“Uzbekistan formally evicted the United States yesterday from a military base that has served as a hub for combat and humanitarian missions to Afghanistan since shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Pentagon and State Department officials said yesterday.”

“Uzbekistan has been widely viewed as an important test for the Bush administration -- and whether the anti-terrorism efforts or promotion of democracy takes priority. "We all knew basically that if we really wanted to keep access to the base, the way to do it was to shut up about democracy and turn a blind eye to the refugees," said the senior official, on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive diplomacy. "We could have saved the base if we had wanted."
(washingtonpost.com)

Once again, a Islamist ally has become a little less friendly when we don’t dance to their tune. This unexpected development happens after we did not turn over approximately 450 refugees. This after we were pressuring them to allow investigators into the alleged killing of 500 Andijan protestors.

The only difference between this one and the others is that it strategically affects our operations in Afghanistan.

Finger points to British intelligence as al-Qaeda websites are wiped out

Over the past fortnight Israeli intelligence agents have noticed something distinctly odd happening on the internet. One by one, Al-Qaeda’s affiliated websites have vanished until only a handful remain, write Uzi Mahnaimi and Alex Pell

“The Israelis detect the hand of British intelligence, determined to torpedo the websites after the London attacks of July 7.” (Times Online)

Well, it seems our friends across the pond have also taken an aggressive stance, and are looking at effective alternative tactics to combat radical Islamists.

Bush took the lead in this war, but as of late seems to have gotten a little lost. While his policy seems to going rudderless, the British have adapted their tactics. I wait to hear more on this one.

France ejects 12 Islamic 'preachers of hate'By Colin Randall in Paris(Filed: 30/07/2005)

Nicolas Sarkozy, the interior minister of France announced that they would expel 12 radical Islamic preachers by mid August. This new stance shows a drastically different trend, not only for France, but for Europe as a whole; which has recently become a haven for Muslim immigrants.

“Those who have assumed French citizenship will not be protected from deportation”, since France already has a section allowing this in their penal code.

The most disturbing part of this is how it relates to a recent story here in the US. A recent post by Always on Watch exposed a story about Michael Graham, a radio talk show host, fired by ABC radio for “inflamitory” remarks about Muslims. CAIR (Council on Islamic-American Relations), a group to have known terrorist ties, threatned the company, and thus, Graham is out of a job... for expressing his First Amendment rights.

We are allowing anti-US orginizations to effect our constitutional rights because they are “offended”, yet France is kicking them out? Something is wrong with that.

This is my first attempt at "Political Humor". In case you can't read it, the jar says "Ideas", and Iraq is under the cloud. Let me know

House Passes Bill Limiting Malpractice Damages
-Yvonne Lee - All Headline News Staff Reporter

“Approved by a vote of 230-194, the measure would cap awards for pain and suffering and, in many cases, punitive damages at $250,000. However, no limits would be placed on damages that provide reimbursement for expenses such as medical bills and lost wages.”

But of course, in the Senate, it is expected that a serious fight from Democrats, who are being supported by attorneys and some consumer advocacy groups, will endanger the bill of passing.

This was a Presidential election issue. Unless you want socialized health care, tort reform must happen. The lawyers that are fighting passage of the bill (including John Edwards) have made millions off of the current system, and would stand to loose a major source of income. Don’t be fooled that they are looking out for your best interests.

Socialized health-care would mean that the inequities of rich and poor would become even more dramatic. As the best doctors, and best medical staff's would gravitate towards private practice, and thus on the rich would be able to afford them.

“WASHINGTON -- A Democratic opponent of John Bolton asked Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday whether the nominee for U.N. ambassador had testified to a grand jury about the leak of CIA operative's identity.” (Washingtonpost.com)


While for all intents and purposes, this is nothing more than a technical error. The last thing they need right now as the President gets ready to recess appoint this guy, is more scandal.

China is building Nukes to counter and maybe even pre-emptive strike the United States if we involve ourselves over Tiwan.

“China's strategy calls for "proactive defense," and senior Chinese Communist Party leaders think that building nuclear arms is the key to countering U.S. power in Asia and other parts of the world, said Chen Yonglin, a diplomat who defected to Australia two months ago.” (Washington Times)

While we pander over partisan politics, the next USSR is building up to confront us. Will we have the money, time, and will to enter into a second Cold War? Will we be able to keep up in a renewed arms race?

Will our nobel sensabilities of liberty, democracy, and freedom fall under the threat of nuclear war with China when they attempt to militarily take back Tiwan?

I have not heard a single leading politician even acknowledge this problem.

“We will sell the rope with which the Capitalists will hang themselves”
-Yoseph Stalin

Judge John Roberts under fire after “unprecedented release” of documents of his time in the Solicitor’s General office were inspected by the Judiciary committee. Senators obviously released key information of these documents they found potentially damaging to liberal activist groups like People for the American Way.

They have begun a public campaign to influence public opinion that Judge Roberts is too conservative, and would roll back many of the “civil rights” victories that they left has enjoyed recently.

Although I understand their apprehension, I do not understand what they base their right on to determine the political agenda of a Supreme Court Justice. When Ruth Bater Ginsberg was nominated, it was well known that many of her personal views were considered very liberal. It was well known that she was former head of the ACLU. Yet she was confirmed by a vote of 93-3.

A Judge does not have to pass a fitness test of political views to be confirmed. A Judge must only be found competent, experienced, and trustworthy that they would dutifully hold up the constitution above all else.

This is what is in the Constitution, this is the tradition of the US Government for more than 230 years. The Judicial nominees of a President are not open to popular vote by the people; they are not dually elected officials. They are APPOINTED by the President. The confirmation hearing is not to see if one party or the other “LIKES” they candidate, it is to make sure the candidate will be a competent judge.

REPORTER VOWS TO 'KILL SELF' IF CHENEY RUNS FOR PRESIDENT

Thu Jul 28 2005 15:32:13 ETVeteran wire reporter Helen Thomas is vowing to 'kill herself' if Dick Cheney announces he is running for president.The newspaper HILL first reported the startling claim on Thursday. MORE"The day Dick Cheney is going to run for president, I'll kill myself," she told the HILL. "All we need is one more liar."Thomas added, "I think he'd like to run, but it would be a sad day for the country if he does." (Drudge Report)

GOP group offers $10K for information leading to conviction (CNN)

While Richard Daley’s administration has been wrought with scandal after scandal, and two of his city hall officials are being charged with illegally offering jobs to politically connected supporters, is this really about “Justice”?

The GOP has long claimed foul politics by the Democratic Party. The “Race Card”, scaring retirees, and dooms-day environmental predictions have been the push button issues used by Democrat’s in most elections.

But today, the GOP has sunk the level they claim to deplore. When a political organization puts out “hit money” to try and get an adversary criminally prosecuted, we have opened a new chapter in dirty politics.

To claim the Democrats are playing foul, you must first set the example. This is a poor decision, and a poor example of what the Right claims politics should be.

Senate pushes NRA bill to the top (Reuters)

Sen. Harry Reid: “But for heaven's sakes, what is more important to this country (than) taking care of our troops, our veterans, their dependents” as he was talking about Republicans moving the "NRA" bill above the Defense bill for immediate debate/vote.

Answere is… Nothing! but the early vote to see if there was enough support to keep out a filibuster was 66-32, not sure, but I think that means some Democrats had to be on board.

Another question. At what point did Sen. Reid suddenly become concerned with pushing legislation through the Senate? He and some close associates have kept the Senate at a standstill over legislation, judicial nominees, and UN candidates because they didn’t like them, and couldn’t stop it. Suddenly Reid worries about priorities?

Washington recasts terror war as 'struggle'(International Herald Tribune)

“Governments do not solve problems, they simply rearrange them.”

-Ronald Reagan

He was a great president, and obviously a very intuitive man.

“TraitorGate”
Some light needs to be shun on this one… From Both Sides. First up. Joe Wilson is the least creditable source of anything regarding this entire story.

“The Senate Intelligence Committee basically found that Joe Wilson lied in the course of his histrionics about his trip to Niger, Africa - searching for yellowcake uranium sales to Iraq. A complete copy can be found HERE.” The report turns a harsh spotlight on what Wilson has said about his role in gathering prewar intelligence, most pointedly by asserting that his wife, CIA employee Valerie Plame, recommended him.

“Former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV, dispatched by the CIA in February 2002 to investigate reports that Iraq sought to reconstitute its nuclear weapons program with uranium from Africa, was specifically recommended for the mission by his wife, a CIA employee, contrary to what he has said publicly. “
So we know he wasn’t sent by the Administration, and we know that his wife wasn’t “Outed” because he defied them. This whole thing came from his wife to begin with. And here is a shocker: Joe and his wife were both on the Kerry campaign, and made donations to the DNC before all of this. So their motives are not as patriotic as some would have us believe.
“The first public mention of Joe Wilson's February 2002 mission to Niger appeared in a May 6, 2003, column by Nicholas D. Kristof in the New York Times. Shortly before, Wilson had met Kristof at a Senate Democratic Policy Committee conference in the capital. As Wilson later recounted to Vanity Fair, he told Kristof about his trip to Niger over breakfast the next morning, and said "Kristof could write about it, but not name him."
Now, in order to believe that Wilson himself didn't leak his wife's involvement in this case, you'd have to believe either that a responsible reporter wouldn't ask any of these questions, or that Wilson somehow wouldn't bring his wife into the answers. Neither scenario flies very well for me.” (RedState.org)


Next up to bat... Rove:
Where did he get this information, when did he learn it, and why was it released?
“Mr. Rove has told investigators that he learned from the columnist the name of the C.I.A. officer, who was referred to by her maiden name, Valerie Plame, and the circumstances in which her husband, former Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV, traveled to Africa to investigate possible uranium sales to Iraq, the person said.” (NY TIMES)

I don’t need any other “sources” here. This is yet another example of government officials treating national security issues as political currency with the Media. The fact is Karl Rove did not commit a “crime” per the law on the books. He did not “knowingly reveal the identity of a currently covert officer”, nor did he “knowingly jeopardize the life of an agent or the success of a mission.”

But even confirming information with potential national security implications is a big “no-no”. A private in the Army with a Secret Security clearance know this. Bush, and Mcclellan know exactly what they ment when they said "... would be taken care of", or "...if anyone commited a crime." Word games are not what is needed here. Law enforcement is. It would not bother me at all to see him, along with these others in a federal penitentiary:

Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Al) blew one of our most important secrets — that we were bugging Osama bin Laden’s cell phone, a fact that could have led to the capture of America’s most wanted terrorist — by bragging about it to a reporter.
Senators — Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), who’s also the ranking Dem on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) who all decided to blab about a highly-classified satellite program to the press.

All of these guys are still “serving” our country. All of them are treasonous, way beyond Rove.
The real problem is, our government officials have adopted an atmosphere of arrogant defiance’s of the law. They pander secrets and gossip to achieve press favor.
Hold them all accountable, not just the ones you don’t like.

Sen. Clinton is in the news again; as I’m sure Republican soap boxers will cry foul media bias over. She was speaking at the Leadership Council with other hopeful’s for the Dem nod in ’08. (AP Mike Glover)

But wait a minute. She may be on to something here. There has been a depressingly long drought of new ideas, innovation, and leadership from the Democratic Party. Far leftist that have hijacked their party has disastrously led them astray. The majority of Democrats do not agree with the extremely liberal agenda put forth by some of the lobbyist groups that currently hold the Donkey’s ear.

She is asking the Democratic Party to “adopt a hard line on national security and back an increase in troop strength…”. While this isn’t a completely foreign idea for the left, it certainly emphasizes the need for a new vision. The anti-war groups that have become an irremovable stain on the Democratic Party’s shirt are too closely associated with the anti-military crowd from Vietnam.

In a time when most of America supports our troops, feel they are doing us all a noble sacrifice, this stance is pushing mainstream voters away from the Left. Sen. Evan Bayh (who seems to be giving early support for Hillary’s nomination) made mention of how important the Midwest is.

This could mean that the Democratic Party will embrace religion, not as an accessory to one’s life, but as a major factor. This change would mean that the Dems would need to create more separation between themselves and the anti-religion crowd (and possibly the ACLU with it).

Republicans are already doing limited campaigning against Hillary, and they should be. If she can drag the Democratic Party (kicking and screaming) back towards the center, she may well play a major hand in saving it. Make no mistake, if she can appeal to moderates (by coming back to center), she will get the nomination, and most probably become the first woman President of the United States.

BEIJING - Six-party nuclear disarmament talks opened Tuesday after a 13-month boycott by North Korea, and the communist nation's envoy said his country was ready to work on eliminating atomic weapons from the Korean Peninsula. (Yahoo)

Here we go again with another round of misguided and ineffective negotiations with the ultimate spoiled child of the world. The best policy with North Korea would be simply ignoring them. Their economy will collapse, and the country will dissolve without the enormous amount of aid from the West. The Nuclear talks have only come back to the table because they can’t sell any of their weapons right now, and the need some more money, food, and resources from us.

CHICAGO (CNN) - The Teamsters and the Service Employees International Union voted Monday to withdraw from the AFL-CIO. (CNN)
The last throes of Union seem to be approaching. This could be a serious blow to the Democratic Party’s fund raising efforts. While there will still be a major organized labor movement in America for the foreseeable future, this division represents many of the things that are wrong with Unions today.
As outsourcing becomes a problem, Unions continue to seal their own fate by demanding ridiculously high wages for menial jobs. In a younger workforce that relishes the idea of the competitive workforce. The mediocrity encouraged by Union style job security is slowly making them obsolete. The dying industries in this country are heavily unionized. The connection cannot be mere coincidence.

A journalist has broken ranks and called his kin out for what they are. William Rusher has put out an excellent article, giving a glimpse into what the dubious world of journalism is all about. Read it HERE.
Good coincidence that I just posted about this recently. Proves the point that you shouldn’t believe everything you read, especially if you get your information from only one source

So I check two websites today for some news.

Fox News has this headline:

LONDON — London police have three suspects in custody after last week's failed terrorist strikes but say they are looking for many more because investigators now believe a wide network of Al Qaeda-linked operatives staged the attacks. (Fox News)

CNN has this headline:

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The family of a Brazilian man shot dead by armed police officers at a London subway station say they are considering legal action. (CNN)

Why post this? Well here is the problem. We have a behind the scenes political war going on in our media outlets. Two sides are fighting to put their spin on current events. Problem is, these are the news outlets that we use to get the FACTS!
I feel confident enough to make up my own decision, I don’t need CNN telling me the most important thing is that the Cops killed an innocent man (nevermind that the current climate lead up to this, and they should be vindicated of any wrong-doing). I also don’t need Fox News telling me that the most important thing is that the attacks were linked to Al Qaeda (Well Duh! And never mind that the cops shot someone… Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda!)
Give me facts, no spin, no politics. When our journalists take sides, we all lose.

The real Problem with our country right now is that the Right is the only one giving us tangible ideas about where they want to take the country. There was a time when both sides offered something to the people, and the marketplace of ideas was alive and well.

Today sadly though, the Left has deserted the majority of “Average America”. They rant on about global warming, Civil Liberties (i.e., taking “Under God” from the pledge), and constant black helicopter theories about what the “Evil” Bush administration is doing now.

I would much rather see something of value come out of their mouth. How about VIABLE alternatives to such pressing issues as:

Social Security Reform (not tax increases like most of the left likes)

Welfare Reform (it’s a “Commie Share-Fest” now, get the dependency out of the system)

Border Security (Even Bush can’t seem to grasp this is important)

Long Term National Security against China (Everyone forgets our Socialist Brothers)

War on Terrorism (Dems don’t like Iraq, ok, what else can we do? Give me something else to think about as a potential solution)

Instead, all we get is rants, raves, propaganda, and flat out lies to try and tear down their competition.

Call me crazy, but I want to save the planet, and keep my job. I want to fight terrorism, AND fight Hunger. I want to Stop China now, And keep our markets open.

But no one gives me an alternative to what is coming out of the RNC now. Then ask why the Right is currently taking the country away from the Democrats…

The Democratic Party and the Republican Party have both become too caught up in the Washington Power Struggle. This occurs to me as Senators and administration officials trade political barbs back and forth over inconsequential things.

The current spin machine out there is Democrat’s call for Karl Rove to step down.
Here is my two cents on this whole thing. Rove was simply confirming information brought up to him by the press. I think their goal wasn’t to try and intimidate Wilson, or get revenge. I think it was an effort to try and get it out there that Joe Wilson went on a trip to Niger, on his wife’s suggestion, and then came back with no conclusive evidence. Joe Wilson did however wait until the ’04 Presidential campaign started to suddenly become “outraged” at the claims made earlier, much earlier during the State of the Union Address.

At the same time, I believe that President Bush had no clue about what was going on. I put forth that the people involved (which in my mind include Dick Cheney) kept him purposely out of the loop for “Plausible Deniability”.

I think that Rove committed no “crime” as a lawyer would see it. However, Rove, along with other countless politicians in Washington but better judgment, national security, and National Image aside to reach a narrow political goal.

As far as asking him to step down, or Bush to “fire” him… Won’t happen. Bill Clinton didn’t step down, Nixon didn’t step down (until it was certain that he was about to be criminally prosecuted), an neither have countless other political weasels.

As the left suddenly finds it “morality” and tries to scream treason at Rove, they would be wise to remember their own faults (i.e., Berger, Lewinsky, Whitewater…). This administration has been shockingly absent of any internal scandals until now. The left needs to quit acting like this is the worst thing since the Japanese internment camps in WWII, and the Right needs to quit trying to circle the wagons around a screw up.

As we Americans fight over Rove or Sandy Berger, Iraq right or wrong, and Social Security, needed change, or smoke screen campaign, China is sneaking up on us.

Max Boot for the LA Times has an excellent article that is a must read on “China’s Stealth War”.

As they are becoming a major world power, their military has the headlines right now. What isn’t getting the needed attention is the other facets of Chinese encroachment on our National security.

Right now, the Politburo for the PRC is rolling over laughing at the political warfare that is destroying the solidarity of our country. They are rubbing their hands together in anticipation as we extend our selves ever further, and stretch our already strained relations in the world over a foe, that given enough time, will kill itself off anyway (Islam).

If you doubt that China is gunning for us, look at the recent headlines about their economic grabs at the US economy, and how their military forces are developing direct counter-US forces. They have slowly crept into our bedroom, and now the Right and the Left leadership of our country is in bed, sleeping with the enemy.

If we demand it, our soulless media, and then the politicians will actually turn their attention towards this problem, instead of ignoring it until it is too late.

"SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt (AP) - Egypt's president vowed Saturday to hunt down terrorists who unleashed a rapid series of car bombs and another blast in this Egyptian Red Sea resort, devastating a luxury hotel and a coffee shop and killing at least 88 people in the nation's deadliest terror attack." (Myway.com)

Right…. And I have some ocean front real estate to sell you in South Dakota. This is another example of how brutal and how uncivilized the Islamic enemy is. They don’t care who they kill. Other Muslims? They don’t care. These people are in a never ending struggle to kill of anyone that may oppose their particular take on the Koran. Again, why do we have people in this country that complain about how we treat enemy combatants at “Club Gitmo”, when these same people would gladly mass murder men, woman, children, Christian, Jew, Muslim…

You get the point. Yet still, the “western” countries continue to goose-step around their own civil liberties and political correctness to the point that even we, the American People, don’t know what is wrong and what is right. And Sharm El-Sheik, you need to quit producint terrorist before you can "hunt them down"

Get a grip.

"NEW YORK -- The American Civil Liberties Union accused the government Friday of putting another legal roadblock in the way of its bid to allow the public to see photographs and videos stemming from the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal." (washingtonpost.com).

Wow. Instead of spending millions on investigating Rove, why don’t we spend a couple of bucks on investigating the leadership and funding of the ACLU. These guys are consistently acting like traitors to this country. They hide under the laws and principles that make our country great, yet do everything they can to undermine our goals, and our position in the world.

What purpose would exposing more pictures and/or video of Abu Ghraib prison serve? For our country; nothing. It serves plenty for the enemies of this country. So who exactly is the ACLU trying to help?

Sixty years ago, this would have been called Sedition. Now it’s called "Civil Rights". Give me a break, they make me sick.

Friday London police officials chased and shot dead a man in the subway systems. Now they say it was a mistake, and that he was an innocent Brazilian
National, who was on his way to work.

Two things here:
A.) This guy was being followed after he left a house connected with the attacks the previous day. He was wearing a bulky jacket on a summer day, and when the police approached him, he runs towards the subway. This sounds strikingly like what a possible bomber would act like when they think they are about to get caught. I don’t buy that he wasn’t connected in any way, and I don’t buy that his intentions were either innocent, or unconnected to rash of recent Islamic terrorism in London.
B.) The British police are making now, not when they shot this guy. They should have waited until they could be absolutely sure that there was no connection, and they have not made enough of a comment on this guy’s behavior. The tap-dance statement they made about the “tragedy” in the loss of life will only prove to the terrorist they are battling that their resolve to take the necessary measures is fragile at best.
Come on London, once you were ruthless enough to rule half of the globe. Don’t be so wrapped up in political correctness that you will allow the savage enemy you face to beat you with your own rules.

Mayor Bloomberg announces random bag searches in NYC subway systems. “They should have done this a long time ago…” says one commuter (apnews.myway.com), while the ACLU is gearing up to fight it.

Is this a violation of civil liberties, or a necessary step in protecting public transportation?

If you ask local immigrant rights activist Tony Lu, you will see he designed t-shirts bearing the text, "i do not consent to being searched." The minimalist protest-wear can be purchased here, in various styles and sizes. (Full story at villagevoice.com)
At what point will our friends on the far left wake up? This same guy would be screaming about how the city and country didn’t do enough to protect him when a bomb went off!

A prominent Muslim Cleric in London today proclaims, “…I would like to see all of the world under and Islamic flag…” (-Washingtonpost.com)

This is after he announced that the attacks in London would continue until the British troops were pulled from Iraq.
At what point will London’s Mayor stop blaming his own country and start blaming the true enemy?

Right, Left, Center; Whatever... how about American? We hear all day long about how Bush has lied, about how Dean is politicizing the war, Rove leaked, and Hillary hid documents; but still things are getting worse. First let’s cover a couple of things:

1. We are in a war, a global war.

“Christians in the eleventh century were not paranoid fanatics. Muslims really were gunning for them. While Muslims can be peaceful, Islam was born in war and grew the same way. From the time of Mohammed, the means of Muslim expansion was always the sword. Muslim thought divides the world into two spheres, the Abode of Islam and the Abode of War. Christianity—and for that matter any other non-Muslim religion—has no abode. Christians and Jews can be tolerated within a Muslim state under Muslim rule. But, in traditional Islam, Christian and Jewish states must be destroyed and their lands conquered. When Mohammed was waging war against Mecca in the seventh century, Christianity was the dominant religion of power and wealth. As the faith of the Roman Empire, it spanned the entire Mediterranean, including the Middle East, where it was born. The Christian world, therefore, was a prime target for the earliest caliphs, and it would remain so for Muslim leaders for the next thousand years.”
-Thomas F. Madden (The Real History of the Crusades)

2. We must either win, or lose.

There is no room for Middle Ground, in the way Muslims, and in fact all of Islam is taught that we “non-believers” must be either converted, or killed. The Koran tells Muslims that they must do this to please their God. True Muslims believe this, and attempt to carry it out.

Just as Christianity lays down rules and obligations, so does Islam. Just as true followers and believers of Christ should not drink, smoke, engage in pre-marital sex, use the Lord’s name in vain, or any other plethora of rules; Islam teaches that among other things, infidels must be converted or killed. Not all Christians follow the rules of their religion strictly. Not all Muslims follow the rules of their religion strictly.

True Muslims, the ones that believe they will be invited to paradise, believe they must fight for Allah, Just as true Christians feel you must follow the commandments to go to heaven. If you don’t believe in Allah, or follow Muhammad, they feel you must either convert or be killed.

Here is the crucial difference: In the western world (yes Europe, you are included here too), Christianity is the most influential and dominate religion. However, as Christians, we have an advantage. Our religion teaches that that Christ died for our sins. Therefore, we have forgiveness for our sins. Muslims do not. Their religion teaches them that a single sin is enough to be denied paradise. This is where their fanatical drive to please Allah comes from. To them, to kill oneself at a young age is to ensure entry into paradise.

3. It will get worse until it gets better.

Muslims will continue to get emboldened until the Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and even Atheist societies unite in a common goal. We are seeing history repeat itself. In the 11th Century, Islam was trying to stomp the world under its heel. The Crusades scattered and crushed that movement. One thousand years later, we are here again, where Islam is jealous of what we have, and wants it. Islam is trying to do what Mohammed tried before, to conquer and rule by force. They have no traditional armies this time, but war is still war.

Right, Left, Center… It doesn’t Matter.
Whether you are politically right, left or center, it doesn’t matter to them. Your problem isn’t your politics in their eyes. It is your absence of belief in Allah, and in Mohammed. Unless you plan on converting, and I don’t mean just in name; expect to be targeted as an enemy combatant. We have already seen around the world that anyone is fair game.

NOT AN ACTUAL POST, Click HERE TO RETURN TO HOME PAGE





Actually Posted on 10-18-05 (My Comments in RED, Pia's in GREEN)

1. You’re doing something right if you irritated someone that much.
Besides that, it’s only an opinion, and it’s obviously a wrong one.
It’s just someone who actually thinks their opinon is important in the scheme of things.
You are a writer now though so you had better get used to critism, I hear it comes in all forms and is often very very ugly; but if you’re a writer you can’t take offense at it.
You Carry On.
;)
Comment by cooper — 10/18/2005 @ 9:54 am

2. Alot of times we tear things down simply because we wish we could be them, or as good as them.
You do what you do. The people who like what they see here will always outnumber the others.
So invite as many men to your apartment as you please, write about it all, and leave no regrets. [salute]
Comment by dan — 10/18/2005 @ 10:19 am

3. It WAS a personal attack, and a pointless, badly expressed one at that. As Cooper says, you must be doing *something* right .
Comment by Ally — 10/18/2005 @ 4:08 pm

4. You know, it almost sounds like this person was carrying around some kind of festering rant in their head and just happened to be on your site when it spilled out. (Lucky you.)
Not much different from being accosted by a random loonie while sitting at a bus stop.
Comment by Joe Snitty — 10/18/2005 @ 5:04 pm

5. I am sorry if I came off as judgmental in any way. I do not (nor would I) presume to judge you in any way, especially from the limited exposure I had to you from that post alone. I have read your blog before, not often, but occasionally.
I will revisit it again though. Please do not take what I said as any personal attack on how YOU as a person are. It was intended as nothing more than a reaction to the post, not you as a person. I hardly conceder myself qualified to make any judgments on you, or your life in general. I have no doubt you are a fine person. Please again understand I was only trying to express my opinion and reaction to that post, not in any way on you.
I would however like to make a couple of corrections to some of your assumptions about me. I am not a member of the “radical right”, nor do I consider myself grandiose. I do get a bit too vain and/or prideful occasionally, but usually something specific comes in and keeps me in check. As far as your morals go, I cannot begin to express to you the absolute lack of authority I feel to pass out any attempt at judgment on that. I have done my share of things that I now look on as reprehensible. I do not attempt to stand on any high ground.
Your post elicited my reaction, only because it expressed something very common in today’s society. But I contend this:
(more)
Comment by G — 10/18/2005 @ 5:14 pm

6. To postulate the value, and even the existence of “morals” would mean that the perception of right and wrong are nothing more than fuzzy lines that can occasionally be crossed. If this is the way you truly feel (“I’ll ask one more time, what the hell are moral values? It’s a redundant phrase that’s not even a fun oxymoron.”), then does this same sentiment bleed over into all facets of your life? Does thievery, rape, murder, incest, etc all become things that are potentially ok, depending on the situation? I see this as the expression of “moral relativism.” Yes, that term is often used by the “radical right”, but they use it as a weapon, I consider it a very encompassing explanation.
For simplicities sake, let me apply my point to the face of politics. We will use Bush and Clinton, since both appear to be “hot-button” issues. While I personally believe that Mr. Clinton did nothing for “the greater good”, I do believe he accomplished some good things. I myself had a time when I was on the WIC program that was his initiative. However, this does not mean that I can think he is a good man. It has nothing to do with his affair(s). It has everything to do with the repeated lying and deceit to continue the “song and dance”. All this has to do with one central fact. You (as I have read) feel honestly that members of the current administration should be held legally accountable for their (real or imagined) wrongs. You feel Bush should be held accountable for “lies”, and that Cheney, Rove, and probably others have committed convictable crimes. Yet, you obviously excuse these same actions by both Mr. and Mrs. Clinton.
Moral relativism.
A lie is a lie. Stealing is stealing. If you lie to a little boy that his mother is possibly dead (before you know for sure), it is not something you are doing with the purpose of sin. If you steal food to feed your starving family, it is not done with the purpose of sin. These are, and always will be, forgivable acts.
But if you lie, solely for the self-serving purpose of maintaining an image you have falsely propped up… is that not wrong by anyone’s moral standard? You obviously have a moral standard, as you consistently hold Mr. Bush to it. Why then, because you “like” someone else, will you not hold them to the same standard? This mentality is what I feel (my own personal opinion, open for debate, and/or criticism) has slowly degraded the fabrics of our society. We have become increasingly more acceptant of deviant and “wrong” behaviors, simply for the political, social, and fiscal expediency it affords us. The political right and left, the “rich” and “poor”, the black and the white people ALL do it.
We excuse wrong actions, and wrong behaviors of people or causes we support. This has blurred the lines of what “morals” and “values” actually are. It has let them slip from being a hard line in the sand, to nothing more than a high and low tide mark, with our own fallible selves being the chooser.
P.S. the “perception of purpose” is understanding what you are here for. We all have a specific reason for being on this earth. The perception (or lack there of), is understanding WHY. The answer does not have to come down to the specifics, but instead, I think it is more of a general guidance. I feel, for the “here and now”, I am here to raise my children and support my wife. But I do not have the nagging hunger and longing to find my reason anymore. I don’t still search for the “meaning of life”. I’ve found it, at least the part of it I was supposed to. That is what I meant. It wasn’t supposed to be an ambiguous phrase, sorry.
Comment by G — 10/18/2005 @ 5:15 pm

7. “g” visited my blog and questioned me on how I found him acid and offensive. I opted to delete his comment and refrain from arguing with him. I have learned the hard way that people who disguise their venom in apologies and supposed innocence are even more malicious than their forthright counterparts. People like him thrive on making people react to them. I won’t entertain him at my blog.
Comment by Lisa — 10/18/2005 @ 7:44 pm

8. actually lisa, I was just gunning for an answer. Instead, you offered more accusation. Who is dripping venom under the guise of polite?
I was not planning on comming back to your blog, I was hoping to get something out of you besides this essential acceptance of no creditability to your statements.
Comment by G — 10/18/2005 @ 7:48 pm

9. if you’re not familiar with my work how do you know what standards I consistently hold Bush to?
I am a proud moral relativist. I look for guidance through many sources; I don’t feel the need to explain or clarify for you. If you comment again you will be deleted. If you attempt to comment again you will be blocked.
This is my personal blog; I am entitled to write whatever I want to.
While I think your questions might have some validity you should have asked them in your first comment. I might have enjoyed answering them. But your first comment was so nasty I can’t take you seriously
Thanks Lisa, Dan, Cooper, Ally for the back up.
The funny thing was my first thought when I woke up this morning was “have to delete that post,” too nasty
You are very much dripping venom under the guise of polite; Lisa was sticking up for me, and I won’t have my friends subjected to your very exclusionary morals
Comment by Pia — 10/18/2005 @ 8:34 pm

10. Unbelievable… utterly unbelievable. To close yourself to the debate of ideas is to ensure yourself exclusive ignorance.
I wont try to come back, and if you delete them, so be it. But think of a couple things first.
1. You put this on the public forum for a reason, and surely it wasnt so you could only find people who agree with you.
2. If the first sign of disagreement makes you this defensive and insulted, perhaps there are more to my questions and statements than you would like to admit?
Dont worry, I wont come back again, and you dont have to worry about detelting my comments. I have a copy, and will see if I can get some friends in on this one.
Comment by G — 10/18/2005 @ 8:40 pm

NOT AN ACTUAL POST, Click HERE TO RETURN TO HOME PAGE


Actual Post Date: 10-18-05 (My comments in RED)


1. ha haI just posted someting in regard to that.You can read it next week.
You don’t have to post comments in other people blogs for them to read yours.I comment in others blogs because i can’t stop. lol Have an excellent time off…hell take as long as you want or as long as you can stand.
sleazy psychologist…ewww
Comment by coooooper — 10/16/2005 @ 11:28 am

2. Funny you should mention it, but I was just talking with a friend the other day about how in college you could seem to work two jobs, go to school, and “hang out” with your friends for hours on end. And watch all your TV shows, and do all your errands, and….
Does time speed up or do we slow down as we grow older? Interesting question.
Comment by dan — 10/16/2005 @ 10:06 pm

3. I have no idea why but this post reminded me of that Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac song “Sweet Girl”. I guess whenever I think of a middle aged woman with no children and no husband who is still out there kicking ass, looking good and loving life I think of Stevie. She could’ve gone the normal route but instead “chose to dance across the stages of the world”. Not a bad life.
Comment by BeckEye — 10/17/2005 @ 5:43 am

4. This story is full of flavor. Unbelievable about that psychologist. Variety, spicy.
Comment by digibrill — 10/17/2005 @ 6:22 am

5. Don’t you just hate it when people tell you to “act your age” or “you’re too old to wear that”? I plan to keep doing what I want for as long as I can. I’ll be 50 next mont and I’m just getting better.
Comment by Junebugg — 10/17/2005 @ 10:07 am

6. I LOVE tipsy posts. they’re the best.isn’t there a saying about age and knowing no age or was that love…ive got a terribly flu and talking nonsense heh
Comment by trine — 10/17/2005 @ 3:14 pm

7. And then came menopause…..a perfect time for glittery socks.
Sue RIchards
Comment by Sue Richards — 10/17/2005 @ 7:43 pm

8. When you were 30 everybody was getting married or remarried; you were living with Zachary and wouldn’t keep knives in the house for fear that you would use it on him.…………………………….Why?
Great description of your characters. They are real to me as they were in your life and you can actually picture them as your words capture them heart and soul.
But, I am wondering if you are going to put them together in the book.
I believe you have enough classic romantic and nostalgic narrative posts to make a book of over 500 pages and good enough for next summer.
May be you have not noticed the fact that the way you described all the people you have mentioned so far showed how much you appreciated them beyond the face value.
I try to study each one from your words.
You are doing a lot for the preservation of the culture of NY in your chronicles. Because, people will read your diaries and learn a lot about the life in NY during the period recorded in your diaries.
Americans will love your book.
I wish you all the best.
Comment by EKENYERENGOZI MICHAEL CHIMA — 10/17/2005 @ 8:18 pm

9. I’m a boomer. When I was 30, I could stay up all hours of the day, but, 20 some years later, I don’t want to do that any more. Come to think of it, I don’t even have the hair I had back then.
Comment by Marinade Dave — 10/17/2005 @ 10:06 pm

10. I felt like I was reading a great book. I’m not yet thirty, and it really is great insight into the lives of the generation before mine. Thanks for posting it, glad you did it!
Comment by Daedalus — 10/17/2005 @ 10:21 pm

11. To me, with absolutely no insult meant, this is a pure example of unadulterated, core level, putrid self serving, selfishness.
Excellent writing, and excellent style, but the content… just made me sick for the lack of anything near a perception of purpose. Everything described showcased a “me only, and me first” mentality, totally devoid of a calling or devotion. Being satisfied with a life is not anything near being happy with YOUR life. We all have a purpose, and it usually has nothing to do with ourselves. This entire saga screams of everlasting retreat from that purpose, and a constant struggle to satiate the desire for self indulgence so prevalent in the “baby boomer” generation. It has become habit, and even chic to glorify the complete lack of drive and disconnectedness that have plagued the offspring of “The Greatest Generation”.
Again, please do not take anything I have said as a personal attack or a direct assault on anyone. I simply tired to express my initial reaction to the piece.
Comment by G — 10/17/2005 @ 10:32 pm

12. i’ve been thinking about the whole notion of time passing lately. i remember when i was a little kid and my parents would take me to parties they went to and put me to bed while they partied with their other young friends in the other room. now, we have parties sometimes and sometimes our friends bring their young kids and put them to bed in the other room.
Comment by Lisa — 10/18/2005 @ 1:05 am

13. ps- don’t bother visiting “G”’s site. This person has a post criticizing Hillary Clinton for being “friendly” to gay people.It would almost be funny if it wasn’t so tragically bigoted.
Comment by Lisa — 10/18/2005 @ 1:11 am

14. Wonderful piece of writing, I laughed outloud at the glitter sock emergency .
Comment by Ally — 10/18/2005 @ 2:14 am

15. G, your comment could have used some editing to not be personal. If you read Pia enough there’s a lot of purpose but also personality. I think there are plenty of manifestos around.
Comment by Doug — 10/18/2005 @ 2:19 am

16. Lisa: If you want to keep people from my site, I really do ask that you not use fictional accounts or skewed views of a post to do it. That post didnt make fun of Hillary for being nice to gay people. It made fun of Hillary for jumping back and forth as she gears up for the Presidential election. Once minute, she is in India, saying how she understands the outsourcing of jobs, the next she is in Anwar crying about the horror it would be to drill there.
Then she is supporting the war on terror, but quickly going back over and doing something to look friendly to the gay community.
It isnt any one of the acts that are funny, it the combination. I know you probably went to my site, then looked for that “One” you could use as a quick weapon… but please, my opinions are plenty open for attack without you twisting the meaning around to fit your purposes.
Doug, I agree with you. I emailed Pia back (she emailed me essentially the same thing), and expressed that my intention was not to attack her, but the post. I have carried this over to her new post, regarding my comment.
Comment by G — 10/18/2005 @ 5:24 pm

NOT AN ACTUAL POST, Click HERE TO RETURN TO HOME PAGE



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4417024.stm

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9175.htm
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9307.htm
http://aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_service/middle_east_full_story.asp?service_id=5875
http://usinfo.state.gov/media/Archive_Index/Illegal_Weapons_in_Fallujah.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2003/030810-napalm-iraq01.htm
http://sill-www.army.mil/FAMAG/Previous_Editions/05/mar-apr05/PAGE24-30.pdf
http://insomnia.livejournal.com/
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/08/1060145828249.html?oneclick=true