September 18, 2006
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The Pope makes comments critical of Islam. For this he receives...you guessed it...death threats from Islamic Extremist nutjobs.
Notice any similarities here (not to mention irony)?
Just ask the typical raving moonbat and he'll likely say that - in both cases - they asked for it.
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03:00 PM
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Just too much good stuff out there today to post anything original.
h/t: the Llamas
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11:45 AM
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Smile. It's Monday.
h/t: AnalogKid
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10:11 AM
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[Coalition leader Fredrik] Reinfeldt accused the government of failing to translate the growth into more jobs and claimed the official statistics showing 5.7 percent unemployment were misleading. If you add people on sickness or disability leave or government job-training programs, the figure was higher than 20 percent, he said.Almost 15% of the population sitting on their butts and still getting paid - off the backs of their fellow citizens?
Sounds like the Democrats' economic programs.
Nice to see some changes for the better in "old Europe". Sweden has been the poster child for advocates of a nanny state here in the U.S. Now where will they look to?
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08:46 AM
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September 17, 2006
The Giants were down by 10 with 4:07 remaining in regulation when my three hours were up. Ordinarily it wouldn't have made much of a difference except that the Giants went on to WIN the game in overtime:
Manning tossed a 22-yard TD pass to Amani Toomer with 3:28 left in regulation to cut the deficit to 24-21.Great. As spectacular a comeback as you could hope for and I missed it.After New York got the ball at its 20 with 56 seconds left and no timeouts remaining, Manning quickly drove the Giants to the Eagles 32. A personal foul penalty on defensive end Trent Cole moved the Giants 15 yards closer and set up Feely's tying kick.
Crap. Lesson learned.
At least the Giants beat Philly. I hate Philly. And they just saved their season. On to Seattle!
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09:41 PM
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September 16, 2006
And this week's Diane Lane Netflix Pick of the Week:
Six Pack (1982)
In his first film role, country singer Kenny Rogers stars as Brewster Baker, a retired stock-car driver who's on the comeback trail. But he finds his racing plans temporarily thwarted when six delinquent siblings (including Anthony Michael Hall and Diane Lane) strip Brewster's car to sell the parts. Reluctantly, he takes the miscreant brood under his wing -- and turns them into his new pit crew in this breezy comedy directed by Daniel Petrie.
Bonus Babe Alert: Erin Gray stars as Kenny Rogers' lady love. Whoo-Hoo!
Interesting factoid: In my opinion, the fact that she co-starred with Anthony Michael Hall in this film coupled with her appearance in "The Outsiders" makes her a charter member of the infamous "Brat Pack".
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08:35 PM
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:-(
The Diane Lane Photo of the Week will be up early this evening!
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September 15, 2006
A Serbian man needed emergency surgery after he had sex with a hedgehog on a witchdoctor's advice.I'm not going to touch that one with a ten foot...er...pole.Zoran Nikolovic, 35, from Belgrade, says the witchdoctor told him it would cure his premature ejaculation.
But he ended up in an operating theatre after the hedgehog's needles left his penis severely lacerated.
A hospital spokesman said: "The animal was apparently unhurt and the patient came off much worse from the encounter. We have managed to repair the damage to his penis."
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Will he be drawing a line in the sand over terrorism legistlation in the Senate?
Stay tuned...
On a related note, NBC's David Gregory got into it again yesterday with Tony Snow, prodding the White House Press Secretary over the President's attempt to clarify provisions in the Geneva Convention.
On the Imus In The Morning radio show this morning, the host asked David Gregory about his questions to Snow. Gregory raised concerns that the President is trying to redefine the torture guidelines of the Convention. Imus asked, "So what?"
Gregory responded that if the U.S. did this it might set a precedent for other countries to do the same. "Which countries?" asked Imus.
The White House Corresponded responded (and I'm paraphrasing here) that there is concern about a war with Iran, for example.
Imus (who loves Gregory) asked him point blank: "Do you think that if we got into a war with Iran, and if they captured some of our soldiers that Iran would comply with the provisions of the Geneva Convention? What are you, an idiot?"
Gregory was incredulous. I laughed my butt off.
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10:30 AM
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The Democrats' mistake--ironically, in a year all about Mr. Bush--is obsessing on Mr. Bush. They've been sucker-punched by their own animosity.Back in 1984, former VP Fritz Mondale asked his fellow Presidential candidate Gary Hart, "Where's the beef?""The Democrats now are incapable of answering a question on policy without mentioning Bush six times," says pollster Kellyanne Conway. " 'What is your vision on Iraq?' 'Bush lied us into war.' 'Health care? 'Bush hasn't a clue.' They're so obsessed with Bush it impedes them from crafting and communicating a vision all their own." They heighten Bush by hating him.
One of the oldest clichés in politics is, "You can't beat something with nothing." It's a cliché because it's true. You have to have belief, and a program. You have to look away from the big foe and focus instead on the world and philosophy and programs you imagine.
Mr. Bush's White House loves what the Democrats are doing. They want the focus on him. That's why he's out there talking, saying Look at me.
Because familiarity doesn't only breed contempt, it can breed content. Because if you're going to turn away from him, you'd better be turning toward a plan, and the Democrats don't appear to have one.
Which leaves them unlikely to win leadership. And unworthy of it, too.
He could just as easily ask the same question of his party, twenty-two years later.
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September 14, 2006
Oil is traded in contracts for future delivery, and companies that take physical delivery of oil are just a small part of total trading. Large pension and commodities funds are the big traders and they're seeking profits. They've sunk $105 billion or more into oil futures in recent years, according to Verleger. Their bets that oil prices would rise in the future bid up the price of oil.$1.15? Holy crap!That, in turn, led users of oil to create stockpiles as cushions against supply disruptions and even higher future prices. Now inventories of oil are approaching 1990 levels...
...As it stands now, the recent oil-price slump has brought the national average for a gallon of unleaded gasoline down to $2.59, according to the AAA motor club. In the Seattle area, prices per gallon have fallen to $2.856 currently from $3.071 a month ago, a decline of 7 percent, according to AAA.
Should oil traders fear that this downward price spiral will get worse and run for the exits by selling off their futures contracts, Verleger said, it's not unthinkable that oil prices could return to $15 or less a barrel, at least temporarily. That could mean gasoline prices as low as $1.15 per gallon.
Other experts won't guess at a floor price, but they agree that a race to the bottom could break out.
I'm starting to regret pre-paying my home heating oil for the winter. Sigh.
But if gas prices were to fall even as far as $1.50 per gallon, the resulting savings would act like a tax cut and increase discretionary income. On an individual basis, this isn't all that much but multiply the savings by about 150 million drivers across the U.S.
That's a lot of beer money.
Bet yer lookin' at the poll in the sidebar a little differently right now, huh?
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03:10 PM
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Posted by: Gary at
12:15 PM
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This part picks up just after the break-up of the Millenial terror plot that was to have taken place on December 31,1999. The first major event is the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole in October 2000. The Clinton Administration is winding down in its last few months in office and the President is focused on Middle East peace talks rather than retaliation - even though the opportunity is there.
Again, Richard Clarke continues to be portrayed as a frustrated advocate for going after Bin Laden and his network but no one wants to listen to him. We, the audience, share in his frustrations. Clarke continues to serve in the Bush Administration, which is by no means given a pass by this film. Clarke's focus is redirected away from counter-terrorism in a "restructuring" of the NSA. It took almost eight months in office before National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice is prepared to present a plan for dealing with Bin Laden. Of course, by then it was too little, too late.
Clinton apologists have no reason to complain that their guy was treated shabbily to the benefit of his successor. They will anyway.
This stage of the story emphasizes the "wall" that barred information sharing between the FBI and CIA, as illustrated by a CIA operative's meeting with Agent John O'Neill. The CIA has pictures of suspects of the Cole bombing that may be in the U.S. However, he won't share the identities of these men nor will he let O'Neill's staff keep the pictures.
Political correctness ruled the day. And if there is one perfect example of idiocy that the 9/11 commission uncovered in its findings, it is this ridiculous impediment to communication that most contributed to our inability to prevent the attacks. This policy, immortalized by the infamous "Gorelick Memo", has since been discarded. Thank God for that.
The film ends with a re-enactment of the events of that morning as many of the players, upon hearing the news, know immediately that it must have been the work of Bin Laden.
Actually, the fact that Democrats raised such a fuss over "The Path To 9/11" probably resulted in the mini-series registering such high ratings. As I stated in my previous post on part one, the importance of this presentation was its focus on the mindset this country had on September 10th and how we can never allow ourselves to return to that mindset.
This is THE issue of our time: the protection of America from further attacks and the destruction of those forces who would launch and support those attacks, wherever they may be. This is a war and it's being fought all over the world, on many different fronts. Even the enemy acknowledges this. I encourage Democrats to pull their heads out of their sphincters and get with the program. There's no use in whining about a film that they think makes them look bad. They're doing a good enough job of that all on their own.
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Lamont's campaign got a boost Wednesday from former President Carter, who offered a blistering critique of Lieberman's support for the Iraq war. "He was one of the originators of public statements that misled the American people into believing that the Iraqi war was justified," the former Democratic president said on CNN's "Larry King Live."Don't expect these words of criticism to count for much coming from the worst President in the history of the United States. If anything, it'll reinforce the support Lieberman already enjoys. Oh boy, I hope Lamont can get more of these "boosts" over the next two months."He's joined in with the Republican spokespersons by saying that Democrats who disagree are really supporting terrorism," Carter said. "So for all these reasons, I've lost my confidence in Joe Lieberman and don't wish to see him re-elected."
Lamont, a multimillionaire businessman who spent about $4 million of his own money in the primary, is tapping his personal fortune once again. He has written checks totaling $1.5 million for his general election bid, his campaign confirmed Wednesday. Lamont gave his campaign $1 million on Sept. 11. He wrote a $500,000 check on Aug. 22.
He may not be able to afford them.
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09:45 AM
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Richards is best remembered nationally as the feisty keynote speaker at the 1988 Democrat Convention in Atlanta who said that "poor George" H.W. Bush was "born with a silver foot in his mouth."
I'd be lying if I said that - back then - I didn't get a good belly laugh out of that one. Unfortunately for Mass. Governor Michael Dukakis, that was the high point of the Democrat's campaign.
From what I've read, she was a terrific lady who was not afraid to speak her mind. No stranger to personal hardships, she always tackled adversity by laughing at it. That's a life lesson we could all stand to learn.
R.I.P.
UPDATE: 1.30PM
Coming as no surprise to me, the President spoke kindly of her today.
"Ann loved Texas, and Texans loved her. As a public servant she earned respect and admiration," Bush said in a statement. "Ann became a national role model, and her charm, wit, and candor brought a refreshing vitality to public life."Gracious, as always.
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September 13, 2006
The Braves are now OFFICIALLY eliminated from the pennant race.
Excuse me a moment...ahem...BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!...OK, back to this post.
Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com posts an open letter to Braves Manager Bobby Cox:
"I have spent most every minute of the last 12 years swearing and screaming your name, taunting your relief pitchers, mocking your batters, and praying for your bus to stall on its way to the stadium – and now that your journey is over, I find myself grateful for all of the emotions you exposed me to. You see, it takes a lot to dislike a team as much as I’ve disliked you – and, in some ways, you’ve made me the rabid fan that I am.Mets fans, our long National (League) nightmare is officially over. Braves fans, you shove those styro-foam tomahawk chopper thingies right up your poop chutes (and let's hear that stupid chant while you do it).So, thank you, Bobby – and here’s to hoping you become as bitter towards me and the Mets over the next 14 years as we’ve become towards you and the Braves.
Have a happy and uneventful October, and weÂ’ll see you next April."
*** Apologies to my relations in Norcross, GA who know I'm only teasing. ***
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The Treasury Department said that with just one month to go in the budget year, the deficit totals $304.3 billion, down from $354.1 billion during the same period a year ago.It's those damn tax cuts for the rich!!The Congressional Budget Office is forecasting that the deficit for the entire year will be $260 billion, which would mean that September will see a sizable surplus. [note: the Federal Gubment's Fiscal Year End is September 30th]
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02:40 PM
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Talk about a competitive environment! Why?!?!?!! Why?!?!?!?! Why?!?!?!?!?
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02:20 PM
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It's still early but not a single poll since the primary in August has had Lamont leading (though he has been close). Lamont has less than eight weeks to convince non-Moonbats in CT to move in his direction. The closer we get to November 7th, the harder that task will be. It's not a name-recognition problem considering the amount of national press this race has received.
And with races tightening up in PA, OH, and MD, the DSCC has to decide how much resources they are willing to keep pouring into this match-up.
It may not be long before Ned Lamont and his nutroots supporters find themselves on their own.
UPDATE: 4:15PM
First the sizzle, then the fizzle.
I ran across this article in The Weekly Standard while I was away on vacation. The web hype for Ned Lamont's candidacy doesn't seem to be able to translate into a lead against an independent Lieberman. In light of this point, I quote Louis Wittig who compares the internet buzz that built up "Snakes On A Plan" to that of the Liberal blogosphere. In both cases, expectations end up falling short (ahem, Dr. Dean?). Wittig makes an excellent point:
The problem is that most people, both insiders and outsiders, misunderstand the internet's advantages and limitations.The nutroots keeps waiting for this Liberal "revolution" to take Washington by storm because they're under the delusion that they represent the majority point of view in America.It's perfectly understandable when political junkies and box office watchers conclude that web buzz augurs big things, but it's also perfectly backwards. We look at the humming activity of the blogosphere and assume the cadre of online enthusiasts behind it constitutes the tip of an off-line iceberg. It is assumed that for every posting on MyDD, or SoaP rap on YouTube, there must be dozens of people out there itching for impeachment of python gags.
Reality is just the opposite. People go to the blogosphere because they can't find a sizable number of people in their everyday, off-line lives that are as enthusiastic as they are. The blogosphere gathers together atypical fans and brings them together in what quickly becomes a broadband echo chamber. The louder and more intense the online community gets, the farther it's likely drifting from what is happening offline.
But whenever reality hits back at them, they seem unable to accept the idea that they really are nothing more than a fringe. And they resolve to just try harder for the next election.
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12:23 PM
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