In the Middle of America: September 2005

Friday, September 30, 2005

Egotism (As Defined by President Chavez)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - The United States is not planning to invade Venezuela, the U.S. ambassador to Venezuela said Thursday, disputing claims by President Hugo Chavez.
Chavez has said his government has documents showing Washington has a "Plan Balboa" to invade his oil-producing countrywide aircraft carriers and planes. He said Venezuela is preparing to repel any attack. "No 'Plan Balboa' exists," Ambassador William Brownfield said.

News Flash: The Untied States Military has contingency plans for EVERY nation in the world. Mr. Chavez would like to think we have a SPECIAL plan, just for him. However, this isn’t true. Thanks for the oil deals President Chavez, and I am sorry about Mr. Robertson’s comments, but you are beginning to sound somewhat like another communist leader we all know as “Dear Leader”.

4:01 PM | Permalink |

Israel Tells US and EU We Should Act on Iran Before They Do

(Washington Times) The United States and its allies must act to stop Iran's nuclear programs -- by force if necessary -- because conventional diplomacy will not work, three senior Israeli lawmakers from across the political spectrum warned yesterday. As a last resort, they said, Israel itself would act unilaterally to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear arms. […] "We feel we are obliged to warn our friends that Israel should not be pushed into a situation where we see no other solution but to act unilaterally" against Iran, he said.

So Isreal wants us to threaten and/or take military action against Iran, so they don’t have to? At what point did Israel confuse our support for them as us being their errand boy? I don’t think the United States needs to anger anyone else (including our own peoeple) just to suit the desires of Right Wing party members in Israel.

8:31 AM | Permalink |

White House Racism… From a Black Cabinet Member?

(Washington Times) A Bush Cabinet officer (Alphonso R. Jackson, secretary of housing and urban development,) predicted this week that New Orleans likely will never again be a majority black city, and several black officials are outraged.

Mr. Jackson, a former developer and longtime government housing official, said the history of urban reconstruction projects shows that most blacks will not return and others who want to might not have the means or opportunity. His agency will play a critical role in the city's redevelopment through various grant programs, including those for damaged or destroyed properties.

And of course:

Rep. Danny K. Davis, Illinois Democrat and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, quickly took issue […] Other members of the caucus said the comments by Mr. Jackson, who is black, could be misconstrued as a goal, particularly considering his position of responsibility in the administration.

To see what the real worry is:

Two weeks after Katrina, the Congressional Black Caucus issued an eight-point action plan that calls for residents to get the first right of return to the area, that New Orleans residents get first choice of construction jobs and rebuilding contracts and that voting rights be protected.

Why is it, that even a black man cannot not state the obvious if it specifies black people in any way, with out the activist groups immediately raising their hackels. To act like there are not some obvious corrilations that can be made by statistics involving race is to deny reality. Is this more of the “Reality Based Community?” But then again, I think we know this more about the votes that might be lost/gained in that area.

8:13 AM | Permalink |

Earle Wants More than Just 15 Minutes of Fame

(National Review) For the last two years, as he pursued the investigation that led to Wednesday's indictment of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, Travis County, Texas prosecutor Ronnie Earle has given a film crew "extraordinary access" to make a motion picture about his work on the case.

Apparently The resulting film is called The Big Buy, made by Texas filmmakers Mark Birnbaum and Jim Schermbeck, and is about Tom DeLay. It is a Texas noir political detective story that chronicles what some are calling a 'bloodless coup with corporate cash.

Apparently, they tried to get interviews and such with DeLay, but have not been granted any time. However, Earle has been a bit more “generous” with his time. Whether DeLay is guilty or not, this is starting to look a bit like the story of a Glory Hound looking for his cash-cow.

7:01 AM | Permalink |

Next on “Culture of Corruption Daily”, Sen. Harry Ried

WASHINGTON (Review Journal.com) -- The money that led to the indictment this week of two Las Vegas pastors and the wife of one of them came from federal grants arranged by Sen. Harry Reid in September 2001, a Reid spokeswoman said Wednesday.
Moving to distance Reid from a possible scandal, aide Tessa Hafen said the senator sought the money on behalf of a nonprofit social services agency and not for the churches or persons who have been accused of mishandling the money.

So Ried didn’t know these people or have any involvement with the church?

A Reid relationship with the Second Baptist Church surfaced in 1997, when the senator donated $250 to the church where Davis was and still is pastor. […] At about the same time, Reid donated another $250 from Huang to the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Las Vegas. […]Reid has attended services at the Second Baptist Church "about three or four times" since 1997, Hafen said.

Uh oh, maybe things are not as squeaky clean as he’d hoped. I find a couple of things interesting. One, that a white male is donating money to two different predominately black churches (not making any assumptions, but noting the irregularity). And Two; that these same churches then received rather large grants, totaling $330,000 (intended for halfway houses and prison inmates), and another $ 423,000 (for Alliance Collegiums Association of Nevada board of directors, of which this Pastor was president of).

Will Nancy Pelosi, Howard Dean, and other Democratic Leaders denounce this as yet more examples of the “culture of corruption” they seem too worried about with DeLay?

5:34 AM | Permalink |

UN Wants US to Give Up Internet Control (But We Invented It, So How About NO?)

GENEVA (AP)- A senior U.S. official rejected calls on Thursday for a U.N. body to take over control of the main computers that direct traffic on the Internet, reiterating U.S. intentions to keep its historical role as the medium's principal overseer. [...] Many countries, particularly developing ones, have become increasingly concerned about the U.S. control, which stems from the country's role in creating the Internet as a Pentagon project and funding much of its early development.

Now the crux of the situation:

Some negotiators from other countries said there was a growing sense that a compromise had to be reached and that no single country ought to be the ultimate authority over such a vital part of the global economy. Some countries have been frustrated that the United States and European countries that got on the Internet first gobbled up most of the available addresses required for computers to connect, leaving developing nations with a limited supply to share. (Read: It's not fair!)

And finally some true sentiment:

They also want greater assurance that as they come to rely on the Internet more for governmental and other services, their plans won't get derailed by some future U.S. policy.

Once again, the world is saying “Thanks for making something so crucial, not give it up so we don’t have to keep paying homage to you. We don’t care if you invented it, let go of control and let the “world body” run things… Um, how about NO?

5:33 AM | Permalink |

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Like it or Lump it, This is Our Chief Justice, (Was it Worth Fighting Over?)

Chief Justice John Roberts

(Breitbart.com) The 50-year-old Roberts was sworn in a little more than three hours after he was confirmed by the Senate on a vote of 78-22. The oath was delivered by Justice John Paul Stevens, the court's senior member and acting chief justice since Rehnquist's death early this month. […] Roberts spoke briefly, saying that the bipartisan vote for his nomination was "confirmation of what is for me a bedrock principle, that judging is different from politics."

The vote split Senate Democrats: 22 voted for and 22 voted against. The Senate's lone independent, James Jeffords of Vermont, also voted to confirm Roberts

The Republicans voted almost unanimously to confirm Clinton's nominee, Ruth Bater Ginsburg. She was at one time a regional head of the ACLU. Since then, they have taken the House, the Senate, and the White House. There might be something there to taking the high road.

If Bush puts up a woman or a minority… or a Minority Woman, how will the Democrats vote then? I think it bears looking into that already, without a nomination in place, Left leadership is already saying nominees “would be met by substantial opposition in the Senate” (Senator Harry Reid), yet they are supposed to be THE party of minority and woman’s rights?

6:51 PM | Permalink |

Judith Miller to Testify! (Maybe Some Clarity In this Political Fog?)

WASHINGTON (AP) - After nearly three months behind bars, New York Times reporter Judith Miller was released Thursday after agreeing to testify in the investigation into the disclosure of the identity of a covert CIA officer.

"My source has now voluntarily and personally released me from my promise of confidentiality regarding our conversations," Miller said in a statement.

Investigators have said they already know who Miller’s source was, but maybe now with testimony, they can actually take legal action. The only thing that seems funny, is if the person who was her source could now be in trouble… why would they giver her a waiver to divulge his/her identity? Does anyone else find this entire thing just a bit off?

6:28 PM | Permalink |

Buying Into China is All the Rage

(Brietbart) General Electric Co. plans to buy a 7 percent stake in China's Shenzhen Development Bank in the latest foreign strategic investment in China's increasingly competitive banking market, reports said Thursday. China limits total foreign investment in any single bank to under 25 percent. The GE purchase would put the total foreign stakes in the bank at about that limit.

But not here in America. We can sellout our entire country to a foreign investor. Pretty soon, we will be stuck where our Red Friend owns enough of our economy to run it, while we own just enough of theirs to depend on it. Who wins in that situation?

9:15 AM | Permalink |

Big Easy Getting Big and Greedy (Big Bucks? Bring Out The Hounds)

(AP) A month after Hurricane Katrina roared in, political leaders are taking their first steps toward rebuilding New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region, but they are heading off in different — and possibly conflicting — directions.

I read this as: With potentially $250 BILLION on the table, everyone wants to be holding the purse strings.

Mayor Ray Nagin has appointed 18 local leaders — racially balanced, with Hispanic and Vietnamese representation — to a new Commission for the Future of New Orleans, said prominent developer Joseph Canizaro, who is on the commission.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco is rumored to be exploring her own panel on rebuilding, several business leaders said. Her administration is gathering input from officials in the state and beyond, but no group has been formed yet, said Michael Olivier, the state's economic development director.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, a Republican who represents New Orleans suburbs, suggested a public-private redevelopment authority that can integrate federal support with local needs.

There is a host of others of course too. With the government cash cow stepping in, and no-bid contracts being handed out… everyone is looking to score.

8:43 AM | Permalink |

China Governmental Corruption Rampant? Say It Ain’t So!

BEIJING (Brietbart) - An investigation by China's state auditors released on Thursday has found rampant financial irregularities throughout government and said corruption in public administration is widespread. The report found budget mismanagement in no less than 32 government ministries and departments, and was equally critical of the Finance Ministry and the National Development and Reform Commission, the two main bodies that disseminate cash.

This is what a government void of accountability to its people will end up with. The wonders of communism abound!

8:31 AM | Permalink |

See! Look! Dems Do It Too! (Corrupt Politicians Club Open Registration)

NEW YORK (AP) - The longtime leader of the influential but weakening Brooklyn Democratic Party has been convicted of mishandling campaign contributions in the first of four cases stemming from a wide-ranging probe of judicial corruption.

Ok, so does this mean that Frist and DeLay are potentially any less guilty? Nope, it just means that the letter in front of a name (R or D) does not exclude them from the “corrupt politician” club. While the left is going to scream “crooks and liars”, I would just like them to keep things in perspective before they go off the deep end.

8:02 AM | Permalink |

Islam and the West… It’s A Real Love-Hate Relationship

GAZA CITY (Knight Ridder), Gaza Strip - The wanna-be gangsta boys arrive in baggy jeans and oversized T-shirts bearing the likeness of rapper Tupac Shakur, looking for a chance to freestyle with the night's star performers. The groupie girls in glittery tops throw their hands in the air, cheering on the breakdancers, when the hip-hop party is brought to a screeching halt:

“Stop… Prayer Time!”

Across the Gaza Strip, West Bank and even in Israel, young Arabic rappers are trying to juggle Middle East traditions with contemporary Western culture

That’s right, they hate us for everything we are, but they try to be everything we seem to be.

How is that for paradox?

7:33 AM | Permalink |

Comments Updated to Haloscan

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog. This means that any comments you previously posted are no longer available from the main page after this week. I have alloted them to stay, for a short time, in the permalink pages of each post and as "Archive Comments" on the main page.

5:20 AM | Permalink |

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Hurry, Everyone Do the DeLay Spin!

I think I'll Wait and See...

Everyone is running around now like idiots trying to get out the spin.

Fact: Ronnie Earl, the District Attorney who has indicted Tom DeLay (R-Tx) has a history of failed attempts of prosecuting Republican politicians.

Fact: Texans for a Republican Majority, a PAC that DeLay created, is almost certainly involved in the illegal distribution of corporate donations to candidates for Texas Legislature.

Fact: None of us really know ANYTHING yet.

Hey Left, hey isn’t guilty yet. Hey Right, he isn’t squeaky clean.

How about we just wait for things to unfold?

12:23 PM | Permalink |

Everyone Eligible Not Using Food Stamps? (Hurry, Find Out Why!)

WASHINGTON (AP) - More than 3 million needy people in big cities could be getting food stamps but don't for a variety of reasons, an anti-hunger group says. […] That translates to $2.1 billion in unused food stamps, the Food Research and Action Center said in a report scheduled for release Wednesday. […] There are many reasons why people who qualify don't get food stamps, the report said. Many immigrants are eligible but face language or cultural barriers or are unaware they qualify, the group said.

I wonder if the study looked into how many people are eligible, but just didn’t want to use the government handout. I know it seems crazy that some people may not want to use a welfare program, but personal pride and self-respect are not dead in this country. There are people that will only use government welfare programs when they absolutely must… not just because they do qualify. I think it worries some that their dependency flock is dwindling.

12:19 PM | Permalink |

New York Senate Race… (Money Well Spent?)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is asking her backers to step up their donations, saying opponents of her 2006 re-election effort "will raise and spend hundreds of millions of dollars against me." […] "Your gift is essential to show my opponents that I have the support I need to win," she wrote.

The GOP is claiming a “slight” over estimate by Mrs. Clinton. However, even if it is only half of her estimate, it is a sick state of affairs that the potential for $100 million to be thrown down for a state election when there are so many other needs in the world.

Why don’t both sides agree to take half of their contributions and donate them to the Gulf? Or how about the DNC agrees to take $40 million of what is raised for Hillary, and give it to the New York Homeless shelters, while the RNC takes $40 million raised for her opponent and gives it to the New York Veterans Hospital, or maybe Habitat for Humanity? I think the money would be much more useful under those motives rather than some deceptive ad campaign.

11:33 AM | Permalink |

The Deception Of The Media, Thier Truth Versus The Truth

I was surfing around, and stumbled into this. This is my version of a Public Safety Announcement: Be aware of your media outlets. They are deceiving us every day to jade our opinions, and slant our views towards an agenda they support.

This is a small photo comparison from Zombie Time, showing just one instance of the "Media" slanting something to form a different picture out of reality.

Come up with your own reasoning of the "WHY" they did this, but rest assured it happened here, and hence, is probably happening much more than we know.

10:05 AM | Permalink |

GOP Pushing Too Far in EPA Rule Cuts?

WASHINGTON (AP) - Riding a wave of concern over high energy prices triggered by Hurricane Katrina, congressional Republicans are rushing to ease environmental rules on refineries and looking for ways to open new coastal waters to oil and gas development.

I really think that House Republicans are going to ruin this opportunity to change some things in America for the better. They should be pushing the refinery and distribution agendas, but lay off the oil drilling. That won’t affect any of our current problems, and is in effect nothing more than trying to give further opportunity to the domestic oil drilling commercial interests.

Even if we maxed out our drilling in US waters and territories, we still could not supply our nation’s needs. Right now our crisis is over refined fuels capacity. Address this first before you try and push the agenda too far… lest you may loose support you is now gaining.

10:01 AM | Permalink |

Teach Your Children Well (i.e. Make New Hate America Sheep)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - State legislators across the country are increasingly directing their schools to teach students more about the struggles and triumphs of different races and ethnic groups - a move critics say amounts to politically correct meddling. […] Candace de Russy, a State University of New York trustee and national lecturer and writer on academic issues, said she believes the state's commission opens the door to endless group advocacy-oriented legislation. "Inherent in it, Jews will decide how to teach the Holocaust, the Irish the Great Famine, Armenians the Turkish genocide, Indians the French and Indian War, and so on," she said.

Can’t we just make sure they have firm grip of the Constitution, the Founding Fathers, the war of Independence, the Civil War, and the fundamental operations of our Representative Republic before we make sure they know how “bad” we were?

Why isn’t there a push for more history on the American impact in WWII or the Cold War? Why not more history on the evils of communism and the former USSR? It just seems to me that this is pushing to add more followers to the “hate America First” herd.

8:30 AM | Permalink |

Been Hit by a Hurricane? Here, Have a Free Abortion

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A doctor has offered to perform free abortions on hurricane evacuees, saying it may be too dangerous for them to wait until they return home. […] "If we didn't provide it now, they would get it later - a late-term abortion that would give greater risk to the mother's health," Edwards told KTHV-TV in Little Rock.

Either that doctor… or they may just have the baby (gasp!). My opinion on this one: Publicity stunt, aimed at trying to gin up the “Right to Life” group, and get his name in the papers. When it comes to advertising, this will make him a household name in Arkansas.

7:15 AM | Permalink |

Saudi and Exxon Worried Over Gas Crunch (Worried The Addicts May Get Clean)

(Independent Online) Saudi Arabia- the biggest oil producer, and Exxon Mobil, the largest oil company, yesterday declared that the world had decades' worth of oil to come, in an attempt to calm fears about the record prices experienced in recent weeks. […] (Saudi oil minister) Ali al-Naimi said talk of oil scarcity reminded him of the 1970s, when people also thought the end of the age of oil was at hand. "But in the intervening years, when we were supposedly facing a precipitous decline, world oil reserves more than doubled," he said.

I think they may be a little worried about the “demand” side of this relationship. Hybrid cars were not a reality in 1970 though (see: Hybrids For Everyone). The Middle East has had us in a head lock over their oil for some time. This could spell the end of their heavy influence in world politics.

6:08 AM | Permalink |

Brown In Front of Congress, Use Your Imagination

Tom Davis, (R-Va): "At the end of the day, I suspect that we'll find that government at all levels failed the people of Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama and the Gulf Coast,"

Brown: "I crush your head"

-File under me being an ass

4:30 AM | Permalink |

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Bush’s Knee-Jerk to Left’s Criticism

(Washington Times) President Bush yesterday sought to federalize hurricane-relief efforts, removing governors from the decision-making process. "It wouldn't be necessary to get a request from the governor or take other action," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said yesterday. "This would be," he added, "more of an automatic trigger." Mr. McClellan was referring to a new, direct line of authority that would allow the president to place the Pentagon in charge of responding to natural disasters, terrorist attacks and outbreaks of disease.

Bush is slowly centralizing power under the heavy criticism from the Left of federal reactions to events. I think this is a very scary direct violation of state’s rights, and an incredible increase in the already over-extended federal governmental powers. Every time we ask the government to solve a problem for us, we loose a little bit more of our freedoms. The America we grew up in seems to be changing; all the good intentions are leading us for the worse.

12:30 PM | Permalink |

Gas Prices Up! No, There Down!, No Wait…

Rita’s impact on oil/gasoline seems to have been the most dramatic overseas rather than at home. Three stories, all from the AP came out this morning. Three different outlooks, from three different parts of the world:

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - Crude-oil prices eased Tuesday after a robust rally a day earlier, but markets remained concerned over possible troubles with oil products as refinery damage by Hurricane Rita is still being assessed. […] "With all the refinery problems in the U.S., everybody is seeking higher quality crude oil, which is easier to process, and this is keeping pressure on Nymex and Brent futures," she added.

SINGAPORE (AP) - Crude oil prices rose in Asian trading Tuesday on concerns about lengthy production stoppages in the wake of Hurricane Rita, just as demand for heating oil picks up ahead of winter. […] Mid-morning in Singapore, benchmark crude oil prices on New York Mercantile Exchange electronic trading rose as much as 35 cents to $66.17 a barrel, before slipping back to $65.97. That's up 50 percent from a year ago.

DALLAS (AP) - Oil companies said Monday that damage to their massive Texas refineries from Hurricane Rita appeared lighter than expected, but analysts are still predicting that retail gasoline prices may remain near $3 a gallon for weeks or even months longer. […] That's a consequence of tight supplies and that fact that it may take weeks to restart all the closed refineries in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi - more than a dozen in all.

I am not sure what to make of this, but it seems that neither is the AP. Hopefully within a week or so we will have this sorted out and we will know if prices are rising or falling, and how much more (if any) our heating bills will be. That whole “alternative fuels” thing is starting to sound better to me about now.

12:29 PM | Permalink |

Iran Back on The Pulpit, We Get Nukes… or Else!

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran threatened Tuesday to resume uranium enrichment and block U.N. inspections of its nuclear facilities unless the U.N. nuclear agency retracted its moves to refer the country to the Security Council for possible sanctions. […] "First, they should not insist (on the terms of the resolution). Second, they should correct it. If the other parties' reaction is not along these lines, the Islamic Republic of Iran will take these measures," Asefi said.

Here comes the “Yet” from yesterday’s “Calling Their Bluff”. I just hope they are peacocks spreading their tail, and not a rattle snake shaking his.

11:31 AM | Permalink |

Turns Out, Katrina Reports Were Over-Hyped Game of Telephone

Remember the game “telephone”? You would whisper something to the person next to you, they would whisper it to the next person, and so-on? By the time it got to the end, it was almost nothing like what you started with?

(LA Times) Rumors supplanted accurate information and media magnified the problem. Rapes, violence and estimates of the dead were wrong.

Between local officials, and the Media’s lust for ratings; finding some truth in the immediate aftermath of Katrina seemed to be “Mission Impossible”. I highly suggest you read this article, then look back to the news outlets you used and trusted for information (to include Mayor Nagin and Oprah) that seemed to feed off the perverse desire of the public to believe the worst case scenario.

9:59 AM | Permalink |

North Korea and Cuba Confrence on Woes of Communism Today

HAVANA (AP) - Cuban Defense Secretary Raul Castro discussed challenges facing Cuba and North Korea, two of only five remaining communist states in the world, in a meeting with the vice president of North Korea's parliament, state-run media reported Tuesday. […] They talked about shared experiences "in the construction of socialism" as well as "the fight to preserve ... national independence in the face of constant imperialist aggressions," Granma said.

Inside the Presidential Palace:

Raul: “You know Yang, it has gotten nearly impossible to show people the benefits of Communism”

Yang: “I know, with America and Europe always showing off their grand capitalistic economies, with their food and their luxuries, and their stupid quality of life”.

Raul: “Remember when old Gorbachev and the USSR made it ‘cool’ to be a Commie?”

Yang: “Yeah… those were the days, now even the Chinese are converting over to capitalism… next thing you know, they’ll be voting, and then the people will have a voice.”

Raul: “Don’t give me nightmares Yang… what do the people need a voice for? They are so stupid, how could they ever figure out what is best for them?

Yang: “Tell me about it. Our people still seem not to know how good they have it. I understand they have to eat rocks for dinner, but how many other people get to experience being a subject of our Dear Leader”?

Ok, enough story time. Are these guys for real? To me, it just seems silly that they feel they need to confrence on why the demonstrable failure that communisim is, now fails them.

9:31 AM | Permalink |

N. Korea Backs Off (I Guess “No” Finally Didnt Get Lost in the Translation)

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea appeared to back away on Tuesday from its demand for atomic energy facilities up front before it scraps its nuclear weapons programs, saying it wanted the United States to supply reactors "as early as possible".

I think Kim Jong is trying to make this look like his idea… but how many times do we have to say no? Maybe “Dear Leader” realized that no one was going to cave in this time?

8:30 AM | Permalink |

Iraq Al-Qaeda No. 2 Man Killed, But You Have To Read All the Bad News First

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) In Washington, U.S. defense officials said that Abdullah Abu Azzam, a leading deputy to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, al-Qaida's leader in Iraq, was killed this weekend. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the information. [...] In north Iraq, a top aide to al-Zarqawi surrendered to police in the city of Mosul, Iraqi army Brig. Gen. Ali Attalah said Monday. The aide, Abdul Rahman Hasan Shahin, was one of the most wanted figures in Mosul, Attalah said.

I had to severely paraphrase this article. The writer, used the headline “Top Al-Qaida Member in Iraq Killed”, but then went for 11 paragraphs that talked about suicide bombings and other violence disrupting Iraq before mentioning anything about the topic of the headline.

This is an example of someone trying to slant a story to jade the reader’s view. I don’t appreciate it, but that is just my opinion.

7:19 AM | Permalink |

Hybrids For Everyone! Mass Sen. Proposes Gov. Help People Make the Change

BOSTON (AP) - As fuel prices soar and drivers search for ways to save money, lawmakers are pushing a bill they say would make Massachusetts a national leader in the drive to ease dependence on gasoline. The bill […] would reward drivers who buy hybrid or alternative fuel cars with tax breaks, free transponders to get through tolls quicker and open access to HOV lanes. [It] would require that at least half of the state's fleet of vehicles run on alternative fuels by 2010, and establish an Alternative Fuels Institute at the University of Massachusetts. […] according to Republican Sen. Bruce Tarr, the bill's author

I hope this catches on. I think if our government finds ways to subsidize a transition to hybrid technology, we have a better chance of working out way off of oil based fuels. Aside from that, as China consumes more crude, I think it would be a massive strategic advantage to reduce our nations need/consumption to the point that it is no longer our Achilles heel.

6:29 AM | Permalink |

Intelligent Design Debate Begins (What Exactly is Science So Scared Of?)

HARRISBURG, Pa (AP). - The opening day of a landmark trial over whether a school district should require students to hear about "intelligent design" felt a lot like a science lecture. [...] Intelligent design holds that Darwin's theory of natural selection cannot fully explain the origin of life or the emergence of highly complex life forms. It implies that life on Earth was the product of an unidentified intelligent force. [...] Eight families sued, saying that the district policy in effect promotes the Bible's view of creation, violating the constitutional separation of church and state. Miller, whose cross-examination was to resume Tuesday morning, said the policy undermines scientific education by raising false doubts about evolutionary theory. [...] But the rural school district of about 3,500 students argues it is not endorsing any religious view and is merely giving ninth-grade biology classes a glimpse of differences in evolutionary theory.

The statement read to Dover students states in part, "Because Darwin's theory is a theory, it continues to be tested as new evidence is discovered." Miller said the words are "tremendously damaging," falsely undermining the scientific status of evolution.

"There is no controversy within science over the core proposition of evolutionary theory," he added. On the other hand, Miller said, "intelligent design is not a testable theory in any sense and as such it is not accepted by the scientific community."

Why is there such a fear of religion? Why do these people feel so threatened by anything that may present an idea that cannot be explained away? They say the “Bible beaters” are the ones scared to test their beliefs against science, yet in this instance, science seems to be scared to death of having to compete with faith.

Mr. Miller argues that the statement the school requires is “tremendously damaging” and falsely undermining the scientific status of evolution.

But it’s not! That statement does not make a single claim that is not fundamentally true. Darwin’s theory is just that… a theory. There are inexplicable gaps in it’s core premise. The “Intelligent Design” theory is nothing more than saying those “gaps” are filled with the idea that an intelligence, greater than our own, gave the process the helping hand it needed.

Why is the scientific community so afraid of anything that may allude to a higher power? The religious groups are not trying to remove evolution from school, just provide an idea, a possibility, a “theory” of an alternative.

Bottom line for me is that I don’t understand what the “Scientific Community” is so scared of. They claim intelligent design cannot be proven… but neither can Darwin. They would have us believe we should take their text and studies, a mere generation old, on the “faith” that they have done enough research to prove its validity.

But at the same time, I’m supposed to dismiss text, research, eye witness accounts, and “case studies” that are THREE MILLENNIA old? I think that is asking people to make a stretch, not the other way around.

5:15 AM | Permalink |

Monday, September 26, 2005

Selling Ourselves Out to China

SHANGHAI, China (AP) - UBS AG, Switzerland's biggest bank, said Tuesday it is investing $500 million in a partnership with the state-owned Bank of China, the nation's second-largest bank.

“When we hang the capitalists they will sell us the rope we use."
-Joseph Stalin

American business interests are doing it too.

10:24 PM | Permalink |

Closing Note for Monday, Sept 26th 2005.... (You Know Im Right)

As the left gets all geared up for the week in news, due to their large turn out for the weekend protest. I have been noticing a continuing trend of people (myself included to a degree) beginning to think: If that many people show up, and you look at the polls, there is a slim majority that believe this way. The President should be taking this into account. If 51%, or more, of the people believe in one thing, then shouldn't the President be acting in a way as to represent those people?

But then, I stumble on to a quote that reminds me why our nation is great. Why we have not dropped into the abyss quite yet.

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch."
-Benjamin Franklin

We do not live in a Democracy, we live in a Representative Republic. If we did not, the whim of the masses would rule, right or wrong. Thank God they don't.

1:55 PM | Permalink |

What If's and the Supreme Court (What Will They Say About a Minority Nominee)

WASHINGTON Sep 26, 2005 (AP) — President Bush hinted on Monday that his next nominee for the Supreme Court would be a woman or a minority, saying "I will pick a person who can do the job. But I am mindful that diversity is one of the strengths of the country."

Time for “What If”. What if Bush nominates a woman? What if Bush nominates a minority (most likely Hispanic or Black)? What if Bush Nominates a minority woman?

Everything they say Roberts is not, could be represented in one nomination (ala Janice Rogers Brown) that eliminates all openings other than political and spiritual disagreements.

I am left at this point wondering how far the President will go, to see how far the Democrats will go in trying to fight his agenda.

1:31 PM | Permalink |

Are 100,000 enough? D.C. Protests Showcase Need for Exit Plan

(Breitbart.com) The anti-war rally, held Saturday at the western edge of the National Mall, drew a crowd of 100,000 or more. Lasting a marathon 12 hours, it featured folk singer Joan Baez and Cindy Sheehan […] On Sunday, a rally supporting the war drew roughly 500 participants, far below the 20,000 expected by event organizers.

The movement is growing. Brietbart and Washington Post both reported on quotes from the various sides of protest. Prevailing thoughts:

"I would like to say to Cindy Sheehan and her supporters don't be a group of unthinking lemmings. It's not pretty," said Mitzy Kenny of Ridgeley, W.Va., whose husband died in Iraq last year.

Signs read: "Bush Lied, Thousands Died," said one sign. "End the Occupation,"

But there was also an undercurrent of people there that are protesting, not to desert the Iraqi people, but they “want the soldiers out, but not all at once. ‘They've got to leave slowly,’ said Andy Pollock, attending his first protest. ‘It will be utter chaos in that country if we pull them out all at once”

This level of support cannot be ignored and passed off as “political activism” led by “leftist organizations”. I’m sure they have played a part in funding it. But 100,000 people in one place don’t show up just because (unless you paid them). Is it time to let America, the world, and Iraq know that we will not be there forever?

1:31 PM | Permalink |

Calling Their Bluff? Iran Doesnt Follow Through… Yet

VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Iran's vice president on Monday blasted the "absurdity" of moves toward referring his country to the U.N. Security Council for its nuclear activities but stopped short of announcing that Tehran had retaliated by resuming uranium conversion.

I wonder if China and Russia worked on them as well as the EU-3? Either that, or they were really hoping everyone would just believe their saber rattling. Either way, forceful and determined policy, based on set values may yet win the day. We’ll watch this one develop

12:15 PM | Permalink |

Another Corporate Scandal (But This Time, the IRS is On Trial)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is expected to testify in the trial of his investment firm's lawsuit accusing the Internal Revenue Service of “erroneous, wrongful and illegal" interpretation of the U.S. Tax Code, and denying it $16.3 million in tax deductions.

This time, who will be the high profile “rich white guy” that the gets sent to Jail? Our government obviously was too busy busting corporate fat-cats to notice that it was “cooking the books” itself? HR-25, the Fair Tax is looking more and more appealing… except to the IRS and tax lobbyists.

11:20 AM | Permalink |

Are Warnings of Global Warming Just Self Preservation by Enviro-Crowd?

Has the environmentalists movement been spurred to life recently (dire warnings of global warming and impending natural catastrophes) by an earnest concern for our Earth? Or is this recent upswing in "experts" commenting on their particular view nothing more than self preservation of a field that is now being looked at much closer?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Monday that about 1.8 million barrels per day in Texas and Louisiana refining capacity shut by recent hurricanes will be back on line soon, but urged American motorists to conserve gasoline wherever possible. [...] Bush also said he would continue suspension of antipollution laws for gasoline and the Jones Act shipping law to help oil shipments in the wake of the hurricane. Both actions were taken after Hurricane Katrina last month hit Gulf Coast refineries hard.

The President is urging American's to conserve fuel, but at the same time, informing us that to keep supplies up with demand, he will continue the suspension of EPA restrictions. This subtly highlights the slow choke hold environmental policy has had over our fuel distribution, refinery, and procurement capabilities.

Is all of the immediate screaming of global warming actually an effort to draw attention away from the fact that American supply demands can only be met once the Environmental restrictions have been lifted? At the same time, is the intense effort to keep pump prices down nothing more than a way to keep our oil-addiction in place?

10:13 AM | Permalink |

Poland Votes Right (Is Europe Moving Right Just As Left Gains Traction?)

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Voters in Poland's parliamentary elections shunned the nation's scandal-prone government of ex-communists to embrace two center-right parties that have promised tax cuts and clean government, nearly complete results showed Monday.

As the Left feels they have finally gained traction in America again (over Iraq and Katrina), will the rest of the world’s politics defy them? First Germany, now Poland. If more European countries, after struggling economies, vote to the Right, will the American left suddenly find themselves on the other side politically of the other side geographically?

9:44 AM | Permalink |

Why Did Iran Decide to Talk Tough to IAEA EU 3, and US?

Al Jazeera, never to hold any punches in talking up a Mid-East nation, says “Indeed, Iran has cunningly chosen the right time for attacking the positions of the EU in the negotiating process and of the United States, which is seeking to affect it. […] There are several elements that make the superpower's unlimited capabilities greatly doubted. […] Experts predict that if the U.S. attacked Iran, which produces almost three times as much oil as Iraq, this would push oil prices to $90-100 per barrel.

Why do other “Westerners” argue Iran’s intentions, when even Iran, and other Mid-East leading opinions see this as an opportunistic move by Iran to make moves they feel would otherwise illicit a military response?

9:01 AM | Permalink |

Real Abuse at Abu Ghraib (We Promise No Prisoners Were Injured In the Making Of This PR Move)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - U.S. and Iraqi authorities freed 500 detainees from the notorious Abu Ghraib prison on Monday in a goodwill gesture to Sunnis ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.[...] After a brief ceremony outside the prison on the outskirts of Baghdad, the 500 freed detainees left the area on public buses. They were the first of 1,000 to be freed before Ramadan begins next week, the U.S. military said.

This is eerily reminiscent of what Saddam did himself to “please the masses”. Either these guys should be in prison, or they should not. But freeing them as a “goodwill” gesture is wrong any way you look at it. The United States should not be keeping people in prison that are innocent enough to be released for a PR move.

8:01 AM | Permalink |

Anyone Still Doubt That War Protests Fuel the Enemy?

Al Jazeera.com Also in Washington thousands of protesters marched Saturday to demand the end of the illegal U.S. occupation in Iraq. Organizers expected 100,000 to participate in Saturday rally, march and concert near the White House and Washington Monument.

Anyone still doubt that they draw inspiration from this? Visit the Linked article and see other pictures they use to go with this story. Protest is one thing, but to mock you own country like this serves only those that would do us harm.

7:11 AM | Permalink |

Big Brother Is Watching (China Cuts Out Legs of Blogs Before They Can Even Start)

BEIJING (Reuters)"The state bans the spreading of any news with content that is against national security and public interest," the official Xinhua news agency said in announcing the new rules, which took effect immediately. [...] The news agency did not detail the rules, but said Internet news sites must "be directed toward serving the people and socialism and insist on correct guidance of public opinion for maintaining national and public interests."

Not to slip in the hidden traps that American Governmental leadership now finds itself, China ensured that no one will be able to use the internet to hold them accountable.

Essentially, this a Bloggers-Be-Ware sign on the Great Wall.

5:51 AM | Permalink |

Environmentalists Feeding Frenzy Begins (Just Forget All that "History" Stuff)

(Drudge) STREISAND DECLARES 'GLOBAL WARMING EMERGENCY'

NEW YORK -- This summer's back to back superstorms are proof positive we have entered a new period of "global warming emergency," artist/citizen Barbra Streisand warns. Streisand is back on the scene to promote her reunion disc with Barry Gibb.

-Category 5 hurricane struck the Bahamas with 160 mph winds in 1947!

-1950 a Cat 5 hurricane -- named "Dog" -- packing 185 mph churned-away in the Atlantic.

-1951 a Cat 5 storm named "Easy" ripped the seas with 160 mph sustained winds.

-1955 "Janet" hit Mexico with 150 mph winds.

-1958 "Cleo" formed with 140 mph.

-1960 "Donna" AND "Ethel" -- both storms carried 140 mph winds and formed 9 days apart !

-1961, it happened again: Two Category 5 storms scared the world: "Carla" and "Hattie!" "Carla" maxed out at 175 mph winds.

-And who could forget Hurricane "Camille" -- which smashed into the United States with 190 mph?

I posted this because I was too lazy to do the research. I don't care about what Streisand said, only that our recent scientistss seem to forget all inkling about past weather patterns in their rush to declare "Global Warming"!

P.S. I paraphrased the dates. Drudge substituted years with how old Streisand was at the time.

4:36 AM | Permalink |

Friday, September 23, 2005

Friday Question: Will Left Blogs Kill the Democratic Party?

My premise, if you will, behind this statement is that the left leaning bloggers are, for the most part, in the extreme/far left.

Their views, in general, do not reflect those of the American majority. However, they are the political base of the Democratic Party, and have the loudest voice of all politically active members of the Dem Party.

By forcing candidates to move more left of center (to get their votes), are they forcing the candidates to become unelectable in the mainstream American's eye? By forcing candidates to take the more extreme view the bloggers hold, are they ensuring that, in an election against a sweeter sounding "moderate", their candidate is going either loose the election, or loose their base (in which case, loosing the election as well).

As a quick example, I will use the Iraq War. Left Bloggers are now demanding accountability from Democrats on their yes/no vote concerning the Iraq war. This means that Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden, all considered “leaders” of their party have come under scrutiny for initially (and some continuing) support for the war.

While protests have been organized, and members like Cindy Sheehan have gotten a great deal of media exposure, there is nothing to indicate (aside from polls) that there is groundswell support against the war. There has actually been “pro Bush” protests, showing that unlike the Vietnam era protests, the Iraq war protests do not hold the opinion of a majority in America.

So again, the question: Will Left bloggers kill the Democratic party?

12:31 PM | Permalink |

Main Stream Media Coach Dems On Regaining Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The dip in President Bush's popularity has Democrats dreaming of brighter days for their out-of-power party, but only if they show voters clear leadership and a fresh message. [...] Right now, they have neither. [...] Democratic strategists say they believe Hurricane Katrina may be a tipping-point event, intensifying the yearlong decline of support for the war in Iraq and raising doubts about Bush's leadership abilities.

You know the Party lacks leadership or vision when the Media feels it needs to step in and give them a “How to” on stepping up to the plate. Thanks Coach AP, let us know if you see anything else they should be doing.

12:28 PM | Permalink |

China Pollution Makes Cancer Villages (Where Are You Green Peace?)

BEIJING (Reuters) - The residents of Huangmenying village are poor, even by Chinese standards, but more and more are opting to splash out for bottled water rather than drink from local wells. Well water, they say, gives you cancer. Their fears are backed by the unusually large number of cancer cases in this village of fewer than 2,500 in central Henan province. The village gets most of its water from a fetid tributary of the Huai River, probably the most polluted stretch of water in China.

Three operations to control the cancer have left Kong unable to pass solid waste, with a ropy scar snaking up her abdomen. She can feel tumors still growing in her belly, but has no more money for treatment.

"I have spent 70,000 yuan on three operations and I can't borrow any more," Kong said.

"My husband said we could sell our older son to another couple looking to adopt to raise the money, but I refused. I would rather die than sell my son."

Are these the “benefits” China speaks of when defending its governmental system? (see China Says Socialism Better)

Local activist Huo Daishan says 118 people have died of cancer in Huangmenying since 1990.

Why is the “activist” community not doing something to make a change where it can do the most immediate good and quit attacking everyone driving an SUV?

12:02 PM | Permalink |

Saudi Says "We Told You So" On Iraq (Talk is Cheep, Too Bad Oil Isnt)

WASHINGTON (AP) - Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says the Bush administration did not heed some Saudi warnings on occupying Iraq and that he doesn't believe a new constitution and elections will solve the emerging nation's problems.

Thanks Prince Saud al-Faisal. Now, how about you shut your borders down and quit letting radical Saudis come into Iraq? Talk is cheep, too bad oil isn't.

11:02 AM | Permalink |

Hillary Opposes Judge Roberts (But Supports Iraqi War???)

(Drudge) STATEMENT OF SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON ON THE NOMINATION OF JUDGE JOHN G. ROBERTS TO BE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATESThu Sep 22 2005 18:54:45 ET: The nomination of Judge John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the United States is a matter of tremendous consequence for future generations of Americans. It requires thoughtful inquiry and debate, and I commend my colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee for their dedication to making sure that all questions were presented and that those outside of the Senate had the opportunity to make their voices heard. After serious and careful consideration of the Committee proceedings and Judge Roberts's writings, I believe I must vote against his confirmation. I do not believe that the Judge has presented his views with enough clarity and specificity for me to in good conscience cast a vote on his behalf.

Look out liberal left, she is swinging for you now. Either her politics are drunk, or she is pandering, but either way we are seeing some swaying like never before.

9:00 AM | Permalink |

Grand Ayatolla Ali al-Sistani Support Iraq Constitution (Shhhh, Dont Let the Truth Out)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - The Iraqi government's campaign to win support for the country's new constitution has won the critical backing of the most influential Shiite religious leader, less than a month before a national referendum on the draft charter. […] Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, meeting with aides Thursday in the holy city of Najaf, urged his followers to vote "yes" on the new basic law, according to two top officials in al-Sistani's organization. The officials refused to be identified because they are not authorized to speak for the reclusive cleric.

There is hope yet. The real question is who do you want to see prevail… and why? The media is doing everything it can to report a “near civil war” situation, but nobody benefits from that except the anti-American forces at work in Iraq.

This article took three paragraphs about US and Iraqi dead before it got to naming Sistani’s support. They are using the literary term “bracketing” (to lead into, and out of, information with a theme you want to highlight) to influence the reader’s opinion of the information… why?

8:20 AM | Permalink |

PLA Finally Secures Border with Egypt (Pop the Champaign?)

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) - Palestinians took charge of a border for the first time ever on Friday, allowing thousands to cross between the Gaza Strip and Egypt in a temporary opening of the frontier.

I just wonder how many Al Qaeda militants are already there? Glad to see this, just hope it’s not too little too late

6:56 AM | Permalink |

Are you Right, Left, or Like Me... Somewhere Inbetween? Take this Quiz

Hat tip to _H_ of Terrorism News for findthing this.

A Quiz on Your political leanings

Interesting.

Just incase you wanted to know. My results:

Realist
Are guided more by practical considerations than ideological vision
Believe US power is crucial to successful diplomacy - and vice versa
Don't want US policy options unduly limited by world opinion or ethical considerations
Believe strong alliances are important to US interests
Weigh the political costs of foreign action
Believe foreign intervention must be dictated by compelling national interest

Historical realist: President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Modern realist: Secretary of State Colin Powell

How do you fare?

5:56 AM | Permalink |

China Enters Big Jet Industry (Germany, They're After You Too)

SHANGHAI, China (AP) - China will begin trial production later this year of its homegrown ARJ-21, or Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st Century, state media reported Friday, describing the aircraft as a potential challenge to Boeing and Airbus's dominance in the local market.

I wonder if it will cost about half price of the others, break in a year, and be sold at Wal-Mart? Anyone else wonder if the next “cold war” will be with economics instead of nukes?

5:32 AM | Permalink |

Girl Expelled from Christian School Because Her Parents are Lesbians (Well Duh?)

(Breitbart) A 14-year-old student was expelled from a Christian school because her parents are lesbians, the school's superintendent said in a letter. Shay Clark was expelled from Ontario Christian School on Thursday. "Your family does not meet the policies of admission," Superintendent Leonard Stob wrote to Tina Clark, the girl's biological mother.

Hurry, call the ACLU! A white Christian group is trying to keep those gay folk down again. We need to make sure that we infringe on their civil rights (being a private school with documented admissions and attendance policies her parents violated), in order that we may “protect” the civil rights of others.

Right or wrong (morally), a private school has the right to accept or not accept any student. My question is why a gay couple tried to send their daughter to a school that specifically had rules forbidding it in their charter?

5:15 AM | Permalink |

Thursday, September 22, 2005

North Korea Request 1 on 1 with US (Maybe If Crazy Kim Asks We'll Say Yes?)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has ordered his aides to arrange a meeting with a high-ranking U.S. official, possibly with President Bush, a South Korean news agency reported Friday.

Kim-Jong, even if YOU tell our President, we will still think you are off your rocker, and we still wont give you a light water reactor for free. I think this guy is just in love with the media spot light and knows he is riding his last gravy train.

10:01 PM | Permalink |

Just How in Love is the Media with the Clinton Family?

ABC is warming us up for Hillary in 2008. They have dedicated an entire new show on pressing the though of a woman President upon the American people.

Like some large scale focus group, Commander and Chief will be the first ever prime time show to feature a woman President of the United States.

This isn't Media Bias, this is a love affair?

3:35 PM | Permalink |

Now You Too Can Read the Bible In 2 Hours or Less!

LONDON (AFP) - Business folk are used to reading executive summaries of important documents, and now would-be Christians are to have the same privilege, in the form of a chopped-down Bible that can be read in under two hours.

I still remember when Microwaves, Cell Phones, “24 hour News”, and the “Internet” didn’t exist. At what point does “quicker, faster, more convenient” start to mean “meaningless, less sincere, lower quality”?

Call me crazy, but the Bible just seems like something that shouldn’t be “streamlined.”

12:31 PM | Permalink |

North Korea Ready to "Counter Attack" US (Due to Our Secret Plans to Attack Them?)

Not only is North Korea accusing the US of using the current round of talks as a preamble to a pre-planned attack, but now it says that they are "is fully ready to decisively control a pre-emptive nuclear attack with a strong retaliatory blow,"

Three days ago, a landmark achievement was reached with the help of the Chinese. “Since then, however, the North's rhetoric has underscored its unpredictability and cast doubt on its commitment to the accord hammered out with China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States after four rounds of contentious negotiations stretching over two years.” (AP)

So, either we give them a light water reactor (which wasn’t part of the signed agreement), admit to our planned attack (which didn’t exist), and remove the nukes from the Korean peninsula (which were never there), or North Korea will counter attack us “decisively”.

Oh, and Kim-Jong-Il also can swim faster than any man on the planet, plays the guitar better than even Eric Clapton, has the stamina of a young horse, and has an advanced brain that helped him figure out the theory of relativity and how it simply proves he is a superior being.

Tick-tock, Tick-tock…. The time bomb is ticking.

11:18 AM | Permalink |

China Says It People are Better Off Under "Benefits of Socialism" (As Compared to What?)

BEIJING (AP) - China on Thursday rejected a U.S. call to adopt democracy, telling Washington to respect its communist path.

Sure, if you start respecting human rights, proprietary rights, and general human decency.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters he had "taken note" of comments by Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick on Wednesday that China's one-party system was unsustainable. Qin said the country was stable and that communism had brought substantial benefits to China's 1.3 billion people.

He just left out the part about them needing to use Capitalism to actually survive, and that the “benefits” his people enjoy include enforcing the “one baby” rule (which entails injecting formaldehyde into the head of an “unauthorized” new born baby).

How do these guys escape the world scrutiny that seems all to ready to jump on the United States for something like Gitmo?

10:01 AM | Permalink |

Sheehan Still Out There (Just With Out All the "Support")

I'm not surprised. The "Thousands" that were supporting Sheehan in Crawford about a month ago.... this is what is left. All 50 of them marching. Katrina gave the left political activist groups something else to work on and raise funds with. This coupled with some more of her insane comments (i.e. "Bush needs to pull the troops from occupied New Orleans and Iraq") have pretty much put her out of the spot light.

She was used up, and tossed out by those groups that now let her flounder. Her statements get more and more extreme as she tries hold on to the last shreds of media coverage.

9:01 AM | Permalink |

EU Backs Out of Tough Talk on Iran Nukes (Leaves US Holding the Bag)

VIENNA (Reuters) - The European Union's three main powers dropped a demand on Thursday that the U.N. nuclear watchdog immediately report Iran to the Security Council over its atomic plans, following opposition from Russia and China.[…] The new draft, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters, omitted any explicit threat that Iran would be referred to the Security Council but implied that the IAEA board could choose to refer the matter to the Council in the future.

So China and Russia convinced Germany, France, and the UK to leave us hanging… outstanding. We backed and supported THEIR draft, and now they leave us holding the bag.

Tehran’s response: “Our firm stance, China and Russia's backing and also a lack of legal basis caused the EU's withdrawal”

Super. Way to stand together team. Things like this make all the talk about “world consent”, “world opinion”, and “UN sanctioned” legitimacy seem just a little transparent. If you can’t stand for something… You will fall for anything. Look out EU, your falling right now. (Also see: Iran Openly Threatens US)

8:24 AM | Permalink |

Iran Openly Threatens US and Israel over Nuke Issue

TEHRAN (AFP) Under pressure over its nuclear programme, Iran flaunted its ballistic missiles and warned any nation considering attacking the Islamic republic would face a "destructive and fiery" response.

On show at an annual military parade on Thursday were thousands of troops and a range of hardware including six of Iran's Shahab-3 ballistic missiles -- which sported banners saying "Death to America", "We will crush America under our feet" and "Israel must be wiped off the face of the earth". (BakuToday has the whole story)

Does anyone still doubt what Iran's intentions are? Thanks EU, for backing out on YOUR resolution.

6:28 AM | Permalink |

Is Bush really from Galveston?

Or the entire Disaster Relief bureaucracy in Washington for that matter? A couple that plan to ride out Hurricane Rita make you wonder. Jennifer McDonald and her husband Dominic, lifetime Galveston residents, are defying the Mayor’s mandatory evacuation order.

"Galvestonians are a different type of Texan," she said. McDonald said she and her husband have enough food and water to last 10 days and plan to hack through their rented home's floors to make the wooden house more stable if there is intense flooding. If all else fails, the couple will take to the roof. "If it goes, it goes," the 42-year-old nurse said. "We're completely prepared."

In a obviously rare moment of clarity: She added that if the storm does hit, they and others who stay will be forever labeled "damn fools."

Then back to her reality, she quoted her husband: "He said if he's going down, he's going to have a beer and a shot," McDonald joked.

Maybe it’s people from Texas (more specifically, Galveston) that like to deny reality?

(AP)

5:30 AM | Permalink |

Louisiana City Official Found With Katrina Donations at Home (Republican This Time)

BATON ROUGE, La. - Police found cases of food, clothing and tools intended for hurricane victims at the home of the chief administrative officer for a New Orleans suburb, authorities said Wednesday (AP)

A little research of my own found that Floyd is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Kenner, the highest non-elected position in the city’s government. He was appointed by the new Mayor (elected in march) Philip Capitano (Registered as Republican). You can visit his site here.

Police say they plan to see criminal charges against Floyd, and more yet against other “unnamed” city officials. Between the story about Rep William Jefferson (D-La), and now this one, it shows that no party is immune from the obviously vast corruption in Louisiana. Maybe some good will come in the aftermath; maybe all the corrupt officials will be swept out and the citizens will have a chance at true representative government.

4:31 AM | Permalink |

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

US Pressing for Iran Referral to the Sec Council (What Will Be the Breaking Point?)

VIENNA, Austria (AP) - The United States on Wednesday pressed its case to have Iran hauled before the U.N. Security Council for its nuclear activities, urging fellow members of the International Atomic Energy Agency board to vote for such action in the next few days.

If you listen close, I think the theme music from "Jaws" is starting to play.... daaaa-da....... daaaaaaaa-da......

In Moscow, the Foreign Ministry criticized a move by the United States and European countries to report Iran to the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear program as "counterproductive," the Interfax news agency reported.

A European Union draft resolution, made available to The Associated Press, demands Iran's referral for alleged "failures and breaches of its obligations to comply" with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

The stage is being set... Do you ever feel like your just playing the part of a pawn in SOMEONE else's Chess game?

12:03 PM | Permalink |

Clinton in Moscow (Times that is, Moscow Times)

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton said in an interview published Monday that he was worried about authoritarian trends under President Vladimir Putin. Asked what he thought about Putin's policies, Clinton said, "Putin had a very active start, but now I am concerned about the authoritarian trends in the Russian leadership," Izvestia reported.
"It's very important for democratically elected leaders to maintain a political balance to remain in the gentlemen's club of world leaders," he said. (Moscow Times)

Careful Comrade Clinton, you are edging on treason, Comrade Putin, chief Director of KGB will not approve of such talk.

Btw, why is a former President saying things, and being reported on in the "Moscow Times", but no one from the current administration has said anything about them, their spooky new closeness with China, or how both are now getting cozy with Iran...

11:13 AM | Permalink |

Chinese Condoms named "Clinton" and "Lewinsky" Brand

BEIJING - (AP) A rubber company in China has begun marketing condoms under the brand names Clinton and Lewinsky, apparently seeking to exploit the White House affair that led to the impeachment of America's 42nd president. [...] "The Clinton condom will be the top of our line ($3.72/box of 12)," he said. "The Lewinsky condom is not quite as good." ($2.35/box of 12) [...] "We have received full approval from the local Industrial and Commercial Bureau to start production," he said.

Holy Crap... some more shame and disgrace heaped on us... and he isn't even in office anymore.

But here comes my B.S. Flag. No company in that nation does anything "new" without explicit permission from the government. This is a calculated move by them to try and reduce our staure/status just a little more.

Brick by brick, inch by inch they are creeping up on us... and we just keep letting it happen.

10:36 AM | Permalink |

500 "Civilians" Protest" UK "aggression" (read: SAS Rescued Before Lynch Mob Could Get Them)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - About 500 civilians and policemen, some waving pistols and AK-47s, rallied Wednesday in the southern city of Basra and denounced "British aggression" following London's decision to use force to free two of its soldiers being held by Iraqi police. [...] The demonstrators in Basra shouted "No to occupation!" and carried banners condemning "British aggression and demanding the freed soldiers be tried in an Iraqi court as "terrorists."

Brittish aggression? No No to Occupation? Maybe if you wouldn't try to sneak them out of prisons and hand them over to militant groups the British wouldn't be "aggressive"? And maybe, if you would quit all this crap aimed at disrupting things you would see the Occupation go away sooner?

Just some more crazy ideas from me.

9:58 AM | Permalink |

Everyone Say "Thank You China" (Was it Really for World Peace Though?

BEIJING (AP) - China's success in orchestrating a landmark six-nation accord on ending North Korea's nuclear program has clinched its role as a major peacemaker in the region - regardless of the challenges ahead for the deal, analysts say.

Quick sanity check: Does anyone think China did this for world peace? I think China just played us, through North Korea, to secure its own interests in that region… especially since a couple hours after this “landmark” deal was signed, North Korea back out, waiting for us to give them a light water reactor.

9:26 AM | Permalink |

Israel on the UN Security Council?

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Israel's foreign minister on Tuesday underlined the Jewish state's gains from its withdrawal from Gaza, disclosing that he met with his counterparts from more than 10 Arab and other Muslim nations this week.

After the little tirade they pulled against Tehran (see Iran and Israel Clash at UN) do they expect anyone would realistically say they should be on the Security Council?

Watching this one for developments. I wonder if the US will go out and support them again?

9:00 AM | Permalink |

What do Iran, China, and Russia All Have In Common?

(Reuters) - A European Union drive to haul Iran before the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear plans was in jeopardy on Wednesday following stiff opposition from Russia and China, which warned against escalating the standoff with Tehran. Of note: Russia is building a $1 billion nuclear reactor for Iran and sees it as a key ally in the Middle East. (Hat Tip to _H_ at Terrorism News for the tipoff)

Well, the triangle is now complete. My crystal ball says we are seeing the new Warsaw Pact form itself to rival us pesky Westerners. Iran and Russia have the oil and other resources, while China has the man power and the weapons (and industrial infrastructure).

With the developments in North Korea (China is the new “Peace Keeper”), China now has its borders secured to the north with Russia, the West with Iran, and the East with North Korea. All they need to do is lock down Taiwan and Japan, and things are set.

But nevermind all this stuff, Bush and his oil buddies have to go!

7:31 AM | Permalink |

Sec. State Rice on Iran (In All Her Condescending Glory)

(AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stressed Iran's international isolation, saying no one trusts Tehran on nuclear issues, in an interview. […] "Their problem is they can argue all they want about their rights are. The problem is they've gotten into a situation in which nobody believes it is safe for them to exercise those rights, if indeed they have those rights,"

One step forward.... eight steps back. The US finally has gained the moral high ground, and has international support for its stance on an issue, and Condi can't just shut up.

First off, are you implying that anyone in the world is trusting America right now? Second, who exactly are we to decide if it is "safe" for another country to exercise their rights? Third, who are we to decide exactly which rights another nation has or doesn’t have?

This whole thing is dripping with the condescending tone and “superiority complex” attitude that has become the major handicap of the United States.

6:45 AM | Permalink |

North Korea Worried Talks Are Preamble to US Nuke Attack (Seriously)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North Korea on Wednesday accused the United States of intending to disarm the communist country and then "crush it to death with nuclear weapons" - two days after a landmark disarmament agreement that was expected to ease tensions. […]"The ulterior intention of the United States talking about resolving the nuclear issue under the signboard of the six-party talks is as clear as daylight," the North's Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in a commentary carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

Kim-Jong-Il…. Crazy like a… Well, just crazy. I thought this was all about them wanting a light water reactor? How many times is the world (much less the United States) going to put up with these antics?

We have six other nations in this thing with us, including the only remaining communist power; China. Yet Pyongyang is still going to assert that "In a word, it intends to disarm and crush us to death with nuclear weapons,"?

5:29 AM | Permalink |

Iran and Israel Clash at UN over Nukes (kids fighting in the sandbox again)

(AFP) Israel and Iran clashed at the UN General Assembly, accusing each other of threatening Middle East and world peace with their respective nuclear programs.

In the Red Corner: "I call on them to stop this evil regime (Tehran) from acquiring nuclear weapons," Shalom told assembly members, referring to the IAEA governors. "The security and stability of the entire globe is at stake."

In the Blue Corner: "This (Israeli) regime should face a united front and must be kept under continuing pressure to relinquish its nuclear program and place all its nuclear facilities under international monitoring,"

This reminds me of a very large, and much more dangerous version, of two kids in the sand box:

“Take it back”
“No You take it back”
“No You take it back, I said it first”
“No You….”

4:33 AM | Permalink |

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Uzbekistan Hits Pay Dirt, Courtesy the Pentagon

The President of Uzbekistan had a big day today. Not only did “Fifteen men pleaded guilty […[ to participating in an uprising in eastern Uzbekistan in May that led to what human rights groups say was a government crackdown that left more than 700 dead.” (AP), But at the same time, “The Pentagon intends to pay a nearly $23 million bill to Uzbekistan for use of an air base” (AP)

So, the US is forking over 23 big ones for the airbase that the Uzbeks said we cant use anymore after we called for an international investigation into the same event that the fifteen men pleaded guilty to. President Islam Karimov now gets the cash, and a conviction, all without anyone from the pesky "world community" looking in on his affairs.... Good Job.

Four Republicans and two Democrats sent a letter to Rumsfeld asking to have the money put into an escrow account until Uzbekistan starts acting like it is part of the human race again. (my words, not theirs). But the Pentagon says it feels “obligated” to pay up.

12:30 PM | Permalink |

Russia Caps Gas Prices (Good Old Socialism)

Russia's major oil producers "voluntarily" decided to cap their prices for domestic gasoline, in their country, until the end of the year. (Breitbart.com)

This came after a meeting of the oil company heads with Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko where criticism, from Kremlin-loyal politicians, was voiced that prices rose by more than a ruble in a week (its sitting at about $0.26/gallon right now). Russia is the world's second largest oil producer, next to Saudi.

Ahhh socialism. What will be next? Some good rationing and letting the Kremlin decide how much gas all the people need? Capitalism was good enough to get them rebuilt, now it seems to be time to return to good old "little red book".

Watch this one, in conjunction with China's emergence in the region, for the two countries to get even more warm and fuzzy with each other. How much you want to bet, in a month, Russia expands this "price cap" to gas sold to China?

10:03 AM | Permalink |

Iran Says it Will Remember Who Referred Them To IAEA in Oil Sales

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran warned the West on Tuesday it would start uranium enrichment -- which can be used to make atomic bombs -- and review its membership of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if sent to the U.N. Security Council.

Larijani also said the world's fourth biggest oil producer would link its stance on foreign countries' access to its energy resources to whether they stood with Iran on its nuclear plans.

Supreme National Security Council spokesman Ali Aghamohammadi said Larijani's comments were intended as a warning to those drafting a resolution against Iran at the IAEA board meeting.

They sure are making a big deal out this for someone who says they have nothing to hide. They have now effectively said that if they are referred to the IAEA, they will cut oil sales to the West, and start making bombs openly.

So we either let them build bombs secretly, or they will just do it anyways, and then keep there oil. Interesting developments here, and I’m sure there are more are to come.

9:51 AM | Permalink |

North Korea Doubles Back On Nuke Deal (At Least They Waited a Day)

North Korea said Tuesday it would not dismantle its nuclear weapons program until the United States first provides an atomic energy reactor, casting doubt on its commitment to a breakthrough agreement reached at international arms talks. (Breitbart)

"This is not the agreement that they signed and we'll give them some time to reflect on the agreement they signed," U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

No way, you mean North Korea signed an agreement, and now is demanding different concessions? Not Kim Jong Il? He's normally such a trustworthy guy.

9:15 AM | Permalink |

CNN Still In Love With Europe (Contrast In Reports of SAS Break Out in Basra)

SAS SPRUNG FROM JAIL BY TANKS
British troops storm Iraqi prison... hours after hate mob sets soldiers ablaze. Ten British tanks smashed down the walls of an Iraqi jail last night to free two SAS men. Around 150 Iraqi prisoners also fled in the rescue, which was backed by helicopters. The undercover SAS soldiers were arrested in a shoot-out with police in Basra. (Mirror)

What in the world is going on with this one? I don't disagree with them breaking out their SAS guys, especially if they felt that there wouldn't be a release before the "angry mob" turned out to be a "lynch mob". But the way this went down sounds like something out of the "old West".

This story is getting posted because the way it was reported in the UK is one story, but the way it was reported by CNN shows how in love with Europe our mainstream media is:
"British forces in Iraq are patrolling a tense city after a UK armored vehicle escorted by a tank crashed into a detention center in Basra and later rescued two undercover troops apparently held by Shia militia. " (CNN)

The difference? In the Mirror story, it was "Basra police" and ten tanks with helicopter support, in the CNN story they were "rescued" from "Shia Militia" and only one tank with one armored vehicle. Slight difference there, why don't they put that same spin on things our military does?

9:01 AM | Permalink |

UK and US Share Race/Class Problems?

Story I stumbled on (from Drudge) today where Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman warned that the poor black part of society in America, recently exposed by Hurricane Katrina (because we didn't know there were poor black people there before?), is something the UK is facing as well.

"We don't want to get into a situation like America, but if you look at the figures, we are already looking like America - in London, poor, young and black people don't register to vote." (Sky News)

I don't often get into outside politics, but this one intrigued me, as it pointed out something we see often in America: Race/Class pandering

Ms Harman is part of the, The Labour Party, a democratic socialist party (the Left in the UK).

I think the real concern here is that "latest figures show that 20% of people aged 20 to 24 were not on the electoral register." Maybe this is why they lost the popular vote in England by some 60,000 votes (even though they remained in power under Minority Rule)?

8:20 AM | Permalink |

Corps of Engineers Rebuilding Levees by June (But Only Capable of Cat. 3 Hurricanes Again?)

- Brig. Gen. Robert Crear says the Army Corps of Engineers hopes to have New Orleans' levees back to being capable of handling a Category 3 storm by June, the start of the next hurricane season. (AP)

Call me crazy, but shouldnt we aim for a bit higher than the same level of protection that FAILED the last time?

5:22 AM | Permalink |

Dan Rather on "New Journalism Order" (He Doesn't Like What He Ushered In)

Emotional Rather blasts 'new journalism order' (Reuters)

"...there is a climate of fear running through newsrooms stronger than he has ever seen in his more than four-decade career. [...] politicians "of every persuasion" had gotten better at applying pressure on the conglomerates that own the broadcast networks [...] along with the "dumbed-down, tarted-up" coverage, the advent of 24-hour cable competition and the chase for ratings and demographics -- has taken its toll on the news business."

Dan, you ushered this in with politically biased and poorly veiled agendas in your reporting. You got the taste of blood during Watergate (along with many others), and couldn’t quit hunting for "the big scoop" that would bring down a powerful politician.

You went as far as to use “less than creditable” sources, that under scrutiny proved to be forgeries, to try and implicate a sitting President in being AWOL during his military career. And YOU wonder why news rooms are scared?

As a side note, HBO Documentary and Family president Sheila Nevins (who was with Rather): "in the documentary world, there's a certain kind of intimidation brought to bear these days, particularly from the religious right." Right... its those crazy Christians holding the media back...

5:07 AM | Permalink |