Snapped Shot

The Lineup

Brian C. Ledbetter — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:20:26 +0000

I am of the opinion that this photograph, released by the North Korean news agency and passed on without comment by the uncritical lunkheads at Reuters, is a complete fabrication.

Look at the difference in perspective between the light brown foreground and the dark brown background, where the cattle are. The way the background looks like a flat photograph--heck, it ends on an almost perfectly straight line. There's even a difference between the lighting in the foreground of the shot and its background.

But hey, why have a photographic-oriented blog like this if I'm the only one here that gets to speak. What do you think?

Is this photo a pile of bovine poo? Or am I the only cow patty laying around in these parts?

Sound off now, my friends.

[ Daylife Link - though it is far more obvious when zoomed in ]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (6th R) poses for a photograph during his visit to the July 18 cattle ranch, part of the 580 military unit, at an undisclosed location in North Korea, in this undated photograph released November 20, 2009 by North Korea's official news agency KCNA. KCNA did not state the date the picture was taken. REUTERS/KCNA (NORTH KOREA POLITICS MILITARY ANIMALS) NO THIRD PARTY SALES. NOT FOR USE BY REUTERS THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTORS. QUALITY FROM SOURCE

PS: A companion shot from the same series looks equally as fishy. The green map on the right-hand side appears to be a comical paste job.

Guess What Happens When One Reads The ObamaCare Bill?

captainfish — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:50:08 +0000

What happens when you read the ObamaCare bill, specifically the one coming out of the USSA Senate?

We learn just how bad it really is.

It isn't just that this bill will create new citizenship mandates, eliminate freedom of choice and liberty, or even jail people for making personal legal choices, but as Americans For Tax Reform have found out, things are much, much worse.

Read on to find out what taxes, burdens and mandates this bill hides at the very end of its over 2,000 pages.

Specter: Now With Full-Fledged Socialist Goodness

captainfish — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:57:08 +0000

I find it ironic that Sen Arlen Specter claimed that the Republican party left him, thus forcing him to become a Democrat.

But yet, when one looks at his career, voting record, and his statements on American values, a person can't come to any other conclusion but that this man is a Socialist.

Pure and Simple.

Specter suggested writing into all health insurance policies an annual physical exam, which he said could help catch ailments at an early stage and reduce treatment costs overall.

“There are lots of ailments that get to be chronic if you don’t intercept them at an early stage,” he said. “They’re debilitating and they are costly.”

To further reduce costs, Specter said he would like to mandate a 6-month jail sentence in convictions of Medicaid and Medicare fraud.

As to the most controversial portion of the health reform bill, the so-called “public option,” Specter reiterated his support for such a provision.

What Evil Could Replicans Do If They Were Ever In Power?

captainfish — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:13:23 +0000

According to the left, the most atrocious thing that could ever happen, besides the warming of the planet and the sight of polar bears resting on ice caps, would be if the Republicans gained power in the People's Congress of the USSA.

How bad could things get?

There are 15 "examples" but these are my favorites:

1) Greatly reduce or entirely eliminate taxes on the rich, thereby forcing hard-pressed working families to painfully make up resulting revenue shortfalls.

3) Stubbornly deny the existence of ominous climate change while blithely pumping more pollutants into the environment from lucrative, dirty industries and practices.

5) Continue to criticize and insufficiently fund public education, advocating private schooling instead...

7) Continue to recite a Pledge of Allegiance whose last six words are "with liberty and justice for all," ...

Enough of a reason to keep the evil REPUBLICANS out of office from now on? Read on for the funny rest.

Shocking Truth Behind Israeli Atrrocities

captainfish — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:37:39 +0000

Elder over at EOZ has the scoopage. Israel has been proven once again to inflict unecessary evil and carnage on to the Palestinian Arab peoples.

It wasn't bad enough that Israel built their suicide-bombing-Apartheid wall, or that they put up homicide-bombing-blockades around the city, or that they forcibly removed the residents of Gaza back to Israel proper. But now, now they have gone and done the terrible thing.

Friday Night Akira!

Brian C. Ledbetter — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:26:25 +0000

Whoa! What happened to today?

Sorry it's been so quiet over here. Guess this is what I get for actually having to work for a living.

To make up for it, and also to hopefully keep from chasing away the last five of you readers that are still here, I'm gonna just stick with doing one of the classics today.

In other words, it's time for AC/DC, Akira-style!

Hope y'all have a happy Friday night!

Warmists Caught Faking Data: Charles Johnson Deeply Hurt, Confused

Brian C. Ledbetter — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:52:50 +0000

Apparently a prestigious global warming research institute in Jolly Old England had its e-mail server hacked, which has revealed a rather startling pattern of abject data manipulation.

Which, last I checked, wasn't part of the "pure" process of Scientific Inquiry which lie-b'ruls always say we Conservatives are destroying.

One wonders what the Most Scientific Blogger On The Internet thinks of these developments. And whether or not a suicide watch is being organized in his honor.

Happy Friday, Y'all!

Brian C. Ledbetter — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:59:17 +0000

I've got a bit of morning madness to deal with over here, and after that, I will proceed to work on my Fairfax story that I mentioned last night.

Until then, here's a brutally honest commercial from someone who could possibly be the best salesman, ever:

Update: The Cullman website, in case you happen to be in the market. I'm thinking that in the Obama economy, many more of us will be soon.

To Fairfax County... and Beyond!

Brian C. Ledbetter — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:11:06 +0000

Finally made it to a Fairfax County Republican Committee meeting again. Hopefully this makes me a Republican in Good Standing(tm) again!

Got plenty to say about the three candidates running for Steve Cuccinelli's Virginia Senate seat, and a nice campaign speech to share with you, but I think I'm gonna put that off until tomorrow.

Until then, I will simply tease with a completely random shot from the night, that has no significance whatsoooooever, as far as you know.

;)

Obama: "Save or Create Jobs With Stimulus" Fine, But Where?

captainfish — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:23:07 +0000

You will never guess where the latest jobs Obama attempted to "save-or-create" were at. No, they were not in some fictitious congressional district. No, they didn't involve a shoe salesman or some processed cheese.

You are going to have to click through to find out the answer....

Bumper-Sticker Outrage of the Day

Brian C. Ledbetter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:36:28 +0000

The New York Times is absolutely bubbling with rage at one of the following bumper stickers. Can you guess which one it is?

The obvious answer is below the fold, of course.

Intro to Google Chrome OS

Brian C. Ledbetter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:49:21 +0000

The most exciting operating system I've seen in years (and keep in mind that this comes from a de-facto OS junkie. Anyone else out there remember OS/2 Warp?)

Plenty of background info (including source code and build instructions) here.

Seriously? Are We Supposed To Be Impressed?

captainfish — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:26:05 +0000

.. or just laugh out loud at their narcissism.

In the wake of the Fort Hood shooting tragedy, Hollywood actress Camryn Manheim believes its time this country did something about further restricting who can obtain a deadly weapon.

“There should be vast limitations on gun policy and tons of restrictions on guns,” Manheim told Tarts at the Creative Arts Fair to support P.S. ARTS & restoration of arts education in public schools in Santa Monica on Sunday.

She has spoken. The woman's intelligence, smartiness and glamour has put us in our place. We must act now. The Arts & Science colleges must be at the forefront of the war on guns. We must put "tons" of restrictions on guns so that army people can't get them!!

Things You Never Knew You Wanted To See

Brian C. Ledbetter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:52:04 +0000

Exhibit A: A 21st-century Korean interpretation of the ancient Australian art of the didgeridoo:

A little bit of early-for-Friday excitement, courtesy our good friend Eddie the Bear!

O NOES: It's Zomb-ama!

Brian C. Ledbetter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:17:47 +0000

The Associated Press (yeah, it's that dastardly Lee Jin-man again!) provides visual proof that the coming Zombie apocalypse begins right here in the White House.

Before they color-corrected it, that is.

U.S. President Barack Obama reacts as he moves to Marine One at the Osan U.S. Air Force Base in Osan, 48 kilometers (30 miles) south of Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. Obama arrived in South Korea for the last leg of his four-country Asian tour. (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)

Monkeys May Fly Out...

captainfish — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:09:08 +0000

Well, the conservative budget-hawk Senate Leader has come out with his version of the Health Care plan. And wouldn't you know it, the minority party is all up in arms against it.

Ok, I know it didn't happen that way, but you know that it would.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has miraculously come up with the plan to save America. And, it won't cost us a single penny..... after the first 9 years.

Miracles of Miracles!

Let's see what the people of the State's House have to say about their saving of the USSA.

Mandy Manners Would Be So Proud

Brian C. Ledbetter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:05:16 +0000

I don't think I can stretch this one out into a full "News in Focus" post right now, so I'll just be brief: None of these people really look like they want to be there, and all most likely for vastly different reasons.

One does wonder if it's customary for an American hostess to scowl so heavily at her own party, though.

First lady Michelle Obama (L) and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet A. Napolitano (R) listen to Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine General James Cartwright (C) speak in the East Room of the White House November 18, 2009 in Washington, DC. First lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden hosted women of the U.S. military for tea. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Zoom it in for the full effect, by the way.

Fences Make Good Neighbors

Brian C. Ledbetter — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:14:57 +0000

Walls make better ones!

Two observations about this photo montage, which I just spotted over at Daylife:

#1: Will our purported Commander-in-Chief ever actually find the time between sightseeing to actually make the hard decisions it takes to, well, "Command" the military he supposedly runs?

And #2: It's nice to see that the impartial press has deemed this an event of sufficiently historic occasion to warrant photographing every single second of it. Apparently, we need to make sure the World knows the historic significance of ...

Wait, what is the significance here, exactly?

Case Of Misguided Energies?

captainfish — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:33:06 +0000

It would seem to me, that if I was near to losing my home due to forclosure, I would not be protesting in Washington D.C. Instead, I would probably be spending the day working in order to make money to actually pay my mortgage. I might even get another job so that I can assure that I have enough money to pay the mortgage that I promised to pay.

Josephine Diaz (front) of Chicago and Christopher Gales (rear) of Washington chant as advocates of homeowners and people facing foreclosure on their homes protest outside the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington, November 18, 2009. REUTERS/Jim Bourg (UNITED STATES POLITICS BUSINESS)

But yet, there seems to be a growing sentiment in this nation that once you have access to a thing, that you are now entitled to have that thing forever. Home ownership seems to be the latest "right" on the move. Other liberal "rights" include food, health insurance, internet, air free of cigarette smoke, government handouts, employers submissive to employee demands, etc, etc.

Hey, people!!! As long as you are paying the bank or financial institution a morttgage each month for that home you live in that bank or financial institution OWNS your home. Not you.

Maybe you should have signed a better mortgage deal instead of spending the day protesting?

News Idiocy Of The Day

captainfish — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:46:55 +0000

I was just perusing my web-email page and saw the latest news headlines. I just had to say something about them.

First up is this headline:

Obama warns of a 'double dip' recession

AP - President Barack Obama says he's worried that spending too much money to help revive the economy could undermine a fragile U.S. recovery and throw the economy into a double-dip recession.

Yeah. Too late for that Mr. "We need to spend TRILLIONS before its too late". It's too late to start playing the budget hawk Mr. Socialist Big Spender. Just limiting excessive spending and holding us to only 12 TRILLION in deficit is not going to get us out of this massive debt hole you have put this country in to.

Next up was this...

Something To Make You Smile

captainfish — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:53:46 +0000

Here is something that will just make you smile and grin all the whole day.

This is a video of a dog's reaction to its owner returning home from a long duty in Afghanistan.

Come on, we need something to make us smile these days. I don't know about you, but I am starting to think I need to start stocking up on MRE's and ammo.

[Thanks Yishai - fixed broken link.]

Some Assembly Required

Brian C. Ledbetter — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:33:59 +0000

Sure, he could stop the war, but that would require a "decision," which doesn't seem to be his greatest strength.

Looking at the arrangement of the two posters in frame here, I find it hard to believe that Lee Jin-man came up with this shot without spending a few minutes waiting for the man pictured to come up with an Obamaesque facial expression.

Moving around in the crowd, carefully lining the posters up with The Man that has The Look. (Since when was that a part of a newswire photographer's job description, anyway?)

It would seem that the iconic connection wasn't lost on other wire stringers either, as Reuters and Getty try their hand at getting the same basic shot, too. (They fail miserably, of course, confirming once again that the Associated Press leads the world in manufacturing visual opinion.)

But hey, at least all of their carefully-coordinated visual alignments are about as natural as the protest at hand, which is put on by "NANUMMUNHWA global peace activities," the organization responsible for astroturfing this little media shindig. (Can you say International Socialist Party? Why, Yes, You Can!)

P.S.--Anyone else notice the irony of this particular blog commenting on the unusually artificial alignment of an AP photograph containing a Soviet-inspired poster based off of a ripped off AP photo?

Yeah, me too.

[ Daylife Link ]

A South Korean protester participates in a rally opposing U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to the country and a dispatch of South Korean troops to Afghanistan, near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)

Dobbs: CNN Out To Please Daddy Obama

Brian C. Ledbetter — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:16:18 +0000

You know, back in Soviet Russia, it was also of the utmost importance for the news media--which, incidentally, just happened to be a set of wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Government--to please the national leadership of the Soviet Party and the Duma which it controlled. Under the Soviet system, media figures that chose to go against the Party were swiftly excommunicated from the broadcast system (or worse).

With that in mind, Dobbs' position on CNN makes a little bit more sense:

Lou Dobbs said yesterday CNN was eager to show him the door because its top execs didn't want to offend President Obama.

Dobbs made the claim last night on Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor," saying he took on President George W. Bush's immigration policy with equal force but didn't draw any CNN flak then.

"I discern more of a difference between then, which was under the Bush administration when I was criticizing, and now, when it is the Obama administration -- and an entirely different tone was taken," said Dobbs.

It's things like this that remind me why the recent call to nationalize the press is completely superfluous. Due to the current and extremely long-running Government-Media Complex, with revolving doors going from the halls of Congress straight out into the broadcast room, our media already is a de-facto arm of the Government.

Another Liberal Welfare Program Success Story

Brian C. Ledbetter — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:49:39 +0000

Here's another warm and fuzzy Liberal Social Program Success Story, which will lighten your day and bring a smile to your face:

LANSING, Mich. — One frustrated client hurled a piece of concrete through the window of a welfare agency. Another threw her car keys at a welfare worker before being escorted away. At one point, a woman on public assistance even took a swing at a worker.

As Michigan struggles with the highest-in-the-nation jobless rate, state workers who deal with unemployment, welfare and other aid programs say they have never been so overwhelmed — or so worried about their safety. Some clients have begun taking their anger out on the very people who are offering help. And caseworkers are seeking extra protection.

You know, I never would've guessed that raising an entire generation of Americans to believe that the Government provides for their every need would lead to a situation wherein said Americans threaten the Government for not providing for them well enough.

Except for the fact that this is the exact same pattern of behavior we've seen every single time this has been tried, that is. As that lovely old saying goes: Doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results is the definition of "insanity."

Which reminds me--I've got a terrific new motto for the Michigan Tourist Board to try out.

Michigan: Insanity's Handmaiden!

Waldo Jaquith Is A Communist

Brian C. Ledbetter — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:25:05 +0000

Do I really believe that?

Who knows.

What I do know is that liberals have cried for years about how we mean conservatives use "Communist" to describe them unfairly, and that (shock upon shocks!) we use the word as a pejorative and not in the Kind, Positive Way that the term "Communist" was intended to intone.

So, what am I to make of the fact that Waldo Jaquith has reduced himself to using derogatory sexual terms to describe conservative protesters whom he happens to disagree with?

I'd say that when in Rome, do as the Romans would do.

In other words, point out that Waldo Jaquith is a proud Commie.

Wear that Red with pride, my friend.

The Internet: Making Television As Irrelevant As Possible

Brian C. Ledbetter — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:35:13 +0000

Allah (SWT) uses the occasion to poke fun at the morons over at Radio City Hall, but I think the lesson applies to pretty much all of television: If you can't get far enough out of your insulated P.C. world to mock something that's incredibly funny (i.e., the Reader-in-Chief's absolute dependence on his twin buddies for just about everything), the Internet would be more than happy to prove you to be the fuddy-duddies we always knew you were:

(Can't embed the video right now, so be sure to click this link!)

Larger than Life

Brian C. Ledbetter — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:23:16 +0000

You know, if I were any more cynical than I already am, I would suspect that this shot, taken by pool photographer Frank Robichon, was purposefully framed in such a way as to suggest that Barack Obama's Teleprompter overshadows the Man Himself.

But, knowing the press as well as I do, I must admit that I have my doubts.

So I'll just turn it over to You, the Valued Reader then: What do you think? Purposeful slam at our nation's Dear Reader? Or an accidental alignment of a most astounding nature?

I look forward to hearing your answers in the most excellent Comments section below.

TOKYO - NOVEMBER 14: U.S. President Barack Obama speaks on U.S. Asian policy at Suntory Hall on November 14, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Obama is in Japan for two days prior to attending the 17th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Singapore. (Photo by Franck Robichon-Pool/Getty Images)

A Tale of Two Pastors

Brian C. Ledbetter — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:24:12 +0000

It would seem that the Washington Post has a little bit of a double standard when it comes to "controversial" remarks made by a pastor -- and how those remarks relate to prominent politicians.

For example, here's how the Post described the 20-year pastor and "long-time mentor" of Politician A:

The Rev. [redacted] spent 36 years teaching this congregation how to recognize injustice, and his parishioners sense it all around them now. On Sunday, more than 3,000 of them filled [Church] on the city's [Area] to pray for their former pastor. They read a handout that described [Pastor's] newfound infamy as a "modern-day lynching." They scrawled his name in tribute on the inside of their service programs and applauded as [Pastor's] protege, the Rev. [Some Guy], stepped to the pulpit.

The above comes, of course, after weeks of huffing and puffing over how the pastor was totally mainstream -- er, controversial BUT what does That Have To Do With [Politician] Anyway?!, and then finally admitting that Yes, Virginia, Some Pastors Are Complete Idiots (But We Still Support Them Because They're Truth-Tellers!).

"Outspoken" is the word the Washington Post uses repeatedly to describe him. A word that has kind undertones of warmth and silliness.

Now compare and contrast that long-running defense play with this atrocious hit piece--written by the accomplished professional hatchet-job tag team of Rosalind Helderman and Anita Kumar--and trumpeted on high as a Scary Story on Sunday:

It's CPU Mondee!

Brian C. Ledbetter — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:29:27 +0000

I'm applying Oracle patches on one of my production systems this morning, so I'll be running a little bit behind. Until then, feel free to post whatever it is you'd like to talk about down in Ye Olde Comments Section!

Let The Misery Continue

captainfish — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:28:11 +0000

The Socialistic Nationalization of Amerika to the USSA continues. It began with the subsidization of private industry over the years. It vastly expanded with the recent take-overs of the financial and auto industries.

But, the social agenda of nationalizing America is not over.

Via Fox News:

In the wake of last summer's deadly Metro crash in Washington, D.C., the Obama administration reportedly plans to propose that subway and light-rail systems across the country fall under federal oversight.

The pitch comes as the administration moves to increase regulation over the financial, auto, health care and industrial sectors.