Call it Mexican Flu, not Swine Flu

No Flu Here

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, (Tom is from Iowa, where there are more than 20,000 hog farms) said:

This is not a food-borne illness, virus. It is not correct to refer to it as swine flu because really that's not what this is about...

Vilsack refers to the new flu as the "H1N1 virus", a moniker that won't catch on as fast as the disease.

Other folks seem to agree. From a Reuters article, U.S. officials want 'swine' out of flu name:

Israel has already rejected the name swine flu, and opted to call it "Mexico flu." Jewish dietary laws forbid eating pork.

The Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health also objected to the name, saying the virus contains avian and human components and no pig so far has been found ill with the disease.

I like to eat pork. I figure I've personally polished off a small herd of the delicious animals. Anything that might interfere with my continued consumption of succulent swine flesh is no good.

In 1918, we called the virus that caused a disastrous world wide epidemic the Spanish Flu. There is no good reason not to name this new virus and the disease it cause the Mexican Flu. Pass it on. (not the flu, the name.)

Obama's 100 Days

King of the Communists

Much has been made of President Barack Obama's first 100 days in office, including the public display of an utterly inappropriate depiction of Him wearing a crown of thorns. The image posted here carries the absurdity to its logical conclusion: that Obama is the Savior. Barack Obama, Rex Marxismus.

Here is is my short summary of our President's three biggest accomplishments since taking the oath:

1. The exacerbation of the stock market crash. It started when the Democrats took control of the Congress and got worse after the inauguration. The US stock market is a capitalist machine; the fear of Marxist thought becoming official policy is, in my opinion, the cause of the crash's enormous depth. Of course, the downturn owes something to the mortgage mess, but I believe that was also caused by the leftist Congress with some help from Bush II's spineless capitulation and collaboration.
2. The unbelievable increase in US government spending and concomitant borrowing. The current Congress has spent more money than ever before, partly out of rampant fears induced by the 'accomplishment' listed above. We now face generations of onerous taxation and the threat of runaway inflation. The automobile industry bailout, the stimulus packages, with their embedded pork-barrel imprudence have spent America into the poorhouse. Obama managed to create such a panic in Congress that the passed legislation they didn't even have time to read.
3. The Fear. Our national posture has changed from one of a mighty force for righteousness in the world to one of helplessness, weakness, capitulation and inaction. This has made the people feel fearful and insecure. I don't think this is accidental or an 'unintended consequence' of the Obama plan. The President seems to want to raise the level of fear and the sense of uncertainty among Americans more every day. An example is the recent scare caused when Obama, as Commander in Chief, had the jumbo jet and fighter planes buzz New York City recently.

I believe President Obama is using the tactics of Saul Alinsky to effect an American Communist Revolution by stealth. There, I said it. You don't have to agree. Not yet.
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photoshop by ptg

Slow Dance in Millard

Rosie Hamlin - click

The old feeder was having breakfast at Shirley's Diner in Millard, Nebraska the other day. Besides offering excellent food and friendly service, Shirley's has atmosphere. The diner is roughly, but not strictly, themed to have the feel of the 1950's. I say the decor isn't strictly '50's because one booth is papered with Bumpy Action pictures and posters. Bumpy Action was an Omaha hippie band (1969 - 1974). My beatnik friend, the Mickeys, used to hang out with the band at their Happy Hollow communal home. But I digress. Let me just say that I feel comfortable at Shirley's Diner.

As I was eating my eggs done right and fluffy hash browns, the background music (also themed) played "Angel Baby". You can listen to the tune by Rosie and the Originals on YouTube by clicking here. The song not only features a classic rock 'n roll lead-in, but the whole effect is the perfect '50's slow dance tune. The effect is like magic if you ever went to a record hop back in the day. I couldn't get the song out of my head all day.

The old feeder is a giant fan of the old girl groups. I got to see many of them perform at the old Alexandria Roller Rink in Virginia. Good times for a high school kid.
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For those of you awaiting the promised school lunch menus:
Gretna, Nebraska Elementary School
Today: Chicken Strips, Au Gratin Potatoes, Mixed Berries, Dinner Roll
Tuesday: Burrito with Cheese Sauce, Spanish Rice, Corn, Pears
Wednesday: Hamburger on a Bun, Broccoli & Carrots, Orange Wedges, Fritos
Thursday: Sloppy Joe on a Bun, Corn on the Cob, Mixed Fruit, Cherry Shape-Up
Friday: We have to wait for next month's menu to be made public.

It's all in the eyes

Wide Awake

There's nothing like a stroll in the woods to forget about the worlds' problems. Trees don't seem to give a damn who's running things. For all I know they may think they're the ones in charge and that we're just something that they have to live with.

Althouse is good at photographing urban trees; graceful pampered beauties that make city life more pleasant, even for those who never think about trees.

But for me the real world of timber is down by the river. Now is a good time to stomp around on the bottom land and see what those spooky old things really look like before they put on their leafy shirts and grassy shoes. Click on the tree and get a close-up.

Little Sioux River

Sorry we depicted you nice chaps as Japs and Krauts

Aporogize! Schnell!

From Babalu Blog: "Obama apologizes for the way the Germans and Japanese were depicted In MGM and WB cartoons in the 1940's." Click over and watch a cool cartoon.

He sure doesn't speak for me. PTG sent this link in with this comment: "If it weren't for those cartoons (and American willingness to fight evil to the bitter end) we would all be eating sauerkraut with chopsticks today."

Moral Bearings

Obama gives the glad hand to dictator Hugo Chavez

Barack Obama has recently stated that the use of any kind of torture by US officials is wrong, even if it helps prevent deadly terrorist attacks. The fact that the Bush administration evidently used aggressive and unpleasant interrogation techniques to good effect is, in President Obama's view, evidence that our nation has "lost its moral bearings". I'm sure our President wouldn't approve of local police departments here in the 'States torturing suspects either. Proper moral bearings, after all, begin at home.

At about the same time as Obama was posturing on the torture high road, he was fawning over a whole gang of South American dictators, strongmen and communist stooges at the ALBA summit meeting. All the while these nasty thugs beat up on America, El Negro (as Chavez actually calls our President) smiled like a dog eating shit.

Obama was caught on camera being particularly chummy with Venezuela's Marxist-Leninist coke-head 'President for Life', Hugo Chavez. Some folks didn't like the gang-style handshake. Others with a more modern 'bent' to their moral bearings thought the negative reaction was inappropriate. Like this especially misguided analysis by Pat Murphy in the Idaho Mountain Express.

Of course, Obama's secret handshake pal, Hugo Chavez would never allow torture to be used in his country, would he? Well take a look at this video of Venezuelan cops 'torturing' a naked man:

Batter Up in Venezuela

The video is somewhat shocking, and features a fully nude man. Don't look if you are squeamish or might have a perverse prurient interest in such sights. If this video is too nasty for you, and you can understand butchered Spanish, you can watch Chavez discuss his diarrhea right here. No kidding.

I'm sure none of the other countries of Latin America, not even los hermanos Castro, would ever allow torture in their countries. I have more videos and testimonials, but they nauseate me so much I won't include them here. Perhaps I'll start a Torturer of the Month feature, so the rest of South America and the Carribean won't feel left out.
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A tip of Arnie's pork pie hat to the blog "Solo en Venezuela" (Only in Venezuela). I'm patting myself on the back as well, for not using PTG's favorite saw, "There was such a case in Venezuela".

Camba Cola Jara

The Movie Poster

Camba Cola Jara Camba cola jara, el gaucho negro De tirador ladeado que le llegaba Hasta los pies Jineteador volaba, cada madrugada Entre la blanca niebla de las aguadas Camba cola jara cuentan que supo Montar el potro conque La muerte vino por él Alzó las alas de su sombrero Y tras la vieja pora del agua diz que se fue Fantasma negro y blanco Con don peli ramírez Cruzaba las lagunas de oro y al volver Traía larga sombra Dorada llamarada La caña entre sus labios Con un regusto a miel Camba cola jara cuando cantaba El vino ardiente de los troperos en el palmar Cangüi la luna se desangraba En la guitarra de su alma, camba cola Qué puñalada de poesía Ese tu gran pañuelo color cielo Mi gaucho negro

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There really is a movie, Gaucho Negro, from which I swiped the original poster. Released in 1991, it is a Brazilian adventure flic, distributed by Art Filmes e Columbia Pictures; I haven't seen it. I've never heard Argentine singer Teresa Parodi's song, either. Its just a bit of fun. I jiggered the poster up after watching Barack get suckered by the Bolivarian Alternative stooges at the ALBA conference.

US plants, trees to sue feds over CO2 rules

Corn in Court?

The global warming wackos may well have made enemies among the tree-hugger branch of the environmentalist movement. Faction has raised its ugly head to threaten wacko solidarity. It was bound to happen.

The tree-huggers are accelerating their push to win the right to vote and to file lawsuits for trees and other plants. At the same time, the Climate Change/Global warming movement is pressuring Congress to pass legislation severely restricting the production of carbon dioxide (CO2). The conflict: plant life depends on CO2 for its very existence. Increasing the level of CO2 in the atmosphere would cause plants to thrive. Decreasing it would arguably harm plant life.

Decreasing the atmospheric CO2 will certainly make Global Warming believers feel like they are "doing something" to stave off an imagined catastrophe for humans and animals, but at what cost to the plants? That will be the central issue in a federal class action lawsuit now being planned by plant advocates. Because they have yet to win full standing for plants to file suit on their own, chlorophilians are soliciting volunteer lawyers to serve as guardians ad litem for our green brothers and sisters.

It isn't clear whether the plant life advocates will be satisfied with blocking new CO2 limiting laws and regulations or if they will sue for even more. They may argue that increasing the nation's output of CO2 would be in the best interest of all plants. The lawsuit may ask the courts to order such a result, possibly by requiring the construction of more fossil fuel power generation facilities or easing emission standards for automobiles.
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N.B.
In the USA, plants significantly outnumber humans; if they ever get the vote...

Wall of Sound to Walls of Concrete

What can I say?

New Writer at the Feedlot

I'm Arnold A. Malrick, a long-time resident of Western Sarpy County, Nebraska. As you may know, the founder of the Plains Feeder, ptgustan, having fallen on hard times and suffering from relentless official persecution, has decided to move his earthly (and internet) presence to a level of undergroundness that seems to preclude his maintaining or contributing to the blog he created. This lamentable state of affairs is about to come to an end. Arnie is a fixer.

Not only will I try to restore the Plains Feeder, but I will ensure that this blog remains free of the perceived heresies that have caused ptg so much torment. Be patient. I don't know how or if the old Feeder posts can be fixed; ptg deleted the account where all the pictures were stored. He also defaced the original blog template. All I can promise is my best effort to get the Feedlot back in the blog business.