Inside Voice

Two items heard on the radio this morning:

Menino hospitalized with elbow infection

Inside voice says "Easy solution, cut it off."

Lynnfield man shot girlfriend, sister, himself over baby's name

Inside voice says "Why Lord can people not get the order right for suicide-murders; do self first, then others.

The Anatomy of a Murder

From the comments to the following report 3 Officers Involved in Shooting at Summerlin Costco:

My wife and I were 7 or 8 feet away from the shooting as were the police. We were to the suspects immediate right. We heard and saw the 3 police officers shouting to the man in question to 'get on your knees' several times. At that point the man appeared somewhat stunned by the commotion and shouting of the police. His Right arm went up in a defenseless position and it appeared his left arm appeared to be going up but there was NO gun in his hand. He was taserd and shot at the same time. At no time did the man in question ever raise his voice, shout an obscenity or become confrontational with the police. We saw the disabled man stooping to his right facing us with what appeared to be a bullet wound in his upper chest with blood coming from the wound and immediately his eyes became glossy as he began to convulse. At this point he was no threat to anyone, both hands were in full view of us and there was no gun. As he was down, the police continued to shout 'put the gun down' several times...but there was no gun in his hand as we had full vantage point view. The injured man was having agonal respirations, he was down when the second volly of bullets rang out...

Regarding Events in Austin

This is one of the better "reviews" I've seen yet of Mr. Stack's little "manifesto":

Actually, if you read the manifesto, you see that he is not upset at big government itself but that big government never helps him.

He whines and whines about how the government, big business, his accountant, etc in short anyone but him have screwed him over and refused to help. He whines and whines and whines that government helps out everyone BUT him and his grievance isn't that the government is invasive but that it is not invasive in his favor.

He seemed perfectly happy to feed at the public trough when the military was pumping money into aerospace in southern California and he was pissed off that when the Cold War finished and his gravy train ended that the government didn't charge in a make everything better.

He bitches that he came to Austin and couldn't compete against the business that already existed. Bitching that others outcompete you and that the government should make sure you get a fair shot in business is not a libertarian point of view.

This guy never even had a thought about personal responsibility and self-reliance.

He's not a libertarian/classical-liberal. He's a greedy little piglet who is angry that the bigger piglets pushed him off the teat he felt his by divine right.

by Shannon Love @ reason.com

 Of course real conservatives are already catching the blame for this even though he is not one.

Four becomes Five

Two in one day. Found via the World Magazine Blog: 
Atlanta Progressive News fires reporter for trying to be objective

"At a very fundamental, core level, Springston did not share our vision for a news publication with a progressive perspective. He held on to the notion that there was an objective reality that could be reported objectively, despite the fact that that was not our editorial policy at Atlanta Progressive News."

More evidence that the fourth estate has become the fifth column.

Ft. Hood Shooting Rampage Reviewed

It's been over a week since I returned from Ft. Hood. That's right I was at Ft. Hood a week ago Thursday when Nidal Hasan decided to go on a shooting rampage against his fellow soldiers. It's taken me this long to process things and decide to write them up.

A group of us were finishing up a meeting when all the cell phones of the local folks started ringing. That was the first indication that something was happening. Shortly thereafter we got word that there had been a shooting on base and that the base was in lock-down. We spent the next five plus hours locked in the building not really knowing what was happening.

Information was in short supply most of that afternoon. Indications were that there were multiple shooters, that one was dead, that one or two were in custody, and that one or two were still at large. Multiple shooting locations were mentioned. Early on it was even said that there was a possible sniper. All the while the tally of dead and wounded went up, and those of us locked in continued in tension and uncertainty.

We tried to get some work done to wrap up from our meetings that week. It was not very productive due to the nervousness of not knowing what was happening. The cell phone networks were overloaded. Text messaging worked and some of us could hit the Web from our phones, but we did not have a computer network connection, TV or radio for information. And frankly there was not much information out there to be had. I did get a message or two off to my wife letting her know that I was OK, but it was early evening before any cell phone calls would start going though and I was able to talk to her.

By early evening we had learned the name of the thought-to-be-primary shooter. It was quite a shock that it was of their own. We also had final tallies of the dead and wounded, that too was a shock.

At 7:15pm local time lock-down was lifted. Next was the trial of getting off-base with many thousands of other people trying to do the same thing at the same time. It took us over 2 hours. After that was a quick stop for something to eat and a 90 minute drive Austin. All-in-all a very long, tiring day.

Looking back it was fortunate that we were as far from the shooting location as we were, about two and half miles. And as far as I know none of the people killed or wounded were connected to the people that were were meeting with. Still it was not a fun experience and actually there was quite e bit of nervousness and tension from not knowing what was happening.

Regarding the shooter IMNSHO he is the worst of mass murderers. He needs to be tried, convicted, sentenced to death and have his sentence carried out in a prompt manner. I also think the Army, and the probably the rest of the military, needs to re-examine their attitudes and practices related to Muslim service members. I'm not saying that they should receive extra scrutiny, but quite clearly signs were missed because of hyper-concerns about appearances of religious persecution. If someone is not performing, or showing signs of agitation and concern, that needs to be dealt with directly and not skirted because of the person's religion.

Furthermore, people should be allowed to carry guns for personal protection on military bases. There were hundreds of trained people in close proximity who could have made short work of Nidal Hasan and potentially saved the health and lives of some of their fellow soldiers if they were allowed to carry on base. Sadly this is yet another example demonstrating that victim disarmament zones do not work.

My Take on the Balloon Boy Escapade

I think the balloon was launched deliberately, most likely by the parents, but possibly by one or two of the other brothers. Maybe they thought to get a bit of news notice just from the balloon flying around; but, I do not think they manufactured the missing child report as part of the balloon launch; seems to have been very genuine. that means their other son was either mistaken, or pulling his own childish prank, in saying Falcon was in the balloon, but my strong sense is that they truly though their son was missing and in the balloon and that was not part of the plan in any way.

What baffles me a bit then is why don't they just admit they launched to balloon deliberately but that the rest of it was a true mistake. I suspect they'd get hit with some fines for interfering with airport traffic but I have to think that fallout would be less damaging than being charged for the whole "rescue effort" because nobody believes anything they say.

UPDATE: Just saw the ABC interview with the family. Here's what appeared to happen based on the interview and home video they showed:

The family was preparing the balloon for a tethered test flight. Parents then go inside for some period of time.

While parents are inside brother observes Falcon crawl under the balloon, go out of sight, and then sees the door to the cargo box close or has been closed. He assumes Falcon went into the balloon; a reasonable assumption give that Falcon had gone into the cargo box before.

Meanwhile Falcon had crawled under the balloon, closed the door and went into the garage out of sight of his brothers. He climbs up into the garage attic via some route neither his brothers or parents knew about and hides in a box. What 6 year old does not have a hiding place that few, if anyone, knows about.

Parents return and release the balloon from a holding frame for a test flight. As seen on home video the tethers either break or were not tied securely and the balloon flies free. Father is angry that balloon got away.

The brother then tells parents he saw Falcon go into the balloon. Parents call 911, officials chase balloon, balloon lands, no one inside. Meanwhile Falcon continues to hid in garage attic.

Eventually police search garage attic and find Falcon. He comes out, sees all the people and cameras, and given he's been exposed to TV shows assumes the balloon was launched as part of some kind of TV show. Again, not unreasonable logic for a 6 year old given his past experiences.

If the event went down something like that, what culpability is there? None that I can reasonably see. You can claim the ropes should have been tied better, the parents should have checked the cargo box, or should have known where all their children are every split-second of the day, but frankly that's all Monday-morning quarterbacking and nanny-state mentality.

Accidents do happen at no fault to anyone. Ropes break, or come untied. People are out of sight for a moment or two. Reasonable, but ultimately false, assumptions are made.

Moral of the story? I don't think there is one, unless to observe that somewhere, someone will second-guess anything; sometimes it's even me.

UPDATE II: I stand corrected. The mother has apparently confessed it was all a stunt. Assuming that's true, then charge 'em up and call DSS.

More Strange News

Pa. man fires cannon, hits neighbor's house

A Pennsylvania history buff who recreates firearms from old wars accidentally fired a 2-pound cannonball through the wall of his neighbor's home

The moral of the story is that the four rules of gun safety apply even when your firearm is a 2.0 caliber cannon.

News of the Strange

Oscar Mayer Wienermobile crashes into Wis. home

One southern Wisconsin homeowner is probably not in love with the Oscar Mayer wiener. The famed hot dog's Wienermobile crashed Friday into the deck and garage of a home in Mount Pleasant, about 35 miles south of Milwaukee.

Do you think the homeowners will take compensation in the form of a free lifetime supply of Oscar Mayer hot dogs?

News from the News

Canada Issues a Wake-Up Call: You May Be a Citizen

Thanks to a new law, Canada will bestow citizenship Friday on what its government believes could be hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting foreigners, most of them Americans.

You may be a hoser and didn't know it, eh.

King family draws fees from DC memorial project

The family of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. has charged the foundation building a monument to the civil rights leader on the National Mall about $800,000 for the use of his words and image — an arrangement one leading scholar says King would have found offensive.

Enterprising capitalism, crass commercialization, fair use, or plain old extortion? You be the judge.

Hopeful cities, towns find limits on stimulus cash

Some town leaders say the federal stimulus package, with its promise of creating jobs, is neglecting to invest in the cornerstones of community life, from new city halls to recreation centers.

And ya'all thought it was going to be free money from the government: Ain't no such thing.

The Valiant Captain Phillips

Captain Phillips' brave escape attempt; Pirates recapture US hostage after escape attempt: Too bad the Navy didn't have your back.

Around midnight local time, Phillips jumped off the lifeboat and began swimming, but was recaptured, according to Defense Department officials speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk about unfolding operations.

Sailors on the USS Bainbridge, which is patrolling nearby, were able to see Phillips moving around and talking after his return to the lifeboat, and the Defense Department officials think he is unharmed.

I really wonder about the rules of engagement people are operating under out there. Clearly they are not working to actually rescue him. Where were the Navy Seals that should be shadowing that lifeboat from below? Why were the pirates that left the lifeboat to recapture Captain Phillips not taken out as soon as they showed themselves after he went overboard? And why was the lifeboat not turned into flaming, bullet-ridden flotsam as soon as Captain Phillips was away from it?

I'm guessing that this operation has been completely focused towards a negotiated end from the highest levels of our government and thus those on the water are not and were not prepared to take any immediate forceful actions when presented with the right opportunity. Captain Phillips is a certified hero and deserves far better support from his countrymen than he is getting right now. Sad.

News Juxtaposition

In todays news

Journalists from three major newspapers that endorsed John McCain -- the Washington Times, the New York Post and the Dallas Morning News -- have been booted from Barack Obama's campaign plane for the final leg of the presidential race.

and

A Delta baggage worker got a bit of a fright before Halloween when she opened a jetliner's cargo door and found a cheetah running loose amid the luggage

Might there be some form of connection? Inquiring minds want to know.

Cold Feet Equals Hot Foot

I've heard of the groom (or bride) getting cold feet, but giving the hotel the hot foot, that's bizarre:

A Japanese man set fire to the hotel where he was due to get married at the weekend, rather than go through with the ceremony later the same day...Tatsuhiko Kawata, 39, had gone along with wedding plans despite already having a wife.

Then again, the thought of having two wifes might just do it for anyone. I love my DW, but having two; that'd be too much for me too.

Today's Exercise in Logic

First there's this, from "It's race against time to save Ike stalwarts":

Only four deaths had been blamed on Ike so far: two in Texas and two in Louisiana.

Then this, from "Report: Metrolink Engineer Texting With Teen Moments Before Killer Commuter Crash":

a wreck that killed 25 people

And finally this "Van Carrying Cheerleaders Crashes Killing 2, Injuring 14"

Moral of the story: When evacuating from a hurricane do not take the train, and be real careful about vans too.

UPDATE: Sadly the Ike toll is up to 30, but even then more than half of those appear to have been in areas not under evacuation orders; I stand by my advice above.

McCain Hits a Home Run

A grand slam even, with his selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate. Her selection energizes the conservative party base, steals some Clintonista PUMAs, adds some experienced youth to the ticket,and plays wack-a-mole with Obamarama's post-convention media and polling bump. For those that cry she is inexperienced I would point out that she has years more executive and governing experience, infinitely so actually, than Obamarama and Loose-Lips together!

I hereby designate McCain with a new moniker. No longer will he be known as "Cheap Talk"; now I will refer to him as Has-a-Brain McCain.

I'm still working on a good name for Sarah Palin. This will do for the moment, but I'm sure a better one will emerge soon.

Finally, here's an inspiring video for the McCain/Palin ticket:

Weekend Tidbits

What's going on in Utah is a real tragedy. I have this depressing sense that the missing miners' families are going to be getting a deal on burial costs because they'll never be able to go in safely and get them.

On a related subject, unions are despicable, particularly the United Mine Workers for trying to blame the tragedy on the fact that the mine is not unionized:
"Were union miners kicked out of the rescue effort? Mine owner rejects allegations; union team is called 'best'". They are worse than ambulance-chasing lawyers.

Terry Francona has never been quick on the uptake; if a reliever already has a history of blowing games for your team PULL HIM OUT as soon as there's any sign of trouble. Eric Gagne needs to go down to Pawtucket NOW. Maybe if he fixes whatever is wrong, tears up the AAA for a month or so, and is willing and able to do spot duty behind the proven relievers they might call him up for the stretch and playoffs.

Venomous Kate over at Electric Venom is running another link-fest. IMNSHO her Caption Contests are some of the best on the net.

Predictable Democrats

From AP article "Democrats take sharp questions on gay rights" via Yahoo:

"All of the Democratic candidates support a federal ban on anti-gay job discrimination, want to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy barring gays from serving openly in the military and support civil unions that would extend marriage-like rights to same-sex couples."

If this is what you want then you have plenty to choose from on the Democrat side. If not, your choices are there on the Republican side, although they are less clear due to the many RINOs and flip-floppers.

Interestingly I did note that the topic of the event was gay issues, yet the title of the article turned the issues into rights. Bias creeps into reporting in the insidious ways.