The American Way

There is some talk out there about the new Superman movie. Seen the trailers. Heard the interviews. Standard movie crap. In the Blogsphere however, there is a lot of chatter about "Truth and Justice" without the "American Way". (link above is to LGF)

It seems Hollywood doesn't believe in the idea of "the American Way" anymore. For that matter a lot of other people don't was well. People point at current events and minor hypocrisy. People believe that failing to live up to an ideal is enough to throw the ideal away. Somehow the simple concepts of justice, equality, self reliance, pride and faith are all bad ideas. Traits that are out-dated. The American Way is a bad idea, and out-dated way to think.

Well, screw you. I still believe. More over I believe I'm going to make my little statement that I do believe in the American Way by not giving these dicks one penny of my money. Not one fucking AMERICAN cent. No movie and no supporting the corporate tie-ins whatever they may be. No Superman Burger, no Superman sized softdrinks. I'm not paying for that you bastards.

Fuck you Superman. Fuck you Warner Brothers. Fuck you Bryan Singer and Fuck you Brandon Routh.

For those of you who don't believe in America. Well, I only wish Superman was real in your happy little world. I wish he was real AND raised in North Korea. Raised in Iran, Saudi Arabia, or Indonesia. Raised in the Ivory Coast or Rwanda. See how much you'd like to live under the man of steel then. Superman was a HERO BECAUSE he was RAISED A GOOD AMERICAN. His values were that of an AMERICAN. I'd like to see Superman doing the work of Allah. That be pretty.

seriously... Fuck you...

Batman wouldn't have turned his back on America.

Otter

Govt. Corruption - The Speed Trap Variety

"Motorists passing through McBee, South Carolina, were frequently pulled over for speeding and then searched. If something illegal was found, the officer told drivers that charges would be dropped upon payment of a fine. Alternatively, motorists could beat the rap if they 'volunteered' to turn over their vehicle to the town."

Kid Handsome

Hat Tip: Nobody's Business

"Wear It"

I've never heard the expression before, so I looked it up.

Expression said to someone when they fall or do something stupid to make them feel worthless

The quarterback tries to make a pass but trips over his feet instead. The other team would then say, "wear it, biatch!"

I'm not sure, but I think it's bad.

Otter

Apparently my friends drink a helluva lot

because the survey I took (linked above) says I drink more than 95% of people my age and more than 91% of men. Funny, because I indicated that drinking hadn't caused me any real problems. It hasn't.

Still, considering that I'm in the bottom 10% of people I hang out with with respect to drinking, I thought I was doing ok.

The survey says (suggests actually) that I should seek help. I'll ask at the bar.

Take the quiz / post your results. I'm interested.

Kid Handsome - growing ever more handsome by the drink (if you're drinking . . . and a lady . . . and by lady . . . I mean a really hot single(ish) lady).

So I was taking a shower while enjoying a chocolate chip cookie when...

1st. No that isn't me...
2nd. I got this from Carnaby Fudge
3rd. Might be one of the funnest pictures I've seen in a long time.
4th. Note good trigger control.

Otter

Open Letter to L.L. Bean

A couple weeks ago I write a letter to L.L. Bean concerning my bookbag. I thought I would post it here as well.

Dear Sir or Madam:

I’m writing this because I felt I needed to tell someone at L.L. Bean that they had done an excellent job. I needed to tell someone they designed a near perfect product and that they built something that was made to last. I wanted to let someone know that his or her hard work truly was appreciated.

For the last fifteen years I’ve carried a L.L. Bean book bag on my back and I’ve loved it every step of the way.

I received my book bag for Christmas while I was in the 10th grade. My bag went with me everyday to school, packed with books. On weekend trips and over the summer, books were replaced with clothes, computers, camping gear, etc. 11th grade my locker was on the far side of the school. I carried everything I needed with me throughout the day. 12th grade came and went, still with the same book bag. Two and a half school high school years and summers and my bag kept up with everything I wanted it to do.

Off to college I went, and so did my bag. Four years worth of books, beer, booze and anything else you can imagine was carried in that bag. Almost everyday of the week I had it slung across my back.

Next, law school came and went. For three years my bag was crammed, every pocket, with nearly 60 lbs of books. The school wanted to charge me for a locker after the amount of tuition I had paid them? No thanks. All my books, all day long, went with me.

My L.L. Bean bag has been with me on almost every flight I have ever taken. It’s been to at least 20 states and 6 other countries. It was with me every day of my summer in Europe. I smuggled out a piece of the Roman Coliseum in that bag. It’s been to the Grand Canyon and to the Florida Keys. I’ve carried it into 5 star hotels and used it as a pillow on the ground in the Appalachian Mountains. It’s been my companion longer than half of my current friends.

I was in the Denver airport a couple weeks ago, rushing to catch a connecting flight to Phoenix, when a man stopped me to tell my that book bag was unzipped. It wasn’t unzipped; it was that the zipper had “popped” again. The zippers for two of the compartments have been broken for a little while now; the only visible damage to the whole bag. I thanked and told the man I was sad to say that this might be the end of an era for this bag and me. We parted ways and I began to think about my book bag and the places we’ve been. I decided then to write this letter.

I’ve “fixed” the zipper, but it won’t last. It’s sad, but it’s been a great run. Still, I wanted to thank you, Mr. or Mrs. anonymous person at L. L. Bean. My book bag has been one of the best items I’ve ever owned. I’ll never consider buying any other brand.

The Folks at L.L. Bean asked me if they could use part of it for their next catalog. Cool eh?

Otter

Terrible Resolve

Kevin from the Smallest Minority creates yet another wonderful post. Read it.

Otter

The Boss on Politics

Still a tad bummed that the one time I got to see Bruce in concert, in the middle of his set, he started rambling on about how Bush sucks, bah...blah...blah. I mean I still will buy the guy's records, but apparently other's have actually taken "proactive measures" to ensure the Boss sticks to his day job. Some former fans have actually mailed their Bruce records straight back to the Boss.

Chessboxing?

What the . . .?

I don't really have a comment. The "sweet science" is right, I guess.

Kid Handsome

A Star is Born

This is Vincent Ferrari's blog where he originally posted that story and audio from the AOL cancellation that we've all been hearing about. It was really interesting to read how the story was picked up by the national media and some of the initial reactions by AOL. Apparently Vincent did an excellent job of capturing each and every step online for your viewing pleasure.

Special note: It's a good read until you get to next post which is the "Transformers" movie review and then it just about loses all credibility.

Search Engine Fun...

"A story just released by the Inquirer shows that 80% of incoming search requests from Microsoft's domain arrived via Google's search engine. In contrast, 64% of Yahoo! staff and 100% of Google staff use their own company's search engine. How's that for a product endorsement? I'd guess that Microsoft may soon add google.com to the list of blocked URL's on their intranet."

Hehe... Sorry MSN

Otter

Different Degrees...

What is the difference between Mechanical Engineers and Civil Engineers?

Mechanical Engineers build weapons, Civil Engineers build targets.


Ba-bump bump..

Otter

MySpace, Mark II

Yeah...

Hopefully it will pass, but I just spent about 6 hours of the last 24 hours on MySpace. It's kind of addicting... Creat your profile, customize your profile, find people you know, look at pretty women, look at pretty women who the pretty women know, change your profile, reply to a friend, women, etc...

Kind of cool. Just wandering around I found Rick Tar's page. Rick freaking Tar. For those who don't know Rick's just a guy I went to school with. Cool though.

Otter

MySpace Madness

I knew it was only a matter of time that some idiot on MySpace would find some way to sue for something they could have prevented in the first place. Not the first case of this, but a 14-year old is suing MySpace for 30 mill because she was sexually harassed by another user. How did this sexual harassment occur you ask? This 14-year old was "tricked" into giving another MySpace user her home address and phone number to someone she never met - other than online.

Don't misunderstand me - I hate MySpace. I think it's a haven for pedophiles looking for some poor kid who posts a little too much information about themselves and takes advantage of that. But is that MySpace's fault? Hell no. It's not like MySpace searched known pedophiles online and then provided them with this 14-year old's number.

The only good that will come out of all this publicity is that maybe parents and kids will get just a tad smarter on what info is safe to put online.

Air Force...

Found this on the World Wide Inter-web-net thingie. Made me chuckle...

-Otter

Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by U.S. Air Force pilots and the replies from the maintenance crews. "Squawks" are problem listings that pilots generally leave for maintenance crews to fix before the next flight.

(P)=PROBLEM
(S)=SOLUTION

(P) Left inside main tire almost needs replacement
(S) Almost replaced left inside main tire

(P) Test flight OK, except autoland very rough,
(S) Autoland not installed on this aircraft

(P) #2 Propeller seeping prop fluid
(S) #2 Propeller seepage normal - #1, #3, and #4 propellers lack normal seepage

(P) Something loose in cockpit
(S) Something tightened in cockpit

(P) Evidence of leak on right main landing gear
(S) Evidence removed

(P) DME volume unbelievably loud
(S) Volume set to more believable level

(P) Dead bugs on windshield
(S) Live bugs on order

(P) Autopilot in altitude hold mode produces a 200 fpm descent
(S) Cannot reproduce problem on ground

(P) IFF inoperative
(S) IFF always inoperative in OFF mode

(P) Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick
(S) That's what they're there for

(P) Number three engine missing
(S) Engine found on right wing after brief search

(P) Aircraft handles funny
(S) Aircraft warned to straighten up, "fly right" and be serious

(P) Target Radar hums
(S) Reprogrammed Target Radar with the words

Seriously...

The B-52's Love Shack post I made needed more comments. I mean, really, they might not have been the best band ever but... "say away fools" damn it that was funny.

Otter

Tech to stop unauthorized photography....

Scientists at Georgia Tech are jerks.

No worries though, I'm sure that tech can be perverted to attack uncool things such as traffic cameras, security cameras and the papparattzi. I do hate it the way they follow me around, snapping photos, yelling "Dave, Dave. Over here please. Look this way" Annoying as all heck.

Otter

A Little Silliness

No link here. I just think it's funny that Otter finally starts to post again, and I immediately proceed to bury his posts by posting new stuff on top his. I think maybe that I didn't get enough attention as a child. Also, thanks to Chowda for carrying this site for the entirety of May.

On a side note, I used to be able to change my post times and keep Otter's new stuff at the top. I'm too lazy to figure out where that option went.

KH

Kudos to President Bush

My good friend David Roberts over at Gristmill gives some credit to President Bush, a man that he truly hates (it's an extremely liberal site, but it's environment-centric).

President Bush plans to designate an island chain spanning nearly 1,400 miles of the Pacific northwest of Hawaii as a national monument today, creating the largest protected marine reserve in the world, according to sources familiar with the plan.

Anyway, one of the few chinks in my libertarian armor is that I do think the Government has a limited interest in protecting the environment. So, I like that this area is being set aside.

Kid H.

*On another note, I read these sites and I see people talk about offsetting their carbon footprints. Generally, this is done with "wind credits." I don't have time to explain how idiotic this practice is (it certainly has some minimal effect, and is undoubtedly noble). I just don't think there's enough wind energy out there, that's actually useable, to actually offset your plane flights. Change your behavior and only fly on "green" planes or ride your bike if you actually want to do something. The whole "wind credit" phenomenon is akin to wearing a hairshirt so that you can go cheat on your spouse. It may make you feel better about doing something you believe is wrong, but that's about it.

Yes, please envirobots, blind me with your science that demonstrates how wrong I am about this practice.

Cool Gadgety Link

Laser based mini-projectors that can project onto any appropriate viewing surface. Attach it to your IPOD or personal DVD player and watch movies from . . . wherever you like.

Kid Handsome

The 7 Best '80's Girlfriends

Pretty amusing link. Fortunately, none of those listed is Molly Ringwald in any of her millions of average-at-best girl incarnations.

Kid Handsome

Knock a little louder!

I can't stop laughing... Funniest thing I've seen in a coon's age.

If you don't get it (how lame can you be), click here.

Otter

The Simpsons Adequately . . .

summarize my opinion of soccer.

I'm officially hoping that the USA gets clobbered in the World Cup of Soccer. I know . . . I know . . . that's not very patriotic, right? WRONG . . . It is entirely patriotic to hate something as uniquely unAmerican as soccer.

Also, if we lose bad enough, maybe Nike will quit trying to jam soccer down my throat. Until they stop, I'm boycotting all their products. Anyway, Nike, you can run your little soccer commercials 5000 times a day and work to get the World Cup on every channel in the U.S. It doesn't mean that it's going to work, and it doesn't make soccer good, or entertaining, or American.

Go everyone but the U.S.

Kid Handsome - Patriot

Otter... and summer...

Still trying to do cute human things with his paws.

Man, I'm sorry for no posts lately. A couple things have held me back. No excuse... just things... I HOPE people might read the site and still care about what I write...

Anyways...Lately:

• I've moved.
• I totaled my car
• Work sucks
  
• I've been feeling guilty for not using my spare time for my side work (while my partner has)
  

Anyways, I think everything is happening for good. No matters, if any of you are still reading me.. I thank you..

Todays post is this... Picture this -- whiskey, nice breeze blowing through the air, and summer music...The Doors "Waiting for the Sun" is on...

Good stuff.

Anyways, thinking of summer... Laptop on my chest, I Google "summer"...looking for some site to finish the mental journey I was taking.

First result.

"sumer jobs"

Sad.

no... really sad

Otter

This is why the drug "war" is stupid

In the UK, they are proposing that a person be sent to jail for up to 14 years for possessing 5 grams of Marijuana (that's about a fifth of an ounce - for Americans). That's just stupid.

I'm not even going to argue with you on this one. That's just plain stupid.

The drug war itself is bad, extremely costly, undeniably ineffective, probably racist, and a major factor in eroding our civil liberties . . . but at least it's an ethos (sorry just saw the Big Lebowski on cable). Anyway, at least you can argue about certain elements of the Drug "War."

But, getting back to my point above . . . that's just really freakin' stupid*.

Kid H.

Link via: Nobody's Business (though technically I saw this on my own, then later saw it on this awesome site).

*Just so as not to offend our vast British audience (and I do mean vast). The US started this kind of crap and we've had waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy worse ideas that were actually implemented.

What Freedom is NOT

Freedom is not the practice of passing laws that provide for jail time if you don't have appropriate window dressings. It's one thing for those annoying Covenant Communities to dictate what you can do with your property - hell, it's your choice if you move there (well, it's your idiotic choice).

It is entirely another thing for a community to pass an ordinance that provides for jail time if you, for example, hang a sheet in one of your window.

Violators will receive warnings and could face up to six months in jail and a
$1,000 fine. Residents who just moved in will be given some wiggle room and
landlords will be responsible for getting renters to comply, said Ron Petkovic,
the city's housing manager.

At least there's some good news associated with this idiocy:

Cleveland State University Law Professor Alan Weinstein said Euclid might have a
hard time making the law stick."It would be nice if we could legislate good
taste," Weinstein said. "But the problem is: Who decides what's good taste?"

Kid H.

Link via: Nobody's Business

More Police Abuse

What is wrong with these people? This type of thing happens all the time.

Kid H

Otter's Home Videos

True. High Five.

Kid Handsome

Proof for Ann Coulter

I haven't read Ann Coulter's new book, but after hearing her interview on Sean Hannity's talk show yesterday, I just may have to pick up a copy. Her theory is that liberals "use" individuals who have experienced some sort of tragedy in their life (e.g., losing a loved one in 9/11 attacks) to showcase their hatred against President Bush.

This article just about validates that theory. Check out the quote of Nick Berg's father who has convinced himself that Bush is at fault for his son's beheading - not the man the CIA says was actually wielding the sword (Zarqawi). This quote is priceless. Read what this idiot is saying:

"I don't think that Zarqawi is himself responsible for the killings of hundreds of thousands of people in Iraq," Berg said in a combative television interview with the U.S. Fox News network. "I think George Bush is."

Right. I'll have what you're smoking pal.

This is a bad idea

Please huge earthquake, come soon and break the majority of California off the continent and let it fall in the ocean. People - your government hates you.

If you've been driving under the influence but you made it home and hopped
into bed to sleep it off, you're not out of the woods yet.

The California Supreme Court ruled today that police may enter
Californians' homes without warrants to arrest those suspected of driving under
the influence.

The case at issue was a test of the scope of the Fourth Amendment right
to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

They've decided that they can just come in your house whenever they want under this new pretense that you might have been driving drunk. What if you weren't driving, but you are drunk when they show up? This is about a million times worse than those idiots in Texas who arrest people for being drunk in bars. The Police, Prosecution, Legislation Trinity hates you . . . you can't be trusted.

Kid Handsome

Nutritional Requirements for Restaurants

The FDA recently funded a report that tells us all we're fat. One of the recommendations of this report was to get more restaurants to tell people what is exactly in the food they are eating. I know a number of fast food chains and some other sit down restaurants already do provide nutritional info on their food, but some of these restaurants are balking at potentially high prices associated with "analyzing" their food, as well as they should. But, how is requiring nutritional information for restaurants any different than the companies who make food products for sale in grocery stores any different? When I pick up my can of beefaroni, I know that I'm knocking down a ridiculous amount of saturated fat, sodium, and other fine aftermarket beef product because I can read it on the label. Why should restaurants be held to a different standard?

Virtual Border Patrol

Texas is about to install cameras with night vision along the U.S. - Mexico border to monitor illegal immigration. These cameras are going to transmit images not only to our border patrol finest, but they will also broadcast to the internet where you...yes you, can look for illegals all from the comfort of your living room couch. Officials are going to have an 800# to call if you see anyone looking suspicious trying to cross the border.

Now if they can just add the laser firing obelisk with remote control over the internet so anyone in America could automagically vaporize any illegal trying to cross the border, we would be 100% safe ;)