Low battery alert and very cold weather

Not a good mix. I decided (now that I can drive again) to go to Walmart after the gym and see if any of those snazzy CD/FM/AM clock radio players that I saw online were in stock, but they weren't so I bought a few items and went to the car. I have one of those automatic key fob thingies and it wouldn't let me in the car. I had seen a warning (but only one) on the dash a few days ago that the battery in the key fob was low, but had done nothing about it. It quit on what could be one of the coldest days this winter, and I'm standing in the parking lot with groceries. I figured out how to get the hidden key out, even with cold fingers. Then realized that after opening the door, there was no place to put it in the starter button. Then the dash told me it couldn't recognize the fob, so I got closer to it, and it started. And I took off for Auto-zone to buy a battery. They only come with 2, so I then went back with the other one and had the guy change that one, too.  It took several tools and his smacking it on the counter to get it replaced.

Tech was not my friend this week (old CD player was electrocuted and died). What I was looking for is one of these.  Mine was a 1998 model that fried when a light bulb blew.  Some of the new ones look like 1960s or 1950s radios.

Using Radio Garden and finding Gunsmoke

 Using the Radio Garden app, you can listen to radio all over the world, so after browsing Oberlin, Ohio and Nantucket, Massachusetts, I landed in Chicago (globe has bright green lights to guide across the world), but no city names until you stop. I found a radio station, Wild West Old Time Radio, and it was playing an episode of Gunsmoke.  William Conrad played Matt Dillion. Gunsmoke (radio series) | Gunsmoke Wiki | Fandom According to the fan site, Conrad was considered (but not seriously) for the Marshall Dillion part when it went to TV, but he was too heavy.

"[Some] argue the radio version was more realistic. Episodes were aimed at adults and featured some of the most explicit content of their time, including violent crimes, scalpings, massacres, and opium addicts. Many episodes ended on a somber note, and villains often got away with their crimes.

Nonetheless, due to the subtle scripts and outstanding ensemble cast, over the years, the program evolved into a warm, often humorous celebration of human nature."

Interesting to hear the commercials--especially for cigarettes. The writing and sound effects are so good, you don't even need an old black and white TV to enjoy it.  I seem to remember my sister Carol being a big fan of this show which ran from 1952 to 1961.

Mike Gallagher's experience with tests for Covid

Mike Gallagher keeps the test kits on hand. Sends them to friends and family who can't get them. He and a friend from out of town had planned a night out--dinner in a restaurant and then the theater, and he asked the friend to first take a Covid test. Both he and the friend were vaxxed and boosted, and both had had Covid after their vaccinations. The friend agreed and the test came up positive. He couldn't believe it, so Mike gave him another one. Positive again. So, they cancelled their plans. 01-12-22 The Mike Gallagher Show Hour #1 | Salem Podcast Network Listen at minute 19.

Recommendations for alternative listening

My friend Julie recommends some alternative radio sources if you're missing Rush.

"I started following people on the back channels or Rumble like x22, patriot streetfighter, AWK [And We Know],  Mel K, RedPill78, Santa Surfing, Thrivetime Show. Also listen to folks on Youtube like Dutch Sheets, Elijah Streams, Monkey Werx. Much more interesting and they can talk about everything that is really going on in the world. Also listen to Dr. Dave Janda on Sunday afternoons on WAAM radio out of Ann Arbor. He has a great show with great guests. I was a loyal GB and Rush listener for many, many years but Glenn isn't as interesting any more compared to all the other stuff I'm trying to watch on the internet. Since the Cabal owns all the radio syndicates, I think their people have their hands tied about certain topics. I have heard Buck and Clay [Rush replacement in that time slot in Central Ohio] a few times when I'm in the car. They're not bad but they could never replace Rush. I loved Rush mostly for his humor and nicknames. I will never forget Rush saying, "Struck Stroke Smirk." Your eyes will be opened wide once you start following some of the online/rumble/bitchute/brighteon. Let's see if FB blocks this post because of some of the names mentioned."

My friend Terri suggests the following.  "Other good alternatives... The Right Side with Doug Billings (He just went through all of the patents filed since 2004 and the published plans for lockdowns, media involvement/hype re vlrus, testing and vaccin3 - yes since 2004), The Professor’s Record, Stew Peters of Red Voice Media, Liz Wheeler, Man in America (based in Columbus OH)... a lot of Patriots working hard to get the truth out there since MSM is covering it up!"

And of course, I always recommend Zuby's podcasts , a rapper and athlete, with various people in the know and in the news. Conservative Christian.  He's the son of Nigerians, a British citizen, with an American accent. 

Rush Limbaugh, 1951-2021

https://youtu.be/gfRgI5LryyM The outcome was never in doubt, but he lived longer than expected.  Rush Limbaugh, dead at 70, announced by his wife on his radio program at noon, February 17.

A real American success story. Started at the bottom. He used to inspire young people with stories about how many times he failed or was fired. Former disc jockey, former sports announcer. Loved the stories about his grandfather and father. Quit college because he said he wasn't learning anything about what he loved. He set the standard for talk radio and always encouraged people coming up in the business. And the money he used to raise for cancer research! Millions. Not realizing then it would take him, too.

I was still a Democrat the first time I heard him, and I wouldn't say he was the reason I changed, but he helped my education and caused me to dig a little deeper than my shallow knowledge of politics. But it was his voice. Best voice on radio, and so patient in listening to some of his really "challenged" callers. He loved to get calls from Democrats on Open line Fridays and just gave them enough rope and encouragement to strangle themselves. He appreciated every prayer, his wife reported.

The first time I heard Rush Limbaugh on the radio we were driving to Lakeside and he was talking about Dan's Bake Sale. With Rush promoting it (it was to needle President Clinton) about 70,000 people showed up but Dan never caught on to the opportunity.  I didn't become a Republican for another 12 years, but always enjoyed his show. Democrats were smarter back then. He could talk about anything and make a good story. Clinton was his nemesis, and I think Rush needed him to be funny.

I have two Rush stories to tell.

1) I listen a few times a week to the "Called to Communion" show with Dr. David Anders on EWTN radio. It's on at 2 p.m., but I listened to the archived shows in the middle of the night if I wake up. About 3:30 this morning I listened to Tom Price, Dr. Anders' side kick and announcer, get choked up speaking of Limbaugh's death (this would have been just 2 hours after it was announced by his wife on radio). He said that when he and Rush were starting out in the radio business they worked together as disc jockeys. (That's why the music on the Limbaugh show was always so great--he could also sing.) Rush always came to work in a white shirt, tie, and dress slacks, instead of the casual jeans of the other rockers. During commercials or on break, Rush was always talking politics, Tom recalled, even back then when he was poor and struggling. Of course, Rush's opinions and voice of Conservatism became famous, he wrote a number of books including a series for children in addition to his syndicated radio show and was a multimillionaire when he died. Tom happily works for a Catholic non-profit in Alabama, but also has a voice heard around the world.

2) Rush's fans are called "ditto heads" because shortly after his national show became so wildly popular back in the late 80s, the calls from his fans were so effusive with compliments, he asked them to just say, "ditto" so it didn't take up so much air time. Americans were thrilled to have someone who spoke to and for them.

Turn on Newsmax and turn off the alphabet and cable news if you want to hear a real eulogy, honest information.

Yes, Rush was divisive. You either liked that he gave Conservatives a voice and platform or you didn't. But he was never racist or homophobic. I wasn't a daily listener, but in 32 years, I never heard that. Women? He did tell stories about some women we didn't like or admire, same as men. Sort of equal opportunity. But his female fans adored him--why would you believe a Leftist over them? And he loved having Left leaning callers on his show--really let them play it out so we could see what they were about. They actually provided material and he had a name for those who had been trained on how to set him up. He could always tell. What was it--a seminar caller? Can't remember. The lies and hate were all from his enemies--he was a joyful, happy patriot. Always optimistic, even when dying.

"Usually, in this line of work, if you're lucky, you get a moment - a year or two when you're the in-thing - and you hope to hold enough of that moment as it slowly fades away to keep you going till retirement. Rush did something unprecedented in the history of TV and radio. Commercial broadcasting began in the United States in 1920: The Rush Limbaugh Show came along two-thirds of a century later, became the Number One program very quickly, and has stayed at the top all the way to today - for a third of the entire history of the medium." Mark Steyn

A message from the Great Depression years

 Every morning I read the daily readings for Catholics from Magnificat, a small magazine which usually includes, several hymns, one or two passages from the Psalms (one responsive), an Old Testament history reading, the Gospel and usually an Epistle, a story about a saint, and perhaps a reading from the writings of a saint, not necessarily the same person, because some saints were not literate or are known only through the writings of others. Sample copy: Magnificat Request a sample copy There is some comfort (actually a lot) knowing that Catholics all over the world are using the same passages, and that they are also being read and commented on during daily mass.  When I attend mass at St. Andrew I will hear from the pulpit the same passages I read with my morning coffee (actually, my hot chocolate since I don't drink much coffee anymore). If I tune into one of the EWTN radio selections for that day, I may hear another meditation on one of those passages. It is marvelous to see how all these fit together when read that way. (Hear it, see it, say it, do it is the best way for us to learn, particularly elders and small children)

However, as I've mentioned before, this summer I picked up a "like new" book from a Little Library on the Psalms, Meditations in the Book of Psalms, by Erling C. Olsen, (3rd. ed 1952) c. 1967, 4th printing.  New these are about $20, but Little Library is take one, leave one, or take and read and put it back. It's the "best deal" I got all summer. The author's preface and the cover explain the evolution of this 1,050 page book.  It began on February 18, 1934 as radio broadcasts of the Psalms, originally with only the most well known, and then he went back and added in the rest, ending finally on November 27, 1938. Then he edited his scripts and did more research to make sure all the scripture passages and quotes from scholars, listeners and friends were correct. This must have been a Herculean effort--240 radio messages, 68 hours of broadcasting, 1000+ hours of research.  The first edition of "Meditations" was published in 1939 in 2 volumes, 2nd in 1941, 3rd in 1952 (in one volume), the copyright was renewed in 1952, and the 4th printing of that was 1967. And all that explanation, particularly the dates of the broadcasts, is to bring us to Psalm 127, the reading from "Magnificat" for December 17, 2020. In most broadcasts, Olsen comments on something contemporary, but doesn't mention dates, although dates may have been in earlier editions. I'm sometimes caught up short when I am reminded there is nothing new under the sun, and that God has rescued our nation before from the bad decisions of his people. That said, I've read elsewhere that Olsen may have been a dispensationalist, and thought the ending was nigh.

One thing on our minds (at least of patriotic, conservative Americans) is the packing of the Supreme Court, if the Republicans in Georgia don't win the run-off this coming January. This attempt has only happened one other time, if my knowledge of U.S. history is correct.  President Roosevelt tried it during the Great Depression of the 1930s. In order to get all he wanted in the "New Deal," FDR needed to get rid of, or lessen the influence of certain members of the Supreme Court.  They were old and in my opinion, wiser than FDR, considering the things they struck down that he wanted.  The average American retires around mid-60s, but even today SCOTUS members may serve well beyond that (Ruth Bader Ginsberg was 87, and had been in ill health for some time). Roosevelt wanted to appoint up to 6 additional justices for every justice older than 70.5 years who had served 10 years or more which would lessen the influence of those on the court (to decide cases according to FDR's demands). FDR's response to the world wide economic crisis was to lessen capitalism and strengthen socialism. (Sounds like 2020, doesn't it?)  He wasn't successful, but more members of the court did eventually swing his direction.

Which brings us  to Olsen's comments about Psalm 127. He comments that the first verse applies in every sphere "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it" and "except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." was particularly about the U.S. Now here I'm assuming this broadcast was in 1937 when FDR was up to all sorts of mischief.

"Take the problem now up for discussion in our own land: the matter of the Supreme Court.  Some of us have been urged to petition our representatives.  No one can take exception to that.  Our representatives should know what we desire if they are to represent us properly.  There is only one way through which they can accurately determine our wishes, and that is from our own expression.  However, while a petition is desirable, prayer is infinitely more powerful.  I repeat what I said on another occasion; I believe that our difficulties would soon be past if the godly people of this country would earnestly pray. . ."

We are certainly on a precipice right now--socialism is bearing down on us and many Americans are asleep to the danger, or worse, suggesting open rebellion and violence to stop it.  Olsen, back in 1937, had already seen a lot, and he suggested prayer (as well as letting your representatives know your desire).

This Is How FDR Tried to Pack the Supreme Court - HISTORY

Mr. Olsen was not a pastor, he was Executive vice president of The Fitch Investors Service, in New York and in addition to the Sunday morning broadcast, he also hosted a mid-week program where he interviewed knowledgeable guests. In a brief look through the internet, I see that some of these programs are also available. 

John Corby, 61, dies

https://www.10tv.com/article/610-wtvn-radio-host-john-corby-dies-61

What a shock.  He's been on Columbus radio for years--obviously not as long as we've lived here (50 years), but I can't remember when I didn't listen to him, usually in the car, usually he was talking about the local scene, what restaurants were good, and "how about those Buckeyes." He had a great audience rapport and kept up the banter taking phone calls.

"With deep shock and sadness we report that long time afternoon host John Corby on News Radio 610 WTVN died unexpectedly Saturday morning. January 20th, 2018. He was 61." 610 WTVN

Mike McConnell is back on WLW Cincinnati 770

I used to enjoy Mike McConnell WLW Cincinnati while driving, then he moved to Chicago, now he's back in Cincy. I never knew if he made someone mad, or was too sarcastic or political, but the few times I did find him when we were driving to northern Illinois, the thrill was gone.  One of my favorite remarks from 2007 (from one of my blogs): "I was listening to the local (Cincinnati) talk show in the car this morning and the host Mike McConnell was talking about how over protected children are today. His plan, if he were in charge of the U.S. Dept. of Education, would be, "Sit down, shut up, and pay attention," and it wouldn't cost the tax payers a penny."

Welcome home, Mike.

Top local radio talk shows in U.S.

Most I’ve never heard of unless Chicago or Ohio or if they’ve substituted for Glenn or Rush or Michael. Not too many women on this list; I wonder why.  We are born with the gift of gab.

1. John and Ken, KFI 640 AM, Los Angeles, California.
2. Curtis and Kuby, WABC 770 AM, New York, New York.
3. Howie Carr, WRKO 680 AM, Boston, Massachusetts.
4. Steve Cochran, WGN 720 AM, Chicago, Illinois.
5. Bill Carroll, KFI 640 AM, Los Angeles, California.
6. Brian Wilson and Larry O’Connor, WMAL 630 AM, Washington.
7. Brian Sussman, KSFO 560 AM, San Francisco, California.
8. Jeffrey Kuhner, WRKO 680 AM, Boston, Massachusetts.
9. Roe Conn, WGN 720 AM, Chicago, Illinois.
10. Chris Plante, WMAL 630 AM, Washington, D.C.
11. Michael Berry, KTRH 740 AM, Houston, Texas.
12. Dom Giordano, WPHT 1210 AM, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
13. Doug McIntyre, KABC 790 AM, Los Angeles, California.
14. Lars Larson, KXL 101 FM, Portland, Oregon.
15. Jim Gearhart, WKXW 101.5 FM, Trenton, New Jersey.
16. Geraldo Rivera, WABC 770 AM, New York, New York.
17. Steve Dahl, WLS 890 AM, Chicago, Illinois.
18. Clarence M. Mitchell IV “C4,” WBAL 1090 AM Baltimore, Maryland.
19. Joe Pags, WOAI 1200 AM, San Antonio, Texas.
20. Bill Cunningham, WLW 700 AM, Cincinnati, Ohio.
21. Armstrong and Getty, KSTE 650 AM, Sacramento, California.
22. Ronn Owens, KGO 810 AM, San Francisco, California.
23. Chris Stigall, WPHT 1210 AM, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
24. Mark Reardon, KMOX 1120 AM, St. Louis, Missouri.
25. Ron and Don, KIRO 97.3 FM, Seattle, Washington.
26. Mandy Connell, KHOW 630 AM, Denver, Colorado.
27. Dan Yorke, WPRO 630 AM, Providence, Rhode Island.
28. Larry Young, WOLB 1010 AM, Baltimore, Maryland.
29. Mark Davis, KSKY 660 AM, Dallas, Texas.
30. John Carney, KTRS 550 AM, St. Louis, Missouri.
31. Joe Piscopo, WNYM 970 AM, New York, New York.
32. Lincoln Ware, WDBZ 1230 AM, Cincinnati, Ohio.
33. Tom Bauerle, WBEN 930 AM, Buffalo, New York.
34. Jim Villanucci, KXNT 100.5 FM, Las Vegas, Nevada.
35. Charlie Brennan, KMOX 1120 AM, St. Louis, Missouri.
36. Charlie Sykes, WTMJ 620 AM, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
37. Brian Whitman, Ben Shapiro, Elisha Krauss, KRLA 870 AM, Los Angeles, California.
38. Tom Marr, WCBM 680 AM, Baltimore, Maryland.
39. McGraw Milhaven, KTRS 550 AM, St. Louis, Missouri.
40. John DePetro, WPRO 630 AM, Providence, Rhode Island.
41. John Hancock, WBT 1110 AM, Charlotte, North Carolina.
42. Mark Belling, WISN 1130 AM, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
43. Joyce Kaufman, WFTL 850 AM, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
44. Mac and Gaydos, KTAR 92.3 FM, Phoenix, Arizona.
45. Chris Merrill, KOGO 600 AM, San Diego, California.
46. Mark Trivisano, WTAM 1100 AM Cleveland, Ohio.
47. Alan Stock, KDWN 720 AM, Las Vegas, Nevada.
48. Simon Conway, WHO 1040 AM, Des Moines, Iowa.
49. Jeff Wagner, WTMJ 620 AM, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
50. Jan Mickelson, WHO 1040 AM, Des Moines, Iowa.

 http://www.newsmax.com/TheWire/influential-talk-radio-hosts-shows/2015/06/30/id/652849/#ixzz3ee0xranV

The origins of modern medicine

“Dr. Stanley Burns is an ophthalmologist, surgeon and historian who lives right near Grand Central Station in Manhattan. His three story home - is nondescript from the outside. There's a tiny sign on the door that says Burns Archive but inside is one of the largest and most important photographic archives of early medical history in the world.

Currently Dr. Burns serves as the medical and historical adviser to The Knick, a hit HBO series.”

You can listen to an interview.

http://burnsarchive.com/Explore/Medical/

http://www.burnsarchive.com/SHOPPE/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burns_Archive

The interview also includes discussion with the author of The Good Doctor, the story of Dr. Philip Lerner.

http://drbarronlerner.com/the-good-doctor/

Baby Boom Box

Today I bought a Baby Boom Box (AM and FM radio) at Volunteers of America for 90 cents.  It’s really cute. It was missing the clip that covers the 4 AA batteries, but I figured that wouldn’t be a problem if it worked.  It works fine, has good quality sound, BUT there isn’t an off on switch, so it looks like I’ll need to remove at least one battery to turn it off.

Enjoying Jack Benny 60 years late

I enjoy watching The Jack Benny show on my "rabbit ears" TV--I rarely listened/watched when it was one of the most popular and long running radio/TV shows in history (1932-1955 radio; 1950-1965 TV). I was looking at the FaceBook page and noticed that the wife (4th) of his announcer and side kick Don Wilson was Lois Corbett. That's the same name (not person) as my aunt.  But also the photo on the page shows a different Don Wilson, an Asian martial arts guy.  Considering what Don Wilson (rotund) looked like, that's hilarious.

How low can they go?

"Does the person you share a bedroom with snore?"  Isn't that about the dumbest advertisement--20 years ago it would have been "Does your husband snore?"  and maybe 10 years ago, "Does your partner snore," but now I guess it is whoever needs a bed for the night and stops by. Or it is directed to the prison population.

Origen--was he such a bad guy to have a dream?

Yesterday I was listening to a Catholic call-in talk show on 1580 am (Columbus), and a father (dad) called in upset about the litany that was going to be used at his child's first communion. I knew nothing about this--I've never been to one. He said that instead of saints, they were using Solomon, Sarah and Origen. Again, I was left out of the loop, but apparently, whoever wrote this is a sister of whoever does some of our confessions at UALC when they don't use the LBW--they just don't sound right in real time--too chatty and modern for my taste (and sins).

So the dad mentioned that Origen didn't believe people would go to hell for their unbelief, and so despite his influence on hundreds of years of Christian thought and his hundreds of written works, he is not a saint. So today I looked him up in Church History in Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley, Word Books, 1982, pp. 98-99.

"Origen's vision, it seems knew no limits. It extended so far as to teach that all creatures including the devil himself would one day be restored to communion with God. Hell would be emptied. That doctrine above all others caused him no end of trouble. . . Origen's error lay in turning a dream into a doctrine. Orothodox Christians felt that they could not turn the dream into a doctrine because such an idea almost always tends to deny man's free will and its eternal consequences."

Sigh. Yes, it's a lovely dream, isn't it? Hell would be emptied; I'd like to see that one myself, even though I'm a firm believer in consequences.

"The end of all desires for Origen came in 254. In the persecution instigated by Emperor Decius, Origen was singled out for special attack. He was flung into prison, chained and tortured. The authorities made him as miserable as possible while preserving his life in connstant torment. Decius' reign of terror for the church ended in 251 and Origen was released. The torture, however, had taken its toll on the white-haired professor. He died 3 years later, at the age of 69 at Tyre."

Origen and Origenism - Original Catholic Encyclopedia

Driving with the radio

On long trips like the 9.5 hours to northern Illinois I like to listen to a.m. radio. We like our favorite talk shows, but there's a time change to account for, so we have to listen through all the drive time chatter about traffic, whether it's in Chicago or St. Louis or Indianapolis. I think music on the radio is being wiped clear by people using i-pods, because I really didn't find much. And the political ads--they were excruciating. Not only have we already voted (mail in), but we didn't know any of the names or issues. They all sound alike--everyone running against candidate so-and-so is crooked, or let someone out of jail, or has taken special interest money, or shipped jobs off shore. I did find a familiar Cincinnati voice, Mike McConnell, but he was on a Chicago station--WGN. He's got an incredible voice and style. . . but didn't seem as loosey goosey as his former gig. And the women! Oh my, oh my. Such nasel, whiney, harsh voices. Found very few I could listen to more than a few minutes. And twirling the dial, I decided no one sounds better or is more talented than our own Bob Connors, right here in Columbus WTVN 610.

Good-bye to my Mama--Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin

Last night we watched The Prairie Home Companion (2006) on the Sundance Channel about a fictionalized radio show by that name, doing its final show with peeks at back stage of the theater. There are some very touching parts, particularly this one. Streep and Tomlin play Yolanda and Rhonda Johnson, a singing group.



We don't watch many movies, especially at home, but this one is always good.

Rosie's done one thing right

Her chair. I saw a photo of her today in USAToday doing her Sirius XM radio show on satellite. It appears she's sitting in an Aeron Herman Miller chair. Oh, how I miss mine.

She's irreverent, irrelevant and irritating, but she loves Obama so she won't get get hassled for her opinion by the White House, which only complains about right wing opinions and tries to close them down. She'll probably have Anita Dunn, the Mao-admirer who told high school kids he was an example of choosing your own path in life (not mentioning he was responsible for the deaths of 70 million.) Maybe they could discuss body disposal.

Pray for the president

Obama on the radio news break is a good time. I pushed the off button while leaving the coffee shop and prayed:

Oh Lord, your servant, our president, is feeling the responsibility placed upon him, and we know he is unworthy, as we all are. May you abundantly bless him with a believing heart, and make him a valiant soldier of the cross. Protect the smallest and weakest in our world by raising up legislators to defeat legal measures to kill them. Give him and the women visiting the PDC for an ultrasound today a tender heart for the unborn in their wombs. Amen

The unfairness doctrine

If it were up to me, and it is because I change stations or channels, I'd eliminate these guys from the airways and TV screens of America

Anderson Cooper

Chris Matthews

Larry King

The View

Charlie Rose

Mostly it's just their liberal twaddle--global warming, health scares, what's wrong with our culture--that makes little sense because they spew sound bites we've been hearing for 30 years. But Larry and Charlie just look worn out and bored; Anderson takes himself way too seriously; Chris shouts; the View insults women's intelligence. I know some of you enjoy this, so it's OK by me if advertisers and consumers want to support them. I can change channels. And I expect you to do the same when my favorites come up and not legislate/regulate them off the air.

Covert Radio

I'm having an interesting time working through David's links (Heretical Librarian), and this morning tuned into Covert Radio, via The Long War Journal link, a real relief from listening to the Cleveland corruption and Toledo's crime wave stories (I'm on Lake Erie).

"Brett Winterble joins Tim Lynch from VSSA, Bill Roggio from the Long War Journal and Amy Sun from the FAB LAB, from MIT. Brett interviews Tim Lynch from VSSA, a contractor working in Afghanistan, about the current situation there. Also on the line was Amy Sun from the FAB Lab at MIT, Amy is working on a ground breaking new project to help redevelop Afghanistan's infrastructure. Bill Roggio from Long War Journal also joins in to talk about his take on the latest reports on ISI involvement with AQ and the TalibanPlus reaction to the latest report from RAND."

I had never heard of an MIT FAB Lab (2,000 tons of equipment in the middle of nowhere), but Amy (an engineer) is certainly excited about it. I've also enjoyed reading some foreign newspapers on-line; I'd almost forgotten, if I ever knew, what non-editorialized "news" looked like. You don't have to slog your way to paragraph 11 to get to the point.

One of the Taliban pro-jihad poems distributed as a ring tone for cell phones — “Death is a gift,” on Al Emarah — included the phrase, “I will not kiss the hand of Laura Bush.” Perfect for the ALA anarchists. Seen at Covert Radio blog.

As mentioned before, my laptop isn't very stable. I haven't reloaded the software since October. I hope I've discovered the trick--I've stopped updating or adding anything that it didn't come with. This seems to interfere with some adobe documents and pod-casts, but this one comes through fine.