Austin's Blog

New Year: New Blog..Update Bookmarks

2007-01-04T23:30:00.000-05:00

Simple.

New Blog.

Update the bookmarks.

The Fearless Craven

Judgement Day

2006-11-07T19:12:00.000-05:00

**ALL RESULTS PENDING POLL CLOSINGS.**

RESULTS FROM CNN- "AMERICA VOTES 2006"

LIVE FLORIDA RESULTS...
(VOLUSIA COUNTY)

LIVE VIRGINIA RESULTS...

LIVE KENTUCKY RESULTS...

LIVE OHIO RESULTS...

LIVE RHODE ISLAND RESULTS...

LIVE TENNESSEE RESULTS...

LIVE MISSOURI RESULTS...

LIVE PENNSYLVANIA RESULTS...

LIVE CONNECTICUT RESULTS...

LIVE TEXAS RESULTS...

LIVE NEVADA RESULTS...

LIVE WISCONSIN RESULTS (COUNTY BY COUNTY)...

NEW HAMPSHIRE

IDAHO

GEORGIA

CALIFORNIA

NORTH CAROLINA

--

2006-10-29T15:49:00.000-05:00

In Need of Laughter?

I was. :)

A Noteworthy Photo

2006-10-21T12:46:00.000-04:00

Hmm..is that "Noteworthy"...or "NoteWorthy?" Eh, lets stick with the first try.

Here

Viewing is distorted in internet explorer/firefox. Best viewing is by saving the image to your desktop and opening it from there.

A Hero Lies In You

2006-10-14T10:22:00.000-04:00

CORONADO, Calif. Oct 14, 2006 (AP)— A Navy SEAL sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout, fellow members of the elite force said.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor had been near the only door to the rooftop structure Sept. 29 when the grenade hit him in the chest and bounced to the floor, said four SEALs who spoke to The Associated Press this week on condition of anonymity because their work requires their identities to remain secret.

"He never took his eye off the grenade, his only movement was down toward it," said a 28-year-old lieutenant who sustained shrapnel wounds to both legs that day. "He undoubtedly saved mine and the other SEALs' lives, and we owe him."

Prior to his death, Monsoor had already demonstrated courage under fire. He has been posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions May 9 in Ramadi, when he and another SEAL pulled a team member shot in the leg to safety while bullets pinged off the ground around them.

[Full Story...]

At Least I Tried!

2006-09-26T21:18:00.000-04:00

[On my lack of posts]

"These bloggers attacking me...they don't make regular posts...I do. I tried. They did not try. So I tried and failed..."

AP Photo/MICHAEL SIMON

Test Post

2006-09-17T22:55:00.000-04:00

[Testing Blogger]

[Test Post]

-I'm having some difficulty posting...expect a new post tomorrow.

Liberty Will Never Die

2006-09-11T21:32:00.000-04:00

God Bless America

I pray freedom and democracy will spread around the world and liberty will prevail.

President Bush Addressing Firefighters at the World Trade Center

CROWD: U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. I want you all to know --

Q Can't hear you.

THE PRESIDENT: I can't talk any louder. (Laughter.)

I want you all to know that America today -- that America today is on bended knee in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn. This nation stands with the good people of New York City, and New Jersey and Connecticut, as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens.

Q I can't hear you.

THE PRESIDENT: I can hear you. (Applause.) I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. (Applause.) And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon. (Applause.)

CROWD: U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

THE PRESIDENT: The nation sends its love and compassion to everybody who is here. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for making the nation proud. And may God bless America. (Applause.)

CROWD: U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

(The President waves small American flag.) (Applause.)

Soaring Through the Sky

2006-09-09T21:59:00.000-04:00

Amazing photos of a Transonic Cloud have surfaced after the Shuttle Atlantis' launch earlier today. Take a look for yourself:

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- This view of the shock wave condensation collars backlit by the sun occurred during the launch of Atlantis on STS-106 and was captured on an engineering 35mm motion picture film. One frame was digitized to make this still image. Although the primary effect is created by the Orbiter forward fuselage, secondary effects can be seen on the SRB forward skirt, Orbiter vertical stabilizer and wing trailing edges (behind SSME's).

PHOTO CREDIT: NASA ^^

PHOTO CREDIT: RICHARD KING ^^

Rock You Like a Hurricane

2006-08-27T14:31:00.000-04:00

Tropical Storm Ernesto was recently upgraded to Hurricane Ernesto...you know what that means.

The Atlantic Watch Center is on patrol. Head on over for the latest projected path, computer models, and sea surface temperatures.

History Has Left Us With

2006-08-23T01:15:00.000-04:00

Words of Wisdom...

I tend to believe by looking at what the past has to offer, we can help change the future...So lets take a look at some quotes by a highly recognized figure of the past.
--

"Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future."

"Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past." Amazing. I am finding myself a Kennedy Democratic more than a 2006 Republican. They might as well be the same and that is what has changed. The right is more left than in the past and the left is so far left they are just downright insane. Look at the 2004 elections. Each campaign did talk about what they would do in the future, sure, but the majority of ads coming out of the Republican and Democratic headquarters...they were about making the past look better. They were fixed upon telling Americans the past was great under their leadership. What about the future? Maybe I watch too much 24-hour news channel coverage but, have you ever heard the term "blame game?" Lets acknowledge we made mistakes, each party, Clinton by cutting the military back, Bush by pushing into Iraq too soon (although I personally believe we made the right decision). We have a Mid-East crisis waiting to start up again with Hezbollah re-arming. :0 Did I say re-arming?? Oh No! I meant Hezbollah helping with the reconstruction efforts. (New York Times) Either way, the world has better priorities than figuring out mistakes we might have made in 2003.
--

"The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission."

Well, lets take this quote and forward time to the Iraq War.

"He will continue to challenge anyone who favors a quick withdrawal..."

Have our views changed? In the past we were willing to pay any price to defend our freedom but now we're risking it all to live in false happiness and fall asleep until the next attack? Where is America going? Our government is trying to spread democracy while we are trying to kill it? Just something to think about...
--

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

Amen.
--

[John F. Kennedy Quotes Courtesy: BrainyQuote.com]

Poll Not Mentioned By Media

2006-08-06T14:28:00.000-04:00

As Israeli troops and Hezbollah guerrillas battled in Lebanon on July 21, a Fox News segment suggested, with no evidence, yet another destination for the supposed doomsday arms.

"ARE SADDAM HUSSEIN'S WMDS NOW IN HEZBOLLAH'S HANDS?" asked the headline, lingering for long minutes on TV screens in a million American homes.

Good Question.

--
Do you believe in Iraqi "WMD"?

Did Saddam Hussein's government have weapons of mass destruction in 2003?

Half of America apparently still thinks so, a new poll finds, and experts see a raft of reasons why: a drumbeat of voices from talk radio to die-hard bloggers to the Oval Office, a surprise headline here or there, a rallying around a partisan flag, and a growing need for people, in their own minds, to justify the war in Iraq. People tend to become "independent of reality" in these circumstances, says opinion analyst Steven Kull.

The reality in this case is that after a 16-month, $900-million-plus investigation, the U.S. weapons hunters known as the Iraq Survey Group declared that Iraq had dismantled its chemical, biological and nuclear arms programs in 1991 under U.N. oversight. That finding in 2004 reaffirmed the work of U.N. inspectors who in 2002-03 found no trace of banned arsenals in Iraq.

Despite this, a Harris Poll released July 21 found that a full 50 percent of U.S. respondents — up from 36 percent last year — said they believe Iraq did have the forbidden arms when U.S. troops invaded in March 2003, an attack whose stated purpose was elimination of supposed WMD. Other polls also have found an enduring American faith in the WMD story.

[SOURCE]

PHOTO: AP

Mikey, They Like Us!

2006-08-06T03:19:00.000-04:00

With the way things are sounding lately, I think Raul might have a brother who he will pass the throne to and he is even worse (so I hear). That might not be so far away being that "Castro's younger brother" is 75 years old. :0

Castro has mentioned when his health finally fails him- "I'll call the (Communist) Party and tell them I don't feel I'm in condition ... that please, someone take over the command."

I can see the commercials now, 555-CMST. Call now and for a limited time receive Cuba bundled with a Category Five Hurricane. (While Supplies Last, Offer not valid in U.S. Virgin Islands)

Anyway, say miracles can happen, the U.S. would encourage Cuba to become a democracy.

WASHINGTON - The United States has big plans for Cuba once Fidel Castro is gone for good. The administration is prepared to assist a pro-democracy transition government in Cuba — assuming one materializes in the aftermath of communist rule.

Just how far the administration is willing to go in support of a democratic outcome was underscored in an official document made public just three weeks before Castro, citing an intestinal ailment, relinquished power to his younger brother, Raul.

The document was written by the Commission for Assistance for a Free Cuba, appointed by President Bush and chaired by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. It was a follow-up to a similar report issued two years ago.

The two reports, neither of which have received much attention, focus on the tasks that the commission believes United States should address in the post-Castro era, so long as Cuban authorities are agreeable.

Very little about Cuba's presumed needs escaped the commission's gaze. As the panel sees it, the administration should "assist with garbage trucks" to ensure proper trash collection and disposal and water trucks to help thirsty communities. The aid program also should provide "soap, disinfectant, and cleaning materials to vulnerable groups." In addition, Uncle Sam's envoys should be on hand to suggest options if food prices on the island spiral out of control.

[Source]

(AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Hey Pretty Boy, Shut Up.

2006-08-06T03:06:00.000-04:00

Edwards wants immediate Iraq withdrawal

Mr. Edwards, by following your advice and pulling out 40,000 troops right this very second...we will lose more American lives than if we stay and finish the job. I will not encourage letting 2584 lives be lost in vain.

08/03/06
Dechen, Kurt E.
Lance Corporal
24
U.S. Marine
1st BN, 25th Marine Reg, 4th Marine Division
Hostile - hostile fire
Al Anbar Province
Springfield
Vermont
US

2814
08/03/06
Ulloa Jr., George M.
Sergeant
23
U.S. Marine
2nd Tank BN, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force
Hostile - hostile fire
Al Anbar Province
Austin
Texas
US

2813
08/02/06
Lee, Marc A.
Petty Officer 2nd Class
28
U.S. Navy
West Coast-based SEAL Team

MOULTONBORO, N.H. - Former vice presidential candidate John Edwards, who is considering another run for the Democratic presidential nomination, said Saturday the United States should start pulling troops out of Iraq immediately.

The former senator from North Carolina told reporters America should "make it clear (to Iraqis) we are leaving, and the best way is to start leaving. We should take 40,000 combat troops out now."

Edwards, who has said he regretted his vote as a U.S. senator authorizing President Bush to invade Iraq, said he would ask the country's military leaders for a strategy "to have the (rest of the) troops out in roughly 12 to 18 months."

"There is no chance other countries in the world will help Iraq as long as we are an occupying force," he said.

On the Israeli-Hezbollah fighting in the Middle East, Edwards noted he was on the Israel-Lebanon border only three weeks ago, and said Israel "has absolutely the right to defend itself," though he said there "needs to be an international security force in southern Lebanon."

Oh yes, one more thing, I said "Shut Up" in my title of this post...should I have said Shove It? I guess that one is debatable.

[Source]

Judge Sets Killer Free

2006-08-06T02:58:00.000-04:00

Location: None other than Los Angeles.

"You killed a boy...but ima gonna... set you free."

What a blow this is to the family of the victim. No life needs to be given a price. Obviously for this judge his was only worth 21 years.

"A convicted killer is set to be released from prison after a judge ruled his rights had been violated because he was continuously denied parole.

On Thursday, the state Supreme Court declined to review an appeal by the California attorney general's office, paving the way for Robert Rosenkrantz's release. Earlier this year, the lower court judge had said the state violated Rosenkrantz's rights because his sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole turned into a sentence without that possibility.

Rosenkrantz, now 39, of Calabasas was imprisoned for the 1985 slaying of his boyhood friend who had revealed Rosenkrantz was gay. Rosenkrantz testified during his trial that he intended to shoot up Redman's car, but killed his friend when he used an anti-gay slur."

[Source]

Love from ... And ... The potato

2006-07-23T22:32:00.000-04:00

Google Language Tools everyone! Sure, it's the Arabic BETA...but...well, the title is self explanatory. :)

Looking Through the News...

2006-07-20T19:18:00.000-04:00

Was President Bush Talking to the Media?

2006-07-17T13:46:00.000-04:00

...Or Syria?

Watching various news reports on President Bush dropping the "s-bomb"...I began to notice things that didn't quite equal the truth.

"In a private conversation..."
"He did not know the microphone was on..."
"President Bush said to Tony Blair..."

Well, lets see. The conversation as shown below is now PUBLIC, not private. Sure, Bush did not know the microphone was on, so give the man RESPECT and keep the "private" conversation private. Oh wait...TOO LATE. Lastly, like my first note, Bush was not speaking to Tony Blair he was speaking to the world. Example? Check out the videos below. CNN International anyone?

I am now seeing Wire headlines which state: Bush to Sryia: 'Stop this sh**'

GREAT.

CBS Report Excerpt... (windows media video file 2mb)
CNN Report with full conversation... (windows media video file 9mb)

Bush: Yo Blair How are you doing?
Blair: I'm just...
Bush: You're leaving?
Blair: No, no, no not yet. On this trade thingy...[inaudible]
Bush: yeah I told that to the man
Blair: Are you planning to say that here or not?
Bush: If you want me to
Blair: Well, it's just that if the discussion arises...
Bush: I just want some movement.
Blair: Yeah
Bush: Yesterday we didn't see much movement
Blair: No, no, it may be that it's not, it maybe that it's impossible
Bush: I am prepared to say it
Blair: But it's just I think what we need to be an opposition
Bush: Who is introducing the trade
Blair: Angela
Bush: Tell her to call 'em
Blair: Yes
Bush: Tell her to put him on them on the spot.Thanks for [inaudbible] it's awfully thoughtful of you
Blair: It's a pleasure
Bush: I know you picked it out yourself
Blair: Oh, absoultely, in fact [inaudble]
Bush: What about Kofi [inaudible] his attitude to ceasefire and everything else ... happens
Blair: Yeah, no I think the [inaudible] is really difficult. We can't stop this unless you get this international business agreed.
Bush: Yeah
Blair: I don't know what you guys have talked about but as I say I am perfectly happy to try and see what the lie of the land is but you need that done quickly because otherwise it will spiral
Bush: I think Condi is going to go pretty soon
Blair: But that's that's that's all that matters. But if you, you see it will take some time to get that together
Bush: Yeah, yeah
Blair: But at least it gives people...
Bush: It's a process, I agree. I told her your offer to...
Blair: Well...it's only if I mean... you know. If she's got a..., or if she needs the ground prepared as it were... Because obviously if she goes out, she's got to succeed, if it were, whereas I can go out and just talk
Bush: You see, the ... thing is what they need to do is to get Syria, to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over
Blair: [inaudible]
Bush: [inadubile]
Blair: Syria
Bush: Why?
Blair: Because I think this is all part of the same thing
Bush: Yeah.
Blair: What does he think? He thinks if Lebanon turns out fine, if we get a solution in Israel and Palestine, Iraq goes in the right way...
Bush: Yeah, yeah, he is sweet
Blair: He is honey. And that's what the whole thing is about. It's the same with Iraq
Bush: I felt like telling Kofi to call, to get on the phone to Bashad [Bashir Assad] and make something happen
Blair: Yeah
Bush: [inaudible]
Bush: We are not blaming the Lebanese government
Blair: Is this...? (at this point Blair taps the microphone in front of him and the sound is cut.)

Transcript from Adam Boulten "Sky News"

Discovery STS-121: Landing Photos

2006-07-17T11:31:00.000-04:00

High-Resolution Pictures = My Favorite. So here they come.

Just click the thumbnails for full version.

Welcome Home Discovery

2006-07-17T09:44:00.000-04:00

Watch the landing
(wmv 11mb file)

--Space shuttle Discovery and its crew of six landed safely Monday, wrapping up a successful mission that put NASA back in the space station construction business. Discovery touched down on the Kennedy Space Center runway around 9:14 a.m. EDT.

Mission Control had waited until almost the last minute before notifying the astronauts that the weather was good enough to come home. A last-minute buildup of clouds shortly afterward prompted NASA to switch the shuttle's landing direction. Officials at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in eastern North Carolina also said they had been alerted for emergency landing duty as a precaution.

The shuttle, with commander Steven Lindsey and co-pilot Mark Kelly at the controls, plunged out of orbit an hour before touchdown with the firing of the braking rockets, and began the hourlong descent. The flight path had the spacecraft coming in from the south, swooping over the Pacific, Yucatan Peninsula, Gulf of Mexico and across Florida to cap a 5.3 million-mile journey that began on the Fourth of July.

Full Story...

Say it Loud, Say it Proud

2006-07-04T23:06:00.000-04:00

If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
and it’s time to stand and say:

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

July 4th in a Wrap

2006-07-04T22:37:00.000-04:00

Well, to start, I went to the pier to watch the shuttle launch and below is the best picture I could get out of my camera. Now, mind you, this is a 5-megapixel, 4x optical zoom camera. I have to say, this is better than the last launch picture I had. Click for a high-resolution version.

UPDATE- I almost forgot...The launch video! Click here.

(wmv file 25mb)

Moving on- I love to take black and white photos-- this one was only minutes before the shuttle launched.

Now to the fireworks. It is July 4th you know. They came out in perfect shape to become desktop backgrounds so feel free to use them.

And the Rocket's Red Glare...

2006-07-04T19:22:00.000-04:00

UPDATE: Even North Korea couldn't stop this baby. (heh...)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — Space shuttle Discovery rocketed safely into orbit on its first Independence Day launch, despite concerns over damage from foam debris.

After lifting off at 2:38 p.m. ET, Discovery disappeared within seconds into a clear blue sky. "I can't think of a better place to be here on the Fourth of July," shuttle commander Steven Lindsey said to the launch control team before liftoff. "We hope very soon to get you a close up and personal look at the rockets' red glare."

If successful, Discovery's 12-day mission will mark another phase in NASA's recovery from the Columbia accident in 2003. The shuttle disintegrated upon re-entry, killing the crew of seven. The mission, the second since the accident, also will restore a crew of three to the International Space Station. Crews were cut to two after the accident.

More...

The view from the beach was great with the naked-eye...I tried my best with my camera. Those will come later along with video of the launch courtesy of NASA. For now, enjoy these from the pros- Click for the High-Resolution version:

Credit: NASA/George Shelton

Credit to: NASA/Gianni Woods

Also a few from Richard King...from his location, these shots are amazing.

Take a look at this shot of the separation:

As I said before, later today I'll post the pictures I took, along with video direct from NASA.

Stormy Weather...

2006-07-02T17:37:00.000-04:00

When she went away, the blues walked in and they met me
If she stays away, that old rockin' chair's gonna get me
All I do is pray the Lord above will let me
Walk in the sun once more

Can't go on, everything I had is gone
Stormy weather
Since my gal and I ain't together
Keeps rainin' all the time, the time
Keeps rainin' all the time

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Stormy weather prevented NASA from launching Discovery for the second day in a row Sunday, extending a yearlong grounding of the space shuttle prompted by persistent trouble with fuel-tank foam.

"The back-to-back delays cost NASA an estimated $2 million in overtime pay and fuel costs."

Ouch.

Expected Launch Time: 2:38 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, July 4. If the weather cooperates this will be the first space shuttle to launch on Independence Day.
----

Photo Credit: NASA/ For the second time in two days, the STS-121 crew heads for the Astrovan to take them to Launch Pad 39B and launch of Space Shuttle Discovery. On the left side, from left, are Mission Specialists Stephanie Wilson and Lisa Nowak, and Pilot Mark Kelly. On the right side, left to right, are Mission Specialists Thomas Reiter, Piers Sellers and Michael Fossum, and Commander Steven Lindsey.

Launch Scrubbed

2006-07-01T15:46:00.000-04:00

Possible Launch Tomorrow: 3:26PM ET

Direct From NASA TV...

Today's launch of Space Shuttle Discovery has been postponed for 24 hours because of weather. The new launch time will be at 3:26 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO (4mb)

Click Image to download high-resolution version.

Photo credit: NASA

Fly Me to the...International Space Station

2006-07-01T12:26:00.000-04:00

That's Right, Launch Day is Here. I'm off to the beach to watch the launch and enjoy the day. High-Resolution pics will come later.

Photo Credit: NASA/Debbie Odom

Is Tropical Storm Alberto On His Way?

2006-06-10T11:28:00.000-04:00

Head on over to the Atlantic Watch Center where live tracking of Tropical Depression One is already in progress.

Computer Models, Tracking Graphics and Outlooks as soon as they are released.

Powerade Plug Anyone?

2006-06-06T15:05:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry- I just couldn't pass these up. I know they are old but I got a laugh. These are all Powerade commercials.

All the videos are in WMV format. The sizes vary.

Michael Vick Commercial

Tennis Commercial

Baseball Commercial

I believe the newest out of the bunch is this Lebron James commercial. Yes, its a fake, but a darn good one!

Lebron "90-footer" Commercial

I hope everyone gets a good laugh.

May Day Protests- Pictures

2006-05-02T19:37:00.000-04:00

Wizbang notes: The image on this guy's flag is of Che Guevara, a Marxist thug who helped Castro seize power in Cuba.

Should I Skip School?

2006-04-30T22:14:00.000-04:00

See this face. Well, you can't but, its me, laughing. Ha.

Download a flyer, please. Pass 'em around.

"Support Student Walkouts On May Day On May 1st, International Workers Day, hundreds of thousands to millions of students around the country walk out of school as they join workers in not going to work and consumers in buying nothing, as our movement demands rights for migrants and all others; a new way of engaging with the world. "

Live in Los Angelos? Check out the events in your area!
New York?

"On May 1, we are calling No Work, No School, No Sales, and No Buying, and also to have rallies around symbols of economic trade in your areas (stock exchanges, anti-immigrant corporations, etc.) to protest the anti-immigrant movements across the country.

On May 1, we will wear "white" a T-Shirt and/or white arm bands, we can paint and write our political demands (and creative arts) at the T-shirt go to rally, protest, strike, vigil, work or school--we will have a ocean of white T-shirts with our political demands from east coast to west coast, at the street, work place, school, bus station & store... and our voice will be LOUD AND CLEAR AND CANNOT BE SILENT FOR EVER!

We will settle for nothing less than full amnesty and dignity for the millions of undocumented workers presently in the U.S. We believe that increased enforcement is a step in the wrong direction and will only serve to facilitate more tragedies along the Mexican-U.S. border in terms of deaths and family separation. "

Entrar Ilegalmente

2006-04-16T22:04:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know TOMARROW is spelled wrong. :0

Entrar Ilegalmente- The art of entering the United States ILLEGALLY. (to enter illegally)

MI AMIGOS!! ¡Vámonos! (My Friends!! Lets go!)

¿Cómo se dice "Border Patrol" en español? (How do you say "Border Patrol" in spanish?)

Here is what Theodore Roosevelt had to say on immigrants so many years ago:

"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

I don't want to sound harsh but, are we stupid? These comments were made in 1907 and we find ourselves in 2006, debating the same issue. That's ninety-nine years folks. Teddy was right. All you have to do is enter legally and there is no issue. There will be No Discriminating against a legal American. Your not going to get any bacon if you can't catch the pig. Assume, by going through the procedures of naturalization in the U.S. you are catching the pig. Once you've got the pig, you can eat your bacon, and have your freedom. The rights natural born citizens receive are envied by many, but they are not out of reach.

Let's take a page out of Ben's Guide to U.S. Government (For Kids)

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

When a person from a foreign country wants to become a US citizen, this process is called naturalization. The person has to do three things:

1. Fill out an application form. The form asks questions about the person’s background.
The person also has a set of fingerprints taken.

2. Take a citizenship test. The exam tests the person’s knowledge of U.S. government and history.

3. Appear before a judge in court. The judge listens to the person’s reasons for wanting to become a U.S. citizen, and then decides if the person will be allowed to become a citizen.

[Source]

Sure, it will take time, but with that time comes FREEDOM. Legal freedom. Is it that hard? Please tell me what I don't understand.

To close, I leave you with some friendly images from the recent protests.

Also a reminder to not forget May 1st. ;) (Yes, thats a joke)

I can only chuckle at the 3rd bullet below:

"Universal National Healthcare"

Here is an AP article to tie into all this:

--NOGALES, Mexico - At a shelter overflowing with migrants airing their blistered feet, Francisco Ramírez nursed muscles sore from trekking through the Arizona desert -- a trip that failed when his wife did not have the strength to go on.

He said the couple would rest for a few days, then try again, a plan echoed by dozens reclining on rickety bunk beds and carpets tossed on the floor after risking violent bandits and the harsh desert in unsuccessful attempts to get into the United States.

The shelter's manager, Francisco Loureiro, said he had not seen such a rush of migrants since 1986, when the United States allowed 2.6 million illegal residents to get U.S. citizenship.

This time, the draw is a bill before the U.S. Senate that could legalize some of the 11 million people now illegally in the United States while tightening border security. Senators failed to agree on a compromise version of the bill before adjourning for Easter break, but are expected to take it up again later this month.

Migrants are hurrying to cross over in time to qualify for a possible guest-worker program -- and before the journey becomes even harder. ''Every time there is talk in the north of legalizing migrants, people get their hopes up, but they don't realize how hard it will be to cross,'' Loureiro said.

[Full Story...]

Illegal Immigration

2006-04-07T16:48:00.000-04:00

The clipping below is about the protests continuing in regards to Illegal Immigration. Below this, is what the Mexican flag stands for, and below that, you find my opinion on the matter.

PHOENIX (AP) -- As thousands of protesters marched along Phoenix streets in recent days, many gripped Mexican flags, showing their support for immigration reforms. Some waved giant flags while others carried flags the size of note cards.

It's had an unintended consequence. It's turned off much of the American public. Conservative talk show hosts admonished the action.

But those who carried Mexican flags and scholars of the immigrant community, say that pride in their culture should not be misconstrued as a lack of patriotism in their adopted nation. Critics of waving the red, white and green have questioned marchers' loyalty to the United States, but Latino activists deny the implications.

--What the Flag of Mexico stands for:

Green: Independencia (independence from Spain)
White: Religión (religion, the Roman Catholic faith)
Red: Unión (union between the Europeans and Americans)

There is a simple way to fix all of this:

What the United States Flag Stands for: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

So darnit, pursue the happiness and wave our flag.

Article source: here

Orlando Magic Fan Site

2006-04-01T18:10:00.000-05:00

I've been bored lately and sat down for about an hour and put this together. Let me know what you think.

Click here.

Dwight [Howard] Knows He Needs Work

2006-03-14T21:09:00.000-05:00

ORLANDO — Dwight Howard's teammates were on him again after practice Tuesday, challenging him to prove that he can still touch the piece of tape on the side of the backboard some 30 inches above the rim.

The strip of tape was originally put there two years ago, when a then-18-year-old Howard was working out for the Orlando Magic prior to the 2004 NBA Draft. It's still stuck there for all to marvel at, and every so often Howard has to prove that talk of his majestic wingspan and leaping ability is legit. After hemming and hawing a few seconds about being older now and weighing 25 pounds more, Howard sprung from the floor and actually touched a couple of inches above the tape.

"Myyyy goodness," gushed Magic assistant coach Morlon Wiley, shaking his head. Magic head coach Brian Hill also was impressed, but what followed were hardly words of glowing praise. "Now when a guy drives baseline, that's how I wanna to see you jump and contest the shot," Hill said without even a hint of a smile.

Opposing coaches and players have made a habit this season of gushing about Howard, the Magic's 6-foot-11, 265-pound beast of a power forward. New York's Larry Brown has said that Howard will someday give the Magic a chance to win an NBA championship. Meanwhile, reigning MVP Steve Nash said that of all the young players in the league he could pick to build a team around, it would be Howard.

But Howard hasn't been nearly as complimentary toward his own play, feeling he should be farther along in his sophomore season of NBA play. Too often, the steps from season one to season two have been incremental rather than monumental.

[Full Story...]

Playstation 3 Delayed

2006-03-14T20:38:00.000-05:00

While PS3 is delayed...I'm sure PS4 is in the works.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Sony Corp. will delay the release of its new PlayStation 3 video game console until early November because development of some of the technology is behind schedule, Japanese newspapers said on Wednesday. The Nihon Keizai said consumer electronics makers and movie companies have been unable to reach an agreement on the development of the copy protection technology for the console's Blu-ray Disc drive.

Sony said it would hold a briefing on its PlayStation video game business at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, but declined to give details. Sony shares fell 1.3 percent in early trade to 5,500 yen after the reports.

The PS3 launch has been the subject of heavy speculation in the industry as expectations are high for the powerful machine, which will feature cutting-edge technology in its DVD player, processors and graphics. The console is expected to enable users to play games and movies as well as to download and view high-quality videos from the Internet.

[Full Story...]

103 in a 55= $375

2006-03-13T20:45:00.000-05:00

S.C. mayor gets $375 ticket for speeding

The mayor of this rural town was candid after being ticketed for driving 103 mph in a 55 mph zone: "Thank goodness I'm not trying to get re-elected," said Mayor Bert Reeves. The mayor, who has worked to erase the towns' reputation as a speed trap, was given a $375 ticket Wednesday after a Colleton County sheriff's deputy stopped his 2005 Ford F-250 on state Highway 303.

Reeves told the deputy he thought he was driving about 80 mph, according to an incident report. Deputy Robert Cook wrote that Reeves has had numerous traffic violations and requested the ticket not be reduced. AAA Carolinas recognized Cottageville in December as one of the state's top five communities with populations of less than 10,000 dedicated to traffic safety. The town is about 45 miles northwest of Charleston.

[Full Story...]

Picasso Who?

2006-03-13T20:39:00.000-05:00

Boy, 12, sticks gum on $1.5M painting

A 12-year-old visitor to the Detroit Institute of Arts stuck a wad of gum to a $1.5 million painting, leaving a stain the size of a quarter, officials say. The boy was part of a school group from Holly that visited the museum on Friday, officials say. They say he took a piece of Wrigley's Extra Polar Ice gum out of his mouth and stuck it on Helen Frankenthaler's "The Bay," an abstract painting from 1963. The museum acquired the work in 1965 and says it is worth about $1.5 million.

The gum stuck to the painting's lower left corner and did not adhere to the fiber of the canvas, officials told the Detroit Free Press. But it left a chemical residue about the size of a quarter, said Becky Hart, assistant curator of contemporary art. The museum's conservation department is researching the chemicals in the gum to decide which solvent to use to clean it. The museum hopes to make the repair in two weeks and will keep "The Bay" on display in the meantime, she said. "Our expectation is that the painting is going to be fine," Hart said.

[Full Story...]

Hillary and the Wal-Mart Dilemma

2006-03-13T20:31:00.000-05:00

"That was a long time ago..." - Hillary Clinton on Wal-Mart

NEW YORK -- With retail giant Wal-Mart under fire to improve its labor and health care policies, one Democrat with deep ties to the company -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton -- has started feeling her share of the political heat.

Mrs. Clinton served on Wal-Mart's board of directors for six years when her husband was governor of Arkansas. The Rose Law Firm, where she was a partner, handled many of the Arkansas-based company's legal affairs. She had kind words for Wal-Mart as recently as 2004, when she told an audience at the convention of the National Retail Federation that her time on the board "was a great experience in every respect."

But in recent months, as the company has become a target for Democratic activists, she has largely steered clear of any mention of Wal-Mart. Late last year, Mrs. Clinton's re-election campaign returned a $5,000 contribution from Wal-Mart, citing "serious differences with current company practices." As Mrs. Clinton sheds her Arkansas past and considers a 2008 presidential run, the Wal-Mart issue presents a dilemma: how to reconcile the political demands she faces today with her history at a company on which many American consumers depend but many Democratic activists revile.

"The interesting question is not just Hillary Clinton's history at Wal-Mart, but why it's delicate for her to talk about Wal-Mart," said Charles Fishman, author of "The Wal-Mart Effect," a book about the company's impact on the national economy. "Plenty of Democrats denounce Wal-Mart, but there are also plenty of people who need it, love it and rely on it."

[Full Story...]

One More Round, Haldis.

2006-03-13T20:21:00.000-05:00

OSLO, Norway -- It almost seemed like a miracle to Haldis Gundersen when she turned on her kitchen faucet this weekend and found the water had turned into beer. Two flights down, employees and customers at the Big Tower Bar were horrified when water poured out of the beer taps. By an improbable feat of clumsy plumbing, someone at the bar in Kristiandsund, western Norway, had accidentally hooked the beer hoses to the water pipes for Gundersen's apartment.

"We had settled down for a cozy Saturday evening, had a nice dinner, and I was just going to clean up a little," Gundersen, 50, told The Associated Press by telephone Monday. "I turned on the kitchen faucet and beer came out." However, Gundersen said the beer was flat and not tempting, even in a country where a half-liter (pint) can cost about 25 kroner ($3.75) in grocery stores. Per Egil Myrvang, of the local beer distributor, said he helped bartenders reconnect the pipes by telephone. "The water and beer pipes do touch each other, but you have to be really creative to connect them together," he told local newspapers.

[Full Story...]

Amen, Pat Roberts

2006-02-04T11:56:00.000-05:00

The program is "legal, necessary and reasonable."

Grandma can get as mad as she wants, but she wouldn't have known about this anyway. It is not "hurting" anyone. This is for the better good of our country. The true bottom line is just that: You would not have known this was going on. Uncovering this program just gives our enemies an advantage. But hey, what else is new with the Democrats? I can't wait for them to get elected and cut our military funding once again!

Related Facts: Between 1992 and 2000, the Clinton Administration cut national defense by more than half a million personnel and $50 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars. The Army alone has lost four active divisions and two Reserve divisions. (Heritage.org)

- The facts show that Bill Clinton halted military development, wasted critical weapons and allowed our forces to become dangerously weak. (Charles R. Smith- Friday, April 11th, 2003- NewsMax)
--

WASHINGTON - Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts said Friday the Bush administration's domestic spying is within the president's inherent power under the Constitution, and he rejected criticism that Congress was kept in the dark about it.

The program is "legal, necessary and reasonable," the Kansas Republican wrote in a 19-page letter, taking a particularly expansive view of the president's authority for the warrantless surveillance. "Congress, by statute, cannot extinguish a core constitutional authority of the president," Roberts wrote.

Presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush have intercepted communications to ascertain enemy threats to national security, Roberts told the chairman and ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Roberts' letter came just three days before that panel was to question Attorney General Alberto Gonzales about the surveillance.

[Full Story...]

PHOTO: AP

Diplomatic Solution to Iran

2006-02-04T11:50:00.000-05:00

"There's only one thing worse than military action, that is a nuclear-armed Iran."

MUNICH, Germany - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld urged the world Saturday to find a diplomatic solution to halt Iran' s nuclear program, but Sen. John McCain only hours later said that military action could not be ruled out.

Rumsfeld told an international security conference that the United States stands "with the Iranian people, the women, the young people, who want a peaceful, democratic future," and he accused Tehran of sponsoring terrorism. "The Iranian regime is today the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism," he said. "The world does not want, and must work together to avoid, a nuclear Iran."

Despite Rumsfeld's call for diplomacy, McCain said military action could not be ruled out if diplomatic efforts fail to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. "Every option must remain on the table," McCain told the security conference after Rumsfeld spoke. "There's only one thing worse than military action, that is a nuclear-armed Iran."

[Full Story...]

Photo: AP

Experts: Hype Moderated Worm

2006-02-04T11:44:00.000-05:00

My take: With all the knowledge these worm creators have (in the computer sector), why don't they go into a business and make money. I guess that would be stupid? I guess.

Companies and individuals heeded this week's warning — some may call it "hype" — about a file-destroying computer worm known as "Kama Sutra," helping minimize its damage Friday, security experts said.

One Italian city shut down its computers as a precaution, but otherwise the worm's trigger date arrived with relatively few reports of problems.

For days, experts warned that the worm could corrupt documents using the most common file types, including ".doc," ".pdf," and ".zip." It affects most versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating system, prompting the software giant to issue a warning Tuesday.

Hundreds of thousands of computers were believed to be infected, but security vendors say many companies and individuals had time to clean up their machines following the alarm, carried by scores of media outlets including The Associated Press.

[Full Story...]

Photo: AFP/FILE

Stupid Americans: Message in a Bottle

2006-02-04T11:35:00.000-05:00

"You Americans don't seem to be happy unless you are mucking about somewhere."

Someone needs to lighten up.

NAPEAGUE, N.Y. - A sailor who sent a message out to sea in a bottle says he received a reply from England — accusing him of littering. "I kind of felt like no good deed goes unpunished," Harvey Bennett, 55, told the East Hampton Star.

The plastic bottle was one of five that Bennett placed in the ocean off Long Island in August. Last week, he excitedly opened a letter from England, and was stunned by the reply:

"I recently found your bottle while taking a scenic walk on the beach by Poole Harbour. While you may consider this some profound experiment on the path and speed" of "oceanic currents, I have another name for it, litter."

[Full Story...]

Yo tengo la clase de español dos...

2006-02-02T20:01:00.000-05:00

Me gusta mucho! If only that was true.

For those of you who have been visiting, you might notice my posting has been off and on for about 4 months now. I have no excuse for this, and you can be mad! Send your complaints.
No me gusta escuchar...
--
Here is a bit of the 1 minute speaking I had to do the other day.

Las estaciones..

Las cuatro estaciones del año son la primavera, el verano, el otoño y el invierno. En América del Norte, la primavera empieza en marzo. En América del Sur, la primavera empieza en septiembre. Me gusta jugar videojuegos en el invierno. Mi estación preferida es el verano. Me gusta el verano porque hace sol. Me gusta ir a la playa en el verano. En el otoño yo trabajo en el jardín.

I make sure I look up a nice complement and then say it in spanish if I run out of things to say about my topic (In the 1 minute time span). The other day, I said to mi profesora. "Your hair is beautiful today my professor. How about a 20? (out of 20)" I pulled out an 18/20.

--
I will try to keep the blog more up to date with current events and offer more of my perspective. You might have noticed, I changed the layout. The whole thing was due for a makeover. I hope you all like it! On that note, Adiós mis buenos amigos.

Aibo Barks No More

2006-01-27T21:05:00.000-05:00

Sony Corp. has officially euthanized the Sony AIBO entertainment robot and stopped development on its QRIO humanoid robot, the company said today.

The "announcement" was slipped into Sony's 2005 third-quarter earnings report, which also detailed a number of plant closings and a refocusing to core businesses like entertainment, pictures and music.

According to the report, AIBO development had already ceased in mid-to-late 2005 and production ended late last year. "However, sales and support will continue," the report said. "There will also be no new development for QRIO."

[Full Story...]

Murtha "Dishonest" and Wrong

2006-01-14T11:19:00.000-05:00

War Hero or Not? "[Murtha] is putting himself forward as some combat veteran with serious wounds and he's using that and it's dishonest and it's wrong," Don Bailey of Pennsylvania [One of Murtha's former Democratic congressional colleagues and a fellow decorated Vietnam veteran] said.

This is what happens when you put yourself out there like this. "In the first incident, his right cheek was lacerated, and in the second, he was lacerated above his left eye. Neither injury required evacuation," the Post-Gazette reported. But an Oct. 26, 1994, article in the Herald-Standard quoted Murtha as describing two different injuries.

Conflict?

(CNSNews.com) - Having ascended to the national stage as one of the most vocal critics of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq, Pennsylvania Democratic Congressman John Murtha has long downplayed the controversy and the bitterness surrounding the two Purple Hearts he was awarded for military service in Vietnam.

Murtha is a retired marine and was the first Vietnam combat veteran elected to Congress. Since 1967, there have been at least three different accounts of the injuries that purportedly earned Murtha his Purple Hearts. Those accounts also appear to conflict with the limited military records that are available, and Murtha has thus far refused to release his own military records.

A Cybercast News Service investigation also reveals that one of Murtha's former Democratic congressional colleagues and a fellow decorated Vietnam veteran, Don Bailey of Pennsylvania, alleges that Murtha admitted during an emotional conversation on the floor of the U.S. House in the early 1980s that he did not deserve his Purple Hearts.

[Full Story...]

"Happy Cow" Granted Clemency

2006-01-11T16:36:00.000-05:00

A US cow that escaped last week from a Montana slaughterhouse, leading workers and police on a six-hour chase, would be spared following a wave of popular support, officials said Del Morris, manager of Mickey's Packing Plant in Great Falls, said he decided to let the cow live the instant he saw it cross the Missouri River through Great Falls.

Town residents will now decide through a telephone poll whether the cow will remain a resident of Montana, where it will live out its life on pastureland surrounding the packing plant, or be shipped to an animal sanctuary in Seattle.

[Full Story...]

RELATED: "Molly the Cow Avoids Slaughter"

"Cow Escapes Slaughterhouse"

Dow Sneaks Past 11,000

2006-01-09T22:31:00.000-05:00

"The Dow Jones Industrial Average yesterday breached the 11,000 mark for the first time in four-and-a-half years. "

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen from the dead, closing above 11,000 for the first time since June 2001. Monday's advance above the psychologically important 11,000 level has the potential to create some buzz and excitement, a nice change as the blue-chip index had fallen out of favors over the past several years. The Dow even fell 0.6% in 2005, its first annual loss since 2002. The Dow's last attempt to breach the key level, in March 2005, quickly fizzled away.

But on Monday, at least, the Dow managed to hold onto its gains and closed at 11,009.26, adding 49.95 points, or 0.5% on the day. It earlier touched an intraday high of 11,020. The S&P 500 rose 0.35% to 1289, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.6% to 2318. "It will be important psychologically to show that the Dow can stay above 11,000 this time around," says Owen Fitzpatrick, head of the U.S. equity group at Deutsche Bank. But in a market that's hungrier for real catalysts than for symbolism, fourth-quarter earnings will take precedence in the weeks to come, according to Michael Malone, trading analyst at SG Cowen.

[Full Story...]

RELATED: "Dow Could Reach 11,000"

"US blue chip index reaches four-year high"

"Gold Hits 25-Year Peak" -$550 per ounce.

"At its peak, gold was up more than 5 percent from a week ago, 18 percent from some two months earlier and 30 percent from a year ago. The price has more than doubled in five years. "

Worms Survived Columbia Explosion

2006-01-08T17:58:00.000-05:00

"When Columbia broke up the morning of Feb. 1, 2003, the nematode canisters hurtled at more than 1,000 km/h and hit the ground with an impact 2,295 times the force of Earth's gravity."

Tiny nematode worms in aluminum canisters aboard the space shuttle Columbia fell up to 40 kilometres when the orbiter blew up but were recovered alive in Texas. The survival of the nematodes, each one about as big as the comma on a sheet of newsprint, suggests ways in which simple life forms might endure traumatic interplanetary journeys, the researchers said.

The report, in a paper published last week in the journal Astrobiology, said six coffee-can-size canisters of nematodes were on board Columbia to monitor muscular atrophy during spaceflight. NASA astrobiologist Catharine Conley said nematodes are useful in studying how prolonged spaceflight can affect the aging process in humans as well as human tolerance for cosmic ray exposure and muscular deterioration from weightlessness.

[Full Story...]

Happy Cows Live in California...

2006-01-08T17:48:00.000-05:00

Not Montana.

Cow Escapes Meat Plant, Dodges SUV, Train

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - A cow that escaped a slaughterhouse dodged vehicles, ran in front of a train, braved the icy Missouri River and took three tranquilizer darts before being recaptured six hours later. News of the heifer's adventures prompted a number of people to offer to buy the animal.

The black, 1,200 pound heifer jumped a gate at the packing plant at around 5 a.m. Thursday and apparently wandered through residential areas. Police received reports at about 9:30 a.m. that it was in the middle of a busy intersection.

Police tried to catch the cow, and had her wedged between a stock trailer and a fence, but the heifer barreled through the fence toward the river, nearly being hit by a Chevrolet Suburban.
It was the first of many near-death experiences.

[Full Story...]

Cow: I've not yet begun to fight!
*gets hit with tranquilizer dart*
Cow: THAT'S ALL YA GOT?
*gets hit with two more darts*

"Slaughterhouse workers created a makeshift pen with metal panels that led to a stock trailer."
Cow: ooo shiney!

lol.

Scared of Mice? I Am!

2006-01-08T17:42:00.000-05:00

Mouse Thrown Into Fire Sets Home Ablaze

FORT SUMNER, N.M. - A mouse got its revenge against a homeowner who tried to dispose of it in a pile of burning leaves. The blazing creature ran back to the man's house and set it on fire.

Luciano Mares, 81, of Fort Sumner said he caught the mouse inside his house and wanted to get rid of it. "I had some leaves burning outside, so I threw it in the fire, and the mouse was on fire and ran back at the house," Mares said from a motel room Saturday.

Village Fire Chief Juan Chavez said the burning mouse ran to just beneath a window, and the flames spread up from there and throughout the house. No was hurt inside, but the home and everything in it was destroyed.
Unseasonably dry and windy conditions have charred more than 53,000 acres and destroyed 10 homes in southeastern New Mexico in recent weeks. "I've seen numerous house fires," village Fire Department Capt. Jim Lyssy said, "but nothing as unique as this one."

[Full Story...]

Zeta Wants to Live; Eyes New Year

2005-12-31T15:40:00.000-05:00

ORLANDO -- This year's record-shattering hurricane season just won't die.A month after the season officially ended, Tropical Storm Zeta formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, becoming the 27th named storm of 2005 and tying a 1954 record for the latest storm.

Zeta, about 1,000 miles south-southwest of the Azores with maximum sustained winds of nearly 50 m.p.h, was not expected to become a hurricane, threaten land or even stick around for the New Year." Fortunately, Zeta is more of a curiosity than a life-threatening event," said Chris Landsea of the National Hurricane Center. Even so, Landsea said forecasters were "incredulous" as they watched thunderstorms swirl into a small tropical storm during the final days of 2005.

[Full Story...]

Oil is Up; Welcome '06

2005-12-31T14:20:00.000-05:00

Oil Rises, Gasoline Jumps to 2-Month High, on Motor-Fuel Supply

Dec. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose and gasoline surged to a two-month high on concern that U.S. supplies of the motor fuel will be insufficient to meet demand next year. ``Gasoline has led us higher this week and that should continue to be the case,'' said James Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates, a Galena, Illinois-based researcher. ``There is a small supply deficit, a lot of refineries have scheduled maintenance early next year and imports are beginning to trail off. The gasoline market is going to shine in 2006.''

Gasoline supplies plunged 1.2 million barrels last week, the Energy Department reported yesterday. Stockpiles of the fuel were 4.5 million barrels, or 2.2 percent, below the five-year average for the date, the department said. Refineries delayed maintenance this fall because hurricanes shut facilities along the Gulf of Mexico.
Crude oil for February delivery rose 72 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $61.04 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the highest close since Dec. 13. Prices climbed 4.5 percent this week.

Gasoline for January delivery jumped 5.76 cents, or 3.5 percent, to $1.71 a gallon in New York, the highest close since Oct. 18. Futures touched $1.72 a gallon, the highest intraday price since Oct. 19. Gasoline rose to a record $2.92 a gallon on Aug. 31. Prices advanced 10 percent this week and 57 percent this year.

[Full Story...]

Magic Lose Howard; Fall to Lakers

2005-12-24T00:21:00.000-05:00

Dwight Howard left the game in the third minute with an ankle injury and the Orlando Magic dropped their fourth straight, 104-88 to the Los Angeles Lakers Friday at TD Waterhouse Centre. Kobe Bryant scored 21 points and Laker center Chris Mihm added 20, missing just one of his nine tries from the floor.

Howard limped off the court and into the locker room with a sprained right ankle. Mihm took advantage by ruling the paint, not missing until five minutes left in the game.

The Magic fell behind without Howard but then rallied in the middle of the second quarter to take the lead, only to see L.A. reel off a 17-1 to close the half and lead 54-40.

Steve Francis had one of his better recent games, scoring 28 points. Trying to provide an inside presence with Howard out, Tony Battie scored nine points and added eight rebounds in his most extensive action of the season (34 minutes).

After a 62-point effort in his last game Bryant took a decidedly different approach and in fact only attempted two field goals after scoring eight points in the first quarter. The Magic trailed by as many as 19 and never got he margin down to single digits in the second half.

[Full Story...]

NOTE: The Magic are now 9-15 on the season.

TO FRANCE WE GO!

2005-12-23T23:54:00.000-05:00

Your eyes have not deceived you. France is working toward legalizing P2P file sharing. How about that. Goodbye ITunes, hello Paris!

France on track to legalize P2P downloading

PARIS (Hollywood Reporter) - France's lower house of parliament has voted to legalize peer-to-peer file-sharing of films and music on the Internet, unleashing a wave of protest from the country's film, audiovisual and music industry organizations.

If the measure passes in the upper house, France would become the first country to legalize peer-to-peer downloading at a time when most Western nations are battling to curb illegal downloading on the Internet. Introduced as two amendments to a government bill aimed at toughening digital copyright laws, the measure was approved by a vote of 30-28 at about midnight Wednesday, with very few of the National Assembly's 577 members present.

The amendments have recommended that Internet users pay a fixed-royalties fee of $8.50 per month -- in the form of a monthly subscription charge -- for unlimited downloading, thus legalizing all file-sharing deemed for personal use.

[Full Story...]

President Shakes Off Critics; Looks Ahead

2005-12-18T21:48:00.000-05:00

Iraqis of every background are recognizing that democracy is the future of the country they love -- and they want their voices heard. One Iraqi, after dipping his finger in the purple ink as he cast his ballot, stuck his finger in the air and said: "This is a thorn in the eyes of the terrorists."

Another voter was asked, "Are you Sunni or Shia?"
He responded, "I am Iraqi."

That one quote sums up my feeling on the Iraq War. The president should not have to come out defending his decision this late in the game. WE ARE AT WAR. He said it well tonight. Victory or Defeat? I have said it before and will say it again, what will a U.S. retreat from Iraq say to the terrorists? Heck, I'd be feeling pretty good if I just ran the United States out of my CAVE, yes, CAVE, of all places. Nice speech Mr. President.

---

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush asserted Sunday night the United States is winning the war in Iraq and issued a plea to Americans divided by doubt: "Do not give in to despair and do not give up on this fight for freedom." In a prime-time address, Bush acknowledged setbacks and sacrifice and cautioned there would be more violence and death in the months ahead. "Some look at the challenges in Iraq and conclude that the war is lost and not worth another dime or another day," he said.

Struggling to build confidence in his policy, the president held out hopes for withdrawing American forces as Iraqi troops gain strength and experience.
The president spoke from the Oval Office, where in March, 2003, he announced the U.S.-led invasion.

Nearly three years later, more than 2,150 U.S. soldiers have died, Bush's popularity has plummeted and about half of Americans think the war was a mistake. Yet a strong majority oppose an immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces.

[Full Story...]

[Full Speech Transcript]

We Acknowledge Christmas Here.

2005-12-11T20:23:00.000-05:00

Too bad you can't shop at Austin's Blog. At least here you'll get a Merry Christmas.

Sorry for the light blog-posting but Finals are coming up and I need to study, study, study! Enjoy these pictures I took recently:

Take 2

One Million Frequent Flyer Miles

2005-12-04T20:37:00.000-05:00

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - After two months of zig-zagging across Canada by plane, frequent flyer Marc Tacchi has reached his goal of accumulating one million miles of credits -- and become something of an Internet celebrity in the process. On his blog "The Great Canadian Mileage Run 2005," Tacchi reported on Wednesday that he had racked up 1,003,625 mileage points and spent 56 of the last 61 days in an airplane. "I myself need to get to bed in a prone position for some serious rest," he wrote.

The 30-year-old embarked on his venture using Air Canada's North America Unlimited Pass -- a C$7,000 ticket that allowed passengers limitless travel within the continent between October 1 and November 30. Frequent fliers programs, like Air Canada's Aeroplan, are designed to promote customer loyalty by allowing people to upgrade to better seats or book free flights in the future "I just sort of moved it to a new level," Tacchi joked in an interview last week at the Vancouver International Airport before boarding another airplane.

A typical day would start with a 10 a.m. flight to Victoria, British Columbia, about 70 km (45 miles) from Vancouver. He would fly back and fourth between the two cities about six times and then catch an overnight flight 4,300 km (2,700 miles) to Toronto.

[Full Story...]

What a life. "56 of the last 61 days in an airplane."

Dow Could Reach 11,000

2005-12-04T20:30:00.000-05:00

Economy Strength

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street bulls are looking for the stock market to resume November's gains this week on continued signs of economic strength despite a slight setback for two of the major indexes. The Dow industrials and Standard & Poor's 500 index snapped a five-week winning streak by Friday's close, while the Nasdaq notched its seventh straight week of gains. But the three indexes finished November with the best monthly gains in four months and saw their best daily increases in a month on Thursday. "I think there's still more upside ahead into (this) week, and as we look at the market beyond near term, I think the surprising strength in the economy is going to help us in the first half of 2006," said Barry Hyman, equity market strategist, Ehrenkrantz, King, Nussbaum.

For the week, the Dow Jones industrial average ended down 0.5 percent, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index ended off 0.25 percent and the technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index closed up 0.46 percent. Thursday's big gains were partly tied to a report showing an inflation index closely watched by the Federal Reserve -- the core personal consumption expenditure index -- rose just 0.1 percent, only half the gain that Wall Street expected.

[Full Story...]

Note: Crude Oil: $59.32 per barrel.

Aside from all this happy news, the country is doing terrible! *chuckle*

UPDATE 1/9/06: DOW SLIDES PAST 11,000 MARK

"I was trying to Escape"

2005-11-21T00:21:00.000-05:00

BEIJING (Reuters) - Irked by a reporter who told him he seemed to be "off his game" at a Beijing public appearance, President George W. Bush sought to make a hasty exit from a news conference but was thwarted by locked doors.

At the end of a day of meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other Chinese officials, Bush held a session with a small group of U.S. reporters and spoke at length about issues like religious freedom, Iraq and the Chinese currency.

The final reporter he called on critiqued Bush's performance earlier in the day when he stood next to Hu in the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square to deliver a statement.

"Respectfully, sir -- you know we're always respectful -- in your statement this morning with President Hu, you seemed a little off your game, you seemed to hurry through your statement. There was a lack of enthusiasm. Was something bothering you?" he asked. "Have you ever heard of jet lag?" Bush responded. "Well, good. That answers your question."

The president then recited a list of things of that he viewed as positive developments from his Beijing meetings, including cooperation on North Korean nuclear disarmament and the ability to have "frank discussions" with his Chinese counterpart.

[FULL STORY...]

WATCH IT UNFOLD/DOWNLOAD THE VIDEO...RM FORMAT

I had to.

2005-11-01T22:52:00.000-05:00

Check this out.

-These boys lip-sync Backstreet Boys songs. You can't help but laugh.

Democrats Sink Lower

2005-11-01T19:15:00.000-05:00

The Republican-Controlled Senate Forced Into "Closed Door" Iraq Meeting-

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats forced the Republican-controlled Senate into an unusual closed session Tuesday, questioning intelligence that President Bush used in the run-up to the war in Iraq and accusing Republicans of ignoring the issue.

"They have repeatedly chosen to protect the Republican administration rather than get to the bottom of what happened and why," Democratic leader Harry Reid said. Taken by surprise, Republicans derided the move as a political stunt. "The United States Senate has been hijacked by the Democratic leadership," said Majority Leader Bill Frist (left). "They have no convictions, they have no principles, they have no ideas," the Republican leader said.

In a speech on the Senate floor, Reid demanded the Senate go into closed session. The public was ordered out of the chamber, the lights were dimmed, and the doors were closed. No vote is required in such circumstances. Reid's move shone a spotlight on the continuing controversy over intelligence that President Bush cited in the run-up to the war in Iraq. Despite prewar claims, no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq, and some Democrats have accused the administration of manipulating the information that was in their possession.

[Full Story]

This pointless meeting is just another political stunt by the Democrats. Unfortunately for them, the president is turning things around, the economy is growing, and they are losing. Right now the dems are like little children [throwing a fit.]

UPDATE: Audio of Frist's remarks...

Lucky Number 2?

2005-10-30T21:21:00.000-05:00

Don't laugh. Wilma was ALIVE!!! Watch or download the radar here. The number "2" is clearly visible. I say we call for Congress to make a "Hurricane Wilma Conspiracy Commission," that way we can find out what it really was.

Just "SHOVE IT" Reid...

2005-10-30T18:12:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've made a post about politics and hence the name, "Austin's Political Blog," here we go. "Scooter" Libby has not been found guilty of anything at this time. Somehow the democrats are filtering this back to President Bush because they absolutely hate his guts. Over the past few months, I have held in my feelings about Bush's performance in the White House during the first year of his second term. Overall, I feel the president could do better. Am I turning against him? No. When he chose Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court I was shocked. After weeks of asking to hear her views, it finally became too much and she withdrew. Through the radio airwaves I've heard the words, "Bush," and "Failed President," constantly. HE HAS THREE MORE YEARS TO GO PEOPLE. THREE. Lay off the guy a little. Who voted for him? The citizens of the United States of America. That's right. The same people who are complaining now. As for the War in Iraq and Cindy Sheehan, I wonder how her son feels with the way she is acting. Remember, no draft is in effect and no draft will be put into effect. So how did he get over there? He joined. She can attach herself to the White House fence all she wants. She can get arrested twenty times and I still won't care. Imagine how we will look if we pull out now? The terrorists will feel as if they have won. Fighting in their homeland, keeps them off ours. As for Harry Reid asking for Bush and Cheney to apologize, that is just insane. Next thing you know he [Bush] will be apologizing for apologizing for something. I just ask that you don't do it again Reid, you don't have to say sorry. ;)

--

Reid Says Bush, Cheney Should Apologize

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said Sunday that President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney should apologize for the actions of their aides in the CIA leak case. Reid, D-Nev., also said Bush should pledge not to pardon any aides convicted as a result of the investigation into the disclosure of CIA officer Valerie Plame's identity. "There has not been an apology to the American people for this obvious problem in the White House," Reid said. He said Bush and Cheney "should come clean with the American public." Reid added, "This has gotten way out of hand, and the American people deserve better than this."

Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, resigned Friday after he was indicted on five charges relating to statements he made to the FBI and a grand jury investigating the Plame leak. Reid also said that Karl Rove, the president's closest political adviser, should step down. Rove has not been charged with a crime.

[Full Story]

Photos Misc.

2005-10-27T20:34:00.000-04:00

Here are some macro-images I've taken recently.

I was planning on posting alot more than this, but I can't seem to find my photo cd. If I come across it sometime today, I'll post the rest.

NEW PICTURES AND VIDEO

2005-10-24T14:29:00.000-04:00

VIDEO IS NOW COMING IN FROM CENTRAL FLORIDA AFTER HURRICANE WILMA PASSED THROUGH SOUTH-FLORIDA.

Full story at the AWC...

Is Wilma a threat?

2005-10-18T21:04:00.000-04:00

The AWC is tracking that 21st storm of the 2005 season. Thought Florida would make it out this year? Think again. Leave it to Wilma to give us the Bam-Bam. The projected path, computer models, and more of the latest graphics are at the Atlantic Watch Center.

VORTEX: Pressure down to 963mb...

Bush To Appoint Someone To Be In Charge...

2005-10-13T01:19:00.000-04:00

Bush To Appoint Someone To Be In Charge Of Country

OCTOBER 12, 2005 WASHINGTON, DC—

In response to increasing criticism of his handling of the war in Iraq and the disaster in the Gulf Coast, as well as other issues, such as Social Security reform, the national deficit, and rising gas prices, President Bush is expected to appoint someone to run the U.S. as soon as Friday.

"During these tumultuous times, America is in need of a bold, resolute person who can get the job done," said Bush during a press conference Monday. "My fellow Americans, I assure you that I will appoint just such a person with all due haste.

"The Cabinet-level position, to be known as Secretary of the Nation, was established by an executive order Sept. 2, but has remained unfilled in the intervening weeks.

"I've been talking to folks from all across this country, from Louisiana to Los Angeles, and people tell me the same thing: This nation needs a strong, compassionate leader," Bush said. "In response to these concerns, I'm making this a top priority. I will name a good, qualified person as soon as possible."

Among the new secretary's duties are preserving, protecting, and defending the Constitution of the United States, commanding the U.S. armed forces, appointing judges and ambassadors, and vetoing congressional legislation. The secretary will also be tasked with overseeing all foreign and domestic affairs, including those relating to the economy, natural disasters, national infrastructure, homeland security, poverty, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The secretary will report directly to the president. For weeks, members of both political parties have been urging Bush to fill the post. "Every day the president waits is another day he's accountable for needless deaths at home and abroad, the stagnating economy, and the threat of terrorism," Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said. "This post is far too vital to be left vacant. Mr. President, there is no reason to delay."

"I applaud the president's decision to find a strong leader for our country, but it's imperative that he make his selection soon," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), adding that he and all Democrats hope to work closely with the new national executive.

"In the spirit of bipartisanship, we will welcome the new secretary," Reid said. "Together, we will strive for a new dawn of American politics, one unmarred by partisan bickering between Congress and the White House."

According to a nationwide poll conducted by the Cook Political Report, the majority of U.S. citizens find the question of national leadership to be highly significant, with 61 percent of respondents "strongly" believing that the country is suffering from a leadership vacuum. Fifty-four percent said they trusted Bush to find an appointee who will be able to effectively manage the country.

While many Beltway insiders have named senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and John McCain (R-AZ) as likely candidates, White House sources revealed that Bush may be leaning toward a stalwart loyalist. The list reportedly includes fellow Yale graduates, Midland, TX business associates, and various GOP fundraisers with connections to the Bush family.

"Despite their inexperience in government, they've clearly passed the Bush character test," said a White House staffer who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "I think the president is looking for someone he's comfortable with and can trust, above all else. A [former FEMA director] Michael Brown type, or maybe even Brown himself."

Bush said the creation of the Secretary of the Nation post directly addresses the increasingly complex and sometimes overwhelming challenges facing the executive branch in the 21st century. Although he acknowledged that the tasks facing the new appointee will be extraordinary, Bush ended his announcement on a positive note.

"As your president, it is my duty to see this nation through any crisis, no matter how severe. And as your president, I pledge to you that I will find a man capable of doing just that," Bush said. "I will not—I repeat, I will not—let you down."

[Link]

Crash Similar to 1987 Possible?

2005-10-09T03:39:00.000-04:00

Click graphic to enlarge.

-HundredPercenter Blog
Also see: "It's Gonna Go!"

Earthquake Kills 30,000 Across South Asia

2005-10-08T22:07:00.000-04:00

BALAKOT, Pakistan (AP) - Villagers desperate to find survivors dug with bare hands Sunday through the debris of a collapsed school where children had been heard crying beneath the rubble after a massive earthquake killed more than 30,000 people in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir alone.

``I have been informed by my department that more than 30,000 people have died in Kashmir,'' Tariq Mahmmod, communications minister for the Himalayan region, told The Associated Press. Saturday's magnitude-7.6 quake also struck India and Afghanistan, which reported hundreds dead.

Pakistan's army called the earthquake the country's worst-ever disaster and appealed for urgent help. Rival India, the United States, the United Nations, Britain, Russia, China, Turkey, Japan and Germany all offered assistance.

[Original Story]

God Bless those affected.

Bush predicts Miers' confirmation

2005-10-08T21:52:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON - President Bush predicted Friday that the Senate would confirm Harriet E. Miers to the Supreme Court, even as a Republican senator said she had much to do to ensure that outcome.

The displeasure with Miers from some on the right - they cite lack of experience or any record clearly identifying her as a strong conservative - has led to calls for the president to withdraw her nomination.

Asked about those suggestions, Bush did not answer directly. He instead suggested that withdrawal wouldn't be necessary, voicing confidence that she would be confirmed. "She is going to be on the bench. She'll be confirmed," Bush told reporters after an Oval Office meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.

[Full Story]

I hope our president knows what he is doing. Out of all the possibilities, Bush chooses Harriet E. Miers. I am sure she will get confirmed, but unless her views become clear, a withdrawal would be nice.

...Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas said, ``John Roberts is a rock star,'' while Harriet Miers is ``following Elvis.''

Al Qaeda Now Hiring?

2005-10-08T21:36:00.000-04:00

DUBAI (Reuters) - Al Qaeda has put job advertisements on the Internet asking for supporters to help put together its Web statements and video montages, an Arabic newspaper reported.

The London-based Asharq al-Awsat said on its Web site this week that al Qaeda had "vacant positions" for video production and editing statements, footage and international media coverage about militants in Iraq, the Palestinian territories, Chechnya and other conflict zones where militants are active.

The paper said the Global Islamic Media Front, an al Qaeda-linked Web-based organization, would "follow up with members interested in joining and contact them via email." The paper did not say how applicants should contact the Global Islamic Media Front.

[Full Story]

Rita heads toward coast

2005-09-23T23:52:00.000-04:00

Track Rita's landfall at the Atlantic Watch Center. We have radar, wind-field graphics, and the last computer models from Colorado State University. Head on over, sign the guestbook while your there. If you are in the area, and have internet access, share your story by sending an email over. Or by instant-message, on aim: atlanticwatch.

Tracking Tropical Storm Ophelia

2005-09-08T12:36:00.000-04:00

The Atlantic Watch Center is currently tracking: Tropical Storm Ophelia. Updated path graphics, spaghetti-type computer models, the latest advisories and more.

Take a look at this image: Click Here. There you see the updated 8am position with the 5am path, looks like Ophelia is doing what she wants to do.

Tracking Katrina's Landfall

2005-08-29T18:51:00.000-04:00

At the Atlantic Watch Center we are tracking Katrina as she devastates the Gulf Coast. Disaster photos, storm graphics, and news reports are being added hourly. Pray for those affected.

Tracking Katrina

2005-08-26T02:05:00.000-04:00

Live Tracking of Hurricane Katrina as it ventures across South-Florida...

Atlantic Watch Center

Bluetooth headphones

2005-08-20T23:28:00.000-04:00

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - For my money, Bluetooth technology has long been little more than a spotty solution in search of problem. Getting rid of wires around the house is an admirable goal, but Bluetooth-enabled devices invariably cost a bit more, have limited range and require extra connectivity doodads that I've been unwilling pay for.

Until now.

In October, Plantronics Inc. (PLT) will start selling the Pulsar 590, a pair of rechargeable Bluetooth-enabled headphones. The company sent me a pair to try and suddenly I can't live without them. They offer nice styling and killer sound quality extended over a range of about 50 feet from a small transmitter that can be connected to the miniplug audio output jack of any device.

The headphones cost $150 alone, $200 with the transmitter. Devices already compatible with new technology called Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, or A2DP, don't require the transmitter, but few such devices are on the market right now. More on that later.

More...

If these weren't so expensive I would buy a pair! The first photo you see above features the new Bluetooth headphones. The 2nd photo shows the pair I currently use, and yes I know they are HUGE.

Diaper Bomb! :0

2005-08-20T19:45:00.000-04:00

BERLIN (Reuters) - An "electronic nappy" used to monitor wetness sparked a bomb alert in a German post office when it arrived in a parcel ticking suspiciously, police in the southwestern city of Heilbronn said Thursday.

"They suspected it was a bomb so they put the package into an empty room and called the police," said a police spokesman. "It was supposed to respond to wetness with bleeping sounds but this one ticked."

Two squad cars rushed to the scene and immediately contacted the sender. Police gave the all clear after they contacted the woman who told them the intercepted package contained only a malfunctioning diaper.

Next thing you know you'll have baby suicide bombers blowing themselves up with a bomb in their diaper.

One wedding and a Big-Mac

2005-08-16T19:57:00.000-04:00

IRWIN, Pa. (AP) - Do you want fries with those vows? Ken Sinchar and Lori Sherbondy have heard that and every other fast-food joke since they announced plans to marry at a McDonald's drive-thru, where they fell in love four years earlier.

On Monday night, Sinchar rolled through the drive-thru in his white minivan, just as he had done day after day, hoping to chat with "that blue-eyed brunette named Lori." But on this night, Sinchar rolled down his window, Sherbondy slid open hers and the couple grabbed hands as a district judge pronounced them husband and wife.

Sinchar was expecting to pick up a Big Mac, not a date, the first time he pulled through the Norwin Towne Shopping Center McDonald's. Sherbondy, 42, who's worked at the restaurant for eight years, said Sinchar made an impression, too.

Full Story...

Well...everyone is different. As much as i like cheeseburgers, I wouldn't call it a "date," let alone marriage.

TS Irene eyes East Coast

2005-08-11T01:32:00.000-04:00

MIAMI (AP) - Tropical depression Irene continued to become better organized as it moved closer to the East Coast on Wednesday, raising the possibility it could eventually hit the United States as a hurricane, forecasters said.

Irene had top sustained winds near 35 mph, 5 mph higher than earlier in the day, and could regain tropical storm status by later Wednesday or by Thursday. Tropical storms have sustained winds of at least 39 mph.

At 5 p.m. EDT, Irene was about 750 miles south-southeast of Bermuda, forecasters said. It was moving west at about 13 mph and was expected to continue over the next five days in the general direction of the U.S. coastline from Florida to the Carolinas, according to National Hurricane Center in Miami. Jennifer Pralgo, a hurricane center meteorologist, said it is possible that Irene could reach hurricane strength winds of 74 mph because it will be passing over warmer waters.

More...

Not that I look forward to storms hitting Florida, but I am hoping for at least one hurricane. I want to get some storm footage. ;)

Note: The Atlantic Watch Center is currently not tracking Irene.

Teens sell a week of their time on Ebay

2005-08-11T01:07:00.000-04:00

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - Looking for a little extra spending money, two college-bound teenagers decided to sell a week of their time to the highest bidder on the Internet auction site eBay.

The teens hoped for fortune and adventure, but got neither. When the auction closed Monday, the teens learned the winning bidder - a St. Joseph resident - had offered a mere $246.50 for their services.

"I'm kind of disappointed, but it's money," said Chris Pullen, 19, of St. Joseph. "I think it was exciting while it lasted. But it's still money, nothing to be disheartened about." Pullen said fellow Central High School graduate Chip Davis suggested the idea. "I was like, 'Dude, that's tight,'" Pullen recalled of his reaction.

Under the heading "Buy us for one week to do those tedious tasks you hate!" the teens posted their pictures on eBay with a minimum bid of $1. Bidding began on July 29. While the auction was under way, friends asked the teenagers if they worried about who would win their services. "I didn't care who won," Davis said, "as long as we didn't have to clean someone's sewers or something. That wouldn't be too exciting for a whole week." But the teens' enthusiasm waned as days passed with no new bids.

More...

I'm suprised that casino didn't buy them, because they have everything else.

Video Games= Exhausting?

2005-08-11T00:57:00.000-04:00

SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean man who played computer games for 50 hours almost non-stop died of heart failure minutes after finishing his mammoth session in an Internet cafe, authorities said Tuesday.

The 28-year-old man, identified only by his family name Lee, had been playing on-line battle simulation games at the cybercafe in the southeastern city of Taegu, police said.
Lee had planted himself in front of a computer monitor to play on-line games on Aug. 3. He only left the spot over the next three days to go to the toilet and take brief naps on a makeshift bed, they said.

"We presume the cause of death was heart failure stemming from exhaustion," a Taegu provincial police official said by telephone. Lee had recently quit his job to spend more time playing games, the daily JoongAng Ilbo reported after interviewing former work colleagues and staff at the Internet cafe.

More...

This is for all you gaming "freaks" who believe it can't happen.

Hello out there!

2005-08-10T00:02:00.000-04:00

Austin here. Sorry once again for the lack of posting. I was trying to get the most out of my summer, which as you all know is now gone. :( Oh well. My first day of High School was yesterday. Yup, I'm growing up. In other news, I was glad to hear the shuttle made it down alright but was hoping for a Florida landing. Maybe NASA can straighten things out quickly and I can get out there for another launch. (Atlantis) Tomorrow I will make it a priority to pick you guys out some cool stories. Thanks for sticking around during my big breaks.

PS- My favorite NASCAR driver is in 9th in points...Go Jarrett!

Discovery Extends Mission; More high-res pics

2005-07-31T15:41:00.000-04:00

UPDATE- Looking for the new Discovery Mission? The one that launched July 4th, 2006? Click Here.

SPACE CENTER, Houston - (AP) - Two spacewalking astronauts armed with caulking guns, putty knives and foam brushes practiced fixing deliberately damaged shuttle heat shields Saturday, as NASA extended what could be its last trip to the space station for a long while.

With future shuttle flights grounded because of Discovery's fuel-tank foam loss during liftoff, mission managers decided to keep the crew at the international space station an extra day to haul over surplus supplies and help with station maintenance. It could well be next year before the foam problem is fixed and a shuttle returns to the space station. The two spacewalkers, meanwhile, practiced repair maneuvers they hope they'll never have to do for real.

On Monday, NASA expects to wrap up all its analysis of Discovery's thermal shielding and give the final safety clearance for the shuttle's descent on Aug. 8, a day later now than originally planned. A final decision was expected Sunday, but was put off to give engineers a little more time to analyze a couple of protruding gap fillers between thermal tiles.

Full Story...

Yes, your eyes didn't deceive you. I am a big fan of high-resolution images so here ya go! All which came directly from the Shuttle and ISS. (Credit: NASA of course!)

View of the Discovery's tiles while it was performing a flip.

Another Picture of Discovery's tiles.

View of Discovery's nose.

View of Discovery's Cargo bay.

View of the ISS from Discovery.

Another view of the ISS.

I also wanted to add a picture I took during the shuttle launch. It's not the best quality but is pretty good since all I did was walk outside. :) Click Here.

NASA GROUNDS FUTURE SHUTTLE FLIGHTS

2005-07-27T23:43:00.000-04:00

SPACE CENTER, Houston - NASA said Wednesday it is grounding future shuttle flights because foam debris that brought down Columbia is still a risk — and might have doomed Discovery if the big chunk of broken insulation had come off just a bit earlier and slammed into the spacecraft.

A large chunk of foam flew off Discovery's external fuel tank just two minutes after liftoff Tuesday morning. Shuttle managers do not believe it hit the shuttle, posing a threat to the seven astronauts when they return to Earth. But they plan a closer inspection of the spacecraft to be sure. "You have to admit when you're wrong. We were wrong," said shuttle program manager Bill Parsons. "We need to do some work here, and so we're telling you right now, that the ... foam should not have come off. It came off. We've got to go do something about that."

The loss of a chunk of debris, a vexing problem NASA thought had been fixed, represents a tremendous setback to a space program that has spent 2 1/2 years and over $1 billion trying to make the 20-year-old shuttles safe to fly.

Image that led NASA to this decision:
--View High-Resolution Version here.

Initial analysis of the imagery shows a large piece of foam separated from an area of the tank called the Protuberance Air Load (PAL) Ramp during the shuttle's ascent to orbit. This debris did not impact Discovery. The area of missing foam on the tank is indicated by a light spot, center, just below the liquid oxygen feedline.

(AP PHOTO/NASA)

Shuttle Update: Chipped tile not serious

2005-07-27T14:04:00.000-04:00

Video Story (4mb asf file)

Photo: Nasa/AP

Nasa said Wednesday that a chipped thermal tile on space shuttle Discovery's belly does not appear to be a serious problem, based on what engineers have seen so far. In orbit, meanwhile, Discovery's astronauts slowly and delicately inspected the wings and nose for launch damage, using a 100-foot movable arm with lasers and a camera mounted on its tip.

NASA lead flight director Paul Hill said experts were still receiving and analyzing the data from the inspection, but during his own cursory look at the 3-D footage beamed down to Earth as the lasers panned across the spaceship's surface, "I didn't see anything that stood out."

Discovery settled into orbit Tuesday on the first shuttle flight since the Columbia disaster 2 1/2 years ago. Hours later, the space agency disclosed that an object believed to be a 1 1/2-inch piece of thermal tile appeared to have broken off from a vulnerable spot near the nose landing-gear doors on the underside of the shuttle during liftoff. Hill said Wednesday that engineers were still studying the tile damage, but added, "Their judgment based on the data so far is that it's not going to be an issue." He said the engineers have not yet decided whether to ask NASA to gather more data on the tile by using the arm to inspect the belly.

Full Story...

Note: I also came across some high-resolution photos of the launch. View them below.

Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4

Discovery debris spotted, analyzed

2005-07-27T03:21:00.000-04:00

Video Story. (26mb wmv file)
Photo: NASA/AP

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In uneasy reminders of the Columbia accident, a thermal tile apparently got chipped and other debris whirled around Discovery as it rumbled toward space Tuesday, but it wasn't clear if the shuttle's sensitive skin had been jeopardized. *A 1 1/2-inch-wide bit of tile captured on camera appeared to fly off the shuttle's belly, on the edge of a door that encloses the nose landing gear. It was not clear if the tile had been struck by anything. Pieces of tile, which protect the shuttle from searing heat on return to Earth, have been lost on past flights without preventing a safe homecoming.

"We're going frame-by-frame through the imagery," said John Shannon, a NASA operations manager. Also, NASA video revealed what appeared to be a *sizable piece of material — maybe a chunk of insulation — coming off the shuttle's external fuel tank two minutes into flight. It did not strike the orbiter that carries the seven astronauts, the NASA manager said. Other agency footage showed covers flying off Discovery's thrusters — something expected to happen.

Full Story...

* -Mentioned in video

Discovery Launches, "It’s a great day.”

2005-07-25T14:40:00.000-04:00

Photo: AFP/Robert Pearson

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER- Right on schedule and without a hitch, the space shuttle Discovery launched on NASA's first shuttle mission in two and a half years. There was a lot of pride and relief at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, which has played a huge role in the Return to Flight program. “We needed this,” said one worker after Discovery safely lifted off.

Two former NASA Langley workers are astronauts aboard Discovery – Charlie Camarda and Stephen Robinson. “I think it’s wonderful and I think everybody’s very excited. It was just so smooth and just wonderful," said Ginger Dutuis, an information systems specialist. “Human space flight is a big past of the agency and this one had some special significance to Langley because we had played a big role in that – all the way from the accident investigation, preparing and working with the people on return to flight,” noted David Dowles, the director of Space Operations Technology for NASA Langley.

Full Story...

Rapping Baggage Screener

2005-07-16T01:52:00.000-04:00

HOUSTON -- When Bassam Khalaf raps, he's the Arabic Assassin. His unreleased CD, "Terror Alert," includes rhymes about flying a plane into a building and descriptions of himself as a "crazy, suicidal Arabic ... equipped with bombs."

Until last week, Khalaf also worked as a baggage screener at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

"I've been screening your bags for the past six months, and you don't even know it," said Khalaf, who also said Thursday that he is not really a terrorist and that his rhymes are exaggerations meant to gain publicity.

Andrea McCauley, a spokeswoman for the regional Transportation Security Administration office in Dallas, said the agency checks criminal records before hiring screeners, but it does not investigate what people do in their spare time.

"We have eyes and ears in the workplace," McCauley said. "Once we discovered these Web sites, we fired him."

An Internet search of Khalaf's name brings up Web sites that feature his obscene, violent and misogynistic raps that threaten to fly a plane into a building on Sept. 11, 2005.

Khalaf, 21, was hired on Jan. 16 and fired July 7, according to a TSA termination letter that cited his "authorship of songs which applaud the efforts of the terrorists on September 11th, encourage and warn of future acts of terrorism by you, discuss at length and in grave and alarming detail various criminal acts you intend to commit, state your belief that the U.S. government should be overthrown, and finally warn that others will die on September 11, 2005."

Full Story...

I am speechless.

LONDON ATTACKED

2005-07-07T14:43:00.000-04:00

LONDON (AP) - Four blasts rocked the London subway and tore open a packed double-decker bus during the morning rush hour Thursday, sending bloodied victims fleeing in the worst attack on London since World War II. Three U.S. law enforcement officials said at least 40 people were killed and London hospitals reported more than 350 wounded in the terror attacks.

Prime Minister Tony Blair called the attacks "barbaric" and said they were clearly designed to coincide with the G-8 summit opening in Gleneagles, Scotland. They also came a day after London won the bid to host the 2012 Olympics. A group calling itself "The Secret Organization of al-Qaida in Europe" claimed responsibility.

The explosions hit three subway stations and a double-decker bus in rapid succession beginning at 8:51 a.m. (3:51 a.m. EDT) and ended about 40 minutes later when a blast ripped the top off a bus. Implementing an emergency plan, authorities immediately shut down the subway and bus lines that log 8.4 million passenger trips every weekday.
(AP Photo/ Jane Mingay)

More...

London Blasts Set Off Chaos, Confusion
(Photo) (AP)

London Blasts Have Hallmarks of al-Qaida
(Photo) (AP Photo/ Jane Mingay)

Bush Offers U.S. Condolences to London
(Photo) (AP)

U.S. raising terrorism alert level for rail, metro

Group that no one has ever heard of before lays claim to London blasts...

Putin: London Blasts Show World Not United

World Stands With London After Attacks

Tracking Dennis

2005-07-06T19:38:00.000-04:00

The Atlantic Watch Center is currently tracking Hurricane Dennis. Projected Path, Strike Probabilities, Computer Models, and more.

Also, I have an archive for your own personal use. It makes you feel good to see how much the projected path changes in less than a week. ;)

Proud to be an American?

2005-07-04T22:26:00.000-04:00

Looks like the Chinese are.
(Click images to enlarge)

I have flown the glider and have to say, the chinese put this baby together nicely. Its origin is not a surprise really. I don't expect it to ever change.

MORE- Yes, unfortunately I can add to this post. Here is a head-band I got today which also was 'Made in China.'

God Bless America

2005-07-04T03:19:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July

2005-07-04T03:03:00.000-04:00

Click images to enlarge.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th of July. Later today I will take/post more pictures of fireworks. Earlier at the local show I tested my ability. Photo without text

Click here for a short quicktime video clip (9mb) of the finale for the fireworks show.

Also on a historic note, Malachy Joyce reminds us of the men who gave us the freedoms we have today. You shouldn't ever forget it.

Of note- Local History post updated 7/4. I will be posting pictures from my visit to Debary Hall soon.

MORE- Feeling Patriotic? Check out where the little things we use to celebrate a day like this, actually come from.

Local History

2005-06-25T22:51:00.000-04:00

*UPDATED 7/4*

Deland Naval Air Station Museum

The Navy is making the F-14, one of only 400 in existence, available for display by the museum. The jet fighter was manufactured in 1981.

Specs: The aircraft is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Corp., according to a U.S. Navy Web site. Tomcats are remaining in service until 2007; by then they will have all been replaced by the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.

For more pictures click the descriptions below.

Historic Fighter Plane

January 6th, 1946- Deland Sun News

Navy Ship Engines (these things are BIG)

Navy Ship being renovated

I also heard about the Sea Scouts. This a branch of the BSA and can get you ready for the U.S. Navy or other activities in the water.

Spurs win NBA Title

2005-06-24T03:02:00.000-04:00

Box Score: 81-74 (Pistons Loss)

SAN ANTONIO - With the NBA title on the line, Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs proved themselves worthy champions. Duncan came up huge in the second half after having the worst playoff series of his career, and Manu Ginobili had another breakthrough performance Thursday night to lead the Spurs past the Detroit Pistons 81-74 in a Game 7 that was as thrilling as it was rare.

In a matchup of the past two NBA champions, the Spurs came through in the clutch to win their third title in seven years and deny Detroit the chance to repeat. The Spurs are certainly not a dynasty, but their staying power as a championship caliber team helps validate a legacy that history will respect.

Full Story...

I don't have much to say because I was rooting for the Pistons.

Photo: REUTERS/Marc Serota

Drudge Breaks out...

2005-06-20T19:33:00.000-04:00

Reserve police light

-I know this is rather old but I have to agree with Lone Star Times here.

Tom Cruise gets "all wet"

2005-06-20T03:28:00.000-04:00

LONDON – An interview with Tom Cruise found the actor all wet. While Cruise was giving an on-the-spot interview at the "War of the Worlds" premiere in London, he was squirted in the face with water. The water came from what appeared to be a microphone. Four men who were part of a freelance camera crew were arrested. They could face assault charges.

View/Download the Video...
(5mb wmv file)

[Story]

UPDATE-CRUISE WILL NOT PRESS CHARGES

2.8 Billion for Nothing?

2005-06-17T04:50:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON (AP) - A giant laser being built to simulate the explosion of a hydrogen bomb is facing funding cuts in the U.S. Senate that supporters said could kill the project after $2.8 billion has been spent on it. The device, which would focus 192 lasers at a single point to create a huge release of energy, is nearing completion at the Lawrence Livermore nuclear weapons lab in northern California.

But a spending plan for energy and water projects approved Thursday by the Senate appropriations committee would shut off further construction money for the project, leaving it with just the four laser beams now in place.

Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico complained ballooning costs on the project, called the National Ignition Facility, are a drain on other programs that maintain the U.S. nuclear arsenal. New Mexico is home to the two other U.S. nuclear weapons laboratories, Sandia and Los Alamos.

Full Story...

[My Take] If we have already spent $2.8 Billion for this project. Do we really want to stop funding for it now? That sounds like a BIG waste of money to me. I would also like to see this laser if it is completed because it sounds pretty nifty. As noted in the article, this would still be used for experiments and be the largest laser in the world, but without more lasers it cannot reach fusion ignition - the hoped-for energy release.

Reaction...

2005-06-14T12:43:00.000-04:00

Click here to view the International MJ Reaction- Newspaper Clippings