So my latest post ("Why we should all aspire to be like dogs") has inspired the first of my new feature "If I ruled the world for a day." While I intend for later posts in the series to reflect more of a lighthearted commentary on grievances that affect most of us, I think it's important that my first one reflect something that I feel very passionate about (considering that it's the first thing I plan to change when I make my ascent to one day of world domination and all).
That being said, if I ruled the world for a day, dogs would be given the official state title of "Man's Best Friend," and would be afforded rights which have never before been given to animals. I think the below video clearly displays that animals of the canine breed are far superior in mind and heart than many other animal species (including some homosapiens). Throughout history, there have been countless instances of dogs assisting humans. From pulling sleds over great snowy distances and carrying medical supplies to those in need to searching and rescuing the lost, guiding the blind and assisting police in the search and seizure of dangerous criminals, for years and years, dogs have aided humans and it's time that we repay the favor.
While they wouldn't quite be at the same level as humans, any lowlife loser who mistreated a dog would be subject to harsh penalty (and I don't mean financial), in the form of having the same thing done to them as they did to the dog. See how you like it, buster. And I don't think I need to say that the nasty scumbag driver that hit the little pup in the below video would be in a lot of pain.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Why we should all aspire to be like dogs
I saw this video on Fox News this morning. Just a warning, if you are an animal lover this video is very sad but very heartwarming at the same time (may be tear-inducing...)
Dog Save Road Injured Dog - Watch more free videos
This is a sad commentary on humans - how many cars drove by and didn't stop (not to mention the driver that hit the dog who apparently could have cared less)? But heartwarming because it shows what great animals dogs really are. Putting your life in danger to save a friend is more than a lot of humans would do for each other. Light at the end of the tunnnel: Fox reports that both dogs are okay.
If you have a dog, make sure to give him a big hug today.
Dog Save Road Injured Dog - Watch more free videos
This is a sad commentary on humans - how many cars drove by and didn't stop (not to mention the driver that hit the dog who apparently could have cared less)? But heartwarming because it shows what great animals dogs really are. Putting your life in danger to save a friend is more than a lot of humans would do for each other. Light at the end of the tunnnel: Fox reports that both dogs are okay.
If you have a dog, make sure to give him a big hug today.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Britney: Back or Crazier than Ever?
So by now I'm sure that all of you loyal readers have seen the new "documentary" (and I use that term loosely), Britney: For the Record, which aired on MTV Sunday night, then twice directly after that, and at least fourteen more times this week (I know this because I have watched part, if not the entire thing, of these subsequent reruns.
Anyway...when watching this "documentary," Britney took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. First, I felt anticipation at what she would reveal. Would she discuss her divorce, her break-up with Justin and most importantly, shaving her head and going psycho on the paparazzi with the baseball bat? (Don't pretend the crazy eyes in the pictures from that night aren't burned into your memories forever, too).
Then, happiness, because Britney looks sooo good. She appears to have put the Cheetos, Doritos and other -'tos' ending snacks away (and hopefully quit feeding them to her children, as well. While delicious, they are not meant for daily consumption by youngsters under the age of two), hit the treadmill and the dance studio, and has finally taken care of those extensions - though I'm still not quite sure why it took someone with millions of dollars and countless hair stylists at their disposal this long to realize that the Jessica Simpson/Ken Paves synthetic hair sold on QVC and at your local Sally's Beauty Supply just weren't doing anything for her. I mean, if you can afford the real thing (as in real hair in your extensions), you should splurge. But nonetheless, her hair, bod and overall appearance seemed to be in much better condition than they had been in a looong time.
The next stop on my "docu"-rollercoaster ride was elation. This can be attributed to my conclusion that yes, Britney did in fact appear to be back. She won all those VMAs earlier this year (quite an accomplishment since she hadn't actually done anything to warrant a win, right?), performed onstage with Madonna, was prepping to release her new album and to go on tour with a really awesome circus theme (so creative!), and of course, as stated earlier - she looks really, really good. The girl is back and better than ever.
But then the rollercoaster hit a bump and got stuck in the middle of an upside down loop. The bump occurred when Britney sought the phone number of the heinous dancer from the play she went to see in New York. But I decided to look past that. She's pretty isolated, I guess, so maybe it's hard for her to meet people (it would explain K-fed, at least). But then she started crying to the documentarian and saying that her life was boring and lacked any passion. I'm confused. The girl in the middle of the biggest comeback of her career and possibly of all time shouldn't be crying, right? And I have to say while her life is many, many things, it certainly doesn't appear to be boring - at least not by my definition. But moral of the story, Britney looked really, really sad and didn't appear to be quite as healthy as I had first thought. As she wiped the snot away from her runny nose with the back of her hand, it dawned on me that perhaps I had made a premature assesment in declaring that Britney is back. In fact, a more accurate assessment might be that Britney is bipolar.
Don't get me wrong, she is clearly in better shape than she has been in a long time, and I would certainly be a little nuts if I had hundreds of paparazzi following my every move. But I think the jury is still out on whether this is really her big comeback. It appears to all be highly orchestrated by her father and Larry Rudolph, so we have yet to see what Britney will do if left to her own devices. Anyway, these are my thoughts, share yours and answer my poll about whether or not you think BSpears is really back.
Anyway...when watching this "documentary," Britney took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. First, I felt anticipation at what she would reveal. Would she discuss her divorce, her break-up with Justin and most importantly, shaving her head and going psycho on the paparazzi with the baseball bat? (Don't pretend the crazy eyes in the pictures from that night aren't burned into your memories forever, too).
Then, happiness, because Britney looks sooo good. She appears to have put the Cheetos, Doritos and other -'tos' ending snacks away (and hopefully quit feeding them to her children, as well. While delicious, they are not meant for daily consumption by youngsters under the age of two), hit the treadmill and the dance studio, and has finally taken care of those extensions - though I'm still not quite sure why it took someone with millions of dollars and countless hair stylists at their disposal this long to realize that the Jessica Simpson/Ken Paves synthetic hair sold on QVC and at your local Sally's Beauty Supply just weren't doing anything for her. I mean, if you can afford the real thing (as in real hair in your extensions), you should splurge. But nonetheless, her hair, bod and overall appearance seemed to be in much better condition than they had been in a looong time.
The next stop on my "docu"-rollercoaster ride was elation. This can be attributed to my conclusion that yes, Britney did in fact appear to be back. She won all those VMAs earlier this year (quite an accomplishment since she hadn't actually done anything to warrant a win, right?), performed onstage with Madonna, was prepping to release her new album and to go on tour with a really awesome circus theme (so creative!), and of course, as stated earlier - she looks really, really good. The girl is back and better than ever.
But then the rollercoaster hit a bump and got stuck in the middle of an upside down loop. The bump occurred when Britney sought the phone number of the heinous dancer from the play she went to see in New York. But I decided to look past that. She's pretty isolated, I guess, so maybe it's hard for her to meet people (it would explain K-fed, at least). But then she started crying to the documentarian and saying that her life was boring and lacked any passion. I'm confused. The girl in the middle of the biggest comeback of her career and possibly of all time shouldn't be crying, right? And I have to say while her life is many, many things, it certainly doesn't appear to be boring - at least not by my definition. But moral of the story, Britney looked really, really sad and didn't appear to be quite as healthy as I had first thought. As she wiped the snot away from her runny nose with the back of her hand, it dawned on me that perhaps I had made a premature assesment in declaring that Britney is back. In fact, a more accurate assessment might be that Britney is bipolar.
Don't get me wrong, she is clearly in better shape than she has been in a long time, and I would certainly be a little nuts if I had hundreds of paparazzi following my every move. But I think the jury is still out on whether this is really her big comeback. It appears to all be highly orchestrated by her father and Larry Rudolph, so we have yet to see what Britney will do if left to her own devices. Anyway, these are my thoughts, share yours and answer my poll about whether or not you think BSpears is really back.
New Blog Design and New Feature!
I know that it has been a long time since my last post, and that all of you loyal readers have been wondering where the heck I have been. Well I apologize for my absence, but I am now back and better than ever with a new blog design and a new feature, called "If I ruled the world for a day."
Stay tuned for the first post of my fab new feature...
Stay tuned for the first post of my fab new feature...
Thursday, November 6, 2008
'Jurassic Park' author Michael Crichton dies at 66
By Associated Press writer HILLEL ITALIE
Michael Crichton, the million-selling author who made scientific research terrifying and irresistible in such thrillers as "Jurassic Park,""Timeline" and "The Andromeda Strain," has died of cancer, his family said. Crichton died Tuesday in Los Angeles at age 66 after privately battling cancer.
"Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand," his family said in a statement.
"While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us - and entertained us all while doing so - his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes."
He was an experimenter and popularizer known for his stories of disaster and systematic breakdown, such as the rampant microbe of "The Andromeda Strain" or the dinosaurs running madly in "Jurassic Park." Many of his books became major Hollywood movies, including "Jurassic Park,""Rising Sun" and "Disclosure." Crichton himself directed and wrote "The Great Train Robbery" and he co-wrote the script for the blockbuster "Twister."
1994, he created the award-winning TV hospital series "ER." He's even had a dinosaur named for him, Crichton's ankylosaur.
"Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of 'Jurassic Park,'" said "Jurassic Park" director Steven Spielberg, a friend of Crichton's for 40 years. "He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the Earth. ... Michael was a gentle soul who reserved his flamboyant side for his novels. There is no one in the wings that will ever take his place."
John Wells, executive producer of "ER" called the author "an extraordinary man. Brilliant, funny, erudite, gracious, exceptionally inquisitive and always thoughtful.
"No lunch with Michael lasted less than three hours and no subject was too prosaic or obscure to attract his interest. Sexual politics, medical and scientific ethics, anthropology, archaeology, economics, astronomy, astrology, quantum physics, and molecular biology were all regular topics of conversation."
Neal Baer, a physician who became an executive producer on "ER," was a fourth-year medical student at Harvard University when Wells, a longtime friend, sent him Crichton's script.
"I said, 'Wow, this is like my life.' Michael had been a medical student at Harvard in the early '70s and I was going through the same thing about 20 years later," said Baer. "ER" offered a fresh take on the TV medical drama, making doctors the central focus rather than patients. In the early life of "ER," Crichton, who hadn't been involved in medicine for years, and Spielberg would take part in writers' room discussions.
In recent years, Crichton was the rare novelist granted a White House meeting with President Bush, perhaps because of his skepticism about global warming, which Crichton addressed in the 2004 novel, "State of Fear." Crichton's views were strongly condemned by environmentalists, who alleged that the author was hurting efforts to pass legislation to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.
If not a literary giant, he was a physical one, standing 6 feet and 9 inches, and ready for battle with the press. In a 2004 interview with The Associated Press, Crichton came with a tape recorder, text books and a pile of graphs and charts as he defended "State of Fear" and his take on global warming.
"I have a lot of trouble with things that don't seem true to me," Crichton said at the time, his large, manicured hands gesturing to his graphs. "I'm very uncomfortable just accepting. There's something in me that wants to pound the table and say, 'That's not true.'"
He spoke to few scientists about his questions, convinced that he could interpret the data himself. "If we put everything in the hands of experts and if we say that as intelligent outsiders, we are not qualified to look over the shoulder of anybody, then we're in some kind of really weird world," he said.
A new novel by Crichton had been tentatively scheduled to come next month, but publisher HarperCollins said the book was postponed indefinitely because of his illness.
One of four siblings, Crichton was born in Chicago and grew up in Roslyn, Long Island. His father was a journalist and young Michael spent much of his childhood writing extra papers for teachers. In third grade, he wrote a nine-page play that his father typed for him using carbon paper so the other kids would know their parts. He was tall, gangly and awkward, and used writing as a way to escape; Mark Twain and Alfred Hitchcock were his role models.
Figuring he would not be able to make a living as writer, and not good enough at basketball, he decided to become a doctor. He studied anthropology at Harvard College, and later graduated from Harvard Medical School. During medical school, he turned out books under pseudonyms. (One that the tall author used was Jeffrey Hudson, a 17th-century dwarf in the court of King Charles II of England.) He had modest success with his writing and decided to pursue it.
His first hit, "The Andromeda Strain," was written while he was still in medical school and quickly caught on upon its 1969 release. It was a featured selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and was sold to Universal in Hollywood for $250,000.
"A few of the teachers feel I'm wasting my time, and that in some ways I have wasted theirs," he told The New York Times in 1969. "When I asked for a couple of days off to go to California about a movie sale, that raised an eyebrow."
His books seemed designed to provoke debate, whether the theories of quantum physics in "Timeline," the reverse sexual discrimination of "Disclosure" or the spectre of Japanese eminence in "Rising Sun."
"The initial response from the (Japanese) establishment was, 'You're a racist,'" he told the AP. "So then, because I'm always trying to deal with data, I went on a tour talking about it and gave a very careful argument, and their response came back, 'Well you say that but we know you're a racist.'"
Crichton had a rigid work schedule: rising before dawn and writing from about 6 a.m. to around 3 p.m., breaking only for lunch. He enjoyed being one of the few novelists recognized in public, but he also felt limited by fame.
"Of course, the celebrity is nice. But when I go do research, it's much more difficult now. The kind of freedom I had 10 years ago is gone," he told the AP. "You have to have good table manners; you can't have spaghetti hanging out of your mouth at a restaurant."
Crichton was married five times and had one child. A private funeral is planned.
Rest in peace, Mr. Crichton. You will be sorely missed.
Michael Crichton, the million-selling author who made scientific research terrifying and irresistible in such thrillers as "Jurassic Park,""Timeline" and "The Andromeda Strain," has died of cancer, his family said. Crichton died Tuesday in Los Angeles at age 66 after privately battling cancer.
"Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand," his family said in a statement.
"While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us - and entertained us all while doing so - his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes."
He was an experimenter and popularizer known for his stories of disaster and systematic breakdown, such as the rampant microbe of "The Andromeda Strain" or the dinosaurs running madly in "Jurassic Park." Many of his books became major Hollywood movies, including "Jurassic Park,""Rising Sun" and "Disclosure." Crichton himself directed and wrote "The Great Train Robbery" and he co-wrote the script for the blockbuster "Twister."
1994, he created the award-winning TV hospital series "ER." He's even had a dinosaur named for him, Crichton's ankylosaur.
"Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of 'Jurassic Park,'" said "Jurassic Park" director Steven Spielberg, a friend of Crichton's for 40 years. "He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the Earth. ... Michael was a gentle soul who reserved his flamboyant side for his novels. There is no one in the wings that will ever take his place."
John Wells, executive producer of "ER" called the author "an extraordinary man. Brilliant, funny, erudite, gracious, exceptionally inquisitive and always thoughtful.
"No lunch with Michael lasted less than three hours and no subject was too prosaic or obscure to attract his interest. Sexual politics, medical and scientific ethics, anthropology, archaeology, economics, astronomy, astrology, quantum physics, and molecular biology were all regular topics of conversation."
Neal Baer, a physician who became an executive producer on "ER," was a fourth-year medical student at Harvard University when Wells, a longtime friend, sent him Crichton's script.
"I said, 'Wow, this is like my life.' Michael had been a medical student at Harvard in the early '70s and I was going through the same thing about 20 years later," said Baer. "ER" offered a fresh take on the TV medical drama, making doctors the central focus rather than patients. In the early life of "ER," Crichton, who hadn't been involved in medicine for years, and Spielberg would take part in writers' room discussions.
In recent years, Crichton was the rare novelist granted a White House meeting with President Bush, perhaps because of his skepticism about global warming, which Crichton addressed in the 2004 novel, "State of Fear." Crichton's views were strongly condemned by environmentalists, who alleged that the author was hurting efforts to pass legislation to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.
If not a literary giant, he was a physical one, standing 6 feet and 9 inches, and ready for battle with the press. In a 2004 interview with The Associated Press, Crichton came with a tape recorder, text books and a pile of graphs and charts as he defended "State of Fear" and his take on global warming.
"I have a lot of trouble with things that don't seem true to me," Crichton said at the time, his large, manicured hands gesturing to his graphs. "I'm very uncomfortable just accepting. There's something in me that wants to pound the table and say, 'That's not true.'"
He spoke to few scientists about his questions, convinced that he could interpret the data himself. "If we put everything in the hands of experts and if we say that as intelligent outsiders, we are not qualified to look over the shoulder of anybody, then we're in some kind of really weird world," he said.
A new novel by Crichton had been tentatively scheduled to come next month, but publisher HarperCollins said the book was postponed indefinitely because of his illness.
One of four siblings, Crichton was born in Chicago and grew up in Roslyn, Long Island. His father was a journalist and young Michael spent much of his childhood writing extra papers for teachers. In third grade, he wrote a nine-page play that his father typed for him using carbon paper so the other kids would know their parts. He was tall, gangly and awkward, and used writing as a way to escape; Mark Twain and Alfred Hitchcock were his role models.
Figuring he would not be able to make a living as writer, and not good enough at basketball, he decided to become a doctor. He studied anthropology at Harvard College, and later graduated from Harvard Medical School. During medical school, he turned out books under pseudonyms. (One that the tall author used was Jeffrey Hudson, a 17th-century dwarf in the court of King Charles II of England.) He had modest success with his writing and decided to pursue it.
His first hit, "The Andromeda Strain," was written while he was still in medical school and quickly caught on upon its 1969 release. It was a featured selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and was sold to Universal in Hollywood for $250,000.
"A few of the teachers feel I'm wasting my time, and that in some ways I have wasted theirs," he told The New York Times in 1969. "When I asked for a couple of days off to go to California about a movie sale, that raised an eyebrow."
His books seemed designed to provoke debate, whether the theories of quantum physics in "Timeline," the reverse sexual discrimination of "Disclosure" or the spectre of Japanese eminence in "Rising Sun."
"The initial response from the (Japanese) establishment was, 'You're a racist,'" he told the AP. "So then, because I'm always trying to deal with data, I went on a tour talking about it and gave a very careful argument, and their response came back, 'Well you say that but we know you're a racist.'"
Crichton had a rigid work schedule: rising before dawn and writing from about 6 a.m. to around 3 p.m., breaking only for lunch. He enjoyed being one of the few novelists recognized in public, but he also felt limited by fame.
"Of course, the celebrity is nice. But when I go do research, it's much more difficult now. The kind of freedom I had 10 years ago is gone," he told the AP. "You have to have good table manners; you can't have spaghetti hanging out of your mouth at a restaurant."
Crichton was married five times and had one child. A private funeral is planned.
Rest in peace, Mr. Crichton. You will be sorely missed.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Global Warming Hooery
Cooling trend [Mark Steyn]
From my old Spectator colleague James Delingpole:
Global warming anxiety was a Nineties and early Noughties fad — the product of a too affluent age in search of a hair-shirt religion to assuage its guilt at having had it so good. Now that everyone has something real to worry about, cutting carbon emissions seems about as relevant as the Jitterbug or the Rubik’s Cube.
So far, depressingly few of our politicians have understood this.
Gosh, wouldn't it be nice in a two-party system to have maybe one candidate who said stuff like that? I suspect that, were it not for the sadly dated obsessions of her chief, it's the line Sarah Palin would have given when Joe Biden said anyone but a fool knows the impending eco-apocalypse is all man's fault.
Meanwhile, can it really be true that Barack Obama is proposing to classify CO2* as a dangerous pollutant? Don't hold your breath.
(*CO2 stands for "Carbon Dioxide" not "Deputy Community Organizer", which, after January 20th, will be the new title for the Vice-President.)
From my old Spectator colleague James Delingpole:
Global warming anxiety was a Nineties and early Noughties fad — the product of a too affluent age in search of a hair-shirt religion to assuage its guilt at having had it so good. Now that everyone has something real to worry about, cutting carbon emissions seems about as relevant as the Jitterbug or the Rubik’s Cube.
So far, depressingly few of our politicians have understood this.
Gosh, wouldn't it be nice in a two-party system to have maybe one candidate who said stuff like that? I suspect that, were it not for the sadly dated obsessions of her chief, it's the line Sarah Palin would have given when Joe Biden said anyone but a fool knows the impending eco-apocalypse is all man's fault.
Meanwhile, can it really be true that Barack Obama is proposing to classify CO2* as a dangerous pollutant? Don't hold your breath.
(*CO2 stands for "Carbon Dioxide" not "Deputy Community Organizer", which, after January 20th, will be the new title for the Vice-President.)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Somehow I doubt Sarah Palin will lose any sleep over this...
Madonna: Sarah Palin Isn't Welcome On Tour
The singer is rocking a private party...
Tuesday 07th Oct 2008
Madonna has made her dislike for Sarah Palin very clear by banning the politician from attending her world tour.
The singer shared her political views whilst performing a show in New Jersey as part of her Sticky & Sweet tour.
She told the crowd: "Sarah Palin can't come to my party. Sarah Palin can't come to my show. It's nothing personal."
And this outburst against the Republican party is not the first for Madge.
On her current tour she used John McCain's image in a video clip alongside scences of destruction, global warming, starving children and Adolf Hitler.
A spokesperson for McCain's campaign said Madonna's actions were, “outrageous, unacceptable and crudely divisive all at the same time.”
Full story here: http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/45086/madonna-sarah-palin-isnt-welcome-on-tour
The singer is rocking a private party...
Tuesday 07th Oct 2008
Madonna has made her dislike for Sarah Palin very clear by banning the politician from attending her world tour.
The singer shared her political views whilst performing a show in New Jersey as part of her Sticky & Sweet tour.
She told the crowd: "Sarah Palin can't come to my party. Sarah Palin can't come to my show. It's nothing personal."
And this outburst against the Republican party is not the first for Madge.
On her current tour she used John McCain's image in a video clip alongside scences of destruction, global warming, starving children and Adolf Hitler.
A spokesperson for McCain's campaign said Madonna's actions were, “outrageous, unacceptable and crudely divisive all at the same time.”
Full story here: http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/45086/madonna-sarah-palin-isnt-welcome-on-tour
Monday, October 6, 2008
20 Questions
Town Hall Questions for Obama on Ayers, Born-Alive, and More
from Peter Kirsanow for National Review Online
Anyone attending Tuesday's town hall debate is welcome to use the following questions:
1. Why shouldn't voters view your association with the radical William Ayers as evidence that you are sympathetic to the similarly radical views of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, your pastor of 20 years?
2. You characterized Ayers as " respected." What do you respect about him? Do you respect any other unrepentant terrorists?
3. Do you agree with the National Journal's assessment that you're the nation's most liberal senator? If not, whom do you maintain is more liberal?
4. Could you please cite three things you've done as senator to win the war in Iraq?
5. You would meet with Ahmadinejad without preconditions, you worked with unrepentant terrorist William Ayers, and you remained in Rev Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years — yet you refused to debate on Fox News. Do you consider Brit Hume and Chris Wallace to be more objectionable than Ahmadinejad, Ayers and Wright?
6. You dismissed your association with William Ayers by stating that his actions, while "despicable," occurred when you were just eight years old. Ayers was still a fugitive when another terrorist bomber, Ted Kaczynski ( the " Unabomber") began his bombing campaign (btw senator, you were 20 at the time). Would you have had any reservations working with Kaczynski? Would you have had any reservations launching your political career from Kaczynski's home? What about abortion clinic bomber Eric Rudolf? If so, please explain your reasons for working with some terrorists but not others.
7. Your running mate thinks that Hillary Clinton would have been a better VP pick than he. Why do you disagree?
8. Excluding political campaigns, what's the largest enterprise you've ever managed? How successful was it?
9. You've stated that given the state of the economy, as president you might have to delay your tax plan. Why isn't this an admission that your tax plan would hurt the economy?
10. You've stated that determining when a baby gets human rights is "above [your] pay grade." Let's make it simple. Do you believe a baby is a human being? If not, why not? If you do, why wouldn't a baby be entitled to human rights? Is your uncertainty regarding this issue the reason you voted against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act?
11. While in the Illinois state legislature you voted "present" more than 130 times. Given your uncertainty as to when a baby is entitled to human rights, why didn't you simply vote "present" on the Born-Alive Act?
12. Did you and Ayers ever discuss his participation in the bombing of the Pentagon? If so, when? How did you respond? Did you continue working with him afterward? Why? Did this discussion occur before or after he hosted your political coming-out party?
13. As president, would you appoint any member to your cabinet who had worked with terrorists? Would you appoint any individual whose political career had been launched at the home of a terrorist? If not, why not? If you consider an association with terrorists to be a disqualifier for, say, the position of attorney general or national security advisor, why shouldn't it be a disqualifier for president?
14. Did you ever tell Ayers that his actions were "despicable"? If so, did you do so at the time you interviewed to chair the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, or later?
15. Your campaigned is premised, in part, on a theme of racial transcendence yet you support racial preferences in employment, contracting and school admissions. Is there any existing racial preference that you don't support?
16. Why do you support the Employee Free Choice Act that would effectively eliminate secret ballot union representation elections? Do you support eliminating secret ballots in presidential, congressional, gubernatorial or mayoral elections?
17. You support giving drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants and letting them participate in the Social Security system. Why wouldn't this encourage more illegal immigrants to come to this country?
18. You had a relationship with an unrepentant terrorist and you've stated that you'd meet without precondition with the leaders of terrorist-sponsoring countries. Could you please explain why voters should believe you're serious about the threat of terrorism?
19. What, if any, policy differences do you have with Ayers?
20. In which of the following states have you met bitter people who "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them": Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, Virginia?
It took five minutes to come up with these questions. Obama's been campaigning for 20 months and not once have the media found time to ask any of the foregoing. Too bad Rick Warren isn't moderating all of the debates.
from Peter Kirsanow for National Review Online
Anyone attending Tuesday's town hall debate is welcome to use the following questions:
1. Why shouldn't voters view your association with the radical William Ayers as evidence that you are sympathetic to the similarly radical views of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, your pastor of 20 years?
2. You characterized Ayers as " respected." What do you respect about him? Do you respect any other unrepentant terrorists?
3. Do you agree with the National Journal's assessment that you're the nation's most liberal senator? If not, whom do you maintain is more liberal?
4. Could you please cite three things you've done as senator to win the war in Iraq?
5. You would meet with Ahmadinejad without preconditions, you worked with unrepentant terrorist William Ayers, and you remained in Rev Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years — yet you refused to debate on Fox News. Do you consider Brit Hume and Chris Wallace to be more objectionable than Ahmadinejad, Ayers and Wright?
6. You dismissed your association with William Ayers by stating that his actions, while "despicable," occurred when you were just eight years old. Ayers was still a fugitive when another terrorist bomber, Ted Kaczynski ( the " Unabomber") began his bombing campaign (btw senator, you were 20 at the time). Would you have had any reservations working with Kaczynski? Would you have had any reservations launching your political career from Kaczynski's home? What about abortion clinic bomber Eric Rudolf? If so, please explain your reasons for working with some terrorists but not others.
7. Your running mate thinks that Hillary Clinton would have been a better VP pick than he. Why do you disagree?
8. Excluding political campaigns, what's the largest enterprise you've ever managed? How successful was it?
9. You've stated that given the state of the economy, as president you might have to delay your tax plan. Why isn't this an admission that your tax plan would hurt the economy?
10. You've stated that determining when a baby gets human rights is "above [your] pay grade." Let's make it simple. Do you believe a baby is a human being? If not, why not? If you do, why wouldn't a baby be entitled to human rights? Is your uncertainty regarding this issue the reason you voted against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act?
11. While in the Illinois state legislature you voted "present" more than 130 times. Given your uncertainty as to when a baby is entitled to human rights, why didn't you simply vote "present" on the Born-Alive Act?
12. Did you and Ayers ever discuss his participation in the bombing of the Pentagon? If so, when? How did you respond? Did you continue working with him afterward? Why? Did this discussion occur before or after he hosted your political coming-out party?
13. As president, would you appoint any member to your cabinet who had worked with terrorists? Would you appoint any individual whose political career had been launched at the home of a terrorist? If not, why not? If you consider an association with terrorists to be a disqualifier for, say, the position of attorney general or national security advisor, why shouldn't it be a disqualifier for president?
14. Did you ever tell Ayers that his actions were "despicable"? If so, did you do so at the time you interviewed to chair the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, or later?
15. Your campaigned is premised, in part, on a theme of racial transcendence yet you support racial preferences in employment, contracting and school admissions. Is there any existing racial preference that you don't support?
16. Why do you support the Employee Free Choice Act that would effectively eliminate secret ballot union representation elections? Do you support eliminating secret ballots in presidential, congressional, gubernatorial or mayoral elections?
17. You support giving drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants and letting them participate in the Social Security system. Why wouldn't this encourage more illegal immigrants to come to this country?
18. You had a relationship with an unrepentant terrorist and you've stated that you'd meet without precondition with the leaders of terrorist-sponsoring countries. Could you please explain why voters should believe you're serious about the threat of terrorism?
19. What, if any, policy differences do you have with Ayers?
20. In which of the following states have you met bitter people who "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them": Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, Virginia?
It took five minutes to come up with these questions. Obama's been campaigning for 20 months and not once have the media found time to ask any of the foregoing. Too bad Rick Warren isn't moderating all of the debates.
Quote of the Day
"For a guy who's already authored two memoirs, he's not exactly an open book."
- Senator John McCain on Senator Barack Obama
- Senator John McCain on Senator Barack Obama
Friday, October 3, 2008
How Georgia Became Red
State’s partisan shift to red trickled over time
By Aaron Gould Sheinin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, October 03, 2008
Sixteen years ago, Georgia was on the blueish side of purple, a state where voters went for a Democratic president, and the party controlled a preponderance of federal and state offices.
Today, Georgia is dirt red, with Republicans controlling the General Assembly and a majority of statewide and federal seats. And that November day in 1992 was the last time Georgia sent a Democrat to the White House.
The wholesale shift from Democrat to Republican was not a sudden change, a levee break, although there were days of deluge that contributed to the flood. And it was not all political, or, at least, not all ideological.
Some, Democrats mostly, believe the state could be in the early stages of a shift back the other way, based on population changes and a gradual morphing of ideology away from the social conservatism that once dominated the GOP. Only time will tell.
The state has changed in 16 years. It’s grown with gusto within the same borders in many, and varied, ways.
How things were altered —- from people who were there.
Full article here: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2008/10/03/gachanges.html
By Aaron Gould Sheinin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, October 03, 2008
Sixteen years ago, Georgia was on the blueish side of purple, a state where voters went for a Democratic president, and the party controlled a preponderance of federal and state offices.
Today, Georgia is dirt red, with Republicans controlling the General Assembly and a majority of statewide and federal seats. And that November day in 1992 was the last time Georgia sent a Democrat to the White House.
The wholesale shift from Democrat to Republican was not a sudden change, a levee break, although there were days of deluge that contributed to the flood. And it was not all political, or, at least, not all ideological.
Some, Democrats mostly, believe the state could be in the early stages of a shift back the other way, based on population changes and a gradual morphing of ideology away from the social conservatism that once dominated the GOP. Only time will tell.
The state has changed in 16 years. It’s grown with gusto within the same borders in many, and varied, ways.
How things were altered —- from people who were there.
Full article here: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2008/10/03/gachanges.html
This is just sick......
From the Times Online:
An “expressionless” seven-year-old boy broke into a zoo, bludgeoned to death giant lizards and fed them – and other live animals - to a crocodile named Terry in Outback Australia this week.
Zookeepers were horrified when they arrived at work on Wednesday morning to see Terry, an 11-foot long saltwater crocodile, feasting on his fellow showcase reptilians at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre in the Northern Territory.
The article goes on to describe how the boy killed 13 animals in all, smashing rocks on their heads and throwing them into the crocodile enclosure. His victims included a large turtle, bearded dragons, goannas and lizards including Thorny Devils and Western Blue tongues, which are hard to find in captivity. One of the goannas was 20 years old and described by the zookeeper as "an absolute doll."
What a sicko, and where are this kid's parents when he is breaking into zoos in the middle of the night?
An “expressionless” seven-year-old boy broke into a zoo, bludgeoned to death giant lizards and fed them – and other live animals - to a crocodile named Terry in Outback Australia this week.
Zookeepers were horrified when they arrived at work on Wednesday morning to see Terry, an 11-foot long saltwater crocodile, feasting on his fellow showcase reptilians at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre in the Northern Territory.
The article goes on to describe how the boy killed 13 animals in all, smashing rocks on their heads and throwing them into the crocodile enclosure. His victims included a large turtle, bearded dragons, goannas and lizards including Thorny Devils and Western Blue tongues, which are hard to find in captivity. One of the goannas was 20 years old and described by the zookeeper as "an absolute doll."
What a sicko, and where are this kid's parents when he is breaking into zoos in the middle of the night?
Rest in Peace, Goanna.
Full story here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article4874657.ece
Quote of the Day
"I may not answer the questions the way that either the moderator or you want to hear, but I'm going to talk straight to the American people and let them know my track record.''
- Governor Sarah Palin to Senator Joe Biden
in last night's Vice Presidential debate
- Governor Sarah Palin to Senator Joe Biden
in last night's Vice Presidential debate
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Jekyll Island Authority
Residents’ concerns noted in state park plan
By BOB KRUEGER
Atlanta Journal- Constitution
Thursday, October 02, 2008
I have the privilege to serve Georgia as chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority. I accepted this appointment from Gov. Sonny Perdue, and I serve at his pleasure to help achieve the state’s vision for Jekyll Island: that Jekyll shall become a model for a self-sustaining conservation community accessible to all Georgians and once again contribute to the economic prosperity and quality of life for Georgia. This vision is clear and simple, but getting there is often complex. The authority board and staff are keenly aware that we serve the citizens of Georgia, many of whom are passionate about protecting Jekyll as a unique destination. So are we.
I’m afraid some have let their emotions become unbridled and this may be the case with the recent tirade of accusations made by former authority board member, Ed Boshears. Boshears’ accusations are not true, and the people of Georgia need to understand several critical issues.
First, Boshears was not “fired.” Boshears served a complete term, which expired in June, and he continued to serve as the law provides until the governor appointed his replacement. The governor’s reasons are his own, but we are pleased with the appointment of state Rep. Richard Royal. Royal has an outstanding reputation and is a successful businessman in addition to a public servant.
Second, the accusation that the authority engaged in unethical or illegal actions as it works to encourage investment on Jekyll is absolutely false. Last year, Boshears alleged that one of our private-sector partners received a $10 million “giveaway.” This is completely untrue, and was reinforced by a positive ruling from Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker. The selection of Linger Longer Communities, which Boshears voted for, was upheld in court after several challenges by a losing team. The authority board works in full compliance with all of Georgia’s sunshine laws with open public participation.
But the most important point for Georgians to understand is that although Jekyll is a state park it is also required by law to be economically self-sustaining and affordable. It is incumbent upon the board to set policy carefully, yet address a number of challenges, including declining visitation (down nearly 600,000 visitors per year since 1989) and deteriorating facilities (we have more than $30 million in necessary maintenance in our acclaimed historic district alone). This must be accomplished without massive support from the taxpayers — visitation must provide the self-sustaining revenue.
The board must work together to address these challenges.
Solutions include responsible revitalization that will allow us to slowly increase visitation and revenue with a low-density mix of redeveloped retail, lodging and convention offerings on just a small portion of the island. Indeed, a recent visitation analysis revealed that total development needed to generate necessary visitation and income over the next 15 years represents a net addition of roughly 1,000 lodging units, 400 dwelling units and 25,000 commercial square feet over levels that existed 20 years ago.
Other key initiatives include strict design guidelines and lighting ordinances that will protect endangered sea turtles. Having financially strong and talented private partners is a critical part of the equation.
I am confident that with Linger Longer’s final beach village plan, as with the other initiatives, reasonable people will see that the board of the Jekyll authority has listened to the public and addressed their concerns.
We understand that we won’t make everyone happy, but the board of the authority must strike the right balance between redevelopment and environmental protection. The beneficiaries of this reasonable and responsible approach are the nine million citizens of Georgia, and all the future guests to Jekyll Island.
• Bob Krueger, a resident of Hawkinsville, is chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority.
By BOB KRUEGER
Atlanta Journal- Constitution
Thursday, October 02, 2008
I have the privilege to serve Georgia as chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority. I accepted this appointment from Gov. Sonny Perdue, and I serve at his pleasure to help achieve the state’s vision for Jekyll Island: that Jekyll shall become a model for a self-sustaining conservation community accessible to all Georgians and once again contribute to the economic prosperity and quality of life for Georgia. This vision is clear and simple, but getting there is often complex. The authority board and staff are keenly aware that we serve the citizens of Georgia, many of whom are passionate about protecting Jekyll as a unique destination. So are we.
I’m afraid some have let their emotions become unbridled and this may be the case with the recent tirade of accusations made by former authority board member, Ed Boshears. Boshears’ accusations are not true, and the people of Georgia need to understand several critical issues.
First, Boshears was not “fired.” Boshears served a complete term, which expired in June, and he continued to serve as the law provides until the governor appointed his replacement. The governor’s reasons are his own, but we are pleased with the appointment of state Rep. Richard Royal. Royal has an outstanding reputation and is a successful businessman in addition to a public servant.
Second, the accusation that the authority engaged in unethical or illegal actions as it works to encourage investment on Jekyll is absolutely false. Last year, Boshears alleged that one of our private-sector partners received a $10 million “giveaway.” This is completely untrue, and was reinforced by a positive ruling from Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker. The selection of Linger Longer Communities, which Boshears voted for, was upheld in court after several challenges by a losing team. The authority board works in full compliance with all of Georgia’s sunshine laws with open public participation.
But the most important point for Georgians to understand is that although Jekyll is a state park it is also required by law to be economically self-sustaining and affordable. It is incumbent upon the board to set policy carefully, yet address a number of challenges, including declining visitation (down nearly 600,000 visitors per year since 1989) and deteriorating facilities (we have more than $30 million in necessary maintenance in our acclaimed historic district alone). This must be accomplished without massive support from the taxpayers — visitation must provide the self-sustaining revenue.
The board must work together to address these challenges.
Solutions include responsible revitalization that will allow us to slowly increase visitation and revenue with a low-density mix of redeveloped retail, lodging and convention offerings on just a small portion of the island. Indeed, a recent visitation analysis revealed that total development needed to generate necessary visitation and income over the next 15 years represents a net addition of roughly 1,000 lodging units, 400 dwelling units and 25,000 commercial square feet over levels that existed 20 years ago.
Other key initiatives include strict design guidelines and lighting ordinances that will protect endangered sea turtles. Having financially strong and talented private partners is a critical part of the equation.
I am confident that with Linger Longer’s final beach village plan, as with the other initiatives, reasonable people will see that the board of the Jekyll authority has listened to the public and addressed their concerns.
We understand that we won’t make everyone happy, but the board of the authority must strike the right balance between redevelopment and environmental protection. The beneficiaries of this reasonable and responsible approach are the nine million citizens of Georgia, and all the future guests to Jekyll Island.
• Bob Krueger, a resident of Hawkinsville, is chairman of the Jekyll Island Authority.
VP Debate
From The Wall Street Journal:
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- There are two things people here remember about Sarah Palin's debating style during her race for governor two years ago.
One is the stack of color-coded cue cards she took to the podium for help whenever she was asked a policy question. The other is how quickly she was able to shuck those props, master the thrust-and-parry of jousting with her opponents and inquisitors, and project confidence to an audience of television viewers watching from home.
"That's the Sarah Palin I remember from the 2006 debates: positive, confident and upbeat," recalls Libby Casey, an Alaska public-radio reporter who served as a debate moderator on two occasions that year.
Here is video of Palin from a 2006 gubernatorial debate:
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- There are two things people here remember about Sarah Palin's debating style during her race for governor two years ago.
One is the stack of color-coded cue cards she took to the podium for help whenever she was asked a policy question. The other is how quickly she was able to shuck those props, master the thrust-and-parry of jousting with her opponents and inquisitors, and project confidence to an audience of television viewers watching from home.
"That's the Sarah Palin I remember from the 2006 debates: positive, confident and upbeat," recalls Libby Casey, an Alaska public-radio reporter who served as a debate moderator on two occasions that year.
Here is video of Palin from a 2006 gubernatorial debate:
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