The Crows Nest
Crow's Nest Mostly Unmanned
Yes, I know the Crow's Nest has mostly been moribund since the site's relaunch. I do plan on using it more often in the future, I promise. I'll be spending a little more time on these posts as a way to link out to the blogosphere. Keep an eye on this space.
Also, please note that I've put the Amazon search bar on the main page, in the right sidebar. If you want to do some shopping at Amazon -- and who doesn't? -- be sure to shop through Captain's Quarters. Amazon does pay a small percentage of the sale to me, and it helps pay for a few sundries related to the blog. Much appreciated!
OpenCongress Web Widget
Ever wanted to announce your support or opposition to Congressional legislation? OpenCongress now has a web widget that allows bloggers to do exactly that. Take a look at this, and check out how easily you can build your own.
Maybe They're Flotation Devices?
The Australian Navy foots the bill for breast augmentations. The Labour Party would like to know why, and probably so would most of the voters in Australia.
The Thinking Blogger
Congrats to Fausta, who won a Thinking Blogger award. She thanks me for my friendship, but the truth is that Fausta makes it easy to be her friend. She's always positive and energetic, and she epitomizes the notion of a thinking blogger. Make sure to put her on your must-read list!
Ensign Calls For Return Of MoveOn Money
NRSC chair Senator John Ensign calls for Democrats to return all campaign funds donated by MoveOn, after their despicable New York Times ad today accusing David Petraeus of treason. "If Senate Democrats are serious about moving our country forward, they will denounce this outrageous ad and return the campaign funds MoveOn.org has lavished on them as well as the donations made through MoveOn.org -- the choice is theirs." Ensign's right, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the refund ...
Support The Al-Dura Petition
Roger Simon at Pajamas Media is circulating a petition to demand accountability for the discredited al-Dura report from France's Channel 2. This is, as Roger calls it, the "Father of all Fauxtography," and C-2 has never acknowledged its fault in airing the supposed murder of a Palestinian child. He wants C-2 to show all of the unedited footage of the incident in order to show that C-2 faked the murder. If they're resisting the demand, I'd say they have something to hide ....
There Goes The Undefeated Season
Notre Dame managed to get its first loss out of the way as soon as possible -- and as badly as possible. Georgia Tech came to South Bend and stomped the Irish, 33-3, in the worst home opener loss in school history. The offense fumbled twice and allowed seven sacks on Evan Sharpley, who must have longed to have Brady Quinn back on the field instead. If Charlie Weis doesn't turn this debacle around fast, he may want to start asking Ty Willingham for some career counseling ....
Would Early Primaries Allow More Donations?
Jim Geraghty at The Campaign Spot believes that candidates will benefit if primaries and caucuses get pushed into 2007. A loophole in campaign finance regulation appears to allow an extra $2,300 per donor for candidates if those elections are held this year. Be sure to check out Jim's analysis, and the surprising candidate that may benefit the most.
When Tom Met Jeralyn
One of the interesting aspects of politics is finding out that opponents are people, too. Jeralyn Merritt of TalkLeft met Rep. Tom Tancredo backstage at NBC's studios, and found him more likable than she had anticipated. Perhaps it was their mutual interest in Dog, The Bounty Hunter ...
Joe Lieberman A Right-Wing Nut?
That's what CAIR says, according to Joe Kaufman. He has a link to a CAIR official's blog post that calls Lieberman, along with John Bolton, former CIA director James Woolsey, and the Heritage Foundation's Peter Brookes as "extremists". Affad Shaikh also calls Dick Cheney a "fat bastard of a liar," apparently not meant as a pop-culture reference to the Austin Powers movies. (via Let Freedom Ring)
Broadband Homelessness
The Japanese have made homelessness more efficient, and more Net-friendly, too. Their Internet cafés have become homeless shelters for the struggling manual-labor sector. The problem has grown into such a problem that government intervention will shortly become a political priority.
Found My Law Firm
Power Line links twice to this story regarding an attorney at Faegre & Benson who refused to become a victim and helped capture a very dangerous man. Keith Radtke is a partner in the firm as is Power Line's John Hinderaker. Radtke is listed in satisfactory condition after getting shot in the back, but that didn't keep him from locking up his attacker in a wrestling grip until police could arrive. I don't know about you, but that's the kind of man I'd want as my counsel ....
Don't Click That YouTube E-mail
The latest in spam seems to be redirections from YouTube links in e-mail to IP addresses without domain names. They attempt to entice people by making it seem that they have been inadvertently YouTubed. I'm sure most people can see through this scam, but just in case, you've been warned ....
Rick Moran Escapes The Floods
Rick Moran has kept us up to date on his travails along the Algonquin River. Yesterday, the police showed up to get him evacuated before the river flooded his home -- but today, Rick finds that a minor miracle has taken place, and that his house survives ... at least for now. Keep Rick in your prayers, and keep checking in at Right Wing Nut House for updates.
Rule 1: Drag The Corpse On Over First
If I've learned anything in four years of blogging, don't try to be out in front of the death rumors, especially with the villains of the world. Saddam died a hundred deaths before we caught him alive in his spider hole, and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi almost as many before his demise last year. Osama may or may not be alive, but everyone's avoided speculating on his fate for a while now. Maybe Val at Babalu Blog will get luckier with his "Castro Is Dead" story. We all hope so. I'll wait for the announcement ....
Comments (24)
Posted by notalawyer | October 10, 2007 7:03 AM
Praying . . . .
Posted by Bonnie_ | October 10, 2007 7:08 AM
Many many prayers for you, Chris. My Dad and I talk about your strips every day and we'll pray together for your family.
Posted by Rose | October 10, 2007 7:24 AM
Thanks, Captain Ed, I'll keep all of them and yours also in prayer, today.
You are good people. I'm glad to have you guys around. "Shalom" - nothing missing, nothing broken, abundant provision, wholeness, restoration
Posted by chsw | October 10, 2007 7:25 AM
Prayers for both Chris and Shaun and their families. May all come through physically and emotionally whole.
chsw
Posted by Doug | October 10, 2007 8:19 AM
God speed Chris everyone I know reads your strip and we all can't wait to get online everyday to see what you have for us. I will place you and your family on our prayer list.
Also Shaun we will place you and your family on our prayer list.
God Bless you all that includes you Capt. Ed
Posted by T.G. Scott | October 10, 2007 8:36 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about Chris and Shaun. This is one of the best blogs that I log into daily, Captain, and although I enjoy reading your postings, I'm sure lots of others will agree that Chris' 'Day by Day' strip lends that something extra to your site as well. I've really enjoyed seeing that liberal gal get her comeuppance lately.
Posted by sherlock | October 10, 2007 9:24 AM
Not being religious I won't pray but I will fervently hope in my own way for their speedy bounce back from their troubles.
I have asked several times for the local papers to consider including DbD, as they seem to be on an eternal search for some "alternative" comic strips. But they seem stuck on alternative = racial, as we have seen strips about blacks and asians come and go. But when I have sent letters to the publisher about DbD, I get the response that their readership would not like a strip that lampooned liberals. Yeah, so what - I guess they think I have to suck it up and like Doonesbury, while their more sensitive liberal readership reels from the savaging they take from Mallard Fillmore once a week.
It occurs to me that DBD has interracial relationships that seem a natural part of the narrative without being preachy in the overbearing way some recent "alternate" strips in my local paper have been.
I suspect the readership of my paper would not only not like DbD, they wouldn't get it. And isn't there a law that says only rednecks and republicans can be the subject of ridicule? I think it's call the Doonesbury Act.
Get well, guys, and keep poking that finger in the eyes of the smugly comfortable.
Posted by LenS | October 10, 2007 9:24 AM
You're in our prayers. Take care of the important, we will be here when you get back.
God Bless.
Posted by Noocyte | October 10, 2007 10:19 AM
Not so much being the praying kind, myself, I will nonetheless keep a good thought or twenty for Chris. Last month, he earned my great admiration by throwing down on the Swedish (etc, etc!) Mohhamed cartoon matter. I went to the DbD Stuff Cafe Press site and ordered one of the tee shirts. Whatever; weak tea, admiration and solidarity-showing-wise, but there it is. Earnestly hoping that all things turn out well for him and his.
Shaun's work, I'm not so familiar with, but any contributor to this fine community deserves a special place in our thoughts. So he has one in mine.
Posted by Sue | October 10, 2007 11:00 AM
I am an atheist, but I pray constantly, for in the universe or universes, of which one is ours, I do not have sufficient conceit to believe there is "nothing", so I pray every day but never for me. So, I will add the names Chris and Shaun to my special prayer for the 2% of the human race that has evolved just a small step up from the rest. The other 98% I pray for their acquisition of sense!
Posted by AICS | October 10, 2007 11:15 AM
Praying for both Chris and Shaun, though I only know of Chris. Love DBD. It draws me to CQ and then I read the CQ posts since I am already here. Just kidding Capt. Wishing Chris and Shaun well in this new challenge in life. May God help you through it.
Posted by Peyton | October 10, 2007 11:21 AM
Debbie and I have enjoyed Day By Day since it's beginning, and we will add Chris and his family to our prayers, wishing them a rapid recovery. We'll add Shaun in, too. If he's important to the Cap'n, he's important to us.
Posted by sestamibi | October 10, 2007 12:39 PM
Sherlock--
I love DbD, even though I find it a little to esoteric and don't get all the references.
What the liberals hate about it is that Damon is not only black and conservative, but always has a quick comeback for his slogan-mouthing colleague Jan. How dare a black man be so clever and on the wrong side!
Posted by Papa Ray | October 10, 2007 1:36 PM
My prayers for both Chris and Shaun. I only pray once a day, but I added an additional two for these guys. Well, that is a little lie, I always pray through out the day for my Sweet Sarah and my Sweet Hannah, as kids need all the help they can get in this rough and tumble and stupid world.
I also have included their families in my prayers and my thoughts. Sometimes, people forget the stress, strain and anguish that families go through in hard times. Especially the children.
DtoD is one (if not the top) strip that I look for and enjoy each day.
I don't think Chris really knows how much we all enjoy and value his efforts.
Maybe someday he will.
Papa Ray
West Texas
USA
Posted by Bookworm | October 10, 2007 4:08 PM
Chris, if you're reading this, know that you're in my thoughts and I'm sending you all my best wishes for a speedy and good conclusion to your family crisis.
Shaun, I haven't had the pleasure of enjoying your work, but the Captain's recommendation is good enough for me: Get well soon!
Posted by leucanthemum b | October 10, 2007 4:14 PM
Do an agnostic's prayers count? I'm sending them, anyway, along with non-verbalized warm fuzzies.
Posted by Hal | October 10, 2007 6:42 PM
I Hope things go well for Chris. I've never spoken up until now regards the fun of the Day by Day strip - but I can only hope that Chris manages to sort things out for his family as well as for himself. While I may be selfish and want him to be able to continue with his strip - I'd rather his family were well even if it costs us all the enjoyment of his work. Again, good luck Chris.
Posted by Just Plain Bill | October 10, 2007 6:53 PM
Chris,
Thank you for your talent and messages.
Be well and may your family be well also.
Be of good cheer, all things pass in time.
Shaun,
The same for you. My prayer for my son at his birth, was that whatever else happened, that he be healthy and happy. My prayer for you is the same.
Posted by indakota | October 10, 2007 10:00 PM
thanks Chris for the art and the laughs. Prayers for you and your family
Posted by Xango Annie | October 10, 2007 10:31 PM
My prayers for you both and God bless us, everyone.
Posted by Slim | October 10, 2007 10:35 PM
Father God, hear our prayers as we lift up to you our brothers Chris and Shaun. Please Lord, bless them with complete healing and restoration. They are both doing a good work for your people, and we love them.
Amen
Posted by Chuck Adkins | October 11, 2007 1:50 AM
Hi'ya Captain and Everyone,
I must confess, I'm a reader of Chris Muir's funny comic as well. Yes, it's on my Blog as well.
I just posting something to the same effect on my blog as well.
The real neat part of Chris's work, it is funny. I'm a Right Leaning Independent. and I think the stuff is down right funny.
Thoughts and Prayers to the Muir Family.
-Chuck Adkins
Posted by Casey Tompkins | October 11, 2007 3:24 AM
I've had the good fortune to correspond with Chris before, but this time I'll take my cue from the Captain, and let the Muirs know they're in my prayers right now.
Let's not worry too much about right vs. left, or "gotcha" scenes right now. After all, Jan's just as human as Damon, and sometimes she's the one with zinger at the end of the day.
Godspeed, Chris; and you take care of you & yours...
Posted by Mark Soper | October 11, 2007 12:25 PM
My prayers (and the prayers of many others) are with both Chris and Shaun and their families. I've enjoyed DbD ever since I discovered it, and wish my local paper would retire Doonesbury and bring DbD in. I also appreciate Shaun's work at BTR.