The children in Gaza don't need any modernized Bible stories to keep them entertained when Hamas can just as easily produce wonderful entertainment that glorifies today's jihad.
The cute little kid on the left is going to kill the evil man on the right who is none other than George Bush. Wait until you see the plans they have for the White House!
To be a peacebuilder one must, apparently, disregard the political bent of evil countries, the intent of homicidal terrorists who seek spectacular death, and the history of prosperous countries that espouse individual liberty and freedom.
Enter Lisa Schirch, Professor of Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University, who has attained the uncanny skill of embracing all three disciplines of ignorance while simultaneously forgetting anything she ever knew about economics.
The oft told Bible stories of my youth are no longer exciting or interesting enough to be important to today's generation of hedonistic narcissists. Ok, that isn't specifically what the author says, but how inaccurate is my premise?
From the Daily Mail
Goliath is a celebrity binge drinker, Eve is a sex-obsessed man-eater and Noah's wife wants to kill him . . . welcome to the updated Bible.By all means, lets see what we can do to secularize the Holy Bible. That whole yucky religion thing is like totally getting in the way of a good story.
An Anglican vicar has rewritten the most famous biblical tales because he wants to make them more "accessible" to modern readers.
The Rev Robert Harrison's book, Must Know Stories, contains retellings of ten Bible stories and is out tomorrow.
In the nativity story, Jesus is born in an overcrowded house instead of a stable, amid family conflict as Joseph's aunt deals with the fact that he and Mary are not even married.
Last night Mr Harrison defended his decision to rewrite key Christian tales that have remained unchanged for centuries.
He said he was doing it to encourage people to read stories "that are so utterly part of our culture.
"They should know them - not as a matter of religion but as a matter of cultural education," he said.
"I wanted to write a book that tells the most important Bible stories in a way that relishes them rather than tries to make any particular religious point.You are a Reverend, right? You do have some credentials, don't you?
"After all, who knows what the point is?
"What is more important to me is that people are getting to know the stories.Yes, your stories, not Biblical ones.
"There are lots of people who won't pick up the Bible and look for a story, most won't even own one.My premise is totally wrong.
"Even if they did they would find it hard to translate as it is written in Shakespearean English. I want to get the stories to them in an accessible form, written for modern society."
Moqtada al-Sadr is ordering his militia off the street after five days of suffering a good old fashioned butt kicking at the hands of Iraqi security forces.
The BBC has the straight news story, NPR provides the typical MSM "every situation in Iraq sucks" angle, while AJ Strata provides the numbers of deaths and casualties the Mehdi Army has suffered.
Al-Sadr's official statement via the BBC story:
Moqtada Sadr's statement said: "Because of the religious responsibility, and to stop Iraqi blood being shed, and to maintain the unity of Iraq and to put an end to this sedition that the occupiers and their followers want to spread among the Iraqi people, we call for an end to armed appearances in Basra and all other provinces.Mookie's usefulness to Iraq is long gone (if he ever had one.) It is time for him to shut up of his own accord or for Maliki to shut him up for good.
"Anyone carrying a weapon and targeting government institutions will not be one of us."
This statement from LiveLeak, the company that agreed to host "Fitna", Geert Wilder's 17 minute video on the jihad:
Following threats to our staff of a very serious nature, and some ill informed reports from certain corners of the British media that could directly lead to the harm of some of our staff, Liveleak.com has been left with no other choice but to remove Fitna from our servers.The biggest surprise here is really that Wilder's film got any play at all.
This is a sad day for freedom of speech on the net but we have to place the safety and well being of our staff above all else. We would like to thank the thousands of people, from all backgrounds and religions, who gave us their support. They realised LiveLeak.com is a vehicle for many opinions and not just for the support of one.
Perhaps there is still hope that this situation may produce a discussion that could benefit and educate all of us as to how we can accept one anothers culture.
We stood for what we believe in, the ability to be heard, but in the end the price was too high.
I will not be posting today for reasons relating to an afternoon meeting gone awry, a children's play at the school tonight, and a "resealable" Azteca 8 pack of flour tortillas that refused to reseal as advertised and consequently set me back an additional $7.40 in the design and manufacture of a combination duct tape/epoxy backup seal apparatus--this, of course, before any long term medical bills or counseling services can be added up.
Moral?
Never buy tortillas made in Illinois.
The 17 minute film by Geert Wilders, "Fitna" has been released on the internet.
Fitna, which means "ordeal" in Arabic, is a film that shows disturbing images of the worldwide Islamic jihad intermixed with Koranic texts.
The film has been the cause of great concern particularly in the Netherlands where Wilders is a known political figure.
Muslim leaders have protested the impending release of the film for weeks believing it was designed to offend Muslims. Of course, the target of the film is not Muslims at all, but rather non-Muslims that are ignorant of the teachings of Islam.
So far we have calm. But, as Michelle Malkin points out, Friday prayers have not ended yet.
assist to The Brussels Journal
I've been stewing on a John McCain post for over a month now, never really knowing how to start it or end it, though I was quite certain nearly all of the middle portion would be swearing. Yesterday's address by McCain has finally loosened me up. I've been biting my tongue (or fingers) now for close to 24 hours and I think I've got most of my profanity in check.
Here goes.
John McCain is so confident he has wrapped up the conservative vote that he isn't even going to throw me a bone. He is so sure that the conservatives will fall in lock step behind him that he's willing to bet that his talk of ceding US sovereignty to other world leaders will be ignored. Not likely. At least not by me.
And to think, foreign policy is supposed to be his strong suit.
According to McCain there will be no more of this going it alone stuff that the US is now, apparently, slogging around in. Never mind that we had a coalition that included our greatest allies and that we gave every other limp-wristed pantie waist nation on Earth an opportunity to join us. Not an opportunity to kick some ass, but the opportunity to do what was right. They didn't want to. Russia had too much to hide. France, aside from not wanting any of their soldiers to break a nail, was making too much money in the Iraqi oil fields. Spain? Well, they were on board until a dozen terrorists chased their nation into a quivering hole of surrender. The UN and EU? Sure, they are on board for any peace keeping mission as long as no troops will face hostile fire. A gaggle of women heading for a blue-light bin of corsets would be enough to scare off a UN peacekeeping force, at least after they had a chance to buy a couple.
Scared of the anti-American attitude that Guantanamo has helped to create around the world, McCain says he will shut it down. Tom Lantos was absolutely correct when he told Dutch lawmakers that “Europe was not as outraged by Auschwitz as by Guantanamo Bay,” this as the Dutch were threatening to remove their troops from Afghanistan over Gitmo. Better, Dutch lawmakers feel, that their troops be fired at from released Gitmo prisoners, than to have their country face a restive Muslim population that threatens to explode over any perceived slight--whether it be an insulting cartoon, a film on Islam or a false rumor of a desecrated Koran.
The fact is, most of our European brethren face different social and cultural problems than we do, and these problems have done a great deal to compromise Europe's courage and morals. There are still pockets of free thinkers in Europe, but these enclaves are being pushed to the margins by the same people that demand we leave Iraq, close Gitmo, disarm, and please send them some money!
When we give other countries an opportunity to join us in doing what is right, it is simply that, an invitation to help. We should never seek the world's permission to engage in battles that are integral to our national interests. Just because another nation lacks the vision and fortitude to do what is correct should not be reason enough for America to abdicate its responsibilities.
John McCain should know better.
Don't look to Gov. Granholm to short circuit what is bound to be one of the most negative media stories to hit Detroit in decades--at least not yet.
From the AP and Lansing State Journal:
DETROIT - Gov. Jennifer Granholm says she doesn't have much to say about the criminal case against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, citing the possibility she could have a role to play in the situation down the road.Well, that legal process is going to go forward whether Kwame has his hands on the reins (or his heel on the throat) of the city or not. What is important here is the damage the city and state will certainly suffer if more and more people around the nation and world are given the chance to concentrate on our beloved city of Detroit and the current group of narcissistic crooks that run the joint. Detroit is so messed up it could be used by Mahmoud Abbas as an example to the entire Middle East that things could be much worse. "At lease we're not Detroit."
Granholm has the power to remove local officials for misconduct.
The Democratic governor said today she would prefer not to discuss the issue other than to say she wants to allow the legal process to go forward.
It didn't take very long for the Muslim outrage to begin.
Last Saturday, Pope Benedict XVI baptized a non-practicing Muslim in a traditional Easter eve ceremony.
Aref Ali Nayed, the head of Jordan's Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, called the baptism of journalist Magdi Allam a deliberate and provocative act.No other faith has the paranoia and control-freakish tendencies associated with it that Islam does.
The Vatican has not yet commented, but its official newspaper said the gesture aimed to promote religious freedom.
The Pope traditionally baptises adult converts to Catholicism on Easter eve.
Mr Allam's invitation to the ceremony, which took place in St Peter's Basilica, was however kept secret by the Vatican, until just before the Easter vigil mass.
If you were unfortunate enough to have missed all the colorful proceedings, you are in luck. Zombie has you covered.
h/t Michelle Malkin
There isn't much point in bailing out yet when there is still plenty of embarrassment to slather around the city of Detroit like so many layers of discarded trash. Kwame Kilpatrick, the heir to Coleman Young's corrupt governing machine, is just getting started at the obfuscation, misdirection, obstruction and fabrication that have become the crown jewels in his administration.
“This has been a very flawed process from the very beginning,” he said. “I look forward to complete exoneration once all the facts surrounding this matter have been brought forth. In the meantime, I will remain focused on moving the city forward.”This is not about a flawed process, as Kilpatrick claims, but of a very flawed person putting his own esteem ahead of the needs of everyone and everything else in his life. Does Kwame Kilpatrick know anyone that will not be hurt by drawing out this process? Will it help his city or his state?
Oh, there is never much doubt about the political party of a Republican if he is caught doing something unseemly.
Mark Foley and Larry Craig come to mind.
Yet, when the indictment of Kwame Kilpatrick, the Mayor of Detroit, hit the national AP wire there was an important piece of news oddly missing from the 19 paragraph story.
Guess what it is.
h/t Power Line
Fresh on the heels of a promised $150 million cash infusion into the Palestinian Authority from the US (cash given directly to the PA, and not humanitarian agencies,) Fatah has decided to give cash grants to members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, its terrorist militant arm, to help with the bills.
From World Net Daily via Dhimmi Watch:
JERUSALEM – Just days after it was announced the U.S. would transfer $150 million directly to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' government, members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror group, the declared military wing of Abbas' Fatah party, were told they would receive cash grants, WND has learned.A terrorist's salary doesn't go as far as it used to. Thank goodness that Uncle Sam is there to help make ends meet.
According to Palestinian militant sources familiar with the issue, earlier this month, 20 members of the Brigades leadership in the West Bank city of Ramallah complained to PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad they did not have enough money to pay their bills, including, for many of them, rent for their apartments.
Last week, according to the informed sources, Fayyad told the complaining Brigades leaders he would provide them with a one-time grant of $3,000 each, or $60,000 to the Ramallah-based Brigades leadership.
The sources said after Brigades leaders in other West Bank cities, including Hebron and Nablus, heard of the grants, they also demanded pay increases.
"Some of the other fighters accused Fayyad of favoring the Brigades leaders in Ramallah since that's where Fayyad lives," said a militant source. "So he gave grants also to other cells."
Living off the UK taxpayers for decades, a multi-generational family enjoys their life on the public's dime.
"People don't understand how hard it is to keep a family like this going - no wonder we can't work. How could I go out to work with all these children at home? Local people call us scroungers and that is so unfair. We need the money to keep the family going.Seriously, there is a lot more to read about this quaint family that believes that other taxpayers should be the main providers for their family.
"We get about £2,700 a month in benefits, from income support to disability allowance, and child benefit for the kids. Kyle is at college and he gets the Education Maintenance Allowance of £30 a week, and we get Housing Benefit, too. Our rent is £40 a week, so our benefits don't go far."
Jean Thompson, 66, hasn't worked for over 40 years. She lives in Neath, Swansea, with husband Glyn, 61, a retired plumber. They have three grown-up children, two of whom live on benefits, including son Steven Martin, 39.
Jean says: "My own dad worked down the pit, but my mum didn't work, so I suppose I wanted the same life that she had when I grew up. I just wanted to be at home and live off other people.
"I left school at 15 with no qualifications and worked in a sewing factory for a short while then gave it up and went on the dole instead. Even when my kids were older, I didn't go back to work because I didn't want to. I never get bored. I just sew, knit and clean.
"I don't worry about the example I set to my kids or the fact that two of them don't work. It's up to them what they do, it's their life, not mine, so it's not my problem. I don't think my desire never to work and to live off the state and my husband rubbed off on Steven. He makes his own decisions.
"I'm certainly not angry that Steven doesn't have a job. He's got children, that's his job. And I don't worry that he's setting a bad example to his children - that's up to him."
From ProtestShooter via LGF, this beautiful depiction of the political attitude shared by some San Francisco activists and at least one Chicago church.
Mike Hendrix at Cold Fury has a few comments.
I will be traveling to Lansing today for one of the following purposes:
It turns out that Barack Obama is no more insightful or magical than the next Average Joe on the street when it comes to some things. Oh sure, he speaks better than most people, and that voice of his is commanding. He has a magnetic personality and charisma that makes many in his audience crave the next spoken word. But, as he has smoothly chosen words of eloquence and delivered them with mastery, he has also accidentally exposed himself as little more than one of the rest of us when it comes to the complexities of race, a man who struggles with his own genetic identity and that of those around him.
I do not question Obama's sincerity as a lot of other people have, but I do question his deep understanding of race relations. Today he referred to his grandmother as a "typical white person." That is from the common man lexicon, not from the mouth of a man destined to unite the races.
Barak Obama's story is remarkable for he is the product of a mixed marriage, a man who has undoubtedly suffered the prejudices of two races, and here he is, on the cusp of receiving the nomination of the Democrat Party for the Presidency. That, in and of itself makes this man very special. He is forging a path in the US that has never been traveled before and he has great courage for doing so.
And, if Barack Obama does capture his party's nomination and goes on to win in November, it might very well be good for race relations in this country, because it just might, once and for all, help to dispense with the "typical white person" canard and others like it, that seems to pop out of the mouths of too many people these days. As it turns out, a lot of typical white folks will vote for a black man--and millions already have.
If he does win this November's election I hope he succeeds in making his hopeful vision on race a reality. But, I think if he does so it will be because of his bravery and charisma and will have little to do with any unique perspective he has on race.
h/t Power Line
Nothing says that "I'm guiltlessly willing to literally rip my parasitic baby limb from limb" any more splendidly than this gently curved coat hanger pendant. 
From the product description:
This 14K gold filled hanger pendent is on a 18" gold cable chain. Each necklace is handmade by jeweler M'Lou Brubacker. Wear your hanger necklace and support reproductive rights and let everyone know how important choice really is.I'm assuming they are not referring to the choice of the baby.
I was irked when the price of eggs jumped over $2.00 per dozen. They now rest comfortably at $2.39.
Despite all of that I'm glad I don't live in Marxist-socialist Zimbabwe where Robert Mugabe's centrally controlled economy has produced an inflation rate of 100,000% and the world's most expensive egg.
That egg? $3.5 Million Zimbabwean Dollars.
When Mugabe took office 26 years ago, 1 US dollar was worth 1.6 Zimbabwean dollars, or, translated into today's egg chronicle, about $3.82 a dozen.
Before socialism, $3.82 per dozen. Twenty six years after socialism, $42,000,000.00 per dozen.
A Denny's grand slam breakfast? Forget about it.
