I just finished reading my friend Robert's newest entry and I feel compelled to say a few words, or in this case, type out a mini-discourse. I'm fairly certain that this entry will tend more toward a rant than anything, but, like Robert, I've had it.
I'm tired.
I'm sick of the nonsense.
I'm literally nauseous from the party lines, everytime I see the news I want to kick my TV. I actually watched part of Hannity and Colmes the other night and Sean Hannity wouldn't shut up long enough for the Democrat guest to speak and the liberal columnist filling in for Alan Colmes was so loud that you couldn't hear Ann Coulter, which I think is a first.
Ray Nagin, the man that waited until 24 hours before Katrina hit to start evacuating his city, kept school buses that could've aided the evacuation on closed lots, and then blamed George Bush for the devastation and loss of life, has said that Bush still hasn't done enough. Obviously Clinton didn't think the levees a big problem during his administration, nor did Bush 41, Reagan, Carter, Ford, LBJ, Nixon, etc. Yet, when disaster strikes, it's that pesky conservative (and I use that term loosely) Texan who stole the elections in 2000 and 2004 who is to blame.
And Democrats, please find a new excuse. The whole "They stole the election" thing isn't working anymore. When Bush won in 2000, he stole the election. When he won the '04 campaign, he stole the election. In fact, it's gotten so bad on your side of the aisle that when relative newcomer Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) defeated incumbent Cynthia McKinney for a house seat, she said that he stole the election, and he's in her party. Jeez.....
The problem with every party is something that I aid out in one of my latest posts. Both parties find it more important to stay in power than to accomplish anything with the power they have.
Of course, the voters are really no better off. Let's revisit Mr. Nagin. Like I stated, he essentially shut down the city of New Orleans, thereby causing a higher percentage of damage to human life than necessary, he locked up buses, didn't order timely evacuations and otherwise bungled the entire thing. But we can't blame Nagin, after all, he's a Democrat, and we all know that in times of national crisis or disaster that only Republicans can shoulder any blame. Same thing goes for Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco. But Nagin has a bright glaring moment of ineptitude, and the voters re-elected him. Now I know the liberal answer to that is the President Bush is inept, and maybe that has shown more clearly in term two, but in his first term, what exactly was so hugely inept about him? I ask that inviting honest debate. I don't want to hear that it was Bush's ineptness that caused 9/11 or any of that.
Does anyone else recall after Hurricane Season '05 how the enviro-whackos kept telling us that Global Warming would cause '06 to be an ever worse Hurricane Season? Well, guess what, we've got a Hurricane that may (or may not) actually hit the US. I could be wrong, but this would be the first Hurricane to hit the US this year. One projection has it bearing down on New Orleans, another has it turning north to hit Florida, another has it going straight west to the Texas/Mexico border, and yet another has it stopping of Cuba and fizzling out. Still, this "worst year ever for Hurricanes" is kinda been a letdown. I was expecting to have been stalked and killed by a gang of Hurricanes trying to take over my town.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Is there a dress code in college?
Okay, here we go. All of us, including the fresh-meat, I mean freshmen, and the jaded seniors,
know at least one person who has a) come to class in their pajamas, b) come to class dressed up like they were on a runway in Milan, or c) come to class looking much the disheveled curmudgeon.
The reasoning behind all of these is quite simple to follow. The pajamas are either a truth of the person's sleeping habits or a very sordid attempt at a fashion statement. In fact, the same could likely be said of the person who appears to be in line for the Milan runway.
The disheveled curmudgeon look comes from being in far too many upper level classes while actually attempting to graduate sometime this millennium. Most of the pajama and fashion model people will never attain this look. It's actually reserved in the campus bookstore for the jaded seniors.
The reason for this current edition of "The Right Wing" is currently sitting a mere six feet away from me at this time. A young woman, strangely attractive, dressed in a purple skirt, a white lace long-sleeve shirt, and a pitch black corset, with purple hair. Is she one of Robert's pseudo-goths, or is she only trying new ways of dress? Heck, she could even be druidish and sincerely awaiting the next lunar event, which should be sometime in the nest 6-12 hours.
It got me to thinking: does NGCSU have a dress code? I mean, I'm sure you couldn't wander about nude or anything, but is there actually a written out dress code that we're supposed to be following?
I'm thinking back on my myriad classes today and can remember everyone's favorite jock coming in wearing those horridly disgusting short athletic shorts that leave no room to the imagination and a sweatshirt. Or the girl who rushes into class wearing a short-skirt (once again, no room to the imagination, and we're not complaining), also with the high-heels and low cut shirt (again, no complaints), trying to convince everyone in the room that she's just run up from a photo shoot...
Even the professors are not immune. I noticed one professor rushing down the hall looking as though the latest Wicca meeting had just dismissed while another professor rushed by her like he was running to the beach.
I tell ya', I don't get it.
know at least one person who has a) come to class in their pajamas, b) come to class dressed up like they were on a runway in Milan, or c) come to class looking much the disheveled curmudgeon.
The reasoning behind all of these is quite simple to follow. The pajamas are either a truth of the person's sleeping habits or a very sordid attempt at a fashion statement. In fact, the same could likely be said of the person who appears to be in line for the Milan runway.
The disheveled curmudgeon look comes from being in far too many upper level classes while actually attempting to graduate sometime this millennium. Most of the pajama and fashion model people will never attain this look. It's actually reserved in the campus bookstore for the jaded seniors.
The reason for this current edition of "The Right Wing" is currently sitting a mere six feet away from me at this time. A young woman, strangely attractive, dressed in a purple skirt, a white lace long-sleeve shirt, and a pitch black corset, with purple hair. Is she one of Robert's pseudo-goths, or is she only trying new ways of dress? Heck, she could even be druidish and sincerely awaiting the next lunar event, which should be sometime in the nest 6-12 hours.
It got me to thinking: does NGCSU have a dress code? I mean, I'm sure you couldn't wander about nude or anything, but is there actually a written out dress code that we're supposed to be following?
I'm thinking back on my myriad classes today and can remember everyone's favorite jock coming in wearing those horridly disgusting short athletic shorts that leave no room to the imagination and a sweatshirt. Or the girl who rushes into class wearing a short-skirt (once again, no room to the imagination, and we're not complaining), also with the high-heels and low cut shirt (again, no complaints), trying to convince everyone in the room that she's just run up from a photo shoot...
Even the professors are not immune. I noticed one professor rushing down the hall looking as though the latest Wicca meeting had just dismissed while another professor rushed by her like he was running to the beach.
I tell ya', I don't get it.
Everything You Learned is Wrong
Everything about our solar system, that is. Well, actually, just that tiny part about Pluto being a planet. A group of bookworm eggheads got together and decided that at least 1/9th of your previous knowledge of our general area of space was wrong. Pluto is no longer a planet planet, but is now a drawf planet (or spatially challenged for you PC people).
So I ask you: who do these people think they are? I'd like to have the power to change the status of planets, just to bring that jerkwad Neptune down a notch.
All kidding aside, this is a somewhat major change to the hopes, aspirations, and otherwise harmless daydreams of Calvins, Hobbeses, and young Jason Foxes everywhere (if you missed those references, please revisit your childhood.). Apparently, Pluto's orbit intersects Neptune's, which is a big friggin' astronaumical no-no, or so say the egghead union. As my friend Carl pointed out, though, does Pluto cross Neptune, or does Neptune cross Pluto? Hmmmm.....
So now the Solar System is one less planet than it was 24 hours ago, but we've gained at least one drawf planet, possibly three, and we all know that little people are entertaining.
THE USEFULNESS OF POLITICIANS
So here I sit, in the Cyber Cafe' at scenic North Georgia College and State University, where, on matter where you are no campus, everything is uphill from you, discussing random things such as class schedules, politics, and previously posted blogs, when Carl and I delve into the realm known as:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
THE USEFULNESS OF POLITICIANS
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
SOCIAL SECURITY
The federal government has done a spectacular job at making the masses believe in Social Security as the be-all-end-all gift that keeps on giving fun for the whole family russian doll money tree bottomless piggy bank like Scrooge McDuck's money vault from Duck Tales.
There are actually people in my age group (18-35) who believe in Social Security as a force for good and that they will actually get something in return, when, of course, our only return will be in the form of a US Issue Government IOU.
After Social Security stops vomiting our hard-earned dollars up to senior citizens, it will become readily apparent to most that Social Security is a problem. The government answer to this problem should be to allow people a way out of Social Security and into their own private retirment funds. The real answer is to merely raise the retirment age, thus forcing you to put more money over a longer period of time into the system.
PUBLIC SCHOOL
The rallying point of both sides of the aisle. Public schools are failing nation wide. Kennedy and his ilk say that paying teachers a higher salary would improve the problem (which, in and of itself, shows you the problem with the teachers union ("If we don't get paid higher, we'll stop teaching your kids and giving them a proper education")) Public Schools are the government money pit. They throw more and more money at a problem that continues to get worse. So the government answer: Let's not raise standards for teachers, let's lower standards for the students. Remember, the path of least resistance. It's easier to bring the top down to meet the bottom than to raise the bottom to meet the top.
Those are just a few points. I'll readily admit that I'm highly critical of the liberal mindset, especially in the commercial sense of liberalism, or the Clintonian model, which is actually borderline socialism.
Keep your eyes open and your mind open, because both sides of the aisle will suck you into the black hole of modern politics, where it's more important to stay in power, than to actually accomplish anything with your power.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
THE USEFULNESS OF POLITICIANS
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
SOCIAL SECURITY
The federal government has done a spectacular job at making the masses believe in Social Security as the be-all-end-all gift that keeps on giving fun for the whole family russian doll money tree bottomless piggy bank like Scrooge McDuck's money vault from Duck Tales.
There are actually people in my age group (18-35) who believe in Social Security as a force for good and that they will actually get something in return, when, of course, our only return will be in the form of a US Issue Government IOU.
After Social Security stops vomiting our hard-earned dollars up to senior citizens, it will become readily apparent to most that Social Security is a problem. The government answer to this problem should be to allow people a way out of Social Security and into their own private retirment funds. The real answer is to merely raise the retirment age, thus forcing you to put more money over a longer period of time into the system.
PUBLIC SCHOOL
The rallying point of both sides of the aisle. Public schools are failing nation wide. Kennedy and his ilk say that paying teachers a higher salary would improve the problem (which, in and of itself, shows you the problem with the teachers union ("If we don't get paid higher, we'll stop teaching your kids and giving them a proper education")) Public Schools are the government money pit. They throw more and more money at a problem that continues to get worse. So the government answer: Let's not raise standards for teachers, let's lower standards for the students. Remember, the path of least resistance. It's easier to bring the top down to meet the bottom than to raise the bottom to meet the top.
Those are just a few points. I'll readily admit that I'm highly critical of the liberal mindset, especially in the commercial sense of liberalism, or the Clintonian model, which is actually borderline socialism.
Keep your eyes open and your mind open, because both sides of the aisle will suck you into the black hole of modern politics, where it's more important to stay in power, than to actually accomplish anything with your power.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
They did what?!?!?
Okay, so it isn't over yet, but Sci-Fi Channel has announced that Stargate SG-1 will not be renewed for a record-breaking eleventh season.
For those of you not familiar with SG-1, you've missed out on so much.
The movie brought fans into the universe of the Gate in 1994, but the movie and the series differ so much the most fans prefer one over the other. Kurt Russell played Col. "Jack" O'Neil in the movie, and was about as stiff an actor as a 2"x4". James Spader played Dr. Daniel Jackson in the movie.
When the series came about in 1997, Showtime decided to go a different route. They brought in Michael Shanks to play Daniel Jackson and contracted Richard Dean Anderson to play O'Neill (now spelled with two "l"s). Over the years the series has taken subtle jabs at the movie. In one episode, O'Neill is speaking to a reporter and says "Remember, O'Neill, with two "l"s. There's another O'Neil who spells his name with only one "l," he has no sense of humor."
In the pilot epsiode, Major Dr. Samantha Carter says, upon finding the Dial Home Device (DHD), "it took us three years to McGuyver a rig like this for the gate on Earth." which brings a smile to Richard Dean Anderson's face.
After season 5, the show shifted from Showtime to Sci-Fi, closing out the Showtime run with the "death" of Daniel Jackson, and the (then) ultimate enemy, Anubis, looming on the horizon. Daniel returned in Season 7. Anderson left after season 8, prompting the show to bring in Ben Browder and Claudia Black (Farscape) as two of the new members of SG-1.
Has the show lost a bit of its original touch? Yes, but what show hasn't. It's sad that, with the imminent invasion of the newest baddie, the Ori, Sci-Fi has decided the show no longer worthy of it's Friday night lineup.
SG-1, you have a go.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Updating, Downsizing, Right-of-Center, Left-Leaning
Updating (in which you, the reader, are, well, updated):
a. Well, my trip is planned. I'm leaving next June for an 8-day cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver, and then staying an extra day in Vancouver. I'm psyched, but I'm also in a sudden rush to make sure everything is in order. I've got to get my passport, I've got to save money for the next 10 months, which means I'll only get to eat 1 meal a day from October to April.
b. The most worrying part of this excursion is the very real possibility that air travel will remain mucked up because of the mad mullahs who can't stop blowing themselves up and killing innocents in the name of Allah and the peaceful religion of Islam.
Downsizing (in which I try to break it down for you):
a. I've copied this from http://www.drudgereport.com/ , "88-year-old CBS journalist Mike Wallace says Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a 'reasonable' man on Sean Hannity's ABC radio program... Points out Ahmadinejad not anti-Jewish... just anti-Zionist state. Says many Jews in Iranian Parliament, in great positions in Iranian life... Believes Ahmadinejad sincere in his hope for peaceful coexistence between Iran and West... Troubled by comparisons of leader to Hitler... Marvels at Ahmadinejad's civil engineering degree, 'intellect', 'savvy'... Asks viewers not to bring 'prejudices' to Sunday night '60 MINUTES' broadcast..." Okay, that's a little troubling. I'll admit, I have not fully verified this myself, I leave that to you (yes, it's basically homework). Ahmadinejad has said that Israel must be eliminated. He's questioned whether the Holocaust ever actually happened. He's pointed to August 22nd as a day of "fire and terror from Heaven." He's said Israel's destruction is the only key to peace in the Middle East... and Mike Wallace calls him reasonable. Not anti-Jewish, just anti-Zionist state. You have to realize that in Islam, a caliphate is the most reasonable state of government. Non-Muslims would be subject harsh oppression. There would be no such thing as a Muslim raping a Jew of Christian, but if a Jew or Christian so much as struck in Muslim in defense, it would be considered a crime punishable by death. Ahmadinejad is sincere in his hope for peaceful coexistence between the West and Iran... yeah, and pigs are flying out of O'Hare today. How can anyone believe he wished for peaceful coexistence when he denies and outright disobeys the vaunted GLOBAL COMMUNITY at every turn?
b. The terrorist plot foiled by the Brits, the US, and Pakistan is a great event. Word leaked over the last 24 hours that President Bush was briefed on the plot over a week ago, and I've already some some of my left-leaning friends questioning why we waited so long in moving against the potential attackers. The reason is simple. If we had moved the moment the intel came through, a big portion of the terrorist would've disappeared and we'd never have captured them. Still, great achievement. I'm happy to see the sharing of intel actually working.
Right-of-Center (a couple of quotes from conservatives or Libertarians):
a. "This nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation." - President George W. Bush
b. "Yesterday morning, hundreds of lives-- maybe thousands -- were saved, many of them innocent American lives. It should be a time of great relief....of gratitude toward the British government for foiling the plot along with anybody else who contributed." - Neal Boortz
c. "I grew up in New York and used to drive by the building all the time. It represented a much larger world for me. [But I came to see an] unbelievably yawning chasm between the ideals of [the U.N.'s] charter and how it operated in reality. When you see its lack of effectiveness with genocides, and its corruption ... it's not simply that they were ineffective, it's that in many cases they were abetting the injustices." - Actor Ron Silver, on the UN
Left-Leaning (quotes from Democrats and Liberals):
a. "This latest plot demonstrates the need for the Bush administration and the Congress to change course in Iraq and ensure that we are taking all the steps necessary to protect Americans at home and across the world." - Harry Reid
b. "We believe this is an ill-advised term and we believe that it is counter-productive to associate Islam or Muslims with fascism..." - CAIR (Council for American Islamic Relations), in regards to President Bush's quote (listed previously).
c. "When I go to the airport and they try to take my MAC Plushglass away from me, it's going to be World War III!" - Comedienne Sandra Bernhardt
d. "Well, I wanted to open a window towards the light for the president so that he can see that one can look on the world through a different perspective. … We are all free to choose. But please give him this message, sir: Those who refuse to accept an invitation will not have a good ending or fate. You see that his approval rating is dropping every day. Hatred vis-à-vis the president is increasing every day around the world. For a ruler, this is the worst message that he could receive. Rulers and heads of government at the end of their office must leave the office holding their heads high." - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
e. "Well, please look at the makeup of the American administration, the behavior of the American administration. See how they talk down to my nation." - Ahmadinejad
f. "We have worked a lot, especially on two points, the force to deploy and the withdrawal of the Israeli forces. We want to succeed and we must now check with the parties." - French UN Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere (on the biggest mistake the UN had made in a long time).
a. Well, my trip is planned. I'm leaving next June for an 8-day cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver, and then staying an extra day in Vancouver. I'm psyched, but I'm also in a sudden rush to make sure everything is in order. I've got to get my passport, I've got to save money for the next 10 months, which means I'll only get to eat 1 meal a day from October to April.
b. The most worrying part of this excursion is the very real possibility that air travel will remain mucked up because of the mad mullahs who can't stop blowing themselves up and killing innocents in the name of Allah and the peaceful religion of Islam.
Downsizing (in which I try to break it down for you):
a. I've copied this from http://www.drudgereport.com/ , "88-year-old CBS journalist Mike Wallace says Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a 'reasonable' man on Sean Hannity's ABC radio program... Points out Ahmadinejad not anti-Jewish... just anti-Zionist state. Says many Jews in Iranian Parliament, in great positions in Iranian life... Believes Ahmadinejad sincere in his hope for peaceful coexistence between Iran and West... Troubled by comparisons of leader to Hitler... Marvels at Ahmadinejad's civil engineering degree, 'intellect', 'savvy'... Asks viewers not to bring 'prejudices' to Sunday night '60 MINUTES' broadcast..." Okay, that's a little troubling. I'll admit, I have not fully verified this myself, I leave that to you (yes, it's basically homework). Ahmadinejad has said that Israel must be eliminated. He's questioned whether the Holocaust ever actually happened. He's pointed to August 22nd as a day of "fire and terror from Heaven." He's said Israel's destruction is the only key to peace in the Middle East... and Mike Wallace calls him reasonable. Not anti-Jewish, just anti-Zionist state. You have to realize that in Islam, a caliphate is the most reasonable state of government. Non-Muslims would be subject harsh oppression. There would be no such thing as a Muslim raping a Jew of Christian, but if a Jew or Christian so much as struck in Muslim in defense, it would be considered a crime punishable by death. Ahmadinejad is sincere in his hope for peaceful coexistence between the West and Iran... yeah, and pigs are flying out of O'Hare today. How can anyone believe he wished for peaceful coexistence when he denies and outright disobeys the vaunted GLOBAL COMMUNITY at every turn?
b. The terrorist plot foiled by the Brits, the US, and Pakistan is a great event. Word leaked over the last 24 hours that President Bush was briefed on the plot over a week ago, and I've already some some of my left-leaning friends questioning why we waited so long in moving against the potential attackers. The reason is simple. If we had moved the moment the intel came through, a big portion of the terrorist would've disappeared and we'd never have captured them. Still, great achievement. I'm happy to see the sharing of intel actually working.
Right-of-Center (a couple of quotes from conservatives or Libertarians):
a. "This nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation." - President George W. Bush
b. "Yesterday morning, hundreds of lives-- maybe thousands -- were saved, many of them innocent American lives. It should be a time of great relief....of gratitude toward the British government for foiling the plot along with anybody else who contributed." - Neal Boortz
c. "I grew up in New York and used to drive by the building all the time. It represented a much larger world for me. [But I came to see an] unbelievably yawning chasm between the ideals of [the U.N.'s] charter and how it operated in reality. When you see its lack of effectiveness with genocides, and its corruption ... it's not simply that they were ineffective, it's that in many cases they were abetting the injustices." - Actor Ron Silver, on the UN
Left-Leaning (quotes from Democrats and Liberals):
a. "This latest plot demonstrates the need for the Bush administration and the Congress to change course in Iraq and ensure that we are taking all the steps necessary to protect Americans at home and across the world." - Harry Reid
b. "We believe this is an ill-advised term and we believe that it is counter-productive to associate Islam or Muslims with fascism..." - CAIR (Council for American Islamic Relations), in regards to President Bush's quote (listed previously).
c. "When I go to the airport and they try to take my MAC Plushglass away from me, it's going to be World War III!" - Comedienne Sandra Bernhardt
d. "Well, I wanted to open a window towards the light for the president so that he can see that one can look on the world through a different perspective. … We are all free to choose. But please give him this message, sir: Those who refuse to accept an invitation will not have a good ending or fate. You see that his approval rating is dropping every day. Hatred vis-à-vis the president is increasing every day around the world. For a ruler, this is the worst message that he could receive. Rulers and heads of government at the end of their office must leave the office holding their heads high." - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
e. "Well, please look at the makeup of the American administration, the behavior of the American administration. See how they talk down to my nation." - Ahmadinejad
f. "We have worked a lot, especially on two points, the force to deploy and the withdrawal of the Israeli forces. We want to succeed and we must now check with the parties." - French UN Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere (on the biggest mistake the UN had made in a long time).
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Random Points & Short Rants II
1. The Middle East
a. The UN is now pushing for a resolution to halt the fighting in Lebanon. This is a mistake. But, then again, the world has always sought the easy way out when dealing with terrorist groups. A UN resolution at this time will only allow Hezbollah the time it needs to regroup and rearm. We live in sad times when the world is quicker to condemn Israel and give Hezollah a pass. Israel is condemned for killing civilians, yet no mention is made about how Hezbollah fighters are hiding amongst the civilians, using women and children as living shields. I've heard lately that Syria wants Israel investigated for war crimes because of the civilian deaths, all while Hezbollah continues to launch rockets into Haifa, Kiryat Shmona, and inching ever closer to Tel Aviv.
b. Iran is really helping the Islamic cause. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that the only way peace can come to the Middle East is if Israel is wiped out. This statement, of course, is nothing new from the radical Muslims (please note that I say radical Muslims, I'm sure that there is a greater number of Muslims who have nothing to do with killing non-believers, strapping bombs to themselves and blowing up marketplaces, or otherwise butchering history (note the destroyed Buddha statues in Afghanistan), but the fact remains that the non-violent Muslims are keeping relatively quiet when compared to their "blow-em-up" brethren) but it does nothing but incite further hatred of Israel in the region.
c. If that offends you, too bad, I'm not taking it back.
2. Domestic Issues
a. Minimum wage. I've had a slight argument with a friend of mine over minimum wage and I stand by my point that I'm glad Congress did not raise the minimum wage. This has nothing to do with poverty. I don't think the government should have any interaction with a person's personal finances. Minimum wage drives up the cost of products. Of course, the liberal answer to this is that government can change the price of products back to it's original cost, but that only hurts the business. I welcome debate on this topic.
b. The ACLU is back at it. A parish in Louisiana is using private donations to build a monument on private property. The monument would contain a cross, but the ACLU says that the monument is unconstitutional becasue most of the people who have donated money work for the local governments and the monument is therefore a state endorsed object. You have to remember with the ACLU "Don't kill anyone" is okay. "Thou shalt not kill" is unconstitutional.
I know, a little shorter than last time, but it's all I have time for.
a. The UN is now pushing for a resolution to halt the fighting in Lebanon. This is a mistake. But, then again, the world has always sought the easy way out when dealing with terrorist groups. A UN resolution at this time will only allow Hezbollah the time it needs to regroup and rearm. We live in sad times when the world is quicker to condemn Israel and give Hezollah a pass. Israel is condemned for killing civilians, yet no mention is made about how Hezbollah fighters are hiding amongst the civilians, using women and children as living shields. I've heard lately that Syria wants Israel investigated for war crimes because of the civilian deaths, all while Hezbollah continues to launch rockets into Haifa, Kiryat Shmona, and inching ever closer to Tel Aviv.
b. Iran is really helping the Islamic cause. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that the only way peace can come to the Middle East is if Israel is wiped out. This statement, of course, is nothing new from the radical Muslims (please note that I say radical Muslims, I'm sure that there is a greater number of Muslims who have nothing to do with killing non-believers, strapping bombs to themselves and blowing up marketplaces, or otherwise butchering history (note the destroyed Buddha statues in Afghanistan), but the fact remains that the non-violent Muslims are keeping relatively quiet when compared to their "blow-em-up" brethren) but it does nothing but incite further hatred of Israel in the region.
c. If that offends you, too bad, I'm not taking it back.
2. Domestic Issues
a. Minimum wage. I've had a slight argument with a friend of mine over minimum wage and I stand by my point that I'm glad Congress did not raise the minimum wage. This has nothing to do with poverty. I don't think the government should have any interaction with a person's personal finances. Minimum wage drives up the cost of products. Of course, the liberal answer to this is that government can change the price of products back to it's original cost, but that only hurts the business. I welcome debate on this topic.
b. The ACLU is back at it. A parish in Louisiana is using private donations to build a monument on private property. The monument would contain a cross, but the ACLU says that the monument is unconstitutional becasue most of the people who have donated money work for the local governments and the monument is therefore a state endorsed object. You have to remember with the ACLU "Don't kill anyone" is okay. "Thou shalt not kill" is unconstitutional.
I know, a little shorter than last time, but it's all I have time for.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Random Points & Short Rants
1. Global Warming
a. I'm tired of hearing reporters tell me that this is the hottest year ever. Do we really have temperature data from over 2500 years ago?
b. The sun is hotter, therefore the earth is hotter... or does that make too much sense?
c. The ice caps are melting, it must be man's fault (or George Bush's fault, depending on which news you subscribe to). But the ice caps on Mars are melting, is man (or GWB) responsible for that?
d. A long time ago, the government and a group of scientists decided on where to put thermometers that would be used to track temperature data. In the years since, cities have been built around those thermometers, thuse changing the environment in which those thermometers exist, yet the eco-radicals will tell you that the thermometer data should be treated exactly the same. For you math majors, that's like saying 2+2=4, but then I could rewrite the problem to read 2(2+2)=? and still expect your answer to be 4. See my point...?
e. Global warming will actually lead to cooler temperatures. How? With warming, you have accelerated evaporation, thus more water vapor in the air, thus more clouds, meaning a greater regulation of surface temperature in relation to the amount of sunlight filtered through.
2. Iraq and the Middle East
a. I'd like to congratulate the liberals, socialists, and left-leaning Republicans who have so successfully demonized President Bush for Iraq. Bush was following intelligence provided by George Tenet, then head of the CIA. Tenet said Saddam had WMDs. Bush sent in the troops. No active WMDs were found, Bush is the bad guy. But if Tenet had said that Saddam had WMDs, and Bush neglected to send in the troops, and Saddam actually had active WMDs, then Bush is once again the bad guy. So, congratulations for making this a lose-lose situation for the President.
b. I say "active" WMDs because no "active" WMDs have been found. However, the parts for "active" WMDs have been found, and multiple weapons that Saddam claimed to have destroyed have been found. Once again, it's all in the news you subscribe to. (And special recognition of the UN inspectors for a job well done)(please note that the last comment was drenched in sarcasm).
c. To the "we should negotiate" crowd I have two words: Shut up! We tried negotiating. We tried UN resolutions. If 14 years of failed negotiations and resolutions aren't enough, then you are hopelessly lost.
d. Thank God Israel is fighting back.
e. Does anyone else find it funny(not in the ha-ha way) that Hezbollah launches thousands of rockets into northern Israel, and then claims that Israel is committing war crimes?
f. Back to the UN for a second. The UN is a worthless body, I hope you see that. A friend once told me that the reason I dislike the UN is because the US has to be equal with everyone. This is wrong. I dislike the UN because they are inept. The UN was prepared to let Libya chair the Human Rights Council, and it was going to allow Iraq and Iran to co-chair the Weapons Council. There's an organization with the best interest of the world at heart. (again, sarcasm)
3. Domestic Issues
a. Thank God the increase to minimum wage failed. Anyone trying to raise a family on minimum wage is foolish. I know, the truth hurts, but it's still the truth.
b. I hear that the Fair Tax is drawing more attention in Congress. This is good. Three metro Atlanta counties had it on the primary ballots (it was only on the Republican ballot, make of that what you will) but in all three counties it passed 85% to 15%. Go Fair Tax!
c. So the Democrats have turned their backs on Joe Liebermann. It should be recognized that, for the past few years he has been one of the few voices of reason on the left, a Democrat that I would actually consider voting for, and yet Democrats are turning away. This only emphasizes the point that the left has been hi-jacked by Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, Michael Moore, and a bunch of celebrities who somehow know more than everyone else.
And that's it, my rant is at an end.
a. I'm tired of hearing reporters tell me that this is the hottest year ever. Do we really have temperature data from over 2500 years ago?
b. The sun is hotter, therefore the earth is hotter... or does that make too much sense?
c. The ice caps are melting, it must be man's fault (or George Bush's fault, depending on which news you subscribe to). But the ice caps on Mars are melting, is man (or GWB) responsible for that?
d. A long time ago, the government and a group of scientists decided on where to put thermometers that would be used to track temperature data. In the years since, cities have been built around those thermometers, thuse changing the environment in which those thermometers exist, yet the eco-radicals will tell you that the thermometer data should be treated exactly the same. For you math majors, that's like saying 2+2=4, but then I could rewrite the problem to read 2(2+2)=? and still expect your answer to be 4. See my point...?
e. Global warming will actually lead to cooler temperatures. How? With warming, you have accelerated evaporation, thus more water vapor in the air, thus more clouds, meaning a greater regulation of surface temperature in relation to the amount of sunlight filtered through.
2. Iraq and the Middle East
a. I'd like to congratulate the liberals, socialists, and left-leaning Republicans who have so successfully demonized President Bush for Iraq. Bush was following intelligence provided by George Tenet, then head of the CIA. Tenet said Saddam had WMDs. Bush sent in the troops. No active WMDs were found, Bush is the bad guy. But if Tenet had said that Saddam had WMDs, and Bush neglected to send in the troops, and Saddam actually had active WMDs, then Bush is once again the bad guy. So, congratulations for making this a lose-lose situation for the President.
b. I say "active" WMDs because no "active" WMDs have been found. However, the parts for "active" WMDs have been found, and multiple weapons that Saddam claimed to have destroyed have been found. Once again, it's all in the news you subscribe to. (And special recognition of the UN inspectors for a job well done)(please note that the last comment was drenched in sarcasm).
c. To the "we should negotiate" crowd I have two words: Shut up! We tried negotiating. We tried UN resolutions. If 14 years of failed negotiations and resolutions aren't enough, then you are hopelessly lost.
d. Thank God Israel is fighting back.
e. Does anyone else find it funny(not in the ha-ha way) that Hezbollah launches thousands of rockets into northern Israel, and then claims that Israel is committing war crimes?
f. Back to the UN for a second. The UN is a worthless body, I hope you see that. A friend once told me that the reason I dislike the UN is because the US has to be equal with everyone. This is wrong. I dislike the UN because they are inept. The UN was prepared to let Libya chair the Human Rights Council, and it was going to allow Iraq and Iran to co-chair the Weapons Council. There's an organization with the best interest of the world at heart. (again, sarcasm)
3. Domestic Issues
a. Thank God the increase to minimum wage failed. Anyone trying to raise a family on minimum wage is foolish. I know, the truth hurts, but it's still the truth.
b. I hear that the Fair Tax is drawing more attention in Congress. This is good. Three metro Atlanta counties had it on the primary ballots (it was only on the Republican ballot, make of that what you will) but in all three counties it passed 85% to 15%. Go Fair Tax!
c. So the Democrats have turned their backs on Joe Liebermann. It should be recognized that, for the past few years he has been one of the few voices of reason on the left, a Democrat that I would actually consider voting for, and yet Democrats are turning away. This only emphasizes the point that the left has been hi-jacked by Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, Michael Moore, and a bunch of celebrities who somehow know more than everyone else.
And that's it, my rant is at an end.
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