Your must read assignment today is this excellent Rolling Stone story:
Four Amendments & a Funeral
It is a great inside look at Congress at work. In short:
"Nobody knows how this place is run," says Rep. Bernie Sanders. "If they did, they'd go nuts."
August 12, 2005
August 11, 2005
Follow Up...
You can't compare Native American Tribe names/references to deragotory descriptions of other groups. No organization would ever name their team the "San Francisco Faggots", the "Houston Honkies", or the "New York N*****s." Not because these organizations are sensitive and considerate, but because groups aggregated under these terms have no virtue, honor, courage, etc. that is important as a metaphor or symbol of a sports team.
Conversely, a tribe name, though possibly offensive to some, does invoke some spirit of courage, power, etc. that sports teams want to be associated with. College and Pro sports teams named themselves after Native American tribes to tie themselves to the warrior past of these tribes.
Its kind of pathetic, but after we wiped out the plains indians, and white Americans were safe, we started turning them into heros. Nonetheless, referencing Native American culture as a mascot/nickname is meant as a tribute, regardless of what its denigrated into today. Like Craig said, is the name Seminole in itself offensive? Maybe, maybe not depending on your views. But everyone would agree racial slurs for blacks and homosexulas are offensive--and also--meaningless with respect to symbols sports teams want to be associated with. So its comparing apples and oranges.
Here's a question: Lets say the Oakland Radiers were reanmed the Oakland Zulus and the San Diego Chargers were renamed the San Diego Highlanders. The Zulus had a weird looking black man with a spear and reed shield dancing around his sideline and the Highlanders had a weird looking half naked painted Scotsman with a sword dancing around his sideline. There were never any Higlanders or Zulus in America. So would any of this be offensive?? (Being a decendant of one of these groups doesn't count because they're in a different geographic region).
Conversely, a tribe name, though possibly offensive to some, does invoke some spirit of courage, power, etc. that sports teams want to be associated with. College and Pro sports teams named themselves after Native American tribes to tie themselves to the warrior past of these tribes.
Its kind of pathetic, but after we wiped out the plains indians, and white Americans were safe, we started turning them into heros. Nonetheless, referencing Native American culture as a mascot/nickname is meant as a tribute, regardless of what its denigrated into today. Like Craig said, is the name Seminole in itself offensive? Maybe, maybe not depending on your views. But everyone would agree racial slurs for blacks and homosexulas are offensive--and also--meaningless with respect to symbols sports teams want to be associated with. So its comparing apples and oranges.
Here's a question: Lets say the Oakland Radiers were reanmed the Oakland Zulus and the San Diego Chargers were renamed the San Diego Highlanders. The Zulus had a weird looking black man with a spear and reed shield dancing around his sideline and the Highlanders had a weird looking half naked painted Scotsman with a sword dancing around his sideline. There were never any Higlanders or Zulus in America. So would any of this be offensive?? (Being a decendant of one of these groups doesn't count because they're in a different geographic region).
Messing With Mom
Lots and Lots of Attention is now focused on Cindy Sheehan, a woman from Vacaville who lost a son in Iraq, is camped out at Crawford, demanding answers, getting lots of press, and generally putting a crimp in Bush's vacation.
Naturally she needs to be crushed, for the good of both Republic and the conservative movement. So take some quotes, rip them out of context and presto Cindy Sheehan "changed her story on Bush"? Check out MediaMatters for a look at how the whole right-wing press operation works. It is a finely honed machine.
There is just one problem with this machine. It is attacking a Woman who lost a son in the Iraq War! There are things that will not stand. You just don't mess with Mom.
Naturally she needs to be crushed, for the good of both Republic and the conservative movement. So take some quotes, rip them out of context and presto Cindy Sheehan "changed her story on Bush"? Check out MediaMatters for a look at how the whole right-wing press operation works. It is a finely honed machine.
There is just one problem with this machine. It is attacking a Woman who lost a son in the Iraq War! There are things that will not stand. You just don't mess with Mom.
August 10, 2005
Fighting Irish? Yes. Fighting Illini?...No.
Many of you have probably now read about the NCAA's decision to ban offensive mascots/nicknames of schools at all NCAA championship events.
So you can have a crazy indian mascot during the regular season, but not at an NCAA sponsored championship? Whatever. I guess this is the NCAA's attempt to pressure all these schools with offensive references to remove them permenantely.
Anyway, I have a solution. Instead of using names associated with darker skined groups that have been victimized, these colleges should institute names associated with light skined groups that have been victimized. The logic is that white people are fair game for such things. For example: the NCAA's Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the NBA's Boston Celtics, the NFL's Minnesota Vikings (yes, vikings were victimized...by other vikings). The NCAA is targeting 18 schools. Here are my picks for the names these schools should use:
So you can have a crazy indian mascot during the regular season, but not at an NCAA sponsored championship? Whatever. I guess this is the NCAA's attempt to pressure all these schools with offensive references to remove them permenantely.
Anyway, I have a solution. Instead of using names associated with darker skined groups that have been victimized, these colleges should institute names associated with light skined groups that have been victimized. The logic is that white people are fair game for such things. For example: the NCAA's Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the NBA's Boston Celtics, the NFL's Minnesota Vikings (yes, vikings were victimized...by other vikings). The NCAA is targeting 18 schools. Here are my picks for the names these schools should use:
- Alcorn State University Guals
- Central Michigan University Saxsons
- Catawba College Caereni
- Florida State University Franks
- Midwestern State University Mionians
- University of Utah Allemanni
- Indiana University-Pennsylvania Picts
- Carthage College Slavs
- Bradley University Balts
- Arkansas State University Anglos
- Chowan College Scythians
- University of Illinois-Champaign Hittites
- University of Louisiana-Monroe Amorites
- McMurry University Mitanni
- Mississippi College Kassites
- Newberry College Dorians
- University of North Dakota Acheans
- Southeastern Oklahoma State University Sarmatians
Just Some City Politics
You think you have trouble in your City's politics, let's check out Baghdad's:
Armed men entered Baghdad's municipal building during a blinding dust storm on Monday, deposed the city's mayor and installed a member of Iraq's most powerful Shiite militia.
The deposed mayor, Alaa al-Tamimi, who was not in his offices at the time, recounted the events in a telephone interview on Tuesday and called the move a municipal coup d'état. He added that he had gone into hiding for fear of his life.
"This is the new Iraq," said Mr. Tamimi, a secular engineer with no party affiliation. "They use force to achieve their goal."
The group that ousted him insisted that it had the authority to assume control of Iraq's capital city and that Mr. Tamimi was in no danger. The man the group installed, Hussein al-Tahaan, is a member of the Badr Organization, the armed militia of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, known as Sciri.
Now, US forces just let this happen? An armed Islamic militia just took over Baghdad and the US is OK with that? Just what are we going to end up with here?
Armed men entered Baghdad's municipal building during a blinding dust storm on Monday, deposed the city's mayor and installed a member of Iraq's most powerful Shiite militia.
The deposed mayor, Alaa al-Tamimi, who was not in his offices at the time, recounted the events in a telephone interview on Tuesday and called the move a municipal coup d'état. He added that he had gone into hiding for fear of his life.
"This is the new Iraq," said Mr. Tamimi, a secular engineer with no party affiliation. "They use force to achieve their goal."
The group that ousted him insisted that it had the authority to assume control of Iraq's capital city and that Mr. Tamimi was in no danger. The man the group installed, Hussein al-Tahaan, is a member of the Badr Organization, the armed militia of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, known as Sciri.
Now, US forces just let this happen? An armed Islamic militia just took over Baghdad and the US is OK with that? Just what are we going to end up with here?
August 9, 2005
Running for a Good Reason
My friend Emily, while overall a tremendous person, has some strange habits. She actually runs long distances with no one chasing her or anything. Personally, I feel that if God had wanted me to travel long distances under my own power, he wouldn't have given me a car. But Emily is putting her strange habits to work on a good cause. Here she is:
In 2001, I lost my grandfather to leukemia. I had lost someone important in my life and for the first time, leukemia had devastated me in a very personal way. I have joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training (TNT), and I need your support. Several of my colleagues at Stantec Consulting are joining me in training for the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco, on October 23, 2005. I have committed to raise $1,900 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as part of my participation in the Nike Women's Half Marathon. At least 75% of this money goes directly towards funding for research, patient aid, and community service programs. Please support me in this effort by visiting my webpage and sponsoring my half marathon.
All donations are 100% tax deductible and any amount is greatly appreciated.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is one of the world's leading research organizations dedicated to finding a cure for Leukemia and its related cancers (Lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and Myeloma). Each year, over 100,000 Americans will contract, and more than 50,000 will die, from Leukemia or its related diseases this year, making it the 4th major cause of death. It is especially devastating to the lives of children. While the survival rate for children has increased dramatically over the years, it has remained unchanged for adults who suffer from this disease.Each team has specific honorees, with ranges of ages and stages of illness.
I am participating in memory of my Grandpa Ben, Aunt Sally, childhood friend Scott Strobel, and in honor of Imani of Sacramento. Imani was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in January of 2001, just 12 days before her 9th birthday. Currently, at the age of 13, she is in full remission. With 8 surgeries and 5 blood transfusions behind her, she completed her chemotherapy treatments February of last year!
So get over there and pitch in. Go right now.
In 2001, I lost my grandfather to leukemia. I had lost someone important in my life and for the first time, leukemia had devastated me in a very personal way. I have joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training (TNT), and I need your support. Several of my colleagues at Stantec Consulting are joining me in training for the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco, on October 23, 2005. I have committed to raise $1,900 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as part of my participation in the Nike Women's Half Marathon. At least 75% of this money goes directly towards funding for research, patient aid, and community service programs. Please support me in this effort by visiting my webpage and sponsoring my half marathon.
All donations are 100% tax deductible and any amount is greatly appreciated.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is one of the world's leading research organizations dedicated to finding a cure for Leukemia and its related cancers (Lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and Myeloma). Each year, over 100,000 Americans will contract, and more than 50,000 will die, from Leukemia or its related diseases this year, making it the 4th major cause of death. It is especially devastating to the lives of children. While the survival rate for children has increased dramatically over the years, it has remained unchanged for adults who suffer from this disease.Each team has specific honorees, with ranges of ages and stages of illness.
I am participating in memory of my Grandpa Ben, Aunt Sally, childhood friend Scott Strobel, and in honor of Imani of Sacramento. Imani was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in January of 2001, just 12 days before her 9th birthday. Currently, at the age of 13, she is in full remission. With 8 surgeries and 5 blood transfusions behind her, she completed her chemotherapy treatments February of last year!
So get over there and pitch in. Go right now.
Worst. Pork. Ever.
A lot of pork isn't really wasteful spending, it's just Federal government goodies that aren't located in your Congressional District. Somebody has to get the military base and calling it pork just means that you're bitter that their congress critter is smarter than yours. Even things like 1.6 million for bike trails in New Jersey or a Transit Center in St. Paul, MN may not be fair, but lots of people do bike in New Jersey and ride transit in St. Paul.
Then we have The Bridge. A 223 million dollar bridge in Alaska to connect an off-shore island with 50 people living on it to the mainland. A quarter billion dollars to serve fifty people. Why don't we just buy each islander a million dollar yacht, it would be cheaper. Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure just happens to be from Alaska. Don Young is the grand master of pork. I salute him. But this is pork of the worst kind. It is total and complete waste of resources in an age where we don't have resources to waste. Shame on you, Don Young R-Alaska. Shame.
Then we have The Bridge. A 223 million dollar bridge in Alaska to connect an off-shore island with 50 people living on it to the mainland. A quarter billion dollars to serve fifty people. Why don't we just buy each islander a million dollar yacht, it would be cheaper. Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure just happens to be from Alaska. Don Young is the grand master of pork. I salute him. But this is pork of the worst kind. It is total and complete waste of resources in an age where we don't have resources to waste. Shame on you, Don Young R-Alaska. Shame.
August 8, 2005
Countdown
Not a lot happening today, but a lot of things are coming soon. Heads up.
The shuttle's landing has been put off for a day, so I guess I'll put away my rabbit's foot for a little while.
Israel is going to be pulling out Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip in one week. This is not the comprehensive peace that the region needs, but its a vital step. Putting a few thousand right-wing Jewish Settlers in with a couple of million Palestinians is madness. But the act is going to seriously strain Israel internally. Something to watch.
Also due on August 15 is the draft of Iraq Constitution. Writing an Iraq Constitution is like juggling chainsaws while sitting on a unicycle that's on a tite rope that's over a pool of sharks. In other words, it is hard. I'll sure it will turn out fine They are rushing to finish in time and everyone knows that being rushed leads to good results. Also, the rest of the Iraq War has gone so well, I'm sure this part will go a smooth as silk.
The shuttle's landing has been put off for a day, so I guess I'll put away my rabbit's foot for a little while.
Israel is going to be pulling out Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip in one week. This is not the comprehensive peace that the region needs, but its a vital step. Putting a few thousand right-wing Jewish Settlers in with a couple of million Palestinians is madness. But the act is going to seriously strain Israel internally. Something to watch.
Also due on August 15 is the draft of Iraq Constitution. Writing an Iraq Constitution is like juggling chainsaws while sitting on a unicycle that's on a tite rope that's over a pool of sharks. In other words, it is hard. I'll sure it will turn out fine They are rushing to finish in time and everyone knows that being rushed leads to good results. Also, the rest of the Iraq War has gone so well, I'm sure this part will go a smooth as silk.
August 7, 2005
CIA Commander: We Let bin Laden Slip Away
Read all about it. I for one am reasured that the President was very firm and brave as he let Bin Laden get away. I'm sure he knew the difference between good and evil and articualted a clear vision of moral clarity as he let the Fricken Bad Guy Get Away.
August 6, 2005
No Heroes Here
There is a story in the NY Times today about the lack of real high-profile war heroes from the current unpleasantness.
Many in the military are disheartened by the absence of an instantly recognizable war hero today, a deficiency with a complex cause: public opinion on the Iraq war is split, and drawing attention to it risks fueling opposition; the military is more reluctant than it was in the last century to promote the individual over the group; and the war itself is different, with fewer big battles and more and messier engagements involving smaller units of Americans. Then, too, there is a celebrity culture that seems skewed more to the victim than to the hero.
Collectively, say military historians, war correspondents and retired senior officers, the country seems to have concluded that war heroes pack a political punch that requires caution. They have become not just symbols of bravery but also reminders of the war's thorniest questions. "No one wants to call the attention of the public to bloodletting and heroism and the horrifying character of combat," said Richard Kohn, a military historian at the University of North Carolina. "What situation can be imagined that would promote the war and not remind people of its ambivalence?"
Of course, any modern war hero will be subjected to the standard celebrity treatment, which will pretty much take the shine off of anybody.
Mr. Mead said that "the cult of celebrity has cheapened fame." He added, "What's a war hero to do? Go on 'Oprah'?"
Many in the military are disheartened by the absence of an instantly recognizable war hero today, a deficiency with a complex cause: public opinion on the Iraq war is split, and drawing attention to it risks fueling opposition; the military is more reluctant than it was in the last century to promote the individual over the group; and the war itself is different, with fewer big battles and more and messier engagements involving smaller units of Americans. Then, too, there is a celebrity culture that seems skewed more to the victim than to the hero.
Collectively, say military historians, war correspondents and retired senior officers, the country seems to have concluded that war heroes pack a political punch that requires caution. They have become not just symbols of bravery but also reminders of the war's thorniest questions. "No one wants to call the attention of the public to bloodletting and heroism and the horrifying character of combat," said Richard Kohn, a military historian at the University of North Carolina. "What situation can be imagined that would promote the war and not remind people of its ambivalence?"
Of course, any modern war hero will be subjected to the standard celebrity treatment, which will pretty much take the shine off of anybody.
Mr. Mead said that "the cult of celebrity has cheapened fame." He added, "What's a war hero to do? Go on 'Oprah'?"
August 5, 2005
Standards of Victory
While we are whacking right-wingers, lets some spend some time on Ann Coulter, harpy par excellence. I came across this gem. Bill O'Reilly and Ann are debating Iraq. And she leads off with this:
COULTER: If things have been going worse why isn't the elite Republican Guard massing outside Manhattan right now?
That's Ann Coulter's standard of victory. If Iraqi troops are invading the mainland US, then maybe things might not be going well. Anything short of that is a huge victory.
COULTER: If things have been going worse why isn't the elite Republican Guard massing outside Manhattan right now?
That's Ann Coulter's standard of victory. If Iraqi troops are invading the mainland US, then maybe things might not be going well. Anything short of that is a huge victory.
Novak Meltdown
I actually saw this live. I was only half paying attention at the time and didn't really get it. Robert Novak, the prince of darkness himself, outer of CIA agents, was doing the standard sparing with everybody's favorite ugly Cajun commentator, when he called Carville a bad word, ripped off his mike and left the set. Video here.
So Novak is off CNN now. Could not happen to a nicer guy.
So Novak is off CNN now. Could not happen to a nicer guy.
August 4, 2005
Dying for the Truth
Marines aren't the only ones dying in Iraq this week. An independent jouralist named Steven Vincent was killed in Basra Tuesday. He was documenting the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in southern Iraq most recently in the NY Times:
As has been widely reported of late, Basran politics (and everyday life) is increasingly coming under the control of Shiite religious groups, from the relatively mainstream Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq to the bellicose followers of the rebel cleric Moktada al-Sadr. Recruited from the same population of undereducated, underemployed men who swell these organizations' ranks, many of Basra's rank-and-file police officers maintain dual loyalties to mosque and state.
In May, the city's police chief told a British newspaper that half of his 7,000-man force was affiliated with religious parties. This may have been an optimistic estimate: one young Iraqi officer told me that "75 percent of the policemen I know are with Moktada al-Sadr - he is a great man." And unfortunately, the British seem unable or unwilling to do anything about it.
It is widely speculated that he was targeted for the work he was doing. The man was outside the protected Green Zone and not embedded with the military. He was working the streets trying to bring the truth home. At least 66 journalists and media support workers killed have been killed and 29 journalists kidnapped in Iraq. They are dying so that we will know what is happening. Vincent had a blog called In the Red Zone. This is from his last post, talking about an American Captain working on the reconstruction:
Not for the first time, I felt I was living in a Graham Greene novel, this about a U.S. soldier--call it The Naive American--who finds what works so well in Power Point presentations has unpredictable results when applied to realities of Iraq. Or is that the story of our whole attempt to liberate this nation?
As has been widely reported of late, Basran politics (and everyday life) is increasingly coming under the control of Shiite religious groups, from the relatively mainstream Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq to the bellicose followers of the rebel cleric Moktada al-Sadr. Recruited from the same population of undereducated, underemployed men who swell these organizations' ranks, many of Basra's rank-and-file police officers maintain dual loyalties to mosque and state.
In May, the city's police chief told a British newspaper that half of his 7,000-man force was affiliated with religious parties. This may have been an optimistic estimate: one young Iraqi officer told me that "75 percent of the policemen I know are with Moktada al-Sadr - he is a great man." And unfortunately, the British seem unable or unwilling to do anything about it.
It is widely speculated that he was targeted for the work he was doing. The man was outside the protected Green Zone and not embedded with the military. He was working the streets trying to bring the truth home. At least 66 journalists and media support workers killed have been killed and 29 journalists kidnapped in Iraq. They are dying so that we will know what is happening. Vincent had a blog called In the Red Zone. This is from his last post, talking about an American Captain working on the reconstruction:
Not for the first time, I felt I was living in a Graham Greene novel, this about a U.S. soldier--call it The Naive American--who finds what works so well in Power Point presentations has unpredictable results when applied to realities of Iraq. Or is that the story of our whole attempt to liberate this nation?
August 3, 2005
Tacky Bush Jokes
Q: How many telemarketers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: Wouldn't a more relevant question be "How many pounds of cocaine has Bush snorted?"
- - - -
A doctor, a lawyer, and an accountant all die and go to heaven on the same day. When they get to the Pearly Gates, they are greeted by St. Peter. St. Peter says, "Scott McClellan is a lying sack of shit and I'd tell him so myself if he weren't going straight to hell when he dies."
- - - -
Q: What do you get when you cross an elephant and a rhino?
A: I'm not sure, but if the answer is "A cure for Parkinson's disease," then Bush will try to stop scientists from breeding them. Because he likes it when people get Parkinson's.
More Here. If you don't like them, blame Chris. He found them.
A: Wouldn't a more relevant question be "How many pounds of cocaine has Bush snorted?"
- - - -
A doctor, a lawyer, and an accountant all die and go to heaven on the same day. When they get to the Pearly Gates, they are greeted by St. Peter. St. Peter says, "Scott McClellan is a lying sack of shit and I'd tell him so myself if he weren't going straight to hell when he dies."
- - - -
Q: What do you get when you cross an elephant and a rhino?
A: I'm not sure, but if the answer is "A cure for Parkinson's disease," then Bush will try to stop scientists from breeding them. Because he likes it when people get Parkinson's.
More Here. If you don't like them, blame Chris. He found them.
Good Day Bad Day
Good: The old NASA operation of banging on the Shuttle with a wrench seems to have worked just fine.
Bad: 14 Marines died today in Iraq today. That's 1821 total for those of you keeping score.
Good: A baby Panda. Ahhh.
Bad: Famine in Niger.
Good: Dems score are real moral victory in the Ohio 2nd special election.
Koreans produce worldÂ’s first cloned dog. Um, good news or bad news? Not sure.
Bad: 14 Marines died today in Iraq today. That's 1821 total for those of you keeping score.
Good: A baby Panda. Ahhh.
Bad: Famine in Niger.
Good: Dems score are real moral victory in the Ohio 2nd special election.
Koreans produce worldÂ’s first cloned dog. Um, good news or bad news? Not sure.
August 2, 2005
Comic Horror
Via Tapped please check out the most horrifying comic book concept ever:
America's future has become an Orwellian nightmare of ultra-liberalism. Beginning with the Gore Presidency, the government has become increasingly dominated by liberal extremists. In 2004, Muslim terrorists stopped viewing the weakened American government as a threat; instead they set their sites on their true enemies, vocal American conservatives. On one dark day, in 2006, many conservative voices went forever silent at the hands of terrorist assassins. Those which survived joined forces and formed a powerful covert conservative organization calledThe Freedom of Information League, aka F.O.I.L. The F.O.I.L. Organization is forced underground by the "Coulter Laws" of 2007; these hate speech legislations have made right-wing talk shows, and conservative-slanted media, illegal. ... Rupert Murdoch's decision to defy the "Coulter Laws" hate speech legislations, has bankrupted News Corporation. George Soros has bought all of News Corps assets and changed its name to Liberty International Broadcasting. LIBÂ's networks have flourished and circle the globe with a series of satellites beaming liberal & U.N. propaganda worldwide. The New York City faction of F.O.I.L. is lead by Sean Hannity, G. Gordon Liddy and Oliver North, each uniquely endowed with special abilities devised by a bio mechanical engineer affectionately nicknamed "Oscar." F.O.I.L. is soon to be joined by a young man named Reagan McGee.
I'm guessing Sean Hannity's power involves a massive blast of hot air that renders his victims ignorant and stupid. I'm really not sure if this is a parody or a frightening look into the dark corners of the modern conservative mind. The web site gives no sign that they are joking. They really think this. Good Grief.
America's future has become an Orwellian nightmare of ultra-liberalism. Beginning with the Gore Presidency, the government has become increasingly dominated by liberal extremists. In 2004, Muslim terrorists stopped viewing the weakened American government as a threat; instead they set their sites on their true enemies, vocal American conservatives. On one dark day, in 2006, many conservative voices went forever silent at the hands of terrorist assassins. Those which survived joined forces and formed a powerful covert conservative organization calledThe Freedom of Information League, aka F.O.I.L. The F.O.I.L. Organization is forced underground by the "Coulter Laws" of 2007; these hate speech legislations have made right-wing talk shows, and conservative-slanted media, illegal. ... Rupert Murdoch's decision to defy the "Coulter Laws" hate speech legislations, has bankrupted News Corporation. George Soros has bought all of News Corps assets and changed its name to Liberty International Broadcasting. LIBÂ's networks have flourished and circle the globe with a series of satellites beaming liberal & U.N. propaganda worldwide. The New York City faction of F.O.I.L. is lead by Sean Hannity, G. Gordon Liddy and Oliver North, each uniquely endowed with special abilities devised by a bio mechanical engineer affectionately nicknamed "Oscar." F.O.I.L. is soon to be joined by a young man named Reagan McGee.
I'm guessing Sean Hannity's power involves a massive blast of hot air that renders his victims ignorant and stupid. I'm really not sure if this is a parody or a frightening look into the dark corners of the modern conservative mind. The web site gives no sign that they are joking. They really think this. Good Grief.
Note on Bolton
Just a bit more on Bolton. Yes it is kind of sneaky but its not illegal. All Presidents use recess appointments, but usually for things like the Ambassador to Luxemburg or the Vice Assitant Deputy Co-Cousul in the Commerce department. But UN Ambassador is the highest profile diplomatic post short the Secretary of State. This is rather a big deal. As to the fallout, we will have to wait and see. The problem with diplomats is that they are well, diplomatic. So the signs of John Bolton screwing us will be more sutle like an eary troop withdrawl by our allies or less UN aid money to Iraq or other things like that.
Independence
Very interesting point made by Abu Aardvark, a good blog to read to see what goes on in the Arab world and media. He is talking about the death of the King:
Ugh. I'm feeling a bit ill. Today is not a good day for the Arab media. Interestingly enough, the "independent" TV station al-Arabiya (which has the King as the first, second, third, and fourth story this morning) received thousands of messages of condolence for the passing of King Fahd. Kind of odd for an independent station, huh? And then they ran a story congratulating themselves for receiving all those messages... even odder! Not that the other Arab TV stations are much better... one columnist in al-Quds al-Arabi describes the Arab TV coverage as a procession of wailing infants. The same columnist noticed that LBC TV had the exact same Shaykh reading the exact same Quranic verses as on Saudi TV...
Thank the gods for al-Jazeera, today. Their lead: "Intense security arrangements for the funeral of King Fahd." They do have some stories noting the world's mourning, but it's treated as a news story, not as a Reaganesque burlesque. The death of John Garang in the Sudan - which has already led to fierce rioting, and which could potentially bring about the collapse of the hard-won peace accord - continues to receive equal billing. Same thing in al-Quds al-Arabi: Fahd's death is covered, but the Sudan gets top billing.
The real important thing about al-Jazeera is that it is an independent media operation. It isn't owned by the government like all these other Arab News operations are. al-Jazeera has come in for its share of critisism, but if we really want democratic reforms we need an independent Arab media and an independent Arab media is going to very criticial of the US government. Thats the trade off in all of this and one that the Bush Administration just will not face.
Ugh. I'm feeling a bit ill. Today is not a good day for the Arab media. Interestingly enough, the "independent" TV station al-Arabiya (which has the King as the first, second, third, and fourth story this morning) received thousands of messages of condolence for the passing of King Fahd. Kind of odd for an independent station, huh? And then they ran a story congratulating themselves for receiving all those messages... even odder! Not that the other Arab TV stations are much better... one columnist in al-Quds al-Arabi describes the Arab TV coverage as a procession of wailing infants. The same columnist noticed that LBC TV had the exact same Shaykh reading the exact same Quranic verses as on Saudi TV...
Thank the gods for al-Jazeera, today. Their lead: "Intense security arrangements for the funeral of King Fahd." They do have some stories noting the world's mourning, but it's treated as a news story, not as a Reaganesque burlesque. The death of John Garang in the Sudan - which has already led to fierce rioting, and which could potentially bring about the collapse of the hard-won peace accord - continues to receive equal billing. Same thing in al-Quds al-Arabi: Fahd's death is covered, but the Sudan gets top billing.
The real important thing about al-Jazeera is that it is an independent media operation. It isn't owned by the government like all these other Arab News operations are. al-Jazeera has come in for its share of critisism, but if we really want democratic reforms we need an independent Arab media and an independent Arab media is going to very criticial of the US government. Thats the trade off in all of this and one that the Bush Administration just will not face.
August 1, 2005
News and Views
Lots happening this day.
The King of Saudi Arabia is dead. The problem is under Saudi law the thrones passes to the king's eldest brother, not his son. So unlike say, Jordan, where there is a chance of at least getting some younger, fresher leadership. We replace one 80-something in failing health with a new 80-something in failing health. Fricking Kings.
Bush appointed Bolton As U.N. Ambassador without Senate approval, which he can do when the Senate is out of session. Congrates we now have a guy who hates the UN and is a jerk to boot, as our Ambassador to the UN. Wonderful.
The King of Saudi Arabia is dead. The problem is under Saudi law the thrones passes to the king's eldest brother, not his son. So unlike say, Jordan, where there is a chance of at least getting some younger, fresher leadership. We replace one 80-something in failing health with a new 80-something in failing health. Fricking Kings.
Bush appointed Bolton As U.N. Ambassador without Senate approval, which he can do when the Senate is out of session. Congrates we now have a guy who hates the UN and is a jerk to boot, as our Ambassador to the UN. Wonderful.
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