Friday, July 29, 2005
Curse your refusal to die...
As part of Israel's plan to withdraw from the Gaza strip (a plan which is not looking better the closer we get to the big day), Israel is building a security wall around Gaza. Palestinian reaction, once again, fails to address the root causes of this behavior:
Also, via the Corner - comes this article discussing what a pain it is to go through checkpoints without the slightest hint of any understanding as to why said checkpoints are in place.
I'm sure this all falls into the "reasonable criticism of Israel" that only a Sharon-hugging jingo monkey would consider anti-Semitic, but one does quickly get the sense that inconvenience suffered from efforts to protect lives become particularly onerous when the lives being protected are Jewish. Israel will not take steps that would endanger their citizens' lives. Protecting those citizens requires one of two things:
"Instead of building bridges with the Palestinians, Israel insists on building walls and fences of suffocation," said Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat.Why, Saeb? Why do they think they need to do that?
Also, via the Corner - comes this article discussing what a pain it is to go through checkpoints without the slightest hint of any understanding as to why said checkpoints are in place.
I'm sure this all falls into the "reasonable criticism of Israel" that only a Sharon-hugging jingo monkey would consider anti-Semitic, but one does quickly get the sense that inconvenience suffered from efforts to protect lives become particularly onerous when the lives being protected are Jewish. Israel will not take steps that would endanger their citizens' lives. Protecting those citizens requires one of two things:
1. A Palestinian entity that can be trusted to do everything in its power, through public statements (in Arabic, to their own population) and policing, to discourage, prevent, and if necessary, punish those who would seek to attack Israeli citizens from its territory, orIf you're opposed to #2 without seriously addressing the question of whether or not we have #1, then the lives of Israelis, for whatever reason, just ain't that important.
2. A really big honking wall.
In other humorous, but useless information...
Check out what TV dads throughout history were making.
George Jefferson did better than I thought he would. And how the hell Tom Scavo pays for that house and feeds four kids on one income I don't know. (He & Lynette must have both managed to escape college with minimal student loans.)
And for all of Al Bundy's bitching, he makes more than Tony from Who's the Boss.
Tip - Corner.
George Jefferson did better than I thought he would. And how the hell Tom Scavo pays for that house and feeds four kids on one income I don't know. (He & Lynette must have both managed to escape college with minimal student loans.)
And for all of Al Bundy's bitching, he makes more than Tony from Who's the Boss.
Tip - Corner.
Explaining humor is like dissecting a frog...
It can be done, and you can learn something from it, but it tends to kill the frog.
That said...
My only problem with this is I really don't think Will Ferrell is that funny.
Tip via David
That said...
| the Ham |
CLEAN | SPONTANEOUS | LIGHT Your style's mostly goofy, innocent and feel-good. Perfect for parties and for the dads who chaperone them. You can actually get away with corny jokes, and I bet your sense of humor is a guilty pleasure for your friends. People of your type are often the most approachable and popular people in their circle. Your simple & silly good-naturedness is immediately recognizable, and it sets you apart in this sarcastic world. PEOPLE LIKE YOU: Will Ferrell - Will Smith |
 |
My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The 3 Variable Funny Test written by jason_bateman on Ok Cupid |
My only problem with this is I really don't think Will Ferrell is that funny.
Tip via David
Thursday, July 28, 2005
This is cool...
Books are cool.
Read Harry Potter. It was quite good.
Also read Silent Bob Speaks by Kevin Smith. Very very funny, and not just in a schadenfreude way. (Although in a schadenfreude way - when he's talking about the deep and enduring love between Ben Affleck and J-Lo, or when he's talking about how great a movie Jersey Girl is turning out to be - it's also very funny.)
And, in fairness, Jersey Girl wasn't half bad. Definitely the best Ben and Jen movie I've ever seen. (Yes, I've seen the other one.)
Comments are a free-fire zone for Harry Potter spoilers, should anyone wish to discuss it. All are warned.
Also read Silent Bob Speaks by Kevin Smith. Very very funny, and not just in a schadenfreude way. (Although in a schadenfreude way - when he's talking about the deep and enduring love between Ben Affleck and J-Lo, or when he's talking about how great a movie Jersey Girl is turning out to be - it's also very funny.)
And, in fairness, Jersey Girl wasn't half bad. Definitely the best Ben and Jen movie I've ever seen. (Yes, I've seen the other one.)
Comments are a free-fire zone for Harry Potter spoilers, should anyone wish to discuss it. All are warned.
Boy - that explains so much...
 | You scored as Geek.
What's Your High School Stereotype? created with QuizFarm.com |
Tip - Grant the Loner.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Learning how to better protect the public
Currently on the beach at our summer conference, so blogging will come who the hell knows when. I would like to leave you with an actual joke told by the actual governor of Georgia when he spoke to us this morning.
A jury trial had gone on for a while, and a juror in the back of the box had fallen asleep. Meanwhile, the prosecutor was questioning the victim.
"Please tell the jury what the defendant said to you when he made this obscene phone call."
"Oh, I couldn't bear to repeat such lurid language."
"Well, then write it down, so we can pass it to the jury and let them know what was said."
So the witness wrote it down, and what she wrote was viewed by the judge, the prosecutor, defense counsel, and the defendant, and then passed to the jury, who read it one by one and passed it on. Finally, it reached the sleeping juror, who had to be nudged awake by the juror sitting next to him, a very attractive woman. The recently awakened juror read the graphic sexual proposition contained on the note, looked at his fellow juror who passed it to him, smiled, winked, and placed it in his pocket.
"Could we please have that note," said the judge.
"Sorry, your Honor, but this is a private matter between me and the lady next to me."
Ladies and Gentlemen, the governor of Georgia!
A jury trial had gone on for a while, and a juror in the back of the box had fallen asleep. Meanwhile, the prosecutor was questioning the victim.
"Please tell the jury what the defendant said to you when he made this obscene phone call."
"Oh, I couldn't bear to repeat such lurid language."
"Well, then write it down, so we can pass it to the jury and let them know what was said."
So the witness wrote it down, and what she wrote was viewed by the judge, the prosecutor, defense counsel, and the defendant, and then passed to the jury, who read it one by one and passed it on. Finally, it reached the sleeping juror, who had to be nudged awake by the juror sitting next to him, a very attractive woman. The recently awakened juror read the graphic sexual proposition contained on the note, looked at his fellow juror who passed it to him, smiled, winked, and placed it in his pocket.
"Could we please have that note," said the judge.
"Sorry, your Honor, but this is a private matter between me and the lady next to me."
Ladies and Gentlemen, the governor of Georgia!
Friday, July 22, 2005
I wonder why this happened?
U.N. tells Zimbabwe to stop razing the homes of poor people.
(OK, now I'll take "Things I never thought I'd say" for $400, Alex.)
What I'm wondering about is Zimbabwe's response.
The report, commissioned by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, says the government's demolition of shantytowns was "carried out in an indiscriminate and unjustified manner, with indifference to human suffering."OK, I'm not wondering about that. That Mugabe's government is embarking on a brutal campaign of repression and retaliation designed to cement his hold on power seems fairly obvious to the casual observer, even if said observer is working for the U.N. So the harsh language and immediate call for cessation is unsurprising, appropriate, and laudable. Good show, U.N.!
"The government should immediately halt any further demolitions of homes and informal businesses and create conditions for sustainable relief and reconstruction for those affected, said the report's executive summary.
(OK, now I'll take "Things I never thought I'd say" for $400, Alex.)
What I'm wondering about is Zimbabwe's response.
Zimbabwe's representative to the UN, Boniface Chidyausiku, told the state-controlled Herald newspaper that Zimbabwe is not facing an "inquisition" and therefore is not under pressure to respond to the report immediately.Collective shrug. No biggie. We'll get to it when we get to it.
Meet a stupid person.
You just blown all your money in a strip club. Your pregnant girlfriend may very well kill you when she finds out. What do you do?
Obviously, you call the police and report you've been kidnapped and robbed.
You know what I miss? Those "Real Men of Genius" beer ads on TV. That just occurred to me for some reason.
Obviously, you call the police and report you've been kidnapped and robbed.
You know what I miss? Those "Real Men of Genius" beer ads on TV. That just occurred to me for some reason.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Should he stay or should he go?
Tuan Quoc Le is a Vietnamese native with permanent U.S. residency. During the Vietnamese government's diplomatic tour of the U.S., Le punched one of the Vietnamese officials in the face, accusing him of killing his father. (Le's father was apparently a U.S. Marine - there is no information as to whether he died in combat or whether Nguyen Quoc Huy, man Le struck, was invovled. It seems possible that Le was blaming the Communist government in general.)
Le was, of course, charged for the assault. Actually, he was charged under federal law for assaulting a foreign official, under a code section that carries a penalty of up to three years imprisonment - and certainly qualifies as a "serious offense" which could subject a resident to deportation - which, in Le's case, means to Vietnam. Which has a spotty record when it comes to people the government doesn't like.
Le was, of course, charged for the assault. Actually, he was charged under federal law for assaulting a foreign official, under a code section that carries a penalty of up to three years imprisonment - and certainly qualifies as a "serious offense" which could subject a resident to deportation - which, in Le's case, means to Vietnam. Which has a spotty record when it comes to people the government doesn't like.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Moment of unity - over.
Remember when the right and left came together to voice our joint disgust over the London attacks? Remember the amazing display of confidence and resolve displayed by the very left-wing London Mayor Ken Livingstone?
“I can tell you now that you will fail in your long-term objectives to destroy our free society.”You might be less enamored of Ken's Churchillian rhetoric if you knew that such tactics were OK if you targeted Jews:
"Given that the Palestinians don't have jet planes, don't have tanks, they only have their bodies to use as weapons," Livingstone told Sky News in an interview.If you ever believed Ken Livingstone was a douchebag, and have since wavered from that point of view, please waver right on back. Turns out he's still a douchebag.
"In an unfair balance, that's what people use," said Livingstone, who has often been strongly critical of Israel in the past.
People who want to ban pit bulls don't care about dog attacks.
They don't care about the victims of dog attacks. They care about the perception that they are doing something about dog attacks. When the state sends in the dog wardens to put people's pets to death - the ones who raised vicious dogs will get rottweilers and other dangerous breeds. Meanwhile, you've killed people's pets or forced them to give them away.
Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown is deeply afraid of this little guy:
Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown is a waste of taxpayer dollars, and a wuss to boot.
Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown is deeply afraid of this little guy:
Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown is a waste of taxpayer dollars, and a wuss to boot.
Exchange of letters...
From the desk of Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO):
However, I want to express my disappointment that you have missed an opportunity to help create an America that includes women at all levels of our nation’s government.From the desk of Pres. George Bush:
Yo, Ken Dog - I'm all about the advice and consent. You want Janice Rogers Brown, say the word.
Book review...
Finished reading The Historian last night. It's all right. It's about a vampire hunt as historical research, and there are, I think, three action sequences in 600+ pages. The narration within a narration within a narration style can get a little confusing, as you're occasionally not sure who's talking.
The attention to detail is cool, and the story does a decent job of building suspense, although the ending is a little abrupt. Not worth full hardcover price, but not a bad read.
The attention to detail is cool, and the story does a decent job of building suspense, although the ending is a little abrupt. Not worth full hardcover price, but not a bad read.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Just a thought...
I've never seen that reality show the Scholar (where kids compete for a free ride to college), but they should have had an elimination ceremony that went like this. After whatever challenge they had that week - everyone gets an "acceptance letter", which you would then open and read aloud which school you were accepted to...
"I got accepted to Stanford!"
"I got accepted to Harvard"
"I got accepted to...the local community college."
And there's your elimination.
Hollywood needs me.
"I got accepted to Stanford!"
"I got accepted to Harvard"
"I got accepted to...the local community college."
And there's your elimination.
Hollywood needs me.
Dammit, Arlen...
Arlen Specter on who should take O'Connor's place on the Supreme Court:
(Was that putting it tactfully? With the written word, it's hard to tell sometimes if you're being tactful.)
"Preserving the balance of the court" is another way of saying "The Supreme Court is absolutely perfect just the way it is," which is the sort of thing you'd say if you were either:
Picture two completely plausible things happening on or about the same time. One is a Democrat winning the White House in 2008. The other is William Rehnquist, who has previously said they can have his spot on the court when they pry his gavel from his cold dead fingers, checking out shortly after said Democrat wins. Now imagine any Democrat alive suggesting the President has an obligation to "preserve the balance of the court" by nominating someone in line with Rehnquist's view of the Constitution. Picture Pat Leahy going along with such a scheme. Picture all the liberal interest groups drooling at the prospect of undoing the work of the Rehnquist court being told they had to get stuffed in the interest of national harmony. Then ask yourself - "Why am I wasting a perfectly good fantasy world on Pat Leahy when I could be refereeing a pillow fight between Kirsten Dunst and Jessica Alba?" (It's that kind of question that never gets asked in Senate confirmation hearings. We are a poorer nation for it.)
When Senators talk about "a consensus nominee" they mean "someone that will about 25 really conservative Senators aneurysms." And when they mean "someone who will preserve the balance of the court," they mean "The President should nominate someone with a judicial philosophy he disagrees with." And when they say - as Chuck Schumer did - they want someone "pragmatic", they mean "SPORTCH!"
Which is the sound a bag of yak vomit makes when it hits the ground. Try and stay out of splatter range.
Specter encouraged Bush not to bow to pressure from conservative groups and instead try to preserve the existing ideological balance on the court...How can I put this tactfully...Arlen Specter is a crack-smoking half-witted bag of yak vomit.
Specter said. "And when you have these very delicate questions, it's helpful to the country to have somebody who is a swing vote, which maintains the balance."
(Was that putting it tactfully? With the written word, it's hard to tell sometimes if you're being tactful.)
"Preserving the balance of the court" is another way of saying "The Supreme Court is absolutely perfect just the way it is," which is the sort of thing you'd say if you were either:
a.) A crack-smoking half-witted bag of yak vomit; or(See, I'm giving Arlen the benefit of the doubt by concluding he's stupid instead of dishonest. And, frankly, it's not the first time I've cut him slack.)
b.) Lying.
Picture two completely plausible things happening on or about the same time. One is a Democrat winning the White House in 2008. The other is William Rehnquist, who has previously said they can have his spot on the court when they pry his gavel from his cold dead fingers, checking out shortly after said Democrat wins. Now imagine any Democrat alive suggesting the President has an obligation to "preserve the balance of the court" by nominating someone in line with Rehnquist's view of the Constitution. Picture Pat Leahy going along with such a scheme. Picture all the liberal interest groups drooling at the prospect of undoing the work of the Rehnquist court being told they had to get stuffed in the interest of national harmony. Then ask yourself - "Why am I wasting a perfectly good fantasy world on Pat Leahy when I could be refereeing a pillow fight between Kirsten Dunst and Jessica Alba?" (It's that kind of question that never gets asked in Senate confirmation hearings. We are a poorer nation for it.)
When Senators talk about "a consensus nominee" they mean "someone that will about 25 really conservative Senators aneurysms." And when they mean "someone who will preserve the balance of the court," they mean "The President should nominate someone with a judicial philosophy he disagrees with." And when they say - as Chuck Schumer did - they want someone "pragmatic", they mean "SPORTCH!"
Which is the sound a bag of yak vomit makes when it hits the ground. Try and stay out of splatter range.
Note to the Georgia State Legislature...
If you want to go ahead and ask me whether or not something's a stupid idea in advance, feel free. It might save time later.
Case in point, a state senator who should have listened to me about his moron dog-banning bill. It saves time having to back down later.
Case in point, a state senator who should have listened to me about his moron dog-banning bill. It saves time having to back down later.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
I'd get to it eventually,
Courtesy of what's-her-name, I got tagged some time back with the "essentially tell us your entire life story" meme, which should probably make further ones unnecessary.
10 years ago: Ah, the summer of 1995. I had finished my first year of law school, and was working two jobs, though only one of them paid. I worked for a small firm near Peoria. They usually did wills, divorces, DUI's, but one of their clients managed to get himself charged with arson and three counts of murder. I also spent time of the district office of the next Governor of Illinois, if the people of that state have finally tired of Governors who go directly to jail from the Governor's mansion. I was dating a crazy redhead, who was planning to follow me to St. Louis that fall. Dog count: 1.
5 years ago: Scenic Jefferson City, MO. I had a pleasant if not terribly glamorous job with the state, that took me all over southwestern Missouri, which includes both the beautiful Ozark mountains, and the somewhat less beautiful town of Branson, which is like Las Vegas if it were run by Ned Flanders. The crazy redhead had yet to figure out she could do better, and was finishing up school in preparation for a job search that would put us in Detroit, MI, by the end of the year, which I've concluded was her revenge for me not proposing to her sooner. Dog count: 2.
1 year ago: I finally got around to proposing to the redhead a few years back. Whatever she meant to say, it came out as "yes" and I ran with it. She's still here, still crazy. "Here" is now just outside Atlanta, GA, where I have a job I love in a local prosecutor's office. We were still in the process of moving into the house we bought the previous December, but we're confident we'll get all the boxes unpacked any day now. The dog count is up to 3, and we're grateful to the big guy for sticking around with us all this time.
Yesterday: Talking about how we should really finish unpacking one of these days. Went out to dinner with a co-worker, one of our regular defense attorneys and their wives. Sat out a huge storm in a very nice restaurant talking about the craziness that surrounds us and ensures our job security. Bought the Harry Potter book during our usually expensive runs to Media Play, where we also got Season 5 of Angel and Seasons 1 & 2 of Titus. (Man, Titus was some funny television.)
Today: No, really, we'll get to the unpacking, I promise. Spouse got ahold of Harry Potter, so she'll be dead to the world today. In theory, it wouldn't be a bad idea for me to mow the lawn today. In theory, communism works.
Tomorrow: Back to the front - there is a massive stack of files stored...well, stored pretty much all over my office, to the constant dismay of my co-workers. Part of next week will be spent at a conference, so the time I am in the office is a busy day.
5 snacks I enjoy: Doritos, grapes, wings, Oreos, and Combos.
5 singers that I know the lyrics of MOST of their songs: Billy Joel, same as everyone else. Throw in Garth Brooks, Huey Lewis, John Cougal, and Weird Al.
5 things I would do with $100,000,000: Make a movie, hire a personal trainer, fund domestic violence shelters, Big old house out in the country, and probably a couple more dogs.
5 locations I’d like to run away to: Anywhere but Detroit. That's at least five places.
5 bad habits I have: Procrastination...and I'll get to this list later.
5 things I like doing: PS2; poker, reading; blogging; writing (though I don't do enough of that last one.)
5 things I would never wear: Birkenstocks, facial jewelry, bicycle shorts, Yankees gear, and chaps.
5 TV shows I like: House, Law & Order: SVU, Alias, the Sopranos, Lost.
5 movies I like: Sin City, Liar Liar, The Brothers McMullen, Glory, Terminator 2.
5 famous people I’d like to meet: Jonah Goldberg, Aaron McGruder, Dan Savage, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and Kurt Angle. (Though probably not all at once.)
5 biggest joys at the moment: My health, Mishka, Koshka, Otchki, and the crazy redhead.
5 favorite toys: From the collection - Jakks Pacific Diesel and Razor Ramon (the toys that started our obsession); Barbie as Harley Quinn (the spouse really digs that one); Simpsons Court House (in my office), and Sin City's Nancy Callahan (you have to ask?)
5 people to tag: Steve at Kicking Air, Bob the Sports Guy, COB the crack smoker, Mike the Shakespearean Actor with the impending marriage, and Dave the guy who needs a jumpstart posting.
10 years ago: Ah, the summer of 1995. I had finished my first year of law school, and was working two jobs, though only one of them paid. I worked for a small firm near Peoria. They usually did wills, divorces, DUI's, but one of their clients managed to get himself charged with arson and three counts of murder. I also spent time of the district office of the next Governor of Illinois, if the people of that state have finally tired of Governors who go directly to jail from the Governor's mansion. I was dating a crazy redhead, who was planning to follow me to St. Louis that fall. Dog count: 1.
5 years ago: Scenic Jefferson City, MO. I had a pleasant if not terribly glamorous job with the state, that took me all over southwestern Missouri, which includes both the beautiful Ozark mountains, and the somewhat less beautiful town of Branson, which is like Las Vegas if it were run by Ned Flanders. The crazy redhead had yet to figure out she could do better, and was finishing up school in preparation for a job search that would put us in Detroit, MI, by the end of the year, which I've concluded was her revenge for me not proposing to her sooner. Dog count: 2.
1 year ago: I finally got around to proposing to the redhead a few years back. Whatever she meant to say, it came out as "yes" and I ran with it. She's still here, still crazy. "Here" is now just outside Atlanta, GA, where I have a job I love in a local prosecutor's office. We were still in the process of moving into the house we bought the previous December, but we're confident we'll get all the boxes unpacked any day now. The dog count is up to 3, and we're grateful to the big guy for sticking around with us all this time.
Yesterday: Talking about how we should really finish unpacking one of these days. Went out to dinner with a co-worker, one of our regular defense attorneys and their wives. Sat out a huge storm in a very nice restaurant talking about the craziness that surrounds us and ensures our job security. Bought the Harry Potter book during our usually expensive runs to Media Play, where we also got Season 5 of Angel and Seasons 1 & 2 of Titus. (Man, Titus was some funny television.)
Today: No, really, we'll get to the unpacking, I promise. Spouse got ahold of Harry Potter, so she'll be dead to the world today. In theory, it wouldn't be a bad idea for me to mow the lawn today. In theory, communism works.
Tomorrow: Back to the front - there is a massive stack of files stored...well, stored pretty much all over my office, to the constant dismay of my co-workers. Part of next week will be spent at a conference, so the time I am in the office is a busy day.
5 snacks I enjoy: Doritos, grapes, wings, Oreos, and Combos.
5 singers that I know the lyrics of MOST of their songs: Billy Joel, same as everyone else. Throw in Garth Brooks, Huey Lewis, John Cougal, and Weird Al.
5 things I would do with $100,000,000: Make a movie, hire a personal trainer, fund domestic violence shelters, Big old house out in the country, and probably a couple more dogs.
5 locations I’d like to run away to: Anywhere but Detroit. That's at least five places.
5 bad habits I have: Procrastination...and I'll get to this list later.
5 things I like doing: PS2; poker, reading; blogging; writing (though I don't do enough of that last one.)
5 things I would never wear: Birkenstocks, facial jewelry, bicycle shorts, Yankees gear, and chaps.
5 TV shows I like: House, Law & Order: SVU, Alias, the Sopranos, Lost.
5 movies I like: Sin City, Liar Liar, The Brothers McMullen, Glory, Terminator 2.
5 famous people I’d like to meet: Jonah Goldberg, Aaron McGruder, Dan Savage, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and Kurt Angle. (Though probably not all at once.)
5 biggest joys at the moment: My health, Mishka, Koshka, Otchki, and the crazy redhead.
5 favorite toys: From the collection - Jakks Pacific Diesel and Razor Ramon (the toys that started our obsession); Barbie as Harley Quinn (the spouse really digs that one); Simpsons Court House (in my office), and Sin City's Nancy Callahan (you have to ask?)
5 people to tag: Steve at Kicking Air, Bob the Sports Guy, COB the crack smoker, Mike the Shakespearean Actor with the impending marriage, and Dave the guy who needs a jumpstart posting.
Guess what my spouse bought...
Just had a big box delivered to my house. The spouse bid on a box of stuff from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and it arrived yesterday. We got a stake, a cross pendant allegedly worn by Buffy, a mug used by Giles, and some other stuff. We also got this.
Friday, July 15, 2005
This guy just missed getting into MENSA
Guy gets arrested for illegal gun possession. He tells the cops the guns aren't his, they belong to other occupants of the house. Normally, this has the potential to be a tough case - if multiple people have access to an area where contraband is stored, how can you tell which party is the actual owner of said contraband?
Well, one way is if the guy has a picture of the gun, complete with serial number, tattooed on his body.
Not that I'm one to give assistance to criminal defendants, but I say he should give this a shot - get a picture of Angelina Jolie tattooed on your body, then say "Oh, I suppose you're going to say she's mine, too! Could somebody tell her that?"
Well, one way is if the guy has a picture of the gun, complete with serial number, tattooed on his body.
Not that I'm one to give assistance to criminal defendants, but I say he should give this a shot - get a picture of Angelina Jolie tattooed on your body, then say "Oh, I suppose you're going to say she's mine, too! Could somebody tell her that?"
Hamassholes...
The Palestinians, never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity, continue to do their best to try and convince Israel that withdrawing from Gaza is a bad idea. While Sharon hasn't been persuaded yet, others have. Hamas is continuing to shell Israeli villages to give the impression that Israel is being chased from Gaza by the all-powerful might of a bunch of Allah's chosen, who would rather not give their names, so that the totally defeated Zionist entity doesn't just blow them the heck up.
I've been pro-withdrawl, not because I give a flaming crap about the national aspirations of the Palestinians, (I don't) but because I thought it in Israel's best interests to remove settlements that were hard to defend, as they created a security risk, not just for the settlers themselves, but for Israelis as a whole, who rely on security forces that are overextended with the disproportionate needs of the settlements. That said, if Hamas sells the withdrawl as proof terrorism works, Israel will be less safe as a result.
Someone should tell Abu Mazen, frankly, that Hamas' current behavior is a very persuasive argument that Giving Palestinians Land is a Bad Idea, and should be Stopped at Once. Sure, dealing with Hamas will be difficult, unpleasant, and politically unpopular among the segment of Palestinians who believe in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. But that's the sort of thing leaders who merit their own state do.
I've been pro-withdrawl, not because I give a flaming crap about the national aspirations of the Palestinians, (I don't) but because I thought it in Israel's best interests to remove settlements that were hard to defend, as they created a security risk, not just for the settlers themselves, but for Israelis as a whole, who rely on security forces that are overextended with the disproportionate needs of the settlements. That said, if Hamas sells the withdrawl as proof terrorism works, Israel will be less safe as a result.
Someone should tell Abu Mazen, frankly, that Hamas' current behavior is a very persuasive argument that Giving Palestinians Land is a Bad Idea, and should be Stopped at Once. Sure, dealing with Hamas will be difficult, unpleasant, and politically unpopular among the segment of Palestinians who believe in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. But that's the sort of thing leaders who merit their own state do.
Chilling of dissent
Akbar Ganji is an Iranian journalist apparently willing to starve himself to death to call attention to the fact that top Iranian officials murdered leading critics of Ayatollah Khameni's police state. He was arrested for revealing inconvenient truths, or whatever Iran wants to call it, and they have stated in no uncertain terms that Ganji will serve out the six year sentence imposed on him. (That's at least six years. Ganji's wife reports that authorities have told Ganji he must renounce his calls for reform before he goes anywhere.) Iranian officials have responded to criticism by boldly stating "well, at least we didn't make him wear a thong on his head!" Which is the same debating tactic I recall from arguments with my sister. When we were eight.
At least one world leader has prominently and unequivocally called for Ganji's release. Another has pleaded ignorance and refused to take a stand One of those two is George Bush, and the other is Kofi Annan. Feel free to guess which is which.
At least one world leader has prominently and unequivocally called for Ganji's release. Another has pleaded ignorance and refused to take a stand One of those two is George Bush, and the other is Kofi Annan. Feel free to guess which is which.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
It's award time...
I was dumbstruck when I read this, by which I mean somebody should be struck 'cause they're so dumb.
Check this article - a bus company is suing a group of women who live along their route. Reason being? The women have decided to share rides to work, so they don't need to take the bus. This is being called "an act of unfair and parasitical competition".
So they're being sued. For carpooling.
Hat tip to Hubs and Spokes via Ace of Spades.
Oh, and regarding Transports Schiocchet Excursions use of the words "unfair" and "parsitical" - I gotta guy who has something to say to you. Inigo?
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Here's your Montoya Award.
Check this article - a bus company is suing a group of women who live along their route. Reason being? The women have decided to share rides to work, so they don't need to take the bus. This is being called "an act of unfair and parasitical competition".
So they're being sued. For carpooling.
Hat tip to Hubs and Spokes via Ace of Spades.
Oh, and regarding Transports Schiocchet Excursions use of the words "unfair" and "parsitical" - I gotta guy who has something to say to you. Inigo?
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Here's your Montoya Award.
Blogroll additions...
When it isn't really news...
Cruise the blogosphere in the immediate aftermath of the 7/7 attack on London, and everywhere you went, you saw a British flag posted - because this attack was a unique outrage, an attack deliberately targeting innocent civilians in the heart of a democratic ally.
Couple days later, plenty of bloggers, (present company included), posted on another terrorist attack. Once again, innocent civilians were targeted, once again, targeting a democratic ally. I didn't even think about how nobody (again, present company included), posted a flag to show their solidarity with our embattled ally, until I saw a post that remembered.
Making terror against Israel not really count as, you know, terrorism is part of the whole war against the West in general, and Israel's existence in particular. The bad guys will lose, of course, but they apparently don't know that yet.
Till they do.
Couple days later, plenty of bloggers, (present company included), posted on another terrorist attack. Once again, innocent civilians were targeted, once again, targeting a democratic ally. I didn't even think about how nobody (again, present company included), posted a flag to show their solidarity with our embattled ally, until I saw a post that remembered.
"A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic." - Josef Stalin.It never really stopped being news, but it's certainly not stop-the-presses shocking anymore. Ho-hum, another jerk with a C-4 vest set himself off among a bunch of Israeli teenagers. Even Tony Blair forgot to include Israel when rattling off a list of countries victimized by terror recently, made the omission. (At least, I think he forgot. A cynic might think it was a deliberate omission made so as not to jeopardize the recent sympathy Britain has engendered, but I have a higher opinion of Blair than that.)
Making terror against Israel not really count as, you know, terrorism is part of the whole war against the West in general, and Israel's existence in particular. The bad guys will lose, of course, but they apparently don't know that yet.
Till they do.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Why does Michael Bay get to keep on making movies?
I guess the memo's still circulating...
In response to the London bombing: Killing innocents is a violation of Islam.
"...there is no room in Islam for killing the innocent in any manner or for any cause. Islam is the religion of peace. Its very name Islam is a synonym of peace. Its very greetings, ‘Assalam-o-alaikum” means peace be upon you. Qura’n says, “killing of one person (innocent) is like killing of the entire humanity”."Of course, while we're all busy being reassured, a homicide bomber detonates in an Israeli shopping mall, killing at least three people and injuring more than 30. Thank goodness we have a guy from Mahmoud Abbas' office to set a strong moral tone and tell us why seeking out shopping teenagers to detonate a bomb is wrong:
"We condemn this attack; all factions must abide by the truce," said Jibril Rajoub, a security aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. "These acts only cause harm to Palestinian unity and serve the right wing in Israel."Every time a statement of regret or condemnation begins and ends with that kind of language, add this phrase:
"Cause if we didn't think Ariel Sharon would get a PR bounce, we'd be totally cool with it."Because that's what they're saying.
Another part of youth dies...
Officer Peter Shields
Peter Shields works for the San Francisco Police Department. He's been a police officer for five years. San Fran, of course, has a higher-than-usual percentage of people who exercise their constitutional right to petition the government for redress of grievances, or just gather in public and bitch about stuff, depending on the mood. Officer Shields was tasked to keep order during protests surrounding the G-8 summit - during which he was savagely beaten by protestors:
Officer Shields suffered brain swelling and a blot clot. Although he has been released from the hospital, his return to the force is not yet certain. Now, there are two different versions of events - according to the protestors - Officer Shields' vehicle had some kind of inadvertent contact with one of the protesters' props, and maybe his car got accidentally hit by a firework, at which time Officer Shields totally went nuts and started trying to beat innocent people for merely exercising their freedom to dissent, at which time they heroically and not in any way excessively or illegally defended themselves. It should also be noted that the protesters, who should not be thought of as the type of people who would initiate a violent confrontation were "shooting off fireworks, putting barricades in the street and breaking windows."
The police version of events is slightly different, of course. Per the police, the protesters, (who already merited arrest for the whole breaking window thing) tossed a mattress in the way of Officer Shields' car, and were intending to light it. Shields got out and was immediately assaulted. I leave it to you to make up your own mind who started the fight.
Of course, the rioters in question were not typical of the left. San Fran Mayor Gavin Newsom is as liberal a guy as you'll see in polite society, and he's commendably pissed off. The mayor has also authorized a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever assaulted Officer Shields, and I'm sure responsible and decent people who were part of peaceful protests against the G-8 are lining up as we speak to either add to the reward fund or provide any information they may have, both to signify that this atrocity in no way represents their goals and ideals, and simply because it's the right thing to do. Three people have been arrested, but their role in the attack remains unclear.
Tip - Ace of Spades.
Officer Shields suffered brain swelling and a blot clot. Although he has been released from the hospital, his return to the force is not yet certain. Now, there are two different versions of events - according to the protestors - Officer Shields' vehicle had some kind of inadvertent contact with one of the protesters' props, and maybe his car got accidentally hit by a firework, at which time Officer Shields totally went nuts and started trying to beat innocent people for merely exercising their freedom to dissent, at which time they heroically and not in any way excessively or illegally defended themselves. It should also be noted that the protesters, who should not be thought of as the type of people who would initiate a violent confrontation were "shooting off fireworks, putting barricades in the street and breaking windows."
The police version of events is slightly different, of course. Per the police, the protesters, (who already merited arrest for the whole breaking window thing) tossed a mattress in the way of Officer Shields' car, and were intending to light it. Shields got out and was immediately assaulted. I leave it to you to make up your own mind who started the fight.
Of course, the rioters in question were not typical of the left. San Fran Mayor Gavin Newsom is as liberal a guy as you'll see in polite society, and he's commendably pissed off. The mayor has also authorized a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever assaulted Officer Shields, and I'm sure responsible and decent people who were part of peaceful protests against the G-8 are lining up as we speak to either add to the reward fund or provide any information they may have, both to signify that this atrocity in no way represents their goals and ideals, and simply because it's the right thing to do. Three people have been arrested, but their role in the attack remains unclear.
Tip - Ace of Spades.
Dude, your new nickname is "American Tool."
Next year, Venezuela will have what they and Jimmy Carter will call a "presidential election." What the rest of us will call it is something of an open question. Opponents of Hugo Chavez are going to give it their best shot, though. Julio Borges is the first major opposition figure to declare his candidacy. Borges will point out that, since Venezuela is an oil rich country and oil prices are at record highs, Venezuela should be doing really well. He will then point out that despite this, Venezuelans are actually getting poorer, which would suggest that Chavez is either corrupt or an ignoramus who shouldn't run a fantasy baseball league, let alone a country.
Chavez will respond by calling Borges a puppet of George Bush. Should be a fun campaign.
Chavez will respond by calling Borges a puppet of George Bush. Should be a fun campaign.
I'm OK with it if she wants to run for President...
Condoleeza Rice is in Korea trying to deal with the hornet's nest that is North Korea. Dealing with North Korea is basically deciding how much the free world (plus China) is going to subsidize a demented nutjob's brutal pillaging of his country, which is a depressing reality to confront. But this perked me up:
If the rest of the world had their say, the opportunity would present itself a hell of a lot less. It gets in the way of the Great Stability March, you see. But, in a simplistic, cowboyish, unilateral world, it is the right thing to do, and I'm glad to see a U.S. bigwig get Japan's back.
Meanwhile, Rice also said she supported Japan's efforts to press for answers on North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens as part of six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear programs, even as China and South Korea objected that the issue was a bilateral dispute.North Korea's kidnapping of Japanese citizens is a fascinating story that tells you most of what you need to know about Kim and Co. The number of people involved is very small, and Japan could make things go easier diplomatically if they'd quit bring them up. However, the Japanese public won't let the government let go, and Jun Koizumi has been admirably pressing the issue whenever the opportunity presents.
If the rest of the world had their say, the opportunity would present itself a hell of a lot less. It gets in the way of the Great Stability March, you see. But, in a simplistic, cowboyish, unilateral world, it is the right thing to do, and I'm glad to see a U.S. bigwig get Japan's back.
Monday, July 11, 2005
A man of integrity...
Once all the victims' families were out of the room, and George Ryan's supporters felt free to talk about his decision to empty Illinois' death row - everyone was assured that, agree or disagree with his decision, there was no doubt he was doing it solely because he felt that it was right - absolutely no intention of using this to deflect intention from his then pending indictment on a host of corruption charges. Divining future legal strategy using the sole guiding principle that George Ryan's word is roughly equal in value to a Buddy Biancalana baseball card that's spent 1,000 miles in the spokes of a bicycle, I was pretty sure that the exact opposite would end up happening, and Super George would be pushing his clemency decision hard as a reason to find that it wasn't George who was corrupt, just everyone around him.
And, per the Friends of George Ryan website (he's taking contributions, if you're so inclined) - lo and behold, this oh-so-principled decision is now a major reason to think there's no way this guy would ever betray the trust of the people of Illinois. Because George Ryan was as honest with the citizens of Illinois as he was with the families of murder victims...well, I don't think he puts it quite that way...
This, however, should amuse the heck out of anyone familiar with Illinois' history, another reason to believe in Ryan's innocence:
And, per the Friends of George Ryan website (he's taking contributions, if you're so inclined) - lo and behold, this oh-so-principled decision is now a major reason to think there's no way this guy would ever betray the trust of the people of Illinois. Because George Ryan was as honest with the citizens of Illinois as he was with the families of murder victims...well, I don't think he puts it quite that way...
This, however, should amuse the heck out of anyone familiar with Illinois' history, another reason to believe in Ryan's innocence:
In addition, Ryan's lawyers argued they should be allowed to put into context at trial how politics works in Illinois and the practices that have prevailed in the state for generations.Cause when you think of long-established practices, and "how politics works in Illinois", the last thing you think about is corruption, right?
When he was elected secretary of state in 1990, Ryan "inherited an office with long-established, deeply entrenched practices," including the awarding of low-digit license plates, the defense filing said.
For all supporters of athletics...
Please note the 10th annual Redneck Games have taken place as scheduled. I believe that instead of nations, participants competed on behalf of their favorite member of the "Blue Collar Comedy Tour."
Over in Cantpronounceitstan...
The guy everybody figured would win Krygyzstan's Presidential election won Krygyzstan's Presidential election. The election was certified as "not totally sucking" by observers, which is a step forward for the region. Of course, Bakiyev, the new President, was by far the most popular politician in the country, and was going to win a clean election as well as a rigged one. The real test of democracy will come when the people want to give him a kick in the butt, either in a presidential or parliamentary election.
And while I doubt the world's oldest democracy generally needs to take tips from nations holding their first elections ever, Krygyzstan's addition of dancing girls to polling places is definitely worth considering as a turnout booster.
And while I doubt the world's oldest democracy generally needs to take tips from nations holding their first elections ever, Krygyzstan's addition of dancing girls to polling places is definitely worth considering as a turnout booster.
I'm all out of love...
Air Supply brings the 80's to Cuba.
Which, admittedly, would be a step forward.
Tip - Southern Appeal.
Which, admittedly, would be a step forward.
Tip - Southern Appeal.
Friday, July 08, 2005
You know what's a really big number? Thirty.
For some reason, that thought just popped into my head.
Cause, it's one...two...
So I let the spouse talk me into going to the Braves game last night, to give her a chance to see her beloved Chicago Cubs, and work on her slight crush on Braves second baseman/midget wrestler Marcus Giles. When last we were in Turner Field, we saw the Cubs win game 5 of the Division Series, making the Braves the first team in nearly a century to blow a playoff series to the Cubs. (The local boys do not do postseason. That's just all there is to it.) Despite Turner Field being a giant stadium shaped building, the spouse has trouble finding it, and we miss the first two innings. (The only thing I hate more than driving is driving that airplane hanger on wheels she calls a truck, so I smile and deal with it like any good spouse, by which I mean WHAT PART OF "TURN HERE" WASN'T IN ENGLISH?!?)
The Braves are in a heated race for a division title against a solid opponent, so of course the stadium is barely two-thirds full. God, Atlanta sucks as a sports town. The game is good for the first seven innings, back and forth, and we have great seats, near the visitors bullpen, where we watch the desperate housewives in front of us lust after Cubs reliever Mike Remlinger. Spouse concurs that as older men go, he's not bad. I contemplate trying to get her interested in sumo wrestling.
The Cubs blow it, of course, but we get to watch a guy get his first major league hit ever. (It's the home run that puts the game out of reach, and our cue to leave.)
But it wasn't a total loss. She has a lower opinion of Marcus Giles now.
The Braves are in a heated race for a division title against a solid opponent, so of course the stadium is barely two-thirds full. God, Atlanta sucks as a sports town. The game is good for the first seven innings, back and forth, and we have great seats, near the visitors bullpen, where we watch the desperate housewives in front of us lust after Cubs reliever Mike Remlinger. Spouse concurs that as older men go, he's not bad. I contemplate trying to get her interested in sumo wrestling.
The Cubs blow it, of course, but we get to watch a guy get his first major league hit ever. (It's the home run that puts the game out of reach, and our cue to leave.)
But it wasn't a total loss. She has a lower opinion of Marcus Giles now.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
I concur...
Bastards in London...
No clear picture on how many people were killed in Britain during the course of today's terrorist attack, the number currently is around 40, and is certain to go up.
Good regular blogging on this can be found at Instapundit and Rambling's Journal, among others. A previously unheard of group dropping Al-Qaeda's name has taken credit for the bombing, although my initial suspcions ran towards G-8 protestors when reading reports at Of the Mind, who's also on top of this. One reporter cited by Instapundit reminds us that in addition to the G-8 summit, Britain is also currently hosting the trial of human skid mark Abu Hamza, which could be an impetus to terrorism among a certain group of jackasses.
Tony Blair's statement was the sort of thing you'd expect. Most of his American admirers probably wouldn't vote for him if they were British (myself included), but his resolve should never be in doubt.
Good regular blogging on this can be found at Instapundit and Rambling's Journal, among others. A previously unheard of group dropping Al-Qaeda's name has taken credit for the bombing, although my initial suspcions ran towards G-8 protestors when reading reports at Of the Mind, who's also on top of this. One reporter cited by Instapundit reminds us that in addition to the G-8 summit, Britain is also currently hosting the trial of human skid mark Abu Hamza, which could be an impetus to terrorism among a certain group of jackasses.
Tony Blair's statement was the sort of thing you'd expect. Most of his American admirers probably wouldn't vote for him if they were British (myself included), but his resolve should never be in doubt.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Hello, Dalai!
Happy Birthday to the Dalai Lama, who turned 70.
And, if I may add a note to the People's Republic of China: Only a sissy little wuss-country would be afraid of people celebrating a religious leader's birthday. I'm just saying, is all.
And, if I may add a note to the People's Republic of China: Only a sissy little wuss-country would be afraid of people celebrating a religious leader's birthday. I'm just saying, is all.
OK, let's do it Ginsburg-style...
After Sandra Day O'Connor turned in her robe to try her hand at being a WWE Smackdown Diva, there's been a rush to claim that Senate tradition has always held that "advice and consent" of the Senate means the full approval of the minority party, pretty much regardless of what the majority party wants.
Justification for this is the confirmation of one Ruth Bader Ginsburg, allegedly done with the full involvement of all Republicans, or maybe just this one conversation with Orrin Hatch, we forget which. Actually, the confirmation of Ginsburg as role model is fine with me - according to what Hatch actually told Clinton about it:
That said, I'll bet anyone a steak dinner Ted Kennedy and Chuck Schumer's version of how this should go bears roughly zero resemblance to how Hatch dealt with Clinton. Suggest to either of these distinguished lions of the Senate that perhaps the judicial philosophy of the President and the majority of Senators should guide the selection, and they will look at you the same way my dog looks at me when I try to explain why the St. Louis Rams let Jerome Bettis go many years ago. He knows you're talking to him, and while he just can't understand what it is you're saying, he gets the sense that what you're talking about is a bad, bad idea.
It's not like the Democratic party is incapable of such behavior. Back when Antonin Scalia was first nominated, he was confirmed 98-0. Did the Dems back then think they'd agree with how Scalia ruled? Maybe, if they were morons. (And with Robert Byrd involved, who can be sure?) More likely, they respected the idea that a conservative President has a right to nominate a conservative justice, and their vote reflected the idea that, as conservatives go, Scalia was fine. This is what Hatch and most Republicans did with Ginsburg, who was confirmed 97-3. (And that wasn't any minor sacrifice on the part of the Republicans, either. Ginsburg replaced Byron "Whizzer" White, one of the Court's most conservative members.) If this is what Schumer is proposing to do for Bush with O'Connor's replacement, then God bless him as he opines as to the merits of Garza vs. Luttig, Owen vs. Jones, pausing briefly to contemplate Batista vs. Christian. (Sorry, went back to Smackdown for a second there. And if Schumer's interested, I don't get what the big deal is about Batista.)
In any event, it's likely when Schumer envisions re-creating the process that put Ruth Bader Ginsberg on the Supreme Court, he is a lying sack of guano. Which is too bad, because deep within his smoldering pile of sanctimonious horse poop lies a really, really good idea.
Justification for this is the confirmation of one Ruth Bader Ginsburg, allegedly done with the full involvement of all Republicans, or maybe just this one conversation with Orrin Hatch, we forget which. Actually, the confirmation of Ginsburg as role model is fine with me - according to what Hatch actually told Clinton about it:
Our conversation moved to other potential candidates. I asked whether he had considered Judge Stephen Breyer of the First Circuit Court of Appeals or Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. President Clinton indicated he had heard Breyer's name but had not thought about Judge Ginsberg.Hatch's perspective - a Democrat won the Presidency, Democrats controlled the Senate - the President has a right to pick a liberal justice, so let me suggest one with the ethics and intellect to be a competent jurist. This perspective, if adopted by the Democrats, is okey-dokey with me.
I indicated I thought they would be confirmed easily. I knew them both and believed that, while liberal, they were highly honest and capable jurists and their confirmation would not embarrass the President. From my perspective, they were far better than the other likely candidates from a liberal Democrat administration. (emphasis mine)
That said, I'll bet anyone a steak dinner Ted Kennedy and Chuck Schumer's version of how this should go bears roughly zero resemblance to how Hatch dealt with Clinton. Suggest to either of these distinguished lions of the Senate that perhaps the judicial philosophy of the President and the majority of Senators should guide the selection, and they will look at you the same way my dog looks at me when I try to explain why the St. Louis Rams let Jerome Bettis go many years ago. He knows you're talking to him, and while he just can't understand what it is you're saying, he gets the sense that what you're talking about is a bad, bad idea.
It's not like the Democratic party is incapable of such behavior. Back when Antonin Scalia was first nominated, he was confirmed 98-0. Did the Dems back then think they'd agree with how Scalia ruled? Maybe, if they were morons. (And with Robert Byrd involved, who can be sure?) More likely, they respected the idea that a conservative President has a right to nominate a conservative justice, and their vote reflected the idea that, as conservatives go, Scalia was fine. This is what Hatch and most Republicans did with Ginsburg, who was confirmed 97-3. (And that wasn't any minor sacrifice on the part of the Republicans, either. Ginsburg replaced Byron "Whizzer" White, one of the Court's most conservative members.) If this is what Schumer is proposing to do for Bush with O'Connor's replacement, then God bless him as he opines as to the merits of Garza vs. Luttig, Owen vs. Jones, pausing briefly to contemplate Batista vs. Christian. (Sorry, went back to Smackdown for a second there. And if Schumer's interested, I don't get what the big deal is about Batista.)
In any event, it's likely when Schumer envisions re-creating the process that put Ruth Bader Ginsberg on the Supreme Court, he is a lying sack of guano. Which is too bad, because deep within his smoldering pile of sanctimonious horse poop lies a really, really good idea.
I don't care where you're from, that's funny right there...
Well worth reading...
Ah, my hometown...
Thank God for local bloggers. I try to keep up to date on Uzbekistan (update - it still sucks), meanwhile I miss crap that happens in my own backyard. I'd heard vaguely of a serious accident on Donald Lee Hollowell parkway, which is right on the way to Casa De Crosblog, but I didn't know what actually happened.
Now I do. Some idiot launched a bottle rocket at a fuel truck. On a road I drive on every day. De-freaking-lightful.
Tip of the cap to Michael at Of the Mind.
Now I do. Some idiot launched a bottle rocket at a fuel truck. On a road I drive on every day. De-freaking-lightful.
Tip of the cap to Michael at Of the Mind.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Just as important...
Chastity Nicole Lewis, a pretty, 22-year old college student here in Atlanta, has been missing for a week. She hasn't contacted either of her parents, a normally daily occurrence, and she never got off the plane in San Fransisco, where she was supposed to fly to spend the summer break.
Chastity Lewis' disappearance hasn't gotten as much attention as other missing girls who've disappeared under mysterious circumstances recently. And, as anyone who's ever been involved in one of these cases could tell you, every little bit of attention helps.
Chastity's on the right. I wonder why this isn't a bigger deal.
UPDATE - Hey, some times good news is relative. Turns out she was in jail.
Chastity Lewis' disappearance hasn't gotten as much attention as other missing girls who've disappeared under mysterious circumstances recently. And, as anyone who's ever been involved in one of these cases could tell you, every little bit of attention helps.
Chastity's on the right. I wonder why this isn't a bigger deal.
UPDATE - Hey, some times good news is relative. Turns out she was in jail.
I really did give up on baseball, I swear...
...but it's hard not to pay at least a little attention when your team is steamrolling everybody else.
Which means I gotta ask, who in the hell does Dustin Hermanson need to sleep with to get a spot on the All-Star roster? For that matter, while I understand nobody gives a crap about middle relievers, check out Cliff Politte's stat line and tell me he doesn't deserve somebody's spot. Comepare either to, for instance Joe Nathan, whose Twins (who don't need Nathan to have a player on the team) would be hated if I still gave a crap about baseball.
Which I don't. Really.
Which means I gotta ask, who in the hell does Dustin Hermanson need to sleep with to get a spot on the All-Star roster? For that matter, while I understand nobody gives a crap about middle relievers, check out Cliff Politte's stat line and tell me he doesn't deserve somebody's spot. Comepare either to, for instance Joe Nathan, whose Twins (who don't need Nathan to have a player on the team) would be hated if I still gave a crap about baseball.
Which I don't. Really.
Friday, July 01, 2005
One of those weeks...
It's been a fairly exhausting week here...
...and Koshka agrees with me.
But still, it's almost the holiday weekend, and you gotta be ready to look good for that...
Would that we all had Mishka's sense of style.
...and Koshka agrees with me.
But still, it's almost the holiday weekend, and you gotta be ready to look good for that...
Would that we all had Mishka's sense of style.
So, did somebody like, resign or something?
Justice O'Connor has decided to return to her first love...roller derby.
Bush will nominate somebody, who I'm sure will be fine. Yes, even if it's Alberto Gonzales. Luttig, Estrada, Owen, O'Connell, and others are all qualified in one way or another, and two truths are: 1. Democrats will fight a conservative replacing O'Conner much harder than they would a conservative replacing Rehnquist, and 2. Ya gotta get somebody through there eventually. (I mention Luttig first, because my knee-jerk reaction is to prefer him, but really, anyone who makes George W. Bush's shortlist ain't gonna be all bad, so I'm probably cool regardless.)
For alternative takes, please consult:
Dawn Summers bemoaning the death of Senate comity. (Which is bull, she likes a good knock-down drag out fight as much as the next person. She just knows her side's gonna lose.)
Karol quoting inappropriate remarks by Dawn Summers.
Mithras feels the doom coming.
Ramblings' is skeptical when Arlen Specter promises a smooth confirmation process. Probably something to that.
Dave Justus: Screw it, we're getting a fight either way, let's have someone worth fighting for.
With that in mind, Marc at hubs and spokes has a suggestion. He's on drugs, of course, but it's still a nice thought.
Petitdov laments the loss of the cool justice.
And Grant's probably going to get arrested, maced, or both here within the next few days.
Hey, there's more to life than who sits on the Supreme Court, y'know.
Bush will nominate somebody, who I'm sure will be fine. Yes, even if it's Alberto Gonzales. Luttig, Estrada, Owen, O'Connell, and others are all qualified in one way or another, and two truths are: 1. Democrats will fight a conservative replacing O'Conner much harder than they would a conservative replacing Rehnquist, and 2. Ya gotta get somebody through there eventually. (I mention Luttig first, because my knee-jerk reaction is to prefer him, but really, anyone who makes George W. Bush's shortlist ain't gonna be all bad, so I'm probably cool regardless.)
For alternative takes, please consult:
Dawn Summers bemoaning the death of Senate comity. (Which is bull, she likes a good knock-down drag out fight as much as the next person. She just knows her side's gonna lose.)
Karol quoting inappropriate remarks by Dawn Summers.
Mithras feels the doom coming.
Ramblings' is skeptical when Arlen Specter promises a smooth confirmation process. Probably something to that.
Dave Justus: Screw it, we're getting a fight either way, let's have someone worth fighting for.
With that in mind, Marc at hubs and spokes has a suggestion. He's on drugs, of course, but it's still a nice thought.
Petitdov laments the loss of the cool justice.
And Grant's probably going to get arrested, maced, or both here within the next few days.
Hey, there's more to life than who sits on the Supreme Court, y'know.
I doubt he had much of a discipline problem...
High school social studies teacher Matthew Kaye stepped down after it was revealed that he had called in sick, only to spend the time moonlighting as pro wrestler Matt Striker.
I'm not sure what a "Lungblower" is, but I'm pretty sure I knew a few kids in high school who needed one.
I'm not sure what a "Lungblower" is, but I'm pretty sure I knew a few kids in high school who needed one.
Quit digging, morons...
Mexico defends racist postage stamp...
Good will.
"In our country, the image of black people is one of enormous goodwill, which is reflected not only in characters like Memin Pinguin, but in popular songs ... like 'Little Black Watermelon,'" a song about an unruly black boy.Ah, yes, I completely understand now.
Good will.
