Shannon Kramerâs plans to fire a rocket toward his girlfriend went awry when the firework ricocheted inside his car and dived between his legs, bursting in a display that burned hair and skin from his feet to his groin, police said. Kramer, 35, told The Florida Times-Union he lit a fuse on the 6-inch-rocket, but wasnât able to get it out the window of his Ford Mustang before it went off.
Dude, you're supposed to roll the window down, then light the fuse.
Seconds later, after the rocket blasted around inside the car, Kramer was burned and temporarily blinded. "I thought I was dead," he said. "I couldnât see, I couldnât hear. I went to stand up and I couldnât walk." Kramer said he suffered second-degree burns and a cut on one leg. His eyelashes and a lot of body hair are gone and an outline of his sandals is burned onto his feet.
"I am such a dumbass" is permanently scarred onto his forehead, courtesy of the Finger of God...
Look at the bright side, he avoided a Darwin award -- barely.
Jacksonville police were called to the explosion about 9:30 p.m. Sunday and were told a man who had been threatening his girlfriend with a bomb had a mishap. Kramer said he was only playing a prank and was intending to fire the rocket out the window as he passed. Police referred the case to the State Attorneyâs Office, but prosecutors declined to charge Kramer, police spokesman Ken Jefferson said.
"Yeah. I'd say he suffered enough when he burned off his testicle. That'll be more of a lesson to him than we could ever administer..."
Kramer said the rocket, which resembled a bottle rocket, was the diameter of a golf ball. "I had a couple but this was the biggest," he said. "No more of those."
#5
Look at the bright side, he avoided a Darwin award -- barely.
I dont know about that. He only had to make himself unable to contribute to the genepool to get a Darwin -- his death is not exactly required (but is usually the method of being unable...).
Course now they will be calling him 'ole stumpy'....
#6
Ahhh... Jacksonville. Panama City without the beach. You have to keep in mind that Jacksonville is only 55 miles from Fargo Ga., 45 Miles from Raiford, 60 miles from Kings Bay. It's a strange mix and used to be stranger.
If there was a RedNeck Secret Command Post it could very well be in the basement of the Seaboard Bldg.
OK, Frank, let's have it. (I don't get around much so I realize I'm prolly the only one hasn't heard it)
Posted by: Dave D. ||
03/30/2004 15:38 Comments ||
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#8
Redneck wants a budget vasectomy, Doc gives him a big ol' firecracker, tells him to light it and count to 10, knowing he'd have to put it between his legs while he uses both hands to count to 10.....
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/30/2004 15:46 Comments ||
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#9
I wonder how long until he decides to sue the manufacturer for a defective product?
#11
Heh. Guess I should've been able to figure that one out by myself.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
03/30/2004 17:38 Comments ||
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#12
Yes LH. Until the antichrist made AmTrack I had a pass on SCL. :)
I was just gettin going with it too... LOL.
I can't talk about the basement tho. It's indigo.
Seriously I guess it's been 20 years since I was in the building.
#13
When I was a kid, it became very hard to buy Estes rocket motors because vandals were throwing them into phone booths with fuses lit. I always wondered what would happen to person stupid enough to ignite the fuse while he himself â I have decided to exclude females from this psychosis based on personal experience, as I never met a pubescent girl pyro - was inside the booth. I wonder no longer. I have patiently waited nearly 30 years for a zipperhead to answer this question for me. I even suffered through Jackass the Movie in hopes of gaining this knowledge. A wise man once said that good things come to those who wait. I would like to add that 3rd degree burns to the scrotum come to those who have twisted ideas and no patience.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
03/30/2004 21:44 Comments ||
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#14
Any pictures of this guy? I'm thinking mullett here, right?
#17
let me see, if his mustang was pre-1990, then yeah - I'd say mullet action. If he was in a camaro then he's definitely sporting a kentucky waterfall.....
Unedited for length because he deserves the tribute. He was the one good thing about the godawful BBC. He shall be missed. The title of this entry comes from him saying what stories he wanted to be remembered for telling.
Esteemed writer and BBC broadcaster Alistair Cooke, famed for his programme Letter From America, has died aged 95. BBC News Online looks back at his long and respected career. For more than half a century, Alistair Cookeâs weekly broadcasts of Letter from America for BBC radio monitored the pulse of life in the United States and relayed its strengths and weaknesses to 50 countries. His retirement from the show earlier this month after 58 years, due to ill health, brought a flood of tributes for his huge contributing to broadcasting.
Born in Salford, near Manchester, northern England, Alistair Cookeâs father was an iron-fitter and Methodist lay-preacher. Winning a scholarship to Jesus College, Cambridge he read English, edited the undergraduate magazine, Granta, and founded the Cambridge University Mummers. Alistair Cooke made his first visit to the United States in 1932, on a Commonwealth Fund Fellowship which took him to both Yale and Harvard universities. Following his return to Britain, he became the BBCâs film critic and, in 1935, London correspondent for Americaâs National Broadcasting Corporation. He returned to the United States in 1937 to work as a commentator on American affairs for the BBC. He made his home there and, in 1941, became an American citizen.
March 1946 saw the first edition of American Letter, which became Letter from America in 1949. The series was the longest-running series in history to be presented by a single person. Alistair Cooke never decided what he was going to talk about until he wrote the script, made no notes during the preceding week and preferred to rely on his memory. In an interview given at the time of the 3,000th edition of Letter from America, he appeared to have mixed feelings about the future of the United States. "In America," he said, "the race is on between its decadence and its vitality, and it has lots of both."
Cooke led his listeners through the American vicissitudes of Korea, Kennedy, Vietnam, Watergate, Nixonâs resignation and Clintonâs scandals. In all of this, Cooke pulled no punches. The lyricism of his broadcasting and the urbanity of his voice did not disguise his fears for America which he saw becoming a more violent society. A liberal by nature, he reserved particular dislike for what he saw as the shallow flag-waving of the Reagan presidency.
Alongside working for the BBC and The Guardian, for which he wrote from 1945 to 1972, he developed a passion for jazz and golf and, as a film critic, he mixed with Hollywood stars. As a commentator on history, Cooke was sometimes an eyewitness too. He was just yards away from Senator Bobby Kennedy when the latter was assassinated in 1968. He was never as comfortable on television as radio but, by the 1970s, his hugely successful television series America recounted his personal history of his adopted homeland and won international acclaim, two Emmy Awards and spawned a million-selling book.
The Queen awarded him an honorary knighthood in 1973 and the following year, for a journalist, he received the ultimate recognition - he was asked to address the United States Congress on its 200th anniversary. He told his audience he felt as if he was in a dream, standing naked before them and there was only one thing he could find to say. Teasing, he exclaimed to the assembled legislators, "I gratefully accept your nomination for President of the United States!" Naturally, he brought the house down.
Many Britons thought he was American, but to the Americans he was the quintessential Brit, the man who brought them the best of British television as presenter of Masterpiece Theatre. For his part, he explained, "I feel totally at home in both countries." He impressed both audiences with his high quality work. With his unquenchable curiosity, Alistair Cooke remained for decades the consummate broadcaster, an elegant writer and a man of enormous wit and charm who made sense of the American Century. If you never had the privilege of hearing him speak, go to this page and give a listen.
Posted by: growler ||
03/30/2004 11:00:02 AM ||
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#2
..America has lost a friend. I know it may be late to do so now, but could he be granted honorary citizenship? He earned it.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
03/30/2004 14:02 Comments ||
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#3
On teh radio this AM they said he'd gotten citizenship
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/30/2004 14:33 Comments ||
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Master of the anecdote, wielding disarming honesty and remarkable insight into the humor and hubris of both societies, Alistair Cooke bridged the Atlantic as no other. Missed, indeed.
#7
"Your news is all of woe! Great harm is this death to Minas Tirith, and to all of us. That was a worthy man!..." (Eomer, in _The Two Towers_, reacting to the news of Boromir's death; I felt the quote was apporopriate here)
Posted by: Joe ||
03/30/2004 17:57 Comments ||
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"Beware Its a Scam"
I was shocked to learn that anyone can purchase a degree, Bachelorâs or Masterâs from online dubious universities without having to complete the course of study for as much as 3000 pound sterlings. Some of our unscruplous politicians grabbed this golden opportunity and bought their way into the august house such as National Assembly of Pakistan. Corruption is always linked to third world countries like Pakistan. however, In this "SCAM" of selling fake degrees, entities belonging to countries like USA, Canada, UK & Great Britain are involved.
International University of America is one of such dubious online universities conferring degrees to individuals without verifying their previous record of education. IUA has issued Bachelors degrees to high school dropouts... IUA claims that they are operating in Australia, Great Britain, Canada and USA, it is further claimed by this university that degrees awarded by them are recognised/accredited by the departments of education in all of the above mentioned countries, which is totally misleading and incorrect. Some of the Parliamentarians have alreday been disqualified for producing dubious/fake degrees acquired from such universities and cases of others are being proceeded in the Election Tribunals constituted by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
IUA does not exist in the United States of America, Canada and Australia. It was operating from a flat in London but since the official inquiry has begun, IUA has shut down their operation and moved from their previous address. IUA has also closed their web site to avoid legal repercussions. The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan too does not recognise this university or qualifications awarded by them. This article is purely in public interest so that innocent education seekers are not robbed and fraudsters brought to the book.
Posted by: Anwar Marwat || 3/30/2004 || 7:38:15 AM
"Yup. Yup. Got my degree from Joe's University and Dry Goods, one o' them prestigious unacredited universities. Sent 'em 60 bucks and got my doctorate in nuclear physics, by Gum!"
Posted by: Anwar Marwat ||
03/30/2004 7:57:48 AM ||
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"This was a person the officer had stopped for a traffic violation and then for some reason he came across this stuff in the car," said Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force Director Jim Paine. "The occupants told him it was `saladâ that was purchased at a specialty store geared toward people from African nations. That was the first time that any has been seen in this area." The substance is so new to this area, Paine said, that the officer only later learned that it was probably khat, an illegal Schedule I narcotic in this country. Heard this one on the radio this morning. If qatâs coming into the country, whatâs coming with it?
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
03/30/2004 8:57:15 AM ||
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...whatâs coming with it?
Men with missing teeth, green droowl...running machine guns in the back of small white pickup trucks.
#3
Dragon, isn't it like an amphetamine? Heps you up?
Supposedly, the Somalies were all hopped up on this when our guys were ambushed in Mogadishu--they love qat in Somalia.
Posted by: Jen ||
03/30/2004 10:02 Comments ||
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#5
I tried some at The Notting Hill Carnival. Made me a tad squiffy.(and the green drool reference is quite correct too)
Posted by: Howard UK ||
03/30/2004 10:24 Comments ||
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#6
Men with missing teeth, green droowl...running machine guns in the back of small white pickup trucks.
They'll stand out in Kentucky, the good old boys there with missing teeth have brown Skoal drool and drive big pickup trucks with shotguns in the cab.
Posted by: Steve ||
03/30/2004 10:32 Comments ||
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#7
Jen, it contains something similar to ephedra and is a mild stimulant - more like caffeine or ephedrine than speed. According to first-hand reports, it isn't much of a high. The green drool is right, mostly because it makes your mouth numb. It also usually makes you thirsty and gives you a stomachache, and major bad breath. It's usually chewed like tobacco and has a similar ick factor. It apparently is only rarely addictive. It's sold in a bundle called a maduf, weighing about half a pound, for $30-40 per maduf. It's ususally wrapped either in plastic or banana leaves and sprinkled with water to keep it moist and potent.
The stuff is popular in eastern and southeastern Africa (Somalia, Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar, etc) and Yemen. There's good evidence that most of the gunmen of the warring factions in Somalia were continually high on the stuff. Most of it was flown in fresh daily from Kenya - about $300,000 worth a day, according to one estimate - at the same time that it took the USMC to deliver food.
It has to be used fresh as within 48 hours of picking it dries out and all the "good" chemicals evaporate or decay into harmless ones, so chances are, if the guy's story about buying it at an African grocery are true, the store is either growing it, trucking it in from Florida, or flying it in from Africa. One estimate is that about 2000 maduf are flown into NYC each week from Yemen. It grows well only in lousy soil - sandy, rocky, and dry - and dies on you if you water or fertilize it too much. It grows outdoors well only in Florida and California but has been grown indoors as far north as Yellow Knife, Canada. It's now a Schedule I drug (the most illegal), as is the main active ingredient, cathinone, which some people synthesize in garage labs. The decayed checmical, cathine, is a Schedule IV drug (you're supposed to have a prescription for it). Apparently, however, it's still legal to grow the plant in the US.
What's interesting is that over-the-counter cold and allergy remedies that contain pseudoephedrine produce approximately the same effects as qat and are entirely legal.
And this is way more than you wanted to know. Sorry. Being a librarian can be habit-forming ...
Posted by: Sofia ||
03/30/2004 10:53 Comments ||
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#8
Don't apologize, Sofia--that was all very informative!
Librarians like you, First Lady Laura Bush and a late friend of mine rock!
Posted by: Jen ||
03/30/2004 11:41 Comments ||
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#9
Sofia: keep it up. I always enjoy your informative posts.
My understanding is that qat takes a lot of leaves and a long time to get the proper effect. Prolly a good time to review everything the imam told you down at the masjid, and to remember how humiliated you are...
#12
Maybe khat is the new cash crop Kentucky has been searching for to replace tobacco.
I lived a year in Kentucky. During that year a bunch of agri-lobbyists were trying to convince the state that they needed to grown a variety of hemp that did not contain THC as a replacement crop for tobacco. The state decided not to allow cultivation of hemp, reasoning, I believe, that they would have too much trouble sorting the hemp from the other varieties that would surely be cultivated in the same field.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
03/30/2004 19:04 Comments ||
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#13
Well, I can tell you that there are a few Jihadis that actually live in Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky. The U.S. government and some N.G.O.'s have a relocation program which placed many "Bosnians", Palestinians, Egyptians, Libyans, Saudis, UAE's, etc. in Kentucky. Many of these immigrants were jihadis/mujahadeen in various conflicts, or their fathers were. For example: marijuana and opium can be purchased in Kentucky that hails from Afghanistan (at least pre 9-11), so I would assume that these would be the same networks that brought in the qat. And it is illegal to have it here. The same networks that bring that stuff in could be used to bring in weapons, jihadis, etc. If I were in the CIA I would just follow the Qat to find the al-Qaida guys. The chew it. I would just put a tracking device in the qat shipments going to Pakistan, etc. They have in flown in so it's fresh as someone else stated above. Bin Laden & his boys may have picked up the habit while living in the Sudan.
Internet giant AOL has ratcheted up the war against unsolicited e-mail with a publicity-grabbing coup - an online raffle of a spammerâs seized Porsche. AOL won the car - a $47,000 Boxster S - as part of a court settlement against an unnamed e-mailer last year. "Weâll take cars, houses, boats - whatever we can find and get a hold of," said AOLâs Randall Boe. According to Mr Boe, the Porscheâs previous owner made more than $1m by sending junk e-mail.
AOL is one of the noisiest opponents of the evasive spam trade, and this month joined forces with Microsoft, Yahoo and Earthlink to sue hundreds of spammers. Seizure of property is becoming a major tactic in these lawsuits, since guilty spammers often protest their inability to pay large fines. The Porsche-owning spammer, whose identity remains confidential, was one of a group sued last year for having sent 1 billion junk messages to AOL members, pitching pornography, college degrees, cable TV descramblers and other products.
Mr Boe said the Porsche was seized mainly for its symbolic value, as the obvious fruit of an illegal trade. The Porsche sweepstake lasts until 8 April, and will be open only to those who were AOL members when it was first announced. How much do you reckon they might get for Borisâs S&M equipment and Croatian Boys collection?
Posted by: Bulldog ||
03/30/2004 5:30:48 AM ||
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not enough to pay for the steam-cleaning and sanitization....eeeewwwwwww
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/30/2004 7:35 Comments ||
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#2
Kinda like cleaning up a crack house - no matter how good a job you do, some part of the residue remains imbedded in the walls themselves. Better to burn 'em down to the basement and start over. With spammers, I suggest doing it to the 'software', not the hardware, if you get my drift. Dump the ashes in the nearest sewer sludge pit.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
03/30/2004 12:24 Comments ||
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OP, please don't dump them in the sewer...AOL's wastewater empties out into the Chesapeake Bay. Might give the crabs some ideas, y'see...
And it was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: âWhoever changes his religion, execute him.â ... What this hadeeth means is that whoever leaves Islam and changes to another religion and persists in that and does not repent, is to be executed. ....
This harsh punishment is for a number of reasons:
This punishment is a deterrent to anyone who wants to enter Islam just to follow the crowd or for hypocritical purposes. This will motivate him to examine the matter thoroughly and not to proceed unless he understands the consequences of that in this world and in the Hereafter. The one who announces his Islam has agreed to adhere to all the rulings of Islam of his own free will and consent, one of which rulings is that he is to be executed if he apostatizes from the faith.
The one who announces his Islam has joined the jamaaâah (main body) of the Muslims, and whoever joins the main body of the Muslims is required to be completely loyal and to support it and protect it against anything that may lead to fitnah or destroy it or cause division. Apostasy from Islam means forsaking the jamaaâah and its divine order, and has a harmful effect on it. Execution is the greatest deterrent that will prevent people from committing such a crime.
Those Muslims who are weak in faith and others who are against Islam may think that the apostate has only left Islam because of what he has found out about its real nature, because if it were the truth then he would never have turned away from it. So they learn from him all the doubts, lies and fabrications which are aimed at extinguishing the light of Islam and putting people off from it. In this case executing the apostate is obligatory, in order to protect the true religion from the defamation of the liars and to protect the faith of its adherents and remove obstacles from the path of those who are entering the faith.
We also say that the death penalty exists in the modern laws of man to protect the system from disorder in some situation and to protect society against certain crimes which may cause its disintegration, such as drugs etc. If execution can serve as a deterrent to protect man-made systems, then it is more appropriate that the true religion of Allaah, which Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it [cf. Fussilat 41:42], and which is all goodness, happiness and tranquility in this world and in the Hereafter should punish those who commit acts of aggression against it and seek to extinguish its light and defame its image, and who fabricate lies against it to justify their apostasy and deviation.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
03/30/2004 12:58:22 AM ||
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#1
I'm waiting breathlessly for the howls of outrage from Human Rights Watch to begin...
[sound of crickets]
Nope.
You know, I'm having a harder and harder time thinking of Islam as a "religion" and an easier and easier time thinking of it as an evil, neolithic death cult. These damned people aren't oppressed by American imperialism or world Jewish conspiracies: they're oppressed by Islam.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
03/30/2004 3:29 Comments ||
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In the UK we now have The Islamic Human Rights Commission (oxymoron of the year) who wilfullly ignore the savagery inherent in Muslim societies and protest that poor girls in France can't wear headscarves or that muslims in the UK are falling under increasing suspicion. Well worth a visit - if you wish to tremble with anger.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
03/30/2004 3:51 Comments ||
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#3
That's OK, Howard. Whenever I feel the need for a fast rush, I just go to the John Effing Kerry campaign website: it's good for at least a 50-point spike in blood pressure.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
03/30/2004 4:12 Comments ||
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#4
Each to their own I suppose. That Kerry guy certainly gets my goat as well. Grrr Grrr...
Posted by: Howard UK ||
03/30/2004 4:30 Comments ||
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#5
Do these guys have some hot key combo that automatically puts in the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
#6
Those Muslims . . . may think that the apostate has only left Islam because of what he has found out about its real nature, because if it were the truth then he would never have turned away from it.
You know, call me crazy, but I think the guy just hit the nail on the head: they leave Islam because they figure out it's nothing but a rigid form of brutal 7th century control mechanisms and hate-spreading beliefs wrapped up in the form of a religion. Stands to reason someone would leave it if they'd figure this out. But the mullahs can't have that, now, can they? I mean, they may think that, but we can't have them knowing that it is actually the truth . . .
Posted by: The Doctor ||
03/30/2004 7:23 Comments ||
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Cheddarhead -- I think they map that macro to Alt-Space.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
03/30/2004 9:07 Comments ||
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Same reason you can never leave the mafia. The kiss of death. Islam isn't a religion. It's a criminal org. That's why this isn't a religious war but a war on enemies of western civilization.
#9
Pretty much all religions tend to become (and occasionally start out as) criminal orgs, until the people under their oppression strike them hard and force them to turn harmless in order to survive at all. When religions end up saying "let us be" rather than "join or burn", that's when they can coexist with actual civilisation.
Most sects of Christianity were knocked that way (and forced to coexist with civilisation) some centuries back. Before that time we had heretic burnings, Spanish inquisition, massacres of pagans, destructions of antiquities, etc, etc. Theodosius, Emperor of Byzantium, has been surnamed "the Great" by the Orthodox church, just because of the greatness of his brutality against everything and everyone pagan.
There are places where Christianity still hasn't learned that lesson well enough. But they are few.
In the Muslim world the situation is reversed -- Islam has been taught to coexist with civilisation only in a handful of places, like Turkey, Bosnia and the like. But the rest of it hasn't yet suffered a good enough blow.
#13
Aris: Right. Islam does a great job in Bosnia and Turkey--flowers fall from the sky and butterflies flit and patter as the Islamics dance and prance with their non-Islamic neighbors. You gottabe kidding!
I wonder, would you say the "actual civilization" realized in Communism is best for everybody, Aris?
Also, I'm amazed that you think you can purvey your tilted interpretation regarding Orthodox Byzantium on this site without challenge. Some of us know better. If you want to leave or sell out the truth in your heritage do so--that's up to you. Just be honest. We all know what the Turks, with the help of the barbarian infiltrators in Rome did to the Byzantines. Besides, wasn't Theodosius' wife the one who persecuted St. John Chrysostum--a true believer--for calling them to account? Your reference to heretic burnings, the Spanish inquisition, destruction of antiquities, etc. are always done BY the heretics--the ones who use religion as an excuse to do what they'd do anyway. They're liars and servants of the evil one. That's what makes them heretics. They disavow the Faith.
In fact, I'm sure you know that Mohammad himself was considered a heretic, and was kicked out of an Orthodox Christian seminary because of his adherence to kooky ideas which he refused to repent of and abandon-- i.e., he was a murderous, abusive oppressor and a cult leader, with serious control issues. His present-day adherents take after him in those regards, don't you think? They love to say, and very much believe, like he did, that the "christians" are the ones oppressing them! Sometimes the truth about history depends on who's doing the talking.
Certainly history is replete with the fake religionists. And it's true that sometimes they get the upper hand and cause great harm. That's why they're the bad guys. Not to be trusted, no matter what they call themselves. And, interestingly, they always call their opponents "heretics" and "infidels." Aris, stop lumping everybody together.
Another point--I've never heard the emporer Theodosius called "Great" or "Blessed" by the Orthodox church--and I'm no defender of the corruption that exists in the new calendar "church". So, I'm just curious, why are you so obviously identifying with the aggressor? Somebody, somewhere, make you mad?
Finally, what "good enough blow" would you suggest be sent their way? What should happen to the Islamic terrorists, in your opinion--to bring them in line with "civilization?"
#15
Very funny, Shipman--but no cigar! I was merely doing a little hunting. This site is dubbed RANTburg for a reason, no? And I surely felt the need to RANT on that one. Aris is so full of it, but likes to come off like he knows what he's talking about. I'm really sick of his many inaccurate and misleading posts. And I haven't heard from antiwar for a long time, so I'm not having much fun anymore. I'm taking bets, though, that Aris, like antiwar, won't reply to my points or questions. That's what I hate about those people--they never give me any rebut fun.
#16
Ptah> In Greece, the Orthodox Christian church still wants everyone's ID Card to record people's religion -- and still demands the right to be authorizing the places of worship of other religious faiths. And ofcourse atleast two hours per week of a religion class, with a Greek Orthodox catechism point of view, not a neutral one, in all public schools starting from grade school all the way to high school.
And Christian public prosecutors with the support of the church, have more than once confiscated books that they thought to be "blasphemous", aka by portraying Jesus in either a humorous or a sexual way.
ex-lib> First of all it's "emperor" not "emporer". Sorry, but that's one of my standard spelling nitpicks.
Secondly, I don't plan to play the game of definitions which makes all Christians guilt-free, because if they had been Christians they'd have ofcourse been guiltless. The Vatican and its followers *claimed* that they were Christians, and this suffices for me to also call them "Christians".
"I've never heard the emporer Theodosius called "Great" or "Blessed" by the Orthodox church"
Since I'd have to search in an attic in order to find my old junior high textbooks, here's this link instead:
http://www.serbianorthodoxchurch.net/cgi-bin/saints.cgi?view=632149926239
The rest of your post is all but babble. The only one I'm seeing identifying with an aggressor is you.
"Finally, what "good enough blow" would you suggest be sent their way? "
Alas, I'm not so sure a lesson can be "sent" their way, anymore than the Protestant Reformation could have originated outside Christianity.
But secularism and complete separation of church and state is the key, obviously.
#17
"I'm taking bets, though, that Aris, like antiwar, won't reply to my points or questions. That's what I hate about those people--they never give me any rebut fun"
Yeah, bets made against me in this forum have had a habit of kinda failing.
#18
I'm wondering btw if ex-lib will ever answer back, or miraculously happen tp understand that he's way out of his league in such a discussion.
Will we have to examine the role that the Orthodox Church played in supporting the seven-year junta, as well as the role it played in making Greek public feelings completely allied with the genocidal Bosnian Serbs, I wonder? These are in reality my two major grievances against it, more so even than the recenter book-burningsconfiscations, and it's up to ex-lib whether the stuff I already mentioned aren't enough of an explanation why I'm supposedly "siding with the aggressor" aka "not turning a blind eye towards the crimes of certain Christian churches".
#19
examine the role that the Orthodox Church played in supporting the seven-year junta,
Damn, just a few rogue Colonels and Aris hates us forever.
Aris out of curiosity (no snark intended) what were the civillian casualties during the Cols. time?
#23
Shipman> Not sure I understand you. The Cyprus division/ethnic cleansing was possibly the worst crime caused (indirectly but clearly) by the junta, should I not have mentioned it?
#25
Theodosius, Emperor of Byzantium, has been surnamed "the Great" by the Orthodox church, just because of the greatness of his brutality against everything and everyone pagan.
Aris> Do you mean Theodosius I (379-395 A.D.) or Theodosius II (408-450 A.D.), and are you holding Christianity responsible for the socio-political culture of the day? I always thought religion was only one of many factors in society, and (just because they say so) a personâs claim to religion doesnât mean the person is religious. There again, sometimes political decisions donât look very âreligious,â but still might need to be made. [E.g., when Christ died on the cross he forgave the thief/bandit being crucified next to him (a religious act?), but the thief still died on the cross for the thiefâs crimes - probably highway murder (a socio-political necessity?)] If a King or Emperor has to kill enemies to defend the empire, does that divest him of his religion -- wonât he answer to God for his actions, not us?
Will we have to examine the role that the Orthodox Church played in supporting the seven-year junta, as well as the role it played in making Greek public feelings completely allied with the genocidal Bosnian Serbs, I wonder?
Are you talking about the Serbian Orthodox Patriarch, who repeatedly condemned the âgenocidal Bosnian Serbsâ as criminals? Or are you talking about the Orthodox priests who recently (in response to the Church burnings in Kosovo) did everything they could to stop counter-attacks against mosques? Certainly you know there is a tremendous range of opinions and philosophies in Christianity in general (liturgical Protestants, nondenominationals, Catholic, Orthodox, etc.), and even a broad range of doctrine in the Orthodox Church (Old Calendar, New Calendar, etc.). If you are talking about the Greek Church that banished and abused Old Calendar priests, Iâm sure youâd find people who would tell you those arenât Christian people. Itâs a bit much to paint them all with the same brush, donât you think? There again, youâre not saying the rape, murder, and pillaging of the Bosnian Muslims was a good thing, are you?
But, what exactly is your point? That people who say they are religious arenât always telling the truth? That isnât news. Most religions are co-opted (at least to some degree) by political forces to be used as tools. I think true religion always opposes those trends.
Most sects of Christianity were knocked that way (and forced to coexist with civilisation) some centuries back.
No, I think the socio-political forces of the time either saw Christianity as a ânew vehicle,â or saw popular support for Christianity and âjumped on the bandwagon,â or genuinely were converted (at least some of them). Prior to social forces seeing a use for Christianity, Christians just pretty much got martyred (e.g., fed to the lions). Even to this day, Christians who lay down their lives to serve others less fortunate are far too often accosted or killed.
But, what does this have to do with the article, âSaudi Islamic Scholarâs Website Justifies Executions of Apostates.â Surely youâd agree this is a bit much, and goes to show the mentality of the Islamofacists?
#26
Great thread, very cool. cingold rocks. Aris I still don't get your point much either. But in regards to the rightousness of killing people who chose to leave that shithead (raghead) mafia...
Thats the crux of my argument against the race of peace.
#27
cingold> Half your post is babble. Who cares about whether an emperor will have to answer to God or not? The point is how living human beings treat him.
"Do you mean Theodosius I (379-395 A.D.) or Theodosius II (408-450 A.D.),"
Theodosius I ("the Great" according to modern Orthodox church), who destroyed pretty much every pagan temple he could get his hands of -- the Parthenon and the Athenean Acropolis only survived because of the reaction of the Atheneans who were willing to fight to preserve them.
Not to mention the many thousands he massacred in a stadium of Salonica.
"and are you holding Christianity responsible for the socio-political culture of the day?"
I thought I made it quite clear that I'm holding modern-day Christianity for its modern day attitude it holds towards certain old Byzantine emperors. Namely surnaming butchers "the Great" because of the greatness of their brutality.
"Are you talking about the Serbian Orthodox Patriarch, who repeatedly condemned the âgenocidal Bosnian Serbsâ as criminals?"
I'm talking about the many Greek Orthodox priests who constantly were making speeches about our noble orthodox brothers fighting for their religion in Bosnia. They kinda neglected to mention the whole genocide thing.
"Itâs a bit much to paint them all with the same brush, donât you think?"
Whom exactly am I painting with the same brush? The Greek Orthodox Church is an organization with specific hierarchy, specific positions, specific attitudes. When they speak they can be judged. And when they stay silent likewise.
And I've judged them and found them about as horrible as the mullah of Iran.
Or is that "painting the mullahs of Iran" with the same brush?
"There again, youâre not saying the rape, murder, and pillaging of the Bosnian Muslims was a good thing, are you?"
You know what? Screw you.
"But, what exactly is your point? That people who say they are religious arenât always telling the truth?"
No, it's *other* people who care about whether those priests are really religious or not. I wouldn't give a damn about it either way.
"I think true religion always opposes those trends."
Oh, really.
"No, I think the socio-political forces of the time either saw Christianity as a ânew vehicle,â "
You don't even know what I'm talking about, are you? You see "a few centuries back" as meaning "a few millenia back"?
Are you intentionally being an idiot?
"But, what does this have to do with the article,"
You tell me, it's you who posted all that crap that had nothing with what *I* posted.
"Surely youâd agree this is a bit much, and goes to show the mentality of the Islamofacists?"
No shit, yah think?
But what about the mentality of the Christianfascists, do you have no comment on them?
#28
Lucky> You said that Islam is not a religion, because it has rather medieval attitudes.
I said that Christianity also had medieval attitudes back in medieval times, and indicates how parts of Christianity (like the Greek Orthodox Church for example) still have medieval attitudes.
#29
Shipman> I wouldn't name an attempted instigated coup and conquest of a sovereign nation as "miscalculation". Nor do I think that the Turkish Cypriots would have had a kindly fate under a junta whose motto was "Greece of Christian Greeks".
So, conquest and ethnic cleansing was probably in their motives already -- how does it excuse them any on the moral level, that it was the Turkish and not the Greek intervention that ended up being the successful one?
#30
Aris, When I saw the first tower burning that black day, 911, my first thought was Serbian payback. I hated what Clinton did in that conflict.
I don't remember saying anything about Islams medieval attitudes. Unless mafia style blood contracts are medieval, sounds plausible.
Religion to me is a relationship with God. I have recently made a pact with God regarding some personal health problems I'm struggling with. I'm sure once I've got over this I'll dog God and drink anyways. But that don't make God go away for me.
I'm clear now on your downer attitude in regards to the Greek Orthodox religion and I can except where your coming from. Like most Americans and most Rantburgers, I would assume, believe in a seperation of church and state. Antique churches must still try to hold sway as in the past. Thats good and thats bad but evil(?) Evil is death in the name of God. Doing evil in the name of God is the lowest form slim.
#32
You know what? Screw you.
Aris, thereâs no need to get nasty -- unless you canât debate rationally, and (somehow) I think you can; so, thereâs no need to get nasty. I can see youâre a bit upset with the Greek Church -- well, so are a bunch of the monks on Mount Athos. So, are you a monk? Or, do you just see the same problems that the monks see, but choose to address the problems differently? The monks stay in the Church and try to militate for change back to the scriptures and teachings of the Canonical Fathers.
But what about the mentality of the Christianfascists, do you have no comment on them?
My point (so it doesnât get lost) is that all over the world, across time and culture, people are driven to ask themselves why we are here on earth and how we should treat each other. Many of the answers to those questions form the basis for the many religions of the world -- which (in their better forms) tend to have a lot of similarities (e.g., murder is bad, marriage is good, etc.). I like Christianity, and the Judeo-Christian tradition. It is the Christian scriptures and Judeo-Christian tradition that condemn the âChristianfascists,â just as the Serbian Patriarch condemned the âgenocidal Bosnian Serbs.â Kind of a âbegone from me, I never knew you,â kind of message. But, nonetheless, did the U.S. help the situation by bombing Serbia into submission to stop those âgenocidal Bosnian Serbs?â I donât think so. The political realities of Albania/Kosovo/Bosnia/Serbia/Croatia are not something that allows a quick fix. In contrast to the Christian scriptures and Judeo-Christian tradition, the Islamofascists are not far outside their holy book or traditions when they slaughter the innocents. They get praised by their âholy men.â âChristianfascists,â get excommunicated and put on trial -- and rightly so.
#35
"YES, REALLY, TRUE RELIGION OPPOSES THOSE TRENDS."
Then Christianity hasn't been a true religion for the vast majority of its timespan. Then there probably hasn't existed a "true religion" throughout the history of human civilisation.
If you have counterexamples to produce, feel free to name them. But you didn't. And I doubt you do.
cingold> You are telling me "there's no need to get nasty" when you and that fucker ex-lib pretty much said I support crimes commited by Muslims?
Fuck you.
I won't play the denominational game with you. Your argument is pretty much that the Greek Orthodox are also "heretics" and that's why they are corrupt.
But WHO CARES? Who cares who is the heretic and who is the true believer? I find both of you to be a bunch of fruitcakes.
"In contrast to the Christian scriptures and Judeo-Christian tradition, the Islamofascists are not far outside their holy book or traditions when they slaughter the innocents. "
Really?
"15 And Moses said unto them, Have ye saved all the women alive?
16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord.
17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.
18 But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves. "
Oooh, much murder and mass slavery and rape of virgin girl -- which religious persona do you associate with all that? Moses!
Judeochristianism is as filled with commandments of slaughter as Islam is, as you would have known had you actually read its scriptures.
Or even if you had just read some Mark Twain, like "Letters from Earth".
#36
ARIS: Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I was sorting papers, feeding the dogs, and heating up dinner. Stuff like that. Don't feel slighted. I'm glad you responded.
I will now address your first very important complaint: The âeâ vs. âoâ mistakes in typing are among the most common because those two letters are the most-used vowels in English--like the âdâ and âkâ consonant mix-ups in typing, except that that particular problem comes about because of the opposite position placement of those commonly used letters on the keyboard. Even when one can, and does, spell words correctly most of the time, thereâs always that chance for a little slip-up now and then. Hopefully, Aris, that calms you down regarding your upsetting "nitpick,â as you put it. But you werenât really trying to correct my spelling deficits, were you? Were you, instead, perhaps, trying to âdamageâ my credibility by pointing out the mistake? I mean, it was the first thing you mentioned, and all. (Ah . . . the vitriolic, sneaky nastiness of some Greeks. Iâve found it doesnât matter whether the person is Greek âorthodoxâ or not. Itâs the same culture-bound disease either way--for those that bend that direction.)
Next, you say that all definitions in discussions of groupings of peoples are merely a matter of semantics. "The Vatican and its followers *claimed* that they were Christians, and this suffices for me to also call them "Christians". Well, thatâs just silly. People call themselves all kinds of things. It doesnât make it so. Itâs about what they DO, not what they SAY they are. Letâs see . . . how about a really, really, easy example of the problems with that approach: in discussions regarding John Kerry, should his claim that he's a âwar heroâ suffice for us to call him the same, since that what he claims to be? Okay. Have it your way. Those damn American war heroes! Blast them all! It follows that the bad guys who conducted the Spanish Inquisition could not actually have been considered to be âchristian,â by definition. Iâm not Roman Catholic, but didnât the current pope condemn and apologize for a lot of that stuff? Does that count? I think it at least counts for him as an individual.
Again, youâll not find me defending the organized Greek âOrthodoxâ Church political hierarchy, Aris. Nope. But you won't find me defending you either. âCause I think you're a meanie, too. And the fact that the political hierarchy have ruthlessly persecuted monks, priests and believers that refuse their innovations doesnât bother you? You don't mention it. The same is true in Russia. God help the people that offend the KGB Moscow âPatriarchate.â You don't rail on them either. And Russia's a pretty big country.
St. Chrysostom was persecuted by Eudoxia, Theodosius the Youngerâs mother. I think she did it behind Theodosius' back, or she lied or something--I canât remember. I would have to do more research. The politics of the time were laced with intrigue and not always justifiable, naturally. If the Orthodox are commemorating someone they shouldn't, that's too bad. But a word on pagan temples--very nasty stuff went on in those places, you know. And what do you care, anyway? Death to all religion!! Right? You would say no? But then what about the "pagans" who committed crimes against the Byzantine christians? Pretty bad stuff. Murder. Rape. Pillaging. The âpagansâ along with the false christians were the ones who burned all the libraries in Constantinople--a senseless destruction of gathered knowledge, and destroyed a highly developed society. How is it that you aren't holding just as much of a grudge against those guys? I think youâve got only one ax to grind, and you are inconsistent because of that fact.
You said the rest of my post is âall but babble.â Well, thatâs because Iâm a babbler from way back. No cure for that. I'm also way, way out of my league in such a discussion. I know. Oh well. It gives people like yourself a chance to vent. You'll never convince me you didn't enjoy it. But, didnât you find the tidbit about Mohammed the least bit fascinating? And how come you didnât respond to my challenge to your claim that Turkey and Bosnia are somehow examples of peaceful coexistence with other faiths? Everyone knows thatâs simply tosh. I noticed that you also called cingold's post babble. Is that your favorite cut-down or something? It doesn't explain anything in terms of a counter- argument.
You argue that a solution to Islamic terrorism is a separation of religion and state among Arab countries? Do you really think that would solve the problems? You didnât go into what you thought could happen within Islam to change their direction. For some reason I donât think the Islamofacists would suddenly lay down their weapons because of such a change.
I know youâre angry and bitter, Aris. Iâve noticed that it spills over into your posts quite regularly, and that you rely on it to supplement the points youâre trying to make in discussions. Maybe you have a right to be. I donât know your story. I do think your viciousness often interferes with, and greatly diminishes what youâre trying to say, though. I also think you should question ALL oppressors. The libs can be the absolute worst of the worst.
And, finally, it's âshe,â not he. Guess that might explain everything in some people's minds. Take care.
#37
Aris: Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I was sorting papers, feeding the dogs, and heating up dinner. Stuff like that. Don't feel slighted. I'm glad you responded. I will now address your first very important complaint: The âeâ vs. âoâ mistakes in typing are among the most common because those two letters are the most-used vowels in English--like the âdâ and âkâ consonant mix-ups in typing, except that that particular problem comes about because of the opposite position placement of those commonly used letters on the keyboard. Even when one can, and does, spell words correctly most of the time, thereâs always that chance for a little slip-up now and then.
Hopefully, Aris, that calms you down regarding your upsetting "nitpick,â as you put it. But you werenât really trying to correct my spelling deficits, were you? Were you, instead, perhaps, trying to âdamageâ my credibility by pointing out the mistake? I mean, it was the first thing you mentioned, and all.
(Ah . . . the vitriolic, sneaky nastiness of some Greeks. Iâve found it doesnât matter whether the person is Greek âorthodoxâ or not. Itâs the same culture-bound disease either way--for those that bend that direction.)
Next, you say that all definitions in discussions of groupings of peoples are merely a matter of semantics. "The Vatican and its followers *claimed* that they were Christians, and this suffices for me to also call them "Christians". Well, thatâs just silly. People call themselves all kinds of things. It doesnât make it so. Itâs about what they DO, not what they SAY they are. Letâs see . . . how about a really, really, easy example of the problems with that approach: in discussions regarding John Kerry, should his claim that he's a âwar heroâ suffice for us to call him the same, since that what he claims to be? Okay. Have it your way. Those damn American war heroes! Blast them all! It follows that the bad guys who conducted the Spanish Inquisition could not actually have been considered to be âchristian,â by definition. Iâm not Roman Catholic, but didnât the current pope condemn and apologize for a lot of that stuff? Does that count? I think it at least counts for him as an individual. Again, youâll not find me defending the organized Greek âOrthodoxâ Church political hierarchy, Aris. Nope. But you won't find me defending you either. âCause I think you're a meanie, too. And the fact that the political hierarchy have ruthlessly persecuted monks, priests and believers that refuse their innovations doesnât bother you? You don't mention it. The same is true in Russia. God help the people that offend the KGB Moscow âPatriarchate.â You don't rail on them either. And Russia's a pretty big country.
St. Chrysostom was persecuted by Eudoxia, Theodosius the Youngerâs mother. I think she did it behind Theodosius' back, or she lied or something--I canât remember. I would have to do more research. The politics of the time were laced with intrigue and not always justifiable, naturally. If the Orthodox are commemorating someone they shouldn't, that's too bad. But a word on pagan temples--very nasty stuff went on in those places, you know. And what do you care, anyway? Death to all religion!! Right? You would say no? But then what about the "pagans" who committed crimes against the Byzantine christians? Pretty bad stuff. Murder. Rape. Pillaging. The âpagansâ along with the false christians were the ones who burned all the libraries in Constantinople--a senseless destruction of gathered knowledge, and destroyed a highly developed society. How is it that you aren't holding just as much of a grudge against those guys? I think youâve got only one ax to grind, and you are inconsistent because of that fact.
You said the rest of my post is âall but babble.â Well, thatâs because Iâm a babbler from way back. No cure for that. I'm also way, way out of my league in such a discussion. I know. Oh well. It gives people like yourself a chance to vent. You'll never convince me you didn't enjoy it. But, didnât you find the tidbit about Mohammed the least bit fascinating? And how come you didnât respond to my challenge to your claim that Turkey and Bosnia are somehow examples of peaceful coexistence with other faiths? Everyone knows thatâs simply tosh. I noticed that you also called cingold's post babble. Is that your favorite cut-down or something? It doesn't explain anything in terms of a counter- argument.
You argue that a solution to Islamic terrorism is a separation of religion and state among Arab countries? Do you really think that would solve the problems? You didnât go into what you thought could happen within Islam to change their direction. For some reason I donât think the Islamofacists would suddenly lay down their weapons because of such a change.
I know youâre angry and bitter, Aris. Iâve noticed that it spills over into your posts quite regularly, and that you rely on it to supplement the points youâre trying to make in discussions. Maybe you have a right to be. I donât know your story. I do think your viciousness often interferes with, and greatly diminishes what youâre trying to say, though. I also think you should question ALL oppressors. The libs can be the absolute worst of the worst.
And, finally, it's âshe,â not he. Guess that might explain
Posted by: Jen ||
03/31/2004 8:09 Comments ||
Top||
#39
"People call themselves all kinds of things. It doesnât make it so. Itâs about what they DO, not what they SAY they are."
Ah, that's why I guess there can exist no good muslims, and no bad christians. Because Good Muslims even if they claim themselves to be Muslims, they must obviously be non-Muslim if they are good. And Bad Christians, even if they claim themselves to be Christian must obviously be non-Christians, if they are bad.
The sad thing is that Rantburg is populated by people who think that's a worthy argument.
Look here -- I don't give a damn about the criteria you feel God uses to separate the followers of Christ, from the non-followers of Christ. But it's considered a measure of *sanity* when in debates, we actually allow people to self-define what their Religion is.
Which people do YOU consider to be "Christians"? Only that part of the Eastern Orthodox that follow the old calendar? Answer me that or don't answer at all.
"The same is true in Russia. God help the people that offend the KGB Moscow âPatriarchate.â You don't rail on them either. And Russia's a pretty big country."
Ooh, yeah, that's another characteristic of me, as Rafael will see fit to explain, that I'm so very much lenient towards Russia. The tiny little fact that I've repeatedly and constantly attacked Russia in this forum (and Putin) for its backslide towards tyranny is probably another little thing that failed to catch your attention.
"If the Orthodox are commemorating someone they shouldn't, that's too bad. But a word on pagan temples--very nasty stuff went on in those places, you know"
By the time of Theodosius when these temples, among them one of the Wonders of the Ancient World, were destroyed? No they weren't.
"And how come you didnât respond to my challenge to your claim that Turkey and Bosnia are somehow examples of peaceful coexistence with other faiths?"
If I had ever made such a claim, I would have cared to back it up. But I won't be challenged to defend claims I never made.
"You didnât go into what you thought could happen within Islam to change their direction."
Reformation.
"The libs can be the absolute worst of the worst."
Yeah? Why? Because they say you should be able to worship any religion you like without needing a permit from the state to do so?
#40
Judeochristianism is as filled with commandments of slaughter as Islam is, as you would have known had you actually read its scriptures. Hmmm, like the whole context for Numbers 31:15-18?
"What is love? What is creation? What is longing? What is a star?"--so asketh the last man and blinketh.
The earth hath then become small, and on it there hoppeth the last man who maketh everything small. His species is ineradicable like that of the ground-flea; the last man liveth longest.
"We have discovered happiness"--say the last men, and blink thereby.
Thus Spake Zarathustra
by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
Aris, you blink. Considering the context of how warfare was waged in those days, the conquest by Moses (in light of what the Midianites had done) was tame. Also, you have to read the Bible more -- the spared women werenât raped, although they could be married. It was more the annihilation of an enemy culture than anything and, again, given that day and age was pretty tame.
Look all over the world (and maybe outside your little corner of Greece), is there any greater freedom of religion and politics anywhere in the world that is not in a country heavily influenced by the Judeo-Christian worldview? And the forces within our societies that call us to become even better, more humane, all have Judeo-Christian roots. You set up a double standard, which is why I accuse you (maybe just indirectly, maybe directly) of supporting the atrocities of the Bosnian Muslims (no need to curse again, just answer the question). Take that culture, that time, and compare the actions of Christians versus Muslims. The âorganized Churchâ condemned the genocidal Bosnian Serbs! The Muslim reaction to Islamofascist excess? Nothing negative that I am aware of, how about you?
#41
Aris, calm down. You are being very angry again. I may have offended you by being flip, but I am not your enemy. I think you are interesting. Kind of wild--but interesting.
1) Probably--about your first point in #39. But you are attempting to work with cloudy definitions. OF COURSE there can be "Muslims" that are righteous. OF COURSE there can be "Christians" that aren't. But, what is a Muslim? How does the good Muslim define their own "Muslimness." How about the bad Christian? How does he or she define their supposed "Christianess." Cut through the labels. You're missing my point. If anybody is "good" it's because of what they DO, not what they say, or what label they carry. That's the point. Forget about "God's criteria," if you'd like. Judge for yourself. You can see if what others do is generally reasonable, noble, kind, just, etc. But then, you ultimately have to ask youself about the definition of "good." The guys that butchered the foreigners in Iraq today probably thought they had done a "good" thing. So did Stalin, Hitler, Sadaam--tons of people in the past and in the present. Or did they? Maybe questions of good and evil aren't and weren't their concern. Who knows. We can decide things about what they did, though, right? This question of what is "good" will inevitably lead to certain spiritual questions about the nature of man and the universe, and about absolutes, and if we can ever be truly good apart from divine intervention. I haven't had much luck at it, that's for certain. How about you?
2) You said in post #9 that "Islam has been taught to coexist with civilisation only in a handful of places, like Turkey, Bosnia and the like." I don't agree that that's the case. But I wish it were the case. Turkey and Bosnia weren't examples that proved what you were trying to prove.
3) I said the "libs can be the worst of the worst" because they DO all kinds of bad things--they destroy people's careers for not thinking exactly like they do (remind you of anybody?), they lie to the public to bolster their cause, and many have absolutely no respect for life.
4) I'm sorry Greece requires a "permit" to worship. If that's true, that's pretty crazy. Were you denied a permit or something? Were friends of yours hurt by that law? I certainly don't agree with that law at all, Aris. I think the Greeks tend to be paranoid as a culture. Doesn't justify it, but might explain it.
5) I didn't know you are at odds with the leadership of the Moscow Patriarchate. Good for you. They're scary guys and very oppressive, which I believe is something that would greatly offend you. I've only joined this site about two weeks ago, so I haven't gotten to know everyone's opinions on the many topics discussed. I'm sorry if you misunderstood and took offense. I brought up the point about Russia because I wanted to see where you were coming from--is Aris mad at everyone who is being tyrannical, or just the Greek Orthodox hierarchy? Now I know.
6) My point and question about Constantinople, was to inquire whether you thought that type of thing was an atrocity or not. Or how about those Buddah's in Afghanistan? What's you answer?
7) What kind of "Reformation" for Islam? What are your ideas?
8) You asked, which people do I consider "Christians?" Men of goodwill. People who truly remind me of Jesus in thought, word, and deed. People that are able to walk in love. (That's why the Spanish inquisition and all the rest did not take place through "Christians." Actual followers of Jesus couldn't have.) The focus in the true Faith, really is on the One, Jesus, not on those who "claim" to be his followers. Each person has to be considered as an individual. Not all true Christians can be categorized or named or labeled. They are scattered here and there. Some of them don't even know that's what they are. (I'm probably infuriating you--but this is what I believe) They follow, by choice, a higher call, toward that which is in line with life and truth and love for one's neighbor. I think being a follower of Jesus Christ is about allowing a transformation from Him to take place in one's heart, mind, motivation and such, toward the good as He defines it. It's not about belonging to a certain group at all. It's about a Person and an honest relationship with, and response to, that Person.
9) Aris, I used to hate Christians. I didn't actually know any real ones, but I thought the whole things was as stupid as could be. I have a challenge for you. Get a decent translation of the New Testament (maybe NASB, or NKJV ) and read ONLY the words of Jesus. ( And stay away from the Greeks. Some of them are phonies--and that's a fact--and they can be really vicious. ) Then, read the whole thing and consider what you find totally apart from your previous conditioning and experiences as much as possible--and I know that will be hard because of the injustices you might have suffered from those who claimed to be "Christians." Never mind about them. It might be different than what you think. Check it out for yourself, okay?
Alistair Cooke, the broadcaster who epitomized highbrow television as host of "Masterpiece Theatre" and whose "Letter from America" was a radio fixture in Britain for 58 years, has died, the British Broadcasting Corp. said Tuesday. He was 95. Cooke died at his home in New York at midnight, a spokeswoman at the BBCâs press office said.
I know most everybody has heard about this. But today it seems the UK is center stage. I really enjoyed Alistairs work regarding America. He was such a gentleman and showed tremendous respect. Kind of a twentieth century Toqueville. Anyways blokes, I salute one of yours.
Posted by: Lucky ||
03/30/2004 10:56:45 AM ||
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#1
Does Alistar Cookie go on hiatus too? ;<
(Monsterpiece Theatre overture plays as we pan in on Cookie Monster seated in his chair wearing his lovely red smoking jacket.)
Cookie Monster: Good evening, and welcome to Monsterpiece Theatre. Me Alistair Cookie. Tonight me proud to present, "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest". Story of number one and his historic flight over cuckoo's nest. Here now, "One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest".
(He picks up what looks like a script in a red school binder and reads to himself as the scene changes to three chickens behind some chicken-wire. They stop pecking in the hay and look up as a number three with little silver wings flies in and hovers above their heads.)
Chicken #1: Oooh, look girls, it's the handsome number three!
Chicken #2: Hey, flying my way?!
(The number three flies away off-screen.)
Chicken #3: Toodle-oo (not sure what she says here)!
(All three chickens look at the camera and go, "Huh?" as the scene changes back to the studio and Cookie says ...)
Cookie Monster: Hey! Hold it, stop! Sorry, that not "One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest". No, that, umm .... (he checks his notes) ... let's see ... yeah, here. That "Three Flew Over Chicken Coop", story of handsome number three. (checks his notes again) Let's see, okay, here, here, here, here now, "One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest".
(Scene changes to two pigs snorting in the mud. One looks up as the sound of something flying towards them is heard off-screen.)
Pig #1: Sid?
Pig #2: Yeah, Henry?
Pig #1: Can a number four fly?
Pig #2: No, Henry.
(A number four with silver wings lands with a plop in the mud beside them.)
Pig #1: I didn't think so.
(As Cookie starts to speak, both pigs look at the camera. The scene changes back to the studio.)
Cookie Monster: Whoa! No good! Me very sorry, that not "One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest"! That ... ummm ... let me see .... (checks his notes) .... that, yeah, here. That "Four Flew Over Pigsty, Land In Mud", very messy story. Now, let's try again or me get new job, oh ho! Here we go, "One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest". Me hope.
(Scene is a tree with one cuckoo bird in a nest.)
Cuckoo Bird: Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo.
(A number one with silver wings flies swiftly overhead. The bird looks at the camera and says ...)
Cuckoo Bird: CuckOOO!
(Back to the studio.)
Cookie Monster: There you have it, "One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest". Finally! Very beautiful, very moving, very silly. Join me next week for "Rocky 20", story of ... twenty rocks, very heavy stuff. (He tosses the binder over his shoulder.) This Alistair Cookie, good evening. (Cookie sits back, his chin lifted and his hands across his chest as he strikes a pose.)
(AP) - Alistair Cooke, the broadcaster who epitomized highbrow television as host of "Masterpiece Theatre" and whose "Letter from America" was a radio fixture in Britain for 58 years, has died, the British Broadcasting Corp. said Tuesday. He was 95. Cooke died at his home in New York at midnight, a spokeswoman at the BBCâs press office said.
Posted by: Korora ||
03/30/2004 10:58:36 AM ||
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Rest in Peace. As much as I sometimes can't stomach PBS he was also the one that turned me on to the network in the early 70s when they were showing "Civilization"
An arms race is developing between Chile and Peru amid renewed border quarrels.
Oh, goody. Just what we need...
The Peruvian government has criticized Chile's purchase of four missile frigates from the Netherlands. Defense analysts think the Chilean buildup influenced Peru's decision to double the number of Lupus-class frigates it will buy from Italy this year â from two to four. At a press conference in Santiago, Peruvian Deputy Foreign Minister Luis Solari called on the Chilean public to question whether the naval buildup "responds to the country's true necessities." His Chilean counterpart, Cristian Barros, instantly defended the arms deal signed with the Netherlands as a policy of "dissuasion." The statements came as both governments sparred over renewed Peruvian claims on sea boundaries. The escalating war of words comes after a diplomatic offensive by Bolivia for a sea outlet lost in a 19th-century war, in which Peru also had copper-rich territories and important fishing waters confiscated by Chile. Peru had remained on the sidelines during recent months as Bolivian President Carlos Mesa advanced his country's claims and his leading domestic opponent, radical socialist Ewo Morales, threatened war. But now Peru has joined the fray.
So we have a Peru-Bolivia Axis threatening Chile.
In surprising declarations during a routine visit to Santiago, Mr. Solari told reporters: "The question of maritime delimitation, which remains pending according to our understanding, has been put before the Chilean government." He suggested that the issue be decided through international courts. Clearly irritated, Chilean Foreign Ministry officials told them to get stuffed responded that the matter was not being discussed.
"Courts? We don't need no steeking courts!"
The U.S. Supreme Court acted as a mediator in the last treaty fixing boundaries between Chile and Peru, negotiated in 1929.
American flag burning in 5..4..3..
Tensions have been exacerbated further by a border incident in which Chilean marines fatally shot a Peruvian civilian who reportedly was crossing into Chile illegally. Peru's Foreign Ministry has demanded that Chile apologize and undertake a full investigation, and the Peruvian press has attacked Chile. Peruvian politicians accuse Chilean pilots on commercial flights over Peru of conducting electronic espionage on military units in Peru's southern frontier.
They're just stupid enough to shoot one down, too. After that, fights on. It's that Latin blood, don't you know.
Although the Chilean government generally has handled the growing tensions as quietly and diplomatically as possible, an element of war fever shows up in public. News stands display publications with nostalgic accounts of Chile's triumphant 1879 war, a source of national pride. "It's the most extensive and successful war of conquest ever launched by a South American country," said Chilean film director Charlie Vara, who is making a movie called "Paz" about the hard-fought desert campaign that culminated in Chile's occupation of Peru's capital, Lima.
"Mr Vara, Leni Riefenstahl on line one."
It's also the only successful war of conquest launched by a South American country, so it was a natural for Mr. Vara ...
Chile hardly underestimates Peru, which fought a recent border war with Ecuador. Chilean staff officers interviewed by United Press lnternational said Peru's Russian-built air fleet of MiG and Soyuz [sic]fighters outperforms Chile's aging French Mirages "numerically and qualitatively."
Must be time for them to submit budget requests.
Peru also is thought to possess more effective antiaircraft defenses, and its Russian T-82 tanks are considered an even match for Chile's German-made Leopards. Chile is acquiring 12 American F-16 fighters, and there are plans to augment the army's air-mobile capabilities with additional Black Hawk and heavy-lift helicopters, Defense Ministry sources say.
Yup, budget time. Have to keep a eye on this area, while they are shaking fists at each other no one will have time to watch out for turbans using the area as a base.
Posted by: Steve ||
03/30/2004 2:55:41 PM ||
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#6
On the other hand, both sides have a lot of obsolete warships that need to be replaced.
Still, we all remember that the Falklands/Malvinas started as a fit of wishful thinking and desperation. None of these guys have anything to gain by a serious war but that never stopped anyone before.
#10
Shipman, forget the war of the triple alliances and think about the Soccer war.
I agree, however, that Chile will win in 2 months or less. Planes do not decide this type of war, neither side has the logistics to fight a tank battle through the desert that seperates them. Naval action will be the only real bit.
It is interesting to notice someone bragging about a war of conquest. Don't here that kind of talk very often.
#11
If I'm not mistaken Chile has a much more advanced economy, right? I believe they could outspend Peru in any potential arms race. I would also put my money on the Chileans. It's sad to me that they're fighting like this. They have much more serious things to worry about. Peruvian politicians are starting this. They're doing this to distract the Peruvian public from the dire situation they find themselves in in Peru. Where is Alberto Fujimori when you need him? Man, say what you want about Fujimori, but he kept Peru terrorist free for a long time. The Peruvian domestic political scene is really depressing. So let's just distract the public!
#12
I toured a Lupo in Genoa years ago. It looked to be a pretty capable ship. I brezed through their Combat Information Center (CIC.) They're stuff looked up-to-date and I think they had some link capability between ships. My impression was perhaps jaded as I compared it to the 30 year old tin-can that I was calling home at the time.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
03/31/2004 2:31 Comments ||
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EFL
French surrender monkeys troops patrolling this former slave colony for the first time in 200 years are getting warm welcomes from most Haitians, but some still want Paris to pay $22 billion in restitution called for by ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The campaign to win restitution was a cornerstone of Aristideâs embattled administration, which charged France had wrongly made Haiti pay for its independence after enslaving its people and stealing its riches. uh? France did something wrong? Come now, let us reason together.
``They made us into slaves but we fought and eventually kicked them out,ââ said Job Denis, a 30-year-old tire repairman. ``But then they made us pay for our independence. They owe us that money and it should go to each and every Haitian.ââ Snicker, snicker...even the Haitians kicked some French backside. The shame!
That was approximately 200 years ago. Maybe any survivors are fully deserving of restitution. But just trying to grab off a hunk of the French pie after screwing up their own country for a couple hundred years is a scam of Jessie Jacksonesque proportions.
Posted by: Dragon Fly ||
03/30/2004 6:43:30 AM ||
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#1
Somehow, when I think of Haiti, "riches" is one of the last thing that comes to mind.
#5
I could learn to support a campaign whose goal was to fleeceswindleextort request a $22 billion screwing us over on Iraq penalty restitution payment for Haiti from France...
#6
Actually, in this case, the Haitians are correct. The French have done everything they could to bankrupt Haiti from the first days of Haitian independence, and to keep them bankrupt. While they've had a lot of help from the Haitians themselves, France has always had a nasty, vindictive, and brazenly hostile attitude toward Haiti and its people.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
03/30/2004 12:41 Comments ||
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#7
a scam of Jessie Jacksonesque proportions
What do you want to bet Jesse put them up to it? (for a cut of the take, of course)
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
03/30/2004 19:17 Comments ||
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The U.S. imperialists, who are obsessed by world supremacy, are pushing ahead with preparations for a genetic and biological warfare in real earnest to exterminate other nations. It was exposed some time ago by Hatman, a famous writer and journalist of the United States. Hatman? Whoâs his sidekick, Sockman?
According to him, the U.S. administration has worked out a plan for the "new century" while fundamentally reorganizing the U.S. forces so that the Anglo-Saxon race may exterminate other races and dominate the world through unconventional wars under the name of "military revolution" based on the up-to-date science and has hastened preparations for genetic and biological warfare in secret. The only thing stopping us is the NK lead in Big, Giant Super Rock Technology.
As instructed by the U.S. administration, many nuclear centers have long been engaged in research into genetics of races and their destruction and the Department of Defence and other special institutions of the United States have deepened the study of "artificial selection of human beings" by "genetic bombs". Drop a nuke on them, theyâre dead. So ends the research project.
This fact is enough to unveil the true colors of the U.S. imperialists as the most horrible human killers and wreckers of the world peace. Yes, yes... we know.
Posted by: tu3031 ||
03/30/2004 7:26:58 AM ||
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#1
...the Anglo-Saxon race may exterminate other races and dominate the world....
#8
Hatman, who from his secret Hatcave beneath stately Wayne Manor, goes forth in the Hatmobile to fight crime, hit on Pakistani females, and confound the North Korean journalistic establishment.
Posted by: Mike ||
03/30/2004 9:21 Comments ||
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#9
Those eastern european women are quite luscious too. How do we kill all the men.....and save all those luscious babes worldwide? Oh.....and those latinas.... mmmmmm mmmm!!
Posted by: Halfass Pete ||
03/30/2004 9:35 Comments ||
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#10
As an American of Franco-Canadien decent I object to the notion of Anglo-Saxon hegemony. I thought we settled this in 1066 but if you need another lesson, the line forms to the left....
#11
...Awright, look - I'm gonna pass the hat here so we can get Juche Guy back. The Hatman thing - while pretty cool - is thoroughly incomprehensible, - no, wait - as I write this, it strikes me...are they referring to Steven Hatfill?
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
03/30/2004 9:54 Comments ||
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#12
I'm confused is this a DU post or a KCNA article? They cross ideological paths so often I can't keep them straight!
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/30/2004 11:33 Comments ||
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#16
What's with this latest NK propaganda? It has no ummph, no spirit, no spittle, no vitriol. It is just weakly carbonated. The only explanation I can come up with is that the all-grass diet is finally hitting the writers.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
03/30/2004 11:44 Comments ||
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#17
Don't make fun. The lefty Dims eat this stuff up. IT's all a conspiracy ya see.
Posted by: Bill Nelson ||
03/30/2004 12:02 Comments ||
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#22
This is a recycled version of the "race bomb" story that circulated in leftist conspira-loon circles in the early 80s.
According to Morley Safer of 60 Minutes, the story originated as a KGB plant in one of its favorite disinformation outlets, the Ghana Times, winged its way from Africa to the New York "underground" press and from there to dope dens and university campuses throughout the western world.
#23
U.S. War Moves Threatening Humankindâs Existence
Whenever I see weirdo shit like this, I put the cursor over the link and if I see that the link points to "kcna.co.jp", I know immediately where it's from, why it's there, and most of all, its probable lack of any real value.
#25
2.0 - one point each for use of the terms "genetic warfare" and "genetic bomb". Otherwise, not a very inspired piece.
Posted by: Rafael ||
03/30/2004 14:45 Comments ||
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#26
better to destroy then to submit to these ragheads...only advise I can give is get out of the way!
Posted by: Dan ||
03/30/2004 14:52 Comments ||
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#27
This is one more confirmation of a theory I've been developing for some years:
Most (all?) societies that wear hats are abnormal. Hats impart a sense of anonimity - resulting in aberrant behavior less likely to occur without this sense. In other words, hats cause abberations to surface.
#30
Sounds like the plot of Casino Royale in which Dr. Noah (Woody Allen) develops a bacillus that 'kills all men over 4 ft 6 in and makes all women beautiful'. I'd think that this would be very appealing to that mutant dwarf with bad hair that calls himself 'Dear Leader'. :-)
Posted by: A Jackson ||
03/30/2004 18:42 Comments ||
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#31
Ship - Whoa - The Grant link with the portraits is pretty cool! I've seen some, but there are some great ones here I haven't seen - especially the "in the field" pics. Note that, until 1865, he is NOT doing the inane Napoleon BS of hand inserted in jacket. Makes me crazy - and I've seen very few pix of Union generals not mimicing this affectation. Have you ever seen one single pose of McClellen without it?
BTW, Twain almost bankrupted himself to make sure Grant was able to retire after his presidency in comfort. He was so poor when he left office he was faced with it himself. Twain put up a huge amount for Grant to do his memoirs. The book was a dud in sales, so Twain took a bath, but he believed it was criminal how America had turned its back on the man who saved it from itself. As a Texan, my feelings are mixed regards the Civil War - and those who don't know squat about it will immediately scream about slavery, etc, but that issue was tacked on in 1863 to gain support for the war from powerful opinion-shapers, such as Horace Greeley, as Lincoln's private writings prove, and was not the true issue for war. Sorry children, but this is another example of PC-BS in our education system. Preservation of the Union was THE issue - and I have some reservations about states being forced to remain in the Union - and Lincoln's less than sterling conduct during the war and the actions of his surviving admin after his assassination. Such as the suspension of habeas corpus during NY draft riots, imprisoning Jeff Davis in a dungeon without charges for years after the war, and much much more... Anyway, I agree with what Twain did for Grant. Interesting historical tidbit worth checking out. Ok, I'll STFU.
I think hats are an interesting indicator... exactly of what I haven't quite been able to put my finger on... just a sense that it releases aberrations... hence it's still only a pet theory. Sigh. Additional insights and ideas are welcomed! And promptly stolen!
#32
Wasn't Grant also dying of throat cancer while Twain was ghosting his autobiography? I've not studied much up on the winning side.... :> Has I have mentioned somewhere before... I'm named after Calvin Coolidge. (jeez).
#33
Yes he was dying, but Twain didn't ghost the book - he just got the publishing deal put together to save him (and his family) financially. Grant, already a Clemens reader and fan, truly was a straight, simple, and unassuming man - and he was flabbergasted that anyone cared about what he'd done. And, yep, Calhoun it is, heh. ;-)
President Chen Shui-bian says he has been given a mandate to press for Taiwan's independence from China despite a razor-thin margin in his hotly-disputed re-election. Chen has vowed to proceed with plans to write a new constitution, developing Taiwan as an "independent, sovereign country" despite the risk of war with China, he said in an interview with the Washington Post. "The fundamental reason I won this presidential election . . . is because there is a rising Taiwan identity and it has been solidified," Chen said in his first interview since an assassination attempt on the eve of the election. "I think the Beijing authorities should take heed of this fact and accept the reality."
Not sure it's such a good idea to pull the dragon's tail right now.
The political tension between the two camps has bitterly divided the island and raised international concerns over Taiwan's stability, particularly in China. Chen -- who was re-elected by a scant 30,000 votes over Kuomintang leader Lien Chan -- has agreed to a recount by the High Court. "This is my word -- that I will accept the results of the recount, whether it's in favor of me or not in favor of me," Chen has said. The political fight has battered the economy, with investors abandoning the Taiwan stock market, sending its key Taiex indicator plummeting, and selling off the Taiwan dollar. The crisis has also exacerbated tensions within the opposition ranks with some key figures unhappy about the brinkmanship displayed by Lien in the wake of the vote.
Somebody needs to make the kids play nice here; we don't need the distraction.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/30/2004 12:00:00 AM ||
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At least wait for delivery of a reliable missle defense system!
#2
The government in Taiwan IS the actual government of all China. China actually belongs to Taiwan, not the other way around.
Taiwan has every right to cut China loose and let them seek their own fame and fortune. But, China has absolutely no right whatsoever, to tell Taiwan ANYTHING!! Since when do the children tell the parents what to do?
Posted by: Halfass Pete ||
03/30/2004 0:34 Comments ||
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#3
But, but, but, I heard today that the russkies have a sooper-secret weapon that will destroy any missile shield!
#4
Halfass Pete, where in hell did you come up with that? China, as in mainland China, is the governing authority with the central gov. in Beijing. China has two major islands. One is Hainan and the other is Tiawan. I'll say this: Chen is courting a rocky road if you truly goes the independent route. People don't really understand the blood ties between the two. Politics is one thing but the unbreakable bond between Tiawan and mainland people is another. You have to be here to see it. I'll even go you one further. If mainland China was attacked Tiawan would be the first to respond to their aid. Chine ÃÃ÷
I don't doubt about the blood links between the Han who came to Taiwan when China fell to Mao and the Chinese. But the Taiwanese proper have about as much blood links to China than the Tibetan, ie none at all, and I doubt any of them would be willing to die for China.
I believe it was called the 'one China' policy?? With the question of which one being left unanswered. Smart man that Nixon.
Posted by: Rafael ||
03/30/2004 7:21 Comments ||
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#7
"China actually belongs to Taiwan, not the other way around. "
For a very low value of "belongs" possibly.
The Taiwanese government has been elected by the people currently residing in Taiwan -- any previous mandate it may have had (which I don't believe it ever did) by the people of China as a whole would have long since expired.
So, if we're to argue moral "belonging", then I'd argue that Taiwan belongs to Taiwan, and the Chinese government doesn't have the right to claim any land anywhere given how it's people haven't given the mandate to be "belonged" by anyone at all.
The same way that I don't believe anyone could meaningfully say that West Germany belonged to East Germany, or vice versa.
And if we're to talk reunification, then that wouldn't be an issue of one side claiming ownership of the other, but the two of them coming together to heal a division.
#8
Halfass is going on the assumption that Chiang Kai Shek's government was the legitimate government of all China. Of course, Mao kicked them out so that's history. BTW, Chiang's government was as corrupt as possible. Ol' "Peanut" was a member of the Green Gang (a triad society).
#10
Domingo> Discussions about "belonging" do tend to be situated on the moral level, atleast when such discussions are made by moral people. I never said my arguments changed anything about the actual number of troops located on each side.
Posted by: Carl in N.H ||
03/30/2004 12:10 Comments ||
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#12
I think that Taiwan has every right to declare independence, even if it starts a war. I seem to remember that when a certain North American colony declared independence from a tyranical monarchy, a long and bloody war ensued.
#13
The diplomatic status of Taiwan is the world's largest, longest-running game of "Let's Pretend" ever. Taiwan has its own elected government, distinct from that of the mainland, it administers laws within its territory, issues currency, has an army, and conducts foreign policy. In other words, Taiwan fits the classic definition of a soverign country. Yet, the U.S. (and the U.N., and the E.U., and son on) must pretend that it's not really there. The pretending may be in our immediate best interests, but it's still pretending.
Posted by: Mike ||
03/30/2004 13:03 Comments ||
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#14
Mike, it appears that Chen wants to up the stakes in the game (for better or worse) and quit pretending.
We should either make popcorn and/or head for the bomb shelter, because the ChiComs are NOT going to like it.
But it should be interesting, at the very least, for the non-Chinese playing along at home.
Posted by: Jen ||
03/30/2004 13:23 Comments ||
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#15
Chiner has a point. The ties, and I don't mean economic ones, between Taiwan and the Mainland are weird and strong. I am rabidly pro-Taiwan, but I've been there, and I have many Taiwanese friends here in the US...and I'm the only one that worries about Taiwan.
The attitude seems to be that Taiwan IS China and China IS Taiwan. They are insepperable...or so that's what people tell me.
The glove fits: Chirac Retains Unpopular Prime Minister
Stung by a sharp public rebuke in Sundayâs regional elections, President Jacques Chirac decided Tuesday to retain his unpopular prime minister, but ordered him to form a new government that will be unveiled on Wednesday. Meet the new gov, same as the old gov...
The prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, ass still hurting left smiling from the Elysee Palace this morning after an hour and 15 minute meeting with Chirac, during which Chiraq forgot the K-Y Raffarin submitted his own resignation and that of his government. During that session, Raffarin developed a new orifice Chirac "named Jean-Pierre Raffarin prime minister and charged him with forming a new government," a palace statement said. A cabinet shake-up had been widely expected since Chiracâs ruling Union for a Popular Movement party, or UMP, suffered a stunning defeat in Sundayâs elections, with the opposition Socialists and their allies winning 21 out of 22 regional councils in metropolitan France. National results showed the Socialists and their allies with a combined 50 percent of the vote, compared to just 37 percent for Chiracâs party. Just what France needs, more socialism!
The results were seen as a widespread public backlash against the Raffarin governmentâs ambitious reform agenda, aimed at making the French economy more efficient by reining in a soaring public deficit. So far, a pension reform element of that package, passed last year, will force most public sector employees to work more years before they can retire with their full pensions. The next phase will attempt to contain spiraling public health and education costs, by having patients pay more for some benefits, and forcing students to pay more for a part of their education expenses. Why not throw in the 30 hour work week, slackers?
These reforms have sparked a series of disruptive strikes and street demonstrations, from health care workers, teachers, firefighters, government-funded researchers and even part-time performers protesting proposed cuts in their unemployment benefits. And thatâs different, in what way?
Socialist leaders immediately criticized Chiracâs decision to retain Raffarin, and said Sundayâs election results clearly indicate the reform agenda needs to be curtailed, and more emphasis placed on creating government jobs employment. But Raffarin and other UMP leaders have said since Sunday that the reforms would continue, because they are needed to retool Franceâs economy and to bring the countryâs public spending into line with European Union requirements. Some analysts said Chirac may have been inclined to keep Raffarin now for complementary reasons -- to complete the reforms, to avoid having a new prime minister burdened with the task, and also to see the ruling party through the next round of elections, for the European Parliament, due in June. According to this common thinking, Chiracâs UMP seems set to face a similar electoral drubbing in June, and that would allow Chirac to name a new prime minister in July or August. Always nice to have a scapegoat handy.
"They have to pursue reforms, and maybe the only way to do so is to keep Raffarin, because he is dead already," said Dominique Moisi, a political commentator. "Raffarin is the last protection of Chirac -- he wants to keep him at least until the European elections, which he knows he will lose." Couldnât happen to a nicer bunch of Saddam apologists guys!
Moisi and others said the election result Sunday shows the difficulty facing many Western democracies as they attempt often painful structural reforms that will in most cases curtail benefits that their populations have come to see as a birthright. "It goes beyond France," Moisi said. "Itâs really a problem of democracy these days." No, youâre burying your head in the sand by electing Socialists who arenât interested in any level of reform. And no, democracy is not the problem. Itâs the size and scope of the modern European welfare state thatâs the central issue here.
While the final outlines of the new cabinet are still be decided, two informed sources said Interior Minister Nicholas Sarkozy will be moved to the powerful Finance Ministry, where he will have to tackle high unemployment and push through economic reforms, while the foreign minister, Dominique de Villepin, will move to Interior to handle the fight against terrorism and rising crime. Merely rearraging the deck chairs on the Titantic, methinks...
Sarkozy, Franceâs most popular politician, is considered the most probable next prime minister. The jobs of Education Minister Luc Ferry and Health minister Jean-Francois Mattei are considered to be in peril. Mattei, specifically, was widely blamed for the governmentâs failure to act quickly enough to a devastating heat wave last August during which thousands of mostly elderly people died in their apartments, in hospitals and in nursing homes without air conditioning. "Itâs like a heat waaaave,
burning in my heart..." (*booking my one-way ticket to Hell as we speak...*)
#1
The slide steepens. When Chirak & Co are gone, coming soon, they will make it official as a Socialist "government." Then they will find they can't deliver on social program promises and meet EU obligations (and the EU Ministers aren't French voters) - an issue with which they're already struggling and losing. Then it will very suddenly collapse as all pretense of financial viability dissolves. Then? Rescued by the EU? Rescued by Sabine? No matter the answer, it will be a painful jolt to the Striker's Paradise - all of their cherished programs, including the 51 wks of holidays and vacations per yr as well as retiring at 18 with full benefits (Lol!), will be on the block. The one thing they can look forward to is the entertainment: Chirak & Cronies will finally face the corruption charges they have avoided while he held office. They may even drag the guillotine out of retirement for that show. There'll be some seriously pissed people, by then.
#2
Yes, all that, .com, and then what going to happen to all the Muslims in the ghettos when the host dies? Will there be a mass exodus of people with brains and/or a clue?
When thinking of the French Government, I cannot help but to keep thinking about the short story THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF M. VALDEMAR, by Edgar Allan Poe. Check it out here.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
03/30/2004 23:11 Comments ||
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#3
AP - With RB rollover so close, I'm reading as fast as I can - comprehension be damned! Lol!
#4
AP - Lol! I finally finished (yeah, interrupted a few times and had to look up "in articulo mortis", lol!) - and I do get it! So, who shall drain the French deathbed? As for the jihadis, they are just hopeful maggots - the host is already beyond their reach. Y'know, there may be another bloody revolution there if they are stupid enough to interfere with the workers' efforts to maintain their bene's!
#5
The reason all those elderly French died is not because they don't have air conditioning....It's because their children all flee the cities in the summer and go to the coast and just leave their elderly ALONE in apartments in the cities. They just abandon their elderly. That's why that happened.
Sam & Seb is a childrenâs clothing store in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn that specializes in the sort of garments, tiny Leviâs, baby Dries van Noten tops â that have been created with the assumption that 3-year-olds donât want to look 3. But a while back the storeâs owner, Simone Manwarring, began getting requests for an item that was unusual even by those standards. "Lots of parents were coming in and saying, `Hey, wouldnât it be great to have a Che T-shirt?â " Ms. Manwarring said. By Che, the parents meant, of course, the Argentine-born Cuban revolutionary executed by Bolivians in 1967, whose beret-wearing image once adorned college dormitories from Berkeley to the Sorbonne. Ms. Manwarring started making the shirts, with sizes even for a 3-month-old. She now sells about 10 a week. Reminds me of the time I called Revolution Books in NYC and asked if they sold Karl Marx boxer shorts. The commie counterperson huffed and raged and started to lecture me. Then I called a store named Little Ricky (specialized in kitsch) and asked the same thing. The guy there burst out laughing and said, "No. But if someone made them, weâd certainly sell them!"
The Che industry has been fairly robust over the years, with keepsakes including posters, cigarette lighters, watches and nail clippers sold in many parts of the world. But lately it is clothing with the image of the rebel, from the iconic photo taken in 1960 by Alberto Korda, that seems ever more coveted as street wear. It has turned up on Moscow artists and on 11-year-old boys in the New York suburbs. In the last six months, sales of fitted T-shirts, loose T-shirts, tank tops, hooded sweatshirts, caps and camp shirts have increased by about 40 percent at Thechestore.com, said John Trigiani, the companyâs owner. Mr. Trigiani began selling Che paraphernalia about five years ago after he returned home to Toronto from Cuba with a statuette he had bought for $2, and resold on eBay for $128. damn baby boomers trying desperately to hold onto one of their idols.
Why the renewed interest in Che, when so many communist governments have failed? Mr. Trigiani said, "I think there are many reasons for this and one of them is Mike Tyson." A few years ago, the prizefighter got a picture of Che etched onto his rib cage. Other catalysts include two coming movies, one "The Motorcycle Diaries," based on the journals Che kept during his travels through South America as a medical student in 1952. That film appeared at the Sundance Film Festival in January and is due in theaters later this year. The second film, an epic called "Che" to be directed by Terrence Malick, is beginning production next year. I hope there are protests outside theaters that show this whitewashing crap.
Revolutionary ideology seems to have almost nothing to do with the emerging Che style, which is manifest also in menâs sweaters, high-end bikinis and underwear. "I met a college student who wanted the T-shirts, and she had absolutely no idea who Che was," Mr. Trigiani said. "Cheâs true legacy is simply one of terror and murder. That dreaded midnight knock. Wives and daughters screaming in rage and panic as Cheâs goons drag off their dads and husbands â thatâs the real Che legacy."
The image seems mostly a visually compelling logo to those who are buying Che-wear today. "Mao Zedongâs is another head weâre thinking of," Ms. Manwarring said. "Both of these have become strong pop cultural images; I donât think people want these things on their clothes as a political statement but I think they are drawn to the graphic intensity." "Desperate crowds of weeping daughters and shrieking mothers clubbed with rifle butts outside La Cabana as Cheâs firing squads murder their dads and sons inside â thatâs the real Che legacy."
Patrick Symmes, the author of "Chasing Che: A Motorcycle Journey in Search of the Guevara Legend," said, "I think the more that time goes by, the chicer and chicer Che gets because the less he stands for anything." "Thousands of heroes yelling "Viva Cuba Libre!" and "Viva Christo Rey!" before firing squads of murderous drunks whom theyâd have stomped in open battle â thatâs the real Che legacy."
About two years ago, Mr. Symmes said, he discovered a bar in London called Che. "Itâs ultradeluxe and a young guy was the owner," Mr. Symmes said, referring to Hani Farsi, a wealthy Saudi Arabian. "I asked him, `Why Che?â and he answered, `Oh you know, rebellion and all that.â " "And letâs not forget the craven "Donât shoot â Iâm Che! Iâm worth more to you live than dead!" (Then why didnât he save his last bullet for himself?) Perhaps the defiant yells of the men he murdered actually affected Che the Lionhearted?
By 1960 he started ordering that his victimsâ mouths be taped shut. Perhaps there was a trace of human emotion in this icy dolt after all? Genuine bravery and defiance unnerved him.
When the wheels of justice finally turned, Che was revealed as unworthy to carry his victimsâ slop buckets. He learned nothing from their bravery. He could only beg for his life. So yes, the craven request when cornered in Bolivia is also the real Che legacy."
All quotes about his "legacy" come from this devastating putdowwn.
#1
I must admit, while I find the ideologies represented by Che and Mao to be repugnant, there is a certain poetic justice that the key to their ongoing popularity lies in the exercise of good, old-fashioned capitalism. In the flood of popular demand for goods with these images, I hope they will cease to have any attachment to their formal legacies, and will simply be pretty baubles for the teeny-boppers to wear. In the end, the true devotees will be outraged that Abercrombie's new Che line is selling for 70% off on the clearance rack. Vive la revolucion!
Mad Cow Disease Strikes Again!
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told a crowd at the Yale Divinity School Tuesday that she is concerned President Bush is fueling the hate of terrorist organizations. "he should give in and sip Crystal with Kimmy like I did!"
She said the worrying is in response to the president suggesting that "Americans have a unique relationship with God or a better understanding of Godâs will than worshippers from other cultures and lands." hmmmm I donât recall those words
"From the beginning, the president has made it clear that we are at war with the terrorists and not with Islam. That is to his credit," Albright said. To his discredit, heâs been too PC to say the truth: fundamentalist Islam is our enemy and we will wage a fight to the death with it, forever!
"(But) it surely doesnât help when the American military official with responsibility for intelligence on al-Qaida claims that âWe are in the Army of Godâ and that George Bush was âappointed by God,â" she said. The comments were made by Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin, deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence. Ooooohhhh offended Arab "sensitivities"!
Albright said she believed, as the Bush Administration did, that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, but she questioned the wisdom of a pre-emptive strike against Iraq. "I did not believe there was a connection to al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein," Albright said. "I now do think that Iraq has become a magnet, a gathering ground for all various groups that hate us."
Terrorism is more than al-Qaeda, though Ansar al-Islam was a wholly-owned subsidiary. Abu Nidal was a terrorist. Abu Abbas was a terrorist. Sammy loved them both, until he had Abu Nidal bumped off...
A handful of people protested Albrightâs visit. Joan Cavanaugh, 50, of New Haven, a member of the Connecticut Peace Coalition, said Albright "set the table" for the current military action against Iraq when she was in the Clinton administration, and was responsible for the deaths of many children through its policies and sanctions. yeah, right
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/30/2004 8:38:05 PM ||
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Can't get anything to post! Been trying for hours to post Article --- just now, posted link ---nothing..... have I been banned?
#4
Thanks for the fine article, Frank. Now I need to get my blood pressure down after reading it. Heh heh.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
03/30/2004 20:51 Comments ||
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Yeah Madie, Before we invaded Iraq the terroist only sorta hated us. Now we're their worst enemy. 911, not on your watch Madie, your off the hook. History will be kind to you, say what you will.
#6
AP I aim to please (if I aim at all....heh heh)
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/30/2004 21:02 Comments ||
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Comrade albright is an idiot piglet. A real human wanna be. You'd think she'd have learned something about the characteristics of "bald, aggressive evil", and the implications of not fighting it, growing up in czechoslovakia and all.
Posted by: Halfass Pete ||
03/30/2004 21:02 Comments ||
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#8
Ok, a few things here: Didn't Clarke say that Bush didn't care about the terrorists like Clinton did? So why did they hate America so much more on 9/11?
As for Mr Boykin, yes that was really stupid because only Al Qaeda is appointed by God, right?
As for Iraq being the "gathering ground for all various groups that hate us"... well, hmm...these terrorists got to be somewhere, right? And a place with 130000 well armed U.S. troops sounds better than Lower Manhattan.
#10
Right on TGA. Every time I hear some dolt talk about how there wasn't any connection of terrorist to Iraq and saddam I want to scream, "then who blew the UN headqtrs and where did they come from".
Well they came from Mars! You do know Mars don't you Lucky?
#11
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told a crowd at the Yale Divinity School Tuesday that she is concerned President Bush is fueling the hate of terrorist organizations.
Who really gives a rat's ass? It's not like terrorists are going to hesitate to put a bullet in our heads if they had a mind to.
#15
Boris, Theodor Goldfarb, Simon Berg, Lazar Berg
I donât blame you for being upset about that. In case you don't see it -- a lot of people here hate what Clinton (and Albright) did to the Serbs. I know I was sickened. But we live in a country where despots sometimes get into power and wreck havoc. We simply purpose to get them out of power, and replace them with good government. Also, Serbs committed atrocities -- for which their own Patriarch condemned them. They should not have broke trust with Serbian tradition. Now, what about you? Can you stop spamming and blaming everyone? Return to your roots.
#17
I daresay W is about the only reason left alquiida has anything to hate; Why? because he fights back: W & co. is kicking the everloving sh!# out of their brains! And they're scurrying from one hell-hole to another; yeah, you bet they hate W, and all those who support his leadership and who will re-elect him to the highest office, the commander in fact, of alquiidas Death Nell !! Give a Rebel Yell! But much more than this, they RESPECT him his bravery. Yes they do! They maybe crazy, but they aren't that stupid. Yet . And to all you soory appeasement monkeys, you better hope, hope, hope that they eat you last, but if those al qowards was to have their way, they'd eat you FIRST!
Posted by: Comment Top ||
03/31/2004 0:33 Comments ||
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Posted by: Jones TROLL ||
03/30/2004 20:43 Comments ||
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#19
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is exceptually inteligent lady and she knew that murdering Serbs during bestiial NATO GANGSTERS attacks on Serbia, is fun and safe. They are small White nation and it is politically correct to murder them.
Serbs saved her and whole family when they were hiding whole family four years. Otherwise Germans would execute her parents as communist agents and spies.
That nice Czech Jewess repaid Serbs by murdering them and destroying their country.
#20
Preview Comments...
Poster: Theodor Goldfarb
E-Mail:
Website: www.hotmail.com
Comment: Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is exceptually inteligent lady and she knew that murdering Serbs during bestiial NATO GANGSTERS attacks on Serbia, is fun and safe. They are small White nation and it is politically correct to murder them.
Serbs saved her and whole family when they were hiding whole family four years. Otherwise Germans would execute her parents as communist agents and spies.
That nice Czech Jewess repaid Serbs by murdering them and destroying their country.
#21
Preview Comments...
Poster: Theodor Goldfarb
E-Mail:
Website: www.hotmail.com
Comment: Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is exceptually inteligent lady and she knew that murdering Serbs during bestiial NATO GANGSTERS attacks on Serbia, is fun and safe. They are small White nation and it is politically correct to murder them.
Serbs saved her and whole family when they were hiding whole family four years. Otherwise Germans would execute her parents as communist agents and spies.
That nice Czech Jewess repaid Serbs by murdering them and destroying their country.
H.J. Heinz Co. has launched an election-year campaign of its own, this one to distance the ketchup maker from what is shaping up to be an acrimonious presidential race. The company has sent nearly 50 letters to radio and television talk shows nationwide to tamp down chatter on the airwaves and Internet suggesting revenue from ketchup sales will benefit the campaign of pending Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.
I love it when a plan comes together.
His wife is Teresa Heinz Kerry, wacko lefty heiress to the $500 million family ketchup fortune. The company has received about 150 calls this month from consumers vowing to boycott Heinz products, or in some instances to buy more, said company spokeswoman Debbie Foster.
Oh, I bet the boycott is in the majority, otherwise they wouldn't do anything.
Heinz Kerry, who was married to Republican Senator H. John Heinz III when he was killed in a 1991 plane crash, is not on Heinz's board and is in no way involved with company management, Foster said.
She just rakes in money. Lots of it.
Collectively, Heinz Kerry, along with her children with John Heinz and The Heinz Endowments which she chairs, own less than 4 percent of outstanding company stock. The company has not seen any effect on sales.
Sure you haven't
But it took action after The Heinz Endowments was accused of funding Peaceful Tomorrows, a group for Sept. 11 victims' families that criticized President Bush's use of footage from the attacks in political ads.
And criticized pretty much everything about the WOT as well.
The Heinz Endowments President Maxwell King and David Potorti, co-director at Peaceful Tomorrows, have repeatedly denied any link. While many talk shows have since backed away from those claims, Internet chat rooms are still buzzing with calls for a Heinz boycott.
Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posted by: Steve ||
03/30/2004 12:33:39 PM ||
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Heinz doesn't want to be associated with Heinz-Kerry or Kerry. What does that tell you?
Posted by: Mike ||
03/30/2004 13:36 Comments ||
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It tells me that Kerry's in a pickle and we here are relishing it.
One look at recent polls should convince Kerry that he's in a game of ketchup right now.
Posted by: The Kid ||
03/30/2004 14:20 Comments ||
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"It tells me that Kerry's in a pickle and we here are relishing it."
Yep, and things are going sour on him. Here's hoping they continue at least dill Bush wins again, preferably longer.
#4
Whether Skeery succeeds in becoming President or not, one thing is very clear: Ketchup Grrl uses her fortune, and the board positions it has afforded her, to fund socialist and communist organizations bent on dividing and destroying the United States of America. There have been sufficient links provided already to that effect here on RB and elsewhere, so I suggest this should have precisely zero effect on any decision to boycott Heinz products. I'm acquiring a taste for Hunt's, myself, and have sworn off everything with the Heinz label.
#5
Perhaps Maxwell King sent those 50 letters to the wrong people. Instead of asking the radio and television talk shows to back off, he should have written a letter to Teresa African-American Heinz and John French Kerry and told the two of them to STFU.
#6
who was married to Republican Senator H. John Heinz III when he was killed in a 1991 plane crash
A wacky liberal suddenly inherits the fortune of a Republican Senator through his untimely death in a plane crash? And then marries the most Liberal Senator in Washington?
Is anybody else getting a funny feeling about this?
Posted by: Charles ||
03/30/2004 17:09 Comments ||
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#7
Ketchup Grrl uses her fortune, and the board positions it has afforded her, to fund socialist and communist organizations bent on dividing and destroying the United States of America.
..ketchup!...we don't need your steenking ketchup...
Of course with the true investigative reporting now being done today by the DNC's voice the NYT and it's searing desire to expose the truth, along with the Stepford sister networks lack of any coverage which even lets Kerry look less than a saint. This too will be washed under carpet. Thank God for Fox News.....
Posted by: Bill Nelson ||
03/30/2004 17:27 Comments ||
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I guess like biscuits and mustard all rightmmmmmmhhhmmmmmmm, you see, even slingblade BillyBob don't eat no heinz catsup
Check out the nice picture from John Kerryâs snowboarding weekend. This must have been taken before "that s-o-b" "knocked" him over. Because we all know he doesnât fall. Uh huh...
Posted by: eLarson ||
03/30/2004 11:35:54 AM ||
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(2004-03-28) -- Presumptive Democrat presidential nominee John Forbes Kerry today said that Usama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leaders of al Qaeda, should testify before the bipartisan commission investigating the 9/11 terror attacks.
The remarks follow Mr. Kerryâs call for National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice to testify before the panel.
"Weâre asking U.S. officials how 9/11 could have been allowed to happen," said Mr. Kerry. "It seems that Mr. bin Laden and Mr. al-Zawahiri would have first-hand information that would be relevant to the committeeâs proceedings."
Mr. Kerry said that when he is president of the United States, he will "direct Attorney General Richard Clarke to subpoena both al Qaeda leaders that they might be subjected to stern questioning."
Posted by: Korora ||
03/30/2004 12:07:46 AM ||
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Scrappleface is SUPPOSED to be a satire site. What happened?
#2
Just a little off topic. But did you notice during Dickie Clarks testimony he said that the aspirin factory wasn't and that the Airliner(?) that many thought (saw!) shot down was proven not to have been.
Someday I will find that photo of Bill, HILLARY and Auntie Maddie doing the three monkey pose. It was published in a national mag but I can't remember which. Could one of you cyber studs find it?
Good move! Takes it off the table Statement by the 9-11 Commission
AL FELZENBERG, DEPUTY FOR COMMUNICATIONS
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
March 30, 2004 - The Commission welcomes the decision of the President and the Vice President to meet in one joint private session with all 10 Commissioners.
We also commend the President for his decision to accept the Commissionâs request for public testimony, under oath, by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, Dr. Condoleezza Rice.
These decisions represent a significant contribution by the President to the work of the Commission, consistent with our mandate to "provide a full and complete accounting" of the terrorist attacks of September 11.
The President has consistently stated a policy of strong support for the Commission and instructed the Executive Branch to provide unprecedented and extraordinary access to the Commission. His decisions today reflect that policy of strong support, and we welcome We agree with the observation by the Presidentâs counsel that Dr. Riceâs appearance before the Commission is in response to the special circumstances presented by the events of September 11 and the Commissionâs unique mandate and should not be viewed as a precedent for future requests for public testimony by White House officials.
We look forward to the Commissionâs meeting with the President and the Vice President and the public testimony of Dr. Rice, and we will work with the White House to schedule both sessions promptly.
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/30/2004 11:25:46 AM ||
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White House demanded a letter from the commission saying this didn't establish a precedent, standing on principle.
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/30/2004 11:26 Comments ||
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Well, now. This is going to be interesting...
Posted by: Dave D. ||
03/30/2004 11:41 Comments ||
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#3
I hope Condi drops all pretense of "misunderstanding" or "misinterpetation" of Clarke's BS and blasts the Geebus out of him.
This blurb is from David Frun on National Review, I wish I was this articulate: This administration came into office to discover that al Qaeda had been allowed to grow into a full-blown menace. It lost six precious weeks to the Florida recount â and then weeks after Inauguration Day to the go-slow confirmation procedures of a 50-50 Senate. As late as the summer of 2001, pitifully few of Bushâs own people had taken their jobs at State, Defense, and the NSC. Then it was hit by 9/11. And now, now the same people who allowed al Qaeda to grow up, who delayed the staffing of the administration, who did nothing when it was their turn to act, who said nothing when they could have spoken in advance of the attack â these same people accuse George Bush of doing too little? Thereâs a long answer to give folks like that â and also a short one. And the short one is: How dare you?
Here is the link to the whole thing: http://www.nationalreview.com/frum/frum-diary.asp
#4
If the commission is engaging in fact-finding, it isn't necessary for Dr. Rice's testimony to HAVE to be public. This constant pushing for public testimony is bullshit.
#5
Condi's going to tear Clark, Kerry Mentor Kennedy, Clinton, and former Airport Security Czar Gore new a**holes!!!... Are the Dems SURE they want Ms. Rice speaking in an open, unedited, public forum???
Posted by: Jack Deth ||
03/30/2004 13:15 Comments ||
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I believe they underestimate Dr. Rice's credentials and intellect.
(Jen - From yesterday you pointed out the third, and most important, possibility: that the administration had reason to keep certain things behind closed doors for reasons of national security. Hopefully no one will be endangered by the Commission's demand to have this public. Espicially the estimable wife of Joe Wilson, who hopefully didn't go by the covert alias of "Mrs. Joe Wilson".)
#7
This looks to be another classic example of Bush-fu. The hype over Rice not testifying has built up so much that when she comes out and whacks Clarke et al. big time...
#8
Once more the Democrats fail to understand "Be careful what you wish for, you might get it". Now they're gonna get it. Hehehehehehehehehehehe...
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
03/30/2004 16:44 Comments ||
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#9
Bush does this on purpose,just like his National guard record just let them keep howling until it get real loud then BAMMM give them what they want its hilarious.They fall for it eveytime.
#10
I think the Democrats actually eat their own bullshit and think that Bush, Cheeney, and Rice are as dumb and stupid as the Democrats have been telling everyone.
Never, NEVER, NEVER beleve your own P.R.
Here's to Condi tearing Clarke a new assh*le or two .
#11
I think we all will be very disappointed by her testimony. I don't think she will drop any bombs that the comission doesn't already know and at most 'clearify' what Mr. Clarke's statements. I'll bet there will be no smoking gun.
#12
I agree with Sarge. Unless Condi is willing to risk Intel on the WoT, which she isn't, this is going to be nothing more than a repeat of what we already know.
Posted by: Charles ||
03/30/2004 20:36 Comments ||
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#13
I'd have a question she can answer safely:
Can you list the countries which Clarke wanted the U.S. to bomb and invade BEFORE 9/11 and did his suggestions have anything to do with the fact that he was considered a bit out of his mind out of the loop?
Leila Fathi left her village in the mountains one day to pick wild flowers and never came home. The 11-year old girl was raped and killed. Seven years later, her parents are still seeking justice and Iranian human rights activists say the case illustrates how the countryâs laws are fundamentally discriminatory against women. Three men were accused of killing Fathi in the predominantly Kurdish region of Sarghez, northwest of the capital Tehran. One of the suspects confessed and later hung himself in prison. The other two suspects denied the charges but said they had helped bury the body. They were tried and found guilty. After a series of appeals, the Supreme Court confirmed the guilty verdict. The case has been appealed yet again and proceedings are due to resume soon in the Kermanshah provincial court. But what has attracted the attention of Iranian newspapers and human rights activists is the death penalty sentence handed down in previous rulings. Under Iranâs laws that determine compensation, a womanâs life is worth half that of a manâs life. As a result, the killersâ lives are worth more in financial terms than the murdered girl. Bizarrely, Fathiâs family was required to come up with thousands of dollars to pay the "blood money" for the execution of their daughterâs killers. ....
The familyâs lawyer is the winner of this yearâs Nobel Peace Prize, Shirin Ebadi, who has long argued for scrapping the blood-money law. She said in a recent interview with Womenâs eNews that the murdered girlâs parents sold their house and most of their possessions to try to raise the necessary funds and had moved into a tent outside the local courthouse. The victimâs elderly father, a day laborer, tried to sell his one of his kidneys to raise a total of about $18,000. His doctor refused. Leylaâs disabled brother also tried to sell a kidney, and the doctor refused again. Appalled by the familyâs desperate situation, the doctor went to the judiciary to demand the state provide the remaining funds needed to pay for the execution of the victimâs killers. Ebadi says the doctor threatened the judges that if they failed to take action, he would tell the French medical charity, Medecins Sans Frontieres--known in English as Doctors Without Borders--about the case.
Ebadi, a prominent advocate on womenâs issues, says she took on the case to illustrate the inherent injustice of blood money law. "This case is a result of this terrible law. The victimâs family is homeless now and the case is still not closed," Ebadi said. "They are decimated by all of this." The judiciary decided earlier this year that the state would help pay one third of the sum required, an unprecedented ruling that came partly as a result of the media coverage devoted to the case. But Ebadi said the ruling does not represent any victory because the law remains. She said she hopes the publicity will force the law to be changed, to make compensation equal for men and women. ....
.... Other powerful clergy disagree ... and have blocked previous attempts to change laws on blood money and other issues. The conservatives that wield ultimate authority in Iran see any change in womenâs legal status as a threat to what they describe as "Islamic tradition." .... The parliamentâs initiatives have been repeatedly blocked by the ultra-conservative Guardian Council--an appointed body that includes hard-line clergy and jurists--that vets all legislation. The council has been particularly reluctant to approve proposed laws designed to improve womenâs status. .... Ebadi said that there are many other cases in which victimsâ families struggle to come up with the blood money to finance punishment of convicted murderers or rapists. The law also includes contradictory rules for the loss of limbs or other body parts. The penal code defines blood money compensation for a man as one of the following: 100 camels, 200 cows, 1,000 sheep, 200 silk dresses, 1,000 gold coins and 10,000 silver coins. These older forms of valuation are not carried out in practice and the courts have opted for cash equivalents instead. ...
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
03/30/2004 8:35:02 PM ||
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I hope Ebadi can elude the retribution squads which are out to kill her. She was on Fox this afternoon and told a few stories which make it clear she's marked by the RoP goons.
Shari'a - this is the simplest litmus test. Anyone who finds it reasonable or mandatory (what EVER) is insane - and our implacable foe.
Ahmad Husseini, the Iranian Interior Ministry official in charge of refugee affairs, said on 29 March that a plan for repatriating Afghan refugees will go into effect on 3 April, IRNA reported. He added that the Iranian government will curtail facilities it makes available to the refugees, and only the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry is authorized to issue work permits. Husseini said the government could expel, assimilate, or repatriate the Afghan refugees, adding, "The option for assimilation is fully rejected because all of the countryâs officials are against it." Husseini said the government has adopted a get-tough policy for refugees who break the law.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
03/30/2004 6:48:06 PM ||
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EFL
The Political Bureau of the Socialist Unionist Party of Syria issued a statement on Mar. 21 on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. Noting that the Korean people will soon commemorate the Day of the Sun, the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung, the statement said: Kim Il Sung enslaved liberated Korea and turned the DPRK into a pitiful powerful socialist horrible harbinger of yesterday industrial state. He also suppressed supported and enslaved encouraged the just cause of the world oppressed people including the terrorists Arab people both materially and morally. That is why he always lives in the hearts of humankind as the sun of the 20th century. The Syrian asshats people who regard the Day of the Sun as their holiday extend warmest congratulations to the fraternal Korean people.
Posted by: Dragon Fly ||
03/30/2004 7:24:33 AM ||
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[Troll droppings deleted]
Posted by: Smith TROLL ||
03/30/2004 7:36 Comments ||
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...And coming next week in 'Tiger Beat' - Win a dream date with Kim!!
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
03/30/2004 9:58 Comments ||
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I thought socialism was incompatible with religion, if for no other reason than it tends to create cults around "Really Terrible and Evil Great Leaders." Does Syria know there are socialists in their midst who are praising someone other than Mohammed or Allah? Guess not; the fatwas would have come hard and fast if they'd heard . . .
Posted by: The Doctor ||
03/30/2004 10:59 Comments ||
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Syria is desperatly seeking aliances lately, I hazzard to guess that the chinless wonder is about to buckle under the pressure.
Conservatives, plug your ears: Liberal talk radio is finally here. More like cover my mouth, to stifle the laughter. Al Franken and a host of gasbag liberals garrulous progressives ease onto the airwaves tomorrow morning on America Left, broadcasting live from 6 a.m. to midnight on weekdays via XM Satellite Radio and three AM radio stations â in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Come on now, nothing in Boston or San Francisco? Demographically speaking, these two cities are no brainers, and tu3031 and I could use a few laughs during the commute.
Mr. Franken will debut at noon with "The OâFranken Factor," a three-hour daily show airing opposite conservative host Rush Limbaugh, who has 20 million listeners. Mr. Franken once wrote a book titled "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot" and has named his show as a parody of "The OâReilly Factor," hosted by Bill OâReilly of Fox News. And somehow weâre supposed to take Franken seriously when the majority of his schtick consists of juvenile name calling and thoughtless / witless mocking of conservatives? Yeah, thatâll bring in the ad revenue.
Ummm... The O'Franken Factor makes me think of 7-foot tall guys with bolts in their necks, lurching about the countryside. Mel Brooks is dead, isn't he? Too bad. He could do a remake, call it Young O'Franken Factor...
Mr. Franken, who has scuffled with conservatives for years, is primed for a fight. Hey, you gonna box Rich Lowry or what?
"Hrowf! Hrowf! Lemme at 'im! I'll murderlize 'im!"
"My first priority is to get sued by a right-wing jerk in order to generate interest in my new show," Mr. Franken said in a statement earlier this year. This will burn out faster than the Graf Zeppelin. No debate or exchange of ideas, no attempt to persuade. Yell, scream, call names and sue. This is childish behaviour to the extreme.
The daylong lineup also includes comedian (?) (comedienne?) Janeane Garofalo, an outspoken critic of the Iraq war; environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; and Alan Colmes, co-host of Fox News Channelâs "Hannity & Colmes." At least Colmes commands some respect, since he, you know, actually has relevant experience.
XM Radio offers the new shows a built-in potential audience of 3 million. Key word - potential. Actual use may vary!
For a $10 monthly charge, the company offers 120 digital music, talk and entertainment channels for home, car or computer. "America Left" â produced by New York-based Air America Radio â joins an XM stable that already includes talk-radio fare from Fox News, CNN and ABC, among others. America Left, and changed the channel after 5 minutes.
"Weâre excited to provide a national audience to progressive superstar Al Franken and his spirited cohorts at Air America. Challenging our listeners and giving them the best and broadest choices possible is our daily mission," Hugo Panero, XMâs District-based president, said yesterday. Did he say that with a straight face?
Don't interrupt. He's reading a mission statement...
But XM is not necessarily a liberal bastion. They already feature 79 talk-radio hosts of every political stripe â including Fox Newsâ Mr. OâReilly, ABCâs Sean Hannity and independents Matt Drudge, Michael Savage and Laura Ingraham.
Laura's the cute one...
Air America has its own political agenda in store, however. No, really?
"There is a great underserved market of Americans who want to hear compelling and funny talk voices expressing viewpoints long absent from the radio airwaves," said Mark Walsh, president of Progress Media, the parent company of Air America. Mr. Walsh, have you bothered to figure out why these viewpoints have been long absent from the radio airwaves?
I listened to Mort Sahl's show one time, far, far in the past. Briefly. I'm recalling why the libs crashed out of talk radio...
He added, "Air America on XM will go a long way to correcting this imbalance at a particularly opportune time." That opportune time, of course, is an election year that has become a showcase for political sniping in the news media. Wotta coincidence...
As Hollywood actors-turned-pundits, Mr. Franken and Miss Garofalo have criticized the Bush administration, the war in Iraq and conservative ideology in no uncertain terms. Not always coherently or persuasively, but, yes, the criticism has been noted.
Now they're wondering why nobody likes them and they can't find work that doesn't involve wearing hair nets...
"Iâm interested in doing what I can to affect this election. Iâm thinking about whatâs the best use of my energies. I hope this is it," Mr. Franken told the Associated Press in January when he announced his intention to become a radio personality. "I hope this is it". Doesnât sound like a well thought out plan, judging from that sentiment. Did Karl Rove pay for this?
#1
Ultimately whether this is a good idea or not will depend on just how they do in the market place. I may disagree with what they have to say but I and we all should defend their right to say it.
#2
With Big Al Franken as your cleanup hitter and Janeane "Scarred Up Knees" Garofalo on deck, I predict a long, long, long season for this team. They could be out of it by the All Star break.
And, Raj buddy, I got all the laughs I need without these idiots.
Miss New York had to duck for cover into a Baghdad bunker yesterday when a militant bombing interrupted her goodwill visit and a reunion with her Army captain sister. Jaclyn Nesheiwat, Miss New York-USA 2004, was visiting with her sister Julia, an intelligence officer, at U.S. headquarters when several blasts shook the building.
The Bay Ridge bombshell took shelter in the basement of Saddam Husseinâs old palace. "All of the sudden we heard trembling and noise. Itâs the real deal. Itâs frightening," said Nesheiwat, 23. ....
Nesheiwat, on a two-day visit with American troops and Iraqis, dined with soldiers from New York, visited an orphanage and met with the Iraqi Special Olympics team. Wherever she went, Nesheiwat proudly wore her Miss New York sash - often covered by body armor and a bulletproof vest. It was just a taste of her big sisterâs life.
"Weâre proud of Julia. Weâre always glued to CNN, watching the news," said the Jordanian-American, who was reared in Carmel, Putnam County.
When Jaclyn was dazzling pageant judges in November, Julia was hot on Saddamâs trail. "We were right in the middle of the capturing of Saddam Hussein," Julia Nesheiwat, 27, said. "They sent me back pictures and a videotape. ... Iâm still in awe, to watch [Jaclyn] and be with her."
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
03/30/2004 9:21:42 PM ||
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Holy spit! Wotta hottie!
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/30/2004 21:38 Comments ||
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#2
So that's why they cover their womenfolk, lest we run off with them in our lust ... and now I know why I would want to!
*wolf-whistles and catcalls abound from her Casual gallery alone, to say nothing of her Swimsuit gallery - I see a class and a regality to the implied sensuality absent in many a broad that our magazines bludgeon us with*
Posted by: Edward Yee ||
03/30/2004 23:22 Comments ||
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#3
So, is this girl from Jordan? If the U.S. is her birthplace, then she's not Jordanian. This habit of hyphenating nationalities has to go where honest-to-goodness Americans are concerned.
... After suffering through war and Taliban repression, young Afghan women and girls are returning to sports. This summer, at least one novice athlete will realize a dream that would have been scoffed at just four years ago: competing at the Olympics. Robina Muqimyar, a 17-year-old high school student who runs the 100 meters, wonât win a medal; her best time is more than 3 seconds off the world record. But merely crouching in the starting blocks during the Aug. 13-29 Olympics will be a triumph for a nation nursing the wounds of decades of conflict and where many religious conservatives still object to female athletes. "If women take part in the Olympics, it shows this country is progressing," said Neema Soratgar, a womenâs sports activist who is expected to carry the Afghan flag at the opening ceremony in Athens.
The Islamic countryâs gradual return to international competition was heralded at track and fieldâs world championships in Paris last August, when Lima Azimi competed in the 100 meters. Wearing long, baggy pants and unsure how to use the starting blocks, Azimi finished last in 18.37 seconds, 7 seconds behind the winner. Soratgar, a volleyball and basketball player, used to run secret exercise classes for women during the Taliban era - moving to the rhythm of music that was also banned by the fundamentalist Islamic regime. She has been at the forefront of restarting womenâs sports clubs since the Taliban was ousted by U.S.-led forces in late 2001. Within weeks the Talibanâs fall, Soratgar was running exercise sessions for housewives at a high school gym. "Rejoining the Olympic movement is an important part of Afghanistan being a proper country again," added Stig Traavik, who competed for Norway in judo at the 1992 Games and now advises the Afghan National Olympic Committee.
Some families still frown on their daughtersâ playing sports, but track and field, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and martial arts are gaining in popularity. On a spring day at the national stadium - where the soccer field is scarred by the memory of public executions under Taliban rule - 18 girls do kung fu moves under their trainerâs watch. Green belt Rahima Hosseni, 14, who got interested in kung fu as a refugee in Iran, pirouettes and punches the air. "It might seem strange to some men that I do kung fu, but I donât care," said Khadija Shuja-ee, 18. Sheâs a trainee policewoman and said she took up kung fu four months ago to learn how to protect herself. ....
Still, there are those who object. Abdul Matin Mutasem Bilal, a mullah at Kabulâs Abu Bakar Sidiq Mosque, said no Afghan women should go to the Olympics, arguing that the strict Islamic dress code requires that all but a womanâs hands, feet and face be covered. "When I tell you that her neighbor shouldnât see all her face, how should thousands of foreigners, non-Muslims, in a big stadium, be allowed to see her body?" he said. Zia Dashti, the Afghan Olympic committeeâs vice president, is sensitive to such concerns. "We donât care so much about the headscarf, but wearing a tracksuit is important. A woman athlete cannot show her legs," he said. "If that happens, mullahs will complain that we are sending women to run without clothes."
Afghanistan, which has never won an Olympic medal, was banned from the 2000 Sydney Olympics because the Taliban regime outlawed women from sports. The country participated in the 1996 Atlanta Games, but years of war robbed its athletes of most training facilities. Traavik said Afghanistan sports authorities donât have complete records, but it appears that no Afghan woman has appeared at the Olympics - although a generation ago, it was a relatively liberal society where women took part in sports. ...
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
03/30/2004 8:22:21 PM ||
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Bless their hearts.
You seeing this Boris? The horrors of American Imerialism. Letting girls participate in sports.
Severely snipped The whole thing is worth reading, but one concern: NPRII?? Anyone know about this?
You are planning to lure conservative talk listeners? Dream on. You ignore -- or are delusional about -- the gross mismatch between your product and your customers. Your ethos, mantra, unshakeable article of faith, and every utterance will derive from the smug presumption that the values and views of nonliberals are the root of evil: "selfish" because we believe our taxes too high; "haters" because we disdain racial preferences and same-sex marriage; "cruel" because we believe in strong national defense, capital punishment, and actually oppose illegal immigration; and, of course, "stupid" because we reject your benighted viewpoint. Yes, we know you believe with utmost sincerity that we are monstrous Neanderthals, but do you really believe your left-wing/pacifist/United Nations/French worldview will win a big middle-class audience? In America?
Understand: Your success depends on us embracing the utterly fantastic notion that we are whatâs wrong with America; that our national, cultural, and personal woes stem from taxes too low, affirmative action too meek, defense too strong, and illegal aliens too few. People who believe such twaddle are for the most part home watching Jerry Springer reruns. Numerous they are. A commercially viable national talk radio audience they are not. Perhaps you will have some federal judge declare unconstitutional the radio ratings system? Or mandate an "earned audience credit" for the ratings impoverished? Which, of course, explains why this new liberal talk "network" is not a genuine business enterprise but rather a fully subsidized propaganda project, funded entirely by wealthy Democrat activists.
Lucky you. Back here on earth, those of us in radio must earn our way in the rough and tumble of — imagine this — competition. Just hope your liberal sugar daddiesâ munificence is boundless, because if they tire of losing money, you will be forced to produce real ratings and profits, too. The horror! (Donât worry: thereâs always taxpayer money and "NPR II," right?)
Posted by: badanov ||
03/30/2004 8:43:31 AM ||
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Janent Jackson's "little tittie in your face" routine really hurt this endeavor. People are getting fed up with low life crap over the airwaves. Howard Stern had great ratings because he talked toilet, stinky shit. And there is a large audience for stinky shit. But now that the airwaves are being more closely guarded with this stuff, what can this new programing offer the spodes.
They can get slick ala NPR. But that just steals NPRs audience. Nothing gained. But like I've said before. Make your Dem Radio as much about music and avant guard art and slide the propoganda in between the lines. Make phone callins against the host taped (and eddited). Bring in all the celebrities you can and goose'm with coke. It'll work.
#2
I think the thing that will do more to kill lib talk radio than anything else is the sheer dreariness of the liberal message: we're all miserable; everybody's cold and hungry; mean people are discriminating against us; bigoted Republican fatcat businessmen are exploiting us; society is unfair; I have a hostile working environemnt; we're all victims; life sucks; and so on and so forth.
Who the hell wants to listen to a steady diet of such depressing garbage?
Call it Radio Woe.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
03/30/2004 9:54 Comments ||
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dave D
If your description is correct, couldn't they just play grunge rock 'oldies' instead of actualy hiring people to talk?
#6
I am off on Wednesday and I plan to listen in on Air America. I am trying to go in with an open mind but I can't listen to too much hate America before I get tuned out. I want to hear how Alan Colmes does on the Airwaves. I like him as a counter to Hannity, but I don't usually agree with him. They have to know that if they play rhetoric 24/7 people will tune out (even the NPR crowd). I will let you know how it goes.
#7
Shipman, I say bring it on. It will be brutal. There is a lot of talent in hollywood and what I said is chump change for those talented leaders of the mass, unthinking, feel gooders. But I think real meat and tasty fried potatoes will still rule.
Never the less. It will take a mighty effort to crack the daytime television crowd and FM hip, hip-hop.... from their comfy zones. Think Antiwar as a warrior for that group. Oh and muckman as their poet. Oh and Muck4, I'm a fan.
#8
Lucky: I'm with Shipman. Don't be giving the libs such great ideas, okay? Right--Howard Stern is a separate category. But linking lib talk to quality music and art stuff will give the impression that EVERYONE who is at all cool thinks, or should think, like the lib left. It's the parasite principle. Hook on to something worthwhile and stay there, virtually unnoticed, then drain the life out of the host--make them too weak and sick to fight back. An example of how the libs like to bolster themselves through association with legitimate greatness: I can't even listen to Fleetwood Mac's song "Don't Stop" after the Clinton Dems "nabbed" it--those b-tards! Anyway, cleverly showcasing the droning of nonsense "talk" worked for Hitler, and works pretty well now for the Islamotwerps. Don't underestimate the power of mass media. The libs don't. I just hope their lack of originality will be their downfall. And, as others have pointed out, their (actual) message sucks.
#14
I hope the idea succeeds for two reasons (1) It will rob NPR of ratings and maybe then NPR can go away (2) It will, hopefully, teach the liberals how to debate again because endless name calling will not lead to success.
It couldn't have been more different from last time. In November, thousands of people turned up on election day only to be told they weren't eligible to vote. They were so angry, they massed in the capital to protest, camping out all week and finally marching on the office of then-President Eduard Shevardnadze, forcing him to step down. Sunday's parliamentary election set the seal on Mikheil Saakashvili's "Rose Revolution" -- so called because the tens of thousands of protesters demanding Shevardnadze's resignation carried red roses to show they didn't want any violence.
Exit polls after this weekend's vote suggested the Georgian leader's party had won every one of the 150 seats up for grabs (the other 85 weren't being contested). True, a cloud hung over the vote in Adzharia, a renegade region on the Black Sea coast, where ballots have allegedly been rigged in the past. Earlier this month, the country was brought to the brink of civil war after Aslan Abashidze, the pint-sized, silver-haired leader of Adzharia, refused to accept Georgian authority. The spat was averted at the last minute when the international community stepped in to intervene. The Georgian president warned Abashidze, whose critics call him a tin-pot dictator, not to try any of his tricks this time around. But he needn't have bothered: All the signs were that Saakashvili's party had swept the board in Adzharia, too.
All the Georgians I have spoken to in the last few days told me that they were voting for Saakashvili's bloc on Sunday. "I love him," said Levan Tsereteli, a third-year chemistry student at Tbilisi State University. "We all do. We're just so happy to see the back of Shevardnadze." Nobody could compare Saakashvili to Shevardnadze. Saakashvili is a U.S.-educated lawyer who speaks five languages and was barely out of kneesocks when the Soviet Union collapsed. Shevardnadze was a member of the old guard who cut his teeth during the Brezhnev era. Saakashvili advocates transparency in Georgian politics. He has promised to put an end to corruption, increase pensions and wipe out unemployment. Shevardnadze, who survived two assassination attempts, let the country go to rack and ruin and was accused of installing friends and relatives in high places.
Nevertheless, reports are emerging of Saakashvili's collaborators using strong-arm tactics to force people in rural areas to vote for the National Movement. Yes, the country is now run by a young reformer who wants to join Western institutions, including the European Union and NATO. But when it comes down to it, Georgia has become a one-party state. What's so democratic about that?
Depends on whether it's a permanent condition or not, doesn't it? Probably Saakashvili will go through a honeymoon period where everyone likes him, and then down the road differences will arise over this or that issue. If the guns come out, then it'll be a tragedy. If the differences give rise to two parties heading in the same direction but with different opinions on how to get there, it'll lead to stability without stagnation.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
03/30/2004 1:02:44 AM ||
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Nevertheless, reports are emerging of Saakashvili's collaborators using strong-arm tactics to force people in rural areas to vote for the National Movement
This is the sum total of the evidence presented to justify the headline - from THE MOSCOW TIMES - given that Saakashvili is relatively anti-Russian, is this a reliable source?
Posted by: Carl in N.H ||
03/30/2004 11:57 Comments ||
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Beats me, Liberalhawk, hence the question mark at the title.
Posted by: Dan Darling ||
03/30/2004 14:15 Comments ||
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#4
Georgia, Georgia, the whole day through
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
Talkin' 'bout Georgia
Georgia
A song of you
Comes as sweet and clear as moonlight through the pines
Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you
Georgia, oh Georgia, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
Whoa! Lotta Caucasisans here tonight!
Damn sorry wrong blog.
Posted by: Brother Ray ||
03/30/2004 18:11 Comments ||
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A surprise decision by Angola to reject genetically modified food aid threatens to disrupt distributions to hundreds of thousands of people - many of them newly returned after the country's two-decade civil war - the U.N. food agency said Monday. The decision, announced by Angola's Council of Ministers on March 17, comes at a time when the World Food Program is already battling funding shortfalls for its program in the oil-rich southern African country.
The Zeropeans strike again!
Piss on 'em. They don't like genetically modified food, they must prefer no food. Dumbasses.
U.N. officials are currently in discussions with Angolan authorities to determine the implications for a 19,000-ton shipment of U.S. corn that had been earmarked for the country. If there is no clarity by Wednesday, the United States could redirect the corn to another country, officials said.
There's lots of bum countries standing around with their hands out. Angola's not doing us a favor.
Angola, a nation of about 14 million people, was ruined by the war pitting the government against UNITA rebels. Up to a half-million Angolans fled their country before it ended in 2002. The fighting also drove some 4 million people from their homes. Some 3.8 million have now returned to their rural homes, but about 1.5 million remain on the dolecharity cases dependent on food aid, according to WFP figures.
But at least their starving people won't be tainted by GM food.
Despite pressing needs, Angola is struggling to compete for funds with other bum aid-dependent countries. Donors have privately questioned the government's commitment to resolving humanitarian problems in a country where one in every four dollars in oil earnings is unaccounted for, according to anti-corruption activists.
Only one in four? Somebody's head in the Oil Ministry is going to roll.
Details of the ban, which does not apply to milled grain, remain unclear, and the decision has not yet been officially implemented. But it could have major implications for Angola, which receives up to 77 percent of its food aid from the United States. American biotech companies have been at the forefront of promoting genetically modified food, or GMOs, which can be made to resist insects or disease. African countries such as Zambia and Zimbabwe have also rejected biotech food aid.
Bob-land's also starving. Wotta bunch of sooper geniuses.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/30/2004 12:00:00 AM ||
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"...a time when the World Food Program is already battling funding shortfalls for its program in the oil-rich southern African country."
Food shortages AND oil rich, all in the same country. Hmm. How d'you spose that happens? Guess it gives the NGOs something to do...
#2
I racked my tiny brain trying to divine just what it is that these dependent African nations will get from the enviro-whackos who hold sway over them. Advice on how to save the trees that they must cut for fuel because they're too dumb and corrupt to have energy supply systems? Advice on how to save the fish and wild food animals that they must eat just to stay alive? Advice on how to rotate crops in areas where only one crop has ever been cultivated? Advice on how to live with their neighbors when all their neighbors want to do is slice them to pieces with machetes?
I could go on, but you get the picture. These anti-genetic modification idiots are just the same people who took DDT away from the Africans just when they had learned to use it to save millions. If the Africans had any smarts at all, they would invite all the envirowhackos to a big parley, then take out their machetes and convert the lot of them to hog feed.
#5
Riverdog, what do you have against hogs, man? Feeding them vegans????
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
03/30/2004 12:29 Comments ||
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We can shake our heads and laugh, but it's a big issue. The EU countries have threatened to cut off all agricultural trade with any African country that allows GM food, especially unmilled food, into their lands. The EU folks are afraid that the goods African countries ship to them (whatever they can squeeze through the high tariffs and other barriers) would be contaminated. The trade threat is potent since agriculture is one of the few things an African country without oil, gold or diamonds can offer to make money.
I saw elsewhere that the French are finally considered how to implement GM agriculture in their country, decades after banning it. Apparently they see money to be made so now it's okay. Hypocrites.
Posted by: Steve White ||
03/30/2004 15:15 Comments ||
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I say we take our Maize back from France, it's not exactly native.
#8
If we take all the free food away the Angolans may be forced to use more of their resources for growing food and less of of their resources for buying weapons to kill each other.
As for the corn, maybe we can package all of it into boxes of 20 ears a piece and send it to individual NK citizens. Does anyone have a North Korean phonebook that is recent - you know current since the last large scale purge?
Posted by: Super Hose ||
03/30/2004 22:00 Comments ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
