Sunday, May 30, 2010
Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before
Broken record, turntable, some assembly required.
Maine needs to tighten gun laws to prevent illegal sales
As you can imagine, changing Maine's gun laws to more closely mirror those of New Hampshire is not being considered as a solution. Also, strangely absent from their "analysis" is Washington DC's firearms fatality rate.
I know.
Apply shocked face here.
Sure it is, in some alternate universe where 84 is greater than 385.
Additional commentary from yours truly in the comments over there.
Maine needs to tighten gun laws to prevent illegal sales
Maine has one of the highest gun ownership rates in the country and a higher rate of death from firearms than Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire and six other states.
As you can imagine, changing Maine's gun laws to more closely mirror those of New Hampshire is not being considered as a solution. Also, strangely absent from their "analysis" is Washington DC's firearms fatality rate.
I know.
Apply shocked face here.
Maine is the No. 1 supplier of guns used in crimes in Massachusetts.
Sure it is, in some alternate universe where 84 is greater than 385.
Additional commentary from yours truly in the comments over there.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
I Guess It All Depends...
...on one's definition of surprise.
:-|
Recent research at Harvard Business School began with the premise that as a state's congressional delegation grew in stature and power in Washington, D.C., local businesses would benefit from the increased federal spending sure to come their way.
It turned out quite the opposite. In fact, professors Lauren Cohen, Joshua Coval, and Christopher Malloy discovered to their surprise that companies experienced lower sales and retrenched by cutting payroll, R&D, and other expenses. Indeed, in the years that followed a congressman's ascendancy to the chairmanship of a powerful committee, the average firm in his state cut back capital expenditures by roughly 15 percent, according to their working paper, "Do Powerful Politicians Cause Corporate Downsizing?"
"It was an enormous surprise, at least to us, to learn that the average firm in the chairman's state did not benefit at all from the unanticipated increase in spending," Coval reports.
:-|
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Bend Over, America
Or, to put it more accurately, don't bother straightening up.
Conserve your energy.
Remain bent over.
UPDATE: In related news...
USA Today: Private pay shrinks to historic lows
Can we call them Marxists now?
Conserve your energy.
Remain bent over.
UPDATE: In related news...
USA Today: Private pay shrinks to historic lows
Can we call them Marxists now?
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Dear Gatorade...
The next time you introduce a new flavor as nasty as "Fierce Melon", please make it so that a spectrometer is not required to tell the color difference between it and orange-flavored Gatorade.
Yuck.
Yuck.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Remember, Kids...
...it's the people opposed to the Obamgenda who are the unhinged extremists threatening civil order in this country.
Statement from the president condemning this thuggery in 10...9...8...
Yeah, right.
Besides, everyone knows the real enemy are all the small business owners in Arizona who have this weird, inexplicable desire to keep their businesses afloat and take care of their families and their communities.
When is a protest not a protest?
Now this event would accurately be called a "protest" if it were taking place at, say, a bank or the U.S. Capitol. But when hundreds of loud and angry strangers are descending on your family, your children, and your home, a more apt description of this assemblage would be "mob." Intimidation was the whole point of this exercise, and it worked-even on the police. A trio of officers who belatedly answered our calls confessed a fear that arrests might "incite" these trespassers.
Statement from the president condemning this thuggery in 10...9...8...
Yeah, right.
Besides, everyone knows the real enemy are all the small business owners in Arizona who have this weird, inexplicable desire to keep their businesses afloat and take care of their families and their communities.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The Downfall of Free America Continues
Due process? We're Democrats. We don't need no stinkin' due process!
Are you pissed off yet?
Keep reading.
Openness? Transparency? Honest debate?
Surely, you jest.
Millions of Americans arrested for but not convicted of crimes will likely have their DNA forcibly extracted and added to a national database, according to a bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday.
By a 357 to 32 vote, the House approved legislation that will pay state governments to require DNA samples, which could mean drawing blood with a needle, from adults "arrested for" certain serious crimes. Not one Democrat voted against the database measure, which would hand out about $75 million to states that agree to make such testing mandatory.
"We should allow law enforcement to use all the technology available to them...to reduce expensive and unjust false convictions, bring closure to victims by solving cold cases, better identify criminals, and keep those who commit violent crime from walking the streets," said Rep. Harry Teague, the New Mexico Democrat who sponsored the bill.
But civil libertarians say DNA samples should be required only from people who have been convicted of crimes, and argue that if there is probable cause to believe that someone is involved in a crime, a judge can sign a warrant allowing a blood sample or cheek swab to be forcibly extracted.
Are you pissed off yet?
Keep reading.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leadership scheduled Tuesday's debate on the bill--called the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2010--using a procedure known as the "suspension calendar" intended to be reserved for non-controversial legislation.
"Suspension of the rules is supposed to be for praising the winner of the NCAA championship or renaming Post Offices," Harper says. "Things like collecting Americans' DNA are supposed to be fully debated in Congress."
Openness? Transparency? Honest debate?
Surely, you jest.
My Good Deed For the Day
I bought my neighbor some ammo today.
Of course, I plan on helping him dispose of it in the (hopefully) near future. He's got his father's old Marlin Levermatic Model 57M (.22 Magnum) that is in dire need of some range time (after a little cleaning session).
I'll have pics up when I get them. A quick visual inspection of the rifle shows a gun that's been very well cared for over the decades. I'm looking forward to punching some holes with her.
Of course, I plan on helping him dispose of it in the (hopefully) near future. He's got his father's old Marlin Levermatic Model 57M (.22 Magnum) that is in dire need of some range time (after a little cleaning session).
Nineteen-fifty-nine was a busy time for the Levermatic lineup. In addition to the 56 DL, Marlin also introduced two tubular-magazine short-stroke lever rifles. The Model 57 was chambered for .22 Short, Long or Long Rifle, and the Model 57M was made for the new .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22WMR) cartridge. After Winchester announced the .22 Magnum cartridge in 1959, Marlin required only a slight redesign of the basic Levermatic mechanism to adapt it to the new rimfire cartridge. Thus, Marlin was able to beat Winchester into production. Winchester did not market a rifle to shoot their new cartridge until 1960.
[...]
The Model 57 rifles were introduced with curved aluminum receivers, but in 1960, Marlin reportedly reverted back to the squared steel receivers for the Levermatic rifles. The tubular-magazine variants of the Levermatic were more popular than the original box-magazine version. A total of 34,628 Model 57s (1959-1965) were made, while the even more popular 57M, in .22 Magnum (1959-1969) sold 66,889 rifles.
I'll have pics up when I get them. A quick visual inspection of the rifle shows a gun that's been very well cared for over the decades. I'm looking forward to punching some holes with her.
Open Letter
Dear Presidents Obama and Calderon,
Just a couple months ago, you and your allies in the United States Congress and in the mainstream press were lecturing us about how downright un-American it is to speak out in such harsh terms against a piece of legislation written and enacted by duly elected representatives of the People.
Some went so far as to label such speech seditious.
So, if you'd be so kind as to [CENSORED], that would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks much.
Sincerely,
The American People
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Victim Selection
You're doing it wrong.
Money quote:
Money quote:
"I picked the wrong house," he reportedly said, "because a UFC [mixed martial arts] fighter lived there and beat me up."
Friday, May 14, 2010
Preheated Coffee Mug
Hands down, the best use for an instant hot water dispenser.
Well, that, and heating up the ice cream scoop.
Well, that, and heating up the ice cream scoop.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Priorities
Boston Herald: Three arrested in FBI sweep from Times Square probe
Enter the country illegally, settle down in Massachusetts, and funnel money to would-be terrorists, without the authorities knowing who or where you are or what you're up to.
But just try to get a license to lawfully own a firearm in the Commonwealth, and they've got your fingerprints, photo, name, hair color, eye color, weight, address, SS number, birth certificate, job title, employer's name and address, etc.
Ask me again why I moved out.
Three people have been taken into custody on immigration violations today after raids in Watertown, Brookline and other parts of the Northeast in connection with the attempted May 1 Times Square bombing, according to the FBI and state officials.
One man arrested in the Bay State today had previously been ordered out of the country, a federal source tells the Herald.
[...]
The Herald has learned the Bay State men arrested are Pakistanis who provided money to the Times Square bombing suspect. That money trail was the key to today’s sweep.
Enter the country illegally, settle down in Massachusetts, and funnel money to would-be terrorists, without the authorities knowing who or where you are or what you're up to.
But just try to get a license to lawfully own a firearm in the Commonwealth, and they've got your fingerprints, photo, name, hair color, eye color, weight, address, SS number, birth certificate, job title, employer's name and address, etc.
Ask me again why I moved out.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Whatever You Do,..
...don't speak out publicly against these fine public servants, protest their actions in any way, or organize within your communities to get them voted out of office. That would be racist.
Or seditious.
Or homophobic.
Or terroristic.
I haven't got the latest DNC fax to tell me which one it is this week.
Or seditious.
Or homophobic.
Or terroristic.
I haven't got the latest DNC fax to tell me which one it is this week.
Monday, May 10, 2010
MA-Compliant Handguns
That is, until someone sends Martha Coakley the link.*
*I'm assuming she's not one of my more regular readers here at NLB.
*I'm assuming she's not one of my more regular readers here at NLB.
Of All the Nerve!
How dare the people of Utah assemble in a peaceful, lawful, and democratic manner and freely choose their own congressional candidates, without first consulting with, and obtaining approval from their intellectual superiors at the New York Times.
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Instant Scumbag
Just add badge.
Though, I'd wager these sad excuses for law enforcement officers were incorrigible scumbags long before they joined the force.
Though, I'd wager these sad excuses for law enforcement officers were incorrigible scumbags long before they joined the force.
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Not Much To Argue With Here
The Definitive Guide to Telling New Hampshire and Vermont Apart
Other than the fact that Vermont is crawling with heavily-armed hippies, they're pretty much spot on.
Overview
Simply put, Vermont is a little bitch. When you see the V in Vermont, think “vagina” and it will help you get a fair assessment of the state. New Hampshire, in contrast, displays a much tougher persona. As you might guess about the only New England state to host a NASCAR race, its residents are more likely to own guns and less likely to have college diplomas, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing when your neighbor is as fruity as Vermont.
Other than the fact that Vermont is crawling with heavily-armed hippies, they're pretty much spot on.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Putting My Nerd Hat On
Can anyone come up with a neater solution method then the one I came up with (using Heron's formula) that froze up my TI-89 calculator?
Look at all those itty-bitty numbers. And just one variable. How tough can it be?
UPDATE: After drinking a couple cups of coffee and shaking loose the cranial cobwebs, I sat down and started from scratch. Ended up taking me maybe an hour to get it, without having to use a calculator (unless I wanted the answer in decimal form).
I'll post the solution in a minute. There was a typo on it.
UPDATE II:
Look at all those itty-bitty numbers. And just one variable. How tough can it be?
UPDATE: After drinking a couple cups of coffee and shaking loose the cranial cobwebs, I sat down and started from scratch. Ended up taking me maybe an hour to get it, without having to use a calculator (unless I wanted the answer in decimal form).
I'll post the solution in a minute. There was a typo on it.
UPDATE II:
Good Job, Kid
As for WMUR's headline writers, not so much.
Did I ever tell you about my confrontation with Mick Jagger?
It was in Foxboro during the Stones' "Steel Wheels" tour.
He was on the stage, and I was sitting in the opposite endzone seats enjoying the show. Nearly came to fisticuffs, I tell you.
Teen Has Confrontation With Burglar In Home
[...]
Justin Mosher, 16, was in an upstairs area of his home when he heard a car in the driveway. He thought it might be salesmen, but then he heard the door open and a burglar run upstairs in another area of the house.
Mosher quietly slipped outside and hid behind some bushes where he could see the suspect vehicle. He took down the license plate number and then went to a neighbor's house to call 911.
Did I ever tell you about my confrontation with Mick Jagger?
It was in Foxboro during the Stones' "Steel Wheels" tour.
He was on the stage, and I was sitting in the opposite endzone seats enjoying the show. Nearly came to fisticuffs, I tell you.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
He'd Get My Vote
From GOP Congressional Candidate (WI-7) Sean Duffy's list of favorites:
Sports Drink: Cold Beer/Strong Coffee
From Dictionary.gov
No-Fly List (noun): A mysterious, government-controlled database, the main purpose of which seems to be to allow terrorists to board passenger aircraft while preventing eight-year-olds on vacation with their families from doing the same.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
I Got Your Hateful Rhetoric Right Here, Baby
Here's some more of that violent, anti-government rhetoric Obama's been so worried about late...
Oh, wait. Never mind.
In other news, (as if I needed another reason to loathe this sad excuse of a man) Michael Bloomberg had this to say about the failed car bombing in Times Square:
Ready the shocked face!
Bloomberg's apology forthcoming in 999,999,999...999,999,998...
Oh, wait. Never mind.
In other news, (as if I needed another reason to loathe this sad excuse of a man) Michael Bloomberg had this to say about the failed car bombing in Times Square:
"If I had to guess 25 cents, this would be exactly that. Homegrown, or maybe a mentally deranged person, or somebody with a political agenda that doesn't like the health care bill or something."
Ready the shocked face!
Bloomberg's apology forthcoming in 999,999,999...999,999,998...
File Under: You Don't Say
Fox 25 News reported last night that people are puzzled as to why a repeat drunk driver was caught driving recently. After all, the state had (gasp!) taken his driver's license away.
I guess "He doesn't @#$%ing care!" never crossed their minds.
I guess "He doesn't @#$%ing care!" never crossed their minds.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Home Again
WTH? I go away for a week and when I get back, my grass is like a foot high.
Got lots to catch up on.
Right now I'm a little busy drinking a cold beer in the front yard.
Got lots to catch up on.
Right now I'm a little busy drinking a cold beer in the front yard.