Uh, I’ve heard of tow-in surfing, but I’ve never seen anything like this before. This fellow is crazy, inventive, and brave all a the same time. Move over kite surfing, here’s a real sport…

HT: Bruce Turner

As Republican Candidate John McCain takes on Democratic Candidate Barack Obama this fall, they need to focus on solving one problem: the fundamental unsustainable economics impacting the country. Yes, there are many other issues, but this is the one that most can affect our future. Ultimately, the country is suffering from stagflation, recession, etc.; pick the label you like best. The country needs some good, common sense, fiscal discipline coupled with a pragmatic view to foreign policy and a focus on energy independence as a lever to achieve our national aims.

Job #1, the government needs to stop spending more than it takes in and borrowing to cover the gap. The national debt is over $10 Trillion and rising quickly. Whatever revenues are projected, bring spending in at 80% of that level. That means many pet-projects will be cut, that’s the price we have to pay for getting in shape. The first one should be a cease and desist on the policy that the US should act as the world’s policeman.

Job #1a, find as graceful and responsible exit from Iraq and Afghanistan as possible (oh, and South Korea while we’re at it.) Reclaim that funding and re-orient our military to be a strong defense force first concentrated on securing our borders. I’m not suggesting we turn into anti-immigrant wingnuts, but control of borders is an important step in national security. The candidate should facilitate a humane and practical policy to support immigrants, legal and illegal, at the same time stop the flow of illegal material and illegal immigrants into the country.

Job #1b, re-orient the Department of Energy to catalyze and support activities in conservation, transportation, and electricity generation that moves the country toward energy independence. The technology exists today to achieve this goal in 20 years time if we only agree to do it and follow through with it.

Job #1c, take the 20% budget surplus (and any other new revenue/savings) to bring the national debt down to reasonable levels and stabilize the economy and currency.

As I consider my voting decision this fall, these are the issues I’m going to examine with respect to the candidate who will get my vote. Frankly, if we don’t take this course, everything else is just noise. I’m anxious for the positions to be more fully articulated by each of the nominees. I’m also anxious to understand who the running mate will be for each. Should be a fun election season.

Have you ever wondered what happens when you press the “Search” button on a Google query? Well, the mystery is now solved (and I was relieved there were no hamsters involved…) Watch the clip below and enjoy, you never knew it was so complicated, did you? Humor aside, it also shows dramatically the productivity improvements over doing things the manual way.

Update: Apparently the video has been taken down – I’ll see if I can find it at a different source. I can’t imagine that there was a copyright violation – but that could be it.

Hadn’t thought about cassette tapes in years. Remember making mix tapes from albums and other tapes? iTunes makes it so much easier to create a mix and take it on the run with an iPod or burned on a CD for the car…If you’re yearning for an iconic cassette tape dispenser, you can get yours at J-Me.

One question I get consistently about this blog is “Why don’t you write more about personal things, like your family life?” There are many questions submitted, but they mostly fit into this category.

Answer: what could be more personal than discussing politics and religion in front of the world? An uncensored world at that (I do moderate comments, but for spam, I let through some bruising personal attacks for those who wish to unleash the dogs (read the first one…).)

I’d guess they’re talking about my beloved wife and cherished daughter. The answer my friends, is simple. My wife feels that blogs are “like wearing your underwear on the outside of your clothes” and thus wants nothing to do with them, especially my blog. I love her and choose to respect her wishes. Not only that, being a techie at heart, I know what is possible simply by having a name – that’s why my wife remains “my wife” and my daughter remains “my daughter” – it’s not that determined criminals couldn’t find this information, but why make it easy?

With my daughter it’s even easier, she’s a child. She has no understanding about what it means to have things written about her on the internet. While I attempt to deal with our father/daughter outings in a pretty factual way, I hope it’s clear I love her and hugely enjoy the times we have together. When she’s mature enough to make her own decisions about how she wants to be known (unknown) on the ‘net, I’ll respect her decision as well. In the meantime, I’ll make the assumption she doesn’t want to be known and keep to that until/unless she tells me otherwise.

That leaves Gracie, our dear (seven! year old) labrador retriever. I asked her what if she minded if I wrote about her on the internet and she didn’t even stir. Thus, I take that in the positive and say that Gracie is the best dog ever. She cheers you up when you’re down, always has the right perspective (can we go to the beach? can we go on a walk?) and has the added benefit of being pet-able in all situations (except post-skunk confrontation.)

So, that brings us full-circle. What is personal? You’re getting my unadulterated views on everything but that which is most precious to me, my relationships with my wife and daughter. To me, that constitutes personal information. I write it myself, I’m responsible for my ignorance and for whatever insight might appear. I know I’m not perfect, but I am constantly striving to improve myself. That’s it, in a nut shell, that’s what you see here, what interests me, an exposure or myself less the bits I’ve disclosed constitute an honest attempt at expression.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming of politics, technology, business, sports, and humor.