Tomorrow is May Day, the old commie holiday, and illegal aliens are planning a rerun of last years demonstrations. While us working stiffs are at our jobs earning money and paying taxes they'll be out demanding we grant them legal status.

UPDATE: Venezuelan Dictator Hugo Chavez celebrated May Day by seizing control of the countries oil fields.

The Dorset County Council (UK) is tackling big issues like truth in pastry advertising:

A baker has been told to rename her novelty 'Pig Tarts' because they do not contain any pork.

Val Temple, who runs Sgt Bun Bakery, Weymouth, Dorset, said that she was shocked when Dorset County Council's trading standards department told her she must change the names of the novelty cakes.

She also said she was told to rename her 'Robin Tarts', as the bird does not feature in the ingredients, and her 'Paradise Slice' would also have to have a new moniker because it doesn't come from paradise.

Remember Wednesday Addams trying to sell lemonade to a girl scout?

Girl Scout: Is this made from real lemons?
Wednesday: Yes.
Girl Scout: I only like all-natural foods and beverages, organically grown, with no preservatives. Are you sure they're real lemons?
Pugsley: Yes.
Girl Scout: I'll tell you what. I'll buy a cup if you buy a box of my delicious Girl Scout cookies. Do we have a deal?
Wednesday: Are they made from real Girl Scouts?

Opinions are like assholes. And speaking of assholes, Dan Simpson of the Toledo Blade has a plan for disarming America.

Now, how would one disarm the American population? First of all, federal or state laws would need to make it a crime punishable by a $1,000 fine and one year in prison per weapon to possess a firearm. The population would then be given three months to turn in their guns, without penalty.

Hunters would be able to deposit their hunting weapons in a centrally located arsenal, heavily guarded, from which they would be able to withdraw them each hunting season upon presentation of a valid hunting license. The weapons would be required to be redeposited at the end of the season on pain of arrest. When hunters submit a request for their weapons, federal, state, and local checks would be made to establish that they had not been convicted of a violent crime since the last time they withdrew their weapons. In the process, arsenal staff would take at least a quick look at each hunter to try to affirm that he was not obviously unhinged. . .

The disarmament process would begin after the initial three-month amnesty. Special squads of police would be formed and trained to carry out the work. Then, on a random basis to permit no advance warning, city blocks and stretches of suburban and rural areas would be cordoned off and searches carried out in every business, dwelling, and empty building. All firearms would be seized. The owners of weapons found in the searches would be prosecuted: $1,000 and one year in prison for each firearm.

Clearly, since such sweeps could not take place all across the country at the same time. But fairly quickly there would begin to be gun-swept, gun-free areas where there should be no firearms. If there were, those carrying them would be subject to quick confiscation and prosecution. On the streets it would be a question of stop-and-search of anyone, even grandma with her walker, with the same penalties for "carrying."

Via Geek.

Watching the NFL Draft, anyone notice that it turned into a Brady Quinn love fest when Miami (who picked ninth) took WR Ted Ginn instead? The talking heads are just beside themselves as to how they could have been so wrong. Who does Miami think they are passing on the all powerful Notre Dame QB?

When they come back from commercial, I fully expect to see Tony Kornheiser dressed as a giant leprechaun giving Brady Quinn a blowjob. So-called "experts" just hate it when they're wrong.

UPDATE: It's turned into the Brady Quinn Draft Watch. "Well we're 10 picks into the draft and Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame hasn't been one of them..." -- Chris Berman.

President Charles Steger
Virginia Tech
210 Burruss Hall (0131)
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Dear President Steger,

As an alumnus of Virginia Tech who provides annual financial support, I cannot tell you how distressing it is for me to read that Virginia Tech bans the lawful carry and possession of firearms. Someone who has put in the effort to train and apply for a Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit is not a threat to students, faculty, or the learning environment at Virginia Tech. In fact CHP holders are a lot less likely to commit crimes than the general population.

Likewise, by banning firearms you are setting up victim disarmament zones, whereby students are forced to choose between attending Virginia Tech and their personal safety. And by disarming law abiding citizens, you also make Virginia Tech responsible for student's safety. If a student who was prevented from protecting herself because of your reckless firearm ban were to become the victim of rape or violence, Virginia Tech could risk legal and financial liability. The policy also appears to violate Virginia preemption laws, which forbid local governments (and state and local entities) from passing more restrictive laws than the Commonwealth.

I urge you to rethink the position, and remove the ban.

Sincerely,

Steve Ravenwood '95

I mailed this letter to President Steger on April 14, 2005.

Literally:

"The Nazi party barred smoking in many public places, including party offices and waiting rooms. Note the negroid head on the cigar; Nazi antitobacco activists tried to characterize smoking as the vice of degenerate Africans."

(Via Rush)

First it was the $250 Million "Bridge to Nowhere". Now the Russians want to build a 68-mile $65 Billion (with a B) Tunnel to Nowhere. The tunnel would stretch beneath the Bering Sea to link Russia with Alaska. Proponents claim it would be a huge international trade route and want $120 Million just to study it.

Lobbyists claimed the project is guaranteed to turn a profit after 30 years.

Guaranteed by whom? If it's guaranteed, then let the lobbyists pay for it.

You can't even smoke at home anymore.

From California to Maine, at least 36 public housing authorities have made their apartments smoke-free, says Jim Bergman, director of the Smoke-Free Environments Law Project.

Such policies are not unusual in private dwellings. The trend has accelerated in government-subsidized rentals in the past year.

Housing officials say they made the change to protect non-smoking tenants from secondhand smoke, prevent cigarette fires and reduce the cost of rehabbing smokers' apartments.

I had thought that people were generally pro-choice. But for some reason, when it comes to smoking there is no choice. If you want to enjoy a cigarette or cigar in the privacy of your own home, too bad. This is majority (mob) rule and non-smokers have voted themselves the right to not have to smell your stinky ass.

As we slide down the slippery slope, future smoke bans will include cars (where children are present), private homes (danger to children, employees, "fire hazard" to your neighbors), and eventually outdoors (where smoke is free to roam where anyone might be present).

So why should you care what happens to smokers and their stinky habit? Well, here is just a sampling of my reasons:

This is my body. There are many like it, but this one is mine. And any sort of nagging bullshit about what I can and can't put into it is wrong. This week it's smoking, next week it'll be drinking and fast food. These whiny little piss-ants aren't man enough to walk up and tell you to your face, instead they use the police power of the government to try to run your life. If you think I shouldn't have that extra roll, why don't you come over and try taking it off my plate? I'd like to see you try.

It's all about freedom of choice. People have a wide selection of smoking and non-smoking environments from which to choose. But that's not good enough for some people. They want all restaurants/homes/buildings to be non-smoking, just in case they some day might want to go there. Never mind what the property owner wants, his rights don't count.

Temperance leads to crime which leads to death. In New York City where a single packet of cigarettes cost $7, gangs are killing each other over the selling of buttlegged cigarettes. It's big business on the street, and fights can break out over selling on the wrong street corner or at the wrong price. Teenagers just trying to make a buck have been gun downed for undercutting the prices of the local street thugs.

Temperance leads to crime which leads to bigger government. Many of today's gun laws can trace their roots right back to the temperance movement. Prohibition of alcohol lead directly to the National Firearms Act of 1934, and the horrible RICO statutes wherein nearly anything can be prosecuted as a conspiracy to commit organized crime. Then there's the whole Drug Enforcement Administration which was stood up 30 years ago to arrest people for violating the various temperance laws. Currently the DEA has offices across the globe and costs Billions (with a B) of dollars to maintain.

Temperance leads to crime which leads to terrorism. With a huge profit motive and all these dollars flowing around, much of the money eventually finds it's way into the hands of terrorists. You may think that buying bootlegged smokes is a victimless crime and that you're only sticking it to the government, but you may be inadvertently funding the next terror attack. Terrorists need money to do what they do, and they aren't above using our own temperance laws against us.

Over-regulation leads to under-regulation. When prohibition of alcohol took affect, your average Joe didn't think twice about civil disobedience. Speak-easies popped up and alcohol was available for anyone with the money to buy it. The price went up, the quality went down, and any of the laws that controlled product quality or safety were moot.

As neo-temperance takes hold people will gradually start to ignore anti-smoking laws. That is, when cigarettes are outlawed only outlaws will have cigarettes. When that happens, the government will be powerless to control what goes into cigarettes. They could become more harmful, even deadly depending on how cheaply they're produced. Laws governing the nicotine, tar, and carcinogens produced from tobacco will be worthless.

And what about the children? There will be no way to limit access to cigarettes. All those age-limits that anti-smokers pushed through a few years back will be negated once cigarettes are sold in mass quantities on the streets. By over-regulating the product, they'll actually increase it's availability to minors. The only thing between a child and a cigarette will be the conscience of the dealer.

Pleasure Police
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Democrats are trying to steal the tax issue from Republicans through AMT relief. The Alternative Minimum Tax that originally targeted just 155 people (the so-called uber-rich) now affects millions of taxpaying voters.

Under a proposal presented last week to Democrats on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, families making less than $250,000 a year -- about 98 percent of taxpayers -- would be exempt from the tax. Those earning between $250,000 and about $500,000 would see lower AMT bills, according to Democratic sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan is not final.

To make up the lost revenue, families earning more than $500,000 a year would take a much harder hit from the AMT, as well as other adjustments to the tax code, the sources said. Democrats haven't finalized that part of the proposal. But an analysis by the Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, suggests that the nation's wealthiest families -- less than 1 percent of all taxpayers -- would have to pay 5 to 13 percent more to offset the revenue lost by exempting the middle class from the AMT. . .

At no time did Democrats consider radical ideas like cutting spending or eliminating wasteful and unnecessary pork projects. Then there's this:

"Most middle-class people aren't being hit with it, and they still think of it as a tax for the wealthy," said [pollster Celinda Lake]. . .

To make the AMT work as a campaign issue. . .Democrats recognize that they will have to raise its profile among the approximately 97 percent of families who do not pay it. [Illinois Democrat Rep. Rahm Emanuel] is putting together a strategy.

So not only are they not reducing the impact of the AMT out of fairness, it turns out that if it doesn't buy enough Democrat votes they won't do it at all.

S.F. Mayor Gavin Newsom wants his city to be a safe haven for illegal aliens.

"I will not allow any of my department heads or anyone associated with this city to cooperate in any way shape or form with these raids," Newsom declared. "We are a sanctuary city, make no mistake about it."

Maybe the fed should withhold some federal tax dollars next time San Francisco comes begging for money.

Somebody named Sheryl Crow solves global warming. I wonder who would police this:

"I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting," she explained.

"I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required."

Other plans she has included not using paper napkins.

"I have designed a clothing line that has what's called a 'dining sleeve.' The sleeve is detachable and can be replaced with another 'dining sleeve,' after usage," she explained in the increasingly bizarre posting.

"The design will offer the 'diner' the convenience of wiping his mouth on his sleeve rather than throwing out yet another barely used paper product... I think this idea could also translate quite well to those suffering with an annoying head cold."

Better start buying those toilet paper offsets.

A gaggle of retired generals and admirals are making the claim the Global Warming will start the next World War.

The study, titled National Security and the Threat of Climate Change, predicts: "Projected climate change will seriously exacerbate already marginal living standards in many Asian, African, and Middle Eastern nations, causing widespread political instability and the likelihood of failed states ... The chaos that results can be an incubator of civil strife, genocide, and the growth of terrorism.

It is my opinion that this winter Global Warming has finally jumped the shark. The alarmism will not end right away, but I get the feeling that much of America is ready to tune it out. Every little weather event (hot and cold) is blamed on "climate change" and the only way to fix it is to hamstring the American economy.

The louder "the end is near" predictions get, the more they will fall deaf ears. Frankly, I know I'm tired of it.

The latest in the UK's crack down on anti-social behaviour:

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that Dave"

(click to supersize)

UPDATE: Heh. Apparently there's quite a backlash at the drive-by media.

The cameramen were attempting to be respectful, but how can one pray when a strange man is poking a camera in your face and holding a boom microphone over your head? It was incredibly distracting to say the least."

These are landmarks in Charlottesville. I hear the 'Z' is quite a big deal on the UVA campus.

(click to supersize)

(click to supersize)

It's nice to see some support from UVA. I never got into rivalries and UVA is my second favorite school which surprises many Hokies as well as Hoos.

More photos here.

I decline to politicize the tragic events that happened at Virginia Tech on Monday. Even though Virginia Tech had already banned students and faculty from carrying guns, the gun control nazis are busy warming up the PR spin machine to turn this tragedy into yet another call for more better gun control. Indeed before the dust had even settled on Monday I had already received hate mail about it.

I had thought about crafting a well thought out and reasoned response to such calls. But in the end I decided to just let it be. (I would recommend reading James Taranto (second article) however.)

There is an Orange and Maroon Effect on Friday for those that want to show support.

CNNMoney: Unemployment makes unexpected dip

George Clooney gives a kid $20 and suddenly it's national news.

A lot of good it did her: Police: Slain woman had restraining order

That reminds me, it's been a while so here is my obligatory link to an article by the Independent Women's Forum on disarming women. This should be required reading for all women.

Like I said years ago, the article makes several key points:

• Less than 5% of 911 calls dispatched to police are early enough to actually prevent a crime.
  
• Police and government organizations have no legal obligation to protect you as an individual.
  
• Firearms proficiency can take only a few hours of practice.
  
• While martial arts training may "equalize" the disparity between a woman and an attacker, multiple attackers have an advantage.
  
• Firearms proficiency can make ANY woman strong enough to fend off attackers, regardless of their size or strength.
  
• In more than 92% of "defensive gun uses" simply brandishing a firearm, or firing a warning shot is enough.

Draconian gun control laws and mandatory waiting periods only serve to put law abiding citizens at risk. Forcing or encouraging women to rely on restraining orders and the 9-1-1 system as means of protection is not only foolhardy, it's dangerous. A lot of good a court order does when she's dead. Maybe they can paste it on her tombstone.

Besides, wearing a pistol makes you look thinner. Ladies, just ask any man, "Does this gun make me look fat?"

I saw this at Smallest Minority, so I figured I'd fill it out too.

Okay, that other one was a lame April Fool's joke. Here is the "reel" one:

1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times.

Full Metal Jacket

2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in the theater.

Star Wars

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie.

Harrison Ford, Sam Elliot, John Wayne, William Shatner.

4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie.

Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Rosie O'Donnell, Jim Carey, Will Ferrell, Kevin Costner, and anything Michael Moore.

5. Name a movie that you can and do quote from.

Patton: "These handles are made of ivory. Only a pimp from a cheap New Orleans whore house would carry pearl handled revolvers."

6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.

Yeah right. I might can sing the Rocky Horror theme.

7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with.

The Green Berets

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see.

Indictment: Story of the McMartin Preschool Trial

9. Name a movie that you own.

Why? Cool Hand Luke

10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.

Cher has had some good films. Mask, Mermaids, Silkwood.

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?

Smokey and the Bandit, Star Wars, and several other late 70s, early 80s flicks.

12. Ever made out in a movie?

Schindler's List. Okay, not really.

13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven't yet gotten around to it.

Used to be Titanic, but I broke down and watched it a few years ago. I could say Austin Powers, but I have no intention of seeing that.

14. Ever walked out of a movie?

9 1/2 Weeks, but only because we were running from the cops.

15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater.

I usually cry at the ticket booth.

16. Popcorn?

With butter and extra salt.

17. How often do you go to the movies (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)?

I usually hit the theater once a month. I never rent movies.

18. What's the last movie you saw in the theater?

300

19. What's your favorite/preferred genre of movie?

SciFi, and any zombie flick.

20. What's the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?

Star Wars

21. What movie do you wish you had never seen?

I Come in Peace, Mimic, War of the Worlds... I could go on and on.

22. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?

Robin Williams first film: Popeye

23. What is the scariest movie you've seen?

Alien or Blair Witch Project. Also, Jurassic Park really freaked me out the first time I saw it.

24. What is the funniest movie you've seen?

I thought the first half of Full Metal Jacket was hilarious. But I have to answer Shaun of the Dead.

I saw this at Smallest Minority, so I figured I'd fill it out too.

1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times.

Beaches

2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in the theater.

Fahrenheit 9/11

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie.

Rosie O'Donnell

4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie.

Clint Eastwood

5. Name a movie that you can and do quote from.

When Harry Met Sally: "I'll have what she's having"

6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.

Name one I can't!

7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with.

Grease: You're the one that I want.. woo hoo hoo.

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see.

An Inconvenient Truth

9. Name a movie that you own.

Bowling for Columbine

10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops.

He started out as Roseanne's boy-toy, but Tom Arnold kicks ass!

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? If so, what?

A what?

12. Ever made out in a movie?

Schindler's List

13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven't yet gotten around to it.

Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya-Sisterhood

14. Ever walked out of a movie?

Yeah, and now I'll never know how Stella got her groove back.

15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

16. Popcorn?

Of course.

17. How often do you go to the movies (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)?

Usually go to the porno theater about once a week.

18. What's the last movie you saw in the theater?

Rocky Balboa

19. What's your favorite/preferred genre of movie?

Porno. But they're tough to watch cause I can only do it about 5 minutes at a time.

20. What's the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?

Goonies

21. What movie do you wish you had never seen?

The original 70's version of Willy Wonka (the remake rocked!)

22. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed?

Field of Dreams

23. What is the scariest movie you've seen?

An Inconvenient Truth

24. What is the funniest movie you've seen?

Passion for the Christ