Archive for December 2010

DADT Repeal Reactions

I’ve stayed clear of this fray as this is a non-civil rights issue for me. However, since this the topic du jour, I’ve found a few blogs that have made some interesting points on this (non) issue.

Jonn Lilea, my blogging buddy, from This Ain’t Hell asks: Can we talk about something else now? Something important? Something like killing large numbers of our enemies who won’t tolerate gays either?

The ever charming Dan Riehl wants to know what is the end game is with DADT:

Not being much of a culture warrior, I haven’t paid much attention to this issue. But then, I don’t pay much attention to people’s sexual preference in the first place, unless it concerns me, somehow! ; )To the extent progressivism has some end game vision, it is utopian – and DADT repeal is the product of political progressivism in America, no matter how you feel about the particular issue. Unfortunately, life is not, has never been, and never will be utopian. So, what comes next?

Legal Insurrection dissects the hype surrounding this repeal.

Now that DADT repeal has been achieved, how long will GOProud hang out with conservatives?

Posted on December 20, 2010 :: Categories: Bloggers, Military, National
1,109 views :: 3 Comments

Right Wing News Conservative Blog Awards

John Hawkins recently revealed the results of the 9th Annual Conservative Blog Awards.

In particular, I am pleased to see one the most hard working blogs around garner some well deserved recognition -Congratulation to Flopping Aces!

Best Designed Blog

2) Michelle Malkin (3)
2) Flopping Aces (3)
1) Hot Air (14)

Kudos to John for tirelessly promoting the work of conservative bloggers.

Posted on December 20, 2010 :: Categories: Bloggers
856 views :: 1 Comment

The End of the Internet? FCC cleared to impose Fairness Doctrine

WSJ reports on the latest move by the FCC to impose a ‘fairness doctrine’ on Internet providers and users.

The Federal Communications Commission is set to approve on Tuesday Chairman Julius Genachowski’s proposed rules governing net neutrality—a concept aimed at preventing Internet providers from interfering with web traffic.

Preventing something that has never occurred is the most direct way to destroy Internet innovation. There is a ray of hope – paging Rep. Darryl Issa!

Republicans are vowing a fight. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R., Texas) wants to cut off FCC funding to enforce the rules. House GOP lawmakers plan hearings and legislation to overturn the FCC’s planned rules

This POS (Piece of Stupidity) needs to staked through the heart and burnt to ashes.

Posted on December 20, 2010 :: Categories: Bloggers
1,237 views :: 2 Comments

Solstice Lunar Eclipse – Photo Update

The first day of winter this year will be one for the history books. A lunar eclipse will mark winter solstice, a rare occurrence, the previous eclipse happened in 1638, three hundred and seventy two years ago.

NASA has an informative web page giving you the what, where, when and how information about this noteworthy event:

The eclipse begins on Tuesday morning, Dec. 21st, at 1:33 am EST (Monday, Dec. 20th, at 10:33 pm PST). At that time, Earth’s shadow will appear as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It takes about an hour for the “bite” to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 02:41 am EST (11:41 pm PST) and lasts for 72 minutes.

If you’re planning to dash out for only one quick look – it is December, after all – choose this moment: 03:17 am EST (17 minutes past midnight PST). That’s when the Moon will be in deepest shadow, displaying the most fantastic shades of coppery red.

Set my alarm for 2:45 am.

Ta-Da!!!

Posted on December 20, 2010 :: Categories: Entertainment, Environment
998 views :: 2 Comments

Quick, Hide The Decline!

December 2010:

Weather forecasters in Britain are speculating this December will be the coldest since 1910. Several inches of snow have blanketed Britain all the while stranding travelers and delighting children. Their cousins on the other side of the pond have been dealing with a spectrum of weather related issues from roof caving snow storms to torrential flooding.

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Posted on December 20, 2010 :: Categories: Environment, International
1,713 views :: 2 Comments

Peeling Back the Label of “No Labels”

In case you missed it, on December 13th, “No Labels” - a new non-partisan political action group was launched in the mecca of non partisan-ness, the Roone Arledge Auditorium at Columbia University’s Alfred Lerner Hall in New York City. The fledgling group describe themselves as:

We are not labels – we are people.

We care deeply about our country.

We are frustrated and concerned about the tone of politics.

We are passionate about addressing America’s challenges.

We are Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

Most importantly, we are Americans.

Can ‘American’ be construed as a label in this context? Perhaps thought is best left for another discussion.

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Posted on December 15, 2010 :: Categories: Democrat, Entertainment
6,811 views :: 9 Comments

Attack of the Lame Duck

Voting has consequences – in 2008 who could have foreseen the arrogance and out of control spending habits of the Democrat majority?

Hey, don’t blame me..I voted for Sarah Palin.

Greta Van Susteren is outraged over the latest wallet busting omnibus spending bill being shoved down America’s throat. The Democrats are the majority in the Senate, they own this bill. If this spending bill passes, come 2012, Dems will be an endangered species in DC and across the nation.

Posted on December 15, 2010 :: Categories: Democrat, Election
1,235 views :: 4 Comments

Friday Quick Bites

Home remodeling project is going way too smoothly, I was only without internet access for one day. All the steps in this project have gone perfectly, hmmm, something is just not right in the world, I fear.

A few quick bites for your consumption and contemplation:

- Two groups are organizing a ‘human buffer’ to act as a shield between the radical Westboro Baptist group and the Edwards family during the Elizabeth Edward’s funeral service on Saturday. I was wondering how long it would take for groups to organize such a buffer. You can check out the Facebook page ‘Wall of Peace Against Westboro Baptist Church’ for more info on this human shield. As much as I admire the pluck of these individuals, it is disquieting to recall all the funerals for fallen soldiers whose families had to endure the sick taunts of this Baptist group without any such ‘human buffer’ to help them.

- A recent article penned by the author of the now infamous open letter to Senator McConnell and Rep Boehner brings to mind one of the most memorable quotes of the Clinton administration – “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.” As I challenge the merits of this letter, I’m treated to numerous updated definitions of whom the ‘Letter’ represents. This week the nuances between social liberals and social libertarians is explored, yet neither group is clearly defined or addressed in the ‘Letter’. The letter, as it was written by Andrew Ian Dodge, referenced an entirely different group of people.

“On behalf of limited-government conservatives everywhere,…

Perhaps the author should have been more precise in defining who this letter represented. Let’s see, perhaps the opening line should have read:

On behalf of staunch limited government/social libertarians who are at the same time a touch ‘mavericky’ everywhere….

That would narrow the scope of the letter to simply a collection of 17 individuals expressing their opinion and not necessarily those of any group, anywhere. This is but my humble rebuttal of the latest take on the ‘Letter’ - written under the influence of coffee and common sense.

- I’ve accepted an invitation from the Independence Hall Tea Party Association, who are hosting a holiday luncheon/victory celebration in honor of Congressman-elect Jon Runyan. It is being held tomorrow at The Waterworks restaurant – check my Flickr stream for photos from the event.

Posted on December 11, 2010 :: Categories: 2010 Election, Bloggers, Philadelphia
1,734 views :: 2 Comments

Army Navy Game 2010

GO NAVY BEAT ARMY

Posted on December 10, 2010 :: Categories: Entertainment, Philadelphia :: Tags: Army Navy Game
1,698 views :: 4 Comments

2010 Lansdowne YMCA Reindeer Run

What a fun run had by all this past Saturday! I recorded a personal best in the 5K (31:54) coming off of a knee injury this just rocks my world. An 8 am start at a brisk 31 degree temperature was a new challenge for me. In addition, the last time I did street running was the MCM 10K. Despite the cold, the early start time and unfamiliar course; I owned this run, instead of the trail owning me. Lansdowne is about 45 minutes away from where I live; with an 8am start time, I was on the road at 6:00 am.