May 24, 2006
Record snowfall in Hell
Hey, it's a lot more likely than Lastango's request of Madonna
found here.
As I type this post, thousands of Christians are gathering rope, pitchforks and burning torches in preparation of tarring and feathering Ms. Ciccone. Whoops, my bad.
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May 23, 2006
One cool Byrd
I've been waiting for Lori Byrd's reappearance on a group blog ever since the dustup at Polipundit recently. She's now roosting, part-time, over at
Wizbang. Stop by and give her the old Wizbang welcome.
Not that one, you pervert! The nice one.
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May 19, 2006
Site under construction
I've finally decided to move to a 3-column display on this blog. However, I don't have tons of time to devote to the completion of this task. If you're looking for links right now, they're at the bottom of this page.
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1
Yaa... just like a man, then you can't finish it. (JUST JOKING!)
Posted by: vw bug at May 20, 2006 07:34 PM (QHbCv)
2
but seriously, see my comment on Munuviana. Drop by and look at my template and stylesheet, or I can save them to notepad files for you.
Posted by: caltechgirl at May 22, 2006 04:46 PM (jOkK0)
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May 17, 2006
Still not getting it
Lots of people, including
Captain Ed, have jumped all over Vox's case about
this column(linked here because the WND column was edited). He merely uses some historical perspective to debunk the assertion that "we CAN'T possibly deport 12 million illegals". What seems to have people's panties in a wad is that the reference was to the Nazis's attempted extermination of the Jews.
And he will be lying, again, just as he lied when he said: "Massive deportation of the people here is unrealistic - it's just not going to work."
Not only will it work, but one can easily estimate how long it would take. If it took the Germans less than four years to rid themselves of 6 million Jews, many of whom spoke German and were fully integrated into German society, it couldn't possibly take more than eight years to deport 12 million illegal aliens, many of whom don't speak English and are not integrated into American society
While I would have looked for a different example, I find the facts to be on his side. Nowhere does Vox advocate exterminating the Mexicans. In fact, he doesn't even favor mass deportation. He merely compares the numbers, 6 million versus 12 million, while pointing out the societal differences today that, one would think, would make identifying illegal immigrants much easier than identifying European Jews sixty years ago.
If you want to read into the article that
a) Vox really wants to herd up and kill the Mexicans or
b) He thinks that massive deportation should be issue #1
then go ahead. But don't pretend that you actually read the article as it's written. Read into whatever you want to, but don't pretend that it's actually what's written.
Update: It turns out that Rob at Say Anything did read it correctly, but he's still against the turn of phrase.
I, for one, believe it is totally possible for America to deport 12 million illegal immigrants. If we sealed off the border, empowered local law enforcement to arrest illegals and sped up the deportation process we could probably get most of them out of the country within five years or so. That being said, backing up one's support for mass deportation by citing the success Nazis had at exterminating the Jews is not exactly the best way to win over fence-sitters on this issue.
Okay, I will admit to my ignorance now, but will someone-anyone- please give be a better 20th century example of a country systematically rounding up a particular group of people, numbering in the millions, within a few years time, that was not predicated on the extermination of the aforementioned group. I mentioned above that I'd have sought a different example, but for the life of me, I cannot come up with one. Please, I really want to know. If you cannot provide me with another example, I will assume that you just don't like the Nazi reference, period, which is certainly your perogative. The factual accuracies contained within that reference can therfore simply be ignored because you find it horribly distasteful.
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1
The internment of the Japanese-American population of the West Coast jumps to mind. That did, I believe, involve millions of people. Still not a rhetorically very effective example to use, since most people frown on this internment and consider it a massive violation of civil rights. You don't want to compare a proposed policy that you favor to a historical event that your audience doesn't if you can help it.
Another example might be the exodus of many, many people from Eastern Europe after most of it was conquered by the Soviet Union. Again, this is a rhetorically uncomfortable comparison, but it seems more apropros in that the end result - people leaving, rather than being killed or held prisoner - is closer to what Vox wants to happen with illegal immigrants than to the example he did use.
Posted by: jaed at May 17, 2006 09:57 PM (Wz8D0)
2
I didn't mention the early 20th century Eastern Europeans because I wasn't really certain how comparable it was. Of course, you could make the same argument against Vox's comparison, too. I'm just a little disturbed that most people arguing against this sort of comparison aren't actually admitting that in the light of cold, hard logic, the numbers stack up. Is it an ugly comparison? I've said that it's not one I'd have chosen, so you can draw your own conclusions. But it seems that many people are ignoring the factual accuracies contained within. Logically, it's hard to argue that his point isn't valid, although I'll agree with Rob at Say Anything that it's not a comparison that's likely to win people over, due the visceral reaction people will likely have.
Posted by: physics geek at May 18, 2006 11:37 AM (Xvrs7)
Posted by: jimmyb at May 25, 2006 09:22 AM (nUoH8)
4
Turn off the magnet that draws them here: jobs. Enforce laws against hiring illegals and stop social welfare benefits. They will all self-deport within 30-days.
Posted by: randy at June 01, 2006 05:09 PM (VaoGY)
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May 10, 2006
And now for something completely different
I might be changing careers again. This time though, it would actually allow me to use my master's degree. I'm mulling over the life-changing implications of this decision. Good thoughts and/or prayers are always appreciated.
Posted by: Physics Geek at
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1
you mean you're actually considering professional geekdom? I hope it pays well
Posted by: caltechgirl at May 10, 2006 02:46 PM (/vgMZ)
2
Actually, I've been a programmer/data analyst for the last decade or so. I think that my geek cred is pretty solid. However, this would allow me to move back into engineering. And yes, it would pay pretty well.
Posted by: physics geek at May 10, 2006 04:24 PM (auFn9)
3
If you're going back into hardware, remember Frank's 3 laws of how to fix anything.
1/ Is it plugged in?
2/ Is it turned on?
3/ Is it connected to the computer?
The worst thing about software is that you really can't show somebody what you work on. Construction workers can point to a building, farmers see a crop, engineers see a bridge.
Hey, bit-bashing sounds hi-tech, but it gets boring. Work on what you love, the money will follow.
Posted by: Frank Borger at May 11, 2006 05:51 AM (ftmU7)
4
In my case, I'd be able to point to nuclear power plants.
I can hear the greenies screeching in horror right now. It's probably a good time to break out the Toxic Avenger costumer.
Posted by: physics geek at May 11, 2006 09:26 AM (Xvrs7)
5
Oh my. Good thoughts going your way. Power plants... super heros... my son would love it.
Posted by: vw bug at May 11, 2006 10:35 AM (U/hcI)
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YAY! Radiation!
Ah... that brings back memories :-)
Posted by: Harvey at May 11, 2006 11:01 AM (L7a63)
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We had several former Navy nukes guys in our graduate program. The stories that they'd tell...
Posted by: physics geek at May 11, 2006 11:32 AM (Xvrs7)
8
Your decision should boil down to one thing--will you like what you do?
Posted by: Woody at May 11, 2006 08:12 PM (ymXKK)
9
Just remember, reactor physicists never worry about fallout.
They just reinsert and shorten the stroke.
Posted by: frank borger at May 12, 2006 02:22 PM (kM4vx)
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May 08, 2006
It's a good idea
But it's not a new one.
Breitbart.com has a story about
people pre-paying for gasoline to try and head off higher future prices. If prices go down, you're stuck with having paid high prices. For the record, Priceline did this first; it was a pretty good program. However, Priceline decided to burn through all of its capital quickly, leaving lots of unhappy former customers.
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May 05, 2006
A little history
Many people believe that Cinco de Mayo is the date that Mexicans celebrate their independence from mother Spain. Like most other commonly accepted "truths", this one is false. For the record, Mexico gained independence in 1821.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates something else entirely. Excerpt:
France invaded at the gulf coast of Mexico along the state of Veracruz (see map) and began to march toward Mexico City, a distance today of less than 600 miles. Although American President Abraham Lincoln was sympathetic to Mexico's cause, and for which he is honored in Mexico, the U.S. was involved in its own Civil War at the time and was unable to provide any direct assistance.
Marching on toward Mexico City, the French army encountered strong resistance at the Mexican forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. Lead by Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin, a small, poorly armed militia estimated at 4,500 men were able to stop and defeat a well outfitted French army of 6,500 soldiers, which stopped the invasion of the country. The victory was a glorious moment for Mexican patriots, which at the time helped to develop a needed sense of national unity, and is the cause for the historical date's celebration.
"The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862."
Add Mexicans to the seemingly endless supply of people able to defeat the French in battle. Included in this list are the Quadruple Amputee Girls Elementary School, the Paralytic School for the Blind and pretty much any local Cub Scout troop. Den mothers are prohibited because the French invariably wet themselves when confronted with opponents standing over 4 feet in height, weighing more than 50 pounds, or possessing the bodily strength of your average two-year old.
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1
it's an excuse to drink beer. What better excuse than humiliating the French?
Posted by: caltechgirl at May 05, 2006 12:37 PM (/vgMZ)
2
Heck, I'll drink a beer when someone else humiliates the French.
Posted by: physics geek at May 07, 2006 02:31 PM (ed4GZ)
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May 04, 2006
AAAHHHHH!!!!!
A 33-year old man married a 104-year old woman. Excerpt:
A 33-year-old man in northern Malaysia has married a 104-year-old woman, saying mutual respect and friendship had turned to love, a news report said Tuesday.
Sounds like a May-1865 romance. Hey, I wonder how the groom's gonna like the wedding night? Probably like an old wallet. Leathery & dry with the possibility of a velcro-like strip. ::shudder::
And here's a photo of the happy couple, hidden below the fold.
more...
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1
Your just jealous. ;-) She is probably due to have a ton of money come her way... right?
Posted by: vw bug at May 04, 2006 07:40 PM (QTA18)
2
Ummm... can we go back to kissing Helen Thomas? :-/
Posted by: Harvey at May 11, 2006 11:10 AM (L7a63)
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Thought for the day
" Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?"
Posted by: Physics Geek at
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May 03, 2006
Sign up
Your personal information is just that: personal. No one should post your private information on the web. The dickheads who thought that it was just fine and dandy to post Michelle Malkin's home address/Google maps/etc. should be flogged, painted in honey and then tied down to an anthill. After that, we can start with the actual punishment. Sound harsh? You betcha. Even if you don't agree with my
suggested solution, you probably agree with the whole privacy premise thing. If so,
go here to sign the
Online Integrity petition.
Posted by: Physics Geek at
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1
I've located the home of the perpetrators and provide this link for them to be harrassed in the same manner: http://www.notpc.org/jokes/Red_Neck_High_Rise.htm
Posted by: Woody at May 04, 2006 12:22 AM (v5VVJ)
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May 01, 2006
Dain bramage
Ever visit a site frequently only to discover that oops, you'd never actually added it to your blogroll?
Why am I the only who experiences this phenomenon? Inquiring minds want to know. In any event, I've rectified the situation and added Stop the ACLU to my blogroll.
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