Regarding the AFA boycott page

In my previous post about the AFA's boycott of The Home Depot (Dept. of Shopping), I happened to look at the coding of the AFA post and found something truly unexpected. The headline is a series of images glued onto the page like a ransom note.
They're using cufon, which is an open source library that converts text to images.

(I had to use an image because of a problem displaying HTML code in Blogger)

I can only guess that they're trying to prevent some kind of screen-scraping from their content. Ah, well, I hope that they're having fun.

Dept. of Shopping

I've often mentioned that I rely on a few folks to help me make up my mind at election times. If I'm undecided or just haven't been paying attention, I check the signs on their lawns and then vote for the other candidate.
The folks at the American Family Association can provide similar assistance with shopping.
Sometimes, for example, I can't decide whether to shop at The Home Depot, Lowe's, or another home center. The AFA is continuing its boycott of The Home Depot because THD's foundation will match employee gifts to GLAAD:

The Home Depot, through its Foundation, is now matching donations by its employees to further homosexual activism.

Based on the work of Home Depot Foundation is doing, I'm more likely to shop at The Home Depot.
You might regard my opinion in the same way that I rely on my neighbors, as a resource for contrary guidance. In any case, now you have some ideas who will and won't be shopping where.

In the case that there are some bad words that you haven't used yet

Area forecast discussion 
National Weather Service Taunton Massachusetts 
427 am EST Friday Feb 4 2011 


Synopsis... 
dry and seasonably cold today. Another storm with snow and mixed 
precipitation will affect the region Saturday and Saturday night...followed 
by dry weather for Sunday. Light wintry precipitation remains possible 
late Monday into early Tuesday as low pressure likely tracks over New 
England. A more significant winter storm may threaten the region 
late next week. 

via Scientific Weather Discussion

It's only snow. It's a lot and it won't quit, but it's only snow.

Blogger client now in Android Market

Well, let's see how this critter works.

Blogger client now in Android Market

Well, let's see how this critter works.

Your dog isn't gross; he's looking for cancer

Dogs can accurately sniff out early stage bowel cancer

ScienceDaily (Jan. 31, 2011) — Dogs can sniff out bowel cancer in breath and stool samples, with a very high degree of accuracy -- even in the early stages of the disease -- reveals research published online in the journal Gut.

Not only is the story interesting, but it was published int he magazine with the best name ever:

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 9 suspicious items this week.]
Holden
Monday, January 17
12:49 a.m. Vehicle stopped in middle of roadnear Rutland line; no contact
1:14 p.m. Caller wants to complain about fire dept.
3:17 p.m. Dog running up and down Meadowwood Dr.
5:06 p.m. Car needs jump start, Main St.
6:12 p.m. Altercation involving three females in parking lot of residence, High St.; one took off
9:02 p.m. Rutland PD reports suspicious male riding bicycle; stopped and advised to wear reflective equipment
Tuesday, January 18
1:07 a.m. Vehicle behind Main St. business
2:00 a.m. Lights on inside vehicle, Main St., no occupants
2:34 a.m. Low-temp/boiler alarm at Town Hall
7:00 a.m. Shovel in roadway, Malden St.
7:09 a.m. Caller wants to know if banks are open
9:06 a.m. Elderly female walking in middle of Reservoir St.; advised to use sidewalk
9:24 a.m. Well-being check on dog, Shrewsbury St.
7:58 p.m. Vehicle out of gas and disabled in middle of Mark Cir.
Wednesday, January 19
12:09 a.m. Vehicle overheated at gas station, Main St.
6:38 a.m. Vehicle slid down Doyle Rd. over Worcester line; Worcester PD on scene
9:35 a.m. Baby stroller in Shrewsbury St.
10:52 a.m. Caller’s neighbor plowing snow onto his property, Glenwood St.
1:40 p.m. Report of large amounts of snow on sidewalks, Greystone Dr.
2:09 p.m. Suspicious male, Main St.
2:25 p.m. Caller wants to file complaint against police officer
5:00 p.m. Pit bull on deck causing damage to screen door, Longmeadow Ave.
5:16 p.m. Report of snow-covered sidewalks; cleared by resident but town plows pushed snow back
8:09 p.m. Neighbor dispute, S. View Rd.
Thursday, January 20
2:50 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.; owner is homeless and sleeping in car
7:58 a.m. Report of bus rolling through two stop signs in Rutland
10:57 a.m. Caller reports car repossessed illegally
2:15 p.m. Elderly woman walking on Chapel St.
Friday, January 21
1:54 a.m. Vehicle out of gas in middle of Main St.
9:04 a.m. Report of caller from Animal Rescue League for fundraiser
10:39 a.m. Woman says neighbor is plowing snow onto her property, Lincoln Ave.
11:25 a.m. Caller reports vehicle stolen; advised it was repossessed
1:54 p.m. Caller believes her motor vehicle to be stolen because repossession company violated law by coming onto her property
2:00 p.m. Report of dangerous snowbank, Manning/North Sts.
3:27 p.m. Call about unlicensed dog; dog is deceased
Saturday, January 22
2:40 a.m. Disturbance, Red Barn Rd., appears to be teens yelling and screaming
1:30 p.m. Caller reports The Landmark has the wrong address in one of its publications
3:46 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Parker Ave., one person in vehicle, one standing outside
6:38 p.m. Domestic dispute, female reports husband frying bologna, wants him to stop; tells responding officers to take off their shoes. Officer reports no domestic issue, caller just wanted to say, “Hi.”
Sunday, January 23
2:43 a.m. 911 caller reports doorbell rang and vehicle parked across street, individuals inside yelling
6:24 a.m. Caller asking about water problems in town; believes his pipes may have frozen, Princeton St.
2:06 p.m. Caller concerned about several phone calls from solicitors
5:41 p.m. Vehicle out of gas, Main St.
9:05 p.m. Motor vehicle hit deer, Wachusett St.
10:46 p.m. Person on side of road looking for lost windshield wiper
Paxton
Monday, January 17
6:08 a.m. Suspicious vehicle with three or four kids driving through Old Lantern Cir.
Tuesday, January 18
4:39 p.m. Open door at what caller believes is abandoned building, Camp St.
Wednesday, January 19
7:39 a.m. Loose brown and white boxer near town common, Pleasant St.
9:45 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer regarding ongoing issue with neighbor, Pleasant St.
10:20 a.m. Water issue at house, Dunanderry Way
12:11 p.m. Caller requesting police speak to neighbor regarding ongoing issue and snow removal, Monticello Dr.
4:30 p.m. Female locked out of home, Streeter Rd.
Saturday, January 22
9:46 a.m. Pole work done without police detail, obstructing traffic, Pleasant St.
Sunday, January 23
9:38 a.m. Possible leak in water main, West St.
Princeton
Monday, January 17
4:44 p.m. Disabled vehicle disturbing traffic at town line, Mountain Rd.
5:49 p.m. Unattended vehicle partially blocking roadway, Beaman Rd.
Tuesday, January 18
9:45 p.m. Domestic disturbance, Lovers Ln.
Wednesday, January 19
9:42 a.m. Raccoon walking down Sterling Rd.
Thursday, January 20
7:57 p.m. Missing calico kitten, Hickory Dr.
Saturday, January 22
11:45 p.m. Police check on male riding bike on Gregory Hill Rd. Person brought home, Radford Rd.
Sunday, January 23
4:20 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about animal issue, Town Hall Dr.
4:57 p.m. Possible injured porcupine in road, Gleason Rd. Animal seems OK and on its way
Rutland
Monday, January 17
9:23 p.m. Passersby noticed cold-looking bicyclist traveling into town
Tuesday, January 18
2:56 p.m. Yellow Labrador found, E. County Rd.
Wednesday, January 19
10:46 a.m. Report that vehicle hit deer at 6 a.m. Deer ran into woods, and driver went to work.
6:05 p.m. Vehicle lock-out, Inwood Rd.
10:15 p.m. Disabled vehicle driver flagged down police chief, Main St.
Thursday, January 20
8:43 a.m. Large puddle in front of vacant house, possible burst pipe, Birchwood Rd.
11:18 a.m. Two loose dogs, Jonathan Cir.
2:06 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Wheeler Rd. Party is water tower survey team
2:45 p.m. Caller to speak with officer about ongoing dog issue, Pommogussett Rd.
Friday, January 21
8:35 a.m. Dog officer attempted to catch black hound, Pommogusset Rd.
9:22 a.m. 911 hang-up; five-year-old playing with phone
9:09 p.m. Verizon and Charter wires down across Edson Rd.; Charter to respond in one hour. Verizon reports repair may take up to five days because it is not a hazard
Saturday, January 22
8:37 a.m. Dead turkey in snowbank, Brooke Haven Dr.
10:31 a.m. 12-year-old boy bitten by dog, Victoria Ave.
3:39 p.m. Vehicle out of gas, Barre Paxton Rd.
4:27 p.m. Transport male to Holden town line, where officers will pick him up
Sunday, January 23
2:07 p.m. Sick fox hanging around residence, Crestview Dr.; animal is thin and limping
Sterling
Monday, January 17
5:41 p.m. Customer forgot card in bank, Worcester Rd.
Tuesday, January 18
11:09 a.m. Bird got into house, person unable to remove it, Albright Rd. Animal control officer advised
Wednesday, January 19
11:08 a.m. Granite mailbox damaged by plow, Calvins Ln.
Thursday, January 20
8:14 p.m. Young man standing in the middle of the road, looks disorientated, Osgood/Pineview Rds.
Friday, January 20
2:46 a.m. Report of vehicle off Rte. 62; police unable to locate it
12:37 p.m. Report of missing beagle
4:08 p.m. Report of snow from private driveway shoveled into plowed roadway, Ridgewood Rd.
4:36 p.m. Vehicle parked partially in roadway while person is shoveling, Upper N. Row Rd.
5:20 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Davis Ledge Rd.
5:28 p.m. Disabled vehicle, Kendall Hill Rd.
Saturday, January 22
9:00 a.m. Suspicious caller looking for money for Special Olympics, Greenland Rd.
7:55 p.m. Suspicious parked vehicle, Belmont Dr.
Sunday, January 23
12:11 p.m. Caller lost check card, possibly in bank machine, Pine Woods Ln.
1:11 p.m. Railroad crossing flashing for several hours, Gates Rd.
3:24 p.m. Assist Leominster PD, check to see if people were at restaurant in Leominster that day
4:47 p.m. Caller reports dog tied outside, Osgood Rd.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 9 suspicious items this week.]
Holden
Monday, January 17
12:49 a.m. Vehicle stopped in middle of roadnear Rutland line; no contact
1:14 p.m. Caller wants to complain about fire dept.
3:17 p.m. Dog running up and down Meadowwood Dr.
5:06 p.m. Car needs jump start, Main St.
6:12 p.m. Altercation involving three females in parking lot of residence, High St.; one took off
9:02 p.m. Rutland PD reports suspicious male riding bicycle; stopped and advised to wear reflective equipment
Tuesday, January 18
1:07 a.m. Vehicle behind Main St. business
2:00 a.m. Lights on inside vehicle, Main St., no occupants
2:34 a.m. Low-temp/boiler alarm at Town Hall
7:00 a.m. Shovel in roadway, Malden St.
7:09 a.m. Caller wants to know if banks are open
9:06 a.m. Elderly female walking in middle of Reservoir St.; advised to use sidewalk
9:24 a.m. Well-being check on dog, Shrewsbury St.
7:58 p.m. Vehicle out of gas and disabled in middle of Mark Cir.
Wednesday, January 19
12:09 a.m. Vehicle overheated at gas station, Main St.
6:38 a.m. Vehicle slid down Doyle Rd. over Worcester line; Worcester PD on scene
9:35 a.m. Baby stroller in Shrewsbury St.
10:52 a.m. Caller’s neighbor plowing snow onto his property, Glenwood St.
1:40 p.m. Report of large amounts of snow on sidewalks, Greystone Dr.
2:09 p.m. Suspicious male, Main St.
2:25 p.m. Caller wants to file complaint against police officer
5:00 p.m. Pit bull on deck causing damage to screen door, Longmeadow Ave.
5:16 p.m. Report of snow-covered sidewalks; cleared by resident but town plows pushed snow back
8:09 p.m. Neighbor dispute, S. View Rd.
Thursday, January 20
2:50 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.; owner is homeless and sleeping in car
7:58 a.m. Report of bus rolling through two stop signs in Rutland
10:57 a.m. Caller reports car repossessed illegally
2:15 p.m. Elderly woman walking on Chapel St.
Friday, January 21
1:54 a.m. Vehicle out of gas in middle of Main St.
9:04 a.m. Report of caller from Animal Rescue League for fundraiser
10:39 a.m. Woman says neighbor is plowing snow onto her property, Lincoln Ave.
11:25 a.m. Caller reports vehicle stolen; advised it was repossessed
1:54 p.m. Caller believes her motor vehicle to be stolen because repossession company violated law by coming onto her property
2:00 p.m. Report of dangerous snowbank, Manning/North Sts.
3:27 p.m. Call about unlicensed dog; dog is deceased
Saturday, January 22
2:40 a.m. Disturbance, Red Barn Rd., appears to be teens yelling and screaming
1:30 p.m. Caller reports The Landmark has the wrong address in one of its publications
3:46 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Parker Ave., one person in vehicle, one standing outside
6:38 p.m. Domestic dispute, female reports husband frying bologna, wants him to stop; tells responding officers to take off their shoes. Officer reports no domestic issue, caller just wanted to say, “Hi.”
Sunday, January 23
2:43 a.m. 911 caller reports doorbell rang and vehicle parked across street, individuals inside yelling
6:24 a.m. Caller asking about water problems in town; believes his pipes may have frozen, Princeton St.
2:06 p.m. Caller concerned about several phone calls from solicitors
5:41 p.m. Vehicle out of gas, Main St.
9:05 p.m. Motor vehicle hit deer, Wachusett St.
10:46 p.m. Person on side of road looking for lost windshield wiper
Paxton
Monday, January 17
6:08 a.m. Suspicious vehicle with three or four kids driving through Old Lantern Cir.
Tuesday, January 18
4:39 p.m. Open door at what caller believes is abandoned building, Camp St.
Wednesday, January 19
7:39 a.m. Loose brown and white boxer near town common, Pleasant St.
9:45 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer regarding ongoing issue with neighbor, Pleasant St.
10:20 a.m. Water issue at house, Dunanderry Way
12:11 p.m. Caller requesting police speak to neighbor regarding ongoing issue and snow removal, Monticello Dr.
4:30 p.m. Female locked out of home, Streeter Rd.
Saturday, January 22
9:46 a.m. Pole work done without police detail, obstructing traffic, Pleasant St.
Sunday, January 23
9:38 a.m. Possible leak in water main, West St.
Princeton
Monday, January 17
4:44 p.m. Disabled vehicle disturbing traffic at town line, Mountain Rd.
5:49 p.m. Unattended vehicle partially blocking roadway, Beaman Rd.
Tuesday, January 18
9:45 p.m. Domestic disturbance, Lovers Ln.
Wednesday, January 19
9:42 a.m. Raccoon walking down Sterling Rd.
Thursday, January 20
7:57 p.m. Missing calico kitten, Hickory Dr.
Saturday, January 22
11:45 p.m. Police check on male riding bike on Gregory Hill Rd. Person brought home, Radford Rd.
Sunday, January 23
4:20 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about animal issue, Town Hall Dr.
4:57 p.m. Possible injured porcupine in road, Gleason Rd. Animal seems OK and on its way
Rutland
Monday, January 17
9:23 p.m. Passersby noticed cold-looking bicyclist traveling into town
Tuesday, January 18
2:56 p.m. Yellow Labrador found, E. County Rd.
Wednesday, January 19
10:46 a.m. Report that vehicle hit deer at 6 a.m. Deer ran into woods, and driver went to work.
6:05 p.m. Vehicle lock-out, Inwood Rd.
10:15 p.m. Disabled vehicle driver flagged down police chief, Main St.
Thursday, January 20
8:43 a.m. Large puddle in front of vacant house, possible burst pipe, Birchwood Rd.
11:18 a.m. Two loose dogs, Jonathan Cir.
2:06 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Wheeler Rd. Party is water tower survey team
2:45 p.m. Caller to speak with officer about ongoing dog issue, Pommogussett Rd.
Friday, January 21
8:35 a.m. Dog officer attempted to catch black hound, Pommogusset Rd.
9:22 a.m. 911 hang-up; five-year-old playing with phone
9:09 p.m. Verizon and Charter wires down across Edson Rd.; Charter to respond in one hour. Verizon reports repair may take up to five days because it is not a hazard
Saturday, January 22
8:37 a.m. Dead turkey in snowbank, Brooke Haven Dr.
10:31 a.m. 12-year-old boy bitten by dog, Victoria Ave.
3:39 p.m. Vehicle out of gas, Barre Paxton Rd.
4:27 p.m. Transport male to Holden town line, where officers will pick him up
Sunday, January 23
2:07 p.m. Sick fox hanging around residence, Crestview Dr.; animal is thin and limping
Sterling
Monday, January 17
5:41 p.m. Customer forgot card in bank, Worcester Rd.
Tuesday, January 18
11:09 a.m. Bird got into house, person unable to remove it, Albright Rd. Animal control officer advised
Wednesday, January 19
11:08 a.m. Granite mailbox damaged by plow, Calvins Ln.
Thursday, January 20
8:14 p.m. Young man standing in the middle of the road, looks disorientated, Osgood/Pineview Rds.
Friday, January 20
2:46 a.m. Report of vehicle off Rte. 62; police unable to locate it
12:37 p.m. Report of missing beagle
4:08 p.m. Report of snow from private driveway shoveled into plowed roadway, Ridgewood Rd.
4:36 p.m. Vehicle parked partially in roadway while person is shoveling, Upper N. Row Rd.
5:20 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Davis Ledge Rd.
5:28 p.m. Disabled vehicle, Kendall Hill Rd.
Saturday, January 22
9:00 a.m. Suspicious caller looking for money for Special Olympics, Greenland Rd.
7:55 p.m. Suspicious parked vehicle, Belmont Dr.
Sunday, January 23
12:11 p.m. Caller lost check card, possibly in bank machine, Pine Woods Ln.
1:11 p.m. Railroad crossing flashing for several hours, Gates Rd.
3:24 p.m. Assist Leominster PD, check to see if people were at restaurant in Leominster that day
4:47 p.m. Caller reports dog tied outside, Osgood Rd.

Some skies are quiet

We were out early this morning. The waning thumbnail moon was rising, chasing the morning star Venus.

Of course, all of the talk was about the upcoming storms and how there's no place to put more snow. We talked about that, too. For a moment, though, we stood quietly and saw what a clear and cold January sky looks like.
By the way, folk wisdom says that you should still have half of your firewood supply left by this point. We're in good shape, ready for what comes.

Some skies are quiet

We were out early this morning. The waning thumbnail moon was rising, chasing the morning star Venus.

Of course, all of the talk was about the upcoming storms and how there's no place to put more snow. We talked about that, too. For a moment, though, we stood quietly and saw what a clear and cold January sky looks like.
By the way, folk wisdom says that you should still have half of your firewood supply left by this point. We're in good shape, ready for what comes.