BREAKING: Money doesn't buy happiness

BREITBART.COM - Money really doesn't buy happiness, study finds: "Money doesn't buy happiness, and now there's a study to prove it. Australian researchers found that people in well-off Sydney are among the most miserable in the country, while those in some of the poorest areas are much more satisfied with their lives.

'Only at very, very high levels does money actually have any impact to act as a buffer,' said Deakin University researcher Liz Eckerman.

'Money doesn't actually buy happiness and that's what was shown very clearly for the nearly 23,000 people we've interviewed so far,' she told ABC radio.

The findings, collated since 2001, show that while there are no extremes of well-being in Australia, the happiest areas had a lower population, more people aged 55 or over, more women, more married people and less income inequality."

Haha, aren't the results just SHOCKING.
I do like this saying though:
Money doesn't buy happiness, but sure lets you pick your own form of misery.
:D

The Iran roundup

Telegraph | News | US prepares military blitz against Iran's nuclear sites: "Strategists at the Pentagon are drawing up plans for devastating bombing raids backed by submarine-launched ballistic missile attacks against Iran's nuclear sites as a 'last resort' to block Teheran's efforts to develop an atomic bomb.
...
They are reporting to the office of Donald Rumsfeld, the defence secretary, as America updates plans for action if the diplomatic offensive fails to thwart the Islamic republic's nuclear bomb ambitions. Teheran claims that it is developing only a civilian energy programme.

'This is more than just the standard military contingency assessment,' said a senior Pentagon adviser. 'This has taken on much greater urgency in recent months.'
...
The most likely strategy would involve aerial bombardment by long-distance B2 bombers, each armed with up to 40,000lb of precision weapons, including the latest bunker-busting devices. They would fly from bases in Missouri with mid-air refuelling.

The Bush administration has recently announced plans to add conventional ballistic missiles to the armoury of its nuclear Trident submarines within the next two years. If ready in time, they would also form part of the plan of attack."

Nuclear Missles: Untold millions in reaserch.
B2-Bomber: 27.5 million
The ability to fight a 3 front war with the US Military: Priceless.

In other news...

Bandkokpost
"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday that the Palestinians and "other nations" will eventually remove Israel from the region.

Addressing a mass demonstration in Tehran - one of many organized throughout Iran to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the Islamic revolution - he once again questioned the Holocaust "fairy tale".

"We ask the West to remove what they created sixty years ago and if they do not listen to our recommendations, then the Palestinian nation and other nations will eventually do this for them," Ahmadinejad said in a ceremony marking the 27th anniversary of the Islamic revolution.

"Do the removal of Israel before it is too late and save yourself from the fury of regional nations," the ultra-conservative president said. He once again called the Holocaust a "fairy tale" and said Europeans have become hostages of "Zionists" in Israel.

He also accused Europeans for not allowing "neutral scholars" to investigate in Europe and make a scientific report on "the truth about the fairy tale of Holocaust."

"How comes that insulting the prophet of Muslims worldwide is justified within the framework of press freedom, but investigating about the fairy tale Holocaust is not?" Ahmadinejad said. "

Yeah, maybe there is a really really good reason to prepare for war on Iran.
Seems like they've already declared war on our greatest ally.
(Tied with Britian, I might add)

Common Sense - How Not to Behave at a Funeral

FOXNews.com - Your World w/ Neil Cavuto - Common Sense - How Not to Behave at a Funeral: "All I know is that when you walk into a church or a synagogue, you aren't a Democrat or a Republican, a conservative or a liberal. You're a human being, there to remember another human being."

Something Jimmy Carter forgot at Mrs. Kings funneral.

Frist lines up hard Right on Iran, Security

KCTV5 - Frist says military action a posssibility against Iran: "The United States has long advocated Security Council action against Iran, including possible political and economic sanctions, which have not yet occurred.

Asked whether Congress had the political will to use military force against Iran if necessary, First said: 'The answer is yes, absolutely.'

'We cannot allow Iran to become a nuclear nation,' Frist told reporters at the Missouri GOP's annual Lincoln Days conference. 'We need to use diplomatic sanctions. If that doesn't work, economic sanctions, and if that doesn't work, the potential for military use has to be on the table.'

Frist also defended a program in President Bush's administration that allowed the government to eavesdrop, without warrants, on international calls and e-mails in the United States that were believed to be terrorist-related."

Glad Bush has the backing of the congress, at least in the Republican side of things.

Gone!

Hey,
The staff at Pushing Back the Frontiers of Ignorance will be absent for the weekend.

Superbowl pick: Seahawks

Iran's message to the west: back off or we retaliate!!!!!!!

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Iran's message to the west: back off or we retaliate: "Iran's foreign minister yesterday threatened immediate retaliation over a move to refer its nuclear weapons activities to the United Nations security council in comments which deepen his country's confrontation with the international community.

In an interview with the Guardian - his first with western media - Manouchehr Mottaki accused the US of manufacturing the crisis and insisted there was still time to avoid a collision. But he warned that any military action by the US or Israel against Iran would have 'severe consequences' and would be countered 'by all means' at Iran's disposal."

Yeah, saber rattling is a great way to look for peace, esspessially when no one in there right mind would trust you. Nor should they, after you claim the Holocaust never happened.

The Oscars: Into the garbage with'em

BREITBART.COM - 'Brokeback Mountain' Gets 8 Oscar Nods: "The cowboy love story 'Brokeback Mountain' led the Academy Awards field Tuesday with eight nominations, among them best picture and honors for actor Heath Ledger and director Ang Lee.

Also nominated for best picture were the Truman Capote story 'Capote'; the ensemble drama 'Crash'; the Edward R. Murrow chronicle 'Good Night, and Good Luck'; and the assassination thriller 'Munich.'"

So, this brings to mind some questions:
1. WHERE IS THE #1 GROSSING MOVIE OF 2005, Revenge of the Sith?
2. WHERE IS The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?
3. WHERE IS Batman Begins?
4. Munich was loathful, both in action, plot, and the murky waters of philosophy, so why is it listed?

The answers to 1, & 2 are found here:
" The year's biggest hit, "Star Wars: Episode III _ Revenge of the Sith," earned only one nomination (for makeup) _ but was shut out otherwise _ including the visual-effects category, a blow to George Lucas and his Industrial Light & Magic outfit that has pioneered special effects. The visual effects nominees were "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," "King Kong," and Spielberg "War of the Worlds.""

The answer to 3 is nowhere, Batman Begins isn't even in the article. The stories that get the awards are the ones that are not a fight between Good and Evil, nor the fight for survival(War of the Worlds, where Dakota Fanning should seriously be up for an Oscar), but the fight to cheat against your wife so you can make out with another guy.
Noble stuff going on at the oscars.

This is a disgrace, and the self serving awards given to liberals by liberals does nothing to help them win the box office. Wonder why the sales were down this year? Maybe it was because aside from about 3 or 4 movies all year, NOTHING WAS WORTH PAYING $9 TO SEE. If ya'll would get your act together and actually support the films that make money, then maybe you would see a reversal of the trend.
But as of now, it appears you are reaching deeper into the ceespool of immorality to try and save your industry, rather then backing-up your successful movies.


--------------------------------------------------------


But aside from all that, God Bless America. It's a great day, we haven't been hit by terrorists in well nigh 4 years, our economy is sky rocketing, and despite what the liberals are trying to do, we are taking back the US judicial system, one judge at a time.
God Bless America, and God bless W as he delivers his speech tonight.

Congress messes with Wikipedia

Lowell Sun Online - Home

Ya know wikipedia, the online encyclopedia anyone can edit? Well, it appears that some congressmen have been altering there records online to appear more favorable for them, and negative for their political opponents, like Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor "smells of cow dung."

Creeps.

Semper Fi- The US economy

Only once in the history of the US have we entered a depression. Many times, we have entered recessions. But the outcome of these is always the same: The US comes out stronger, bigger, and more powerful then ever before. It's remarkable really, how freedom works that way. Recently, we were in a recession. The tax raises and increased regulations of the Clinton years finally were able to reach out and grab the Reagan economy, and we entered a recession as Clinton and his staffers were taking the 'W's off the White House keyboards. Bush took office, and cut taxes for the workers and the corporations. The result? A quick exit from a recession. Then, September 11 hit, and the economy took another dive. What helped turn us Back into Black? General Motors, and Bush and the republican congress sustaining the tax cuts, rather then creating another 'New Deal'.

So what's the story now?
- Size of the US Economy: $12.5 trillion.
- Unemployment rate: 4.9%. (Germany, by contrast was at 12.6% last year)
- Lower Unemployment rate then in the 70's, the 80's, and the 90's.
- The US averaged a net increase of 200,000 jobs each month in 2005.
- Effect of the Bush Tax Cuts: 4.5 million more workers then in March of '03
- Hourly Wages increased 3.1% over the year.
- Total American household networth: $51 trillion.
- Effect of Bush Tax cuts: That is nearly double the total worth in 1995.
- Median Household worth: $100,000
- Economic Growth: 3.5-4%, nearly double that of Europe. Astounding, considering that there were 8 interest hikes by the Federal Reserve, 3 devastating hurricanes, record oil prices and a constant barrage of negativity by the media.
- Inflation is a trifling 2.4%, one of the lowest rates in the civilized world.
- The Dow passed 11,000 this month, nearing the record high of 11, 750 in 2000.

And the democrats response? Denial.
"The American dream is slipping further from their[Americans] grasp, and they know the reality is that this economy is not delivering for middle-class families. Middle-class Americans paychecks are flat or dropping, while health care costs continue to rise and home heating costs are skyrocketing..."
-Nancy Pelosi, (D, CA).

The Sky is blue, the sun is shining, and the US is again surging into the lead of the world economy.
Have a nice day.

Clinton to support Alito filibuster

Clinton to support Alito filibuster -- Newsday.com: "WASHINGTON -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday announced she'll join potential 2008 presidential rival John Kerry in voting to filibuster against Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, just as top Democratic leaders predicted the effort is likely doomed.

With three Democratic senators pledging support for Alito, the New Jersey conservative seems virtually assured of being confirmed by the full Senate Monday or Tuesday, party leaders predicted Friday. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters in Washington that 'everyone knows' Senate Democrats couldn't muster the 40 votes needed to support a last-ditch filibuster."

Yes, she is a liberal.

Observations

Hey,

President Bush was sworn into office in 2001. The New England Patriots wont he super bowl that year. Then the Pats were knocked out in the AFC Championship by the Oakland Raiders (From California, which is incidentally rather liberal), who went on to be clobbered by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a battle of the Pirates.
The next year, the Patriots roared back into the superbowl, and won.
The next year, the Patriots again went to the Super bowl, and won.
The next year, the Patriots were riddled with injures, but surged back to take their division, and make the divisional round of the playoffs.

Seems to me, that since Bush won, the Patriots have been winning.

Miner coming out of Coma

Survivor of Mine Explosion Out of Coma - Yahoo! News: "The sole survivor of the Sago Mine disaster that killed 12 men was able to respond to simple commands and follow movements with his eyes after emerging from a light coma, his doctor said.
ADVERTISEMENT

Randal McCloy Jr., 26, still could not speak but was able to chew and swallow soft foods, said Dr. Larry Roberts at Ruby Memorial Hospital on Wednesday. McCloy had been in the coma since his Jan. 4 rescue.

Roberts said McCloy continues to show slight neurological improvement each day.

'The family obviously is thrilled with Randy's constant progress,' said Aly Goodwin Gregg, the family's spokeswoman. 'They remain optimistic about his continued recovery and they recognize how long the recovery process is going to take.'"

Yay!

Disney To Buy Pixar For $7.4 Billion

Disney To Buy Pixar For $7.4 Billion: "The Walt Disney Co on Tuesday said it has agreed to acquire Pixar Animation Studios in a $7.4 billion all-stock transaction that brings the leader in computer animation under the banner of the world's most famous name in cartoons.
Under the agreement, expected to close this summer, Pixar Chief Executive Steve Jobs will join Disney's board of directors.

'The price tag is a little more than people were expecting,' said McAlpine Associates analyst Dennis McAlpine.

Disney locked up the creative talents of Pixar by installing Pixar's president and co-founder, Ed Catmull, as president of the combined Pixar and Disney animation studios, and Pixar's creative director John Lasseter as chief creative officer of the combined animation studios.

'The addition of Pixar significantly enhances Disney animation, which is a critical creative engine for driving growth across our businesses,' Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said in a statement announcing the deal."

Wow... 4.7 billion is a LOT. 7.4 billion is like INCREDIBLE!
Steve Jobs is taking over the world. First Apple, now a controling intrest in Disney/Pixar.
Hmm. Does this also mean no more Chicken Littles?

Abortion Ban in South Dakota?

KELOLAND.COM: News, Weather and Sports for Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa: "In the next six weeks, South Dakota lawmakers will decide whether to make abortion a crime.

A bill that would ban abortion in the state will be introduced within the next two days.

The bill will be called the Woman's Health and Life Protection Act. It will ban abortion, but won't prosecute a doctor who performs one to save a woman's life.

And the lawmaker who's introducing the bill says he thinks now is the right time to try and over-turn Roe vs Wade.

Rep. Roger Hunt says, 'Abortion should be banned.'"

Yay! It takes some place from the middle of Red State Nation to start this, but at least it's a start.

Tom Dacshle: How did you manage to get elected so many times from this state?

Walter Wiliams: Attacking lobbyists wrong battle

WorldNetDaily: Attacking lobbyists wrong battle: "Let's start this analysis with a question. Why do corporations, unions and other interest groups fork over millions of dollars to the campaign coffers of politicians? Is it because these groups are extraordinarily civic-minded Americans who have a deep interest in congressmen doing their jobs of upholding and defending the U.S. Constitution? Might it be that these groups and their Washington-based lobby arms, numbering in the thousands, just love participating in the political process? Anyone answering in the affirmative to either question probably also believes that storks deliver babies and there really is an Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.

A much better explanation for the millions going to the campaign coffers of Washington politicians lies in the awesome growth of government control over business, property, employment and other areas of our lives. Having such power, Washington politicians are in the position to grant favors. The greater their power to grant favors, the greater the value of being able to influence Congress, and there's no better influence than money.

The generic favor sought is to get Congress, under one ruse or another, to grant a privilege or right to one group of Americans that will be denied another group of Americans. A variant of this privilege is to get Congress to do something that would be criminal if done privately.

Here's just one among possibly thousands of examples. If Archer Daniels Midland used goons and violence to stop people from buying sugar from Caribbean producers so that sugar prices would rise, making it easier for ADM to sell more of its corn syrup sweetener, they'd wind up in jail. If they line the coffers of congressmen, they can buy the same result without risking imprisonment.

Congress simply does the dirty work for them by enacting sugar import quotas and tariffs... "

Excellent article on why we're having these problesm with corruption. Quite simply, it's because the congress has to much power.

Justice Dept. accuses 11 of US eco-terrorism - The Boston Globe

Justice Dept. accuses 11 of US eco-terrorism - The Boston Globe: "WASHINGTON -- Justice Department officials yesterday hailed the indictment of 11 alleged members of an extremist group responsible for a string of property attacks across the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies as a ''substantial blow' to domestic terrorists bent on using violence to protect the environment and animal rights.

A 65-count indictment unsealed yesterday describes the 11 defendants as members of a group that claimed affiliation with the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front, two loose-knit movements the government describes as eco-terrorists. The government accuses the group of committing 17 attacks across five states, causing millions of dollars in damage to property.

''The indictment tells a story of 4 1/2 years of arson, vandalism, violence, and destruction claimed to have been executed on behalf of the Animal Liberation Front or Earth Liberation Front, extremist movements known to support acts of domestic terrorism,' Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said.

Eco-terrorism is sabotage to stop activities considered by activists to be damaging to the environment or animals, such as real estate development, fur farming, logging, mining, and biomedical research and product testing on animals. The FBI estimates that eco-terrorists were responsible for 1,200 incidents from 1994 to 2004, including arson, theft, animal releases, and other vandalism."

Harmless tree huggers, they are not.

Obama Backs Clinton's Criticism of GOP

Obama Backs Clinton's Criticism of GOP: "WASHINGTON -- Sen. Barack Obama and other black Democrats are defending Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's description of the House of Representatives as a 'plantation.' First lady Laura Bush says Clinton's remark was 'ridiculous.'

Clinton, D-N.Y., a potential presidential candidate for 2008, did not retreat from the 'plantation' remark, telling reporters the term accurately describes the 'top-down' way the GOP runs Congress.

Obama said Wednesday he felt her choice of words referred to a "consolidation of power" in Washington that squeezes out the voters.

The Illinois senator told CNN's "American Morning" he believed that Clinton was merely expressing concern that special interests play such a large role in writing legislation that "the ordinary voter and even members of Congress who aren't in the majority party don't have much input.""

MY EYE, That is NOT what she meant, and Obama is defending these remarks? Yeah, he is definatly a front runner for president!

Strangely Normal: Listen Up, and Listen Hard

Strangely Normal: Listen Up, and Listen Hard
"Do you hear it yet? It's the sound of Liberals ignoring religious zealotry, intolerance, and a breach of the Separation of Church and State! I'm presently waiting for them to work themselves into an uproar, but so far, I've heard nothing."

NeoFascist? has a great post on mayor Ray Nagin's comments.

Undeniable Truths in Life: A Recap

A Recap of the series.

#1: There is a distinct singular American culture - rugged individualism and self-reliance - which made America great.

#2: The vast majority of the rich in this country did not inherit their wealth; they earned it. They are the country's achievers, producers, and job creators.

#3: No nation has ever taxed itself into prosperity.

#4: Evidence refutes liberalism.

#5: There is no such thing as a New Democrat.

#6: The Earth's eco-system is not fragile.

#7: Character matters; leadership descends from character.

#8: The most beautiful thing about a tree is what you do with it after you cut it down.

#9: Ronald Reagan was the greatest president of the twentieth century.

#10: The 1980s was not a decade of greed but a decade of prosperity - it was the longest period of peacetime growth in American history.

#11: Poverty is not the root ("rut") cause of crime.

#12: There's a simple way to solve the crime problem: obey the law; punish those who do not.

#13: If you commit a crime, you are guilty.

#14: Women should not be allowed on juries where the accused is a stud.

#15: The way to improve schools is not more money. It's introduction of moral and spiritual values, as well as the "4 R's": reading, 'riting, 'rithmatic, and Rush.

#16: There is a God.

#17: There is something wrong when critics say the problem with America is too much religion.

#18: Morality is not defined by individual choice.

#19: The only way liberals win national elections is by pretending they're not liberals.

#20: Feminism was established as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society.

#21: Follow the money. When somebody says, "It's not the money," it's always the money.

#22: Liberals attempt through judicial activism what they cannot win at the ballot box.

#23: Using federal dollars as a measure, our cities have not been neglected, but poisoned with welfare dependency funds.

#24: Progress is not striving for economic justice or fairness, but economic growth.

#25: Liberals measure compassion by how many people are given welfare. Conservatives measure compassion by how many people no longer need it.

#26: Compassion is no substitute for justice.

#27: The culture war is between the winners and those who think they're losers who want to become winners. The losers think the only way they can become winners is by banding together all the losers and then empowering a leader of the losers to make things right for them.

#28: The Los Angeles riots were not caused by the Rodney King verdict. The Los Angeles riots were caused by rioters.

#29: You could afford your house without your government - if it weren't for your government.

#30: Words mean things.

#31: Too many Americans can't laugh at themselves anymore.

#32: Peace does not mean the absence of war.

#33: War is not obsolete

#34: Ours is a world governed by the aggressive use of force.

#35: There is only one way to get rid of nuclear weapons - use them.

#36: Communism Kills

#37: Neither the US, nor anyone, imposes freedom on peoples of other nations.

#38: Freedom is God given

#39: To free peoples, peace means the absence of threats and the presence of justice.

#40: The Peace Movement in the US - whether by accident or design - is pro-Communist.

#41: The collective knowledge and wisdom of seasoned citizens is the most valuable - yet untapped - resource our young-people have.

#42: Abortion is wrong

#43: Evolution cannot explain Creation.

#44: Abe Lincoln saved this nation.

#45: The US will again go to war.

Why we fight

After a year and a half of hearing that we went to "War for Oil" and that Bush just had a gripe because his father was beat, I'd like to review some of the reasons we went to war.
Below: A concurrent timeline, if you will.

End of the Persian Gulf War: We signed a cease fire with Iraq, and established a No Fly zone, I believe in southern Iraq, which was maintained by the US Air Force.

The next 14 years:
1. While on our air superiority missions, US pilots were shot at nearly 1000 times by the Iraq Army.
CNN: "U.S. and British aircraft monitor the northern and southern no-fly zones, which were put in place following the 1991 Persian Gulf War as part of an effort to prevent the Iraqi government of President Saddam Hussein from persecuting the minority Shiite Muslims in the south and the Kurdish population in northern Iraq.

There have been more than 900 separate incidents of Iraqi surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery fire directed at coalition aircraft since December 1998, including more than 275 in this calendar year, the Pentagon said last month."
Obviously, this was a blatant violation of the Cease fire agreement signed at the end of the war, and in and of itself, would be justification for renew hostilities.

2. Iraq repeatedly ignored the 12(or more) UN sanctions on weapons, and without any reprimands on the part of the UN.
WCQ"However, ten years after the end of the Gulf War Saddam Hussein is still defiant to UN resolutions demanding a halt to his nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons production. "

As the sanctions were a part of the cease-fire, this in and of itself was also complete justification for a renewal of the conflict.

3. Saddam ordered the mass murder of Kurdish partisans with chemical weapons, killing thousands.
Physicians for Human Rights "Eyewitnesses have said that Iraqi warplanes dropped three clusters each of four bombs on the village of Birjinni on August 25, 1988. Observers recall seeing a plume of black, then yellowish smoke, followed by a not-unpleasant odor similar to fertilizer, and also a smell like rotten garlic. Shortly afterwards, villagers began to have trouble breathing, their eyes watered, their skin blistered, and many vomited--some of whom died. All of these symptoms are consistent with a poison gas attack.

"These scientific results prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Iraqi government has consistently lied to the world on denying that these attacks occurred," said PHR and HRW. "They also send a clear signal that chemical weapons attacks cannot be launched in the belief that the natural elements will quickly cover up the evidence.""

Saddam gasses an innocent village because their religion disagrees with his. This was a violent and obvious example of his human rights violations, which if not justification for war, is a sure path to grievous discipline from the west.

4. It is extremelyhard to believe that Iraq had no terrorist connections. A rouge Islamic regime that hated both Israel, the United States, and to a lesser extent, the free nations of Europe would be looking for allies, and Al-Queda and other groups would fit the bill.

5. The WMD's existed, and a nuclear program was in effect.
NewsMax, August 5, 2004 "Saddam Hussein had an active nuclear weapons development program at the time of the U.S. invasion in March 2003, chief U.S. weapons inspector Charles Duelfer has told Congress.

In comments that received virtually no press coverage in the United States, Duelfer testified that Iraq was "preserving and expanding its knowledge to design and develop nuclear weapons." One Iraqi laboratory "was intentionally focused on research applicable for nuclear weapons development," the top weapons inspector said.
Saddam was able to use Oil-for-Food to boost his military procurement budget to $500 million annually &$0150; a 100-fold increase from 1996 to 2003.

Most of the recent nuclear research took place at Iraq's notorious al Tuwaitha weapons facility, where Saddam had stockpiled over 500 tons of yellow cake uranium ore since before the first Gulf War.

Iraq was also in talks with North Korea on the possibility of importing a 1,300 km missile system, the ISG chief revealed. Foreign missile experts were working in Iraq in defiance of U.N. sanctions, and had helped Iraq redesign the al-Samoud missile."

However, due to the 8 month build-up to the war, plenty of time was provided to smuggle the weapons into Syria or Turkey, or possibly to a terrorist group based in Saudi Arabia.
While the media made this single subject the focus of the war, there were other reasons we renewed hostilities, and any one of them would have been a justified reason. Whether it was the defiance the the US and UK, and the more then 900 times they fired on us, or the continual violation of the sanctions out lined in the agreement, or the numerous civil rights violations, or the hatred for America, the War on Terror in Iraq is the right place for the United States to be.

EDIT: This post is continued in the second part.

Tuscon considers ‘red-tagging’ problem houses

JournalStar.com: "The idea was suggested by Ed Caudill, a 21-year North Bottoms resident and neighborhood activist who hopes to reduce the parties, litter and noise in his neighborhood, where the many small, old rental houses are popular with University of Nebraska-Lincoln students.

Caudill got the idea from Tucson, Ariz., where police have the authority to stick red tags on what are considered disorderly houses — or properties where five or more people are gathered or where there’s excessive noise, traffic, obstruction of streets, littering, public drinking, fighting, disturbing the peace or minors drinking alcohol.

The warnings must stay posted for 180 days. If a tag is taken down, the tenants are fined. If there are any subsequent violations within the next 180 days, police can cite and fine everyone from property owners to tenants and party guests."

If that isn't a personal property violation, I don't know what is. Your having a private gathering that is not breaking the law, and then alls it would take is just some grouchy neighbor complaining about noise, then your house is stuck with a sticker for 6 MONTHS, saying "NOTICE OF UNRULY GATHERING". Then after your time is up, you can use “a gallon of gasoline and a razor blade” to take it off.


If the city enacts this, they should change there slogan to "Welcome to tuscon, where the Soviets live on."

local6.com - News - Family: Man Died After Ducking Flying Shrimp

local6.com - News - Family: Man Died After Ducking Flying Shrimp: "A shrimp a hibachi chef tossed at a man eating at a Japanese steakhouse ultimately led to the diner's death, his family claims in a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against the restaurant chain Benihana.

Jerry Colaitis wrenched his neck when he ducked to avoid the shrimp in the chain's Munsey Park restaurant, attorney Andre Ferenzo said in opening statements Wednesday.

Months after the January 2001 incident, the 43-year-old Long Island man died from complications caused by neck surgery he required afterward, the lawyer said."

Talk about frivilous lawsuits...

Hannah Beth of Sold Out said "HE was the one who wrenched his neck, not the chef or the shrimp"

It's weird to think of shrimp wrenching peoples necks.

Alito hearings

Audio from the Rush Limbaugh Program of the Hearings

Mostly Ted Kennedy, and some Arlan Specter, and a little Alito.

The last couple of days, Arlan Specter and Lindsay Grahm have earned my graditute for standing up and being decent republican senators.

Iran defies UN to break seals at nuclear plant

FT.com / World / Middle East & Africa - Iran defies UN to break seals at nuclear plant: "Iran on Tuesday precipitated a fresh crisis over its nuclear programme by removing UN seals at a facility in the town of Natanz and announcing that it would begin research involving nuclear enrichment – which can produce weapons grade material.

The move prompted immediate criticism from the US and Iran’s European negotiating partners, placing the country on a collision course with the west after more than two years of fruitless talks between Tehran and the EU.

Iran’s step towards resuming its nuclear activities broke a “red line” that the EU has been insisting on ever since it reached a deal with Iran under which Tehran put the core activities of its nuclear programme on hold pending talks to deepen political and economic ties."

Diplomacy through strength is the only way for diplomacy to work. Even idiotic religious zelots like Tehran would stop and think for a minute if a serious threat was presented to him.

If we continue on this path, we will probably be waging a war in Iran within 5 years.

Dems make women cry!

DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2006®: "“After three full days of attacks against her husband’s character, Mrs. Alito had enough. Democrat behavior during this hearing has not only been wrong, it’s been embarrassing. Ted Kennedy is nothing but a bully.”

Yup. And Biden and shumer are idiots also. Out of Joe Biden's 30 minutes of questioning, Alito spoke for a woppin 5 minutes.

Army Meets Recruiting Goal 7th month straight.

Army Meets December Recruiting Goal | ajc.com: "The Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps also exceeded their monthly recruiting goals — which were all two to three times the Army's number. All four military services also met or exceeded their reenlistment goals for the month.

According to the Pentagon, the Army recruited 741 soldiers in December, 6 percent more than its goal. The Navy recruited 2,022, just 1 percent more than its goal; the Air Force recruited 2,209, also 1 percent more than its goal; and the Marine Corps recruited 1,717, 6 percent more than its goal.

Four of the military reserves met or exceeded their recruitment goals. The Navy Reserve and the Air National Guard have been routinely falling short of their targets in recent months."

So while the army has had problems recuiting earlier this year, they appear to have there ducks in a row now.
The Navy, which has been promising to 'accelerate your life' has hit it's targets, the Air force, which has using the strategy of 'Cross into the blue', and the US Marine Corp has been continueing with the tradition of excellence line. These seem to be working wonderfully. Perhaps the 'Army of One' Strategy isn't? I like the 'Be all you can be' one better.

Mexico: illegals should not be treated like felons!

BREITBART.COM - Mexico Demands U.S. Allow More Immigration: "Diplomats from Mexico and Central America on Monday demanded guest worker programs and the legalization of undocumented migrants in the United States, while criticizing a U.S. proposal for tougher border enforcement.

Meeting in Mexico's capital, the regional officials pledged to do more to fight migrant trafficking, but indirectly condemned a U.S. bill that would make illegal entry a felony and extend border walls.

'Migrants, regardless of their migratory status, should not be treated like criminals,' they said."

We have laws for a reason, ya know. Down in mexico, I know they don't mean much, mostly because the drug lords run the country. But up here in america, they do mean something, and so were going to start enforceing our laws.
Deal with it, Mr. Fox, and how about we STOP publishing the panflets that encourage illegal immigration to the US.

Utah Theater Cancels 'Brokeback Mountain'

BREITBART.COM - Utah Theater Cancels 'Brokeback Mountain'

Yay! Perverted films shouldn't have the space on the silver screen.

FOXNews.com - Politics - Democrats Hope to Capitalize in Congress in 2006

FOXNews.com - Politics - Democrats Hope to Capitalize in Congress in 2006: "WASHINGTON — Democrats hope the stars are aligned for a big victory in the 2006 mid-term elections, saying more than astrology is on their side — recent Capitol Hill scandals and wavering popularity of President Bush is helping to boost their chances for a congressional takeover.

'We're in a very strong position right now,' said Phil Singer, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. 'We're poised to make gains.'

Winning a majority of the House or Senate would be unlikely based on the current numbers, say most political observers. Still, Democrats are riding a growing wave of disenchantment with Republicans in Washington.

Nonpartisans say they also are seeing the donkey braying in the crystal ball.

'Right now, more than 10 months before the mid-term election, Democrats have a good chance of gaining seats in both houses of Congress,' said Larry Sabato."

Ooook. Right... I do believe it takes more then the suffering of the other side to come ahead and win, perhaps it takes a plan. A plan for anything aside from the "Impeach Bush" crowd would be new, and thats what is required for victory.

Michael Barone: The Wal-Mart model (1/9/06)

USNews.com: Michael Barone: The Wal-Mart model (1/9/06): "The American economy continues to surge ahead, though you won't read much about it in mainstream media. Economic growth in the third quarter was 4.1 percent--despite Hurricane Katrina!--the 10th consecutive quarter with growth over 3 percent. Unemployment is 5.0 percent--lower than the average for the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s. Since April 2003 the economy has created a net 5.1 million new jobs. Core inflation is only 2.1 percent, and gas prices, which surged above $3 a gallon after Katrina, are now down around $2. Productivity growth for the five-year period of 2000-2005 is 3.4 percent, the highest of any five-year period in 50 years.

This is a remarkable performance and owes something surely to the Bush tax cuts and to Alan Greenspan's stewardship at the Federal Reserve. But it also tells us something broader about the American economy. Mainstream media coverage about the economy tends to be full of bad news, especially during Republican administrations, and to focus on economic problems. But over the longer term the story of the American economy is one of success. A quarter century ago many economic commentators said that the era of low-inflation, high-job-creation economic growth was over. In the ensuing 25 years it has come to be the norm."

An excellent column on why the "dynamic" buisness model is succeding, and the "static" buisness model is failing. Wal-Mart is a dynamic buisness, shifting to fit the market place every day. GM is a static buisness, and has a very difficult time reacting.
Highly recomended reading.

Rovers Still Exploring Mars After 2 Years - Yahoo! News

Rovers Still Exploring Mars After 2 Years - Yahoo! News: "LOS ANGELES - The warranty expired long ago on
NASA's twin robots motoring around Mars. These two golf cart-sized vehicles were only expected to last three months.
ADVERTISEMENT

In two years, they have traveled a total of seven miles. Not impressed? Try keeping your car running in a climate where the average temperature is 67 below zero and where dust devils can reach 100 mph.

'These rovers are living on borrowed time. We're so past warranty on them,' says Steven Squyres of Cornell University, the Mars mission's principal researcher. 'You try to push them hard every day because we're living day-to-day.'

This mission is the first time any probe has extensively rolled across Mars, whose rocky landscape is a dangerous place for man-made objects to settle and roam.

There have been four previous Mars landings that succeeded. Of those, NASA's stationary Viking 1 lander operated the longest, from 1976 to 1982. NASA's Sojourner was the first rover, but it stayed close to its Pathfinder lander.

Spirit and Opportunity parachuted to opposite ends of Mars. Spirit landed in Gusev Crater, a 90-mile-wide depression south of the Martian equator. Opportunity followed three weeks later, touching down on Meridiani Planum on the other side of the planet.

In two years, Spirit has traveled over three miles and beamed back 70,000 images including self-portraits and panoramas of the rust-colored planet's surface. Opportunity has driven over four miles and transmitted more than 58,000 images"

Sounds like a great investment for NASA, and the US. Can you imagine trying to drive one of these things? Each movement requireing about 4 minutes to comunicate, and your visuals are 4 minutes behind what is acctually happening... Just incredible that we can that.

Alito is "not going to be the well-manicured nominee"

Alito Team Says He Lacks Polish, But Grit Is a Plus - New York Times: "WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 - As Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. enters his final week of dress rehearsals for his Supreme Court confirmation hearings, participants say his performance has already made one thing clear: he will never be as polished and camera-ready as Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. was at his own hearings a few months ago.

'He is not going to be the well-manicured nominee,' said one participant in the rehearsals, known as murder boards, at which Republican lawyers have played the roles of interrogating senators. 'That is not to say it is going to be worse. It is just going to be different.'

How Judge Alito will come off before the panel of senators and television cameras is an unknown in the politics of his confirmation. Senators of both parties have said it will not be easy to follow Chief Justice Roberts, about whom Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, said 'they retired the trophy' for an outstanding performance by a judicial nominee.

And some Democrats said they already had much more pointed questions waiting for Judge Alito, focusing mainly on strongly worded statements that he made as lawyer in the Reagan administration about his conservative approach to the Constitution, abortion rights and other issues. Leading Democratic senators have said his responses will be a deciding factor in whether they seek to block the nomination by filibustering.

But two of Judge Alito's supporters who participated in the murder boards, speaking about the confidential sessions on condition of anonymity for fear of White House reprisals, said they emerged convinced that his demeanor was a political asset because it gave him an Everyman appeal.

'He will have a couple hairs out of place,' one participant said. 'I am not sure his glasses fit his facial features. He might not we"

Should be fun to watch him respond to Ted Kennedy, after a 5 minute blather time.

The Absolute Worst Moments of 2005

Well, 2005 is come and gone. Before we say goodbye, however, let's look back at some of the worst moments of this year whose absence is far from missed (IMO):

Terri Schiavo: Innocent Life snuffed out by starvation. Of all the things to have happen in america, this is the absolute worst of 2005. What went on then was murder, and what's worse, governmentally sanctioned murder(in a manner of speaking). Well, perhaps that isn't fair, as Bush told them to stop killing Terri, but that judge in Florida (Well, that's the answer right there) went against him and the Feds. And he hasn't been removed from office yet, as far as I know. Well, this new year is still young...

Hurricane Coverage Much of the coverage of Hurricane Katrina was soooo over blown, includingthe reports of murder and rape in the super dome, that it created a self repeating new cycle, giving us an endless barrage of events that did not happen much at all. "But they did happen," the media will say, "And Bush and the folks at FEMA should all be lynched for letting these things happen! Only then can justice be done! YEARGH!!!" Wrong. What do you expect when you get lots of people from Mardi Grasville in a big concrete bowl? All manner of chaos, that's what.

Michael Jackson AUGH!!! Gross miscariage of justice!!! Geraldo should be walking around clean-shaven right now! The guy was guilty as sin(this time AND the last time), and they let him get off! Well, at least he's doing us a favor and staying out of the country (but not before treating the jurors to barbaque at Neverland after the trial!)

Democrat Anti-War retorhic Well, this isn't exactly new, is it? It's still a tub of malarky and still worth mentioning. Here's some pro-war retorhic to counter it(the first of 2006!): Nobody wants war. Nobody wants soldiers to die. The difference between the "pro-war" folks and the "anti-war" folks is that we actually have the guts to go to war for our beliefs. They say actions speak louder than words, and the actions of our soldiers trump the Dem's words big time.

Hurricanes Yeah, there were a lot of those(Didn't we get down to Gamma?). Fortunately not very many of them hit the US, and those that did, well, at least we've cleaned up(mostly).

Government response to Steriods in Major League Baseball Argh! More government interfering with the private sector! Yeah, I know it's a big deal and all of that, but there were many more important things going on at that time which deserved more attention, such as,

Anti- Minute Men Project efforts and retorhic The Minute Men were most effective at what they did, which was defending our borders. However, the Dems saw fit to demonize them(as did the Mexican government, who labeled them racists. The thing is, they would have stopped people of any race coming through our borders ILLEGALLY). I do wish that the Minute Men would return and go all over our southern borders. It certainly would make ME feel as if we were actually DOING SOMETHING ABOUT OUR ABSTRACT, THEORETICAL BORDER.

Best of 2005

War on Terror
Afganistan is well free of the Taliban, and the warlords that tore the country apart for years are now groveling at the feet of the new democratic government. In Iraq, truly free elections have taken place for the first time is centuries (Purple fingers anyone?). The terrorists (who are commonally known as insurgents in the anti-american circles) have been routed in Fallugah, and a new constitution has been approved. In other areas, surgical strikes have taken out leaders, and arms caches.

US Economy
A record setting year for the capitalistic economy of the United States. Record housing sales, record construction, new Gross Domestic Product hights, and Wall Street has been steadly on the rise. The irrepressable american spirt is on the move once again.

Space Shuttle flys again
The Space Shuttle Discovery again place american's beyond the earth, and replenishing the ISS.

US citizens response to Hurricanes
More money was given to the hurricane victems then any other time in american history. The outpouring of america was astouding, and despite the tales of woe given by the partisan press, the survivors surely felt the love of america.

Howard Dean made DNC chairman
This is sooo awsome. Now that the real controlers of the party are visible, we will see a major downslide of the democrate party. By saying things like "The republicans are a White Christian Party" and other insultory remarks, Dean is doing nothing ot further his party's agenda. And as Jimmy Johnson says "If your not improving, your unimproving".

Cindy Sheehan
The same story as Dean. When Sheehan calls the President of the United States a "Bastard", then it does nothing to help them in the minds of the americans, and in all likelyhood, is extreamly damaging politically.

John Roberts
An astute choice for the Chief justice of the Supream court, John Roberts is a conservative with one of the greatest legal minds of our time. Bush made the right choice with him, and by replacing Miers with Alito.

Peace in China? Not on your life...

DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2005®: BEIJINGG Chinese President Hu Jintao reiterated China's strong commitment to peaceful development in his New Year Address broadcast Saturday to domestic and overseas audience via state TV and radio stations.

'Here, I would like to reiterate that China's development is peaceful development, opening development, cooperative development and harmonious development,' Hu said.

'The Chinese people will develop ourselves by means of striving for a peaceful international environment, and promote world peace with our own development,' Hu said in the address broadcast by China Radio International, China National Radio and China Central Television.

He said the Chinese people are willing to join with peoples of all nations in the world to promote multilateralism, advance the development of economic globalization toward common prosperity, advocate democracy in international relations, respect the diversity of the world and push for the establishment of a new international political and economic order that is just and rational.

He pledged that China will adhere to its fundamental national policy of opening to the outside world, continue to improve the investment environment and open the market, carry out international cooperation in a wide range of areas and seek to attain mutual benefits and win-win results with all countries in the world.

He mentioned in particular that China will do its best to help developing countries accelerate development and help people suffering from war, poverty, illnesses and natural calamities in the world."

Right...
Ok, lets start with Humanrightss violations. How about allowing more then one child per household? Or how about the imprisonmentt and torture of political prisoners? Or the slave labor camps, where Christians and Muslims are forced to work as manufacturing employees? Or maybe they should allow a little more freedom of speech, both on the internet, and in publications.
And constantly threatening tawian is a great way to encourage world peace.

Another bundle of lies from Asia.

Space Tourism: The Rules are here!

The Bellingham Herald: "WASHINGTON (AP) -- Regular tourist trips into space are still a thing of the future, but the government is getting ready for the eventual liftoff.

More than 120 pages of proposed rules, released Thursday, governing the future of space tourism touch on everything from medical standards for passengers to preflight training.

They spell out qualification and training requirements for the crew, and mandate training and informed consent for the 'space flight participants' - known in more earthly terms as passengers.

The proposal does not include specifications for the space vehicles themselves."...
"The 123-page FAA proposal was published in the Federal Register, the government's daily publication of rules and regulations, and will be subject to public comment for 60 days, through Feb. 27. Final regulations are expected by June 23."

Glad to know the Government is working on the important things in the world. No, seriously! I'm sure Richard Branson of Virgin Space Flight is estatic to know there are rules concerning an industry that has yet to happen in the private sector!

And who says the US Government owns space? The entrapeneurs trying to make a livng could just carry the rockets across the border into Canada, Puerto Rico or Mexico, and then launch without the regulations.
If they over regulate such a new industry, they run the risk of it never taking off, in the US at least.

9/11 Loans Weren't to those that qualified

BREITBART.COM - SBA: Many That Got 9/11 Loans Weren't Hurt: "Most companies interviewed about the government-backed Sept. 11 loans they received have told investigators they weren't hurt by the suicide attacks and didn't know they were getting terrorism assistance, an internal government investigation found. The Small Business Administration's inspector general also reported Wednesday that lenders who doled out billions of dollars in such loans failed 85 percent of the time to document that recipients were actually hurt by the terrorism attacks and therefore eligible for the federal aid.

The IG, the agency's internal watchdog, concluded only nine loan recipients in the 59 cases sampled appeared to be qualified for the special disaster loans. The report said SBA officials told lenders they would not be questioned on how they gave out money."

Not much to say, just more bloated government ineffeciency.

NBC on top of Network news

News: "NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - More than a year after he took over the anchor chair and with more than nine months without permanent competition from either rival, 'NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams' closes out the year with a quarterly win among evening newscasts. "

Thats cool. Brokaw was my favorite anchor, and Wiliams is probably the best of the networks. That, and not having a permant rival, puts them in first place.

Top 5 movies of the year

Hey, I usually don't cover entertainment news, but like most people, I enjoy the movies. It's also said you can tell a lot about a person by the kinds of movies they like, so this might be a look at myself.

1. Star Wars Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith
Release: May 19th, 2005
Rating: PG-13
US Gross: $380,262,555
Plot: The greatest Jedi of the Clone Wars, Anikin Skywalker turns to the dark side to find a cure for his wife, Padme Amidala. The Chancellor of the Republic is revealed to be the Sith Lord, and the Jedi try to remove him from office. They fail and nearly the entire Jedi Order is destroyed. Yoda confronts Darth Sideous, and Obi-Wan Kenobi travels to Mustafar to take out Anikin Skywalker, his former apprentice and one-time best friend. Obi-Wan cripples Anikin, but Anikin survies with the help of a bio-mechanical suit. With the Jedi destroyed, the Sith have control of the galaxy, and Darth Vader rises from the ashes to become the terror of the classic trilogy.

This was a movie I had been waiting a long time for. Quite possibly the best of the Star Wars series, it had everything I was hoping for. The story was excellent, the fighting was incredible, and the emotions were real. (Mostly, anyways) The droids were back in character, with R2-D2 delivering and impressive performance. General Greivous was well done, and a credible threat to Obi-Wan. The sound effects were incredible, it just makes the world seem real. John Wiliams also turned in an incredible soundtrack, capturing the spirit of the movie, as well as providing suspense and action to the sences that needed it. ROTS also tied the strings between the Prequels and the classic trilogy. The acting was much improved, and the CGI was some of the best ever. George Lucas's epic story has come to a close, and did so with a wonderful ending.

2. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Release: December 9, 2005
Rating: PG
US Gross: (Still counting, over 76,000,000)
Plot: The Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are sent to the english countryside during WWII. Lucy finds the door to Narnia, and the others soon follow. Edmund betrays the rest to the White Witch, Jadis, who holds narnia in an iron fist. However, not all is lost, as Aslan has returned to Narnia, and an army of the good creatures are with him. The Sons of Adam take the field of command, and valiently fight Jadis. Aslan brings reinforcements, and destroys Jadis.

I have loved this story since I read it when I was 6, and the movie fulfilled each expectation. The characters were great, the battles were superior to even the Return of the King, and the creatures were incredible. Aslan himself was voiced by Liam Nesson, who did a great job giving a depth to the character. The Bevers were just totally cool, and a well nigh perfect representation of the book's bevers. Jadis was the evil one, and her character was flawless. There was one scene, in which Jadis just casually turns a butterfly to stone, that just showed her evilness. The visuals were incredible, and the props just looked real. The soundtrack was lacking, but the sound effects themselves were excellent. This was the movie I wanted to see. If it hadn't been the same year as Star Wars, it would have been the best movie of the year.

3. Batman Begins
Release date: July 15, 2005
Rating: PG-13
US Gross: $205,343,774
Plot: Bruce Wayne's father is killed, sending him on an anger spree in asia, fighting petty criminals. He is taken in by Ra's Al Guhl, the leader of the League of Shadows, a ninja group that claims to have effected world history, even bringing the fall of rome. After alienating the League, Bruce returns to Gotham to take out the crime lords of the city. He gets a bunch of super spiffy equipment, and beats up a bunch of people. The city water system is poisened with a mind altering agent, that is released by steam. So, the league microwaves the water system, and Batman must stop Ra's Al Guhl from destroying the Wayne Induistry's headquarters, and the city with it.

The Darkest Knight returns, and it was great. This is the only movie here that I didn't see in theaters. The DVD version was great. The acting was great, the fights above average, and the story was not typical of a comic book movie. The sound track was great, I need to find it somewhere. Batman would probably earn my 2nd place, except that the character of Scarecrow was just unbelievable of a lot of levels, and the deal with Rachael was confusing. Otherwise, great movie.

4. War of the Worlds
Release Date: June 29, 2005
Rating: PG-13
US Gross: $234,277,056
Plot: Ray Ferrier is a divorced dock worker, and has custody of his kids, Robbie and Rachael for the weekend. Robbie is a hateful teenager, and Rachael does not know what to think. The aliens hatch there plan, and begin taking over earth. Ray tries to protect the children. Because of the shields, the alien machines are invulnerable to harm. They are destroyed because the aliens get diseased and die.

I was looking forward to this movie ever since I saw the prieview in the Yahoo Instant Messenger window while chatting with Hannah Beth of Sold Out . I was looking for more fighting, and battle. but what I got was an excellent look at a dysfunctional family, and a father trying his aboslute hardest to protect his family, and the entrie freaking world going against him. The story was engrossing, and drew me in from the first couple of minutes. The special effects were simply the absolute best I have ever seen, and the sound effects were matching. The sound track was good, and gave the story a lot of expense. However, while I loved the story, it's painful to watch because you can feel the emotions. I guess that means Speilberg did his job, and it's a great movie.


5. Madagascar
Release date: May 27th, 2005
Rating: PG
US Gross: $193 million
Plot: A bossy lion, a practical hippo, a paranoid giraffe, and a spunky zebra are given the idea of escapeing the zoo by a couple of psycho penguins. They are exported to another zoo, but the ship is taken over by the penquins, who turn to set sail for antartica, and empty the cargo near madagascar, including our favorite funny animals. They then adjust to life on the island.

I was looking forward to this movie, just because it was sooo funny in the trailers. It was still funny in the movie, but the plot was weak, and some of the humor was pretty crude. Never the less, I laughed about the entire time, and the penguins were hilarious.




Well, that wraps up my top 5 movies. If you have another nomination for 5th, post it.
Munich may find a place on this list, once I see it. Possibly King Kong, but I doubt it.

Year in Review, I

Hey, the year is coming to a close, so We'll be posting a look back at the year.

Some topics:
Best Decisions
Worst Decisions
Entertainment review
Some odd stories
A compilation of the Undeniable Truths in Life

Stay 'tooned!

Venting, Round 1

Update 22: Senate Defeats ANWR Drilling, Saves Cuts - Forbes.com: "
Senate Republicans said they expected the House to approve a $493 billion defense spending bill - shorn of the ANWR provision - on Thursday. Ditto for the Patriot Act extension.

But Democrats in the House said they would not agree to speed action on the deficit-reduction bill they voted against unanimously earlier this week.

The House approved the measure in the pre-dawn hours of Monday, but the Democrats' leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, said she will insist it be re-examined 'in the light of day' the next time. That's likely to be in February. "

Obstruction, just plain out obstruction of our country's system, and a reckelss, destructive hate of all things republican, is what this is. The idiots in the senate, both democrat and moderate, are going to ruin this country if this keeps up.

The patriot act could have been renewed, the new defense bill INCLUDING ANWR WHICH WAS REMOVED LAST NIGHT, WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, could have been passed. But Noooooooo, the democrats say that until there palty 3 month extension of the patriot act is passed, they won't play ball with the senate.

*idiots*

And the republicans that are blocking the patiot act in the senate are even more damaging, because they are against there constituints, and just encourageing the democrates.
There names:
Larry Craig (R-ID)
Chuck Hagel (R-NE) (always a RINO)
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
John Sununu (R-NH)
*Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) changed his vote at the last moment when he saw the NAYs would win. This allows him to call for a new vote at any time.

Remember those names folks.

Lessons of 25 years

USNews.com: Michael Barone: Lessons of 25 years (12/26/05): "Twenty-five years ago, in December 1980, Jimmy Carter was serving his last full month in office and Ronald Reagan was president-elect. More than 50 Americans were being held hostage in Iran--an act of war by the revolutionary mullahs. The Soviet Union was on the march in Afghanistan. The American economy was finishing a decade of high inflation and sluggish growth at best--stagflation. The past three presidents had been repudiated: Richard Nixon in 1974, Gerald Ford in 1976, and Jimmy Carter 1980.

Experts preached that America's best days were behind it, counseled that we seek accommodation with the Soviet Union, and urged nations of the avaricious North to share their wealth with nations of the deserving South. Low-inflation economic growth was no longer possible."

Doom and gloom predictions, sounds famliar? (Essespially from the Left).

"What are the lessons of the past 25 years?

First, that American military power can advance freedom and democracy to all corners of the world.
Second, that markets work and that lower taxes and less onerous government produce more economic growth than the alternative.
Third, that politics and effective government can..change the culture."

1. Ours is a world governened by the aggressive use of force, and the American military is the most powerful army in the world.
2. Freedom creates prosperity.
3. The government can effect the culture in a negative way much easier then positivly, but the posibility for a positive change still exists. Mostly by stepping out of the way, and also in the eductation system.

Myths About Drilling in ANWR

FOXNews.com - Views - Heritage Foundation - Myths About Drilling in ANWR: "We’re talking about 10 billion barrels of domestic oil located in an area with a proven track record for environmentally responsible drilling. Yet a host of tall tales from environmental activists and like-minded journalists has made it a tough fight in Washington.

Congress is currently deciding whether to add ANWR drilling to the defense appropriations bill. Given the continued high oil prices and political turmoil in many oil-producing nations, now might be the best chance to get ANWR done. But it will happen only if the ANWR myths are exposed..."

Wonderful article, consise and to the point. I wish congress would get their collective heads together and open the land for drilling.

Enviromental Damage: (HA!)
" the caribou herd that migrates through Prudhoe Bay has increased from 3,000 to 23,000 since drilling commenced there in 1977."

US House votes to wall up part of the Mexico border

US House votes to wall up Mexico border - Yahoo! News: "The 260-159 voice vote on an amendment to a bill on illegal immigration 'mandates the construction of specific security fencing, including lights and cameras, along the Southwest border for the purposes of gaining operational control of the border.

'Fencing has been designated in sectors that have the highest number of immigrant deaths, instances of drug smuggling and illegal border crossings,' because of the large number of would-be immigrants who die in the desert attempting to cross the US border."

Only part of the border is being blocked, but this is a huge step forward for us.

Terror thoughts

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Paris raid nets arms haul: "French police said yesterday they had found explosives, detonators and guns stashed in a suburban Paris garage in swoops this week that have netted 28 suspected Islamist militants, apparently with links to al-Qaida in Iraq.

Interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy said that questioning suspects detained on Monday had led to arms seizure in Clichy-sous-Bois, outer Paris, on Wednesday. 'A certain number of terrorists, in order to finance their activities, are involved in organised crime,' Mr Sarkozy said, appearing to confirm earlier reports that the gang raised cash through armed robberies rather than carrying out terrorist attacks.

Among arms found were a kilo of TNT, 19 sticks of dynamite, 10 standard detonators - one capable of being set off by remote control - fuses, rifles, bulletproof vests, and French gendarmerie and special forces uniforms, police said."

Your probably already thinking this, but that is enough stuff to do a TON of damage. You also might be thinking, "Hey, the French did this?". Here's another thought, France. Those weapons were likely aimed at you, despite the policy of capitulation. The Boston Globe reports that "...the suspects had used robberies to fund potential terror groups, possibly including movements tied to Al Qaeda in Iraq."

So maybe the insurgents aren't insurgents after all, and just terrorists having to fight in their backyard, rather then ours.

So, the war on terror continues, and we are not losing. (I'll bet you won't see this story anywhere else though).

Iraqis Vote in freest Arabic elections ever

Guardian Unlimited | World Latest | Millions of Iraqis Vote in Relative Peace: "BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Millions of Iraqis, from tribal sheiks to entire families with children in tow, turned out Thursday to choose a parliament in a mostly peaceful election - among the freest ever in the Arab world.

So many Sunni Arabs voted that ballots ran out in some places. The strong participation by Sunnis, the backbone of the insurgency, bolstered U.S. hopes that the election could produce a broad-based government capable of ending the daily suicide attacks and other violence that have ravaged the country since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Up to 11 million of the nation's 15 million registered voters took part, election officials estimated, though they had no official turnout figure."

That is a HUGE number of people. Later in the article, they show some nice quotes from bitter people, who were privliged under Sadam's reigiem, but are now leveled with the rest of the nation. The AP knows how to follow bunny trails in their articles.

Preliminary Voting Begins in Iraq

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Preliminary Voting Begins in Iraq: "BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi government announced strict border measures, domestic travel restrictions and a nighttime curfew as preliminary voting began for that country's first constitutional parliament since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Soldiers, patients and prisoners lined up and cast their ballots at select polling stations across the country Monday, days ahead of the Dec. 15 date when the rest of the country will go to the polls. At one Baghdad hospital, patients cast their ballots from their sick beds.

Beginning Tuesday, the borders will be closed to non-essential traffic, a nighttime curfew will be extended in various places and checkpoints will be put in place to limit domestic travel, the Iraqi government said."

Yay!! Maybe they won't try to disenfranchise the miltary voters, unlike the Gore campaign in 2000.

Chinese protestors shot, Martial Law in provence.

Chinese Villagers Describe Police Siege - Yahoo! News:
"BEIJING - Residents of a southern Chinese village near Hong Kong where police opened fire on demonstrators described a tense standoff in the area on Saturday with thousands of armed troops patrolling the perimeter and blocking anyone from leaving. Frightened villagers said they were either hunkering down at home or arguing with police who are refusing to return the dead to their families.

Residents said police opened fire on a crowd of thousands protesting against inadequate compensation offered by the government for land to be used for a new wind power plant. Up to 20 were killed, villagers said, while some said dozens more were missing.

The clash in Dongzhou also marked an escalation in social protests that have convulsed the Chinese countryside over land seizures for factories, power plants, shopping malls and other projects. Farmers often say they are paid too little and some accuse officials of stealing compensation money."

And so you have the totalitarian Upper class against the poorer then dirt lower class. Guess who wins?

House Passes 3 Tax Cuts, Plans a 4th

House Passes 3 Tax Cuts, Plans a 4th: "The House passed three separate tax cuts yesterday and plans to approve a fourth today, trimming the federal revenue by $94.5 billion over five years -- nearly double the budget savings that Republicans muscled through the House last month.

GOP leaders portray the tax bills -- for the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, affluent investors, U.S. troops serving in Iraq and taxpayers who otherwise would be hit by the alternative minimum tax -- as vital to keeping the economy rolling.

'Our economic policies have done the trick,' said Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio). 'We are in the middle of one of the strongest economies this country has ever seen.'"

Later in the article, the post tries to explain how tax cuts harm fiscal dicipline...

Now if we could keep these tax cuts, and abanon the program to give the nation TiVo, and ditch the farm subsidies, we'd be great.

Breaking: Air Marshalls Defend Miami Airport

BREITBART.COM - Airline Passenger Who Made Threat Killed: "MIAMI - A passenger who claimed to have a bomb in a carry-on bag was shot and killed by a federal air marshal Wednesday on a jetway to an American Airlines plane that had arrived from Colombia, officials said. No bomb was found in the bag, a U.S. official said. Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Doyle said the dead man was a 44-year-old U.S. citizen. It was the first time since the Sept. 11 attacks that an air marshal had shot at anyone, he said.

According to a witness, the man frantically ran down the aisle of the Boeing 757 while his wife tried to explain that he was mentally ill and had not taken his medication.

The passenger indicated there was a bomb in his bag and was confronted by air marshals but ran off the aircraft, Doyle said. The marshals went after him and ordered him to get down on the ground, but he did not comply and was shot when he apparently reached into the bag, Doyle said."

Good shot. After those British officers took a guy down with 4 head shots, the Marshalls had this guy down real fast too.
Apparently, the wife said he was bi-polar, and had maniac depression. Now, what that has to do with running through an air plane threating to bomb everyone to little pieces, I don't know.

Imagine Football Being Covered Like Iraq

Carolina Journal | Imagine MNF Being Covered Like Iraq: "INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts, seeking to silence critics who say they are overrated, fell short of that mark on Monday night by outscoring the Pittsburgh Steelers by a mere 3-point margin in the first quarter.

Despite the unspectacular first-quarter margin, Colts head coach Tony Dungy insisted that his team was winning the battle. “Hey, we’re up three,” said Dungy. “In my book that’s a lead.” But critics pointed out that the Colts gained their lead only as a result of a desperation 80-yard pass by quarterback Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison on their first play of the game...."

If your a football fan who is slightly interested in the World, this is hilarious. If you don't fit that, then carry on with your boring life. :D

The Size of training an army

My Defense Review


Stupendouesly awsome explaination of why the Iraqi forces are taking so long to come together. Sumarized, we aren't just training a few combat troops, we are also training an entire support staff.

Undeniable Truths in Life: Parts 41-45

Sorry about the delay, but this last week has been extremely busy with robotics. (Check our site at robotics.sonlightclasses.org or sonlightrobotics.blogspot.com) So, to make up for the missed days, here are the final 4 Undeniable Truths in Life.

#41: The collective knowledge and wisdom of seasoned citizens is the most valuable - yet untapped - resource our young-people have. “Gray Hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” – Proverbs 16:31
Wisdom comes with experience, and the older you are, the more experience you gain. Thus, the senior citizens are the largest collective pool of wisdom in the world.
#42: Abortion is wrong.
As is killing, but the killing of an baby, who just entered the world, and is unable to defend himself from even the tiniest creature, is one of the worst atrocities in the world. Since it has become legal in the US, the number of children kills out number the Holocaust many times over.
#43: Evolution cannot explain Creation. Life does not exist by chance. It is the willful creation of an Almighty God, who created the world perfectly. Chance cannot explain the elements, the formation of the earth, the stars, or the galaxys. It does not explain even the simplest for of life, or how DNA can replicate so perfectly trillions of times a second across the globe.

#44: Abe Lincoln saved this nation. If Lincoln had let the south succeed without contention, then our nation would have no where near the strength it does now. Because of Lincoln, we are still a United States.

#45: The US will again go to war.
The War on Terror will continue, and plenty of other threats will arise. Because ours is a world governed by the aggressive use of force, war will always be a part of the current earth, and as the worlds superpower, the US will be either a target or have to come to the aid of another nation.


The End of the series is now here, after 2 months of posting. I will post the permalinks for them all soon. I hope you have enjoyed the series!

*edit* Argg... My first time to use Blogger for Word. I guess it doesn't load the pictures for the post.... */edit*

Killed by a robot!!!

Telegraph | News | Al-Qaeda number three 'killed by CIA spy plane' in Pakistan: "Al-Qaeda's third-ranking leader has been killed by a missile fired by an American drone in Pakistan, near the Afghan border, NBC television news reported yesterday.

Egyptian-born Abu Hamza Rabia, who is said to head al-Qaeda's international operations, was among five people killed in a blast at a house where they were hiding in North Waziristan on Thursday. President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan confirmed Rabia's death yesterday"

Can you imagine this? (Translation from arabic!!!)
Grunt: We lost another leader!!! We're down to 20% remaining leadership since the glorius day in september of 2001!
Leader: *censored, both in Arabic and english!!* How did they get him?
Grunt:...ummm..
Leader: Out with it man, or I will cut out your tounge!
Grunt: He was killed by an infedel American!!
Leader: You don't say! I never would have guessed!
Grunt: By a robot...
Leader: WHAT????????????????????????

Preadators are awsome. We should use 'em on the border.
Bomb the illegals!!