This is America? You can have it!

What we have is not worth fighting for. What we had is.

(HT: Guy Benson)

Something you should never say

If he would have taken those vitamin supplements I told him about he might still be alive.

 

Yes. Someone said that to me the day after my dad died.

Toomer’s Corner attacked in senseless crime; suspect in custody

Updyke can be reached at (256) 307-1037

In what can only be described as a senseless crime, a “man” poisoned 135 year-old trees at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn, AL.

Toomer’s Corner is where students and other Auburn fans celebrate, among other things, big football victories by rolling the trees with toilet paper. My family has been doing so for decades. You could say it’s family tradition.

Harvey Almorn Updyke has been arrested and is being held on $50,000 bond.

Some members of the Auburn Family rolled Toomer’s Corner last night. War Eagle!!!

WTVM posted several quotes that sum up nicely my feelings on the issue:

Auburn, AL Mayor Bill Ham, Jr.
On behalf of the citizens of Auburn, I am deeply saddened by the news that someone has poisoned the Toomer’s Oaks. Over the years, these beautiful old trees have come to represent the Auburn tradition and spirit. While this unfortunate act affects our entire community, I encourage my fellow citizens to move forward in the Auburn spirit. I have the utmost confidence in our Police, and in the Auburn University experts fighting to keep these historic oak trees alive. Let’s all wish them the best as they pursue their work.

Jay Gogue, President, Auburn University
We will take every step we can to save the Toomer’s oaks, which have been the home of countless celebrations and a symbol of the Auburn spirit for generations of Auburn students, fans, alumni and the community.

It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism. However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our Auburn Creed. Individuals act alone, not on behalf of anyone or any place, and all universities are vulnerable to and condemn such reprehensible acts.

Bobby Poundstone, President, Auburn Alumni Association
Thousands of Auburn alumni have fond memories of rolling the trees at Toomer’s Corner to celebrate sports victories, and the Auburn Alumni Association naturally supports the university in its efforts to safeguard the trees’ health. These mighty oaks have been through a lot over the years. We’re cheering for them.

Whatever happens to the trees, our response to the situation as alumni will be a measure of our commitment to the Auburn Creed. As an organization, we will continue to act and react in a manner that befits the integrity of our alma mater, and we trust that all Auburn alumni will do the same. I am confident the Auburn family will rally in response to this senseless act in a positive and meaningful way and, as always, the Auburn spirit will endure.

I heard (from someone who wishes to remain anonymous) a good idea about an appropriate punishment for Harvey Almorn Updyke:

Every night for the rest of his life, Auburn fans should roll his yard/trees with toilet paper.

Someone on Facebook commented on his potential jail time:

I bet he will look good in an orange jumpsuit!

The anonymous person mentioned above said he should not only have to wear an orange jumpsuit but he should be given no toilet tissue for the duration of his incarceration since he apparently finds it so offensive.

If you would like to send Harvey Almorn Updyke a note of encouragement in what must be a very trying time for him, his address is:

259 Silver Hill Rd
Dadeville, AL 36853

A get well card could also be appropriate as he might be mentally disturbed.

Be nice!

Pilot punished for exposing airport security flaws

Video posted with vodpod

See article.

Trust the TSA at your own peril

I just read an interesting article on ABCNews.com. The title, Gaping Holes in Airline Security: Loaded Gun Slips Past TSA Screeners sounds bad enough on its own, although this is certainly not the first time I’ve heard of such things happening. What I find very disturbing can be found at the bottom of the first page:

According to one report, undercover TSA agents testing security at a Newark airport terminal on one day in 2006 found that TSA screeners failed to detect concealed bombs and guns 20 out of 22 times. A 2007 government audit leaked to USA Today revealed that undercover agents were successful slipping simulated explosives and bomb parts through Los Angeles’s LAX airport in 50 out of 70 attempts, and at Chicago’s O’Hare airport agents made 75 attempts and succeeded in getting through undetected 45 times.

TSA spokesman Greg Soule said the agency will not comment on the performance by screeners in undercover testing. Homeland Security officials have determined that any details on performance at checkpoints could provide a road map for terrorists.

Road map for terrorists? Seriously?! No one needs a map to drive through that opening.

Sen. Charles Grassley, Republican from Iowa, also thinks Soule’s idea is silly. In September he stated from the Senate floor:

Those results aren’t going to help terrorists figure out how to better attack us, and they certainly aren’t going to give them any more motivation to try than they already have. Keeping the results secret will accomplish one thing, however. It will ensure that the public has no idea how (in)effective our airport screening strategy actually is.

It’s one thing if someone wants to hide their own head in the sand when it comes to airport security. It’s quite another when the government agency charged with protecting the public uses obfuscation to bury other people’s heads in the sand.

Trust the TSA at your own peril.