FourFreedomsBlog - Post Christmas Potpurri

It's that time of year again - our ISP is asking for money. If you have some spare change, please click the Donate link... Thanks!

Name:
Pswd:
Remember Me

Register

Latest Entries

Actions Menu

Blog Roll

Post Christmas Potpurri
Author: BobR Date: 12/26/2012 13:17:01

It's the day after Christmas, I have very little time before our host needs the internet cable for work, so here are a few interesting news items:

NRA Prez Wayne LaPierre's news conference gets fact-checked:

In the 1994 crime bill that included the original assault weapons ban, Bill Clinton included a new program called "Community Oriented Policing Services" that meant to add 100,000 new police officers to our streets (which LaPierre is essentially now proposing by putting cops in every school.) The NRA opposed that bill in 1994 and later mocked the COPS program for failing to meet its promise. Now he's complaining about the loss of "Secure Our Schools" grants. They were administered by COPS.

Common wisdom may have pegged the wrong Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus:

According to NPR and the London Times, the son of Mary wasn't born in the little town of Bethlehem in Palestine's West Bank area. Instead, archaeologists think it's the little village called Bethlehem of the Galilee, about 100 miles north.
[..]
"It makes much more sense that Mary rode on a donkey, while she was at the end of the pregnancy, from Nazareth to Bethlehem of Galilee which is only 7 kilometers rather then the other Bethlehem which is 150 kilometers," IAA senior archaeologist Aviram Oshri explained to NPR, adding that West Bank's Bethlehem (also called Judea) didn't even have residents back in the first century.

And finally, FreedomWorks leader accuses Dick Armey of a trying to do a hostile takeover:

The president of the conservative activist group FreedomWorks accused former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) of trying to hijack the group as part of an “attempted hostile takeover” of the organization, according to documents obtained by Mother Jones.

In the memo, [Freedomworks President] Matt Kibbe says Armey, who founded and led the group before resigning on Dec. 4, voted to oust Kibbe from the board in September. Kibbe said fellow board member James Burnley IV helped Armey carry out his plan of having him replaced by C. Boyden Gray on the board.
[..]
The angry correspondence is the latest episode in the acrimonious parting between Armey and FreedomWorks. At the time of his departure, Armey forbade the group from using his name and likeness in perpetuity.

Sounds like trouble in paradise.

Have a great day everyone...

41 comments (Latest Comment: 12/27/2012 13:51:53 by Mondobubba)
Perma Link

Share This!

Comments:

Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments

Comment by

wickedpam on 12/26/2012 13:20:49

Morning

I'd like to thank the manager who brought in the sick bug that is now running through the office

Comment by

TriSec on 12/26/2012 13:24:47

Howdy folks. WFH this morning, then off for more treatment. Yay Boxing Day!

(does that mean I get to punch people today??)

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 13:56:36

Quote by TriSec:
Howdy folks. WFH this morning, then off for more treatment. Yay Boxing Day!

(does that mean I get to punch people today??)

No. BTW it the Feast of St. Stephen today as well.

Comment by

TriSec on 12/26/2012 14:03:25

Mondo is no fun.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 14:04:58

Boxing Day

The exact etymology of the term "boxing" is unclear.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 14:05:25

Mondo is returning to his usual cranky self.

Comment by

Scoopster on 12/26/2012 14:07:43

Mornin' all..

<- this is actually tea with some of the awesome honey I got from Clint!

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 14:18:40

Submitted for your reading pleasure, Slate's cads of 2012.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 14:22:04

I saw "The Hobbit" Yesterday. It is not awesome, battered in awesome and then deep fried in awesome. It's merely pretty good. Too much extraneous crap pulled from the appendices or LotR. (Minor spoiler alert) WTF is Radigast the Brown doing with a bunny sled????

Comment by

wickedpam on 12/26/2012 14:24:23

Ok LOTR question - finally got to see most of the movies - at the end of Return of the King - did Frodo just basically commit suicide by sailing off with that group?

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 14:24:45

Oh forgot. The high frame rate used to film "The Hobbit" is really annoying to look at.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 14:29:44

Quote by wickedpam:
Ok LOTR question - finally got to see most of the movies - at the end of Return of the King - did Frodo just basically commit suicide by sailing off with that group?

Nope. He gets to live with the Elves in the Undying West. He is healed of all his wounds both physical and spiritual.

Comment by

wickedpam on 12/26/2012 14:30:26

Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Ok LOTR question - finally got to see most of the movies - at the end of Return of the King - did Frodo just basically commit suicide by sailing off with that group?

Nope. He gets to live with the Elves in the Undying West. He is healed of all his wounds both physical and spiritual.

okay that makes more sense

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 14:33:34

Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Ok LOTR question - finally got to see most of the movies - at the end of Return of the King - did Frodo just basically commit suicide by sailing off with that group?

Nope. He gets to live with the Elves in the Undying West. He is healed of all his wounds both physical and spiritual.

okay that makes more sense

Frodo, Bilbo and Sam all get to do this since they are all Ring Bearers. :racks up hundreds of geek points:

Comment by

wickedpam on 12/26/2012 14:38:02

Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Ok LOTR question - finally got to see most of the movies - at the end of Return of the King - did Frodo just basically commit suicide by sailing off with that group?

Nope. He gets to live with the Elves in the Undying West. He is healed of all his wounds both physical and spiritual.

okay that makes more sense

Frodo, Bilbo and Sam all get to do this since they are all Ring Bearers. :racks up hundreds of geek points:

so I'm guessing Sam's story comes after LOTR?

I have no geek cred when it comes to Toliken

Comment by

TriSec on 12/26/2012 14:39:42

Circling back to a disasterphile question from the other day.

Italian Hall disaster....yes. This is where yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater comes from.

But back at you - do you know of the Richmond Theater Fire? (today anniversary.)

Comment by

TriSec on 12/26/2012 14:41:43

Speaking of boxiing day, somebody here (Fallon) needs to be roundhoused.

A lady on our team retired last week. So I"m covering a multitude of tasks until we backfill the position.

I sent out an email today with some claim data, but did not word it the same way she did to the particular contact.

"Are you sending me today's email with the claim data?" Posted as a reply to my email.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 14:52:43

Alternet.org the website for the dour leftist. It is a a guaranteed downer to read.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 14:54:56

Quote by TriSec:
Circling back to a disasterphile question from the other day.

Italian Hall disaster....yes. This is where yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater comes from.

But back at you - do you know of the Richmond Theater Fire? (today anniversary.)

Nope, do tell!

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 14:55:43

Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Ok LOTR question - finally got to see most of the movies - at the end of Return of the King - did Frodo just basically commit suicide by sailing off with that group?

Nope. He gets to live with the Elves in the Undying West. He is healed of all his wounds both physical and spiritual.

okay that makes more sense

Frodo, Bilbo and Sam all get to do this since they are all Ring Bearers. :racks up hundreds of geek points:

so I'm guessing Sam's story comes after LOTR?

I have no geek cred when it comes to Toliken

Nope. Sam's story is untold. Except he gets to go to the West and hang with the Elves.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 14:56:56

Mala, you might not have Tolkien geek cred, but you make up for it on nerd interests.

After all, geekdom is a big, inclusive place.

Comment by

wickedpam on 12/26/2012 14:57:05

Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Ok LOTR question - finally got to see most of the movies - at the end of Return of the King - did Frodo just basically commit suicide by sailing off with that group?

Nope. He gets to live with the Elves in the Undying West. He is healed of all his wounds both physical and spiritual.

okay that makes more sense

Frodo, Bilbo and Sam all get to do this since they are all Ring Bearers. :racks up hundreds of geek points:

so I'm guessing Sam's story comes after LOTR?

I have no geek cred when it comes to Toliken

Nope. Sam's story is untold. Except he gets to go to the West and hang with the Elves.

was it supposed to be told? how do we know he goes to the west?

Comment by

TriSec on 12/26/2012 15:04:37

Quote by Mondobubba:

Nope, do tell!

Rather fascinating, actually.

Last scheduled performance for 1811, so the place was packed. It was a benefit performance, so the audience was heavy with politicians and "name" families.

The sitting governor of VA was killed, along with many members of prominent Virginia families.

Notable for a slave/blacksmith who worked nearby that saved many during the fire.

Monument Church in Richmond now stands on the site.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 15:06:28

Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Ok LOTR question - finally got to see most of the movies - at the end of Return of the King - did Frodo just basically commit suicide by sailing off with that group?

Nope. He gets to live with the Elves in the Undying West. He is healed of all his wounds both physical and spiritual.

okay that makes more sense

Frodo, Bilbo and Sam all get to do this since they are all Ring Bearers. :racks up hundreds of geek points:

so I'm guessing Sam's story comes after LOTR?

I have no geek cred when it comes to Toliken

Nope. Sam's story is untold. Except he gets to go to the West and hang with the Elves.

was it supposed to be told? how do we know he goes to the west?

Because he was a Ring Bearer, if only briefly.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 15:10:52

Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Mondobubba:

Nope, do tell!

Rather fascinating, actually.

Last scheduled performance for 1811, so the place was packed. It was a benefit performance, so the audience was heavy with politicians and "name" families.

The sitting governor of VA was killed, along with many members of prominent Virginia families.

Notable for a slave/blacksmith who worked nearby that saved many during the fire.

Monument Church in Richmond now stands on the site.

That is very close to my Richmond based cousins 'hood. I'm sure if I asked they could tell me all about it.

Comment by

wickedpam on 12/26/2012 15:11:09

Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Ok LOTR question - finally got to see most of the movies - at the end of Return of the King - did Frodo just basically commit suicide by sailing off with that group?

Nope. He gets to live with the Elves in the Undying West. He is healed of all his wounds both physical and spiritual.

okay that makes more sense

Frodo, Bilbo and Sam all get to do this since they are all Ring Bearers. :racks up hundreds of geek points:

so I'm guessing Sam's story comes after LOTR?

I have no geek cred when it comes to Toliken

Nope. Sam's story is untold. Except he gets to go to the West and hang with the Elves.

was it supposed to be told? how do we know he goes to the west?

Because he was a Ring Bearer, if only briefly.

okay I think I follow - I'm guessing this was when Frodo was captured in ROTK

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 15:14:00

Here is a little Florida fun fact I learned this morning. The Sunshine State ranks 49th in spending on mental health care; about $39.00 per person. Florida FTW!

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 15:16:03

Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Ok LOTR question - finally got to see most of the movies - at the end of Return of the King - did Frodo just basically commit suicide by sailing off with that group?

Nope. He gets to live with the Elves in the Undying West. He is healed of all his wounds both physical and spiritual.

okay that makes more sense

Frodo, Bilbo and Sam all get to do this since they are all Ring Bearers. :racks up hundreds of geek points:

so I'm guessing Sam's story comes after LOTR?

I have no geek cred when it comes to Toliken

Nope. Sam's story is untold. Except he gets to go to the West and hang with the Elves.

was it supposed to be told? how do we know he goes to the west?

Because he was a Ring Bearer, if only briefly.

okay I think I follow - I'm guessing this was when Frodo was captured in ROTK

Yes. Have I mentioned if I ever meet Sean Astin. I will prostrate myself at his feet and tell him I am not worthy. He more so than any actor in LotR brought such humanity to his role as Sam. Who is my favorite character in the books and movie.

Comment by

velveeta jones on 12/26/2012 15:58:28

Morning!

The NRA sucks ass, but they are the front for the REAL EVIL:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/23611c3b799ff4ae9b9cf59ba8e0294e/tumblr_mfnajo9nem1r4vezao1_1280.jpg

Thought I'd make a little ad for them based on honesty.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 16:09:38

Wow, Georgia is really hell-bent on shafting people who are eligible for TANF.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 16:20:44

Bother! Liverpool isn't playing until 7:45. They would be the late Boxing Day match.

Comment by

Will in Chicago on 12/26/2012 16:43:12

Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Ok LOTR question - finally got to see most of the movies - at the end of Return of the King - did Frodo just basically commit suicide by sailing off with that group?

Nope. He gets to live with the Elves in the Undying West. He is healed of all his wounds both physical and spiritual.

okay that makes more sense

Frodo, Bilbo and Sam all get to do this since they are all Ring Bearers. :racks up hundreds of geek points:

so I'm guessing Sam's story comes after LOTR?

I have no geek cred when it comes to Toliken

Nope. Sam's story is untold. Except he gets to go to the West and hang with the Elves.

was it supposed to be told? how do we know he goes to the west?

It is mentioned in a note in the appendices that Sam's daughter Elanor and her husband recieved the Red Book of Westmarch from him before he left for the Gray Havens, where the Elves set sail to the Undying Lands. Sam, when he believed that Frodo had died of spider venom in a pass into Mordor, took the Ring and was the Ringbearer until he learned that Frodo was alive and rescued him from the orcs who captured him.

As for myself, I am checking on some freelance writing jobs and doing other things today.

BobR, thanks for a great blog. I guess we will see if the GOP will focus on addressing issues or tilting at windmills.

Comment by

livingonli on 12/26/2012 17:05:05

Good day, folks. It looks like if I'm going to do anything I better do it early since I'm off today because we're supposed to get a shitstorm here in New York tonight between heavy rain on Long Island, a rain-snow mix in New York City and a dumping of snow in the Northern and Western suburbs which makes me wish I could just stay in bed.

Comment by

wickedpam on 12/26/2012 17:20:47

Be careful if you go out Liv - the little bit we got is rather slippery

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 17:29:43

I am heartily sick of freezing my testicle off at work. It is a 70-degree day outside. In my cubicle it feels like about 55.

Comment by

livingonli on 12/26/2012 17:45:24

That's a waste of money cranking the A-C that high.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 19:02:12

Tri, you know what day this is Red Sox history, don't you?

Comment by

livingonli on 12/26/2012 19:15:01

RIP Gerry Anderson.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/26/2012 19:17:42

Happy birthday David Sidaris. You have been making me laugh really hard for going about 15 years. I

The Santa Land Diaries.

Comment by

TriSec on 12/27/2012 00:04:37

Quote by Mondobubba:
Tri, you know what day this is Red Sox history, don't you?

It is a now meaningless day. Have I mentioned the Miracle of the Radio recently?

(and hard to believe it's been 8 years now...)

Comment by

Mondobubba on 12/27/2012 13:51:53

Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Tri, you know what day this is Red Sox history, don't you?

It is a now meaningless day. Have I mentioned the Miracle of the Radio recently?

(and hard to believe it's been 8 years now...)

Oh you want to cast aside 86 years of crushed dreams and misery? One of the things that makes New Englanders New Englanders? You are willing to toss that on the trash pile? Really?

Show All

Latest Entries

Actions Menu

Blog Roll

Other Links

Post Christmas Potpurri
Author: BobR Date: 12/26/2012 13:17:01

Share This!

Add a Comment

Latest Entries

Actions Menu

Blog Roll

Other Links

Post Christmas Potpurri Author: BobR Date: 12/26/2012 13:17:01

Share This!

Add a Comment

Post Christmas Potpurri
Author: BobR Date: 12/26/2012 13:17:01