Bubba points out that Iraq has a better Second Amendment than the US does. What does the NRA think about this? Odds are, the NRA is awol on this issue as well.

I’ve speculated in the past that the entertainment industry is slowly implanting the notion in the heads of US citizens that infringement of our civil liberties is OK, as long as justice is the outcome. I don’t think that it is intentional, but it’s good entertainment. We like to see David Caruso violate the fourth amendment to solve a case about a child murderer. After all, the murderer deserves it.

Now, we have this new show about Homeland Security called Threat Matrix. I’m sure the theme for that will be along the lines of 24 and other cop dramas that are Ripped from the headlines. By the way, Ripped from the headlines is code for we don’t want to pay writers to actually think of things that we can just steal from real life and add our own touch to it. The same premise as The Left West Wing. And I am certain there will be plenty of scenes that acclimate us to the idea that It is for our own good to be strip searched and have our doors knocked down by a battering ram at 3 in the morning.

Again (so you don’t think I’m a conspiracy loon) I don’t think it’s intentional, but it makes for good entertainment when the good guys win. But the effect on society will be apathy with respect to keeping police power in check.

An analysis of moonshine whiskey samples obtained by University of Virginia researchers shows some samples have enough lead to be toxic to adults who habitually indulge in the illegally brewed liquor.

I periodically partake in un-taxed liquor myself, but I know my sources. Word of advice, place a small amount of your moonshine into a shot glass and set it aflame. If it burns blue, you’re good (minimal impurities); if it burns yellow or orange, toss it out (has some nastiness in it).

Lots of talk around the RTB about this MP article that discusses bigotry against Republicans. For a detailed analysis, check out Rich vs. Barry, which sums up the differences of opinion.

I have an interest in this to an extent. I’ve been asked why I choose to blog anonymously. The reason is that I work in an industry that is very liberal. I’m not making this up, but once I found an article on FoxNews that related in a very pertinent way to our industry. I forwarded the article to several key management employees. I received responses wherein they basically said: How dare you forward a link to FoxNews? I, jokingly, told them I’d only send them NPR pieces in the future. Anyway, the point was taken.

The other thing I’ve noticed that is somewhat discriminatory is the treatment of the fanatic fringes of each party. The fanatical right is decried in the media. Strangely, the fanatical left is treated with some credibility. No media bias, my ass. In fact, some groups on the right who are not particularly fanatic (the NRA comes to mind, as do some non-violent pro-life groups) are labeled fanatic.

It seems that it is OK to be bigoted toward people as long as you are bigoted toward them based on characteristics they can control. That is, it’s OK to discriminate against Republicans/Democrats because they choose to be that way. And each side does it. But don’t be a bigot towards uncontrollable characteristics (race, gender, etc.).

Of course, that is a dangerous assumption: What if I choose to be Jewish? Is homosexuality a choice? The fact of the matter is, it isn’t bigotry. It’s a disagreement among people that leads to particularly foul behavior. It’s a tantrum. It’s akin to kids taking their toys and leaving. I expect liberals to act a certain way with respect to conservatives and vice versa.

Long time readers of this blog (both of you) will recall when I started out, I often referred to liberals as tree-huggers and a few other terms of affection. I stopped using the term as often (unless it was funny) to avoid being offensive to my lefty readers (again, both of you). The fact of the matter is, I may disagree with a lot of people, but I at least try to be a good sport about it.

Now get out of my face you goddamn tree-hugger!

Saw the Matrix 2. Extremely mediocre. Take out the flash and effects, and the story is kind of weak. The only thing really memorable is that I want the full automatic Glock that Morpheus used.