Wednesday, April 30, 2008

********** AMBER ALERT ********** (CANCELLED)

UPDATE (via the Boston Globe):

Missing Arlington boy found

Lucas Whalen, a 6-month-old boy allegedly taken by his parents yesterday, has been found safe, according to news reports. Police have canceled the Amber alert for the boy.


Good.

Thanks for the heads-up, JRV.

WMUR.com (UPDATED: 5:53 pm EDT April 30, 2008):

BOSTON -- An Amber Alert has been issued for a 6-month-old Arlington boy, who police said is in great danger.

Lucas Whalen is white and has hazel eyes and very little hair. He weighs 25 to 30 pounds. The infant is believed to be in danger of serious physical injury, police said.

Police said that Lucas is believed to be in the company of his parents -- Michael Whalen, 42, and Danielle Boyle, 24, both of Arlington.

Police said that the parents lost custody of their son and refused to turn the child over to state officials on Sunday. As a result of statements and threats made by Whalen, officials said there is reason to believe Lucas is in danger and his safety is at risk.

"The mother is party to the taking of the child, and she is believed to be with Michael Whalen, and he has been making statements and threats," said Massachusetts State Police Trooper Eric Benson. "The nature of the threats and statements were of significant concern to law enforcement and led us to believe that Lucas is in great danger."

Whalen is described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a skinny build. He has tattoos on both arms.

Boyle is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weights 135 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and tattoos on her arms, pelvis and ankle.

The parents and child are believed to be traveling in a rented 2007 Ford Five Hundred, dark gray in color with Massachusetts license plate 49RF83. Police said it's possible the couple is traveling toward New Hampshire.


Anyone with information was asked to call 911 or the Arlington police at 781-643-1212.


Photo by WMUR.com
(click to enlarge)


This Just In!

Alcohol dulls your senses.

Who knew?

I think I'll conduct a study on the effects of hitting one's self in the side of the head with a ball peen hammer. It might hurt. It might not not. I'll need to do the appropriate research before I can be absolutely certain.

Now, where did I put that government research grant application form?


Unfit For Duty

And to think, this woman plays an official role in drafting and passing new laws, which the rest of us in the state are supposed to live by.

ROCHESTER, N.H. -- A New Hampshire state representative has been arrested for the third time in two months.

Rep. Nancy Warren, D-Rochester, was arrested Friday and charged with stalking a neighbor and trespassing on his property, both violations of a bail order from a previous arrest.

Police said Warren left multiple messages on the phone of a man she is forbidden by court order to contact and then went on his property, which is across the street from her home.

"She went to a subject's house in Rochester where she wasn't supposed to be," Lt. Paul Toussaint said.

Warren was charged with simple assault and other misdemeanor charges after an April 1 altercation with the same man. Police said she threw an alcoholic drink in his face.

She was arrested on March 9 and charged with class B felony burglary at the home of the same man. Police described the pattern of incidents as typical for a domestic dispute situation.


I don't know what her medical history is, and yeah, "innocent until proven guilty" and all that, but what the hell is she still doing serving in the State Legislature???

Legislative observers said Warren would not be likely to face reprimand from her fellow representatives...


What? And possibly lose her seat to a Republican?

Priorities, people!


Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Compare and Contrast: Nashville Edition

Story #1:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Police hope that surveillance video will help solve the shooting death of a north Nashville store clerk.

Authorities said McGee was closing a Swifty gas station on Dickerson Pike when two men wearing hooded jackets and masks forced the teen back into the gas station.

The robbers then made McGee open the store safe, but it was empty. Authorities said the thieves were still able to escape with some cash before or after they shot the employee.


Story #2:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Police said a pair of armed men entered a liquor store Saturday night and attempted to rob the business, but met up with another armed person inside.

That armed person was a customer, who shot one of the robbers dead.

The other robber fled on foot and has not been captured or identified by police.


Two similar crimes, two drastically different outcomes.

Now, guess which one Barack 'N Roll Hoochi-Coo Obama sees as the more preferable of the two.

I'm sure he'll be sending the parents of the dead store clerk a thoughtful card telling them how he values the lives of his killers more than that of their child, and how relieved he was to hear there were no armed customers in the store at the time their son was murdered.

And, he wants to be MY president. I don't think so.

Also, from Story #2:

Police said the customer does have a valid Tennessee permit needed to carry a weapon.


Those laws, surprisingly, didn't seem to prevent the murderous armed criminals from carrying their weapons. They apparently "needed" no permit of any kind - just a pocket big enough to hold their guns.


It's For the Children

WBZTV.com (Boston): Group Gives Mass. D- For Child Protection

Wow, if Massachusetts got a D-, I wonder what grade we got up here in the land of backwoods, bitter, gun-clinging NASCAR fans.

Go figure.

Only six states — Nevada, New Hampshire, California, Indiana, Iowa and Oregon — received grades of A or A minus.


Monday, April 28, 2008

To Serve and Protect...

...and terrify.

Massachusetts Police Get Black Uniforms to Instill Sense of 'Fear'

[Springfield's] new police commissioner, William Fitchet, says members of the department's Street Crime Unit will again don black, military-style uniforms as part of his strategy to deal with youth violence.

Fitchet's predecessor, Edward Flynn, had ditched the black attire as part of an effort to soften the image of the unit. Flynn left Springfield in January to become the police chief in Milwaukee.

Sgt. John Delaney told a city council hearing Wednesday that the stark uniforms send a message to criminals that officers are serious about making arrests.

Delaney said a sense of "fear" has been missing for the past few years.


So much for "community policing".

Nice knowing you, Springfield.

UPDATE: Words to remember...

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

- Thomas Jefferson


Then again, this is Massachusetts we're talking about.

UPDATE II: I guess it all depends on one's definition of "respect".

WSCH6.com (Portland, ME) headline:

Police Don Military-Style Uniforms For Respect


And, from Radley Balko:

Why Not Just Shoot a Couple of People? That’ll Work, Too


Lastly, here's the Mission Statement from the Springfield Police Department:

To provide public safety and to contribute to the quality of life for the citizens of the City of Springfield by protecting, serving and working with the community to develop philosophies which promote equity and establish partnership between citizens and police to enhance law enforcement, aid in the prevention of crime, and preserve the public peace.


Looks like they've pretty much tossed that one in the hopper.


Not All Gun Laws Are Bad

Jeff links to one such proposed law, which I could support.


Greatest Modern Conveniences Ever Invented

1. Coffee makers that you can program at night to make your coffee in the morning before you wake up. For some reason, dropping in a filter, scooping the coffee, and pouring water into the thing at 10:00 at night takes one tenth the time and one one-hundredth the physical effort as it does to do the exact same thing at 6:00 in the morning.

2. Paper towels that come with 1/2 sheet perforations. It's almost as if they want you to save money and not buy their product as often as you might otherwise. What's their problem?

3. The digital video recorder. "Honey, there's a debate on tonight that I wanna tape to watch later. is it OK if I record over 'Pride and Prejudice'?" (holds up VHS cassette to deflect incoming rifle fire).

Add your own...


Sunday, April 27, 2008

File Under: Poor Career Choices

Three scumbags attempt to rob a pawn shop.

In Texas.

Two scumbags run away.

One scumbag sent to the hospital with lead poisoning.

Hey, no one said it's a perfect world.

(link via Zendo Deb)

UPDATE (4/28): Continuing the theme...

Scumbag carjacker tries to take some guy's car from him at a gas station.

In Tennessee.

Scumbag has a change of plans approximately three nanoseconds after the would-be victim draws his lawfully-carried sidearm and defends himself.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A would be car-jacker messed with the wrong victim, and it was all caught on tape.


Be forewarned, the linked news story does not have the video.

Tease.

UPDATE II: You Tube has it (but, of course). Thanks, Crotalus.



A stranger approached his would-be victim next to his vehicle at a gas station, at night, without a lot of witnesses around? Clearly, he was just some homeless guy trying to get a cup of coffee.


Scenes From My Local Wal-Mart

Ran in yesterday to grab a 12-pack and a bag of chips. Got to the register and...

"You know I'm going to ask you for an ID, don't you?"


Me:

"No."


That's not the kicker, though.

She had trouble with the math.

Hello???

1966???


But, Of Course!

Boston Herald: Machete ban mulled after slew of attacks

A concurrent proposal to round up violent and "undocumented" MS-13 gang members for immediate deportation was promptly rejected. You know, what with it being racist, and all.


Is That a New Ruger in Your Pocket...

...or are you just happy to see me?

So, I finally got around to upgrading the old Baby Browning knock-off with this new summer carry piece. Let's review. 6+1 rounds of .380Auto vs. 5+1 rounds of .25ACP in a (reportedly) reliable gun that feels like half the weight without the wood rasp grips of the Kel-Tec P-3AT.

And, I got the box of ammo thrown in for nothing.

Real tough call.



Range report in due time.


Saturday, April 26, 2008

A Modest Request

If you insist on issuing death threats against your humble host here at No Looking Backwards, please do us all a favor and learn the English language first.

U fuckin pieces of shit. I wish I knew who was blogging this bullshit about Charlie. Id find you and cut you in a sec. After I just read yah litle shit saying all that crap about C Ware, u got me fuckin heated. C ware was th most legit kid youd ever meet. Yah he made a fucki mistake aight, who the fuck hasnt drank some beers and drove home. If i find out who started this blog iLL kill u thats a promise.

CHarlie i miss you man, too many memories with you. RIP GUY FUck this faggit whos writing thi shit I hope he or she has a kid, and when there that age I hope they die she how they feel( fuckin losa)


Well, I'm nothing if not accommodating. So, if you'd be so kind to shoot me an e-mail, I'd be happy to provide you with my home address. I'm home most nights. Let me know when you want to drop by and I'll be sure to leave a window by the back deck unlocked for you.

Bonus Comical Side Note: the IP address from whence this garbled missive came belongs to an institution of supposed higher learning in Massachusetts.


Friday, April 25, 2008

Speaking of Recycled Headlines

Don't look now, but Massachusetts taxpayers' dollars are being flushed down the toilet...again. Who could have foreseen such a thing?

I-Team: BPW Employees Caught On Tape Slacking

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Boston Public Works crews roll out of the yard and the I-Team is right behind. The I-Team tracked crews all across the city -- from Dorchester to Charlestown and out to Hyde Park and caught city workers doing personal business in city vehicles on your dime. Others were just hanging out doing nothing at all.


Public works employees slacking off.

Clintons lying.

Dogs licking their nutsacks.

It's what they do.

"At a time where the city is in a really tight budget… This is wasteful spending that can't be accepted," said Sam Tyler, president of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau -- an organization that promotes efficient and responsible government.


Hey, kids, how's that property tax relief coming along that the Devaluator promised you?

But the city was warned about issues like this when similar problems in the department were exposed last year. Employees were spoken to, but in several cases, behavior hasn't changed. "The fact you were able to find it commonplace, that upsets me. That should upset everybody."


But shock no one.

Does anyone know if they're still looking for new state motto suggestions down there?

Massachusetts: A nice place to make fun of,
but you wouldn't want to live here.


Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an important errand to run.

Range report to follow.


Thursday, April 24, 2008

Deviations from the Norm

It happens, by my oh-so-scientific calculations, about once or twice a year - a licensed (civilian) gun owner in Massachusetts commits an act of violence, using a lawfully-owned firearm.

In December 2004, there was this jackass who put a couple rounds into some guy's car during a dispute over the "hogging of gas pumps" at a Dorchester gas station. Police say the suspect was licensed to carry a firearm - a claim I still find to be questionable, to say the least, given how "generous" the BPD is when it comes to issuing unrestricted firearms licenses.

Then, in August of 2005, we met Walter Bishop and William F. Green, two scumbags who shot their victims in murderous fits of road rage.

Bishop claimed self-defense after having rammed some guy's car and opened fire as the guy was lifting his daughter out of her car seat. Green shot a woman and her son following a verbal argument during which her son spat on his car.

John S. Donoghue from South Boston made our list for the staggering display of idiocy he put on back in December of 2005, when he pointed an unloaded muzzleloader at a man with whom he had been involved in a road rage incident earlier, and pulled the trigger.

Then, in December 2006, Scott Medeiros decided to take his AR-15 to the Foxy Lady in New Bedford and shoot the place up, killing two people in the process.

And, this week, down in Abington, Massachusetts, John Tassinari, a licensed gun owner and self-proclaimed firearms safety instructor, was arrested on charges of shooting his wife to death in his backyard.

Though, for what it's worth, FOX 25 News is reporting that the suspect was held at gun point by his brother-in-law until police arrived.

Here's what I wrote on this subject back in December 2006 shortly after the Foxy Lady shooting in New Bedford.

Over the last 33 months, I've blogged about many a story here at mAss Backwards involving the illegal use of firearms, and the ineffectiveness of our gun laws to curtail the violent crime rate in our urban areas.

And, yes, some of those stories involved individuals licensed by the state to own firearms. I've written about each and every one of those stories to come to my attention, and believe me, I'm looking for 'em.

By my count, there have been maybe ten or so such stories to hit the news wires, where a licensed gun owner used his or her firearm in a reckless or illegal manner. If anyone can come up with a more accurate summary, I'll be happy to update this post.

Not counting incidents involving police officers (no amount of gun control will prevent them from misusing their sidearms), or incidents where the person was subsequently not charged with any wrongdoing or acquitted of the charges brought against them, we're down to maybe three or four, including the Foxy Lady nutjob.

Anyone care to provide me with the number of gun-related crimes in that same time period, perpetrated by individuals prohibited by state or federal laws from possessing firearms?

Take a guess.

500?

1,000?

Yet, Massachusetts has a whole bunch of new gun control laws looming on the horizon, which, as usual, are inspired by the illegal actions of a miniscule percentage (n) of the population, and will be obeyed by only the remaining (100-n)% of us.


It's important to keep things in perspective, a foreign concept to those who would use incidents such as the ones mentioned above as rationalization for their quest to outlaw the private possession of small arms.

As has been repeatedly pointed out by others, when that psychotic little piece of shit killed those folks down at Virginia Tech, the media went onto 24-7 coverage mode, focusing on this brutal act committed by one guy with two guns. No mention of the other 79,999,998 gun owners and their 199,999,998 guns.


There Oughta Be a Law

Plastic zip ties simply have no place in a civilized society.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (WBZ) ― Framingham police say it was "a murder waiting to happen." Someone strung thick plastic zip ties across a street at neck level.

Tthe ties were found hanging 4 or 5 feet above the ground across Grove Street by Belknap Road on Monday night. Police removed them and they were found there again on Tuesday night and Wednesday.


INCONVENIENT TRUTH #766: A four-dollar bag of plastic zip ties in the hands of a deranged individual represents an immeasurably greater threat to the public welfare than the loaded gun I carry on my person every day.

Speaking of which (nice segue, eh?), in about an hour, I'll be picking up my first non-MA-compliant handgun.


Wednesday, April 23, 2008

File Under "Idiotic GFW Talking Points"

I have a news flash for anyone who's ever uttered the words "Guns have no place in a civil society," (and there are quite a few of you out there).

Until the day comes when we find ourselves living in such a fantasy world, where unicorn tears flow from public drinking fountains, I'll be here still "clinging to my guns", thank you very much.

Elderly Woman Attacked In Hyde Park Home

HYDE PARK (WBZ) ― An 88-year-old woman was attacked in her home in Hyde Park early Wednesday morning.

It happened in a complex for the elderly and disabled on Summer Street.

Boston police told WBZ a man entered the unidentified woman's home around 4 a.m. and assaulted her. Officials say the suspect tried to rape the victim.


I got your "civil society" right here, assholes. If you think, for one second, that I will lie down and allow your naive outlook on life to trump my right and my duty to keep my family safe, you're a bigger bunch of morons than I originally gave you credit for.

FOX25 News is reporting that instead of complying with her attacker and simply "giving him what he wanted", the victim fought back with all she had and saved herself from additional harm (hence the phrase, "tried to rape the victim").

So, I guess that's two GFW talking points destroyed for the price of one. I do love a bargain.


Stating the Obvious

Boston Herald:

Despite the ever-increasing sophistication of the BPD’s strategies to combat inner-city violence, despite the targeted deployment of resources based on the latest information and street reconnaissance, despite the work of community centers and dedicated street workers, there will be a core - a very hard core - of young criminals who will function oblivious to cops and safety nets.


...and ineffective gun laws that serve only to restrict the rights of non-criminals.


Tuesday, April 22, 2008

In Honor of Earth Day

Headline recycling:

Boston Police Step Up Forces After Man's Murder

Yawn.


Anyone Seen Larry Craig Lately?

WMUR:

HOOKSETT, N.H. -- Police in Hooksett said a series of arrests over the weekend at a park-and-ride near the woods is part of larger effort to clean up an area that's become a haven for anonymous public sex.

The police have recently arrested five men on charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

Police said the park-and-ride off Hackett Hill Road has been the subject of complaints for several years.


That's nothing that can't be fixed with an Infrared Digital Game Camera and a Flickr page.

Do those cameras have video capability as well?

"Honey, I Just Blew Some Guy!"

Union Leader:

All of the men told police they went into the woods to urinate.


But, of course.


Quote of the Day: Earth Day Edition

It's from last year, but the sentiment is timeless.

The Heartland Institute - April 16, 2007:

The best way to achieve a healthy and green environment is to use sound science to distinguish real environmental issues from imaginary ones, and then to tap the efficiency of market forces to address the environmental issues that truly do exist. This enables us to prioritize environmental and public health problems the first step in any serious effort to address a problem and to solve problems without trampling on other things we value, such as individual freedom and economic prosperity.


Read the whole thing.

Then, read Free Enterprise Protects the Environment from 2006.

Finally, once all those words have sunk in real good, go buy a bumper sticker to help me finance my next purchase of a portable airborne lead particulate distribution device.


Monday, April 21, 2008

Obligatory Follow-Up Question

Chicago Tribune: About Obama's terrorist acquaintance

All this is public record, and Barack Obama would have to be in a coma not to know it. Yet he showed no qualms about consorting with Ayers and Dohrn.

It's hard to imagine he would be so indulgent if we learned that John McCain had a long association with a former Klansman who used to terrorize African-Americans.


Does serving for 21+ years in the US Senate alongside a former "Kleagle" and "Exalted Cyclops" of the KKK count?

Just curious.

(CT link via Instapundit)


This Just In!

Al Gore still a hypocritical turd.

That's all.

As you were.


Sunday, April 20, 2008

Obamoratorium

OK, one more Obama post, and then I'm done. This Marxist, gun-grabbing, tax-raising, freedom-loathing, elitist, big government-loving, terrorist-sympathizing douchebag will never be elected President.

At least, not of the United States of America.

(click to embiggen)

Yeah, I know, only a score of 1.2 in the originality category, but I spent all afternoon yesterday wrestling stumps out of the ground. Gonna need a day or so to recharge the old batteries.


Saturday, April 19, 2008

Quite the Dilemma for CNN

Report the facts, or smear a Republican candidate for President?

One guess as to which one they chose.

Rob at Say Anything links to this CNN Political Ticker post on Barack Obama's "coveted" Hamas endorsement. But, rather than pass along factual information to their readers, they go out of their way to push this story as a McCain mudslinging attack on Obama.

(CNN) — John McCain’s campaign sent supporters a fundraising e-mail Friday that claims Hamas approves of Democrat Barack Obama’s foreign policy vision, and is hoping for his victory this fall.

“Barack Obama's foreign policy plans have even won him praise from Hamas leaders,” writes McCain deputy campaign manager Christian Ferry. “Ahmed Yousef, chief political adviser to the Hamas Prime Minister said, ‘We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election. He has a vision to change America.’”

That uncredited quote is drawn from an interview published Monday by conservative news site World Net Daily, whose current headlines include “District bans 'John 3:16,' promotes demonic leer” and “Lesbian demands custody of Christian mom's 6-year-old.


See! There's no way the story can be true! It came from a bitter website that clings to God and guns!

Look! The Goodyear blimp!!!

Much better to throw up smokescreens to discredit the source of a story you find objectionable, than to take all of twelve four seconds to click around the internet and find the audio recording of the interview, in which Ahmed Yousef actually says that Hamas leadership is hoping for an Obama victory in November.

Perhaps, CNN's next ploy will be to discredit WABC radio by reporting that their current headlines include such hate speech as "12 killed in Baghdad clashes, Iraqi officials say" and "Thailand beefs up security for Olympic torch run".

Needless to say, the Obamapostles commenting on that post at CNN Political Ticker are lapping that shit up like a pack of dogs with their heads buried in a bucket of antifreeze.


Friday, April 18, 2008

I Don't Get It

Eight days in the city: Six arsons, one suspicious fire

MANCHESTER – An arsonist or arsonists are on the loose in the city and police want the public's help in finding them.

In just eight days in the city, there were 10 fires, six of which were ruled arson and a seventh whose cause is still undetermined and under investigation, according to fire department investigator Paul Allard.


Wait a minute.

Where are all the calls for gasoline control laws?

Clearly, we need to license people who which to purchase and possess flammable liquids and matches. And, criminal background checks at the gas pumps is a must!

Sounds idiotic, yes, but if these were all firearms-related acts, you can bet the farm the gun controllers would be all over this, without a care in the world about the individuals behind the acts, but screaming to high heavens about the tools being used by them.


Thursday, April 17, 2008

Here's a Shocker

Suddenly, Barack Obama's decided he's had enough of debates.

Gee, I wonder why that could be.


A Quickie


Will the Democrats be stupid enough to give Barack Obama the nomination?
Yes
No
  
Free polls from Pollhost.com


"...For Purposes of Fairness."

This just in! Barack Obama is an unapologetic Marxist.

Who knew?

Say Anything:

Obama concedes that cutting the capital gains tax actually increased revenues, but says that he’d raise it anyway for the sake of “fairness.” Because hedge fund mangers make too much money.

It’s amazing that Obama isn’t embarrassed to make such economically illiterate, down-right socialist, comments in public. I mean, he concedes that cutting the capital gains tax has increased revenues but then actually manages to suggest that the tax cuts have lost the government money by invoking the specter of borrowed funds from China.


Ed Morrissey:

Obama exposed himself as completely clueless on capital gains taxes, and showed that he wants government to act to redistribute wealth not because it’s efficient but because he wants life to be “fair”. He didn’t comprehend Gibson’s repeated reminders that revenues increased when those taxes dropped, and that meant more wealth to redistribute.


Andrew Sullivan:

Obama’s convoluted capital gains tax answer was a brutal reminder to folks like me that he is indeed a redistributionist, and someone who seems to see the tax system as a way to decide what people “deserve” to have and keep. Ugh. Of course, Clinton isn't much better, but that Obama answer was dreadful.


Exactly.

Obama and Clinton both see the US tax code not as a tool to be used to generate the revenues needed to fund the legitimate functions of government, but as a tool to be used to punish the rich for being too successful, and to redistribute their money into all the Democrats' vote-buying entitlement programs.

In their world, every dollar a rich person makes takes a dollar out of the pocket of a poor person. And, the sooner we confiscate all that "extra" money from the rich and hand it to the poor (in exchange for their votes), the sooner we can get rid of poverty.

Uh-huh.

Because nothing says "We're going to end poverty!" quite like a policy that tells people, "Don't worry about all the lifestyle choices you've made that have kept you poor. You just keep on keeping on. And, we'll continue to steal from the rich to get you your food stamps and cigarette money."

Much in the same way that nothing screams "We care about our children's education!" quite like a policy that says "Grades? Who cares about grades? Hell, we don't even care if you learn enough in school to write your name in the dirt with a stick. Competency testing for teachers? Who needs it? We're going to mandate a living wage of $40/hour for you once you get that diploma that basically says you made it through four years of listening to teachers who can't do eighth grade math or form complete sentences."

Man, I can't wait 'til November.

I'm gonna have to stock up on popcorn.

UPDATE: Just wanted to add this one from jdub, posting at Ace of Spades HQ, which sums up Obamanomics quite succinctly.

The reason Obama can’t keep his story straight is that to him, ultimately, things like economics and property rights are secondary to the necessity of empowering the state. It’s nothing so coherent as a philosophy; it’s a grubby, grasping impulse which justifies, a priori, the lie it demands at any given moment.

So when he wants to sound like a postideological technocrat, taxes must be raised to increase revenues. But when that ground evaporates, he has to return to the traditional democractic playbook and extol the virtues of class war and envy.

It is only important that taxes be raised; it is not important why.


UPDATE: Obligatory pictorial commentary. Yeah, I know, about as original as drawing a Hitler mustache on a Bush poster at a G8 protest riot. Sue me.


Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Happiness Is...

...turning on the Red Sox/Yankees game midstream to hear, "That's Pedroia's second hit this inning."

UPDATE: Yeah, scratch that thought.

15-9? Sheesh! Way to shut 'em down.


Obama-Love In a Nutshell

"I'm voting for Barack Obama."

"Why?"

"He's the only candidate who can really change this country."

"Change it into what?"

"A country full of hope."

"Hopeful for what?"

"Change."


Whatever You Do...

...don't call Barack Obama an elitist.

That's racist.

But, of course.

(link via Rob at Say Anything)


All You Need To Know

U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) on the Second Amendment:

I support the 2nd Amendment as well. And I come from a state where people hunt. I understand that. I've lived in the North Country, and I support their right to hunt. I support all that.


There is no Constitutional "right to hunt".

Nice try.

Not.


Let's Play "Spot the Common Thread"

This one's for commenter Dave T. who thinks there's something wrong with me for taking defensive measures to avoid an encounter with a person asking me for change in a gas station parking lot in Oakland in the still-dark early hours of the morning.

His "reasoning" being (if memory serves me correctly - I accidentally deleted his comment while scrolling through them on my Blackberry yesterday) that the guy was simply a homeless person trying to get some food to eat. Apparently, Dave was in that same parking lot Sunday morning, just minutes before I was, and had the opportunity to interview the individual in question to determine his intentions.

The fact that I went into "defensive mode" and got my wife and kids out of the vicinity as safely and as quickly as I could was frightening to him. In his world of unicorns, pixie dust, and cotton candy ponies, muggers are mythical creatures that simply don't exist in real life.

"Everyone's friendly, Lord! Kum-ba-yah!"

How paranoid of me for thinking that nice young man might have been up to no good.

He was probably just out looking for some change for a cup of coffee...

Barnes turned to lock the front glass door. Defendant approached her and asked if she had any spare change.
Bernie Garcia said a young man approached her at a gas station as she was buying fuel for her van and asked for money.
"And I first saw this guy," Tanyeri said. "He asked for change and said this whole story about his girlfriend and his baby leaving him."
The men asked the victim in Spanish for money to buy beer, Orrey said.
He told responding officers that he had gotten off of a bus, and was walking when two young men – who had come from the direction of a grocery store across the street -- approached him. They asked the victim if he had any change.
One of the males asked the victim if he had any money, to which he responded that he did not.
In an April robbery, a tourist was approached by Garrett near Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue. Brown said Garrett asked the victim to help a man down on his luck, and the tourist reached into his pocket for his wallet.
The suspect asked the victim for a dollar and later robbed the victim of all of his money.
The victim was approached by three males with the same description as the previous incident. One of the males asked the victim if he had any spare change.
The suspect asked the victim for a dollar and when the victim refused, the suspect punched him in the nose.
The victim was leaving the liquor store at 3rd and Palou when 2 African American males approached him. They first asked the victim for money, then punched him in the face when he didn’t comply.
According to officers, the 12-year-old asked the victim for change and when the man went to pull out his wallet the kid punched him in the face.
A robbery was reported yesterday at 10:40 p.m. at Lankershim and Sherman Way. Two suspects approached the victim in a parking lot. One suspect asked the victim for change.
An attempted robbery and assault was reported Sunday after midnight at Cohasset Street and Orion Avenue in North Hills. Police said the victim was walking when two suspects approached him. One asked the victim for money, and the victim told him he did not have any.
The suspect asked the victim for money and she said she had none. He then displayed a gun and demanded her purse.


...or, maybe a smoke...

According to the victim he was exiting the WaWa after purchasing cigarettes when he was robbed by two Hispanic males. One of the males asked the victim for a cigarette.
A gunman and his accomplice took a 33-year-old man's wallet, credit cards and keys in a robbery March 18 in an apartment complex at 4901 Sunbeam Road. First, the accomplice asked the victim for a lighter.
The suspect allegedly asked the victim “for a light” and then punched the victim in the face with metal or brass knuckles, police said.
The 30-year-old man was waiting for a trolley about 8:20 p.m. when four youths walked up to him. One of the teens asked the victim for a cigarette, then punched him in the face before he could answer, Sgt. Ted Fenn said.


...or, maybe, he simply needed directions...

Three robberies happened in Mesquite parking lots on the east and west sides of the city in a matter of 45 minutes, police said. Investigators said one man would approach the victim in a parking lot and ask for directions, and then the other would run up and rob the person at gunpoint.
As she was unloading her car the emerged from the alley and approached her. Suspect #1 asked the victim "Do you know where Lake St. is?"
According to police, two men pulled up alongside the victim in a gray or primer-colored car that may have been either a Chevrolet Chevelle or Nova. The car's passenger asked the victim for directions, while the driver got out of the car and approached the victim from behind.
The victim was then approached by one of the men in the group who asked him for directions to I-30. The victim gave the man directions after which the suspect asked the victim if he would help him by jump-starting his disabled vehicle.
The suspect vehicle was occupied with three male adults. The driver asked the victim for directions...
The suspect asked the victim for directions to Summerfield Road and then grabbed her purse and drove off, deputies said.


...or, he had to make a phone call....

The two males approached a female who was walking alone. The woman was talking on her phone and did not understand the request when one of the males asked the victim to use her phone.
The victim was walking down 3rd Street when she was surrounded by 4 African American males. One of the suspects asked to use the victim’s cell phone.
Upon an officer’s arrival, a victim stated the man asked the victim to use her cellular phone.


...or, simply wanted to know the time...

The suspect, a five-foot-11-inch male of average build with a thin mustache, close-cut hair and a dark complexion, asked the undergraduate victim for the time.
The suspects approached the victim, asked for the time and proceeded to grab and rob the victim.
The suspect stopped him and asked the victim for the time of day.
At Windham and Amherst the defendants asked the victim for the time, then attacked her and tried to take her purse.
Also in the vehicle was the man’s eight-year-old daughter. The suspect approached and asked the victim for the time.


...or needed change for a twenty.

One victim, Hector Mendoza, testified he was walking out of a grocery store on Feb. 10, 2004, when Garrett drove up in a vehicle and asked him whether he had change for a large bill.
When they were preparing to pick up for the day two subjects arrived in a dark green Ford Explorer. The female a Hispanic in her thirties asked the victim if she could break a one hundred dollar bill so she could make a purchase.


So, hey, if you want to invite everyone asking you for any of the above into your home for some milk and cookies, and to spend some quality time with your wife and kids, knock yourself out.

You play Mother Teresa.

I'm gonna get the hell out of Dodge, thanks.

And, for what it's worth, had this situation played out at the gas station up the street from me, and I was carrying a handgun, I'd have done the exact same thing. Like I said earlier, the odds are he was harmless. I'm not willing to risk losing that bet, though.


Monday, April 14, 2008

Back On Free Soil (cont.)

Reason #317 why I'm glad to be back home.

SACRAMENTO - Joe Six-pack will have to pay a lot more to get his buzz on if Assemblyman Jim Beall has his way.

The San Jose Democrat on Thursday proposed raising the beer tax by $1.80 per six-pack, or 30 cents per can or bottle. The current tax is 2 cents per can. That's an increase of about 1,500 percent.


Paying nine dollars in taxes on a 15-dollar 30-pack of piss-water beer? Golly gee! What's not to love?

Beall said the tax would generate $2 billion a year to fund health care services, crime prevention and programs to prevent underage drinking and addiction.

The people who use alcohol should pay for part of the cost to society, just like we've accepted that concept with tobacco," Beall said.


Stop me if you've heard this one before.

The people who use ___________ in a lawful and responsible manner should have their rights curtailed by the government and be forced to pay for the misdeeds of those who do not.

Have I mentioned how good it feels is to be home?


Sunday, April 13, 2008

Back On Free Soil

Here's a "What would you do?" scenario for you, from our trip to the airport this morning at half-past dark.

It's 5:00 on a Sunday morning. You're in Oakland, California on your way to the airport to catch a flight with your wife and kids, when you pull into a gas station parking lot to top off the tank in the rental car (your wife's driving as the car is in her name).

The gas station parking lot is well-lit, but there's no traffic on the road, other than yourself. As you pull into the lot, you see a couple unsavory-looking characters loitering on the sidewalk nearby. You pull up to the pumps at the far side of the lot and begin to pump your gas (gas tank is on the passenger side of the car).

Just as the pump shuts off, one the guys from across the way approaches you from your wife's side of the car and asks you if you have any spare change. He's clutching the left outer pocket of his jacket.

Needless to say, this being the People's Communist Republic of California, you are not armed. The folding knife you usually carry in such God-forsaken places is packed away in your luggage, as you are just 20 minutes or so from having to go through airport security.

What do you do?

UPDATE 4/15/08: OK, here's how it went down.

I saw the guy coming just as I was done filling the tank. I put the gas hose back on the pump as soon as I could, as I knew that doing so was going to take my eyes of the situation in front of me, if ever so briefly.

Also, whether I recognized this at the time, the hose was in between me and the open car door, impeding my escape route.

After being asked for change, I told the guy, "Sorry, I can't help you." while maintaining eye contact. The last thing I was going to do was to allow myself to be distracted by taking out my wallet or ducking my head inside the car to ask my wife if she had any change. My goal was to remain in control of the situation.

This response came out of habit more than anything else. My rule is, unless you're playing guitar in the subway, or doing something else that provides some kind of service to me, you aren't getting a nickel.

While talking to the guy, and keeping my eyes on him, I screwed the gas cap back on. He persisted in asking for some change, "Please, anything you can spare.", "Just a quarter.", etc.

I told him "Sorry, no." again, and got back in the car. The wife, by this time, was well aware of his presence, and had started the car. Then, we were gone.

Now, chances are, this guy was just looking for a quick buck, or a handful of pocket change, but there was no way I was going to stick around to find out. My job is to keep my family safe, at all costs, not to buy this guy donuts and coffee.

Keep your wits about you, people.

Compare and Contrast...

Woman killed in ‘robbery gone bad’

An 18-year-old Southbridge woman was shot to death in her car Sunday in the Bronx in New York City in what police believe was a “robbery gone bad.” Her 14-month-old son was in the back seat at the time of the shooting. The toddler was unharmed.


Memo to Barack Obama:

Some of us "cling to guns", because we recognize that there are people out there who would kill us, without remorse, for the money in our pockets. And, there's nothing in the pages of "Liberalism for Dummies" that's going to change that reality. Given a choice between keeping my family safe by my own means or relying on a corrupt, slick-talking, condescending charlatan such as yourself to do so, my decision is made.

Pompous, elitist prick.

And, oh yeah...it's Buy a Gun Day today. You know what to do.

UPDATE II: Scratch the linked story above. The girl's scumbag boyfriend pulled a Chuck Stuart, with a little help from his scumbag cousin.

Apologies to commenter Dave T. for my inability to perfect time travel and get all the facts straight at the time I posted that link this morning.


Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Enemy Territory

Flying out to California tomorrow morning for a long weekend. Unless, of course, I "accidentally" forget to get on my connector flight in Vegas.

UPDATE 4/10/08: Just poking my head in real quick to make sure everyone's behaving themselves.

Sadly, I was able to catch my connector flight out of Vegas, but, I left there $.50 richer than when I arrived. Early retirement, here I come!


Monday, April 07, 2008

Let's Play "Guess the State"

Lawmaker Looks To Ban Dangerous Display Hooks


Quote of the Day

Via Ace:

This guy needs to drink a nice cool glass of Control Your Shit juice.


I Guess It All Depends...

...on one's definition of "feeling".

"For Obama, who is less known and is from Chicago, a city guy and an African American, the feeling is that he is anti-gun[.]"

~ Jim Kessler, vice president for policy at Third Way


Yeah, just so long as your definition of "feeling", in this instance, includes the phrase "well-documented, indisputable fact".

In Obama's eyes, a nationwide handgun ban is a "reasonable" regulation.

But, a law requiring parental consent for underage girls seeking an abortion is a blatant and unacceptable abrogation of one's Constitutionally-protected rights.

Sandy Froman:

The campaign that has brought Obama this far is premised on the idea that he is some sort of post-partisan, transcendent figure who could bring America together and bridge the divide between the Red States and the Blue States.

But in the past couple weeks America has been getting glimpses of a Barack Obama that is nothing like this manufactured image. Between his spiritual leader’s anti-American tirades and his off-the-cuff comments, Obama is looking less like a unifying figure and more like an ultra-left political activist.


Great uniter, my pale, white, Scotch-Irish-Canadian-American ass. Though, for the record, I will be awarding partial credit to anyone attempting to compare Barack Obama to John F. Kennedy.

They are half right, after all.


I Guess It All Depends...

...on one's definition of better.



Of course, Hillary's definition includes the phrases "greater dependence on taxpayer-funded entitlement programs", "increased governmental control over people's lives", "fewer armed citizens", and "tax increases for American citizens only".

What's not to love?


Sunday, April 06, 2008

EEEEK!!! Sharp Objects!!!

Boston Herald: Machete Mayhem

An eruption of machete attacks in cities across the Bay State has law enforcement officials worried about the savage weapons, which can be bought in stores for as little as $25 with no questions asked.


Who the hell is paying $25 for a machete? They're going for less than ten bucks at the Lowe's and Wal-Mart up the street from me.

Since the start of 2008, there have been at least seven machete attacks in Boston, Lynn, Springfield and Chicopee, according to police reports and news accounts.

The brazen and bloody assaults include a daytime attack on a 15-year-old on City Hall Plaza in Boston, an after-school brawl that nearly severed the right thumb of a 16-year-old Lynn boy and a nighttime ambush on two people in Springfield. In total, the attacks have sent nine people to the hospital with serious injuries.


Law-abiding American citizens run amok, no doubt. Driven to uncontrollable, murderous rage by the mind-altering powers of a sharpened piece of metal with a plastic handle screwed onto the end of it.

Nationally, attacks have been reported against police in New York and in Connecticut, Florida and California.


For the love of God, it's high time we made "assault and battery on a police officer" a criminal offense in this country!

“It’s obviously a very dangerous implement. It can cause severe damage when wielded against another human being,” said Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley. “We’re very concerned when we see any uptick in violent crime. It has not yet reached epidemic proportions. It’s certainly something to pay attention to.”


What, exactly, is the cut-off point between "eruption" and "epidemic"? I haven't received my updated glossary yet.

Unlike firearms and certain kinds of swords and blades, the sales of machetes are not regulated.


Nor are the sales of kitchen knives, hatchets, axes, and saws.

State law carries a 2- to 5-year prison term for anyone convicted of carrying a stiletto, dagger, dirk knife, switch knife, blowgun, blackjack, metallic knuckles, nunchaku, zoobow, kung fu sticks or a manrikigusari. Machetes aren’t on the list.


Yes, but notice how Massachusetts hasn't recorded a single drive-by zoobow attack since that law was enacted. Not one!

On Friday, a Herald reporter was able to purchase a sharp machete with an 18-inch blade for $25 from Kenmore Army & Navy Store in Downtown Crossing without any questions asked.


Ooooh...quite the exposé there. What's next? Are they gonna take a hidden camera crew into Macy's and buy a set of unregistered steak knives?

“As long as it’s not double-edge blade, dagger, dirk, stiletto or anything spring-activated, they can sell it,” said Boston Police Superintendent Daniel Linskey.


Unregulated gardening equipment sales???

Oh, the humanity!!!

Cities such as Boston and Lynn have ordinances that prohibit people from carrying a blade longer than 2 inches. The Boston ordinance, introduced by Conley when he was a city councilor, also prohibits the sale of a knife having a blade with a length of 2 inches or more, an ice pick or straight-edged razor or razor blade fitted with a handle to those under 18. Street sales of the weapons are banned under the ordinance, which carries a civil fine of $300 per offense.


And, we all know what a deterrent that law is sure to be for the subset of our population, for whom the laws against rape, armed robbery, and first-degree murder are of zero consequence.

"Yo, G! If we buy that dude's knife from him here in Boston, we could get hit with a $300 fine! Let's go to your cousin's neighborhood in Somerville to buy one, instead. And, then, we'll drive back here to carve up the guy living upstairs from you who called your girl a ho."

But enforcement of the ordinance can be confusing. If someone caught with a knife claims its use is for hunting, fishing or food preparation, an officer might not be able to confiscate it.


You mean chef's carrying their knives to and from work might actually be allowed to maintain possession of these deadly weapons! Won't somebody think of The ChildrenTM?

With machetes, Linskey said, law enforcement is staring at a cultural divide.


Here it comes.

Step 1: Bend over
Step 2: Insert politically correct 2-by-4 (A) into rectum (B)
Step 3: Repeat

“People involved come from cultures that use machetes like people use hammers and knives,” said Linskey, who described the three machete episodes that unfolded in Boston last month as “isolated incidents.”


Yeah, they're just trying to preserve and honor their heritage as they strive to become productive members of society here in their newly adopted homeland. I'm sure.

“Some come from either South America or tropical islands where machetes are something that is as common as a lawnmower is here,” Linskey said.


Which explains why you see so many Americans from the Midwest, living illegally in South and Central America, walking around the streets attacking people with farm equipment.

That divide is manifesting itself in a frightening way among members of the El Salvadoran MS-13 gang and the Hispanic 18th Street gang, which have a foothold in parts of East Boston, Malden, Revere and Chelsea. “These two groups are well-known for gratuitous violence using knives and machetes,” Conley said. “It is a peculiar trend with those two groups.


No mention of any "peculiar trend" pertaining to immigration status, of course.

Lawrence Police Chief John Romero said he’s open to tighter regulations of machetes. He said the incidents of machete attacks in Lawrence are few, but “very vicious.”

“Why would anybody be carrying a machete in Massachusetts? What would be the purpose?” Romero said.


I dunno. If I'm ever set upon by a bunch of dipshits armed with screwdrivers and pocket knives, I'd think a machete wouldn't be a bad thing to have under the front seat of the truck. Not as easy or efficient to operate as the .45 on my hip, but in a pinch, sure. Why not?

UPDATE: Flashback to this post from March 2006.

EXTREME IDIOCY ADVISORY: THE FOLLOWING IS THE
ACTUAL TEXT FROM A PIECE OF LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
IN THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE SENATE IN 2005.


Any individual who requires a machete for the purposes of cutting vegetation shall register the machete with the local police department on an annual basis and, upon payment of an appropriate annual registration fee as determined by the local granting authority, shall be issued a permit authorizing him to possess the machete solely for the purposes of cutting vegetation.


And, from Jay G. in the comments attached thereto:

"Hey Jim, did you remember to renew your hatchet license?"

"Sure did, Bob. Gotta stop by the PD and renew the chainsaw card, though. That's coming due next month".


UPDATE II: Man, did the Herald ever get hosed! For an extra dollar, they could have bought four machetes at my local Wal-Mart. Big-ass camping Rambo-style assault knives and hatchets for less than ten bucks too.


FWIW

CNN:

CNN confirms that Fred Thompson will make a visit to McCain's Sedona, Arizona home this weekend. Thompson, who ended his presidential bid in January, is a longtime friend of the Arizona senator.


Let's hope Fred spent the duration of his visit slapping some sense into the old coot.


Now, This Is More Like It

A big bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats, a massive mug of hot coffee, the dog's been walked and is resting on the living room rug (stratch that, he just relocated to the kitchen floor), and the wife and kids are on the west coast visiting the in-laws.

On the recommendation of reader Amos, I might just have to drop by The Shaskeen in Manchester for the Irish session starting at 5:00 this evening.

Here are their beverage offerings. If you can't find something to your liking there, I don't wanna know you.


Not the Way I Wanted to Start My Morning

Film legend Charlton Heston dead at 84

Excerpt:

In June 1998, Heston was elected president of the National Rifle Association, for which he had posed for ads holding a rifle. He delivered a jab at then-President Clinton, saying, "America doesn't trust you with our 21-year-old daughters, and we sure, Lord, don't trust you with our guns."


I wasn't going to quote that paragraph from the linked AP story, because I didn't want anyone to think I was politicizing his passing. Think what you will. The man was speaking the truth.

Side note: Do you think that if Hillary Clinton had the Democrat nomination wrapped up today that anyone at the AP would be all that interested in illustrating further the level of trust that the country's gun owners have for her and her husband?

UPDATE: Predictable reaction form the purveyors of anger, hate, and intolerance, known as leftist Democrats.


Hillary Rather Clinton

Stop the presses! This just in!

Hillary Clinton Still a Shallow, Disingenuous Fraud

Via ABC News:

For the second time in recent days, Sen. Hillary Clinton has had to drop a story from her stump speech after being challenged on its accuracy.


Clintons pissing on the truth.

Dogs licking their balls.

It's what they do.

For the past month, the New York senator liked to tell the tale of a pregnant woman who was denied health care from an Ohio hospital because she did not have $100 the hospital demanded to treat her. After being turned away, the woman was brought back to the hospital days later with severe complications. She had to be rushed to another facility for advanced treatment, but it was too late. Both the woman and the baby died, Clinton told her audiences.

For Clinton, the story was an example of how everyone should have universal healthcare. It is a powerful tale and always drew gasps from the audience.

The hospital, which was never named in Clinton's speeches, objected this weekend, saying it wasn't true and demanded that Clinton stop telling it.

The O'Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens, Ohio, told the New York Times that the woman was insured and was never denied treatment.

The Clinton campaign told ABC News today that the candidate heard the story from a deputy sheriff and had no reason to doubt the story.


"Too good to check."

"If the hospital claims it didn't happen that way, we certainly respect that and she won't repeat the story," said Clinton spokeswoman Mo Elleithee.

"Candidates are told stories by people all the time, and it's common for candidates to retell those stories," Elleithee said. "It's not always possible to fully vet them, but we try. For example, medical records are confidential. In this case, we tried but weren't able to fully vet the story."

Elleithee said the point of the story is that the country has a health care problem. "That's a point very few people will dispute," she said.


"Fake, but accurate."

Man, this shit's seriously getting old.


Saturday, April 05, 2008

Question of the Day

What's it gonna take, short of armed rebellion, to get this shit to stop?

8-year-old suspended for sniffing marker

WESTMINSTER – Adams School District 50 is defending its decision to punish a third grader for sniffing a Sharpie marker.

Eight-year-old Eathan Harris was originally suspended from Harris Park Elementary School for three days. Principal Chris Benisch reduced the suspension to one day after complaints from Harris' parents.

[...]

In his letter suspending the child, Benisch wrote that smelling the marker fumes could cause the boy to "become intoxicated."


Principal Chris Benisch, Harris Park Elementary School (source)

A toxicologist with the Rocky Mountain Poison Control Center says that claim is nearly impossible.

Dr. Eric Lavonas says non-toxic markers like Sharpies, while pungent-smelling, cannot be used to get high.

[...]

Adams County School District 50 leaders were unfazed by the poison control center's medical opinion.


But, let a bunch of bureaucrats in white coats with the letters M.D. after their names start pontificating on the evils of lawful, private gun ownership, and it's raining bloody Gospel.

(link via 'calsdad' at NES Forum)


I'm In a New York Statist Mind

Alternate Post Title: Reason #267 Why New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is a Complete and Utter Douchebag

New Yorkers fired up by mayor's congestion tax plans

NYC scrambles to explain cash for fake organizations

No additional commentary required.


Friday, April 04, 2008

Enough Already!

Please tell me this white stuff falling from the sky is actually volcanic ash.


Thursday, April 03, 2008

And We're the Crazy Ones?

Images that portray gay people, blacks, and women as being capable of defending themselves from violent assailants are "bizarre and terrifying".

Wow.

No, I mean, really....WOW!

Side note: The individual quoted above (from the comments submitted to the linked blog post) lists "being full of hate" among her interests.

Gee, you don't say.


Absolut Asshats

Not that I'm a big vodka drinker (though, the Mrs. does enjoy those fruity girlie "martinis"), bit it's gonna be Stoli for this house from now on.



UPDATE: Better make that a Smirnoff.

Stoli is distributed in the US by Pernod Ricard, the French company that recently acquired Absolut. Anyone thinking of boycotting Pernod Ricard over this ad (which might yet prove to be an April Fool's Day joke) had best check their liquor cabinet.

UPDATE II: It's looking legit.

Here's the same ad on a billboard (via Michelle Malkin).

Asshats.

UPDATE III: Think these will be Photoshopped much?



UPDATE IV: Another billboard shot here, posted three weeks ago.

UPDATE V: This eBay listing says the ad is from 2007.


Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Mystery Object of the Day

I was out with the girls earlier today taking a "nature walk" as part of their homework, collecting all kinds of plants and bark and other exciting nature stuff, and stumbled onto this. Of course, the girls thought it was pretty cool, what with it being "ancient treasure" and all.



Any guesses?

The curved part is (or was) definitely a blade. I'm going with something in the not-so-exciting "household" or "kitchen utensil" category, as opposed to the considerably more exciting "medieval decapitation devices" category.


ASTM C-420

Portsmouth (NH) Herald:

PORTSMOUTH — Marc McKenney beat a marijuana possession charge Tuesday when police were unable to prove the "green vegetative matter" found in his possession was actually marijuana.


1. Place an opened pack of Yodels on the table.
2. Smoke some of the "green vegetative matter".
3. Observe the Yodels closely. If they disappear, it's marijuana.


Tuesday, April 01, 2008

This Just In!

There's a buttload of chickadees in New Hampshire.

No kidding.

Coming up next, a study confirming we've also got a lot of squirrels running around up here.


This Just In!

Boston Police Department less than keen on respecting the Constitutional rights of the city's residents.

Who knew?

A friend of mine who was coming to my house to meet me to go out was handcuffed for over a half hour and searched by an undercover Boston Police officer the other night. His crime: getting off the bus one stop after he got on when he realized that his wallet wasn't in his pocket.

He was headed in to meet me in the South End and boarded the bus at Washington St. near Roslindale Village heading to Forest Hills. Upon boarding he realized that his wallet wasn't in his pants pocket and got off at the next stop and began to walk home. As he was walking up the street, an undercover police officer came up from behind and grabbed him and pushed him to the hood of a parked car and handcuffed him. For the next half hour the police officer (who had called for backup) searched his phone, wallet (which he actually did have, it was in a leg pocket in his cargo pants) and repeatedly questioned him about text messages (even asking "who's Neal?") and his employment status, if he had ever been arrested or even got tickets (neither of which he had gotten ever, despite the cop saying he "had it on the screen") and why he got off the bus after one stop.


Welcome to Boston: Please check your Bill of Rights at the door.