2017 archive
QOTD 0
Rex Stout:
Nero Wolfe: How do you pass the time?
Noel Ferris: I don’t. It passes me.
Stout, Rex, “Counterfeit for Murder” in Homicide Trinity (New York: Viking Press, Bantam Edition, 1966). p. 170
BIrds of a Feather 0
Reka Basu reads the Declaration of Independence and recognizes a familiar figure in the text.
“Words Mean What I Want Them To Mean” 0
At the Boston Review, Lawrence B. Glickman examines the evolution of the conservative political vocabulary. He points out the much of what passes for conservative discourse has its roots in opposition to Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal and is as flawed and fraudulent now as it was then. A snippet:
Immunity Impunity
0
In The Charlotte Observer, Tonya Jameson recounts the experience of being accused at gunpoint by an off-duty policeman of stealing a car which she had legally purchased. At the time, she was in the seller’s driveway putting the new license plates on the car so it could be legally driven from the seller’s home.
The officer in question was not disciplined.
Here’s a snippet from the article regarding why the officer was not disciplined (emphasis added):
Follow the link. Read the whole thing.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Small acts of politeness can deliver a bang.
While another family member was opening a 45 caliber derringer pistol, the gun accidentally discharged and struck Williams in the left hand and left thigh, Lambert said.
Whatever happened to concept of making sure a gun isn’t pointed at anyone?
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? 0
Perhaps the Austrian police can answer that question.
Happy Fourth 0
“Let’s Say It with Firecrackers” from the 2016 Broadway production of Holiday Inn.
Now that the barbecues and celebrations are over, why not go read the U. S. Constitution. It’s surprisingly short, clocking in at about 5,000 words, and you’ll find it doesn’t say a lot of stuff right-wingers say it says.
Trumpling “Administration” 0
At The Guardian, Carol Anderson thinks that “Trump Administration” is a misnomer; she suggests that “regime” is a more apt term. A snippet:
Follow the link for more examples.
“And, in That Corner . . . .” 1
During the 2016 election campaign, Chauncey Devega often remarked on the parallels between the behavior of Donald Trump and that of professional wrestling bad guys. Tony Norman picks up that theme. A snippet:
The doctored video probably wasn’t intended as such, but there hasn’t been a more astute metaphor for the emptiness and triviality of the Trump presidency than using an old snippet from a fake wrestling match as a commentary on the media. A fake sport promoting fake news from a president widely considered to be fake.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Be polite to your friends.
Moody was taken to the hospital for treatment for a gunshot wound, the sheriff’s office said. He was pronounced dead shortly after 3 a.m.
If Mr. Moody had been packing, he no doubt could have returned fire.
Make TWUUG Your LUG 0
Learn about the wonderful world of free and open source. Use computers to do what you want, not what someone else wants you to do. Learn how to use GNU/Linux and its plethora of free and open source software to get stuff done with computers.
It’s not hard; it’s just different.
When: Monthly TWUUG meeting at 7:30 p. m. on the first Thursday of the month (July 6, 2017). Pre-meeting dinner at Chicago Uno, JANAF shopping center, 6:00 p. m. (map)
Who: Everyone in TideWater/Hampton Roads with interest in any/all flavors of Unix/Linux. There are no dues or signup requirements. All are welcome.
Where: Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital in Norfolk Training Room (map). (Wireless and wired internet connection available.) Turn right upon entering, then left at the last corridor and look for the open meeting room.
QOTD 0
George Bernard Shaw:
Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.
Who Woulda Thunk? 0
Some automated lady has been kind enough to leave a message on my machine–several messages, in fact–informing me that my 14-year-old pick-up with 135 thousand miles on it (and still running just fine thank you) is out of warranty.
Whatever shall I do?
Unbranding 0
Much of the real estate that bears Donald Trump’s name is not owned by him or his organization. Rather, the name is licensed because the owners think that the Trump name and mystique are good advertising.
There are hints that this may be changing.
In a statement, the new owner, JCF Capital, said it had reached an agreement to end the Trump Organization’s contract to manage the hotel and condominium complex. Both sides, which declined to reveal the transaction’s terms, sought to put a positive spin on it.