"If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. Of all the enemies to public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. The loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or imagined, from abroad."
-- James Madison

Art

If someone imitates another's idea, it's a rip off. But if enough people do it, it becomes a genre.

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
--Bertrand Russell

“Government cripples you, then hands you a crutch and says, 'See, if it wasn't for us, you couldn't walk.'”
-- Harry Browne

This is Serwious

It's funny (to me) when the news has to report something very serious but the object in question is kids play toys. The contrast of the tone of an article is obvious when you have to say that Barbie and Batman playsets are life threatening.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said there had been reports of three children swallowing more than one magnet and suffering intestinal perforations that required surgery. When more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.

Also recalled on Tuesday due to magnet dangers were 1 million Doggie Day Care, 683,000 Barbie and Tanner play sets, and 345,000 Batman and One Piece play sets. No injuries were reported from those items.

About 253,000 Pixar Sarge die-cast toy cars with lead paint were also recalled. No injuries were reported in connection with the toys.

Lead has been linked to health problems in children, including brain damage.

I saw a tow truck on the street today dragging a victim car behind it. And I do mean dragging because the wheels were locked and not rolling. A lot of squealing, a lot of smoke and a wonderful burning rubber smell. I wonder how many miles you can get on one side of a tire?

Remember the Tooth

I'm terrible about keeping this thing updated.

Anyway, Toddler Lock had her first dentist appointment today. A couple of weeks ago she did a belly flop off of the couch into an apothecary table. Lots of bleeding but the tooth did not budge. We were quite impressed. Except a few days ago, the tooth started to darken. We feared the worst, that she killed it and so we scheduled an appointment to have a professional take a look at it.

He took an X-ray of her mouth. Said the tooth may only be bruised and to give it some time before we know what state it's in. So we'll just wait and see if she's going to lose her first tooth at only two and half!

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies."
- C.S. Lewis

Little People

I like having a little person running around the house. It's just too entertaining. Too bad they grow out of that phase. I guess that's why we ordered a new one.

2

Had an ultrasound today. We're only 13 weeks into it so this is about the earliest we can look but it appears that we're having a boy.

And that did not stop Mrs. Lock from making name suggestions within hours of the ultrasound. After the appointment, I went back to work, logged in, hopped on instant messenger and started getting pings from her immediately.

mrs_lock: I like this name .. Torin
mr_lock: oh boy
mr_lock: Hafgan (the roleplaying name for the druids I play)
mrs_lock: Torin Hafgan Lock
mr_lock: Can I really name my kid Hafgan?
mrs_lock: It's a nice meaning (summer song), but a terrible name
mrs_lock: It's fine for role playing, but...

That last line was to save my feelings. We're talking about our future second kid and she thought I'd take offense at having my rp character's name ridiculed.