A Position To Respect

The congressman from Washington's 3rd District recently made a visit to Iraq.

I believe that the decision to invade Iraq and the post-invasion management of that country were among the largest foreign-policy mistakes in the history of our nation. I voted against them, and I still think they were the right votes," Baird said in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C.
But we're on the ground now. We have a responsibility to the Iraqi people and a strategic interest in making this work.

and

One, I think we're making real progress.
Secondly, I think the consequences of pulling back precipitously would be potentially catastrophic for the Iraqi people themselves, to whom we have a tremendous responsibility … and in the long run chaotic for the region as a whole and for our own security.

This from a man who voted against the the invasion of Iraq. Elected to Congress in 1998 and was chosen as President of his Freshman Democratic Class. Serves on the Democratic Steering Committee and as a Senior Democratic Whip. Brian Baird currently serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, and Budget Committees.

• It is refreshing to see a politician that can separate the issues of opposition to entry into war and pragmatic reality of adhering to a country's responsibility once war is begun. Many Democrat's may be secretly aligned with Baird, for his position is the most practical when considering the best interests of both Iraqi and US citizens, but too many are rhetorically stuck on opposition at home rather progress in the field. Thank you, sir.

Eagle Scout Project

My son completed his Eagle Scout requirements a couple of weeks ago. Just in time for his 18th birthday. He has not had his interviews as yet, so the achievement is not sure. The project however was something to be proud of. He earned money for the project, interfaced with the customer and organized construction assistance. The project is a storage building, built for an orphanage in Palmetto.

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Begonias and Impatiens

This rose bush never does bloom very well, but these little suckers sure have resisted this summer's drought very well. If you keep pinching off the buds the Impatiens will come back next year.

Thursday

On Thursday, August 16, the king will have been dead for 30 years.

Elvis Presley died in Memphis, Tennessee. at the age of 42. Doctors reported that he died of a heart attack, brought on an addiction to barbiturates.

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935, Elvis's twin brother Jesse, died during the birth.

In 1954, Elvis paid a Memphis recording studio $4 to record a few songs as a present to his mother. The owner of the studio, Sam Philips, recognized Elvis's talent and invited him to practice with local musicians. Elvis and Philips recorded "That's All Right," and released on the Sun Records label. The single was a smash hit that set the the ball rolling on a 23 year recording career.

In 1967, Priscilla Beaulieu and Elvis Presley were married.

In 1968 daughter, Lisa Marie, was born.
In 1973, Priscilla and Elvis were divorced.

• Some claim that his death was suicide, perhaps in the bigger quality of life picture, but nobody wants to be found dead on the toilet.

REVrund Jackson

It was only a matter of time before the liberal mouthpieces blamed the Minnesota catastrophe on the right. The sanctimonious bullshit artist Jesse Jackson had this to offer:

A 40-year-old bridge collapses into the Mississippi in Minneapolis. Levees give way in New Orleans at the foot of the Mississippi. An 83-year-old steam pipe produces an eruption that terrorizes Manhattan. As our infrastructure literally crumbles beneath our feet, America is building the largest embassy compound in the world in Iraq - an area larger than the Pentagon - to manage a war now estimated to cost $1 trillion.

What happened at both ends of the Mississippi and is happening in cities across the country are tragedies, but they aren't random accidents. They are the direct price of the right-wing in power. Scornful of government, intent on cutting taxes and slashing spending, they systematically have shorted public investment in our basic infrastructure - in bridges and roads, in rail lines and air systems, in parks and schools.

In nearly all public works, whether it be levees, bridges or steam failures, the bureaucracy's mode of operation is "run to failure". New money always flows to the new projects. Based on my engineering experience, RTF leads to inefficient use of resources and capital. The only investment that politicians believe in is vote buying. The head of the House Transportation Committee is from Minnesota, I would bet money that there were no earmarks set up for bridge upgrades.

• Jesse Jackson is such an asshole, thus my current winner of the golden halo toilet seat.

Rookie Card

The picture would have been better with some flies buzzing around, you know, because he smells like an ass.

Back Yard

This is the first year in a few that my Black Eyed Susan beds came out without laying over before they bloomed. Kept the dog out of there.

Tuesday, 50 Years Ago

Tuesday 7-August is Ty's 18th birthday, that will be just 10 days before he moves into the dorm at Georgia Tech. What to you get for an 18 year old? He has all the fishing stuff you could possibly imagine and soon that won't be of any use anyway. Happy Birthday Ty.

Hunted for historical information on this day and found:
On August 7, 1957 Norvell Hardy, comedy actor died from a cerebral thrombosis. A member of the comedic team Laurel and Hardy. Norvell Hardy was born in the farm town of Harlem, Georgia on January 18, 1892. Around 1910, he started using the name Oliver Norvell Hardy, and became manager of the first movie house in Milledgeville, Georgia, called the Electric Theater. This is where Hardy caught the acting bug. Norvell Hardy appeared in 270 films without Stan Laurel, one of these being the 1925 version "The Wizard of OZ" in which he was the farmhand and tin woodsman in producer Larry Semon's film failure.

Mr. Hardy first teamed up with Stan Laurel in 1921 for the movie "Luck Dog". Laurel and Hardy's last film, "Atoll K", was made in France in in 1951. Laurel and Hardy appeared together in 106 films, retiring in 1951.

• Harlem is significant to our family as the home of many cousins. The town carries on with a yearly celebration called "Hardy Days".

Selig Tires of 754

Bud Selig said yesterday that he has made a "Herculean" effort to attend the last 11 Giants games. From this he will be taking a break, with Frank Robinson standing in a MLB's representative. A "Herculean" effort was required when Selig became commissioner of MLB. Steroid use was already a public issue, Selig did nothing, recoiling from threats by the players union.

To hell with Bud Selig for not being strong commissioner!

Jessie Jackson's organization told ESPN that Selig's position is no issue for them, the 756th home run is the one that counts.

To hell with ESPN for insinuating that this is an issue of racial prejudice!

Barry Bonds is universally disliked for his arrogant attitude and apparent willingness to break the law.

U.S. Air Force Beginnings

On this day 100 years ago, August 1, 1907, the U.S. Army Signal Corps was established an aeronautical division in charge of "all matters pertaining to military ballooning, air machines and all kindred subjects." The U.S. Army Signal Corps became the U.S. Air Force.

• Connie's father, retired U.S. Air Force pilot.
• Connie's brother, retired U.S. Army pilot.
• Ty's grandfather, retired U.S. Air Force pilot.
• Ty's uncle, active U.S. Air Force pilot.
• My brother, active U.S. Army pilot.