Way ahead of you, Ted.

From a recent Books Bygone essay:

The lesson of the Ideals section is this: “All through our history this right of self-government has been insisted upon. This is where our liberty lies: not in freedom from law, but in the freedom to make and therefore obey our own laws. That is the American ideal.”

[My emphases citing Citizenship Plays: A Dramatic Reader for Upper Grades. Eleanore Hubbard. Benj. H. Sanborn & Co., Chicago. 1929. Available free to read or download at openlibrary.org and for purchase at online booksellers. First published in the Webster Progress Times January 16, 2014.]

What Ted said today in the Wall Street Journal:

Rule of law doesn't simply mean that society has laws; dictatorships are often characterized by an abundance of laws. Rather, rule of law means that we are a nation ruled by laws, not men. That no one—and especially not the president—is above the law. For that reason, the U.S. Constitution imposes on every president the express duty to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."

And no. I did not watch the SOTU address. Instead, I tidied up the kitchen. I set the dishwasher to come on +6hrs. (that would be about 3am, when it's forecast to be about 10 degrees F), did some hand dish-washing, put away the leftovers, let Rocky and Missy out being careful to not forget about short-haired Rocky out there in the cold, filled up the humidifiers,  set the faucets to "drip," turned the thermostats down to 60 degrees F, and retired to the den where Mr. Big Food and the dogs had fallen asleep. (Rocky is all snuggled up under the covers. Vicious Pit bull.)

And then I caught up on the SOTU by reading Vodka Pundit's live blog. (I do not want to hear any comments about the reliability of a guy who's famous for "drunk blogging." Seriously. It's the SOTU address to Congress. Cheers!)

And along the way happened upon Ted's comments. 

And now I'm thinking of U. Grant and a funny story about him, post-Presidency.

Hey! Mr. Low Man! I'm talking to you.

Every time I post a post, I take care to change the font to 'Georgia'. I do not like the blogger default font. It is unappealing and I want the blog to be as appealing as I know how to make it so I take the time to do this.

This morning I was just diddling around and I noticed, at least on one of my browsers, that some words, lines, paragraphs, whole posts are in default font. So...

Dear Mr.-Low-Man-on-the-Totem-Pole-Who's-Tasked-with-Reading-My-Little-Blog,

Cut it out. This isn't funny. I can't for the life of me think why you would be making my blog unappealing except to discredit me-- to make it appear as if I don't care about the appearance of my blog, my 'product' so to speak. What's your point? 

Now. If it's not you who's doing this, please contact your contacts at Google and ask them to put all my stuff back into 'George'. 

Thank you! 

Have a great weekend,

Marica

P.S. Have you signed on to Rand Paul's class action lawsuit yet? You really should. I mean, if you are looking at my data, just imagine who's looking at your data!

#sorryloseryou | UPDATED

We like nice things here at the Farm. We appreciate the aesthetically pleasing, especially at Christmastime. And this, my Dear Friends, is not among the nice, aesthetically pleasing, things.

Don't worry. I'm not going to talk about youknowwhat. This isn't a political blog.

Let us begin by considering the green. I like forest green. But this particular shade or hue or whatever is not a good forest green. It's far too dull.

Next, look at the contrast between the Jammie's red jammies and the red throw (?) on the arm of the couch. Y.U.C.K. And that little pillow of cream with the splash of turquoise? Seriously? That's either a leather or faux leather couch and I'd bet it's about the size of ours. That pillow is way too small and just doesn't go. It offends. How about some Christmas pillows?

The mug. That's the best you can do? Boooorrrring. 

Look at the string of lights, and the shadows of the walls. This really looks like it was shot in someone's apartment, doesn't it? The entrance to the hallway leading to two bedrooms and a bath is behind Jammie's head. The horizontal swag of lights defines an archway behind which is probably the dining/kitchen area. (Is that an out of focus vent in the center of the arch?)

If this is someone's apartment, it would explain the dopy pillow, wouldn't it? But why are there no pictures on the walls? Where is the end table with the lamp? How about a Norfolk Island pine against that wall on the left?

Here's the implication. Jammie is "home" for Christmas and is supposed to talk to his friends & family whose home this supposedly is. Unless Jammie went home to his unemployed bachelor brother's barren apartment, I'm not buying it. 

Furthermore, if this is where the creator of this little ditty lives, and if this is how you think the rest of us live, I'm not buying any of it you #sorryloseryou.  

UPDATE: Funny stuff here.

That's a Strange Name for a Car

[Miss M] ruled by royal fiat that I could not use the word "commercial" in this sentence.

--Daughter C

I just gave Missy & Rocky a fiat to get the heck out of the dining room.

--Miss M

Rule by whim coupled with fiat is a true mark of tyranny.

--Mr. Big Food

Constitutional authority, constitutional schmoririty," cried the president, "I have the privilege of presidential fiat."

--A. Leland

I declared rule aught* by fiat.

--Marica

O.M.G.!!

I just realized Blogger has a new button on the compose screen... . I'll just show you.

Fiat.

See that little red button on the right just above the window that contains the definition of fiat? It allows me to get the definition of any highlighted word in my post.

Thank you Mr. Low-Man-on-the-Totem-Pole-Who's-Tasked-with-Reading-My-Little-Blog! That little button will come in so handy! I had no idea you had such powerful connections that you could convince Google [®] to create a button designed specifically to aid me in my Word of the Day Sentence posts.

That was so thoughtful of you! And by the way-- I have also noticed that you've nixed those annoying Anonymous comments from my blog spam folder. Frankly though, much as I appreciate that, I prefer to delete them myself, rather than letting you tinker with my email and blog. I'm sure you understand. It's a Libertarian/Self-Reliance thing.

But that DEFINE button was a stroke of genius! Thanks!!

*Rule 0: Marica makes and amends the rules (from the Bunker Independence Day Celebrations Rules and Regulations). 

Just so there's no misunderstanding, Mr. Big Food lives-- in a very Carnapian way-- outside the framework of my rules. And truth be told, we don't need nearly as many rules as we used to need. Once folks get into the hang of acting considerately and with civility, being considerate and civilized become second nature. Plus, we're not kids anymore. Rules are for kids. 

It's Not Entirely Up to You, Dude.

It takes energy to stay organized.

Rocky & I were doing some book redecorating today. Things had gotten a bit out of hand, organizationally speaking. I needed to make sure the books I need most frequently were conveniently located. In so doing, I came across one that came in very handy this evening:

The Constitution of the United States: Its Sources and Its Application. Thomas James Norton. The World Publishing Company, Cleveland and New York. 1943.

To refresh my memory of Article I Section 7(2) of the Constitution of the United States of America, I checked that crappy old book, and just to be sure, a history text. And what do you know? 

The word "veto" does not appear in the Constitution!

Nevertheless... . A bill returned without the President's signature can be "reconsidered." Imagine that! A bill to repeal a law is still a bill and without a signature can be reconsidered. If said reconsideration results in the bill passing, again-- this time by a two-thirds majority of both houses-- ... well then, Dude, the bill is a law and the old law is repealed. So again, it's not entirely up to you, Dude.

This Constitution stuff is not that complicated. In a text I just checked, The Constitution is eight pages long, in about 10pt font, and includes the Amendments.  

Think about that! The entire organizational structure of the Federal government-- legislative, judicial & executive-- was laid out in fewer than eight pages. Of course, that was back in the crappy olden days before the World Wide Web. And all those Framers had to do was to get 13 states to ratify the thing. 

It's Plain & Obvious. Duh.

The plain and obvious Meaning of the Words Freedom and Liberty, in common Speech, is Power, Opportunity, or Advantage, that any one has, to do as he pleases. Or in other Words, his being free from Hindrance or Impediment to the Way of doing, or conducting in any Respect, as he wills. And the contrary to Liberty, whatever Name we call that by, is a Person's being hinder'd or unable to conduct as he will, or being necessitated to do otherwise.

(Emphases in original; From "Concerning the Notion of Liberty, and of Moral Agency" by Jonathan Edwards [from the "Treatise on the Freedom of the Will," 1754] in Selections from Early American Writers 1607-1800, William B. Cairns, ed., The Macmillan Company, New York, 1912.)

Freedom and Liberty. 

Hey! Smarty Pants!

I'll remind readers that this is not a political blog. But we do love us some good crappy old fashioned grammar here on the Farm. So let me help you out, Mr. Smarty Pants Secretary of Education, and do some editing for you.

Regarding parents' opposition to "Common Core," you said:

white suburban moms who — all of a sudden — their child isn’t as brilliant as they thought they were, and their school isn’t quite as good as they thought they were.

Should be:

white suburban moms who — all of a sudden — discover their child isn’t children aren't as brilliant as they thought they were, and their school isn’t schools aren't quite as good as they thought they were.

It's called AGREEMENT. Sheeeze.

My Opinion of You, Sir, Has Changed

Last January a fellow named Jonathan Jarvis gave a public address at State. We went. Here's what I had to say about the talk and Jarvis.

"National Parks and American Values: A Field Guide"

The National Park Service is nearing its centennial! Look forward between now and 2016 to a massive advertising campaign targeting young Americans-- seems the kids from the cities just aren't going to our National Parks in droves as they once did. If that trend continues, it would spell disaster for Retailers of Gear. Remember the ads with the talking baby giving investment advise? That's from the same Madison Avenue Advertising Firm that the National Parks Service contracted to get those kids to our parks and learn a little American History and perk up sales at R.E.I.* 

~~

I don't think that was supposed to be the take-away message from Director Jonathan Jarvis' public talk at State this evening, but that's some of what I heard.  

It was a well-attended presentation. And in all seriousness, it did focus on American Values. One small quibble-- I don't think the sense of "happiness" in the good Ol' Declaration had as much to do with "fun" as Jarvis does. But he got Freedom & Liberty right! And he loves him some history! 

The discussion was good. He struck me as extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of his agency, which is, you know, something a good executive officer should be. I suspect he comes by it naturally, having climbed the Ranger ladder.  And he with only a lowly Bachelors Degree. (To be fair, he has an "honorary" Ph.D. from his alma mater.) 

My Libertarian Brain is still thinking about what I think about a National Parks Service.

More here.

How could I have been so gullible as to have assumed the Director of the National Parks Service was a director rather than just another political hack sheeple doing as he's commanded? Shame on me.

This spectacle has turned from disgraceful to frightening.  

And now... off to the book sale!

REPEAL!

Article XVI

Submitted by Congress July 12, 1909. Ratified February 25, 1913.

The Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Via Instapundit.com:

And while we're at it, let's get rid of Article XVII, as well.

What's Next? Dog Parks?

I took the dogs out later than usual this morning. They had a great run! After we finished up  our post-run chores, I sat down to peruse the World-Wide-Web and we got into a conversation.

"What are you finding?" Missy asked.

"Ruff?"

"Well," I said, "there's still the idiocy of shutting down unmanned National Parks. We talked about that earlier."

"Ruff."

"Yes, I remember. You were in a bit of a snit about that this morning."

"Yes. I hope I didn't upset you."

"Oh. Not at all. We've learned turpitude really pisses you off."

"Ruff! Ruff!"

"But I have a question. They won't be shutting down any dog parks, will they? I only ask because from what you've told us about the differences between country and city life, I can imagine those City Dogs must really love their dog parks. Poor dears."

"RUFF?!"

"I don't think there's any danger of that happening, Missy. To the best of my knowledge the National Parks Service isn't in the dog park business... yet. And no, Rocky, they can't close your pastures just because you run in them. As I understand it, a park has to receive federal funding before it can be shut down. We receive no federal funding-- in fact, quite the opposite, we pay the Treasury-- so you're safe."

"Ruff?"

"How can you say this with such certainty, Marica? You always say, 'There's no tellin' what they'll do'."

"Rrrrufff!"

The Blame Lies Not with Brave Men

1944

Ever.

Ernie Pyle was an American journalist and war correspondent. A quick perusal of Brave Men confirms that he wrote from the perspective of the common soldier.

A few snippets from Chapter 35, "A Last Word":

This final chapter is being written in the latter part of August, 1944; it is being written under an apple tree in a lovely green orchard in the interior of France. It could well be that eht European war will be over and done with by the time you read this book. Or it might not be. But the end is inevitable.

It will seem odd when, at some given hour, the shooting stops and everything suddenly changes again. ... odd not to listen with animal-like alertness for the meaning of every distant sound; odd to have your spirit released from the perpetual weight that is compounded of fear and death and dirt and noise and anguish.

The end of war will be a gigantic relief, but it cannot be a matter of hilarity for most of us. Somehow it would seem sacrilegious to sing and dance when the great day comes-- there are so many who can never sign and dance again.

[snip]

Thousands of our men will be returning to you after Europe. They have been gone a long time and they have seen and done and felt things you cannot know. They will have to be changed. They will have to learn how to adjust themselves to peace. Last night we had a violent electrical storm around our countryside. The storm was half over before we realized the the flashes and the crashings around us were not artillery but plain old-fashioned thunder and lightening. It will be odd to hear only thunder again. You must remember that such little things as that are in our souls, and it will take time.

[my emphasis]

Pyle himself was among the brave men who died during WWII. He was shot by a Japanese snipper and died instantly. He was one of few civilians to be awarded the Purple Heart.

405,400 American men died during WWII. Let that sink in.

Many more brave men, of course returned home after Europe, the Pacific, Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq and Afghanistan. 

~~
To be sure, you've now read or heard about the manner in which a bunch of infirm old men were treated when they attempted to visit a war memorial yesterday. And of course you're seeing the same old blame game play out this morning.

And to be candid, Mr. Big Food and I had fun watching this story unfold. Seriously? But the more I thought about it, the less inclined I was to laugh. We are supposed to be the land of the free and home of the brave. Where was just one brave soul willing to announce that he or she was not going to be putting a road block up at a war memorial?

So you know who I'm blaming for this shameful treatment of brave men? 

I'm blaming the cowardly men and women of the National Parks Service. Those men and women-- in uniform no less!-- who drove the trucks with the barricades stacked in the bed, who unfolded them and set them up. 

I'm blaming those cowardly men and women who just followed along, whose conscience didn't compel them to say, "This is stupid. This is wrong. I will not participate."

I am blaming those cowardly men women who are not worthy of the sacrifices brave men make.

Cowards

[Updates photos of the cowards here.]

A Few More Words

I found a few more words for one of this week's birthday boys---

Rutherford B. Hayes, our 19th President, (1877-1881).

Hayes was an upright, conscientious, and better-than-average President, but the professional politicians of the Republican party disliked him, and his wife's refusal to serve wine at White House dinners brought ridicule from Washington society. He was uneasy in the presidency, and, alone of presidents since Polk, absolutely refused to be considered for a second term.

(Samuel Eliot Morison, The Oxford History of The American People, Oxford University Press, New York, 1965. Photograph from Theodore E. Burton, American Statesmen, Second Series: John Sherman, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1908.)

Turns out-- and everyone I'm reading says Hayes knew nothing of this-- Hayes' election was "stolen!" 

The election results from four states were disputed because each had submitted two sets. Three of theses states, South Carolina, Florida, and Louisiana were still under carpet-bagger rule and the carpet-bagging election boards had thrown out thousands of votes for Samuel Tilden, the Democratic candidate. Guess what Congress did to fix the problem? That's correct. A commission was formed! Here's Morison:

"'Visiting statesmen' were sent to the disputed Southern States; and there seems no doubt that a deal was made by the Republican and Southern Democratic leaders, by virtue of which, in return for their acquiescence in Haye's election, they promised on his behalf to withdraw the garrison and to wink at the non-enforcement of Amendment XV... ."

Article XV:

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

So there you have a few more words.

Who Do These People &^%*ing Think They Are?

The dogs and I had a wonderful run. They were relatively well-behaved, doing what I asked them to do this foggy morning.

Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for my elected officials.

We came back in, got our iced coffee, and checked our email. Okay. The dogs didn't get any email, but one of mine caught my attention. The subject line was "He's still talking."

I didn't believe it. So I turned on CSPAN2 and sure enough, he's still talking!

I emailed my Senators, asking why they were not on the floor supporting him.

And then I picked up the phone.

Wicker's rolled over to voice mail where I left a message asking that question.

Cochran's was busy, but I did finally get through.

I gave my name, my town, and asked my question. And you know what she said?

"We have not received any information form the Senator about his position on this."

"Excuse me?'

Same response.

"I'm sorry. I don't think you understand the direction of this conversation. I am not interested in whether or not you have information. I am interested in making sure he knows what I expect him to do. I expect him to get down on the Senate floor and support Cruz. That's the direction of this conversation." 

Geeze. These people are dimwitted.It was a rhetorical question. I have no interest in his excuses. "Why aren't you doing your homework?" does not mean what's your excuse. It means go do your homework.
Those who know me know I can cuss up a blue streak so insert a blue streak.


Who do these people think they are? They are fundamentally confused. 

There's a great scene in the film, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

Rance Stoddard, the eastern attorney who's come west to Shinbone, starts a school for young and old. He asks Nora, an immigrant from Sweden, to "tell the class what you've learned about the United States."

She stands, clutching her slate, and says, "The United States is a republic and a republic is a state in which the people are the boss. That means us! And if the big shots in Washington don't do like we want we don't vote for them by golly no more."

And he's still talking. Now about the lives of each of the traitors who signed the Declaration of Independence. 

Well I'll Be Danged!

I alluded to the corset maker just this morning (at 8:52 central time).

There Ought To Be No Law

By  Michael Walsh

September 13, 2013 11:01 AM

The weasel word is, of course, “legitimate,” so that would leave out Tom Paine and the other illegitimate rabble-rousers who fomented the American Revolution.

Let Us Review

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 

Dear Diane,

Your job description does not include doling out special privileges or defining 'the press.'

Sincerely,

A Citizen

~~

A pamphleteer corset maker once observed, "These are the times that try men's souls." 'Course, that was back in the crappy olden days, before the World Wide Web.

"Great to See You Again!"

Mr. Big Food and I were Skyping and we couldn't figure out why I could see him, but he couldn't see me. I mashed every button I could find. And then it hit me. I hadn't disabled my high-tech anti-spying devise.

It works!

Instructions for making your own high-tech anti-spying devise here. Southern version here.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Big Egg

Okay. Maybe everything is an exaggeration. But this

doesn't even begin to scratch the surface.

Neither does this.

 Read more about the conspiracy* by United Egg Producers to drive small and medium egg farmers out of business and increase the the cost of eggs. 



*I kid. Just because there was a secret meeting involved doesn't make it a conspiracy.

Or

* I kid. Just because there's a "corporate-­‐state protection racket that a mobster might envy" involved doesn't make it a conspiracy. 

This week the US House of Representatives is considering the 2013 Farm Bill – the agriculture policy tool of the federal government. This is legislation that is supposed to be supportive of America’s farmers, not harmful to them. Yet some House Members, at the urging of liberal animal activist groups, are pushing an amendment to the farm bill that would result in an unfunded government mandate on thousands of family farms around the nation.  The “Egg Bill” amendment would set unfunded requirements on the size and structure of egg producing facilities, forcing many farms to shut down or increase their production costs, which will ultimately be passed on to consumers. That is why it is opposed by the entire animal agriculture industry and thousands of consumers nation-wide. - See more at: http://keepfoodaffordable.com/stop-the-rotten-egg-bill/?utm_source=dailycaller&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=egg+bill#sthash.AlVrZ5m3.dpuf

This week the US House of Representatives is considering the 2013 Farm Bill – the agriculture policy tool of the federal government. This is legislation that is supposed to be supportive of America’s farmers, not harmful to them. Yet some House Members, at the urging of liberal animal activist groups, are pushing an amendment to the farm bill that would result in an unfunded government mandate on thousands of family farms around the nation.  The “Egg Bill” amendment would set unfunded requirements on the size and structure of egg producing facilities, forcing many farms to shut down or increase their production costs, which will ultimately be passed on to consumers. That is why it is opposed by the entire animal agriculture industry and thousands of consumers nation-wide. - See more at: http://keepfoodaffordable.com/stop-the-rotten-egg-bill/?utm_source=dailycaller&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=egg+bill#sthash.AlVrZ5m3.dpuf

This week the US House of Representatives is considering the 2013 Farm Bill – the agriculture policy tool of the federal government. This is legislation that is supposed to be supportive of America’s farmers, not harmful to them. Yet some House Members, at the urging of liberal animal activist groups, are pushing an amendment to the farm bill that would result in an unfunded government mandate on thousands of family farms around the nation.  The “Egg Bill” amendment would set unfunded requirements on the size and structure of egg producing facilities, forcing many farms to shut down or increase their production costs, which will ultimately be passed on to consumers. That is why it is opposed by the entire animal agriculture industry and thousands of consumers nation-wide. - See more at: http://keepfoodaffordable.com/stop-the-rotten-egg-bill/?utm_source=dailycaller&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=egg+bill#sthash.AlVrZ5m3.dpuf

This week the US House of Representatives is considering the 2013 Farm Bill – the agriculture policy tool of the federal government. This is legislation that is supposed to be supportive of America’s farmers, not harmful to them. Yet some House Members, at the urging of liberal animal activist groups, are pushing an amendment to the farm bill that would result in an unfunded government mandate on thousands of family farms around the nation.  The “Egg Bill” amendment would set unfunded requirements on the size and structure of egg producing facilities, forcing many farms to shut down or increase their production costs, which will ultimately be passed on to consumers. That is why it is opposed by the entire animal agriculture industry and thousands of consumers nation-wide. - See more at: http://keepfoodaffordable.com/stop-the-rotten-egg-bill/?utm_source=dailycaller&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=egg+bill#sthash.AlVrZ5m3.dpuf

Big Egg

It's back. 

Long time readers may recall I drew attention over a year ago to a piece of legislation that was absolute chicken s^&* bull s%^&. Mr. Big Food and I even wrote a paper and put together a presentation which we publicly presented earlier this year. I never got around to sharing the research on the bill here on the blog-- both the House and Senate versions died in committee. But I see now the chicken s$%^ has been amended to the Farm Bill. 

This week the US House of Representatives considers the 2013 Farm Bill — the agriculture policy tool for the federal government. Of all of the amendments that will be debated, there is one in particular that has conservatives fuming. If passed, the “Egg Bill” amendment will result in an unfunded government mandate on thousands of American family farmers.

I'm more motivated to share now. Check back after I've finished my chores.

And Speaking of Joseph Warren... | I Laughed So Hard I Almost Cried

A bit of background about why I found this article so so so funny... .

Yesterday I had occasion to learn a bit about Joseph Warren, who among other things, helped craft the Suffolk Resolves of 1774 which denounced Parliament after the Boston Tea Party. Paul Revere carried the Suffolk Resolves to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

And, as long time readers of the blog and I guess now just about every civil servant knows, I like data. So this cracked me up.

The betweenness centrality scores of some crappy old terrorists

The larger the score, the more connected a node is in the network-- in this case a "Social Networke" of suspected terrorists. Note that Warren is third most connected. Here's how the author of this really really really funny serious article describes it:

Once again, I remind you that I know nothing of Mr Revere, or his conversations, or his habits or beliefs, his writings (if he has any) or his personal life. All I know is this bit of metadata, based on membership in some organizations. And yet my analytical engine, on the basis of absolutely the most elementary of operations in Social Networke Analysis, seems to have picked him out of our 254 names as being of unusual interest. We do not have to stop here, with just a picture. Now that we have used our simple “Person by Event” table to generate a “Person by Person” matrix, we can do things like calculate centrality scores, or figure out whether there are cliques, or investigate other patterns. For example, we could calculate a betweenness centrality measure for everyone in our matrix, which is roughly the number of “shortest paths” between any two people in our network that pass through the person of interest. It is a way of asking “If I have to get from person a to person z, how likely is it that the quickest way is through person x?”

That's pulled from near the end of the article. Don't be put off by talk of tables and matrices. The author, Kieran Healy, does an awesome job of walking even the data-adverse through an analysis of a sample of metadata--nothing more than the names of 254 men, and their membership in one or more of seven organizations, that's all-- to uncover a treasure trove of information that culminates in a most interesting person of unusual interest. 

To give you a taste, here's how the article-- really a blog post-- begins:

Who ya gonna trust?

Ghost Busters! We should view that movie again this summer.

Startpage.com touts itself as the "world's most private search engine."

I doubt that there's any privacy any more on the World Wide Web. But I've started using Startpage.