The beginnings of an improved look. Looks good.

Agreed.

Regarding the white text box, have you thought maybe a cream color, like the lightest highlight in the "parchment" color of the header and sidebars.

That would really bring the whole page together, like an area rug or cafe curtains.

Or track lighting.

The Black text on White background with a black border is much too harsh for me. I find a medium parchment paper texture background works well with black text and black border. It makes reading a lot of text much easier on the eyes. I can send you the texture image file I use if you like.

The Dark Blue text on black does not work well for me either. Perhaps change the color of the Dark Blue text from #663399 to #8653b9. This will lighten it enough to make it easily readable but not enough to make it obnoxious.

I like Mr. Griffith's suggestion as well - though the new look is refreshing so far!

I can't wait for the next essay...I'll be linking to it ASAP, as usual.

Orion

I'm sure you know this, but once you enter a comment and are sent to the Archives, we're back to a standard white page with the old Eject! Eject! Eject! logo image.

Orion

Well, some of this is going to have to wait until tomorrow. I'm turhd

I'm replying here because I'll just be lost in the depth of comments below, but regarding saying the same thing over again or lacking something new, it's important to note that quantity has a quality all its own. It's okay to repeat yourself, because some won't have heard, and some won't have understood, the first time.

Wow, the new look is quite a bit different; I like it!
And now, I'll return to eagerly awaiting the details of this mysterious plan you have in mind...

I'm glad you're back. I like the new site design, and look forward to seeing what develops with this new project.

I've enjoyed your writing since first reading HONOR in early 2002, a few months after my own father's funeral. That essay still brings a tear of pride to my eye when I reread it.

I've done many different things in my life. Some I've done well, some not so well. I'll have to think about what I am good at, that I could also teach.

We seem to be living in interesting times. There is some doubt as to the direction we will go. Will it be "To The Stars..." or will we descend into a new Dark Age of barbarism. Personally, I'd like to build Starships.

make that early 2003

Looking good...feeling good:-)

Look schmook!! Get writing, I'm jonesing here!!!
j/k, I like the parchment. Very Count Cagliostro.
Oh, and Cox and Forkum strike again.

http://tinyurl.com/yvodf8

Lookin good...

The Gutenberg press was the most revolutionary device invented by man. It would serve to break the monopoly on information held by the Church and aristocracy. Over the next five-hundred years luminaries from every field of human endeavor would spread their new ideas, philosophies and scientific models. A global civilization emerged for the first time in the history of the planet. But the Gutenberg revolution is getting long in the tooth. What you see on this site is the next step in a global information age. What might a 150 million rational, moral, and motivated individuals produce if bound together by a single powerful idea? Bill, you've done some fine work up to now. I'm waiting for the master plan that will propel civilization onward and upward. "There's nothing so powerful as an idea whose time has come."

It's been a while since I've been in the field working with the Guanorani tribe of New Guinea, but your motto is the same as a traditional statement that they often make. Roughly translated it says, 'Those little bright and shiny things that come out when the big bright and shiny thing goes away shine some bright and shiny stuff on the voluminous specious tantrums of the Western leftists.' Those tribesmen were pretty earthy, but also quite perceptive to the ways of nature and to those of humans. Is that pretty close to the Latin translation?

The post archive pages need to be updated to the new banner.

Pretty!

The light cream works quite nicely in the comments section, as well - you can actually see the difference in the comment box at the bottom.
Looking good so far!

Awesome. The engine's in the aircraft, the tank's full, and the windscreen's clean - time to fire this beast up.

Jon

I also like the cream, but it needs something to ease the abrupt change from the black background. Maybe put up a border of a color similar to that in the parchment on the sides?

Actually, a tan color throughout the body might not look bad either.

Keep up the great work! Looking forward to the next essay.

The changes are looking great. Crisp and classical, very high-brow (as if it could be anything else here!)

Now with that being said, where's Rachel?

*sits back with a happy smile, as all is right with the world again*

The cream is good, maybe just make the edges a wee bit tattered, lookin' good.

Way more readable. Glad you're back.

Beautiful! I've been reading ever since "Victory" and love every word ... I am not alone! I can hardly wait for your next masterpiece .. online and in print!

Mr. Whittle,
I have enjoyed your writing since finding you a year or so ago. It's always nice to find someone who can put my thoughts into words. I look forward to purchasing your new book and viewing this site regularly. God bless you, our military and all of us in this struggle.

E

Bill...great new look, but the substance always seems to outweigh the style. Whenever I need a little sense in my life I read your stuff. I look forward to boring some holes in the Southern California sky around you pretty soon.

Looks good, lighten up the background a bit, and lets get going. Less concerned about the looks of the site than the content. Have never been disapointed with that.

Should I remove my shoes before posting. It looks so clean in here, I'd hate to smutz up the joint.

I, too, am one of the drive by admirers of a couple years now. The new look I like. (Though I'll be melancholy for the old look in fits and starts for a while.) The softer background color is much easier on the eyes.

Good work. Just got home from a long day at work and checked in. WOW! Now onto more content. (Easy for me to say, eh?)

Computer programming. building pc's from scratch. good cook.
jack of all trades. pretty good teacher for those willing to listen.

===============

this is my nominee for the National Anthem :)

===============

A Man's A Man For All That
by Robert Burns

Is there for honest poverty
That hangs his head, and all that?
The coward slave, we pass him by -
We dare be poor for all that!
For all that, and all that,
Our toils obscure, and all that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gold for all that.

What though on homely fare we dine,
Wear course grey woolen, and all that?
Give fools their silks, and knaves their wine -
A man is a man for all that.
For all that, and all that,
Their tinsel show, and all that,
The honest man, though ever so poor,
Is king of men for all that.

You see yonder fellow called 'a lord,'
Who struts, and stares, and all that?
Though hundreds worship at his word,
He is but a dolt for all that.
For all that, and all that,
His ribboned, star, and all that,
The man of independent mind,
He looks and laughs at all that.

A prince can make a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, and all that!
But an honest man is above his might -
Good faith, he must not fault that
For all that, and all that,
Their dignities, and all that,
The pith of sense and pride of worth
Are higher rank than all that.

Then let us pray that come it may
(As come it will for a' that)
That Sense and Worth over all the earth
Shall have the first place and all that!
For all that, and all that,
It is coming yet for all that,
That man to man the world over
Shall brothers be for all that.

I ment to post this comment in the previous entry. Damnit Dougman ,Look what you made me do :)

I ment to post the robert burns comment in the previous entry. Damnit Dougman ,Look what you made me do :)

I'd like to kindly suggest that you return the side 'welcome-banner' that included the "This site is here to convince you that all the good things you believe about America and her people are true". That whole banner there was a wonderfully appropriate and important message and mission statement in its entirety.

Nice new look. Thought I'd stepped into a different blog.

Had no problem with the old look, but this is definitely cool. I come here for the essays, anyway.

Like the new look, but kinda miss the old one - it was like a home away from home. Anyway, I could get used to this.

When I first found this site back in September I wrote:

Finding Bill Whittle's essays... was like sitting down to a really great steak when you are really hungry for steak.

The essays are not short, much more of king cut of prime rib than a tasty little filet. They are meaty, they are satisfying, and they will fill you up mentally. They are food for the mind and the soul.

The new look is AWESOME. And it's great once again to be able to return several times a day to read up on fresh comments. Saw some old familiar names. LabRat, Sapper Mike, Travaleyan and, of course, Big Hairy Silverback. Happy days are here again. :)

Er... Great Hairy Silverback even.

Like everyone else commenting here, I eagerly await the You Are Not Alone essay.

In the meantime I've been thinking about this virtual city idea and here are my thoughts on a town plan.

First we need a Town Hall where we meet to share ideas.

Then we could have a Library where we store all the reference material we could individually use in preparing letters to the editor or other communication within our own communities.

A School would go down well as the place where all of you that have vast talents can pass them on to others.

A Prison (or correctional instituion for those of you offened by prisons) where we place those opposed to our ideas like www.fromthewilderness.com. We always need to keep an eye on what the enemy is doing.

Then just keep adding facilties as we need them. Don't forget Restaurants (where we can share recipes),Entertainment Centre for humour, etc.

Bill I know you've promised the essay to be out by the weekend, well you're running out of time for those of us in Oz!
Cheers

This site has, like, banners and stuff? Wow, I never noticed. Too busy reading.

Ok, just kidding. I like this look much better, and second the suggestion of a little bit of a border on the edges of the body to ease the transition, if that's not too much of a pain. The cream color background is good, too.

Longtime reader and fan, happy comments are now open. I'd suggest toning down the black borders, especially on the left and right "cartouches", since the overall look is rather "sepia" and my eye gets too drawn to the black.

Also, I miss the "Dang" Doonesbury-style word balloon that used to come out of the chair pilot's head, and I'd like you to somehow commemorate the Pulling of the Loud Handle, as many people have never heard the expression and deserve the laugh.

I've been in low-tide mode for some time. Thanks for the continuing inspiration. I expect I'll stick around.

Nort

Oops. Just looked at the header in this comments page. "Dang" is there, and another expression I always liked, "Out of Airspeed..." is still present. So those are two things I'd like to see retained/adapted/

Nicely done. Waiting.....

I have a minor criticism of the new look. You've got these gorgeous graphics, which include within them text, but that text is not available via alt= for each image.

Instead, the alt seems to be a restatement of the name of the graphic, which is completely unhelpful to someone using a text-only browser, or a visually impaired person using text-to-speech reading software.

I like to offer positive criticism; I don't just like to tell someone they're wrong without telling them how to be right, so I'm writing suggested alt attributes myself, which you may wish to cut/paste:

3%20center.jpg:
alt="(picture of jet pilot who has ejected from his plane and is still strapped into the rocket-propelled seat) TITLE: 'Eject! Eject! Eject!' SUBTITLE: 'AD ASTRA VOLEMUS SELLA TONANTI'"

3%20left%20banner.jpg:
alt="Welcome, friend... If you value Freedom, Reason, Honor and Country, then you are among like-minded men and women here. Copyright(c) 2002-2007 William A. Whittle. All Rights Reserved"

3%20right%20banner.jpg:
alt="(Photograph of Bill Whittle's head, wearing sunglasses)
TITLE: 'Bill Whittle'
SUBTITLE: 'bill@ejectejecteject.com'
Bill Whittle is a writer, pilot, TV editor and an American. He lives and works in Los Angeles"

silent%20america%20banner.jpg
alt="TITLE: 'SILENT AMERICA' AUTHOR: 'Bill Whittle' Second Edition includes SANCTUARY and TRIBES. 'As long as we have voices like this, we will prevail over the forces of darkness and evil' BUY THE BOOK"

3%20silent%20parch.jpg:
alt="Silent America: essays from a democracy at war"

3%20archives.jpg:
alt="Archives: the dark recesses of the distant past"

3%20provinces.jpg:
alt="Provinces: places of comfort on the virtual highway"

3%20search.jpg:
alt="Search: an electronic lantern in dark places"

Hey Bill. The new look is great. I sent you an email to the billateee.com with a suggestion regarding the right and left column widths.

Can't wait for part 3, and let us know when the HC is ready for ordering. I'm gonna make my 17 y.o. daughter read it as part of her American Govt. class.

2. All comments left at Eject! Eject! Eject! become the personal property of William A. Whittle and may be used by him without compensation in any manner of his choosing, for ever and ever, amen.

I will whine about this one, if I may. I have no objection to giving you an unlimited license to use my comments, but I interpret this as a transfer of copyright (that is, I can no longer use MY OWN COMMENT unless I get permission from you... herm).

I cannot pretend that this is all about the principle of the thing - some of it is, but most of it's vanity. That, and grabbing copyright is reminiscent of the way the more annoying online services (before we all had this intarweb tube thing) used to behave.

I doubt I'll ever want to re-use a comment I post here, and I doubt even more than if I did you'd refuse permission.... but it does rub me the wrong way.

2. All comments left at Eject! Eject! Eject! become the personal property of William A. Whittle and may be used by him without compensation in any manner of his choosing, for ever and ever, amen.

Its one thing to claim the right to use without compensation and quite another to claim you own them. You own neither me nor my work product. Continue in good health but don't expect further contribution from me.

There's no need to assume bad faith, Lionell. From his policy, I assume Bill just wants to make sure he can quote the comments in his posts, books, etc. without any legal questions. If I'm right about that, a tweak in the wording fixes it.

Gentlemen and ladies, please calm down about the copyright issue. Our host is a morally upright man. If compensation is due for your contribution, he'll probably offer it before you even ask. In the company of honorable people, one rarely needs to resort to a lawyer.

I might be jumping the gun a bit on strategy, but a thought came to mind as I was reading an article at the NRO website. The piece, entitled "Will Britain be Muslim?", was written by conservative columnist, Ruth Edwards. While she didn't shed any new light on the problem, certainly nothing that readers of this page don't already know, the comments that followed from readers around the world did reveal a compatibility with ideas expressed here. It is from such sources that E!3 can recruit new readership. If the idea is to create a block of like-minded people, then networking will be one of the methods to increase numbers and build strength. 150 million members at a dollar contribution each is enough to reverse an election outcome, unseat a particularly bad politician, or move a good one closer to our own way of thinking. And do so anywhere in the world we choose to apply such leverage.

My comments are freely given and I have no problem with BW's use, even to the extent of ownership. If I wanted to claim anything as work I would be writing my own blog. It's a party not a job. I advocate keeping the fruits of one's labor but I don't fear loss of self when I choose to give. I'm just not that precious.

I'm going to say something completely the same...

I like what happens after reading and sometimes re-reading Bill's essays.

I begin to think for myself again. And I realize. That is the operative word. Realize.

Regarding the copyright issue:

If you have ever read a standard release in the entertainment world, you would know it grants 'worldright right to use the signee's voice and image in any media worldwide into perpetuity,' etc. When you enter a studio as an audience member, you will pass a sign saying that by entering the facility you agree to the conditions set forth on the sign, which is more of the same.

The reason for this is that NBC cannot afford to have Jay Leno go into the audience for a question, and then have that person sue NBC for a percentage of the revenues from THE TONIGHT SHOW from that point forward because they were contributing to the show's content -- even though they were.

I plan to write a second book about this experience. I think many of the comments left here will be germaine to the lessons we learn, and those lessons will center around the essay topic.

As in the example with NBC: If I write a 250 page book, and in that book I quote a paragraph of yours, then how am I supposed to arrange the compensation for that -- into perpetuity? I can't do it, and neither can any of the other blog hosts who have similar or identical warnings on their blogs. One of the reasons I read Little Green Footballs is for the comments. It is a major draw for me. I have left many comments there myself. Am I entitled to a check from Charles Johnson's ad revenues because I contribute to the content of LGF, even though in every sense I do?

Well, considering I pay not a penny in the expense of running LGF, that does not seem like a reasonable thing for me to expect. It seems unfair to enjoy years of free ice cream from someone, and then expect a cut of the vendors take because I volunteer to bring some napkins every now and then.

Comments like Lionel's already have taught me one lesson: you cannot put a playful --that is to say, informal -- warning out there. Already I see I have to "lawyer up."

Fine.

If there is anyone with legal experience who can recommend a fix I will be delighted to employ it.

The picture of the flying chair reminds me of a moment in my adolescence when I first heard the term "flying buttress." I thought the teacher had said "flying butt-rest" and that picture was exactly what I had pictured in my head.

I'm not sure it was meant that way, but I think Wacky Hermit's comment is the perfect response to Bill's immediately preceding comment.

Bill, you position is, as always, both well reasoned and well stated.

I too am thinking back to my child hood. "Hurry, Christmas, we can't wait. Me, I want a hula-hoop." (Or something like that.)

On with the show please, sir. May I have another?

It's a shame it has to go this way. You might look to the Chicago Tribune's Terms of Service for ideas. It has an extensive "User Content" area and includes such tidbits as:

For all User Content you make available on Chicagotribune.com, you grant Tribune Interactive, Inc. ("TI"), its affiliates and related entities, including Chicagotribune.com and its affiliated newspaper, a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and fully sub-licensable license to use, copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, publicly perform, publicly display, modify, adapt, translate, archive, store, and create derivative works from such User Content, in any form, format, or medium, of any kind now known or later developed.

I'm no lawyer, but it seems your version was just a simplified version of that.
You'd be surprised how many people don't even read Terms of Service contracts!

Alternatively, you may be able to customize a CreativeCommons.org license and write something like, "By posting on Ejectejecteject.com you agree to (insert CreativeCommons license name/with link) and give up all attribution rights."

I dunno--just throwing out ideas. Hopefully an attorney will come along and give better advice. :)

Thanks Eric, that seems very reasonable. I certainly don't want to step on any feelings over this -- even less restrict what people want to say -- but I simply don't know of any other way to do it.

Re-reading the Chicago Trib release -- which seems a lot more restrictive and off-putting that what I originally posted -- I realize that it grants me the "right and license" to use that material without actual "ownership."

I can see how that might be the rub. If that is the case, I sincerely apologize. "Ownership" is the term I am familiar with in the entertainment business, and not being a lawyer it seemed the simplest term to use. But granting me "right and license without compensation, etc." simply means I can use it without restriction without actually "owning" it, then if that was the sticking point I stand fully corrected.

I will certainly go ahead with all this at my expense -- which is not terribly significant, especially with respect to what I get from it. Already I am learning something, and that is the entire point.

We can choose to look at this as an example of conflict resolution among reasonable people. That is certainly what I am going to do. I hope to hear back from Lionell and anyone else to see if the modified Trib release is a satisfactory solution.

Onward!

Bill,

I really liked the start of your new book An American Civilization.

Is that still on deck?

If not, will the book for You Are Not Alone absorb/contain its ideas?

Looking forward to buying your hardcover soon.

Oh, regarding the pictures:

Monster, I am a complete tyro regarding html code and Movable Type. If you can briefly explain (just one example in [brackets] will do) how to embed those descriptions in the Movable Text format, I'd be delighted to do it.

The matter of personal ownership was the sticking point. I take ownership of intellectual property and copyrights quite seriously. I see such a thing as one of the fundamental properties of a free and productive civilization. Hence, from my perspective, if you own the words I post, I no longer have the right to use my own words without getting permission from you. This I will not permit. Since its your "living room" I simply chose to withdraw further comment.

I have no problem granting you a non-exclusive license to quote, copy, distribute, or derive from my words I post on this list. However, I retain the copyright to their exact expression. The operative term here should be non-exclusive license and not personal ownership.

Lionell -
As you mulled over what Bill's world was to look like you wrote "A Virtual City-State of those who thought they were alone. With adherence to reason, being really good at something, loving doing it, and being willing to teach it as the price of citizenship."
I take it from your conclusion that you do not want to pay the price of citizenship.
Somehow, I missed in the terms and conditions posted above each comment section (including the A Moving Company section where you posted at least half a dozen times) anything relating to "You own neither me nor my work product."
Perhaps I am just naive.
I'm with Otto Gass - "I don't fear loss of self when I choose to give." I don't fear loss of "anything" when I choose to give.
Andrea

Words matter because they are tools of both thought and communication. Sloppy words equals sloppy thinking. Sloppy thinking leads to the return of the dark ages and worse.

Ownership is perhaps the most important word there is, for without the right to own you have no right to live.

By equating "personal ownership" to "non-exclusive license" you destroy the meaning of both.

I am willing to accept that was not your intent but that is the result.

Andrea wrote: I take it from your conclusion that you do not want to pay the price of citizenship.

If the price of citizenship is to have to ask permission to use the results of your own effort, I do not wish to be a citizen. Such a thing is the antithesis of liberty for it means you must ask permission to live.

I am all for precision in thought and speech, but...

Is a bit of standard entertainment-industry legal boilerplate that is already slated to be changed seriously worth mounting the barricades to declare that civilization itself is under assault? You might want to back up and take a slightly wider perspective- namely, that there is no possible way that Bill or anybody else could proceed to follow you around making sure you don't say the same thing again because it's theirs now.

Yo Bill- you might want to think about writing up an FAQ to clarify points like this in greater detail. Reactionaries probably won't read it before reacting, but at least then all you'll have to do is link to it in response.

Followup on the sidebars not being black: Try (starting with) something like a 996600 bgcolor. That's one of the "classic" 216 "browser safe" colors, and it will still set off the body text ...

I assumed Bill's short, non-legalese release statement posted on HIS website was pretty straighforward and meant to be humourous. I am confused why anyone who was worried about giving away or losing ownership of written words, would bother posting a comment. I consider a domain private property. You want in? Here is the price. (kinda cheap if you ask me) Lionel strikes me as the type of person who when asked to take off his shoes when entering someones newly carpeted home, complains about his lack of choice to keep his shoes on and the militant environment of the home owner.

It sounds like Bill's going to change the wording. I hope he doesn't have to go down the Tribune route, but he's certainly got to protect his interests in this too.

All this legal talk reminds me of a joke. It seems Lucifer was cruising around the heavens in a brand new sports car when he lost control and crashed into the Gates of Heaven. God came out and demanded that the Dark Prince pay for the damage. Whereupon Lucifer said that he had no such intention, and did God think he could make him. God informed Lucifer that he would take the devil himself to court over the matter if that's the way he wanted it. Lucifer just smiled as he asked God, "And where do you think you're going to find a lawyer?"

I am more than willing to meet the terms of my statement: "A Virtual City-State of those who thought they were alone. With adherence to reason, being really good at something, loving doing it, and being willing to teach it as the price of citizenship."

What I am not willing to pay is that once taught, I cannot use what I teach nor any material I handed out in the process of teaching it. That is exactly the legal meaning of "personal ownership" in this context.

Agreement is simple. Drop the "personal ownership" phrase and substitute "non exclusive right to use" or something equivalent.

Lord love a duck.

And we were having so much fun...

craig wrote: I am confused why anyone who was worried about giving away or losing ownership of written words,...

I understand that you are confused. So also are many people. However, how many of the confused have spent over 40 years creating intellectual property as their primary work product? I have. That makes me very sensitive to over reaching claims to what is rightfully mine because I created it.

craig also wrote: Lionel strikes me as the type of person who when asked to take off his shoes when entering someones newly carpeted home, complains about his lack of choice to keep his shoes on and the militant environment of the home owner.

The analogy is inaccurate. More exactly the analogy would be that by the act of entering the house and taking off my shoes, the host would own my shoes and I would have to leave without them. I rather expect you would object to that. I know I would.

The problem of not being able to use my own comments myself was what was bothering me as well; I have no objection to Bill's using anything from them that he wants to. And in a way I'm sorry I seem to have started all this, but perhaps it's better to talk through this little glitch now.

The Trib license gets across the distinction I'm getting at, but I don't think the legalese is necessary. (Legal language is designed to be very precise, but it's also often incomprehensible to non-lawyers, which is a problem unless everyone wants to hire one to interpret for them. I don't think so.) Something like "If you post a comment, you agree that William A. Whittle may quote or otherwise use your comments in his own works or for any other purpose" ought to do it.

jaed wrote: Something like "If you post a comment, you agree that William A. Whittle may quote or otherwise use your comments in his own works or for any other purpose" ought to do it.

I agree.

Lionell,
What kind of libertarian are you? I use the small "l" because I don't know you. Your rights are your rights regardless of "THE RULES".
This is Bill's house: he sets the rules. If you don't like the rules, there's that little X at the top right of your screen.
You wrote "However, how many of the confused have spent over 40 years creating intellectual property as their primary work product? I have."
Dude,
Blogspot is free.
You wrote "You own neither me nor my work product. Continue in good health but don't expect further contribution from me."
But you're still here.
Troll alert.

C'mon folks... Bill said he's working on it. I can see why Bill would want to protect himself should some comment become published. I can also understand from where Lionell is coming (even if his words came across fairly harsh).

At any rate, I'd much rather Bill spend his time on his next article than anything else. ;)

From daddyquatro:

"You wrote "You own neither me nor my work product. Continue in good health but don't expect further contribution from me."
But you're still here.
Troll alert."

...I was thinking that very thing.

Our 'society' here is (and has ever been) of a culture made up of largely sensible, largely honorable people who largely care about the thoughts/feelings of others.

Lionel's (continuing) comments have the feel of someone who would use the features/rules of our society against us, to throw a spanner into the works of something that could be truly great.

Where else can we see examples of that?

- MuscleDaddy

"However, how many of the confused have spent over 40 years creating intellectual property as their primary work product? I have."

Has it occurred to you that you could have assumed the good faith of the people around you and your host, said this, and then suggested the minor change that Bill was already agreeing was needed instead of throwing a multi-comment fit about the downfall of civilization?

Principles are great and we need to take them seriously. But the entire reason we have principles is to guide the lives of people- like the ones who are now speculating about your possible trollish intentions instead of considering the value of what you may have had to contribute.

Sorry if that seemed a bit harsh, but I discovered Bill from Rachel way back in those halcyon days.
After 9/11.
In Rachel,
I found
A. Voice. For. My. Rage!
In Bill I found a voice for my hope.
Forgive me if I'm little emotional.

Looks as if our host had to run out for a few items. Hot sauce is running low but there seems to be plenty of ice, and a variety of dip. Given the pause, and at the risk of smellin' what I'm steppin' in...

I was actually composing offline to get pasted in here, but by the time I got back you others have said so much better that I'll bite my tongue for now.

I will however take advantage of Elisabeth Wordsworth, who in 1890 wrote something like if I recall correctly -

-for the good are so harsh to the clever
the clever so rude to the good

All I can offer is a sloppy attribution, I'm going from memory without actual research. As of this writing I haven't been advised whether there is a fee structure involved respecting the repetition.

Otto,
Bravo!
If I've stepped in something...
I blame
well, you know.

Oh, I'm not meaning to criticize either of you guys... your reactions were not only natural, but my first.

I just find that extending that "good faith" thing in these situations is usually win/win- I win if someone normally awesome was just being a bit hot we get to keep the awesome, and if they're always like that, then nobody can accuse me of the Long Jump To Conclusions. ;)

LabRat, as usual you get to the heart of the matter much more succinctly than I ever can. The quote I used was more of a reminder to myself to avoid argument for its own sake, even when circumstances provide irritation. Good faith and willingness to extend understanding - Bill has always kept that at the fore. It's the mark of a natural leader and I am humbled and inspired by his attitude, and yours.

I thought the original statement was refreshing considering what I imagined the people here to be like. Simple, straight, and no BS. If you can not see why Bill does this, perhaps you need to go back and read some essays.

Does anyone here care that personal watercraft do not have brakes on them? You can blame the product liability lawyers and bankers who are afraid of them. Personal experience. 60mph to 0 in 4 sec.

Let's not allow the the assault to continue here. We have way too much other work to do. That is waiting while we screw up what should be simple.

Is anyone thinking about how they can contribute to the experiment or if they can teach it? Or are we going to worry that Bill might use our contributions without our permission? I'm sure Bill will credit those who create. He doesn't seem to take credit for other's ideas thus far. Work with us, people. And try not to believe that your ideas are so precious that an honest person would turn criminal and steal them.

Damn myself! I don't have time to look up the script but something like "What good is it to gain the world & lose your life/soul" something like that.
Or
"Whoever will lose his life for my sake will find everlasting life".

The devil is in the details folks, we all KNOW this, ( and somebody make sure to whup my a$$ for that too)

If you call yourself a Believer, Then step up and Believe, meaning get over your self/Ego.
Get in line and be willing to swallow your pride-(smack)-hey, where'd THAT come from!- Jumpin' Jupiter it's Geez Louise! snuck up behind me while i was babbling on to you fine folks. Ooo she is MAD at me.

There are those who do because they desire recognition. Others do because they a see a job that needs doin'.

There is a job that needs doing. Unfortunately in any group, there are those few who can and do and those many who can't and won't. This group is no different.

Either lead, follow or get out of the way!

There IS a job that needs doing.

I believe that there are many (and, in fairness, not just here) who would see to the doing but, with the appearance of everything crumbling around them, don't know where to start.

Our host has a long and demonstrated history of what is needed here - Clarity of Vision.

That last Superman movie was disappointing on many levels, but it did remind us of this:

"They can be a great people, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son."

I abide in readiness.

- MuscleDaddy

I saw a webcomic today that deals with conspiracy theories. I think Bill would be proud.

http://xkcd.com/c258.html

Am i a stumbling block to you Lionell ?

Oh, my.

My wife works under a boss who is afflicted by Asperger Syndrome. Brilliant fellow, but unable to grok why their shop's employee retention rate is so dismal. It's a tough spot to be in for everyone, as individually they are all committed to excellence. Very difficult to reconcile differences however. I'd say not impossible, but it takes a great deal of effort that takes people off task and the aftertaste is rather on the dark side. The net effect is that the workers feel oppressed and isolated despite the high motivations carried aloft by their mission statement.

I like a navigator with a sharp eye for obstacles. Helps keep everyone safe and on track. But my first loyalty is to the captain. If he tells me to zip it, I'll stand down and stay out of everyone's hair. Until then I'll try to stay moderate and respectful but I'll call it the way I see it.

Dougman,
The quote you were looking for is "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Its from Jim Elliot who was martyred on the mission field. I had time to look it up. : )

Bless your Heart Leslie.

I must admit that i've never heard that one before but Truth reinforces itself in many ways.
That's what is so great about the Net.

Looks good. Substance over form! Keep the words flowing...

Derek B. - loved it, thanks for the link.

Bug report indeed.

Bill can use my comments in perpetuity--as long as I retain rights to the Middle Ages and on Mars... (to mangle Tim Dorsey)

Rock!!

Ben

Guys, guys -- don't you see what a gift this is?

The fact is, there is a difference between "license" and "ownership" which I did not understand. Lionell pointed this out to me.

In aviation, one will occasionally do something stupid that scares the bejeesus out of you, but does not cause any harm whatsoever. It's what could have happened that drills a lesson deep into our brains. We actually cherish these events, because you are terrified into learning a valuable lesson, but at no cost in consequences.

This is a very, very good thing that is going one here. I was wrong about that disclaimer. I'm going to go with a simple re-write of the Trib one. Why?

First, I was mistaken about "ownership." All I want -- and all anyone at any blog with comments wants -- is the protection and freedom to do with their blog whatever they choose, and that includes the comments. That is the price the commenter pays for the blog owner providing them a forum. Take it or leave it.

I had not considered the idea that my "owning" the comment meant that the writer could not use it him/herself. Once that was pointed out to me it made immediate sense, and yet I responded to the tone in which it was presented. That was my problem.

Second, despite my distaste for the lawyerese in the Trib release, it is written that wy for a reason, and that reason is crystal clear. Let's get those cards on the table, and you as responsible adults can make your own decision.

We need to get past this idea that disagreements are bad. Disagreement is the crucible of knowledge.

Reason and good manners are the hallmarks of civilization. As long as we retain those all will be well. I've learned an important lesson about what copywright protection means. I will modify the comment instructions later today when I have given it a little more thought, and if that still presents problems, I will modify it again. Obviously, I cannot do this forever; there are essential protections I must retain, and if you can't live with those then that is that -- nothing personal, and no hard feelings. Lionell is absolutely correct: in some matters -- like this one -- precision of language is everything.

I hope, however, that this example shows enough goodwill and common sense to maybe convince people that I would appreciate the benefit of the doubt before evil intent is assumed.

And really, when all is said and done, I think we all know who is responsible this. Let's just show a little class this time and not mention Dougman by name.

The print in the sidebars displays purple-on-dark-brown on my screen, and it is almost illegible . Please change to something with more contrast between print and background.

When faced with life's decisions,
ponder the question WWDMD?

Then, do the opposite.

Floating Baby Head.
I just love saying that.

RA-CHEL! RA-CHEL! RA-CHEL!

Bill,

Thank you.

Let the teaching and learning continue.

It looks pretty good. However, my monitor is 1024 pixels wide, and since you've got the banner set at 1000 pixels wide, I end up having to use the horizontal scroll bar to see your sidebars, particularly if I have my Favorites list up. I'd suggest changing the width parameter of the banner from width="1000" to width="100%", and eliminate the height parameter (browsers will take care of that automatically).

Good work on the new look...

I'm all too familar with trying to get the precise color you want using hexadecimals! Don't ask me how many hours it took for me to get just the right shade of gold...

Still one question - Is "America at Thermopylae" still on your schedule (I apologize if you answerd and I missed it)

Thanks!

daddyquatro-
Exactly, only a fool would offer himself up as a whipping boy.
Or someone that was sent to fulfill crazy prophesy 8:^}

Oops! I did just notice something...Your link lists are hard to see against the background...Maybe you could make the type lighter?...

(And I'm Liz L, btw...)

Bill, you're the very picture of grace under pressure.

Dougman, you're no fool.

FWIW, I'm totally happy with the new look.

OK, I'll admit I miss the (Dang...) balloon, but that's about it, really.

to who it may consern;

i hereby apply for citizenship in the nation of ejectia due to birthright. reference http://www.ejectejecteject.com/archives/000072.html

i'm good at climbing and swinging and i can teech other people how.

Can't everyone just appreciate the new site design? Would you go to your neighbor across the street and tell him you don't like his roof color and his house needs to be re-shingled? Personally, I'd just be thankful they dragged away the old tires...

I, for one, think it looks quite nice.

AD ASTRA VOLEMUS SELLA TONANTI ...

I believe I smell a t-shirt coming on. Complete with ejection-chair graphic.

Damn, Philmon -- THAT is a great idea. A black T with that banner would KICK ASS!

I'll e-mail my friend at THOSESHIRTS.com and see about making that happen right now.

I'd wear it.

Of course, I also wear Sluggy Freelance shirts from time to time, so it's not like it's a huge honor, but advertising is advertising.

Susie, there's a saying here-abouts: you know you're in New Mexico when the tires on your neighbors roof look better than what you're running on your rims. Do they do this in other parts of the country, or do we have yet another resident from the Land of Enchantment?

Bill,

Who are you endorsing for President in 2008? I know it is way early, but it is not too early to talk about it "critically" as you like to put it.

Okay, my first question as a pending "citizen" of "Ejectia"...

What will I be called? Will I be an "Ejector?" An "Ejection?" An "Ejectite?"

Maybe we should call the new realm "Antagon". That way I can be an "Antagonist."

Nah. Being an "Ejecti" is just fine with me.

Welcome all. Nice warm-up.

GHS

Actually, Ejecta seems particularly appropriate to me.

Keyboard/Monitor splattering: Bull's Eye!

And a snootful to boot!

Bill,

I can give you a disclaimer that is (i) less offputting than the Trib one, but (ii) covers the same ground legally. You want me to post it here, or email it to you.

Love the new look, and you're right - those T-shirts would SERIOUSLY kick ass.

Your Scotch buddy,

Flagwaver