The third-grader has been on the watch list since he was 5 years old. Asked whether he is a terrorist, he said, "I don't know."The old "tip the skycaps well" ruse...clever girl, Ms. Robinson.Though he doesn't even know what a terrorist is, he is embarrassed that trips to the airport cause a ruckus, said his mother, Denise Robinson.
[...]
Denise Robinson says she tells the skycaps her son is on the list, tips heavily and is given boarding passes. And booking her son as "J. Pierce Robinson" also has let the family bypass the watch list hassle.
Monday, August 25, 2008
TSA Today
Bruce Schneier remains ever watchful of our glorious TSA. My favorite one of the many:
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Onion Digs Deeper into Voting Demographics
As usual, the Onion digs deeper--this time into America's demographics. Finally, a news agency is tracking 'dental assistants who are going to go back to school to get their real estate licenses someday' demographic! One slight word of criticism, however. There is no mention of left-handed Haitian lesbian tennis players--crucial in Florida.
Bill Schneider, aka Baron Nozzle de la Douche, would be proud. Dig this joke at the end. (Overthrow of Greece...where does he come up with this stuff)?!
Bill Schneider, aka Baron Nozzle de la Douche, would be proud. Dig this joke at the end. (Overthrow of Greece...where does he come up with this stuff)?!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Wealthy Mexicans Chipping Themselves
I knew kidnapping was an enormous problem in Mexico, but wow! The wealthier Mexicans are now getting chipped in the same way people do with their pets in the case of abduction.
I know it's a hell of a lot easier to say than do, but I cannot believe that Mexicans aren't taking to the streets in protest over police involvement with kidnappings. In the US and many other countries, people would be ready to burn down government buildings if it were found that police officers were involved in such a heinous crime as kidnapping. Yes, heinous. I would want to kill someone that killed a family member of mine, if I'm honest with myself--seems like a normal reaction. Anyone involved with kidnapping a family member of mine I would want to slaughter. And, continuing to be honest with myself, I would do it with no more compunction than stepping on a cockroach--possibly less.
Mexicans have a history of revolution. They will fight if you piss them off enough. I just wonder why they aren't angrier now. And, back to the chips, what happens if/when you can find an abducted loved one with this method? Do you go to the police?
I know it's a hell of a lot easier to say than do, but I cannot believe that Mexicans aren't taking to the streets in protest over police involvement with kidnappings. In the US and many other countries, people would be ready to burn down government buildings if it were found that police officers were involved in such a heinous crime as kidnapping. Yes, heinous. I would want to kill someone that killed a family member of mine, if I'm honest with myself--seems like a normal reaction. Anyone involved with kidnapping a family member of mine I would want to slaughter. And, continuing to be honest with myself, I would do it with no more compunction than stepping on a cockroach--possibly less.
Mexicans have a history of revolution. They will fight if you piss them off enough. I just wonder why they aren't angrier now. And, back to the chips, what happens if/when you can find an abducted loved one with this method? Do you go to the police?
Hillarah as VP
I don't know this Nate Silver guy much, though his site is always impressively up to date with polling data and the electoral map. But he thinks Hillarah is a wise choice, as do many, many people. I think it would be a disaster for a myriad of reasons that I won't get into now since I've done it so much in the past, but those that argue the "Hillarah for Veep" line seem to be looking at the election only. The guy will have a job to do after he wins office and Hillarah makes that exponentially more difficult.
Yes, you have have to win the office before you can govern, but my God...unless Obama gets caught with a dead girl or a live boy, it's over. He will be the next President.
Finally, if douche bag extraordinaire Bill Schneider agrees, time to reconsider. He is the very symbol of lemming political opinion in the media today. Can any of you remember an original thought or comment he has ever uttered? Even something remotely interesting?
Hillarah ain't gonna make it, Gents. Time to say goodbye.
Yes, you have have to win the office before you can govern, but my God...unless Obama gets caught with a dead girl or a live boy, it's over. He will be the next President.
Finally, if douche bag extraordinaire Bill Schneider agrees, time to reconsider. He is the very symbol of lemming political opinion in the media today. Can any of you remember an original thought or comment he has ever uttered? Even something remotely interesting?
Hillarah ain't gonna make it, Gents. Time to say goodbye.
Biden as VP
The press turned up its Jr. High gossiping to a fever pitch as they await Obama's pick for VP (feels only a microdegree away schoolgirls talking about who Johnny is going to ask to the prom but...it's their life, I suppose--should be excited).
My surprise has been the conventional wisdom that Biden is the "surprising" or "dark horse" choice. To me, he is almost the obvious choice and have said as much back in January (sigh, could have made a fortune on intrade). That's not to say that Biden has received the nod, but I just can't see much of a downside other than that he probably doesn't want it--at least comparative to a Secretary of State slot or still a ranking member of the Senate.
He's strong on defense, knows the Senate as well as anyone, has bipartisan respect, isn't afraid to scrap, good on camera, nationally known, in good with the Clintons, great family, doesn't dodge questions, moderate...why not? Yes, he can shoot his mouth off a bit, can be a little smug, had the plagiarism thing about 20 years ago, but outside of that...hard to beat if you ask me. Guess we'll see.
Whoever it is--and it will NOT be goddammed Hillarah, trust me--I hope s/he and Obama can help put the Clintons out to pasture as part of the election. We've suffered enough.
My surprise has been the conventional wisdom that Biden is the "surprising" or "dark horse" choice. To me, he is almost the obvious choice and have said as much back in January (sigh, could have made a fortune on intrade). That's not to say that Biden has received the nod, but I just can't see much of a downside other than that he probably doesn't want it--at least comparative to a Secretary of State slot or still a ranking member of the Senate.
He's strong on defense, knows the Senate as well as anyone, has bipartisan respect, isn't afraid to scrap, good on camera, nationally known, in good with the Clintons, great family, doesn't dodge questions, moderate...why not? Yes, he can shoot his mouth off a bit, can be a little smug, had the plagiarism thing about 20 years ago, but outside of that...hard to beat if you ask me. Guess we'll see.
Whoever it is--and it will NOT be goddammed Hillarah, trust me--I hope s/he and Obama can help put the Clintons out to pasture as part of the election. We've suffered enough.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monterey Redux--part 1 of possibly many
I don't know where to begin except chronologically. So, away we go:
1) Wednesday. Arrive in San Jose. Airport sux schweaty monkey nutz, but you live with it (and they are working on it).
2) Arrive in hotel in Santa Cruz (no hotels under $300/night available in Monterey area during the Historic races and Concours D'Elegance).
3) Go have chipotle prawns and scallops on the pier. Santa Cruz is a nice place to be. Dinner at Pasatiempo resort up the street a ways. Great burger while watching the Olympics.
4) Thursday. Off to Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course--aka 'The Poor Man's Pebble.' Breakfast at Coastie's in Pacific Grove, Brother and I play with a charming older twosome (Mitch and Kitty--just friends, not a couple) and I played like a Casa del Fuego on the back nine (the coastal nine). 1 over on the back--with 3 missed birdie putts within 10 feet--and shot a +5 75 for the round. Hurts because it could have been better, but still could have been a lot worse. What a place.
5) Lunch at Gianni's--great pizza/sandwich joint in Monterey. Two pints of Carmel Wheat, mmmmmmm--great beer if you can get it ( a lot like Samuel Adams Summer Ale).
6) Shoot pool at Easy Street Billiards on Tyler Street in Monterey. I kicked my brother's tucas at 8-ball and then he kicked mine at 9-ball. He owns a pool table though, so overall, I won.
7) Drinks on the patio of Spanish Bay resort. Got a free shot of Laphroig 15 year whiskey. Missed the piper (whimper), but I'll see him next time.
8) Friday. Played Seascape Golf Course in Aptos. Kicked my ass. Kicked the bejeezus out my brother. We probably did about 2 grand in property damage the first nine holes. The second nine was better (less homes) and more dramatic. I recommend golfers play it if they think they can keep it pretty close to straight. Otherwise, pick a different course. It gives the term 'tree-lined' an an entirely different meaning and, if you ever have an even lie, you will know you are on one of the better tee boxes.
9) Nappy time back at the hotel. Mmmmmmmmm.
10) Rally in Carmel. According to my brother, rather boring compared to last year. Still, pretty damn cool. When seeing yet another Ferrari inspires a "huh, not bad," you are at least close to Carmel. Some amazing cars were parked all over the joint--including a 1930 Rolls Royce and (right behind it) a 1959 Bentley. We even saw a chain driven fire truck looking thing from 1918 with inlaid wood on the rear carriage parked behind a 1932 Packard (pics delivered later).
11) Dinner in Carmel at La Dolce Vita. Great setting. Good, but not great, food. Nicest waiter in the world. Excellent sauce on their calamari--I'll give them that for certain.
12) Saturday. Drive down Highway 1 a bit to Rocky Point Restaurant (see pic below). There was a funer....wedding going on at the time, but they made room for us. Food was better than I remembered it. Watched ground squirrels forage for food as the waves crashed against the rocks about 100 feet or so below--all glass walls in this place.
13) Off to the historic races! Imagine every exotic race car you've ever fantasized about seeing and then magnify it by at least 10 if you are a true afficianado--100 if you a pedestrian fan like me. The place is dripping in racing nostalgia. Two cars were taken out of the museum because it was time to race--including a 1978 Lotus and a 1959 Ferrari Testarosa. The winner of the whenever-1933 bracket was a 1932 Alfa Romeo--one of 5 left in the world with the 'original' stamp on it--and he drove it like he stole it. Oh, and the 1978 Lotus was driven by Mario Andriette.
14) Dinner a Chef Lee's in Monterey. Went a bit budget with this one. Service was awful, but food was good for the price.
15) Sunday. Breakfast at Friar Tuck's in Carmel. Wasn't really hungry, but food was good. Setting better.
16) On to the Concours D'Elegance--the premiere car show in the world. Forget what you might think you know about car shows. This show takes all day to see and a lifetime to drink in. Unless you happen to have seen $1.25 million dollar one-of-a-kind cars from 1929 next to the single Pinafiori Cadillac in the world (made in homage to Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy in 1961) as but a teaser to the real car show, don't try to compare notes with me. Have you ever seen a 1959 Stingray Corvette? The answer should be "no" because it was a concept car in 1959 that never saw production. But it's at the Concours. How about an 1894 Mercedes Benz...ever seen one? I have. Oh, and the setting is the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach! My brother and I were joking that they must have the greenskeeper chained to a bed in a remote part of Southeast Asia. Pebble Beach! The 18th hole! With ancient cars driving on it?! I would need black tar heroin to calm me down if I were the greenskeeper.
So, all in all, not a bad way to spend 4 or 5 days. I recommend it to any who can afford it--budget style or otherwise. And whoever is responsible for that blessed place, be it God, the Dark Lord of Hades, Thor, Quetzalcoatl, Zues, E=mc2, or Colonel Sanders...thank you. You have my undying devotion.
1) Wednesday. Arrive in San Jose. Airport sux schweaty monkey nutz, but you live with it (and they are working on it).
2) Arrive in hotel in Santa Cruz (no hotels under $300/night available in Monterey area during the Historic races and Concours D'Elegance).
3) Go have chipotle prawns and scallops on the pier. Santa Cruz is a nice place to be. Dinner at Pasatiempo resort up the street a ways. Great burger while watching the Olympics.
4) Thursday. Off to Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course--aka 'The Poor Man's Pebble.' Breakfast at Coastie's in Pacific Grove, Brother and I play with a charming older twosome (Mitch and Kitty--just friends, not a couple) and I played like a Casa del Fuego on the back nine (the coastal nine). 1 over on the back--with 3 missed birdie putts within 10 feet--and shot a +5 75 for the round. Hurts because it could have been better, but still could have been a lot worse. What a place.
5) Lunch at Gianni's--great pizza/sandwich joint in Monterey. Two pints of Carmel Wheat, mmmmmmm--great beer if you can get it ( a lot like Samuel Adams Summer Ale).
6) Shoot pool at Easy Street Billiards on Tyler Street in Monterey. I kicked my brother's tucas at 8-ball and then he kicked mine at 9-ball. He owns a pool table though, so overall, I won.
7) Drinks on the patio of Spanish Bay resort. Got a free shot of Laphroig 15 year whiskey. Missed the piper (whimper), but I'll see him next time.
8) Friday. Played Seascape Golf Course in Aptos. Kicked my ass. Kicked the bejeezus out my brother. We probably did about 2 grand in property damage the first nine holes. The second nine was better (less homes) and more dramatic. I recommend golfers play it if they think they can keep it pretty close to straight. Otherwise, pick a different course. It gives the term 'tree-lined' an an entirely different meaning and, if you ever have an even lie, you will know you are on one of the better tee boxes.
9) Nappy time back at the hotel. Mmmmmmmmm.
10) Rally in Carmel. According to my brother, rather boring compared to last year. Still, pretty damn cool. When seeing yet another Ferrari inspires a "huh, not bad," you are at least close to Carmel. Some amazing cars were parked all over the joint--including a 1930 Rolls Royce and (right behind it) a 1959 Bentley. We even saw a chain driven fire truck looking thing from 1918 with inlaid wood on the rear carriage parked behind a 1932 Packard (pics delivered later).
11) Dinner in Carmel at La Dolce Vita. Great setting. Good, but not great, food. Nicest waiter in the world. Excellent sauce on their calamari--I'll give them that for certain.
12) Saturday. Drive down Highway 1 a bit to Rocky Point Restaurant (see pic below). There was a funer....wedding going on at the time, but they made room for us. Food was better than I remembered it. Watched ground squirrels forage for food as the waves crashed against the rocks about 100 feet or so below--all glass walls in this place.
13) Off to the historic races! Imagine every exotic race car you've ever fantasized about seeing and then magnify it by at least 10 if you are a true afficianado--100 if you a pedestrian fan like me. The place is dripping in racing nostalgia. Two cars were taken out of the museum because it was time to race--including a 1978 Lotus and a 1959 Ferrari Testarosa. The winner of the whenever-1933 bracket was a 1932 Alfa Romeo--one of 5 left in the world with the 'original' stamp on it--and he drove it like he stole it. Oh, and the 1978 Lotus was driven by Mario Andriette.
14) Dinner a Chef Lee's in Monterey. Went a bit budget with this one. Service was awful, but food was good for the price.
15) Sunday. Breakfast at Friar Tuck's in Carmel. Wasn't really hungry, but food was good. Setting better.
16) On to the Concours D'Elegance--the premiere car show in the world. Forget what you might think you know about car shows. This show takes all day to see and a lifetime to drink in. Unless you happen to have seen $1.25 million dollar one-of-a-kind cars from 1929 next to the single Pinafiori Cadillac in the world (made in homage to Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy in 1961) as but a teaser to the real car show, don't try to compare notes with me. Have you ever seen a 1959 Stingray Corvette? The answer should be "no" because it was a concept car in 1959 that never saw production. But it's at the Concours. How about an 1894 Mercedes Benz...ever seen one? I have. Oh, and the setting is the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach! My brother and I were joking that they must have the greenskeeper chained to a bed in a remote part of Southeast Asia. Pebble Beach! The 18th hole! With ancient cars driving on it?! I would need black tar heroin to calm me down if I were the greenskeeper.
So, all in all, not a bad way to spend 4 or 5 days. I recommend it to any who can afford it--budget style or otherwise. And whoever is responsible for that blessed place, be it God, the Dark Lord of Hades, Thor, Quetzalcoatl, Zues, E=mc2, or Colonel Sanders...thank you. You have my undying devotion.
Monterey--Post Mordem
Just got back from My Beloved, and it hurts. There are many, many places on this earth I would rather not be than my hometown of Phoenix, but coming back here from Monterey, California almost feels like leaving 'that perfect woman' to come home to the wife (and the life) that you have vs. the one you truly want--heartbreaking, bittersweet and, above all, so longing for what could be.
I offer a picture of a breakfast setting my brother and I had at Rocky Point Restaurant along Highway 1. I ordered the first bloody mary because I like bloody mary's. I ordered the second because I knew I would have to leave soon. Fortunately, like the place itself, it didn't disappoint. May I present: The Lone Bloody Mary Cypress.
I offer a picture of a breakfast setting my brother and I had at Rocky Point Restaurant along Highway 1. I ordered the first bloody mary because I like bloody mary's. I ordered the second because I knew I would have to leave soon. Fortunately, like the place itself, it didn't disappoint. May I present: The Lone Bloody Mary Cypress.
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