ALottaTalk Update

I've been keeping busy with my little mini-blogging website, http://www.alottatalk.com We've added a nice new menu system, and some visual upgrades. It's starting to look very nice!

I've been told it's very easy to use. I hope so, that's part of the goal!

I also added a new feature: Now you can upload your own audio (.mp3) when you start a talk!
http://www.alottatalk.com/PublicViewer.aspx?talkid=195&talktype=3

Also, our NW Conservative Podcast, "RIGHT HOOK" is chugging along, we recently recorded show #4. Keli Carender is part of the crew!
http://www.alottatalk.com/PublicViewer.aspx?talkid=201&talktype=3

Last but not least, I interviewed a good friend who spent years in the celebrity autograph business, some interesting stuff!
http://www.alottatalk.com/PublicViewer.aspx?talkid=197&talktype=3

Come by and check it out! You don't have to sign in to read and listen to any Public post! If you do sign in, we ask for a minimal amount of information, and we respect your privacy.

ALottaTalk.com introduces "Audio Talks"

I have an exciting (but quick) update about my mini-blogging website ALottaTalk.com:

I've just added a new type of talk, called an "Audio Talk". An Audio talk is like the regular talks, except you can upload an .mp3 file (up to 85 MB) as part of your Top Post! Now, you can upload your recorded thoughts about politics, sports, entertainment, music or your interview, round table discussion or your announced sporting event. Also, like our other talks, you can keep your audio talk private for only those you invite, or make it public (with either Limited or Open commenting) for the whole world to hear!

Also, if you haven't seen it, there is a new mobile version of http://www.alottatalk.com - check it out from your smart phone!

As always, let me know about any ideas you might have about http://www.alottatalk.com and how to make it better and easier to use.

Interview With Keli Carender!

I interviewed Keli Carender on Saturday. Keli, if you recall, is the organizer of the first Tea Party protest in the nation (before it was even called the Tea Party) in February 2009.

Read it here, at my alottatalk.com website!

Introducting http://www.alottatalk.com

More later!

In the meantime, check it out

http://www.alottatalk.com

An Exchange With Tim Harris, of REAL CHANGE

MY E-MAIL TO TIM HARRIS, DIRECTOR OF REAL CHANGE:

Dear Tim,

I have been a patron of "Real Change" here in Seattle since 2001 or so until recently.

I love the model of a homeless person doing a real job, and getting compensated in return. Hopefully, this is a first step for many of these folks getting back into "mainstream" society, and moving on to even better employment, and getting off the streets. Even if this doesn't happen very often, I still like the idea of a man or woman having dignified employment, rather than simply asking for money.

Part of the reason I like the model, is I am a Conservative politically. Your model fits in well with my world view of helping persons to get back into the working world, and the idea of someone striving to improve one's lot in life.

However, after recently reading a few articles recently laced with name-calling toward Conservatives (ie, "Teabaggers"), I have stopped buying the newspaper. It really saddens me, walking past folks out there trying to make an honest living, but I see the paper as hostile toward my point of view and I will no longer support it until civility and balance are restored.

Is this possible? Can you ask your contributors to argue for their point of view, and not denigrate those with opposing views? Or, at the very minimum, refrain from name-calling? Can you find a Conservative advocate for the poor to contribute an article in each issue? (Conservatives tend to give more to charity, you know: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/03/conservatives_more_liberal_giv.html)

I realize this is Liberal Seattle, but simply a more civil attitude from your contributors could win me back. I've been reading the paper for many years, despite it's Liberal bent. That doesn't bother me. The current lack of civility from your pages does bother me, and I can no longer financially support such a publication.

Please win me back.

Thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Greg Moon
Seattle


TIM'S ENDEARING RESPONSE:

Hi Greg.

We're a progressive community newspaper that fights for social change, and would no more have a conservative columnist than National Review would offer a column to Michael Moore. I wonder if you could offer any other examples of the name-calling you describe. "Teabaggers" is, after all, what one strain of reactionary populism dubs itself, and hardly constitutes a descent into incivility. Thanks for writing.

Best, Tim

Letter to Congressman McDermott

This "Slaughter" rule being proposed in the House of Representatives is truly frightening, it threatens the foundation of our Republic.

I wrote this to Representative McDermott expressing my concern:

Congressman McDermott,

I have been reading about this proposed "Slaughter" rule in the House that may be used to pass health care. Essentially, the House may "deem" the Senate health care bill to have been passed by the House, without an actual vote of the House on the Senate bill having taken place.

Everything I've read and listened to indicates to me that the use of this rule would be unconstitutional. A basic reading of Article I, section 7 reveals this to be true.

I strongly encourage you not to use any unconstitutional means to help pass health care. The future of our great democratic Republic depends on the preservation of the constitution, which you have swore to uphold and protect.

Thank you,
Greg

Seattle Tea Party - 1 Year On

UPDATE Feb 28: Story in the Seattle Times. Seems very fair. The estimated the crowd at 250.

I attended my 5th Tea Party protest at noon today. Today's event was fairly low key and quiet, we had no formal speakers, but we did have, by my estimate, around 125 American Patriots willing to sacrifice a Saturday Afternoon in the rain to tell our fellow country men "We gotta stop this insane spending!". The crowd was largely older and white, but I did spot a few younger folks, and non-white folks. There were a few critics driving by in cars, but everything remained pretty cordial.

Opposition to government mandated and run health care was a major theme.





This young man is an Iraq war veteran, who is worried about the course his country is on.










People were very friendly and very polite.

The man 2nd from the left is James Watkins, who is running for Congress in the 1st District of Washington State.







Here's the sign I brought. Get it?














A shot of a small part of the crowd.

Episode IX of Rain City Bunker Posted

Andy and I just posted Episode IX of our Rain City Bunker Podcast.

We're actually kinda interesting, if I do say so myself!

In this episode, we follow up on a previous discussion about the Large Hadron collider, talk about the "lung flute", a vaccination for cocaine addiction, lab-grown meat, an interesting development in using CO2 in place of petroleum, and alternative energy in general. Listen and let us know what you think!

Wonder Years Songs

Happy New Year, all!

We all know that time of life when things starts changing significantly as a child. Called the "Wonder Years" by the old TV show. You're growing up, gaining a little independence. The Middle School/Junior High Years, roughly 6th through 8th grades. For me, the first big change was getting my first job, a paper route, in the spring of my 6th grade year. Then, having my first real "crush" around that time.

I got the paper route, with several friends, we met daily at the neighborhood "Paper Shack" were we got our papers. There were some older kids there, too. We were looking forward to Junior High, and we asked the older kids what it was like. Then, the next big change, the Jr. High years (7th and 8th grades)- meeting a bunch of new people from all the different local elementary schools. Instead of one class a day with one teacher, all of sudden there were 6, and you got your own locker. Big changes, indeed!

Anyhow, there are a bunch of songs that remind me of this time. I'm sure you have your own bunch, too! I had just started listening to popular music, and these songs all bring back strong memories of this time of life.

Here's some of my favorites from the time, with links to the Youtube videos (yeah, some are bit corny!).

Supertramp, "The Logical Song"
The Buggles, "Video Killed the Radio Star"
Blondie, "Heart of Glass"
The Pretenders, "Brass in Pocket"
Tom Petty, "Don't Do Me Like That" (My favorite from the time)
The Cars, "Lets Go"
Jefferson Starship, "Jane"
Foreigner, "Mind Games"
Little River Band, "Lady" (Reminds me of the my hopeless first crush.. yes, the video is very geeky!)
Supertramp, "Breakfast in America"
Pink Floyd, "Another Brick in the Wall" (Played endlessly all year in the lunch room in 8th grade)
Little River Band, "Cool Change" (I sure needed "Cool Change"!)
Christopher Cross, "Ride Like the Wind"
Christopher Cross, "Sailing"

Yeah, no AC/DC... I wasn't into the harder rock as you might be able to tell from the selections!

"Passion For Murder" Website Updated!

My Uncle Eric Miller and I have just completed a major update to our website, Passion For Murder.

Eric is working to complete a new book called, Freud Profiled: Serial Killer (Type: Roman Emperor)

I have read the first chapter, and I think this will be a fascinating, fun read. While very informative, it will be a little less academic than Eric's Passion for Murder.

We have a 20+ page excerpt of the new book, available free of charge, available at the website right now. We expect to have the book finished and published in the Spring of 2010.

As always, we'd like to hear any feedback from you (good, bad or ugly!). Thanks!

Thanksgiving 2009

Via Gateway Pundit:

On October 3, 1789 President George Washington released this proclamation:

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Old Home Movie

I was home channel surfing when I came across this video on the Seattle Channel.

It was a home movie someone made of the 1925 City of Seattle Streets and Sewers department company picnic held on August 15, 1925.

I have an interest in old silent movies, and this one really grabbed me due to the insight into "normal" folks and life of this era (as opposed to what we see in the Hollywood movies of the time).

It's 31 minutes long, I watched the whole thing. I hope you enjoy it, too!

Post Pending Legislation Online!

[Sent this note to my Senators and Representative:]

Dear Congressman McDermott,

When President Obama was campaigning for office, he pledged to post all pending legislation on line. I am very disappointed that this pledge has not come to fruition. This article brought this issue to my attention: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Baucus-claims-its-too-difficult-to-put-health-care-bill-online-61246377.html

Please work to post all pending legislation online. We have a government Of the people, for the people, by the people. How can we have that if we don't know what our representatives are voting on?

Thank you,
Greg Moon
Seattle

September 12, 2009 D.C. Tea Party

I'm very proud to have attended what seems to have been the first "Tea Party" in Seattle on February 16, 2009.

The movement has continued pretty continuously since. Today, it seems at least 10s of thousands or perhaps 100s of thousands and maybe even up to a million mainly ORDINARY Americans have descended on Washington DC to show their disagreement with the Federal Government's HUGE deficits and new, increased spending.

This is a wonderful freedom we enjoy, the right to gather, protest, and speak, whatever the issue.

Update 11:22 AM
Crowd estimated to be 2,000,000!!

Update 9/14/2009 #1
Crowd estimates vary, still. Ranges from 200,000 to 2,000,000, most likely around 400,000.
Still, a HUGE crowd. If it had been for a different cause, say anti-war, it would have gotten a lot more coverage, I think.

Update 9/14/2009 #2
I'm a numbers and statistics geek. A seemingly smart person says 850,000


Photo by Mary Katherine Ham, via Instapundit.

Home From California

I had a great road trip to California! I stayed the first night in a motel in Yreka, CA. The next morning, I continued on to Cupertino to visit my good friends the Uminos. It was a brief visit, but it is always good to see them! I then drove the rest of the way to San Diego, I arrived around 10:00 PM at my Uncle Butch's.

On Sunday evening, I attended the 50th wedding anniversary of my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Maurice. It was a wonderful party at a nice Italian restaurant in San Diego.

The rest of my stay included fun, humorous and spirited discussions with Uncle Butch, visiting with Cousins Eric, Susan and Rhonda, visiting Uncle Dick and Aunt Joyce.

I stopped in Portland yesterday evening on the way home to see a very good old friend, Dennis. We had dinner and a drink together in Beaverton, OR. I got home last night after stopping to pick up my retriever Midas at my brother's in North Bend. I had a great time, but it's also good to be home!

I'll post some pics later.

"Funemployment" & Heading To California

My 4 month contract through Excell Data just finished yesterday. I worked with some very bright and funny folks at the job site at IOD. We wrote a lot of great VB.NET code, had a lot of laughs and yes, had a few vigorous political debates. Contracting life is funny- you go somewhere, meet some folks, write some code, then you're gone, and you don't know what's next. Strange, but fun.

The end of the project is at a good time, I've been invited to attend an important family event in Southern California on Sunday. I've decided to drive down (due to the last minute nature of the invite, and the high car-rental costs in So Cal).

I'll hang out down there for a week or so, visiting family and hopefully a few friends along the way. Kinda like a mini version of my grand USA trip last year!
-Greg

Health Care Debate

I had this exchange on an email thread I've been on since 2004 or so re: Nationalized Health Care:

****************************************************************************

(My friend Larry said): the free market has proven that it cannot run health care.

(Me): You're kidding right? What we need is a FREER market. As it stands, 82% of all Americans have health coverage. I know of NOBODY who has ever gone untreated in this country (with one exception, and that guy was running from the law...). When I was between contracts last year, I CHOOSE NOT TO HAVE coverage for 7 months. Dumb? Maybe. But, a lot of college age kids and young adults CHOOSE not to get coverage. Not a tragedy.

Did I tell you about my friend Dave?

My friend Dave had virtually NO assets, and when he got sick with heart disease and cancer, the government covered him COMPLETELY. The government took care of ALL his hospital bills from 1999 until he died (AS WE ALL WILL) in 2003. The Government covered his housing for a couple years at the end, too. The worst part of the story was the horrific government bureaucracy he had to deal with. He HATED that part. He sank endless hours filling out paper work as he suffered horribly and was on the way to his grave.

I feel bad for Eric's story of the high cost of his ER visit. However, when I got in a car wreck, I had to pay $500 to repair the car. My body is a lot more important to me than my car- I'm willing to pay to keep it (my body) going.

That bottom line is: "What is important to you?" Upholding the constitution and it's guarantees of freedom or a bunch of free goodies?

I'll throw out the quote I've heard from leftist friends re: Bush's wiretapping program:

'Those who would sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither' - Benjamin Franklin

100 Year Annivesary of the Model T

Most of you know who know me, know that I love history. This little video was really fascinating to me, a brief history of the Model T (1909 to 1928). Almost 15 1/2 million were built! Consider the time, the early 20th century, and your realize that is a HUGE number!

Watch the Video Here!

This Time, Senator Cantwell

I've almost become an activist!

Dear Senator Cantwell,

I'm very concerned about the story of fired AmeriCorps inspector general Gerald Walpin. I watched him being interviewed this evening on cable television, and he certainly seems like a competent man. This is a very important story, the executive branch may have broken the law by firing him without good reason and without the required 30 day notice.

Even if this firing was legal, it looks suspicious when the President fires someone investigating wrong-doing of a major supporter/contributor.

An opinion I share on this issue:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Fired-AmeriCorps-IG-responds-White-House-charges-are-false-48257187.html

The rule of law is essential in our Constitutional Republic, and no one, even the President, is above the law.

Thank you,
Greg Moon
Seattle

Price Reduced for "Passion For Murder"!

We've reduced the price of Passion for murder - The Homicidal Deeds of Dr. Sigmund Freud to $14.95! Also, we are selling the electronic version of the book for just $7.95.

As always, Eric Miller provides scads of free essays at the Passion for Muder Website!

The alleged killer: