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 (16)
Posted by arb | October 24, 2007 8:59 PM
Join the fun. A skeleton crew will be working the graveyard shift. Bring your ghoulfriend. Go anywhere else and you won't stand a ghost of a chance of having a good time. Prizes awarded if you come in your costume.
Posted by Jeff | October 24, 2007 9:24 PM
WTF?
Posted by quickjustice | October 24, 2007 9:33 PM
Last year, I was taking a commuter train into NYC on Halloween afternoon. Everyone on the train was in costume, headed for the Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village. I promptly dubbed it the "Halloween Express".
Believe me, this story is just the tip of the iceberg!
Posted by TedN | October 24, 2007 9:38 PM
The story seems a little unclear. Obviously it would be inappropriate for strippers to be, well, stripping at a school Haloween party. If a group of them just thought it would be fun to volunteer and run the concession booth or whatever I wouldn't have a particular problem with that as long as they were dressed "normally" and weren't wearing advertisments for their "club". It's entirely possible that some of them have kids at the school.
Posted by George | October 24, 2007 10:26 PM
Here is the Best Halloween Stripper
2.9 MB Windows Media Video
http://www.punkjob.com/Stripper.wmv
Believe it or not, this is actually probably safe for work even though it doesn't look like it is going to be.
Posted by docjim505 | October 25, 2007 4:07 AM
TedN has a point. While the story certainly cause my eyebrow (ahem) to rise, it's not like strippers are some alien race of women who constantly take off their clothes wherever they go. I grant you that one can expect ANY sort of lunacy in today's public schools, but it isn't unreasonable to expect that the strippers were volunteering to work the event just like any other women in the community.
Speaking as a former middle school student, I certainly wouldn't have had any problems with such women working at my school! I DO wonder about strippers with kids: how does it feel for little Johnny or little Susie when it comes time to tell the class "What My Mommy Does"?
And shouldn't we be worried about real trash showing up to provide a bad influence on the kids? Like lawyers, politicians, or reps from the teachers union?
Posted by swabjockey05 | October 25, 2007 6:11 AM
Skipper, I hope you’re not such a prude when you “man-up” your vessel…some swabbies think women are bad luck ships…not this one.
Dr J. Don't worry about your "one brow"...at least you don't have a Five Head (or is it 6?) for a forehead.
Who cares if the strippers volunteer? As long as they are there as volunteers/mothers, not strippers...and they aren't clad in G-strings (at least as outer garments).
Are they going to do any advertisement for their Strip Club while they’re volunteering? Are they going to encourage the little girls to set their sights on Stripping as a career? If so, that's what will get them in trouble with the PTA.
Posted by Jazz | October 25, 2007 6:48 AM
I'm relieved to see some of the early comments echoed my reaction to this (non) story just so I wouldn't worry that I was losing my mind. The school was being stupid, and this is hardly news worthy. Two years ago we had a benefit for the Human Society and a group of dancers from one of the local clubs came down to volunteer. They were all really nice and helped raise significant money for the shelter.
Being a stripper is not illegal. It's not like the school was inviting convicted pedophiles to work there. And yes, I'm willing to bet several of the dancers had kids in the school. Shall we ban every actress who has ever done a topless scene from doing any charity work? Why is this even a story?
Posted by KauaiBoy | October 25, 2007 6:52 AM
Where's the outrage? where's Rev Al and the ACLU and Chuck and Hillary? No Justice No piece!!!
Posted by NavyspyII | October 25, 2007 7:11 AM
Hehe, I keyed on the costume giveaway line too.
I just want to know where in the heck these folks were when I was in Jr. High! Damnit!
Posted by NoDonkey | October 25, 2007 7:36 AM
Ah yes, the old "whore with a heart of gold" legend. Just stripping to get through law school, sir.
No matter that strip clubs are owned by criminals/organized crime, that strippers are addicted to drugs/alcohol and that they are perpetually stalked by their porn addicted, drug addicted, violent "customers".
Let's invite them into a junior high.
Come to think of it, they're probably far less dangerous than the blockheads who run the school in the first place.
Posted by docjim505 | October 25, 2007 8:42 AM
NoDonkey: Come to think of it, they're probably far less dangerous than the blockheads who run the school in the first place.
LOL!
Posted by LarryD | October 25, 2007 10:23 AM
Well, they (the strippers) will be safer at school than at work. ;-)
Posted by swabjockey05 | October 25, 2007 10:32 AM
LarryD, you haven't been around the Junior High I went to near Detroit...
Posted by Conrad | October 25, 2007 6:35 PM
"No matter that strip clubs are owned by criminals/organized crime, that strippers are addicted to drugs/ alcohol and that they are perpetually stalked by their porn addicted, drug addicted, violent "customers."
Wow! you sure have a good education on this profession. I'll bet you have seen the best of them? How are you handling your addictions?
Posted by km | October 26, 2007 11:49 AM
Conrad - NoDonkey seems to have a fair handle on the industry. I've never been a patron of such places (haven't even been in one when it was open for business), but have worked on the law enforcement end of dealing with them.