Random Thoughts From Marybeth

Hawley Isn't the Only One

A Wisconsin man who wrote "Kip Hawley is an Idiot" on a plastic bag containing toiletries said he was detained at an airport security checkpoint for about 25 minutes before authorities concluded the statement was not a threat.

Ryan Bird, 31, said he wrote the comment about Hawley -- head of the Transportation Security Administration -- as a political statement. He said he feels the TSA is imposing unreasonable rules on passengers while ignoring bigger threats.

I can understand the frustration of travelers and agree that some of the rules seem a bit silly but I don't see the point in a protest that will only be seen by the people who are simply doing their jobs. They probably think some of the things they have to do are pointless and have their own ideas of what would work better - just as most other people working in any type of industry who don't have decision making positions and just do as their job description instructs them.

I don't think this was worth detaining someone over but it was childish to protest in a way that would only be seen by the screeners who have no control over policy decisions.

Read more about the story on FlyerTalk.com. The discussion is mostly about whether this is a first Amendment issue and the lack of respect the TSA workers show to passengers. I think they need to reread the First Amendment and remember that if you want repect, you need to be willing to show respect for others too.

Fun Friday

The kids had the day off from school today. The school calendar says it is for "Staff Development", I translate this to mean "We need to be with adults for a change".

Emma and I went to AAA to pick up our WDW trip information...only three weeks until we go!

After that Conor, Emma and I went to Open Range. Emma watched some boys playing reball while Conor and I practiced shooting. For the second time, a casing flew back and into the neck of my shirt (how does this happen with a t-shirt?). I got the casing out faster this time so I hope it doesn't leave a burn mark like it did last time. I may need to shop for a tiger striped bathing suit to match my cleavage for our trips to the water parks.

On the positive side, my groups are getting tighter and my reflexes are improving. Although being fast at pulling up my shirt and dumping a casing out of my bra isn't the reflex I hoped to improve. I don't even want to think about how this looks on the video monitor at the cashier desk.

WWII Poster

We were fighting Darth Vader?

Clear-Cutting Trees and Pruning Articles

Some landowners in North Carolina have been clear-cutting their lots in order to prevent their land from being designated as protected habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker.

I was trying to decide if the intent of the article was to show the pragmatism of the landowners or to illustrate unintended consequences of designating privately owned land as protected. Then I got to this part:

Bonner Stiller has been holding on to two wooded half-acre lakefront lots for 23 years. He stripped both lots of longleaf pines before the government could issue its new map.

“They have finally developed a value,” said Mr. Stiller, a Republican member of the state General Assembly. “And then to have that taken away from you?”

Now it's clear. It's about evil Republicans being mean to the little birdies. (It is the NYT.)

There are several protected clusters of the woodpeckers on state and federal land already. The NYT article also omits the information that "Fish and Wildlife warned town officials that issuing building permits in certain areas might make them liable for “inadvertent violations of the Endangered Species Act.” Anyone convicted of killing, harming or “harassing” the bird could face as much as a year in prison and $100,000 in fines." This second article is the unedited version - the NYT one left out information but felt the need to add Mr. Stiller's party affiliation. Maybe it's just me, but I would have thought that the risk of fines is more relevant than one's political identity.

There's No Pleasing Some People

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), the world's largest retailer, said on Thursday it would cut the prices of nearly 300 generic drugs to $4 per prescription starting in the retirement haven of Tampa, Florida.

Even though this will save money for patients and taxpayers (by reducing Medicaid costs) there are still critics who called it a public relations move. I would have thought that a plan that would benefit both the company and its customers would be a good thing but I keep forgetting that Wal-mart is "evil".

Not Your Usual Ribbon Cutting

Open Range Paintball Arena and Gun Range hosted an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on September 19. Attendees included members of the Louisville Chamber of Commerce, Oldham County Chamber of Commerce, politicians and their representatives, and other area business people.

No scissors needed here. Instead, the ribbon cutters had their choice of pistols.

City of Crestwood Mayor Dennis Diebel with Open Range owners Barry, and Cynthia Laws (from left to right behing the ribbon target) and others who helped with the ribbon "cutting".

Barry and Cynthia with Kentucky State Senator Ernie Harris (center).

I also took a few pictures of the paintball arena -

I didn't shoot this video, I found it on YouTube. It will give you a better idea of what it's like than my still photos do.

Haven't You Heard it's a Battle of Words

On September 30 I'm going to see Roger Waters in concert. I've been looking forward to this for a few months but now I'm not so sure that it will be as enjoyable as I had hoped.

It's been years (okay, a couple of decades) since I've been to a concert. I expect to be entertained, not lectured to about politics (especially considering the cost of tickets).

Note That Down

Tomorrow is Talk Like a Pirate Day. If you're not sure how, try this educational video.

C₁₄H₉Cl₅

Instapundit has posted about the World Health Organization's endorsement of using DDT to fight malaria.

The only thing "new" about this news is that WHO made the effort to speak out about the problem and that the U.S. is planning on providing funds for DDT use in Africa.

WHO began a program of DDT use in the 1950s but this effort was cut back when the environmental movement of the 60s campaigned against its use. Many nations banned the use of DDT and refused to provide foreign aid for programs that use it. The main focus of the ban was agricultural use, it was still used for indoor spraying but this was limited due to politics and economics.

Funding for the indoor use of DDT is a step in the right direction but this use only fights against the adult mosquitoes. When we start hearing recommendations for its use outdoors to eliminate breeding areas, that will be news.

C₂₀H₂₅N₃O

A study published in Neurology indicates that small doses of LSD may give relief and be helpful in preventing future cluster headaches.

Their results are startling: the majority (85%) of psilocybin users report that it aborted attacks — better than oxygen, which stopped attacks for 52% of the patients surveyed. LSD and psilocybin were both better at preventing future attacks than conventional medicines.

Given the current policy on drugs - if there's a chance anyone could use it recreationally, we should also try to stop it's use medically - what are the chances this will be studied further?

Bang!

I went to Open Range for practice shooting today. I can tell that I'm improving (practice, practice, practice) and it was certainly a better day than Monday when I managed to catch a casing in my cleavage. Talk about leaving a mark.

"The Path to 9/11"

I watched the first part of the ABC miniseries tonight. If the Democrats hadn't raised such a stink about it I probably wouldn't have bothered and I'm not sure if I'm going to watch the final part tomorrow.

I did like how they cut from Clinton's "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" statement to a shot of the Washington Monument. A not-exactly-subtle use of symbolism.

100 Most Inspiring Films Of All Time

AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers was on Bravo. I missed the original airing of this special but sat through the whole thing tonight. The movies on the list are good movies, but most inspiring? I'm not so sure about that.

It was a good thing that they had people from the film industry explaining why each movie was considered inspiring otherwise I might have thought that Dark Victory was meant to inspire me not to get brain cancer...or if I do, to marry my doctor. Even with the explanations I'm not sure how I'm supposed to be inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey but I am careful not to do anything that might offend my computer.

It's Not Misspelled, It's Poetic License

Davis, Lucas trade bards over donations

I'll trade you one Shakespeare for a Robert Burns plus another poet to be named later.

Aiming to Please

In response to those who don't think that shooting is "feminine" I want to start the Crestwood Ladies' Gun Club and Recipe Exchange.

I went back to the gun range today. My results were only slightly better than last time but I felt more at ease shooting. (Not that I was uncomfortable the first time, it's just that it was a new experience.) I used the same gun that I had for my class but will be going back later this week to try a different one.

And now the recipe:

Apple Swirl Bread

1 pkg. yeast
1 cup warm water
2 Tbl. sugar
2 Tbl. shortening
1 egg
3/4 tsp. salt
3 to 3 1/2 cups flour, divided

Apple filling:
2 cups finely chopped, peeled apple
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbl. firmly packed brown sugar
1 Tbl. water
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped almonds, toasted
1/4 tsp. vanilla

Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large mixing bowl. Add sugar, shortening, egg, salt, and 1 1/2 cups flour. Beat at low speed until smooth. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for one hour or until dough doubles in bulk.

Combine apple, brown sugar, water, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat for five minutes. Remove cover and continue to cook for ten minutes or until all liquid evaporates. Stir in almonds and vanilla.

Punch dough down; turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead four or five times. Roll dough into a 15" x 7" rectangle. Spread apple filling over dough. Roll up jellyroll fashion, starting at a short side. Pinch seams and ends together. Place roll, seam side down, in a greased 9" x 5" loaf pan.

Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 40 minutes or until doubled in bulk. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.

1 loaf

Free Chocolate!

Join the Nestlé Chocolatier team during September and receive a coupon for free Chocolatier.

Chocolatier is a new premium baking chocolate created for making desserts. ("Rich and decadent desserts" is the description they use...my favorite kind.)

Read more about Nestlé Chocolatier and their website at Mom's Kitchen Blog.

(Link via Beth of She Who Will Be Obeyed)