Diversion of Learning

Home theater PCs provide front-row seats - Computers - MSNBC.com

2008-08-04T16:28:00.000-05:00

Interesting article on PC-based home theaters.

Sententiae Latinae -- Latin Maxims

2008-06-09T12:27:00.000-05:00

This is an exhaustive grouping of Latin maxims. Always good for an intimidating citation! ;-)

Word Keyboard Shortcuts

2008-05-16T12:56:00.000-05:00

Excellent and exhaustive list of keyboard shortcuts for MS Word.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290938

All I can say is WOW!

2008-02-15T09:10:00.000-05:00

"He bills at $1,100 an hour but tries to avoid it so he can make a lot more."

Just read this story.

LINK: http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/the_g_man

State dog of N.C. hits the big time

2008-02-13T09:24:00.000-05:00

The Plott Hound made it to Westminster.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

2007-12-13T20:55:00.000-05:00

So there I was, on my way home from a long day. I hit the button for the elevator to take me to my 9th floor apartment. The doors opened, and I got in the elevator. I held the doors for a guy, about my age, to get in as well. I hit the number 9.

He hit the number 2.

2nd floor? Really buddy? You're going to slow down MY LIFE to save you from walking a single flight? FURTHERMORE, the elevator takes longer to go one floor. YOU are going OUT OF YOUR WAY to slow me down.

It is unacceptable to take the elevator one floor unless you are an old lady.

It's Back Baby!

2007-12-05T18:14:00.000-05:00

A few days ago I made one of my tri-annual trips to Subway. You're all probably familiar with the Subway brand, but suffice to say, they sell below average sandwiches at a healthy profit under the false premise that the sandwiches are at least slightly less poisonous than the rest of the fast food options.

So there I was, a 24 year old with little time and 4 dollars. I ventured in to the Subway on the campus of Wake Forest. (Quick aside:If you ever have the chance to stop by this location I highly recommend it. Wake Forest food service is famous for hauntingly bad service, and Subway does not fail to disappoint. If you ever want truly bad service and a sandwich that's below even Subway standards then make a special trip!) I eventually make it to the counter, and then the roller coaster begins. Having been to Subway before I'm well versed in the process, which is vital, as none of the employees speak English. Well, they speak English, just not the King's English, or for that matter even what passes for English on MTV, VH1, or The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.

Having asked for 6 inch wheat, and receiving white bread, I gaze up at the menu one last time, to get the Subway Club. But wait! What do my wandering eyes see? Can it be true? Yes! Great success!

It was at this moment I saw that Subway had brought back the Seafood Sensation. The seafood sensation sandwich is like the McRib, except that no one knows about it, no one orders it, and Subway never talks about it. It is like a cult sandwich. However, the only members of the cult are me and Ron Paul. I was once a member of the general public, the great mass of people that didn't know about the Seafood Sensation, until Ron Paul introduced me to the imitation seafood goodness.

The following story about me, Ron Paul, Sun Chips, and the Subway Seafood Sensation is all completely true.

The year was 2003, Lawrence v. Texas was freeing peoples minds and Hurricane Isabel was bearing down on the mid-Atlantic, but I was too busy being in awe of Washington DC. I would later grow out of that. As a fresh faced 20 year old interning in DC, the world and all its riches were mine. Every week my intern class would meet a congressman, and take him lunch, from Subway.

Looking back on it, I still can't understand why the Intern Director was always taking us to Subway. Sure, it was right next to the Capitol Hill Metro stop, but still, maybe a Congressman would want something a bit better than Subway. But I digress...

There I was, on my way to meet Ron Paul, a Texas congress man that none of us had ever heard of. All we were told was that he was very libertarian and loved the Subway Seafood Sensation. I wasn't sure what the latter meant, but I understand the former, and knew I would enjoy talking with him. Standing in line, I see his sandwich being made. It intrigues me, but I'm also frightened. The crazy part of the Seafood Sensation is just how different it is from all other sandwiches that Subway offers. After getting my standard Meatball (Subway's version of which is truly uninspired), we proceed to the Congressman's office. We sit and talk, all pretending to enjoy our below average sandwiches, when a big moment happened. Ron Paul said that he was full, and would trade the second half of his sandwich for a bag of Sun Chips.

Now I'm the kinda guy who jumps at a chance to add something to my resume. The line "Ate a Congressman's Sandwich" was just too good to pass up. So there I was, about to experience THE sandwich of our time. I devoured the sandwich, and I raved for weeks about it. No one believed me, they were all to intimidated, but I assure you, it was fantastic. The imitation crab meat plays upon what I can only assume is watered down mayonnaise, all of which combines into a beautiful expression of flavor. I suggest adding cucumbers for added crunch. Perhaps spinach if one is so inclined.

So you can imagine my delight upon learning that Seafood Sensation was back! I excitedly ordered, then ordered it again, but this time speaking slower and then eventually pointing to it on the menu. Once the language barrier was overcome I was dashing through campus to enjoy one of my favorite things in life.

Edwards Wants New Deal II

2007-10-29T13:06:00.000-05:00

However, his message is less about making America great than it is about wealth redistribution and hypocrisy. Edwards supports his position by saying,

"I think if we want to fund the things that I think are important to share in prosperity, then people who have done well in this country, including me, have more of a responsibility to give back. There are no free meals."

So maybe he isn't a hypocrit, he just speaks in oxymorons. How can the government take hard-earned wages from the pockets of the middle class and there not be any free meals?

See http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071026/FRONTPAGE/710260384

Challenge to Scientific Consensus on Global Warming: Analysis Finds Hundreds of Scientists Have Published Evidence Countering Man-Made Global Warming Fears - Press Release

2007-09-12T12:19:00.000-05:00

I'm not going to become Chicken Little over global warming just yet. I am always skeptical when one side of an argument tries to turn its position into a religion or to brand the opposition as total idiots. Now, here comes:

"More than 300 of the scientists found evidence that 1) a natural moderate 1,500-year climate cycle has produced more than a dozen global warmings similar to ours since the last Ice Age and/or that 2) our Modern Warming is linked strongly to variations in the sun's irradiance."

LINK: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,176495.shtml

It didn't take long!

2007-08-29T16:32:00.000-05:00

Here is John Edwards getting into his SUV.

Edwards wants Americans to give up SUVs

2007-08-29T08:39:00.000-05:00

That can only mean one thing: John Edwards rides in SUVs.

How long will it take to drum up a photo of John Edwards in an SUV?

"The former North Carolina senator was asked specifically if he would tell [the American people] to give up their SUVS, he said, 'Yes.'"

LINK: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20487065/

One argument for the draft that makes sense

2007-08-28T14:27:00.000-05:00

I just don't know if it's completely changes my opinion.

"He was in the firefights of Fallujah. He saw gaps in America's arsenal that he believes can only be filled when America's elite puts its sons on the battlefield. A plea for selective service. "

LINK: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20478293/site/newsweek/

Study Shows: Violence with weapons not correlated to gun ownership

2007-08-28T13:47:00.000-05:00

The U.S. has the most guns (0.9 guns per person), according to this most recent survey.

"France, Canada, Sweden, Austria and Germany were next, each with about 30 guns per 100 people, while many poorer countries often associated with violence ranked much lower. Nigeria, for instance, had just one gun per 100 people."

NOTE: The UK is not on the list of high gun ownership.

LINK: http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2007-08-28T174254Z_01_L28348938_RTRUKOC_0_US-WORLD-FIREARMS.xml&src=rss&rpc=22&sp=true

Expelled! Ben Stein - the Anti-Michael Moore?

2007-08-23T13:57:00.000-05:00

Ben Stein has a new movie coming out - Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.

The movie attacks so-called Big Science and the state of science education. I think there is room for a lot of discussion in science (just like every other subject), so this movie intrigues me.

Trailer: http://www.expelledthemovie.com/video.php

Quote of the Day

2007-08-23T13:56:00.000-05:00

"To liberals, building a wall across the Mexican border is a violation of the Voting Rights Act." -- Ann Coulter

Link: http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/printer_friendly.cgi?article=204

Media falling for campaign talk

2007-08-22T10:03:00.000-05:00

"The media should not be so willing to parrot each of Mrs. Clinton's and Mr. Obama's campaign themes. They are able work-a-day politicians trying to get themselves elected president. Nothing is wrong with that. But Hillary Clinton is one of the least-experienced major candidates for president in the last hundred years, and Barack Obama is neither stylistically nor substantively offering any more change than have most candidates over the generations."

Link: http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070822/EDITORIAL01/108220040

How far can Edwards take it: another genuineness problem

2007-08-18T13:12:00.000-05:00

I don't have a problem with capitalism (it powers my website!), but John Edwards seems to. I base this on his stated plans of raising taxes, nationalizing healthcare, redistributing the hard-earned wages of the middle class, and his willingness to let government intervene in almost every private market.

Thus, I see another genuineness problem in former Senator Edwards' stance on poverty where it clashes with his personal habits. What's good for John Edwards (the super-rich) is not good for everyone else (read: the middle class).

According to the Wall Street Journal:

There are "34 New Orleans homes whose owners have faced foreclosure suits from subprime-lending units of Fortress Investment Group LLC. Mr. Edwards has about $16 million invested in Fortress funds .... Mr. Edwards worked for Fortress, a publicly held private-equity fund, from late 2005 through 2006."

Furthermore, "after leaving the firm, he kept about half of his net worth in Fortress funds. And Fortress employees have collectively made up the largest class of political contributors to Edwards. Workers there put up more than $150,000 toward his presidential run in the first six months of the year."

Of course, Edwards' campaign acted outraged that this was happening in the place where he announced his campaign. (It's hard for me to believe his ignorance when he has half of his net worth in the company. I have have of my net worth ($.01) in a company, and I track it like a hawk).

The end result is that John Edwards again comes of as disingenuous on the issue of poverty, class, and the economy. John Edwards chose to run as the common man. That's like Barney Fife trying to run as an investment banker, it just wouldn't be genuine.

I encourage you to read both of the articles below.

Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118728685546999884.html
More: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2007/08/17/fortress-questions-for-edwards/

Hypocrisy, I tell ya!

2007-08-03T08:58:00.000-05:00

John Edwards, the man who has a "genuineness" problem is now a proven hypocrit.

"John Edwards, who yesterday demanded Democratic candidates return any campaign donations from Rupert Murdoch and News Corp., himself earned at least $800,000 for a book published by one of the media mogul's companies."

Even after being confronted with the hypocrisy, the Edwards campaign claimed (absent any proof) that he donated the money to charity. The campaign further responded: "We're more than happy to give even more of Murdoch's money to Habitat for Humanity and other good causes..."

I guess what Edwards is really saying is that his campaign is a "good cause," but Hillary's campaign is not.

Link

Thompson on Federalism - Again!

2007-07-29T12:51:00.000-05:00

Thompson is talking the talk ... the type of talk true conservatives like to hear.

LINK: http://fredfile.imwithfred.com/2007/on-federalism/

Gingrich Predicts Clinton-Obama Ticket

2007-07-29T12:49:00.000-05:00

Also, leaving out McCain, Ginrich also said that the GOP will have three "formidable" choices in Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson, said Gingrich, who is considering whether to get into the race.

LINK: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070729/D8QMAVNO0.html

John Edwards: It's not hypocrisy, it's a lack of genuineness

2007-07-23T10:36:00.000-05:00

I think the hypocrisy argument has gotten muddled by some who try to make it seem as those of us who criticize Edwards are attacking his right to use his money as he sees fit. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Jonathan Darman, of Newsweek, says it best:

"But fundamentally, the problem caused by the house and haircut is not the appearance of hypocrisy. Rather, it is the perception that Edwards will pay any price to maintain his flawless veneer.

For RFK, authenticity also meant impulsiveness. Touring poor areas of the South, Kennedy would sometimes order his caravan to halt so he could chat with poor children he passed on the roadside. Edwards seems uncomfortable deviating from an established script. Touring a struggling Cleveland neighborhood last week, he walked slowly, letting the TV cameramen set the pace."

It's not that John Edwards has money, it's that he comes across as less than genuine when he says, "I care about poor people."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19886671/site/newsweek/

The primary goal of the new socialists ...

2007-07-21T19:27:00.000-05:00

... is to turn the American middle class into the poor.

The linked article details the upcoming minimum wage increase. I never realized that just 1% of American workers make the minimum wage. It seems like we have a natural bell curve going on with the highest salaries also representing around 1%.

The article also states that John Edwards wants to raise the minimum wage to $9.50 (Presumably to bolster incomes so that people can afford his tax increases). Increasing the minimum wage to $9.50 would rationally do one of two things: either 1) create a cascading effect through the economy that raises wages for everyone and just ends up leaving us in the status quo after the prices adjust to increased labor costs or 2) squeezes out hardworking middle class workers who would say, "why am I working in a hard job where education is required when I can just work at McDonald's for almost $10 per hour?"

Either way, the end result is nothing but more power in the hands of government, less capitalistic force in the marketplace, and the same amount of people in poverty.

When will the socialist wing of the party of Truman and Kennedy admit that they don't care about the "average American" because they are too busy trying to push that average person to the shallow end of the pool where the government can control them?

LINK: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19889276/

NOTE: While John Edwards is staking out positions somewhere left of Karl Marx, darling Obama stays in the grey area between silence and saying absolutely nothing at all. Obama is more worried about eliminating words and phrases from the lexicon ("working poor") than he is about doing anything.

Uh-Oh, you thought you were tired of the Prius-Snobs ...

2007-07-19T14:36:00.000-05:00

... now, the vegans and vegetarians are going to be coming out of the woodwork. The bright side, maybe, is that Algore will lose some weight!

"Producing 2.2lb of beef generates as much greenhouse gas as driving a car non-stop for three hours, it was claimed yesterday."

LINK: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/19/nbeef119.xml

Why Bill Clinton is a great politician

2007-07-19T10:17:00.000-05:00

... and John Edwards is still a novice that got lucky when he served his one term in the Senate.

"Responding to Elizabeth Edwards' suggestion that Senator Clinton feels she has to 'behave as a man and not talk about women's issues,' Bill Clinton said on ABC'S 'GOOD MORNING AMERICA': 'I don’t think she's trying to be a man. I don't think it’s inconsistent with being a woman that you can also be knowledgeable on military and security affairs, and be strong when the occasion demands it. I don't consider that being manly. I consider that being a leader.'"

That's called getting hit in the mouth by a heavyweight champ.

If you thought big government was revived by the Iraq war and USA PATRIOT, here comes a charged defibrillator

2007-07-16T16:13:00.000-05:00

"Edwards wants to set aside $100 million to help school districts implement economic integration programs."

Faced with the fact that they aren't giving enough entitlements out to enough people to buy their vote, Democrats are aiming to buy halfway up the middle class to get elected. At what point will Americans reject the socialist tendancies of the new Democrats?

Wait until the private healthcare industry is created when the Democrats finally socialize medicine!