Free Airport WiFi is a good thing.
San Jose's new terminal has both free WiFi ... And each chair at every gate has two electrical outlets and a USB charging port.
This is genius.
This is genius.
Korean War Autobiography is gone?
I was following an older user on LiveJournal who was writing up his memories of his time in the US Army during the Korean War and about his re-adjustment upon his return home. What made this uniquely interesting was that he was telling his story against the DADT ("Don't Ask / Don't Tell") debate going on, today.
He's a gay man.
He said the hardest part was returning home. Apparently, readjusting to civilian life was more difficult than combat in some aspects. A few months after he returned he was arrested -- swept-up in a raid on a gay bar. He said the shame, the ostracism he faced from family (especially after his photo appeared in the newspaper) -- this was harder than combat in some ways.
So, he's been telling his story, interspersed with comments and observations with the way things have changed in the intervening half-century.
Earlier this week, his LJ entries -- indeed, his whole account -- was gone.
And now I know why: LiveJournal purged his account at the request of New York State.
Apparently, as a gay man with a single conviction for 'Public lewdness' (he allegedly kissed another man while at the bar -- something he denies), he's branded a 'Sex Offender', and by law must register with local authorities.
For being gay.
And New York State does not allow 'sex offenders' to have accounts on 'Social Networking Sites'. By law, apparently, Gay Men in New York State who are arrested simply for being gay over 50 years ago, are a danger to children everywhere and must never be allowed to tell their stories.
Damn them.
He's a gay man.
He said the hardest part was returning home. Apparently, readjusting to civilian life was more difficult than combat in some aspects. A few months after he returned he was arrested -- swept-up in a raid on a gay bar. He said the shame, the ostracism he faced from family (especially after his photo appeared in the newspaper) -- this was harder than combat in some ways.
So, he's been telling his story, interspersed with comments and observations with the way things have changed in the intervening half-century.
Earlier this week, his LJ entries -- indeed, his whole account -- was gone.
And now I know why: LiveJournal purged his account at the request of New York State.
Apparently, as a gay man with a single conviction for 'Public lewdness' (he allegedly kissed another man while at the bar -- something he denies), he's branded a 'Sex Offender', and by law must register with local authorities.
For being gay.
And New York State does not allow 'sex offenders' to have accounts on 'Social Networking Sites'. By law, apparently, Gay Men in New York State who are arrested simply for being gay over 50 years ago, are a danger to children everywhere and must never be allowed to tell their stories.
Damn them.
Daniel O'Rourke: A Worldwide Nervous Breakdown
A Worldwide Nervous Breakdown
by Daniel O’Rourke
12/09/10
Victor Davis Hanson, historian, author and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, wrote an article in October 2008 entitled “America’s Nervous Breakdown – Should It Continue, a World Breakdown May Follow.” Well, as Hanson feared it has continued; it was contagious. Now the world too is having its breakdown.
( The psychiatric community has not formally defined “nervous breakdown.” )
Censorship Woes
Since it's been kicked-off its Amazon.com and EveryDNS.net hosts and DNS service here in the US, I'm posting the direct IP address for Wikileaks, here:
http://213.251.145.96/
Currently, it's hosted by a Swiss provider, and will be available at www.wikileaks.ch once the name propagates through the DNS hosts.
http://213.251.145.96/
Currently, it's hosted by a Swiss provider, and will be available at www.wikileaks.ch once the name propagates through the DNS hosts.
Danniel O'Rourke: Thanksgiving - Don't Complain
Thanksgiving – Don’t Complain
Daniel O’Rourke|
1/25/10
These statistics from an anonymous source jumped right off my computer screen the other day and have stayed in my consciousness ever since. The statistics have much to say to us on this Thanksgiving holiday.
“If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change somewhere in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy. If you can read this, you are more blessed than over two billion people around the world who cannot read at all.”( Read more... )
Daniel O'Rourke: We Must Do More for Our Veterans
We Must Do More for Our Veterans
by Daniel O’Rourke
11/11/10
There will be many efforts around the country this Veterans’ Day to recognize veterans’ service to the nation. I read that someone is offering veterans free car washes today. I suspect there will be other similar gestures. None of them, however, will provide veterans what they need and what they deserve. Too often they are out of sight and out of mind.
( Read more... )
Picture Picture
Mr. Rodger's Neighborhood's "Picture Picture" segment, where Mr. McFeely would bring a movie or (later) videotape of short documentaries about "How People Make <Whatever>" has been updated for the new Millennium. And it's taken me several years to figure this out.
Yes, there's a New "Picture Picture" on basic cable (and Netflix, btw).
It's Called Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel.
I have no idea why I never made the connection, before.
Yes, there's a New "Picture Picture" on basic cable (and Netflix, btw).
It's Called Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel.
I have no idea why I never made the connection, before.
I'm sorry - did you say "Silver"?
Jerry Bock has died.
Now, many knew him as the composer of Fiddler on the Roof, but I didn't - at least that wasn't my first thought when it comes to who he was. To me, he was the composer of The Rothschilds, from which my High School took it's alma mater: "In My Own Lifetime". Hal Linden originated the lead in it (years before "Barney Miller"), and I posted a YouTube video of Sammy Davis, Jr. performing the song a few weeks ago.
So - bear with me and my weird train of thought - I went to my High School's website to see if there was a mention of the passing of Jerry Bock, what with him writing the alma mater and all...
... and I discover they're planning next year's reunions.
And mine (no, I'm not going) is getting a special call-out, because it's got a color associated with it. A shiny, sparkly, metallic color.
A color associated with old people.
WTF?!??!!
Now, many knew him as the composer of Fiddler on the Roof, but I didn't - at least that wasn't my first thought when it comes to who he was. To me, he was the composer of The Rothschilds, from which my High School took it's alma mater: "In My Own Lifetime". Hal Linden originated the lead in it (years before "Barney Miller"), and I posted a YouTube video of Sammy Davis, Jr. performing the song a few weeks ago.
So - bear with me and my weird train of thought - I went to my High School's website to see if there was a mention of the passing of Jerry Bock, what with him writing the alma mater and all...
... and I discover they're planning next year's reunions.
And mine (no, I'm not going) is getting a special call-out, because it's got a color associated with it. A shiny, sparkly, metallic color.
A color associated with old people.
WTF?!??!!
The Danger in Dreams
Buster Posey's life is over. There's no greater height to which he can aspire.
Rookie year. Home Run. World Series.
How can you aim any higher than that? Sure, he can settle-in and become one of the greatest players ever. Sure, he's got a long career ahead of him, and can grow into a great all-around player who will be highly regarded for decades.
But Jeez - the home run last night is one of those stats that is so unusual, it's going to go from "feather in his cap" to "wishing it never happened" as it dogs him for the next few years; he should take whatever advice fallen child stars can offer, because he's always going to be compared to what he did in last night's game. It's going to haunt him forever.
Ball players routinely say they've dreamed since they were kids of playing in the Majors. And playing in the World Series. And hitting a home-run in the World Series.
So what happens to your dreams - the ones that form early, the ones that you're passionate about, the ones that are supposed to stay with you your entire life - what happens when you've fulfilled them and you've got so much life left before you?
My guess is that nothing will supplant Posey's dreams, now. Nothing can.
Rookie year. Home Run. World Series.
How can you aim any higher than that? Sure, he can settle-in and become one of the greatest players ever. Sure, he's got a long career ahead of him, and can grow into a great all-around player who will be highly regarded for decades.
But Jeez - the home run last night is one of those stats that is so unusual, it's going to go from "feather in his cap" to "wishing it never happened" as it dogs him for the next few years; he should take whatever advice fallen child stars can offer, because he's always going to be compared to what he did in last night's game. It's going to haunt him forever.
Ball players routinely say they've dreamed since they were kids of playing in the Majors. And playing in the World Series. And hitting a home-run in the World Series.
So what happens to your dreams - the ones that form early, the ones that you're passionate about, the ones that are supposed to stay with you your entire life - what happens when you've fulfilled them and you've got so much life left before you?
My guess is that nothing will supplant Posey's dreams, now. Nothing can.
Food for thought
Not much spam gets through my spam filters. This came from someone I know: ( Can Catholics be Good Americans? )
This is certainly 'food-for-thought'. This is very interesting and we all need to read it from start to finish. And send it on to everyone. Maybe this is why our American Catholics are so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities. Can a good Catholic be A good American?
This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Italy for 20 years. The following is his reply:
Therefore, after much study and deliberation.... Perhaps we should be Very suspicious of ALL CATHOLICS in this country. - - - They obviously cannot be both 'good' Catholics and good Americans. Call it what you wish it's still the truth. You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.
The religious war is bigger than we know or understand. ....
Footnote: The Catholics have said they will destroy us from within. SO FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
This is certainly 'food-for-thought'. This is very interesting and we all need to read it from start to finish. And send it on to everyone. Maybe this is why our American Catholics are so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities. Can a good Catholic be A good American?
This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Italy for 20 years. The following is his reply:
- Theologically - no. . . . Because his allegiance is to Pope, the leader of vatican City.
- Religiously - no.. . . Because no other religion is accepted by His Church ( Mirari vos)
- Sculpturally - no. . . Because his allegiance is to the traditions of the Council of Trent.
- Geographically - no . Because his allegiance is to Rome , to which he gives his indulgences to.
- Socially - no. . . Because his allegiance to Catholicism forbids him to make Friends with Protestants or Jews .
- Politically - no.. . . Because he must submit to the Priests, who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great whore.
- Domestically - no. .. . Because he is instructed to beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him (Code Napoelon)
- Intellectually - no. . Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.
- Philosophically - no. . . . Because Catholicism, the Pope and the Council of Trent does Not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Catholicism cannot co-exist. Every Catholic government is either dictatorial or autocratic.
- Spiritually - no.. . . Because when we declare 'one nation under God,' the Protestant's God is loving and kind, while the Catholic Church is NEVER referred to the one true Church.
Therefore, after much study and deliberation.... Perhaps we should be Very suspicious of ALL CATHOLICS in this country. - - - They obviously cannot be both 'good' Catholics and good Americans. Call it what you wish it's still the truth. You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.
The religious war is bigger than we know or understand. ....
Footnote: The Catholics have said they will destroy us from within. SO FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
The Beard was Feared
Despite pleas to keep it because apparently Full Beards are 'In' right now - especially in the Bay Area - I'm shaving mine off, tonight, in anticipation of Hallowe'en.
Understanding Spouse has never - not once - seen me without it.
Given the way my beard grows, however, it should probably be back to it's full glory by this time next week. Testosterone, baby; I'm a man's man (and I mean that in the most non-gay way possible. Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course).
Understanding Spouse has never - not once - seen me without it.
Given the way my beard grows, however, it should probably be back to it's full glory by this time next week. Testosterone, baby; I'm a man's man (and I mean that in the most non-gay way possible. Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course).
Daniel O'Rourke: What the Chilean Mine Rescue Teaches Us
What the Chilean Mine Rescue Teaches Us
by Daniel O’Rourke
10/28/10
Many have called the fascinating rescue of the thirty-three Chilean miners a miracle. Some use that word to credit the rescue to God’s direct intervention. “But,” as Eugene Cullen Kennedy wrote in the National Catholic Reporter, “this remarkable and riveting accomplishment is, in fact, a demonstration of human power, machinery and rescue devices that were born not in some divine workshop but in the human imagination.”
( Read more... )
Faster than Lightning!
We're one of those households that has ditched the Evil Cable Company, and use Netflix to stream television shows and movies directly over the Interwebs to our Television.
My two youngest have discovered the early sixties show Flipper with theexploited trained dolphin. I don't think they have any understanding that - even when I tell them as plainly as I can - the show is older than their dad. Not by much, but it is.
My two youngest have discovered the early sixties show Flipper with the
Moot idiom
After how many years of using the phrase "Dollars to Doughnuts" when describing betting on a sure thing - after how many years do I now realize that doughnuts cost way more than a dollar, and it's no longer a financially sound bet?
Jeez,I wonder what I'd do if someone actually took me up on the bet?
Jeez,I wonder what I'd do if someone actually took me up on the bet?