The Outrage Continues

And the Danish Embassy has been burned. What has made this little drama intriguing is how so few people involved are sympathetic characters.

The cartoons were drawn and published knowing it would be an insult. Those turning to violent demonstrations clearly don't understand the concept of a free and independent media, and the end result is the behavior of some is making the cartoons flawed and insulting portrayal of Islam appear to be valid.

As I said, get over it.

One thing I did find most interesting; Some of the people I know who are loudest in denouncing the Muslims for protesting, have been the loudest in complaining about art that they view sacrilegious, or flag burning.



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Islam Denmark Lebanon

I have Just One Question Today

Did someone forget to schedule winter this year?

Shorts, sandals and T-Shirts in Early February isn't normal.

We have house guests today, so have a great Saturday, and I will check back Sunday.


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Weather

Need Something Interesting To Read

Just click on over and check these out.

Dispatches from the culture war look at the fiscal conservative nature of George Bush.


Some of the great moments in the war on terror are remembered at the American Street.


The New York Book review has published a letter to Congress about the NSA domestic spying. Majikthise offers a very good review of that letter.


The failure to expect the Hamas victory and some western preconceptions are looked at by the Green Knight.


Over at J.A.B.B.S, a look at the Bush administration's tradition of obstructing investigations.

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Fiscal Conservative Bush War on Terror Hamas Domestic Spying

Get Over It

Just because you hold something sacred, do not expect everyone else to so the same.

Muslims the world wide are on a rampage. Some European papers have published cartoons containing a picture of the prophet Mohammad. To them this is offensive, and a violation of Sharia law.

So what.

The nations where these were published are not under Sharia law, no one has forced any Muslim to publish these cartoons, and no one has force anyone to read them.

Get over it.

I find many things offensive. I don't like the US flag being burned, I don't like depictions of violence and gore on television, I don't like the hate filled speech that so many republican talking heads engage in.

That doesn't mean I have the right to stop a flag from being burned (it is just colored cloth). If you own it, you can do what ever you want with it. If I don't like what is on TV, I can turn it off, and no one forces me to listen to or accept the screwy world view of the republican noise machine.

I live my life, they live theirs.

I do question the reason of the papers who have printed them. I know that they claim it is in support of a free press, but wonder if it might have been more about getting notice, and in a few cases a cheap shot at the Islamic populations in their area.

In any case, Just because you find something offensive, doesn't mean that it is (or should be) illegal, or should even be controlled. It isn't just Muslims, many people can find offense over just about anything. Don't buy the painting, watch the show, or attend the event, but please;

Just get over it.


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Muslim

A Never Ending War

I have been saying that the way this administration is defining war, and victory, this war might never end.

Well, now they are admitting it.

WASHINGTON - The United States is engaged in what could be a generational conflict akin to the Cold War, the kind of struggle that might last decades as allies work to root out terrorists across the globe and battle extremists who want to rule the world, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Thursday.

This leaves the question, do we have to give up our rights and liberties for generations? Is the President to be all powerful for generations?

And most importantly, are you so foolish to think you can defeat a tactic. Since terrorism is not a nation or a person, but a style of conflict, how do you propose to defeat a type of war.

Sadly, I suspect there are many Americans who are willing to give up their rights and liberty in this foolish and hopeless exercise.



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War on Terror

Terrorism?

Or simply another sunken ferry?

CAIRO, Egypt (CNN) -- An aging Egyptian passenger ferry carrying more than 1,400 people has sunk in the Red Sea off the Saudi coast, officials say.

My bets is it was just an accident, but you know many are still wondering, could it be terrorism.


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Al Salam Boccaccio 98 Egypt

More On The Pre War Lying

The Guardian is looking at some more British memos. Not unlike the Downing street memos, these clearly show that war, not peace, was the only goal for George Bush.

Mr Bush made it clear the US intended to invade whether or not there was a second resolution and even if UN inspectors found no evidence of a banned Iraqi weapons programme.

Of course at the same time is was telling the people of the US that all Saddam had to do was obey the UN, and there would be no war. He told the people of the US that we knew exactly where the weapons were. The truth is he wanted war, and would lie to make it happen.

In private he told his co-conspirators that no matter what we were attacking.

The meeting between Mr Bush and Mr Blair, attended by six close aides, came at a time of growing concern about the failure of any hard intelligence to back up claims that Saddam was producing weapons of mass destruction in breach of UN disarmament obligations. It took place a few days before the then US secretary Colin Powell made claims - since discredited - in a dramatic presentation at the UN about Iraq's weapons programme.

This is very interesting. After a meeting where they discuss the fact there was no evidence, they send out Colin Powell to lie to the UN, and claim we do have overwhelming and indisputable evidence.

Evidence that, as noted here, has since been 'discredited'. But these notes again raise the question, did Bush know just how big a lie Powell was telling in his name?

Just how determined was Bush to start this war. He considered repainting US plans in UN colors and then use them over Iraq against Saddam. It is clear that on many levels Bush was one of the loose cannons in his administration, a clueless loose cannon.

More evidence of the total lack of planning and understanding of the situation in Iraq is made clear.

Mr Bush told the prime minister that he "thought it unlikely that there would be internecine warfare between the different religious and ethnic groups".

You do have to wonder why someone on the UK side didn't try to educate the US on the issue, but I suspect if they had the Bush administration would have ignored them.

The legality issue is also raised again, and this one remains very interesting.

Foreign Office lawyers consistently warned that an invasion would be regarded as unlawful. The book reveals that Elizabeth Wilmshurst, the FO's deputy chief legal adviser who resigned over the war, told the Butler inquiry, into the use of intelligence during the run-up to the war, of her belief that Lord Goldsmith, the attorney general, shared the FO view.

In light of the steady stream of revelations about the lies and deceptions used to start this war, how long can it be until criminal investigations start? One thing this article is very clear on is Blair lied. He lied to his people about the determination to go to war, and he lied about efforts to avoid war. I suspect the people of the UK will not take this as well at the Americans have accepted Bush's lies.


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Blair Bush Iraq

A New King Of The Corruption Hill Announced

Rep. John Boehner steps to the front, winning the election as house majority leader, 122-109.

The good news is the Republicans didn't elect someone tainted by Tribal money, or Defense Contractor Money. The bad news is he is tainted by Tobacco industry money. (He is also an Ohio Repubican, something else to be concerned about)

Mr. Boehner took it upon himself to begin handing out money from tobacco lobbyists to certain of his colleagues on the House floor.

It is sad, but not a suprise, that the republicans could not find a viable canidate without a serious stench of corruption.


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Boehner Delay Cunningham

More Dead In Iraq

Today five more died.

BAGHDAD, Iraq : Five American servicemen were killed in Iraq in separate attacks, the U.S. military said Thursday, including three soldiers who died in a roadside bomb blast.

So, after a brief break the deaths start up again.

In interesting news, I have seen where at least fatwa has been published allowing sunni's to pray at home and shave their beards. This is reported to be an effort to avoid mass arrest by US or Shiite forces.

Just another sign of decay.


UPDATE
add a couple of car bombs into the events of the day.


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Iraq

Now How Typical Is This

Representative Bill Young (R-Fla.) is deeply trouble by his wife being evicted from the State of the Union address. She was wearing a T-Shirt that express support for the Troops in Iraq. Cindy Sheehan was also ejected for wearing a T-Shirt that expressed support for the troops in Iraq. One supported the war, and one opposed it, and the capital police removed them both (but only arrested Sheehan).

Well, Rep. Young principaled stand on this suppression of free expression is very telling.

Young said he wouldn't be so mad if it were just Sheehan. "I totally disagree with everything she stands for," he said. But by removing his wife, Gainer's officers clearly "acted precipitously," Young said.

These people are just disgusting.

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Young Sheehan

The House Agrees With Bush

Screw the poor, sick, and weak.

Women on welfare are likely to face longer hours of work, education or community service to qualify for their checks. Recipients of Medicaid can expect to face higher co-payments and deductibles, especially on expensive prescription drugs and emergency room visits for nonemergency care.

{snip}

College students could face higher interest rates when their banks get squeezed by the federal government.

{snip}

State-led efforts to force deadbeat parents to pay their child support may also have to be curtailed.

By he way, of the 214 votes against this bill (a bill that passed 216-214), only 13 Republicans could be found. And as Bending the Third Rail notes, why are we taking from the people and giving to the corporations.

UPDATE
This jus clearly displays where Bush stands in the Guns or Butter argument. At the same time we are assuring more poverty, illness and suffering for our poor, we are asking for another $70,000,000,000.00 (billion) to supplement our war spending for this year. Seventy billion more, on top of what we are already spending, for a war that we were promised would cost twenty to thirty billion tops.


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Budget Student Loans Medicare

United Is Born Again

United Air Lines has come out of bankruptcy. This process took them 2 years, and has directly effected tens of thousands of people who work for, or retired from United.

Now it is time to watch and see if Delta and Northwest can follow the path that United and US Airways just passed through.


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United

Patriot Act Still Hanging On

The efforts to find a workable solution between civil rights, and the patriot act continue, but it appears to be slow going. As a result, it will be given another months extension while the battle goes on.

It was bad law when it was written, and much of what the Bush administration wants is still bad law. Those in the Senate who are working on changing the law should let it die if they don't get a solid workable law to replace it.


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Patriot Act

A Little Scary

Arrested for wearing a T-Shirt.

Cindy Sheehan finally got her invitation to see President Bush again, but before she set eyes on him at the State of the Union address, Capitol Police removed her from the gallery overlooking the House chamber.

The offense: her shirt, bearing an anti-war message

I Didn't know there was a dress code for the Gallery of the House chamber.


UPDATE
Cindy Sheehan version

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Sheehan

The State Of The Union, A Review

Since I have no patience in dealing with bull crap, and this event is simply a crap fest (it has been for decades at least), I avoid it.

That said, I do like to see the reviews of the event, and Think Progress has a great breakdown.

They look at his statements about Katrina, and how Bush's rhetoric is shown in action in this post disaster investigation and other investigations. They look at Bush's statements about the economy. Think Progress dismembers his tax cuts, and their cost, the impact they have had on the debt, and the fact that Bush economy just isn't creating jobs.

But the best laughs have come from reading about his energy policy. He sounds just like Jimmy Carter 30 years ago.

While both men are correct, this thinking coming from bush is clearly disingenuous. President Carter made the statements, and then tried to make policy to address the issue. Bush makes he statement, then supports policy that runs counter to the issue. He ignores renewable energy. Cutting funding there and for biofuel.

There is much more, so go over and see the facts behind the BS that he spread last night.


Over at No more Mr. nice blog, is a shorter version of the address.

WE MUST ARGUE IN A CIVIL MANNER, BUT REMEMBER THAT THE DEMOCRATS WANT EVERYONE TO DIE IN A TERRORIST ATTACK

UPDATE
The Washington Post also has a "fact check".
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State of the Union

Today's Not So Good News From Iraq

The attacks on US forces are still getting widespread support among the Iraqi Population.

47 percent of Iraqis approve of attacks on American forces, but there were large differences among ethnic and religious groups. Among Sunni Muslims, 88 percent said they approved of the attacks. That approval was found among 41 percent of Shiite Muslims and 16 percent of Kurds.

And if Sistani were to ever encourage attacks on the US troops, the support for attacks in the Shiite population would double.


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Iraq

George Clooney Had A Good Morning

He picked up three Oscar nominations today.

George Clooney picked up three nominations: as supporting actor for his role as a steadfast CIA undercover agent in “Syriana” and best director and co-writer for his Edward R. Murrow tale “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

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George Clooney

The Complex Issue Of Supplying Aid To Terrorist

Or.

The complex issue Of supplying aid To democratic proto-nations that are now led by a political party that is tied to a terrorist group.

The need of aid to the Palestinian government is well established, and it's delivery is considered essential to the stability of the region. One of the major reasons Hamas has been able to take power war the perceived failure of Fatah to deliver this aid to the people. Without the aid, the situation in the middle east has the real potential to get much worse, very fast.

But, if do continue to send aid, you are sending aid to terrorist, the very same terrorist we have sworn to destroy.

So, we will try to create a system of sticks and carrots that lead Hamas to a more peaceful stand.

In a communique at the end of its meeting, the quartet said: "It is inevitable that future assistance to any new government would be reviewed by donors against that government's commitment to the principles of non violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the road map."

It is a poor option, but the only one that the western powers have. It is funny how reality can destroy the plans of those who think they can just ignore it.

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Hamas Palestine

Another Legend Has Passed On

Coretta Scott King has died at the age of 78.



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Coretta Scott King

A Bird Flu Death, In Iraq

This may be a bit of a disaster. With the country in it's current state there is little reason to think that Iraq or the US can effectually contain it. One bit of good fortune is this case occurred in the Kurdish north, the most stable area of the country.

If (and when) it moves further south, it will be uncontrollable. The current instability of the nation assures it.

UPDATE
As many as 12 cases may be being treated in Sulaimaniya Iraq.


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Bird Flu Iraq

The President and The Queen

An oldie but a goodie

George Bush is visiting the Queen of England.

He asks her, "Your Majesty, how do you run such an efficient government? Are there any tips you can give me?"

"Well," says the Queen, "the most important thing is to surround yourself with intelligent people."

Bush frowns. "But how do I know the people around me are really intelligent?"

The Queen takes a sip of tea. "Oh, that's easy. You just ask them to answer an intelligence riddle. The Queen pushes a button on her intercom. "Please send The Prime Minister in here, would you?"

Tony Blair walks into the room. "Your Majesty..."

The Queen smiles. "Answer me this, please, Tony. Your mother and father have a child. It is not your brother and it is not your sister. Who is it?"

Without pausing for a moment, Blair answers, "That would be me!"

"Yes! Very good!" says the Queen.

Back at the White House, Bush calls in his vice president, Dick Cheney.


"Dick, answer this for me. Your mother and your father have a child. It's not your brother and it's not your sister. Who is it?"

"I'm not sure," says the vice president. "Let me get back to you on that one." Dick Cheney goes to his advisers and asks every one, but none can give him an answer. Finally, he ends up in the men's room and recognizes Colin Powell's shoes in the next stall.

Dick shouts, "Colin! Can you answer this for me? Your mother and father have a child and it's not your brother or your sister. Who is it?"

Colin Powell yells back, "That's easy. It's me!"

Dick Cheney smiles. "Thanks!"

Cheney goes back to the Oval Office and asks to speak with Bush. "Say, I did some research and I have the answer to that riddle. It's Colin Powell."

Bush gets up, stomps over to Dick Cheney, and angrily yells into his face, "No, you idiot! It's Tony Blair!"



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Humor

Another Sign That Things Are Just Not Right

Every once and a while I just don't feel well. This doesn't mean that I feel sick, it is nothing that drastic, I just don't feel well. This feeling kinda flies under my awareness, it can be a slight ache, or a little queasiness, maybe just a creeping feeling of ick. Sometimes it passes, but all to often it means that very soon I will be really sick.

For 3+ years the economy has felt that way to me. The numbers tend to look OK, there isn't any one thing to point at and say that's it, but still it just doesn't feel well. I see friends who a few years ago were doing well, now struggling a little. A few more people adding second or third jobs. Talk about vacations is less frequent, talk about job concerns is more common.

And now just more information that, while not meaning we are sick, sure tell me we are not well.

As a nation, we now have a negative savings rate.

pushing the savings rate for all of 2005 into negative territory at minus 0.5 percent. That was the lowest annual savings rate since a decline of 1.5 percent in 1933, a year in which the country was struggling to cope with the Great Depression.

The rich get richer, The debt grows, and Bush still wants to give huge tax breaks to the very rich of this nation.

No wonder it just doesn't feel well.


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Savings

Injured ABC Crew Headed To Germany

Bob Woodruff and Doug Vogt, both injured by an IED in Iraq, have been evacuated to Germany for medical treatment.

They had been traveling as embedded reporters with the 4th ID, but on this trip they were in a convoy of both Iraqi and US forces. It appears they were trying to develop a 'good news' story about the development of the Iraq force, when they were injured.

UPDATE
It was a propaganda mission.

Bob Woodruff was in Baghdad for ABC reporting the good news that the Bush administration complains is ignored by the news media, and he ended up as a glaring illustration of the bad news.

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ABC News Iraq

Enron Trial Starting

Jeff Skilling, and Bush's buddy, Ken Lay's trial is slated to start today with jury selection.

The Enron failure pulled back a curtain, and exposed systemic fraud and creative financing at hundreds, maybe thousands of companies. It triggered the reevaluation of books that may have played a part in other corporate failures, and has led to review of how big business does business.

One area that has still not gotten a lot of notice. How the actions of Ken Lay and all the other criminal executives have effected those who worked for them.

Jan. 30, 2006 When Charlie Prestwood retired to his small rural home north of Houston, after 33 years of working in a power plant, he knew exactly what he had in his nest egg.

"1,310,570 dollars and some few cents. That was my life savings," Prestwood said.

Today that nest egg is gone. Like thousands of other former Enron employees, he is still struggling to recover from his loss. He says at his age, 67, he won't live long enough to ever recoup that money.

Mr. Prestwood may be an extreme case, but there are many more who were effected.

It will be interesting to follow this case. He used a shell game, and a staff of accounts, and complacent auditors, to rake in millions. If he had used a gun, or blackmail, there is little doubt of what his fate may be, what will be the result of using business methods for this kind of theft.

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Enron Lay

Talk About Running On A Single Issue.

It appears Cindy Sheehan is considering a run for office.

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Cindy Sheehan, the peace activist who set up camp near President Bush's Texas ranch last summer, said Saturday she is considering running against Sen. Dianne Feinstein to protest what she called the California lawmaker's support for the war in Iraq.

It's a free country (for a little while more any way), but I think if she does this it will actually reduce her credibility.

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Cindy Sheehan

Iraqi's And Brits Are Not Playing Nice

It appears that the trust in the one area where a little once existed may be gone.

Basra's governor has threatened to suspend dealings with UK forces unless five police officers being held as suspected insurgents are released. The men were arrested on Tuesday in a British-led operation following an increase in roadside bombings.

Lets face it, the civil war has started, and peace keepers are not real welcome.


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Iraq UK Basra

20 Years Ago

The Challenger, and it crew met their fate. One of the tragic milestones in the exploration of our universe.

While Christa McAuliffe is the name most associated with this mission, one of South Carolina's finest, Ron McNair, was also lost that day.


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NASA Challenger McNair

Populist

The Populist You scored 60% individualism, 36% fatalism, 40% hierarchy, and 52% egalitarianism!

You adhere to both the Individualist and Egalitarian cultures. You oppose rules and customs that tell people what they can and can't do, and believe that everyone should be treated equally.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 99% on individualism You scored higher than 99% on fatalism You scored higher than 99% on hierarchy You scored higher than 99% on egalitarianism

Link: The Scientific Cultural Theory Test written by Stentor on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

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Quiz

Friday's Collection Of Post Of Interest

Click over and give them a read.

The lies of Stop the ACLU about one case are dissected at Dispatches from the Culture Wars.


Badtux, the Snarky Penguin, see a message that all of America needs to embrace.


Want to know when it is science? At The Questionable Authority, there a very good primer about the 'science' of Not so Intelligent design.


Pam's House Blend examines just how extreme and silly some of our domestic spying has become.


Fiscal stupidity, Rob's Blog knows it when he sees it.


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ACLU Franklin Intelligent Design Domestic Spying

How Could Hamas Win?

And win big.

What few people outside the middle east consider is that Hamas is a two headed monster. It is a terrorist group that does blow up people and things. But it has another head.

That side of Hamas got stuff done for the people. They provide college scholarships, they run schools, they provide health care, they act as a safety net for families who have lost loved ones in their war against Israel. They are already doing the work that the old government was unable to do.

So while Fatah is seen as corrupt and unable to deliver the services of government, Hamas is seen as already doing what the people want.

But that doesn't explain the landslide in their favor. A friend has proposed a reason why Hamas got 60% and not 40% support.

The population has been further radicalized by a number of factors. The slow pace and one sided nature of the peace plan with Israel, the rise of Islamic extremism, and the ever growing hatred of the west and the US driven by the invasion of Iraq all have added a few percentage points into the Hamas political camp.

In effect, the US policies in the middle east, combined with the corrupt and inept leadership of the Fatah party, have led the people of Palestine to elect a terrorist group to lead them.

It will be very interesting to see what effect this has on the elections in Israel.

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Hamas