Are her 15 minutes up yet?

Mother Cindy goes to Canada:

A group of American military deserters publicly embraced their new lives in Canada on Saturday with the support of "peace mom" Cindy Sheehan, who said she wished the son she lost in Iraq was among them.

"I begged him not to go to Iraq," the anti-war activist said through tears at a rally in support of the former soldiers, who wore black T- shirts emblazoned with "AWOL." "And I wish he was standing up here with these people because he didn't want to go."

Sheehan was making her second visit to Canada in support of sanctuary for those fleeing the U.S. military. The Canadian government has so far denied political asylum to U.S. soldiers who have sought it but appeals are pending.

"They're trying to deport me," said Darrell Anderson of Lexington, Ky., who arrived in Canada by way of Niagara Falls in January 2005. He spent seven months in Iraq with the Army's 1st Armored Division and received a purple heart following a roadside bomb attack before deciding during a leave he would not go back.

"When I was in Iraq, we were killing innocent people for oil. It was obvious they didn't want us there," said Anderson, 24, who is petitioning to remain in Canada.

The gathering at a park in the town of Fort Erie, across the border from Buffalo, N.Y., was organized by peace groups on both sides of the border.

About 20 former U.S. soldiers, referred to as war resisters, have applied for refugee status in Canada. Organizers estimated there may be as many as 200 soldiers in the country who have not yet sought formal protection.

"They say we're traitors, we're deserters," said former Marine Chris Magaoay, 20, of the Hawaiian island of Maui. "No, I'm a Marine and I stand up for what I believe in, and I believe the Constitution of the United States of America is being pushed aside as a scrap piece of paper."

I'm all for Canada keeping Cindy and the treasonous, sound-bite-informed, AWOL military personnel.

Today's the big day

Now, if I could only get the web-cam working, you would all be able to see how incredibly buff I am. Since I'm having technical difficulties, I searched the web to find a photo of someone who closely approximated my general appearance; NSFW. Granted, she is wearing a see-through slip, and I'm completely naked, so you'll just have to use your imagination for the rest.

Other naked bloggers:

Dustbury
Miriam
Matt
Lides and Statistics
Diana
Airforce Wife
Curses and Chrome
Armadillo Online
Metaphor Voodoo

Blog-Nekkid Day is tomorrow!

Prairie Biker has the low-down.

Although, i don't know how much there is to it. I mean, you blog, while naked. All day. I'd advise a towel for your chair, especially if you have a vinyl seat.

Important announcement

Just moments ago, I spotted a hummingbird in my front garden.

Certainly, this isn't as big as Jason Leapold's breaking news for the past month, but it was a big moment for the entire household.

Breaking: ROVE not indicted

And the left is silent.

Truthout has been so far ahead of the news cycle on this story, they are apparently reporting from Mars. Where they still stand by their story.

On God

Francis Collins, the scientist who cracked the human genome code, on finding God:

“I was very happy with the idea that God didn’t exist, and had no interest in me. And yet at the same time, I could not turn away.”

His epiphany came when he went hiking through the Cascade Mountains in Washington state. He said: “It was a beautiful afternoon and suddenly the remarkable beauty of creation around me was so overwhelming, I felt, ‘I cannot resist this another moment’.”

Personally, I always feel closest to God when I'm out admiring his handiwork in nature.

Collins joins a line of scientists whose research deepened their belief in God. Isaac Newton, whose discovery of the laws of gravity reshaped our understanding of the universe, said: “This most beautiful system could only proceed from the dominion of an intelligent and powerful being.”

Although Einstein revolutionised our thinking about time, gravity and the conversion of matter to energy, he believed the universe had a creator. “I want to know His thoughts; the rest are details,” he said.

Science and God. Compatible. Unless you view Newton, Einstein, and Collins as intellectual lightweights.

Gross

At least my dad got his kidney from a known source.

Go AWAY, TTLB

One day it calls me a "Flappy Bird", the next it's saying I'm some sort of an insect. I hate the cursed thing, but the last time I tried to delete it, I crapped up the blog.

Garden shot

DSC00573
Originally uploaded by Carinroz.

Yesterday, Blue Girl suggested I needed to go hug a tree. Silly, I don't hug trees (at least when people are watching), but I do like to dig in the dirt.

Not an overabundance of things flowering in this shot, but good things come to those who wait.

The Celebrations Begin

Those crazy kids over at atrios are already celebrating the death of Al-Zaraqawi. From the 8:13 open thread, since there is no post regarding the event :

Nothing will change, war will go on, gas prices will rise, stock market will keep heading south. This is all bullshit!
-----------------
NPR is fucking orgasmic over the alleged demise of al Zaarqawi
i mean, hour upon hour, interspersed with occasional bits of GOPuke lore...
jeezisFUCK!
------------------
Bread and carcuses.
Should make the sheep happy.

So, being a sheep, I AM happy. Sheep people celebrate the capture, or demise, of people who behead other people. Who videotape, and celebrate to their God such acts. I'm sure Nick Berg did a little dance somewhere (although his father is still probably blaming Bush.)

So, the question is, how long is it going to take for someone to "question the timing?" I believe it will go something like this:Kind of convenient to have such a victory right when the Haditha story is getting hot. They probably knew where he was all along, and were waiting for when they "really needed" his death to get something else off of the headlines. You know someone is going to say it. Who will it be?

Update:: more fun with comments:

Won't make one wit of difference in the civil war going on there.
Zarqawi was our boy, protected by Bush before the war, promoted as a terrorist rock star during the occupation.
He's like a Jordanian Ziggy Stardust.

And, DING DING DING, we have a winner :

Oh, and isn't the timing on this thing rather fortuitous for the Bushies? The big story last night was Spector whomping on Cheney. We won't be hearing any more about that tonight, I imagine.
B1 Bummer |

Sure, I was wrong as to what/how "the Bushies" would benefit from the timing of the story, but I believe the comment did capture the spirit of my prediction.

Update II: Here's a good one from Kos:

long live Zarqawi!!!

By my reckoning he's been dead for years.  Great photo-op though.  But what news are they trying to keep hidden from us?

The best that liberal bloggers can manage is a grudging admittance that his death is a good thing, quickly followed-up by a pronouncement that his death means nothing because there are thousands more anxious to replace him. Totally ignored is that the U.S. military was able to find Zarqawi because the Iraqi people have had enough. This from Iraq the Model:

In the first official confirmation, PM al-Maliki said that Jordan has provided intelligence that was used in the raid on Zaraqwi's hiding place but he also stressed that tips from locals were the primary lead to Zarqawi's exact location and these were the information according to which the missiles were guided.

Al-Maliki said that among the 7 killed with Zarqawi were two women who were responsible for collecting intelligence for the al-Qaeda HQ cell.

I'll prepare myself for the criticism sure to be coming, that women were killed during the raid. Perhaps they were even mothers.

Blood Money and Haditha

I know, The Nation has already declared that we have enough facts to make the assumption that there was a massacre in Haditha, but what say you that we actually wait until the entire story is revealed before we start shooting Marines? This excellent article dispels the myths being reported regarding "eyewitness" accounts of Haditha, as well as explaining how the of paying "blood money" in Arab-tribal culture may fit into this tale:

The logic in the British case [ed: another case where foreign troops were accused of a crime] and possibly in Haditha is simple: If the coalition did not have a fight with the insurgents, the deaths would not have occurred. The deaths cause a loss in the resources of the tribe. The tribe cannot file a claim with Zarqawi--he might chop their heads off--therefore it is the coalition that owes blood money. In the eyes of tribal people such as Haditha residents, this debt is owed regardless of who actually killed the 24 people in Haditha or the circumstances of those deaths. The payment of blood money is not an admission of guilt; it is a balancing of tribal obligations.

What tribal Iraqis would understand as blood money has in fact already been paid by US military representatives in Haditha. According to the May 31 New York Times payments totaling $38,000 were made “within weeks of the shootings” to the families of 15 of the 24 dead.

In the rush to declare that Haditha is another My Lai, may the facts be damned.

(I wrote this earlier, but for some reason it wouldn't post.)

Cinderella Man

Being way behind the curve on these things, I just watched Cinderella Man last night. Man, Hollywood must really hate Russell Crowe or something, because they wuz robbed. Of course, I really think this is the reason it received little recognition from the Academy.

James J. Braddock (Russells' character) wasn't gay, or transgendered; there wasn't even a gay person in the film. He didn't cheat on his wife, or do drugs, or commit a racially motivated crime. He was merely a man down on his luck, who didn't blame anyone, and fought to keep his family together. How boring is that?

Hitchens: Comparing 'Nam to Iraq

Not one to mince words:

I, for one, will not have them insulted by any comparison to the forces of Zarqawi, the Fedayeen Saddam, and the criminal underworld now arrayed against us. These depraved elements are the Iraqi Khmer Rouge. They have two methods of warfare. One is the use of random murder to create a sectarian and ethnic civil war—perhaps the most evil combination of tactics and strategy it is possible to imagine. The other is the attempt to alienate coalition soldiers from the population.

Even before the fall of Baghdad in 2003, Saddam's foreign minister, Naji Sabry, wrote a memo about how to combat the increasing fraternization between advancing Americans and Iraqi civilians. Send some suicide bombers to the scene, he recommended, and force a wedge between the two. The Americans would then learn to distrust anyone who approached. As with the foul policy above, the awful thing about this charming policy is that it works.

And, of course, the media and the anti-war movements plays along perfectly. The term "useful idiots" comes to mind.

Question

How does one get a yard in which every blade of grass is dead, yet the weeds are green and growing tall? If I can get the courage to snap a picture of such a yard (it's not mine, it's a few blocks from my house), I'll slap it up here. It's really amazing.

The clock is ticking

It has now been 34 minutes that my son has been whining, crying, and yelling about the fact that we are going to do school over the summer.

Updates to follow.

Update I (11:24) : Son #1 did his free reading, then resumed whining. BIG whining. Now, he's resorting to negotiations. Why do they think this is up to negotiations? Son #2 did all his stuff sans whining.

News you may have missed

Massacre in Iraq. I mean, Freedom fighters resist being overtaken by the 21st Century.

Terrorism in Canada.


UK Times smears U.S. Marines. Sure it wasn't intentional.

On Haditha

So, everyone has to wait. I don't care what Murtha said; he isn't exactly the best friend of the military (I know, he was IN the military, and decorated, but he's spent the last 30-plus years in Washington, so he's more of a politician now). Neither am I concerned what Wesley Clark says. What makes Murtha and Clark the authority, the inside scoop, on all things military? Because they have a contrary viewpoint, they must be speaking truth to power regarding Iraq. Heck, we could make my BIL the go-to guy on military information on Iraq, who was actually IN Iraq for a year.

We don't know, what we don't know. I prefer to have faith in our troops, presuming innocence while the wheels of justice turn. W. Thomas Smith Jr. has an interesting article in NRO detailing the stress of combat, and the methods used to prevent events such as those alleged at Haditha. Command may have broken down, and atrocities may have been committed. But, the pieces missing from this story may be pivotal. In a war where the "enemies" wear no uniform, innocence is not easily determined. Especially in the fog of war.

John Temple Ligon, a former Army Ranger officer and artillery forward observer in Vietnam, says that, while he does not condone the killing of 24 civilians, he cannot condemn the Marines, either.  “Chances are, whenever a roadside bomb kills a Marine or a soldier, there are nearby civilians who saw the installation of the bomb and the concealment of the bomb, and the civilians operated at a safe distance when the Marines rolled by,” Ligon tells NRO. “In South Vietnam, I saw soldiers lose their feet, legs, and lives as they walked over land mines hidden in the rice paddy berms. The civilians were planting rice at the time nearby, but never near the mines when the soldiers walked by. They, too, knew exactly where the mines lay.”

Are those who watch a roadside bomb being installed, and then stand off to watch while our servicemen get blown to bits "innocent?" I don't have a good answer to that.

Additionally, some troops on the ground say they are increasingly coming under fire by armed children: a sign of desperation and recruiting woes for the terrorists, but an additional challenge for infantry and special operations units who must confront them.

“This is not new, in war or the Middle East, but seems to be a new trend in Iraq,” says former Marine infantryman Robert L. Rohrer, who claims to have seen “several statements” indicating there is much more to the Haditha story than has been released.

It would be nice if a few more people in the U.S., the media and Murtha especially, could join us in that assumption of innocence. Otherwise, why not just hang them now?

Update: one last thing. The biggest problem with the "Presumed guilty" approach taken by Murtha, and the media, is that it blinds people to any future revelations. HADITHA ATROCITIES gets burned into the psyche, and if (or when) facts later support their innocence, or at least mitigating circumstances that make it a tragedy, but not necessarily a crime, the assumptions (by liberal pundits, Randi Rhodes, Wesley Clark, and Mother Sheehan) is that there is a cover-up. Certainly the Marines are not innocent - BushitlerRovian war machine merely managed to manufacture evidence. I can guarantee that will be the tact taken by terrorists in Iraq. And Randi Rhodes.

Update II: Exhibit A:

Enough details have emerged from survivors and military personnel to conclude that in the town of Haditha last November, members of the 3rd Battalion, 1st regiment perpetrated a massacre.

There you go, we have enough details. Let's hang 'em high! Or, is The Nation one of those "extreme" sides we shouldn't be listening to?

To Detroy the Earth

Rush read this a while back. It's a hoot.

Whatever might have happened at Haditha

We did not do this. BlackFive has the response politicians should have regarding the incident at Haditha.

The difference between the right and the left regarding instances of possible military scandals, is that the right hopes they are untrue, while the left hopes the opposite. Never mind that this would mean that innocent people were murdered, because it would support their political position.

If Haditha went down as Murtha proclaims, it would give advantage to the Democrats this year. If it's only sorta true, well, then they can give it the Abu Gharib treatment; massage the facts, repeat the message over and over again until it's taken as fact. If it's totally untrue, well that won't matter either: Al Gore really won the 2000 election; Bush carved a fake turkey; peeing on Korans in Gitmo. Doesn't matter that not one of these things are true, they still get repeated.

Truth. Facts. Reality. All tangled together by journalists with an agenda.

No no NO!

Yesterday, Detroit City Council voted 8-0 to rename the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel the "John Conyers Jr. Tunnel." The resolution was proposed by Monica Conyers, his Councilwoman wife, who got into office with the help of her husband's congressional staff to campaign for her. And to babysit their children.

But, like all good Democrats, no one cares when corruption points to them. Or hypocrisy. Papa Conyers votes pro-NEA (he has a 91% rating by them) and anti-Vouchers, yet speaks truth-to-power where his own children are concerned: the Conyers send their kids to an exclusive private school in the suburbs.

In one of the most shameful acts for a man who touts himself as a champion for the downtrodden, Conyers accepted turkeys from a food bank a few Holidays back, which he was going to disburse to the needy. the needy, apparently , were in his office staff.

Among the achievements of his 20 terms in the U.S. House (can anyone say term limits?), is Conyers plot for Reparations. He first introduced his bill H. R. 40 in 1989, and says he is going to continue to introduce it until it's passed into law. Of his bill he says this:

But reparation is a national and a global issue, which should be addressed in America and in the world. It is not limited to Black Americans in the US but is an issue for the many countries and villages in Africa, which were pilfered, and the many countries, which participated in the institution of slavery.

You mean, the African villages which sold the slaves to the traders? The African villages which were pilfered by waring factions?

Another reason that this bill has garnered so much resistance is because many people want to leave slavery in the past - they contend that slavery happened so long ago that it is hurtful and divisive to bring it up now. It's too painful.

I'll tell you who doesn't want to leave slavery in the past, Jesse Jackson, John Conyers, and countless others, who have used racial politics not as means to make the world a better place, but for self advancement.

As embarrassed by and opposed to I am to Conyers, the finally analysis is that the Detroit city Council is a bunch of jackasses who spend way to much time on stupid, irrelevant things. Perhaps they should concentrate on the failing schools and the breakdown of inner-city society which corrupts Detroit from within. Or, they could spend some time eliminating the mounds of the red-tape that stands in the way of business.

Nah, that stuff sounds way too complicated. Let's just rename a tunnel.

Continuing Saga

Well, at least it is a saga in my mind. There is a house down the block with a double lot. About a year ago, a family with two kids moved in. I have seen these children a grand total of TWICE in the year. And, one of those times, the kids were walking from the car to the house. I think that's kind of strange. There are still two cars in the driveway, so divorce would appear not to be the reason the children, and the wife I might add, are NEVER outside.

One day, I was walking by, and I could have SWORN the side window's curtain was pushed aside, and a woman was waving at me. The curtains are always drawn on all the windows, front and side, another fact which I think is really strange.

As I mentioned, the house sits on a double lot (oh, the things I could do with a double lot.) This man (I say man, since he is the only member of the family I ever see), had decided to take only minimal care of the exterior of his house; no flowers and often the grass is two weeks behind in lawn mowing. To make matters worse, he had a beautiful tree smack dab in the middle of the lot. He didn't cut it down, he just cut all the upper branches off, leaving the trunk and lower limbs there as a mockery of it's former elegance.

To continue with this - he isn't very friendly. My "hello's" often get met with a cold stare. Once, he was speaking with a friend of mine from church, a very attractive black woman. She was soliciting votes for an upcoming election at the time - and he was pretty gregarious with her. She introduced me to him, and his reaction was odd. Forced politeness. . The man, himself, is black, so I'm going to make the leap that he's a racist. If he is a racist (I have a feel for these things), he's going to be disappointed in my friend, she is married to a white man.

To review; cold, possibly racist man, who doesn't take care of the exterior of his nice house, and doesn't allow his wife or children outside. PLUS, he has a dog, which in only occasionally allows outside to be chained up (when he moved in there was a fence, which he has haphazardly taken down.)

Last night, though, I learned one more piece to this puzzle. He's a preacher! Oh, my mind is going a thousand miles a minute now.

To run or not to run

There is no way I'm gonna run the Chicago Marathon, Ana! LOL. Cheer from the sidelines, I can do that.

I might try to do a half-marathon here in Detroit (in the fall.) But, since the surgery, I've had a hard time getting my "run" back on. I just haven't been able to build up my strength and endurance to the point that I can enjoy my runs.

I thought I would post this right up top, instead of buried in comments. I was pretty much offline all weekend.

What the ...?

I I just got an email sending me to this site. History book titles include the following :

Between Borders: Essays on Chicana/Mexicana History by Adelaida de Castillo
Cinco de Mayo: A Symbol of Mexican National Resistance by R. Cabello-Argandoña
The Druglord by Peter Neissa
Mexican Los Angeles by Antonio Ríos-Bustamante
Oscar Zeta Acosta: Love and Riot in Los Angeles by Roger Moore
Regions of La Raza by Antonio Ríos-Bustamante

They don't sound like books I read. How the heck did I get subscribed to this email list?

Propaganda hypersensitivity

A PS 3 game being developed, Mercenaries2: World in Flames, uses Venezuela as it's setting for an oil dispute with a "power hungary tyrant." From GameSpot :

Supporters of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, an outspoken critic of American policy, are not amused. "[Mercenaries 2] sends a message to Americans: You have a danger next door, here in Latin America, and action must be taken," said lawmaker Gabriela Ramirez. "It's a justification for an imperialist aggression." Ramirez also said that Mercenaries 2 could be banned from the country by laws intended to protect children from violent games.

Chavez isn't actually in the game, but those loyal to him believe the game intends to mar his image and that of the country by portraying it as a war-torn battle zone mired in chaos.

"I think the US government knows how to prepare campaigns of psychological terror so they can make things happen later," said Venezuelan congressman Ismael Garcia.

This isn't the first time game designers' pursuit of realistic situations has angered a foreign government. Ubisoft's Ghost Recon 2 was called "propaganda" by a government-run newspaper in North Korea. "This may be just a game to them now," the article read, "but a war will not be a game for them later. In war, they will only face miserable defeat and gruesome deaths." Ubisoft's development went on as planned, and North Korea eventually banned the game.

Problem is, this game isn't being developed by the US government. Ubisoft's headquarters is in France, and it's CEO is a man named Yves Guillemot. Not exactly a member of the Bushitler/Rovian propaganda machine. But, even more shocking to me than the assertion that the US government is using video games in a modern day version of Goebbels weekly articles for Das Reich, is the thought that they actually have video games in North Korea. They don't have lights but they have Playstations?

Regardless, the idea that children would have their image of Venezuela and Chavez marred by a video game would have a bit more validity if the kids could 1) locate Venezuela on a map, and 2) match up the unnamed "power hungary tyrant" character with Chavez. Given that one-third of American (or, excuse me, United Stater) kids can't locate Louisiana on a map, even after a major disaster, I'm betting that the numbers who can find Venezuela might be in the single digits.

All the news that's fit to slant

And, if you work for Reuters, you can have a far reach.

Here's a conspiracy for you

Every so often I get an email from Amazon, suggesting a few books I may be interested in buying. Yesterday, I got a note saying that since I had bought a book by Peter Schweizer, I might now be interested in buying Bill Bennett's new book America: The Last Best Hope (Volume I).

Why yes, I would be interested in that book. I thought as I grinned to myself at the prospect of buying yet another conservative book from that bastion of liberalism, Amazon.

I eagerly clicked on the link, anxious to see how the hordes of faux "reviewers" had trashed the book. But, surprisingly, the link didn't take me to the Bennett book. Instead,it took me to the Amazon welcome page. The other links on the email worked correctly, but not the Bennett book. Is this JUST a conspiracy involving Amazon commie workers? Or is there also a connection with Opes Dei? Should I keep my eyes open for an albino?

Perhaps I should just get a grip, and assume the numnuts at Amazon made an innocent mistake.

Nah.

Poll supports my long-held assertion

My assertion has been that here is a sizable portion of our society who are simply too stupid to be allowed to vote. A survey was taken in which the respondents were asked about 9/11:

In the telephone survey of 1200 individuals, just 47% agreed that "the 9/11 attacks were thoroughly investigated and that any speculation about US government involvement is nonsense." Almost as many, 45%, indicated they were more likely to agree "that so many unanswered questions about 9/11 remain that Congress or an International Tribunal should re-investigate the attacks, including whether any US government officials consciously allowed or helped facilitate their success."

Forty-five percent?!? Conspiracy nuts used to exist on both ends of the political extremes, but this study seems to suggest that the monkeys are in charge of the zoo on the liberal side of the isle:

This rough balance in opinions is itself a striking finding. It suggests that doubts about the officials accounts of 9/11, far from representing an extreme fringe position, have become a standard component of anti-establishment attitudes.

When asked specificially if they thought there had been a government coverup of evidence that contradicts the official story, the results were again not far from an even split, with 48% rejecting the idea of a deliberate coverup and 42% supporting it. Belief in a coverup was the majority position among Democrats, 18-29 year olds, and a few other groups.

If you think 9/11 was an American plot, or that the US government was in any way involved, you are probably too stupid to be allowed to vote. Possibly, your driving privileges should be revoked as well. And, Lord, PLEASE don't breed.

Update: Malkin does a good wrap-up on the Macbeth story. Anyone who believed his claims that he killed 200 innocent people, or attacked a mosque filled with people praying, or that he "took out" children who threw rocks at the troops can be added to my list of people who shouldn't vote.

Chinese deny involvement

But, really, what would you expect?

More on the Dixie Chicks

I like the title of his blog-post: Dixie Chicks Learn the Difference Between Censorship and Capitalism.

I'm confused

I thought Iran only wanted nuclear power?

Today, Iran has mastered the entire nuclear fuel cycle, from start to finish, thanks to young Iranian scientists," the president said in a speech in the southwestern border town of Khorramshahr.
"The enemies are looking to plot and want to create differences among Iranians to stop us getting our rights," Ahmadinejad said.
"But if they do the slightest damage to the Iranian people, if they commit the slightest aggression, they will receive an historic slap."

Oh, don't worry, I know the drill. This is simply more Bushitler/Rovian bedwetting. We have more to fear from "the Bushies" than we do Ahmadinejad. As for the JOOOOOS, well, they can take care of themselves, thankyouverymuch.. Did I forget anything?

Quandry

The owners of my favorite local restaurant, La Shish, have been charged with four counts of tax evasion, and ties to the terrorist group Hizballah.

I'm torn, because charged does not mean convicted. But, it makes me sick to my stomach that my patronage might have contributed to terrorism.

And, I don't know where else to get good kibbee.

The owners deny supporting terrorism, of course. But, whether or not they skimmed money to support terrorism (they apparently did send money to Lebanon) or orphans, the facts appear to support that they did skim money. So, for that fact alone I guess I should find a new source for kibbee.

I thought only Rethuglians were corrupt?

But, truth be told, I keep $90,000 in my freezer too, so I'm sure he's innocent.

And, I'm not ready to listen to their music

This just in from the Dixie Chicks:

Natalie Maines isn't kidding when she sings, "I'm not ready to make nice."
In a new interview with Time magazine, posted online Sunday, the Dixie Chicks firebrand takes back the apology she extended to President Bush three years ago.
"I apologized for disrespecting the office of the President," Maines says in Time. "But I don't feel that way anymore. I don't feel he is owed any respect whatsoever."

I read the Time interview yesterday, to learn that Maines went to Berkley (go figure!) and that she dropped out of three colleges before she joined the Dixie Chicks. You mean, she wasn't a poli-sci major? Learn something new every day.

What I find endlessly humorous about this is the indignation, by stars such as Maines, when their words have consequences. Consequences, such as plummeting record sales; their current single "stalled" at #36 on the Billboard's Country chart. Entertainers are given a forum in which to spew their political ideas - they are granted freedom of speech but with a bullhorn. But, Joe Q. Pulbic's only available response to the bullhorn is to refuse to buy their product. When Maines, or Sean Penn, or Matt Damon use the celebrity they gained through artistic talent to rant politically, the public's only recourse is refuse to "purchase" their artistic output.

The most ironic thing is that when they are hit financially, many cry "censorship." Silly dip$hits, they aren't being censored; they can say whatever they want.

To their ever-dwindling audience.

I'm here, just not "here"

My mind is on my garden and my house. Nice weather finally appears in Detroit.

The American Royalty

I might just be in a bad mood, but who do these @ssholes think they are? I hope they don't think they are clever, funny, or classy. The only "quality" they have is rich by birth, which is not something to brag about since it was through no achievement of their own. The best thing wealthy parents can do for their kids is to cut them off.

You got to be 'effen kidding me.

Is it time to be concerned YET?

Human rights groups are raising alarms over a new law passed by the Iranian parliament that would require the country's Jews and Christians to wear coloured badges to identify them and other religious minorities as non-Muslims.

"This is reminiscent of the Holocaust," said Rabbi Marvin Hier, the dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. "Iran is moving closer and closer to the ideology of the Nazis."
****
Iran's roughly 25,000 Jews would have to sew a yellow strip of cloth on the front of their clothes, while Christians would wear red badges and Zoroastrians would be forced to wear blue cloth.

I know, I know, nothing to see here. Keep moving. Just more Bushitler fear-mongering/bedwetting.

Einstein's with me

122507
Originally uploaded by Carinroz.

Another movie to skip

Sean Penn as Richard Clarke.

Here's an idea- how about someone makes movies with engaging characters, and interesting plot lines? I'm done with entertainers trying to "teach" me something. I prefer to get my information from people who "know stuff" versus high school drop-outs, and drama majors.

And another thing, I want music that is GOOD, not something with a message. I know, Young, and Springsteen, and Pearl Jam, and the Dixie Chicks all have a lot to say, but I'm just not interested in a one-way rant about how evil Bushitler went to war for oil.

Lemme know with "artist" are interested in their "art" and not the art of politics.

Oh, good Lord

On May 24, 2006, 1,500 Beverly Hills High School students will be boarding 30 gas-guzzling buses across town to see Al Gore's new global warming film 'AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH' at the Arclight Theatre in Hollywood, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

Sarah Utley, a science teacher at Beverly Hills High School, explained in an e-mail to staff and students: "This field trip has been funded by a very generous alum!... You get to see the film for free!!!"

Anyone who wants to learn more about home schooling, just email me.

Maybe it's just me

But I think Katherine has a screechy voice. AI is dead to me.

AI

For those who miss Chris.

Last night I voted for Elliot. It was actually my second attempt -ever- to vote (maybe third, a few seasons ago I tried voting for Fantasia a few times), and the first time I actually got through.

Snicker

“Class is part of the futility of reality,” says Lacan; however, according to Geoffrey[4] , it is not so much class that is part of the futility of reality, but rather the defining characteristic of class. Sartreist absurdity suggests that sexual identity has intrinsic meaning. Therefore, the subject is contextualised into a dialectic dematerialism that includes narrativity as a reality.

Discuss...

Mother's Day

777-GLM001(1)
Originally uploaded by Carinroz.

Thought I'd share what I got from my kids:) Isn't it beautiful?

Names in the News

Last week Gail had a nice long list of "names" we use to disparage each other politically. But she missed (and I didn't mention) my most hated term: Fundie. From what I can gather, it apparently applies to anyone who votes Rethuglian and attends a Christian church on a regular bases.

I was reminded of it as I read dKos.

Update: While I don't care for fundie I can't get enough of the word moonbat. For Moonbats in their full glory go here.

Update 2: From the commenters at Atrios I can think of one... no two, no wait a minute, THREE people I would wish cancer on. Where's the Peace and Love?

Survey Says

A sign that people are not good judges of what passes as a reliable source for information :

People are now twice as likely to believe Jesus Christ fathered children after reading the Dan Brown blockbuster and four times as likely to think the conservative Catholic group Opus Dei is a murderous sect.

"An alarming number of people take its spurious claims very seriously indeed," said Austin Ivereigh, press secretary to Britain's top Catholic prelate Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor.

"Our poll shows that for many, many people the Da Vinci Code is not just entertainment," Ivereigh added.

Fact, fiction, who cares anymore? It is not as if Brown's book was a serious theological work; it was just a silly thriller tale. Yet, the reaction of some readers was as if they'd read a weighty academic piece. Which reflects poorly on what they consider "serious" work. Or, what passes for a "provocative" argument.

Just write a book, and claim that you "thoroughly researched" the subject, and people will believe anything. God help us if Brown's next "highly researched" book is on the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Warning, adjust your recording devices accordingly

24 will be on at 10 pm this evening, due to the presidential address at 8 pm Central.

Tip du Jour

Two words : Summer Phlox.

Love it. Plant it. Every year, I've neglected to put more in (Ionly have two small clumps in my garden.) I seized the moment, and bought another today. Pink. I can hardly wait.

So, what's your favorite flower/plant?

Islam, religion of Peace II

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Who pays taxes?

For anyone who has ever uttered the words "tax cuts for the rich."

h/t Bill from INDC

This is disturbing

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Someone alert my cousin (who lives in Fla)

No jogging near OR (more importantly) dangling feet in alligator-infested canals.

h/t Gail

Islam, religion of Peace

I stepped in it last night at Bob's place. I should know better. And, really when this statement was made, I should have just called it a night;

The Bushies are in league with the genocidal Sudanese government.

True moonbattery (I know Gail hates this phrase) is occurring when absolutely everything is attributed to "the Bushies."

The issue, though, is whether or not it is simply Bushitler fear-mongering (fascism) that we discuss concerns over an Islamic Caliphate. The spread of radical Islam? Nothing to see here, folks, keep moving.

But, then there is Asia. And Africa. Where the spread of radical Islam is exactly what is happening. Christian girls decapitated on their way to school. And Darfur. If it looks like a duck, it's the spread of radical Islam. And whether or not they actually could unite under one "Caliphate" is beside point. Says Bob:

Anyway, this global conquerin' Islam is the same Islam that's made up of  warring factions that make the protestants and catholics in Northern Ireland look like two Lutheran churches joinin' up for a bigger potluck. This is the same Islam that exists almost entirely in third world nations where planning and organizing to take over the world comes right after, oh let's see, maybe feeding and clothing their masses.  This is the same Islam that lives in nations that despise each other (Saudi Arabia and Iran, for example).

So we shouldn't fear them because (I'm trying hard to find his point here) there was a "religious war" between the Protestants and Catholics ''? Or because it is occurring in poorer nations? Hizb ut-Tahrir of the "Party of Liberation" has plans, and they have their eyes on Europe:

[President] Bush says that we want to enslave people and oppress their freedom of speech," says Abu Abdullah, a senior member of Hizb ut-Tahrir, the Party of Liberation. "But we want to free all people from being slaves of men and make them slaves of Allah."
Hizb ut-Tahrir says that Muslims should abolish national boundaries within the Islamic world and return to a single Islamic state, known as "the Caliphate," that would stretch from Indonesia to Morocco and contain more than 1.5 billion people.

Could they unite the Islamic world? Doubtful. Could they undermine democracy in the Middle East? You betcha. If the following doesn't sound like converting at the sword, I don't know what does :

"Islam obliges Muslims to possess power so that they can intimidate - I would not say terrorize - the enemies of Islam," says Abu Mohammed, a Hizb ut-Tahrir activist. "In the beginning, the Caliphate would strengthen itself internally and it wouldn't initiate jihad."
"But after that we would carry Islam as an intellectual call to all the world," says Abu Mohammed, a pseudonym. "And we will make people bordering the Caliphate believe in Islam. Or if they refuse then we'll ask them to be ruled by Islam."
And after that? Abu Mohammed pauses and fiddles with his Pepsi before replying.
"And if after all discussions and negotiations they still refuse, then the last resort will be a jihad to spread the spirit of Islam and the rule of Islam," he says, smiling. "This is done in the interests of all people to get them out of darkness and into light."

Of course, as a woman, once I'm in that light, I"m going to be promptly covered with a sheet. Radical Islam is the enemy. We should fight the spread of it wherever it occurs, even if it is in a third world country.

How AWFUL!

I just got this urgent email:

You may be surprised to receive this letter since you don't know me personally, I am Mrs.MONICA KOFFI, the wife of late Dr.ALFRED KOFFI, who was recently murdered in the land dispute in Zimbabwe. I got your contact through South African Information exchange (S.A.I.E) here in Johannesburg and I decided to write for an assistance.
My late husband was among the few blacks Zimbabwe rich farmers murdered in cold blood by the agents of the ruling government of President Robert Mugabe for his alleged support and sympathy of the Zimbabwean opposition party controlled by the whites. Before his death, he took me and my son MARK to Johannesburg to deposit the sum of US$13.5 Million Pounds)in MARK's name as the beneficiary with a private Security and Finance Company as if he foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe.The money was deposited to the security company to avoid seizure ...

Email me if you'd like details on how to help Mrs. Koffi out, she asked that we keep this confidential. But, I'm sure she won't mind me telling you guys!.

I'll be back this afternoon

My basement flooded. Much tossing of (now) trash and cleaning and disinfecting to occur over the next few hours.

I believe the proper music for cleaning raw swage from my floor would be Anthrax, or Metallica, or - perhaps - System of a Down.

Update: this sucks. I've got that bleach smell in my nose.

Update II: if I EVER needed more comments, it's NOW! Without people to play with, I'm going to be forced to go back to the mess. FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, don't make me go back there.

That's it

I'm done with Idol.

Et tu, Einstein?

119856
Originally uploaded by Carinroz.

Make your own here.

Thanks Krista!

Man ....

... I sure could use some sushi tonight.

Announcement

As of today, the lower portion of my scar is a tad less pouffy, and less numb.

That is all.

quick poll

I don't know if I *can* do it, but I'm really sick and tired of cleaning up my children's playroom/schoolroom/my computer area. REALLY SICK. So- what say you - can I make it a week without tidying up, so they can see what a disgusting pile of filth the room becomes EVERY day?

Help a brother out

I'm a little late on this, but word is Jeff is running out of kibble money for that Armadillo.

Update: Ack, it's worse than I thought.

The new "FREE TIBET"

Mark Steyn really nailed why I'm annoyed with Hollywood's newly discovered tragedy that is Darfur:

Free Tibet. Every college in the US has a Free Tibet society: There's the Indiana University Students for a Free Tibet, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Students for a Free Tibet, and the Students for a Free Tibet University of Michigan Chapter. Everyone's for a free Tibet, but no one's for freeing Tibet. Idealism asinertia is the hallmark of the movement.

George Clooney has discovered that there is a genocide occurring in Darfu, and he is urging action:

Is the American government slow to act? Of course we're slow to act, we always are," Clooney said, referring to prior U.S. intervention in Rwanda and the Balkans.
"It's something that has to start today," Clooney said. "If we don't get to work on it today, there's a few thousand people who will be dead by the end of the week."

So, Clooney is urging action? What action is he urging? I guess we really need to get started on those bumper stickers. It's funny, because before the invasion of Iraq, Clooney had this to say:

"Are we going to try and talk to Saddam Hussein...without jumping in and killing people first?" he said.
"I don't believe we're going to wait until the last resort to do it. That's what bothers me."

Clooney was an outspoken critic for the Iraqi war (to say the least), and back then he argued that action should be the last resort. Yet, now he's being critical that we don't take action quickly enough.

But, let's be honest here - what type of action (besides the mass production of bumper stickers) would he support? Financial aid for the suffering, for sure, but anything tangible that would stop the violence? What happened to the liberal line "It's a civil war, it's none of our business"? We won't hear that one until if, and when, America steps-in to put a stop to the violence. The innocents in Darfur are not going to be saved by a bunch of bumper stickers OR financial aid. Nothing short of a well-armed military is going to save them.


H/t; Gail, who posted a link to the Styne article, but I decided I need a bit more room than is prudent in comments.

Baby, you're a rich man

Forbes estimates Fidel is worth $900 million. Not bad for a dictator having to deal with an embargo, huh? At least he shares it with his people. And by "his people" I mean himself, and the Holllywood stars that visit to faun all over him. As for the "little people" who inhabit the island with him, well, he did give them all rice steamers or something a few years ago.

Babalu Blog has an open letter to ENCASA, a group of Castro apologists who are asking Bush to remove the sanctions against Cuba. The letter, by [edit- to correct attribution ]Henry Gomez , outlines 8 stipulations necessary to warrant a lifting of the sanctions. Stipulations that Castro would never agree to because, well, look how rideculous they are:

1. That all Cuban political prisoners and prisoners of conscience be released immediately and granted an unconditional amnesty.
2. That all Cubans be allowed to move freely within the country.
3. That the existing system of apartheid-like segregation be eradicated immediately, specifically that all Cubans be treated as equals to their foreign counterparts, such as “prominent scholars and artists” from abroad.
4. That all Cubans be granted access to all sources of uncensored information, whether in broadcast, print, or Internet immediately.
5. That all Cubans be granted the freedom to express their opinions freely without fear of repercussions.
6. That all Cubans be allowed to travel abroad freely.
7. That all Cubans be allowed to live, work, and seek a better life for themselves as they see fit.
8. That all Cubans be allowed to elect their leaders through verifiable, transparent democratic elections as allowed for in Cuba’s last legitimate constitution, the Constitution of 1940.

The problem is, you give these people an inch, they're going to ask for a mile.

The open letter brings up another issue that gnaws at my craw; the tourist business in Cuba:

Additionally, ordinary Cubans are not permitted to openly mingle with foreigners so as to avoid their being “corrupted” by outsiders. We denounce anyone from any country that visits Cuba as a tourist. We feel that it is cruel and inhumane to enjoy beaches and other recreational facilities that are off limits to Cuba’s own citizens which have essentially become a slave labor force.

That, in addition to the fact that the tourist dollars do nothing but prop up the inhuman elements of Cuba - namely, Castro.

Names in the News

"Kennedy", drunk, car accident.

Who's surprised?

Round and round it goes

We can't move because we don't have enough money. I can't get a job to make money, because I home school. I home school because the public schools (really really) suck where I live. I can't move to a better district because we don't have enough money. I can't get a job to make money because I home school. I home school because the schools suck in my district ...

QOTD

What is Jack going to pull out of his man bag tonight?

Blog-brag

Scott has an image of my mad culinary skillz over on his blog.

Speaking of Scott, I just ordered a six-pack of his Survival Spice from Amazon. Too cool.

RIBS THIS WEEKEND!!! Woot-woot.

Ask, and ye shall recieve

DSC00542
Originally uploaded by Carinroz.

Here's a better dress shot, in front of the baptismal font. Ethan is doing some sort of Irish jig.

Yesterday

DSC00536
Originally uploaded by Carinroz.

First Communion, daughter #1, and alter serving for firstborn. He wouldn't be serious for the photo shoot, so, this is what you get.

Nooooooo

Angelina Jolie as Dagny? Brad Pitt as John Galt? The horror. Of course, even worse is way down in the article where it is mentioned that Oliver Stone wanted to direct "Fountainhead."

A day late, a dollar short

Bye, bye Kelly! I had vowed to my children that if anyone BUT Kelly left, I was done with this season's AI. Kelly had a great voice when she was imitating country singers, but outside of that safety zone she flopped. With Ace and Kelly gone, I no longer have to issue threats.

A tad busy

You know, Stalin was, like, a really bad guy.

In my absence: War- does it suck or blow? Debate.

Is Blogger working today?

I had two posts disappear into the internets yesterday.

Update; They've appeared. Weird.

Eagle Eye Cam

I lack outrage today, so instead I'll share this site, sent to me by my aunt Gail.

Flea on Bush

he is a liar
and his lies have bought misery to millions of people
and bought no good to anyone except for the corporate oil
billionaires who are making huge profits
they are profiting during wartime
that is unscrupulous and terribly sad
w bush has made the world a much less safe place
before the war iraq was not a place for terrorists
saddam hussein, brutal dictator that he was was secular and had
nothing to do with al queda
and was sanctioned to death and had no power outside of his country
now it is a breeding ground for terrorism and anti-americanism is at
an all time high all over the world
and the people of iraq are no better off at all
all those people want is for the americans to leave
decent families and people like you and i who never wanted america
there in the first place
goerge w bush has sent american soldiers over there to be maimed and
killed
only to serve his selfish oil company needs and for his ego
american soldiers who are loyal to each other and who only want to
have a good job get an education and support their country are being
used for an unjust cause
i support the troops
they, like all americans are being betrayed by george w bush
he has betrayed his country he should be impeached

the administration's line that they were over there because they
wanted to spread democracy and freedom
is nothing else besides a lie
if they had any interest at all in the well being of other human beings
they would be doing what they could for people who desperately need
and would love help in africa

And - what exactly do you think Flea thinks we should do in Africa?

i pray to god that george w bush and his administration does not
invade iran
it would be a bloodbath
why dont they just leave the iranians alone
and go through the united nations
and work on making the united nations as strong and as just as possible
an invasion of iran would be the worst possible thing that could happen
i pray to god that it does not happen

Oh, the UN, right, that will solve the problem. Like they solved things in Bosnia. Besides, don't worry, Flea, the UN is taking care of things in Africa.

Kinda funny, don't you think? We should let the UN solved the Iranian issue, but we should get involved in Africa. How much do you want to bet that if we sent troops to Africa, the complaints against the president would be no different?

But, really, I don't really expect much political acumen from a man who puts a sock on his penis.

Food talk

Best dry rub for ribs ever. Of course, it has other uses too.

Visiting moonbat land

dKos can be a rather fun place to go and visit " the other side", and since Jeff wasn't yet awake to begin posting, I followed a LGF link to this discussion regarding 9/11 :

Remember, please, that this was an act of a bunch of punks. Punks that got lucky. Not the larger Islamo-Fascist monolith that some have conjurred; that may exist as a useful concept but all evidence points to punks. And frankly it's a lot easier to credit the well-grounded "punk theory," because punks behave unpredictably and slip through cracks. The US would have swatted anything larger on the worst of days.

The author's overwhelming opinion regarding 9/11 is that they are "over it."No need to worry about Islamofascism. No need for a Global War on Terror. 9/11 was the work of a few lucky punks. I, personally, will never get over it. But, I share little in common with the commenter who offered this reason for "not" getting over it:

The evidence for the Official Story is so poor, and the motives for the proponents of the Official Story  -- that is, the AmeriKills subsidiary of BushCo and the neo-cons, the people who have benefited from 9-11 -- to lie are so great, that I cannot believe it to be true.

I am utterly convinced that the Official Story is a transparent hoax, and that it is virtually certain that, at least, BushCo LIHOP and indeed far more likely that, perhaps with the aid of Pakistani and/or Saudi secret services, an element of the government (including Cheney and Rumsfeld, among others) actually sponsored and planned the attacks.

So, and having been born in Manhattan and having been in the City (albeit not near the WTC) on that morning, I take it personally, and I will not be getting over it.


Oh, and despite my self-deprecating moniker, I am a construction lawyer, which is to say that, although not an engineer, I know enough about buildings to feel certain that the "pancake theory" is bogus.  As a litigation attorney with 20 years' experience, I make a decent living proving and disproving facts.

OF COURSE it has not been proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Cheney and the boys did 9-11.  But the Official Story is fragrant horseshit (really, if you believe that one please send me your check for the Brooklyn Bridge) and, that being so, it's only natural to see as the prime suspects those who (1) have controlled the crime scene; (2) thwarted any investigation other than the risible Kean-Zelikow "Oil Investor, CIA, CFR and Coverup Maven Whitewash;" (3) stated in writing that the nation's future pretty much required a "catalyzing and catastrophic event -- a New Pearl Harbor;" (4) had the motive, means and the oppportunity to carry out the attacks; and (5) have been the primary beneficiaries, politically but also in cold cash.

If you get over it, well God bless you, you're a huge part of the problem.

This isn't the first time I've come across this special type of tin-foil- hat wearer, but what I found remarkable, frightening, and perhaps predicable was the lack of debate (or ridicule) for such idiocy. Try posing a similar argument on Ace's blog, and such conspiracy mongers are taken to task. But, it is right at home among what is arguably one of the most-read "Lefty" blogs.

Bird Flu Hits South Florida

Be afraid, be very afraid.

h/t File it Under

y?

y du u
rit lik my
8 er old?

y?
y?

words typed
short
curt
disjointed iz
not po-e-try

it's just dum

Oh, the Irony

i went
to read
rosie's site
to see
amid unpunctuated,
uncapitalized
"poetry"-
a tribute
to proof

oh, the
irony
anti-gun zealot
gives tribute
to a man that
shot (and killed)
another as he
lay on the ground

Ace or Picker?

I say, PICK PICKLER!

A nice arse should only take you so far ...

It's been nice knowing ya

A comet is heading right for us, and it's all Bush's fault! We've got until May 25th.

Julien argues that the kinetic energy of even a 'car sized' fragment will impact the Earth with devastating effect. He concludes the May 25 event is tied in to the Bush administration's policy of preemptive use of nuclear weapons against . Iran, and the effect of nuclear weapons on the realms of higher intelligences. Regarding its importance, Julien declares: "we have to save lives when we have such information to share with the public". He further claims it important "to preserve all data, historical artifacts and precious material in the event of such a collision." Julien predicts that the comet collision will occur in the Atlantic Ocean between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, and generates 200 meter waves.

So, the comet is going to preemptively attack us for our plan to preemptively nuke Iran? If this isn't a case of pot/kettle I don't know what is.

My Chemical Romance, Helena

Pop-goth the musical.

Some liberals I can support (at least as a worthy advasary)

It is with a sigh of relief that I read this, for it means that not all Liberals are devoid of rational thought. While the document hints at a Socialist agenda (but still critical of Stalin and Mao), I liked the following :

The founding supporters of this statement took different views on the military intervention in Iraq, both for and against. We recognize that it was possible reasonably to disagree about the justification for the intervention, the manner in which it was carried through, the planning (or lack of it) for the aftermath, and the prospects for the successful implementation of democratic change. We are, however, united in our view about the reactionary, semi-fascist and murderous character of the Baathist regime in Iraq, and we recognize its overthrow as a liberation of the Iraqi people. We are also united in the view that, since the day on which this occurred, the proper concern of genuine liberals and members of the Left should have been the battle to put in place in Iraq a democratic political order and to rebuild the country's infrastructure, to create after decades of the most brutal oppression a life for Iraqis which those living in democratic countries take for granted — rather than picking through the rubble of the arguments over intervention.




This opposes us not only to those on the Left who have actively spoken in support of the gangs of jihadist and Baathist thugs of the Iraqi so-called resistance, but also to others who manage to find a way of situating themselves between such forces and those trying to bring a new democratic life to the country. We have no truck, either, with the tendency to pay lip service to these ends, while devoting most of one's energy to criticism of political opponents at home (supposedly responsible for every difficulty in Iraq), and observing a tactful silence or near silence about the ugly forces of the Iraqi "insurgency". The many left opponents of regime change in Iraq who have been unable to understand the considerations that led others on the Left to support it, dishing out anathema and excommunication, more lately demanding apology or repentance, betray the democratic values they profess.

More here

Tagged by Gail

To name four neat things about my hometown- Detroit.

Thinking ...

1) The "Hummer" was invented here. No, not that Hummer, but an ice cream drink with rum and Kahlua. They are delicious, but I think I made about 500,000 of them in my bartending career, and the mere thought of 'em now gives me nightmares.

2) Detroit is, actually, NORTH of Canada. Or, at least a little bit of Canada.

3) Detroit has HUNDREDS of Coney Island restaurants. Some really suck (mostly the chain-owned ones), but the best and most famous are a pair that sit right next to each other in downtown Detroit. Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island were opened by brothers 70 years ago, and are still both family owned. True Detroiters will claim loyalty to one or the other (Lafayette for me.) Don't go here if you're hungary for images of the side-by-side legends in addition to the gastronomic delight that is the coney dog.

4)


Ok, I'll have to think up another good one. River Rat , help a girl out ...

So- I tag anyone reading this.

UPDATE

Yes, River Rat came up with a #4 for me - Saturday trips to Eastern Market. Practically downtown (across a major street or two) sits Eastern Market, which fills with vendors from Spring through Fall. You can get great deals as the day passes, since no one wants to load stuff back into their trucks.) And, in a few weeks, it will be FLOWER DAY! Last year, my sister and mom went, and brought me back that praying mantis pod (remember, I posted a picture of one of my little babies?) But, mostly it is just one of those unique experiences of Detroit. Surrounding the vendor's hall are other Detroit Gems. Rafal's is a spice store- where you can get everything imaginable in just the quantities you desire. Two teaspoons of paprika? Fine by them. I grew up just a short walk from this market. Thanks for the suggestion, RR.

(Eastern Market link fixed)

Quick, someone find me a public school

"Uncle."

Hating America

Since 9/11, the left has been involved in a debate legitimizing why the rest of the world supposedly hates us. Kerry was to be our Savior, he was going to mend the rifts in international politics. But, cowboy Bush one, so we are still "hated."

But consider this:

In a lengthy explanation of why he hates Americans, Moussaoui said Islam requires Muslims to be the world's superpower as he flipped through a copy of the Quran searching for verses to support his assertion. He said one verse requires Muslims "to fight against all who believe not in Allah."

"We have an obligation to be the superpower. You have to be subdued," Moussaoui said. "America is a superpower and you want to eradicate Islam."

So, radical, fascist, Islamics hate us because we stand in their way of becoming the World's superpower, which would surely bring Sharia to a neighborhood nears yours. Call me crazy, but I see preventing them from becoming a power of any for, super or otherwise, as a good thing. Certainly even the more liberal among us can agree that fundamental Islam would certainly be more repressive than occasionally hearing "Silent Night" in one of the few stories brave enough to still play Christmas tunes. And, if your think your abortion rights are being challenged NOW, just wait until you're wearing a Burka.

The US is singled out, as enemy one of these forces, because we are the only ones "cowboy" enough to stand in their way. That is why "they" hate us. Which leads to the question, why they don't view any one else as such a threat to their future plans?

Encouraged by Bob

I found this little nugget at one of the links River Rat sent me the other day :

In Los Angeles, 95 percent of all outstanding homicide warrants and 60 percent of outstanding felony warrants are for illegal aliens. American taxpayers are paying for the crimes of the 8,000 convicted aliens not yet caught and the incarceration costs of those who have been, estimated to add up to more than $1 billion a year — in just the states that border Mexico.

That, alone, is un-fraking believable.

You know, I totally understand why people want to move here, legally or otherwise. I totally get it, the USA is the greatest country (hey, so I'm patriotic, get over it.) If Latin American Countries could run things things a bit better perhaps people wouldn't be flooding our borders. But, for those who want to move here, and become patriotic, hard-working, honest Americans- I welcome them with open arms. As I commented in Partisan Pundits blog, nothing brings tears to my eyes like an immigrant waxing poetic about his new American Citizenship.

But, commit a crime? Live off of the welfare of our taxpayers? Surround yourselves with the basest of American society (the gangs, for example), and I say "Don't let the border hit you in the ass on the way out." We've got enough "legals" who live in lawless, self-defeating, morally-vacuous life. We don't need imports.

Since I'm prone to stereotype ...

Was it a Christian Rock singer who was killed early Tuesday in Detroit? Or a pop idol? A jazz musician? No, of course not, it was another rapper *:

Proof, a member of the rap group D12, was hit by gunfire at the CCC club on Eight Mile, the dividing line between Detroit and its northern suburbs. Police said he and another man were shot in the head. The other man lived but was critically injured.

I know the street well, since it's only a few miles from my house. It's seedy, lined with strip clubs and abortion clinics. And, since I live in Detroit, my local paper has a stretch headline of the story. Iran acquiring enriched uranium? Not so important; that's off to the side, in a much smaller article. No, we have 75% of the front page devoted to the latest Rapper to be shot, plus a page and a quarter inside. The Detroit News goes beyond the story to say that "Proof's" death is merely an example of all the young black lives that are lost every year to gun violence.

Little mention is made that Proof is suspected as being the shooter of the other victim in the story, Army veteran Keith Bender, and certainly not on the front page. While it's early in the investigation, relatives of Bender claim Proof first shoot him, and then someone else shot Proof. Yet, already we hear this:

I really hope (Proof) will be remembered in the hip-hop community as a Pillar," said MC Serch, former morning show host at WJLB-FM.

Yes, nothing says "pillar of the community" like shooting someone in an after-hours bar over some disagreement.

I have an idea, for all of those who are concerned about gun violence: if it's 4:30 in the morning, you shouldn't be drinking with men who have guns. And, if you are the type to get into arguments with men, that END in gun violence, perhaps you should find a ten-step program on conflict resolution.

Radiohead: Street Spirit

I asked for some Radiohead CDs for my birthday or Christmas, and I didn't get a one. To make matters worse, iTunes doesn't carry them.

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Dani California

Did I ever tell you the Red Hot Chili Peppers put on a fantastic concert? I saw them in '91, or so.

"Get Whitey"

Certainly if this story had a black victim, and white perpetrators, we would have been deluged with black activist talking heads all weekend, and the columnists in my local paper would have been waxing poetic about the sad state of race relations. Maybe even Kayne West would give us another George Bush hates Black people-like statement. But, since this story involved the death of a (yawn) white man, who was chased into traffic by a gang of black youths, the crickets are chirping louder than any of the media outlets handling the story.

There is no honesty in regards to race stories. White on black crime is repeated and drum-beaten into our heads, and interpreted to be indicative that most white people are still racist. Black on white crime is totally ignored. Black people cannot be racist because they are the minority, so the logic goes. But, can black people hate white people and target them for violence? Since we can't call this "racism", what is it, then?

A few years ago, I used to bartend in downtown Detroit ((where I certainly was a member of the "minority".) One night, heavily pregnant at the time, as I crossed a street on the way to the parking lot, a car of black youth sped-up toward me, yelling that they 'hated white women.' I had to run to get out of their way. I doubt they they actually intended to kill me; this was their little bit of fun. How would this story be interpreted, if the colors were reversed?

White racism is (properly) chastised by society. Black racism is ignored and denied. I worry about our future.

Great idea

Let's let more of these people in.

Here's a bit from their Mexica Movement Philosophy:

They rob us every day
They rape us
with assimilation.
Assimilation is the slow motion kill.
Assimilation means marrying white
to kill the brown in us, to kill the heart of us.
Assimilation means the end of us.
Assimilation sucks us down into the white race.
Assimilation kills our race.
Assimilation is the death of us.
Assimilation is racism.

Assimilation is Genocide.

Good thing they're not racist. Anyway, they plan on kicking all us Criollo (that's you Canadians too - you're not free and clear of this genocide) out and reclaiming their Aztec past.

Good luck with that.

Oh, now he'll be unbearable.

Partisan Pundit makes it into Day-by-Day.

A bit late

But, Mandisa? WHY AMERICA WHY? When you had Bucky and Ace just crying to be released? They're both in over their head, and they know it. They can't quit, but you, America, can release them.

It's amazing what a hat, or a pair of puppy dog eyes, can do for a man. That's why we're going to hell in a hand basket.

And, don't get me started on Pick Kelly Pickler. One trick pony. Actually, I think her range isn't THAT narrow - she can do both Country AND Western.

The Bible explained by Science

Feisty Republican Whore highlights SCIENTIFIC FACTS that explain the supposed "miracles" performed by Jesus. I guess Leo is right ...

H/: Beautiful Atrocities.

Light blogging alert

I have to take my bitch and get her X-rayed.

Top 10 Reasons why I couldn't watch the rest of "Crash"

10. Couldn't trust the help alone in the kitchen with the silver.
9. It was time to check the fields, and see how the cotton picking was going.
8. Had to go and prevent some black grade-school children from achieving academically.
7. I wanted to go through my children's crayons, and throw away all the black ones. Out of principal.
6. I saw some African American kids walking by my house, and I had to keep my eye on them just in case.
5. I I wanted to brush up on my Spanish, in case my mail carrier was not really saying "hello", but "Later, bitch, you die."
4. My black neighbors needed to be taken down a few pegs; they've been getting uppity lately.
3. It was my night to bring the snack to the local KKK cross burning.
2. I saw a black man driving a BMW, and needed to call and report the sighting of a stolen car.
And, the number 1 reason why I couldn't watch "Crash":

I couldn't follow the story-line, because all the black folks looked the same to me.

FTR

I tried to watch Crash last night, but I ended up yelling at the TV and turning it off.

Bush was Right

Rock on!

Leo's Challenge

From comments, in the post where I ridicule Scientology.

You could start with explaining how you think what you believe is true while what Tom, Katie et al is nonsense. Pay particular attention to the bit about an invisible deity creating the universe in 6 days, talking snakes, walking on water, reincarnation, water into wine...

I see no difference between Christianity and Scientology, except Christianity is probably cheaper to be a member of.

I am not the best to argue issues of faith (especially with an atheist), but my starting point would be that the founder of Scientology admitted that he made it up. And, that the rules (such as those regarding birth and breast feeding) are idiotic.

I suppose to an non-believer, one set of religious belief's might seem as silly as the next. But, if you can't see the difference between a religious "faith" and a money-sucking cult than I can't really help you.

Personally, I can attend church EVERY day of the week without dropping a penny into the collection basket. I could go to confession, receive communion and attend all the church socials without Father Tim showing up at my door with his hand out. I could "get some God" for free if I wanted. Could the same be said for a member of Scientology?

* I do give, in reality, what I can afford