Taxidea taxus

Mine. I got there first and my cooties are all over it.

My new blog. Try to guess the theme.

Another rule for Sykes' next book

My son responded to a 'roommate wanted' ad on Thursday.

For some reason, he was really excited about the place.

Mrs. Headless later told me that the roommate was a girl.

The next day I'm cruising through my regular blogs and see a post by Bill Michaels with a young woman pictured (that link went dead within 1 hour of this post).

She had the same name as the girl renting the place, Tatiana.

Headless Junior confirmed today it is the same girl.

Hmmm, that could make for some awkward trips to the bathroom.

Smart girl, she rented the room to someone else.

Good for my son, too. He may actually be able to study next year.



And that new rule for Charlie Sykes next book?

Rule 51: Penthouse Forum doesn't happen in real life.

More emissions testing questions

Today's JSOnline features an emissions testing follow-up - Emissions to fall despite testing cuts. The article and accompanying graphic begs some questions.



Above is a plot of the data that was provided in the sidebar. The test results for treadmill versus computer checks are remarkably consistent, except for 2004 model cars. This isn't just chance, due the large number of tests being performed, statistics says these numbers mean something. These vehicles should have better emissions than older cars, just as the treadmill results show. There is something wrong with the computer modules on 2004 vehicles or with the software used by the state's contractor to read and analyze the data for these cars. This problem needs to be researched and a solution found.

The article includes this statement.

If the changes had not been made, and more cars had continued to be tested, DNR projections made available this week show emissions of nitrogen oxide would be only 1.7% lower and VOC emissions only 3.6% lower in 2009.

Because testing of 1996 and older cars is being eliminated based on the above cost-benefit comparison, what are the numbers for cars built in 2001 and later? There are certainly more 2001 through 2004 cars in service than those from 1996, but it takes more than 10 times more of these to have as many testing failures as the statistically average 1996 car.

I believe it can be shown that eliminating testing or at least reducing the testing frequency of cars that are 0 to 7 years old will add less pollutants than eliminating the pre-1997 vehicle testing (the limited data provided in the article on percentages of model years in operation definitely supports my theory). Based on the DNR-DOT acceptance criteria, Wisconsin can eliminate testing of all 2001 and newer vehicles with minimal environmental impact.

Another question in my mind is what kind of Environmental Impact Analysis was performed to allow this net increase in pollution? Or can DOT increase pollution without performing a detailed environmental analysis?

Come on Lee Bergquist and unnamed DNR officials, Wisconsin taxpayers and motorists want to know THE REST OF THE STORY.

H/T - Dad29

That SE Wisconsin emission testing change

A couple more things about the SE Wisconsin emission testing program. First, I ran into this in yesterday's article.

Yet state documents show that exempting older vehicles means reductions in auto emissions will be slowed until 2018.

But officials at Department of Transportation and the Department of Natural Resources emphasized the effect will not hamper the state's efforts to control air emission while saving state tax dollars

For example, in 2009 pollutants are projected to be 18% to 21% lower than otherwise when older vehicles are not tested, documents show. By 2018, the difference will drop to 1% to 2%.

"The changes will not be consequential to overall air quality," said Kevin Kessler, director of the DNR's Bureau of Air Management.

Are they really saying that emissions are lower when the old cars are not tested? That makes no sense. Or does it mean that these cars are responsible for 18% to 21% to the area's pollution if untested? Or is it just poor writing?

The other thing that stands out is that the contract to do the testing is out for bids. How many Wisconsinites realize that these are not state employees testing their emissions?

About the Company
Envirotest Wisconsin Inc., a subsidiary of Environmental Systems Products, Inc. (ESP), operates the Wisconsin Vehicle Inspection Program under contract to the State of Wisconsin.

Now is the perfect time to eliminate the emission testing program. Simply let the current contract expire in June. No further action required.

The test facilities can then be sold and the money used to pay down the state's debt.

UPDATE: A relevant follow-up post is here.

The market responds

This is bad news for Wisconsin's economy, but a good sign for motor fuel consumers.

More than 750 workers at the General Motors sport utility vehicle factory in Janesville are expected to lose their jobs when the nation's largest carmaker eliminates one of its two shifts in July.

The cuts represent the most dramatic impact yet of record-high oil and gasoline prices on Wisconsin's economy.

The factory is one of four GM plants that will see jobs cut. The automaker says it has far too much production capacity compared with customer demand for large SUVs and pickup trucks.

"The market has dramatically softened in our large SUV and full-size pickup truck segments," GM spokesman Chris Lee said. "That's basically why we made the call."

This downturn in sales of gas guzzlers is evidence that the market is responding to $3+ gasoline prices. Reduced demand will follow, leading to lower, or at least slower growing, gas prices.

Breaking News: Packers Trade Favre

Ted Thompson couldn't do it fast enough, trading Brett to the Raiders for next year's 3rd, 4th and 6th round picks. His remarks:

Brett has given the Packers many years of exceptional service, but that is in the past. With our good luck in adding Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn this weekend, it is time for the team to move on. We had hoped to get more for Brett, but with luck I'll be able to trade down for several 7th round picks next year.

Details at Packer.com.

Fighting back against the Law of Unintended Consequences

1. Reduction of nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen: 2NO_x → xO₂ + N₂
2. Oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide: 2CO + O₂ → 2CO₂
3. Oxidation of unburnt hydrocarbons (HC) to carbon dioxide and water: 2C_xH_y + (2x+y/2)O₂ → 2xCO₂ + yH₂O

Gov. Jim Doyle is not selling his decision to eliminate emissions testing on old cars the correct way. This isn't about saving the state some money or due to the difficulty in testing these beaters. He needs to say he is doing it to FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING.

The problem with modern "low emissions" vehicles is that they reduce greenhouse gas neutral emissions with the worst greenhouse gas known to Manbearpig and Nobel Laureate Al Gore: CARBON DIOXIDE! {Insert screaming sound effect here}

The reactions shown at the top of this post are what happen in your catalytic converter. Yet another example of bad things happening when liberal environmental activists act. We've cleaned up our local environment at the expense of the planet as a whole. Without modern vehicle emissions standards, the amount of carbon dioxide spewed into the environment since 1975 would be exponentially lower.

Catchy tune.

I'll never be able to say 'Obama' again without that pause.



H/T - Althouse

Packers Draft Notes - Updated

A white wide receiver? Is Jordy Nelson another Bill Schroeder, but without the track star speed?

From 1993 to 2007, with Mr. Favre as their starting QB, the Packers picked a total of seven skill-position offensive players in the first two draft rounds. An average of less than one-half per year. In 2008, the first year in 15 without Favre around, they chose two skill-position offensive players in the first two rounds. Yeah Brett, we wanted you back.

Ryan Brohm, I mean Brian Braun, more proof that star players should never stick around for that senior year.

DAY 2 UPDATE:

In 2008, three skill-position offensive players were picked in the Packers' first four selections, that's 75%. In the previous 15 seasons under Brett, just 15 skilled-offensive players in the first 4 picks, a mere 25%.

Smoke Day 2008 - 4 week warning

WSM Smoke Day IV - May 24. Food at 5:00. Music at 7:00.

Features for 2008:

More Food. My teammate from the White Men Can't Smoke BBQ Team will be cooking with me. My bill of fare includes beef brisket, pork butt & picnic, baby back ribs, spare ribs, smoked sausage, chicken, and turkey. I don't know what he is cooking.

New Jello Shot Varieties. Mrs. Headless is going to try to one-up her Mojito, Margarita, Pina Colada and Root Beer Float Jello shots.

Better Organization. We promise not to forget to serve the black bean and corn salad this time.

More People. Word is out among more family, friends and neighbors (I'm even inviting my brother this year). The SE Wisconsin Roadfood.com Eating Team is coming.

Environmentally Conscious. Large volumes of ethanol (in the non-denatured form) will be consumed.

Famous Guest(s). One or more of the following will attend:

1. Barack Obama - A campaign stop to roll up his sleeves with bitter small town gun and religion clingers.
2. Prince Fielder - The perfect way to get over that vegetarian fad.
3. Buddy Roadhouse - A stop for barbecue after a day of sampling his fabulous sauces at Sendik's Brookfield.
4. Notable Wisconsin Bloggers. Will I recognize them when they sneak in?
   

Build Your Own Dessert. Mrs. Headless is giving this a try for 2008 with tarts and shortcakes.

Romance. Will we have guests meet and become engaged within 6 months again?

Live Music. My friend Tom is bringing his band over to entertain. IX Lives will be playing an unplugged set, which is still electric, but doesn't include their huge sound system. They'll feature more Zeppelin, Floyd and Petty. A special unannounced opening act, too.

RSVP. By email or in comments.

What I was drinking - Lucid Absinthe

A day late this time. I got a bottle of Absinthe for my birthday and JS-on-dead-tree runs a story about it today. The story features Milwaukee bars serving Absinthe the classic French way:

To serve absinthe, he pours two ounces of the liquor into a glass and positions it under a spigot. He places a slotted spoon on top of the glass and a sugar cube on top of the spoon, then he opens the spigot. Cold water eases over the sugar cube and into the glass, dissolving the cube and sweetening the licorice-tasting liquor and revealing the herb-based alcohol's pale green color.

Absinthe is strong stuff, something like 270 proof with an intense anise flavor, and that hallucinogenic wormwood, too. I am more disposed to have mine in the classic New Orleans cocktail, the Sazerac. Robert Hess at DrinkBoy has this description.

The evolution of the recipe for the Sazerac cocktail thus spanned perhaps 30 years or more before settling in on a combination of Rye, bitters, sugar, and Absinthe. This is still the basic recipe that you will find today, the main difference being that an Absinthe substitute is used in place of that now banned ingredient, and the bitters will vary from being straight Peychaud's, to a mixture of Peychaud's and Angostura, to being only Angostura. Bourbon has also replaced Rye as the base spirit in this drink, this reflects the increased popularity of Bourbon over Rye since the repeal of prohibition.

As a cocktail, I find the Sazerac to be a wonderfully contemplative drink. It's complex and interesting layers of different flavors lend itself to drinking in a quiet and dimly lit room, perhaps with the crackle and flicker of a burning fire on the hearth. Some establishments will make this like a normal cocktail, shaken with ice, and strained into a cocktail glass. Myself, I feel that this looses some of the interesting flavors and qualities of the drink. I make mine by taking a pre-chilled old fashioned glass, and using an atomizer squirt in 3 to 4 sprays of Pernod (or some other Absinthe substitute). Without an atomizer, you can simply pour into the glass a bar-spoon of Pernod and roll it around the glass to coat the sides, leaving a small puddle in the bottom of the glass. To this I add a splash of simple syrup, a dash of Peychaud's bitters, and then 2 ounces of Rye Whiskey. You can use a cube of sugar instead of the simple syrup, but I feel that the remaining grit of the sugar is a distraction that doesn't befit this drink. A simple twist of lemon peel is all that is needed for a garnish.

My recipe.

• 1/2 teaspoon Lucid Absinthe
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 3 dashes Peychaud Bitters
• 2 ounces of Whiskey

Swirl Absinthe around old fashioned glass. Add sugar and bitters, muddle well. Fill glass with crushed ice and top with whiskey. I may use brandy next time, as in the original 19th century recipe.

My bottle of Lucid will see many more birthdays if I stick with this recipe.

Packers #1 Pick

I am going on the record. The Packers will pick Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm with their 1st round draft pick in tomorrow's NFL Draft. I have no exceptional insight into the NFL draft, I am just convinced that I'll be asking myself "Did he say Brian Brohn or Ryan Braun?" for at least the next five years.

UPDATE: I'm right even when I am wrong. No first round pick, but the Packers chose Braun with their second 2nd rounder.

Boiling it down

M. Simon put a smile on my face with this one.

On one side, you have a bitch who is a lawyer, married to a lawyer, and a lawyer who is married to a bitch who is a lawyer.

On the other side, you have a true war hero married to a woman with huge breasts who owns a beer distributorship.

Is there a contest here?"

Bluemound Road Safety - The Obvious Solution

Another reason this state is in major debt. The thinking at the DOT seems to be, "Why spend $10,000, when we can throw $4,000,000 to the road-builders?"

There are traffic safety issues on Bluemound Road in Brookfield, the obvious answer to these bureaucrats is to foul up traffic with more and more concrete. This time in the form of disruptive median barriers.

The simpler, more effective, less disruptive, and less expensive solution is to reduce the speed limit on Bluemound and enforce it. This stretch of roadway is no longer a sleepy country road. A 45 mph speed limit is just too high for the current traffic conditions.

Drop it to a more appropriate 35 miles per hour and the road becomes more safe, not just from the lower traffic speed, but also by drivers using other roads and highways that will now be faster routes for these drivers. The cost for the new speed limit signs is a fraction of the pork being handed to the Governor's political contributors.

p.s. If you are aware of a short-cut to avoid congested traffic, do not go on the radio and blab about it. I'm talking to you, dumbass Belling caller.

(untitled post)

TC Self-Check Time

A timely reminder at Blackfive, one day short of 4 years since I lost my left one.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008

Important information about testicular cancer and self-exams

Ok, this is an unusual post. But it's really important because we see quite a few cases of testicular cancer at Landstuhl due to the gender/age group of the patients.

Please help raise awareness about the importance of deployed men doing testicular self-exams.

There's very high awareness for breast cancer and the need for women to carry out self-exams.

However, there's much less awareness about testicular cancer (TC), which is the most common type of cancer affecting guys between the ages of 15 and 35.

Most often, TC is found by men themselves. The thing with being deployed is that you don't want to look like you're playing with yourself in the shower or whatever while checking yourself out. Also, back home, it's often found by wives/girlfriends.

But a monthly self-exam of the testicles is the best way of becoming familiar with your body and thus enabling detection of TC at an early - and highly curable - stage.

Information about self-exams. [http://tcrc.acor.org/tcexam.html]

General information about TC. [http://tcrc.acor.org/index.html]

Important to Know:
- TC has a VERY high cure rate.
- Treatment usually involves removal of the affected testicle and follow up.
- Having one testicle is almost always sufficient to keep everything "working".

Finally, embarrassment is a poor excuse for not having things checked out. If you think there is something wrong or something has changed, get your butt to sick call!

Headless Blogger says, "Check them out! Both of them."

EARTH DAY - GAME OVER, WE WON!

The earliest Earth Day goals have been long met and surpassed. In all areas - air, water, land - pollution has been abated and our environment has become much closer to pristine.

Consider that today's biggest environmental threat is supposedly carbon dioxide. I am old enough to remember when carbon dioxide was a desirable byproduct to environmentalists. In fact, the desire to turn more noxious effluents into CO2 was the reason catalytic converters were invented and mandated decades ago.

Today, Steven Hayward presented his 2008 Index of Leading Environmental Indicators, which he prefaces in this column. Hayward notes in the column.

The irony in this year’s political stampede stems from the fact that intense focus on environmental concerns (especially the United States) over the past decade has caused a significant diminution of environmental problems. It’s hard to scare people any more. Air pollution is on its way to being eliminated entirely in the U.S. in about another 20 years. Levels of air pollution have fallen between 25 and 99 percent (depending on which pollutant you measure), with the nation’s worst areas showing the most progress. For example, Los Angeles has gone from having nearly 200 high ozone days in the 1970s to less than 25 days a year today. Many areas of the Los Angeles basin are now smog-free year round.

Water pollution is more stubborn and harder to measure (and is being made worse in the Mississippi River basin by the government’s crazy ethanol mandate), but here too there have been major improvements since the first Earth Day in 1970. The Great Lakes have been cleaned up, with many previously endangered species of birds now thriving. The Cuyahoga River in Cleveland doesn’t catch fire any more. The amount of toxic chemicals used in American industry has fallen by 61 percent over the last 20 years, even as industrial output has grown. Forestland in the U.S. has been expanding at a rate of nearly 1 million acres a year over the last generation.

Bjorn Lomborg's The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the Real State of the World also chronicles the improvements in our environment. Things are better, much better. We are just constantly having the bar raised and the line in the sand moved.

Thinking Globally + Acting Locally = Bad for the Earth

Think Globally, Act Locally, which may be better known as Not in my Backyard, has been a disaster for the environment. For example, buying "green" biofuels can mean cleaner air near your home, but is causing the destruction of the Earth's rainforests and elimination of many rare and unique species.

More broadly, the extremes that the environmental movement has imposed on the U.S. and other developed nations has been a net negative for the planet. They have been successful in their attempts to mandate near zero emissions here, by causing many industries to move elsewhere. These businesses have relocated to places where there is little or no regulation. Pollution can be spewed to the air and water in these far away places in a manner that is beyond comprehension in the U.S., even before the first Earth Day. Out of sight, out of mind may better describe this philosophy.

For the sake of the planet, reasonable environmental standards must be established in the United States, and then remain unchanged. We were there years ago. It is time to roll things back to be within reason.

Take the 'KRM' Train

A challenge to the Ice Age Deniers

14 April 2008

Dear Dr. Pachauri and others associated with IPCC

We are writing to you and others associated with the IPCC position – that man’s CO2 is a driver of global warming and climate change – to ask that you now in view of the evidence retract support from the current IPCC position [as in footnote 1] and admit that there is no observational evidence in measured data going back 22,000 years or even millions of years that CO2 levels (whether from man or nature) have driven or are driving world temperatures or climate change.

If you believe there is evidence of the CO2 driver theory in the available data please present a graph of it.

Read it all here. This was the first I had heard of this letter.

H/T - Power and Control

Too hot for the Wisconsin Sports Bar

Not racist, but a whole lot of racial stereotyping. Typical 1970's stuff. When did everyone get such thin skin?