Is this the latest pitch from Billy Mays' demented nephew, or a sly wink-wink to Monty Python's "Nudge Nudge" skit?

I'd order one, but I can't untangle my Snuggie to reach the phone.

Hat tip: Moxie

Well, not yet. But the Paulbots have certainly spammed the heck out of RNCDebate.org lately. Just look at all the lickspittle paeans mixed into the questions submitted by the Ronulans. Geez, these cranks almost make Obama worshipers look rational.

Hats off to Sword At-The-Ready for the image.

Enjoy 2009, folks. It's going to be a very interesting year.

Jim Dolbow solicits predictions for 2009 in two areas: national defense in general, and my beloved Coast Guard specifically. Go forth and comment.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

If you think paying fifteen dollars for one of these monstrosities is silly ...

... imagine forking over more than twenty bucks for a secondhand coin. There's a sucker born every minute.

Hat tip: Ben Keeler

Brit Hume wrapped up his career as a full-time journalist tonight when he signed off at the end of Special Report. The guy's a no-b.s., fair, balanced, unafraid reporter who has earned his retirement.

America needs more reporters like him. I'll miss watching him in the evenings.

The U.S. Naval Institute's new blog features some heavy hitters posting on America's response to modern day pirates in the Gulf of Aden. How come? Well, those pesky Somali pirates have kept themselves in the headlines long enough to draw the attention of the UN Security Council (I'll bet the pirates are terrified). After a recent close call, cruise ship passengers have now begun debarking before their ships reach the danger area, then flying to the next port of call to rejoin the cruise in safer waters.

At the USNI blog, the Navy's current tactics catch flak from Chuck Spinney, while Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen asks about the counter-piracy endgame. The latest missive from the Department of Crazy Ideas (courtesy of lawyer and retired Navy Captain "Eagle1") suggests a cheap inshore fleet. All well and good, but something's missing.

Let's convince Congress to issue Letters of Marque & Reprisal. This isn't as quaint or old-fashioned as you might think, and I'm not in the middle of a Walter Mitty daydream about Sir Francis Drake. The most recently-issued letter of marque allowed the civilian blimp Resolute to operate as an Anti-Submarine Warfare privateer, patrolling out of Los Angeles in 1941-42.

To curb the Somali pirates, our Congress could simply turn loose civilian contractors like Blackwater, Paratus World Wide Protection, or Triple Canopy. Quick, easy, no muss, no fuss. The Democrats in DC would only need to handle the paperwork and make belligerent speeches, leaving the private military companies to figure out the messy details. There would be minimal risk to our military personnel, who would only have to assist the contractors with surveillance and intelligence gathering.

If the sea services insist on taking part, or if the DC crowd pushes them into the fray, they should resist the urge to charge right up the middle with conventional forces. They should first look carefully at the capabilities of the Coast Guard's MSSTs (and the MSRT), as well as the Navy's SEALs, SWCC Teams, and Maritime Expeditionary Security Force. There's not much sense in trying to swat flies with a sledgehammer.

The creator of the Segway and the iBOT 4000 has outdone himself. At the request of the U.S. Department of Defense, Dean Kamen is developing the latest breakthrough in prosthetic arms ... and it's a quantum leap forward.

There's more video here.

When Kamen builds the "Luke Leg", I'll be at his door to get a pair.

H/T: Fox News

Heh.

H/T: Bearing Drift Ohio

Amen, brother.

The reins are in your hands now. Kindest regards, et cetera.

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It's all here, fully documented.

H/T: Connect The Dots 2006