New Addition on My Blogroll

My brother has a post at Parrothead Jeff - Las Vegas Latitude, Parrothead Attitude.

In case you don't know, Glenn was recently discovered to have a 'mass' on one of his kidneys. Throws the whole world into a bit of a spin, and I had funds standing by in case they wanted me to fly up there. Thankfully for all of us, my presence was not required (or wanted), as surgery was a resounding success and recovery is proceeding at a brisk pace. I suppose I could've gone just to get in the way and feel important, but I'm glad it worked out so well. For all of us. Glenn's Lovely Bride and Beautiful Daughter kept me in the loop, and I'm so grateful to them for that. (I am, however, disappointed I didn't get a trip West...dammit)

Now, go read Glenn's 'new' perspective - when the going gets tough, Navy Wives get tougher. Thanks, Sharon!

Michael Yon - The Kopp-Etchells Effect

My Chief sent me this link a few days back. I've just now taken the time to read and look at it.

*sigh*

"truly flabbergasting fatuities"

The headline for this post is from a column by a writer I seldom read anymore...but I cannot in good conscience ignore such FABulous snark!

Mona Charen at JewishWorldReview.com - I love this paragraph as she 'disects' The Speech By The President Of The World:

Obama is, we are told, the smartest man to sit in the Oval in many a year. And yet he is capable of truly flabbergasting fatuities like this: "In this hall, we come from many places, but we share a common future." You don't say? That's right up there with Warren Harding's declaration that "the future lies before us."

Bulls-eye.

When a tax is NOT a tax...

Here's a column - Jeff Jacoby at JewishWorldReview.com - for those of us who believe words mean things. They are a specific description meant to explain specific concepts or items. Today's word is 'tax.' George Stephanopolis looked it up! Tax: "a charge, usually of money, imposed by authority on persons or property for public purposes."

BarryO has a different idea, it seems: "George," chided Obama, "the fact that you looked up Merriam's Dictionary . . . indicates to me that you're stretching a little bit right now."

BarryO, when does the meaning given in Merriam-Webster become stretching??? That IS the meaning of the damn word "TAX," in proper use, clearly stated and understandable even to those of us with high school and technical school educations.

Do you need more proof of this administration's opinion of the electorate?

Then there's this: It is a myth that those who don't buy health insurance are basically free riders who unload their medical costs onto the backs of more responsible Americans. In truth, most of the uninsured are young, fit, and unlikely to need medical care. Why should they be forced to pay for expensive health insurance they don't need?

I have a theory - and since it's 'theory' I needn't use scientific principles to PROVE it - that lifelong politicians, those who wear the name Public Servant as a Badge of Righteousness, believe the Average American doesn't know what's good for him, that we're not really smart enough to pour piss out of a boot when the directions are on the heel (as my dad used to say). They live such sheltered little lives that they can't imagine anyone could survive without their help. Sad, isn't it? And sadder still is that our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution should tell them this was the attitude we got from the King - and it lit the fire under the Revolution in the first place...

AND ANOTHER THING:
This has been percolating in my mind for a few days and is only now coming clear. So forgive my disjointed rambling if you can, thank you.

Glenn Beck is not The Devil Himself. Glenn Beck is a God-believing, Family-loving, Constitution-trusting American Patriot. He MUST be doing something wonderful, because the leftists take his name in vain and and spit and belittle every damn thing about him. Well, in a bit of a continuance on my previous posting (above), Patrick Henry was a bit of a hell-raisin' rabble-rouser, too - if I remember my US History at all (which I can doublecheck easily these days).

Don't know about you, but I kind of admire that in a Man.

Some good columns

I'm not feeling particularly perky today, so I'm posting links to a couple columns I found interesting.

First up is Thomas Sowell at JewishWorldReview.com, on underdogs.

Next is Jonah Goldberg's tribute to Irving Kristol.

I also found a movie review by Walter Williams...of a movie he hasn't seen...which isn't really about the movie at all, come to find out. What it is is a short lesson on history and capitalism.

Last but certainly not least is my salute to "going green" in a money-saving and time-tested manner. I grew up in a working-poor family, and being frugal is something I understand. I'm not fanatical about it, but safety, simplicity and saving money are things I believe in. So here's a column on some of the ways I use vinegar in my home. One thing I do with white vinegar that's not mentioned in this column is I put it in the little cup meant for fabric softener in the washer. Clean, fresh clothes and soft towels with no soapy buildup on the fabrics OR in my washer. UPDATE: I forgot to add that in this climate, with extreeeeme humidity and heat, fabric softener tends to make clothes stink, in my opinion. I don't know if it degrades after a little time, or what, but those scented sheets are used very seldom in this house, for things that may have a problem with static cling...so the only time I really find a need for them is in the winter!

Now I think I'll find something to eat. Y'all have a fine day, and thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday - Thomas Sowell!

When I saw the title for this column, I almost went against Pixie Place Tradition and skipped Sowell's column for today, replacing it with the always-enjoyable Mark Steyn or a video about Yom Kippur. Then I read the first couple paragraphs, and I have to post it. Despite the subject being FAR from anything in my personal life today, Sowell's writing and point of view have value.

This, for instance:

Among the things you need to know about a particular college is whether it has a real curriculum or just a smorgasbord of courses, so that it is possible to graduate knowing nothing about history, economics or science, for example. Some of the most prestigious colleges in the country are places where you can graduate completely ignorant of such fundamental subjects.

In discussing "Choosing the Right College," Sowell points to some things that aren't discussed about most institutions of learning, things it seems many people find out The Hard Way. I may yet look into finding it, just to set my mind at ease over my...umm...sneering, snarky (but hopefully well-hidden) attitude, shall we say...toward some people I know...

Second example:

"Choosing the Right College" also presents information on such things as black separatist organizations at Lafayette College, for example. Whether you are for or against such things, you need to know about them, in order to choose what you think is right for you.

I've had an attitude about "the Best" schools for a long time now, believing that giving money to a place to NOT learn anything was an exercise in foolishness and ego. To use the name of a university as a resume-booster may seem important to some...but at what cost.

More:

It also tells you whether the intellectual atmosphere is free or is hidebound with political correctness, and plagued by professors who think their job is to use the classroom as a place to sound off about their political ideology to a captive audience, even when the course is about chemistry or accounting.

Good stuff for a Tuesday morning, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by!

The Old Guy does it AGAIN!

Have I mentioned previously that I love Mark Martin? If not, here's notice - I love Mark Martin. Crusty Old Fart of NASCAR. Just love it. Him. Them.

The man is SO good at what he does, with a terrific team behind him. His FIRST win at New Hampshire puts him in the lead for the Cup...whoa! Told My Chief he needs to buy me a new twenty dollar hat...cuz I am a BIG fan.

Enough for now, back to puttering around the house.