To Whom It May Concern:

There are a number of comments to my recent entries which very much deserve responses, but have received none from me so far. This is a problem. At first, I thought it was my computer, since I've been having a bit of trouble with spyware, or something like that. I get a lot of strange popups and at times, my computer runs very slowly.

I plan to take it in for a cleanup very soon.

'Pon further research, though, I've decided that this is not the reason I can't publish responses in my comment section. Today, I attempted to make a response to MK, using my computer at the office, and it wouldn't post there, either. Hence, I've decided this problem belongs to Blogger, not to me. I have a few more tricks I'll try, but meanwhile, A is A.

My response to MK's comment on my criticism of the nation's police is as follows:

Well, MK, As I've said before, the best justice is when the intended victim saves himself by killing his attacker, in self defense. True, even though we'd all agree that it's even better when we can avoid the confrontation altogether.

I have no sympathy for a criminal, whether they (cop or citizen) shoot him with a taser or with a gun--if they've caught him in the act.

What I don't like, is the cops using tasers and/or truncheons against a guy who's just not submissive enough.

We have to remember that a cop isn't a god. He's just a guy with a job--a job most of us would rather not do. He should be paid well. That doesn't mean that, by employing a police department, we've given up our right to self defense.

We have to force politicians, judges and police to understand this.

Until I get my comments page straightened out, I'll answer comments this way. Please bear with me.

The best-laid schemes o' mice an 'men Gang aft agley....

Warm regards,

Col. Hogan
Stalag California

Does Not Compute

Sadly, at least for me, there will be a few days' delay until my next entry: my computer is ailing and will be on sick leave until I can get it to a geek store and have it repaired. I'll return as soon as I can--probably just a few days.

Warm regards,

Col. Hogan

Stalag California

The "America In Chains" Counter

Thanks, and a tip of the ol' grey fedora to Bill St. Clair and Scott Bieser for the counter display.

I'm humbled by your creative ability.

Warm regards,

Col. Hogan
Stalag California

Nobody Deserves It More

My friend Ice Scribe has been writing and submitting short stories for some time now. She's sold a couple. The first one to see publication is called "Professional Courtesy," and appears here. It's a delightful read!

Write on, Ice Sribe!

Warm regards,

Col. Hogan
Stalag California

Lamenting the Disappearance of Monica

I think it was love at first sight. Monica White wrote a short article for the Atlasphere on the tv series "Firefly," back in August of last year, then followed it up with another on the art of Jack Vettriano about a month later.

Well, I'd been watching "Firefly" when it was on first run. I loved it! Space anarchists freelancing on the edges of the Empire! A libertarian dream! What Monica did was put a lot of my thoughts on the series into words, in a way I hadn't tried. I went right out and bought the series boxed set and have watched each episode a couple of times (so far!).

I hadn't heard of Jack Vettriano, but her review of his art, infused with images of several of his works, added another artist to the list of those I like.

Reading her Networking Profile told me that she was from Perth, Australia, now living in London. It told me she was an objectivist (in London!) and that she had a blog she called Th'inkwell--just a minor example of her witty use of the English language.

I read her blog and quickly realized that Monica has a degree of perceptiveness matched only by her artful and rational way of writing about that which she experiences. I devoured each entry to her blog as it appeared. She wrote fairly regularly about a wide variety of subjects until late this past February when she announced she was quitting, her interest in writing the blog was on the wane.

Well, it was a wonderful blog. Currently, since the site is still up, I'm reading the archives from time to time when I need a Monica fix. I'm nearly caught up to the place where I started. Oh well.

Several of the blogs I read are sites whose links I first found on Th'inkwell.

Thanks, Monica.

They've killed Freedom! Those bastards!

Warm regards,

Col. Hogan
Stalag California

This is my first post. it'll have to be short, 'cause I'm tired. Getting my blog going took just about all my remaining energy for today.

Col. Hogan