First, and foremost – go on over to Political Pistachio and wish good old Doug a very happy birthday.

Alaska Steve is always a good place to start, as his Sense of Place is always relaxing to view.

Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings has a cartoon at the top (Ol’ Broad is at the Dr this morning, prayers for her) that says that sometimes, interrogation procedures have to be aggressive… The Ozark Guru wants to know why Blue State Digital was in Iraq – details, like who the heck Blue State Digital is, on ARRA News Service. Assoluta Tranquilita wonders if conservatives of all stripes will build on the momentum from the TEA Parties.

Richard (At The Water) spotted his lifer bird #90 – go see what it is!

Basti has a nifty video up about the “volunteer service” bill that TEH ONE signed into existence. Bloviating Zeppelin points out hypocrisy in the Dem-run DC area (yeah, like it’s hard to hit a target that big). GuyK wanders about casting his eye on smoke screens, back fires, and fish frys – and only two of those are political themes.

mdconservative talks about the budget and Obama’s upcoming comedy tour on Conservative Intelligence Report. cookiecrumbexpress passes on information that looks like the recent attempt by the DHS to brand people concerned about politics as extremists and terrorists has become a trend with the release of a report from the Maryland National Guard. CyberPastor has an inspirational video posted about a certain Lady Wildcat form Indiana. (and prayers to AnnieB for complete healing)

Is there still a deck of cards that is getting thinner and thinner? Gateway Pundit reports on the capture (unconfirmed by the US) of al-qaeda leader al-Baghdadi by Iraqi forces. Gawfer wants to know what part of US Code Title 8 Chapter 12 subchapter II part VIII § 1325 Napolitano does not understand – he’s guessing it’s that part that says “illegal.”

Wanna watch the liberals pop blood vessels? Wait ’til they try to figure out how to deal with Condi Rice’s OK of waterboarding. Join the discussion on Jenn’s Jungle. Findalis has the latest on the Flight 93 memorial on Maggie’s Notebook. Kathi has the Wednesday Hero spotlighted on Mail Call! Supporting the Troops.

Mary points us to a chance to win some cool stuff on Mary’s World – and here’s my entry attempt:

Bible Study Magazine and Eternal Perspective Ministries are giving away 40 signed copies of Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven. Not only that, but they’re also giving away five subscriptions to Bible Study Magazine and a copy of their Bible Study Library software! Enter to win on the Bible Study Magazine Randy Alcorn page, then take a look at all the cool tools they have to take your Bible study to the next level!

Findalis is a busy little Monkey – besides posting on Maggie’s, there is also an excellent article on Monkey in the Middle about just how much of a state Palestine really wants. There is a review of the Rally on the Green by Oath Keepers.

Old Soldier has no words for his top story.

Scott Welch has a good post up about God’s Incomprehensible and Unchangeable Love on Our Sovereign Joy. Good stuff over on Pitchpull – don’t stop at the top, keep reading down…

Samantha has the latest batch of promotions in the world of USMC officers. Ablur has a graphic demonstration of just what 100 million dollars looks like – in relation to the rest of the budget – on Some Things Just Need To Be Said. Texas Fred is always interesting to read, and now you have a chance to hear him speak (in case you didn’t attend the TEA Party in his hometown):

The Make-A-Statement Radio Show, hosted by David Hill with your co-host author and commentator Melissa Pehle-Hill. We will talk about politics and issues facing Henderson County, Texas, and the United States. Tonight we will be talking to *Texas* Fred Witzell, the author of the blog, TexasFred’s at http://TexasFred.net/

Fred says, “I’m a highly opinionated blogger, if you ask for my opinion I’ll let you know exactly what’s on my mind. I don’t play the PC game, so, be very careful what you ask for.” Our topic for the evening will be the upcoming Texas Governors Race and the Tea Parties.
Make A Statement Radio

The show starts at 10:30PM CDT tonight, 04-23-09, I hope you will tune in, this should be interesting.

During the show tonight I will have this email and my Yahoo Messenger open. If you have a thought you’d like addressed, let me know… Yahoo IM: texasfred_53
If you do, please keep it topic specific, Texas Governors race, Texas Sovereignty, The Tea Parties…

TexasFred

The Black Sphere just wants you to know that, hey, Obama just wants to be loved. the BLOG points out my reason for not going with context-sensitive ad placement services.

(Has anyone heard from The Bull lately?)

Chief Roland shares the news that Obama wants to charge Bush officials for the aggressive interrogations that a bipartisan committee OK’d on The Roland Blog. Hammer has some questions to tickle your brain housing group on this fine Thursday.

Last but not least, Yid With Lid has a few words about the investigation into the enhanced interrogation techniques…

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

Before I get into a review of the blogs that I follow, let me say two things. First, yes, I am a charter member of the Domestic Terrorist Bloggers Network, but I am not a “terrorist” except in my own government’s eyes. And second, yesterday was “tax day” but it was also “tea party” day. There were eighteen listed events in the state of Arizona, with the largest being the gathering here at the capitol building in Phoenix. The paper says there were about 5,000 protesters in attendance; actual estimates put the number much, much higher, by at least a factor of three, but then the crowd wasn’t full of illegal immigrants demanding rights or lefties demanding money, so the estimators got thrown off. Obama and his Dem minions were not the only ones being protested; here in Arizona the governor, Jan Brewer (R), is planning on increasing taxes to cover the one BILLION dollar budget shortfall.

When TMBWitW and I run into a budget shortfall, we cut back on spending. Being simple minded, non-economic types, and certainly without years of experience in running a country (into the ground), we didn’t realize you could actually spend MORE than you BROUGHT IN and still call it good. We always thought that would eventually land you in the poor house, but hey – we don’t have Ivy-league educations, either. Oh, and we pay our taxes. Unlike certain cabinet appointees.

Were you aware that if you worked for the IRS and you tried to Geithner your return, you would be fired without ability to appeal? Don’t believe me? Check out the story in the April 15, 2009 Chicago Tribune: IRS workers see double standard on tax errors. Nothing to see there, folks – just the same double standard as always…

OK – Let’s get off the blood-pressure raising stuff and on to the reason you stopped in on this fine Thursday morning:

Tea Party Section! American and Proud – An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings – ARRA News Service – Bloviating Zeppelin – Do The Right Thing – Gateway Pundit – Last Refuge of a Scoundrel – Monkey in the Middle – Oath Keepers – Political Pistachio – Samantha Speaks – Texas Fred – The Black Sphere – Third Wave Dave – An Obama Nation – Eject! Eject! Eject! – Seaspook

Spring looks to have sprung, and might stay that way, on Unalaska. Steve has the story on A Sense of Place. Amboy Times has added another item to The List of Things That Offend Muslims. No, I’m not on there. Yet. Jump over to Assoluta Tranquilita to sign the petition to get the State of Texas to prosecute the killers of DASY to the maximum extent of the law. Then take a much-needed relaxing break At The Water. Basti has another gathering of tidbits. GuyK has his usual charming slant on today’s happenings over at Charming, Just Charming. cookiecrumbexpress has some motivating items. As usual, Dumb Looks Still Free is well worth the time it takes to read through his essay. Jenn has news and tidbits over at Take A Stand Against Liberals.

Roger W. Gardner posts his thoughts on the current maelstrom on Maggie’s Notebook. Kathi has Wednesday’s Hero up on Mail Call! Supporting The Troops. Mary tells us about Randy Alcorn’s one favorite book on Mary’s World.

Texas Gets It Right.

Memories from Viet Nam, courtesy of Greybeard, on Pitchpull. The Supremacy of Everyman on RattlerGator. Texas Fred likes the idea of 49 states in the United States, and Then there is the Republic of Texas… Meanwhile, Arizona’s former governor is calling my and my friends “terrorists” – visit the BLOG for more. Chief Roland has some advice for pirates. Kris has a few thoughts on the disposition of those trying to import terrorism on This Is Stoke Newington. TJ thinks that Texas as a separate geopolitical entity would be a good idea too. Personally, I think Texas should annex Oklahoma and Arizona.

Hammer shares some hard-earned experience. Hey, learn from others’ mistakes – you won’t live long enough to make all your own! What happens when a sub-network tells the truth? Yid With Lid has the answer. For something totally different, how about a Bishop who is taking Notre Dame to task? See the letter on Bottom Line Up Front.

How about some April Fool’s Day irony? Follow the fun on Improv Everywhere.

Always good for reminding us who the real terrorists are – The Religion of Peace. Would you spend your day with someone who does nothing but spew negativity? Andrew Tallman wants to know.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

1375 and a wake-up! No, wait – most of the country has already woke up, now we’re trying to get the rest of ya’ll to quit hittin’ the snooze alarm…

I knew that eventually, someone, some day, would recognize what an awesome job I’m doing by maintaining this little corner information kiosk on the information superhighway.

Well, actually, it was awarded last month, and I only just today found out about it because – well, read through and you’ll figure it out.

Mary of “Hidden Treasures” thought I deserved this award. From the obligatory pass-ot-on verbiage:

“This award is bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog’s content or design is, in the giver’s opinion, brilliant.”

“When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to the said person so everyone knows she/he is real. Choose a minimum of seven (7) blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have seven friends. Show the seven random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with Honest Weblog. Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten (10) honest things about yourself. Then pass it on!”

OK, first, the ten (10) honest things about myself:

There are people you meet in your life, and they move in and out and don’t really affect you much.

Then there are the types like Bloviating Zeppelin and Greybeard, who make a huge difference, even if you don’t get to see them nearly as often as you’d like.

(I have yet to meet BZ in person, and I look forward to the time; I have met Greybeard when he was out here visiting his son at college. Good man, good conversation – when are you going to be out here again?)

A little background, and to catch everyone up to speed: Wednesday I posted about the little remodel job I was working on, and mentioned during that post that it was time to retire the current flag. I was rather rueful in the fact that I could not, at this point in time, afford to replace the flag. In the comments, BZ asked for my address, because he had a brand new flag to send to me, and Greybeard popped in with a “ya beat me to it.”

The thing is, that my wife, whom I love and cherish more than anything or anyone with the exception of our Lord and Savior, worked a little search engine magic and found a source for flags at the incredible price of about $10.00 each – and she ordered two 3×5 US flags and a 3×5 USMC flag. She told me about it, and we were just happy as two clams in the mud flats of Morro Bay that we were able to get three flags for less than the price of one in a brick and mortar store. (as soon as I know where they came from, I will pass that on)

UPDATE: the flags are coming from FlagsMart in Walnut, California.

So, I leave it to you, BZ (and Greybeard): I have flags coming, so it’s up to you if you wish to send one. I certainly won’t refuse them, and they would be flown with honor and pride. If the size is as you state, BZ, I’ll have to trim the tree a bit, and I may fly it on Sundays and Holidays, as a Holiday flag. Again, it’s up to you if you still want to send it. My appreciation for the offer will not change, and my respect for you will not lessen either way.

Oh, and before I forget – I finished the install Thursday, and then ended up running to Casa Grande with my Pastor to pick up some culvert for a project at the church. Here’s the hall bath, finished out and trimmed:

And the Master bath installed:

Sharp-eyed readers will notice the sizable gap on the left side of the master vanity. The moron who measured the job mis-read the tape (twice!) and ended up nearly an inch short of the wall. To make up for this, I have fixed up a piece of special “wide” trim (actually a piece of cut-down stop stock) to cover the grand canyon of a gap. I will be doing that about the time you read this, or Friday morning for those who may not be by here the day this posts.

Again, a very heart-felt Thank You to BZ and Greybeard for their offers.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

1394 and a wake up…

MEG is sleeping – she didn’t sleep a whole lot last night – so I’m going to take advantage and try to squeeze in a round-up.

First off, please note there are a few additions to the Daily Read list – Hidden Treasures with Mary of Mary’s World; Last Refuge of a Scoundrel with Larry, a retired Navy type; Oath Keepers, because the oath I took when I served this country did not have an expiration date; and When Your Only Tool is a Hammer with Hammer, who refuses to be labeled.

And now, the run-down:
Over at Amboy Times there is news about ProPiganda’s new book. Chris (filling in for Ol’ Broad) reports on the stowaway on the shuttle over on An Ol’ Broad’s Ramblings. Look to ARRA News with Bill Smith for the latest money and market terms. Richard is experiencing the spring thaw – a few days ago, it thawed right into his basement. Basti says the latest influx of civilian workers into Afghanistan is a bad idea. Bloviating Zeppelin is shocked – shocked, I tell you – and wants to let you know that the Obama Administration has been obfuscating about who knew what (and when!) about certain bonuses at a certain government-run banking company. And these people want to run our health care? GuyK has been building fences and entertaining relatives and accidentally got a glance at the news this morning. The cookiecrumbexpress is glad that the Obamanation figured out that making vets use their private insurance was a bad idea. Cyber Pastor thinks that Shep Smith got one right about AIG. If you have questions about the “TEA Parties” going on around the country, you can get the scoop at Dumb Looks Still Free. Seems like even the Jocks “get it”: Gateway Pundit mentions that Coach K would prefer that Obama pay more attention to the economy, and not so much on the Final Four. Gawfer has a piece up about the brilliant idea to bill vet’s insurance for combat-related injuries. Jenn has her priorties straight – support her in the Walk for Animals, and read all about the administration that thinks it knows better. If everyone is calling the same person an idiot, does anyone think that maybe, just maybe, that person is and idiot? Check out Maggie’s Notebook for more Obamanations. Findalis updates us on Obama’s plan to abandon Israel on Monkey In The Middle. Old Soldier has noticed that it’s getting tougher to find any ammo lately. Scott has a darn good preaching over at Our Sovereign Joy. Greybeard managed to make lemonade out of his 401(K) lemons. Doug over on Political Pistachio wonders what would happen if the teleprompter king got slipped a visual mickey. Rattler Gator has a question about the one-sidedness of the MSM. Everyone’s favorite blogging redhead posits about the needs of the military and the awareness of the administration on Samantha Speaks.

Let’s not forget Texas Fred and his calls to awareness. Seems that has become a password, eh? Lest we all start thinking that Zo over at MachoSuaceProductions is the only black conservative, take a look at The Black Sphere. It was only a matter of time! Obama’s Teleprompter got it’s own blog! (news courtesy of the BLOG) Speaking of Obama, the issue of his birth certificate (as opposed to a certificate of live birth) won’t die, and Andrea Shea King has an interview regarding the whole mess. Details on Third Wave Dave. The Texas Jew Boy (Yid With Lid) asks if the American People are waking up to what they have brought upon themselves yet.

Prying1 sends me this little tidbit via e-mail:

In a time where so much is being made about our first black president, Ann Coulter made the following observation in her column of 2/25/2009:

” But as long as the nation is obsessed with historic milestones, is no one going to remark on what a great country it is where a mentally retarded woman can become speaker of the house?”

Are you a handy-type? Do your friends ask you about how to fix something? Do you have a bucket organizer for your tools? If this sentence makes sense to you, and you want a bucket organizer, then drop me a line and I will arrange for you to get one. The bonus is that I get one for referring you to the Handy Man Club of America Yes, I am a life member. You can be, too.

Now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to go race on my PS2 (Dirt to Daytona) until MEG wakes up, then we’re going to the library and then downtown to have lunch with TMBWitW.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

1402 and a wake up!