posted by: George at December 07, 2006 09:37 AM (95QnD)
2
I agree George, That about what I learned as well. What I don't understand is if he tried to backtrack his driven path or cut out into a new area. Without knowing an area, it can be deceiving.
Reguardless, he tried to help his family and my heart goes out to them. I wish them well.
Posted by: Retired Navy at December 07, 2006 12:24 PM (elhVA)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
October 25, 2006
Helping Heroes
Via
Michelle Malkin this morning, a call to support milblogger Reid Stanley of
A Storm in Afghanistan.
Reid's wife Ellicia has been diagnosed with cancer in her breasts, lungs and brain. The prognosis is terminal, and hospice care is not covered under his military benefits.
I humbly ask my readers for two things:
First and foremost, if you are able, please contribute financially to help his family through this traumatic time if you are able, and keep them in your prayers.
Second, please contact your Congressmen and Senators to ask that hospice care for the immedate family members of servicemen be added to the benefits package of those serving this nation. Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines risk their lives to protect us. It seems only right that we provide for them and their families when they need it most.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
07:53 AM
| No Comments
| Add Comment
Post contains 144 words, total size 1 kb.
September 29, 2006
Foley Resigns in Scandal
Disgusting:
Saying he was "deeply sorry," Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL) resigned from Congress today, hours after ABC News questioned him about sexually explicit internet messages with current and former congressional pages under the age of 18.
A spokesman for Foley, the chairman of the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children, said the congressman submitted his resignation in a letter late this afternoon to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.
Get that last bit? He was the chairman of the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children.
I hope that someone in law enforcement in both Washington and Florida is smart enough to get a search warrant for his House and home personal computers.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
02:49 PM
| Comments (4)
| Add Comment
Post contains 122 words, total size 1 kb.
1
At least he did resign rather than try to brazen it out. Probably could have blamed it on a frameup by the VLWC and got away with it if he wanted to.
I wouldn't really be suprised if he winds up smoking a .38 fairly soon.
Posted by: Purple Avenger at September 29, 2006 05:57 PM (8uJYe)
Posted by: El Cid at September 30, 2006 10:47 AM (ka+uC)
3
...conservative values?
Posted by: annonymous coward at October 01, 2006 12:12 AM (+Q7GB)
4
I'm reminded of the case of democratic former congressman Mel Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds had a number of crimes that led to his removal from congress and into jail, including a five year prison term for having sex with a underage female campaign volunteer.
How did the democrats respond to this?
Democrat Mel Reynolds was among the 176 criminals excused in President Clinton's last-minute forgiveness spree.
Former democrat presidental wannabe Jessie Jackson gave him a job on the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's payroll.
The job the "Rev." Jackson gave the sexual predator? Youth counselor.
Don't forget that the "Rev." Jackson was paying his mistress hush and child support money (a 6 figure sum) out funds collected by his so-called "non-profit" organization.
Posted by: Mark at October 01, 2006 09:59 AM (uUD7+)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
September 28, 2006
Durham Police Turn to Psychic
This is
interesting:
After exhausting all leads in the murder case of Janet Abaroa, Durham police homicide investigators are turning to a famed psychic for help.
Lead homicide investigator Jack Cates confirmed Wednesday that investigator S.W. Vaughan has begun using a psychic to assist in developing leads in the 17-month-old probe into the stabbing death of the 25-year-old wife and mother.
Raven Abaroa reported discovering his wife's body in the couple's Ferrand Drive home on April 26, 2005. The murder weapon was never recovered, and while police would not say if there were signs of forced entry into the home, they said they believed the murder "was not a random act."
Cates would not confirm the identity of the psychic, but a source with knowledge of the case told The Herald-Sun that high-profile psychic Laurie McQuary of Lake Oswego, Ore.-based Management by Intuition, had stepped in to help develop leads.
I'm ambivalent on whether or not people have psychic abilities, but when a case goes cold as this one apparently has, any extra set of eyes reviewing the information accumulated so far has to help. I'll be interested to see if this results in new leads.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
07:44 AM
| No Comments
| Add Comment
Post contains 206 words, total size 1 kb.
September 18, 2006
Man Rams Capitol Security Barricade
Not much detail, but
CNN reports that he has been arrested and that no one was hurt.
I wonder... has anyone seen Patrick Kennedy lately?
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at
08:51 AM
| Comments (3)
| Add Comment
Post contains 35 words, total size 1 kb.
1
Looks like practice for the next al-Qaeda attack scheduled for Ramadan. We need to watch for a mass movement of muslems out of the area.
Posted by: Zelsdorf Ragshaft III at September 18, 2006 10:33 AM (P90Bw)
2
Further details:
The arrestee has a prior record. Previous arrest for drunk driving. Ditto for posession of a fire arm. Now he arrested for reckless driving, criminal trespass and posession of a fire arm.
I can see that those strict laws against fire arms in our nations capitol are so effective.
Posted by: MFB at September 18, 2006 11:52 PM (xc5/u)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
119kb generated in CPU 0.0293, elapsed 0.1077 seconds.
68 queries taking 0.0858 seconds, 290 records returned.
Powered by Minx 1.1.6c-pink.
