"Pre-operational terrorist planning"

Terrorists probing air security on a flight to MKE in October. Where has this been reported by the local media?

Annie Jacobsen reports:

This TSA Suspicious Incident #177, Unclassified but For Official Use Only (U//FOUO), "has many of the elements of pre-operational terrorist planning" according to TSA Office of Intelligence. It was leaked to me earlier today in my ongoing efforts to compile terrorist dry runs and probes on airplanes.

A FFDO (Federal Flight Deck Officer — i.e. armed pilot) flying in non-mission status on October 24, 2007, on a flight from Washington D.C. to Milwaukee, identified himself to flight crew in advance of take-off. When flight crew witnessed suspicious behavior by four passengers, they reported the information to the FFDO.

H/T - Little Green Footballs

I'll have a decaf venti pepperoni-Eurasian-milfoil macchiato

More great writing from Mark Steyn, and a terrific tribute to the United States of America.

And just when you think you’re on top of the general trend of novelty, it veers off in an entirely different direction: Continentals who grew up on Hollywood movies where the guy tells the waitress “Gimme a cuppa joe” and slides over a nickel return to New York a year or two later and find the coffee now costs $5.75, takes 25 minutes and requires an agonizing choice between the cinnamon-gingerbread-persimmon latte with coxcomb sprinkles and the decaf venti pepperoni-Eurasian-milfoil macchiato. Who would have foreseen that the nation that inflicted fast food and drive-thru restaurants on the planet would then take the fastest menu item of all and turn it into a kabuki-paced performance art? What mad genius!

But Americans aren’t novelty junkies on the important things. “The New World” is one of the oldest settled constitutional democracies on earth, to a degree “the Old World” can barely comprehend. Where it counts, Americans are traditionalists. We know Eastern Europe was a totalitarian prison until the Nineties, but we forget that Mediterranean Europe (Greece, Spain, Portugal) has democratic roots going all the way back until, oh, the mid-Seventies; France and Germany’s constitutions date back barely half a century, Italy’s only to the 1940s, and Belgium’s goes back about 20 minutes, and currently it’s not clear whether even that latest rewrite remains operative. The US Constitution is not only older than France’s, Germany’s, Italy’s or Spain’s constitution, it’s older than all of them put together. Americans think of Europe as Goethe and Mozart and 12th century castles and 6th century churches, but the Continent’s governing mechanisms are no more ancient than the Partridge Family. Aside from the Anglophone democracies, most of “the west’”s nation states have been conspicuous failures at sustaining peaceful political evolution from one generation to the next, which is why they’re so susceptible to the siren song of Big Ideas — Communism, Fascism, European Union. If you’re going to be novelty-crazed, better the zebra-mussel cappuccino than the Third Reich.

I don’t believe the U.S. Constitution includes a right to abortion or gay marriage or a zillion other things the Left claims to detect emanating from the penumbra, but I find it sweetly touching that in America even political radicalism has to be framed as an appeal to constitutional tradition from the powdered-wig era. In Europe, by contrast, one reason why there’s no politically significant pro-life movement is because, in a world where constitutions have the life expectancy of an Oldsmobile, great questions are just seen as part of the general tide, the way things are going, no sense trying to fight it. And, by the time you realize you have to, the tide’s usually up to your neck.

Which isn’t a bad theme song for the first Thanksgiving, either. Three hundred and fourteen years ago, the pilgrims thanked God because there was a place for them in this land, and it was indeed grand. The land is grander today, and that too is remarkable: France has lurched from Second Empires to Fifth Republics struggling to devise a lasting constitutional settlement for the same smallish chunk of real estate, but the principles that united a baker’s dozen of East Coast colonies were resilient enough to expand across a continent and halfway around the globe to Hawaii. Americans should, as always, be thankful this Thanksgiving, but they should also understand just how rare in human history their blessings are.

Uh huh. Right.

Opening with a sweeping statement directed at climate change skeptics, the summary declares that climate systems have already begun to change.

Unless action is taken, human activity could lead to "abrupt and irreversible changes" that would make the planet unrecognizable.

Will just one of the 10,000 delegates please explain to this simple bumpkin why these see-oh-two levels lead to "irreversible changes," but the historically higher levels of greenhouse gases were reversed and resulted in our current climate?

I'm waiting.

Is that question too hard?

Any time now.

I said "please."

If I rewrite this at the HIGH SCHOOL level can you answer?

Oh crap.

Get a Cash Advance

That last post dumbed down my blog.

Don't look now, but Wiggy got dumber, too.

What I am drinking

From Tom DeZell's Sendik's Wine News of October 3.

At some point during our visit that day, I mentioned to him that I was looking for affordable, good quality, German white wine in liter bottles, preferably a Spätlese. He made it very clear on that day that he would be on the hunt for us. Almost five years have passed in taking this project full circle. Claus sent samples via our wholesaler, and we picked two that we were very enthusiastic about.

These two wines were sourced from St. Antonius Weinkellerei in the Nahe, and the winemaker is Anton Biroth who is a fifth generation winemaker there... Our regular price on the liter of Burg Layer Schlosskapelle 2006 Bachus Spälese is $12.99. We will be featuring this wine for $9.99. The second liter bottling of Rüdesheimer Rosengarten 2006 Spätlese would normally sell for $10.99. We will be featuring this wine for $8.99 or 3 for $24.00.

Both of these wines are loaded up with stone fruit goodness – all peaches and apricots. Rich and spicy with good levels of sweetness, both wines have enough acidity so that they will finish clean. They will appeal to a very broad audience and are perfect for fall and winter holiday entertaining. Enjoy!

I made the mistake of opening the Burg Layer Schlosskapelle 2006 Bacchus Spätlese first. It has a noticeably greater amount of residual sugar than the Rüdesheimer Rosengarten 2006 Spätlese, although the Rüdesheimer Spätlese is sweet in itself, it is tough to switch to the drier wine after tasting the unctuous sweetness of the Schlosskapelle wine.

Both are bargains at these prices. Stock your cellar before I buy it all.

Hello, hello

Dang! This should be a movie.

Iraqi insurgents apply some major whupass to al queda.

BAGHDAD - Former Sunni insurgents asked the United States to stay away, and then ambushed members of Al Qaeda in Iraq, killing 18 in a battle that raged for hours north of Baghdad, an ex-insurgent leader and Iraqi police said yesterday.

The Islamic Army in Iraq sent advance word to Iraqi police requesting that US helicopters keep out of the area because its fighters had no uniforms and were indistinguishable from Al Qaeda, according to the police and a top Islamic Army leader known as Abu Ibrahim.

Abu Ibrahim said his fighters killed 18 Al Qaeda militants and captured 16 in the fight southeast of Samarra, a mostly Sunni city about 60 miles north of Baghdad.

"We found out that Al Qaeda intended to attack us, so we ambushed them at 3 p.m. on Friday," Abu Ibrahim said. He would not say whether any Islamic Army members were killed.

Elsewhere, asked to comment Senator Reid said "This is unfortunate, we had the chance to quit while we were behind."

Finally getting started

I took more than a year, but I'm getting started on restoring the hull of my 1962 Thompson Sea Mate. I pulled the outboard, removed the windshield & hardware from the deck, then yanked her off the trailer. Tomorrow I will carefully flip the boat keel-side up with the help of Mrs. HB and the Ubergeek.





The gallery of photos I posted when I first brought home the "Hoarded Treasure" is here. I'll be refinishing the hull with paint from the George Kirby, Jr. Paint Co., in business since 1846. I need to remove the outer keel, to seal and caulk it in order to reduce the current leak rate. I should be done well in advance of the Thompson Reunion next August in Marinette.

232 Years of Heroes

To commemorate the 232nd Anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, I have made a contribution to the Semper Fi Fund.

Please consider a gift to this or another worthy charity.

Cakeblogging

Mrs. Headless's friend's birthday party is today. Her BFF expects a big-deal cake. Mrs. HB gave it her best shot, with help from Epicurious. It was supposed to look like this.



Sorry Michelle.

We'll miss you Geoff

Tom Hardicourt notes the full page ad that Geoff Jenkins had published in today's JS-on-Dead-Tree.

In the event you didn't read the JS this morning, Geoff Jenkins ended his 10-year run with the Brewers with a touch of class.

Taking out a full-page ad in the sports section -- and believe me, that doesn't come cheap -- Jenkins thanked Brewers fans for their support during his time in Milwaukee. "You have made me feel like a part of your community and those memories will last a lifetime," Jenkins wrote.

Whether you were a fan of Jenkins or not, you have to admit that is a classy way to leave an organization. I don't remember any other player making such a gesture upon leaving the club.

This reminds me of a story I read about Gorman Thomas, I think it was in an LATimes article 20-some years ago. It was reported that Gorman was the only major league ballplayer to send flowers and his condolences to the family of a baseball beat writer (BoSox, I believe) for the writer's funeral. Thomas had been interviewed by the reporter just one time. Some people are brought up right.

We are fortunate to have had these two exemplary individuals play the majority of their baseball careers in our outfield. I believe that each would have been a media star had they played in a major market.

What is his name?

I have always been lousy at remembering names, often to an embarrassing extent. Moving to a new area and starting a new job this week gave me a chance to try a technique for better remembering names. I heard the technique in a recent radio interview (I cannot remember the name of the person who was being interviewed).

The technique is when being introduced to someone new to mentally ask myself the question "What is his (her) name?" and then answering the question mentally. The results have been amazing. Of the 30 or so people that I have met, I know the names of at least 90% and have a good guess at the other 10%. In the past, I would be happy to remember 10%.

If you have this problem with names, give this trick a chance.

UPDATE & BUMP (from 10/30/07 to 11/10/07)

This technique really works. I'm still batting better than .900 with over 50 new names/faces. I believe this works similar to placing a shortcut on your Windows desktop. It establishes a pathway between the visual and memory portions of the brain, making that link immediately upon seeing the face again. I now have names pop into my mind without having to think.

No it is not.

Take that Wiggy.

Cash Advance Loans

Is Genius better than College (POSTGRAD)?

UPDATE:

How obnoxious is that? As if I need an excuse or encouragement.

I was expecting a "Rides the Short Bus" ranking based on my ADD prone ramblings on any topic popping into my head. But the GENIUS label certainly is appropriate and supported by valid scientific research.

Another Bumper Sticker

Some good Shat

More fine music that I discovered on XM.

Tell me how this works

I (with my brother) am one of Madison's smallest landlords in terms of the number of properties managed - we own one. We try to be responsible and look out for our tenants. We added insulation to the property and even had the coin-op washer & dryer replaced at our cost with free running machines.

This year we have received notices from Madison's Building Inspection Unit for issues as small as a hole in a window screen and trash cans left at the curb. Each time with the threat of fine if the problems were not addressed within 30 days.

Notice anything in the photos below?



How about the missing structural column to support the roof over this porch?



Or the rotting porch deck boards?



Or the missing balusters and inadequate railing?

This porch has been in this condition for over one year. I finally called the Madison Building Inspector to report this condition on September 21. These photos were taken on November 3.

This is not my property. This property is managed by one of Madison's largest landlords. Signs for this company are displayed on residential properties all over the campus area.

Small hole in a window screen, fix within 30 days. Major structural defects with potential for significant injury to the students living in this multi-unit property, never mind.

How does this work?

Periodic Random Food Images

Mrs. Headless has had a hankering for Handmade Ricotta Cavatelli ever since she saw the recipe. This Sunday she decided to make it. Of course, being who she is, she had to start with homemade ricotta for the pasta. She ended up with a massive amount of cavatelli.



We served the cavatelli with my homemade marinara gravy, and some pepper and cheese filled Italian sausage from Sendik's butcher department. The pasta had a velvety texture, but I didn't really taste the ricotta. All togehter, it was a special meal. My marinara gravy turned out excellent this year. I need to remember how I made it.

New from Nini Wang

I received this in an email last week and tracked down the original blog post. Visit 15 Minute Lunch for a good laugh.

I may need to blogroll this guy.

The new job

I started my new job on Monday. After a day of online training and security screening, I finally spoke with my new supervisor Tuesday morning. He told me that I will be running a different project than the one I was hired to manage. I'll be managing the top priority, highest visibility project for the next refueling outage. Pretty cool I think, I like the vote of confidence.

Slowly I learned more of the story. Other project managers told me I was taking over a doomed project and that the project is behind schedule with less than 6 months until implementation. The project had also failed in two previous attempts at implementation. The other PM's were steering clear of this job.

Then I learned that the CEO of this Fortune 500 corporation had a hand in the firing of the previous project manager, unbelievably high level attention for a project this size.

Finally, I get this email note from the owner of my new company (portions redacted).

Welcome aboard.  We, and specifically this project, need you.  If this
project fails rest assured we will be blamed regardless of our degree
of culpability...

So don your armor and proceed into battle (and watch your backside).

PS - Please don't run out the gate with your arms flailing. 
I actually laughed out loud when I read that.

Oh yeah, on Thursday they expanded the project's scope to more than
double what was previously planned.

I see my options as:

1. Meet everyone's expectations and fail;
   
2. Complete the work successfully; or
   
3. Run away with my arms flailing.
   

I intend to dust off some Lombardi quotes and go for #2, although #3 is still a possibility.

I suspect my blogging is going to suffer.

Palo Verde pipe bomb

Yes sir Mr. Drudge, the security systems at U.S. nuclear plants work.

A nuclear power plant in Arizona was locked down Friday morning after security guards discovered a pipe bomb in a contract worker's truck, authorities said.

Plant operator Arizona Public Service called the discovery an "unusual event" and sealed off the site, with no traffic entering or leaving the grounds.

A bomb squad from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department declared the pipe bomb a "credible explosive device."

The contract worker was entering Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station at a checkpoint for a standard security inspection at the beginning of the day shift. Guards armed with automatic rifles check identification and search under the hoods of all vehicles entering the plant.

APS security discovered this bomb at the very first checkpoint for entering the Owner Controlled Area. Think of this as a checkpoint at the airport before you even can get to the parking, departures and arrivals areas. I won't give away any secrets, but a lady I worked with was detained by security at this checkpoint after firecracker residue was found on her car. These are not your typical barely conscious TSA workers that are providing security. These are heavily armed nuclear professionals and they are serious.

This bomb was detected before the metal detectors, bomb sniffers and x-ray units were even encountered and was outside of the security fence and razor wire that define the Protected Area, the lowest level security area at the plant.

This is a non-event from a security standpoint, but could be possible evidence of probing of the plant's defenses by terrorists. A good catch by Arizona Public Service.

Zeke would be proud.