Sunday, April 29, 2007
Kansas City Shooting
CNN reports there have been multiple shootings in Kansas City, Missouri. I wonder how many more "multiple" shootings will permeate from the Virginia Tech shooting almost two weeks ago.
Iran Confirms...Finally
I was getting tired of holding Iran's reservation for the upcoming regional conference of Middle East nations, in re: Iraq.
The Western media has worked this up for everything it is worth. It is like wondering if U2 is going to DJ my upcoming birthday party. I'm glad Iran could vanquish all doubt about its intentions.
The world can return to normal now.
The Western media has worked this up for everything it is worth. It is like wondering if U2 is going to DJ my upcoming birthday party. I'm glad Iran could vanquish all doubt about its intentions.
The world can return to normal now.
Careful of what you wish for...
As the Chris Daughtry song goes, "Be careful of what you wish for."
Last night, I began a furious correspondence with someone from my past. Someone who controlled every facet of my life, except for one, which ultimately caused the demise of our relationship.
Now, I feel like things are going back to the way they were before, after a single night, and it has been over three-and-a-half years. I believe we are both lonely souls, considering we are both severely co-dependent. We are basically the same, in terms of goals, family, and lifestyles.
Oh well, I guess it is my own doing...
Last night, I began a furious correspondence with someone from my past. Someone who controlled every facet of my life, except for one, which ultimately caused the demise of our relationship.
Now, I feel like things are going back to the way they were before, after a single night, and it has been over three-and-a-half years. I believe we are both lonely souls, considering we are both severely co-dependent. We are basically the same, in terms of goals, family, and lifestyles.
Oh well, I guess it is my own doing...
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Sarkozy et Royal
In the French presidential election, two candidates, Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene Royal, came out on top. Even though, Sarkozy came in ahead at 30.46% of the vote, Royal only trailed at 24.41%. Now the two candidates meet each other on May 6 for the run-off election, and to see who will succeed Jacques Chirac as president of the French Republic.
Élections Présidentielles Françaises, Partie Deux
Since my last post regarding the national elections in France, it has been reported that this year's election is the largest in decades for the French people. I find it refreshing that people take their obligations seriously.
The following are links to information about L'élection du Président de la République française:
Google News
L'Election Présidentielle 2007
The following are links to information about L'élection du Président de la République française:
Google News
L'Election Présidentielle 2007
Kentucky's Gubernatorial Election
One month from today, the people of Kentucky will go to the primary polls and elect their party's nominee for governor, who will then stand for general election in November, against the opposing party.
The Republican Party candidates are being led by the current governor, Ernie Fletcher, and former United States Representative Anne Northup. I have mixed feelings about who will win this party's primary. Fletcher is the incumbent, yes, but he is wildly unpopular, even in his own party. I have a feeling that Anne Northup may have the momentum to force Fletcher from the Republican ticket. I could be wrong on this one, but I have a strong feeling that I am right. Fletcher made a lot of enemies, in both political parties, when he cut funding to state employees' health insurance, which included teachers (and let's not forget that the Kentucky Education Association [KEA] is the largest, most powerful lobby in the state).
With only a month left, I have decided on my candidate for governor. After careful thought and consideration, I have decided to lend my support to Democratic candidate Stephen L. Henry. Dr. Henry served as lieutenant governor, under Governor Paul E. Patton, for eight years. When I listen to all of the Democratic candidates for governor, he is the one that I admire the most for his ideas and his experience. He speaks genuinely about the issues, because he has served them for so many years now. Also, the Commonwealth of Kentucky is ready for a return to Democratic values and sensibilities, after four years of a botched Republican administration.
The Republican Party candidates are being led by the current governor, Ernie Fletcher, and former United States Representative Anne Northup. I have mixed feelings about who will win this party's primary. Fletcher is the incumbent, yes, but he is wildly unpopular, even in his own party. I have a feeling that Anne Northup may have the momentum to force Fletcher from the Republican ticket. I could be wrong on this one, but I have a strong feeling that I am right. Fletcher made a lot of enemies, in both political parties, when he cut funding to state employees' health insurance, which included teachers (and let's not forget that the Kentucky Education Association [KEA] is the largest, most powerful lobby in the state).
With only a month left, I have decided on my candidate for governor. After careful thought and consideration, I have decided to lend my support to Democratic candidate Stephen L. Henry. Dr. Henry served as lieutenant governor, under Governor Paul E. Patton, for eight years. When I listen to all of the Democratic candidates for governor, he is the one that I admire the most for his ideas and his experience. He speaks genuinely about the issues, because he has served them for so many years now. Also, the Commonwealth of Kentucky is ready for a return to Democratic values and sensibilities, after four years of a botched Republican administration.
Élections Présidentielles Françaises
Merci, et l'accueillez à mon forum politique.
(Forgive me if I slaughtered the above translations. I was just trying to have a bit of fun translating.)
Who will France elect as its next president? After twelve years, French president, Jacques Chirac, has decided to retire from public life, leaving the French electorate free to usher in a new era of French politics.
The candidates for the French presidency are varied on their ideas regarding the United States. How will the new president influence international attention when it comes to US policies, in such places as Iraq (and the Middle East, in general)?
Unlike presidential elections in the United States, France has an open system that allows different parties to put forward formidable candidates, rather than having two exclusive political parties. This election year, France has at least four viable candidates vying for the top position. These range from conservatives, like Nicolas Sarkozy, liberal candidates, such as Segolene Royal, and the moderates are being led by Francois Bayrou. There is also a Bush-like candidate, who running to far to the right he almost failed to register on the radar, Jean-Marie Le Pen.
In addition, the French have an admirable run-off system for presidential candidates. If any candidate fails to garner at least fifty percent of the vote, then the two top candidates go to a run-off election, which is scheduled for May. Then, from those two top candidates the people of France can elect their president; thus, giving them a truly superior form of electoral democracy.
It is fair to say that if the United States had such a system, we might have avoided eight years of George W. Bush. The election of a president must be the right of the people, not the Supreme Court of that country, or a particular state's secretary of state, who is doing the candidate's brother (who happens to be the governor of certain state) a political favor.
I have my money on the Socialist candidate, Segolene Royal, but it is far from my right to even have an opinion on the issue, since I am not French.
Liberté. Égalité. Fraternité.
(Forgive me if I slaughtered the above translations. I was just trying to have a bit of fun translating.)
Who will France elect as its next president? After twelve years, French president, Jacques Chirac, has decided to retire from public life, leaving the French electorate free to usher in a new era of French politics.
The candidates for the French presidency are varied on their ideas regarding the United States. How will the new president influence international attention when it comes to US policies, in such places as Iraq (and the Middle East, in general)?
Unlike presidential elections in the United States, France has an open system that allows different parties to put forward formidable candidates, rather than having two exclusive political parties. This election year, France has at least four viable candidates vying for the top position. These range from conservatives, like Nicolas Sarkozy, liberal candidates, such as Segolene Royal, and the moderates are being led by Francois Bayrou. There is also a Bush-like candidate, who running to far to the right he almost failed to register on the radar, Jean-Marie Le Pen.
In addition, the French have an admirable run-off system for presidential candidates. If any candidate fails to garner at least fifty percent of the vote, then the two top candidates go to a run-off election, which is scheduled for May. Then, from those two top candidates the people of France can elect their president; thus, giving them a truly superior form of electoral democracy.
It is fair to say that if the United States had such a system, we might have avoided eight years of George W. Bush. The election of a president must be the right of the people, not the Supreme Court of that country, or a particular state's secretary of state, who is doing the candidate's brother (who happens to be the governor of certain state) a political favor.
I have my money on the Socialist candidate, Segolene Royal, but it is far from my right to even have an opinion on the issue, since I am not French.
Liberté. Égalité. Fraternité.
Earth Day 2007
Today, we remember Mother Earth. Without it, we would all be dead. What will we do to remember our home? We will plant trees, and by tomorrow, we will return to killing it as we did the other 364 days of the years.
But I get the idea. It brings about awareness to the needs of the earth, and how vital it is that we preserve habitats for our own future, as well as those of future generations.
But I get the idea. It brings about awareness to the needs of the earth, and how vital it is that we preserve habitats for our own future, as well as those of future generations.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Alec Baldwin
What's with all this Alec Baldwin nonsense?
First of all, who provided that alleged voicemail to the media? I bet it was the mother of Baldwin's daughter, Kim Basinger. Who else would have the motive and opportunity? I doubt it would be the eleven-year-old daughter.
The media, especially Fox News, has made a mountain out of a mole-hill with this private issue. Every child has been told off by his/her parent(s) at one point in their life (some quite frequently). We have all been called little shit-asses, and the like, at one point. It is pretty natural for parents and children to have a contentious relationship. It is certainly not out of the ordinary, as some in the conservative media would make it out to be. Certainly, if it was George W. Bush yelling at his debauched daughters over voicemail, Fox News would be the first to blame liberals for violating the president and his family's right to privacy.
Let's also face the fact that we've been threatened by our parents with physical harm if we didn't acquiesce to their tyrannical demands. Lord knows, I have been told that I am going to have my teeth knocked down my throat more times than I can count by my mom. The other times I was being told that I was going to have my ass wore out by my dad. Of course, those threats were just....threats, and they never came to pass. They are intimidation tactics; it's that simple.
There is no indication that Alec Baldwin went as far as making good on his threat, since he was barred from having contact with his daughter, by a California judge, until a May hearing to discuss the alleged voicemail. There are, also, no indications that his relationship with his daughter has been physical in the past.
Perhaps, his anger should be directed toward the real cause of his frustration, which is his ex-wife. But more often, children become the victims in a war of words between parents who have split up, which is truly unfortunate.
First of all, who provided that alleged voicemail to the media? I bet it was the mother of Baldwin's daughter, Kim Basinger. Who else would have the motive and opportunity? I doubt it would be the eleven-year-old daughter.
The media, especially Fox News, has made a mountain out of a mole-hill with this private issue. Every child has been told off by his/her parent(s) at one point in their life (some quite frequently). We have all been called little shit-asses, and the like, at one point. It is pretty natural for parents and children to have a contentious relationship. It is certainly not out of the ordinary, as some in the conservative media would make it out to be. Certainly, if it was George W. Bush yelling at his debauched daughters over voicemail, Fox News would be the first to blame liberals for violating the president and his family's right to privacy.
Let's also face the fact that we've been threatened by our parents with physical harm if we didn't acquiesce to their tyrannical demands. Lord knows, I have been told that I am going to have my teeth knocked down my throat more times than I can count by my mom. The other times I was being told that I was going to have my ass wore out by my dad. Of course, those threats were just....threats, and they never came to pass. They are intimidation tactics; it's that simple.
There is no indication that Alec Baldwin went as far as making good on his threat, since he was barred from having contact with his daughter, by a California judge, until a May hearing to discuss the alleged voicemail. There are, also, no indications that his relationship with his daughter has been physical in the past.
Perhaps, his anger should be directed toward the real cause of his frustration, which is his ex-wife. But more often, children become the victims in a war of words between parents who have split up, which is truly unfortunate.
"Notes on a Scandal"
On Tuesday, I watched the movie, Notes on a Scandal, featuring the delightfully evil genius of Dame Judi Dench and her seemingly naive counter-part, Cate Blanchett.The story unfolds as a new teacher, played by Cate Blanchett, is hired to teach art at an English school. Dench's character, named Barbara Covett, is the old teacher from yesteryear who you feared more than the devil.
Needless to say, a scandal breaks out when Blanchett's character decides to have a tryst with one of her fifteen year old male students. Covett becomes her confidante, to whom she tells all of her secrets (of course there is more to the revelation than I am going to reveal here).
After watching this movie, I feel a strange kinship to Covett. She is an older lady (looking almost 100 years old), who never had a "real" relationship in her life. She is obviously a lesbian, and she habitually throws herself into one-sided relationships, without the other party reciprocating her affection.
I am Covett.
The part that really brought Covett's plight home was the scene when she was in the bathtub, with Dench's voice narrating the scene, she explains the greatest excitement of her everyday life is planning her weekend around going to the laundrette to do her laundry. This sent chills along my spine.
It cemented the loneliness of my own life. I will admit something I really don't to the average person, because, like Covett, my personal life is secret to those I work with, over the past eight months, my weekend is spent planning a trip to the market with my own mother. (Oh my God, I can't believe I just admitted that.) That is the highlight of my week. Even this past week, I found myself getting excited thinking about where Mom and I can eat this weekend, while on our outing. There may not be anything wrong with spending time with your mother, but it is certainly unhealthy for someone my age to spend all their free time with their mom.
In the final assessment, I found Notes on a Scandal to be a very intriguing drama of the sort you don't see in most films these days. It was almost to the point of Fatal Attraction without the need to boil a rabbit for dramatic effect.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Ted Nugent, America's Moral Compass
It would seem that CNN, in an attempt to appeal to right-wing gun lovers, is giving people, like Ted Nugent, a voice over the Virginia Tech atrocity, which happened on Monday; specifically, in the area of gun control laws.
Why would I want to know what Nugent has to say about the right to bear arms in America? That is a little bit like asking Michael Jackson for babysitting advice. It is a bit on the absurd side. We look too often to people, who are celebrities, for guidance on issues that we should be able to lead ourselves. It's like Angelina Jolie adopting a baby from Asia or Africa. Suddenly, everyone is traveling over-seas for a new child.
Instead of looking toward morons who have no clue why they believe what they believe to be our moral compasses, let's seek out people who have spent their professional lives analyzing the effects important issues have on our society.
Would our society be safer if every American was packing a pistol on their right hip? I argue the antithesis is in fact the outcome of such a ludicrous and ill-informed decision. We realize that humans are violent by nature. It is simple genetics, not my opinion. Even though, many of us have learned to control our outbursts, there are still those of us who lack the ability to judiciously act on such impulses. So, instead of blowing off steam, we can blow off heads, since we will all be packing heat.
The criminals will learn they can't mess with the average Joe on the street, right? Of course not. Instead, we will be creating a new subversive culture in society, who are impulse-driven criminals. They decided to use the freedom of gun ownership to solve the simple problems of day-to-day life.
What are we to do?
Simply, let's hang up our spurs, melt the guns down, and turn off our zealous vigilante attitudes; thereby, doing something useful, like recycling scrap, useless metal.
Let's admit it, it would have been a tall order for Cho Seung-Hui to have summarily executed over thirty victims Monday if he had been forced to settle for a knife or sling-shot, instead.
Why would I want to know what Nugent has to say about the right to bear arms in America? That is a little bit like asking Michael Jackson for babysitting advice. It is a bit on the absurd side. We look too often to people, who are celebrities, for guidance on issues that we should be able to lead ourselves. It's like Angelina Jolie adopting a baby from Asia or Africa. Suddenly, everyone is traveling over-seas for a new child.
Instead of looking toward morons who have no clue why they believe what they believe to be our moral compasses, let's seek out people who have spent their professional lives analyzing the effects important issues have on our society.
Would our society be safer if every American was packing a pistol on their right hip? I argue the antithesis is in fact the outcome of such a ludicrous and ill-informed decision. We realize that humans are violent by nature. It is simple genetics, not my opinion. Even though, many of us have learned to control our outbursts, there are still those of us who lack the ability to judiciously act on such impulses. So, instead of blowing off steam, we can blow off heads, since we will all be packing heat.
The criminals will learn they can't mess with the average Joe on the street, right? Of course not. Instead, we will be creating a new subversive culture in society, who are impulse-driven criminals. They decided to use the freedom of gun ownership to solve the simple problems of day-to-day life.
What are we to do?
Simply, let's hang up our spurs, melt the guns down, and turn off our zealous vigilante attitudes; thereby, doing something useful, like recycling scrap, useless metal.
Let's admit it, it would have been a tall order for Cho Seung-Hui to have summarily executed over thirty victims Monday if he had been forced to settle for a knife or sling-shot, instead.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
I'm Going Home
I'm staring out into the night,
Trying to hide the pain.
I'm going to the place where love
And feeling good don't ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel is a different kind of pain.
Well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.
The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, it makes true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.
So I'm going home,Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
I'm going home.
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don't want.
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all, yeah.
Oh, well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
-Chris Daughtry, "Home"
Trying to hide the pain.
I'm going to the place where love
And feeling good don't ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel is a different kind of pain.
Well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.
The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, it makes true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.
So I'm going home,Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
I'm going home.
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don't want.
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all, yeah.
Oh, well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
-Chris Daughtry, "Home"
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Condoleezza Rice v. Don Imus
Doesn't Queen Condi already have her plate full with the perpetual war in Iraq, blood-thirty Persians pushing against our frontline, terrorist supporting Syrians, a discontent Israel, without feeling the need to chime in on what Don Imus said about the Rutgers University girls' basketball team?
Apparently not.
According to Rice, Imus ruined the team's season with his "disgusting" remarks about them. She is happy that there was a consequence for his remarks. She, however, refused to comment on whether or not there should be a consequence for Bush's habitual lies, which have cost over 3,000 American lives and hundreds-of-billions of dollars.
Apparently not.
According to Rice, Imus ruined the team's season with his "disgusting" remarks about them. She is happy that there was a consequence for his remarks. She, however, refused to comment on whether or not there should be a consequence for Bush's habitual lies, which have cost over 3,000 American lives and hundreds-of-billions of dollars.
Friday, April 13, 2007
White House reports millions of lost e-mails, now
It has come to light that possibly five millions e-mails, over a two year period, have been "misplaced."
Not only did these e-mails contain information about the eight United States Attorneys who were fired recently, but also e-mails which might implicate the Bush Administration in the CIA leak, which cost the vice president's former chief-of-staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, his job and freedom.
It's amazing how far the incompetence at the White House runs. It is more likely, however, that the information "lost" contained sensitive details about actions taken by elite members of the West Wing staff. It is too convenient for five million e-mails to simply be deleted without some intentional consciousness at work.
They'll keep looking. The United States Senate will see to that.
Not only did these e-mails contain information about the eight United States Attorneys who were fired recently, but also e-mails which might implicate the Bush Administration in the CIA leak, which cost the vice president's former chief-of-staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, his job and freedom.
It's amazing how far the incompetence at the White House runs. It is more likely, however, that the information "lost" contained sensitive details about actions taken by elite members of the West Wing staff. It is too convenient for five million e-mails to simply be deleted without some intentional consciousness at work.
They'll keep looking. The United States Senate will see to that.
It takes a bird brain
Apparently, Cheney's plane, Air Force Two, collided with a bird as it landed in Chicago. Sources point out that the bird wasn't linked to any terrorist group. Unfortunately, for the bird, it did not make it. It is hard to believe that this is newsworthy. It is just too bad the bird wasn't a pterodactyl. Then that would have been appropriate to print.
Lost e-mails; where, oh, where did they go?
It would seem the Bush White House staffers have "mistakenly deleted" some very important e-mail communications regarding the firing of eight United States Attorneys, which has gone a long way to implicate the Justice Department; specifically, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez.
The White House allegedly has some top IT people working on the problem. I don't think it should be that difficult to recover deleted data, especially e-mails. They do it ever day in the corporate world, when it is time to fire someone for their blunders, like bidding on eBay.
The White House calls it a "screw up." I call it a "cover up."
The White House allegedly has some top IT people working on the problem. I don't think it should be that difficult to recover deleted data, especially e-mails. They do it ever day in the corporate world, when it is time to fire someone for their blunders, like bidding on eBay.
The White House calls it a "screw up." I call it a "cover up."
Corzine hurt in car wreck; Don Imus to blame?
Last night, we got the news that the governor of New Jersey, Jon Corzine, was injured in a traffic accident, while on his way to the Governor's Mansion, in Princeton, to mediate a meeting between former radio host, Don Imus, and the girls' basketball team of Rutgers University.
Can anyone else see the connection between Don Imus and this accident? Does Imus have a personal score to settle with Governor Corzine? I would like to know who was paying the individual in the red pickup truck that conveniently attempted to merge onto the Garden State Parkway, while at the same time running the governor's SUV from the road, causing it to subsequently crash into a guardrail. This person is still on the loose; it was a hit-and-run.
In other news, I don't think it is Imus' fault, though, that Jon Corzine wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Shame on him!
Can anyone else see the connection between Don Imus and this accident? Does Imus have a personal score to settle with Governor Corzine? I would like to know who was paying the individual in the red pickup truck that conveniently attempted to merge onto the Garden State Parkway, while at the same time running the governor's SUV from the road, causing it to subsequently crash into a guardrail. This person is still on the loose; it was a hit-and-run.
In other news, I don't think it is Imus' fault, though, that Jon Corzine wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Shame on him!
Is Imus going to XM or Sirius?
After being canned by MSNBC and CBS, Don Imus must begin to accept other offers for his radio show.
We all remember that little man, named Howard Stern. (No not the one who fancied himself the father of Anna Nicole's baby.) We all recall how he got into so much trouble over his comments on the air that ClearChannel ended his career, right? Wrong!
It is safe to bet that a man who can generate $20,000,000 in profit a year (for CBS, mind you) can find a new media outlet for his craft. I am sure somewhere at MSNBC and CBS, executives are pulling their hair out over this fiasco. Maybe they will get good ratings and reviews over their dismissal of Imus, but we all know in the long run their bottom line will suffer just a small bit, as a result.
Like Stern, Imus will find his new niche, not on terrestrial radio, perhaps, but with satellite providers, like XM and Sirius. Who knows, but with satellite radio, maybe even Howard K. Stern can find an audience.
We all remember that little man, named Howard Stern. (No not the one who fancied himself the father of Anna Nicole's baby.) We all recall how he got into so much trouble over his comments on the air that ClearChannel ended his career, right? Wrong!
It is safe to bet that a man who can generate $20,000,000 in profit a year (for CBS, mind you) can find a new media outlet for his craft. I am sure somewhere at MSNBC and CBS, executives are pulling their hair out over this fiasco. Maybe they will get good ratings and reviews over their dismissal of Imus, but we all know in the long run their bottom line will suffer just a small bit, as a result.
Like Stern, Imus will find his new niche, not on terrestrial radio, perhaps, but with satellite providers, like XM and Sirius. Who knows, but with satellite radio, maybe even Howard K. Stern can find an audience.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Racism in the media
Recently, we have heard overt racism coming from our radio speakers. It would seem the world is overrun by people like Don Imus, with his "nappy-headed hos" comment about the women's basketball team of Rutgers University, who make the world seem a little more bleak to live in; however, I disagree with the amount of attention such episodes receive from the media. The world is full of racism and I doubt that it will ever be fully eliminated, considering it is part of our humanity.
What is the purposes of forcing an apology from Don Imus? It would seem it is merely good publicity for people like Al Sharpton, who seems to be taking over the limelight from Jesse Jackson these days when it comes to this kind of publicity. If Mr. Imus is genuinely sorry for his comments relating to the ball team, then fine, by all means, allow him to apology and accept it in the manner in which it was given. But it is quite obvious that someone, like Don Imus, who has had a long history of public intolerance related to gender, race, and homosexuality, did not offer a genuine apology; instead, he is working to protect his media contracts with companies, such as NBC and CBS.
In the final assessment, let's just work to be more tolerant of those who are intolerant. That is the best way to deal with such bigotry in our world.
What is the purposes of forcing an apology from Don Imus? It would seem it is merely good publicity for people like Al Sharpton, who seems to be taking over the limelight from Jesse Jackson these days when it comes to this kind of publicity. If Mr. Imus is genuinely sorry for his comments relating to the ball team, then fine, by all means, allow him to apology and accept it in the manner in which it was given. But it is quite obvious that someone, like Don Imus, who has had a long history of public intolerance related to gender, race, and homosexuality, did not offer a genuine apology; instead, he is working to protect his media contracts with companies, such as NBC and CBS.
In the final assessment, let's just work to be more tolerant of those who are intolerant. That is the best way to deal with such bigotry in our world.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Donate to Hillary Rodham Clinton
Make a contribution to the exploratory presidential committee of Hillary Rodham Clinton, by clicking here.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Tit-for-Tat
Last week, after the Iranian government decided to free the British naval servicemen, who they had captured inside of Iraqi waters, now want the British government to show its appreciation by giving something equally valuable to the Iranian people.
As a result of their unfettered kindness, Iran called the release of the hostages "a gift to the British people." What kind of action do they anticipate be shown for their affection toward the people of England? Do they want appeasement for their nuclear program? (Probably.) Do they want the the United Kingdom to pressure the United States over its policies in the Middle East? (Definitely.)
What will the British give the Iranians in return? Absolutely nothing.
It is certain that the government of Iran will be looking for new bargaining chips in the future. Perhaps, they will get lucky and seize another British patrol (or dare I say an American one). This time it is safe, however, to bet these sailors will not be treated as kindly as their predecessors.
Iran is working diligently to turn world attention away from its nuclear ambitions. It is confident to assume they believed the alleged trespassing of British soldiers in sovereign Iranian waters, and their subsequent release to their home country, would bolster their image with other countries in the Middle East region, and the world, in general.
It may prove harder for Iran to garner that kind of favor, though. They may learn that it takes more than a ship full of European sailors--even with letters of apology written under duress, a visit from the president, and a quick exit home--to appear all cuddly and trustworthy.
As a result of their unfettered kindness, Iran called the release of the hostages "a gift to the British people." What kind of action do they anticipate be shown for their affection toward the people of England? Do they want appeasement for their nuclear program? (Probably.) Do they want the the United Kingdom to pressure the United States over its policies in the Middle East? (Definitely.)
What will the British give the Iranians in return? Absolutely nothing.
It is certain that the government of Iran will be looking for new bargaining chips in the future. Perhaps, they will get lucky and seize another British patrol (or dare I say an American one). This time it is safe, however, to bet these sailors will not be treated as kindly as their predecessors.
Iran is working diligently to turn world attention away from its nuclear ambitions. It is confident to assume they believed the alleged trespassing of British soldiers in sovereign Iranian waters, and their subsequent release to their home country, would bolster their image with other countries in the Middle East region, and the world, in general.
It may prove harder for Iran to garner that kind of favor, though. They may learn that it takes more than a ship full of European sailors--even with letters of apology written under duress, a visit from the president, and a quick exit home--to appear all cuddly and trustworthy.
Snow in April?
Last night, it snowed about an inch (well, on the table on the deck). It has been cold since spring break started this past week. It is more like winter break, actually.
They say that it will stay this cold through the beginning of next week. Many people are worried about the affect it will have on plants that are budding. I think that it might kill many of the blooms on the peach trees and the dogwoods. They are already look as if they have taken a beating from the temperatures being so low over the past two nights. Tonight, it is supposed to be around 17 degrees! That is record breaking temperatures for this time of year.
The funny thing is we made it through March without a single snowflake. It was quite warm, actually. Now we are dealing with snow and wintry temperatures.
Global Warming???
They say that it will stay this cold through the beginning of next week. Many people are worried about the affect it will have on plants that are budding. I think that it might kill many of the blooms on the peach trees and the dogwoods. They are already look as if they have taken a beating from the temperatures being so low over the past two nights. Tonight, it is supposed to be around 17 degrees! That is record breaking temperatures for this time of year.
The funny thing is we made it through March without a single snowflake. It was quite warm, actually. Now we are dealing with snow and wintry temperatures.
Global Warming???
Thursday, April 05, 2007
The Minds of Imbeciles
As Ford looks to slash more than 30,000 of its employees, it is rewarding its new CEO, Alan Mulally, with $24 million, after only four months on the job.
Where is the reason behind such a decision? It would seem that a company that is steadily heading toward bankruptcy, would look to secure itself financially. It is such financial packages, like Mulally's, that makes you wonder if such a company is worth keeping around. I doubt any of the 30,000 Ford Motor employees, who are about to receive their walking papers, would object to my assessment.
Where is the reason behind such a decision? It would seem that a company that is steadily heading toward bankruptcy, would look to secure itself financially. It is such financial packages, like Mulally's, that makes you wonder if such a company is worth keeping around. I doubt any of the 30,000 Ford Motor employees, who are about to receive their walking papers, would object to my assessment.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Iran Protests at the British Embassy
It would seem the tensions between the United Kingdom and Iran have escalated. Iranians have mounted a violent protest outside the British embassy in Tehran. Reports indicate that rocks and firecrackers were the protesters' weapons of choice. The protesters demanded an apology from the British government over their claim that British naval vessels violated Iranian waters over a week ago, which resulted in the capture of British naval officers.
The Iran Saga
Over a week ago, British troops were seized out of "Iraqi" territorial waters, at the insistence that they had invaded Iranian territorial waters. This is up for debate, of course. Who knows what the real location of these naval and marine soldiers were? Despite the strain on diplomatic relations, we have not seen any sign that the British soldiers have been mistreated. Although, their freedom has certainly been circumvented, it could be a whole lot worse. It will certainly escalate as the fragile situation continues to fall apart. The Iranian government wants the British government to apologize for entering their territorial waters. The British are demanding their unfettered release, stating they did not enter Iranian waters. Tehran states that if the British government does not apologize for the transgression, then they will be forced to place the captured sailors on trial. If found guilty, they will also be required to face the sentence of the court (which sounds dire in-and-of-itself). It is certain that London will be looking at all efforts to remove their soldiers from Iran, which includes direct military force. But first, they must determine where the British are being held inside of Iran. It is probably safe to assume that they will no longer be held in the same location, but rather spread across Iran to lessen the opportunity of British special operations forces to effectively extract them.
We also have news, today, of Iranian and American clashes inside Iraqi territory. Last month, Iranian soldiers entered Iraq and laid an ambush for joint Iraqi-American forces as they patrolled the Iraqi-Iranian border. The US government is not speaking of the incident (or really acknowledging it either), but according to anonymous sources (i.e., soldiers who have first-hand accounting of the incident) the incident did take place. The American and Iraqi forces were forced to take an inferior position against Iranian fire. Sources also report that perhaps one Iranian soldier was killed in the incident.
What does it all mean? It shows that Iran is taking a direct interest in the affairs of the Middle East. Iran is also wetting its beak by drawing out British and American forces on military and diplomatic fronts. Iran is already in hot water, with the United Nations, over its nuclear power program. Perhaps, the abduction of British soldiers and the direct confrontation of American forces is Iran's way of diverting the attention of the world from its nuclear program.
Only time will tell.
We also have news, today, of Iranian and American clashes inside Iraqi territory. Last month, Iranian soldiers entered Iraq and laid an ambush for joint Iraqi-American forces as they patrolled the Iraqi-Iranian border. The US government is not speaking of the incident (or really acknowledging it either), but according to anonymous sources (i.e., soldiers who have first-hand accounting of the incident) the incident did take place. The American and Iraqi forces were forced to take an inferior position against Iranian fire. Sources also report that perhaps one Iranian soldier was killed in the incident.
What does it all mean? It shows that Iran is taking a direct interest in the affairs of the Middle East. Iran is also wetting its beak by drawing out British and American forces on military and diplomatic fronts. Iran is already in hot water, with the United Nations, over its nuclear power program. Perhaps, the abduction of British soldiers and the direct confrontation of American forces is Iran's way of diverting the attention of the world from its nuclear program.
Only time will tell.
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