Back Home

Chinese Terrorism Preparedness Halftime Show

Can someone explain to me how laying down in the shape of the Olympic rings while women squat and scream counts as an "anti-terrorism drill"?

HT: The Big Picture

Let's Play Linktoss!

Weekend was madness, so I'm going to rest the small part of my brain used for posting and just share some interesting things from around the Internets.

• Jonathan Coulton was one of the subjects of an interesting article about the new world of being a musician.
• The oddest man in comics, Alan Moore, got married. And the pictures are pretty much what you'd expect from Alan Moore's wedding. Except with less druidic cult activity.
• Not new, but I finally got to watch the entire episode of Penn & Teller's "Bullshit" about gun control. VERY good. (lots of cussing, btw, so audio probably NSFW)
• The "global warming" crowd gets outed again for partisan stat warping, this time with snowpack levels in Washington.
• I totally sympathize with this Words & Pictures comic regarding daughters defending themselves.
• Copyranter pulls back the curtain on the creative process. Now you know why so many ads look the same. (language warning here, too)
• And finally, a fascinating piece from the Foundation for Economic Freedom arguing that fuel economy standards for cars not only have no positive effect on gas consumption, but they actually have several negatives effects—including increasing automotive-related deaths.

Here's hoping something tickles your fancy.

Avast, Me Hearties!

Jack Black, standing up for the little guy. And the big guy. Against pirates. As only Jack Black can.

HT: AdFreak

What Is Wrong With People?

A quick scan of the top local stories at my friendly neighborhood news source reveals a bunch of really screwed up people:

Local And Regional Headlines
• Double Amputee Marine Mugged Outside Restaurant
• Fla. Mom Accused Of Starving 9-Year-Old
• Convicted Rapist Sues Victim In Central Fla.
• As Many As 200 Pieces Of Mail In Fla. Soaked In Urine
• Designated Driver Says He Was Tossed Out Of Bar For Not Drinking
• Deputies: Fla. Man Runs Down, Kills Mother
• Police: Woman Strapped Device To Body In Hold-Up Hoax
• Police: Man Puts Gun Barrel In Woman's Mouth, Sparks Standoff
• Fight Over Video Game Sparks Gunfire, Police Say
• Orlando Police Hunt 'Bar Fight' Shooter
• Wildlife Officials Hunt Teen Who Shot Protected Fish
• Ghost Hunters Investigate Central Fla. Home
• Tree Crushes Car Down To Doors; 7 Escape
• Hit-And-Run Driver Captured In Orlando
• Fla. Man Sentenced For Having Sex Slave

This world is so in need of Jesus.

Scapegoat Wax Would Be Proud

It's hard to know where to start with an article titled, "Here comes bride in Wal-Mart aisle", about two Wal-Mart co-workers who got married at work because it was free and most of the guest list was fellow co-workers. I mean, how do you pick your favorite line when there are so many to choose from? Like:

While co-workers Naty Ramos and Rob Dominguez exchanged vows under a white arch, several customers carted off potting soil and sunflowers.

or

"It's just so beautiful," said Carmen Perez, a frequent customer who tried to get in a little shopping while waiting for the ceremony to begin.

or

The only official wedding photographs were taken in the produce department after the 15-minute ceremony. Then the couple were off to a reception in the store's break room.

Almost every line makes me laugh.

The Middle East. Again.

Read a very stark examination of the recent conflicts in Israel and the Middle East. Doesn't look so good.

Iran thumbs its nose at Western diplomats and continues nuclear enrichment. Hamas's chief, speaking from Damascus, boasts about kidnapping an Israeli soldier. Hezbollah launches a cross-border raid, prompting Israeli retaliation in Beirut and a return volley of rockets on northern Israel. Just another bleak week in the hopeless Middle East? Regrettably, no. This one was different. This was the week the Dark Side went on the offensive.

A Gassy Perspective

Gas prices suck right now. But incomes are also up. So say people I don't know, but who seem pretty smart.

After adjusting for inflation, the price of oil is still below its peak of $85/bbl. in the second quarter of 1980. Yes, energy prices are rising rapidly, and consumers are spending $244 billion more on energy per year today than they did in 2001. However, total after-tax incomes are running $1.7 trillion higher. In other words, consumers have $1.48 trillion more to spend today - even after subtracting energy costs - than they did in 2001.

When we jump in a bathtub the water level rises significantly. The ocean is another story. The more liquidity in an economy, the easier it is to absorb rising prices. This is why record-high energy price have not caused the economic damage that many expected. Inflation is both a cause of rising prices and a cushion against them.

Don't ask me what any of that means. I'm just trying to help you feel better about gas prices!

Which Is Worse?

That a 76-year-old man would (poorly) impersonate a doctor to cop a quick feel, or that women would invite in a 76-year-old stranger they met on the sidewalk of their apartment complex for an impromptu breast exam? Decide for yourself.

Heroes

War is ugly, but our troops make me proud. More pictures here.

Diode Love

Why is it that the Japanese seem to try and fix everything with robots?