Going to the Royal Wedding?

No beer for you!

There won't be any beer. Let's face it, it isn't really an appropriate drink to be serving in the Queen's presence at such an occasion

 This guy has a good bit to say about it:

In part this just shows up the royal family as the overprivileged and out of touch twits we already know them to be.  But it also shows up the populist impression of the relative worth of different drinks.  Despite all the progress we've accomplished in beer look more interesting, classy and worthy of serious gastronomic consideration, the mainstream image is still that it is boorish and not to be taken seriously.

This is more to the point:

£1 of every pint sold in the UK consists of duty and VAT, which goes to the public purse, which is in turn paying for the event, the contempt shown by the royals towards their subjects, their economy, and the icons and traditions of their kingdom, is sickening.

So, a beer drinker's money is fine for the royals, but the beer itself? Not so much.

Thanks to Lew for the pointer.

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Threat Levels, European Style

via email:

ALERTS TO THREATS IN 2011 EUROPE BY JOHN CLEESE

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Libya and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose."

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be alright, Mate." Two more escalation levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is cancelled." So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.

-- John Cleese - British writer, actor and tall person

No idea if this was actually written by Cleese or not, but it's funny. Continue Reading

Happy Easter!

Mister Mister - "Kyrie". Continue Reading

Quote of the Day

From QOTD machine Tam:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Complaining about rising prices is like standing on the deck of the Titanic and yelling that the sea level is rising.

It's all about perspective.
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Congrats to the Grizzlies

For winning their first playoff game ever.

Not a big basketball fan, but it's always nice to see the home team win.. Continue Reading

RIP Bob Howard

Found via Facebook:

Most Heavily Decorated Soldier

Watch this film about Bob Howard who was nominated for the Medal of Honor 3 times. You can only receive it once in a lifetime. He was not a simple man. He had two masters degrees, but he also served us all for 50 years in the uniform of the U.S. Army. Rest in Peace, Bob Howard.

Individual Awards:

	Medal of Honor
	Distinguished Service Cross (with one oak leaf cluster) (2 awards)
	Silver Star
	Legion of Merit (with three oak leaf clusters) (4 awards)
	Bronze Star (with three oak leaf clusters and "V" device) (4 awards)
	Purple Heart (with a silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters) (8 awards)
	Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters) (3 awards)
	Air Medal (with "V" Device and numeral 3. One award for heroism and two for aerial achievement)
	Joint Service Commendation
	Army Commendation Medal (with "V" device and one each silver and bronze oak leaf clusters. 4 awards for valor and 3 for achievement)
	Joint Service Achievement
	Army Achievement

Unit Citations:

•   Presidential Unit Citation (Army) with oak leaf cluster (2 awards)
•   Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)
•   Navy Unit Commendation
•   Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation with Palm (Unit citation)
•   Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation with Palm (Unit citation)

Foreign decorations:

• Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star (Corps citation), Silver Star (Division citation) and Bronze Star (Regiment/Brigade citation)
• Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st Class
• Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, 1st Class
• Republic of Vietnam Wound Medal
• Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal, 2nd Class
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 bar
• Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit (Sam-Il Medal)

Badges and Tabs

• Ranger Tab
• Special Forces Tab
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• Expert Infantryman Badge
• Aircrew Badge
• Master Parachutist Badge
• Pathfinder Badge
• Air Assault Badge
• Expert Marksmanship Badge
• Vietnamese Ranger Badge
• Vietnamese Master Parachute Badge
• Thai Master Parachute Wings
• Korean Master Parachute Badge
• Thai Balloonist Badge
• French Parachutist Badge

Any time I get to thinking I'm some sort of bad-ass, I'll come here for a reality check.

(Thanks to Wikipedia for the lists)
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New TN Gun Law

A recent update from the NRA:

Tennessee: Pro-Gun Bill Signed into Law by Governor Haslam

On March 31, Governor Bill Haslam signed Senate Bill 519 into law.  SB 519, which took immediate effect, recognizes that any employer permitting a person to legally carry a firearm on the employer's property does not constitute an “occupational safety and health hazard” to the employees.  SB 519, sponsored by state Senator Mike Bell (R-9), passed in the Senate by a 30 to 1 vote.  House Bill 283 is the companion bill to SB 519, sponsored by state Representative Vance Dennis (R-71), that passed in the House by an 82 to 8 vote.  

The recognition of Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards by the General Assembly in SB 519 and HB 283 should serve as a stepping stone toward the passage of parking lot/worker protection legislation that would allow gun owners to lawfully store firearms in their privately-owned and locked vehicle while parked in publicly accessible parking lots controlled by their employer or a business that they frequent.  Employees should not be forced to choose between being fired from their job or sacrificing their right to self-defense on their daily commute.

 

Sweet
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Mission Creep

I noticed the other day, via Conservative Scalawag, that the government is trying to seize 7 million bucks worth of silver from a guy.

While the story is interesting in its' own right, this caught my eye:

That's partly why von NotHaus' group has been followed for years by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a group that tracks political extremism.

I know a bit about the SPLC, and I'd say that's a generalization at best. More like a mischaracterization.

Their agenda isn't about political extremism in a broad sense. They have a very narrow focus. It used to be strictly about white on black violence. Now they run the (narrow) gamut.

Let's just say groups like ELF aren't listed on their "hate map" (no link for them, screw 'em) I also find it funny how the racist groups are sanitized by using terms like "White Nationalist" and "Black Separatist" while others get more specific names like "Anti-Immigrant". The best one, by far, is "General Hate".

I've worked for a few Generals in my time, never has one been bad enough to form a hate group over.

The SPLC is in the same boat as affirmative action and trade unions - no longer needed, but still fighting to stay relevant. 

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(;,,,;)

Don't you judge me!



Calls for Cthulhu, #10. Continue Reading