Friday, November 30, 2007

Islam/Muslims; Fascists, Dupes and Manipulators

First, this is about the innocent naming of a teddy bear. The British teacher appears to have knowledge of Islam, but felt there was no problem. This means a non-Muslim or infidel, which is the word that gets Islamofascists all excited in wrong ways, could be beaten or murdered for a mistake. That's not a religion, it's a recipe for a sadomasochistic abattoir of lust violence marketed as religion.

Second, this is about a government manipulating a population of citizens into prostituting their religion to make a political statement.

How sad is that.
Teacher Hidden As Sudan Mob Urges Death
Chants of "Kill her!" and "No tolerance: Execution!" rang out as hundreds of police in riot gear stood by, keeping the crowd contained but not moving against the rally.

Protesters dismissed Gibbons' claims that she didn't mean to insult the prophet.

"It is a premeditated action, and this unbeliever thinks that she can fool us?" said Yassin
Mubarak, a young dreadlocked man swathed in green and carrying a sword. "What she did requires her life to be taken."

Several hundred protesters marched to Unity High School, where Gibbons worked, and
chanted outside briefly before heading toward the nearby British Embassy. They were stopped by security forces two blocks from the embassy. The protest dispersed after an hour.

"I would like to tell the whole world that what happened here from this English teacher is not acceptable to us," said a protester, Sheikh Nasser Abu Shamah.

There was no overt sign that the government organized the protest, but such a public rally could not have taken place without at least official assent.

Gibbons was sentenced Thursday to 15 days in jail and deportation for insulting Islam with the naming of the teddy bear, which was part of a class project for her 7-year-old students at the private school.

There are those that believe she should be murdered, those that chant murder just because and then there is a government that manipulates them all. Really, again, how sad is that?

"Ruh-row, Raggy"


Calling Dan Rather

I mean knowledge not required and Dan has no reverence for anything. Granted he's not hip, but as Meatloaf says, "two outta three ain't bad".
CBS Seeking 'Irreverent,' 'Hip' Journalist for Eco-Beat (No Knowledge Required)
Job advertisement seeking 'wicked smart, funny, irreverent and hip, oozing
enthusiasm and creative energy.'

“CBS is expanding its coverage of the environment,” the ad reads. “We
seek a talented reporter/host for Internet video broadcast. We are looking for
smart, creative, hard working up and comers, who can bring great energy,
creativity and a dash of humor to our coverage. A deep interest in the
environment and sustainability issues will serve you well.”

So you would think such a job would require a science background or years of covering environmental news? Not exactly.

While seeking out the dark heart of the contrived tepid weather core settling o'er the globe, Dan could lower the brim on his fedora, flip up the collar of his London Fog and tighten the knot of his coat belt. He'd be stealthier than a wealthy wife being where she ain't supposed to be. He'd be on this story like stink on a hound dog baying in the rain. He'd dig deeper than a well digger dyin' of thirst. He'd,...well you get the idea.

Fits Danno to a tee. Come on, give him one more last chance.

Impeach Yourselves Morons

Jame Taranto say it all. And better than I could. Go read and laugh.

Assault on the Constitution

Joe, you kidder, you.

AJC & Spelman College or MSM & Colleges Race To Turn Back The Clock

Race, gender come to forefront of presidential race

The dozen or so Spelman College women had come together in a basement classroom, after hours, to hash over a choice unimaginable just a few generations back.

Fliers posted across campus summed up the thrust of their conversation: "Should you vote for Barack Obama because of your race, or should you vote for Hillary Clinton because you are a woman?" . . .


Desiree Pedescleaux, associate professor of political science at Spelman, said the majority of black women in Atlanta will vote for Obama because of their strong identification with race.


She says some black women may support Clinton because of deep admiration or because they view her as the Democratic candidate most likely to succeed. But on an emotional level, Pedescleaux argues, race will trump gender.


"When an African-American woman walks into a room, what do most people see first?" she asked. "They see race. They see her as black before she is a woman."


In a magnificent show of "screw you" to Martin Luther King who said:
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

How many decades and assassinations, of hope and death, just got shot down the crapper? How many whites in general and how many white males specifically now get a "get out of jail" card and the right to say, "I told you the whole equality this was full of crap. It nothing more and always was nothing more than a free pass and for what, cause your skin or your skirt? Bull".

Looking at that front page, reading what they said and feeling the effects of "equality" in our society, I feel sick. Now, think how those that truly fought, not pontificated, but fought for equality, must feel.

You best believe you should be relieved that Ol' Nat Turner ain't here abouts.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Mugger Murtha Likes Surge, No Word On Haditha

Murtha finds military progress in trip to Iraq
Warns that Iraqis must do more for their own security

U.S. Rep. John Murtha today said he saw signs of military progress during a brief trip to Iraq last week, but he warned that Iraqis need to play a larger role in providing their own security and the Bush administration still must develop an exit strategy.

"I think the 'surge' is working," the Democrat said in a videoconference from his Johnstown office, describing the president's decision to commit more than 20,000 additional combat troops this year. But the Iraqis "have got to take care of themselves."

Murtha finally admits the surge has worked. He has not discussed whether the military justice system has worked concerning the "cold-blooded murderers" of Haditha.

Without an apology and an admission that he was wrong Murtha has no credibility. Well, he never had any with me, he just dug his hole deeper.

UPDATE: Nancy "I'm so spitting mad" Pelosi has probably been throwing things as well as fits over Murtha's inability to stop his mouth from moving before he has his brain engaged. Poor Harry "Dem punched me too much" Reid keeps watching any credibility he may have had slip through his fingers and away. At least Pelosi married money.

UPDATE II: Murtha gets confused again. Unfortunately, getting confused is easy for Murtha. Did the President, Rumsfeld, Rice, Cheney, Clinton, Rockefeller, Murtha, Democrats in general or the Pentagon talk about WMDs?
Murtha even yelled at a reporter during a recent press conference, telling the reporter that the news coming out of the Pentagon regarding Iraq is not believable.

"They don't need to do the things — you're missing the point — because the Pentagon says it, you believe it?," Murtha yelled. "You believe what the Pentagon says? Huh? With all the things that they have told us, you believe what — I mean, go back and look — 'mission accomplished,' Al Qaeda connection, weapons of mass destruction, on and on and on, and you believe the Pentagon?"

Believe the Pentagon? Yes, I do, especially before I would ever believe you Murtha. You loser, but at the moment the fact that you have put the madam, Pelosi, in a bad position, has made me smile.

Poor Pelosi, her little attack dog, Mugger Murtha, has slipped off his leash and the neighbors are laughing because he has bit Nancy in the butt. Good.

NYC Library Proves It Holds No Intelligence

The building does hold arrogance, cynicism and smugness. The recipe for Liberalism.

I'm sure that the staff and administration of the library was afraid they'd miss out on all the fun other "intellectuals" were having so they jumped in.

New York Public Library Exhibit Features Fake Mug Shots of Members of Bush Administration


The New York City library system is funded by public and private contributions.

"This exhibition has no political agenda," the library said in a statement issued Thursday. "The work described in the media has been presented out of context and is not a complete or fair representation of the entire exhibition — which showcases 23 different contemporary printmakers from around the world, featuring a range of subject matters."

The library also said that nothing in the exhibit is reflective of the views of the institution.

"Portions of this exhibition ... should not be viewed as a political statement by the library," it said.
Right, not a political statement. No Democrats, but not a political statement. These people are so intellectually smug that they think "those people" will believe them.

If you believe this, use the old Dewey Decimal System to find the library book numbered 666. Your receipt for the Brooklyn Bridge is just inside the front cover.

I Guess We All Can't Just Get Along

Rodney King shot; wounds not life-threatening

Police said when they arrived at the home, King and others there appeared
drunk and few were cooperative in providing information.


Especially with police.

Is Michael Moore Traveling Abroad?

Government: Obesity rates leveled...

Coincindence? I think not.

Can't We ALL Just Get Along?

YES we can if we are all liberal, non-Christian and a minority if we all hate George W. Bush, corporations, the military and America as we've known it.

NO, we can't if you are conservative, white and a Christian. That would be impossible.
Christmas Tree controversy

Missouri State University took down a20-foot Christmas tree after a diversity official reported a complaint that it was insensitive to other religions.

As a result, Missouri State officials are meeting tomorrow to discuss appropriate holiday decorations.
How insensitive is it to offend such large numbers of people over a non-religious symbol because the minority might be offended by having religion forced upon them?

Enough is enough, but enough of what? The hyper-sensitivity that turns bureaucrats in quivering sissies or of the sad little complainers or the courts, both judicial and public opinion, that give their secular imprimatur?

All of the above.

UPDATE: Missouri State Reverses Decision About Removing Christmas Tree
A Christmas tree that had been removed from the atrium of Strong Hall at Missouri State University will return, along with other religious holiday symbols in that building, school president Michael T. Nietzel said in a news release Thursday morning.A meeting that had been scheduled Friday to discuss appropriate MSU holiday decorations has been canceled, he said.
...

"It's not a big issue," he said. "Some people raised the question about the tree and the best way to approach it was to take it down to discuss it."

Yeah, it's the best approach if you're a wimp. It definately is not the best approach if you're the poor schlub that has to put it up, take it down and now put it back up. Maybe have the whiners and complainers do the set up next time.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

e-mail Ha Ha or I Love Pope Panzer

The Pope and Hillary Rodham Clinton (HRC) are on the same stage in front of a huge crowd.

'Her Majesty' and His Holiness, however, have seen it all before, so to make it a little more interesting, the senator says to the Pope,

'Did you know that with just one little wave of my hand I can make every Democrat in the crowd go wild?'

He doubts it, so she shows him. Sure enough, the wave elicits rapture and cheering from every democrat in the crowd. Gradually, the cheering subsides.

The Pope, not wanting to be out done by such a level of arrogance, considers what he could do.
'That was impressive. But did you know that with just one little wave of MY hand I can make EVERY person in the crowd go crazy with joy? This joy will not be a momentary display like that of your subjects, but will go deep into their hearts, and they will forever speak of this day and rejoice.'

The senator seriously doubts this, and says so. 'One little wave of your hand and all people will rejoice forever? Show me.'

So the Pope slapped her.

Heath Ohio Sears & Roebuck, Better Than Billed

A couple of days ago I posted about shopping at Sears because of their tremendous support of our troops. To practice what I preached we went shopping on Black Friday. We were treated well, we got a spectacular deal and had a great experience shopping. This last part is important because I detest shopping. Did I say detest? Yes.

Today, I went to pick up the item we purchased.

Being a child genius I thought I could fit an object larger than my Jeep inside my Jeep. Didn't work. Much consternation on my part followed.

The staff at pick-up picked their brains and offered alternative solutions. The solutions didn't work because of me (not them) and my love affair with keeping my money thus not wanting to pay an additional delivery fee because of my stupidity.

To my amazement the staff (including the Asst.? Mgr) went to the store manager to discuss my situation. I would have loved to have been a fly on that wall.....

Within minutes the store manager arranged for two employees to drive a Sears vehicle that could hold my purchase, delivery it to my home in the next town over AND place said purchase in my home. At no charge to me.

I did tell them that I was shopping at Sears because of their support for our troops (the staff there sent Thanksgiving packages and are now putting together Christmas packages to send), but I also was very pleased to tell them that price AND customer service would keep me coming back. I also pledged that I would tell other people about my pleasant experience, which is one of the reasons for this post.

The others? Well, Sears & Roebuck is a traditional American company (and an American tradition) which not only takes care of their customers, as I have explained, but they also take care of their employees and the community, all while offering great products at great prices.

If we do not support companies such as Sears then companies like Sears will continue to disappear.

I plan to write Sears & Roebuck's corporate and regional offices to tell them of my experience. I kept track of the names of the people that helped me and called the store later to confirm spellings and titles. I hope you all do your Christmas shopping at Sears and are as impressed as I am.

Sears, it's not just for tools!

Question: How Stupid Is Nancy Pelosi?

President Bush and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki have signed a declaration of principles on the continued U.S. presence in Iraq. Our President bush stated that the agreement was an excellent agenda with which negotiations between Iraq and The U.S. could begin to form mutually agreeable treaties.

Our esteemed Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, issued a statement which included the pure genius that follows:

“President Bush’s agreement with the Iraqi government confirms his
willingness to leave office with a U.S. Army tied down in Iraq and stretched to
the breaking point, with no clear exit strategy from Iraq.

“The President should take responsibility for his Iraq policy rather than
expect the American people or the next Admisitration [sic] to bear the
consequences of his mistakes. The President can do that by working with
Democrats who are fighting every day to bring our troops home responsibly,
honorably, safely and soon.”

If MizzzzzPelosi, as spokespersonage for her party, doesn't believe that any Democrat should have to deal with the consequences of our freeing millions of people and routing al Qaeda in Iraq or if Her Highness believes it might be a little too tough for them to handle then she should bundle up her group of losers, cancel any remaining debates, forego any primaries and go home.

The country will not mind. At all. You may not know it Nance, but this country is stretched to the point of snapping as it tries to put up with your crap and we are also sick of the quagmire that you and el Reido have made of congress.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

His job starts when diplomacy ends.

This Ain't Hell has a good point concerning Secretary of Defense Robert Gates which is (less politely put than Jonn) shut the hell up.

For some reason there are people that worry about their legacy. Maybe it is because they know they haven't done the job they should have. Like Bill Clinton and his apparent co-president Hillary. They always seem defensive. Like Robert Gates.

Maybe They Should Work On Murder First

Lawmakers To Consider Spanking Ban
Nurse Wants State To Outlaw Corporal Punishment

BOSTON -- Lawmakers on Beacon Hill are set to consider a
proposed ban on spanking children in the commonwealth.

NewsCenter 5's Shiba Russell reported that the issue is set for debate
at a Statehouse hearing Wednesday morning.

The Boston Herald reported that State Rep. Jay Kaufman filed the spanking
ban petition at the request of an Arlington, Mass., nurse who wants
Massachusetts to become the first state in the country to stop corporal
punishment.
Spare the rod, spoil the child? I believe that to be true.

It is supposed to have import that the request to save children from out-of-control- parents comes from a nurse. Well, my mother was a nurse. God blessed my mother with many qualities, but her ability to see me doing something wrong half a county away was almost as strong as the strength and speed in her right hand. I never heard my mother utter that she thought corporal punishment was bad. I did hear her mention a time or two that the parent's of some of the children she treated should never have been parents.

Instead of punishing society by banning parental control and punishment, I humbly suggest instead that parents who physically harm their children be punished. Severely.

Just think, for a minute, the world of good it might have done Teddy Kennedy. Maybe the legislators in Massachusetts should ask Mary Jo Kopechne (July 26, 1940 – July 18, 1969) before beginning debate.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Dan Rather Still Toast/Kos Still Loves The Ghost

Rathergate: much more than meets the EYE

But accurate
And, somehow, I don’t see Rather settling this case. I believe he’s truly pissed
off at these people for effectively truncating his otherwise stellar career at
the Tiffany network, and rightly so. We all know the fundamental story was true.

Fake
The flaws were in its presentation. It was sloppy but I don’t believe for a
moment that Rather deserved to be fired over it. Ultimately, the Bush regime
still wielded considerable power back in 2004, and they got what they
wanted.

Let’s hope the tide has turned.

Delusional
Impede, impeach and imprison.

Gratuitous
Peace

Via Little Green Footballs

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Archbishop of Canterbury: Imperial Act Of Arrogance

This guy should be the Bishop of Wankerbury. If the modern church is representative of its leaders, the good Bishop is lacking in belief, not arrogance. If his statements in the article below are representative of his political knowledge, Archbishop Williams should be presiding over the fastest dwindling, most arrogant and least effective church. If so, they are a perfect match, Anglican representative Williams.

US is‘worst’ imperialist: archbishop


THE Archbishop of Canterbury has said that the United States wields its
power in a way that is worse than Britain during its imperial heyday.

Rowan Williams claimed that America’s attempt to intervene overseas by
“clearing the decks” with a “quick burst of violent action” had led to “the
worst of all worlds”.

In a wide-ranging interview with a British Muslim magazine, the Anglican
leader linked criticism of the United States to one of his most pessimistic
declarations about the state of western civilisation.

He said the crisis was caused not just by America’s actions but also by
its misguided sense of its own mission. He poured scorn on the “chosen nation
myth of America, meaning that what happens in America is very much at the heart
of God’s purpose for humanity”.
In Williams' "modern church", liturgy, politics and morals must all match his church's interpretation of the Bible and theology. It must do so because the "modern church" is more interested of social activism and social justice than the word of God. Its newest mission is secular because, in my opinion, they really do not believe in God anymore than they believe in the Great Pumpkin.

I know it would deject them to lose so much great architecture, religious baubles and some outstanding real estate, but the Church of England ought to just cut to the chase and become Unitarians. Think of all the money they could save not having to make cross purchases.
Williams went beyond his previous critique of the conduct of the war on
terror, saying the United States had lost the moral high ground since September
11. He urged it to launch a “generous and intelligent programme of aid directed
to the societies that have been ravaged; a check on the economic exploitation of
defeated territories; a demilitarisation of their presence”.

He went on to suggest that the West was fundamentally adrift:
“Our modern western definition of humanity is clearly not working very well.
There is something about western modernity which really does eat away at the
soul.”


Bishop, buddy, friend, who's adrift here? Your church is, and England probably is too, which doesn't quite give you solid ground to stand on to judge who has the moral high and low ground. Where do you stand Bishop Williams when an Imam preaches murder and someone reports it only to be charged with a hate crime for saying "nasty" things about Muslims?
In the interview in Emel, a Muslim lifestyle
magazine, Williams makes only mild criticisms of the Islamic world. He said the
Muslim world must acknowledge that its “political solutions were not the most
impressive”.

He commends the Muslim practice of praying five times a day, which he
says allows the remembrance of God to be “built in deeply in their daily
rhythm”.

Let's do a short recap Bishop: 9/11, centuries of murder and war, subjugation and belittlement of women, hatred of non Muslims and praying five times a day gives Muslims rhythm which makes them good. Are you referring to Marvin Gaye or a metronome beating the constant beat of western civilization ceding principle and morals in a vain attempt to gain the high intellectual ground?

Free Christian nations fighting back after being attacked, deposing dictators and freeing millions and helping build and rebuild nations to join the family of democracy makes them bad.

You are an egotistical maniac attempting to be an hegemonic "intellectual" leader. Unfortunately, I think really that you are a sad buffoon that stayed at the party too long and forgot why you came in the first place.

Lake District, England




Stone Walls, Cottage, and Mountains, Lake District, England. Photograph 1966


Ron Paul's Celebrity Supporters and Other Important Personages

Read'em and "bleep".

Markos "Daily Kos" Moulitsas With friends like this…..

Bill Maher is a comedian who was quoted “I think flying planes into a building was a faith-based initiative. I think religion is a neurological disorder.” Funny guy.

Christopher Hitchens Self professed “darling” to the media and, in his mind, everyone else states, "I am not a conservative of any kind" and as an anti-theist he said, “all religious belief is sinister and infantile”.

Barry Manilow explained “Misfits aren't misfits among other misfits.” ‘Bout wraps that up.

John Mayer sings “Your Body Is A Wonderland”, but my mind hums maybe his mind isn’t.

Andrew Sullivan If you like British “conservatives” whose primary issue has something to do with the gay lifestyle, go with Andrew. Literally.

Mark Cuban Funded “Redacted” a film meant to be a disgusting anti-American film. His support of "Redacted" appears to be his life's high point.

Aaron Russo believed he was asked to join the Council on Foreign Relations and said that he knew about 9/11 nine months before it occurred. (Did he ever deny that Jean Dixon was his mom?)

Okay, DrRP is beginning to get scary.

Our Own Political Moron, Let's Give It all Up For Marc Dann

Right Angle has a great summation of da man who has two left feet.

But in all seriousness, would Democrats have voted for Marc Dann if they
would have known that, in his first year, he would sell his former Ohio Senate
seat to the mafia, hire a killer as his driver, hire a double-dipping Youngstown
police department employee as Ohio’s “top cop”, swear at a reporter on
camera, lose a major battle in court for his trial lawyer friends who wanted to
sue paint manufacturers, use a public email account to spew bigoted
anti-Christian rhetoric, paint ridiculous flames on his car, and direct elderly
callers who wish to register complaints to a phone sex hotline? Marc Dann is
pathetic, sloppy and undignified.

False Positive

Ultimate 2008 Presidential Candidate Matcher
Your Result: Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney was the governor of Massachusetts, where he was known as a centrist. He reformed the state healthcare system, and would pursue reforms at the national level as well. Romney supports oil drilling in Alaska, but also alternative energy sources. He claims to be conservative on issues like abortion and gay civil unions, and he supports the Iraq war. Romney supports fair trade, as well as a greater focus on math and science in our schools.

Ron Paul
Rudy Guiliani
John McCain
John Edwards
Barack Obama
Hillary Clinton
Dennis Kucinich
Ultimate 2008 Presidential Candidate Matcher
Take More Quizzes

No Fred Thompson plus it put Ron Paul ahead of other candidates which is not true based on questions asked such as gay unions vs marriage and Iraq.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

AP Right As Usual, Iraq, US Military & Govt Wrong As Always

The real story:

Pretty Much Everybody Slams AP Chief's Photographer Case

The Associated Press’ plan to launch a public relations case against the U.S. military using one of their photographers in Iraq without discussing his work as propaganda to bolster their anti-Americanism makes a mockery of American journalistic principles an anonymous military source said Saturday.

"This is a poor example—and not the first of its kind—of the way the Associated Press honors journalistic principles and values it says it shares with the American people" a citizen said in a street interview which will never be quoted by The Washington Post nor the AP.

AP President and CEO Tom Curley, his aides Tom Moe and Tom Larry all stated that the sanctity of Bilal Hussein and AP’s right to print what they want to be the truth is more important than America and the War on Terror.

The Associated Press' story:
AP Chief Slams Case Against Photographer

The U.S. military's plan to seek a criminal case against an Associated Press photographer in Iraq without disclosing the charges or evidence against him makes a mockery of American
democratic principles, AP President and CEO Tom Curley said Saturday.

"This is a poor example—and not the first of its kind—of the way our government honors the democratic principles and values it says it wants to share with the
Iraqi people," Curley said in a column in The Washington Post.

The U.S. military notified the AP last weekend that it intended to submit a complaint against Bilal Hussein that would bring the case into the Iraqi justice system as early as Nov. 29. Military officials have alleged that Hussein, 36, had links to
terrorist groups but are refusing to disclose what evidence or accusations would be presented.

Previously, the military suggested an array of possible lines of investigation, including claims that Hussein offered to provide false identification to a sniper seeking to evade U.S.-led forces, that he possessed bomb-making equipment, and that he took photographs that were synchronized with insurgent blasts.

It seems the only reasons to read AP reports and stories anymore is to point out errors and lies and to chuckle over the perceived self importance of anyone remotely connected to the "service". It's kind of like watching the Marx brothers or reading Naomi Wolf to learn about America. Humorous, but not really enlightening.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Gore Kills Tweety Bird

Emory building draped in black to save birds

Many crash into environmentally friendly design with soaring glass windows

It is one of Emory University's most environmentally friendly buildings, a
hallmark of the institution's efforts to "go green." To hear John Wegner
describe it, it's also a slaughterhouse.

The soaring glass windows in Emory's Mathematics and Science Center reflect
the woodsy view, confusing hapless birds who smash into it at full speed.

"The building killed 60 birds in the first year," said Wegner, Emory's
chief environmental officer. "It was the wall of death."
Al "Baby Boom Boom" Gore just wasn't happy making us spend thousands of dollars more for environmentally safe washers and dryers that don't work nor is Al, aka Sylvester, sorry for getting us addicted to his world wide Internet; now he's upsetting nature and endangering whole segments of birdom.

Proposed memorial to Tweety outside of Emory's Mathmatics and Science Center

Officials were unable to pinpoint exactly when Tweety "bought the farm", but he's wittle body is expected to be found among the victims of the "Green massacre":
Turns out, environmentally friendly buildings are often bird killers.

Ornithologist Daniel Klem, a professor at Muhlenberg College in
Pennsylvania who has studied the problem for decades, said between 100 million
and 1 billion birds die in the United States each year in collisions with
glass.
Repeated phone calls to President Gore have not been returned. PETA and ASPCA spokesman Elmer Fudd was out of the office, but issued a statement referring to "inconvienent truths" that his reported hunting habits might include roadkill and unintended "healthy building" death collateral.

Miracles Do Happen

LSU LOSES TO ARKANSAS

Ohio State is moving towards a possible national championship. Of course if top rated teams keep losing, OSU might play the team from Columbus School for Girls for the national championship. You can thank the moronic geniuses that came up with the BCS system.

Hearth & Home Okay For Now In California

California continues to lead the way for those that have enough time on their hands to do nothing but waste ours.
Should fireplace fires be banned?

Under the auspices of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, "public
hearings" are being held to determine the fate of the family hearth.

For urban Californians I guess the family hearth has no value anymore because the traditional family (as sociologists like to call us) is dying. At least it appears so on the left coast. Now even children are a menace to mother earth and her knighted protectors. This is known as the 'save the earth by saving a tree, thus not using diapers because you killed the baby' method.

Ergo, no need for that messy old hearth thing.

Pre-Nursing Home Fringe Nuts Of The Left

California Dem Party meltdown over Feinstein censure attempt
The nutroots are unhinged over Calif. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s recent votes to confirm Bush attorney general Michael Mukasey and federal appeals court judge Leslie Southwick. Far left members of the Democrat Party in the Golden State attempted to introduce a censure measure over the weekend. It failed, but the rabid liberal base of the Democrat party has only just begun. The “Courage Campaign” is chaired by a HuffPo radical and counts among its partners, “MoveOn.org, Democracy For America, New Progressive Coalition, Powerpac.org, CalPIRG, California Nurses Association, Common Cause, Brave New Films and Progressive Majority.” It’s a 527 with a Beverly Hills mailing address, purporting to represent the grass-roots, and it’s promising to be the California Democrats’ worst nightmare.
If these people continue to be California Democrats' nightmare that means they can't bring their nightmare to the rest of America which is why I hope they continue to implode.

I love the smell of nayplomb in the morning. It smells like victory.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Kryptonite To Stupid In 60 seconds.

I was perusing things and ideas this morning to enjoy as a Thanksgiving treat and thought I might as well give thanks for things that are not.

In Favor Of A Tough Primary Season
Am I the only one who thinks the dustup between Clinton, Obama, and Edwards is on balance a good thing? For whatever fodder it might give the GOP (they're going to call us all terroristic babykillers anyway) it will show us at the end of the day which campaign has balls. Going back to 2003 I would have liked to have seen more fighting between Kerry, Edwards, Clark and Gephardt so that we would know they wouldn't fold like a cheap tent after b.s. attacks from the right (Swift Boat).
Terroristic? No, not terroristic, but O-liver is right, the candidate with balls will probably win. O'liver is also right in that we should have all honored John F'ing Kerry's service as a Francis Ford Coppola, Jr with 8mm future campaign home movies in Vietnam. But why pull out the Swift Boat attack and whine about it again, especially against guys that really served? Kerry should have tried such an attack. He could have actually helped the war effort. Talk about b.s. and folding like a cheap tent...

To quote O-liver, "Like Kryptonite to Stupid."

Democratic Thanksgiving

Ron and Mahmoud couldn't make it and Uncle Vlad is on too many meds to travel.
UPDATE! UPDATE!! New information on why Uncle Vlad couldn't make it. It appears his meds, or lack thereof, had nothing to do with it. He, uh, was busy at the office. Yeah, busy. Saving the world. From the west. Yeah, busy. Very busy.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

"It's more embarassing that Paul panders to Neo Nazis and Troofers."

Via LGF (a great site)

The Jawa Report has a post and comments concerning the greatest patriot that liberals, leftists and democrats have ever supported.

Ron Paul Courts 9-11 Troofers on Alex Jones Show...Again

Rosie for VP!!!!!

The Prince Of Darkness Makes Alan Colmes Disappear

Alan Colmes decided, foolishly, to push and press Robert "Bob" Novak, aka, The Prince of Darkness (POD) on Bush, Cheney and Valerie Blame tonight on Fox New's "Hannity and * ".

POD basically cut off Colmes head, gave him the POD look and *poof* no more Alan. Just a little pile of ashes and a pair of glasses.

A Prayer For Our Troops, A Day Of Thanksgiving and Celebration Of America 2007

A couple of Thanksgiving messages from some great guys.

General Thanksgiving

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houfes of Congress have, by their joint committee, requefted me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to eftablifh a form of government for their safety and happiness:"


NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and affign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of thefe States to the fervice of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our fincere and humble thanksfor His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the fignal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpofitions of His providence in the courfe and conclufion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have fince enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to eftablish Conftitutions of government for our fafety and happinefs, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are bleffed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffufing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleafed to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in moft humbly offering our prayers and fupplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and befeech Him to pardon our national and other tranfgreffions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private ftations, to perform our feveral and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a bleffing to all the people by conftantly being a Government of wife, juft, and conftitutional laws, difcreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all fovereigns and nations (especially fuch as have shewn kindnefs unto us); and to blefs them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increafe of fcience among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind fuch a degree of temporal profperity as he alone knows to be beft.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand feven hundred and eighty-nine.

(signed) G. Washington

Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789

Proclamation of Thanksgiving
Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

This is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued many orders like this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving.

Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent magazine editor, wrote a letter to Lincoln on 28, 1863, urging him to have the "day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." She wrote, "You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritive fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution." The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise."


According to an April 1, 1864, letter from John Nicolay, one of President Lincoln's secretaries, this document was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and the original was in his handwriting. On October 3, 1863, fellow Cabinet member Gideon Welles recorded in his diary that he complimented Seward on his work. A year later the manuscript was sold to benefit Union troops.

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,Secretary of State

I hope you have a wonderful and meaningful Thanksgiving. God bless our troops, may they be victorious and God bless America.

Isle of Man


Interesting Fact That Is Really Funny

FACT: Bill Gates' house was designed using a Macintosh computer.

I guess he wanted it crash proof.

TABOR, Oklahoma And Government Coercion

This is normal thuggish behavior from big government types. Drew Edmondson, OK AG, says that he is only following the law, which is a crock of crap. He is following the marching orders of big government groups and government unions that depend on the constant growth of government to get rich and garner more power over the people. Edmondson is dancing with them now so that later he can crawl into bed with them for big campaign donations as he runs for higher office. They have a name for those that get into bed for profit.

Shame on AG Drew Edmondson and the state of Oklahoma for doing this and further restricting freedom. I hope the good people of the state throw them out of office.
Oklahoma's Most Wanted

A veteran political activist is facing 10 years in prison and a hefty
fine for attempting to petition government for redress of grievances. The latest
news from Pakistan? No, this is happening in Oklahoma.


Last month Paul Jacob, the former head of U.S. Term Limits and
current head of Citizens in Charge, was led out of an Oklahoma City courtroom in
handcuffs after pleading not guilty to charges that he conspired to defraud the
state. Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who's overseeing this bizarre prosecution, has accused Mr. Jacob and two fellow petition organizers -- Rick Carpenter of Oklahomans in Action and Susan Johnson of National Voter Outreach -- of bringing out-of-state petition gatherers to Oklahoma to collect
signatures.


In 2005 Mr. Carpenter, a Tulsan, launched a signature campaign to get a
state-wide vote on a Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Tabor, as it is known, would cap
the rate at which state government spending could increase. Mr. Jacob and Ms.
Johnson were later brought on board to assist the effort. Not surprisingly,
politicians and interest groups that favor big government have developed an
intense dislike for Tabor spending limits, even though, like lawmaker term
limits, they tend to be popular with voters.

To control the growth and power of government at the local, state and federal level is an honorable thing. That is why government unions, teacher's unions and union organizers wouldn't understand.

Set them free Edmondson. You're looking bad and you're looking at defeat because of it. People are getting tired of being bullied by unions that don't represent them or their beliefs.

Many unions have become unAmerican.

Time For U.S. To Take Charge In Afghanistan Again

Many of our "allies" in NATO have been nipping at the heels of the United States over the War on Terror for years now. Like little rat dogs that the crazy lady down the street owns, the know-it-alls in Europe called President Bush a cowboy, America blood thirsty and all of us too stupid to understand the nuanced needs of the world. Maybe there is a joke that starts, " A German Pomeranian, a Toy French Poodle and a little Spanish Ratting Dog walk into a bar..." If so, it might be as ludicrous as their effort in Afghanistan.

To see what a crackerjack job their "experts" have done one only need look at Afghanistan.

Resurgent Taliban closing in on Kabul: report

The same group of countries and their media have been criticizing and complaining about America's War on Terro and the handling of that war's part in Iraq was handed a sudued Afghanistan for NATO to command. The same countries that cowardly quivered in fear as they tried to tell us how to do our job in Iraq have now gotten together to show the world how to properly screw the pooch in Afghanistan. America lost soldiers so NATO could lose a country?Good job.

San Francisco's Nonsex Sexuality Psychobabble

San Francisco approves ID cards that exclude gender
? Why bother anymore? I mean, could one tell?

I do have one question because of a sentence tucked in the middle of the article.

Supervisor Tom Ammiano, who introduced the measure, says illegal immigrants
will benefit most. They will be able to open bank accounts and use the card for
city services such as checking out library books.
If this reads the way it's written and placed, the illegal immigrants might want to read up on their own possibly confused sexuality. In Spanish of course. Translation paid for by us. Of course.

"Spike, you look marvelous in that outfit, but your rouge is a mite intense."

"Thank you Marge. I just adore your goatee. It will make your new ID interesting."

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Jack "The Raper" Murtha Opens His Maw Again

When will this money grubbing old fool pack it in and crawl back home or to whatever boondoggle structure he has had built for himself.
Murtha: 'We can't win militarily'
House Democrats' point man in the war-funding showdown with the White
House today dismissed U.S. military gains in Iraq and vowed to tighten the purse
strings until President Bush accepts a pullout plan.


"Look at all the people that have been displaced, all the [lost]
oil production, unemployment, all those type of things," said Rep. John P.
Murtha, chairman of House Appropriations defense subcommittee. "We can't win
militarily

Good job Jack, John, Mugger or whatever name your using these days. Loser. Lacky.

Veterans Getting Screwed?

I just saw this on Fox News and if it is true I hope they track down the bureaucrat who ordered this, whether they wear a uniform or not, and beat them to death with a lost limb left boot.

Wounded Soldier: Military Wants Part Of Bonus Back
The U.S. Military is demanding that thousands of wounded service
personnel give back signing bonuses because they are unable to serve out their
commitments.


To get people to sign up, the military gives enlistment bonuses up
to $30,000 in some cases.

Now men and women who have lost arms, legs, eyesight, hearing and can no longer serve are being ordered to pay some of that money back.

One of them is Jordan Fox, a young soldier from the South Hills.

And for those on the left, I am tired of your whiny lies and pedantic tirades about your false morality, so if you blame this on President Bush I hope you are beaten to death by a lost limb right boot. Slowly.

3 - 2 - 1 UPDATE: The Carpetbagger Report wasted no time starting the lie. Giv'em the boot.

UPDATE II: Our soldiers are the best. Even with the lies and hate of the media, educators, ner-do-wells, bureaucrats, the Democratic party and all the anti-freedomwar loons, our military stays focused and would return to duty because they believe in the mission and want to serve their country honorably. Honorably being the operative word.

As a nation we have a tremendous amount to be thankful for tomorrow on our national day of Thanksgiving. This family will not only have a prayer for them, but all troops as well as our family members serving will be part of our celebration.

Ron Paul & The Politics Of Arrogance & Hate

As an ongoing service to those who are thinking of becoming a Ron Paul supporter I offer some of the views of Ron Paul supporters in their own words. After all, who speaks best for them selves? A real plus is that they can't use their normal claims of being "misquoted" or "taken out of context". It's hard to appear morally and intellectually superior, but these people are giving it their best.

Please Mr. Surber, learn a bit about economics before opening your mouth again.

But to claim that our government’s (stepwise) abandonment of the gold standard was a reasoned decision motivated by these concerns is to display a total ignorance of history.

You don’t seem to understand exactly what the Federal Reserve System is. Go to Google Video. Search for and watch “The Creature from Jekyll Island”. You might learn a thing or two.


If Paul is really so inconsistent, why not come up with some substance instead of this distortion of what he said?

I’m not even gong to read the rest of her column. If this is her leadoff hitter, she’s got no lineup at all.

So much for principles and civil liberties. Some people should learn to read

Learn a little before you open your stupid mouth or post your ignorant comments!
Bush’s empire is crumbling at the foundations. How predictable that they should try to squash it with a tighter fist. What fear they must have of people like Ron Paul and Dennis Kuchinik, who don’t fall for their BS.


It’s gold like everyone else buys and sells and the gov’t is being Nazis to confiscate it and try to smear Ron just because his face was on one of the coins.

This brings me to my final point and our one point of (almost) agreement. There is a bipartisan movement afoot to shut up Ron Paul supporters. The message of liberty is powerful and no one currently on the public dole of power and influence wants it getting out there. If Dr. Paul wins then those who want to usurp government authority for their own aggrandizement lose.


WOW, I love it when writers like this expose there obvious lack of the basic principles of freedom and your right to do many things in a free society. I would spend some time here but lets hear from the good doctor about the current state of affairs.

And why the Federal agents are not raiding Disney for their Disneydollars?

I am sure that we will be hearing more from you about Ron Paul in the future, maybe next you can get your facts straight.

Ignorant people. So ignorant. You know what? When the depression hits, banks go bankrupt (and you find out they don’t actually have your money)I am not going to help a single one of you. Why? Because you are so ignorant that you LET it happen while laughing about it.

Seeing that a court has yet to find them guilty, what makes you an authority to say they are?
When you start labeling too many other people ‘wackos’, it becomes increasingly clear that you, sir, are the ‘wacko’.


Apparently more concerned than you are. Sorry we bothered, you can go back to watching football now.

There we go! If you don’t have an argument, and can’t reason, you resort to childish labels, e.g, “kooky”… used by people who never advanced beyond their elementary school-yard. So, well, you’re kooky too! You are too! You’re kooky! Kooky! kooky!, kooky! Yeh, I said “kooky” last, so I won the argument! Yaaa -yaa.

If Americans had a clue, Ron Paul would have massive, massive support to be the next President. Like I said, the fact that he doesn’t, shows how clueless the majority of Americans are.

Wow, you're stupid and you suck. Now THAT'S a winning combination in life.People would bother to reason with you if you weren't such an obvious lowly hack for the communist-loving Rockefeller-humping neocons.

None of those other clowns are Christian in any sense of the word. It shocks the conscience.


Spoken as a true Christian. I hope you all tithe in gold , not in Federal Reserve notes.

Support Our Troops By Shopping At Sears

I will support a company that supports America and our troop.

Those companies that do not support America and our troops, for whatever reason, I will not support.

I will support Sears because of the e-mail I received today.
Sears - Christmas shopping has already started

I know I needed this reminder since Sears isn't always my first
choice. Amazing when you think of how long the war has lasted and they
haven't withdrawn from their commitment. Could we each buy at least one
thing at Sears this year?


How does Sears treat its employees who are called up for military
duty? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but
nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a
result of being called up.


Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and
maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs,
for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.


I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should
be recognized for its contribution. I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be
sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets
the positive reinforcement it well deserves.


Pass it on.

Decided to check this before I sent it forward. So I sent the
following e-mail to the Sears Customer Service Department:


I received this e-mail and I would like to know if it is true. If
it is, the Internet may have just become one very good source of
advertisement for your company. I know I would go out of my way to buy
products from Sears instead of another store for a like item, even if it's
cheaper at that store.


This is their answer to my e-mail:

Dear Customer: Thank you for contacting Sears.The
information is factual. We appreciate your positive feedback. Sears
regards serv ice to our country as one of greatest sacrifices our young
men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden
they bear at this time.


Bill Thorn
Sears Customer Care
webcenter@sears.com
1-800-349-4358

Please pass this on to all your friends. Sears needs to be
recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as
Americans, we do appreciate what they are doing for our military!!! It's
Verified ! By
Snopes.comat: http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/sears.asp
(shows the entire article)

I'm going. I need new blades for my planer.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Does Death Penalty Save Lives? A New Debate - Who Cares?

Does Death Penalty Save Lives? A New Debate

Why not go back to the original reason? Punishment. If one tears the fabric of society, culture and civility so that it endangers others, society has no further cause or reason to put up with you or support and care for you.

Saving lives through example is an added bonus.

Rope, bullet or needle?

Reporters Don't Always Lie, But They Do Pass On Their Editor's Lies

This is a great story and I would like to thank Webutante for passing this on to us. It reminds us that Iraqis and Afghans are not objects to be pitied and then cast aside for a victim de jour as most liberals do, but they are now our allies in the fight not only against terrorism, but all those that say there are those that cannot cultivate freedom for themselves.

Today, Muslims mostly filled the front pews of St John’s. Muslims who
want their Christian friends and neighbors to come home. The Christians who
might see these photos likely will recognize their friends here. The Muslims in
this neighborhood worry that other people will take the homes of their Christian
neighbors, and that the Christians will never come back. And so they came to St
John’s today in force, and they showed their faces, and they said, “Come back to
Iraq. Come home.” They wanted the cameras to catch it. They wanted to spread the word: Come home. Muslims keep telling me to get it on the news. “Tell the
Christians to come home to their country Iraq.”


A Catholic Bishop came to St John’s Church in Baghdad November 15,
where a crowd of locals welcomed him home. They were joined at the service by
soldiers from the 2-12 infantry battalion, many of whom had fought hard to
secure these neighborhood streets. Members of the hard-fighting Iraqi Army 3rd
Division were also here for this special day.


Read the rest and follow the links. The MSM's editors are genetically incapable of passing on a story that is supportive of our hopes for a free and peaceful world.

So read it on the web and its myriad of tubes.

Brent Musburger, NASCAR, OSU And God's Tempting Of Me To Shoot My TV

It was, as usual, horrible and irritating to have Brent Musburger announce the OSU vs Michigan football game yesterday. Of course most ABC Sports coverage is mainly about ABC, upcoming ABC shows and advertising with a little sports sprinkled in between. Musburger and "friends" then go on to discuss cute sidebars and have absolutely worthless tech gadgets block most of what sports they do show. Now, add Musburger's obvious bias for Michigan, his constant negative comments about anything OSU and you have a situation where heat rash is more enjoyable.

Today is the last NASCAR race of the season. The DuPont Dweeb, Lil'Jeffy Gorden, has a chance (very little) to win the championship. His team mate Jimmy Johnson is the likely winner. It could be a great race. For the championship finale ABC could have brought their "A" game, but no, they have decided not to. They brought Brent Musburger.

Why is Brent Musburger on my TV again? He knows less (and could care less) about NASCAR than I know about brain surgery. What have I done to deserve this?

Sound off.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Coffee, Tea or Hillary?

Let me first make a comment about the title.

"Yuk, Eeewww, Ugh and ain't gonna happen."

Oh, and "Ptooooohy."

Debating Clinton's datability

It's rare, but it happens every once in a while that Broadsheet
readers agree on something. Most were in
easy agreement on Maureen Dowd's recent column, which rhetorically asked whether Hillary Clinton should pretend
to be a flight attendant
in order to win over men's tender egos and votes.

Equal opportunity sexism is alive and kicking!

Maureen Dowd attempting the airline come-hither look. Just for Hillary though.

Sexism is alive and kicking. It is being used by Hillary to try to win the nomination.

HT/ the Broadsheet. Get it, BROAD sheet?

OSU vs Michigan

(7) Ohio State 14

(23) Michigan 3

There is no way to truly quantify just how much the BCS stinks.

UPDATE: If you haven't you should google the "Tressel Vessel", a bus that traveled to Ann Arbor for the game.

Screwing The Troops And Iraqis To Get Bush

Harry Reid's latest Iraqi Debacle

YEAs ---53 - 48 Democrats, 1 Independent (Socialist) and 4 Republicans
Collins (R-ME)
Hagel (R-NE)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)

NAYs ---45 – 44 Republicans and 1 Democrat
Dodd (D-CT)

Not Voting – 2
Lott (R-MS)
McCain (R-AZ)

Friday, November 16, 2007

And Harry Reid Hasn't Lied In The Last Hour

Army Desertion Rate Highest Since 1980

A headline meant to evoke negative thoughts. Gee, about our military? About our miltary involved in Iraq? Nah, not our media.

If you actually read the story, the story is different than you would think. The military is actually very competent and evolving in positive ways.

Not Harry.

Columbia University Throws Down The Limp Wrist

Columbia University Faculty Action Committee Statement of Concern
We speak for a growing number of faculty members at Columbia
University
who believe that President Bollinger has failed to make
a vigorous defense of the core principles on which the university is founded,
especially academic freedom. Academic freedom lies at the heart of what we do as faculty members: teach, generate new knowledge, and sustain the critical
capacities of the society at large. It encompasses, among other values, the
autonomy of the University in the face of outside threats and pressures, a
determining role for faculty in the governance of the University and especially
in the shaping of its research and teaching programs, the insulation of tenure
and promotion decisions from outside interests, and the creation of an
environment that enables the fullest and freest exchange of ideas. The events of
the past few years have created a crisis of confidence in the central
administration's willingness to defend these principles.


We note, in particular, the following issues:

1) In the face of considerable efforts by outside groups over the past few years to vilify members of the faculty and determine how controversial issues are taught on campus, the administration has failed to make unequivocally clear that such interventions will not be tolerated. When outside groups attempted to sway tenure decisions, the President of Barnard issued a forthright statement rejecting such efforts; the President of Columbia has failed to do so.

2) Decisions on key issues like the "globalization" of the university,
the establishment of satellite campuses in other countries, the enlarged size of
the undergraduate student body, the reduction in the size of the graduate
student body, the hosting of controversial speakers, the relative diminution of
the humanities, and other issues at the heart of the university's mandate, are
made with no apparent consultation with faculty. We learn about these decisions
only when they are announced after the fact.


3) The president's address on the occasion of President
Ahmadinejad
's visit has sullied the reputation of the University
with its strident tone, and has abetted a climate in which incendiary speech
prevails over open debate. The president's introductory remarks were not only
uncivil and bad pedagogy, they allied the University with the Bush
administration's war in
Iraq, a position anathema to many in the University community.

4) In the name of the University, the president has publicly taken
partisan political positions concerning the politics of the
Middle
East
in particular, without apparent expertise in this area or
consultation with faculty who teach and undertake research in this area. His
conflation of his own political position with that of the University is
unacceptable.


We believe that the time has come for the faculty to reassert its
commitment to academic freedom and University autonomy, and for the President to make it clear that the administration will no longer compromise these principles or tolerate interference with them.


Signed:Nadia Abu El-Haj, Lila Abu-Lughod, Qais Al-Awqati, Paul Anderer, Mark
Anderson
, Gil Anidjar, Zainab Bahrani, Akeel Bilgrami, Richard Billows, Elizabeth
Blackmar
, Partha Chatterjee, Lewis Cole, Jonathan Cole, Elaine
Combs-Schilling
, Susan Crane, Jonathan Crary, Julie Crawford, Hamid Dabashi, Patricia Dailey, Tom DiPrete, Brent Edwards, Eric Foner, Aaron Fox, Katherine Franke, Victoria de Grazia, Page Fortuna, Steven Gregory, William Harris, Andreas Huyssen, Rashid Khalidi, Alice Kessler-Harris, Marilyn Ivy, Brian Larkin, Lydia Liu, Sylvère Lotringer, Mahmood Mamdani, Peter Marcuse, Reinhold Martin, Mark Mazower, Mary McLeod, Brinkley Messick, Rosalind Morris, Keith Moxey, Frances Negron-Muntaner, Mae Ngai, Bob O'Meally, Neni Panourgia, John Pemberton, Richard Peña, Julie Peters, Pablo Piccato, Sheldon
Pollock
, Elizabeth Povinelli, Wayne Proudfoot, Bruce Robbins, David Rosner, George Saliba, James Schamus, David Scott, Gayatri
Chakravorty Spivak
, Mark Strand, Paul Strohm, Michael Taussig, Kendall
Thomas
, Nadia Urbinati, Marc van de Mieroop, Karen van Dyck, Dorothea von Mücke, Gauri Viswanathan, Gwendolyn Wright

What the above really means:

Academic freedom - The right to teach what we want with the biases we want. The Hell with balance.

University autonomy - The right to remain in our bubble, never facing reality and to remain detached from the world in which we are charged to prepare our students. That world remains unwantable by any "educated" person anyway.

Will no longer compromise these principles or tolerate interference with them - Dear Mr. president, Screw with us and you'll be forced from your cushy job with all of its perks and you'll be lucky to find work at Parsons, if it ever reopens. Love, your lofty minded peers

P.S. Ever mention Bush again, even when speaking of the landscape, and we will purse our tiny blue lips until the breath of our intellect is no more.