[Scott Douglas]

I went to the bike shop and picked up a new set of pads w/hardware for $8+change. Got home and put them on, adjusted as best I could and they work GREAT now. Quiet too.
After reading this I went back out and dug the old pads out of the drawer I'd put them in as I saved them for emergency purposes. I got out my knife and dug at that 'metal' or whatever that is showing in the first pic.
It disintegrated under the knifing. Rubbed the pads on some sandpaper and I now have an extra set of used pads for next time. I think it must have been a rock from the beach or something like that. It turned to 'dust' mostly as it didn't come out as a 'rock' from between a tire tread.
Anyways, it got me out in the garage and my bike is the better for it now.
Thanks for the help.

Oh, just looking at the ones @herr_oberst linked to, mine have threaded posts. Thanks again.

Note. When the bike shop guy looked at the pad he said it looked like the brake had been adjusted perfectly. The pad came from the back left hand side of the bike. He explained how they should be adjusted so they don't squeal. Mine don't and never really have.
Leading edge in first contact relative to rotation so it's drawn into the rim as pressure is applied. Made sense to me and works well.