Picture > 1,000 words.

A nearly fool-proof device for circumcision.

I knew there was a reason to get out of bed this morning: articles like this one.

Thank gosh winter is over...

...or we might have more stupid reporter sightings like this one:


Reporter Owned By Sled - Watch more free videos

Angry Beaver/Cyclist

From the Des Moines Register, 3/20/2008...

ABC, easy as 1-2-3.

Kevin M., I thank you, sir, I haven't laughed that hard in a very long time.

20 Things You Didn't Know About Sex

Come on, you know you wanna...

Olbermann at his best

Obama on race in America

I love a good speech. Money quote, for me:

For the men and women of Reverend Wright’s generation, the memories of humiliation and doubt and fear have not gone away; nor has the anger and the bitterness of those years....At times, that anger is exploited by politicians, to gin up votes along racial lines, or to make up for a politician’s own failings.

Ya think he had Hillary in mind when he said that?

Awareness test

Props to Joe Lindsey and Andrew Sullivan.

Keith Olbermann on Hillary Clinton.

Some would call him passionate. Some call him overwrought. You never wonder where he stands. Money quote:

Senator, as it has reached its apex in their tone-deaf, arrogant, and insensitive reaction to the remarks of Geraldine Ferraro... your own advisors are slowly killing your chances to become President.
Senator, their words, and your own, are now slowly killing the chances for any Democrat to become President....
Senator, you are now campaigning, as if Barock Obama were the Democrat, and you… were the Republican.

See the whole thing here.

Cyclists killed in crash with deputy

Jesus. Suffering. Christ.

I was just enjoying getting back on the bike last night after spending 2 weeks off because of a back injury, and then I had to read this...

The California Highway Patrol is investigating why Santa Clara County Deputy James Council, 27, crossed the centerline on a right turn and hit the cyclists head on at about 10:30 a.m. Council, who had been with the department for 18 months, was put on administrative leave. He had started his 12 1/2-hour shift at 6 a.m.

Two witnesses said Council told them he had fallen asleep at the wheel, the Chronicle reported.

Jesus. Suffering. Christ. I'm so speechless right now, I don't even know how to react or what to do about it.

Star Wars Fans

Oh, yeah, NOW I remember what I love about Star Wars. For ever guy with a brown Jedi robe and Coke-bottle glasses, there's a fan like this one.

Iowa Marriage Amendment pt. 2

Well, I got a form letter back from Governor Culver today, in response to my email about opposing the Iowa Marriage Amendment. His response, and my snide commentary follow:

Dear Paul:
(so far, so good, correct spelling and punctuation)

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the issue of same sex marriage.

Like many Iowans, I believe that marriage is betwen a man and a woman. (I don't like the gay stuff, unless I rent a video.) I expressed that opinion in the course of my campaign for Governor; it remains my belief.

I also believe that all Iowa citizens are entitled to equal treatment under our laws. (Then why not equality in marriage, Gov. Contradition?) The Culver-Judge Administration (fanfare, please) has supported the expansion of our civil rights laws to prohibit discrimination in our State based on a person's sexual orientation. (I don't know how MUCH support he gave, but hey, Iowa really is better than some states in that area).

The issue of same sex marriage has been addressed by the Polk County District Court, which held that our current statute defining marriage as an exclusive relationship between a man and a woman is unconstitutional. That decision has been appealed and will ultimately be decided by the Iowa Supreme Court.

In response to that development, I have urged Iowans to place confidence in the legal process. We should await the final determination of this issue by our courts. At that time, we can decide what action, if any, should be taken.

(Translation: I ain't a-gonna stick my neck out on this one, as I was elected under the "Anyone but Jim Nussle for Governor" ticket, and my time in office is tenuous enough as it is.)

Thank you again for taking time (yadda, yadda, yadda; more correct spelling and punctuation)

Chester J. Culver
Governor

(Well, at least he's not a Leviticus-quoting ultra-con. So, hit me, High Court. Do the right thing)

A 7-pound road bike

Yes, it's the McCoy. Obviously made for someone more Kim's build than mine...

Walking, wincing wounded

Being hurt sucks.

I went out for a real, honest ride last weekend, felt pretty good, and (typically) paid for it.

I was riding south on that lovely, lovely new asphalt road near my home, decided I'd try a couple of town-sign sprints to see how I was feeling, and ended up with a stiff back the next day. I figured I'd try to loosen it up by riding the bike on the trainer for half an hour or so to fit my new saddle. Two days later, I had to go home from work at lunchtime because my back hurt so much, I couldn't sit upright in my office chair. And yes, it's still stiff, but I was able to go for long walks yesterday and today, so I'm not crippled yet.

The point is, prevention. There are all kinds of good articles about core training for cyclists. Like this one. Use 'em. This is the one time when a cyclist does NOT want to suffer.