Tony just linked to the report of the untimely death of Greg Beck, author of Death's Door, from a heart attack Sunday night.
Somebody please tell me that this is a horrible misunderstanding or a ghastly publicity prank.
This is a major loss to the local blogging scene if it's true.
tagged: Greg Beck, Death's Door, blogger, Kansas City
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Sebelius Administration and Chemical Weapons
The Sebelius Administration in Kansas just earned another black eye, proving yet again that it is no friend of the environment.
A report by the Wichita Eagle details how the Sebelius Administration approved a plan to go all Nazi on hundreds of cute, innocent prairie dogs in western Kansas.
Exterminators contracted by Logan County received approval from the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Department to use aluminum phosphide gas to execute the cuddly little creatures.
End environmentalists also fear the chemical weapons attack could have killed other cute meadow creatures such as burrowing owls, ornate box turtles, cottontail rabbits that tend to inhabit abandoned prairie dog holes.
The mass extermination was carried out with state support against the wishes of landowner Larry Haverfield.
With its support of this plan, the administration has revealed its deeply rooted anti-prairie dog sentiment. Oh, Sebelius' supporters will tell you that Priarie Dogs are vermin, that they carried plague and pestilence. Interesting how that is the same kind of rhetoric used by the Nazis in a little extermination scheme they had a few years ago.
Kansas shouldn't let this be swept under the rug. Today its prairie dogs in sparsely populated Logan County, tomorrow it could be the pet prairie dog in your back yard.
tagged: Kansas, Sebelius, chemical weapon, aluminum+phosphide, prairie+dog, wildlife, environmentalist
A report by the Wichita Eagle details how the Sebelius Administration approved a plan to go all Nazi on hundreds of cute, innocent prairie dogs in western Kansas.
Exterminators contracted by Logan County received approval from the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Department to use aluminum phosphide gas to execute the cuddly little creatures.End environmentalists also fear the chemical weapons attack could have killed other cute meadow creatures such as burrowing owls, ornate box turtles, cottontail rabbits that tend to inhabit abandoned prairie dog holes.
The mass extermination was carried out with state support against the wishes of landowner Larry Haverfield.
"I hated to see them come on us and use that kind of poison," said Haverfield. "It kills everything in the holes. We would have liked to have someone come and seen us and talked about barriers and poison use."The evil cabal of county commissioners and state undersecretaries took advantage of a 1904 state law that allows counties to poison prairie dogs and then bill the landowner for the atrocity.
With its support of this plan, the administration has revealed its deeply rooted anti-prairie dog sentiment. Oh, Sebelius' supporters will tell you that Priarie Dogs are vermin, that they carried plague and pestilence. Interesting how that is the same kind of rhetoric used by the Nazis in a little extermination scheme they had a few years ago.
Kansas shouldn't let this be swept under the rug. Today its prairie dogs in sparsely populated Logan County, tomorrow it could be the pet prairie dog in your back yard.
tagged: Kansas, Sebelius, chemical weapon, aluminum+phosphide, prairie+dog, wildlife, environmentalist
YouTube Tuesday: Are we not men?
So I've received a couple of emails and comments about my fascination with monkeys, and just what's the deal with that anyway.
Well, I didn't really know I had a fascination with monkeys. Sure, there's the Smoking Chimp that I use in my profile, and a handful of posts about monkeys. But I wouldn't really call that a fascination, would you.
But in way of explanation let me just say that monkeys are funny. In a metaphorical sense they are a good way to poke fun at ourselves and mock our baser instincts in an exaggerated way.
Kind of like what Ernest Cline does here...
tagged: movie, YouTube, video, science, humor, monkey, Ernest Cline, chimp
Well, I didn't really know I had a fascination with monkeys. Sure, there's the Smoking Chimp that I use in my profile, and a handful of posts about monkeys. But I wouldn't really call that a fascination, would you.
But in way of explanation let me just say that monkeys are funny. In a metaphorical sense they are a good way to poke fun at ourselves and mock our baser instincts in an exaggerated way.
Kind of like what Ernest Cline does here...
tagged: movie, YouTube, video, science, humor, monkey, Ernest Cline, chimp
Monday, September 10, 2007
A beautiful day in the neighborhood
Our homeowners association had its annual neighborhood picnic Saturday evening.
We moved into our new house almost exactly a year ago. Since then we've put on a new roof, new siding, painted lots of rooms, changed out some electrical outlets and done tons of work on the previously un-maintained landscape.
We've visited extensively with our next-door neighbors and met the family up the street with a girl the same age as our daughter.
But we hadn't met many of the other people in the neighborhood until Saturday, so it was nice to get out and mingle.
The highlight of the day of course was having the OP fire department bring a truck down for the kids to check out. Then the hooked up to a fire hydrant and turned the hose on for a few minutes.
The kids loved it.
tagged: Kansas, Overland Park, neighborhood, homeowner, picnic, weekend, Saturday, firetruck
We moved into our new house almost exactly a year ago. Since then we've put on a new roof, new siding, painted lots of rooms, changed out some electrical outlets and done tons of work on the previously un-maintained landscape.
We've visited extensively with our next-door neighbors and met the family up the street with a girl the same age as our daughter.
But we hadn't met many of the other people in the neighborhood until Saturday, so it was nice to get out and mingle.
The highlight of the day of course was having the OP fire department bring a truck down for the kids to check out. Then the hooked up to a fire hydrant and turned the hose on for a few minutes.
The kids loved it.
tagged: Kansas, Overland Park, neighborhood, homeowner, picnic, weekend, Saturday, firetruck
Friday, September 07, 2007
Friday Blogthing: But first, are you experienced?
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Troop surge
I'm about a week late on this, but it's something I wanted to get off my to-blog list.
The LJW posted a video report about recruiting problems at the Kansas Highway Patrol.
For various reasons (more people in the military, more people retiring) there are fewer qualified applicants to join the KHP (or, as I call them, KHiPs). One of the biggest issues is that the applicants they get can't pass the written and physical tests.
At first I wondered how tough it could be. I mean, I know how to drive. If the written test is anything like the open book test I took to get my driver's license when I was 14, I shouldn't have any problem with it.
And as far as the physical test goes, hell how tough can it be? It's not like you have to be an American Gladiator to sit behind the steering wheel all day drinking coffee and eating donuts.
But then I realized that the KHP is being smart and planning ahead. With oil reserves drying up by the day, the KHP realizes that it has to set higher standards for its troopers in order to deal with the coming apocalyptic dystopia.
Physical standards are being raised. The highway of the socially decayed future will require men of great stamina and strength. Marksmanship will be a key skill, as these new troops attempt not only to uphold the law, but to dispense justice and vengeance as well.
In their new roles as judge, juror and executioner, Kansas will need the best of the best.
tagged: Kansas, highway patrol, peak oil, CHiPs, Road Warrior, Mel Gibson
The LJW posted a video report about recruiting problems at the Kansas Highway Patrol.For various reasons (more people in the military, more people retiring) there are fewer qualified applicants to join the KHP (or, as I call them, KHiPs). One of the biggest issues is that the applicants they get can't pass the written and physical tests.
At first I wondered how tough it could be. I mean, I know how to drive. If the written test is anything like the open book test I took to get my driver's license when I was 14, I shouldn't have any problem with it.
And as far as the physical test goes, hell how tough can it be? It's not like you have to be an American Gladiator to sit behind the steering wheel all day drinking coffee and eating donuts.
But then I realized that the KHP is being smart and planning ahead. With oil reserves drying up by the day, the KHP realizes that it has to set higher standards for its troopers in order to deal with the coming apocalyptic dystopia.
Physical standards are being raised. The highway of the socially decayed future will require men of great stamina and strength. Marksmanship will be a key skill, as these new troops attempt not only to uphold the law, but to dispense justice and vengeance as well.In their new roles as judge, juror and executioner, Kansas will need the best of the best.
tagged: Kansas, highway patrol, peak oil, CHiPs, Road Warrior, Mel Gibson
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Medium rare
Just easing back into blogger mode here.
I plan on doing some kind of recap of Labor Day weekend (maybe), but I wanted to post this neato portrait done by an artist in Great Britain.
When I first saw this portrait -- before reading the story behind it (pun intended) -- I thought it was quite a fetching likeness of the President.
He is depicted gazing stoically into the future, ready to do what is necessary to ensure the continuance of life, liberty and the Amercan way. I'm pretty sure that's was Republican supporters in Texas thought, too. Until they read the story behind the portrait.
Not sure what the artist's message is. The President is a boob? Something about being the "head" of state? Dick (Cheney, of course) is on the president's mind?
According to the artist:
tagged: Bush, art, portrait, porn, Jonathan Yeo
I plan on doing some kind of recap of Labor Day weekend (maybe), but I wanted to post this neato portrait done by an artist in Great Britain.
When I first saw this portrait -- before reading the story behind it (pun intended) -- I thought it was quite a fetching likeness of the President.
He is depicted gazing stoically into the future, ready to do what is necessary to ensure the continuance of life, liberty and the Amercan way. I'm pretty sure that's was Republican supporters in Texas thought, too. Until they read the story behind the portrait.
US Republicans are none too pleased with Brit artist Jonathan Yeo, who's just completed a fetching portrait of George Bush constructed from grumble mag clippings...That's right, look closely at the collage images and you can see (if you want) women and men in various stages of undress performing various acts upon each other.
According to the Sun, Republicans have reacted with predictable indignation. A spokesman for Republicans Abroad International said: "This will cause outrage in America. Some people will think it’s funny - but personally I think it is a cheap stunt."
A spokesman for the Texas tentacle of the Republican Party chipped in with: "This picture is very distasteful. Why would anyone want to make a picture of our President from pornographic material?"
Not sure what the artist's message is. The President is a boob? Something about being the "head" of state? Dick (Cheney, of course) is on the president's mind?
According to the artist:
"I did it for fun, not to offend, but I'm pleased with it. I did it to amuse."Still, it's a pretty good portrait. It raises a few questions: What is the intrinsic value of the medium. Does the medium increase/decrease the aesthetic value of a work? Is that what I think it is on his earlobe?
tagged: Bush, art, portrait, porn, Jonathan Yeo
Friday, August 31, 2007
In my head I'm already gone
Okay, that's it for me. I'm off to my parents' place to help run my dad's big barbecue contest this weekend.
Should be a good time, with lots of food and (especially) drink. So you probably won't see much from me until next Wednesday (you poor bastards).
Anyway, in the immortal words of Dennis Miller...
"That's the news and I... am... Outahere."
tagged: weekend, Labor Day, barbecue, Dennis+Miller, Saturday Night Live, parents
Should be a good time, with lots of food and (especially) drink. So you probably won't see much from me until next Wednesday (you poor bastards).
Anyway, in the immortal words of Dennis Miller...
"That's the news and I... am... Outahere."
tagged: weekend, Labor Day, barbecue, Dennis+Miller, Saturday Night Live, parents
Sunshine and butterflies
About the end of the first or second year into the first job out of college, most people realize that the default status of life is suckiness.
Work is hard (that's why the call it work), and you're more likely to be blamed for the mistakes of others than rewarded for your own excellence.
Life is not and never will be easy. Most people recognize this. Those who don't, become Liberals and expect the government to make everyone happy. Of course, not every day can be all sunshine and butterflies.
But some days can. And it's important to carpe those diems when they happen. Which brings me to about two weeks ago.
We were doing some light work in the 110-degree heat of the back yard when my Supermodel Wife found a flashy-looking caterpillar. It was yellow, black and white striped with a pair of "horns" on either end.
We showed our daughter who was fascinated and immediately put the thing in her bug box. Over the next few days, we fed the voracious creature leaves similar to the ones it was on when we found it. Every day after school we would find lots of leaf stems and caterpillar crap in the bug box.
Then one day it was a cocoon -- a green cocoon with gold glitter.
Fast forward to yesterday. A beautiful, sunny, 80-degree day. We get home and hear fluttering coming from the bug box on the desk where we've been watching it daily.
The Monarch butterfly had emerged from the chrysalis to the amazement of all of us. It was now our sacred duty to take the boxed butterfly outside to set it free.
The poor little guy had some trouble finding his way to the opening at the end of the box. His tiny insect brain couldn't figure out how to climb sideways.
So we tipped the box up on its end, and after a minute or two of trying, he finally emerged from the opening.
In all his glory.
He tested his wings tentatively a few times, then took off and was in the neighbor's tree within a few seconds. From there, we lost track of him.
Sharing these kind of moments with your kids really does cancel out a lot of the crap life hands you. This, along with Boulevard Wheat, is what makes life worth living.
tagged: science, Monarch, butterfly, family, meaning of life, sunshine, photos
Work is hard (that's why the call it work), and you're more likely to be blamed for the mistakes of others than rewarded for your own excellence.
Life is not and never will be easy. Most people recognize this. Those who don't, become Liberals and expect the government to make everyone happy. Of course, not every day can be all sunshine and butterflies.
But some days can. And it's important to carpe those diems when they happen. Which brings me to about two weeks ago.
We were doing some light work in the 110-degree heat of the back yard when my Supermodel Wife found a flashy-looking caterpillar. It was yellow, black and white striped with a pair of "horns" on either end.
We showed our daughter who was fascinated and immediately put the thing in her bug box. Over the next few days, we fed the voracious creature leaves similar to the ones it was on when we found it. Every day after school we would find lots of leaf stems and caterpillar crap in the bug box.
Then one day it was a cocoon -- a green cocoon with gold glitter.
Fast forward to yesterday. A beautiful, sunny, 80-degree day. We get home and hear fluttering coming from the bug box on the desk where we've been watching it daily.
The Monarch butterfly had emerged from the chrysalis to the amazement of all of us. It was now our sacred duty to take the boxed butterfly outside to set it free.
The poor little guy had some trouble finding his way to the opening at the end of the box. His tiny insect brain couldn't figure out how to climb sideways.
So we tipped the box up on its end, and after a minute or two of trying, he finally emerged from the opening.
In all his glory.
He tested his wings tentatively a few times, then took off and was in the neighbor's tree within a few seconds. From there, we lost track of him.Sharing these kind of moments with your kids really does cancel out a lot of the crap life hands you. This, along with Boulevard Wheat, is what makes life worth living.
tagged: science, Monarch, butterfly, family, meaning of life, sunshine, photos
Friday Blogthing: Personality goes a long way
I don't think any additional commentary is needed. Yes, I do. Wait, just what are you getting at. Shudup and read!
tagged: Friday, test, personality, Schizotypal, Kramer, meme, blog
| You May Be a Bit Schizotypal... |
 A bit odd and socially isolated. You couldn't care less of what others think. And some of your beliefs are a little weird. Like that time you thought you were Jesus. |
tagged: Friday, test, personality, Schizotypal, Kramer, meme, blog
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