4th
Quarter '06 - Thoughts & Stuff
Here's some things I found interesting this quarter:
Fun Things Found on the Web
Some
of this brings back memories; some of it rots the brain:
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Monty Python's Argument Clinic
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Batton Lash's Supernatural Law
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Transl8 from English to L33T: http://www.transl8it.com
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Lots of silly little games: http://www.addictinggames.com/
The Conservative Nanny State
A really interesting book, free in its web format: http://www.conservativenannystate.org/
"Political debates in the United States are routinely framed as a battle between conservatives who favor market outcomes, whatever they may be, against liberals who prefer government intervention to ensure that families have decent standards-of-living. This description of the two poles is inaccurate; both conservatives and liberals want government intervention. The difference between them is the goal of government intervention, and the fact that conservatives are smart enough to conceal their dependence on the government..."
Bush Library Card Catalog
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Constitution of the United States (Sealed)
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Visitor's log to the office of the Vice-President (Sealed)
more: http://rewinn.com/9937
Counterinsurgency for the Complete Idiot
The
Pentagon has released its counterinsurgency manual on the web. This
not only lets every American in uniform have quick access to it, but lets
all the rest of us Americans understand what should and shouldn't be done.
(And don't be mislead by fools who think this information should be
suppressed. The insurgents already know who to fight; it's only we
American citizens who have been kept in the dark):
- Pentagon link: http://usacac.army.mil/CAC/Repository/Materials/COIN-FM3-24.pdf
- Mirrored at rewinn.com: COIN-FM3-24.pdf
A short version (very very short) was created by one of our own soldiers, using PowerPoint so that even someone as
stupid as George W Bush could understand it:
http://abcnews.go.com/images/US/how_to_win_in_anbar_v4.pdf
Unfortunately, the author is now dead, thanks to the fatally flawed policies
of our own dear President:
http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=2729584
Metallic Metals Act
In 1947, a scientist asked people of their opinion of the "Metallic Metals
Act", and over 70% gave an opinion despite the fact that they could know nothing
of the Act. The Act didn't exist, so no-one could have an opinion... is a
non-existent piece of proposed legislation that featured prominently in an
experiment conducted in 1947 by Sam Gill:
PC = Prematurely Correct
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We were correct that invading Iraq would find no WMDs.
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We were correct that Bush's plans didn't include enough troops or equipment.
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We were correct that an occupation would spark chaos and civil war.
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We said all along the things that everyone is now saying ... we were just Prematurely Correct.
Does Global Warming Mean a Pirate's Life for Ye?
Check
out whether a 7m (22-foot) rise in sea level will send YOUR home, place of work,
or favorite vacation spot straight into Davy Jones' locker, argh! at
http://flood.firetree.net/
Since it defaults to the British Isles, you'll have to manipulate the map controls to get to other places in the world. It uses GoogleMap, so try the "Hybrid" view. Equip yeself, my hearties, afore the turnin' o' the tide, argh!- 12/03/06
Dice Wars
Dice Wars is single-player browser strategy game created by GameDesign. In it, players fight for world domination "rolling" dice which represent units. The game looks much like Risk; however several differences in rules make for a different playing experience. See http://rewinn.com/9941
Legal Humor
Every
Profession has its in-jokes. Here's some you may not have seen:
http://rewinn.com/1111
So Many Reasons to Give Thanks!
Start with November 7, and go on from there:
Not Necessarily The Meaning of Christmas...
...but funny!
Going to Chewelah for Grandfather Stolp's Funeral
We
drove to Chewelah, Washington, for the funeral of grandfather Stolp. Along the
way, we passed the Gingko Petrified Forest at Vantage (where I-90 crosses the
Columbia). That log in the foreground? It's petrified wood ... and there's lots
more!
General Abizaid's Logic
1. In testifying before Congress, General Abizaid said that we should not add troops
to Iraq because that would keep the Iraqis from
relying on themselves to defend themselves.
2. But if that's true ... why not reduce troops so the Iraqis will rely on
themselves more?
3. The answer, according to Abizaid, we should not reduce troops because that would
lead to chaos.
4. But if that's true ... why not increase troops to reduce the chaos?
5. Go to 1.
(See http://www.house.gov/hasc/schedules/11-15-06AbizaidTestimony.pdf )
Take the Liberal Pledge to Disheartened Conservatives!
Now liberals at last have the edge!
Do we want the right's wrongs to up-dredge?
For the good of our Nation
Let pass the temptation;
Let us take and support the Moore Pledge:
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?mmflint
Full text: http://www.rewinn.com/9944.html
America Wins!
Congratulations to Speaker Pelosi. Let's get to work:
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Day One: Put new rules in place to "break the link between lobbyists and
legislation." - Day Two: Enact all the recommendations made by the commission that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
- Time remaining until 100 hours: Raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, maybe in one step. Cut the interest rate on student loans in half. Allow the government to negotiate directly with the pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare patients.
- Broaden the types of stem cell research allowed with federal funds.
- All the days after that: "Pay as you go," meaning no increasing the deficit, whether the issue is middle class tax relief, health care or some other priority.
http://www.dccc.org/stakeholder/archives/005354.html
Hamdan v. Rumsfeld CLE
Memoirs of William Sampson
Now in Print!
After
being out of print for 190 years, William Sampson's Memoirs are now available at
http://cafepress.com/rewinn . Sampson
was an Irish Protestant lawyer, tortured and exiled for the crime of defending
Catholics. He came to America on July 4, 1806 and became a leader in promoting
human rights and religious under our Constitution.
You can read his exciting memoirs free on the web, or, better still: order the book!
