Tuesday, February 28, 2006

The latest buzz

Hi, folks! Sorry for the unintended hiatus -- I'm just now recovered from the Grandmother of All Sinus Infections.

Heard the latest "buzz" in the war on drugs? Some municipalities are trying to ban "hemp-flavored" candy and other confections that supposedly mimic the flavor of marijuana but, in fact, do not contain marijuana or THC because that would be, you know, illegal.

I've seen plenty of hemp-containing products marketed with that instantly recognizable pot leaf silhouette, products by mainstream companies such as The Body Shop and California Tan. T-shirt manufacturer Crazy Shirts has a hemp-dyed T-shirt imprinted with designs suggesting that you run contraband on the weekends. The appeal to the real or wannabe ganga-smoking crowd certainly is nothing new.

Do I think it's appropriate to market candy that suggests alcohol or drug use to children? No, but it's not like these candymakers are buying airtime during The Higglytown Heroes. Last I checked, adults eat candy, too, and so long as there is truth in packaging and parents are -- you know -- doing their job and monitoring what their kids eat, I don't see the problem.

But making lollipops criminal -- good flippin' grief.

Friday, February 17, 2006

We interrupt this otherwise lovely Friday for ...

... some news that'll curl your hair: For once, I agree with Chuck Schumer.

When I first read about the deal to put control of six major ports under the authority of a state-owned company based in Dubai, my first reaction was a big ol' Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Then I read Scott McClellan's assurance that the deal had been thoroughly vetted by all relevant national security review processes, and I felt better for about nine nanoseconds.

Then my reaction was back to: WTF???????

Apparently, Chuckie had the same reaction, along with other lawmakers from both parties, nearly the entire blogosphere and, I'd guess, my two-year-old niece if she could understand international relations and Elmo were involved.

This. Makes. No. Sense. Whatsoever.

Michelle Malkin has much more detail than I could elaborate on here. But suffice it to say that I think the White House is smoking crack.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Sweetness and light

Gosh, was that a bummer of a V-Day post yesterday or what?

As an antidote to all the ugliness going on in the world, I am cheerfully sipping on a Mountain Dew and listening to the bubblegum bliss of "Mmm-Bop" by Hanson. Sometimes you just gotta dive deep into the shallow end.

I finally got out of the house today and it's 70 degrees. Yeah! R. and I are planning an apres-work rendezvous at a restaurant somewhere. He was supposed to treat me to a home-cooked meal last night, but because I was puny we just had pizza and watched movies. R. has been quite attentive and sweet during my illness. He brought me Mexican and Chinese takeout when I was craving spicy food. For a man who has called me a fashion diva, he hasn't been repelled by limp, slept-in hair and no makeup. And he must have the constitution of an ox -- so far he hasn't caught whatever it is I'm fighting, and trust me, he's had ample opportunity.

So, happy Wednesday everyone.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Happy Valentine's Day (achoo!)

Hi, folks. Sorry for the dearth of posts, but the GGB is down with a cold or sumthin. But I'd like to wish all my readers -- especially R. -- a very happy Saint Valentine's Day.

Yeah ... with all the teddy bear and underwear ads, we often forget that this holiday rightly began to commemorate the martyrdom of a Christian saint. (The exact origins are a bit murky -- the Catholic Church recognizes three saints named Valentine or Valentinus.)

Which brings me to the War on Cartoons. If you think this is just about cartoons, you're on crack. "Hardline Hindus and radical Muslims" have recently taken out their rage on Valentine's Day in India, saying it's a decadent Western holiday that spreads immorality. Of course if they realized the Christian origins of Valentine's Day, there might really be a mob scene, considering the brutal treatment minority Christians get in many places in the world.

All to say that the War on Cartoons is not about cartoons -- it's about being Western. Whether you're just a Valentine card-giving, KFC-eating secular American or a devout Christian or Jew, a significant segment of the Islamic world just doesn't like you. You cannot be a non-Muslim and not offend them.

Chew on that while you munch on your chocolate candy today.

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Bush = Ayatollah?

From Drudge:

This morning on ABC's Good Morning America, Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean attacked President Bush for turning the United States into Iran. Dean: "All we ask is that we not turn into a country like Iran where the President can do anything he wants."

I guess the "Bush is a Nazi" slur got a little stale and the Dems needed fresh material.

And a little geek decor ...

Computer Key Seat, Black at X-tremegeek.com

Now THIS is something I could use

Power Station Organizer

From the horse's mouth

Muslim Americans split on cartoons - Yahoo! News

I'll just let this article speak for itself.

Nothing to see here ... move along

Nine church fires in recent days in Alabama have been ruled arson.

The racial makeup of these churches is split right down the middle -- five were predominantly black, four predominantly white. They were all Baptist although not all Southern Baptist, but that might not mean anything since you can't throw a rock without hitting a Baptist church down here.

The investigation is still very much under way, and at least according to media reports, they have no suspects. However, Governor Bob Riley and the local ATF are already playing down the apparent anti-religion motivation of these attacks: Riley says he sees no evidence of a "grand conspiracy" against religion or Baptists. Jim Cavanaugh, regional director of the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agency, said there could be a "thrill motive" behind the arsons.

Oh really? Whoever did this meant business.

These are churches, not abandoned warehouses. Several news reports have said the fires started at or near the pulpit. You don't have to be a theologian to understand the symbolic significance. One Baptist newspaper in Texas reported that in one fire, the ignition sites were the pulpit, the American flag and the communion table.

Hello! People!

I'm not paranoid; I don't think this means that the pogroms are coming. But I do wish these church burnings were prompting the sort of public outry that attacks against other groups would.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Hillary Babels

A little fun with Alta Vista's Babel Fish. I translated my post below into Japanese and then back into English. :)

"Today, ho! Hillary Rodham where is that (as for ack! ) The Clinton here. As today said in the automobile factory worker where I am connected, why it did not capture the person where we Afghanistan are highest I who have been grasped pass the time of balance. Because know, to be good as everything as for Osama ' me center Taliban ' and of and the garlic smell doing faintly is walking with clear vision of Allah and everyone who attach the T shirt which is said to the body. If simple work obtains and is... -, there to be I.Q. of 2 in the bush, in the influenza of Halliburton, hurricane Katrina and the bird and rear of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. "

Hillary speaks


"Hi, ho! It's Hillary Rodham (ack!) Clinton here.

"Like I told the United Auto Workers today, I'm having a hard time figuring out why we haven't captured the tallest man in Afghanistan. Because as well all know, Osama is walking around in plain sight of Allah and everyone wearing a T-shirt that says 'I heart the Taliban' and smelling faintly of goats and garlic. Should be a piece of cake ... er, baklava ... but we all know that Bush has an IQ of 2 and is also behind Halliburton, Hurricane Katrina, the bird flu and the Natalee Holloway disappearance."

It's gettin' ugly, folks

A South Carolina radio host has received death threats in relation to the Mohammed cartoons:

http://www.commonvoice.com/article.asp?colid=4082 (Hat tip: Vodkapundit.)

The FBI has been called in. I'm guessing they'll be able to find out at least one of the perpetrators. If I were the FBI rather than the GGB? I have no idea what is supposed to happen to foreign nationals who commit crimes, but I'd deport their butts out of here faster than you can say babaghanouj.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

I knew this was going to happen

Our president attends the funeral of a leading citizen and is shat upon by a Jesse Jackson wannabee and the lousiest president ever to (dis)grace the White House.

Drudge has details. The look on Laura Bush's face is priceless. She looks like she's dying to bitchslap the "Reverend" Joseph Lowery, and I admire her restraint.

All I can say is I am old enough to remember the Carter years even though I was six when he took office. I still remember the evening news marking yet another day that our citizens were held hostage in Iran. The disastrous rescue mission. The soaring inflation. Double-digit unemployment. And Ronnie Reagan kicking Jimmy Carter's booty all over the electoral college map in 1980. (Carter won only two states: Georgia and Hawaii.)

Carter couldn't effectively lead a Rotary Club meeting, much less a nation, and he has the audacity to bash the president ... at a funeral ... as a former president. Hideous. Disgusting. I guess he deep down realizes what a lame excuse for a chief executive he was and how he damn near ruined this country and he's practicing a little projection. Only reason he got elected to begin with was because of the taint of the Nixon administration on Gerald Ford.

If I ever had any doubt that Carter is pathetic, I don't now.

All right. I've got to stop getting all twisted like this. I've got to get back to blogging gadgets. Y'all have a great afternoon.

If only it came with Bluetooth capability

Shiny Shiny: The Keyboard Bag

Monday, February 06, 2006

How to pick a winning Super Bowl team

R and I literally had to discuss which team we'd root for in the Super Bowl, considering the fact that we're both less-than-nominal football fans and have no real investment in either team.

This picture basically sums up our discussion and why we decided to cheer on Pittsburgh.

(Hat tip: Vodkapundit.)

GGB required reading

Suzanne Fields: From Hitler to Hamas

Jeff Jacoby: Today censors may be coming for some Mohammed cartoons; tomorrow it is your words and ideas they will silence

Mark Steyn: ‘Sensitivity’ can have brutal consequences

Pick a side, world

The ubiquitous They say that not all Muslims are radical, violent, fascist and bloodthirsty. And while I believe that is absolutely true, after the events of the past few weeks (and, for that matter, the past four decades), I also believe it is a moot point.

Let's face it: The fruitcake wing of Islam is in charge.

From the chaos in Palestine to Iran's saber-rattling to the frighteningly ridiculous backlash against cartoons, the face of Islam is getting increasingly ugly. Whether it's radical imams or street youth, the bullies are calling the shots. In places like Iran, they're the de juris powers that be. In places like England, they enjoy a de facto power that is getting more ominous every day. In fact, I don't think they care too much whether it's a Muslim or infidel in charge, as long as said infidel cowers to threats and intimidation and therefore lets the Muslims rule by proxy.

When you have protesters blatantly calling for a bloodbath in the streets of Great Britain -- and they've already bombed your country once -- and you give them a police escort rather than handcuffs and deportation, then the thugs are in charge and you shouldn't be surprised the next time they make good on their threats.

I mean, can you think of any other group possibly getting away with pubicly endorsing murder? Can you imagine the (rightful) shrieking if the protesters were calling for the extermination of blacks or gays or -- gasp! -- Muslims?

The Islamic doctrine of dhimmification is working right before our very eyes. When is the free world going to put its foot down and refuse to take orders from thugs? Who has to be murdered next? Which freedom is next to go? Are we going to say no when media offices are firebombed? What about when they start murdering priests and preachers and rabbis?

It's time to pick a side. The Muslims have thrown down the gauntlet. This is not about liking or hating Bush or agreeing or disagreeing with US foreign policy. Islam is currently being run by homicidal maniacs. We have two choices: capitulate or fight. Pick one.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Waking up in the Matrix, part 2

From London's Daily Telegraph.

Muslim protests are incitement to murder, say Tories

The Conservatives last night called on the police to arrest militant Muslims who threatened Westerners with violence during protests in London over newspaper cartoons that mocked the Prophet Mohammed.

Good, good.

As fanatics - some dressed as suicide bombers - staged more protests yesterday, David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said the police should take action against what were clearly offences of incitement to murder.

Good again.

Mr Davis said last night: "Clearly some of these placards are incitement to violence and, indeed, incitement to murder - an extremely serious offence which the police must deal with and deal with quickly.

Ya think? But don't get your hopes up ...

Scotland Yard said a decision not to arrest protesters was taken because of public order fears.

Translation: We're impotent twits.

It confirmed that police had received more than 100 complaints from the public about the protesters' behaviour.

Only 100? What is the population of London, several million? Sheesh.

Yesterday, more than 1,000 demonstrators staged a second protest outside the embassy. The only arrests made were of two men found carrying cartoons of Mohammed. Police said they had been detained "to prevent a breach of the peace".

Unreal. Friggin' unreal.

On Friday police provided a motorcycle and helicopter escort for the protesters. Video cameras recorded the events.

Hopefully to help them identify the suspects later for a round of arrests and deportations, but I'm not holding my breath.

This is insane.

Friday, February 03, 2006

New Windows error message

For those pesky cartoonists:

Moonwalkin'

OK. Fashion question of the day: Moon boots?














And the product description for these boots includes this warning: "This footwear not designed for space travel." I kid you not. Of course, I would not want to wear these ugly things anywhere else besides the moon where it's just me and Burt Rutan hangin' out.

Anyway ... Overstock.com has 'em for the bargain price of $56.99 (original price: $149.99). Get 'em while there, uhm, hot.

Waking up in the Matrix

I think I passed into an alternate universe somewhere during the middle of the night. Maybe my cell phone was too close to my head when that text message came in, alerting me that the Zen Vision M was up for auction on eBay, but anyway ... here was the headline:

US blasts cartoons of Prophet Mohammed

"These cartoons are indeed offensive to the beliefs of Muslims," State Department spokesman Justin Higgins said when queried about the furor sparked by the cartoons which first appeared in a Danish newspaper.

"We all fully recognize and respect freedom of the press and expression but it must be coupled with press responsibility," Higgins told AFP.


"Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable. We call for tolerance and respect for all communities and for their religious beliefs and practices."

Oh, really? Like you called for tolerance and respect when foul rapper Kanye West posed as Jesus Christ on the cover of Rolling Stone ... or when The Book of Daniel was put on the air ... or when Jesus Christ and Christianity are mocked, lampooned and ridiculed any number of times any given day in the media.

But never mind, I've got my big-girl panties on. Living in a free society means some days people are going to say and do things that piss you off. The fact that the State Department feels compelled to preach about tolerance in the face of the RoP's "International Day of Anger" speaks for itself.

(Hat tip: Michelle Malkin)

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Cube party!!!

A coworker of mine collects The Cubes (R) playsets. Today -- a particularly hard day -- she decided we needed a little Cube People Party:

















I'm delighted to see the return of breakdancing! W00t!

Am I too old for this? I don't think so.

It's a gadget, and the GGB is all about gadgets, even if the target audience is 13-year-olds:

ThoughtSafe

Hat tip: Shiny Shiny

OK, this rocks, too: Simply Scarlet USB Flash Drive

Humor break

From the GGB's bookmark collection, for your jocular enjoyment:

www.awfulplasticsurgery.com

www.churchsigngenerator.com

www.engrish.com

http://gofugyourself.typepad.com

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

A glimpse behind the scenes at Chez GGB

The scene: "R" and the GGB at the GGB's home watching Fox News' coverage of the SOTU and the Democrat response by Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D).

















Brit Hume: "And now we go live to the governor's mansion in Richmond, Virginia."

R: "I've been right on those steps." (R is a former resident of Virginia.)

GGB: "Oooh, a fireplace. Looks like he's going to read us a bedtime story."

Kaine: "Hi, I'm Tim Kaine, governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. And there is a better way."

R: "What is up with this guy's eyebrow?"

GGB: "The government's going to take care of you, we're going to pay for everything, blah dee blah blah blah."

Kaine: "There is a better way."

R: "Creepy, creepy."

GGB: "I feel like I'm watching an informercial. Like he's going to sell us power tools. No, he's not (grunting sound) enough to sell us power tools."

R: "Maybe kitchen appliances."

Kaine: "There is a better way."

GGB: "You didn't vote for this guy, did you?"

R: (looking absolutely horrified) "Hell no!"

Kaine: "Thereisabetterwaythereisabetterywaythereisabetterway. God bless America."

Brit Hume: "Let's go now to our panel and discuss how they go about choosing someone to offer the Democratic response and why they would pick such a person. Mort?"

GGB: "Want another beer?"

R: "Absolutely."

UPDATE: Something else had been bothering me about Kaine, and I finally figured it out. He eerily reminds me of "Larry," a guy I went out with about a year ago who (1) was on lithium, (2) couldn't take no for an answer (especially when I objected to being clumsily felt up on our third date), and (3) HAS THE SAME EYEBROW WEIRDNESS.

Eeewww. Icky.