Air America Shows It's Class

Please understand that I types that title with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Folks on the left wonder why there are so few successful liberal radio programs. Here's a prime example of why they fail, from Billboardradiomonitor.com:

Air America Radio is being investigated by the Secret Service over a skit that aired during Randi Rhodes show on April 25...

In the skit, which focused on the ongoing debate over Social Security, a character, purportedly from the American Association of Armed Retired People, said , "A spoiled child is telling us our Social Security isn't safe anymore, so he is going to fix it for us." While not named, it's obvious the "spoiled child" is President Bush.

"Well, here's your answer," the character continues, "you ungrateful whelp." At this point there is audio of four gunshots.

"Just try it, you little bastard," the announcer concludes, followed by the sound of a gun being cocked.

Like the anti-Bush and anti-Delay shirts I mentioned recently, routines like this one (even in jest) convey a horrible message. They also exemplify what's wrong not only with liberal radio, but so much of the liberal Left. You have Howard Dean, chair of the DNC, calling Republicans "evil", "corrupt" and "brain dead". John Kerry (who by the way served in Vietnam) is still pushing the baseless accusation that the 2004 elections were tainted by millions of Democrats being "denied their right to vote" by "intimidation".

Mainstream America sees these charges for what the really are: the angry, pouting blabberings of a group of whining cry-babies who can't accept the fact that the majority of Americans... gasp!?!... didn't like or trust them enough to vote for them. The average American sees through the rhetoric. They don't like the liberal name calling, and they don't want to hear it. That's why the liberal message doesn't win elections, and why it doesn't garner ratings for Air America.

Student Suspended For TV Interview

A junior at William Blount High School in Maryville, Tennessee was suspended after being interviewed by a local TV station. On April 6, police and administrators locked the school down after finding a hit list and racial graffiti on the walls. Two weeks later, Bridget O'Neill, the student, told WATE-TV that one of her classmates made a racial sign. She was suspended the following morning. So, school principal Christy Martin believes she has authority over students' speech away from campus. Unbelievable...

Joint Chiefs Chairman Tells Media To Report "Full Story"

Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, chided the media for not actively presenting the full story in it's reports on Iraq and Afghanistan. Needed to be said, but unfortunately probably won't make any difference.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is encouraging newspaper editors to tell America the full story of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It's particularly important today... because the American people need to know the full story," Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers said in addressing the American Society of Newspaper Editors, "because it is going to be their resolve that is so critical to our ability to confront the extremist threat."

Myers told the editors he reads far more about the problems of servicemembers' equipment and the latest insurgent attack than about "the thousands of amazing things our troops are accomplishing.” This concerns him, he said, because American resolve is key to success.

The chairman said that part of the problem lies with the military. He said commanders must be more responsive and give more access to reporters. "We're working on that," he told the editors.

But still, "a bomb blast is seen as more newsworthy than the steady progress of rebuilding communities and lives, remodeling schools and running vaccination programs and water purification plants."

Myers said there about 140,000 U.S. servicemembers are in Iraq, 20,000 in Afghanistan and about 25,000 in other countries in the region. "They are doing absolutely remarkable work," he said. "They have the best training, the best equipment and the best of America's values and professionalism.

"They're clearly the best of any military that exists today or, for that matter, that ever has existed," he continued. "They are rebuilding these countries after years of oppression and restoring hope for generations where there just hasn't been any hope."

Myers said this was the reason he and other Defense Department leaders pushed for the media "embed" program in Iraq, in which reporters traveled with military units in the war zone. He said Department of Defense officials were not afraid of what servicemembers would tell reporters.

"Our troops accurately represent the armed forces and their missions," he said. "Every day, they understand they are improving life in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places around the world."

Myers challenged the newspaper editors to ensure the American people understand the hundreds of ways their sons and daughters are improving lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"In your profession and mine, (we are) working hard to defend our values, our way of life and our Constitution," Myers said. "We risk our comfort, our safety and our lives for what we believe in." The chairman noted that more than 40 journalists have been killed while covering operations in Iraq. The "Fourth Estate" always has covered conflicts, Myers noted, but what is different today is the amount of news and that it travels so much faster than in the past.

"What questions are the news reports trying to answer?" the chairman asked. "The theme of the coverage lately seems to be 'When are the troops coming home?' rather than 'What are we accomplishing?'"

He said he understands that editors are wrestling with the problem. "But I don't think that both sides of the equation... are being covered adequately," he said. "There really is so much more news out there, stories that go untold because, frankly, the stories are harder to tell."

He said the military will work with the press. "Our task is to give you better access, more timely information and we will do that," he said. "In return I would ask you to keep at the task of trying to show as complete a picture as you can. I know our troops deserve that, and I think the American people deserve it as well."

Thanks to Arthur Chrenkoff for the heads up.

PBS In The News Business?

In an interesting follow-up to my last post, about the impending death of network news, it seems that PBS might find itself in the position of building up a network news operation. It seems Don Hewitt, the 83-year-old creator of 60 Minutes, is pushing a newsmagazine for development at PBS. It would be terribly similar, strangely enough, to 60 Minutes. Remember, there are a lot of recognizable names (Donaldson, Koppel, Rather) available now, or in the near future, to bolster such a project.

Not that it would be "fair and balanced", or anything....

Network News Is "Dead"

During a National Association of Broadcasters panel discussion, former ABC News reporter/anchor Sam Donaldson said he believes the death knell has sounded for network news operations. The cable networks and internet news outlets have shown tremendous growth at broadcasters' expense. Other panelists, Jeff Greenfield from CNN and Charles Osgood of CBS, disagreed that net news is dying, but could not deny the new-found dominance of other media outlets. It's obvious that, when given a choice, the average viewer looks to FOXNews, CNN or other news outlets above the big three networks. The writing's on the wall, and Sam Donaldson sees it.

Way Too Much To Do

I have to say that I thought I was getting off easy with the planning and preparations for the wedding. I knew that Shannon and her parents were going to be handling the bulk of the plans. I thought my three or four tasks would be quick and easy. Geez, was I off base. With two months and a few days left, I'm having trouble keeping everything straight that I need to take care of. (It doesn't help that things at work have gone hectic since Jeffy left to head back to the land of Oz !)

Hotel reservations have been made for out of town guests for the night before and night of the wedding. Our room is reserved for the wedding night, and we have a shuttle bright and early the next morning to the airport. Our honeymoon plans have changed the last couple of weeks, which has thrown a new dynamic into the mix. We're still doing Jamaica, just a different resort. We have engagement pictures this weekend, there are two or three more showers planned (including a couples shower), we still have to get my ring, get the invitations sent out in about 10 days... it just goes on and on.

Needless to say, between wedding and work, this blog has been sorely neglected lately. I think we have a pretty good candidate for our opening at Green Acres*, so work should get back to some semblance of normalcy soon. Maybe the same will happen here.

* Green Acres - our affectionate nickname for our building.

Letter From A Soldier

Marc Fencil, an Ohio University senior majoring in political science, criminology and Spanish, is currently serving in Iraq. Hearing about anti-war protesters staging a "die-in" at his school, he wrote this fantastic letter to the independent student newspaper The Post. Thanks to Little Green Footballs for the heads-up...

Soldiers face real 'die-in' daily in Iraq
Letter to the Editor

It's a shame that I'm here in Iraq with the Marines right now and not back at Ohio University completing my senior year and joining in blissful ignorance with the enlightened, war-seasoned protesters who participated in the recent "die-in" at College Gate. It would appear that all the action is back home, but why don't we make sure? That's right, this is an open invitation for you to cut your hair, take a shower, get in shape and come on over! If Michael Moore can shave and lose enough weight to fit into a pair of camouflage utilities, then he can come too!

Make sure you all say your goodbyes to your loved ones though, because you won't be seeing them for at least the next nine months. You need to get here quick because I don't want you to miss a thing. You missed last month's discovery of a basement full of suicide vests from the former regime (I'm sure Saddam's henchmen just wore them because they were trendy though). You weren't here for the opening of a brand new school we built either. You might also notice women exercising their new freedom of walking to the market unaccompanied by their husbands.

There is a man here, we just call him al-Zarqawi, but we think he'd be delighted to sit down and give you some advice on how you can further disrespect the victims of Sept. 11 and the 1,600 of America's bravest who have laid down their lives for a safer world. Of course he'll still call you "infidel" but since you already agree that there is no real evil in the world, I see no reason for you to be afraid. Besides, didn't you say that radical Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance?

I'm warning you though -it's not going to be all fun and games over here. You might have bad dreams for the next several nights after you zip up the body bag over a friend's disfigured face. I know you think that nothing, even a world free of terror for one's children, is worth dying for, but bear with me here. We're going to live in conditions you've never dreamt about. You should get here soon though, because the temperatures are going to be over 130 degrees very soon and we will be carrying full combat loads (we're still going to work though). When it's all over, I promise you can go back to your coffee houses and preach about social justice and peace while you continue to live outside of reality.

If you decide to decline my offer, then at least you should sleep well tonight knowing that men wearing black facemasks and carrying AK-47s yelling "Allahu Akbar" over here are proud of you and are forever indebted to you for advancing their cause of terror. While you ponder this, I'll get back to the real "die-in" over here. I don't mind.

More Liberal Love

Monday I mentioned the anti-Tom Delay shirts being sold on the web. Today, Drudge (and many others) pointed out that the same web site is selling a "Kill Bush" shirt. Advocating the assassination of the President is over the line, even for the dimwits and chucklebears on the left. The ultra-libs have truly flipped minds when it comes to President Bush, reinforcing my respect and admiration for the man.

By the way, Cafe Press has pulled the page advertising the "Kill Bush" shirts. But in case you doubt the story, here's a link they haven't deleted (yet). Really classy... I sure the left is so proud.

Liberal Bias In The Ivory Tower

Yet another study confirming that there is little political diversity in American universities. This latest survey found that 72 percent of professors identify themselves as liberal while merely 15 percent identify themselves as conservative. At elite schools the imbalance is even larger -- 87 percent of faculty are liberal and 13 percent are conservative.

Such Sweet Liberals

Those sweet, kind-hearted compassionate liberals are showing the love to Rep. Tom Delay. They're selling T-shirts asking Delay to commit suicide.



The CafePress.com page selling the shirts includes a caption that reads "We can all dream, can't we... ?"

We Were There When It Was Just Zax

Back at Georgia Southern University in the early 1990s, we spent untold dollars on chicken fingers at a restaurant on campus known as "Zax". The chicken was awesome, and the sauce was incredible. Fifteen years later, there are 250 of these restaurants, now known as Zaxby's. Here's a fantastic article about the founders, and where the company is going...

Zaxby's Grows Up, Breaks Out
By Mary Jane Credeur
Atlanta Business Chronicle

What started as a lark to make a better fried chicken tender has blossomed into a 250-unit chain of chicken restaurants across the Southeast.

Zaxby's Franchising Inc. was founded 15 years ago by childhood pals from Athens, and it now ranks among the fastest-growing quick-service restaurant chains in the country.

"We hated boring chicken fingers, and we knew we could make them taste better and we thought that other people would like them, too," said Zach McLeroy, CEO and co-founder of Zaxby's.

With average gross sales of $1.25 million per store, Zaxby's 250 locations would make it a $310 million-a-year company, placing it among the 50-largest chains in the country based on sales, according to data compiled by QSR magazine. (Zaxby's has not yet been formally ranked by the magazine.)

Zaxby's will add another 85 stores this year, and the company already has commitments for 70 stores next year.

So far, all of Zaxby's stores are in eight Southeastern states, but company officials plan to expand soon to other nearby states such as Arkansas, which will get a dozen restaurants in the next few years.

"We feel like we're at a good size to be able to compete with and sustain against competition," McLeroy said. "We've got a good stronghold in the Southeast market, and now we're going back and getting density buildup and more brand recognition in our core areas. Then we'll start expanding outward in ripples."

The first Zaxby's store was opened in 1990 in the Georgia town of Statesboro.

McLeroy and his longtime friend, Tony Townley, scraped together $8,000 apiece and took out a mortgage for the store.

"We just hoped it would do well enough for us to make a good living and create a few jobs that also gave other people a good living," said Townley, who is the chief financial officer of the chain.

Zaxby's started franchising stores in 1994, and the chain quietly added dozens of restaurants in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky.

Initially, most stores were near college towns because McLeroy thought campuses were more isolated from economic downturns. Zaxby's headquarters in Athens is just a few miles from the University of Georgia campus.

"Students are still going to attend college and they'll always have a little money to spend, and the wings and chicken fingers really appeal to them," McLeroy said. "But we also found that the food appeals to blue-collar and white-collar workers, and also families."

Sticking to secondary and tertiary markets also kept Zaxby's more under the radar of its top competitors, such as Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A Inc. and pizza chains that now sell Buffalo wings, such as Pizza Hut and Papa John's.

And chicken consumption has increased significantly in recent years.

Americans consumed an average of 85.6 pounds of chicken per capita in 2004, up from 68.8 pounds just a decade ago, according to the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association.

"Chicken is going to continue to be very strong, and we've seen no signs of any slowdown in the Buffalo wings and fried chicken trends," said Tom Miner, principal with Chicago-based food industry research firm Technomic Inc.

Miner said Zaxby's will face even more intense competition as it expands outside the Southeast. Florida-based Wing Zone now has stores in 24 states, many of them near college campuses, and Minneapolis-based Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar has 310 locations.

However, Zaxby's greatest strength in competing against more mature chains is probably its recipes, Miner said.

The most popular item on Zaxby's menu still is the ubiquitous chicken tenders that earned the restaurant chain its reputation.

Zaxby's sells 15.6 million pounds of chicken tenders each year, and its second-most popular item is Buffalo wings, of which it sells 11.9 million pounds each year, said Robert Baxley, chief operating officer. These two items account for about 40 percent of sales.

Zaxby's also has about a dozen kinds of proprietary hot sauce with names like "Wimpy," "Tongue Torch" and "Nuclear" -- all the same recipes the chain has been using for 15 years.

"People have their favorite products, and if you're an aficionado of wings and it's something you crave, then you want that special seasoning and that special sauce that drew you in in the first place," Miner said.

Officials at Zaxby's aren't relying entirely on fried chicken for their future growth. The chain has developed dozens of new menu items over the years, including new entrée-sized salads (which it calls "Zalads") and sandwiches.

McLeroy and Townley eventually hope to grow Zaxby's into a 1,000-store chain, and they say they intend to keep it a privately held company. The two partners remain 50/50 owners of the company.

When making key decisions, McLeroy and Townley say they still play the same roles they did throughout high school and college at the University of Georgia.

"I'm certainly the more conservative one and I tend to be more cautious, and Zach is a little more optimistic and ready to make decisions," said Townley, who drives a copper-colored Ford truck and prefers casual clothes and early-morning office hours, whereas McLeroy favors crisp suits and later nights at the office and drives a sporty BMW with the Zaxby's logo on a vanity license plate.

McLeroy thinks this partnership has helped the company grow to its 250-store size, and he said he looks to chains like Chick-fil-A for inspiration on building more brand loyalty.

"People know we're the guys who sell these great chicken fingers and chicken wings, and they trust our brand," McLeroy said. "We want to take that trust with us to other states as we expand."

The original restaurant, with its blue wood siding and porch seating is long gone. The chicken fingers and wings are just as good as they were then. And I still want to know what's in that Zax sauce.

Quality Labor

Worthy of a read... A company in Hartselle, Alabama provides real paying jobs for 72 developmentally disabled workers. Although they're facing tough times, they pledge to continue searching for contracts to keep the workers occupied. The workers do quality work, and the business operates totally on its own (no government assistance).

Twins' Labor In Jeopardy
Terrell in red despite quality, timely work
By Jay Wilson

Let Roy Fortenberry tell you why he wants to keep a job that he could lose if his company continues losing business.

Workers at Terrell Industries perform various duties for local companies such as General Electric. "I'm physically challenged ... a slow learner," Roy said. "To come here to work, it's an honor. Ten years from now I'm going to be right here, and that's a lot to say about a company."

Fortenberry and his twin, Troy, 24, are developmentally disabled as are their 72 co-workers at Terrell Industries in Hartselle.

The company's volunteer board members struggle to find more work for the twins and their co-workers.

Terrell hires employees with trainable mental handicaps, said Linda Fuhlrodt, executive director and one of five staff members.

Terrell pays employees for repetitious duties such as packaging parts in plastic bags, or counting and sorting gaskets. They work for Delphi Steering Systems, General Electric, Defco Inc. and Summit Tree Stands LLC, among others.

"They are as normal as you and me except for that one little something in their brain," Fuhlrodt said. "They are smarter, sometimes, than they get credit for being."

She said the jobs benefit local businesses, but Terrell has to pay its bills. The non-profit company must bring in enough contracts to cover expenses.

The Fortenberry twins like telling about a company that gives them an opportunity to work. Troy Fortenberry could hardly contain himself when he and his brother walked into a room for an interview. Their red hair, fair skin and glasses are identical, and so are their attitudes.

"This company has been a tremendous blessing to me," Troy said. "We have tremendous board members that go out and try to find us work."

Board President Charles Hough, retired General Motors Corp. employee, feels the pressure.

"We need some business desperately," he said. "We're currently losing $1,000 to $2,000 each month, and we need more volume to pick this up."

Terrell is going to have a problem by about July, according to Hough. He said while the company owns its building and property, the overhead would force the board to borrow money.

The total 2005 operating budget is $275,000. Hough said the board is projecting a $15,000 loss for the year if it doesn't find more production contracts.

He said he doesn't understand why it is difficult to find work for the 18- to 66-year-old employees. Hough said all have "a child's spirit."

Using its own driver and tractor-trailer rig, Terrell picks up materials from companies and returns the finished product.

"That's a big advantage for these companies," Hough said. "They don't have to do anything but pay for the services and supply the materials."

Barri Edmondson is frustrated about Terrell's struggle. The president of Decatur's Defco, she understands what's at stake, perhaps more than anyone. Her 25-year-old son, Chris, was born developmentally disabled. He works at Terrell.

"We need more work," she said. "Terrell tries so hard to be self-supportive, and it's tough."

Terrell does not accept government money. Edmondson said this is intentional.

"Without government money this is actual work and not a handout," she said. She said that is how Terrell employees and their parents feel.

Defco sends work to Terrell, but that work is ending because of contract changes between Defco and its customer. Edmondson said she hopes more companies will learn about and use Terrell's work force.

She said businesses are afraid the "kids" may do shoddy work or fail to complete projects on time.

"That's not a problem," said Hough. "Companies are not hesitant."

But Decatur's General Electric had some initial concerns. GE considered contracting Terrell to bend copper tubing for refrigerators, but the company hesitated, according to communications manager and quality systems leader Steven Turner.

"The forming of these tubes impacts the quality and performance of the refrigerator," Turner said. "But after a visit to Terrell Industries, we were impressed with the detail and pride the employees demonstrated as they performed their jobs."

Turner said GE is proud of its relationship with Terrell. It is one that will continue, he said. The relationship began in 1996, and Turner said it is a "win-win experience."

The board members visit local industries to ask them for contract work, Hough said. They invite company leaders to Terrell to meet employees and observe their work. Any hesitations usually go away. "They do their jobs without distractions ... they love what they do."

Many people donate money, and Terrell is a United Way recipient. Outside of contracts, Terrell received about $50,000 last year through donations, fund-raisers, an auction, a raffle and a golf tournament.

Donations aren't covering the shortfall between work and expenses.

"We need all the help we can get," said Fuhlrodt. "We guarantee on-time delivery and usually work a bit cheaper and more accurate."

Roy Fortenberry and Troy Fortenberry credit Terrell and Fuhlrodt with being there for them when no one would hire them. "She's just one tremendous person," Troy said.

Mark Griffin stressed the importance of companies like Terrell. He is executive director of The Arc of Morgan County, an advocacy agency for people with intellectual, cognitive and developmental disabilities.

"Work is not a money function for these folks," Griffin said. "It's who they are."

Edmondson said Chris' excitement about working awakens him at 3 a.m. to get ready for his job. Roy Fortenberry said he gets up early to think about his job by himself.

"And let me tell you ... It's peace and quiet!" he said. "I sit on the front porch and think about what I'm going to do for the day and what I'm going to say."

The twins share a home with their grandmother. They said she taught them to cook, clean and do everything for themselves. They are high-functioning.

They drive themselves to work, arriving between 7:45 and 8 a.m. daily. On weekends they do what every working person does: They relax.

"Weekends are nothing but wrestling, wrestling, wrestling," Troy Fortenberry said. "I referee wrestling!"

Roy Fortenberry avoids the sport. He sings.

The twins are like most siblings, picking at each other when the chance occurs.

"It's fun to have a brother around," Troy Fortenberry said. "Especially when he thinks the world about you."

"Yeah, when you get your attitude right," Roy Fortenberry quipped.

Griffin said Terrell fills a niche, helping people who want to work but are not ready for the mainstream. Fuhlrodt said people call daily for work but she can't hire more.

"In Alabama, more than 2,000 people are waiting for services like Terrell's," Griffin said. "These companies can do a lot of great things if they receive the support they need. What's standing in the way is lack of contracts."

The ultimate goal, according to Griffin and other experts, is to transition the developmentally disabled from centers like Terrell to the competitive work force.

"If you're physically challenged, don't look at that ... look at the inside, and if you can go out and get a job, go for it!" said Roy Fortenberry. "We're slow learners, but we're still in our right mind."

Better Looks = Bigger Bucks (Go Figure!)

This explains why I only earn 38 cents an hour, I suppose...

Hotties Make More Money, Study Says

Associated Press
Apr. 7, 2005
ST. LOUIS - Why wasn't I born rich instead of handsome? Or so the lament goes.

But the nation's central bank now says that if you're gorgeous, chances are better that you will get paid more than plain folks.

Analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis suggests that good-looking people tend to make more money and get promoted more often than those with average looks. The analysis is published in the April edition of The Regional Economist, the Fed's quarterly magazine.

Research analyst Kristie Engemann and economist Michael Owyang looked at the possible link between appearance and wages by evaluating previous surveys and research. Their conclusion: It helps to be tall, slender and attractive.

Less clear was whether the less attractive are victims of bias, or if good-looking people tend to develop self-confidence and social skills that simply enhance their marketability.

"It doesn't' seem like anti-discrimination laws, even if you enforce them strictly, would be a magic bullet," Owyang said.

The researchers cited one study that found a "plainness penalty" of 9 percent in wages - meaning a person with below-average looks tended to earn 9 percent less than those with average looks - and a "beauty premium" of 5 percent.

A study concerning weight showed that women who were obese earned 17 percent lower wages than women of average weight.

Height matters, too, the researchers believe. One study looked at the height of 16-year-olds and the wages they earned later as adults. The taller teens went on to earn an average of 2.6 percent more per additional inch of height.

"Maybe they developed extra confidence early on that their shorter counterparts didn't have," Engemann said.

The researchers also cited a survey by journalist Malcolm Gladwell showing that the average chief executive is 3 inches taller than the average man. While a typical American male stands 5-foot-9, Gladwell's study found that about one-third of CEOs are 6-foot-2.

Jean Seawright, a human resources consultant from Winter Park, Fla., said the analysis backs up what she sees in the workplace.

"To some degree, it's that the (boss) is drawn to certain characteristics, and they tend to put more weight on that," Seawright said. "What can happen, unfortunately, is that they miss more important job-related traits.

"It hurts employment in the long-run because there are talented people out there who are not tall, blond, slender and attractive," Seawright said.

Engemann and Owyang said that in some cases, the attractive are simply more self-confident because of their good looks. For jobs where interpersonal interaction is important, that increased confidence can result in better communications skills that may improve job performance.

"Employers might believe that customers or co-workers want to interact with more-attractive people," the researchers wrote.

The research indicates that some people who are obese may be held back by health factors or low self-esteem. Yet discrimination also seemed to play a role. Researchers said the wage differential for obese women seemed to be limited to white women, "which seems to contradict an unmeasured productivity explanation."

Owyang and Engemann also cited a study indicating the beauty premium existed, even for occupations that do not require frequent interpersonal contact.

"As these results suggest, disentangling the effects of productivity differences and discrimination can be problematic," Owyang said. "Though discrimination is a possible explanation, anti-discrimination laws might not guarantee that these wage differentials would evaporate.

"Unmeasurable productivity might still result in pay disparities, and CEOs might still be tall."

"All Your Base" Love Poem

This is from the Alpha Patriot. Most of you won't get it, I know, but if you do it really is funny.

Geek Humor, as seen on a t-shirt around Valentine's Day:

Roses are #FF0000
Violets are #0000FF
All my base
Are belong to you

See the All Your Base Video (1.7MB) and read what it is all about.

David Beats Goliath... Again

David Zamos, a biochemistry major at the University of Akron purchased Windows XP and Office XP Pro at the student discount. Realizing he'd have to reformat his hard drive to install them, thus losing years of school work and research, he tried to return them. The school said Microsoft wouldn't let him return them. He contacted Microsoft, who said the same thing. Out of luck and $60, he sold them on eBay. That's when the fun started.

Microsoft sued him for damages, including "irreparable injury to its business reputation and goodwill". Zamos counter-sued. Microsoft bullied, Zamos fought back. Zamos turned the corner, forcing the huge corporation's lawyers to defend their business practices. They couldn't, and were forced to settle. In the end, a 21-year-old college kid beat Microsoft's billion dollar empire !

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

An Atlanta woman claims that Falcons quarterback Michael Vick gave her a special little something-something...

Zero Intelligence

Nine middle school students in Massillon, Ohio were sent to the hospital by an over-reacting public school administrator after the 12 to 14-year olds ate breath mints containing caffeine. The mints, purchased at a local pharmacy, contain 15 mg of caffeine in a six-mint serving. By comparison, a can of Coca-Cola contains 46 mg.

The student who brought the mints was suspended for 10 days for bringing a "look-alike drug" to school. The story linked above contains a picture of the mints, and they look like Altoids. I suppose Altoids would be illegal for the same reason, huh?