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August 24, 2008

Ruminations - 8/24/08

No, I haven't gone away - just doing LOTS of things in a lot of different areas.  So, in the spirit of not having any time lately but feel still in the spirit that I still have a bit of a mind to share...

*****

Sometime, we write Really Really Good Stuff!  Sometimes, it is Really Really Deep Thought type stuff.  Some of it even gets read.

And sometimes, some of the posts that have gotten the most hits since we've been open have been posts that could be classified as "eh, what the heck?" or "my brain is tired, this is quick" or  "man, this is fluff - let's see what happens".  And people just keep coming back and back and back.  Mine was this (scroll down - you'll know it when you see the bare midriffs).

Well, time for an update:

Pussycat Dolls
 Updated PussyCat Dolls Picture Post

Same statement - must not stimulate Muslims?

"Malaysian authorities fined organizers of a concert by the chart-topping Pussycat Dolls for allowing the singers to wear skimpy costumes and for their "sexually suggestive routines," a news report said Wednesday." Source

Except for the very few miscreant guys among us in the West, things like this story always have me asking myself - What's the matter, can't Muslim men control themselves?

Yeah, I can be shallow from time to time (but am really wondering how many hits it will get becasue of the subjects).

The question, however, remains valid - how come Muslim men continue to hold the WOMEN accountable but not themselves?  Hey, N.O.W. - how come you continue to NOT demonstrate against this in front of mosques?  I guess it's only OK to demonstrate at country clubs.....

*****

Stupid politicians!  when are they going to learn that the game has changed with the Internet - you cannot hide, you cannot run, and you just can't make stuff disappear without somebody noticing!

Let the Obama - Biden campaign whitewashing stupid explanations begin!

The Friday evening version of Joe Biden's Wikipedia entry remains firmly ensconced in a Firefox tab on my desktop, so it can be compared to its current form as Obama-Biden's busy bees brush it up. I'm doing comparisons as time allows, and there isn't much of it at the moment.

One thing is quickly obvious -- a whole year has disappeared:

You'll just loooooove what got deleted:

Ha!  Go to the link and see what got deleted!

***** 

Bishop: ICE Agents Can Claim Conscientious Objector Status When Refusing to Participate in Worksite Immigration Raids

Rhode Island's Roman Catholic bishop is calling on U.S. authorities to halt mass immigration raids and says agents who refuse to participate in such raids on moral grounds deserve to be treated as conscientious objectors.

Let me see if I understand this - agents voluntarily sign up to enforce our nation's immigration laws.  Those laws, like them or not, detail how one comes to live here in the USA (after all, we ARE allowed to make the laws that govern ourselves, right)? 

Don't like them?  Change them.  Until then, follow them.  And if you voluntarily joined ICE to enforce the immigration laws and no longer can support them, there is something that you can do:

QUIT.

This Bishop is just, plain, wrong.

"We believe that raids on the immigrant community are unjust, unnecessary, and counterproductive," the bishop's letter says. It urges individual federal agents to consider the morality of their actions and refuse to participate if their conscience dictates.
A spokeswoman for ICE, Paula Grenier, said she could not comment.

Well, I CERTAINLY can!  So, Bishop, is it unjust on the part of the illegal alien to break our laws?  The Bible is quite clear that governments are appointed by God and therefore, failing to follow (provided the laws do not break His law), is disobedience to God, right?

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has called U.S. immigration policies "morally unacceptable," saying they keep families divided and encourage the exploitation of migrants.

So, Bishops, does this mean that we are to ignore the actions and decisions of parents that put their children at risk? Let's take your argument to one more illogical step - does that mean that I can break another law, desecrating a church (as was recently done to a local Catholic church) - is still be morally acceptable?  

No, I didn't think so.

*****

Electric and hybrid vehicles may be better for the environment, but the California Legislature says they're bad for the blind.

It has passed a bill to ensure that the vehicles make enough noise to be heard by visually impaired people about to cross a street.
The measure would establish a committee to study the issue and recommend ways the vehicles could make more noise.

Hmm, by expending less energy, we do better.  Now, we have to pipe some of that savings into sounding like a regular car?  I KNOW!  Let's make it a law that all of the Priuses have to sound like the old tyme Ice Cream Trucks with that little jingle they always played in the neighborhoods that thrilled all the kids and made the Moms groan....

Continue reading "Ruminations - 8/24/08" »


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August 9, 2008

Jets - ok, rockets!

Mix planes derived from Burt Rutan's designs, replace the jets with rocket engines, add a closed loop system with all kinds of cameras and make it interactive in the stands, on TV, on the 'Net, and on game consoles, and you get:

THE ROCKET RACING LEAGUE!

I CANNOT wait to watch this on my big HD capable TV!


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July 14, 2008

Right of Center Bloggers Rank Least Favorite Elected Republicans

GOP DOA

Our buddy John Hawkins at RightWingNews has posted part two of the results of his latest "temperature check" of right-of-center bloggers. This was the assignment:

What I'd like you to do is send me two unranked lists of 1-10 elected Republicans (Elected Republicans should be living, in Congress, President, or Governors.)

One list should be 1-10 of your favorite elected Republicans and the other list should be 1-10 of your least favorite elected Republicans.

As I noted in the prior post listing FAVORITE elected Republicans, crafting a list of those I dislike was much easier. Here's the top three from John's list, which you can view in its entirety here:

        1. Chuck Hagel (#1-tied)

        2. Arlen Specter (#1-tied)

        3. Olympia Snowe

Heh. The two tied for the number one LEAST liked elected Republicans, according to "right of center bloggers,"  are the same two I first added to my submission. Here's the entire list, as created for John's survey:

 

Continue reading "Right of Center Bloggers Rank Least Favorite Elected Republicans" »


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July 8, 2008

Another reason I never go to the Cape...

charlie tuna has a smoke

Sorry Charlie. And Bob...

Maybe they should keep it in the ocean, like the fish do...

Eeeeeww!

 


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July 4, 2008

Self evident truths, abuses, and usurpations...

Declaration of Independence

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, it is worth a few minutes to reflect on what the birth of this “great experiment”, known as America really means. Consider these words from The Declaration of Independence:

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…”

Are there any “self evident truths” and “unalienable rights” here in our modern age, or are these things just merely quaint, outdated ideas from a bygone era? Do these words somehow mean the “Creator” gives a woman the right to “terminate” pregnancies? What about the unborn child’s right to “Life”?  How many Americans even acknowledge some sort of “Creator”? Does “pursuing Happiness” give a person the right to the fruits of the labor of others?

In dissolving the ties of government with Great Britain, our forefathers created this document, listing as the reason “a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations,” intended “to reduce them under absolute Despotism…” They further point out that because of these “Abuses and Usurpations,” it is “their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such government…”

What were some of these abuses considered so onerous that our Founding Fathers chose to risk life and property to eliminate? From the Declaration, here are just two:

“For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent…”

and because the King

“has erected a Multitude of new Offices, and sent swarms of Officers to harrass our People, and eat out their Substance.” 

Do you feel that the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s ordering of the NH House to fund a so-called “adequate education” borders on “taxation without representation?” Do you believe that the constant addition of more rules and regulations to control every aspect of our lives ever-growing numbers of government agents could be considered harassment?

While wishing all readers of this space a fun-filled Fourth of July celebration, we ask everyone to take a few moments in remembrance of the Founders of our great Nation and ask, "Are we twenty-first century Americans upholding the ideals put forth for all posterity on this fateful day in 1776?"

 


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June 11, 2008

"The Prince" and "The Prince of Providence"

Buddy C.

"Buddy C"

I know this has little to nothing to do with anything here in the Granite State, but I figured I'd note it anyway, as it involves one of the most interesting and colorful politicians to ever hit the scene. From the RI Film & TV Office

PLEASE WELCOME THE PRINCE OF PROVIDENCE

Please join Rhode Island native and renowned Director/Producer Michael Corrente and representatives from the Rhode Island Film & TV Office and the Providence Mayor's Dept. of Art, Culture and Tourism at 3PM on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at the Soldier's and Sailor's Monument in Kennedy Plaza facing Providence City Hall, as Mr. Corrente announces plans for filming his long-awaited political biopic THE PRINCE OF PROVIDENCE.  

The cast includes Dermot Mulroney, Adam Goldberg, Bradley Cooper, Ed Burns and Oliver Platt, who will portray former Providence Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci in the David Mamet adapted screenplay of Michael Stanton's 2003 book about one of America's longest-serving mayors.  Robin Williams is currently in negotiations to join this talented group of actors. 

"The passion I have for THE PRINCE OF PROVIDENCE is stronger then any film I've made to date. Through much scrutiny and speculation, I've spent six long years preparing for this picture. I have painstakingly taken the necessary time to make sure that all my ducks are in a row. This is my home state, and I have an obligation to ensure that the quality of the production matches the brilliance of the material. At the end of the day, and every day does end, nobody ever cares about how long it takes to make a movie; they only care if it's good", stated Mr. Corrente.

I have not read Mr. Stanton's book about the Mayor, but I did read another book about a prince. In fact, the name is just that: The Prince, written by Niccolo Machiavelli many centuries before Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci arrived on the scene. And yet, based on my recollection of the years I lived in Rhode Island, and what I've heard since I left, one can almost imagine the infamous master political observer would certainly find a degree of familiarity with Providence's very own "prince". 

Writes Machiavelli in The Prince,

 

Continue reading " "The Prince" and "The Prince of Providence"" »


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April 30, 2008

Jetiness - don't tailgate this motorcycle!

Nope, not going to even ASK the TMEW about taking a flier on this one...heck, I can't even get a regular one!

Jet Motorcycle
 
From Gizmodo

Something tells me this 3,800 HP jet-powered bike isn't the safest or most efficient way to get around town, but then again, you aren't going to fry a crosswalk's worth of schoolchildren to a crisp driving around a Plymouth Voyager. Oh, and the name of the guy who built this monster? Mad Ron Laycock.

As Doug would say "Light My Fire!" 

Couple more pix after the jump 

Continue reading "Jetiness - don't tailgate this motorcycle!" »


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April 8, 2008

Redstate on SamSphere and the State of the Internet

I met Erick Erickson (Editor, Chairman) of Redstate at SamSphere. 

Many of us "lesser" bloggers often look up at the "big dogs" of the blogosphere and go "wow".  Yet, as it seems many times in life, most of the "big dogs" are just ordinary folks who just happen to be a tad smarter, a tad luckier, and often, work a heck of a lot harder.  Otherwise, mostly like you and I.

Well, two things.  He was asked to give a discussion on Sunday morning (when many of us should have been in church), so this Baptist turned Presbyterian gave a "sermon" on the status of the Internet from a conservative standpoint.  It was more than I thought it would have been for an "Internet sermon" for a crowd of bloggers.

The best part for me was bringing out the philosophy of of Servant/Leader.  While mentioned late in the discussion, it does portray a role that many of us on the Right, given the perceived dominance of the Left in the blogosphere, should think about - hard.

Anyways, it was a good speech - go read it here


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March 15, 2008

Flat Stanley

Blogging from me has been light lately....just too much sloshing over the plate.

However, I have taken part in a MOST important project for one of TMEW's best friends (and mine),  Trouble!

My great niece, Emma, in the third grade, has asked us to take Flat Stanley along for a few weeks of adventure wherever we go.  This particular Flat Stanley hails from New Jersey where there has been a whopping 6 inches of snow all winter.  Currently, he is with us in New Hampshire.  To date he has been to the hematology/oncology department of Lakes Region General hospital (the nurses all flirted with Stanley).  He has also been down to "bob house row" in Meredith,  NH and the same day was "carried" to the top of a 5 foot snow pile near Lake Opeechee in Laconia, NH.  Friend to family and Flat Stanley, Skip Murphy was kind enough to keep Flat from flying free and further than Flat men ought to fly.  He was a bit cold but we are assured that friend Skip who braved the 5 foot snow piles and gusting winds, lakeside,  in sneakers and jeans kept Stanley from departing on an unescorted and unplanned flight.
The story of flat Stanley is ten years old and has served as a means of getting young readers excited about the notion of writing.  Those of us who are entrusted to entertain Stanley are requested to journal his adventures and most recently add any digital pictures or video to further document his adventures/in our hands, misadventures :) and return him to the child(unharmed) via the us mail.
It is fun to get folks involved with showing Flat a good time.

Hi Res pix after the jump!

Continue reading "Flat Stanley" »


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March 2, 2008

Central NH is saddened by two losses this weekend...

mourning

Here in Central New Hampshire, two people have passed away that will be missed: State Representative Mike Whalley, and local activist Anne Cioffi. One, a much respected lawmaker, and the other, a model of active and informed citizenship. Both were well liked and will be greatly missed. Our prayers go out to their families during this time of their loss...

 


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February 11, 2008

Besides the fact we have no sales or income tax, here is another reason New Hampshire is so awesome:

It's natural beauty co-existing in concert with her people. When one rides into the hills and mountains of central and northern New Hampshire by snowmobile, the views unhampered by leaves on the trees are simply amazing-- on par with anywhere else in the US...
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snowmobiling NH
Somewhere near either East Hebron or Bridgewater,  NH
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Newfound Lake
Looking West at Newfound Lake

Continue reading "Besides the fact we have no sales or income tax, here is another reason New Hampshire is so awesome:" »


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February 6, 2008

Guest Blog: Reflections on Reaganism by Grant Bosse

Today is Ronald Reagan's birthday...
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Ronald Reagan
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Reflections on Reaganism
By Grant Bosse


 
February 6th would have been Ronald Reagan’s 97th birthday.  When I first wrote about Reagan’s legacy over a decade ago, conventional wisdom held that the Gipper was an affable and charming leader; the Great Communicator, who used his skills as an actor to guide America through the upbeat 80’s.  I argued at the time that Reagan’s legacy had more to do with his substance than his style; more to do with his ideas and conviction than with his warmth and humor.  Now, nearly twenty years removed from Reagan’s time in office, history has taken note of his greatness.
 
I’m gratified that Ronald Wilson Reagan’s place in history has grown over the years, because I’m a bit biased.  I’ve been a Reagan fan since I was seven.  I got the afternoon off from school to go see the former Governor of California at a campaign stop in downtown Hillsboro.  Growing up around the First in the Nation Primary has its perks.  I remember shaking the hand of the man who would be one of America’s greatest Presidents.  In fact, the campaign poster he signed for me that day has followed me from job to job over the past fifteen years, slightly faded over the years, but still inspiring.
 
My admiration for the man grew as I grew to understand the ideas Reagan promoted.  He spoke of freedom not as a cliché, but as a basic right of all people and a guiding principle for government.  He stood up to an Evil Empire, and challenged it to tear down the wall that trapped millions in tyranny.  He renewed America’s faith in itself, and was never ashamed about the economic, political, and military strength that we possess.  He always saw America as a shining city on a hill.  And he relied on this strength to win the Cold War, as he knew that the Soviet Union could not hope to match our combination of freedom, democracy, and capitalism.
 
As we mark Reagan’s birthday, remember the anecdotes; asking the doctors removing an assassin’s bullet if they were all Republicans, and later telling Nancy that he forgot to duck;  promising Walter Mondale not to use his opponent’s youth and inexperience against him; and reminding Nashua Telegraph Editor Jon Breen that “I paid for this microphone.”  Remember Reagan’s charm.  Remember Reagan’s humor.  But please, remember the core values that Ronald Reagan promoted, and the strength of character he showed by sticking to them.
 
Happy Birthday, Mr. President.
Grant Bosse is a Hillsboro resident and potential Congressional candidate.  He won the New Hampshire Young Republicans “Gipper” Award in 2002.


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December 30, 2007

For a change of pace...

Thanks to global warming, this is turning out to be among the snowiest Decembers in history (at least back to 1880-something when they started keeping official records).  And we are expecting more again tomorrow (6"?  9"?).

Snow, snow, snow....I'm already getting tired of raking my roof! 

Thus, thanks to Gary, a lifelong Scouter (currently troop leader and unstoppable hiker), a glance backwards at some of the glory that is the White Mountains here in NH. And NO SNOW!

 

Bond Cliff NH
Bond Cliff

Simply green...wonderful! 


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November 16, 2007

San Diego - a contrast in time

A co-worker that lives and works in San Diego sent these to me and I just kinda sat there in amazement in the difference a couple of months could make.

Here's the first:

 

San Diego snow covered mountains
 

 

The second is after the jump. 

(H/T: Karen) 

Continue reading "San Diego - a contrast in time" »


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November 13, 2007

Selectman tases Police Officer!!! On Purpose!

In addition to doing GraniteGrok and GilfordGrok (and Meet The New Press radio show), Doug and I are on our local Budget Committee.  Well, tonight, the Police Department put on a demo for Taser (as they wish to purchase some for the patrolmen in town - first purchase).

In a word - effective! 

OK, so I went overboard on the title.  One of our three Selectman did tase one of the Police Officers.  I'm putting up the short clip now....a longer one that better explains what the Bud Comm listened to in arriving at their decision will come a bit later over at GilfordGrok

Taser

Gilford Police Officer getting tased at Gilford Budget Committee

(GraniteGrok file photo)

Note: after the demo, listening to the info, the Bud Comm approved the purchase of this capital budget item. 

Cross posted at GilfordGrok


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October 31, 2007

Boo!

happy halloween
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Jeanne Shaheen

Scary, eh? If the elections go wrong in '08, EVERY day will be Halloween...


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Skip Murphy on WNTK Morning Show Today

Check it out! Skip will be joining me from 8:50-9:00 am on 99.7 wntk morning show that I'm co-hosting this week. If you're out of range, go to wntk.com for a live stream of the broadcast.

We'll be talking about the educational system.

 

 


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October 29, 2007

Doug Lambert on WNTK Tues. 6:15 am

Since I'm substitute co-hosting the wntk morning show this week on 99.7 FM (wntk.com for live steam), I asked Doug to join me starting at 6:15 am Tues. to discuss various subjects including Prez politics, the toll issue, blogging in general, the loss of the NH advantage and possibly other subjects as time allows.

Since it's talk radio, please feel free to call in on the toll free line 888-299-3151.

We should have alot of fun not to mention, I'm sure, an interesting discussion on some important issues that affect all of us. Lady Radio signing off...

 

 

 

 


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October 22, 2007

Tolls Only Rise for Some, Doug!

This is a true story from yesterday. Me, hubby and a girlfriend, all of us on our motorcycles stopped at the Hooksett tolls. Since I have an ez-pass on my bike, I could have flown through and waited for the gang...except that hubby motioned to me that he forgot his wallet and I'd have to stop and pay the tolls for them. No problemo!

I pulled up to the booth, my ez-pass activated for me but I told the toll worker I was paying for the other two bikers. Dick left and pulled over to wait for us. The toll worker was extremely upset that Dick went through already. I pointed out that my ez-pass charged for one and I was paying for the other two, so it didn't seem to be a big deal.

It's a pain to have to stop your bike, put it in neutral, kick-stand down, take off your gloves and get your money which is why I have an ez-pass. Hubby doesn't want the ugly, larger-than-car-ez-pass thing on his chopper, and I don't blame him. Mine is connected to my handlebars with plastic thread ties since the genuises who came up with bike ez-pass transponders, didn't anticipate that not all bikes have saddle bags to put them in nor is it convenient to carry one on your person...they're simply too big.

I only had a $50 on me as we were going to breakfast at the VFW to meet up with other veterans for a probable last ride to the beach for the season. I gave the toll worker my $50; he looked in the drawer and handed it back to me and said: "no change, forget it and may you NEVER come back through here again"! He was rude, I wasn't, but I held my tongue. This ying, yang wasn't going to ruin a beautiful day for me.

No change at 10 am?...puhleezze! So, while some of you are paying higher tolls, our three bikes went through and paid only one toll, ha, ha, ha! This is what your tolls increases are paying for people...incompetence, oh yeah, and other wasteful spending by the DOT. I just knew you'd love this story, Doug, although I fear I may have sent you over the edge with it! Call me if you need to vent!

 


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October 21, 2007

Awaiting the Great Pumpkin?

I took this picture in Boston Saturday at the pumpkin festival at the Government Center plaza. I have no idea who the little baby is, but, I just couldn't resist.
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pumpkin kid
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Choose life...


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Red Sox Rising

Tonight is the big game. Will the Red Sox make it to the World Series again? Does it get any better than going seven games? Being in Boston on a weekend such as this doesn't really get any better. The excitement and happiness is just oozing from every corner. Even the bums are upbeat! This is a pic we shot about 2 hours prior to the first pitch. (No, we didn't actually go to the game-- we're just lucky to have been in Boston this weekend.)
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Fenway Park
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September 23, 2007

Must See TV

WW2
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I am watching the Ken Burns' World War 2 documentary, The War, on PBS. I highly recommend you bring the laptop in front of the TV and watch. It's only been on for 1 hour, but it is obviously another classic masterpiece, as one expects from NH's Mr. Burns... An added bonus is that there are no commercials, which, one must admit, is rather nice. As an aside, make sure that you read this sometime, for another point of view on Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066.

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September 18, 2007

Wings of Freedom

From time to time, Skip has been wont to put pictures here of what he likes to call "jet goodness." Whether it's jet powered luges, or pictures of jets, he just loves 'em all. Me? I think they're cool, and, if we're talkin' jets, I am partial to the ME262. That being said, before there were jets, there were the prop jobs. And what machines they were! With a name like "Flying Fortress" or "Liberator," nothing was more awesome back in the day... The day being World War 2, of course. You know-- Back when we pounded our enemies to dust whenever we could. Not jets here, just good ole' fashioned "bomber goodness!"
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B17 Flying Fortress
B17 Flying Fortress lands in Laconia, NH
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B25 Mitchell
B25 Mitchell landing in Laconia, NH
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For a couple days  this week, these old warbirds are here in the Lakes Region of NH at the Laconia airport as part of the "Wings of Freedom" tour. You can visit and go through the planes, or even take a ride on one (for a fee). This flying museum is visiting over 130 different airports on this year's tour. Click here for more info. (More pics after the jump.)
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Continue reading "Wings of Freedom" »


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September 16, 2007

Negative People!

 
This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade. So remember this story the next time someone who knows nothing, and cares less, tries to make your life miserable.

A woman was at her hairdresser's getting he r hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded:
"Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty. You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"



Continue reading "Negative People!" »


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August 10, 2007

PRAY!!!!!

CLICK HERE....feeling helpless? Pray for God's Blessings on our fellow Americans in Minnesota! Thank you, Lord, for saving all of the school children in the bus! Be with all those who have lost loved ones and comfort them. Abundant blessings on all the unselfish people who stepped up to help without a thought for their own safety. Bless the First Responders, the Police and Fire Departments and all those who did the right thing regardless of their own feelings.

Hug your wife, husband, mom, dad, grammy, grampy, your children and your friends and tell them how much you love them and cherish them! Count your blessings and thank our military that you live in a free America where you are allowed to pray whenever and wherever you want and can choose to pray...or not to pray...believe or not believe...

God Bless America, God Bless our Troops, and God Bless our President and give him wisdom, strength and courage to defeat our enemies!

Heal the wounded in heart, mind, spirit and body and especially be with the miners and their loved ones in Utah and we pray for their safe return to their families.

H/T: Frank, thank you!

 

 

 

 


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August 8, 2007

That's our Judy!

We are quite pleased here at the 'Grok to note that our newest contributor, Judy Paris, has caught the attention of the folks at the Politico. Avi Zenilman, in a piece titled "BlogJam: Voters-eye view" for his "BlogJam" feature writes of Judy:
...when a citizen with political convictions -- yet no history of activism or reporting -- discovers blogging, the old conventions look, well, old...
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Paris didn't know what a blog was until the 2006 elections -- and she didn't start blogging until a few months ago. She is only partly immersed in the formal echo chambers of new media.
The article is very well written and seemingly paints a fairly accurate snapshot of that ball of energy and excitement known as Judy Paris.  And of course, there's this:
Paris is the only woman at the New Hampshire conservative blog. "All of the men on the 'Grok have a lot of integrity, but they can't write from a woman's perspective, so it's a perfect fit for all of us."
And we do appreciate that perspective. We're happy to have Judy blogging here with us and encourage you to read the whole piece. All that we ask is that she not forget us "little people" when she hits the bigtime!


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August 1, 2007

Thrust? Check. Rocket boost? Check. Engine ignitor? Check. Beer ball? Check. Blast Off!

Spaceballs...party ball
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Lisa Nowak.....................astronaut puppet
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There are some stories that just speak for themselves, with nothing else left to be said. Following on the heals of the Lisa Nowak "astronaut goes postal" (well, almost...) story, we find out that through the years, there have been astronauts that might have flown drunk. You probably already heard the story, but in case you forgot, Frank Morring, Jr., writing in Aviation Week & Space Technology tells us:
A panel reviewing astronaut health issues in the wake of the Lisa Nowak arrest has found that on at least two occasions astronauts were allowed to fly after flight surgeons and other astronauts warned they were so intoxicated that they posed a flight-safety risk.
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The panel, also reported "heavy use of alcohol" by astronauts before launch, within the standard 12-hour "bottle to throttle" rule applied to NASA flight crew members.
We all laugh when considering spaced-out spacemen consuming alcoholic spirits, but, as I learned from this story, the notion of a brew or two in space is serious business. Surprisingly, it is more complicated than one might at first imagine. Anna Davidson, writing at NewSpace.com provides the details:

Beyond the challenge of producing beer in space is the problem of serving it, says Jonathan Clark, a former flight surgeon and now the space medicine liaison for the National Space Biomedical Research Institute in Houston, Texas, US.

Without gravity, bubbles don't rise, so "obviously the foam isn't going to come to a head", Clark told New Scientist.

The answer, Dutch researchers suggested in 2000, is to store beer in a flexible membrane inside a barrel. Air can be pumped between the barrel and the membrane, forcing the beer out of a tap. Astronauts could then use straws to suck up blobs of beer (see Beer balls).

Brings back memories, doesn't it? Er, I mean, huh? What's a beer ball? Anyway, the prospect of a mile-high buzz in the Last Frontier isn't all it's cracked up to be:

Unfortunately for thirsty astronauts, beer is poorly suited to space consumption because of the gas it includes. Without gravity to draw liquids to the bottoms of their stomachs, leaving gases at the top, astronauts tend to produce wet burps.

Then again, that too seems vaguely familiar. Anyway, if one must indulge while in orbit, I suppose this is what I would recommend:

UFO beer

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[All kidding aside, I recommend UFO wholeheartedly, whether in orbit, or not... yet.]

 


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July 20, 2007

True Beauty

(H/T: Karen)

 

USA at night on a composite clear night.....simply beautiful. 

USA at night
 

'Nuff said