Old school New Year's

With plenty of weird graphics, CBS and Guy Lombardo welcomed 1977. They weren't freezing inside the ballroom with Guy and the Royal Canadians.

Diving off the cliff

Remember Wide World of Sports from the 1970s?
On cold winter weekend, you might be transported to Acapulco to see the cliff divers.



Can Reid and Obama do a tandem dive like this?

Looking back on 2012

Legal Insurrection notes much of the action his blog saw in 2012.
Love the Empty Chair Day.

How about some lawyer control?

HotAir looks at the first known lawsuit from the Sandy Hook shootings.
Where's the waiting period for lawyers before they strike?
All the students, teachers and families in Newtown suffered that day.
You knew some lawyer was going to file suit. Where is their control?

Best of the year - we're still here

We made it past the end of the Mayan calendar.
Troglopundit liked my reason for the world to continue.

Fiscal cliff or fiscal wall

The fiscal cliff gives everybody something to hate - will taxes go up or programs be cut?
Why have we spent so many weekend nights watching Congress doing deadline work - when it could have been done in regular work hours?
Just passing something doesn't solve the long-term structural problems.
The real debt ceiling is the one eventually imposed by global financial markets at some point on a profligate Washington. When that happens, Congress won’t be able to raise the ceiling even if it wants to. The only options then to avoid a financial crisis will be draconian austerity — both massive tax hikes and brutal entitlement cuts.

Another fight at the cliff

Enough fiscal cliff.
Feels like the cliffs of insanity from Princess Bride. This fight turns out - in the end - to match two good guys.

Best of the year - Romney rally

Even though Mitt Romney didn't win, his Fishersville rally in October had the feel of victory.
At least Trace Atkins sounded good.

Saturday song

Congress is spending the last weekend of 2012 trying to do what they haven't done all year - pass budgets and plan for the future.
I think they are running on empty.

Facebook quote of the week

Ummmmmm...the sound of two girls fighting.....yep....my girls are home! ;)

Cat scratch fever

Jonah Goldberg looks at the six-toed cats of the Hemingway museum - and wonders why Washington cares to take sides in the local issue.
The federal government has plenty on its plate already. It should not be the cavalry of busybody neighbors or aggrieved cat ladies who can’t win an argument at the local level.
Key West is not Mogadishu. It has a functioning government, as does the state of Florida. Residents there — and across America — are capable of self-rule, which includes the right to live in ways other Americans might think is crazy or wrong.

Best of the year - third Instapundit link

I like "riding the wave."
I wish Mitt Romney rode the wave into the White House.
I did ride the wave to an Instapundit link in April, the second of the month.

Weekend watchdog

For the final week of the season, the NFL picks the most important game for Sunday night.
For the second straight year, it's the Cowboys in a battle for the NFC East crown.
Washington, winners of six straight, host Dallas at 8:30 p.m. on NBC. It's basically win and you're in, and go home if you lose. The Redskins have a slim chance to make the postseason if they lose, depending on results of earlier games. Like last year, a Cowboys loss ends their season.
With the AFC playoff field set, Baltimore heads to Cincinnati Sunday at 1 p.m. New England aims for a top seed in the 4:25 p.m. game against Miami. The choices on Fox include Giants-Eagles at 1 p.m. and Vikings-Packers in the second game of the doubleheader.
The feast of college bowls continues Friday with three games on ESPN. Ohio plays Louisiana-Monroe in the Independence Bowl from Shreveport at 2 p.m., then Virginia Tech meets Rutgers from Orlando at 5:30 p.m. Minnesota goes against Texas Tech from Houston at 9 p.m.
Five bowls fill the schedule Saturday. The Armed Forces Bowl goes at 11:45 a.m. on ESPN with Rice against Air Force, then West Virginia plays Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl. ESPN2 shows the Fight Hunger Bowl at 4 p.m with Navy playing Arizona State, and ESPN continues with two more contests into the night - the Alamo Bowl between Texas and Oregon State at 6:45 p.m. before TCU plays Michigan State from Phoenix at 10:15 p.m.
Comcast offers the Wizards hosting Orlando Friday at 7 p.m. They head to Chicago Saturday at 8 p.m.
It's a battle of Kentucky Saturday at 4 p.m. on CBS, with the Wildcats taking on Louisville.
Friday on ESPN2, Baylor takes on Gonzaga at 8 p.m. before Missouri plays UCLA. ACC powers host western teams Saturday afternoon as Duke meets Santa Clara at noon before UNLV goes against North Carolina. Washington battles Connecticut at 7:30 p.m.
South Carolina faces Presbyterian Saturday at 1 p.m. on Comcast. Virginia battles Wofford Sunday at 1 p.m., and it's Loyola at Memphis at 8 p.m.
MASN shows Seton Hall against Stony Brook Friday at 7 p.m.
It's Providence-Brown on NBC Sports network Friday at 7 p.m.

Lockout victim



The NHL lockout means no Winter Classic this week.
And no chances to watch the Capitals' Red Rockers like Becca.

Best of the year - second Instapundit link

As April dawned, Instapundit noted how the Obama team tried to get reporters to cover stories.
My response got a link.

Look, in the sky

2013 could be a good year for comet watching - comet Ison will be coming to town in the fall.
Comet Kohoutek could not be reached for comment.

For snow lovers

How much skill - or luck - does it take to make a pair of hearts while turning around in a driveway?

I'm dreaming of a white Boxing Day

Missed a white Christmas by that much.
Stay warm and listen to Mark Steyn on the radio.

Best of the year - first Instapundit link

It was fine logging onto the computer the morning of  March 22.
Instapundit had linked this post on Eric Cantor's endorsement in a Republican primary in Illinois.
It was atop his blog for seven hours, starting just before midnight.
That brings in the traffic - most in the history of the blog.

Today's Tied with Me

Christmas Day may be over, but you can still find some cool apps for the rest of the holiday season - or download now for Christmas 2013.

Better than a sick Sheldon

I had a bit of a cold the past few days. I don't think I struggled like Sheldon.

24 hours of gun culture

The conversation on the nation's gun culture will resume - after we watch 24 hours of "A Christmas Story."
Maybe at his next press conference, Mayor Bloomberg can use the classic line from the movie.
"You'll shoot your eye out."

Best TV theme ever

The death of Jack Klugman reminded me of theme from his 70s show "Quincy M.E." I love the police students passing out while he casually does his work.

Understanding the war on Christmas

Merry Christmas.
Hope you are having a great Christmas Eve.
It's hard to understand what people have against the Christmas celebration, trying to change to words to a "inclusive" holiday celebration.
An answer may be found driving around Christmas Eve night.
Stores close early.
No pizza delivery.
The fast food joints are dark.
Just a few stores stay open into the night.
Basically the world goes dark for 24 hours from 6 p.m. Christmas Eve to 6 p.m. Christmas Day.
It's a night to be part of events with family and friends.
If you're not part of that, there's no denying it.
There's not much open to distract you.
Few very places to gather with people who are not part of the family festivities.
It's all Christmas, all the time Christmas Eve night.
Each year, there's a few more places that open on Christmas Day to give you a place to go. Few enough it's a big deal - Starbucks in Waynesboro has had a banner up for weeks noting its Christmas hours.
You can catch a new movie Christmas night but not much else.
Christmas isn't just a holiday.
It's different.
It's a day the whole world stops - for just a moment.
It's the way it's supposed to be - no one who has lived has been like Jesus of Nazareth.
There's no denying it.
Even if you wish to distract the attention of people away from the fact.

Present from the Journey

Bob shares the story of Charles Dickens and his story "A Christmas Carol."

Yer gonna shoot your eye out

Almost time for Christmas Story on TBS.
Fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra
I triple dog dare you to watch.

Christmas C food

What are you having for Christmas dinner?
Some in Baltimore want crabs.
They even sing about it.

This is 40

It's been forty years since the Steelers' Immaculate Reception.
People are still trying to figure it out.

Last minute gift suggestion

Looking for a good 2013 calendar?
Watt's Up With That has your answer.
You can ignore Michael Mann's review.

Hack attack

The Atlantic gathers 50 columns it didn't like in 2012.
Mark Steyn enjoys the attention.

Working hard on Obamacare

As businesses prepare for 2013, Obamcare looms over their shoulders.
It's in their minds, even if they feel unable to talk about it.
It weighs on their decisions.
Will their plans to expand be cut short by the new law?
All of this remains unclear. There is something, however, that he knows for sure. In the 1990s, he grew the restaurant, tacking on a sprawling complex to the little bar and kitchen where his Italian immigrant parents served spaghetti and meatballs starting in the early 1950s. He doubled its size.
He also laid the groundwork for further expansion. “When we re-engineered this building, we left in place the structure to support a 120-seat catering hall on the second level,” he says. Now, it’s out of the question.

Big strike

A friend notified of a Virginia bowler who had a 300 game recently - while bowling in a wheelchair.
Only the second time a wheelchair bowler had done the feat.

Saturday Christmas song

Weird Al adds a twist to the season.
Duck and cover with your Yuletide lover.

Facebook quote of the week

OMG it's December 22nd and we're all still here! ...can I please have all my stuff back :-)

Been there before

Mark Steyn remembers the original Christmas massacre of the young from Matthew 2.
The prophet knew it would come, and nothing could stop it.
"A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more." ₁

Bring on the conversation

Jeff Goldstein at Protein Wisdom prepares for the gun control conversation.
But here’s the thing: the second amendment was intended to protect a natural right, the right to life, to self-preservation, to autonomy outside of the sphere of governmental molestation; and in fact, it is the right that protects all the other individual rights laid forth in the Bill of Rights. Hunting, someone needs to tell Joe Manchin and others, is incidental to the second amendment’s design and purpose — an activity made either easier or more enjoyable to some that comes as a result of the primary right itself, which is intended to keep the individual (and the nation) free and protected.
And it is absolute. “Shall not be infringed” being about as straightforward as it gets, legislatively speaking.

Weekend watchdog

Get ready for Christmas with more college football.
The string of 35 bowls continues Friday when Ball State tackles Central Florida from St. Petersburg - eat some beef to enjoy the game.
ESPN offers two more contests Saturday - the New Orleans Bowl between Louisiana-Lafayette and East Carolina at noon and Boise State against Washington in the Las Vegas Bowl at 3:30 p.m.
Before Santa arrives, there's the Hawaii Bowl Monday at 8 p.m. matching SMU and Fresno State.
Thanks to the NFL's flexible scheduling, NBC won't have to show the Chargers playing the Jets in primetime Sunday. Instead the NFC West battle between the Seahawks and 49ers gets the center stage. ESPN has Saturday night football this week, with the Falcons meeting the Lions.
The Ravens' game against the Giants moved to the late afternoon slot on Fox, after the Redskins meet the Eagles. CBS has the Steelers and Bengals in a key battle for playoff positioning at 1 p.m., and CBS in Washington will show the Browns at Denver at 4 p.m.
The Wizards take on the Pistons Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast. The teams meet again Saturday at 7 p.m. at Verizon Center.
NBC Sports network offers the Governor's Holiday Hoops Classic from Richmond Saturday. Virginia faces Old Dominion at 5:30 p.m., after George Mason goes against Richmond. At 8 p.m., it's Davidson-Drexel.
ESPN2 has a pair of games Friday, with Florida Atlantic playing Indiana at 7 p.m. before BYU takes on Baylor.
Ohio State hosts Kansas State on CBS Saturday at 4 p.m.
Georgia Tech faces the Citadel Saturday at 4 p.m. on Comcast.
MASN offers Connecticut against Fordham Friday at 7 p.m. There's two more games Saturday, with Georgetown hosting American at noon before UMBC plays DePaul.

It's almost Dec. 22

If the world is going to end on Dec. 21, it had better hurry up.
On half of the globe, it's already Dec. 21.
At 5 a.m. in the Eastern Time Zone, the first part of the world - south Pacific - goes to Dec. 22. Other parts of the Pacific will still be on Dec. 20.
When it gets to Dec. 22, it will be too late Mayans.

iWant your money

American Interest has the latest plans by Illinois unions to keep their retirement benefits - taxing downloads.
Most of these proposals are standard union boilerplate, but the taxes on cable TV and digital downloads stand out as particularly regressive. Normally, labor fights sales taxes because they are regressive; because poor people spend a higher percentage of their income on consumption goods (the rich save and invest), the poor end up paying a higher percentage of their income on sales taxes than the rich do.
But when it comes to union benefits, it’s clear that public union leaders only care about the money and will happily squeeze the poor as hard as they can.
They want to fill their coffers when you fill your iPod.

Out of commission

Powerline sees today's announcement of a "gun control commission" as the end of the current push on the issue.
I’m not sure whether Obama has seen poll data he doesn’t like, or is just being cautious and wants to let a few months go by before taking the public’s temperature on the issue. But for now, at least, he has stopped any movement toward increased gun regulation in its tracks.

Mr. Control

How can Joe Biden lead a panel on gun control when he has so little control of his mouth?

The party of no guns

Nate Silver has an interesting look at gun ownership - and for Democrats, less gun ownership.
In 1973, about 55 percent of Republicans reported having a gun in their household against 45 percent of Democrats, according to the General Social Survey, a biennial poll of American adults.
Gun ownership has declined over the past 40 years — but almost all of the decrease has come from Democrats. By 2010, according to the General Social Survey, the gun ownership rate among adults that identified as Democrats had fallen to 22 percent. It remained at about 50 percent among Republican adults.
The party that doesn't like guns wants to tell those who have guns about the need for restriction.
Good luck with that.

Schulz knows nothing

This photo popped up on my Facebook feed.

 

Why? He had the only gun in the room.
Thanks, Ed Schultz, for proving the opposite point.

Today's Tied with me

Technorati has this blog tied with Jets Report today in football authority.
They are looking for a new home for Tim Tebow.
Lots of Jets will be looking for new homes in the offseason.

Sick and tired

Are you hoping Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee in 2016?
She's sick now.
She was tired in September.
The commercials right themselves.
"I can't debate. I need a nap."
"I slept right through that 3 a.m. call."

Erasing their past

Biography TV has a show called "Killer Kids."
It's not listed as one of their shows today.
You have to know where to look to find it on the site.

Happy Wright Brothers day

It's the 109th anniversary of the Wright Brothers First Flight.
Wikipedia has this picture from 1929 of the monument designating the launching spot of the first flights.
Looks different today, but people love taking their picture by the rock.

Miracle of 33 games left

Peter King's column today mentions there are 33 regular season games left as we await Monday Night Football.
And there's 33 bowl games left.
There's your lottery numbers.

Questions

Instapundit lists some questions he'd like answered in the "national conversation on guns."
Here's one he's pounded this weekend
If you’re a media member or politician, do you have armed security? Do you have a permit for a gun yourself? (I’m asking you Dianne Feinstein!) If so, what makes your life more valuable than other people’s?
Still waiting on the answer.

Think before you speak next time

Reason offers the all-stars of bad comments over the Connecticut shootings.
Hope Governor Huckabee is proud to be part of this group.
Those hoping for gun control should know violence has declined over the past 20 years. It's media attention that has exploded.
Over the past several decades, virtually every state in the country has liberalized its gun control laws. In 2008 (in theHeller decision) and 2010 (McDonald), the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an individual right to bear arms. Despite a number of high-profile gun-violence cases - including this year's mass shooting in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater and 2011's shooting of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords - the past 20 years has seen a sharp and continuing decrease in violent crime.

What, me talk?

Powerline looks through the Washington Post article on the fiscal cliff to find this gem - a President unwilling to be seen negotiating with Republicans.
But the public image of a “dysfunctional Washington” is founded on the inability or unwillingness of the two political parties to work together to reach compromises. When President Obama declines to engage in intense negotiations, he only reinforces that image — or would if the press made his desire not to “be drawn to that level” more widely known.

Prepare for a new academic world

I left newspaper reporting in 1995, right before the internet transformed the business.
My boys will be college-age in a few years. Their college experience will be vastly different than mine, and probably vastly different than what's going on right now.
The future looks like this: Access to college-level education will be free for everyone; the residential college campus will become largely obsolete; tens of thousands of professors will lose their jobs; the bachelor’s degree will become increasingly irrelevant; and ten years from now Harvard will enroll ten million students.
Online news made many jobs obsolete. You can't fight the tide of free.
There's much duplication of courses at schools across the country. You don't need to pay your local instructor to do what the school can get from another source for cheaper - of free.
Schools need to look to the future with hope - welcoming opportunities for more learning - even if their personal kingdom struggles.

Where will you get pizza now?

Dominos has joined a lawsuit against the Obamacare requirement that contraception be part of the company's health insurance coverage.
After the election, Papa John noted his prices would rise due to the new requirements.
Where do you get your pizza now, liberals?
UPDATE: Included in Right Jabs at Political Clown Parade.

We're not getting into your van for that candy

The Obama administration seems surprised so many states are setting up health care exchanges as part of the Affordable Healthcare Act.
They offered money.
Bad guys offer kids candy to get into their vans.
Kids are smart to say no.
I think the states will be glad also.

"They'd like to win for a change"

An interesting look at the gun control debate on NRO's Corner.
Americans know that they could never do such things whether they had no guns or two hundred guns at their disposal. The mind of a man so ill or depraved that he is capable of an atrocity such as we saw at Newtown is not one that can be constrained by law. Nobody refrains from shooting up a school because it is illegal.

Saturday Christmas song

On a sad weekend, it's hard to feel the holiday spirit. The writer of this carol knew hard times - but knew God and good will prevail. Johnny and June Carter Cash sing "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."

"Powerless and terrifying experience"

The NBC News report on Newtown quoted a father after the attack.
The question is - would more gun control make more those who know how to use guns feel more powerless and terrified?

Facebook quote of the week

Pre Dawn Light over the Blue Ridge. Hot coffee. Time to walk the dog. Favorite part of the day.

Cliff notes

How are the fiscal cliff talks going?
Some fuss at Speaker Boehner.
Others fuss at President Obama.
Remember why we're here now - in the summer of 2011, president Obama wanted enough room under the debt limit to get past the election.
He got that.
Time to pay the bills.

Weekend watchdog

Are you ready for the 35 college football bowls?
It starts Saturday.
The New Mexico Bowl gets things started Saturday at 1 p.m., matching Arizona and Nevada on ESPN. Utah State and Toledo travel to the blue turf in Boise for the Idaho Bowl - bring chips and french fries.
After this appetizer, you get a break until Dec. 20. Then there's only three days without a bowl game on the road to the national championship January 7.
The lower divisions continue their drive for the title this weekend. Georgia Southern plays North Dakota State Friday at 8 p.m. in an FCS semifinal on ESPN2. The Division II championship matches Winston Salem State and Valdosta State Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2.
The Redskins' quest for the playoffs continues Sunday in Cleveland, with coverage on Fox at 1 p.m. The Ravens face Denver at 1 p.m. on CBS, followed by Dallas-Pittsburgh.
The Patriots face another tough foe in primetime, hosting the 49ers on NBC Sunday night. The Jets and Titans meet on ESPN Monday night.
Friday, ESPN offers the Celtics at Rockets at 8 p.m. followed by Grizzlies-Nuggets. Comcast offers the Lakers' trip to Washington Friday at 7 p.m., then the Wizards head south to face the Heat Saturday at 7 p.m.
CBS has the Hoosier state battle between Indiana and Butler Saturday at 2 p.m. The Brooklyn Hoops Winter Festival matches West Virginia and Michigan Saturday at 8 p.m. Arizona hosts Florida at 10 p.m.
ESPN2 has a pair of games Saturday - with Purdue meeting Notre Dame at 4:30 p.m. Kansas State faces Gonzaga at 9 p.m.
Boston College meets New Hampshire Sunday at 1 p.m. on Comcast.
Georgetown takes on Western Carolina Saturday at noon on MASN. Mt. Saint Mary's faces Loyola at 7:30 p.m.
The NCAA women's volleyball champion will be determined Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, as Texas faces Oregon.
NBC Sports network offers women's soccer between the United States and China Saturday at 7 p.m.

Learning from West Virginia

A long-standing college conference splits due to differences between football and basketball schools?
Big East, meet the Mountain East.
The Big East's seven basketball schools appear ready to take the ball away from the rest - those not picked for the ACC and those picked to fill the football slate.
The Mountain East should start play in the fall of 2013, with football-playing members of the West Virginia Conference taking their own direction in Division II.
WVC schools without football have had to find new homes.
The sports market of today has made old athletic ties more brittle.
From West Virginia to the rest of the country.

Can you now tell us about Benghazi?

Susan Rice won't be a future Secretary of State.
The Benghazi issue won't go away.

Tempest in a teapot

The TV was on NBC Wednesday, and there's a face I remember from the past - Tempestt Bledsoe now on Guys with Kids.
She was one of five kids in the Cosby show. Her character now has four kids.

Less money for you, more for me

Interesting article posted by Augusta Free Press on the coal industry and tax credits.
The gist - tax credits don't work for coal production so end them.
Coal costs more than what it's worth.
Are other government programs judged by that standard?
The study's authors offer a solution - more money to their groups.
If only we had more training and infrastructure projects going on.
Has the government been neglecting these areas for years?
There's an infrastructure project pending in Grundy - expansion of the airport.
The coal companies are ready to dig out the coal to make the project work.
The government is holding up the work.
The diversification people seek will be easier to do with that airport expansion.

Fixed. Fast

I-77 north of Charleston, West Virginia reopened 20 hours after a gas line rupture destroyed both lanes for over 800 feet.
Good job by this part of the government.
Some people have been in lines at the DMV longer.

The world can't end now

When the Mayans predicted the world would end in December of 2012, they didn't know McRib would be on sale then.
We can postpone the end of the world a few days.
UPDATE: Troglopundit likes the information.

12:12 on 12-12-12

Enjoy the minute.
You won't see another like it in a long time.

Another one bites the dust

The Sporting News announced the end of its print edition as of the beginning of 2013.
The website will live on.

Wolverines

An interesting day of protests in Michigan, with the passing and signing of a right to work law.
Since Camp of the Saints has the Wolverines picture, I'll link his coverage.
The battle continues, and in interesting places.

Birthday and get-well wishes

Jamie Jeffords is recovering from a hospital stay, but took time to post his annual video for his birthday.
Get well soon. Sci-fi fans miss you.

Ready for a lawsuit? Yuuuup

I guess three years of Storage Wars was enough for Dave Hester.
There's now a war against the producers for staging the show.
The show won't be much fun without Hester.
I bet discovery for the lawsuit will be great.

Today's Tied with me

Technorati has this blog tied with Holdout Sports today. They link the boy who joined the Tampa Bay Bucs dance team at Sunday's game.
The Today Show likes the kid.

Rules to blog by

BC at Im41 collects the thoughts from several bloggers for dealing with the current political crisis.
And remember, every girl's crazy for a sharp-looking blog.

Great Scott

South Carolina needs a new Senator to replace Jim DeMint.
The eyes are focused on the Lowcountry, home to Tim Scott.
Sounds like a great choice.

Show me the climate money

Another year, another global climate conference.
Another year of talk and no action.
The Kyoto protocol, the ineffectual walking dead climate treaty, will lurch on for a few more years, toothless and brain dead. The rich countries yet again remain vague about what for most developing countries is the only real point of the whole thing, substituting vague pledges of good well for the annual $100 billion in green gold demand by the third world countries whose clueless militancy turned the General Assembly into a pointless sideshow decades ago.
Keep talking, and we'll keep living our lives.

Other than that, the story was accurate

Yahoo News picked up a press release last week.
PJ Tatler picked it apart Sunday.
The press release stated Fox News viewers had lower IQs than the rest of the population.
PJ Tatler tried to find the source.
The phone number was from Washington, D.C., but the address on the press release was Alabama. And the group behind the study?
Only one found on Google, and it's in Australia.
And it's not the real name of the group behind the press release.
A four-year study sparked by the outcome of the recent election, from an institution that’s admittedly a fake, from a company that won’t identify itself, supposedly funded by a Republican PAC trying to “cut off” the Tea Party like a cancer, using a sample that was chosen with a particular result in mind, with a contact number that’s an anonymous free Google Voice number.
Other than that, the story was accurate.
UPDATE: Snopes joins the story.

Attacking a minority

All of this talk about making the top two percent pay more - aren't they are minority since they are only two percent of the population?
The majority wants to inflict pain on a minority to make its life better.
We must work together to prevent this, and all, minorities.

Dog gone it

Bummed that the Ravens lost Sunday.
While the Steelers and Bengals also lost, the Ravens' loss wasn't good.
On the two-point conversion to tie the game, I saw the formation and yelled "quarterback draw."
The dogs heard me.
They will verify my story.

One good way to get links

American Glob posted about five bloggers he'd like to see analyze the news on Fox.
Legal Insurrection humbles notices the attention.

More global warming whining

It's a weekend in December and I walked the dog this morning without a jacket - just a short-sleeve shirt.
You'd like people would enjoy the unexpected warmth.
Not the global warming whiners.
I found this blog at the National Resources Defense Council website - we must fight climate change so people can ski.
Yesterday NRDC and Protect Our Winters released a report that analyzes recent snow conditions and projected impacts of climate change on skiing, snowboarding, and the snowmobile industry. The study looks at the significant economic size of the industry and what's at stake due to a changing climate.
The report finds that a bad snow season hits the economies of ¾ (38) of U.S. states--clearly showing that lower snow years result in fewer skier visits compared to higher snow years. That translates into money, and people’s livelihoods, jobs, and lifestyles.
If it doesn't snow, people don't think skiing.
They won't support ski resorts.
But they will support something else.
Probably something global whining clingers can't control.

What the frack

Via Powerline, the money behind the movie that talks about the money behind the fracking controversy.
Promised Land is funded in part by the Emirates, a member of OPEC. Hmm…what interest might the Emirates have in discouraging the U.S. from developing its own energy reserves? Talk about stooges! The goofs who made this movie know whereof they speak.

The perfect stocking stuffer

If you're looking for a great gift for an 11-year-old boy, I'd recommend the Sooper Dooper Reindeer Pooper.
Mine loved it.

Facebook quote of the week

It would be nice to sleep past 5:00 am....at least on a Saturday....uuuuggggghhhh

Recycling update

The price for aluminum cans remains steady at 45 cents per pound.
Lots of traffic to start this morning in Fishersville.

Saturday Christmas song

My church has a series on Christmas songs to prepare for the season.
Here's a nice song, except the gospels don't say the angels sang.
They shouted.
Maybe they can change the first two lines.
Hark! the heralded angels shout
Jesus is what Christmas is about.

He's the king

Baseball held its winter meetings in Nashville this week, and Minor League Baseball honored Bluefield's George McGonagle as "King of Baseball."
He survived dealing with me for years at Bowen Field.
He deserves the recognition.

Weekend watchdog

Baltimore and Washington both made the baseball playoffs.
Will they repeat the trick in football?
The Ravens make the short drive to Fed Ex Field Sunday at 1 p.m. to take on the Redskins. CBS has coverage at 1 p.m.
The Ravens can clinch a playoff berth with a victory, but they could have won the AFC North last weekend before falling to Pittsburgh. The Redskins have won three straight to improve to 6-6, a game behind the Giants in the NFC East.
Fox throughout central Virginia shows the Cowboys at Bengals at 1 p.m., while Fox in Washington must wait until 4 p.m. before showing the Saints and Giants.
The AFC's top-seed - Houston - faces New England on ESPN Monday night. NBC has the Packers hosting the Lions Sunday night.
The final regular season game of the college football season kicks off at 3 p.m., as CBS offers the Army-Navy game.
ESPN has the Heisman Trophy award Saturday at 8 p.m. The Football Championship Series (I-AA) playoffs continue on ESPN2 Friday at 8 p.m. when Sam Houston State faces Montana State. Saturday at noon, Georgia Southern takes on Old Dominion at ESPN.
The Celtics take on the 76ers Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN, followed by the Lakers heading to Oklahoma City. The Wizards travel to Atlanta Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast, then the Warriors come to Washington Saturday at 7 p.m.
ESPN has a pair of college basketball games Saturday, with Duke-Temple at 3:15 p.m. followed by UCLA against Texas. There's six games on ESPN2 Saturday, with Virginia Tech hosting West Virginia at 4 p.m. At noon, Kentucky hosts Portland before Colorado plays Kansas. It's the battle of the Badger State at 6 p.m. with Wisconsin meeting Marquette. Arizona heads to Clemson at 8 p.m. with Illinois meeting Gonzaga at 10 p.m.
CBS has Arkansas traveling to Michigan Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
North Carolina State hosts Cleveland State Saturday at 1 p.m. on Comcast.
MASN offers Harvard-Connecticut Friday at 7 p.m., then there's a pair of non-conference Big East games Saturday. Georgetown hosts Towson at noon, followed by UMES at Cincinnati.
NBC Sports network offers VCU at Old Dominion Friday at 9:15 p.m. There's a pair of games Saturday, with Northern Iowa facing George Mason at 6 p.m. and Villanova against Pennsylvania in the nightcap.
Notre Dame plays Michigan in college ice hockey Friday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
NBC has the Shark Shootout Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
The finals of the WTBA World Bowling Tour finals goes Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN.

It's the stupid spending

Captain Ed returns to the 1990s - and sees bubbles and spending cuts instead of magically higher tax rates.
In his eight years as President, Clinton reduced federal spending to 18.2 percent of GDP from 22.1 percent, thanks in large part to a Republican-controlled Congress that forced the issue. Defense spending as a portion of GDP declined by 1.8 points, but non-defense spending dropped by 2.2 points. Clinton and the Republicans in Congress cut spending on domestic discretionary programs as well as entitlement spending through welfare reform.

iContinue

Nick's iCarly has ended its run, but one of the characters will move on to a new show.
Where's the spinoff for Gibby?

Standing in line

An interesting column from the Bluefield Daily Telegraph on interacting with the government.
Earlier this year I had to visit a state agency for a routine matter. I walked through the doors expecting delays and a long wait-time. That, in itself, is a giant red flag.
And the experience was worse than the expectation.
I became antsy just watching from the sidelines. Why didn’t the employees move into high gear? Why didn’t they pick it up a notch to clear the lines and satisfy the customers’ needs?
Apparently, customer service wasn’t the key concern.
As more people jumped into the ever-growing line, I was shocked when one of the two women behind the counter nonchalantly closed her station to go on break.
I was flabbergasted. Who takes a break when there are 20-some customers waiting for service?
Thanks for thinking of the people who pay your salary.

33 million combinations

How does Dominos meet the calorie-counting mandate?
They add more items, with more options, to meet customer needs.
Now they have to figure out how to meet this government need.
McDonalds has their calorie info on menus in Fishersville.
Do I look at it?
Nah.
I order what I always have.
If you count calories, you already know what's best for you.
If you don't worry about calories, new menus won't make a difference.

Missing ice hockey

With the NHL still in lockout, there's limited action on ice on TV.
NBC sports network offers a few college games, and Thursday Comcast has a game between AHL teams Hershey and Norfolk.
It's not enough.

If you're going to San Francisco

TaxProf has the latest tax news.
If the Bush tax rates expire, three states will have rates over 50 percent.
That's what you get for voting for Obama - New York, California and Hawaii.

Where did this treaty come from?

Tuesday, the U.S. Senate debated and failed to approve a United Nations treaty about the disabled.
There was dramatic video of ailing Bob Dole going to the Senate for the vote.
Where did this treaty come from?
Was there any discussion in the campaign?
Anything before yesterday? I never heard of it.
It's an opportunity to bash Republicans for taking a stand for American sovereignty.
Another chance for Democrats to hide their agenda behind a sympathetic group.

Almost time to give

Christmas in Fishersville means the Big Give, which will be Saturday at Expoland.
People will come.
Members of area churches will be ready to serve.

No one working

College Insurrection highlights an Ohio college where a work crew had to stop - their "Men working" sign wasn't inclusive enough.
This happened the day before Thanksgiving.
Which college has classes that day?
I though even community colleges closed then.

Meanwhile in Florida

It's been a while since George Zimmerman has been in the news.
There's still time under the trial about the death of Trayvon Martin.
Legal Insurrection has the latest pictures from the case.

Today's Tied with me

Checking Technorati, this blog is tied with Augusta Free Press.
Hey, I know those guys.

"Squeezy, the Pension Python"

What to understand how badly government pensions are doing?
Illinois tries "Squeezy, the Pension Python."
Squeezy seems to hang out around government buildings.
It's actually squeezing taxpayers harder.

Some new tax ideas

Instapundit has a column in USA Today bringing his ideas to boost revenue - higher taxes for government workers and Hollywood actors.
If you can raise taxes on the top two percent, why not hit other small groups as well?

He put the biscuit in the basket

Via Dustbury, an idea for labor problems with the NHL and Hostess.

More babies

Ross Douthat tells how today's economic problems could increase future troubles - we're not producing enough future taxpayers.
The retreat from child rearing is, at some level, a symptom of late-modern exhaustion — a decadence that first arose in the West but now haunts rich societies around the globe. It’s a spirit that privileges the present over the future, chooses stagnation over innovation, prefers what already exists over what might be. It embraces the comforts and pleasures of modernity, while shrugging off the basic sacrifices that built our civilization in the first place.

Look how all the Christmas lights are on

Time again for my Climategate carol.
Especially good since some neighbors put up their lights two weeks before Thanksgiving.

Al Gore speaks, no one's listening
In the lane, lights are glistening
Oh what a sight
With houses really bright
Seeing all the Christmas lights are on

Gone away is good science
Here to stay, blind allegiance
We're singing our song
Yet lights come on
Look how all the Christmas lights are on

On computers we can cook some data
then pretend that it is warmer now
They'll ask: Are you sure?
We'll say: You know, man
And here's the hockey stick that we have found

Later on, we'll conspire,
With warnings, that are dire
Make the people afraid
We'll pass cap and trade
No more seeing Christmas lights turned on

On computers we can cook some data
And say skeptics are just circus clowns
We'll have lots of fun with our bad data
Until our own emails knock us down.

When we speak, ain't it thrilling
People's hearts, they are chilling
We'll frolic and play, the socialist way,
No more seeing Christmas lights turned on

Four-gone conclusion

A four-win season meant four assistant coaches at the University of Virginia got their walking papers Sunday.
We'll see how the fourth year goes for Mike London.
Or if there's going to be any more years.

Modern day church problems

This morning, my church had a problem not seen by the early church - or churches of recent eras.
The pastor was ready to deliver his sermon, but the AV guys had to reboot the computer to have information ready.
Songleader, can we have two more songs until the computer is ready?

Monster of Monticello?

Legal Insurrection questions the attacks on Thomas Jefferson in a New York Times op-ed.
Never is the question asked, in that time period in the world, who was so pure? Indeed, who is so pure today? The monstrous treatment of women in the Islamic world today gets hardly a mention from the people obsessed with attacking the human imperfections of our Founding Fathers. A critical examination of a certain other historical figure likely will get you targeted for beheading.

Finale in Fishersville

Wilson Memorial's run to the state championship game came one game short again this year - again to Goochland. This time it was 35-0.
Next year, there will be a new playoff system.
I think Goochland is moving up a division.
Won't miss them.

Facebook quote of the week

Not usually awake this early on a Saturday but the tree and Christmas music playing are compensating -- and coffee, lots of coffee.

Saturday song

A Facebook friend inspired this choice. He just thinks "all the pie is gone."