7 to 2

So far this year we have seen two named Atlantic storms. By this time last year, there were seven (wunderground.com). The MSM who gloated with glee earlier this year when predictions were for an above average number of named storms needs to find some other weather phenomenon to blame Bush for; and they found it - heat in California! Yes! It's true! Hot weather in July! Why, that must be Global Warming! C'mon, admit it, it was never hot in July when you were a kid, was it?

There has been a change in the naming of the seasons. Now it's winter, spring, global warming, and autumn. Saying the word "summer" will soon be deemed politically incorrect.

In this sum, er, global warming season, the MSM is making a big deal of the record energy usage in California. I thought Californians were more sophisticated than the rest of us. I thought their liberalism enabled them to set trends for the rest of us to follow. If that is true, then why the record energy usage? I thought they were supposed to set an example on how to cut energy consumption and pioneer paths to alternate energy sources, sources, they say, that will counter the affects of the Global Warming Bush caused?

Of course, the answer is easy: more people, more gross energy usage. California's population increased by 6.7% from 2000 to 2005 (census.gov). The MSM wants us to believe that record energy usage is a result of Bush's policies rather than a normal population gain. Campaign 2006 is in full swing.

That's a Wrap, Folks

I watched the Phillies give a visual display of ineptitude tonight on ESPN. Going into the ninth inning, the Braves had a total of 4 baserunners and one run. The Phillies had had 12 baserunners, and also one run. There is one thing the Phillies have always excelled at - grounding into double plays. Brett Myers was solid through eight and lost a little in the ninth, but that's not the problem. If a team's starter can get through eight and only give up one run, well, he's done his job and done it well. When they do get a good pitching outing, they blow it.

So, it appears that the predication I made in the spring about the Phillies winning the NL East this year will not come true. It would be nice if I could look forward to football season but I can't since it will be the Gi-aints and Cowballs slugging it out for the NFC East title this year. Since my second favorite MLB team is even worse than the Phillies (hint: they also play in PA), I will have to, once again, adopt a non-NY team to root for this year. Go Tigers Go!

110%

A large, well-known company whose global market share in its primary service is 62% just announced that 2Q profits were up 110%. Surely, this company will be detested by the masses and the MSM will call this an "outrage." Calls for boycotts should ensue any day now. I think Congress needs to drop what it's doing and investigate this company ASAP.

I'm Back

I just returned from vacation in South Dakota. We saw Mt. Rushmore twice - once during the day and then once at night to see it lit up, complete with a little concert beforehand, a talk by the park superintendent, and a 20 minute video about the four men. We also spent some time in Custer State Park, took a trip out to Wall Drug then the Badlands, took a tour of Ellsworth AFB (home of the 28th Bomb Wing - saw some real B-1B's there), and did a few other things. At Ellsworth, we went into a Minuteman II missile silo. Minuteman I and II are all decommissioned. All silos but two as far as I know were filled in with and sand and concrete. I would assume (and hope) the missiles were removed and disarmed first. Anyway, it was hot, too. 100-105 in Rapid City, 108 or so out in the Badlands, and upper 80's to low 90's in the Hills; dry heat, too. Overall, it was a fun trip. Since we took about 150 photographs, I'm looking into finding a free service that will let me post pictures that I can share with people without having them subscribe to something in order to see them.

Let Freedom Ring

I toured the Liberty Bell Shrine yesterday. The Liberty Bell (and other bells too) were smuggled out of Philadelphia after the Battle of Brandywine, Sept. 11, 1777. The Liberty Bell arrived in Northampton Town (now Allentown) on Sept. 24 and was hidden in the Zion Reformed Church. Two of my ancestors played a big part in the Bell's history. I am a descendent of one of the men who helped smuggle the Bell (John Jacob Mickley) and of Abraham Blumer, pastor of the church at the time the bell was hidden (Blumer's son married Mickley's daughter). The Liberty Bell was returned to Philadelphia in 1778.

Here is a picture of me ringing the replica of the Liberty Bell.