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Wed Apr 30, 2003
NASCAR Paying Jesse Tribute Money
Jackson Soaks the Good Ole Boys Too
NASCAR has drawn the ire of fans again, and this time it wasn't a spontaneous rule change or a popular driver "getting away'' with one.
The sanctioning body has been contributing to the Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/ PUSH Coalition, a group that isn't popular with NASCAR's core fan base.
Actually, NASCAR has been contributing to Jackson's committees for at least a few years, public records show. But the relationship was only recently brought to light by a political entity opposed to Jackson's views.
The backlash has been considerable, and it is typified by this excerpt from a letter to the editor in the April 24 edition of Winston Cup Scene.
"I reached the bottom after reading that NASCAR provides financial support to the Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition,'' wrote Michael Thompson of Georgetown, Ky. "I am shocked to discover that a portion of the thousands of dollars I have spent on Winston Cup is being used to pay `hush money' to Jackson. It sickens me to wonder what other causes I have unknowingly aided over the years.'' Read it Yourself
I can't believe it either Michael. Is there no company in this country with the guts to stand up to Jackson's blackmail? Damn it! Are all the CEO's in this country totally spineless? Maybe it's like the lawsuit game, easier to pay them off than fight them. But that is totally wrong and only encourages more scams like this.
British Doctor Shortage
Want to Know Why?
Doctors' leaders today branded the government's global recruitment campaign to boost doctor numbers a failure after it emerged that only 250 staff had been recruited in two years.
Only 161 consultants and 89 GPs from overseas have been employed.
The British Medical Association (BMA) said: "Figures for doctors recruited from abroad are frankly disappointing.
"At a time of severe shortage of GPs, the 89 extra doctors from overseas will not make much of a dent in the numbers needed not only to implement the government's NHS Plan but to cope with the existing workload." Go See
Take a wild ass guess why there is a shortage. Go ahead.
Here's some clues:
"Many doctors say they are planning to retire early or leave the profession rather than go on with the intolerable burdens of paperwork, bureaucracy and the frustration they feel from fighting to get the appropriate treatment for their patients."
In Cardiff, Dr Andrew Deardon said one local hospital had a waiting time of 330 weeks - six years - for hip operations.
Other examples from around the country highlighted by the BMA include: a 17-month waiting list to see a therapist; patients who have had to wait months for vital surgery for lung cancer and brain tumours; and two-year waiting lists to see a psychologist.
Dr Chisholm added: "GPs have stressed that they do not blame their hospital colleagues for the difficulties their patients experience in getting secondary care treatments - the hospitals too are stretched to the limit.
"Inevitably, however, when people have operations cancelled, or face long waits to see a specialist, it is the family doctor who has to keep the patient going until treatment has been delivered." Guardian
Can you believe there are still people in this country who want to sell us a losing socialist healthcare system like this? Take a look at every single instance where healthcare is taken over by the government. If you can find a system that is as good or better than what the U.S. presently has then let me know. Until then, when anyone suggests that we need this type of "free for everyone system", tell them to bugger off.
More Asinine PCness
Now "Brainstorming" becomes a Target
Thanks to Common Sense and Wonder and OTB for this one to add to the Language Police category:
The term "brainstorming" has become the latest target of political correctness, according to a charity.
Trainee teachers are being told to avoid the word for fear of offending pupils with epilepsy. Instead they are being advised to use "word storm" or "thought shower".
However, charities working with epilepsy say "brainstorming" is not offensive. "We had several inquiries from teachers about it so we did a survey of our residential home," said Gemma Baxter from the National Society for Epilepsy.
"We also contacted people with epilepsy in the community and the overwhelming response was that 'brainstorming' implies no offence to people with epilepsy, and that any implication that the word is offensive to people with the condition is taking political correctness too far."
People found it more offensive that the question was being asked of them, she said.
These people need a get a damn life. I mean, come on.
The Language Police
It's censorship, it's extensive, and it's ridiculous
New York University professor Diane Ravitch book "The Language Police" has some words of warning for the non-politically correct Americans, in other words, the majority:
Be careful with your use of the word "American," which even now is disappearing from certain texts.
Unless you are referring to everyone in North, South or Central America, you are displaying geographic chauvinism. When referring to a person of the United States, try replacing "American" with "person of the United States."
Excise "Eskimo," a word some have complained isn't authentic.
What words can you use instead? Try Inuit, Yupik, Yuit or native Arctic people. Everyone will know to whom you are referring. Really, they will.
Forget about "fat." The chances are slim an overweight person won't be offended by this word. As a fat substitute, some texts have adopted "heavy," or "obese." Much less offensive, no?
Eliminate "elderly" from your vocabulary. It's as ageist as calling older persons "gummers." Better to call them "older persons."
Be cautious in referring to the disabled -- oops, the word "disabled" is a no-no to some groups. Their suggested replacement: "people with a disability." In other words, "the disabled."
Also avoid noting that anyone is "confined to a wheelchair." Those people still won't get around easily, but they can take comfort in the fact that some texts refer to them more kindly as "mobility impaired."
Avoid offending "bookworms" and "eggheads," even if they are pocket-protector wearing geeks. Do the smart thing and call them "intellectuals."
In some texts, the words "idiot" and "imbecile" were banned because they were deemed offensive to people with mental disabilities. The words apparently hit too close to home for those willing to sacrifice any potentially offensive term on the altar of political correctness.
See for yourself
Hat Tip to Daily Pundit
How to Kill an Economy
German Style
German tax revenues fell significantly in the first quarter of 2003, aggravating the fiscal crisis at the state and municipal levels in particular. This latest symptom of the country's economic woes virtually ensures that Germany will exceed the euro zone's deficit limit of 3 percent of gross domestic product again this year.
Now many economists expect that the government will try to fill the gaps with an increase in the sales tax rate, which is currently 16 percent on almost all goods and services. Go See
Let's see, the economy is slumping so you raise the already high taxes. Something seems amiss with that method of economic stimulation. Perhaps if Germany can initiate some reforms to escape from their socialist trap they might one day regain some that they have lost. Other European countries are also in this trap and would like nothing better than for the U.S. to join their ranks of miserable government. No thanks.
Same Sex Marriage
Mass Court to Hear Case Soon
The Opinion Journal discusses what NRO's Kurtz describes as a "titanic national struggle" over same-sex marriage. The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts is set to hear a case within the next few months "which Kurtz expects will mandate that the Bay State allow gay couples to marry:
Once Massachusetts legalizes gay marriage, it will be a domestic culture-war story like no other. Gay couples will flood into Massachusetts from around the country to get married. Returning to their homes, these gay couples will initiate a series of lawsuits attempting to force recognition of their marriages onto their respective states. The suits will rest on constitutional grounds of equal protection, full faith and credit--and any other grounds the plaintiffs can think of. There will also be legal challenges to the federal Defense of Marriage Act." Go See
Go take a look. There's some interesting analysis.
Tue Apr 29, 2003
Consumer Confidence Jumps
What will the Dems Do if the Economy Picks up Steam?
Consumers' confidence in the U.S. economy this month jumped the most in 12 years as the fighting in Iraq ended, energy costs fell and stock prices rose.
The New York-based Conference Board's consumer confidence index increased to 81 from a reading of 61.4 in March. The rise was the biggest since March 1991, at the end of the first war with Iraq.
The Dems are already in serious trouble and now one of their only hopes is vanishing right before their eyes. They better pull out all stops and do everything they can to drive the economy into a major depression before the '04 elections. Stop the tax cut and raise taxes to stifle growth. Impose more regulations to strangle business. What else, quick. Time is running out.
Cuba Reelected to UN Human Rights Commission
Can the UN get any Worse?
Cuba won reelection to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, prompting the U.S. delegation to walk out of the session in protest.
Cuba's seat "is an outrage to which we object in the strongest terms,'' Sichan Siv, U.S. envoy to the Economic and Social Council, where the vote was conducted, said. "Cuba has the worst human rights reputation in the hemisphere.''
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said in Washington the decision "is like putting Al Capone in charge of bank security.''
This organization is hell bent on destroying what little credibility it has. When will our leaders get us out of this mob ruled mess? The U.S. should quit paying its dues, get out of the UN, and kick it's useless ass out of this country. Forget it, its hopeless. Better to start fresh with an organization with enough rules to prevent the tyrants of the world from gaining positions of leadership. Thanks to Daily Pundit for pointing this one out.
Germany's Failed Experiment
Another Example of Failure
Chancellor Gerhard Schröder issued a veiled threat yesterday to resign if his party refuses to back his "Agenda 2010" package of reforms, intended to slim down the welfare state and give desperately needed impetus to the German economy.
He launched the agenda in March, trumpeting the measures it contains as crucial to bring the economy under control and reduce the crippling employment costs which have destroyed Germany's reputation for economic management.
But although it has been criticised by business leaders and analysts as being only the beginning of what the German economy needs to get back on its feet, it has infuriated the Left, which describes it as a move away from social justice.
The measures include reducing the amount and duration of unemployment payments as well as easing the rules on letting workers go.
It is also being seriously suggested that the retirement age for men should be raised to 67.
The German economy shows no sign of pulling out of its malaise, with further poor figures released yesterday. The economics minister, Wolfgang Clement, revised predicted growth for this year down from one per cent to 0.75 per cent. from the Telegraph
This is another example of the failed ideas of the left. Why in the hell are there still people who want to subject this country to such a system? How many failures does it take to convince people that the great utopia is nothing more than a stagnant cesspool?
Separation of Mosque and State
Some Lines Need Drawing
Terry Eastland looks at the dangers of allowing religious leaders to control the new government of Iraq but starts his article with this:
"Shia Muslim prisoners at New York's Fishkill Correctional Facility are suing state prison authorities. Their complaint is that the state, in accommodating the religious activities of Muslim inmates within its prison system, has favored one Islamic sect over another--Sunni Islam over Shia Islam.
The Shia prisoners point out that the only Muslim chaplains the state ever has hired, more than 40 in all, are Sunni. They argue that New York has violated the First Amendment by establishing a religion (Sunni Islam) and limiting their free-exercise rights.
The case has yet to go to trial. It may not. Yet whatever its outcome, the case, in light of events in Iraq, does catch your eye, doesn't it?" Go See
This raises some questions regarding the accommedation of every possible religion in government institutions such as prisons. Where do you draw the line? Raelianism? Well, go read the rest, it deals with the Iraq situation.
Love or Fear?
It's better to be Feared than Loved in a Dangerous World
Poliblog has an editorial in the Sunday Birmingham News explores the question of love versus fear as it relates to U.S. security.
"Niccolo Machiavelli wrote in 1513 that "it is much safer to be feared than loved if one of the two has to be wanting." Such is the proposition currently being put to the test in the post-Gulf War II world."
"There can be no doubt that it would ultimately be a better world if we existed in a state of mutual love, but clearly the world is not made up of the loving. There are numerous individuals and states that wish harm on the United States, and no amount of desire on our part to "play nice" is going to make them like us. As a result, putting some fear in the hearts of terrorists and dictators works in our pursuit of national security and world peace."
That's a fact.
U.S. Pulling Troops out of Saudi Arabia
A Good First Step
The United States said on Tuesday it was ending military operations in Saudi Arabia and removing virtually all of its forces from the kingdom by mutual agreement following the Iraq war.
The move, announced before Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld began talks with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, followed Riyadh's refusal to allow air strikes by the 100 U.S. aircraft based in Saudi Arabia during the conflict.
The move effectively ends a relationship dating back to 1991 when Washington used Saudi Arabia as a launch pad for the Gulf War to oust Iraqi troops from Kuwait and then as a base to police a "no-fly" zone over southern Iraq.
U.S. military personnel in Saudi Arabia, which doubled to 10,000 from 5,000 during the Iraq war, have starting pulling out, the officials said.
Go See
Mon Apr 28, 2003
U.S. Forces Display Iraqi Thieves Naked
Amnesty International criticized the inhumane treatment
"We have talked with the Iraqi inhabitants. Some of them gave us the idea so we took the clothes and burned them before we pushed them out with thief written on their chest. It was quite successful.'' Read it
Well, hell. They should consider themselves lucky. At least none of their appendages were cut off.
Sun Apr 27, 2003
Madonna Can't Win
Shakira Says Madonna is Spineless
Taking a stand: Shakira has criticised Madonna for not following through on her anti-war sentiments. See it all
And Madonna offers this snigglet of wisdom:
"We as Americans are completely obsessed and wrapped up in a lot of the wrong values - looking good, having cash in the bank, being perceived as rich, famous and successful. Who would know better than me? The only thing that's going to bring you happiness is love and how you treat your fellow man and having compassion for one another."
Ain't it funny how rich people think poorer people should quite trying to get rich? And check out that Shakira. She surely has Sarandon and Jane Fonda beat. Maybe the peaceniks and anti-Americans will make her their poster girl.
Public Relations Ecstasy
Or How to Make the Boss Happy
Two of the four men charged over Australia's biggest ecstasy seizure yesterday are executives of a public relations company that organises corporate parties where they "take care of everything". Well, take a look
AL-QAEDA TELETHON RESULTS "DISAPPOINTING"
Susan Sarandon and Jane Fonda Fail to Please
The annual Al-Qaeda Fundraising Telethon on CNN has produced "disappointing results" according to a press release issued by the network's founder, Ted Turner.
According to the press statement, only $26.93 in donations were pledged during the the weekend-long telethon hosted by Jane Fonda.
Ted Turner was unavailable for further comments. CNN sources say he is currently in Havana where he is holding a birthday party for Fidel Castro.
Unnamed sources at CNN have also told this reporter that network brass are astounded that Americans still hold a grudge against al-Qaeda because of 9/11. Some network honchos, however, believe that the telethon's low ratings were the result of entertainment that somehow didn't fit the mood of the country.
"Maybe having Susan Sarandon singing 'The Man I Love' to a life-size cardboard cutout of Osama bin Laden wasn't such a hot idea," said one anonymous CNN official. "And I know there's a lot of time to fill in a telethon, but maybe next year we might want to rethink having Jimmy Carter recite the Koran in its entirety during primetime." Take a Look
CHIRAC POSES NAKED FOR COVER OF ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
‘Desperate’ Attempt to Win Back American Fans, Critics Say
French President Jacques Chirac startled diplomatic circles today with his decision to pose nude for the cover of Entertainment Weekly magazine.
Mr. Chirac, his hands strategically covering key parts of his anatomy, appears buck naked on the magazine cover with controversial phrases and epithets such as “cheese-eating surrender monkey” written on his body in what appears to be a magic marker.
Reached at his home in Paris, Mr. Chirac said he took the unusual step of doffing his duds for Entertainment Weekly after losing a coin toss to French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin.
While some in the State Department called Mr. Chirac’s bid to win back American fans “desperate,” the French President defended his decision: “It’s not about the nakedness. It’s about clothes getting in the way of labels.”
A spokesman for the French President later acknowledged that Mr. Chirac had no idea what that statement meant. See for yourself
It may be Nerve Agent
Or maybe not
U.S. troops found about a dozen 55-gallon drums in an open field near this northern Iraqi town, and initial tests indicated one of them contained a mixture of a nerve agent and mustard gas, an American officer said Sunday. Go See
Sat Apr 26, 2003
Kim's Heroin Connection
First the Taliban, Now North Korea
The North Korean Government has been linked to Victoria's biggest heroin bust amid claims the rogue state is sponsoring international heroin trafficking.
The freighter Pong Su - seized off the New South Wales coast last week - belongs to the North Korean Government's Pongsu Shipping Company, the Sunday Herald Sun has learned.
Peta Pres Wants to be BBQ'd
Need a Match?
The leader of PETA said she had drawn up a will directing that her flesh be barbecued and her skin used to make leather products in protest at man's ill-treatment of animals.
Ingrid Newkirk, 53, said on Thursday she had chosen to donate her body to her organization for use in a variety of startling protests. Newkirk also suggested her feet be removed and made into umbrella stands similar to those made from elephant feet that she had seen as a child. "I want to find ways to have my work live on when I'm gone and this has been my first idea. I will make a stir when I am long in the ground," Newkirk told Reuters.
A PETA spokesman said Newkirk held British and U.S. citizenship and a copy of her will would be kept in both countries. In the document she also suggests her liver be vacuum-packed and sent to France to be used in a campaign to persuade shoppers not to buy foie gras, made from the livers of force-fed ducks and geese.
"We are in the business of getting people to think about what happens to animals," she said.
"When they go to the grocery store and buy foie gras in a tin, there is absolutely no thought of the geese. If my liver makes people talk about the issues then some good will come of it."
Newkirk said she had not heard of anyone making similar arrangements in their will.
"We hope it will start a trend," she said, adding that she had received a letter from a person interested in using their remains to promote vegetarianism.
But one body part listed in the will is not protest or animal related. It says a small part of her heart should be buried near the Hockenheim Formula One racing circuit in Germany, preferably near the Ferrari pits.
"I love Formula One. I love Michael Schumacher, and I thought I would have a little bit of personal indulgence there," she said. "But it's not without a connection to animals because he actually signed a letter for us against experiments on monkeys in Germany."
Why wait? These brilliant strategies should be implemented immediately. Animals everywhere are in terrible danger from their meat eating brethren and nearly all humans. But what about her brain? Maybe there's an ape somewhere that needs a transplant. Of course, he would have to be willing to trade down.
Iraq Connected with Al Qaeda
The proof that Saddam worked with bin Laden
Iraqi intelligence documents discovered in Baghdad by The Telegraph have provided the first evidence of a direct link between Osama bin Laden's al-Qa'eda terrorist network and Saddam Hussein's regime.
Papers found yesterday in the bombed headquarters of the Mukhabarat, Iraq's intelligence service, reveal that an al-Qa'eda envoy was invited clandestinely to Baghdad in March 1998.
The documents show that the purpose of the meeting was to establish a relationship between Baghdad and al-Qa'eda based on their mutual hatred of America and Saudi Arabia. The meeting apparently went so well that it was extended by a week and ended with arrangements being discussed for bin Laden to visit Baghdad.
The papers will be seized on by Washington as the first proof of what the United States has long alleged - that, despite denials by both sides, Saddam's regime had a close relationship with al-Qa'eda. The Telegraph
Surprise, surprise.
Poliblog and Judicious Asininity Get Appointed
The Emperor Misha Appoints Both to the Department of Politics
Congratulations to PoliBlog and of course to Judicious Asininity, that's me, for the recent appointment to Emperor Misha's Empire at the Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler. Thank you Emperor.
Those Poor Gitmo Children
Are Murdering Little Bastards
The Pentagon has defended the detention at Guantanamo Bay of at least three children aged between 13 and 15 captured in Afghanistan.
"I would say, despite their age, these are very, very dangerous people," said Gen Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, yesterday.
"They are people that have been vetted mainly in Afghanistan and gone through a thorough process to determine what their involvement was. Some have killed. Some have stated they're going to kill again."
The children arrived at the US Camp Delta in Cuba in recent months and do not yet have legal representation. Once their age was established, they were separated from other al-Qa'eda and Taliban suspects.
Don't waste your time and energy feeling sorry for these murdering little bastards. They would cut your infidel throat in a heart beat if they had the chance.
Fri Apr 25, 2003
EU Refuses to Shun Arafat
U.S. Wants to Deal with those Who May Want Peace
The European Commission rebuffed yesterday a US call to shun Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, saying the European Union would talk to whoever it wanted to.
"Who we contact or who we don't contact is our business," said Reijo Kemppinen, a spokesman for the EU's executive, told reporters at the Commission's midday news briefing. "We do intend to maintain our dialogue with the Palestinian Authority."
Go See
Cowering Republicans?
Smear Tactics and Attack Dogs Scare Representatives
Family Research Council, a conservative group, maintained its position that GOP support for Santorum has been timid. A spokeswoman for the group pointed to a statement on the organization's Web page.
"Beyond a few tepid statements of personal support for Sen. Santorum, no prominent national GOP leader seems willing or able to mount a spirited, principled defense of marriage and family," the statement said. "The question naturally arises: Have Republican leaders been so intimidated by the smear tactics of the homosexual lobby and its Democratic attack dogs that they are cowering in silence?"
The cowering among our representatives goes far beyond the Republican party.
Democracy Only When it Suits the Cause
No Voting Allowed, the Majority May Win
Random Nuclear Strikes points out this example of how some people only support democracy when they get their own way. In Georgia some fear allowing the state to vote on the Confederate flag issue:
"But white Democrats in urban areas, as well as all black Democrats, generally oppose the idea of a referendum. They fear that if the decision is left up to the public, the Confederate battle flag — sometimes called the "Southern Cross" — will once again be on Georgia's flag, as it was from 1956 until 2001." Read it for Yourself
2 Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan
Taliban Fighters Continue the Struggle
U.S. soldiers exchanged fire today with suspected Taliban fighters in eastern Afghanistan. Two American soldiers were killed and several wounded, the military said. The gunbattle at Shkin, near the border with Pakistan, involved at least 20 suspected Taliban fighters, King said at Bagram, the U.S. military headquarters north of the capital, Kabul. He said a second group of 35 U.S. soldiers was quickly called in, and two F-16 fighter jets, an A-10 fighter aircraft and helicopter gunships pounded the area. At least three enemy fighters were killed, while the remainder escaped across the nearby border into Pakistan. Read it
Ted Turner Calls Rupert a WarMonger
It's not how Big you are, It's How Good you are that Really Counts
Ted Turner said on Thursday too few people owned too many media organizations and called rival media baron Rupert Murdoch a warmonger for what he said was Murdoch's promotion of the U.S. war in Iraq. Asked by an audience member for his thoughts on Fox's larger ratings share than CNN's, Turner said, "Just because your ratings are bigger doesn't mean you're better."
"It's not how big you are, it's how good you are that really counts," Turner said, drawing hoots from the audience. Go See
Uh Huh
Bush Interview
Brokaw Talks with Commander-in-Chief
The NY Times has the text of an interview that Tom Brokaw had with George Bush. Go take a look. Here's a sample:
Q Let me ask you about some of the larger policy questions. Before we went to war against Iraq, one of the reasons that you justified this war was that he posed a real threat to the United States. If he couldn't defend his own country -- and we have not yet been able to find the weapons of mass destruction, which were not even launched in defense of Iraq -- was that overstated?
THE PRESIDENT: No, not at all. As a matter of fact, I think time and investigation will prove a couple of points. One, that he did have terrorist connections. And, secondly, that he had a weapons of mass destruction program -- we know he had a weapons of mass destruction program. We now know he's not going to use them. So we've accomplished one objective, and that is that Saddam Hussein will not hurt the United States or friends or our allies with weapons of mass destruction.
Secondly, we are learning more as we interrogate or have discussions with Iraqi scientists and people within the Iraqi structure, that perhaps he destroyed some, perhaps he dispersed some. We also know there are hundreds and hundreds of sites available for hiding the weapons, which he did effectively for 10 years from the -- over 10 years from the United Nations. And that we've only looked at about 90 of those sites so far. I mean, literally hundreds of sites.
And so we will find them. But it's going to take time to find them. And the best way to find them is to continue to collect information from the humans, Iraqis who were involved with hiding them.
Blogging Survey
Go ahead, take it
Zogby points to an internet survey for bloggers and those who read blogs. Go on over and take the survey. >>>>
Bad News for Environmentalists
Good News for the Rest of Us
Spring is a wonderful time of year. Flowers bloom, the sun shines, school draws closer to an end and leftists gather to complain about global warming.
Due to the recent cold weather we’ve been experiencing, these environmentalists will have a tougher sell this year. Perhaps a greater death nail in their coffin is a recent study by Harvard University that proves that it was warmer in the middle ages than it is today.
This is a significant conclusion for these environmentalists claim that global warming is a recent phenomenon caused by us burning coal and oil.
The theory goes that exhaust from burning these fossil fuels rises up into the atmosphere, which in turn blocks the sun’s radiation from escaping earth. This is referred to as “the green-house effect.”
Some people who claim to be scientists have bought into this bunk theory, making such ludicrous claims as “the 1990s had been hotter than any other period for 1,000 years,” and “global temperatures are the hottest since record keeping began.”
However, as reported by the UK Telegraph, “such claims have now been sharply contradicted by the most comprehensive study yet of global temperature over the past 1,000 years. A review of more than 240 scientific studies has shown that today’s temperatures are neither the warmest over the past millennium, nor are they producing the most extreme weather – in stark contrast to the claims of the environmentalists.” Read it
Thu Apr 24, 2003
Rumors About VA Budget Cut
Bush cuts VA money rumor is not true?
I've heard this rumor and thought it worth repeating the words of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi:
President Bush's fiscal year 2004 budget requests a record $63.6 billion for our nation's veterans, including a nearly 8-percent increase over the fiscal year 2003 budget for discretionary funding -- which mostly pays for VA's health care system -- and a 32-percent increase in overall funding since fiscal year 2001. And the Budget Conference report the House and Senate agreed to on April 11 raises the suggested levels of discretionary funding for veterans by an additional $1.8 billion.
So, despite rumors they may hear to the contrary, veterans and their families, including our newest generation of veterans, should rest secure in the knowledge that a grateful nation honors their service to America. These days, the only cuts at VA are to the waiting lists for medical care and the backlog of compensation claims. While VA can always use more money, the interests of America's veterans and their families will continue to be protected by Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the President. Read it
If Heaven is so Great......
Why Wait?
Have you ever thought about suicide? I don't mean have you ever wanted to kill yourself, I mean have you ever really thought about suicide? What with all the talk in Arab land about martyrs and virgins waiting in heaven I got to wondering. If heaven is so great, why wait? Now this thought lead me to wonder again. What if everybody took to martyrdom and went on to join their lovely virgins in heaven. Who would be left to do the work? Maybe that's why the Pope and other preachers take such a dim view of suicide. If everybody decided not to wait who would pass the plate? Better yet, who would chunk the change in the collection? The Pope and the rest of the preachers would be out of work and might just as well go on to heaven with the rest of the crowd. I reckon the preachers could preach in heaven, but why? Everybody is already in heaven so who needs converting? Can you be booted out of heaven once you get in? If so, then heaven may be over-rated! Do you think? I believe I'll wait, just to make sure.
Buggery, Sodomy, and other Deviant Sexual Practices
You Can't Fool Mother Nature
This Santorum business has went about far enough. The Democrats and Sodomites have jumped all over the man for telling the truth since that truth doesn't conform to their view of the world. Its a sad state of affairs when some groups feel that the truth hurts them and these groups squall, bitch, and whine to high heaven anytime someone dares to offer a different point of view. Are they above criticism? No, no one is. Then why is it that they insist on attempting to silence all dissent? Could it be because they don't have a leg to stand on?
Take for instance Santorum's statement. On the surface it appears to be rather clear cut. If sodomy is against the law then other forms of sexual conduct that deviates from the norm should also be against the law. Conversely, if sodomy is legal, then, as Santorum said, other forms of sexual conduct such as incest, polygamy, bigamy, and adultery should likewise be legal. Now we are getting somewhere. The problem would seem to stem from the connection of homosexuality with other sexual conduct that is seen as unacceptable. Why? Because homosexuals would like for their propensity for buggery to be seen as normal behavior. Well, it just ain't so. Buggery is abnormal, it deviates from accepted practices throughout the animal kingdom and even among the human species. Don't believe me? Just ask mother nature. When is the last time you heard of an anally delivered baby? Never, that's when. So even though homosexual behavior is tolerated, it is not seen as normal by most folks for some very good reasons. Now before you buggerers start sending me hate mail let me clarify my position. Homosexual behavior is not normal but among the present society it is not seen as wrong. It's simply a different way of seeking sexual pleasure that just so happens to circumvent the original intention of sex, procreation. So take what you deserve and nothing more. Gays, homosexuals, buggerers, whatever, are welcome have at each other so long as they avoid attempting to bugger me or mine. Hell, as far as I'm concerned the more homosexual men there are around the better the pickings for the rest of the males will be. Now, female homosexuality, that's a different matter. When you go to culling my alternatives then you are infringing on my turf. This female version is not normal either by the way. If it was there would be a lot of dildo daddies out there being hit up for child support.
Following along the same line, don't be teaching my children that your chosen sexual practices are normal. They are not. Just go about your merry way, bugger each other to your hearts content, but do not expect others to believe that what you do is normal when the hard, cold, facts indicate otherwise. I will support your choice, will stand up with you and tell the government to stay out of people's sexual business, and I will even agree that what you are doing is okay. But I will not say that homosexual behavior is normal, because it is not. So quite your squalling and enjoy your life. While you are at it, how about let me enjoy my life. This would be easy if you would cease attempting to force your views on me. Amen.
The Best and Worst War Coverage
Fox takes the Prize and ABC loses Again
Media Research Center analysts watched the war as it unfolded on ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN and the Fox News Channel and they have issued a report containing highlights of that coverage, along with grades for each network and anchor’s overall performance.
Here's how they stack up:
ABC: Overall D-
Jennings F
CBS Overall B-
Rather B+
NBC/MSNBC Overall C+
Brokaw B
Brian Williams B-
CNN Overall C+
Blitzer B+
Aaron Brown B-
FNC Overall B+
Brit Hume A
Shephard Smith B+
For the Baghdad reporters, John Burns was best and Arnett tied with Richard Engel for worst. For the embeds, David Bloom, Walter Rodgers, and Greg Kelly were best and Ted Koppel was worst. There is much more info contained in the report. Take a look
Wed Apr 23, 2003
Libertarian Utopia Wanted
Group Seeking State with Rights
Limited-government advocates have their eyes on Idaho. Or Montana. Or New Hampshire.
All are among 10 lightly populated states known for small-government politics that could end up being a Libertarian utopia. A movement called the Free State Project has registered some 3,100 people who would help choose a "candidate" state and move there in hopes of canceling laws against drugs, prostitution, guns and other individual liberties, while privatizing current state functions such as schools. "Rather than change the whole nation it makes sense for all of us to gather in one place," said Elizabeth McKinstry, 33, of Hillsdale, Mich., the project's vice president.
Go See
Man Barks at Police Dog
Constitutional Right to Bark Under Attack
Richard Dillon is accused of barking at a police dog and faces up to a year in jail and $1000 fine if convicted of willfully and maliciously interfering with a police officer's duty. Dillon's lawyer says; "It's ridiculous that someone could be charged for barking," and asks "And what about First Amendment rights?" "Is there no freedom of bark?"
Palo Alto police spokesman acknowledged that barking in itself may not warrant a citation, but the law clearly prohibits actions that harass and agitate police dogs.
Why should a "police dog" be any different than a police man? If you bark at a police man it isn't a crime. You can even cuss, rant, and rave without facing punishment for that right. If police want to use dogs then they need to use dogs with sufficient training to ensure that they do not over- react to minor provocation. The same training could also prove valuable for the police men.
Feinstein's Hubby Gets Army Contracts
3.6 Billion Dollars Worth
A planning and engineering firm co-owned by Senator Dianne Feinstein's husband has won a Pentagon contract that could be worth up to 600 (m) million dollars. URS Corporation says the Army has hired one of its divisions and a partner for the five-year contract. They will help with troop mobilization, weapons system training and anti-terrorism assessment. Feinstein's husband, Richard Blum, serves on the company's board of directors. He controls about 24 percent of its stock. The new contract is the latest lucrative defense job to be won by the San Francisco-based company. In February, it was awarded an Army contract that could be worth more than three (b) billion dollars. A spokesman for Feinstein declined to comment. Go See
Hot on the Trail?
Closing in on Saddam
The Iraqi National Congress said yesterday that it has received several credible reports of sightings of Saddam Hussein and that it is hunting the ousted president in an area between Baghdad and the Iranian border. "We are 12 to 24 hours behind him, but we are getting closer," said Zab Sethna, the chief spokesman for the group, which is expected to be a major player in Iraq's interim government. "We are convinced he is alive and on the run." Go See
PARTY OF GLOOM
Arnold Ahlert hits it on the Head in the NY Post
Americans are the most optimistic people on earth. We've built a country that is the envy of the world. The Left thinks it can regain power by telling Americans that we are a hapless, hopeless bunch of wretches with insurmountable problems. Good luck selling that one - once again - to the American people in 2004. NY Post
Tue Apr 22, 2003
Pseudoscience vs. Snobbery
Lenin: “It is true that liberty is precious — so precious that it must be rationed.”
John Derbyshire has a good one with his article in NRO. Here's a sneak:
"Still, the average American Lefty’s eyes do not light up when he talks about Osama bin Laden, who he feels is probably a creature of Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy. What gets lefty juices flowing is those crazy Christian fruitcakes down in the Bible Belt, with their double-knit-clad preachers in cheap hairpieces, their reflexive patriotism, their dogged hostility to such obviously healthful and liberating practices as fornication, abortion, and homosexuality, and their obscurantism about evolution.
Ah, evolution! The touchstone of redneck religiosity! The ultimate litmus test separating the benighted from the enlightened, the foolish from the wise, the sheep from the wise shepherds — to put it in Leninist terms, the Whom from the Who! Do you believe in the theory of evolution? No? Then you shall be bound hand and foot and cast into outer darkness, into the place of wailing and gnashing of teeth! Don’t you know that only hicks and rubes and knuckle-dragging primitives deny the truth of evolution? Haven’t you seen Inherit the Wind? What brand of tobacco do you chew, in your shabby trailer parked back there in the hollow?"
Go take a look, there's much more and its an excellent read.
WMD's Will Be Found
White House Confident
The White House expressed confidence Tuesday that coalition forces would locate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction despite comments from chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix that the United States had attempted to discredit his team in the days leading up to the war.
"There's no question we remain confident that the (weapons of mass destruction) will be found. One of the things we all knew, and Hans Blix knew it, is what masters of deception the Iraqis are and how many years they had to perfect their deceptions," White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said during the afternoon briefing with reporters. UPI
If those weapons are found the crow eating will reach epic proportions
The Galloway Affair Heats Up
He'd give kilts and whisky to a legless Muslim
The Galloway Affair continues to gain steam. Galloway's assertion that the claims that he was on Saddam's payroll are "totally untrue" is followed up with: "This is a pile of black propaganda, intelligence hocus- pocus and The Daily Telegraph have either been a party to it or they have been hoodwinked by it." Now the Telegraph fires the second volley. According to the paper "Saddam Hussein rejected a request from George Galloway for more money, saying that the Labour backbencher's "exceptional" demands were not affordable." The Telegraph follows up with a decent fisking of Galloway's counter attack that gives the appearance that the paper is very confident in its position in this matter. This is getting better than Jackass.
America's Oldest Person Dies
Secret to long life? KFC and Twinkies
America's oldest person, Mary Dorothy Christian, died Sunday at the Creekside Care Center in San Pablo, Ca. where she had lived since 1992. Having been born in 1889 she lived a good long life while still managing to enjoy the things she loved. Her favorite foods included Hostess Twinkies and Kentucky Fried Chicken. What, not tofu and a fat free diet? Rest in Peace Mary Dorothy Christian.
Santorum Speaks
Big Gaff or Much Ado about Nothing?
"If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual [gay] sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything," Santorum said, according to the AP.
Santorum spokeswoman Erica Clayton Wright said the quote was accurate "only in the context related specifically to the right to privacy in the Supreme Court case." The senator, she said, "has no problem with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender individuals."
Well, there you have it. What do you think?
James at Outside the Beltway puts it in perspective and I agree:
"Morever, I think Santorum is probably right that, if states can't outlaw sodomy, they can't logically outlaw any type of consensual adult sex acts. From a theoretical standpoint, I'm not sure why sodomy is more objectionable than bigamy, adultery, or incest if all the parties are all consenting adults. This gets tricky in the cases of bigamy and adultery, as children, who can't give informed consent, could conceivably be negatively impacted. But, if childless adults desire to engage in these practices with full consent and knowledge of the other parties involved, the objections are largely religious/philosophical rather than societal. Incest is obviously further beyond the pale, but only because of social conditioning. Certainly, different societies define the concept differently. But, aside from the possibility of pregnancy and the passing on of recessive genes, the objections to consensual adult incest is mainly along the lines of "Eeeeeeeeew." (To which I add my wholehearted concurrence.)"
President Bush is a Christian. Why does that bother people?
God or Pollsters?
Robert Bartley wonders why people are bothered by Bush's obvious religious beliefs but the killer point in this article from the Opinion Journal involves how Bush makes decisions. It seems that pollsters are not consulted on such issues as national security. Now, that's a novel approach.
"The president's success has confounded his critics. His decision, whatever role Divine Guidance played, clearly was what psychologists call inner-directed. His war cabinet meetings did not include people such as Karl Rove, Karen Hughes or Ari Fleischer. Somehow it's better, I suspect, for a president to talk to God than to talk to pollsters". via Opinion Journal
Senator Edwards and Tort Bar
Proud of his career as an attorney and getting heavy support from attorneys
Everyone knew that, as a former trial lawyer, Senator John Edwards would be courting his plaintiffs' bar allies in his Presidential bid. But even political professionals seem stunned by the degree to which his candidacy has become a wholly owned financial subsidiary of the national tort bar.
According to several analyses of the Federal Election Commission's first-quarter campaign finance reports, Senator Edwards landed on the top of the Democratic money-raising heap, pulling in $7.4 million from donors. This is impressive, but the more amazing number is that nearly two-thirds of his cash came from attorneys and their families, or other law firm staff. And only a fraction of the funds originated in Mr. Edwards's home state of North Carolina. The rest came from a Who's Who of every class-action law firm in the nation. via Opinion Journal
Just what we need, a tort lawyer president.
Galloway to Sue
Claims Daily Telegraph Lied
Controversial Labour MP George Galloway has dismissed claims he was paid at least £375,000 a year by Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime as "black propaganda" and "intelligence hocus pocus". Mr Galloway said that he intended to sue the Daily Telegraph for libel. "I have never solicited, nor would I have accepted had I been offered, any financial assistance of any kind from the Iraqi regime," he told BBC1's Breakfast programme. Times Online
Mon Apr 21, 2003
The Bog of Socialism
Guaranteed to Lose
Common Sense and Wonder relates the story of a recovering socialist:
Janet Daley describes her recovery from socialism in the City Journal.
What decisively transformed my views was my growing understanding of the consequences of the welfare state that Britain had constructed out of a wartime command economy: it both reinforced the fatal passivity of the lower classes and provided a moral justification for the paternalism of the upper classes. The realization was slow but inexorable. It came through concrete example and abstract argument. By the end, it was so blindingly obvious that I wondered how anyone could ever not have seen that the socialist solution—the great, generous dream of perfect fairness—was inevitably destructive of the human spirit.
She goes on to describe other failures such as health care and housing and finishes with:
The logic is remorseless. What cannot be had by everyone (at the same time) should not be had by anyone. Equality means that everyone should suffer deprivations in a uniformly inadequate service. If improvements are to be made in a public service like health care or education, they must be made universally at the same instant, so that no one, at any moment, can be said to be disadvantaged.
There's more, go see. And if anyone proposes National Health Care or Housing in this country [remember Hillary?]tell them to forget it. If they swear that they will make it work THIS TIME don't believe it. Otherwise, we will end up with the miserable state that many European countries find themselves in. Remember that misery loves company and the lonely Jacques and crew are looking to encourage us to share their plight. No th