Under the National Operations Center (NOC)’s Media Monitoring Initiative that came out of DHS headquarters in November, Washington has the written permission to retain data on users of social media and online networking platforms.
Specifically, the DHS announced the NCO and its Office of Operations Coordination and Planning (OPS) can collect personal information from news anchors, journalists, reporters or anyone who may use “traditional and/or social media in real time to keep their audience situationally aware and informed.”
Speaking of Michael Berry, his show is now on from 8 am till 11 am, central time, on KTRH am 740 out of Houston >> http://www.ktrh.com/main.html and then from 5 to 7 pm. A good show to listen to!
Winter in south Texas is strange. One day you have the heater on, the next day you have the air conditioner on because the humidity is high. Or in the same day (we've had that happen more than a couple of times).
There is some breaking news out of the Middle East:
Evidently this is a blacked-out newsbit here in the US, although I haven't turned on the news yet today (watching Style instead).
Is this going to be another Iraq? When a country that *has* nuclear weapons threatens to invade, don't you think the country that the invasion is supposed to come, will *want* nuclear weapons? I've been reading some more Ron Paul, and I'm coming more to agree with his views.
I've also come to the conclusion that the US is an empire - rather like the British Empire of past years. Europe and Japan are (fairly) robust economies, why can't they do their own defense, instead of the US? And if your answer is no, please comment as to 'why not?' I keep hearing "if the US doesn't do it, no one will", which is kind of a silly position, its basically the same as thinking "If the government doesn't do it, no one will". Quite a few things would be better off, if the government *didn't* do it, and private sector did.
None of the candidates on the right or the left (except for Ron Paul) are for reining in, or limiting the government. Most of the Republicans are for expanding the Patriot Act (which tramples all over people's rights); and for expanding even further. The Dems are only a few steps ahead of the Reps for expanding.
On another note, I had a package of Fava beans in my freezer, decided to finally cook them up - the website for the company has Mediterranean recipes. Here it is >> http://www.ziyad.com/recipes Some interesting recipes, and you really should try Baba Ganoush. Its great with pita bread!
I've noticed a lack of Christmas cards with scripture, manger scenes, etc. Not really that many overtly religious cards. I ended up having to go to Dollar Tree to find some, for a craft that we were going to do on Wednesday night.
For those who think God is just so much hooey, and that it's all fables - look at Chris Hitchins. He's an atheist no longer. I feel bad for his family, that he's gone...but again, I don't see how someone could say God DOESN'T exist. Just look around, and it plainly tells you.
Darn. while blogging, i burned a batch of sugar cookies. The dog is happy though, as he gets the too-dark cookies.
Funny how people get when you say that the ONLY reason Jesus was born, was for the salvation of men, so that they did not have to go to hell. Oh noes, that ugly word, hell. If not for that, it would just be another day.
to those OWS protesters at UC Davis. Was talking with a friend yesterday, found out what led up to the pepper spray. They were warned repeatedly, and chose to ignore the warnings. How many levels of stupid are there?
Would YOU stay there after having been warned a good number of times you were going to get sprayed?
On a lighter note, check out these cows.
OO I almost forgot! the Ant & the Grasshopper, the 2011 OWS version:
As you may recall, the original version is about an ant that works hard all summer to build its house and gather food for the winter. The grasshopper pokes fun at the hardworking ant, and chooses to dance and play all summer instead.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper, on the other hand, finds itself without food or shelter, and dies out in the cold.
The moral of this age-old story: Think ahead so you can take care of yourself and your family!
The modern-day story is quite different. Here’s how it goes:
The ant works hard all summer to build its house and gather food for the winter. The grasshopper pokes fun at the hardworking ant, and chooses to dance and play all summer instead.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper marches down Main Street and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while he is cold and starving.
News reporters cover the story, broadcasting pictures of the shivering grasshopper
next to images of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. Citizens are stunned by the sharp contrast.
How can a country of such immense wealth allow this poor grasshopper to suffer? Kermit the Frog uses his fame and fortune to support the grasshopper with a new hit single, 'It’s Not Easy Being Green.'
Grasshoppers everywhere unite to fight for their rights. They march and shout, “Damn those ants! They took what belongs to us!”
Politicians looking for voters join the grasshopper movement. Together they condemn the ant, along with any politicians who support the ant’s success.
House and Senate leaders proclaim war against the ant, accusing it of building wealth at the expense of the poor grasshopper. They call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make it pay its fair share.
They draft the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act, retroactive to the beginning of summer. The ant is also fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs during gathering season.
With nothing left to pay retroactive and unexpected taxes, the ant’s home is confiscated and given to the grasshopper.
The story ends with colorful images of the grasshopper and friends enjoying the last bits of the ant's food at the ant’s table. The ant, however, is no where to be seen. It was forced to migrate to another location where freedom reigns.
The epilogue is not shown to children, however, because it could cause nightmares. Here’s how the final ending goes:
The following winter, the government-subsidized grasshopper neighborhood is abandoned and taken over by a gang of spiders. The grasshopper families who have not learned to feed themselves are once again in search of an ant community to take care of them.
Recently from Saturday Night Live - I guess they only have occasional funny spots, unlike the 70s when the Not Ready for Prime Time Players, Dan Ackroyd, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Garret Morris, Chevy Chase, etc. I miss the old shows.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
I found a video, talking about obamacare and the constitutionality of the government forcing you to do something - say, buy insurance. He goes into some history of the government meddling into things (interstate commerce). This is the best videologue i've listened to so far on this subject.
I'm almost done Christmas shopping. I'm rather annoyed however, as our Walmart does not have *any* religious Christmas cards. They have "fun" cards, they have "inspirational" with snowy scenes, etc. But nothing religious. I had to go to Dollar Tree to purchase some. I'm rather tired of these politically correct, let's entirely shove religion out of everyday life, namby pamby aclu lovin red diaper doper babies.
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