Greetings, ladies and gentlemen – welcome aboard the Intrepid. I am Cadet Rhesa Alexandros and I’ve been tasked by the Captain to show you around the ship. Please follow me.

The “Big Eye,” as we like to call her, has 46 decks and a crew complement of at least 2,400 people – a mix of human and non-human, sentient species alike. You might run into some of the crewmembers during the tour; we will be meeting the captain and the executive officer near the end of the tour, because the Bridge is our last stop. In the meantime, let’s start at the bottom and work our way up, shall we? Since you arrived via shuttle, we’ll start at…

The Flight Decks

Andrés Gentry shares his thoughts on Hong Kong’s Article 23.

John Ray explains the Australian term “wowser” and its American roots. Visit his PC Watch blog as well and check out his report on insanity in the Australian courts.

Mamamontezz says hate is becoming fashionable.

Graham Lester posts his own thoughts on the bomb that ended slavery.

Sarah Fitz-Claridge explains the basics of conspiracy theories.

James Joyner digs into a recent piece by Madeleine Albright in Foreign Affairs and adds his own two cents.

Mess Hall

Andrew Ian Dodge explains why he ain’t a sports fan.

Sarah Fitz-Claridge, who is also the founder of Taking Children Seriously (TCS), urges parents to avoid objectifying their children's learning in "Beware The Curriculum Mentality."

Tiger discusses social necessities, capitalism, and rule of law, as well as the decline of the traditional family.

Chablis shows how 24-hour colds really suck. I should know, I’ve gotten them too, before – and they’re never good excuses to use to miss a class.

Kevin Baker says gun violence and ethnicity are linked and sets out to prove it. He also provides an example of political incorrectness where racism is concerned.

Bussorah posts his wicked thoughts on how hip-hop music is linked to black culture.

Catherine King and Jerome du Bois say Beverly McIver is egocentric about her art and show how.

Ocean Guy expresses frustration with today’s youth sports and how it affects his son.

Next week’s Carnival host, Andrew Cline, knows what’s wrong with journalism today. Check out the buzz at his blog.

Lawrence Kestenbaum replies to a rather pompous e-mail chain letter and describes how the baby boomers have contributed to changes during the past 50 years.

Zombyboy backs legalizing prostitution, but says other supporters should be honest about the costs involved.

Helen Noggle talks about nutrition: fat, dieting, Atkins, and exercise. Can’t beat that.

Chris Genovese thinks deep cleaning government budgets will have positive effects on the citizens.

One Fine Jay disagrees with Alabama Judge Roy Moore on the Ten Commandments display case and explains why.

LittleA is always looking for ways to cut costs, but watch out for those sacred cows.

Brig and Holding Cells

J. Fielek explains the Terrorist Vector and how we should deal with it.

Jim Peacock’s recently eavesdropped on a conversation between George Bush and Ariel Sharon on the Roadmap.

Allen Brill looks at the way George Bush’s faith has impacted his Presidency since 9/11 and finds him wanting.

Moe Freedman asks a rhetorical question about Iraq and the Palestinians.

Engineering

Richard Baker says we’ll get further in our space exploration program if we focus on industrializing space rather than romanticizing it.

Serona points to an important lawsuit filed against the RIAA regarding due process. Check out the post on the Distributed Library Project, too.

Dave Worley thinks bloggers should preserve their words in books for future generations.

Chuck Simmons writes an open letter to Meryl Yourish to share his philosophy on blogging.

Brian Kelley recalls his own experience with NASA in the wake of the Columbia crash investigation report released yesterday.

The Poliblogger introduces the Parade of Trolls. Steven says there is still time yet to submit your best example of trollishness.

Kevin at Wizbang exposes the real culprits of e-mail viruses.

“Bonny's,” The Ship’s Bar

Alex Dunn recounts a trip to the mall with his kin. Out of the mouths of babes, indeed!

Paul Carter continues to add to The Parson’s List. Hmm – I don’t recall ever sticking anything up my nose as a kid…

Norbizness has some fun with puns – at Arnold’s expense.

The Scarlet Pimpernel gives us a primer on real doctor speak.

Crabby Bill discovers that hand dipping is nothing new.

Gunther examines Bush’s past speeches and wonders if our prez really is a moron.

Harvey Olson takes a look at the possible results of a visit from Them.

Heather Noggle posts a Filthy Lie about the puppy blender.

Jay Solo fires back with an Axis of Feeble logo. See if you can answer his Zany Question of the Week, too.

Medi-Bay

Doug Payton fisks California Governor Gray Davis’s speech from last Tuesday.

Russ Emerson recalls the time when he met Arnold.

Ann Haker dissects a MoveOn e-mail urging people to send cash to the Texas Democrats holed up in Albuquerque.

Mad Kane does a parody of “Happy Days Are Here Again.”

Nathan Alexander points to several examples of skewed reporting and asks, “Is there any way we can put an end to this garbage?”

Trish Wilson wants to know if California voters have forgotten about Enron.

BC, one of the Imperial Correspondents from Emperor Misha’s kingdom, breaks down an Indymedia article in his usual torturous fashion.

Billy Beck says the political fight should be about principles, not labels.

The Bridge

The Paratrooper of Love relives Blackfive’s Friday Range Und Pig Roast.

Sophorist comments on Mel Gibson’s critics regarding The Passion.

Joe Dougherty agrees with the Sophorist’s sentiments and shares his own thoughts.

Bill Dennis explains the difference between blogs and j-blogs.

Aunty Goob thinks the driver or the reporter got this story wrong.

Russ Emerson is back, this time to share with us the story of the time he taught his nephew to shoot.

Da Goddess shares stories about the Bubble Prince and the cost of freedom.

Solonor bids farewell to his favorite Red Sox broadcaster, Ken Coleman, who passed away last Thursday.

Adam H. illustrates a lake day. If I had a boat, I’d want a few lake days myself, minus the ladies in the picture.

Jack Cluth has had a tough week, but things seem to be looking up now. Head on over to Seabrook and give him and his other half a few words of encouragement.

A Broad is confronted with her parents’ mortality.

Rich Clark from Dead Yet Living paints a vivid picture of love at first sight. It’s very different from having a crush.

Overtaken by Events examines a day in the life of Matt.

…

I hope you enjoyed the tour. Captain O’Connell and Commander Urquhart both told me they were glad that you stopped by to meet the “Big Eye” crew. We all hope you visit again when The 2143 Project is launched.

I’ll now pass the torch on to next week’s Carnival host, Andrew Cline at Rhetorica.net.

Have a good Wednesday!

To everybody who emailed me at my regular e-mail address -- and you can find THAT in the Menu section to the left -- and to everyone who e-mailed me at the alternative account: yes, I received your entry.

The deadline is tonight at 12 am, Pacific Time. You still have around 5 hours (or less) to get your post to me. Just email me here or here.

Jason, Jon and Priscilla are here! I met them at the airport yesterday, rode along with 'em to their hotel, and got treated to Chinese for dinner before I caught the bus/train/bus home. I would've joined them for the day trip into S.F., but this Bay Area native needed to stay home and bake cookies and archive posts before she could have her bout of fun for the day.

Well, of course all that is fun! It's just fun WORK!

And I'm still taking Carnival of the Vanities entries. The deadline is 12 am, August 27.

Interview questions for Urquhart:

1. What do you enjoy most about the writing process and why?

2. You have been a Christian for about six months now. How has this changed your outlook on life from a personal and spiritual perspective?

3. If there was another profession that you could switch to, what would it be?

4. Cats or dogs? Explain your preference.

5. Which of your all-time favorite books would you recommend to someone looking for new reading material? Why do you think s/he should read it?

This week's edition of the Carnival of the Vanities is being hosted by James Joyner at Outside the Beltway. ("Are you ready to rumb...!?" *ahem* Sorry, James, couldn't resist.)

Next week, Carnival of the Vanities will be hosted here. I will be accepting entries up until midnight on August 27 (read: Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, at the stroke of 12), so drop me an e-mail.

...at the weekend, that is.

There was a neighborhood block party for all the folks in my parents' cul-de-sac, and now that I think about it, I realize just how much my neighbors, when gathered together, mirror my dad's side of the family.

Strained conversation, fake smiles, so much syrupy politeness oozing around that after awhile you want to scream.

Yeah, it was one of those gatherings.

I found an interesting article in today's edition of The Miami Herald:

It seems that Hollywood has found a way to appeal to feminists and juveniles at the same time. Let the gals beat up the bad guys. But only if they can pass for Playboy centerfolds.

''The problem with so-called girl power in recent Hollywood cinema is the adolescent quality of the notion,'' said Christopher Sharrett, a communications professor at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. ``There's a tendency to make films about women that are in fact crafted for adolescent boys.''

Of course, there's more than one side to this equation. Women have the right to be sexy on camera, and anyone of proper age has a right to look. Anyone who stars in movies is bound to be good-looking. And there's no reason why young women shouldn't thrill to the sight of heroines holding their own with heroes on-screen.

But the irony of Lara and the Angels is still hard to miss. Like the Spice Girls before them, they're selling sex to pay for empowerment.

Heh.

(link via Cold Fury)

A friend of mine got hit with this nasty the other night, so here's some information to help prevent the same thing from happening to you.

(link via Jeff Jarvis)

Interview questions for Hannah of Between the Lines:

1. Where do you draw your inspiration from when writing poetry and how long have you been writing poetry now?

2. Now that you've had a small taste of what it feels like to be a journalist, what skills related to this career do you admire? What do you think could be changed?

3. What's one piece of advice that you would give to parents who are considering homeschooling their children?

4. Who is your favorite author?

5. In your opinion, what traits should a good teacher have?

Interview questions for Ashley of Eternal Praises:

1. So, are you a California girl or an Arkansas girl? (I was bribed to ask you this, honest!)

2. How would you define friendship and how have the friendships in your life encouraged you?

3. What would you say is your biggest strength and your biggest weakness?

4. In your opinion, what's the best thing about children?

5. So far you've visited two congregations that are not affiliated directly with your church. How does that change your views on the doctrines other denominations teach? Does it change how you view other denominations at all?

Interview questions for Chris (leave your answers in the comments section):

1. What is your favorite firearm?

2. If you had the chance to do one thing and money and time weren't problems, what would that one thing be?

3. What do you like most about women?

4. What is your favorite reptile?

5. Name your top five all-time favorite movies that you think I absolutely must watch.

Interview questions for Rich Clark of Dead Yet Living:

1. How would you define postmodernism and how has it affected you as a Christian?

2. How have your views on relationships changed now that you're engaged? Have they changed at all?

3. In your opinion, what is the best thing about being in love?

4. What is your favorite home-cooked meal?

5. Are all Southern Baptists Calvinists?

Interview questions for Gator of Gator Bites:

1. Blogs vs. online message boards: what is best about each and which one do you ultimately prefer?

2. What lessons that you learned in the Navy have stayed with you since?

3. What do you like best about living in Texas?

4. In your opinion, what's the best thing about being a father and a husband?

5. What or who has been the top source of inspiration in your life?

Time for some fun!

Michele Catalano from A Small Victory started a round of blogger interviews a couple days ago, so I took up One Fine Jay on his offer to interview someone. Here are the questions and my answers:

1. What do you think of the term, “Religious Right?” Do you think it denigrates your faith or does it trivialize your beliefs (as illogical, as they are based on faith)? Or both? This term irks me because it’s a generalization that sounds as ridiculous as the “Jewish Left,” and that’s something that you’ll never hear because of the obviously derogatory implications. As I’ve stated before, my political views don’t play God in my life, and I think “Religious Right” is a term that supports that very perception.

2. What other ideas besides "Nuking the San Andreas Fault" would set you off? “It’s For the Children”: there’s nothing like having a puppy-eyed kid staring at me to pull at the heartstrings…only, this kind of imagery seems to be getting attached to every social cause out there when some of them don’t have anything to do with needy kids. Context, people, context! “Bush=Hitler” is another – I don’t see how anyone can equate the current U.S. president with a monster responsible for murdering over six million people. Bush isn’t a perfect leader, but I have yet to see him embark on a campaign of mass genocide.

3. What one government program you think should end in order to set Cali on the right track? It’s not a program per se that should end, but it’s more of a matter of shifting priorities when it comes to policymaking on the state level. Illegal immigrants crossing over the Mexico-California border, for instance: this is a huge problem that is either overlooked or deliberately ignored because of partisan haggling over “welfare concerns.”

4. Come on. We know that California is good for something. Give me a non-cynical answer. California seems to be known as a trendsetter for the rest of the country. I’m fine with that – it’s just a matter of setting the right trends. The off-the-path landmarks and the wine are also good.

5. What one television show would you like to appear or star in? Smallville, yo.

The rules:
1. If you want to participate, leave a comment saying “interview me.”
2. I will respond by asking you five questions (not the same as you see here).
3. You will update your blog/site with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

You ever lost a post just when it was getting good? Yeah, me too.

Jay, I promise you'll get some answers - as soon as I calm down so I don't feel like kickin' this crappy screen in after IE abruptly shut down on me.

Note to self: Adobe Acrobat and IE do not like each other. IE, you suck.

This is meant for the right-wingers and evangelicals out there who seem to find something wrong with the Golden State.

For the record, I was born here nearly twenty-three years ago and I've lived here my entire life. You're talking to a 100% California girl.

If you don't like my state because there are way too many Democrats who live here and the atmosphere seems too PC for you, OR, there are too many heathens around for your peace of mind...

TOO FREAKIN' BAD.

Don't offer to pray for me, because I'll do the "laying on of hands" thing and give you a smack. Don't say you'd like to see Berkeley or San Francisco firebombed to oblivion because, hey, Democrats are still human beings. Their politics might seem too extreme for you, but like you, they have their own lives to deal with. People here mourned after 9/11. People here are just as passionate about their beliefs and values as you are about yours, and if you don't even live here and think you have a say in how their lives should end just because they don't think like you do or adhere to your own political/religious standards, then you can kiss my butt. You're not worth more than five seconds of my attention.

Awright, I admit it.

I haven't exactly been very keen about the California recall because Grey-Out Davis and state politics have never excited me as much as what's been happening on the national political scene. I didn't sign the petition to get the recall going. I didn't care much for the whole deal, even after I heard Larry Flynt had jumped into the race. Matter of fact, some of my more right-wing buddies who didn't even live in California exuded more enthusiasm for the recall than I did.

And then Ah-nuld, Arianna Huffington and Gary Coleman jumped in, too. Up until yesterday, I thought Ah-nuld would sit this one out because of Maria, but obviously he ain't.

As Matt Welch put it, "It's useful to have you think that we're really that crazy. Same goes for California. We're plum loco out here … and you're jealous. Admit it."

It's going to cost us $30 million, but hey...since there ain't much I can do about that at this point, we may as well let things run their course.

And yes, I'd vote for Ah-nuld.

Today marks the 58th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. That is nothing to be gleeful about, really.

Here are some comments that I found to be rather interesting, from a post on Tim Blair's blog:

This was on Fark and one of the commenters named Thale summed it up well:

"While American scholarship has undercut the U.S. moral position, Japanese historical research has bolstered it."

American scholars: The use of atomic bombs by the U.S. on Japan was a wholly unnecessary thing.

Japanese scholars: No, we wouldnt have surrendered otherwise.

American scholars: Yes you would have. All we had to do was drop Fat Man on a small Pacific island to show you we had it.

Japanese scholars: No, really the military wasnt going to stop fighting.

American scholars: Well if wed allowed surrender with the provision that Japan could keep the Emperor.

Japanese scholars: Look even after you guys dropped both bombs the military didnt want to surrender. It took us beating a downed pilot into saying you had hundreds more Atomic bombs and Tokyo was next for them to even start to budge.

American scholars: Well we were still wrong.

And on a similar note (of sorts), here's some commentary from Stephen Green on how the aftermath of waging warfare has changed in these modern times.

I'm paraphrasing here.

U: I might go see Tomb Raider 2...

R: That one looks a lot more exciting than the first one. Did you see the first one?

U: No.

R: Me neither.

U: Then how could you tell if this one was more exciting than the first one?

R: The previews for the second one looked more exciting than the previews for the first one!

U: Ahh. I see how it is...

It's August already! Where's the time gone?

The one day of this month that I dread/look forward to (take yer pick) is August 27. This year, that day falls on a Wednesday.

On that day I will turn 23. Also on that day, I return to school.

...that's some birthday present.

More history that occurred on August 27.