Hat tip to Big Hollywood

I think Reagan wins.

Hat tip to Theo Spark

I was surfing a gun enthusiast web site looking for some specific handgun info when I came across an intriguing review of Monster Hunter International, a modern fantasy/horror-action novel. The story is about an accountant, Owen Z. Pitt, who survives an attack by a werewolf that used to be his insufferable boss. Because Own not only survived the attack but handled himself well he is recruited into a private company, Monster Hunter International (MHI), that hunts monsters for bounties (think of a sort of monster hunting Blackwater Security). Almost immediately, Owen finds himself and his fellow hunters battling an ancient evil that threatens to unleash a hellish invasion intended to wipeout humanity.

While I am not generally a fan of fantasy or science fiction, I am a fan of good stories, guns and smart humor. The author of the book, Larry Correia, is a competitive shooter and gun dealer. Consequently, he demonstrates a solid knowledge of firearms throughout the novel. However, he never bogs down the story with a Tom Clanyesque exploration of minute technical details.

The story is funny, action packed, with characters that are colorful and entertaining. There is even a conservative/libertarian limited government vibe that runs through the story. MHI has a shaky relationship with federal regulatory agencies and law enforcement. In short, whether you like fantasy/scifi or not, Monster Hunter International is a book I can’t recommend highly enough. I literally could not put the book down and I am absolutely pregnant with anticipation over the sequel.

Speaking of monsters, check out this great song from Skillet, a Christian rock band.

Hans von Spakovsky has a great piece at NRO today about how Obama has radicalized the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department. Well worth a read.

And that’s not the only problem at Justice. More, including internal links, here.

In Liu of common sense, we get a nominee who believes there is a constitutional right to welfare.

It appears that U of M’s search for a new politically correct sideline mascot is not going as planned. Apparently, Admiral Ackbar leads the polls as the Colonel’s successor of choice.

Poor Ole Miss, They just can’t handle a decision of this magnitude.

Hat tip to Ace of Spades.

History is filled with men who seem larger than life-men surrounded by an inflated myth of accomplishment, an aura that collapses as soon as one takes a closer look.

But a few men are truly just as remarkable as their billing.

Byron “Whizzer” White is such a man.

Worth the time to read the rest here at Art of Manliness.

As a member of a proud Mississippi family I feel it is my duty to offer a suggestion to the University of Mississippi in its search for a new sideline mascot. The selection of a mascot is an important decision for a school, one that should be in keeping with the character and history of the institution.

In light of the university’s historically abysmal football program and its politically correct proclivities I suggest the gerbil. Gerbils are soft, cuddly, non-threatening, and (more importantly) have nothing to do with the state’s Confederate history.

As the product of a Mississippi State family I have never needed much of a reason to hate Ole Miss. However, this story provides me yet another reason to hold that institution in low regard.

Since the University of MS wants to shed any and all connections to the state’s Civil War history why exactly should they be called “Ole Miss?” I say we respect their wishes and refer to that school as “um.”

Sorry to post so seldom here, but this is a case right up SA’s alley. Imagine a law school that refuses to recognize a Christian student group because it requires its officers to be… yes, Christian. We at the Washington Times editorialized on it today. More on the case available here.  A key paragraph from the masterful lead brief for the Christian Legal Society by the peerless Michael McConnell is here:

A “variety of viewpoints” is far more likely to be
achieved when students are allowed to sort themselves
out by interest and viewpoint—Republicans in
one club, Democrats in another; Muslims in one organization,
Lutherans in another. Without such sorting,
all viewpoints are blurred. The Democratic Caucus
becomes the Bipartisan Caucus; the Christian,
Jewish, and Muslim clubs become the Ecumenical
Society; and every other group organized around a
belief becomes a Debate Club. Each group becomes
no more than its own diverse forum—writ small. The
all-comers rule thus defeats the very purpose of recognizing
any group as a group in the first place. Preventing
students from organizing around shared beliefs
does not foster a robust or diverse exchange of
views.

This is a crucially important case. Free speech, free religion, and free association all hang in the balance.

One of America’s best presidents. EVER!

Yesterday, over at The Corner, John Miller listed the top ten conservative novels. Number four on that list was The Time It Never Rained, by Elmer Kelton. Regardless of the book’s philosophical orientation, The Time It Never Rained, simply put, is one of the best American novels ever written. It is a book every American should read, especially in these times.

The book tells the story of Charlie Flagg, a small West Texas rancher trying to save his ranch during the long drought of the 1950’s. As the drought takes its toll on his livestock and savings he comes under increasing pressure from neighbors, friends, and family to accept federal “assistance” in the form of subsidized feed. However, Charlie will have none of it. For him, self-sufficiency and paying one’s own way are the cornerstone of what it means to be a free man. He refuses to accept handouts while he still has the means to provide for himself. However, as the drought wears on he comes under intense pressure to compromise his beliefs and go along with the crowd.

At its core, The Time It Never Rained is a fight story. By that I don’t mean a combat or action story. It is the story of a man that struggles to maintain fidelity to his personal convictions in the face of withering criticism and personal misfortune.

The Time It Never Rained is a story that is both inspiring and entertaining. It contains some of the most colorful characters you will come across in literature. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Any ideas why Drudge has the inverted bin Laden pic today?  I suppose it’s just a way of tweaking his rather prominent beak or questioning the authenticity of the recording.  Other possibilities?

Just got back from three days in Las Vegas. My siblings and I put on a party for my parents in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary (which is technically January 23, 2010). About 70 people were there. My brother, Jim, opened up the afternoon festivities by welcoming everyone. After lunch, my sister, Elizabeth, presented a video slide show she had produced for the event. It was amazing. I followed Jim with a toast, which I reproduce for you here:
(more…)

Pat Robertson has been accused of blaming the Haiti earthquake on” God’s wrath” and Haiti’s “pact with the Devil” – though if you actually listen to his comments, that isn’t’ exactly true – though I would agree that his words, and their timing, were poorly chosen at best. Nothing really new for Reverend Robertson. Now, Danny Glover is blaming the Haiti earthquake on Gaia. So, my question to all you theologians: Who’s running this world, Father God or mother nature? Will Glover suffer the same scorn? Of course, the questions are rhetorical ones.

And, in a very strange providence, I watched a PBS documentary last night about Haiti and her revolutionary military leader, François-Dominique Toussaint L’ouverture. It was a fascinating film. Part of the narrative went into some detail about Haiti’s voodooism and their so-called “pact with the devil.” At about 6:11 into the following clip–and until the end of the clip taken from the PBS special–the connection between voodoo and Haiti’s revolution against France is quite plainly made by the narrative–the same connection to which Robertson referred in his now infamous comments. Hmmm . . . did the producers of this documentary consult with Pat Robertson or are they simply saying the same thing without the charismatic, evangelical “flair”?

In 1784 the United States in Congress Assembled ratified the Treaty of Paris which ended the War for American Independence.

In light of tonight’s big game I think we need some appropriate music.

Going to try to post more here.

Via Washington Post: Athiests Challenge Irish Blasphemy Law

LONDON — Atheists in Ireland are risking possible prosecution with an audacious online challenge to the country’s new blasphemy law.

Under the law, which went into effect Friday, a person can be found guilty of blasphemy if “he or she publishes or utters matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion.”

Heh. I find this amusing for some reason.

The Senate passed its health care bill last night and in doing so did not exactly cover itself in glory. The numerous high-profile payoffs and shameless sellouts used to secure the bill’s passage were enough to make one lose all faith in representative government. Rep. Cantor hit the nail on the head when he stated, “They’re allocating taxpayer dollars as if those dollars belonged to the senators. It borders on immoral. Just look at the way Senator Landrieu put her vote up for sale. Senator Nelson did the same.”

Michelle Malkin breaks down who got what in “Cash for Cloture.”

As my fellow Alabamian pointed out below:

“But when  you express moral opposition to a bill and that moral opposition suddenly evaporates when your state gets enough money – that is a whole different matter.  In Alabama, we have a word for a person who sells his self for money – a whore.”

Sen. Nelson, Sen. Landrieu, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world, but for extra Medicare funding?

Over at The Corner Robert VerBruggen and John Miller address this question.

My answer, ABSOLUTELY!

More to the point, they also play it. See Avenged Sevenfold, Megadeth, AC/DC.

Apparently the annual Army Navy game will be played 12 December (Saturday).
Yawwwwn. The last time any member of my family cared about a “contest” between the services my great, great grandaddy wore gray and rode with the 4th Miss. Cav.

Ever wonder why the Marines don’t have a football team like the Army, Navy, or Air Force? That is because we are more concerned with protecting a country than a quarterback.

At this time of year when we are all getting lost amidst the flurry of yuletide activity, it is important that we be ever mindful of those who are suffering — atheists?

This story from Yahoo (along with my comments) chronicles the feelings of atheists attending an ill-named “Atheist Happy Hour”:

All the planned activities at this time of year revolve around the church,” said O’Neill, a retiree and an atheist for decades.

Aw shucks, that’s no fair!

O’Neill sought an escape this week, joining a group of her fellow nonbelievers for a weekly “Atheist Happy Hour” at a suburban Mexican restaurant…

Well what is the purpose of that group?

For one thing, it’s a chance to share coping techniques during this most religious time of year. They range from the simple, like warning about certain stores that blare religious Christmas songs, to tougher tasks like how to avoid certain topics with certain family members.

Fair enough, y’all have been nothing but understanding when Christians take a zero tolerance stance on something. (more…)

The mighty CRIMSON TIDE emasculated the gators 32-13. As much as I enjoyed seeing that score the sight of Tebow crying on the sideline like a baby warmed my heart to no end.

In keeping with the results of the game I think this is appropriate.

Alabama emerges victorious in yet another Iron Bowl, this time in Auburn’s backyard. ROLL TIDE!!!!

As part of my campaign for State Representative in Illinois, I spoke yesterday at a candidate forum sponsored by the Lake County (IL) Right to Life organization. Over 20 candidates spoke there, including six Republican Candidates for governor.

I noticed something that bothered me: Almost every candidate began by talking about his religious upbringing.

This one was the son of a pastor, that one was one of nine children of a Catholic family, one was a conservative Jew, another an Indian Hindu, but almost every one, if not in fact every one, started discussing the life issue from a religious perspective.

And, what makes me crazy, some of them use that religious foundation as an excuse to avoid facing the abortion issue in law.

The argument goes something like this:

1. The Catholic Church teaches me that abortion is an intrinsic evil.
2. This is part of my faith.
3. I cannot use the force of law to impose my faith on others.
4. Ergo, I cannot support restricting abortion in law.

This is why, as you can see in the video linked below, I eschewed all discussion of religion to assert the importance of protecting human life in terms that should be equally accessible to anyone.

And they say I’m a religious fanatic.

Regular Guy at the Candidate Forum

Don’t despair, Frank.  A few mandatory viewings of the following will help turn things around (on two fronts).

Paul Krugman’s recent New York Times column opens by comparing the labor situation in the U.S. and Europe:

Consider, for a moment, a tale of two countries. Both have suffered a severe recession and lost jobs as a result — but not on the same scale. In Country A, employment has fallen more than 5 percent, and the unemployment rate has more than doubled. In Country B, employment has fallen only half a percent, and unemployment is only slightly higher than it was before the crisis.

Don’t you think Country A might have something to learn from Country B?

This story isn’t hypothetical. Country A is the United States, where stocks are up, G.D.P. is rising, but the terrible employment situation just keeps getting worse. Country B is Germany, which took a hit to its G.D.P. when world trade collapsed, but has been remarkably successful at avoiding mass job losses.

What Krugman fails to mention is that unemployment in Germany was high before the crisis. In fact, in many European countries unemployment has been at what in the U.S. would be considered dire levels for decades. (more…)

From the Concert for New York soon after 9/11.  Who would have thought that we would get fooled again?

We’re sorry, your appointment tomorrow with Dr. Hasan has been canceled.

He is out of the office for a time for personal/religious reasons. You can reschedule your appointment with Dr. Hasan when he returns to the office, or we would be happy to schedule an appointment with another equally capable, government funded and supervised doctor. Be assured that the GovMed does not use draconian standards for healthcare professionals such as “professional aptitude,” “mental stability” or “not threatening those who he is supposed to care for with violent death” and will always make the sensitivities of psychopaths and political correctness the guiding force behind personnel decisions.