History Geeks

To all both of our readers,

2008-01-20T20:49:00.001-07:00

I get the sense that this blog is just about dead. It was fun while it lasted. So, minus an outpouring of protest, I'm going to let it die. Not to worry, though. I'll still post history/political/geeky stuff on my blog at http://tobycentral.blogspot.com (and I post there a lot more frequently). If, on the off-chance you actually read this to get my take on things, add my blog to your bookmarks or readers.

Love, Toby.

"Happy" Iowa Caucus Day!

2008-01-03T17:33:00.001-07:00

Racist?

2007-12-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

Looking at traveling? Then, do I have the map for you!

Hat tip: German Joys.

On this date, 7. December 1941

2007-12-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

Japanese warplanes "suddenly and deliberately" attacked Pearl Harbor, bringing the United States into World War II.

Re: The Iran intelligence report

2007-12-05T08:45:00.001-07:00

Why is it that this story has such a negative spin on it? If this new intelligence report is true, and Iran stopped its nuclear weapons program four years ago, why is the whole world not celebrating? How could this possibly be seen as a bad thing? But, no. All the press reports I've read have a distinctly negative tone to them. Probably because this new report shows that the US was wrong about Iran's nuclear program. I would think that this is something we would WANT to be wrong about.

If you had a choice

2007-11-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

and you were being a dipshit and resisting the police, would you A) take a gunshot to the chest or B) take a Taser to the chest? I agree. Shut up, UN.

On this date, 7. November 1917

2007-11-07T21:29:00.000-07:00

Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky led Bolsheviks to overthrow the provisional government during the October Revolution in Russia. It was referred to as the "October" revolution, as at the time, Russia was still on the Julian Calendar, on which the revolution occurred on 25. October. Still, The Hunt for Red November doesn't sound nearly as cool.

Merry Christmas

2007-11-07T21:18:00.001-07:00

and serial killers, butcher knives and such.

"Remember, remember the fifth of November,

2007-11-05T17:45:00.000-07:00

The gunpowder, treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.”

Happy Guy Fawkes Day.

2007-11-04T20:47:00.001-07:00

"What happened, he didn't like his coffee?"

2007-10-29T13:52:00.000-06:00

Infamous mob murder site now a Starbucks

On this date, 23. October 2001

2007-10-23T12:58:00.000-06:00

Steve Jobs announced the first-generation iPod. It counts as history because 1)the iPod is the most popular music player in history and 2)I love my fifth generation iPod. Happy 6th Birthday, iPod!

How brilliant was it?

2007-10-20T20:18:00.000-06:00

Very. An interesting article about f*cking swearing.

The FCC's decision raises another mystery about swearing: the bizarre number of different ways in which we swear. There is cathartic swearing, as when we slice our thumb along with the bagel. There are imprecations, as when we offer advice to someone who has cut us off in traffic. There are vulgar terms for everyday things and activities, as when Bess Truman was asked to get the president to say fertilizer instead of manure and she replied, "You have no idea how long it took me to get him to say manure." There are figures of speech that put obscene words to other uses, such as the barnyard epithet for insincerity, the army acronym snafu, and the gynecological-flagellative term for uxorial dominance. And then there are the adjective-like expletives that salt the speech and split the words of soldiers, teenagers, and Irish rock-stars.

Good read.

"...much more than Auschwitz and the Autobahns..."

2007-10-18T23:25:00.000-06:00

One in four sees positive side of Nazis, poll finds.

I have to be careful here...

2007-10-18T22:51:00.000-06:00

I don't know how much credence to give this guy. He claims that Africans are not as intelligent as other races. That doesn't seem to jive, as I've met plenty of African-Americans who are extremely intelligent and a lot of incredibly stupid European-Americans.

That said, he has a point when he says that "there [is] no reason to think that races which had grown up in separate geographical locations should have evolved identically." Obviously, people who grew up in different areas developed differently. That's a biological fact. For instance, those of us with blond hair and blue eyes are more prone to cataracts and skin cancer as a result of evolving in northern latitudes. Does it not also make sense that we are internally different as well? It seems to me that if there are physical differences, there are more than likely to be other, less skin-deep differences.

I also think it's worth noting that Dr. Watson did win the Nobel prize for helping to discover the structure of DNA. I think he might know a thing or two about human biology.

Update: He apologized, but my point about people developing differently remains. I would be interested in seeing more research on the topic.

F you, Hitler.

2007-10-18T12:10:00.000-06:00

Jews to play Wagner at Berlin's Nazi arena

Sadly,

2007-10-16T23:26:00.000-06:00

this is more true than any other news report I've seen.

Poll: Bullshit Is Most Important Issue For 2008 Voters

Cold War Joke

2007-10-15T20:34:00.001-06:00

Warning: This joke is for history geeks only. If you're not a history geek, stop reading now.

Right after the collapse of Soviet-style communism, an American reporter traveled behind the now-defunct iron curtain. His first trip was to Moscow, where he asked a citizen "What is your opinion of parliamentary democracy?

The Muscovite responded, "What's a democracy?"

The reporter then visited Warsaw, where he asked a local the same question. The Pole responded, "What's parliamentary?"

The American moved onto the former East Berlin. He found an Ossi and asked "What's your opinion of parliamentary democracy?"

The Berliner said "What's an opinion?"

Mmm, that's good satire

2007-10-11T00:32:00.001-06:00

HT: indexed, via Daring Fireball.

I know from experience

2007-10-05T20:23:00.001-06:00

This would have been a pain in the ass.

New Moon: Reds Launch First Space Satellite

2007-10-04T17:46:00.000-06:00

Happy Sputnik Day!

2007-10-04T16:46:00.000-06:00

50 years ago today, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, igniting the Space Race. Said the spunky little satellite of its 50th anniversary: "Beep."

Toy Factory

2007-10-04T11:01:00.000-06:00

pictures from China. In some of the pictures, notice the supervisor/guards.

...your eye in ze sky

2007-09-26T09:46:00.000-06:00

This falls more on the "geeks" side of "History Geeks," but this law enforcement tool definitely could have political implications.

Hat tip: Belmont Club

On Bollinger's Comments

2007-09-25T16:45:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to get this off my chest regarding Ahmadinejad's visit to Columbia University: In case you missed it, the president of Columbia said to the Iranian President, among other things, "Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator." The press is all up in arms saying that 1) he is not a dictator, but an elected official; and 2) Bollinger should have been more cordial to his "guest."

First, Bollinger never said that he was a dictator. He said that he "exhibited the all the signs of a ... dictator." Secondly, I appreciated Bollinger's comments. He said it like it is. He could have pandered to his "guest," but he would have been ignoring what Ahmadinejad really is.

It frustrates me that the MSM makes such blatant false reports.

"Every German is a potential source of trouble."

2007-09-25T14:44:00.000-06:00

Hat tip: German Joys

In the market for the Magna Carta?

2007-09-25T09:56:00.000-06:00

Ross Perot wants to sell you his 1297 copy.

Finally!

2007-09-20T17:47:00.000-06:00

I was hoping it was Wednesday, so I could wish everyone a "Happy Hump Day".

Says TMZ, "While the, er, hair-raising product is not a perfume for the va-jay-jay, it is an erotic fragrance made to trigger sexual attraction and desire by mimicking the tangy aroma of lady muffin! Chanel No. 69!

According to the makers, you should not swallow Vulva, ingest Vulva or allow Vulva to have contact with your eyes. But isn't that why you'd buy it?"

And just for Toby, the site is in German & English.

Got a spare $1.5 million?

2007-09-18T17:55:00.000-06:00

Then you could buy this missile silo! Think of all the possibilities...

Happy Constitution Day!

2007-09-17T21:25:00.000-06:00

USA Today has some questions to honor the 220nd Anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution. Here they are, along with my answers:

Have you read the Constitution lately?
Yes, I read the whole thing again a couple months ago. Seriously.

If so, do you have a favorite passage?
Yes, though technically it's an amendment to the Constitution:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

If there was something you could change about the Constitution, what would it be?
I don't know. It's a pretty terrific document. I just wish more people would read it. Oh, and I wish Jefferson could have been there to add his considerable wisdom to the mix.

What would you add?
See the previous question.

And of the amendments, which strike you as most important?
See the third question. I like the First Amendment.

Your turn. Put your answers in the comments!

Inappropriate Juvenile Joke of the Day

2007-09-16T13:41:00.000-06:00

Thai Airliner Carrying 130 People Crashes in Phuket": After experiencing engine problems, the pilot was going to turn back, but then thought, "Aw, Phuket."

Poor placement in advertising

2007-09-09T12:29:00.001-06:00

Watching the Discovery Times Channel this morning, I saw an ad for a special they're showing tomorrow entitled "The Falling Man." I was curious as to what it was about, so did a Google search and found this article. At the bottom, was this advertisement.

Re: Political Rant

2007-09-08T18:08:00.000-06:00

"In a republican nation whose citizens are to be led by reason and persuasion and not by force, the art of reasoning becomes of first importance."

-Thomas Jefferson

Political Rant

2007-09-07T21:33:00.000-06:00

Tonight, I got into a political debate with my dad (if you know my dad, you know this probably wasn't the best idea). As my hackles are raised right now, I am going to post my argument here. I won't detail my dad's argument, lest I unfairly misconstrue it. I will say, however, that he believes the system is working the way it's supposed to.

I disagree. The debate started with that whole debacle about the firing of US attorneys. It's obvious that the firings were done for political reasons. I don't think that's up for debate anymore, despite what former-Attorney-General Gonzales might want us to think. OK. They were done for political reasons. Fine. That is completely within the President's power. If he want to fire his appointments, for whatever reason, fine. Do it. But admit it. Here is what the President and/or Mr. Gonzales should have said "Yes, we fired these attorneys for political reasons. It's within our constitutional rights, so there." Done. No scandal. Everyone is being truthful. We get to move on and deal with more pressing issues.

But Toby, I can hear you or some other debatee asking, if those issues really are THAT pressing, wouldn't the American people stand up and press those issues? I'm glad you asked, because that brings me to my next point.

No! The American people will NOT stand up because the American people have accepted that it doesn't matter what they say; the politicians either don't hear or don't listen. But we can't place all the blame on the politicians. Most of the blame belongs to the American people. Remember that depressing statistic from 2004 that showed that only 60.3% of eligible voters voted in the last presidential election? The statistics are even more depressing for midterm elections (we failed). Either the American general public is apathetic about politics, or ignorant. Why? Because our education system is on the rocks. When I was student teaching, everyday, I urged my students to vote and to be active in the political system. And damnit, they WERE active in the political system even before they left my class. We need to reform our education system. How? By passing legislation that effectively moves to fix it (NCLB was an good-hearted idea, but a failure).

And now we've gone full circle back to my original point:
Our politicians are too damned busy worrying about who fired who (which would be a valid debate if the firings were illegal) and who groped the bottom of a bathroom stall, to concern themselves with legislation that is actually useful (such as education reform).

Note: This post also appears at my personal blog.

Finding the fake.

2007-09-06T17:44:00.000-06:00

An interesting slideshow on spotting photographic fakes. Also, see the related article here.

Epidemic of Ignorance

2007-08-24T23:57:00.000-06:00

Harumph.

Hat tip: Big Tent.

She's a man, man.

2007-08-21T19:52:00.000-06:00

Man! That is one interesting man (?)... woman? Wait, now I'm confused.

On the flip side.

Fisher-Price blamed for dirty mind

2007-08-20T12:46:00.000-06:00

This story [Edit: story was removed from news site - click here see The Consumerist's quotes from the article.] riled me up and completely confounded me at the same time. I don't even know where to start. Grrrr. And I don't what I'm more angry at; the godmother's sheer stupidity, or the news for not only reporting this "story" but also for printing such a misleading headline: "Toy tune offends mothers." They only talk about the one complaint and it's not even the girl's mother!

This reminds me of "F-U-Teehee! That tickles!"

And what kind of name is "Unique"? Honestly.

Hat tip: Consumerist.

Edit: Video of the "dirty" piano

Before Google Maps: Street View

2007-08-17T13:22:00.001-06:00

there was Rand McNally Photo-Auto Maps (circa 1907).

Sorry we ate your forefathers

2007-08-17T10:46:00.000-06:00

Papua New Guinea apologizes for cannibalism.

Babelsberg

2007-08-17T10:39:00.000-06:00

Berlin enjoys lights, camera, action

People should not be afraid of the airlines

2007-08-16T10:19:00.001-06:00

The airlines should be afraid of the people.

I'm poor because I'm smart.

2007-08-14T10:17:00.000-06:00

Study: It doesn't pay to be smart

Lincoln

2007-08-14T00:55:00.000-06:00

may have had facial defect. One contemporary author commented that he had a "sallow, queer, sagacious visage." I always did find something a bit odd about his visage.

On this date, 13. August 1961

2007-08-13T10:24:00.000-06:00

Construction began on the Berlin Wall.

"...how inhuman this system was."

2007-08-12T12:29:00.000-06:00

Researchers uncover Stasi order to fire on escapers from former East Germany

The Road to Clarity

2007-08-12T00:33:00.000-06:00

Highway signs get a (font) face lift.

On this date, 6. August 1945

2007-08-06T16:49:00.001-06:00

Too soon?

Pressing Question

2007-08-06T13:26:00.000-06:00

This article about a drowning on a Nigerian TV show raises a very important question: They have TV in Nigeria?

Still defending the Harbor

2007-08-03T17:53:00.000-06:00

against the British, man gets caught in the Turtle.

In Soviet Russia

2007-08-02T19:32:00.000-06:00

North Pole claims you!

Which American Civil War General are you?

2007-07-24T08:37:00.000-06:00

This quiz has the all the intelligence we've come to expect from Internet quizzes ("You like to get there firstest with the mostest."), but it does have an historical slant so, I thought I'd play along.

You scored as William T. Sherman, One of the Union's greatest heroes, your capture of Atlanta helped guarantee Lincoln's re-election and the winning of the war. South of the Mason-Dixon, they think you're a monster, but you're really only a *little* crazy...

William T. Sherman

70%

Robert E. Lee

65%

General James Longstreet

60%

General Nathan Bedford Forrest

60%

General Phillip Sheridan

55%

General Jeb Stuart

50%

General George McClellan

45%

U.S. Grant

40%

General Ambrose Burnside

40%

Stonewall Jackson

35%

Which American Civil War General are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

Please, think of the children.

2007-07-22T10:54:00.000-06:00

Pupils browse porn on donated laptops

Putting Hitler Back on the Shelves

2007-07-17T08:51:00.000-06:00

Should Germany Republish Mein Kampf?

Ve Germans are not a varlike people

2007-07-17T08:47:00.000-06:00

Europe learns to stop fearing the Germans

2007-07-13T11:13:00.001-06:00

Happy Friday the 13th!!! Go out and have some good luck!

I might be insane

2007-07-10T18:46:00.000-06:00

On occasion, I call into my friend's online radio show, The Ride, and spout off my two-cents worth on politics. It's good times and I like to rile things up. For Monday's show, I am going to do a little thing on why political talk radio is, on the whole, harmful to America. In preparation, I have devoted myself to listening to both XM Radio's political channels: America Right and Air America. I just started today and am already steaming. I'm not sure I can keep this up all week, but rest assured, I'll have plenty to talk about. Tune in at 7pm MST on Monday.

Economics Geeks

2007-06-21T10:34:00.000-06:00

A different way of looking at the US' economic might.

Hat tip: dcat.

2007-06-12T20:44:00.000-06:00

Colin Powell advising Obama

2007-06-12T07:29:00.000-06:00

This could make things interesting, especially if Powell starts exclusively advising him. But that's not the part I liked about this article.

What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other armchair weekend warriors in this administration who shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne," he said at a rally hosted by Act Now to Stop War and End Racism.

"Act Now to Stop War and End Racism?!" This is what happens when the need for a clever acronym eclipses the need for a logical stance.

And now, Powell gets a gold star (as if he doesn't already have enough -- 4 to be precise) for the best metaphor about the Iraq war:

"The current strategy to deal with it, the military surge, our part of the surge under General Petraeus — the only thing it can do is put a heavier lid on this boiling pot of civil war stew," he said.

Mmmmm, pass the civil war stew please.

The right thing to do

2007-06-11T10:16:00.000-06:00

Reagan's famous line nearly clipped from Berlin speech

Natural selection at work

2007-06-01T05:48:00.000-06:00

German Man Falls Off Balcony in 'Spit For Distance' Competition:

According to a police statement Thursday, the man had been competing with a 12-year-old boy in a spitting contest on Wednesday evening. The pair had been standing on the balcony of a second-floor apartment in the town of Forst in the east German state of Brandenburg, seeing how far they could spit.

In an attempt to reach an even better performance, the man had apparently tried too hard to gain extra momentum to propel his saliva further. He was carried over the railing and fell onto the balcony of the first floor apartment below, sustaining life-threatening injuries.

American exceptionalism

2007-05-23T04:52:00.001-06:00

is a good thing.

A different spin

2007-05-22T04:30:00.000-06:00

on our generation of narcissists:

The young people we accuse of being hopelessly self-satisfied are the same ones who have been told they had to score high on the SAT, get straight A's and cure cancer just to get into a decent college. Far from being hothouse flowers who wilt under pressure, they've coped with high expectations and intense competition.

Hat tip: Big Tent.

Robots and Morality

2007-05-08T13:23:00.000-06:00

The Belmont Club: Wilson!

Iraq, and the Truth We Dare Not Speak

2007-05-06T04:56:00.000-06:00

While I don't entirely agree with Victor Davis Hanson in this article, he does make some good points about the situation in the Middle East:

...[M]ost Americans now don’t think it is worth it — and not just because of the cost we pay, but because of what we get in return. Turn on the television and the reporting is all hate: a Middle Eastern Muslim is blowing up someone in Israel, shooting a rocket from Gaza, chanting death to America in Beirut, stoning an adulterer in Tehran, losing a hand for thievery in Saudi Arabia, threatening to take back Spain, gassing someone in Iraq, or promising to wipe out Israel. An unhinged, secular Khadafi rants; a decrepit Saudi royal lectures; a wild-eyed Lebanese cleric threatens — whatever the country, whatever the political ideology, the American television viewer draws the same conclusion: we are always blamed for their own self-inflicted misery.

Fostering democracy in Iraq is called imperialism. But then so is the opposite of backing a strongman in Pakistan or Egypt. Billions sent to Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine goes unmentioned or is considered too paltry. Millions of Muslims saved in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Indonesia, Kosovo, Kuwait, and Somalia means nothing. One Koran wrongly said to be flushed is everything.

A sense of imbalance is everywhere. Imams call Jews “pigs and apes.” The Pope is threatened for his dry recitation of history. Cartoonists, novelists, filmmakers, and opera producers are all promised death or beheading, while the worst sort of racist, anti-Semitic, and anti-Christian hatred is broadcast and published in state-run Arab media.
...
In short, America believes that the entire region is not worth the bones of a single Marine.

Hat tip: Big Tent.

Aw. We were so cute.

2007-05-01T10:50:00.001-06:00

Germany delivers "America's birth certificate"

Happy Friday, Part II

2007-04-27T10:18:00.001-06:00

Happy Friday

2007-04-26T22:13:00.000-06:00

Hat tip: Big Tent.

Awesome.

2007-04-26T22:08:00.000-06:00

Hawking goes zero-G: ‘Space, here I come’

How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran

2007-04-26T14:42:00.000-06:00

An amazing story. Read it.

Ancient History

2007-04-24T15:55:00.000-06:00

Seems like it, doesn't it? It's important to note - this is a picture of Toby when he was younger.

Since it's Tax Day

2007-04-17T09:23:00.000-06:00

read a little history about your taxes.

Einstein was such a bad ass.

2007-04-16T14:29:00.000-06:00

Einstein was right, probe shows.

Bush makes impassioned plea for war cash

2007-04-16T12:03:00.000-06:00

I've seen this headline about 20 times today, and I misread it every time. I keep reading that Bush is asking for a car wash...

Lonely Cheney

2007-04-15T14:44:00.000-06:00

And who at CSPAN thought it would be a good idea to start on Cheney and pan to Bush?

So it goes.

2007-04-13T02:32:00.000-06:00

RIP, Kurt Vonnegut.

It's kind of sad

2007-03-21T13:17:00.000-06:00

that one has to go to Comedy Central to get some decent political talk.

Hilary and 1984

2007-03-19T23:32:00.000-06:00

Clever take on the old 1984 Macintosh commercial.

Also, who's the person behind the Clinton attack ad?

The Proper Way to Hang a Confederate Flag

2007-03-18T03:08:00.000-06:00

Uproar hits Florida Confederate flag show.

Hat tip: Civil Warriors.

75 years later

2007-03-14T07:31:00.000-06:00

Party seeks to strip Hitler of citizenship.

Jefferson's First Inaugural

2007-03-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

As a result of this podcast, I have been on a Thomas Jefferson fix lately. I just read his first inaugural address and I must say, it is one of the greatest speeches in American history. Here are some highlights, but read the whole thing.

We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists. If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
...
[A] wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.
...
[These principles of Government] should be the creed of our political faith, the text of civic instruction, the touchstone by which to try the services of those we trust; and should we wander from them in moments of error or of alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps and to regain the road which alone leads to peace, liberty, and safety.
...
I shall often go wrong through defect of judgment. When right, I shall often be thought wrong by those whose positions will not command a view of the whole ground.

And finally, next time I make a toast, I will say this, the closing line of his speech:

And may that Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the universe lead our councils to what is best, and give them a favorable issue for your peace and prosperity.

Nazi Documents to be released.

2007-03-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

The release of records from the secret archives in the Netherlands is set to happen much sooner than anticipated. Although the actual use of the documents relies upon the agreement of 11 countries, at least they are working to make the documents accessible to scholars. I really don't see the reason for any of the countries to want to drag their feet on this matter, its something that needs to be done.

Wikipedia: Nancy Hitler or Adolf Pelosi?

2007-03-07T12:13:00.000-07:00

I was putting together a Keynote presentation of the current Congressional leadership for my students (Part of their test is going to be to recognize each person, as well as each of their parties and positions in Congress). While looking for pictures on Wikipedia, I came across Nancy Pelosi's page and was surprised to find this picture. It looks like it was fixed immediately after I snapped this screenshot.

Wikifake

2007-03-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Fake professor in Wikipedia storm.

Soldier Desertion

2007-03-06T07:37:00.000-07:00

began today at the base I work at.

You're such a noob!

2007-02-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

Or is it newb? Or n00b? How long before online-ese becomes part of our language - officially, that is?

Making nutmeg with a header

2007-02-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

I don't think that means anything. But I have heard "nutmeg" (kicking the ball between the goalie's legs) and "header" (hitting the ball with one's head) in conjunction with soccer. And I'm sure you could find a way to make the title fit with this article about how there is a minor baby boom in Germany following the World Cup. "With many people the excitement they felt during the matches seems to have lasted and been employed in other ways after the final whistle."

PSA: Running won't help

2007-02-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

Just so you know - the UN has launched a new universal symbol/graphic to warn the public of radiation dangers. Looks to me like you can try running, but death or wavy beams are going to get you.

This headline

2007-02-16T23:05:00.000-07:00

looks like it was put together using word magnets: Police patrol gun murder streets.

Nothing really significant in the article, but I had to go back and reread the headline because I thought I misread it at first. I want the job of BBC News Word Magnet Guy. I imagine he's got different sets of word magnets: one for local news, one for international, etc. Whenever they are having trouble coming up with a headline, they go to Bob, the Word Magnet Guy, and he comes up with "Police Patrol Gun Murder Street."

It's a little early, but

2007-02-16T00:09:00.000-07:00

Giuliani's got the 'Big Mo.'

On a slightly-related note, I'd recommend starting to research the candidates now, before the mudslinging really starts.

Anne Frank's father

2007-02-14T22:14:00.001-07:00

tried to get to the US.

The Thomas Jefferson Hour

2007-02-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

I just found this podcast the other day. For those who are not familiar with him, Clay Jenkinson is a Thomas Jefferson impersonator. He has obviously done his homework on Thomas Jefferson, and seems to know more about the man than anyone I've seen or heard. Give him a listen. Very interesting stuff -- if you are a true history geek, that is.

Also, in case you needed more proof, Stephen Colbert crowned him King of the Jeffersons. Now that's an honor befitting of a president! Said Jefferson about Colbert:

This Colbert reminds me, my dear sir, of James Callender, that disreputable scribbler whom I for a time supported, who later tried to blackmail me. Callender, by the way, later drowned in three feet of water in the James River at Richmond.

HAHA! I could not have put it better myself, sir.

What's your Commie Smurf Name?

2007-02-11T23:23:00.000-07:00

Mine is Ivan the Terrible Smurf. Good times.

Hat tip: Big Tent.

It won't do them any good.

2007-02-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

We have planes that can fly over walls. They need to develop a new defense strategy. Something like some kind of weapon that can blast satellites out of the sky. Oh yeah. Oops.

Save the Whales!

2007-02-08T22:36:00.000-07:00

But save us first!

270 to Win

2007-02-08T01:17:00.000-07:00

A cool site at which you can view past electoral result maps and current trends. Also, you can live out your Electoral College fantasies (we all have them, don't we?) and make your candidate win. It will be fun to watch as we get closer to the election.

Mexifornia, Five Years Later

2007-02-08T00:07:00.000-07:00

An update on the book, Mexifornia, by Victor Davis Hanson. Here are some highlights:

...Americans who live in communities where thousands of illegal aliens have arrived en masse more likely lack the money to move when Spanish-speaking students flood the schools and gangs proliferate. Poorer Americans of all ethnic backgrounds take for granted that poverty provides no exemption from mastering English, so they wonder why the same is not true for incoming Mexican nationals.

Fairness about who is allowed into the United States is another issue that reflects class divides—especially when almost 70 percent of all immigrants, legal and illegal, arrive from Mexico alone. Asians, for example, are puzzled as to why their relatives wait years for official approval to enter the United States, while Mexican nationals come across the border illegally, counting on serial amnesties to obtain citizenship.

...[T]his spring Americans witnessed millions of illegal aliens who not only were unapologetic about their illegal status but were demanding that their hosts accommodate their own political grievances, from providing driver’s licenses to full amnesty. The largest demonstrations—held on May Day, with thousands of protesters waving Mexican flags and bearing placards depicting the communist insurrectionist Che Guevara—only confirmed to most Americans that illegal immigration was out of control and beginning to become politicized along the lines of Latin American radicalism. I chronicled in Mexifornia the anomaly of angry protesters waving the flag of the country they vehemently did not wish to return to, but now the evening news beamed these images to millions. In short, the radical socialism of Latin America, seething in the angry millions who flocked to support Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez, Bolivia’s Evo Morales, and Mexico’s Andrés López Obrador, had now seemingly been imported into our own largest cities.

Hat tip: Big Tent.

(Very) Happy Tuesday

2007-02-06T08:44:00.001-07:00

Lake Peigneur

2007-01-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I sat here for a few minutes trying to come up with a clever/ironic title that would encompass the ... vastness ... of this video. I only wish there was more and better footage. Perhaps I'll invent a time machine and travel through time, recording cool historical events in high def... anyways, enjoy.

For some follow-up reading: the omnipotent Wikipedia