Well, I didn't give up on the blogging biz, I got stuck in the hospital. Again. I went in for an ERCP on an outpatient basis on Thursday Feb 21. I was told that approximately 7 out of 100 patients have to stay overnight after the procedure due to bleeding. I actually bought off on that.
I was released today.
Seems I spiked a 100+ degree fever after the procedure so they "held me over" and re-did the procedure again on Friday and added to the merriment by installing a stent (due to come out on March 19) for good measure. Then they discovered there was an infection of the blood so I was held over on intravenous Zosyn until the bloodwork was clean. I felt good but the medicos were very cautious (I was back in Cleveland Clinic.) So I finally got cut loose today - when Thunder Thighs and the Changemeister have invaded my hometown to hold a yakfest. Not to mention the 8" or so of snow we got overnight.... BTW, it's great fun watching Thunder Thighs self-immolate.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Word!
From Boortz:
This alert came from a listeners. He was reading "The Bad Boy of Baltimore" a biography of H.L. Mencken by Marion Elizabeth Rodgers. On page 409 of that book he finds the following:
"By the mid-1930's, thanks to the New Deal, all that self-reliance had changed, prompting Mencken to declare: 'There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them.' Despite the billions spent on an individual, 'he can be lifted transiently but always slips back again.' Thus, the New Deal had been 'the most stupendous digenetic enterprise ever undertaken by man.... We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time. The effects of that doctrine are bound to be disastrous soon or late.'When someone asked, "And what, Mr. Mencken, would you do about the unemployed?" He looked up with a bland expression. "We could start by taking away their vote," he said, deadpan. Mencken was not surprised when the majority disagreed. "There can be nothing even remotely approaching a rational solution of the fundamental national problems until we face them in a realistic spirit," he later reflected, and that was impossible so long as educated Americans remained responsive "to the Roosevelt buncombe."
"Buncombe," by the way, means either a county in North Carolina, a city in Illinois or another word for "nonsense."
As Neal points out, we have passed that point.
This alert came from a listeners. He was reading "The Bad Boy of Baltimore" a biography of H.L. Mencken by Marion Elizabeth Rodgers. On page 409 of that book he finds the following:
"By the mid-1930's, thanks to the New Deal, all that self-reliance had changed, prompting Mencken to declare: 'There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them.' Despite the billions spent on an individual, 'he can be lifted transiently but always slips back again.' Thus, the New Deal had been 'the most stupendous digenetic enterprise ever undertaken by man.... We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time. The effects of that doctrine are bound to be disastrous soon or late.'When someone asked, "And what, Mr. Mencken, would you do about the unemployed?" He looked up with a bland expression. "We could start by taking away their vote," he said, deadpan. Mencken was not surprised when the majority disagreed. "There can be nothing even remotely approaching a rational solution of the fundamental national problems until we face them in a realistic spirit," he later reflected, and that was impossible so long as educated Americans remained responsive "to the Roosevelt buncombe."
"Buncombe," by the way, means either a county in North Carolina, a city in Illinois or another word for "nonsense."
As Neal points out, we have passed that point.
Thought
I'm a-know exactly how McSwine could solidify the conservatives base and win the election.
Have him recorded for broadcast shooting an AR-15 and handgun-of-photogenics at an indoor range....
Have him recorded for broadcast shooting an AR-15 and handgun-of-photogenics at an indoor range....
Monday, February 18, 2008
Whoo-hoo!
OK, Greybeard, I finally figured out how to put an e-mail-to-me icon in this here thingy. Told you I was a techno-turd...
Addition to the Blogroll
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Been a Week Already
Well, I've been cut off from the 'web since Tuesday A.M. I'd had the pain in the belly that was very reminiscent of the gut pain prior to the 2006 hospitalization. The L&T had been in my face to go to the doc Monday, but I promised her if it didn't get better I'd go Tuesday (had some shipping stuff to do that morning or there would be problems). In at 0600 and out by 0730. She grabs her keys and we're off into the snow headed for the ER.
Get to the ER and mirable dictu! No one is waiting in the waiting room! On gurney in treatment room w/vitals done and explaining everything to the doc - 7 minutes! By the time I was transferred to Cleveland Clinic and had arrived - 1030 hours.
So I have been hospitalized since then with what was diagnosed as stones in the bile duct. I'll have a laparotomytype operation outpatient followed by more imaging and/or diagnosis. Stay tuned, I know I am.
Courtesy of the Rifleman, an editorial that I think is close to the heart of America.
Get to the ER and mirable dictu! No one is waiting in the waiting room! On gurney in treatment room w/vitals done and explaining everything to the doc - 7 minutes! By the time I was transferred to Cleveland Clinic and had arrived - 1030 hours.
So I have been hospitalized since then with what was diagnosed as stones in the bile duct. I'll have a laparotomytype operation outpatient followed by more imaging and/or diagnosis. Stay tuned, I know I am.
Courtesy of the Rifleman, an editorial that I think is close to the heart of America.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
'Spensive Satidday, Lucy
Well, the lovely and talented has made a decision regarding the replacement vehicle for the van she totalled 3 weeks ago tomorrow. (Oh, I didn't mention the accident? My bad.) We're replacing her 2002 Windstar w/95K miles on it with a black 2007 Jeep Patriot with 10K on it. The thing that really steams my clams is that my PT is going to be paid off next pay period and I was looking foward to saving some $$ for retirement from not having a car payment. So much for that plan... But she thinks she'll be happy with the new-to-us ride and that is the most important thing. We were planning to replace it next year or the next anyway, but this replacement was necessary.Wowsers. I just realized that once again the oldest thing in my "fleet" is my bike, as it should be.
If you need a concise overview of the American political scene, check out this letter from P.J. O'Rourke. I particularly like "Hillary is America's ex-wife" and "Dennis Kucinich swept the Mars caucuses". RTWT.
I see where the latest info on the Archbishop of Canterbury is that he can hardly wait to pay his jizya or convert. A total asshat who should be tried by his beloved sharia court. Perhaps for consuming alcohol in his sacramental wine. Under sharia it's three strikes and you're beheaded, I believe. Or is this yet another case of a pointy-headed liberal trying to make others do what he has no desire to, as is their wont.
Well, off to catch one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies. Always had the hots for Jamie Lee....
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Rachel, I Love You but..
I totally support Sunny's run for Prez but I take issue with your attitude toward those of us who would rather see a socialist pig (Obamama or Shrillary) elected than a socialist pig (McCain). You appear to view us as anti-American non-GWOT supporters who have not thought the issues through and are voting out of pique.
Thank you for analyzing that for us. But I respectfully disagree with your view. Yes, speaking as a Vietnam veteran with 2 tours under my belt, I will not vote vote for McCain due to several reasons you touched on and one you didn't. Yes, I understand that the most important Presidential power for the Mark 44 Mod 0 Prez will be the power of judicial appointments. As we all know, the influence of appointed judges lasts far beyond the appointor. I don't see McCain doing anything but following the liberal line that got him endorsed by the LATimes and the NYTimes when it comes to SC justices. McCain-Feingold, anyone?
I also understand that Congress (Reid and Pelosi, I thank you) can't get out of it's own way, let alone service all the entities that own each of them. Too bad so many members would rather have the adulation and attention of the media than principles. Most all of the politicians are honest politicians but there are those who swoon at the Siren song of power instead of money. Of course, those are the most deadly of all. I think the next president will be at a historical nexus in 2009-2011 that will be as important as the year after 9/11.
I also believe that there is the destruction of the present 2-party system occuring in the same time frame. The policies that each of the top 2-front-runners-in-each-party espouse will be ruinous to the economy of this country - Jimmy Carter malaise, anyone? - and there is no politically acceptable way for either party to cut-and-run in Iraq. America may have gone to the mall while our troops went to war, but there is a constant tide of deep support for our troops and their mission. Everything else that each party is yodeling about is subject to Sturgeon's Law and those of my co-pilot Murphy. Neither group wants to be saddled with losing Iraq (LBJ come to mind?) so there will be a lot of jawboning and zero competence.
Whichever group is in charge after the next election will be blamed for the economic problems. It will marginalize either the extreme right or the extreme left political base depending on who's the "winner" and determine the course of domestic policy for the next 10-20 years. I don't see it as being as bad as '29 or '74, but it won't be good. We will also have to deal with it and the resultant global economic shocks that will be generated. I think that the White House-winning party in 2008 will be transformed into party of minimal influence due to the percieved betrayal of its vocal, one issue base. Whether this perceived betrayal is over abortion, AIDS, immigration, Iraq and the GWOT, health care, or Hurricane Katrina policies and realities; a lot of somebodies are going to be cheesed off somewhere soon because the piece o' pie they got wasn't big enough in their mind. This may be enough (and I think it will) to cause a rift large enough to splinter the party.
So as I see it, if any candidate but Sunny wins, we have 4 years of major stress on the fabric of this country. Even if Sunny wins, she has to impose her will on the 535 most asinine and egotistical people on the planet. How has that worked out except to paralyze the process? (A good thing.)
And that's why we have lost our minds.
Thank you for analyzing that for us. But I respectfully disagree with your view. Yes, speaking as a Vietnam veteran with 2 tours under my belt, I will not vote vote for McCain due to several reasons you touched on and one you didn't. Yes, I understand that the most important Presidential power for the Mark 44 Mod 0 Prez will be the power of judicial appointments. As we all know, the influence of appointed judges lasts far beyond the appointor. I don't see McCain doing anything but following the liberal line that got him endorsed by the LATimes and the NYTimes when it comes to SC justices. McCain-Feingold, anyone?
I also understand that Congress (Reid and Pelosi, I thank you) can't get out of it's own way, let alone service all the entities that own each of them. Too bad so many members would rather have the adulation and attention of the media than principles. Most all of the politicians are honest politicians but there are those who swoon at the Siren song of power instead of money. Of course, those are the most deadly of all. I think the next president will be at a historical nexus in 2009-2011 that will be as important as the year after 9/11.
I also believe that there is the destruction of the present 2-party system occuring in the same time frame. The policies that each of the top 2-front-runners-in-each-party espouse will be ruinous to the economy of this country - Jimmy Carter malaise, anyone? - and there is no politically acceptable way for either party to cut-and-run in Iraq. America may have gone to the mall while our troops went to war, but there is a constant tide of deep support for our troops and their mission. Everything else that each party is yodeling about is subject to Sturgeon's Law and those of my co-pilot Murphy. Neither group wants to be saddled with losing Iraq (LBJ come to mind?) so there will be a lot of jawboning and zero competence.
Whichever group is in charge after the next election will be blamed for the economic problems. It will marginalize either the extreme right or the extreme left political base depending on who's the "winner" and determine the course of domestic policy for the next 10-20 years. I don't see it as being as bad as '29 or '74, but it won't be good. We will also have to deal with it and the resultant global economic shocks that will be generated. I think that the White House-winning party in 2008 will be transformed into party of minimal influence due to the percieved betrayal of its vocal, one issue base. Whether this perceived betrayal is over abortion, AIDS, immigration, Iraq and the GWOT, health care, or Hurricane Katrina policies and realities; a lot of somebodies are going to be cheesed off somewhere soon because the piece o' pie they got wasn't big enough in their mind. This may be enough (and I think it will) to cause a rift large enough to splinter the party.
So as I see it, if any candidate but Sunny wins, we have 4 years of major stress on the fabric of this country. Even if Sunny wins, she has to impose her will on the 535 most asinine and egotistical people on the planet. How has that worked out except to paralyze the process? (A good thing.)
And that's why we have lost our minds.
Sooper Sunday
What I want to be if I grow up (getting old is mandatory, growing up is optional):
Except I don't like bandanas....
Unlike most of the American sporting fans, I could not care less if the Pats go undefeated. I liked to play football but I am far more a Browns fan than a football (OK, NFL) fan. Went to the first Monday night game with the L&T on our first date, but never watched a Monday or Thursday night game that didn't feature the Browns. (My dad took me to my first game in 1957 - Jim Brown's rookie year.) My Browns-fu is very powerful, but I have little chi in NFL-doodoo.
I'd like to intro a group blog that is out-freaking-standing, as well as add them to my Daily Read blogroll. Visit the gallant troops and perverts at Last of the Few. The B-17 pic reminds me of my ride in the EAA's Fuddy Duddy....
Except I don't like bandanas....Unlike most of the American sporting fans, I could not care less if the Pats go undefeated. I liked to play football but I am far more a Browns fan than a football (OK, NFL) fan. Went to the first Monday night game with the L&T on our first date, but never watched a Monday or Thursday night game that didn't feature the Browns. (My dad took me to my first game in 1957 - Jim Brown's rookie year.) My Browns-fu is very powerful, but I have little chi in NFL-doodoo.
I'd like to intro a group blog that is out-freaking-standing, as well as add them to my Daily Read blogroll. Visit the gallant troops and perverts at Last of the Few. The B-17 pic reminds me of my ride in the EAA's Fuddy Duddy....
Friday, February 01, 2008
Ain' No Sense in Goin' Home..
...Jody's got your girl and gone! As someone who got "Dear John"-ned in 1969, I found this blogpost to be absolutely hilarious in a poignant sort of way. Found it on a new milblog. Extract:
I know you have to hate me. I promised that this would never happen to us, but it did. Life’s funny like that, isn’t it? While you’re half a world away, getting shot at for a living by (insert enemy here), protecting freedom, justice, and the American way of life, I’m discovering my inner concubine, getting penetrated by Jody’s inferior geothermal thunderstick on a nightly basis. But he’s a far better cuddler than you ever were, he flatters me every morning, and he communicates with me! Imagine that, you insensitive prick.
Thass funny, I don' care who y'are.. Get thee hence and RTWT.
I know you have to hate me. I promised that this would never happen to us, but it did. Life’s funny like that, isn’t it? While you’re half a world away, getting shot at for a living by (insert enemy here), protecting freedom, justice, and the American way of life, I’m discovering my inner concubine, getting penetrated by Jody’s inferior geothermal thunderstick on a nightly basis. But he’s a far better cuddler than you ever were, he flatters me every morning, and he communicates with me! Imagine that, you insensitive prick.
Thass funny, I don' care who y'are.. Get thee hence and RTWT.
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