Now, I deplore gun violence – but I don’t believe at all that the method to minimize violence is to diminish the ability of law abiding citizens to own, carry, and use firearms in their own defense. That’s why, along with many others across the nation, I’m holding my own candlelight vigil to show that a handgun can do wonders to protect innocent lives from harm.

For the curious: Springfield Armory TRP 1911, Sideguard leather, Wilson Combat magazines, Federal HST ammunition (.45), & Chris Reeves small Sebenza knife.

You can learn more about the intellectual underpinnings of the other side over at places like Common Gunsense.

“One bleeding-heart type asked me in a recent interview if I did not agree that ‘violence begets violence.’ I told him that it is my earnest endeavor to see that it does. I would like very much to ensure (and in some cases I have) that any man who offers violence to his fellow citizen begets a whole lot more in return than he can enjoy.”

Col. Jeff Cooper, “Cooper vs. Terrorism”, Guns & Ammo Annual, 1975

The exchanging of jerseys at the end of a soccer match is a longtime ritual that is well established in the sport, even as it has evolved. With each swap — like the ones that take place after games in this World Cup — there is usually a story.

Often the tales are personal, speaking to a player’s standing in the game or marking a chapter in his career.

As for the jerseys themselves, sometimes they are washed, sometimes not. Sometimes they end up being given away, auctioned off, framed for display in a player’s home, boxed up in storage, or — as Berhalter learned — who knows where?

via Jersey Swaps, a Ritual That Comes With a Story – NYTimes.com.

Smiling as the shit comes down
You can tell a man from what he has to say
Everything gets turned around
And I will risk my neck again, again

You can take me where you will
Up the creek and through the mill
All the things you cant explain
Four seasons in one day

- Crowded House

After nearly a week of driving the vehicle, I can say that I’m quite happy with it. It’s a “midsize” SUV so it’s not overly huge – gets reasonably good gas mileage, handles quite well, and has a decent sized cargo area. I’m still adapting to the fact that I sit up much higher than I did in my Civic Hybrid – but I do like the expanded view of the road and what’s ahead. And I imagine that it handles much better in the snow than what the Civic did.

And yes, I really did buy the one that was off the showroom floor. In fact, I got to drive it out of the showroom, which was quite fun.

I, too, am America.

- Langston Hughes

Other coverage: TechMeme, CMU News.

John Spencer, who played a dedicated politico on “The West Wing” who survived a serious illness to run for vice president, died of a heart attack Friday, his publicist said.

Spencer, 58, died at a Los Angeles hospital, said publicist Ron Hofmann. He would have been 59 next week.

Leo, his West Wing character, has in my mind always been the character that made the show what it was. Spencer played a perfectly believable politician and a great leader who managed to keep the White House on track week after week.. and through some particularly nasty situations – all made for TV of course.

My two favorite scenes with Leo both happened around the same time. First, the episode “Bartlett for America” where Leo is put on the stand before Congress to talk about what he knew about the President’s illness. It told a wonderful backstory and outlined more about Leo’s alcoholism.. and it ended with Leo crying in his office after receiving a Christmas gift from the President….

The best scene with Leo though was the one following Josh’s session with a psychologist.. where Leo waited for hours to make sure Josh was ok.. and this ending is perhaps the best epitaph for Spencer, who was an alcoholic in real-life as well as on television:

This guy’s walking down a street, when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep, he can’t get out.

A doctor passes by, and the guy shouts up, “Hey you! Can you help me out?” The doctor writes him a prescription, throws it down the hole, and moves on.

Then a priest comes along, and the guy shouts up, “Father, I’m down in this hole! Can you help me out?” The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole, and moves on.

Then a friend walks by. “Hey Joe, it’s me, can you help me out?” And the friend jumps in the hole! Our guy says “Are you stupid? Now we’re both down here!” And the friend says, “Yeah, but I’ve been down here before, and I know the way out.”

She’s had a shitty experience the last few years. Working for an asshat of a supervisor, she finally amassed enough clientele in the graphic design and web business to walk away. And walk away she has.

So tonight, it’s a virtual toast. Corona for her. Sam Adams Octoberfest for me.

Here’s to new beginnings.. and world domination!

Tonight, having a quiet get-together with four friends, I finished it while listening to a bit of Norah Jones.

Happy 30th! Eighteen months later!