Posted by: Delftsman3 at 11:54 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I like this comparison. I could have done worse.

King Edward I You scored 70 Wisdom, 77 Tactics, 56 Guts, and 48 Ruthlessness!

Or rather, King Edward the Longshanks if you've seen Braveheart. You, like Edward, are incredibly smart and shrewd, but you win at any costs.... William Wallace died at his hands after a fierce Scottish rebellion against his reign. Despite his reputation though, Longshanks had the best interests of his people at heart. But God help you if you got on his bad side.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 06:21 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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John Stossel has a good article on one of my favorite topics -- Gun Control.

As Mr. Stossel points out, it is a myth that gun control legislation has done anything but prevent law abiding citizens from providing for their own protection.

In EVERY case where restrictions on citizens arming themselves have been loosened, the crime rate and the murder rate has gone DOWN, wherever the restrictions have been tightened, they have gone UP....just HOW can the advocates of gun control keep on trying the same thing over and over again and expect the results to be different?

Personally the only control I favor is ensuring that one can consistently hit what one aims at. When I was a teenager, it wasn't unusual to see a student coming into the high school with a rifle so that they could take advantage of the range they had in the basement for the ROTC classes. Any student could use the range at times that it wasn't being used for training classes, under the supervision of the range master (with prior approval and upon having completed a firearms safety course). We never had an incident of a student "going postal" and trying to wreak mayhem on the campus.

I firmly believe that firearms safety should be a required course for completion of a high school diploma. Famaliarity with firearms takes the mystery out of them and inculcates a healthy respect for what they can do. Firearms should be respected, not feared.

My ten year old daughter has already begun her introduction to the joys , and even more importantly, the responsibilities of shooting, and if early results are any indication, she will be quite the marksman by the time she enters high school. It is her responsibility as a productive, law-abiding citizen of our republic to be capable of responsibly bearing arms, in her own, and for the protection of that republic; and I intend to ensure that she is ready and capable of accepting that responsibility by the time she becomes an adult ready to go out on her own.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 02:52 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Well, it had to happen sooner or later....seems it may soon be possible to have your t*ts and hear them too.

I've been reading tales of Cyborgs in science fiction for the last 46 years, and it seems that reality is starting to catch up to the fiction. I was hoping that an internal skelatal assist to help the paralyzed walk would be the first application, but it seems that entertainment is the driving force of technology in this age.

Now if you excuse me, I got to see if I can scroll down to Nights in White Satin Come on over here Mamamontezz!

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 04:09 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Gee, I wonder if the mortgage company would accept this as collateral to refinance the homestead...

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 03:26 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Seems like the prosecutor's case against Tom DeLay is falling apart before a jury is even empaneled.

Of course, the Left will point to this as a "technicality" and a "miscarriage of justice". Of course when similar things happpened to their beloved Clinton, it was hailed as a "triumph of the law".

I , for one, hope it DOESN'T derail a full trial and presentation of all the evidence. The country needs this sordid mess sorted out, in as thorough a manner as possible. We need it to put all polititions on notice that they no longer have free reign to use funds in just any way they wish.

I don't know if DeLay is guilty or not, I suspect that he is "legally" within the bounds as they were at the time, and "morally" guilty of monitary sleight of hand....I believe that probably 90% or more of all other pols, of both parties, are just as guilty of the same.

I'm hoping that this trial will make them more circumspect in engaging in such behaviour....Yes, I know thats a naive, and most likely, in vain, hope, but then, as they say, hope springs eternal.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 11:07 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Due to some misunderstandings with my service provider, I've lost my old mail account, and my entire address book. So I've decided to go with a seperate entity to provide my mail service to me. the new addy is :

delftsman3@gmail.com

I'll try to rebuild my address book as you all write to me.

Thatisall

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 11:07 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I.m not really in the mood to post, but I gotta do SOMETHING, so I thought I'd supply a little eye candy, maybe it will raise your spirits too.

Danica -The way we DON'T see here in Indy. Talk about being able to give a guy a push start!

And last, but not least, the most beautiful woman in the world (next to my wife)
The INCOMPERABLE Sophia Loren

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 05:58 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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THINK ABOUT THIS:

The next time you hear someone in the government use
the word "billion" casually, think about it.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend.

One advertising agency did a good job of putting that
figure into perspective in one of its releases:

A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

A billion days ago no-one walked on two feet on earth.

And a billion dollars lasts 8 hours and
20 minutes at the rate our government spends it.

H/T to GuyK

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 12:29 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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A friend of the Empire and her brother have started a Cafe-Press shop of conservative logo'd clothing.

Go take a look at their wares, I'm sure that if you are of the Right bent, you'll see a lot you'll like. I added a button into my gutter for a direct link to their site any time I should want to add to my wardrobe:

I hope you will use it too, the next time you want to get that something special for the "Right-thinking" person in your life.

And NO, "I'm not making any money here folks, I just love to help friends make money" (obscure reference there for my Indiana readers )

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 09:59 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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I don't feel like doing the political thing today, it's just too frustrating.

I decided just to put up a couple jokes and leave it at that.

So other than this self-explanitory cartoon, no political thoughts today.

Well, just maybe ONE more political observation:

A story came across my desk about the old country preacher who had a teen-age son, and it was getting time the boy should give some thought along the line of choosing a profession. Like many young men, then and now, the boy didn't really know what he wanted to do-and he didn't seem overly concerned about it.

One day, while the boy was away at school, his father decided to try an experiment. He went into the boy's room and placed on his study table these three objects: a Bible, a silver dollar, and a bottle of Tennessee sipping' whiskey... "Now then," the old preacher said to himself, "I'll just hide behind the door here, and when my son comes home from school this afternoon, I'll see which of these three objects he picks up. If he picks up the Bible, he's going to be a preacher like me, and what a blessing that would be! If he picks up the dollar, he's going to be a businessman, and that would be O.K. too. But if he picks up the bottle, he's going to be a drunkard - a no-good drunkard and Lord, what a shame that would be."

The old man was anxious as he waited, and soon he heard his son's footsteps as he came in the house whistling and headed back to his room. He deposited his books on the bed, as a matter of routine, and as he turned around to leave the room he spotted the objects on the table. With a curious set in his eye, he walked over to inspect them. He picked up the Bible and placed it under his arm. He picked up the silver dollar and dropped it into his pocket. He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink...

"Lord have mercy," the old man whispered, "He's gonna be a politician!"
H/T to GuyK

Have fun, leave all cares aside, and live for the moment for just one day.

Just don't:

If you feel the need for a political fix, done with biting sarcasm in keeping with the humor mode of the day, go to The Right Place.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 06:04 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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From CENTCOM: A recent posting to the UK-based Islamic Renewal Organization website assigned the “al-Qa'ida Organization in America led by Abu-Azzam al-Amriki” the task of blowing up a US nuclear reactor in the near future. This fantasy threat will go unfulfilled as the terrorists realize that any type of mass destruction attack would harm everyone. It would not only mean the end of al-Qa’ida and similar gangster-type organizations which routinely kill innocent women and children, but will ultimately hurt the communities of the terrorists and their supporters. The right side of the law is not that which disrupts civilization and creates mayhem in the land or interferes with commerce, education, and the rights of men to raise their children safely. The terrorists have sent the message that their own families and neighbors are worth nothing and they are running out of places to hide. World history has proven that such brigands soon exceed their abilities and are justly punished.

Here is the posting in the original:

إعلان جديد لتنظيم التجديد الإسلامي على موقعهم الإلكتروني في المملكة المتحدة, بتعيين "منظمة ألقاعدة في أمريكا التي يقودها أ عزام الأمريكي" مهمة تفجير مفاعل نووي في الولايات المتحدة في المستقبل القريب. هذا التهديد الخيالي لن يتم تحقيقه عندما يتيقن الإرهابيون بأن أي نوع هجوم "تدمير شامل" سوف ينتج عنه أذىً للجميع. سوف لن يعني فقط النهاية لتنظيم ألقاعدة ومنظمات العصابات المشابهة ألتي بشكل روتيني تقتل الأبرياء من نساء وأطفال, بل في النهاية ستؤذي مجتمعات الإرهابيين ومؤيديهم. ليس الجانب الصحيح للقانون ذلك الذي يعطل الحضارة ويخلق ضرراً بتعمد في الأرض, أو بتعطيل التجارة والثقافة وحقوق الرجال في تربية أولادهم في بيئة آمنة, فالإرهابيون قد بعثوا رسالة بأن عائلاتهم وجيرانهم لا يستحقون شيئاً. لم يعد للإرهابيون مكاناً يختبؤون فيه. لقد برهن تاريخ العالم بأن قطاع الطرق كهؤلاء سوف يتجاوزون قدراتهم عن قريب وسيعاقبون بعدل.

Here's the translation of the posting:

"Designation of tasks and geographic division for the al-Qa'ida Organizations . . . Orders to destroy a nuclear reactor

I transmit to you what went on between me and brother Abu-Jandal, who is close to the al-Qa'ida leadership. The middleman said that the leadership agreed to the following geographic division:

-- al-Qa'ida Organization in the Middle East, Qa'idat al-Jihad led by Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi --- al-Qa'ida Organization in Europe, Abu-Hafs al-Masri Brigades Organization led by Abu Hamam- al-Qa'ida Organization in America,
led by Abu-Azzam al-Amriki [the American]

"The tasks are designated as agreed upon, add to that, the fact that al-Qa'ida is adamant on attacking a nuclear reactor in America during the coming days. The task will be designated by the leader Abu-Azzam al-Amriki. Note that the FBI has published several photos of a wanted man under a variety of names. They said that he wanted to blow up a nuclear reactor. The last name published with that picture was Ja'far al-Tayyar. This was two years ago. After that, it was unknown whether that photo was delusive, or whether he was arrested, or killed, since we no longer heard from him or saw pictures of him. According to the information made available, the mission was assigned to the leader Abu-Azzam al-Amriki, may God grant him success. This is the information that we received. We present it to you just as we received it. We bear, with God's help, all [the consequences] that result from this."

“Terrorism: Participant Says al-Qa'ida in US Set to Attack Nuclear Reactor, Outlines Geographic Divisions

On 3 October, "Ayaf" posted a message to the Islamic Renewal Organization's forum in which he stated that "orders to destroy a nuclear reactor in the US " have been assigned to the al-Qa'ida division in the US , which is led by Abu Azzam al-Amriki. The message also included the geographic area of responsibility for the al-Qa'ida leadership. "Ayaf" stated that he came about this information via a conversation with "brother Abu-Jandal," who he said is "close to al-Qa'ida leadership." "Ayaf" signs all his postings to the forum as "Al-Zarqawi's aide," and includes his email addresses: "cade7722@yahoo.co m and boda_8899@hotmail.com." The poster also included a photo of an individual in his signature. The individual sits before a background of Mecca . It is unclear whether this photo is of the author himself or someone else. Jihadist forum participants frequently include photos of "mujahidin martyrs" in their postings. http://www.tajdeed.co.uk/forums

The Islamic Renewal Organization is the website of the Saudi dissident group, formerly known as CDLR, based in the United Kingdom and headed by Muhammad al-Mas'ari.”

Posted by Ayman Al-Zawahiri on September 19, 2005:

Statement issued by Al-QaÂ’ida Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers

Original language: Arabic

CENTCOM: In a taped statement which aired on Al-Jazeera on September 19, al-QaÂ’ida deputy Ayman Al-Zawahiri claimed responsibility for the London train and bus bombings which killed 52 people and injured over 700. Al-Zawahiri justified the murder of innocent civilians as revenge for a variety recent successes against al-QaÂ’idaÂ’s terrorist network, including England Â’s deportation of extremist Jordanian cleric Sheik Abu Qatada. ZawahiriÂ’s statement shows the nature of the al-QaÂ’ida network and the methods it is willing to employ to go to achieve its ends. Thanks to the Coalition, political processes are underway in the Middle East which give people a greater role in determining their future. During recent weeks, weÂ’ve seen significant strides in Iraq and Afghanistan in terms of maturing political institutions. Democratic governments and reforms trouble the likes of Zawahiri. The way to change societies is through a political process, not through wanton violence.

Al-ZawahiriÂ’s comments included the following:

“The blessed London attack is one of the attacks that al-Qa’ida is honored to conduct against the cross-loving nation who has been attacking Muslims for more than 100 years, and against the biggest crime of England for creating the state of Israel, and against all the crimes of England against Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“The blessed men who attempted the attacks -- May God bless their souls and prevent them from any harm and keep them in His heaven -- have become the ones who uncovered the scandals and crimes committed by the British government. They gave all of us Muslims great honor and valuable lessons, especially to the Muslims in Pakistan and those who live in the west.

“This is just like when the England-based Sheikh who has been talking against England and their hated acts of violence against Muslims. He was uncovering the lifestyles of the west and their homosexuality. England only speaks of freedom and democracy if it does not interfere with its goal of hurting and killing Muslims. England wanted to hurt him and all Muslims badly for telling the truth about their crimes against Islam. He and nine others were deported from England after England signed an agreement to return Arab Nationals to their native countries, knowing that they may be subjected to beating and may be killed in their own countries.”

CENTCOM: We are fighting an enemy in Iraq and a network of terrorist organizations in the Global War On Terror that uses violence against civilians as well as information operations as methods to advance their goals. The recent attacks in Baghdad and associated web-postings are simply another effort to stave off political progress in Iraq . The Zarqawi networksÂ’ worst enemy is a population that understands their vision and rejects their presence. CENTCOM will continue to stand with the Iraqi Security Forces as they rid their country of these terrorists.

On 14 September, "Murasil Akhbar 4" of the new Global News Network forum, posted a statement issued by Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi's al-Qa'ida Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers [Tanzim al-Qa'ida fi Bilad al-Rafidayn] in which the group announces a new wave of attacks in retaliation against the Iraqi-US military campaign in the city of Tall Affar . "Murasil Akhbar 4" attributed the original claim to "Abu-Maysarah al-Iraqi of the Media Section of the al-Qa'ida Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers."

Posted by Murasil Akhbar 4 on September 14, 2005:

Statement issued by Al-QaÂ’ida Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers [ Iraq ]

Original language: Arabic

A translation of the statement follows:

"In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful.

O God, aim our strikes and make our feet firm

Fight them, and God will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you to victory over them, and heal the hearts of Believers. [Koranic verse]

Praised be God, the supporter of virtuous people and conqueror of the apostates and infidel Americans. God's peace and blessing upon the cheerful, dauntless fighter and his family and companions, the true fearless men in battle.

O nation of Islam: We write to you, O the best nation on earth, and bring you good tidings.

Since yesterday, the battles for revenge started all over the land of the two rivers. The raid for avenging the Sunni people in Tall far has started.

Celebrate and sing the praise of God, O nation of Islam. The battalions of monotheism have set out, pledging to die in support of the faith and its people. They were spearheaded by the best of the battalions, the Al-Bara Bin-Malik Battalion.

Approach us, O paradise. O brigade of martyrdom-seeker: Celebrate and sing the praise of God, for tomorrow you will meet the beloved ones, Muhammad and his companions. You have never accepted injustice, O lions of monotheism. This is your day. Go after the heads of the infidels, the Jews, the Crusaders, and the descendants of Ibn al-Alqami [derogatory term for Shia named after Ibn-al-Alqami, a Shia minister who was accused of betraying the last Abbasid caliph Al-Musta'ism during Hulugu's attack on Baghdad in 1258]. Do not show any mercy toward them.

May God accept from you, o protectors of the religion. May God support you with his victory and enable you to perform enduring good deeds. You have followed the footsteps of the prophet and his guidance. You have not shirked your responsibility. All the graces that you have are from God and his mercy. Praise be to God, first and last and in public and secret.

We will bring you more details once we receive reports about operations in Baghdad and other cities. We want your prayers, o nation of Islam. Your brothers are fighting with the help, power, and support of God. O God, grant us the victory you had promised; o God grant us the victory you had promised; o God grant us the victory you had promised. O God, you are our supporter; o God, we raid and fight with your help.

O God, mover of the clouds, revealer of the book, and conqueror of the Al-Ahzab [coalition of tribes the fought Prophet Muhammad in early Islam], defeat them and grant us victory over them. O God, grant us your help and support; O God, send your soldiers and grant us the victory you had promised.

God is great, God is great; pride is to God, the prophet, and the mujahidin.

[Signed] Abu-Maysrah al-Iraqi, the Media Section of the Al-Qa'ida Organization in the Land of Two Rivers,

[Dated] 10 Sha'ban 1426 Hegira; 14 September 2005."

You of the Moonbat persuasion,Still think that we can negotiate with/appease these people?

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 08:53 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Here's a simple code to live by that I found at Charming, Just Charming.

1. Take care of the women and children.

2. Your word is your bond.

3. Don't start no shit and there won't be no shit.

Sounds like a good one to live by to me. It covers just about everything important in life.

*sigh* Another blog to add to the list....Go say hi to GuyK and welcome him to the Honking Macho types.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 03:29 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Just found a site for free blog polls, and thought I'd give it a whirl.

Is there anybody there?

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 04:40 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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I got this E-mail from a friend today, it DOES have an admittedly partisan slant, but I think that the points "Techniguy" makes are, at the very least, worth of examination and discussion.

The Truth May Hurt Some People But It's Still The Truth.
Perhaps a little biased, but there are a lot of truths in here. Brings
to mind the truth of the old adage about teaching a man to fish.

2 States, 22 Observations
~Techniguy - 09-24-2005

Things I have noticed while watching media coverage of the recent
hurricanes:

1. Texas: Productive industrious state run by Republicans.
Louisiana: Government dependent welfare state run by Democrats.
>>
2. Texas: Residents take responsibility to protect and evacuate themselves.
Louisiana: Residents wait for government to protect and evacuate them.
(welfare state apologists will blame this lack of self reliance on the residents being poor, but how much money does it take to walk? D)
>>
3. Texas: Local and state officials take responsibility for protecting
their citizens and property.
Louisiana: Local and state officials blame federal government for
not protecting their citizens and property.
>>
4. Texas: Command and control remains in place to preserve order.
Louisiana: Command and control collapses allowing lawlessness.
>>
5. Texas: Law enforcement officers remain on duty to protect city.
Louisiana: Law enforcement officers desert their posts to protect
themselves.
>>
6. Texas: Local police watch for looting.
Louisiana: Local police participate in looting. (As an ex-Leo, I sincerely hope these officers are identified and spend the maximum jail time for their participation in criminal actions. D)
>>
7. Texas: Law and order remains in control, 8 looters tried it, 8 looters
arrested. (DON'T mess with Texas! D)
Louisiana: Anarchy and lawlessness breaks out, looters take over
city,no arrests, criminals with guns have to be shot by federal troops.
>>
8. Texas: Considerable damage caused by hurricane.
Louisiana: Considerable damage caused by looters. (this point I somewhat differ with Techniguy on..but the fact is that, aside from the flooding, the hurricane damage in Texas WAS worse than in LA. D)
>>
9. Texas: Flood barriers hold preventing cities from flooding.
Louisiana: Flood barriers fail due to lack of maintenance allowing
city to flood. (Democrats blame the Feds for this too, despite the fact that LA has received somewhere in the neighborhood of $3B in federal funds to repair, maintain, and upgrade the dikes, double that what the next highest state recipiant of Federal ACE funds received; LA officials decided it was more important to spend a good deal of that money on pork projects that kept their names in the public eye, come re-election time. D)
>>
10. Texas: Orderly evacuation away from threatened areas, few remain.
Louisiana: 25,000 fail to evacuate, are relocated to another flooded
area.
>>
11. Texas: Citizens evacuate with personal 3 day supply of food and water.
Louisiana: Citizens fail to evacuate with 3 day supply of food and water,
do without it for the next 4 days.
>>
12. Texas: FEMA brings in tons of food and water for evacuees. State
officials provide accessible distribution points.
Louisiana: FEMA brings in tons of food and water for evacuees.
State officials prevent citizens from reaching distribution points and vice
versa. (*not to mention that several officials were discovered hoarding some of those supplies in their own homes! D)
>>
13. Louisiana: Media focuses on poor blacks in need of assistance, blames
Bush.
Texas: Media can't find poor blacks in need of assistance, looking for
something else to blame on Bush. (not that there AREN'T poor blacks in Texas...they just know that they have to rely on themselves, not the government. D)
>>
14. Texas: Coastal cities suffer some major infrastructure damage, Mayors tell
residents to stay away until ready for repopulation, no interference from
federal officials.
Louisiana: New Orleans is destroyed, Mayor asks residents to return
home as another hurricane approaches, has to be overruled by federal
officials.
>>
15. Louisiana: Over 400 killed by storm, flooding and crime.
Texas: 24 killed in bus accident on highway during evacuation, no
storm related deaths.
>>
16. Texas: Jailed prisoners are relocated to other detention facilities
outside the storm area.
Louisiana: Jailed prisoners are set free to prey on city shops,
residents, and homes.
>>
17. Texas: Local and state officials work with FEMA and Red Cross in
recovery operations.
Louisiana: Local and state officials obstruct FEMA and Red Cross from
aiding in recovery operations. (although, to be fair; I have heard reports of FEMA interfering with private relief efforts in NO too. D)
>>
18. Texas: Local and state officials demonstrate leadership in managing
disaster areas.
Louisiana: Local and state officials fail to demonstrate leadership,
require federal government to manage disaster areas.
>>
19. Texas: Fuel deliveries can't keep up with demand, some run out of gas
on highway, need help from fuel tankers before storm arrives.
Louisiana: Motorists wait till storm hits and electrical power fails.
Cars run out of gas at gas stations that can't pump gas. Gas in
underground tanks mixes with flood waters.
>>
20. Texas: Mayors move citizens out of danger.
Louisiana: Mayor moves himself and family to Dallas.
>>
21. Texas: Mayors continue public service announcements and updates on
television with Governor's backing and support.
Louisiana: Mayor cusses, governor cries, senator threatens
president with violence on television, none of them have a clue what went wrong or who's responsible.
>>
22. Louisiana: Democratic Senator says FEMA was slow in responding to 911
calls from Louisiana citizens. (WTF?!? since WHEN did it become FEMA's responsibility to respond to 911 calls?!? That is and always HAS been a local responsibility. D)
Texas: Republican Senator says "when you call 911, the phone doesn't
ring in Washington, it rings here at the local responders."

******************************************************

What if state and local elected officials were forced to depend on
themselves and their own resources instead of calling for help from the federal
government?

Texas cities would be back up and running in a few days.
Louisiana cities would still be under water next month.

Republicans call for action,
Democrats call for help.

What party will you be voting for in the next election?

I think "techniguy" hit the nail right on the head.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 03:58 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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1 Techguy makes a good point. Thanks Delfts.

Posted by: Alli at October 04, 2005 06:22 PM (9BW95)

2 The Wal-Mart store in uptown New Orleans, built within the last year, withstood the storm's damage but was destroyed by survivors. "They took everything -- all the electronics, the food, the bikes," said John Stonaker, a Wal-Mart security officer. "The only thing left are the country-and-western CDs." Seems to me that the white republican rednecks can't be the ones responsible for looting the Walmart in New Orleans. Thank to techniguy for the contents of the post. My dad will surely get a kick out of it. -

Posted by: Sean - Silicon Valley, CA at October 08, 2005 02:57 AM (o1VOD)

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President Bush has chosen Harriet Miers to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. Miers, who has never been a judge, was the first woman to serve as president of the Texas State Bar and the Dallas Bar Association. Miers, a long time associate of President Bush, was named a White House Council in November of 2004.

I'm really of two minds on this nomination, in one sense, it's a brilliant political move in that Ms. Miers doesn't have a judicial record for the democrats to use in their Borking attempt that was sure to be applied to any candidate that the president was going to name. On the other side of the coin, Ms. Miers has no judicial record for us to know just what her judicial philosophy is....

It's all a matter of whether you trust the President's judgement in selecting a candidate that will follow the Constitution or not. Four years I ago, I would have had no doubts about that, but with his actions in other areas of importance to the nation in that period, I find myself really nervous whether or not Ms Miers is a good choice or not.

The truth is, however, NO one can be really sure how any candidate will perform once they plant their backsides in that tall seat on the bench. David Souter would be a good example of this fact. We can only trust that, as the President knows this woman from close association with her over a long period of time, that she is, and will be true, to constitutional judicial principals.

I would rather have had a candidate that didn't require that level of trust in the President, it's asking a lot of that trust to confirm a blank slate to one of the most powerful positions in government.

At the very least though, the upcoming confirmation hearings should prove to be lively. As the President joked of Ms. Miers, "When it comes to a cross-examination, she can filet better than Mrs. Paul." It will be fascinating to see how she responds to Shumer and Kennedy when they put her in the hot seat.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 04:09 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Chrysler's Wolfgang Bernhard motors along the stage aboard the Dodge Tomahawk V-10, 8.3-liter (505 cubic inch) concept motorcycle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 6th. The Tomahawk features four-wheel independent suspension, and the superbike's engine can propel it at speeds of nearly 400 mph.

ENGINE
500 bhp (372 kW) @ 5600 rpm (60.4 bhp/liter) Torque: 712 Nm @ 4200 rpm
8277 cc, V 10-cylinder (90-degree), liquid-cooled
356-T6 aluminum alloy block with cast-iron liners, aluminum alloy cylinder heads
Bore x Stroke: 102.4 x 100.6 mm
Two pushrod-actuated overhead valves per cylinder with roller-type hydraulic lifters
Sequential, multi-port electronic fuel injection with individual runners
Compression Ratio: 9.6:1
Max Engine Speed: 6000 rpm
Fuel Requirement: Unleaded premium, 93 octane
Oil System: Dry Sump; takes 8 quarts Mobil1 10W30 Synthetic
Cooling System: Twin aluminum radiators mounted atop engine intake manifolds, force-fed from front-mounted, belt-driven turbine fan. Takes 11 quarts of antifreeze.
Exhaust System: Equal-length tubular stainless steel headers with dual collectors and central rear outlets

SUSPENSION:
Front:

Outboard, single-sided parallel upper and lower control arms made from polished billet aluminum. Mounted via ball joint to aluminum steering uprights and hubs. Five degrees caster. Single, fully adjustable centrally located coil-over damper (2.25-inch coil with adjustable spring perch); pullrod and rocker-actuated mono linkage. Center-lock racing-style hubs

Rear:

Hand-fabricated box-section steel inboard swing arms, incorporating "hydral-link" lockable recirculating hydraulic circuit parking stand. Single fully adjustable centrally located Koni coil-over damper (2.25-inch coil with adjustable spring perch); pushrod and rocker-actuated mono linkage. Center-lock racing-style hubs

BRAKES:
Front:

20-inch perimeter-mounted drilled machined stainless steel rotors, one per wheel. Two four-piston fixed aluminum calipers per wheel (16 pistons total), custom designed. Blue anodized caliper finish. Hand-activated.

Rear:

20-inch perimeter-mounted drilled cast-iron rotors, one per wheel. One four-piston fixed aluminum caliper per wheel (8 pistons total), custom designed. Blue anodized caliper finish. Foot-activated.

PERFORMANCE:
0-100 kph: 2.5 seconds (est.)
Top Speed: 300+ mph (est.) (over 485 kph)

DIMENSIONS:
Length: 102 inches (2590 mm)
Width: 27.7 inches (704 mm)
Height: 36.9 inches (938 mm)
Wheelbase: 76 inches (1930 mm)
Seat Height: 29 inches (737 mm)
Weight: 1,500 lbs. (682 kg)
Track, Front: 8.75 in
Track, Rear: 10 in
Weight Dist: 49F/51R
Ground Clearance: 3 in (75 mm)
Fuel: 3.25 gallons (15 liters)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:
Alternator: 136-amp high-speed
Battery: Leak-resistant, maintenance-free 600 CCA
Lighting: Headlights consist of 12 five-watt LEDs, front, with beam-modifying optics and masked lenses. Eight LEDs, rear. Headlamps articulate with wheels.

TRANSMISSION: Manual, foot-shifted two-speed
Aluminum-cased two-speed, sequential racing-style with dog ring, straight-cut gears
Gear Ratios: 1st 18:38; 2nd 23:25
Clutch: Double-disc, dry-plate with organic friction materials, hand lever actuated with assist
Final drive: Dual 110-link motorcycle-style chains

Front Sprockets: 14 teeth
Rear Sprockets: 35 teeth

BODY/CHASSIS:
Longitudinal, centrally mounted engine, rear-wheel drive layout; monocoque construction, engine is central, stressed member. Body of billet aluminum.

STEERING:
Dual hub center type steering.
Steering Linkage: Rocker arm and push/pull rod with roller bearings. Polished billet aluminum steering yoke with turned aluminum grips and billet levers
Steering Lock: 20 degrees, left and right
Lean Angle: 45 degrees, left and right

TYRES and WHEELS (4):
Type and Material: Billet aluminum discs, asymmetrical
Size, Front (2): 20x4
Size, Rear (2): 20x5

Tyres Manufacturer and Model: Dunlop custom-made symmetrical
Size, Front (2): P120/60R-20
Size, Rear (2): P150/50R-20

The Dodge Tomahawk can go 0 to 100 kph in about 2.5 seconds, and has a theoretical top speed of nearly 640 kph. JUST what I need to go to work...wait, I don't work...I need it to go to the grocery store...yeah, thats my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Rumors are, Chrysler sold the original Tomahawk concept and nine replicas for up to $555,000 each. Wonder if that would be covered under an "anti-depression theraputic device" expense by SSD?

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 12:11 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 634 words, total size 5 kb.

Here's some interesting points on the "declining" number of manufactering jobs.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 09:00 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 23 words, total size 1 kb.

Incidentally, SlagleRock passed a milestone the other day, his 100,000th visitor.

Who knows, maybe he'll just keep doing this blogging thing!

I could be snarky and pout a little bit, Mammamontezz got us built up at Mu.nu at roughly the same time...I have the time to post quite a bit more than he does, yet he get's four times the hits I do. Quality IS better than quantity, I guess. At least it's still in the family, so I don't feel quite so bad.

Go on over and give him some more traffic with your congrats.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 05:19 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 102 words, total size 1 kb.