The Force Is Strong With This One

When James Dean introduced himself to Alec Guinness outside a restaurant, he asked him to take a look at the Porsche 550 Spyder. Guinness thought the car appeared 'sinister' and told Dean: 'If you get in that car, you will be found dead in it by this time next week.' This encounter took place on September 23, 1955, seven days before Dean's death.

Guinness, Alec. Blessings in Disguise [Random House, 1985, ISBN 0-394-55237-7], ch. 4 (pp. 34-35)

T-9 Series Terminator Cat

*A Yahoo reader reported that the first bionic cat was George Bailey in 2006 in North Carolina at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. That is correct. See article here.

LONDON (AFP) – A cat which lost both back paws after a traumatic accident involving a combine harvesterhas regained a spring in its step after being fitted with prosthetic limbs.

In a groundbreaking surgery carried out by Noel Fitzpatrick, a Surrey-based veterinary surgeon, the custom-made implants "peg" the ankle to Oscar's foot and mimic the way in which deer antler bone grows throughskin.

The prosthetic legs, called intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthetics (Itaps) were developed by a team from University College London, led by Professor Gordon Blunn.

"The real revolution with Oscar is [that] we have put a piece of metal and a flange into which skin grows into an extremely tight bone," Fitzpatrick said of the operation which took place last November.

"We have managed to get the bone and skin to grow into the implant and we have developed an 'exoprosthesis' that allows this implant to work as a see-saw on the bottom of an animal's limbs to give him effectively normal gait," he added.

The veterinary surgical team took three hours to insert the pegs by drilling into one of the cat's ankle bones in each of the back legs.

The Itap technology has already been used to create a prosthetic for a woman who lost her arm in the July 2005 London bombings.

Oscar's recovery will feature as part of a six-part BBC One documentary series, The Bionic Vet, starting later this month.

Rolling Stone Article on General

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/119236?RS_show_page=0

I just read the Rolling Stone article. I have no idea why the General McChrystal would have agreed to something so stupid as a Rolling Stone article. He must have left his political sense at home if he ever had any. I find it hard to believe that the general and his aides thought it would be a good idea to be themselves in the midst of a journalist. If they're that stupid perhaps its a good idea that the general is reassigned.

Sill, I found no good reason for McChrystal to offer his resignation. As of today, he did offer Obama his resignation. Articles were not clear if that meant just to be reassigned or is out of the Army.

The author, Michael Hastings, must have been a typical one. Appearing all likable while interviewing you then craps out what appears to be hate piece at first. Do all journalists work like this? See my upcoming post on Maya, the pop star.

In Hastings own words:

" to keep up the fiction, in essence, that we actually have allies"

"The general's staff is a handpicked collection of killers, spies, geniuses, patriots, political operators and outright maniacs." **As if patriots were a bad thing**

"This is one of the central flaws with McChrystal's counterinsurgency strategy" **Now he's an expert in military strategy**

"took solace in baseball, a sport in which he made no pretense of hiding his superiority" **Why would anyone hide how good they are in a sport?**

**Describing WestPoint,** "was a potent mix of testosterone, hooliganism and reactionary patriotism."

But at least Hastings wasn't completely one sided:

"Despite the tragedies and miscues, McChrystal has issued some of the strictest directives to avoid civilian casualties that the U.S. military has ever encountered in a war zone."

Pear Harbor - Advanced Knowledge?

One perspective is given by Vice Admiral Frank E. Beatty, who at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack was an aide to the Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox and was very close to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's inner circle, with perspicuous remarks as:

"Prior to December 7, it was evident even to me... that we were pushing Japan into a corner. I believed that it was the desire of President Roosevelt, and Prime Minister Churchill that we get into the war, as they felt the Allies could not win without us and all our efforts to cause the Germans to declare war on us failed; the conditions we imposed upon Japan — to get out of China, for example — were so severe that we knew that nation could not accept them. We were forcing her so severely that we could have known that she would react toward the United States. All her preparations in a military way — and we knew their over-all import — pointed that way."^[54]

Another "eye witness viewpoint" akin to Beatty's is provided by Roosevelt's administrative assistant at the time of Pearl Harbor, Jonathan Daniels; it is the telling comment about FDR's reaction to the attack - "The blow was heavier than he had hoped it would necessarily be. ... But the risks paid off; even the loss was worth the price. ..."^[55]

Admiral Kimmel nor General Short ever faced court martial. It is alleged this was to avoid disclosing information showing the U.S. had advanced knowledge of the attack. When asked, "Will historians know more later?", Kimmel replied, "' ... I'll tell you what I believe. I think that most of the incriminating records have been destroyed. ... I doubt if the truth will ever emerge.' ..."^[93] From Vice Admiral Libby, "I will go to my grave convinced that FDR ordered Pearl Harbor to let happen. He must have known."^[94] It is equally, probably more, likely this was done to avoid disclosing the fact Japanese codes were being read, given there was a war on.

U. S. News and World Report, May 28, 1954, p. 48

1941: Pearl Harbor Sunday: The End of an Era, in "The Aspirin Age - 1919-1941," edited by Isabel Leighton, Simon and Schuster, New York, 1949, page 490

United States Naval Institute (USNI), Oral History Series, Vice Admiral Ruthven E. Libby (Admiral King's staff), No. 4-230, Annapolis, MD, 1984. (Etta-Belle Kitchen conducted the interviews of VADM Libby during the period February-June 1970

U.S. not accepting foreign help on oil spill

Something most people didn't know because it wasn't widely reported by the mainstream (except for CNN). BTW, ever notice how "they" never seem able to identify who said what in the government. It's always washed over with identifiers such as "we", top leaders", or "the government". I want to know which person in the administration said no to foreign help.



U.S. not accepting foreign help on oil spill
Posted By Josh Rogin Thursday, May 6, 2010



When State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley refused to tell reporters which countries have offered assistance to help respond to the BP oil spill, the State Department press corps was flabbergasted.
"As a policy matter, we're not going to identify those offers of assistance until we are able to see, you know, what we need, assess the ongoing situation. And as we accept those offers of assistance, we will inform you," Crowley said.
Reporters pointed out that the Bush administration identified assistance offers after the Katrina disaster, so what is this, a new policy? They pressed Crowley, but he refused to budge.
Then they mentioned Iran's offer of assistance, through its National Iranian Drilling Company. Crowley said there was no Iranian offer of assistance, at least in any official capacity. The reporters kept on it, asking why it was taking so long to figure out what was needed in the first place? That's the Coast Guard's decision, Crowley explained.
Late Wednesday evening, the State Department emailed reporters identifying the 13 entities that had offered the U.S. oil spill assistance. They were the governments of Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations.
"These offers include experts in various aspects of oil spill impacts, research and technical expertise, booms, chemical oil dispersants, oil pumps, skimmers, and wildlife treatment," the email read.
"While there is no need right now that the U.S. cannot meet, the U.S. Coast Guard is assessing these offers of assistance to see if there will be something which we will need in the near future."
The Obama administration has been relentless in its messaging that it is doing everything possible to aggressively respond to the oil spill. But for the record, the current message to foreign governments is: Thanks but no thanks, we've got it covered.
A State Department official, speaking on background, said that the decision not to initially release the names of offering countries came directly from the State Department leadership.

Which brand makes the best ranch dressing?

Personally, I like to make my own using real sour cream (16 ounce) and a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch instant dip/dressing. After mixing, it has about 5 grams of fat and 60 calories per a 2 tablespoon serving. That's because, I believe, all of the dressings below have soybean oil as the #1 ingredient. To modify for salad use, mix in enough skim milk to make it pourable.

Ranked by flavor:

#1 Kraft Ranch Dressing & Dip
Nutrition: 1 serving = 120 calories; 12 g fat; 370 mg sodium
Cost: $2.19 for an 8oz. bottle at Associated Supermarket
Blind Tasting Notes: "Nice bright white color"; "Well balanced"; "Tastes like my childhood"

#2 Ken's Steak House Ranch Dressing
Nutrition: 1 serving = 140 calories; 15 g fat; 310 mg sodium
Cost: #3.99 for a 16oz. bottle at Associated Supermarket
Blind Tasting Notes: "Creamy but not too taxing texture"; "Not overly mayonnaise-y"

#3 Hidden Valley "The Original" Ranch Dressing
Nutrition: 1 serving = 140 calories; 14 g fat; 260 mg sodium
Cost: $2.49 for an 8oz. bottle at Associated Supermarket
Blind Tasting Notes: "Not the worst, but not the best"; "Okay"; "Whatever this is, it's what I ate growing up"

#4 Newman's Own Ranch Dressing
Nutrition: 1 serving = 150 calories; 16 g fat; 310 mg sodium
Cost: $4.09 for a 16oz. bottle at Associated Supermarket
Blind Tasting Notes: "Unappealing color"; "Too sweet"

#5 Wishbone Ranch
Nutrition: 1 serving = 130 calories; 13 g fat; 250 mg sodium
Cost: $1.89 for an 8oz. bottle at Associated Supermarket
Blind Tasting Notes: "Too tangy"; "Disgusting"; "Never put me through this again"

Unit of Measure

Reading all this Gulf oil news, ever noticed how some articles use "gallons" while others use "barrels"?
Kevin Costner's machines can process 210,000 gallons a day while BP captures 25,000 barrels a day.
Hmmmm

Kevin Costner wants cleanup devices near oil rigs

*Summary*
Note, these devices have been around for over 10 years. These people are just now getting around to using them? Something isn't right with this picture. It reeks with either incompetence or........

Costner has been working for more than a decade in hopes of having the clean up machines on hand for immediate use in oil spills.

"Clearly, there is a market out there," said Costner, who has invested more than $24 million to develop the portable devices.

BP has contracted with Costner and Ocean Therapy Solutions to use 32 centrifuge machines that are designed to separate oil from water.

Costner said all major oil companies should keep the device nearby, like a fire extinguisher, ready whenever accidents occur.

The centrifuges can fit on fishing boats or docks and clean 200 gallons of water per minute — 210,000 gallons per day, Costner said.

Navigating the system is like "playing a video game that no one can master," Costner said. And many government agencies and foreign and U.S. oil companies were unresponsive even after seeing the oil-water separator years ago.

Costner said the device had been sitting at a Nevada facility for 10 years until BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles recently called him.

"He was excited," Costner said. "He told me that the machine worked. He told me that it was working against the dispersants, that it was handling the variations of oil mixtures and thickness present in the Gulf."

Costner said other small businesses like his have ideas that could be used in the oil spill relief effort.

Starbucks offers free Wi-Fi

Summary Box: Starbucks offers free Wi-Fi

In July, Starbucks will offer free, unlimited Wi-Fi at its 6,736 company-operated U.S. stores. The company only had limited Wi-Fi for certain customers and charged for Internet access after two hours. Meanwhile, Starbucks is partnering with Yahoo to create a special network of content accessible only to customers surfing the Web in its shops. The deal includes free access to the Wall Street Journal's website.

========================================

I used to work for them a few years back. They desire to make Starbucks your "3rd Place". Meaning the consumer spends most of their time at home and work. They would love for the 3rd place to be your local Starbucks. Nothing wrong with that, I like Starbucks but I thought it was insane to charge people $10/mo to access their wifi when a large/venti fruppacino was over $4.
If you love coffee but find their coffee too strong, ask for the House Blend. They always have a mild blend brewing., If still too strong get the barista to fill the cup about 70-75% and fill the rest with hot water. Voila! Perfect coffee.

Quotes From General George S. Patton

The man actually read the Koran!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton

On black soldiers: "Individually they were good soldiers, but I expressed my belief at the time, and have never found the necessity of changing it, that a colored soldier cannot think fast enough to fight in armor."^[42

Patton stated that performance was more important than race or religious affiliation:^[43] "I don't give a damn who the man is. He can be a nigger or a Jew, but if he has the stuff and does his duty, he can have anything I've got. By God! I love him."^[43][44]

Later, Patton addressed a group of African-American tankers, saying:

Men, you're the first Negro tankers to ever fight in the American Army. I would never have asked for you if you weren't good. I have nothing but the best in my Army. I don't care what color you are as long as you go up there and kill those Kraut sons of bitches. Everyone has their eyes on you and is expecting great things from you. Most of all your race is looking forward to you. Don't let them down and damn you, don't let me down!^[45]

Patton also insisted on the assignment of some black officers as judges in military tribunals involving black defendants,^[43] and he spent more time with his African-American aide, Sergeant Meeks, than with nearly anyone else while in Europe,^[43] developing a relationship of mutual respect that transcended that of a general with his valet.

Patton was horrified at what he found when his Third Army liberated Buchenwald concentration camp. Local German citizens claimed that they didn't know what was going on, though at least a few admitted to knowing of the atrocities but insisted they had been powerless to stop it. He ordered American troops to round up the approximately 2,000 local Germans and march them through the camps. He wanted them to see the atrocities firsthand.

After reading the Koran and observing North Africans, he wrote to his wife, "Just finished reading the Koran—a good book and interesting." Patton had a keen eye for native customs and methods, wrote knowingly of local architecture, even rated the progress of word-of-mouth rumor in Arab country at 40–60 miles a day. In spite of his regard for the Koran, he concluded, "To me it seems certain that the fatalistic teachings of Mohammad and the utter degradation of women is the outstanding cause for the arrested development of the Arab. . . . Here, I think, is a text for some eloquent sermon on the virtues of Christianity" (both Patton and Halsey were Episcopalians).^[47][48]

Patton was highly critical of the victorious Allies use of German forced labor. He commented in his diary "I’m also opposed to sending PW’s to work as slaves in foreign lands (in particular, to France) where many will be starved to death." He also noted "It is amusing to recall that we fought the revolution in defence of the rights of man and the civil war to abolish slavery and have now gone back on both principles."^[50]

Patton wrote much material, including speeches, lectures, and poetry. Incorporating the biblical phrase "Through a Glass, Darkly" he composed a poem imbued with his personal interpretations of reincarnation:^[58][59]

Through the travail of the ages,
Midst the pomp and toil of war,
Have I fought and strove and perished
Countless times upon this star
...
So as through a glass, and darkly
The age long strife I see
Where I fought in many guises,
Many names, but always me.
...
So forever in the future,
Shall I battle as of yore,
Dying to be born a fighter,
But to die again, once more

Adidas Goes All ‘Star Wars’ for the World Cup

http://undertheradar.military.com/2010/06/adidas-goes-all-star-war-for-the-world-cup/?ESRC=soldiertech.nl

Or try ADIDAS STAR WARS.

Viral marketing online can be one of the most annoying things about the Internet. Except when it works.

Adidas imagines everyone coming together from around the universe to watch World Cup soccer at the Star Wars cantina:

adidas Originals invites you to join David Beckham, Daft Punk, Snoop Dogg, Franz Beckenbauer, Noel Gallagher, Ian Brown, Ciara, Jay Baruchel, DJ Neil Armstrong and some of your dear, old friends for an intergalactic 2010 FIFA World Cup™ viewing party that you’ll never forget.

Give them extra points for including the Stone Roses’ Ian Brown alongside Oasis’ Noel Gallagher and not caring if Americans would recognize them.

Echo & The Bunnymen

My first post for June also happens to be my first music related post.

Saw this group in New Haven, CT late fall 1987. One of my classmates at a naval school said he would buy my ticket if I took him to the Echo & The Bunnymen concert. I was like, Who? Even though I didn't know any of the songs at the time, I really enjoyed it. It was a small venue, some old style large theatre. Felt a little out of place since the audience was almost all Goth. My first exposure to Gothfolk. They're on the Lost Boys soundtrack doing a cover of People Are Strange.

I found this video while doing a search for Peter Murphy of Bauhaus (that's another story, see Max X later).

The below comment had me laughing at 3 in the morning.

UnpunishedMovie

3 weeks ago

Echo was like U2 without the political BS. They should have been as big as U2. Bono turned into the Oprah of rock.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Post a comment. Tell me what you think.

Its made me a little nostalgic for some 80's and 90's Alt Rock since 91.24% of what I hear on the radio is crap. With a nod to U2, what was it that Bono said on Rattle and Hum that seems to reflect my previous statement?

Lips Like Sugar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGZuij9G8PA&feature=related