Stop The Invaders On The Beaches
I believe that we need to close our immense borders with both Canada and Mexico in order to protect us against potential terrorists. Kim Du Toit says it even better and with more passion:

"Here's a quick tip from a student of military history.

If you want to stop an invasion, you stop the invaders on the beaches.

You do NOT hold your troops back in a strategic reserve, waiting for divine intervention to help save you. And you most certainly do not let the foreigners invade, and then negotiate with them later (which is GWB’s fucking awful plan).

A cursory study of the events of June 1944 in Occupied France will prove the point."

The German General Irwin Rommel understood this well but could not convince Hitler of the merits of his argument. Thank goodness or we might have been repelled at Normandy on D-Day.

****On 1 April 2005 I corrected the error regarding General Rommel. He was a German and not a Nazi, a distinction that makes a world of difference to his reputation. ***
-Paul

Cuba
I have wanted to blog about Cuba for a long time. I want to go there oneday, as does my wife. She was "conceived" in Cuba though was born in Miami. Her parents left Cuba with only their suitcases and haven't been back since. Her father spent time in one of Castro's jails for suggesting that things were not going very well. You see, I am torn and have been waiting for a calm moment to blog about this country 90 miles south of Florida. Anyhow, Varifrank neatly described how I feel about the issue:

Once upon a time, a friend and I were debating the relative merits of Cuban Socialism. He said to me “ Well, at least these people who you call “oppressed” have the best health care in the Western Hemisphere, that’s something not even you have in this country”.

To which I shockingly responded, “ You know the folks in Attica State Prison get free health care, but I don’t see anyone crawling over the wire and past the guard towers to get in to get it, do you?”

And that pretty much sums up how I think of Socialist Dictatorships. No matter how swell a uniform the dictator wears, he’s really nothing more than a Southern Work Camp Warden. I look at them with the same disdain that Paul Newman did to “the captain” in Cool Hand Luke.

Thanks for saying what I felt but couldn't put into words.

Baseball Season Starts This Sunday Night
It will be the Yankees and the Red Sox in prime time. I'll grab a seat on the couch in front of the TV and I'll forget all the steroid talk and won't even bother to comment on how svelte the players look. No need to connect the dots as that would take away from my enjoyment of the game. I won't watch the entire game as it will be going on well past my bedtime. Instead, I will revel in the excitement of that moment when the Yankees take the field. At that moment if you listen very carefully and the TV network does not go to a commercial you will hear the traditional chanting of the Yankees names by the folks in the bleachers. I don't know how it all started but it is fun to watch the players one by one turn and salute the people in the cheap seats after they chant out their names. The players will usually tip their caps and give them a big smile. It doesn't sound like much but in what other sport do the participants show their respect for the spectators? I guess a football player who jumps into the stands after scoring a touchdown might be a close second though I still prefer the more gentlemanly tip of the cap.

Tuning Out
I will be tuned out of blogging for the next week. I am not feeling well. Paul will be responsible for content for the time being. I look forward to a return to posting sometime next week.

Don't Have to Watch Basketball Anymore
Duke takes it on the chin from Michigan State. Too bad.

A Non-Schiavo Schiavo Post
I've shied from posting about the coming death of Ms. Schindler. Let me just say that I prefer to think of her as "Ms. Schindler" since to credit that she is still the wife of the odious Mr. Schiavo is repugnant. His eagerness to kill her is unseemly to say the least and suspicious to say the most. But that's not the point of this.
Much has been made of the politics surrounding the Congressional intervention in the case. Speaking as a libertarian Republican, I don't really like the intrusion of the massive apparatus of government into the case of a single person. But speaking as a human being, I appreciate that efforts are being made to spare a human life. I am horrified at the removal of the feeding tube and hydration. I don't find it credible that starving and dehydrating to death is the 'pleasant' and 'euphoric' experience some are claiming it to be. If it's such an easy death, then I propose we adopt starvation and water deprivation for death row inmates. Wouldn't want them to suffer after all, would we?
Let us be honest about one thing: what has been done to Ms. Schindler is as certain a death sentence as any passed in any capital case ever tried. Since she is condemned to death, I think humanity demands that we make it as easy on her as possible. Why not, then, just give her a lethal injection? There is no appreciable difference between that and what the courts have done. Actually, since the death sentence seems now to be a fait accompli, at least she should be given some pain relief. I hope.

All that being said, the great Peggy Noonan asks:

I do not understand the emotionalism of the pull-the-tube people. What is driving their engagement? Is it because they are compassionate, and their hearts bleed at the thought that Mrs. Schiavo suffers? But throughout this case no one has testified that she is in persistent pain, as those with terminal cancer are.

If they care so much about her pain, why are they unconcerned at the suffering caused her by the denial of food and water? And why do those who argue for Mrs. Schiavo's death employ language and imagery that is so violent and aggressive? The chairman of the Democratic National Committee calls Republicans "brain dead." Michael Schiavo, the husband, calls House Majority Leader Tom DeLay "a slithering snake."

Everyone who has written in defense of Mrs. Schiavo's right to live has received e-mail blasts full of attacks that appear to have been dictated by the unstable and typed by the unhinged. On Democratic Underground they crowed about having "kicked the sh-- out of the fascists." On Tuesday James Carville's face was swept with a sneer so convulsive you could see his gums as he damned the Republicans trying to help Mrs. Schiavo. It would have seemed demonic if he weren't a buffoon.

Why are they so committed to this woman's death?

They seem to have fallen half in love with death.

What does Terri Schiavo's life symbolize to them? What does the idea that she might continue to live suggest to them?

Why does this prospect so unnerve them? Again, if you think Terri Schiavo is a precious human gift of God, your passion is explicable. The passion of the pull-the-tube people is not.

I propose that there is an answer to this and it lies in the politics, not the love of death. Let me posit, since the Republicans, President Bush and the "religious right" have all been taken to task for their "interference," that those who seem to be seeking Ms. Schindler's death are of the left. And by this, I don't mean to say that if you're a Democrat or any other stripe of leftist that you are seeking her death. I am merely generalizing that the "right" seeks to continue her earthly existence and the "left" seeks to end her earthly existence. Which begs the question Ms. Noonan asks: Why?

The simple answer is that the left is not really seeking to end Terri's life. It is, however, so utterly invested in the power of the courts over the legislature or executive branch that they must go to the utmost to support the decsions of a court, any court in the face of the legislature proving that the judiciary is not above Congressional review. And in those politics lies the death of Terri Schindler Schiavo.

PoW Salutes
Small Dog Electronics - purveyors of fine Mac-oriented wares and inexpensive tech for all. Click the link and mouse over the "Play" option and you'll be greeted by an adorable, pink-tongued pug pup. Awww!

Technoid Blitherings
The situation is this: My iMac is wirelessly connected to the IntraWebThing (WiFi), wireless connected to both keyboard and mouse (Bluetooth) and wirelessly connected to the printer (WiFi). The only two things physically plugged into the box are the power cord and the iPod dock. So, what now? I will now wait for Apple to make a Bluetooth iPod dock. (How will it recharge then? -Ed.) What?! Oh damn. All right. Never mind. No! Wait! I could plug the Bluetooth dock into land power off desk! Ha! I figured it out.

I'm Jealous
"Roger L. Simon: Mystery Novelist and Screenwriter" has the best blogroll ever. It's all little graphic banners for the sites. As a Guiness scientist might say, "Brilliant!"

Is It Just Me
Or is Jessica Alba looking more and more like Angelina Jolie? (Link is to the trailer page for the new "Fantastic Four" movie.)

We Don't Do Catblogging
We are, after all, Pugs of War. However evidence of feline perfidy is always worth reporting.
But we have nothing against cats. We are Pugs of War - we want everyone to like us save our sworn enemies the ... ok, so I can't think of any right now but as soon as we identify them there will be a chorus of effing and ebbying (Pugs vocalizations are peculiar - "eff" and "ebby" are words that seem to fit the "barking" mode. -Ed.) to beat the band!

Fun Stuff
For a change. The folks over at woot.com have a pretty cute item up for sale today: a joystick for a mere $13 including shipping. I am not a gamer but I have a few on my pooter ("Marble Blast" and "Nanosaur" that came preinstalled to be precise). I don't play them because I dislike using mouse and keyboard controls. But if a joystick only costs $13, it might be worth it. Less than I've been dropping on eBay lately.

Sometimes There's a Reason for a Mood
Not five pages into my morning noisepaper read, I stumble upon this in the Washington Times:

ACLU To Keep Tabs on Protest
By Jerry Seper

The American Civil Liberties Union has warned the 950 volunteers expected to take part next month in an Arizona border vigil against illegal immigration that it is assigning monitors to ensure none of the aliens are abused.

Not even a paragraph in and I'm screaming obscenities into my cuppa joe. After that first graf there is a pile of warm, steaming ... information about how concerned the Mexicans are about the Minuteman volunteers. The Mexicans, it seems are very concerned about human rights in a country their government has gone to great trouble to undermine. If our southern neighbors had ever evidenced much care and concern for human rights in their own country, it might be easierr to accept. But of course they care not one drop of spit in the ocean about humsn rights in Mexico. Their concern is that their countrymen are left unimpeded in their efforts to cross the border illegally and enter the US. If the pipeline into the US were cranked shut, they might have to deal with their corrupt, failing economy themselves instead of exporting their problems and getting more hard currency passed back over the border without having to do something for it.
That being said, I don't reserve my greatest contempt for the Mexicans. After all, they're doing what people have always done - going where the food is, metaphorically speaking. On the other hand, I think it's now time for the Amercan Civil Liberties Union to strike the word "American" from its name.
This organization has come to the conclusion that its role in the body politic is to "train(...) legal observers to follow and document the activities of the Minuteman volunteers." So let's look at this with a grain of truth thrown into the mix: The ACLU is going to monitor American citizens who are setting out to uphold American law and protect our nation's border so that that they are can protect the rights of non-citizens who are performing an illegal act to get across the border. This is no longer an American organization.
If they want to change their name to the Immigrant Civil Liberties Union at least they will be honest. For a change. And just for a final taste of how this organization feels about the nation whose name they bastardize in their own, here is ACLU spokesman Ray Ybarra, "Perhaps someday, we will live in a society where no human being will have to face death and hatred in pursuit of work that this country requires."
Perhaps someday we will all grow wings and ascend directly to heaven. Perhaps someday you will find enough brain cells to gather into a sparking clump and you will understand that "this country" does not "require" and never has "required" that its laws be broken so that non-citizens can seek economic betterment. Until then, take "American" the hell out of your group's name.

You Get a Mood Sometimes
I miss Lowell George.

Taking the Cluebat Out of Its Protective Case
Here is the story:

ARIZONA - Wildlife handler hurt by captive wolves
PHOENIX -- A handler at a wildlife park suffered major injuries to the arms and legs after two wolves attacked her inside an exhibit, authorities said.
Heather Mueller, 34, lost a significant amount of blood but was in stable condition Friday after undergoing surgery at a Phoenix hospital.
Park spokeswoman Nadia Caillou could not say what prompted last week's attack or how it happened. Both wolves have been quarantined as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Yavapai County authorities investigate the attack.

However the print version included this: "Park spokeswoman Nadia Calliou could not say what prompted last week's attack or how it happened."
(brandishing Cluebat) They're wolves you idiot! Not Pugs, not Dandie Dinmont Terriers, not even Rotweilers. THEY'RE WOLVES! (stashing Cluebat)

Working the Numbers
I am mostly happy with the results of NCAA Tournament play this weekend. Duke managed to eke out another win. So what's left? I ran my silly numbers game wherein the seeds of the remaining teams in the Sweet 16 are added up and the higher the number, the easier the remaining bracket should be. If seeding is to be accepted as correct. And we might as well since the seeding determined who is where as they still stand.
Duke's Austin region has a "score" of 14 (1+5+6+2). Illinois, in the Chicago bracket has a score of 18 (1+12+3+2). Carolina, which is in the Syracuse bracket, has a score of 22 (1+5+6+10) and Washington's Albuquerque bracket has another score of 18 (1+4+6+7). So by the numbers Carolina has the easiest run to the Final Four, Washington and Illinois have the same level of difficulty and Duke, which was reputed to have the easiest overall draw, now has the toughest set of remaining opponents.

If You Like Tiki
And you know who you are. You'll have a Big Tiki Drive hooked up to your computer masheen. Or, just have it around for when you get sick of your Devil Duck.

Updating the eBay Post
There is a certain satisfaction in watching an infomercial for the Tila FoodSaver (no link since I'm not pimping it) and seeing that I paid considerably less for mine off eBay than they charge even with the "ifyoucallinthenexthalfhour" price. I haven't used it yet but I will before long. Time to hit Costco for a few steaks!
And the Roomba, henceforth to be called "Red," is plugged into the wall, awaiting its opportunity to ramble around sucking up my leavings. Oh that was gross. Sucking up my detritus then.

For A Good Laugh
Click here to visit a site that will make you laugh out loud, something we all need to do on a daily basis. It's filled with pictures of awful plastic surgery that has been performed on celebrities. Not all have been botch jobs like what Melanie Griffith has done to herself or Loretta Swit. People like Catherine Zeta Jones come off looking much better. This is truly a site done by someone with a quick wit, kinda like the BlogDog's. Maybe they borrowed one of his ideas.

I guess what makes me laugh, instead of feeling sorry for these self-absorbed types, is that the surgery was elective. It's one thing to try to fix a cleft palate and it's quite another to make yourself look like you were abducted by aliens and had your face stretched.

Medical Care In Canada
Are they kidding?

"The average wait for surgical or specialist treatment is nearly 18 weeks, up from 9.3 weeks in 1993, according to the Fraser Institute, a right-wing public policy think tank in Vancouver. A Fraser study last year said the average wait for an orthopedic surgeon was more than nine months."

I admit with somewhere near 45 million Americans without health insurance the situation in the lower 48 states is not too rosy either. Though what can be worse here is that many people with pre-existing conditions are fearful of losing coverage if they change jobs. Whenever my wife contemplates changing jobs she is always brought back to reality by the fact she suffers from Interstitial Cystitis. She knows that a future employer's medical insurer could easily deny her coverage or not include her doctors as part of their plan.

In sum, you wait in Canada for healthcare from a system that is equitable. In the USA you either have coverage or you don't from a system that is much more responsive.