Hither and thither 10/1/10

Last week when I posted HT, I was up in California's Sierra Nevada (Bishop/Mammoth Lakes area, mainly), on a birthday vacation with my two youngest sons. This explains why it arrived late enough to cause brother Chantry the shivers.

Arrived home Tuesday evening. All this explains why my blogging has been light. May put up some pictures next week.

Here's what I've been able to cook up for your weekend enjoyment.

• So, tell me: why does this picture make me think of Roman Catholics?

• Welcome to the Vdara Hotel in Las Vegas. Here's your room, your pool... and your death ray! (Thanks to reader Justin Durst for the tip.)
• You know how religion is all about feelings and guesses and unprovables, and science is all about facts and certainties and falsifiables? Evidently some astro-guys did not get the memo. Seriously, analyze this excerpt: "Personally, given the ubiquity and propensity of life to flourish wherever it can, I would say, my own personal feeling is that the chances of life on this planet are 100 percent," said Steven Vogt, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz, during a press briefing today. "I have almost no doubt about it." Ahh, Sciiiiiience. (Thanks to reader Aaron for the tip.)
• Surprise! Nancy Pelosi's Democratic-led Congress (A) can't find time to cut spending or extend current tax rates (despite bipartisan efforts to do so), (B) can find time to have a comedian "testify," but (C) can't find time to hold ethics trials on Reps. Waters and Rangel before the November election.
• ...and, further surprise, Waters' and Rangel's constituents are going to reward them with another term, anyway. Tells you everything you need to know.

• President Obama, however, is campaigning tirelessly — for yet more places to take yet more vacations.
• As Michelle Malkin earlier observed, "This is Obama in crisis: disengaged, put upon and impatient to get back to Me Time."
• Arnold Ahlert says that the Dems are headed for a massive collapse this November. If you change "are" to "should be," I'll say he builds a very solid case. However, my faith in American voters was shattered forever — or until a dramatic change happens — with the second election of Bill Clinton to the presidency. Oblahblah's victory did nothing to restore my faith.

• How bad is it for the Dems? Even Barney Frank is actually facing a viable opponent who is coming with striking distance of victory.
• Also forecasted: a sizable shift from Dem to GOP majority among the states' legislatures, which could bring its own basket of boons on the horizontal plane for the nation.
• As a former Dem myself, I hate to have to say it, but: bad for dem = good for US.
• America might be vastly improved if portions of our coast fell into the ocean. Added bonus: might find myself (A) in a sane country, and (B) a beach-front property owner!
• We're Destroying The Planet Update: one-third of the "extinct" species? Not as dead as all that.
• Swift justice? Not so much, in the case of Philip Garrido, accused of kidnapping Jaycee Dugard, raping her, and holding her for some 18 years. The judge found reason to suspect his mental capacity, so the case is suspended. So... such alleged longterm criminality is a case where "you don't have to be crazy, but it helps"? (Thanks to reader Pastor Charlie Eldred for the link.)
• Yet another study indicating why there is no need to destroy human embryos for stem cells.
• Don't know if it's smart to save money on a fire alarm... but, if you must:

• Bacon Kevin Bacon — for charity.
• Reader Paula found a British study depicting major American cities color-coded by race. Less diversity than one might have hoped.
• Another surprise! George Lucas thinks he's found another way to give that rock yet one more big squeeze.
• 'Way-'way better, and absolutely free... 21 awesome things that look like Darth Vader. Some of my favorites:

• Thanks to reader Angie Birney, you can take a sample quiz from that Pew religion poll  that's all in the news (and blogs).
• Who said it? "Jesus Christ dying for my sins spoke to the humility we all have to have as human beings -- that we're sinful and we're flawed and we make mistakes and that we achieve salvation through the grace of God. But what we can do, as flawed as we are, is still see God in other people and do our best to help them find their own grace. And so that's what I strive to do. That's what I pray to do every day. I think my public service is part of that effort to express my Christian faith."
• That would be this guy. Thanks to reader Chris Carney for the link... I think.
• POST-NOON "UNCLEAR-ON-THE-CONCEPT" UPDATE: look at what that guy supposedly carries in his wallet. Goodness.
• Chris also discovered a coloring book that actually prompted death threats. How can that be? It's about the tea party movement... and it's positive. So there y'go: more loving liberals, doing what they do.
• It's a... hand-puppet!

• Reader Pastor John noted a Christian Post article from March about hologram preachers. I wouldn't in any sense call them "pastors" — or, if they are, that's not what they're doing with this technology. My authority says a good shepherd knows his sheep by name and lays down his life for them — not "broadcasts his image to them."
• Here's a species doomed to rapid extinction:

• In related non-news:

• The dear wife got me looking for a link to directions for making turtle burgers. Nummy, probably.
• As winter approaches, reader Pastor Charlie Eldred gets us wondering: ever hear of "frazil ice"? I hadn't.
• Reader Berry Davis helps us pay our eclecticity bill by pointing out a page that will help you decode your airline tickets.
• Time to have The Talk with your kids? Here, let me help, at no extra charge:

• Reader Dave Miller helps me reach out to our dog-lovers with this video of a fellow auto-tuning his doggie.
• Some pictures need no caption. Others really do. Like this one (sorry, can't help you):

• Finally: