Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Law & Order...needs more law, needs more order.
In addition to killing off Alex Borgia, Joe Fontana is now leaving.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Here goes nothing...again...
I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker!
This Online Poker Tournament is a No Limit Texas Holdem event exclusive to Bloggers.
Registration code: 2061549
Because a seat at the World Series of Poker would only be kind of wasted on me...
Really not going to miss these guys after the election...
Idiot Congressmen hold hearing to assail the FBI for having the termerity to investigate them.
In a bipartisan display touching to everyone, Republican James Sensenbrenner and Democrat John Conyers came together in support of the idea that Congressmen should be allowed to conceal evidence of corruption in their offices - rules concerning the issuance of search warrants being insufficient to protect, you know, really important people, like Congressmen.
Sensenbrenner is planning to draft legislation that should clear up the confusion for judges who thought they could issue search warrants when the legal requirements were met.
One cheering bit of news - when told of Congressional demands that the seized evidence be returned, apparently Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, and FBI Director Robert Mueller made it clear they would resign or insist on being fired before they handed back the seized documents.
Interestingly enough, Sensenbrenner's latest project has yet to make it onto his online list of achievements. Same with Conyers. I'm sure they're very proud of this stance, and want the voters to consider it in November, so I'm sure it will be up soon. Denny Hastert actually blogged about it - he swears he's OK with the idea that the FBI can ferret out corruption, it's just that the right way to do it is some other way. What the right way is, he doesn't know. But however you're doing it now? Not the way.
Assclowns.
In a bipartisan display touching to everyone, Republican James Sensenbrenner and Democrat John Conyers came together in support of the idea that Congressmen should be allowed to conceal evidence of corruption in their offices - rules concerning the issuance of search warrants being insufficient to protect, you know, really important people, like Congressmen.
Sensenbrenner is planning to draft legislation that should clear up the confusion for judges who thought they could issue search warrants when the legal requirements were met.
One cheering bit of news - when told of Congressional demands that the seized evidence be returned, apparently Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, and FBI Director Robert Mueller made it clear they would resign or insist on being fired before they handed back the seized documents.
Interestingly enough, Sensenbrenner's latest project has yet to make it onto his online list of achievements. Same with Conyers. I'm sure they're very proud of this stance, and want the voters to consider it in November, so I'm sure it will be up soon. Denny Hastert actually blogged about it - he swears he's OK with the idea that the FBI can ferret out corruption, it's just that the right way to do it is some other way. What the right way is, he doesn't know. But however you're doing it now? Not the way.
Assclowns.
X-Men - The Last Stand...
...until the Wolverine movie hits theaters.
The X-Men movies rely on the idea that it borders on facism for the government to seek the slightest oversight over mutant powers, such as the ability to control the weather or move a mile-long suspension bridge with your mind. This is kind of funny, since pretty much everyone involved with the movie probably supports universal registration of handguns. (Possibly excepting Kelsey Grammer, who's a pleasant surprise as the Beast.)
Anyway, X3 is a very good movie - where the DaVinci Code tried to stretch out an hour and a half's worth of entertainment into 2 1/2 hours - X-Men has the opposite problem, trying to cram everyone's subplot in, which hurts some good storylines. The best subplot - the relationship between Iceman and Rogue - gets less time than it deserved, but it gets addressed, and several things happen that you wouldn't see coming. (Won't spoil it in the post - feel free to spoil away in comments.)
Anyway, so far - best movie of the year, which with fairly limited moviegoing this year, makes it better than Hostel, Stick It, Underworld: Evolution, and the DaVinci Code.
Oh, and apparently you're supposed to stay till the end, because there's an extra scene after the credits. Family and I left the theater and missed it, so if somebody could email or comment and tell me what happened, I'd appreciate it.
The X-Men movies rely on the idea that it borders on facism for the government to seek the slightest oversight over mutant powers, such as the ability to control the weather or move a mile-long suspension bridge with your mind. This is kind of funny, since pretty much everyone involved with the movie probably supports universal registration of handguns. (Possibly excepting Kelsey Grammer, who's a pleasant surprise as the Beast.)
Anyway, X3 is a very good movie - where the DaVinci Code tried to stretch out an hour and a half's worth of entertainment into 2 1/2 hours - X-Men has the opposite problem, trying to cram everyone's subplot in, which hurts some good storylines. The best subplot - the relationship between Iceman and Rogue - gets less time than it deserved, but it gets addressed, and several things happen that you wouldn't see coming. (Won't spoil it in the post - feel free to spoil away in comments.)
Anyway, so far - best movie of the year, which with fairly limited moviegoing this year, makes it better than Hostel, Stick It, Underworld: Evolution, and the DaVinci Code.
Oh, and apparently you're supposed to stay till the end, because there's an extra scene after the credits. Family and I left the theater and missed it, so if somebody could email or comment and tell me what happened, I'd appreciate it.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Lay verdict...
Ken Lay guilty on everything. Jeffrey Skilling guilty on 19 of 28 counts. That's pretty darn guilty. Not George Ryan guilty, but still very, very guilty.
Love thy neighbor...
Madonna defends posing on a crucifix and wearing a crown of thorns in concert:
"I don't think Jesus would be mad at me and the message I'm trying to send."(That message being - "Look at me! Over here! Pay attention to me!")
Dennis Hastert and company suck, take 2...
So Congress is scheduling a hearing to decide whether the FBI's search of William Jefferson's office was "trampling the Constitution."
This should be a short hearing - no. Orin Kerr and Eugene Volokh help with the details.
Also, glad to see a couple of Congressmen who got it right.
This should be a short hearing - no. Orin Kerr and Eugene Volokh help with the details.
Also, glad to see a couple of Congressmen who got it right.
"Criticizing the executive and judicial branches of our government for fully investigating a member of Congress suspected of criminal wrongdoing sends the wrong message and reflects poorly upon all of Congress," Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., said in a statement. "They should not expect their congressional offices to be treated as a safe haven."Vitter sounds like he's more concerned about the political fallout than the law, but with the leaders of both parties claiming to be exempt from the law, I'll take right where I can get it.
A GOP colleague, Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana, said the public "will come to one conclusion: that congressional leaders are trying to protect their own from valid investigations."
College rivalry...
Yet another reason why Illinois State is better than Southern Illinois...
...even Bambi hates Southern.
...even Bambi hates Southern.
Using a bazooka to kill a spider...
...is not a very good idea. I mean, it works, provided you hit the spider, but there is such a thing as overkill.
Case in point - passing a law barring demonstrations at military funerals to try and get Fred Phelps and his tiny, inbred band of cretins to quit harassing the families of fallen soldiers with their claim that Jesus wants Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi to kill American soldiers because this country doesn't hate gay people enough.
A good rule to follow - if a problem can be largely solved by a biker gang, Congress does not need to get involved.
Besides, anyone remember how annoying Larry Flynt got once he started passing himself off as a First Amendment martyr?
Case in point - passing a law barring demonstrations at military funerals to try and get Fred Phelps and his tiny, inbred band of cretins to quit harassing the families of fallen soldiers with their claim that Jesus wants Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi to kill American soldiers because this country doesn't hate gay people enough.
A good rule to follow - if a problem can be largely solved by a biker gang, Congress does not need to get involved.
Besides, anyone remember how annoying Larry Flynt got once he started passing himself off as a First Amendment martyr?
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
A matter of priorities...
Interesting bit of math when tallying up where the UN spends its time addressing potential human rights violations.
Israel - 110 Human Rights Actions
China, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, North Korea, Iran, and Saudi Arabia - combined: 109.
Question for Kofi Annan's potential successor: Is that about right?
Israel - 110 Human Rights Actions
China, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, North Korea, Iran, and Saudi Arabia - combined: 109.
Question for Kofi Annan's potential successor: Is that about right?
Oh, goody. Now we're bipartisan.
Isn't it nice to see Republican and Democratic leaders come together? Even if it's in defense of the idea that Congressional offices should be safe places to hide evidence of corruption. FBI has a search warrant? BFD, I'm a member of Congress.
By the way, if Cynthia McKinney starts wearing her membership pin now, be very very suspicious.
Does anyone in the majority party even remember how Republicans came to get elected in the first place? Made a bunch of promises, called it the Contract With America - you may have heard about it, it was in most of the papers. First provision of said contract?
Hell, Newt Gingrich seems to have forgotten, and he wrote the damned thing.
I keep hearing about all the horrible things that will happen if we sit on our hands and decline to support our local Republican. (My local Republican has already been told of my displeasure.)
Frankly, if this bullshit is the price of keeping the Democrats out of office, I'm not paying.
By the way, if Cynthia McKinney starts wearing her membership pin now, be very very suspicious.
Does anyone in the majority party even remember how Republicans came to get elected in the first place? Made a bunch of promises, called it the Contract With America - you may have heard about it, it was in most of the papers. First provision of said contract?
FIRST, require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress;Denny Hastert: OK, when we said "all," what we meant was...
Hell, Newt Gingrich seems to have forgotten, and he wrote the damned thing.
I keep hearing about all the horrible things that will happen if we sit on our hands and decline to support our local Republican. (My local Republican has already been told of my displeasure.)
Frankly, if this bullshit is the price of keeping the Democrats out of office, I'm not paying.
You think peace in the Middle East is hard...
Man in a dress barred from attending his high school prom
Sure, it sounds bad, but what they don't tell you is someone else already at the prom was wearing the exact same dress. There totally would have been a fight about that.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Idol thoughts...
Hmmm...Katherine's song "My Destiny." I liked it better the first time I heard it, when it was called "A Moment Like This."
Taylor was definitely the better singer, but I think his decision to not be a hot girl will cost him votes.
And your winner?
Sorry, wrong contest. But that would have been really cool.
Taylor was definitely the better singer, but I think his decision to not be a hot girl will cost him votes.
And your winner?
Sorry, wrong contest. But that would have been really cool.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Maybe there's hope for Europe after all...
Every year they have this Eurovision Song Competition, which traditionally has featured European nations competing to send their best cheeseball pop songs to battle it out.
Except this year. This year, the prize was taken by Lordi, which appears to be Finland's answer to GWAR.
Somebody ask them if they can play "Mandy."
Update - Go here and click on "multimedia lounge" to see the video for Lordi's "Hard Rock Hallelujah." Your life will be better for it.
Except this year. This year, the prize was taken by Lordi, which appears to be Finland's answer to GWAR.
Somebody ask them if they can play "Mandy."
Update - Go here and click on "multimedia lounge" to see the video for Lordi's "Hard Rock Hallelujah." Your life will be better for it.
What she said...
Petitdov has the answer to the U.N.'s quest for Kofi Annan's successor.
Unless, of course, Jack Bauer is available.
Unless, of course, Jack Bauer is available.
The Caged Virgin...
How do they get away with that, exactly?
Mexican law keeps thousands of jobs inaccessible to non-natives. Even naturalized citizens are barred from federal and local government jobs.
Money quote:
I also have a second suggestion, regarding where they can stick their advice. It's cool either way.
Money quote:
Speaking of the hundreds of thousands of Central Americans who enter Mexico each year, chauffeur Arnulfo Hernandez, 57, said: "The ones who want to reach the United States, we should send them up there. But the ones who want to stay here, it's usually for bad reasons, because they want to steal or do drugs."Reasonable people can disagree over immigration policy. It's a complex issue. And with the goal in mind of sorting out a reasonable compromise, I hereby invite the Mexican government to show us what a fair and just immigration policy would look like.
I also have a second suggestion, regarding where they can stick their advice. It's cool either way.
Friday, May 19, 2006
A conversation with God
Me: Lord...
God: For the last time, I'm not giving you super powers!
Me: No, that's not it...it's just, well...I wanted to see the DaVinci Code tonight...
God: And this bothers you enough to talk to me?
Me: Well...isn't it blasphemous?
God: And how. What's your point?
Me: Shouldn't Christians not see blasphemous movies?
God: Ideally, I suppose. But I'm realistic. Besides, what were you planning on doing June 6?
Me: Oh. But isn't this different?
God: Bigger budget. Decent shot at some technical Oscars, although if the guy who wrote the screenplay thinks he has a shot, he's on drugs. But I'm guessing that's not what you meant, is it?
Me: Well, doesn't this film's historical and intellectual pedigree pose a genuine risk to legitimate faith?
God: (laughing) What, Opie and the guy from Bosum Buddies? They wish. You wanna see it, knock yourself out. Though I will warn you, the last third drags a bit.
Me: You've seen it?
God: Dude, remember who you're talking to. I saw it before Richie Cunningham did. It has its moments, although basically it's a decent hour and 45 minute movie stretched out to two and a half hours. Shut your brain off, enjoy the chases, and don't drink a large Coke, because your kidneys will pop right when the movie starts to get boring.
Me: So it doesn't bother You if people see it?
God: They'd probably get better value for their dollar if they saw Over the Hedge, but hey, free will and all. Look, Hollywood's been getting me wrong for years. People who really make the effort to know Me understand that.
Me: Getting you wrong? Even Mel?
God: Let's just say I love Mel, he tried, and leave it at that. Look, faith needs to be an honest inquiry. If your faith is true, no movie is going to shake it. And if your beliefs come from film and TV, well, call it what you want, but it's not faith. With faith should, ideally, come the courage and intellect to expose yourself to ideas and values that question your faith, and you should have the courage to face them, the strength to stand firm in your belief, the intelligence to defend your faith, and the wisdom to recognize that Ian McKellen was put to much better use in the X-Men movies.
Me: Amen.
God: Not so fast. Now let's talk about you. When was the next time you planned on going to church?
Me: And amen.
God: For the last time, I'm not giving you super powers!
Me: No, that's not it...it's just, well...I wanted to see the DaVinci Code tonight...
God: And this bothers you enough to talk to me?
Me: Well...isn't it blasphemous?
God: And how. What's your point?
Me: Shouldn't Christians not see blasphemous movies?
God: Ideally, I suppose. But I'm realistic. Besides, what were you planning on doing June 6?
Me: Oh. But isn't this different?
God: Bigger budget. Decent shot at some technical Oscars, although if the guy who wrote the screenplay thinks he has a shot, he's on drugs. But I'm guessing that's not what you meant, is it?
Me: Well, doesn't this film's historical and intellectual pedigree pose a genuine risk to legitimate faith?
God: (laughing) What, Opie and the guy from Bosum Buddies? They wish. You wanna see it, knock yourself out. Though I will warn you, the last third drags a bit.
Me: You've seen it?
God: Dude, remember who you're talking to. I saw it before Richie Cunningham did. It has its moments, although basically it's a decent hour and 45 minute movie stretched out to two and a half hours. Shut your brain off, enjoy the chases, and don't drink a large Coke, because your kidneys will pop right when the movie starts to get boring.
Me: So it doesn't bother You if people see it?
God: They'd probably get better value for their dollar if they saw Over the Hedge, but hey, free will and all. Look, Hollywood's been getting me wrong for years. People who really make the effort to know Me understand that.
Me: Getting you wrong? Even Mel?
God: Let's just say I love Mel, he tried, and leave it at that. Look, faith needs to be an honest inquiry. If your faith is true, no movie is going to shake it. And if your beliefs come from film and TV, well, call it what you want, but it's not faith. With faith should, ideally, come the courage and intellect to expose yourself to ideas and values that question your faith, and you should have the courage to face them, the strength to stand firm in your belief, the intelligence to defend your faith, and the wisdom to recognize that Ian McKellen was put to much better use in the X-Men movies.
Me: Amen.
God: Not so fast. Now let's talk about you. When was the next time you planned on going to church?
Me: And amen.
Boy, that's stunning...
Robert Mugabe arrests around 70 people for the heinous crime of campaigning and protesting and stuff.
A South African union boss was also deported to prevent him from attending a trade union conference. Doesn't Mugabe know the best way to get away with being a dictator is to pass yourself off as a progressive supporter of labor and the working man?
Mugabe's buddy Hugo Chavez should definitely have a talk with him. Get him back on the right page.
A South African union boss was also deported to prevent him from attending a trade union conference. Doesn't Mugabe know the best way to get away with being a dictator is to pass yourself off as a progressive supporter of labor and the working man?
Mugabe's buddy Hugo Chavez should definitely have a talk with him. Get him back on the right page.
Why did the Palestinians vote for Hamas?
Wasn't anything about the hating and killing of Jews. Nope, it was all about ending the corruption and an openness and above board dealing, right?
So...how's that working out for you?
Don't worry, though - when Hamas sneaks money across the border hidden in an official's clothing, it's done for the benefit of the struggle.
Cause, you know, Arafat and friends never used that line.
So...how's that working out for you?
Don't worry, though - when Hamas sneaks money across the border hidden in an official's clothing, it's done for the benefit of the struggle.
Cause, you know, Arafat and friends never used that line.
Sorry to keep bothering you, President Wackypants...
But seriously, what the hell?
I will note that one reporter is claiming Iran's new law does not mandate labels for non-Muslims, noting "The Iranian government wouldn't be stupid enough to do it."
I'd like to think even Ahmadinejad isn't that nuts or that bigoted. But the man doesn't give folks a lot to work with, now does he?
Tip - Corner.
I will note that one reporter is claiming Iran's new law does not mandate labels for non-Muslims, noting "The Iranian government wouldn't be stupid enough to do it."
I'd like to think even Ahmadinejad isn't that nuts or that bigoted. But the man doesn't give folks a lot to work with, now does he?
Tip - Corner.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Dear President Wackypants:
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Bad election results do not an apocalypse make...
True, I may just be steeling myself for what I believe to be the inevitable crowning of Katherine McPhee as the next American Idol. (Seriously, America, what the hell?)
I'm also steeling myself for the Democrats potentially retaking Congress this fall. Plenty of GOP true believers have come to the conclusion that the Republican Party has been performing like Bucky Covington on Opera Night, and is considering either not voting, or taking their votes elsewhere. (And if you can picture Bucky torturing an aria from Cosi Fan Tutte, you can kind of see their point.) Disenchantment over immigration, the war in Iraq, spending, and premature exit of Mandisa have all led plenty of hardcore GOP'ers to wonder if their party needs an electoral ass-whupping to get their heads on straight. (For Pete's sake - Katherine half-asses it like three weeks in a row and she's still around. Mandisa has one bad performance and she's gone?)
In any event, other groups of true believers are aghast at the prospect, with Jim Geraghty taking point. If you're any kind of a conservative, you have to vote Republican, because the only alternative is the Democrats, and they'll make it illegal to be conservative or something if they win, and also reinstate Kevin Covais. A frightening prospect, to be sure - but does it follow that those unimpressed with the GOP's recent efforts are to blame if they just can't muster the energy to vote for the fools? Geraghty has a list of helpful suggestions the frustrated can use to make their party better. (First on the list - obviously, song choice, dawg.)
As Dave Justus points out, though - the Chicken Little act doesn't help anyone who uses it. Which brings us back to Kevin Covais, I mean, the Democrats. Dave's money quote:
I don't know if I'm going to take revenge on anyone at the polls, personally. I haven't made up my mind on the statewide offices, and we don't have a Senator up this year. I did vote for Democrat Rick Crawford in the U.S. House race in 2004, but he was fairly conservative, and this year, Phil Gingrey will apparently be opposed by this goober. (He stops by, I'll listen, but the website suggests a tough sell.) But if this is the year the "good guys" finally lose - hopefully their hardcore supporters will consider the possibility that maybe, this year at least, they weren't that good.
I'm also steeling myself for the Democrats potentially retaking Congress this fall. Plenty of GOP true believers have come to the conclusion that the Republican Party has been performing like Bucky Covington on Opera Night, and is considering either not voting, or taking their votes elsewhere. (And if you can picture Bucky torturing an aria from Cosi Fan Tutte, you can kind of see their point.) Disenchantment over immigration, the war in Iraq, spending, and premature exit of Mandisa have all led plenty of hardcore GOP'ers to wonder if their party needs an electoral ass-whupping to get their heads on straight. (For Pete's sake - Katherine half-asses it like three weeks in a row and she's still around. Mandisa has one bad performance and she's gone?)
In any event, other groups of true believers are aghast at the prospect, with Jim Geraghty taking point. If you're any kind of a conservative, you have to vote Republican, because the only alternative is the Democrats, and they'll make it illegal to be conservative or something if they win, and also reinstate Kevin Covais. A frightening prospect, to be sure - but does it follow that those unimpressed with the GOP's recent efforts are to blame if they just can't muster the energy to vote for the fools? Geraghty has a list of helpful suggestions the frustrated can use to make their party better. (First on the list - obviously, song choice, dawg.)
As Dave Justus points out, though - the Chicken Little act doesn't help anyone who uses it. Which brings us back to Kevin Covais, I mean, the Democrats. Dave's money quote:
What isn’t silly is the result of believing these arguments. When faced with an all or nothing situation, it is reasonable, and perhaps even necessary, to employ any means possible to get one’s way. Eventually, belief in this type of arguement may in fact result in it coming true.A steel cage match every once in a while is a great way to settle a long-term rivalry, but when it's employed for every match on the card, it gets a little tedious, and it results in more injuries than you really need. (Note to TNA Wrestling - Lockdown was not really that good of an idea.) Besides, the occasional Aegean stable-sweeping isn't such a bad thing for the body politic. The recent bloodbath in Pennsylvania will hopefully teach a lesson to every politician who forgets who they work for. (Someone send a copy of those results to the Atlanta City Council, by the way.
I don't know if I'm going to take revenge on anyone at the polls, personally. I haven't made up my mind on the statewide offices, and we don't have a Senator up this year. I did vote for Democrat Rick Crawford in the U.S. House race in 2004, but he was fairly conservative, and this year, Phil Gingrey will apparently be opposed by this goober. (He stops by, I'll listen, but the website suggests a tough sell.) But if this is the year the "good guys" finally lose - hopefully their hardcore supporters will consider the possibility that maybe, this year at least, they weren't that good.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Good stories for the day...
The Chicago Sun-Times has a detailed account of the first attempt of the jury to reach a verdict on the charges against George Ryan and Larry Warner. Two jurors were removed for failing to disclose prior criminal offenses, and the jury was able to reach a verdict using alternate jurors and restarting deliberations.
Also worth reading is this story about the people who believed in Roger Coleman, who convinced a lot of people he was innocent of the rape and murder for which he was executed. DNA testing ultimately confirmed Coleman's guilt, to all but his most ardent and deluded defenders.
Tip on the latter to Todd Zywicki at the Volokh Conspiracy.
Also worth reading is this story about the people who believed in Roger Coleman, who convinced a lot of people he was innocent of the rape and murder for which he was executed. DNA testing ultimately confirmed Coleman's guilt, to all but his most ardent and deluded defenders.
Tip on the latter to Todd Zywicki at the Volokh Conspiracy.
Monday, May 15, 2006
What Ben Franklin said...
"Those who would sacrifice essential liberties for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
In the Netherlands, standing up to Islamic-sanctioned brutality against women has officially been filed under "non-essential liberty" with the announcement that Ayaan Hirsi Ali is being thrown out of the country. The alleged reason was a controversy over her immigration status - although Hirsi Ali was a naturalized citizen of the Netherlands. And, by the way, she'd been candid about what she saidin her immigration application for years, but certainly that was the reason for suddenly trying to throw her out of the country, not her unwillingness to shut the hell up.
BFD, right? Doesn't that just make her another illegal immigrant? It's not like many of Hirsi Ali's defenders (present company included), are terribly impressed with the "let 'em stay" portion of Captain Unilateral's delaying of my Prison Break Season Finale. Well, Hirsi Ali was actually fleeing persecution, which differs slightly from the plight of the guy who just wants to make more money. Also, she learned the language, and threw herself completely into making the Netherlands a better place. For the record, anyone here who fits that criteria is more than welcome to stay.
So, she's coming to the U.S. Reaction was about what could be expected.
And one more guy who still doesn't quite get it - wondering why she's going to work for a U.S. think tank.
- Benjamin Franklin
In the Netherlands, standing up to Islamic-sanctioned brutality against women has officially been filed under "non-essential liberty" with the announcement that Ayaan Hirsi Ali is being thrown out of the country. The alleged reason was a controversy over her immigration status - although Hirsi Ali was a naturalized citizen of the Netherlands. And, by the way, she'd been candid about what she saidin her immigration application for years, but certainly that was the reason for suddenly trying to throw her out of the country, not her unwillingness to shut the hell up.
BFD, right? Doesn't that just make her another illegal immigrant? It's not like many of Hirsi Ali's defenders (present company included), are terribly impressed with the "let 'em stay" portion of Captain Unilateral's delaying of my Prison Break Season Finale. Well, Hirsi Ali was actually fleeing persecution, which differs slightly from the plight of the guy who just wants to make more money. Also, she learned the language, and threw herself completely into making the Netherlands a better place. For the record, anyone here who fits that criteria is more than welcome to stay.
So, she's coming to the U.S. Reaction was about what could be expected.
The Contact Organisation for Muslims and Government (CMO) indicated on Monday it was not sorry that Ayaan Hirsi Ali is going to American to work. Her strong attacks on Islam have caused "a lot of damage", CMO secretary Nasr Joemman said. "I celebrate that she is leaving the Netherlands," Joemman said. "I hope that by her departure we can move forward with building a harmonious society.""Harmonious society" as defined by Nasr Joemman = "A society where people who disagree with me about stuff aren't around." Interesting - that's Kim Jong Il's definition, too, douchebag.
And one more guy who still doesn't quite get it - wondering why she's going to work for a U.S. think tank.
Researcher Peter van Ham of the Clingendael Institute said Ayaan Hirsi Ali will be out of place at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). "It is definitely not a liberal bastion," he said. Hirsi Ali, he predicted, will not be encouraged to express liberal views about euthanasia, homosexuality and abortion. "The people who work there have a very religiously-tinted worldview. I think Hirsi Ali will feel totally claustrophobic there."That's right, Pete - despite the fact that Hirsi Ali is actually pretty liberal on most social issues, for some reason she feels more at home in the U.S., surrounded by American conservatives, than she would in any circles you'd consider appropriate. And you honestly have no clue why that is, do you?
Ummm...thanks?
Libyan government wants to help spread democracy around the world:
So, regarding Libya's use of the word "democracy"...
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
The decision to give Libya an Inigo Montoya Award was made by one person, with no provision for discussion or reconsideration.
Or, as Libya would put it - "democratically."
"We encourage America on the path of cooperation and we hope we will cooperate together through cultural debate to spread democracy around the world together," Mustapha Zaidi, the top official of Libya's Revolutionary Committees, said.Now, I couldn't help but take a look at Freedom House's evaluation of how free Libya's citizens are. I'm not saying they're the Kansas City Royals of democracy (that would be North Korea), but they're definitely somewhere in the Tampa Bay Devil Ray neck of the woods.
So, regarding Libya's use of the word "democracy"...
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
The decision to give Libya an Inigo Montoya Award was made by one person, with no provision for discussion or reconsideration.
Or, as Libya would put it - "democratically."
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Things I hate more than the bookcase my wife made me put together this afternoon...
1. Al Qaeda
2. Cancer
3. Rob Schnieder movies
...that's pretty much it...
2. Cancer
3. Rob Schnieder movies
...that's pretty much it...
Friday, May 12, 2006
It's a miracle!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Way ahead of you...
Katie Couric was so proud of her daughter for rooting for Katherine to stick around on American Idol, because she didn't want an all-male final. This comes, I presume, in spite of Katherine's clearly fourth-best performance Tuesday.
Basically, Couric is proud of her daughter for her willingness to forgive Katherine's shoddy performance, because she has breasts. She should know there's already a substantial group of such people watching the show.
This group of people is called - "guys."
Basically, Couric is proud of her daughter for her willingness to forgive Katherine's shoddy performance, because she has breasts. She should know there's already a substantial group of such people watching the show.
This group of people is called - "guys."
The "Illegal Immigrants Aren't Criminals" post of the day
Leo W. Banks' column on life on a south Arizona ranch, near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Don't tell President Wackypants...
If I've said it once...
I've said it a hundred times - Americans cannot be trusted with democracy.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Law exam question for today...
Under Arizona law, a person is criminally responsible for the conduct of another when, for instance, he causes another to commit an offense.
Human smuggling is, presumably, the smuggling of humans. (There's a limit to how much research I'm willing to do for blog posts not concerning the WWE.)
Question - if an illegal immigrant pays a coyote to smuggle him across the border, is said immigrant guilty of conspiracy to commit human smuggling?
An Arizona County prosecutor says yes. The Mexican government is looking for help to get the courts to say no.
Lawyers are arguing that 1.) A person cannot conspire to smuggle himself, and/or 2.) These prosecutions are a pretext. He's really trying to enforce immigration law, which usurps a federal power.
My quick take is - 1. If a person can conspire to smuggle drugs, diamonds, or other people, why the hell can't he conspire to smuggle himself.
2. Probably correct about the goal, however, enforcing a violation of the law is not pretextual, no matter what other reasons may exist for said enforcement.
Motions to dismiss are pending.
Human smuggling is, presumably, the smuggling of humans. (There's a limit to how much research I'm willing to do for blog posts not concerning the WWE.)
Question - if an illegal immigrant pays a coyote to smuggle him across the border, is said immigrant guilty of conspiracy to commit human smuggling?
An Arizona County prosecutor says yes. The Mexican government is looking for help to get the courts to say no.
Lawyers are arguing that 1.) A person cannot conspire to smuggle himself, and/or 2.) These prosecutions are a pretext. He's really trying to enforce immigration law, which usurps a federal power.
My quick take is - 1. If a person can conspire to smuggle drugs, diamonds, or other people, why the hell can't he conspire to smuggle himself.
2. Probably correct about the goal, however, enforcing a violation of the law is not pretextual, no matter what other reasons may exist for said enforcement.
Motions to dismiss are pending.
Someone who really deserves a Nobel Peace Prize...
Petitdov posts pictures and recollections of getting to hear Ayaan Hirsi Ali speak. Best point made:
The gentlemen (in the lower left corner of the above photo) asked her if she saw democracy as problematic in fundamentalist societies, since minority rights and women rights would probably be repressed? In response she made the distinction between "majority rule" and the Western ideals of "democracy" in which individual rights are protected no matter who you are.I don't know how long Hirsi Ali's book tour is, but I hope it takes her to Atlanta.
Trial of the...oh, you had evidence? Never mind.
Yesterday - witness testimony links former Georgia School Superintendent Linda Schrenko to illegal money-laundering activities.
Today - Schrenko pleads guilty. She was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Previous Quote of the Trial -
Today - Schrenko pleads guilty. She was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Previous Quote of the Trial -
“I’m definitely pleased my name is not coming up because I wasn’t involved in all of this,” she told reporters. “I know eventually it will come up and I just have to hope that the truth comes out.” Linda Schrenko - May 8.Current Quote of the Trial - "Oh crap. The truth came out."
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Better, or just less bad?
We have a new United Nations Human Rights Council.
Good news - Iran and Venezuela were rejected.
Bad news - Cuba, China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia were not.
Now comes question - was Venezuela, say, rejected because there are concerns about trusting human rights issues to Hugo Chavez and company, or will UN member states start acting like American Idol finalists and talk about how everyone was so talented, but someone had to be voted off, etc., etc., and generally making excuses for the Ace Young of international diplomacy?
Tip - Publius.
Good news - Iran and Venezuela were rejected.
Bad news - Cuba, China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia were not.
Now comes question - was Venezuela, say, rejected because there are concerns about trusting human rights issues to Hugo Chavez and company, or will UN member states start acting like American Idol finalists and talk about how everyone was so talented, but someone had to be voted off, etc., etc., and generally making excuses for the Ace Young of international diplomacy?
Tip - Publius.
Write him back, Mr. President...
Per the Corner, the text of the letter the Iranian President sent to George Bush is here. I know Condoleeza Rice has already said the letter adds nothing of substance, but still, politeness merits a reply. If I may suggest a modest response:
Dear Mr. Ahma...Ahmending...look, your name's hard to spell and I'm known for giving people nicknames, so I'll just call you "President Wackypants."
Dear President Wackypants:
Thank you for your letter. I didn't read it (presidents of real countries don't have to read their own mail), but some egghead in a suit gave me the gist, and I think I can address your concerns.
First off, brief is better. It ain't like you're writing Al Gore here. From what I've been told by the egghead, your letter has two basic points:
1. Israel sucks.
2. So do I.
Oh, and don't feel bad about the second point. Goes with the job, right? As you well know, being the head of a country means people are allowed to criticize the job you're doing.
Oh, that's right. You don't know. My bad.
On the Israel thing, according to your letter, there was no reason for a Jewish state to exist in the Middle East before World Wars I & II. Dude, even I know the history there. I hate to bring it up, because I know how bad folks get teased when they get schooled by yours truly. It used to sting at first, but hey, even I gotta admit, I was never big on the book learning. (You should totally talk to John Kerry sometime - he got a ton of crap when word got out I got better grades than he did. Which really wasn't fair, because he's a bright guy and all, and grades aren't really the best way to measure...oh, wait, I'm talking to a teacher - you're not going to have my back on the grade thing, are you?)
You also ask - "Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in the Middle East regions is translated into and portrayed as a threat to the Zionist regime?" If I could just suggest - maybe the problem is the only real technological advancement that's come out of your neck of the woods in recent years is the suicide bomb belt, which was kind of developed specifically to be a threat to the "Zionist regime" and you so delicately put it. If I could suggest, maybe y'all should put some scientists to work curing cancer or something. Don't succumb to the soft bigotry of low expectations - anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Trust me, I know - I won two Presidential elections despite a fifth-grade command of the English language.
Look, I'm starting to violate my own rule about the brevity thing, so I'll wrap it up. I'd like to say I found something we can agree on, when you said:
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Heh heh. I love that movie. You should see it. It doesn't have any naked chicks (good movie anyway), so it should pass muster with your decency police or whatever. (I got a filter that keeps me from seeing naked chicks in a movie too - my wife. Heh heh.)
Lastly, you'll probably be getting a call from the UN shortly about the whole nuke thing. I'm the last guy to tell anyone to take those yahoos seriously, (and come to think of it, you don't need me to tell you not to), but they like to feel important and useful, and it would really smooth things along if you'd let them. If not, hey, there's a plan B. It's not a plan in the sense that we've thought the whole thing out, but the part about you's good to go. Anyway, your call on that one.
Sincerely,
G. Dub.
All you have to do is sign it, Mr. President.
Dear Mr. Ahma...Ahmending...look, your name's hard to spell and I'm known for giving people nicknames, so I'll just call you "President Wackypants."
Dear President Wackypants:
Thank you for your letter. I didn't read it (presidents of real countries don't have to read their own mail), but some egghead in a suit gave me the gist, and I think I can address your concerns.
First off, brief is better. It ain't like you're writing Al Gore here. From what I've been told by the egghead, your letter has two basic points:
1. Israel sucks.
2. So do I.
Oh, and don't feel bad about the second point. Goes with the job, right? As you well know, being the head of a country means people are allowed to criticize the job you're doing.
Oh, that's right. You don't know. My bad.
On the Israel thing, according to your letter, there was no reason for a Jewish state to exist in the Middle East before World Wars I & II. Dude, even I know the history there. I hate to bring it up, because I know how bad folks get teased when they get schooled by yours truly. It used to sting at first, but hey, even I gotta admit, I was never big on the book learning. (You should totally talk to John Kerry sometime - he got a ton of crap when word got out I got better grades than he did. Which really wasn't fair, because he's a bright guy and all, and grades aren't really the best way to measure...oh, wait, I'm talking to a teacher - you're not going to have my back on the grade thing, are you?)
You also ask - "Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in the Middle East regions is translated into and portrayed as a threat to the Zionist regime?" If I could just suggest - maybe the problem is the only real technological advancement that's come out of your neck of the woods in recent years is the suicide bomb belt, which was kind of developed specifically to be a threat to the "Zionist regime" and you so delicately put it. If I could suggest, maybe y'all should put some scientists to work curing cancer or something. Don't succumb to the soft bigotry of low expectations - anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Trust me, I know - I won two Presidential elections despite a fifth-grade command of the English language.
Look, I'm starting to violate my own rule about the brevity thing, so I'll wrap it up. I'd like to say I found something we can agree on, when you said:
History tells us that repressive and cruel governments do not survive. God has entrusted The fate of man to them.Then I realized, you're probably working off a different definition of "repressive and cruel" than the one we're used to over here. Actually reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite movies.
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Heh heh. I love that movie. You should see it. It doesn't have any naked chicks (good movie anyway), so it should pass muster with your decency police or whatever. (I got a filter that keeps me from seeing naked chicks in a movie too - my wife. Heh heh.)
Lastly, you'll probably be getting a call from the UN shortly about the whole nuke thing. I'm the last guy to tell anyone to take those yahoos seriously, (and come to think of it, you don't need me to tell you not to), but they like to feel important and useful, and it would really smooth things along if you'd let them. If not, hey, there's a plan B. It's not a plan in the sense that we've thought the whole thing out, but the part about you's good to go. Anyway, your call on that one.
Sincerely,
G. Dub.
All you have to do is sign it, Mr. President.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Grow a set, ya nancy...
In addition to being bone-jarringly stupid, Zacharias Moussaoui is also apparently a giant wuss. After spending an entire week under sentence (and what would have been the end of his 15 minutes), Moussaoui is now asking to withdraw his guilty plea.
As Dawn Summers so eloquently put it...hahahahahahahahahaha
As Dawn Summers so eloquently put it...hahahahahahahahahaha
I'll believe it when I see it...
Axl Rose swears Chinese Democracy will be out this fall.
That's the good news. The bad news is, after all the money spent recording and re-recording - downloading it off iTunes will cost you $75.
That's the good news. The bad news is, after all the money spent recording and re-recording - downloading it off iTunes will cost you $75.
You know what we have too many of? Elections.
Elections are expensive and time-consuming. You have to pay for poll workers, ballots and vote counting machines, election judges, thugs to intimidate the opposition, my point is, democracy ain't cheap.
It is in the spirit of cost-cutting and fiscal restraint that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is suggesting that his people not have to vote on him again for the next 25 years.
"President for Life" sounds so...dictatorial. "President till 2031?" That's just democracy at a more measured pace.
It is in the spirit of cost-cutting and fiscal restraint that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is suggesting that his people not have to vote on him again for the next 25 years.
"President for Life" sounds so...dictatorial. "President till 2031?" That's just democracy at a more measured pace.
Illegal immigrants aren't really criminals...
Remember - what's wrong with the UN is John Bolton is there...
Aid workers and U.N. peacekeepers in Liberia forcing women and girls to have sex with them in exchange for food.
As Mark Steyn said relative to another U.N. effort - "Here's the lesson of the past three years: The UN kills."
As Mark Steyn said relative to another U.N. effort - "Here's the lesson of the past three years: The UN kills."
Friday, May 05, 2006
For answers to all your immigration questions, just dial 619...
Hey, it's as good a measuring stick as any - why shouldn't the fact that wrestling fans love WWE World Champion Rey Misterio as a sign of their real pro-immigrant tendencies. After all, he's clearly Hispanic, he has the word "Mexican" tattooed on his stomach, he proudly displays his cultural heritage by wearing a mask, a powerful symbol in Mexican lucha libre wrestling. And, when he stands up to the loud, rude, xenophobic Texan (but now residing in New York City), John Bradshaw Layfield, the crowd loves him. Why shouldn't Kevin Drum point this out as a sign that mass legalization is the politically smart way to go - and politicans should fear a blue-collar backlash?
Couple points about Rey, though. First - not an immigrant. (He got his start wrestling in Mexico while still too young to wrestle in the U.S. - also American promoters had yet to notice any appeal in smaller wrestlers.) Next, as Steve Silver points out - Rey Misterio speaks excellent English, and he also stands up to the bad guys and doesn't cheat to win his matches, despite the fact that his opponent is always bigger and stronger than he is. In short - he plays by the rules, even when doing so is hard. One last thing - apparently when Misterio actually won the World Title in Chicago, despite being clearly set up as the underdog who was supposed to get the fan support - the crowd at Wrestlemania chose another favorite over Rey. Their choice - All-American former Olympian Kurt Angle.
So I don't know that I agree that there's anything about Rey Misterio that would suggest Americans support mass legalization of illegal immigrants. If Elspeth Reeve (who wrote the article for the New Republic) wanted to try again, focusing on Psicosis and Super Crazy (aka the Mexicools), there might be a better shot.
Couple points about Rey, though. First - not an immigrant. (He got his start wrestling in Mexico while still too young to wrestle in the U.S. - also American promoters had yet to notice any appeal in smaller wrestlers.) Next, as Steve Silver points out - Rey Misterio speaks excellent English, and he also stands up to the bad guys and doesn't cheat to win his matches, despite the fact that his opponent is always bigger and stronger than he is. In short - he plays by the rules, even when doing so is hard. One last thing - apparently when Misterio actually won the World Title in Chicago, despite being clearly set up as the underdog who was supposed to get the fan support - the crowd at Wrestlemania chose another favorite over Rey. Their choice - All-American former Olympian Kurt Angle.
So I don't know that I agree that there's anything about Rey Misterio that would suggest Americans support mass legalization of illegal immigrants. If Elspeth Reeve (who wrote the article for the New Republic) wanted to try again, focusing on Psicosis and Super Crazy (aka the Mexicools), there might be a better shot.
They're getting better - nobody died this time...
Nobody who accepts a ride from a Kennedy should ever be allowed to control their own finances. That's how televangelists can raise money, and it's also responsible for how the people who make collectible plates manage to stay in business.
Rep. Kennedy was cited for three traffic violations -
Kennedy denied drinking - although accounts vary. In any event, in a general sense, a person is DUI when they are operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, any drug, or a combination of the above, such that their ability to operate a vehicle safely is impaired. (Actual language varies by state, but that's the gist.) Given his admittedly crummy driving, (barricades don't jump in front of cars, as a general rule), his appearance at the scene, and his pretty up-front admission that he was hopped up on pills, they could make a case if they wanted. The case will be hurt by the lack of any field sobriety tests at the scene (Kennedy wasn't asked - whose fault that is is still under investigation) - and the lack of any chemical test to see what's in his system. (When an officer suspects a DUI driver is using drugs or a combination fo drugs and alcohol - a blood test is requested.) While the initial officer believed Kennedy to be impaired, other officers at the scene who decided to just drive Kennedy home may have felt he was not impaired by drugs, and could so testify.
Plus, Cynthia McKinney plans to testify that this whole incident was caused by the improper touching of Kennedy's car by a racist barricade.
Rep. Kennedy was cited for three traffic violations -
He was charged with failure to keep in proper lane, traveling at "unreasonable speed" and failing to "give full time and attention" to operating his vehicle.If that's it, Kennedy's getting a huge break, since he appeared "intoxicated" according to the first officers on the scene, and he gave a press conference where he pretty much admitted driving under the influence of a drug, albeit a prescription drug - Ambien. (And let me add, how gigantic a moron do you have to be to take a sleeping pill prior to driving? Hey, let's look up Ambien - what's the first thing they say about it? "Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities." Just remember - as an elected member of the House of Representatives - he's entrusted to spend your money.)
Kennedy denied drinking - although accounts vary. In any event, in a general sense, a person is DUI when they are operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, any drug, or a combination of the above, such that their ability to operate a vehicle safely is impaired. (Actual language varies by state, but that's the gist.) Given his admittedly crummy driving, (barricades don't jump in front of cars, as a general rule), his appearance at the scene, and his pretty up-front admission that he was hopped up on pills, they could make a case if they wanted. The case will be hurt by the lack of any field sobriety tests at the scene (Kennedy wasn't asked - whose fault that is is still under investigation) - and the lack of any chemical test to see what's in his system. (When an officer suspects a DUI driver is using drugs or a combination fo drugs and alcohol - a blood test is requested.) While the initial officer believed Kennedy to be impaired, other officers at the scene who decided to just drive Kennedy home may have felt he was not impaired by drugs, and could so testify.
Plus, Cynthia McKinney plans to testify that this whole incident was caused by the improper touching of Kennedy's car by a racist barricade.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
How to get cut out of a will
Don't vote in your dad's primary election - which ends in a tie and may now be settled by coin flip.
Yet one more good reason not to live in the same state as your parents - less electoral pressure.
Yet one more good reason not to live in the same state as your parents - less electoral pressure.
I'm here to help.
People I lack the empathy to feel sorry for...
A guy who builds a big house right next to a driving range, then complains about golf balls flying into his yard.
If he lived next to a dry cleaner, I'd feel bad about the golf balls.
Living next to a driving range? Not so much.
If he lived next to a dry cleaner, I'd feel bad about the golf balls.
Living next to a driving range? Not so much.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Note to Zacharias Moussaoui...
Damn, you're dumb. And I mean, really, in a Make Kellie Pickler Look Like Steven Hawking kind of way. Sure, you're a dick, too, can't forget that, but mostly, you're an idiot.
You got life. Sure the government asked for death, and didn't get it, so maybe that's why you said "America, you lost. I won." But speaking as someone who wouldn't have had a problem stuffing you in a footlocker with a pair of rabid badgers, I can live with the ruling. Juries aren't perfect (believe me, I know), but they have the advantage of not being self-appointed assclowns who usurp the authority of God Himself to cover up the fact that nobody in their right minds would ever voluntarily give them any power of any kind. (And I mean any kind. Giving people like you the power to say, pick the movie, is the reason things like Deuce Bigalow 2 exist in this world.)
I won't pretend that you'd ever understand, because explaining it would probably require a fair amount of three-syllable words, and as previously discussed, you have the intellect of a Furby that's been run through a dishwasher.
So, months from now, when United 93 is still playing in theaters and the rest of the world has forgotten about you, please remember all those immigration protests we had recently. Also remember - of all the places in the world where views like yours are taken seriously, none of them ever have to answer the question "What are we going to do with all the people who are willing to risk their lives to come and live here?" Because there is a direct correlation between how much respect your views are given, and how much a place sucks.
We're better than you. The fact that you even had a trial is one tiny reason why. One of more reasons than you could possibly count.
By which I mean more than four.
You got life. Sure the government asked for death, and didn't get it, so maybe that's why you said "America, you lost. I won." But speaking as someone who wouldn't have had a problem stuffing you in a footlocker with a pair of rabid badgers, I can live with the ruling. Juries aren't perfect (believe me, I know), but they have the advantage of not being self-appointed assclowns who usurp the authority of God Himself to cover up the fact that nobody in their right minds would ever voluntarily give them any power of any kind. (And I mean any kind. Giving people like you the power to say, pick the movie, is the reason things like Deuce Bigalow 2 exist in this world.)
I won't pretend that you'd ever understand, because explaining it would probably require a fair amount of three-syllable words, and as previously discussed, you have the intellect of a Furby that's been run through a dishwasher.
So, months from now, when United 93 is still playing in theaters and the rest of the world has forgotten about you, please remember all those immigration protests we had recently. Also remember - of all the places in the world where views like yours are taken seriously, none of them ever have to answer the question "What are we going to do with all the people who are willing to risk their lives to come and live here?" Because there is a direct correlation between how much respect your views are given, and how much a place sucks.
We're better than you. The fact that you even had a trial is one tiny reason why. One of more reasons than you could possibly count.
By which I mean more than four.
U.S. World Cup Soccer team named...
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
It could be worse, it could be cartoons...
As part of a series exploring the history of how Hollywood deals with race, "Birth of a Nation" will air tonight on Turner Classic Movies. An unquestionably racist film that led to the rebirth of the KKK, Birth of the Nation is a highly offensive film. (And I can't imagine it helps any to have the film referred to as a "classic of American cinema" because it's a well-made pile of racist bilge.)
Prediction - nobody riots. Maybe some letters to TCM. The monthlong TCM festival, whose featured films range from "Birth of a Nation" to "The Jazz Singer" to "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" (but not, thank God, the Ashton Kutcher remake). Also featured are "Shaft", and for some reason, "Rocky III."
Prediction - nobody riots. Maybe some letters to TCM. The monthlong TCM festival, whose featured films range from "Birth of a Nation" to "The Jazz Singer" to "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" (but not, thank God, the Ashton Kutcher remake). Also featured are "Shaft", and for some reason, "Rocky III."
George Bush's nominees letting people off death row...
...is up there with "George Clooney acknowledges acting skill, good looks provide no special insight into world affairs" as a headline you're unlikely to see.
Nevertheless, Justice Alito wrote for a unanimous court in striking down a pretty stupid rule in South Carolina that barred a man accused of murder of presenting his defense because the evidence against him was too strong, even though his defense claimed said evidence was either unreliable or planted.
While confirming that states have latitude in setting rules barring evidence from trials that is extraneous or irrelevant, it's pretty clear that stuff like "this other guy did it" and "the evidence against me was planted" are the sorts of claims that actually are not extraneous or irrelevant. Such claims may be horsepoop, of course, but defendants should be allowed to make them. A principal reason very few convictions are reversed is a jury who actually hears the evidence firsthand is in the best position to decided who's full of it and who isn't - reading transcripts just doesn't have the same effect. (Although they do make for handy insomnia treatments.) Preventing the jury from hearing the defense and subjecting it to their bullshit-o-meters results in an unreliable verdict, even if said defendant is in fact, guilty as hell. Or, as someone more inclined to proper English might put it:
Nevertheless, Justice Alito wrote for a unanimous court in striking down a pretty stupid rule in South Carolina that barred a man accused of murder of presenting his defense because the evidence against him was too strong, even though his defense claimed said evidence was either unreliable or planted.
While confirming that states have latitude in setting rules barring evidence from trials that is extraneous or irrelevant, it's pretty clear that stuff like "this other guy did it" and "the evidence against me was planted" are the sorts of claims that actually are not extraneous or irrelevant. Such claims may be horsepoop, of course, but defendants should be allowed to make them. A principal reason very few convictions are reversed is a jury who actually hears the evidence firsthand is in the best position to decided who's full of it and who isn't - reading transcripts just doesn't have the same effect. (Although they do make for handy insomnia treatments.) Preventing the jury from hearing the defense and subjecting it to their bullshit-o-meters results in an unreliable verdict, even if said defendant is in fact, guilty as hell. Or, as someone more inclined to proper English might put it:
(A) defendant’s right to put on a defense cannot be abridged by evidence rules that infringe upon a weighty interest of the accused and are arbitrary or disproportionate to the purposes they are designed to serve.Yeah, yeah, what he said. Should you wish to read the decision, Holmes v. South Carolina, aka "Duh! - Supreme Court Version" may be read here.
Someone understands the UN, and someone doesn't.
The U.S. is confident the UN will take action against Iran, authorizing sanctions, if not the use of force to deal with Iranian intransigence over their nuclear program.
Iran is confident any attempt to impose sanctions will fail. They believe China and Russia will prevent any action stronger than a sternly worded letter.
Those of us in the Unilateralism Fan Club regret to say we think Iran is probably the one reading the UN right in this case. Prove us wrong, guys. Prove us wrong.
Iran is aware of the potential downside of their current stance, that being they might get bombed. The mullah's response - "Hey, we have bomb shelters, and we don't live anywhere near the nuclear facilities, so it's all good. Oh yeah, and in the spirit of international cooperation and diplomacy, we're going to totally attack Israel."
It should be noted that Israel would be attacked if the U.S. went after Iran, meaning Israel doesn't have to, you know, do anything other than being close by.
And, of course, Jewish.
Iran is confident any attempt to impose sanctions will fail. They believe China and Russia will prevent any action stronger than a sternly worded letter.
Those of us in the Unilateralism Fan Club regret to say we think Iran is probably the one reading the UN right in this case. Prove us wrong, guys. Prove us wrong.
Iran is aware of the potential downside of their current stance, that being they might get bombed. The mullah's response - "Hey, we have bomb shelters, and we don't live anywhere near the nuclear facilities, so it's all good. Oh yeah, and in the spirit of international cooperation and diplomacy, we're going to totally attack Israel."
It should be noted that Israel would be attacked if the U.S. went after Iran, meaning Israel doesn't have to, you know, do anything other than being close by.
And, of course, Jewish.
Monday, May 01, 2006
If today's a day without an immigrant, why am I not hungry?
Today is the day the U.S. came to a screeching halt. OK, briefly tapped the brakes before flooring it through the intersection. Large scale demonstrations were planned, with immigrants taking off work and refusing to buy U.S. products, followed by massive rallies.
Before reading about how things are going, I enjoyed a tasty lunch at a nearby Chinese restuarant, owned and staffed pretty much entirely by immigrants who don't need the rules changed to have full access to American society because they already follow the rules. The local demonstration on behalf of people who lack that advantage appears to be less than impressive, although sympathetic media reports are helping with the spin.
Ancedotal reports from other areas suggest this particular protest could have more appeal. As far as the economic impact, Ace points out that the people who really feel the brunt of an illegal immigrant workforce are teenagers.
Of course, today's teenagers are a surly bunch who listen to crappy music and refuse to pull up their pants. To hell with 'em. Legalize everybody.
Before reading about how things are going, I enjoyed a tasty lunch at a nearby Chinese restuarant, owned and staffed pretty much entirely by immigrants who don't need the rules changed to have full access to American society because they already follow the rules. The local demonstration on behalf of people who lack that advantage appears to be less than impressive, although sympathetic media reports are helping with the spin.
While a huge police presence in Atlanta prepared for as many as 100,000 immigration demonstrators, a rally organizer correctly predicted that the number would be much smaller. A similar rally in DeKalb County on April 10 drew more than 50,000 people.Hey, they correctly predicted a smaller turnout, but somehow, the police were led to believe there might be 100,000 people there. And that was off by a factor of a couple hundred or so.
Ancedotal reports from other areas suggest this particular protest could have more appeal. As far as the economic impact, Ace points out that the people who really feel the brunt of an illegal immigrant workforce are teenagers.
Of course, today's teenagers are a surly bunch who listen to crappy music and refuse to pull up their pants. To hell with 'em. Legalize everybody.
Open message...
To the people who are remaking Revenge of the Nerds. Anthony Edwards may have done a decent job playing a guy named Gilbert, but if you want to be authentic about it, I ask only for a modest cut of the gross and reasonable creative control.
Trial of the...oh, who are we kidding?
Opening statements began today in the trial of Linda Schrenko, a former Georgia State Superintendent of Schools turned Republican gubernatorial candidate turned defendant accused of embezzlement - stealing money which she used, among other things, for a face-lift.
There are several co-defendants, all of whom agree the money was stolen, but not by them personally. There are also people who have pled guilty to similar charges and are testifying for the prosecution. In his opening statement today, the lawyer for co-defendant Stephen Botes said Schrenko was having an affair with Merle Temple, who has already pled guilty and will testify for the state.
Should be fun.
There are several co-defendants, all of whom agree the money was stolen, but not by them personally. There are also people who have pled guilty to similar charges and are testifying for the prosecution. In his opening statement today, the lawyer for co-defendant Stephen Botes said Schrenko was having an affair with Merle Temple, who has already pled guilty and will testify for the state.
Should be fun.
Supreme Court rules - Anna Nicole Smith can act...
...on her claim against the estate of her late husband, that is.
It's a technical issue regarding a jurisdictional question that doesn't get into the Jerry Springer episode that is the estate battle between Anna Nicole Smith and her "stepson," Pierce Marshall. Should anyone be interested, the actual opinion is here.
Should anyone be keeping score, it's yet another unanimous reversal for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. (Justice Ginsburg writes for the majority, which 7 justices signed. The last, Justice Stevens, wrote separately, but concurred in the judgment.)
It's a technical issue regarding a jurisdictional question that doesn't get into the Jerry Springer episode that is the estate battle between Anna Nicole Smith and her "stepson," Pierce Marshall. Should anyone be interested, the actual opinion is here.
Should anyone be keeping score, it's yet another unanimous reversal for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. (Justice Ginsburg writes for the majority, which 7 justices signed. The last, Justice Stevens, wrote separately, but concurred in the judgment.)
Pretty good job...
Gotta admit, I was fairly skeptical of some of Bob's draft predictions, but a lot of what he predicted was on point - especially the Texans pulling the trigger on drafting Mario Williams #1 overall, Reggie Bush be damned.
So read his take on the winners and losers in the draft - cause your fantasy football sleeper (or overhyped bust) is in there somewhere.
I also figured the Titans would take Matt Leinart, but I can see the upside to Vince Young. He could very well turn out to be the second coming of Steve Young. He could also turn out to be the second coming of Andre Ware, or somewhere in between. That said, if I were a Titans fan, I'd be worried about the talk of them getting rid of Steve McNair, unless they're rock-solid committed to playing Billy Volek (who doesn't suck) in 2006 while Young gets settled. There's going to be a lot of pressure to play him before he's ready, and if the Titans give in, they may watch Vince Young flame out early, while Matt Leinart spends the next season or two watching Kurt Warner do the heavy lifting before he steps in and takes every snap for the next decade.
So read his take on the winners and losers in the draft - cause your fantasy football sleeper (or overhyped bust) is in there somewhere.
I also figured the Titans would take Matt Leinart, but I can see the upside to Vince Young. He could very well turn out to be the second coming of Steve Young. He could also turn out to be the second coming of Andre Ware, or somewhere in between. That said, if I were a Titans fan, I'd be worried about the talk of them getting rid of Steve McNair, unless they're rock-solid committed to playing Billy Volek (who doesn't suck) in 2006 while Young gets settled. There's going to be a lot of pressure to play him before he's ready, and if the Titans give in, they may watch Vince Young flame out early, while Matt Leinart spends the next season or two watching Kurt Warner do the heavy lifting before he steps in and takes every snap for the next decade.
