EckerNet.Com

This last weekend I was talked into helping chaperone a birthday party of six 9-year old girls (Holy Hell On Earth Batman!). Suffice to say my Saturday was pretty busy and I wasn’t able to listen to the NARN radio broadcast at the time. Just recently I had the chance to listen to the podcast of it while at work and definitely enjoyed Michael Brodkorb and King Banian’s segment on the potential state-wide smoking ban.

Basically the arguments for the smoking ban rely on the premise that non-smokers have a right to never have to breath smoke even if they knowingly put themselves in a position where it can be reasonably expected there will be smoke. That you are too stupid to make decisions like if you want to breath smoke yourself. That because the state could be expected to help pay for health care they therefore have the right to make health decisions for you.

Now obviously all of these arguments are stupid. As evidence of this, were King and Michael’s repeated examples of related situations where the same argument could reasonably be made but because of the non-politically-charged situation it’s obviously stupid. For example, Michael pointed out that he wanted to work in a coal mine, but didn’t want to deal with smoke. Or King likes to eat fried bacon but because that’s bad for your health the state should outlaw it.

I couldn’t help but think of a personal example that I’ve often joked about but never really connected to this topic.

Part of my job deals with air traffic control systems, one of our lab facilities was on the MSP airport grounds, directly underneath the control tower. I loved that lab (more on the past tense later). Sure it was run-down, cold, unfeeling, dirty, and disgusting but it helped build team comradry. There was an unofficial rule that management wasn’t allowed in the front door so we were unbelievably productive. We called it “The Garage” because that’s the type of environment it was. Unbridled unsupervised creativity and knuckle grinding work.

An added benefit was we were on airport grounds (we got locked inside during 9/11). Hell, I parked within 20 feet of an F-14 most days. We were right in the environment our systems had to work in. The very people that worked on our stuff were a staircase away. Plus the fact that planes are taxiing right by your window and that your desk shakes every time one takes off really pounded home the importance of your software working 100%.

But there was a drawback….a big one. Actually a huge one, and definitely a health impacting one.

During the winter, when they needed to de-ice the planes, the tarmac they used was directly adjacent to the air intake vents for our buildings heating system. And they parked the planes in such a manner that the jet exhaust was blown directly into those vents….not to mention whatever chemicals are in that de-icing fluid. We spent the entire winter working in a haze of jet exhaust and de-icing fluid. There were times I’d get about halfway home and the clouds would lift from my brain and I would realize I’ve been higher than Jerry Garcia all day long. No wonder lunchtime was such a big deal out there.

Plus we knew the building was in shitty condition. Every time it rained, we had to put up tarps to catch water and debris from the ceilings. Hell, the only thing holding the ceilings together was the mold. God knows how many mold spores I’ve inhaled. Oh and remember we’re working with electrical equipment in all this. And none of this is an exaggeration. The building was condemned while I worked there (hence past term). And while we were moving equipment out part of the ceiling collapsed on me and a few co-workers.

So….was it dangerous for my health to work out there?? Abso-fucking-lutely.

So why did I?? Because I loved the building. I loved the productivity. I loved the team atmosphere. I loved the problem-solving that got done. I loved not having a manager within 10 miles of me. I loved the restaurants in the area. I loved watching the planes, especially the military ones. Sure I knew I was probably giving myself cancer, but I still went.

Could I have worked at our main facility instead and done my job? Sure. But I could do it faster out there.

Could I have gotten another job? Sure, but I liked this one.

Could I have requested a different position in the company? Sure but I liked this one.

All of these were MY choice. I loved that building and I wanted to stay out there. And despite the fact that it literally collapsed around us as we moved out, I resented the hell out of the building inspector when he condemned it. It was my choice to drive there every day, how dare they take away that option….even if it is for my own good. I would work there again in a heartbeat if it were an option.

The point is, by the same rationale they are using for the smoking ban, they should have moved the area where they de-iced the planes. They should have re-done the entire heating system. They should have passed a law requiring de-icing fluid to be safe for inhalation. Yes, by that same rationale they should have cost the state, the airlines, and YOU millions (billions) just to convenience a few people who CHOOSE to put themselves into that situation.

I made a decision regarding my own well-being. It wasn’t entirely in my own interest, but it was my choice to make. And I was happy with that choice. I wouldn’t have had it any differently. I didn’t want the state to make that choice for me. And I don’t now either.

According to the AP, the US Customs and Border Protection Agency is having problems filling in some of the larger tunnels they’ve found crossing the border…

While key entrance and exit points have been plugged in some of the biggest tunnels used to ferry people and drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border, the passageways remain largely intact raising concerns smugglers reuse them, according to a published report.

In recent years, dozens of tunnels have been discovered running under the border. The smaller, more crudely constructed passages are easily destroyed, authorities say. But the larger, more elaborate tunnels require enormous amounts of material and expertise to fill.

That’s quite a problem, although here’s an idea, why not just fill them with the bullshit that Bush administration has been shoveling us on illegal immigration?? Surely there is enough of that to fill all the tunnels and then some.  On the plus side, it’s some pretty thick-headed stuff, so surely it’s a better barrier than even cement.  And the White House has an unbelievable production rate so I doubt supply will be a problem, especially since they appear willing to provide it for free.

Now if we could just figure out a cheap method for transporting said bullshit to the border because it doesn’t sound like a fun job…

…

…

I know!! Just have the illegal immigrants….er, sorry, “undocumented residents” do it.  After all, they are experts at “doing jobs Americans won’t do”.

The Volokh Conspiracy was nice enough to sift through the records of all the Presidential candidates (both R and D) on the issue of the Second Amendment.   Then he was nice enough to put it all in a tiered list of differing levels of "gun friendliness".

Basically the end result is if you think the ability to own firearms is a good thing, here are your best options:

• Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas)
• Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas)
• Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.)
• Former Gov. Jim Gilmore (R-Vir.)
• Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.)

And here are your worst options

• Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.)
• Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.)
• Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.)
• Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio)
• Gov. Tom Vilsack (D-Iowa)
• Former Mayor Rudy Guliani (R-N.Y.)

Everyone else falls somewhere in between.

But what about the GOP "frontrunners"???   McCain doesn't show up until the "Mixed" category….while the "conservative option" Mitt Romney falls into the "Poor" category.  And as we can all see, Rudy gets the dubious honor of being listed alongside Clinton, Biden and Kucinich.  How nice…  Any self-respecting NRA member has just fallen into a deep depression.

Well one would have thought so anyway.  I'm a little disappointed to see NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre was brown-nosing with Mitt Romney's attempt to reinvent himself as a Second Amendment supporter.  One would have thought that one of the largest firearms rights groups in the country would set the bar a little higher.  Might I suggestion one of the names listed in the first group above?? Perhaps Duncan Hunter might be a better choice?

So if the NRA isn't gonna do it, it's up to you firearms owners and Second Amendment supporters.  Pick your firearm-friendly candidate of choice and give them some support.  Help make sure they are the one you can pull the lever for in 2008.  Remember, if you don't participate now, no fair bitching when you don't like the options on Election Day.  And if one of the current front runners are that option, are you gonna be happy?

I'll even make it easy for you.  Go here, and throught the ABC PAC you can contribute any amount of money to the potential candidate of your choice.

As part of a congrats for my fifth Blogiversary, Nightwriter noticed an uncanny resemblance between myself and Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame (one of my favorite shows).  

I have to admit, he makes quite the case, complete with photographic evidence.  For example…

• Both use the motto, "I reject your reality and substitute my own!"
• Both get paid to figure out how to blow things up. The difference is Adam Savage shows you how to do it on TV; if Kevin showed you how it's done he'd have to kill you. (Go here for links to Mythbusters' greatest explosions.)
• Adam busts urban legends that "everyone knows are true" using physics, curiosity and some cool gear; Kevin blows holes in generally accepted liberal "facts" and thinking using reason, research and a lot of attitude.
• Adam once tested the effects of a mannequin urinating on an electrified rail; that's how Kevin wakes himself up in the morning.
• Adam goes to great lengths to test the limits of science and knowledge; Kevin goes to great lengths to try to buy my daughter beer and test the limits of my patience.

That combined with the other evidence presented….well, I admit, I'm even convinced.  I have a twin brother.  And he has access to some really really cool stuff.  Since he lives and works in the People's Republic of Kalifornia (ROK), perhaps he can hire me on as the firearm specialist.  Or maybe he can help me build a device that will allow me to sneak a beer to Mall Diva without Nightwriter finding out.  Or maybe we can combine the two?!?  Uh….maybe not.

So the big news this weekend was the pro-defeat anti-war rally at the US Capital.  So how did it turn out?? Let's go down the list…

• Genuine traitor Hanoi Jane    Check!
• Vandalizing private property    Check!
• Vandalizing military property    Check!
• Signs promoting violence, terrorism, anti-americanism, and general insanity    Check!
• Spitting on veterans (even though that's just a myth right?)    Check!
• Defacing public property (such as the fucking capital itself)    Check!

Excellent…looks like the 60s style protest is back in style.

Of course, you would have thought that with our modern tactics and equipment, the police could protect the capital building.  Of course, I forget that thanks to political correctness we no longer have the backbone to promote public order.

Anti-war protesters were allowed to spray paint on part of the west front steps of the United States Capitol building after police were ordered to break their security line by their leadership, two sources told The Hill.

According to the sources, police officers were livid when they were told to fall back by U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Phillip Morse and Deputy Chief Daniel Nichols.  "They were the commanders on the scene," one source said, who requested anonymity. "It was disgusting."

Ok here's a question for the parents out there.  You have an unruly child, who is acting up.  If despite having voiced your disapproval in the past, if you relent and let them get away with it, what have you taught them??? … … … Exactly.  If these losers activists know there is no negative consequences for their actions, what is their motivation for not doing it again, or worse??

Morse responded to these claims in an e-mail Sunday afternoon explaining that the protesters were seeking confrontation with the police.

And what is wrong with confronting them?  Might I remind you that they buy you groovy stuff like tear gas, tasers, mace, etc for a reason.  And might I also remind you that part of the job of being police is to confront people breaking the law.

He added, "It is the USCP's duty and responsibility to protect the Capitol complex, staff and public while allowing the public to exercise their First Amendment rights … at the end of the day, both occurred without injury to protestors or officers."

And you failed miserably at your duty.  The capital complex was not protected, it was violated and vandalized.  The disorder and chaos endangers the public.  And the staff were put in danger by allowing violent protesters to breach barriers placed there for the protection of those inside.  The assholes protesters "First Amendment" rights do not cover breaking the law, they went BEYOND their rights….well into the category of where you should let your officers do their job.

I don't blame the officers on the scene.  They followed the orders of their superiors.  I blame Chief Phillip Morse and Deputy Chief Daniel Nichols.  You owe every American an apology, and preferably your resignation. 

I also blame this belief that has apparently spread across Washington DC that convinces people are all levels of government that somehow letting people break the law without penalty will lead to good things.  This protest is one example.  Illegal aliens are another.  Leakers within our national security infrastructure is another.  Where did this belief come from and why do so many buy into it.  Are we that blind to reality and common sense?

Do we honestly believe that if we just ignore something it'll go away?? Did the Cold War and 9/11 teach us nothing?? 

Really….did you expect any different?

I was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow, so it's nice to see I picked up something here and there. But honestly the test isn't that hard, and alot of it is just commonsense (admittedly not common). Keep to the basics, don't panic and be prepared.

[H/T to Bogus Doug]

Five years ago today, the original version of EckerNet came online.  Originally, EckerNet was just a domain so I could have a cool email address and share funny stuff with my friends.  That lasted about 20 minutes.

Then it occurred to me I had just created my own soapbox, and since the local papers won't publish my letters, I'll publish them myself dammit!!  And so began my career in blogging.  I use the word career loosely because while it takes up quite a bit of time, I've never earned a dime doing it.  Although, I've never tried either.

In the past five years, EckerNet has undergone no less than five major overhauls of design.  The original version was strictly HTML.  This was before blogging software (or even the current incarnation of blogging itself) really existed.   Every time I made a post I had to rewrite the main page, the individual page, the archive pages, etc.  In short, it was a major pain in the ass.

Thankfully things have gotten easier as time has gone on.  In fact, I'm really rather happy with my latest update.  Moved to a new host, which is dreadfully helpful with me on everything.  I've switched to a new blogging software which, while also being free, is also about 387% better than Moveable Type ever was.  And when you put both of those together, I have control over things I didn't, which is nice because I can be a control freak about some stuff.  And stuff I hated to do is now automated.  And stuff that annoyed me doesn't annoy me because it isn't there anymore.   Yeah for progress!

The blogging itself has gotten nicer too.  For one, my writing has improved by leaps and bounds.  My grammar still sucks, as someone (thanks Bridget!) was kind enough to point out to me.  But overall the writing is better which is one of the reasons I've blogged this long anyway.  My traffic has never been anything to brag about but then again I've never really cared or tried to build it up.  The few times I tried/cared I found I started blogging for other people rather than myself.  And that will get old real quick.  As evidence of that I'd like to present "Exhibit A" through Exhibit "Infinity Times C", which mostly consists of a dreadfully large number of bloggers who have started and since quiet in frustration and disillusionment (is that a word?  F it, I'm making it one).  

Plus I've managed to meet some interesting people.  And I use "interesting" in both the worst and best ways possible.   There are some that make me roll my eyes and retreat to the nearest bar and immediately order half of it.  But most of the people I've met have been wonderful.  Some have turned into friendships that exist independent of blogging.  Some ….

What? Really? Oh…okay, thanks…

Ok I've just been informed that the sappiness level of this post has reached toxic levels so I'll wrap it up.

Happy Birthday To Me!  Give Me Presents! Tell Me How Great I Am! 

Whose up for another five? 

Duncan Hunter has officially announced his candidacy for President, thereby becoming the only real conservative in the race so far.  Which if anyone actually cared about conservatism or not just turning into a bunch of RINOs, SHOULD make him the favorite so far.

Official campaign site can be found here.

Unless Newt joins the fray, I really see nobody else in the field so far worth considering.  I'm already gonna have to choke down nausea to pull the lever for Norm Coleman (someone please challenge him in the primaries!) so I'd hate to have to do it for the presidential candidate too.

Well once I was awarded the RockStar in the Blogosphere award, it was only a matter of time until the old media picked it up.  But it's still an honor.

You'll all remember a few days ago a story about a business in Wisconsin that insulted a soldier in Iraq who was only looking for mats for his soldiers to sleep on.  Well the story has blown up on the web and the business in question has fired the employee that sent the offending email and it sounds like they may even have to close their doors for good, as a result of thousands of emails and calls about the incident.

Predictably, the usual suspects have come out of the woodwork to defend the offending business, including this MENSA candidate…

"This is a matter of free speech," said Julie Enslow, an organizer with Peace Action Wisconsin in Milwaukee. "It is totally irresponsible for radio stations and bloggers to attack a person for his personal political views." 

*sigh*

This always bugs me about supposed free speech activists.  First of all, the first amendment only protects you from the government.  Secondly, free speech isn't free.

It's a right, and privilege that is held very dear to be able to say most anything you want.  However, just because you are free to say what you want, doesn't mean that you are free from the consequences of what you say. 

If I have a job as a radio host, and I start saying lots of offensive stuff on the air, I should expect to get fired.  If I tell a guy that his wife is ugly and has the sexual habits of the worlds oldest profession, I can expect a broken nose (or worse).  If I own a shop and I continuously tell all my customers that I absolutely hate people that own pets, I should expect my business to taper off.  If I continuously verbally abuse someone, say an employee, I shouldn't be surprised if said employee then stands outside my place of business with a sign saying "Kevin Ecker is an asshole".

Are any of these people violating my freedom of speech?? No.  They are exercising their rights.  Their rights of association, their rights of speech, their rights to spend their money however they want, etc.  In all these cases, my freedom of speech held.  I was able to speak my mind, no matter how offensive to my audience.  However, I probably won't like the consequences.  

In other words, take responsibility for your actions.  Your actions have consequences.  So you can choose to say what you have to say and deal with the consequences, OR you can choose to bite your tongue.  It's not a choice you may like, but it IS a choice.  And it is YOUR choice to make. 

And while we're on the subject, just because you have freedom of speech, doesn't mean anyone has to listen to nor provide the soapbox from which you can speak.