I have a simple solution to this kind of nonsense.

Snipers.

I came across an interesting concept via this discussion at Samizdata.net from last week. 

LifeGem is a company that will use a person’s cremated remains (or even those of a pet) to create an artificial diamond.  I’m still not sure what to think about this.  But I’m leaning towards thinking it’s kind of creepy.

Sometimes it’s the little things that really annoy you.  Last month I switched my phone plan to the Verizon all-in-one plan, since it would give me unlimited calling (and just about everyone I call is long distance).  But I forgot to factor in the huge bite that the state was going to take out of my behind for this transgression.  The state in all its various forms added another $20.91 in fees, surcharges, and taxes on top of the $54.95 for the basic plan.  That’s an effective tax rate of 38%.

Kevin (from Wizbang Blog) left this link in the comments section at a small victory.

In the case of Robert M. Peters Sr., size does matter.

The 47-year-old locksmith from Bangor is accused of exposing himself to a client on June 12, 2002, while making a house call in Bethlehem. Peters’ trial began Monday.

The victim testified that she and Peters were sipping tea after he finished installing a deadbolt lock when she saw Peters’ semi-erect penis sticking three inches past the bottom of his shorts.

That’s impossible, according to defense attorney Gary Asteak.

“She’s mistaken,” Asteak said. “He’s not that big.”

According to Asteak, physician Eric Schoeppner examined Peters and found his penis is only 1 inches long when flaccid and four inches erect.

Just to make sure the measurement wasn’t a mistake, the doctor administered Viagra to Peters and measured again. The penis was still four inches long, Asteak said.

I’m trying to resist the urge to make fun of the guy’s name…

You sure learn interesting things reading weblogs.

I knew that they sometimes went for skimpy outfits (and improbable chest measurements) in some anime, but I didn’t know it went that far.  And what’s up with the whole tentacle thing?

It appears that Susan Smith is on the market (provided that incarcerated child murderers are your kind of thing).  She looks mighty happy in that picture (certainly not like someone who is being punished).  Despite her assertion that she’ll always “hurt for the pain” she’s caused, I don’t believe it.  It’s too bad she didn’t get to ride the lightning.

Link via Michele at a small victory.

I was simultaneously amused and appalled when I read this article in the Denton Record-Chronicle today.

The last thing former Krum Mayor David Polley said he expected to find when he drove up his driveway was a white toilet on his lawn. But it was not just a toilet: It’s the Krum High School Band’s new fund-raiser.

“We had seen it in front of the bank and thought it was a joke of some kind,” Mr. Polley recalled. “I walked out and as soon as I saw the sign, I laughed.”

A sign on the toilet says, “Dump some money into the Krum Band and help flush away our worries!!!” and lists a phone number to call to have it removed. The requested donation to have the toilet removed from a yard is $15. For $20, the commode is not only removed but relocated to a location of one’s choice.

Being the curmudgeonly type, I wouldn’t pay to remove the toilet, even though I’d be inclined to donate to the band otherwise (I was in band myself back in the day).  But I don’t like the extortionate approach they’re taking.

I think that this woman doesn’t quite get it.  Not only did she endanger her child and the people around her, she’s also got some kind of persecution complex.

A woman who was charged with child endangering after breast-feeding her daughter while driving on the Ohio Turnpike claims the prosecutor has harassed her by piling on more charges against her.

Catherine Donkers, 29, who lives near Pittsburgh, was arrested May 8 and faces a court appearance in Ravenna on Aug. 6 on charges of failing to comply with a lawful order, obstructing official business, driving while under suspension, improper child restraint and child endangering.

Donkers has said she understood there was a risk in breast-feeding while driving, but she said using a cell phone behind the wheel was riskier.

Hmmm…  A persecution complex and a case of moral relativism.  Regardless of the relative merits of cell phone use, I think she’s forgotten about the dangerous position she put her baby into (i.e. between her and the steering wheel).

Oh, and those extra charges?  It seems that she had a little problem with stopping when the cops tried to pull her over.

The failure to comply charge alleged that she drove for three miles before stopping for troopers at a toll plaza southeast of Cleveland.

Dumbass.

I’ve been halfway watching Boomtown on TNT.  So far, there have been two commercials for K-Y Warming Liquid.  I’m not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but I have to admit that I was a bit taken aback by the commercial (although the commercial itself wasn’t bad).

Maybe it’s part of the overall push to make certain things mainstream.

What the hell were these boneheads thinking?

HAM sandwiches are off the menu in Hume. Council staff have been ordered to stop serving ham and pork at hundreds of events out of respect to the area’s large Muslim population.

Hume chief executive Darrell Treloar said he had ordered the ban because 12 per cent of the area’s population—and two councillors, including the mayor—were Muslim.

“Rather than having a situation where staff or members of the community are made uncomfortable or put in a position where they are unable to participate in the meal we share, I felt it would be better to remove the meat,” he said.

“Instead of ham and cheese sandwiches, we can have tomato and cheese.”

What a freakin’ wanker.  This is asininity of the first order.  If there’s an issue with some people who won’t eat ham, then serve an alternate selection for those people.  But don’t be completely stupid and ban a food just because of a minority.  It’s too bad it’s illegal to beat stupid people.

You can have my ham when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers…