Saturday, June 30, 2012

The Changing Liberal Message, as Told by a Bumper of a Car


For the past couple of years, I have worked out at my local health club with a very nice liberal woman.  I know she's liberal from two things - 1) she always has MSNBC on the TV while she's working out, making her about 12% of their viewership and 2) her vehicle always sports some kind of liberal talking-point bumper sticker. 

Two years ago it was the "Obama/Biden" one.  Later, it was "Faux News Lies."  A year ago it was "Recall Walker."  And now, with Walker winning, what's the latest talking point?  Check it out for yourself:

 

Three years ago the theme was about Hope and Change®.  Ever since, it is about making her political enemies the focus of her statements. 

Maybe that's the reason why the Democratic party is in the state that it's in.  Hope and Change® is dead.  The only thing left is the hatred of the other side.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Classless President Celebrates SCOTUS Decision

Not one to miss an opportunity to denigrate the position of President to "somebody cool," here's how the current occupant celebrates the landmark decision by the Supreme Court.

And, hey, it makes a good opportunity to sell some stuff, too.

At least he's consistent.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Obama Wants Your Wedding Money

I really want the above to be a joke - something from the Onion or something.  No, folks.  It's real.

Tacky?  Off the charts.  Desperate?  Definitely.  Beneath the Presidency?  You be the judge on that one.

What's next?  Here are some ideas for our President:
  • Grandma just die?  Send in her inheritance to you.  She would have wanted it that way.
  • Kid lose a tooth?  Instead of the Tooth Fairy visiting your kiddo, how about putting some pennies under POTUS' pillow?
  • Saving for your kids' college?  Using that money on the election advertising is the really smart move.
  • Bar Mitzvah?  Make it a Barak Mitzvah!
  • 401k?  Giving it to Obama would make it 401 OK!
  • Tipping your waitress?  Giving that money to the President instead might be the best tip yet.
Pathetic.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Commercial from the Good Old Days

One never knows what's going to pop up on the web.  The attached is such an illustration.

Here's an example of a viral video that lived in the days before things went viral. 

I wish I had one of these to sell on eBay.  I think I'd make a damn fortune...


ShopKo - Cheese Puppet Promotion from Clay Covert on Vimeo.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Europe: Sick on Vacation? You've Earned More Vacation!

Europe is on the verge of financial collapse, but for those lucky enough to still have a job (a declining number to be sure), the benefit of their 6 week vacation allocation has been a envy of those of us on this side of the Atlantic. 

Now it gets even better.

Europe's highest court ruled last week that if you went on vacation and got sick, well, those sick days didn't count against your vacation.  You deserve more days off.

You can read the article here.

On the beach and step on a jellyfish?  Stop the vacation clock!  I'm "sick."

Meanwhile, back here in the States, if you have a bad burger at your 4th of July picnic, you better find a way to get your butt back to work on Thursday. 

Wanna place bets on which economy has any kind of chance of making it?

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Brandi Carlile Door County Concert Review - Fish Creek


Last night I attended the Brandi Carlile show at the wonderful Door County Auditorium in Fish Creek. To sum it up, it was a fantastic night of surprises.

The first surprise was the venue. The Door County Auditorium is a gem. Nestled in the heart of Door County, the theater is everything a big city theater is, and then some.  The acoustics and sight lines were excellent, and the building could not have been done any better.  For those that live or vacation in the area or for those that travel up from Green Bayor beyond, it is a delightful venue.  I guarantee that I will be back.  And given the talent the venue attracts, it should be an easy guarantee for me to fulfill. 


The second surprise was the opening act of The Lumineers, pictured above.  They played a simple brand of folk-indy, but played it with such passion, talent, and joy that the crowd fell in love. While their crowd interaction needed some tuning – the obligatory opening act mention of the headliner fell a little flat and the band didn’t take as much credit for a raucous Ho Hey as they should have – everything else they did was impeccable.  This is very talented band, folks, and one that I predict will have a big future in front of it.  

The next surprise was the talent shown by Brandi and the Hanseroth twins.  Brandi's talent is evident on her recorded material, and her distinct vocals create a tapestry of sound her fans have enjoyed for nearly ten years now.  What was lost on me was the depth of her musicianship, and how big of a role Phil and Tim Hanseroth are in the music.  Combined they really are a three-headed monster, despite the billing on the marquee.  This was evidenced on multiple numbers throughout the night, with some of the standouts being Before it Breaks and That Wasn't Me - the latter being an underscore example of their beautiful harmonies. 



The final surprise of the night was a rousing rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.  The Queen classic is nearly un-coverable, but the feisty band pulled it off with such success that it brought the sold-out crowd to its feet.  It was a real treat, and the Door County cherry on top of an outstanding, and surprising evening.  

Friday, June 22, 2012

A Dog Named Blitz, Chapter 8 "Fourth Year, Part 2"


For background on this serial, please click here. You can also start at the previous section

The next two weeks played out the same way: I’d return home from work, burst through the door, and ask my wife, “How’s Blitz?”  We’d have some days where it appeared the dog was getting better, and some where it looked like no change.  I tried to convince myself that the limp didn't matter so much. Blitz was a lab, she goes 100%, and there are times when she hits the training dummy so hard on a retrieve that she knocks herself around a bit. She was OK.  She'd just have to be OK. 

Unfortunately, the limp got worse. If given the option, Blitz started to only put a small amount of weight on the leg. Still, if she heard a rooster pheasant while walking her in the back yard or sees a rabbit, it’s off to the races without the slightest hint that something is troubling her.  Her heart, it seemed, never talked to her leg. 

In the mean time, I had been doing research on her likely injury; a torn ACL.  The news there was not good.  If that was indeed what happened with Blitz, she'd be out for at least 12 weeks.  Done for the season.  Site after site, page after page held the same outlook.  My spirits were quickly sinking.   I couldn't stop feeling sorry for myself and I couldn't stop feeling like the upcoming goose, duck, and pheasant season to which I was looking forward would be meaningless.

At the end of her convalescence, it was obvious Blitz was clearly getting worse.  As much as I tried to will her into health, it was apparent she was not going to get better on her own.  I feared the diagnosis that I knew was coming.  Dr. Jeff knew it was coming as well, and had done his homework. “We have options.  We can do a slight reconstruction of the joint, clean things up, but the joint would not tolerate an athlete's activity.  Blitz would need to be a house dog.  The second option is a reconstruction of the ACL.  She’ll miss the hunting season, but her prospects for long term health are excellent. Option one is $1,200.  Option two is $2,400.  Either way, that's a lot of money.  Go home and talk with your wife tonight and let me know what you guys want to do." 

Personally, I didn't care about the money, I just wanted my hunting partner back.  But Doc was right, it was a lot, and I owed it to Vera to discuss it.  After I got home, I got Blitz comfortable and sat down with my wife and explained the options.  She listened.  She asked questions.  And then she got silent.  At that point I asked, "Honey, what do we do?"  Without skipping a beat she replied, "That dog was born to hunt. That's who she is. If we don't fix her all the way, we'd cause more pain than what she's suffering with the knee. We fix her all the way."

Doing anything but was never an option with me, I would have found some way to pull it off, but to have my wife say it made me pretty proud to have two incredible gals in my life. Both are much better than I deserve. 

Since we were doing such expensive and important surgery, we opted to have it performed at the University of Minnesota vet hospital in St. Paul.  Their reputation is one akin to "The Mayo Clinic for Animals," and since it was within driving distance, it seemed foolish to do it anywhere else. 

Our experience clearly met with the reputation.  I met with the surgeon who reviewed Blitz's x-ray and physically examined her.  She stated that the "U "had a different procedure that could be done which was a lot less stressful on the patient, yet yielded fantastic results.  She was confident Blitz was a great candidate.  "So what exactly does that mean?" I asked.  The surgeon replied, "Well, we can't know for sure until we get in there and get a look, but I think it may mean that you’ll get Blitz back for hunting by early November.  Maybe even sooner. The bad news is that it is expensive.”

I was ecstatic!  I was certain that my buddy would be out the whole season, but now!  I didn’t care what it would cost, I was going to get my hunting buddy back!  Even if it was just for the last weekend of legal hunting, it didn’t matter to me.  Blitz was a healthy dog, incredibly strong, in shape, and tough as nails.  If any dog had great prospects, she surely did.  I felt certain we’d been given a new lease on the season. 

We made arrangement for Blitz to have the surgery the following day.  We also agreed to put her under that afternoon to do one more x-ray to get a last look at her joint before going under the knife, just to have as much data as possible.  Before leaving, I had Blitz sit and threw my arms around her.  "I'll see you in a couple of days, girl.  They'll take good care of you here."  With that, Blitz got led away for preparation for her x-ray, and I headed to my car to call Vera. 

I was on cloud nine!  As I drove home I called my wife, Fuzzy, my mom, and just about anyone else familiar with the story to let them know that Blitz would be hunting with me that upcoming fall.  My worrying was over.  My SUV felt like it was floating three feet above interstate 494.  I'd have my hunting buddy back! 

That's when my phone rang - an unrecognized 651 exchange, which meant it originated in St. Paul.  I answered the phone.  "Mr. Sidders?" the voice on the other end asked.  I recognized it as the surgeon I had just met at the University hospital.  "Yes?" I answered "Mr. Sidders," the voice on the phone was clearly troubled, "there is something wrong.  I'm as so sorry to tell you there is something very wrong."    

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Rosebuds and an Acoustic Version of Woods

As I've posted before, I'm a big fan of the Rosebuds.  The recently released this video of their hit Woods

I don't know what it is about this band, but I just love them.

Enjoy

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Life Lesson from a Slacker Robin

For weeks earlier this spring we had a robin that worked to build a nest above our patio door.  The bird was quite industrious, and would be able to cobble together a nest in a little over a day.  Not wanting to have a messy nest outside our door, I’d proceed to knock the nest down before it could be populated with eggs.  And the next day we’d go through the process all over again. I even went so far as put canned goods on the ledge to make building the nest harder. 

At least eight times I knocked that nest down, and it finally seemed that I had got through to the momma robin.  It appeared that she finally gave up and went missing for a couple of days, likely in search of greener pastures in which to raise her brood. However, she saved her biggest surprise for my wife and me when, upon return of being away for the weekend, we found momma robin no longer building a nest, but quietly sitting in one. 

Before too long, momma started flying off the nest and feeding four very hungry mouths that would poke out of their home atop our patio door.   In watching the process for days, it was remarkable at how much momma needed to feed those hungry mouths, and how quickly they were growing. 

Within weeks the babies had gained the familiar orange breasts, and soon they vacated the nest altogether.  Except for this guy here.  While everyone else took off, this guy found life atop the soup can pretty darn good.  Lots of room to stretch out, mom brining in meals multiple times a day, great view, the whole enchilada.  While he milked it for a couple of days, we awoke one morning and found that the nest (and the soup can) were no longer inhabited. 

While slacking off clearly had an appeal, it likely ultimately paled when compared to the joy, challenge, risk and freedom of flight. 

I think there’s a lesson in there somewhere.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Fortnight for Freedom - Catholics vs. Democrats?


The Obama administration's overreach has stretched all the way to our local Catholic parish. 

Literally. 

This past Sunday, our priest invoked a special prayer from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, asking for protection of our religious liberties.  You can see a copy of the prayer card attached to this article.  This is a reaction to last August's U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issuing a list of “preventive services for women” to be mandated in almost all private health plans under the new health care law.  And ultimately it has pitted the Catholic Church against the Democratic party. 

Despite their position on abortion, Catholics have been strong supporters of the Democratic party in the past.  Catholics in leadership of the party read like a Who's Who: Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, the Kennedy family.  And despite the differences on abortion, nothing really ever came to a head with regard to the Church and the party. 

All of that has changed with the HHS policy. 

In my life I have never seen the Church politically motivated as one body.  There was always political activity, but never so unified, and never so organized.  The result is what is being billed as A Fortnight for Freedom.  Here is what the Bishop's page says about the event:

The fourteen days from June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day, are dedicated to this “fortnight for freedom”—a great hymn of prayer for our country. Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power—St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome.  Culminating on Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action will emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty. Dioceses and parishes around the country have scheduled special events that support a great national campaign of teaching and witness for religious liberty. 

The Church is ticked off.  It is invoking martyrs; that's how seriously it is taking this issue.  Obama and his administration have stepped too far, and they've pitted a loyal constituency against them.  We'll see how it translates into results in November.  

  

Checking in with Nick Punto

As the Twins appear to be starting their summer swoon, it harkens memories back to a time where a gritty middle infielder would slide into first base with gutsy, inept failure.  Of course, I'm talking about Nicky Punto.

So how are things going with the plucky Punto in Beantown?  Let's have a look, shall we?


What this doesn't show is that Nick has 14 hits this season.  14. 

It is nice to say that you can take the boy out of the ineptitude, but that doesn't mean you take the ineptitude out of the boy.

Keep swinging, Nick.

Monday, June 18, 2012

A Dog Named Blitz, Chapter 8 "Fourth Year, Part 1"

For background on this serial, please click here. You can also start at the previous section

Going into her fourth year, I couldn't have been more happy with Blitz and how she was performing.  She was an incredible dog, we were an incredible team, and at three years old, she still had not peaked yet, either mentally or physically.  By the time snow began to melt that spring, I simply couldn't wait until the fall.  Fast-forwarding through summer would have been fine with me. 

While Blitz was poised for a big year, our little team had its bench strengthened as my buddy Fuzzy brought a new yellow lab pup into our little circle.  Gus was a rambunctious pup, and was equally as smart as he was active, and under Fuzzy's tutelage and working with Vic's example, he learned quickly.  However, when Gus got with Blitz, things tended to get a bit haywire.  Despite her chronological age Blitz was still very much a puppy at heart, and she loved to spend time romping with Gus via dog training sessions or other informal get-togethers. 

And while three yellow labs - two of them usually misbehaving - were more than a handful, Fuzzy would often volunteer to dog-sit when we were going out of town.  Knowing how the dogs acted together, it had to be stressful as a one-armed juggling act, but Fuzzy was more than generous.  He'd say "Taking care of three dogs isn't that much harder than two, besides Annie would hate me if I didn't do it."  Annie, being Fuzzy's young daughter, took delight at the antics of the two younger dogs, and would ask when Blitz would be coming back for a visit.  "Dad," she say, eyes full of delight, "Blitz jumps OVER the couch!  Without touching anything!"  While some kids need an electronic form of entertainment, be it a video game, TV show, or PC, all dear Annie needed was an acrobatic yellow lab, bless her heart. 

As we got into early summer, Fuzzy and I spent a weekend at his family's cabin on a lake in central Minnesota.  And it was there, working with the three dogs simultaneously, that we caught glimpse of the dog power that would be afforded us in the field that fall.  That vision, that performance, led us to what we had, and what we were.  We were a Yellow Dog Patrol, and the nickname that was coined that weekend stuck with our group.  It also ultimately became the name of the blog under which I have written for a number of years. 

The lakeside cabin was the perfect place for the dogs to romp, and the amount of wrestling, swimming, and fetching was enough to tire out the audience, let alone the participants.  Hence, when we said our good-byes at the end of the weekend, the resulting ride home was pretty quiet. 

As I resumed work that week, I considered the past weekend and what lay ahead of us the upcoming fall.  The birds didn't stand a chance.  I couldn't wait.  However, a fly had appeared in that ointment.  When I retuned home from work that first Monday back, my wife pointed out that it appeared that Blitz was limping slightly.  Given all of the romping in which she had engaged over the weekend, I wasn't shocked.  However, this was also a dog with a massive pain threshold, so I did feel a pang of worry. 

I decided to keep the dog pretty quiet the coming week to see if the rest did her any good.  By the time the end of the week arrived, I was crestfallen to have to admit that the quiet time had not done Blitz any good.  Instead, she was slightly but clearly limping worse than she had been earlier in the week.  I booked an appointment with our local vet for early the next week and hoped for the best. 

Blitz always loved the vet.  Despite it being the place for shots and to get treble hooks removed, it was also the place where she got treats, got to interact inappropriately with all sorts of new animals, and got lots of attention from the nice girls that worked there.  It seems that everyone loves a yellow Labrador, and that was especially true of high school girls that work part time in a veterinary office.  Blitz was always popular there, and she loved the attention that she received.  So when the day of the appointment arrived, it was no issue getting the dog to kennel up in the vehicle for the short ride to see all of her friends at the vet. 

Dr. Jeff, who had been our vet since I brought Blitz in for her first check up, was a big fan of my dog.  He knew she was a hunter, and that she was kept in impeccable shape, and that made his job so much more easy.  Many times he tell me at the end of an appointment "if all of my patients looked like Blitz, I wouldn't have much to do."  So when he noticed a hitch in her stride, he became slightly concerned. 

We decided on an x-ray of the knee to see if we could notice anything out of the ordinary.  What came back was a bit fuzzy, but it did appear that there was some ligament damage.  Immediately, my heart sunk.  What did it mean?  "Here's what I'd recommend," stated Dr. Jeff "Let's keep Blitz rested.  No walks, no training, no exercise of any kind for two weeks.  She may just need the rest.  But we'll know more clearly what we're dealing with by the end of that time." 

I left committed to the path forward, and briefed my wife on how we would proceed.  I also looked at the calendar.  Would Blitz be available to hunt this season?  If so, how much?  I cursed myself for allowing her to play so rambunctiously and hoped against hope that the two weeks of rest would do the trick.    

Sunday, June 17, 2012

cdza - Musical Talent, and Then Some

I stumbled across the YouTube offering for this troupe.  For more information about them, check out this article.

In the mean time, enjoy this performance:

Friday, June 15, 2012

Vin Connect on The Huffington Post

Loyal YDP readers know that about the last thing this space would do would be to link to over to HuffPo.  However, this story isn't your typical "hate the conservatives" tripe:

Vin Connect Hits the Big Time

Atta boy, Kev.  Very proud of you.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Brotherhood of the Bad Body


With the great spring weather have come some great opportunities to get out and get some activity accomplished.  For me that means bike riding, and I have a couple of really nice routes around town that I’ve been able to ride a number of times this season. 

While riding, I often run into other riders, power walkers, or runners out doing the same thing that I’m doing, and these folks fall into two separate camps.  The first are beautiful, massively in-shape people decked out in expensive, form-fitting exercise togs.  And the other are dumpy, bad-looking, out of shape people wearing ratty gym clothes. 

Like me. 

The interactions with these two camps are as different as their appearances.  The in-shape group clearly has an attitude.  Eye contact is avoided.  A wave or a "Hi," elicits rarely more than a grunt.  The overarching vibe is one of distain, as if to say "Look at you - you're disgusting."  The bad-body group, on the other hand, is just the opposite.  We're smiling and interactive.  We're happy.  Our overarching vibe is one of encouragement, as if to say "Look at you - you're not on the couch.  Atta boy!  Keep it up!"

There is a brotherhood that is forged in shared suffering, and it is clearly on display when kindred bad-body types meet on the street.  While we all aspire to join the ranks of the beautiful people, I hope we never lose our perspective of what is was like to not be in that number, and that we can take simple joy with others, regardless of size or shape, that are out there moving, working, and tying to make a difference in their lives.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Texas Dad - Guilty Only of Doing the Right Thing

There is an interesting case in Texas as a father beat to death a man that he found in the act of sexually abusing his four year old daughter.

Four years old.

Here's the story:


I'm not sure, in a similar position, that I could kill a man with my bare hands.  But if a neice or nephew were subject to this, I guarantee that the perp would never have the full function of his lower extremities.  Ever again. 

My heart goes out to this family that was touched by this abuse.  They'll never be the same.  Their lives are forever changed.  The only solace - the only bit - is that they know that they'll never be troubled by the same child-raping excrement that ruined how their lives used to be.

I hope the law, and the media, allow them to go on and heal the best they can.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

What State Do We Live In?

I love my new home state.  Senator Paul Ryan is my official man-crush, Governor Walker is a political mensch, the Friday Night fish fries are worthy of their hype, and the natural resources beautiful.  But it is a state of stereotypes, and those usually revolve around football or alcohol.

Or sometimes both.

Example of the prior?  I was part of a golf foursome not too long ago.  We had an early tee time of 7:30, and were making good time when we arrived at the sixth hole, which also was the home of one of our group. 

The conversation went as follows:

Golfer One - "I'm going in for beer.  Who wants one?" 
Golfer Two - "It's 8:30!" 
Golfer Three - "Hey, you can't drink all day unless you start in the morning." 
Golfer One - "So, you all want one?" 
Golfer Three - "What state do we live in again?" 
Golfer One - "Right.  Four beers coming up."

Monday, June 11, 2012

Final Word on Memorial Day Dust Up

Bill Whittle, in the latest (albeit slightly dated) Firewall video, weighs in on the Chris Hayes blow up on CNBC over Memorial Day.

Normally, with this much time passed, I'd consider the subject water under the bridge and would look to move forward.  However Whittle's response is so perfect that I felt it should be shared:

Sunday, June 10, 2012

2012 Bellin Run Recap


Yesterday, Mrs. YDP and I participated it the Bellin Run here in Green Bay.  The 10k is a real community event, and brought out 18,500 participants.  If you consider the volunteers involved, there were easily over 20,000 attending the event in some capacity.  While not huge by most standards, consider that Green Bay is 105,000 people, soaking wet.  That is an incredible amount of participation as a percentage of the overall population. 

This was the first time for me in participating in an organized event.  While my wife and I walked it, we still very much felt part of the bigger event.  Some things that struck me:
  • The people volunteering could not have been more nice.  Given the heat yesterday, water was critical, and if not for the friendly, smiling, and encouraging folks at the water stations, some folks would have been in real trouble. 
  • It is clear that shoes make a difference.  My usual pair, fine for doing a one or two mile walk with the dog at a leisurely pace, completely failed me in a six mile hike at a more intense rate.  My blistered soles can attest to the breakdown. 
  • While we walked what was primarily a run, I still can't help but feel embarrassed to see my time relative to those in my age bracket (and older).  Granted, I'm in better shape than I have been in a while, but I clearly have a long, long way to go relative to my peer group.  It is time to take the work out routine up a couple of notches. 
Overall, it was a great event.  Not only for my wife and me, but for Green Bay as well.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Hitler on the Scott Walker Recall Election

Here at YDP, we're fond of our Hitler vidoes.  In today's installment, Der Führer finds out that the recall effort for Scott Walker has failed:

Hat tip to House Baby:

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

It's Over in Wisconsin, Right?

Despite Walker's resounding win last night, it is not over. There is no quiet or peace. Immediately we rush into the Presidential campaign, and this state remains divided and warring.

When, you may ask, will it EVER come together?

That's easy.

When the Packers start playing.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Monday, June 4, 2012

Wisconsin Burning


For those not in the state to see it themselves, Wisconsin is burning.  The Walker recall election has divided the state, pitting families, friends, and coworkers against each other.  I've never seen anything like it before in my life. 

Big union knows this is their Battle of Stalingrad - a win and they can continue as before.  A loss and they will be driven back to their metaphorical Berlin, and the war ultimately ends.  Hence, both sides are throwing massive hay-makers, mostly of cash infusion, and on the Democratic side, dirty tricks.  The prime example of the latter includes the "story" that broke over the weekend that Walker previously fathered and abandoned a child, and a direct mail piece sent to individuals which shows which of their neighbors had and had not voted in previous elections.  I kid you not on that one, and it is covered in great detail here. 

This is scary stuff, and the act of a desperate group. 

Polls show Walker ahead about 7%, but other polls show the gap narrowing.  What is not factored is the vaunted Democratic "ground game."  If they can get busloads of folks that were previously not considered "likely voters," they can swing the election. 

The weather will be good, the stakes high, and the turnout massive.  We're in for a long Tuesday. 

In the mean time, here's a video of a Marine that attended Saturday's Barrett rally.  He makes the case for Walker quite eloquently.   Despite his non-violent protest, he was ultimately arrested by a union cop. 

Imagine that.    


Sunday, June 3, 2012

Paul Ryan - Why Wisconsin Election Matters

Breitbart.com was in Wisconsin for the Walker rally this week and interviewed Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan. 

Ryan lays out, in his clear, succinct, trademark fashion, why this election matters:

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Incredible Guitar Work

As you're aware, we here at YDP are big music fans.  And as such, when we encounter musicianship like this, well, we just gotta share:

Friday, June 1, 2012

No Matter How You Slice It, PETA Still Kills Animals


A friendly visitor to this site commented on my story that PETA Kills Animals at a Staggering rate.  They left a comment that PETA has addressed this on their site (I won't provide PETA the SEO benefit by publishing the link). 

To the anonymous poster: Are you out of your freaking mind? 

A couple of points:
  • PETA can try to justify their killing by claiming the animals they received were "broken animals" (like the sweet doggie found in a recent PETA kill dump site pictured above).  The fact remains they killed nearly all of the animals they received.  In 2011, it was to the tune of 95.9% of every animal that crossed their path.  Meat processing plant-like percentages.  How the hell do they sleep at night if they truly believe what they believe? 
  • Ever heard of a no-kill shelter?  There are hundreds of them in the US.  But instead of transferring the animals to a place where they had a fighting chance, PETA chose to kill them.  It's just so much less expensive and easy that way...
  • PETA can hide behind a flashy web site and use great photography of beagle doggies to justify their killing.  But think about this: for the cost of the development and maintenance of that website, they could have kept hundreds of the pets under their care alive.  Instead, they killed them and used the money for marketing.  MARKETING.  Think about that when you cut your next check to PETA.
At their best PETA are vile hypocrites.  At their worst, ghoulish murderers.  And yet people run to their defense.  Incredible.      
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