Memorable video experience: James May rides in a U2 spy plane

10 minutes of life-enriching video:

Tribute to Film Director John Hughes, RIP

Update: at Pajamas TV, Lionel Chetwynd and Roger L. Simon look a bit deeper into John Hughes work and themes.

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from Alison, who became his pen-pal when she was a teen-ager. Hughes used to fight for certain things in his films, saying "I'm doing this for Alison."

Alison interviewed on NPR.

Since July 1, Michael Young's offense has been fantastic

I have criticized Rangers 3B Michael Young a lot: for staying too high when he positions his body on defense; for swinging too aggressively at bat (going to the plate to hit, as opposed to going to the plate to get on base[thus setting a terrible example for young and free swinging Rangers hitters]); for standing too far from the plate and forcing every batted ball weakly to RF (defenses have positioned themselves to take these hits away from Michael Young).

However, I want to acknowledge: Michael Young has been offensively fantastic over the last 5 weeks, and is having his best offensive season ever. He is turning on inside pitches and driving them to left centerfield - frequently over the fence in left centerfield. Turning on inside pitches is new for him. It shows he is a veteran hitter who is still improving. This bodes well for the remainder of his career.

I've said Michael Young needs to shoot for a Paul Molitar style strong offensive finish to his career. This season, Michael Young has been Paul Molitar. Much of the rest of the Rangers offense has been the stupidest, wildest swinging, most futile offense in the history of baseball. Michael Young has been fantastic, and has batted at championship level. Any franchise could have benefited from his offense this season: he has been a tough out. Salute.

Friday Hot

Webutante? in the Summer of Love? before she discovered fly fishing?

h/t The Classical Liberal.

Saving SPC. Channing Moss

Happy Faces of Victory

Youngest Nephew - aka the gun owner, sports uniform designer, and fearsome rock chunker and Iran liberator - is wearing eyeglasses and is positioned above "Year". Click the pic for a heartwarming close-up of the smiling faces. Americana.

In addition to his other skills, Youngest Nephew can hit:




In the photo at top, Bro64 is at top right, and is mightily pleased with

1) the team's play, and

2) the spiffy uniforms, which he designed, in consultation with Southern Brother.

Southern Brother is in the sports uniform and equipment industry(1, 2), and sells to high schools and colleges.

One design feature: the brothers decided to specify larger numbers for the backs of the jerseys. The larger numbers add authority and gravitas:

Below:
Intense conversation at the mound: ten year old boys who are fully focused on winning (which means there is still hope for the survival of American culture). Youngest Nephew is number eleven.

Cousin Wedding Photos

from last summer, now in D Magazine:



A beautiful couple. It's the good genes from the bride's grandmother: End Zone commenter Emjay. The happy couple are nice and decent people, which is heartwarming.

Slide show of Sarah and John's wedding. Click "next" to move through the photos.

Sarah Palin, husband rumored to be planning to have sex -- with each other!

Robert Stacy McCain:

Anyway, Mrs. Palin, while I have no previous experience in making stuff up the way Dennis Zaki does, I would consider attempting it, if only I had some of those “sources” like the progressive bloggers do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, here’s my idea: I told my source to give my phone number to . . . uh, two sources in Wasilla, Alaska, if you get my drift. Because I’ve made my living as a professional journalist since 1986, I’m not really so good at this newfangled making-stuff-up business, but I’d be willing to give it a try:

MONDAY, AUG. 3, 2009, 4:34 P.M. – Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and husband Todd “went at it like crazy” Sunday evening at their home in Wasilla, according to one source familiar with the couple’s rendezvous.

“Man, I don’t know what got into her last night,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. No, wait, maybe that time we went camping back in . . . ‘96. Yeah, I’m pretty sure it was ‘96, but it might have been ‘97. Anyway, the thing is, it was awesome.”

Palin spokeswoman Meg Stapleton refused to comment on the allegation.

UPDATE 6:17 P.M. – I now have further confirmation of the previously reported romantic encounter between the Palins, although one of my best sources disputes key details of our earlier account.

“Me? He said it was me?” said the source. “Oh, no way, it was totally him. You betcha. All I did was put on an old Rod Stewart CD while I was cooking the fish we caught last weekend, and next thing ya know, he’s singin’ along about ‘tonight’s the night’ and stuff. Of course, he can’t sing worth a darn, but he doesn’t know that.”

According to this source, Todd Palin “came up behind” the former governor, put his arms around her and began kissing her neck “all sweet-like” which caused the 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate to laugh.

“Like I don’t know what you’re up to, Mister,” Mrs. Palin reportedly said.

Todd Palin was obviously seeking to make amends for previous neglect, according to this source. A four-time Tesoro Iron Dog snow-race champion, the governor’s husband “was trying to make up for lost time, I guess, because . . . well, he sure as heck wasn’t complaining, I can tell you that. You betcha.”

Asked about the apparent discepancy with Hot Air’s original report, the first source confirmed these new details.

“Whatever, man,” the first source said. “All I’m saying is, well, he shoots, he scores, right? Standing ovation, you might say.”

Further developments in the new scandal will be reported as details become available.

UPDATE 7:42 P.M.:– Still more confirmation from a new source.

“Ewwwww, gross,” said someone familiar with Sunday evening’s events. “Like, it’s bad enough when you can hear ‘em in there, like I don’t know, OK? I just turned up my iPod and was like, whatever.”

While only indirectly confirming the controversial encounter between Mrs. Palin and the man the former governor still calls “First Dude,” this new source revealed a potentially intriguing angle involving Bristol Palin’s ex-fiance Levi Johnston.

Characterizing Johnston as a “total loser,” this source suggested it is extremely unlikely the father of Bristol’s infant son will ever “get his crap together.”

“Oh, puh-leeze! You’re talking ‘Ricky Hollywood,’ OK? I was like, ‘What’s up with that?’ . . . He’s supposed to be doing some kind of reality TV thing, and I’m like, right. They need to call it ‘America’s Biggest Jerk,’ ya know?”

Also confirmed was that the reported breach between Bristol and Johnston is “definitely” permanent. “Not in a million flippin’ years,” said the source, adding that Johnston had not “bought the first flippin’ diaper” for their son, Tripp.

Hot Air will continue to provide exclusive coverage of these controversies, including rumors that the Palins’ 14-year-old daughter Willow thinks pop musician Joe Jonas is “totally to die for.”

Healthcare Public Option is Stalking Horse for Single Payer

Prelude to where I intended to go 60 seconds ago, when I first thought to make this post:

If 9/11 Truthers do not wish to believe the U.S. Government about those attacks, they could choose to believe Osama and Al Qaeda, who have for some time claimed credit.

One more thing: given that Osama and Al Qaeda obviously do wish to attack America, is it really important whether or not they did the deed on 9/11? If they wish to attack America, they are our enemies, and that is enough. Our strategic calculation about how to engage them exists separate from their success in attacking via airplanes and box cutters. Looking at those attacks is looking backward; is violating the oft cited warning about "fighting the last war". We look forward; we assess the future threat independently of what happened on 9/11, as we ought have addressed the threat even if 9/11 had never happened. In a sense, 9/11 only spurred us to do what we ought have been already doing, yet did not have the political will to do.

Anyway, I thought of that top paragraph: "they could choose to believe Osama and Al Qaeda", when I read Tigerhawk:

If you do not believe conservatives who say that the "public option" is a trojan horse for a single-payer health care system, you're always free to believe the liberals. Obviously that's the reason for it. There is no other even theoretical justification that makes sense.

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The public option is both a Trojan Horse and a stalking horse. Stalking Horse definition.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Addendum:

William A. Jacobson:

Digby found the problem [causing regular Americans to fear Obamacare]. It wasn't what the folks were reading, or hearing, or seeing. No something more mysterious was at work, ear worms:

I don't know where these people are getting this. They aren't political, they don't listen to talk radio or read blogs. This is just what's out in the ether, what people are saying in casual conversation. The ear worm is "we've got a problem, but the Democrats are going to take over health care and make things worse." It's not entirely surprising, but it's depressing nonetheless.

No not "ear worms" as in Helicoverpa zea, but earworms as in something you can't get out of your head, such as "yes we can" or "no tax increases on anyone making under $250,000 a year." Those catchy phrases that just keep popping up no matter what reality says.

Digby may be onto something. Fear of government-run Obamacare is like an earworm. It is something that people cannot get out of their heads because of life experiences. One of the few things people fear more than going to the dentist is going to the motor vehicle department.

Addendum 2: Is something happening out in regular America? Instapundit has video and links: "Crowd EXPLODES when Arlen Specter says "Do it fast".

There's also this, from when U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-TX met the public in Austin:



Addendum 3: neo-neocon tells a personal story of salvation from a debilitating lifetime of pain, courtesy of U.S. healthcare and private health insurance.

My sister in law has a story. She had two rare and difficult to diagnose (and undiagnosed) infections inside her organs and digestive tract. Over a couple of years, she was constantly sick, had no energy, possibly was heading towards early death, and definitely was miserable. She went to doctor after doctor. No one could find the problem. Luckily, she had good health insurance, and was able to doggedly continue her quest to find what was wrong with her. Finally, after approx 2 years of searching, she landed with a disease specialist - a self styled medical Sherlock Holmes - in New Orleans. After extensive (and expensive) testing, he discovered her problems, set her courses of medication, and in only a few weeks she was dramatically strengthened and back to normal. I saw her before and after: the change in her health was dramatic.

He arrives!

photo by Tony Gutierrez - AP

All hail the controllable fastball with arm side run. I certainly do.

Age: 21 years and 3 months.

The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.

-A.E. Houseman

Then Out Spoke Brave Neftali
by Thomas Babington Macaulay, with an assist from me.

XXVI.

The Rangers fan's brow was sad, and the Rangers fan's speech was low,
And darkly looked he at the past, and darkly at the foe.
"Their nine will be upon us, as always as before;
And if they even take the field, what hope can be in store?"

XXVII.

Then out spoke brave Neftali, Captain of the bullpen gate:
"To every man upon this earth, defeat cometh soon or late;
And how can man lose better than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers, in this temple of baseball gods,

XXVIII.

And for the tender mother who gave his first wiffle bat,
And for the wife who cheers and wears the "T" upon her hat,
And for the holy maidens who love the grand old game,
To save them from steroid users, that wrought the deeds of shame?

XXIX.

Hoe down in the stands, Sir Fan, with all the clamor ye may!
I, with two more to help me, will throw the strikes which slay.
From yon high mound, a thousand may well be stopped by three:
Now, who will stand on either hand and throw the strikes with me?'

XXX.

Then out spake Derek Holland; an Ohioan proud was he:
"Lo, I will stand at thy right hand and throw the strikes with thee."
And out spake Martin Perez; of Venezuelan blood was he:
"I will abide on thy left side, and throw the strikes with thee."

XXXI.

"Neftali," quoth the Rangers fan, "as thou sayest, so let it be."
And straight against that great array forth went the dauntless Three.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These stanzas, as written in the original poem.
Complete original poem: "Horatius."

Barack Obama is The Joker

... putting his nefarious plans for America into effect.



h/t Update: tagline: "Why so Socialist?"

Speaking of nefarious:

WHY is the Obama Administration supporting Mel Zelaya's return to power in Honduras? Baffling. Could the Obama Administration still be clueless about what is truly happening in Honduras? I'm thinking no. Therefore ... what are the implications? Could Barack REALLY be this comfortable with Socialism? with a dictator in perpetual power? Could Barack REALLY be this uncaring about and unsupportive of Democracy? I'm beginning to think yes. What are the implications of that? The mind reels. Barack is The Joker, hiding his true intentions behind a mask.

Irony:
Heath Ledger's Joker had a Daddy problem.
Barack Obama has a Daddy .Problem.

Just b/c it's interesting: Peter Robinson interviews Shelby Steele.

She's not blind

"Divorce Todd? Have you seen Todd? I may be just a renegade hockey mom, but I'm not blind!"

-- Sarah Palin, 5:35 p.m. ET

A healthy, non-neurotic sexual relationship with Todd: another reason left side women hate Sarah Palin.

Stossel's Is Best Libertarian Healthcare Analysis on TV

Highlights:

"There is much more of a demand for healthcare than the government is willing to pay for."

Canadian citizen who came to America for a critical surgery which the Canadian Healthcare System deemed "elective"; her American doctor told her she would have only lived a few more weeks:
"The only thing elective about this surgery is that I elected to live."

"It's [American health care's] pursuit of profit which has given us inventions which save lives."

Hollywood's Moral Relativism Is Bad for Humanity

John Nolte is a conservative Hollywood insider who - amongst other things - writes movie reviews for Andrew Breitbarts' Big Hollywood. Nolte's take on another anti Iraq war Hollywood film: Green Zone, starring Matt Damon, which is now pushed back from a fall 2009 release to a March 2010 release:

Why would a company interested in making money (so they say) make yet another film trashing the Iraq War? By my count (narratives and documentaries), 13 have already flopped miserably and yet Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass team up for number 14, this one a big-budget studio critique of a war that successfully liberated 25 million innocent people.

Companies truly interested in making a profit don’t behave this way, which is why there’s never been a New Coke 2, much less a New Coke 14. And yet, Universal doubles down on more anti-Americanism using the fig-leaf of “based on a true story” to hide their malicious intentions which — to anyone paying attention — are always exposed by which “true stories” they choose to drop in theaters all over the world.
[...]
Actually, it doesn’t matter how many [anti Iraq War movies] fail. This is an ideological war, not a drive for profit.

It's that "drop in theaters all over the world" part which is especially malicious. Hollywood steadily turns out propaganda about American immorality and guilt, then complains that conservatives cause the world to dislike America. If Hollywood cannot figure out what's so great about America (hint: freedom feeds the human spirit), how can the rest of the world figure it out?

DVDs being sold across the world are increasing Hollywood's ideological influence. It's a problem - and it's especially a problem b/c Hollywood steadily turns out movies without moral centers: aka movies which espouse moral relativism, which are premised on a philosophy that absolute truth does not exist. The continual propaganda is bad for all of humanity.

A reminder of the way Hollywood used to be:

At Big Hollywood, Leo Grin discussed Rio Bravo, Director Howard Hawkes, and John Wayne:

Howard Hawks’ masterpiece stemmed from his disgust with the joyless anti-heroics of uptight, melodramatic westerns like Fred Zinnemann’s High Noon (1952) and Delmer Daves’ 3:10 to Yuma (1957) — dark “message movies” that seemed to revel in smugly depicting small-town Americans as cynics and cowards.
[...]
“I made Rio Bravo,” he later told an interviewer, “because I didn’t like High Noon. Neither did Duke. I didn’t think a good town marshal was going to run around town like a chicken with his head cut off asking everyone to help. And who saves him? His Quaker wife. That isn’t my idea of a good western.”

In his now-famous 1971 Playboy interview, John Wayne recalled his own loathing for the film:

Everyone says High Noon was a great picture because [Dmitri] Tiomkin wrote some great music for it and because Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly were in it. In the picture, four guys come in to gun down the sheriff. He goes to church and asks for help and the guys go, “Oh well, oh gee.” And the women stand up and say, “You rats, you rats.” So Cooper goes out alone. It’s the most un-American thing I ever saw in my whole life. The last thing in the picture is ole Coop putting the United States marshal’s badge under his foot and stepping on it.

The left admit they are socialists ... when they think everyone around them is also socialist

from neo-neo comment section:

Thomass Says:

Assistant Village Idiot Says:

“Here is an interesting contrast. If progressives can find 10% racism in you, then you are “really” a racist. But if you can find 90% socialism in them, they aren’t “really” a socialist.”

Nah. They’re just lying to you. I live and work in the bay area. Progressives know and admit they’re socialists… when they think everyone around them is one too. At parties and social things, the progressives admit they’re socialists… I see / hear it all the time.

When they’re in an area where 20% or less of the people are progressives, the story gets changed.