Category: Real News

Joshua Norton’s Contribution to the World

Emperor Norton I_Wikipedia

Joshua Abraham Norton of San Francisco (via England) recobanized that the State of the Union was in disrepair in 1859, and realized that he alone could save the United States of America from certain catastrophe. Subsequently, and for legitimate reasons, he unselfishly declared himself Emperor Norton the First.

From Wikipedia:

In accordance with his self-appointed role of emperor, Norton issued numerous decrees on matters of the state. After assuming absolute control over the country, he saw no further need for a legislature, and on October 12, 1859, he issued a decree that formally “dissolved” the United States Congress. In the decree, Norton observed:

“…fraud and corruption prevent a fair and proper expression of the public voice; that open violation of the laws are constantly occurring, caused by mobs, parties, factions and undue influence of political sects; that the citizen has not that protection of person and property which he is entitled.”

He was humored and tolerated at the time; meanwhile I’ve put in an order for more Joshua Nortons.

“Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we’re being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I’m liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That’s what’s insane about it.” –John Lennon

Harry Truman’s classic observation rings true as well.

[Tip o’ the tarboosh to FinPeng. Lennon’s quote from here.]

Continue reading “Joshua Norton’s Contribution to the World”

Bill Murray: Posterchild for Socialism?

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[Found here because they linked to us. Appears to be a pro-communist Swedish blog, but I dunno, Babs.]

Saturday Matinee – Ghosts & Vapors, Pink Dub, Midnight Animals Oil, Ramones California Sun


Ghost caught on video!
“Booo! Booo! Run for mayor somewhere else! Booo!”
[Found here. Don’t jump to a Beer Summit conclusion, there’s more to the story.]

[Found here. Welcome to Electric Pelosiland.]


No video, but the concept is great. Pink Rock Floyd Steady Dub.

Nice cover of the Animals’ 1965 hit by Midnight Oil. But here’s some trivia: The song was written by Barry Mann. (More about him here.)

Oh, yeah.

The Manly Blogger Guy Award

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I never turn down awards, even from Archie. He and I don’t see eye-to-eye on basic economics and politics.

I don’t recall exactly, but I think we had a cordial discussion on whether a janitor should be paid the same as the owner of the company that employs the janitor, and  I said no.  Regardless, Archie’s basically a good guy with a cool blog.

Since I don’t wear perfume, I’ll pass on this prized and coveted award to:
Amy Oops
Raincoaster
Nurse Myra
VE
Feng
and Nick.

[Thanks, Arch: All in fun, dude!]

Donald Tyler’s Contribution to the World

squirrel-skinner 2 Patent 7488244

U.S. Patent No. 7,488,244, filed in April, 2007, by Donald Tyler of Cadiz, KY. Abstract:

“An apparatus for skinning a squirrel that is easily manufactured, portable, quick and in which the apparatus can be mounted to a variety of surfaces. The apparatus comprises a base plate connected to toggle clamp in which the toggle clamp is engaged to press two metal tubes tightly together. The base plate is bent at an angle and secured to a stationary object. The tail of the squirrel is placed in the apparatus in between the two metal tubes and the toggle clamp is engaged to secure the tail. The skin is pulled from the uncut skin of the tail thereby removing the skin from the body in two pieces of skin.”

In other words, it’s a toggle clamp. Very cool.

On the other hand, `Mr. Squirrel® looks like a lot more fun.  It comes with TWO attached key rings and a handy braided thong so that The Squirrel Hunter in your family can wear it around his/her neck when not in use. What a deal!

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[`Mr. Squirrel® found here. Patent image found here. Patent Abstract here.]

I am not worthy of this honor…

Blogs About Handmade Aboriginal Novelty Fake Turd

…but Planetross IS.

You just can’t make this stuff up.

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This is what Our President said will happen if we don’t nationalize the medical insurance industry immediately.  AM talk radio is next, followed by the hinternest…

YES.  REALLY.

[Image from Fengtastic. Dude.]

“Try DOME GAS – It’s Better”

Dome Gas 1926_Strange Cosmos 090710[Larger image can be found here.]

WHOA! 23¢ a gallon!  And what a GREAT slogan.

Let’s talk about gas prices vs. inflation.
Inflation calculator: 1926-2009 = 1,108.2%

Price per Gallon in 1926 (regular, leaded): $0.23/gal
Federal Gasoline Tax (up to 1933): $0.01/gal = 4.55%
Actual cost per gallon (1926 dollars): $0.22/gal
Actual cost per gallon, less taxes (2009 dollars):  $2.66/gal

Price per Gallon (regular unleaded) 10 July 2009: $2.90/gal
Federal Gasoline Tax 2009: $0.184/gal
California (Local + State + Fed Taxes) 6 July 2009:
$0.645/gal* = 2.9%

* Includes CA Sales Tax (7.25%) CA County & Local Sales Tax (1.25%), and  UST tax (1.2%) whateverTF that is.

Actual cost per gallon, less taxes (July 2009):  $2.26/gal**

**Note that the base price stated for California gasoline includes costs for state mandated fuel additives, summer/winter mixes, ethanol. Note also that this amount includes franchise fees, business license fees, miniscule profit by the small business folks, and Swantzenegger Boxer Feinswein Pelosi & Waxman fees, other “revenue enhancement fees” emanating from Sacramento, and costs for gettin’ the lead out.

[Sources found here and here.]

Now Let’s talk about mileage and cost and technology.

Continue reading ““Try DOME GAS – It’s Better””

Statue Converts to Hindu Mysticism in 1906, Continues to Inspire Others

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Bull HeadPlant_HarryHirschman

[First image found here via here;  second image (from several years ago) re-discovered here.  Third image found here.  Fourth here.]

Saturday Matinee: Happy Independence Day!

If you haven’t read THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE since high school, maybe now is a good time to reread it, given our current economic situation and recent insufferable actions by the current administration.  The Heritage Foundation has an excellent introduction to The Declaration, one of the most influential documents in the history of western civilization.

Since this is our weekly Saturday Matinee, we took a walk through the Utoobage.  The first video that showed up is a very nice professional rendition by a handful of left-wing has-been Hollywood stars and starlets, reciting an EDITED version of the original Declaration, with very convenient omissions… and we’ll NOT post it here.

The next video listed on the Utoobage was well produced also, but devolves within seconds to a criticism of Thomas Jefferson as a slave owner, and, besides ignoring the historical context,  misses the point of The Declaration entirely, and confuses it with the Constitution of the United States. It is in fact the intro to the first video mentioned. We’ll not link to that piece of irrational and inaccurate garbage either.

But then we found this unstilted representation:

Those men, “The Founding Fathers,” had integrity, fortitude, morals, ethics and balls.  They did what they did under threat of being tortured and hanged for treason by the British.

Where can we find such courageous leaders today?  Certainly not in Washington D.C.

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