Rural Missouri

On our way to the airport.

KC BBQ

Arthur Bryant's

Morning in Kansas City

View from my hotel room.

My Travel Curse Continues

Guess which flight is mine..

Our New Toy - HDTV!

Well, it took me 18 months of constant begging, hounding and rationalizing, but in the end my wife finally caved! We got a new 50" plasma TV! It didn't happen without giving something up, however.

The original plan was to travel to Tonga for a reunion of sorts with my Dad and family, but after comparing the cost of airfare for 2 to the South Pacific and back against the TV, the TV came out the big winner (it wasn't even close... Tonga was like 3 times more expensive). Now the TV sits majestically in my living room. Although, I have to admit that it wasn't so much my lobbying-acquired powers of persuasion that finally convinced my wife as it was the change of the return policy at Costco. We wanted to buy the TV before Costco limited their return period on TVs from "unlimited" to 90 days.

So now that all is said and done, I must say that I am thoroughly impressed with my purchase, the Panasonic TH-50PX60U (read outside review here). For starters, I spent a solid 48 hours researching the pros and cons of plasmas vs. LCDs before buying. And despite my intensive homework, I still went back and forth on my "final" decision before eventually deciding to go with plasma. I am an extremely critical technophile, and I did not want to end up with a piece of junk that I would want to trash after a few weeks. It had to be just right for the shows I watch, money I wanted to spend and size I wanted to have. And so far (it's been about 3 weeks), I am loving my decision.

The Panasonic TH-50PX60U is a high definition 720p/1080i plasma television. The picture on this model is phenomenal - and I've compared a lot of high definition TVs. We are feeding it with DirecTV's high definition service and DVR, and the HD reception looks exactly like what I was receiving over-the-air (OTA) in the weeks before the dish was installed (you can pull pure HD broadcasts for free, OTA, using a pair of $5 rabbit ears). The rumors of DirecTV degrading their signal (sometimes referred to as HDTV Lite) are unfounded (at least visually). The reception and detail of this TV is stunning.

I prefer CBS and NBC programming because they broadcast in 1080i, which is visually clearer than FOX's and ESPN's 720p resolution. But, all of the channels look fantastic! I have been glued to the TV for the past week (much to my wife's dismay) because I have been captivated by the difference in high definition. Besides the crystal clear network programming, I have been enjoying Discovery Channel's HD Theater channel, which shows some of the most jaw-dropping HD shows I've ever seen. The free HBO and Showtime have been a nice bonus, too.

If any of you would like more information on this TV, feel free to shoot me a comment or email. I have nothing but praise. Well, that's not entirely true... I do have one complaint - 50" is too small! I wish I could have justified spending more on the 60" model!!!

I Never Get Tired of This

McCain Making Sense for a Change

I'm not fan of John McCain, who I have barely considered to be republican, but it's good to see him raise awareness to an issue that should be of great concern to everyone - the rise of socialism. Kudos to Johnboy for bringing this to the election debate.

How the Left Communicates

When there is no rational argument for their position, those on the left often resort to what you see here: Vandalism, and the destruction of personal, private and public property. And it's not a rare occurrence. It would appear that most of these anti-American protesters have a way of disrespecting the institutions they claim to represent.

Parallels Between the Left and Jihadis

Islamists have been doing it since 9/11, but only recently have their efforts risen to such levels as to influence American discourse and politics - especially on the left. Below are some of the marching orders which instruct the Mujahadin (jihadi warriors) in their efforts to persuade Americans to withdraw from Iraq. Ironically, the American left have been using these same tactics as well. Don't believe me? Check out these pictures (again, below) from a Portland, Oregon "anti war" rally.

What the Islamists say (courtesy Memri.org):

Invent Stories About American Soldiers You Have [Allegedly] Personally Known

“Obviously, you should post your contribution... as an American... You should correspond with visitors to this forum, [bringing to their attention] the frustrating situation of their troops in Iraq... You should invent stories about American soldiers you have [allegedly] personally known (as classmates... or members in a club who played baseball and tennis with you) who were drafted to Iraq and then committed suicide while in service by hanging or shooting themselves...”

“Also, write using a sad tone, and tell them that you feel sorry for your [female] neighbor or co-worker who became addicted to alcohol or drugs... because her poor fiancé, a former soldier in Iraq, was paralyzed or [because] his legs were amputated... [Use any story] which will break their spirits, oh brave fighter for the sake of God...”

How to Make Americans Feel Frustrated With Their Government

“You should enter into debate or respond only if it is extremely necessary... Your concern should [only] be introducing topics which... will cause [them to feel] frustration and anger towards their government..., which will... render them hostile to Bush... and his Republican Party and make them feel they must vote to bring the troops back from Iraq as soon as possible.”

What the American Left says (courtesy LGF):

(I obviously edited a certain word for this blog)

Blatant Media Bias

You know, the next time Media Matters and the left wants to cry about Fox News being biased, they ought to stop by CNN's webpage and see what mainstream America has had to put up with for the past 15 years in the way of blatant liberal bias.

This is a screenshot of CNN's top stories taken a few minutes ago. Absolutely ridiculous.

Let's break it down a bit...

A trumped-up hit piece on Rudy Giuliani, a republican, followed by a story about Hillary Clinton, a democrat, showing her to be fairly balanced when it comes to the war (aimed at making people feel she's not so bad, after all).

Then, an apologetic article about one of the worst terrorists in human history, Khaled Sheikh Mohammed. CNN/Time asks, is he "believable?" I'll tell you what's unbelievable - the fact that CNN is even asking that question.

Then the list goes on to describe Nancy Pelosi as one of the sexiest seniors around. Yeah, that's top story material. More like pandering to the leader of the left.

But CNN's icing on the cake, however, is a story about how Fox News' number one rated Bill O'Reilly is being sued by Zsa Zsa Gabor's weird husband. With reporting like this, it is no wonder CNN consistently gets trampled by Fox News in the ratings.

So, let me ask you, does it get any more biased than this? Can it be any more obvious? I mean, they're talking about how sexy Pelosi is for her age when real stories, like the fact US soldiers are making real headway in Iraq with the increased troop levels are being ignored. Or what about how the Democrat majority's plan to withdraw from Iraq failed in the Senate?

If the people in this country continue to rely on the slanted news of the left, this country and its cherished freedom of the press is doomed. If we cannot trust major world news outlets like CNN to be balanced, how can we expect any more from the citizens of our nation?

Girl Finds Her Lost Dog's Severed Head on Porch

I'm not usually one to get tied in knots over cases of animal cruelty (after all, thousands of babies are murdered every day). But my philosophy notwithstanding, and as a dog lover myself, I couldn't pass over this heinous and gruesome story.

The people who commit acts like this are scum indeed, but someone who intentionally messes with a young girl who is grieving over her lost pet by delivering its bloody, severed head wrapped up in a gift box deserves to have his genitalia removed.

UPDATE: They caught the guy.

Killer Frogs from Outer Space (San Franscisco)

How do PETA-loving, everything-tolerating, San Francisco environmentalists handle this one? Man, I love slow news days. At least it's 75 degrees outside.

"Meat-eating killer frogs have invaded a pond in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, leaving environmentalists wondering how to stop their deadly march before they move on to bigger waters."

80% Less Insurgent Attacks in Iraq, and the Liberal Press Doesn't Bat an Eye

In keeping with the leftist agenda of destroying President Bush at all costs (including one-sided reporting, shameless progressive propaganda and lying), the mainstream media is failing to report that insurgent attacks in Iraq are down 80%. This is significant news. This is news the country should hear about, but they won't... at least, not from CNN and other liberal news outlets. They'll continue to report every misstep, and provide refuge to our enemies. Heaven forbid they actually report news that will weaken the enemy's resolve.

The World Tribune reports:

The U.S. Army has reported a sharp decrease in insurgency attacks in Baghdad.

In the week of Feb. 24 to March 2, officials said, insurgency strikes and suicide bombings dropped for the fourth consecutive week in Baghdad. They linked this to the steady increase of security patrols in the city.

The army said violence has decreased by 80 percent in the most insurgency-ridden areas of Baghdad. Officials said Shi'ite and Sunni insurgents have been overwhelmed by the current joint Iraqi-U.S. operation in the Iraqi capital.

The Whiners at Media Matters

The confused folks at Media Matters have accused The Politico (a new political newspaper in Washington, DC) of being too right wing. Give me a break. You can read about the controversy here.

Based on research from many sources over the past several years, it's generally well known that the American mainstream media shows a significant liberal bias. Therefore, it stands to reason that media outlets advocating neutrality and fairness will be perceived by liberal groups such as Media Matters as having a "republican tilt." This essentially means that outfits like The Politico, Fox News, and other media that don't tow the standard liberal line promulgated by the mainstream press will irk the left into the senseless accusations in which The Politico has found itself embroiled.

Maybe sending Media Matters a copy of the UCLA report on liberal media bias will remind them that despite anything The Politico might print that happens to find its way into the hands of conservatives, it would still be still a far cry from the amount of press the liberal agenda gets from the rest of the mainstream press.

Star Trek Bachelor Pad

Now, aside from the fact that if I ever attempted something like this, my wife would leave me and never look back (and indeed, that is made clear in this article when the apartment owner begins, "After my wife left me..."), I can't help but admit that this is pretty cool.

I don't know any guy who wouldn't have given a leg for this kind of setup (be it Trek, A-Team or Miami Vice) when he was younger (granted, this guy is older which is kind of frightening). But as a Star Trek fan myself, I am impressed with the realism this guy pulled off (again, I know Star Trek and "realism" present an oxymoron of sorts).

So, as nerdy as it sounds... I think this is pretty dang cool. You won't catch me doing it, though. Talking my wife into letting me buy a plasma television was hard enough!

So We're Causing Global Warming on Mars, Too, Eh?

This just goes to show how absolutely silly the global warming arguments have been getting that stipulate that humans are the cause. We have been told by climatologist after climatologist that global warming is a normal, cyclical pattern that occurs naturally over thousands of years on the Earth (especially since we are technically coming out of an ice age). The Goracle and his biologists have been claiming otherwise (as if biologists know better than climatologists). The Goracle's aim is to have you change your lifestyle (first through his lies, then through government intervention and compulsion) to one that is in conflict with free market society.

Now, according to the National Geographic - a nationally recognized scientific magazine, mind you - the same thing is happening on Mars where there is absolutely zero human presence (except for a few electric rovers that roam the planet). I quote:

In 2005 data from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor and Odyssey missions revealed that the carbon dioxide "ice caps" near Mars's south pole had been diminishing for three summers in a row.

Habibullo Abdussamatov, head of the St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory in Russia, says the Mars data is evidence that the current global warming on Earth is being caused by changes in the sun.

"The long-term increase in solar irradiance is heating both Earth and Mars," he said.

How long do you think it will take the secular progressive movement to utterly bury this article, the scientist who published it, and the editor at National Geographic who approved it?

Remember, according to The Goracle, there is no way to think except his way. If you think I'm wrong, just try to tell a secular progressive that humans aren't the cause of global warming. Just try it, and see what happens....