A Yank In Kiwi Land

The Most Dense Element

2010-08-09T21:10:00.004+12:00

Pelosium: A major research institution has just announced the discovery of the densest element yet known to science. The new element has been named Pelosium.

Pelosium has one neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 224 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 311.

These particles are held together by dark forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

The symbol of Pelosium is PU.

Pelosium's mass actually increases over time, as morons randomly interact with various elements in the atmosphere and become assistant deputy neutrons within the Pelosium molecule, leading to the formation of isodopes.

This characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to believe that Pelosium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as Critical Morass.

When catalyzed with money, Pelosium activates CNNadnausium, an element that radiates orders of magnitude more energy, albeit as incoherent noise, since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons as Pelosium.

Hat-tip: Stephanie

Taxes For Dummies (liberals)

2010-07-29T14:16:00.004+12:00

If I hear that tired mantra - "Tax cuts for the rich" - one more time, I'm going to probably drop dead from "the big one". If you can't make a fucktard liberal understand tax cuts using this example, just walk away, and save yourself the grief.

The Tax System - Explained In Beer
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day the owner threw them a curve ball.

"Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. Drinks for the ten now cost just $80."

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes. So the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free, but what about the other six men, the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his fair share?'

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33, but if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so the fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings)
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28% savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 ( 22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before, and the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

"I only got a dollar out of the $20," declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, proclaiming, "But he got $10!"

"Yeah, that's right!" exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too! It's unfair that he got ten times more than I did!"

"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks !"

"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important: They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill !

And that, boys and girls, journalists, politicians both corrupt and straight (OK...not many straight, but it's for them all), moaners, gloom and doom merchants, political activists with their heads up their asses, and college professors - this is how the tax system works:
The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction...It's simple, basic Math.
Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier - an event that would have a devastating impact on every other sector of the economy.

For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

H/T: Stephanie, via chain email.

Fuck The Greens

2010-07-29T12:53:00.001+12:00

I hate Greenpeace and just about anything or anybody who touts being/going "green". I mean I reeeeaaaally hate them; so much so that I can't say what I would actually like to see happen to every one of those fucking scumbags.

Here's what they got up to in London yesterday.

Greenpeace Shuts Down London BP Stations

By JAVIER ESPINOZA

LONDON—Environmental group Greenpeace shut down the fuel supplies to dozens of BP PLC petrol stations in London, in a protest timed to BP's quarterly report Tuesday, in which it announced a massive loss and named a new chief executive.

On Tuesday, around 75 activists simultaneously took over about 46 stations across London in the early hours of the morning, according to John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace U.K. The activists immediately removed the pump switches from the site to disable the petrol pumps and prevent the stations from serving fuel to customers, Mr. Sauven said.

Lets' see...75 "activists"...46 stations...that's not even 2 of these jerk-off cocksuckers per station. How did the station managers just sit by and let this happen? I'll tell you what - had I been there pumping fuel when they came to pull this shit off, well, let's just say that would have been one station that would still have its fuel switches in place.

So, where were the cops? Oh, that's right, it's the UK, where there are still plenty of good people, but where the authorities have no balls. Why were there no arrests? This goes beyond "peaceful protest." It's destruction of private property at the very least. These neo-hippy fucks get away with this shit over and over and over, and it pisses me off that they are allowed to do so. Did I mention that I hate greenies?

"It is all very well changing Tony [Hayward]...but changing a CEO doesn't change the situation at the company. In fact, [Mr. Hayward] took the company backwards into the deep waters of Mexico," said Mr. Sauven.

This fuck is either ignorant or disingenuous. It was the US EPA banning off-shore drilling in shallower waters, in a misguided attempt to protect the environment, that forced drilling in deeper waters.

These commie rat bastards need their heads caved in with billy clubs and baseball bats (or cricket bats - it's the UK, after all). At the VERY least these enviro-douchebags should be made to pay each station for lost revenues, sign replacements, and serve a minimum of 90 days in jail.

Did I mention that I hate greenies?

Of Lambs And Lions

2010-07-29T11:39:00.001+12:00

Lt. Col. Allen West speaks the truth.

Sure, the liberal progressives are dogged ideologues and tenacious poodles when it comes to nationalizing our production; healthcare, financial sector, energy sector, and automobile industry. They stand strong against the rule of law regarding illegal immigration. And there is no doubt no group will fight harder to redistribute wealth and turn America into a collective "balkanized" socialist Country.

However, what scares the liberals more than anything else is the "Warrior Class". They abhor the men and women who find a commitment and conviction in believing in this Constitutional Republic and the principles which make America exceptional. This is a sentiment which over the past 30 days we witnessed being manifested from the highest office in our land, the President.
{snip}
It starts with a national security strategy which refuses to address the enemy of our Nation, islamic totalitarianism and radical islamic state sponsored terrorism. We have sheep who are so oblivious to the threats to our security that the Obama administation's terrorism expert, John Brennan, stated that "terrorism is a state of mind and jihadism is a legitimate tenet of Islam". When at the highest levels we project a recalcitrance to confront our enemy, you only embolden them.
{snip}
We have created rules of engagement in Afghanistan which allows the enemy every opportunity to kill our men and women. We have considered such horrible ideas such as an award for "courageous restraint". We even allow former Taliban members who have attacked, and maybe even killed, our troops to be released from detainment based upon a "pledge" signed by their fathers and tribal leaders.
{snip}
We have a running gun battle occuring on our southern border but we allowed a foreign leader to demean our laws and attack a Governor of a sovereign American State.

There has never been a more critical time for our Republic and yet we find the worse possible individuals in control for this time. We have a Nation of men and women who embrace victory and detest the stench of defeat. However, all we get is more speeches, talk, empty rhetoric, and never an action plan....at least not an action plan which is commensurate with the foundational principles of America.
{snip}
America will not survive as a Nation in a world of wolves being led by sheep, it will take Lions.

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T23:39:00.000+12:00

I can't get all hyped-up about my nation's birthday party, not these days. What's to celebrate? This commie fuckwit wannabe dictator, Obama, who calls himself president, is fast dragging us down the road to marxist serfdom.

The US has survived worse, I think. I just wonder whether or not we have the will to survive this.

Regardless, I love my country for what it is supposed to be, not because of what we have allowed it to become.

My hope is that we awaken from our post-modern stupor before it's too late.

Here, enjoy some fireworks from last year in my hometown of San Diego, CA.

Video - New Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

2010-07-04T03:12:00.001+12:00

From the new album - Mojo - "I Should Have Known It".

The Return of Global Warming - The Sequel

2010-07-04T01:26:00.002+12:00

If Only, If Only...

2010-07-04T00:32:00.001+12:00

Funnies

2010-07-04T00:27:00.003+12:00

Illustrated - The Law of Unintended Consequences

2010-06-28T10:26:00.004+12:00

Funnies

2010-06-26T17:10:00.001+12:00

Carlos Mencia - "Not For The Easily Offended"

2010-06-26T16:35:00.001+12:00

I get it. Carlos gets it: You have a right to say what you want to say, and, guess what? - I DO TOO. Fuck you, you oh-so-easily-offended, politically correct types who would silence all speech that may hurt your wittle feeeewings.

Get a life, and get over yourselves. The rest of you, please enjoy the entire set of "Not For The Easily Offended" in 7 parts.

Economics Made Easy

2010-06-19T23:59:00.007+12:00

It is amazing to me how some comedians can cut through all the bullshit and explain things in a few minutes, as opposed to the talking heads on your favorite infotainment/news channel(s) blathering and bloviating on and on ad nauseum.

Here we have the trans-Tasman comedy duo of New Zealander John Clarke (the bald guy, aka "Fred Dagg") and Australian Bryan Dawe explaining a couple of our current economic issues, breaking it all down with some dry humor and wit from down under.

First up - the banking mess...

Second - the PIGS woes...

For A Laugh

2010-06-19T22:09:00.003+12:00

Listen and Enjoy

2010-06-05T20:02:00.000+12:00

Since my heart attack nearly two months ago, I've taken stock in what is important and what isn't. I think I've mellowed a lot since then, and I certainly feel a bit more fragile and aware of my own mortality.

I have been a big James Taylor fan since I was a kid in the 1970s listening to my Mom's records. This is a beautiful song, a live rendition of "The Secret O' Life" from his double live CD from 1993.

The song says a lot to me, and I share it with you hoping that you will find some wisdom in it, as well.

Life is too short for bullshit.

Marxism, New Zealand Style

2010-06-05T19:32:00.001+12:00

As you may or may not be aware, New Zealand is to host the Rugby World Cup next year, and the food and service workers' union, Unite, is going to use the event as a political football, pun intended. I have heard their president, Matt McCarten, on the radio quite often, and he is an unabashed, dyed-in-the-wool leftist, obviously.

Union threatens action during Rugby World Cup

Unite union is threatening industrial action to coincide with next year's Rugby World Cup.

The union's general secretary. Matt McCarten, said the union is planning "a big push" on behalf of its members in hotels, SkyCity Casino and other entertainment venues.

Interviewed for TV3's The Nation, he said current employment agreements had been "lined up" so they were due for renegotiation at about the time of the World Cup.

"We don't want to wreck the World Cup, of course not. But we certainly are going to be lining up the employers at that time and saying: 'Well, you're going to make a lot of money, what's going to be the workers' share?'."

Mr McCarten said he expected employers to be "more focused" ahead of the World Cup.

Unite hoped to be able to convince the public that it would be unfair for foreign-owned hotel chains to charge between $1000 and $2000 per night while continuing to pay workers the minimum or minimal wages.

The union said it would be unacceptable for people to work for less than $15 per hour, and in addition it wanted 10 percent of higher room rates to go into a special fund to be shared amongst workers.
Mr McCarten said millions of dollars of taxpayers' money would contribute to the World Cup's success, and it would be wrong for all profits to go offshore.

Now, those of you in the US need to know that the minimum wage in NZ is already $12.75 per hour, and that is still not enough to get a good number of people off their ass to get a job because in many cases one can get more money by being on a welfare benefit.

From each according to his ability, to each according to his need, indeed.

A War on Terror? Really?

2010-06-05T18:44:00.000+12:00

I see the "war on terrorism" as a nebulous concept, much like the "war on drugs" or the "war on poverty." It really accomplishes nothing, but it makes us feel better if we declare "war" on something. I am not saying that there is not a real threat, but think about it. The way in which we are conducting this "war" is pretty lame.

What is the end-game? Does anybody think that - like drugs or poverty - terrorism will ever completely go away? There are muslims - over 1 billion of them - in just about every country in the world. Assuming that we killed each and every one of them, do you really think that will be the end of it? There will always be somebody to take their place; nature abhors a vacuum.

So, if we want to minimize the threat and impact of terrorist activities, there are much better and more efficient ways to do it. Iraq was and is a joke. Give it another ten to twenty years and it will return to being another tribal shithole in need of another strong-arm dictator like Saddam to keep them all in check, and we will have wasted over a trillion dollars and a few thousand lives of our military brothers and sisters for, well, nothing. Yeah, sure, Iraq was a minor logistical player in the overall scheme of things, but if we want to nullify the financial support for terrorist activities - cut off the head of the snake, so to speak - given by various nations we would be much better off going after Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and maybe a few others. But we don't and won't - and I think we all know why - so we're not really that serious.

And Afghanistan, please. OK, we went there originally to try to get Osama. Personally, I think he may be long since dead, but announcing that to the world would would not give us much of a leg to stand on in remaining there. As long as the illusion of him still being the grand mastermind is perpetuated, we grant ourselves license to stay as long as we feel is necessary. But why are we still there? Afghanistan is barely out of the stone age. They cannot directly, as a nation, export much of anything. So, what is the real threat from that country?

OPIUM.

The Taliban are nothing more than medieval overlords, draconian drug peddlers of poppy production. The money generated from opium poppy production is used to fund training and deployment of terrorist activity around the world, so why are we not targeting poppy fields and spraying them with napalm on a daily basis?

Caption This

2010-06-05T18:11:00.000+12:00

Who Wrote This?

2010-06-03T13:39:00.001+12:00

It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.

Any ideas? Need more?

First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather then the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas then the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their "right" to choke down a McDonalds burger or a BurgerKing burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us about our rights and about our "democracy". Pride blind the foolish.

If you think it was Rush, or Neal, or Beck, or Savage - you would be wrong. Here - maybe this will help.

Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different "branches and denominations" were for the most part little more then Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more then happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the "winning" side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another.

Last chance.

The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past three months has been truly impressive. His spending and money printing has been a record setting, not just in America's short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more then another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Wiemar Republic and at worst Zimbabwe.

OK - give up?
These are quotes from an op-ed in...are you ready?

Pravda.

The entire piece is worth a read if for no other reason than to illustrate how people outside the US can see what is happening, while many at home remain without a clue.

There are a few contentious, debatable points in the article with which one could take issue; see if you can spot them.

Perspective is Everything

2010-06-03T13:13:00.001+12:00

Read this.

Then read this.

Do you see what I mean now?

Hat-tip: Steel

What Say You?

2010-05-13T16:30:00.003+12:00

I can see both sides of this issue. Although it is trivial in essence, the rules are the rules. If one chooses to participate in an activity, one must abide by the rules, and one should be aware of all the rules. As the saying goes, ignorance of the law is no excuse, I guess.

Pole vaulter disqualified for wearing bracelet

Yahoo!Xtra Sport - May 13, 2010, 1:03 pm

An American high school pole vaulter has had a title stripped because she was wearing a friendship bracelet.

Competing for South Pasadena High in a Californian track meet last month, Robin Laird had looked to seal victory for her school when she took out the girl's pole vault event.

However the coach of another school quickly pointed out that a friendship bracelet around her wrist counted as jewellery which is banned from all competition.

Laird's winning vault didn't count and the complaining coach's school Monrovia High went onto the take out the title.

Mike Knowles, who made the protest, was adamant he made the right decision, SI.com reports.

"This is my 30th year coaching track," Knowles said after the track meet. "I know a lot of rules and regulations."

Knowles said it was unfortunate that Laird was disqualified but she had to learn a lesson.

"It's unfortunate for the young lady. But you've got to teach the kids that rules are rules."

"I didn't notice the bracelet until after she cleared the height and walked by," he insisted.

"[I had] a sinking feeling for her. I didn't want to have to do it. But it's a real rule - it's in the book - not something I made up. About 10 years ago, I had a girl who wore an earring in the 4x400 relay and it ended up costing us a CIF title. I feel bad for what happened, but I guarantee you she'll never wear jewellery during a track meet again."

South Pasadena coach P.J. Hernandez was shocked by the move.

"I said, 'Coach [Knowles], you really want it to come down to this?'" he said.

Laird was left in tears after the disqualification ripping the bracelet off her wrist.

"As of right now, I am not wearing one," she said. "Although I do still have a tan line on my wrist. That's my scarlet letter."

If you read any of the comments, notice how so many people advocate making exceptions to the rule or try to rationalize and justify breaking the rules. I feel bad for the girl not winning the title based on a technicality that does not seem to have any bearing on how high she vaulted, but, again, the rules are the rules - and there is (or was at one time) a reason for having this particular rule.

The thing about holding fast to the rules is that it discourages future infractions from occurring, while making exceptions will achieve the opposite.

You make the call.

Funnies

2010-05-13T16:08:00.002+12:00

Going Postal

2010-05-04T16:16:00.000+12:00

Global Warming - The Sequel

2010-05-04T16:09:00.001+12:00

Who'd Have Thought?

2010-04-29T17:23:00.002+12:00

Really...doing something illegal is actually a crime. Apparently to the fuckwits at MSNBC that just occurred to them.

Another Cool 'Vette Vid + Bonus Video!

2010-04-29T16:32:00.004+12:00

Here's a quick Z06 Corvette running 10.02 @ 139 mph on DOT street legal tires with a 100hp shot of laughing gas and an obvious cam (at least) upgrade. And to think these cars handle exceptionally well to boot! What's not to like?

************************************************************************************
BONUS VIDEO!!!!
From the stables of 10" Wide Racing here is an in-car video that takes you from start-up to shut-down, including the burn-out, and at about the 1 minute mark you can see the driver purge the nitrous system. Then hold on for a quarter mile pass in under 8 seconds at 173 mph through the traps, edging 8,000 RPM in top gear - on DOT tires limited to 10" in tread width. Yahoooo!!!

Laugh

2010-04-26T09:46:00.003+12:00

ANZAC DAY - REMEMBRANCE TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED

2010-04-25T10:49:00.006+12:00

Introduction
Anzac Day in New Zealand is held on 25 April each year to commemorate New Zealanders killed in war and to honour returned servicemen and women. The day has similar importance in Australia, New Zealand's partner in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli. The ceremony itself has been continually adapted to the times, but has also steadily acquired extra layers of symbolism and meaning.
The Dawn Service

A typical commemoration begins with a march by returned service personnel before dawn to the local war memorial. Military personnel and returned service-men and -women form up about the memorial, joined by other members of the community, with pride of place going to the war veterans. A short service follows with a prayer, hymns (including Kipling's 'Recessional' or 'Lest We Forget'), and a dedication which concludes with the last verse of Laurence Binyon's 'For the Fallen':

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

The Last Post is then played, followed by a minute's silence and Reveille. A brief address follows, after which the hymn 'Recessional' is sung. The service concludes with a closing prayer and the singing of the National Anthem.

Another ceremony takes place later that morning, with returned service personnel wearing their medals, and marching behind banners and standards. The veterans are joined by other community groups, including members of the armed forces, the Red Cross, cadets, and veterans of other countries' forces.

Anzac wreath.
The march proceeds to the local war memorial, where another service takes place, including the laying of wreaths by various organisations and members of the public.

This service is a less intimate and emotional ceremony than the dawn service, but serves as a more public commemoration. The speech, usually by an important dignitary, serviceman, or returned serviceman or woman, tends to be of a conservative nature, with much stress on nationhood and remembrance. After these services, many of the veterans retire to the local RSA club or hotel, where they enjoy coffee and rum (in the case of the dawn service) and 'unwind' after an emotionally and, for elderly veterans, physically exhausting event. At the end of the day, the ceremony of the 'Retreat' is performed.

1915: Gallipoli Remembered
The first public recognition of the landings at Gallipoli took place on 30 April 1915, after news of the dramatic event had reached New Zealand.

For the "rest of the story" go to NZ History/Anzac

Optical Illusion

2010-04-25T10:45:00.002+12:00

Mechanical Music

2010-04-23T09:36:00.000+12:00

To a gearhead, the sound of a well-tuned engine is magical. For many like me, the sound of a V8 with a big, lumpy cam (ie. LOTS of valve overlap) is especially endearing, as, if the motor is done right, this is usually a sign of even more magical sounds to come when the engine hits the high RPMs where the cam is designed to work, providing the engine with the required amount of fuel and air to make it all happen.

The following video is such an example. Listen and enjoy...and make sure you turn up the speaker volume!

Plotting WWIII

2010-04-21T09:26:00.003+12:00

Ex-President Bush and Ex-VP Cheney are sitting in a bar when a guy walks in and asks the barman, "Isn't that Bush and Cheney sitting over there?"

The bartender says, "Yep, that's them."

So the guy walks over and says, "Wow, this is a real honor! What are you guys doing in here?"

Bush says, "We're planning WWIII."

The guy says, "Really? What's going to happen?"

Cheney says, "Well, we're going to kill 140 million Muslims...

and one blonde with big tits."

The guy exclaimed, "A blonde with big tits? Why kill a blonde with big tits?"

Cheney turns to Bush and says, "See, I told you, no one gives a shit about the 140 million Muslims."

Hat-tip: Don

Today's WTF?

2010-04-03T15:47:00.007+13:00

Seriously, WTF? This is a congressman...which means that he is one of the ones who determined that the new health care bill is so much in our best interests that it forces Americans to purchase it whether we want it or not.

Listen to this guy. I mean, is he on drugs, or what? If so, which ones? Inquiring minds want to know. I'm still scratching my head wondering if I actually heard what I heard and if this guy is really serious. I'm sure the admiral is thinking the same thing.

And people wonder why I am such a cynical bastard with a mistrust of just about ANYTHING the government gets its hands into? It's stupid fucks like this clown, that's why.

Paul Henry: Public Enemy #1?

2010-03-29T18:41:00.004+13:00

OK, I know most of you are asking yourselves, "Who the fuck is Paul Henry?" For the record, he is NOT Taliban or Al Quaeda; he is NOT a pedophile or a serial killer.

Paul Henry is the co-host of the Morning Breakfast show on TV NZ Channel One. Although not a regular viewer, I think he can be quite funny, and, because he isn't a lefty, Paul is quite refreshing with his mince-no-words, call-it-like-he-sees-it style and good use of sarcasm. But NZ is so PC that, it just seems like the guy can't cut a break because he is always allegedly offending somebody. All the liberals hate him and want him fired from his broadcasting job. That's good enough reason for me to like him.

Here's the latest "offense" that has too many people's knickers in a twist.

BSA complaint over Henry's 'schizo' call not upheld

NZPA March 29, 2010, 1:53 pm

Controversy-baiting broadcaster Paul Henry has escaped another broadcasting standards complaint -- this time over his use of the term "schizo".

The Broadcasting Standards Authority has declined to uphold a complaint relating to his use of the term on an episode of TV One's Breakfast show last September, while interviewing an employment relations expert about different personality types.

Though the complainant alleged the term was unfair and derogatory to people with schizophrenia, the authority found Henry's use of the term was deliberately ambiguous.

At least most of these complaints have not been upheld. Here's one that was, however, followed by the offending segment. Keep in mind that Paul was merely commenting on what a viewer had written in an email.

Earlier last year, the authority upheld complaints against Henry for his comments about Greenpeace spokeswoman Stephanie Mills' moustache.

I'm tellin' ya, these thin-skinned, perpetually offended, liberal PC assholes just need to STFU and get a life.

Here's the thing. I'm sure this broad knows she has a moustache, and she obviously knows she's going on TV. If she was worried about it, she would have shaved it or waxed it or something, but, I'm willing to bet she keeps it around just to get a reaction, like she's daring you to notice it and say something. I'm sorry, but like Paul, if I see a chick with a "mo" I'm going to notice it; hell, I'll probably make a comment about it...especially if she's a fucking greenie dyke. I don't avoid the big elephant in the middle of the room.

The way I see it is you have the right to say or do what you want to do and be what you want to be, but I ALSO have the right to say what I want to say. This PC, hate speech bullshit has to stop. You cannot legislate "niceness." Sure, it would be great if everybody was "nice", but I believe that people have the right to be assholes, too. If they offend you, you avoid them.

It seems so simple to me. I just don't get it.

Gun Ranges: The New Singles Bars?

2010-03-27T10:59:00.001+13:00

If I owned a gun range I’d turn it into the new singles’ bar (minus the liquor, of course). I’d offer a “ladies’ night” where unescorted ladies shoot for free and guys shoot for half-price with maximum limits on booking range time. Hell, even if I couldn’t work it out to where it made an actual profit on the night, I am almost certain that the residual effects over time would boost regular attendance and overall profit.

It would be like a form of loss-leader advertising! I could be RICH! RICH! I tells ya’!

But, then again, I would have Obama’s goons sniffing around for their cut, thus giving more of my profit to the state; not to mention, also, the high probability of finding myself on some “watch-list” which would completely undermine my “under the radar” philosophy of survival.

Hat-tip: Stephanie

How Not To Get Your Ass Kicked By The Police

2010-03-17T21:23:00.004+13:00

I like Chris Rock. Like all good comedians, he has something to say, a point of view, and it's presented in a way that not only makes you laugh but makes you think, as well. More importantly, one of the main qualities that separates a great comedian from an average one is delivery, how they say what they say - the timing, changes in vocal inflection, etc. I don't agree with all of his views on everything, but, as I have said before, I don't agree with ANYBODY on everything. And, yes, I know he is a big Obama supporter, but nobody is perfect.

Anyway, in this clip from one of his old HBO shows Rock gives some 100% sound advice that applies to anybody (not just the bruthas, as is shown in the following examples) and, of course, it's funny AND true!

The History Your Kids Will Likely NOT Be Taught

2010-03-13T15:36:00.003+13:00

The following video is from Glenn Beck. The Left will try to spin this as anything from being distorted to untrue or by attacking Beck himself. They will quibble about the actual numbers and make claims about being "taken out of context", but the fact remains that, regardless, scores and scores of millions of people died at the hands of despotic, totalitarian, Leftist regimes during the 20th century.

The Left cannot escape that fact unless they re-write the history - or wipe that history out of public knowledge altogether. Here in New Zealand, for example, our teenagers, who are just out of high school or nearing the end of it, have not been exposed to ANY comprehensive world history, let alone ANYTHING having to do with communism, fascism, etc. They are not even taught the history of their own nation except for certain aspects like the Treaty of Waitangi or the "exploitation" of the Asian immigrants in the 19th century. They are taught over several weeks, however, about places like Malawi, the "blood diamonds" of Sierra Leone, and the civil rights movement of the US during the 1960s.

Mae and I have had to fill-in A LOT of the gaps and direct them to further research various topics for themselves.

Anyway, enjoy these videos.

Oh, This Whacky World in Which We Live

2010-03-09T23:38:00.007+13:00

Study Links Bikini-Line Shaving to Auto Accidents

Patty O'Dore
New Zealand Tribune
March 10, 2010

Women who shave their "bikini lines" are twice as likely than those who don't to have an auto accident according to a recent study. Researchers at the West Auckland University's Sue Bradford Institute of Human Sexuality studied 2,000 licensed women drivers between 18 and 45 years of age - 1,000 of whom shave the pubic hair around their bikini lines and 1,000 who don't. The findings are astonishing

The study, which spanned a 5 year period beginning in 2004 found that nearly 500 (478) of the half who shave had an auto accident in the last 5 years - 38 of them died in those crashes - compared to only 274 of the non-shaving half, all of whom are still alive.

"Frankly, we were quite surprised at the results," admits Dr. Sela Ka'mawanalaya, research team leader and senior professor in Cultural Objectification of Carnal Knowledge and Bio-Organic Observational Breast Studies.

Dr. Ka'mawanalaya added, "We weren't expecting anything so conclusive. My team and I were really just exploring avenues of spending the remainder of our existing budget to ensure funding for our department the next year. We really were completely out of ideas when we came-up with this study, but I think we can save a lot of lives because of this research."

Crock of shit? Maybe, but this story seems to support the study's findings.

Woman crashes while shaving bikini area
Yahoo!Xtra March 9, 2010, 1:25 pm

A woman who caused a two-car crash was shaving her bikini line when she ploughed into another vehicle.

Megan Mariah Barnes, 37, had asked her ex-husband to steer while she tidied up her pubic hair when they smashed into the back of a pick-up on a Florida highway.

Barnes was meeting her boyfriend in Key West and wanted to be "ready for the visit", according to news service CBS.

Members of the Florida Highway Patrol told the media Barnes and her ex, Charles Judy, allegedly drove another half-mile before switching seats. When they were pulled over, Judy claimed to have been driving.

However an eagle-eyed traffic cop spotted tell-tale burns on his chest from the passenger-side airbag, which disproved their story.

How much do you wanna bet she nicked herself with the razor, her accelerator foot hit the floor, and the woman ploughed into the pickup before her ex-husband could steer around it? And the ex-husband going with her to see her current boyfriend...WTF is THAT all about?

Perhaps these tips on safe shaving should include something about not doing it while driving.

ADDENDUM: OK, people, the first story was a joke; a work of fiction – I made it up. Your first clue should have been the reporter’s by-line (“Patty O’Dore”) – patio door. The next clues would be easy for Kiwis to see right away that it was a joke – there is no West Auckland University, let alone a “Sue Bradford Institute of Human Sexuality” (Sue Bradford is a recently retired un-elected member or parliament from the Green Party and a full-blown communist and former professional protester who, back in her day wasn’t a bad looking chick, but today looks more like Phyllis Dyller [sp?]). As The Great Snook (comment #4) already noticed, the good doctor’s name when said aloud should have been a dead give-away, let alone the courses she taught (notice the acronyms created from the first letter of each word in the course titles).

The point of this was to show that, without a few clues and given all the silly shit that goes on in academia, one may not find something so absurd to actually be a spoof. More often than you may think, “studies” like that are often twisted around to “prove” a correlation or a cause-and-effect relationship, so be careful when you read any statistical data that attempts to do either. The second story is there in contrast to show that truth is often not much stranger than fiction.

The other thing I wanted to see was how closely you all read something and to determine your “gullibility index.”

Evolution vs. Creation

2010-02-08T15:23:00.003+13:00

A little girl wrote to Sarah Palin and asked; "How did the human race start?"
Sarah Palin answered, "God made Adam and Eve. They had children, and so was all mankind made."

Two days later the girl wrote to Michelle Obama and asked the same question. Michelle Obama answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved."

The confused girl went to her father and said, "Dad, how is it possible that Sarah Palin told me the human race was created by God, and Michelle Obama said they evolved from monkeys?"

The father answered, "Well, dear, it is very simple. Sarah Palin told you about her ancestors...

...and Michelle Obama told you about hers."

Any questions?

**Note to liberals, lefties, race baiters, atheists, and anybody else who feels like stirring shit and having a go at me: I am an agnostic and DO NOT subscribe to creationism, nor do I think that black people are akin to monkeys. It's a joke - and the resemblance of Michelle Obama to a monkey in these photos lends itself to the joke.

Note to everybody else: It is a sad statement on the PC nature of of Western culture that I feel as though I have to make such a disclaimer.

Excessive Force

2010-02-07T12:16:00.002+13:00

**This incident goes back over a year ago and has been saved as a draft since. Only a few things have been updated from the original text.**

It always takes someone, an incident, or, in this case, an incident to get me off my lazy backside to type a few words as a form of release, so here goes.

After this long I have forgotten how to type, however, I do have the advantage of Joe smirking over my shoulder in disbelief of bad typing and grammar. Just distract him with bouncing boobs would be the solution, but I really need the aggravation to keep my rant alive. So rant I shall.

All those who have children will understand they tend to stretch one's limits of tolerance at least once a week during the tiresome teenage years. The years where they proudly beat their chests that they are old enough to know all and parents are just too old to remember or appreciate anything. In short, parents are just boring, obsolete, old know-nothings.

We are the parents of not one but two darling teenagers: The youngest, a boy of 15 (now 16), who, if I use an animal analogy, would best be described as a big, good looking, muscular, goofy puppy; the older, a very attractive young woman, a lover of education, the proud owner of the sense of entitlement affliction, with the attitude of no-one is as important as herself - a perfect budding liberal.

Over the past two odd weeks a series of events occurred, you know the kind, those that disturb one's inner peace.

The disturbance? Our son's school. The history revealed:

He was walking along a pathway eating an apple during lunch hour break when he was shoved in the chest by a student accusing him of throwing a sandwich. Our son who is approximately 190 lbs. of muscle and 5' 11" (now at 16 he is 6'1" and floats between 210-220 lbs.), known as a jester, told this student he didn't know what he was on about and took it to be a joke, and continued walking away. The student chased and shoved him in the chest again. So my son, without using the hand holding his apple, tossed the offender on his backside and once again tried to walk away when a second student of the same height attacked him from the side, grabbing him by the throat, and threatened our boy not to make him use his martial arts training against him. Needless to say my son reacted by dropping both his apple and the attacker. Our boy then punched him two more times in the face when he hit the ground. To put it in his own words: "He's lucky. I tried kneeing him in the head first - but I missed - so I punched him to make sure the idiot knew never to try that with me again cause he sure isn't any good at martial arts."

To use a Chris Rock statement: "I'm not saying he should have done it..butttt I can understand." He used the "pissed off defense."

Our boy comes home, sits down with Joe and me, informs us of the scuffle, adding that the deputy principal had told him he could be arrested. That last statement there pissed me off severely, so we made the decision to go to the high school principal the next morning (a Friday) to discuss the incidents, as no one had contacted us about anything. We immediately got a meeting with both the principal and deputy principal in attendance, and they agreed the incident happened as our son had described it and as witnesses had reported. Their main concern, however, was not how it began but the "excessive force" our son had used. They needed to assess whether this "excessive force" was grounds for expulsion from the school. The fact that our son had been assaulted not once but twice - and by two students - that they were the instigators, did not shift their opinion. Shit a brick, their response was that our son should have had more "self control" over his "aggressive reaction", been a better person, just ignored it, and that by not doing so was "how people ended up in prison."

To shorten this rant, our son was suspended from school for 9 days as the principal had placed the decision in the hands of the board of trustees. Nine days of pure torment awaiting the next board session. 9 days of knowing that the two students that had assaulted him had not received any punishment. 9 days of knowing they were happily attending school having review classes for the December final year exams. 9 days of Joe and I getting rapid fire questions from our son about fairness and justice.

The board meeting day having arrived, the meeting was running smoothly, and our son agreed that he should not have tried to knee a person in the head. One board member asked if they could arrange a more suitable course to enable him to "embrace his cultural heritage". I saw red and inquired as to which part of his heritage they intend to develop, considering the majority of my heritage derives from Scotland and Ireland with a touch of Maori from one grandmother, and that Joe is American. Quickly back tracking, the question turned to what schools had our son previously attended, the inference leaning toward maybe he is not use to being around rich super brats. I queried the relevance of such a question, adding the final blow that, if they were so interested, to look into his junior years where he attended one of the most expensive private schools in New Zealand. Our son was quickly asked by another board member if he had any questions. Our son asked, "Why am I being punished for being attacked by two people? You know, the one that grabbed me by the throat has already hit another student over the head with a bat and got no punishment at all."

Things went pear shaped from there, and the board member yelled, telling our son that he was the one who was too aggressive. Joe had been so good until then, but he just let rip, offering to grab the board member by the throat so he could show Joe this control that is needed. Joe, then showing supreme self-control, told them to shove their meeting up their arses, stormed out, slamming the door behind him. The look of pure horror was frozen on the board members' faces, and my son and I looked at each other, bursting into laughter. Why did we laugh? Why not? They had deserved to hear what was voiced and what had been offered. The reaction of the board was they were convinced by Joe and his less than subtle verbal opinions of the whole event, that we must be offenders of domestic abuse. I simply stated, "No, we are not physically abusive in our family, however, as you heard, we are very passionate about rights and wrongs when pushed beyond tolerable levels." Our son added, "Yeah, you don't want to see mum lose it." Smiling I asked, "What is your decision?" Answer: "He can return to school if he attends anger management classes next year."

As is the case in many Western nations, New Zealand has a BIG problem with youth offenders of various criminal acts ranging from theft to murder and everything in between. Is it any wonder, then, that one reason for the occurrence of this trend is the mixed messages being sent by those in authority? The message being sent in this situation is that the person in the wrong is the one who inflicts the most physical harm regardless of whether or not it is a matter of self-defence. In other words, it is OK to attack another person physically - as long as you are the one who receives the most physical harm, you will get away with it. With little or no consideration given to who was initially in the wrong you will be considered the "victim".

"A Clockwork Orange" society developing, anybody?

This Just Warms My Heart

2010-02-07T10:52:00.003+13:00

Marine snipers are worth their weight in gold!

Bonus video!

Global Warming: Separating Fact From Fiction

2010-02-07T08:59:00.000+13:00

With all the recent revelations that bring to light serious concerns about the legitimacy of the theory of man-made global warming/climate change, here is one truth that can't be denied:

Nailed It!

2009-11-15T12:29:00.005+13:00

Hat-tip: Don

Simply Put

2009-11-15T12:28:00.000+13:00

OK, we have all heard the talking head apologist, denier douchebags trying to deny that the attack at Ft. Hood last week was anything but jihadist, islamic terrorism, having nothing to do with the fact that the scumbag traitorous POS was a muslim. My wife and I were discussing why there is such ardent denial, and she made this observation:

These apologists don't want to admit that this was an act of terrorism because they don't want to admit that an act of terrorism occurred on Obama's watch.

Drunken Yabbos Get a Hiding from Men in Drag

2009-10-09T13:32:00.003+13:00

This is beautiful. UK cctv captures three drunk assholes, two of which get their asses kicked by two men in drag - who are reportedly cage fighters, you know, as in UFC mixed martial arts-type fighters.

Here is a longer version showing what these drunken "youths" were doing before they decided to fuck with the wrong guys.

This is an object lesson in not to fuck with people you don't know.

I watch UK "Cops"-type TV shows, and I can't believe the thugs that run around the streets of the cities, starting fights, and acting like complete assholes. The cops treat them with kid gloves, so it's no wonder that this kind of behavior continues unabated.

Good on those guys for dealing to these punks. Personally, I think they should have given them a much worse beating to the point where these gutless pussies weren't able to get-up so quickly and needed an ambulance and subsequent hospitalization.

Perhaps, at least these morons will go away from this knowing they're not the bad-asses they think they are.

The Economy: How Bad Is It?

2009-10-05T11:53:00.003+13:00

1. The economy is so bad... that I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

2. The economy is so bad... I ordered a burger at McDonalds and the kid behind the counter
asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"

3. The economy is so bad... that CEO's are now playing miniature golf.

4. The economy is so bad... if the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you call
them and ask if they meant you or them.

5. The economy is so bad... Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM.

6. The economy is so bad... McDonald's is selling the 1/4 ouncer.

7. The economy is so bad... parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their
children's names.

8. The economy is so bad... a truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into Mexico .

9. The economy is so bad... Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.

10. The economy is so bad... Motel Six won't leave the light on anymore.

11. The economy is so bad... the Mafia is laying off judges.

12. The economy is so bad... Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.

And finally...
Congress says they are looking into this Bernard Madoff scandal...
Oh, Great!! The guy who made $50 Billion disappear is being investigated by the people who made $1.5 Trillion disappear!

Hat-tip: Don

Video: The Day Obamacare Died

2009-10-05T11:06:00.006+13:00

Set to the tune of Don McLean's magnum opus, "American Pie", this is a well-made video that takes a light-hearted, satirical poke at what has become a maelstrom at the forefront of politics in America.

Hat-tip: Don

The Pick-Up Line

2009-09-30T10:36:00.007+13:00

Having already downed a few power drinks she turned around, faced him, looked him straight in the eye, and said, "Listen up good-looking, I screw anybody, any time, anywhere, your place, my place, in the car, front door, back door, on the ground, standing up, sitting down, naked or with clothes on, dirty, clean . . . it doesn't matter to me. I've been doing it ever since I got out of college, and I just love it."

Eyes now wide with interest he responded, "No kidding. I'm a lawyer too. What firm are you with?"

Hat-tip: Stephanie

PM John Key on Letterman

2009-09-28T13:26:00.005+13:00

I thought it was cool that while in NYC Mr. Key took the time to stop by Letterman and do the "Top Ten Reasons to Visit NZ". It's good PR for New Zealand.

And I'll translate the "Kiwi-isms" in #5:

whanau (pronounced "fah-know") - Maori for "family".
bach - vacation home or weekend get-away cabin.
chilly bin - ice chest; cooler
jandals - flip-flops, thongs, or whatever you call cheap sandals.

Now THIS is Funny!

2009-09-28T12:31:00.005+13:00

Obama isn't black. He just has a good tan!

Berlusconi calls Obama 'tanned' again

By Frances D'emilio, AAP September 28, 2009, 8:53 am

Premier Silvio Berlusconi is still talking about President Barack Obama's "tan", and this time the gaffe-prone Italian leader has made a wisecrack about Michelle Obama's skin colour as well.

Berlusconi told a Milan rally of conservative supporters on Sunday he was bringing greetings from the United States from "What's his name? Some tanned guy. Ah, Barack Obama!"

Shortly after Obama's election in November 2008, Berlusconi raised eyebrows by saying the victor was "young, handsome, and even has a good tan".

This time, Berlusconi, a billionaire media mogul who began his career as a cruise ship entertainer, also took a jab at the First Lady.

"You won't believe it," he said, "but two of them went to the beach because the wife is also tanned."

Berlusconi is known for his gaffes.

To me, it's only a gaffe if it's unintentional. I think Berlusconi knew exactly what he was saying.

You gotta love this guy. At least he is one leader who doesn't have his head up Obama's ass and perhaps sees the current US president for the charlatan/Manchurian Elect that he is.

Of course, the article's writer doesn't find it very humorous as he felt compelled to mention the fact that Berlusconi himself admits to admiring younger women and suggests that Berlusconi patronizes prostitutes - even though there is no evidence or law enforcement investigation to support that claim....

The 72-year-old Berlusconi has made no secret for his admiration of attractive women. He has been on the defensive in a sex scandal that erupted last spring after his wife complained he was infatuated with young women and announced she was divorcing him.

Prosecutors in the southern city of Bari are investigating a local businessman, a suspect in a cocaine investigation, who has said he sent about 30 young women to dinners and parties at Berlusconi's Rome palazzo residence and Sardinian villa. The businessman told investigators he paid the women's expenses and in some cases extra money in case they had sex with the premier. But he stressed Berlusconi was unaware of these arrangements.

Berlusconi, who isn't under investigation in the scandal, has denied ever paying for sex.

...but the media will plant that seed anyway. That way, the public won't take much of what he says seriously.

And you gotta love this, too.

The premier, commenting on Obama's use of a teleprompter in public speeches, cracked: "He's not reckless like those of us who say what comes to mind."

"We all asked ourselves, 'Does he know what he's doing, or is he just someone who knows how to read well?'"

Absolutely Awesome!

2009-09-20T16:53:00.002+12:00

There's nothing else I can say. Watch and be amazed!

Hat-tip: MPR

Engine Tech I: Torque and Horsepower - What's the Difference?

2009-09-20T11:28:00.010+12:00

Many people who are self-described "gearheads" often have very little understanding of just how an internal cumbustion engine actually makes power, and two properties that are commonly misunderstood are torque and horsepower, specifically the difference between the two and their relationship to each other. Here we will try to clear-up some of this confusion without getting too involved in the theory and mathematics involved, although we cannot totally ignore either. When possible, any discussion or reference to the math and physics associated with engine dynamics will be limited to what is relevant to the discussion and kept in simple terms so those without degrees in engineering can understand them and apply them practically.

It is already assumed that the reader has a basic familiarity and knowledge of the mechanical parts of an engine, so many terms used in that regard will not be defined along the way. You can refer to this automotive dictionary of terms for further clarification.

Torque

Basically, torque is the measurement of force applied to rotate an object around a pivot point at specific distance (radius) from the pivot point. In very simple terms, think of a wrench and a bolt. The closer you put your hand to the pivot point on the wrench, the more effort or force you will need to tighten or loosen the bolt; the further away, the converse is true. In common parlance, many will call this leverage. Go here and here for more in-depth discussion if you feel so inclined to indulge in more of the physics and math.

Now, let's consider this in terms of an engine. Our pivot point would be the crankshaft centerline, and our radius arm is the connecting rod journal. The measurement of the distance between the rod journal centerline and the crank centerline determines the stroke. Thus, the longer the stroke, the more torque will be applied to the crankshaft. The movement of the piston in the cylinder applies a certain amount of force to rotate the crankshaft, keeping in mind that there is also a certain amount of force required to rotate the crankshaft, which is determined by many factors including (but not limited to) internal resistance (namely rotational component mass and friction) and external resistance (commonly referred to as "load") such as vehicle weight, aerodynamic drag, gearing, inclines, etc.

Horsepower

Here's where things get tricky. The first thing to remember is that there is no such thing as horsepower - per se. While torque can be measured, horsepower is a calculation of torque measured against a time factor.

Let's use a simple example. Two people, standing atop a structure 20 feet above ground, are each holding a rod with a 20 foot length of rope attached to it and attached at the other end of the rope is a 10 pound weight. Both are able to twist the rod and raise the weight from the ground, thus they are able to apply the same amount of torque. Now they are going to have a race against the clock to see who can lift the weight to the top in the shortest amount of time. The one who can do it the fastest will be the one who applies the most power. In other words, while both are able to apply the same amount of torque, the one who can raise the weight to the top the fastest is able to apply that same amount of torque faster - that is, twist the rod faster to perform more work.

In terms of an engine, that time factor is engine (specifically, crankshaft) RPM. Horsepower is calculated using the following formula:

HP = (torque x RPM)/5252

James Watt first determined the concept of horsepower and its calculation using dray horses to pull a certain amount of weight for a given distance in a certain time period.

The unit, horsepower, was originated by James Watt (1736-1819), the Scottish engineer who developed the first practical steam engine. When Watt offered to sell his steam engines to farmers and miners, he was probably asked how many horses they would replace. The value of the horsepower was based on his experiments with strong dray horses that were able to do about 50 percent more work than a standard horse in a working day. He concluded that an average draft horse could steadily exert a 150 pound force while walking at a speed of 2.5 miles and hour. The horse thus performed work at the rate of 33,000 foot-pounds per minute, or 550 foot-pounds per second. Watt defined this rate as 1 horsepower.

Read that entire piece if you want to know how the constant of 5252 was derived as well as the origin of the term "brake horsepower" and how a dynomometer works. It is worth noting that, while in America and other countries, the unit of power is horsepower (SAE) although there are variations like the German DIN, while in other countries such as New Zealand and Australia engine power is rated in kilowatts. Also worth noting is that, while in America torque is still measured in lbs./ft., elsewhere it is measured metrically in kiloPascals (kPa) or Newton-meters (Nm).

We now have defined torque and horsepower and have a glimpse of the relationship and differences between the two. It should be clear that based on our formula we can see that more power can be achieved by increasing torque at a given RPM or increasing RPM - or both. Let's take a look at some sample graphs I've prepared to further illustrate this relationship.

Using some common variations of a small-block Chevy, let's first examine a typical stock bore and stroke 350cid (4.00" x 3.48"), very similar in power specifications to the ZZ4 crate motor available from Chevrolet.

The first thing you should notice is the relatively flat torque curve with the "meat" of the power over 350 lbs./ft. "under the curve" from 2000 - 5000 RPM. This engine build is relatively easy to obtain using pump gas and "off the shelf" parts. There is nothing exotic involved here, and this engine would make a great "daily driver" for most any vehicle from a street rod to a pick-up, with lots of punch available throughout the RPM range making gear selection less critical.

The second thing you should take notice of is that, based on the formula and the rules of math, horsepower and torque will always be equal at 5252 RPM - if 5252 is a factor in the dividend and the divisor they will cancel each other.

The next graph represents a stroked smallblock of 383cid which is obtained using a stock bore of 4.00" but a crankshaft stroke of 3.75" from the 400cid Chevy. This requires machining down the crankshaft main journals to fit the 350 block, but these cranks have been available for several years from mail-order parts houses ready to drop in. Chevy and many aftermarket sources also make this as a crate engine available with similar power.

You'll notice a nice, fat torque curve down low in the RPM range, offering over 400 lbs/ft. throughout the entire operating range and over 450 lbs./ft. under the curve from just over 2000-4000 RPM. This would make for not only another daily driver but also a great engine for a tow vehicle or any application where heavy weight/high load is involved. You should see a trend developing by now, namely that emphasizing low-end power results in a trade-off sacrificing some top-end power (even though this engine makes more power and torque, that is mostly due to increased displacement. The idea is to look at the shape and slope of the torque curve and where peak torque and HP occur).

These next two examples take us in the opposite direction, trading-off low-end power for top-end power. Here is another 350cid Chevy that pushes the envelope of what would be usable in street applications. The engine would still be pump gas friendly provided that aluminum heads are used along with a good cooling system, but it is not what I would consider a daily driver. Careful parts matching in the intake, exhaust, and ignition systems is necessary to achieve these power numbers. Some careful engineering needs to be considered, as well, especially in the bottom end of the rotating assembly. In limited street and drag racing use where the upper RPM range is seen only in short bursts you could use a two-bolt main bearing block and cast pistons. For extended use such as road racing where the engine would see the upper RPM range exploited for longer periods a four-bolt assembly should be considered as a must, as well as good quality forged crank, rods, and pistons. It should be obvious that this motor isn't designed for a van, pick-up or '59 Caddy build, but it would do nicely in a 'Vette, Cobra kit car, T-bucket, or any other medium to light weight vehicle where off-idle/low RPM performance is not critical. Gearing is definitely a factor to be considered regardless of the application.

Notice that peak torque at 5500 RPM is quite high, yet for a racing application it still has a wide torque range, offering over 400 lbs./ft. from roughly 3700-7000 RPM and over 350 lbs./ft. starting at 3000 RPM through to redline.

Our final example, a 377cid smallblock, is another variation based on de-stroking a 400 block bored .030" over to 4.155" and using the 3.48" stroke of a 350, representing the upper limits of what can be achieved with a normally aspirated smallblock. Although it wasn't too long ago that NASCAR cup engines (limited to 358cid using the 400 bore and a short stroke 3.25" crank) were making this kind of power, (now they are making nearly 100 more horsepower), and some drag racing smallblocks are making over 900 horsepower, these power figures are still at the extreme end. This is max-effort racing territory with high compression requiring minimum 100 octane gasoline. All engineering aspects are critical, and many exotic parts and precision machining are required to not only achieve these power levels but, also, to ensure that the engine lives past the break-in and tuning runs. This is not a "slap it together" affair to be accomplished on a shoe-string budget. Be prepared to spend some serious cash.

You'll see that peak torque is at 6500 RPM, and I must admit that achieving a torque curve as flat as this one would require a lot of work by somebody with very good knowledge of all the "little tricks" to make it happen. In other words, the horsepower can be made, but the torque curve would more than likely be a bit more "spiked" or "peaky" in the real world.

Summary

Hopefully, the reader will come away from this tutorial with a little better knowledge and understanding of the relationship between torque and horsepower. There is an old adage that sums it up pretty well: "Torque is acceleration, horsepower is miles per hour." Basically, what that means is that torque is what pushes you back in your seat and moves you down the road; horsepower is what determines how fast you will end-up going.

The other idea that you should grasp is that when building an engine, you are building for torque and where it occurs in the RPM range of the engine. Horsepower will take care of itself.

In future installments we will examine different aspects of how to build for torque in different applications, looking at physical properties like Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP), Mean Intake Gas Tract Velocity (intake tuning theory), Sonic/Pressure Wave Theory (exhaust tuning), camshaft profiling and valve timing, and much more.

Save the Boobs - A Public Service Announcement

2009-09-17T14:42:00.002+12:00

Save the Boobs PSA - Watch more Funny Videos

Hat-tip: Bob F.

September 12, 2009: Are We Finally Getting It?

2009-09-17T11:29:00.002+12:00

You know, if I didn't read news on the net and only watched New Zealand news on the tele, I doubt I would have even heard about this event. Oh, sure, any liberal/leftist demonstration in the US or elsewhere gets PLENTY of coverage, ad nauseum, but something like this - nary a peep from the mainstream media (unless it is to criticize or downplay it as right-wing reactionism).

Thanks to an email from Don, a fellow American living on the South Island here in NZ, I bring you this coverage of the largest protest to occur in Washington D.C. - and let me put that in a time frame - EVER! Bigger than any anti-Vietnam War (or any other anti-war) protest or that "Million Man March" which, ironically, never came close to a million.

I'm not into protests or any kind of activism, really, but, "Good on 'ya, America!" Let this be the beginning, and don't let it die and fade away.

I think this gathering should be appreciated as the extremely important historical event that it is. This is the first great conservative anti-statist manifestation in American history. The conservative movement, which developed in the post-WWII, Cold War environment has now fully matured into the most significant political movement of the 21st century. I believe that this day could be referred to in the not too distant future as the day that changed America . This was the day the great silent conservative majority found its voice. Many of the attendees were quite meek and timid and were unsure of exactly what to expect, this being the first time in their lives they’d been involved in a protest movement. Their fears evaporated early in the day and I saw people reveling in the camaraderie , the joy and sheer civility that was exhibited at the entire event. Chants of “Freedom, freedom, freedom”, “No more czars! No more czars!” carried through the air without the slightest hint of rancor or incivility which is the norm at the leftist rallies I have photographed over the years.

The two photos above show a tiny fraction of the two million ABC estimates attended. I saw signs and heard lots of comments comparing this event to Woodstock . At the time this photo was taken, around 1:00 p.m., Pennsylvania Avenue was still jammed completely, and the mall was packed from the Capitol Building past the Washington Monument .

Protesters came from every state in the union. This man came from San Antonio , TX . He said that he was really sorry he hadn’t brought his family. He stated that being a black conservative he was afraid to expose his children to what he expected would be a lot of liberal abuse. He was thrilled with the tenor of the event and the fact that no liberals were present to harass him. He spoke about how incredibly intolerant the left is to black individuals who don’t bow to the party line.

These Ohioans took a day off their rodeo bullriding schedule. They said they’ll be back at it tomorrow.

Mike Pence (R-Indiana) was one of the speakers who addressed the crowd: “After years of fighting runaway government on this hill, you people look like the cavalry to me..I believe we are on the verge of a great American awakening.”

San Diego radio host, Mason Weaver, said from the podium: “I came here because I thought you might want to hear a black man speak without a teleprompter…This government is trying to make a nation of dependent people. Americans have always been independent people…This is not a Republican thing, it’s not a Democrat thing. It’s not a black thing or a white thing. It’s an American thing…We the people are telling them ‘No more! We’ve had enough!”

There were notable differences though, in the behavior of these attendees. Although the legend of Woodstock is that there was a friendly atmosphere of camaraderie, the truth is that most people were there for the drugs, sex and rock and roll. Today in D.C. there was a true kinship amongst these people based on shared values and intellectual understanding of what America is and how its future is imperiled by big radical government."

No one was having sex in the Reflecting Pool let alone the mud, and I saw no one projectile vomiting on the steps of the Capitol. There were no warnings to avoid the bad acid which would send you on a trip to the hospital. Not just a different era, but a different level of civilized behavior and thought. Oh, and by the way, these people didn’t leave tons of garbage behind when they left. Actually they left no trash behind at all.

Hat-tip: Don

Obituary: The Death of Common Sense

2009-09-17T10:54:00.007+12:00

You may have seen this or a variation of it in a chain email. I heard it read this morning on talk radio here in New Zealand while driving to work and thought I'd share it with you. It was not written by George Carlin or that other ubiquitous author, "Ann O'nymous", to which many of those chain emails are far too often mis-attributed. The following piece, entitled "The Death of Common Sense", is a bit altered from the original version written back in 1998 by a lady named Lori Borgman as an op-ed piece in the Indianapolis Star, and it perfectly summarizes the number one affliction that plagues the human condition in modern Western society.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn’t always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Enough, Already!

2009-09-15T13:22:00.018+12:00

You know, I keep getting all these politically-themed emails that bemoan, bash, and bitch about the economy, Obama, health care, ACORN, the media, etc. - ad nauseum.

Enough, already! There is more to life than all that crap, so I think it is high time we remember what email was really intended for and get back to it - NOW!...

S

C

R

O

L

L

D

O

W

N

There, isn't that better?

When sending me emails, remember: "MORE TITS, less twits!"

Lighten Up, Francis

2009-09-15T11:51:00.002+12:00

OK, enough Obama and all the sundry shit that goes with him. We know things are a mess. We know the press is out to lunch and has their own agenda. And to be perfectly honest, I've really had enough about health care. Aside from the socio-economic and political implications of nationalizing health care, since when have we become so bloody sick that we think we need a million fucking pills for this and pills for that?

Yeah, I know that there are a lot of people who do require regular medication to maintain or regulate vital bodily functions, but let's take some time to laugh, shall we? Take a few moments to not be sooooo bloody serious; otherwise you may find yourself more in need of healthcare than you would otherwise. You know, high blood-pressure and all that.

I can't remember how I found this site, Stuff White People Like, but it is a tongue-in-cheek look at some of our follies and foibles. And, yes, it is written by a white guy. For example, here is #125 on the list of "Stuff White People Like": Bob Marley.

Here's a taste:

During the course of a white person’s education they will go through many phases including but not limited to: “awkward,” “classic rock,” and “being really into a foreign country.” Of these phases, there is only one that all white people are required to go through before they can obtain their bachelor’s degree. It is known as “Bob Marley.”
{snip}
It is also worth noting that white people tend get into smoking marijuana during this phase. This is why all white people view the combination of the two as one of the most pleasurable experiences on earth. But when white people really want to take it to the next level they will combine Bob Marley, Marijuana, a long weekend and some sort of notable outdoor location (beach, cottage, or patio). There are few activities on earth that are more appealing to white people.

The only acceptable reasons for declining participation are a prior engagement at a music festival or a commitment to go camping.
{snip}
Note: if you are talking to a white person who is really into Bob Marley, has dreadlocks, and professes to be a Rastafarian, you should end the conversation immediately. These people are of no value unless you need directions to a WTO protest or have questions about how bad a human can smell.

The point here is simple. Don't forget to laugh. In fact, make it a point of urgent necessity to laugh at least once a day (think of it like a vitamin). Listen to some of your favorite music. Read a book. Go for a walk. Whatever - do SOMETHING each day that makes you happy. Smell the roses, as they say. I'm as guilty as anybody else, so I have to remind myself from time to time to take a break. If you just wallow in all the shit going on in the world, it ain't healthy.

Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself - because surely somebody else is.

And never take yourself too seriously - nobody else does.

Can You Handle the Truth?

2009-09-03T10:07:00.003+12:00

This might make you uncomfortable; it might upset your sensibilities and beliefs about the “system”. You might not agree with all his observations, but for the most part Carlin hits it on the head, especially his observations on the dismal state of education and why it is the way it is.

Go ahead. Watch and listen – if you can handle the truth.

Here's another one for you. The next time you're behind somebody with one of those "My child is an outstanding citizen at such-and-such school" - type bumper stickers, remember this clip from Carlin.

Obamageddon - What Could be on the Horizon with Afghanistan and/or Iran

2009-08-16T01:23:00.005+12:00

I really don't have much to add to this article. I've snipped most of the relevant stuff, but read the whole thing to get the links contained within and to watch the Fox News interview with economist Gerald Celente. Large text emphases are mine

An American president is launching the most ambitious, the most expensive, and certainly the most dangerous military campaign since the Vietnam War—and the antiwar movement, such as it is, is missing in action. After a long and bloody campaign in Iraq and the election of a U.S. president pledged to get us out, our government is once again revving up its war machine and taking aim at yet another “terrorist” stronghold, this time in Afghanistan. Yet the antiwar movement’s motor seems stuck in the wrong gear, making no motions toward mounting anything like an effective protest. What gives?

We shouldn’t doubt the scope of the present war effort. Make no mistake: the Obama administration is radically ramping up the stakes in the “war on terrorism,” which, though renamed, has not been revised downward, as the Washington Post reports:

"As the Obama administration expands U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, military experts are warning that the United States is taking on security and political commitments that will last at least a decade and a cost that will probably eclipse that of the Iraq war.”
{snip}
As the economic crisis escalates and the debt-based central banking system shows it can no longer re-inflate the bubble by creating assets out of thin air, an economic and political rationale for war is easy to come by; for if the Keynesian doctrine that government spending is the only way to lift us out of an economic depression is true, then surely military expenditures are the quickest way to inject “life” into a failing system. This doesn’t work, economically, since the crisis is only masked by the wartime atmosphere of emergency and “temporary” privation. Politically, however, it is a lifesaver for our ruling elite, which is at pains to deflect blame away from itself and on to some “foreign” target.

It’s the oldest trick in the book, and it’s being played out right before our eyes, as the U.S. prepares to send even more troops to the Afghan front and is threatening Iran with draconian economic sanctions, a step or two away from outright war.

A looming economic depression and the horrific prospect of another major war – the worst-case scenario seems to be unfolding, like a recurring nightmare, and there doesn’t seem to be any way to stop it. Are we caught, then, helpless in the web of destiny, to be preyed upon by those spiders in Washington?
{snip}
History has shown that Afghanistan is practically unconquerable, and we could send an army of a million or more and still fail miserably. But think how the endless expenditures will “stimulate” our economy!

Pay attention to this part.

Our current foreign policy of global hegemonism and unbridled aggression is simply not sustainable, not when we are on the verge of becoming what we used to call a Third World country, one that is bankrupt and faces the prospect of a radical lowering of living standards. Unless, of course, the “crisis” atmosphere can be sustained almost indefinitely.

Sound familiar? "1984"?..."Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia. No, wait, Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia. No, wait, Oceania has always been at war with..."

It is said that FDR’s New Deal didn’t get us out of the Great Depression, but World War II did. The truth is that, in wartime, when people are expected to sacrifice for the duration of the “emergency,” economic problems are anesthetized out of existence by liberal doses of nationalist chest-beating and moral righteousness. Shortages and plunging living standards were masked by a wartime rationing system and greatly lowered expectations. And just as World War II inured us to the economic ravages wrought by our thieving elites, so World War III will provide plenty of cover for a virtual takeover of all industry by the government and the demonization of all political opposition as “terrorist.”

An impossible science-fictional scenario? Or a reasonable projection of present trends? Celente, whose record of predictions is impressive, to say the least, sees war with Iran as the equivalent of World War III, with economic, social, and political consequences that will send what is left of our empire into a tailspin. This is the popping of the “hyperpower” bubble, the conceit that we – the last superpower left standing – will somehow defy history and common sense and avoid the fate of all empires: decline and fall.

Could Afghanistan become Obama's Iraq? It's possible, if not probable, given that he has driven us further into debt and has plans for driving us further so; given that he has no qualms about national takeovers of corporations like GM and the banking industry. He could make it work with the politics of personality. That is, with his "kept whores" in the media, it could be sold to his unwavering sycophants on the left. Then we will see the "true colors" of the so-called anti-war crowd - that is, will all the anti-war protesters during the Bush era be out yelling in the streets, or were they "anti-war" because they were anti-Bush?

Time will tell, but things could get very interesting. Sleep tight.

A REAL American Music Icon, Les Paul, Has Passed Away

2009-08-14T13:20:00.009+12:00

Guitar legend-inventor Les Paul dies at age 94

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY (AP) – 20 minutes ago

NEW YORK — Les Paul, the guitar virtuoso and inventor who revolutionized music and created rock 'n' roll as surely as Elvis Presley and the Beatles by developing the solid-body electric guitar and multitrack recording, died Thursday at age 94.

Known for his lightning-fast riffs, Paul performed with some of early pop's biggest names and produced a slew of hits, many with wife Mary Ford. But it was his inventive streak that made him universally revered by guitar gods as their original ancestor and earned his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the most important forces in popular music.

Paul, who died in White Plains, N.Y., of complications from pneumonia, was a tireless tinkerer, whose quest for a particular sound led him to create the first solid-body electric guitar, a departure from the hollow-body guitars of the time. His invention paved the way for modern rock 'n' roll and became the standard instrument for legends like Pete Townshend and Jimmy Page.

The guitar that Les built.

Gibson solicited Paul to create a prototype for a guitar, and began production on the Les Paul guitar in 1952. Townshend of the Who, Steve Howe of Yes, jazz great Al DiMeola and Led Zeppelin's Page all made the Gibson Les Paul their trademark six-string.

The Les Paul series has become one of the most widely used guitars in the music industry. In 2005, Christie's auction house sold a 1955 Gibson Les Paul for $45,600.

Paul was born Lester William Polfuss, in Waukesha, Wis., on June 9, 1915. He began his career as a musician, billing himself as Red Hot Red or Rhubarb Red. He toured with the popular Chicago band Rube Tronson and His Texas Cowboys and led the house band on WJJD radio in Chicago.

In the mid-1930s he joined Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians and soon moved to New York to form the Les Paul Trio, with Jim Atkins and bassist Ernie Newton.

Paul started out as an accompanist, working with key artists until he struck out on his own. His first records were released in 1944 on Decca Records. Later, with Ford, his wife from 1949 to 1962, he earned 36 gold records for hits including "Vaya Con Dios" and "How High the Moon," which both hit No. 1.

He had met Ford, then known as Colleen Summers, in the 1940s while working as a studio musician in Los Angeles. For seven years in the 1950s, Paul and Ford broadcast a TV show from their home in Mahwah, N.J. (Ford died in 1977, 15 years after they divorced).

Les Paul was also an inventor whose genius changed music and the recording industry forever.

Paul had made his first attempt at audio amplification at age 13. Unhappy with the amount of volume produced by his acoustic guitar, he tried placing a telephone receiver under the strings. Although this worked to some extent, only two strings were amplified and the volume level was still too low.

By placing a phonograph needle in the guitar, all six strings were amplified, which proved to be much louder. Paul was playing a working prototype of the electric guitar in 1929.

His work on recording techniques began in the years after World War II, when Bing Crosby gave him a tape recorder. Drawing on his earlier experimentation with his homemade recording machine, Paul added an additional playback head to the recorder. The result was a delayed effect that became known as tape echo.

Tape echo gave the recording a more "live" feel and enabled the user to simulate different playing environments.

Paul's next "crazy idea" was to stack together eight mono tape machines and send their outputs to one piece of tape, stacking the recording heads on top of each other. The resulting machine served as the forerunner to today's multitrack recorders. Many of his songs with Ford used overdubbing techniques that Paul had helped develop.

"I could take my Mary and make her three, six, nine, 12, as many voices as I wished," he recalled. "This is quite an asset." The overdubbing technique was highly influential on later recording artists such as the Carpenters.

Paul's use of multitrack recording was unique: Before he did it, most recordings were made on a single tape. By recording each element separately, from the vocals to instrumentation on different tracks, they could be mixed and layered, adding to the richness in sound.

"In the old days, if you only had one track, you put a microphone in the middle of the music and hope for the best," Juskiewicz said.

In 1954, Paul commissioned the first eight-track tape recorder, later known as "Sel-Sync," in which a recording head could simultaneously record a new track and play back previous ones.

In the late 1960s, Paul retired from music to concentrate on his inventions. His interest in country music was rekindled in the mid-'70s and he teamed with Chet Atkins for two albums. The duo were awarded a Grammy for best country instrumental performance of 1976 for their "Chester and Lester" album.

In 2005, he released the Grammy-winning "Les Paul & Friends: American Made, World Played," his first album of new material since those 1970s recordings and his first official rock CD. Among those playing with him: Peter Frampton, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Richie Sambora.

"They're not only my friends, but they're great players," Paul told The Associated Press. "I never stop being amazed by all the different ways of playing the guitar and making it deliver a message."

Paul was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005.

More on Les Paul here.
What some other musicians had to say about Les Paul here, including one quote that sums up almost exactly what I think.

"Les is single handedly responsible for the direction and evolution of the modern rock movement. Period. If you are a fan of modern music, you owe Les Paul an enormous THANK YOU!" _ Dave Navarro

Iranians "Detain" 3 American "Hikers"

2009-08-02T21:37:00.004+12:00

Have you heard about this?

(AP) Iran has confirmed it detained three Americans who were in the area of the Iranian border while on a hiking trip, Kurdish officials said Saturday. The U.S. State Department has said it was looking into the situation.

The Kurdish regional government's envoy to Washington, Qubad Talabani, told The Associated Press the three were tourists and are in Iranian custody. He said the Americans mistakenly crossed into Iranian territory Friday at the border town of Ahmed Awaa.

"The Iranians said they have arrested them because they entered their land without legal permission," he said.

Wow, one could go a few directions here. A few observations:

First, if they are indeed "tourists", then they have to be three of the dumbest dumb-fucks on the planet, and I could care less. If anybody finds the reasons for that to not be obvious, then I suggest they, also, take a hiking trip along the Iran/Kurdistan border. I'll go out on a limb and speculate that they are probably liberal college kids and/or "citizens of the world" types without a lick of common sense. Fuck 'em.

Second, it will be interesting to see the reaction of the Obamastration. How will they spin it?

Third, if they are other than "tourists" (do I have to spell this out?) the second observation still applies.

Fourth, it will be interesting to see the liberal/left-wing/open borders/human rights groups' reaction, especially if they sympathize with the Iranians as a sovereign nation protecting their borders. If the lefties take that stance, they will have a hard time justifying their support for the illegal invasion along the US-Mexican border.

Hypocrisy check, you lefties/open borders/human rights types.

Fifth, it is interesting that, at the time of writing this, no names have been released. See second and third observations.

Let's see how this pans out.

Maybe we could get the Iranians to patrol our border with Mexico?

Hope and Change

2009-07-27T17:57:00.003+12:00

You might recall that John Hinckley was a seriously deranged young man who shot President Reagan in the early 1980s. Hinckley, extremely jealous, was absolutely obsessed with movie star Jodie Foster, and in his twisted mind, loved Jodie Foster to the point that, to make himself well-known to her, he attempted to assassinate President Reagan.

There is speculation Hinckley may soon be released as having been rehabilitated.

Consequently, you may appreciate the following letter from John McCain received by the staff at the mental facility treating Hinckley:

To: John Hinckley
From: Sen. John McCain

In our fine country's spirit of understanding and forgiveness, we want you to know there is a non-partisan consensus of compassion and forgiveness throughout America.

We are confident that you will soon make a complete recovery and return to your family and join the world again as a healthy and productive young man.

Best Wishes,

John McCain

PS: While you have been incarcerated, Barack Obama has been banging Jodie Foster like a screen door in a tornado.

You might want to look into that.

H/T: Ann O'Nymous

Born Gay, or Learned Behavior?

2009-07-27T17:18:00.006+12:00

You tell me...

Tattoos and Bar-B-Ques

2009-07-27T15:56:00.004+12:00

This man thought he had the best tattoo in the world...

...until he went to prison.
Hat-tip: Don

BBQ, anybody?

Hat-tip: Dad

Take a Trip in the "Way Back" Machine

2009-07-26T11:10:00.009+12:00

This week I thought we would take a trip back in time to what many refer to as the "glory days" of motorsport - the late 1960s to early 1970s - and look at one of the iconic race series in North America: the Can Am (short for Canadian-American).

Can-Am started out as a race series for Group 7 sports racers with two races in Canada (Can) and four races in the United States of America (Am). The series was initially sponsored by Johnson Wax. The Series was governed by rules called out under the FIA Group 7 category with unrestricted engine capacity and few other technical restrictions.

The Group 7 category was essentially a formule libre for sports cars; the regulations were minimal and permitted unlimited engine sizes (and allowed turbocharging and supercharging), virtually unrestricted aerodynamics, and were as close as any major international racing series ever got to anything goes. As long as the car had two seats and bodywork enclosing the wheels, and met basic safety standards, it was legal. Group 7 had arisen as a category for non-homologated sports car 'specials' in Europe and for a while in the 1960s Group 7 racing was popular in the United Kingdom as well as a class in hillclimb racing in Europe. Group 7 cars were designed more for short-distance sprints than for endurance racing. Some Group 7 cars were also built in Japan by Nissan and Toyota, but these did not compete outside their homeland (though some of the Can-Am competitors went over to race against them occasionally).
{snip}
On-track, the series was initially dominated by Lola, followed by a period in which it became known as the 'Bruce and Denny Show', the works McLaren team dominating until the Porsche 917 was perfected and became almost unbeatable. After Porsche's withdrawal, Shadow dominated the last season before Can-Am faded away to be replaced by Formula 5000. Racing was rarely close - one marque was usually dominant - but the noise and spectacle of the cars made the series highly popular.

The "Bruce and Denny Show" refers to the domination of the series by two New Zealanders, Bruce McLaren and Dennis "Denny" Hulme; Chris Amon, also a Kiwi, factored prominantly in the series.

Above, The McLaren M6A, (with Bruce at the wheel) powered by the venerable small-block Chevy V8, developing over 500 HP with Lucas mechanically timed fuel injection, was the dominant car in the Can Am series in 1967 (the M6B was introduced in 1968). In 1968 McLaren also introduced the M8 (shown below) which was powered by an all-aluminum, big-block Chevy (now fitted with Hilborn mechanical fuel injection) developing some 800 HP. One major difference besides the engine upgrade and bodywork design, was that the engine was now a "stressed member" meaning that, instead of being bolted "into" the chassis, the engine became an integral part of the chassis (increasing rigidity), an engineering design feature that is almost standard for all race cars now.

Let's take a lap in an M6B at Laguna Seca, shall we?

Here's an M6B at Sears Point (now known as Infineon) Raceway. Note the throttle linkage working as the driver gets on and off the gas.

Now, sit back and enjoy some historic footage filmed at the 1967 Can Am event at Road America in Elkart Lake, Wisconsin.

McLaren, who created these dominant cars that became synonymous with Can Am, died tragically in 1970 in an accident while testing at Goodwood in the UK. His name and trademark, however, continued on as you may well know in not only F1 but in various tuner cars that bear his mark.

On 2 June 1970, Bruce McLaren was killed in a crash at Goodwood while testing the new M8D Can-Am car. While travelling at 170 mph (270 km/h), a fastener for the rear bodywork failed and the entire rear piece detached from the car. The car spun into a concrete marshal post and McLaren was killed instantly. Twelve days after Bruce McLaren's death Dan Gurney won the opening Can-Am race of 1970 at Mosport for McLaren. The McLaren M8D won nine of the ten races in 1970 and Hulme won the championship.

As mentioned above, the McLaren domination began to come to an end in 1971 when Porsche entered the scene with their 917/10 and the further upgraded 917/30. The 917/30, combined with the energy "crisis" of the mid-1970s, effectively killed the Can Am series even though some teams tried turbos on their big-block Chevy McLarens; the power was there, but reliability was not.

At the end of the 1971 season, the coupe bodied Porsche 917 was no longer eligible to race in the world championship, which saw the German manufacturer's focus shift to the Group 7 class. In open form the 917 had been campaigned in this virtually no limits class since 1969, but with little factory support. Two championships were open for the Group 7 cars; the European Interserie and more importantly the North American Can-Am Challenge. Big engines, low weight and a host of different looking vehicles had made Can-Am one of America's premier classes, attracting many spectators.

Porsche was represented in Can-Am for a number of years by privateers who race 908s or decapitated 917s, until a purpose built Group 7 version of the 917 made its debut in 1971. Dubbed the 917/10, it was technically similar to the coupe 917, but featured a number of lighter components constructed from the latest exotic materials. A larger fuel tank was also fitted to enable the car to complete the 200 mile races without having to refuel. Completely new was the spyder bodywork, which was an adaptation of the contemporary Can-Am design.

A few races into the 1971 season, the Porsche 917/10 made its debut in the McLaren dominated series. It was immediately obvious that the 5 litre flat 12 was not powerful to take on the might of the all-alloy Chevrolet V8s, but nonetheless valuable points were scored in the car's first season. Back in Germany two options to close the gap with the 800 bhp V8s were considered; a 16 cylinder version of the 917 or fitting Turbochargers to the existing engine. The second option was by far not as easy as it sounds today, but it was expected to offer the best performance so it was fully explored.

In the preceding fifty years racing cars were either Naturally Aspirated or equipped with a Supercharger driven by the crank; exhaust driven Turbochargers was uncharted territory. Throttle lag was the biggest problem to overcome with Turbos. In order to operate ideally the turbines in the Turbo had to run at a specific speed, but that requires a minimum amount of engine revolutions. When the engine was running under that number, there was considerably less power, and when the Turbos did kick in it was not a gentle affair. Drivers of the Turbocharged 917s needed to have a very delicate right foot and stellar reflexes to cope with the sudden power increases.

In five litre form, the Turbocharged flat 12 was good for around 950 bhp; not for the faint of heart. In Mark Donohue and George Follmer Porsche found two drivers brave enough to take on the competition in their 917/10K. Donohue proved to be the faster of the two, but an accident early in the season left him out for most of the remaining races. This paved the way for George Follmer to finally challenge and beat the McLarens and secure the championship. In Europe the 917/10Ks were campaigned in 4.5 litre form, but it was still enough to clinch a one-two in the championship.

Although the McLarens were convincingly beaten in 1972, Porsche continued the development and constructed the most powerful racing car ever. Available only for Team Penske's driver Mark Donohue, the 917/30 was bigger in every aspect compared to the 1972 racer. The engine's displacement was increased to 5.4 litre, which saw the performance rise to at least 1100 bhp in race trim. A new longer and aerodynamically efficient body was fitted, which increased the top speed considerably. In the 1973 season there was no stopping the 'Turbo Panzer', and Mark Donohue won the championship.

As a side effect of the Porsche dominance, Can-Am was quickly losing teams and spectators and halfway through the 1974 season the challenge was cancelled. Porsche had also withdrawn at the end of the 1973, but the 917/30 was given one final outing in 1975. Specifically prepared for a high speed run, Donohue lapped the Talladega race track at an average of 221 mph in the 917/30, setting a new world record. A fitting finale for the Porsche 917's magnificent career. Unfortunately it was also the finale of Donohue's career, who fatally crashed ten days later during Formula 1 qualifying in Austria.

With its upwards of 1100-1200 HP on tap, the 917/30 is considerd by many to be the world's first real "supercar". It could accelerate from 0-60mph in 2.2 seconds; 0-100mph in under 4 seconds; and 0-200mph in under 12 seconds; and achieve top speeds of upwards of 250mph.

Above is the Porsche 917/30 Can Am racer driven by Mark Donohue. Below is a photo of the gearbox and rear undercarriage. Notice the two medium-large turbochargers on either side of the engine.

Below is a video with historical background on the 917/30 containing some race footage and a portion of an interview with team owner Roger Penske and his championship-winning driver, the late Mark Donohue whose son, David, now contests a Brumos Porsche prototype in the Grand Am road-racing series, a modern "revival" of the Can Am.

This video shows a 917/30 at start-up and driving out of the pits.

I hope you have enjoyed this trip in the Way Back Machine. There's lots more to come, so check back often.

Obama-Care: What You Can Look Forward To

2009-07-24T08:49:00.001+12:00

Ok, I said I would try to stay away from politics or almost avoid it. This is the "almost".

Let’s break it down into language we can all understand. As many of you know, I am an American living and working in the socialist haven of New Zealand, and I have some personal and vicarious experience in the system that is in place here. The model is the same, with a few differences, in just about every other socialized Western Democracy.

Here is an all too common scenario faced by patients in socialized health care systems such as what we have in New Zealand.

You plan ahead and go to your GP (general practitioner/family doctor) for a regular physical or check-up. By the way, only surgeries, hospital and emergency care are “free”; you pay out of pocket $40-$50 to see your GP, plus whatever blood work or prescriptions you need. Only infants get free GP coverage. Now, let’s say the doctor finds something wrong, and he/she refers you to a specialist for further evaluation.

Here’s where the fun starts.

You call to set-up that appointment and get put on a waiting list, and that can be as little as a couple of days to as long as 8 or 9 months – or longer. There is no negotiating or haggling on that. It’s done based on category of severity which is assessed by the district health board, and YOU have NO SAY in that matter – you are what they tell you you are, and that’s that. You finally get to see the specialist, and if further treatment is needed, you get put on a priority list which is, again, assessed by the district health board.

Now the REAL fun starts.

When it comes down to it, the older you are (once you’re over 50 or 60), the further to the back of the line you go. There are only so many resources available (it’s called rationing in any other universe), and the bureaucrats at the district medical boards decide who will get what first based on what value you have to the system. In other words, if two people need, let’s say, a hip replacement, heart surgery, cancer treatment – whatever – and one of them is 20 and the other is 65, the 20 year old will most likely get it before the 65 year old will. Why? Because as a 65 year old, you’re already retired, collecting your retirement, and basically, your days are numbered as a contributing tax payer – the state isn’t going to get any more production out of you. The 20 year old, well, the state looks at him or her as a cash cow with a whole life ahead of them that the state can milk for taxes to pay for all the other shit the state pays for.

Now, you can jump up and down, write letters, protest all you want, but it won’t likely get you anywhere. Here in New Zealand you can’t sue. There is only so much money to go around when the tax base is so limited in a small country like NZ, and there are so many government entitlement programs competing for funding. Doctors and nurses and every other state-funded health care provider are on a fixed salary, and to top that off, they all have unions, so it seems almost every other week one group or another is going on strike.

But do you know what the real problem is? The bureaucracy. Inevitably what happens is that any time there is an increase in funding or expanding care in the form of treatment and/or facilities, who gets a big portion of that funding? The bureaucrats – mid level administrators to oversee the programs, commission feasibility studies to determine cost effectiveness, and all the other bullshit. In other words, people with job titles and no real job get their money first, leaving little left over for the front-line healthcare providers, the facilities, the pharmaceuticals, etc., where the money SHOULD be going. Regarding prescribed drugs, the state has a list of approved drugs and providers, and you have little or no say in that matter either.

As a result, we are facing a constant shortage of quality people to work in this country’s health care system because so many New Zealand-educated doctors and nurses leave here for greener pastures overseas in places like Australia (which has socialized health care but can pay a better wage and is close to NZ), Canada, the UK (not much better than NZ) – but guess where a lot of New Zealand’s best medical professionals end-up: The US of A. So we have a lot of doctors from India and other parts of Asia and other parts of the world, many of whom, despite having to qualify by New Zealand standards, have questionable qualifications and slip through the cracks. The big saving grace are the professionals (and not just in medicine) who come from South Africa – and they aren’t the ones who are of the same skin hue of Nelson Mandella, if you know what I mean. I’ll say it right here: Thank God for the white South Africans or Afrikaners coming to New Zealand because without them this country would be severely fucked, and as long as things in South Africa remain as fucked-up as they are, the Afrikaners will keep coming here to fill the void left by quality New Zealanders leaving.

If all that sounds good to you, then by all means, support Obamacare, because that is what you’re going to get – or something very close to it.

Take Some Fast Rides

2009-07-19T12:57:00.010+12:00

I know it's been a while, but once again I'm back. I think I'll avoid politics almost altogether and focus on fast cars and bikes, music, etc. So let's get started, shall we?

I've been scouring Youtube and acquiring some great videos of fast rides from the past and present. This first one is an on-board video of Alain Castellana at the Gemenos Hill Climb in his Norma M20-3A (contrary to the title of the video, it is not a "Can-Am" car), powered by a hyper-revving BMW M-Power based, 3 liter in-line 6 with close ratio gearing. Go here for some photos of the car. This thing is insane fast and comes off the line like a rocket, and the guy knows how to drive it! Enjoy!

Next is a video featuring George Plasa driving a Judd V8 powered BMW E-36 prepared for hill climb events. The engine revs to over 10,000 RPM and makes a reported 560 HP from 3.4 liters normally aspirated.

In this video, which is on-board during a road-course track event, you'll notice the whine from the sequential shift, straight-cut gears (suitable for racing only; most street cars have helical-cut gears with synchros) as will your pets - or women - who may happen to be in the room with you at the time. It really is quite deafening as it gets into the top three gears. Different car and driver, but it seems to have the same or similar powerplant set-up as in the previous video.

Show Them To Me

2009-07-19T12:56:00.003+12:00

I'm not a big Country & Western fan, but there are exceptions. This is definitely one of them. His name is Rodney Carrington, a comedian who uses music as his comedic "vehicle". This is all about the love of the female breast. NSFW and inappropriate for younger kids; but that's your call, not mine.

Hat-tip: Stephanie

And I guess this is as good a time as any to re-introduce my advocacy of Global Warming...

World's Thinnest Books

2009-07-19T12:09:00.001+12:00

FRENCH WAR HEROES
by Jacques Chirac

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY COUNTRY
by Jane Fonda & Cindy Sheehan. Illustrated by Michael Moore

MY BEAUTY SECRETS
by Janet Reno & Whoopi Goldberg & Madeleine Albright

ALL THE WOMEN I HAVE LOVED BEFORE
by Barney Frank (D-Mass) & Boy George & Elton John

MY CHRISTIAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS & HOW I HELPED AFTER KATRINA
by Rev Jesse Jackson & Rev Al Sharpton

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BILL
by Hillary Clinton

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT HILLARY
By Bill Clinton

MY LITTLE BOOK OF PERSONAL HYGIENE
by Osama Bin Laden

THINGS I CANNOT AFFORD
by Bill Gates

THINGS I WOULD NOT DO FOR MONEY
by Dennis Rodman

THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE
by Al Gore & John Kerry

AMELIA EARHART'S GUIDE TO THE PACIFIC

A COLLECTION of MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES
by Dr. J. Kevorkian

ALL THE MEN I HAVE LOVED BEFORE
by Ellen de Generes & Rosie O'Donnel & Billy Jean King & Janet Reno

THE GUIDE TO DATING ETIQUETTE
by Mike Tyson

DELICIOUS SPOTTED OWL RECIPES
by PETA

THE AMISH PHONE DIRECTORY

MY PLAN TO FIND THE REAL KILLERS
by O.J. Simpson

HOW TO DRINK & DRIVE OVER BRIDGES
by Ted Kennedy

MY BOOK OF MORALS
by Bill Clinton
with introduction
by The Rev. Jesse Jackson

MY QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME PRESIDENT
by Hussein Obama

Hat-tip: Don

"Be Quick, Be Quiet, And Be On Time"

2009-07-05T14:04:00.003+12:00

That is a quote from a man with one of the greatest minds of our time. His name was Kelly Johnson. "Who the hell is/was Kelly Johnson?" you may ask yourselves. Here's a brief rundown:

Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson came to Lockheed in 1932 hunting a job. He was turned down..insufficient experience. Johnson went back to school and obtained a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He came to Lockheed again in 1933 and was hired as a tool designer. His salary was $83.00 per month and became the sixth Engineer working for the fledgling Lockheed Company. Then, as World War II approached, he helped the Company design the P-38, America's first 400 mph airplane. After assignments as flight test engineer, stress analyst, aerodynamicist, weight engineer, he became chief research engineer in 1938. In 1952, Johnson was named chief engineer of Lockheed's Burbank, California plant which later became the Lockheed-California Company. When the office of corporate vice president-research and development was established in 1956, he was chosen for the post. He became vice President-Advanced Development Projects (ADP) (Skunk Works) in 1958, a member of the board of directors in 1964 and a senior vice president of the corporation in 1969. He officially retired from Lockheed in 1975 but continued as a consultant to the Skunk Works and the Lockheed projects. Kelly left the Board of Directors in 1980. In June of 1983, the name of the 500 acre Lockheed Rye Canyon Research facility was renamed Kelly Johnson Research and Development Center, Lockheed-California Company, in his honor for 50 years of service to Lockheed.

Read more about Kelly Johnson's amazing achievements and career.

The aircraft in the photo above was the brainchild of Johnson and the Skunk Works, and perhaps the greatest feat of aviation engineering of the 20th century, the SR-71 "Blackbird".
Here's a graphic depiction of some of it's record breaking runs:

So, what was it like to fly such an amazing aircraft? I'll let one of her pilots tell you.
*NOTE: After digging around to authenticate the following piece, I could find no record of a "Billy J. Foster" ever having been a "Habu" (the nickname given to the Blackbird by the residents of Okinawa, Japan upon first seeing the SR-71 in flight as it came and went from Kadena AFB, as it reminded them of the viper native to the island; the pilots adopted the name for themselves, also). I did, however, confirm that the RSO referred to as "Walt Watson" in the following piece was in fact the RSO for a Habu pilot named Brian Schul who wrote a book entitled "Sled Driver". Schul's biography in and of itself is no less amazing than that of the Blackbird and its creator.

The sled ride………….

By ~~Billy J. Foster~~ *Brian Schul

SR-71 Blackbird

In April 1986, following an attack on American soldiers in a Berlin disco, President Reagan ordered the bombing of Muammar Qaddafi's terrorist camps in Libya . My duty was to fly over Libya and take photos recording the damage our F-111's had inflicted. Qaddafi had established a 'line of death,' a territorial marking across the Gulf of Sidra , swearing to shoot down any intruder that crossed the boundary. On the morning of April 15, I rocketed past the line at 2,125 mph.

I was piloting the SR-71 spy plane, the world's fastest jet, accompanied by Maj Walter Watson, the aircraft's reconnaissance systems officer (RSO). We had crossed into Libya and were approaching our final turn over the bleak desert landscape when Walter informed me that he was receiving missile launch signals. I quickly increased our speed, calculating the time it would take for the weapons - most likely SA-2 and SA-4 surface-to-air missiles capable of Mach 5 - to reach our altitude. I estimated that we could beat the rocket-powered missiles to the turn and stayed our course, betting our lives on the plane's performance.

After several agonizingly long seconds, we made the turn and blasted toward the Mediterranean. 'You might want to pull it back,' Walter suggested. It was then that I noticed I still had the throttles full forward. The plane was flying a mile every 1.6 seconds, well above our Mach 3.2 limit. It was the fastest we would ever fly. I pulled the throttles to idle just south of Sicily, but we still overran the refueling tanker awaiting us over Gibraltar .

Scores of significant aircraft have been produced in the 100 years of flight, following the achievements of the Wright brothers, which we celebrate in December.. Aircraft such as the Boeing 707, the F-86 Sabre Jet, and the P-51 Mustang are among the important machines that have flown our skies. But the SR-71, also known as the Blackbird, stands alone as a significant contributor to Cold War victory and as the fastest plane ever-and only 93 Air Force pilots ever steered the 'sled,' as we called our aircraft.

Here's some more from Schul, where he recounts, during that run over Libya, the unique bond that can exist between man and machine.

There seems to be a confirmed trust now, between me and the jet; she will not hesitate to deliver whatever speed we need, and I can count on no problems with the inlets. Walt and I are ultimately depending on the jet now - more so than normal - and she seems to know it. The cooler outside temperatures have awakened the spirit born into her years ago, when men dedicated to excellence took the time and care to build her well. With spikes and doors as tight as they can get, we are racing against the time it could take a missile to reach our altitude.

It is a race this jet will not let us lose. The Mach eases to 3.5 as we crest 80,000 feet. We are a bullet now - except faster. We hit the turn, and I feel some relief as our nose swings away from a country we have seen quite enough of. Screaming past Tripoli, our phenomenal speed continues to rise, and the screaming Sled pummels the enemy one more time, laying down a parting sonic boom. In seconds, we can see nothing but the expansive blue of the Mediterranean . I realize that I still have my left hand full-forward and we're continuing to rocket along in maximum afterburner.

Read the whole story. It is fascinating, breath-taking, and as gripping and well written as any spy-thriller novel.

While in the USMC, I had the pleasure of standing next to a Blackbird on display at the Tustin Air Show as I was part of the support crew from my squadron with our UH-1N "Huey" and AH-1W "Cobra" helicopters which seemed so insignificant compared to this mighty behemoth. I couldn't help noticing all the fluids leaking from the SR-71 - something that was cause for serious concern for us lowly, subsonic beings. However, we knew why this was normal for "the sled", as Schul explains.

Ironically, the plane was dripping, much like the misshapen model I had assembled in my youth. Fuel was seeping through the joints, raining down on the hangar floor. At Mach 3, the plane would expand several inches because of the severe temperature, which could heat the leading edge of the wing to 1,100 degrees. To prevent cracking, expansion joints had been built into the plane. Sealant resembling rubber glue covered the seams, but when the plane was subsonic, fuel would leak through the joints.

As an engineer, I admire other, far greater engineers. Part of what was truly amazing and almost inconceivable is that Johnson and his Skunk Works team designed that bird in the days before computers and calculators. They did it with slide rules, ingenuity, and vision. They were products of the "old school" of education that valued knowledge over feeeelings and all the touchy-feely, left-wing, bullshit social "engineering" that goes on in today's indoctrination centers more commonly known as the public school system.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and the "sled" and Johnson himself were not exceptions. Johnson passed away in 1990, the same year as the Blackbird was retired from service and Schul retired from the USAF. However, both Johnson and his bird left an incredible legacy.

The SR-71 served six presidents, protecting America for a quarter of a century. Unbeknownst to most of the country, the plane flew over North Vietnam , Red China, North Korea , the Middle East, South Africa , Cuba , Nicaragua , Iran , Libya , and the Falkland Islands . On a weekly basis, the SR-71 kept watch over every Soviet nuclear submarine and mobile missile site, and all of their troop movements. It was a key factor in winning the Cold War.

PS - If you're as awestruck as I am about tis topic and the people involved, I really urge you, dear reader, to take the time to go through all the links.

Some Thoughts on the Iraq Pull-out

2009-07-05T14:00:00.000+12:00

No, it's not a new birth control technique.

Ok, so the Iraq draw-down has begun. The lefties, the MSM, the America haters et.al. are having multiple orgasms over that, but they are not alone. While I and many, many others like myself feel nothing that resembles erotic stimulation, however, I am happy to see it as well, and before we go any further, let's get a few things on the table right now. What may appear to be negative in the analysis is not directed at the troops - far from it, as anybody who "knows" me can attest to. Our men and women on the ground, in the air, and on the seas have paid a very high price, and they deserve our unwavering respect for doing what they signed-up to do - follow orders. With that said, I have had a problem with our US foreign policy for quite some time, regardless of the administration, regardless of the situation or location. For the record, along with every male in my family since WWII, I was a "troop" (USMC), having been on the wrong end of rifles, RPGs, and a few machetes. Semper Fi.

Far too often we have sent our young men (and of late, women) half-way around the world to "defend democracy" or "fight for our freedoms back home," and, frankly, that is just complete rubbish. That is a sales pitch to engender support from "the folks." Indeed, it would be a lot more difficult to "sell" such actions abroad to the American people if the "real" reasons were told; hell, in many cases it would have been strategically foolhardy to do so. Iraq and Afghanistan are perfect examples. Do you really think our government gives two shits about democracy in either of those places? Believe what you want, but the answer is "no." WE backed Saddam in his war against Iran, knowing full well how he came to power (hint: it was not through anything that resembles the democratic process) and the kind of leader he was. WE backed the mujahadeen/mujahideen in Afghanistan, led in no small part by Osama Bin Laden, in their war against the Soviets. And the argument is valid that the Machiavellian principle of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" applied in dealing with what was known or believed at the time to be a greater threat in both cases. Look at a map of the region, and you will see that both Iraq and Afghanistan are strategically situated for a variety of purposes. In an attempt to secure "friendly" regimes (and I use that term loosely) in both places one can conjure several scenarios, but I submit with a good deal of certainty that concern for the plight of the people in the face of tyranny and oppression is not one of them.

One could argue that the long range goals of politicians and their lap dog barracks-grade officers at the Pentagon would have positive residual effects for the welfare of the people and the security of the US, but the field-grade officers and their NCOs know that those long range plans seldom (if ever) go as planned given that short-term plans on the battlefield more often than not go awry as soon as the boots hit the ground. Just ask US Army General (Ret.) Hal Moore, Korean War veteran and innaugural commander (Colonel at the time) of the then-newly-formed Army Air Cav, how he felt before and after the initial battle at Ia Drang in Vietnam (the first "official" battle in which LBJ revealed full US commitment there). You would have gotten the same answer from the late, legendary USMC Gen. "Chesty" Puller, Patton, and even that psychotic loser, Custer (who learned the hard way): Plans are nothing; planning is everything; and when all that fails, those who can adapt best by drawing from historical precedent and instinct to the fluid nature of combat will prevail. Which brings us to the central theme of the argument.

Why do we who value and hold dear our freedom and liberty feel as we do? Because we know it did not come easily. It was not given to us. It was earned, fought and paid for with blood and countless lives of our forebearers. I am speaking specifically about our Revolution and the birth of our Nation, but we cannot forget the massive loss of life our nation endured during the War Between the States, better known as the Civil War (or, as some still call it, the War of Northern Aggression). To a lesser extent in terms of defense of our liberty (not in terms of sacrifice and loss of life and blood) WWI comes into play (although our security was not really at risk), as does WWII, the last war fought in defense of our liberty. Let me stress again that the sacrifice of those who fought in Korea and Vietnam was no less noble or honorable than any of those who came before or since; only that, through no fault of their own, what they fought and died for had nothing to do with preserving our liberty. The point here is that we have paid for our liberty with countless sacrifice.

Why, then, should we believe that we can "give" freedom, liberty, or democracy to those who have not or are not willing to fight and die for it themselves? Can anybody point to a case in history where that has been successful in the long term?

WARNING: Harsh language to follow.

I hope that I am wrong, but I don't give Iraq very long. "Yay, Saddam is gone!" "Woo-Hoo! The dictator is dead!" - Big fucking deal; there will be ten others lining up to take his place, starting with that fuck Muqtada al Sadr. And there are dozens more around the world. Fuck them all. And this is where I get very upset. I see these guys (and women too) all blown to shit, as I recently watched on this special, "Home from Iraq", hosted by James Gandolfini. It wasn't skewed, biased, or anything else. These men and women spoke openly, not complaining, and Gandolfini listened, offering very little input, except for hugs and handshakes after each interview. I cried, watching these folks with no arms, no legs, faces blown apart, one with a plate in his fucking head, reduced to speaking like a child. You know why I cried, clenching my fists, unable to speak to my wife or face my step-children for the rest of the night? Because I know that these men and women (yeah, one woman was in a convoy and took an RPG right through the shoulder) suffered the unthinkable terrors of war for nothing. It's a long bow to draw to say that they suffer and the other 4,000 some-odd have died defending our freedom and security. Bullshit. That's for the cheerleaders at Fox and other chickenhawks to spew. And the only other ones who piss me off more than them are the America haters at CNN, MSNBC, NYT, LA Times, WaPo, Daily Kos, Huffington Post, Mother Jones, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the UN, and the various foreign media and government officials (not to mention our own lefties and America haters in Congress) who bemoan the deaths of Iraqi civilians and paint our guys and gals as baby killers and torturers.

I don't want to see another one of our folks blown to shit, regardless of how proud they are, unless it's in DIRECT defense of our liberty and our nation, not some half-assed, concocted justification or after-the-fact rationalization that soothsayers use to make us feel better.

You really want to help the Iraqis and now, perhaps, the Iranians? Pick a side, and give them weapons to fight for their own freedom. Oh, wait, that's just what got us into this mess in the first place. Leaving them alone isn't the answer, either. That's what the past 30 years have gotten us to now. No, the only options I see as viable are to either blow them all to hell, or selectively assassinate key personnel and destroy hideouts using Special Ops. I just know that massive use of military force to "win hearts and minds" has been tried before, and each time it has failed.

Good luck to the Iraqis. They'll need it.

Why I Have Been Saying, "Screw Iraq"

2009-02-08T09:21:00.007+13:00

This US Army soldier* sums it up in this little pep-talk to a group of Iraqi "policemen." It isn't PC, and most civilians, moonbats especially, will probably find this appalling, insensitive, and will not relate to the sentiments expressed, but this could just as well have been me giving this little "chat." The truth can be painful...or funny...or both at the same time.

*NOTE: I referred to the US military man as Army only because the body armor blocks the sleeves where the US flag would be on the Army uniform (Marines don't have that), and for the fact that he refers to his "soldiers" - Marines NEVER refer to each other as soldiers; they're MARINES. Either way, the guy is right on whether he is a Marine or Army.

Hat-tip: Vilmar

Divorce the Left

2009-02-08T09:07:00.003+13:00

Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists, Obama supporters, et al:

We have stuck together since the late 1950's, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has run its course. Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right, so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile; slate it up to irreconcilable differences, and go on our own ways.

Here is a model dissolution agreement:

Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement.

After that it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes. We dont like redistributive taxes so you can keep them. You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU.

Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA, and the military. You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore, and Rosie O'Donnell (you are however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move them).

We'll keep the capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart, and Wall Street. You can have your beloved homeless, homeboys, hippies, and illegal aliens. We'll keep the hot Alaskan Hockey Moms, greedy CEO's, and Rednecks. We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood.

You can make nice with Iran, Palestine, and France, and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us. You can have the peaceniks and war protestors. When our allies or way of life are under assault, we'll provide them job security.

We'll keep our Judeo-Christian Values. You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism, and Shirley McClain. You can have the U.N. But we will no longer be paying the bill. We'll keep the SUV's, pickup trucks, and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Subaru Station Wagon you can find.

You can give everyone healthcare, if you can find any practicing Doctors (that is practicing, Howard Dean) who will follow to your turf (sic). We'll continue to believe healthcare is a luxury and not a right.

We'll keep "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the National Anthem. I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute "Imagine," "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing," "Kum Ba Ya," or "We Are the World."

We'll practice trickle down economics, and you can give trickle up poverty its best shot.

Since it so offends you we'll keep our History, our Name, and our Flag.

Would you agree to this? If so please pass it along to other like minded patriots, and if you do not agree just hit delete and hang on.

In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you ANWR on who will need whose help in 15 years.

Hat-tip: Don

Nice Video, Classic Song

2009-02-08T08:18:00.000+13:00

We Gotta Get You A Woman @ Yahoo! Video

Just Because...It's COOL!!!

2009-02-01T16:32:00.003+13:00

Think you've got something fast? REALLY FAST? Here's a turbocharged 1300cc Suzuki Hyabusa burying its 220 mph speedometer, hitting a claimed 250 mph. Considering this thing exceeds the stock 9000 rpm redline by 2000 rpm and the bike's incredible performance in stock trim, I do not doubt that claim. Enjoy!

Family Humour and 2 Pics

2009-01-27T14:47:00.009+13:00

Adopted daughter Alicia on left.

Eldest daughter Tahlie on the right.

Spare Teen - Anybody Want One?

Youngest daughter Caitlin.

All we want is a holiday

Green Employment Promises

2009-01-27T14:09:00.005+13:00

I heard Obama has promised $$$'s for green employment. Employing 1/2 million people to go door to door checking each and all's green card is a worthwhile green job. Also, the need for transportation to the border would be a real money spinner, so anyone who has a few dollars floating around, take my advice and purchase a few cattle carriers as it will ease possible traffic blockages.

"The first step toward the president’s new green economy will come with the passage of the congressional stimulus package—a down payment ......will create 460,000 jobs in three years, save taxpayers $2 billion ......."

"But the centerpiece of President Obama’s new proposals seeks to change the way Americans drive, by giving states like California leeway to design their own tough ....... standards. Stay tuned."

Self-Reliance? What's That?

2009-01-25T17:01:00.004+13:00

There's nothing to really comment on with this one; the article speaks for itself. Here are two key quotes:

And so the government keeps offering special deals to people who keep taking them, and people are so conditioned to believe that government is the only answer to every woe that besets them — in part because the politicians keep saying they will protect the people from harm and insulate them from their own bad choices — that people don’t just expect but demand the special deals.

"My guess is they will just print more money, and we’ll look like Zimbabwe," Stossel said. "I hope you have gold or real estate."

Orwell's Children

2009-01-25T15:36:00.006+13:00

There's not much to comment on this one either. Maybe I'm just feeling lazy, or I'm saving it up for something else. Here's a teaser:

It has been sixty years since George Orwell wrote his chilling dystopian classic, 1984, and it has been thirty years since we saw the creepiest example of educated and free people willingly walking into a living dystopia. November 18, 1978, three decades ago, 918 people drank Kool-Aid laced with cyanide. Jim Jones, the communist leader of Jonestown, Guyana, had become "Big Brother." Soviet and Communist Chinese propaganda films and condemnations of capitalist and imperialist America blared continually to the subjects of this island of Leftist Hell.

Jonestown ended in mass suicide, but the real horror was that ordinary people, Americans like you and I, had become so decoupled from reality and morality that they could be led to surrender everything, even their lives, intoxicated only with the venom of modern Leftism. These were Orwell's Children.

We are drifting into the sort of horrific future he described. Too many of us for comfort or solace have become just like the denizens of Jonestown: Orwell's children -- a new generation of creature enraged into constant militancy against eternal enemies, oblivious to the notion of a Blessed Creator, melded into the consciousness of the party hive, divorced from history, hypnotized by images, inoculated against reason, stripped of family, and existing only to serve the cause.

Read the rest from American Thinker.

Now, if you are an atheist or an agnostic (like me), and you're having trouble reconciling the references to God, here's how I look at it. I'm an agnostic - I have my doubts as to whether God exists, but I couldn't look you straight in the eye and tell you with unquestioning certainty that there is no God. After years of religious schooling (from kindergarten through 8th grade) I made my own decisions for me and nobody else, and now, at 43 years of age, the thought of God hardly enters my mind for the most part; but I don't have a problem with those who do have whatever they consider to be a "relationship" with God. As long as nobody is forcing me to believe or give money to a church or whatever, I don't have a problem with it (too bad I can't say the same about paying taxes to the federal government). That is a far cry from the rabid, "freedom from religion" atheists who actively and vehemently attack Christianity and want to abolish from public consciousness any thought of or reference to God. They, in a sense, worship humanity, with the state as a figurehead embodiment of humanity. (Ironically, many of those people are the same ones telling us that humans are a virus on the planet).

Regardless of how you may feel about religion and how it's been the cause of so much death and misery throughout history - consider this: In the span of only a half century - far more death, misery, and destruction was dealt out at the hands of totalitarian regimes (Mao, Stalin, Hitler) where religion was replaced by the state and a man replaced God.

Hueys and the GAU

2009-01-22T07:54:00.002+13:00

Sometimes I miss those days. Some days I wish I could still get my hands on one...

Hat-tip: BobF

President Bush, Thanks for the Memories

2009-01-22T07:40:00.001+13:00

Anybody Else Notice This?

2009-01-21T17:31:00.002+13:00

I was listening to some of President Obama's inauguration speech and I noticed something. Over time, Obama's speech patterns have taken on more and more of a southern, black preacher - something of a cross between Bill Clinton and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Personally, I think the man is a chameleon, somebody able to become what he thinks people want him to be. A true politician through and through.

A Tale of Two Ironies

2009-01-18T12:18:00.005+13:00

This from the Southland Times:

Invercargill, New Zealand

Sisters Natalie Bennie and Tamara Shefa were upset after being booted out of the Mevlana Cafe in Esk St yesterday by owner Mustafa Tekinkaya.

They chose to eat at Mevlana Cafe because it had a play area for Mrs Bennie's two children, but they were told to leave before they had ordered any food, Mrs Bennie said.

"He heard us speaking Hebrew and he asked us where we were from. I said Israel and he said 'get out, I am not serving you'. It was shocking."

Mr Tekinkaya, who is Muslim and from Turkey, said he was making his own protest against Israel because it was killing innocent babies and women in the Gaza Strip.

"I have decided as a protest not to serve Israelis until the war stops."

He said he had nothing against Israeli people but if any more came into his shop they would also be told to leave, and he was not concerned if he lost business.

After my initial reaction of disgust, I found it highly ironic that here's this muslim Turk banning an Israeli in protest of Israel's actions against the Palestinians in Gaza when, until 90 years ago, his native country occupied that same area (and then some) for hundreds of years. I wonder how he feels about that and how he would have felt were he alive then. Something tells me he would not have given a rat's ass about the plight of the Palestinians, but now that non-muslims are in charge - Jews, no less - well, that's different.

That's irony number 1. Here's irony number 2.

When this incident happened last week, I was going to simply write about how the Middle East mess has tentacles that reach even here, to New Zealand, a tiny little country at the bottom of the world with no dog in that fight and of little significance in affecting any meaningful change there. Then, as I began doing a little more sourcing, I found this blog entry and began reading the comments. As I read through them (all 180-something at the time), an interesting issue came to the surface: Property rights. One commenter stated that, although he found the cafe owner's behavior appalling, he finds the anti-discrimination laws more appalling, and on that basis he had to side with the cafe owner. I have to agree. Let me explain.

First, consider this statement from Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres:

"Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation in Palestine, it is simply against the law for providers of goods and services in New Zealand to discriminate in this way."

Respect for private, individual property rights are at the foundation of Western civilization. ANY move away from that principal is a step toward a more collectivist, communist society, and that is more of an affront to human or civil "rights" than is being denied service at a private establishment. It's his property, and he should be able to deny service to anybody for any reason. Any law that contradicts that right flies directly in the face of respect for private property rights. The only thing that matters is that the buyer is willing and able to pay for the goods and/or services, and the seller is willing to provide them. Now, if you believe that racial, religious or any other kind of discrimination is morally wrong, then vote with your wallet and choose not to do business with that establishment. If enough people feel the same way, he will either have to change his tune or face going out of business. That, I believe, is the way to affect change - NOT by demanding that government enact laws that prohibit certain behaviors or actions which, however reprehensible, do not deny others their rights.

One does not have the "right" to walk into a private establishment and demand service, but the current law in New Zealand and most elsewhere in the West has made it so. We have betrayed one principal for another, denied one set of rights and granted another set. The equation is out of balance. Where these civil and human rights laws go wrong is that they don't just stop with regulating how government institutions and agencies - those in the public sector - conduct themselves. They go that one step too far into the private sector.

I know this is a difficult concept for some to grasp, but it really is simple. Is racist behavior wrong? I believe it is, but as long as it does not deny somebody their right to life, liberty, or their own property, it should not be illegal. Do I think the guy is a complete asshole? You bet. But I believe he has the right to be an asshole, the right to be wrong - and suffer the consequences for it; not by government mandate, but by the people themselves in any form that does not involve violence, coercion, or destruction of property.

Cut the Crap Already - Rant

2009-01-18T11:03:00.004+13:00

If I hear one more complaint about the "massacre" of Palestinian women and children in Gaza at the hands of the IDF; one more whinge about "genocide," "illegal occupation of stolen land," or "indigenous rights" I'm gonna puke.

Let's be very clear here. The stolen land idea is bullshit, and if that is what you believe, then you are a fucking idiot. Go back and learn the history you were never taught in school, and don't even waste my time.

This is an ongoing struggle that cyclically erupts into violence - a never ending cycle of violence, followed by some third party-negotiated cease fire, and then it begins again, usually with Hamas indiscriminately firing rockets into Israel or sending some deluded, illiterate, brainwashed, wild-eyed jihadi into a pizza parlor in Tel Aviv with a vest full of explosives and nails and God knows what for shrapnel and feces or medical waste to cause infection in open wounds for maximum effect - deliberately targeting civilians. Israel responds with the sophisticated weapons they have at their disposal, targeting key Palestinian personnel and infrastructure, doing their best to minimize civilian casualties. If one considers the full capabilities of the IDF, I can't for the life of me understand how anybody can see it any other way. They are either blinded by ignorance or ideology or both. If you believe that the IDF is committing genocide or any of that other bloodbath mantra, then you are even more of an idiot. If that were Israel's real intent they could literally within a matter of days turn Gaza and the West Bank into a parking lot and kill every living thing there with a massive, indiscriminate bombardment of the area using only conventional weapons. Done. Game Over.

That obviously is not what is happening, so why do libs and leftards continue to parrot this lie? For some I know it is simple Jew hatred. I have had many arguments where, after much dancing around about being for the underdog and disenfranchised, that has come out in the end. Fine, at least they have taken a side. For others it comes down to ignorance. For others yet, to them all that matters is who is losing; they are the victims no matter who started it. Christ, I heard some moron the other day who not only thinks that Hamas is the victim and the Israelis are the aggressors, but also believes that the media portrays it just the opposite, turning world opinion against the Palestinians.

And this idea of "disproportionate response" is another crock of shit. Hamas brought a knife to a gunfight. Too bad, so sad. Hamas, like those who have come before them, has chosen violence; hell, that's why the Palestinians voted for them, to take it to the Israelis. Now that they have, firing rockets from schools, mosques, wherever, and uses the same for shelter, hiding behind their own women and children, Hamas and their sympathizers cry "foul." It's so predictable that it seems scripted. Their sympathizers hold the Israelis accountable for firing back anyway, knowing this, but nobody calls Hamas on the carpet for being more "wrong" by putting up those innocents as human shields to begin with. But the media will not confront that issue. Far be it for them to let objectivity get in the way of ideology or, more accurately, a good, "if it bleeds, it leads" story. Cue the professional mourners and victims.

And while I'm at it, what is with these daily "union breaks" for "humanitarian aid" to reach the civilians? Is this combat or a sporting match? I'm telling you right now, if war becomes sanitized to the point where it is just accepted and regulated in some perverse way, then we run more of a risk of more of these perpetual conflicts. War is hell, and it should remain that way if for no other reason than to be a constant reminder that it should be a last resort. When it's on, however, then it's ALL ON. No quarter, no mercy. One must be ready to escalate to any level necessary to win, and winning is defined as the point where your enemy surrenders unconditionally or risks facing complete, total annihilation.

How to Save the Airlines

2009-01-18T10:38:00.002+13:00

Via a reliable email:

Dump the male flight attendants. No one wanted them in the first place.

Replace all the female flight attendants with good-looking strippers! What the hell, they don't even serve food anymore, so what's the loss?

The strippers would at least triple the alcohol sales and get a 'party atmosphere' going in the cabin. And, of course, every businessman in this country would start flying again, hoping to see naked women.

Because of the tips, female flight attendants wouldn't need a salary, thus saving even more money. I suspect tips would be so good that we could charge the women for working the plane and have them kick back 20% of the tips, including lap dances and 'special services.'

Muslims would be afraid to get on the planes for fear of seeing naked women. Hijackings would come to a screeching halt, and the airline industry would see record revenues.

This is definitely a win-win situation if we handle it right -- a golden opportunity to turn a liability into an asset.

Why didn't Bush think of this? Why do I still have to do everything myself?

Sincerely, Bill Clinton

Hat-tip: Don

Global Warming

2009-01-18T09:47:00.000+13:00

Tattoo Remover

2008-12-09T22:09:00.003+13:00

Military Humor

2008-12-09T22:03:00.002+13:00

Breaking News

2008-12-09T11:44:00.008+13:00

I actually heard about this on a morning radio talk show here in New Zealand.

Hot off the press:

Nebraska 'Butt Bandit' Gets 13 Months in Jail

1 hour ago

VALENTINE, Neb. (AP) — A man dubbed the "Butt Bandit" for making greasy imprints of his nether parts on windows in the north-central Nebraska city of Valentine has been sentenced to more than a year in jail. Cherry County Attorney Eric Scott says police caught 35-year-old Thomas Larvie in the act on Nov. 19.

Scott says Larvie was sentenced Thursday to 13 1/2 months in jail after being convicted of eight misdemeanor counts of public indecency and one of disturbing the peace.

Authorities said Larvie used lotion or petroleum jelly to make imprints of his naked behind — and sometimes his groin — on the windows of stores, churches and schools in Valentine beginning in the spring of 2007.

Townspeople dubbed the vandal the "Butt Bandit" even though no theft was involved.

I can't help but wonder...if it had been a woman...with an ass like this...

...would the outcome have been perhaps a bit different?

Moo Cow WHAT Milk???

2008-12-07T21:43:00.005+13:00

If you watch these, I guarantee you will get to a part where you may very well ask yourself that very same question.

Lots of guys have great material and shitty delivery (fewer have it the other way around), but it's the great ones that have both great material AND delivery. It's not only what they say but how they say it - and not just with words - that makes them funny. It's the facial gestures, mannerisms, peculiarities, vocal inflection, timing and pauses, the impromptu moments...you know what I mean.

Two guys (among many others, of course) that meet those criteria are Ron White and Lewis Black. The following feature is Lewis Black, another of my favorite comedians. His material is great, delivery superb - and THAT is what makes a good comic.

There are 6 parts, just under 10 minutes each. It's the whole set. I suggest you watch them all in one sitting because...well...it's Sunday back in the States, and you have nothing better to do.

Remember to watch for the bit about milk...

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

A Fresh Perspective

2008-12-03T20:45:00.000+13:00

Being away from the blog for just over a week, processing all the post-election hype and spin - taking it all in, so to speak - I discovered a new outlook on...well...just about anything and everything, I guess. It's a zen sort of thing, right up there with "whatever" and "that's cool."

It's called "I don't give a fuck." Zen with an attitude.

Or "I don't care" if one must be politically correct (although that would be incongruous with the philosophy - If one doesn't give a fuck then one certainly doesn't care about being politically correct to begin with, does one?).

I suppose that this wonderful new mindset seems eerily similar to another condition known as apathy.

Merriam-Webster OnLine defines apathy as such:

Main Entry:
ap·a·thy
Pronunciation:
\ˈa-pə-thē\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Greek apatheia, from apathēs without feeling, from a- + pathos emotion — more at pathos

Date:1594

1 : lack of feeling or emotion : impassiveness
2 : lack of interest or concern : indifference

That pretty much sums it up, and the "I don't give a fuck" attitude is more or less a statement of indifference, even defiance. It is a liberating feeling to able to say, "I don't give a fuck," - and MEAN IT.

How did this come to pass? It was only a few days ago, listening to talk radio where global warming/climate change/CO2 emissions/methane/cow farts/carbon credits/Kyoto was being discussed. The host was neither a true believer nor a denier, and the debate was good. And then it hit me, one of those thought-distilling, somebody flipped on the light switch kind of moments:

I don't give a fuck.

I'll bet you that if you talked to one hundred people who are true believers - you know, the ones who cite the "consensus of the world's leading peer-reviewed climatologists" and argue the "science" of it all - you would be lucky to find 10 who have read the actual IPCC Report AR4. Not the "Summary for Policymakers", the actual Report. I have read most of it, and, even with a scientific and engineering background, it ain't easy readin'. I will not discuss or debate the issue any longer. I can't be bothered.

I just don't give a fuck.

Even if I accept all the dire (many of them not as dire as so many in the media would have us believe) predictions, I still don't give a fuck.

The sea level is going to rise?
I don't give a fuck.

It's going to get hotter?
I don't give a fuck.

Millions of people are going to die?
I don't give a fuck. And on that note, not only do I not give a fuck, I'm actually counting on it. I'd actually like to raise the ante to...I don't know...say, two or three billion. Because that's what the REAL problem is here, folks: Too many fucking people. Half of ya' need to go.

Hmmmm, that doesn't sound very dispassionate or disinterested. As a matter of fact, that sounds downright mean and uncaring.

Guess what?

Female Nude Art

2008-12-03T20:13:00.000+13:00

I Beg Your Pardon...

2008-11-23T17:46:00.002+13:00

...I never promised you a rose garden...

I wonder how many "White" House jokes we're going to hear over the next 4 years, or who will be the first to refer to it as "The Crib".

On the Chopping Block

2008-11-23T16:52:00.005+13:00

The F-22 Raptor may get canned.

On Wednesday, John Young, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, signed off on $50 million as "bridge" funds to build four additional F-22s.

That will be enough to purchase key parts to keep the production line operating until the new administration under Barack Obama can review the defense budget and decide whether to include F-22 funding in the 2010 budget.

For the record, the Air Force has said it needs 381 of these awesome war birds.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Deputy Secretary Gordon England remain unconvinced, saying the Pentagon should ramp up procurement for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter rather than buying more F-22s.

That kind of either/or scenario could best be described as penny-wise but pound-foolish. The United States needs both.

Given that the DoD of the current administration is less than enthusiastic about the Raptor, I doubt that the coming Obamastration(tm) will change this course.

Here's more on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

JSF is a joint, multinational acquisition program for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and eight cooperative international partners. Expected to be the largest military aircraft procurement ever, the stealth, supersonic F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (F-35) will replace a wide range of aging fighter and strike aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied defense forces worldwide. The program’s hallmark is affordability achieved through a high degree of aircraft commonality among three variants: conventional takeoff/landing (CTOL), carrier variant (CV) and short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft. Innovative concepts and advanced technologies will significantly reduce weapon system life-cycle costs while meeting the strike weapon system requirements of military customers. Procurement is planned to continue through 2026 and possibly beyond. JSF aircraft may well stay in service until 2060 or longer.

Yeah, like the first article stated, it shouldn't have to be an "either/or" choice, and it wouldn't have to be - if we hadn't pissed away so much money on other...endeavors.

Hat-tip: Don

This Is What I Really Meant...

2008-11-23T16:32:00.004+13:00

...when I wrote about the end of racism in America. Tom Adkins has elaborated a bit more than I did. Here's a sample:

Congressional Black Caucus? Irrelevant. U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D., Calif.)? Shut up. ACORN? Outlawed. Black Panthers? Go home and pet your kitty. Black separatists? Find another nation that offers better dreams. To those Eurosnots who forged careers hating America? I'm still waiting for the first black French president.

No more quotas. No more handouts. No more complaining that "the man" is keeping you down. "The man" is now black.

Read the entire article.

Thoughts for the Day

2008-11-23T16:26:00.000+13:00

The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

Hat-tip: Don

Global Warming - Topless Beach Edition

2008-11-23T16:16:00.004+13:00

Auto Erotica: Must See Video!

2008-11-18T23:23:00.000+13:00

...if you're a gearhead/petrolhead, that is.

If this guy isn't moonlighting as a Hollywood stunt driver, he should be!

Hat-tip: Don

Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

2008-11-18T23:22:00.000+13:00

Global Warming

2008-11-18T21:45:00.002+13:00

Veterans' Day

2008-11-11T22:04:00.004+13:00

To all the vets out there, this former Marine thanks you for your service.

Semper Fi.

These are pictures of Lt. General Harold G. "Hal" Moore (Ret.). He was portrayed by Mel Gibson in the film "We Were Soldiers." The first two show him in the rank of colonel during his Air Cav days in the Vietnam War. Hal Moore was a real "lead from the front" commander.

That's a battle-hardened face. Doesn't look like the kind of guy to take any shit.

PS - Real life took precedence yesterday, and I could not get around to wishing a Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps. May Chesty Puller have mercy on my soul.

I did, however, call my dad, also a former Marine, whose birthday is also Nov. 10. He turned 65 and is doing well, having had a quadruple by-pass and a gallbladder removal in the last two years.