Saturday, April 30, 2011

Herman Cain says number two isn't good enough

Herman Cain spoke with Fox News this week about the report that the U.S. economy could fall to number two, behind China, in five years:

[Direct Link]

An actual successful businessman running for president.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Yes, the birth certificate is real

Now that Barack Obama has finally released his birth certificate, you would think that people would get back to more important things. But you'd be wrong.

Not everyone is convinced it's real. But the evidence indicates that the birth certificate is real.

Decide for yourself.

First, here's the birth certificate

Now, let's look at the items that some are still questioning.

The background

Notice that the pattern background continues straight, while the paper itself curves down into the binding of the book in which it is contained.


There is a simple reason for this: The background actually curves up on the real document. This was a common practice in Hawaii in 1961. Hawaii had only been a state for a short period of time. Remember, the United States only got Hawaii after Franklin Roosevelt stole it from Japan to start World War II. Within 25 years after the end of that war, Hawaii was made the 57th state.

People knew that children born during those first few years wouldn't even become eligible to be president until 1995. And that anyone born during those first few years would come under intense scrutiny. So, in order to assist those future examiners of documents, it was decided to make the background on documents curve up, in order to offset the natural downward curve that appeared when a bound document was photographed.

How did they accomplish this? Remember, we stole Hawaii from the Japanese. And Hawaii was Japan's leading technology testing ground. The Japanese developed upward-curving background images in labs.

Other Japanese technology we uncovered in Hawaii would be used to fake the moon landings from 1969-1972.

The score: Real 1, Fake 0

Race of the father

Notice that the race of Barack Hussein Obama, the father listed on the birth certificate, is listed as "African."


Some might wonder why "African" was used rather than "Negro," "Black," or even "Colored," as was often the case in many states at the time.

The reason is simple: In order for the child to be considered an African-American in later years, the father would have to be listed as "African."

It is true that the mother is listed as "Caucasian," rather than "American," but that was a common practice of those unenlightened times.

One other note: if the document was a forgery, the forgers would have made the mistake of listing the father as "African-American." Instead, the "-American" was omitted, proving that it's not a forgery.

The score: Real 2, Fake 0

Registrar's signature

Some aren't certain that the registrar's signature is real.


It's easy to see that it is, if you just look at it. It says "Ukulele," which, as everyone knows, is of Hawaiian origin.

If the document was a forgery, the signature would have said "Banjo" or "Guitar" or even "Orutu" or "Nyatiti." But it doesn't. It says "Ukulele," which is of obvious Hawaiian origin.

The score: Real 3, Fake 0

The clincher

There is one other piece of evidence that, even if all of those so far mentioned are explained away, will clinch it.


At the bottom of the form, in block 23, the question reads: Is this document a forgery?

The "No" checkbox is clearly marked.

The most convincing evidence is in the document itself. There is no need for outside resources being used to check and compare signatures, dates, or anything else. It's clearly marked that the document is not a forgery.

What more proof do you need?

The final score: Real 1-gazillion, Fake 0

Going forward

It is clear from the evidence that Barack J. Obama was born in Hawaii. This should put all that birther nonsense to rest.

Now maybe the president can go about doing the important things he needs to do.

Like play golf and appear on Oprah.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate

It has begun. The descent into ... the race for the Republican nomination for president.

So far, the big noise-makers are a birther and a truther. Then there's the big government, pseudo-conservative former governors. You got a couple of quitters in the mix...

Let's look at this motley crew. And then I'll tell you about the current glimmer of hope I have.

First, the motleys...

Ron Paul. Or, more correctly: RON PAUL!!!!!1!!!11!!!!! Yes, he's running again.

He's the GOP's Obama. Got a lot of fired-up nutcases supporting him. And he believes some really scary stuff. Sure, he's sound on fiscal policy, but that whole truther business... Simply put, Ron Paul is nuts. As are his supporters.

Donald Trump. No, I really don't believe he's running for president. I think he's promoting a TV show. Or, at least, it started out that way. But, he's tying himself to the birther movement.

Let me state that I don't believe Obama is qualified to be president. Not because of where he was born, but because he is an unqualified oaf. After over two years on the job, he still has no clue. But, he does meet the Constitutional requirements:
No Person except a natural born Citizen ... shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
But still, I've seen trees that would do a better job as president than Obama.

But we're supposed to be talking about Trump. And that's the problem. We're talking about Trump. He should be ignored, and he'll go away and play a tycoon on TV. Which is the perfect job for him.

Mitt Romney and Chris Christie could be described the same way: conservative for their states, but way too left-wing for my tastes. Like the scene in Hall Pass where the guys see a hot chick, only to discover that, once she's seen apart from her ugly companions, she's not so hot. That's Romney and Christie. And we don't need no Hall Pass Conservative.

Newt Gingrich did some good things as Speaker of the House. And he is sound in many, many ways. But there are a couple of things that bother me. While I understand why he did it, his resigning from Congress isn't a good thing.

Same thing about Palin. She bailed on the job as governor. I understand why she did it. But that still bothers me.

I'm not so much worried about her experience. I seem to recall the left all up in arms over her experience in 2008. The same left that helped elect the even more unqualified Barack Obama. While Palin isn't the most experienced candidate, she's far, far more qualified for president than Obama.

Tim Pawlenty might be a good choice. Best of the lot I've mentioned so far. I know that doesn't sound like much of an endorsement. But I do like the guy. He's one of my top three.

The thing is, I don't know enough about him to know if he's a true conservative. His state elected Al Franken, so, yeah, he's going to look conservative by comparison. I just don't know. Christie and Romney, I know enough about, and they ain't really conservatives. I want to know more about Pawlenty. If he's the real deal, I could support him.

One of my favorites I actually know something about, a true conservative governor, has decided not to run. Haley Barbour said "no" to 2012.

Another favorite, Herman Cain, is a long-shot, but is running. I'm not so much worried about long-shots as I am getting the right man for the job.

Cain has business experience, and a long track record of success. We need somebody like Herman Cain. So, why not get the real Herman Cain?

Despite the glimmer of hope I have in Cain (and maybe Pawlenty) I'm worried. Right now, the focus is on Trump and RON PAUL!!1!!!11!

I'm worried that the GOP is going to nominate someone who isn't a conservative, and we end up with a choice between a left-wing nutcase, and a not-quite-as-left-wing not-quite-as-nuts Republican.

In other words, I'm worried we're going to do 2008 all over again.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Easter 2011

Luke 24: 1-9
  1. Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
  2. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
  3. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
  4. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
  5. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
  6. He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
  7. Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
  8. And they remembered his words,
  9. And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Wait until his dad finds out it's available in white

Jesse Jackson, Jr. -- living proof that Chicago is full of idiots -- says that the iPad kills jobs. Not Steve Jobs. Employment jobs.
(The iPad is ) probably responsible for eliminating thousands of American jobs. Now Borders is closing stores because, why do you need to go to Borders anymore? Why do you need to go to Barnes & Noble? Buy an iPad and download your newspaper, download your book, download your magazine.
When his dad, noted racist scam artist Jesse Jackson, finds out that the iPad comes in white things will really get nasty.

But, in fairness, Jesse Jackson, Jr. is right. The iPad does kill jobs. And we need to put a stop to it now!

But, we don't need to focus on the iPad alone. We should also be wary of other technologies that eliminate jobs.

Like the automobile. Think of all the livery stables that could shut down if this whole automobile thing catches on. And blacksmiths. How many blacksmiths are able to get through the lean times because of the horseshoe trade? They may have to shut down, too.

The aeroplane. If people start using these flying machines to travel, the stagecoach could go the way of the dinosaur. Then what would Wells Fargo do? Go into banking?

Guns. This one item alone could shout down the spear making industry.

Printing press. Just the thought of this thing catching on and putting all those scribes out of work .

Television. People might stay home instead of going to a vaudeville or burlesque show. What will mediocre comedians do? And what will strippers do? It could be the end of an industry.

Yes, it's horrible all the jobs that will be lost because of these new-fangled devices. We must nip this in the bud.

Let's follow Jesse Jackson, Jr's lead. Let's stop with the iPad.

In fact, you can send your iPad to me. That'll save hundreds, nay, thousands of jobs.

Do our part, America.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Rights

There's a news article out of Canada that says Bolivia is pushing a U.N. treaty that would give "Mother Earth" the same rights as humans.

This brings up several questions.

First: Canada has news outlets? Sure enough. But don't worry, America. They probably aren't any better than ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and the like. Which means there may or may not be some facts to back up some of what they say.

Next: Bolivia? That's a real country? I thought Bolivia was the alternate universe Olivia from Fringe.

Finally: The United Nations? The same organization that kept the peace in Korea, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe? That United Nations?

Well, now that those are out of the way, I'm wondering about this whole treaty thing. They want to give plants, bugs, and air the same rights as humans.

I suppose we could point out that there are plenty of countries that don't give women the same rights as men. So, which humans are we talking about? Men or women?

Giving a turtle the same rights as a woman might not be a bad idea. But a turtle can't cook and clean. So, I'm not sure that giving a turtle the same rights as women is a smart idea. A turtle sounds more like a man.

Maybe what they're really wanting to do is not give creatures and crawly things the same rights as humans, but to reduce human rights to those of the birds of the air and the fish of the sea.

And that's good news for hunters. Rabbit season, duck season? Try Bolivia season.

I'm not sure what they're trying to accomplish with this whole thing. Unless they're trying to get the award for Crazy Country of the Year. They got a lot of competition for that award.

You got North Korea, who, well, let's be honest; they have Kim Jong Il in charge. That says it all.

There's Iran, who has Mahmoud Ahmadinejad running things.

But, to be fair, those guys sort of took over. They really don't allow free elections. So, those leaders might be nuts, but it's entirely possible that most of the people in those countries are not crazy.

So, what country could be crazier than Bolivia?

I can't think of one. Unless you know of a country that has free elections and went and elected a total incompetent with no experience to run things.

Or a country that elects someone who can't say a coherent sentence without a teleprompter.

Or a country built on capitalism that turns around and elects a socialist to run the show.

Only a country like that could compete with Bolivia for doing crazy stuff.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Internet TV, 6 weeks later

Back in February, I decided to drop cable. For a bit, I had been playing with watching TV via the Internet.

Now, I don't mean pulling up a browser and watching TV shows on my computer. That's watching TV shows on the computer. I mean watching TV via the Internet. On the TV. That big ol' expensive TV we bought a couple of years ago to watch stuff on.

I figured up the cost of cable per year, and how much we could get the same shows during the same year. Some months, it was more expensive to do it via the Internet. But most months, it was cheaper. And, over the course of a year, it was a lot cheaper to drop cable. So, we did.

Here's what we ended up with:
  • Apple TV - For watching stuff bought or rented through iTunes. It also works for music. Now, Wife can play her stuff through the nice sound system, rather than those tiny little speakers on her computer, or through her headphones. And Netflix.
  • Roku - For watching stuff bought through Amazon (Amazon Instant Video, nee Amazon Video On Demand/Unbox). And Netflix. Hulu Plus. And other stuff.
  • Windows Media Center running on a Dell Zino 410 with 2 TV tuners - For recording shows over the air, as well as watching CBS shows via the Internet (CBS doesn't let its shows air on Hulu). I added plugins for Boxee and Hulu. And it comes with the ability to stream Netflix.
Yeah, that's a lot of stuff hooked up to one TV. And that means a bunch of remotes to have to maintain. Unless you get one of those universal remotes. And, in order to handle all those items, you have to get one of those expensive ones, like the Logitech Harmony One -- which is a good remote, just expensive.

There's also the loss of certain shows. Red Eye, for instance. Although there are ways to get this and other shows through what we shall call "unofficial sources." That's the biggest drawback.

Another drawback, but of lesser concern, is the bandwidth restrictions that Internet service providers are starting to put on users. AT&T has dropped restrictions (150 GB) on us, for instance. And, we went over those restrictions in January and March, but not by much. They won't start billing for overages until next month. But, we might encounter that down the road.

Rather than watching, say, Fringe on Hulu, we record it over the air and watch that. And, we're doing that for all broadcast programs. So, we get commercials, but cut down on Internet bandwidth usage.

The Verdict

So, was doing this a good thing? Well, it works for me. I like it.

But, is it for you? It depends. If you don't mind having to juggle remotes, then you're able to get a good deal of content by using Internet-based content, plus over-the-air programming.

Everything carried on broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, CW, Fox, NBC) is available on the Internet. Everything I watch, anyway; there may be something that's not available via iTunes, Hulu, or some other source, but, really, just about everything is.

Cable-only programming might be an issue for you. The only show I watch regularly that isn't available is Red Eye. Official excerpts are available (usually 1/4 to 1/2 of the total show) via iTunes. Unofficial sources are available for the full programs, usually within hours of broadcast.

If you want to use just one source for Internet TV, the cheapest way is Roku. It's pretty east to set up, too.

Another way, though more expensive, is Windows Media Center running something like a Dell Zino 410 with TV tuners -- but, like I said, that runs up some money, having a dedicated computer. Plus, the setup is a little more involved.

Apple TV isn't the best choice for a single source of Internet TV, but it's actually pretty good. And the easiest of all to set up.

It might not be for you. But, if you want to expand your current TV options, you can add either a Roku or Apple TV device.

You might not drop cable or satellite TV. But, you might find that one of those devices make your TV options a little more enjoyable.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Smelly candles, plastic flowers, and scratching posts

So, now the big news is that it looks like the government might shut down. Like that's a bad thing.

All this time, those of us on the right have been complaining about the size of government. Now, it might shut down. And I say "Good!" It could use a good shutting down.

Only, the government really won't shut down.
“National parks, national forests and the Smithsonian Institution would all be closed. The NIH Clinical Center will not take new patients, and no new clinical trials will start,” he added in a roll call of expected agency closings.

But the air traffic control system would stay up and running, the emergency management agency would still respond to natural disasters and border security would not be affected.
That means that the government will still operate to some degree, but non-essential personnel will be sent home:
...John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union... (said) "Employees are apparently going to be told to report to work Monday (then) they will be released, and those who are nonessential, nonexempt will be released and the other ones will be told to stay."
What's all this mean?

It means that those of us on the right were right all along. The government is full of people whose jobs aren't necessary. And they don't even know who they are.

There are too many non-essentials when the economy is good and the government isn't running a deficit. It's even worse during this Obama economy.

There's word that some military might not get paid. Which means what? That the Obama administration considers them non-essential? That sounds like a bunch of stupid liberals. Gotta fund those abortion clinics, but not so much the American soldier.

The military is one of the essentials. But there are plenty of non-essentials in the government today.

Now, I don't think that non-essentials are necessarily a bad thing. I'm sitting at a computer right now. Not the cheapest computer, either. I spent around $3,000 for this MacBook Pro. That's a lot of money. And, I could have made do with a $400 Dell, I suppose.

And, looking around the room, I see a fish tank. We don't eat the fish, so it's non-essential. There are some trinkets on the coffee table and shelves. Some plastic flowers. A Rubik's Cube (what's that doing on the coffee table?). Candles. A scratching post for the cat.

Non-essentials.

In tough times, we wouldn't have all them.

And that's what the government is full of: non-essentials.

Lots of people who work for the government are trinkets and plastic flowers. Some are smelly candles.

The military is more like the doors, walls, shotguns, and such: they protect us and keep us safe. Not a whole lot of smelly candles and plastic flowers there.

For the U.S. to come out ahead on this, they need to send the non-essentials home. And leave them there. Let the non-essentials get a real job.

Oh, sure, there are lots of people out of work right now. Non-essentials.

I'm not saying they aren't qualified. I'm saying their job wasn't needed when they lost it.

I don't mind so much when business hires non-essentials. They are in the business to make money. And, when they make money, they have more money to spend on the non-essential jobs. Which, after a while of being done exceptionally, gets more focus and becomes essential.

The government, not so much. The business world is hurting because it has to cut non-essentials while the government keeps the plastic flowers and scratching posts on the payroll.

The government should get rid of all those smelly candles and plastic flowers. Then, they wouldn't spend so much money.

And you could have more smelly candles, plastic flowers, and scratching posts.

Personally, I don't care about smelly candles, plastic flowers, and scratching posts. Wife likes them, though. And things are better when she's happy.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Why Obama should get 4 more years

The world has changed. Even Republicans -- real, official, card-carrying, stuffed-shirt Republicans -- are making clever videos now.


[Direct link]

Why couldn't they have learned how to do this in 2008?

UPDATE: Seems the GOP parody is getting more hits than Obama's official video. Heh.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Testing

I'm not your business blogger. Jack Yoest has that title wrapped up.

But, there are some things I've learned over the years that I wish more people would learn. Particularly when I tell them, and a situation happens that proves my point, and they still won't do it.

For example, testing.

When you work on a project, it's not done until you test it.

That may seem obvious to you, but really, it's not obvious to some people. Or not as important to some people.

I've run into people who write code, and then never fully test it. They'll do a half-ass job of testing. Or when they do a decent job of testing, find a problem and fix it, they won't fully re-test.

I try to tell people that testing is important. It's at least as important as any other part of development.

Then, one day, I thought of an example that seems to have clicked. I told them this story, and it was like a light went off.

I told them about December 17, 1903.

You should already know that's the day the Wright Brothers made their first flight.

What's that got to do with anything?

Well, think about it.

That first flight was the test.

Sure, they did lots of other tests, but there was a problem and they made adjustments. They did that over the years before 1903, using gliders. And, when they added an engine, they did lots of tests. On December 14, they actually flew ... for 3 seconds. That wasn't a true flight, because it wasn't long enough to allow for any kind of maneuvering. Then there was the crash.

So, the test wasn't a complete success, and they made adjustments.

Three days later, they tried again. This time, they flew.

The first flight was 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. The next two flights went 175-200 feet. The fourth flight, around noon, was 852 feet over 59 seconds.

What's the big deal about this history lesson?

Those flights on December 17, 1903 ... were test flights. Tests.

And don't forget that on October 14, 1947, test pilot Capt. Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier. Test pilot. Doing testing.

The first powered flight was a test.

The first faster than sound flight was a test.

Many events that you think of as milestones in history were tests.

Testing is important. That's why, whether you ever thought about it or not, it's the tests that make the history books.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Basil 2012

I'm making it official: I am a candidate for President of the United States in 2012.

Now, before you dismiss me and my political aspirations, look at who else is running.

I'll wait.

Yeah, see? You got Obama, who, even after over 2 years doing the job, isn't capable of doing the job.

You got nobody else in the Democrats, unless Kucinich runs. He's a joke.

Nadar will likely run as an independent or for the Green Party or the I'm-46-Years-Past-My-15-Minutes Party or something. He's a joke.

For the Republicans, nobody will come out and say they're running. They want to tease. I don't mind so much someone that looks like Michele Bachmann or Sarah Palin when it comes to a tease, but a Haley Barbour or a Herman Cain or a Newt Gingrich or some other dude? And even the Michele or Sarah? I don't want it to be a tease. I want it to be a prelude. You guys know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, no one on the Republican side will come out and say they're running.

Of course there's the whole Ron Paul thing. But he's nothing more than Lyndon LaRouche without the conviction to commit mail fraud.

So, we need someone to run. And that someone to run is me.

Let me tell you a little about me.

1) I'm not a Muslim. I've been not a Muslim longer than Obama's been not a Muslim.

I'm Baptist. We've had 3 Baptist presidents so far (Truman, Carter, and Clinton), so I've got that baggage. At least some of that is baggage.

But, I'm willing to counter that by going to extreme measures when it comes to a running mate. I'm thinking I'll pick a Methodist. That ought to offer proper balance to the ticket.

B) I have a birth certificate. I know, it's not fashionable to actually have one of these, but I do. I was born in this country. In Georgia. Which is a real state, not one of those made-up states like Hawaii or California.

III) I served in the military. I served during Desert Storm. No, not in Iraq, but I did manage to keep northern Virginia safe. Got a NDSM for it.

4th) I've actually had a real job. No, I'm not a career politician. Which means I don't have any actual political experience, but hell, Obama's political experience consisted of voting present, so I'm no worse off there. And, actually having a real job where you got to get up in the morning and hit the drive-through for breakfast and fight traffic and deal with dumbasses at work ... Yeah I've done that. About to do it again in just a few minutes. So, I understand what all you little people have to go though. And I probably won't forget you when I'm all big and important and president and such. Probably.

Five) I don't mind pissing off people to get my way ... when I'm right. Dealing with Congress? If I'm right, I'll hold firm and not give an inch. What's the worst that could happen? Congress won't pass any legislation? Like that's a bad thing?

Finally) I'm always right. That's the good thing about being me. Whatever I say or do, I'm right. It's awesome always being right. You ought to try it. I don't know why more people don't.

I'm not selfish about it, either. I'm willing to share my ability to always be right with the rest of the country.

So, vote for me in 2012. Then you can be right, too.