Sunday, July 1, 2007
Republicans, Democrats Unite In Good Laugh Over Reform Party | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
Republicans, Democrats Unite In Good Laugh Over Reform Party The Onion - America's Finest News Source:
"WASHINGTON, DC—In a rare moment of bipartisan unity, lawmakers on both
sides of the aisle fondly recalled the Reform Party Tuesday. 'Remember 'Ross For
Boss'?' Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) said, laughing uncontrollably at the memory of
the closest thing America has seen to a viable third party in recent history.
'Plus Trump, Warren Beatty... And what was the deal with that crazy admiral guy
who died?' Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) joined in the fun, saying, 'And that
platform they had full of, aw, who knows what. 'Reform,' I guess!' The senators
then spent an hour slapping each other on the backs, gleefully recalling the
Reform Party's credo of 'radical centrism' and pro wrestler Jesse Ventura's
election as governor of Minnesota. Said Robert Byrd (D-WV): 'They really thought
they had something going there for a while!'"
lgf: Israeli Insanity Watch
lgf: Israeli Insanity Watch:
While I think Israel needs to work with Abbas and support him in an effort to undermine Hamas I have doubts about handing over this much cash. The first question is how how much of that is going to be used on weapons against Hamas and for how long. Hamas and Fatah are brothers after all, and their long term goals are more in line with each other, than those of Israel. The second issue, is that it undermines the authority of Fatah, making it appear to be operating on the behalf of Israel. The argument could well be made, that buying weapons for Fatah, that they will turn on the Hamas party is paying Fatah to eliminate an enemy of the state of Israel so it doesn't have to do it for itself. This is a very tricky game, and there is not much that can be done that won't be criticised, but I think Israel needs to be more careful in its dealings with Fatah.
"JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel said on Sunday it had begun
transferring to the Palestinians some of the hundreds of millions of dollars in
tax funds it had frozen for 17 months, hoping to bolster President Mahmoud Abbas
while isolating Hamas."
While I think Israel needs to work with Abbas and support him in an effort to undermine Hamas I have doubts about handing over this much cash. The first question is how how much of that is going to be used on weapons against Hamas and for how long. Hamas and Fatah are brothers after all, and their long term goals are more in line with each other, than those of Israel. The second issue, is that it undermines the authority of Fatah, making it appear to be operating on the behalf of Israel. The argument could well be made, that buying weapons for Fatah, that they will turn on the Hamas party is paying Fatah to eliminate an enemy of the state of Israel so it doesn't have to do it for itself. This is a very tricky game, and there is not much that can be done that won't be criticised, but I think Israel needs to be more careful in its dealings with Fatah.
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Blogging the Qur’an: Sura 2, “The Cow,” verses 141-210
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Blogging the Qur’an: Sura 2, “The Cow,” verses 141-210
What constitutes a defensive conflict? A clue to that comes in v. 193: “And
fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah.” Ibn Ishaq
explains that this means that Muslims must fight against unbelievers “until God
alone is worshipped.” Says Bulandshahri: “The worst of sins are Infidelity
(Kufr) and Polytheism (shirk) which constitute rebellion against Allah, The
Creator. To eradicate these, Muslims are required to wage war until there exists
none of it in the world, and the only religion is that of Allah.” This conflict
would be essentially defensive, against the aggressions of unbelief: if Muslims
must fight until unbelief does not exist, the mere presence of unbelief
constitutes sufficient aggression to allow for the beginning of hostilities.
This is one of the foundations for the supremacist notion that Muslims must wage
war against unbelievers until those unbelievers are either converted to Islam or
subjugated under the rule of Islamic law, as 9:29 states explicitly. As the
Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, puts it: “I have been commanded to fight against
people, till they testify to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and
believe in me (that) I am the messenger (from the Lord) and in all that I have
brought. And when they do it, their blood and riches are guaranteed protection
on my behalf except where it is justified by law, and their affairs rest with
Allah.” Thus one may reasonably assume that if one does not accept him as a
prophet, one’s blood and riches are not safe from those who read these words as
the words of a messenger from the one true God.
The Strata-Sphere » Blog Archive » GOP Still Destroying Itself
The Strata-Sphere » Blog Archive » GOP Still Destroying Itself:
The challenge that is facing the republican party, is how to draw in Hispanic voters, while at the same time not upsetting a very conservative white base. I wouldn't go so far as to say that there are members of the base that are racist, but that they are concerned about American culture and what they see as a loss of our culture due to the increase in immigration. They are right that the culture is changing, but I don't know that I share their belief that this change is for the bad. I think this goes to the question of what makes an American and American, a Mexican a Mexican. You can't say that immigration is changing the character of America, without addressing these questions.
"But the bill’s demise may have greatly damaged the party’s ability to meet
its enduring goal of attracting a large percentage of the growing number of
Hispanic voters — thousands of whom are ostensibly in line with the party on a
host of other issues, said many Republican lawmakers, consultants and Hispanic
voters.
“There may be some short-term gain from this,” said Linda Chavez,
who served in the Reagan administration and is now chairwoman of the Center for
Equal Opportunity, a conservative public policy group. “But in the long term, it
is disastrous for the Republican Party.”"
The challenge that is facing the republican party, is how to draw in Hispanic voters, while at the same time not upsetting a very conservative white base. I wouldn't go so far as to say that there are members of the base that are racist, but that they are concerned about American culture and what they see as a loss of our culture due to the increase in immigration. They are right that the culture is changing, but I don't know that I share their belief that this change is for the bad. I think this goes to the question of what makes an American and American, a Mexican a Mexican. You can't say that immigration is changing the character of America, without addressing these questions.
The Strata-Sphere » Blog Archive » Iranian Clerics Being Assassinated, Pressure On Iranian Rulers
The Strata-Sphere » Blog Archive » Iranian Clerics Being Assassinated, Pressure On Iranian Rulers:
I want to note that we tend to think about the borders of countries as being solid and permanent. The middle east is a region that has historically had periods of instability where borders are changed, power has shifted. New groups forming and coming to power, as long as groups forming new alliances have been a part of these changes during former periods of dramatic change in the region. I am not suggesting this in the tone that says that they have always been violent and always will be. I think that is disregard humyn natures common history of violence and demean race of people to say they are not capable of peace.
That aside, the situation in Iraq, the problems in Lebanon and the battles among the Palestinian parties points to dramatic changes in the region. Reading this story confirms to me that the whole region is looking towards a new balance of power, new groups are coming to power and new alliances are challenging existing power structures. Former periods of unrest in the middle east have gone on for hundreds of years, and meant the redrawing of maps. I doubt that this period will be as long lasting, but I think that the middle east the emerges from it will be far different from the one we see today. That means that all the countries in the middle east will suffer upsets. From Iran to Saudi Arabia and even the more stable countries of Turkey and Egypt.
It is my belief, at least it is my hope that the new power structure is going to lean more towards western ideas of liberty and diversity.
"THE assassination of a prominent cleric in an oil-rich Iranian province,
coinciding with violent protests in Tehran over the rationing of petrol, has
plunged President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad into his biggest crisis since he was
elected two years ago.
The murder on June 24 of Hesham Saymary in Ahvaz, the centre of Iran’s
oil-producing province in the south, was a blow to a regime that is already
under pressure because of international condemnation of its nuclear program and
the prospect of economic meltdown.
The assassination, the third of a senior
cleric this year, bore the hallmarks of a well-planned murder. According to
witnesses, the gunmen waited outside Saymary’s house for him to arrive home about 10pm.
They called out to the cleric as he was about to open his door and shot him
three times. He died instantly.
There have been other assassinations in
Iran, notably in the Kurdish area, in the west near the Iraq border, but the
Government is far more concerned about Saymary’s death because stability in the province is
crucial for its oil revenues.
Saymary was a member of the majority Arab population
of Ahvaz, the focus
of an Arabist separatist movement that follows the Wahabi sect of Islam,
linked to Osama bin
Laden.
He may have been targeted because he was a prominent supporter of the
regime. Protests that followed shortly afterwards over the rationing of petrol
convulsed Iran and its increasingly discontented citizens."
I want to note that we tend to think about the borders of countries as being solid and permanent. The middle east is a region that has historically had periods of instability where borders are changed, power has shifted. New groups forming and coming to power, as long as groups forming new alliances have been a part of these changes during former periods of dramatic change in the region. I am not suggesting this in the tone that says that they have always been violent and always will be. I think that is disregard humyn natures common history of violence and demean race of people to say they are not capable of peace.
That aside, the situation in Iraq, the problems in Lebanon and the battles among the Palestinian parties points to dramatic changes in the region. Reading this story confirms to me that the whole region is looking towards a new balance of power, new groups are coming to power and new alliances are challenging existing power structures. Former periods of unrest in the middle east have gone on for hundreds of years, and meant the redrawing of maps. I doubt that this period will be as long lasting, but I think that the middle east the emerges from it will be far different from the one we see today. That means that all the countries in the middle east will suffer upsets. From Iran to Saudi Arabia and even the more stable countries of Turkey and Egypt.
It is my belief, at least it is my hope that the new power structure is going to lean more towards western ideas of liberty and diversity.
Watching Those We Chose: "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes"-MARK TWAIN
Watching Those We Chose: "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes"-MARK TWAIN:
While it is true that they are operating in a war zone, that only makes the checking of sources and facts that much more important. It is stories of this nature that cause the public to mistrust the media, it is a great story to print about dead bodies found, but with the situation inside Iraq right now, they could have found some real news to cover. I know this will be spun by members of the right, as another main stream media attempt to make the Iraq war seem worse than it is. Honestly it is bad enough, that you don't need to make up stories to make it appear worse. It is probably just a lazy reporter, and editorial staff behind this though.
"This week several newspapers and agencies reported that Iraqi police had
found 20 beheaded corpses in Salman Pak, just south of Baghdad.
AFP did
not carry the report after its sources were unable to confirm the rumour.
'It now appears that the story was completely false and fabricated by
unknown sources,' a statement from the US military said."
While it is true that they are operating in a war zone, that only makes the checking of sources and facts that much more important. It is stories of this nature that cause the public to mistrust the media, it is a great story to print about dead bodies found, but with the situation inside Iraq right now, they could have found some real news to cover. I know this will be spun by members of the right, as another main stream media attempt to make the Iraq war seem worse than it is. Honestly it is bad enough, that you don't need to make up stories to make it appear worse. It is probably just a lazy reporter, and editorial staff behind this though.
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Glasgow: First obligatory media report of feared anti-Muslim backlash spotted
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Glasgow: First obligatory media report of feared anti-Muslim backlash spotted:
The strategy in Iraq, which it could be argued in based on tactics used against Israel, appears to be at work in these attacks in the UK. The tactic is that you set up attacks, that don't have the goal of killing people, as much as isolating the Muslim community. Any community that is isolated from the whole is a breeding ground for groups that want to train operatives for future and larger attacks. In Iraq the attacks by terrorists were not focused so much on death, but on the establishment of a civil war. A goal that they have reached.
With Israel, I believe the tactic is less successful. There the attacks are done in order to generate a response by the Israeli forces. Launch enough small missiles into Israel, that Israel has no other choice that to retaliate, when it does their retaliation is used as excuse for further attacks against Israel, claiming that they are defending themselves.
It is a tough tactic to counter, except that the greatest weapon we have to offer the hearts and minds that we are competing with terrorists for is freedom. Freedom, and diversity are the ideas of the west that we have to offer them, and terrorists have control, fear and hatred. If we stick to our values, the terrorists will lose.
"Muslim anger was directed at the terrorists — but also at a society some felt
singles Muslims out for scrutiny whenever there is a terrorist attack.“We are
seething with anger about this,” said Osama Saeed, Scottish spokesman for the
Muslim Association of Britain.“As a community not only are we just as likely to
be victims as anyone else, but we are also looked to in order to provide
direction and in some respects take responsibility for this,” he added.“We are
sick of being defined as a community by terrorism and having to answer for it.”"
The strategy in Iraq, which it could be argued in based on tactics used against Israel, appears to be at work in these attacks in the UK. The tactic is that you set up attacks, that don't have the goal of killing people, as much as isolating the Muslim community. Any community that is isolated from the whole is a breeding ground for groups that want to train operatives for future and larger attacks. In Iraq the attacks by terrorists were not focused so much on death, but on the establishment of a civil war. A goal that they have reached.
With Israel, I believe the tactic is less successful. There the attacks are done in order to generate a response by the Israeli forces. Launch enough small missiles into Israel, that Israel has no other choice that to retaliate, when it does their retaliation is used as excuse for further attacks against Israel, claiming that they are defending themselves.
It is a tough tactic to counter, except that the greatest weapon we have to offer the hearts and minds that we are competing with terrorists for is freedom. Freedom, and diversity are the ideas of the west that we have to offer them, and terrorists have control, fear and hatred. If we stick to our values, the terrorists will lose.
Obama tops $30 million in second quarter - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth
Obama tops $30 million in second quarter - AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth:
Though Hillary Clinton continues to lead in the polls, Obama has taken a strong lead in the money race. Money doesn't win an election by itself though, a lot of people are interested in supporting the idea of Obama, but are looking for more of a record than he has. This is where Clinton has an advantage, she has a record in the senate, and a record of working across party lines.
"ABC News' George Stephanopoulos Reports: A source close to Sen. Barack Obama,
D-Ill., says his presidential campaign raised more than $30 million during the
second quarter, which ended yesterday.
That figure tops Obama's haul
during the first quarter of the year, when he reported raising $25.8 million.
Official figures have not yet been released by Obama's rivals for the
Democratic nomination, although the campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.,
had said it expected to raise about $27 million during the quarter, and the
campaign of former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., had publicly set a goal of $9
million."
Though Hillary Clinton continues to lead in the polls, Obama has taken a strong lead in the money race. Money doesn't win an election by itself though, a lot of people are interested in supporting the idea of Obama, but are looking for more of a record than he has. This is where Clinton has an advantage, she has a record in the senate, and a record of working across party lines.
Britney's Mom: 'Everything Is Going to Be Fine' - Britney Spears, Lynne Spears : People.com
Britney's Mom: 'Everything Is Going to Be Fine' - Britney Spears, Lynne Spears : People.com:
Britney's mom says that her family will pull together and get through this hard time. I wonder if she means Britney going crazy and blaming others for her problems.
"Three days after Britney Spears handed her mother a reportedly upsetting
letter, Lynne Spears is holding out hope to mend their rift.
'Everything
is going to be fine,' she told PEOPLE while shopping in Kentwood, La. 'I've got
a strong family, and everything is going to be fine.' "
Britney's mom says that her family will pull together and get through this hard time. I wonder if she means Britney going crazy and blaming others for her problems.
Paris and Nicky Hilton: Sister Fight!
Paris and Nicky Hilton: Sister Fight!:
Is Nicky, the other Hilton sister, getting tired of the media attention that Paris gets. Reports have gone around that Nicky didn't want to return to LA for Paris's release, and only did so because their mother asked her to come back. What it looks like to me, is that Nicky is more concerned about working than Paris. I know Paris works too, but between the two, I get the impression that she is more concerned about focusing on her work, while Paris loves the media.
"Apparently, Paris and her sister Nicky have been in a big sister
fight over the last couple of days. Nicky complains and is fed up with all the
media and paparazzi attention and thinks of moving away. While vacationing in
Greece together with boyfriend David Katzenberg, Paris’ parents urge Nicky to
come back from Greece for Paris’ welcome party, however she is still
reluctant!"
Is Nicky, the other Hilton sister, getting tired of the media attention that Paris gets. Reports have gone around that Nicky didn't want to return to LA for Paris's release, and only did so because their mother asked her to come back. What it looks like to me, is that Nicky is more concerned about working than Paris. I know Paris works too, but between the two, I get the impression that she is more concerned about focusing on her work, while Paris loves the media.
Gabby Babble: What Will Daddy Say?
Gabby Babble: What Will Daddy Say?: "What Will Daddy Say? "
What the hell are these two doing together... I don't think I even want to know.
celebrity nation: A royal ruse?
celebrity nation: A royal ruse?:
A couple things about this. I think if you are going grant the media the right to pursue celebrities private lives, I think that celebrities are entitled to attempt trickery to throw them off the scent.
As for if this young couple never did split. It makes sense that they would attempt to make the press believe that they broke up. I don't know enough about them to guess if they are dating, or if they ever broke up. I guess we will have to watch and see how it develops.
"After appearing at this weekend's Concert Diana (though they didn't sit
together), Prince William and Kate Middleton once again have royal watchers
wondering if their recently announced breakup was all a ruse. A veteran royal
follower told Page Six that Wills and Middleton never actually split. 'Their
closest friends believe it was all a ruse to get Britain's voracious tabloid
press off Kate's back,' the source said, especially in light of the rampant
rumors of an imminent engagement announcement. "
A couple things about this. I think if you are going grant the media the right to pursue celebrities private lives, I think that celebrities are entitled to attempt trickery to throw them off the scent.
As for if this young couple never did split. It makes sense that they would attempt to make the press believe that they broke up. I don't know enough about them to guess if they are dating, or if they ever broke up. I guess we will have to watch and see how it develops.
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