Monthly Archives: January 2011
Stinging quote of the day
If you wish information and improvement from the knowledge of others, and yet at the same time express yourself as firmly fix’d in your present opinions, modest, sensible men, who do not love disputation, will probably leave you undisturbed in the possession of your error.
–Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
More STRATFOR analysis on Egypt
Here’s more analysis as we observe the fall of Hosni Mubarak: The Egypt Crisis in a Global Context: A Special Report
Egyptian Police Redeploying
Egypt protests show George W. Bush was right about freedom in the Arab world
Elliott Abrams posts an excellent apologia for George W. Bush’s Middle East policy at the Washington Post. It is rather shocking to see even people like Chris Matthews begin to admit that Obama doesn’t know what he’s doing and that Dubya may just have been right. This happens when grotesque ideological blinkers are removed.
Working Group on Egypt Calls for Suspension of U.S. Aid
Bill Kristol of The Weekly Standard offers some suggestions for Egyptian foreign aid. Namely, ‘cut it off’.
Is Gaddafi next?
Philip Shenon of The Daily Beast makes a very good case for Muammar Gaddafi to be very, very worried right about now. It would be nice to see another tyrant fall, but again, what will replace him?
Al-Qaida Leader Admits Facing Pressure From U.S. Drones
Kudos to President Obama for upping the usage of attack drones in Pakistan. It looks to be keeping the local Al Qaeda franchise off-balance.
The Egyptian Unrest: A Special Report
STRATFOR provides its usual excellent analysis on what is happening in Egypt. Though I rarely side with Zazu or Andre on anything (except perhaps music), they are right to point out that we have supported trash in order for them to hold off even worse trash. That has to end. We do need to support dissident groups who are more amenable to American concerns. Here is another concern: Hamas is able to cross the border from the Palestinian Territories into Egypt pretty much unhindered thanks to the chaos ensuing at the moment. This means they are wilfully trying to help the Muslim Brotherhood take over the reins of power in Egypt. If they do, that will almost assuredly mean war in the Middle East, and if that happens, it’ll spread out quickly throughout the Maghred, the Arabian Peninsula, and possibly into Turkey and Southern Europe. Attach that with the headaches in Chechnya, and you have a recipe for a very hot summer, war-wise.
Egypt – The Facebook Revolution
My, my, how quickly events can unfold in 24 hours. On Thursday night I previewed ‘the day of rage‘ and the latest developments in the Egyptian unrest. Since then, in a whirlwind of violence and political changes, the protesters in Cairo have completely driven the hated police forces from public view in bloody battles and burned every police station. The army has been called out but has refused to physically back up the disintegrating police forces and seems content to show their strength while not threatening the cheering crowds who welcome their presence. Mubarak delivered a completely unsatisfactory speech, though it would appear that the former army officer had consulted with the officer corp and generals before he did so. It also appears that he intends to attempt to ride out the storm with the hope that the appearance of the army in the streets will have a calming effect. This, combined with the “unplugging” of the internet and the state sabotage of the cell phone system, seems to be his strategy. Is it too little, too late or a just in the nick of time manuever remains to be seen.
This is the world’s first revolution conceived, planned, and carried out using the internet (and more specifically facebook) and an amazing five million Egyptians have signed up for facebook accounts in just the last month. Facebook was the vehicle by which the Egyptian people were able to carry out what we have been watching unfold over the last few days. Syria, by the way, has disabled the internet in their country and the rest of the autocratic Arab states are watching what has happened in first Tunisia and now Egypt (and to a limited extent in Yemen and Jordan) with both fear and fascination.
The comparisons to the fall of the Shah cannot be missed and we all know the result of that. And the fear here is that the same Islamist Muslim Brotherhood mentality and philosophy that gave the world Zawahiri (Obama bin Laden’s Egyptian second in command and the godfather of Al Qaeda) will take advantage of the situation to make a serious play for control of a country that is so strategically important to the US and the West. They are superbly organized, united, and committed to the institutionalizing of sharia law, hostility to Israel, and the reestablishment of the Caliphate.
As dawn breaks in the land of the Nile we await what dramatic changes another twenty-four hours might bring. The outcome of this uprising now rests in the hands of the Egyptian army and whether or not they are willing to defy the will of the angry mobs in the street to protect Mubarak, perhaps place another strongman or one of their own in power, or stand aside and let the chaotic political scene play itself out and see who comes out on top.
Axelrod: President Obama Has “On Several Occasions Directly Confronted” Mubarak on Human Rights for the Past 2 Years “To Get Ahead of This”
If there were ever a moment to utterly loathe David Axelrod for being a lying, worthless tool, now would be it. He had the audacity (of hope no one would pay attention to what he said) to tell ABC’s Jake Tapper the quote above. I hope this douche-bag gets rolled for this.
Ronald Reagan’s remarks on the Challenger Shuttle explosion [video]
Twenty-five years ago today. I remember this event vividly. I was in my high school science class and they brought a t.v. into the library next door so we could watch the coverage. Where were you?
Black Widow attempted New Year Moscow attack but blew herself up by mistake (Killed By Spam)
A “Black Widow” suicide bomber planned a terrorist attack in central Moscow on New Year’s Eve but was killed when an unexpected text message set off her bomb too early, according to Russian security sources.
A “Black Widow” suicide bomber planned a terrorist attack in central Moscow on New Year’s Eve but was killed when an unexpected text message set off her bomb too early, according to Russian security sources.
The unnamed woman, who is thought to be part of the same group that struck Moscow’s Domodedovo airport on Monday, intended to detonate a suicide belt on a busy square near Red Square on New Year’s Eve in an attack that could have killed hundreds.
Security sources believe a spam message from her mobile phone operator wishing her a happy new year received just hours before the planned attack triggered her suicide belt, killing her but nobody else.
She was at her Moscow safe house at the time getting ready with two accomplices, both of whom survived and were seen fleeing the scene.
The message came from her cell phone operator wishing her a happy new year! The only question is – will she have a hundred and one virgins waiting for her in heaven and what woman would really want that anyway?
Most men know that they can’t trust their wives to start the gas grill, what kind of moron gives her a cell phone and a bomb?
(insert more jokes here)
If Only They Could Block The Ionosphere
What? I can't put this on twitter?
Egypt would be able to seal the nation off from the rest of the world. As it stands right now (2am EST), Egypt has disconnected itself from the Internet. Civil unrest, presumably, continues, but the details will not come from average, everyday Egyptians. Perhaps they will broadcast smoke signals by burning mummies.
(insert more Egypt jokes here)
Friday is “Day of Rage” in Egypt
Mass protests and large deployments of security forces means that Friday should be a day of clashes and escalating violence in Egypt. Whether 82 year old Mubarak’s reign of power is seriously in jeopardy is not clear at all for the moment, but if these protests gather widespread support and continue to spread it will be increasingly hard to stifle its effects.
Two big events did transpire on Thursday; secular Nobel Peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei arrived in the country to, in effect, become the figurehead of the street uprising and the biggest Egyptian opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, decided to officially join the protests. A rare joining of the religious and the secularists to oppose the regime. An interesting development to be sure and one that probably does not bode well for the current Egyptian regime. But let there be no mistake, Mubarak is no pushover and Egypt is no Tunisia.
Egypt protesters, police brace for ‘day of rage’
Violence escalated Thursday at protests outside the capital. In the flashpoint city of Suez, along the strategic Suez Canal, protesters torched a fire station and looted weapons that they then turned on police.
In the northern Sinai area of Sheik Zuweid, several hundred Bedouins and police exchanged gunfire, killing a 17-year-old man. About 300 protesters surrounded a police station from rooftops of nearby buildings and fired two RPGs at it, damaging the walls.
The 82-year-old Mubarak has not been seen in public or heard from since the protests began Tuesday with tens of thousands marching in Cairo and a string of other cities. While he may still have a chance to ride out this latest challenge, his choices are limited, and all are likely to lead to a loosening of his grip on power.
Fox Among The Chickens
Peter J. Boyer at The New Yorker demonstrates how little they know of or think about Roger Ailes, Fox News, or anyone who watches them.
10 Amazing Android Photographs
I prefer my iPhone for its organizational abilities. The camera inside, however, sucks. The Android is a far more powerful tool. Here are ten shots taken with an Android.
Cross-posted at Steinblóm.
Islamists Never Sneak In From Mexico
Oops, indeed. Mark Krikorian of National Review ends that lie forcefully. Cross-posted at Apocatastasis.
Putin’s Crypto-Fascism Revealed
Kim Zigfeld doesn’t like Russia. Her hatred of the political system is palpable. Sadly, she has a strong, strong reason not to like it. It is well on its way to becoming a fascist state, and each terrorist attack will make it easier for the Putin/Medvyedev regime to lock up the country in the way they wish to. Read her article at La Russophobe detailing the incompetence that led to the horrible aiport bombing.
Winston Churchill Speech – “We Shall Fight on the Beaches”
Now I have to admit I am a great admirer of the man. A profound leader who was the right man at the right time in the right war. Without his leadership at the most pivotal time in Western Civilization I believe history might have turned out quite differently. I am an amateur collector of historical items (thank you ebay) and have a small Churchill shrine displayed in a medium-sized shadow box. It contains an August 1965 National Geographic featuring Churchill on the cover which was released with an actual record titled Special Recording: Churchill’s Great Words and Funeral Music. It also contains the paperback book Churchill: In Memoriam written by the New York Times, a brochure released by People to People titled Sir Winston Churchill: A Tribute, and five crown coins that were released with his likeness (the first commoner to appear on a coin in the UK) after his death. I always enjoy owning and holding a small piece of history that will someday be handed down to my children.
Definitely a great moment in history…
2nd Day of Protests Rocks Cairo
The Arab street was out in force again today across Egypt. The largest protests in over a decade seems to be rattling a hard-fisted regime not used to such public outpourings of unrest and unhappiness. No matter what the outcome here, the West desperately doesn’t want a more Islamist government to take control. The Muslim Brotherhood has been a big problem there for decades and would swiftly move to exploit the situation if the government was to fall or a power vacuum created. One may think this is but a flash-in-the-pan but look what happened in Tunisia. Who can predict what may happen in the Middle East from day to day? Keep your eyes on this.
Video here: Protests Rock Egypt
A ConClub Reunion?
I have read and re-read the “About Constitution Club” story. Though I was not part of the original CSU line-up, I find the forum and idea to be quite tangible, a bit nostalgic, interesting and entertaining, and, I would like to propose that we all get together, live, on “any” porch, to perhaps re-create the group’s beginnings, get to know (or re-know) each other and have some interesting discussions. Call it a reunion, of sorts, if you will. What say ye?
The Beast Has A Computer Again
The one month absence has ended, there is a new HDD tucked in the bowels of the Gateway Notebook the Beast in-advisedly purchased last fall, and recovery disks are on the way. Meanwhile the Beast is running Linux Ubuntu 10.10 for an operating system and it appears to work just fine. Frankly, the fact that the Beast allowed himself to languish without a puter for a month just because he couldn’t figure out that seventy dollars, one download and eight screws would get him a functioning system is a tad embarrassing. But this is also Ice Fishing season and the Beast has directed all spare cash to purchase of bait, tackle, heaters, sleds, licenses and other stuff. A computer is sort of a “ME” thing, but fishing gear is something the Beast can use with his children. We’ve spent every weekend out on the Lakes and Rivers, fishing and skating and whatnot as opposed to vegetating in front of the TV. But the Internet drought has ended and comments shall follow once more.
Can we slow things down a bit?
Chalk this one up as original – if you haven’t heard this yet you should take a listen. Someone took the theme to Jurassic Park and slowed it down (stretched it out) by 1000%. The results are stunning – reminds me of the good days of the “Hearts of Space” series – when there were good days and my dad used to sit in the music room and listen to the broadcast for hours on his stereophonic whatever it was called… Well worth at least a few minutes of listening to the first minute of the score.
[Video] Iron & Wine – The Trapeze Swinger (Live via Vevo)
I’m not the most emotional of listeners, but this is one of the few songs where my eyes well up a bit. I’ve never had the chance to consult on whether Sam Beam, Mr. Iron & Wine himself, meant the song to be a paean to those first few minutes of an afterlife from a secularist’s point-of-view. It is one of the most beautiful songs of the past 10 years, and achingly so. Cross-posted at A Miscellany of Tasteful Music.
Protests in Egypt and unrest in Middle East – as it happened
The Guardian reports on the utter madness occurring in the Middle East. Other blogs have called Cairo a “war zone,” as people have finally had it with decrepit monsters running (and ruining) their countries. Arab now have a choice to make: democracy, in whatever fashion would work in the Arab world which would allow them to maintain friendly relations with the rest of the world, or leadership by those who will ensure their own Armageddon.
Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am Named Director At Intel
This is interesting. The idea is fascinating on a public relations platform and I am curious to see what tangible benefits unravel.
Seeing red
Interesting article on the efforts of the Chinese to censor internet activities. With their work force availability you might think it an easy task, but as this op/ed explains (after skipping the ad), some of those in the work force may be sheep in wolves clothing.
March for Life – 2011
A special heart-felt thanks to all those who participated in the now annual March for Life in Washington or attended one of the many pro-life vigils held across the country. I appreciate you standing strong for one of the most basic principles of the conservative movement and human rights in general; the protection and respect of innocent human life.
Yep, he’s running for president
Watch Governor Tim Pawlenty’s message to the American people, to never give up faith in the power of the American spirit. You barely get one election behind you and another has begun. Personally I think the Confederacy got one thing right. The presidency should be limited to one, six-year term. I do not yet have a favorite among the potential GOP presidential candidates but it is going to be fun to watch the initial jockeying among what is sure to be a crowded initial field.
God Be With You!
My fellow Conclubbers…
The time has come for me to bow out for a while. I don’t know if this is temporary or permanent. At this point my name should be removed from the masthead until further notice. The Sage has my permission to share my email with others on the masthead, (but not with the general public). I appreciate your prayers and your patience.
In His Service,
Vérité
Ros-Lehtinen to Tackle Funding for the United Nations Tuesday
It would be nice to utterly defund the whole of the United Nations, but getting rid of the so-called Human Rights Council is a good start. The Americano has more on Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s mission to defund these clowns.
Long Island Muslims fear their congressman’s hearings could flame Islamophobia
Russia witnesses a massacre at the hands of Islamic terrorists. The American community screams “They have nothing to hide.” Who do you believe?
Read William Wan’s article at the Washington Post for more on the story.
Moscow airport blast: Suicide bomb kills 29
A nasty terrorist attack occurred today at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport, killing at least 29 passengers. I have a feeling it wasn’t Swedish Lutheran grandmothers involved in this latest round of terrorism.
Islamist movement at forefront of Tunisia’s protests
The good times have just ended in analyst-land. Where were the Islamists while the revolution occurred? They were planning how to seize power. Enter Rachid Ghannouchi, who had been in exile for years in London. He is not Osama bin Laden. He leans closer to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Islamist Prime Minister of Turkey. Let us see where Ghannouchi takes Tunisia in this dangerous time.
Stinging Quote of the Day
To bring the matter to one point. Is the power who is jealous of our prosperity, a proper power to govern us?
–Thomas Paine, Common Sense
The Third Jihad
By a Muslim on “radical Muslims,” shariah law, and the Third Jihad. Looks interesting.
[h/t The Jawa Report]
Empire of the Suns
You have to love this kind of announcement - heralding the exciting news that we could very soon have two suns, for a week or so – or not.
MSNBC and Keith Olbermann End Contract, Network Says
Toodle-oo! It looks like Comcast, the new owners of MSNBC are throwing out the lunatics. I wonder who else is on the chopping block?
Quote of the (Present) Day
At some point – and I say this to you with all the passion I possibly can – the West has got to get out of what I think is this wretched policy, or posture, of apology for believing that we are causing what the Iranians are doing, or what these extremists are doing. The fact is we are not.The fact is they are doing it because they disagree fundamentally with our way of life and they will carry on doing it unless they are met with the requisite determination and, if necessary, force.
–Tony Blair
We built (then bankrupted) this city
Just a few miles north of Mobile, Alabama is the tiny city of Prichard. Nestled near the sprawling metropolis (heavy sarcasm) cities of “Eight Mile”, “Saraland” and “Citronelle”, it is about to be thrust into the spotlight as a city to watch – not for it’s growth, not for it’s outstanding leadership, but for what happens after a city declares bankruptcy to avoid its creditors (in this case, it’s retirees). In September of 2009 it quit paying pension benefits to its retirees because the proverbial well had run dry. A federal judge ixnayed the bankruptcy, so get the popcorn ready. Safe to say the “too big to fail” argument is not one that I have heard proposed as of yet, but other cities may be interested to see what happens.
Stinging quote of the day
Though I would carefully avoid giving unnecessary offence, yet I am inclined to believe, that all those who espouse the doctrine of reconciliation, may be included within the following descriptions. Interested men, who are not to be trusted; weak men, who CANNOT see; and certain set of moderate men, who think better of the European world than it deserves; and this last class, by an ill-judged deliberation, will be the cause of more calamities to this continent, than all the other three.
–Thomas Paine, Common Sense
Thirty Years After Ronald Reagan’s Inauguration
Some of you might have heard these before, but I thought it appropriate to post today as another example of Reagan’s overall gentlemanly self, great sense of humor, and ability to deliver a joke well.
http://www.liveleak.com/e/e24_1287541152
H/T: Received via email. www.theospark.net
The Social Network, The King’s Speech, and the “Homosexuality” of King David
Mark D. Roberts is one of the few Evangelical Christians who is, to my mind, erudite enough to write both theologically and interestingly in the crossroads of pop culture and religion. He reviews the lack of true friendship in The Social Network, male cameraderie in The King’s Speech and the tiresome accusation of homosexuality by scholars who really should know better in the Bible, relating to the bizarre article published by the BBC (also on BBC Radio) during the celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible.
Read Roberts’ review over at BeliefNet.
Cross-posted at Steinblóm.
Dr Kermit Gosnell ‘killed babies’ at abortion clinic
No need to post commentary from this BBC article. This monster should rot in Hell for what he has done. Cross-posted at Apocatastasis.
Dave’s Quote of the Day
“They don’t like the truth so they summarily dismiss it. They say it’s a government takeover of healthcare. A big lie just like [Nazi propaganda minister Joseph] Goebbels. You say it enough and you repeat the lie, repeat the lie, repeat the lie until eventually people believe it. Like blood libel, that’s the same kind of thing. The Germans said enough about the Jews and people believed it, and you have the Holocaust. You tell a lie over and over again.”
-Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen (Tenn.) on the House floor Tuesday night comparing Republican claims about the healthcare reform law to lies perpetrated by the Nazis that led to the Holocaust.
So much for that whole “lets all be civil, tone down the rhetoric” crap the Left has been peddling lately. What a bunch of lame, ridiculous, whining hypocrites.
If he feels this strongly about lies, he’s just got to feel horrendously awful about how his ideological allies have been treating Sarah Palin over the last week and a half. I eagerly await his indignant speech on the House floor in regards to the libel, slander, and yes lies directed at her in such a hateful manner.
Stars Shine on Christian Researcher
Inside Higher Ed writes on a small victory for Christians involved in science. C. Martin Gaskell, a former University of Nebraska astronomer who was denied the opportunity to work at the University of Kentucky because of his evangelical Christian beliefs, has won a settlement from the offending university. Cross-posted at Apocatastasis.
[Video] Orthodox Singers Male Choir – We Bow before Thy Cross (remastered)
I won’t deign to speak for the readers of this most humble blog, but as for me, there’s a calming aspect to listening to a basso profondo voice after a nervewracking day. The featured singer of the choir is Yuri Wichniakov, bearer of a truly a profound voice. Cross-posted at Apocatastasis.
Mansion unlocked after 100 years
A weird little story (with a nice video accompanying it) from the BBC:
A mansion house in central France that was kept locked up for 100 years has just been opened to the public, in accordance with its owner’s last wishes.
Louis Mantin, a wealthy gentleman from the town of Moulins, stipulated in his will that his house should be turned into a museum a century after his death.
Assistant curator Maud Leyoudec showed the BBC’s cameras around the house.
Cross-posted at Steinblóm.
Boy George returns Christ icon to Cyprus church
Two things one never really expects to see together are the terms “Boy George” and “Christianity.” It looks as though there is a rather nice tie-in between the two, as George returned an icon he had purchased from a dealer to a church in Cyprus. It turns out the singer bought the icon from an art dealer who didn’t bother to mention that the artifact was stolen during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Many holy relics were looted and are feared lost forever. Good on Boy for doing this.
Cross-posted at Apocatastasis.
Stinging Quote of the Day
…a long habit of not thinking a thing WRONG, gives it a superficial appearance of being RIGHT, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defence of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.
– Thomas Paine, Common Sense
Federal Spending Solution
I spent time riding horses at a family friend’s house in North Carolina over the holidays and after coming in from a particularly long ride, we sat down and turned on the news to rest for a bit. Tennessee Republican Bob Corker was on CNBC discussing federal spending which is one subject of politics that has always been particularly frustrating to me. No politician before as really done ANYTHING about the government’s budget and honestly, when looking at the trillions of dollars America owes, it kind of seems hopeless. I almost can’t blame them for focusing on more seemingly pressing issues. However, Senator Corker really did a good job in the interview explaining his amendment and actually gave me some hope.
[Video] Steve Beresford / David Toop / John Zorn / Tonie Marshall – Tallulah
John Zorn has a reputation for being a monstrous noise-maker, someone far more liable to rip your ears off than to make you feel wispy and sentimental. Tonie Marshall has a lot to do with it, with soft, sultry voices for ‘Tallulah’. She and Zorn are capably augmented by multiinstrumentalists Beresford and Toop. The track is from the album “Deadly Weapons” from 1986, which I believe is still in print.
Cross-posted at A Miscellany of Tasteful Music.
Sy Hersh Loses It
I always figured Seymour Hersh to be a cretin of the worst order, and Jonah Goldberg at National Review confirms it. At least he’s laying off The Joos. Now, the new conspiracy is run by the Knights of Malta and Opus Dei. If you see this man stumbling out of your local bar, just point your finger and laugh at him. And buy him a Mai Tai if you want more enjoyment!
The Backyard Chicken
My wife, for some reason, does not share my initial enthusiasm that you can now own up to six chickens within the city limits of my fair hamlet. I’m on a chicken kick now and she is somewhat unhappy with that particular development. She thinks she hates chickens. I think she just hasn’t had the wonderful opportunity to fully explore them as a potential pet, provider of eggs, and personal companion. Can you imagine one of my daughters walking their chicken around the cul de sac? Well, I can. I think I’ll name the first one, “little Jerry Seinfeld.” My middle daughter Rachel has big plans for hers and has already named it “Annie.” Yes folks, that would be Annie the chicken.
I just finished reading the new town rules in regards to the keeping of chickens (though it doesn’t address if you can take one on a walk) and is now contemplating the actual building of a pallet chicken coop. Still a bit iffy on how to design some ventilation necessities and the access door (for gathering eggs) into the coop. My main challenge is coming up with an inexpensive but code enforcement passing “home” and run for them. Thinking about a small, mobile chicken coop and run that can be moved around the yard.
I’ve decided to spend as little money as possible so I’ll probably be constructing a “pallet coop” with shipping pallets attained from my place of employment as well as the necessary accompanying “chicken tractor” run.
Just to help one get some inspiration here are pictures of 170 different chicken tractors. And you thought you had too much time on your hands.
Also considering getting a couple of the weird or very unusual chickens you see at the fair (as pets) as well as several laying hens. Maybe mix it up a bit.
I do take some comfort in the fact that there are quite a few people far “crazier” than I.
How to Have a Chicken as a House Pet
But as people realize chickens are wonderful animals, with personalities and likes and dislikes, they realize there is no reason why a chicken can’t be a pet, like a cat or a dog, or the “normal” pet birds such as parrots and cockatiels. They are inexpensive, easy to care for, and even make you breakfast, but aren’t right for everyone.
How to train your pet chicken
Pet chickens are easily trained with positive encouragement and tasty treats. It is easiest to work with hens that were socialized as chicks, but with routine practice and a safe environment even older chickens can learn to trust and work with you.
My girls are interested in both a black and white silky bantam and I’ll probably end up going with something like a White Plymouth Rock, Barred Plymouth Rock, or Partridge Plymouth Rock. And no, I never grew up on a farm and unlike my bride I have never owned chickens before. So this will be a new and novel experience for all involved. My first excursion into the exploding world of backyard fowl keeping in an urban setting.
Below are the rules for deciphering what is legal in regards to keeping of chickens within my particular town limits. Amazing that they can actually dictate to you that you cannot sell eggs. And does “no chicken hens shall be permitted within any other portion of the lot or parcel” mean that the kids can’t bring one inside for a short visit? Trying to hobble my right to engage in free enterprise and chicken companionship doesn’t seem very American to me.
ARTICLE IX
Keeping of Chicken Hens
Sec. 7-9-10. Sale of chickens, sale of eggs.
Chickens younger than eight (8) weeks of age may not be sold in quantities of less than six (6) to a single purchaser. No person keeping chicken hens within the Town shall exchange eggs for valuable consideration. (Ord. 2010-1383 §1)
Sec. 7-9-20. Keeping of chickens; limitations and requirements.
The keeping of chicken roosters or more than six (6) chicken hens is prohibited upon any parcel of land within the Town. However, up to six (6) chicken hens may be kept per parcel of property, subject to the following requirements and subject to all other applicable provisions of this Article:
(a) All structures devoted to the keeping of chicken hens shall be located between the rear-most portion of the residence and the rear lot line of the parcel in question. No chicken hens shall be permitted within any other portion of the lot or parcel.
(b) If a parcel has more than one (1) dwelling unit, all adult residents and the owner(s) of the parcel must consent in writing to allowing the chicken hens on the property.
(c) Any person keeping chicken hens pursuant to this provision must first have been issued a permit by the Town, the application for which shall be made available by the Town Clerk, and shall expressly incorporate an acknowledgment of the provisions of Section 7-9-50 of this Code. The Town Clerk shall assess an application fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for each application received under this Article.
(d) All chicken hens must be provided with a covered, predator-resistant chicken house that is properly ventilated, designed to be easily accessed, cleaned and maintained, at least two (2) square feet per chicken in size, and no portion of which shall exceed six (6) feet from grade.
(e) During daylight hours, the chicken hens must have access to the chicken house, must have access to adequate fresh water, and must also have access to an enclosure screened on all sides and on top and adequate to protect them from predators.
(f) The chicken hens must be further protected from predators by being closed in the chicken house from dusk to dawn.
(g) Neither the chicken house nor any portion of the outdoor enclosure may be located less than fifteen (15) feet from any abutting property line unless the owner or keeper of the chicken hens obtains the written consent of the owner(s) of all abutting properties to which the enclosure is proposed to be more closely located; in which event, the agreed-upon location shall then be deemed acceptable to all such abutting property owners, notwithstanding any subsequent change in ownership of such abutting property or properties.
(h) The chicken hens must be sheltered or confined in such fashion as to prevent them from coming into contact with wild ducks or geese or their excrement.
(i) The chicken hens shall be killed by or at the direction of the owner or keeper if so ordered pursuant to the lawful order of state or county health officials, or for the purpose of euthanasia when surrendered to a licensed veterinarian for such purpose or as otherwise expressly permitted by law.
(j) If the parcel upon which the keeping of chicken hens is proposed falls within the jurisdiction of a homeowner’s association or similar covenant-based property owner’s association, the requirements of this Article shall be considered minimum requirements. Any such association shall have the right to lawfully adopt more stringent chicken-keeping standards, including the outright prohibition of chicken-keeping for any parcel within the regulatory authority of such association. (Ord. 2010-1383 §1)
Sec. 7-9-30. Owner or keeper slaughter of chicken hens.
An owner or keeper of chicken hens may slaughter the owner’s or keeper’s chicken hens for the purpose of food provision for the owner’s or keeper’s family. Any owner or keeper slaughter of chicken hens shall be accomplished in a humane and sanitary manner, and shall take place out of public view. No person shall slaughter or dispose of chicken hens in exchange for valuable consideration. (Ord. 2010-1383 §1)
Sec. 7-9-40. Declaration of nuisance and unlawful acts; duty to maintain chicken habitat.
(a) The unsanitary or unsafe keeping of chicken hens within the Town is hereby declared unlawful and a public nuisance. It shall be the duty of every owner or keeper of chicken hens to maintain the chicken hen habitat in a secure, neat, tidy, methodical, systematic, clean and orderly condition, permitting no accumulation of odor, dust, droppings, feed, organic material, pests or loitering of predators. Any owner or keeper who is found to have violated the provisions of this Section shall be deemed subject to the nuisance abatement measures provided in Article I of this Chapter.
(b) Any person found to be in violation of the provisions of this Article shall be subject to immediate and permanent revocation of any permit issues to such person under this Article.
(c) Any person found to be in violation of the provisions of this Article shall upon conviction be punished by a fine not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00), exclusive of court costs.
(d) The remedies contained in this Article are cumulative, nonexclusive, and shall not be deemed to limit the Town’s authority to seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction.(Ord. 2010-1383 §1)
Sec. 7-9-50. Town disposal of chicken hens found at large.
In addition to all other remedies available at law or equity, the Town shall have the authority to seize, impound and dispose of any chicken hens found at large within the Town’s corporate limits.
7-29 7-30
Revolution in North Africa could prove a disaster for the West
Con Coughlin at The Telegraph gives his readers pause as some in the West celebrate the fall of a Tunisian dictator. The alternative may be much, much worse if Tunisians (and Algerians, and Egyptians, and even Libyans) don’t organize real democracy, not Al Qaeda in a suit.
Homeschoolers Are Coming to Get You! (via The Western Tradition)
I have two nieces who may benefit from this, and for those of you with little ones, the article is definitely worth a look.
Apple Rocks The Quarter
I feel I must post this story as a follow-up. I think this solidifies my concern of future non-Jobs Apple innovation.
Apple Profit Rises 78% on Holiday Demand for Gadgets
Anne Francis in ‘The Satan Bug’
I’m a fan of tacky sci-fi thrillers especially those from the 1950s and 1960s, where trashy films where simply better done. Kimberly Lindbergs of Cinebeats, one of the hippest film blogs around, reminisces on The Satan Bug and mourns the passing of the utterly gorgeous (in a slightly creepy way) Anne Francis. RIP.
Cross-posted at Steinblóm.
Obama Favors De-Regulation
Wow! Who IS this guy? President Obama has made the first step in removing excessive and intrusive regulations that “stifle” American business and the inherent economic strength that commerce provides. For two years now, we have heard all about Obama’s arrogance as he pursued social policies and ignored, and, as a result, severely damaged fiscal principles. Has the so-called “shellacking” he took during the mid-term elections really humbled him? Is he really listening to reason?
He has a very short time to convince me, though I’ve seen some positive things recently, including his pick for Chief of Staff. Something tells me this guy is simply after my vote, but, hey, if he is actually going to represent my interests and get results on the books, I may need to do a double-take at the voting booth. It’s the “results” piece that I will need to see.
Are We Sure ‘Civility’ Will Help the Democrats?
Mickey Kaus of Newsweek chides his fellow Democrats for their faux-civility.
Baby Doc’s return haunts Haiti
Haiti is truly the sick man of the Americas. There is no sadder country, not even Cuba, in the whole of this area. One of the worst monsters to ever rule the country, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, has decided to return and make a case for leading the same country he ravaged decades before until his ouster in 1986. If they accept him, as Isabeau Doucet of the Guardian worries, they will have permanently sealed their doom.
How Not to Promote Freedom in Africa
Roger Kaplan writes the Paleoconservative opinion of the situation of revolution which occured in Tunisia. I don’t agree with it entirely, as Kaplan shows no proof that an American Ambassadorial hand was not instrumental in finally motivating the so-called Arab street to chase away tin-pot dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Ben Franklin’s Electrifying Contribution to America’s Founding
300 years ago today, one of the greatest American icons was born. The breadth of this man’s accomplishments stretches several very well-done biographies, and he’s worth a few more, plus a movie. In a time where idiots like Snooki and “The Situation” are considered celebrities, it’s nice to know that not everyone has forgotten what a true celebrity looks like.
Read more at Brian Michael’s article for AOL News.
Steve Jobs And The Not-So-Bright Future of Apple
I think I’ve been warning folks of the affect of Steve Jobs’ health on Apple stock for some time. Apple shares, recently trading near $348, have often been on my radar. Though Apple innovation has consistently rewarded shareholders, one must not deny that Jobs’ weight on the share price has always been considerable. Jobs’ recent reliance on current COO Tim Cook, in covering his duties. apparently carries some weight of its own, as well.
Jobs’ time on this Earth is limited, as is everyone’s, and, one must wonder about the future of Apple once Jobs’ time is up. Is Cook to take the helm? Is he qualified after three years of standing in for Jobs? Or, better yet, does he have Jobs’ ingenuity; the creativity to take the company forward? This is the question on the minds of Apple board members and stakeholders alike.
Personally, I see the share price dropping significantly should Jobs be lost. Any recovery is anyone’s guess and will take time, likely relying on fresh innovation. How much of the current share price is intangibly attributable to Jobs? This figure is not easily accessible in the company’s financial reports and we’re all left to our own calculations.
In my opinion, Apple IS Jobs and Jobs IS Apple. His current leave of absence from Apple has already affected share-prices. Apple’s Board “approved Jobs’ [most recent] leave of absence” and shift of power to Cook, simple because they had no choice. If the Board can have Jobs in ANY capacity, they will, in an effort to preserve shareholder equity.
Bottom line… Apple shares will fall. Do your homework on Cook and the future of the company. Can, and will, Apple continue to grow without Jobs?
Israeli Test on Worm Called Crucial in Iran Nuclear Delay
Thank God Israel and the United States had the good sense to collaborate on Stuxnet. It spared a lot of bloodshed. Technology has some very practical uses.
Read the full article at the New York Times website here.
An ex-Weather Underground radical on the Tucson shootings and political violence
Mark Rudd is a repentant terrorist. He’s still relatively liberal, and uses this forum at the Washington Post to take a crack at Sarah Palin, but he brings up some interesting points on what he felt being a witness (a cowardly one, in his words) to attempted murder, and what sort of sick thought which must have passed through the mind of Jared Loughner.
To Save the States, Let ‘Em Declare Bankruptcy
Perhaps such brutal medicine will teach politicians in states like California, Illinois and New York that irresponsible spending needs to end immediately. Since nothing else has worked, it’s time for the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to play hardball with sloppy spenders.
India and Pakistan on the brink
David Ignatius of the Washington Post reminds us of the Groundhog Day that is modern India and Pakistan. India has all the tools to be a successful country in the future, save one: their neighborhood. Pakistan can’t even find its own identity, much less develop a useful, worthwhile country like India has. Instead of picking fights over Kashmir (which should just vote for independence and fend for themselves), Pakistan should work on reforming the gruesome aspects of their culture, though, like as in Afghanistan, expect the tribal folk to keep molesting dancing boys before any real change comes to that part of the world.
Goldman Sachs Halts Facebook Share Sale to U.S. Investors
If this is not indicative of what is wrong with U.S. government involvement in business, I don’t know what is. American investors are to be excluded from investment opportunities in an American company? It’s a good thing we, as U.S. investors, have already created our own necessary foreign enitities and are still able to play.
The Beast Is Not Dead, The Beast Made The Mistake Of Buying A Gateway
And the hard drive fried itself a month later. So now the Beast is deeply engaged with the Gateway reps in Calcutta, Mumbai, Chennai, and points south (short of Bangladesh, which is a massive drainage basin infested with mangroves and tigers driven mad by kidney salt deposits), so give it time.
In a few weeks the Beast may be back.
The Ramblings of a Mad Man
This is the video that got Jared Loughner thrown out of school. Notice how he throws out the Leftist dribble about ‘the two wars’ being illegal? Funny how the Right has not seized upon that to blame the Left for the Arizona shootings. Noticeably absent is the praise for Palin and how he is acting on orders from Glenn Beck. The Left’s attempt to turn this into political fodder to destroy their “enemies,” Palin and the Tea Party, was not entirely successful and has only embittered the political debate and deepened the divide between liberals and conservatives.
Invention: Your idea needed
My oldest daughter (the apple of my eye) has a school project we could use your assistance on. She is in eighth grade and just a couple weeks away from turning fourteen. She has to come up with an ‘invention’ and produce an entire presentation project on something that doesn’t even exist except in her mind. Except this mythical thing doesn’t exist there because she can’t think of anything so she turned to me. Unfortunately, she has not been able to come up with anything completely new and neither has her normally somewhat intelligent father. Everything I can think of a quick google search reassures me has already been thought of. It can be a gadget, tool, or new application or idea. Any ideas or thoughts on the subject would be appreciated. The best I have come up with so far is photocromatic windows for cars (similar to some glasses) that automatically darken to reduce glare while one is driving but she also has to come up with a model on how much something would cost and my concept is hard to price. Sigh, I thought I was done with such projects once I had successfully completed school…
New look.
As a true conservative I tend to be wary of change. But we have occasionally received a complaint or two that our old look was a little bit ‘blah’ and needed a little improvement. We’ve played a bit with this new template in the past and a majority of the bloggers seemed to like it so we’ll give it a shot and see how it works out. I hope you like it.
[Video] Leadbelly–Ham an’ Eggs
Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Leadbelly, was a giant among those who enjoyed folk music, early blues and work songs. To this day, his body of work still influences musicians in the field of rock music, folk, blues, country and a host of other genres (even grunge, thanks to Nirvana covering ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night?’). This particular piece is one that would have sounded familiar to anyone who had ever worked on a chain gang:
Cross-posted at A Miscellany of Tasteful Music.
Saturday Night Mashups
Now for something completely different….
Stayin’ Alive in the Wall (Pink Floyd vs the Bee Gees)
Knock Out Eileen (LL Cool J vs Dexy’s Midnight Runners)– though it was mostly a true mash-up during the first half.
And here’s creepy/funny mashup with Andy Griffith polishing his shotgun barrel to Beyoncé.
Law Firm Suing Those Who Comment On Blogs
From the website of Flopping Aces comes an article that may be worth reading. ConClubbers, be careful where you get your links from. Boycott any of the sites listed here.
Born Again Christians – Charismatics – Gifts Of The Holy Spirit: An Orthodox Perspective
Many thanks to my online comrade Al Green for taking the time to post this article. For my Evangelical Christian friends, I shall make a preface to you before reading up. My feeling on the subject is this: your experience with God is valid, true and strong. The difference I have with you is that Orthodox Christians see our church as the fullness of God’s will, truly the Bride of Christ. This is not to say that all other experiences are evil-induced. No one has the right to assume in what manner God will work through mankind. It may behoove you, however, to look inside of our faith, ask questions with catechumens, laymen and priests at your local Orthodox Church and get to see how ancient Christianity lives.
Cross-posted at Apocatastasis.
The Cult Web Film that Inspired Loughner
Though written from a rather horrid liberal perspective, Michelle Goldberg’s article on Zeitgeist, the piece-of-trash film that inspired Jared Loughner to murder six and nearly kill a Congresswoman should be read. It is good to shine a light on the kooks who believe in the rubbish hucksters and pseudo-Conservatives like Alex Jones peddle.
Pope John Paul to Be Beatified in May
This is wonderful news! Fox News reports that John Paul II, a friend to many Christians, has been beatified and is another step closer to sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church.
Cross-posted at Apocatastasis.
President Obama and Sarah Palin – Politics As Usual
I don’t know about you, but I have actually tried to begin this new year as a “real” American. Call it a “New Year’s Resolution” if you like. Consider my current definition of a “real” American to be someone who is not constantly tied to electronic media; and, granted, that may be a complete misnomer. Despite my attempts, however, I have not been able to escape the news of the recent events in Tucson. I was actually doing really well, though. I did not hear of the tragedy via Blackberry, Facebook, text message or email. My wife and I actually walked through the door of a restaurant and watched the story unfold on a television propped up in the corner. To my embarrassment, it was some twenty minutes, or so, before we could make heads or tails of the broadcast, and we had let many other parties be seated before us.
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TOGETHER WE THRIVE is just another Obama campaign propaganda slogan
The Tucson memorial/Obama campaign rally on Wednesday was accompanied by “Together We Thrive” t-shirts being distributed to every participant. The possible tackiness of this move has been further strengthened by the revelation this was just another collectivist, progressive slogan trotted out during the Obama campaign of 2008. And it is now being used as a rallying slogan for the Left again.
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Mark Levin takes on the haters
People are talking a lot right now that the vitriol needs to be leveled down a lot. Problem is there are too many people that thrive on it. To me journalism hit the current low when Keith Olbermann went on MSNBC. I think he’s the worst editorialist in the world. The reason, well, just look:
His stuff is only partisan, is only personal, and is only inflammatory. When faced with a situation where he has no facts to support his argument, he resorts to mocking and trivializing the object of his scorn. At the very best he sounds immature. At the worst, not someone you want your kids around. He’s thrived on MSNBC even though I think most of his content borders on slander. Let’s look at slander a little closer, shall we?
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Gibbs spars with Russian journalist who ties Tucson shootings to U.S. freedoms
I almost feel like heaving for saying this, but I’m actually going to have to give guarded kudos to Robert Gibbs for sparring with a Russian prick posing as a journalist. The exchange is summed up rather nicely here:
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Margaret Thatcher on Socialism
An oldie but a goodie. And perhaps my favorite clip of her. You can sense the iron will, strength, and determination that earned her the moniker ‘The Iron Lady.”
Monks make, donate casket for youngest victim in Arizona shooting
This is but one of the touching acts of kindness shown by ordinary people towards to victims of the Tuscon tragedy. These Trappist Monks who gave this hand-made casket should be commended for their generosity.
What is Our Greatest Threat?
I came across a show on TV the other day titled “The Doomsday Prophets”. It was a panel of experts discussing how they believe the fall of America (and possibly the world) would take place. It was quite interesting. The four scenarios that they figured would be among the most likely are these:
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ObamaCare Flatlines: ObamaCare Taxes Home Sales – Clobbers Middle-Class Americans
Click the title and head over to gop.gov for some interesting reading about the 3.8% real estate sales tax that was created as part of Obamacare.
“I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes,”
President Obama, September 12, 2008
Keep the change!
Behold! The Man Pouch
Several years ago at a rather large and well attended party at a friend’s house I was hosting court in the backyard and expounding on the natural advantages certain species have over others or some other nonsense when I decided to go off for five minutes or so on the need of the males of our species to have pouches. (I can be far more humorous in person than I sometimes appear in print. You had to be there.)
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Sarah Palin’s Statement on Arizona Shootings – Full Text
Please click here to view the video of this statement.
America’s Enduring Strength
Like millions of Americans I learned of the tragic events in Arizona on Saturday, and my heart broke for the innocent victims. No words can fill the hole left by the death of an innocent, but we do mourn for the victims’ families as we express our sympathy.
I agree with the sentiments shared yesterday at the beautiful Catholic mass held in honor of the victims. The mass will hopefully help begin a healing process for the families touched by this tragedy and for our country.
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Dave’s Quote of the Day
“The kind of rhetoric that flows from people like Rush Limbaugh, in my judgment he is irresponsible, uses partial information, sometimes wrong information. [Limbaugh] attacks people, angers them against government, angers them against elected officials and that kind of behavior in my opinion is not without consequences.
The vitriol affects the [unstable] personality that we are talking about. You can say, ‘Oh no, it doesn’t,’ but my opinion is that it does.”
-Political hack, liberal mudslinger, and disgrace to his badge Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik trying to score political points after the Arizona shooting tragedy by pontificating about something he knows nothing about in a manner that would make Jesse Jackson proud (as quoted by Sarah Netter on the ABC news blog)
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