Sneakeasy's Joint

4 Reasons Why One Should Read Editorial Cartoons

Diary of the Mad Pigeon finds several examples of Editorial Cartooning at  its finest, and most amusing.

You can find more Funnies at Townhall. ;-D

CoTV Version 3 Debuts with Thoughts on the Future

Kehaar, of Silflay Hraka, brings us Carnival of the Vanities #210, and with it some thoughts about the future direction, and viabilty of the Granddaddy of all Carnivals.

I especially like his thoughts on Traffic.

Whereas I value a good traffic spike as much as the next blogger, I realize that the value of those spikes is fleeting. Most of those readers will never visit your blog again. They aren't really fans of great writing as they are followers of fashion, following whatever link Instapundit might decide to throw up next. To me, those readers hold less value than the one that comes back every week or every day or even every hour. Those readers, the ones that are fans of your writing, will find you if you are patient and keep writing every day. If your vanity is well-founded and your writing actually does deserve the recognition you think it does, readers will come. It may not happen overnight and it may not be as rewarding as heavy volume, but the value is still there.

Exactly.

If you look at my Sitemeter Stats for both my blogs you will probably wonder why I continue to do this.

My overall numbers reflect a carry over from a stat tracker I once had that tracks more than Sitemeter does, and the lead my older blog has over the other, more popular blog, on Cycling, reflects the results of 2 months of traffic to 1 long ago post on the death of Nick Berg, that included a link to the video.

My daily numbers reflect what to the Traffic obsessed would be a horror. ;-D

For most Bloggers our Blogs are a way to share our life, thoughts, and interests, with the wider world we all live in.

How many people read our stuff, find our links useful, e-mail us, leave comments, or trackbacks because they are doing us the honor of spreading the word about something we have written, on a regular, or semi-regular basis, is not as important as the fact that there are people doing so at all.

It's a Long Way to the Prairie

( Listen while U Read. ) ;-D

Up to the mighty South Grass came
An eager Snail one day,
All the streets were planted in green,
So everyone was gay!
Singing songs quite silly,
about the homeland Square,
'Til the Laddy got excited and
He shouted to them there:

It's a long way to the Praire,
It's a long way to go.
It's a long way to the Praire
To the sweetest she-snail I know!
Goodbye to life in the North,
Farewell to the Square!
It's a long long way to the Praire,
But my heart's right there.

The Laddy wrote a letter
To his Lady dear O',
Saying, "Should you not receive it,
Write and let me know!
If I make mistakes in "spelling",
dear", said he,
"Remember it's the pen, that's bad,
Don't lay the blame on me".

It's a long way to the Praire,
It's a long way to go.
It's a long way to the Praire
To the sweetest she-snail I know!
Goodbye to life in the North,
Farewell to the Square!
It's a long long way to the Praire,
But my heart's right there.

The Gal wrote a neat reply
To her Laddy O',
Saying, "Snike Snailoney wants
To marry me, and so
Leave the South Grass you Gastropod Molluskie,
Or you'll be to blame,
For love has fairly drove me silly,
Hoping you're the same!"

It's a long way to the Praire,
It's a long way to go.
It's a long way to the Praire
To the sweetest she-snail I know!
Goodbye to life in the North,
Farewell to the Square!
It's a long long way to the Praire,
But my heart's right there.

A home with Pets can be Chaotic

Fun, of course.... but still a tad chaotic at times. ;-D

For a weekly sampling of some of this chaos I recommend the latest editions of 2 of my favorite Critter Carnivals, plus some new members to my list.

House of Chaos hosts Carnival of the Cats #131, and shares over 50 entries.

Friday Ark #105, at The Modulator, has its usual extensive collection of Critter pics.

Cats, Invertibrates, Birds, Other Vertibrates, and Dogs. ;-D

Another festival of Weekly Cat Blogging I have discovered is organized by Chef Sarah Jane, and has just had its 68th edition.

This week I am, at the request of Nikita, adding 2 new links to the 3 above:

Nikita added 2 new links in HIS sidebar.

The 1st is to a wonderful site called The Cat Blogosphere.

We cats are taking over the blogosphere. It's the first step to taking over the world. All blogging cats, kittens, kitties, pussycats, and other felines are welcome to become members or email us info. Friends of felines are welcome too!

Each week there is a round-up of links to stories, and news, under the title of Weekend Cat News.

Here are links to the 1st 6 editions:

Weekend Cat News #1.

Weekend Cat News #2.

Weekend Cat News #3.

Weekend Cat News #4.

Weekend Cat News #5.

Weekend Cat News #6.

The 2nd is a new site called Pet Prayer, and Praise, Blog:

This blog will be a group effort and will be for any PET prayer requests, praises, or remembrances. Sundays a new list will be started and if you want to post a special request, praise, or remembrance, all you need to do is send ML or Kat an email, and we will in turn send you an invite so you'll have access to post on this blog.

The Prayer and Praise list for the week of 9/24/06.

Though neither Nikita, or I, are the most Religious sorts we think this is a wonderful idea.

Army of Davids Copy Begins Bookcrossing Journey

Way back in April I was the 1st, and only person, to register a copy of Glenn Reynolds new book at BookCrossing.

5 months later that still holds true, and thus I became, last week, the 1st person to Release a copy of An Army of Davids in "The Wild". ;-D

1st, though, for those un-familiar with the phenomenon that is BookCrossing an explanation is in order:

( FROM OXFORD CONCISE ENGLISH DICTIONARY: Bookcrossing: n. the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise. ) has 499,152 157 162 members, and  3,370,636 653 664 REGISTERED books, as of the moment I finish writing, and posting this entry ( Between 1230am and 1am PST ), in this year that celebrates the 5th Birthday of the Webby Award winning Community, and Movement.

I have been a member for over a year, and a half, and have written about the movement often, in that time, in an archive I call Adventures in BOOKCROSSING.

In my left sidebar is a gateway to the Community, and links to special, member created, websites related to BookCrossing as well. ( If you eventually decide to join I would be honored if you indicate Ol' Sneakeasy was the one who referred you. )

On April 20th I registered my copy of the book, and wrote my impressions of it.

It sat on my shelf all summer until I found an appropriate place to set it free.

On September 18th I visited a local park with a wonderful statue, that I had visited earlier in the month, and left the book in its special, attention-getting, bag.

As with all my Releases, except the 1st one, I took a photo to include with the description of the Release Adventure.

In this case I had thought that the person seen with her back to the camera would find the book but, as I learned yesterday afternoon, that was apparently not what happened. ;-D

As often happens when a person who finds a book decides not to become a member... the person who next Journaled the book, and will probably Re-Release it next, is AnonymousFinder.

AnonymousFinder writes of finding the book and being quite suspicious ( Wink, Wink, I'm reasonably sure! ) still decides to take the book home.....

To learn what happened next, visit the page for my copy of An Army of Davids, and read  my 2 Journal Entries, and the new one by AnonymousFinder, here. ;-D

If you are so inclined please visit my "BOOKSHELF", and  read about my 54 Registerd Books and my reviews of them, plus the stories of the Releases of 31 of them ( With Pics for 30 of them! ), here.

Oh.... in theory this copy of Glenn's book could possibly travel the world, thus leading a life of thrills, and adventure, creating new troops in the Army of Davids, and bringing new visitors to his blogs along the way. ;-D

A lot better than wasting away its life in the bordom of my  home bookshelf, wouldn't you agree? ;-D

Clinton Goes Off on Chris Wallace

When I saw the interview it was all I could do to not throw something at the TV, but since I'm not yet ready to get a new one I valiantly restrained myself.

Mainly I was mad because I was sure Wallace had indeed been tough with Bush Officials ( Great analysis, and links, by Patterico! ).

Jay, of Stop the ACLU, has the YouTube Excerpt, and a nice round-up of reactions, and analysis.

I actually thought the encounter, from start to finish, was quite interesting, and informative, and Wallace did a great job by getting a word in, throughout, and defending himself, as Clinton went off on him.

9th Circuit Trying to Re-Write 1st Amendment

Okaaayyy....... This is just plain stupid, and irresponsible, and should be overturned at the earliest opportunity.

If Religious Expression can be banned from a public library, does this open the door to someone sueing to ban religious themed books from the shelves, too?

Any tampering with 1st Amendment Rights should be of serious concern to all Americans:

The decision came from a case involving the Faith Center Church Evangelistic Ministries, a Christian group which won a court order allowing them to hold a “prayer, praise and worship” service in meeting rooms open to other groups at a Contra Costa County library branch. A federal judge said it had a First Amendment right of religion to use the public’s facilities.

But a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that ruling in a 2-1 decision.

“Prohibiting Faith Center’s religious worship services from the Antioch meeting room is a permissible exclusion of a category of speech,” Judge Richard Paez ruled.

The Alliance Defense Fund, which is defending the church group, called the decision “astounding.” The group, he said, would consider appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court or asking the appeals court to reconsider.

“Religious people … whether they’re Jewish, Muslim or Christian or any other faith under the sun, this is not what the First Amendment was intended to do, to authorize censorship of speech in public,” said Gary McCaleb, an ADF attorney.

Read the full story at Stop the ACLU.

A Soldier Speaks on Military Tribunals

Even though it appears that a compromise has been reached on legislation regarding the use of torture, and about Military Tribunals, it is still useful to read perspectives on these subjects, especially when they come from the people on the fronlines in the current conflict:

The Administration has created a Military Tribunal Plan that has widespread support within the Uniformed Military currently engaged in the Global War on Terror. Those in uniform, particularly the Combat Arms Field Grade ranks, are keenly following this subject. It is the “morning topic” in SW Asia, we are extremely aware and understand the stakes.

The House of Representatives is rightly acting upon that plan. Many “Oak Leafs” applaud our friends in the House. We will not forget them on November 7, 2006.

If Senators Warner, McCain, and Grahem alligned with Democrats continue to obstruct this well thought out plan that has the support of those Officers currently serving in the Global War on Terror it is up to both the House and the President to use all of it’s tools to win this battle for the troops. Yes, this is a battle for the troops.

Read the full letter at Stop the ACLU.

Hmmm... if the ACLU hates it then the compromise MUST have SOME merit. ;-D

Carnival of the Vanities 209 Brings an Era to an End

Lucy's Dilemma presents the 209th Edition of the Carnival of the Vanities, and now fan of the series await to see what happens next as it struggles to stay alive, and remain the important, and relevant force in the Blogosphere that it has become.

The wide variety of contributions continues to provide stimulating reading for all who venture forth to sample from the menu.

While, in the short term COTV is returning to the Blog of its birth, Laurence Simon has also tossed his hat into the ring as the possible long term caretaker.

Personally I support the continuation of COTV, on general principle, regardless of who ends up with it, or even if it splits into 2 like an Amoeba. ;-D

The President and the Bozo

On Tuesday President Bush gave one of the most important speeches in the history of the United Nations.

Some have argued that the democratic changes we're seeing in the Middle East are destabilizing the region. This argument rests on a false assumption, that the Middle East was stable to begin with. The reality is that the stability we thought we saw in the Middle East was a mirage. For decades, millions of men and women in the region have been trapped in oppression and hopelessness. And these conditions left a generation disillusioned, and made this region a breeding ground for extremism....

Today, I'd like to speak directly to the people across the broader Middle East: My country desires peace. Extremists in your midst spread propaganda claiming that the West is engaged in a war against Islam. This propaganda is false, and its purpose is to confuse you and justify acts of terror. We respect Islam, but we will protect our people from those who pervert Islam to sow death and destruction. Our goal is to help you build a more tolerant and hopeful society that honors people of all faiths and promote the peace.

Recently a courageous group of Arab and Muslim intellectuals wrote me a letter. In it, they said this: "The shore of reform is the only one on which any lights appear, even though the journey demands courage and patience and perseverance." The United Nations was created to make that journey possible. Together we must support the dreams of good and decent people who are working to transform a troubled region -- and by doing so, we will advance the high ideals on which this institution was founded.

The full speech can be read, and heard, here.

The following day Hugo Chavez the leader of Venezuela, craps on the floor of the UN and the whole assembly eats it up with laughter.

GOP Senators Sound Like ACLU On Terror Tribunals

Last week, in case you missed it...

The Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday voted 15-9 to recommend a bill — over the objections of the Bush administration — that would authorize tribunals for terror suspects in a way that it says would protect suspects’ rights.

The bill was backed by Republican Sens. John Warner of Virginia, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Sen Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

It differs from the administration’s proposal in two major ways: It would permit terror suspects to view classified evidence against them and does not include a proposal that critics say reinterprets a Geneva Conventions rule that prohibits cruel and inhuman treatment of detainees.

And Colin Powell supports these people?

Jay, of Stop the ACLU, has a great round-up of analysis, and reaction, around the Blogosphere.

What ARE these people thinking?

The more we try to appease our enemies the more they will think they are winning and continue causing trouble.

Original Carnival Submission Form Ends its Run

2 Bummers in 1 day....

1st I learn that Carnival of the Vanities is in crisis....

Now this!

The effort put in to make things like this available to the Blogosphere is great, and those who do it are forever in our debt.

Sometimes, though, things happen that ruin it for all, and that seems to have been part of the problem with Ferdy's Conservative Cat submission form, and that is truly sad.

The End of Carnival of the Vanities?

Well, this is a bummer ( I have some thoughts further down. )!

FROM 1ST CARNIVAL:

I was going to write a lengthy post on how things have changed, why people lost interest, what’s wrong with CotV, etc., and I may yet complete and post that. However, I wanted to get at least a basic announcement up sooner rather than later, and not just the ones buried on the upcoming hosts page or at the evil “Blog Carnival” site.

Carnival of the Vanities is closing for lack of interest.

The four year edition was the final test. If a heavily promoted, major landmark in the life of a historic, hugely influential blogospheric institution can’t get links or traffic - not to malign those who did come through for us, thanks! - and not even from many people with a stake, then there is no hope for it week to week. It’s just another way to get links; ironically, without having to write stuff so good or provocative it would have a better chance of generating links on its own. CotV was supposed to help ensure visibility of your best, since most of us have written great stuff that sunk into the blogosphere without so much as a ripple. And links aren’t even the prestige thing they once were. Heck, it’s the readership that matters more, and CotV doesn’t bring that.

This is very sad indeed, if it comes to pass.

There will be a #209 tomorrow and, in a valiant effort to keep things going, things will try to continue with a return to the Blog of its Birth next week, when Kehaar takes over for the forseable future.

I have submitted to the new edition and hope it is not the last time I do so.

COTV played an important part in my Blogging life.

Because of it people who otherwise might never have known I existed discovered me, read me, and linked to both of my Blogs ( I have a 3 year old, resource filled, BikeBlog of some reknown that is building a place for itself in the Blogosphere. ).

They still do.

Don't let my miniscule daily traffic fool you.

I always gave my best writing up for submission because it somehow made me feel very special to be included in something so many people, more well known in the Blogosphere, read, and cared about.

The comments, and e-mails, I got in response to my contributions over the years served as welcome inspiration for continuing my efforts.

I could have contributed every week, I suppose, but  I didn't have that SPECIAL post  each week, and I knew, and accepted that.

Hell, to be honest, more often than not I didn't, and don't, have the time to read every entry in each Carnival either, sad to say.

I have linked from time to time, in the hopes of bringing new eyeball to other blogs.

Because of COTV I got the courage to host the BEST OF Carnival twice, and those were great experiences for a budding blogger.

The reasons COTV is in Crisis are no doubt many, but here is hoping it somehow continues.

Cats, More Cats, and Some Other Critters

Carnival of the Cats #130 is up over at Justin's Random Thoughts, and has a bit less than 50 entries, which was probably why Bruiser was able to keep things organized as co-host. ;-D

Just kidding Bruiser!  You join a Rottweiler of my, and Nikita's, acquaintance, who is not just very smart, but thinks Cats are swell, too. ;-D

The Friday Ark #104, at The Modulator, has its usual extensice collection of Critter pics.

Cats, Invertibrates, Birds, Other Vertibrates, and Dogs. ;-D

I almost had a Fly pic to share this week, but the critter would just NOT stay still!

Can Americans Do This in YOUR Country?

Santa Ana is the most Hispanic city in the OC, and that is a good thing when you consider all the fine contributions many legal immigrants, and their descendants have made to the city.

Every year at this time 2 events occur in this city to celebrate MEXICAN Independence.

1 is a parade with groups representing all 31 states in Mexico marching along in front of 50,000 or more spectators, and is supported by the Mexican Consulate in Santa Ana which bills it as "a way to know Mexico without going all the way there." It went from Main and 15th to within afew blocks of downtown, on Saturday.

There is also a seperate Festival, drawing over 200,000 visitors that occurs over 2 days on Broadway, between French and 4th streets.

On Friday night as I waited for my bus home along Bristol at McFadden, the scene was one of noise, and celebration, but nothing like last spring, and the immigration protests.

As a small group of people waved the Mexican Flag on the corner every car in sight honked its horn as it passed through the intersection.

I have no idea how long this went on before, or after, my bus came.

Saturday night I was at Eddinger, and the noise, as flag waving cars came through the otherwise empty intersection, was just as active.

I wonder what would happen in certain countries, with large American populations, if Americans paraded on street corners waving Old Glory, and honking their car horns, on the 4th of July?

Or tried to hold parades, and fesivals as "a way to know America without going all the way there."

I'm just sayin' is all. ;-D

Meowsings of a Right Paw Puttie Tat 7

As I have written: I believe in moderation where that bit of bliss, known as Catnip, is concerned.

I'm a RESPONSIBLE Cat!

Sooo....

Here I am....

Taking in the bliss.... moderately....

and... RESPONSIBLY!!

Oh, yeah... I LUVS my Catnip ball!!

My message to the Cat Blogosphere is.... Yes, yes, it's harmless, I know that ....

Just don't over do it! ;-D

Of Cat, and Animal, Carnivals

I'm playing a bit of catch-up, here!

Carnival of the Cats #128: The Labor Day Edition occurred at Watermark.: A Poet's Notebook. ( As a writer, and budding poet, I'm gonna take a closer look at this place  ( Over 55 entries! ). ;-D

Carnival of the Cats #129 is now up over at Begin Each Day As If It Were on Purpose , and also has over 55 entries to enjoy. ;-D

The Modulator, of course, has The Friday Ark, and its huge menagerie of animal related posts:

#102 is here.

#103 is the new edition.

Carnival of Vanities is finally a Pre-Schooler!

The new home of the Granddaddy of all Carnivals celebrates that The Carnival of the Vanities turns 4 this week, and that means it's officially of pre-school age. ;-D

Being a Blog that's a few months older than the COTV, I am honored to welcome the newbie into the classroom! ( The class is open to Blogs, and Carnivals, hee, hee! ) ;-D

Four years ago, something happened that was to change the face of blogging: CotV #1 appeared. The very first edition of the Carnival of the Vanities featured 15 participants. Of those, I’m aware of 9 who are still blogging. That’s three-fifths! Yowee!

In recognition of how freaking amazing it is that they’re still blogging after all these years, here are some of their recent posts. Call it editor’s choice, call it anniversary madness, call it what you will: here’s your tribute to the original bloggers of the CotV...

Check out #208.

September 11 Five Years Later

I've been watching the news coverage all weekend, like everyone else, and seeing images I don't remember seeing before.

WE ARE AT WAR, folks !

NEVER FORGET !

ALWAYS REMEMBER !

The War Against Terror is not just one being fought in Afghanistan, and Iraq, but all around the world, probably in ways the general public has no clue about.

With the threat of a possible Nuclear Iran, and North Korea, tossed into the mix, Western Civilization must know that the battle for its continued survival will be a long, and difficult one.

Don't you doubt it for 1 minute !

President's Radio Address on 9/9.

Patriot Day, 2006:
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America on Sepetember 11, 2006.

President's Address to the Nation on September 11, 2006.

The Name Game

What's in a name?

K	Kinky
I	Influential
R	Relaxing
I	Inspirational
L	Luscious
K	Kind
U	Useful
N	Normal
D	Delicate
U	Unreal
R	Responsible
A	Appealing
Z	Zippy
I	Insane
E	Exquisite
F	Friendly
F	Feminine

Name / Username:

Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com

Okaaayyy.... ;-D

Jihad Training Camp Found in Britain?

A lot of information is coming out about the raids British police carried out in The War Against Terror. Would you believe that a former ballet school was used by extremists as Britain's first 'Jihad training camp'?

Dan Riehl has a lot more about this 'school'.

A Tip of the Hat to Liberty and Justice.

The Lake Thornton Monster Revealed!

Call me The Mad Macedonian.

Some days ago -- Saturday to be precise -- having a day off and nothing else to do with my time, and nothing particular to interest me at home, I thought I would go on a bike ride to Carl Thornton Park and see if I could photograph a squirrel.

It is a way I have of taking my mind off the cares of the world, and staying in good health.

Whenever I find myself with much on my mind; whenever it is a hot, clear Summer day; whenever I find myself involuntarily walking along the sidewalk, and bringing up the rear of every Liberal protest march I stumble upon; and especially whenever my weight gets such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strength of will to prevent me from deliberately stepping into a McDonald's, and methodically downing Big Macs -- then, I figure it is high time to get on my bicycle as soon as I can.

This is my substitute for spending time in front of the tube.

With a flourish too many people throw themselves upon the couch; I enthusiastically take to the open road.

There is no reason to be suprised at this. If they but knew it, almost all men, and women, in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards bicycling as I do....

( With humble apologies to the immortal Herman Melville. )

Thanks to the suggestion of Lisa Ruvalcava, of the Thornton Park Neighborhood Ass., I fired off an e-mail to Patrick Mitchell, the Park Naturalist for the city of Santa Ana, before heading off to work yesterday afternoon.

On the occasion of my 2nd visit to the park I encountered a man who gave me a clue as to what I was seeing, and I had set about trying to get confirmation, by e-mail, from someone at a local golf course, of what my final photo seemed to indicate.

Late yesterday I received a response from Mr. Mitchell that means such inquiries are no longer needed.

So, without further ado, let me present The Lake Thorton Monster!!

Kiril,

We here in  the parks department refer to what you encountered as...

THE THORNTON WHALE.

It actually happens as the weather changes or sometimes when the ground water level rises.

What you are actually seeing is the rubber liner of the lake that rises as pressures in and under the lake change.

Since there is no swimming allowed in Thornton Lake the creature you witnessed poses no danger to the public.

-Patrick Mitchell
Park Naturalist

------------------

So... the next time you visit Thornton Park, rest assured that the "Whale" in the Lake is just a harmless little "rubber" fuzzball. ;-D

One final thought....

Lisa wrote yesterday that "the picture doesn't lie".

Well, yes, Lisa, it did, and can, in a way.

Unlike the ongoing story of the reporter and the doctored photos my photo was not a trick shot but, as can be seen by a similar shot I found on the Loch Ness website, what is shown can seem to be something it turns out not to be upon further investigation.

I took the original photo from a distance, and, even with zoom, that was the result.

At the time I didn't think to go to the shore of the lake for a closer look. ;-D

After downloading the shot, and looking at it on my computer screen, Nessie came naturally to mind.

Imagine my suprise at how similar my shot was to the one on her site. ;-D

Sort of makes you wonder what a close-up would reveal about "Nessie". ;-D

Modern Photography is a wonderous tool, one that can be used for great good, and one that can be used for great evil.

Something to think about.