Truth in Advertising

Lunatics are running the asylum

Link.

Gander Mountain Co. says in a federal lawsuit made public Thursday in Minneapolis that the bank that issues its "co-branded" cards is threatening to deny new applications from about 25 percent of the sporting goods chain's customers -- those with the highest credit scores. The St. Paul-based company wants a court order blocking the practice.

The bank, World Financial Network National Bank of Columbus, Ohio, said it loses money on such customers since they tend not to carry balances or incur late fees.

The Party of Lincoln

Facts, then conclusion.

Required oath of office in Texas

IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, I, , do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of of the State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State, so help me God.

Stanley v. Georgia, 394 U.S. 557 (1969)

We hold that the First and Fourteenth Amendments prohibit making mere private possession of obscene material a crime.

Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003)

The case does involve two adults who, with full and mutual consent from each other, engaged in sexual practices common to a homosexual lifestyle. The petitioners are entitled to respect for their private lives. The State cannot demean their existence or control their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a crime. Their right to liberty under the Due Process Clause gives them the full right to engage in their conduct without intervention of the government.

2010 Texas Republican Party Platform

Texas Sodomy Statutes – We oppose the legalization of sodomy. We demand that Congress exercise its authority granted by the U.S. Constitution to withhold jurisdiction from the federal courts from cases involving sodomy.

Pornography – We urge our governmental bodies to enforce laws regarding all forms of pornography. We urge more stringent legislation to prohibit all pornography including virtual pornography and operation of sexually–oriented businesses.

Conclusion: Oath, smoath. We really don't give a shit about the Constitution (except the Second Amendment).

Self-parody

Olds-iPhone

I got an iPhone today! No, not this one. I got this one.

When I was growing up, my Dad got a new car every 5 years or so, and my Mom would get his old(s) car. (Literally, as the Oldmobile Delta 88 and 98 were the cars of choice at our house.)

A generation later, the gender role reversal is complete. My wife got up this morning around dawn to stand in line to pickup her new iPhone, and I was granted custody of the old one.

I have kicked the tires, but I really have no idea how to drive this thing yet. That said, you can be reasonably assured that my first blog post from the Model-T of iPhones will be noted with great pride.

Wimbledon

Wow!

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- The longest match in tennis history was suspended because of darkness at 59-59 in the fifth set at Wimbledon on Wednesday.

That is 59 games to 59 games, not 59 points to 59 points.

Lighten up, Francis

We prevailed at trial on a very large case and the other side has retained new counsel for the appeal. This is from the home page of their website.

Our philosophy is reflected in the motto inscribed on the Firm's flag: Vincere aut Mori ("Victory or Death").

Yikes.

Bikeshare program

I hope this cool new addition to our urban landscape is able to sustain itself financially. It makes so much sense. And, after all, Minneapolis was recently named the best biking city in the United States.

News story link.

It was a light drizzle and a chorus of trilling bike bells for this afternoon’s launch of Nice Ride Minnesota, the city’s brand new bike-sharing program, which allows users to rent public bikes for short jaunts through town. According to officials, by the end of the day, the program’s 65 kiosks will be activated, stocked with 700 bikes and ready for use. Nice Ride is currently the largest bike-sharing program in the nation. It will grow to 1,000 bikes in 75 kiosks by the end of summer.

Our Opening Day

Because we were not able to get our boat in until this week, today was our fishing opener on Lake Minnetonka. The kids and I went out with a friend and his son, who is obsessed with fishing. It was a general success, although most of the fish were caught in the first 45 minutes.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade

I have always liked this guy. I like him more now. Link.

The Return to Estes Park

We returned to Estes Park, Colorado last week and met up with my wife's entire family (less one niece who was out of the country). On the way there we went through the Black Hills and visited the Mammoth Site. The fossils weren't necessarily exciting alone, but the story of how they got there was fascinating.

In Colorado, I went fly fishing for the first time. I hooked 11 trout and landed 7 of them. Six of the 7 looked like this.

But this 18" Rainbow Trout (the guide's estimate, not mine) sure was fun to catch.

The next day I did the "zip line", which sounded fairly benign when I was originally asked whether I wanted to participate. I was somewhat taken aback when I showed up and found out that I was going to have to ascend to a small platform about 20 feet up a pole, and then descend a giant hill on a wire for about 300 yards at about 100 feet at its maximum distance from the ground. And although it was daunting to go down the hill from high in the air, it was nothing compared to walking back up that hill in the thin mountain air. I think that it took me 20 minutes to recover my breath.

Later in the week I paid an exorbitant amount ($3) to spend an hour at the archery range. The truth is it ended up being even more expensive than that, as I have decided to construct my own archery range on our property in some dead space behind our back fence.

When it was over, we decided to power home in a single day during which I did all of the driving. We stopped only 3 times, once in Omaha for take-out at my wife's favorite Omaha restaurant.

Arriving home a bit past midnight, we found 3 dogs and a cat who all feigned excitement regarding our return.

All in all, it was a very nice week.