Oh no. Professor Snape is gone. Alan Rickman was a great actor and a very private person. As with David Bowie, few even knew he was suffering from cancer. Bowie’s death made me feel old. Ziggy Stardust dead? How can it be? Rickman’s death feels only as if the world’s supply of great acting talent is that much lower, so suddenly. UPDATE: His best roles according to People. I’ve been trying to get my hands on Truly, Madly, Deeply with no luck. And I’ve never seen Die Hard though I will now that I know he was in it. Galaxy…
Author: Claire
BBQ/work party According to Mike, a work party/BBQ to help with long-neglected home projects is forming up for the first weekend in February. If you’re near Pinson, Alabama, or have construction skills, a strong back, and are able to travel, this might be a great event for you. And certainly for Mike and Rosey. David’s fundraising plea David Codrea also clarifies issues related to his fundraising pleas for Mike — and gives righteous hell to a few yammerheads. Seems there are some who, rather than helping Mike, prefer to sit at their keyboards and make unhelpful suggestions. I haven’t personally…
So. Are you going to watch the state-of-the-union addy tonight? (Or, depending on when you read this post, did you watch it?) I can’t remember the last SOTU address I watched, and that’s not just because I don’t “do” TV. Watching politicians give speeches — especially “important” speeches — is as savory as watching circus geeks bite the heads off live chickens. And much less entertaining. I’m sorta-kinda guessing the speech won’t have a big audience of BHM/Living Freedom readers. Still, you’ve probably heard that Big O plans to leave a seat empty so that … oh, all the ghosts…
Various non-news, non-link musings follow
How other people see the ‘Net
So there I was last night, all set to prep a links post for today. And — boom! — down went Firefox, taking with it all my tabs.
Maybe the Intertubz is trying to tell me something, eh?
I was debating whether to write more about Obama’s recent (though ancient in Internet Time) fiats against gun “dealers” and gun owners. Can’t bring myself to. Our Glorious Leader is all about “gun control theater,” signifying very darned little. Bans and confiscations clearly dance through Obama’s dreams, but he hasn’t got the guts to face strong people. He strikes at the weak and vulnerable. Then this morning I was reminded of the bottom line truth: (Source) —– Well, I finished watching The Man in the High Castle. Yep, as you who got there before me said, that was certainly a…
David Codrea (thank you, David) looked into various fundraising sites, but after seeing their hoops and the cuts they take, he says let’s keep it simple. We need to give back to Mike Vanderboegh in his last months on earth and the simple way is the fastest and least overheady. Here’s David’s appeal and donation link. Or you can go directly to Sipsey Street and scroll down just a hair to find Mike’s own donation button and snailing address. Mike has been tireless in the cause of gun rights and freedom, even when he was desperately ill. Without him and…
Guess what the most popular work at the UN library is. A thesis on how to avoid being charged with war crimes. Not how to avoid committing war crimes. Just how to avoid punishment. (H/T jb) Several major car makers are partnering up with Linux. While this is a lot better than the recent features about those partnering with Microsoft, I generally wish they’d all stay the heck out of any automobile I ever own, except for entirely optional, turn-offable devices. (H/T MJR) Another inspiring story about the life-changing power of going debt free. Who says a porno-graphic can’t be…
Deadlining today. The article came together nicely over the last several days, so today I had only to polish it, choose photos, and write captions. But this was still urgent, intense work. All the while I felt terrible because I could not pause to write a worthy blog on Mike Vanderboegh’s terrible news. M. posted the link yesterday evening in comments, so thank you for that. But I needed to do more — and now that I have the time, I don’t have the words.
Mike announced his own impending death with resolution and grace. You should definitely read what he wrote. The news wasn’t surprising; Mike’s been battling cancer for years. He’s reported many, many recent bad days. And merely the thin, drawn look of him at the events he’s managed to attend in the last year said he was no longer winning the fight. He’s a believer, of course. So he has that to hold onto. I hope it sustains him.
Mike is an authentic hero not only to gun rights, but to freedom in general. Nobody will ever match or replace him.
No. This is just plain wrong. And the “only ones” are going to commit even more bloody mayhem than they already do with this in their hands. This, on the other hand, is bizaarrish. And their rationale for it (in the video) is laughable. But the innovation is intriguing. According to Wikipedia, it’s been around since 1999 in Russia, but looks as if there might be a serious push for it in the U.S. this year. (H/T MJR) This morning, Obama’s fedgov took its the first step toward its long-dreaded executive action on guns. “Laughable fizzle” is my first response…
The background on the “arsons” the Hammonds were accused of. And more on the vicious prosecutorial overreach. This looks very much like Ruby Ridge all over again — the liberal self-righteousness against the “armed nuts,” the prejudicial distortions in the media, and the handful of citizens standing alone against a bullying fedgov — except that (knock wood) no one yet has died. (H/T GL)