Kowabunga

Elements of the Cold Death Quadrant, including members of the IKV Rakehell, IKV Warhammer, IKV Black Thunder and other groups were all in attendance at MarsCon over the first weekend of March.

The MarsCon theme this year was pirates, and many Klingons dressed the part with the Rakehell throwing an appropriately themed party: "Come Join the Imperial Navy." The party drink of choice was Captain Jack Sparrow, featuring a secret ingredient.

45k JPEG Rakehell Party Room

69k JPEG Rakehell Party Room

51k JPEG Rakehell Party Room

58k JPEG Rakehell Party Room

35k JPEG Rakehell Party Room

37k JPEG Rakehell Party Room

47k JPEG The Bog

Richard Herd was the media guest of honor, and best known in Klingon Fandom in his role as L'Kor in Star Trek:TNG, Timothy Zahn, author of numerous novels, including several Star Wars books was the writer guest of honor, and Herbert Jefferson, Jr, AKA Boomer MacDude, best known for his role as Boomer in Battlestar Galactica was a surprise special guest.

62k JPEG Boomer MacDude

The Rakehell ran a Klingon Dating Game, which had the audience howling to the responses prospective dates gave to the questions posed by the fine array of Klingon suitors that included such gallant warriors as Qe'Pa, JaPa, K'Elvis, and The Kahuna of the KSD, Sqotty MacKlingon. Contestants were pulled from the audience, and a rip-roaring time was had by all.

34k JPEG JP in the Klingon Dating Game

32k JPEG Sqotty in the Klingon Dating Game

72k JPEG Sqotty and Date from the Klingon Dating Game

34k JPEG The Captain in the Klingon Dating Game

28k JPEG The Captain with the Host of the Klingon Dating Game

24k JPEG The Host with contestants in the Klingon Dating Game

Of course, the Klingons also dominated the Feddie run Intergalactic Feud, and made of with much booty to the chagrin of the red shirts that failed to slow down one of the Klingon teams, lead by Qe'Pa, that commanded the field of play. A second Klingon team, lead by Krom, did not do as well as they blew getting the final name for most quotable Star Trek character, allowing for the Feddies to win in a nearly, kind of closely contested round.

The masquerade for a con of this size (over 700 attendees), was most excellent, with Patrick of the Rakehell showing the boys in pajamas what a Klingon Pirate Captain would look like, as he staggered drunkenly across the stage with his flagon of rum. Or torpedo juice. Or Captain Jack Sparrows.

Over all, much fun was had by all, and the KAG presence was fairly large with the crews of four ships and some 25-30 crew members in attendance.

Other pics:

22k JPEG Whip Show

57k JPEG A quiet moment for Qob

22k JPEG Con hallway.

Posted by Sqotty at 8:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The Cybercast News Service, which I am really begining to like a lot, as a brilliant piece on Nancy Pelosi discussing Social Security.

San Fran Nan has this to say:

At a press conference broadcast on C-SPAN Thursday, House Minority Leader Pelosi (D-Calif.) commented, "The President has said this is 'pay-as-you-go'-well, it's not 'pay-as-you-go,' it's a trust fund."

Where did she learn that one? Oh, wait, she must be confusing Social Security taxes, which her Congressional Salary is not subject to, with her retirement savings account the government provides all elected officers with in lieu of Social InSecurity. That's the only reason I can see her coming out with such a gross misrepresentation of the facts on how the social Security system works (in it's crippled sort of way).

More from the article:

"What?" the NRCC asked in a press release: "Has someone notified the Social Security Commissioner? The President? The Congress? All this time we've been wrong about this?" exclaimed NRCC Communications Director Carl Forti.

"Most everyone familiar with Social Security in any capacity understands that the current generation of workers finances the benefits of the current generation of retirees-making Social Security a pay-as-you-go-system," Forti said.

Is San Fran Nan merely confused, as I suggest, or is she being genuinely ignorant of the facts, or, as Forti suggests: "But now we're seeing her blatantly misrepresent the basic facts on the way the system is run..."

Maybe if we forced Congress onto the same system that we've been condemned with, they might change their tune. But then pigs might fly as well.

Posted by Sqotty at 9:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The Cybercast News Service, which I am really begining to like a lot, as a brilliant piece on Nancy Pelosi discussing Social Security.

San Fran Nan has this to say:

At a press conference broadcast on C-SPAN Thursday, House Minority Leader Pelosi (D-Calif.) commented, "The President has said this is 'pay-as-you-go'-well, it's not 'pay-as-you-go,' it's a trust fund."

Where did she learn that one? Oh, wait, she must be confusing Social Security taxes, which her Congressional Salary is not subject to, with her retirement savings account the government provides all elected officers with in lieu of Social InSecurity. That's the only reason I can see her coming out with such a gross misrepresentation of the facts on how the social Security system works (in it's crippled sort of way).

More from the article:

"What?" the NRCC asked in a press release: "Has someone notified the Social Security Commissioner? The President? The Congress? All this time we've been wrong about this?" exclaimed NRCC Communications Director Carl Forti.

"Most everyone familiar with Social Security in any capacity understands that the current generation of workers finances the benefits of the current generation of retirees-making Social Security a pay-as-you-go-system," Forti said.

Is San Fran Nan merely confused, as I suggest, or is she being genuinely ignorant of the facts, or, as Forti suggests: "But now we're seeing her blatantly misrepresent the basic facts on the way the system is run..."

Maybe if we forced Congress onto the same system that we've been condemned with, they might change their tune. But then pigs might fly as well.

Posted by Sqotty at 8:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Egads! What a turnout. I believe we have set a new record for attendance, with several new faces, and a few who have shown up once or twice in the past and finally made a happy return. Over twenty people in attendance, and our infiltrator failed to make a encore appearance. :-( He was so much FUN!

Topics this month ranged from Bosnia Conflict (special request from one of the group members), where the consensus seemed to be that none of us really fully understands 1) what the origins of the conflict are; 2) what the you-know-what are we doing there, aside form NATO and the UN saying it's okay. This is a very complex topic, with a great deal of history, a lot of it not very pleasant at that. One thing that is plainly obvious to me is: I have so little clue as to what that conflict is all about, it isn't even funny! At least I wasn't the only one in that position.

We then stepped on to a topic sent forth by townhall.com, our proud sponsors, and a project of the Heritage Foundation. This was about indoctrination of children in the public schools. The driving force on this issue was the recent incident where a soldier received a number of letters from school kids asking why he was destroying mosques (the mildest), and other derogatory messages. Reports indicate that the children were encouraged to write such letters by their teacher.

Although outraged (several of us, including myself, are former servicemen), we quickly moved to other points in education: the need for school vouchers; how to regain control of our education system; the power of the NEA; and so on. One person even brought up a bill recently put forth in the Minnesota House of Representatives: H.F. 1079.

Short Description: Nonpublic schools subjected to the pupil fair dismissal law and other requirements if families of students attending claim a tax credit for education-related expenses.

Okay, before I go off on a rant on this, it is better to know what the heck it is all about. It makes reference that any private school wishing to accept students whose family intends to accept certain education related tax credits must comply with the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, whatever that is.

(a) A nonpublic school that provides or contracts for an education-related course, program, or activity for a student in kindergarten through grade 12 must elect whether or not to admit students whose families intend to claim a tax credit under section 290.0674 for education expenses related to the course, program, or activity. If a nonpublic school elects to admit into an education-related course, program, or activity those students whose families intend to claim a tax credit under section 290.0674 for education expenses related to the course, program, or activity, then the nonpublic school is subject to the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act under sections 121A.40 to 121A.56 and, notwithstanding section 363A.23, subdivision 1, may not limit a student's admission to an education-related course, program, or activity based on the student's academic qualifications or achievement, religion, gender, athletic or other extracurricular ability, disabling condition, proficiency in the English language, or previous disciplinary proceeding.

If a private school has set fairly high standards for admission, say academic qualifications, then they would not be able to accept any students whose parents wish to claim the tax credit for education expenses. This hurts poor families the most, as the tax credit is reduced for households whose incomes exceed $33,500, and is eliminated for those with incomes exceeding $37,500. Instead of helping poor families achieve a better education for their children thru the use of secular private schools and/or parochial schools, it is a blatant attempt to lock them into the public school system, thus stifling the potential of their children and the hopes of reducing/eliminating multi-generational poverty.

Enough! Time to move on!

Another report was made that there is now a move to make all our public school teachers "International Baccalaureates", and pushing an agenda that the U.S. is wrong and the rest of the world is right. Go figure! We must be the only country in the world that teaches our children that our country is a villain while the rest of the world is full of good guys making a difference. The person making this report said that when she expressed interest in presenting a Western European outlook, the reaction was one of stunned silence, as in "You're kidding, right?"

How to take back our education system: general consensus was to begin with running for school board, where you'll have to fight virtually daily with the NEA. Joy. That is one place to start, however, we also need to gain and retain control of our State Representatives, and let those in office know that this kind of socialist indoctrination is not acceptable.

Alternatively, put our children in private schools that reflect our values and beliefs. Or, for those with the means and know how, home school.

There is no doubt that we have our work cut out for us in regaining control of our education system, and the Feds aren't of any help in this (actually, they help make matters worse with under/nonfunded mandates), and it is past time we start.

I think this is a wrap for this month on the Townhall meetup group. Until next time, when we may yet see, "Return of the Left-Wingnut."

Posted by Sqotty at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Hugh Hewitt's latest book, Blog has seized the top position on the New Praxis Times Best Seller List. Klingons everywhere have taken to reading it ever since it was revealed that the Klingon Bible Translation Project was referenced in this book on blogosphere battle tactics.

Gallant Klingon warriors, including the likes of JaPa, K'mach and others found studying Blog

Even K'Elvis has been seen with Hewitt's book, learning new ways to blend blogosphere battle tactics with his hot, uncompromising lyrics.

The Big Kahuna was seen reading it, and has made it required reading for the Klingon Surfer Dudes.

Blog has reached all levels of the Imperial Command Corps, including Admiral Qob, found studying during a lull in his battles against the Federation.

Posted by Sqotty at 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Stardate, oh wait, that's pajama boy talk.

We were at Tunok's "You Kill It, We Grill" bar and grill. Since we were pressed for time, we opted for the pre-killed critter combo surprise. That's the one where you don't know what you are getting until it is set in front of you. It may be fresh, however, not knowing if it is Mugato or Denebian Slime Devil adds a little mystery and flare to the meal.

You may wonder what goes with Mugato? Blood wine. And with Slime Devil Cakes? Blood wine. How about Rack of Vulcan? Blood wine (albeit Vulcan's Blood wine). Or, for that matter, Tribbles on a Stick? Blood wine.

We were on our fourth bottle, and that is after several rounds of Guinness in the bar for what seemed to be an eternity waiting for a table. It was a busy night, and not many diners were in the mood to hunt down their own meat that evening, so it was jammed. Note to self: Next time make reservations, or plan to hunt. Hunters always get premium seating.

Bwanna was filling me in on his accomplishments in his many runs in the Rua Pentherod, and Thunder Jack giving me his sage advice on targs and sledding the rugged tundra of Rua Penthe, and the need to always show the targs who is boss, otherwise, you'll end up being their next meal. Both seemed to know their stuff. Bwanna took great delight in informing me that he is the only musher to win the "Flaming Torch" ten years running, and has won it more than anyone else. I was very impressed until Thunder Jack explained what the "Flaming Torch" was awarded for.

"Last place," he boomed, "ten years running."

"You're kidding, right? That doesn't sound like a great accomplishment to me." I said.

"It takes heap big practice to come in last every time," Bwanna said in his own defense. "Bwanna big time expert."

It was beginning to dawn on me that I'd been had. If Bwanna was going to coach me for the Rua Pentherod, and since he is THE major last placer in the race, I was in deep tribble fur.

I leaned over close to Thunder and said, "Hmmm, I thought you said he could help me be a great musher?"

Thunder Jack let out a laugh that shook the whole restaurant, responded, "The trick is to see what Bwanna does, and do something else. If he recommends a gentle targ named Spock, you choose the ferocious one name Kohath. Or Kor." He emptied his flagon of blood wine, slamming it down on the table with a thunderous clap that rang throughout Tunok's Bar and Grill, startling the other diners, and their dinners. (Fresh meat is best served when it is still moving.) He reached for the bottle, discovered it was empty, and signaled to our waiter to bring more Blood wine.

By the puzzled expression on my face, Thunder Jack knew he needed to explain further. "You need a good lead targ, like my current champion, Fek'lhr. Now he's a real strong leader. And you'll need that, and it has to be one that will recognize you as Alpha, otherwise, you'll never get his respect."

"How do I do that, get his respect?" I asked.

"Well, showing him who's the boss, who's number one. And if all else fails, bite his ear," Thunder Jack responded.

I saw Bwanna nodding his agreement, "Yes, bite his ear works every time. Unless you are some kind of redshirt wanna be, then you dinner anyway. Better to get targ named Daisy."

"Gremmie has Daisy, so maybe he should get Lassie, or Gentle Ben?"

"Yeah, those good entry level targs for mushing. Surfer-boy do well with those," Bwanna agreed with Thunder Jack. "We take you down to Kola-KooKoo's Targ Farm and you get pick of litter."

This is some way to be introduced to the Rua Pentherod. Not the best way, though. Not by a long shot.

Kahuna

Posted by Kahuna at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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