The Sorting Hat does its work

Hufflepuff, what about you?






REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Denver is on empty

Denver is running low on gasoline. This story is from the Denver Post via The Oil Drum. Is this a sign of things to come this summer?

As long as there is gas, rising prices are little more than an inconvenience and a topic of conversation. When supplies are limited or absent, we'll see more uproar. I'll be curious to see how shortages play out around the country this summer.

Image from here.

George channels his inner monkey

Gawd, I love this. Yahoo snarks for me.

Condi, your uncle wants to talk to you.

This poster is WW I vintage, but I would say it's good advice for anyone who has received an invitation to a hearing.

Abby Normal, call for Abby Normal

Frankenstein is from a google image search. Inset is by Jim Young from Reuters.

Immunity for Monica G

The House Judiciary Committee voted moments ago to grant immunity to Monica Goodling
Think Progress has more.

Lots of folks have been speculating on this. I'm not really surprised.
The rethuglicans have their very own Monica. Let's hope she can't innoculate anyone. Reckon she has her own email backup?

Think this story will be covered in Regent University's Alumni Newsletter?

Would that it were the other way around...

From Raw Story

Waxman: We have hit a brick wall with Rice


(image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Joshurtree/Brick_wall

Kucinich remembers my birthday

I didn't even know Dennis knew my birthday. Aw shucks. It's a really really nice present.

Update: Kucinich delays announcement of Articles of Impeachment for Cheney. Cheney's clot is acting up. Of course, Cheney seems to be healthy enough to head to the hill to blast Reid. (figuratively speaking, of course, I hope). Story breaking now on Raw Story.

Compare and contrast

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas) via Watertiger
(http://www.skullsunlimited.com)
Do I really need to add a comment?

Gonzales' secret strategy

(picture from here)
I have been pondering Gitmo's sorry performance since yesterday. After much cogitation (boy, am I tired) I've figured out his plan. The end times are nigh.

The Rapture will be this weekend. Yessiree, that must be what is happening. Gonzo expects to be teleported to heaven. Unfortunately for him, Saint Peter has contracted with Patrick Leahy to work security at the Pearly Gates. Let's just say Gonzo won't be in the express lane.

I'll be here next week for anyone who is "left behind".

This just in.

Vermont Senate calls for impeachment of Bush, Cheney

By Shay Totten | Vermont Guardian

Posted April 20, 2007

Editor's Note: This story was updated at noon with comments from Senate Pres. Pro Tem Peter Shumlin.

MONTPELIER — The Vermont Senate this morning approved by a 16-9 margin a resolution calling on the U.S. House to launch impeachment proceedings of Pres. George W. Bush and Vice Pres. Dick Cheney.

more

Arma virumque cano

Arma virumque cano
I haven't yet blogged about the tragedy at Virginia Tech, but my $.02 is still worth $.0221 Canadian.

I'm wearing maroon but no orange today (not on purpose to support the Hokies, whatever a Hokie is). I was in Atlanta at the end of December. I saw a lot of Hokies who were in town for the (insert giant corporate sponsor name here) Peach (we can't call it that anymore) Bowl. They were just like us, all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors. The most memorable one was the man who was so big that his wife had to tie his shoes after he went through airport security. She was a just a wee thing. It was a touching yet somehow unsettling scene.

Cho Seung-Hui was profoundly disturbed young man. Unfortunately, predicting his violence is only possible in hindsight. He could have as easily slipped into substance abuse and life on the streets, or gone on to a successful career as a writer, or most anything else, though his social skills could have used an upgrade.

I grew up with guns, but today there are too many guns and they are too easy to obtain and there are too many people too willing to use them. As far as gun control, I am in favor of it. That being said, I hunted with firearms from the time I was eight. At 11, I got a shotgun for Xmas. I hunted (birds and varmints) through high school and once or twice later. When I was growing up, we had a small arsenal in my house. (now passed own to my siblings, the arsenal, not the house.)

I used to carry a .357 magnum for personal protection. I had a nice leather shoulder holster. I wore it openly sometimes and concealed sometimes. Oh, did I mention I worked in Alaska in bear territory? I sold my pistol when I moved from Alaska to the big "scary" city.

I had an uncle (by marriage) who didn't hunt in my memory, but slept with a pistol under his pillow, traveled with it in his pocket, or on the seat beside him in the car. I don't know what he was afraid of, or thought would happen. His son (he's the oldest cousin and I'm the youngest) learned to hunt under the tutelage of my father and other uncles. After my dad died when I was four, my cousin was one of my father surrogates. He was a life member of the NRA, a certifiable gun enthusiast, but not a nut. I can remember reading American Rifleman (the "organ" of the NRA) from a young age. I remember being amazed that you could subscribe to a magazine forever.

Anyway, a few years ago, we were talking and somehow the NRA came up. I was gobsmacked to learn that he had renounced his membership. His comment was along the lines of "they never talk/write about shooting and hunting anymore, all they do is beg for money to do more politicking." He's a hunter plain and simple, and also anti-handgun, anti-assault weapon. He definitely has the smarts to see through the NRA's bovine excrement. I only wish more people had the mental wherewithal to do their own thinking and not let the NRA dictate their position.

Bush muses

"Remember in Planet of the Monkeys when he found his friend and he had a scar right here? Ah'd like a free bottle in front of me, too. Hehehehe. Won't get fooled again."
(AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

Version Up

The RNC has acknowledged problems with their email and communication systems. In order to circumvent problems in the future, the RNC has signed a multi-million dollar contract with Halliburton Dubai for a new system. (pictured at left)

Image from here

Is there a waterboard on this playground?

Image from here
Recess! I've been half listening to the Gonzales hearings this morning. They are at recess now. I hope no one beats up Alberto on the playground.

His morning has been rough as a cob from what I've seen. Even his rethuglican litter mates haven't been nice to him.

I think Alberto may be ready for the memory unit at the local nursing home. One commentator counted 55 "I-don't-recalls" during this morning's questioning. Maybe we should send him a big bottles of ginko biloba. That might help with the memory problems.