Originally posted at 2BucksWorth. com
Just last week, even as he kicked the chair out from under the U.S. intelligence community by releasing memos regarding the interrogation of terrorists, President Obama stated that he had no interest in prosecuting officials of the previous adminstration that were involved in using or sanctioning so-called "aggressive interrogation techniques". That was last week, and with each week dawns a brand new approach in the current administration as the political winds have now shifted to a blistering hot gale out of the left.
This week, in a transparent cave-in to the far-left, the President did an about-face and called for the prosecution of certain individuals involved in what we now call "torture" (Of course, many veterans and military academy grads still call water-boarding "hazing".) Also, please keep in mind that these "torture" methods where only used on a handful of detainees...such princes among men as Khalid Sheik Mohammed, who masterminded the 9/11 attacks, and Abu Zubaida, who was invloved in many foiled terror plots and has already been sentenced to death in Jordan.
This latest pronouncement by the White House unleashed a pack of ravening congressional Democrats who had been plotting such prosecutions for months, including House Speaker Pelosi and House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, who were almost giddy at the proposition of raking these neo-con fascists over the coals for all of their secret plots to torture innocent terrorists and besmirch the reputation of the U.S. as the largest, richest pansy on the globe.
But, alas, in every rush of self-indulgent euphoria there is often a catch, like the fact that Nancy Pelosi has known about the water-boarding for 7 years... and said nothing until it was too late to prevent any "torture" but just in time to make political hay out of the subject. Yes, you read that right, she knew about it. There were over 30 meetings in which this subject was discussed, one in which the cherub-like Khalid Sheik Mohammed was discussed in particular, and yet Madame Speaker (then a mere ranking member) did not bat an eye, much less go to the press or demand investigations.
One has to wonder: why the sudden case of congressional scruples now? And also one wonders how long it will take for the Dems to spin this issue now that they've been exposed for frauds who are demagoguing our national security for political gain. Again.
Nolanbuck
Friday, April 24, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Happy Lab Week
National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, known in the lab world simply as "Lab Week", is an annual celebration of the scientists and health care professionals (like myself) who work behind the scenes in hospitals, clinics, and research facilities to bring everyone better health through laboratory analysis and scientific research.
It is also a time for us to come out from behind the curtain and showcase who we are and what we do to the world. If you have ever had blood drawn or sent any medical specimen for analysis, your life and well-being has been touched by one of my colleagues. And chances are, you have never seen us, and never gave it a second thought.
But we don't mind, we're not in it for the glory. We chose to work in medical laboratories because we love science, but we also love helping people. We are only one part of a larger family of health care disciplines that all work together to help keep you in tip-top shape; but we help every other healthcare professional do their jobs, and to provide you with better, more focused care.
So, I raise a test tube in salute to my fellow lab rats: may your Erlenmeyer flasks always be full, may your crossmatches always be compatible, and may your titrations never go too far past their end point.
Nolanbuck, BSMT, CLS (NCA)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Two Books Everyone Should Read
Originally poster at: 2BucksWorth.com
If you want to have some perspective on the way things are going in the world today and where they are headed, check out these two books, one looking at the past and another looking to the future.
The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression by Amity Shlaes
You may have heard about this on tv or radio, as it is getting a lot of buzz recently. I read a lot of history (by a lot I mean nonstop for decades), and this is the best account of the Great Depression I've read. It's balanced and very informative, without all the New Deal kool-aid. Some of the themes of the government response to the Great Depression bear great similarity to ideas being touted today.
The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century by George Friedman
A fascinating forecast for what the rest of the 21st century holds by a man who makes his living helping companies and government stay ahead of the historical curve. The predictions range from entirely plausible to some real head-scratchers, but if half of what Mr. Freidman predicts happens, it will be an interesting century to say the least. Oh and if you don't like America or you think the U.S.'s best days are behind it, this book will probably tick you off.
Feel free to suggest some of your recent favorite reads, I'm always looking for a good book. :-)
Nolanbuck
If you want to have some perspective on the way things are going in the world today and where they are headed, check out these two books, one looking at the past and another looking to the future.
The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression by Amity Shlaes
You may have heard about this on tv or radio, as it is getting a lot of buzz recently. I read a lot of history (by a lot I mean nonstop for decades), and this is the best account of the Great Depression I've read. It's balanced and very informative, without all the New Deal kool-aid. Some of the themes of the government response to the Great Depression bear great similarity to ideas being touted today.
The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century by George Friedman
A fascinating forecast for what the rest of the 21st century holds by a man who makes his living helping companies and government stay ahead of the historical curve. The predictions range from entirely plausible to some real head-scratchers, but if half of what Mr. Freidman predicts happens, it will be an interesting century to say the least. Oh and if you don't like America or you think the U.S.'s best days are behind it, this book will probably tick you off.
Feel free to suggest some of your recent favorite reads, I'm always looking for a good book. :-)
Nolanbuck
Tea Parties "Shameful" and "Dispicable"?
Originally poster at: 2BucksWorth.com
Apparently, the we the people speaking our minds does not sit well with some in the halls of power, like Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), for instance, who referred to the peaceful gatherings as "being held today by groups of right-wing activists, and fueled by FOX News Channel, are an effort to mislead the public about the Obama economic plan that cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans and creates 3.5 million jobs."
There's an old saying that goes something like this: "If you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that barks is the one it hit." Apparently, someone got Congresswoman Schakowsky's attention, and she was none too pleased. Now she knows how we feel. Mission accomplished.
Nolanbuck
Apparently, the we the people speaking our minds does not sit well with some in the halls of power, like Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), for instance, who referred to the peaceful gatherings as "being held today by groups of right-wing activists, and fueled by FOX News Channel, are an effort to mislead the public about the Obama economic plan that cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans and creates 3.5 million jobs."
There's an old saying that goes something like this: "If you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that barks is the one it hit." Apparently, someone got Congresswoman Schakowsky's attention, and she was none too pleased. Now she knows how we feel. Mission accomplished.
Nolanbuck
Friday, April 10, 2009
Dad To The Rescue
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
It is an intrinsic part of parenting to be on standby for rescue operations for your children; more so I think for dad's, since a man's natural inclination is to fix something. From righting upturned strollers to the time one of my kids fell out of a second story window (there's another story you gotta hear), I have upheld the proud Buck tradition of fathers rescuing their children from various snags and tight spots.
My oldest son got stranded in strange part of town last night with a broken down car. Between his description of the problem and my cursory knowledge of car anatomy, we diagnosed the problem and after I arrived on the scene we devised a plan to get him & his car back home safely, which we did. Some people would call it an inconvenience (which it was), but I call it an adventure.
Which reminded me of another "adventure", in which my dad rescued me from a much worse predicament almost 20 years ago. Oh yes, being stranded with a broken down car is familiar territory for me...
I lived in Jackson, MS for two years while I was in school there, and in day in December 1990 I left work and headed north to my parent's place 200 miles away for Christmas. The only problem with this plan was, between me and my folks was a raging ice/snow storm that had driven most sane people indoors for the weekend. But, being 21 and invincible, I struck north.
With most of my meager possessions in the back seat (including my 20 gallon tank of tropical fish), I soon ran into heavy snow. Despite the weather, I was making good time until, quite without preamble, my car engine died. On the Interstate, in the driving snow, four miles from the nearest exit. Needless to say, my prospects turned grim in a hurry.
I was in luck, however, as a father and son in a pickup truck picked me up (may God bless them forever) and dropped me off in the next town, the booming metropolis of Vaiden, MS. At a local truck stop, I found a payphone and did what every 21 year old should do in a situation like this, I called dad. He told me he was on his way and he set out through the maelstrom while I sat tight for three hours of stale coffee and disapproving glares from the waitress.
When he arrived, we set out to find the car. the way was not easy going, since it was still snowing (and dark by then), and his truck's radiator iced up (it was that freakin' cold). So we fixed that (the only liquid water we could find was in the bathroom sink at rest stop)and pushed on to the car. The problem was found to be a thrown engine belt, so we returned to Vaiden to buy a belt (try that on a snowy Saturday night) and then back to the car to repair it.
Once the car was running again (and the heat was thawing out my poor fish) we made for the north once more on what was now a 200 mile long sheet of ice. As we clawed our way home, car after car spun out of control and into the ditches, it was like a bad action movie. At one point, my dad spun out on an icy bridge, from my viewpoint it looked like a flashlight thrown across a frozen pond. Round and round he spun in a terrifying dance, to come to rest safely on the median just beyond the bridge. Whew!
I made it to my parents' house 11 hours, two good Samaritans and one dad later, tired but safe. Do I regret my decision not to stay in Jackson that day? Nope. I had a truly death defying adventure and to top it all off: a week later, on New Year's Eve, I met the woman who would someday become my lovely bride, the one and only Debbiebuck. Now if that's not worth driving 200 miles through the ice & snow, I ask you what is?
Nolanbuck
It is an intrinsic part of parenting to be on standby for rescue operations for your children; more so I think for dad's, since a man's natural inclination is to fix something. From righting upturned strollers to the time one of my kids fell out of a second story window (there's another story you gotta hear), I have upheld the proud Buck tradition of fathers rescuing their children from various snags and tight spots.
My oldest son got stranded in strange part of town last night with a broken down car. Between his description of the problem and my cursory knowledge of car anatomy, we diagnosed the problem and after I arrived on the scene we devised a plan to get him & his car back home safely, which we did. Some people would call it an inconvenience (which it was), but I call it an adventure.
Which reminded me of another "adventure", in which my dad rescued me from a much worse predicament almost 20 years ago. Oh yes, being stranded with a broken down car is familiar territory for me...
I lived in Jackson, MS for two years while I was in school there, and in day in December 1990 I left work and headed north to my parent's place 200 miles away for Christmas. The only problem with this plan was, between me and my folks was a raging ice/snow storm that had driven most sane people indoors for the weekend. But, being 21 and invincible, I struck north.
With most of my meager possessions in the back seat (including my 20 gallon tank of tropical fish), I soon ran into heavy snow. Despite the weather, I was making good time until, quite without preamble, my car engine died. On the Interstate, in the driving snow, four miles from the nearest exit. Needless to say, my prospects turned grim in a hurry.
I was in luck, however, as a father and son in a pickup truck picked me up (may God bless them forever) and dropped me off in the next town, the booming metropolis of Vaiden, MS. At a local truck stop, I found a payphone and did what every 21 year old should do in a situation like this, I called dad. He told me he was on his way and he set out through the maelstrom while I sat tight for three hours of stale coffee and disapproving glares from the waitress.
When he arrived, we set out to find the car. the way was not easy going, since it was still snowing (and dark by then), and his truck's radiator iced up (it was that freakin' cold). So we fixed that (the only liquid water we could find was in the bathroom sink at rest stop)and pushed on to the car. The problem was found to be a thrown engine belt, so we returned to Vaiden to buy a belt (try that on a snowy Saturday night) and then back to the car to repair it.
Once the car was running again (and the heat was thawing out my poor fish) we made for the north once more on what was now a 200 mile long sheet of ice. As we clawed our way home, car after car spun out of control and into the ditches, it was like a bad action movie. At one point, my dad spun out on an icy bridge, from my viewpoint it looked like a flashlight thrown across a frozen pond. Round and round he spun in a terrifying dance, to come to rest safely on the median just beyond the bridge. Whew!
I made it to my parents' house 11 hours, two good Samaritans and one dad later, tired but safe. Do I regret my decision not to stay in Jackson that day? Nope. I had a truly death defying adventure and to top it all off: a week later, on New Year's Eve, I met the woman who would someday become my lovely bride, the one and only Debbiebuck. Now if that's not worth driving 200 miles through the ice & snow, I ask you what is?
Nolanbuck
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
President Obama Visits The Troops
originally posted at: 2BucksWorth.com
Ok, you may not hear me say this very often for the next 4 years, so you might want to take note. In fact, the faint of heart might even want to sit down. Here it goes:
Well done, President Obama!
Thank you for swinging by and visiting the troops. You didn't have to do it, but you did, and I salute you for it. A very classy move, Mr. President.
It's obvious that the troops love you. Now, please sir, don't let them down.
Nolanbuck
Ok, you may not hear me say this very often for the next 4 years, so you might want to take note. In fact, the faint of heart might even want to sit down. Here it goes:
Well done, President Obama!
Thank you for swinging by and visiting the troops. You didn't have to do it, but you did, and I salute you for it. A very classy move, Mr. President.
It's obvious that the troops love you. Now, please sir, don't let them down.
Nolanbuck
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