Having succeeded in getting an initial guilty conviction against Mr. Bernard von Nothaus for conspiracy and counterfeiting charges for producing 'Liberty Dollars' at Sunshine Mint, the Feds are now attempting to go after his 7 Million Dollars in remaining inventory.
First things first...I am saddened that he was found guilty. I don't think that what he was doing was conspiracy OR counterfeiting. I think it was bloody-well genius. As for trying to pass them off as U.S. Currency...every time I saw these appear on the internet, it was made quite clear in the verbiage that these coins were not U.S. currency. What a load of poop.
The scariest thing in the article though, is this winner of a quote by U.S. Attorney Anne Tompkins:
"Attempts to undermine the legitimate currency of this country are simply a unique form of domestic terrorism,"
Holy Crap! So, by that reasoning, when are they gong to go after Uncle Ben and the other members of the Federal Reserve for creating Billions and Billions out of thin air, undermining the international legitimacy of this country's currency?
What an ominous precedent.
4.04.2011
Weekend in Portland: Post-Action Report
Thanks to the World's Greatest Nana, SWMBO and I had a very enjoyable, frolicsome kid free weekend in Portland, Oregon.
One thing that immediately jumped out at me, riding in to town in my F-150, and was reinforced throughout the weekend is that downtown Portland is not made for motor vehicles. Unlike some places that are just now making room for bicyclists and public transit, Portland has been designed from the ground up for those forms of transportation. The bicycle lanes downtown are just as big as the normal car lane, and the side walks are big and wide for pedestrians,and the natives that are driving cars seem very...submissive to the walking/riding population.
This was nice though, as we were able to leave my truck in the hotels lot the whole time and walk/ride the bus everywhere we wanted to go.
The first place we wanted to go was Powell's City of Books, a 68,000 SF new/used bookstore. It was almost too big...overwhelming in the same way I find Cabella's to be...a great place to go if you are searching for something special, but tough to just browse when presented with that many choices. Very neat experience...next time we go to Portland I will make sure to bring a list of books to look for.
After getting all prettified at our hotel room, we went and had a very enjoyable evening at the Portland City Grill. The only negative I really can say about the whole meal was that we had to wait 15 minutes for a seat, even though we had reservations...plus, that mean I had time to drink a whole beer in the bar before being seated. Wait...maybe that wasn't a bad thing. From a company and gastronomical viewpoint, it was a very pleasant meal. I was a little concerned because my New England Clam Chowder was a little brownish when it came out, and not the creamy white I am used to...but it tasted excellent. My duck was good, but SWMBO ordered a goat cheese and prosciutto stuffed chicken that was the best poultry I have ever had a taste of. I was very jealous...usually I am happier with what I order than what the wife orders. Oh well...have to let her win occasionally.
We didn't go out partying or anything...dinner didn't get over until 9:45, so we just headed back to the room, and snuggled in. It was pleasant, and allowed us to get a decently early start on our Saturday activities...which involved a lot of standing in line.
We decided that for breakfast on Saturday, we would give in to the hype, and check out Voodoo Doughnut's.
A sane person might question standing in line for 45 minutes just for doughnut's...but that person would be insane not to make that sacrifice. Not just for the tasty doughnuts, which WERE as good as they advertise, but to experience Portland going on around you...what a town of weirdo's...sweet people...but weirdo's. And they seem so very proud of their weirdness.
Back to doughnuts...I had one of the bacon maple bars, and also tried to split a Memphis Mafia(banana fritter with chocolate and peanut butter on it) with my wife...but she was already full of her own doughnuts. We also bought a present for my mom there, as a thank you for watching the girls...they call the doughnut a 'cock-n-balls' because, well, it's shaped like one, covered in chocolate, and filled with Bavarian Cream. You can even get them to write stuff like 'Best Nana' on it. It was a big success.
Saturday afternoon we played around on Portland's fine bus system, and ended up at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. It was a nice time..very enjoyable, and we will have to go back sometime with our girls. One thing we passed on the museum was the Submarine Tour. Moored outside the museum is the SS-581, the USS Blueback, our last non-nuclear attack submarine, and you can go on tours of the boat. However, since I spent over 5 years stationed on a submarine, and several more working on them, I didn't feel the need to pay cash to get us on a tour of one.
Saturday dinner was less fancy than dinner the night before, and not quite as full of win. We went to a place called the Thai Peacock, and we both had curry. I really enjoyed mine, but for the wife, she found that even the mild curry was a bit too spicy. Kind of a bummer, but...we can't win all the times. Plus, it gave us an excuse to order a plate of cheese and bacon covered tots at the bar later on that evening.
Our final stop of the evening was a dueling piano bar named the Barrel Roll. I love dueling piano places...you can just sit there with a beer and sing along with the crowd, with absolutely no expectations of getting up and pretending I can dance. It was a nice evening, and our attempts at embarressing ourselves has been previously documented.
Sunday, we woke up, and headed home..I had planned on hitting someplace up for a little breakfast(well, a lot of chicken fried steaks or biscuits and gravy) ...but, my tummy was not very interested...so, instead we got a earlier than planned start on heading home..which was nice. At one point, our plan had been to split the drive in half, and spend Sunday night at my moms house, before driving the last three hours Monday morning. For this reason, I had taken Monday off...and instead, we were able to get home by 7:00 Sunday night.
Theoretically, I could have gone in to work today...but why? I already had the time off approved, and I had spent a few days off without getting a chance to have a lazy morning with my kids, making them oatmeal, and getting their first hugs of the day. There are also things to be done...like snuggling, and laundry...and worst of all, putting together a new bunk bed for the girls room. Ugg...I'm good at romantic weekends...no so much at putting together bunk beds...but, the girls are all for it to have a bit more floor space in their rooms.
One thing that immediately jumped out at me, riding in to town in my F-150, and was reinforced throughout the weekend is that downtown Portland is not made for motor vehicles. Unlike some places that are just now making room for bicyclists and public transit, Portland has been designed from the ground up for those forms of transportation. The bicycle lanes downtown are just as big as the normal car lane, and the side walks are big and wide for pedestrians,and the natives that are driving cars seem very...submissive to the walking/riding population.
This was nice though, as we were able to leave my truck in the hotels lot the whole time and walk/ride the bus everywhere we wanted to go.
The first place we wanted to go was Powell's City of Books, a 68,000 SF new/used bookstore. It was almost too big...overwhelming in the same way I find Cabella's to be...a great place to go if you are searching for something special, but tough to just browse when presented with that many choices. Very neat experience...next time we go to Portland I will make sure to bring a list of books to look for.
After getting all prettified at our hotel room, we went and had a very enjoyable evening at the Portland City Grill. The only negative I really can say about the whole meal was that we had to wait 15 minutes for a seat, even though we had reservations...plus, that mean I had time to drink a whole beer in the bar before being seated. Wait...maybe that wasn't a bad thing. From a company and gastronomical viewpoint, it was a very pleasant meal. I was a little concerned because my New England Clam Chowder was a little brownish when it came out, and not the creamy white I am used to...but it tasted excellent. My duck was good, but SWMBO ordered a goat cheese and prosciutto stuffed chicken that was the best poultry I have ever had a taste of. I was very jealous...usually I am happier with what I order than what the wife orders. Oh well...have to let her win occasionally.
We didn't go out partying or anything...dinner didn't get over until 9:45, so we just headed back to the room, and snuggled in. It was pleasant, and allowed us to get a decently early start on our Saturday activities...which involved a lot of standing in line.
We decided that for breakfast on Saturday, we would give in to the hype, and check out Voodoo Doughnut's.
A sane person might question standing in line for 45 minutes just for doughnut's...but that person would be insane not to make that sacrifice. Not just for the tasty doughnuts, which WERE as good as they advertise, but to experience Portland going on around you...what a town of weirdo's...sweet people...but weirdo's. And they seem so very proud of their weirdness.
Back to doughnuts...I had one of the bacon maple bars, and also tried to split a Memphis Mafia(banana fritter with chocolate and peanut butter on it) with my wife...but she was already full of her own doughnuts. We also bought a present for my mom there, as a thank you for watching the girls...they call the doughnut a 'cock-n-balls' because, well, it's shaped like one, covered in chocolate, and filled with Bavarian Cream. You can even get them to write stuff like 'Best Nana' on it. It was a big success.
Saturday afternoon we played around on Portland's fine bus system, and ended up at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. It was a nice time..very enjoyable, and we will have to go back sometime with our girls. One thing we passed on the museum was the Submarine Tour. Moored outside the museum is the SS-581, the USS Blueback, our last non-nuclear attack submarine, and you can go on tours of the boat. However, since I spent over 5 years stationed on a submarine, and several more working on them, I didn't feel the need to pay cash to get us on a tour of one.
Saturday dinner was less fancy than dinner the night before, and not quite as full of win. We went to a place called the Thai Peacock, and we both had curry. I really enjoyed mine, but for the wife, she found that even the mild curry was a bit too spicy. Kind of a bummer, but...we can't win all the times. Plus, it gave us an excuse to order a plate of cheese and bacon covered tots at the bar later on that evening.
Our final stop of the evening was a dueling piano bar named the Barrel Roll. I love dueling piano places...you can just sit there with a beer and sing along with the crowd, with absolutely no expectations of getting up and pretending I can dance. It was a nice evening, and our attempts at embarressing ourselves has been previously documented.
Sunday, we woke up, and headed home..I had planned on hitting someplace up for a little breakfast(well, a lot of chicken fried steaks or biscuits and gravy) ...but, my tummy was not very interested...so, instead we got a earlier than planned start on heading home..which was nice. At one point, our plan had been to split the drive in half, and spend Sunday night at my moms house, before driving the last three hours Monday morning. For this reason, I had taken Monday off...and instead, we were able to get home by 7:00 Sunday night.
Theoretically, I could have gone in to work today...but why? I already had the time off approved, and I had spent a few days off without getting a chance to have a lazy morning with my kids, making them oatmeal, and getting their first hugs of the day. There are also things to be done...like snuggling, and laundry...and worst of all, putting together a new bunk bed for the girls room. Ugg...I'm good at romantic weekends...no so much at putting together bunk beds...but, the girls are all for it to have a bit more floor space in their rooms.
4.03.2011
Lucky!
Proof that if you use poor judgment while under the influence of alcohol, that having people who are also under the influence of alcohol take your picture is the best way to protect your innocence.
4.02.2011
There may have been some alcohol involved...
The World's Perfect Woman and I went out this evening, and ended up at a place called the Barrel Roll, a dueling piano bar here in Portland. In honor of our anniversary, I tipped the entertainers to dedicate a song to her.
In retrospect, 'Mama's got a Squeeze Box' might not have been the best song to suggest. It ended up with the both of us on stage dancing in front of a bar full of crazy folks.
Pictures to follow when I am sober enough to get the memory card out of the camera.
In retrospect, 'Mama's got a Squeeze Box' might not have been the best song to suggest. It ended up with the both of us on stage dancing in front of a bar full of crazy folks.
Pictures to follow when I am sober enough to get the memory card out of the camera.
Now, THAT"S caring about the environment.
Portland is a city somewhat known for it's 'Green Approach'. A great example of that can be found in the bathroom at our hotel.
The toilet has TWO DIFFERENT FLUSH SETTINGS!!!!!! How gosh-darn amazing is that !?!?!?!?
Yes, I probably was too amazed by this...I feel like country mouse gone to the big city.
Unfortunately, the flip side of this high-tech commode is a similarly low flow shower. I hate 'trickle' showers.
The toilet has TWO DIFFERENT FLUSH SETTINGS!!!!!! How gosh-darn amazing is that !?!?!?!?
Yes, I probably was too amazed by this...I feel like country mouse gone to the big city.
Unfortunately, the flip side of this high-tech commode is a similarly low flow shower. I hate 'trickle' showers.
4.01.2011
Well, that's a fine 'How do you do'...
Just got finished settling in to our hotel room here in beautiful Portland, Oregon. It's a very nice room, and free for us, as we are still using the Mariott points I earned during the 7 months I spent in New York, working for the shipyard.
We are on the top floor, and have a decent view out our window.
The only jarring note so far was a little slip of paper that was slid into our room key-card envelope that says:
'During your stay, $1 per night will be added to your bill to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Clean the World Charities. We appreciate you contributions to help our community. If you would like this removed from your bill please contact the front desk staff.'
It's only a dollar...but...really!!?!?!?!? Diabetes is bad, and as my wife just said...how can you say no to little kids with diabetes? I don't want to say no to them, I want to buy them chocolate chips cookies(sugar free, of course.) What kind of an ass could call the front desk and tell the cute young lady down at the front desk he doesn't want to help little kids with diabetes? Not this kind of ass, I'll tell you that.
As for Clean the World...ummm...I did some research. Clean the World collects all the left over soap nuggets that people leave behind them in hotel rooms, puts them through different processes depending on how worn down they are, and then distributes them to needy people throughout the world.
I would love to see the mathematical proof on how recycling/sterilizing(especially the sterilizing after I use it in the shower) soap is more cost effective than just making more soap.
I'm still not a big enough to call downstairs and make them remove the charge, but maybe I can convince my wife to call downstairs and say we want all our 'donation' to go the Diabetes fund..
We are on the top floor, and have a decent view out our window.
The only jarring note so far was a little slip of paper that was slid into our room key-card envelope that says:
'During your stay, $1 per night will be added to your bill to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Clean the World Charities. We appreciate you contributions to help our community. If you would like this removed from your bill please contact the front desk staff.'
It's only a dollar...but...really!!?!?!?!? Diabetes is bad, and as my wife just said...how can you say no to little kids with diabetes? I don't want to say no to them, I want to buy them chocolate chips cookies(sugar free, of course.) What kind of an ass could call the front desk and tell the cute young lady down at the front desk he doesn't want to help little kids with diabetes? Not this kind of ass, I'll tell you that.
As for Clean the World...ummm...I did some research. Clean the World collects all the left over soap nuggets that people leave behind them in hotel rooms, puts them through different processes depending on how worn down they are, and then distributes them to needy people throughout the world.
I would love to see the mathematical proof on how recycling/sterilizing(especially the sterilizing after I use it in the shower) soap is more cost effective than just making more soap.
I'm still not a big enough to call downstairs and make them remove the charge, but maybe I can convince my wife to call downstairs and say we want all our 'donation' to go the Diabetes fund..
Imagine that
During the last election cycle in Seattle, in somewhat of a surprise, the incumbent, Greg Nickles, lost in the primaries. I only say somewhat because I hate most of what came out of Greg Nickles mouth...for an incumbent to lose in the primaries tells you that other people must have agreed with me. But, in reality, Nickles lost because he didn't fight hard enough to keep the Sonics from leaving town, AND he didn't let the City of Seattle use salt when it snowed, because of the salmon.
He was between in the primaries by two people that most would consider outsiders, as far as neither of them being career politicians. Moving on to the main election, it basically came down to Business(Mallahan was a former telecommunications executive who worked for the Obamessiah's campaign) versus The Environment(McGinn is an activist lawyer who chaired the state Sierra Club).
McGinn won...and, 6 months after the election, there is already buyers remorse.
The biggest complaints of course, are what got him elected...he doesn't understand politics...he doesn't play well with others...he counter-attacks instead of listening doing what the career city workers tell him to do...
Sheesh...don't get me wrong...I don't agree with much he wants to do...his big goal would be to drive all single passenger vehicles off the streets of Seattle. He has increased parking meter charges, is doing away with a large amount of on street parking to put in more bus lanes...but, it's what he was elected on...it's not like there was false advertising. He's also digging in against the plans to put in a water-front tunnel through Seattle...which is brilliant...as someone who grew up in New England, I remember what a mess the Big Dig in Boston was...I can't see a Water Front Tunnel through Seattle going any better(or cheaper).
Frankly, the city of Seattle is a mess...no one(even me) could do a good job as Mayor of Seattle...but, at least McGinn is trying to do what he was elected promising he would do.
Glad I live on the other side of the mountains now...must be something about spending the night at my moms place in the Seattle's Shadow that even makes me give a rats ass about what these crazy people are doing to themselves over here...
He was between in the primaries by two people that most would consider outsiders, as far as neither of them being career politicians. Moving on to the main election, it basically came down to Business(Mallahan was a former telecommunications executive who worked for the Obamessiah's campaign) versus The Environment(McGinn is an activist lawyer who chaired the state Sierra Club).
McGinn won...and, 6 months after the election, there is already buyers remorse.
The biggest complaints of course, are what got him elected...he doesn't understand politics...he doesn't play well with others...he counter-attacks instead of listening doing what the career city workers tell him to do...
Sheesh...don't get me wrong...I don't agree with much he wants to do...his big goal would be to drive all single passenger vehicles off the streets of Seattle. He has increased parking meter charges, is doing away with a large amount of on street parking to put in more bus lanes...but, it's what he was elected on...it's not like there was false advertising. He's also digging in against the plans to put in a water-front tunnel through Seattle...which is brilliant...as someone who grew up in New England, I remember what a mess the Big Dig in Boston was...I can't see a Water Front Tunnel through Seattle going any better(or cheaper).
Frankly, the city of Seattle is a mess...no one(even me) could do a good job as Mayor of Seattle...but, at least McGinn is trying to do what he was elected promising he would do.
Glad I live on the other side of the mountains now...must be something about spending the night at my moms place in the Seattle's Shadow that even makes me give a rats ass about what these crazy people are doing to themselves over here...
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