Rustmeister's Alehouse

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T09:39:00.003-06:00

Not long till I pop smoke and start working on my turkey.

I'm going old school, more or less. I always use this brine recipe, this time I'll probably do the whole thing.

Blogging will be sporadic, at best.

Hope everybody has a great Thanksgiving.
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Titan Thoughts

2009-11-24T11:43:00.004-06:00

Wow, 4-6 has never felt so good. The Titans won a close one last night, and looked good doing it. Four in a row, with two challenging games in the next two weeks. If we wind up 6-6 after that, we have a good shot at winning out the rest of the season and possibly making the playoffs. But, that's still a few weeks away. Here's some thoughts from last night:

- Vince Young is back. He's much improved over anything he's showed since joining the Titans. He looks confident and comfortable now.

- Nick Harper shouldn't have been starting last night. Rod Hood is a better player at this point. Coach Fisher needs to take a long, hard look at these two during practice this week and do what is best for the team.

- Chris Johnson is the best running back in the NFL, period. He didn't break off any 50 yard runs this time around, and still gained 150 yards. He did it the old fashioned way, except he averaged 5.5 yards per carry doing it.

- Kenny Britt is going to emerge as a top-tier wideout in the near future. His natural ability is amazing.

- The Texans are a much better team this year than in years past. I thought earlier this year that they'd make the playoffs, but it looks like they still have a few wrinkles to iron out.

Do I really think the Titans can make the playoffs this year? Yes, but it means we have to win out the season, and some other teams have to falter at the same time. The AFC is so tough this year that a 10-6 record might not be enough to make the playoffs.

Playoffs or no, 10-6 would be fine by me.

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Instant Tea Party - Today!

2009-11-23T09:09:00.003-06:00

Via email:

ACORN Founder Wade Rathke Will Speak at the U of M Nov. 23

Wade Rathke, founder and longtime chief organizer for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), will speak Monday, Nov. 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fogelman Executive Conference Center, Room 136, on the University of Memphis campus. The talk is free and open to the public.

The U of M has designated Dr. Kenneth Reardon, 901/678-2161 as the press contact for this event. Call him to make it known that this radical leader of a corrupt organization should be in jail and definitely SHOULD NOT be speaking to anyone, much less be sponsored by any university that acceptstaxpayer money! Make sure to let newspapers, radio and television stations know this is unacceptable as well.

BUT DON'T STOP THERE! Hold an Instant Tea Party!

Learn about Instant Tea Parties
More Event Information

Sounds interesting.

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National Ammo Day!

2009-11-19T09:07:00.001-06:00

Today is National Ammo Day.

I'll be buying a big ol' box of .38 Special, and hopefully some .380.

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Eric Holder Getting all GWB on Us?

2009-11-19T08:51:00.002-06:00

I heard Eric Holder this morning on CBS talking about his decision to move the trial of the 9/11 terrorists to New York.

One thing that got me was this statement:

"I will select it (the prosecution venue), and I have."

Normally, I applaud a person when they stand up and take responsibility for their decisions. Actually, I do here as well, however the first thing that popped in my mind after hearing that was this:

"I am the decision maker."

The similarities are striking, as is the differences in the media's reactions to it.

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Thoughts on The Prisoner (spoiler)

2009-11-18T08:38:00.003-06:00

I spent the last three nights watching AMC's remake of The Prisoner, a show I vaguely remember watching back in the '60's.

I really liked it. Visually, it managed to capture the surreal quality of the original without simply copying it. Rover was much more imposing in this version as well.

The acting was superb. Ian McKellan was as evil as a man could get. Jim Caviezel was great. Although his Number 6 wasn't as feisty as Patrick McGoohan's, but as it turned out, there was a reason for that.

Which brings me to my gripe: The ending sucked. Not as bad as the original series' ending sucked (nothing can suck that bad), but it sucked nevertheless.

The reason it sucked? Thankfully it wasn't because it was a hastily cobbled together musical, no.

The Village won! What kinda crap is that? The whole reason for the series was to show the triumph of man's individuality over that of the collective. No matter what they threw at Number Six, they lost.

Not this time. This time they won.

I shudder to think how the remake of Red Dawn will turn out. Everyone get out your Russian-to-English dictionaries!

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That's Some Expensive Poultry

2009-11-17T09:18:00.003-06:00

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams has been fined $250,000 for flipping the ol' double bird at the Buffalo Bills after the win last Sunday.

It's a good thing he didn't do it toward Brett Favre. Every sportswriter and reporter would have tarred and feathered him on the spot, after the NFL took everything he owned.

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I Thought Kids and Guns Were a Recipe for Disaster

2009-11-16T10:32:00.004-06:00

Well, don't tell that to this kid:

DRIGGS, Idaho -- An 11-year-old Idaho boy fatally shot a black bear on his family's front porch after he said it wouldn't leave.

I'm sure the bear was a misunderstood product of its society. And maybe the kid was compensating for something, too.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

Thanks to Curt for the pointer.

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No Titans for Me

2009-11-12T11:22:00.002-06:00

I was nice last Sunday, I really was. Sent an email to WREG's GM, called the station and was generally courteous about them not carrying the Titans game in Memphis.

The girl who answered the phone said she thought it was CBS's call as to what game was aired, so I used their feedback form to ask why there was no local team on TV.

No answer.

Today I once again find out that the Titans game won't be broadcast in Memphis this Sunday.

This is complete bullshit. Why on earth would anyone in Memphis want to watch the Bengals play? Geez.

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Happy Veterans Day!

2009-11-11T11:11:00.001-06:00

Thanks to all Veterans, those still with us and those that have moved on.

I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you.

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Proud Poppa Moment #2

2009-11-10T10:41:00.003-06:00

Well, marching band season is over, and Munford High took second place at the Nationals in Annapolis last Sunday.

While I can't find that video yet, here's the one from two weeks ago taken in Memphis at Bandmasters.

This is a much better video than the last one, it gives the whole presentation, and the sound is much better:

I once likened marching band to military Drill & Ceremonies. I stand corrected. Watch the video to see what I mean

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Happy Wall Day

2009-11-09T13:27:00.003-06:00

Twenty years ago today, the Berlin Wall came down.

As somebody who grew up during the height of the Cold War, this was significant to me. I also spent the first ten years of my military service training for when "the balloon goes up". Thankfully, it never came.

Thanks to fellow Cold Warrior Baldilocks for reminding me, and to Anthony Martin for including a bit of President Regan's "Wall Speech" in his story.

They don't make Presidents like that any more....

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Laraine Perri

2009-11-09T10:08:00.003-06:00

So, here's a girl who doesn't think kids should dress in any sort of camouflage pattern.

Maybe it's me, but I would no sooner dress my essence-of-innocence son as a soldier than I would dress my daughter, if I had one, as a hooker

To be fair, Ms Perri did qualify her statement:

Not to equate heroic work with sleazy endeavors

But that's exactly what you did.

Not satisfied with comparing soldiers to hookers, Ms Perri also makes sure to deride that great menace, patriotism (emphasis mine) :

Camouflage suggests everything from "military," "war," and "combat" to "hide" and "hunt" and the implications therein. It may also suggest "patriotism," though patriotism of a less menacing sort could be achieved by dressing kids in stars and stripes.

Where do people like this come from?

Thanks to SayUncle for the tip.

Titan Thoughts

2009-11-08T16:31:00.003-06:00

I'm thinking I'd like to watch the game, but Memphis isn't showing it.

They're showing the San Diego - NY Giants game instead.

Thanks, Memphis. Once again you show your lameness.

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Veterans Day Discounts

2009-11-07T09:11:00.000-06:00

Via email, here's a list of businesses giving discounts to Veterans on Veterans Day:

Many stores, restaurants and other businesses offer discounts to military members, retirees, and other veterans. Below are the ones I am asked the most about. Proof of service is often required such as a military or retiree ID card, DD Form 214, VA card, or other proof of service, so be prepared if you are asked. I recommend you call ahead, because some locations may not participate. If you would like to have a VA card, simply register at your local VA Medical Center (with your DD-Form 214), and you can receive a photo ID card.

Applebees: Free select entree at participating stores
during business hours on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 with
active/reserve/retired ID card. http://www.applebees.com/vetsday/

Golden Corral: The 9th annual Military Appreciation Monday
dinner is scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2009, from 5 to 9 pm in all Golden Corral restaurants nationwide (note that it is NOT on the actual Veterans Day). http://www.goldencorral.com/military/

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants: To the Veterans who have served in war and peace, we honor you Sunday, November 8th with a complimentary entree from a special menu (note that it is NOT on the actual Veterans Day). http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/featured-promotion/Veterans-Appreciation-Day.aspx

Lowes: Starting Summer 2009, Lowe's Companies now offers a year-round 10 percent discount for all active, reserve, honorably discharged, retired military personnel, and their immediate family members. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $5,000. Some exclusions apply.

Home Depot: The Home Depot is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veteran's Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000. Some exclusions apply. The promotion usually lasts for one week prior to Veterans Day, so call ahead to verify the days.

Hey, I have an idea, Take a Vet to Lunch there! You can honor the vet, and not have to spend a lot of money!

Cheapskate? Moi?

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Fort Hood

2009-11-06T08:56:00.002-06:00

I was going to post my thoughts on this, but it looks like Mike Vanderboegh already did. These two were particularly on my mind:

1. Although the state-run media and our man-child president have not mentioned the fact, the attackers were both muslim and American soldiers.
...
6. If the attackers had been "Christian Identity" types, does anyone reading this doubt that their religious beliefs, no matter how sick and twisted, would not have been trumpeted by the state-run media?

Finally, this:

Finally, let us pray for the victims and their families. These were soldiers killed in the line of duty by an insidious enemy.

When I heard the initial reports, I thought it was a case of "dude freaked out from one too many deployments". I also figured it would be a good "in" for this administration to call for a complete pull out of troops.

Now that the facts are coming out, I wonder how they can spin this?

Here's what I know - We are at war. Our enemy hates us to our very core. They don't care if we're Republican, Democrat, or Independent. They don't care where we go to church, or if we go at all.

All they know is we are here, and in their eyes, we have no right to be.

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Inactivity

2009-11-05T11:59:00.002-06:00

Sorry 'bout that. Life's been insisting I pay it some attention recently.

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Turnabout

2009-11-02T15:01:00.003-06:00

This has been popping up all over (emphasis mine):

a Vermont state legislator recently introduced a bill requiring all unarmed Vermont citizens to pay $500 for the privilege of not owning a gun.

...

Under the bill, adults who choose not to own a weapon would be required to register their name, address, Social Security number, and driver's license number with the state. Those of military age, with the exception of police and members of the armed forces, would be required to pay the $500 fine.

Brings a smile to my face.

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Titan Thoughts

2009-11-02T09:07:00.001-06:00

We won! We freakin' won!

More later. =)

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Fall Back

2009-11-01T02:01:00.000-06:00

Did you?

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Health Care Plan

2009-10-30T11:05:00.002-05:00

Our President tells us this new health care plan won't drive up the national deficit (yeah, right) .

What he doesn't say is it will drive up state deficits (emphasis mine):

"We will have not given any raises to state employees for five years. We will have a pension system that is battered," said Bredesen. "Our reserves are going to be substantially depleted, and we will not have undertaken any new initiatives."

Those are exactly the reasons why he said the state can't afford to pay $750 million more in the name of national healthcare reform.

"I'm glad they are trying to do it without increasing the federal deficit, but if you turn around and increase the state deficits as a way of handling it, that does not seem like an appropriate way of handling it," said Bredesen

I sure hate it for state employees. I hear the VA is hiring....

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Vince Young to Start This Sunday

2009-10-29T14:01:00.003-05:00

Jimmy over at Music City Miracles reports that Vince Young has been named starter for Sundays game against Jacksonville.

Well, Vince, here's your big chance. If we win out the rest of the season, we have a shot at a Wild Card slot for the playoffs. Cinderella story just waiting to be told.

We shall see.

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They Say it Better

2009-10-28T10:34:00.003-05:00

Much better than I do.

First, Linoge, on the ongoing Great Open Carry Debate:

I am apparently a little late to this party, and much of what I have to say is probably a rehash, but here we go anywise.
…because you don’t convey context.
Yes, I do indeed convey context

He goes on, of course, to explain.

I couldn't get beyond "I have a decent holster" before losing my words completely. But, a decent holster tends to add some credibility to open carry. If you're carrying a gun openly, and not jammed down your pants, folks are far more likely to think you know what you're doing.

That's key to successful open carry - look like you know what you're doing. Looking like you belong in a functioning society helps, too.

Next, here's Kevin on Activism (emphasis mine):

It's OK for me to enter your establishment disarmed, drink, and then go climb into my 3,000lb pickup truck and drive? I'm to be trusted to operate a motor vehicle safely after drinking, but I'm not to be trusted to carry a firearm and not drink?

Apparently.

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Titan Thoughts

2009-10-27T10:56:00.001-05:00

The Titans had a good week this week - they didn't play.

Hey, Moogie, you have any left over "Aint's" brown paper bags? You all don't need 'em any more.

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Clearly, We Must Regulate Starbuck's Coffee

2009-10-26T13:08:00.001-05:00

It is, after all, a dangerous weapon.

UPDATE:

In comments, Caleb's getting some static for carrying a .25.

I'm more concerned with his choice of coffee. Starbucks? Good lord, man, get yerself to a Dunkin' Donuts!

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