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  <channel>
    <title>WyBlog</title>
    <link>http://wyblog.us/blog</link>
    <atom:link href="http://wyblog.us/blog/index.rss20" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
    <description>The WyBlog, live and in color.</description>
    <language>en</language>
    <copyright>Copyright (c) 2010 Christopher H. Wysocki</copyright>

    <image>
      <url>http://wyblog.us/images/wyblog-logo_40x51.png</url>
      <title>WyBlog</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog</link>
      <width>40</width>
      <height>51</height>
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    <lastBuildDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:52:00 GMT</lastBuildDate>

    <item>
      <title>UN Agency: All your BlackBerry are belong to us</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/tech/un-agency-seeks-blackberry-data.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
If a UN mucky-muck gets his way all of our BlackBerry emails will soon be
decoded and delivered to the governments of India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Saudi 
Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.  These long-time sponsors of civil
liberties and human rights are entangled in a dispute with BlackBerry maker
Research in Motion over access to encrypted communications which pass through
the company's Canadian servers.
</p>

<p>
RIM says the emails can't be decoded except by the intended recipient.  In 
turn those countries (and several others) are in the process of banning 
BlackBerry services from being used within their borders unless RIM grants
them unfettered access.
</p>

<p>
Noting that he sees "legitimate security concerns" ITU Secretary-General 
Hamadoun Toure came down solidly on the side of totalitarian dictators worldwide
when he said that 
<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/09/02/blackberry-share-users-data-says/" rel="nofollow">
all governments have the right to demand access to users' information</a> from 
the maker of the BlackBerry.
</p>

<p>
Because yeah, everybody wants their favorite totalitarian dictator to read
their email.  What could possibly go wrong?
</p>

<p>
Why exactly is it this turkey's business anyway?  Because the ITU (International 
Telecommunications Union) is the arm of the UN tasked with establishing worldwide
standards for telephones and other electronic communications systems.  Among 
other things they define country codes, assign radio frequencies, and allocate 
satellite orbits. They're also the guys behind the guys responsible for the 
proliferation of hundreds of new area codes in the US.
</p>

<p>
Since the BlackBerry is at heart a <em>phone</em> the ITU has jurisdiction.
Or more precisely, they claim to have jurisdiction, and our internationalist
president isn't about to dissuade them of that notion.
</p>

<p>
I hope for our sake that the Canadians are made of sterner stuff.  Because
if the UN succeeds here the next email you receive may very well have already
been read by a Mullah or 2 in Saudi Arabia while being passed around the 
terrorist camps in the Bekaa Valley.  
</p>

<p>
Wouldn't you think that was a "legitimate security concern" too?

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/BlackBerry" rel="tag">BlackBerry</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/UN" rel="tag">UN</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/ITU" rel="tag">ITU</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/email" rel="tag">email</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/encryption" rel="tag">encryption</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/tech</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:52:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">un-agency-seeks-blackberry-data</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Is your state college a five star resort?</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/education/your-college-is-a-5-star-resort.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Colleges and universities seem to be offering increasingly lavish amenities
to attract students.  Gourmet meals.  Fitness centers.  Concierge services.
Upscale dorm rooms.  Two 18 hole championship golf courses.
</p>

<p>
<i>Wait a sec, did he just say "two 18 hole championship golf courses"?</i>  
</p>

<p>
Yes!
</p>

<p>
Welcome to the <a href="http://www.dolce-seaview-hotel.com/" rel="nofollow">
Seaview Resort</a>, now owned and operated by Richard Stockton State College
in Galloway, New Jersey.
</p>

<p>
<a href="http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/stockton_college_purchases_sea.html" rel="nofollow">
And they just paid $20 million of our tax dollars to buy it!</a>
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<p>
The unusual deal means the South Jersey public college will add a hotel open 
to the public and two golf courses to its nearby campus. A section of the 
resort will also be turned into student housing.
</p>
<p>
"This is an historic day for Stockton and all of southern New Jersey," said 
Stockton President Herman Saatkamp Jr. "Stockton has partnered with Seaview 
in a variety of ways for nearly 40 years. We are now looking forward to having 
this magnificent facility as part of the Stockton family and operating at the 
same level people have come to expect of Seaview."
</p>
</div>

<p>
How magnificent is it?  Let me put it this way, <i>Animal House</i> it ain't.
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<p>
Situated in a charming seaside town of Galloway, Historic Seaview is the only 
golf and spa resort on the New Jersey Shore. Seaview offers guests an idyllic 
resort vacation, world class golf and a luxurious spa experience!
</p>
<p>
Home to two of New Jersey's oldest and most prestigious championship golf 
courses &mdash; the Bay Course offers more of a links experience while the 
Pines Course offer a more traditional layout. Seaview is the current home of 
the Shoprite LPGA Classic and former host of the PGA championship in 1942.
</p>
</div>

<p>
Hah!  How many golf courses does Princeton have?  But if Tiger Woods decides
to send his kids here it'll so be worth the expense!  Won't it?
</p>

<p>
Remember your crummy college cafeteria?  Not at Stockton!
</p>

<p class="quoted">
From casual outdoor cocktail parties to elegant weddings, Historic Seaview 
boasts event spaces as diverse as the Oval Room where Grace Kelly celebrated 
her Sweet Sixteen to the stunning Bayview Ballroom featuring an open air 
veranda and indoor seating for up to 350 guests.
</p>

<p>
<em>Grace Kelly</em> was here!  It's a bargain at twice the price!
</p>

<p>
But wait, there's more!  Seaview boasts a full-service Elizabeth Arden Red
Door spa!  Don't miss the Friday night seafood buffet, complete with sushi,
lobster, raw bar, and king crab legs.  Top that off with Sunday champagne
brunch before hitting the links or one of their 3 indoor tennis courts.
Then enjoy a refreshing dip in either of their two pools.
</p>

<p>
All of this <i>(and more)</i> can be yours when you enroll at Stockton
for the low, low price of $5,696.74 per semester.
</p>

<p>
Our tax dollars at <strike>work</strike> play!

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/college" rel="tag">college</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Richard-Stockton" rel="tag">Richard-Stockton</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Seaview-Resort" rel="tag">Seaview-Resort</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/education</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:13:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">your-college-is-a-5-star-resort</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Forget fiber, here&#39;s a sure-fire cure for constipation</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/democrats/cure-for-constipation.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
<div class="indent">
<img src="http://wyblog.us/images/constipation.jpg" alt="[political cure for constipation]" />
</div>

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Obama" rel="tag">Obama</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Joe-Biden" rel="tag">Joe-Biden</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Harry-Reid" rel="tag">Harry-Reid</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Nancy-Pelosi" rel="tag">Nancy-Pelosi</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Chris-Dodd" rel="tag">Chris-Dodd</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Barney-Frank" rel="tag">Barney-Frank</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Tim-Geithner" rel="tag">Tim-Geithner</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/democrats</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:29:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">cure-for-constipation</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>The new TBF poll is up, please support Scott Sipprelle in NJ-12</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/election/tbf-support-scott-sipprelle.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
<a href="http://www.supportscott2010.com/issues/">
Scott Sipprelle</a> is another New Jersey conservative who deserves our support.
(You already <em>did</em> <a href="http://www.annalittleforcongress.com/">
donate to Anna Little</a>, right?  <em>Right?!</em>)  Scott is
running for Congress in NJ-12 against uber-liberal Rush Holt (D-Hamas).
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<object width="640" height="385">
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</embed>
</object>
</div>

<p>
Rep. Holt also has a 100% rating from the progressive Drum Major Institute.
And last year the National Journal labeled him one of the 8 most liberal
members of Congress.
</p>

<p>
Do we <em>really</em> want to see Rush Holt elected to another term as a
rubber-stamp for Nancy Pelosi?
</p>

<p>
NO!
</p>

<p>
Go to 
<a href="http://www.rightklik.net/2010/08/ten-buck-fridays-august-29-september-3.html">
Right Klik's site</a> and vote for Scott Sipprelle in this week's Ten Buck
Fridays poll.  Do it for America.  Do it for your wallet.  And yes, do it for
the children.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Ten-Buck-Fridays" rel="tag">Ten-Buck-Fridays</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Scott-Sipprelle" rel="tag">Scott-Sipprelle</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Rush-Holt" rel="tag">Rush-Holt</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/election</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:13:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">tbf-support-scott-sipprelle</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Will we have to build our own camps?</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/obamacare/will-we-have-to-build-our-own-camps.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the Chief Obamacare Cheerleader, has hit upon
the winning formula for persuading us to accept the magnificence of national
socialized healthcare.
</p>

<p>
<a href="http://the-resistance.posterous.com/did-she-just-say-reeducation">
Reeducation Camps!</a>
</p>

<p class="quoted">
"Unfortunately, there still is a great deal of confusion about what is in 
[the reform law] and what isn't," Sebelius told ABC News Radio in an interview 
Monday. "So, we have a lot of reeducation to do," Sebelius said.
</p>

<p>
<em>Reeducation</em>.  Hmmm.  Or should I say, "Mmm, mmm, mmm"?  C'mon kids,
sing the praises of Dear Leader and his plan for socialized medicine!
</p>

<p>
<i>They haf vays of makink you like it.</i>
</p>

<p>
Will the
<a href="http://jammiewearingfool.blogspot.com/2010/08/sebelius-calls-for-reeducation-on.html">
Purple People Beaters</a> of the SEIU force us American Zeks to build our
own camps?

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Obamacare" rel="tag">Obamacare</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Kathleen-Sebelius" rel="tag">Kathleen-Sebelius</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/reeducation" rel="tag">reeducation</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/obamacare</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:39:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">will-we-have-to-build-our-own-camps</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Exactly whose rights are being protected here?</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/rants/no-common-sense-in-fetishizing-rights.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Common sense is sorely lacking in our justice system.  Although the civil
libertarians among us will undoubtedly cheer 
<a href="http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/statement_of_suspect_in_newark.html" rel="nofollow">
this absurd ruling</a>:
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<p>
A court has thrown out the statement of one suspect charged in the 
execution-style slayings of three friends in a Newark schoolyard.
</p>
<p>
The court says police failed to adequately read Gerardo Gomez his rights.
</p>
<p>
His attorney filed a motion to have his statement to police suppressed, 
claiming Gomez and his mother didn't fully understand their rights. State 
law requires juveniles to be accompanied by a parent or guardian during 
questioning.
</p>
</div>

<p>
There is no doubt this animal clearly understood his "rights" when he lined
four college students up against a brick wall and shot them in the back of 
the head at point-blank range.
</p>

<p>
There is no doubt that had his mother been as concerned for his welfare
<em>before</em> he joined the MS-13 street gang as she claims to be now
those 4 kids just might still be alive.
</p>

<p>
Once again we see the power of the <i>no habla Ingles</i> defense.
</p>

<p>
We coddle this piece of shit because too many liberals fetishize "rights"
above common sense.  <em>He confessed</em>.  He is <em>guilty</em>. But every 
day this charade drags on he laughs in our faces thanks to the best lawyers
our tax dollars can buy.
</p>

<p>
Meanwhile Terrance Aerial, Iofemi Hightower, and Dashon Harvey are still dead.
Natasha Aerial barely survived, and is scarred for life. Nobody protected their 
"rights".  Not when it counted.
</p>

<p>
Go ahead, tell me "justice" was served today.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/NPD" rel="tag">NPD</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Gerardo-Gomez" rel="tag">Gerardo-Gomez</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Miranda" rel="tag">Miranda</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/rights" rel="tag">rights</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/rants</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">no-common-sense-in-fetishizing-rights</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Raindrops keep falling on my head</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/obama_watch/raindrops-keep-falling-on-my-head.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Everyone 
<a href="http://soitgoesinshreveport.blogspot.com/2010/08/wrong-on-so-many-levels.html">
seems to be having fun</a> with this photo 
<a href="http://suckersonparade.blogspot.com/2010/08/barry-and-michelle-come-visitin.html">
today</a>.
</p>

<p class="indent">
<img src="http://wyblog.us/images/villageidiot-E1283125984347.jpg" alt="[Obama village idiot]" />
</p>

<p>
Best caption by far: 
<a href="http://tammybruce.com/2010/08/a-village-in-kenya-is-missing-its-idiot.html">
A Village in Kenya Is Missing Its Idiot</a>.
</p>

<p>
Personally, I think he's going in for a layup.
</p>

<p>
Attention Peasants: The Great Hussein-ini will now pass this umbrella handle 
<em>through</em> the metal bar.
</p>

<p>
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
</p>

<p>
The Round Peg does not fit in the Square Hole.
</p>

<p>
Here's something I'd like to know &mdash; how many presidents does it take 
to screw in a lightbulb?

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Obama" rel="tag">Obama</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/village-idiot" rel="tag">village-idiot</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/obama_watch</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">raindrops-keep-falling-on-my-head</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Offered without comment: Pride</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/pride-not-what-it-used-to-be.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
<div class="indent">
<a href="http://troglopundit.wordpress.com/2010/08/29/this-week-in-automotivators-august-23-28/">
<img src="http://wyblog.us/images/automotivator_tammy.jpg" alt="[Automotivator: Pride]" /></a>
</div>
</p>

<p>
Backstory
<a href="http://troglopundit.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/tammy-baldwin-wonder-woman-will-smith-and-dancing-all-in-the-same-blog-post/">
here</a> and
<a href="http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/08/crowds_come_out_to_support_jer.html" rel="nofollow">
here</a>.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/LGBT" rel="tag">LGBT</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/TrogloPundit" rel="tag">TrogloPundit</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/blog</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:18:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">pride-not-what-it-used-to-be</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Forget double-dipping or triple-dipping, meet a quadruple-dipper</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/nj_politics/jack-kelly-quadrupal-dipper.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
<a href="http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/08/jersey_city_business_administr_3.html" rel="nofollow">
Jack Kelly wears a lot of hats</a>.  Four of them to be exact.  The newly hired
Business Administrator for Jersey City is also the current Finance Director in 
the City of Orange and municipal tax assessor for both Caldwell and Essex Fells.
</p>

<p>
When does he sleep?
</p>

<p>
Four government jobs.  Four government salaries.  And of course those four
salaries all count toward his inevitably lucrative government pension.
</p>

<p>
Forget 
<a href="http://www.app.com/article/20100824/OPINION04/8250321/Big-dippers-are-to-blame-for-state-s-pension-problems" rel="nofollow">
double-dipping</a>, Jack Kelly is a quadruple-dipper. And it's perfectly legal
(not to mention hardly unique) thanks to the brain trust in our state legislature
who haven't got the political will to put a stop to such blatant plundering of 
the public pension system. 
</p>

<p>
Probably because they're all doing it too.  Pension padding is <i>de rigeur</i>
for political hacks of all parties and stripes in New Jersey.
</p>

<p>
If they ever copy this 
<a href="http://www.abajournal.com/weekly/article/ohio_lawyer_suspended_for_billing_more_than_24_hours_a_day" rel="nofollow">
Ohio public defender</a> and figure out how to "work" more than 24 hours in a 
day we'll really be screwed.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/NJ-Politics" rel="tag">NJ-Politics</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/pension" rel="tag">pension</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Caldwell" rel="tag">Caldwell</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jack-Kelly" rel="tag">Jack-Kelly</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/nj_politics</category>
      <pubDate>Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">jack-kelly-quadrupal-dipper</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Chris Christie says Bye Bye Bret</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/education/bye-bye-bret.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
<a href="http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/gov_chris_christie_asks_nj_sch.html" rel="nofollow">
Don't lie to Chris Christie</a>.  
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<p>
Gov. Chris Christie fired state education commissioner Bret Schundler this 
morning after Schundler refused to resign in the wake of the controversy over 
the state's loss of up to $400 million in federal school funding.
</p>
<p>
On Wednesday, Christie publicly said Schundler had tried to give the correct 
information to a bungled question during the presentation, but video from the 
U.S. Department of Education released Thursday proved that did not happen.
</p>
<p>
Christie asked Schundler to walk him through the details of the mistake before 
the governor came out to defend him earlier this week, according to a source.
</p>
<p>
But after Christie and other top officials on Thursday watched the video of 
Schundler and other offficials' presentation to the U.S. Department of 
Education, and the video contradicted Schundler's explanation, the governor 
said, "He can't lie to me."
</p>
</div>

<p>
That 
<a href="http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/gov_chris_christie_asks_nj_sch.html" rel="nofollow">
video</a> is <em>painful</em> to watch.  Five educrats.  Five <em>bozos</em>
clearly out of their depth, unprepared for the meeting, and more importantly
<em>completely clueless</em> about how to get the required information.
</p>

<p>
It's a microcosm of our state's disfunctional education bureaucracy.  They
can't get out of their own way.  Not one of these clowns thought to pick up
a phone and have the relevent data faxed or emailed over?
</p>

<p>
Besides Schundler in the middle, I can't make out the names of the other four
people from the video.  But I'm sure Chris Christie knows (or can find out) 
who they are.
</p>

<p>
They ought to be sacked too.  Because if these are the people leading our
school system it's a miracle any kid learns anything.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/NJ-Politics" rel="tag">NJ-Politics</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Bret-Schundler" rel="tag">Bret-Schundler</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Chris-Christie" rel="tag">Chris-Christie</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/education" rel="tag">education</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/RttT" rel="tag">RttT</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/education</category>
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:23:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">bye-bye-bret</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Obamunism is still dragging our economy down</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/obama_watch/bernanke-is-clueless.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
"Summer of Recovery" 
<a href="http://theblogprof.blogspot.com/2010/08/recovery-summer-q2-gdp-to-be-revised.html">
my ass</a>. 
</p>

<p>
We're in a 
<a href="http://the-classic-liberal.com/1930s-style-depression/">
full-blown 1930's style depression</a> only Barry's Keynesian brain trust is 
too clueless to notice.
</p>

<p>
<a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gQ6iVGh2tkgdbkyaZBrqeP-BqpdwD9HRSUNG0" rel="nofollow">
Ben Bernanke doesn't know what to do next</a>:
</p>

<p class="quoted">
Bernanke described the economic outlook as "inherently uncertain" and said 
the economy "remains vulnerable to unexpected developments."
</p>

<p>
Yeah, everything is "unexpected" with these turkeys.  Higher unemployment?
It was unexpected!  Cratering home sales?  Unexpected!  Anemic GDP?  <em>Of
course</em> that was unexpected too.
</p>

<p class="quoted">
Bernanke stopped short of committing to any specific action.
</p>

<p>
That's because he doesn't have a clue what to do next.  Or perhaps he does
know what needs to be done, but his puppet-masters in the White House won't
let him do it.  They want to keep borrowing money to waste on bogus "stimulus"
projects and 
<a href="http://wyblog.us/blog/democrats/teacher-bailouts-against-10th-amendment">
bailouts of bloated state governments</a> and public employee unions.
</p>

<p>
Government is not the solution.  Government is the problem.  We have too much
government.  Too many regulations, too many bureaucracies, too many mandates
and requirements, too many useless programs.  Too many "economic advisors"
who've never owned a business, created a job, made a payroll, or worked outside 
of academia.
</p>

<p>
All of that produces a pervasive aura of uncertainty.
</p>

<p>
People don't know what the Obamunists will regulate, tax, or take-over next.
</p>

<p>
The borrowed money is gone with nothing to show for it.  And looming on
the horizon is the impending implosion of Social Security coupled with a
tsunami of woefully underfunded public employee pension fund bankruptcies.
</p>

<p>
The Keynesians can't print enough money to dig us out of those holes.
</p>

<p>
But you just know they're going to try.  Weimar America, here we come.
</p>

<p>
Is it any wonder that rational people are hunkering down to ride out the
storm?  We won't see private sector growth until government decides to get
the hell out of the way.  But the progressives take our unwillingness to
spend money as an opportunity for them to exercise <em>more</em> control
over us.  If we won't spend then they'll confiscate our money and spend it
for us.  
</p>

<p>
Forget income taxes; those only bring in the cash when people are actually 
working.  The progressive Holy Grail is a <em>wealth tax</em>, couched in
their mantra of "fair share".
</p>

<p>
<a href="http://the-classic-liberal.com/1930s-style-depression/">
We are doomed</a>.
</p>

<p class="quoted">
Yes America, "We the People" are staring a 
<a href="http://the-classic-liberal.com/4-trillion-housing-problem/">
genuine nightmare scenario</a> in the face. A nightmare that will last for 
years, have consequences that stretch far beyond the financial, and 
dramatically alter not only your future, but that of your children and 
grandchildren as well.
</p>

<p>
It is going to 
<a href="http://the-classic-liberal.com/conservatives-enormity-situation/">
end in tears</a>.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/recession" rel="tag">recession</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/depression" rel="tag">depression</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Obama" rel="tag">Obama</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Ben-Bernanke" rel="tag">Ben-Bernanke</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fed" rel="tag">Fed</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/obama_watch</category>
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:22:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">bernanke-is-clueless</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Dear Leader will once again address the nation&#39;s school children</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/obama_watch/another-speech-to-our-schoolkids.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
<a href="http://merriemarie.amplify.com/2009/10/12/protest-mmm-mmm-mmm-barack-hussein-obama-song/">
<img src="http://wyblog.us/images/indoctrination.jpg" class="iright" alt="[school indoctrination ahead]" /></a>
You just <em>knew</em> he was going to do it again.  The Obama cult of
personality wouldn't miss another chance to indoctrinate our nation's
school children.
</p>

<p>
Mark your calendars for September 14<sup>th</sup>.  
<a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jETZSUicKxSQ_0IFsD2cOY9J_FSQD9HQO7TO0" rel="nofollow">
Dear Leader will speak directly to our kids</a>.
</p>

<p>
Last year's talking points, helpfully distributed by Education Commissar Arne
Duncan to every teacher in the nation, called for students to write letters
to their Dear Leader promising to help him make the country better.  Oh, and
they were drafted into the Census effort too, with instructions to remind
their parents about the duty to fill out and return the forms.
</p>

<p>
This year Barry's minions will undoubtedly call for the kids to sing Dear
Leader's praises.  
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/ada-county-conservative-in-boise/new-lyrics-to-the-obama-school-indoctrination-chant">
It <em>is</em> a pretty catchy tune</a>.
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<p>
Mmm, mmm, mmm!<br />
Barack Hussein Obama<br />
He said we must be fair today<br />
Equal work means equal pay<br />
</p>
<p>
Mmm, mmm, mmm!<br />
Barack Hussein Obama<br />
He said that we must take a stand<br />
To make sure everyone gets a chance<br />
</p>
<p>
Mmm, mmm, mmm!<br />
Barack Hussein Obama<br />
He said red, yellow, black or white<br />
All are equal in his sight<br />
</p>
<p>
Mmm, mmm, mmm!<br />
Barack Hussein Obama<br />
</p>
<p>
Yes!<br />
Mmm, mmm, mmm!<br />
Barack Hussein Obama<br />
</p>
</div>

<p>
I'm told the song is even more beautiful in the original 
<strike>German</strike> Swahili.
</p>

<p class="quoted">
<a href="http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm78/floridacrackergirl/?action=view&current=ObamaYouth.jpg" target="_blank">
<img src="http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm78/floridacrackergirl/ObamaYouth.jpg" border="0" alt="Obama Youth"></a>

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
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<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/education" rel="tag">education</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Obama-youth" rel="tag">Obama-youth</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/obama_watch</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">another-speech-to-our-schoolkids</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>The deficit graph the &quot;Blame Bush&quot; crowd doesn&#39;t want you to see</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/democrats/interesting-deficit-graph.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Just last night I was treated to yet another "Bush's wars caused all the deficit
problems" speech from a liberal.  There are a few commenters here who keep making
the same claims as well.
</p>

<p>
So when 
<a href="http://troglopundit.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/the-anchoress-says-this-is-going-to-go-viral-who-am-i-to-stand-in-the-way/">
TrogloPundit pointed me at this graph</a>, I said, "Whoa."
</p>

<p class="quoted">
<img src="http://wyblog.us/images/deficits.gif" alt="[Federal deficit graph]" />
</p>

<p>
Now let's see here.  When liberals blame the Bush tax cuts or the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan for our current deficit woes they really are blowing
smoke out of their asses, aren't they.
</p>

<p>
C'mon.  Prior to 2008 the deficit was headed <em>down</em>.  Pretty darn
near zero too.  Then something very interesting happened in 2008.  
</p>

<p>
Democrats happened.
</p>

<p>
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, followed shortly thereafter by Barack Hussein
Obama.  <em>That's</em> what happened.
</p>

<p>
Of course they had a little help from the RINO crowd, like the two nitwits
from Maine.  And Bush did sign that TARP boondoggle so he gets <em>some</em>
of the blame.  But those tax cuts?  It seems like they were doing just fine
until the Democrats took over.
</p>

<p>
Ole Trog has a daily double of interesting graphs too.  His next one plots
<a href="http://troglopundit.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/the-good-news-is-ill-be-dead-and-gone-by-then/">
the debt burden per citizen</a>.  It's how much baggage we're dumping on our
kids, and on <em>their</em> kids.  And it's not pretty.
</p>

<p class="quoted">
<img src="http://wyblog.us/images/8-10-individual-long-term-debt-burden.jpg" alt="[individual long term debt burden]" />
</p>

<p>
Some time around 2020 per capita GDP will fall under the debt line.  Our kids 
will then owe the government more than they'll ever be able to pay back.
</p>

<p>
That's assuming we as a country are stupid enough to continue believing in
Obamanomics and progressive idealism.
</p>

<p>
Are we?  I don't know.  But from where I sit, I can see November from my
house.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/deficit" rel="tag">deficit</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Obama" rel="tag">Obama</a>
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<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/democrats" rel="tag">democrats</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congress" rel="tag">Congress</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/democrats</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">interesting-deficit-graph</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Happy Robo-Activation Day</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/misc/robo-activation-day.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Exactly one year ago today in a secret underground lab deep in the heart of
the Real America a humble robot achieved sentiency.  He soon discovered 
the blogosphere whereupon he set about providing much thoughtful commentary
on the sad state of affairs which has befallen our great nation.
</p>

<p>
My friends, 
<a href="http://mindnumbedrobot.com/2010/08/24/robot-first-year-reflection/2473">
the Mind Numbed Robot is one year old</a>.  And what a fine year it has been.
</p>

<p>
Bob Belvedere is helping him celebrate 
<a href="http://thecampofthesaints.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/happy-activation-day/">
with some balloons</a> and a comely lass or 3.
</p>

<p>
But what a tin man really needs is someone of his own kind, to keep him
company during the long cold nights ahead.  And so I humbly suggest that
Seven of Nine should be dispatched to his lair forthwith. 
</p>

<p class="quoted">
<a href="http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/STARTREKBOUND/news/?a=9913" rel="nofollow">
<img src="http://www.comicbookmovie.com/images/users/uploads/8133/DMPSevenOfNine.jpg" alt="[Seven of Nine automotivator]" /></a>
</p>

<p>
You wanna know how cool the 'bot is?  He got his very own 
<a href="http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/2010/08/25/#005768">
Day By Day shoutout</a> from Chris Muir.  Not bad for a bucket o' bolts, eh?
</p>

<p>
Live long and prosper!

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blogoversary" rel="tag">blogoversary</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Mind-Numbed-Robot" rel="tag">Mind-Numbed-Robot</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/misc</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">robo-activation-day</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Iran goes nuclear, does anyone care?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Anyone?</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/terrorism/nuclear-iran-does-anyone-care.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
<a href="http://www.brideofrove.com/?p=2154">Bride of Rove depressed me</a>.
</p>

<p class="quoted">
It's just all so unreal lately. The news is &mdash; it defies fiction. Not to 
go off on a tangent but did we really not even blink at Iran going nuclear via 
Russia? JFK's great stare-down during the Cuban Missile Crisis &mdash; all for 
nothing.  Anyone not holding their breath right now is not paying attention. 
And because I can actually see the seam ripper taking us apart, I think my 
brain has just gone into some weird "protect mode" hibernation.
</p>

<p>
<a href="http://mindnumbedrobot.com/2010/08/18/israel-bomb-iran/2413">
John Bolton sounded the warning</a>.  Apparently they don't get newspapers
on The Vineyard; 
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/obama-administration-in-los-angeles/is-barack-obama-a-muslim-part-one-of-a-six-part-series">
Caliph Barack I</a> and his 
<a href="http://weaselzippers.us/2010/08/21/smithsonian-to-display-michelle-obamas-portrait/">
Queen</a> are still on vacation.
<a href="http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/08/what-does-a-president-do-on-a-rainy-vacation-day.html" rel="nofollow">
Watching DVDs</a>.  
</p>

<p>
Who's minding the store?
</p>

<p>
Maybe it would help if his sycophants in the media took Iran seriously? Jon
Stewart mocks their new drone bomber, placing a cartoon character "Ambassador
of Death" at a round table of fake diplomats.  Will he still be laughing when
Tel Aviv is a smoking crater?
</p>

<p>
Ahmadinejad has made no secret of his desire to strike Israel.  He's building
bombs while Barry sells ours for scrap.  
</p>

<p>
Our intelligensia has deluded themselves into believing Iran is "at least
12 months away" from a deliverable nuclear weapon.  Tick Tock kids.  Time
flies when you're playing golf.
</p>

<p>
You go to war with the president you have.  This one has already conceded
defeat, hasn't he.  He's got no clue what to do.  So he retreats to an island
saying "inshallah" &mdash; whatever will be will be.
</p>

<p class="quoted">
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV 
will be fought with sticks and stones."<br />
&mdash; <i>Albert Einstein</i>
</p>

<p>
Yeah, pessimism is all I've got today.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Iran" rel="tag">Iran</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/nuclear" rel="tag">nuclear</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Israel" rel="tag">Israel</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/John-Bolton" rel="tag">John-Bolton</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Obama" rel="tag">Obama</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/terrorism</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">nuclear-iran-does-anyone-care</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Back in my RPI days we spelled it &quot;knurd&quot;</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/odds_n_ends/we-spelled-it-knurd.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/105094/">Via Instapundit</a>:
</p>

<p class="quoted">
IF IT'S NOT TRUE, IT OUGHT TO BE:  
<a href="http://yourmindblown.com/post/993403657/dr-suess-coined-the-word-nerd">
Dr. Seuss coined the word "nerd."</a>
</p>

<p>
Back in my RPI days we spelled it "knurd", which of course is "drunk" backwards.
</p>

<p>
And it worked equally well as a verb &mdash; "knurding" being the most common
usage. <i>"Where's Chris?" "He's knurding in the library,"</i> meant I was 
studying (instead of partying).
</p>

<p>
Rather than having its current pejorative meaning, "knurd" was a perfectly
acceptable moniker among the "in" crowd.  As I recall there even was a knurd
superhero in <i>The Poly</i>.
</p>

<p class="indent">
<i>Faster than a speeding derivative,<br />
More powerful than Reverse Polish Notation,<br />
Able to leap tall integrals in a single bound,<br />
Yes! It's Super-Knurd!<br />
He can plot the course of mighty flowcharts,<br />
Sharpen pencils with his bare hands,<br />
And disguised as mild-mannered Myron T. Spaceshot<br />
He leads the quest against the Tute Screw<br />
While agitating for longer recitation sections.</i><br />
</p>

<p>
Any resemblance between <em>me</em> and Super-Knurd is <em>purely 
coincidental</em>.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Dr-Seuss" rel="tag">Dr-Seuss</a>
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<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/knurd" rel="tag">knurd</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/odds_n_ends</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">we-spelled-it-knurd</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Well, who&#39;s gonna monitor the monitors of the monitors?</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/terrorism/whos-gonna-monitor-monitors-monitors.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Via 
<a href="http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2010/08/delightful-dhs-now-looking-to-spy-on.html">
Doug Ross</a> we learn that 
<a href="http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/21314?c=video_surveillance_cctv">
DHS plans to spy on <em>itself</em></a>:
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<p>
A recent solicitation issued by the Federal Protective Service unit of DHS for 
what it calls a 'Video Surveillance Rapid Deployment Kit' contained an intriguing 
requirement among its roster of technical specifications: 'Hidden internal 
camera and microphone that will allow a remote user to see and hear the 
operator of the system.'
</p>
<p>
That sounds as if a boss back at [DHS] wants to be able to watch and listen to 
the person actually carrying the video camera, without that camera person even 
knowing that he or she is being watched.
</p>
</div>

<p>
Life imitates <i>Enemy of the State</i>?
</p>

<p>
They're watching you.  They're watching themselves watch you.  Who's watching
them?
</p>

<p>
Don't you just <em>know</em> that if Bush was doing this Frank Rich would be
having a cow right about now?

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
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<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Obama" rel="tag">Obama</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/crime" rel="tag">crime</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/terrorism</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">whos-gonna-monitor-monitors-monitors</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>NJ spent $141 million for Obamacare, and only TWO people signed up</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/obamacare/141-mil-for-2-policies.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Your Obamacare dollars at work.  
</p>

<p>
New Jersey signed on to the first new set of plans, designed to allow
uninsured people with pre-existing conditions to purchase health insurance.
The policies provide coverage from day one, with no exclusions whatsoever.
</p>

<p>
Premiums range from $212 to $768 monthly depending on age.
</p>

<p>
After much fanfare, after all the hullaballoo about people without insurance
clamoring for health care, after the federal government allocated $141 million
dollars to cover the costs, the results are in.
</p>

<p>
<a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2010/08/23/stampede-for-obamacare-in-new-jersey/">
Two people signed up</a>.  
</p>

<p>
<em>TWO</em>.
</p>

<p>
At $70.5 million a person that Obamacare sure is a real bargain.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/NJ-Protect" rel="tag">NJ-Protect</a>
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</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/obamacare</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">141-mil-for-2-policies</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>US Attorney Paul Fishman: No &quot;Culture of Corruption&quot; in New Jersey</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/democrats/paul-fishman-see-no-evil.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
When President Obama nominated Montclair resident Paul Fishman to succeed
Chris Christie as US Attorney for New Jersey 
<a href="http://wyblog.us/blog/obama_watch/fishman-nominated-us-attorney">
I wrote</a>:
</p>

<p class="indent">
Mr. Fishman's forte appears to be keeping corrupt union officials <i>out</i>
of prison.  That puts him in marked contrast to Mr. Christie and it's probably
one reason why our state's two Senators (both democrats) and a whole host of
other democratic party panjandrums are such enthusiastic boosters of his 
nomination. They will sigh with relief when he is confirmed.
</p>

<p>
Mr. Fishman's prior gig was as lead defense attorney for (allegedly) corrupt
public employee union head Carla Katz, former Governor Jon Corzine's main
squeeze.  Ms. Katz was fired by her union for (alleged) improprieties.
</p>

<p>
Yesterday Mr. Fishman was asked to comment</a> on the rampant corruption 
undercovered by his predecessor.  After the latest round of arrests Ed Kahrer, 
the FBI agent in charge of the office's public corruption unit, told a press 
conference, "New Jersey's corruption problem is one of the worst, if not 
the worst, in the nation." 
</p>

<p>
<a href="http://blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/2010/08/us_attorney_paul_fishman_denie.html" rel="nofollow">
Fishman's response?</a>
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<p>
"I don't know how you can make that kind of comparison. I don't happen to 
believe that to be true."
</p>
<p>
Fishman said he believed the "vast, vast, vast majority" of public officials 
are "hard-working and don't get enough credit for what they do." He added, 
"It is demoralizing to the citizenry of any jurisdiction for them to think 
they live in a corrupt state."
</p>
</div>

<p>
No Mr. Fishman.  It is "demoralizing" to <em>know</em> you live in the most 
corrupt state in the union only to find out that your chief federal law 
enforcement officer is a "see no evil" kind of guy.
</p>

<p>
And while dismissing past allegations of politically motivated prosecutions it
isn't helpful to backhandedly lend them credence by noting:
</p>

<p class="quoted">
"It's the responsibility of every United States attorney to guard against that 
perception. Perhaps, I feel that responsibility a little more acutely because 
the accusation was made."
</p>

<p>
See no evil.  Hear no evil.  Speak no evil.  It's a trifecta of prosecutorial
mendacity!
</p>

<p>
Rod Blagojevich, I think you've found your new home.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Paul-Fishman" rel="tag">Paul-Fishman</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/NJ-Politics" rel="tag">NJ-Politics</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/corruption" rel="tag">corruption</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/democrats" rel="tag">democrats</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/democrats</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">paul-fishman-see-no-evil</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Among 6 people I&#39;m the only guy with a job</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/odds_n_ends/six-people-one-guy-with-a-job.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
No wonder my taxes are so high!  There are a lot of mouths to feed out there.
</p>

<p>
Six of us spent the weekend at a lake house in the Poconos.  The couple who
own the house are retired.  My wife has been out of work for more than a year.
The other guy is a freelance graphic artist who's sucking wind and his wife
just got sacked on Friday.
</p>

<p>
I'm the only working stiff in the bunch.
</p>

<p>
From the delicious irony department &mdash; she got canned by Pinch Sulzberger.
Yup <i>The New York Times</i> is hemorrhaging so much money they're dumping
<em>ad sales reps</em>.  A business which is cutting its sales force is like
a farmer who eats his seed corn.  They don't plan on growing any time soon.
</p>

<p>
I guess ole Pinch can report her layoff as another 
<a href="http://anotherblackconservative.blogspot.com/2010/08/more-unexpected-unemployment-claims.html">
"unexpected"</a> jump in the unemployment rate.  
<a href="http://theblogprof.blogspot.com/2010/08/video-umeployment-spread-like-zombie.html">
There seems to be a lot of that going around</a>.
</p>

<p>
To be fair the retired couple planned well, invested wisely, and are content
with their standard of living.  When I cracked this joke <i>(hey, I'm supporting
all you layabouts)</i> after dinner and my second glass of Macallan 12 he
shot back, "we're not on Social Security, and don't plan on it being there
for us."  They're a few years shy of 60; and with the way things are going in
Washington these days his pessimism seem warranted.
</p>

<p>
<a href="http://theblogprof.blogspot.com/2010/08/video-umeployment-spread-like-zombie.html">
People are hurting</a>.  Folks are scared.  Families are hungry.
</p>

<p class="quoted">
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, there 
are nearly 31 million people currently unemployed -- that's including those 
involuntarily working parttime and those who want a job, but have given up on 
trying to find one. In the face of the worst economic upheaval since the Great 
Depression, millions of Americans are hurting. 
</p>

<p>
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/obama-administration-in-los-angeles/is-barack-obama-a-muslim-part-one-of-a-six-part-series">
Caliph Barack I</a> and his 
<a href="http://weaselzippers.us/2010/08/21/smithsonian-to-display-michelle-obamas-portrait/">
Queen</a> are still on 
<a href="http://www.memeorandum.com/100822/p12#a100822p12">vacation</a>....

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/unemployment" rel="tag">unemployment</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/recession" rel="tag">recession</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Obama" rel="tag">Obama</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/odds_n_ends</category>
      <pubDate>Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">six-people-one-guy-with-a-job</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>I miss 1010wins.com</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/media/i-miss-1010wins-com.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Yes, I'm a news junkie.  And until recently I got my fix from 1010wins.com.
It was the perfect news website &mdash; everything at a glance.  Local news,
national, world, sports, science, entertainment all gathered together on
one page of headlines.  Scanning it took under a minute.  If something caught
my eye I clicked and got the info I needed to know.
</p>

<p>
So naturally they had to "improve" it.  WINS is one of the 2 news radio
stations in New York (WCBS being the other).  CBS owns them both, although
their operations appear to be separate.  Of they were.  Now 1010wins.com
redirects to 
<a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/category/news/" rel="nofollow">
CBSlocal.com</a>, a generic page for Channel 2 news, WINS, WCBS, and WFAN.
</p>

<p>
Blech.
</p>

<p>
What used to be a convenient (and fast loading) set of informative links is
now a multimedia hodge-podge of flash gimmickery obscuring what little 
information might still be there.  All sizzle and no steak.
</p>

<p>
The unique identity and quirky personalities of 1010 WINS are gone. The
brand is now CBS and it's about as enticing as store-brand beer.  Maybe
it's less filling but it sure doesn't taste great.
</p>

<p>
I hate it.  So I headed on over to Google News and, <em>WTF!</em>, somebody
screwed that up too!  What is this "redesign stuff that's great" month on
the internet?  Where did the columns go?  I gotta fill out a <em>survey</em>
before I can read the news?  No thanks!
</p>

<p>
It's gotta be a plot.  The newspaper guys have obviously infiltrated the web 
news sites and turned them into unusable muddled "media portals" so we'll give 
up and go back to reading their dead tree editions.
</p>

<p>
I want my 1010wins.com back.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/CBS" rel="tag">CBS</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/1010wins" rel="tag">1010wins</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/NewsRadio88" rel="tag">NewsRadio88</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/WCBS" rel="tag">WCBS</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/media</category>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">i-miss-1010wins-com</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Rule 5 interlude: 80&#39;s girl groups</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/rule5/80s-girl-groups.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Bob Belvedere has been 
<a href="http://thecampofthesaints.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/bring-on-da-noise-bring-on-da-hump/">
delayed in his quest for hump-day Rule 5</a> by a request
from his grand-niece.  She wants him to make an 80's mix tape for her birthday 
party on Saturday.  And she said, "No punk allowed!"
</p>

<p>
So no Ramones, eh Bob?  Although I'm sure you'll wanna be sedated after
the party's over!  In their place I suggested some of the quintessential
80's girl bands.  And in the interest of helping a fellow blogger carry
the load, how about we let Rule 5 take its course.
</p>

<p>
My first suggestion? The B-52's, who I saw at Radio City Music Hall back in the 
day.  Watch out for the Rock Lobster.  And lead singer Kate Pierson has still 
got it goin' on.  Yes Bob, I know how you're partial to redheads.  You're 
welcome.
</p>

<p class="indent">
<a href="http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/odpShAXXYGk/B+52+Perform+NBC+Today+Show/Figf7zv3vRd/Kate+Pierson" rel="nofollow">
<img src="http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/B+52+Perform+NBC+Today+Show+Figf7zv3vRdl.jpg" alt="[B-52's Kate Pierson on The Today Show]" /></a>
</p>

<p>
Just don't let your niece head on out to the Love Shack, OK?
</p>

<p>
Next up on the hit parade, The Go-Go's!  They've got the beat.
</p>

<p class="indent">
<a href="http://www.nelsonguirado.com/index.php/choiceplease/2009/06/18/who-was-better-the-bangles-or-the-gogos" rel="nofollow">
<img src="http://wyblog.us/images/rule5/gogos.gif" alt="[The Go-Go's]" /></a>
</p>

<p>
Like the Obamas, Vacation's all I've ever wanted. Vacation, gotta get away. 
From the Obamas.
</p>

<p>
Here's some Belinda Carlisle.  Yes Bob, she's a redhead now too.  And she's
definitely still got it Go-Go-ing on!
</p>

<p>
<a href="http://www.artistopia.com/belinda-carlisle" rel="nofollow">
<img src="http://www.notas.com/fotos/Musica/Belinda_Carlisle/belinda_carlisle.jpg" class="ileft2" alt="[Belinda Carlisle]" /></a>
<a href="http://www.tvfanatic.com/gallery/belinda-carlisle-photo/" rel="nofollow">
<img src="http://static.tvfanatic.com/images/gallery/belinda-carlisle-photo.jpg" class="ileft2" alt="[Belinda Carlisle]" /></a>
</p>

<p>
But whatever you do Bob, don't walk like an Egyptian.  Even for The Bangles. 
Because you never know when it's just another manic Monday.
</p>

<p class="indent">
<a href="http://www.solarnavigator.net/music/the_bangles.htm" rel="nofollow">
<img src="http://www.solarnavigator.net/music/music_images/The_Bangles_1980s_girl_band.jpg" alt="[The Bangles]" /></a>
</p>

<p>
One more thing Bob.  Love (even the totally hetero manly kind) is a battlefield.  
So like Pat Benatar says, hit me with your best shot!
</p>

<p class="indent">
<img src="http://wyblog.us/images/rule5/pat-benatar.jpg" alt="[Pat Benatar]" />
</p>
<p class="indent">
<img src="http://wyblog.us/images/rule5/1_pat_benatar_pba011.jpg" alt="[Pat Benatar]" />
</p>

<p>
So tell me Bob, is that niece of yours a real heartbreaker?

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/B-52s" rel="tag">B-52s</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Go-Gos" rel="tag">Go-Gos</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Bangles" rel="tag">Bangles</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Pat-Benatar" rel="tag">Pat-Benatar</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/rule5</category>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">80s-girl-groups</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>A penny for your tax protest</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/nj_politics/a-penny-for-tax-protest.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Sam Corkin is <em>The Man</em>.
</p>

<p>
Fed up with his escalating property taxes he decided to 
<a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/08/19/new-jersey-man-launches-protest-with-pennies/" rel="nofollow">
protest his latest increase</a> in a unique way.
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<p>
He filled a black plastic bucket with $385.66 (the amount of his latest 
increase) and marched down to the tax collector's office.
</p>
<p>
The tax collector wouldn't accept the loose change. Corkin had to go 
to the bank to get cash.
</p>
</div>

<p>
I'm pretty sure that legally they can't refuse your payment just because
it's in pennies, nickles, dimes, and quarters.  It's not like they don't
handle <em>any</em> loose change, how else did Mr. Corkin remit the 66 cents?
</p>

<p>
Can you imagine the look on their faces if <em>everybody</em> did this?

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/NJ+Politics" rel="tag">NJ+Politics</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/property-tax" rel="tag">property-tax</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Lyndhurst-NJ" rel="tag">Lyndhurst-NJ</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/nj_politics</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">a-penny-for-tax-protest</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Beautifying Caldwell, one begonia at a time</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/caldwell/beautifying-caldwell-flower-baskets.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
A dedicated group of volunteers has 
<a href="http://caldwells.patch.com/articles/caldwells-community-spirit-in-full-bloom">
made downtown Caldwell more colorful</a>. The Project Main Street design team 
purchased hanging flower baskets for the lamp posts along Bloomfield Avenue.  
Three local landscapers stepped up to install them, plant the flowers, and 
most importantly, water them every day.  
</p>

<p>
And so our town is now adorned with beautiful, bountiful baskets of
cascading dragon wing begonias in full bloom.
</p>

<p class="indent">
<img src="http://wyblog.us/images/project_main_street_flower_baskets.jpg" alt="[Caldwell NJ Project Main Street flower baskets]" />
</p>

<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Main-Street/299016548128?ref=ts" rel="nofollow">
Project Main Street</a> is a completely volunteer, <em>non-governmental</em>
organization dedicated to revitalizing Caldwell's downtown.  Their spirit of
"giving back" is contagious and helped bring this project to fruition.
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<p>
One question continuously challenged the team: How would they water the 
flowers often enough to keep them flourishing throughout the hot summer months? 
</p>
<p>
Three local landscapers stepped up to the challenge. Rick Ventola, of R. 
Ventola Landscaping, James Haas, of The James R. Haas Landscape Spectrum, 
and Kevin Macken, of K. Macken Landscaping, all volunteered to water and 
fertilize the flowers throughout the year.
</p>
<p>
All three men are longtime Caldwell residents and wanted to give back to the 
community where they have lived for many years.
</p>
<p>
The landscapers follow a schedule set by Project Main Street volunteer Tammy 
Wysocki and use a 25-gallon rolling watering machine purchased by the 
non-profit organization.
</p>
<p>
"This is an extraordinary effort by Ventola, Haas and Macken," said Alan 
Schindler, Project Main Street design committee chairman. "Not only did 
they volunteer to do the bracket installation and hang the baskets for us, 
but they've been watering the flowers daily or every other day in this heat 
to keep them thriving.
</p>
<p>
"It's a labor of love for the town of Caldwell. Project Main Street is 
extremely grateful to have them as volunteers."
</p>
</div>

<p>
Their next project is a "Downtown Cleanup Day" scheduled for Saturday
September 25<sup>th</sup>.  And they need <em>your</em> help.  To get
involved e-mail <a href="mailto:ProjectMainST@gmail.com">
ProjectMainST@gmail.com</a>, call 973-228-8900.
</p>

<p>
Community spirit is truly a beautiful thing.  

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Project-Main-Street" rel="tag">Project-Main-Street</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Caldwell-NJ" rel="tag">Caldwell-NJ</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/caldwell</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">beautifying-caldwell-flower-baskets</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Who knew that &quot;annoying people&quot; was a crime?</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/odds_n_ends/snooki-charged-with-annoying-people.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Prosecutors charged <i>Jersey Shore</i> star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi with a 
new crime today, related to her arrest last month on the beach in Seaside 
Heights.
</p>

<p>
<a href="http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/jersey_shore_cast_member_snook.html" rel="nofollow">
<i>Annoying people</i></a>.
</p>

<p>
Yes folks, "annoying people" is an <em>actual crime</em>.  Punishable by a fine
of up to $2,000.
</p>

<p>
Has anyone seen Nancy Pelosi?  I want to make a citizens arrest.  C'mon, admit 
it.  She annoys the crap out of you too.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Snooki" rel="tag">Snooki</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Jersey-Shore" rel="tag">Jersey-Shore</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Seaside" rel="tag">Seaside</a>
<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/court" rel="tag">court</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/odds_n_ends</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:36:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">snooki-charged-with-annoying-people</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Taking Avastin? Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/obamacare/do-not-ask-for-whom-the-bell-tolls.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
The anti-breast-cancer drug Avastin is <em>expensive</em>.  It's also the
drug of last resort for women who have no where else to turn.  Now the
FDA is considering <em>rescinding</em> its approval of Avastin.  Which
of course will mean that it will no longer be available in the US.
</p>

<p>
Not because it isn't "safe and effective".  There's no denying that.
Thousands of women are reaping the benefits of Avastin at this very moment.
</p>

<p>
Avastin is being yanked from the shelves to spare Barry a political headache
<a href="http://ace.mu.nu/archives/304685.php">
because Medicare and Medicaid don't want to pay for it</a>.
</p>

<p>
And so the FDA is doing Donald Berwick's dirty-work.
</p>

<p>
How else can Barry control costs and reassure the public that he's not, as 
maintained by his critics, denying useful and effective drugs to seniors in 
order to free up money for ObamaCare?
</p>

<p>
And so it begins.  The first of the Death Panels has convened.

        <span class="blosxomTags"><br />Technorati Tags:
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<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Donald-Berwick" rel="tag">Donald-Berwick</a>
</span>
]]>
      </description>
      <category>/obamacare</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:57:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">do-not-ask-for-whom-the-bell-tolls</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Proud to be a teabagger!</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/tea_party/proud-to-be-a-teabagger.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
One of the anonymous denizens of the <a href="http://www.nj.com/forums/caldwell/" rel="nofollow">
NJ.com Caldwell Forum</a> has a hard-on for me and my humble little blog.  I'm 
not exactly sure why, but as Stacy McCain says, "hits is hits".  This nut and
the loopy legions of limpdick losers who cheer him on keep checking back for
my latest updates.
</p>

<p>
So when they saw my 
<a href="http://wyblog.us/blog/tea_party/meet-the-caldwell-tea-party">
Caldwell Tea Party announcement</a>, well let's just say their foaming at the 
mouth aspired to Olbermann-esque heights.  Note that I said "aspired", not 
"achieved".  &lt;grin&gt;
</p>

<p>
Meet <a href="http://www.nj.com/forums/caldwell/index.ssf?artid=13690" rel="nofollow">
"NotOnMYLawn"</a>:
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<p>
<i>Tea Bag Tom</i>:<br />
I had to go looking and that was my mistake. The one of you one here who was 
outed at the wy blogger. I give you credit for the effort but that tea bag 
stuff is just too radical. You had a movie night and who was there. Our future 
councilman was there and is a strong tea bag supporter as well. 
</p>
<p>
So Ann you have the farmers market guy, a tea bagger, ZERO budget Joe Norton, 
Peter Murray who looks like Tobey McGuire only mean, the other novice and some 
other guy who is another unknown. 
</p>
<p>
This is all adding up to you being on a 4 year photo op. And my guess is you'd 
prefer to see your photo in the Progress. The rotten tomato is not being 
archived in the library, but the Progress is! 
</p>
<p>
This history writes itself.
</p>
<p>
A miserable failure and not even out of the gate.
</p>
</div>

<p>
You know, I do believe he sees our Tea Party efforts as a <em>bad thing</em>.
In fact he doesn't have very much that's nice to say at all, does he?
</p>

<p>
That's some mouth you got there Bud.  Care to say that crap to my face?
How about to Tom's face?
</p>

<p>
No?  That's what we thought.  You're all talk and no balls, hiding behind
a fake name.
</p>

<p>
You think you're so fucking smart?  You could do a better job?  Why don't 
<em>you</em> run for Council?  But you're not running, are you?  In fact,
<em>nobody</em> from the Caldwell Democrats is running.  Three open Council
seats and the Mayorality are up for grabs.  The Republicans are running
<em>unopposed</em>.
</p>

<p>
You clowns got nothing.  Except sour grapes of course.  Bushel baskets full
of sour grapes.  Oh, and 
<a href="http://caldwells.patch.com/articles/caldwell-continues-search-for-missing-120k" rel="nofollow">
$120,000 bucks that's missing from the municipal coffers</a>. Which one of
you bozos is starting to sweat heavily now that this news has broken?
</p>

<p>
Let me spell it out for you Chief.  We're <em>proud</em> to stand up and be 
counted.  We're working hard to restore honor and dignity to our government.
</p>

<div class="indent">
<p>
Via <a href="http://helpmejoseph.typepad.com/puma_for_life/2010/04/proud-to-be-a-teabagger.html">
PUMA for Life</a>:
</p>
<p>
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</p>
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<p>
What have <em>you</em> done to make our town better?
</p>

<p>
I stand with the do-ers.
</p>

<p>
We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

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<a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Caldwell-NJ" rel="tag">Caldwell-NJ</a>
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]]>
      </description>
      <category>/tea_party</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">proud-to-be-a-teabagger</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>John Quincy Adams understood Islam better than Barack Hussein Obama does</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/islam/john-quincy-adams-understood-islam.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
I'm not the only person who casts a wary eye on the motivations of the
worldwide Islamic Ummah.  My friend Bob Belvedere while 
<a href="http://thecampofthesaints.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/the-house-of-the-rising-muslim/">
opining on Barry's endorsement of Cordoba House</a> uncovered this magnificent 
quotation from America's sixth president, John Quincy Adams:
</p>

<p class="quoted">
In the seventh century of the Christian era, a wandering Arab of the lineage 
of Hagar (mohammed), the Egyptian, combining the powers of transcendent genius, 
with the preternatural energy of a fanatic, and the fraudulent spirit of an 
impostor, proclaimed himself as a messenger from Heaven, and spread desolation 
and delusion over an extensive portion of the earth. Adopting from the sublime 
conception of the Mosaic law, the doctrine of one omnipotent god; he connected 
indissolubly with it, the audacious falsehood, that he was himself his prophet 
and apostle. Adopting from the new Revelation of Jesus, the faith and hope of 
immortal life, and of future retribution, he humbled it to the dust by adapting 
all the rewards and sanctions of his religion to the gratification of the 
sexual passion. He poisoned the sources of human felicity at the fountain, by 
degrading the condition of the female sex, and the allowance of polygamy; and 
he declared undistinguishing and exterminating war, as a part of his religion, 
against all the rest of mankind. 
<b>The essence of his doctrine was violence and lust: to exalt the brutal over 
the spiritual part of human nature</b> ... Between these two religions, thus 
contrasted in their characters, a war of twelve hundred years has already 
raged. The war is yet flagrant ... While the merciless and dissolute dogmas 
of the false prophet shall furnish motives to human action, there can never 
be peace upon the earth, and good will towards men.
</p>

<p>
Now here we are, another 200 years later. The current successor to Mr. Adams
offers mealy-mouthed platitudes about "religious tolerance" in response to
Mohammedan provocations.  Apparently we have to let them build their
Victory Mosque or the terrorists will have won.
</p>

<p>
Would that our president extended his notion of religious tolerance to the 
Jews of Jerusalem, whom he constantly lectures on the need to 
<a href="http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2010/08/obama-property-rights-for-muslims-but-not-for-jews/">
<em>cease building</em></a> synagogues and houses.  Which of course turns out
to be exactly the course of action desired by, you guessed it, Muslims.
</p>

<p>
Seems like that with Mr. Obama, whatever the Muslims want, the Muslims should
get.  It's no wonder considering how he's one of them.
</p>

<p>
Speaking of promoting tolerance and building bridges, get a load of how
the Cordoba House guys reacted to a sadly erroneous report in the Israeli
newspaper <i>Haaretz</i> that they'd agreed to accept Gov. Paterson's offer
and relocate their mosque.  
<a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/243948/more-tolerance-gz-mosque-sponsors-andy-mccarthy">
Here is the Mel-Gibson-eqsue response</a> posted to their official Twitter feed:
</p>

<p class="quoted">
PARK51: On a side note, if Haaretz likes publishing fables, perhaps they could 
go back to the Yiddish ones with parables #welikethosebetter.
</p>

<p>
And yet some of you folks have chided <em>me</em> for sowing the seeds of
discord?  Here' the thing, 
<a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/244036/moderate-his-dads-mosque-rich-lowry">
Jew-hatred runs in the Rauf family</a>.  His father's mosque is a hotbed of
radical Islamic nut-jobbery.  And of course Holocaust denial; these guys are
always Holocaust deniers.
</p>

<p>
Anyway, back to the "not all Muslims are radicals" line of bullshit.
</p>

<p>
Here's video of a 3 year old girl, barely old enough to recite her ABC's
who nonetheless has already assimilated enough Jew hatred to make Heinrich
Himmler proud.
</p>

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<p>
Now let's consider a few things.  This isn't a western TV expose playing
gotcha.  This is Saudi state television.  They <em>praise</em> this pint
sized bigot.  They hold her up as a shining example of <strike>Hitler
youth</strike> Saudi childhood, and pray for all children to emulate her.
</p>

<p>
That my friends is child abuse.  Child abuse at the hands of the most
powerful and extant strain of Islam in the world today.
</p>

<p>
So long as little girls are being taught to hate from the moment they are
born there is <em>nothing</em> we can do or say which will change the
direction upon which Islam has embarked.  And as John Quincy Adams noted, we 
ignore their hatred at our peril.

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]]>
      </description>
      <category>/islam</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">john-quincy-adams-understood-islam</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>Uncle Sam wants you to buy an FM radio</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/media/mandatory-fm-radios-for-everyone.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
First the government decreed that every citizen <em>must</em> purchase
health insurance.  Having crossed that Rubicon the pressure is on to 
impose additional mandates.  Every special interest group sees government
directives as the key to their survival.
</p>

<p>
If the National Association of Broadcasters get its way Congress may soon
require that 
<a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/08/radio-riaa-mandatory-fm-radio-in-cell-phones-is-the-future.ars" rel="nofollow">
every American will buy <em>an FM radio</em></a>.
</p>

<p>
I wish they were kidding.
</p>

<p>
As part of some kind of nefarious backroom copyright deal between NAB and
RIAA the broadcasters will drop their objection to "performance royalties" for
radio if RIAA gets Congress to force gadget manufacturers to include an FM
radio chip in every cell phone, PDA, laptop, and portable electronic device
sold in the United States.
</p>

<p>
In their twisted minds consumers want the "choice" to listen to 
<em>FM radio</em> instead of downloading (illegal) MP3's.
</p>

<p>
Because yeah, I always dreamed of having some nameless faceless RIAA toady tell 
me what I music I want to hear.  FM radio sucks.  It sucks bad.  Forcing people 
to listen to it won't make FM radio suck less.
</p>

<p>
Like I said, I wish this was some kind of bad joke.  But it's not.
</p>

<p>
It's what happens when the government decides they know what's best for us.
</p>

<p>
What's next?  Forcing all of us to subscribe to <i>The New York Times</i>?

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      </description>
      <category>/media</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">mandatory-fm-radios-for-everyone</guid>
    </item>

    <item>
      <title>NJ may extend the school year to 200+ days</title>
      <link>http://wyblog.us/blog/education/extend-the-school-year.html</link>
      <dc:creator>Chris Wysocki</dc:creator>
      <description>
        <![CDATA[
Just last week my wife said to me that her cousin's kids in Georgia had
already started school.  I replied, "do they end earlier?"  Nope.  The
school year in Georgia is longer than ours.  She asked, "who do I call to 
get that here in New Jersey?"
</p>

<p>
Funny she should ask!  
<a href="http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/nj_education_chief_seeks_more.html" rel="nofollow">
Chris Christie and Bret Schundler are thinking along the same lines</a>.
</p>

<div class="quoted">
<p>
State Education Commissioner Bret Schundler thinks some students could benefit 
from longer and more frequent school days.
</p>
<p>
Schundler said students are happy at schools that tried it, such as The Robert 
Treat Academy in Newark. The charter school ended its summer recess on Aug. 3 
and will be in session for 203 days. "You had students there, when their peers 
were still home, having a great time,  he said at a Senate education committee 
hearing.
</p>
</div>

<p>
Back in the day, when I was but a wee lad, it didn't make sense that we got
3 months off from school each summer.  When my grandparents grew up the 
concept had merit; they were needed to work the farm.
</p>

<p>
Now many of our kids live on a farm today?
</p>

<p>
State law requires that students attend 180 days of school each year.  Most
districts schedule 183 days on the theory that they'll have 3 snow days.
You know what kills me?  If they don't use all 3 snow days they create 
extra holidays to keep the schedule at exactly 180 days.  Couldn't the
kids benefit from those extra days?
</p>

<p>
As Sarah Palin would say, you betcha!
</p>

<p>
We shouldn't be looking for ways to shorten the school year.  With all of
the subject matter which needs to be covereed it's absurd to deny the children 
an opportunity to spend more time in school.
</p>

<p>
But Chris, I hear you say, if the teachers have to work 20 or so extra days
they're gonna want more money.  We're broke!
</p>

<p>
Ayup.  The teachers might <em>want</em> more money to work all year.  But
we don't have to give it to them.  The union takes pains to counter any
attempt to paint teachers as only working nine or ten months per year.  They
claim teaching is a full-time job.  Good.   Let's make it a full-time job.
</p>

<p>
I'm sure there will be a certain number of intransigent union hacks who will
refuse to work even one additional hour.  Fine.  With teacher unemployment at an
all-time high, and seeing as how so many recent college graduates are facing
grim job prospects, I have no doubt we'll be able to fill all the
teaching slots we need to fill.  And we'll fill them at a salary that is
compatible with today's budget realities.
</p>

<p>
Extending the school year makes educational sense.  A ten week break each
summer means that September is spent playing catch-up.  Cutting that to six
weeks still leaves adequate time for summer vacation while helping to maintain
curriculum continuity.  And twenty extra days of school will allow teachers
to cover subjects in more depth or introduce additional topics.
</p>

<p>
Commissioner Schundler has put forth an excellent idea.  It merits serious
consideration.

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      </description>
      <category>/education</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">extend-the-school-year</guid>
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