71% of people in Chicago are idiots!

Yes, they re-elected the big Dick. It's truly amazing how stupid people in Chicago really are!

Wait... that's wrong... I said 71% of people in Chicago are idiots!, while that may be true, I really should say 71% of voters in Chicago are idiots. That's more accurate in this case because there's a decent population of felons in Chicago that CAN'T vote and the voters are too stupid to vote for politicians who believe that they have the right to defend themselves against the lowest of the low.

Chicago... I've got 2 words for ya.... TERM LIMITS!!!

What the hell ever happened to Michael Dudikoff?

So I just got finished watching American Ninja in HD. This is a movie I haven't seen in a VERY long time... I didn't remember it being so bad either. Not Supercross bad but this by no means is a "Lethal Weapon" or "Above the Law". It did look pretty good on HD though.

After a quick look on IMDB, it looks like until about 5 years ago Dudikoff was doing some straight to video shit. I haven't heard of a thing he's done since the American Ninja films. Also, I'm sad to report (albiet 13 years late) that Steve James passed away from pancreatic cancer in late 1993. I really liked him and his Curtis Jackson character and frankly... he's done more stuff that I've seen than Dudikoff has.

So anyway... just a bit of random (and worthless) information for today.

What happens when you put glowsticks in the blender?

Weather channel going mostly HD...

EngadgetHD is reporting that the Weather Channel will go mostly HD in the second half of 2007. It looks like it will just be in studio stuff for now. We'll have to wait till 2008 before their shows and their field cameras are upgraded to HD.

A response from the Embassy....

About an hour ago I received my first response from the Hilton Rant letter I sent out....

I received your letter and I can empathize with you. I too would be very disappointed in the fashion this all took place. Too soften the trouble that we have caused you, our hotel has prepaid for 2 nights at the Hampton Inn that you are booked at. Your only responsibility will be for the 3rd night you have booked. I have spoken with Deb Benhoff, the Hampton Inn GM, and she is going to make the billing arrangements.

I again apologize and if I can further assist you, please do not hesitate to contact me at the numbers listed below.

Frank Phair
General Manager
Embassy Suites St. Louis Downtown

Wow... My rant saved me $300! I think I'm going to re-extend the stay to 4 nights now... so we don't have to leave Friday morning at 3am. It will be easier to leave mid-morning on Thursday and take our sweet time!

EDIT: I booked that Thursday night... not only is it less expensive than the Fri/Sat/Sun rates, but with their "St. Louis Gateway Arch Family Getaway" package, we'll four tickets to the tram at the Gateway Arch & four tickets to the "Great American West" IMAX movie. (That would cost us over $50)

Gates vs. Jobs Video... Funny Stuff!!

Screw you Mike!

Check out this New York Daily News Article. I put the best parts in bold...

Feds shoot down Mike's gun suit
BY MICHAEL SAUL
DAILY NEWS CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF

The federal government will not file criminal charges against any of the 15 out-of-state gun dealers accused by Mayor Bloomberg in a federal lawsuit of selling guns illegally, the Daily News has learned.

In a stern rebuke to the city's high-profile crusade against illegal guns, the feds warned the Bloomberg administration that it could face "potential legal liabilities" if it continues to conduct sting operations that fall within the jurisdiction of federal agents.

Bloomberg announced the filing of a federal lawsuit last May against 15 gun dealers, who he lambasted as the "worst of the worst." The city later filed a similar lawsuit against another 12 dealers.

In both cases, the city sent private investigators to gun dealers and secretly videotaped them making what Bloomberg called illegal "straw purchases."

A "straw purchase" refers to when an individual talks with a store clerk about purchasing a gun, but then gets another person to fill out the required federal forms and undergo the mandatory background check.

According to a letter sent to City Hall, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and various U.S. attorneys' offices have determined the city's findings against the 15 dealers "do not rise to a level that would support a criminal prosecution."

The letter - sent Tuesday by Michael Battle, director of the executive office for United States Attorneys at the Department of Justice - also scolded City Hall for engaging in sting operations involving persons "without proper law enforcement authority," saying that could put the city in legal jeopardy. Battle added that City Hall could "unintentionally interrupt or jeopardize" criminal probes.

Asked if the Bloomberg administration plans to stop conducting the sting operations, Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler said, "Not necessarily."

"The city hasn't violated any laws," Skyler said defiantly, adding that the city will continue to pursue its civil lawsuits against the gun dealers.

Yes, please continue your 'stings' Mikey because I'd really like to see the Feds come down hard on you!

No better place than National TV!

This clip I found of a morning news show gave me a chuckle...

GiveThemBack.com

A Shocking Story of Gun Confiscation In America

The video you will see on this web site is horrifying. The crimes committed against law-abiding gun owners are beyond comprehension. The arrogance of anti-gun politicians and government officials and their hate of freedom will churn your stomach.

The law is the law, the Constitution is the Constitution. If ONE local mayor or police chief can decide what the Second Amendment means, it opens the door to tyranny—where ANY mayor or police chief can say what the Second Amendment means.

I strongly urge you to visit the site and watch the videos. Maybe next time it will get you out to vote! Our collective voices can stop this from ever happening again!

Pretty scary stuff...

So I was catching up on the last couple episodes of 24 and I kept hearing sirens outside. At first I thought it was from the show. That new home theater in-a-box can throw sound around pretty well. Anyway... I decided to look outside. There were firetruck, ambulances and police cars as far as the eye could see (from by obstructed bedroom window view anyway)

I headed to the living room to see what my view would be from my bay window. Upon looking out I saw what was a massive emergency response and smoke coming out of a house.

Here's a short article...

Neighbors save man from burning house

OAKWOOD HILLS - Two neighbors rushed into a burning house at 13 Hickory Road near Cary and pulled 58-year-old Timothy Shafer from the blaze Thursday night, Oakwood Hills police said Friday.

The Oakwood Hills Police Department and the Cary Fire Protection District responded to the fire at 8:03 p.m.

Shafer was the only person in the house and was rescued before police officers and firefighters made it to the scene, officials said. Shafer’s two cats died in the fire.

Officials said that Shafer was in critical condition and was flown to Loyola Hospital in Maywood. The house was severely damaged and is uninhabitable, police said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Cary Fire Protection District, the Oakwood Hills Police Department and the Illinois State Fire Marshall’s Office.

The kids wanted to drive over there. An "adventure" Nick called it. So we bundled up, (absolutely freezing outside) hopped in the car and drove to the next block. The road was blocked by police so we turned around and went back to the house. We then decided to walk over. After talking to a neighbor for a minute we walked up the street to see what we could see.

It was a massive response for a house fire. I saw trucks from Cary, Crystal Lake, Wauconda, McHenry, Nunda Township. There was a helicopter circling the scene (Lifeflight?)

It's good to know that if my house is ever on fire, an army of firefighters can get to the scene pretty quickly (especially with the Crystal Lake Road station reopened).