Kowabunga

Wallace and Gromit in Curse of the Were-Rabbit, the long awaited feature film chronicling their adventures has them running a new business: Anti-Pesto, humane pest control. The name has a nice ring to it.

Gromit has placed Wallace on a strict diet that, to Wallace's chagrin, does not include cheese. In an attempt to combat his cravings for his favorite food, Wallace builds a mind-altering device to change his thought patterns. However, before he tests it out, he is called by her Ladyship of the village to solve her rabbit problem before the giant vegetable competition, which is a few days off. Faced with literally hundreds of cotton-tails, he uses a device much like a vacuum to round up all of the pesky critters.

As the number of rabbits that they are keeping locked up in their basement increases, Wallace turns on his creative juices to find a more long-term solution to keeping all of the bunnies locked up. He decides to try his mind-altering device to convince a test bunny that vegetables are bad. And, of course, he decides to supercharge the effect with rays from a full moon.

The results are, of course, hilarious.

The story line is well thought out, the animation is superb, the dialogue and onscreen antics will have you laughing, and there is also a tribute to a classic film of the '80s that makes the whole film worth while.

Wallace and Gromit in Curse of the Were-Rabbit is a delightful Halloween treat, ad well worth the long wait since they appeared in A Close Shave.

Posted by Sqotty at 9:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Living in the country is, to me, the best way to live, and, other than a long commute (and dealing with high gas prices for said commute), I have found very few disadvantages about living in a rural setting. Today, however, I found one.

The first thing I do every morning when I get up is take the doggers out for their morning walk, even if, as it was this morning, still dark. I had to get an early start as I had to give a talk up in Lakeville. Generally, it is fairly peaceful, rarely interrupted by anything other than an occasional neighbor driving by with a honk and a wave, or a few minutes of chatting. Or the occasional deer that the girls would really love to chase, which is why I keep them on leashes.

This morning, still being dark out, we headed down the driveway towards the road, when Katya and Tasha caught wind of a critter and began to strain at their leashes. I spotted a dark lump at the end of my driveway that I figured was a raccoon, as they are fairly common, and are about the right size as what we were looking at. Raccoons can be dangerous, and carry rabies, so we stopped and watched yon critter to see if it would scoot across the road an into the surrounding cornfields.

Move it did, but not across the road, but positioning its main battery up the driveway in our direction, and allowing me to spot those white stripes down its back. Fortunately, it did not let loose a blast at us. Instead we gave ground and headed back to the house, and settled for an abbreviated walk. Skunks not only have that odiferous main battery, they also carry rabies, so two darned good reasons to leave it alone.

Ill have to make it up to the girls when I get home tonight. And maybe I should look into getting a varmint gun.

Posted by Sqotty at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The Stribe is running a piece on a report that has been developed by President Bush's Tax Advisory Commission.

President Bush's tax advisory commission recommended two alternative plans Tuesday, both of which would limit or eliminate almost all existing tax deductions.

There are some ups and downs to the plans as revealed in the Stribe article, most notably the elimination of the Alternative Tax Method (a significant plus) and the reduced cap on which mortgages will qualify for an interest deduction or credit (big downer).

Okay, most people would say that anyone who can afford a million dollar mortgage doesn’t need a credit, however, in Silicon Valley, many middle income families are struggling to afford a home in a market where the median home price is over $750K, and mortgages to match, figure somewhere in the 4-500K range, if not higher. By reducing the cap, this will mean many people may end up being taxed out of their homes. Maybe they’ll leave California and cause the housing market to crash, leaving a lot of mortgage lenders on the hook with homes they can’t resell for enough to recap their losses. Unless, of course, the overall tax rates are reduced significantly to reduce the overall tax burden, then this would be a moot point.

The elimination of the ATM, on the other hand, is a darn good thing as many people get caught into this trap on stock swaps, and I have known several people who ended up owing the IRS more than the stocks were worth at the time the tax bill came do (the tax was set on the valuation at the time of the swap, then the price collapsed as the new company went bankrupt).

Some of the other changes may also be good. Hard to say until we have access to the report and a chance to read it.

Posted by Sqotty at 9:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Due to the Lake Minnetonka cruise it seems that the Vikings will be in the proverbial doghouse for sometime to come, and they are taking stadium dreams for all Minnesota teams with them. And this is a good thing.

The Twins, Vikings and the UofM Gophers have all been pushing hard for new stadiums for several years, and most recently, pushing to have the Minnesota legislators called back for a special session in order to get what they want. Tax dollars from you and me to support the business of sports.

The UofM Gophers are currently playing at the Metrodome. This facility has been around for a bit over 20 years, so it is fairly new, and in excellent shape. I was there recently for an event, so I have seen it from the inside. The Twins and the Vikings also use the Metrodome.

Add in the fact that the Hiawatha Light Rail line was laid in so as to service the Metrodome, a feature that will be lost if three new stadiums are built. So, when you take that into account, there is no doubt that as soon as they get the go signal for building new stadiums, there will be a call to lay in light rail to service the new stadiums as well, thus creating a much larger tax burden than just several hundred million for each of the proposed stadiums.

Light rail is heavily used to get people to sporting events at the Metrodome. this is evident to anybody riding the rail on event days, as I saw recently during the Gophers/Badgers game recently, with the cars jammed-packed with fans and students headed for the game.

Frankly, if these new stadiums are truly necessary, why dont the Twins and Vikings build their own stadiums instead of relying on taxpayers to build them? They could then lease out the space when not in use by the teams for other events. Answer: They know that stadiums are a losing proposition. Thats why the demand that they be built using tax dollars.

If the Twins and the Vikings truly need new facilities, they should go to the bank and take out a business loan and build them, instead of stooping to extortionist-style tactics to pressure legislators to tax people into oblivion to build them. Strong words, extortionist-style, however, accurate. What else can one call it when a business owner takes the position of build me a stadium, or well move to a city that will build me one. I say go ahead, find a new home. Just dont expect me to pick up the tab. Especially when they pay their players such exorbitant salaries, which they then spend on sex cruises out on the lake.

Certainly the Vikingcapades on Lake Minnetonka hasnt helped, and it has had a bleed over effect onto the other stadium requests. If this is the way to end these continued assault on the pocket books of the Minnesota taxpayer, then all I can say is go, Vikings! Maybe theyll invite a few Twins and Gophers along on their next cruise.

As for the UofM stadium, they receive enough tax dollars every year. If it is such a critical need, they should get willing donors from their alumni to fund the project, or maybe ask Bill Gates for the money in exchange for naming rights. They could also raise tuition, earmarking some amount to the building of the desired new stadium. Maybe even sell tickets for an additional $10 per. Basically, there are many ways for the UofM to get a new stadium without asking the taxpayers to foot the bill.

The only way to stop these continued demands for new stadiums for professional sports teams is for every legislative body in the country to say: Read my lips: No new stadiums! and then stand firm against this outrageous form of corporate welfare.

Posted by Sqotty at 9:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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I don't normally write about sporiting events, but in light of recent escapades involving the Minnesota Vikings and their exploits on Lake Minnetonka, I thought my headline was suitable.

The Strib notes that one Bears fan was displaying the definitive jibe at the Vikings: "We use out boats for fishing!" Perhaps if the Vikings had followed that Bears Fan suggestion, they wouldn't be in deep water.

Perhaps we should start a new mantra. Read my lips: No new stadium!

At least, not at taxpayer expense.

Posted by Sqotty at 10:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The Gold Star. What is it? What does it signify? To most, it is a symbol that a mother has lost a son or daughter in the service of our country. It dates back to the First World War, and was used to superimpose over the blue star of an active serviceman (or woman) in the family who died as a result of combat. It has been around a long time, and a number of service organizations, most notably Gold Star Mothers, have been around since 1928.

Now there is a new Gold Star organization, and unlike the others, it is steeped in anti-American political rhetoric, and it is truly a sad sight (and site) to see. This new organization, instead of joining hands with other gold Star organizations, who reach out to grieving families and help comfort those who have lost sons and daughters, spews for line after line of hate filled dogma, evening referring to the 21-gun salute and other military honors given at military funerals as being violent and thoughtless.

FoxNews has an excellent piece on this issue, and opens as follows:

The gold star elicits respect, sympathy and compassion, and so two groups — American Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Families for Peace — have adopted the image in their names. But one group declares a political position, which has created some confusion about exactly what "gold star" stands for.

Where one organization, American Gold Star Mothers, is rich in history and honor, dignified in their demeanor, the other, Gold Star Families for Peace, is nothing more than another mouth-piece for people with an axe to grind, mainly Cindy Sheehan, and others like her.

The Gold Star Mothers is non-political, who whole-heartedly support our troops, and wish, like all Americans, for their safe return from the battlefield. They hold events throughout the day and work towards preserving the memory of those who have given their lives in the service of our country.

As a former member of the military, and (now) a father who may one day have children serve in the Armed Forces (and I hope they so choose), I resent the usurpation of the Gold Star symbol by Cindy Sheehan and others like her, as it degrades and taints this fine symbol that is so deeply steeped in honor and rich in history and tradition.

Posted by Sqotty at 9:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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KARE 11 and the Star-Tribune are both reporting on an incident alleged to have taken place on a chartered Lake Minnetonka cruise involving a number of Vikings players and women believed to be hired pros (strippers). The incident is still under investigation.

According to one report:

A woman who apparently was working as a hostess on one of the boats called Mound police about 7:30 p.m. to report possible prostitution, drugs and sex acts, according to police reports.

The charter company, Al and Alma's, has confirmed that the cruise was chartered by a Vikings' player and was cut short when the captains of the cruise boats involved reported what was transpiring.

"Apparently more happened than expected," Doyle said. "(Al and Alma's) received a call from one or both captains reporting that - and immediately ordered the boats to return."

One must bear in mind that the incidents described in the reports are still under investigation, however, I hope to see some follow-up in the media, and if these reports are substantiated, that those involved are prosecuted.

I find it disturbing that pro-sports figures are so often caught with their pants down and involved in behavior that is inappropriate. They should extend themselves to lead lives of example that will have a positive influence on America's youth, setting an example for kids to follow and being true heroes to them, and not behave like overgrown apes who can't get enough at home.

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The latest installment in the Harry Potter series takes on even darker tones as J. K. Rowling continues to spin her web of mystery around the conflict between Harry and Lord Voldemort. The story opens with a meeting between Snape and several Death Eaters, discussing a plot that involves Draco Malfoy, in which Snape involves himself by making an unbreakable pledge. What the plot is remains a secret until the end of the book, however, there are several clues given throughout the book.

Harry's distrust of Snape is taken to a new level, as is his conflict with Malfoy. Harry has been consistent in his suspicions of Snape, and is constantly put down, as Dumbledore completely trusts Snape. This causes one to wonder if Harry is the proverbial "boy who cried wolf" or has he got Snape's number.

As for the Half-Blood Prince, and his role in the story, there is more there than meets the eye, as Harry embarks on a darker side of the magic world when he is given a copy of an old text book that belonged to someone who called himself "The Half-Blood Prince." This also provides conflict between Harry and Hermione, who is always suspicious of things that appear to be too good to be true or potentially dangerous. Her constant warnings about the book, and the question of who the "Prince" is sets the stage for revelations later in the book, when we learn who the mysterious "Prince" is. (Spoiler: it is not the obvious guess.)

This is a great book for nighttime reading if you don't mind losing a lot of sleep, as you will find it very difficult to put down, especially when you reach the point where Harry accompanies Dumbledore on a quest.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will also leave you hungry for more, with expectations as to what will develop in the seventh installment, whenever that will be published (which isn't soon enough).

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Serenity is the theatrical film follow-on to the brilliant, but short-lived, Firefly TV series of a few years ago. Back on the screen is the full cast from the series, reprising their roles.

After the initial plot set up, the film opens with the crew of Serenity executing thier latest "job", now reduced to robberies. They land on a backwater planet, and execute the heist. As all things are for mal and his crew, things go wrong when the Reavers, the boogeymen of deep space in the series, show up to raid the same town. They narrowly escape.

After their getaway, things begin to look a little better for the band of brigands, only to change for the worse.

The film itself is a well crafted piece of work. The special effects are as good as they come, the writing solid, with a little through-back to the TV series where the humor is concerned.

Serenity also provides details of the formation of Josh Whedon's backdrop universe for the Firefly series, explaining much that was left unanswered in the TV series. Note: it is helpful to have seen a fair amount of the Firefly series to understand some of what is going on, but it isn't neccessary.

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