Friday, December 21, 2007

Merry Christmas!


I received this from one of my Navy buddies today:

To all our Democrat friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To all our Republican friends:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mac vs. PC


I am all for people using what they want and like but can't stand these ads which make absurd claims. Here are some statistics related to security flaws that you may find interesting. Again, use what you want but don't make lame excuses just because you like one GUI over another.

Windows XP, Vista, and Mac OS X vulnerability stats for 2007

XP Vista XP + Vista Mac OS X
Total extremely critical 3 1 4 0
Total highly critical 19 12 23 234
Total moderately critical 2 1 3 2
Total less critical 3 1 4 7
Total flaws 34 20 44 243
Average flaws per month 2.83 1.67 3.67 20.25


The table was take from this link where you can also get links to the actual CVE numbers of the flaws. Enjoy!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Camelbak Customer Service

I bought a Camelbak Mule years ago and the reservoir needed replaced. This seems simple enough until I get on eBay and discover that my model is old or vintage/antique. Whatever you want to call it, I cannot find an OEM replacement. Hey, no problem I will just e-mail the company. Please read the following lovely transaction, I have used a bold font anywhere I changed things or felt like interjecting thoughts. I also had to e-mail their webmaster since they have no customer support e-mail listed, only a phone number.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I have an original Camelbak Mule and the reservoir needs replaced. I
would like to replace it with a newer 100oz reservoir but don't know if
it will fit. If it will not fit do you know where I can purchase the
correct sized reservoir for this device? I have looked on eBay and been unable to find the correct product. Thank you for your time.
No Salutation:
Thank you for contacting CamelBak. Could you send me a picture of the pack?
Sincerely,
Some Person
CamelBak Products, LLC
1310 Redwood Way, Suite C
Petaluma, CA 94954
Right now I am thinking this is looking good and I will find a replacement for my pack.
Some Person,

Here are some pictures. Sorry for the size, I wanted get as much
detail as possible.
Again, no salutation
Unfortunately, our newer CamelBak reservoir will not fit your MULE. I
apologize for the inconvenience. Would you be interested in one of our newer models? (ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!)

Sincerely,
Some Person
CamelBak Products, LLC
1310 Redwood Way, Suite C
Petaluma, CA 94954
Some Person,
Do you know where I can purchase the correct resevoir?
You may want to try Ebay??
You may want to learn to help people who buy your crap.

Fortunately, Camelbak is not the only manufacturer making these items any longer so I can get a new product that is better from one of their competitors for less money.

Some people need to shut up



It's just an ad, and so what if it was "religous."

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Movie Review (Superman Returns)


I am a huge fan of Superman and spent years wondering if Hollywood would be able to "replace" Christopher Reeves as Superman. This was a difficult task since I grew up watching Reeves portray this mythical American icon.

Brandon Routh did a great job stepping into a role that was completely defined by another man over the course of a decade. If they plan to do any sequels, I hope they do, I would just like to see a less "model-like" haircut on the man of steel. Routh is almost too pretty to be tough anyway but he did well. Kate Bosworth steps into Margot Kidder's Lois Lane and wasn't near as impressive. She is certainly prettier but lacks the toughness that I think Lois is supposed to have. There also appeared to be zero chemistry between Lois and Superman but maybe that was just me. Kevin Spacey had the second toughest job becoming Lex Luthor. Not only is he a prime character, Gene Hackman is a great actor making it doubly difficult. I thought Spacey was incredible, as always, and really hit a home run as Luthor. Lastly, I have always really liked the musical score in Superman movies as it has always been used to infuse emotion into some scenes. The re-writing of the score for this movie was great! I liked the intro using the strings instead of just horns then building into the original sound so many of us grew up with.

Overall the movie was great.

***SPOILER***
The whole "illegitimate" kid thing is interesting, kind of puts a damper on the whole moral champion image. They didn't make a big deal of the situation and it may work out fine but this could be an interesting wrinkle in the whole Superman legacy.

It's about time somebody wasn't a chicken

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

More from Dr. J.

Nice isn't it?

Hey readers,
I get campus gigs by contacting club leaders and teachers. But for every gig I get, there are many reactions like this evo-prof wrote me today. Take a look at my sincere inquiry. Then look at the evo's reaction. This is not an exception! This is what they are usually like!
Merry Christmas. Dr J
"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
the Creator Himself said this in John 15, verse 18 Amen. So be it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Bio prof,
My name is Charles Jackson and I am a creation science educator.
But don't discount me so quickly. Just give me a minute.
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to meet a real creationist? -- nothing like the lampoon-stereotype circulated among like-opined preservers of the status quo. What motivates creationists? Can they think? What do they really want? Have they any substance at all? More importantly -- do you really want to know? Or are the rumors just -- good enough?
I am willing to come and give, say a 20-minute presentation to your class or departmental honors society or whatever group you choose, then do Q/A-discussion lasting the remainder of whatever time we have. If my place in the controversy defines me as a sort of "loyal opposition" ... remember what is said about "keeping them closer." If to you, my credentials define me as a colleague then -- why not?
Take advantage of this opportunity and email me: DrJackson@PointsofOrigins.com
We can make plans for a date/time to fit both our schedules.
Sincerely yours, in the interest of academic growth and freedom, Dr. Charles Jackson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Misguided Fool,
I do not have time for fools such as you. Do not email me again. I am not interested in your ignorance and do not waste my time. People like you are disgrace for humanity.
(a grown-up biology professor from Kent State University!)

Movie Review ( Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift)

Uh, dumb. Dumb is not accurate, super stupid is much more descriptive. The cars were neat, but they should not have tried to tell a story that wasn't there.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Evolution vs. Creation


Latest Dr. Jackson update, I love how the "scientists" and their followers always resort to name calling and childlike behavior when confronted by this guy.

This past weekend I attended a lectureship on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO). The speaker was Dr. Charles Jackson – the topic, creation. Dr. Jackson has a mission to take the truth of Genesis to the gates of Hell and knock…and wait…and knock again, and again until someone answers. Where does he find these gates? He finds them on every secular college campus in America (and, sadly, on some Bible college campuses). You see, our colleges and universities are the devil's playground…evolution is the game. So, Dr. Jackson takes his ball (creation science), bounces onto college campuses, and offers a challenge to professors of biology, physics, or any other discipline, by asking "Who wants to play?"


The evolutionist profs (or evo's as Dr. Jackson calls them) are sharp and condemning. One of the biology profs at SEMO sent him a disrespectful email stating that he should keep his narrow-minded views to himself. He basically, called Dr. Jackson and Creation science, unscientific. Unsurprisingly, that professor refused to debate or even attend one of the lectures. Posters for the event were torn down by suspecting evo's. Cowards!


I would think that if one were a true scientist who is honestly in search of the truth, then regardless of what you believe about evolution, the teaching of alternate theories that critique what you believe to be true can surely not be called unscientific – they, instead, should be welcomed! What is unscientific is not allowing a scientific model to be critiqued. Whatever happened to the testing and retesting of hypotheses?


All this goes to show that there is much more at stake with the teaching of evolution than the science per se. What is really at stake are people's worldviews, even more than that…the salvation of their souls. Let me explain. If you say, as evolutionist do, that God did not create Adam and Eve, then you can eliminate original sin; without original sin there's no punishment; no punishment – no eternal death; and no need for a Savior. Evolution is more than just poor science, it is a Godless worldview.


If any follower of Christ claims to be an evolutionist, then they have been utterly deceived by the father of all lies.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

I am proud of my girls


My six year old, on the left, wanted to take gifts to a nursing home this year. She came up with the idea all on her own and purchased most of the materials with her own money. Big sister threw in a lot of labor making individual cards for the residents. Yesterday we visited about twenty residents at a local nursing home who do not get man visitors. I was so proud as I watched my little girls hand out the gifts they had purchased and made. Even more special were the interactions they had with the ladies and gentlemen they brought the gifts too. Taking time to make conversation with each person and giving hugs to everyone they saw. The six year old does not like to be touched very much so that was really a big step for her. It was all I could do to keep from crying as a crowd of workers started to follow them and watch.

Those are my girls!

Oprah for President


Does this sound ridiculous? It's a complete reality with the endorsement of Obama. Is it a coincidence that they are both black and from the same area? I really want to think so, but it's hard to ignore the elephant when it is in the room. Oprah doesn't know anything about anything; yet continues to run her mouth about everything. This is a weather lady who achieved success because of TV marketing in an urban area people. Why people listen to her is beyond me, here are some examples of what she thinks and does.

Oprah is a marketing genius and is constantly pushing products (and materialism in general) and then has shows where she chastises people for being in debt.

She loves speaking about God in generic terms ... until 9/11 when she started calling the name of Jesus (it was shortlived).

She is also self-absorbed, for saying that marriage is outdated. Ironically that kindof conflicts with her "God" beliefs or should.
The bottom line is that Oprah is a self-contradicting nut and people should stay away from her.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Navy Seals


Enjoy!
The Navy Seal Creed:
In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation's call. A common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America's finest special operations forces to serve our country, the American People, and protect their way of life. I am that man.

My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.

My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.

I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.

We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the missions. I lead by example in all situations.

I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.

We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me - my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.

We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.

Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.