Study Says Driving Deaths Higher than Terrorism Toll

In what must be one of the most irrelevant correlations in modern history, a researcher at Otago University, New Zealand, has discovered that

The body count from road accidents in developed economies is 390 times higher than the death toll in these countries from international terrorism...

Read about this brialliant study here.

I suppose if we just outlawed cars the concerns of this reasearcher would be answered. Until then we should just stop worrying about fascists that want to see us all dead and concern ourselves with that red Cavalier up ahead.

CPT Blames US for Its Own Stupidity

Found today on the Christian Peacemaker Teams website this announcement:

We are angry because what has happened to our teammates is the result of the actions of the U.S. and U.K. governments due to the illegal attack on Iraq and the continuing occupation and oppression of its people. Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has worked for the rights of Iraqi prisoners who have been illegally detained and abused by the U.S. government. We were the first people to publicly denounce the torture of Iraqi people at the hands of U.S. forces, long before the western media admitted what was happening at Abu Ghraib. We are some of the few internationals left in Iraq who are telling the truth about what is happening to the Iraqi people We hope that we can continue to do this work and we pray for the speedy release of our beloved teammates.

I do agree that injustice is injustice, regardless of who it is perpetrated by. It just seems to me that it would be better to try and refine the approach of liberators rather than villify the one side that is consistently trying to fight evil.

Now that might be an approach that should interest a Christian.

4 Peace Activists Kidnapped in Iraq

This is one of those times where I come dangerously close to throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Born and raised a Mennonite, I have always been taught to respect the rights of others and to pursue peaceful solutions to conflict. I guess that is why I only smacked my sister several times while growing up.

But this just plain pisses me off.

The aid group Christian Peacemaker Teams has confirmed that four of its members were taken hostage Saturday.

CPT says of itself on its own website:

Initiated by Mennonites, Brethren and Quakers with broad ecumenical participation, CPT’s ministry of Biblically-based and spiritually-centered peacemaking emphasizes creative public witness, nonviolent direct action and protection of human rights.

Elsewhere on the CRT site is this little gem on current projects:

Iraq – a Baghdad-based presence since October 2002. Team members accompanied the Iraqi people through the U.S.-led 2003 war and continue during the post-war occupation to expose abusive acts by U.S. Armed Forces and support Iraqis committed to nonviolent resistance.

Palestine – a continuing presence in the Hebron District (West Bank) since June 1995. Team members stand with Palestinians and Israeli peace groups engaged in nonviolent opposition to Israeli military occupation, collective punishment, settler harassment, home demolitions and land confiscation.

The CPT has its ostrich head buried deeply in the sand of the Middle-East. Certainly, any loss of innocent life is a tragedy, but what is the loss of an estimated 500,000 people in Iraq by the hand of the fascists there in the past 25 years? What about the additional 1.5 million people murdered by Saddam's war machine during his rule. I know that the CPT was appalled at this loss of life as well, but to stand in judgment of the people that finally put an end to Saddam's regime because some innocents were killed (many liberal estimates place this number at less than 30,000 since the invasion) is stupid. That is approximately the number of people killed by Saddam's actions every four months during his entire time in power!

Even us Mennonite children in Michigan were taught how to do simple math. So, go on protesting the liberators--just try to remember that had we not invaded there would be another 7,000 dead by Christmas. And 7,000 in January. February is a short month so maybe only 6,500 then. Hmmm. See a pattern developing here?

It also wouldn't hurt the CPT to study a little Mid-Eastern history. It might not change their quest for peace even at the cost of the enslavement of millions. However, it might keep them from publishing incorrect historical revisionism on their website. Is it too late to become Nazarene?

An assist to Drudge Report

Madman In Iran?

We might have us a madman on our hands...

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad says that when he delivered his speech at the UN General Assembly in September, he felt there was a light around him and that the attention of the world leaders in the audience was unblinkingly focused upon him. The claim has caused a stir in Iran, as a transcript and video recording of Ahmadinejad's comments have been published on an Iranian website, baztab.com. There are also reports that a CD showing Ahmadinejad making the comments also has been widely distributed in Iran. Is the Iranian president claiming to be divinely inspired?

The whole story here.

Hat tip to LGF.

The Wisdom of Ted Turner

Ted Turner is at it again. Always one to embrace dictators, communists, and socialists of all types, Turner has announced his belief that Iraq was just as well off before the invasion. His latest group of favor seems to be the fascists. (It seems odd to me that leftists can accuse Bush of being Hitleresque when it is the leftists themselves that befriend fascist leaders.)

But Ted seems to be more insulated from sound reasoning than many of his cohorts. Even most liberals will start off their diatribes by saying "Yes, everyone is better off without Saddam in power..." before concluding their comment with a huge but. Ted, however, even dismisses the notion that removing Saddam was a good idea.

Media mogul Ted Turner said Monday that Iraq is "no better off" following the U.S.-led invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Perhaps Ted hasn't seen the videos yet of dissidents being thrown off of buildings or being fed feet-first into wood chippers. Then again, maybe he has and just doesn't care.

Hat tip to Right Nation.

Fantasy Football Reflections: Volume 8

Here are some numbers for you to ponder.

-2 11 10 10 11 3 8 10 10 4

These are David Carr's point totals for his games this year. He has been more or less consistent...in mediocrity. So, I'd had enough and sat his butt on the bench, hoping to provide him incentive to produce more.

One more number must now be added...

26

This is the number of points he scored while I had him riding the pine.

I was hoping my incentive would take root next week.

FEMA Paying for Empty Hotel Rooms

This is why many in Congress didn't feel comfortable writing the "feel good" $200,000,000,000.00 check after Hurricane Katrina that was asked initially asked for by President Bush.

The rooms in question here are but a drop in the bucket, and more money is probably wasted daily in spilled coffee in Washington, D.C. But, this is a good example of what takes place when huge chunks of money are allocated with minimal oversight.

Here in the Detroit News.

Our Michigan Governor Gets Some National Attention

George Will, writing in Townhall has noticed something.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana likes having the nation's highest portion of workers -- 20 percent -- in manufacturing, so five days before Delphi, the Michigan-based automobile parts manufacturer, entered bankruptcy, Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican who believes that ``conservatism can be active,'' called Delphi. He praised Indiana as a paradise for even more Delphi operations than are already there.

Michigan's Democratic governor, Jennifer Granholm, responded to Delphi's travails differently, denouncing Delphi's executives, Washington and globalization. In the game of entrepreneurial federalism -- states competing to lure businesses -- score one for the Hoosier State, which in the four years before Daniels became governor had a net job loss.

The attitude of our governor, Jennifer Granholm, is one that exemplifies the old school politics of envy.

Here is a governor that clings to an exorbitant gas tax because it is too important to the economy of Michigan. Here is a governor that is perched atop one of the most regressive business tax formulas in the nation (and wanting more taxes.) And, here is a governor that is decidedly pro-labor vs. business in an atmosphere where our businesses must compete with global adversaries not to mention other states. Does that sound to you like a recipe for business growth?

Our Canadian born/California raised/and Harvard educated Governor is abiding by that most disgusting of liberal screeds--that government is the solution to economic problems--when in fact it is government that is the stumbling block to employment and economic growth. Throw in a dash of class envy so that re-election isn't difficult, and you cannot wonder why the exodus of business employers will continue.

Democrat's Criticism Hurting Troops

Nothing ticks off democrats more than telling them that their constant back-biting, back-tracking, back-stabbing and back-peddling is hurting the morale of our troops. After Dick Cheney said as much this past week, many democrats had their blood pressure skyrocket (not to mention that their normally puffy and splotchy face was even puffier and splotchier than normal.)

Perhaps the best way to measure such an impact would be to have a survey. As reported in the Washington Post such a survey has been taken.

Admittedly, the only survey that should count would be one taken amongst the soldiers themselves. But, you got to take what you can get.

Oh, and just because I call my Senator, Carl Levin a jackass, doesn't mean that you can question my patriotism!

Ramsey Clark Joins Saddam's Apologist Team

Ramsey Clark, a former US Attorney General, has joined Saddam's defense team for the deposed leader's trial that will recommence on Monday in Baghdad.

Clark, a blatantly obvious leftist, is profiled on DiscoverTheNetworks.org.

The Democrat Party must be so proud.

Thousands Throng to Cindy Sheehan's Book Signing

Sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words. These pictures from Sweetness and Light are worth a fortune in words.

Perhaps the warm breezes of sanity are sweeping our nation.

Thanks LGF .

PETA Driving a Wedge in Families

PETA has a new tactic in its war on the mistreatment of animals, but this one is aimed at children.

The handout, titled "Your Daddy Kills Animals," features a grinning lunatic gutting a fish, and warns kids to keep their puppies and kittens away from Dad because he's "hooked on killing."

Read about it on Fox News.

(h/t to Right Nation.)

Wal-Mart Sees Booming Christmas Sales

In stores open more than one year, retailer Wal-Mart sees November sales up 4.3%.

I'm no retailing expert, but perhaps the increase in numbers can be explained by huge sales in their trauma department. I hear that their "Holiday Trampling Kit" is selling briskly.

Caledonia Is Michigan's Division 3 Football Champion

In an incredible display of punch-mouth football, The Fighting Scots of Caledonia completely dominated the previously undefeated Haslett Vikings 27-6 tonight at Ford Field in Detroit.

However, the game wasn't as close as the final score indicated. Caledonia set the tone of the game when it took the opening kickoff and marched downfield in a drive that almost depleted the first quarter. Up 7-0 after that opening drive, Haslett, in their only possession of the first quarter, went three and out.

By the time the dust had settled on the first half, the sun had set on the Vikings. Behind 20-0 at the end of the first half, Haslett had 16 total yards rushing and passing on four possessions. Throw in a couple penalties and Haslett had netted one positive yard from scrimmage.

The Wishbone offense used by Caledonia seemed to offer more than the touted defense of Haslett could handle. Runs of seven yards plus were common, with any of the three backfield mates capable of ripping off a huge run. Time after time the DBs of Haslette were forced to make tackles down field.

Soon into the third quarter fatigue set in on the Viking defense, having spent twice the time on the field as Caledonia's D. Even having a Caledonia touchdown negated by a penalty wasn't enough to give Haslett the spark they needed. Caledonia made it 27-0 before a late Haslett TD and missed PAT provided the final margin.

The lowlight of the day was when a couple of misbehaving urchins sneaked away from their parents with a sign in a shameless attempt to get on television. Jake Gascho and his friend Craig, whom I schooled in basketball last summer, held up a FSN sign (the game was televised on Fox Sports Network's Detroit affiliate) knowing full well that some high school dropout cameraman, probably from Ohio, would notice the placard and beam it worldwide over satellite and cable. On the one hand, it is nice knowing that someone in Ohio has been able to find a job with his public education, but this type of pandering should be outlawed! Ya, the little punks got on television but I'll bet it hasn't helped their game any. Mr. and Mrs. Gascho, put a leash on that kid before he ends up in juvie.



Congratulations Luke! Most people can only dream of winning a state championship. You are going to remember this day for the rest of your life.

Update

Finally the Grand Rapids Press has a note. Also, this in the Detroit News.

Nothing Wrong With Our Christmas Spirit

How much farther removed can Christ become from Christmas?

It ain't about the shopping. Come on people, it is about our Lord's birth.

How about we all go about this season with a little reverence and dignity before we truly embarrass ourselves. Good grief, we look like Muslims at an Ayatollah's funeral. At least the Muslims were trampling someone that was already dead.

(Tip of the hat to Drudge)

Football Finals Today

11-2 Caledonia Fighting Scots vs. 13-0 Haslett Whatevertheyares. Just a little question here, but isn't a Whatevertheyare a stupid name for a mascot?

Good Luck Caledonia and Luke Gascho--don't let those zebras intimidate you. I'll be watching on Fox Sports Detroit at 7:30 pm.

Oh, and Gascho clan, just let Dad have a little fun today and don't be too critical. Try and keep him away from any Red Dye #2 and kraut topped hot dogs and make sure he takes an extra pack of Depends. It's gonna be a long day sitting close to that guy.

BBC's Bias Rears Its Ugly Head (Again)

Even the BBC has some standards. Barbara Plett, a correspondent for the BBC, "breached the requirements of due impartiality" on October 30, 2004 by admitting that:

"When the helicopter carrying the frail old man (Yasser Arafat) rose above his ruined compound, I started to cry . . . without warning."

Yasser Arafat was a murdering pig for over 40 years. During his time as the top dog butcher in the Middle East, the art of suicide bombing was perfected, many say at the direction of Arafat. Thousands of innocent people were murdered at the behest of this monster, tens of thousands have had to live as refugees, scores of thousands have suffered in abysmal poverty, and millions have feared to go to sleep at night.

I have two questions.

1. How can a person possibly be reduced to such gutteral moral depths to feel sadness when such a man falls ill? Perhaps Jamie Glazov is on to something.
2. Did Barbara Plett cry as innocent Israeli children were hauled off to hospitals and cemeteries because of Arafat's terrorist network?

I giddily await Plett's next objective report on the Middle East.

The US Routine Use of Chemical Weapons

The latest attack on US operations in Iraq include accusations of the usage of the chemical weapon White Phosphorus (WP or Willy Pete in military jargon) in last year's battle of Fallujah. These charges are being raised in an Italian documentary called "Fallujah: The Hidden Massacre."

What exactly is a chemical weapon? Is the usage of any chemical in a weapon deem it a chemical weapon? These questions are conveniently overlooked in the documentary and by the apocraphetics blathering on the issue over at the Democratic Underground and Daily Kos.

Writing in Townhall, Michael Fumento has a few observations. Jeff Goldstein, on his benchmark blog Protein Wisom, has had some thoughts over the past week as well.

Now, after all this has been said this morning, I feel a need to ingest the chemical C8H10N4O2. I hope I don't splash too much of it down my windpipe and die an excrutiatingly painful "chemical" death.

Michael Jackson Has Money Problems (Among Others)

But, Jackson has finally figured out the root of the problem...

It's the Jews!

Middle Age Romance: Volume 6

A woman desires a confident man. A man that is comfortable with himself. A man that is self-assured.

A man publicly declares his confidence, comfort and self-assurance when he can wear worn and faded sweatpants, black socks and a pair of dirty canvas sneakers on main street.

"Fear not, my love, for you must know that I will be coming back home. I will make but a short trip to town for some generic dogfood on sale in that huge 30-pound, red and black bag, maybe make a stop at the post office, the bank, the hair stylist, and might do a quick errand or two. Don't look so pale, my love, for I will be home soon."

Giving Thanks for His Signal and Manifold Mercies

From Mark Alexander on Townhall, an inspirational tribute to God on Thanksgiving with a short history lesson thrown in as well.

Mark Steyn: "Listen to the Word on the 'Arab Street'"

Mark Steyn, in the Telegraph , is listening because, er, someone in the media has to.

(h/t Right Wing News)

Caledonian Laments Poor Officiating

Despite an overwhelming 49-21 sledgehammering of Bloomfield Hills Lahser at the hands of Caledonia in the Division 3 Michigan State Quarterfinals, some fans of the Caledonia Fighting Scots weren't too thrilled with every performance on the field.

"Our kids played a whale of a ballgame," says Lon Gascho, father of Luke Gascho, a safety for the Fighting Scots. "But, seeing the zebras perform like this so late in the season with so much on the line is unconscionable," added Gascho, looking up the word unconscionable in the thesaurus under "bad."

"We are ahead 49-0 at the half and maybe 49-7 when the play in question occurred. Lahser is way off side, has three people in motion, not enough guys on the line, and the play clock had expired, but the refs don't notice that sort of stuff," said Gascho, rolling his eyes.

"Then like four linemen from Lahser start making a dash downfield, illegally I might add, so Luke figures it is a run. But after running toward the line the Lahser QB sees Luke closing on him, he stops and sidearm hurls the football badly off his back foot toward the secondary. Luke nearly knocked down the pass on the release even."

"Then Luke had to turn and head for the receiver but a couple steps away he got clipped. Luke managed to maintain his balance, probably because of superior paternal genetics, and was able to get his arm up in time to beautifully knock down the pass. The knock down was clean, completely clean, certifiably clean, but the force of the clip sent Luke into the receiver and that is what got flagged."

"I mean, here we have four or five legitimate should-have-been-called penalties against Lahser on that one play, but the only thing that gets called is the beautiful play by Luke. The whole Caledonia section of fans was booing and throwing rotton fruit. Some guy even tossed a dead carp on the 50," said Gascho, wiping and smelling his hand. "It was a horrible call. A couple of us were even thinking about heading to East Lansing to set a couch on fire."

Despite the officiating controversy, Gascho and those of his family that still don't mind to be seen with him, will be heading to Ford Field this upcoming Saturday for the Division 3 finals against 13-0 Haslett. Information on the upcoming game is on the MHSAA website.

"Oh, and Jane Bos, that tart of a football writer for the GR Press is a big EGR fan and really has never given Cal the respect we deserve."

al-Zarqawi Dead?

From the Jerusalem Post.

This guy has been reported dead or under duress how many times? Lets hope this guy has met his maker. And, I don't think Allah is too happy.

Thanks Right Nation.

Update

There is still no confirmation that al-Zarqawi was killed yesterday, and I think the US has to be very careful before making any sort of official announcement. To wrongly report him deceased and him appear again at a later date would add to Zarqawi's outlaw reputation bolstering morale among the terrorists as well as dampen civilian confidence in our efforts to kill that murdering demon.

I await confirmation with fingers crossed.

Update 2: November 23

Reuter's has this report on Zarqawi.

Caledonia Rolls! Michigan Rolls Over.

From the Grand Rapids Press.

And from my own mouth: Why can't Michigan buy a stop in the 4th?

Michigan/Ohio State Saturday

"Good Luck to the very Maize and Blue Wolverines today!" (Must be said in the best Bob Ufer voice you can muster.)

And lets not forget the Caledonia Fighting Scots in the Michigan High School Playoffs either.

A Democratic Plan For Iraq

This little gem from Little Green Footballs.

Protesting Military Recruiters in Seattle

Fox News reports on the difficulties faced by recruiters in the Seattle area.

"There might be good reasons to die for things, but there's no good reason to kill for anything," said Amy Hagopian, the mother of a senior at Garfield High School and the co-chairwoman of the PTSA, which passed a resolution seeking to ban the military from all Seattle schools.

One has to wonder how effective Hagopian's tactics would have been in stopping the killing inside Auschwitz. Or the camps in Stalin's Soviet state. Did I mention China? Or the killing fields in Cambodia. Or, come to think of it, the mass graves inside Iraq (over 300,000 bodies so far.)

Gas Drops to $2.27 Per Gallon In Fairview

Of course, you know what this means...OPEC must contemplate lowering oil production just to keep me honest.

Gracias, Drudge. (I'd say it in Arabic if I only knew how.)

French Muslims Deny Fault But Fear Reprisals Over Riots

In a very predictable outcome, Muslim leaders in France reject the notion that the riots that have ravaged that country for over 20 days were the result of Muslim rioters.

Mohammad Bechari, head of the National Federation of French Muslims (FNMF), said Muslim leaders were concerned about the rioting but disagreed with the way many local officials turned to religious leaders to try to calm the youths down.

"We refuse to be sub-contractors," he said.

"When French farmers go out on protest, they don't turn to the Catholic Bishops' Conference to intervene," Kabtane added.

Boubakeur said politicians should "stop Islamising all problems concerning Muslims ... We don't want to be the scapegoats for the failures of integration policy."

Bechari complained about what he called "a very strong rise in Islamophobia" and said xenophobic acts -- such as verbal and physical attacks on Muslims and their property were rising.

"We just want to be treated like everyone"

In another shocking revelation, the leaders worry about reprisals against Muslims. These guys are too easy.

Reuters here.

Stansfield Turner Speaks (Gibberish)

Former CIA chief under the Carter adminstration, Stansfield Turner, has some interesting things to say about the Bush/Cheney team.

Too bad my stomach had only just settled down after the last dumb thing that Jimmy Carter said. I wish that Carter and Turner would talk at the same time so my body would have a legitimate opportunity to recover.

Tort Reform? Nah...

In just one more example of why we might need just a little tweaking of the tort laws in this country, a jury has awarded $61,000,000 to the family of passenger killed in a Ford Explorer roll-over accident.

So, where is the catch? The driver of the vehicle in which the 17 year old was a passenger, fell asleep.

To hold Ford responsible for this is just stupid. But, when you have a jury of people facing a bereaved family on one side and a huge corporation sitting on the other with seemingly bottomless pockets, should we really expect to have fair monetary awards granted?

Kinda makes me wonder how those bloodsucking attorneys will be spending their 1/3 stipend. I don't know, perhaps on a new car capable of navigating passengers safely home, even after an irresponsible driver falls sound asleep behind the wheel.

(h/t Right Nation )

Freeh on the 9/11 Commission

Will someone please explain to me why we should ever trust another of these cloak and dagger investigations?

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Louis Freeh, former head of the FBI, wonders what the 9/11 Commission knew and when they knew it.

The 9/11 Commission appears to me to have been an idea of good purpose. However, our politicos are so entrenched in their opposition to each other that they are unwilling or unable to function in an independent capacity.

The thought comes to mind of the way we used to pick teams on the playground. One side picking the best player, the next side picking the best counterbalance. When all things are said and done, each team should be more or less equal to their adversary. Unfortunately, what these hacks do not realize is that they are supposed to be part of the same team with a common goal!

When CYA politics can taint an investigation this important then we are in serious trouble. Some very important people, people with mounds of power and political muscle, have somehow forgotten to give a damn about our country. To them it is the argument itself that counts more than the substance.

So, if we are in dispute over the ball being fair or foul, whether baseball or hockey is more entertaining, or what came first, the chicken or the egg, we can employ the 9/11 Commissioners to investigate. But, if we want to investigate something that really matters I'd rather have a group of people that love their country sitting behind the table than this group of debate team contestants.

Thanks Drudge for the assist.

Disturbin' the Turban

I wonder why Richard Branson, boss of Virgin Atlantic Airways, waited to go to Dubai to announce his intentions of finding alternative fuels for the aircraft owned by his four airlines.

His announcement took place conveniently at the same time that Virgin is promoting flight service from the UAE.

“We are looking for alternative fuel sources. We are going to start building cellulosic ethanol plants (to make) fuel that is derived from the waste product of the plant,” he told Reuters in an interview in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates.

“It is 100 percent environmentally friendly and I believe it’s the future of fuel, and over the next 20 or 30 years I think it actually will replace the conventional fuel that you get out of the ground.”

It cannot be any secret to the Arab world that consumers of their products are becoming just a bit testy when it comes to fuel prices. This sort of dart, kindly delivered by Branson, may help to serve notice to the Arab world that innovative companies and countries will find alternative energy solutions if forced to do so.

(h/t Drudge Report)

The White House Fights Back

The Gray Lady is very left leaning and has been highly critical of the Global War on Terror. For a long time the White House has turned the other cheek to these and other attacks, relying on party operatives and pundits to do the heavy lifting. It appears, however, that there might finally be a change in tactics.

The White House responds to the latest slanted editorial of the New York Times.

It is about time.

UN Plotting Internet Takeover

Those wacky UN dupes would just love to get their grubby little taxing, censoring, bureaucratic paws on my internet.

Don't fool yourself. There is nothing more in the world (the one-world) that the UN would like better than to redistribute world wealth--take as much money from the United States and redeposit this money into failed economies around the third world. You can bet the UNers are already putting the pencil to how much they will make with a one cent tax per e-mail, a few bucks for domain names, plus a good stiff sales tax on every transaction. Thats not even delving into the content filtering that will occur if someone says something offensive to the Muslim world or North Korea. We wouldn't want Il's panties in a wad.

The entire idea is blathering idiocy. This can only mean one thing: people like Jimmy Carter and John Kerry and the rest of the America-hating crowd on the left will love the notion.

(h/t Right Nation)

Jay Rockefeller: Flailing at Monkeys

In the National Review Online Bill Bennett wonders why Jay Rockefeller, a demo Senator from West Virginia and member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, would be so bold as to tell Syria (the closest ally of Saddam Hussein) that President Bush had every intention of attacking Iraq. He apparently made this revelation to Saddam's friends a year prior to the actual invasion.

One sad thing is that Jay Rockefeller is an absolute moron. Another sad thing is that the people of West Virginia voted this idiot into office. Another step in sadness (although a bit off-topic) is that Rockefeller might be the smartest of the two Senators from that state.

But, saddest thing of all, is that Rockefeller, in true partisan fashion, is willing to say anything to deflect criticism, regardless of how pathetic it makes him look. Rockefeller has been one of the attack dogs at the front of the democrats charge against President Bush in this war--and we now know that he probably shouldn't throw stones (particularly when he throws like a girl.)

I'm not even certain if I believe the revelation he made on television as he was in such defensive posture that I'm surprised he didn't fall backwards out of his chair flailing away at flying monkeys. Either way, this guy has no business serving on any intelligence committee anywhere. It is obviously something he knows nothing about.

(h/t Powerline Blog)

Founding My Own Church

Ok, I don't have a cool name like the “First Amendment Church of True Science,” but I'm thinking I could make a few suggestions once I come up with a name. How about, question, be honest, do what is right, and define "right" as anything you think it is.

I wouldn't want to rely on any higher authority because, hey, what would be the point of starting my own church if someone else is already the boss?

Why Is 'Talk Radio' So Conservative?

Human Events Online deftly handles the question with a little flair.

Why We Are Under God

Michael Newdow is at it again. This is the same man who attempted last year to have the official Pledge of Allegiance declared unconstitutional. While his suit was upheld by the 9th US Circuit (big surprise there,) his suit was rejected by the US Supreme Court on the grounds that, as a non-custodial parent, he was not of the proper legal standing to bring the suit and thusly protect his child. (He has since refiled the suit on behalf of two other custodial parents.)

Now comes Newdow trying to have the words removed "In God We Trust" from US currency. This time he feels that accepting offerings in US currency thusly stamped would force his atheist church, The First Amendment Church of True Science, into contradicting one of its founding suggestions of "question, be honest and do what is right." (One can only guess which of the three, if not all, are contradicted by accepting currency with In God We Trust emblazoned on the surface.)

Jeff Goldstein parses this with Protein Wisdom.

All of Newdow's ado neglects one simple idea core to our Founding Father's wishes: that we are granted rights by a higher authority than government. "We hold these truths to be self evident" is a testament that some truths are beyond question and not to be periled by man or government, because they come from a higher authority.

Newdow's argument, while trying to keep individuals from having to bow to any God according to a government mandate, is a step backward in self-evidence, and one step closer to eroding the apparatus that has allowed us Americans as a people to live in freedom for over 200 years.

Michigan High School Football Playoffs: Regionals

The Caledonia Fighting Scots whipped Cadillac in a Division 3 Regional Final 42-6.

While I support the gallantry of high school football, aren't any of you Scottish folk insulted by the brazen use of "Fighting Scots" as a mascot? Doesn't this paint your heritage recklessly? Seems to me that "Drunken, Brawling Scots" would be more apropos.

An (NCAA Non-Sanctioned) Indian Summer

When it is mid-November in northern Michigan, 60 plus degrees outside, a gentle wind, but a cold front promised in a day or two, you have to make the best of it.

Of course, today my back won't allow me to sit or stand properly. So, with a yard full of freshly cut wood, I will lay on the couch watching football, lamenting the fact that my lawn still isn't raked and that the Lions really suck (again.)

Powerline Blog Hits it on the Head

Concerning my lament (ok, tantrum) of yesterday, I note this morning that Powerlineblog has this post from yesterday as well.

Since that triumphant moment, what has sent the party into a tailspin? Has the economy collapsed? Not at all; it is humming along as strongly as ever, steadily putting more distance between America's prosperity and that of Europe and Japan. Have the terrorists attacked successfully, exposing a weakness in our domestic security? No. Astonishingly, we have now gone more than four years without a successful attack on American soil, even though newspaper headlines reveal, on an almost daily basis, how bloodthirsty our enemies are. This is an extraordinary record, of which all Republicans should be proud. Have there been setbacks in foreign policy that could explain how a party that was triumphant just twelve months ago should now be in full retreat? Not at all. We continue to make excellent progress in both Iraq and Afghanistan. On a number of fronts, liberty has made progress in the vital Middle East. And no foreign power even imagines that it could rival the United States in influence.

Read the post. Maybe the Republicans are worse than weenies.

GOP Weenies

What happened to the GOP? The Grand Old Party used to be willing to go toe to toe in a good fight. Now the GOP is led by a bunch of skirt wearing political pacifists too scared to fight for fear of breaking a nail.

First of all, look to the GOPs concessions on drilling in the ANWR. I am reeling with the cost of gasoline. I suffer today because of decisions made decades ago, and likewise, the decisions we make today cement us into higher fuel costs for years to come. I don't want to hear even one of these blathering idiots complain in 5 years when gas is $6.50 per gallon. But you wait and see, in five years, when prices are sky high, we will have another group of these Senators wagging fingers at oil executives in front of a useless committee because of high gas prices. Good comedy if I wasn't already so upset.

Secondly, a GOP Senator is asking other Republicans to back off a probe into the CIA's leak of secret terrorist prisons. I want to know what the CIA is hiding, who they are covering for, and why some damaging CIA leaks that do actually impact national security are ok, while astoundingly lame leaks turn the government on its head. Does the name Valerie Plame come to mind? This stinks of coverup, and I don't care who is to blame. Someone in the CIA is trying to submarine our foreign policy and now we have GOP Senators covering it up. Not good comedy under any circumstances.

Thanks a lot Right Nation for raising my blood pressure.

If Republicans lose ground in the upcoming elections it will be because of their spineless ignorant character and because they flat out deserve it. That might not be good comedy either. More ironic than funny.

Fantasy Football Reflections: Volume 7

Terrell Owens: "Why can't you selfish bastards get it through you idiot heads that I'm sorry? It's not like I've got a history of this behavior, ya dumb sons-a-bitches!"

Tough Choice at Reuters

Reuters, a news organization wrapped tightly in Euro-snobbery, had to make a choice.

Given the current state of violence in the streets of France (and spreading to other European countries as well,) Reuters had to find some mechanism to blame. This had to be very difficult for an organization that typically finds Islam faultless in violence, and also praises a benevolent social society. So, which romanced notion was Reuters to turn on?

As this article indicates, Muslim's again are unmentioned in the 13th night of violence--but unemployment, police indifference, poor housing, etc. are. It appears that Reuters has made the choice.

I am not certain the rioters themselves know how little credit they are receiving for the havoc they are sowing. Jihadists are willing to claim responsibility for any loud boom--and here Reuters (as well as other media outlets) is not listening. Let's hope the boom doesn't get so loud that even Reuters notices.

CYA at the CIA

According to The Drudge Report Rep. Dennis Hastert and Sen. Bill Frist are launching a probe into the CIA leak that revealed the existence of "black prisons" housing terrorists around the world.

It is about time people got serious about plugging up some of these leaks that actually do involve national security. This is just one such leak, and I think it is time to start cleaning house of all personnel at the CIA that are fighting the administration, particularly in a time of war.

Some career bureaucrats at the CIA are doing everything they can to undermine this administration. I'm sorry, but to me the CIA, just like the Judiciary, the EPA, the FAA, the State Dept. etc. should reflect the will of the people who elected this President.

No agency in this country faced more public scrutiny than the CIA after the attacks of 9/11--and this scrutiny exposed some serious problems. Now, I believe, in true bureaucratic form, some of those exposed at the CIA are in CYA mode. Hopefully this probe will prove to those conflicted CIAers that leaking truly damaging "classified" information for the purpose of undermining the administration is no more acceptable than "outing" an already "out" pencil pusher working a desk job at Langley for more than five years.

Happy People

Dennis Prager is a wonderful columnist whose common sense approach and matter of fact style carry no animosity. It is this style that allows him to say things that would get me smacked upside the head were I to step out on the same limb.

His latest column on Happy People is on Townhall.

Pre-War Intelligence and Carl Levin

Red State has a wonderful debate on pre-war intelligence and Carl Levin.

I am very proud of the senior senator from Michigan--a man whose politics definitely come before country. He could do this same thing in France or the Ukraine for that matter, but by doing it here we are the ones that get to write the paycheck.

Mark Steyn and the French Intifada

Writing in the Chicago Sun Times, Mark Steyn asks a pivotal question about the French rioters...

''French youths,'' huh? You mean Pierre and Jacques and Marcel and Alphonse?

Reuters Reports With Blinders On

Reuters gives us the skinny on the problems in France.

The problem is unemployment. The problem is forgotten youth. The problem is nothing to do. The problem is that the young feel out of touch. Of course it couldn't be that Islam's disconnection from all things un-Islamic has anything to do with it. That might be too easy. I also cannot see the benefit of torching businesses because unemployment is high. That is a lot like murdering someone over high homocide rates.

It is especially interesting to me that nowhere in this article is Islam or are Muslims mentioned. You can bet your butt that this not an oversight. This is an attempt by Reuters to desensitize the news. When France is part of a celiphate state some years hence, I wonder if Reuters, reporting comfortably from elsewhere, will be able to report responsibly, or will they perpetuate this farce.

Michigan High School Football Playoffs

Congratulations to Caledonia High for edging out a very good East Grand Rapids team on Friday night 14-7. On to regionals!

Shocked! More Muslim Riots in Paris and Beyond...

MSNBC reports more unrest in France.

I don't get it. Isn't France one of those countries that tried to block the War in Iraq? I guess someone forgot to tell these thugs that Chirac is their friend.

France Burns for 8th Day

Check out Radio Blogger for Mark Steyn's analysis on the Paris riots.

It seems that appeasing Muslims might not be the road to utopia. Of course, Chirac and company believe that just a little more appeasement and understanding might do the trick. Unfortunately for Chirac, these uneducated Islamists are not interested in appeasement any more than they are a good pork roast. By the time that Chirac figures this out it will be way too late. The rioting's tendrils have reached into Denmark and to Belgium (to a lesser extent.)

This could get very ugly very soon.

(h/t Right Wing News)

Fantasy Football Reflections: Volume 6

Who named it "Fantasy Football?"

In my wildest fantasies I would probably win a game.

Thusfar in this wonderful fantasy football season I have played eight different opponents. Six of those eight opponents have set their seasonal best scoring mark against me. My opponents (a collective of luck grubbing bastadges) have easily outscored the team in our league with the most points.

So, this week I choose to fantasize that I win 122-2. I fantasize that my QB is not out for the season, that two of my five receivers are healthy, and that my two starting running backs aren't on their bye week.

Life Rocks!

And You Think Alito is Out of the Mainstream?

In what is one of the most serious overeaches of judicial activism I've seen in a long time, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the following:

"There is no fundamental right of parents to be the exclusive provider of information regarding sexual matters to their children...Parents have no due process or privacy right to override the determinations of public schools as to the information to which their children will be exposed while enrolled as students."

You can read the whole article on cnsnews.com.

The sooner we can get judges such as Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court the better. But, that isn't enough. President Bush needs to promote to the federal court system many more judges that are willing to put the brakes on this sort of crap.

This is more than judicial activism. This is social suicide.

Jury Duty Today

That is right. I received my letter in the mail and I must be at the court house this morning.

There are so many interesting things happening in the news these days. Lately the Valerie Plame affair has been occupying a lot of my time, as has the nomination of Judge Alito. I'm sure without looking too hard we can find some Muslim atrocity to analyze and the MSM is always worth a little taunting.

However, duty calls. I will try and post later today.

Update 11:30 AM

The wheels of justice spin quickly around here. I'm already back from my duty and someone is now awaiting execution. Believe me, you don't want me sitting on the jury when you get accused of littering.

I drove down there this morning with some metal polish but discovered that they no longer use a guillotine.

LA Times: Joe Wilson is a Liar

Even a blind, deaf, dumb, lobotomized paraplegic pig finds an acorn once in a while.

Concerning Joe Wilson's unending quest for the acceptance of his version of the truth, the Los Angeles Times is just such a pig.

That article is gonna steam some liberals in la la land. The LA Times is notoriously liberal with some of the most left leaning editors in the country. Someone might lose their job over this.

Levin on Libby

This press release by Senator Carl Levin helps put into perspective exactly why politicians drive me borderline nuts.

“The Vice President went to extreme lengths to advance the Administration’s Iraq War policy and decisions, but whether or not Mr. Libby, as the Vice President’s right-hand man, committed a crime in support of the Vice President’s efforts will have to await the judgment of a court.”

Here Levin postulates that a court must decide whether Libby committed a crime or not, but if he did commit a crime he probably did it at the behest of Cheney. Oddly, Cheney was not indicted during Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald's investigation, nor was Libby indicted over what the investigation centered on.

The sad thing is that Carl Levin knows this.

Terrorism Attacks for October

According to The Religion of Peace website, in October murderous Islamists carried out 133 terrorist attacks around the world, killing 699 people and wounding 1,185.

Attacks took place in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Thailand and Yemen.

Since 9/11/2001 there have been 3,169 documented terrorist attacks perpetrated by terrorist Muslims. Truly Islam is a religion of peace.