Begin With Remembrance

With apologies for the lateness of the post, I offer a moment of silent remberance and honor to the soldiers, and their families, who died in the Beirut Embassy bombing on October 23, 1983. You can find the roster at Castle Argghhh. Along with the Castle denizons, we Dance In Memoriam.

In other news, there were really only two things that caught my attention. The first involves a major election issue: illegal immigration. The Dallas Morning News had this to report about Mexican Drug Cartel Tactics and the Zetas. The SF Chronicle says it's a turf war for control of smuggling routes into the US, among other things. These and several articles I found either say outright, or at the very least strongly imply, that the cartels are picking up Islamist insurgent/terrorist tactics. Given that Hugo Chavez is letting Hezbollah set up shop in Venezuela, I guess that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Given the scope of illegal immigration, and the probable ramifications of it, why do so many people think it isn't a serious problem? I do not understand them. For voters in California, it's been illegal to require voter ID for years. But, in 2000, Clinton and the Democratic Party were even reported to have sent out an unofficial voter id card--especially by Latinos! Recently, the state tried to put some voter registration requirements in place, and the Federal Courts knocked it down. (...admittedly, there were issues and problems...but they could have been worked out, I'm sure...) I even understand some of this type of no-ID voter legislation is begin touted for other states by the Democrats. All that begs a question: what stops illegal immigrants and non-citizens from voting and possibly "throwing" the elections? I've wondered about the stability of some folks that say the Dems are trying to fix it so they always win--by not being able to verify anything about the vote except the ballot. (...I love the the story lines of conspiracy theories. I don't believe most of them. But, they make a great story!...) But, laws like this...well...

And then there was this unsettling report on airport security in Europe. Check out this report from The Copenhagen Post. And the worst part?

Police acknowledged that the woman should have been checked more thoroughly, but said the incident will not lead to any procedural changes for airport security.

(...Well, I certainly feel safer. Don’t you? Maybe I’m just being over pessimistic, but can anyone say…Lockerbie?...)

By-Bye Hitch!

Everyone in Dallas was wondering how long Hitchcock was going to last in Philly. The report of his firing actually came out yesterday. But, working nights, I tend to be about 12 hours behind on some stuff. It stinks.

Anyway, according to this article at ESPN, the Flyers players were saying the same thing the guys in Dallas were saying when HItch left here: "We tuned him out." (...what a surprise...) The general consensus is "GOOD!" It wll be interesting to see if Stevens works out in Philly like Tippet has in Dallas. So far, Tippet is doing OK for the Stars. I actually like him. But, personally, I'm wondering how long he'll really be around if he doesn't solve the playoff issues of the last couple of years.

Meanwhile, back in Philly, it seems Bobby Clarke decided he's had enough, too. I really liked this quote in the article:

"I am tired and decisions had to be made and I was not willing to make them. I was letting other people make the decisions."

(...Don't you wish you could use that to get out of your job...)

In The News

Given my recent series of posts on election thoughts and issues, I found some news items today that gave me pause. Maybe they will give you some, too.

I thought this was interesting. It’s some historical perspective on warfare from the Boston Globe. We should remember stuff like this when we ask the question of “if we knew then what we know now, would have…?”

The Times finally apologized for their story on secret intelligence gathering. It seems they are also admitting there was nothing done wrong in the first place, as well. Here’s a good breakdown—including the original article links--from the Captain's Quarters. And, for those still wondering about CNN and their sniper video broadcast, here is a reminder of how CNN works.

The BBC has revealed its ugly biased face for all to see. You should read the whole article for yourself. Personally, I thought this part summed it up pretty well.

In one of a series of discussions, executives were asked to rule on how they would react if the controversial comedian Sacha Baron Cohen ) known for his offensive characters Ali G and Borat - was a guest on the programme Room 101.

On the show, celebrities are invited to throw their pet hates into a dustbin and it was imagined that Baron Cohen chose some kosher food, the Archbishop of Canterbury, a Bible and the Koran.

Nearly everyone at the summit, including the show's actual producer and the BBC's head of drama, Alan Yentob, agreed they could all be thrown into the bin, except the Koran for fear of offending Muslims.

It’s pretty obvious that fear runs the media. It would be nice if they would stand against the violence and false peace of Islam the way they stand against Christianity.

And, that same fear has resulted in some serious problems for France. Everyone made apologies for the violent riots of Muslims last year. Well, the problem is they enver stopped. And, now, the true Peace Of Islam is revealing it’s face in France to the tune of 112 cars a day being burned.

The figures are stark. An average of 112 cars a day have been torched across France so far this year and there have been 15 attacks a day on police and emergency services. Nearly 3,000 police officers have been injured in clashes this year. Officers have been badly injured in four ambushes in the Paris outskirts since September. Some police talk of open war with youths who are bent on more than vandalism.

“The thing that has changed over the past month is that they now want to kill us,” said Bruno Beschizza, the leader of Synergie, a union to which 40 per cent of officers belong. Action Police, a hardline union, said: “We are in a civil war, orchestrated by radical Islamists.”

Car-burning has become so routine on the estates that it has been eclipsed in news coverage by the violence against police. Sebastian Roche, a sociologist who has published a book on the riots, said that torching a vehicle had become a standard amusement. “There is an apprenticeship of destruction. Kids learn where the petrol tank is, how to make a petrol bomb,” he told The Times.

Meanwhile, a former Clinton appointee to the Pentagon…and a current Democratic staffer…seems to have deliberately violated the rules of secret documents. It seems an aide to Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif), Larry Hanauer, is being portrayed as both a victim and a villain by the Dems. Although, it is interesting to note that:

An aide to Harman said Hanauer remained on the committee payroll, working outside the main committee offices on unclassified matters.

A pretty good breakdown can be found at The American Thinker. Rep. Harman, it seems, is rather furious that her aide’s name was given in the press. Does she (…or the rest of the Dems, for that matter...) get that upset about Republicans and their staffers who get the same treatment?

Just some thoughts...

Governmentium

This showed up in my e-mail box the other day. It’s probably been going around for a while. But, I thought it was amusing enough to post and share.


NEWSFLASH
A major research institution has recently announced the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element has been named "Governmentium."

Governmentium has 1 neutron, 12 assistant neutrons, 75 deputy neutrons, and 11 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312. These particles are held together by forces called Morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of Lepton-like particles called peons.

Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be detected, as it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A minute amount of Governmentium causes 1 reaction to take over 4 days to complete, when it would normally take less than a second.

Governmentium has a normal 1/2-life of 4 years; it does not decay, but instead
undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become Neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron-promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "Critical Morass!"

When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium--an element which radiates just as much energy, since it has 1/2 as many peons but twice as many morons.

Election Thoughts Part 2

Election Thoughts Part 1

I’ll get to more of my thoughts on election issues shortly. First, I wanted to pass on some information about leading Democrats in Congress and their stands and agendas. Some of it is rather frightening to me. Personally, I’m not into living in a more or less socialist state. I can also see the taxation rate going through the roof.

In a related vein, another interesting article was this one on how things have change in the last 40 years. I actually agree with the assessment that the rich have become richer (…can anyone seriously deny it?). The inequality of wealth in this country is staggering. At the same time, how do you limit how much someone can make, or legislate humanitarianism, without discouraging creativity and ingenuity? And, no, I don’t honestly have an answer.

Well...anyway...back to my election issue thoughts…

Fourth Issue: Ethics Reform.
Who do we think we’re kidding? Neither the Republicans or the Democrats really seem to want ethics reform. Do you expect me to believe that events like DeLay are only on the Republican side of things? Or that Congressman Jefferson is the only one who needs to be arrested for illegal activity? I’ll need some serious proof. Or how about the ones on both sides that avoid responding to legal demands for documents? Scream all you want about Bush, but Clinton did it, too. So has every President for the last several administrations. And, what was the left wing uproar about Jefferson anyway? All the laws about investigation and arrest were followed (so far as I know). He didn’t get a raw deal. And, please don’t give me any grief about Foley. If we were really going to be honest about it, there would be a campaign to make people aware there has always been a problem of homosexuals, in particular, going after young boys. Foley isn’t the only one…He’s just being used as a weapon of opportunity.(Personally…I think Clinton, Bush, DeLay, Jefferson, Foley and all those like them need to be nailed for what they have done wrong—whether personal pursuit of wealth or glory, or some other illegal activity to get their personal way.) You want me to buy into ethics reform? Make all the laws that currently exist apply to those in government just like they do to me. That would make a good starting point.

Fifth Issue: Iraq.
I’ve posted my comments on that before. Go read this to find out what I think about Iraq. Then, you’ll know what I think this election needs to focus on in that conflict. (Yup...you got it...that’s another HINT for our Congressmen and President to avoid knee jerk reactions...and to the rest of us people to quit screaming for something RIGHT NOW!)

Sixth Issue: Economy.
Blame Bush and his administration all you want for the economic slide the US has been in. The truth is the economy started to slide two years before Clinton left office. That doesn’t really speak well of Clinton’s economic policies. (...although, I think he did a good job of managing the surplus.) And then, of course, 911 accelerated the slide. I freely admit that Iraq and Afghanistan haven’t helped in any way shape or form. I do, however, find it interesting that the recent CBO numbers show a declining deficit. Makes it tough to say Bush’s economic policies don’t work. (...FYI...This thought carries over into my next post...so stay tuned...)

Election Thoughts Part 3

Election Thoughts Part 1

With elections coming up, I thought I put out my two cents worth of opinion. The issues I discuss are not in any particular order—it’s just the order they came to mind as I put my thoughts to the keyboard. This will probably go out in two or three installments…so, check back regularly!

(Yeah…I am going to show some of my conservative side. So, be prepared.)

First issue: Government Power.
Everyone wants the Federal courts to decide issues that involve personal or local problems. The original intent was for the states to decide for themselves. The more things we demand the Federal government take action on, the more we are giving power to it. While the Feds were not supposed limit the bearing of arms or religious expression or free of speech or whatever, the states have repeatedly refused to make a decision—or enough people didn’t like it—and gave the Feds the right to set the limits. Want to know what I think limits the expansion of the Federal government? WE THE PEOPLE making decisions for ourselves by learning to talk to each other and really listen to what others are saying. My biggest gripe with both the political right and the political left: neither one listens to what true statements the other makes. Worse, neither side acts on those truths. IF we as a nation can solve that issue, we will go a long way towards what the founders originally intended.

Second Issue: Abortion.
Yup. I believe abortion is wrong. Anyone who has read the stuff I’ve posted about myself (see here and here) knows I was not always a Christian, nor are my parents. So, I will tell a secret here. I have never really been in favor of abortion. Want to know why? (No? Too bad…I’m going to tell you anyway) I’ve actually got a list of reasons. The first is basic science, and I quote myself in block:

A fetus (Yes, I prefer the word baby…but I’ll be nice here) is a living organism. An abortion kills that organism. The DNA of something decides what it is (not the shape, developmental stage or anything else). The DNA of a fetus in a woman’s womb is decidedly human. Therefore, abortion kills a human organism. If killing people is wrong, then abortion must be wrong as well.

Second, WE use school classrooms to teach our kids how to have sex. Then, when they do, rather than let parents be involved, we teach those kids to sneak away from their parents and be dishonest with themselves and their families. We teach them to have sex and avoid the consequences of their actions—which makes abortion in these cases nothing more than convenience. (And we wonder why young people today have such a problem with authority?)

Third, there’s a growing number of psych studies that are showing the emotional damage abortion does to women. Many abortion clinics aren’t even subject to health inspection standards—or medical reporting requirements. Support abortion on demand? Not likely. Too many lies backing it up.

(By the way, I don’t have a problem with an abortion that saves the life of the mother. But, let’s be honest, very few abortions are actually done for that reason. So...are you surprised that there's no religious arguments in this?)

Third Issue: Election Reform.
I am scared to death of the idea of election by popular vote. That is, the one who gets the most votes overall, nationally, wins the presidency. The major problem with that idea is that the highly populated states would then have total control over what the lesser populated states got in terms of national government (the Executive Branch). That’s why the founders of our nation created the system we use now. It gives everyone a chance to have their say. This should not be changed. I do like the idea of going back to the “loser” of the Presidential race becoming the Vice-President. No more choosing your running mate! Given the partisanism of American politics, that would add a new level of balance to Executive powers.

CONTINUED READING:
Election Thoughts Part 2
Election Thoughts Part 3

Iraq...Again

OK…Here’s the first of my big “catch-up” postings. I don’t normally do it this way, but I thought I would just link around the web. Otherwise…well…there’s no telling how long this posting would get!

I’ve read a few interesting articles around the web on Iraq today. If you’re wondering what I think, read this. Apparently, I’m not too far off the beam, judging by these articles. There are actually a couple of good ideas out there. One, is a rather extended diplomatic solution. There are even reports of a bad one—i.e. the possibility of a Coup d’Etat. And there is the concept of letting the Iraqi’s decide in a direct election whether to let American troops stay or leave. That may not be more than just spitting in the wind, though (as us Texans would say it, that is.).

In a related piece of news, here is something you don’t see very day in the mainstream media (MSM). Chickenhawk put out a really great break down on what has changed in Iraq since this whole thing started. A lot of infrastructure changes have gone on. I was really excited to read the list. You should probably check it out, too. Not everything is doom and gloom!

And, for those who don’t think soldiers have a heart, you should visit One Marine’s View in general. Specifically, read the story of Taylor Grayce. Then, read what One Marine did to make a difference. As a Marine General once said, “The greatest supporters of peace are those who have sworn to risk their lives to defend it.”

And, in light of that, CNN’s sniper video deserves a comment or two. Personally, I think it was disgusting that a camera man, or media entity, was paid to film the shootings. CNN made a statement about reporting newsworthy events—even those unsavory ones. Personally, I don’t buy it. Confederate Yankee did a really good breakdown of their statement. And, while I personally don’t want to believe that CNN, or any of the mainstream media, is actually in the hip pocket of terrorists, I do believe that the almost complete negative focus on the US in the middle east is fueling terrorist and insurgent efforts there.

Next up: Elections!