Jonah Goldberg Hits a Bullseye Again

If you read nothing else today

If you’ve ever stood up to a bully, you know how this works. Confrontation tends to increase the chances of violence in the short term but decreases its likelihood in the long term. Any hunter will tell you that the most dangerous moment is when you’ve cornered an animal, and any cop will tell you that standing up to muggers puts you in danger. American colonists were less safe for standing up to King George III, and the United States was certainly safer in the short term when we stood on the sidelines while Germany was conquering Europe. Heck, we would have been safer in the short run if we’d responded to Pearl Harbor by telling the Japanese they could have the Pacific to themselves.

I've often compared Terrorists to Bullies. Jonah Goldberg is a better writer than I and says it much better than I ever could. Please follow the link and read his opinion piece. "Dead on accurate" is my only comment.

The Anointed One

It is well-known that Carol Alvarado is the preferred successor to Bill White as mayor of Houston, at least preferred by the power brokers who actually run the city. These are the guys who lie and buy their way into selecting the major positions and projects that the city elects and undertakes. I won't go into all the details, but they basically have the inner-city ministers on their plantations, and bribe them to get the inner-city automaton votes. This is usually enough to get any boondoggle through to law. These are the people who brought us Leepy Brown, three unneeded and tax-payer funded stadiums, and the unaccountable Metro board with the WhamBamTram.

So, now they want Mayor Pro-tem Alvarado for the successor to Mayor White. She's been groomed and preens continually to play her part. Unfortunately, she is totally incompetent. That's never been a real obstacle in the past. This time, though, the Yellow Journal (aka, the Houston Chronic-lies) comes to her rescue with a puff piece. It is so full of inaccuracies, I'm surprised they even bothered with punctuation.

Houston Chronic-Lies Puts Lipstick on a Pig

Let's do a little dissection, shall we?

From the third paragraph:

Alvarado, who hasn't been implicated in any wrongdoing related to the $143,000 in bonuses, testified voluntarily.

I'd say that no allegations of criminal activity have been leveled against her. But no wrong-doing? Isn't it a stretch to say that if $143K of taxpayer money is stolen by people you are supposed to be supervising that you've done nothing wrong? I'd say it is, in the least, total incompetence. Leepy Brown proved that incompetence is no bar to holding high office in Houston, though.

What's said in the grand jury is secret by law. Alvarado spoke briefly with reporters after her testimony, but couldn't detail what she told the panel.

I'm not a legal expert, but I'm nearly certain that the members of the Grand Jury and the District Attorneys are bound to secrecy. The witness can come out and list all of the questions and their answers. Anything else is against the First Amendment, but what does the Chronic-Lies care about that? They think the First Amendment is only for reporters and for taking away Bibles from children.

Prosecutors have said they are also reviewing other city procedures and the actions of other officials for potential wrongdoing but have declined to elaborate.

So, now I've got it. The one in charge didn't do anything wrong, but other officials might have done so.

Keep tuned folks. The ChronicLies is doing its best to keep the taint off of Carol Anointado, at the behest of their keepers in the city of Houston. Maybe they'll even have to point out how calm Alvarado has been throughout this ordeal.

Test Post

OK, folks, I'm going to ask a few favors in this post.

Lee, you got my email, so you'll understand my intent when you read the rest of this. Please don't participate in this. I owe you enough already, and will see what I can do about these things upon my return to the US. Use my "private" email address if you want explanation of more of this.

To everyone except me and Lee, please, tell no one else about this post via electronic means. If you read it and respond, thank you.

I've got another T-shirt. It is an official Harley Davidson Singapore, size 2XL (US size). Katfish is not eligible, because (s)he got the Dubai version. So, I'm opening this up, just like I did the last one, but without the LST "ad vert."

You are welcome to nominate anyone. Once nominated, the person can be voted on by anyone who reads this post. Again, either nominate or vote, not both.

You are welcome, by word-of-mouth alone, to ask others to vote for your nominee. Whoever gets the most votes wins.

Also, I picked up some other items, but have not yet determined what I'm going to do with them, but I have some ideas. I'll update this later.

So, I'm seeing who checks my blog without "nudging" them to do so. Again, no email or other electronic campaigning (like blog posts), but word-of-mouth is fine.

Whoever has "won" this shirt when I decide the contest is over will get it, free of charge. We'll work out the logistics later.

Let the experiment begin!

Cindy Sheeham, Are You Listening?

Bush isn't an ogre.

She was talking about her husband, the soldier who died in a far-off war zone. Tears rolled down her face as she mentioned two children left fatherless. His eyes welled up, too. He hugged her, held her face, kissed her cheek. "I am so sorry for your loss," he kept repeating.

She told him she considers him responsible for her husband's death and begged him to bring home the troops. "It's time to put our pride behind us and stop the bleeding, for all of us," she recalled saying. The president demurred, unwilling to debate a mourning woman. "We see things differently," he said.

But Hildi Halley, a self-described liberal antiwar activist who met with President Bush in Maine last month, said she believes he felt her grief. "It wasn't just a crocodile tear," she said in an interview at her home. "I felt like I moved him. I don't think he's going to wake up tomorrow and say, 'Oh my gosh, I've been wrong this whole time and I'm going to change all my policies because of my meeting with this woman.' I just hope that with each soldier, he remembers my pain."

Even sane antiwar activists realize that Bush isn't doing what he's doing for some "macho, cowboy" reason. He is trying to do his job, which requires him to protect and defend the Constitution, and as CinC, to protect the citizens.

If only he thought about the borders as much as he thought about the foreign threats.

Peace in Our Time? Not Likely

This is what you get when you raise them in hatred

"Any government declaring its recognition of Israel will become a target for our fighters. We will fight such a government with all means necessary and deal with it as though it were a derivative of the occupation," the groups' representative, Abu Abir, read this weekend.

"The Palestinian resistance has the right to fight Israel with all the means at its disposal until the occupation ends, the Palestinian refugees return to their homes and the prisoners are freed," he added.

So, what hope for peace is there in the Middle East? These people have learned their hatred since birth. I've found this to be the one common thread with all Muslims I've met: An intense, irrational hatred of Israel.

The True Religion of Peace

Pope Praises Nun's Forgiveness

Pope Benedict XVI today praised an Italian nun for pardoning her killers as she lay dying from an attack in Somalia that may have been linked to worldwide Muslim anger about his remarks on Islam and violence.
--- snip ---
"Some are asked to give the supreme testimony of blood, as it happened a few days ago to the Italian nun, Sister Leonella Sgorbati, who fell victim to violence," the pontiff said.

"This nun, who for many years served the poor and the children in Somalia, died pronouncing the word 'pardon,'" the pope told pilgrims during his traditional Sunday noon appearance. "This is the most authentic Christian testimony, a peaceful sign of contradiction which shows the victory of love over hate and evil."

This is what religions are supposed to inspire, not beheadings and threats. Are you listening, Imams?

Which Side Are They On?

Here's a piece by Jeffery Gettleman of the New York Times (from the Houston ChronicLies):

Hey! They aren't killing everyone

Islamic leaders are operating almost in campaign mode, organizing street cleanups, visiting hospitals, overseeing a mini building boom and recruiting elderly policemen to don faded uniforms they have not worn for years and return to work.

Beyond that, they sent a letter this week to the U.N. Security Council pledging to support democratic rule.

Let's see what we can find out about their takeover, though, Jeff.

From the Guardian, May 2006

The violence has now eclipsed that recorded over three days in February and four days in March when at least 85 people were killed as the two factions fought each other.

Those incidents had been the bloodiest clashes in the capital since Somalia collapsed into anarchy 15 years ago and sent tensions skyrocketing, with the Islamic courts declaring a holy war against the ARPCT.

The alliance has vowed to curb the power of the courts that have gained popular backing by restoring some stability to areas in Mogadishu they control by imposing Sharia law.

It also accuses the courts of harbouring terrorists and training foreign fighters on Somali soil, charges that Islamic leaders deny but are also levelled by the US and other Western nations.

So, sharia law is OK with you, Jeff? Maybe they've killed all the non-muslims, so why worry anymore? Oh, I forgot, killing Christians is OK with you NYT people. Don't believe that? Well, then, feast your eyes:

Brent Bozell calls you out, NYT

This mind-numbing double standard was set perfectly (and ridiculously) by the New York Times editorial page on a sleepy Saturday, which lamented the Pope’s desire for a “uniform Catholic identity,” which is “not exactly the best jumping-off point for tolerance or interfaith dialogue.” These people seem to have no clue that the Holy Father’s first duty is to maintain a Catholic Church that is united and true to its historical roots. His first duty is to defend an ancient deposit of faith and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. This, to the sages of the New York Times editorial board, is an inherently offensive mission – exclusive, intolerant, conservative.

But the next paragraph was worse, demanding that Benedict confess his offense to the secular and Islamic worlds: "The world listens carefully to the words of any pope. And it is tragic and dangerous when one sows pain, either deliberately or carelessly. He needs to offer a deep and persuasive apology, demonstrating that words can also heal."

This is rich from the New York Times, whose editor, Bill Keller, has deliberately and carelessly handed out the “pain” to reverent Roman Catholics in a 2002 column by comparing John Paul the Great to a communist despot. Deep apologies did not follow. Hypocrite, heal thyself.

Of course, the media doesn't bother to maintain objectivity when it can actively HELP the terrorists:

Reuters Gives Terrorists a Ride

In more direct terms, Israel is saying that the Reuters news vehicle was not being operated by newsmen, but terrorists using the vehicle as a sort of "Trojan horse." The press office is directly stating that those injured were not newsmen, but likely terrorists.

As one of the injured non-journalists was a Iranian, we have to ask if this could be considered as an act of war by Iran against Israel.

Which side is the press on? You decide.

Idiots at Work

Liberals attack 9/11 Victims

I really can't comment on this. The article says it all.

I continue to question the patriotism of liberals and democrats. I've seen no evidence of it, just a lot of America bashing.

News Roundup for 22 Sep 2006

First off, the illegals are no longer just lowering our wage scales, overloading our emergency rooms, and generally just raping and pillaging our country, now they are bringing over deadly, drug-resistant strains of killer diseases.

Killer TB

The worst forms of the killer tuberculosis bug have been gaining ground in the United States, alarming public health officials over imported drug-resistant strains of a disease that is mostly under control in this country.

Although the number of drug-resistant TB cases in the U.S. is small compared to developing nations, health officials here warn that visitors from other countries who are unaware of their infections are bringing over the deadliest mutations.

Of course, though, they have to be PC about it, so they include the following text. What I want to know is, "How can you say this? Where are the statistics to back it up?":

The majority of drug-resistant infections in the U.S. are brought in by legal visitors, and health officials argue that simply tightening immigration controls won't solve the problem.

Once again, I call, "BS!" on this statement.

My blog wouldn't be complete without a bashing of InVirusMentalists and their "Sky is Falling" attitude in regards to the Global Warming fairy tale:
Global Warming Loses More Ground to Science

Despite the long term warming trend seen around the globe, the oceans have cooled in the last three years, scientists announced today.

The temperature drop, a small fraction of the total warming seen in the last 48 years, suggests that global warming trends can sometimes take little dips.

Don't forget to include a PC disclaimer, also without evidence, in this one, PMSNBC:

In the last century, Earth's temperature has risen about 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.56 degrees Celsius). Most scientists agree that much of the warming in the past 50 years has been fueled by the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities.

"Most scientists" do not agree to this. When I've seen the alarmists sign their names, they are biologists, social services people, and other NON-scientific types. When climatologists talk about it (who better to judge?), I often see disputes, with the disclaimer always included: "We just don't know."

In Mideast news, Hamas has repudiated Abbas' statement that Palestine will recognize Israel, and offered a "10 year truce." Yeah. They want ten years to lob missiles and send homicide bombers, with the ability to blame Israel, if Israel dares to defend themselves.

In other ME news, HexBalless says they won't disarm, either. So much for "understanding" and "Religion of Peace."
Hesbians won't disarm.

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah told supporters Friday that his guerrillas will not surrender their weapons until a stronger Lebanese government is in place _ including 20,000 rockets his group claims to still have after its 34-day war with Israel.

T Shirt for Deserving Biker

While in Dubai, I stopped by the local Harley Davidson shop and picked up an official licensed T-shirt for a deserving Harley rider. Please give me your suggestions here for who is deserving. I'll bring it to the next Brewhaha held by Lone Star Times.

I'm still overseas. I leave for Singapore tonight.

Red Light Cameras I Can Support

In an interview outside the courtroom, Quattrochi estimated that 400 to 600 children work as prostitutes on any given night on Houston streets.

Child Prostitution in Houston

So, we have children being abused by grown men (OK... Men of legal age, anyway), yet the mayor is persuing cameras to stop drivers from running red lights. Well, Mayor, we have insurance to fix our cars.

What are you going to do to fix the lives of these victims? Where are the cops going after the pimps and other enablers of this grotesque practice?

Could it be you are doing nothing about this because there's no money in it for the city coffers? We have all seen the statistics about the cameras NOT lowering, and maybe increasing, the number of accidents. Therefore, that argument is patently false.

Well, why not help these children? I've already said why, "Not enough money in it."

Doing Doughnuts

Turns are legal, even with red lights

Hundreds of drivers who ran red lights while making turns at intersections newly monitored by cameras have not been issued tickets because of a loophole in the photo-enforcement ordinance.

"The way the current city ordinance is written, turns are excluded, even if they are illegal turns," said Houston police Sgt. Michael Muench.

So, I'm going to be going through red lights like a bandit, doing 360 degree turns, so that I remain on course.

I suggest everyone adopt this tactic. It works well in both Mexico City and Naples, Italy. Just hit the intersection at speed. If the light happens to turn red, turn the wheel sharply as you engage the emergency brakes. At about 270 degrees, release the brakes and begin to start straightening the wheel. Come out of it, and you're on your way, ticket free!

I think this will make Houston driving much safer, just like the mayor envisions. Remember! If you run a red light, make sure you make an illegal turn, as well, for the safest driving available.

Paper or Plastic?

Space Debris is Wal-Mart Litter

You know those annoying bags that they put your stuff into when you go shopping? Well, apparently they don't only litter our highways, they are now also littering our skyways:

Tuesday night, Hale showed another photo taken by Atlantis' crew of a second mystery object floating near the shuttle.

"While we have not definitively put this interesting little picture to bed, there is considerable thought that it is just a plastic bag that came from somewhere and got loose," Hale said.

Those bags are everywhere, littering our highways. Are they biodegradable or are we stuck with them forever, like old luggage and styrofoam?

There Must Be an Election Coming Up

The Senate, which has been the major obstacle to strict border-security legislation this year, will take up a bill this week that calls for constructing 700 more miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border.

"It's time to secure the border with Mexico," Majority Leader Bill Frist said last night before filing the parliamentary motions to force the House-passed bill onto the Senate floor in a final effort to get a major immigration bill on the president's desk before the elections.

Senate NOW wants to secure the border.

Pardon me if I say, "This is bullshit."

I abhor cursing for cursings' sake, but the Senate had a chance to fund the fence earlier this year, and they declined. This move smacks of nothing but pandering and disingenuous politics solely to get the conservative base back over to the (R) side.

So, 5 years of "Screw you, you'll vote for us anyway," and one bill is supposed to make us think everything's hunky dory again? Sorry, this doesn't go far enough. I'd say it isn't even really getting the juggernaut turned in the right direction. I don't buy it for a moment.

Want to get me back on your side? How about cutting spending by... oh... 40%. Yep. Get the federal budget down to $1.5 TRILLION, and I'll believe you.

Until then, stick it where the sun don't shine.

U P D A T E

Texas Senators Prefer to do Nothing

Frist defended his effort to pass a border-security bill that fell short of President Bush's demand for a comprehensive immigration overhaul.

"I'm faced with the reality that I have about six more legislative days in this Congress before the elections," Frist said on CNN. "I look at it as a border security first, not border security only."

Yeah. He's not doing this only because there's an election coming up, is he?

I detested Clinton for his last-minute flip-flop on welfare reform. He didn't believe in it, but signed it solely to get votes. Is Frist any better?

The words are "convictions" and "beliefs." I don't trust a politician who puts office above duty, as Frist and his cohorts are obviously doing.

Ordinary Muslims Speak Their Minds

This is Ehab Moh'd Y. Alazah. He is a Jordanian. He is a Muslim. He works as an industrial electrician in the oil industry.

Mohammed, Attiya, and Ibrahim asked that their real names and their photographs not be used for this story. They are from a Middle Eastern country that does not respect free speech rights, and fear what may happen if their identities were known.

All of them pray five times daily and attend the Mosque on Friday, their Sabbath. They all follow the five tenets of Islam:

1. Pray five times daily.
2. Perform a hajj to Mecca at least once in your life.
3. Give to those in need, if you can afford it.
4. Observe the fast during Ramadan.
5. Protect you and yours when threatened.

As one, they say that the taking of innocent life goes against the tenets of Islam. There was no doubt in their voices as each, one after the other, affirmed their beliefs that what has happened at the World Trade Center five years ago, as well as what is happening in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as what occurred in Lebanon about a month ago all fail the test of humanity: Innocents were killed, and that is wrong.

"I was sorry (when I heard about the planes and the WTC)," said Attiya. "I don't like these things."

They express regret that the people in the World Trade Centers were just going about their lives. They had not brought this death upon themselves.

"We are not here to kill someone who has done nothing to me. I would not be happy if someone has been killed for nothing," said Mohammed.

"They are normal people. It is very bad if they are killed just because of their religion. They are whatever they are. It is very bad. Religion is not the main, basic thing," added Ibrahim.

About the hijackers, Ibrahim said, "We do not know what (their intentions were). It is just bad."

"I don't know why it happens in the United States," said Mohammed. "Why not somewhere else?" He went on to state that there was no reason to attack the US. Whatever problems existed were not the fault of the US, nor of the people in the World Trade Center towers. He was at a loss to explain what reasoning could have explained the attack.

As one, they believe that much of what George Bush has done has been unfair.

"He has done unfair things," said Ibrahim.

"He is following what Israel says," adds Mohammed. They feel this view is widespread among Muslims. George Bush and Tony Blair, for example, they explain, did not ask Israel to stop when they invaded Lebanon. Many of the British people they meet think that Blair defers too much to George Bush's wishes.

They deplore the loss of innocent life in Lebanon. Why did Bush not stop the Israelis? How many innocent people were killed in the 31 days of fighting? They lament.

"Forget about the Muslim side now. We have some friends who are British. They are thinking about their (Prime Minister) Tony Blair. He is not a straight man. He is following (George Bush's lead.) We don't go that far, because we don't know that much about it. We can only be thinking (what we think) from what we see on the news," says Ibrahim.

They, too, do not trust their media and journalists. This feeling is also prevalent in America. People want correct and true information, which is the responsibility of the press.

"Most of the world is thinking that George Bush is not doing enough in Lebanon to stop the Israelis. He is standing on the Israeli side more than on Lebanon's side," points out Ibrahim, referring to the fact that Bush did nothing to force the Israelis to stop killing innocents. "Many people got killed there, and they have done nothing."

"There was not a quick response to stop this. What was it? 31? 34 days? And how many people were (killed because of this delay)? This is what we are talking about."

As to Afghanistan, Mohammed said, "I think it was Osama bin Laden's mistake. You know now that in Europe and the United States, they have changed their views about Muslims. Before, it was no problem. Now, after this has happened... Osama bin Laden, he thinks what he has done has helped the Muslims, but he has moved them down (in world opinion). Now, if I want to go to the USA, they say, 'Oh! Muslim! (My country)! Go back.' We are no longer welcome."

"They will think I am a terrorist. Blah, blah, blah. I cannot get a visa to come to learn."

Ibrahim, though, thinks, "I am just thinking about the people who are being killed (in Afghanistan). I don't care about what else. The people are being killed. What for?" He thinks that little is now being accomplished there.

"(George Bush's decision to go into Afghanistan) was correct for some, but for others it was bad- children, families..." Attiya's voice trails off as he finishes.

They feel George Bush was half-right to go into Afghanistan. It is the fault of Osama bin Laden, but there are too many innocents suffering.

"I hear from the news that there are 4000 people that do not come in to work on 9/11. Why is that? Did they know something? In that day, they are not there" asks Mohammed. The conspiracy theories of Michael Moore and crowd are alive and well and causing otherwise open-minded Muslims to question the West's view of history.

Asked if he believes it true about the 4000 not showing up, he says, "I don't know. If they were not there, then it means something to me."

In regards to Iraq, they point out that daily we hear of more people being killed. Again, George Bush is not their favorite person.

Ibrahim states, "I think George Bush is just going mad here. He is fighting in Afghanistan. He is in Iraq. He wants to go into Iran. He is trying to stop some things, like to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons, but he doesn't mind other countries having them."

He continues, "They don't have the right to have these things, but other countries, it is OK. This is not right. About Iraq, OK, he's done it. Saddam Hussain is captured. Why is (Bush) still there? Why does he not leave now? I see the Japanese soldiers, they have pulled out. I don't think (the US remaining in Iraq) is going to stop things."

Attiya chimes in, "I think it is done. Finished. It is killing the children and the families, the US remaining in Iraq. It is done. He should (pull out the troops and leave)."

"You see now what is happening in Iraq. Almost 50, 60 people being killed everyday," says Mohammed. "(The US Army) cannot stop it. I think they cannot do it."

Asked about Saddam Hussain and his trial, they all agree that he is getting a fair trial. The Iraqi people should be in charge, as they are, and that will give justice. They wonder why it is going on so long, though.

"From what we see on the news, (Saddam is getting a fair trial). It is the Iraqi people doing it. (Saddam) has done this. He has killed people. The judge will do the right thing," said Ibrahim.

Mohammed has an interesting observation, "It is going on too long. How long has it been? Forty (months)? I think it is like," he turns to Ibrahim for help in a translation, "It is like a soap opera. It just goes on and on."

They are unanimous in their views on Osama bin Laden's actions, "It is hurting Islam. Islam doesn't say you can kill children. He has something else in his mind, I think. He says America is killing some children and some families so he can do the same, but that is not good," thinks Attiya.

"(Osama bin Laden) says, 'The American army, they are killing people, so we have to do the same thing. But if you do that, same-same, then you are killing (innocents, which goes against Islam)," says Mohammed.

Ibrahim says about bin Laden, "He says the Israelis are killing kids. This is not right, but then he kills children. Why is he doing this? This is not his reason. I don't know his reason, but it is not what he says."

Ibrahim continues, "Now everyone says Islam is doing this. That is not true. (bin Laden) has something personal in this. I don't know why he does it."

Islam is being hurt by this. "Israelis are killing children in Lebanon. This is not good. Bin Laden is killing children. This is not good. It is not about religion. It is not about Muslims or Christians or one country or another. It is about (innocents) being killed for no reason. This is not good," says Ibrahim.

"We have something in our religion that says, 'If you kill someone who has done nothing, then it is like killing everyone in the world,'" points out Mohammed.

Asked how he would feel if he heard bin Laden had been killed, Attiya says, "Sure. It's going to happen. Eventually, bin Laden will be killed."

"I hope then that things in Afghanistan stop. That bin Laden is dead would mean that things end there," hopes Ibrahim, because bin Laden was the reason the US went into Afghanistan, so then the US could leave.

At this point, Ehab arrived. He was the only one of the four who had heard about the Pope's remarks. He said, "I heard an Arab man from Lebanon. He says, 'The Pope was not saying that he believes (the controversial quote). He graduated from that school, and went back there to give this lecture. He is an academic man. He was saying you cannot have it just in your heart, but you must also have it in your head.' I believe this is true. The (anger) is not right. It is not like the Danish cartoons. They were done to insult Islam."

"The man who drew these things in Denmark," asks Ibrahim, "Why did he do that? Did someone insult his religion? Why did he do that?"

"The Pope's remarks are being used by others for political means," he concludes.

When asked if he has anything else to add, Ehab is not at a loss for words.

(At this point my recorder died, so what follows is as close to accuracy as I can manage.)

"What is going on in Palestine is a fight for the 5th tenet of Islam. I am a Palestinian man, but I live in Jordan. If I were still in Palestine, I would not come to work in an American company. Everyone is tired of this long fight. Old people are tired of it. Now, with the fight, you may not live beyond 20 years. I am not saying this point about Islam only," but that everyone is tired of this long fight.

"I need to say that most Muslim people want to live peacefully in this life. I disagree with the regulations they are making against Muslims to get to the USA. This is the 21st Century. We have the right to use modern technology. We have the right to live peacefully. The US is giving the technology to other countries like Singapore and Europe. We have the right to this as well."

"We have oil under the ground in Jordan. We need America's and Europe's help to get it out, to learn to do it for ourselves. Does this mean that we will stop dealing with America and Europe when we learn how to do it ourselves? Of course not. We will continue to trade because we will know that you will help us when we need it."

"I can go anywhere I want. I have work, I can speak other languages. I cannot travel to the US now. Some people come to the US go there to work, but others go for other reasons. I have the right to go, like other people. It does not matter what my religion is. I am a peaceful man. It is the same as other people."

Ibrahim adds, "You cannot say that a man is bad because he is a muslim. I cannot say that you are bad because your president has done something wrong, just because you are an American. Why can you say this about the Muslims?
We don’t have free speech, so I can’t say our President is a bad man. They will come to me to get me. Saying some man is a bad man does not mean that the nation he leads is bad. There is no bad nation, but there are bad People."

He then illustrates this with an analogy. He holds up his hand, fingers side-by-side, pointing up. "You see that your fingers are not the same length. It means they are different, not that they are bad. The middle finger is long, but that does not mean that it is better than the other fingers."

They conclude that Muslims are like Christians and other religions. They want to live their lives in peace, and better themselves and their families. Right now, the world seems to be against them, and will not let them do what others can do. They feel the brunt of this inequality, but can do nothing about it.

How do you say "Chamberlain" in French?

Well, France, once again you've shown that Appeasement works as well now as it did 75 years ago.
Muslims Declare France a Target

A radical Algerian Islamist group that has singled out France as its sworn enemy officially placed itself at Al-Qaeda's orders, vowing to support the terror network's war on "crusaders" worldwide.

The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), an armed movement which has long been linked to Al-Qaeda, formally pledged allegiance to the network's chief Osama bin Laden in a statement released online.

"Our soldiers are at his call so that he may strike who and where he likes," said a text signed by the group's leader Abu Mossaab Abdelwadud, who also vowed to pursue the group's "jihad" or holy war against the Algerian authorities.

Once again, the Religion of Peace shows its tendencies.

France is expected to surrender before week's end.

Blog Roll

If you aren't listed on my blog roll, and want a listing, please comment here with your blog URL.

Not saying I'll list you, and if you just send me a porno link, I'll just delete your comment, but if you have a serious opinion blog (if liberal, I require a listing on your site to put yours here), then let me know and I'll probably add yours.

For Sale

Face of Jesus in Beer Foam

I am going to etch the Last Supper into a frying pan and fry me up a steak or maybe a grilled cheese sandwich which I plan to sell on eBay for zillions of dollars.

Then maybe I'll train a bush to grow, miraculously, into the shape of St Peter's Basilica.

I should be retired by November.

Global Warming

Well, according to Algore, laboratory aid to Clintonstein, global warming is our fault.

Of course, we had warmer weather 70 years ago, but that's just a fluke, right, Algore?

2006 heat NOT a record

In other news, the sky did not fall last night...

Laura Bush Helps Rebuild Clinton's Legacy

Laura Bush to help out Clinton, too

What is this? Is there any real difference between Bush and Clinton, policy-wise? Clinton cut military spending, and increased the rest of government. Bush restored military spending, and increased the rest of government. Now, apparently, both Bushes, and Laura, also, have been doing all they can to rescue the reputation of this scoundrel of a president.

"First lady Laura Bush joins the former president as a keynote speaker opening his three-day Clinton Global Initiative in New York next week.

"Clinton has famously formed a close friendship with the current president's dad. Clinton has been a repeat guest at the Kennebunkport, Maine, home of George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara.

"Clinton also sparked curiosity when he was spotted at the White House last month. It turns out that he and the current president were having lunch, something White House aides said they do occasionally."

Beam me up, Scotty. There's no intelligent life down here.

Hell Hath No Fury...

Woman Hires Hit Man

"A 22-year-old woman was arrested after authorities say she tried to hire someone to kill another woman whose photo appeared on her boyfriend's MySpace.com Web page."

So, at least as far as this woman is concerned, men in a commitment shouldn't have female friends. How "friendly" her boyfriend and the intended target were is not known, according to the linked story.

Amnesty International Gets One Right, Sorta

Hezballah Guilty of War Crimes

Finally, Amnesty International takes a break from their America and Western Values bashing to get one right.

"Amnesty International has accused Hezbollah of "serious violations of international humanitarian law, amounting to war crimes" during the recent Lebanese war.

"In a report published in London Thursday, the human rights group condemned the "deliberate targeting" of Israeli civilians by Hezbollah.

"The report states that 43 civilians, including seven children, were killed in these Hezbollah attacks."

Of course, AI can't ever say something without bashing either the US, Israel, or our other Allies:

"The fact that Israel has also committed serious violations in no way justifies violations by Hezbollah."

Yeah, stopping indiscriminate suicide bombers from targetting civilians by going after their backers and supporters using precision weapons and intricate machinations in order to avoid civilian casualties is apparently a crime.

Israel is going to be condemned by Amnesty every time. I hope that next time, they get to fight a war like a war, just like we should be doing in our war.

Air America Still a Booming Success

NOT
Al Franken working for free
So, they aren't paying their employees, and are rumored to be going into bankruptcy, but "progressive talk radio is alive and well" we hear from the liberal echo chamber.

I can't wait until after November, when the House and Senate are still in the hands of the patriots, and the democrats are left once again wondering what happened.

And, hopefully, their venom will continue to spew, and their hatred of all things American will continue to turn the right-thinking, but wrong-voting democrats toward the only patriotic (well, sometimes) party out there.

I only hope that the Kinky message gets the republicans back on track.

Help Wanted

Anyone who knows anything at all about journalism, please contact me at "wine underscore drinker AT hotmail dot com." There are no spaces in that at all, when you type it properly.

I have a project in mind, and wouldn't mind a little guidance. I never took journalism in HS or college, and I'm not sure how to go about conducting an interview, how to document the quotes, or if there are any "do nots" I should be aware of.

Credit will be given when and if the article is published.

Thanks in advance to anyone who'd like to help me out here.

Yeah... Don't Do Anything to Stop the Bad Guys

It might make them mad.

Senate decides expedience trumps safety

I'm ashamed to say I grew up in Virginia. I wish I could vote against Warner, as well as Governor Mofo.

In a direct challenge to President Bush, Sen. John Warner, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said his panel would meet Thursday to finalize an alternative to the White House plan to prosecute terror suspects and redefine acts that constitute war crimes. Warner, R-Va., said the administration proposal would lower the standard for the treatment of prisoners, potentially putting U.S. troops at risk should other countries retaliate.

Nope. Don't do that. It only stops terrorism and the death of innocents. And the bad guys are only raping, torturing, and beheading our boys and girls when they capture them now. We wouldn't want them to do anything BAD to them. What a maroon!

Which side is the Senate on? Are there ANY sane members there? I can't think of a single one. I'm serious. They're all acting like self-absorbed traitors.

Please, someone! Help me find a single patriotic Senator! Statements don't count. I need actions. Proposed legislation doesn't count either, since we all know they'll propose (and sponsor) anything at all, as long as it stands no chance of becoming law.

Mom Helps Son With Homework

NOT

You can't make this stuff up

I'm all for parents encouraging their children to do their homework, but I don't think this mother actually gets the concept:

A woman admitted to smoking marijuana daily with her 13-year-old son to reward him for completing his homework. Amanda Lynn Livelsberger, 30, pleaded guilty to several charges Monday and will be sentenced Nov. 27.
Livelsberger, of Conewago Township, admitted in Adams County court that she had been smoking marijuana with her son since he was 11, and that she often gave it to him as a reward.

The boy told police that he was required to do his homework as soon as he got home from school, and then was allowed to smoke marijuana with his mother, according to court documents.

Talk about permissive parenting. Anybody wanna bet that most of her wardrobe consists of tie-dyed sun dresses?

If You Knew Sushi Like I Know Sushi...

Don't eat yellow snow, either

...some diners apparently started a tradition where they would reach into a jar of live crabs and devour them raw as their friends cheered them on.

"It was kind of like 'Fear Factor,'" said Adrian Guerrero, manager at the Mission Viejo restaurant, referring to the television show.

"I never saw anyone just come in and say they wanted them raw," Guerrero said. "But after having a few beers or cocktails or sake" they would rise to the challenge.
**** snip ****
Six to 10 weeks after they downed the crabs, participants ended up with a parasite carried by the crab that migrates from the intestines to the lungs and causes lung fluke infection.

Symptoms, which can take as long as 10 weeks to surface, include coughing, diarrhea, breathing problems, abdominal pain, fever and hives.

If left untreated "it can turn into a very serious lung infection or, in fact, impact the brain," said Deanne Thompson, spokeswoman for the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Yep. Stupidity is universal.

Gun Control Means Hitting Your Target

Wheelchair Bound Woman Defends Herself

Margaret Johnson's wheelchair might have made her look like an easy target. But when a mugger tried to grab a chain off her neck Friday, the 56-year-old pulled out her licensed .357 pistol and shot him, police said.
Johnson said she was in Harlem on her way to a shooting range when the man, identified by police as 45-year-old Deron Johnson, came up from behind and went for the chain.

"There's not much to it," she said in a brief interview. "Somebody tried to mug me, and I shot him."

Deron Johnson was taken to Harlem Hospital with a single bullet wound in the elbow, police said. He faces a robbery charge, said Lt. John Grimpel, a police spokesman.

Margaret Johnson, who lives in Harlem, has a permit for the weapon and does not face charges, Grimpel said. She also was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released.

Brady Law be damned. This is why we have the right to protect ourselves, in spite of the liberals.

Forced Conversion

Knowing where I travel occasionally, the recent kidnapping and forced conversion of two Foxnews employees has been on my mind. I don't know what I'd do in such a situation, and hope I don't get the chance to find out. Who knows how one would react in a life-or-death situation?

I can only say that, as of this moment, I think I would become a forgotten statistic and maybe a video on the internet, rather than forcibly convert to anything at all.

And in this case, God would understand, I think.

Morbid thoughts, aren't they? Well, leaving for the airport... See y'all when I get a chance, while gone.

Miscellaneous Extrania

My house upgrades are all done. The electrical work, which I was capable of doing myself, took the longest. I will just say, don't hire the same people I did, if you want a fast, efficient, or clean crew.

My electric bill for August just arrived. I've been paying about $400 per month in the summer, and had a peak high bill of $556. My bill for this month was $245. As I have continued with my energy upgrades, this bodes very well. I was hoping to get the bills below $200 in the summer, and it appears I may have done it.

I leave for overseas tomorrow. I will not be able to blog here as regularly as normal, since other countries don't have the same free speech laws that the US has. Isn't that sad? I can't post, because I could be arrested for some of my posts to-date.

This trip will be about a month long. I hope to make enough to pay off one of my house upgrade bills on it. I'll post back when and if I get the chance.

RIP, Steve Irwin

Well, by now, you've heard that Steve Irwin died while out filming on the Great Barrier Reef.

This is a sad loss. I didn't agree with some of his politics, but his works for education, animals, and the Brisbane Zoo speak for themselves.

You'll be missed, Crocodile Hunter.

The War on Mainstream Muslims

I keep hearing that we're only at war with the radical islamofacist muslims.

One quick question:

Since there are so few of those who are deemed "moderate muslims," then the vast majority must be of the radical islamofascist type. Since the vast majority want us dead or converted (else they'd be condemning the terrorists), then the "moderate" is a misnomer. The erstwhile "moderates" are really the radical left-wing of Islam. The "mainstream muslim" wants us dead.

So, I'm going to start calling it like it is, until I start hearing resounding and deafening cries from MOST muslims when a terrorist attack occurs.

The mainstream muslim is the enemy; is the terrorist; is not the minority; is the islamofascist.