This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Author: Zero Ponsdorf

  • BEER

    For some reason I’ve had beer on my mind a lot lately? Might be because of the lovely intestinal bug I’m just getting over?

    So I’ve been compiling beer stories, beer factoids, and even beer related music.

    Let’s begin with some beer history courtesy of The Beer Institute.

    Its origins are lost somewhere in the stone age, long before history was recorded. Anthropologists can only guess how it happened, and their guesswork goes something like this: once, in the camp of some nomadic hunter-gatherers, there was a supply of wild grain, painstakingly collected for food. Somehow, possibly in a sudden rainstorm, a pool of warm water formed where the grain was stored. In a short time the grain fermented, turning the water into a thick dark liquid. Some adventurous soul among these primitive people sampled the liquid, and found that it tasted good.

    More recently there’s the story of the Iowa man who completed a 46 day Beer Lenten Beer fast. This feat generated an article in Slate asking how long such a diet could last? This rather profound question has crossed my mind before.

    While doing my research I also found some interesting uses for beer. I’m sure you might have others?

    Then there’s the musical aspect. There are several choices, but I’ll go with this one.

    The Lego Beer Song

  • Welcome Home

    Vietnam-Era Green Beret Finally Returns Home

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An Army soldier who ended up missing on a mission in Laos during the Vietnam War will be buried this weekend in North Carolina.

    The remains of Sgt. 1st Class Donald Shue, a Green Beret who had been on a secret special forces mission in Laos, were found on a farmer’s property in that country a few months ago. Shue’s sister Betty Jones tells The Associated Press that she didn’t initially believe Army officials who said her brother had been found.

    But she was convinced when they showed her a Zippo lighter, inscribed with his name, that was found in Laos. Shue hadn’t been seen since November 1969.

    Thousands are expected to pay their respects this weekend in Concord, where Shue was born, and nearby Kannapolis, where he was raised.

  • The 545 People Responsible For All Of U.S. Woes

    This really isn’t new, and Charlie Reese may not be THE conservative voice in some things, but I can’t find a single flaw with this position. I really don’t care if Mr. Reese actually said this.

    I give you a reality check from one convenient source.

    Charlie Reese:

    Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits? Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?

    You and I don’t propose a federal budget. The president does. You and I don’t have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does. You and I don’t write the tax code. Congress does. You and I don’t set fiscal policy. Congress does. You and I don’t control monetary policy. The Federal Reserve Bank does.

    One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president and nine Supreme Court justices – 545 human beings out of the 235 million – are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

    I really can’t add much. Except – I wish I’d said that.

    [Edit to Add] NSOM reminded me of a probative quote:

    Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.
    H. L. Mencken

    And the logical next question.  Now What?

  • Forget Gas and Oil…

    Say It Ain’t So, Joe: Coffee Prices Hit 34-Year High!

    Coffee prices are at a 34-year high — $3 a pound.

    To be sure this ain’t the only thing going up, but THIS may actually impact the urban socialists in a way that’ll get their attention?

    Probably not… But the idea is entertaining.  I say we cut off their electricity. Let them do windmills and solar to run their AC and compters, but I DO like the idea of them complaining at their local Starbucks.

  • Justice… is sweet and sometimes hilarious

    Who dares…break into a van full of SAS soldiers?

    TEENAGE thieves targeting vans parked on a council estate forced open the doors of one – and were confronted by four SAS men on a stakeout.

    Two of the Who Dares Wins heroes stayed put while the other two chased the panic-stricken tearaways and gave them “a bit of a slap”.

    Shouldn’t have been too hard to track down. I’ll bet they left a bit a smelly trail?

  • Chuck Norris Says…

    Top 10 U.S. Shariah infiltrations, Part 2

    While all eyes this week are on London’s royal couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton, my eyes were on an opening statement from the U.K.’s Daily Mail Reporter: “Women who do not wear headscarves are being threatened with violence and even death by Islamic extremists intent on imposing shariah law on parts of Britain.”

    And even though I’m hesitant to mention Pastor Terry Jones and Chuck Norris in the same post, the recent events in Detroit should be ringing alarms bells too.

    Is Sharia Law in this country our most immediate threat – probably not, but we certainly need to acknowledge that it IS a threat.

  • Army Patrols Columbus Georgia

    Nah, it’s not the imposition of martial law… it’s something else?

    Military patrols start Friday night in downtown Columbus

    Starting at 10 o’clock Friday, two senior non-commissioned officers from Fort Benning will be on courtesy patrol. The soldiers will be wearing arm bands that read, “Courtesy Patrol.”

    Okay whatever happened to the MPs? Or in my case the Shore Patrol?

    Does Fort Benning not have an MP contingent working with local law enforcement?

    I’m sorry, the concept of a Courtesy Patrol seems strange to me. Or maybe silly? Doesn’t it evoke odd images for anyone else? If I saw the Shore Patrol striding purposefully in my direction I’d be concerned… The Courtesy Patrol, not so much.

    [Edit to add] A coupla comments have pointed out the Courtesy Patrol is a good thing. Reckon my inner geezer is showing some, but I STILL think it sounds odd.

  • How the Marines DO IT!

    Marines’ ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal training revealed

    Getting straight to the point, male-on-male kissing is the first scenario Marines are discussing at Camp Pendleton as they learn about the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and what it means for them.

    Marines may also have to get used to living with an openly gay service member, recruiters could be punished for barring enlistees that talk about being gay and early discharges may not be granted for those that disagree with the repeal, according to training materials released this month by the Marine Corps.

    No one can convince me that this is somehow a good thing, but it IS simply the way things are for those currently serving. Reading through the training materials didn’t offer any real surprises either.

    The Rand study estimated that five percent of the military’s male population is gay and 10 percent of the female population is lesbian.

    I’m certain this training will return many fold the the time and money spent on it in the form of added combat efficiency and esprit de corps… for that 5 percent, at least.