1.31.2003
Live from CPAC: Part I
Wow. I am duly shell-shocked after listening to Ollie North unload of the French in grand style about five minutes ago. Now, as much as I love a good session of ripping on the charter members of the Axis of Weasel, this was pretty rough. Ollie took about ten minutes to tear into the "brie-eating, foie gras-sucking French," a "pathetic, third-rate power," that "makes cheap wine and sells it for too much." Add the obligatory "We saved your collective ass twice, you ingrates," comments and that's basically the entire speech. Yipes. I know know the truth hurts, but is it supposed to be that bad?
Hell, why not?
Make this better by picturing CPAC as the world's biggest conservative spectator sport. All of the speeches take place in one big hall, and the crowds are fond of booing, hissing, cheering wildly at any mention of Dubya, etc. Entertaining, and refreshing. Any time you walk into a place where the Constitution Party can openly have a booth with being ridiculed or spit on, you know you've entered an entirely new universe.
Wow. I am duly shell-shocked after listening to Ollie North unload of the French in grand style about five minutes ago. Now, as much as I love a good session of ripping on the charter members of the Axis of Weasel, this was pretty rough. Ollie took about ten minutes to tear into the "brie-eating, foie gras-sucking French," a "pathetic, third-rate power," that "makes cheap wine and sells it for too much." Add the obligatory "We saved your collective ass twice, you ingrates," comments and that's basically the entire speech. Yipes. I know know the truth hurts, but is it supposed to be that bad?
Hell, why not?
Make this better by picturing CPAC as the world's biggest conservative spectator sport. All of the speeches take place in one big hall, and the crowds are fond of booing, hissing, cheering wildly at any mention of Dubya, etc. Entertaining, and refreshing. Any time you walk into a place where the Constitution Party can openly have a booth with being ridiculed or spit on, you know you've entered an entirely new universe.
1.30.2003
Not Quite Going It Alone
My prof for Presidential Electoral Politics is pretty clearly liberal, but I'll admit that he keeps it pretty much out of the classroom, refreshingly. Sometimes, however, the stripes show.
Today was Poor Amatuer Analysis of the State of the Union Day, at least for the part of the class where we keep in touch with the goings on of the '04. I heard the term "unilateral action" more times in the span of sixty seconds than I had to bear over the past month..and this went on for 45 minutes. And sadly, for someone who's supposed to be well-informed and had pretty good things to say about Bush's performance, there wasn't one mention of the countries that are supporting us.
Never mind. Those nice people in the new Europe are taking care of that for us. Today's Times of London features an Op-Ed from a range of European leaders backing the U.S. against Iraq and the Axis of Weasel, and it's a good one. If this is unilateralism, I'll take it.
(Thanks to Right-Thinking for the link.)
My prof for Presidential Electoral Politics is pretty clearly liberal, but I'll admit that he keeps it pretty much out of the classroom, refreshingly. Sometimes, however, the stripes show.
Today was Poor Amatuer Analysis of the State of the Union Day, at least for the part of the class where we keep in touch with the goings on of the '04. I heard the term "unilateral action" more times in the span of sixty seconds than I had to bear over the past month..and this went on for 45 minutes. And sadly, for someone who's supposed to be well-informed and had pretty good things to say about Bush's performance, there wasn't one mention of the countries that are supporting us.
Never mind. Those nice people in the new Europe are taking care of that for us. Today's Times of London features an Op-Ed from a range of European leaders backing the U.S. against Iraq and the Axis of Weasel, and it's a good one. If this is unilateralism, I'll take it.
(Thanks to Right-Thinking for the link.)
Idiot Lawyers...what a shock....
I've done far more than my share of ranting about affirmative action, so I'll keep my own mouth shut on this one. I think it's worth noting, however, what idiocy my bretheren Hoyas are up to over at the Law Center. JCA at Sua Sponte has the text of a plea to sign a massive law students' amicus brief organized, somehow unsurprisingly, by the resident idiots at GULC; it supports the defendants in Grutter v. Bollinger, the law school case at U of M. Grrrrrrr.... In the words of Homer Simpson: Urge to kill...rising...rising....
She's also got a little story to go along with it. Though I do wish she wasn't so shy about speaking up against this lunacy, I understand, and we agree that The Angry Clam does in fact have cojones.
I've done far more than my share of ranting about affirmative action, so I'll keep my own mouth shut on this one. I think it's worth noting, however, what idiocy my bretheren Hoyas are up to over at the Law Center. JCA at Sua Sponte has the text of a plea to sign a massive law students' amicus brief organized, somehow unsurprisingly, by the resident idiots at GULC; it supports the defendants in Grutter v. Bollinger, the law school case at U of M. Grrrrrrr.... In the words of Homer Simpson: Urge to kill...rising...rising....
She's also got a little story to go along with it. Though I do wish she wasn't so shy about speaking up against this lunacy, I understand, and we agree that The Angry Clam does in fact have cojones.
Help Wanted
I really do hate to beg like this, but the situation with the pictures is getting ridiculous (note: slapping images on a Geocities account doesn't cut it for hosting). Anyone who would be willing to put the pictures I'm trying to show up on their server for a few days would be my new life's hero. Please give me an email if you can, there's a link over on the sidebar.
On the other hand, thanks Emperor Misha, traffic is at an alltime high. Not quite an Instalanche, but greatly appreciated and substantial nontheless.
I really do hate to beg like this, but the situation with the pictures is getting ridiculous (note: slapping images on a Geocities account doesn't cut it for hosting). Anyone who would be willing to put the pictures I'm trying to show up on their server for a few days would be my new life's hero. Please give me an email if you can, there's a link over on the sidebar.
On the other hand, thanks Emperor Misha, traffic is at an alltime high. Not quite an Instalanche, but greatly appreciated and substantial nontheless.
1.29.2003
Tales of Idiocy, Better Late Than Never
ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! Bear with me while I try and get the pictures worked out...if any kind soul would like to help out a poor college student and give me a reliable host for these puppies, I'd be forever indebted.
I've been meaning to post this for ages, but the situation with the pictures turned into a nightmare. I'm going to pray they work as they are. Anyway, like Lee at Right-Thinking, I took on my first assignment as an independent journalist (of sorts) this weekend and trucked over to Dupont Circle for yet another protest. The theme was ostensibly different - the protest was billed as "Palestinian Street Theater," anti-Israel instead of anti-war - but the crowd seemed more or less to be the same.
I can't deny that the whole thing was rather amusing, but it was ridiculously galling at the same time. The theme of the day was a re-enactment of the "Jenin massacre," which of course, was long ago proven to be a radical crock of shit. If it's screed you desire, I wrote what I think was a fairly decent Commentary in The Georgetown Independent; that covers the angles on why this collective terrorist's wet dream was a disgrace to logical humans everywhere. The protest itself went generally like this:
You know, just so no one's confused as to where we are. This was the first sight that greeted anyone walking up to the "stage" area.
I got there just as they were kicking off the first of three (!) runs of the re-enactment. Starting the action was narration setting the scene (i.e. "The Jenin refugee camp, October 2002..." yada, yada, yada). First, a line of fake Israeli soldiers would advance on a fairly large group of people with "Palestinian child" and "Palestinian mother" signs taped to them. People hiding in cardboard buildings were a nice touch. The loudspeaker spouted some crap, and then the Palestinians would commence a lot of rock throwing (foil balls) and melodramatic screaming and falling over as the evil Israelis pounded them into Cream of Wheat. And then...
The loudspeaker turned on chopper noises in the background, and the tanks and helicopters rolled in. All of those, of course, were expressively sent to kill Arabs by the U.S. government. More screaming, falling over, melodrama, etc. Once most of the Palestinians were dead, then we had more American-funded evil: bulldozing the town into mass graves (hey, the loudspeaker said it, it must be true!) with Caterpiller tractors.
Now we're really getting bad. The Red Cross workers trying to get into the camp, naturally, get blocked by those nasty IDF boys. During one of the runs, one of the soldiers (played by a Georgetown professor), says to an aid worker, "Nope, no one's dying here but criminals!" in his approximate guess of what your average Israeli soldier thinks on a routine basis. Asshole. Of course, he precedes to mow down some aid workers.
Here's our aforementioned buddy, stalking through the remains of Jenin while the loudspeaker claims that the IDF sniped at aid workers and journalists trying to get into the camp.
I think this speaks for itself. After the real action was over, most people just milled around in character or waved BS signs like this guy.
This scared the living hell out of me. Our little lady here spent the entire night gleefully chucking foil rocks at any targets of opportunity, especially ones with "Israeli Army" signs. At one point, I heard her grandmother (who I briefly talked to) tell her: "Go get the soldiers!" She scampered off to comply with a grin. Imagine this girl with C4 strapped around her waist and understand why I'm frightened; scarily, it doesn't seem to be that big of a step.
Slogans were a big deal, as usual. Some good ones: "Occupation is a crime! Israel out of Palestine!" (No problem...as soon as you stop creating the need to occupy.) "1, 2, 3, 4, We Don't Want Your Racist War!" (Oh wow...) "5, 6, 7, 8, Israel is a Terrorist State!" (I'm thinking they got it mixed up on that one.) There was also one calling Bush and Sharon "the same" (i.e. mass murderers) that I can't remember for the life of me.
I really want to know how blaming the U.S. for covering up a disproved slaughter is going to help dialogue.
So that was generally that. There are a million comments I could make. Of course, it's ironic and hypocritical that the Palestinians scream bloody murder about alleged violations of UN resolutions, but refuse to accept the UN's version of Jenin because it kills their propaganda aims. A friend of mine who also attended made a great point as well: "You can't get people who don't like their own country to like Israel, it's not going to happen." This is true.
But again, I'm just really concerned that this was a big waste of energy and talent. A friend did some interviewing with a camcorder (which I hope to be able to view soon) and I heard some of what the people said; on the whole, these were much smarter and well-informed people than the general ignorant dreck at the ANSWER protests. Most said they had hope for Labor's plan, that they supported the two-state solution, that they recognized Israel's right to exist, etc. These aren't the views of hopeless fanatics. Given, most also said that while targeted killings in Israel were wrong, suicide bombers had full rights to all settlers (including women and children, presumably), but still.... It boggles me why anyone trying to speak for a middle ground would do something as utterly stupid as to participate in a mass public continuation of a hate-inducing lie. This only divides; it does nothing for peace.
On the other hand, I had fun. Aside from the stupidity and offensiveness of the act itself, which is a pretty big aside, I'll admit that the whole thing was spontaneous and ridiculous enough to be fun. Think of a geopolitical Rocky Horror Picture Show: Wrong? Yes. Amusing? Yeah, why not? But beyond that, there were serious implications that should not be taken lightly by outsiders or the people who want to play a role in the peace process down the road.
ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! Bear with me while I try and get the pictures worked out...if any kind soul would like to help out a poor college student and give me a reliable host for these puppies, I'd be forever indebted.
I've been meaning to post this for ages, but the situation with the pictures turned into a nightmare. I'm going to pray they work as they are. Anyway, like Lee at Right-Thinking, I took on my first assignment as an independent journalist (of sorts) this weekend and trucked over to Dupont Circle for yet another protest. The theme was ostensibly different - the protest was billed as "Palestinian Street Theater," anti-Israel instead of anti-war - but the crowd seemed more or less to be the same.
I can't deny that the whole thing was rather amusing, but it was ridiculously galling at the same time. The theme of the day was a re-enactment of the "Jenin massacre," which of course, was long ago proven to be a radical crock of shit. If it's screed you desire, I wrote what I think was a fairly decent Commentary in The Georgetown Independent; that covers the angles on why this collective terrorist's wet dream was a disgrace to logical humans everywhere. The protest itself went generally like this:
You know, just so no one's confused as to where we are. This was the first sight that greeted anyone walking up to the "stage" area.
I got there just as they were kicking off the first of three (!) runs of the re-enactment. Starting the action was narration setting the scene (i.e. "The Jenin refugee camp, October 2002..." yada, yada, yada). First, a line of fake Israeli soldiers would advance on a fairly large group of people with "Palestinian child" and "Palestinian mother" signs taped to them. People hiding in cardboard buildings were a nice touch. The loudspeaker spouted some crap, and then the Palestinians would commence a lot of rock throwing (foil balls) and melodramatic screaming and falling over as the evil Israelis pounded them into Cream of Wheat. And then...
The loudspeaker turned on chopper noises in the background, and the tanks and helicopters rolled in. All of those, of course, were expressively sent to kill Arabs by the U.S. government. More screaming, falling over, melodrama, etc. Once most of the Palestinians were dead, then we had more American-funded evil: bulldozing the town into mass graves (hey, the loudspeaker said it, it must be true!) with Caterpiller tractors.
Now we're really getting bad. The Red Cross workers trying to get into the camp, naturally, get blocked by those nasty IDF boys. During one of the runs, one of the soldiers (played by a Georgetown professor), says to an aid worker, "Nope, no one's dying here but criminals!" in his approximate guess of what your average Israeli soldier thinks on a routine basis. Asshole. Of course, he precedes to mow down some aid workers.
Here's our aforementioned buddy, stalking through the remains of Jenin while the loudspeaker claims that the IDF sniped at aid workers and journalists trying to get into the camp.
I think this speaks for itself. After the real action was over, most people just milled around in character or waved BS signs like this guy.
This scared the living hell out of me. Our little lady here spent the entire night gleefully chucking foil rocks at any targets of opportunity, especially ones with "Israeli Army" signs. At one point, I heard her grandmother (who I briefly talked to) tell her: "Go get the soldiers!" She scampered off to comply with a grin. Imagine this girl with C4 strapped around her waist and understand why I'm frightened; scarily, it doesn't seem to be that big of a step.
Slogans were a big deal, as usual. Some good ones: "Occupation is a crime! Israel out of Palestine!" (No problem...as soon as you stop creating the need to occupy.) "1, 2, 3, 4, We Don't Want Your Racist War!" (Oh wow...) "5, 6, 7, 8, Israel is a Terrorist State!" (I'm thinking they got it mixed up on that one.) There was also one calling Bush and Sharon "the same" (i.e. mass murderers) that I can't remember for the life of me.
I really want to know how blaming the U.S. for covering up a disproved slaughter is going to help dialogue.
So that was generally that. There are a million comments I could make. Of course, it's ironic and hypocritical that the Palestinians scream bloody murder about alleged violations of UN resolutions, but refuse to accept the UN's version of Jenin because it kills their propaganda aims. A friend of mine who also attended made a great point as well: "You can't get people who don't like their own country to like Israel, it's not going to happen." This is true.
But again, I'm just really concerned that this was a big waste of energy and talent. A friend did some interviewing with a camcorder (which I hope to be able to view soon) and I heard some of what the people said; on the whole, these were much smarter and well-informed people than the general ignorant dreck at the ANSWER protests. Most said they had hope for Labor's plan, that they supported the two-state solution, that they recognized Israel's right to exist, etc. These aren't the views of hopeless fanatics. Given, most also said that while targeted killings in Israel were wrong, suicide bombers had full rights to all settlers (including women and children, presumably), but still.... It boggles me why anyone trying to speak for a middle ground would do something as utterly stupid as to participate in a mass public continuation of a hate-inducing lie. This only divides; it does nothing for peace.
On the other hand, I had fun. Aside from the stupidity and offensiveness of the act itself, which is a pretty big aside, I'll admit that the whole thing was spontaneous and ridiculous enough to be fun. Think of a geopolitical Rocky Horror Picture Show: Wrong? Yes. Amusing? Yeah, why not? But beyond that, there were serious implications that should not be taken lightly by outsiders or the people who want to play a role in the peace process down the road.
FIRE ESHERICK
Everybody thought we were going to beat Seton Hall this time. Did I tell them they were wrong? Yep. Was I right? Oh, yeah.
Raise your glasses, folks, to the most poorly coached team in Division I basketball. I can't even conjure up the right words of contempt. Just fire Esherick already, for God's sake.
Everybody thought we were going to beat Seton Hall this time. Did I tell them they were wrong? Yep. Was I right? Oh, yeah.
Raise your glasses, folks, to the most poorly coached team in Division I basketball. I can't even conjure up the right words of contempt. Just fire Esherick already, for God's sake.
Take Cover!
Holy Jesus (well, figuratively speaking in my case), I just got linked to The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler. All hail Emperor Misha I, ruler of the Anti-Idiotarian Empire...but damn, that means I might have to start writing something of substance and import. Crap.
Holy Jesus (well, figuratively speaking in my case), I just got linked to The Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler. All hail Emperor Misha I, ruler of the Anti-Idiotarian Empire...but damn, that means I might have to start writing something of substance and import. Crap.
Word from Osama
Well, while the Brits continue to kick our asses in serious journalism (with the glaring exception of our good buddy Robert Fisk), the Australians are busy mopping up our satire writers like a squad of German paratroopers taking on 50,000 Frenchmen. Tim Blair's Osama bin Laden State of the Union Address is a masterpiece.
Saddam Hussein might want to pay attention to that last part, it's going to seem very germane in about a week.
Well, while the Brits continue to kick our asses in serious journalism (with the glaring exception of our good buddy Robert Fisk), the Australians are busy mopping up our satire writers like a squad of German paratroopers taking on 50,000 Frenchmen. Tim Blair's Osama bin Laden State of the Union Address is a masterpiece.
We have faced the mildest, most measured attack our enemies could throw at us, and we have been rapidly defeated at almost every turn. The Muslim people have not risen as one to join my lunatic quest, the West has not been intimidated (well, except for the French) and every prediction about a Vietnam-style quagmire in Afghanistan proved false. Why, only this week US and Afghan troops easily put down a small al-Qa'ida uprising.
From this we can draw strength. For is it not written in the Koran that he who is pulped by US Army ordnance and buried beneath tonnes of Tora Bora dirt shall not later rise up and do more cool stuff with jets and buildings? You know, I bet it is.
Saddam Hussein might want to pay attention to that last part, it's going to seem very germane in about a week.
Jews In Space
Despite the fact that I make a career of Jewish jokes, I think I've been pretty good about keeping them off of here. Until now, anyway. This interview with Col. Ilan Ramon of the Israeli Air Force, currently the first Israeli in space, is hilarious. Like Kesher Talk (my new favorite source for kvetching, making a bit tsimmis of things, and other Yiddishry), I think this is the best part:
Priceless. I couldn't resist. A note to Gentiles, though: don't try. You're not going to get it.
UPDATE: I stand corrected: apparently, this little bit is comprehensible even to non-Members of the Tribe. We'll just call this the Jewish humor primer for goyim. Check out the full article for a real challenge!
Despite the fact that I make a career of Jewish jokes, I think I've been pretty good about keeping them off of here. Until now, anyway. This interview with Col. Ilan Ramon of the Israeli Air Force, currently the first Israeli in space, is hilarious. Like Kesher Talk (my new favorite source for kvetching, making a bit tsimmis of things, and other Yiddishry), I think this is the best part:
. . . Any other problems?
Well, I am having withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal? From what?
Smoking and talking on my cell phone … Wait a minute … hold on …
[Long pause]
Ilan, are you there?
[Long pause]
OK, I’m back.
What happened?
It was just Shabbat. But now it’s over. The next one doesn’t start for 16 minutes. Go ahead.
Priceless. I couldn't resist. A note to Gentiles, though: don't try. You're not going to get it.
UPDATE: I stand corrected: apparently, this little bit is comprehensible even to non-Members of the Tribe. We'll just call this the Jewish humor primer for goyim. Check out the full article for a real challenge!
1.28.2003
More Random SOTU Crap
Kudos to The Angry Clam for the best observation of the night!
I'm also glad to see that the Clam gives us Chosen People a shout-out:
Kudos to The Angry Clam for the best observation of the night!
Finally, I should note that John Ashcroft was the "missing man." I wonder how many lefties went nuts when they heard that, facing as they were the prospect of President John Ashcroft.
I'm also glad to see that the Clam gives us Chosen People a shout-out:
Bush needs to stop listening to the pinkos, but he should take a page from the Jews (and Muslims): NO MORE PORK!
Miscellaneous Thoughts on SOTU
1. I'd love to see the figures on how much money the President proposed for different projects in the span of twenty minutes.... Didn't fiscal respsonsibility used to be a Republican issue? I'm very skeptical about shelling out money for the USA Freedom Corps, counselling, etc. etc. in general, but especially when we're going to have weapons stocks to replenish and a war to fund.
2. The case for tax cuts was well done. Effectively worded, strong logic (i.e. if tax cuts are ok in five years, why not now?), hard line on the marriage penalty, etc. Bush's plan will never satisfy most Dems, but he made a great case to those whose minds aren't fully made up.
3. Oh wow. "Put it this way....they're no longer a problem to the United States." This is officially Tony Soprano's America. Laughed my ass off at that one.
4. A great job on making a strong case about Iraq, but it wasn't a slam dunk. And I don't like the sound of waiting yet another week to try and pander once again for UN support that either won't come or is going to cost us substantially in terms of time and concessions. Bush talked the talk on not hanging our fate on the decisions of other nations, but I would have preferred more substantive action. Say, for instance: "My fellow Americans, this video monitor shows Saddam Hussein's palace in Baghdad through the infrared camera of a JDAM bomb...." Maybe not quite that direct, but still.
5. As always, way too much mentioning of God, God-given blah blah blah, granted by God, etc. etc. Then again, I'm permanently squirrely about stuff like that, so whatever. I am very grateful, however, that the mention of faith-based initiatives was kept to an implication in that anecdote about the church in Louisiana.
6. I was really surprised and heartened to see a handful of Dems stand when the President asked for the partial-birth abortion ban. It's nice to see that some sense remains on the issue.
7. Yes, I'm adding as thoughts come to mind. Completely forgot about human cloning. A solid F for the Fearless Leader on this one. It was a solid, bold stroke, but if he gets what he wants, we're essentially cutting off any form of finding the greatest hope for therapeutic medicine in human history. Booooooo.
Those were the big thoughts of the night. I wasn't terribly impressed, but it was a decent showing overall. I'll be looking forward, rhetorically, though not in principle, to Powell's speech to the Security Council far more.
UPDATE: I just read Tacitus' comments and we agree on most of the issues, but as always, his are far better written. Definitely worth a look. Also, Kos' commentary is amusing, and good representation of thoughts on the other side of the aisle.
UPDATE, THE SEQUEL: Here's the first half of the live updates from Kos. And, holy shit...check out the comments section for the world's biggest Bush hate-in. There's some good entertainment there.
1. I'd love to see the figures on how much money the President proposed for different projects in the span of twenty minutes.... Didn't fiscal respsonsibility used to be a Republican issue? I'm very skeptical about shelling out money for the USA Freedom Corps, counselling, etc. etc. in general, but especially when we're going to have weapons stocks to replenish and a war to fund.
2. The case for tax cuts was well done. Effectively worded, strong logic (i.e. if tax cuts are ok in five years, why not now?), hard line on the marriage penalty, etc. Bush's plan will never satisfy most Dems, but he made a great case to those whose minds aren't fully made up.
3. Oh wow. "Put it this way....they're no longer a problem to the United States." This is officially Tony Soprano's America. Laughed my ass off at that one.
4. A great job on making a strong case about Iraq, but it wasn't a slam dunk. And I don't like the sound of waiting yet another week to try and pander once again for UN support that either won't come or is going to cost us substantially in terms of time and concessions. Bush talked the talk on not hanging our fate on the decisions of other nations, but I would have preferred more substantive action. Say, for instance: "My fellow Americans, this video monitor shows Saddam Hussein's palace in Baghdad through the infrared camera of a JDAM bomb...." Maybe not quite that direct, but still.
5. As always, way too much mentioning of God, God-given blah blah blah, granted by God, etc. etc. Then again, I'm permanently squirrely about stuff like that, so whatever. I am very grateful, however, that the mention of faith-based initiatives was kept to an implication in that anecdote about the church in Louisiana.
6. I was really surprised and heartened to see a handful of Dems stand when the President asked for the partial-birth abortion ban. It's nice to see that some sense remains on the issue.
7. Yes, I'm adding as thoughts come to mind. Completely forgot about human cloning. A solid F for the Fearless Leader on this one. It was a solid, bold stroke, but if he gets what he wants, we're essentially cutting off any form of finding the greatest hope for therapeutic medicine in human history. Booooooo.
Those were the big thoughts of the night. I wasn't terribly impressed, but it was a decent showing overall. I'll be looking forward, rhetorically, though not in principle, to Powell's speech to the Security Council far more.
UPDATE: I just read Tacitus' comments and we agree on most of the issues, but as always, his are far better written. Definitely worth a look. Also, Kos' commentary is amusing, and good representation of thoughts on the other side of the aisle.
UPDATE, THE SEQUEL: Here's the first half of the live updates from Kos. And, holy shit...check out the comments section for the world's biggest Bush hate-in. There's some good entertainment there.
Fisking and Other Odds and Ends
I am in awe of Isntapundit's thorough and hilariously profane fisking of Mark Shields. I especially love this one because I specifically remember reading this article on CNN and hating it with a passion. Shields, it should be noted, is up there with Bill Press in the journalists' section of the People That Need to be Shot at the Earliest Possible Convenience list (hey, it must exist somewhere).
Tacitus is posting live commentary to the State of the Union address tonight, which everyone should check out. I'd love to be able to do that, but chances are slim due both to talent and internet access. Live updates on the State of the Union Drinking Game tally, however, are a distinct possibility
I am in awe of Isntapundit's thorough and hilariously profane fisking of Mark Shields. I especially love this one because I specifically remember reading this article on CNN and hating it with a passion. Shields, it should be noted, is up there with Bill Press in the journalists' section of the People That Need to be Shot at the Earliest Possible Convenience list (hey, it must exist somewhere).
Tacitus is posting live commentary to the State of the Union address tonight, which everyone should check out. I'd love to be able to do that, but chances are slim due both to talent and internet access. Live updates on the State of the Union Drinking Game tally, however, are a distinct possibility
The Casus Belli
By now this is a very old link in the blogosphere, but I can't help but post it. Bill Whittle is simply an unbelievable writer, and everyone should take ten minutes out of their day to read what is an extremely powerful piece.
These are the kinds of ideas that I so desperately want to be able to write, but am simply unable to.
These are the kinds of ideas that make me deeply thankful that there are other, far more skilled people on earth than me.
These are the kinds of ideas that suddenly make it acceptable to tear up from pride and awe.
These are the kinds of ideas that steel my faith that the way I view the world offers a bright and hopeful future.
These are the kinds of ideas that silence that little voice that tells me the Navy isn't the way to go, and make me think that life will be complete with a little gold bar, a set of wings, and the honor of defending a free country.
Thank you, Bill Whittle.
By now this is a very old link in the blogosphere, but I can't help but post it. Bill Whittle is simply an unbelievable writer, and everyone should take ten minutes out of their day to read what is an extremely powerful piece.
These are the kinds of ideas that I so desperately want to be able to write, but am simply unable to.
These are the kinds of ideas that make me deeply thankful that there are other, far more skilled people on earth than me.
These are the kinds of ideas that suddenly make it acceptable to tear up from pride and awe.
These are the kinds of ideas that steel my faith that the way I view the world offers a bright and hopeful future.
These are the kinds of ideas that silence that little voice that tells me the Navy isn't the way to go, and make me think that life will be complete with a little gold bar, a set of wings, and the honor of defending a free country.
Thank you, Bill Whittle.
1.27.2003
My New Hero
Whoever this guy is, he's my new hero for the greatest idea since the "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker" commercial. And kudos to Glenn Reynolds for the link.
Well, we know what College Republicans across the country will be doing tomorrow evening. Hmmm...ROTC should be an interesting proposition on Wednesday morning.
Whoever this guy is, he's my new hero for the greatest idea since the "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker" commercial. And kudos to Glenn Reynolds for the link.
Well, we know what College Republicans across the country will be doing tomorrow evening. Hmmm...ROTC should be an interesting proposition on Wednesday morning.
Was it just me or did the Super Bowl commercials kinda suck this year? There were a few highlights...the "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker" commercial was hilarious, that Zebra one at the begining wasn't bad. But otherwise, not too impressive. On the other hand, I won the AEPi block pool thanks to that last touchdown. 50 bucks!!
I'm getting back on track this week, and the Matthews interview and the protest stuff are forthcoming.
1.25.2003
No Comment
Holy shit. Apparently, I'm now running the NASDAQ instead of a website from the looks of it.
NOTE: Don't bother anymore. Since the hits graph changed, this joke now makes no sense whatsoever. Get your cheap plummeting-stock-market humor elsewhere...or just watch the ticker on any given day.
Holy shit. Apparently, I'm now running the NASDAQ instead of a website from the looks of it.
NOTE: Don't bother anymore. Since the hits graph changed, this joke now makes no sense whatsoever. Get your cheap plummeting-stock-market humor elsewhere...or just watch the ticker on any given day.
1.24.2003
Ruminations
No, there wasn't much blogging today. It was a busy day. There was a Kerry speech that I should've skipped (I'm too tired to go find a link to his speech, but Glenn Reynolds is right...unimpressive about does it); there was a very...very...very long session of Liberal Arts Seminar; there was an outdoors running of a Navy PT test in the thinnest sweats ever made by man, in the dark, on a day where the wind chill was at 2 degrees. There was other stuff, too. On the other hand, I am offering online entries into the Official War on Terror Commencement of Hostilities Pool. 5 bucks. Let me know.
I'm also trying to figure out why my blog sucks. I'm not that dumb. I'm decently knowledgeable. But, man, it'll be a cold day in hell before I can post a good, long, intelligent spiel/rant (a la Den Beste, Tacitus, etc...I won't even dare say Andrew Sullivan or Lileks or any of the professional types) of any wit or worth. So, yeah, continued slowdown is likely until my blog's general state of suckhood is solved. If anyone has comments on this - observations of aforementioned suckhood or ways to remove myself from it are equally welcome - they'd be appreciated.
No, there wasn't much blogging today. It was a busy day. There was a Kerry speech that I should've skipped (I'm too tired to go find a link to his speech, but Glenn Reynolds is right...unimpressive about does it); there was a very...very...very long session of Liberal Arts Seminar; there was an outdoors running of a Navy PT test in the thinnest sweats ever made by man, in the dark, on a day where the wind chill was at 2 degrees. There was other stuff, too. On the other hand, I am offering online entries into the Official War on Terror Commencement of Hostilities Pool. 5 bucks. Let me know.
I'm also trying to figure out why my blog sucks. I'm not that dumb. I'm decently knowledgeable. But, man, it'll be a cold day in hell before I can post a good, long, intelligent spiel/rant (a la Den Beste, Tacitus, etc...I won't even dare say Andrew Sullivan or Lileks or any of the professional types) of any wit or worth. So, yeah, continued slowdown is likely until my blog's general state of suckhood is solved. If anyone has comments on this - observations of aforementioned suckhood or ways to remove myself from it are equally welcome - they'd be appreciated.
1.22.2003
Playing Hardball: Part I
Woohoo!! One interview with Chris Matthews in the bag! Now look for me tonight on stage as the Hardball College Tour goes live from Gaston. I'm going to transcribe the whole spiel, but here's a sneak preview (this is right off the tape):
ME: So who's your favorite? Ben Affleck or Matt Damon? Who's it better to be?
CM: Great question. I like...uh...Matt Damon.
ME: Acting or looks?
CM: I like the movies he's been in. I think The Talented Mr. Ripley was a really, incredibly good movie.
ME: Didn't see it.
Yup, that's right. I ask the cutting questions.
Woohoo!! One interview with Chris Matthews in the bag! Now look for me tonight on stage as the Hardball College Tour goes live from Gaston. I'm going to transcribe the whole spiel, but here's a sneak preview (this is right off the tape):
ME: So who's your favorite? Ben Affleck or Matt Damon? Who's it better to be?
CM: Great question. I like...uh...Matt Damon.
ME: Acting or looks?
CM: I like the movies he's been in. I think The Talented Mr. Ripley was a really, incredibly good movie.
ME: Didn't see it.
Yup, that's right. I ask the cutting questions.
Whoa.
For some inexplicable reason, liberal editorial pages seem to be suffering from an attack of common sense today. Michael Kelly's Marching with Stalinists from the Washington Post has the belated mass-media reaction to International ANSWER.
Then, the New York Times' Thomas Friedman (of whom I will shamefully admit I am a fan) writes Thinking About Iraq (I), which rips on anti-war liberals.
Let's hope this is the start of a trend.
For some inexplicable reason, liberal editorial pages seem to be suffering from an attack of common sense today. Michael Kelly's Marching with Stalinists from the Washington Post has the belated mass-media reaction to International ANSWER.
This is whom the left now marches with. The left marches with the Stalinists. The left marches with those who would maintain in power the leading oppressors of humanity in the world. It marches with, stands with and cheers on people like the speaker at the Washington rally who declared that "the real terrorists have always been the United Snakes of America." It marches with people like the former Black Panther Charles Baron, who said in Washington, "if you're looking for an axis of evil then look in the belly of this beast."
Then, the New York Times' Thomas Friedman (of whom I will shamefully admit I am a fan) writes Thinking About Iraq (I), which rips on anti-war liberals.
It is not unreasonable to believe that if the U.S. removed Saddam and helped Iraqis build not an overnight democracy but a more accountable, progressive and democratizing regime, it would have a positive, transforming effect on the entire Arab world — a region desperately in need of a progressive model that works.
Let's hope this is the start of a trend.
The Conservative's Obligatory Roe Comments
I'll make it quick.
I don't get too worked up over Roe because, frankly, I don't care all that much (gasp!). It may be because I'm not very religious, or because I'm naturally interested in other topics, or something else, but for whatever reason, abortion does not send me into those apoplectic fits that many on the right tend to have. Now, would I like to see it overturned? Yes. I'm personally against abortion as a matter of common sense; it seems to me that in a potential lose-lose situation, the solution that doesn't end up taking a life is the right way to go. More realistically, however, I mainly want to see abortion-on-demand ended and decisions in that regard returned to doctors.
Views like that tend to make me unpopular among my more conservative friends, despite the fact that I'm to the right of them on most other issues. And that, for me, is the real issue behind the Roe debate. There are a lot of Republicans who talk a great game about being the Party of Lincoln, and then turn and scream "RINO!" and "You're not really a Republican/conservative!" to anyone who dares voice an alternative stance on abortion. This is something far removed from inclusion.
A big-tent party can only help conservatives. I'm not pro-choice or pro-environment or entirely pro-gay rights myself, but those who are need to be assured that one isolated belief among many is not going to cost them a home in the Republican party. Today, there are self-described conservatives manning the protest barricades on both sides of the issue; the lesson of Roe should be that we can fight for whatever ideals we see fit without turning them into a litmus test for conservative purity.
I'll make it quick.
I don't get too worked up over Roe because, frankly, I don't care all that much (gasp!). It may be because I'm not very religious, or because I'm naturally interested in other topics, or something else, but for whatever reason, abortion does not send me into those apoplectic fits that many on the right tend to have. Now, would I like to see it overturned? Yes. I'm personally against abortion as a matter of common sense; it seems to me that in a potential lose-lose situation, the solution that doesn't end up taking a life is the right way to go. More realistically, however, I mainly want to see abortion-on-demand ended and decisions in that regard returned to doctors.
Views like that tend to make me unpopular among my more conservative friends, despite the fact that I'm to the right of them on most other issues. And that, for me, is the real issue behind the Roe debate. There are a lot of Republicans who talk a great game about being the Party of Lincoln, and then turn and scream "RINO!" and "You're not really a Republican/conservative!" to anyone who dares voice an alternative stance on abortion. This is something far removed from inclusion.
A big-tent party can only help conservatives. I'm not pro-choice or pro-environment or entirely pro-gay rights myself, but those who are need to be assured that one isolated belief among many is not going to cost them a home in the Republican party. Today, there are self-described conservatives manning the protest barricades on both sides of the issue; the lesson of Roe should be that we can fight for whatever ideals we see fit without turning them into a litmus test for conservative purity.
The Peacenik Next Door
One of those unfortunate by-products of college life is having to deal with people who write things like this in announcement emails:
I don't even know where to begin, and since those who have followed the protests will recognize the spate of idiotic statements, I won't bother. Yeesh....
One of those unfortunate by-products of college life is having to deal with people who write things like this in announcement emails:
4. PEACE
this past Saturday, penthouse and georgetown students were among the 200,000-250,000 people (a good estimate) who rallied/marched for peace. it was the largest U.S. demonstration yet against war with Iraq. there were also other huge protests in san fran, other parts of the us, and around the world. the Post had GREAT coverage, and the NYT had a great editorial. go peace! : )
I don't even know where to begin, and since those who have followed the protests will recognize the spate of idiotic statements, I won't bother. Yeesh....
America's "Allies"
Germany has decided to follow the lead of France and declare its total opposition to any UN resolution backing war with Iraq.
My theory on the Franco-German stonewalling has been pretty simple: aside from massive anti-Americanism, the two nations are hoping to force the US into a long UN approval process, one that would stall until the window of opportunity for launching an attack in 2003 has closed. Once February had passed, they'd then have a long year to keep gathering steam in anti-war circles and boost opposition to America in the Security Council. Steven Den Beste at USS Clueless, however, has a far more developed and sinister theory.
I haven't given it quite the in-depth reading it deserves (it's a hefty article), but this scenario seems scarily plausible from the looks of it.
Germany has decided to follow the lead of France and declare its total opposition to any UN resolution backing war with Iraq.
My theory on the Franco-German stonewalling has been pretty simple: aside from massive anti-Americanism, the two nations are hoping to force the US into a long UN approval process, one that would stall until the window of opportunity for launching an attack in 2003 has closed. Once February had passed, they'd then have a long year to keep gathering steam in anti-war circles and boost opposition to America in the Security Council. Steven Den Beste at USS Clueless, however, has a far more developed and sinister theory.
One more and the most important: suppose that the records also show that during the 1990's companies in France or Germany (or both) actively and deliberately broke the sanctions and sold equipment and supplies to Iraq which helped it to create these things, and that the governments of Germany and France knew and approved of this and actively helped. That's the biggest and most speculative suppose.
On that I can't place a probability; there's no way of knowing right now whether this happened, or whether such records will be found. But I don't consider the possibility of this to be vanishingly small. I think the chance is decent that some such illegal sales to Iraq took place, but I can't say how likely it is that the governments there actively approved of it, or at least deliberately ignored it (which is bad enough). That's the wild card.
I haven't given it quite the in-depth reading it deserves (it's a hefty article), but this scenario seems scarily plausible from the looks of it.
Swan Song?
This item is posted a bit belatedly, but yipes.... Andrew Sullivan launched a full broadside against the UN yesterday, saying in effect that it's time is up as an effective body if it's not willing to support war in Iraq. Instead, he claims (rightly) that the UN is more interested in tripping up the United States for the gain of others.
The Charles Krauthammer Op-Ed I quoted yesterday made much this same point in October, and both are right. If the Security Council is willing to be railroaded by anti-Americanism rather than doing its own job, its legitimacy will come to a screeching halt when the war to liberate Iraq is successful.
This item is posted a bit belatedly, but yipes.... Andrew Sullivan launched a full broadside against the UN yesterday, saying in effect that it's time is up as an effective body if it's not willing to support war in Iraq. Instead, he claims (rightly) that the UN is more interested in tripping up the United States for the gain of others.
Paris and Berlin know full well that the chances of the inspectors actually finding what Saddam has spent so much effort concealing is next to zero. And they also know that by delaying the potential war until the autumn, they will help keep the U.S. economy depressed (investment being crippled by uncertainty) and help the growing appeasement movement gain more strength. By then, war will become an even greater political risk for London and Washington, which is, of course, part of the Europeans' plan.
The Charles Krauthammer Op-Ed I quoted yesterday made much this same point in October, and both are right. If the Security Council is willing to be railroaded by anti-Americanism rather than doing its own job, its legitimacy will come to a screeching halt when the war to liberate Iraq is successful.
1.21.2003
We're Target Practice, Eh?
Why anyone would want to follow the lead of Canadians is beyond me, but it appears that some people can't be reasoned with. The Angry Clam reveals that yet more "human shields" (read: JDAM calibration dummies) are on their way to Iraq to stand in front of buildings and get killed. As the Clam notes, however, this premise doesn't quite work when people are making jokes about your imminent death instead of getting worried.
Why anyone would want to follow the lead of Canadians is beyond me, but it appears that some people can't be reasoned with. The Angry Clam reveals that yet more "human shields" (read: JDAM calibration dummies) are on their way to Iraq to stand in front of buildings and get killed. As the Clam notes, however, this premise doesn't quite work when people are making jokes about your imminent death instead of getting worried.
Beating the Dead Horse IV: The Saga Continues
Yup, back to affirmative action. There's a whole spate of little tidbits floating around the blogosphere right now that are worthy of mention and end in some form of a coherent point (at least I hope).
Firstly, there's video of Howard Dean's recent speech in Iowa, courtesy of the Dean2004 blog. Howard is in usual form here, meaning he's engaging, funny, and left of Marx. The speech starts off with some jokes, then proceeds right into the affirmative action issue. But Howard, in the middle of a lengthy and ludicrous attack, raises a good point: President Bush, in a pathetic attempt at appearing not entirely against affirmative action, attacked the U of M program as a quota system, which it is not.
THAT, from Andrew Sullivan, is a quota system. But the bottom line is this: even if it's not a quota system, it's still no better! The Angry Clam gives us a little perspective on the fairness of the University of Michigan's non-quota policy.
Oh, yeah, that's a lot better. Clearly, the Michigan policy is, at the very least, tilting the scale enormously against qualified applicants in favor of race.
Dean wants to talk about "making classrooms look like America", but the real question seems to be what good a classroom that looks like America is if the laws that created it are fundamentally against the spirit of America. Classrooms should be diverse, but diversity should be a natural product of all students naturally focusing on work ethic and qualifications; programs like U of M's, aside from being blatantly unconstitutional, send the message that skin color trumps personal achievement (which, ironically, was precisely what the old civil rights movement was fighting against). Dean's assault isn't really about justice or civil rights; it's just an attempt to plant those racially divisive hints he claims to deplore. Let's not be fooled.
Yup, back to affirmative action. There's a whole spate of little tidbits floating around the blogosphere right now that are worthy of mention and end in some form of a coherent point (at least I hope).
Firstly, there's video of Howard Dean's recent speech in Iowa, courtesy of the Dean2004 blog. Howard is in usual form here, meaning he's engaging, funny, and left of Marx. The speech starts off with some jokes, then proceeds right into the affirmative action issue. But Howard, in the middle of a lengthy and ludicrous attack, raises a good point: President Bush, in a pathetic attempt at appearing not entirely against affirmative action, attacked the U of M program as a quota system, which it is not.
A Boston Globe columnist blurted out the truth today:
The editor of a sizable newspaper told me recently that he decided the racial makeup of four new hires - two minorities, a white woman, and a white male - before reviewing a single applicant.
Isn't that illegal? And if a leading editor is enforcing illegal racist hiring policies, shouldn't a journalist tell us who he or she is? Or are liberal editors above the law?
THAT, from Andrew Sullivan, is a quota system. But the bottom line is this: even if it's not a quota system, it's still no better! The Angry Clam gives us a little perspective on the fairness of the University of Michigan's non-quota policy.
"They may receive 20 points for one of the following: membership in an underrepresented minority group, socioeconomic disadvantage, attendance at a predominantly minority high school, athletics, or at the Provost's discretion. Reflecting the University's commitment both to state residents and to broader geographic diversity, counselors assign ten points for Michigan residency, six additional points for residency in underrepresented Michigan counties, and two points for residency in underrepresented states. Applicants receive one or four points for alumni relationships. The personal essay can earn up to three points. Based on an applicant's activities, work experience, and awards, counselors may assign up to five points for leadership and service, and five more points for personal achievement."
Let me put that into perspective for you: if every single member of your family since the founding of Michigan went there, AND you were the leader in everything in high school, AND you wrote a personal statement up for the Nobel Prize in literature, you'd get twelve points, eight behind what you'd get just for being black.
Oh, yeah, that's a lot better. Clearly, the Michigan policy is, at the very least, tilting the scale enormously against qualified applicants in favor of race.
Dean wants to talk about "making classrooms look like America", but the real question seems to be what good a classroom that looks like America is if the laws that created it are fundamentally against the spirit of America. Classrooms should be diverse, but diversity should be a natural product of all students naturally focusing on work ethic and qualifications; programs like U of M's, aside from being blatantly unconstitutional, send the message that skin color trumps personal achievement (which, ironically, was precisely what the old civil rights movement was fighting against). Dean's assault isn't really about justice or civil rights; it's just an attempt to plant those racially divisive hints he claims to deplore. Let's not be fooled.
White Guys Willing to Die
Right-Thinking has picked up the story concerning facts and figures on racial distribution in the armed forces. InstaPundit was covering the piece this morning, but Lee has added some additional analysis that makes the item truly noteworthy; it's a thorough debunking of attempts to play the race card and accuse Bush of a "racist war" and a good read.
Right-Thinking has picked up the story concerning facts and figures on racial distribution in the armed forces. InstaPundit was covering the piece this morning, but Lee has added some additional analysis that makes the item truly noteworthy; it's a thorough debunking of attempts to play the race card and accuse Bush of a "racist war" and a good read.
Send In the Clown
If you believe those old saws that "Raindrops are God's tears" and "It'll be a cold day in hell when...", then how appropriate is it that it was snowing in New York when Al Sharpton formally announced his candidacy?
NOTE: Yes, this post is a repeat. Somehow I miscoded the last one into a situation that is totally unfixable in Blogger, and I can't delete it, either. Great. Ignore the next post down and bear with me here.
If you believe those old saws that "Raindrops are God's tears" and "It'll be a cold day in hell when...", then how appropriate is it that it was snowing in New York when Al Sharpton formally announced his candidacy?
NOTE: Yes, this post is a repeat. Somehow I miscoded the last one into a situation that is totally unfixable in Blogger, and I can't delete it, either. Great. Ignore the next post down and bear with me here.
Send In the Clown
If you believe those old saws that "Raindrops are God's tears" and "It'll be a cold day in hell when...", then how appropriate is it that it was snowing in New York when Al Sharpton # posted by Max : 1:50 PM
If you believe those old saws that "Raindrops are God's tears" and "It'll be a cold day in hell when...", then how appropriate is it that it was snowing in New York when Al Sharpton # posted by Max : 1:50 PM
