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Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:25:33 -0800

Currently in Plano, Texas

http://colinmac.stumbleupon.com/review/25257722/

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:53:07 -0700

"It is contended by many that ours is a Christian government, founded upon
the Bible, and that all who look upon that book as false or foolish are
destroying the foundation of our country. The truth is, our government is
not founded upon the rights of gods, but upon the rights of men. Our
Constitution was framed, not to declare and uphold the deity of Christ, but
the sacredness of humanity. Ours is the first government made by the people
for the people. It is the only nation with which the gods have nothing to
do. And yet there are some judges dishonest and cowardly enough to solemly
decide that this is a Christian country, and that our free institutions are
based upon the infamous laws of Jehovah."

[Robert G. Ingersoll, "Individuality" 1873]

http://colinmac.stumbleupon.com/review/23235267/

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:58:05 -0700

Q.O.T.D.

"For ages, a deadly conflict has been waged between a few brave men and women
of thought and genius upon the one side, and the great ignorant religious
mass on the other. This is the war between Science and Faith. The few have
appealed to reason, to honor, to law, to freedom, to the known, and to
happiness here in this world. The many have appealed to prejudice, to fear,
to miracle, to slavery, to the unknown, and to misery hereafter. The few have
said, "Think!" The many have said, "Believe!"
[Robert G. Ingersoll, "The Gods", 1872]

http://colinmac.stumbleupon.com/review/16217396/

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:45:52 -0800

Am currently in Lagos, Nigeria so postings may be few and far between.

http://colinmac.stumbleupon.com/review/14488704/

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:47:41 -0800

The original British monetary system:

Two farthings = One Ha'penny. Two ha'pennies = One Penny. Three pennies = A Thrupenny Bit. Two Thrupences = A Sixpence. Two Sixpences = One Shilling, or Bob. Two Bob = A Florin. One Florin and one Sixpence = Half a Crown. Four Half Crowns = Ten Bob Note. Two Ten Bob Notes = One Pound (or 240 pennies). One Pound and One Shilling = One Guinea.

The British resisted decimalized currency for a long time because they thought it was too complicated.

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Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:55:23 -0800

Phases of a Project:

(1) Exultation.
(2) Disenchantment.
(3) Confusion.
(4) Search for the Guilty.
(5) Punishment for the Innocent.
(6) Distinction for the Uninvolved.

http://colinmac.stumbleupon.com/review/13711128/

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:08:17 -0700

Todays fortune: "You will be attacked by a beast who has the body of a wolf, the tail of
a lion, and the face of Donald Duck."

http://colinmac.stumbleupon.com/review/12942083/

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:24:50 -0700

Finagle's First Law:
To study a subject best, understand it thoroughly before you start.

Finagle's Second Law:
Always keep a record of data -- it indicates you've been working.

Finagle's Fourth Law:
Once a job is fouled up, anything done to improve it only makes
it worse.

Finagle's Fifth Law:
Always draw your curves, then plot your readings.

Finagle's Sixth Law:
Don't believe in miracles -- rely on them.

http://colinmac.stumbleupon.com/review/12501539/

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:25:56 -0700

"A nation," he heard himself say, "consits of its laws. A nation does not
consist of its situation at a given time. If an individual's moral are
situational, that individual is without morals. If a nation's law are
situational, that nation has no laws, and soon isn't a nation."

"What did you say?"

"Are you really so scared of terrorists that you'll dismantle the structures
that made America what it is?"

"The fuck--"

"If you are, you let the terrorist win. Because that is exactly, specifically,
his goal, his only goal: to frighten you into surrendering the rule of law.
That's why they call him 'terrorist'. He uses terrifying threats to induce
you to degrade your own society."

Brown opened his mouth. Closed it.

Great quote from 'Spook Country' - William Gibson

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Tue, 04 Sep 2007 06:47:08 -0700

XXVI:
If a sufficient number of management layers are superimposed on each
other, it can be assured that disaster is not left to chance.

XXVII:
Rank does not intimidate hardware. Neither does the lack of rank.

XXVIII:
It is better to be the reorganizer than the reorganizee.

XXIX:
Executives who do not produce successful results hold on to their
jobs only about five years. Those who produce effective results
hang on about half a decade.

XXX:
By the time the people asking the questions are ready for the answers,
the people doing the work have lost track of the questions.
-- Norman Augustine