I'm Home

The other night I had my first true Louisiana Gumbo in years. It was truly unbelievable and that first taste made it all feel right. New house, old friends, new jobs, new school for the boys - a new chapter has begun in our life. We are still pinching ourselves that this is it. For the next 20 to 30 years we will call this house home and our boys will leave as young men to start their independent lives from this place. God has blessed us greatly.

Today was my soon-to-be 6 year old's first flag football practice. It was great; all little boys should play if physically able. To watch this coach take a large group of boys and direct them with the aid of a whistle was a sight to behold. If you've seen the movie Friday Night Lights you should have an idea of how passionate the south is about football. I would never classify myself in that category, but to a certain degree it is good for them.

Quote of the week:

5 yr old "C": Mommy, what are you drinking?
Me: My diet drink to help mommy get skinny.
C: Skinny?
Me: Yeah, you know, don't you want a skinny mommy?
C: I just want you to be soft!

Foreign Policy 101

The brilliant Charles Krauthammer has detailed the last 3 experiments of US foreign policy in the last fifteen years. I can not overstate what an amazing must read this is for anyone who desires to argue foreign policy ideology in an intelligent manner.

Here's a lighter quote from Churchill that made me laugh out loud.

In the absence of omnipotence, one must deal with the lesser of two evils. That means postponing radically destabilizing actions in places where the support of the current nondemocratic regime is needed against a larger existential threat to the free world. There is no need to apologize for that. In World War II we allied ourselves with Stalin against Hitler. (As Churchill said shortly after the German invasion of the U.S.S.R.: "If Hitler invaded hell I would make at least a favorable reference to the devil in the House of Commons.") This was a necessary alliance, and a temporary one: When we were done with Hitler, we turned our attention to Stalin and his successors.

That was just a crumb people, go get that cookie. Your brain will be bigger for it.

New Link

I've added a new blog on my side-bar called RIght. My Rhode Island friends will be very interested in this one. Lots and lots of RI politics done well.

Big Catch

Here's a tale of a big catch in Massachusetts.

Despite its monstrous proportions - 1,191 pounds - this toothsome tiger shark did not win the competition, however, because the captain was six minutes too late into the Oak Bluffs harbor.

''This is an unbelievable monster shark . . . it's truly a dinosaur,'' said James, who had to break the news to the captain, Damon Sacco, out of Sandwich, that his entry missed the deadline.

Don't miss the picture, Dude. It is impressive.

Where are all the animal wackos in Mass? I would think they'd be all over this.

Only Poor Mentors Need to Apply

An admirable story today in my local paper, The Shreveport Times, tells of a mentoring program by the state:

A Caddo program wants parish inmates' permission to let senior citizens mentor their children in hopes that the youths don't wind up in jail like their parents.

I think we can all get behind something like this. However, one point jumped out at me that I can not make sense of, the criteria for being a foster grandparent includes a limited income:

A foster grandparent must be at least 60 years of age, willing to donate 20 hours a week and have a limited income.

What am I missing here? Does the state feel that people who are financially secure represent a bad portion of society or can not give love and guidance to a child? Nothing like limiting your pool of applicants that desire to help needy children.

Your government at work.

Rove Links

This post is not for regular blososphere readers for this will contain links to posts you have probably already read. However, for my friends who come by here and maybe don't stop at the big guys everyday, I've got some Karl Rove links to fill you in on all the good dish.

First off, Christopher Hitchens calls BS on big heaping pile of the stuff. Good links there to the original stuff including the Financial Times story that is an absolute must read if you want to discuss this story intelligently.

Then PowerLine has a terrific post detailing the MSM malpractice of the whole affair.

And if that's not enough for you, The Belgravia Dispatch had a nice post on how libs are spinning to spin the facts.

It's all good my friends. Wilson is the scum of the earth and his wife is right there with him.

I know some of this is old reading, but if you missed it before it is now essential reading as the MSM is in full Freak-Out mode, which means they're 'misrepresenting facts' around every corner.

UPDATE: Don't stop reading until you've had a nice bit of political satire from the one and only Beautiful Atrocities. It's really, really good.

Stranded....

At home that is. I am now in my fourth week without my vehicle. The most painful part of a long, long distance move is the transport of vehicles. I highly recommend selling your cars if you can; I'm wishing we had sold at least one of ours right now. Actually, the whole ordeal provides a great case study of an oxymoron.

Let's begin with Webster's definition:

Main Entry: ox·y·mo·ron
Pronunciation: "äk-sE-'mor-"än
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ox·y·mo·ra /-'mor-&/
Etymology: Late Greek oxymOron, from neuter of oxymOros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mOros foolish
: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (as cruel kindness); broadly : something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements

First you have the name of the car transport company handling our vehicles' move: Dependable Auto Shippers.

Dependable? Absolutely NOT. In my experience of shipping four cars with these folks, it is painfully clear that dependable would be the opposite of the quality of service they provide. Hence, we have ourselves a great example of an oxymoron.

Folks, they tell you it will take an estimated 14 - 16 days to get your car to you. We're about to go into our 26th day of waiting. That's right baby.... almost 4 weeks without a vehicle. Where can I pick up my "Having to Tolerate the Most Incompetent" award? The moving company we used was able to come the day they promised, pack our entire household, load on the scheduled day and deliver cross country exactly as planned. So why is it that Dependable Auto Shippers can't take two items and deliver anywhere near the promised time frame? Their standard excuse is "well this is our busiest time of the year." This is also true of the moving companies, but they can manage to do what they promise. If Dependable Auto Shippers can't handle the work load then they should not promise the service or get out of the game.

Did I mention the company's name yet? It would be Dependable Auto Shippers. Am I sure you ask? Yes, it's Dependable Auto Shippers. Dependable Auto Shippers. Dependable Auto Shippers.

My advice: Pay a friend/Relative who'd appreciate a little extra cash to fly up and drive your vehicle to you. They'll appreciate the money and you will maintain a little control over your vehicle.

Off Again...

I'm taking off tomorrow for a family vacation in San Diego. I'll be back when I'm back!!

Cool Floyd

To continue with my pre-occupation of Pink Floyd, here is a video provided by Crooks and Liars. Sure they're old, but still very, very good.

Enjoy the music.

(Link via Instapundit)

Update: Link fixed. I've gone back and watched the video a few more times, boy are they good. Don't miss out.

Eating Catfood

I absolutely never read the comics any more, not since Calvin and Hobbs were retired into comic strip history. Maybe because I don't subscribe to a newspaper would explain this as well. However, as many of you know I've recently landed back in Louisiana to take up permanent residence. I've been reading the local newspaper because a nice paper boy has been putting one in front of my door every day. No telling how much longer the previous owner's subscription has left.

So here I am in my new house browsing through my rare print paper and ran across this comic. If you're a regular blog reader you really should read it, and if you're a blogger you really, really must read it. I'll wait for ya....

Okay....for the record:

1) I have no desire to be a journalist; I blog to share with my friends and family what I think to be worthy for their enjoyment/information. You see, by maintaining this site I don't have to spam my friends. They all know where to come for links and commentary. The added benefit has been the acquaintance of many fine commenters and fellow bloggers.

2) I'm fully involved with a real job, even signed a contract to become a dreaded academic. On top of that I'm involved in decisions that directly impacts medical treatment of the most dreadfully sick. Oh well, maybe one day I can spend my forty hours a week coming up with derogatory snips while coloring within the lines. One can only hope. Isn't it funny how this one little hobby gets under the skin of so many? I've learned in my short 35 years on this planet that folks with this attitude towards others are simply insecure, petty people.

3) Finally, let the record show: I have absolutely never, ever consumed catfood for my own nourishment. Now rabbit food is a different story....

Trudeau is a complete and total waste of space.

More background: Here and here.