TNPolitical

Writing a book?

2007-02-04T22:44:00.000-05:00

I did something the other day that I haven't had the opportunity to do in a while: visited a bookstore to browse for a new addition to my library.

As some of you may know, I'm past the point of needing a purely technical book. Most of my interests involve more than just learning a new tool. I was hoping to find a good book on "complex attack heuristics", but that is not a field that lends itself to a single book. Since most books are about "how" and not "why", I think I'm out of luck.

So, unless any of you know of a good book on risk-based analysis of audit trails, logfile correlation, or event scoring algorithms which maintain representations of known attack scenarios, I will probably start researching to write my own.

For this, I'll need as many post-intrusion analysis reports and logfiles as I can find. Reply if you have any good sources.

Something completely different

2007-02-02T09:03:00.000-05:00

So, my wife let me get a nice Christmas present for myself this year: Alienware m9700 laptop. This thing is sweet, with dual video cards, 17” screen, and the works. My only problem is that I can’t get a Linux distribution to work on it, except Fedora FC6. Fedora, and Redhat in general, are bloated. I’d like something lean to run on it that can customize itself to my system, like Gentoo.

Well, I started with FC6 just to get my feet wet. FC6 went on, I downloaded, compiled, installed the drivers for my rtl8185 wireless card, and tried to get this beast to join my wireless network. Wpa_supplicant will not work, so I had to downgrade to WEP on my network to get it online.

Today, and for the near future, I intend to try for Gentoo again. Gentoo is good in that it allows itself to be completely customized to this system, right down to custom compilation of software. Unfortunately, getting it to boot and work on this laptop won’t be easy.

Wish me luck…

I am alive.

2006-10-11T21:40:00.000-04:00

Okay, after many months, a new job, and a new addition to the family, I am posting again. Stay tuned!

Unbelievable

2006-01-09T12:07:00.000-05:00

Ole Ted "gimme-anudder-drink" Kennedy named his dog "Splash"?!? Why not just name it "Chappy"!?

Goldblatt: Very funny

2006-01-09T09:47:00.000-05:00

Yeah, critical thinking? This is what college does.

WT: Abramoff and Dems

2006-01-06T11:27:00.000-05:00

Yep, he's a "GOP Fundraiser"...

Blonde joke

2006-01-06T08:21:00.000-05:00

Not the funniest I've ever heard, but still worth the time.

Judicial Activism

2006-01-05T11:52:00.000-05:00

So, a Vermont judge no longer believes in punishment, so he gives a convicted child rapist 60 days to rehabilitate under government supervision? Great...

UPDATE: I'll post more when my anger subsides.

CQ: Abramoff and Kennedy

2006-01-05T07:59:00.001-05:00

More news you won't hear about the "GOP Fundraiser" Abramoff.

CQ: Abramoff and Clinton

2006-01-05T07:59:00.000-05:00

News you won't hear about the "GOP Fundraiser" Abramoff.

Abramoff, the GOP, and the Dems

2006-01-04T08:36:00.000-05:00

Well, Abramoff has plead guilty. Let the House cleaning begin. If the investigators find ANY member of the Legislative branch has betrayed his oath and sold out his constituents, kick him out. Heck, go back a few years and get people who have already been voted out of office. Find every single person involved and prosecute him.

If this process for prosecuting offenders is done right, we could have a better government. Make this visible, make this noisy, and make of this an example to future public servants. Get to it. I'm pleased.

While the Dems supported Clinton against all charges without regard to merit, we should take the high ground and prosecute all offenders, even those of our own party. Let Festivus commence.

Writing Well

2006-01-03T15:04:00.000-05:00

I picked up a book entitled On Writing Well by William Zinsser. Once I've digested as much of this book as I can, I'd like some suggestions for other writing books.

The Conservative circles are fond of The Trivium by Sister Miriam Joseph Rauh. That may be my next book.

Ideas?

Keep an eye on Mitt

2006-01-03T13:45:00.000-05:00

Follow the money

2006-01-03T13:42:00.000-05:00

If you want to know what the NEA believes, follow the money.

New TN politics blog

2006-01-03T13:41:00.000-05:00

Expect to see some links to this site in the future.

Yet more bad decisions out of LA's governor

2006-01-03T09:06:00.000-05:00

2006 and 2008

2006-01-03T08:11:00.000-05:00

I'm getting into election mode. With the campaigning for 2006 about to hit full tilt, I'd like to start the season off with some observations. In order for Bush and Republicans to win, here is the recipe:

1. Return to conservative roots. Start hitting the messages of security, low taxes, find a way to explain the out-of-control spending so far, make the battle over Alito very vocal and talk up the reasons for a constructionist.
2. Drop dead weight. Dr. Frist may be a good doctor, but he is horrible as a majority leader. Get someone in who will lead, cajole, threaten, bully, and trick all Republicans to toe the party line.
3. Talk morals, local issues, and national issues every chance you get. Senate and House elections are decided locally, so don't try to make national figures out of Senators and Congressmen. Make them household names in their respective districts.

In order for the Dems to win, here is the recipe:

1. Cut the loon-squad loose. While the Republicans can win using a local strategy, Dems can't. Ma and Pa in the heartland want conservative values from honest people. That immediately disqualifies most Dems.
2. Lay off the name-calling. Most Americans are getting tired of the rhetoric, so knock it off.
3. Find a vision. Honestly, you can't win by saying, "At least we aren't the other guy."
4. Become Republicans. Okay, this one is a joke.

My predictions:

1. Republicans will gain 4 seats in the House, and 2 in the Senate.
2. Democrats will continue down the road of irrelevancy, as they will become more and more shrill. Americans want to win, not retreat. The Dem message will be to cut and run, bow to international pressure, give up sovereignty, etc.
3. Bush will gain in poll numbers, and will be able to sway quite a few races. This will drive Dean insane, and he will be on the ticket for '08. The Dems like him when he's nuts.

Give me your predictions, and we'll track them. This should be a fun season. I'm looking forward to it.

Quick and Dirty IQ test

2005-12-30T13:31:00.000-05:00

My score:

Your IQ Is 140

Your Logical Intelligence is Below Average

Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius

Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius

Your General Knowledge is Genius

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

I'm sure no one will be surpised by the scores, especially the first one. My question, though, is where it gets the first one. Maybe since I see that I got the right answer on all of them, that indicates another problem.

Ideas?

Idiot

2005-12-30T13:02:00.000-05:00

What kind of moron, when packing for an airline trip, fills condoms with flour as a joke? Surely any reasonable person would immediately think about drug trafficing. I think probably cause was given just because of the packaging.

She says it was a joke, but it wasn't very funny. I think she should get crap.

Nuttiness at Lean Left

2005-12-30T12:25:00.000-05:00

Read one of the comments. That guy really needs some help, or drugs, or both.

Blacks and racism

2005-12-30T12:23:00.000-05:00

I see a lot of logic in this. I've long considered a vast amount of the racism claims to be excuses for poor personal performance.

My political profile

2005-12-30T12:14:00.000-05:00

Your Political Profile

Overall: 85% Conservative, 15% Liberal

Social Issues: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

Ethics: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Odd.

Light day for me

2005-12-29T10:40:00.000-05:00

Blogging will be light today. I had a good, if frustrating, discussing at SayUncle yesterday regarding why Bush didn't break the law when he ordered the NSA wiretaps. In short, court precedent supports the president's claim. Court precedents are apparently too hard to understand for some on the left. SayUncle, always the vigilant defender of our God-given rights, is erring on the side of limited government. While I support his stand in that sense, I don't support his notion that Bush has stepped in it. Legally, there is nothing that prevents Bush from doing what he did. FISA has been since determined, by court decision, to still allow for the President to ask for wiretaps as part of his Commander in Chief role to gather foreign intelligence. That is what he did.

There's more detail to the issue than just that, but I don't feel like going into it.

FISA vs. the Constitution

2005-12-28T10:23:00.000-05:00

Bush didn't lie

2005-12-28T09:57:00.000-05:00

Would our Wall Street do this?

2005-12-28T09:07:00.000-05:00

So, they trade with bombs dropping and people getting killed. Raise a rumor about poultry measles a world away, and ours huddles in fear...

Time to make the donuts...

2005-12-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

I stopped by Dunkin Donuts this morning and got a couple to honor this pioneer of work ethic.

How many of us watched those commercials. The commercials were funny way to show that work ethic is important. This character got up at all hours, sometimes even passing himself in the doorway, to do his job. I know it is silly, but when I was getting up at unearthly hours to stand watch, study, or go exercise, it was a rallying cry for me of sorts. Now, I just eat a lot of donuts.

AP: DHS Failures?

2005-12-28T08:50:00.000-05:00

Some highlights:

The Homeland Security Department officially opened its doors in March 2003. It was created in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks to bolster protections of potential domestic targets.

Since then, according to the report, the department has failed to:

-Compile a single, comprehensive list prioritizing protections for the nation's most critical and potentially vulnerable buildings, transportation systems and other infrastructure.
-Install monitors at borders and every international seaport and airport to screen for radiation material entering the country.
-Install surveillance cameras at all high-risk chemical plants.
-Create one effective network to share quickly security-related intelligence and alerts with state, local and private industry officials.
-Track international visitors through a computerized system that takes their fingerprints and photographs as they enter and exit the country.

One by one now:

1. Single and comprehensive? Not going to happen. Threats change, risks change, exposure changes, the players change, the priority changes. From a risk management standpoint, one single, comprehensive list is a blue-print to failure. They need to be mobile and responsive, but with a firm procedure in place for periodic review of threats, exposure, agents, etc.

2. Good luck with that one. I don't see that as very feasible.

3. Could be done, and should be done.

4. I hear there are some frequency issues with the radio aspect of this. I also hear that the reason the DHS can't get the frequencies is because of the MSM lobby.

5. Wait! The Dems just got upset because the Bush Administration did a little poking and prodding of the foreign nationals already. What makes the Dems think they'll like this tactic any better? Oh, wait! I understand. It is a play, a trap. They get Bush onboard with this, then try to impeach him on an unreasonable search and seizure, or on privacy issues. Pretty clever!

Once the Dems realize that these measures will put the safety and welfare of citizens above that of the foreign aggressors, they'll back off. After all, no one deserves rights more than the criminals; certainly not the victims or intended victims.

Christmas

2005-12-27T09:48:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. The Mrs. and I just passed a milestone: our last sane Christmas. Next year, we'll have a little bundle to make things crazy.

This year was a giant, aggravating mess. A couple of undisciplined kids (as in, not disciplined by their parents!) made the holidays a headache. Next year, the Mrs. and I are considering being a little more formal. As it is now, we have a short Christmas at home, then head to her parents for breakfast and to watch our niece and nephew have their Santa experience. The niece and nephew have Santa at the in-laws primarily because she pays for it, and partly because she has a chimney. That could make our Christmas a little rough in the following years as V2.0 begins to understand that Santa visits Grandma's for her cousins.

To combat this, the Mrs. and I are considering making Christmas morning our family time, while allowing the niece and nephew to get Santa over with, and clean up the mess. This will provide a less hectic event for all involved if we don't try to cram the family Christmas in with a partial Santa experience.

The BattleAxe will not like this. I suspect that the Old Man won't either, but he'll be more reasonable. The BattleAxe will probably raise a stink.

So, here's my plan: depending on when the good sister-in-law (different brother of the Mrs.) and her family have Christmas (lunch or supper), I think I'll plan some Christmas fun with my 'rents, then we will all meet at the BattleAxe's house for the Mrs.'s family. Next year, the good brother and the good sister-in-law will have a bundle of their own, so it will be doubly important to reduce the insanity.

How have you all dealt with it? How do you deal with incapable parents, crazy kids, infants, and the general Christmas insanity? Any tips will be appreciated.

A way to end terrorism

2005-12-22T14:35:00.000-05:00

If we cancel the Patriot Act, will the Terrorists quit?

Christmas insanity

2005-12-22T14:32:00.000-05:00

Someone tell me where the government (local, state, or federal) get the authority to make these kind of decisions? No part of the Constitution gives them the ability to prohibit the free exercise of religion, so where do they get the chutzpah?

Should I sue Mattel?

2005-12-22T14:26:00.000-05:00

I'm a victim of G. I. Joe!!

Death penalty and the 10 Commandments

2005-12-22T14:01:00.000-05:00

So, I'm reading the Federalist Newsletter, and I see this:

"No passage in the Bible -Old or New Testament- disapproves of the death penalty... The penalty for those who violate 'You shall not murder' (Exodus 20:13) is made explicit just a few lines later: 'Whoever strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death' (Exodus 21:12). The text goes on to specify that this applies only to deliberate murder, not unintentional killing. Accidents are not capital crimes. But for a willful killer, there can be no sanctuary: 'Take him even from My altar and put him death' (Exodus 21:14). Similar declarations appear in all five books of Moses, nowhere more dramatically or universally than in Genesis. Speaking to Noah after the Flood, God enjoins him -and through him, all of human society- to affirm the sanctity of human life by making murderers pay the ultimate price for their crime. 'Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has man been made' (Genesis 9:6)... Scripture could hardly be more explicit... When murderers keep their lives, human blood is cheapened. That is why reverence for life and capital punishment belong to the same ethical tradition. Civilized communities have not only the right but the responsibility to execute murderers. It may be a difficult responsibility to carry out. It may involve an assertion of moral authority that modern thinkers condemn. But easy or not, popular or not, the duty is ours to perform. The protection of human life is a grave obligation -never more so than when it involves taking a life away." -Jeff Jacoby

When Jesus came upon a mob trying to stone an adulteress, he said, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Is that forgiveness? If so, are we still required to kill murderers? How far do we take Jesus's example of forgiveness?

Oh, and for moderate_christian and fuzzy_beaver, look closer at Mr. Jacoby's more accurate translation of Exodus 20:13.

LaShawn Barber tells it like it is

2005-12-22T13:21:00.000-05:00

The Darker Side of Christmas

2005-12-22T12:39:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas from Bob corker

2005-12-22T09:20:00.000-05:00

I just got a nice "Merry Christmas" email from Bob Corker. I went to his website. He is running for the Senate seat Dr. Spineless is leaving.

He appears to be conservative. Some information:

Self-made man, started his own construction business and made it successful

Appears to like low taxes

Appears to support free religion

Appears to be a 2nd Amendment fan:

As Senator, I will protect the Second Amendment’s guarantee of our right to bear arms and reject attempts to limit the freedom of law-abiding gun owners. The best way to stop crime is to capture and imprison criminals—not to impose new burdens on law-abiding citizens. During my tenure as Mayor of Chattanooga, we cut violent crime in half in 3 years by putting repeat criminals behind bars.

If any of you know Mr. Corker, I'd like to ask the following questions:

What is should be the major goal of the federal government: abiding by the limited powers defined in the Constitution, or avoiding violating the protections detailed in the Bill of Rights?

Is the Department of Education, CMS, Welfare, and the "Bridge to Nowhere" constitutional? Explain what you think makes them constitutional.

Should a TSA screener pay more attention to someone matching the profile of almost every other attempted or successful terrorist, or is that wrong?

Should we let the UN take over the Internet?

Should abortion (other than emergency or health-related situations) be legal?

Do you believe we are winning in Iraq?

Have you read, and do you understand, the Federalist Papers?

Honey, can I have one of these?

2005-12-22T09:17:00.000-05:00

Evolution vs. evolution

2005-12-22T08:54:00.000-05:00

'Triple H' has another good discussion today with what I consider a typical liberal debater. This guy will not let anyone else speak.

My reasoning against Evolution (with a big E) is that we have no evidence that new genetic information has evolved. Sure, if I marry a short woman, and my children marry shorter women, etc, then my offspring have a chance to be smaller. But there is a difference between the selection of traits (or genetic choices) and the creation of new genetic traits (new genetic choices).

'evolution' (with a small e) is really just a change because of choices/adaptation to external forces. 'Evolution' is a mutation large enough and repeated enough to cause a change in a species. We have no evidence this has ever happened. We have the Monkey-to-Man picture, but we have no evidence this ever occurred.

Any thoughts?

Seriously, put them in jail and throw away the key

2005-12-22T08:28:00.000-05:00

All of us in the private sector should consider something. If we demanded that our boss pay all of our retirement, let us retire at 55, and give us a 24% pay raise over the next 3 years, we'd be laughed out of the building. Why do these nitwits, who make more than any other untrained, uneducated profession in the area, believe they can hold NY hostage? Because the city lets them. If Bloomberg would fire the bunch of criminals, we could hire monkeys to do the work. The monkeys would be less like to throw poo...

Those whacky leftists!

2005-12-22T08:26:00.000-05:00

For those interested in where AQ in Iraq is heading next...

2005-12-22T08:22:00.000-05:00

From Derb on the Corner

2005-12-21T15:54:00.000-05:00

From John Derbyshire on The Corner. I snorted. I honestly snorted.

***PSYCHIATRISTS' CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR EVERY DIAGNOSIS

Schizoprenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear?

Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Queens Disoriented Are

Dementia --- I Think I'll Be Home For Christmas

Narcissistic --- Hark The Herald Angels Sing About Me

Manic --- Deck The Hall and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants and.........

Paranoid --- Santa Claus Is Coming To Get Me

Borderline Personality Disorder --- Thoughts Of Roasting On An Open Fire

Personality Disorder --- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why

Obessive Complusive Disorder --- Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

ADHD -- Hark the herald angels sing ba-rum-pa-pum-pum in the little town of Bethlehem up on the housetop in a winter wonderland one foggy Christmas Eve hey how bout them Bears no I don't want to switch to Sprint but thank you for shopping at K-Mart.

Maybe Ann Coulter will stop sending me those coded messages, too!

2005-12-21T14:40:00.000-05:00

Who knows? If this lady wins, maybe I can get a restraining order to prevent Ann Coulter and Michelle Malkin from mentally throwing themselves at me every time I visit their website.

I mean, honestly! Look at Michelle's picture on her blog and tell me that she isn't saying, "Come on, JJ! Be my guest blogger!"

The nerve of some people!

Jonah Goldberg is on to something

2005-12-21T13:56:00.000-05:00

From The Corner on National Review (Jonah Goldberg):

Every year I introduce this thought into the Corner and it always stirs the yuletide pot nicely.

You know those Kay Jewellers commercials? The tagline is: "Every Kiss Begins with Kay."

So, once again: If every kiss begins with a diamond or other bauble from Kay, then you're either dating, or married to, a whore.

Which fits my view of all of those diamond commercials:

A man yells at the top of his lungs that he loves the woman he's with, and she glances around embarrassed. She doesn't want to return the sentiment. When he whips out a diamond, she'll grudgingly whisper that she loves him, but not loud enough to be heard by anyone.

A man expresses his desire to marry his wife all over again, and she's not impressed. When he whips out the diamond, then she's impressed.

It isn't about love. It's about bling! Luckily, I got one of those rare, wonderful women most men only dream about...

Yet more Bush and NSA

2005-12-21T13:54:00.000-05:00

Shouldn't she be happy?

2005-12-21T13:48:00.000-05:00

The she-clinton is getting more abortions. She should be dancing in the streets. More babies will die without a chance to enjoy basic rights.

For those with liberal family members (or friends)

2005-12-21T13:41:00.000-05:00

Bush and the NSA again

2005-12-21T13:39:00.000-05:00

Good review of the FISA, NSA, and Bush issue

2005-12-21T13:27:00.000-05:00

Food for thought...

Oh, FoxNews, I'm so ashamed.

2005-12-21T12:45:00.000-05:00

This is too funny

2005-12-21T12:41:00.000-05:00

Okay, considering the villification of Rice, Powell, Thomas, Estrada, and other people of minority status who do not toe the liberal line, you'd think the Liberals would be getting tired of divisive tactics. Apparently not.

Where's the outrage?

2005-12-21T12:37:00.000-05:00

Okay, where's the outrage over this, my liberal friends? Original here.

"I'd vote for a Democrat if..."

2005-12-21T11:21:00.000-05:00

I've heard this phrase many times, but I never thought about what it'd take to get me to vote for a Democrat in a national election. Sure, I may vote for Bredesen if no one can offer a better alternative, but I can't see how I'd vote for a Democrat, considering what most of them stand for. I am all for voting for the best person for the job, but when a Democrat gets elected, all he ever stood for is gone. Just look at algore. He lost his ever-loving mind. Washington is a numbers game anyway, but adding to Babs Boxer's numbers is a bad idea.

But, in the spirit of camaraderie:

1. The Dem believes that the 1st Amendment actually prohibits the government from interfering with our right to free religion. Most believe it means freedom from religion, not freedom of religion.

2. The Dem believes that 3 listed federal powers are enough: regulate interstate commerce, secure treaties, and protect our turf.

3. The Dem refuses to buy into the whole liberal idea of "No personal responsibility for anyone!"

4. The Dem is a constructionist.

5. The Dem has character.

If those five objectives are met, I might vote for him. I would just worry that putting a Dem in DC might cause him to be corrupted by the hetero-haters, the tax-n-spenders, or the can't-we-all-get-along-ers.

You may now post your qualifications for voting for a Democrat (or a Republican, if you are a flaming, no-good, liberal, ne'er-do-well (Just kidding)).

Running for cover

2005-12-21T08:48:00.000-05:00

Get ready for a lot of Dems to run for political cover now that Bush has stated he told the leaders of both houses about his NSA tool usage.

Let me clear up some things for you:

1. The NSA was not tasked with monitoring your phone calls. They were tasked with monitoring potential terrorist activity.
2. I consider this a reasonable usage of the Presidents war-making powers.
3. If this could have prevent 911 (and it could have), would you have backed it?
4. If you found out, without a shadow of doubt, that this program has prevent terrorist activity, would you loosen up?

I find the Dems increasingly spineless. They knew this was going on, agreed with it (!), and now want to distance themselves for doing the right thing. Pretty weak...

So many titles running through my head!

2005-12-21T08:25:00.000-05:00

Could have been:

"Where's Al Gore when you need him?"

"So, GW stole this election, too?"

"Call SCOTUS, they have more contract work to do!"

"The Sunnis are the Arab liberals?!?"

Oh, my head!

Some meat and potatoes for moderate_christian

2005-12-21T07:55:00.000-05:00

I was listening to the radio this morning, and I kept hearing things that upset me.

The host (HHH) kept asking whether our "Constitutional Right" to privacy should be protected. I'm really not a fan of the Bill of Rights. There! I said it! I hate the Bill of Rights. Here's why:

1. The Bill of Rights has only served to confuse people. We do not have right to free speech in the BoR. Look for it. Oh? The 1st Amendment? Nope! That just says that the federal government can't interfere with our right to free speech. It is a protection, not an enumeration of our right. The Bill of Rights is a holdover from times when the monarchy held all power, but gave some up to provide rights to his subjects. We, as Americans, hold all the power, therefore, we don't need some handed back to us in a Bill of Rights.

2. The Bill of Rights has changed the way our government works. It no longer works as intended. The Constitution lists some limited powers given by the people to the federal government. The President's war-making powers are in there somewhere. It is a very limited list. Since people have placed an undue amount of importance on the Bill of Rights, the main body of the Constitution has been ignored. We now look to the BoR to determine if the government can do something, rather than the Constitution. We have moved from a "default deny" government (think firewalls), to a "default accept, with some restriction in the BoR". This has limited our rights, our property, our money, and our lives. Those of you who champion the Bill of Rights should remember what Hamilton said in Federalist #84. BoRs are "various exceptions to powers not granted" and "provide a colorable pretext to claim more [powers] than were granted."

3. What does this mean? Well, the President has the right to conduct wars. If we had an occupying army in our midst, we'd expect the government to do what it takes to kick them out. Well, we have that now. This whole NSA hullabaloo is nothing more than the president exercising his Constitutional war-making powers. He has not infringed upon any rights we hold. Check the BoR and see (just kidding. I wanted to see if you were reading).

4. What else does this mean? We have the right to do anything we want. If we want to engage in unnatural sex acts, we have the right. If we want to fornicate, we can. If we want to practice Christmas, but hold an "Airing of Grievances" a-la Festivus, we can (and did this Sunday). We have all the rights in the world, as long as they do not interfere with the free exercise of someone else's rights. Abortion interferes with someone else's right to live, just like murder. We live in a civilization where we must self-regulate our actions to protect the free exercise of the rights of others. Spreading disease interferes with the free exercise of someone else's rights. I'm all in favor of people committing whatever unnatural act they can devise, but not when it interferes with someone else. I may not engage in such acts, but that is my right.

5. My final point: none of this comes for free. We have the responsibility to hold ourselves accountable for our actions. We have enacted laws to protect people, and those laws are being broken. We all must do what we can to protect the free exercise of these rights. If we find someone interfering with the rights of another, we must intervene. No one person's rights top another. A woman's right to have promiscuous sex does not top the right of an unborn human (with all rights and privileges gained at conception) to live. At some point, we have all chosen not to exercise a right. I think we should choose that more often. If the government believes you intend to interfere with the free exercise of someone else's rights, it has the duty and obligation to step in. If that means declaring war on domestic terrorists, so be it.

6. Okay, my really final point (heh): We have these rights not because we are American, but because we are children of God. If we believe we have God-given rights, shouldn't we feel compelled to help others exercise these rights? My primary support for the war in Iraq (and the war on terrorism) is that we have the obligation to spread freedom and protect free people. Our freedom was earned by others, and we must pay it forward. Dictators and terrorists intend to prevent others from freely exercising rights. That must be stopped, but in the most reasonable means necessary.

Okay, moderate_christian? Does that take a better tone? Thanks for calling me on yesterday's antagonistic rant.

Update: Fixed some typos. Let me know if you find more, or have a grammar lesson for me...

Liberals are, by definition, unhappy

2005-12-20T10:51:00.000-05:00

Just trying to get things cooking for the week. Most of this is tongue-in-cheek.

Is it me, or are the liberals trying to change things, just for the sake of changing them? They don't like the natural laws of sexuality (man + woman = good), so they try to change them. They make a big mess of things, leave a lot of people confused and broken. They call it a job well done because now everyone is unhappy. Conservatives change those things that require change (slavery, for example), but generally try to keep things normal.

Oh, and responsibility seems to be a big target for the liberals. If a person can go out, have sex with 25 people, infect all 25 of them with AIDS, and not have to tell them, a liberal is happy. The liberal is for the right of the AIDS-ridden malcontent to live his life the way he sees fit. As for the others, tough noogies.

Just a little thought for a Tuesday morning. Discuss. Any name calling will be deleted. My blog, my rules. If fuzzy calls me any names, I'll shave him... Just kidding. Fuzzy, have at it! Make it good, though.

More evidence of a lack of responsibility

2005-12-16T10:23:00.000-05:00

Yet more evidence that the current Liberal culture is intent on removing responsibility from sex.

This is really sad. Good job, liberals!

Kennedy Hypocrites

2005-12-16T10:02:00.000-05:00

Sense, anyone?

2005-12-16T09:23:00.000-05:00

Misplaced priorities

2005-12-15T12:16:00.000-05:00

Leaving aside the issues with the Patriot Act, I've identified yet another Democratic shortcoming.

[Feingold's] threat gained ground Thursday when Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the original Democratic co-sponsor of the 2001 Patriot Act, announced that she would support a filibuster. She and others predicted the act would be extended in some form, but without agreement on key changes.

"What will be lost is the much-needed sense that the Patriot Act represents a broad consensus," Feinstein said on the Senate floor. "Having a consensus bill is of paramount importance."

Perhaps I'm just naive, but shouldn't she have said that an effective bill is of paramount importance? Are we the UN, now? Why do we have to have a concensus bill? Why can't we have an effective bill, however that is defined?

Maybe I'm just being picky...

Nutty Hezbollah

2005-12-15T11:11:00.000-05:00

Home defense

2005-12-15T09:06:00.000-05:00

Okay, in the next few months, I'd like to spend a little money and get a weapon. I'm also going to try to spend a little money to get an alarm system. If anyone has any clues about what a good pistol would be, and who has a good monitoring service for an alarm system, I'd appreciate the knowledge transfer.

Some information I'd like:

caliber to stop an invader

# rounds in the clip to handle a home invasion (I'm a superior marksman in the .45, or I was in the Navy)

weight, in case the Mrs. has to use it

type of ammo most appropriate to stop a home-invasion scenario

the name of a good shooting range to bone up

location of a good training class, perhaps with a CCW class

information on trigger locks, such as pros and cons

some good gun cases to prevent little hands from touching the gun

Discussion of the Patriot Act

2005-12-15T08:51:00.000-05:00

While I'm very sensitive to government's ability to claim more powers than were granted (Hamilton), I do not have enough information to determine whether the provisions of the Patriot Act are in violation of those powers granted to the government in the Constitution.

I know many, many people are concerned with some provisions violating the Bill of Rights, but I'm not concerned with the Bill of Rights. After reading Federalist #84, the Bill of Rights has caused more problems than it solved. It has provided a 'colorable pretext' for the government to claim more powers than were granted. It has become a yardstick by which the federal government judges its actions. It has become the ultimate protector of our freedoms, while the main body of the Constitution should be the ultimate protector of our freedoms. The main body of the Constitution lays out, in detail, those powers the government has. According to the Constitution, they have no others. By adding a Bill of Rights, the federal government has been allowed to move away from a very limited listing of powers. The Bill of Rights has become an 'everything but' type of document: as long as they don't do anything of the things prohibited by the BoR, they are good. That is bad.

I know most of you liberals want a strong, nanny-state federal government. I'd rather move back to the original intent, where only limited powers reside with the federal government.

Back on topic, if someone has any specific abilities/powers granted in the Patriot Act that violate the main body of the Constitution, I'd like to hear them.

THIS is what we mean by liberal slant!

2005-12-15T08:49:00.000-05:00

Capt. Ed on Anti-Alito campaign failures

2005-12-15T08:48:00.000-05:00

And most Americans can't get their overweight children to exercise...

2005-12-15T08:46:00.000-05:00

No late fees, huh?

2005-12-15T08:41:00.000-05:00

I guess we will stop our membership here. The Mrs. and I rent a lot of movies. She watches them, while I rarely even have time to keep up with Smallville. Too many MMORPGs to play...

If our local Blockbuster decides to re-enact late fees, I'll have to pitch a fit. We signed up for their program with the understanding that we will have no late fees. We'll see how this turns out.

Spend time getting to know Mitt

2005-12-15T08:39:00.000-05:00

I'll try to find out more information on Mitt Romney and start posting. He appears to be interested in a presidential run in '08.

History Lessons - 20051215

2005-12-15T08:19:00.000-05:00

On a completely new topic

2005-12-14T16:10:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to pick up a little Microsoft programming. Most of my previous programming included shell scripts, Perl, and a very minute amount of C. All of it in Linux. I'm starting my Windows programming quest where most do not start it: at the best-practices end. I'm learning about testing, error control, user input checking, etc, while I learn Visual C++. I dropped Visual Basic because I want to code video games.

Some interesting points on what the founders didn't intend

2005-12-14T14:28:00.000-05:00

This article brings up an interesting point about what our founders intended. As the author points out, our founders placed Washington in a malarial swamp intending for our legislatures to spend as much time out of session as possible. Since our founders never foresaw the advent of air conditioning, and therefore a permanent legislative session, I think we ought to remove AC from the government buildings. The lefties bring up the "the founders never intended..." argument a lot, and here is a good one. Let's bring the government under control and remove air conditioning.

Read the whole thing. Our 95 theses, indeed.

Betrayal of the Struggle, by Walter Williams

2005-12-14T14:24:00.000-05:00

Publish Barret, Bury Clinton

2005-12-14T14:22:00.000-05:00

Tanker or no tanker?

2005-12-14T10:35:00.000-05:00

History Lessons - 20051214

2005-12-14T10:32:00.000-05:00

Because the Mrs. said so

2005-12-14T10:23:00.000-05:00

The Mrs. declared that I should find this video and post a link. The commentary is via Michelle, the video is via the Political Teen.

Last Minute Liberal gift ideas

2005-12-13T10:18:00.000-05:00

Oh, my ribs!

SayUncle is standing on the wall, defending against government intrusion into our God-given rights

2005-12-13T10:15:00.000-05:00

Heh

2005-12-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Considering what the Mrs. and I are expecting, this is interesting

2005-12-13T08:59:00.000-05:00

Argument for the death penalty

2005-12-13T08:57:00.000-05:00

More info on Tookie's justice

2005-12-13T08:11:00.000-05:00

Good info.

After hearing those leftist nutjobs singing a rehashed peace song (here), I thought I'd come up with some of my own:

"Hey-hey, hi-hi, that murderer Tookie's got to die!"

"He took drugs, he did harm, he'll get a needle in his arm."

Feel free to add a few of your own.

P.S. Oh, that's just not right. Lord, I apologize. Please be with the victims of Tookie's misdeeds.

In case some haven't seen it, the 'white flag' commercial

2005-12-13T08:06:00.000-05:00

A look into the liberal agenda

2005-12-13T08:03:00.000-05:00

My first complaint!

2005-12-13T07:50:00.001-05:00

I'm so proud!

I've heard a complaint about me not commenting on some posts more than I have. I've decided that one of my missions is to point out what my loyal readers may not have seen on their own. I'll point out some Washington Times pieces, some regular columns, etc. If I see something that requires more than just a link, feel confident that I will give you my opinion, whether you want it or not. Then again, you are reading this, so maybe you do want my opinion...

Pruden's piece - 20051213

2005-12-13T07:50:00.000-05:00

How about a mother's health rule to prevent abortion?

2005-12-13T07:47:00.000-05:00

Lack of management

2005-12-13T07:41:00.000-05:00

As some of you know, I've got some experience in government arenas, starting with a stint I pulled in the Navy.

Every gubmnet organization I've ever dealt with have administrative security controls in place to prevent the removal of classified material from a classified environment. Most organizations will strictly control access to classified material, and closely audits this material.

What kind of circus is the State Dept running up there? Is Hazel O'Leary in charge? Some of you know that some government agencies uses different colored badges to denote those holding certain clearances. Rumor has it that she wanted to discontinue the use of colors because it may have damaged the self-esteem of those without a clearance.

Positive Article about Alito

2005-12-13T07:39:00.000-05:00

Well, it is coming from a more middle-of-the-road paper. (heh)

History Lessons - 20051213

2005-12-13T07:32:00.000-05:00

On balance - 20051213

2005-12-13T07:31:00.000-05:00

Mice with human brain cells...

2005-12-13T07:28:00.000-05:00

... kind of like Howard Dean, but the other way around.

Justice.

2005-12-12T16:21:00.000-05:00

Hurrican deaths not as reported

2005-12-12T15:47:00.000-05:00

It wasn't a race issue.

Amen!

2005-12-12T15:37:00.000-05:00

Psycho Dems attack a good man

2005-12-12T15:36:00.000-05:00

These are neat!

2005-12-12T11:22:00.000-05:00

Thanks, SayUncle!

SayUncle is a really smart man

2005-12-12T11:06:00.000-05:00

I've said it many times, but his closest friends disagree. Maybe now he has proof

Michelle posts about Tookie

2005-12-12T10:57:00.000-05:00