LITTLE TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. - Experts dragged sensors from boats and divers scooped soil from the ocean bottom Thursday, looking for radioactive clues to the location of a hydrogen bomb lost off the Georgia coast in 1958.
A crippled B-47 bomber dumped the 7,600-pound H-bomb into the Wassaw Sound near Savannah after the plane collided with a fighter jet during a training flight. At the time, the military searched for 10 weeks and finally pronounced the bomb irretrievable.
On Thursday, a team of 20 experts in nuclear weapons, gamma spectroscopy and underwater salvage searched for the Mark-15 bomb in an area of water roughly the size of a football field near uninhabited Little Tybee Island.
That is where Derek Duke, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who has doggedly pursued the bomb for five years, said he detected higher-than-normal radiation levels.
"Our goal is to have a definitive report on claims of radiation in this area - is it there and what it is?" said Billy W. Mullins, an Air Force nuclear weapons adviser leading the government team. "If it's the Mark-15, that's one thing. If not, where does this come from?"
Mullins said the government has yet to decide whether to remove the bomb if it is found.
Mullins' team hoped to complete its field work in one day. Results from lab tests on the water and soil samples are not expected back for several weeks.
The Air Force said the bomb is incapable of a nuclear explosion because it lacks the plutonium capsule needed to trigger an atomic blast. Still, it contains about 400 pounds of conventional explosives and an undisclosed amount of uranium.
Duke asked the military to renew its search three years ago, but the Air Force declined, saying it was better left undisturbed. The bomb is believed buried under more than 5 feet of mud, in water 6 to 40 feet deep.
The military also had no idea where to search in the vast Wassaw Sound, the site of Olympic sailing events in 1996. Duke's recent claim of finding radiation readings more than five times higher than background levels changed that.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 8:52:59 PM ||
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EFL.If Man Pillow don't snore, I'll be in serious trouble. Move over, dogs...
After a long night at work as a radio DJ, Junko Suzuki likes to snuggle at bedtime — and she says she's found the perfect partner: a man-shaped pillow. Linen maker Kameo Corp.'s new "Boyfriend's Arm Pillow" — which consists of a headless torso and a stuffed arm that curls around the sleeper — might make some people uneasy. Yes, nothing says "relaxing" to me like sleeping with a headless torso with a stuffed arm.
But not Suzuki, or about 1,000 others in Japan who have bought the pillow, which Kameo says is the first of its kind. The product went on the market last December. "I like to sleep holding someone's hand," Suzuki, 34. "And this pillow makes me feel relaxed because I can hold the arm and feel something warm at my side." Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...
"My grandmother used to say that there is nothing more comfortable pillow than human," said Kameo President Tomoki Kakehashi. "So, I thought that maybe women would want to sleep on an arm-shaped pillow." I'll bet granny was a fun date, "Hello, GI!"...
For Suzuki, who is estranged from her husband, the pillow has definite advantages: It doesn't squirm or thrash in the night, and you know it'll be there in the morning. It keeps holding me all the way through," she said in her home outside of Tokyo. "I think this is great because this does not betray me." I'm bitter, dammit!!!!
Kameo is working up new models: muscular pillows for sleepers who like their pillows well-built; slender models for those after a more sensitive, vulnerable partner. Sounds kinda... gay.
The company also has a prototype for its next big project: a female pillow for men. This one will be shaped like a woman's lap, with a "skirt" cover. Save the production costs and skip the skirt. Trust me, guys won't mind.
"I always thought someone's lap would the best pillow for me," said Kakehashi. I got your pillow. It's right here, honey...
A new tea craze is sweeping through Guinea. It is not the brew itself that is new, but its name: Al-Qaeda. People gather most evenings to chat over a cup of al-Qaeda tea.
"Yummy! Tastes like jihad!"
The local non-alcoholic beverage has people pouring into the night-time drinking holes of the country's capital, Conakry, for what clientele call the tea's explosive and restorative properties. Aziz Mouna Camara, a proprietor of one drinking establishment, says the fermented concoction gets its name from its volatile nature. "When the beverage has boiled to a certain level, it sparkles and gives explosive-like rumbling sounds when you open the pot. This is why some call it B52, American bombardment, Bin Laden and others call it al-Qaeda," he says.
Fermented tea? Ecccchh!
Previously, the tea was known as "tresor de la mer" or sea treasure, but its new name has many more people drinking it, Mr Camara says.
The wonders of marketing...
Mr Camara says that unlike China where the tea originates, he ferments his brew for eight days. A local herb kainkaliba, some syrup, 20 packets of tea bags, sugar and honey are added to the concoction.
... along with a couple bottles of gin, a handful of chili peppers, two heads of poisonous reptiles, and a half gallon of antifreeze...
"After eight days we can drink it. It gives a tonic-like flavour and this is good for man's organism," Mr Camara says.
The very thought of drinking it gives me an organism...
The establishment's master al-Qaeda tea drinker calls himself "Saddam Hussein", after the former Iraqi leader, and says he downs up to five litres a day.
"Well, not anymore. That was back when I had kidneys..."
Theories about al-Qaeda's medicinal properties have also lured people in for a cup of tea. "I used to have frequent constipation. But since I started taking this beverage, my bowels are now free, I pass urine freely also, and everything's alright with my body," one al-Qaeda drinker said.
"Now, nobody tells me I'm full of shit!"
"When I take al-Qaeda tea there is positive result in so far as my respiratory system is concerned. I feel very much at ease. Before I had some respiratory problems," another said.
"The gasping that comes with the first sip builds a strong diaphragm, y'know..."
But whether it is its name or its alleged healing properties, the popularity of Guinea's al-Qaeda tea looks set to rise and rise.
Posted by: tipper ||
09/30/2004 11:02:59 AM ||
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Where's that song by the Royal Guardsmen about how Snoopy finally iced Richthofen?
Posted by: Steve from Relto ||
09/30/2004 10:32 Comments ||
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Chocks away Ginger! Boringly enough, I believe a Richtoffen attended our school as a gesture of German goodwill post WW1- Albert Ball, one of the RB's adversaries was an old boy. I read recently that the RB's demise was due to a brain injury acquired from a shrapnel wound in a dogfight some months prior. If it wasn't for that we may never have got the blighter.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
09/30/2004 11:16 Comments ||
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According to the magazine Filmecho:Filmwoche, "The Red Baron" has been in the cards for five years, with research for the screenplay carried out and prepared in Los Angeles.
JC on a Crutch!
It's the story of a German pilot/war hero and they had to depend on America for the screenplay? He's your hero, guys - can't you even write your own damn script?
And the Euros whine about U.S. films dominating the world....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/30/2004 13:28 Comments ||
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Read the article. WWI was a horror allright. The average life span of a new pilot taking to the air was two hours. It doesn't change the basic fact that Richtoffen was a stone killer. Raised as a Junker aristocrat, he enjoyed what he did. A real war lover.
Posted by: Weird Al ||
09/30/2004 17:18 Comments ||
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#8
Got that right Weird Al, but he didn't have nothing on Frank Luke.
#9
So many great ones. I spent a good part of my youth reading about these guys. Never got tired of their exploits. Eyeball to eyeball combat. Boelke's rules would still apply today:
Try to secure advantages before you attack. If possible, keep the sun behind you.
Always carry through an attack when you have started it.
Fire only at close range and only when your opponent is properly in your sights.
Always keep your eye on your opponent, and never let yourself be deceived by ruses.
In any form of attack, it is essential to assail your opponent from behind.
If your opponent dives on you, do not try to evade his onslaught, but fly to meet it.
When over the enemy's lines, never forget your own line of retreat.
Collision
Posted by: Weird Al ||
09/30/2004 19:48 Comments ||
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By David Derbyshire, Science Correspondent
(Filed: 01/10/2004)
Vitamin pills taken by millions of people do not protect against stomach and bowel cancers and might even make them worse, according to a new study published today.
A review of 14 trials of vitamins and antioxidant supplements involving more than 170,000 showed they did not reduce the rates of cancer of the stomach, oesophagus, large bowel or pancreas.
Dr Goran Bjelakovic, who led the study at the University of Niss in Serbia and Montenegro, said: "Antioxidant supplements do not have any influence on the incidence of gastro-intestinal cancers. On the contrary, they seem to increase overall mortality,"
However, British cancer experts questioned the findings and stressed that the study did not prove vitamins were dangerous.
Millions of people take vitamin pills regularly in Britain. The industry is worth around £300 million a year. Many users believe they mimic the antioxidant effect of vitamins in food which are known to protect against cancer and heart disease.
But over the past few years, the benefits of vitamin pills have been questioned by repeated studies.
Some nutritionists believe most people get all the vitamins they need in food, and that supplements are a waste of money. Some believe high doses do more harm than good.
The latest research, published today in the Lancet, compiled findings from 14 randomised trials. The Serbian researchers found no protective effect of beta carotene, selenium or vitamins A, C and E on a range of cancers compared with a placebo pill.
In half the trials, people taking antioxidants were six per cent more likely to die prematurely compared with people taking placebos. Supplements that combined beta-carotene and vitamin A increased the risk by 30 per cent, while combinations of beta-carotene and vitamin E increased the risk by 10 per cent.
However Dr Bjelakovic said the quality of the selenium data was poor and more trials were needed. Cancer Research distanced itself from the study yesterday, describing it as "preliminary".
Antidoxidants mop up free radicals, the unstable charged molecules that can damage cells and DNA. Vitamins A, E, C and beta-carotene, a pre-cursor to vitamin A, and the trace mineral selenium are antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of antioxidants, with high concentrations in spinach, carrots and tomatoes.
Patrick Holford, founder of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, an independent research centre and a supporter of vitamin supplements, said the research had excluded some well designed studies that had shown the benefits of vitamins.
"This is one of the most biased and unsubstantiated reports on antioxidants I've ever read," he said.
"If you look at the actual results you will see that the only really significant finding is a considerable reduction in gastrointestinal cancer risk with selenium supplementation."
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 10:04:07 PM ||
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Damn...how do I get my money back from all those vitamins i've gobbled down over the years, dread!!
#2
What this is really about is the agenda of the BBC to have over the counter vitamins and suplements regulated. It's a socailist thing I have yet to understand.
The mother of an Ulsterman convicted of murder after butchering a trainee rabbi in London today insisted her son was "not a monster".
Greenisland woman Linda Hamilton said she would like to bring Thomas McDowell back to Northern Ireland one day despite a judge branding him a "dangerous psychopath" and telling him he will face life imprisonment.
It took a jury at Southwark Crown Court less than three hours to find McDowell, (27), guilty of murder after they heard how he had picked German scholar Andreas Hinz up in a Camden gay bar before taking him back to his flat in July 2002.
There he strangled Mr Hinz before cutting up his body with a ripsaw and razor blade in the bath and wrapping his limbs in bin bags.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Linda Hamilton said she was devastated that her son had been found guilty of murder rather than manslaughter, insisting he was mentally ill.
She also described how she had been left horrified after hearing that her son had claimed he had slept on her grave.
She said: "Thomas went to London four years ago. He was talking on the phone to me a couple of summers ago when the police first came to his door.
"I asked him what he had done and he said he did not know. I thought he must have stolen a car or something; I did not believe he could ever hurt anybody."
Linda was later informed by police that her son had been charged with the murder of Mr Hinz and was being held in a high security hospital wing at Belmarsh jail.
"I could not believe it - Thomas would never even have killed a fly when he was younger. The only way he could have done it is through illness; my son is not a monster.
"I go over to England every month to see him. He is trying to cope with it but he keeps telling me 'Mummy, I don't remember doing anything wrong'.
"When I read what he said about sleeping on my grave I could not cope with that. I was horrified but it proves that Thomas is not well."
She added: "I have been suffering from depression since Thomas was arrested. It has totally ruined my whole life. There is nothing inside me anymore, there is no happiness. This is breaking my heart, it is killing me.
"Thomas is my son. I love him no matter what he has done - I will always stand by him.
"I would like to take him back home to Northern Ireland one day, when he is cured.
"Everybody in Greenisland knew him as Tonto and he was well liked by everyone around here.
"I thought the jury would have realised that he is ill and would have taken that into account. This has left me devastated."
A number of relatives of Mr Hinz were in court throughout the trial but were too upset to comment on the outcome.
McDowell is expected to begin his life sentence at the personality disorder unit at Rampton High Security Hospital.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 8:41:07 PM ||
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Sounds like Thomas ain't the only one in the family with "issues"...
Get well soon, Tony. The world needs you!
British Prime Minister Tony Blair will go into hospital Friday for a procedure to correct heart palpitations but will be fully functioning and back at work next week, his office said in a statement. Blair had heart palpitations late last year and suffered a "mild recurrence" in August, the statement said. He will stay in hospital overnight, rest over the weekend and be back to work next week -- a schedule that includes a trip to Africa. "You have got to stand for the full-term," Blair told television stations. "I have a deep passion to carry on the work we have done. I've got this routine procedure on my heart which is connected with the sort of thing I had last year ... It's a minor routine procedure," Blair said. "It doesn't stop me working." And thank goodness for that.
Blair's cardiologist, Punit Ramrakha, said the procedure was like "fixing the electric wire circuit in our homes. The recovery time is short with patients able to return to work and undertake full activities within 2-3 days," he said in a statement.
Tony is having a catheter ablation of a "supraventricular tachycardia". These are common as you get older. While you can treat this with drugs, ablation is very easy and works permanently. Sounds like he's had this for a while, according to the article, and it's time to stop fooling with it.
Then again, perhaps they wanted to fix it in 2003, and only now were able to get Tony on the NHS list for the procedure :-)
Gurkhas who have served in the British Army are to be allowed to apply to settle in the UK and gain British citizenship. About time
The announcement made by Tony Blair follows a government review and a campaign by the Nepalese soldiers. The Prime Minister said the Gurkhas had made an "enormous contribution" and it was important that their commitment and sacrifice were recognised. yes it's very important
Gurkhas have fought as part of the British Army for almost 200 years. They have fought well indeed
They make better neighbors — and better Englishmen — than heavily armed North African "refugees" who've never done a thing for GB and don't even like the place. Except when they slaughter a yak and get drunk on Saturday afternoons, of course...
Posted by: Sock Pupet of Doom ||
09/30/2004 3:14:56 AM ||
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Whether fact or legend I'm fond of this Ghurka story: it seems Lord Mountbatten stood before a group of Ghurka during WWII and announced that they would do battle with the Imperial Japanese after jumping from airplanes. They would fly at something over 2000 feet and jump.
The senior Ghurka stepped forward and asked it it would be possible to jump from 1000 feet since more men might survive â THAT is dedication. The men knew no fear â sure they may not have understood âmodern warfareâ and the parachute but by God they were there to serve.
#2
Long time disgrace - in the days of Empire they were the only dark skinned soldiers to be treated as equals on the battlefield. A disgrace they weren't treated as equals off it. Damned good show! Know what you mean - I wish I could replace the local Somali/ Nigerian population with Nepalese.
Posted by: Howard UK ||
09/30/2004 9:21 Comments ||
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Blair's wife is a leading advocate for the Gurkhas, and has led the battle to get them pensions.
#4
As far as I'm concerned, anyone who serves in a country's military ought to be eligible for citizenship. I believe even France confers citizenship upon the men who sign up for the French Foreign Legion.
#5
I believe even France confers citizenship upon the men who sign up for the French Foreign Legion.
that's an incentive??
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/30/2004 10:58 Comments ||
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#6
George McDonald Fraser mentioned in "Quartered Safe Out Here" about seeing a unit of Gurkhas charging a small wood where the Japanese were dug in--- they charged it at a dead run, screaming like banshees, and just before they reached the edge of the wood, half of them flung away their rifles and went on with their knives, only!!!. (The Gurkha knives are about the size of a machete.)
I noticed posters appealing for aid to the Gurkha veterans when I was first in England in 1970, the first time I had ever even heard of them.
#9
One of my law school classmates is a Gurkha--member of the Gurkha tribe, that is; he's never been in the military. Nicest guy in the world; very pleasant, generous, two cute kids--but give him and his homies orders to take a ridge line, and brother, look out.
Posted by: Mike ||
09/30/2004 12:57 Comments ||
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A true story told by General Sir (later Field Marshal Viscount) W J Slim.
âEarly in his command of 14th Army he encouraged constant patrolling by all forward units. One Gurkha patrol on return presented themselves before their General, proudly opened a large basket, lifted from it three gory Japanese heads, and laid them on his table. They then politely offered him for his dinner the freshly caught fish which filled the rest of the basket.â
Posted by: Howard UK ||
09/30/2004 15:24 Comments ||
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#13
Gurkha's were with the British expedition to retake the Falklands. If the stupid Argentinians had thought this over, they could have surrendered up front, and saved everyone a lot of trouble.
Posted by: Weird Al ||
09/30/2004 17:25 Comments ||
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#14
Yep. Only thing easier would have been for the MOD to keep say 4 DAMN PHANTOMS there and save a lot of money.
BOGOTA: With time running out, Nazi hunters are making a new push to track down aging war criminals still living in South America, a region notorious for opening its doors to those responsible for the Holocaust.
Almost 60 years after Germany's surrender in World War II, the Jerusalem-based Simon Wiesenthal Centre is pressing Colombia and Venezuela to help investigate 29 suspects who entered after the war. The centre is focusing on those Andean neighbours because it says both countries have ignored its requests for information.
For more than three years the centre's chief Nazi hunter Efraim Zuroff said he has asked them to help determine which suspects are still alive. While the centre believes there may be dozens more suspects across Latin America, other countries such as Argentina have been more cooperative than Venezuela and Colombia.
"This kind of investigation can only be done with the cooperation of government because it depends on immigration files and other official records," he said in a telephone interview.
Colombia and Venezuela got a failing grade in the center's latest annual report issued this month for "refusing in principle to investigate, let alone prosecute, suspected Nazi war criminals despite clear-cut evidence that such individuals were living within their borders."
LIVING LARGE IN CARACAS
One suspect is millionaire Harry Mannil, an 84-year-old Caracas-based auto sales magnate, member of Venezuelan high society and major collector of pre-Columbian art.
Zuroff accuses him of crimes while serving in the Estonian Political Police during the Nazi occupation of Estonia. The force was "involved in the arrest and murder of at least many dozens of civilians, Jews and communists," Zuroff said.
Since the accusations became public several years ago Mannil has written at least one newspaper editorial, in Venezuela's El Nacional in May 2001, denying them. In May 2004 he told Exceso magazine he was only a junior office employee for the secret police and never a Nazi collaborator.
He has been cleared of the accusations by the Estonian government but remains on a US watch list that bars him from entering the United States.
His secretary said he was on holiday and unavailable for comment. Venezuela officials did not respond to requests for information from Reuters.
Meanwhile, Colombia may still be home to 11 suspects, Lithuanians believed to have entered the country as refugees between 1947 and 1952.
Two of them, Stepas Kuprys and Zenonas Garsva, served in the 12th Lithuanian Auxiliary Police Battalion, involved in the mass murder of Jews in Lithuania and Belarus, Zuroff said.
Lithuania has initiated legal proceedings against both, who would be in their 90s. The Wiesenthal centre is trying to determine if they are still alive and in Colombia.
Colombia is investigating, said a spokesman for the country's detective force, known by it Spanish initials DAS. But the inquiry is secret.
"We are not permitted to discuss this information with outside organizations," the spokesman said.
Colombia is in a 40-year guerrilla war that has left huge areas of the country in the hands of Marxist rebels or hard-right paramilitaries, both of which fund their operations with money from the country's cocaine trade.
"Everyone understands that Colombia has problems that are more pressing. We are not asking the government to devote an extraordinary amount of resources," Zuroff said.
"We simply want them to tell us how many of these people are still living in Colombia so we can try and make some progress while the suspects are still alive and justice can still be achieved," he added. "Even governments that are busy need to take a stand."
HARBORING FUGITIVES
Odessa, the organization that helped Nazis to escape Europe, channeled many wanted Nazis to Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay.
Argentina harbored fugitives like Adolf Eichmann, the bureaucrat in charge of implementing the final solution to Europe's "Jewish problem". Israel kidnapped Eichman from Argentina in 1960, tried him and hanged him in 1962.
Zuroff said Eichmann was identified after one of his sons, living under his real name, went on a date with an Argentine girl who told her father, who was Jewish, about her new beau. The father notified a judge in Germany who relayed the information to Israel.
Argentina objected to the capture of Eichmann, but has since been more cooperative. It extradited former concentration camp commander Dinko Sakic to Croatia in 1998 and sent former SS captain Erich Priebke to Italy in 1995 for the massacre of 335 men and boys in the Ardeatine Caves near Rome.
"None of these countries ever made any serious effort to find these people on their own," Zuroff said. "I estimate there are still at least several dozen or more in Argentina and other countries."
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 9:17:43 PM ||
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Armed police in combat boots karate-chopped and slashed the air with black clubs, part of a Chinese display of peacekeeping force as Beijing dispatches a 125-strong contingent to Haiti — its first contribution to a U.N. mission in the Western Hemisphere.
"Ow! My head! I feel so... peaceful!"
"Keep it that way, bub!"
Wearing blue U.N. helmets, officers marched in formation and demonstrated martial arts for journalists from more than 20 countries at a new training center south of Beijing on Tuesday. Others with body armor and clear plastic shields showed of riot-control tactics. "China yearns to take greater responsibility for international peacekeeping," said Zhao Xiaoxun, commander of a squad of riot police bound for Haiti. "Of course I am reluctant to leave my family, but I am also filled with a very deep sense of honor."
Anyone besides me concerned about Chinese troops in the western hemisphere for any reason?
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2004 11:00:42 AM ||
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I don't care how kung fooey they are, 125 is a drop in the bucket for Haiti. That place is seriously f*cked up.
Scores of armed rebels approached Gonaives and some sneaked into the city despite opposition from U.N. peacekeepers, ratcheting up more tension in the city of a quarter million devastated by floods more than a week ago.
Yep. Those peacekeepers are working well...
Barefooted survivors still walk through sewage and mud. Gangsters are looting food aid. Widespread damage to crops and livestock has experts fearing a famine.
Hurricanes... Mudslides... Volcanic eruptions... Swarms of ravenous frogs... Zombies... Toutatis... And now:
Radio Vision 2000 reported Wednesday that about 150 heavily armed rebels in trucks tried to enter the city in northwest Haiti but turned around when ordered to by U.N. peacekeepers guarding the entrance, which has been a flashpoint for looting.
"Stand aside, you peacekeepers! We're comin' in!"
"No, you ain't!"
"Hokay."
But an AP reporter encountered about 20 fatigue-clad rebels inside the city as darkness fell. They were in front of the main international food aid warehouse belonging to CARE and confronting U.N. troops. The only visible weapons the rebels had were a rifle, a pistol and a knife.
"Look out, Juan-Carlos! He's got a rifle, a pistol and a knife!"
The rebels were telling the peacekeepers they had come to provide security and patrol the city.
"Yeah! We're gonna provide security!"
"Right."
The peacekeepers, who have complained about lack of help from Haiti's demoralized police force, said they would welcome the help but that the rebels would have to give up their guns.
"How the hell can we provide security if we ain't got no guns?"
The confrontation occurred soon after people looted a food warehouse, according to Haitian radio reports. CARE, an international humanitarian organization, said it was not its warehouse, as some had reported. Anne Poulsen of the U.N. World Food Program, which is providing most food in Gonaives, said it was believed to be a government warehouse.
"Legume!"
"Yes, Mr. Minister Mathieu!"
"Bring me my cape!"
"Yessir!"
"And my saxophone!"
"Yessir!"
"And my pipe!"
"Yessir!"
"Legume, call the reporters! I have an announcement to make!"
Agriculture Minister Phillipe Mathieu told reporters Tuesday that "We believe the lootings are planned by gangs."
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2004 10:31:20 AM ||
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The Kyoto Accords are based upon mixed results in science. Their benefits are marginal at best. The problem I have with Kyoto is this emmissions trading scheme. Countries like China get a pass and the industrialized world, that has done the most to lower emmissions shoulders the load. Everyone needs to raise the bar, not a privelaged few. The industrialized countries can help the developing ones. Cooperation, not some trading scheme.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/30/2004 14:42 Comments ||
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Bad science is bad science. I believe Kyoto is based on the Global Warming model, which has been debunked.
MOSCOW - The Russian cabinet today approved the Kyoto Protocol in a crucial step that could bring the long-delayed climate change treaty into effect within months. But many Russian officials remain opposed to the treaty and Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, on a trip to the Netherlands, said he expected "difficult debate" when parliament meets — possibly before the end of the year — to decide on final ratification.
Without Russia's support, the pact — which has been rejected by the United States — cannot come into effect. It needs the support of 55 industrialized countries accounting for at least 55 per cent of global emissions in 1990. Canada has already ratified the agreement. The pact would come into effect 90 days after winning Russian support.
A draft bill will now be sent to the lower house of parliament, where the dominant United Russia party approves nearly all proposed legislation backed by President Vladimir Putin. A vote could be taken by the end of the year, one official said.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Steve White ||
09/30/2004 12:30:01 PM ||
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Illarionov and others argue that joining the pact would stymie Russia's economic growth and make Putin's goal of doubling gross domestic product in a decade unattainable.
But then Vlad told 'em "Relax - it's all for show. We have no intention of actually enforcing the stupid thing."
By Kathrin Hille in Taipei
Published: September 30th 2004
Chen Shui-bian, Taiwan's president, has implied that Taiwan could hold a referendum on independence, in a statement that appears to reverse his recent softer stance towards RED China.
Addressing a delegation of government officials from Mongolia on Thursday, Mr Chen said: "The Republic of Mongolia has in the past successfully confirmed through a referendum the will of the people to safeguard the independence of the country. This is something Taiwan should learn from and turn to."
Although he did not mention any plan for a plebiscite, some analysts said the remarks went further than many statements during his spring re-election campaign and were a clear move to "step on China's red line".
The People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over the self-ruled island and has threatened to attack if it declares independence.
In a speech to mark Friday's 55th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic, Chinese premier Wen Jiabao pledged on Thursday to reunify the mainland with the island of Taiwan: "The sacred goal of complete national reunification must be achieved. It shall be achieved in the end." Mr Chen's remarks contrast with his pledge in May that Taiwan would not touch upon sovereignty or independence in its planned constitutional reforms. They also appear to counter assurances that Taiwan had introduced last year legislation allowing nationwide referendums not in preparation for a vote on independence but to deepen democracy.
Political analysts ex-pressed surprise at Mr Chen's remarks, as the ruling Democratic Progressive party has moved towards the middle ground over the past few years. They said the only parallel that could be drawn between Taiwanese and Mongolian history was that foreign powers had for centuries tried to exert influence over both countries. Mongolia was ruled by the last Chinese imperial dynasty, the Qing, until 1911. The Soviet Union later controlled the country in effect for several decades until it gained full independence through its first free election in 1990. Mongolia confirmed its will to be independent from China in a plebiscite in 1945 held by the Nationalist Chinese government, which later moved to Taiwan.
Lai I-chung, director of Foreign Policy Studies at the Taiwan Thinktank, said he did not believe that Mr Chen was reversing course in cross-strait relations. But after a series of recent anti-China comments from members of his administration, other analysts questioned Mr Chen's sincerity about lowering tension.
"This sends an even worse message to China," said Andrew Yang, secretary-general of the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies in Taipei. "The only explanation I can think of is that he is trying to increase support for the DPP in the December legislative election, and that he is testing China's patience."
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 7:49:18 PM ||
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#1
I would suggest that he is trying to manipulate some struggle on the mainland. The big agitators for forced reunification have been preaching it as a mantra for so long, to get their way, that by forcing them to "put up or shut up", it might actually cost them face, giving power to calmer heads. He might even be doing the new leader of China a favor, in a subtle way.
#2
While I applaud Chen Shui-bian's firmer stance regarding China's constant threats of warmaking, I am not sure how well equipped he is at present to adequately repulse a full-scale attack. It may be more in his interest to await receipt of the submarine order and missile defense packages he is currently attempting to acquire before pushing so many of the politburo's buttons.
That said, I think Taiwan is on the right track by openly declaring Three Gorges dam and Shanghai to be strategic targets in case of mainland attack. It is high time for China to confront the enormous potential for loss on both sides of the Formosa Straits should hostilities ignite.
China's intensely hypocritical attempts to recruit other world leaders in order to apply pressure on Taiwan, while the politburo remains the sole source of aggression is disgusting in the extreme. Once Taiwan is better armed against such an onslaught, this new level of strategic threat against the mainland will be more than a little welcome.
#1
With everything else taking place in the world all we need is the commies starting another major problem.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 15:33 Comments ||
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#2
Despite the current unpleasantness, I suspect that both China and the US are, and have been for a LONG time, making preparations for war. Ironically, this may not result in a war between the two. For example, if you just look at demographics, China should be going to war with India. Why? Because both nations have far too many excess males in their populations. 20 to 50 million men with no jobs, no prospects for marriage, and who do not contribute to their respective countries, except to cause instability. But this is not the only problem that may lead to a major war. Fresh water and oil are just as likely, as is an extreme nationalism movement, and combinations of causus belli.
#3
With of course, the 100 participation of Taiwan's armed forces, we would need at least the following recipe if this blows out to an all are nothing confrontation with the "Great Dragon": 100 nukes (DEFCON2), 300 MOAB's, 5,000 cruise missiles, 10,000 JDAM's and atleast 300,000 ground forces to slay it! A clear cut war (nation to nation), we would not need to hold back because of collateral damage! Are we commited?
#4
It depends on mission objectives. First of all, China wants physical possession of Taiwan. All the US has to do directly is prevent this to "win". However, despite its size, almost all of China worth anything is on its coasts, which are very vulnerable to all sorts of offensive weapons, and could be utterly shredded by a half dozen carrier task groups.
If push came to shove, and China refused to stop trying to attack Taiwan, then the US would start to dismantle its ability to wage war *against Taiwan*. No reason to invade the country, or to engage in huge land battles. The one proviso would be a renegade warlord type military commander attempting to use nuclear weapons. The main US objective would then be to first defeat this attack, then to preclude others in any way short of a major nuclear response; which would be the last option.
#5
LOL smn, let's get MOAB in there somewhere, lends a lot of authority to any argument about military power. Throw in DEFCON also, that's always an eye opener.
#6
If Kerry wins the election, I expect we'll see the China/Taiwan conflict spin out of control within weeks of him taking the oath of office.
They lost no time testing Bush's resolve early in 2001; whatever he did in response to that seemed to settle their beans for the time being. With Kerry, I doubt they'll feel any need to test him, as they're certain to have already written him off as a fool.
Hold onto your hats if Bush loses the election-- it's going to be a wild ride.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/30/2004 19:04 Comments ||
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#7
Shipman, I'm sure you remember the communist party chief who said the reason the US wouldn't hinder the Chinese retake of Taiwan, was because we valued Los Angeles over Seoul! I hope you don't live in that area!!
#9
I'm sure you remember the communist party chief who said the reason the US wouldn't hinder the Chinese retake of Taiwan, was because we valued Los Angeles over Seoul!
Perhaps you meant Taipei. Seoul happens to be the capital of South Korea. In addition, your troop and materiel estimates are hilarious, smn.
Posted by: .com ||
09/30/2004 5:28:51 AM ||
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#1
Just like them darned Chineese guys to go jacking up the prices of my cheap confuser parts on account of all this saber rattling and ballistic missiles and stuff like that.
#5
It's not delegation, it's exhortation. Communists are big on that kind of thing. You know, drive the screws in quickly with hammers rather than use screwdrivers because you are being exhorted to meet the production quota in the state factory.
#6
With of course, the 100 participation of Taiwan's armed forces, we would need at least the following recipe if this blows out to an all are nothing confrontation with the "Great Dragon": 100 nukes (DEFCON2), 300 MOAB's, 5,000 cruise missiles, 10,000 JDAM's and atleast 300,000 ground forces to slay it! A clear cut war (nation to nation), we would not need to hold back because of collateral damage! Are we commited?
#7
I propose that we inhibit the PLA amphibious capability by placing a moratorium on export of Evinrude products to China. My plan should work brilliantly as long as we aren't actually importing Evinrude outboards from China - if so disregard my proposal. :-}
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/30/2004 21:26 Comments ||
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Holocaust denier Ernst Zundel has lost another bid to challenge the federal government's claim that he's a security threat, Canada's National Post reported Thursday.
The Supreme Court of Canada refused Thursday to hear Zundel's argument that he's being treated unfairly because some of the evidence against him remains secret, and ruled that Zundel is involved in terrorists activity and is a security threat to Canada.
Ottawa filed court papers last year saying Zundel, a German national, was a threat to engage in terrorism or other violence and should be deported.
The so-called security certificate is based on secret intelligence, some of which has been shared with a Federal Court judge but hasn't been made public, the National Post reported. Zundel wanted to force the government to hand over the whole file.
Zundel is slated to be brought to trial in Germany for neo-Nazi activity and Holocaust denial, Israel Radio reported.
Zundel has disseminated neo-Nazi material for over three decades, and has recently made use of the Internet to further promote his ideas.
Zundel remains in custody while the deportation case against him continues.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 9:22:06 PM ||
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#1
Canuckistan gets a spine.
Does the government know?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/30/2004 21:27 Comments ||
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OTTAWA -- When it comes to world affairs, nobody speaks for Canada except Canada, says Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Lucienne Robillard.
Last week in Paris, Heritage Minister Liza Frulla suggested Quebec could speak for Canada at some international meetings, especially when discussing issues such as cultural diversity.
But Robillard says no way.
"I have to tell you that the principle `one country, one voice' still stands,'' she said outside a cabinet meeting Thursday.
"This is the prerogative of the federal government and nobody questions that, including the provinces.''
Robillard said Ottawa has to work closely with provinces on some international treaties because they require provincial legislation to implement.
"But we won't change here the authority of the federal government.''
Quebec wants Ottawa to allow it to have a direct say at international forums such as UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Benoit Pelletier, Quebec's intergovernmental affairs minister, has said he's trying to negotiate a special bilateral deal with the federal government.
But Robillard took issue with the word "negotiate.''
"We are not negotiating right now,'' she said. "We are speaking about that. That's different than to say we are negotiating an agreement.''
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 8:59:10 PM ||
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On most major networks. Schedule for future debates at link.
Posted by: Dar ||
09/30/2004 5:11:43 PM ||
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#1
I'm on pins and needles over the outcome of the debate, but I can't bring myself to watch. Between what I assume will be non-stop lying by John Kerry, and George W. Bush's mangling of the English language, it's just too much: I'd be likely to grab my 9mm Beretta and start blazing away at the TV.
I'll read Rantburg instead.
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/30/2004 17:41 Comments ||
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#5
The Debates will be a waste of time. I intend to ignore the hell out of this and all MSM spin on it. I already know who will keep me safe. G.W.Bush. I will not bother to listen to cut and run John "Felching"Kerry.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/30/2004 19:43 Comments ||
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#12
Big waste o time. Kerry's campaign's becoming more and more disgraceful by the day, and I don't hear anything like an intelligent discussion of Iran or North Korea from either candidate. I can't wait for this election to be over.
#25
Goodie for pointing out the six months talk about artificial deadlines.
Posted by: Edward Yee ||
09/30/2004 21:25 Comments ||
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#26
don't forget to go to littlegreenfootballs or powerline to vote after the debate! Dem's are going to try to pull of the whole "comeback" thing and have arranged for their minions to vote early and often.
Wonder if you trash your cookies if you can vote as many times as you please?
For those who live in a sound-byte version of reality, Skeery's doing very well.
The usual assumption that one who criticizes and claims he would've done something better gets the benefit of the doubt is Skeery's advantage at this point, IMHO.
Bush is going after Skeery's vote against the supplemental funding now - good.
Skeery just mentioned Vietnam indirectly and just defended his actions against it afterwards.
#31
2b - Yes to your cookies question - it's the only way the site knows you've been there before unless they're logging IP's. Try it - it shouldn't let you vote again if it's cookie-based.
As for the undecideds, I have Skeery well ahead right now. Lotas memes that take too long to refute.
#32
.com, I'm afraid Kerry caught a very good day. George Bush doesn't bring his points across, appears not to be focused and tries to hard to treat Kerry ironically which does not work here.
#36
What's important is that the president pointed out how Kerry simultaneously promises international help and undercuts it ...
Posted by: Edward Yee ||
09/30/2004 21:35 Comments ||
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#37
Kerry appears to be more concentrated, packs more info into a sentence and uses his time better. Bush seems to ramble sometimes.
Remember, this is all about appearances, not content.
#39
I think it is possible that Bush doesn't have to do that well in this debate. I actually don;t expect him to try too hard on this debate. He has Kerry by the gonads on the WOT. Ultimately Kerry is coming off as a micromanager of military and the WOT.
Saying that Bush looks kinda rattled, but I don;t think Bush will be hurt unless he decides to take a poke at Kerry or moon him.
#40
Kerry, once again, denigrating the blood efforts of our soldiers and undercutting our war efforts for his own personal political gain. It's disgusting.
#51
Bush is scoring better on the emotional level now, Kerry has rambled too much about phony alliances that were not going to materialize.
The Fliflop thing has a "flip side" because sometimes you DO have to adapt to a changed situation. Kerry lost out on not insisting on that.
#57
Kerry should have outflanked Bush by saying he was totally for the war but then turned against it when Bush/Rummy ignored Shinseki's recommendation... Pose as pro-troops, pro-military; paint Bush as anti-JCS, anti-officers, anti-troops..
#59
You FUCKER. Goddammit Kerry ... and goddammit, I just saw what LOOKED like an eye-roll or at least an exasperated head motion by the president ... at least he used his 90 seconds well to riposte ...
Posted by: Edward Yee ||
09/30/2004 21:49 Comments ||
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#60
Oh no, he shouldn't say "100000s trained", that doesnt seem to be true yet.
#64
Kerry - demeaning and undercutting our nations war efforts for his own personal gain - again! Must be a special place in hell for people like Kerry.
#69
He needs to come across as both intensely patriotic and intensely angry at Bush and Rumsfeld. People focus on the emotion, the intensity, the urgency of the argument more than the facts. Why Dean would actually have been a much stronger candidate, nut though he is
#70
S- says Kerry has Bush on defensive right now. I peeked around corner to see Bush lose his train of thought and rely on his notes. AAACK! I can't watch.
#72
Is Kerry going to make the case that somehow all of al-Qaida was in Tora Bora before the spoken-of incident and that they're only in the rest of the world because of it?
Good + quick response by Dubya though. :) Ludicrous, ouch!
Posted by: Edward Yee ||
09/30/2004 21:56 Comments ||
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#73
Mikey Moore's not a patriot; Lieberman's not angry. Kerry can win only if he gets a transfusion of McCain-ism, and fast
#74
Kerry's whole career is built upon undermining our nation's war efforts. Not surprising that tonight would be any different. Zebra's don't lose their stripes.
Of course - Kerry did turn orange...(or was it yellow?)
#76
agree with Badnov - one problem that Kerry has tonight is that he's pissing off the Deaniacs with his hawk stance. I'm sure it doesn't matter to the ABB folks though.
#83
Wow! Good take on the ICC and hard-nosed interests before international popularity ...
Posted by: Edward Yee ||
09/30/2004 22:01 Comments ||
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#84
K sh play a military-vs-civilians card. Should say s.t. like "The war was not a mistake; Gen. Franks made no mistakes; Gen. Shinseki was not mistaken. It's Bush and Rumsfeld and Wolfowtiz and Feith who made the mistakes in overruling our fine military leaders and leaving our brave troops vulnerable..."
#89
They won't go to Nader. He's not even on the ballot in many states, and anyway, they swallowed their principles already when they nominated Kerry. They'd rationalize this as the price of defeating Bush
#93
just stating the obvious. Kerry cannot win on Iraq. he needs to express righteous anger without seeming disloyal, and then change the subject back to domestic policy. I'm amazed his people can't figure this out
#95
I'm not watching the debate-- I'm reading this thread and hitting the RELOAD button every few minutes.
2b, I thought you weren't gonna watch this shit? Wazzup with that, did S. drag you into it?
How you guys are gonna be OK after this...
Posted by: Dave D. ||
09/30/2004 22:08 Comments ||
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#96
Bush is fumbling it - so his incompetent people aren't going to take the heat.
This is a very spotty performance for Bush - Skeery's been consistently focused on his points. Bush's conversational approach is not coming across and his vocal timber is weak. Tight timing debates are not to his advantage because he does not stick to Talking Points.
#109
Bush finished strong, I think. He didn't have to do all that well in this subject. Kerry appered to be petty and sniping, sh*t talked about the troops, and the war effort.
#111
Kerry said it ....he will stop all research concerning 'bunker buster weapons'. Incredible!
Cave dwelling Osama must have loved those comments!
While we are at war against Islamo-fanatics willing to use nukes against us this guy wants make major cuts, not expand our defense against the enemy.
Check out the link on 'bunker busters'
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 22:27 Comments ||
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#112
If I was Karl Rove - I'd be pounding home the fact that Kerry's sudden flip for the war was not supported by his actions and just his political posturing d'jour - and that his comments undermining Bush's war efforts are a 30+year pattern of his using troops in harms way for his own political gain.
#122
After Kerry's speech this evening the terrorists now KNOW they want him.
They lose and so does John Forbes Kerry
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 22:33 Comments ||
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#123
They both came across OK, or much better than their detractors would paint them. Kerry's a serious man. Bush is an intelligent man. But neither scored a knockout, which means Bush will win easily in November.
#128
Ironic that Kerry's main line is that Bush won't change course. Kerry's sticking to an idiotic multilateralist, let's-bring-in-the-French approach despite all evidence that they're on the other side. And reverting to peacenik form re nukes, as if it were still 1982.
#129
I didn't see the debate, followed RB when I could. Late night at work. If Bush did not totally choke, but scored some points, then that will be the best that can be done in this situation.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/30/2004 22:37 Comments ||
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#132
Well, it's been 30 years since I spoke in public, so it's disingenuous for me to be overly critical of another in that venue. Sigh. I guess I don't have as many external pulse points, such as intrade, to moderate my reaction...
#141
Bush needed to show that he was completely in charge, sure of himself, on top of his facts. In general, he was in control but he stuttered and um'ed too much. Kerry only needed to show he wasn't a nut or a wimp.
So net-net, Kerry made a slight gain. But it won't be enough. He didn't open up any new vulnerabilities in Bush or tell us anything we didn't know.
#142
Actually, what scares me is the spin, it's already giving it to Kerry in a landslide on all the networks ...
Posted by: Edward Yee ||
09/30/2004 23:00 Comments ||
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#143
Lex:
I think Bush is in charge and is sure of himself. I think that Bush disdains the slickness of Clinton and the haughtyness of Kerry. I think what we saw was a leader who didn't use half the facts at his command to crush Kerry. I think Bush wants to win the war (the election ) and is willing to suit up and lose the battle ( a debate )to win that war.
#144
I didn't watch. John "Flecher" Kerry was a star debater in University. Bush isn't and wasn't a great public speaker. Sounds like a draw to me. Thats bad for John "Feltcher" Kerry. Bush has the honesty and facts on his side. John "Feltcher" Kerry has 30 years of betraying the US on his record.
Plan on Rove and Co to make the most out of any mistakes John "Fletcher" Kerry made.
I still don't know why Bush is debating this clown. It's not a legal requirement. I would have told the Dems and the leftist MSM to stuff it.
#145
Ok everyone, point the guns this way. I can take it.
I really thought Kerry was going to hide like a little French poodle. But, Kerry was, as they say in my old hood, "on like neckbone" tonight.
That being said, if Kerry is elected, he better not be a jackass and cancel the nuclear tipped bunker buster program. We need these bombs now, more than ever.
The takes are mixed but the spin swinging Kerry ...
Posted by: Edward Yee ||
09/30/2004 23:17 Comments ||
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#148
Rove and Co need to go to town on Kerry's bunker-buster idiocy and remind the voters of Kerry's freezenik past. Tell the voters that this is Cold War II, with Iran and NoK taking the place of the Sovs, and ask whether they really can trust a man who thinks we're the moral equivalent of the mullahs and Fearless Leader. Kerry may have won this skirmish but he opened up a HUGE vulnerability.
#150
Bush may be in charge but he seemed stymied on the nuke proliferation issue. Too many pauses, ums, no clear and convincing argument made. A bit of battle fatigue.
Kerry OTOH was smooth, confident, and fatuous. Rove and co need to crush him on the French trrops to the rescue idiocy and, especially, paint him as the unreconstructed peacenik/freeze advocate he is. Shouldn't be too hard. Advantage: Bush.
#154
You don't "own" the post, troll-boy. I responded to Silentbrick's comment. Get a life and get lost - not necessarily in that order. You're not intelligent, witty, or noteworthy. FOAD / HAND.
#155
I would not base who won on an internet poll. We know DU is working hard to stuff the ballot box (as well as contact all the MSM and give their 'talking points') below :
Kerryâs Debate Performance
-> America saw John Kerry as our next President tonight. God help us!
-> Kerry showed strength, conviction and steady command of the facts. you misspelled lies. He said Iraq was a mistake before he siad it wasn't a mistake
-> Kerry left no doubt he can lead the fight to hunt and kill the terrorists. Didn't he earlier said it was a law-enforcement matter? Conviction?
-> Kerry offered hope for a fresh start in Iraq so we can finish the job. Kerry has specific plans: Bush had shallow promises. Kerry plan: Wait until we meet the 'global test' before doing anything. Bush's plan: Kill them. Establish freedom in the ME and let the freedom do the fighting for us
Bushâs Debate Performance
-> Bush had a record of failure to defend, and he failed to defend it. What failures? Are you channeling Gephart again? There were some miscalculations (see Fog of War) but no miserable failures.
-> Bush refused to take responsibility for his go it alone rush to war. He seemed defensive, annoyed and arrogant. I dare you to tell the British, or Austrailians, or Polish, or Japanese we gone it alone to their face.
-> Bush had no plan, no clue for ending the chaos; heâs out of touch with reality. Bushes plan: Kill the terrorist. Establish freedom and let freedom do the fighting. Kerry plan: Wait until we meet the 'global test' before doing anything.
-> Bush canât fix the mess in Iraq because he pretends things are fine. Pretending is no substitute for planning. 85% of Iraq is fine. No rape rooms or rape squads. The mass graves are no longer being filled up with innocent people. Hundreds of schools and hospitals are on-line. The economy is florishing (except where the jihadist are allowed by the Iraqi people to hold sway...)
#158
Kerry may have won this skirmish but he opened up a HUGE vulnerability.
Not sure that Kerry won - but I agree about Kerry opening vulnerability. After the dust settles - Kerry's overall position on the issues were inconsistent and there are 30 days to point out the inconsistencies to the public.
#159
Lex, Thanks for the heads up on the MSNBC polls.
The 70% for Kerry must be from those which feel we should speak to the lunatic running North Korea, Kim Ill Dung.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
10/01/2004 0:26 Comments ||
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#160
Check out Drudge:
LOCKHART: DEBATE CONSENSUS A 'DRAW'
Unbeknownst to Kerry adviser Mike McCurry, a C-SPAN camera quietly followed McCurry as he found Kerry adviser Joe Lockhart on Spin Alley floor and asked him his impression of the debate. Lockhart candidly said to McCurry , âThe consensus is it was a draw.â
From Instapundit's site; scroll to the bottom of the entry.
Whole thing posted here:
YET ANOTHER UPDATE: A reader sends me a copy of this email he sent to the anti-draft crusaders interviewed by Rather:
Our 22 year old son is a US Marine, SpOps. His Btn just returned from the al Anbar region of Iraq. They have the unfortunate distinction of having taken the most casualties of any Coalition unit in Iraq (33 KIA 200+ WIA, sent home). However, they - in the proud tradition of US Marines, and specifically the 7th Marine Regiment - killed over 3,000 of the enemy bringing peace to the region o which they were assigned. They took on an area where there was murderous errorist activity on a daily basis and today, it's as safe as most of Philly.
I can guarantee you, because I had this conversation with Josh and with his comrades-in-arms, they DO NOT WANT conscripted kids with them. At home, hey are the finest men this country has to offer. Polite, generous and even lightly patriotic. At work they are the worst enemy of people who attack the S. They are committed to what they do. They don't need whining, snotty children linging to mommy's apron who they would have to babysit.
So, please contact Rep. Rangel and the other Democrats who put forth this egislation. Tell them to withdraw it - not that it has a snowball's chance in Baghdad of passing anyway. And please, don't fear for your sons. My son and his friends, WILLINGLY sleeping in holes in the sand and eating MRE's will make sure you and your sons can all sleep well in your soft beds after a quiet dinner.
Michael Becker
Phoenix, AZ
very proud father of LCpl Josh. The best man we know...
Fred - normally I wouldn't link to a blog, but as many people as possible should read this. In fact, it should be on the front page of every paper in America. And Europe.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/30/2004 2:46:03 PM ||
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#4
I'd like to thank that woman whose sons are in harm's way. I hope I live long enough to see the sun set on Dan Rather. I've always thought he was a coward. Even when he was "reporting" from Nam he did it only from secure areas using the jungle as a backdrop or waiting until the area was secure before he ventured from his secure hideaway to report on "ferocious" fighting against the Communists "insurgents." HA!
#5
My son and his friends, WILLINGLY sleeping in holes in the sand and eating MREâs will make sure you and your sons can all sleep well in your soft beds after a quiet dinner.
Have any of those jerks proposing a new draft seen this passage? If they have, any of them with even a semblance of personal honor should feel nothing but the deepest shame.
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/30/2004 15:41 Comments ||
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#7
Don't sound like no quagmire to me.
Posted by: Matt ||
09/30/2004 16:39 Comments ||
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#8
"...(33 KIA 200+ WIA, sent home). However, they - in the proud tradition of US Marines, and specifically the 7th Marine Regiment - killed over 3,000 of the enemy..."
there was a post yesterday that was slinging around only a 4 to 1 KIA ratio. Here is a 10 to 1 ratio for a rifle battalion. What would the ratio be for an F-15 squadron that is working over Fallujah, Najah and Sadr City?
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/30/2004 17:15 Comments ||
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#9
Liking the name generator. Remember tho, mine is copy-writ in 12 states
#10
That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, And crowns for his convoy put into his purse; We would not die in that man's company, That fears his fellowship to die with us. - Henry V, W. Shakespeare
Posted by: Don ||
09/30/2004 18:05 Comments ||
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#3
Barbara, I think the most telling element of the story is how CBS tried to slip crossing-guard Beverly Cocco under the radar screen by portraying her as a "security mom." Here is some info from WND:
The website RatherBiased.com points out CBS described Beverly Cocco as a Republican who also is a "single-issue voter," failing to mention that she is chapter president of a group called People Against the Draft.
RatherBiased.com says that after it debunked the story, the CBS News website quietly changed the online article, adding Cocco's affiliation.
People Against the Draft portrays itself as "nonpartisan," RatherBiased.com notes, but its leadership appears to have no Republicans.
The group's domain is registered to Jacob Levich, a left-wing activist who in a 2001 essay compared the Bush administration to the totalitarian regime portrayed in George Orwell's "1984."
This is a ploy similar to portraying Birkett as an unimpeachable source.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/30/2004 19:24 Comments ||
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Democratic candidate John Kerry's campaign demanded Thursday that the lights signaling when a speaker's time has expired during debates with President Bush be removed from the lecterns because they are distracting, but the commission hosting the debates refused.
"I thought he was droning on a tad long..."
An angry exchange between representatives of the Kerry campaign and the Commission on Presidential Debates took place just hours before the candidates were to meet at the University of Miami for the first of three debates, The Associated Press learned. Kerry's team threatened to remove the lights when they visit the debate site with Kerry later in the day.
Tsk.. Tsk.. Do that and we will rap your fingers
"We'll bring a screwdriver," said a Kerry aide familiar with what several people called an angry exchange. The commission did not return a call seeking comment.
And we'll have a Taliban doctor ready to amputate...
The commission placed the lights on the lecterns in clear view of the television audience and those in the auditorium. An agreement between the Kerry and Bush campaigns specified that timing lights "shall be placed such that they are visible to the debate audiences and television viewers."
"As I said... I thought Kerry was droning on a tad long..."
However, Kerry's team contended that the agreement doesn't specifically say where the lights should be placed, and it said putting them on the lecterns creates a distraction. The Bush team pushed for the lights in negotiations with Kerry advisers.
Oh Geez! Lawyers swarming like flies. GET THE RAID!
The commission is a nonprofit and nonpartisan corporation that has sponsored all the presidential debates since 1988.
#9
Break out one of those little lite show things. The type that changes from blue to yellow to red to orange and train it on Skerry's face during the debate when he exceeds his allotted time.
Personally I think their mic's (and spotlight) should be programmed to automatically cut-off after their time is up with no human intervention.
After this the formerly interesting Ms Diaz can now only be looked at with pity.
CAMERON DIAZ ELECTION SCARE: 'IF YOU THINK RAPE SHOULD BE LEGAL, THEN DON'T VOTE'
Thu Sep 30 2004 12:12:11 ET
On Oprah's Wednesday 'voting party' show featuring important celebrities like P. Diddy (Vote or Die!), Drew Barrymore and Christina Aguilera, svelte suffragette Cameron Diaz took to shock tactics to get the female vote out.
After a discussion with Oprah on lynching and the vote, Diaz spoke of the dire consequences for women if they sit out this election:
Lynch the vote? I thought that was the Taliban before we excised them from Kabul...
Ms. DIAZ: We have a voice now, and we're not using it, and women have so much to lose. I mean, we could lose the right to our bodies. We could lo--if you think that rape should be legal, then don't vote. But if you think that you have a right to your body, and you have a right to say what happens to you and fight off that danger of losing that, then you should vote, and those are the...
WINFREY: It's your voice.
Ms. DIAZ: It's your voice. It's your voice, that's your right.
#6
I lost all respect for her after she started dating Justin Timberlake. Now, she's just plain certifiable. I'm still confused by the rape threat. Where'd she pull that out of?
#8
Speaking of that, where do you suppose Mr. "Wardrobe Malfunction" Timberlake stands on the rape platform? Is he generally cool with it, or only if it's simulated on live TV?
#10
You have to understand that actors and actresses spend most of their time pretending to be successful people in reel life. In real life, they probably couldn't tie their shoelaces without a personal assistant.
#11
I want to go on record here that Oprah has done a lot of good for education, self-reliance, and the military. I can't for the life of me think she wanted this Hollowhead to spout such nonesense on her show. She probably only wanted to stress the imporatnce of voting, not the right or left talking points. She should have had at least one right leaning star or newies to counter the STUPIDITY from the left.
#12
I'm guessing that this is a garbled version of that rant last month at a pro-choice rally during the conventions when one overheaded speaker started raving about Bush metaphorically raping the women of America via the partial-birth abortion ban. Or something like that.
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
09/30/2004 14:25 Comments ||
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#13
Er, garbled by Diaz, not the reports of Diaz's second-hand rant.
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
09/30/2004 14:25 Comments ||
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#14
Y'know, the more I think about it, the more upset I get. "There's Something About Mary" is one of my all-time favorite movies, so how can I watch it now without thinking of her spouting this nonsense? I really did a pretty good job of crossing out Justin Timbercrap, but this will be close to impossible.
#15
Best get used to it. If you like any current art - movies, TV, music, novels, whatever - you have about 85% chance of having settled on an artist with truly abominable political opinions. The same goes for older works of art, but at least the artists are dead and less likely to upset you with current-day antics. That, and their evil causes are largely irrelevant - who cares if George Bernard Shaw was a fascist sympathizer? There aren't any fascists around, at least of the Mussolini variety.
Bottom line is, artists are evil. Don't expect civic virtues of them. The ones who aren't actively evil are usually undertalented at best, sad to say.
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
09/30/2004 14:32 Comments ||
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#16
You said it, Mitch. But I don't think artists are completely evil. Misguided and confused at best; vindictive and stupid at worst. Except for the occasional smart ones. Those I'd consider evil.
I think Zhang Fei really nails it. These people are celebrities, but think and behave as though they're royalty. Of course, the media exploits them all and deifies them. I can't remember what century it was in our world's history, but weren't actors once considered lower than prostitutes on the hierarchy of occupations at the time?
#18
Dont' get me started on Oprah. I just don't understand who can sit through and entire show.
Here is the typical Oprah Show:
Here is Johnny, he has a cleft lip and people are mean to him. Later in the show, we have Suzi - a mother of a child who has no legs. They are the freaks that we are showcasing today so that we can feel better about our own miserable lives.
Gosh...sniff..sniff...I'm glad my life doesn't suck as bad as Suzi's. I feel better already.
#19
1.) Cameron got her metaphors mixed up. What rape and selection of a candidate have in common, apparently only she can see.
2.) If you want to call artists evil, you better lump me in with them.
3.) Oprah has done good things for people, but I can hardly bear watching her anymore. I see a lot of smug religious self-congratulation in her, and even more "let me tell everyone how to be more spiritual". Miss Oprah-you're no more clued in or higher on any ladder than the rest of us. Don't confuse human with saint when y ou look in the mirror.
#24
jackal: Now you know why Hollywood employs so many script-writers. You can't let actresses choose their own words.
Too true, too true.
Mitch: Bottom line is, artists are evil.
I don't think they're actually evil. I think they're just flakes. Don't look to them as role models. Among the successful ones, there's the idea that I must have really useful and important things to say because I make so much money per performance. I don't envy them their shiftless lifestyles, however much money they make make.
#7
This whole color thing is just a metaphor for the Kerry campaign... Denial of the obvious like a fibbing 3 year old. Synthetic "healthy glow" -- makes you wonder about their health care plan. Inept: could have done it in reasonable stages to a reasonable color and gotten away with it. Confused: was told to get a "plan" for the debates; went out and got a "tan." Orange -- half red and half yellow. Think about it.
Posted by: Tom ||
09/30/2004 15:00 Comments ||
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#8
#7 Tom:
Orange -- half red and half yellow.
You just summed up sKerry PERFECTLY.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/30/2004 15:11 Comments ||
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#9
Okay, the tan may not be real, but is it accurate ?
Posted by: Carl in N.H. ||
09/30/2004 16:49 Comments ||
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#10
The papers have made much of the Kennedy/Nixon debate with Kennedy's tan. Perhaps the President can use it to his advantage by saying something like "....we are safe from terrorists for now Mr. Kerry - there is no need to go on Orange Alert."
#15
If he did try to get a tan naturally, then he got was a very nasty sunburn, because that's what it looks like to me. If it is a sunburn, I can't wait for his skin to start peeling during the debates.
Posted by: Charles ||
09/30/2004 19:40 Comments ||
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No -- not the baseball team, the real Rangers with stars on their badges.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has launched a criminal investigation into forged military records allegedly obtained from President Bush's National Guard file that were aired by CBS News three weeks ago, referring a congressional request for the probe to the investigative division of the Texas Rangers. "On Wednesday 52 Republican congressman urged the Texas attorney general and the U.S. attorney in Lubbock to investigate who created a bogus document at the heart of the now-discredited CBS News story accusing Bush of shirking his Guard duty," the Fox News Channel's Major Garrett reported. The congressional letter read in part: "We request an immediate investigation and prosecution if warranted. Our interest is in whether any state or federal crimes were committed." Texas Attorney General Abbott immediately forwarded the congressional request to the investigative division of the Texas Rangers, Garrett said.
"Howdy Mr. Burkett, we'd like to have a little talk with you back at the station."
Posted by: Sherry ||
09/30/2004 11:21:26 AM ||
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Pass the popcorn. :-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/30/2004 11:27 Comments ||
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Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/30/2004 11:58 Comments ||
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#9
Thank God--I invested a good portion of my 401K in the clip art sector. Glad to see it's paying off!
Posted by: Dar ||
09/30/2004 12:08 Comments ||
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#10
I hate to feel good about someoneâs pain but I can't help it when it comes to Rather. This smear of Bush on the Guard service and dragging the good names of veterans of the Guard who cannot defend themselves. So far the harshest 'critics' of Bush's guard service are long dead and are being critical through proxy (memo/spouse). And in the case of his Commander the memos were made up. Whoever is responsible should be tried and sent to prison. I have this really cool visual of Rather and Mapes doing the perp walk in Austin!
#14
Matt Hayes, writing in FoxNews online - sez crimes may have been committed:
In Texas, the state in which Burkett concedes the false National Guard memos originated, it is a felony to make or present two or more documents with knowledge of their falsity and with intent that they be taken as a genuine governmental record. Under the U.S. Code, use of an interstate telephone wire, such as the one used to transmit an image of the forged documents from Texas to CBS headquarters, triggers federal jurisdiction.
#1
I read the article. It makes interesting points.
Message to Europe. 4 more years of Bush. No Kerry.
No cutting an running. You are with us or against us. Do not become our enimies. If you will not help. Shut the hell up and stay out of the way.
Posted by: Helmut Schmidt ||
09/30/2004 10:50 Comments ||
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#3
SPOD, it also repeats lies. Bush didn't say, "You're with us or against us," as the left keeps claiming. He said, "You're with us or you're with the terrorists."
That they don't see the difference is interesting, and will eventually bite them in the ass.
I've got a message to Europe, too: We don't care what you think of us, any more than you care what we think of you. And probably less that that.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
09/30/2004 10:56 Comments ||
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#4
The only European/Eurasian nations that really matter to us are Britain, Russia and Turkey. Support from the rest would be nice but does not significantly matter. Time for us to accept the reality that EUrabian elites increasingly will take a French line toward the middle east and triangulate between us and the jihadists.
Let NATO die a quiet death. Start peeling off hte UK and start building an entente with Russia, India, Australia and if possible, Turkey. With close cooperation w Israel, of course.
#7
Turkey can't be trusted, so proceed with caution. Britain, Australia, India and Russia (with reservations) are better choices, but I don't think we should write off the rest of Europe just yet. Some of them will come around. And the more support, the better.
Tight supplies are driving fears natural gas prices may hit records this winter.
So far, prices have jumped 17 percent in two days, shocking millions of Americans who heat their homes with natural gas.
The price for a million British thermal units of natural gas trading in New York for delivery in November rose 56 cents, or 8.8 percent, to $6.911 Wednesday as supply jitters rattled investors, USA Today reported.
That price increase came on a day when crude oil prices fell from reaching a record of $50 a barrel.
"If we have a normal winter ... we will probably see prices in the $10-to-$12 range and possibly higher," says Andy Weissman, chairman of Energy Ventures Group, a Washington-based investment firm.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 8:37:58 PM ||
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If it ain't emotion with crude oil, it's emotion with natural gas. How about waiting until a problem clearly exists before getting panicky???
With the prices of "black gold" hovering near $50 a barrel, many Connecticut business owners are suddenly seeing red. The 75 percent increase in crude oil prices during the past year has kindled sharp increases in transportation costs, especially truck and air travel.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 3:03:22 PM ||
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It may make us uncomfortable for a while, but in China it must be causing disasters.
In the seventh century of the Christian era, a wandering Arab of the lineage of Hagar [i.e., Muhammad], the Egyptian (sic), combining the powers of transcendent genius, with the preternatural energy of a fanatic, and the fraudulent spirit of an impostor, proclaimed himself as a messenger from Heaven, and spread desolation and delusion over an extensive portion of the earth. Adopting from the sublime conception of the Mosaic law, the doctrine of one omnipotent God; he connected indissolubly with it, the audacious falsehood, that he was himself his prophet and apostle.
ââ¦he [Muhammad] declared undistinguishing and exterminating war, as a part of his religion, against all the rest of mankindâ¦The precept of the Koran is, perpetual war against all who deny, that Mahomet is the prophet of God.â
This incredible quote fits al-Qaida types perfectly.
President John Quincy Adams had great insight into a number of threats confronting American such as slavery and 'other' issues. It is a shame he only served one term. A true giant of a man.
Posted by: Mark Espinola ||
09/30/2004 20:09 Comments ||
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From Global Policy Forum, an article by Celine Nahory.
The veto has always loomed over the work of the UN Security Council. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union often brandished their prerogative publicly in Council meetings. Overall, the five permanent members [the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France, and Russia = P5] cast 199 vetoes between 1946 and 1989 - well over four per year - preventing the Council from taking action on many important matters. Since the end of the Cold War, however, the formal use of the veto has diminished dramatically. Between January 1990 and March 2004, the Permanent Five (P5) cast 17 vetoes - only about one per year. In spite of this new appearance of restraint, the P5 continue to pressure the Security Council through a "hidden" veto - the quiet threat of possible veto use. As Ambassador Patricia Durrant of Jamaica put it, "the mere presence of the threat of the veto ⊠determines the way the Council conducts its business."
Permanent members use the hidden veto mainly in closed-door informal consultations, rather than in official open meetings. Since the late 1980s, the Council largely conducts its business in such private sessions. Away from the public and without any record of what has been said, the P5 have more freedom to pressure, threaten, and even bully other members of the Council. By giving private veto warnings before a vote takes place, the P5 can "convince" Council members to shift their position and still persuade the international public of their good intentions.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: MIke Sylwester ||
09/30/2004 12:18:59 AM ||
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Article: Washingtonâs constant threat of vetoes on Security Council actions critical of Israel is a notorious example of this abuse, which generally worsens international crises.
It's kind of funny, then, that Annan is forever bloviating on the issue of Israel, but has not let the issue of Tibet pass his lips. Could it be that China's veto is more equal than the American one? Mike Sylwester, Jihad Unspun and Kofi Annan, perfect together.
#2
The US should draft a UNSC resolution denouncing Israel and then when everybody gets excited to vote on it, veto the damn thing.
Posted by: Laurence of the Rats ||
09/30/2004 11:34 Comments ||
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#3
Re #1 (Zhang Fei) Annan is forever bloviating on the issue of Israel
So, Zhang Fei, is Annan bloviating about Israel because the UN members effectively raise the issue? Or does he bloviate about it in order to raise the issue to the UN members?
And please answer the exact same questions about Tibet.
.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
09/30/2004 15:05 Comments ||
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#4
Let me correct my second set of questions
Is Annan not bloviating about Tibet because the UN members have not effectively raised the issue? Or does he not bloviate about Tibet in order to prevent raising the issue to the UN members?
.
Posted by: Mike Sylwester ||
09/30/2004 15:11 Comments ||
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#5
MS: So, Zhang Fei, is Annan bloviating about Israel because the UN members effectively raise the issue? Or does he bloviate about it in order to raise the issue to the UN members?
MS obviously thinks Annan raises the issue because that is what UN members want. But the Secretary General doesn't *have* to say anything. He just organizes meetings between ambassadors at the UN. His remarks about Israel are gratuitous, but he won't make the same gratuitous remarks about Tibet. Why the double standard? Because Annan doesn't have a problem with the Chinese sticking it to the Tibetans, but has a real problem with Israel trying to prevent its citizens from getting killed by Arab suicide bombers.
HT to drudge
Israel has been quietly lobbying for the launch of a U.S. project to provide advanced conventional submarines to Taiwan. The reason: a Taiwan buy could launch a conventional submarine production line in the United States that would be used by Israel to procure additional subs. "Israel really wants advanced conventional submarines but can't afford to buy them on the open market," a U.S. official said. "With a production line in the United States, Israel could purchase these vessels with U.S. military aid."
The official said he expected pro-Israel lobbyists in Congress to help Taiwan in efforts to win approval for the U.S. sale of advanced conventional submarines, Middle East Newsline reported. After years of delay, Taiwan has requested eight Type-209 submarines as part of a proposed purchase of $18 billion in U.S. platforms and weaponry. Taiwan's legislature was expected to vote on the procurement project in October.
In 2001, the Bush administration agreed to sell Taiwan eight diesel-electric submarines, 12 P-3C Orion anti-surface-warfare aircraft and four Kidd-class destroyers. But Tapei, amid heavy domestic opposition, failed to negotiate contracts with U.S. defense firms for the air and naval platforms.
In the meantime, Taiwan's request has stirred debate in Washington. The request has been opposed by the State Department, but supported by congressional leaders.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/30/2004 3:53:53 PM ||
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didn't know quite whether to post this under Israel or Taiwan or WOT-Tech - ;-)
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/30/2004 15:58 Comments ||
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#2
I'm not sure I like this. If Tiwan falls to China - China would own the subs.
#5
For coastal defense I think that diesel seubs would better suit their needs. I think that the ability to build that type of diesel engine would be good for America as well. I don't think we would lose anything if the PRC gained control of Taiwan. The Kidd class are certainly good ship but not state-of-the-art. I think Verticle launch was back-fitted on that class.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/30/2004 17:00 Comments ||
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#6
What happened to the rest of the British Upholders? They would be perfect for this job.
SH:
The Kidd class got the VLS system? Fill 'em with TLAMs? Don't think they got the radar to handle more than two (four?) missles at a time.
#9
Oooops.. only 4 left anyway. I don't think they're worn out buwaya they're only 10 years old and hey they got they're own LAN! I wonder if it in token ring.
ELF - reg. required
Go fishing. Take a kid fishing. Go out for a seafood dinner. That is the best retaliation for PETA's latest quirky, angler-insulting, ridiculous anti-fishing campaign.
Tenderize a trout with a claw hammer!
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who declared last Saturday "Fish Amnesty Day," are seeking to make every day fish amnesty day and now are urging fishermen to turn in their rods and reels, to hang up their tackle. I can't imagine anyone who enjoys fishing actually surrendering his or her gear to PETA for use in anti-fishing demonstrations. Most fishermen would burn their gear rather than donate it to PETA. As a reminder to outdoorsmen--as if they need it--PETA opposes hunting, fishing and trapping and seeks to eradicate all of those activities. PETA also opposes dog mushing, rodeo and the circus. More recently, PETA seems to have adopted the notion everyone in the world should become vegetarians. The group recently poked fun at actor John Goodman and opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, whom they consider overweight, and demanded they change their eating habits. Now PETA has concluded fish feel pain and are being tortured when caught, even by fishermen who catch and release.
I'm sure they do. If somebody dragged me out of my room using a hook, I'd feel pain, too. But PETA's making the assumption that I care, which doesn't necessarily follow from the mere fact of the critter's pain.
This is just another absurd example of PETA equating a lower species on the food chain with humans. PETA's premise is that all animals are warm and cuddly. The organization even has someone on staff with the title of "Fish Empathy Project Manager."
I wonder if, after sitting and watching her guppies all day, the Fish Empathy Project Manager goes home and eats her young?
"There's nothing sporting about luring defenseless animals to their deaths with the promise of food," Fish Empathy specialist Karin Robertson said in a PETA press release.
It works better if you offer them food. I tried offering them money once, only got two bites all day, and one of 'em didn't pay me back...
Sometimes PETA supporters just make the looniest statements.
Noticed that, did ya? Not much gets by you!
On the group's Web site, Sylvia Earle, described as the former chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is quoted as saying, "I never eat anyone I know personally. I wouldn't eat a grouper any more than I'd eat a cocker spaniel. They're so good-natured, so curious."
"Flounders, on the other hand, they're the hoodlums of the fish world, always skulking around. I'd eat a flounder in a flash! And all my grouper friends would, too!
Grouper?
They're really fun-loving. For fish.
"You know," she said, "fish really are sensitive. They have personalities. They hurt when they're wounded."
They eat their young. They eat each other's young. If one of 'em's wounded, the others will kill him...
How does she know?
Good question. I try not to answer that kind of question, because people who identify with fish frighten me. I'm sensitive that way. Not as sensitive as a grouper, mind you, but pretty sensitive.
PETA has a long way to go to persuade Americans to hang up their fishing tackle. And you thought the LLL couldn't get any loonier.
#5
and some fish are emathize a nice human meal. seriously tho. some fishes are have lots of personality. anyone who is ever own an oscar can atest to that, but thatn exeption not rule. tetras are tend to be stoopid. my oscar i was used to have was always happy to see me and was like me to pet him. purdy cool fish. :)
#9
taking fish out the wild for pets is a "no-no", and is need to be stopped. most fish peples keep for pets are tank raised and are need good homes. just like cats and dogs. im rather see tropcal fishes in em tanks than release in our lakes and streams for wreek havok. me and frank were have debate on that one time.
#10
I used to have a pet largemouth bass. I caught him when he was a fingerling and raised him on goldfish. He lived comfortably in a 50-gallon tank with an Oscar. I eventually put him in a pond, when he was about a foot long, and no doubt somebody else caught him and ate him.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2004 14:46 Comments ||
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#11
I have tropical fish, Mucky - Plecostamus and Cory Cats right now - my largest and oldest Plecostamus died last month - 12 yrs old)
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/30/2004 14:49 Comments ||
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#12
Big ED - Fish Co does have some good fare..puts Red Lobster to shame...
Posted by: Dan ||
09/30/2004 14:50 Comments ||
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#13
You just can't imagine how well this is going to go over in south Louisiana. Does the amnesty include shrimp and crawfish?
Posted by: Matt ||
09/30/2004 15:07 Comments ||
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#14
love plecos. never had em corycats as they are make for bad accidents with larger fish. my pleco was sole survivor in em buttikoferi nightmare im experiense. pet store guy was tell me buttekoferi in purdy non-agresive and im come home from work and find he was kill my oscars and green teror and snakehead.(that was upstate ny. they arent sell em in tx or ca) that was closest im ever come to perform fish euthanashia on pet fish. im put em big channel cat in the tank and he was not screw with that.
#15
In County Donegal up in the northwest part of Ireland there used to be a band called "An Emotional Fish." Always liked the name, heh heh.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
09/30/2004 15:20 Comments ||
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#16
Do these people go around and harass anglers in the field? I take my ex-roomate's kid fishing every now and then, and I just so happen to keep a club in the truck, just in case of problems. Having to deal with a PETA type could qualify as a "problem".
#19
I'm fish-sitting this week while my friend is overseas..."Knit" and "Purl", two of the cutest damn goldfish you ever did see. They have their own castle an' everything...
You have to be able to relate to, and not just look at and feed something. A fish, lizard, or turtle is no different than having nice roses in the garden... Rabbits and rodents only care about who feed them...
I.E. they are bait, or stew food...
Now that everybody hates me... Dogs and cats come to sleep on the bed with us at night...
They are only in trouble if they snore too loud...
Still waiting for the check to clear, while they bring up fresh ammunition...
Posted by: Fred ||
09/30/2004 10:05:55 AM ||
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"Moujahid Dokubo-Asari who heads the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force, said he would meet with President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abuja to press his demands for increased autonomy and control over oil resources by impoverished inhabitants of the Niger Delta. The two sides agreed Wednesday to temporarily halt to the violence.
The militia group threatened on Tuesday to target foreign oil firms and their international workers starting Friday, Nigeria's 44th anniversary of independence from Britain, nudging crude oil prices to the historic peak of over $50 per barrel in global markets."
I wonder if the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force will begin selling stock shares soon?
In all seriousness though, watch out for China and African Oil. Somehow I think they are at the bottom of this.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
09/30/2004 00:26 ||
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I'm not even going to read this. I already am sick of this ghoulish cult of death. It's hard for Americans to understand what we are truly up against with the cave-men, but articles like this help to drive the point home.
#2
The Kwa-Zulu-Natal area of South Africa, does not have the highest HIV prevalence(11.7%), as was previously thought, but rather that The Free State and Gauteng (avg 14.6%)have the highest levels of infection.
By age, the highest level of infection (30+%) is in the 20-35 age group, while the lowest (15%) is < 20.
Seems this is just a ploy to have sex with younger females, where the chance of contracting HIV is the least. The "mini-skirt was the reason" defense just doesn't cut it.
#3
I'd say castration with a rusty butter knife is apt punishment for rape. I guess we're OK, then?
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/30/2004 10:17 Comments ||
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#4
"Swaziland is ruled by sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarch and has one of the highest rates of HIV/Aids in the world."
Barring Columbia, it also has, along with South Africa, which surrounds the small kingdom, the highest murder rate in the world. And the rape rate is right up there as well.
Rape and general abuse of women is appalling in these two countries and, of course, is one of the main reasons for the soaring aids rate.
#5
21c = Anarchic Century. Time to admit that most states today are either failed or failing, and run by kleptocratic, economically incompetent thugs or butchers. Forget North v South, or West v East. The real division is between 30 or so orderly states and about 100 nations mired in varying degrees of chaos.
#6
Frank G, when I last looked there were 65 000 REPORTED yearly rapes in South Africa. (And the number is not a typo).
And of course, with the prevalence of aids it's often a death sentence. The dilemma facing that part of the world is that as the justice system steadily becomes more human-rights oriented and more lenient on criminals (there is no death penalty in South Africa) the brutality and sense of entitlement of the man in the street increases. In the absense of appropriate punishment for rape there will never even be the beginning of a solution to this problem.
#7
*ahem* - I wasn't trying to make light of that. My snarky comment was referring to a deterrent effect. If every convicted rape was accompanied by the genital removal (and probable death from bleeding), there would tend to be a LOT less rapes. There's not much you or I can do about the sorry-ass state of African justice, when Thabo Mbeki and Comrade Bob are held up as paragons...
Posted by: Frank G ||
09/30/2004 10:41 Comments ||
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#8
Perhaps I'm terribly naive ("Perhaps?" you may snort), but is it possible that historically most States were failures by our modern standards? I mean functioning as a source of wealth and power for the few, and with no protection whatsoever for the many?
#9
TW - You're correct. Our degree of ordered freedom is a freak in history. What we're seeing now is the end of end of history silliness.
You should read Robert Kaplan's recent WSJ article about the WOT as a global effort by small, light US forces against jihadist "Apaches" in dozens of anarchic countries from Mali to Mongolia to Malaysia.
#10
I'm not even going to read this. I already am sick of this ghoulish cult of death. It's hard for Americans to understand what we are truly up against with the cave-men, but articles like this help to drive the point home.
Most Swazi are Christians. So I'm not sure *which* ghoulish cult of death you are referring to.
#11
With the Middle Eastern, South Asian and East Asian countries as distant competitors, sub-Saharan Africa holds the crown for entrenched chauvinistic male privilege and its concomitant abuses of women. Between female genital mutilation and institutionalized rape as punishment, the despicable conduct and execrable attitudes held by so many of the men in that region virtually condemn women to a life of suffering.
I have long advocated a policy of making available Norplant long term female contraception to all African women so that they might escape the bondage of perpetual post-pubescent pregnancy. Only when these women have a glimmer of hope to reveive higher education and thereby remain free from dependence upon the institutionalized patriarchal system will they have a chance.
Horrid as it is, especially for women, AIDS is the scourge that will finally sterilize Africa of the infected mentality so many men there cling to for their sense of power. Only when a vast majority of these abusive and philandering males are DEAD will things begin to change.
However starry-eyed it might seem, ascendancy of matriarchal societal structures will most likely bring a greater degree of peace to Africa. It is difficult to imagine women inciting the constant civil wars, genocides and routine mutilating and amputating of noncombatants or prisoners that is so common today.
I have ZERO pity or sympathy for the typical adult African male. The arrogance and cruelty displayed by so many of them needs to be blotted from the face of this earth. AIDS will do this like few other self-perpetuating mechanisms. The only tragedy lies in how many women will be carried along in the riptide of death that shall sweep Africa.
#12
#7 Frank G, I wasn't crossing swords with you, though it might have come across like that. I was just providing more info. I realise we're on the same side here.
#10 Aris, I don't think 2b (or not 2b?) read the headline correctly. It seems he took 'Swazi' to refer to some Muslim group tucked away in the Middle East somewhere and lumped the headline together with other Neanderthal behaviour emanating from the region.
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm getting a severe case of information overload with all the crap that's going down.
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.
