Thanks to all the Wives and Girlfriends...

...who put up with their significant other during football season.

You're champions in our hearts, even if we're too preoccupied with Mississippi  State vs. Memphis to talk to you right now. Oh, and can you move out of the way? You're right in front of the TV. Hey, while you're up, can you get me some more chips?

Heavy-Duty Teleprompter

We all know that all Presidents use teleprompters, but you don't usually see them. Here's a great shot of the "heavy-duty" teleprompter that our President used for a three (3) minute speech on Monday.

No Dogs in NYC Bars (Even Outdoors)

First they came for the dogs; and I did nothing.  I bet the guy who made this stupid regulation doesn't even own a dog. Having a dog out on a patio or deck at a bar is not a "health code" risk.

Heaven forbid that "man's best friend" can stretch out under a table on a patio while their owner enjoys a beer. Permanent Press disapproves of this regulation, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised - you can't even have table salt in NYC.

2011 Gamecock Football Prediction

IT'S GAME WEEK! Finally, this weekend, college football returns (as if it ever left) to the South. We here at Permanent Press have gazed into the crystal ball and have seen the future. Behold, the Permanent Press 2011 South Carolina Gamecock Predictions:

Choose Your Weapon

Friday at the range:

Left to Right: 9mm FN Hi-Power; .45 Colt Peacemaker; Ruger .22 Target Pistol

The Hi-Power is the practical self-defense pistol. The Ruger .22 is a great plinking gun with a nice site. I could shoot this all day. For real fun, the single-action, cowboy-style Colt Peacemaker is an authentic period piece. It shoots the .45 longs, not the .45 ACP. Nice to shoot, but not something I would take to the range every single day. It's like the old convertible that you only drive on nice days.

My shooting partner beat me in all three competitions today. I really need to get to the range more.

NOTE: All firearms were manually cleared, and visually inspected prior to taking this picture.

You Don't have Second Amendment Rights in NC...

...when the weather is bad. NC cancels all CCW permits because of hurricane threat.

Just when you might actually need a firearm.

How to Make a Secret Book Safe

For all your secret hiding needs. Picking the right book seems like it would be the part requiring the most thought.

Friday Firepower

Mornin' all.

Via The Brigade

Want to Smell Like General Patton?

Now you can. Put some on, and go conduct a full frontal assault!

A Navy SEAL and his Dog

Via Blackfive

Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson was laid to rest Friday in Rockford, Iowa, where an estimated 1,500 mourners came to pay respects for the fallen Navy SEAL, including his dog Hawkeye. Even at the funeral, Hawkeye refused to leave, lying next to the casket during the entire service.

Photo credit: Lisa Pembleton

Ribs on the Grill (Not just for the weekend)

I really like the way he thinks. This would work well for me right now with no kitchen, except that I have no prep area and my spices are packed in a box somewhere unknown right now.

I'm Compensating...

for the fact that the police show up in 5 minutes when I need them there in 5 seconds. Rick Perry might be compensating for the fact that he can't kill a coyote with his bare hands. What are you compensating for?

[H/T: SayUncle]

Columbia Food Trucks Under Assault

Think that job-killing regulations are just a Federal problem? Think again. Columbia is just recently experiencing a food truck revival, which has brought great food and a wonderful sense of style to our little town. However, the City Council has passed a stupid regulation:

Starting in February, any vendor who wants to set up shop on private property to sell anything from puppies to produce must have written permission from the landowner. They also must provide city officials with drawings of the sites they frequent and must meet zoning requirements, especially having sufficient parking spaces.

This is ridiculous. If I, as a private property owner, want to invite a food truck to come to my business, I have to draft and execute a written agreement. Then, the food truck has to go down to the City of Columbia and provide a government clerk with a copy of that agreement, provide a drawing of the site, and must jump through other hoops, and probably fill out a couple forms...and probably pay some sort of fee. I would think that permission from the property owner should be sufficient.

Keep in mind that the government is only open Monday - Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM, also. If I (as a business owner) wanted to do an event with a Food Truck on a Saturday as a spontaneous event because I had an unexpectedly large turnout at my store, that would be illegal. Heaven forbid the City of Columbia doesn't get to approve a little form saying that I can have some people over to sell tacos from a truck.

Don't forget, the food trucks are already licensed. They have a business license and they pay sales taxes, so they're already generating money for the government. Now they're going to have get an additional license and jump through more hoops: to sell food out of a truck. Seriously guys? Can I just eat my BBQ in peace?

Our City Government needs to focus on the serious problems facing Columbia. Food trucks selling me delicious BBQ are not one of them. The City is saying that this is an "unintended consequence", and that they're trying to get at other people, but what's the deal with that? Are we having an epidemic of moving flea markets? Is that the biggest problem we have now as a City? This is just another example of the over-regulation that is running rampant at every level of government in America. Keep your regulations off my food truck!

Chicago Air and Water Show

Via IowaHawk's Twitter Feed.

Sunday Inspiration (John Wooden)

One of my heroes. This is a long video, but it's worth it. If you watch this before the work week gets going, you'll find yourself ready to re-double your efforts. I do.



Wooden's Three Rules:
1. Be on time.
2. Show up neat and clean.
3. Don't criticize a teammate.

Gamecock Football Scrimmage Photos

So the scrimmage today was open to the public. Lots of folks showed up to Williams-Brice (I would estimate about three-fifths of the West Lower was full.) This was the first practice or scrimmage I had been to this year, so I was ready to see the much-hyped team.

Crib Assembly Completed

Everyone has been telling me that putting together a crib is so time consuming, difficult, and frustrating that I put aside all day to get it assembled. Just for fun yesterday, I opened the box to see what I was up against. After 15 minutes...

Look at Me Being Serious Saturday

Students came back to USC this week, so it's time to remind them of the seriousness of student government.

Friday Happy Hour

You never knew that Champagne could kick your rear, did you?

Clemson Tigers NCAA Preview

I've been receiving feedback that we need at least a little Clemson information here at PP.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

OUTLOOK: Extending periods of losing are not acceptable in Death Valley, so expect Swinney to have his team ready to step up in 2011. After opening with Troy and Wofford at home, the Tigers play a grueling three-game set comprised of home games against Auburn and Florida State and finally a road affair at Virginia Tech. We should know everything we need to know about this team by early October. The task at hand is daunting, but one that could pay the highest of dividends according to Swinney.

Official predictions for both USC and Clemson will be forthcoming in the next week or so.

[For Clemson fans Dr. Tiger and Tiger, Esq.]

Mortgage Interest Deduction

Article at CATO arguing in favor of ending the deduction. Ending this deduction would definitely put a squeeze on some people in the short term, but in the long term it makes sense to me to end it. Perhaps phasing it in would be the best thing to do. Start with second homes, move to homes over $500,000, and then slowly work to everyone over a period of time.

At this point, almost any change that simplifies the tax code is a good change.

[H/T: Insty]

Getting the US Government to Answer a Question

Not as easy as you think.

This is great reporting. As Prof. Reynolds would say, "We're in the best of hands".

Bren Gun Girl

Mornin' all. Ever heard of Rosie the Riveter? This is her British counterpart; the "Bren Gun Girl":

Charleston and Boeing (CNN Fails at Reporting)

Apparently, CNN hasn't heard anything about the NLRB throwing a money wrench into Boeing's planned move to Charleston. Nice reporting, CNN.

[H/T: David Smith]

The Next Financial Crisis?

Instapundit has had a meme for awhile relating to the rapidly rising costs of higher education. The more I read about it, the more I'm starting to think he might be on to something.

Other people are starting to see this also. From The Atlantic:

The next sub-prime crisis will come from defaults on student debts, starting with for-profit colleges and rising to the Ivy League. The parallels with housing are striking. In both, the written warnings aren't understood, especially on penalties and interest rates. And in both, it's assumed that what's being bought will rise in value, in one case the real estate, in the other the salaries which will accrue with a degree. One bubble has burst; the second is already losing air.

Read the whole thing. Colleges can't keep this rate of tuition increases up for much longer. Since the government has taken over student loans, I'm not sure what that means upon massive defaults.

The Hierarchy of Digital Distraction

Your life; explained by a pyramid.

How's that Bus Tour Going?

The President is cruising around the Midwest, and he sees this:

It's all About the U

Raise your hand if you think Miami should get the death penalty for this. Florida's response below the jump:

Enjoying the Dog Days of Summer

[Via Misty Alejo]

Gamecock Baseball Update

Adam at Life of a Gamecock has the latest on the USC Baseball Team and the fallout from the MLB signing deadline. Short story: Matt Price and a few other guys will be back for 2012! Full coverage here.

Space Alien Stimulus and Keynes

Krugman won a Nobel Prize in economics. A real one. Much more below the jump.

Clay Pot Cooler (No Electricity)

We here at Permanent Press are always trying to do what we can to save the planet from global warming, oops, I mean "climate change". Today, here's a way to keep your beer cold without all the polar bear killing electricity of a refrigerator, or earth destroying ice cubes.

See, science is helpful.

Robin Hood of Country Music in Wal-Mart

A California man was charged with "merchandise tampering" is being hailed as a musical "Robin Hood". He purchased about 100 music CDs and then came back into the store and started putting them back on the shelf (no, he didn't try to return them for the money). After being stopped by a store employee and accused of shoplifting, he said:

“I didn’t shoplift nothin’. I told the cops they could find all that country pop bull%$#! in the Rubbermaid garbage cans [of the same Wal-Mart] in home wares… where that crap belongs,” said Spears. “I was just trying to give the people around here some damn culture, so I brought my whole collection up here to give away for free. Of course, I’ve got it all ripped on my laptop. My alphabetizing skills might be lacking, but I ain’t stupid.”

“Can you believe they didn’t have a Jerry Reed CD in the whole god$#@! store?” he continued. “Well, for 15 shining minutes last Friday night, they did.”

After the store realized that he had actually purchased the CDs and was replacing Taylor Swift with Tanya Tucker [and more classic country artists], the shoplifting charges against Spears were dropped, but he still faces misdemeanor charges of mischief and merchandise tampering. Permanent Press salutes Mr. Spears for trying to bring some light to our dimly lit musical landscape. I also hope he replaced all the Jason Aldean CDs with George Strait.

TAMU Not Invited to SEC (Gov. Perry Hardest Hit)

Texas A&M wants to come play, but the SEC isn't interested. Permanent Press was initially in favor of TAMU coming into the SEC, but the problem was finding the 14th team to balance it out. The candidates for the 14th team were less than great. Florida didn't want FSU, South Carolina didn't want Clemson, No one wanted Missouri, and ultimately, the deal just fell apart. In the end though, the Aggies needed the SEC more than the SEC needed them. Too bad for A&M; they'll just have to deal with lopsided dynamics of the Big 12 for a little while longer.

Permanent Press is now firmly in the camp of standing pat.

The SEC is absolutely the best conference in college football, and it doesn't really need to improve or expand. It's probably best that nothing happened, because as they say, "If it's not broke, don't fix it". After hearing the news, Governor Perry took to the streets of Texas and issued an warning to SEC Commissioner Mike Slive:

SC DOT is Broke?

When you have $28M on hand and immediately owe $120M, something is wrong.

Well, I guess the SC DOT is illiquid, not insolvent. In any event, this sounds bad. What's going on here?

Saturday Open Thread

I'll be out of the office today. Today's post brought to you by the 1972 Chevelle.

Friday Happy Hour

First of all; FRIDAY! Ok, with that out of the way, on to the happy hour post.

I'm certainly no expert on scotch, and I don't have it too often, but when I do, it's very enjoyable. Currently, one of my favorites is "The Lasanta" from Glenmorangie.

 

Probably a large part of why I like it is because it's aged in ex-bourbon casks for 10 years and then ex-sherry casks for 2 more years. This give the whisky a softer, sweeter, more bourbon-style taste to it than a traditional whisky. "Lasanta" is Gaelic for warmth and passion, and this whisky certainly has plenty of warmth. If you're a scotch drinker, and you're looking for something interesting, give this one a try.

Florida vs. HHS (11th Circuit Court of Appeals Strikes Down ObamaCare)

BOOM!

This afternoon, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2–1 ruling striking down the individual mandate in a suit brought by 26 state governments, the National Federation of Independent Business, and others. This is the first court of appeals decision striking down the mandate, and creates a circuit split. Also of note, this opinion marks the first time a Democratic-appointee ruled against the law. This is definitely an ominous development for the President's signature accomplishment.

Chances of this case going to the Supreme Court are now 100%. The only question is when.

Here's the relevant conclusion of the opinion:

Further, the individual mandate exceeds Congress’s enumerated commerce power and is unconstitutional. This economic mandate represents a wholly novel and potentially unbounded assertion of congressional authority: the ability to compel Americans to purchase an expensive health insurance product they have elected not to buy, and to make them re-purchase that insurance product every month for their entire lives. We have not found any generally applicable, judicially enforceable limiting principle that would permit us to uphold the mandate without obliterating the boundaries inherent in the system of enumerated congressional powers. “Uniqueness” is not a constitutional principle in any antecedent Supreme Court decision. The individual mandate also finds no refuge in the aggregation doctrine, for decisions to abstain from the purchase of a product or service,whatever their cumulative effect,  lack a sufficient  nexus  to commerce.

 Uh oh.

Loveland vs. Gundy

Going with the theme of ridiculous lawsuits, here's one that crosses into college football. This is a hilarious lawsuit.
[H/T: EDSBS]

Just in case you don't remember, Mike Gundy is this guy:

I'm a Man! I'm 40!

Zivotofsky vs. Clinton (White House Fail)

The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article about the White House trying to pull a fast one on the Supreme Court. Apparently, the Plaintiff is a U.S. citizen who was born in Jerusalem in 2002. Shortly after his birth, his parents went to the U.S. Embassy to get a passport and birth certificate for him. They wanted his passport's country of origin and birth certificate's country of birth to be "Israel". Simple, right? Not so fast.

Red Alert! Naked Women in Five Points

Kind of. [Yes, it's safe for your office.]
As Brad Warthen observes, the PETA people are great at getting attention, but once they have it, the point gets lost. I think it's mainly because the point is so dumb. We're at the top of the food chain for a reason, dear.

Public Service Announcement: Guns are Dangerous

Don't be "that guy". [H/T: Chad Horne]

Safely, Rest; God is Near

Honor the fallen.

Why Permanent Press is Not Impressed with Runners

My default position is to enjoy most sports. I played organized sports growing up and through college, and I still do. I love competition. I get infinitely more enjoyment in going to the gym and playing racquetball for an hour rather than doing a virtual stair-climber or running in place on a treadmill. As an extreme example, even when I watch Olympic curling I find the strategy/skill involved to be fairly interesting. This all is preface to my main point.

I'm not impressed that you're a runner. More below the jump:

Nagasaki Bombed Sixty-Six Years Ago/US Sends Representative to Commemerate

Sixty-six years ago, today. Apparently, the US sent a representative to commemorate the bombing.

I don't really care if we send someone to go to the commemoration or not, but I'm not really sure what the point is. Are we saying that we're sorry, or are we trying to put the war behind us and build relationships going forward? Or something else? 

The Wisdom of Socrates

Obama certainly doesn't have it. First of all, respect to Bret Stephens for getting into some philosophy. Much more below the jump.

Don't worry about the economy. I got you a present!

Below the jump:

In-N-Out Burger (Secret Menu)

If you're lucky enough to live near an In-N-Out Burger, you might be interested in their secret menu. Every time I go visit the extended family out West, we try to make at least one stop there. My cardiologist is glad that there isn't one in Columbia. [H/T APP]

Gamecock Football 2011 (#TeamGarcia)

Remember the not-so-hot picture from before? Toss that one down the memory hole.

Shall we play a game? #TeamGarcia [Via]

[Left to Right: Alshon Jeffery; Bruce Ellington; Marcus Lattimore; Stephen Garcia]

Even David Gergen is tired...

of someone "leading from behind". 

We all are.

Operation Iron Bowl; Deadbeat Dads Beware

The sheriff in Lee County, Alabama, (where Auburn University is located) is a genius. Faced with a backlog of deadbeat dads not paying child support, he came up with a plan to bring the criminals into one place so they can be efficiently arrested.

He sent all the parents owing child support a letter congratulating them on their automatically winning free tickets to the Iron Bowl (Auburn/Alabama football game). All the parents show up, and they're promptly put in the paddy-wagons. Simple, cost-effective, benefits kids, and deliciously funny. Permanent Press salutes Capt. Van Jackson from the Lee County Sheriff's Department! (h/t Dr. C)

Enough of the DOOM; Let's Talk Golf (Adam Scott/Tiger Woods)

I'm a little burned out on all the economic and political "Doom". Yes, our country is broke; yes our political leadership is unwilling to actually do anything about it; yes, we're doomed. I get it. But did you see Adam Scott on Sunday?

The big guy wins the World Golf Championships (WGC for you insiders) and Tiger Woods? Oh, he's back in the field somewhere. Interestingly enough, Scott's caddy is Steve Williams, who used to caddy for...Tiger Woods. Apparently, after 11 years of caddying for Tiger (and doing a pretty nice job I would say) Woods fired Steve Williams over the telephone.

That's just pathetic. You would think that after 11 years, you could fire your caddy face-to-face, like a man. However, Tigers' true colors are not that red shirt he's so famous for - it's yellow. Also, it looks like Williams may have gotten the last laugh.

We here at Permanent Press salute Adam Scott on his WGC win and Steve Williams for sticking it to Tiger. With the PGA Championship getting started this Thursday, PP is officially on board the Adam Scott/Steve Williams Bandwagon. I encourage everyone to jump on board.

P.S. I hear that after the WGC, Tiger Woods received a package containing golf ball in a jar of water. Apparently, it's an old Sicilian message: Tiger Woods' golf balls sleep with the fishes.

Jersey Shore Dominates Thursday Nights

And it's not even close. I disapprove. Ok, fine - you can have a picture, but only below the jump.

The road to hell...

...is paved with good intentions. If this is a "teachable moment", what conclusions do you draw?

Saturday Gun Show

If I had to get a 1911-model gun, this would be it.

The Ed Brown Executive Carry is slightly smaller (4.25" slide) than the standard 5" slide that you're used to seeing on the 1911. Also, the frame is shaved at the bottom to give it the "Bobtail" that helps with concealment, and it can be yours for just under $3k. Sigh...

S&P Downgrades USA Debt

Dear U.S. Government:

Please stop spending more money than you take in.

Sincerely,

Citizen

The only conference that can stop the SEC...

...is the SEC. I'm not so sure. I remember something about pride and falling being related.

Friday Happy Hour

I know it's hot. Welcome to Columbia, bro. If you're looking to cool off after work, I would suggest going to the movies. Unfortunately, all the summer blockbuster movies are done, so we're in the movie dead period which lasts until late in the fall. Therefore, I recommend you find a friend who has a pool (maintaining your own pool is so time consuming) and kick back with one of these:

 Planter's Punch

Planter’s Punch is a classic pre-Prohibition drink that involves dark rum, fruit juice, and a splash of grenadine. It's probably how Mark Twain was beating the heat back in the day along the Mississippi. If you're a guy who's intimidated by mixed drinks - man up, it's just a damn drink.

Planter’s Punch:
Serves 1
1 ½ oz. Myers’s Rum
¾ oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
¾ oz. pineapple juice
dash of grenadine
Shake and serve over ice. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

Drink and repeat as necessary.


[H/T Garden and Gun]

Coach Lawing Working with Gamecock Defensive Line and Clowney

Here's a great video courtesy of The Big Spur that I saw on a Gamecock Message Board. The best part is that you see Coach Lawing really get onto Clowney. At one point he says "This ain't Damn South Pointe". I love coaches like him.

Unemployment Rate Graph

Unemployment time! The graph itself is not really depressing. Mostly, it shows the absolute failure of our government to do anything to stop the recession. Remember when it was absolutely necessary to pass the huge stimulus to "save or create" jobs? Here's how it's working out (or not working out):

The Lunchmen Are Back (Jason's Deli Review)

One of my favorite local bloggers finally remembered that they needed to start posting again, and the review of Jason's Deli didn't disappoint. If you haven't already come across The Lunchmen, and you're always looking for a good lunch in Columbia, this should be in your bookmarks. Go check them out.

The Diminished President

Little Miss Attlia found a good NYT article. Go read it.

Iowa defeats Southern Miss. (Trademark Battle)

Apparently, these two logos are exactly alike!

Iowa

Southern Miss

2011 "Best" of Columbia Awards (Ridiculous)

Once again, The State newspaper has beclowned itself. The 2011 “Best of Columbia” awards are atrocious. How bad are they, you ask?

Debt Ceiling Strategy Predicted by Marc Ambinder...

in December of last year. But the President wasn't worried. Just like the Cassandra of Greek mythology, Ambinder predicts the future but is not believed.


No further commentary necessary.

Rep. Joe Wilson Wants Your Input (Boldly)

Brad Warthen has an nice article on Rep. Joe Wilson looking for your input after saying it's the time for "bold and decisive action". So which is it?

2012 Princeton Review Top Party Schools

The Princeton Review released the list of the top "party" schools today. Apparently, having your school in a town named after an ancient Greek City-State was a big factor. Complete list and analysis below the jump.

TPM Compares the Tea Party to the Godfather

Thomas Lane at TPM has an article comparing the Tea Party to the Godfather. Specifically, Lane alludes to the scene in which Woltz wakes up with his racehorse's head in his bed after he refuses to do a favor for the Don. (Relevant video here.) Basically, I guess Lane's point is that the Tea Party was so extreme, they were willing to default (cut off the racehorse's head) if they didn't get less government (Johnny Fontane's movie deal). The movie producer - Woltz (the Democrats) first refuses to deal, but after he sees the extent the other side is willing to go to, he relents. As someone with a PhD in movie metaphors, I analyze below the jump: