Sean Hannity is a Loathsome Toad.

Hmmm...I may be scoffing. I'll sit out on the porch later.

I had a marvelous time yesterday. Then I came home to the Myrtle Beach Republican Q & A. We had to watch, as FOX had deigned to allow Ron Paul to take part in the debate -and even then, he had to demand to participate on the air.

It was a true Dog and Pony show, with each candidate doing Amusing Tricks, and Feats of Skill. At the end of the night, they couldn't let the answers speak for themselves. They trotted out pollster Luntz to question viewers as to why Fred Thompson was Teh Hotness.
Then Sockpuppet Hannity in his post-mortem had Luntz show the graph of viewer interest dropping to its nadir as Ron Paul spoke the truth. Then... then, Hannity and Colmes assured everyone that Dr, Congressman Paul had been invited to the post-game interviews, "but he refused, because he had another event to attend."

No, Sock-boy, Having an Event to Attend is not refusal. It is merely showing more interest in one's supporters than in giving a hostile nebbish opportunity to play verbal voodoo-doll with one.

OH! The text-in vote for "who won the debate" had Ron Paul at 35 or 36 percent, a good 10 points above the next best performer. Apparently the Paulistas hijacked the cell network, or stole the cellphones of the other candidates' followers, because Sean "Irish Need Not Apply" Hannity proclaimed that he DIDN'T win, in his opinion.

Sean Hannity's opinion trumps math. Someone call Stephen Hawking!!! This may finally answer the problem of the missing fraction of the Universe.

Seems it really is Vacuum.

And Vacuum sucks.

Play time for the Aardvark


Had a wonderful time today. For anyone who knows me at all, at all, you will be amazed that I did this. Loen and I went to Nashville to meet David Goodman.

I took the whole day, to travel to another state, to see someone I've never met.

Of course, sushi was involved.

What can I say? Musician, producer, jackleg economist, writer, artist, voice actor, family man, and that's the short list. He also evidently channels Peter Sellers, 'cos he has the BEST Dr. Strangelove impersonation I've ever heard. I dunno...I'm looking for a Medici lurking about.

We spoke of the Blog-o-Verse tm , the campaigns, t-shirts, music, gold, unreasoning virulent hatred of anime (I kid, I KID!), art, radio, the Theft of Signage, movies, family, children, the Whole State of Christ's Church - perhaps I use a broad brush - and how unnecessary bad language is.

And there was sushi! Ohhhhh, such sushi there was.

We ate at Fuji in Brentwood, off exit six-niner on I-65 north. Well recommended. They have an excellent lunch menu, with a broad selection of Japanese beers, as well, tho' we dod not partake of such. The green tea was amazingly good, with a note of sesame.

Then there were cigars.

David took us to Tobacco Road, a tobacconist extraordinaire. He bought himself and me each a CAO cigar. We stood around and enjoyed those for two hours. And talked. And laughed.

I haven't been as relaxed in ages.

A good time was had by all.

I am thankful.

---------------------------------------------
On a side note, I was REALLY glad that ummmmmmm, this Vidad character didn't show up. I had seriously thought (this is so SILLY) that David was really Vidad Magoodn, but I having met David, am sure it just couldn't be. So I'm REAL glad that Vidad didn't crash the party.

'Course, It would have put those nagging suspicions to rest, had he done so. (Has anyone else noticed how much he resembles a Muppet?)

The Minister's Big "O"

One of the main things that Jesus had against churches in Asia Minor, referenced in chapters 2 & 3 of the book of Revelation, was the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (or Nicolaitanes). Now most self-serving doctrineers say that we don't know what the doctrine was, but that Jesus was ticked about it, whatever it was (much as folks can't figure out that Jesus was talking about the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 24). Once again, grammar is not soft and gooey in the Bible. The language itself, the name itself has the meaning:

"The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes" is just what the word Nicolaitanes itself declares.

Proof:

1. In the book of the revelation of Jesus Christ, it is both "the deeds" and "the doctrine" of those in the two "churches" specified (Revelation 2:6, 15). The Lord demands repentance on the part of those who hold and practice these things and He threatens drastic punishment if they do not obey Him:

   "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth," (Revelation 2:16).

2. The name, Nicolaitanes, is a compound word which is composed of three Greek words, and which, because of being a proper noun, is transferred instead of being translated into English. As thus transferred, it is subject to the laws of Greek construction in regard to ellipsis, contraction and phonetics.
3. The Greek words used in its construction are first: "Nikos," of which we use the English equivalents instead of the Greek letters, as we shall also of the other two. Nikos is defined as "a conquest; victory; triumph; the conquered; and by implication, dominancy over the defeated." Another transferred name in which this term is used is "Nicopolis," i.e., Niko - conquest; polis city. Hence, the city of conquest, or city of victory. Also "Andro" -- "nikos;" a man of conquest, of victory. The second term used in the name under consideration is "laos," -- people, another use of which is Nicolas, which is transferred and is composed of Nikoslaos and means one who is "victorious over the people," the letter "s" being, in both words, the nominative case ending, which is retained only at the end of the word to denote the case, while "a" short and "o" short are contracted into "a" long.

Laodiceans

Also, a still further transferred use of "laos" is found in the name Lao(s)diceans, compounded with dike or dice as the Greek "k" is the equivalent English "c." Thus, in the name Laodiceans, we have laos -- "people" and dice la(ic)os means "laymen," of which laos is the root and stem, which selfsame word, with the "o" short contracted to "i", to which root and stem the plural definite article ton is joined to form laiton -- is a Greek phrase meaning "the laity." judgment, or vengeance, i.e., the people of my judgment, or of my vengeance. Also the Greek word

The third and last word entering into the construction of the proper name Nicolaitanes is ton, in which omega, the long "o", is contracted into long "a", thus making the word "tan" which is the genitive case plural in all the genders of the definite article the. Therefore, we have, without the legal Greek construction, the English hyphenated word Nickos-laoston, but which, with its lawful elisions and contractions, becomes the English name: Nicolaitanes, the full meaning of which, in its native tongue and in its ecclesiastical setting, is that the bishops and prelates of the Church have gained a triumphal victory or conquest over the laiton -- the laity -- until they have been compelled to submit to the arbitrary dominion of men who have become that thing which God hates: "Lords over God's heritage." -- J. H. Allen

So, the Nicolitanes are those who lord it over God's people, who set a clergy over a laity.

Now, it is self-evident that as Paul said, divisions MUST exist to determine who amongst us is "approved". No division is so evident as the divide between the "preacher", and everyone else in the congregation. Biblical church polity consists of a congregation, of whom are elders (bishops, overseers) who are men of proven character and maturity who handle the spiritual leadership and teaching), and deacons, who are also of proven character, and who handle many of the physical needs of the congregation. The elders are scripturally enjoined not to "lord it over" the flock.

Now, it is problematic where the whole "preacher" or "minister" leading a congregation came in (oops, I forgot about the whole priesthood thing), but it sure isn't biblical.

Now, our congregation was "preacherless" for almost two years, and many of the men, including your Aardvark, stepped up to the plate to handle the preaching and teaching. We had the most amazing togetherness develop.during that time. Elders, deacons, everyone was just in to serve God and one another. It was neat. There was more real growth in myself (and others) than I had experienced in years.

The big problem lies in the separation of the "preacher" from the rest of the congregation. There is...behavior...that sets the "minister" apart from everyone else. Nowhere does this otherness appear more pronounced than in the pulpit. The timbre of voice, the pronunciation. Some groups have schools that teach how a preacher should "sound" (adding a "huh" at the end of a phrase to show your passion: "I say unto you-UH, that we are going to have-HUH, a greaaaat revival-HUH,,,") Not our crowd, thankfully.

However, one practise that really rattles my cage is the use of archaisms, using language that makes it sound like Fanny Crosby was your nanny, and P.P.Bliss your headmaster. Beginning a phrase with a sonorous "O". O, how sweet to trust in Jesus. O, what trying times in which we live. Extending the "O" is good for emphasis: "OOOOOO, what a profound thought". I mean, no-one talks like that.in real life, and it only serves to increase the unreality of what passes for the Faith today.

It is axiomatic for many to "speak where God's word speaks, and be silent where it is silent". Allow me to add: "and speak normally when you do so". Preacherly airs do not endear, and serve to separate you from those to whom you wish to communicate the Word of Truth.

Brother, can you spare a dime ?


One of the most amusing things I have heard in awhile was an audio montage of all the jackass...er...Democrat candidates proclaiming their commitment to "change".

"Change...commitment to change...effect change...agents of change...". Like that.
It makes me want to go to the primary events and fling hands-ful of coins of varying denomination.

Have I said how bored I am with all of this?

"Change" covers a vast continuum. Climate change is the bogey du jour, and it is surely not a positive in most minds. Do they plan on enlarging their carbon footey-prints?
Do they wish to limit liberties even more than Fearless Leader has against the Terrace?
To paraphrase the ditzy alienette from the third season of Star Trek (the REAL one):

"Change and change...what is change?"

What worries me is the way the Great Unwashed accept the litany of change as carven in stone (pauses a beat...). "Our headaches are over...here comes Moses with the tablets!"

I am ready for change; change to the way things should be. The You Ess of Ay has fallen a great fall, with Lincoln putting the kibosh on states rights, through the predations of liberty through the 20th century, up to the swaddling cloth of Homeland Security. We need a return to Constitutional limits upon government, and to the vistas of personal liberty we are being denied today.

McCain has won New Hampshire. The Hilldebeast is looking likely.

Can one be bored and fearful at the same time?

I am clueless as to CraigsList. Loen found THIS jewel, though. While I disagree with the slant, it's still amazing.

I cn haz Bootz. O yes.

You know, like this:

Thanks to Riatsila for showing how incompetent I am with Photoshop!

Go to this guy's eBay store to check out the cool old ad art.


Memory Lane is now HOV.only.

Toast'em Pop-Ups. Mmmmmmmmm....
Another in the long line of General Mills starters on a field of one that wound up as also-rans.

Here's a timeline.

1964

Schulze and Burch (a baking concern in Chicago) produced a new product that General Foods had invented, called a Toaster Pastry that was marketed under the Toast'em® Brand.

1971

Schulze and Burch acquired the Toast’em® brand from General Foods.

1997

Toast’em Pop-Ups Toaster Pastries were reformulated, creating a new proprietary flavor system resulting in a superior taste and a more moist filling.

So, the original wasn't good enough...they had to make them better. Problem is, they're not better. They are different, sweeter, with an indistinct flavor. "It's red and gooey. This must be STRAWBERRY!". Yummy.

Toast 'Ems started out as "Post Country Squares". Hear what Carolyn Wyman saith:

September 14,1964, Kellogg had a competitive toaster pastry called Pop-Tarts in stores....Kellogg won the Zeitgeist sweepstakes when the name Pop-Tarts, chosen for the way they popped out of the toaster, turned out to echo a pair of 1960s cultural movements, pop music and pop art. Post, by contrast, was stuck with Country Squares, a doubly corny name made all the worse since the Beatles had arrived in America less than two weeks before they hit the market. (Post later changed the name to Toast ’em Pop Ups.)

Amazing. Then, Nabisco came out with Toastettes, blah, blah. (They didn't even do the obvious and have a leggy Toastette dance around. You know, like the cigarette ads from the 50's.)

I want an Eggo....

I am in consumer shock.

You are no doubt aware of Dollar General Stores. They are the yellow-signed stores that have been around forever, normally found in the older strip mall in town. You know, the one where your wife doesn't go to the salon. It's the store that you go to when you say "I don't want to go all the way to town to pick up a (insert missing consumer item here). I'll just pick summat up at Dollar General.". Well, kiddies, DolGenCorp is Making a Move on the retail scene. Their stores are popping up in tony little suburbs, and they have a new thing: Dollar General Market. Here is the corporate blurb:

The Dollar General Market is a convenient alternative to supercenter shopping. With everything our traditional store carries, as well as an expanded food section including fresh produce and meat, Dollar General Market fulfills many customers’ weekly shopping needs in one stop. In addition to convenience and value, the Dollar General Market is a fun place to shop with additional space for seasonal merchandise, electronics, magazines, home products and more! As of March 2, 2007, Dollar General operated 56 Dollar General Market stores.

Clearly, they need to update their website.

After our junket for Mexican last night, I wanted batteries, so I suggested that we go to the Dollar General Market. And we did.

It was big. It was clean. It was bright. The clerks were friendly and smiling. There was meat, and milk, and fresh strawberries, and Christmas stuff on clearance. (As Christmas is grimly determined to return the end of '08, The Dread Dormomoo and I availed ourselves of some shiny ornaments, and I felt good about it all.) There was even a section with actually useful home repair products like ballcocks, the tube-y, float-y contrivances that go inside your toilet tank; brand-name, too. Of course, the Blue Tarp, to patch things if a chunk of blue ice holes your roof.

They had COMPUTERS. And really nice laptops. At Dollar General. They even do service.
There were locked glass cases with hard drives, and USB hubs, and DVD writers. Oh my.

They DID have batteries, and remaindered anime DVD's, of which I scarfed up several. We sell them as a sideline at the conventions. The kids love buying $10 DVD's.

Dollar General Market is to Dollar General Store as Target is to Wal-mart. Almost.
I was surprised and amazed. I'm gonna go have a Toast'Em Pop-up for breakfast, now.

They had those, too.

The Eight-Track Tape of Dorian Gray

The Dread Dormomoo, Riatsila, and I went to our current favorite Mexican Restaurant, El Olmeca, in Ardmore, AL tonight. Their ASCAP-approved (it says so on the door!) soundtrack was doing its South of the Border best, when a tune from the Grooveyard of Forgotten Favorites popped up. Mas Que Nada by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66.
Mmmmmmm, tasty. Lani Hall did the lead vocal. Tasty, indeed. She is the wife of Herb Alpert, and went on to a solo career.In 1983 she sang the eponymous main title for Never Say Never Again . She sounded the same as she did almost 20 years previously.
What pipes. Check out her stuff online. Amazing talent.

Oh, and the dinner was good, too!
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow...nothing worse than an upset punditry! Huxterby and Le Nègre Magique winning in Iowa. Kind of amazing. I'm just bored with the whole thing. It's a washout if anyone but Ron Paul gets in. Yes, I really believe that.

In the midst of the Iowa Caucus foofooraw, my youngest, Loen, is back in his room, cleaning up, with "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" playing on his PSP, hooked up to a room-filling but cheap home theater sound setup.

This is a 17-year-old with more than a modicum of taste. Your Aardvark is so proud.

OH!! Loen did this stop-motion animation last weekend. Check it out.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Wow! I'm three for three this year. You guys have no idea how much I love doing this blogging bit. Creativity. Juices flowing, getting my thoughts and all-important opinions out there. I've got to go for now, so as to sign up for more conventions for the year.

---------- but wait, there's MOAR! -----------------

It is the WORST CON YEAR EVER !!!!!!!!!

Here is some of what is out there:
http://www.narutotrek.com/

It's got Star Trek. It's got Narutards. I guess one out of two ain't bad, but the COMBO... It's like buffalo chips with French Onion Dip.

http://www.connooga.com/

Wow...Twiki... Local wrestling sensations...Thong Girl... Daniel Emery Taylor!!!


Actually, Thong Girl is an amusing concept, and REALLY tweaked the Keepers of Public Moraltude in Tennessee.
To borrow Jennie Breeden's tagline: It's not Satanic Porn...HONEST. It's just a tacky superheroine comic (and I mean tacky in the best possible kitschy way) that became a video series.

I'm really depressed.

Vidad Magoodn, he of the News Network, has made comment:

"Actually, I'm just envious that part of your job involves going to anime conventions. I hate anime... but that sounds like a LOT more fun than what I'm doing."

What's funny is that I turned to the Dread Dormomoo at Mile 301 on I-65N and asked

"I'm 50. Why do I keep doing this?"

Seriously. I love BEING where I am. It is the Getting There that is a pain. I dislike driving. It is such a waste of time. Thankfully, there are audiobooks, Bible CDs, and music.
So the question remains, beyond "Dude...she had PURPLE HAIR!!!".And the money.

There is the issue of ego strokes. At the end of a 3-day anime convention, there are scores of kids and adults wearing our shirts. Now to be clear, we sell OUR shirts. Our designs, our printing. These shirts are a part of us, not mere reselling of someone else's stuff. The Aardvarks actually have a fan base. This all adds up to major positive strokes.

By and large, the anime fans are a polite lot. Much that is positive in Japanese culture comes through in anime, especially the manners. Sez Ima Strawman of Omaha: "Oh, the kids are just copying the polite behavior they see." Hmmm...that sounds like learning to me. Besides, I'd rather have someone copying politesse than thuggery.

Vidad, why do you hate anime? Are you a thug? (Hey, I'm practicing political polemic, here.)

The retail shirt sales have exploded our business, and this is a good thing. It well and truly helps to make the con-to-con grind bearable.

There was a lovely Twilight Zone episode entitled "Kick the Can". The moral was "You're as old as you act". I'm 50, with reasonable health, a few aches here and there. In my HEAD, I'm still a teen. Early teen. I call men "Sir" who look like I do now. I've always called men who look like I do now "Sir". I collect toys. I sometimes do more than look at them. Being around these kids is a major boost. Maybe it's the aerosol hormone levels. Maybe our mental ages are consonant. I just know that I feel better talking with them, joking with them, listening to them. It's corny, but being with the youngers makes ME feel younger.

That's reason enough to drive 8 hours to a con.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!







This will be your Aardvark's
Loot Roster from the Christmas festivities.

* Pictured is the Fireflash model kit by Aoshima. The atomic jet liner first appeared in the Thunderbirds initial episode "Trapped in the Sky". This is awsome. Trust me.

* Looney Toons GOLDEN Collection: Volume 4

* Animaniacs Volume 1

* Fractured Flickers DVD

* A Dremel-type tool of Cunning Design

* A martini-mix set. Mmmmmm...libation-ey!

* "A Child's Christmas in Wales" DVD (Denholm Elliott)

* A glowing lava-rock looking Tiki head.

* A Tiki desk fountain. (See, I've got this serious Space-Age Bachelor Pad motif working in my office. It clashes a little with the toy collection)

* An uber pen set: fountain, biro, and mechanical pencil.

The stocking contained Jelly Babies, Reese bells, ThinkGeek Destruct Button, Walkers shortbread, assorted bungee-cord set (don't ask)...like that.

(The bungees immediately came in handy at Anime South, where we lassoed catgirls with them. No, really, we used 'em on the pop-up display)

On the other hand...
Be afraid.
Be very afraid.

Hey Vidad...I got yer anime right here... (this is a cosplayer portraying Major Motoko Kusanagi from "Ghost in the Shell")

Here was our setup at Anime South.


Lotsa purty shirts.

On the other hand, the Hilton is a 20th-Century hotelier

...So I don't have WiFi. I have iBahn. Dialup speedy...thingie. Pricier than my van. ($9.95 per day) I know where Paris' allowance comes from. Though it rather makes sense, eviscerating the proletariat and all. Those who stay at Hilton resorts are of a particular social stratum, and all the add-ons are handleable by the wealthier amongst us. At the same time, they are onerous to those who are more, mmmmmm, budget-minded. It is the same effect as ball park ticket prices, and inflated prices for food and fannish goods like foam fingers.


Look who comes to the park on $5 ticket night.


The resort prices, while profit-oriented, serve another important job. They keep the hoi-polloi out. Now, your humble 'Vark is not acting Above His Station; he was here as a vendor for a convention, and enjoyed convention rates with the Dread Dormomoo. Enjoyed a good weekend of shirt sales, as well. Yaaaaay! CONFETTI!!

Mind you, this is in no way a bigot's screed. We enjoy upward mobility in our country, and you can leave the ignominy of the Cheap Seats for Skybox altitudes, whether your name is Cletus, Lamar, Shonequa, or Jin Woo (though Irish need not apply...). These are just some thoughts a-borning. Money provides a pretty good moat.

Hope you all had an Amazing Christmas Holiday.
We are prepping for Anime South in Destin, Florida THIS WEEKEND. Busy busy, busy.
So no shrewd commentary on the Human Condition today. I'll post from the Con, as I will have my 'Varkmotron laptop logic with me, with WiFi, no less.It IS, after all, the Twenty-First Century.

I am the very model of a modern blogging Aardvark.

---------------------------------------------------

OH! Go here and be amazed!

MERRY CHRISTMAS



Cool Yule, y'all!!


Enjoy the Christmas Cheese.

61%

Become an Ultrasound technician

Tor-pe-do is aw-AAAAAY

Tor-pe-do is aw-AAAAAY


CunningDove over t' Vox's reports:

This morning on Fox & Friends they asked (Ron Paul) for his thoughts on Huckabee's latest commercial with a "cross" in the background. Paul stated that he was reminded of the quote by Lewis Sinclair, "When fascism comes to the United States it will come wrapped in the American Flag and carrying a cross."

There are those thinking this an ill-advised remark, and that Ron Paul has torpedoed himself, and is taking on water. Sadly, I believe that the Esteemed Congressman is right on the money. I recall reading of Hitler wrapping himself in religious and nationalistic bunting, for example.

Allow me to repeat myself: I am a Christian, a Bible-believer (though rarely a Bible-thumper - it wears out the cover). And as a believer, I state categorically that EVERY time I have voted for a politician who has run (at least in part) as being "a Christian", or religious - every time - it has turned around to bite me..

Every


time.


I have been voting since 1975.
I have been a Christian since at LEAST 1971.

This establishes a pattern. I have ALWAYS voted for "the Christian candidate". (Yes, that means that I voted for Jimmuh Carter. If there was a Purgatory, I would spend time there...)
Yes, I have always voted for the "Christian" candidate.
I have always been bitten on the bum because of it.
Mr. Peanut: High ideals from a loathsome leftist >CHOMP<


I voted for Guy Hunt, the Primitive Baptist preacher and former Amwayite (for Alabama Governor). I got Mortimer Snerd >CHOMP<


I voted for Bob Riley, the horsie-riding gubernatorial candidate, who promised no new taxes, and promptly sought a 2 billion dollar tax rise >CHOMP<


I voted for W.


The Lie of the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition is that a united Christian vote Means Something in our post-Christian times. To quote a favorite Lewis character: "Show it me i' the Book!". I find no indication of Jesus or Paul advocating such political activism. To practice same seems antithetical to Christ's explanation to Pilate that "My kingdom is not of this world".

Political doings have been my life for twenty years. Vote Christian! Sadly, EVERY putatively Christian candidate for whom I have voted has bitten me on the bum, from Jimmuh Cahtuh on.


As far as activism, I remember well the parties in the streets that followed the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Do you remember where you were that day; remember how our Representatives listened to the majority outcry for the unborn, moved by the peaceful, hymn-singing, praying marchers standing for innocent lives?


Behold the spectacle of the American Church NOT speaking as Nathan to Washington's David, but wavering and keeping silent so as to maintain 501c3 status, for we all "know" that American Christians will contribute, not because cheerful giving delights their Lord, but because they can deduct their "charity" from their Income Taxes. Maybe my right hand should not know what my left is doing, but by Goo, Washington will.


But I digress. The Fear of the Left is of a Christian Theocracy running the country into lacklustre greyness. They would be willing to sell our country out to the mullahs' Islamic Allah-ocracy, and dhimmitude for all, just to avoid the HORRORS of an ascendant Biblical culture.But the Gospel does not call for a "Christian Government".

It calls for Christians to govern themselves, and to teach others to do the same. ANY candidate who wraps himself in the Christian Flag, whilst waving the American one, bears gimlet-eyed scrutiny. Dr, Congressman Paul is right.

Compassionate (Christian) Conservatism has yielded a landmark diminution of civil liberties, from rampant phone tapping to "Campaign Finance Reform".

Ron Paul is VERY Right.