Farewell, My Friend. I'll Tip One for You

It is a sad week around my place, as we had to say goodbye to our dear Shepherd/Chow mix Bingo. He was a playmate, friend and protector for 16 years. He watched over my wife when she was pregnant with both Angels and kept a keen eye on them until the end. When he was younger, we used to sit at the bar at the Gingerman in Austin and watch basketball together; him sitting in my lap and both of us enjoying some Anchor Porter. One night, my wife and I were sitting in a booth at the G-Man with Bingo and a Dallas-type young lady (you know what I mean) walked up and called Bingo "Sugar Biscuit". I thought my wife was going to go over the table for that one (I don't recall her having that kind of reaction for anyone flirting with me).

He will be missed.

I Love Fred Thompson

http://weaselzippers.us/2010/10/14/fred-thompson-on-book-being-thrown-at-obama-during-rally-he-ignored-it-must-have-thought-it-was-the-constitution/

My Hebrew Name:



Courtesy of My Hebrew Name

What Kind of Conservative Am I?

My Conservative Identity:

You are an Anti-government Gunslinger, also known as a libertarian conservative or Tea Partier. You believe in smaller government, states’ rights, gun rights, and that, as Reagan once said, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’"

Take the quiz at
About.com Political Humor

Business Trip

Just got back from a business trip to beautiful Rio Rancho NM. The pic sums it up nicely.

Duke Loves the Pipeline

On Sundays I try to take Duke for a walk along one of the pipelines near our house. Although we have leash-free parks in Austin, they are a bit of a drive and the pipeline areas work just as well. We have a big backyard but the way he runs around, you'd think he'd been in a crate all day. He casts around for scent, letting his nose lead the way. Sometimes, he takes a little side trip to investigate a particularly interesting smell and has to catch up with me.

Let me 'splain this to you so you understand...

People are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely.

Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.
Let's say I break into your house.
Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave.
But I say, 'No! I like it here. It's better than my house. I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors. I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).
According to the protesters:
You are Required to let me stay in your house
You are Required to feed me
You are Required to add me to your family's insurance plan
You are Required to Educate my kids
You are Required to Provide other benefits to me &to my family
My husband will do all of your yard work because he is also hard-working and honest. (except for that breaking in part).
If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my RIGHT to be there.
It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm a hard-working and honest, person, except for well, you know, I did break into your house
And what a deal it is for me!!!
I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of cold, uncaring, selfish, prejudiced, and bigoted behavior.
Oh yeah, and I DEMAND that you learn MY LANGUAGE!!! so that you can communicate with me.

Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?!