Veterans Day, 2010

Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect (source: Dept. of Veterans Affairs)

Veterans Day

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

On Veterans Day, we come together to pay tribute to the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Americans across this land commemorate the patriots who have risked their lives to preserve the liberty of our Nation, the families who support them, and the heroes no longer with us. It is not our weapons or our technology that make us the most advanced military in the world; it is the unparalleled spirit, skill, and devotion of our troops. As we honor our veterans with ceremonies on this day, let our actions strengthen the bond between a Nation and her warriors.
In an unbroken line of valor stretching across more than two centuries, our veterans have charged into harm's way, sometimes making the ultimate sacrifice, to protect the freedoms that have blessed America. Whether Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard, they are our Nation's finest citizens, and they have shown the heights to which Americans can rise when asked and inspired to do so. Our courageous troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the globe have earned their place alongside previous generations of great Americans, serving selflessly, tour after tour, in conflicts spanning nearly a decade.

Long after leaving the uniform behind, many veterans continue to serve our country as public servants and mentors, parents and community leaders. They have added proud chapters to the story of America, not only on the battlefield, but also in communities from coast to coast. They have built and shaped our Nation, and it is our solemn promise to support our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen as they return to their homes and families.

America's sons and daughters have not watched over her shores or her citizens for public recognition, fanfare, or parades. They have preserved our way of life with unwavering patriotism and quiet courage, and ours is a debt of honor to care for them and their families. These obligations do not end after their time of service, and we must fulfill our sacred trust to care for our veterans after they retire their uniforms.

As a grateful Nation, we are humbled by the sacrifices rendered by our service members and their families out of the deepest sense of service and love of country. On Veterans Day,let us remember our solemn obligations to our veterans, and recommit to upholding the enduring principles that our country lives for, and that our fellow citizens have fought and died for.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation's veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2010, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA

The SEC chaos continues

While the rest of the college football world -- those that blindly follow the ESPN College Gameday crew -- are all worked up over those junior conferences trying to get into the BCS "championship game," those of us with working brains are only concerned about the SEC. Since the best team in the SEC -- whoever it is -- is the best college football team.

Now that we've clarified for the confused -- or made them mad so they left -- let's look at the confusion wrought by yesterday's games.

SEC East

Despite getting hammered by Arkansas, South Carolina is where they've been all season long: win and they're in ... as far as the SEC title game goes. Then, again, so is Florida.

Whoever wins the game this weekend wins the SEC East. It's that simple. Like we've been saying for weeks.

SEC West

The LSU win over Alabama seems to have simplified things. If Auburn wins one of its remaining two conference games (Georgia, Alabama), they win the West.

LSU can only win the West if Auburn loses both games, and if they win both of theirs (Mississippi, Arkansas).

Alabama can only win the West if they win out (Mississippi, Auburn), Auburn loses to Georgia, and LSU loses one of their remaining two games.

Auburn has the easiest track.

The BCS

Honestly, does it matter? If Auburn wins out, they should be in the SEC Championship Game against USC/Florida ... and win. And, that'll put them in the BCS "championship game."

Oregon, who some people really think is all that (they aren't), is likely to be that other team ... if they win out.

Texas Christian would be Auburn's opponent if Oregon stumbles. And, if TCU also stumbles, then Boise State might sneak in.

Unless LSU somehow sneaks in by way of other teams being upset. However, it appears that LSU gets to join Auburn in serving up a huge cup of STFU to two pretenders.

As it stands now, it's likely that Auburn gets to spank Oregon in the BCS "championship game," while LSU goes to the Sugar Bowl, and gets to spank either TCU or Boise State.

AARP, Obamacare, and karma

Remember when Obamacare was being considered by the Congress? And AARP was supporting it? And all the supporters said how much it would make everything better and how it would get prices under control and it would be just so awesome?

Well, now AARP has sent information to its employees saying that their insurance was going up ... because of Obamacare:

In an e-mail to employees, AARP says health care premiums will increase by 8 percent to 13 percent next year because of rapidly rising medical costs.

And AARP adds that it's changing copayments and deductibles to avoid a 40 percent tax on high-cost health plans that takes effect in 2018 under the law. ... Shifting costs to employees lowers the value of a health care plan and acts like an escape hatch from the tax.

To be honest, I don't mind those that supported Obamacare getting bit in the ass by Obamacare -- they are such big asses, after all.

I like laughing at stupid people. It's fun.

Oh, and AARP? Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Buying an iPad for Verizon

I bought an iPad earlier this year. And, I've been happy with it. Back then, you could only buy an iPad from Apple. That is, from an Apple Store, and Apple Dealer, or online from Apple.com.

Now, though, you can buy one from Verizon, or a bunch of other places.

You may be wondering if you should buy one from Verizon. I'm not going to say you should or shouldn't, but here is some information that Verizon ... or Apple ... might not tell you.

3G or not 3G?

If, like me, you want to be able to connect to the Internet without depending on 3rd-party hotspots -- like at a Starbucks, McDonald's, a hotel, or other places, or when you're in the car (the passengers using it, not the driver!) --  then you need to be able to carry the Internet around with you. Okay, not the Internet, but an Internet connection.

I bought mine from Apple, and bought the 3G version. That meant that I could connect to the Internet from just about anywhere.

To me, it's worth considering getting the ability to connect to the Internet. And that meant getting the 3G version. But maybe not anymore.

Verizon's option

You can buy an iPad from Verizon. They are promoting the heck out of their bundle. That's a WiFi-only iPad, plus their MiFi hotspot thingy. And, from their Website, it's next to impossible to find an iPad without the MiFi bundle. They want you to buy both.

But, you might not have to.

AT&T vs Verizon

I have Verizon as my cell phone provider. I can sit on my couch (like right now, as I write this) and use my Verizon phone. When my daughter, who has AT&T service, visits, she cannot sit on my couch and user her AT&T phone. Verizon service is more reliable in more places ... for me. It might not be for you, but it is for me.

If AT&T is more reliable for you, then you should get an iPad with 3G, which means using AT&T for non-wifi connectivity.

If, though, like me, you prefer Verizon, then you have some options.

Your Own Personal Hotspot

If you have one of those fancy new phones that can work as a hotspot -- like my Droid does -- or if you have some other personal hotspot device, you can use it, then you only need a WiFi version of the iPad.

Verizon says they'll sell you one, but, gosh, it sure is hard to find how to do that online. You might have to go to a Verizon store.

But, does it work well? Well enough. I'm using it to post this. Yes, I'm sitting on my couch writing this, but I'm connected to the Internet via the hotspot device (a Droid X, in my case).

So, if you have your own hotspot device already, and it performs satisfactorily, you don't need to get a new one.

Connectivity Pricing

How much does it cost to connect?

AT&T has a couple of plans: $15/month for 250 MB, or $25/month for 2GB. If you run out of data, they'll renew to start a new month. If a month passes, they'll renew unless you cancel. My usage has always been more than 250MB, but less than 2GB. There's no overage charges, because when you run out, they start a brand-new month.

Verizon isn't quite as simple, and there is the risk of overage. If you go with the MiFi 2200 plan (part of the iPad bundle), it's $20/month, but you only get 1 GB.

If you have a hotspot device -- say, a phone that can work as a hotspot -- it's $20/month for 2GB. Cheaper than AT&T, more data than the MiFi 2200 plan, but as an add-on to your cell phone bill, you run the risk of overages; it doesn't recycle like AT&T's plan.

Summary

If you already have a portable hotspot device you're happy with, you can buy a wifi-only iPad from anywhere. In my case, there's a local dealer, and I'd buy from him.

If, though, you don't have a personal hotspot, then you really want to consider getting either an iPad and a hotspot device (like Verizon's), or get an iPad with 3G built-in (that means pay as you go AT&T service).

Job well done

Nancy Pelosi summed up her term as Speaker of the House: "Job well done."

No, really. She actually said that:

"We believe we did the right thing, and we worked very hard in our campaigns to convey that to the American people," she said. "Nine and a half percent unemployment is a very eclipsing event. If people don't have a job, they're not too interested in how you intend for them to have a job. They want to see results."

Asked to assess her tenure, Pelosi quickly answered, "Job well done."

See? You thought I made that up. But I didn't. She actually said that.

But, you know, thinking about it ... she may be right. Depending on what she thought her job was.

• If you thought your job was to bring America to the brink of financial ruin, then job well done.
• If you thought your job was to make Americans miss having Republicans in charge, then job well done.
• If you thought your job was to ram through ill-conceived, unwanted legislation, then job well done.
• If you thought your job was to stand there and look stupid, then job well done.
• If you thought your job was to bring Congress' approval rating down to all-time lows, then job well done.
• If you thought your job was to help Americans understand that voters in your district are stark raving mad, then job well done.
• If you thought your job was to be the punchline of a joke, then job well done.

How would you assess Nancy Pelosi's job?

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More comments at IMAO

It doesn't ad up

Sunday


Hello? Delaware Channel 28?


Uhhhh. What?


I'm trying to reach Channel 28. Have I reached the correct number?


Uhhhh. Sure, yeah.


This is Christine O'Donnell. I had paid to have an ad run at 11:30, and it didn't run.

Don't forget your towel!

Did you see that NASA is planning to send a ship on a one-way trip to another planet?

According to news reports, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is funding a NASA project to send some people on a one-way trip:

In a talk at San Francisco's Long Conversation conference, Simon “Pete” Worden said DARPA has $1M to spend, plus another $100,000 from NASA itself, for the program, which will initially develop a new kind of propulsion engine that will take us to Mars or beyond.

There's only one problem: The astronauts won't come back.

The 100-year ship would leave Earth with the intention of colonizing a planet, but it would likely be a one-way trip because of the time it takes to travel 35 million miles

Who would make the trip?

• hairdressers
• tired TV producers
• insurance salesmen
• personnel officers
• security guards
• public relations executives
• management consultants
• telephone sanitizers

Well, actually, I'm not sure about that list. That may be a list from somewhere else entirely.

But, as long as NASA is sending a ship on a one-way trip, why not use that list? Or something like it? Why not turn the 100-Year Starship into a B-Ark and include the useless third of society? I think we could include:

• Democrats
• MSNBC anchors
• daytime TV talk show hosts
• moderates
• liberals
• bloggers
• community organizers

Any other suggestions?