Age of Hooper (The)

2008-09-25T00:54:00.004-04:00

I've moved to Wordpress. New posts will be found at: http://ageofhooper.wordpress.com Thanks~

2008-05-12T12:38:00.000-04:00

I ALMOST NEVER post stuff I myself don't produce, but this one is just too good to pass up. THE PUPPETS! THE PUPPETS! THE PUPPETS! Here's the link that explains it all: The Reformed Pastor Enjoy!

2008-04-15T20:54:00.001-04:00

RON PAUL RALLY, SOUTH LAWN, US CAPITOL, WASHINGTON DC: APRIL 15, 2008 [*sigh*] So this is what it's come down to. Yeah, OK ... we're all listing a bit to port [or is it starboard]. It's been a long day. First ... this. [urf] Then work, then ... taxes. With a nice Cabernet in between. To deaden the pain. Sorta. I won't even mention traffic. I have to say ... this was one of the smallest, most jejune turnouts that wasn't an ANSWER protest I've ever seen. And that's saying a lot. It bore a pathetic and striking resemblance to church [*blurp*] barbecues I used to attend with my thank-gawd-ex-wife. Except fewer kids. ... or not. I'm guessing that "Hope for America" can somehow be fathomed as emanating from this and other like get-up. Perhaps we can all "be a part" of "it". Or not. For some impenetrable, abstruse reason "costuming" was prevalent at this event. I was, thankfully, no part of "it". It was a nice day, though. DC in the spring is just lovely. Then it's tax time. I hate taxes. Which is something I and the Paulans have in common. I think it has something to do with working around the Federal Government for years and years [and more years] on end. I can see, literally, where my tax dollars go ... a privilege denied those "beyond the beltway" ... and it ain't pretty. I can't help but think, come April 16, as I deal once again with another brickheaded apparatchik: "Ah, yes ... my tax dollars." I had a buddy once who said that I should be proud to pay so much in taxes ... it means I'm doing extremely well! I suppose I should assume the same attitude when people key my car or try to break into my home. Wow! I must be doing well! Thanks! He is an awfully clean looking bloke. What can one say. Then we have the seriously disturbed ... ... and the disturbingly serious. ... as we end on the inevitable coda of an inscrutably held and slightly dissonant chord. Be sure to check out other coverage of the rally at This Ain't Hell. Jonn and I met at the rally and had some laughs.

2008-04-11T21:00:00.009-04:00

FREE SPEECH IN AN AGE OF JIHAD, APRIL 10, 2008: NEW YORK CITY I took this image [left] well after the conference. My lovely spouse Julia and I just finished a fulfilling dinner at Shun Lee ... a great Chinese restaurant near Lincoln Center ... and were combing the streets of East Side Manhattan ... when she looked up and pointed out the moon. Yes, we're that type of couple. I thought that the moon was beautiful, the building was gorgeous and the sky perfect so I snapped it. Somehow, I also think the crescent moon juxtaposed against a part of the Manhattan skyline a highly appropriate image to cap the day. I wasn't able to get any video of this conference. The material I did get ... Mark Steyn's luncheon address ... is probably copyrighted material and I'm awaiting permission to post. It's about 45 minutes long and, sadly, only audio. But who wants to watch a talking head for 45 minutes anyway? And the fact is I want to use all of it, which would put me well beyond the bounds of fair use. Believe me, it's well worth the wait. I checked the audio and it's highly entertaining and of OK quality. I didn't have any problem understanding every word, though there are some crowd noises and some inevitable glass tinkling [it was a luncheon after all]. Mark Steyn's people got back to me and have referred me to Roger Kimball of the New Criterion. I haven't heard back from him. The Conference took place at the Princeton Club on West 43rd Street. I guess the Columbia Club is only "In Residence". I'm not sure I would have advertised that. It's one thing to take second billing ... quite another to do so "In Residence" I would think. This is me with Robert Spencer, Director of Jihad Watch and author extraordinaire. OK, you can't really see me, but that's my hand. I'm standing beside him. Really. I cropped myself out ... as I'll explain below. I know, I know ... I can almost hear my half-dozen loyal readers lament. "Again with the hand." What's with the hand? The fact is ... that that's it ... that's all you're gonna get. A hand. My hand. This time my right hand. Live with it. Look, I meet a lot of pretty nefarious creatures at the "events" I normally cover. Some real head-choppers. I was even followed by some after an anti-Israel protest last year. Emes. Then there's Code Pink. I've been followed by a couple of them, too ... but for what seem to be highly different [but almost as deeply disquieting] motivations. [shudder] Now, it's true: both Code Pink's Medea Benjamin and her tanless toady Brian Becker of ANSWER know me by sight, but I still like to maintain at least some anonymity. Nice hand, though, huh?
Here's the interior of the room the conference took place in. Nice. I'm trying out my new Canon Rebel XTi, so if there's a lack of consistency with these photos ... that's why. I did a lot of experimenting. Mostly I hate using a flash, so I tried a number of settings to avoid that. Not all the results were good. The photo [above] is OK, I think. I used the flash with this one. This is Roger Kimball, Editor of the New Criterion and the Moderator for the first panel. I try to not miss an article by him if I can help it. Ezra Levant was there, of course. He and I and my lovely wife had a very nice and somewhat lengthy conversation near the end of the conference ... touching on many subjects; from the conference to raising kids. Frankly, Ezra's just about the most personable and agreeable person I've ever met. I can see now just how angry he must have been during the Canadian "Human Rights" Commission kangaroo court for him to lose his cool to even the small extent that he did. He's a real mench. Here's a nice photo of him speaking with some other attendees after his panel presentation. Mark Steyn showed up about half way through the first panel and stood quietly near the back ... very close to where my wife and I were seated. I approached him and asked him if I could take a photo and he agreed ... the photo didn't turn out well, though, so I'm not including it. Blast. This photo was taken during the luncheon before Mark spoke. I think this was the heavy-hitter table. As I said above, I have his complete speech in audio. It's about 45 minutes and I think the whole thing is worth hearing. However, this event was a private event and using all 45 minutes is well well beyond "fair use", so I don't feel comfortable posting it without permission. I contacted his people and they got back to me pretty quickly and referred me to Roger Kimball. I contacted him but by that time is was in the late afternoon, so I don't expect to have any answer before Monday. The fellow in the foreground Steven Emerson, Director of the Investigative Project on Terrorism. We sat at the same table. Robert Bork was there for the final panel. He is, of course, a firm defender of the First Amendment, but he reminded us that even Justice Holmes' "Marketplace of Ideas" dictum has it's limits. He reminded us that Holmes himself fought during the Civil War and was wounded four times. Holmes, more than many, knew that there are times when the civility of political debate breaks down and everyone needs to recognize that they are in a struggle ... and like any struggle there will be winners and losers ... and that we all need at those times to hunker down and do our duty and fight hard for what we know is right. It's time for us to recognize the struggle that we're in and work for victory. I had the opportunity to meet other bloggers at this event. Here's Pam Geller of Atlas Shrugs. I also had the privilege of meeting Judith Weiss of Kesher Talk, though sadly I didn't get a good photo of her.

2008-04-08T18:08:00.001-04:00

Free Speech in an Age of Jihad Libel Tourism, “Hate Speech,” and Political Freedom The lovely Julia Flyte and I will be driving our convertible to New York City tomorrow under hopefully sunny skies to attend a seminar. Said seminar will be this Thursday ... hosted by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and The New Criterion. The subject is "Free Speech in an Age of Jihad Libel Tourism, “Hate Speech,” and Political Freedom". Mark Steyn will be the Luncheon Keynote Speaker ... his topic: “The Dimming of Liberty: Legal Jihad and the Criminalization of Resistance.” Perhaps there will be seething on the street. One never knows ... one can but hope. Should prove interesting. I'm sure to have some photos. Perhaps video. Check back!

2008-02-01T12:51:00.001-05:00

A PERSONAL POST My father was recently interred at Arlington Cemetery with full military honors. Here are a few photos. As usual, just click on any of the photos to get a larger, higher resolution view.

This [above] is the honor guard and marching band outside of the Old Post Chapel in Ft. Myer, waiting for the casket to be loaded onto the caisson. When we left the chapel after the services, we saw the honor guard and marching band for the first time. We could hear the band occasionally during the services ... it lent an unexpected and indescribable air to the event. When I first saw the honor guard, I was incredibly moved and a little awestruck. Dad had always said he wanted full military honors at Arlington, but I never really knew what that meant until now. After a few minutes I remembered I had my camera [I've made it a habit to carry it around and it's small enough to fit in almost any pocket]. What follows are the few photos I managed to tick off as we marched through Arlington to the final grave site. My family and I accompanied the caisson.

The pallbearers in dress uniform marched with us. It was difficult to get a good shot showing just how long this procession was. Click on the image at top to get a better view. The marching band moved in front, followed by the honor guard, then the caisson and the pallbearers. Our family was immediately behind. Behind us followed the limos and cars. I know that this is personal stuff, and I debated for a long time whether or not to post it. I think that I want you all to know, as I indicated above, that not everything here in DC is lunacy. There are still strong pockets of sanity and goodwill here. I think that this is a good year to remember that, and to do our best ... all of us ... to preserve it.

2007-12-27T23:54:00.000-05:00

SUDAN SUNRISE Somewhere between the death of my WWII veteran father [11/8/07] and today, I was honored by Sudan Sunrise when they asked me to video their conference on Sudanese reconciliation. The above video is the result. Much trouble, much work, much juggling of priorities and necessities. I hope and pray that the end product is worthy of the subject.

2007-10-01T02:26:00.001-04:00

FINAL POST: "TROOPS OUT NOW" PROTEST MARCH, SEPTEMBER 29, 2007 Just a short note with some video ... here [above] are some brave souls who faced almost constant taunts, threats, and outright theft from Leftist thugs and Jew-haters to stand for what they believe. A part of their tale is told in the video below, along with the whole insane juvenile acting-out that happens when a bunch of spoiled suburban kids try to take control of the traffic pattern of a major city. Enjoy. Keep scrolling down for more coverage and more video.

2007-09-30T12:14:00.001-04:00

"TROOPS OUT NOW" MARCH AND ACTION, WASHINGTON DC: SEPTEMBER 29, 2007 Well, at least she got the symbol right. Usually these folks just end up carrying around ads for Mercedes-Benz. Still, given the probable average income of the families these kids spring out of the confusion is to be expected, I suppose... Q.E.D. **** UPDATE **** Here's some video. More will follow. UPDATE: I've posted Part 2 of the above video: Click Here **** Of course, an over-abundance of left-wing-academic indoctrination isn't the only thing that sets these folks apart. There's the other, paranoid simpleton village-idiot side of the coin. I, at least, know how to spell "News" ... This guy for instance ... I couldn't figure out if he was just some sort of village-idiot type who wandered into the protest, or is in fact ... [for example] ... a well-respected professor at some university earning tenure. The line can be pretty fine sometimes. Check the shoes. With ever step he desecrates the flag. Nice, huh? Then again, there are legions of those who simply want yet another excuse to display their foul-mouthed narcissism. And they're damn proud of it! There were puppets, too. Sorta lame. Check the "Visit Cuba" t-shirt, though. There were the subtle ironies, also ... ... some of which simply escape the protest community. There were meditation circles ... ... and suburban-guilt ridden Mumia partisans. Many of the costumes I see on these marches repeat from one protest to the next so I won't bore either you or myself with that repetition. These, though, were new. At least to me. "Oil" and "Imperialism" were big themes at this protest. Just how many of these folks wonder how devastating it would be to both our economy as well as their own personal lives if "oil" ever got either cut off or made prohibitively expensive? Just how do they think all that organic food gets to their local Safeway anyway? Ron Paul supporters have gotten pretty common at these events. The funny thing is ... no one is quite sure how to react to them. There was a lot of dancing at this one. I will, as usual, make a video documenting the "musical" aspects of this march. Please check back. You'd be surprised at how many very young children you see at these things. Or perhaps you wouldn't be. I always am. And what, I ask you, would a protest march be without ... the CHE! Cripes ... I knew a kid in middle school that looked just like this. I hated that kid. I think he's pumping gas now somewhere in Mississippi. Or he's a lawyer. Fidel himself made an unexpected cameo appearance. Something fairly new ... the Chavez supporter. We also had our fair share of unrepentant communists. This was a whole family. You see a lot of that at these marches. It's part of the whole "red baby" syndrome. Sorta like any other religion, Communism gets handed down from one unquestioning generation to the next. These people are probably indistinguishable from your neighbors in every other respect, and hold down nice jobs. As with any religion, consistency of belief doesn't matter here ... at least not on a day to day basis. For these folks attending protests is probably akin to taking communion. These folks [above] were actually selling a very cool looking t-shirt with this logo on front. Kinda expensive for a protest-march shirt [$20] but I almost got one ... except that just as I was about to the cops shut them down. I'm not sure why. Video to follow. Otherwise ... until next time!

2007-09-29T23:28:00.000-04:00

AN AMERICAN FLAG BURNS ON CONSTITUTION AVENUE, WASHINGTON DC, SEPTEMBER 29, 2007 About half-way through the planned march, a group of anarchists broke away from the main march and blockaded Constitution Avenue near the intersection of Constitution and Third St. I'll have further video on the action later. As a part of their "action", though, they burned an American Flag. Here's the video of the burning:

2007-09-29T20:10:00.000-04:00

I'M BACK! WOW AM I BACK!

I've got [as you can well see] Breasts not Bombs, flag burning anarchists, more music, and much much more! I've got about 2 hours of video to process, along with several hundred photos I need to sort. I plan ... for now that is ... to do at least three videos on 1) Breasts, 2) Flags, and 3) Music. Breasts comes first. Check back! For full coverage of the march and other insanities please click here. **** UPDATE **** Here's a YouTube Video ... it's mercifully short. It's live ... even if a splash image doesn't appear yet.

I've got the Flag Burning video up ... **** UPDATE October 15, 2007 **** Well, YouTube has taken down the Breasts Not Bombs video. Here's the same video, just not YouTube: **** UPDATE **** OK, OK ... I know you all have been clamoring for more ... here ya go ...

2007-09-29T09:25:00.000-04:00

I'M OFF! They're congregating on Capitol Hill so I'll join them there. Then we march to the White House. That's the reverse of last fortnight's march, so I suppose there's at least some novelty involved in this. I suppose. Another day of rest spent running with and amongst the bedlam. I'll be back after a few hours, a couple of drinks and a nice cigar. See you then!

2007-09-26T19:58:00.000-04:00

GREAT MOON-WALKING MOHAMMAD! Didn't these guys JUST HAVE one of these things?!? Bryan over at Hot Air just emailed me: "Communists, Iranian stooges and assorted Mumia hangers on. What else do they have to do on a Saturday?" You said it brother. And I'll ... *groan* ... be there too.

2007-09-23T18:37:00.000-04:00

Hillary Clinton on Darfur: April, 2006 I've been transferring my video and photo archives over to an external hard-drive today and I came across this old video I took during a Darfur Rally, related to Simon Deng and his experiences. The video was taken in front of the US Congress, on the West Lawn in April, 2006. Here's my previous post on that event, which includes more video. Party wise, I don't have a dog in this fight. I thought it would be interesting to put this all on the record. Personally, I think she comes across pretty well, at least on this issue.

2007-09-19T20:13:00.000-04:00

OK, I swear that this is my last 9/15 ANSWER/Code Pink anti-war protest blog post. But you must understand: there's a story here. After I created and uploaded my final video to YouTube I slapped my head in solipsistic disgust and said "Geez! I didn't use that great image of the Soviet flag being raised ..." [I really wanted to use that image. Damn ... I loved that image]. So I started to think what else I could use it in and ... voila ... the videos you see on this page. The reason there are two is that nothing I could do to the file would force YouTube and their conversion process to render the proper resolution ... everything I tried left the image way too lossy for my taste. So, what the heck I thought ... I'll just make my own Flash file and upload that into a webspace available to me and call it a day ... and damn the bandwidth issues. So, here's the good file: [I'm having some server issues, so the link may have disappeared for a while. It will return.] And here's the YouTube version if you start having bandwith issues: Please enjoy. I purposefully parodied Soviet-style propaganda imagery and timing. At least I tried to given the material and the fact that this was completely impromptu. For those of you who may think that the Soviet flag seen in the above-video was some sort of anomaly at these anti-war protests, or that the above-video doesn't illustrate a deep truth underlying these events, here [below] is one of the "official" Code Pink banners leading the march ... as for ANSWER ... well, just click on the "ANSWER" label at the bottom of this post to see all the other ANSWER events I've covered. You'll get the picture. Literally.

2007-09-17T00:18:00.000-04:00

FINAL 9/15 POST: AN ANECDOTAL COUNT ... No way was it 100,000

OK, I know that this is purely anecdotal, but I've heard the "100,000 attendees" count for the September 15th protest more than once [by ANSWER and their toadies] so I thought I'd put it to the test, along with my own count of 30,000 to 35,000 [tops]. After the march began and I had followed it for a while, I wended my way back to the beginning of the march seeking "musical" themes for inclusion in my blog and video. As you will note below [see previous posts ... especially the video] any fair observer will admit that I had an incentive to do so. If there was "musical" material to be had I would have it. I wanted it. Believe me ... I walked to the end of the march. I found the end of the march ... at the moment I reached it ... to be at or very near the intersection of what was once PA Avenue near the White House and 15th St, which runs just to the east of the Treasury Building. You can see the intersection in the above image ... taken from Google Earth ... and the theoretical end point of the march indicated by the red dot. [Click on the image itself for a higher resolution image.] As I had reached the beginning of the march and knowing for certain that no more material was to be had, I decided that I would race to the beginning of the march ... as I wanted to be among the first to "run the gauntlet" between the ANSWER crowd and the GOE crowd. I thought it would be good material as my video [below] attests. It took me ... and I timed it ... approximately 10 minutes to get from the first intersection noted above to the intersection of 13th and Pennsylvania, which is noted in the image as the final red dot marking the end point. According to Google Earth, there are 2157 feet in that path.

That measure can be, therefore, taken as an approximation of the length of at least the main body of the march ... slightly longer, in fact, as during the time it took me to quickly traverse the length, the first end point itself moved slowly forward while I raced ahead, while the final end point itself crawled forward. The march also halted briefly at some points. However, in the interest of fairness I'll ignore that. The difference would be minor anyway.

Now to the approximation of area.

Along 15th St. the march took up all the lanes, or approximately a width of 60 feet [see the image above] ... once it met PA Avenue moving east, it took up all lanes once again, or approximately, also, 60 feet in width. Therefore, for about half the march [from the beginning to the intersection of 15th St. and PA Avenue] the total area was nearly 66,000 sq.ft. and for the next half [from the intersection of 15th St. and PA Avenue to the intersection of 13th St. and PA Avenue] approximately another 66,000 sq.ft. for an [admittedly approximate] area of 132,000 sq.ft. Actually slightly less as there is an overlap at the turning point ... but as there was also a certain amount of bunching there too it probably evens out in the end. So for ANSWER to be correct, the marchers in that area would have to have been packed in at somewhat more than one [1] person per 1.3 square feet.

Try it. You won't like it.

Most people won't tolerate less than 4 sq.ft. of personal space, which puts an average density of around 33,000 people into the area described above. To be fair, some people may have attended the initial protest at Lafayette Park and didn't continue on with the march to the Capitol, while some may have joined the march somewhere along Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the Capitol. Which would put the total for the march between 30,000 and [tops] 35,000.

And that's MAX. The average density of marchers was actually way below that and there were huge gaps.

You be the judge.

2007-09-16T14:22:00.000-04:00

PROTEST CODA: September 15, 2007 Yes, that's just a hand. My own left hand, to be precise. It's holding the corner of a Code Pink banner on the Capitol Steps. Don't ask why. **** PLEASE NOTE: More photos and the two videos are in the post just before this one ... just keep scrolling down. **** I've tried to keep my anonymity in tact for these events. Sadly, it's become somewhat unravelled over time ... Medea Benjamin [Code Pink] and I exchange nods and smiles from time to time ... same goes for Cindy Sheehan and Brian Becker [ANSWER], among others. People are people, after all. Still, I've never shown an actual photo of myself on this blog and I'm going to keep that as a rule. This hand is about as close as I'll ever get. By the way, I've heard silly rumors that ANSWER is trying to claim 100,000 attendees at this protest. No way. 30,000 maybe ... 35,000 tops. I walked the march from beginning to end and from front to back. The videos I took are from various parts of the march and should be adequate testimony that there were no where near 100,000 people at this thing. That's not to say that 30,000 is anything to sneeze at ... it was a respectable showing. MySpace activity in and around DC must have nose-dived for those few hours. Here, of course, is a collection of "peace-scarf" wearers ... or, as I prefer to call it ... the "I'd Rather Be Killing Jews, But OK I'll Settle For Your Infidel Protest" scarf. QED. If you read the printing on this dude's t-shirt I think you'll agree it's somewhat less than "peaceful". Just to be clear. You can click the photo to get a higher resolution.

The shirt says "Enemy Combatant". I believe it.

And what would an ANSWER protest be without ... the Che? Sadly, these folks kept thinking I wanted a photo of them with their pre-printed signage. I finally had to insist ... just put down the signs: I want the Che! And how, I ask, could I conclude this dreary little tale without reference to Medea Benjamin and her sewing circle? That is, after all, where I began my 9/15 sojourn. Here's Medea herself at the end of the march ... at the "die-in" ... walking among the dead. Notice she is on her own two feet. And here, also, for your viewing pleasure, are other images taken that 9/15 morn as we waited for the festivities to begin. A lovely time was had by all. And, finally, just a reminder of what all this is really about ...

2007-09-15T19:40:00.000-04:00

MORONIC CONVERGENCE: September 15, 2007; Washington DC Puppets. Let's get that out of the way, shall we? Yes, there were puppets. Small and aging puppets. And stilt-walkers. That's new. Sort of. Once again, my video[s] will concentrate on the oddities ... especially the musical oddities ... present in these protests. Stuff you won't see otherwise. The speeches you can hear on C-SPAN, etc. and they're boring anyway. I'll probably have one video, however, dedicated to my walk between the ANSWER Protest and the Gathering of Eagles [henceforth: GOE] Counter-Protest. There was about a 10 foot corridor between them. I call it "The Gauntlet". **** CHECK BACK FOR VIDEOS **** **** UPDATE: SUNDAY 09/16/2007 **** Here's my second video: More Protest Music. It's still processing through YouTube so it may take a while until it actually works, though YouTube is getting quicker at approving these things. UPDATE: It's live ... go ahead and click! I think it's my best work. Hope you enjoy! **** FIRST VIDEO IS UP **** The last time we saw this puppet it was being blown to bits crossing Memorial Bridge. It is definitely the worst for the wear. I have a few words with the creator in one of the videos. Sticking with the jokes ... there was a small Ron Paul representation at the protest. Most people kept their distance. And of course, the ultimate joke ... Ramsey Clark ... was there in person. I got kinda close, ya think? Then there were the "normal" insanities one expects at ANSWER anti-war protests: These ... I have no idea where to even begin ... ... and then there was the just plain ugly. Or just plain stupid. Or, well ... er ... Then there are the surprisingly sentient and yet oddly insane ... and happy [!] ... jew-haters ... The Iraq Vets against the war marched ... Some folks got arrested ... And then the party ... well ... just ... er ... died. We wanted to ... well ... pull the plug on the whole thing ... ... but then Santa showed up again and everything was OK! YEAH!

2007-09-15T19:13:00.000-04:00

I'M BACK! AND SANTA'S COMING TO TOWN! No, not really ... but it was [in a word] insane. Or, to quote the final scene of the "Bridge on the River Kwai" ... "Madness! .... MADNESS!!" I'm sifting through photos and processing video. You know the routine, right? Check back!

2007-09-15T09:16:00.000-04:00

I'M OFF! Please be sure to check back at the end of the day ... at which time [subsequent several Knob Creek Manhattans (up) and a couple of Torano Cigars as an antidote to the insanity] I will begin to post the usual photos and video! See ya then!

2007-08-26T17:28:00.000-04:00

The confusing ironies of driving in DC ... Bumper sticker for a hybrid, right? Nah.

2007-08-21T23:40:00.000-04:00

MOURNING BECOMES ELEKTRA? Code Pink is having a "Night of Mourning" at Lafayette Park (just across from the White House) on, you guessed it, September 11. In a truly awesome display of bad taste, the quilting bee is encouraged to "Wear your We Will Not Be Silent shirts". If you don't already have one, you can obtain one here. The image to the left is what they are using to entice consumers, although enticement isn't precisely the word I'd use for my reaction to the gestalt. And, yes, that's Arabic. I kid you not. I'll try and make it, but I may have more important things to do. Like the groceries.

2007-08-21T22:41:00.000-04:00

MORONIC CONVERGENCE! When? September 15, 2007 Where? Washington DC Time? Time once again to comb out that pillow-matted hair, huff yourself some initiative, and tell dad that, yes, you will finally mow the south-forty. Crank up the Toro, folks, 'cause you're gonna need that extra cash: What's on? a die-in on hot DC September asphalt, followed by some serious fist-shaking, and workin' the protest babes. Yes: the ANSWER Coalition, along with Brian Becker and Team Tan-less have once again managed to impart just the right amount of zing into your suburban basement bong-smoke haze. I'm sure mom won't be busy that day ... she'll give you a lift to the Metro and a little extra change. She's like that. See you there.

2007-07-23T16:28:00.000-04:00

NEW EPISODE: IN WHICH CINDY SHEEHAN HAS A MAKE-OVER AND RUNS FOR CONGRESS ...

Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin and the rest of their quilting bee managed to cobble together about 280 willing idiots today in order to march from Arlington Cemetery to Capitol Hill demanding that the Democrat controlled Congress begin Impeachment proceedings against George Bush. Never mind that we're deeply into the next presidential race and that Bush can't run for re-election and that in little over a year we'll have a new president anyway.

And if Nancy Pelosi doesn't start impeachment proceedings by 12:00 midnight tonight ... you guessed it ... Cindy's gonna run against her for her seat in Congress. Ya know ... I don't care ... either way that'll be just a riot. An entertainment extravaganza.

It was a long walk. I'll have video later.

911 "Truth" is about as predictable now at these events as steaming asphalt on a parking lot in Austin in July, so I won't even bother to comment on the above photo.

Well, I have to get to an important appointment and YouTube hasn't yet deigned to approve my video. So I'm putting the code up "naked" as it were. Yes ... "naked". Hopefully the code will be approved soon and the video will be available. I know it says that it's "No Longer Available". Read that to mean "Not Yet Available". Damn them. Until they approve it, that is. Hopefully. **** UPDATE: It's working **** Here's incontrovertible evidence of the Bush Administration busily denying these folks their Constitutionally protected rights while they cross the street. Safely.

Traffic in DC can be hell sometimes. The media ... though not overwhelming ... was certainly present. The non-partisan ACLU made its appearance. Red, bloody hands waving wildly near the Jefferson Memorial to innocent passers-by.

These folks would go wild whenever they got a supportive "honk". Never mind the hundreds of other cars rushing by with either no sign of acknowledgement or other gestures not suitable for prime-time. There was a counter-protest, also. Here's a view of a rare mixture of the two protests groups. Cindy bears the avatars of her success ...

Here's a new video of an old friend Rick Burnley ... Poet Laureate of Camp Casey. I took this in front of the Rayburn Building after Cindy, Medea, et al. retired within ... object: incarceration. They [the Capitol Police] wouldn't let me take my cameras, so I begged off. Enjoy.

2007-07-04T14:38:00.000-04:00

I rarely post other-party material. This one's from Breibart TV. I think that this message is important and should be heard. Especially on July 4. Especially because this is a 1st Amendment issue ... one of a growing and disturbing trend of attacks and potential attacks on that most fundamental of rights. WTOP is a local Washington DC radio station. Here's the link for WTOP's Website. Here's the contact page. Please do what you can to support Cal. **** UPDATE **** Jim Farley of WTOP emailed me: "We're keeping Cal."