Maybe we should reason with them?

Have you been following the "Cartoon Crisis"? No links, because you can find this story everywhere. Is it really possible that people will riot, burn, destroy and rampage as a result of printing a cartoon? Maybe we just don't understand them? Maybe we should try to relate to them on their level? Maybe their anger is a reaction to something we did? GIVE. ME. A. BREAK.

As soon as I can figure it out, they'll be posted here.

Link to cartoons.

My favorite response:

Spies Like Us.

This isn't an exhaustive list.

Real problem is education, right? I mean if the general populace had a basic understanding of the Constitution, would this even be a story?

Terror, WMD, and musings of an average guy.

This article at NRO is telling. I don't think the American public will ever believe there was a real connection.
The Administration makes a point, as does Mr. Murdock, President Bush will always be wrong to some, however, I agree, this info needs to be presented to the public. If, as Moore would have you believe, the current administration is the most efficient, evil propaganda machine this side of the Third Reich, why don't they use this stuff to lead the sheep? Back to the genius vs. the idiot characterizations, huh?

"“As much as we overestimated WMD, it appears we underestimated [Hussein'’s] support for transregional terrorists."” -- unnamed intelligence expert.

But America has translated only some 2.5 percent of this huge cache..-- Stephen Hayes, Weekly Standard

I have some issues with the concepts here. There is no question that Iraq had WMD. Saddam used these weapons on the Kurds, and it is a documented, incontrovertible fact. The American public still needs the smoking gun weapons cache to be found or else "Bush lied". Well, if we've only been able to translate 2.5 percent of a portion of the information our troops have recovered, is there a possibility, any possibility at all, that we still don't have all the information concerning WMD?
Mr. Murdock is right, where are the rest of the journalists trying to answer these questions? Oh wait, that doesn't fit the Party line.

After effects of the "elixir of life."

It all started with Firewater. Then Jagermeister. Whatever your poison, you've been here.

Get your Total Gym right now.

'Course, it isn't going to do anything for mere mortals like us.

Chuck.

His response.

More Chuck Facts.

Barbary pirates and jihad

It's amazing how history teaches those willing to do a little reading, huh?
Check this article.
I think the most intriguing portion is the quote from the Barbary ambassador. "Islamic Fundamentalism?" Hmmmm.

This blog has now come full circle.

I'm answering my own posts. Within minutes of posing the question.

Find an anwer to the post below here. Kinda anti-climatic.

Werewolves of London.

Seriously, what is this song about? Looking for a link to a database that explains the meaning of songs. What was Warren Zevon talking about? I'd like to know.

Clemency? Not for Stanley Williams.

Don't understand the Hollywood "luminaries" that support clemency for this man. See the LA County DA's office point by point rebuttal here. I find the quote from Willard Gaylin terrible in its truth.

This is why an invasion of The U.S. will never happen.

Check this video. It's funny and alarming at the same time. However, you'd have to be a complete moron to think you could invade the continental U.S.

The future of oil prices?

Found this article particularly interesting. I hate high gas prices as much as the next guy, hopefully there's a light at the end of the tunnel. If the government can keep it's tax claws out of the "record profits."

No title necessary.

Finally a different picture of events.

Of course I didn't know. How could I?

Did you know that 47 countries have reestablished their embassies in Iraq?

Did you know that the Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi
people?

Did you know that 3100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are under
rehabilitation, 263 schools are now under construction and 38 new schools
have been built in Iraq?

Did you know that Iraq's higher educational structure consists of 20
Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges and 4 research centers, all
currently operating?

Did you know that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States in January
2005 for the re-established Fulbright program?

Did you know that the Iraqi Navy is operational?! They have 5- 100-foot
patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment.

Did you know that Iraq's Air Force consists of three operational squadrons,
which includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130 transport aircraft (under
Iraqi operational control) which operate day and night, and will soon add 16
UH-1 Helicopters and 4 Bell Jet Rangers?

Did you know that Iraq has a counter-terrorist unit and a Commando
Battalion?

Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has over 55,000 fully trained and
equipped police officers?

Did you know that there are 5 Police Academies in Iraq that produce over
3500 new officers each 8 weeks?

Did you know there are more than 1100 building projects going on in Iraq?
They include 364 schools, 67 public clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad
stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water facilities and 69 electrical
facilities.

Did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5 have received the
first 2 series of polio vaccinations?

Did you know that 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary school
by mid October?

Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq and
phone use has gone up 158%?

Did you know that Iraq has an independent media that consists of 75 radio
stations, 180 newspapers and 10 television stations?

Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004?

Did you know that 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a
televised debate recently?

OF COURSE WE DIDN'T KNOW!

WHY DIDN'T WE KNOW? OUR MEDIA WOULDN'T TELL US!

Instead of reflecting our love for our country, we get photos of flag
burning incidents at Abu Ghraib and people throwing snowballs at the
presidential motorcades.

The lack of accentuating the positive in Iraq serves two purposes. It is
intended to undermine the world's perception of the United States thus
minimizing consequent support, and it is intended to discourage American
citizens.

---- Above facts are verifiable on the Department of Defense web site.

I'm cautious about this pick.

It's hard to be confident in this candidate for The Supreme Court. I can't tell if The President is trying to challenge the dems to reject this candidate, while having a different candidate in the wings. Seems unlikely. W has been straightforward thus far, can't imagine a change now. Conventional wisdom claims the Prez is saying, "trust me." I guess that's why he got elected.
I truly don't know about this candidate and will be watching the reaction from the nomination process.
See George Will blast W here. Will is like a character from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, using a sword and a razor blade to inflict damage. Quite an attack on many levels.

Pink locker rooms are offensive?

Has this political correctivity gone too far? I'm tired of this kinda stuff. See this link. I'm not going to address the threats to the "professor", those activities are absurd. The real issue is declaring that the locker room is "offensive." Can there really be a serious person out there that is "offended" by the color of the visitor's locker room? Even taking away the legitimate reason (the former head coach, Haden Fry, had the locker room painted pink to create a mood of passivity), do we really need to be evaluating color schemes of locker rooms? I'm all for painting prisons pink, we want those guys as passive as can be. What's next, the color of the teams/schools themselves? Just slap a coat of white paint on everything.......wait a minute, white? That may be offensive to minorities. How do you pick a color that doesn't offend someone? How do you continue this conversation with a straight face?

What the heck are we supposed to do? I tell ya, get back to reality, and if you're a law professor at Iowa, start concentrating of the education of law students. Develop your plan to prepare them for the bar exam, and for the rigors (hah!) of the practice of law. Help the students to change the negative impression of lawyers. But for the love of God, keep you nose outta the visitor's locker room.

Prayers to the victims of Katrina.

There are so many links I wanted to put up for this post, including the bloggers relief fund (I'm still checking it out), but I have to admit to being overwhelmed.

The griping about the response is understandable, but I think over wrought. I mean that the relief effort has been massive and to have the place under complete control by Day 8 is a logistical success.
My opinion is that the Govenor of Louisiana and the Mayor of New Orleans have a lot of 'splaining to do. This was not a surprize. They knew the storm was coming for a week. Apparently they have planned and practiced for this type of emergency before. What happened? I think there was a real vacuum of leadership.
As an aside, I am mortified to hear the political left attempt to gain leverage by this disaster. Jesse Jackson was espousing bald faced lies and then had the temerity to say that the lack of response was due to the race of the victims? Wow. In the world of the Reverend, people were watching the catastrophe and saying, "ahh, we'll get to that tomorrow" based on the race of the victims? The left is politically and morally bankrupt.

Ok, here's a link that I found interesting.

"The Gift of Happiness."

Hypocrisy knows no bounds.

Link.

Kill the space shuttle?

Seems to be a lot of sentiment out there calling for the scrapping of this program. It's kinda news to me. I thought the shuttles were the future.

Article here. and here.

Guess I gotta wake up, huh?

Positive news not available from MSM.

Haven't posted anything like this in awhile, but check this link.
Contrary to the evening news, we are making progress. I'm still amazed at the change in the world political scene. The President won't get credit for this anytime soon, probably not in his lifetime, but I believe this time period will be viewed as a watershed by our children. It's something they will discuss and analyze in history class.

Empire State senator.

Just got back from a trip to New York. Man, do I love living in the Mid-West. Manners, politeness and civility are great to come home to.
Have to remain vigilant. Check this article. Her obvious moves and positioning come as no surprise. She seems to be the only d smart enough to realize that election success comes from moving to the center.
I'll still giggle about the Air Force JAG officer scurrying around the Pentagon, biting her tongue about the Commander in Chief and the Secretary of Defense. What a good soldier!
I'll heartily guffaw at the supposed White House position if the previous presidential election had gone the wrong way.

The PS Classic.

The Second annual PS Classic wrapped this weekend. What a treat. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Sunny and warm all weekend. The company was excellent, witty and bawdy (what a great mix for the golf course). I've recieved the final tally from the offical archivist:

7.29.05 - RedHawk Run
ps - 92
rj - 89
mdg - 98

7.29.05 - The Legacy
ps - 88
rj - 91
mdg - 92

7.30.05 - Maumee Bay
ps - 99
rj - 103
mdg - 90
jp - 99

Totals:
ps 279
mdg 280
rj 283

What a charge by mdg! Holy Toledo! The guy was knocking down shots and carving up the course on Sat. As I said many times that day, "A thing of beauty is a joy that will last forever." PS also showed marked improvement in stamina from last year, but I suspect his good swings were inversely proportional to his intake of alcohol. I discovered my greatest weakness is a cute beer girl and a playing partner with cash. Already looking forward to next year's Classic. Thanks guys!

Music time.

Spin magagzine's Top Ten albums from the last twenty years:

1. Radiohead - 'Ok Computer'(1997)
2. Public Enemy - 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’ (1988)
3. Nirvana - 'Nevermind' (1991)
4. Pavement - 'Slanted and Enchanted' (1992)
5. The Smiths - 'The Queen is Dead' (1986)
6. Pixies - 'Surfer Rosa' (1989)
7. De La Soul - '3 Feet High and Rising' (1989)
8. Prince - 'Sign O' The Times' (1987)
9. PJ Harvey - 'Rid of Me' (1993)
10. NWA - 'Straight Outta Compton' (1988)

I have/had four of them, even though I never thought any of them would make this kind of list.

Elsewhere:

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Bloggers Rank Over-Rated Songs

Robert Burke of Rhapsody Radish asked some of the top music bloggers to name the most overrated songs. Robert says he was not looking for the most hated song or even the worst commercially successful song, but a song that has garnered critical acclaim. No doubt this'll stir up some debate as some classic fan favorites have been selected.

The bloggers top ten over-rated songs:

1. "American Pie" - Don McLean
2. "Light My Fire" - The Doors
3. "Free Bird" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
4. "Hey Ya!" – Outkast
5. "Pour Some Sugar On Me" - Def Leppard
6. "Wonderwall" – Oasis
7. "Memory" - Andrew Lloyd Webber
8. "Bohemian Rhapsody" – Queen
9. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - U2
10. "Totally Wired" - The Fall

You can view the full list with the bloggers' explanations on their choices, comment on the list and add your own here.

Color me paranoid.

Just read an article describing the rough treatment of reporters and staff travelling with Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. Sudanese guards to president Omar el-Bashir manhandled and physically confronted reporters and staff on more than one occassion..
If I understand the situation in Sudan correctly, the new "reconcilliation" government is comprised of members from the Arabic population from the north and with the Christian and indigenous peoples of the south. While I think of Sudan in a slightly favorable light when they agreed to turn over Bin Laden, the killing of over 2 million people in the 21 year civil war is an atrocity that cannot be overlooked.
The whole point of this rant is this: I hope somebody in our intelligence community is investigating these incidents very carefully. This seems like a type of reconnaissance misson from Al Qaeda or other terrorist organization. A probing of her security detachment and their reactions. A way to see who in her detail is security and who is not. A clue as to the methods of security for her, as well as other U. S. officials. I'd be very interested to know who was around during these incidents just watching. Who says the next terrorist attack has to be against mass transit or the public? It seems that our Secretary of State, by her job description as well as her ideology, is a likely target.
Like I said, color me paranoid, but don't color me surprised.

Possible Supreme Nominee?

Sounds like a real possibility. Would like to know a little more, but this article will prompt me to do some research.

Article here.

Flustered and stuck on name calling.

I think I've mentioned this here before, but the left still resorts to name calling. Who is "mean-spirited"? Consider this part of my mini "Hillary Watch." I thought the analysis of her comments instructive.
Article here.

Free Speech or Campaign Dollars?

I found this article interesting.
I was really surprised by McCain's reaction to this guy in person. Won't shake his hand?
I thought I liked the reform, but perhaps there is something to this Constitutional stuff, huh?

No comments for June 05? Drat!

Well, I'm no Gerhrig/Ripken, but I hoped to keep the posts going. We'll see if I can get back on the horse.

Major haps in my life. Tidings of great joy.

Still, life goes on. Two big topics out there. Supreme Court vacancy and bombs in London. Oh yeah, Ohio State lands one of the most highly touted recruiting classes in college basketball since ttun. Cool!

The real lyrics to Louie Louie

Looweeloowhy ono sadday we gowgow
yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh sadday looweeloowhy oh bebay sadday we gowgow

Ayfain liyelkurwl away onee
eektatsh ahip oconstalee
ale wine shit wine all alowe
eenever acow aamay gitome

Aloowee loowhy nanananana heywegowgow
Oh no addeeloowee loowhy oh bebay heddeweegoddegow

Wenite andayo afaildefee
kaykogorld ocontoflee
a on ay shit awayteedair
agul ayrow mowinherrair

Aloowee loowhy oh no heddewegowgow
ya ya ya ya ya sadday loowee loowhy oh bebay heddeweegowgow

OWKAYLITSGITITOOWERITENEOW

teey.... teteeynow ingamymoowabow
theymuppeelow they peepeealow
theypayinarhear my artegen
aymebber ay mebbelayergen

Looweeloowhy ono sadday we gowgow
yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh sadday looweeloowhy oh bebay sadday we gowgow
Ayseddewegoddegownow
Beybeeconnoweekot
Etco!

Comic Churchill

Here's an amusing article about Ward Churchill. I like the way Labash approaches his subject. I also find the view of the fringe funny in a disturbing way. Have to give Labash credit, I don't have the time or inclination to spend arguing with this Walking Eagle. Now that's comedy.

"Why doesn't Bush do something?!?"

....exclaimed a co-worker in reference to high gasoline prices yesterday. Followed by her rant that I think included the federal crime of threatening the president, as well as petulant personal commentary regarding his "beady little eyes."
While I don't fully understand the national crude oil reserves and the presidents powers to control these reserves, why should the president be involved in manipulating oil markets? Hey, no one hates high gas prices more than I do. I'm driving one of the biggest behemoths on the road and it hurts to "filler up." I'm probably in the market for a new vehicle soon, and I'll have some real choices to make, but one of them is not to ask the president to manage gas prices.
Makes you kinda wonder about drilling in Alaska again, doesn't it? Interesting ANWR article here.
Immediately after the above exclamation, a chorus of voices said, "Yeah!!" I was struck by the need of these people to have the government fix their problems. By and large, I DON'T want the goverment fixing my problems. Certainly a minority here at work, YIKES!

How long till I'm de-sensitized?

I guess it's been a few moments since I was shocked by what passes as academia here in the good ol US of A. Check this article. Obviously I wish the European professor had identified himself and the institution where he's employed, but still provides a chilling picture. A particular comment of grave concern:

In issue after issue, the liberal college professor is very critical of America and the values that it stands for. I have heard American college professors tell me – or students – that we cannot say whether our way of government is better than what they had in, e.g., Iraq under Saddam Hussein. This goes hand-in-hand with the Euro-phoria that many campus liberals are caught up in: American government, American way of life, is liable to all sorts of criticism, while much of the rest of the world gets a free pass.

We can't say our government is better than the tyranny and despotism under Saddam Hussein? What? You cannot be serious! A college professor can make this statement with a straight face? That's ludicrous. As an aside, I'm making the assumption that the comparison is between the Federal Republic here in God's Country and pre-liberated Iraq. I don't dare to suppose that the professor is making the argument that the seedling representative democracy trying to take root in the desert is more finely crafted than the US Constitution. Ha!
In theory, I suppose the college campus is the place to debate the merits of our system and to apply the tenets of critical thinking. I assume that the reason for this educational process is to improve the objects debated and critiqued. Or at least improve ones understanding of these noble ideals. Not to mock, belittle or diminish the ideas (oh the crime against diversity!) that have served as the guiding principles of the society that allows that process to take place. Wonder if any of that was going on in old Iraq? Doubt it.
Whatever the goal of colleges and universities in America, it should not be to turn our country into a "second Europe." Heck, those luminaries kicked out most of our ancestors. The smarter of our forebears fled the European continent to pursue a dream. Are there figures available detailing the immigration to Iraq? Doubt it.
I can safely say that we definitely have a better system of government than was available in Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Or anywhere else on the globe.

Also, can you draw any correlation between the European systems of government and this?

More swearin' in public, yeehaw.

Here is an interesting article that speaks to my civilized society longings.
I've touched on this subject in this space before. Last year, I was mildly shocked by the language of college age girls in a Florida airport.
Allow myself to indict.......myself. I have been known to let loose a stream of expletives sufficient to cause a stevedore to blush. I'm not particularly proud of this ability, and I try to contain myself, but have difficulty in these three situations: 1. any sudden pain (the hit the thumb with a hammer example). 2. Ridiculously moronic displays of driving (ok, ok, I suffer from periodic road rage. But only verbally). 3. In a state of extreme intoxication, in an effort to get a laugh from others similarly situated (an occurrence that grows rare in direct proportion to age).
But what do my actions, as well as those related in the above article say about our culture? Anything?
Any recent examples out there? I have to mention that my job involves contact with the public in generally unhappy and stressful situations, so the language I hear in any given day, whether on the phone or in person, is often offensive and disturbing.

A head shakingly sad sign of the times.

Here's a great article from VDH. It's a topic I contemplated at some length when the looney left started equating the president with Hitler. If ever there is a reason to indict the state of education in America, this name-calling idiocy provides. Any person with a reasonable education immediately is offended. The real tragedy is that the intellectual climate of our society allows this linkage to be used for what has to be shock value. What faster way to get your own views, intellectually immature as they may be, out to the mainstream media? Preposterous.

This act cannot be tolerated. Justice must be done swiftly and decisively

Taking the lives of family members of a federal judge requires an immediate response from law enforcement. Article here. All possible manpower must be applied to finding those responsible for these murders and bringing them to swift justice. If ever there was an appropriate time to "send a message," this is that time. Regardless of the politics of the judge (and I don't know anything about this particular judge), our society cannot allow these types of acts to occur. These murders (I'm operating under the assumption that the judge's husband and mother were murdered) tear at the very fabric of our society. Imagine the chaos that surely will follow from the wanton murder of judges (or the intimidation of murdering their families) and similarly situated public officials in our society.
Perhaps these tactics were employed with some success in the Old West, but surely we can see the Pandora's Box that will open when murdering scum are allowed to roam the streets without remorse?
To make matters worse, some lunatic out there tried to influence her own judicial proceedings by citing the judge in Chicago. See this article.
I can't speak too severely against attacks on our system. No tolerance.

The investigation continues here with a suspect that committed suicide.

Gender differences, real and important.

An interesting article here regarding differences between men and women. The facts are that men and women are different. Treating them the same doesn't seem too smart to me.

Weekly Standard article following this topic and Harvards embattled president. Hat tip PS in Covedale.

Guest Post! Finally, some coherent thought!

You know, it occurred to me .........regarding a challenge to, inter alia, the requirement in Ohio that a minor obtain parental consent before obtaining an abortion, that these civil liberties groups have a set of perverse and often inconsistent values. Basically, they think that minors should not have to get parental consent to get abortion. Presumably, I guess, minors are fully capable of making that decision alone. But, yet, God forbid a prayer be said at high school commencement or they recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, or evolution is being taught in school, and they represent the parents who come in and say, "My child is being indoctrinated and he or she is not mature enough to withstand the coercive effect created by the state." So on one hand, minors are mature enough to decide to get an abortion but on the other are too impressionable to withstand a 25 second prayer which mentions "God". What if we had a case with an abortion-seeking minor whose parents were opposed to the Pledge of Allegiance? Think of the conundrum! The other inconsistency, which I know we've discussed, is supporting abortion but opposing capital punishment. That makes no sense to me. An old court reporter pointed out, the only consisent position is opposing abortion and the death penalty, which is what she believed.

I guess the answer is, it doesn't matter what the right is, if it's been established or we can argue for it, then by god we're going to protect it. Essentially, I guess, no standards, which kind of makes the content of the right meaningless.

Ah well, that is my philosophical moment for today.

Check the last paragraph in this article. Too young to consent to sex? But obviously mature enough to decide the fate of her child? Oh, the inconsistency.

From the "Stuff the MSM won't provide" file.

Read this link from Victor Davis Hanson. The second part is here. Pretty awesome stuff. Why don't we get more of this from MSM? Go Figure.
How many other stories like this are out there? Enough to fill up the USA Today for a few weeks, I'm sure. It's kind of refreshing to be able to get this type of information with little effort. Hail to the little guys!

This kinda stuff burns me up!

Did you see where Alanis Morisette became a citizen of the United States of America? Link. I usually don't mind that, I mean this is the greatest country on earth. Who wouldn't want to be a citizen? It's just way too hypocritical after her escapades last year at a Canadian award ceremony. Link. Ironic? Indeed!
It burns me up that people out there just love to criticize, execpt when it benefits them. You know that she did this to benefit from the tax structure here. Canadian socialism is great, until YOU have to pay for it. Are there enough record buyers in Canada to make an album "go platinum"? I guess our climate of "fear" isn't so scary after all.

Born this way? Hmmmm....

This discussion on homosexuality by John Derbyshire is insightful and thought-provoking. Much of his reasoning about this thorny issue is compelling and I think, accurate.

Naivete knows no bounds.

I've mentioned it here before, but I'm still amazed at the radicalism that passes for intellectualism at our universities. Here's an interesting article about a professor at Northwestern's Law School, easily considered a top law school in the U.S. I find that this professor's tenure is more alarming than that idiot in Colorado. If she was not admitted to the State Bar of New York due to her lack of respect for the rule of law, how can she possibly be a professor in law school?

Find an interesting article here.

A big screen version of Miami Vice? Awesome!

Universal Studios is making a movie version of Miami Vice. Link. How cool is that!?! It's gonna be tough to fill Tubbs' shoes, but I guess we'll see if Jamie Foxx is up to the task. How true to the original will Michael Mann's movie be? Same car? I have to think they'll update some of those things for the movie, although I hope they don't. I need to hear some Don Johnson/Phillip Michael Thomas quotes before and after the movie. What about celebrity appearances? Maybe Bruce Willis will be free?

Here's a newspaper blurb hyping the Mann angle.

Hat tip to other bloggers.

Here's a link to another blog that I find interesting. Seriously, how many conservative black woman are out there?
I found her post of 2.12.05 titled "President of the NAACP" provacative.

Condi versus Hillary? I'll take that bet.

Interesting article here.
Condi has impressive credentials, but difficult political background (not a governor).
I'd vote for her!

A truly historic event goes relatively unnoticed.

Much the same as the elections in Afghanistan, the elections in Iraq have gone by with very little trumpeting by mainstream media. Why am I not surprised?
Here's some insight on the importance of these elections.
(I especially am sickened by the quotes attributed to Ted Kennedy, jerk)
The significance of these elections will probably not be realized in the near future, but if this seedling of democracy can grow in the desert of the Middle East, there really will be hope for our planet.

Clinton begins her move to the middle.

In preparation for an '08 presidential run, she's trying to get towards the political middle here. It will be interesting to see all her manuvering (whatever she is, she's an expert at playing power politics). When will other Dems follow?

Hypocrisy knows no bounds...

Guns are only to protect people that deserve protecting, right Mike? Uberjerks bodyguard arrested for carrying an unlicensed firearm. Link. Jackass.

Here's an interesting take on Moore from Frontpage Magazine.

This article would seem ridiculous....

...until you consider the Commander in Chief at the time. Link.

This blog is INDEPENDENT!

Who knew there was cash in this? See the WSJ article. Man, I gotta get a new agent. Of course, they'll want me to reach a "broader" audience, but I'm no sell out! The George Costanza "Human Fund" doesn't sound like such a bad idea now.

Imaginations run wild.

Oh if only. I would have loved to witness this. Classic. Hey, wouldn't it be great if they made a beer comemrical outta this? Oh wait, I guess they already did. Thanks Miller Lite.
Tough to be a NFL quarterback. Gotta decide which playmate to date. Go for the younger one!

Pathetic doesn't cover it.

Dems, please. Did you see the picture of Boxer crying? Unreal.
A member of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission gets it right here.

Here's some input from Pat in Covedale:

More lost souls on the left:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,143977,00.html

The hysteria is . . . I don't know, ridiculous, wearisome, embarrassing, sad. Can't find the right adjective. At least my boycott of Wal-Mart was over something we can all get behind - poor customer service.

Allies and real effort.

Here's an interesting article. Seems like if you really want to fight terrorism, you have to do something other than exercise your jaw.

The United States is the most charitable nation around, pal!

Take that "stingy" garbage outta here. Check this info.
Navy press release.
This UN carping is ridiculous and unwarranted. Reform! Renounce?

This is what we are up against.

This is a terrifying article. This is really what we are up against in the "war on terror." It's hard to imagine what is most frightening: That Al Qaeda can still recruit, or that we might not take this seriously. Can't just sit around and wait for this "situation" to resolve itself.

Merry Christmas? You bet!

This article by Jay Nordlinger reminds me of that article by a fellow law student. She angrily demanded that we not "wish her a Merry Christmas" and "force our religious beliefs on her." Gimme a freakin' break. As I sarcastically quipped then, "Yeah, peace on earth and goodwill towards men. We don't need any of that." I'm going to look for that article. I think I saved it. If I can find it, I'll post the full text.
Merry Christmas!

"It's 'cause of my genes, baby."

I have a list of stuff for the blog, and just found this article by John Derbyshire. Still funny.

Stuff we always knew Back when anesthesia was a new thing, William James decided to explore the new realms of consciousness it revealed. He had himself put under with nitrous oxide gas, and while in the semi-conscious state the secret of the universe was revealed to him. He had sufficient control of himself to actually write it down. Before passing out. When the effects of the gas had worn off, he read what he had written:

Higamus, hogamus —
Woman is monogamous.
Hogamus, higamus —
Man is polygamous.

Well, he got that right, as some researchers at the University of Arizona have demonstrated by compiling a genetic record of humanity's reproductive history.

The scientists report that men appear to have traveled widely to mate. They also say that men and women differed in their participation in reproduction, while it was previously thought that men and women both played an equal role in mating. And the researchers have found that more men than women get squeezed out of the mating game, while twice as many women as men pass their genes to the next generation.

"It is a pattern that's built up over time," says Jason Wilder, lead author of the study. "The norm through human evolution is for more women to have children than men. There are men around who aren't able to have children, because they are being outcompeted by more successful males."

Like we didn't know that already. It's a matter of common observation that any woman can get a man to sleep with her, while some men have a heck of a time persuading women to do them the corresponding favor. One of the great arguments in favor of monogamous marriage, in fact, is that a society organized along these lines gives non-alpha males a shot at, well, "the lighter amenities of conjugal life"... Pity our poor male ancestors (or rather, I suppose, in these precise cases, non-ancestors), who had to stand around glumly while the local chief corralled all the nubile women for himself. Let's hear it for Western Civ!

Find the rest of the article here.

I wanna party with you, cowboy.

Ahh, the good ole days. This place sound familiar?

Wasn't this inevitable?

I haven't been able to follow this story very closely, but after the Spainards capitulated after the train bombings, why wouldn't crazy people use bombs to advance their political agenda?

Important case before the Supremes.

Here's an interesting article about a case that just had oral arguments before the Supreme Court.
It's hard to reconcile my position on this matter. I guess in the end, I'm all about Federalism. Even if states are stupid enough to make mistakes, the Feds should probably stay outta the way. Commerce Clause be damned.

Here's another article pointing out the upcoming issue.

Stuff you won't see at 6pm.

It's hard to continue to post this stuff, but it's still amazing. You won't see this kind of stuff from the mainstream media.

YES! Ohio State 37 M*ch*gan 21

What a great end to the regular season! The Bucks played well in all facets of the game.
The team came out and played with a lot of intensity and kept playing well, even when they were down, they stayed focused and came through.
Great job Bucks!

Ohio State 17 Boilers 24

Dang it! I hate watching OSU play this badly. They don't look like a well coached team. Missed tackles. Missed assignments (EJ on PA touchdown misses Orton. Davie was right, EJ was supposed to "drill the qb in the back of the head"). Inept offense. How do we come away with nothing on two trips inside the 10? Inexcusable. Troy Smith is making mistakes much like Zwick.
Can't stand Snyder's defense. That soft zone is the death knell of the program. Trev Alberts nailed it at halftime, if OSU kept playing that worthless scheme, they would lose by 50. We make the adjustments until 5 mins to go in the game, revert to the stupid soft zone and lost. Coincidence? I think not.
I really want to win this weekend, but I think we have no chance. The only thing keeping us in this game is the rivalry aspect, and I don't think that's enough to carry the game. We may lose by 30. I hope I'm wrong, but I believe it's possible.

Right wing Christians deliver? Look again.

Did you see this article? My arm is getting tired from trying to pat this guy on the back. Nailed it again.

California intelligentsia assemble.

Pics from their "gathering of friends."

Ok, it's a bit of a cheap shot, but I've been provoked by a friends claim that "at least the Governator won't make me sit in the back of the bus." I didn't understand much from Dean Eisler's contracts class, but I vaguely remember that silence is consent. Or was that Criminal Law? Regardless, I couldn't let this go by without comment.

Ohio State 32, Sparty 19

Ted Ginn, Jr. = WOW. This guy is fast (understatment font).
Bucks really should have put these guys away before the half. Just don't have the killer instinct. Still woes on offense. Not seeing where Troy is that much better than Justin. Except that he can run/scramble and avoid pressure.
Really dissappointed by defensive play during the first half. Lot of missed tackles. Played better in second half, but need to put together 120 minutes of great D to end the season.
I truly believe that ANY bowl game is good. These guys need the practice.
Go Bucks!

Ohio State 21 Penn State 10

How hard was it to watch the game after the Bucks went up 14-0? You just knew that Coach T was going to shut down the offense. Again, hard to argue with the results.
Thought Offense looked ok, especially if PSU's defense is as good as advertised. Ran right at them in the fourth quarter, even when they knew it was coming.
Still troubled by the defense. Gashed for big plays too frequently, especially on 3rd and long. Still not great at stopping the run. Will have major trouble against scUM if this continues.
Special teams looked great! Ginn is dangerous, so is Holmes. Great job on returns Mo Hall.
Beating Sparty this week is very important to this young team, hope they continue to improve.
Go Bucks!

Powerful stuff.

Krauthammer is very effective. I hate to put this stuff up so close to election, but this is critical. Recent poll numbers scare the beejeezus outta me. Undecideds out there really need to hear this and make an informed choice.

I'm a retired professional.

"Ahhh Guinness, my love for you will never die" - Quote from Christmas 1998, still gets laughs in my family.

Check this article and see if you have any comments.

Vote. But vote Carefully, my friends.

Just read the two most recent George Will pieces. Here and here.
It seems common sense that you shouldn't count the votes of people that either haven't actually voted or voted incorrectly. It' not that hard, no matter the type of ballot used. Seriously, take the time to do this correctly. Slow down. Read the instructions. Ask for help if there is something you don't understand. Is it crazy that I even have to verbalize these caveats?

Bucks handle Hoosiers, 30-7.

Hard to guage the importance of this win. Yes it stopped a losing streak, but Indiana is one of, if not the worst team in the B10.
I was harsh on Troy Smith before, and I have to apologize. He played well. As long as Justin is hurt, Troy should start and play. If Justin is healthy? I don't know the answer and that's why coach Tressel gets paid the real tall dough.
Still don't see the same defensive dominance of old. I suppose it's because we're young. I'm still not happy with Snyder. Plenty of tough tests ahead.
O line looked decent. Really liked that Rehring. Play him! As an aside, saw some of the scUM game and they have a defensive tackle that's got to give Mangold nightmares! 3 and a half bills and can move his feet? Yikes!
Hope the Bucks can build off this win and keep the positive momentum.
Go Bucks!

With a little help from my friends.

Post activity way down. Tired of politics! It's important and part of the process, but let's just say that I'm not an undecided voter. Let's get to the election!

Got some supplemental stuff from Pat in Covedale. Thanks Pat.

Check this article on THK.

Exasperated exclamation here:

So what's going to happen with this election? I'm deathly afraid that Kerry and the Democratic Party's dirty tricks are going to pay off. I can't believe some of the crap they're throwing out there. Bush has a secret plan to reinstate the draft. Bush has a secret plan to privatize social security. This is such bullshit to just throw out these accusations with absolutely no basis. I can't believe they can get away with this. This is like the proverbial when did you stop beating your wife question. Plus, as I predicted before, the Democrats have got their plan together to cloud the vote and stir up claims of voter fraud and intimidation. How can we defeat these guys? Is the rest of America smart enough to see this or have I moved to the right lunatic fringe?

Bucks 7 Hawkeyes 33

It was too hard to write anything before now. This loss was just gut-wrenching. Took any creative wind right outta my sails.
This season is starting to get away from the coaches and is spiraling down the drain. Hope that doesn't happen.
Too much to talk about that needs fixed. Not enough to talk about that went well.
Pretty sad that I'm nervous about Indiana. Indiana fer Pete's sake!
Go Bucks!

This guy has lost it.

Here's a sick take on our society. This guy is a freakin' joke. I hope that he never sells another record. Pretty hypocritical of him to talk about oppression. He's made millions of dollars off his albums. Only in America.

Here's his response.
Not sure how anyone felt a "sense of justice" on that day. Despicable.

Buckeyes take it on the chin at the hands of Badgers, 24-13.

It's almost too hard to talk about. I was at this game and was guardedly optimistic about OSU's chances for success. Early in the game, Ohio State looked pretty good. The energy from the crowd was amazing. The atmosphere was charged, and it seemed the team was feeding off the crowd. There was a small twinge of anxiety when the Bucks had the chance to go up 17-0, but settled for a field goal. By the end of the game, the mood in Ohio Stadium was morose. It's very difficult to watch the team struggle.
I think the mistakes killed us. The fumble by Roy Hall at the Wisky 25 was disastrous. The offense was driving and looked effective. That fumble just took the wind from their sails. Holmes punt fumble in the second half was the stake through the heart of the team. If the Bucks had avoided these two costly mistakes, the final score may have been different. I think this is an important perspective to keep when looking at other aspects of this game.
The offense actually looked Ok during the first half. We rushed for 100 yards, which seems to be right on target for Coach T's balance goals. The passing game wasn't as crisp as we'd like, but still effective.
What happened after halftime? We went totally away from the run and ended the game with 97 yards rushing? I don't understand that at all..
As for the defense, I think they played fairly well. Early in the game, they were awesome. Forcing consecutive 3 and outs was very impressive. It was great to see linemen getting off blocks and making tackles. Again, I don't know what these guys drank at halftime, but it should be banned from Ohio forever. I suppose that being on the field all day is a valid excuse. Will somebody please sack the opposing teams qb?!? The pressure, wait a minute, there is NO pressure from the line. Really disappointed by the D line this year. I also think the injury to Mike D' is going to hurt us in the long run.
Not sure what to expect this weekend in Iowa. Hope the offense can get it together. D has to play solid. No mistakes on special teams. Jeeze, now I sound like a coach.
Go Bucks!

Waffles. Strawberries with whipped cream waffles.

Find this article interesting and instructive.

Amen Brother!

Bucks downed by 'Cats 33-27

How disappointing. Everybody loses, but Northwestern?
Was at the game. Nice stadium, but terrible atmosphere. No home fans to speak of. PA announcer is absolutely horrible. Homer. Adding too much emotional emphasis for NU. "FFFFIRRRST AND TEN....WWWWIIIILLLLDDDCCCAATTTS!!!" Gimme a freakin' break. Also added commentary, "....finally brought down by a host of Buckeyes." Using names that aren't on either teams roster to describe plays by the Buckeyes. Yes, I'm spending a lot of time talking about their PA announcer. We lost. There isn't much more to talk about.
Offense again looked terrible until late in the 4th. I can't get over how terrible our running game is. Maurice Clarett must have been extremely good, able to get yards behind this type of line.
Really surprised by the Defense. Just looked lost. Not aggressive. No sacks. Couldn't stop NU on third down, no matter what the yardage. Terrible. Terrible.
Pat in Covedale, BCS bowl doesn't look too possible after this game. Need improvement in all aspects of game.
Chicago Doc, you nailed it. We'll see what kind of coach we have this weekend.

Reflections on the first debate.

Have been mulling over the first debate. Was struck by Kerry's smooth delivery. Was even more shocked at the content. Good review from NRO. Kerry actually flip-flopped during the debate! Several times. Iraq war as mistake, but solidiers not dying for a mistake. Multilateral coalition to cure Iraq, Bilateral talks to cure N. Korea. On and on. Where did I read about a politico being a "slick operator without the slick"? Kerry's debate was slick without the "operator."
Was not very impressed with the President's performance either, although I can see how it would be difficult to remain stone-faced after hearin Kerry's arguments. I do think the president should have nailed Kerry down on some of his "nuances" and let him try to explain it away. The President was able to get his messages across, even if at times he seemed exasperated.
I think the most important result of this debate is Kerry's position on American national security. That's what this debate was about, afterall. At one point, Kerry said something about bringing (Iraq I think, I'll check the transcript) to the table and asking them, "what can we do for you?" I really thought this moment during the debate was instructive and haven't seen it highlighted anywhere else. Does he mean to say that in an effort to enforce UN sanctions and to further our own foreign interests that we capitulate at the negotiations? Do we begin these discussions from a position of weakness? Do we want our President approaching any other country, let alone brutal dictators, sponsors of terrorism or terrorists themselves, with this negotiating tactic? Everybody heard the "global test" response to the policy of preemption. Absolutely ridiculous. President Bush was right, the policy of preemption depends on the security of the American people, not the whims of France, the UN or anybody else.
Here's an interesting thought: I believe that Kerry's one substantive strength was his immediate response regarding nuclear proliferation. He said it is the most important threat facing America. He also claims that the best way to resolve Iraq is to include our "allies", France, Germany, Russia (paradoxically, the answer to North Korea is unilateral negotiations). Uh, Mr. Kerry, where do you think Iran, North Korea and other countries are getting the technology to enhance their nuclear programs? Seems like our "allies" are not very concerned by nuclear proliferation, especially Russia. Is it because our best interests do not figure in the long term plans of France, et al?
Is this another reason why these "allies" didn't want to join us in the liberation of Iraq? They didn't want to attack a former/current business partner? Kerry's position on the Iraqi coalition is disingenuous. Stop belittling the 30 plus countries that are putting their soldiers in harms way. To remain consistent, shouldn't Kerry also be criticizing these "allies" for their lack of help in defeating Al Qaeda in Afghanistan? Are these "allies" against terrorism or not? Jeeze, maybe we wouldn't have had to split our troops between two theaters if somebody pulled their own weight in Afghanistan!

A good look at Rathergate.

Check this article from FPM. Kinda scary that this guy is the nightly news guy on a major network. What media bias?

I don't need another reason to hate TSUN, but....

here's a good one. Read this article from FPM. I'm still too naive about higher education. I can't believe this stuff still goes on. Shocking.

Bucks down the Pack 22-14!

Not too bad for a road game. The anemic offense scares the beejeezus outta me, but I'm starting to like the defense. I still have doubts about Mark Snyder, but if the defense keeps playing like this, he'll be ok.
I still like Zwick. I think this guy's going to be really special, maybe before this season is over. I like that he didn't make the big mistakes. Once he puts it all together, he'll be dominant. Still focusing too much on Holmes, but that's understandable. I remember one bad pass, where he missed Hamby for a touchdown. Just overthrew him, b/c he was open. Hopefully that doesn't happen again.
Lydell Ross doesn't seem to be able to get it going. I did like the touchdown run. Gotta have a guy that can get that 1 yard. Pittman showed flashes, even in limited play. Was the defense tired? Maybe, but they were geared to stop the run and he still was able to get positive yards. I would like to see more of this kid.
How about that defense? Awesome. I was cursing during NCST's first and second series, but after that, it was lights out. D line was starting to get some pressure and Simon Fraser played very well. What else can be said about these linebackers? Hawk is awesome and should have gotten that last interception (I hate it when teams get that cheap last TD. Hawk's int should have prevented that). Carpenter looked good. Schlegel played well. D'Andrea is getting better. Opponents shouldn't be able to get too much done running on us, again. Secondary still looks good, even w/o Fox (though I still love this guy and hope he makes a speedy recovery). I notice that this defense tackles well. Able to tackle "in space." I hope this continues.
Use the bye week to get better and to get healthy, young Bucks, you've earned it!

I say we change the name to "Leftywood."

Which I suppose is better than "Goofballville" or "KooKootown." Couldn't let this go by and not comment. Check Jay Leno and his version of "free speech." I'll have to refer him to the Pat in Covedale primer on Constitutional law. I'm referring to the end of the interview when he tells his studio audience to "just be polite." Yeah, Jay, this is America and if we don't like your sorry ass, we can boo. I mean, if you want to frame the argument in terms of manners and politeness, fine. Booing may not be appropriate. But if you want to throw around the First Amendment, the Constitution and other issues apparently beyond your grasp, then your audience has the right to boo any jackal you want to trot out on stage. Don't try to shame the audience with your incorrect and biased understanding of the Constitution (here's an idea, try READING the document before you try to scare people with it). Ridiculous.
This paper is kinda funny to read. It's almost like George Costanza and Mr. Opposite. I just believe the opposite of what this reporter thinks, and I'll be cool.

A friend of the Stream moves on.

Couldn't let the passing of a colleague go unmentioned. Read about Francis X. Olding. His brick at Ohio Stadium in not too far from mine. I'll stop at his everytime I'm there.

Now they're forging documents?

You've got to be kidding me? CBS actually ran and defended a story based on forged documents? Bet that doesn't make the next edition of 60 minutes. Read some of the story here (I like Horowitz and FPM, good edge to them). Isn't this getting a little weird? The obvious bias and palpable hatred are astonishing. This campaign is going to seriously damage the Democratic party for a long time, not to mention some of their best buddies, big media.

Bucks escape Herd stampede 24-21!

Whew! That was too close for comfort. What a great kick. NUUUUUUUGE!!!!
Very disappointed in the play of the defense, and the post game comments of our defensive coordinator are not comforting. The players and the coaches said that Marshall kept running the same play (it sure looked like the same play on tv, though I'm no expert). Snyder says, "I couldn't see it" or something to that effect. Well, get your ass to the coaches box and off the sideline. We're going to miss Dantonio, he seems to have been the brains behind our awesome defenses of the past few years. I hate to see our beloved Bucks get run on like that, very depressing. In fact, I was reprimanded repeatedly by my wife and mother for continued use of very foul language, words I doubt most would use in front of their mother (rhymes with Bucks, coincidentally. Call me a Cheneyite). The signature of the defense over Dantonio's tenure was the second half adjustments. We really used to dominate folks. Didn't happen on Saturday. Plus, the loss of Dustin Fox is going to hurt us, especially against pass happy teams (Purdue?!?). I know we have a lot of talent in the secondary, but losing a 4 year starter and senior depletes the leadership on an already young defense.
What an offensive show in the first half. Footballs haven't flown around like that in Ohio Stadium in a long time! I'm really starting to like Zwick. He has all the throws and seems to be very poised. Needs to make better reads and stop locking in on Santonio Holmes. We have many talented receivers, Justin, use them all. Also, just because Ginn is in the game doesn't mean you HAVE to throw to him.
Where's the run game? Do we miss the fullback that much? Let's hope Brandon Joe gets healthy soon. I like Lydell, but he's not getting the job done. Why didn't we see any other backs on Saturday? Would like to have seen more of Pittman, and even Haw. Can't live on the pass alone, we have to do more to establish the run. Just not sure what it is.
Can't somebody else return punts? Don't want to see Santonio get hurt back there. Get somebody else to do it.
We still have a long way to go this season. I'm really nervous about this NC State game. They had the week off and will have examined our tendencies. It's going to take this teams best game to win, hope their up to it.
Go Bucks!

It all boils down to this...

Krauthammer nails it here. This election IS a referendum. That's frightening because the Dems have not offered any alternative plans. Not sure it's such a great idea to let this country's foreign policy drift like a rudderless ship, just becasue you hate that guy from Texas.

Bucks de-claw Bearcats 27-6!

Not too bad a start to the 2004 campaign. This young Buckeye team still has much to learn before the B10 season, though. Towards the end of the game, it was obvious that the Bucks had more depth and were able to wear down Cincy. My concern is that when playing teams in the B10, that advantage will be lost.
I thought Zwick looked Ok. I was surprised by his arm strength. Threw an out to Bam that was a frozen rope. Also displayed touch early, floating passes over lb's and in front of db's. I think he lost some touch later in the game and wondered if he injured his hand. Some of those passes looked awful and that last int cost us a touchdown (he overthrew Hamby around the Cincy 10). Happily surprised that Coach Tressel stuck with him, even after making mistakes. I think that's good for his confidence.
Didn't get to see enough of T Smith as a passer to evaluate. Thought his fade to Santonio was awesome! Can he duplicate that kind of touch on other passes? If so, then he's going to be hard to keep off the field (Hate that. Wish we had The Guy. Don't want "controversy").
Running game didn't look solid until later in the game. A sign that Cincy was tired or just better execution? I know the O line was concerned about pass blocking, but they looked pretty decent. I still didn't think the run blocking was remarkable. Still work to do. Lydell looked pretty good. Thought he ran with the same intensity he showed his freshman year. Could be a sign of good things to come. Also liked Pittman (except when he ran outta bounds! Don't ever do that again!). He's got what Mo Hall doesn't, the ability to bounce outside. Mo Hall did look good on kick returns, but still not able to run between the tackles.
Ted Ginn is the real deal. Did you see Coach Dantonio yelling and holding up seven fingers to his defense? They definitely keyed in on him. That should open it up for other guys, like Bam, who looked good! Man, is Bam small! Saw him in the huddle and thought he was somebody's little brother.
Defense looked really good. Although I wanted them to be tougher against the run. I think that will happen as they get used to playing together. The lack of a qb sack concerns me. We will miss Will Smith. I know the pressure was good, but you gotta get the qb a couple a times to really disturb his rhythm. Defensive secondary was really good. Youboty played well, as did Underwood. Salley and Everett also will be good.
Nuge! Kickoffs were awesome. Think he'll make that long FG more than he'll miss it. Good job.
Good times ahead for the Bucks if they keep getting better.

On a personal note....

Hello to Squeeze and his lovely bride. Had the chance to sit down to dinner with our reigning radical recently, and my wife and I said the same thing on the drive home, "That Squeeze is a good guy. I really like his wife." In our lexicon, being called a "good guy" is high praise indeed. While I secretly suspect that his wife is the brain in the operation, it was wonderful to sit and talk (mostly avoiding politics at my behest) with these two insightful and thoughtful people. Hope all is well, and let's get together again soon. Aloha.

Don't rely on the sports media.

Jim Gray is a moron. Making completely false and biased statements about the American criminal justice system. Last night on the late Sportscenter in reference to the Kobe case dismissal.
Exactly where did Jim Gray get his law degree and vast criminal justice system experience? He kept saying things like, "innocent people go to jail all the time" or "innocent people get charged with crimes all the time." (I'll try to find the segment to get the exact quotes) What? What the hell is he talking about? I've lamented this before, in the athletes as defendants context, it's exactly the opposite, Jimbo. Remember OJ? Or Ray Lewis? The guilty go free.
But in the world according to Jim Gray, our jails and prisons are full of innocent people. Well, I suppose if you ask the people in the jails and prisons, that's what they would tell you. And our police departments are so bored and have so much time on their hands, they concoct stories and chase innocent people all day.
How horrible life must be for Jim Gray. To be hounded by the cops all the time. Living in fear. Hiding in the alleys. Flying coach. Continually defending himself against trumped up charges. Avoiding those cheap frame jobs. Looking around and watching the cops lay ruin to our beloved society.
Is this system perfect? No, but it's the best in operation currently on this earth. Does the system make mistakes? Yes (Don't start on me with DNA cases, there's not enough of them to be statistically significant), but not as often as Jim Gray would have you believe. Get ahold of yourself Jim and the rest of the sports news cadre (more on them later....)

As if we needed more proof that tsun stinks!

Check this column from Jay Nordlinger on NRO. I really like this guys work (in some small way responsible for this blog). What a plus that he's conservative and from Ann Arbor!
Pay special attention to the comment regarding the UM Political Science Chairman. " Left-wing and stupid, a lethal combination." What a great quote!

How could you do it, Jason?

I have to admit I was disappointed by Jason Whitlock's most recent ESPN page2 column. Pulling out the race card to explain the American sporting public's complaints about USA basketball? As I stated earlier, I didn't think this team would win a medal, thankfully, I was wrong. Even though most people seem disappointed with a bronze medal, I think we should thank our lucky stars.
But the race card? "The only explanation." Really? Isn't it possible that we didn't think this was a good team? I mean when you're Olympic record is 109-2 (not the Tony Korheiser outrageous, make a point stat, but the real record of the US in Olympic basketball), you have to get upset by losses to Puerto Rico and other non-powerhouse teams, right? This is the same team that was destroyed by Italy in an exhibition game in July. Italy? The American culture is heavily invested in winners. See the New York Yankees, the Los Anegles Lakers, the Dallas Cowboys. We like winners. This basketball team didn't win. They didn't play like winners during the exhibition. I watched some games before and during the Olympics. The team didn't play team defense, they didn't shoot (I'm still baffled by that. The three point line is closer! These guys should have been salivating). They didn't rebound particularly well, and they looked lost on offense 80% of the time. Did I mention the defense was terrible?
Isn't that reason enough not to like them? Just as America likes winners, we still have our problems with race relations. I'm sure people out there took the racist view Mr. Whitlock describes, but "the only explanation"? Hardly.

The NCAA made the correct decision.

I'm sick to death of the sports talking heads telling me to feel sorry for Mike Williams. They keep lamenting the fact that he "followed the rules" and the cold and heartless NCAA denied his reinstatement. I was really surprised to hear that Bill Curry also had this same reasoning. Coach, I think you're wrong.
The popular argument is that Williams, upon learning that the NFL had won in the Clarett case, did everything necessary to become an amateur again. He severed ties with his agent, he gave back the money (likely story) and he re-enrolled in classes at USC. See? He wants to be a student-athlete again. He did everything he was supposed to, didn't he?
Uh, not really.
Actually, Mike Williams did NOT follow the rules, and it's shocking to hear all these people that appear to be knowledgeable claim otherwise. The NCAA has delineated steps that players can take to test the NFL draft. These are often called "rules." If Mike Williams had stayed in school at USC, he's permitted to contact agents, NFL personnel experts, NFL coaches and others to help him determine his draft position. If Mike Williams had not taken the money from the agent, he doesn't have to give anything back and he's still eligible to play in the NCAA. I mean if we learned one thing from the Clarett case, it's that you can't take the money if you want to play college ball. Everybody knows that. To claim that he gave the money back is disingenuous, not to mention, impossible to prove.
So, the rules that he could have followed if he wanted to play college football are simple: 1. Continue to go to school and make progress towards your degree. 2. Consult with the necessary professionals and experts to determine your likely draft position (a no-brainer in this case, obviously this guy is going to get drafted in the first round and probably in the first five picks. I'm not even an expert, and I can figure that out). 3. Don't take money from any agents or for endorsements. Following these simple rules would have allowed Mike Williams to maintain his college eligibility when the NFL won the Clarett case (also very likely, if you get even half-way decent legal advice). Mike Williams did NOT follow the rules and therefore, he should not be re-instated.
Maybe you can argue that the NCAA's timing in the release of their decision stinks, but you cannot fault the decision itself.

Coincidence? I think not.

Here's a quote from a recent Michael Novak article:

Most of the bloggers seem to me to be lawyers, to think clearly, and to have a very sharp eye for conflicting evidence. Most of the mainstream press, perhaps because of their editors, seem hemmed in by blinkers. It frequently startles me to discover how far behind the story they really are. The mystique of the mainstream press has self-destructed.

Find the full text article here.

The rest of the article deals with the Vietnam aspect to this election. Why wasn't this important in 1992 and 1996? As much as the 9/11 Commission whitewashed the Clinton administration's policies and actions, it's obvious that the planning and implementation took place during that administration. Wouldn't a veteran (Dole?) have been more in tune with this impending crisis? It seems that's what the Democrats of this millennium want us to believe. The hypocrisy of the Democratic party would be laughable if this weren't a serious issue. I can't fathom how the media gave such a pass to Clinton, yet wants to split hairs regarding the qualifications of "war presidents" during this election. At the very least, W served in a military capacity (much the same capacity as many of the troops currently in Iraq).
Even with Kerry's dubious heroics during his four months in Vietnam, I don't doubt the fact that he served and it doesn't lessen the respect I have for him as a veteran. (I am having a hard time reconciling the purpose of the home footage he took, and the apparently distorted facts behind his commendations. Why won't he release those records?). But since the day he returned home, his life speaks volumes. Not the kind of volumes that demonstrate his abbreviated tour of duty transformed him into a preeminent world leader, prepared to handle the domestic and foreign agenda of the United States of America. Why is this issue the centerpiece of his campaign?

Stop it! Nothing was "Stolen!"

I'm sick to death of this garbage and it has to stop. The democrats insist on claiming that the 2000 presidential election was "stolen." Continuing this fallacy is detrimental to our government, country, and political progress. The democrats must believe that our system is so unsophisticated, rudimentary and worthless, that an actual presidential election can be swiped like a pair of socks from the local Goodwill. As if the electoral process can be manipulated by some third rate Doug Henning and sleight of hand. Why, those damn Republicans should be sent packing so they don't "steal" another election this year! As if stealing an election is even possible. I suppose Republicans are smart enough to steal one election, but only that one time.
Yet, they keep perpetuating this myth and cheapening our Federal Republic and damaging the very political process they seek to control. Why? Do you want something so bad you're willing to damage it, just so you can control it. It's anathema to their supposed position of caring and sensitivity. Can I draw a convoluted analogy? I love my dog, but do I have to beat him until he's crippled because I can't control him? Whew, that analogy is out there, but I'm seeing the parallels. Remember Martin Lawrence in Boomerang? It's like a pool table is the earth, and the game is not over until the WHITE ball..........Yeah, that's where I am with this ridiculous tripe. (Not that it's important, but a letter from my beloved union leadership is the catalyst for this rant) This type of rhetoric is moving to political process backwards and degrades our country. Check this recent article (the interview with Seif Khadafy)to see what I mean. Khadafy’s kid is an idiot. That line about democracy burns me up. Freakin’ snob. See what the democrats are doing to the greatest country on earth? Half the people think the current administration is illegitimate? We should be shaping our ploughshares into swords. Better yet, our democratic colleagues should demand better from their representatives.

It's the team AND the coach.

I've never been a Larry Brown fan. I've tried. Since I've been hoodwinked by Tony Kornheiser's charm, and I Tivo PTI, I've tried to believe that Larry Brown is a good guy. I'm not arguing coaching. I think he's one of the best. Even while he was in Philly, I felt sorry for him because he had to deal with Iverson everyday. Don't even get me started on that guy. Uh, yeah, we are talking about practice. It's where championships are won and lost, and every championship team will tell you it's true. See? Now I'm started. If the NBA is left to Allen Iverson and his ilk, the league is in major trouble. Wait a second, the league IS in major trouble. Oh well, no enamel off my teeth. I'll take any college hoops game at any time.
Back to Brown. Check this article ripping him from ESPN.com. ( I'm happy for him that he's won the NBA championship, but I gotta believe the clock is ticking in Detroit. Joe Dumars better start scouting a new coach, and realtors in the Detroit area should begin to solicit Brown.) Now I'm contradicting myself and arguing coaching, because I haven't seen any coaching in these Olympic games. It doesn't seem as if the Olympic team is coached at all. It's almost as if Iverson is running the team. It's Brown's job to get these guys to understand what they have to do to win, and so far I haven't seen it. I can't accept that this team can't win because of its construction. People say we need shooters, but the 3 point line is 3 feet closer, right? That's like a mid-range jumper for all the guys on the team. They should be money. They just look awful, especially on defense. My prediction is that we don't even medal, much less the gold.

What's wrong with Sammy?

Is this the end for Sammy Sosa? Did Dusty just move him to 5th in the batting order? Tim Kurkjian said it's the first time he's batted below 4th since 1994. Wow. If the Cubs want to make a run at that wildcard, they're going to need Sammy's bat. Found this article at ESPN.com. Is there something else going on, or is it the decline of skills due to age?
As an aside, I still like the wildcard. This season is very interesting because so many teams still have a chance. Purists probably don't agree, but I think it's the right format. Maybe this year, the Cubs and Red Sox can be wildcard teams with a chance to advance in the postseason. Both teams have pretty deadly rotations for a short series, right? I'll pay closer attention to baseball as the fall approaches because of the wildcard. I guess that's why MLB is using it.

Insightful commentary from the West Coast?

Wonder what this guy's classes are like? Suppose he doesn't spend as much time teaching as chairing. Still, an interesting view..
Find the full article here.

Why would USA Today kill this story?

Read this article and give me a legitimate answer. I have the feeling that people that don't make an effort to find this stuff will be left with meager fare from the mainstream press, like USA Today.
It will be interesting to see if plain hatred of Bush can carry this election. I know it didn't work for Clinton, cause man, I hated that guy and he still won a second term. Let's hope the second term trend continues.

Anyone from the Prairie State following this?

Haven't paid much attention to the Illinois senate race, except to make Homer Simpson noises at Jeri Ryan, but was recently asked about this Obama fellow. No real knowledge, but wondering what the locals report? Interesting article here re the GOP choice for the race.

Further commentary on the GOP choice here.

Back from the Northwoods.

Sorry, just got back from vacation. Minnesota in the summertime. Nothing like 42 degrees at night, throw in a little rain, and you've got yourself a party! At least it kept the mosquitos down. Didn't catch a damn thing. Walleye aren't as stupid as they look. Beautiful country. Bald eagles are pretty cool to watch in flight. Didn't see any bear, but I suppose that's a good thing.
It'll take a few days to get back up to speed. Hope all is well out there.

The dead horse rises.

Hadn't heard of this guy before, but this article makes me want to read his books. Interesting perspective.

The Clinton segment is hilarious!

You've probably seen this already, but if not, check this out. Good times.

Signs of intelligent legal thought from tsun.

Don't have the cite yet, but just reading up on a decision from the Michigan Supreme Court. Seems that the rights of property owners are making a comeback. The MSC overruled a previous decision that was used throughout the nation in government takings cases (the Poletown case). The new ruling holds that government may not take property from one private owner and give it to another purely for the purpose of economic development. Yea! I'm all for economic development, but taking property from one and giving to another in this fashion and for these reasons smacks of socialism. Developing.....