Waiting for the Conspiracy Nuts

The Angry Frozen Head is waiting for Jew-bashing conspiracy nuts to claim today's plane crash was part of the Zionist master plan.

[via digg]

And the Answer Is...

Craig and Fraley hit it on the head. Little old me is 32. I don't feel bad about it since I've considered myself over-the-hill since 25. Only now I'm starting to get lingering aches and pains. Ugh! Let it be known I still get carded--and I don't mean at Pick 'n Save that cards everyone including my grandmother.

I had a quiet birthday. I avoided politics and weblogging. I hoped to watch a little baseball while enjoying some of New Glarus Brewing's finest. Because of rain in New York I watched The Nine. I'll need to watch another episode to determine if I care about these people.

If history repeats itself my family and I will probably do the dinner thing this weekend when we're not busy doing the work thing.

Thanks to all for their well wishes.

Guessing Game on My Birthday

Today's my birthday, and I have to work. Those are the breaks. I don't feel older or wiser. There will also be no wallowing knowing the fact I'm one year closer to my death. And I won't be punishing my readers with stories about how things were so much better "in the good old days."

For a little fun I'll let my audience guess my age. (DJ, don't say a word). I hope a few people who've met me in person will take a guess. Usually the guesses make me smile.

UPDATE: Ankle Biting Pundits has another guessing game: who will get the Mark Foley post-rehab interview. My guess is Larry "Softball" King.

Comments Have Returned

The comments are up again. Here's hoping I don't get hit with another spam avalanche.

Play nice and turn the screaming down to 8 from 11.

Lightsabers and Football Video Games

I found two people with too much time on their hands:

• First, we have a New York geek who made his own lightsabers with LEDs and swordfights with his friends. It's like that Star Wars kid only with some coordination.

• Next, we have a guy who's playing every game of the NFL season with his modified version of Tecmo Super Bowl. This week, the Packers lose to the Saints but rookies Abdul Hodge and Greg Jennings have good games.

Eris' Name Fits

The astronomical object that caused astronomers to define what a planet is and demote Pluto has been given the "perfect name" according to its discoverer:

Eris is the new permanent name for the solar body formerly known as Xena, while Pluto’s new number reflects its loss of planetary status.

Dr. Michael E. Brown, a professor of planetary astronomy at the California Institute of Technology who discovered the distant ball of ice and rock that he nicknamed Xena and that had been designated 2003 UB313, chose the name Eris, after the goddess of discord and strife in Greek mythology.

“It is absolutely the perfect name,” Dr. Brown said, given the continuing discord among astronomers and the public over whether Pluto should have retained its planetary status.

In mythology, Eris ignited discord that led to the Trojan War.

“She causes strife by causing arguments among men, by making them think their opinions are right and everyone else’s is wrong,” Dr. Brown said. “It really is just perfect.”

"Dwarf Planet, Cause of Strife, Gains ‘the Perfect Name’"

Jump Around!

The next time you're in your hotel room with too much energy take a flying leap. Just make sure you take a picture for BedJump.com.

Here's some inspiration:

[via digg]

Fake Crocodile Hunter Death Video

Since the Steve Irwin's death video hasn't been leaked onto the internet yet some bozos made their own. You'll have to click on the link. It's too lame to deserve being put in this post.

Crocodile Hunter Pulled Out Barb Before Dying

Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, was a man's man in the last few moments of his life:

The dramatic details of Irwin's death Monday as he was shooting a program on the Great Barrier Reef were disclosed by John Stainton, his manager and close friend. He said he had viewed the videotape showing the TV star pulling the poisonous stingray barb from his chest.

"It shows that Steve came over the top of the ray and the tail came up, and spiked him here (in the chest), and he pulled it out, and the next minute he's gone," Stainton told reporters in Cairns, the nearest city to tiny Batt Reef off Australia's far northeast coast where the accident happened.

Stainton said the video was "shocking."

"It's a very hard thing to watch, because you are actually witnessing somebody die, and it's terrible," he said.

I'm surprised the video hasn't hit the internet yet. But it will. Eventually it will.

"'Crocodile Hunter' Took out Barb on Tape"

Tech Problems and Distractions

I may have a day off (thanks boss), but the posting is light. Movable Type isn't liking me today, and I'm distracted by my fantasy football draft in a few hours.

Steve Irwin's Death Filmed

Yes, I'll take a brief dive into celebrity death posting. The Crocodile Hunter died off the coast of Australia. He was wacked by a frightened stingray. The twisted part comes now that there's word a camera filmed the scene. It will make it onto YouTube in 3...2...1....

"And the Sick Searches Begin..."

"Steve Irwin, The Croc Hunter, RIP"

"Steve Irwin Dead At 44"

Poor Pluto Gets Demoted

Pluto had a good run. When it was discovered it was thought to be much bigger than it really is. It has a funky orbit that crosses with Neptune and it named after the god of the underworld--how cool is that? But little Pluto is too small and threw off astronomers' ideas about planets. So Pluto as planet had to go:

After a tumultuous week of clashing over the essence of the cosmos, the International Astronomical Union stripped Pluto of the planetary status it has held since its discovery in 1930. The new definition of what is -- and isn't -- a planet fills a centuries-old black hole for scientists who have labored since Copernicus without one.

Pluto now joins Sleepy, Bashful, Dopey, and the others as--not "plutons" but as "dwarf planets."

"Pluto Gets the Boot"

"Pluto In The Dog House"

"And the Universe Weeps …"

"Planet no More"

Geologists Ticked at "Pluton"

Later this week astronomers will vote on a scientific definition of a planet. Not only are some astronomers bothered, but geologists aren't too happy either:

Geologists have also entered the fray, complaining at the use of plutons as a new category -- a term they already use to describe a body of igneous rock that solidified below the Earth's surface.

"Well, if we are changing the dictionary definition of a planet, why stop there. I guess they could change other terms such as plutons as well," quipped one delegate.

"Scientists Create Big Bang with Planet Definition"

Pluton

Astronomers think calling Pluto a "pluton" will fix their planet problem. To me, it sounds like something from Flash Gordon.

"Pluto's New Place in Space Could Be as a 'Pluton'"

Mexican Caught Smuggling Cheese

A smuggler was caught bringing cheese, not illegal immigrants nor drugs, into the U.S.

Officers using an X-ray machine saw the outline of 16 bulky packages stashed in a secret compartment behind the seat, which they initially believed were packets containing illicit drugs.

"Generally if you see something (with the X-ray machine) you expect it to be narcotics, but this turned out to be cheese," Maier told Reuters by telephone.

Officers regularly impound drugs including marijuana, heroin and cocaine at border crossings from Mexico, although Maier said the smuggled cheese haul was unusual.

"It looks like it was destined for people who wanted a taste of the old country," he added.

Police arrested the 38-year-old driver, seized the cheese and confiscated the truck because he failed to declare his cargo.

At least with NAFTA he shouldn't have to pay a ridiculous tariff.

There's a Wisconsin joke in this story somewhere. Help me out.

"U.S. Border Cops Nab Mexican Cheese Smuggler" [via Netscape]

Meat in the Universe

Here's a very short story on why we still haven't heard from the space aliens yet.

"They're Made Out of Meat" [via Scott Rosenberg]

She Isn't Much of a Reader But I'm Sure She Likes the Pretty Pictures

Michelle Persaud maybe the the most beautiful person on Capitol Hill but the staff counsel to the House Judiciary Committee Democrats isn't much of a book reader unless you consider glossy mags like InStyle, Vogue, Italian Vogue, French Vogue, British Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Us Weekly as books. But I can understand her work must be exhausting trying to keep Ranking Democrat John Conyers from looking more like an ass than he all ready is. After a long, hard day I'm sure Michelle doesn't want to look at anything other than beautiful people in really expensive clothes.

"50 Most Beautiful People on Capitol Hill" [via Wizbang]

UPDATE: No more fun with Michelle's MySpace page. She made it private, and I don't care enough to sign up and try to be her "friend."

Discovery Launches

That's one hell of a firecracker.

"Shuttle Discovery Reaches Orbit"

Celebrating July 2

Owen Robinson mentions the Declaration of Independence's introduction to the Continental Congress on 07.02.1776. With it passing two days later. Probably due to some parlimentary procedure John Adams thought 07.02 should be the day of celebration:

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

Adams got the spirit right if the date wrong.

How Fast Can You Type?

Find out how fast you can type. I can do 60-70 words per minute.

[via digg]

Not the Only One Job Hunting

James Joyner is seeking new employment. He prefers staying in the D.C./Northern Virginia area.

"On the Market Again"

"Fair Trade is for Liberals"

The Contra Cafe guys do it again with another great t-shirt.

Prepare Yourself

Big news coming later today.

Memorial Day 2006

In memoriam to all those who gave their lives to defend this nation. From the Revolutionary War to Iraq we are indebted to them.

"Bush Lays Wreath at Arlington Cemetery" [via Wizbang]

What Are You Doing Here?

It's Memorial Day Weekend. If you're reading this STOP. Go see a movie, find a bar, fire up the grill. It's the unofficial start of summer. That's a whopping three months here in Wisconsin. We have to take advantage of each precious moment.

If some big event happens in the next few days I'll be covering it. Other than that I'll doodling around with whatever catches my eye.

Have a great weekend.

SurvivaBalls

The evil geniuses at Haliburton are at it again. Expect the Bush administration to purchase $3 billion worth of SurvivaBalls in a no-bid contract.

[via Electric Venom]

Hot for Teacher

Oh to have been in this teacher's classroom:

A teacher at West Boca Raton High School is under investigation after school district officials learned about risque photos of her on a Web site.

Erica Chevillar, 25, is a first-year social studies teacher at the school. She is also one of about 80 models featured on the Web site of the USA National Bikini team, a Boca Raton-based company, according to the Web site. The site lists calendars for sale featuring scantily clad models dressed in bathing suits, provocative outfits or lingerie.

Chevillar, using the name Erica Lee, appears in outfits ranging from cleavage-baring jackets to skimpy bikinis in about two-dozen photos.

Insert Van Halen Reference Here.

"Florida Teacher In Hot Water Over Swimsuit Photos"

Florida High-Rise Collapse

Being buried alive is a horrible way to die:

A support frame collapsed at a high-rise construction project Saturday, killing three workers who became trapped in quick-drying concrete as co-workers dug to try to free them, authorities said.

The workers were on the 27th level of the building, pouring its concrete roof, when the supporting frame structure below them gave way, dropping them to the 26th floor, said Capt. Al Cruz of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

A 3-foot layer of hardening concrete completely encased one worker and partially buried the others, fire rescue officials said. The cause of the frame collapse was not immediately determined.

My prayers are with the victims' families.

"3 Killed in Florida High-Rise Collapse"

London Pics

Chris' wife took London pictures. *SIGH* I need to get back there.

"The Gruppenfuhrer Excellent London Adventure Part 2"

Podcast Pilot

For a half hour of your life you can't have back you could do worse than to listen to the first "Week in Preview" podcast Aaron and I did. In it you can listen to us talk about Darfur, immigration protests, and knitting. You will also get to hear me call Arianna Huffington an "intellectual whore."

The Funny and the Not Funny

The Funny:

Forget Tony Snow. Make Jim Geraghty the next White House press secretary.

The Not Funny:

Xoff failing at humor. Heck, Eugene Kane has been sounding better on the racial issues surrounding the Jude verdict.

New Life Goal

I want to be connected to an urban legend like Charlie Sykes.

[via Jessica McBride]

Google Made Me Giggle

A busy April 1st meant I couldn't check out any of the online April Fool's Day pranks. Google's is still up, and they didn't let me down. Count how many times they use word "contextual."

UPDATE: Casper's joke was good too. He almost got me.

Robert & Ann, Sitting in a Tree...

BetterBadNews found Ann Coulter's illegitimate daughter (note the similar blond hair and obnoxious claims). Somehow Robert Wright gets caught in the quicksand.

Say a Little Prayer

I think Glenn Reynolds isn't much of the religious type, but I don't think he'll mind your prayers for him and his family for their loss. Glenn has done so much for webloggers and weblogging. It's the least we can do.

I too know what it's like to recently lose a grandparent. We just have to remember they lived fruitful lives. We loved them, and they loved us. Grandparent hugs are some of the warmest in my memory. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the love they gave out without the discipline parents have to do. Whatever the reason, they make for wonderful memories.

E-Mail Trouble

Web access to my e-mail (using the sean--at--theamericanmind--dot--com address) isn't happening right now. If you need to reach me send messages to my back-up address theamericanmind--at--gmail--dot--com.

Where is Everybody?

Shouldn't the West Coasters still be awake? Or shouldn't the East Coasters be sitting down with that first cup of coffee?--After all, it's just after 6:00 a.m. in New York City, Providence, Washington, D.C., and the rest.

Doesn't anyone have any kind of work ethic?

Chicks with Guns

Me thinks Matthew Yglesias is starting to appreciate a person's right to bear arms.

"Osama's Got No Chance"

Taiwan's Leaning Tower of Salad

Foodies, architecture geeks, buffet cheapskates, and lovers of the wacky things Asians do can all appreciate this.

"Maximizing your ROI at Pizza Hut" [via Slashfood]

Alba: I'm Not Nude in There

Jessica Alba has sicced her lawyers upon Playboy Magazine:

Film star Jessica Alba demanded that Playboy magazine pull its March issue, saying on Thursday that its editors made her an unwitting cover girl and misled readers into thinking they could see her nude inside.

Lawyers for Alba sent Playboy a letter threatening to sue if it did not remove the issue -- which features a publicity photo of the bikini-clad actress on the front -- from the stands and pay for damages to her reputation and career.

"Playboy has violated my personal rights and blatantly misled the public, who might think I had given them permission to put me on their cover when I didn't," Alba, 24, said in a statement.

Alba's lawyers say that after the "Fantastic Four" film star refused to pose for Playboy, the magazine tricked Sony Pictures into giving it a publicity photo from her 2005 film "Into the Blue" for the cover.

Playboy added to the deception when it put its bunny logo on Alba's bikini top in the photo, her lawyer said.

"Actress Alba Demands Playboy Pull Issue over Cover"

That's a Relief

Northwest Airlines got their pilots union to agree to pay and benefits cuts. The union was threatening to strike if the airline got a judge to void the contract.

I'm breathing a sigh of relief because in five days I'm flying to Phoenix for spring training baseball...on Northwest. No wonder I got such a good deal on tickets. I'm hoping airline staff aren't too grouchy about their cuts.

"Northwest, Pilots Reach Labor Pact, Averting Strike"

So Wicked

Wicked yet funny.

"Michael Jackson’s Favorite Comic?"

Game Show Nightmare

Ken Jennings this guy ain't.

[via digg]

Cheney's Fury

A hunting we will go...
A hunting we will go...

Beware of Cheney with a Gun

A long-time Texas Republican got between Vice President Dick Cheney and some quail.

Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot and wounded a companion during a weekend quail hunting trip in Texas, spraying the fellow hunter in the face and chest with shotgun pellets.

Harry Whittington, a millionaire attorney from Austin, was "alert and doing fine" in a Corpus Christi hospital Sunday after he was shot by Cheney on a ranch in south Texas, said Katharine Armstrong, the property's owner.

He was in stable condition Sunday, said Yvonne Wheeler, spokeswoman for the Christus Spohn Health System in Corpus Christi.

Armstrong in an interview with The Associated Press said Whittington, 78, was mostly injured on his right side, with the pellets hitting his cheek, neck and chest during the incident which occurred late afternoon on Saturday.

The only more dangerous place to be is between Sen. Russ Feingold and a microphone.

"Cheney Accidentally Shoots Fellow Hunter"

So Sleepy

That's what walking around Washington's mall does to you. I don't know if I have the energy to get my interview with Rep. Green up tonight. Let's see if I catch my second (or third or fourth) wind. But then again, I have a big, long day tomorrow at CPAC. Let's just say I'll get it up as soon as possible.

Brokeback to the Future

After watching this mock trailer give me your best Marty McFly jokes.

Hewitt Might Bare All

Jennifer Love Hewitt in Playboy? Ok. No problem with that. I guess the Maxim spreads and being all wet in a movie wasn't sexy enough to make her "edgier." I'll find the pics when they appear on the net.

Speaking of breasts in the first hour of 24 when I saw Michelle I thought to myself, "Great! Another season of Michelle's breasts." Then her car exploded and she (and her breasts) were killed. I had to pause my TiVo and sob for a few minutes.

"Jennifer Love Hewitt to Do Nude Playboy Shoot?"

"Is JLH going to do Playboy?"

Big! No, REALLY BIG! News Day

There are so many big stories to comment on: Oprah sees the light; Hamas won the Palestinian elections; Gov. Doyle is knee-deep in scandal. Let me catch my breath, pick up my jaw from the floor, and consume an adult beverage before diving into a long night of posting.

Tying Up Loose Ends

This is a mish-mash post linking to items TAM covered the past few days:

• Pat Robertson apologized for his stupid "God gave Ariel Sharon his stroke" remark.

• Gene Shalit apologized to GLAAD for calling one of the Brokeback Mountain characters a "sexual predator."

• The Heaven City Restaurant has permission to display the National Liquor Bar sign.

• NewsBusters has video of Harry "Banana Boat" Belafonte calling President Bush "the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world."

Everything is Gay

Three minutes, one chord, bad singing, and wacked-out lyrics. Everything is gay.

[via Subject to Change]

How NOT to Order Wine

A waiter gives advice for ordering wine in a restaurant. The funniest post I've read all year. [Uh, 2006 is only four days old. SSSSHHHHH!!! Details, details.]

Happy 2006

Have a great, safe, and prosperous new year.

Starting the Party Early

No big night out on the town for me this New Year's Eve. Instead my family made a turkey and I've opened up a 2001 Murphy-Goode cabernet sauvignon. That grape hasn't been my favorite but this bottle burst with blueberry and cherry aromas immediately after I uncorked it. In my mouth it's velvety smooth with a bit of lemon acidity. It's the best cabernet I've ever drank. Kudos go to my mother for finding me a great Christmas present.

Tonight, the plan is to post the 2005 TAM Awards in all three catagories (books, music, and weblogs--I'm accepting bribes via my tip jar) then to pop open a bottle of bubbly to ring in the New Year. If you want to keep me company IM me on MSN at shackbar--at--hotmail.com or on Google Talk at sean.hackbarth--at--gmail.com.

Worst Americans Ever

Alexandra von Maltzan at All Things Beautiful came up with a question perfect for the least productive week of the year: name the ten worst Americans ever. This is sure to stir up discussion. Let me take a stab at it in no particular order:

• Benedict Arnold--The man betrayed the revolution. 'Nuff said.

• Margaret Sanger--She was a racist and eugenitcs advocate. She also founded Planned Parenthood. Bad, bad, bad.

• Aaron Burr--The freak almost became President. Later he killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel and tried to create a nation in the West.

• John Wilkes Booth--Killed Abraham Lincoln for a lost cause.

• Beardsley Ruml--"Father of the modern American state" because he's the father of the withholding tax. [see Amity Shlaes' The Greedy Hand]

• Jefferson Davis--Led the Confederacy in the name of "States' Rights" which meant legalized slavery.

• Stephen Douglas--His "popular sovereignty" led to "Bleeding Kansas" and didn't ease the pressures that led to the Civil War.

• Ed Gein--It's too easy to put a murderer on the list, but Gein wasn't just your "ordinary" serial killer. The loon made furniture out of his victims.

• Timothy McVeigh--He may have thought he was being patriotic, but his hatred of the federal government was so intense he blew up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and killed 168 people.

• Roger Taney--He authored the awful Dred Scott case that fueled the fire of civil war.

I really wanted to add Franklin Roosevelt. We're stuck with his expansion of government in the name of fighting the Great Depression. He failed, and we're paying the price for his welfare state. But he did lead the Allies in World War II. U.S. Grant could also make this list if you only looked at his corrupt Presidency. But Grant is a war hero. That saves him.

Who would you put on your list?

[via Captain Ed]

"Time to Make the Donuts"--in Heaven

The actor famous for his Dunkin' Donuts commercials died at age 83. The nearest DD isn't that far away from my store. I'll have to stop in sometime soon in Michael Vale's honor.

"Dunkin' Donuts Ad Actor Michael Vale Dies" [via Lone Star Times]

TAM's Quiet Time

The week in between Christmas and New Years is the least productive of the year. I'm going with this flow with a relatively quiet week at TAM HQ. If some big story happens, say another terrorist attack or natural disaster, I'll be on top of it. But for the next few days expect posts on the not-so-serious and odd.

That's not to say I'm relaxing all week. In retail things don't slow down now. There are gift returns and people wanting to use gift cards burning holes in their pocket. I won't be able to catch my breath until the kids go back to school after Christmas break.

The Season of Giving

Judging from my Site Meter stats I know few people are using their computers to read TAM's latest. Good, because there's nothing happening here. I'm just casually cooking for the family (waffles and omelets done with a ham in the oven) and relaxing until the Packers-Bears game. With your computer on and not doing anything how about donating some of your cpu time to Folding@Home. It will help with research into "Alzheimer's, Mad Cow (BSE), CJD, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease, and many Cancers and cancer-related syndromes." If you're a gadget geek hook up with the Team Engadget, or if you're a political geek there's the RedState.org team.

Christmas in TAM Land

This Christmas Eve is a change for me. Due to scheduling conflicts my family is celebrating tomorrow. We've always done the dinner and gift giving on Christmas Eve. We're turning it into brunch and and all-day feed--we've got enough food for that, yeesh. So tonight has been cleaning up the house and being lazy watching NORAD's Santa Tracker. (It's just so cute!) Oh, and I made my first gin gimlet. That is a slow-sippin' cocktail. Whoa, and potent too.

Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope you enjoy your time spent with family and friends.

Last-Minute Ann

Ann Althouse has "yet to do any Christmas shopping!" Judging from her weblog she won't take it out on weary retail workers.

"Running out of Time"

Christmas Shoppers are Miserable Humans

The more Christmas seasons I work in retail the more I become a Scrooge. I offered plenty of complaints last year that are still applicable today. Let me add some more:

• When a heavy security gate is coming down that doesn't mean you should run under it. If you are that stupid don't be surprised when a manager pushes you out of the way so you don't get crushed.

• When the store closes that means you're supposed to leave. Hearing the announcement that the store is closed doesn't mean you get to run to the restroom because you were too stupid to do it 15 minutes before. Being closed also means we can't look up a book for you. You'd be surprised at how many unreasonable requests we get when we're trying to get people to leave. Store employees actually like to get home at a reasonable time. Long shopping hours are a convenience to customers not an entitlement.
  

Maybe I'm just getting more and more cynical but while the good customers are still around the bad customers are getting worse. I encounter too many people who have no respect for other's property and treat stores worse than their own homes. Then they complain the store is trashed and they can't find anything. Retail workers toil hard and get paid squat. While there are some who could really give a damn about customers there are plenty who do the best they can but get discouraged by people who treat them like dirt. My concluding remark from last Christmas still applies:

You may notice and like that smiling face helping you compensate for your inability to be organized, mildly helpful, and considerate. But behind the facade is contempt for how much of an idiot you are. To you morons we wonder how America will continue to be the world's sole superpower. We wonder if the nation's collective I.Q. goes down with each new child you bring into the world. Stupid people shouldn't breed, and we could certainly like to have easy access to enough x-rays to fix the problem.

Is it a coincidence that Satan and Santa are anagrams? Isn't it also interesting that they both wear red? December 25 can't get here soon enough.

Laughing at Wikipedia

On science subjects Wikipedia may be as accurate as the Encyclopedia Britannica. However, when it comes to preening egos it's turning into a joke:

Sleuthing into the accuracy of the open-source web encyclopedia known as Wikipedia has led to the door of its founder, Jimmy Wales.

Public edit logs reveal that Wales has changed his own Wikipedia bio 18 times, deleting phrases describing former Wikipedia employee Larry Sanger as a co-founder of the site.

Wales has also repeatedly revised the description of a search site he founded called Bomis, which included a section with adult photos called "Bomis Babes."

"Wikipedia Founder Edits Own Bio"

Christmas Craziness

With this being the weekend before Christmas the bookstore was packed with shoppers. They're not desparate yet, but they're close. No longer can we order books into the store by Christmas. So, if you really want something in particular nab the book's ISBN from an online bookstore then get on the phone. This will save you the stress of jumping from one bookstore to another. If that fails think of alternatives. The best way is to go to your nearest bookstore and find the section where the book you wanted is. Asking a bookseller is also an idea, but to be honest at this busy time we're trying to help as many customers as we can. I don't think it's fair to suck up that person's time while other people are waiting just because you don't know what Uncle Joe wants. Most importantly, please be polite to the employees. We're trying our best. Both customers and employees are stressed out. Kindness can go a long way. Of course, if you're treated badly ask for the manager. No one deserves that.

S'Mores Nativity

Is this sacrilegious? Will Bill O'Reilly be screaming about this anytime soon?

[via Slashfood]

Free Porn

Thanks to this guy's inspiration I'm doing my own little experiment to see if mentioning free porn will boost traffic.

[via digg]

UPDATE: The experiment is working. TAM is #1 on Google's weblog search for "porn."

Reality Used to Be a Friend of Mine

This is the time of year when life interferes with this weblog. After 8+ hours of managing Christmas shoppers my brain is fried. Few synapses are firing to put together a decent post. I just keep telling myself that in nine days the worst will be over.

Have any Christmas shopping stories--past, present, or hell, future--you want to share? If not then go over to the Weblog Awards and help TAM stay out of last place.

Watching a Real Life Video Game

Check out this Russian kid jumping around and bouncing off walls like Super Mario. Hollywood, give this kid a stunt man tryout.

"Grown in S**t"

GBfan wants you to always remember the truth about organic food.

"My Take on Organic Foods"

Pearl Harbor Day

Dean Esmay remembers.

Message from the Afterlife

Eerie.

Make your own Einstein picture.

[via the Commissar]

Hyperbole Time

Greatest Gap ad ever.

Most Fascinating

Bryan Preston and John Hawkins do their best Barbara Wa-Wa by offering their "Most Fascinating People" lists. Bryan picks some great ones:

Mary Mapes. Yes, Mary Mapes. The woman is a living, breathing lie, and as such is a good stand-in for most of her MSM colleagues. She is Gollum in a dress, and Captain Ahab with a microphone, and she absolutely hates George W. Bush and everyone who even thinks about supporting him. A tough, knowledgeable interviewer would be able to draw some truly fascinating thoughts out of Mapes’ twisted mind.

...

Tom Barnett. You’ve probably never heard of him, yet his ideas are a major force shaping the US war strategy. Agree with him or not, his book The Pentagon’s New Map is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand what’s going on in the White House, the Pentagon and the Middle East.

If you haven't heard of Barnett go out and get The Pentagon's New Map now! (It's only $4.99 new on Amazon right now!) When you've caught up you can dig into his most recent Blueprint for Action, my current read.

John goes down the blogosphere road:

Jason Calacanis: Calacanis reportedly managed to sell Weblogs Inc, which consisted of roughly 85 blogs, to AOL for somewhere around $25 million dollars which gave hope to bloggers all across the world that one day, some clueless corporation would pay grossly inflated prices for their blogs as well. Grossly inflated, paid way too much, got taken for a ride, however you want to phrase it, Calacanis will be laughing all the way to the bank.

...

Charles Johnson and Roger Simon: When they created Pajamas Media, they drew supporters and detractors out of the woodwork and set off a firestorm of chatter, criticism, and speculation about the future of the blogosphere. Whatever ultimately happens with Pajamas Media, it has certainly made a big splash.

Here are some of my picks:

• Adam Curry: Will podcasts be money makers and how much will the ex-MTV VJ make? Will it be enough to buy the *burp* Senseo company?
  
• Sen. Bill Frist: From solid 2008 Presidential hopeful to weakling butt of the conservative blogosphere.
  
• President Bush: He may be down but still do not "misunderestimate" him.
  
• Chief Justice John Roberts: We all know he's very, very smart. Yet we all wonder how conservative the man will be on the bench.
  

Who do you think were some of the most fascinating people of 2005? Why?

Giving Thanks

What am I thankful for?

• Living in a free nation with brave men and women risking their lives to keep it that way.
• An economic system with so much material blessings a major problem is obesity.
• Magical science and technology that allows you to read these words and for you to reply back.
• Family and friends who enrich my life.
• A loving God for without Him nothing is possible.

Have a great and filling Thanksgivings.

"Thankful"

"Giving Thanks"

UPDATE: I just got home from my aunt's and unc