Blogiversary

Not here.

Here.

Happy seventh (!) Unc.

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Gardasil

Here's something I got via email. I'm not saying it's 100% true (it did come from the Internet, after all), but I have heard grumblings from various sources on how this drug isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Dear Friend,

There's so many conflicting reports floating around about Gardasil that it can be tough for parents to know what to believe. And a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association only clouds the issue even further.

The study claims that Gardasil's side effects are rare and continue to occur at the same rate they did in the clinical trials.

But what they don't tell you is that those trials were a sham.

Instead of giving the control group a true placebo, they gave them one that was aluminum-based. To the untrained eye, this can make the results look convincing--and that's what the drug company is banking on.

But the truth is, the aluminum-based placebo pills alone can cause side effects like nerve damage, the deck was stacked. So it's no wonder the drug wasn't that bad compared to the placebo--they were both equally dangerous!

But the cat's already out of the bag, and a growing number of doctors, researchers and parents aren't being fooled by these clinical shenanigans. You won't be fooled, either when you see the damage it's doing.

Dozens of little girls have died after getting this vaccine. Others have experienced disabling nerve damage, and some have even gotten ALS -- Lou Gehrig's disease.

That may be why the editors of JAMA decided to run an editorial alongside this new study questioning whether this vaccine offers any benefit over a pap smear.

Allow me to answer: It doesn't.

Even one of the top researchers behind the vaccine's clinical trials, who has been paid by Merck to speak about its supposed wonders, is now publicly questioning it.

No, I didn't just make that up. Dr. Diane Harper told CBS News in August that some of the side effects could make the vaccine riskier than the cervical cancer it's supposed to stop.

Remember, this is the same company that rushed Vioxx through the system, and we know how that turned out. Some folks even say Merck's HPV vaccine really stands for "Help Pay for Vioxx."

Here's the answer we should all give them: Not at the expense of our daughters' health.

Emphasis above supplied by me because it illustrates exactly what is wrong with the whole "new drug" thing.

One, how can a private company rush something through the system? Doesn't the government agency responsible do its due diligence? [quit laughing]

Two - Vioxx. That drug was a heart attack in pill form. It not only made it through the company's strict quality control, [again with the jokes! yer killin' me!] but the FDA didn't find anything wrong with it either.

Here's what I think - I think the FDA should be disbanded and a private not-for-profit organization be established for the testing of new drugs. That way, the government employees won't be playing nice so they can get that cushy Pharma job once they leave .gov service.

I wonder who's making the swine flu vaccine....

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Inflation? What Inflation?

So, Social Security payments will shrink for the first time since 1975.

Military retirees are bring told not to expect a cost of living adjustment this year.

Why? Because there's no inflation this year. That's what we're being told.

I wish someone would tell that to the grocery store, where prices have been climbing steadily for the last year or so.

I wish someone would tell that to the restaurants and burger joints who raised their prices in the last six months.

They're telling us inflation is dropping, but I'm not seeing it.

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Mesayat

That means "Respect".

Head over to DoubleTappers place for the scoop.

I think if I heard the Golani Brigade was coming, I'd be happy. Unless I were the bad guys.

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NFL Players and Guns

Looks like the NFL Players Association wants to go all Brady on their players:

Said [David] Cornwell, "There have been enough incidents involving handguns and NFL players to know that we have a problem. Plax's situation highlights two of the major causes of the problem -- gun registration and gun safety. Forget about political correctness; solve the problem."

I agree, David. Gun registration is a problem. Oh, that's not what you meant:

As to registration, Cornwell suggests selecting a specific day each year where the team affirmatively helps every player with an unregistered firearm to get the thing properly licensed and/or to obtain a carry permit.

I hate to break it to you David, but the vast majority of your players aren't required to register/license their firearms. It's only the New York and California teams you have to worry about. And Da Bears.

I wonder if David wants to create their own registry within the NFL? That would be interesting.

On the other hand, I don't have a problem with this other suggestion:

Cornwell urges teams to make gun safety classes available, and to constantly remind players of basic realities of owning a gun: (1) always point your gun in a safe direction; (2) always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot; and (3) always keep the gun unloaded until you are ready to use it.

Of course, he got the Four Rules all screwed up, seeing as he only named two and made another one up, but training is a great idea. It should be required for all players to take firearms safety training.

Might get more of them into the shooting sports.

Thanks to Conservative Scalawag for the pointer.

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Blog Birthday

Not here.

Here.

Happy fourth, Tam.

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Take a Vet to Lunch

Take a Vet to Lunch

If you register on this site, I will try to send an email reminder so that you can carry out your own “Take a Vet to Lunch” program this year. My plan is to post ready-to-print fliers and promotional materials here for people to use at their own place of work.

Like Unc says, a damn fine idea.

I can be had for cheap. Chilis or Ruby Tuesday is fine with me. Hooters, too.

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Tricare as a Model

For those of you who may not know, Tricare is the health insurance for the military. It also covers military retirees.

I really like it. The premiums are low, all my treatment is at regular civilian doctors, most of my medicine is free as well. Good stuff.

So, there are some folks who are saying this is a prime example of how government run healthcare would be for everybody.

As Kim du Toit would say, Nazzo fast, Guido.

First, Tricare took the place of the "free healthcare for life" military members were supposed to get after they retired. It isn't regular health insurance. The government spends a lot of money on it.

42 billion last year.

That's 42 billion for about 9 million covered people. That's 42 billion on 3% of the population.

Doing the quick math, we're getting into the trillions. Again.

They also require retirees like myself to use any other health insurance I might have first, then I can use Tricare as a secondary. And can I point out that the vast majority of active duty members (and their families) are under 40? Not a lot of extended care going on there. Any young service member unfortunate enough to require long term care are usually put out of the military and into the VA system.

The VA ... ah, I'll talk about them another time.

Hat tip to Moogie, who I finally blogrolled. Thought she was there, but no, just on my feed reader.

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Ted Kennedy

I'm not going to say much about it. I disagreed with most of his positions, but I agree with what Sebastian said about cancer:

it’s not a scourge I would wish on anyone. Even Ted Kennedy.

Amen.

I, too, watched as my mother died of cancer. Brain cancer killed her just shy of her 49th birthday back in 1977. It's a bad way to go.

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Happy Ramadan!

From your President:




I'd have thought the Legacy Media would have reported on this. I wonder why they didn't?

Thanks to baldilocks for the pointer.

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Proud Poppa Moment

Check this out. It's the Munford High School Marching Band doing their show for the first time this year.

Ok, it's actually a football game, but if you drag the slider about 2/3 of the way through (at 1:55) you'll be able to see the show. Well, some of it. I wish they had widened the camera angle some, but it shows a good bit.

For those of you who don't know, Munford ranks in the top of their class, taking state and national honors on a consistent basis. And, my kid's in the band.

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Perspectives on Gun Rights

Via email:

Roundtable Panel: "Perspectives on Gun Rights" Monday, August 31 @ from 6:30-9:30 pm

Come join AFF Nashville as we host a discussion about gun rights in Nashville on Monday, August 31, at 6:30 pm in the Belle Meade Room at the Hampton Inn in Green Hills (2324 Crestmoor Road)

Hear the experiences and perspectives of Brett Corrieri, a local restaurant/bar owner, and Nathan Moore, a defense lawyer, who deal with these issues on a daily basis. Plus, listen to the story of Pete Eyre of the Motorhome Diaries and his experiences with gun control laws nationwide.

Come away equipped with information to defend the Second Amendment and promote freedom. See you there!

Beer/wine & hors d'oeuvres will be served.

PLEASE RSVP: melissa@americasfuture.org

A little far for me to drive, but you Nashvillians might find it interesting.

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Oh, Bama

Baldilocks tips us off to some new shenanigans going on at the White House:

President Barack Obama has approved creation of a new, special terrorism-era interrogation unit to be supervised by the White House, a top aide said Monday, further distancing his administration from President George W. Bush's detainee policies.

(emphasis mine)

So, the White House is now supervising interrogations, huh? Wow. Of course, as Ms. 'Locks points out:

As President Obama tries to turn around a summer of setbacks, he finds himself still without most of his own team. Seven months into his presidency, fewer than half of his top appointees are in place advancing his agenda.
...
He is fighting two wars but does not have an Army secretary.

You're only as good as the people around you, Mr. President. If you had ever been in charge of something, you'd know that.

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So, Metro Pulse Conducted a Survey

Asking restaurant owners/managers about allowing guns in their establishments. I'd like to address some of the comments.

“If somebody does come in here brandishing a weapon, and it makes someone else uncomfortable—God, I don’t want to have that conversation.”

—Robert Bowlby, manager

Robert, brandishing a firearm is a crime. A felony, actually. Call the cops. Before you do that, read up on the definition of brandishing.

“No way. I’m the owner, and I ain’t letting nobody carry a gun in here.”

—Don Morton, owner

Ain't letting nobody? That's called a double negative, Don. I guess that means you're letting anybody.

“No, sir. We are not letting guns, cigarettes, and homosexuals mix.”

—Richard Cameron, owner

ROFL. Yeah, once them gays get hopped up on nicotine, Katie bar the door!

Thanks to Unc for the link.

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Facebookin' , Too

Been on Facebook for a little over a month now. found lots of old friends from military assignments, school and the old neighborhood.

I was gonna mention this today, really I was . checked my feed reader and saw Unc beat me to it.

Gonna have to get him in my Mafia Wars and Castle Age games.

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Bryan Miller's Worst Nightmare

Open carry of firearms. You see, ol' Bryan doesn't want guns to become commonplace. He wants them mysterious, out of sight, and scary.

We, on the other hand, have a duty to society to get guns "normalized" once again, the way they were decades ago.

That way, Bryan and his ilk will become mysterious, out of sight, and scary.

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There Was an Armed Man at the Red Lobster Yesterday

He went in with his sweetie, ordered lunch, and ate it.

Alcohol and guns were in close proximity, but never mixed. The only thing harmed was a wicked good plate of jambalaya and some shrimp & salmon.

The waitress survived the ordeal with a 20% tip for her service.

I thought you should know.

FYI, the Red Lobster out by Wolfchase doesn't discriminate against persons who lawfully carry firearms. Continue Reading

Quote of the Day and Blogroll Addition

Please Welcome A Dixie Carpetbagger to the Mighty Fine blogroll. He's got rules:

3) Never let a non-gunny mess with your ammo supply. They’ll just do something dumb. Like sort your shotgun ammo by color.

LOL

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Back From Desert Storm

One of the few MIAs from Desert Storm was returned to his home town yesterday:

[Navy Capt. Michael ] Speicher, missing for 18 years after his fighter jet was shot down in the skies over Iraq, came home Thursday.

A plane carrying the body of the Forrest High School graduate landed at the base about 2 p.m., where it was greeted by his family and Navy dignitaries.

Welcome home, Captain. Rest well.

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RIP Les Paul

Les Paul, the father of the electric guitar and the primary influence on countless generations of guitar players, has passed away. He was 94.

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Are We, the People Finally Waking Up?

Watching all these town hall meetings is damn refreshing. It's nice to see people "getting it" again.

What I really liked was this video over at SIH. This guy not only gets it, he's not afraid to call his politicians into account for their lack of integrity and blatant misuse of power.

I really think a revolution is coming, and the men and women of OEF/OIF are the ones who are going to be leading it.

They'll have my vote.

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Thoughts on Beale Street Banning Guns

As we come up on the one month anniversary of the Wild West Blood in the Streets Guns in Places that Serve Alcohol Law being enacted, I wonder how Beale Street is doing.

I wonder how their patrons feel, standing in long lines, being treated like a criminal as they wait their turn to be checked for firearms.

I wonder how those same patrons feel, if the thought occurs to them, that these "security" measures only came about after it was the law-abiding who were allowed to carry firearms on Beale. I guess the powers that be didn't mind when it was only the criminals who went armed.

I wonder, when I read statements like this:

"There's a lot less traffic on Beale Street ... which made it a lot more enjoyable"

- if the club owners understand that less traffic = less revenue.

People are going to stop going to Beale Street if they are forced to wait in long lines just to get in, especially when they find out they are no safer for doing so.

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Memphis Cigar Event

Via email, we learn this:

Smoking Up High at the Madison Hotel!

This is a NEW event for downtown
on the rooftop at the beautiful Madison Hotel!

Enjoy great smokes from our friends at
Havana Mix Cigar Emporium
Super drink specials and small plate menu
and the best riverfront view in Memphis!

5:30 - 7:30 PM, Monday, August 17th

NO COVER CHARGE!
Parking nearby on Front or Second Street

RSVP IS REQUIRED
Please make your reservation as soon as possible!
CALL 901-333-1224 to RSVP

Sounds interesting.

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All Clear, Nothing to Report

Looks like I'm good to go for the next five years, the colonoscopy turned up nothing.

Yes, the prep's the worst part.

Yes, you are knocked out during the procedure.

Yes, you're done in 15 minutes.

No, you don't wake up feeling like a child molester who got caught in the wrong part of the prison block. No discomfort whatsoever.

Not the best time I've ever had, but the alternative is unacceptable. Cancer killed my mother, and uncles on both sides of my family. It won't get me without a fight.

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Today's the Day

Wish me well.

Although I haven't gone yet, I can say the prep was no fun whatsoever.

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The New Tagline

It was almost going the be "Now triple-hops brewed", but Miller Lite took that one. Quite the hopmonster, that Miller Lite.

But, after reading this, I knew the Mob is where it's at.

Thanks to Insty for the pointer.

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John Hughes Tribute

I saw this linked over at Music City Miracles, thought you all might like it.




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Another Author/Blogger Has a Book Out

Milwaukee blogger Elliot Stearns Michael James Caughill has published a book titled The Abortionist:

The most-disturbing serial killer since Jeffery Dahmer is operating in downtown Milwaukee. Black plastic garbage bags bursting with the dismembered bodies of mothers, grandmothers, and unmarried women are being discarded in the city's back alleys. The victims all seem unrelated and the police are at a loss.

Crime columnist and blogger Elliot Stearns was a homicide detective until a gunman's bullet put him in a wheelchair. The shooting cost him his legs, his fiancée, and his sense of purpose. Now, a year later, his best friend and ex-partner, Jack Hartman, needs his help to discover who is abducting, torturing, and killing innocent women.

Sounds interesting.

There's a review over at Boots and Sabres, as well.

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Saddam's Fancy Guns

Doubletapper has them.

A gold plated Dragunov? Jeez.

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The President as the Joker

Compare and Contrast

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Trigger the Vote

Chuck Norris and the NRA are starting a voter registration drive called Trigger the Vote.

Check it out!

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Whew!

Been a busy few days. Hopefully things will calm back down now that the kids are registered for school, the office is painted, and the cat has been spayed.

Crap, the cat can't be fixed yet. She's in heat....

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