What is wrong with them?

From Peggy Noonan:

What's wrong with them? That's what I'm thinking more and more as I watch the news from Washington.

A few weeks ago it was the senators who announced the judicial compromise. There is nothing wrong with compromise and nothing wrong with announcements, but the senators who spoke referred to themselves with such flights of vanity and conceit--we're so brave, so farsighted, so high-minded--that it was embarrassing. They patted themselves on the back so hard they looked like a bevy of big breasted pigeons in a mass wing-flap. Little grey feathers and bits of corn came through my TV screen, and I had to sweep up when they were done.

This week comes the previously careful Sen. Barack Obama, flapping his wings in Time magazine and explaining that he's a lot like Abraham Lincoln, only sort of better. "In Lincoln's rise from poverty, his ultimate mastery of language and law, his capacity to overcome personal loss and remain determined in the face of repeated defeat--in all this he reminded me not just of my own struggles."

Oh. So that's what Lincoln's for. Actually Lincoln's life is a lot like Mr. Obama's. Lincoln came from a lean-to in the backwoods. His mother died when he was 9. The Lincolns had no money, no standing. Lincoln educated himself, reading law on his own, working as a field hand, a store clerk and a raft hand on the Mississippi. He also split some rails. He entered politics, knew more defeat than victory, and went on to lead the nation through its greatest trauma, the Civil War, and past its greatest sin, slavery.

Barack Obama, the son of two University of Hawaii students, went to Columbia and Harvard Law after attending a private academy that taught the children of the Hawaiian royal family. He made his name in politics as an aggressive Chicago vote hustler in Bill Clinton's first campaign for the presidency.

You see the similarities.

There is nothing wrong with Barack Obama's résumé, but it is a log-cabin-free zone. So far it also is a greatness-free zone. If he keeps talking about himself like this it always will be.
Mr. Obama said he keeps a photographic portrait of Lincoln on the wall of his office, and that "it asks me questions."

I'm sure it does. I'm sure it says, "Barack, why are you such an egomaniac?" Or perhaps, "Is it no longer possible in American politics to speak of another's greatness without suggesting your own?"

Even so sober an actor as Bill Frist has gotten into the act. This is the beginning of his Heritage Foundation speech yesterday:

You might have been wondering these last few months: Why would a doctor take on an issue like the judicial confirmation process? About 10 years ago, I set aside my medical career to run for the Senate. But I didn't set aside my compassion. I didn't set aside my character. And I sure as heck didn't set aside my principles. I got into politics for the same reason I got into medicine. I wanted to help people. And I wanted to heal. I just felt that, in politics, I could help and heal more than one patient at a time.

I admire Bill Frist, but can you imagine George Washington referring in public, or in private for that matter, to his many virtues? In normal America if you have a high character you don't wrestle people to the ground until they acknowledge it. You certainly don't announce it. If you are compassionate, you are compassionate; if others see it, fine. If you hold to principle it will become clear. You don't proclaim these things. You can't, for the same reason that to brag about your modesty is to undercut the truth of the claim.

And there are the Clintons. There are always the Clintons. The man for whom Barack Obama worked so hard in 1992 showed up with his wife this week to take center stage at Billy Graham's last crusade in New York. Billy Graham is a great man. He bears within him deep reservoirs of sweetness, and the reservoirs often overflow. It was embarrassing to see America's two most famous political grifters plop themselves in the first row dressed in telegenic silk and allow themselves to become the focus of sweet words they knew would come.

Why did they feel it right to inject a partisan political component into a spiritual event? Why take advantage of the good nature and generosity of an old hero? Why, after spending their entire adulthoods in public life, have they not developed or at least learned to imitate simple class?

How exactly does it work? How does legitimate self-confidence become wildly inflated self-regard? How does self respect become unblinking conceit? How exactly does one's character become destabilized in Washington?

The Supreme Court this week and last issued many rulings, and though they were on different issues the decisions themselves had at least one thing in common: They seemed to reflect a lack of basic human modesty on the part of many of the justices. Many are famously very old, and they have been together as a court for a very long time. One wonders if they have lost all understanding of how privileged they are to have lifetime sinecures of power and authority. Do they have any sense anymore of common human wisdom, of the normal human arrangements by which Americans live?

Maybe a lot of them aren't bothering to think. Maybe Ruth Bader Ginsburg is no longer in the habit of listening to arguments but only of watching William Rehnquist, and if he nods up and down she knows to vote "no," and if he shakes his head she knows to vote "yes." That might explain some of the lack of seriousness in the decisions. Local government can bulldoze Grandma's house because it's in the way of a future strip mall that will add more to the tax base? The Ten Commandments can appear on public land but not in a courthouse, but Moses, who received the Ten Commandments can appear in the frieze of the House but he'll be sandblasted off the Supreme Court? Or do I have that the other way around?

What are they doing? All this hair splitting, this dithering, this cutting and pasting--all this lack of serious and defining principle. All this vanity.

Perhaps Justice Ginsburg or Justice Stevens will retire soon and write a memoir: Like Jefferson I held to principle, and like Lincoln I often lacked air conditioning. But in my intellectual gifts I've always found myself to be more like Oliver Wendell Holmes . . .

What is in the air there in Washington, what is in the water?

What is wrong with them? This is not a rhetorical question. I think it is unspoken question No. 1 as Americans look at so many of the individuals in our government. What is wrong with them?

Who needs Feral Cat Hunting...

when you got Myrtle Maly?

Milwaukee is 22nd largest City in United States

Yeas. The decline continues - more than 20% since 1960.

Was the new Iranian President one of the Iranian captors of the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979?

It appears so. From Captain's Quarters:

Gateway Pundit, My Pet Jawa, and LGF all have highly interesting documentation -- including a number of photographs -- that appear to indict newly-elected Iranian President as one of the radicals who seized the American embassy in 1979. The photographic evidence is bolstered by a number of sources on the background of president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that put him in the center of the organizations involved in the hostage crisis that destroyed Jimmy Carter's re-election hopes and made the US look weak and toothless. If so, and the evidence looks damning, then one could make the argument that Ahmadinejad helped start the Islamofascist offensive against the United States.

UPDATE:

Now it appears that some of the actual American hostages are corroborating this story.

Anti-Kyoto Treaty

If you ever wanted to know why the U.S. did not join the Kyoto Treaty on the reduction of greenhouse gases, here is a great post by Todd Zywicki, of an article by Robert Samuelson. Best part:

Europe is the citadel of hypocrisy. Considering Europeans' contempt for the United States and George Bush for not embracing the Kyoto Protocol, you'd expect that they would have made major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions -- the purpose of Kyoto. Well, not exactly. From 1990 (Kyoto's base year for measuring changes) to 2002, global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas, increased 16.4 percent, reports the International Energy Agency. The U.S. increase was 16.7 percent, and most of Europe hasn't done much better.

Here are some IEA estimates of the increases: France, 6.9 percent; Italy, 8.3 percent; Greece, 28.2 percent; Ireland, 40.3 percent; the Netherlands, 13.2 percent; Portugal, 59 percent; Spain, 46.9 percent. It's true that Germany (down 13.3 percent) and Britain (a 5.5 percent decline) have made big reductions. But their cuts had nothing to do with Kyoto. After reunification in 1990, Germany closed many inefficient coal-fired plants in eastern Germany; that was a huge one-time saving. In Britain, the government had earlier decided to shift electric utilities from coal (high CO2 emissions) to plentiful natural gas (lower CO2 emissions).

On their present courses, many European countries will miss their Kyoto targets for 2008-2012. To reduce emissions significantly, Europeans would have to suppress driving and electricity use; that would depress economic growth and fan popular discontent. It won't happen. Political leaders everywhere deplore global warming -- and then do little. Except for Eastern European nations, where dirty factories have been shuttered, few countries have cut emissions. Since 1990 Canada's emissions are up 23.6 percent; Japan's, 18.9 percent.

It is all a big game, and the prize is always the almighty $. Why and How? Competitive advantage:

Kyoto is nominally an environmental treaty--although the effect on global warming is thought to be very small, perhaps on the order of a reduction in temperature of 0.15 degrees C in 2100, or putting off the same warming trend by 6 years. But once you look into the details of the treaty, at this point it seems clear that its primary purpose as drafted (and why Europe is so keen on ratification by the U.S.) is economic, and, in particular, for Europe to gain economic advantages versus the United States.

Many scholars have discussed the costs that the United States would incur in order to achieve these modest results. But there is an additional cost that is often ignored--the rent-seeking costs of self-interested actors using collective decision making processes to redistribute wealth to themselves.

Collective action, whether by national or international bodies, has both benefits and costs. The potential benefit is that the jurisdiction of the regulatory body can match up more closely with the scope of the problem to be regulated. The problem is that any collective decision-making process is subject to rent-seeking, meaning that well-organized interest groups can travel under the banner of the regulatory body in order to tap into others' pockets in order to enrich themselves. It has been long recognized that within the United States alone, environmental regulation has been used by rust belt states to impose competitive disadvantages on growing states in the South and West through a variety of regulations that disproportionately impact new businesses in less-developed regions of the country.

As Bruce Yandle has observed, rent-seeking explains many of the details of Kyoto, which have little to do with environmental improvement and much to do with economic advantage (including such seemingly mundane issues of the choice of 1990 as the baseline for emissions targets). Yandle notes that these rent-seeking pressures are reflected in a variety of provisions in the treaty that would provide European countries with competitive economic advantages versus the United States. In other words, its not just that the costs of the treaty may exceed the benefits, the treaty is written in such a manner that the costs will be larger for the United States relative to Europe, giving Europe a comparative economic advantage.

Moreover, this assumes that both the U.S. and Europe are equally committed to complying with the treaty. In fact, one reason the United States has probably been reluctant to enter into Kyoto is because it would probably actually abide by its terms, unlike the Europeans. As Samuelson suggests, the "sophisticated" Europeans by contrast, probably do not intended to comply with Kyoto, and it is questionable whether they ever intended to meet their targets from the very beginning.

No one "sends their sons to war"

I have never seen "Fahrenheit: 9/11". Nor do I plan on ever watching it. However, one of things I have picked-up-on from the movie is that Michael Moore attempts to "surprise" Congressmen and Congresswomen and have them sign their children up for war. I guess that is a pretty effective way to sending your message if you are anti-war to Washington.

However, why did anyone tolerate the whole idea that parents have the right or ability to send their children to war? Is that a law? Where is it? I was pretty sure that the U.S. maintained an entirely volunteer military. That means, one has to elect to join the service. Therefore, your parents cannot enter their children into the military any easier than they could enter their children into involuntary servitude with Wal-Mart.

Those who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are there because they choose to be there. They want to serve our country, want to bring democracy to the rest of the world, want to kill terrorists, or want the income and education possibilities that serving in the military afford. All of these motivations should be respected, some more than others. However, no one is serving in the military against their will.

Well, Christopher Hitchens also has a great piece over the whole concept of "sending your sons to war." I suggest you check it out.

Russian misfit steals New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft's, Super Bowl ring

Name of the misfit: Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Yeah for Canada

Canada became the 3rd nation in the world to officially recognize same-sex marriages.

Nuclear Fusion plant chosen

In loveable France.

Free Ice Cream at Starbucks today

Check it out!

Golden Eagles to Gold to Golden Eagles

And so, the saga ends. Well, you know what they say, "all publicity is good publicity."

Predictable Reaction to President Bush's address

Nothing but what was expected came from the big three the morning after. You can read their views of the speech here, here, and here: although you can probably get a verbatim account of the Grey Lady's response from here.

Ed Morrissey of Captain's Quarters has this in response:

In one year after the transfer of sovereignty, we've watched the Iraqis create an interim government, hold elections, form an elected representative government, negotiate with their old enemies to push them into the political process, and begin work on a new Iraqi constitution for a permanent democratic government. The Iraqis did all that in less time than we've taken to fix a welfare program heading for bankruptcy. In fact, they've done all of that in less time than it's taken Minnesota to come up with a state budget -- and we still don't have one! Should we send in the 82nd Airborne to rescue Minnesotans from the obviously failed experiment in democracy we have here in Saint Paul?

The dominant theme today will be the complaints that Bush exploited 9/11 -- complaints that will once again reveal how critics can't remember what 9/11 actually meant. It showed that we cannot afford to wait for terrorists to wave their flags and tell us where they are, because the only time they'll do that is when they're raising those flags over the ruins of American cities. That day taught us that we can no longer ignore serious threats like Saddam Hussein, especially in the Middle East. It showed us the folly of appeasement in exchange for the illusion of stability, which really meant the consignment of tens of millions of people to brutal tyrannies that produce radicals willing to die for no other reason than to kill innocents to promote their ideology.

It showed us that we are at war. We can choose to fight that war here, in the US, or we can choose to fight that war where the terrorists and their state supporters live. I'd rather we opted for the latter, and beat them there before they come over here. Building democracies in their midst creates powerful allies for us in that fight against radicalism, and Iraq's population and geography provides a strategic key to that success. Too bad that the nation's newspapers and the critics can't see past the bloody flag.

2005-06 Milwaukee Bucks Roster

The 2005 NBA Draft Lottery is over. The Bucks made Andrew Bogut the #1 Pick of the draft. Prior to the draft, the Bucks obtained SF/SG Jiri Welsch from the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 2006 2nd Round draft pick. Later, the Bucks drafted a 18-year-old forward from Turkey, Ersan Ilyasova in the 2nd round. Ilyasova was projected as a lottery pick until injuring his ankle sometime this summer.

With all of that movement, here is what I have as projected to be the 2005-06 Milwaukee Bucks roster:

Starting Line-Up:

PG - T.J. Ford - 5' 11" 162 lbs. - 22 years old

SG - Michael Redd - 6' 6" 214 lbs. - 26 years old

SF - Desmond Mason - 6' 5" 222 lbs. - 27 years old

PF - Joe Smith - 6' 10" 225 lbs. - 29 years old

C - Andrew Bogut - 7' 0" 245 lbs. - 20 years old

Bench:

SF - Toni Kukoc - 6' 11" 235 lbs. - 36 years old

C - Dan Gadzuric - 6' 11" 240 lbs. - 27 years old

PG - Mo Williams - 6' 1" 189 lbs. - 22 years old

SG - Jiri Welsch - 6' 7" 207 lbs. - 25 years old

SF - Ersan Ilyasova - 6' 9" 235 lbs. - 18 years old

PF - Zaza Pachulia - 6' 11" 265 lbs. - 21 years old

PG - Reece Gaines - 6' 6" 205 lbs. - 24 years old

Cut / Not Re-Signed / Injured List:

PF - Marcus Fizer - 6' 8" 260 lbs. - 26 years old

C - Daniel Santiago - 7' 1" 256 lbs. - 29 years old

C - Calvin Booth - 6' 11" 231 lbs. - 29 years old

PG - Anthony Goldwire - 6' 2" 182 lbs. - 33 years old

PG - Erick Strickland - 6' 3" 218 lbs. - 31 years old

I am not completely sure on the last 3 spots on the bench.

According to General Manager Larry Harris, the Bucks are planning on 18-year-old Ilyasova contributing off from the bench this season, as either the 9th or 10th man in the rotation.

From what I have been able to parse together from Harris's off-season comments, the Bucks are going to make attempts to re-sign Redd, Kukoc, Gadzuric, and Pachulia. Harris has not commented on pursuing Fizer, Santiago, Goldwire, or Strickland. As far as Booth, I do not see how the Bucks could re-sign Kukoc, Gadzuric, and Pachulia, and have room for another C/PF on their bench.

I am not completely sold on Gaines. However, I do believe that he has the versatility and potential to be a guy who occupies the 12th spot - until the Bucks are sure that he is never going to develop into anything other than a tweener. The players I had previously mentioned do not share this potential. Plus, he is from Madtown.

That being said, the Bucks roster looks good. Young, inexperienced, talented, but good. Probably, playoff good. The Bucks may have picked up two lottery picks in Bogut and Ilyasova, and when combined with the Pachulia and Gadzuric, create a great potential rotating backcourt for years to come.

Other than their own free-agents, here are some other names I could potentially see the Bucks pursue:

SF - Jason Kapono - 6' 8" 213 lbs. - 24 years old

PF - Scott Williams - 6' 10" 260 lbs. - 37 years old

PF - Stromile Swift - 6' 9" 230 lbs. - 25 years old

PF - Eddie Griffin - 6' 10" 240 lbs. - 23 years old

PG - Travis Best - 5' 11" 182 lbs. - 32 years old

SF - Joe Johnson - 6' 7" 230 lbs. - 23 years old

SG - Maurice Evans - 6' 5" 220 lbs. - 26 years old

PG - Antonio Daniels - 6' 4" 205 lbs. - 30 years old

SG - Ronald Murray - 6' 3" 197 lbs. - 25 years old

SF - Donyell Marshall - 6' 9" 230 lbs. - 32 years old

PG - Howard Eisley - 6' 2" 185 lbs. - 32 years old

SG - Juan Dixon - 6' 3" 164 lbs. - 26 years old

Finally, depending on what happens with Michael Redd, I wouldn't be surprised if the Bucks went back to one of these two players to take over some of the scoring burden:

SF - Glenn Robinson - 6' 7" 240 lbs. - 32 years old

SG - Ray Allen - 6' 5" 205 lbs. - 29 years old

Question the MSM? Never.

Not when a columniss cannot verify a sampling of 43 sources used during the 12 years of her work.

The Lost Liberty Hotel

Got a nice ring to it, don't you think?

From Freestar Media, LLC, via the Drudge Report:

Could a hotel be built on the land owned by Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter? A new ruling by the Supreme Court which was supported by Justice Souter himself itself might allow it.

A private developer is seeking to use this very law to build a hotel on Souter's land!

Justice Souter's vote in the "Kelo vs. City of New London" decision allows city governments to take land from one private owner and give it to another if the government will generate greater tax revenue or other economic benefits when the land is developed by the new owner. On Monday June 27, Logan Darrow Clements, faxed a request to Chip Meany the code enforcement officer of the Towne of Weare, New Hampshire seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road. This is the present location of Mr. Souter's home. Clements, CEO of Freestar Media, LLC, points out that the City of Weare will certainly gain greater tax revenue and economic benefits with a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road than allowing Mr. Souter to own the land.

The proposed development, called "The Lost Liberty Hotel" will feature the "Just Desserts Café" and include a museum, open to the public, featuring a permanent exhibit on the loss of freedom in America. Instead of a Gideon's Bible each guest will receive a free copy of Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged."

Clements indicated that the hotel must be built on this particular piece of land because it is a unique site being the home of someone largely responsible for destroying property rights for all Americans.

"This is not a prank" said Clements, "The Towne of Weare has five people on the Board of Selectmen. If three of them vote to use the power of eminent domain to take this land from Mr. Souter we can begin our hotel development."

Clements' plan is to raise investment capital from wealthy pro-liberty investors and draw up architectural plans. These plans would then be used to raise investment capital for the project. Clements hopes that regular customers of the hotel might include supporters of the Institute For Justice and participants in the Free State Project among others.

Ah, America... land of swift non-violent vengeance.

Surprise

From Fox News:

An East Texas college student finally learned why she'd gained weight and was having abdominal pain — she was about to give birth.

Annie Cohen was three days shy of 19 on the morning of June 16 when, after a night of tossing and turning, she walked out into her yard to try to catch some winks in her neighbor's swing seat.

"I had been having pains for about a week," the Marshall, Texas, woman told The News-Journal of neighboring Longview. "I thought maybe it was the bed, so I went outside to lay in the swing."

She didn't even make it that far. Instead, Cohen, already the mother of a 3-year-old, figured out she was in labor and grabbed the pole of her own swing set.

"It was one big push for the baby and a little one for the placenta," Annie Cohen told the newspaper.

"It was like a natural instinct," marveled her mother, Julie Cohen. "She knew to push to turn the baby's shoulder and to get the baby out."

After the delivery, Annie Cohen ran inside, yelling at her mother to call 911.

"I said 'Why?'" recounted Julie Cohen. "She said, 'There's a baby in the yard.' I said, 'Whose is it?' She said, 'It's mine.'"

Instead of waiting for the ambulance, however, the two women and the newborn baby boy drove to the hospital.

"She told me to slow down because the baby's not in a car seat," said Julie Cohen.
Carson Myles Cohen weighed in at a healthy 8 pounds. Both he and his mother were back home within two days.

Despite the signs, both mother and daughter, who is studying at Texas State Technical College (search), said neither guessed Annie Cohen was pregnant.

"It's a big surprise," said Julie Cohen. "I thought she was just really liking her pizza."

T.J. Ford is cleared to play for the Bucks

From the Journal Sentinel:

Milwaukee Bucks guard T.J. Ford, who missed all of the 2004-’05 season after suffering a spinal injury, has been cleared for full contact and will be able to rejoin the team on a fulltime basis, general manager Larry Harris said today. Ford has been out of the Bucks lineup since sustaining the injury on Feb. 24, 2004, in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Bradley Center. The Bucks made the announcement after consultations with Ford’s surgeon, Dr. Robert Watkins of the Los Angeles Spine Surgery Institute.

"T.J. Ford has made a full recovery from his spinal cord contusion," Watkins said in a statement. "He is cleared for full-contact basketball. His prognosis is excellent for a normal basketball career."

Ford, the eighth overall pick in the 2003 National Basketball Association draft, averaged 7.1 points and 6.5 assists in 55 games during his rookie season. He helped the Bucks push the ball up the floor, and Milwaukee was 29-26 with the former Texas player as its starting point guard.

"This is great news for me, my family, the Bucks and our fans," Ford said. "The support from my family, the medical staff, the Bucks and the fans has been tremendous and I thank everyone for their kind thoughts."

Looks like Bogut or Williams tomorrow night for sheezy.

The Full Monty opens July 7

Lynly, Paige's younger sister, works at the Santa Rosa Junior College Summer Repertory Theatre, as a design assistant. One of the shows that she is working on is "The Fully Monty". You can read a preview of her show, here.

I doubt we will make the "Fully Monty", but I wouldn't mind going later in the year to "Beauty and the Beast."

UPDATE:

According to Lynly, rumor has it the nudity will be limited to the gentlemens' buttocks.

Here is a noodle scratcher

Illinois Senator, and Democratic Golden Boy, Barak Obama is trashing a Republican... Abraham Lincoln.

I think that definitely goes into the, "WTF" category.

I mean, Senator, you are representing the "Land of Lincoln" for Chirstmas sake. Geez. I can understand if you were from Wisconsin or something, but Lincoln is on your team.

No retirnements, yet

No word from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Treat your Kidnappers with Respect

Apparently, an Australian journalist, Andrew Jaspan, was offended when Douglas Wood, a recently rescued Austalian kidnapp victim, called his captors assholes:

"I was, I have to say, shocked by Douglas Wood's use of the a---hole word, if I can put it like that, which I just thought was coarse and very ill-thought-through and I think demeans the man and is one of the reasons why people are slightly skeptical of his motives and everything else.

"The issue really is largely, speaking as I understand it, he was treated well there. He says he was fed every day, and as such to turn around and use that kind of language I think is just insensitive."

I did not make this up. Pretty crazy.

Average U.S. deaths in Iraq

For a little comparison:

Average daily U.S. military deaths in Iraq = 2.1
Average daily U.S. military deaths in Vietnam = 18.8
Average daily U.S. military deaths in Korea = 33.7
Average daily U.S. military deaths in WW II = 222
Average daily U.S. deaths caused by domestic homicides = 52
Average daily U.S. deaths caused by preventable medical errors = 122-540
Average daily U.S. deaths caused by home accidents = 67
Average daily U.S. deaths caused by automobile accidents = 113
Average daily U.S. deaths caused by illegal drug overdoses = 11
Average daily U.S. deaths caused by bicycle accidents = 2.5

I know this explicitly skews the amount of actual deaths in Iraq, not including Iraqis, or terrorists, or foreign contractors / soldiers also stationed in Iraq. But it does give you some perspective on what is occuring and how it compares to Vietnam, as well as everyday deaths that do not make the frontpage headlines.

The Moon ain't that big!

See. It is an illusion of some sort. How the illusion is explained... I don't know.
They don't seem to know, either.

Added some toys for you...

In the sidebar, I have added two new toys for my visitors: a headline news scroll, and a Weather Channel.com button. This will let you all have headlines served to you here, and will provide you with information on how weather is in Santa Rosa, CA compared to North Prairie, Milwaukee, Chicago, Minneapolis, Vernon, Madison, Mukwonago, and San Francisco, etc.

Enjoy!

I wouldn't go that far...

Rep. Randy ''Duke'' Cunningham (R - CA) made the following argument:

''Ask the men and women who stood on top of the Trade Center. Ask them and they will tell you: Pass this amendment."

Uh, I wouldn't go that far, Duke. However, I don't think Mark Steyn's initial criticism is apt: Duke wasn't speaking for the victims of 9/11, he was speaking on behalf of the police officers, firefighters, emergency personnel, and construction crews who looked for bodies and cleared the debris on the days, weeks, and months after 9/11.

However, Mr. Steyn deoes have some wise words. First, desecration of an inanimate object is not torture, nor should it even be grounds for a crime, assuming the inanimate object is your own property. Second, I too wonder everyday in-fact, how many members of the public - even individuals who consider themselves democratic - know that the man who occupied the -

seat of honor in the presidential box next to Jimmy Carter, [characterized] the terrorist ''insurgents'' -- the guys who kidnap and murder aid workers, hack the heads off foreigners, load Down's syndrome youths up with explosives and send them off to detonate in shopping markets -- as Iraq's Minutemen. I wonder how many viewers knew that on Sept. 11 itself Michael Moore's only gripe was that the terrorists had targeted New York and Washington instead of Texas or Mississippi: ''They did not deserve to die. If someone did this to get back at Bush, then they did so by killing thousands of people who DID NOT VOTE for him! Boston, New York, D.C. and the plane's destination of California -- these were places that voted AGAINST Bush!"

Third, banning flag burning is like taking your ball and going home. It is admitting "hurt" to those who spit at the U.S., who curse it, who plot against it.

Banning flag desecration flatters the desecrators and suggests that the flag of this great republic is a wee delicate bloom that has to be protected. It's not. It gets burned because it's strong.

A flag has to be worth torching. When a flag gets burned, that's not a sign of its weakness but of its strength. If you can't stand the heat of your burning flag, get out of the superpower business. It's the left that believes the state can regulate everyone into thought-compliance. The right should understand that the battle of ideas is won out in the open.

Different take on the Kelo decision

From John Derbyshire:

There are quite large areas of public life where the problem is not the govt doing too much, but govt frustrated in doing anything at all. The state of public works in New York City illustrates the point. It's little short of miraculous when govt here gets ANYTHING done, let alone a major public works project. (Look at the decades-long struggle to set up public toilets for the use of New Yorkers.) Yes, yes, I know, the Connecticut decision involved private development, not public works, but the eminent domain principle apparently comes in to both cases. Consider the paralysis over the World Trade Center site. If use of urban land were not such a tar pit of regulation & litigation, surely a vigorous govt, exercising eminent domain, might have done something with the site by now.

Yay for private property rights and down with govt usurpations. No argument about that as a general principle. When govt needs to act, though, it ought to be able to do so without unnecessary impediments & infinite delays, & private citizens, properly compensated, should yield their rights.

Yes, Mr. Derbyshire - in theory. In theory, communism works... in theory.

I have a hard time believing that governments will be more responsible with this power than irresponsible, and even a harder time believing that the public as whole will benefit by this grant of plenary power to the state, city, or town. Especially when the city is knocking on your door with papers to vacate.

Professor Althouse, however, seems to agree.

List of Potential Supreme Court Justices

Milwaukee's own, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist is 80 years old, with cancer. Justice John Paul Stevens is 85 years old. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is 75 years old. Speculation has been mounting, and word is that (at least) one of the current members of the U.S. Supreme Court will be retiring sometime after Mondays end of the current term.

With this speculation, has come the game of speculating who will be replacing the retiring Justice. Personally, I would support a candidate who is not listed: Judge Richard Posner of the 7th Circuit, and the Becker - Posner Blog. So do others.

Energy Strategy - Eliminate our Dependency on Foreign Oil

Well, from the looks of this potential scenario, it doesn't look like we will have much of a choice.

And I am sure that this does not help the U.S. either. I suspect that the "Battle of the Bulge II" has already started.

For China, Taiwan is not the only issue behind the buildup of military forces. Beijing also is facing a major energy shortage that, according to one Pentagon study, could lead it to use military force to seize territory with oil and gas resources.

The report produced for the Office of Net Assessment, which conducts assessments of future threats, was made public in January and warned that China's need for oil, gas and other energy resources is driving the country toward becoming an expansionist power.

China "is looking not only to build a blue-water navy to control the sea lanes [from the Middle East], but also to develop undersea mines and missile capabilities to deter the potential disruption of its energy supplies from potential threats, including the U.S. Navy, especially in the case of a conflict with Taiwan," the report said.

The report said China believes the United States already controls the sea routes from the oil-rich Persian Gulf through the Malacca Strait. Chinese President Hu Jintao has called this strategic vulnerability to disrupted energy supplies Beijing's "Malacca Dilemma."

Pentagon intelligence officials, however, say the rapid Chinese naval buildup includes the capability to project power to these sea lanes in the future.

"They are not doing a lot of surface patrols or any other kind of security evolutions that far afield," the intelligence official said. "There's no evidence of [Chinese military basing there] yet, but we do need to keep an eye toward that expansion."

The report also highlighted the vulnerability of China's oil and gas infrastructure to a crippling U.S. attack.

"The U.S. military could severely cripple Chinese resistance [during a conflict over Taiwan] by blocking its energy supply, whereas the [People's Liberation Army navy] poses little threat to United States' energy security," it said.

China views the United States as "a potential threat because of its military superiority, its willingness to disrupt China's energy imports, its perceived encirclement of China and its disposition toward manipulating international politics," the report said.

The report stated that China will resort "to extreme, offensive and mercantilist measures when other strategies fail, to mitigate its vulnerabilities, such as seizing control of energy resources in neighboring states."

U.S. officials have said two likely targets for China are the Russian Far East, which has vast oil and gas deposits, and Southeast Asia, which also has oil and gas resources.

"Let's all wake up. The post-Cold War peace is over," Mr. Fisher said. "We are now in an arms race with a new superpower whose goal is to contain and overtake the United States."

Kind of provides some ammo for opening-up ANWR. Although - in a perfect world - I wouldn't support it, in war things change. Of course, no one can talk about the elephant in the room (i.e. China), but just keep that in the back of your minds when the issue comes to the forefront of the MSM in September.

Conditions at Guantanamo Bay have improved?

So says members of the House of Representatives, who went down and toured the facility themselves.

Imagine this: the conditions at Guantanamo Bay have been the same since the facility was created, and that they were never bad.

Here is the quote(s) I was looking for

Kodos: My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I always dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom.

...

Kang: The politics of failure have failed. We need to make them work again. Tomorrow, when you are sealed in the voting cubicle, vote for me, Senator Ka... Bob Dole. [applause]

Kodos: I am looking forward to an orderly election tomorrow, which will eliminate the need for a violent blood bath. [applause]

...

Homer: America, take a good look at your beloved candidates. They're nothing but hideous space reptiles. [unmasks them; audience gasps in terror]

Kodos: It's true, we are aliens. But what are you going to do about it? It's a two-party system; you have to vote for one of us.

[murmurs]

Man1: He's right, this is a two-party system.

Man2: Well, I believe I'll vote for a third-party candidate.

Kang: Go ahead, throw your vote away.

[Kang and Kodos laugh out loud; Ross Perot smashes his "Perot 96" hat]

The next day, Kodos announces the result: "All hail, President Kang."

Have the Simpsons gotten "old"?

I don't think so. Professor Ann Althouse apparently has. Well, here is to making your voice count... Vote in the poll to the left.

KANG: Abortions for all. [crowd boos]
KANG: Very well, no abortions for anyone. [crowd boos]
KANG: Hmm... Abortions for some, miniature American flags for others. [crowd cheers and waves miniature flags]

First Baby Poll

Well, I think we have a winner. Todd and Katie Nova... come on down!

For winning the first baby poll, the Novas are guaranteed a baby small Citizen Dain t-shirt...

As soon as they exist, and as soon there is a third member of the Nova family (dogs and cats do not count!).

Anyhootnanny, congratulations to the Novas, Nowaks, and Tollefsens for all of their wonderful marriages! In addition, congratulations to the Melbys, who got married last weekend.

Where have you gone, Moonlight Graham?

100 years ago, this coming Wednesday, was the day Moonlight Graham played the field in his 1 and only appearance in "the Show."

For those not in the know, Moonlight Graham was a character in the great, great, best baseball movie ever made, and my favorite movie, Field of Dreams. He was the player who played 1 game in the big leagues, but never got an at bat. He then proceeded to be sent back to the minors, and then retire, then he moved to Chisholm, MN, to become a Medical Doctor for the rest of his life.

Well, here is to you, Moonlight. May you have many at-bats against the big guy in heaven.

UPDATE:

Here is the website of the field in Iowa, where "Field of Dreams" was filmed. The baseball diamond is still there, and you can visit anytime during the spring through autumn season. I have been there, and it is pretty sweet.

Man loses 573 lbs in 1 year

Yessiree. Check it out. I think that is pretty impressive, and I am happy that he is enjoying his life again.

Admitting Puerto Rico into the Union

This is something that I really think ought to be done. Puerto Rico has been a commonwealth of the United States for almost 50 years! 50! This unacceptable, especially from the United States which has disavowed any colonizing intentions centuries ago... yet Puerto Rico still remains.

Puerto Ricans have had the opportunity to vote on joining the United States 3 times in the past: 1967, 1993, 1998. However, in all three of these votes, Puerto Ricans were giving the choice to remain as a commonwealth. Puerto Ricans have affirmed the status quo.

Well, I just think it is time to give Puerto Ricans an ultimatum: either become an independent nation, or join the United States as a state. Such an ultimatum does not seem as fierce in reality as it may seem in print. This is because Puerto Rico currently has no say in how it is governed in relation to the rest of the United States. It has no representation in the House or the Senate, only a non-voting delegate in the House. And even though Puerto Ricans are United States citizens(and have been since 1917), they get no vote in the presidential election.

Back in 2000, adding Puerto Rico to the fold seemed to be on the table. However, since 9/11, most of Congress's time has been devoted to more pertinent matters. President Bush has made a little movement in that direction, but not enough in my mind.

I recently travelled to Puerto Rico, and must say that I was impressed. It is a lot more developped and has a more vibrant economy than I had been led to believe. Due to its tropical nature and different culture, it reminds me a lot like Hawaii. A big hang-up has been the language barrier, however, I did not feel there was one. Yes, most people spoke Spanish, however, most also spoke English. Paige and I had little time communicating to anyone while we were on the island.

And as far as what we do with the flag...

51 Star Flag? 

Journal Sentinel Poll on Brewers old logo

Check it out. Do you know which one I am voting for?

John Jaha... in the worst uniforms ever. 

Just for Fun: John Jaha

From Baseball Library.com:

An imposing slugger when healthy, Jaha's left foot was his Achilles heel. During his seven seasons in Milwaukee, he showed flashes of prodigious power but made four trips to the disabled list. Eventually cut loose by the Brewers, he fought back to turn in a fine season with Oakland in 1999, but fell victim to injury once again and retired two years later.

Playing for Triple-A Denver in 1992, Jaha became only the second player (after Joey Meyer) to hit a ball into the upper deck at Mile-High Stadium. He was called up by the Brewers soon afterwards, making his major-league debut at the ago of 26, and hit .264 with 19 homers and 70 RBIs as Milwaukee's full-time first baseman in 1993. But except for a great season in 1996, when he hit .300 with 34 homers and 118 RBIs, he was obviously hobbled.

After another injury-plagued campaign in 1998, Jaha was forced to undergo surgery on his troublesome foot and was let go by the Brewers, who no longer needed a DH after moving to the National League. He tried out for the Red Sox, but flunked his physical. Instead, Jaha inked a minor-league deal with Oakland.

Although Jaha wasn't expected to make the team -- in fact, he was left out of the team's media guide that spring -- he turned in a remarkable comeback season. Earning his first All-Star berth along the way, he finished the year with 35 homers (tying Dave Kingman for most by an Oakland DH) and 111 RBIs and was named the AL Comeback Player of the Year.

It was his last productive season. Jaha played in just 33 games in 2000, and even fewer the following year. An enormously popular figure in the Oakland clubhouse, he drew a standing ovation from his A's teammates when he finally announced his retirement on June 30, 2001. "I ran out of gas," he told reporters. "My body finally had all it could take, and it came to the point where I couldn't help the team."

Post-9/11 Liberal Reaction

Liberal Third Party Groups Urged Restraint, Blamed America:

Immediately After 9/11, MoveOn.Org Petition Urged "Moderation And Restraint" And Use Of "International Judicial Institutions":

"We, The Undersigned, Citizens And Residents Of The United States Of America ... Appeal To The President Of The United States, George W. Bush ... And To All Leaders Internationally To Use Moderation And Restraint In Responding To The Recent Terrorist Attacks Against The United States." (MoveOn.Org Website, "MoveOn Peace," Posted 9/13/01, Accessed 6/23/05)

"We Implore The Powers That Be To Use, Wherever Possible, International Judicial Institutions And International Human Rights Law To Bring To Justice Those Responsible For The Attacks, Rather Than The Instruments Of War, Violence Or Destruction." (MoveOn.Org Website, "MoveOn Peace," Posted 9/13/01, Accessed 6/23/05)

"[W]e Demand That There Be No Recourse To Nuclear, Chemical Or Biological Weapons, Or Any Weapons Of Indiscriminate Destruction, And Feel That It Is Our Inalienable Human Right To Live In A World Free Of Such Arms." (MoveOn.Org Website, "MoveOn Peace," Posted 9/13/01, Accessed 6/23/05)

Just After 9/11, Liberal Filmmaker Michael Moore Derided "Terror And Bloodshed" Committed By Americans. (David Brooks, Op-Ed, "All Hail Moore," The New York Times, 6/26/04)

Just After 9/11, Moore Blamed America's "Taxpayer-Funded Terrorism" And Bush Administration For Terrorist Attacks. "We abhor terrorism – unless we're the ones doing the terrorizing. We paid and trained and armed a group of terrorists in Nicaragua in the 1980s who killed over 30,000 civilians. That was OUR work. You and me....Let's mourn, let's grieve, and when it's appropriate let's examine our contribution to the unsafe world we live in." (Michael Moore Website Archive, "Death, Downtown," Posted 9/12/01, Accessed 7/27/04)

In 2003, Moore Downplayed Threat Posed By Death Of 3,000 Americans On 9/11. MOORE: "Three thousand Americans were killed. There's 290 million Americans, all right? The chance of – of any of us dying in a terrorist incident is very, very, very small." (CBS' "60 Minutes," 7/27/03)

Michael Moore Said U.S. Should Not Have Removed Taliban After 9/11. MOORE: "Likewise, to bomb Afghanistan – I mean, I've never understood this, Tim." (CNBC's "Tim Russert," 10/19/02)

Liberal Donor George Soros Claimed America Should Have Treated 9/11 Attacks As Crime, Responded With Police Work. "War is a false and misleading metaphor in the context of combating terrorism. Treating the attacks of September 11 as crimes against humanity would have been more appropriate. Crimes require police work, not military action. To protect against terrorism, you need precautionary measures, awareness, and intelligence gathering – all of which ultimately depend on the support of the populations among which terrorists operate. Imagine for a moment that September 11 had been treated as a crime. We would have pursued Bin Laden in Afghanistan, but we would not have invaded Iraq. Nor would we have our military struggling to perform police work in full combat gear and getting killed in the process." (George Soros, The Bubble Of American Supremacy, 2004, p. 18)

Soros Said The Execution Of 9/11 Attacks "Could Not Have Been More Spectacular." "Admittedly, the terrorist attack was a historic event in its own right. Hijacking fully loaded airplanes and using them as suicide bombs was an audacious idea, and the execution could not have been more spectacular." (George Soros, The Bubble Of American Supremacy, 2004, p. 2)

Soros Said War On Terror Had Claimed More Innocent Victims Than 9/11 Attack Itself. "This is a very tough thing to say, but the fact is, that the war on terror as conducted by this administration, has claimed more innocent victims that the original attack itself." (George Soros, Remarks At Take Back America Conference, Washington, DC, 6/3/04)

SOROS: "Far From Reducing The Terrorist Threat, The War On Terrorism Has Actually Increased It." (George Soros' book The Bubble Of American Supremacy, 2004, pp. 186-187)

Liberal Democrat Officials Urged Restraint, Blamed America

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH): "'The Time For Peace Is Now,' [Kucinich] Declared Optimistically July 11, Two Months To The Day Before Terrorists Hit The Pentagon And The World Trade Center. ... Sitting In His Capitol Hill Office Last Week, Near A Window Where He Could See The Smoke Rising From The Pentagon On Sept. 11, Kucinich Insisted He Is More Optimistic Than Ever That People Worldwide Are Ready To Embrace The Cause Of Nonviolence." (Elizabeth Auster, "Offer The Hand Of Peace," [Cleveland, OH] Plain Dealer, 9/30/01)

Kucinich: "Afghanistan May Be An Incubator Of Terrorism But It Doesn't Follow That We Bomb Afghanistan ..." (Elizabeth Auster, "Offer The Hand Of Peace," [Cleveland, OH] Plain Dealer, 9/30/01)

Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI): "Only Now Are We Trying To Figure Out What Is Islam. Maybe If There Was A Department Of Peace, They Would Be Able To Say, 'Uh-Oh, We've Got Some Problems With These People,' ... I Truly Believe That If We Had A Department Of Peace, We Would Have Seen [9/11] Coming." (Ethan Wallison, "War A Challenge For Peace Caucus," Roll Call, 10/1/01)

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA): "I Am Convinced That Military Action Will Not Prevent Further Acts Of International Terrorism Against The United States." (Eddy Ramirez, "Calif. Congresswoman Alone In Vote Against War Powers Resolution," [University Of California-Berkeley] Daily Californian, 9/17/01)

Al Sharpton (D-NY) Said That The Attacks On The World Trade Center Are Evidence That "America Is Beginning To Reap What It Has Sown." (Adam Nagourney, "Say It Loud," The New York Times, 12/1/02)

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) Claimed Osama Bin Laden Could Be Compared To "Revolutionaries That Helped To Cast Off The British Crown." "'One could say that Osama bin Laden and these non-nation-state fighters with religious purpose are very similar to those kind of atypical revolutionaries that helped to cast off the British crown,' Kaptur told an Ohio newspaper, The (Toledo) Blade." (Malie Rulon, "Lawmaker Compares Osama, U.S. Patriots," The Associated Press, 3/6/03)

John Kerry: War On Terror Is A Law Enforcement Operation
Kerry: "[W]ar On Terror Is Far Less Of A Military Operation And Far More Of An Intelligence-Gathering, Law-Enforcement Operation." (The Iowa Brown & Black Coalition Presidential Forum, Des Moines, IA, 1/11/04)

Kerry Told College Students America Needs President Who Understands War On Terror Is Primarily Law Enforcement. "Kerry used the speech to amp up his rhetoric against President Bush ... 'The war on terrorism is primarily an intelligence-gathering and law enforcement operation and we need a president who understands that,' he said. 'This president doesn't have the experience to be commander in chief.'" (Steve LeBlanc, "Kerry Invokes Vietnam In Rallying College Students To Campaign," The Associated Press, 12/2/03)

Liberal Democrats Floated 9/11 Conspiracy Theories

Gov. Howard Dean (D-VT) Suggested "Interesting Theory" That President Knew 9/11 Attacks Were Coming And Didn't Stop It. CALLER: "[O]nce we get you in the White House, would you please make sure that there is a thorough investigation of 9/11, and not stonewall it?" DEAN: "Yes. There is a report, which the president is suppressing evidence for, which is a thorough investigation of 9/11." NPR'S DIANE REHM: "Why do you think he's suppressing that report?" DEAN: "I don't know. There are many theories about it. The most interesting theory that I've heard so far--which is nothing more than a theory, I can't think – it can't be proved – is that he was warned ahead of time by the Saudis. Now who knows what the real situation is? But the trouble is, by suppressing that kind of information, you lead to those kinds of theories, whether they have any truth to them or not. And eventually they get repeated as fact. So I think the president is taking a great risk by suppressing the clear – the key information that needs to go to the Kean commission." (NPR's "The Diane Rehm Show," 12/1/03)

Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) Suggested Bush Administration Had Prior Knowledge Of Attacks, But Wanted Defense Contractor Friends To Profit From Ensuing War. "Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) is calling for an investigation into whether President Bush and other government officials had advance notice of terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 but did nothing to prevent them. She added that 'persons close to this administration are poised to make huge profits off America's new war.' In a recent interview with a Berkeley, Calif., radio station, McKinney said: 'We know there were numerous warnings of the events to come on September 11th. ... What did this administration know and when did it know it, about the events of September 11th? Who else knew, and why did they not warn the innocent people of New York who were needlessly murdered? ... What do they have to hide?'" (Juliet Eilperin, "Democrat Implies Sept. 11 Administration Plot," The Washington Post, 4/12/02)

[Photo by Daily Celeb] Derek? Derek? Is that you? Oh, is it Ben then? 

Derek and Ben only wish they could look this bad

Wow. This is a picture of Justin Long, the nerdy cheerleader wanna-be from "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story". Well, I found it on "Go Fug Yourself", and needles to say I have added it to my blogroll. Here is its critique to boot:

If Jimmy Fallon or David Schwimmer ever needs somebody to play his brother in the touching, yet faintly caustic tale of a man who learns he was adopted and that his real family is a roving band of used-car salesmen -- who sell jalopies by day and perform in the redneck band Uncle Grandma by night --then I think Justin Long and his patchy pubescent mustache will be a perfect fit.

Yeah, he does kind of have a David Schwimmer-Jimmy Fallon mix to him. Poor bastard.

Watch-out for Chauncey Billups in the 4th

He has been quiet so far, so watch-out for a big 4th.

UPDATE:

Detroit has a 12-2 advantage in turnovers. But why is San Antonio still winning? Spurs are 60% (6/10) behind the arc, Detroit 11% (1/9).

Leading Democrats must not like what they see in the Mirror

Because, all Karl Rove did was tell them exactly what they believe-in or have been implying unapologetically to the American people for some time now:

Karl Rove came to the heart of Manhattan last night to rhapsodize about the decline of liberalism in politics, saying Democrats responded weakly to Sept. 11 and had placed American troops in greater danger by criticizing their actions.

"Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks and prepared for war; liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers," Mr. Rove, the senior political adviser to President Bush, said at a fund-raiser in Midtown for the Conservative Party of New York State.

Citing calls by progressive groups to respond carefully to the attacks, Mr. Rove said to the applause of several hundred audience members, "I don't know about you, but moderation and restraint is not what I felt when I watched the twin towers crumble to the ground, a side of the Pentagon destroyed, and almost 3,000 of our fellow citizens perish in flames and rubble." ...

Mr. Rove also said American armed forces overseas were in more jeopardy as a result of remarks last week by Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, who compared American mistreatment of detainees to the acts of "Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime - Pol Pot or others."

"Has there ever been a more revealing moment this year?" Mr. Rove asked. "Let me just put this in fairly simple terms: Al Jazeera now broadcasts the words of Senator Durbin to the Mideast, certainly putting our troops in greater danger. No more needs to be said about the motives of liberals."

What did Karl Rove do? Seriously, comb over his comments. He may not have used the most flowery of language, and may have referred to the Democrat belief system in a negative tone, but he was at A REPUBLICAN FUNDRAISER! What is he suppose to say! That all Democrats aren't white christians? Is that appropriate for a fundraiser - stereotypes? I mean, you don't even have to apologize for something like that. But to actually provide one's own opinion on the opposition's belief system - that is OFFENSIVE! All Karl Rove was saying is: "this is what the Democrats believe - and I believe it is wrong." GAWD, does he not have a conscience! Please, please Karl, WON'T YOU PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!

Well, most of the usual suspects have taken offense to what they see in the mirror. And of course, it is never their own fault.

Democrats are demanding that White House adviser Karl Rove immediately retract and apologize for comments that liberals responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist strikes by wanting to "prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers." ...

Schumer said Democrats were drafting a letter asking Rove to retract his remarks. Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., also called on President Bush to "immediately repudiate Karl Rove's offensive and outrageous comments."

Captain's Quarter's makes a good point in his analysis: isn't this the same Senator Harry Reid who called President Bush a loser and a liar, and would only apologize for the loser part?

If the Democrats aren't for treating the War on Terror as a police matter, and putting terrorist-prisoner rights #1 on their agenda, then let's see it. It would be great if America would unite for this barely begun battle. Unfortunately, it is the Democrats who are doing everything they can to make sure that we do not fight this War like a War.

Antonio McDyess

WOW. He is having a great game so far, and a great series. First big-man off the bench for the defending champions, averaging 22 MIN 10 PTS and 7 REBS in the Finals.

World's First Bionic Man!

CRAZY! But totally cool, too. Man, I cannot believe how far that has come in just my lifetime. But then again, I still think Sony's AIBO is sweet.

I guess the guy's hands can rotate 360 degrees around the wrist. That would be pretty sweet. Especially with nunchukas (i.e. numchucks).

...

Or a bow-staff.

NBA Finals Blog

I know this is a little too late, but there is an informative NBA Finals Blog on NBA.com. I just found out that Rick Barry, father of San Antonio Spurs' Brent Barry, averaged 40.6 PPG in the finals games he played. He only played 6, but still...

J.D. is a J.D.

Whelp, I officially graduated from law school. Yes-sir-ee! I just got my last grade EVER, in law school, which was an A (thank-you, Candice!).

Someone who graduates from law school receives a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree. So, officially, I am a Doctor of Law, although most law school graduates do not go by the title, Dr., for it is quite a societal faux-pas.

Licensed attorneys usually receive the title of Esquire. For example, Ryan W. Heinemann is a practicing attorney in New York, and thus his title would be Ryan W. Heinemann, Esq.

Well, I am not yet a licensed attorney, and therefore ineligible to receive that title. I will let you know once that happens, believe you me. But until then, just call me J.D. Squared.

Is Joe Johnson coming to the Bucks?

The Bucks have been in the news of late. First, obtaining the first pick of the draft in the NBA Draft Lottery, then firing their coach, Terry Porter, not even two months after telling him he'd be here to finish off his contract.

I don't know which I hate worse. WHA?

No, I am serious.

First of all, I liked Terry Porter. I thought he did a miraculous job for the Bucks two years ago, taking a victory at the Palace in the playoffs against the mighty Pistons. Last year, the Bucks were admittedly atrocious. But was it really Terry Porter's fault? Think about it. Their 2003 first round draft pick and spark-plug, T.J. Ford, sat-out the whole season. In fact, after he went down in the middle of the 2003-04 season, the Bucks did too. They have not yet recovered from his absence, going 43-71 since his injury, including the playoffs. To add fuel to this tailspin, the Bucks traded two key veteran members of their rotation on February 24, in Mike James and Keith Van Horn. After those transactions, the Bucks took another noise dive, going 8-22. The Bucks lack of focus and energy at the end of the season had a lot to do with their lack of experience, depth, and maturity, while facing a playoff team in 16 of those last 30 games. Given that situation, I believe Terry did an average job, and probably deserved another chance with Ford coming back to play, money to spend, and a #1 pick in the draft.

About that #1 pick in the draft. It is scary. I mean, yes Bogut is tall and Williams is dynamic, but niether of them is LeBron James. Are we really being blessed here? What if we draft Bogut, and he turns into the next Danny Schayes? Or, we let him go, and he turns into the next Brad Miller or Vlade Divac? And then with Williams, he could be anybody. He is so young and raw. He might not be ready for the big jump to the NBA, considering he was a back-up at NC. Then again, Bogut might not be any more ready, so maybe we should look Deron Williams or Chris Paul. But do we need another 1 guard who shoots? Will Ford be back? Who will the Bucks coach be? Flip? Isn't that the name of the family cat?

Well, lots of questions in such a small space. I have no clue. But it is the NBA, and it is FAAAAAAAAAAntastic (sorry Mr. Simmons).

As far as Joe Johnson rumors, a little birdie told me the Bucks were looking to let Kukoc go, re-sign Redd, then pursue Joe Johnson as the swingman off from the bench behind Desmond Mason and Redd. I don't know how much truth there is to this rumor, but I do trust the source. Unfortunately, the Suns may have caught wind of this rumor, for it looks like they are trying to create a starting spot for Mr. Johnson in Phoenix. Stay tuned.

P.S. Game 7 starts in about an hour... go Spurs!

C'mon, Lyle, crank-it-up a notch or two 

Lyle Overbay's former roommate in my Bar/Bri Class

Oh yeah, I can't believe I forgot to mention this. Monday, in class, one my co-patriots asked me if I was a Milwaukee Brewers fan. Well, seeing that I have worn an old-school Brewers hat to class everyday, I assume that was where he picked up the suggestion. Anyhootnanny, he then proceeds to tell me how Lyle Overbay was his roommate back in the college days at Nevada. Yeah, pretty sweet. I guess he used to be an OF, but then switched to 1B when he was in the minors. The guy said that Lyle used to play RF, so maybe he could move there once Prince Fielder is ready for everyday duty.

Well, last night the guy said that he talked to Lyle that morning, and that Lyle barely missed hitting it out-of-Miller Park the night before. Too bad the Crew stunk-it-up after that, for two games in a row.

Stupid Cubs.

Flag-Burning Amendment Advances in House

Paige is always saying that my blog is coming-off as staunchly conservative. Well, I am not a conservative by any stretch of the imagination: I am a Promethean. However, I will offer a position that is definitely one not shared by the most rightest of righties.

Anyway, I do not support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution allowing Congress to criminalize what is an essential component to free-speech. Personally, I would never burn a flag, American or non-American: I find it very disrespectful. However, others do not. And others need an outlet to express outrage at the current or past policies of a government (whether I agree with this outrage or not) and the desecration of that nation's flag can be an excellent way of demonstrating that outrage.

Additionally, by bringing the idea of banning flag-burning to the forefront of the rebellious conscience of America, you will undoubtedly and regretfully increase the amount of flag-burning until the amendment is defeated. It seems counter-intuitive to me.

Finally, were flag-burning criminalized and the practiced continued anyway, you are just increasing the amount of defendants and court time and... attorneys fees... hey, maybe there is something to this... (j/k).

Recent, Documented Progress in Iraq

75% Of Iraqis Support The Government, Up 10% From Last Year. (Adriana Lins De Albuquerque, Michael O’Hanlon and Amy Unikewicz , Op-Ed, “The State Of Iraq: An Update” The New York Times, 6/3/05)

“At The End Of 2004 … 3,100 Schools Have Been Renovated, 364 Schools Are Currently Under Rehabilitation, 263 New Schools Are Under Construction And 38 New Schools Have Been Built.” (Department Of Defense Website, “Iraq Year In Review 2004 Fact Sheet,” www.defendamerica.mil , Accessed 6/2/05)

Over 100,000 More Iraqis Are Using The Internet Than Last Year. (Adriana Lins De Albuquerque, Michael O’Hanlon and Amy Unikewicz , Op-Ed, “The State Of Iraq: An Update” The New York Times, 6/3/05)

There Are More TV Stations Than Last Year And 20 More Independent Newspapers And Magazines. (Adriana Lins De Albuquerque, Michael O’Hanlon and Amy Unikewicz, Op-Ed, “The State Of Iraq: An Update” The New York Times, 6/3/05)

Over 50,000 More Trained Iraqi Security Forces. (Adriana Lins De Albuquerque, Michael O’Hanlon and Amy Unikewicz, Op-Ed, “The State Of Iraq: An Update” The New York Times, 6/3/05)

#64 - "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!"

Always a favorite, from "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb." Check out the rest at the American Film Institute's top 100 quotes from movies.

Who do you believe?

Compare this with this. One is coming from the mouth of a Democratic Senator with his eyes on the prize - the Presidency in 2008. The other is coming from an editor-in-chief of an online magazine who was embedded with the military, and recently returned to Iraq in April and May 2005.

People, please. Compare this:

A blunt speech yesterday by Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.), who said disaster in Iraq is "a real possibility," was the latest example of mainstream Democrats becoming more forceful in expressing their alarm as polls show drooping support for the war.

"I did not come away with the impression that the insurgency was, as the vice president of the United States suggested, 'in its last throes,' " Biden said. "And unlike the president, I am not 'pleased with the progress' we're making." He called the comments part of the administration's "long litany of rosy assessments, misleading statements and premature declarations of victory. . . . The disconnect between the administration's rhetoric and the reality on the ground has opened up not just a credibility gap but a credibility chasm," which is "fueling cynicism that is undermining the single most important weapon we need to give our troops to be able to do their jobs, and that is the unyielding support of the American people."

With this:

I could immediately see improvements compared to my earlier extended tours during 2003 and 2004. The Iraqi security forces, for example, are vastly more competent, and in some cases quite inspiring. Baghdad is now choked with traffic. Cell phones have spread like wildfire. And satellite TV dishes sprout from even the most humble mud hovels in the countryside.

Many of the soldiers I spent time with during this spring had also been deployed during the initial invasion back in 2003. Almost universally they talked to me about how much change they could see in the country. They noted progress in the attitudes of the people, in the condition of important infrastructure, in security.

I observed many examples of this myself. Take the two very different Baghdad neighborhoods of Haifa Street and Sadr City. The first is an upper-end commercial district in the heart of downtown. The second is one of Baghdad’s worst slums, on the city’s north edge.

I spent lots of time walking both neighborhoods this spring—something that would not have been possible a year earlier, when both were active war zones, where tanks poured shells into buildings on a regular basis. Today, the primary work of our soldiers in each area is rebuilding sewers, paving roads, getting buildings repaired and secured, supplying schools and hospitals, getting trash picked up, managing traffic, and encouraging honest local governance.

What the establishment media covering Iraq have utterly failed to make clear today is this central reality: With the exception of periodic flare-ups in isolated corners, our struggle in Iraq as warfare is over. Egregious acts of terror will continue—in Iraq as in many other parts of the world. But there is now no chance whatever of the U.S. losing this critical guerilla war.

Yes, one appeared in an online magazine, the other in the Washington Post. Which's veracity for truth do YOU trust?

I mean, please read the articles. Did they both to go to two different dimensions, one with real Iraq, and one with Bizzarro-Iraq? I mean how could their two impressions be so drastically different?

Hmm, maybe bias? But on the part of whom - a private writer of an online journal or a minority-party Senator seeking the presidency?

I just don't know who to believe.

UPDATE:

Well, it seems like Senator biden has been in the business of doom and gloom for quite sometime when it comes to Iraq. Check out some of his great quotes:

Sen. Biden’s Pessimistic Predictions On The Iraqi Elections:

Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE): “The Elections Are Going To Be Much Messier. We Are Left With A Bad Choice In Holding Elections And A Worse Choice Of Not Holding It.” (CNN’s “Late Edition,” 1/9/05)

Biden: “And I Think There’s Going To Be The Whole Question Of Whether Or Not The Sunnis Participate, Whether There’s Any Legitimacy In The Process If They Don’t, Et Cetera.” (CNN’s “Late Edition,” 1/9/05)

Biden Said Of The Iraqi Elections: “It’s Going To Be Ugly.” (PBS’ “Charlie Rose Show,” 1/5/05)

Biden: “[Election] Success Is Still Possibility. But It Is Receding Rapidly. It’s Being Made Much More Difficult.” (ABC’s “This Week,” 12/5/04)

“[D]emocrat Joe Biden Of Delaware, Said Postponing The Election Without A Guarantee Of Sunni Participation Later On Would Just Add More Trouble To Iraq’s Already Difficult Road.” (NPR’s “All Things Considered,” 12/2/04)

“Biden Believes Iraqi Elections Scheduled For January Should Be Delayed To Stabilize The Country And Gain Wider Support For The Vote From Sunnis. The Situation Is Still Salvageable, He Said.” (Sean O’Sullivan, “Biden Has New Hope For Peace In Mideast,” The [Wilmington, DE]
News Journal, 12/2/04)

“Sunnis Must Still Be Involved Politically, Democratic Senator Joe Biden Said. ‘They’re Going To Have To See More Sunnis Brought Into The Constitution Writing If There’s Going To Be Any Legitimacy At The End Of The Day, And I Think We’ll See That.’” (Michael McDonough, “British And U.S. Officials Congratulate Iraqi Victors; Turkey Complains Results Skewed,” The Associated Press, 2/13/05)

Sen. Biden Said Iraq Would Need A Referee After Ambassador Bremer Left Iraq. “[W]ho's going to be the referee when Bremer leaves?” (CBS’ “The Early Show,” 4/7/04)

Sen. Biden Said There Would Be “Absolute Chaos” From The Time Ambassador Bremer Departed Till The Iraqi Elections. “Does anyone think there's not going to be absolute chaos from June 30th until January 1st or 31st when we have general elections?” (CBS’ “The Early Show,” 4/7/04)

Tips for a Successful Marriage

Hey, with so many of my friends getting hitched - the Novas, the Nowaks, and the Tollefsens two weekends ago, and the Melbys this past weekend, it was quite apt for the wonderful editors of the Onion to present Tips for a Succesful Marriage in this week's issue. Unfortunately, it is written in the not-to-distant future, so some of the tips aren't really relevant at all. Oh well, here some that are (kinda) funny:

As time goes on and partners get older, it can be difficult to maintain the passion in a relationship. Keep a couple clones of yourselves around the house to liven things up in the bedroom.

Be a considerate partner around the home. For example, why not surprise your wife by hydrating dinner yourself tonight?

State-sanctioned polygamy is an effective means of preserving marital contentment. Consult the official polyfidelity web-core to add new dyads to your identity cluster.

Under strict international laws, you are forbidden from procreating in the hopes of rescuing a troubled marriage. However, there are no laws restricting the adoption of mutants.

Even though human sentiment was largely eradicated in 2042, vestigial emotions occasionally arise. If this happens, a 60-day quarantine is mandated to prevent spousal infection.

It's important to have realistic expectations for how marriage will affect you. For example, having a life partner does not "complete" you. A pair of surgically attached synthetic wings does the trick far better.

While it's a common myth that happily married couples read each other's minds, the reality is that happily married partners only use telepathy for the stock market and crime prevention.

Well, I did say they were "kinda funny". Maybe "dumb" would have been more accurate.

Oh well, just go here and I am sure you will smile.

Oh so close. However, we usually don't see Tiger on this side of close. 

Tiger Woods on the downside of his career?

Pretty strong words. Although, the article does make some salient points:

Nicklaus won his 18 major championships over a 25-year period. In the first half of his career, he had more great players to beat: Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Lee Trevino and Billy Casper. In the second half of his career, the only other truly great player was Tom Watson.
The hunch here is that it will be the opposite for Woods. No one stood up to him early in his career but fearless young players such as Adam Scott, Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia will make it difficult for Woods to win majors in his 30s. And watch out for freshly minted pro Ryan Moore.

I agree, it might be a tougher road to hoe, but to include Sergio Garcia? C'mon people, what has he done?

Woods might someday regret his decision to make radical swing changes a couple of years ago, though his pride would never allow him to admit it publicly. Clearly, he picked the wrong time to mess with near-perfection: in the prime of his career, when he was winning majors in bunches.

Well, it might be too early to write him off, but he did go pretty much from flawless to flawed likethis.

Bush is doing it, so we do not hear about it

You'd think that the strategy of overthrowing dictators and encouraging democracy as a way of defeating terrorism would draw support from the left, since it's consistent with the "root causes" talk we heard right after 9/11. But you'd be wrong, and for one simple reason: Bush is doing it.

I couldn't have typed it any better. Thanks, Professor Reynolds.

Does this qualify as an apology?

"Some may believe that my remarks crossed the line, to them I extend my heartfelt apologies."

Think about it, people. When you were 8, and were reprimanded by your mother for hitting your little brother/sister, and you were told to apologize, would, "Johnnie, I know you may believe that me hitting you was wrong. Therefore, I am sorry that you feel that way.", suffice? I mean, c'mon people!

Mom would probably grab you by the arm and say something like, "that was not an apology. I want you to go up to your room and think about how what you did was wrong. Then maybe you will understand why what you did (or said) was wrong."

Well, I guess Senator Dick Durbin (D - IL) had lousy parents. And so must have most of the MSM. Cause most of them are taking the above as an actual apology.

What Senator Durbin said about a week ago was almost treasonous as it was laughable. Comparing the playing of Christina Aguilera music... loudly, and the switching of room temperature from hot to cold, does not equate with death or forced labor.

Hmm, think about it. You have two options. Immediate bullet to the temple, or living in unpredictable room temperature? What would you choose?

UPDATE:

Here is the video of Sen. Durbin's apology. Too little too late.

UPDATE 2:

Here is the video of Sen. Durbin's original damning statement. F.I.B.

I wouldn't be as scared if I were in Florida

Florida Democrats already running out of money.

Iraq's Constitution is 80% done

80%. Yep, I mean that last 20% better be really important stuff, otherwise a certain tenured history professor might be looking pretty foolish as saying that Iraq is on the brink of a civil war.

Red - On - Red

Well, this can't be good for the minutemen of Iraq, can it?

Late Sunday night, American marines watching the skyline from their second-story perch in an abandoned house here saw a curious thing: in the distance, mortar and gunfire popped, but the volleys did not seem to be aimed at them. In the dark, one spoke in hushed code words on a radio, and after a minute found the answer. "Red on red," he said, using a military term for enemy-on-enemy fire.

Marines patrolling this desert region near the Syrian border have for months been seeing a strange new trend in the already complex Iraqi insurgency. Insurgents, they say, have been fighting each other in towns along the Euphrates from Husayba, on the border, to Qaim, farther west. The observations offer a new clue in the hidden world of the insurgency and suggest that there may have been, as American commanders suggest, a split between Islamic militants and local rebels.

A United Nations official who served in Iraq last year and who consulted widely with militant groups said in a telephone interview that there has been a split for some time."There is a rift," said the official, who requested anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the talks he had held. "I'm certain that the nationalist Iraqi part of the insurgency is very much fed up with the Jihadists grabbing the headlines and carrying out the sort of violence that they don't want against innocent civilians."

UPDATE:

The second link is to Michael Moore's website. In it is a posting that is (allegedly) written by Michael Moore. In the posting, dated 4/4/04, Michael Moore states:

"The Iraqis who have risen up against the occupation are not "insurgents" or "terrorists" or "The Enemy." They are the REVOLUTION, the Minutemen, and their numbers will grow -- and they will win."

I am not making this up.

So just a little head's up... I make reference to this quote a lot.

For Some Giggles...

Check this out.

Meet your #2 Democrat in the Senate

"I call on those who question the motives of the president and his national security advisors to join with the rest of America in presenting a united front to our enemies abroad.”

Really, can it be true? No. This was Senator Dick Durbin's response to President Clinton's decision to bomb Iraq in 1998.

The Sen. Durbin of today is comparing the changing of the room temperature, the playing of Christina Aguilera music to forced labor camps and mass executions. I am serious.

For a nice profile of Sen. Durbin and some of his crazy friends, read this article over at Real Clear Politics.

Instead of trying to conduct a reasonable debate over what is or isn't torture, however, Democrats like Durbin are overrun by partisanship and a desire to humiliate this administration. The result is a massive rhetorical overreach like the one on Tuesday which defies historical fact, slanders the U.S. military, and leaves the impression that Democrats are instinctively more interested in protecting the rights of suspected terrorists than they are about protecting the country.

Yeah, it almost seems like some Democrats pray that we lose, even that Iraq be the next Vietnam.