Yes they did

Tea Party Protests Began in Seattle. What makes this article worthy of note is it was published in the Seattle Times. Yes, really! I just about fell out of my chair reading it. Of course the comments provided the required daily recommended dose of liberal whining. Some conceded that yes, the first few Tea Party protests were really grassroots, but then Fox supported them and spread the word and that simply cannot be allowed for some reason. Probably because the other networks were doing such a good job of pretending the Tea Parties weren't there and Fox spoiled it. I haven't done an exhaustive search, but I think this is the first real article where the Seattle Times even mentions the President's Day Porkulus protest and Keli Carender. I was at that protest. Not because anybody told me to, but because it was such a RELIEF to be able to gather with like-minded folk and speak out against the damage being done by Obama and Congress. I'm guessing some of the spittle-flecked invective from the commenters to that article is caused by fear. They didn't know there were so many of us. Living in the same city. Undetectable. Why, you can hardly see the horns!

Scenes from the Apocalypse, part II

-Yeah, let's terrify all of downtown Manhattan for a photo op/"training" session. Lots of excuses flying around. Sounds like the FAA told *some* people, and then forbade them to tell the public thus making their effort completely useless from the point of panic control. I understand and agree that the location of either of the planes used as Air Force One should not be announced in advance. What I DON'T understand is why the plane had to be so identified? Couldn't they just have said it was for a movie? People will believe *anything* if you tell them it's for a movie.

-My neighbors, good, upstanding blue-collar types, have torn up a large section of their back yard to put in a vegetable garden. This does not appear to be a sudden urge to get back to nature. In all the years I've lived here, they've never had one before. What shall we call these plots? "Victory Gardens" has been done before. How about "Defeat Gardens"?

-I've started seeing people wearing facemasks in public. Seattle hasn't had any cases of swine flu. Ever get the feeling people don't believe the government any more?

-Plants and flowers are over a month delayed from their usual schedule. The sun is still deathly quiet. If we get another Maunder Minimum it won't be funny. Too many people around the world are subsistence farmers, and if the planet cools some of them will starve.

Sunday Funnies

-Schlock Mercenary Senior NCOs run the universe.
-No Need For Bushido Check Monday for the biweekly update.
-TwoLumps Do not make chili with gasoline. Thank you.
-xkcd
-Dresden Codak has a strange update!
-Lackadaisy has THREE new pages. I'm thinking lunch may be hard for some people to digest ... Start here.
-Girl Genius Agatha has found Gil, and she is *not* happy.

Scientific Progress goes "Boink"

This is stuff any well-rounded humanoid needs to know, but for some reason the media isn't covering it.

- A highly scientific exploration of the tensile properties of colloidal suspensions under gravitational stress (trans: Nailing Jello to a Wall) ht/Neoneocon
-Baby Mammoth Found! Immediately petted by small child.
-Exosolar planet in the habitable zone found. Unable to confirm presence of Starbuck's store.
-X-ray laser. Not man-portable yet. This is *very* cool. Trust me, I'm a mad scientist!

Seattle Tax Day Tea Party

We may have made it over the 1K mark this time. Considering Seattle is the beating heart of liberalism these days, that is phenomenal. The organizers FINALLY got their hands on an adequate PA system, which was a relief. I saw some politicians wandering around with their staff (they had big brass nameplates) but they hadn't taken the stage by the time I left. Maybe they were just working the crowd. KOMO 4 had a satellite truck as well.

The other big difference from the other Tea Party/Porkulous protests -- the police were *everywhere*. Five mounted police (here cheerfully providing a photo op for some cute kids), and scads of cops on bikes and in patrol cars. I also saw a police truck towing a trailer full of crowd barrier. They were prepared for all eventualities--and while alert, were fairly relaxed. I don't think they were worried about the protesters.


The hip-hop nation represents. Just because you have an aversion to belts doesn't mean you like being taxed to death.


I talked to the cops about this little incident, the only confrontation I witnessed. Whether on purpose or accidentally, bike helmet guy was banging into people with his bike. The cops escorted him out of the crowd and asked him to park his bike, then he'd be free to rejoin and hold up his sign (which I never got a look at.) All handled very calmly and professionally.

Open carry is legal in Washington State. I just want to point out that nobody fainted, screamed, or got shot even though a citizen was carrying a weapon in a public place. It can happen, folks!



Nobody wanted to talk to the LaRouche supporters.


This gentleman is doing his damndest to get some money out of Obama, by selling tee-shirts at a quite reasonable price.

Sunday Funnies

Updated

-Girl Genius Featuring a chatty chorus girl with delusions of adequacy.
-Schlock Mercenary Size matters.
-No Need For Bushido There is supposed to be an update this coming Monday. They promised.
-TwoLumps I never knew that cats planned their scornings.
-xkcd

People who aren't entertaining me fast enough

-Lackadaisy
-Dresden Codak
-Crowfeathers

Desiderata, with happy puppies

Maybe it's just me, but I'm seeing a lot more irritability and snappish behavior lately, even with people usually known for being calm and easygoing. There's a lot to worry about. I'm anticipating more trouble before it gets better myself, but there's no point in stressing yourself into an early grave. Remember the good stuff. Sniff a flower. Make someone laugh. You'll feel better. All the troubles heading our way won't come any faster if you take time to read the funnies.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

-Max Ehrmann c.1920

And here's a puppy putting the principle in action ...

Sunday Funnies

Updated

W00t! Gone With the Blastwave has a new page! And an April Fools graphic!
-Girl Genius Uh oh. Somebody knows who Gil really is.
-Schlock Mercenary The trouble with contractors that know what your budget is.
-No Need For Bushido General Atsumori is starting to run out of troops.
-TwoLumps Silly kitties!
-xkcd

People who aren't entertaining me fast enough

-Lackadaisy
-Dresden Codak
-Crowfeathers Suffering a crisis of narrative. (Well, why not go back to Lawn Darts, hmmm?)

The Economy Viewed as a Coffee Shack

Round these parts you can't throw a Birkenstock sandal without hitting one of the multitudinous tiny little espresso stands. Most of them are smaller than a legal jail cell and have just enough room for one barista, a radio, and the sacred espresso machine. Not too long ago a variant developed--the, ah, *spicy* espresso stand. Featuring buxom young ladies not wearing a hell of a lot, and let me just say as one biologically and orientationally (if that wasn't a real word it is now) unexcited by such it was a bit of a shock when all I wanted was a mocha. Plus it was bitter cold out and I was concerned that she might a) get sick with the window open so much and b) hot coffee spills.

Anyway! (I do have a point. Be patient.)

Shortly after the sexy-barista-in-a-bikini theme took off, I noticed another trend. Some of the *other* espresso shacks started advertising that THEIR baristas kept their clothes on. Family-friendly. Focused on the beverage, not the floor show. I thought this was great. The invisible hand of capitalism, so to speak. Some people (Ace's morons, I am looking at YOU) like their baristas a few threads away from nude. They have that option. Others (like me) just want the damn coffee and not a lingerie model handing it to me. Also available. Tastes differ, and someone will cater to that taste if you give them money.

When the government takes over the economy, this doesn't happen. You get one choice. Nobody will like it. I'm thinking it would be hairy-chinned Code Pink rejects, who will charge you $10 for a cup of tepid prune juice. Caffeine is bad for you, you know.

Prepare the Hibernation Chamber, Igor!

Let's see. The economy is still in a tailspin, the President of the United States thinks the Queen of England would be delighted by an iPod that contains his speeches, Congress is too busy printing money to read the bills they sign, the North Koreans are dialing in coordinates on their Totally Peaceful Rocket, No Really.....

And it snowed. Today. In Seattle. For over two hours.

I can take a hint. I wonder, though. Will a thousand years be enough?