Filed under: Cool Site of the Day, Economy, Taxes, The Elephant's Child | Tags: Government Failure, National Debt, Useful Website
Prowl around enough on the internet and you find all sorts of useful websites. Here is the National Debt Clock, but it is far more than that: Call it
“The Control Panel for the Ship of State.”
We live in perilous times, and we need citizen activists who are willing to get informed and make themselves heard.
If you want to speak to your representatives in Congress, you need facts with which to confront congressmen who are often poorly informed, and do not read the bills on which they vote.
Besides, it’s kind of fun. Just don’t go there when you’re worried and can not sleep.
Filed under: Art, Cool Site of the Day, Entertainment, Freedom, The Elephant's Child | Tags: France, Marionettes, Royal de Luxe Street Theatre Company
Earlier this week, 1.5 million people filled the streets of Berlin, Germany to watch a several-day long performance by France’s Royal de Luxe street theatre company titled “The Berlin Reunion.” Part of the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall , the Reunion show featured two massive marionettes, the Big Giant, a deep-sea diver, and his niece the Little Giantess.
According to the storyline of the performance, the two were separated by a wall thrown up by “land and sea monsters.” The Big Giant has just returned from a long and difficult — but successful —expedition to destroy the wall. Now, they are walking the streets of Berlin, seeking each other after many years apart.
The video gives some idea of the motion of the performance. This link provides a number of photos that tell the rest of the story. An amazing performance. Thanks to the Boston Globe for publishing this story.
NOTE: Do not miss clicking on the above link to the photos! They are large, much more impressive than the short video, and tell much more of the story.
Filed under: Cool Site of the Day, History, Humor, Literature, The Elephant's Child
Whenever I chance upon something special, I want to push it on everyone, demanding that they appreciate promptly what I have so enjoyed. In this case, I want you to meet an old friend because I know you will like him, and to point out his work which I find constantly interesting.
My enthusiasm is for the columns of Canadian journalist David Warren. He is a wonderful writer, always surprising, always forcing his readers to view the world in new ways.
In an essay written earlier in September entitled “At Sea“, he begins with an eight month long thunderstorm 3,000 kilometers across, drops in briefly at the Jet Propulsion Lab at NASA, and travels along the Arctic shores of Russia, with a feint towards global warming. And ends up with the tale of a misdirected pigeon, a “stupid greedy unthankful bird” far out at sea. A tour de force.
“Anti-anti” examines the Obama administration’s decision to cancel the U.S. missile defense shield installations in the Czech Republic and Poland. And takes up the question of what Russia might offer in return. Anyone confused by the pronouncements of our own mainstream media will appreciate his clear analysis.
Bookmark his website. Visit it frequently, and when you have time, explore his archives. You will be glad you did, especially if you appreciate the English language.
This extraordinary castle, built entirely of paper, was created over four years of hard work, and includes electric lights and a moving train. It was made by Wataru Itou, an art student at a Tokyo art school. Follow the link for many more pictures. Each piece was cut and folded, one cut and one fold at a time.
(h/t: Jonah Goldberg at NRO )
Filed under: Africa, Cool Site of the Day, Developing Nations, Foreign Policy, Freedom, The Elephant's Child
Uncommon Knowledge is back this week as host Peter Robinson interviews Dambisa Moyo, author of Dead Aid; Why Aid Is Not working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa. Dambisa Moyo grew up in Zambia. She holds a master’s degree from Harvard,an MBA from American University, and a doctorate from Oxford, and has worked for the World Bank and Goldman Sachs.
$1 trillion in aid to Africa over the last 50 years, she says, has done positive harm. Ten percent of Africans in the 1970s lived in dire circumstances. Today 70 percent of Africans live on less than $2 a day. Life expectancy is declining and poverty is endemic. The “glamor aid” business, so beloved by celebrities, is malignant. The Chinese, on the other hand, are there to do business and create jobs.
Fascinating discussion, and well worth your time. Each segment (of 5) is only about 7 minutes. I recommend them highly. You will find all sorts of interesting people in previous interviews: Former Prime Minister of Australia John Howard, Thomas Sowell, John Bolton, Andrew Klavan are just a few.
Filed under: American Elephant, Blogging, Cool Site of the Day | Tags: Milestones
Sometime yesterday, we had our 300,000th visitor to American Elephants! It may seem like chump change to all those big brutish blogs out there, and is probably quite the yawner to most, but we couldn’t be more happy! Well, yes we could, we could have a million visits — that would make us happier — or a million DOLLARS! Now we’re talking, baby! But of course, then Obama and the Democrats would just confiscate it and buy condoms for kindergartners or some such silly socialist thing. Sigh.
But back to the topic at hand…
Thank you!
We love our tiny, but steadily growing little blog, and most of all, we love you for coming by! We love your comments and conversation!
When we get our millionth visitor, we’re talking prizes! But until then, a modest little celebration seems in order…
Amazing art that can be seen only from high altitude, from Web Urbanist. Crop circles you have never seen before and transformers to surprise. Enjoy.
…with 60,000 legos. Mark Borlase recreated the rebel base on Hoth from the Empire Strikes Back — with jaw dropping detail. Check out his photostream for interior shots (yes, he did the inside of the base too.) Or view the slideshow.
As the headline says, the 5′X10′ diorama is comprised of 60,000 Lego bricks. It cost creator Mark Borlase about $3,000 and four years of construction time to complete.
There’s also the 50 LED lights that illuminate the Echo Base hangar and bacta tank with a soothing blue. Motorized AT-AT wenches and a fully operational hanger door top off this gorgeous pile of eye candy.
(h/t) Geekologie
Filed under: American Elephant, Blogging, Cool Site of the Day, News of the Weird, Pop Culture | Tags: Christmas, Santa Claus
Thanks to reader Joseph for reminding me! You and kids can track Santa on his trip around the world with satelite maps and embedded YouTube videos, thanks to NORAD (and your tax dollars) here. He and his reindeer have finished their rounds of Asia and Australia (he’s apparently even vistited the International Space Station), and are currently working their way through Africa and Eastern Europe. He is currently in Perin, Slovakia as of this writing.
And who knew, but Santa has his own blog, as do his reindeer. (How they type is beyond me.)
All this, as well as Christmas crafts, printable cards, games, stories, and recipes can be found at Santa.com.
Filed under: Cool Site of the Day, Freedom, History, Military, News, The Elephant's Child | Tags: Arlington National Cemetery, Military Honors, On Hallowed Ground
Wreaths Across America is a voluntary effort started in 1992 by Morrill Worcester of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. Arlington is the largest focus of the commemorative ceremony, but nationwide some 100,000 wreathes are laid at over 300 cemeteries in all 50 states. Its goal is to put a wreath on as many service members’ graves as possible.
James Robbins tells the story of the 17th annual wreath-laying in a lovely article at National Review Online. If you can spare a few minutes during the Christmas rush, do read the whole thing.
Filed under: American Elephant, Conservatism, Cool Site of the Day, Fun n Games, Politics, Pop Culture | Tags: bumper stickers, buttons, Christmas, conservatives, Gifts, Republicans, Sale, Sarah Palin, Stocking Stuffers, t shirts
Time for a little shameless holiday plug!
Still looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the conservative or Republican on your Christmas list? Look no further! Santa and his little elephants have been very busy in their workshop, adding new designs to The Elephant Trunk just in time for Christmas. Whether you want to support Sarah Palin, show your appreciation for President Bush, stand up for a conservative principle, or simply mock Obama and the Democrats, we’ve got the perfect stocking stuffers and stylish gifts for you and every conservative on your Christmas list. T-shirts, sweatshirts, buttons, bumper-stickers, bags, hats and more — great for gifts under the tree or tucked neatly in a stocking by the fireplace.
And, rest assured, we’ve got more designs on the way, so check back often. 
Hassle free delivery is guaranteed by Cafe Press to arrive on or before December 24, if orders are placed by 11.59 pm by Tuesday, Dec. 16 for standard shipping — Saturday, December 20, for premium shipping — or Noon, Monday December 22 for 1 day shipping.
And every item comes with Cafe Press’ 30- day money back guarantee.
We hope you’ll have a look, and even more, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
Help promote and share The Elephant Trunk…
Filed under: Cool Site of the Day, Energy, Environment, Global Warming, Science/Technology, The Elephant's Child, Uncategorized | Tags: Climate Change, NASA, Science News, Solar Cycle
After a little over two years of a quiet sun and few solar flares, a new-cycle sunspot group has emerged on Halloween, and been seen over a four-day period in early November.
This is good news. Warmer is actually better than colder. People are much more susceptible to suffering from cold weather than from heat. Here is the report with moving pictures too.
Filed under: American Elephant, Conservatism, Cool Site of the Day, Election 2008, Fun n Games, Politics, Pop Culture | Tags: baby, banner, bumper sticker, button, Campaign, Conservative, dog, Election, gear, John McCain, kids, McCain/Palin, men, mug, Pets, Republican, Sarah Palin, sticker, t shirt, women, yard sign
A little shameless self promotion. Forgive us!
But lots of people seem to be looking for McCain signs, buttons, shirts, bumper stickers, etc, and can’t find them. We’ve got em!
Yard signs, large vinyl banners, buttons, stickers, mugs bags and more. T shirts, sweatshirts, baseball shirts in loads of styles and colors for men, women, kids, baby and even your pets!
Click here, or click any of the pics to see our store. The store is run by CafePress.com and is guaranteed 100% secure. And we are adding new designs just as quick as we can, so check back often and show your support for John McCain and Sarah Palin! (we’ll likely have some good anti-Obama/Democrat designs soon too )
Filed under: American Elephant, Cool Site of the Day, Domestic Policy, Election 2008, Foreign Policy, Humor, Liberalism, Politics | Tags: Democrats, Liberals, Progressives
Liberals not only live in their own little world, they have their own little language. It sounds the same as ours, the words and syntax familiar, but is in fact entirely different. Normal people think they are saying one thing, but they mean something else altogether.
At no time is it more important to be fluent in liberalese than election-time, when such important issues teeter in the balance.
To that end, the wise and estimable Renaissance Guy has composed a field guide to the silly season — an invaluable resource for anyone who intends to vote. I highly recommend everyone familiarize themselves with his Liberal to English Dictionary.
Filed under: Blogging, Cool Site of the Day, News | Tags: Blogging, Milestones
American Elephants had our 1st birthday last week, and some time last night we had our 100,000th visitor. Not very exciting to anyone but us probably, but we are very excited and very grateful, especially to those of you who have not only visited, but keep coming back anyway!
We like our little blog, it’s definitely still a work in progress, lots of trial and error, but we’re very humbled that some other people seem to like it too. (and are willing to put up with the errors!) Please let us know if you have any ideas how we can make it better for you, we enjoy hearing the feedback!
Thanks to you all!
The Elephants
Filed under: Art, Blogging, Cool Site of the Day, Emerald City Elephant, News of the Weird | Tags: Architecture, art
Art-chitecture or Bizarre-chitecture? A realtor’s collection of out of the ordinary homes. Some look rather fun!
