Federal Appeals Court Re-Affirms Simple Concept: Bulldozers Don’t Kill People

Being Stupid kills people.

A federal appeals court panel has refused to reinstate a lawsuit brought against Caterpillar Inc. by the family of a 23-year-old peace activist crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer.

Chickenfrickenzee

Last Saturday I picked up an interesting bottle of wine. As you know I’m a sucker for wine. Okay, and a sucker of wine, as well. As I was wandering down the “Weird Producing Countries” aisle at the Evil Clown and I came upon this

Herding Cats 2005 Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay blend from South Africa. Looked interesting and at $8 it hit the price point for the first bottle of the evening. I’m usually not a huge Chenin Blanc fan (and no Ken, that’s not the name of some Eurotrash band), but the addition of the Chardonnay took away the cloying fruitiness that they can have and made it a clean not overly sweet mildly fruity wine that was very pleasant. But what to cook while drinking? I reached for that old standby Marcella Hazan (and why haven’t you bought this book yet?) and decided to make some chickenfrickenzee and risotto. This basically meant I was tied to the stove for the next few hours; luckily there was lots of wine within easy reach.
First the chicken

5 1/2 pounds or so just asking to be hacked into little bits by my Shears of Doom™. So naturally I obliged and took out Mr. Spine

and then greatly reduced Mr. Chicken’s ambulatory abilities by removing his wings, legs, and thighs

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Lileks Bitching About a Frost

…got us going on this. Not to mention a ‘Record Lows’ headline on Drudge (“Chicago Record COLD TEMPS!”). So, right this minute mind you (9:09 p.m.CST), it’s 52.8 ° in Chicago, with the following addendum :

Clearing this evening. Unseasonably cool with near record breaking temperatures likely. Lows in the upper 30s…except in the mid 40s downtown. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph diminishing to 5 to 10 mph.

I’ll bet they wish they were in Anchorage right about now. 56° and…

Partly cloudy in the evening becoming mostly cloudy with a chance of rain after midnight. Lows in the 40s. Light winds.

Somebody needs to adjust their carbon offsets.
For the record, Bangla-cola in September still sucks.
Thanks for nuthin’, Al.

Holy Sheet

Tiger just shot a 28 on the front nine.
Wow.

Since It’s Friday

…(and the fact that we’re heartily sick of Moveon.org, Code Pink and Joe Biden), Bingley, Ken, major dad and I decided to chill out a little. Knock back a couple brewskis…

…eat some wings, solve the problems of the world. ( JeffS ‘n That1Guy’re out on a re-supply run already.)
So, here we are, just waitin’ for the rest of you thugs. There’s plenty of room on the carpet.
Copacetic.

Inmates Want More Sausage

There’s really not more to be said

Inmates go on sausage ‘temper tantrum’
N.M. prisoners angry after being told they could only have 1 dinner sausage
HOBBS, N.M. – Some Lea County inmates set fires and broke toilets and windows after being told they would be allowed only one sausage at dinner. Jail officials said the inmates began yelling and banging on their doors in what they described in a news release as a “temper tantrum.”

No word on how many pigs-in-a-blanket they are allowed.

Jule’s Lays A Smack Down, Eh?

A must-read on this day after our ‘leaders’ went lint searching in their navels

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, addressing the Australian parliament yesterday, explains:

Harper said that the 9/11 terrorist attacks showed that “if we abandon our fellow human beings to lives of poverty, brutality and ignorance, in today’s global village their misery will eventually and inevitably become our own.”

OK. A bunch of well-heeled, educated Saudis hijacked airliners and flew them into our buildings because we had abandoned our fellow human beings to lives of poverty, brutality and ignorance, in today’s global village.

And it only gets better from there. Go read.

Hitchens On The Mealy-Mouthed Enablers

Via Hot Air’s story on all this 9/11 hullaballo being due to “a misunderstanding”, his latest piece in Slate

I had come here to defend atheism and secularism in general but also to have a debate with Tariq Ramadan, an Islamist academic domiciled in Geneva, who has emerged as the most sinuous and dexterous of the “interpreters” of Muslim fundamentalism to the West. He eventually declined our original debate, but there was nothing to stop me from attending his event and trying to re-stage our canceled confrontation from the floor.

After a few pointed questions we get to hear this slithery snake speak in the platitudes that the press loves. As Hitchens says, “Only six years on, and already the soft mainstreaming of Islamic imperialism is under way.”
Sadly, it started on September 12th, 2001.

All I’m Going To Watch This Day

A red day.
But the sun rises.

Well, At Least She Didn’t…

…spit on it.

Salty burger lands McDonald’s employee in jail
Police officer says oversalted meat made him sick; worker faces charges

UNION CITY, Ga. – A McDonald’s employee spent a night in jail and is facing criminal charges because a police officer’s burger was too salty, so salty that he says it made him sick.

The clown ain’t smilin’. (They couldn’t just toss it and make another burger? I mean, what do those cost McDonald’s ~ about 2 1/2 ¢ a piece?)
I’m thinking I hit the drive through at our local Krispy Kreme and come back a couple hours later for too much glaze on the donut. I’ll own them.

So, a Pirate Walks Into the Doctor’s Office…

…with a steering wheel attached to his schwanz.
“Good grief!” says the doctor. “What’s that?!”

“Argh!!“

says the pirate.

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“Undoubtedly Poetic Stuff…”

“… but do pee-pees really go “doing-doing-doing”?”

That would be the editorial comment on No. 14. For the record (and in spite of Bingley’s alleged ‘all things naughty’ expertise), I personally have no knowledge and therefore will not answer the question based on my 5th Dimension rights.

Is That a Good Thing?

To be on Bin Laden’s required reading list?

…Bin Laden also recommended reading books by American authors Noam Chomsky and Michael Scheuer, a former CIA analyst, officials said. Chomsky’s book cites various examples of American imperialism, while Scheuer’s book argues that the U.S. does not understand the Islamic predicament.

Personally, I’d be willing to take a pass.

I Wonder If They Rented A Fjord

At the airport?

THREE Norwegian tourists who had planned a holiday on the Greek island of Rhodes landed in the southwestern French town of Rodez yesterday after mistyping the destination on an internet booking form.
The trio appears to have been surprised when their Ryanair flight landed in Rodez, which has a mediaeval town centre but no beach resorts.
“We were told of the mistake when the three tourists arrived at the airport and we tried to make their stay as agreeable as possible before they decided to return to Norway,” the Rodez tourism chief Florence Taillefer said.

Pope Benedict

…has been a busy boy.

ROME (AP) – Pope Benedict XVI and Israeli President Shimon Peres discussed Middle East peace efforts on Thursday, with both sides saying the atmosphere was favorable for Israelis and Palestinians to work to end decades of conflict.
… Shortly after the meeting, Benedict held talks on the Middle East situation with the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal.
… The Vatican has been campaigning for countries like Saudi Arabia to give greater rights to Christian minorities.
Benedict raised a similar issue in his talks Wednesday with the Syrian vice president, Farouk al-Sharaa, the Vatican said.

Would that others could be as accommodating…or cordial.

It’s a shame this sort of thing goes without comment ~ people only seem to notice him when Islamic Rage Boys lose their ignorant, arsonist pea-brains over some obscure source he’s quoted.
In any event, that’s an amazing diplomatic visitors list for a 48 hour period. Someone needs to put this guy to work.

Your Tax Dollars At Work

Well, at least we know that in Governmentese when they say ‘setback’ they mean “waste of twenty years and Gawd knows how many dollars”

DENVER – A 20-year government effort to restore the population of an endangered native trout in Colorado has made little progress because biologists have been stocking some of the waterways with the wrong fish, a new study says.
Biologists called the finding a setback and a potential black eye but said there is still hope for restoring the greenback cutthroat trout because at least four pure populations of the fish have been identified.

There is, sadly, no hope for restoring our greenbacks.

Sonno Beato; Grazie Per Nessun Dorma

Pavarotti has died.

Hsu, Fly! Don’t Bother Me…

I’m sure that’s the song Hillary and her fellow Dems are singing in the shower this morning.

I Feel A Great Disturbance In The Force

As if this great big whale suddenly cried out as if in gastric distress

Grammy award winning producer Quincy Jones, center, Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., left, and country music singer-songwriter Brett James, right, join other recording artists on stage to sing “We Are the World” at the conclusion of the GRAMMY’s on the Hill Gala Dinner and performances at the Williard Inter-Continental Hotel in Washington, Wednesday evening, Sept. 5, 2007. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Praise jeebus there’s no video.

Grandma, 1904

The ‘Haditha Massacre’

…‘conspiracy’ and media witch hunt continues to fall apart, thank God.

A two star general and two other officers were censured Wednesday for failing to promptly investigate the killings of 24 civilians at Haditha, Iraq, but were cleared of a coverup, the military said.
… Marines killed 24 Iraqi civilians at Haditha on November 19, 2005 but commanders did not investigate the deaths until the following February after a investigative report into the killings by Time magazine.
“The essential issue was that … no investigation was initiated immediately,” the marine officer said.
… “Our goal has been to do it as expeditious as possible, but these were substantial cases and huge investigations,” the marine officer said.

Their careers are effectively ended. A recap so far…

A total of eight marines were initially charged in connection with the Haditha deaths.
Four were charged with murder while four senior officers were accused of failing to properly investigate the killings.
Of the four marines charged with murder, two have since had charges withdrawn, while allegations against a third are also expected to be dismissed.

There was a quick mention of this new development on World News Tonight. No where near the hyperbole that accompanied the original, lurid reports.

Imagine that.

[Cue: Everly Brothers Music] Dre-ee-ee-ee-eem

….Dream Dream Dree-eem…

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Said to Be Considering Run for Governor
Mayor Ray Nagin could be days away from announcing he will run for governor of Louisiana — a move many in this stricken city regard as preposterous.
If Nagin runs, he will do so on his stewardship of New Orleans. But this is a city in great distress two years after Hurricane Katrina, with large swaths still empty, an appalling murder rate and a painfully sluggish recovery. Nagin’s disapproval rating stood at 65 percent in a recent poll.
“He’s clearly seeing his election potential differently than most of Louisiana. Statewide, Ray Nagin is dead in the water,” said G. Pearson Cross, an assistant professor of politics at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. “One thing is clear: New Orleans has not had the forceful and dynamic leadership necessary to get recovery on the right track.”
…But David Bell, a juvenile court judge and community leader in mostly black eastern New Orleans, said Nagin’s efforts are often seen as incremental and misdirected. Bell alluded to Nagin’s hiring of planner Ed Blakely as his recovery chief, and Blakely’s promise of “cranes in the sky” that have yet to be seen.
“It’s great to have large vision. But I think right now the public is more concerned about potholes, and the sewer lines, and the water lines,” Bell said. “Those are the things that restore faith.”

(That would be the same eastern New Orleans I wrote about.)

There’s speculation that Nagin’s surreal sense of self might be a calculated attempt to stay in Louisiana politics.

…Privately, some said they suspect Nagin knows he has little chance but wants to use the publicity to ensure a political future in Louisiana.

How sick, self-absorbed and deluded is that? Plus, with Louisiana politics the way it is, I’m not sure that there would be enough left of Mayor Noggin besides bleached bones. They’re awful good at stripping the skin off people even when they have to make it up ~ it’s a local art form. For instance, trying to derail Republican Rep. Bobby Jindal’s run for the governorship, state Democrats have been at their tawdry, pond scummy best. Not content with darkening his facial tones in photos, they’ve made sure to refer to his given name in a sneering little piece of work…

Piyush (Bobby) Jindal has finally admitted to a partial divine revelation that he wants to be governor.
….Instead of Piyush praying for a decision to run for governor which everyone knows he’s made; he ought to pray for humility and maybe even a conscience.

…that makes sure all readers know his ethnicity without ever saying ‘Indian’ (But mention ‘Obama’ and ‘madrassa’ and…oh, wait. He’s a Democrat.), as well as releasing an anti-Jindal commercial that, well, backfired spectacularly.

… So far, the campaign’s biggest fireworks have come from a Democratic Party commercial that accused Jindal of insulting Protestant faiths in a decade-old article he wrote about Catholicism. The ad drew strong criticism, not just from Republicans but from a wide range of religious leaders and Democratic politicians, including Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu.
As a result of the party’s misfire, Boasso and Campbell are going to have to launch their own attacks on Jindal if they hope to keep him below the magic 50-percent primary tally and force a runoff, said Bob Mann, who was communications director for Gov. Kathleen Blanco and now teaches at Louisiana State University.
“In some ways the Democratic Party has fouled the nest by firing off that really boneheaded attack on Jindal,” Mann said. “If I were Boasso or Foster Campbell, I would do everything I could to separate myself from the party and just resign myself to the knowledge that I’m going to have to carry the negative attacks because the party is too inept to do it for me.”

You’re all gator bait in love and war. I think Nagin himself hands them the rusty scalpels for the evisceration.
However, if he steps down to run, maybe a real LEADER can step UP. Somebody to take control of that piteous mess. It might just be the silver lining New Orleans needs.
Hell. It can’t get any worse.

One Obvious Consequence Of A National Health Plan

Is that the politicians and bureaucrats decide to only treat those who are healthy

Failing to follow a healthy lifestyle could lead to free NHS treatment being denied under the Tory plans.
Patients would be handed “NHS Health Miles Cards” allowing them to earn reward points for losing weight, giving up smoking, receiving immunisations or attending regular health screenings.
Like a supermarket loyalty card, the points could be redeemed as discounts on gym membership and fresh fruit and vegetables, or even give priority for other public services – such as jumping the queue for council housing.
But heavy smokers, the obese and binge drinkers who were a drain on the NHS could be denied some routine treatments such as hip replacements until they cleaned up their act.
…The report calls for a greater emphasis on the “citizen’s responsibility” to be healthy and says no one should expect taxpayers to fund their unhealthy lifestyles.

This really shouldn’t be a shock to anyone; the Nanny-Staters are so much wiser than the rest of us, they know best how we should live our lives while they spend our money.
Now, I wonder, will the NHS now refuse coverage for drug addicts? Pretty unhealthy lifestyle, I’d say. Pregnant teens? Sorry! And I’m sure AIDS patients won’t get any coverage, either.

Some Family Pics

Ken’s not the only one to find some old pictures recently. Here’s a photo of my grandparents’ wedding on June 15th, 1925

(the bride is of course the lovely seated lady)
And here are both sets of their parents, my great-grandparents, along with two of my aunts

And the coolest thing is here are my mother’s mother’s grandparents, my great-great-grandparents

I’ve been after my mother for ages to start labeling these photos and sending to me to scan them, and I’m glad she finally is.

I’m Not at All a Union Booster

…but I also have to say these guys have a point.

UAW Members Speak Out About Strike Vote
Ford Motor Co. has brought a lot of uncertainty into Gerald Williamson’s life.
The factory where he works is on a list of plants slated to be sold or even closed, and like other workers, he’s had to give up part of his pay raises to help the company fund its huge retiree health care bill. So when it came time to vote to give union leaders the power to call a strike if contract talks go south, Williamson got some satisfaction last week out of casting his ballot in favor.
… Williamson, a 13-year Ford worker from Ypsilanti, says he doesn’t want a strike and he doesn’t think the company wants one either. But like many workers, he’s unhappy that he’s had to give up money when new Ford President and Chief Executive Alan Mulally is making millions.
“When you ask people to make concessions and they help out and chip in, then everyone has to make concessions,” Williamson said after voting on Wednesday.
Mulally’s compensation package was valued at $39.1 million during his four months on the job last year, according to an analysis of a Ford filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Workers at many Detroit-area factories often refer to executive compensation when asked about concessions.

(I’ll do that gig for a quarter of that! Call me!) Of course, the new Ford head says please don’t hate him because he’s beautiful…

…When Mulally was asked last week about criticism of his compensation, he said that leadership counts.
“All the skills required to run a business are market-driven,” said Mulally, who was hired away from Boeing Co. last year to rescue the money-losing Ford.

Not all pain is local, I guess. If I was a Ford worker on the inevitable losing end of the stick, I might have to wear a ‘BITE ME’ t-shirt, too.