Today Liberal AM Radio was launched by a new radio network, Air America Radio.
It may work, but the signs aren't good so far. Their flagship program is hosted by Al Franken. That alone is bad enough, but he felt the need to name his show The O'Franken Factor. If you want to be successful in life, you can't be a follower. By parodying The O'Reilly Factor, Franken is a follower, not a leader. It's easy to criticize. It's harder to stand for something.
I'll be interested to see if there is any substance to the new liberal network.
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Reading and writing...
I am still in the process of applying for grad school. It's been a slow process, but you have to have money to go to school.
I've finally settled on a degree - MS in Technical Communications. Well, I've decided that sometime ago. Since I think I express myself clearly in writing and love technology, it seems a good fit for me.
It turns out I have a major trait that is good for developing writing skills. That is, I'm a voracious reader. Last month I interviewed fantasy novelist Mitchell Graham for a web site (I'll put the link to the interview up when it finally gets posted) said he believes the way to learn how to write is to study other readers. Another fantasy novelist, George R.R. Martin, says the same thing.
Then today I was reading a book by Robert Bly, an expert on commercial writing, who said he loved to read as a child. He eventually became a technical writer.
OK, I like to read, (I'm currently reading 5 different books) I like technology. It just dawned on me that I actually had a job as a technical writer while for a year when I worked at Merrill Lynch in a software support position. I really should do more of that.
I've finally settled on a degree - MS in Technical Communications. Well, I've decided that sometime ago. Since I think I express myself clearly in writing and love technology, it seems a good fit for me.
It turns out I have a major trait that is good for developing writing skills. That is, I'm a voracious reader. Last month I interviewed fantasy novelist Mitchell Graham for a web site (I'll put the link to the interview up when it finally gets posted) said he believes the way to learn how to write is to study other readers. Another fantasy novelist, George R.R. Martin, says the same thing.
Then today I was reading a book by Robert Bly, an expert on commercial writing, who said he loved to read as a child. He eventually became a technical writer.
OK, I like to read, (I'm currently reading 5 different books) I like technology. It just dawned on me that I actually had a job as a technical writer while for a year when I worked at Merrill Lynch in a software support position. I really should do more of that.
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
We should talk to them..
The naive left claims that we should use diplomacy and negotiate with terrorists. By killing terrorist leaders like Israel did to Ahmed Yassin, the co-founder and "spiritual leader" of Hamas, Israel is "perpetuating the cycle of violence".
One thing I learned in the Marine Corps is that you need to kill people who want to kill you. Sounds harsh, but its true. And Hamas certainly wants to kill Israel. From Hamas' founding charter:
"Israel will rise and will remain erect until Islam eliminates it as it had eliminated its predecessors."
"the so-called peaceful solutions, and the international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement"
How do you negotiate with people who don't want to negotiate? Islamic terrorists (e.g. Hamas) only want to kill. There is no alternative.
"It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favour of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion. " -W. R. Inge
One thing I learned in the Marine Corps is that you need to kill people who want to kill you. Sounds harsh, but its true. And Hamas certainly wants to kill Israel. From Hamas' founding charter:
"Israel will rise and will remain erect until Islam eliminates it as it had eliminated its predecessors."
"the so-called peaceful solutions, and the international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement"
How do you negotiate with people who don't want to negotiate? Islamic terrorists (e.g. Hamas) only want to kill. There is no alternative.
"It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favour of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion. " -W. R. Inge
Arafat admits he is a terrorist
George Khoury was a 20-year-old economics student at Jerusalem's Hebrew University. Last Friday he was killed after being shot in the head, neck and stomach by al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade terrorists. He had been jogging in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood.
Only one problem from al-Aqsa's view. George Khoury was an Arab. He was not a Jew.
Oops.
So Yassir Arafat called George Khoury's father and apologized for the killing. For those of you who might think Arafat is looking for peace, please read that last sentence again. Apologizing for an action takes responsibility. Arafat admitted he is responsible for trying to kill Israelis - in this case, missing and killing an Arab.
In response to their mistake, al-Aqsa immediately blamed Israel for the death by claiming Khoury is now a "martyr." They are killing their own people and labeling their victims heroes for their cause.
Only one problem from al-Aqsa's view. George Khoury was an Arab. He was not a Jew.
Oops.
So Yassir Arafat called George Khoury's father and apologized for the killing. For those of you who might think Arafat is looking for peace, please read that last sentence again. Apologizing for an action takes responsibility. Arafat admitted he is responsible for trying to kill Israelis - in this case, missing and killing an Arab.
In response to their mistake, al-Aqsa immediately blamed Israel for the death by claiming Khoury is now a "martyr." They are killing their own people and labeling their victims heroes for their cause.
Saturday, March 20, 2004
Iraq war protests
Today idiots are protesting a war already won. Rev. Herbert Daughtry said, “It is time to bring our children home and declare this war was unnecessary.”
To say this war was unneccesary is to say Saddaam Hussein should still be in power. Tell the families of hundreds of thousands of massacred Iraqis that this war was unneccessay. There are pictures of our Army personnel excavating mass graves here.
And George W. Bush is the evil one now? Strange that a reverend can't tell the difference between Hussein and President Bush.
To say this war was unneccesary is to say Saddaam Hussein should still be in power. Tell the families of hundreds of thousands of massacred Iraqis that this war was unneccessay. There are pictures of our Army personnel excavating mass graves here.
And George W. Bush is the evil one now? Strange that a reverend can't tell the difference between Hussein and President Bush.
Thursday, March 18, 2004
PETA: "Chickens are human too"
PETA is getting ready to launch its "Holocaust on a plate" campaign which compares the killing of chickens for food to the massacre of 6 million Jews during World War II.
Reuters reports:
The posters, due to be displayed in Stuttgart from Thursday and in 11 European cities at later dates, show pictures of battery hens packed into cages next to historic pictures of emaciated Jewish inmates in Nazi concentration camp bunk beds.
Reuters put this story under its "Oddly Enough" category and titled it German Jews Attack Vegetarian Ad Campaign. The title implies that Reuters thinks it is odd for German Jews to be offended at the ad campaign rather than it being odd PETA would compare chickens to human suffering.
In reality, PETA thinks animals are more important than humans. On February 3, 2003, PETA co-founder Ingrid Newkirk wrote a letter to Yasir Arafat asking him to not to harm animals in suicide bombing attacks. She has absolutely no concern about the children the terrorists are killing as long as they don't hurt donkeys.
You may think the title of this post is a joke. It isn't. PETA is calling for an amendment to the United States Constitution that says:
all mammals, birds, and fish will, henceforth, be defined as "persons" in the eyes of the law
Makes me hungry for some chicken.
Reuters reports:
The posters, due to be displayed in Stuttgart from Thursday and in 11 European cities at later dates, show pictures of battery hens packed into cages next to historic pictures of emaciated Jewish inmates in Nazi concentration camp bunk beds.
Reuters put this story under its "Oddly Enough" category and titled it German Jews Attack Vegetarian Ad Campaign. The title implies that Reuters thinks it is odd for German Jews to be offended at the ad campaign rather than it being odd PETA would compare chickens to human suffering.
In reality, PETA thinks animals are more important than humans. On February 3, 2003, PETA co-founder Ingrid Newkirk wrote a letter to Yasir Arafat asking him to not to harm animals in suicide bombing attacks. She has absolutely no concern about the children the terrorists are killing as long as they don't hurt donkeys.
You may think the title of this post is a joke. It isn't. PETA is calling for an amendment to the United States Constitution that says:
all mammals, birds, and fish will, henceforth, be defined as "persons" in the eyes of the law
Makes me hungry for some chicken.
Al Qaeda 1 - Spain 0
Spain is the first nation to ever be defeated by a terrorist group. A whole country has surrendered to a group of thugs. Jose Zapatero, head of the socialist party recently elected, maintains he will withdraw Spain's troops from Iraq unless the U.S. cedes control of the country to the United Nations. Obviously, he is optimistic of U.N. control because of the its past successes resulting from its demands that amount to "Stop, or we will say "stop" again!"
Al Qaeda is thanking them:
A group claiming to have links with al Qaeda said on Wednesday it was calling a truce in its Spanish operations to see if the new Madrid government would withdraw its troops from Iraq
Other European countries, you can thank Spain for the terrorism coming soon to a neighborhood near you.
Al Qaeda is thanking them:
A group claiming to have links with al Qaeda said on Wednesday it was calling a truce in its Spanish operations to see if the new Madrid government would withdraw its troops from Iraq
Other European countries, you can thank Spain for the terrorism coming soon to a neighborhood near you.
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
The Passion Continues
"The Passion of The Christ" made another $32 million this weekend making a total gross of $264 million which will put it at 23rd on the all time list. The movie needs only to make another $21 million to become the biggest selling R rated movie ever and break into the top 20 all time. I heard commentary on the radio today expecting the movie to finish at number two or three on the all time list ahead of E.T. or Star Wars.
Looking at the list of top movies of all time you can see another example of Hollywood being out of touch. As of today, not a single one of the top 20 movies of all time are rated R. Yet in the 1990's, 55% of all movies released were rated R. Here's an eye opener. In 2003 258 movies were released on video. 122 of them (47%) were rated R. PG-13 came in second with 88 movies released (34%).
Well, maybe some movie studios are getting smarter. Disney and Walden Media are going to release C.S. Lewis children's classic story "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" in December of 2005.
Looking at the list of top movies of all time you can see another example of Hollywood being out of touch. As of today, not a single one of the top 20 movies of all time are rated R. Yet in the 1990's, 55% of all movies released were rated R. Here's an eye opener. In 2003 258 movies were released on video. 122 of them (47%) were rated R. PG-13 came in second with 88 movies released (34%).
Well, maybe some movie studios are getting smarter. Disney and Walden Media are going to release C.S. Lewis children's classic story "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" in December of 2005.
Presidential endorsement auction
Currently on eBay:
Update: EBay took down the auction (they aren't any fun). Here is the full text:
Have you ever been caught in a lie while running for President of the United States? If you want to make a current president jealous, look better in front of your political buddies who have real foreign relations experience, or if you are just a liar who got called out on your bogus campaign lies, this is the auction for you!!! I'll pretend that I am the leader of a foreign nation that supports your candidacy for President of the United States until the elections in November.
As the imaginary leader of a foreign nation who supports your candidacy, I'll play along with you with whatever you want me to say. If you want to tell some pesky Republican who call you out at a campaign stop that I support you, I'll back you up. If you want me to claim that Bush has ruined the reputation of the United States, I'm up to it. Just like you, I'm willing to say anything it takes to get you elected, I won't mean a bit of it, and I'll change my stand on the situation when it is politically convenient.
Shipping/Handling charge for this item is $15.00, we only ship to Massachusetts. Payment must be received within 3 days of auction close. We accept Paypal (Mastercard, Visa, E-Checks), Money Orders, Certified Checks, or fraudulent donations from Moveon.org in US Funds and cash. As soon as I receive your payment I'll mail off the press release to CNN, Fox, ABC, NBC, and CBS stating the fact that we have a relationship going back to the start of the Bush presidency. I am the ultimate online fake leader of a foreign nation!!!!
*****THIS DOES NOT MEAN I AM YOUR REAL SUPPORTER!!!!!This is only pretend!!!!!***** When our time is up, right before the election, I'll send out another press release stating that this was all fake. Hey, I'm out for a buck, I'm not insane. But who are we kidding, if flip flopping on the issues makes a person less trustworthy, you would have dropped out of the race already.
This is a private auction your user id will not be shown on here!!!!
Update: EBay took down the auction (they aren't any fun). Here is the full text:
Have you ever been caught in a lie while running for President of the United States? If you want to make a current president jealous, look better in front of your political buddies who have real foreign relations experience, or if you are just a liar who got called out on your bogus campaign lies, this is the auction for you!!! I'll pretend that I am the leader of a foreign nation that supports your candidacy for President of the United States until the elections in November.
As the imaginary leader of a foreign nation who supports your candidacy, I'll play along with you with whatever you want me to say. If you want to tell some pesky Republican who call you out at a campaign stop that I support you, I'll back you up. If you want me to claim that Bush has ruined the reputation of the United States, I'm up to it. Just like you, I'm willing to say anything it takes to get you elected, I won't mean a bit of it, and I'll change my stand on the situation when it is politically convenient.
Shipping/Handling charge for this item is $15.00, we only ship to Massachusetts. Payment must be received within 3 days of auction close. We accept Paypal (Mastercard, Visa, E-Checks), Money Orders, Certified Checks, or fraudulent donations from Moveon.org in US Funds and cash. As soon as I receive your payment I'll mail off the press release to CNN, Fox, ABC, NBC, and CBS stating the fact that we have a relationship going back to the start of the Bush presidency. I am the ultimate online fake leader of a foreign nation!!!!
*****THIS DOES NOT MEAN I AM YOUR REAL SUPPORTER!!!!!This is only pretend!!!!!***** When our time is up, right before the election, I'll send out another press release stating that this was all fake. Hey, I'm out for a buck, I'm not insane. But who are we kidding, if flip flopping on the issues makes a person less trustworthy, you would have dropped out of the race already.
This is a private auction your user id will not be shown on here!!!!
Europe should expect more terror attacks
Opinion Journal passes this on from a CNN report:
"A December posting on an Internet message board used by al Qaeda and its sympathizers and obtained by CNN, spells out a plan to topple the pro-U.S. government":
"We think the Spanish government will not stand more than two blows, or three at the most, before it will be forced to withdraw because of the public pressure on it," the al Qaeda document says.
"If its forces remain after these blows, the victory of the Socialist Party will be almost guaranteed--and the withdrawal of Spanish forces will be on its campaign manifesto."
It certainly worked. The pro-U.S. government was soundly defeated in the election held just after the train bombings in Spain. The rest of Europe needs to brace itself. Spain showed Al Qaeda it is willing to turn tail at the first sign of a threat. Since Al Qaeda achieved its goal with Spain, it only makes sense they will repeat this tactic with other countries.
Will this tactic work in the United States? Hopefully we won't find out in October.
"A December posting on an Internet message board used by al Qaeda and its sympathizers and obtained by CNN, spells out a plan to topple the pro-U.S. government":
"We think the Spanish government will not stand more than two blows, or three at the most, before it will be forced to withdraw because of the public pressure on it," the al Qaeda document says.
"If its forces remain after these blows, the victory of the Socialist Party will be almost guaranteed--and the withdrawal of Spanish forces will be on its campaign manifesto."
It certainly worked. The pro-U.S. government was soundly defeated in the election held just after the train bombings in Spain. The rest of Europe needs to brace itself. Spain showed Al Qaeda it is willing to turn tail at the first sign of a threat. Since Al Qaeda achieved its goal with Spain, it only makes sense they will repeat this tactic with other countries.
Will this tactic work in the United States? Hopefully we won't find out in October.
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
More "Passion"
The Passion of The Christ continues to draw hysterical criticism. Actor Steve Martin has written a satirical article criticizing the movie as "money-making showbusiness".
This demonstrates just how out of touch Hollywood is. Prior to the film's release, Mel Gibson was identified purely as a anti-Semitic traditional Catholic zealot. Now that the film has grossed over $200 Million he is money grubbing.
Where has Hollywood been for the past 40 years? Aren't they supposed to be in business? If this was such a sure bet from Hollywood's perspective, a studio would have made this movie years ago. Mel Gibson put up his own money for a film no one else wanted to touch and made an incalcuable risk in using foreign languages for all the dialogue. That's as far from a sure thing as I've ever heard. Now he is called money-grubbing.
Christian groups have been begging for Christian movies for years. When a good one finally comes, they attend in unprecedented numbers. Twelve days after its release, it already ranks as 47th highest grossing movie of all time (I expect another huge bump in sales around Easter). It looks to be in line for the most profitable movie ever released.
This isn't a demonstration of Mel Gibson's greed. It's a lesson in how foolish Hollywood is.
This demonstrates just how out of touch Hollywood is. Prior to the film's release, Mel Gibson was identified purely as a anti-Semitic traditional Catholic zealot. Now that the film has grossed over $200 Million he is money grubbing.
Where has Hollywood been for the past 40 years? Aren't they supposed to be in business? If this was such a sure bet from Hollywood's perspective, a studio would have made this movie years ago. Mel Gibson put up his own money for a film no one else wanted to touch and made an incalcuable risk in using foreign languages for all the dialogue. That's as far from a sure thing as I've ever heard. Now he is called money-grubbing.
Christian groups have been begging for Christian movies for years. When a good one finally comes, they attend in unprecedented numbers. Twelve days after its release, it already ranks as 47th highest grossing movie of all time (I expect another huge bump in sales around Easter). It looks to be in line for the most profitable movie ever released.
This isn't a demonstration of Mel Gibson's greed. It's a lesson in how foolish Hollywood is.
Fajitas
I made fajitas for lunch today. Took the leftovers with me to work.
Man! (or non-gender-specific exclamation), I make some gooooooooood fajita.
Man! (or non-gender-specific exclamation), I make some gooooooooood fajita.
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Why President Bush will win the 2004 election
From a speech President Bush made on March 8, 2004:
"My opponent spent two decades in Congress. He spent a long time in Washington and he's built up quite a record. Senator Kerry has been in Washington so long that he's taken both sides on just about every issue. Senator Kerry voted for the Patriot Act, for NAFTA, for the No Child Left Behind Act, and for the use of force in Iraq. Now he opposes the Patriot Act, NAFTA, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the liberation of Iraq. My opponent clearly has strong beliefs--they just don't last very long. . . ."
"My opponent spent two decades in Congress. He spent a long time in Washington and he's built up quite a record. Senator Kerry has been in Washington so long that he's taken both sides on just about every issue. Senator Kerry voted for the Patriot Act, for NAFTA, for the No Child Left Behind Act, and for the use of force in Iraq. Now he opposes the Patriot Act, NAFTA, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the liberation of Iraq. My opponent clearly has strong beliefs--they just don't last very long. . . ."
Friday, March 05, 2004
North Koreans for Kerry
State run media in North Korea is pushing John Kerry for U.S. President.
"Pyongyang seems to hope victory for the Democratic candidate on November 2 would lead to a softening in US policy towards the country's nuclear weapons programme."
North Korea knows Kerry will be soft on defense. Hopefully, Americans will realize it in time.
"Pyongyang seems to hope victory for the Democratic candidate on November 2 would lead to a softening in US policy towards the country's nuclear weapons programme."
North Korea knows Kerry will be soft on defense. Hopefully, Americans will realize it in time.
Christianity is unconstitutional?
I've been debating a man on a message board about marriage and the Bible.
I've pointed out that recent events in Canada and Europe have led to the restriction of the freedom to practice one's religion and the freedom of speech. (Christians have successfully been sued for "hate crimes" for calling homosexuality a sin).
My position is that the same may happen here. My debating opponent had this to say about the moralilty of the Bible:
I can view what i see as immorality in the bible as absolutely immoral
(this would include espousing a belief that those who believe a different religion
are going to hell. Which of course doesnt really fly with our freedom of
religion beliefs in this country)
He actually believes that Christianity is unconstitutional. He believes Christians are not allowed to hold Christian beliefs. Canada and Europe have already taken steps to prevent Christians from expressing their beliefs. Is the same thing starting here?
I've pointed out that recent events in Canada and Europe have led to the restriction of the freedom to practice one's religion and the freedom of speech. (Christians have successfully been sued for "hate crimes" for calling homosexuality a sin).
My position is that the same may happen here. My debating opponent had this to say about the moralilty of the Bible:
I can view what i see as immorality in the bible as absolutely immoral
(this would include espousing a belief that those who believe a different religion
are going to hell. Which of course doesnt really fly with our freedom of
religion beliefs in this country)
He actually believes that Christianity is unconstitutional. He believes Christians are not allowed to hold Christian beliefs. Canada and Europe have already taken steps to prevent Christians from expressing their beliefs. Is the same thing starting here?
Thursday, March 04, 2004
How to bankrupt America - 101
John Kerry again is demonstrating a sad lack of foresight. Kerry is now saying he would grant state-sanctioned gay couples all the 1,049 federal benefits married couples lay claim to.
That's fine Mr. Kerry. How are you going to pay for it?
Now regardless of your position on gay marriage, there are significant consequences to this plan. The impact on Social Security survivor benefits alone would push the federal program past the breaking point.
But then again, Kerry has already made it clear that he wants to raise taxes.
That's fine Mr. Kerry. How are you going to pay for it?
Now regardless of your position on gay marriage, there are significant consequences to this plan. The impact on Social Security survivor benefits alone would push the federal program past the breaking point.
But then again, Kerry has already made it clear that he wants to raise taxes.
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