WuzzaDem

Taking a Break

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We're going to be gone for a while. We won't be anywhere near the building in the photo above. Actually, I have no idea why that photo is even in this post.
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That's just weird.

Anyway, we'll be gone for about a week or so. But not anywhere near that building. At least, not that I know of.

Whatever.

Bummer
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Senators Warner and Levin: Not Ready for Primetime Players [Mrs. R.]

Re the debate currently taking place on the Senate floor:

Do Senators John Warner and Carl Levin actually believe anyone bought their two-bit, scripted, infomercial-style "colloquy"?

I realize these staged congressional productions have become popular in recent years, but that doesn't make them any less cheesy.

Senator Warner, you are a tool, sir, for employing such cheap device to address matters of grave import. Shame on you.

UPDATE: Go, Senator Bunning!

UPDATE II: Sen. Jim Bunning for President!

UPDATE III: Go, Joe Lieberman!

Why Today's Democrats Are Unfit to Lead This Country [Mrs. R.]

Whether one is a comedy writer for Seinfeld, a U.S. Congressman from Minnesota, or a 70-year-old hippie who inflates his scrotum, any American who compares George W. Bush to Adolph Hitler is a brazenly callous and woefully uneducated manchild. The same can be said of: Democratic colleagues and supporters who applaud and/or echo the Bush/Hitler comparison. Democratic colleagues and supporters who make no effort whatsoever to distant themselves from those who make the Bush/Hitler comparison, or chastise them for doing so. Democrats who need a grown-up to explain to them why the Bush/Hitler comparison is born of such shameless and ignorant wickedness, it's scary. Conclusion: The vast majority of today's Democrats fall into one or more of the aforementioned categories. Therefore, the vast majority of today's Democrats are brazenly callous and woefully uneducated manchildren who promote shameless and ignorant wickedness. This, in turn, renders them unfit to assume leadership roles of any kind. This, of course, doesn't mean Democrats won't win the White House or maintain their majority in Congress; it just means we all could be in deep, deep doody.

 

The Real Message of Ayman al Zawahri's Latest Video [Mrs. R.]

Per ABC's The Blotter by Brian Ross, the latest al Zawahiri videotape ends with this invocation:

Have I not conveyed? Oh, Allah is my witness"
Have I not conveyed? Oh, Allah is my witness.
Have I not conveyed? Oh, Allah is my witness.

Some cryptic code to activate various sleeper cells in New York, Washington, and Los Angeles?

Probably not. A few phone calls could accomplish that. Nevertheless, that doesn't make this thrice-repeated Q & A any less hair-raising.

I tend to agree with Joseph (a commenter at The Blotter) who interprets the message this way:

I think the concern may be that Islam requires three pleas for conversion before killing an Infidel. That was one of the criticisms of Osama by other Muslims after 9/11 - that he hadn't made such pleas. The repetition at the end of this message sounds like an acknowledgment that the requisite pleas have been made so an attack can move forward. That may be what is concerning law enforcement.

He's right. After 9-11, it was reported that al Qaeda was criticized by several Muslim clerics - not for the actual attacks, but for not satisfying the conditions that must be met before such attacks, which mandate infidels be given the opportunity to convert to Islam before they are killed.

This time around, they're making sure to dot their i's and cross their t's.

If you recall, Westerners were extended "An Invitation to Islam" in August 2006.

We have had nearly a year to RSVP.

It appears this latest message is simply offered as proof that al Qaeda has satisfied its due diligence.

Maybe He Should Consider Changing His Name

AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!

Over video of someone apparently named "Illegal Immigrant", the reporter from this piece says, "...just a few minutes later, this man walks in to the store. He says that Immigration laws have left him no choice but to go back to Mexico since he can't support his family here."

"If I have no license and I'm not going to be legalized, I can't work."

Yeah, cuz that would be...um...illegal. And if there's one thing Illegal Immigrant doesn't do, it's break the law. Well, most laws, anyway.

The Fred Pool [Mrs. R.]

I like Fred Thompson (not in a Chris Matthews sort of way), but one thing gives me pause. I can't tell if he's playing Hard to Get, Wait and See, or I Can Take It or Leave It.

I suspect it's the latter, and that he's going to leave it.

Soil Erosion: The New Global Warming? [Mrs. R.]

Is Topsoil Erosion the latest trend in End of Days?

Eh, could be.

According to this Joplin Globe article, "the timeline for the latest inch of topsoil began in 1507 — about the time that Michaelangelo (sic) was working on the Sistine Chapel."

Apparently, "that six to eight inches of topsoil depth (that covers only 5% of the Earth's surface) is all that stands between us and extinction."

And while it takes 500 years to build an inch of topsoil, destroying it can be accomplished in no time flat.

Ordinarily, this story might not generate much concern, but when one considers all the corn we need to grow, to produce all that ethanol we need to refine, to fuel all those vehicles we need to drive without contributing to all that Global Warming we need to avoid, we could be on the horns of a real dilemma.

And facing a very difficult choice...

 

 

Abu Sayyaf Behead Captured Philippine Soldiers [Mrs. R.]

Don't they know that's a violation of the Geneva convention?

What's that?

They don't give a rat's ass?

That must give them quite an advantage over their enemies.

Oh, that's why they do it?

I see.

Suspected Islamic militants beheaded four Philippine marines who were involved in the search for a kidnapped Italian priest, the military says.

Nine other troops were injured and 10 were missing after the gun battle near Tipo-Tipo town on Basilan island, a known hideout for militants from Abu Sayyaf and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front MILF).

Let's see how the New York Times covers this story, assuming it does. Based on past performance, don't expect much.

In a January 2007 blurb, Top Abu Sayyaf Rebel Reported Killed, the NYT noted that Abu Sayyaf was responsible for "kidnapping three of its citizens and 17 Filipino tourists from the Dos Palmas resort on Palawan island in May 2001."

What they forgot to mention was that 15 of the hostages were beheaded, including a Peruvian-American man from southern California. Only three hostages were released, and a handul escaped. Four Filipino soldiers searching for the hostages were captured by Abu Sayyaf and also beheaded.

Kind of important details to leave out...

UPDATE: Per Amador's comments, the link to a report by Michael Yon on what other atrocities al Qaeda is capable of, and against young children

Cindy Sheehan Loves Men Who Love Men Who Stone Adulterers to Death [Mrs. R.]

 

After spending 11 years in prison for adultery, an Iranian man was stoned to death in Iran today, heightening concerns that the woman he was convicted with, also imprisoned, will soon suffer the same fate. It is believed that the only reason her sentence was not carried out today was because "Woman's Day" was celebrated in Iran just last week. How sensitive of the Islamic courts. No wonder Ms. Sheehan is in love.

 

Making News Stories of Great Import More Interesting for Brian Williams [Mrs. R.]

Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can find underreported news stories of major import and shine a little light on them. One would think that easy access to such information would keep Brian Williams on his toes, and one step ahead of the pajama-clad bloggers who scoop him by days, weeks, and sometimes even months - but that doesn't appear to be the case. Perhaps converting important news stories into a some kind of quiz format will pique Mr. Williams' interest in world-changing events and developments by providing him the opportunity to prove what a smarty-pants he is, i.e., that he's not just another empty and overpaid suit sitting behind an anchor desk. Couldn't hurt to try...

A Very Small Sampling of Underreported News Stories of Major Import Quiz: While the mainstream press has reported on the deployment of U.S. naval carriers to the _____ region near _____ waters, the press has paid very little attention to the number of US _____ swarming other waters of the ______ ______ in recent months and weeks, including (but not limited to): docking in ports like _____, ______; conducting military operations against _____ _____ in _____ ; assisting in military operations against _____ _____ in the _____ ; and participating in large-scale "routine training exercises" with the _______ and ______ governments. In a press conference yesterday, U.S. Senator _____ _____ (D-_____ ) made a statement that leaders in _____ _____ (whom he met with on a recent trip) resent all the U.S. military resources being expended in _____ to fight _____ _____ because they would like to see more U.S. military resources expended in their region of the world. Curious minds want to know: For what purpose? Fighting _____ _____? What else could Senator _____ have possibly meant by that statement? Are _____ _____ really that big of a problem in _____ _____? If so, why doesn't Senator _____ just say so? And, what does that mean in terms of the threat _____ _____ pose worldwide? Are things really, as rumors fly, that serious? Unfortunately, however, not one single _____ attending the press conference asked Senator _____ to elaborate on, or clarify, this statement. Based on increased "chatter" and "strong intelligence" that suggests a _____ attack in _____ is imminent and could occur at any time, the _____ government has issued a travel warning, discouraging _____ from traveling to _____, including such popular vacationing destinations as _____. Since the island of _____ is a popular vacation destination for people all over the world, perhaps network news anchors in other _____ should echo this warning. (Due to the nature of the threat addressed in this quiz item and the public's need to know, the country issuing this warning is Australia, and the danger zone is Indonesia, particularly Jakarta and Bali). Shortly after _____ seized control of the _____ _____ from _____ , _____'s President _____ _____ denounced the takeover as a "coup" and publicly voiced his support for _____ because he feared _____' links with _____ groups like _____ _____ would further destabilize the region. Shortly thereafter, various _____ _____ , including _____ _____ , began issuing threats against _____ and any other _____ states that did not support _____' takeover of the _____ _____. Shortly thereafter, President _____ _____ of _____ changed his tune, made apologies for _____, and expressed tacit support for their takeover of the _____ _____. Current reports from the region claim that _____ _____ has, indeed, infiltrated the _____ _____ in recent weeks and has established a strong foothold there, another ominous development for _____. Speaking of ______, many ______ ______ experts agree that a large-scale ______ between ______ and ______ is likely should ______ refuse to withdraw from the ______ ______. Since such a withdrawal is highly unlikely, this ______ could erupt by August or September. With the increase of hostile and well-armed forces (thanks to all the high-powered weaponry being smuggled into the region by ______ and ______ over the last year) along ______'s borders, this situation could develop into a much larger regional ______, or worse. The government of ______ is urging all _____ currently in _____ to evacuate the country as quickly as possible. This, on the heels of a report that that _____ troops invaded _____ last week. Although the alleged incursion by _____ troops was less than two miles deep into _____, and occurred in an isolated border region, the report is troubling because _____ troops were said to have been preparing the region for _____ by erecting _____ _____ and digging hundreds of _____ and _____. Since reports on this story are sketchy and few, it is difficult to know if this mini-invasion actually occurred. Nevertheless, the story is certainly worthy of further _____ and, therefore, an effort should be made to _____ or _____ it, right?

 

Teaching Evolution in Public Schools: Let the Sunshine In [Mrs. R.]

(You won't find any Isaac Newtons standing on Darwin's shoulders).

I don't know why people of faith oppose the teaching of evolution in public schools.

When you think about it, what's there to teach?

 

Um, it's just a theory, but we believe life began a few billion years ago in primordial tide pools teeming with single-celled organisms that popped up out of nowhere.

 

 

Over time, these single-celled organisms mutated into nearly two million unique and widely-diverse species, including fully-clothed Homo sapiens...

 

 

And if Sasquatch wasn't such an elusive son-of-a-bitch, we could prove it.

 

That's about it. Brevity is the soul of credibility when offering a multitude of missing fossil records as counterevidence to creationism, or intelligent design, or much of anything.

And who knows? Maybe the more high school students learn about evolutionary theory, the more interesting (and relevant) the story of two naked malcontents becomes.

UPDATE 7/13/07: Instapunk is not impressed by the self-perceived superiority of men like Richard Dawkins, the Amazing Randi, and Michael Shermer...Me, either. I'll take an Isaac Newton or an Albert Einstein any day of the week.

 

Lions for Lambs II: The Republic Strikes Back [Mrs. R.]

ACT III (in progress...)

Hey! YOU! Whaddya think you're doin'?

 

 

What does it look like I'm doin'? I'm packin' it in.

 

Proof That the Left Hugs Terrorism [Mrs. R.]

Left-wing activists protest Philippine-US anti-terrorism drive International Herald Tribune/Associated Press About 100 left-wing activists protested at the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday claiming counterterrorism cooperation between the United States and the Philippines was leading to human rights violations. Members of Bayan — the largest left-wing group opposed to the presence of US military advisers and troops in the country — also said they were concerned the U.S.-led war on terror "is being used as a justification for the passage of an anti-terrorism law in the Philippines." Meanwhile, a U.S.-backed massive military offensive that started in August last year has driven away most of the al-Qaida-linked militants on southern Jolo island and allowed Philippine troops to capture their bases

No human rights violations by Abu Sayyaf when they kidnap and behead a tourist or two. Nope. That's freedom-fighting.

And Members of Bayan should be allowed to protest government policy in the Philippines without fear of flogging, but women living in Iran (see the Cindy Sheehan post below) better get used to it. (I'm not quite sure how the left characterizes that one).

 

Ah, Remember When Life Was So Much Simpler? [Mrs. R.]

When you were 21 (going on 12), naive, well-intentioned, gullible, and misinformed?

A little reminder...

On second thought, I guess life wasn't so simple back then after all.

In the days of yore, if people wanted to change the world, they would actually have to get up off their asses.

UPDATE FROM JOHN: That guy looks vaguely familiar (right side of the screen).

 

Cindy Sheehan Loves Men Who Love Men Who Flog Women [Mrs. R.]

 

 

The 24-year-old Iranian woman pictured above has just been sentenced to nearly three years in prison and ten lashes for attending a political rally in Tehran. If Cindy Sheehan loves men who love men who flog women for attending political rallies, does Cindy Sheehan: Love men who flog women for attending political rallies? Love the flogging of women who attend political rallies? Realize that she is a woman who attends political rallies? Want to be flogged for attending political rallies? Hate the U.S. because we don't flog women who attend political rallies? Have at least on working brain cell? Answer: God only knows what goes on between Cindy Sheehan's ears. Are none of the network news anchors or major/national news publications (both obsessed with the treatment of male prisoners at Guantanamo) the least bit interested in the "Iran Flogs (and Imprisons) Women Who Attend Political Rallies" story? Answer: That appears to be the case.

HAPPY 231ST!

I Guess "Death Valley" is a Euphemism for "John's House"

116-DEGREES PREDICTED FOR VEGAS THIS WEEK; 127 FOR DEATH VALLEY.

I think I need to water the back yard.

UPDATED/BUMPED Robert Redford, Tom Cruise & Meryl Streep Are Going to Rip George Bush a New One [Mrs. R.]

 

UPDATE: Trolls in defense of their hero, Mr. Redford, corrected an error I had made in one of the captions below. Instead of saying "Do nothing." what Mr. Redford actually says is "The problem is with us, all of us...WHO DO NOTHING."

God, I feel so bad! How could have I so misjudged Mr. Redford's moral character?

Oh, yeah, all that man/horse sex slave stuff in that film he showcased at his Portal to Hell Film Festival along with the pedophile-pandering smut.

UPDATE: This troll fest reminds me of another Alicublog infestation from last year.

(sigh) Good times.

(Original post of 06/25/07 starts here).

 

At least that appears to be the intent of Robert Redford's new film, Lions for Lambs.

Unfortunately, for the country, they're actually going to be ripping us all a new one by leading the mushy-headed and ill-informed down yet another garden path of no return.

Streep plays a journalist trying to convince a U.S. senator (played by Cruise) to do the right thing. Any guesses what that might be? Hint: It involves his support of a US led "war against terror" in Afghanistan.

Redford, plays the wise and ruggedly denim-clad professor who does his best to dissuade a young student from leaving school to join the military.

"Rome is burning, son. The problem is not with the people who started this..."

"The problem is with us. All of us..."

"(correction) WHO DO NOTHING!!!!!"

Ah, yes, do nothing. Sound advice for any occasion, especially ones involving wild-eyed jihadists wielding meat cleavers and rocket launchers.

Don't forget, Robert Redford is the man who (via his Sundance film festival) spotlighted films like Zoo (a documentary about horse-on-man sex) and Hounddog (the soft kiddie porn feature starring Dakota Fanning).

Yes, let us all heed The Redford's world view.

You know what would be really great to see? Redford, Streep and Cruise ripping al Qaeda or Islamic Jihad a new one - assuming, that is, they could find their way out of the old one.

It's hard to believe there actually was a time when Hollywood hotshots didn't take their lives of incredible privilege for granted.

 

Yoo-hoo, Brian Williams!: How to Determine if War Is in Motion [Mrs. R.]

The push back may be just as telling as the initial shove Whether it's in Lebanon, Iran, Somalia, or the Philippines, the march of radical Islam appears to be on an accelerated schedule since last summer (a surge not unlike the one triggered by the start of Intifada in September of 2000). Just as significant in recent weeks and months is an accelerated effort by the international community to counter terrorist aggression militarily. Some of these campaigns - in Somalia and the Philippines, for instance - are aided by U.S. troops and/or military advisors. This aggression/resistance pattern seems to suggest that the dynamics of war may not be much different than the laws of motion. Based on the increased resistance (exerted by multiple governments) to the escalation of aggressions (initiated by a consortium of Islamic militants), a reasonable person could conclude that a conflict of global proportions is in motion. The bad news? Even if the consortium of Islamic militants (and liberal Democrats) view these events from the opposite perspective, a reasonable person could still conclude that a conflict of global proportions is in motion. More bad news: One would think a seasoned journalist like Brian Williams could put his finger in the air and sense the turbulent currents and crosscurrents swirling around his Katrina-tempered pinky and, thereby, issue some kind of storm warning.

 

Saving Afghanistan (If Only Brian Williams Would Start Doing His Job) [Mrs. R.]

 

I want U.S. troops out of Iraq.

 

Not as much as I do.

 

Well, I want US troops out of Iraq by April of next year.

 

I want US troops out of Iraq by February of next year.

 

An admirable goal, my friend, but I want to start pulling US troops out of Iraq by the end of this year.

 

Hey, I invented wanting to start pulling US troops out of Iraq by the end of this year.

 

If you ask me, I think we should withdraw all of our troops from Iraq NOW.

 

Oh, yeah? Well, if you ask me, I think we...

 

Uh, excuse me, senators, Madame Speaker, but what about Afghanistan?

 

I'll take this question... What about Afghanistan, Brian?

 

Well, Senator Edwards, if the U.S. turns tail in Iraq, Afghanistan is toast.

 

So?

 

So, you appear to be more interested in gaining political advantage over the president than you are with maintaining a strategic advantage over the Taliban.

 

Brian, are you trying to suggest that my colleagues and I are making hay at the expense of our national security?

 

What do you think, senator?

What do I think about what?

 

...

...

 

How in the hell did you get where you are?

 

Well, Brian, I guess it all started back when I was a young boy, the son of a mill worker, growing up in rural North Carolina, doing my schoolwork at the kitchen table...

 

True or False?

The problem with many kitchen/round-table discussions is that there's not much, if any, talk about what will happen in Afghanistan if the U.S. turns tail in Iraq.

Answer: It's like the war in Afghanistan isn't even an issue.