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The truth shall set you free, but first it's going to piss you off
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Sunday, November 28, 2010
Posted
11/28/2010 09:03:00 PM
by Douglas
Leslie Nielsen, the Canadian-born actor who in middle age tossed aside three decades of credibility in dramatic and romantic roles to make a new, far more successful career as a comic actor in films like “Airplane!” and the “Naked Gun” series, died on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 84.I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you. Barbara Billingsley, now Leslie Nielsen? Labels: Airplane Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Posted
11/23/2010 05:49:00 PM
by Douglas
"Why the counties are complaining I'm not sure. If they want to get out there on the highway and make those traffic stops and such, then they could have a bigger share of those proceeds from any currencies that were seized."This article is a rambling diatribe about how they seize money. This is the second part of this story, and I can't seem to find part one, which was more focused on "taking the drugs off the street." You know, because there aren't any illegal drugs anywhere. But the part that burns up (small 'l') libertarians is what a cash cow this is for poor, rural law enforcement agencies. This flies in the face of the "legalize and tax it" argument that comes from those against the drug war. Is this cash/drug seizure just a tax? I haven't seen a prospectus for one of the Cartels (but I bet they're doing better than my 401(k) right now) but does anyone think they're really suffering when they lose a few million dollars to the County Mounties in Podunk, Texas? It's just the cost of doing business for them. Labels: I-40 Drug Bust Monday, November 22, 2010
Posted
11/22/2010 05:40:00 PM
by Douglas
Now that Pluto may have regained its status as the largest object in the outer solar system, should astronomers consider giving it back another former title — that of full-fledged planet?It's the only "planet" that has an orbit inclined over 10º to the ecliptic. It's also smaller than the moon. Keep Pluto OFF the planet list! Labels: Pluto
Posted
11/22/2010 05:22:00 PM
by Douglas
Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore said support for corn-based ethanol in the United States was “not a good policy”, weeks before tax credits are up for renewal.Wow, and that mistake only cost $40 Billion dollars of our money going to ADM. Yay? Labels: ethanol
Posted
11/22/2010 05:08:00 PM
by Douglas
Hugh Prather, a self-help author whose first book, “Notes to Myself,” put an aphoristic finger on the pulse of the ’70s, has sold more than five million copies and inspired the long-running “Saturday Night Live” segment “Deep Thoughts,” died on Nov. 15 at his home in Tucson. He was 72.What they don't tell you is that EVERYONE in Tucson dies in a hot tub. This has to be my favorite: One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance, I was going to take my little nephew to Disneyland, but instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse. "Oh, no," I said. "Disneyland burned down." He cried and cried, but I think that deep down, he thought it was a pretty good joke. I started to drive over to the real Disneyland, but it was getting pretty late. Friday, November 19, 2010
Posted
11/19/2010 10:58:00 PM
by Douglas
The Southwest Freeway feeder road at Bellaire is one of the busiest traffic spots in the city. More drivers ran the red light than anywhere else in September; a total of 1,600 times -- more than 50 times a day the red light cameras snapped pictures of alleged red-light runners, generating a lot of money for the city.Two things about this that is monumentally stupid. First, if one camera catches 50 people running the red light each day and sends them a ticket in the mail, the intersection isn't any safer. And also, this: In September alone, Houston's cameras combined netted $1.1 million, of which $330,000 went to the city.The city only gets to keep a third of the money? What a sweetheart deal that is, for the company that provides them.
Posted
11/19/2010 10:48:00 PM
by Douglas
Bossi was taken to a private room where two female Charlotte TSA agents began what she calls an "aggressive" pat-down.And here's the real reason for this sudden increase in security. As always, follow the money. Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Posted
11/09/2010 05:12:00 PM
by Douglas
The clearest manifestation of this is the rise of the idea of sustainability. The doctrine of sustainability demands that we don’t take any risks with our future. Taking decisive action to promote progress is seen as far more dangerous than simply staying still. That is why, these days, the ideals of development, progress and economic growth enjoy little cultural valuation. In contrast, just to ‘sustain’ a future of more of the same is represented as a worthwhile objective.Interesting paradigm, considering the 21st century's pussification of humanity. Thursday, November 04, 2010
Posted
11/04/2010 05:39:00 PM
by Douglas
Houstonians rejected the city's red light camera program in a hard-fought ballot contest, delivering an immediate $10 million hit to an already dire budget situation at City Hall.I know those figures don't include all those that don't pay, but that's $55 a ticket. But it's not about the money. Except that it is. I don't generally read the opinion page of the Hearst-on Chronicle, but this is a bit much: The city of Houston, its police department, area trauma centers and the contractor managing the cameras receive millions of dollars in revenue generated by the red-light citations. Since the city installed the system in 2006, nearly 800,000 tickets have been issued with $43.7 million collected.You can't rebut the "it's all about the money" argument for the cameras with "they want money, too." It's such a stupid argument. I don't think anyone thinks running red lights is a good idea, nor do I really think that most reasonable people think it's an effective attempt to enforce criminal law. But here's the rub that I don't see how either side can refute: In four years they've issued over 800,000 tickets. One thing is very clear. The cameras do not stop people running red lights. Monday, November 01, 2010
Posted
11/01/2010 08:13:00 PM
by Douglas
I guess only Democrats don't like to get rained on?
Posted
11/01/2010 07:56:00 PM
by Douglas
I don't think "The Man Show" version of this is online, it's almost as funny as the fight to end women's suffrage.
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