So, after a couple days of revelations about Sarah Palin, the nail in the coffin comes: she was a member of an organization that sought Alaskan sovereign nation status.
Yes, that's right: John McCain choose a secessionist for his running mate, and his slogan is "Country First". Clearly they didn't check Palin out at all. He just sort of panicked, I suppose.
Can you imagine if Obama had belonged to a 3rd party that in any (even minor) way challenged the US's legitimacy?
Alaskan Independence Party. Source:
jim - 09/02/08 20:52 Looks like Sarah Palin only addressed the Alaska Independence Party convention, but was not a member. Her husband was, though.
Very weird to be sympathetic to an anti-American organization and then to run for the vice-presidency on the GOP ticket.
jason - 09/02/08 11:31 This is something I agree with you guys on. No matter who the candidate, any and all past or present shady associations should be thoroughly investigated. No striving for the lowest common denominator, no looking the other way. That's fair.
james - 09/02/08 11:03 Ya know, I used to be really into novelty third parties. I could really get behind the anti-masonic party, or expell-the-Irish party. They are just so cooky you just know they wear crazy hats. And so, I am sympathetic to Palin for having problematic past associations. Except the in this case, when we refer to the past we are talking about this year, when she addressed the AIP at their 2008 convention.
Oh snap!
09/01/2008 15:18 #45531
Microcontrollers Part 3 Category: electronics
I'm building a DIY version of this Tengu thing ( ) for my first full project.
I've got the LEDs for the eyes in and programmable, and have the face matrix assembled but that's not yet programmed. It will eventually be hooked up to sensors to react to the environment as well.
So far this weekend I've spent a lot of time relearning C and especially pointers. Matrix and timings for the rest of the animations will be challenging, too. Trying to fit everything in a few Kb of space brings me back.
mrmike - 08/25/08 15:16 There goes your future as a cat burglar
08/24/2008 16:15 #45439
Sad Day Category: life
So, my boss has been on sick leave for 6 weeks or so with cancer. It was actually treatable and I think his prognosis was at least somewhat hopeful. Last night was the first night he was home alone, and today no one could get in touch with him on the phone.
I volunteered to go to his house to check on him, but there was no answer and he is not well enough to drive so eventually I broke in through the window. He'd committed suicide last night and I found him on the floor.
I guess it was better that I found him instead of a family member, but still... not the way you want to last see someone. Too late for me to do anything about, I wish there was more I could do.
He was the best boss I've ever had, and a friend.
Goodbye, Luke.
johnallen - 08/29/08 17:39 Sorry man, My heart goes out to you.YOu did what you had to, and kudos for that. Fear is a very powerfull forces that drives mankind to the extreme - sorry you had to stumble upon this.
museumchick - 08/27/08 14:07 I'm so sorry Jim. It must have been so difficult to find him there.
jim - 08/26/08 11:23 That's why I held the brick and bashed the window instead of throwing it, so I wouldn't accidentally hit him inside since I didn't know if he was in there or where he would be. Turns out if I had thrown it I probably would have hit him since I ended up breaking into his bedroom :(
paul - 08/26/08 11:08 You don't have to answer this but I am curious so I am going to ask. How did he die? Hope not a brick injury to the head.
fellyconnelly - 08/26/08 06:01 Remember him for the great guy he was, and not for his last days.
I'm sorry for your loss and all you have been through.
metalpeter - 08/25/08 18:56 I really can't imagine thinking that Sure I'll go check on the guy and then finding him dead. I really can't. I Know I couldn't handle it, and I hope you are dealing with it the best you can. If it was me I think I would need professional help after that. If it was someone I really liked to I know I couldn't handle it. I wish you luck and all I can really say is it fucked up, it really is.
jim - 08/25/08 15:06 Enknot, you're giving me too much credit - I was just the guy who was there.
enknot - 08/25/08 14:52 That was brave and valiant Jim. I hope I would have acted with as much valor as you had I been in your shoes. I'm sorry for that poor mans and his loved one's loss as well, but I'm moved by your character.
dcoffee - 08/25/08 14:04 oh my god. I hope you're ok.
carolinian - 08/25/08 09:44 I'm sorry for your loss. The world needs good people and it's a shame when we lose them.
jon - 08/25/08 09:25 Sorry to hear this Jim. Such a terrible thing all around.
mrmike - 08/24/08 21:29 A good thought for him, and a few for you too. I can't imagine.
tinypliny - 08/24/08 16:37 How sad!! :( I hope his family finds the courage to get through it all.
drew - 08/24/08 16:37 I've lost friends to suicide. It sucks. You have my sympathy.
jbeatty - 08/24/08 16:21 That is really terrible, I'm so sorry.
08/23/2008 16:14 #45424
Microcontrollers Part II Category: electronics
So, this is just the getting started lesson from this page: although I did deviate in the programming a bit to use functions instead of nested if-blocks. It's supposed to be a bike safety light (although not in a pretty / finished package).
Nothing special, but it is flashy and blinky so I made a video of it working.
jim - 08/23/08 19:15 Yeah I need to stock up on some parts. Will check out the one on Vulcan. Spent fifty bucks on grab bag assortment of sensors and motors and steppers and led's from ebay, so those should be hopefully fun when they get here.
paul - 08/23/08 19:12 I used to buy all sorts of electronics supplies at the radio shack on niagara falls and Sheridan. Now that that one is gone, I have no idea where get electronis supplies in buffalo. Oh wait, I take that back - there is a cool electronics and radio supply store on Vulcan in riverside behind the old grainmills on military. There are also some awesome surplus electronics shops in Toronto.
Looks like Sarah Palin only addressed the Alaska Independence Party convention, but was not a member. Her husband was, though.
Very weird to be sympathetic to an anti-American organization and then to run for the vice-presidency on the GOP ticket.
This is something I agree with you guys on. No matter who the candidate, any and all past or present shady associations should be thoroughly investigated. No striving for the lowest common denominator, no looking the other way. That's fair.
Ya know, I used to be really into novelty third parties. I could really get behind the anti-masonic party, or expell-the-Irish party. They are just so cooky you just know they wear crazy hats. And so, I am sympathetic to Palin for having problematic past associations. Except the in this case, when we refer to the past we are talking about this year, when she addressed the AIP at their 2008 convention.
Oh snap!