Headline News 2006-03-31

From ABC News:
Saint Louis Zoo Euthanizes Elder Orangutan
Dr. Zaius had been ill for over 10 years

From ABC News:
Apple Computer mounts defense in Beatles lawsuit
Yoko blamed

From CNN:
Dutch asked to host Taylor trial
Out of work cartoonists get jobs as security guards

From CNN:
Cyclone Glenda hits Australia
Australia threatens to tell mom if Glenda doesn't stop hitting her

From WESH:
Man punished for soda prank
Coca-Cola company denies test-marketing Mello Yello II

From CNN:
30 years for Bush assassination plot
Judge told defendent to aim better next time

From ABC News:
Philly Plumbers Upset by Waterless Urinals
Says trees belong outdoors

From ABC News:
Man Crashes Car After Snake Attacks Him
Drive-thru country church franchise suffers setback

From ABC News:
Police Chase Ends at the Drive-Thru
Won't be only whopper he'll be eating this week

From AJC:
McKinney faces arrest over security incident
Bush blamed

Picnic 2006-03-31

Today's picnic basket of items from my blogroll.

• Riehl World View says the U.S. should follow Canada's lead


• Infidel-A-Tees introduces clothes for infidels (and it's not April 1st!)


• Louisiana Conservative offers thoughts on immigration


• Euphoric Reality finds some lawmakers taking a stand


• Tammi's World is turning to smut


• Ogre looks at the North Carolina Conservative Agenda


• Oddybobo (Bobo Blogger) knows one when she sees one


• Quality Weenie looks at nicknames


• Martin (MVRWC) says Iran isn't scared of the UN


• Richmond (One For The Road) hates spiders, too


• Spacemonkey hasn't yet gone blind from doodling ... but apparently needs glasses


• That 1 Guy (Drunken Wisdom) visits hell


• One Happy Dog Speaks to God *


• Contagion (Miasmatic Review) calls "Shotgun!"


• Rachel (Tinkerty Tonk) finds the recipe for stupid

Cynthia McKinney

It's been a couple of years since the Wife and I went to Stone Mountain. The first time she ever went was with me. I took her to see Merle Haggard on Labor Day Weekend in 2003.

Her whole life, she lived closer to Stone Mountain than I did, since I lived in southeast Georgia most of my life. But, she finally went there and enjoyed it. So, we've been back a few times since then. And, she's taken the grandchildren over there when she had days off during the week.

But the last time she and I went there, we took I-285 around Atlanta on the south side. That's when I saw a sign that said "Cynthia McKinney Highway."

Now, this was during the time she was out of Congress, I believe. She may have just made it back in, I'm not certain.

Regardless, those idiots that name roads in Atlanta names a stretch of road for Cynthia McKinney? Yep, that's what they did. Officially, it's Memorial Drive, but you know how they'll name a stretch of road after someone? They named a stretch of Memorial Drive after Cynthia McKinney.

No, I'm not making this up. Rockman at LGF testifies to the truth of my statement.

Anyway, when I took that exit (because it's GA-10, which goes to Stone Mountain), I looked over at the wife, unable to speak. That's when I noticed a sign: "Free At Last Bail Bonds"

No, I'm not making that up, either. See?

Why am I bringing this up?

Well, I'm wondering if she gets a discount there.

Headline News 2006-03-30

From ABC News:
Brokeback Mountain is tops at gay media awards
Edged "Good Night and Good Luck" as gayest film of year

From CNN:
A pope's pen pal: Exchanging letters with John Paul II
Doesn't understand why pope hasn't written back in the past year

From WTAE:
Pitt prof to Russia's Putin: You're a plagiarist
Putin loses job as Washington Post blogger

From WPLG:
Cops: Eagles star refused to stop boogying
Joe Walsh arrested

From CNN:
Scientists recreate the 1906 San Francisco quake
San Francisco residents not pleased

From CNN:
Naked sculpture of Spears going on view
Will allow both men that haven't seen Britney Spears naked to join rest of world

From ABC News:
New Orleans Recovery May Take 25 Years
Effects of the Ricky Williams trade long-lasting

From ABC News:
Sharon Stone: 'Sex Is the Weapon'
Was cleaning it when it went off

From ABC News:
School Sends Boy With Spiked Hair Home
Spike Lee sues over haircut description

From ABC News:
Iran Gets 30 Days to Clear Nuke Suspicions
Syria agrees to store weapons next to Saddam's

Picnic 2006-03-30

Today's picnic basket of items from my blogroll.

• The Jawa Report has full coverage of Jill Carroll being freed


• Emily explains what's been occupying her time


• Steve the Pirate is amused by the Cynthia McKinney story


• Outside the Beltway says "Caption This!"


• Jeff (Beautiful Atrocities) finds what's really important in San Francisco


• Steven Donohue (A Republic, Madam, ...) says something's amiss in the Duke story


• Tanker (Ace of Spades HQ) says Airbus missed the bus


• Woman Honor Thyself looks at America's place in the world


• Merri Musings finds the news just gets worse and worse


• Jo's Cafe has a history of the ACLU


• Contagion (Miasmatic Review) gets a new toy


• Rachel (Tinkerty Tonk) is pissed (so to speak) about a new ONDCP plan

Alternatives to Blogger: MSN Spaces

Over at the Alliance HQ, we've been covering a series of blogging platforms as alternatives to Blogger. While Blogger is a popular program for beginners and experienced bloggers alike, some people don't like the platform and either avoid it altogether, or move from it to another service or platform.

Today, we're looking at another free alternative: MSN Spaces.

Like Blogger, MSN Spaces is owned by a huge company; Blogger is owned by Google while MSN Spaces is owned by Microsoft. So, if Blogger's big owner turns you off, you'll likely be turned off by MSN Spaces. Conversely, if you're not bothered by the big company owner of Blogger, you likely won't be bothered by the big company owner of MSN Spaces.

Enough Of That, How Does It Stack Up?

MSN Spaces overcomes some of the real or perceived shortcomings of Google.

• You don't have to republish the entire blog for small edits. Even large changes to appearance are handled by .NET server technology. That is, much of the formatting information appears to be stored in ASP variables, so changes are written to the database and don't need to be written to one or more files.


• MSN Spaces supporting categories. In addition to the default categories provided, you can add your own, up to 25.


• TrackBack support is built-in. While Blogger's Backlinks leverage Google's search to automatically (thought not immediately) display sites that link to your Blogger blog, MSN Spaces doesn't do any such thing. Rather, the traditional, more widely-supported TrackBack technology of SixApart is used. And preferred by many.


• The ability to scroll through lists of posts overcomes the 300-post limit on the edit page that Google/Blogger has


• Beginners don't have the same difficulty in editing the Templates. It's fairly easy to make changes, but not as many changes can be make. In Blogger, you can literally make lots of changes, limited only by your HTML/CSS knowledge.


• Service disruptions aren't perceived to be an issue with MSN Spaces. Whether or not that's an accurate perception, MSN Spaces doesn't have the reputation for being down nearly as often as Blogger.


• There is a window-esque, drop-and-drag interface to use when creating a blog. After all, it's a Microsoft product, as is Windows.

Although those Blogger issues are addressed with MSN Spaces, other issues remain:

• Not offering extended entry functionality ("More..." or "Click to continue...")


• Lack of variety in Templates or Template selection is limited. In fact, more so than Blogger.


• Unhappy with the general appearance of Templates. In MSN Spaces, they do have a professional look, but it's a cookie-cutter professional look.


• Fixed width Templates are the norm for MSN Spaces.


• No ability to moderate (as opposed to delete) comments. And once you delete a comments, it's gone.


• Inability to schedule posts for future publishing.


• "Second class blog" stigma / must have a "spaces.msn.com" URL, similar to Blogger's "blogspot.com" URL

Problems or Limitations of MSN Spaces

There are some things about MSN Spaces that you'll encounter that you don't encounter with Blogger.

For example, anyone can access your Blogger blog. However, Microsoft requires people sign in to Passport to view your site. Because of that, it's more of a "community" than a public blogging platform.

The upside is that if someone trolls your blog, at least you've forced them to log in and can attempt to use that information when reporting such activity to Microsoft.

Finally, the biggie: I can't find a way to add Alliance information to your site. Which means that, despite its overcoming of many of Blogger's real or perceived limitations, you can't meet all the requirements for joining the Alliance. And, without that, there's no way I can recommend MSN Spaces.

Headline News 2006-03-29

From ABC News:
Britney Birth Statue Sparks Abortion Controversy
Most agree: Her mother have aborted her

From ABC News:
Law Professor Bans Laptops in Class
Glenn Reynolds: "No one blogs but me!"

From ABC News:
College Student in Wal-Mart for 41 Hours
Couldn't get anyone to help her

From ABC News:
'Severed Hand' Carried by Dog Was a Paw
Dog was lookin' for man that shot his paw

From ABC News:
Buffet Sets World Record With 510 Dishes
Michael Moore finally satisfied

From ABC News:
Three Kids in Family Have Same Birthday
Scientists call children "triplets"

From ABC News:
Judge Blames ADHD for Wrongful Arrests
Attorney: "Such actions are unacceptable and will not be ... oooh! Look! A penny!"

From ABC News:
Taylor in custody to face war crimes trial
Fife to run Mayberry Sherrif's office while Andy awaits trial

From ABC News:
Palestinian president swears in Hamas government
Israel president swears at Hamas government

From ABC News:
Robolobsters and Mind-Controlled Sharks
Bush complete White House staff shakeups

Picnic 2006-03-29

Today's picnic basket of items from my blogroll.

• Wild Thing (PC Free Zone) looks at NYU's cave-in


• Neptunus Lex muses about who really wants the truth


• Rachy (Lesless in Perpetuum) looks forward to April 1


• BlackFive looks at the brick thrown at the recruiting office


• The Gunn Nutt has an update Gavin, son of Cindy-True-Supporter


• Grandma's House notes the passing of Dan Curtis ("Dark Shadows")


• Miss Beth says TypePad Bad


• Feisty Republican Whore says Morgan Spurlock's 15 minutes are up


• Agent Bedhead wants you to photoshop a LLama


• Wil Wheaton hopes it's like shooting phish in a barrel


• Ipso Facto offers advice. Site note: Gosh, I miss the 3-panel vertical. Oh, well.


• Cox & Forkum look at who wants to handle the immigration issue ... but mention nothing about paying the bill


• Dry Bones says elections do not a democracy make


• Contagion (Miasmatic Review) unloads on a gun seller


• Rachel (Tinkerty Tonk) isn't so sure about those "meal assembly centers."

Who The Hell You Callin' White Trash?

I am 89% White Trash.

Born in a trailer, live in a trailer, die in a trailer. I am the epitome of white trashiness. Unfortunately, I have no clue what epitome means.

Take the
White Trash Test
@ FualiDotCom

Not quite sure what to make of this one. I don't smoke, so that counted against me. Of course, it didn't ask nothing about Skoal. Plus me owning a computer. Thjank God for Blue Hippo!

So, no Basil. You can't have your Wenesdays back!

Oh, and I don't know how right or rong this kind of thing is. But I'm realy curious. So, I'm tagging some folks.

Hey y'all. Tag, you're it!

• Agent Bedhead


• And Rightly So!


• Area417


• BOBO BLOGGER


• Cranky Neocon


• Dangerous Logic


• Feisty Republican Whore


• HECTOR VEX


• It Is What It Is


• Lost In Lima Ohio


• MacStansbury.org


• Mean Ol' Meany


• Merri Musings


• MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy


• Pirate's Cove


• Riehl World View


• Rightwingsparkle


• Six Meat Buffet


• Sortapundit


• Stupid Random Thoughts


• SubTerfuge


• The Ebb & Flow Institute


• The Jawa Report


• The Nose On Your Face


• THE STEEL DEAL


• The Therapist


• Vince Aut Morire

Am I White Trash?

I am 31% White Trash.

The white trash in my blood will not keep me from becoming a doctor or a lawyer, but it will keep me from a good haircut and any sort of fashion sense.

Take the
White Trash Test
@ FualiDotCom

From Rachel (Tinkerty Tonk).

It seems I'm more White Trash than I realized.

Perhaps I should take over the Wednesday duties from Cousin Red...

Headline News 2006-03-28

From ABC News:
Malaysia Opens Drive-In Massage Parlor
Large prostitutes available when customers ask to "Super Size" it

From ABC News:
Europeans Giving Blood Money to Iraq Insurgents
Bush blamed

From ABC News:
Big Brother Watching: Nude Photos Up for Sale?
Jeb Bush put in his place

From ABC News:
France Braces for Nationwide Strike
Service levels expected to drop 5-7%

From ABC News:
Bear Wrestler, Owner Criticized by PETA
Bear challenges PETA to a Texas Cage Death Match

From ABC News:
'Pillcam' Shows Esophagus Damage
Damage blamed on swallowing camera

From ABC News:
Boy, 3, Gets Trapped Inside Toy Machine
Took parents 733 quarters to get him out

From ABC News:
Man Is Charged $4,300 for Four Burgers
Hardee's ups price of Six-Dollar Burger

From ABC News:
Man Accidentally Divorces Wife in Sleep
First peacful sleep he's had in years

From ABC News:
Dakota Sioux Language Saved by Scrabble
Still can't properly spell, or pronounce, 'Sioux'

Picnic 2006-03-28

Today's picnic basket of items from my blogroll.

• Riehl World View says the GOP is in trouble


• WuzzaDem's legal troubles continue


• Jay Tea (Wizbang) looks at immigration reform


• Frank J. (IMAO) says don't legitimize illegals


• Jo's Cafe looks at the immigration protests


• Chuck at Redneckin' weighs in on immigration


• Musing Minds isn't a fan of Faux News


• Sin City BBQ thinks it's a good idea for newscasters to know what they are talking about


• Phin returns full time


• Laurence Simon (IMAO) says John Kerry flip-flops


• Letters from the Bostonian Exile muses on the Britney sculpture


• Point Five warns of global warming


• Burkard (The Blog of Columbus GA) looks at the city council's attempt to preempt Phelps


• Contagion (Miasmatic Review) must work where I work


• Rachel (Tinkerty Tonk) finds reality TV getting more and more unreal

The Fighting Side

If you remember earlier, I mentioned that the Wife and I had tickets to see Merle Haggard. We bought them the same time we bought the tickets to hear Beethoven's Ninth.

Well, last night was the Merle Haggard concert. We had better seats for Merle than we did for Ludwig.

The Wife and I had seen Merle Haggard before. And again, he put on a show for his fans. Not that I consider myself a fan; the Wife is, but I wouldn't be considered a fan. But I certainly do have a appreciation of many of his songs and for his impact on music. And last night, he showed why he's the star he is.

The River Center was packed with Merle Haggard fans of all ages. Some were older than us. Some were younger than us. But there were lots of them.

For many in the audience, the biggest applause was reserved for the line "We still wave Old Glory down at the courthouse" from Okie From Muskogee.

For me, though, the highlight was when Merle Haggard told the audience of a song he "wrote during another war that was appropriate for this one." That's when he sang The Fighting Side of Me.

Verse 1:
I hear people talking bad about the way they have to live here in this country.
Harpin' on the wars we fight gripin' 'bout the way things ought to be.
I don't mind them switchin' sides and standin' up for things they beleive in,
When they're runnin' down our country man,
They're walkin' on The Fightin' Fide Of Me.

Chorus
They're walkin' on The Fightin' Side Of Me.
Runnin' down a way of life our fightin' men have fought and died to keep,
If you don't love it, leave it,
Let this song that I'm singin' be a warnin',
When you're runnin' down our country hoss
You're walkin' on The Fightin' Side Of Me.

Verse 2:
I read about some squirley guy
Who claims that he just don't beleive in fightin',
And I wonder just how long the rest of us can count on bein' free.
They love our milk and honey but they preach about some other way of livin',
When they're runnin' down our country man
They're walkin' on The Fightin' Side Of Me.

Chorus
They're walkin' on The Fightin' Side Of Me.
Runnin' down a way of life our fightin' men have fought and died to keep,
If you don't love it, leave it,
Let this song that I'm singin' be a warnin',
When you're runnin' down our country man
You're walkin' on The Fightin' Side Of Me.

That's a song you won't ever here the Dixie Chicks sing.

But then again, they ain't country. At least, not this country.

Headline News 2006-03-27

From ABC News:
Marines Try to Recruit 78-Year-Old Woman
Heard she was looking for a few good men

From ABC News:
Man Sentenced for Shooting at Toy Plane
Ken converts to Islam

From ABC News:
Los Angeles Man Retires at 100
Hugh Hefner finally hangs up pajamas

From ABC News:
Quaid Says He Was Fleeced for 'Brokeback' Role
Quaid: "If I'd known I was going to be screwed up the a**, I'd have taken the lead role"

From KPRC:
Student: Coach forced me to defecate in bag
Shouldn't have to put up with that crap

From CNN:
Florida high school students may pick majors
Captains still chosen by Army

From Associated Press:
Alligator Knocks on Florida Woman's Door
Disguised as shark, promises candygram

From Associated Press:
Road-Construction Callers Get Sex Line
Gives new meaning to laying asphalt

From ABC News:
Pillow Talk Leads to Indian Couple's Divorce
Rock Hudson, Doris Day named in suit

From ABC News:
Scientists Find Skull of Human Ancestor
Report states many were found buried under marble slabs, are calling area "Cemetary"

Picnic 2006-03-27

Today's picnic basket of items from my blogroll.

• Jack Yoest was interviewed by Small Business Trends


• Mensa Barbie says enforce the laws already on the books


• TMH Bacon Bits is driven crazy by the news


• Freedom Folks has a story about a Minuteman being attacked


• The Florida Masochist says that's the nature of the business


• The Shallow End explains why the Shallow End [via Bloggin' Outloud]


• Contagion (Miasmatic Review) has a happy day amid all the chaos


• Rachel (Tinkerty Tonk) is in bed ... but not for a good reason

The Bear In The Cave

I had an unusual dream the other night.

We were in the woods. Now, I'm not sure exactly who "we" were, but "we" were in the woods.

And, it wasn't exactly the woods. It was a lightly wooded area, it seems. Not clear land, but with trees. Not exactly sparse, but not heavily wooded. But enough to call it "the woods."

And we were making our way through the woods. And came upon a clearing.

The clearing was not a shaded clearing. Not exactly. But not overly bright. Probably it was not an overly bright day. It was just a day in my dream.

But the clearing was there, and we entered it.

That's when we heard the noise. It was coming from the cave.

Turns out there was a cave in the clearing in the woods. And we heard this noise coming from it.

No one was sure at first what the noise was, but coming from a cave, and with my apparent knowledge of animal sounds (which I had in the dream, but don't have in real life), I knew what it was.

It was a bear.

There was a bear in the cave. The cave in the clearing. The clearing in the woods. The woods we were walking through in my dream.

I told everyone else to be careful, to stay back. And I made my way towards the cave.

Carefully, ever so carefully, I approached the cave. I didn't want to startle the bear, I didn't want to harm the bear, but I knew that I had to approach the cave wherein there was a bear.

And I approached, wary, but certain that I had to approach.

That's when I woke up with the Wife snoring in my ear.

Fortunately for me, she doesn't read this little blog. Or this very well might be my last post.

Picnic 2006-03-26

Today's picnic basket of items from my blogroll.

• Seawitch celebrated one year


• John (of Argghhh! ...) explains why ajeossi isn't fat


• Miss Beth says this ain't right (only she users a little stronger language)


• aTypicalJoe says beware the Monsters from the Id.


• Laurence Simon Asks The Cats® about Domenech


• Blackfive notes the passing of a man of peace


• Right Wing News asks (and answers) being pro-life and anti-big-government


• Michelle Malkin opposes illegal immigration


• Big White Hat remembers Buck Owens


• The Cancer Blog reports that Heather Mills (McCartney) opposes milk


• Echo9er remembers Buck Owens


• Lost In Lima Ohio asks for two words

ALa (blonde sagacity)

Today, another favorite has agreed to answer questions. It's ALa of blonde sagacity...


The interview panel is ready to go...


Now, the first question...

Picnic 2006-03-25

Today's picnic basket of items from my blogroll.

• Right Wing Nut House discovers why Saddam documents the U.S. had have stayed secret for so long


• Neddy's Pavaler plays Find The Bean Counter


• Soldier's Angel New York reports another call for armor


• 7 Deadly Sins offers good advice


• Jeff Goldstein asks what if we lose?


• Oddybobo has a picture of a sailor holding his large tool


• ArmyWifeToddlerMom solves the mystery ... and administers fitting punishment


• Don Surber looks at a boob who files a lawsuit


• Cory (Core|Blog) returns


• Ace In The Hole says "Heal thyself


• Moby Shtick interviews Simon Cowell


• Echo9er answers the salute/hand over heart question


• Lost In Lima Ohio has more on Jerry Rangel, child molester

The Laughing Wolf

The Blog Interviews continue this week with The Laughing Wolf...


Our interview panel is ready...


First question?

Headline News 2006-03-24

From CNN:
Huffington apologizes for Clooney 'blog'
Yet to apologize for rest of blog

From CNN:
Millionaire prefers 10 years in jail to paying ex-wife
Hasn't heard of the 'O.J. solution'

From CNN:
Sharon Stone: Nude scenes 'no big thing'
Hasn't watched 'Basic Instinct'

From MSNBC:
Culpepper says he snubbed 'love boat' lap dancers
Thought 'snub' was euphamism for sex act

From Reuters:
Porn star hits it big as wine-maker
Still won't explain where the bottle's been

From Reuters:
Villagers admire each other's potatoes
"Cowboy" really likes "Construction Worker's" potatoes much better than "Indian's" or "Biker's"

From Reuters:
Dancer sues show for dismissal over bra size
Says bar owner is really big boob

From Reuters:
Woman survives fall from 11th floor
Was chasing cat

From Reuters:
Teacher sorry for watching baseball in class
Disappointed in Braves extra-inning loss

From Reuters:
Conviction in body enlargement scam
'Large prick' turned out to be man running scam

For Sale

So, anybody in the Columbus/Phenix City/Auburn-Opelika area want to buy a 2006 Arctic Cat 250?

It's new. I'm talking brand new. Never been ridden. Oh, and it's green.

$3000 OBO.

Oh, and I got a trailer for it, too, if you're interested in that, too.

If you're interested, let me know.

Picnic 2006-03-24

Today's picnic basket of items from my blogroll.

• Riehl World View says Domenech has got some 'splaining to do


• Buck Sargent (American Citizen Soldier) shows what Casey Sheehan died for [via Mudville Gazette]


• Michelle Malkin looks at a very non-Christian way to say thank you


• Right Hand Of God has more on the "Christian" "peacemakers"


• Lone Pony laughs


• Michael Hussey (Disaffiliates) looks at the Wal-Mart row in Decatur


• the real sarahk (me the mountaineer) shows why some couples shouldn't be


• Fmragtops owes a debt to Jack Bauer


• Dorannes lists 13 things proving Spermatophobia


• Stop the ACLU! follows the money


• The Steel Deal shows the effects of living too close to Area 51


• Palmetto Pundit is shocked -- shocked! -- to find drunks in bars


• Ace in the Hole is following the Texas drunks story from a closer perspective


• Rachel (Tinkerty Tonk) wants in on that Vancouver addiction program


• Rev Billy Bob Gisher (Less People, Less Idiots©) says a priest is missing


• Echo9er looks at some recent ridiculous items in the news


• Lost In Lima Ohio has a follow-up on a case where the child molester got slapped on the wrist

Visiting InstaGrandma

*knock*knock*knock*


Who is it?


Grandma? It's Glenn. Can I come in?


...


*knock*knock*knock*


Who is it?


It's me, Glenn.


Who?


It's Glenn.


...


*knock*knock*knock*


Who is it?


It's Glenn.


Who?


Glenn.


Glenn?


Yes, it's Glenn!


Glenn's not here.


*knock*knock*knock*


Who is it?


It's Glenn!


Who?


Glenn!


Glenn?


Yes, Grandma, it's Glenn!


Glenn's not here.


*knock*knock*knock*


Who is it?


Will you open up, Grandma? It's Glenn!


Who?


Glenn! G-L-E-N-N!


Glenn?


Yes! Glenn!


Glenn?


Right! Glenn! Can I come in?


Glenn's not here.


Okay, Grandma. I'm going to go now!


...


Goodbye, Grandma! I love you!


...


 


That Glenn's a nice boy. But you're not big enough to feed two. Now, let's go get the blender.