Truth, it's good for the soul

"Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practise to deceive!"

- Sir Walter Scott, from Marmion, circa 1810


"I will not lie,
 I will not lie for you

It's only right for me to tell you
When it's the wrong thing to do
It's only right that you should know
If he comes to me
I will not lie for you
No, I won't lie for you

Mama, I won't lie for you

Little girl, I won't lie for you
No, I won't lie to him for you

I will not lie for you"

- James Taylor, excerpted, 1979

Let us consider John Moses Browning's crowning achievement

OK, this post is apropos to nothing - I just noticed that I had a picture of #1 son from a couple of weeks ago, demonstrating fine shooting skills with Mr. Browning's creation (the Colt 1911 .45ACP, for unenlightened minds, regarding firearms at least).  He is also proficient with the Ruger P-90, DA & SA .357s, and a wide variety of .22s, both semi-auto and revolvers.

Where are they now?

Remember them woodsy fellers what done Ned Beatty wrong in Deliverance?

Looks like they invested their movie profits and bought themselves a high-tone housing development out by the lake:

You would do this because...?

I know when I was in high school, it was common for the kids at the public schools to "borrow" the Kip's Big Boy, or the Bonanza steakhouse steer as a prank for Homecoming or somesuch.

I'm just not sure why would you put one on your own carport/loafing shed?

Yes, way!

I still can't help thinking this place was named by an 8th grader, or a Saturday Night Live writer.

Gilligan's Islands

By now everyone has undoubtedly viewed the video clip of U.S. Representative Hank Johnson of DeKalb County, Georgia, speculating in an Armed Forces hearing that additional U.S. military personnel on the island of Guam might lead to its tipping over and capsizing.

So, as a Public Service Announcement, owing mainly to the deep reverence I hold for the institution of the United States Congress and its members, let me issue a Traveler's Advisory Warning to those who might be inclined this Spring or Summer to travel to the following islands, all as small or smaller than Guam:

• Kahoʻolawe (Hawaii)
• Lānaʻi (Hawaii)
• Niʻihau (Hawaii)
• Alcatraz
• Ellis Island
• Galveston Island
• Mustang Island
• Padre Island
• Goat Island

Travel advisories are not anticipated at this time for the following:

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Antarctica
• Hawaiʻi
• Maui
• Oʻahu

If travel to Molokaʻi is planned, please check in advance for possible warnings, as it is only about 25% larger than Guam and may be on the "at risk" list.  The same advice applies to the island that Tom Hanks was stranded on in Castaway, size unknown.

Lastly, if anyone has booked a trip to Fantasy Island, please be sure to say hello to Representative Hank Johnson on your arrival.

The Barry who should have been President

I was looking up a quote on the internet and came across a gem.  In full disclosure, I was looking for the "extremism in defense of liberty" quote, but saw this one.  Have a look:

I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution or that have failed their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is "needed" before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents "interests," I shall reply that I was informed that their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am doing the very best I can.

Conscience of a Conservative, 1960, Barry Morris Goldwater