June 28, 2010
Do Want
Oh my stars and garters.
Click 4 supah size
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June 24, 2010
GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!!
TONIGHT! AT 10 PM, NEW EPISODES ON COMEDY CENTRAL.
If you have no idea what this is about then there is no need for concern. You have simply learned an important fact about yourself, namely that you are a sad, deprived individual with a tragic void in your soul.
Huzzah!
TONIGHT! AT 10 PM, NEW EPISODES ON COMEDY CENTRAL.
If you have no idea what this is about then there is no need for concern. You have simply learned an important fact about yourself, namely that you are a sad, deprived individual with a tragic void in your soul.
Huzzah!
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June 22, 2010
He's got to go
In my undergraduate, inactive enlisted puke opinion General McChrystal is largely right. However that can be said with the benefit of hindsight of McArthur as well and he (quite rightly) got sacked.
I can empathize with McChrystals frustration, but we frequently elect presidents who do not have a great deal of military experience, and ALL presidents face a steep learning curve when they assume the office as NO ONE is versed in everything and the bipolar levels of extreme delegation and hands on engagement necessary is startling to even the most experienced executives ( a group Obama is not a member of). It is the duty of the Military to serve the elected executive.
I am no fan of the current President but he IS the President. He is the CinC, and a one of this nations soldiers does not air this sort of laundry unless one first resigns, or retires.
A friend once asked if I thought it would have been better to let McArthur slide given that the 6-10 million who might die in a war with china would be dwarfed by the 60-80 million who died in the late 50s and early 60s and the real possibility of ending the Cold War early.
Of course not.
To allow that sort of insubordination is to open the way for a Caesar, something the founders greatly (and rightly) feared. We are fortunate to have an officer corps that is overwhelmingly professional, whose allegiance is to the nation and its Constitution, and who consider it a point of honor that they are guardians and not threats to our republic. This sort of talk can erode that quickly as happened in Rome and all to many times in our sister republics to the south. Occasionally this occurred for patriotic and principled reasons, but those good intentions almost always paved a short road to Hell.
Obama needs to fire McChrystal. It gives me no pleasure to say this but this situation is bigger than either of these men.
UPDATE: More here. Jerry Pournelle has some thoughts here and here CDR Salamander points out the short term ramifications of NOT firing McChrystal.
Read the whole thing. Seriously, do it now.
Note that as a bonus, if he fires McChrystal, Obama actually gets to be genuinely decisive.
I can empathize with McChrystals frustration, but we frequently elect presidents who do not have a great deal of military experience, and ALL presidents face a steep learning curve when they assume the office as NO ONE is versed in everything and the bipolar levels of extreme delegation and hands on engagement necessary is startling to even the most experienced executives ( a group Obama is not a member of). It is the duty of the Military to serve the elected executive.
I am no fan of the current President but he IS the President. He is the CinC, and a one of this nations soldiers does not air this sort of laundry unless one first resigns, or retires.
A friend once asked if I thought it would have been better to let McArthur slide given that the 6-10 million who might die in a war with china would be dwarfed by the 60-80 million who died in the late 50s and early 60s and the real possibility of ending the Cold War early.
Of course not.
To allow that sort of insubordination is to open the way for a Caesar, something the founders greatly (and rightly) feared. We are fortunate to have an officer corps that is overwhelmingly professional, whose allegiance is to the nation and its Constitution, and who consider it a point of honor that they are guardians and not threats to our republic. This sort of talk can erode that quickly as happened in Rome and all to many times in our sister republics to the south. Occasionally this occurred for patriotic and principled reasons, but those good intentions almost always paved a short road to Hell.
Obama needs to fire McChrystal. It gives me no pleasure to say this but this situation is bigger than either of these men.
UPDATE: More here. Jerry Pournelle has some thoughts here and here CDR Salamander points out the short term ramifications of NOT firing McChrystal.
Both the CINC and McChrystal will have lost face in a public manner and will be looked at as weaker; McChrystal will have more enemies in the Administration’s National Security Structure; McChrystal has shown support for your only significant Democrat rival, SECSTATE Clinton. Worst part again is the CINC will also lose face to much of the world - especially with our enemies. In most of their cultures, a General Officer saying such things would be shot or have an unfortunate helicopter accident. They will not view keeping McChrystal on as a signal that President Obama is a firm leader..
Read the whole thing. Seriously, do it now.
Note that as a bonus, if he fires McChrystal, Obama actually gets to be genuinely decisive.
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At Last
I have found my calling!
I have the credentials for this already.
I have the credentials for this already.
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Golly
They have cake.
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I can Haz Pouch
Not sure that this is real...but I have a nagging fear it is authentic. via
UPDATE: In the comments Jonathan Tappan points out that this is almost certainly a hoax as a Google image search for "Cat Possum" produces several versions....or perhaps the stupid is just that widespread.
Not sure that this is real...but I have a nagging fear it is authentic. via
UPDATE: In the comments Jonathan Tappan points out that this is almost certainly a hoax as a Google image search for "Cat Possum" produces several versions....or perhaps the stupid is just that widespread.
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A Wee Bit of Good News
Well, on the political front anyway.
Nikki Haley has won the Republican nomination for Governor of South Carolina. She won by an impressive margin too.
UPDATE: It looks like Tim Scott has won too!
Nikki Haley has won the Republican nomination for Governor of South Carolina. She won by an impressive margin too.
A Palin operative observes the election results.
The whirlwind of racism, libel and slander that was thrown at Haley may well have been the death rattle of the putrid Palmetto State machine.....but only if she wins the general election.UPDATE: It looks like Tim Scott has won too!
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June 17, 2010
School Days
No..not that one....no nice boat here. This is worse.
It seems that educrats have decided that friendship is at cross purposes to the education process.
Read the whole thing.
Good lord...
I am becoming increasingly convinced that a Masters in Education should be a disqualifier for teaching children and we should return to requiring a real masters degree, complemented with a certificate or associates in teaching. This would make it much easier to recruit people who have had careers outside the education establishment into the teaching profession.The ED Masters degree certainly doesn't seem to be doing much to discourage utter detachment from humanity and its associated asshattery.
Remember that the myopic souless apparatchiks that came up with this God awful paean to teh stupid and teh evil are likely not only equipped with lots of credentials from various schools of education, they are also most likely very difficult to fire due to the NEA and its minions.
Coincidentally, my new best friend is Harrison Bergeron.
It seems that educrats have decided that friendship is at cross purposes to the education process.
......But increasingly, some educators and other professionals who work with children are asking a question that might surprise their parents: Should a child really have a best friend? .......
........But the classic best-friend bond — the two special pals who share secrets and exploits, who gravitate to each other on the playground and who head out the door together every day after school — signals potential trouble for school officials intent on discouraging anything that hints of exclusivity
emphasis mine
Read the whole thing.
Good lord...
I am becoming increasingly convinced that a Masters in Education should be a disqualifier for teaching children and we should return to requiring a real masters degree, complemented with a certificate or associates in teaching. This would make it much easier to recruit people who have had careers outside the education establishment into the teaching profession.The ED Masters degree certainly doesn't seem to be doing much to discourage utter detachment from humanity and its associated asshattery.
Remember that the myopic souless apparatchiks that came up with this God awful paean to teh stupid and teh evil are likely not only equipped with lots of credentials from various schools of education, they are also most likely very difficult to fire due to the NEA and its minions.
Coincidentally, my new best friend is Harrison Bergeron.
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June 10, 2010
I'll Just Leave This Here
Hat tip: Neo
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June 08, 2010
Helen Thomas
She is gone.
Almost a shame. After all, It's rare indeed to see someone whose face so closely matches their inner beauty.
Almost a shame. After all, It's rare indeed to see someone whose face so closely matches their inner beauty.
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June 03, 2010
Anime Dub Reviews
In a world...
...where certain fans believe that anyone who dubs anime is commiting a crime against humanity and anyone who listens to the dubs is a racist, homophobic, troglodyte who hates unicorns.....
...one brave man...
...has dared to buck the pretentious prima-donnas and give thoughtful, well researched and literate reviews and analysis of the English dubs of the Western Anime releases.
John Turner is that man.
UPDATE: Actually it appears to be a group blog and John Turner is but one of three brave souls standing in defense of the notion that dubs are legitimate and enjoyable interpretations.
...where certain fans believe that anyone who dubs anime is commiting a crime against humanity and anyone who listens to the dubs is a racist, homophobic, troglodyte who hates unicorns.....
...one brave man...
...has dared to buck the pretentious prima-donnas and give thoughtful, well researched and literate reviews and analysis of the English dubs of the Western Anime releases.
John Turner is that man.
UPDATE: Actually it appears to be a group blog and John Turner is but one of three brave souls standing in defense of the notion that dubs are legitimate and enjoyable interpretations.
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June 01, 2010
Ants
They do not belong in my toothpaste.
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Treasure Hunt
One of the Brickmuppet's Crack Team of 
Science Babes takes time out from her S.C.U.B.A. prep to pass along this interesting tale of archeology, marine salvage and atomic science.
(Link via Jerry Pournelle)
Archeologists had been fruitlessly trying to get funds to examine an old Roman shipwreck. Then someone found out that the wrecks ancient cargo was lead ingots. Lead that was smelted before 1945 and kept in a neutron inhibitor (like water) is devoid of certain radionucleides released by the A-bomb tests. This makes such lead exceedingly important for certain physics experiments and more precious than gold for those applications.
Funding problem SOLVED! ( By SCIENCE!)
Science-babe art is by Ao Ume
Science Babes takes time out from her S.C.U.B.A. prep to pass along this interesting tale of archeology, marine salvage and atomic science. (Link via Jerry Pournelle)
Archeologists had been fruitlessly trying to get funds to examine an old Roman shipwreck. Then someone found out that the wrecks ancient cargo was lead ingots. Lead that was smelted before 1945 and kept in a neutron inhibitor (like water) is devoid of certain radionucleides released by the A-bomb tests. This makes such lead exceedingly important for certain physics experiments and more precious than gold for those applications.
Funding problem SOLVED! ( By SCIENCE!)
Science-babe art is by Ao Ume
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Between a Rock and a Hard Place
As is being reported everywhere, a boarding operation by the Israeli Navy went south yesterday.
This was a no win situation for the Israelis and a win-win for the Palestinians.
The operational realities seem to have been as follows.
The ships were carrying supplies of an uncertain nature on behalf of an NGO vehemently hostile to Israels existence to an entity (Gaza) that has been shooting rockets into Israeli schools.
This shipment had to be stopped.
Space on the ship was at a real premium.
There were 3 options to achieve this goal, sanity amongst the crew of the blockade runners, sink the vessels or board them.
Given that #1 was not going to happen, The more humane was #3. #2 is, of course, pretty much unthinkable, especially given the presence of children.
Grapnels were untenable, so the IDF chose to rappell. I've seen it suggested in various comments on this matter that water-cannons and CS gas be used to clear the deck.
Those options are NOT safe (you might end up washing people off the vessel and drown them or start a aresol fire ala' Waco. ) Again this is especially true given the fact that the NGOs had children aboard as part of their PR strategy.
Attacked by civilians with knives, rebar and guns the boarding team returned fire. Just as I would have were I put in their situation. Lethal force was justified by any use of force policy or Rules Of Engagement that I'm aware of.
Note that the other ships SEEM (at this time) to have been boarded without loss of life. Note too that video released seems to indicate that prior to the operation at least some of the "activists" were boasting of their willingness to achieve martyrdom if the ships did not make landfall.
What transpired seems to be the least awful option available to the IDF forces.
But it was pretty damned awful.
CDR Salamander has thoughts, and links to this piece which gives the IDF side. Meyryl Yourish actually has some good things to say about the Obama administrations response here.
There are two long posts over at Information Dissemination here and here. I don't agree with Galrhan's premise in the later post that Israels actions were "stupid" as I see precious few other options. However, the larger points regards the need to prepare for this sort of thing are spot on.
More here, and the BBCs take is here .
This was a no win situation for the Israelis and a win-win for the Palestinians.
The operational realities seem to have been as follows.
The ships were carrying supplies of an uncertain nature on behalf of an NGO vehemently hostile to Israels existence to an entity (Gaza) that has been shooting rockets into Israeli schools.
This shipment had to be stopped.
Space on the ship was at a real premium.
There were 3 options to achieve this goal, sanity amongst the crew of the blockade runners, sink the vessels or board them.
Given that #1 was not going to happen, The more humane was #3. #2 is, of course, pretty much unthinkable, especially given the presence of children.
Grapnels were untenable, so the IDF chose to rappell. I've seen it suggested in various comments on this matter that water-cannons and CS gas be used to clear the deck.
Those options are NOT safe (you might end up washing people off the vessel and drown them or start a aresol fire ala' Waco. ) Again this is especially true given the fact that the NGOs had children aboard as part of their PR strategy.
Attacked by civilians with knives, rebar and guns the boarding team returned fire. Just as I would have were I put in their situation. Lethal force was justified by any use of force policy or Rules Of Engagement that I'm aware of.
Note that the other ships SEEM (at this time) to have been boarded without loss of life. Note too that video released seems to indicate that prior to the operation at least some of the "activists" were boasting of their willingness to achieve martyrdom if the ships did not make landfall.
What transpired seems to be the least awful option available to the IDF forces.
But it was pretty damned awful.
CDR Salamander has thoughts, and links to this piece which gives the IDF side. Meyryl Yourish actually has some good things to say about the Obama administrations response here.
There are two long posts over at Information Dissemination here and here. I don't agree with Galrhan's premise in the later post that Israels actions were "stupid" as I see precious few other options. However, the larger points regards the need to prepare for this sort of thing are spot on.
More here, and the BBCs take is here .
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May 31, 2010
It Was the Right Call
The Presidents decision to cut short his Memorial Day speech in the face of a violent freak storm has elicited some criticism, but it absolutely was the right one. A prime example of a bad call would have been to simply slog through in utter defiance of God, nature and reason and risk having people in the audience killed by lightning or injured by the wind.
Sometimes a failure really is due to bad luck or circumstances and not judgment. This is particularly true with regards to the weather.
As to those who complain that he was not at Arlington, give it a rest. He was at a U.S. military cemetery, one that does not get a lot of attention nationally, and its a pretty significant place for those who have loved ones buried there.
There is a lot to criticize about Obama but this is not one of them. He is also our president. Taking cheap shots is petty and does a disservice to those heroes we seek to honor on this day.
Sometimes a failure really is due to bad luck or circumstances and not judgment. This is particularly true with regards to the weather.
As to those who complain that he was not at Arlington, give it a rest. He was at a U.S. military cemetery, one that does not get a lot of attention nationally, and its a pretty significant place for those who have loved ones buried there.
There is a lot to criticize about Obama but this is not one of them. He is also our president. Taking cheap shots is petty and does a disservice to those heroes we seek to honor on this day.
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No Words Are Adequate
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May 30, 2010
Bojutsu Bear
Bojutsu Bear practices his kata.
I was aware that the Japanese Black Bear was much more dangerous than its North American counterpart, but I had ascribed that to its agressiveness and not its martial arts skill.
Now I know better.
Bojutsu Bear practices his kata.
I was aware that the Japanese Black Bear was much more dangerous than its North American counterpart, but I had ascribed that to its agressiveness and not its martial arts skill.
Now I know better.
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Well.... $#*!
Of all the &#*!ing #*%ed up busybody $#*! I have heard lately this has got to be the %$#*est.
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May 29, 2010
Funimation Up For Sale?
Oh my....
Well, THAT was meteoric.
After receiving a huge infusion of cash and clout
following their acquisition by Navarre back in 2005, Funimation spent the last 5 years gobbling up the rights to a huge number of R1 releases, many of them from other distribution companies that were going under in 2005-7. Funi has been very very good about punctual, high quality and respectful
translations.
Now Funimation is reportedly up for sale.
I gather that the parent company, Navarre, is looking to focus primarily on software and...whateverthehellelse they do. Funimation is reportedly taking money away from their primary business model.
As I understand it, Funimation is making money but that they require resources that Navarre doesn't want to develop.
This is not necessarily the end of the world for them. In these scary economic times companies need to focus on their core competencies (assuming those competencies have a future) and husband resources. Assuming Funimation is in fact doing well, it is possible that they could continue as they are given a buyer that wants to invest in the areas that Funimation needs development in.
However, this sounds a lot like what happened with Geneon U.S.A., which was ultimately closed down (and became the source for many of Funimations region-1 acquisitions).
I know there are occasional readers of this blog who are far more knowledgeable of the industry than I am...so have at it in the comments please.
UPDATE: Steven Den Beste links to this article which contains this passage :
Emphasis mine to highlight a ray of optimism in the press release that puts forth a six sigma effort at acquiring the low hanging fruit of press release-speak.
Steven also points tout this post on the matter over at a retailers website.
Also: more here, here and as I type this Funimation is offering 25% off everything...which does not fill me with the joy it normally would.
Well, THAT was meteoric.
After receiving a huge infusion of cash and clout
following their acquisition by Navarre back in 2005, Funimation spent the last 5 years gobbling up the rights to a huge number of R1 releases, many of them from other distribution companies that were going under in 2005-7. Funi has been very very good about punctual, high quality and respectful
translations.Now Funimation is reportedly up for sale.
I gather that the parent company, Navarre, is looking to focus primarily on software and...whateverthehellelse they do. Funimation is reportedly taking money away from their primary business model.
As I understand it, Funimation is making money but that they require resources that Navarre doesn't want to develop.
This is not necessarily the end of the world for them. In these scary economic times companies need to focus on their core competencies (assuming those competencies have a future) and husband resources. Assuming Funimation is in fact doing well, it is possible that they could continue as they are given a buyer that wants to invest in the areas that Funimation needs development in.
However, this sounds a lot like what happened with Geneon U.S.A., which was ultimately closed down (and became the source for many of Funimations region-1 acquisitions).
I know there are occasional readers of this blog who are far more knowledgeable of the industry than I am...so have at it in the comments please.
UPDATE: Steven Den Beste links to this article which contains this passage :
Navarre is pursuing a more focused strategy. Now that we have substantially reduced debt and improved operating margins, we are focusing our efforts on driving revenue, particularly in new product lines. We are concentrating all efforts on our distribution and software publishing businesses where we have significant expertise and considerable systems and physical assets that can be leveraged. The Punch! acquisition announced last week strengthens our software publishing business and demonstrates a step in our execution of this strategy," stated Cary L. Deacon, Chief Executive Officer.FUNimation Entertainment's strategy and capital requirements are distinctly different from those of the Company's core business. While FUNimation's recent results have generally met expectations, the strategies required to grow the business include co-productions of original anime content, social networks and digital broadcasting. The Company anticipates that those plans are best executed with ownership that has assets or expertise in those areas.The Company will be discussing its going-forward strategy and financial outlook in greater detail next week in connection with its FY 2010 year end conference call.
Emphasis mine to highlight a ray of optimism in the press release that puts forth a six sigma effort at acquiring the low hanging fruit of press release-speak.
Steven also points tout this post on the matter over at a retailers website.
Also: more here, here and as I type this Funimation is offering 25% off everything...which does not fill me with the joy it normally would.
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May 23, 2010
Tenhiro Naoto, Umekichi
I am currently unable to do anything with my banners due to having broken my blog some time ago. This has left me stuck with 2 uncredited banners up top.
So in lieu of adding watermarks.....
The artist of the 'fishy' dame is Tenhiro Naoto .
The Firefox Tan is by Umekichi, (who is unrelated to the folk singer).
There are other banners, but I have watermarks on those...and they aren't in the que now as I wasn't testing them for size and layout when I broke my blog.
(Note that although this self inflicted glitch has been a persistent problem, it appears to be due to this being one of the Beta test blogs and doesn't seem to be an issue at all for normal mee.nu users who are the happiest bloggers in all of blogdom. You can become one of this contented and privileged lot by clicking here.)
So in lieu of adding watermarks.....
The artist of the 'fishy' dame is Tenhiro Naoto .
The Firefox Tan is by Umekichi, (who is unrelated to the folk singer).
(Note that although this self inflicted glitch has been a persistent problem, it appears to be due to this being one of the Beta test blogs and doesn't seem to be an issue at all for normal mee.nu users who are the happiest bloggers in all of blogdom. You can become one of this contented and privileged lot by clicking here.)
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