While I’m definitely not one to quote the bible (especially anything after the first 5 books!), I can’t help but offer this verse up to our President, with all due respect (to the office, that is):

Psalm 109:8

No, I’m not going to spell it out. Google and/or Bing are your friends

Don’t mind the hoakey text. The cause is great and it takes under 30 seconds. Let’s Help Our Vets!

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is one of the finest programs this great institution has ever put forward. Simply put, the Legacy Scholarship Fund pays the full college tuition for children of our armed services members who’ve given their lives on or since 9/11.

Please help the American Legion Legacy Scholarship by voting for them and helping them to obtain a grant from Pepsi Corporation. It’s free to do…it’s the right thing to do. It is the LEAST we can do.

http://pep.si/ab6Rnf

In the words of my nephew (the weird in Illinois): Dutch!

Cinestud 2010 Trailer from Chris Christodoulou on Vimeo.

An amazing time had by all, over 1300 bikes up and down Lee Street in little LaBelle, FL. This really is what a home run feels like and I’m thrilled to have been a part of it.

For those interested in bike games and how much fun they can be to participate in (or just watch!), check out what our friends from bikerspost.com did on youtube – posted here for your viewing pleasure.

I can’t tell you how many times I’m asked that question.  Or worse…”Hey..is that a MAC?”…”That must be the new Windows 7, right?”

No, its Linux…running on my laptop.

<rant>
And yes, I’d always considered Linux a server operating system.  I mean, I’m a systems administrator…never really used a window manager (that’s a small w, Microsoft…I’m not using your product’s name) under Linux as they always seemed cheesy or had risks I didn’t want or need on a server platform.  All that changed a few days ago when I got so fed up with that product who’s name I didn’t use just now that I decided to take the leap.  I mean, what changed was that I no longer consider Linux to only be a server operating system.  Desktop/laptop users…read on.

So good reader(s), how does a command line guy decide to put Linux on a laptop?  Easy.  I went with what I knew…decided that since I run CentOS on my servers, I’d do that on my laptop.  As usual, I hit the forums and mailing lists to read about potential speed-bumps or worse…and immediately decided not to load CentOS on my laptop (a Dell 9400/E1705, which originally shipped with the media-center edition of that M$ product).

More research led me to a Debian derivative called Ubuntu.  Ok, says I to me, I’m going to dedicate 3 hrs to install and configure this disto on my laptop – in that time I want the core OS, updates and wireless to work.  If I can do that, I figured I’d won.

Enter the most pleasant computing surprise I’ve experienced in recent years.  25 minutes to install from CD…and Ubuntu 8.10 was installed…and wireless worked <get this> OUT OF THE BOX (figuratively speaking, of course, as there was no box..I’d downloaded the ISO image for free from the Ubuntu.com website).

I’m still amazed at how well this distribution determined and configured all of my hardware.  CD/DVD-RW, Bluetooth, WiFi…it just all..um..worked!  Linux…that just worked without tweaking (much).  Sure, I did have to do updates, but that’s to be expected.  But it friggin’ worked…this has always been the complaint of entirely non-technical users when it comes to Linux. Too much had to be ‘tweaked’ or ‘figured out’. This just worked.

Considering that I got a fully functional, rock solid Operating System, a complete Office Suite (OpenOffice) and the ability to add a myriad more applications if I choose, I consider the price (FREE!!!) to be a bargain and a half. Oh, and add to that that the exploits for malware and viruses (virii?) that are so ever-present in that ‘other’ operating system have no place in Linux…out of the box, its more secure.

Downsides?  Well, as I mentioned I’m a RHEL guy, so learning the differences between yum and apt-get, as well as re-learning why sudo <command> works differently on a Debian derivative were curveballs, but not downsides.

I’m wholly impressed…and for an operating system to impress me is, well, impressive  (if I do say so myself).
</rant>

I received this recently…and while they’re not my words, I like most of them…in the order presented

We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights.”

ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone — not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes . (This one is my pet peeve…get an education and go to work….don’t expect everyone else to take care of you!)

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we’re just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don’t be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don’t be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won’t have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful. (AMEN!)

ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don’t care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from! (Lastly….)

ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country’s history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!

And so…we finally have a true definition of the pursuit of happiness…it’s there for you…go get it legally and honestly.  It is not, however, guaranteed.