Getting To The Root Of Things

Radley Balko has a piece up at the Agitator that shows what some of us have been saying for awhile now. "Libertarian" Wayne Allyn Root, would be head of the Libertarian National Committee, has a few screws loose. He makes a decent puppet for some folks in the party, but when he goes off the reservation he sure goes full bore. Funnily enough I have seen links to this story from some sites run by Libertarians who support Root being memory holed. That's rather sad, especially for folks who value the truth and openess under most circumstances. Root is running to be the face and voice of the National Libertarian Party and his supporters have made a point of haranguing his opponent, Ernest Hancock, for being a 9/11 Truther. Looks like both of them have taken to wearing tin foil hats, no matter how you spin it. George Phillies is looking better and better every day. I do hope that Roots supporters will decry his adherence to this particular insanity. This will reflect poorly on the LP at all levels, national, state and county. And, at a time when libertarians stand to make significant gains in the political arena the last thing they need is something like this. Hopefully his supporters will repudiate his actions, instead of seeking to cover them up.

Saying Goodbye To A Rock Legend

Ronnie James Dio has died in Houston after a long battle with stomach cancer. He's certainly going to be missed around here. I always loved his solo work, but his stint with Black Sabbath was a good one in my eyes and ears. His distinctive voice, ten sizes larger than himself were a welcome addition to Rainbow when he was their lead singer. There was a period when Dio was the go to guy for power groups. That voice was always something else. It brought a raspy power to any heavy ballad or song that no-one else could match. I'm definitely going to miss the man, but his musical legacy will live on with his longtime fans. Bye, Ronnie. You'll be missed.

Goodbye, Frank

Frank Frazetta has passed away at the age of 82. All too soon, in my opinion.
We're all going to miss you more than you anyone will know. Frank's works set my appreciation for fantasy/pulp and science fiction in ways that enhanced what I read. His works are in no small part responsible for my personal perceptions where feminine beauty are concerned. His women became the template against which I compared the female forms I found attractive. Frazetta's Dejah Thoris, Thuvia or Dian The Beautiful were the epitome of the female form, and still are to this day. Sadly, we'll have to be satisfied with the works Frank left us. Nevermore will his phenomenal works grace the covers of the writers out there. Thankfully, I still have plenty of his works to gaze upon in my library. And my kids will get to see those lovely women and brave fighting men as they grow older, too. Thanks, Frank.

Making Statements

Via a Facebook friend comes this story out of Florida. Seems like a medical specialist has decided to exercise his rights of freedom to associate, freedom of speech and the free market to make his sentiments on Obamacare known in no uncertain terms. He's advised Obama and "healthcare reform" supporters to take their business elsewhere. He doesn't want their monetary support and is willing to forgo having them as customers, as is his right. I do have to wonder, tho if he's taking this to its logical conclusion. If he's against socialised medicine does he still accept Medicare and Medicaid? They're are just as damaging as Obamacare and worked as the cornerstones for the latest depredation. I am glad to see that someone does understand the concept of shunning, tho. It's something we could all do that loses us nothing in the long run. If we all practiced it the world would be a much nicer place and people would have to either change or face the prospect of their neighbours refusing to associate with them.

MOUNT DORA — A doctor who considers the national health-care overhaul to be bad medicine for the country posted a sign on his office door telling patients who voted for President Barack Obama to seek care "elsewhere."

"I'm not turning anybody away — that would be unethical," Dr. Jack Cassell, 56, a Mount Dora urologist and a registered Republican opposed to the health plan, told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday. "But if they read the sign and turn the other way, so be it."

The sign reads: "If you voted for Obama … seek urologic care elsewhere. Changes to your healthcare begin right now, not in four years."