Around the blogs

Another rich harvest from my fellow bloggers for you this evening.

Alaskan Geek, Montana Architecture Student has fun (?) doing martial arts training while his over-protective Malamute (who's one of Miss D.'s friends, along with her owner) tries to 'help'. A sample:

... she loves my Gi pants, not only because they pick up her shed hair so effectively but she appears to love the *snap* they make when I am doing kicks or moving quickly in a technique or kata. Last week she actually grabbed the hem of my pants as I was leaping backwards (don't ask... it's part of the kata) and yanked me sideways resulting in me crashing to the ground instead of landing gracefully.

Theo Spark introduces those who don't know about them to 'Paraprosdokians'.

Dustbury points out that there is, indeed, Velveeta fan fiction!

Daddybear states his beliefs. An example:

I believe that I am my brother's keeper, but if I have to keep him, I get to put a boot in his ass until he doesn't need a keeper.

Running 'Cause I Can't Fly reminds us of the historical origins of government debt, in particular the use of 'tally sticks'. Many modern terms like 'stocks' or 'the short end of the stick' stem from this period. So do government's broken promises . . .

Blunt Object arouses automotive passion in almost every non-senile male breast with the sweetest-sounding exhaust I've ever heard. Ohhhh, man . . . He follows it up with some BMW vs. Porsche action.

In The Middle Of The Right points out the potential impact of the current solar storms, and reminds us that in case of emergency:

"... if you think FEMA is going to be worth a damn, then you will be a very hungry and cold sheep . . . Say 'Baaaah'."

While on the subject of being prepared for an emergency, it may look like a daunting task; but I Drive My Tractor In Pearls reassures us that, if we just tackle it a bit at a time, it's like climbing a mountain - one step at a time, and you'll eventually get there. Useful and encouraging advice.

The Tireless Agorist looks at authority, the anti-authoritarian personality, and how the 'establishment' selects its members for their adherence and obedience to authority. Interesting stuff, particularly in the context of the growing 'police state' in this country (about which I'll have more to say in another article tonight).

The Thinking Gunfighter brings us an interesting and useful analysis of a selection of self-defense encounters over the past five years. One of its more interesting snippets:

Reloading was required in only 3 incidents. One of those involved killing an escaped lion with a .32 caliber revolver, which was eventually successful after 13 shots.

I reckon that must have been a constipation-curing encounter by anyone's standards!

Classically Liberal notes that Ayn Rand's supposed 'selfishness' and 'greed' are, in fact, not all that foreign to historical, mainstream American thought after all - and cites an authority of whom I'd never have thought to prove his point.

North brings us an interesting and thought-provoking definition of friendship. I added another one, from an old Arabian proverb, in the comments there tonight.

Borepatch explains why men are never depressed. A few examples:

• Your last name stays put.
• You can never be pregnant.
• The world is your urinal.
• People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
• You can open all your own jars.
• Your underwear is $2.50 for a three-pack.
• You only have to shave your face and neck.
  

Hmmm . . . if his male readers' wives get to see that article, he may be proved wrong as far as they're concerned!

Second City Cop explains how politicians use statistics to lie to their constituents. In this case, it's about 'improved' law enforcement coverage of an area of Chicago. Looks like the place is as corrupt as ever . . .

Finally, let me remind you to glance over the blogrolls to the right of this blog from time to time. I frequently add new links there, and you're sure to find something that pleases you.

More soon from the rest of the blogosphere!

Peter