The Canadian dollar has reached a modern day high in terms of its value against the U.S. Greenback (http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2007/10/31/dollarjump.html), which itself appears to be heading for parity............with the Mexican Peso. I know that I am screaming to no one in particular, but I'm going to keep doing it. THIS IS A BAD THING FOR THE UNITED STATES. It is a reflection of the confidence the "rest of the world" has in our economy (which is to say, not much at all).
When you combine this complete collapse on the part of the American Dollar with the fact that oil prices are rapidly closing in on $100 a barrel, I don't think that you have to be a Nobel Prize-winning economist to figure out that it bodes very, very badly for our economic future.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
I'm going to be even richer!
ANOTHER person overseas is looking out for my welfare! It's really reassuring to me that so many people care about the financial wellbeing of the BHG. I trust this person implicitly, even though they can't write a grammatically correct English sentence, nor can they spell! ;-)
Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:39:53 -0000 From: "Office File" To: Subject: URGENT CONFIRMATION REQUIRED. Attention: Beneficiary,
This is to notify you of new order on the release of your fund. Prior to this proceeding anomaly, we have been mandated by Payment reconciliation committee to ensure that all outstanding prospective beneficiaries confirm the receipt of their long awaited fund within the next 14 working days from date.
But in your own case we found some complicity in your payment file due to petition file by one Mr. Zain Rashid from United States of America,stating to be your attorney as you had handed him the ownership of your fund shortlisted amongst to be release to him. Therefore required us to transfer your initial approved fund into his designated account stated below:.
Bank of America
New York Branch
A/C: 0911667701
Swift Code: BA09
Beneficiary: Zain industries Ltd
It became pertinet that you are contacted as upon request for updated written power of attorney duly signed by you,the aforementioned attorney could not provide any,thus made us wiser to have contacted as confirmation,to avoid fraudulent fund diversion,as well as to alert you if you have privy to this development.
Meanwhile, it had been approved for all beneficiaries shortlisted to benefit through this payment program, the sum of ten million United States dollars only (US$$10M), as first installment payment in this third quarter 2007 fiscal year payment,while the balance will be paid in the last quarter of this fiscal year.
However,you are required to respond to this massage confirming if you have privy of this development,to enable this office ascertain and confirm the exact designated bank account to forward to the paying bankers.
Furthermore,feel free to forward your direct contact telephone and fax number as confirmation of this message.
Yours Sincerely
Dr. Alfred Kwame
PLEASE CONTACT- Me On My Private E mail:(alfred_kwame_8@yahoo.fr )
Direct Line: +229-9346 0158
Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:39:53 -0000 From: "Office File"
This is to notify you of new order on the release of your fund. Prior to this proceeding anomaly, we have been mandated by Payment reconciliation committee to ensure that all outstanding prospective beneficiaries confirm the receipt of their long awaited fund within the next 14 working days from date.
But in your own case we found some complicity in your payment file due to petition file by one Mr. Zain Rashid from United States of America,stating to be your attorney as you had handed him the ownership of your fund shortlisted amongst to be release to him. Therefore required us to transfer your initial approved fund into his designated account stated below:.
Bank of America
New York Branch
A/C: 0911667701
Swift Code: BA09
Beneficiary: Zain industries Ltd
It became pertinet that you are contacted as upon request for updated written power of attorney duly signed by you,the aforementioned attorney could not provide any,thus made us wiser to have contacted as confirmation,to avoid fraudulent fund diversion,as well as to alert you if you have privy to this development.
Meanwhile, it had been approved for all beneficiaries shortlisted to benefit through this payment program, the sum of ten million United States dollars only (US$$10M), as first installment payment in this third quarter 2007 fiscal year payment,while the balance will be paid in the last quarter of this fiscal year.
However,you are required to respond to this massage confirming if you have privy of this development,to enable this office ascertain and confirm the exact designated bank account to forward to the paying bankers.
Furthermore,feel free to forward your direct contact telephone and fax number as confirmation of this message.
Yours Sincerely
Dr. Alfred Kwame
PLEASE CONTACT- Me On My Private E mail:(alfred_kwame_8@yahoo.fr )
Direct Line: +229-9346 0158
Hezbollah re-arms, the World yawns
Hezbollah has now pretty much re-established the level of strength it had before last summer's war with Israel, unless you believe some reports that it is now even stronger thant it was in August of 2006: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/918937.html.
That UNIFIL force sure did its job, didn't it? And, I'm gratified that the world community's "faith" in the Syrians and Lebanese to stop the supplying of Hezbollah was so well-founded. This situation will explode at some point. Hezbollah isn't collecting missiles for show................
That UNIFIL force sure did its job, didn't it? And, I'm gratified that the world community's "faith" in the Syrians and Lebanese to stop the supplying of Hezbollah was so well-founded. This situation will explode at some point. Hezbollah isn't collecting missiles for show................
They're our friends! No, really, they are!
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as delusional a leader as Israel has ever had, decided to got meet with Mahmoud "Holocaust? WHAT Holocaust" Abbas recently. Palestinians being who they are, they couldn't resist a chance to try to assassinate an Israeli leader, though the plot was ultimately foiled: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1192380695120&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull. They were arrested and Abbas snapped into action, immediately ordering their release before the bad PR got to him and they were re-arrested. Let's not miss the point here. These were FATAH people. Not Hamas. Not Islamic Jihad. These are the the people to whom U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and the rest of her collection of dunces at the State Department wants Israel to give up almost all of the West Bank (if not all) and East Jerusalem. And, they are the people to whom we are about to give over $500 million. That's not a misprint: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/30/AR2007103001944.html.
Somewhere, deep in the belly of hell, Yasser Arafat is laughing his head off right now.........
Somewhere, deep in the belly of hell, Yasser Arafat is laughing his head off right now.........
A bipartisan piece of good advice
Two former Attorney Generals, one under the Peanut Farmer Administration and the other under the Bush 41 Administration, have penned an Op-Ed calling for immunity for companies who assiest the government in fighting terrorism: http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110010805. Ever since word came out that several of the nation's telephone companies had provided information to the government, lawsuits against the companies which provided the information have flooded the courts.
These companies are trying to protect us all. It would seem only fair if they didn't have to worry about being sued everytime they provided the government with a name, or call log, etc.
These companies are trying to protect us all. It would seem only fair if they didn't have to worry about being sued everytime they provided the government with a name, or call log, etc.
Love of Islam knows no end in the U.K.
My thanks to frequest poster Najistani for this story: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article407311.ece. A school in the U.K. has ordered its students to dress up like Muslims to celebrate the Festival of Eid. How much does ANYONE want to bet that there will be no similar order for Christmas? I won't even ask about Hannukah.
I would say that Great Britain has gone off the deep end, but that sad event took place a long, long time ago. Sir Winston Churchill would weep at what his country has become...........
I would say that Great Britain has gone off the deep end, but that sad event took place a long, long time ago. Sir Winston Churchill would weep at what his country has become...........
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Ah, the USSR, we miss you dearly
The old Soviet Union has come and gone, but the indoctrination example it set out is alive and well right here on college campuses in the United States. This is especially true, apparently, at the University of Delaware, where students are brainwashed (not an exaggeration) to be politically correct automatons: http://www.thefire.org/index.php/article/8555.html?PHPSESSID=bf336c17f0a9d7a871bfed4948f3ca9b.
And people wonder why I am so despondent about the state of higher education in this country..........
And people wonder why I am so despondent about the state of higher education in this country..........
Double Standards
I have to admit, I am mystified by the actions of feminists in the West. It's not that I disagree with equal rights for all, it's just that I don' get their willful blindness when it comes to the Islamic world. They carry on--sometimes legitimately--about gender bias in here in the West, but either ignore or (worse yet) excuse it in the Islamic world, where polygamy, honour killings, a lack of women's suffrage and the like are the rule: http://www.meforum.org/article/1769.
Can anyone explain this to me?
Can anyone explain this to me?
Iran wants nuclear weapons. Let's help them out!
I would expect that this story would have been more appropriate for The Onion, but no, it's legitimate: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/education/article2753498.ece. England is actually admitting Iranian nuclear engineering students for training.
I would ask if Great Britain has a death wish, but that answer has long been obvious. More importantly, why do they have to take the rest of the West down with them?
I would ask if Great Britain has a death wish, but that answer has long been obvious. More importantly, why do they have to take the rest of the West down with them?
Monday, October 29, 2007
Quebec keeps losing people
There is a report out that Quebec keeps losing people; i.e., more people are moving out than are moving in: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2007/10/29/qc-quebecmigration1029.html.
Hmm, I have a couple of interesting theories. Maybe it has SOMETHING to do with the fact that the economy is far better elsewhere in Canada. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that people don't necessarily want to be held hostage by racist language laws. Maybe, contrary to the article, it has nothing at all to do with the fact that Quebec, which is one of the most politically correct places in North America, is not "tolerant" enough of minorities.
Hmm, I have a couple of interesting theories. Maybe it has SOMETHING to do with the fact that the economy is far better elsewhere in Canada. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that people don't necessarily want to be held hostage by racist language laws. Maybe, contrary to the article, it has nothing at all to do with the fact that Quebec, which is one of the most politically correct places in North America, is not "tolerant" enough of minorities.
Ron Paul.....Ron Paul........Ron Paul............Ron Paul
Apparently, some of his supporters--or one of them, anyway--has discovered my e-mail, address, hence the e-mail I received below (and no, my real name is not Scott. It appears as though I was a "bcc" on this e-mail). The body of the e-mail is completely unchanged. The only "alteration" I have made is to delete my e-mail address as well as that of the sender:
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:46:08 +0000
From:
To:
Subject: Ron Paul Wins GOP Debate! Hello Scott,
Ron Paul is for the people, unless you want your children to
have human implant RFID chips, a National ID card and create
a North American Union and see an economic collapse far worse
than the great depression. Vote for Ron Paul he speaks the
truth and the media and government is afraid of him. This is
the last honest politican left to bring this country out of
this rut from the War Profiteers and bush Administration has
created. Get motivated America, don't believe the lies of the
media he has also WON the GOP Debate On Sunday! Value Freedom
and Liberty instead of corporate lies and corruption. Bypass
this media blackout they are doing to Ron Paul, tell your family
and friends and get involved in a local group at meetup.com make
your voice heard! He will end the War In Iraq immediately,
He will eliminate the IRS and wasteful government spending, and
eliminate the Federal Reserve and restore power to the people
and the only person not a member on the CFR. Can any other runner
make these claims or give Americans the true freedom we were all
raised to believe? We are all economic slaves to the banks and the
illegal federal Reserve. This is why our currency is worth nothing
because of Hidden Inflation Tax and the IRS taking everything
you make!
** RON PAUL WILL STOP THE IRAQ WAR IMMEDIATELY! **
He has NEVER voted:
* to raise taxes
* for an unbalanced budget
* to raise congressional pay
* for a federal restriction on gun ownership
* to increase the power of the executive branch
He HAS voted:
* against the Iraq war
* against the inappropriately named USA PATRIOT act
* against regulating the internet
* against the Military Commissions Act
He will eliminate the IRS, Wasteful Government Spending &
Stop The Iraq War Immediately!
Most importantly, he voted NO on anything in Congress that
is not allowed by the Constitution. And he Despises any
politican that does not do their job for the people and lives
up to the constitution!
Google.com & Youtube.com Search: "Ron Paul"
Join The Revolution!
***************************************
We Need A Real President That Will Restore And Protect
Americans! Stop The War! Protect Our Borders!
*********VOTE RON PAUL 2008************
Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:46:08 +0000
From:
To:
Subject: Ron Paul Wins GOP Debate! Hello Scott,
Ron Paul is for the people, unless you want your children to
have human implant RFID chips, a National ID card and create
a North American Union and see an economic collapse far worse
than the great depression. Vote for Ron Paul he speaks the
truth and the media and government is afraid of him. This is
the last honest politican left to bring this country out of
this rut from the War Profiteers and bush Administration has
created. Get motivated America, don't believe the lies of the
media he has also WON the GOP Debate On Sunday! Value Freedom
and Liberty instead of corporate lies and corruption. Bypass
this media blackout they are doing to Ron Paul, tell your family
and friends and get involved in a local group at meetup.com make
your voice heard! He will end the War In Iraq immediately,
He will eliminate the IRS and wasteful government spending, and
eliminate the Federal Reserve and restore power to the people
and the only person not a member on the CFR. Can any other runner
make these claims or give Americans the true freedom we were all
raised to believe? We are all economic slaves to the banks and the
illegal federal Reserve. This is why our currency is worth nothing
because of Hidden Inflation Tax and the IRS taking everything
you make!
** RON PAUL WILL STOP THE IRAQ WAR IMMEDIATELY! **
He has NEVER voted:
* to raise taxes
* for an unbalanced budget
* to raise congressional pay
* for a federal restriction on gun ownership
* to increase the power of the executive branch
He HAS voted:
* against the Iraq war
* against the inappropriately named USA PATRIOT act
* against regulating the internet
* against the Military Commissions Act
He will eliminate the IRS, Wasteful Government Spending &
Stop The Iraq War Immediately!
Most importantly, he voted NO on anything in Congress that
is not allowed by the Constitution. And he Despises any
politican that does not do their job for the people and lives
up to the constitution!
Google.com & Youtube.com Search: "Ron Paul"
Join The Revolution!
***************************************
We Need A Real President That Will Restore And Protect
Americans! Stop The War! Protect Our Borders!
*********VOTE RON PAUL 2008************
A Liberal Democrat bemoans the loss of her son
No, not to death, but to the evil that is the United States Army: http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071019/LIFESTYLE01/710190319/1031/LIFESTYLE01. You see, he ENLISTED. She is horrified, though I will give her credit for being honest enough to admit her horror.
Israel in decline
Not just as a military power, but in terms of it standing in the United States: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/917817.html.
The facts are the facts. The United States is essentially Israel's only ally. Other countries may come and go as supporters of Israel, but especially since 1967, the U.S. has been the one consistent supporter of Israel, even under the Bush 41 Administration. It appears as though that is about to change. The anti-Israel forces have finally figured out that the way to defeat Israel is to simply impose a Palestinian state on it, along the 1967 borders. Never mind that Israel already gave up the Gaza Strip voluntarily, and the end result of that move has been a neverending series of rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. Never mind that forcing Israel to give up the entire West Bank and East Jerusalem (which would undoubtedly be a part of any such dictated peace agreement) would leave virtually all of Israel within the range of Palestinian rockets, including Tel Aviv.
We've seen the subtle shift in U.S. policy in the past couple of years. That shift will only get more pronounced after the 2008 Election, I fear................
The facts are the facts. The United States is essentially Israel's only ally. Other countries may come and go as supporters of Israel, but especially since 1967, the U.S. has been the one consistent supporter of Israel, even under the Bush 41 Administration. It appears as though that is about to change. The anti-Israel forces have finally figured out that the way to defeat Israel is to simply impose a Palestinian state on it, along the 1967 borders. Never mind that Israel already gave up the Gaza Strip voluntarily, and the end result of that move has been a neverending series of rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. Never mind that forcing Israel to give up the entire West Bank and East Jerusalem (which would undoubtedly be a part of any such dictated peace agreement) would leave virtually all of Israel within the range of Palestinian rockets, including Tel Aviv.
We've seen the subtle shift in U.S. policy in the past couple of years. That shift will only get more pronounced after the 2008 Election, I fear................
Well, technically it's true!
Palestinian sources are reporting that several children died in what they are calling a "work accident": http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/917497.html. The nature of that work accident, of course, was the construction of a bomb to be used in a terrorist attack, and committing terrorist acts IS the work of terrorists.
So, I guess that the Palestinians were telling the truth on this one.
So, I guess that the Palestinians were telling the truth on this one.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Some sporting thoughts for a Fall-like Sunday
1) I received several e-mails from friends who are Yankees fans and/or are Red Sox haters, and they are conceding the World Series to my Red Sox. As a Sox fan, I know better. I know the pain that this team can inflict on its fans. Sometimes, the pain is sudden (Bucky Dent, 1978; Bill Buckner, 1986). Sometimes, it is gradual and prolonged (The collapse in 2006). The one constant, however, is PAIN. Now, I will admit that the cathartic experience that was the 2004 World Series title went a long way towards easing some of that pain, but let's not forget that there is an awful lot of heartache to erase. So...........the long and the short of it is that even though Boston is up three games to nothing on Colorado and has outscored the Rockies 25-7 in the first three games of the series (13-1, 2-1, 10-5), I am not counting this series over by any stretch of the imagination. Let's not forget how hot Colorado was coming into the World Series (14-1 down the stretch, 7-0 in the playoffs) . All it takes is one game to get that momentum back.
GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2) I just got done watching the New England Patriots hose the Washington Redskins 52-7. Now we are all set for clash of the unbeatens next week, with the 7-0 Indianapolis Colts hosting the Patriots in Indy. New England is scary good, but it seems as though everyone has forgotten who won the Super Bowl last year. I expect the Colts to be motivated by the fact that they may be the first team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl, start off the next season 7-0 (and in which they are arguably playing considerably better than they did in their Super Bowl season), and yet still be an afterthought.
3) I'll stay on the Boston theme for now. Is there a better sports city in which to live right than Boston? Your baseball team is one win away from the World Series. Your professional football team is 8-0 and setting records. Your Division 1A (yes, I know that that's not what its' called anymore, but old habits die hard) football team, the Boston College Eagles, are undefeated and #2 in BCS rankings. Your professional basketball team now has three superstars (Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett) and there is excitement about it for the first time in a decade. Even the lowly Boston Bruins have played much better early in the 2007-2008 season. Face facts, sports fans. Right now, Boston is where you want to be..............
4) Back to the NFL. The polar extreme of the Patriots and Colts are the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams, each of whom is now 0-8. Unfortunately, they don't play each other this season. What's happened to Miami really is sad. The Dolphins used to be the gold standard of the NFL. No, they hadn't won a Super Bowl in a very long time, but they were a playoff fixture and were a lock to win 10+ games every season. The Rams have been up and down, but they won a Super Bowl not long ago and played for another shortly thereafter. Both are now jokes.
5) I am listening to these so-called experts pontificate on college football and who the best team is. Much of this discussion is quite silly. Teams get penalized for where they were ranked before the season began, as well as when during the season they lose. Still, some facts have become clear. Of the "major conference" teams, Ohio State, Boston College and Arizona State have (thus far) won all of their games. While I don't expect them all to run the table, that they have thus far is a credit to them. I don't want to hear people whine about LSU or Oklahoma or even Oregon is better. Sorry, you guys lost a game. LSU, you lost to a slightly better than average Kentucky team that got clocked at home by Mississippi State (!!), and probably shouldn't have beaten Florida. Oklahoma, you blew a double digit second half lead against a middling Colorado team. Sorry, neither of you has any reason to whine. You want to play for the national title? Run the table, like the two teams ahead of you have (and yes, Arizona State should be ranked ahead of both of you as well).
6) Maybe it's just me, but as much of a hockey freak as I am, I am not that juiced so far by the season, and that's despite the fact that my two teams, the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers are off to pretty good starts. I'm not sure why, but I do think that part of it is that I am seeing too much of the same defensive system games that I saw prior to the lockout that cost the league the 2004-2005 season. I'm also increasingly nonplussed by the shootout, and given teams ties for losses in overtime and shootout losses. Why is one loss worth more than another? If you lose, you lose. You shouldn't get any points. Like I said, though, maybe it's just me, though judging by the minuscule ratings that the NHL games are getting, it's probably NOT just me..........
GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2) I just got done watching the New England Patriots hose the Washington Redskins 52-7. Now we are all set for clash of the unbeatens next week, with the 7-0 Indianapolis Colts hosting the Patriots in Indy. New England is scary good, but it seems as though everyone has forgotten who won the Super Bowl last year. I expect the Colts to be motivated by the fact that they may be the first team in NFL history to win a Super Bowl, start off the next season 7-0 (and in which they are arguably playing considerably better than they did in their Super Bowl season), and yet still be an afterthought.
3) I'll stay on the Boston theme for now. Is there a better sports city in which to live right than Boston? Your baseball team is one win away from the World Series. Your professional football team is 8-0 and setting records. Your Division 1A (yes, I know that that's not what its' called anymore, but old habits die hard) football team, the Boston College Eagles, are undefeated and #2 in BCS rankings. Your professional basketball team now has three superstars (Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett) and there is excitement about it for the first time in a decade. Even the lowly Boston Bruins have played much better early in the 2007-2008 season. Face facts, sports fans. Right now, Boston is where you want to be..............
4) Back to the NFL. The polar extreme of the Patriots and Colts are the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams, each of whom is now 0-8. Unfortunately, they don't play each other this season. What's happened to Miami really is sad. The Dolphins used to be the gold standard of the NFL. No, they hadn't won a Super Bowl in a very long time, but they were a playoff fixture and were a lock to win 10+ games every season. The Rams have been up and down, but they won a Super Bowl not long ago and played for another shortly thereafter. Both are now jokes.
5) I am listening to these so-called experts pontificate on college football and who the best team is. Much of this discussion is quite silly. Teams get penalized for where they were ranked before the season began, as well as when during the season they lose. Still, some facts have become clear. Of the "major conference" teams, Ohio State, Boston College and Arizona State have (thus far) won all of their games. While I don't expect them all to run the table, that they have thus far is a credit to them. I don't want to hear people whine about LSU or Oklahoma or even Oregon is better. Sorry, you guys lost a game. LSU, you lost to a slightly better than average Kentucky team that got clocked at home by Mississippi State (!!), and probably shouldn't have beaten Florida. Oklahoma, you blew a double digit second half lead against a middling Colorado team. Sorry, neither of you has any reason to whine. You want to play for the national title? Run the table, like the two teams ahead of you have (and yes, Arizona State should be ranked ahead of both of you as well).
6) Maybe it's just me, but as much of a hockey freak as I am, I am not that juiced so far by the season, and that's despite the fact that my two teams, the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers are off to pretty good starts. I'm not sure why, but I do think that part of it is that I am seeing too much of the same defensive system games that I saw prior to the lockout that cost the league the 2004-2005 season. I'm also increasingly nonplussed by the shootout, and given teams ties for losses in overtime and shootout losses. Why is one loss worth more than another? If you lose, you lose. You shouldn't get any points. Like I said, though, maybe it's just me, though judging by the minuscule ratings that the NHL games are getting, it's probably NOT just me..........
Saturday, October 27, 2007
More on why I can't stand Congressman Ron Paul
Once again, I am urging readers of my blog to leave my blog and visit another one. This time, I want you to check out Adam Holland's incredibly well-research, thorough expose of the ties that exist between the Ron Paul Presidential Campaign and far right/neo-Nazi groups. You can find Adam's blog at http://adamholland.blogspot.com/, and the post is one of the entries that Adam wrote on Friday, October 26, 2007. Please, please, PLEASE check it out. It will either (hopefully) open your eyes if you are a Ron Paul supporter (not too many of those reading my blog, I imagine), or confirm your darker suspicions about the Texas Congressman.
A truly odious man
Fred Phelps (I won't dignify him by calling him "Reverend") and his collection of fellow demented wackos have disrupted yet another military funeral: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,305279,00.html.
Personally, I'd love to see one of the families go after Phelps and his gang and beat the living s--t out of them. Maybe then they'd finally get the idea that what they are doing is so beyond the pale that no free speech right should protect it.............
Personally, I'd love to see one of the families go after Phelps and his gang and beat the living s--t out of them. Maybe then they'd finally get the idea that what they are doing is so beyond the pale that no free speech right should protect it.............
Bush 43 vs. Condoleeza Rice
That could be the case. Apparently, the two of them are very much at odds over the planned Middle East Peace Conference in November and on the Israeli raid on Syrian in early September. I'll give you two clues as to where each falls on these events. In any case, YidWithLid has a phenomenal summary of the sources of the dispute, and his posting on the subject can be found here: http://yidwithlid.blogspot.com/2007/10/bush-and-condi-bickering-over-middle.html. It's well worth the read.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Buying that BMW?
If you're a Jew, you might want to think twice about it: http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2007/gb20071010_765240.htm?chan=search.
I will admit that I come at this issue from the perspective of someone whose mother was a Nazi refugee. So, I really don't have much problem in saying that I will never buy a BMW. Ever.
I will admit that I come at this issue from the perspective of someone whose mother was a Nazi refugee. So, I really don't have much problem in saying that I will never buy a BMW. Ever.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
A great forward
Someone e-mailed this to me and it was so adorable that I could not resist passing it on. Anyone who has kids will be able to relate, I am sure. In a very touching way, it summarizes so many of the emotions that we as parents go through with our kids, especially as we desperately try to get them to go to bed in order to get a couple of minutes of peace and quiet at the end of the day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uISuvTiTYJA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uISuvTiTYJA
Gaza is NOT Northern Ireland
So says no less an authority than Nobel Peace Prize winner (for his involvement in ending the seemingly intractable violence in Northern Ireland) David Trimble: http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2198363,00.html.
Do you think that anyone, especially those employed by the U.S. State Department, or Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice herself, is listening? Me, neither................
Do you think that anyone, especially those employed by the U.S. State Department, or Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice herself, is listening? Me, neither................
Our soldiers are whiny and stupid
And not only that, the United States is comparable to Nazi Germany. So says prototypical angry lefty Ted Rall: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucru/20071024/cm_ucru/heysoldiersquitwhining;_ylt=AmZbZGmLCzv604_sawS4IwYE1vAI.
I really do wonder what makes people like Rall tick. They obviously harbour a deep hatred for this country. Yet, they have no problem making money off its residents (who, for the most part, they hold in contempt), and for all of their extolling of the virtues of other countries such as Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, and basically any other country that hates us, they don't seem very eager to go anywhere.
I really do wonder what makes people like Rall tick. They obviously harbour a deep hatred for this country. Yet, they have no problem making money off its residents (who, for the most part, they hold in contempt), and for all of their extolling of the virtues of other countries such as Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, and basically any other country that hates us, they don't seem very eager to go anywhere.
Herouxville
This story is a big one in Canada, and with the growing levels of confrontation across Europe and North America, expect it to become an attention-grabber south of the 49th Parallel as well: http://www.municipalite.herouxville.qc.ca/bouchardtaylorenglish.pdf. This town in Quebec has enacted what amounts to a Code of Conduct, and it appears to me to be a reaction to the ultra politically correct atmosphere so prevalent in the West right now. It's a long read, but I urge everyone to check it out. As well, an article on the subject can be found here: http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=5293ed9c-ac81-40c5-8ced-a1d72e71e08e.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A reminder of a horrible month
There is a great book coming out which takes its readers back to the month of Black September, 1970: http://www.meforum.org/article/1768. It is called "Terror in Black September: The First Eyewitness Account of the Infamous 1970 Hijackings", and is written by David Raab, an eyewitness to the terrorist attacks that month.
I'm going to buy it as soon as it comes out.
I'm going to buy it as soon as it comes out.
Skirting the issue
Women in Arab/Muslim countries are more likely to die of breast cancer: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071024/ap_on_he_me/saudi_breast_cancer. Why is that? Well, they are unwilling to go to a male doctor because of the gender apartheid endemic in their society. And get a load of the title of the article, which talks about "cultural barriers" preventing the women from seeking medical attention. How politically correct of Yahoo to caption the article that way...............
Price gouging north of the 49th Parallel
One of the interesting "side effects" of the sharp rise in the Canadian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar has been that Canadians are now coming to the realization that they are being taken to the cleaners by retailers in the Great White North. Previously, price discrepancies were invariably explained away by citing to the difference in value between the two currencies. However, once parity was achieved, prices should have been equalized too. For example, a stereo that costs $750 in the United States should now cost the same in Canada, or so one would think.
That has not been the case. For the most part, there continues to be a sharp difference in prices between the two countries: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/consumers/price-drops.html. This has rightfully led many in Canada to complain that they are being gouged. Just over this past weekend, the two BHG sisters were in town, and they made a beeline for the local mall, with a focus on the bookstore, because books are anywhere from $3 to $7 cheaper here than there.
Canadian retailers are going to learn the hard way that they can't gouge the consumers.
That has not been the case. For the most part, there continues to be a sharp difference in prices between the two countries: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/consumers/price-drops.html. This has rightfully led many in Canada to complain that they are being gouged. Just over this past weekend, the two BHG sisters were in town, and they made a beeline for the local mall, with a focus on the bookstore, because books are anywhere from $3 to $7 cheaper here than there.
Canadian retailers are going to learn the hard way that they can't gouge the consumers.
Funding those who kill Israelis
Stories like this one just make me shake my head: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3463425,00.html. We are about to transfer over $400 million to the Palestinian Authority. That number is not a misprint. Undoubtedly, that money will be used to buy munitions. That's not just a guess on my part. The U.S. and E.U. have poured billions of dollars into the P.A., and yet how much of that money has ever reached the Palestinians themselves? Not much, if anything. It vanishes into the cesspool of corruption and graft that is the P.A., or it ends up buying more AK-47s, etc. You never see this money get used to start up farms, or build industrial buildings (unless you count bomb-making factories).
I guess that this move represents another victory for U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and the Arabist State Department.
I guess that this move represents another victory for U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and the Arabist State Department.
No such thing as Islamic Fascism
Such is the view of Fox News Channel host Alan Colmes, who I previously thought was a straight shooter and one of the few on the Left who was intellectually honest. Turns out, he's just as infected by political correctness as the rest of the nuts on the left: http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/brad-wilmouth/2007/10/14/fncs-colmes-offended-calling-islamic-terrorists-islamic-use-books-not.
What struck me most about the exchange he had with terrorism expert Stephen Emerson was that Colmes would not even call the terrorist group "Islamic Jihad" by that name, even though that's what they call themselves!
I've always thought that the Left was and is deliberately blinding itself to the nature of the enemy we are fighting, but this type of delusional thinking borders on the insane.
What struck me most about the exchange he had with terrorism expert Stephen Emerson was that Colmes would not even call the terrorist group "Islamic Jihad" by that name, even though that's what they call themselves!
I've always thought that the Left was and is deliberately blinding itself to the nature of the enemy we are fighting, but this type of delusional thinking borders on the insane.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
It's all HIS fault!
By far, the biggest domestic story in the United States right now is the California Wildfires which are burning out of control all over the southern part of the state, forcing the evaluation of tens of thousands of people: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071023/ap_on_re_us/california_wildfires. I haven't seen this slant on it yet, but it's only a matter of time: It's all President Bush's fault. You know that the Angry Left will not be able to control itself. So, let me save it the problem and just concede this one, okay? And just for good measure, here is a partial list of things that are also President Bush's fault, just to save the Lefties the trouble of creating their own list:
1) Global Warming
2) War (any war, not just the ones in Afghanistan and Iraq)
3) Terrorism
4) Cancer
5) AIDS
6) Heart Disease
7) Poverty
8) Death
9) My hair loss
10) The subprime mortgage crisis
11) The JFK Assassination
12) 9/11
13) The deforestation of the Amazon Basin
14) Nuclear Proliferation
15) Hurricanes (all of them, not just Katrina)
16) Violent videogames
17) Gun Violence
18) The actions of Durham County Prosecutor Michael Nifong in the Duke Lacross Case
19) Prison Overcrowding
20) Drought
21) Famine
22) Pestilence
23) All Ten Plagues
24) The otherwise inexplicable popularity of TV Reality Shows
25) The Bubonic Plague
26) The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941
27) The Holocaust
28) Sexism
29) Nazism
30) Fascism
31) Communism
32) Socialism
33) Racism
34) Colonialism
35) Imperialism
36) Genocide (all of 'em!)
37) The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
38) The failing Social Security System
If you can add to the list, let me know!
1) Global Warming
2) War (any war, not just the ones in Afghanistan and Iraq)
3) Terrorism
4) Cancer
5) AIDS
6) Heart Disease
7) Poverty
8) Death
9) My hair loss
10) The subprime mortgage crisis
11) The JFK Assassination
12) 9/11
13) The deforestation of the Amazon Basin
14) Nuclear Proliferation
15) Hurricanes (all of them, not just Katrina)
16) Violent videogames
17) Gun Violence
18) The actions of Durham County Prosecutor Michael Nifong in the Duke Lacross Case
19) Prison Overcrowding
20) Drought
21) Famine
22) Pestilence
23) All Ten Plagues
24) The otherwise inexplicable popularity of TV Reality Shows
25) The Bubonic Plague
26) The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941
27) The Holocaust
28) Sexism
29) Nazism
30) Fascism
31) Communism
32) Socialism
33) Racism
34) Colonialism
35) Imperialism
36) Genocide (all of 'em!)
37) The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
38) The failing Social Security System
If you can add to the list, let me know!
The end of the so-called "Peace Process"
Even committed peaceniks are starting to realize that the mythical peace process is a doomed, waste of time: http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=102733&d=23&m=10&y=2007. I grew up reading Gwnne Dyer in the Montreal Gazette. He is what can be most fairly characterized as a socialist, and no one loves a "peace process" more than a socialist. As his column demonstrates, however, even Dyer has given up hope here, and in a shocker, he has actually not blamed it all on Israel. This is as close to a "victory" as Israel is ever going to come.
Monday, October 22, 2007
I miss Montreal
I truly do. I grew up there, one of my sisters and her family are still there, and the other one is just a couple of hours away. As a "restaurant city", it's second only to New York, in my mind, in terms of the diversity of its cuisine. Then.............I read stories like this one, and I realize how much I don't miss about the place: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2007/10/22/qc-blocandfrench20071022.html.
The story is not long, but in it you find out that the Quebec Separatists want the Canadian government to recognize French as the sole official language of the Province (which would have the practical effect of giving the Quebec government a blank cheque to do what it pleased on the language issue), favour the enactment of a Quebec national constitution (translation: "Even if we aren't an independent country, we'll act like one anyway"), and most omiously, they want to ban anyone who "cannot speak proper French" from running for elected office at any level in the province. If that's not enough, they also want to establish a linguistic test as to who can and cannot become a Quebec citizen: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2007/10/20/pq-citizenship.html. Nope, no racism there.....................
The story is not long, but in it you find out that the Quebec Separatists want the Canadian government to recognize French as the sole official language of the Province (which would have the practical effect of giving the Quebec government a blank cheque to do what it pleased on the language issue), favour the enactment of a Quebec national constitution (translation: "Even if we aren't an independent country, we'll act like one anyway"), and most omiously, they want to ban anyone who "cannot speak proper French" from running for elected office at any level in the province. If that's not enough, they also want to establish a linguistic test as to who can and cannot become a Quebec citizen: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2007/10/20/pq-citizenship.html. Nope, no racism there.....................
The U.K. is hopeless
Really, it is. A Muslim panel set up by the Conservative Party has issued a policy paper which calls for, among other things, the effective abandonment of Israel by Great Britain, a denial of any linkage between Islam and terrorism, what amounts to open immigration from Muslim countries to the U.K., and the recognition of Iran's "legitimate" right to nuclear power: http://www.conservativemuslimforum.com/An%20Unquiet%20World%20RESPONSE.pdf.
They attack us, we cower and appease.................
They attack us, we cower and appease.................
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Non-existent blogging
My apologies to all. This was a crazy weekend, as we had a baby naming (the Cantor who did the service did a marvelous job) for the newest Little BHG today. Family was in from out of town (one of the BHG nieces and both sisters) and it was absolute chaos from the moment they flew in Friday night until they left just a short while ago. I will try to get some posts up at some point tomorrow. I hope that everyone had a great weekend!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Angry Left Congressman goes off the deep end
This one is kind of hard to believe. I can appreciate that Democrats and Republicans will always have issues on which they do not agree. That's fine, and it's why we have two parties. Sometimes, however, that disagreement can get taken to an absurd level, such as the incredible comment by California Congressman Pete Stark that the President is sending troops to their deaths in Iraq for his own amusement: http://www.mercurynews.com/lifeandstyleheadlines/ci_7222042.
The Congressman then compounded his vicious comment, after he was taken to task for it, by accusing his critics of being "chickenhawks". That is about as low and vile an accusation as a political figure can make. This man is an absolute disgrace..............
UPDATE (5:30 p.m.): The good Congressman is no friend of Israel, either. During last year's war between Israel and Iranian proxy Hezbollah, he was one of eight (count 'em, EIGHT) Congressmen to vote againast a non-binding Congressional resolution in favour of Israel: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll391.xml. Another person who voted against this resolution? Presidential Candidate Ron Paul.
The Congressman then compounded his vicious comment, after he was taken to task for it, by accusing his critics of being "chickenhawks". That is about as low and vile an accusation as a political figure can make. This man is an absolute disgrace..............
UPDATE (5:30 p.m.): The good Congressman is no friend of Israel, either. During last year's war between Israel and Iranian proxy Hezbollah, he was one of eight (count 'em, EIGHT) Congressmen to vote againast a non-binding Congressional resolution in favour of Israel: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2006/roll391.xml. Another person who voted against this resolution? Presidential Candidate Ron Paul.
She won't go away, so we can't miss her
Cindy Sheehan supposedly retired a while back, but she is certainly keeping herself busy. Her latest missive is a contribution to the Smirking Chimp website (which is so venomous towards Republicans in general and the President in particular that it makes the Daily Kos look like the Washington Times) excoriating Lynne Cheyney for her Op-Ed on Burma: http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/10481.
Hmm, given her generally delusional and occasionally seditious comments, does Maureen Dowd still think that Cindy Sheehan has "absolute moral authority" to say what she is saying? This is a rhetorical question, of course, because you can be 100% certain that Ms. Dowd does believe that Ms. Sheehan has that contined "absolute moral authority".
Hmm, given her generally delusional and occasionally seditious comments, does Maureen Dowd still think that Cindy Sheehan has "absolute moral authority" to say what she is saying? This is a rhetorical question, of course, because you can be 100% certain that Ms. Dowd does believe that Ms. Sheehan has that contined "absolute moral authority".
It wasn't the Jews! It wasn't the Jews!
How sad is it that we live in a world where university officials feel an obligation to issue statements that they "were not pressured by Israeli and/or Jewish activist groups" whenever an anti-Israeli speaker is either not invited to speak or has such an invitation rescinded: http://www.startribune.com/562/story/1481533.html.
Thank YOU, Drs. Walt & Mearsheimer, for giving impetus to the canard that those nefarious, manipulative Jews are behind every plot...................
Thank YOU, Drs. Walt & Mearsheimer, for giving impetus to the canard that those nefarious, manipulative Jews are behind every plot...................
The massacre that never was
As more and more comes out about what actually occurred at Haditha, it is becoming apparent that there was no wanton massacre of civilians there, as Time alleged had occurred, and as certain Democratic congressmen bombastically proclaimed: http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110010752.
The accusation that a war crime has occurred is about as serious as it gets. It is not a charge that should be levelled without knowing all of the facts, or for political purposes. Yet, it seems as thought that is exactly what has occurred here...........
The accusation that a war crime has occurred is about as serious as it gets. It is not a charge that should be levelled without knowing all of the facts, or for political purposes. Yet, it seems as thought that is exactly what has occurred here...........
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Giving the European media a dose of its own medicine
There is a wonderful new blog out there which focusses exclusively on bad news from The Netherlands: http://badnewsfromthenetherlands.blogspot.com/.
The irony is probably lost on the borderline anti-Semitic European press, but it's still a wonderful idea. I have added this blog to my blogroll.
The irony is probably lost on the borderline anti-Semitic European press, but it's still a wonderful idea. I have added this blog to my blogroll.
Airbrushing Israel from history
That is exactly what a Palestinian "scholar" is attempting to do by authoring a book in which she claims that there is no Jewish connection to Israel, and that there is no legitimate archaeological record of Jewish history in Israel: http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:7kad4FeREbkJ:hnn.us/articles/43602.html+%22Archeology+and+the+Propaganda+War+Against+Israel%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1. I guess that the Wailing Wall was built in 1967, right? And the Dead Sea Scrolls? No more authentic than the Bush 43 National Guard records..................
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Why the U.N is a joke, reason #39,8247,198,479,742
So now we have Vietnam and (more depressingly) Libya on the U.N. Security Council: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/16/AR2007101601996.html. Not having grown up in the U.S., I can't pretend to have the emotional reaction to seeing Vietnam on the Council, but I have a definite, negative reaction to seeing Libya get elected. Worse yet, and perhaps not surprisingly given the State Department's headlong rush to embrace Arab autocracies, the United States did nothing to oppose the Libyan candidacy.
I guess that the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 has now been forgotten, at least from an official standpoint.
I guess that the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 has now been forgotten, at least from an official standpoint.
I disagree with the ACLU (yeah, again)
Governor Charlie Crist of Florida has hung a Mezuzah on the doorway to his office in Tallahassee: http://www.miamiherald.com/775/story/273775.html. The Mezuzah was a gift from a fellow Florida Republican lawmaker.
What grabbed my attention about this story was that the move incurred the ire of the ACLU. Not a big shock, I know. How much do you want to bet that if he had displayed a Koran, the ACLU wouldn't have said anything?
What grabbed my attention about this story was that the move incurred the ire of the ACLU. Not a big shock, I know. How much do you want to bet that if he had displayed a Koran, the ACLU wouldn't have said anything?
So THAT'S what he's doing now!
The Maytag repairman, as we all know, was a very lonely fellow, never having any appliances to repair (apparently, he was unaware of the lemon of a dishwasher that my late parents bought). In any event, he seems to have spent all of his free time pondering the political culture of the country, leading him to seek out the Republican nomination for the Presidency: http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/ci_7191543.
I say, go for it! If nothing else, all of the appliances in the White House would never fail while he was living at 1600 Pennsylvanian Avenue.
I say, go for it! If nothing else, all of the appliances in the White House would never fail while he was living at 1600 Pennsylvanian Avenue.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
The non-existent boycott
You know it, the illegal, immoral anti-Semitic boycott against Israel which Arab/Muslim states have strictly enforced since 1948: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1192380556145&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull. I may be wrong about this, but I thought that this boycott was against U.S. law. Yet, I'd be willing to bet that the United States will be sending a delegation to this conference. I guess that I shouldn't be surprised. After all, discrimination against Jews has never really bother anyone, has it?
Not so FAN-tastic
As readers of this blog know, I am the father of four. My oldest is now of an age where he appreciates sports--in fact, he's quite obsessed. However, I have never taken him to a professional sports event, and am leery of doing so anytime soon. The long and the short of it is that I simply do not want to expose him to the frequently hostile atmosphere which exists at these events. There is a fascinating article on the subject in today's Wall Street Journal, of all places: http://www.opinionjournal.com/la/?id=110010740.
The closest major city to where I live is Philadelphia. Though I have not been to an Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field ("The Linc"), I had been to Eagles' games at Veteran's Stadium, the team's home until 2004. The behaviour of the fans there was loutish at best. Who would want to expose their children to that? Generally speaking, the atmosphere is better at Phillies, Flyers and 76ers games, but there are episodes at those teams' events as well of abusive fans.
Look, I'm all for supporting your team, and if a fan of another team wears their jersey in your building, some good-nature razzing should be expected. But, does it have to result in expletive-filled abuse or even violence? What does it say about our society that we permit this conduct and (in some areas) even encourage it?
The closest major city to where I live is Philadelphia. Though I have not been to an Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field ("The Linc"), I had been to Eagles' games at Veteran's Stadium, the team's home until 2004. The behaviour of the fans there was loutish at best. Who would want to expose their children to that? Generally speaking, the atmosphere is better at Phillies, Flyers and 76ers games, but there are episodes at those teams' events as well of abusive fans.
Look, I'm all for supporting your team, and if a fan of another team wears their jersey in your building, some good-nature razzing should be expected. But, does it have to result in expletive-filled abuse or even violence? What does it say about our society that we permit this conduct and (in some areas) even encourage it?
Monday, October 15, 2007
Did we blow the war against al Qaeda?
God, I sure hope not, but here is a very detailed article explaining how that is exactly what we did: http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20071022&s=bergen102207. You may need to sign up for The New Republic to have access to it, but it's free and the article is absolutely wortth the read.
Commando Basset Hound story of the week
I use the term "basset hound" in a singular fashion, because this story only involves one of my canines. Sometime on Sunday, Sadie, who is generally the most passive of the three commando basset hounds, decided to roll around in the grass in our backyard. In so doing, she rolled around in something that made her smell hideous. So, it was bath time for Sadie.
I don't know if any of you have ever had to give a bath to a dog who seems equally determined not to undergo one, but it is, to put it mildly, a challenging event. I got the water started in the tub, and after an exhilarating 10 minutes spent chasing all three dogs around the house (funny how they resort to the pack mentality whenever "danger" presents itself), managed to corner Sadie under our computer desk. She refuses to come out voluntarily, so I pull her out. She tries to escape, so I pick her up. She promptly pees on my shirt. Given that three of the four little BHG's were in hearing range and were thoroughly amused by the whole spectacle, I avoid using any profanity, but do indicate to Sadie in fairly direct language that I will be dropping her off in the middle of I-295 "to play" following her bath.
After some more struggling, I get into the bathroom with Sadie and shut the door. At that point the oldest of the little BHGs, eager to see what is going on, opens the door, allowing Sadie to escape. She bolts, though I did make a great tackle attempt on her, jamming my shoulder in the wall as I did so. After another 10-minute search, I find her cowering behind a laundry pile in the basement. I pick her up again and she registers her displeasure with me by howling all the way up the stairs. Phoebe and Flash, perhaps in sympathy for their oppressed sister, howl at me as well. We re-enter the bathroom, and I place Sadie in the tub. Sadie hops out of the tub. I put her back in. She hops back out. I put her back in, but this time, I block her off. She hops over my shoulder and stands on my back, causing me to fall into the tub. Meanwhile, Flash and Phoebe continue to howl outside the bathroom. Clearly, an uprising of the masses is afoot.
After briefly contemplating whether Sadie would look better if she were stuffed and mounted, I get myself out of the tub and get Sadie back in. I really needn't have bothered, given that there was as much water on the bathroom floor at this point as there was in the tub. Nonetheless, I scrub Sadie down and shampoo her, before toweling her off. At that point, I reopened the bathroom door, and Sadie vanished.
Postscript: About an hour later, I found a chewed up magazine on the floor of my bedroom. Given that Phoebe was sleeping on the couch and Flash was outside, I sought out Sadie, but couldn't find her anywhere. After about 20 minutes of searching, I finally found her.......................in the bathtub.
I don't know if any of you have ever had to give a bath to a dog who seems equally determined not to undergo one, but it is, to put it mildly, a challenging event. I got the water started in the tub, and after an exhilarating 10 minutes spent chasing all three dogs around the house (funny how they resort to the pack mentality whenever "danger" presents itself), managed to corner Sadie under our computer desk. She refuses to come out voluntarily, so I pull her out. She tries to escape, so I pick her up. She promptly pees on my shirt. Given that three of the four little BHG's were in hearing range and were thoroughly amused by the whole spectacle, I avoid using any profanity, but do indicate to Sadie in fairly direct language that I will be dropping her off in the middle of I-295 "to play" following her bath.
After some more struggling, I get into the bathroom with Sadie and shut the door. At that point the oldest of the little BHGs, eager to see what is going on, opens the door, allowing Sadie to escape. She bolts, though I did make a great tackle attempt on her, jamming my shoulder in the wall as I did so. After another 10-minute search, I find her cowering behind a laundry pile in the basement. I pick her up again and she registers her displeasure with me by howling all the way up the stairs. Phoebe and Flash, perhaps in sympathy for their oppressed sister, howl at me as well. We re-enter the bathroom, and I place Sadie in the tub. Sadie hops out of the tub. I put her back in. She hops back out. I put her back in, but this time, I block her off. She hops over my shoulder and stands on my back, causing me to fall into the tub. Meanwhile, Flash and Phoebe continue to howl outside the bathroom. Clearly, an uprising of the masses is afoot.
After briefly contemplating whether Sadie would look better if she were stuffed and mounted, I get myself out of the tub and get Sadie back in. I really needn't have bothered, given that there was as much water on the bathroom floor at this point as there was in the tub. Nonetheless, I scrub Sadie down and shampoo her, before toweling her off. At that point, I reopened the bathroom door, and Sadie vanished.
Postscript: About an hour later, I found a chewed up magazine on the floor of my bedroom. Given that Phoebe was sleeping on the couch and Flash was outside, I sought out Sadie, but couldn't find her anywhere. After about 20 minutes of searching, I finally found her.......................in the bathtub.
Grandstanding for the sake of political expediency
There is a fascinating article on the Middle East Forum website, which can also be found here: http://www.meforum.org/article/1765. The piece, in short, argues that the rush by Congress to condemn the Ottoman genocide against the Armenians was ill-advised and motivated purely by partisan politics, and that it furthermore has left the United States in an even more vulnerable position strategically, especially insofar as a key NATO ally, Turkey, is concerned.
Let's get one thing out of the way first: From all that I have read, I do believe that the term "genocide" can be fairly applied to what the Ottomans did to the Armenians in 1915. Having said, that I also have to agree with the central premise of the MEF article to which I linked above. What possible political purpose does this declaration achieve? In a worst case scenario, it could potentially result in Turkish and American troops taking up arms against each other in northern Iraq (in Iraqi Kurdistan, as the Turks seek to root out Kurdish rebels who are crossing the Turkish-Iraqi border. One thing that has held the Turks back is a desire to avoid directly confronting the United States. That reticence might not be present any longer.
Let's get one thing out of the way first: From all that I have read, I do believe that the term "genocide" can be fairly applied to what the Ottomans did to the Armenians in 1915. Having said, that I also have to agree with the central premise of the MEF article to which I linked above. What possible political purpose does this declaration achieve? In a worst case scenario, it could potentially result in Turkish and American troops taking up arms against each other in northern Iraq (in Iraqi Kurdistan, as the Turks seek to root out Kurdish rebels who are crossing the Turkish-Iraqi border. One thing that has held the Turks back is a desire to avoid directly confronting the United States. That reticence might not be present any longer.
Condoleeza Rice shills for terrorism
It has come to the point where every time U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice opens her mouth, it makes me ill. Her latest is to state that a Palestinian state should be created immediately: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071015/ap_on_re_mi_ea/mideast_rice.
I would have said that this was merely a product of the Arabist U.S. State Department, but the stunning thing is that even the State Department wasn't clamoring for the creation of a Palestinian State NOW.
I wonder, what in the world can she be thinking? It's not like the Palestinians have even made pretext of following the so-called "Roadmap". Rather, they've elected a terrorist government, launch rockets constantly at Israel from the Gaza Strip, continue to hold an Israeli soldier hostage, and continue to teach their children that A) Israel doesn't exist, and B) Even if it does, that just means that all Jews inside it must be killed.
Has Ms. Rice completely lost her mind? Does none of this matter to her?
I would have said that this was merely a product of the Arabist U.S. State Department, but the stunning thing is that even the State Department wasn't clamoring for the creation of a Palestinian State NOW.
I wonder, what in the world can she be thinking? It's not like the Palestinians have even made pretext of following the so-called "Roadmap". Rather, they've elected a terrorist government, launch rockets constantly at Israel from the Gaza Strip, continue to hold an Israeli soldier hostage, and continue to teach their children that A) Israel doesn't exist, and B) Even if it does, that just means that all Jews inside it must be killed.
Has Ms. Rice completely lost her mind? Does none of this matter to her?
The Fifth Column
We have always known that they are out there, but a New York Times piece on one particular Islamofascist terrorist-loving blogger is particularly illuminating: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/us/15net.html?_r=1&oref=slogin. This guy was born in Saudi Arabia (what a shock!), but grew up here in the U.S. Yet, he harbours a hatred of the United States that borders on the pathological.
I suppose that eventually, someone will try to shut his blog down, but I'll bet that he has the ACLU on speed dial.................
I suppose that eventually, someone will try to shut his blog down, but I'll bet that he has the ACLU on speed dial.................
Some sporting thoughts for a sunny Monday
The political news is too depressing, so I'm going to deny reality and focus on sports for this entry!
1) Can the New England Patriots run the table? Winning at Dallas (and yes, I know that it was only Week Six of the season, but 48-27 right in Big D?) makes that possibility a lot more likely. Here is what New England has done through six games: 230 points scored, an average of 38.7 per game. 96 points given up, which averages out to a very respectable 16 a game. The Pats are on pace to score over 600 points this season, which would obliterate the previous NFL record of 556 set by the 1999 Minnesota Vikings. It will be hard for the Pats to go undefeated; they still have a very, very tough road game at Indianapolis against the Colts, who most people seem to have forgotten actually won the Super Bowl last season. There will also be a game against a very tough Pittsburgh team. Still, even if they don't win all of their games, this Patriots team might be the best one the NFL has seen since the glory days of the 49ers in the mid-1980s.
2) How about a Top Five and Bottom Five in the NFL?
TOP FIVE
i) New England Patriots (6-0): See above. New England is frighteningly good.
ii) Indianapolis Colts (5-0): That upcoming clash with New England has the promise of being an instant classic.
iii) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1): New coach, same old Steelers. Pittsburgh still plays great D and the offense is more than adequate.
iv) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1): The southern answer to the Steelers. Jacksonville is an underrated team.
v) Dallas Cowboys (5-1): They may be the best the NFC has to offer, but they were schooled yesterday by the Patriots.
BOTTOM FIVE
i) St. Louis Rams (0-6): The worst team in the worst conference. Was it really just a few years ago that the Rams played the Patriots in the Super Bowl and were known as the "Greatest Show on Turf"?
ii) Denver Broncos (2-3): Why do I have the Broncos ranked below a winless team and one-loss teams? Because they won their first two games by a combined four points, and have since lost their last three by a combined 65 (points).
iii) Miami Dolphins (0-6): Talk about a storied franchise falling on hard times. The Dolphins still have home games left against the Bills and Jets, so there are a couple of likely wins, but other than that, it's looking pretty bleak in Fish-land.
iv) Atlanta Falcons (1-4): I'm actually kinda surprised that the Falcons already have a win.
v) New York Jets (1-5): Well, we have our answer. Last season WAS a mirage for Jets fans.........
3) Hockey is back, making a me a happy man. Well, okay, I'm not happy. But, I'm less miserable than I normally am. So far, in the early going, there are a couple of trends which are already establishing themselves. The changes to the game that the NHL made to try and get scoring up have not helped. There was a brief surge in scoring, but the best offense in the league (which is Philadelphia, so far), is averaging only 4.25 goals a game, but the Flyers have only played four games and half those goals were scored in an 8-2 blowout of the Canucks. Most teams are below 3 goals a game. The teams that are usually good--Detroit, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, etc.--still are. Still, bad hockey is better than no hockey!
4) I don't know that there has been a more unpredictable college football season than this one. The preseason Top 10 (according to most publications) has been decimated, but that might be more a reflection of the worthlessness of preseason polls than anything else. Still, After starting the season outside the Top 10, the Ohio State Buckeyes now sit in the top spot, and if they run the table, will be playing for the national title for the second straight year. Who will their opponent be? Amazingly enough, it could very well be either the University of South Florida Bulls (a program that didn't even exist 15 year ago) or the Boston College Eagles, both of whom, like the Buckeyes, are undefeated. However, with the vagaries of the BCS system, it wouldn't be shocking at all to see a one-loss team such as the Oklahoma Sooners or LSU Tigers squeeze their way in if they win out. LSU arguably belongs there, but I wouldn't say the same for the Sooners, who have played no one. As well, the Big Twelve is absolutely lousy this season. Ohio State still has one tough game left, at Michigan. Can you imagine a BCS title game of South Florida vs. Boston College? I love it..................
5) The Colorado Rockies are on a run the likes of which I have never seen. They won 14 out of 15 games to get into the playoffs, and are now a perfect 6-0 in the post-season. It's almost as if the team has simply forgotten how to lose. I wouldn't bet against them completing their sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks and then awaiting the winner of the Cleveland Indians-Boston Red Sox ALCS. All of a sudden, the American League representative doesn't look like such an overwhelming favourite in the World Series.................
1) Can the New England Patriots run the table? Winning at Dallas (and yes, I know that it was only Week Six of the season, but 48-27 right in Big D?) makes that possibility a lot more likely. Here is what New England has done through six games: 230 points scored, an average of 38.7 per game. 96 points given up, which averages out to a very respectable 16 a game. The Pats are on pace to score over 600 points this season, which would obliterate the previous NFL record of 556 set by the 1999 Minnesota Vikings. It will be hard for the Pats to go undefeated; they still have a very, very tough road game at Indianapolis against the Colts, who most people seem to have forgotten actually won the Super Bowl last season. There will also be a game against a very tough Pittsburgh team. Still, even if they don't win all of their games, this Patriots team might be the best one the NFL has seen since the glory days of the 49ers in the mid-1980s.
2) How about a Top Five and Bottom Five in the NFL?
TOP FIVE
i) New England Patriots (6-0): See above. New England is frighteningly good.
ii) Indianapolis Colts (5-0): That upcoming clash with New England has the promise of being an instant classic.
iii) Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1): New coach, same old Steelers. Pittsburgh still plays great D and the offense is more than adequate.
iv) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1): The southern answer to the Steelers. Jacksonville is an underrated team.
v) Dallas Cowboys (5-1): They may be the best the NFC has to offer, but they were schooled yesterday by the Patriots.
BOTTOM FIVE
i) St. Louis Rams (0-6): The worst team in the worst conference. Was it really just a few years ago that the Rams played the Patriots in the Super Bowl and were known as the "Greatest Show on Turf"?
ii) Denver Broncos (2-3): Why do I have the Broncos ranked below a winless team and one-loss teams? Because they won their first two games by a combined four points, and have since lost their last three by a combined 65 (points).
iii) Miami Dolphins (0-6): Talk about a storied franchise falling on hard times. The Dolphins still have home games left against the Bills and Jets, so there are a couple of likely wins, but other than that, it's looking pretty bleak in Fish-land.
iv) Atlanta Falcons (1-4): I'm actually kinda surprised that the Falcons already have a win.
v) New York Jets (1-5): Well, we have our answer. Last season WAS a mirage for Jets fans.........
3) Hockey is back, making a me a happy man. Well, okay, I'm not happy. But, I'm less miserable than I normally am. So far, in the early going, there are a couple of trends which are already establishing themselves. The changes to the game that the NHL made to try and get scoring up have not helped. There was a brief surge in scoring, but the best offense in the league (which is Philadelphia, so far), is averaging only 4.25 goals a game, but the Flyers have only played four games and half those goals were scored in an 8-2 blowout of the Canucks. Most teams are below 3 goals a game. The teams that are usually good--Detroit, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, etc.--still are. Still, bad hockey is better than no hockey!
4) I don't know that there has been a more unpredictable college football season than this one. The preseason Top 10 (according to most publications) has been decimated, but that might be more a reflection of the worthlessness of preseason polls than anything else. Still, After starting the season outside the Top 10, the Ohio State Buckeyes now sit in the top spot, and if they run the table, will be playing for the national title for the second straight year. Who will their opponent be? Amazingly enough, it could very well be either the University of South Florida Bulls (a program that didn't even exist 15 year ago) or the Boston College Eagles, both of whom, like the Buckeyes, are undefeated. However, with the vagaries of the BCS system, it wouldn't be shocking at all to see a one-loss team such as the Oklahoma Sooners or LSU Tigers squeeze their way in if they win out. LSU arguably belongs there, but I wouldn't say the same for the Sooners, who have played no one. As well, the Big Twelve is absolutely lousy this season. Ohio State still has one tough game left, at Michigan. Can you imagine a BCS title game of South Florida vs. Boston College? I love it..................
5) The Colorado Rockies are on a run the likes of which I have never seen. They won 14 out of 15 games to get into the playoffs, and are now a perfect 6-0 in the post-season. It's almost as if the team has simply forgotten how to lose. I wouldn't bet against them completing their sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks and then awaiting the winner of the Cleveland Indians-Boston Red Sox ALCS. All of a sudden, the American League representative doesn't look like such an overwhelming favourite in the World Series.................
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Go visit George Roper's Blog
I don't usually tell people to leave my blog, but George Roper (on my blogroll, but the link is here: http://gmroper.mu.nu/) has a sensational post up about the fact that a recent survey in the U.K. found that an amazing 35% of those polled following a debate on the merits of Western culture vs. those of the Islamic world did not believe that Western society was worth saving.
There are any number of comments I could make about this, but I'll limit them to the following: We have had about 60 years of politically correct, anti-Western thought being tought to our children. Our scholastic "institutions" have become nothing more than indoctrination centers for far left, morally relatavistic (at best), Islamofascist-loving baby boomers (sorry, George) who have no clue to brainwash young minds to think just the way they do. And, the thing is, it's working. Look where the societal trends are starting--it's on college campuses. The boycott/divestment movement got its start there. The "9/11 Truth Movement" has taken root and spread like wildfire in that environment.
It's no coincidence that our main enemy, Saudi Arabia, is tied in to all of this. Wherever you find a strong Islamic Studies Department, the guiding hand of the Wahhabist Saudi Government is there behind the scenes. Slowly, surreptitiously, insidiously, the Saudis have poured millions of dollars generated by selling oil to us to fund a campaign which has brainwashed tens of millions of people who don't know any better into thinking that Islam is really no different than Christianity or Judaism. Aided by useful idiots in colleges and school boards across the country, and with the complicity of a MSM which long ago lost its moral compass, the Saudis have successfully convinced us that our culture is not worth saving.
What's that, you say? This survey was taken in Great Britain, and is therefore not really applicable to us? Sorry, but that would be a belief that is both naive and dangerous. We tend to be 10-20 years behind Europe in these social trends, though that gap is rapidly narrowing. It would not shock me at all if those survey results were duplicated here.
Here are the two articles to which George linked:
http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magazine/features/247836/part_2/intelligence2.thtml
http://ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=277080979980027
There are any number of comments I could make about this, but I'll limit them to the following: We have had about 60 years of politically correct, anti-Western thought being tought to our children. Our scholastic "institutions" have become nothing more than indoctrination centers for far left, morally relatavistic (at best), Islamofascist-loving baby boomers (sorry, George) who have no clue to brainwash young minds to think just the way they do. And, the thing is, it's working. Look where the societal trends are starting--it's on college campuses. The boycott/divestment movement got its start there. The "9/11 Truth Movement" has taken root and spread like wildfire in that environment.
It's no coincidence that our main enemy, Saudi Arabia, is tied in to all of this. Wherever you find a strong Islamic Studies Department, the guiding hand of the Wahhabist Saudi Government is there behind the scenes. Slowly, surreptitiously, insidiously, the Saudis have poured millions of dollars generated by selling oil to us to fund a campaign which has brainwashed tens of millions of people who don't know any better into thinking that Islam is really no different than Christianity or Judaism. Aided by useful idiots in colleges and school boards across the country, and with the complicity of a MSM which long ago lost its moral compass, the Saudis have successfully convinced us that our culture is not worth saving.
What's that, you say? This survey was taken in Great Britain, and is therefore not really applicable to us? Sorry, but that would be a belief that is both naive and dangerous. We tend to be 10-20 years behind Europe in these social trends, though that gap is rapidly narrowing. It would not shock me at all if those survey results were duplicated here.
Here are the two articles to which George linked:
http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magazine/features/247836/part_2/intelligence2.thtml
http://ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=277080979980027
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Another delusional dhimmi
It's not much of a surprise that this would be published in The Guardian, which hates all religions.......except Islam, of course: http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1874653,00.html.
I really don't understand what these people are thinking. Do they believe that the Islamofascists will like them MORE if they kowtow to them? If they do, they are either naive or stupid, or possibly both. Islamofacists view positions such as this one as a sign of weakness.
I really don't understand what these people are thinking. Do they believe that the Islamofascists will like them MORE if they kowtow to them? If they do, they are either naive or stupid, or possibly both. Islamofacists view positions such as this one as a sign of weakness.
Friday, October 12, 2007
The type of story that makes me ill
Not a political or sports one for a change. As readers of my blog know, I am an animal lover. I have had dogs for years, and over the course of my lifetime, have had dogs, gerbils, guinea pigs, budgies (a/k/a parakeets), mice, and two box turtles. So, when I read a story like this one, it makes me both incredibly angry and incredibly sad: http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2007/10/12/786848.html&cvqh=itn_pets.
What kind of people do stuff like this?
What kind of people do stuff like this?
And HE'S one of the "moderates"!!!
Hashemi Rafsanjani, an Iranian who many champion as being "a moderate voice" has come out and essentially said that the Jews of Europe had the Holocaust coming to them because they were "pains in the neck": http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/1575.htm.
I would ask, rhetorically of course, if President Peanut Farmer thinks that we should still talk to these anti-Semitic cretins, but I have little doubt that he was nodding his head in agreement as he read Rafsanjani's comments..............
I would ask, rhetorically of course, if President Peanut Farmer thinks that we should still talk to these anti-Semitic cretins, but I have little doubt that he was nodding his head in agreement as he read Rafsanjani's comments..............
What the future holds
Every now and then, I allow myself to diverge from my normal, "Humanity is going to kill itself off" mindset. When I do that, stories like this one really grab my attention: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/10/071005-space-race.html.
When I read articles such as this one, it makes me envious for what my children--or their children--may grow up to see. Space bases, a living colony on Mars, human exploration of the entire solar system. It all sounds so incredibly exciting and thrilling...............
When I read articles such as this one, it makes me envious for what my children--or their children--may grow up to see. Space bases, a living colony on Mars, human exploration of the entire solar system. It all sounds so incredibly exciting and thrilling...............
Who are the five authors/thinkers who most influence your thinking?
Thanks to the Contentions Centrist who tagged me with this! Here is my response:
It is very difficult for me to specifically identify anyone who influenced my thinking. My current views are a reflection of a personal political evolution. I started off, when I was young, as an obersvant Jew, became a "secular humanist" (like I had any idea what that really meant) as a teen, and then moved back towards Judaism once I hit my twenties. My politics followed a similar drift, I guess. I started off being a the stereotypical "Liberal Jew", which is essentially what my parents were. Starting around the time I got to law school, I started to move to the right politically, and that move has continued inexorably to this very day. There were (and still are) a number of people who have influenced this transformation, including a former professor who remains one of my closest friends to this very day, and some other friends who have undergone similar political evolutions. However, I don't know that there was any specific public individual whose writings or thoughts influenced this transformation on my part.
As far as who influences me now, I would list the following individuals:
1) Charles Krauthammer: An absolutely brilliant man.
2) David Horowitz: He runs the Center for the Study of Political Culture and the Frontpage Magazine website. I have had the distinct honour of meeting him, and he posseses a truly impressive intellect.
3) Alan Dershowitz, Esq.: I don't agree with him on everything, but his mind functions in a way and at a speed that leaves slower individuals such as myself in the dust.
4) Senator John McCain: Another great person who fate has blessed me by allowing me to meet him. A man of integrity and tremendous personal courage, regardless of whether I agree with him or not (and I don't agree with him on illegal immigration, just to cite one example).
5) Former President Theodore Roosevelt: I don't know if I can count him, but it's my list, so he's here! :-)
Now, I tag............................The Bookworm, Oleh Michael, Angel at "Woman Honor Thyself", George Roper and Eric at the Black Tygrrrrrrr!
It is very difficult for me to specifically identify anyone who influenced my thinking. My current views are a reflection of a personal political evolution. I started off, when I was young, as an obersvant Jew, became a "secular humanist" (like I had any idea what that really meant) as a teen, and then moved back towards Judaism once I hit my twenties. My politics followed a similar drift, I guess. I started off being a the stereotypical "Liberal Jew", which is essentially what my parents were. Starting around the time I got to law school, I started to move to the right politically, and that move has continued inexorably to this very day. There were (and still are) a number of people who have influenced this transformation, including a former professor who remains one of my closest friends to this very day, and some other friends who have undergone similar political evolutions. However, I don't know that there was any specific public individual whose writings or thoughts influenced this transformation on my part.
As far as who influences me now, I would list the following individuals:
1) Charles Krauthammer: An absolutely brilliant man.
2) David Horowitz: He runs the Center for the Study of Political Culture and the Frontpage Magazine website. I have had the distinct honour of meeting him, and he posseses a truly impressive intellect.
3) Alan Dershowitz, Esq.: I don't agree with him on everything, but his mind functions in a way and at a speed that leaves slower individuals such as myself in the dust.
4) Senator John McCain: Another great person who fate has blessed me by allowing me to meet him. A man of integrity and tremendous personal courage, regardless of whether I agree with him or not (and I don't agree with him on illegal immigration, just to cite one example).
5) Former President Theodore Roosevelt: I don't know if I can count him, but it's my list, so he's here! :-)
Now, I tag............................The Bookworm, Oleh Michael, Angel at "Woman Honor Thyself", George Roper and Eric at the Black Tygrrrrrrr!
Ann Coulter
I haven't blogged about her previously, at least not that I can recall. So, let me lay my cards on the table and say that I am not a fan. It's not that I necessarily disagree with her points, because I generally don't, but in my mind, she is a bomb-thrower, no different on the right than the Ted Ralls and his ilk are on the left. I hate it when the debate is debased from either side, and I am especially uncomfortable when we on the right descend to the level of the George Soros-led crowd on the left. There's an old cliche which goes something along the lines of "Don't wrestle with a pig in the mud. You both get dirty and only the pig likes it". That's what it's like to me when Ann Coulter lobs one of her verbal grenades.
So, now Ms. Coulter has generated yet another controversy. Here latest involves an appearance on a CNBC show where she essentially said that Christians were perfected Jews. Rather than blather away about any more, I'll let you make the call as to whether her comments are offensive or not. I am attaching links to a transcript of her comments, the actual video, and a Debbie Schlussel (who is Jewish) column on the subject:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C301216%2C00.html
http://ianschwartz.com/2007/10/11/video-ann-coulter-says-jews-need-to-be-perfected-by-becoming-christians/
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/10/nice_try_media.html
So, now Ms. Coulter has generated yet another controversy. Here latest involves an appearance on a CNBC show where she essentially said that Christians were perfected Jews. Rather than blather away about any more, I'll let you make the call as to whether her comments are offensive or not. I am attaching links to a transcript of her comments, the actual video, and a Debbie Schlussel (who is Jewish) column on the subject:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C301216%2C00.html
http://ianschwartz.com/2007/10/11/video-ann-coulter-says-jews-need-to-be-perfected-by-becoming-christians/
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/10/nice_try_media.html
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Pat Condell's Latest
I don't agree with everything he says, though he is bang on when it comes to analyzing Islam: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=0f7_1191940696.
Do I ever wish that I was was funny and witty as he is...........
Do I ever wish that I was was funny and witty as he is...........
The Religion of Peace and Tolerance strikes again
Apparently, destroying world heritage landmarks such as the Bamiyyan Buddha Statues in 2001 wasn't enough for the Religion of Peace and Tolerance. As such, its adherents have now gone after another Buddha statue, this time in Pakistan: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/11/wpak111.xml. I had to go to an English paper to get a report on this because, God forbid, any representatives of our MSM paint the Islamic faith in anything other than a glowing light.
This P.C. bulls--t is going to get us all killed. You can NOT fight an enemy as ruthless as this one in a politically correct fashion. Life means nothing to them. History means nothing to them. Culture means nothing to them. Science means nothing to them, except where they can use it to engage in terrorist attacks.
After 9/11, I had a debate with a good friend of mine, and he was certain that 9/11 was the wakeup call we needed. I was much more pessimistic, and argued that not only would we learn nothing from what happened that awful day, we would move in the other direction. Time has proven me right. If anything, Islam now enjoys a status in the West in general and the United States in particular that Bin Laden and his ilk could not have possibly imagined in their wildest dreams before 9/11. The rare voices that criticize the faith, such as Stephen Emerson, Dr. Andrew Bostom and Daniel Pipes, are immediately shouted down as being racist and "Islamophobic".
This is not a clash OF civilizations. It is a battle of civilization against primitive, seventh century religious zealots armed with 21st century technology, people who believe that they are mandated by God to establish a global caliphate run by Sharia law. It makes no difference if the are Shiite freaks like Hezbollah or the Iranian Mullahs, or Sunni whack jobs like al Qaeda or its progeny. And, if you think that they would be "satisfied" if Israel were wiped out, or if the U.S. immediately pulled all troops out of the Middle East (HELLOOOOOO, Congressman Ron Paul!), you're deluding yourself. This ideology is a Fascist ideology, and it will never be satisfied, because Fascism is inherently expansionist. It cannot be dealt with via a policy of containment. "Grievances" such as the existence of Israel and the presence of U.S. forces in the Middle East would quickly be replaced by new ones (Al Andalus, anyone?). There are only two possible outcomes here, win or lose. There cannot be a tie.
The question in my mind is, do we have what it takes to fight this war? I question that we do, given that we are now so P.C. that we dare not even acknowledge who our enemy is. "War on Terror"? Give me a break. This is a war against ISLAMIC FASCISM. The last I checked, neither Basque separatists nor disgruntled I.R.A. holdouts were flying planes into buildings in New York or murdering school children in Beslan.
I am sorry that I have strayed so far from my original point, but this story really ticked me off. When the Taliban destroyed the Bamiyyan Buddhas, I said that it was a harbinger of things to come. A matter of weeks later, I was proven right. At some point, civilized people must stop living in their morally relativistic cocoon and confront these savages. When will it happen?
This P.C. bulls--t is going to get us all killed. You can NOT fight an enemy as ruthless as this one in a politically correct fashion. Life means nothing to them. History means nothing to them. Culture means nothing to them. Science means nothing to them, except where they can use it to engage in terrorist attacks.
After 9/11, I had a debate with a good friend of mine, and he was certain that 9/11 was the wakeup call we needed. I was much more pessimistic, and argued that not only would we learn nothing from what happened that awful day, we would move in the other direction. Time has proven me right. If anything, Islam now enjoys a status in the West in general and the United States in particular that Bin Laden and his ilk could not have possibly imagined in their wildest dreams before 9/11. The rare voices that criticize the faith, such as Stephen Emerson, Dr. Andrew Bostom and Daniel Pipes, are immediately shouted down as being racist and "Islamophobic".
This is not a clash OF civilizations. It is a battle of civilization against primitive, seventh century religious zealots armed with 21st century technology, people who believe that they are mandated by God to establish a global caliphate run by Sharia law. It makes no difference if the are Shiite freaks like Hezbollah or the Iranian Mullahs, or Sunni whack jobs like al Qaeda or its progeny. And, if you think that they would be "satisfied" if Israel were wiped out, or if the U.S. immediately pulled all troops out of the Middle East (HELLOOOOOO, Congressman Ron Paul!), you're deluding yourself. This ideology is a Fascist ideology, and it will never be satisfied, because Fascism is inherently expansionist. It cannot be dealt with via a policy of containment. "Grievances" such as the existence of Israel and the presence of U.S. forces in the Middle East would quickly be replaced by new ones (Al Andalus, anyone?). There are only two possible outcomes here, win or lose. There cannot be a tie.
The question in my mind is, do we have what it takes to fight this war? I question that we do, given that we are now so P.C. that we dare not even acknowledge who our enemy is. "War on Terror"? Give me a break. This is a war against ISLAMIC FASCISM. The last I checked, neither Basque separatists nor disgruntled I.R.A. holdouts were flying planes into buildings in New York or murdering school children in Beslan.
I am sorry that I have strayed so far from my original point, but this story really ticked me off. When the Taliban destroyed the Bamiyyan Buddhas, I said that it was a harbinger of things to come. A matter of weeks later, I was proven right. At some point, civilized people must stop living in their morally relativistic cocoon and confront these savages. When will it happen?
A book I plan to buy
Hezbollah, one of the true, archetypal terrorist movements in the world, is idealized in the West, particularly on the Left (big shock, I know). A book is coming out which will offer the statements of the terrorist organization in its own words, and one review of the book has already come out: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/non-fiction/article2595495.ece.
Something for nothing
That's what the Arab League wants (and given the current leadership in both Israel and the United States, probably will get). Merely for showing up at a "Peace Conference", which will be nothing more than an exercise in futility, the Arab League is demanding that Israel provide numerous gurarantees, including a moratorium on settlement building, releases of prisoners, yadda, yadda, yadda: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/middleeast/news/article_1364337.php/Arab_League_sets_terms_for_attending_peace_conference_with_Israel. Yet, what is the Arab League offering in return? Nothing. Nada. Bupkus. Niente. Rien. Zilch. Zero. Zippo. Just a half-hearted promise that it will send someone to this conference, someone who undoubtedly will make even more demands of Israel.
This whole situation is a joke. And, who is largely to blame for this fiasco? Current U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who sounds an awful lot like she is now channeling James "F-- the Jews" Baker: http://www.nysun.com/article/64310. This woman is a disaster as a Secretary of State.
This whole situation is a joke. And, who is largely to blame for this fiasco? Current U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who sounds an awful lot like she is now channeling James "F-- the Jews" Baker: http://www.nysun.com/article/64310. This woman is a disaster as a Secretary of State.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Choir, meet preacher; Preacher, meet choir
You had to know that the New York Times piece on the "horror" of Americans "torturing" terrorist suspects would generate a reaction from its audience, and that reaction was entirely predictable: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/10/opinion/l10torture.html?_r=1&oref=slogin.
Aside from one lonely letter, there is a steady drumbeat of condemnations, including one from a Euroweenie who apparently thinks that there are CIA operatives ready to lock him up as soon as he sets foot here and another from Michael Ratner, who has never met a far left cause he didn't embrace completely.
It's nice to know that some things never change.
Aside from one lonely letter, there is a steady drumbeat of condemnations, including one from a Euroweenie who apparently thinks that there are CIA operatives ready to lock him up as soon as he sets foot here and another from Michael Ratner, who has never met a far left cause he didn't embrace completely.
It's nice to know that some things never change.
President Peanut Farmer trashes his own country once again
Well, you have to admire the guy for one thing. He is remarkably consistent. He never sees any fault or problem with dictators or their countries (witness his recent proclamations that there was no genocide in Darfur, and for more on that and how he's even ticked off those who would otherwise march in lockstep with him, see here: http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w071008&s=reeves100807), but he never misses a chance to trash either Israel or the United States. His latest comments involve him braying with dismay about U.S. "torture" of terrorists: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/.
My strong suspicion is that President Peanut Farmer is among those nuts who think: "Better 10,000 dead Americans than one inconvenienced or abused terrorist".
Just wait until his gang takes over the White House in 2008.......................
My strong suspicion is that President Peanut Farmer is among those nuts who think: "Better 10,000 dead Americans than one inconvenienced or abused terrorist".
Just wait until his gang takes over the White House in 2008.......................
9/11 "Truthers", meet Holocaust Deniers. Holocaust Deniers, meet 9/11 "Truthers"
Thanks to Charles at Little Green Footballs, I have found a wonderful new blog, Adam Holland, which is now linked on my blogroll. Adam has a couple of posts on the dismaying (but unsurprising) convergence between 9/11 conspiracy theorists and and Holocaust deniers. That these similarly demented individuals have joined forces, or are about to do so, should be a surprise to no one.
You can find his posts here: http://adamholland.blogspot.com/. Both were written on Tuesday, October 9, 2007.
You can find his posts here: http://adamholland.blogspot.com/. Both were written on Tuesday, October 9, 2007.
NEW BLOG FEATURE
I have added a new feature to the blog. At the top left you will now find a poll, which I will change every couple of weeks or so. Please vote, as I'd love to know what you are thinking!
A little Jewish girl looking for peace
Little Susie comes home from first grade and tells her father that they learned about the history of Valentine's Day."Since Valentine's Day is for a Christian saint and we're Jewish," she asks, "will God get mad at me for giving someone a valentine?"
Susie's father thinks a bit, then says "No, I don't think God would get mad. Who do you want to give a valentine to?"
"Osama Bin Laden," she says.
"Why Osama Bin Laden?" her father asks in shock.
"Well," she says, "I thought that if a little American Jewish girl could have enough love to give Osama a valentine, he might start to think that maybe we're not all bad, and maybe start loving people a little bit. And if other kids saw what I did and sent valentines to Osama, he'd love everyone a lot. And then, he'd start going all over the place telling everyone how much he loved them and how he didn't hate anyone anymore."
Her father's heart swells and he looks at his daughter with newfound pride. "Susie, that's the most wonderful thing I've ever heard."
"I know," Susie says, "and once that gets him out in the open, the Marines could blow the shit out of him."
Susie's father thinks a bit, then says "No, I don't think God would get mad. Who do you want to give a valentine to?"
"Osama Bin Laden," she says.
"Why Osama Bin Laden?" her father asks in shock.
"Well," she says, "I thought that if a little American Jewish girl could have enough love to give Osama a valentine, he might start to think that maybe we're not all bad, and maybe start loving people a little bit. And if other kids saw what I did and sent valentines to Osama, he'd love everyone a lot. And then, he'd start going all over the place telling everyone how much he loved them and how he didn't hate anyone anymore."
Her father's heart swells and he looks at his daughter with newfound pride. "Susie, that's the most wonderful thing I've ever heard."
"I know," Susie says, "and once that gets him out in the open, the Marines could blow the shit out of him."
The "Boycott Israel" Express rolls happily along
I blogged last month about the Co-Op in the Bay Area which had decided to boycott Israeli products. Well, this movement is spreading, as a Co-Op in Detroit has just voted on the same proposal, with no decision announced as of today: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071007/NEWS05/710070589/1001. As the article notes, at the meeting where the vote took place, anti-Semitic slogans were used (and this surprises who?).
Just once, I'd love for these boycott advocates to be intellectually honest and admit that their real problem, for the most part, is with Jews. Why do I say that? Think about it. They aren't advocating boycotts of any other country in the world; not China, which has suppressed Tibet for 50+ years, not the brutal theocracy in Iran, which kills homosexuals, no other country at all. ONLY Israel. Well, if these people are true to their ideals, shouldn't they boycott EVERYTHING from Israel? Shouldn't they avoid all of the prescription drugs and technological advances that have come out of Israel? Microsoft Windows was developed in part in Israel, so I would think that the "Boycott Israel" crowd should all switch immediately to Apple computers. And, I'm guessing that the next time they have a sick relative who needs a medication which was developed in Israel, they will tell that person that they should refuse the medication, right?
Somehow, I doubt that any of these things will happen, because the "Boycott Israel" movement, just like the divestment movement, is intellectually dishonest, morally bankrupt and hypocritical.
Just once, I'd love for these boycott advocates to be intellectually honest and admit that their real problem, for the most part, is with Jews. Why do I say that? Think about it. They aren't advocating boycotts of any other country in the world; not China, which has suppressed Tibet for 50+ years, not the brutal theocracy in Iran, which kills homosexuals, no other country at all. ONLY Israel. Well, if these people are true to their ideals, shouldn't they boycott EVERYTHING from Israel? Shouldn't they avoid all of the prescription drugs and technological advances that have come out of Israel? Microsoft Windows was developed in part in Israel, so I would think that the "Boycott Israel" crowd should all switch immediately to Apple computers. And, I'm guessing that the next time they have a sick relative who needs a medication which was developed in Israel, they will tell that person that they should refuse the medication, right?
Somehow, I doubt that any of these things will happen, because the "Boycott Israel" movement, just like the divestment movement, is intellectually dishonest, morally bankrupt and hypocritical.
In defense of Blackwater
Don't get too worked up, it's not what you think. Everyone's favourite angry leftie, Ted Rall, has penned a delightful piece where he "defends" Blackwater's employees...........but not really. You see, what he actually does is use his column as an excuse to trash the U.S. soldiers in Iraq (and presumably Afghanistan, too), who he feels are nothing more than a bunch of trigger-happy war criminals: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucru/20071009/cm_ucru/scapegoatingblackwater;_ylt=AqjQI1TI0z5zO7DB6nz.OO0E1vAI.
Again, I will remind you, Ted Rall and his ilk are the idea people behind organizations such as Moveon.org (George Soros supplies the cash). These are the pople who will be in charge of the White House if/when Senator Hillary Clinton wins the 2008 Presidential Election.
Again, I will remind you, Ted Rall and his ilk are the idea people behind organizations such as Moveon.org (George Soros supplies the cash). These are the pople who will be in charge of the White House if/when Senator Hillary Clinton wins the 2008 Presidential Election.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Inside the mind of a young terrorist
If this doesn't scare you, nothing will: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article2609641.ece. Leave aside the blather at the end of the article about how we all need to learn to love each other, how "many" Muslim clerics reject Bin Laden's ideology, blah, blah, blah. Just read the section which deals with the sending of a child on a homicide bombing mission (not that the kid is blameless here. He thought that this was a fine idea because, among other reason, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is "a Jew").
What passes for journalism these days
The Boston Globe has apparently given up even the pretext of being objective when it comes to reporting on Senator Hillary Clinton: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/10/09/many_warming_unexpectedly_to_clinton/.
The piece is aggravating on so many different levels that it is hard to discuss just one of them. Ostensibly, the article is supposed to be, well, an article. However, if you read it (and if you don't like her, you probably should do so on an empty stomach), it comes across as being a lot more like a Clinton campaign brochure or commercial. The writer does everything but offer to have sexual relations with the Senator.
Yet, this is journalism these days. When did reporting become advocacy?
The piece is aggravating on so many different levels that it is hard to discuss just one of them. Ostensibly, the article is supposed to be, well, an article. However, if you read it (and if you don't like her, you probably should do so on an empty stomach), it comes across as being a lot more like a Clinton campaign brochure or commercial. The writer does everything but offer to have sexual relations with the Senator.
Yet, this is journalism these days. When did reporting become advocacy?
Unspeakable violence against women
This has to be one of the most horrific things I have ever read. Africa is descending into a form of savagery that is unfathomable: http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2007/10/07/savage_rapes_worsen_trauma_of_congo_war_despite_un_presence/, or go here for the same story: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/world/africa/07congo.html?_r=1&oref=slogin. I've asked this previously in blogging about Darfur: How can we as a planet call ourselves civilized when things like this are occurring? I can't even blame this on the U.N., which actually has 17,000 troops on the ground in the Congo.
What an awful situation...............
What an awful situation...............
The Loony Left goes off its meds
When I read this article, I thought that it was a parody, but no, the writer is quite serious: http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/3500. President Bush is WORSE than Osama Bin Laden. He is a modern day Hitler. Actually, my comments don't do the article justice. Read it yourself and let me know your thoughts.
Nope, no media bias here, keep moving, please.
I have often railed against the mind-numbing bias of most media organizations (be they print or audio/video) against Israel. This bias is so prevalent that the truth can rarely, if ever, be discerned. Certainly, there are some organizations that are worse than others, with the biggest offenders being the BBC, Canada's CBC, CNN, the New York Times, Reuters, Agence France Presse and AP.
Freda Ghitis has an interesting Op-Ed in the Miami Herald analyzing how the bias shown in media reports can paint a very distorted picture of a country: http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/261021.html. I urge everyone to read it all.
UPDATE (9:17 a.m.): More on the same subject here: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3455441,00.html#n. If anyone can find the actual Gerstenfeld article on The Netherlands, I'd love to see it.
Freda Ghitis has an interesting Op-Ed in the Miami Herald analyzing how the bias shown in media reports can paint a very distorted picture of a country: http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/261021.html. I urge everyone to read it all.
UPDATE (9:17 a.m.): More on the same subject here: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3455441,00.html#n. If anyone can find the actual Gerstenfeld article on The Netherlands, I'd love to see it.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Stifling free speech in the name of (what else) free speech
This is one of those stories that just makes me shake my head in dismay. Democrats, even though they haven't won anything yet (the 2008 election, after all, is still 13 months away), are already scheming to reinstitute the so-called "Fairness Doctrine": http://www.spectator.org/util/print.asp?art_id=12128.
In reality, this insidious doctrine has absolutely nothing to do with fairness, and everything to do with regulating the way people think and feel. Has anyone ever thought about why conservative talk radio is so popular, or why the left wing Air America couldn't even draw flies? It couldn't have anything to do with the fact that maybe, just maybe, people LIKE what they're hearing, could it?
This is something that bears watching. The Democrats are going to push hard on this issue, and if they capture the White House in '08, the re-imposition of the Fairness Doctrine will be very, very high on their agenda.
In reality, this insidious doctrine has absolutely nothing to do with fairness, and everything to do with regulating the way people think and feel. Has anyone ever thought about why conservative talk radio is so popular, or why the left wing Air America couldn't even draw flies? It couldn't have anything to do with the fact that maybe, just maybe, people LIKE what they're hearing, could it?
This is something that bears watching. The Democrats are going to push hard on this issue, and if they capture the White House in '08, the re-imposition of the Fairness Doctrine will be very, very high on their agenda.
And why don't we just start exterminating ourselves while we're at it?
I read this story and couldn't believe it. The suicidal government of Ehud Olmert is actually considering giving the Palestinians control over East Jerusalem: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071008/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_jerusalem.
I honestly don't even know what to say/write at this point. Giving people who are led by either an admitted Holocaust denier (Mahmoud Abbas) or religious fanatics who want every Jew in Israel killed or deported (Hamas) control over East Jerusalem? This should be an article in The Onion, not a real news headline. If this ever happened, how long does anyone think that it would be before Qassams and Katyushas would start raining on West Jerusalem? And, once the terrorists entrenched themselves in East Jerusalem, which would be an inevitable outcome from an Israeli withdrawal, it would be more or less impossible to root them out.
This is unfathomable. If the Israelis do not IMMEDIATELY do something to oust the Olmert government, they and they alone will be accountable for what happens to them.
I honestly don't even know what to say/write at this point. Giving people who are led by either an admitted Holocaust denier (Mahmoud Abbas) or religious fanatics who want every Jew in Israel killed or deported (Hamas) control over East Jerusalem? This should be an article in The Onion, not a real news headline. If this ever happened, how long does anyone think that it would be before Qassams and Katyushas would start raining on West Jerusalem? And, once the terrorists entrenched themselves in East Jerusalem, which would be an inevitable outcome from an Israeli withdrawal, it would be more or less impossible to root them out.
This is unfathomable. If the Israelis do not IMMEDIATELY do something to oust the Olmert government, they and they alone will be accountable for what happens to them.
Never get a Texan angry
Especially when it comes to the emotionally-charged issue of stinky feet: http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5194388.html.
Now, I can't imagine how badly this man's feet must have smelled for his housemate to want to kill him, but I do have to wonder whether there wasn't a less, umm, drastic way of dealing with the issue..................
Now, I can't imagine how badly this man's feet must have smelled for his housemate to want to kill him, but I do have to wonder whether there wasn't a less, umm, drastic way of dealing with the issue..................
You want a REAL Human Rights Abuse?
Then this is NOT the story for you. A Romanian man has commenced a hunger strike because he had been denied access to his local casino: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2544428.html.
I read stories like this, and I truly wonder how messed up a person's sense of priorities can be.................
I read stories like this, and I truly wonder how messed up a person's sense of priorities can be.................
Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism
I get very nervous when ALL criticism of Israel is is labeled as being anti-Semitic. At the same time, I do think that it is absolutely fair to ask why so many people have an obsession with the state of Israel while at the same time completely ignoring other areas of conflict and war elsewhere in the world. It seems as though those who are anti-Israel frequently make no distinction at all between Israelis and Jews in general, so on the flip side, why should those of us who support Israel bother to try and figure out who is anti-Semitic, and who is "anti-Zionist"?
Cinnamon Stillwell, on her fine blog, has more on how those who are supposedly "anti-Zi0nist" don't really make any distinctions between Israeli supporters and Jews in general, especially on college campuses: http://cinnamonstillwell.blogspot.com/2007/10/anti-semitism-rears-its-ugly-head-on.html. I urge you all to read it.
Cinnamon Stillwell, on her fine blog, has more on how those who are supposedly "anti-Zi0nist" don't really make any distinctions between Israeli supporters and Jews in general, especially on college campuses: http://cinnamonstillwell.blogspot.com/2007/10/anti-semitism-rears-its-ugly-head-on.html. I urge you all to read it.
Israel's raid on Syria
Slowly but surely, details are emerging about the 9/6/07 IDF raid into Syria, if not on the actual raid than on the leadup to it. A very large tip of the hat to the inimitable Pam at Atlas Shrugs, who dug up an article showing that our illustrious Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, wanted the raid put off altogether, and was successful in getting it put off for a couple of months: http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=3695754&page=1.
I have long thought that the Secretary of State was no great friend of Israel, and it looks like the proof on that is gradually coming out.
I have long thought that the Secretary of State was no great friend of Israel, and it looks like the proof on that is gradually coming out.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Some sporting thoughts for a July-like Sunday (even though it's October)
1) I read a report on ESPN this morning that New York Yankees head honcho George Steinbrenner will fire manager Joe Torre if the Yankees do not come back from their 0-2 deficit against the Cleveland Indians in their first round playoff series. Let's see, all Torre has done is win four World Series titles (in a five year span), and make the playoffs in each of his 12 seasons. Until this season, New York had won 10 straight division titles. He's universally regarded with respect, if not outright devotion, and even Red Sox fans such as myself admire the guy. Is it his fault that the team's bats slumbered through much of the first half of the season, thereby allowing Boston to build what turned out to be an insurmountable lead in the division? Is it his fault that management arguably waited too long to bring up young phenoms Philip Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain? It is his fault that the bats have once again largely gone silent in Games One and Two of the playoffs? Joe Torre deserves better, frankly.
2) In the National League, two of the more snakebitten franchises, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs, continued to be, well, snakebitten. Both were swept out of the playoffs in three straight games by callow but talented squads (Philadelphia by Colorado and Chicago by Arizona). The Phillies' loss was the more surprising of the two, I think, even though the Rockies came into the playoffs white hot, having won 14 of its last 15 games. Philadelphia's offense completely went to sleep in the series, as it generated only eight runs in three games, and the team collectively batted below the Mendoza Line (.200). Given that the Phillies were the highest scoring team in the National League, but had a mediocre pitching staff, you'd have figured that if they were going to go down, it would be in a series of shootouts, not pitcher's battles. The Cubs remain the Cubs. It's been 99 years since the North Siders last won a World Series, and by next year, it'll be an even 100. That makes the Red Sox' 86-year wait until 2004 and the White Sox' 88-year gap between titles seem miniscule by comparison.
3) I promise not to whine anymore about the fate of my fantasy football teams. Suffice it to say that my squads make the Oakland Raiders look well-run by comparison.
4) Notre Dame won in college football yesterday. That makes me sad. USC lost AT HOME to 40-point underdog Stanford. That makes me happy. Miami lost to North Carolina. That makes me sad. Hawaii won a shootout and remains unbeaten. That makes me happy. Ohio State won again. That makes me sad. The University of Florida lost. That makes me happy. All in all, an "Even Steven" kind of day.............
5) Hockey season started for real on Wednesday, and all of the teams are now in action. My Montreal Canadiens won at Carolina (a surprise), and then, as usual, lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs. It doesn't seem to matter where the two teams play; Montreal always finds a way to lose to Toronto if the game is close.
2) In the National League, two of the more snakebitten franchises, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs, continued to be, well, snakebitten. Both were swept out of the playoffs in three straight games by callow but talented squads (Philadelphia by Colorado and Chicago by Arizona). The Phillies' loss was the more surprising of the two, I think, even though the Rockies came into the playoffs white hot, having won 14 of its last 15 games. Philadelphia's offense completely went to sleep in the series, as it generated only eight runs in three games, and the team collectively batted below the Mendoza Line (.200). Given that the Phillies were the highest scoring team in the National League, but had a mediocre pitching staff, you'd have figured that if they were going to go down, it would be in a series of shootouts, not pitcher's battles. The Cubs remain the Cubs. It's been 99 years since the North Siders last won a World Series, and by next year, it'll be an even 100. That makes the Red Sox' 86-year wait until 2004 and the White Sox' 88-year gap between titles seem miniscule by comparison.
3) I promise not to whine anymore about the fate of my fantasy football teams. Suffice it to say that my squads make the Oakland Raiders look well-run by comparison.
4) Notre Dame won in college football yesterday. That makes me sad. USC lost AT HOME to 40-point underdog Stanford. That makes me happy. Miami lost to North Carolina. That makes me sad. Hawaii won a shootout and remains unbeaten. That makes me happy. Ohio State won again. That makes me sad. The University of Florida lost. That makes me happy. All in all, an "Even Steven" kind of day.............
5) Hockey season started for real on Wednesday, and all of the teams are now in action. My Montreal Canadiens won at Carolina (a surprise), and then, as usual, lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs. It doesn't seem to matter where the two teams play; Montreal always finds a way to lose to Toronto if the game is close.
Nah, no bias here
The timing of this story is what makes it so wonderful. It wasn't that long ago, that the Democratic presidential candidates, under tremendous pressure for "the base" (the nutcases who get their news only from the Daily Kos, Puffington Host, Moveon.org and Media Matters, etc.), weaseled their way out of a presidential debate on Fox News. Well, now comes the story of the Republican candidates getting ready to participate in a debate which is being moderated by Hardball's Chris Matthews.
Why is this so fascinating? Well, it wouldn't necessarily be if Matthews hadn't recently let loose with a strong of accusations against the Bush White House, speaking darkly of its "criminality": http://www.nypost.com/seven/10062007/postopinion/editorials/an_immoderate_moderator.htm. Think that the good Mr. Matthews will be a model of objectivity?
Why is this so fascinating? Well, it wouldn't necessarily be if Matthews hadn't recently let loose with a strong of accusations against the Bush White House, speaking darkly of its "criminality": http://www.nypost.com/seven/10062007/postopinion/editorials/an_immoderate_moderator.htm. Think that the good Mr. Matthews will be a model of objectivity?
Saturday, October 6, 2007
I thought that she retired
Apparently not. How can we miss Cindy Sheehan if she won't go away? Now, she is blathering on about the end of nation-states, (the U.S. committing) genocide in Iraq, President Chimpy McHalibuton plotting to attack Iran (because, you know, they pose NO THREAT TO US WHATSOEVER. AND EVEN IF THEY DID, IT WOULD BE OUR FAULT.): http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/10/04/4302. And she's hardly the only one on that side of the political spectrum who feels that way:
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/10278.
I'll say it again. I can't pretend to know the pain that Cindy Sheehan experiences when she thinks about the son she lost in Iraq. However, unlike Maureen Dowd, I do NOT think that her loss gives her "absolute moral authority" to say anything she wants at any time. That devalues the thousands of other parents who have also lost children in Iraq and who have said nothing or who, to Ms. Dowd's undoubted consternation, have spoken out in favour of the war. I wonder, do THEY have absolute moral authority, too? Or, are their opinions not as valuable or newsworthy because they go against "the party line" on the war?
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/10278.
I'll say it again. I can't pretend to know the pain that Cindy Sheehan experiences when she thinks about the son she lost in Iraq. However, unlike Maureen Dowd, I do NOT think that her loss gives her "absolute moral authority" to say anything she wants at any time. That devalues the thousands of other parents who have also lost children in Iraq and who have said nothing or who, to Ms. Dowd's undoubted consternation, have spoken out in favour of the war. I wonder, do THEY have absolute moral authority, too? Or, are their opinions not as valuable or newsworthy because they go against "the party line" on the war?
Iran is really our friend!
Yes, it's true! Just ask everybody's favourite America-hater, Ted Rall: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucru/20071003/cm_ucru/quotwedontspeaktoevilquot;_ylt=Ahw17Ma_BNY3VlCrFaeBQN4E1vAI. You see, we have had it all wrong for the last 28+ years. The Mullahs love us, Iranians in general love us, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is just a straight shooter who speaks in honest terms (in fact, he's BETTER than any of our politicians), and the problems in the Middle East all trace back to (you guessed it) Israel.
It's a good thing we have people like Ted Rall around, so us uneducated, ill-informed fools can find out the truth. And if you don't believe him, well just check out THIS gem: http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/10296.
It's a good thing we have people like Ted Rall around, so us uneducated, ill-informed fools can find out the truth. And if you don't believe him, well just check out THIS gem: http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/10296.
Friday, October 5, 2007
But they support the troops!
According to a new poll, one in five Democrats think that it would be better if the United States LOST the Iraq War: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299374,00.html.
I am rarely shocked by the findings of any poll, but this is almost beyond comprehension. Do these whack jobs have no idea what would happen if this occurred? It would make Vietnam look like a picnic. I'd like to believe that people aren't that stupid or blinded by ideology, but apparently, I am wrong.
I am rarely shocked by the findings of any poll, but this is almost beyond comprehension. Do these whack jobs have no idea what would happen if this occurred? It would make Vietnam look like a picnic. I'd like to believe that people aren't that stupid or blinded by ideology, but apparently, I am wrong.
Stephen Colbert meets John Mearsheimer
Watch this video. It seems as though Colbert is somewhat mocking Mearsheimer, but maybe I am wrong in that impression. Watch it and judge for yourself: http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.jhtml?ml_video=104544&ml_collection=&ml_gateway=&ml_gateway_id=&ml_comedian=&ml_runtime=&ml_context=show&ml_origin_url=/shows/the_colbert_report/videos/celebrity_interviews/index.jhtml&ml_playlist=&lnk=&is_large=true.
Death to Israel and other catchy sayings
So the Iranians held their annual (yes, it is annual) Death to Israel/America day, and it was filled with the usual fun, frivolity and happy times: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gZunCCmT2ohgyXbhjEbvNg_PfkqQ. Read the whole article, and the enlightening comments from the Iranian woman quoted in it.
If you want to know why there is no peace in the region, it's attitudes such as hers that are the reason.
If you want to know why there is no peace in the region, it's attitudes such as hers that are the reason.
Barking up the wrong tree
Israel has moved to round up dogs, as ownership of pet dogs is against Judaism.............
Well, no, not really. Actually, it's the REAL fascist country, Iran, which is doing this because in their twisted world view, having dogs as pets is against Islam: http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/09/4df82da8-fdad-4fae-9661-d0eb1183be32.html.
This defies comment.
Well, no, not really. Actually, it's the REAL fascist country, Iran, which is doing this because in their twisted world view, having dogs as pets is against Islam: http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/09/4df82da8-fdad-4fae-9661-d0eb1183be32.html.
This defies comment.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Kicking Quiquivix
I blogged yesterday about the legal travails of that Israel-lover, Linda Quiquivix. More details on the charges against her have emerged, thanks to the North Carolina Judiciary webpage: http://www1.aoc.state.nc.us/www/calendars.Offense.do?submit=submit&case=6702007055142&court=CR&defendant=QUIQUIVIX,LINDA,ELIZABETH&courtDate=10/12/2007&county=ORANGE&session=PM&courtRoom=0002.
It couldn't happen to a nicer gal..............
It couldn't happen to a nicer gal..............
Freed of Freedom
There is an interesting Op-Ed in today's Wall Street Journal on how the the rest of the world, in its zeal to dicredit the "Neocons", has decided that every aspect of U.S. foreign policy must be wrong, and that this will be the case until the evil/fascist/nazi/imperialist/colonialist (you pick the adjective) George W. Bush leaves office: http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/dhenninger/?id=110010687.
One of the groups that will fall victim to this new "Realist" (translation: We don't give a crap what kind of people you are, or what you do to the citizens of your country; we'll still do business with you) are the thousands of monks and democracy protestors in Burma. Sorry, folks, but the rest of the world simply couldn't care less about you.
One of the groups that will fall victim to this new "Realist" (translation: We don't give a crap what kind of people you are, or what you do to the citizens of your country; we'll still do business with you) are the thousands of monks and democracy protestors in Burma. Sorry, folks, but the rest of the world simply couldn't care less about you.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Damning with faint praise
An atheist wants to model his pressure group after (what else), those all-powerful, ubiquitous JEWS, who "monopolize" U.S. foreign policy: http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/104454.html.
Hmm, I wonder if he's been reading Walt & Mearsheimer?
Hmm, I wonder if he's been reading Walt & Mearsheimer?
From the "Where are they now?" Department
Prior to starting my blog, the lovely and talented North Carolina graduate student Linda Quiquivix was the subject of an e-mail for a hateful article she wrote about how she dumped her ultra-politically correct Jewish boyfriend because he didn't share her adoration for Hezbollah. For more on that, see here: http://www.dailytarheel.com/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=83168244-ce8c-46e6-9edc-194de7cf345d.
Well, it appears as though Ms. Quiquivix has kept herself busy. Now, she seems ready to develop a criminal record: http://media.www.dailytarheel.com/media/storage/paper885/news/2007/10/01/city/police.log-3002431.shtml.
Well, it appears as though Ms. Quiquivix has kept herself busy. Now, she seems ready to develop a criminal record: http://media.www.dailytarheel.com/media/storage/paper885/news/2007/10/01/city/police.log-3002431.shtml.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Durban II is on the way
We're only two years away from the next U.N.-sponsored "anti-racism" conference. If it ends up being anything close to the infamous Durban Conference of 2001, get ready for the Libyan-led conference (you read that right) to be one of the most shameful public displays of anti-Semitism, anti-Israeli behaviour we have ever seen: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MzBlNTU5MTgzYmQ2NGQ2Njc4ZmMxMDVmZDU3ZWM5MGQ.
I'll bet that absolutely no time will be devoted to the worldwide resurgence of anti-Semitism: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-antisemitism_thinksep30,0,699568.story?coll=chi_tab02_layout. On the other thand, I'll bet that we'll see TONS of time devoted to "Islamophobia".....
I'll bet that absolutely no time will be devoted to the worldwide resurgence of anti-Semitism: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-antisemitism_thinksep30,0,699568.story?coll=chi_tab02_layout. On the other thand, I'll bet that we'll see TONS of time devoted to "Islamophobia".....
A Confession
Being a guy, I always thought that we men were mainly interested in one thing, which is to say, sex, or at the very least, to see women naked (because then it makes us think of sex). I hope that I'm not letting the cat out of the bag by revealing this little tidbit of information.
In any event, I am apparently wrong in that belief, and it took a woman to point it out. No, what we men REALLY want is to make women look foolish or witchy: http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/09/30/that_clinton_cackle/.
I never knew this. How long has this been kept a secret from me? Why wasn't I informed? As a charter member of the guy's club, I should have been informed. Is there anyone else out there who was kept out of the loop on this one? If so, I feel your pain!
In any event, I am apparently wrong in that belief, and it took a woman to point it out. No, what we men REALLY want is to make women look foolish or witchy: http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/09/30/that_clinton_cackle/.
I never knew this. How long has this been kept a secret from me? Why wasn't I informed? As a charter member of the guy's club, I should have been informed. Is there anyone else out there who was kept out of the loop on this one? If so, I feel your pain!
Burma
I haven't blogged about this yet, and that is a failure on my part. What is going on in Burma, with thousands of monks taking to the streets in protests for democracy, and the military junta which runs the country responding with unspeakable violence: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=484903. A warning: Some of the photos that accompany the article are quite graphic.
One issue that never seems to get discussed is how the Burmese government has stayed in power for 40+ years, and there is a one word answer: China. Yes, that's the same Chinese government that is aiding and abetting genocide in Darfur. I guess that we shouldn't be surprised, given that the Communist Party in China has no problem killing its own people (anyone else remember Tiannanmen Square?), but why do the human rights groups and the rest of the NGO's continue to give China a free pass?
One issue that never seems to get discussed is how the Burmese government has stayed in power for 40+ years, and there is a one word answer: China. Yes, that's the same Chinese government that is aiding and abetting genocide in Darfur. I guess that we shouldn't be surprised, given that the Communist Party in China has no problem killing its own people (anyone else remember Tiannanmen Square?), but why do the human rights groups and the rest of the NGO's continue to give China a free pass?
Ignoring reality because it's CONVENIENT
How else can one explain the willful, ongoing refusal of the MSM (and more pointedly, the far left elements in the MSM) to report on the rabid, homicidal homophobia in Iran? There has been an ongoing war against homosexuals in the Islamic Republic since 1979, and yet it receives almost no attention at all: http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/bstephens/?id=110010679.
Perhaps gay rights groups are too busy protesting about whether they should be allowed to get married. Whatever the reason, you would think that the active repression (to put it mildly) of fellow gays in Iran would merit more attention, but I guess not.
Perhaps gay rights groups are too busy protesting about whether they should be allowed to get married. Whatever the reason, you would think that the active repression (to put it mildly) of fellow gays in Iran would merit more attention, but I guess not.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Irony within Irony within Irony...............
I love this story. First, Congressman Jack Murtha is going to have to undergo a deposition to explain why he loudly proclaimed that U.S. Marines were cold-blooded killers (he is facing a civil defamation suit for making these remarks): http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,298534,00.html. However, what I find deliciously ironic is that he is being defended by the Justice Department, which is claiming that he has legislative immunity. You know who that is; it's the same Bush Administration-run department that Democrats have repeatedly brayed is trying to suppress free speech.
Walt & Mearsheimer debunked (AGAIN)
This review is from the New Republic, of all places: http://www.tnr.com/docprint.mhtml?i=20071008&s=goldberg100807. It is a thorough evisceration of the points raised by Walt & Mearsheimer in their bestseller on the power of the evil, nefarious "Israel Lobby". Rather than summarize it in what would surely be an inadequate fashion, I will merely commend the review to you.
Life in Hamastan
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice can posture all she wants. The left can bleat whenever it likes. None of it matters. You can NOT negotiate or have peace with people who think the way Hamas does: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article2543457.ece. Should the U.S. negotiate with al Qaeda? Al Qaeda and Hamas are two fingers on the same hand. They think the same way. Both are Islamofascist. Both want the end of Israel and a complete abandonment of the Middle East by the United States. Anything less is unacceptable to them. End of story.
Battlefield England, Part Seventeen
A rare bit of good news from the other side of The Pond insofar as Israel is concerned. The UCU, which had been pushing hard for an academic boycott of Israel, has been told in no uncertain tems that such a move would be discriminatory. It has, therefore, decided to drop the plan (at least for now): http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,2179786,00.html.
It's not much, but hopefully this will start the pendulum swinging in the other direction on the boycott/divestment movement...........
It's not much, but hopefully this will start the pendulum swinging in the other direction on the boycott/divestment movement...........
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