The heart of this election

Janet Daley, a Brit, get to the heart of the matter of what this election is about.

Clint Eastwood's speech

Clint Eastwood's speech last night is getting a lot of comment on the web. See here.

Obama's tribute to Neil Armstrong

Obama pays tribute to Neil Armstrong with a picture of himself looking at the moon.

Apple may corner the smartphone market

An AP story says that Apple's victory in a patent lawsuit over Samsung could enable Apple to corner the smartphone market. I certainly hope not. I personally have already given up on Apple, including their iPhone and their Macs.

Anderson Cooper on DNC Chair Schultz

Anderson Cooper destroys DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz about Romney's stand on abortion.

See the video. 

Obamacare makes college more expensive

If you think college is expensive now, just wait until Obamacare kicks in.

How much do you think this new camera will cost?

A new camera can take a trillion pictures in a second, making it fast enough to watch beams of light travelling in slow-motion.

Russell Kirsch, inventor of the computer

Russell Kirsch, the inventor of the first internally programmable computer, has a nice talk in a coffee shop. He does not like iPads because people just consume things on them and don't make things.

"Nothing is withheld from us what we have conceived to do."
"Do things that have never been done." 

Hillary say no as Slow Joe's replacement

Washington Examiner: Did Hillary decline to replace Slow Joe as Obama's running mate?

Romney right on Medicare debate

The Washington Post confirms that Romney is right: Obamacare cuts Medicare by $716 billion. Obama can't attack Romney on Medicare!

Helen Gurley Brown

Helen Gurley Brown is dead at 90 years of age.

Southern culture is a mystery to Northerners

WSJ: Northerners can hate Southern culture, but they at least ought to try to understand the nation's fastest-growing region. I personally wouldn't live anywhere else.

Robert Samuelson on the Ryan pick

Robert Samuelson thinks the Paul Ryan pick could trigger a debate about the size and role of the federal government. I'd like to see that.

A genuine debate is long overdue. The framework for government’s expansion since 1960 has broken down. Its political appeal was that we got more government (from food stamps to Medicare to Pell grants) without a parallel increase in tax burdens. In 1960, federal taxes were 17.8 percent of the economy (gross domestic product); in 2007, before the financial crisis, they were only 18.5 percent of GDP.
Two bits of good fortune enabled this something-for-nothing swelling of government: First, annual economic growth averaged slightly more than 3 percent; second, defense spending declined as a share of the budget — in effect, lower defense spending financed higher social spending. Both props are gone.

Hold the butter, no, hold the popcorn

Buttered popcorn has been linked to Alzheimer's. Too bad, I do like it.

Iceland's penis museum

A woman is Iceland creates a penis museum. based on the Icelandic  men's handball team. She said, "I didn't have any models. I just made them from experience."

Experience is best.

Herb Rule

When I opened the paper this morning, I noticed that Herb Rule, candidate for Congress for the 2d District, was arrested for on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Fayetteville.

He has had another such incident in 2010.

Ryan as VP, says AP

The AP says that Romney will name Paul Ryan, Rep from Wisconsin and a prominent conservative, as his VP.

The announcement is today at 7:45 Central Time. See Ryan here:

Arnold can still deliver a good line

Steven Hayward has a funny Arnold Schwarzenegger vignette.

These days, when Mr. Schwarzenegger promotes a film, such as when he participated in a Comic-Con International panel with his “The Expendables 2″ co-stars including Sylvester Stallone and Randy Couture, his handlers still prep him as they would have in office, quietly slipping him note cards to review backstage.

He doesn’t always follow the script. Introducing a screening of “The Expendables 2″ at Camp Pendleton, he strode onto the stage of the auditorium and grabbed the microphone.  “It is wonderful to be back,” said Mr. Schwarzenegger, outfitted in two-tone brown saddle shoes and a white, short-sleeved oxford shirt. “And I’ll tell you, I’m very impressed with the security here. The security is almost as tight”—he paused for effect—”as Nancy Pelosi’s face.”

An audience of military families roared with laughter. Backstage, an aide muttered, “That wasn’t pre-screened.”

Big Sis Napolitano slapped with discrimination lawsuit

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is facing a major discrimination lawsuit. She has favored women over men, a clear violation of the law.

The NCAA National Communist Athletic Association

A book store at Penn State, that wonderful school in Happy Valley, is selling t-shirts that read "NCAA National Communist Athletic Association." I've heard just about enough from that school.

Chestless, manlike olympians

Columnist: "The Olympics has destroyed womanhood," citing "chestless, manlike" competitors.

Good advice from anybody

10 things that you can learn from people who never went to college. Well, sure, you can learn from anybody, but it seems patronizing to put it like this article does. I would feel better about advice from the man on the street than some damn college professor. They will steer you wrong, more than likely. William F. Buckley once said, "I'd rather be governer by the first 100 names in the Boston phone book than by the Harvard faculty." See also Thomas Sowell's work.

Who cause our current recession?

Who caused the Great Recession? Bush? Bankers? No, it was the Federal Reserve and Ben Bernanke, according to a recent study.

Dirty Harry not releasing his own tax returns

Harry Reid not releasing his own tax returns 
'via Blog this'

Charlie Daniels unloads on Obama

Country-music legend Charlie Daniels tells the dag-blamed truth.

Krauthammer’s Take: Time to get scared

Krauthammer’s Take:
Charles includes this quote:
"The chief economist of Credit Suisse said to the “New York Times” today that this is the worst recovery ever, including during the Great Depression. He said if you aren’t scared by that, you don’t know what is going on."


'via Blog this'

Olympic track uniforms change over the years

This is an interesting article about changes in Olympic track uniforms over many years. The photographs are good. What about an article on changes in basketball uniforms?

Volleyball, uck!

I don't care how much ABC shows Olympic volleyball, I won't watch any more!!!

Social Security is a lousy investment

Social Security is no longer a good deal. Actually it never was because inflation made the dollars you took out worth far less than the dollars you put in. And the interest you earned on your investment was pitiful.

Make my Day -- Clint Comes Out of the Closet, Endorses Romney

Roger L. Simon » Clint Comes Out of the Closet, Endorses Romney:

'via Blog this'

Georgia business to Obama: Kiss my ass

Georgia lumber yard to Obama: "I built this business without gov't help. Obama can Kiss my ass."

Ted Cruz wins for tea party in Texas

Ted Cruz has won a Senate primary victory in Texas. He's a  tea party-backed, no-compromise candidate.

Chicago Flips the bird to Rahm

Flipping the bird to Rahm in Chicago!

This is what those UFO shows are all about

D.C. beltway ‘UFO’ up close at air base - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG:

'via Blog this'

Gore Vidal Dies at 86

Gore Vidal, Elegant Writer, Dies at 86.

'via Blog this'

White House apologizes to Charles over Churchill bust gaffe – Telegraph Blogs

White House issues embarrassing apology to Charles Krauthammer over Churchill bust gaffe.

'via Blog this'

What do you want? Thin and sleek or small and fat?

IPhone appeal dims as Samsung shines. I totally agree. iPhones are fat with small screens. Samsung is making sleek, thin phones with large screens.

'via Blog this'

A bloody nuisance

The Olympics are putting Londoners asleep. Why? From my biased perspective, the whole thing looks like the world championship of volleyball.

CNN's failure

Why CNN is a failure.

Phelps loses big time

Michael Phelps get blown out by Ryan Lochte.

What city is the world's most violent?

Chicago is the most violent city in the world.

The Olympic's left-wing opening ceremony

The NY Times has a negative reaction to the Olympics' opening ceremony, calling it a "wild jumple," and "off the wall." Maybe many people missed its "deep left-leaning sensibilities."

Airports spread diseases

Airports play a role in spreading diseases around the world, according to a new study.

A movie director, Peter Bogdanovich, blames movies as a partial cause of violence. We are desensitizing the audience.

Sally Ride RIP

Astronaut Sally Ride is dead at age 61.

Joe Paterno's reputation is already torn down, the statue's next

Penn State has torn down the Joe Paterno statue.

Aurora shooting: ABC News draws possible Jim Holmes Tea Party connection - POLITICO.com

ABC News draws possible Jim Holmes Tea Party connection - POLITICO.com. Notice how quickly this connection was made. See Mary Katherine Ham.

'via Blog this'

Student loans parallel subprime mortgages

AP: Student loans strongly resemble subprime mortgages. And because they can't be repaid, they are probably headed down the same road.

American without Republicans: California

California is what America would look like without Republicans.

iPhone 5 rumored for August 7

iPhone 5 will be announced on August 7.

Bonnie and Clyde's guns on auction block

Two handguns owned by Bonnie and Clyde will be auctioned off along with some other items.

Condi Rice as VP

The WSJ analyzes Condi Rice as a VP candidate.

Roger Simon and the party of race

Roger Simon: The Democratic party is the party of race.

Indeed, the argument can be made that the Democratic Party has destroyed the lives of minorities in order to save itself. Their programs, from the Great Society onwards, have done nothing substantial to improve minority lives, only to encourage dependency. The proof of this failure we see before us today in the dreadful statistics on black and Hispanic unemployment, far worse than the already horrendous national numbers. The more minorities are “helped,” the worse their lives become, the less equal we are.

The Democratic Party is then the true racist party, trapped in nostalgia for a time when genuine racism — Jim Crow, etc. — stalked the land. They have to assume significant white racism still exists because not to do so threatens the fabric of their being. A Tea Partier has to be a racist so you can dismiss his ideas without having to confront them or even think about them. Mitt Romney is just another rich white man so you don’t have to deal with what he is saying, you don’t have to evaluate whether he has a solution to a mutual problem.

Surprise VP frontrunner

Condoleezza Rice is Romney's frontrunner for vice president. Excellent choice!

Which Dream Team, 1992 or 2012, was better?

Michael Jordan contests Kobe Bryant's recent statement comparing the 1992 and 2012 Dream Teams.

Penn State ignored red flags, engaged in a cover-up

AP says that Joe Paterno and other Penn State officials concealed the allegations against Jerry Sandusky more than 10 years ago, putting more youngsters at risk. Paterno played an "integral part of this active decision to conceal."

Penn State's top officials ran a cover-up of a sex-abuse scandal for 14 years.

Funerals and Frappuccinos

Starbucks will open inside a South Carolina funeral home.

Drew Brees' new contract

Drew Brees is set to get at contract from the New Orleans Saints for about $20 million a year -- the largest contract in NFL history.

"Shut up, you blowhard!"

Bob Beckel goes ballistics on FoxNews.

Where do you stand? Mac, PC, or Linux?

Macs are catching up with PCs, according to this article. But why not also count the number of Linux installations?

Cancer treatment

Instapundit has an interest story of one woman's struggle with cancer. My best wishes go with her.

Gold Rush at the bottom of the sea

There's a new gold rush on the sea floor: Gold , silver, copper, cobalt, lead and zinc.

Conservatives happier than liberals?

Why are conservatives happier than liberals? Ann Althouse has some comments.

High school students go to college

I've had high school courses enrolled in college classes and thought these students were outstanding. They were much more motivated than many of my college students. My experience was classroom in this cases, not online.  Here is an article on the Indiana experience.

California's university system

This is a review of the California university system.

Doctors hate Obamacare

83 percent of doctors have considered quitting over Obamacare. I have personally have never met one doctor that was happy with it.

Fun, games, and Olypmic competition

Fun and games at the Olympic Village? I don't know whether to believe it or not.

My health

I have recently returned from a major cancer clinic where I'm undergoing treatment. My treatment is working and the news is good. The chemo I'm on has been reduced, and I will return to the clinic in six months, not four months. I am happy and encouraged. This also means that I expect to feel better in the near future and I should be online more.

I plan to return to regular blogging if I can.

My Way News - High court upholds key part of Obama health law

My Way News - High court upholds key part of Obama health law:

'via Blog this'

Sandusky is guilty, let's move on to Zimmerman

More views have appeared on the Internet that George Zimmerman acted in self-defence.

My opinion: This is self-defense. Zimmerman was not the aggressor, he did nothing to provoke Trayvon Martin’s beating him, breaking his nose and slamming his head into concrete. He had every right to respond with deadly force to stop Trayvon’s physical attack on him and to prevent Trayvon from getting control of his weapon.

Jerry Sandusky guilty

As expected, the jury found Jerry Sandusky guilty of sex abuse charges.

What your dog tells people about you

What your dog says about you?

Large dogs like Golden Retrievers = trustworthy
Small dogs like Chihuahua = dumb
A man who owns a German shepherd is a "take care of business" type of guy.

Will the Supreme Court rule on Obamacare today?

We could have the Supreme Court Obamacare ruling today.

A Fiscal History Lesson

"Following World War II, government spending cuts led to an incredible economic boom."

When I was in school, I never heard this from any professor. All they talked about was more government spending and how wonderful it was.

What not to say when someone is ill

10 things not to say to someone when they're ill.

Windows 8 tablet will be released soon

Microsoft is planning on a Windows 8 tablet in the near future. I saw a report of this type of computer and it made Windows 8 make sense to me for the first time. No prices revealed yet.
But this makes it clear what Windows 8 was about all along.

UPDATE: Microsoft promotional video.

Rodney King is dead.

Rodney King has died at age 47.

Who does Obama listen to?

Michael Barone: Obama listens to rich liberals at his peril.

Take a nakation

A "nakation" is a respite from clothes and stress.

Amazing Civil War photos

The Civil War in 3-D.

Dramatic change in telecom industry pricing

Verizon will phase  out most existing phone plans and replace them with "Share everything" plans. AT&T will probably join the trend. The ultimate goal is to charge you more money. What else?

See Q&A here. 

Another witness at Sandusky trial

More testimony at the Sandusky trial.

American wealth plummets

Federal Reserve: Americans saw wealth plummet 40 percent from 2007 to 2010.

Jennifer Rubin on Obama and government

Jennifer Rubin on "Obama's love affair with government."

From Windows to Linux

In the past few days I've made a dramatic transition from Windows to Linux. I have been a Windows user since Windows 95, and I liked Windows 7 but it just ran slower and slower until it was finally intolerable. After many tries and extra help, I could not figure out what was wrong. Probably a re-installation would have worked. But I decided to try something else first.

I have always been curious about Linux, so I installed Ubuntu 11.10. It took some getting used to. There were many positive features, but Ubuntu included some features that I could not get used to. I was not happy with the Unity desktop. The absence of a taskbar was irritating.

So I happened to see a mention of Linux Mint in PCWorld of all places, and liked what I read about it on the Internet. The installation went well but with one or two hitches. The first time I ran Mint it would not boot up. After a second installation it did. This has been a problem.

I chose Linux Mint 13 (64 bit) with the Mate desktop. Yes, one reason I like it is that it's a lot like Windows. It has the familiar taskbar. The Menu on the bottom left of the screen corresponds to the Start menu, but of course different. My Word documents work well in LibreWriter, and even my docx documents quickly load, which Ubuntu could not do at all.

I had trouble setting up network printing in Ubuntu, working on it for days. But now that I understand more about how to do it, I had network printing working in Mint right away. 

My curiosity about Linux, however, is not satisfied. I'd like to know more, and I might be willing to try other distributions. But for now I'm happy with Mint.

North Dakota: eliminate property tax?

Today North Dakota will vote on whether to eliminate the property tax. That's my kind of state.

Jerry Sandusky trial

The Jerry Sandusky trial begins in graphic fashion. "I was his girlfriend."

George Will on higher education

George Will on the higher education bubble.

Gov. Daniels on public-sector unions

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels: "I think the message is that, first of all, voters are seeing the fundamental unfairness of government becoming its own special interest group, sitting on both sides of the table," he said.

Jeff Jacoby sees the end of public-sector unions.

Detroit is the end-game

"Detroit is what liberalism's end-game looks like."

Judge Judy is at the top of the ratings

Now that Oprah's gone, Judge Judy tops daytime ratings.

Historians on Obama

What do historians really think of President Obama?

Hosts of 'Car Talk' to Retire After 35 Years of Automotive Banter - NYTimes.com

Hosts of 'Car Talk' to Retire After 35 Years of Automotive Banter - NYTimes.com:

'via Blog this'

I'll Have Another scratched because of injury

I'll Have Another won't run in the Belmont. Sad news. He probably won't race again.

What the Wisconsin recall really means

Charles Krauthammer on what the election results really means.

Estonia's success story

Estonia is the success story of Europe, and its success is based on austerity.

Walker's recall election is today

Need a summary of the Scott Walker recall in Wisconsin? According to this article, we have had only two other recalls in the past century, but I thought that Huey Long of Louisiana went through a recall attempt. I'll check.

Long was impeached by the Louisiana House of Representatives in April 1929, but the Senate blocked the impeachment effort. 

Barone on demographic trends

Michael Barone discusses America's future demographic trends. I've always found migration to be a fascinating subject.

Increase in retirement age

With people living longer, retirement age will have to increase, maybe as high as 80.

The Vietnam napalm girl

The Vietnam napalm girl 40 years later.

How many gay people are there?

How many gay people are actually out there? Not many.

The deaths of JFK and liberalism

Jeffrey Lord on the death of JFK and the death of liberalism.

Cronkite moment myth

The "Cronkite moment" is a myth despite the assertion of a new book by Douglas Brinkley.

NYC ban on sugared drinks

New York City will ban large sugared drinks in an effort to combat obesity.

Michael Barone on the Obama campaign

Michael Barone analyzes the Obama campaign at this point.

Get A's in college

It's time to go to college. The most common letter grade is A. I'm sure they all deserve it.

The football paradox

True or false? The more football players are protected by pads and helmets, the more likely they are to be seriously injured.

George Patton

George Patton quotes on this Memorial Day.

"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived."

Indian mascots

The diversity police in Oregon are trying to force high schools on Indian reservations to change their mascot from Warriors to animals or something. It's another example of people who don't know anything about Indians trying to tell Indians what to do.

The Internet is the new college

Facebook may be a passing fad. Let's use the Internet to replace college. I've been involved in online courses and I think it will be done. Like Amazon, you won't need brick and mortar. Students could be from anywhere.

Beautiful roads but scary

Beautiful and scary roads for driving.

Some seniors get a break from TSA

If you are 75 or older, the TSA won't make you take off your jacket, belt and shoes. But the rest of us are still suspected terrorists.

Facebook's investors

Small investors are madder than hell at Facebook.

Half of households on dole

Half of U.S. households contain someone who is getting government benefits. No wonder we can't cut taxes.

Bad news in the newspaper world

The New Orleans Times-Picayune will begin publishing three times a week this fall.

He said he had to pee

The Obama Department of Justice is forcing the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith to allow a male student to use the women's restroom.

Detroit turns out the lights

They're turning the lights out in Detroit. Can't afford them.

The Old West 150 years ago

Pictures of the Old West of 150 years ago.

An all-electric Lindbergh flight, New York to Paris

Chip Yates, an electric vehicle pioneer, is planning an all-electric recreation of Charles Lindbergh's trans-Atlantic flight in 1927, flying non-stop from New York to Paris. It's a very interesting project.

Tom Cotton wins big in GOP primary

They said Tom Cotton didn't exist. Look at him now.

The longevity gap

American men are closing the longevity gap.

John Wolfe goes national

The Washington Post is paying attention to John Wolfe in today's Arkansas primary.

Education vs indoctrination

"It's no secret that what passes for an education at most of the nation's colleges and universities is suspiciously akin to indoctrination." And the cost of university indoctrination have skyrocketed. If you are a parent with a child in college, you should know what you are paying for.

10 universities to avoid if you want to graduate

The public universities with the worst graduation rates. Advice: avoid.

ROBERT REICH TO NEW COLLEGE GRADS: 'You're F*cked' - Business Insider

ROBERT REICH TO NEW COLLEGE GRADS: 'You're F*cked' - Business Insider:

'via Blog this'

I have a special offer for you

You'll sympathize with this article if you have even taken a special offer from the NYT or the WSJ.

Playboy is leavng Chicago

Is Playboy now irrelevant and heading into the sunset?

Football Does a Body Good

The American Spectator : Football Does a Body Good. The old debate on football is alive and well.

'via Blog this'

Zimmerman's self-defense claim

An analysis of the evidence in the Martin-Zimmerman case.

More here. 

A North Korean thing?

Democrats are trying to pull some "North Korean thing" on John Wolfe.

John Wolfe is again in the news

Democrats are sufficiently worried about John Wolfe's challenge to Obama in the Arkansas primary that they have already announced that he won't be awarded any delegates no matter how well he does.

How the Democratic party got to where it is

Jay Cost: Why are we debating gay marriage right now when the economy is the big issue?

I'm a Facebook resister

As Facebook grows, millions say, 'no, thanks'.

'via Blog this'

Obama Leads by Only 7 in Arkansas's Democratic Primary | The Weekly Standard

Obama may lose the Arkansas Democratic primary.

'via Blog this'

Jennifer Rubin has some observations about political news from Nebraska.

In Arkansas it's Wolfe vs Obama

John Wolfe, Jr., who is running in the Democratic primary in Arkansas' 4th Congressional district, is only 7 points behind Obama. The primary will be held May 22, although early voting is going on now. Wolfe has not run a single TV or radio ad.

Black on white violence

Thomas Sowell: The censored race war.

This 70-Year-Old Virgin Is Ready To Lose It

Hurry before it's too late.

'via Blog this'

Merkel's party lost, so can Obama's

Analysis: European elections a warning to Obama.

'via Blog this'

The student debt generation

I feel sorry for a generation that is hobbled by student debt. Yes, they did it to themselves, but many parties are to blame: government, banks, colleges and universities. Parents are caught up in debt too if they co-signed.

Higher education is radically oversold. Going to college is valuable, but if you know what it's like on the inside, it's surely not worth what it costs today.

Betty White announcement

Betty White, who had never before taken part in politics, has announced that she favors Obama. As one headline said, Is she off her rocker? She should have stuck with her original plan. Why do celebrities think their opinion is worth any more than anyone else's or that anyone gives a damn what they think? Hello, George Clooney.

Obama speaks in Reno to small crowd

Obama stump speech draws few people in Reno.

'via Blog this'

What Bear Bryant expected of an incoming freshman

Read a 40-year-old letter from Bear Bryant to an incoming freshman.
I am expecting you to report in top physical condition, clean-cut, smiling, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and raring to go. Also, I am expecting you to be prepared to run, hit, pitch, kick, catch, sweat, smell and enjoy it. There are no easy ways but there are ways to enjoy the journey and we must find them.

I am also expecting you to work hard, eat well, sleep well, play well, display a winning attitude at all times, be a leader and help me sell the squad on what it takes to win and enjoy the journey.

Here's another letter.

'via Blog this'

Reese Witherspoon's family turmoil

Reese Witherspoon's family is caught up in a bizarre drama. 
'via Blog this'

Prince Charles, weatherman

Prince Charles does the weather on the BBC. I'm glad we have finally found something for him to do besides preside at ceremonial occasions.

Your Medicare money

APNewsBreak: Suspect billings at 2,600 drugstores.

'via Blog this'

Another black studies scandal

Power Line: A tale from the “wild, wild west” of academia. This story involves the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You'd think they know what is going on in their classrooms.

'via Blog this'

Woman contracts flesh-eating bacteria after zip lining accident | Fox News

Woman contracts flesh-eating bacteria after zip lining accident | Fox News:

'via Blog this'

Cry Wolfe: Arkansas has its own presidential candidate

John Wolfe, Jr., is Arkansas' own presidential candidate who is opposing Obama on the Democratic ticket. Somehow I didn't know that.

'via Blog this'

What does DOJ think of Mississippi? ‘Disgusting and Shameful’

Department of Justice Defends Employee Comment that Mississippi Is ‘Disgusting and Shameful’:

'via Blog this'

Naomi Schaefer Riley: The Academic Mob Rules

Naomi Schaefer Riley comments on the recent flap in The Chronicle of Higher Education. In closing he notes that American colleges are still stuck in the 1960s. That's absolutely the way I see them.

'via Blog this'

Thomas Sowell video

I strongly recommend this Thomas Sowell video.

Elizabeth Warren and her Indian "ancestors"

Elizabeth Warren Ancestor Rounded Up Cherokees For Trail of Tears.

Have you followed Elizabeth Warren's Indian ancestry on the Internet? It's very amusing.

'via Blog this'

The Mob at the Chronicle of Higher Education

Naomi Schaefer Riley, a blogger at the Chronicle of Higher Education, is the latest victim of political correctness for questioning the value of black studies.

Her post may be found here.

'via Blog this'

Photo Gallery: East Germany's Transformation - SPIEGEL ONLINE - International

Photo Gallery: East Germany's Transformation - SPIEGEL ONLINE - International:

'via Blog this'

Retired couples may need $240,000 for health care

Retired couples may need $240,000 for health care. In my experience so far, I believe this estimate is probably accurate.

'via Blog this'

A monthly surplus? What the hell!

Deficit streak ends: Obama sees first monthly surplus - Washington Times:

'via Blog this'

We are having a showdown vote on student loans today

Senate heads toward showdown vote on student loans. It's all about the election, and Democrats are up to their old tricks.

'via Blog this'

Will the al-Qaida underwear bomb make us take off our underwear?

CIA derails plot with al-Qaida underwear bomb. I hope we don't have to start taking off our underwear now.

'via Blog this'

TV’s Goober Pyle, Dies at 83

George Lindsey, TV’s Goober Pyle, Dies at 83 - NYTimes.com:

'via Blog this'

CTE, the concussion crisis, and an economic look at the end of football - Grantland

I blogged about John J. Miller's book on the origins of football yesterday, but this morning I saw an article that, like an echo of the game's early controversies, predicted the end of football. See CTE, the concussion crisis, and an economic look at the end of football.

'via Blog this'

Football über alles! in John J. Miller's new book

The Imaginative Conservative: Football über alles!: John J. Miller's new book The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football. “Of all these sports,” Theodore Roosevelt wrote in 1893, “there is no better sport than football.”

Recall that affirmative action does not apply in football, no discrimination occurs. If you can't play you get cut. Somehow it's like "there's no crying in baseball."


'via Blog this'

Samsung reveals new Galaxy smartphone

My Way News - Samsung reveals new flagship Galaxy smartphone:

'via Blog this'

Medical update

I have returned from a trip to M.D. Anderson in Houston, Texas, and I am feeling better, more hopeful. Overall the trip was very good, I received a specific diagnosis, which is serious, but my doctor has a plan for treatment. I'm having trouble filling the prescription, but I believe it will work out.

I underwent much testing, crowded waiting rooms, but it all paid off.

I am more optimistic than before, and that may be the key requirement of recovering from cancer.

Return Indian lands? Unscramble eggs?

US should return stolen land to Indian tribes, says United Nations | World news | guardian.co.uk:

'via Blog this'

What good is the Southern Poverty Law Center?

The Southern Poverty Law Center is just "not set up to cover the extreme Left."

'via Blog this'

Affirmative Action may be in jeopardy

The Supreme Court may throw out Affirmative Action

'via Blog this'

Gritty NYC photos from 100 years ago tell vivid story

Never-before-seen photos from 100 years ago tell vivid story of gritty New York City 

'via Blog this'

Moving to Ubuntu?

Well, I have been having trouble with my desktop computer in the past several weeks but have not had time to deal with it. I'm considering switching to Ubuntu 11.10. I've tried it out and see nothing wrong with it except to make sure I can take care for a few potential issues, and I'm confident I can. I just need to print wirelessly from Windows computers and keep my Squeezebox radio running. Do a Google search for Ubuntu and you'll find quite a bit of help.

Another consideration is Windows 8. I do really like Windows 7 but what I've read about Windows 8 leaves me cold. It's not intended for desktops anyway, so I might a well prepare to change operating systems.

Jon Lovitz, formerly of SNL, doesn't like Obama

You won't believe Jon Lovitz's comments about Obama.

'via Blog this'

Insurance vs. medical care

Ann Althouse blogs about people who have insurance but still don't have access to medical care. It's an old story. Your doctor or clinic won't take Medicare, SOL. We are coming to that.

Weeping four-year-old girl accused of carrying a GUN by TSA officers after she hugged her grandmother while passing through security

Weeping four-year-old girl accused of carrying a GUN by TSA officers after she hugged her grandmother while passing through security. It's just hard for me to see how this kind of incident could happen.

'via Blog this'

Arkansas Razorbacks get a head coach

Arkansas Razorbacks bring back coach John L. Smith with 1-year deal - ESPN:

'via Blog this'

Will it be Rubio as vice president selection?

Romney, Rubio mum on vice presidential prospects. Sounds like a good choice to me.

'via Blog this'

Is "stay in school" always good advice?

Education Pays—Up to a Point

'via Blog this'

Apple iPhone 5 will have a 'Liquidmetal' case

Apple iPhone 5 'to be cased in Liquidmetal'. That's an intriguing idea but I've switch to an Android phone.

'via Blog this'

Palin To Secret Service Agent: "Check This Out, Bodyguard -- You're Fired" | RealClearPolitics

Palin To Secret Service Agent: "Check This Out, Bodyguard -- You're Fired" | RealClearPolitics:

'via Blog this'

When Administrations Implode

Is the Obama administration Imploding? Victor Davis Hanson ponders this question.

'via Blog this'

Arkansas Reportedly Contacts Phil Fulmer About Head Coaching Job - From Our Editors - SBNation.com

Arkansas Reportedly Contacts Phil Fulmer About Head Coaching Job - From Our Editors - SBNation.com:

'via Blog this'

Fantasies of Social Darwinism | The Weekly Standard

Fantasies of Social Darwinism. This article represent much of the crap that I was taught in graduate school and had to unlearn later. Richard Hofstadter, fortunately not a well-known name now, is one of the worst historians I have ever read.

'via Blog this'

What should I be angry about?

Apparently, I'm supposed to be more angry about what Mitt Romney does with his money than what Barack Obama does with mine.

'via Blog this'

The end of Word?

Is it time to give up on Microsoft Word? I hope not because yes I know it's faults but what is any better? Word and I have a long history. When I first saw it I said this is it, I like it! I was using WordPerfect at the time and never liked hiking up the skirts of that old girl to see what was underneath.

My health update

I am on the mend, but my health problems are not altogether behind me. I do feel better about my situation, having come around to a positive outlook on life.

But I'm still facing more treatment. I am scheduled for a stay at a world-class cancer clinic in about two weeks. That's good. I'm looking forward to it.

Leaving the hospital in the broad daylight

I was discharged from the hospital this morning but it took almost an hour for me to leave the building. After Transportation was called for, they arrived fairly soon, but some complications set in, and I eventually had to secure the assistance of a doctor and a nurse who were kind enough to lead me to the front entrance where my wife was waiting for me. I was not upset at all. It was fun to walk out of a hospital while wearing a bloody bandage on my head and a drainage bottle danging down on my chest.

But this was the only time I have left a hospital depressed rather than elated that I had escaped with my life again.

I had a tumor removed from my face as was the parotid gland. Most such tumors are benign, but mine was malignant. I am still wearing a bandage on my face.

I believe I've come through this surgery fine. I was in the hospital only for one night.

Reading between the lines about my overall condition, I think doctors are hiding information from me about the real state of my health. They are not actually concealing it from me, but they know how bad it probably is, but they won't tell me the truth in plain language. I will soon see an oncologist and I expect to find out from him.

Health like me

Last week Bob and Joy Schwabach's On Computers column referred to three websites that allow people to discuss their health conditions. One is called PatientsLikeMe.com. Another is CureTogether. HealthTap lets you ask a doctor a question for free.

I have not yet tried any of these sites but I definitely will look them over. If you have any experience with these sites, please let me know in the comments.

Health crisis

Several weeks ago, I considered giving notice that I could not continue my blog for the unforeseeable future. But I found my problems hard to put in words. At first I did not even want to tell family and friends about what I faced and what my feelings were. In the past few weeks I have been overwhelmed with a series health problems that involved four hospitalizations, including major surgery. In addition, tomorrow I am facing another surgery, my second.

My most serious problem is kidney cancer. I have had a kidney removed, but the cancer may still be present. I am going to have to see an oncologist about further treatment. I have another cancer in my jaw that is, fortunately, separate from the one in my kidney. My ENT doctor is scheduled to remove this tumor tomorrow.

I have tentatively decided to blog about these problems. I'm not sure what good it will do but I've heard of people who have emailed family and friends about their medical problems. But I'm a blogger, so that's the way I will do it.

I don't know how much detail to go into. My desire is that writing about these problems will make me feel better. We'll see. More later.

New iPad expected with faster chip, sharper screen

I'm anxious to get a look at the new iPad. I own a Kindle Fire, which I like. One advantage for me is that the Kindle Fire is smaller than the iPad, making it more portable.

'via Blog this'

Sources -- Indianapolis Colts to part with Peyton Manning Wednesday - ESPN

Sources -- Indianapolis Colts to part with Peyton Manning Wednesday - ESPN:

'via Blog this'

End the Afghan war

Obama: Time has come to wind down Afghan war.

"I think that it is an indication of the challenges in that environment, and it's an indication that now is the time for us to transition," Obama said during a White House news conference.

"Transition" means to get the hell out, but not too fast.

'via Blog this'

Larger overhead bins

Airlines are building airplanes with larger overhead bins. But if you carry-on larger luggage remember you have to lift it up too.

Barone on James Q. Wilson

Barone sums up the life and contributions of James Q. Wilson, whose insight improved America.

'via Blog this'

Taking a break for now

Sadly, Megan McArdle is taking a break from blogging while she works on a new project. I'll miss her.

Mark Steyn on Afghanistan

Mark Steyn explains what has gone wrong in Afghanistan. Of all our recent wars, this is the one I totally fail to understand. Let's get the hell out and try to forget about the place!

Scams and frauds target older Americans

Boomers beware: Scams, frauds and other financial exploitation schemes targeting older Americans are a growing multibillion-dollar industry enriching the schemers, anguishing the victims and vexing law enforcement officials who find these crimes among the hardest to investigate and prosecute.

Volt production stopped

GM halts production of the Chevy Volt. 

Who were the first Americans?

This will shake things up: A stone knife that is still sharp places Stone Age Europeans in America 20,000 years ago.

Archaeologists have long held that North America remained unpopulated until about 15,000 years ago, when Siberian people walked or boated into Alaska and then moved down the West Coast.
But the mastodon relic found near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay turned out to be 22,000 years old, suggesting that the blade was just as ancient.
Whoever fashioned that blade was not supposed to be here.

Notice how archaeologists' careers become wedded to a single view of events. You can see the conflict in the review of Across Atlantic Ice. The essence of science is to think like no one has thought before.

Bill Clinton favors the Keystone Pipeline

Bill Clinton Recommends America ‘Embrace’ the Keystone Pipeline.

'via Blog this'

Why Can’t the Obama Administration Make Its Case Without Disseminating Hate? | Power Line

Have we ever had an administration like Barack Obama’s? An administration that tries to benefit from pitting Americans against one another? An administration that uses its billion-dollar slush fund, not to mention the resources of the Executive Branch, to demonize private citizens who disagree with its policies? An administration that uses hate as an instrument of domestic politics? I don’t believe that there is any precedent in American history for the mean-spiritedness that now emanates from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

'via Blog this'

ATT relents but watch your bill

AT&T relents on restrictions on their unlimited data plans. 

Americans are highly skeptical of Individual Mandate

72 percent of Americans believe the Obamacare mandate is unconstitutional.

Andrew Brietbart is gone

Andrew Brietbart is dead at age 43. 

Windows 8 available for preview

Microsoft unveils Windows 8 for public test. 

Africa's wealth, not poverty

The Atlantic has an article on the economic progress that's being made in Africa. Yes, Africa.

Romney wins in Michigan and Arizona

Rich Lowry on Romney's great escape in Michigan.

iPad 3 will come out next week

Apple will reveal iPad 3 next week. 

Datechguy's Blog: A little LBJ and a Lot of Panic for Obama

Datechguy's Blog: The argument here is that Obama's recent appeal to black voters, who regularly go for Democrats at over 90 percent, literally screams panic.

'via Blog this'

Dow closed above 13,000

The Dow closed today above 13,000 for the first time since May 19, 2008. 

Let's book you a cruise on an Italian cruise ship

Another Italian cruise ship is adrift without power in the pirate-infested Indian Ocean. This is the Costa Allegra, a sister ship from the same line as the Costa Concordia.

Law school deans lied to US News

Law school deans may go to jail for submitting false data to U.S. News. I'm OK with that, LOL. U.S. News was aware that some of the information they published was inaccurate, according to this report.

Regular gas: $3.97

Gas prices. 

Oscar's in review

The Wash Post has a good review of the Oscar's night. No doubt there is something wrong with the film industry.

Osama bin Laden's home is now rubble

Osama bin Laden's Pakistan home has been reduced to rubble.

The Oscar's were uninspired

The AP finds few inspired moments at last night's Oscar's. Did it really expect any?

Playing the race card

African Americans for Obama. 

The Oscars are tonight. Ho hum.

Will the Oscar's be a hit or a bust? 

Wyoming's doomsday bill

CHEYENNE — State representatives on Friday advanced legislation to launch a study into what Wyoming should do in the event of a complete economic or political collapse in the United States.


House Bill 85 passed on first reading by a voice vote. It would create a state-run government continuity task force, which would study and prepare Wyoming for potential catastrophes, from disruptions in food and energy supplies to a complete meltdown of the federal government.

Voting for something like this will make you look like the dumbest person in the state, or the smartest.

Post Office: pay more, get less

Walter Russell Mead: Postal Implosion Gathers Force.

'via Blog this'

Striking sexual energy in a law review journal?

Althouse: "The fervor of the sixties penetrated law schools quite passionately.":

'via Blog this'

No more cutting room floor

Kodak _ and film _ saying goodbye to the Oscars. No more reel projectors, no more 35 mm film, etc.

'via Blog this'

Althouse: "Stated briefly, I will simply try to clarify what the debate over climate change is really about."

Althouse: "Stated briefly, I will simply try to clarify what the debate over climate change is really about."

'via Blog this'

What does unlimited mean?

AT&T has lost an iPhone throttling case. I discussed this issue with my granddaughter and she didn't get it. She is over her limit like the atomic bomb was over the limit, lol.

prehistoric hug

In Italy a mysterious prehistoric hug.

Let's have a drink at Laura's

Laura's bar is upsetting about half the population, but that's not her problem. 

Leave home anyway!

25 million adults live at home with their parents because they are unemployed or underemployed and are burdened with college debt.

Great question: What's the Total Value of the World's Sunken Treasure?

What's the Total Value of the World's Sunken Treasure?
This article is another sign that Popular Mechanics has turned into a fascinating magazine.

'via Blog this'

Playboy party joke

Glenn Reynolds has a great Playboy party joke. 

Consider this headlline during tax season

Nearly half of all Americans pay no income taxes. 

Ann Coulter supports Romney

Here is Ann Coulter's take on Mitt Romney. She is, to me, surprisingly positive.

The government wants your data

This interesting case involves a hard drive and computer encryption. 

Is President Obama the Greatest Gun Salesman In America?

President Obama: The Greatest Gun Salesman In America

'via Blog this'

Mary Gay Shipley plans to retire

Mary Gay Shipley, owner of That Bookstore in Blytheville, has announced plans to retire. She promoted writers like John Grisham and others. Blytheville is a Delta town, so the presence of a quality bookstore there is a rare treat. But if the store closes, it's just another sign of the times for bookstores.

See Rex Nelson's comments. See also here.

McDonalds coming to Promenade at Chenal

The Promenade at Chenal, an open-air mall in west Little Rock, broke ground yesterday for a new McDonald's. Some folks have opposed McDonald's coming to west Little Rock, but I'm glad to see it. We have a distinct lack of morning coffee places out here.

Family Talk, Southern Style. I love it.

Family Talk, Southern Style | It is pretty.

'via Blog this'

Affirmative Action case before Supreme Court

The Supreme Court will consider a affirmative action case at the University of Texas. 

The Supreme Court will once again confront the issue of race in university admissions in a case brought by a white student denied a spot at the flagship campus of the University of Texas.
The court said Tuesday it will return to the issue of affirmative action in higher education for the first time since its 2003 decision endorsing the use of race as a factor in admissions. This time around, a more conservative court is being asked to jettison that ruling and outlaw affirmative action in the university setting.

This is long overdue. Higher ed is full of scandals these days, including racial inequities.

 

DOW is up over 13,000

The DOW is above 13,000 for first time since 2008 before falling back. Well, it can't be because the economy is so good.

Greece secures reprieve, er, bailout

Greece secures bailout to avoid debt default. It's likely just a reprieve.

'via Blog this'

Obama talks tough on higher education

Obama takes tougher stance on higher education:

There's been a growing debate over whether post-secondary schools should be more transparent about the cost of an education and the success of graduates. President Barack Obama has weighed in with a strong "yes."

Look, the quality of graduates is down, the cost of tuition is up, student debt is up, the mood on campus is complacent.

'via Blog this'

ESPN and Jeremy Lin

Althouse: "The ESPN editor fired Sunday for using 'chink in the armor' in a headline about Knicks phenom Jeremy Lin...": This statement was absolutely outrageous. I wondered how long it would take for something like this to happen.

'via Blog this'

Backlash against AT&T's data restrictions

The backlash has started against AT&T policy of restricting cell phone data useage. 

Ranking presidents of the past 50 years

Ann Althouse: Ronald Reagan was the most influential president of the past half century. No doubt about that.

Dame Judi Dench's eyesight battle with macular degeneration

Dame Judi Dench's eyesight battle after being diagnosed with macular degeneration

'via Blog this'

People go into hibernation

Ann Althouse has a post that shows that people, like bears, can go into hibernation for six months.

The flaws of online dating

Scientific American: Why online dating doesn't work.

Are you happy?

That's your most important job interview questions. Don't believe it. Read this link.

Is there anything that it can't do?

Live local TV feeds can be sent to your iPhone and iPad. 

The Titanic as a Christian story

This post is interesting because it claims that the movie Titanic embodies a Christian view of the world and the post cites a self-published "book" or actually essay via Amazon.

Two happy predictions

Bill Quick: "Prediction: Mitt Romney Will Not Be the GOP Nominee This Year, And Barack Obama Will Not Be Re-Elected"

Your digital life after your death

Keep your digital life alive, after death | Reuters. My advice: keep them out of your stuff. Destroy as much as you can.

'via Blog this'

U.S. to hit debt limit before election day

U.S. to hit debt limit before election day. This will no doubt be a big issue in the campaign. We are "spending too much, borrowing too much, and putting our nation's fiscal stability at risk."

'via Blog this'

New Medicare overhaul plan

Two Republicans are proposing a new Medicare overhaul plan. We've got to start thinking and talking about this subject before it's too late.

Who would have thought the Chronicle of Higher Ed would discuss fun sex

Believe it or not, the Chronicle of Higher Education has an article on the nonprocreative usefulness of sex. The article starts out talking about Rick Santorum and the contraceptive issue we have going, but then shifts to this:

If you’re interested in the stability of families, then you should also be a fan of non-procreative sex (which, let’s face it, is going to be a majority of sex any couple engages in, even if they’re choosing to forgo birth control). Women who have more sex are happier in their relationships. Sexual satisfaction outstrips even good communication in ratings of a couple’s happiness. Whether you have an active sex life is a strong predictor of your mental health and a lesser, but still significant, predictor of physical health.

None of that has anything to do with babies. And it doesn’t really have anything to do with mere pleasure, which is what Santorum said sex is reduced to once the potential for kids has been stricken from the equation. Sexual satisfaction increases relationship satisfaction and couples who are more satisfied in their relationships are less likely to divorce. If ever there was a conservative argument for something, there it is.

Sexual satisfaction is also important for the well-being of same-sex couples, according to this study, which found that results were the same for women in homosexual or heterosexual relationships. Though presumably that’s not a study Rick Santorum would be interested in.

Naval ship names

What should the Navy name ships?

Is a tax a tax?

Is Obamacare a tax or what? The Obama administration can't get their story straight.

Still not interested in baking cookies

Hillary want to change jobs and become head of the World Bank.

Another TSA Body Scanner Controversy

Female Passengers Say They Were Targeted for TSA Body Scanners. You knew this would happen, right?

'via Blog this'

Westminister dog show winners

The winner of the Westminister dog show last night was Malachy the Pekingese. 

Photoshopping classic nudes

Art's classical nudes get Photoshopped to be skinnier. I'm surprised but I like the originals better.

'via Blog this'

Can Full-Metal Jousting Become the Next Ultimate Fighting Championship?

I've been watching the History Channel more lately, and I recorded Full-Metal Jousting last night. The History Channnel has definitely come up with some good program ideas.

Also I might mention Animal Planet's new program, Hillbilly Handfishin', which is about noodling. OK, for the uninitiated, noodling refers to catching catfish by hand. Forget that rod and reel.


'via Blog this'

What Woolly Mammoth?

"Woolly Mammoth" video is a hoax, says Live Science.

ATT usage alert

I thought I was on an unlimited data plan with ATT, but you may also be getting a message like this:


Dear ***********,

Our systems have detected that you are nearing your data plan limit. Your base plan has a monthly allowance of 2GB. Any data usage which exceeds your plan allowance will be billed at $10 per each additional 1GB.

To check your data usage online simply click here. It is an easy and convenient way to keep track of your usage. For additional information about data plan requirements and tips on managing your data usage visit att.com/dataplans.

*Important: In general, domestic data usage will be reflected within 24 hours. In some extremely rare cases it may take up to 72 hours to be reflected in our systems. 

Thank you, 

AT&T 

DDC_210

Apple stock boom

Apple stock is now over $500 a share. 

Everybody Into The Pool: Basketball and Civil Rights

This is a terrific story of the inventor of basketball, James Naismith, and the father of the fast break, John B. McLendon, Jr., and how they beat segregation in the 1930s.

'via Blog this'

Who goes to liberal arts colleges anyway?

Liberal Arts Colleges have become finishing schools for women.

'via Blog this'

Aaron Clarey's Worthless

Worthless: The Indispensable Guide to Choosing the Right Major. 

Five myths about white people

Charles Murray: Five myths about white people. I could add other myths: All white people are racists. In fact I'm seeing more interracial, middle-aged couples. All white men like hunting and fishing. White men fight over the merits of Chevy vs Ford trucks.

'via Blog this'

Rampart

Rampart, a movie starring Woody Harrelson, seems like a new Dirty Harry.

You may get throttled

If you have an unlimited data plan with AT&T, watch out.  The unlimited plan is not so unlimited after all.

Sarah Palin speaks at CPAC

Oikos yogurt head butt

This Oikos yogurt commercial is making the rounds on the Internet.

Ditch the textbook, baby

Some professors are ditching the textbooks. Excellent idea. I did so at every opportunity. Sometimes the powers-that-be insisted on a textbook in the bookstore, etc., but I hated it and told students that they could forget the textbook if they wanted to and they didn't have to buy it. Most textbooks are just left-wing crap.

Whitney Houston is gone

Whitney Houston is dead at age 48. Her rendition of the National Anthem, at the start of the Persian Gulf war, is the most moving one ever sung.

Catholics reject birth control deal

Catholic bishops reject Obama deal on birth control. What a surprise.

The Tea Party: Three Principles by Elizabeth Price Foley: Books

The Tea Party: Three Principles by Elizabeth Price Foley, who seems to know what the Tea Party is all about. For sure the MSM does not know.

'via Blog this'

Sign of the Times: Kodak to stop making cameras, digital frames

Kodak will stop making cameras. The company was founded in 1880 and now faces a dismal future because they hung on to film too long.

The "new" History Channel

When I used to watch the History Channel, I called it the Hitler Channel, but that's all changed apparently. They have some new programs that I've stumbled upon. I like Swamp People, American Pickers, which I've watched quite a bit of.

I used to like Swamp Thing, a movie with Adrienne Barbeau.

Adrienne Barbeau nude in Swamp Thing movie - Watch More Funny Videos

Insurers stuck with cost of Obama birth-control plan

Insurers stuck with cost of Obama birth-control plan. That's the way it works: make somebody else pay for it. It's free that way, LOL.

'via Blog this'

Mimi Alford's memoir

I've never read anything like this about JFK and it's from the New Republic! Mimi Alford was a 19-year-old intern in 1962. See Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath. If you go to Amazon read the reviews, especially tink-the-cat.

UPDATE: Ann Althouse has some comments.

For a balanced budget amendment

We need a balanced budget amendment. I didn't used to think so, but the federal deficit has gotten so bad that we have to have it. We are going bankrupt if we don't do something. The states have budget restrictions.