Barret’s Father Is Looney

Many call me crazy, and in truth, they are probably be correct, but I just can’t seem to stop myself. I hear you know, “Yes, Paladin, your insanity is part of what strangely attracts me to The Dojo.” Oh yeah? Well, let’s see if you feel the same when you see that I’ve completed an NCAA bracket for my 7 week old son Barret.

Uh huh, yeah, that’s right. Certifiable.

Super Spreadsheet for Bracket Prediction

Just so you know, no one is more manic come March Madness than I. And that’s just Worksheet 1!

The ACLU Hates Silence

If anyone thinks the ACLU is truly about championing civil rights, think again. This time, they oppose “a moment of silence” that may or may not be used for prayer to any particular god or spirit or not. Even the idea that someone could be praying apparently brings out their high-priced lawyers. They should be ashamed of themselves, but of course, they believe their fight is just.

The worst part is the millions of donors who still think the ACLU is doing good in our country. I’m sorry, but that ship has long since sailed. Here’s the inside word from Tony Perkins.

First it was non-sectarian prayer, then voluntary prayer, followed by silent prayer, and now it is a “moment of silence” (that might be used for prayer) that the ACLU, like a schoolyard bully, is trying to take from our children. To be sure, it is the fear that the silence might be used for Christian prayer that is driving the ACLU. Public schools in Augusta, Georgia and Detroit, Michigan have adopted Transcendental Meditation, a practice favored by devotees of the Hindu religion. Why isn’t the ACLU up in arms about the silence of TM? This story out of Texas is yet another example of why Congress needs to act to take away the financial incentive from groups like the ACLU to sue schools and local governments in cases of religious expression. The vehicle to do so is Rep. John Hostettler’s bill H.R. 2679.

Dojo Info 3/15/06

1. Volvo for Life Award finalist helps disadvantaged children
   Many “big business” companies get slighted in the media for being profit focused. I think that’s unfair. Companies are in business to make money. Period. But! Many are also in the business of making the world a better place as well. Those companies deserve special consideration, in my opinion.
2. Boycott Ford
   So on the flip side, we have a Ford owned company, Volvo, “donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to homosexual groups, sponsors gay pride parades and holds mandatory diversity training for employees…” according to the Detroit Free Press. So then the question becomes, what do you value most?
3. Study shows exercises can prevent fainting
   I’ve a confession to make. I faint. A lot. Does that make me any less of a man?
4. March Madness All Season
   There’s some great blogging going on over there. 8^)
5. Why We Hate Duke – A Comprehensive Analysis, Second Edition
   It’s good to see they’ve documented their work.

Best Anti-Duke Joke Ever

Honestly, I thought I had posted this before. Since we’re in the midst of the Madness, it just needs to be said.

A Duke family of basketball supporters headed out one Saturday to shop for the youngest boy’s birthday. While in the sports shop the son picks up a Kentucky jersey and says to his older sister, “I’ve decided to become a Wildcat fan and I would like this Kentucky jersey for my birthday.”
His big sister is outraged by this and promptly whacks him in the head and says, “Go talk to mother.”
Off goes the little lad with the jersey in hand and finds his mother. “Mom?”
“Yes son?”
“I’ve decided I’m going to be a Wildcat fan and I would like this jersey for my birthday”.
The mother is outraged at this, promptly whacks him around the head and says, “Go talk to your father!”
Off he goes with the Kentucky jersey in hand and finds his father. “Dad?”
“Yes son?”
“I’ve decided I’m going to be a Wildcat fan and I would like this jersey for my birthday.”
The father is outraged and promptly whacks his son around the head and says, “No son of mine is ever going to be seen in THAT!”
About half an hour later they’re all back in the car and heading towards home. The father turns to his son and says, “Son, I hope you’ve learned something today?”
The son says, “Yes, Dad, I have.”
“Good son, what is it?”
The son replies, “I’ve only been a Kentucky fan for an hour and I already hate you Duke bastards.”

Survivor Episodes Die Quick

Oh dopey me! (How many times have I been saying that lately?) Life reared it’s powerful head and I completely forgot about Survivor last Thursday. So what did I do? I did the same thing I did the week before when I missed the show, I downloaded it.

Only this time, I didn’t start to watch it until just now. Then it tells me my license has expired. Say whaaa? So apprently, when you download (or “Rent”) the episode, you have to watch it quick or it dies. And there’s no way I’m paying twice, no siree.

This has been a public service message from the good folks at 21st Century Paladin. We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog.

Who Is Hugo Chavez?

According to the big Wiki, Hugo Chavez “…as the leader of the “Bolivarian Revolution”, Chávez is known for his democratic socialist governance, his promotion of Latin American integration, and his criticism — which he terms anti-imperialism — of neoliberal globalization and United States foreign policy.” [emphasis added]

Democratic socialism? I’m no political science major but isn’t that an oxymoron? I’ll tell you what Chavez is really doing. He’s opposing the U.S. in the most vigorous way he can—in the pocketbook. Honest journalists understand he’s dangerous. The DP either praises or ignores him. But that didn’t stop him from raising taxes on oil from 34 to 50 percent.

I can hear the critics now, “But that’s free markets! Conservatives should applaud Chavez!” Actually, what Chavez is doing isn’t the application of free markets, it’s government interferance with free markets.

I would understand the increase in oil prices if the oil companies profits remained level, but that’s simply not the case. Now Congress has to get involved.

It’s not really Chavez that I have a problem with. I expect as much from Fidel Castro’s good friend and socialist. What galls me is that the DP is largely ignoring these issues, while the leftists side with Chavez. Why? Because Chavez is opposing Bush and anything that opposes Bush must be “good” in their eyes. Blinded by their hatred…

The Amazing Chuck Norris Facts

Just in case you didn’t read the Chuck Norris Facts linked to on the Dojo Info 1/27/06, now you can see him in a guest spot on the Best Damn Sports Show. [via AP]

Here are a few favorites:

• In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Chuck Norris could use to kill you, including the room itself.
• Chuck Norris can win a game of Connect Four in only three moves.
• Chuck Norris can divide by zero.
• Contrary to popular belief, there is indeed enough Chuck Norris to go around.
• As President Roosevelt said: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself. And Chuck Norris.”

Journalists Mislead Americans Regarding ‘Roe’

Do most American’s really understand what Roe v. Wade was about? I’m not sure they do. In this AP story, the author writes:

A solid majority long have felt that Roe v. Wade should be upheld. Yet most support at least some restrictions on when abortions can be performed. Most think having an abortion should be a personal choice. But they also think it is murder.

It’s obvious something isn’t clear. How could you “support” something that you consider to be murder? What’s particularly troubling is that for each person who reads the entire story, there are 10 who merely scan the headline, tagline or photo caption. So when they read a caption like:

A solid majority of Americans feel that Roe v. Wade… should be upheld.

They’re getting an misleading picture of a confused poll group. Here’s what Roe really did.

Roe struck down the abortion laws of all 50 states.
Roe gave us unfettered abortion-on-demand.
Roe is responsible for partial-birth abortion.
Roe has brought an increase in minor girls who have been preyed upon by older men.

Roe was a single court case, where the judges cited zero precedents. Yet, poll after poll has shown that Americans favor parental notice, spousal consent, informed consent, an outright ban on partial-birth abortion, and other reforms as well. The American people should not have their voice silenced by a handful of activist judges.

We should all see the AP and others for what they really are—agenda-driven news. Take some time and read past the misleading titles and subtle language.

This is the best argument I’ve ever read for protecting children in the womb.

“We can see, then, that the unborn child differs from a newborn child in only four ways—size, level of development, environment, and degree of dependency—and none of those differences are good reasons for disqualifying it as fully human.”

Click here to read the entire discussion and please feel free to link to or copy it so more people can see what abortion truly is.

Dojo Info 3/13/06

1. Microsoft Unveils Ultracompact Computer
   Since monitor size is of critical importance, I’m not sure how important it is for portable computers to keep getting smaller. Battery life seems to be a bigger concern.
2. Pixar Reports Most Profitable Year Ever
   Keep it up! I heard on Paul Harvey that family friendly films account for something close to 75% of movie revenue these days. Did anyone else hear that?
3. What’s Your Beer Personality?
   I refuse to list my results on this “quiz” because first, 5 questions is not adequate to determine an accurate result, and second, Bud Light isn’t even beer. CTG prolly fudged her answers toward the coffee brew. Brilliant!
4. Busy, Busy, Busy
   I’m really not one to talk but basil is making me look bad. Five freakin’ blogs? I feel guilty not updating this site every day. Sheesh. ;^)
5. Frank Caliendo – Impressions
   Haha! [via INDC]

Technological Marvels

Check out the world’s largest HD plasma TV from Panasonic! That’s take up a whole wall in a small room. This and more from c|net’s coverage of CeBit.

Selection Sunday is Upon Us

If images like this make you buzz with excitement, today is your day.

UK Into SEC Semis

After a miserable first half, where Kentucky shot an abysmal 27% they were able to close the gap at the half and lead by 1 with some strong play by Shagari Alleyne. In the 2nd half, Alabama freshman, Alonzo Gee, got hotter than Selma Hayek and almost single-handedly put the Wildcats down by 11 with 6:19 to go. With some solid defense and better shooting the Cats were able to finish on a 21-2 run to win 68-61.

Next up, South Carolina.

Update: South Carolina beat Kentucky, then lost to Florida by 2 in the finals.

Micky D’s Coming to the ‘Ville

Guess who’s coming to Louisville next year? Only the best high school basketball players in the country, that’s all. Our family is already regular attendees of the Kentucky Derby Basketball Classic, so this will just add to the basketball joy.

Dojo Info 3/10/06

1. Victoria, not Victorious
   A prank by Cal fans reduced a UCS player to a scrub. Nice!
2. South Dakota Bans Nearly All Abortions
   I know it’s been heard before, but it’s true… it’s not a choice, it’s a child. Good for South Dakota!
3. The Ghost in the Business Model
   The Big Picture hits the “digital music is bad for the industry” non-argument. How many CDs do you buy after listening to their .mp3s for a while? With my supplier brother feeding me a constant supply of ripe tunage, I’d have to say I’ve bought a many CDs on this kind of “promotion.”
4. For Kentucky’s Smith, Good Just Isn’t Good Enough
   Fair treatment of Tubby and the fan. After all, “His winning percentage in nine seasons (.775) is higher than the storied program’s overall winning percentage (.766).”
5. Stem Cell Research
   Thus far, adult stem cells have been used to treat 65 different conditions. Embryonic stem cells have treated 0. Why kill (harvest) embryos when we don’t have to? Why the push for this?