Archive Listing
December 7, 2005 - November 30, 2005

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Like a Friendly Uncle . . . dragging his wife through the dance
We need to take a break from the Social Security mess and giant corporations rolling over and killing people by accident, we mean, it is Christmas time. What better way to brighten the Holiday Season than by taking a moment to check in on our friend, Bill O'Reilly.

One of our favorite aspects of Mr. O'Reilly is the unending self-promotion: "We're the number one cable news program in the country; 450+ radio stations across the country for The Radio Factor; Mel Gibson bought the right to make my bad book, None Dare Spin It¹, into a bad movie when he gets done spending the $500 million he made from The Passion of the Christ; and we hit a sales record for our "The Spin Stops Here" door mats . . . "

So, we're going to try our hand at blasting away on our own horn. We knew it. We predicted. It is just like when we called the election for President Bush on November 1st with a complete explanation provided 10:17 a.m. on the 2nd. Just before everyone else went running all over with the planted exit poll story.

Today, we're taking credit for having told you who was going to know if the lawsuit between Bill O'Reilly and Andrea Mackris had any merit. Courtesy of Lloyd Grove's Low Down (scroll down to THE WIFE FACTOR) that is reporting that somebody told a friend of somebody that knows a friend of Lloyd Grove that Bill O'Reilly made a rare public appearance with his wife, Maureen, and he wasn't smiling, at all. He was looking semi-morose. He walked across the room holding hands with/dragging his wife. He and the missus ducked out of the White House holiday party for television-news types before it ended. Well, take a look and marvel.

Aren't we great?

¹Right up there with "CALL me Ishmael," is Bill's openning sentence: "As Ron Costello saw it, the nighttime media party in Edgartown provided him a wide-open window of opportunity -- one he could make the most of." Wow. The second sentence? Okay: "For he was frustrated and fed-up, and what he badly needed was to satisfy a basic human need, the need for some kind of physical release."

Monday, December 20, 2004

Competing with Machine Guns
ScrappleFace is reporting that there is finally relief from that pesky competitor of Microsoft's Internet Explorer. We talked briefly about this before, but it is good to know that soon we will be safe from all things Not-Microsoft.

Our Gratitude Knows No Bounds
Somebody noticed we put together a fine blog here. Thanks to M.E. at Stand in the Trenches for calling us out. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Sunday, December 19, 2004

Social Security -- Hot Potato
We talked about the Democrats and Social Security Reform a little bit ago, but it was during the Instalanche over our Pearl Harbor entry, so you might have missed it in all the hub-bub.

We really didn't think this would get started until next year, but Josh Marshall makes a point about reforming something out of existence by hypothetically transforming a 401(k) plan into some governmental ponzi-scheme that sounds an awful lot like Social Security. The illustration clearly makes his point that this type of "reform" is, in fact, dissolving the 401(k) plan. But, maybe unintentionally, he begs the question, "Who the heck would ever want such a plan?" The exact plan he is so fearful will be reformed away.

JM's post successfully compares the proposed reforms [which are similar to a 401(k)] and Social Security as it now exists. We can't think that any 21-year-old of sound mind would choose the existing system. Hell, we're all way past 21 and we'd take a 401(k)-type plan over Social Security right now. Maybe 21-year-olds just want to believe a governmental agency when they tell them:

We will take care of you forty-five years from now, just give us 15% of everything you earn from now until then -- and, if you don't give it to us, we will put you in prison, and, if you try to escape, we will kill you. See? We are your friends.

Saturday, December 18, 2004

Talk About How You Value Your Customers
Do you know Mrs. Elizabeth Verdin?

She was described by friends and neighbors as a conscientious and pleasant woman. A pleasant woman. A person, you might even say. Mrs. Verdin taught Sunday School at the neighborhood United Methodist Church. She was 89 years old, a widow, and she froze to death in her own home on Saturday, December 11^th. Why? Because Duke Power cut-off her electricity.

Now, Duke Power has a guy named Tim Pettit who gets to talk to reporters when Duke inadvertantly kills one of its customers. He related the details that a "contract worker knocked on the door at 32 Primrose Lane on Dec. 6^th to alert Verdin her power was being cut off. When he got no answer, the worker cut the power and left a notice on the doorknob." He also said, Duke Power is "going to be taking a long, hard look at all of our processes to see if there is anything else we can do to prevent this from happening."

Let's get this straight. Here is a woman that most likely paid electric bills for, let's say, 69 years. What is that total? Let's say it is about $150,000 paid to some faceless utility. And what did she owe them? We don't know, but let's be gracious and say Mrs. Verdin hadn't paid her electric bill for a full year -- say, $2,100. So, without ever speaking to their customer. They cut-off her power and killed her.

For a little context, consider these numbers. Duke Energy Corp (NYSE: DUK), the parent company of Duke Power, earned $389,000,000 on sales of $5,417,000,000 (that's $5.4 Billion) for the three months (that's twelve weeks) ended 9/30/2004. And, that is after paying Chairman, Paul Anderson the appropriate portion of his annual salary of $11,260,000.

Well, at least they're going to take a long, hard look at all of their processes. Processes? How about this idea -- TALK TO YOUR CUSTOMERS! Not all of them -- heaven's no. But, how about talking to customers that have been paying you to do something for them for more than 40-years. That would be a great start. You know, make it one of the PROCESSES.

But that isn't what set us off. Today, Dr. James Hudgins decides to do a puff piece on Duke Power's contributions to South Carolina's technical colleges. Hudgins gushes, "These grants are made possible by Duke Power's plan to share 50 percent of the profits from certain wholesale power sales." As South Carolina legislators decide what law to enact to get Duke Power to care about its customers, this smiling, corporate-crumb-chaser decided it was a good time to blast out a big, THANK YOU, to his kindly benefactor. Let's get the grants named, The Elizabeth Verdin Memorial Scholarship Fund -- what do you say, Doc?

UPDATE: InstaPunk has learned that Mrs. Verdin had missed paying two bills to Duke Power. We will find out how much they totaled. Our guess is -- less than $400.

UPDATE II:  Thanks to Michelle Malkin for pointing this story out and welcome to visitors from MichelleMalkin.com.

Note: The link off of the headline today is essential to understanding how these things happen. Don't miss it and the follow-up chapter, as well. Our apologies for all the work.

Friday, December 17, 2004

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Man, the giving is really getting into high gear. And many are looking more towards the getting. Chicago Boyz's own, Michael Hiteshew is pointing some things out that he would really like to get. Well, we just got so caught up in the spirit, we thought we'd point out something for you last minute shoppers as you consider what to get for the ragged staff of InstaPunk.com.

You'll have to hurry before the Chicago Boyz get the jump on you, but this would make an excellent new headquarters for InstaPunk.com. And, we would graciously give the donor naming rights and a little plaque. Be sure to view the slide show in total before committing your Christmas dollars to such a fine gift.

A special 'Thank You' is also sent out to all of you who have clicked on the little ring-ring-ring crawler to show your appreciation during this generous time of year, even if it is less than a new HQ. Thanks.

Chevy Chase -- Hill.F You.17
Remember when Chevy Chase was funny?

Neither do we.

Yesterday, The Washington Times was letting everyone in on the big deal that Chevy Chase's language was causing "even certified Hollywood liberals" to reel. Why? We're not sure. They seemed very comfortable using that word during the presidential campaign and Sen. Kerry thought it was great up there in New York City when all those filthy, washed-up comics got on stage to demonstrate how they were the heart and soul of America.

Anyway, it seems Chevy might just be a little late to help Sen. Kerry in his bid for the Presidency. Was he making this noise during the campaign and nobody noticed? Or, is he just looking for some work. Man, if they would only make another one of those zany, laugh-riot, belly-buster -- National Lampoon flicks. Then, we could all see Chevy shine again. Until then, Chevy, shut the F*&$ up.

Thursday, December 16, 2004

Nobody Any Louder
Happy Birthday, Beethoven -- that's Ludwig Van Beethoven, to you, friend. Today, LVB would have been just turning 234 years old. What do you know of the old gent? Most would know as much as suggested in our headline link today. But, I'm sure InstaPunk.com readers are more informed and will be doing something special to celebrate. At least, you can say, "Happy Birthday" to Beethoven without getting a raft of it -- not like that other guy.

Put on the 9th Symphony -- real loud, of course -- in your office today. And, when someone comes in and says, "Hey, why so loud?" You can say, "It's Beethoven's birthday -- didn't you know?" Of course, you could just go around singing in your best baritone, "Freude" over and over again for the same effect.

NOTE: We also lifted the biography of Ludwig from Biography.com -- who should really look into a fellow named Johannes Gutenburg who thought black ink on white paper was just fine. Really, who can read yellow ink on a blood-red background with one paragraph per page for 12 pages? We set it up -- black on white with a picture -- HERE.

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Lots and Lots of Incredibly Powerful Weapons
I've been doing some thinking. What with all the whinning about getting more troops into Iraq -- most notably by Sen. John McCain and, now, Congressman Joe Scarborough is sounding off. Enough already.

In addition, the sad story of Spc. Robert Loria and the remarks by Spec. Thomas Wilson have me in a generally foul mood over the happenings in Iraq.

I've re-thought our party platform, specifically section 7(B). It seems we were a bit wasteful suggesting the use of cruise missles when, all the while, there is a very cheap alternative -- meet the MK-80 series of dumb bombs.

These little beauties range in weight from 250 lbs. up to 2,000 lbs. And, they're cheap. And, they can be delivered from way above the ground by anything setup to carry the bombs, including, but not limited to The venerable B-52, the more modern B-1b, and the super-secret B-2. And, there is also JDAM add-on kits available.

The Islamo-Fascists do not have an airforce and there is no sign that they ever will. We do have an airforce. We think it is time to use it. This will reduce the number of troops required to be on the ground in Iraq and, perhaps, stop all the whinning. But, "How would this work?," you ask. It is very simple and it is simply an expansion of the 7(B) policy which is a marked response to the death or injury of a single U.S. service man. The 7(B) policy would stand. But, added to it would be the demand that the Iraqi populace turn in every known Islamo-Fascist within the next 48 hours. Then, with sufficient intelligence on the location of pockets of remaining Islamo-Fascists, leaflets should be air dropped which basically provide an additional 48 hours for civilians to exit target areas prior to calling in the death from above.

Then, all you would need is a set of well-fortified infantry that could shoot the lucky bastards that happen to run out of the burning target area. Now, this would continue until there was a complete cessation of all hostile acts. "What should be said on the leaflets?" Something like, "The U.S. Air Force is coming and hell is coming with them. Get out now. Hands up. Do not carry anything with you." If you're familiar with Tombstone this will have special appeal.

Now, just guessing here, but, I think things would calm down quite a bit. And, if not, oh, well. This is how we used air power in previous engagements, burning entire enemy cities along with their inhabitants. This was started in the U.S. by the old general, U. S. Grant and W. T. Sherman and their invention of total war (You can educate yourself, as neccessary). They used it on the Confederacy, then, they used it on the Indians. It worked. It was unpleasant. And, even today, it is regarded as barbaric in some circles, but that seems beside the point.

"But, what of the international outrage?" They are already outraged. The idea here is to end this conflict as soon as possible and in the most violent manner possible. This will send just the right message to Iran, North Korea, and anybody else that wants a piece of us.

Another benefit will be to reduce the danger to GIs traveling in Humvees -- with up-armor, or not -- and, reduce the need for GIs to go house-to-house. The need to have GIs wandering along roads and sitting at check points will soon be unnecessary.

Thanks to the work of the Federation of American Scientists, you can get up to speed with this staple of our arsenal. You can read, Bombs for Beginners and individual entries for each of the MK-80 family and other more expensive alternatives.

Sending additional troops to Iraq under the current rules of engagement will only increase the number of targets for selection by the Islamo-Fascists. Work from the superior position of the air and public opinion be damned. Let's finish this thing with the least loss of or damage to American life. The Iraqis are going to have to pick a side and keep their heads down. The time is now. President Bush needs to end this thing and stop all the nit-picking by anyone who can get to a microphone. President Bush won the election and if this whole thing is over by the summer of 2005, no one will remember how it was done come November, 2008. Fire at will.

Persecute Those who have Motes
Some days it's just too easy. This week BoomerBible.com calls our attention to Ned.34 which, as our headline suggests, is about finding the mote in your neighbor's eye (the Good Word for Consolation, 2nd after Trinity). Well, we didn't have to look far to find an example of this little direction from the Boomer messiah, Harry. And, one search and one blog later, we had our perfect example -- Kevin T. Keith of LeanLeft.com on the aborted Kerik nomination. Our apologies to Tom, but we found Kevin's post first.

Following the command to hunt ruthlessly for the motes in every eye -- a wonder to behold. Enjoy.

If you don't have a copy of The Boomer Bible, you really should get yourself one.

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

TIME TO HELP PUCK PUNK.
Puck Punk actually got some email from a reader. It was utter bedlam here since 6:30 a.m. Puck Punk has NEVER had to update an entry and it took three of us to figure out what he was talking about so we could update his entry. Everything is back to normal here, so we should be able to get back to work. The little guy sure thinks the NHL lockout thing is solved now, for sure.

Not only did he get an email -- there is also a TRACKBACK! Wow. He'll be bouncing off the walls around here for the rest of the day.

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