Bill Press Is a Moron, Again

Bill Press' column, appearing today at WND, deals with stem cell research. As usual, Press gets most of it wrong, reciting the left's pro-embryonic stem cell propaganda.

But that's just your average, daily stupidity. What elevates this to "Idiot of the Week" status is the title "Jesus votes for stem-cell research" and the last two paragraphs:

After all, as every one of the four Gospels relates, Jesus spent most of his public ministry healing the sick. It was his life's work. And stories of his healing – St. Peter's mother-in-law, the man with the withered hand, the centurion's servant – are among the most vivid passages in Scripture.

Having cured people of leprosy, dropsy and palsy, is there any doubt that Jesus would embrace today's efforts to find a cure for Parkinson's or heart disease using embryonic stem-cell research? I think not.

Huh?

Please explain what Jesus' ministry has to do with research.

Jesus didn't go about, searching for a cure. Jesus is the cure. HE didn't use medicine. HE didn't use science. HE didn't call the FDA to find an acceptable treatment modality. HE used the miraculous healing power of GOD.
In fact, we have no record that the local physician, Luke, (you've heard of him Press, right?) was ever called on by Jesus to care for someone's illness.

You did get one thing dead right, Bill. Your last three words: "I think not."
You sure don't.

Didn't They Ever See "Jaws"?

Thailand's foremost meteorologists, meeting in a crisis session before the tsunami hit, decided not to issue a warning "out of courtesy to the tourism industry," according to a report in the Thai paper The Nation.

Minutes after the earthquake in the Indian Ocean Sunday morning, Thailand's top meteorological experts met to consider the danger posed to the coast. But the economic impact on the nation's tourism industry dissuaded them from warning those most in danger.

"We finally decided not to do anything because the tourist season was in full swing," a source told the paper. "The hotels were 100 percent booked. What if we issued a warning, which would have led to an evacuation, and nothing had happened. What would be the outcome? The tourist industry would be immediately hurt. Our department would not be able to endure a lawsuit."

Let's see...you're more concerned about a frivilous law suit than the actual human lives in those 100 percent booked hotels. You think a few hours/days evacuation is worse that a possible mass loss of life. (Read this winner here.)

I've got some bad news. You thought a tourist industry lawsuit would be bad?
Wait until you see the one that is now coming your way!
Then after they sue your pants off, you should be tried for murder.

I propose we export every personal injury lawyer in the US to the areas hit by the tsunami.
They'll have years of work ahead of them over there, and we'll get them out of our hair for a while.

No Surprise Here

WND reports on the results of two government studies by the Justice Department and the National Academy of Sciences:

While it is an article of faith among gun-control proponents that government restrictions on firearms reduces violence and crime, two new U.S. studies could find no evidence to support such a conclusion.

The National Academy of Sciences issued a 328-page report based on 253 journal articles, 99 books, 43 government publications, a survey of 80 different gun-control laws and some of its own independent study. In short, the panel could find no link between restrictions on gun ownership and lower rates of crime, firearms violence or even accidents with guns.

Meanwhile, a study released by the Justice Department suggesting background checks at gun shows would do little to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.
The study noted the number of criminals who obtained guns from retail outlets was dwarfed by the number of those who picked up their arms through means other than legal purchases. The report was the result of interviews with more than 18,000 state and federal inmates conducted nationwide. It found that nearly 80 percent of those interviewed got their guns from friends or family members, or on the street through illegal purchases.

Less than 9 percent were bought at retail outlets and only seven-tenths of 1 percent came from gun shows.

The Justice Department's interviews also showed so-called "assault weapons" are not a major cause of gun violence. Only about 8 percent of the inmates used one of the models covered in the now-expired assault weapons ban, signed into law by the Clinton administration in 1994.

Seems like everything the freedom-loving, responsible gun owners (of which I am one) have been saying for the past 25 years is true.

Once again, we see one of the Left's prized agendas on life-support. Nonsense based on emotion, without a thread of reality to support it.

So lets see what kind of conservative George Bush is in this situation. With absolutely no justification for keeping them on the books, how will George Bush rationalize maintaining unconstitutional gun laws?

Pull the plug on gun control.
Repeal all federal gun laws now!

Merry Christmas!

And in the same country there were shepherds living in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came on them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. And they were grievously afraid. And the angel said to them, Do not fear. For behold, I give to you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For to you is born today, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Remember the Reason for the Season.

Merry Christmas!

More From the Mis-led

I was reading an article on WND about the Jerusalem Prayer Team. This organization, led by Mike Evans, wants George Bush to

...be sworn in with his hand on a Bible opened to a verse that calls the nation to repentance.
Evans has asked more than 300 national leaders, including James Dobson, T. D. Jakes and Tim LaHaye, to back a petition asking Bush to declare a II Chronicles 7:14 National Day of Prayer, Repentance, and Fasting.

As I read through this theologic and practical silliness (which I don't want to discuss here; that's not the point of this post), I came upon two of the most incredible, revealing paragraphs that I have seen in a long time.

Evans said he is asking Bush to use his family Bible, opened to II Chronicles 7:14, because for his first inauguration in 2001, the president requested the use of George Washington's Masonic Bible.

Bush's father, George H. W. Bush, had used the Washington Bible during his inauguration in 1989. But in 2001, due to a snowstorm, the Bible could not be delivered in time for the ceremony, and the 43rd president was sworn in with a closed family Bible.

A Masonic bible! (An interesting transcript on a discussion of the Masonic bible is found here.)

Go ahead. Somebody tell me again what a "great christian" George Bush is.

Its Beginning to Look Less Like CHRISTmas

WND reports that the White House Christmas is beginning to look a little too sanitized.

What's missing from the White House commemoration of Christmas this year?
Jesus.
The little baby in the manger.
The reason for the season.

While President Bush was re-elected last month in an election victory many attributed to an outpouring of support by evangelical Christians impressed with his candid outspokenness about his faith, some Americans notice the White House website lacks even a single mention of Jesus, whose birth is celebrated by hundreds of millions worldwide Dec. 25.

The official White House site proclaims this as the "Season of Merriment and Melody" – not the birth of the Savior of the world.

This just strengthens my assertion that the Christian right was bamboozled by the Republicans into thinking that Bush is Mr. Uber-Christian. (For a previous discussion of this, go here.)

At the lighting of the National Christmas Tree Dec. 2, Bush remarked: "Tonight we begin a joyous season, and the city of Washington is never more beautiful than during the holidays. At Christmas time we celebrate good tidings first announced two thousand years ago, and still a source of great joy in our world. Laura and I are always happy to join in the Pageant of Peace, and we thank you all for coming this evening.

"The season of Advent is always the season of hope," Bush continued. "We think of the patient hope of men and women across the centuries who listened to the words of the prophets and lived in joyful expectation. We think of the hope of Mary, who welcomed God's plan with great faith. We think of the hope of the Wise Men who set out on a long journey guided only by a slender promise traced in the stars. We are reminded of the hope that the grandest purposes of the Almighty can be found in the humblest places. And we embrace the hope that all the love and gifts that come to us in this life are the signs and symbols of even a greater love and gift that came on a holy night. The old carol speaks of a 'thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.' And every year at this time we feel the thrill of hope as we wait on Christmas Day."

How's that for a bunch of New Age Mumbo-Jumbo?

Nothing here to offend anyone! Except maybe the people who actually know and celebrate what Christmas is all about...the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus of Nazareth.

And don't bother making the empty argument about the alleged separation of church and state. IT DOES NOT EXIST. Go ahead and read any and all the founding documents. Tell me where you find the phrase "separation of church and state". You won't.
And don't point to the establishment clause of the First Amendment. Establishment and separation are two completely different things.

Paul of Tarsus told us that a righteous man judges all things. Christians better start watching what people do and listen to what they say, instead of projecting their feelings into a bunch of open-ended, meaningless rhetoric. That will only lead to a path of destruction.

Please STOP the Whining!

SunSentinel.com reports

Leaders of The Parents Television Council today released a study of prime time programming that they say shows that Hollywood "has virtually no respect for religion."

Whoa!! News flash there! Never would have figured that out without the help of the PTC.
*wags head in disbelief*

He (Brent Bozell, head of PTC) said Hollywood is missing out on a marketing opportunity by ignoring the majority of Americans who, according to a 2003 Harris poll cited by the study, believe in God (90%) and the resurrection of Jesus Christ (80%).

Oh really? So, Hollywood is making billions and billions of dollars each year on the backs of 10 - 20% of the population? Don't think so Brent.
Most "religious" people, aren't (religious). They pay lip service to it in an attempt to ease their guilty consciences. They bear no fruit that demonstrates the least interest or concern for God.

The study, put out in conjunction with the National Religious Broadcasters, counted 2,344 treatments of religion — such as the mention of prayer or the presence of God — from September 2003 to September 2004 and deemed 24.4% of them negative. Most were neutral, and 22.1% were positive.

You much be watching different shows than me, because almost every mention of God I see, I consider negative, since they are either anti-God or incorrect in their content, usually coming from a New-Age perspective.

Christians need to just shut up with their whining about Hollywood. Its not going to change. Instead, why don't all you cry-babies provide an alternative? (Heavens no! That would require effort...its so much easier to gripe and wallow in your victimology.) I don't expect anything from Hollywood, so I'm content to just ignore them and turn off their stupid shows.

The world hated Jesus...HE told us they will hate us also. Get used to it.
Its only going to get worse.

Scrooged

The Tallahassee Democrat tells us this:

Pasco County officials have banned Christmas trees from public buildings...
The last of the Christmas trees were removed Wednesday after the county attorney said they were religious symbols, said Dan Johnson, assistant county administrator for Public Services.

Ah yes, Pasco County. Where 30% of the population is the result of failed CIA genetic-manipulation experiments.
As a side note, I find it interesting that this article makes no mention of the name of this 'county attorney'.

"What you allow for one you must provide for all," Johnson said.

Uhhh, wouldn't that be 'What you allow for one you allow for all'?? Or does Pasco county now provide religious symbols for everyone?

And a final question for the unnamed juris prudence genius, masquerading as county attorney:
Please tell me where, specifically, in the Bible, it mentions "Christmas tree". I will then be able to accept your lame-brain interpretation as having a modicum of reality attached to it. Otherwise, you are the winner of the Idiot of the Week award.

Stupid Is As Stupid Does

CNN reports that

President Bush has ordered plans for temporarily disabling the U.S. network of global positioning satellites during a national crisis to prevent terrorists from using the navigational technology, the White House said Wednesday.

Somebody help me out here. Isn't one of the strategies of war to gain an element of surprise on your enemy? Then why, oh why, are we publicising our moves before we take action? Now the alleged enemy has time to develop alternative plans, instead of being caught by surprise.

Also, what is a "national crisis"? (Correct answer is anything the government wants it to mean.) Make note that it doesn't say "enemy attack" or "act of war".
Uh oh...I feel my conspiratorial side rising up!
Back, back I say!

The Parent Trap

AP reports:

The dishes, garbage and dirty laundry would pile up for days when Cat and Harlan Barnard's teenage children refused to do their chores. So the Barnards went on strike, moving out of their house and into a domed tent set up in their front driveway. The parents refuse to cook, clean or drive for their children - Benjamin, 17, and Kit, 12 - until they shape up.

Ok, let me get this straight. The parents move out of the house that they pay for, give up the electric, air conditioning and all the other modern conveniences, in order to teach the children a lesson. I'm hooked already! This is going to be a winner!

Problem number one: the kids' ages. They should have had their butts kicked a long time ago.

Cat Barnard, a stay-at-home mom, and her 56-year-old husband, a government social services worker, decided their children needed to learn about empathy and responsibility.

Problem number two: Dad's a government social worker. Translation: a namby-pamby, bleeding heart, worry about everybody's feelings, new age refugee from the 60's.

Problem number three: mis-identification of the problem. They don't need to learn about empathy. They need to learn about authority and discipline.

The Barnards unsuccessfully tried smiley-face charts and withholding allowances to get their children to do chores. They even sought help from a psychologist.

(Oh God, I'm gonna puke!...smiley faces!) How about a good old-fashioned motivator called a spanking?

The tipping point may have been when Benjamin didn't offer to help his sweating, struggling mother work on the lawn Sunday, even though she should have been recovering from oral surgery.

And where was the freakin' husband? HE should have been doing the grass, not his wife!

Passers-by from this bedroom community between Orlando and Daytona Beach have shouted out words of encouragement. One woman driving past the Barnards' house rolled down her car window Wednesday and shouted "Good for you! You should put the kids outside!"

At least there's one voice of sanity. PUT THE KIDS OUTSIDE!
Better yet, kick the 17 year-old out of the house. Your house, your rules. Don't cooperate? You're outta here. Let him figure out how to fend for himself. You will SO freak out the 12 year old, her behavior will change in a split second. And he'll be back with his tail between his legs.

No one ever said being a parent was easy. It takes two things; guts and a backbone.

Benjamin returned from school on Wednesday to find a dozen reporters in his parents' front lawn. He refused to say anything to them and went into the house followed by his mother, who tried to console him.

The mother tried to console the son?!?? Did I miss something here? He's the embarassment, and she's apologizing? (I rest my case...NO backbone.)

Cat Barnard said she and her husband will keep up the strike until they see some changes.

Well, I've got some bad news, Cat. You're going to be out there quite a while. The kids haven't lost anything! You and your husband are making the sacrifice. You don't think eating TV dinners is upsetting them, do you? Until the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of change, nothing will happen. Translated for you public school grads, that means the kids need to loose stuff. They need to loose things, BIG things, to make them change (like loosing the roof over their heads). They've got the A/C, the TV, the computers, the Nintendo (X-Box, PS2 or whatever), the refrigerator (the whole house!) AND NO PARENTS!!! Tell me what they see as the down-side to this situation.

Idiot of the Week

Tommy Thompson, outgoing HHS Secretary, makes the dumbest comment I have come across in a while.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced his resignation today with an ominous warning of a health-related terrorist attack and a global flu outbreak.

"For the life of me, I cannot understand why the terrorists have not attacked our food supply because it is so easy to do," Thompson said at a news conference.

Now, I don't want to debate the factual nature of his statement; that's unimportant at this point. Let's even assume its 100% true.

Why in the world would you make this statement publically?? We don't need to be giving the Islamo-fascists new ideas.

I have personally thought of about six places to attack and methods to use that I guarantee would be successful to disrupt the US and induce terror. How responsible would it be for me to post them here? Not very. And this moron makes this statement, knowing he is on, at least, the national stage.

*wags head in disbelief*

Kiss Your Computer Goodbye

Feeling safe on the Internet?

Read Gone in 30 Seconds

Then, Hijacked in Minutes


"Bwwhhhaaaahahahaha", the Penguin roared.

Time to Replace My PONG?

Sony will be launching a successor to PlayStation2, probably in the next 18 months. But its more than just a game console.

IBM disclose today details of a project to put a supercomputer on a chip.
Code-named the ``Cell'' chip, it has been in development by IBM, Sony and Toshiba since 2001 for Sony's next-generation video gaming console. But the chip also has been designed with a grander purpose -- to become a core chip for devices ranging from supercomputers to network servers.
``We have a supercomputer on a chip,'' said Jim Kahle, an IBM Fellow who heads up the design team of 400 engineers at IBM's facilities in Austin. ``This will be significantly faster than previous types of game systems and should provide new effects.''

A gaming console with that kind of supercomputing power will give video games a true cinematic feel, especially when played on a high definition television screen, said Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research in Tiburon.

``If the story and the action is good enough, you will forget you are playing a game, you will be part of a movie,'' Peddie said.

Kahle said IBM will not divulge any information about the chip's performance. But he did tout the speed of a prototype workstation, which is designed around the Cell chip. IBM said a Cell-based workstation will reach a supercomputer-like performance of 16 teraflops, or trillions of floating point calculations per second. By contrast, one of the fastest supercomputers in the world, the NEC Earth Simulator, hit a peak speed of 36 teraflops this year.

``We are talking about some very intense compute systems that will be on par with some of the fastest in the world when we start rolling these out,'' Kahle said.

Wowzers!
From my corner of the universe, game console evolution has been kind of overrated; hype and not much else. Incremental steps forward, not really justifying the prices.
But this! If it lives up to 10% of the expectations in this story alone, it will revolutionize home gaming. The fluidity and detail of a DVD, with increased capabilities for characters and plots!

I think I know what's for Christmas 2006.

What It's Really Like

This editorial appeared on WND over the weekend.

Its the moving description of the war in Iraq, as told by a platoon leader (in all likelihood, a 2nd Lt. Chances are good that he is in his early to mid 20's, a recent college graduate, coming from a Service Academy or ROTC program.)

Put aside your opinion of the war for a moment. (Debate the war with the politicians, not the soldiers.)

Feel the emotion woven through this commentary.

I know a good number of military personnel, retired, active, and in training. All hate war. But they understand it is an unfortunate yet necessary evil of our world.

They are not driven by blood-lust.
They are not homicidal maniacs.
They are not on a testosterone or adrenaline high.

They do not choose where to go, nor which battles to fight.
But when the call goes out, they are there to answer it.
Often at great sacrifice to themselves and their families.

So, do me a favor.
Next time you see a man in uniform, think back to this article.
Recall what they've probably seen and been through.
And simply tell them, "I appreciate your sacrifice."

Jesus As A Socialist?

Recently, a mal-educated leftist wrote to Joe Farah, editor of World Net Daily, embarking on what basically turned out to be an anti-Christian, pro-ACLU rant, chock full of non-facts and misinterpretations.

But the epitomy of stupidity occurred in this quote:

If you believe the words of Jesus, one would have to place Him somewhere on the socialist-Marxist portion of the political spectrum.

For starters, Jesus was not a politician, but we'll let that go for now.

Secondly, socialism/Marxism/liberalism/Nazism or any of the other leftist -isms are all, by definition, Godless. They all see the State as the supreme authority in all things. Therefore, by being a socialist, Jesus would have to deny Himself.


Finally, does the phrase "free will" ring a bell?? Jesus never forced anyone to do anything. Following Him is a decision, an exercise of free will. Leftist government believes in control of the individual for the benefit of government.
And if you're ridiculous enough to point to Jesus' discussions of charity to make your point, once again, you're wrong. Do not confuse taking of assets under coersion by government, with charitable giving. Again, the taking by government is done either under the threat of, or with direct force. Giving is a choice, an exercise of free will.

If you want to assign political philosophy to Jesus,
Jesus is a Libertarian.

The True Meaning of Christmas

Parents in Sante Fe Springs were in an uproar, reports Tracy Garcia of Whittier Daily News, when

...the Rev. Ruben Rocha repeatedly told the students in grades kindergarten through third that there is no Santa Claus.

“There’s a time and place for everything, and this was not the time or the place or the age group to be talking about the true meaning of Christmas, at least in terms that young children cannot understand", said Tod Tamberg, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Now wait a minute. This is a Catholic school and the service was being held during school hours, for students. What other time and place seems more appropriate to discuss the true meaning of Christmas?

“I believe they’ve taken some of the innocence out of her childhood, and I’m very upset,” said parent Rick Martin, whose daughter attends kindergarten.

Explain to me how innocence is removed when we replace fantasy with Truth.

Maybe you think its better for you, the parent, to keep on lying to her for a few more years. Then, when her classmates find out she still believes in Santa, they can ridicule her and make fun of her. That way, she can come home in tears, traumatized at the hands of her "friends".
Oh yes, that's a much better option. Coward parents.

“Now my daughter doesn’t believe in Santa Claus. She sees him, and she knows it’s a costume. What happens when we go to the mall this year? It’ll just be a costume to her,” Martin added. “I’ve just been let down by this whole deal.”

And the harm in her not believing a lie is what? The reality is that it IS just a costume Ricky!

(An interesting side note: Did you notice there is only ONE parent quoted here as complaining? If there was so much outrage, where's all the other parents?)

Children are resilient. As a parent, I've found the truth always works better than some made up nonsense to "preserve their innocence".
Children can carry the Truth with them for the rest of their lives.
It will make them stronger, better people.

(Originally found this story over at Crispy's...couldn't pass it up.)

Your Printer May Be Spying on You

Government Uses Color Laser Printer Technology to Track Documents

According to experts, several printer companies quietly encode the serial number and the manufacturing code of their color laser printers and color copiers on every document those machines produce. Governments, including the United States, already use the hidden markings to track counterfeiters.

Peter Crean, a senior research fellow at Xerox, says his company's laser printers, copiers and multifunction workstations, such as its WorkCentre Pro series, put the "serial number of each machine coded in little yellow dots" in every printout. The millimeter-sized dots appear about every inch on a page, nestled within the printed words and margins.
However, they could also be employed to track a document back to any person or business that printed it. Although the technology has existed for a long time, printer companies have not been required to notify customers of the feature.

Laser-printing technology makes it incredibly easy to counterfeit money and documents, and Crean says the dots, in use in some printers for decades, allow law enforcement to identify and track down counterfeiters.

Uhhh, no it doesn't. You need to have a suppy of highly specialized paper, which contains a number of security features and is available only to the government.

Crean says Xerox pioneered this technology about 20 years ago, to assuage fears that their color copiers could easily be used to counterfeit bills.
"We developed the first (encoding mechanism) in house because several countries had expressed concern about allowing us to sell the printers in their country," Crean says.
Crean says Xerox and the government have a good relationship. "The U.S. government had been on board all along--they would actually come out to our labs," Crean says.
Since then, he says, many other companies have adopted the practice.

Lorelei Pagano, a counterfeiting specialist with the U.S. Secret Service, stresses that the government uses the embedded serial numbers only when alerted to a forgery. "The only time any information is gained from these documents is purely in [the case of] a criminal act," she says.

Guess it depends on your definition of a criminal act...like anything you do that the government doesn't like.

John Morris, a lawyer for The Center for Democracy and Technology, says, "That type of assurance doesn't really assure me at all, unless there's some type of statute." He adds, "At a bare minimum, there needs to be a notice to consumers."

George Orwell was a prophet.

...the Right to Bear Arms...

I can imagine that after my previous post, the anti-gun zealots are about ready to pop a cork.
Well here's something to give you that added cranial pressure to finish you off.

Its the A-Z Gun Freedom Refresher Course:

FREEDOM REFRESHER COURSE

a. An armed person is a citizen. An unarmed person is a subject.
b. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
c. Six-shooter: The original point and click interface.
d. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
e. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
f. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
g. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
h. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.
i. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
j. The United States Constitution (c) 1791. All Rights Reserved.
k. What part of "shall not be infringed" do you not understand?
l. The Second Amendment is in place in case they ignore the others.
m. 64,999,987 firearm owners killed no one yesterday.
n. Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Politicians.
o. Know guns, Know peace and safety. No guns, no peace nor safety.
p. You don't shoot to kill; You shoot to stay alive.
q. 911 - government sponsored Dial a Prayer.
r. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
s. Criminals love gun control - it makes their jobs safer.
t. If Guns cause Crime, then Matches cause Arson.
u. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
v. You only have the rights you are willing to fight for.
w. We don't enforce unconstitutional laws; we REPEAL them.
x. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
y. The American Revolution would never have happened with "gun control."
z. "....a government by the people, for the people....."

Thanks to the International Freedom Foundation for this refresher!

Don't Try This at Home (or Work)

USNews.com reports on intrusive new searches being performed at airports in the US.

In late September, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began allowing security checkpoint screeners to manually pat down women's breasts and the genital and derriere regions of both sexes during searches.

"I know it's not pleasant," says Rep. John Mica, chairman of the House aviation subcommittee, "but until we get the technology, what are the options?"

You freakin' moron!! What are the options?!!?! How about not treating every American like a criminal? And don't give me that crap about terrorists blowing up planes. Name one flight originating from America that was blown up by a bomb carried on board through the terminal.
You can't because there is none!

Everywhere else in the country, this is sexual harrassment. But in airports its standard operating procedures. (Wait until you see the freakoids that will be applying for jobs as airport screeners, once this gets out).

Hey Representative Mica! (He's from Florida...I'm sooo embarassed!) How about we take your wife and daughter to the airport and expose them to a little groping? Then lets see if you still ask what options we have.

Ben Franklin said it best:
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Now for those of you still wringing your hands over the supposed terrorists, I will solve the terrorist-on-airliner problem in 5 words:

Let law-abiding citizens carry guns.

It would have stopped all 4 hijackings on Sept. 11th. In fact, had those Saudis known there was the possibility of armed citizens on those planes, they never would have attempted hijacking them.

Who's to Blame?

Sports everywhere seem on the verge of a meltdown.
South Carolina - Clemson
Pistons - Pacers
Teams win a championship (insert any sport here) and their "fans" burn down the city.
Players attack officials.
Fans attack players.
Spectators at a LITTLE LEAGUE (!) game jump the fence and attack the umpire!

How long before we see a player or official killed on the field of play?

So who's to blame? The list is short.

1) Parents. Your job is to shape your child's behavior. Its not to let them run wild like some pack animal. When you see them emulating the Thug-of-the-Week on ESPN, jump on their case. Tell them that's not how you behave. Teach them some sportsmanship! I've got some bad news parents. Your little bundle of joy, in all likelyhood, is NOT the next Derek Jeter or (insert sport-idol du jour here). At least get them on the path to being a decent human.
Unfortunately, some of you parents are the worst offenders in the ignorant behavior category.
That brings us to the next level of responsibility.

2) Coaches. Not all of you. Just the "win at all cost" bunch. The Bobby Bowdens of the world. Back in the 90's, Bowden's FSU players were notorious for "misbehaving". Coach Bowden's response? Something to the effect of: If discipline was important, then West Point would be National Champions.
Doesn't matter if its youth sports, high school, college or the pros. A coach owes his players more than teaching them just to win. (No doubt that winning is important...its the purpose of the game.) You are a guiding force in their life. Something that many of them don't have at home. Teach them sportsmanship. Teach them respect. Respect for themselves and authority. (If these black college athletes really respected themselves, would they allow themselves to be branded, like cattle?) Teach them that the game is not all about them. (There is no "I" in TEAM.)

Enough with the punks and thugs
On the field and in the stands.

Bravo, NBA!

Following a display of moronic behavior marking a low point in NBA history, Commissioner David Stern...

issued some of the harshest penalties in its history by banning nine players for more than 140 games.

"The line is drawn, and my guess is that won't happen again - certainly not by anybody who wants to be associated with our league," commissioner David Stern said.

All I can say is, its about time. The basketball court looks more like a maximum security prison line-up, or an audition for the latest gangsta rap video, instead of a place where "skilled" (?) athletes demonstrate their abilities. (Could we please raise the hoop, so that these clowns actually have to learn how to shoot a basketball?) Having grown up during the glory days of the New York Knicks, and having enjoyed the skills of the likes of Willis Reed, Walt Frazier and Dave DeBusschere, when basketball was an actual team sport, I know great basketball. And NBA 2004 ain't it. Its now 10 hyper-inflated egos, running around trying to out do each other with their outrageousness (and stupidity).

Already the guilty and their cohorts are whining about excessive penalties, unfair, arbitrary, rush to judgement, blah-blah-blah.
Just be happy I'm not NBA commissioner. I'd throw them them out of the league for life. Lets see how happy they'd be flipping burgers for a living. Oh. And the fans that were involved; throw them in jail.

Commissioner Stern, hang tough with your decision. The future of the NBA is at stake.

Now, if we could only do something with college football.

Let the (Left) Hand-Wringing Begin

AP reports that the US Army is investigating the shooting of an alleged unarmed Iraqi insurgent by US Marines.

Here we go. All the peaceniks will soon be decrying this "atrocity" and demand (yet again) our withdrawal from Iraq.

As I've said in earlier posts, I'm no fan of nation-building. However, if US troops are engaged in battle, I am willing to allow them whatever lattitude necessary, based on the circumstances, to be successful. Do not engage in second-guessing these men when you are in the comfort of your LazyBoy, 3000 miles away.

The Scotsman tells us this (which AP conveniently left out):

Military officials said a rebel tactic was to draw US soldiers in by pretending to be dead and then opening fire.

From AP:

...a Marine in the same unit had been killed just a day earlier when he tended to the booby-trapped dead body of an insurgent.

Sorry folks, but if you are going to use these tactics, you leave us no choice but to elevate to your grizzly level of combat. Lives are at stake. Its not time to "play nice".

AP also posts this picture. The caption implies that the Marine shown is in the process of killing someone on the floor. Now this is either a case of total ignorance of the subject matter, or an example of outright lying to skew the story.

Note the position of the Marine. He has just entered the room. Anyone with ANY military experience, or in fact, anyone with any exposure to TV or military computer games will immediately recognize that this is the standard position taken to enter and sweep a room.

No doubt, war is a lousy thing. But if we are engaged in it, we need to successfully execute it.
The purpose of war is to kill people and break things. Its not an exercise in politically-correct social engineering.

Hypocrit!

Joseph Farah writes today in his WND.com column about George Bush betraying those who voted for him with his proposed immigration policy.

Two points:

1) You're late. I posted about this a week ago.

2) Who the heck are you to complain? You're the moron who threw aside your principles and endorsed Bush for President! That makes you partially responsible for his election! So why don't you just shut up about anything else Bush does for the next 4 years that you don't like?

Wisdom Key for Life:
Don't Complain About What You Permit.

Outside the Asylum

Vox Day provides analysis of the Democrats' beloved exit polls.

The reality is that the modern Democratic Party can be broadly divided into four basic groups. The maleducated utopians (academics, students and media), the stone cold killers (feminists and global socialists), the cannon fodder (the mentally sub-par dependent class) and the deranged window dressing (the lavender lobby and the eco-freaks). This is a ragtag collection more suited for an asylum than the halls of power, if only to protect them from themselves.

Go read the entire article. Its interesting what their own exit polls say about them.

Body of Blonde Woman Found in Fallujah

"It is a female ... missing all four appendages, with a slashed throat and disemboweled, she has been dead for a while but only in this location for a day or two," said Benjamin Finnell, a hospital apprentice with the Navy Corps, who had inspected the body.

Sweeps of rubble-strewn neighbourhoods in Fallujah have already uncovered a grisly underworld of hostage slaughterhouses, prisons and torture chambers as well as the corpses of Iraqis who had been executed, marines say.

OK, go ahead. One more time. Tell me how Islam is a religion of peace.
Do you hear any Islamic "leaders" speaking out against this barbarism?
(entire article here)

Sucks to be You, Scott

WND (and just about everybody else) reports that Scott Peterson was found guilty of the murder of his wife and unborn son.

No big surprise here. When you cut and dye you hair, grow a goatee and head to Mexico with 10 grand in cash, something's up.

Here's where I get kinda confused though. Scott gets convicted of the murder of his unborn son (wife Laci was in her 8th month). OK, good so far. However, a doctor can suck the brains out of a 9 month old fetus and its called compassionate. Anybody besides me see a slight contradiction here?? I think there is a big opportunity here for pro-life attorneys to utilize this decision in there favor. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few years.

The Weasel Assumes Room Temperature.

Arafat is dead.
Hooray!
The world is now a better place.

My only question is who actually got to him: Mossad, Delta Force, CIA, people within his own organization or other?

To read about his legacy and "contributions" to global diplomacy read this.

Brilliance in 9 Paragraphs

Take a look at Dr. Walter E Williams column from today, which appears each Wednesday on WND.

Its a lesson in Libertarianism in 9 paragraphs that anyone can understand.

Then, make his column a regular read.

Finally, A Democratic Plan I Can Endorse!

The Washington Times reports:

Secession, which didn't work very well when it was tried once before, is suddenly red hot in the blue states. In certain precincts, anyway.

That would probably be easier than my plan. I was hoping for an earthquake to sever the west coast and a nuclear detonation to take care of the northeast.

You have to read this to see what elitist liberals actually think about the rest of the country! Here's some examples:

The idea isn't just a joke; one top Democrat says, "The segment of the country that pays for the federal government is now being governed by the people who don't pay for the federal government." (you don't pay any taxes; only the libs do)

...to form a new country, away from the "rednecks in Oklahoma" and the "homophobic knuckle-draggers in Wyoming." (talk about hate speech!)

"We hold our noses as we fly over you. We are sickened by the way you treat people that are different from you. The rest of the world despises America, and we don't want to be lumped in with you anymore."

But Andy Nowicki, a libertarian blogger, said the blue states will never secede because "liberals don't want to leave their enemies alone. Instead, as their track record shows, they want to take over the government in order to force their enemies to endure perpetual sensitivity training for being such racist, sexist, homophobic, 'closed-minded' boors, i.e., for disagreeing with them." (LOL)

But according to Slate.com — another liberal Web site that has explored the topic of secession — there are no provisions in U.S. law for a state or states to opt out of the Union, citing such authorities as Bruce Ackerman of Yale Law School and Lawrence Tribe of Harvard Law School who say that since Appomattox "scholars have agreed that the Constitution grants no right of secession."

Since when do liberals care about the Constitution? (Only when its beneficial to them.)
How about the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution?

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

If it doesn't say the states can't, then they can!

If George Bush really wants a great legacy, this is where it lies!
I really don't expect this to go very far, but a guy can dream, can't he??

To see what this would look like, go here.
I don't like the name Jesusland, though. Must have been named by a lib. Sounds like a theme park.

How about "Jehovastan"? Sounds holy and militant at the same time.

The Betrayal Begins

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday that President Bush will place a high priority in his second term on granting legal status to millions of migrants who live illegally in the United States.

Here we go! Up to 10 million criminals are about to be pardoned by granting them legal status here in the US.
Let the flood begin. The rate of illegal influx will increase in an attempt to beat the amnesty deadline.

Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, migration reform has taken a back seat to enhancing security along the border. U.S. officials say Mexican cooperation has been exemplary in addressing U.S. concerns about terrorists using the border as a transit point for attacks on U.S. soil.

On hemispheric relations, Powell acknowledged Monday night there has been a shift to the left in several South American countries but said he is "not deeply troubled by it at all. I want to work with whoever the people elect in those countries."

This is the first step in the dilution of the United States into the globalists desire of a Free Trade Area of the Americas (the Western Hemisphere equivalent of the European Union).

Note two things in the paragraphs above:
First, the use of the word 'migration'. Makes illegal immigration sound harmless, doesn't it??
Second, the use of the phrase 'hemispheric relations'. Ever hear that one before? What the heck does a sovereign nation have to do with 'hemispheric relations'?

Take note, folks. You are being conditioned and prepared for something.

Election Reflection

1) Did you notice how Teresa Heinz Ketchup disappeared the last week or so of the campaign? Her negatives in focus groups were soooo high... (I miss her already...she provided a wealth of material!)

2) John Edwards was useless on the ticket. He couldn't even deliver his home state to Kerry, let alone the rest of the south.

3) Tom Daschel defeated??!? Who'd've thunk. Maybe there is hope.

4) Watch for some big name resignation in the administration, followed by an appointment with a grandious dog-and-pony show. This will be the annointing of Bush's alleged successor (I don't really see Dick Cheney running for President in 2008).

5) How long do you think it will take before Bush lurches back to the left with his policy-making?
5a) How long before Christians who voted for Bush have "voter's remorse"?

6) Arlen Specter should just come out of the closet and switch to the Democratic party.

"Begin Self-destruct Sequence Now"

Immediately after the election, retired Senator George Mitchell (D), suggested that the Democratic Party re-evaluate itself and its positions to better enable it to be victorious in future elections (translated as move back towards the center of the spectrum).

It seems their first step will be to select a new DNC chairman. And who is the front-runner?
Howard Dean! Guess they think the way back to the center is to lurch left (not that there is much further left remaining to go).

This may be a not-so-veiled attempt to get Dean out of the picture for 2008 so that the self-appointed savior of mankind, St. Hillary, will be unhindered.

Read the whole AP story as published in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer here.

Flogging Blogging

...what I saw in the blogosphere on Nov. 2 was more reminiscent of that school paper or a "Breaker, breaker 19" gabfest on CB than anything approaching journalism.

CBSNews rolls out one of its retired dinosaurs, Eric Engberg, to write this hit piece on the world of bloggers.

Before I go any further, let me disclose my motivation here. I am not doing this (blogging) in an attempt to become the next Rush Limbaugh. I harbor no fantasy of being the next Tom Clancey. Peter Jennings' job is not appealing to me. I do this for 3 reasons: 1) to vent, 2) to organize my thoughts, and 3) to have some fun! Now, back to the article.

I won't get involved in the debate of whether the internet, and blogging will replace traditional "mainstream" (radical left) media. That remains to be seen and will be decided in the arena of the free market (its true mainstream media has been losing viewers rapidly, so my money would be on cable/internet).

There are so many small inaccuracies in this article, I really don't feel like going through them all. Just make note of the arrogant, condescending tone of the entire article: We, the annointed Mainstream Media are superior; you are dummies. Let us decide for you."

Lets cut to the chase: why all the anti-blog pieces (this CBS article is by far not the only one - just Google 'exit polls')? Simple. The blog world in general, and little green footballs, in particular, threatened the mainstream media like never before this past month. It started with the Swift Boat Vets. But there was more.

Remember the little fiasco with Dan Rather and CBS, regarding some FORGED DOCUMENTS, purported to show Bush got favored treatment while in the National Guard? Guess who was the first to realize and report that those documents were, in all likelyhood phony?
Yup. The guys over at littlegreenfootballs!
After that, it was duck and cover for CBS News for about 3 weeks.

What you are seeing, in my opinion, is the first shot in the Media Revolutionary War. Cable, satellite and most prominently, the internet, have given a voice to the common man. No longer are we subject to the mainstream media, with no outlet for dissent or rebuttal.
This is the beginning of the march around Jericho...soon the walls of the mainstream media will come crumbling down.

The Desktop of the Future is Here Today

Readers of this blog will know that I am no fan of Microsoft Windows products for a variety of reasons. I have been recommending the switch to Linux-based systems for some time. My favorite is Simply MEPIS. To get an idea of what MEPIS is all about, read this comprehensive review by DesktopLinux.com, entitled "The Best Free Desktop Linux".

The Best Show on TV

Season after season, we hear about the new shows and how horrible they are. It seems there is always a new contender for the worst show of all time. Well, instead of complaining, its time to spread the word about something positive.

Check out ABC's "Extreme Makeover Home Edition"
The concept is relatively simple: find a family in need (through no fault of their own) who have a house problem (special needs, not enough space, damage to their house, etc). Take a team of 6 designers/planners/craftsmen, add an army of workers, essentially demolish the house (or at least gut it) and rebuild it to something far beyond anything the family could ever do for themselves. And do it in 7 days.

While it falls into the category of "Reality TV", its not some hokey adventure or pursuit of greed show. Its real life, real people, doing work just to help improve someone's life. The family doesn't know they've been chosen until our host, Ty Pennington (previously of "Trading Spaces"), pulls up to the house with the design team early in the morning, and yells into his bullhorn, "Good Morning, (insert name) family!!

We are then taken on a one hour trip through the demolition/construction process, and then get to watch the family as they return to their new home for the first time. Invariably, the family is brought to tears of gratitude upon seeing what has been done for them (that in and of itself is refreshing!). In all likelihood, you too, will be brought to tears. And it may even make you appreciate your life just a little bit more.

The Spectacle About Specter

A movement is in motion to try to prevent Arlen Specter from becoming Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reports WND.

Controversial remarks by Sen. Arlen Specter, cautioning President Bush against nominating Supreme Court justices who would overturn the Roe vs. Wade abortion decision, have sparked a furious outcry from Bush's large conservative and Evangelical support base, and spawned a movement to ensure the Pennsylvania Republican does not ascend to chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee as expected.

Bush has already commented before the election that a pro-life position would not be a litmus test for his judicial nominees. Don't you people pay attention?
In addition, Bush personally campaigned for Specter in the Republican primary. Specter was in real danger of losing the primary to a real conservative Republican (sorry, his name escapes me at the moment).

Overnight, a website named NotSpecter.com emerged to help lead the charge.
the website "is dedicated to the proposition that the Republican party. ...the conservative movement and the country would all be better served without Arlen Specter as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

OK, one more time, repeat after me: "The Republican party is NOT conservative. They do not care about me as a conservative. They pay lip-service to me and instill fear so I feel obligated to vote for them."
I predict Specter will be nominated and confirmed, in yet another "in-your-face" move directed at the conservatives who voted for Bush.

Praise the LORD!

This story on News24.com is the coolest thing I've read in a long time.

Near Fallujah - With US forces massing outside Fallujah, 35 marines swayed to Christian rock music and asked Jesus Christ to protect them in what could be the biggest battle since American troops invaded Iraq last year.

Read the whole story, its amazing!

Reverand Fraud

From AP News:

NEW YORK (AP) - The Rev. Al Sharpton and his wife, Kathy Jordan Sharpton, have announced their separation after 23 years of marriage.

The Sharptons said in a statement Friday that they "will remain on the best of terms."

The pair "have extremely active careers and their separation allows them to continue pursuing their work interests," the statement said. "They will continue to work together in their civil rights work and in their other business ventures, including those in the entertainment industry."

"Together they have successfully raised two daughters, one of whom started college this year, and the other of whom will be graduating high school in June," the statement said.

And you wonder why the black community is in shambles? Partly because its people like this they call leaders.

After 23 years of marriage they are calling it quits. And why?
Adultery? No.
Drug or alcohol addiction? Nope.
Child or spouse abuse? Not even close.
Its the horror of...(dare I say it?)... of ummm.......EXTREMELY ACTIVE CAREERS!!! (get the Duck Tape, I think my head's gonna explode!)

A supposed Reverand, a moral compass in the black community, a church leader. A man who claims to adhere to the Bible (where the only justification for divorce is adultery).
But no, they've taken on too much nonsense outside themselves, to be concerned with each other.

And they will "remain on the best of terms". I'm going to puke. The best of terms is married "till death do us part", like you promised each other before GOD and man. If Big Al can't keep a vow made to his wife before GOD, why does anyone in the black community think he will do anything else he says to them?

Jesus sums up divorce in two words in Matt 19 and again in Mark 10: "hard hearts". That's it. Every case of divorce stems from a hardened heart. (That means selfishness and arrogance for you public school graduates). Marriage is not a "what can I get out of this" proposition. Its a "what can I put into it" proposition. You enter a marriage to give and to serve, not to take and be waited upon (if this is news to you, postpone your wedding until you understand it).

For more on family and relationships, Visit Dennis Rainey at Family Life Today.

Fallujah

AP reports a US assault is being prepared for Fallujah.

I hope this doesn't revert back to some politically sensitive compromise discussion, as previous assaults of strategic areas.

Is this a war or not? If so, level Fallujah. Bomb the crap out of it until the sand is turned to glass. (We could even make it a Pay-per-View event on cable and satellite...would probably pay for the war AND cover the national debt!) Then tell the terrorists that the next one to fire a shot gets the same thing. And then DO IT.

War over inside 90 days.

I'm Baaaack!

Took a few days to mentally shut down after the election and just watch the dust settle.
Now its back to business!

Are They Serious?

I would like to propose two changes to current election laws:

1) People who stand on street corners, waving signs endorsing a particular candidate or position, thinking it will influence someone's vote, should not be allowed to vote.

2) People whose votes are influenced by seeing above-mentioned people with signs, should not be allowed to vote.

It Just Doesn't Matter

As I sit here on the final weekend before Election Day 2004, I find one thought predominant: The path of the United States and the Federal Government will not significantly change, regardless if George Bush or John Kerry win the election. (I can here my Christian brothers and sisters shouting 'Blasphemy!' as they read this.) I know, I know...John Kerry supports every extreme leftist agenda that comes along. (I'm not sure he actually believes it; I think he just feels these positions will get him the most votes. If he felt conservatism was the way to win, he'd be right of Rush Limbaugh tomorrow.)

George Bush is by no measure a conservative; he and Kerry are different sides of the same coin: global-socialists, dedicated to the increased power of the state (state being national and supra-national government).

Either way, you will see the following: an increase in the size, scope and budget of the Federal Government, including but not limited to new and more departments, more spending, more mandates and more control; continued loss of states rights; continued loss of civil liberties in the name of 'security'; increased powers given to the UN and other supra-national bodies.

I frequently hear my fellow Christians talk about upholding the principles of the Founding Fathers; that alone should disqualify George Bush from getting their vote. The Founding Fathers were dedicated to the principles of freedom and personal liberty. These principles were set forth for all to see and know in the Constitution of the United States. I challenge you to go ahead and read it, and then tell me you think the policies of Bush follow these principles.

If Christians were serious about upholding the original vision for this country, they would be voting Libertarian Party or Constitution Party. I don't want to hear about wasted votes; that's stupid. We are to vote our principles and convictions, not worry about who may or may not win. How much sense does it make to vote for the winner if he is going to wind up enslaving you?? (You going to feel better when taxes go up because at least you voted for the winner?)
See my post of a week ago, for more on the globalist / statist positions of Bush

"But George Bush is a Christian. We need a man of God in the White House".
Oh really? GOD said, you will know them (believers) by their fruit...let's look at some of George's "fruit".
As Christians, are we not commanded to obey civil laws, when they are not in conflict with the Word of GOD? Well, the law that regulates the President is the Constitution. Bush violates this every day. That makes him a law-breaker.

Bush has just come out in favor of civil unions for homosexuals. How does that make you feel?

He refuses to make a pro-life position mandatory for any judge he nominates to any position; does that make you happy? (by the way...the Constitution Party presidential nominee has come up with a viable plan to outlaw abortion on his FIRST DAY in office!)

Bush made the statement that "Christians and Muslims worship the same GOD". Is there any Bible-believer that would dare say that? GOD refers to Himself by a number of names in the Bible, NONE of which are Allah. Many would argue that this was said for political expediency. Christians put GOD above politics, not visa versa.

Have you ever heard Bush say "Jesus" or "born again" in public? I haven't. "Jesus is Lord" and "Jesus is raised from the dead" is what makes us Christians. Bush uses vague terms like God, faith, prayer, Higher Power in an obscure manner. Faith in what? Prayer to whom? These words are used by people of many different religions. (Satanists refer to Lucifer as god and lord!). It is because Christians assume and project their own definitions onto these words that they feel George Bush is one of them. (Before you have a hissy-fit and start screaming that I'm 'judging' Bush, forget it...that's GOD's job. I'm just making observations and connecting dots that you have willfully ignored.)

No, it just doesn't matter. Bush or Kerry will just continue to take us down the yellow brick road to global socialist government. To save and restore American, we need to restore personal freedom as envisioned by our Founding Fathers. As for me, I'll be voting FOR something this year (as I have done for the past 3 presidential elections); I'm voting for liberty and freedom. Won't you join me?

Update Nov 01, 2004 06:45
I am at a loss for words. In an amazing coinsidence, today Vox Day posts this opinion piece in his weekly WND.com column!
I don't know Vox personally and have no contact with him. (could it be the Holy Spirit?)
Great minds of freedom think alike!

New World Disorder

AP reports that

European leaders on Friday signed the EU's first constitution, a diplomatic triumph they hope will give the union a sharper international profile and speed up decision-making in a club now embracing 25 nations.

The EuroGlobal Socialists are at it again, trying to bring their vision of "world harmony" to fruition. Government larger than a small county rarely works, but these characters think they can run Europe, and eventually the world.
Don't you just love the use of the word "club" to describe this political body? (Its used a second time in the article.) Makes it sound like a bunch of grown men acting like little boys; they're just harmless!

"The seeming madness of our founding fathers has become a splendid reality," Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian premier, said in a speech earlier. "Never in history have we seen an example of nations voluntarily deciding to exercise their sovereign powers jointly in the exclusive interests of their peoples, thus overcoming age-old impulses of rivalry and distrust."

"...exercise their sovereign powers jointly..."Soveriegnty can't be exercised jointly; it is being relinquished to a supranational governing body (we are the world...we are the children...sorry, bad flash back! If you don't get it, ask someone older.)

The two items I found most interesting (from a biblical prophetic point of view) are the following:
1) this little get together took place in Rome, significant since some Prophecy teachers think it is necessary for the "Roman Empire" to be revived before the appearance of the anti-Christ, and
2) the fact that one of the upcoming members of the ruling council, Rocco Buttiglione, an Italian, is described as being a Papal confidant (that means he's in tight with the Pope) is significant because many believe that the Roman Catholic church is the false religion of End Times.

Just another fun development to keep your eyes on, as the Bible is fulfilled right in front of you!

Amateurs On Line

AP relays a story discussing weak internet security for home users.

Internet users at home are not nearly as safe online as they believe, according to a nationwide inspection by researchers. They found most consumers have no firewall protection, outdated antivirus software and dozens of spyware programs secretly running on their computers.

Now wait, I thought. I'm no programmer or hacker, but geez, firewalls and anti-virus programs, I though everybody knew about them. And I figured most people were somewhat aware of spyware.

One beleaguered home user in the government-backed study had more than 1,000 spyware programs running on his sluggish computer when researchers examined it.

OK, one guy with 1K spyware bugs. He's just the extreme and they're trying to make him seem the norm, I thought.

Bill Mines, a personal trainer in South Riding, Va., did not fare much better. His family's 3-year-old Dell computer was found infected with viruses and more than 600 pieces of spyware surreptitiously monitoring his online activities.

"I was blown away," Mines said. "I had a lot of viruses and other things I didn't know about. I had no idea things like this could happen."

OK, wait a minute...you had no idea about viruses?? Just what planet you from?

So then I just started scanning the article to see what other enlightening facts I could pick up...2/3 with anti-virus software that hadn't been updated in 7 days ( not a real big deal, especially for casual 'net surfers)...80% contained spyware (no quantity given, so again, not that big a deal)...2/3 running NO firewall...(WHAT??!? Who are these people?)

Then I went back and re-read the article; I KNEW I had missed something along the way. Then I found it...the sentence that brought it all into focus and explained everything:

The survey participants all were AOL subscribers selected in 22 cities and towns by an independent market analysis organization.

The Overcharged and Underserved: Amateur On Line subscribers! The place to go to pay a premium to make the internet twice as difficult as it needs to be.
Plus you can get dial-up service for about the same price as I'm paying for DSL!!

FYI...if you have a Windows-based computer on-line for 24 hours without a properly configured firewall, your machine has been compromised. No doubt about it.

Here's some advice...if you insist on continuing to use Windows operating systems (like XP, Me, 2000, 98, 98SE, etc.) you MUST run the following:
at least firewall software (preferably BlackIce) if not a firewall as part of a router; at least one (if not two or three) anti-virus programs and at least three (or more) anti-spyware programs (because most aren't able to detect each and every threat). I'll get Crispy23 over at "My Round Box" to post a list of his favorites/recommendations in the comments section; he and his FighterAce buds keep up on this stuff (by the way, if you're looking for a GREAT WWII fighter simulation game, check out Fighter Ace)

Your other option to counter viruses, trojans and spyware is to switch to a Linux-based operating system. This was my tactic of choice. I've been messing with Linux for about two years now. Part of that time I maintained Windows as a back-up. But about two months ago, I freed my computer from all traces of Microsoft. (I'm not one of those guys who hates Bill Gates; I just think Windows is overpriced and an inferior product. I can do everything I need to do on Linux, just as well as Windows did it, for little or no software costs.)
And the migration is not that difficult. Visit Distrowatch to begin learning and exploring the possibilities of Linux.

Long Live the Detroit News!

In today's editorial discussing its Presidential endorsement, The Detroit News got it right: None of the Above.
They procede to go through a rather lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of Bush and Kerry. While I don't agree with every point made, I do agree with their general tone and conclusions.

For me, John Kerry is a non-issue. It baffles me as to how someone with his record and beliefs could even get nominated. It just demontrates how successful the public school system has been in dumbing-down the average American.

Being a true conservative (not one of these "neo-con nuts ), Bush has been a disaster for me. His tax cut, however meager, was a step in the right direction. The dismanteling of terrorists networks in Afghanastan was totally justifiable. I'm not even against removing Saddam Hussein from power. But thats about where George Bush and I part company.

I think the policy of nation-building is arrogent and in all probability, undoable (especially in an Arab culture). He still fails to directly name the enemy we are facing (militant Islam) and still insists "Islam is a religion of peace". And Bush is still a servant of global government; he actively favors the Law of the Sea Treaty and FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas)

And his domestic policy has been an even greater dissappointment. Spending is nuts. He has given greater control of the local schools to the federal government via "No Child Left Behind". The Patriot Act has some problematic details erroding individual liberties. His initiation of the take-over of the pharmacuetical industry by the Feds evolked nary a whimper from the Republicans. The ridiculous regulations regarding overtime pay are an affront to the free market system. He has no policy to stem the mass influx of illegal immigrants. He has waffled in his supposed pro-life stance, stating that it will not be used to help him choose judicial nominees. For those of you waiting for him to get abortion outlawed, don't hold your breath. He can't even get a judicial nominee appointed!

The one major dissapointment I have with The Detroit News editorial is that they ended it at neither Bush nor Kerry deserve their endorsement. But based upon their criteria, there is an alternative; vote "Third" party. Don't give me that nonsense about wasted votes. I'm sick of voting against things. We need to vote FOR something. Nothing will change if we think the only option is Democrat or Republican...both are in existence to perpetuate and expand the State.

Challenge yourself; examine the Libertarian Party platform and the Constitution Party platform. See if you don't fit in better there, than with what's been going on in Washington the past 60 years.
Cast a vote on November 2nd to reflect you. That's what I'm going to do. That way, I'll be able to sleep nights, knowing I did the best thing I could to restore freedom to America.

Troubles for Kerry

A story from Matt Drudge tells us that two rallies this past weekend for John Kerry, featuring two Leftie-Hefties, Cher and Rosie O'Donnell, failed to attract even one tenth of the anticipated crowd.
According to the Drudge Report, O'Donnell spoke to a nearly vacant Club Ovation last night in Ft. Lauderdale, acknowledging the lack of a big crowd.

"You know, there's only like, you know, maybe 38 of us here and maybe we can just like tap a keg and put on some disco, and totally party," she said, according to Drudge.
The small turnout came just a day after Cher was able to attract a few hundred people for a Kerry event at the Crobar disco in Miami Beach.
"There were supposed to be thousands of people here tonight," Cher told the audience, "I'm not sure why that didn't happen, obviously the people putting on this thing were just not very good at it."

When you're the Democratic Party nominee for president, its 9 days until the election, and you can't at least fill the house with people from the LunaticLeft of LA, you've got B I G problems! I've heard rumblings of a landslide in favor of Bush, but I didn't give them much credence. This occurrence makes me start to think that there may be something to it.

Is It Any Wonder They Lost the Revolutionary War?

WND reports that the British has approved the practive of Satanic rituals aboard ships.

"From a military perspective, I believe in vengeance," Cranmer told the paper. "I don't consider Satan to be an intelligently external force in my life; instead I consider it an empowering internal force. If I were asked if I were evil, I would say yes – by virtue of the common definition.

Sounds like he approves of the concept of satanic possession.

"We are an equal opportunities employer and we don't stop anybody from having their own religious values," a navy spokesman told the Telegraph. "Chris Cranmer approached his captain and made a request to be registered as a Satanist. This involved a formal stand-up approach, made in front of an audience, saying that he wanted to register as a Satanist and to practice his religious beliefs.

Practice his religious beliefs...? What happens when he begins performing sacrifices?
I wouldn't be surprised if this sailor met with an unfortunate accident while out to sea.

See Michael Moore Sunbathing!

Look here, if you dare.

Hey Mom, What's for Dinner?

This story on the Fox News web site proves that all the insane have yet to be committed.

No more eating at strangers' homes for me!

I'm Sorry, I Can't Pass This One Up!

Well, she's at it again! USA Today posts this interview with that intellectual heavyweight, Teresa Heinz Ketchup.

Q: You'd be just the second first lady who was born abroad, the first who had two foreign parents. Do you think that causes Americans any pause?

A: Well, Americans who pause probably don't know history very well, because we are all from somewhere. We are continually being from somewhere. And in such a young country as this — it's not like we're talking, you know, old Europe. We are constantly renewing our energy and our knowledge and our heart and our soul, enriched like no other country in that sense. And to fear that or disparage that I don't think is American. And I never hear that out there.

Oh God, my ribs are starting to hurt from laughing! "...we are all from somewhere. We are continually being from somewhere." Like where?...freaking MARS??? If I stop laughing, I'll edit this and insert a comment/analysis.

Q: You'd be different from Laura Bush?

A: Well, you know, I don't know Laura Bush. But she seems to be calm, and she has a sparkle in her eye, which is good. But I don't know that she's ever had a real job — I mean, since she's been grown up. So her experience and her validation comes from important things, but different things. And I'm older, and my validation of what I do and what I believe and my experience is a little bit bigger — because I'm older, and I've had different experiences. And it's not a criticism of her. It's just, you know, what life is about.

I checked Teresa's resume...under occupation it states: I write checks for money I did absolutely nothing to earn, payable to far left fringe socialist and communist organizations, attempting to undermine the foundations of the US.

I hope all you stay-at-home Moms realize you've just been relegated to 2nd class citizenship, because you "never had a real job-I mean since you've been grown up".

By the way Teresa, your imaginary validation is bigger, because your ego is obviously unchecked.

If this is the woman John Kerry chose to marry, what does that say about his decision-making abilities? Lord help us.

The Credit Bubble and Bubble Brains

Yesterday, I was lamenting the lack of sound economic thinking in the media. Well, here's a perfect example of economic stupidity, from none other than Alan Greenspan.

Greenspan, however, said it was unlikely that either the high level of household debt or the big rise in housing prices represented serious threats to the economy because Americans appeared to have sufficient resources to keep meeting their loan payments.

And how are they meeting those loan payments? By borrowing money from an imaginary equity in their home and spending it (equity doesn't become equity until you are holding it in your hand.). So, we're borrowing money to buy stuff, and then borrowing more to keep up the payments. That's why the debt level is soaring. This cycle can't continue...never has, never will.

"Short of a significant fall in overall household income or in home prices, debt servicing is unlikely to become destabilizing," Greenspan said.

Check the income statistics...real income is DOWN. Thats why we're having record bankruptcies.

Greenspan said that it would take "a large, and historically most unusual" decline in home prices to wipe out the equity that Americans have in their homes. He said about three-fourths of all mortgages are taken out by buyers who put up a 20 percent downpayment, which would be enough to cover even a very significant drop in home prices.

Translation: Its perfectly fine if you loose the 20% you put down on your house.

"While local economies may experience significant speculative price imbalances, a national severe price distortion seems most unlikely in the United States, given its size and diversity," Greenspan said.

Translation: You can still get a good deal in Appalachia.

He noted that household debt has been rising faster than incomes for at least the last 50 years as Americans have enjoyed rising levels of discretionary income, which they have used to buy more and more items on credit.

Debt rising faster than income for 50 years...does that sound like a prescription for sound economics? If they had rising levels of discretionary income (real INCOME, not borrowed money), they wouldn't be going deeper into debt.

Debt satisfies your present at the expense of your future.
To begin learning about sound economic principles, visit The Mises Institute.
To learn more about the Credit and Debt Bubbles, and for a contrarian view on the economy, visit The Daily Reckoning.
It may save you a bundle of money.

Mother Ketchup Speaks (again)!

CNSNews.com reports that Teresa Heinz Kerry has given an exclusive interview to PlanetOut, a media company dedicated to the homosexual agenda. Among her bits of wisdom:

If her husband is elected president, Teresa Heinz Kerry "pledges to make gay tolerance a centerpiece of her First Lady duties," an online media company reported.

Guess I missed it again. Could someone please let me know where in the Constitution of the United States the "First Lady Duties" are enumerated?

Mrs. Kerry was quoted as saying, "A person doesn't choose their sexuality. For the other side, there's a tinge of the suggestion of sin, of the choice of 'misbehavior,' quote-unquote, which is not the case at all."

Sorry for the delay...I had to pick my chair up off the floor, because I just fell out of it while laughing! A "tinge of suggestion of sin"??!? That's like saying Brittney Spears demonstrates a tinge of suggestion of skin with her attire! (I warned you all the other day, 4 years of Teresa would be hillarious!)
Note to GOD: Please call your publisher. Your Book needs to be edited; Teresa says so.

As to the comment that people don't choose their sexuality, I say prove it. More evidence points to entering the homosexual lifestyle by choice than other theories. Until you can find a genetic marker that is 100% accurate, there is no proof of anything (Even your hero John Kerry said the other day that it is a choice...but that was right after he said homosexuals are born that way.). And how is it that people are able to leave the homosexual lifestyle and resume a normal heterosexual life? Brainwashing? They're just kidding themselves? They weren't really homosexual?

This debate will rage on without an answer until Jesus returns. But I find it interesting that homosexuals feel the need to use this "I'm just a victim of my genetics" argument. If they felt their lifestyle was legitimate, they wouldn't be arguing that "I just can't help myself!" By trying to convince us that all is well, they are trying to convince themselves.

Not-So-Happy Holidays?

AP reports that Mattel and Hasbro, the leading toy manufacturers are bracing for a cold winter, of sorts.

Toy makers and major retailers are bracing for potentially weak Christmas sales this year amid concerns that consumers, many squeezed by skyrocketing gas prices or uneasiness over the economy, will spend less on holiday shopping.

But wait, how can this be? I just finished reading the governments latest Consumer Price Index report, which says there is minimal inflation and everything is hunky-dorie. (By the way, don't you love how they exclude food and energy prices because they can "swing widely from month to month". Try that at the food store or gas station; tell the clerk you're not going to pay the new price because its rising too quickly. See how much merchandise you get to leave with!)
The "experts" are running around stating that the economy can withstand rising oil prices of 50, 60 and even 70 dollars a barrel...no problem!
(His name escapes me at the moment, but Hitler's man in charge of Nazi propaganda said something to the effect that if you tell the same lie often enough, it becomes accepted as the truth.)

Rising fuel costs operate like a tax increase, cutting into consumers' purchasing power, Steidtmann said.

Nominate this man for Chairman of the Federal Reserve!! This is the most, and possibly only, intelligent economic statement you will read in the mainstream press this month!

Anyway, I think Mattel's and Hasbro's concern may be unfounded. After all, we live in a GHI (Gotta Have It) society. Junior may grow up to become a mass murder, or worse, if he isn't supplied with an unending stream of brain-deadening articles of amusement. God forbid we actually teach our kids that there are economic priorities and life is not one big Self-gratification Fest.

So, what will happen is that spineless Mom and Dad will max out the plastic, dip into the Home Equity Line of Credit or go for the big one and refinance the house again and take out all the equity, "cuz, ya know, I really want that 70" HD TV too."

Dr. Ketchup Speaks

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports that Teresa Heinz-Kerry out-lined a national health care policy yesterday in Reno, NV.

Heinz Kerry, speaking before 600 people and a few crying babies at the Neil Road Community Center in a mostly Latino neighborhood, said the costs of health care is skyrocketing while the quality is declining.

“We’ve already paid for great health care, we just are not getting it,” she said.

Huh? I don't remember paying anyone. Skyrocketing costs? Ever hear of inflation and government mandates and regulation?

Heinz Kerry singled out U.S. drug companies for gouging seniors, saying that if her husband were elected, he would lift the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ban on the importation of drugs from Canada.

Its the FDA regulation, which your hubby and his fellow lefties established, that accounts for the greatest costs in development of drugs!

She called on schools to serve nutritious food to help combat juvenile diabetes and childhood obesity.

The Left already controls most school boards, so what are you guys waiting for?

“We have seven and eight year olds with the adult onset of diabetes,” Heinz Kerry said.

WHAT??!? ...7, 8 year olds...adult...She must have gone to public school. How can a 7 or 8 year old possibly have adult-onset diabetes?? Just goes to show, money doesn't impart intelligence. In a perverse kinda way, I'd almost like to see Kerry win...4 years of this nit-wit would be hillarious!!

The Truth about Stem Cell Research

Michael Fumento has written an excellent piece on his web site regarding the Stem Cell research debate.
As usual, the left is knowingly lying through their teeth, in pursuit of free money from the the Federal Feeding Trough (that's our tax money, folks).

So why all the incredible pressure on the Bush administration to open the federal spigot for ESC (embryonic stem cell) experimentation?

It's precisely because ASCs (adult stem cells) are superior, and private investors know it. Hence they plow their money into ASC research. Starved for funding, ESC researchers – who operated for years under the false belief that their path held more promise – may find their hopes dashed. They need to feed at the federal trough. So they've waged a high-profile disinformation campaign to exaggerate any possible ESC development, even as they pooh-pooh or ignore all ASC breakthroughs.

Read the entire article folks. Its a concise explanation of the FACTS of this debate. I promise it will open your eyes.

Variant of Hackarmy Trojan Horse

TechNewsWorld describes the Beckham code variant of the Hackarmy trojan.

Two thoughts:

1) If you are surfing the Net on a Windows box, without a firewall and at least ONE anti-virus program, you deserve to have you computer explode where it sits.

2) When are you going to explore Windows-alternatives?
As previously noted, my personal fav is one of the Linux varieties, but there is also Apple and the Mac OS.

The Death of Microsoft

The Las Vegas Sun tells of the development of a desktop search engine by Google, beating Microsoft to the punch by at least 2 years!

"Managing infoglut is an increasing challenge for computer users, and the program gives Google an important head start on Microsoft Corp., which is working on a similar file-searching tool that it recently said would not be ready for the next version of its Windows operating system promised for 2006."

I think this is the beginning of the end for Microsoft as the dominant force in desktop software. The fact that they are not on the leading edge of product development signals their demise. The corporation has become just like the software they develop: big, bloated, slow and unresponsive.
They are already loosing significant market share to Linux-based servers.
Due to its security issues, people are abandoning Internet Explorer in favor of Mozilla and Firefox browsers (just to name a few). Mozilla Mail, Thunderbird, and Evolution are replacing Outlook and Outlook Express as email clients of choice.

Linux desktop OS's are becoming easier to use everyday without the overwhelming security issues of Microsoft products. You can set up a Linux-based desktop system that does everything that 99% of the population needs to do with a computer, include have a fully functional office software suite, for FREE! (Do you enjoy spending hundreds, even thousands, of dollars on operating systems, add-ons and defensive software necessary to cover-up Windows' flaws??)
Web developer statistics indicate Linux is spreading rapidly. It has already bypassed Apple in the number of people using it.

The Linux community is an interesting place. There are a number of distributions aimed at the Windows-to-Linux convert, with all the point-and-click ease you have come to expect, most with web sites dedicated to helping the new user. I'm currently running SimplyMEPIS 2004.03 on my desktop, and it has been flawless Any problems I have had have been user-induced (by me!) and the Mepis Help forum has been incredible helping me correct my errors!
If you're interested in the wave of the future, a good place to begin learning about Linux is at Distrowatch.com. Take your time and READ. There are over 300 versions of Linux (its not as overwhelming as it sounds), with one (or two or three) being just what you need.
Start learning now, before Windows goes the way of the Model T.

Who's REALLY to blame?

Recently, the St.Peter Times ran an article describing an unfortunate accident that took place in Clearwater, FL. But turn off your reactionary emotions and re-read the story. Here's what I found interesting:


"McKinney's grandmother, Betsy Gerhard, said Monday that Rebecca's mother Sally complained to school officials for years about the bus stop, to no avail.

"She has complained so many times that the transportation department knows her by her first name," Gerhard said."

So here we have a parent, competent enough to identify a dangerous situation that their child is exposed to, and what does she do?
She continues to allow her child to return to that dangerous situation time and time again, in fact, for YEARS!!

I'm sorry, but as a parent, if my child is exposed to a life-threatening situation once, let alone on a regular basis, I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure their safety! And it will go far beyond a few phone calls to the State-sponsored Indoctrination Center Transportation Board. Either send the child to school on other public transportation that provides safer logistics or I'll get my big fat butt up at whatever hour necessary to drive them myself (God forbid! - personal responsibility!)

It would have been a miniscule price to pay to still have my child alive.

Here goes!

Having finally gotten tired of talking to myself regarding a number of issues, I've decided to write to myself! If you happen to land here on the way through Cyberspace, Welcome! You will see a variety of topics covered depending on the mood du jour. Whatever they happen to be, hopefully they will be thought-provoking, possibly inspiring and at least intellectually consistent.