tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-218903542024-03-13T08:07:47.813-04:00black sky theory<b>A reasonable doubt for a reasonable fee.</b>roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-66843364355039918282007-06-13T07:09:00.000-04:002007-06-13T07:22:24.229-04:00keith from west liberty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/butchie_shaun_john_01_252.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/butchie_shaun_john_01_252.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Roxtar has got to get back in the game....roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1170591212466087792007-02-04T06:27:00.000-05:002007-02-04T14:19:46.003-05:00Hangin' Out My Shingle.....(or just hangin' out)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/barrister.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/barrister.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>After 14+ years of practicing law, first as an employee in a private firm, then as an employee in a State agency, my entreprenurial urge has gotten the better of me and I'm going into business for myself and my clients on March 3, 2007. (That is most assuredly NOT me pictured at right.)<br /><br />I have newfound respect for the small businessperson. Getting a business off the ground is like the Chinese Water Torture....one little thing after another. Business license, tax certificate, logo design, stationery, signage, website (watch for the launch, to be announced here), office space to be leased and remodeled, insurance, software and equipment to evaluate and purchase, phones, internet service.....every time I pick up my checklist to strike an item, I find myself adding two more. And I am doing this while maintaining my full client load at the Justice Mill. (My aforementioned murder trial resulted in a <a href="http://www.news-register.net/news/articles.asp?articleID=15755">plea</a> which had been in the works since before I decided to make the leap, so that has freed up a few hours, but the press of time is acute.)<br /><br />When I open the doors, I'm expecting the sphincter-tightening realization that there is not another paycheck in the pipeline. Root hog, or die, as the saying goes. But there will be rewards of a less tangible nature. When my travels take me past a nice little stream, I can try to persuade a few trout onto my dinner plate, without thinking up some phoney-baloney excuse for my boss. I can take on meritorious cases that wouldn't have qualified for my previous agency's services, and I can reject those cases in which the defendant is just trying to game the system (or at least charge a fee commensurate with the insult to my self-respect.)<br /><br />I can set my own schedule, which will make my wife happy when it's time to visit the kids at the Cape, or attend a dog show out of town. As Jan-Michael Vincent said to Darren McGavin in an obscure 70's army flick ("Tribes"), when asked why he didn't wear underwear, "Sir, I like the freedom, sir!"<br /><br />If I want to put a sign that says "Worst President Ever" in my office window, I can do it. If I want to represent a draft resister, should it come to that, I can do it. If I want to be politically active without fear of recrimination, I can do it. Because, you see, I like the freedom, too.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1170419403023944802007-02-02T07:17:00.000-05:002007-02-02T07:30:03.040-05:00Groundhog Day.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/groundhog.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/groundhog.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Little buck-toothed bastard says early spring. Well, I'm not going to get my hopes up. And by the by, today is the one year anniversary of Black Sky Theory. Thanks to all my visitors. You guys are the best. I look forward to another year.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1169638977049122402007-01-24T06:17:00.000-05:002007-01-24T06:42:57.090-05:00Absolut Pandemonium<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/absolut.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/absolut.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>A couple of hectic weeks here in BlackSky Country. We welcomed a litter of <a href="http://www.mariwyl.com/nursery.html">10 Lab pups</a> on the 8th, which has cut into our sleeping time. (There's a puppy slide show at the bottom of the linked page...) We have a houseguest, which requires us to be sociable. I've been laying the groundwork for a new business venture (more on which coming soon). And to top things off, I recently learned that an upcoming murder case, which I thought would be resolved by a plea, might go to trial after all. Yeah, that won't occupy much of my time.<br /><br />So anyway, I've been a little slack here at the blog, and in my correspondence. I've also been trying to push to the back of my mind a scheme that has been bubbling up lately, inspired by some unrelated, but contemporaneous, posts on various blogs of our mutual acquaintance. <br /><br />In broad strokes, I'm talking about conversation, recreation and <i>al fresco</i> gustation. In other words, an old-fashioned, wood-burning, mosquito-slapping cookout/campout, sometime this summer, somewhere on the Cleveburg/NoVa axis. (Ohiopyle State Park in PA has nice facilities, rafting, fishing, swimming and tubing, and tours of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, just to pose one possible location.)<br /><br />Folding chairs, adult beverages, campfire cooking, tons o' fun for the whole fam damily! Any interest?roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1168772363427134252007-01-14T05:53:00.000-05:002007-01-14T08:47:28.326-05:00I have a dream.........<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/bushjailD.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 230px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/bushjailD.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.</span><br /><br />Dr. Martin Luther King, Washington, DC, August 28, 1963roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1168683385823731452007-01-13T04:55:00.000-05:002007-01-13T05:16:25.840-05:00Pick 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/3picks.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/3picks.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> Here's a little audience participation number. Pick 3 invites you to give not one, not two, but THREE opinions on the topic at hand. The topic will vary: three best switch-hitting American League shortstops, three best cookie recipes, three most vapid celebrities. You never know what you're gonna get, but you're gonna get a chance to make your picks and make your case.<br /><br />To start things off, list the three greatest guitar riffs in rock music history. Not great guitarists, not smoking polyrhythmic Mahavishnu John McLaughlin solos. Just riffs.<br /><br />I'll get the ball rolling with my faves:<br /><br />1. Aqualung (those first six notes)<br />2. Smoke on the Water (need I say more?)<br />3. The All-Purpose Chuck Berry riff. (You know the one I mean.)<br /><br />OK, that leaves about a million others for you to divvy up amongst yourselves. And after you post your 3, I promise you'll think of 30 more, but there's a three riff per post limit.<br /><br />And while we're on the subject of threes, I refer you to three additions to the blogroll. <a href="http://lancemannion.typepad.com/lance_mannion/">Lance Mannion</a> and <a href="http://chervokas.typepad.com/trickster/">Jason Chervokas</a> should have been on there ages ago, and I have no excuse other than that I am a filthy hippie slacker. These two worthies, along with blogroll stalwart Tom Watson, have a new blogging venture called <a href="http://newcritics.com/blog1/">newcritics</a>, self described as "Web-based criticism in literature, music, film, theater and art from a diverse group of writers." Great look, great content, great writing. It's slick as snot on a glass doorknob, and as cool as the other side of the pillow. Check 'em out!roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1168458125718978492007-01-10T14:18:00.000-05:002007-01-10T14:45:23.316-05:00The surge. Another great idea from Bushco!Some more great ideas:<br /><br /><br />Y'see, I'll jes' <i>surge</i> into the nice, soft water.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/skateboard.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/skateboard.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />You go up the ramp...we call it "ramping up"...and then you <i>surge</i> to a graceful landing...Mission Accomplished! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/flip.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/flip.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jes' squeeze down a leetle with your teeth for a <i>surge</i> of delicious amphibian flavor!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/frog.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/frog.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It's a <i>surge</i> of energy that you only get from a power plant fired with genuine Iraqi oil!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/knife.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/knife.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And then, once you get the fucker twisted off, just <i>surge</i> it up your ass! Hey, Dick! How about a little help here?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/head.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/head.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The surge! Bushco tested, (Gold Star)Mother approved!roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1168081377512140202007-01-06T05:06:00.000-05:002007-01-06T06:17:25.863-05:00Seasons will pass you by......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/ctte2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/ctte2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> More than a few folks here in the Eastern US have been lamenting the absence of winter. "Boo-hoo! Where's the snow?" Answer: In Colorado. Get on I-70 West and drive until a helicopter drops a bale of hay on your car. The other day, I saw a robin outside my office building. It was dead. I know there's a big-ass metaphor to be drawn from this observation, but it would inevitably involve a discussion of global warming, which would just depress me to no end, so I'll leave the metaphorin' to others so inclined. We were warned back in 1972: Seasons will pass us by. So it was written, so it came to be.<br /><br /><a href="http://tomwatson.typepad.com/tom_watson/">Tom Watson</a> has a nice post up regarding the lack of blog mojo that affects all of us from time to time. Ping-ponging electrons back 'n' forth through the blogoshpere (sic) does take on a masturbatory quality on occasion. I guess we need to remind ourselves that masturbation is both healthy and fun, which is what attracted most of us to the practice in the first place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/banner-250.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/banner-250.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Lieutenant Ehren Watada of the United States Army isn't jerking off; he's fully engaged. (Photo by televiseus.) He believes that the invasion and occupation of Iraq is a criminal act, and he has declined orders to participate in said occupation. See, e.g., <a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/mosqueda02272003.html">Nuremburg</a>. Quoting from the linked article by Lawrence Mosqueda at Counterpunch:<br /><blockquote>As Hamilton Action for Social Change has noted "Under the Nuremberg Principles, you have an obligation NOT to follow the orders of leaders who are preparing crimes against peace and crimes against humanity. We are all bound by what U.S. Chief Prosecutor Robert K. Jackson declared in 1948: [T]he very essence of the [Nuremberg] Charter is that individuals have intentional duties which transcend the national obligations of obedience imposed by the individual state." At the Tokyo War Crimes trial, it was further declared "[A]nyone with knowledge of illegal activity and an opportunity to do something about it is a potential criminal under international law unless the person takes affirmative measures to prevent commission of the crimes."</blockquote><br /><br />Lt. Watada's court martial is scheduled to begin February 5, 2007. His friends and family have a <a href="http://www.thankyoult.org/">website</a> where you can learn more, sign a petition, etc.<br /><br />Fred Wickham at <a href="http://www.bullseyerooster.com/blog/">Bullseye Rooster</a> has tagged me with the meme requiring me to grab the nearest book, turn to page 123, and reveal sentences 6-8. OK, here goes. The book is "Three From the 87th", a collection of police procedural novellas by Ed McBain. And the sentences are:<br /><br />"Do you have a lot of black silk blouses bought at a store called the Monkey Wrench?"<br /><br />"Well, no, but a person could get confused about her clothes. I mean, it's a black silk blouse, it could be <i>any</i> black silk blouse."<br /><br />Fred is about to have an operation, so you might stop by and wish him well.<br /><br />And for what it's worth, my wild-card round predictions are: Indy over KC, Seattle over Dallas, NE over NYJ, and The Iggles over the Jints. Feel free to disagree, or just feel free. And while you're feeling free, feel free to visit <a href="http://sillyhumans.blogspot.com/">Silly Humans</a>and <a href="http://calmbeforethesand.blogspot.com/">Calm Before the Sand</a>, the latest adds to the blogroll.....roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1167039501412392442006-12-25T03:58:00.000-05:002006-12-27T14:08:39.060-05:00The big payback.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/00FJV_James_Brown.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/00FJV_James_Brown.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Soul Brother Number One, Mr. Dynamite, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business, Minister of The New New Super Heavy Funk, Mr. Please Please Please, The Boss, the Godfather of Soul. <br /><br />Our little burg had a big civic celebration back in 1966. I was twelve. Said celebration included a "Teen Dance" featuring a few local bands, and headlined by The McCoys ("Hang on Sloopy) and the James Brown Revue.<br /><br />Sweet Jesus. James Brown in 1966 playing for a buncha pimply-faced, slack-jawed yokels at a roller rink in Wheeling W.Va. Talk about pearls before swine. We had heard him on the radio, of course. "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Feel Good" had been huge hits. But when James Brown came to our town and got <span style="font-style:italic;">all the way down</span> on "Please, Please Please", and they came out to place that red sequined cape on his apparently exhausted frame, and he burst forward in a climactic cloud of trumpets and triumph and sweat and pain and cheap pomade, well, what could a 12 year-old white kid do but literally burst into tears from the sheer <span style="font-style:italic;">passion</span> of it all.<br /><br />It was like having a ticket to watch Michaelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel. But with a horn section.<br /><br />UPDATE: <a href="http://chervokas.typepad.com/trickster/2006/12/living_with_jam.html">Jason Chervokas</a> has a nice piece on JB.<br /><br />FURTHER UPDATE: It seems JB will be lying in state, as it were, for a public viewing Thursday at (wait for it) The Apollo Theatre. Now that's just perfect. Just perfect.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1166811231056614692006-12-22T12:40:00.000-05:002006-12-22T13:14:33.803-05:00I've changed my mind. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/DC_diciembre_03.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/DC_diciembre_03.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Friends, I once was lost, but now am found. I was blind, but now I see. Put me down as a 100% tree-trimming, stocking-hanging fan of Christmas!<br /><br />You see that fella to your right? That would be Santa. And, as you can see, Santa is taking a shite! Pinchin' a loaf of fruitcake! Delivering the ol' Yule log! (What am I, 13 years old? Sorry.)<br /><br />Imagine my surprise when I learned that in Catlan Christmas tradition, the nativity scene contains, in addition to the Three Kings, Joseph, Mary, Babyjeesus, ox, ass, etc., a character called "El Caganer" or, en Ingles, "The Defecator"!<br /><br />Hey, don't take my word for it. Here's what <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16313367/">MSNBC</a> has to say:<br /><br /><blockquote>Throughout Spain's northeastern Catalonia region, statuettes of "El Caganer," or "the great defecator" in the Catalan dialect, can be found in Christmas scenes, and increasingly on the mantelpieces of collectors, where for centuries symbols of defecation have played an important role in the season's festivities.</blockquote><br /><br />(Just an aside. I'm pretty well-read and over-educated. How is it that I have never heard of this?)<br /><br />And as if Santa himself had granted my most fervent Christmas wish, you can get un caganer representing <a href="http://www.caganer.com/product_info.php?cPath=25_27&products_id=104">George W. Bush</a> himself, for the low, low price of 12 Euros.<br /><br />But wait....there's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ti%C3%B3_de_Nadal">more</a>!<br /><br />The Catalonian Christmas festivities wouldn't be complete without an appearance by "Tio de Nadal", or, roughly, "The Yule Log." The tio is also called "caga tio" which translates to "shit log." There's even a carol:<br /><br />caga tió,<br /><br />caga turró,<br />avellanes i mató,<br />si no cagues bé<br />et daré un cop de bastó.<br />¡caga tió!"<br /> <br />Shit, log,<br /><br />shit torrons,<br />hazelnuts and cheese,<br />if you don't shit well<br />I'll give you a blow with a stick.<br />Shit, log! <br /><br />The local confectioners sell candy resembling feces. I'm laughing too hard to continue. More later.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1166728867965313242006-12-21T14:12:00.000-05:002006-12-22T05:12:56.283-05:00NWA - newborn, with attitude.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/Michael4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/Michael4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />That's right, kiddo. Yours is the world and everything that's in it. You're number one! Uh...wrong finger, but we get the message. You make your grandpa Doc Roxtar mighty proud.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1166050342326599812006-12-13T17:52:00.000-05:002006-12-13T17:54:58.876-05:00War on Christmas? Sure, why not?<b>Charlie Brown Xmas Alternate Ending</b><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.com/v/6pHVtaS0jHo"></param><embed src="http://youtube.com/v/6pHVtaS0jHo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Look, if you're easily offended by atheistic mockery don't even bother clicking. Really. I think of you as my friends, and I don't want to get all in your face. On the other hand, if you're up for a chuckle, give it a whirl!roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1165317778505794732006-12-05T06:22:00.000-05:002006-12-05T06:34:26.046-05:00I can see a better time when all our dreams come true<table xmlns="http://purl.org/atom/ns#" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td colspan="2"><embed flashvars="" id="VideoPlayback" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-9040517239704722939&hl=en" style="width:400px; height:326px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> </embed></td></tr><tr/><tr><td>I haven't much use for Christmas, but it's a great occasion to revel in the besotted Oirish genius of Shane Mac Gowan and the Pogues, and the best Christmas carol ever! Feel free to sing along!<br /><br />Fairytale of New York<br /><br /> It was Christmas Eve babe<br />In the drunk tank<br />An old man said to me, won't see another one<br />And then he sang a song<br />The Rare Old Mountain Dew<br />I turned my face away<br />And dreamed about you<br /><br />Got on a lucky one<br />Came in eighteen to one<br />I've got a feeling<br />This year's for me and you<br />So happy Christmas<br />I love you baby<br />I can see a better time<br />When all our dreams come true<br /><br />They've got cars big as bars<br />They've got rivers of gold<br />But the wind goes right through you<br />It's no place for the old<br />When you first took my hand<br />On a cold Christmas Eve<br />You promised me<br />Broadway was waiting for me<br /><br />You were handsome<br />You were pretty<br />Queen of New York City<br />When the band finished playing<br />They howled out for more<br />Sinatra was swinging,<br />All the drunks they were singing<br />We kissed on a corner<br />Then danced through the night<br /><br />The boys of the NYPD choir<br />Were singing "Galway Bay"<br />And the bells were ringing out<br />For Christmas day<br /><br />You're a bum<br />You're a punk<br />You're an old slut on junk<br />Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed<br />You scumbag, you maggot<br />You cheap lousy faggot<br />Happy Christmas your arse<br />I pray God it's our last<br /><br />I could have been someone<br />Well so could anyone<br />You took my dreams from me<br />When I first found you<br />I kept them with me babe<br />I put them with my own<br />Can't make it all alone<br />I've built my dreams around you .<br /><br /><br /> </td></tr></table>roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1164757094124773762006-11-28T18:38:00.000-05:002006-11-28T18:41:32.210-05:00What it's like to be a Republican.<table xmlns="http://purl.org/atom/ns#" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td colspan="2"><embed flashvars="" id="VideoPlayback" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-3364014953949091162&hl=en" style="width:400px; height:326px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> </embed></td></tr><tr/><tr><td> "And every single meeting with his so-called superior Is a humiliating kick in the crotch..." - The Police<br /> </td></tr></table>roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1164710458646792502006-11-28T05:21:00.000-05:002006-11-28T05:44:18.253-05:00Flan is available almost daily.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/flan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/flan.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Via the comments in Steve Gilliard's News Blog, we find this mind-numbing item from <a href="http://www.sftt.org/cgi-bin/csNews/csNews.cgi?database=Unlisted.db&command=viewone&id=43">Soldiers for the Truth</a>. I present it in its entirety, in much the same spirit that Guernica must be seen in its entirety.<br /><br /><br /><br />Camp Victory Complaint: The Lobster Tails Are Too Big<br /><br />I loved the beginning part of Roger Charles' article ("Abandoned on the Killing Fields� No Medevac Coming�" DefenseWatch, June 23, 2006) about REMFs. Charles hit it right on the head. I've been on Campus Victory my entire time here. There is definitely a REMF mentality. I've forward you the minutes from a chowhall (DFAC) meeting from a while back and you can see what I'm talking about. Pay attention to the ranks of some of those asking the REMF questions. <br /><br />We have guys dying outside the well-guarded walls almost every day, but these REMFs complain about lobster tails not being cut right and music being played in the chow hall. Pathetic. <br /><br />It's double pathetic that everybody on base who hasn't even been out in town gets the same "Imminent Danger Pay" and Iraqi Campaign Medal that those who are in harm's way do/will.<br /><br /> --An Officer on the Ground<br /><br />Ed. Note: "REMF" is a derisive term for those "in the rear with the gear." It's an acronym for Rear Echelon Mother Fucker.<br /><br />REPLY TO ATTENTION OF:<br /><br />DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY<br /><br />HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY<br /><br />TASK FORCE ADLER - 22D SIGNAL BRIGADE<br /><br />CAMP VICTORY, IRAQ<br /><br />APO AE 09342<br /><br />AETV-SBH-DFAC 17 May 2006<br /><br />MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD<br /><br />SUBJECT: DINING FACILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING<br /><br />1. Board Members were as follows:<br /><br />ATTENDEES UNIT:<br /><br />Editor: Names Removed<br /><br />2. Personnel attending the Advisory Council meeting were as follows:<br /><br />ATTENDEES UNIT:<br /><br />Editor: Names Removed<br /><br />3. The meeting was opened at 1500hrs on 12 May 2006.<br /><br />Introduction: SFC W. opens the meeting by handing out suggestions cards that we had previously received from various customers in the past. She explained that the advisory council meeting is to encourage customer feedback, to advise management on desired adjustment to the menu to meet diner preferences or services that will provide a more effective food service program to the soldier/diner.<br /><br />SFC W. opens the floor for suggestions, comments and concerns:<br /><br />QUESTION: SGT R.: Why does the DFAC not provide bottled water in the coolers?<br /><br />RESPONSE: SFC W.: With the new water plant open, we will be trying to provide such a service. However, the military personnel at the dining facility would be responsible for coordinating such an effort.<br /><br />QUESTION: SPC R.: Asked if the dining facility could provide Belgium waffles, waffle cones, and more variety of ice-cream flavors.<br /><br />RESPONSE: MR. L.: Explained that KBR is restricted by what they can order from the vendor�s catalog, but stated that they do strive to provide a constant variety. These changes do take time to implement. We must take into consideration, the ordering/delivering time.<br /><br />QUESTIONS: LTC M.: Compliments the facility as one of the best he has ever seen. He expressed that when he and his soldiers have requested changes, they have been met: larger cups, onion and pineapples on the stir fry bar. He requested better Pita bread for the Gyros; the current ones tasted bad and fall apart too easily. LTC M. also requested chicken liver and asked if we could discontinue the live band performances. He considered the band to be too loud, and suggested that this may be the wrong forum for it.<br /><br />RESPONSE: SFC W.: We thank you for your comment and we will do our best to accommodate your requests.<br /><br />QUESTION: Requests Rye bread, bigger taco shells, and Jell-O without fruit or anything in it. He also stated that the salt and pepper shakers did not dispense enough salt and pepper and many soldiers would need to unscrew the top off to get enough.<br /><br />RESPONSE: SFC W.: explains that the shakers have just recently been purchased and that in order to get better ones, the military would have to provide funds to replace the existing salt and pepper shakers.<br /><br />QUESTION: Asked about the flies in the DFAC and on the salad bar.<br /><br />RESPONSE: MR L. stated that the DFAC is aware of the problem and recently did a survey on how to minimize the fly problem. However, he warned that the fly issue is a difficult problem to contain completely.<br /><br />RESPONSE: MSG I.M.: Vector Control has already implemented control measures: fly traps, fly blowers above the doors, as well as others.<br /><br />QUESTIONS: LTC M. expressed that the serving portions are too large.<br /><br />RESPONSE: MR. L. states that they do train the servers on serving sizes; however there is a language barrier issue with training the servers.<br /><br />RESPONSE: SFC W.: The servers are briefed everyday on this issue. It is also put out that a diner should be specific on what he or she wants when at the serving line. The servers are very accommodating towards the diners needs.<br /><br />QUESTIONS: LTC M. informs the panel that the soap dispensers are unserviceable and they have the wrong soap in them.<br /><br />RESPONSE: MR. L. states that the new dispensers are on order and that the soap currently used is the right soap for hand-washing.<br /><br />QUESTIONS: PFC P.: Is it possible to have the DFAC hours changed from opening at 0530 in the morning to 0600hrs.<br /><br />RESPONSE: CSM H.: The hours are set for the entire camp. They are set to give diners ample time to get food during each meal. It is also so that the Dining Facility will have ample time in between the meals to clean and prepare for the next meal.<br /><br />STATEMENT: PFC P.: The music in the dining facility is too loud. The soldiers cannot hear the televisions. I also would like to request more variety of fruit, with an emphasis on strawberries.<br /><br />RESPONSE: SFC W.: The music issue will be addressed.<br /><br />RESPONSE: MR. L. replies that travel time limits the type of fruit they can serve. We also can only order items that are available on the catalog.<br /><br />QUESTIONS: SGT J. requests Spanish Flan and more exits during the lunch time hours as it is too crowded during that time for the one current exit.<br /><br />RESPONSE: MR. L.: Flan is available almost daily.<br /><br />RESPONSE: SFC W.: There are many soldiers that are traveling from other camps to this dining facility. From a Force Protection point of view, this controls the flow and direction of traffic in the dining facility. <br /><br />STATEMENT: There is an inquiry into the size of the bike area, complements on the band and on the portion sizes.<br /><br />RESPONSES: CSM H. replies that the bike area could possibly be expanded but there is a problem with a few bikes being abandoned there. If you know of anyone that claims this area as storage, please inform them to come and claim their bike.<br /><br />QUESTIONS: SGT S.: Why does the DFAC only let the Contractors/Civilians get only one to-go tray, while military gets three.<br /><br />RESPONSE: SFC W.: The three To-Go trays is the absolute limit and the policy is not strictly enforced, but there is a policy out there that states that civilians are authorized to dine-in and take-out only one To-Go tray. For all customers, a written memorandum is required in order to take more than three trays. The restrictions are in place to keep the headcount accurate.<br /><br />RESPONSE: MR. L.: Each meal costs about 50 to 60 thousand dollars. KBR supports, but tries to control the cost of the meal while providing whatever they can to help morale. The DFAC gets it's funding by a per patron rate. $17.70 a day per patron: (BRK: $3.54 per patron, LUN: $7.08 per patron, DIN: $7.08 per patron)<br /><br />QUESTIONS: SPC R.: This is for CSM H. What is the policy on having your weapon?<br /><br />RESPONSE: CSM H.: MNC-I policy requires a weapon on you at all times, except when conducting PT. The guards have been instructed to turn away anyone who does not have their weapon.<br /><br />QUESTION: SPC R.: If someone comes to the dining facility with a sweaty PT uniform, will they be turned away?<br /><br />RESPONSE: (UPDATE since meeting) Mayor Cell: No one will be allowed to enter the dining facility in a sweaty PT uniform.<br /><br />QUESTION: LTC M.: Why not use the Air Force to fly fresh fruit and vegetables to the base.<br /><br />RESPONSE: CSM H.: At this time this is not feasible.<br /><br />QUESTION: SGM A.: Can the lobster tails be cut in half?<br /><br />RESPONSE: MR. L.: Due to the lack of proper equipment, this is not possible.<br /><br />QUESTION: LTC M.: How often are the council meetings conducted?<br /><br />RESPONSE: SFC W.: The council meetings will be conducted monthly.<br /><br />STATEMENT: SFC W.: Each dining table has a customer feedback sheet. Do not wait until these meetings to provide your feedback. Each one of the comment sheets is read by management, however; keep in mind that some requests take time.<br /><br />STATEMENT: SFC W. takes the time to read some policies concerning the dining facility:<br /><br /> -The "No Bags" policy means just that. No Bags carried in or out of the dining facility. Do not carry bags inside the dining facility in your pockets. You will not be allowed to carry bags of items outside of the dining facility. You will be stopped.<br /><br /> -We have a limit 2 items that may be carried outside of the dining facility. Limits are to ensure that the dining facility maintains an 8 to 12 day supply as convoys (Class I trucks) do not always make it to the base when scheduled.<br /><br /> -The dining facility must be cleared 30 minutes after each meal. Not 35 or 40 minutes but 30 minutes.<br /><br />SFC W. proceeds to inform the council of the Special Meal Request Policy:<br /><br /> -Special Meals Request is being abused. A special meal request will not be used for personal BBQ�s. The DFAC is limited to how many requests that can be supported in a day. When the limit has been met, we will not take anymore requests. This affects the normal operation when the focus becomes what�s going out the back door versus what is prepared for the diners. All units need to be proactive in their planning.<br /><br /> -Beverage request are to be utilized only for warming and cooling beverages. These items are to be used by personnel going on convoys or special missions.<br /><br />4. The Advisory Council meeting was adjourned at 1615hrs. The next council meeting will be held on 23 June 06.<br /><br /> //ORIGINAL SIGNED//<br /><br /> W. SFC, USA<br /><br /> Senior Food Operation Sergeant<br /><br />I guess that's why we can't seem to commit to a withdrawal. It's hard to prepare and serve flan at the proper temperature and consistency while engaged in a fighting retreat across 300 miles of <s>dessert</s> desert.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1164625224437403932006-11-27T05:23:00.000-05:002006-11-27T06:00:24.470-05:00Sloth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/sloth.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/sloth.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Two weeks without a post must be evidence of a serious character defect, right? Surely I am among the laziest of men. You see, I'm willing to throw myself on the sword and accept the fact that I am afflicted with the cardinal sin of sloth.<br /><br />Except that's not really true. Truth is, I've been pretty damn busy these past couple of weeks. No, wait. That's bullshit, too. Everyone is busy, everyone has jobs and projects that occupy their time.<br /><br />So what's my excuse? As close as I can come to explaining it is a lack of blog mojo. The election results knocked me off my stride, deprived me of my fuel and my fire. Compounding this mojo deficiency has been a spate of exquisite work from the blogroll denizens listed to the right.<br /><br /><a href="http://bluegirlredstate.typepad.com/blue_girl/">Blue Girl</a> has been a fountain of brilliance lately, perhaps fueled by sweet, sweet confections. Or maybe it's a reaction to the approach of grim-as-death Winter in Cleveburg.<br /><br /><a href="http://bobbylightfoot.blogspot.com/">Bobby Lightfoot</a> has evolved into some kind of Indian Holy Man.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wren-o-blue.blogspot.com/">Blue Wren</a>'s ouevre has been spectacularly good, never missing a beat. See, e.g., <a href="http://wren-o-blue.blogspot.com/2006/11/housecleaning.html">this gem</a>.<br /><br />I guess I can take credit for my good taste, having a blogroll featuring these worthies and others, such as Neddie, Patrick Hillman, Will Divide, Lacarte, Kevin Wolf, Fred Wickham....hell, all of them. <br /><br />Long story short: I'll get my stroke back, and when I do, it will be because of the example and inspiration of such folks, whose gifts have brought so much enjoyment to so many. Thanks, guys.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1163250055124958202006-11-11T07:54:00.000-05:002006-11-11T08:00:55.136-05:00Blue Sky Theory<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/bluesky.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/bluesky.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I was so busy savoring the election results and their sequelae that I neglected to clear the cookies in my mental browser. Consequently, it wasn't until this morning that I realized that a Democratic high-pressure system had moved in and turned the Black Sky Blue.<br /><br />How 'bout that?roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1163015810915172082006-11-08T14:50:00.000-05:002006-11-08T14:56:50.933-05:00Goddammit, Rumsfeld! You'll get under that bus and you'll like it!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/ivan-the-terra-bus-small.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/ivan-the-terra-bus-small.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />"Come on, don't give me any of your thin lip. Get under there before I throw you under the fucker. My daddy already hired your replacement."<br /><br />"Hey! Dammit, Rummy, don't be grabbing onto me! You're not gonna drag me under there with you. Just get your ass under that bus or I swear to God, those pictures of you and that bald-headed fella from the press room will be on the Google by sundown."<br /><br /><br />Bwaaaa-haaa-haaaa! I am not terribly graceful in victory. So sue me.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1162974752819745622006-11-08T03:10:00.000-05:002006-11-08T03:32:32.883-05:00Wormer, he's a dead man! Marmalard, dead! Niedermeyer, dead!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/bluto.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/bluto.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Allen, dead! Talent, dead! Burns, dead! Santorum, dead! DeWine, dead! Steele, dead! Hayworth, dead! Pombo, dead! Chocola, dead! Hostettler, dead! Ryun, dead! Bass, Kelly, Sweeney, dead, dead, dead! Weldon, dead! Sherwood, dead!<br /><br />A stinging rebuke. A thorough repudiation. An utter humiliation. A good old-fashioned country ass-whipping.<br /><br />President Allen? (Snort.) President Santorum? (Guffaw.) <br /><br />I felt kind of bad about Chafee, but I got over it in a second or two.<br /><br />I'd like to be in Washington when the new Congress is seated, but I might wait until the <s>cherry blossoms</s> subpoenas are in full bloom.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1162645118039498642006-11-04T07:39:00.000-05:002006-11-04T07:59:27.146-05:00I had no idea the Baby Jesus loves me this much...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/baby-jesus.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/baby-jesus.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I tell ya', I'm <span style="font-style:italic;">this close</span> to a "Saul-on-the-road-to-Damascus" conversion moment. As an atheist and a member of the reality-based community, it's difficult for me to accept the existence, much less the purposeful intervention, of a deity. But after the events of the past few days, I'm about ready to walk to the altar and give it up for the Baby Jesus (pictured at right).<br /><br />My week of Sanctified Miracles started on Thursday, when, after a two-day trial on a felony possession with intent charge, a jury returned a not guilty verdict in favor of my client in a County Record <span style="font-style:italic;">19 minutes</span>! Now, it's not all that unusual for me to win a trial, but when you consider that twelve people will take 15 minutes to adjust their underwear, pick a seat at the table and elect a foreperson, 19 minutes is mighty damned impressive. I was so busy with my trial that it wasn't until that afternoon that I learned that the Reverend Ted Haggard of the Christopithecus Day Care Temple of Divine Grace, Anointed Blessings and Methamphetamine-fueled Man-love had been outed. Now, I'm a skeptic. I needed more proof that the Baby Jesus really loved me, so I asked him to send me a Sign. Something unmistakeable, like a picture of Pastor Brokeback Smokecrack with the Resident of the United States.<br /><br />Imagine my rapturous surprise:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/Haggerd-Bush.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/Haggerd-Bush.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And then, in rapid succession, four days before the election, Bob Ney (R-Federal Prison) resigned, and <a href="http://stevegilliard.blogspot.com/2006/11/its-time-for-change.html">the Army Times put the smackdown on Vlad Rumsfeld</a>.<br /><br />I'm tellin' ya', it's almost too much for this poor old atheist to take.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1162130540970696142006-10-29T07:18:00.000-05:002006-10-29T13:14:25.186-05:00Only 9 shopping days left until Election Day.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/groceries2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/groceries2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Well, the Election holiday season is fast approaching, and I hate to wait until the last minute. You know how crowded the stores get on Election Eve. Plus, I have a jury trial coming up this week, so my time is already stretched pretty thin. Of course, there's no meal that says "Election Day" like <a href="http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blbushpic20.htm">turkey</a>, but I'm usually so busy trying to <a href="http://www.lawyerscomm.org/2005website/home/home.html">keep the election from being stolen</a> that I don't have time to prepare a big meal. And besides, the late returns from the West Coast make for a long evening, so I find it more practical to graze throughout the evening than to bloat on a big, sleep-inducing meal.<br /><br />This year, I'm thinking about a regional theme, serving four rounds of light snacks as the returns come in from across the nation. For the East Coast, I'm thinking of <a href="http://www.crabcakes.com/">crabcakes</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithfield_ham">Smithfield ham</a> biscuits as a salute to a couple of new Senators, Maryland's <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/20/AR2006102000010.html">Ben Cardin</a> and the Old Dominion's <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/17/AR2006101701477.html">Jim Webb</a>. Either of those entrees can be washed down (and <a href="http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/editorial/15816415.htm">Rick</a> <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06295/732138-192.stm">Santorum</a> can be washed out of office) with a tall, cool <a href="http://www.pittsburghbrewingco.com/">regional brew</a>. I'll also put out a tray of <a href="http://www.smuckers.com/sk/recipes/desserts/buckeyes.asp">Buckeyes</a> in anticipation of a sweet, sweet, sweep in <a href="http://www.buckeyestateblog.com/rasmussen_brown_has_a_double_digit_lead?PHPSESSID=b022fc742a8e10b51e41c0bf9eae5e9e">Ohio</a>.<br /><br />As the map moves to the Central Time Zone, the rout should be on in earnest, so we can toast the victory of <a href="http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061015/OPINION01/610150344/1007/OPINION">Harold Ford</a> with some oh-so-smeeooth, charcoal-filtered <a href="http://www.jackdaniels.com/home.asp">Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey</a>. We'll also celebrate Missouri's contribution to the evening by raising a <a href="http://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/">sauce-stained 21-rib salute</a> to <a href="http://www.showmenews.com/2006/Oct/20061018Comm001.asp">Claire McCaskill</a>.<br /><br />Westward ho, and there's no bigger "ho" for the Christopithecus agenda than Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (R - CO4). We'll raise a glass of <a href="http://www.boulderbeer.com/">Rocky Mountain refreshment</a> when the networks call the election for <a href="http://www.denverpost.com/endorsements/ci_4484538">Angie Paccione</a>. (Hey, you don't think I'd drink that <a href="http://www.blogactive.com/2004/10/take-action-theres-something-about.html">right-wing piss</a> from Golden, do you?) There's nothing better with a cold microbrew than some blue corn chips and <a href="http://www.newmexicocatalog.com/html/green_chile.html">New Mexico green chile</a>, as we celebrate the victory of <a href="http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2006/oct/21/vote-2006-tribune-recommends-us-house-district-1/">Patricia Madrid</a> in the Land of Enchantment.<br /><br />By the time the polls close on the West Coast, we're all liable to be pretty drunk. (Drunk on <i>power</i>, that is, bwaa-haa-haa!) So I'll be offering comp rooms to my guests, just like in Las Vegas baby.<br /><br />Oh, and as long as I'm shopping, I'm probably gonna need some of <a href="http://www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/2558096">this</a> and some of <a href="http://www.down-feather-bedding.com/bulk-feathers.php">these</a>. Oh, and if there's even a hint of vote-counting irregularity, I'll need some of <a href="http://www.itorches.com/oil-torches/pole-torches/products.cfm?action=view&key=BC084">these</a> and a few of <a href="http://www.homegardenandpatio.com/cat.cgi?s=2611234&c=garden_tools_forks">these</a>.<br /><br />And in the spirit of the season, Happy Elections to all, and to all a good night!roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1161807297954467992006-10-25T16:01:00.000-04:002006-10-25T16:14:57.996-04:00NJ Court rules in favor of gay marriage or its equivalent.This just hit the news, and I may have more to say about it after I have a chance to read the opinion, but it's another opportunity for me to make a point about marriage that I never see anyone else make.<br /><br />The marriage relationship is the most exalted and protected relationship recognized by American law. The State can deprive you of your property, your right to vote, and your right to possess firearms. The government can restrict your freedom to travel, your ability to operate a business or to drive a vehicle. The State can lock you up, terminate the parent child relationship and, under certain circumstances, put you to death. But there is one thing the State cannot do.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Under no circumstances can the State dissolve a valid marriage without consent of one of the parties.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The rights, privileges and protections of the marriage relationship are the most fundamental rights we enjoy as citizens.</span><br /><br />You do not have to show a rational basis for being married. It is inconcievable, therefore, that there could be a rational basis for <span style="font-style:italic;">denying</span> two people the right to engage in marriage or, in other words, to enjoy this most fundamental of rights.<br /><br />It's nice to see justice triumph once in a while.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1161767235084447212006-10-25T05:02:00.000-04:002006-10-25T05:16:31.130-04:00Hey, get your fresh, hot dirt here!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/topsoil.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/topsoil.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />A more <s>loathesome and scurvy</s> noble and civic-minded group you'll never hope to see. If you're a blogger, think about posting this <a href="http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/10/24/121757/70">source code</a> somewhere in your blog, so that The Google will help spread the word about these <s>pustulent buboes</s> fine Republican candidates.<br /><br /><br /><br />--AZ-Sen: <a href="http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/Issues/2006-04-13/news/feature_full.html">Jon Kyl</a><Br><br />--AZ-01: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rick_Renzi&printable=yes#Controversies">Rick Renzi</a><Br><br />--AZ-05: <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1022hayworth1022.html">J.D. Hayworth</a><Br><br />--CA-04: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Doolittle#Controversies">John Doolittle</a><Br><br />--CA-11: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Pombo#Controversies_and_criticisms">Richard Pombo</a><Br><br />--CA-50: <a href="http://www.kfmb.com/story.php?id=66505">Brian Bilbray</a><Br><br />--CO-04: <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12054520/the_10_worst_congressmen/10">Marilyn Musgrave</a><Br><br />--CO-05: <a href="http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1322626&secid=1">Doug Lamborn</a><Br><br />--CO-07: <a href="http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/elections/article/0,2808,DRMN_24736_5063243,00.html">Rick O'Donnell</a><Br><br />--CT-04: <a href="http://www.connpost.com/news/ci_4509567">Christopher Shays</a><Br><br />--FL-13: <a href="http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/15422371.htm?source=rss&channel=bradenton_local">Vernon Buchanan</a><Br><br />--FL-16: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Foley_scandal">Joe Negron</a><br><br />--FL-22: <a href="http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/campaign_diary/florida/archive/2006/10/the_foley_scandal_affects_the.htm">Clay Shaw</a><br><br />--ID-01: <a href="http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20060923/NEWS/60923003">Bill Sali</a><Br><br />--IL-06: <a href="http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14988252/">Peter Roskam</a><Br><br />--IL-10: <a href="http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=25835@wbbm.dayport.com">Mark Kirk</a><Br><br />--IL-14: <a href="http://www.kcci.com/politics/10062284/detail.html">Dennis Hastert</a><Br><br />--IN-02: <a href="http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060811/NEWS07/608110314">Chris Chocola</a><Br><br />--IN-08: <a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2004/04/21ky/B1-host0421i0-7412.html">John Hostettler</a><Br><br />--IA-01: <a href="http://www.qctimes.net/articles/2005/12/09/news/local/doc439930283db6c088625962.txt">Mike Whalen</a><Br><br />--KS-02: <a href="http://cjonline.com/stories/102306/loc_ryunboyda1.shtml">Jim Ryun</a><br><br />--KY-03: <a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2002/08/29/ke082902s267079.htm">Anne Northup</a><Br><br />--KY-04: <a href="http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/15533221.htm">Geoff Davis</a><Br><br />--MD-Sen: <a href="http://www.gazette.net/stories/021006/montsta130223_31925.shtml">Michael Steele</a><Br><br />--MN-01: <a href="http://www.hometown-pages.com/main.asp?SectionID=26&SubSectionID=186&ArticleID=12951&TM=48834.09">Gil Gutknecht</a><Br><br />--MN-06: <a href="http://citypages.com/databank/27/1348/article14760.asp">Michele Bachmann</a><Br><br />--MO-Sen: <a href="http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/politics/15174500.htm">Jim Talent</a><Br><br />--MT-Sen: <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/07/28/news/state/20-burns.txt">Conrad Burns</a><Br><br />--NV-03: <a href="http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2006/oct/22/566689009.html?porter">Jon Porter</a><Br><br />--NH-02: <a href="http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Top+aide+to+Bass+resigns&articleId=b65bcd02-f478-4a6d-801a-9a12761c3786">Charlie Bass</a><Br><br />--NJ-07: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A23714-2003Apr3?language=printer">Mike Ferguson</a><Br><br />--NM-01: <a href="http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Congresswoman_on_page_board_buried_file_1019.html">Heather Wilson</a><Br><br />--NY-03: <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-usking0817,0,6911475,print.story?coll=ny-top-headlines">Peter King</a><Br><br />--NY-20: <a href="http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/?p=983">John Sweeney</a><Br><br />--NY-26: <a href="http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061004/NEWS01/61004020/1002/NEWS">Tom Reynolds</a><Br><br />--NY-29: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Kuhl#Personal">Randy Kuhl</a><Br><br />--NC-08: <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/291/story/254053.html">Robin Hayes</a><Br><br />--NC-11: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_H._Taylor#Controversies">Charles Taylor</a><Br><br />--OH-01: <a href="http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/091906/chabot.html">Steve Chabot</a><Br><br />--OH-02: <a href="http://www.wcpo.com/news/2006/local/10/11/murtha_schmidt.html">Jean Schmidt</a><Br><br />--OH-15: <a href="http://www.columbusdispatch.com/?story=217625">Deborah Pryce</a><Br><br />--OH-18: <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1161257895268090.xml&coll=2">Joy Padgett</a><Br><br />--PA-04: <a href="http://www.sharonherald.com/local/local_story_263230124.html?start:int=0">Melissa Hart</a><Br><br />--PA-07: <a href="http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/28-10162006-727801.html">Curt Weldon</a><Br><br />--PA-08: <a href="http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-01222006-601349.html">Mike Fitzpatrick</a><Br><br />--PA-10: <a href="http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/15646184.htm">Don Sherwood</a><Br><br />--RI-Sen: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/05/AR2006080500823.html">Lincoln Chafee</a><br><br />--TN-Sen: <a href="http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/election/article/0,1406,KNS_630_5057450,00.html">Bob Corker</a><Br><br />--VA-Sen: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/26/politics/main2039589.shtml">George Allen</a><Br><br />--VA-10: <a href="http://www.nationalcenter.org/PRJTHGWolfEarmark1006.html">Frank Wolf</a><Br><br />--WA-Sen: <a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/283622_mcgavick02.html">Mike McGavick</a><br><br />--WA-08: <a href="http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/287797_reichertsideweb06.html">Dave Reichert</a><Br><br>roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1161277378485489142006-10-19T12:09:00.000-04:002006-10-19T13:02:58.703-04:00The Last President of Free America<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/clinton.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/clinton.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> In a way, it was perfect and inevitable that William Jefferson Clinton would be the last President of Free America. He was the embodiment of the history and the character of the United States. He was smart, dynamic, accomplished, powerful, creative, persuasive, humble, charming, generous, compassionate; make a list of all the great attributes Bill Clinton can claim, and apply that list to America.<br /><br />Of course he had his flaws, as does America. But America (and more importantly, the <i>idea</i> of America) was always so great, so <i>good</i>, that its flaws were more than amply mitigated in the court of world opinion. We declared that all men are created equal, and the power of that ideal was <i>so fucking great</i> that our treatment of African -Americans as 3/5 of a person was overlooked. Our slaughter of Native Americans was overlooked. Segregation was overlooked. Those sins were overlooked because it was recognized that we had set our bar impossibly high; we were bound to fall short, but we never, <i>ever</i> lowered the bar. We liberated Europe, and used nuclear weapons of mass destruction against civilian populations in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and nobody even suggested that our evil had outweighed our good.<br /><br />Now consider the cheap-jack Caligula to whom America has entrusted its ideals. Take another look at that list of attributes, and apply them to the first American president of the 21st Century. Smart? Please. Dynamic? He napped while New Orleans drowned. Accomplished? His family's money and influence shielded him from one disaster to another. Powerful? Only in the sense that a school-yard bully is powerful. Creative? In a universe of infinite possibilities, the best he can come up with is "Stay the course." Persuasive? The man couldn't convince me to fart after a three-burrito dinner. Humble? He's an arrogant little turd. Charming? See "humble." Generous? People are having bake sales in order to buy body armor for those he so blithely placed in harm's way. Compassionate? He's never seen a death warrant he has refused to sign.<br /><br />What positive aspect of the American personality did he embody when he lied us into an elective war against a country that posed no threat to us? What essence of the generous American spirit does he display when he cuts taxes for the rich while military families are lined up at food pantries and soup kitchens? What qualities of leadership were demonstrated when his vaunted "Coalition of the Willing" included 12 soldiers from Moldovia and 45 Royal Marines from Tonga (since withdrawn)? And don't forget Poland!<br /><br />Whether we like it or not, our President is the face America presents to the world. And the face we currently present to our neighbors on this planet is that of a mean, pinched, spoiled, spiteful and bitter dry-drunk. The once high bar of our aspirations has been bumped down, foot by foot, by this feckless boob. Ignore the Geneva Conventions. (Bump.) Suspend <i>habeas corpus</i>. (Bump.) Play to people's fears, rather than their aspirations. (Bump.) Give people propaganda instead of the truth (Bump.) Lie. (Bump.) Cheat. (Bump.) Steal. (Bump.) <br /><br />Until finally, the bar is so low that the wet-brained successor to Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt can slither over it and declare himself "hi-jump champeen of the hole wurld."<br /><br />Well, we brought this upon ourselves, I guess. But what of the rest of the world? They've done nothing to deserve having the brightest light and best hope of the planet snuffed out. Who do they look to now? I'm deadly serious. How can you inspire yourself to heroism after you've caught your own hero with his fingers in the cookie jar and his head up his ass?<br /><br /><blockquote>There's a passage I got memorized. Ezekiel 25:17. The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.</blockquote><br /><br />The truth is, the world is the weak. And we're the tyranny of evil men. But we've gotta try harder, Ringo. We've gotta try real hard to be the shepherd again.roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21890354.post-1161039220560049852006-10-16T17:59:00.000-04:002006-10-17T06:48:59.093-04:00Out, damned earwig! Begone!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/earwig.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px;" src="http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e289/doctor_roxtar/earwig.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>It's happened to all of us. A song, a theme, a snippet of music bores its way into your head, and absolutely <i>refuses</i> to be dislodged. <br /><br />For some reason, earwigs rarely seem to be music you like. No, friends, earwigs are horrid, annoying pieces of melody or rhythm whose very existence is a affront to refined taste. A smudge of Wishbone Ash, a dollop of Cream, a squeeze of Chris Dilford...these are welcome visitors, like a blog hit from an old college pal. They appear, refresh your recollection, and fade. I once spent a pleasant afternoon with Boccherini's Minuet, in both the string quintet and Spinal Tap instrumentation.<br /><br />But that's not an earwig. An earwig is a vile, despicable thing, an auditory abomination so loathsome that my regard for you, the reader, prevents me from suggesting some of the more common manifestations of this infestation. (Afternoon Delight) No, it would be a rude host indeed (Milkshake) who would even mention (Who Let the Dogs Out) some of the more horrific (Anything by Abba) parasites that can become wedged (Achy Breaky Heart) among the malleus, incus and stapes of the memory (Mr. Roboto).<br />Earwigs are not mere figments (Leather and Lace) of our imagination; they have a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3221499.stm">scientific basis</a>. (Barbie Girl)<br /><br />It's not that I dislike pop music. (New York, London, Paris, Munich) I used to program Top-40 radio stations and promote records for a major label. (Here's a joke: A frog and a rabbit meet by the watering hole. Being blind, neither can identify the other. What's more, being blind, neither has ever seen itself. The first animal agrees to try to describe the second animal by touch alone. "You have soft fur, and a wiggly nose, and long, floppy ears. You must be a rabbit!" The rabbit was overjoyed, and set out to describe his new friend. "You're cold, and you're slimy, and you have no ears at all. You must be a record promoter!") <br /><br />I can tolerate the most mindless piece of pop fluff, as long as it's got the hook. But I want to be able to turn it off when I choose.<br /><br />I'm currently suffering from the music in a Budweiser commercial, which is apparently by someone called the Chemical Brothers. It's called "Galvanize." There's a Bollywood sounding string riff and what sounds like a 13 year old rapper, advising us that "There's a potty ovah heah, so you might as well be heah, where the people ceah." (Psst. Dude, might want to get those adenoids checked out by a professional.)<br /><br />Who will deliver me from this troublesome beast? Any ideas?roxtarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00578012483935100786noreply@blogger.com17