July 29, 2004
HMMM
There may be correlation, but is there causation?
Fear of hell makes us richer, Fed says
Posted by: Sarah at
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Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists Inc. said:
"I cannot imagine what the belief in mythological beings or things that don't exist can do for business. What about the pornographic industry?"
It would depend what the "mythological beings or things" tell you to do, don't you think?
The bit about pornography is a red herring. It is well established that lack of corruption promotes prosperity.
Hell is not necessarily the only thing which discourages corruption. It need only discourage some people to show up in the statistics.
Posted by: David Boxenhorn at July 29, 2004 12:11 PM (z7KJm)
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FUNDING
Tanker sent me
this link from Iraq the Model. Those brothers are smart cookies:
This reveals the fact that the terroristsÂ’ resources are no longer sufficient to their expenses and this is what made them seek financial support through these criminal operations.
Ok, we know now that theyÂ’re close to bankruptcy and here come two countries to reinforce the terrorists position by withdrawing from Iraq. And people here in Iraq believe that Manilla paid several millions of dollars to free the hostage just like what the Egyptians did when the Egyptian embassy announced that the operation was more about money than about politics.
Do you know what this means?
Millions of dollars mean hundreds of victims. TheyÂ’re funding terror in one way or another and I find it very stupid that negotiations take place through the help of a highly under suspicion-group like the "Sunni Muslim Cleric Council".
ThereÂ’s a deal to fund terror in a different way than before and there are groups and countries who support this and maneuver to override the obstacles.
Negotiating with those thugs provides them with legitimacy let alone submitting to their demands and funding them.
Posted by: Sarah at
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Our friends the Germans did the same thing last September. Several of their nationals, plus a couple of others, were vacationing in southern Algeria (a Darwin Awards move if there ever was one), and were taken hostage by an Islamist group with ties to Al-Qaeda. According to the BBC (!!), Germany laundered what amounted to a ransom payment through Mali, and ultimately obtained their release.
http://tigerhawk.blogspot.com/2004/07/jihadists-win-again.html
Posted by: Jack at July 29, 2004 02:18 PM (0E1sl)
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Here's the URL of my original post on the German hostage payment and the war in the Sahara:
http://tigerhawk.blogspot.com/2004/06/war-spreads-to-sahara.html
Posted by: Jack at July 29, 2004 02:21 PM (0E1sl)
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BLEAT
Hilarious
Bleat today. Trip to IKEA: done it myself, many times. Chili Cheese Burrito petition: signed it with my husband's name, since it's his favorite Bell item. And I can't decide if I laughed harder at this paragraph
This is why I am not completely undone by the news that it may take a while to fully electrify Iraq. It took DirecTV ten attempts to fix one dish, and no one was shooting at the techs.
or this one
I like my union; they've backed me up when I was in a corner. I just wish they didn't force me to subsidize pictures of the president standing in a sack of shit, that's all. Is that too much to ask?
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm hooked on Lileks.
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July 26, 2004
ON
Mark Steyn is
on:
And here's where I have some sympathy with Sandy Berger and his overloaded pants. By his own words, he's guilty of acts that any other American would go to jail for. He "inadvertently" shoved 30-page classified documents down his pants and then "inadvertently" lost them at home and then "inadvertently" returned to the National Archives to "inadvertently" take another draft of the same 30-page document and "inadvertently" lost that, too. He "inadvertently" made forbidden cell phone calls from the room with the classified documents, and he "inadvertently" took more suspicious bathroom breaks while in the Archives than that Syrian band took on that L.A. flight that was in the news last week. If the former national security adviser has an incontinence problem, that at least explains where he was during the '90s when Osama bin Laden was growing bolder and bolder on his watch.
Posted by: Sarah at
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July 23, 2004
GOOD-BYE
And when I got to the end, I realized I was crying.
We'll miss you,
Tim.
Posted by: Sarah at
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Sarah - I felt the same thing! He will be missed but the way I look at it is Tim kept me in spirit for a good many months. Just like yourself. I'm just happy to have had a chance to get to know Tim and Patti a bit. That is the beauty of the blogoshere....meeting and corresponding with people who otherwise one would never have any connection. It's a great medium! Hey - did you see MY picture on the window? I was in the middle of the pic.
Posted by: Toni at July 23, 2004 09:37 AM (SHqVu)
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July 22, 2004
STEIN
A soldier wrote
a letter in response to a Ben Stein column.
Ben Stein responded.
(via Greyhawk)
Posted by: Sarah at
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Just to let you know, I haven't dropped out and nothing is wrong, except for problems with miniluv.com which hosts my site. I'm unable to edit, or connect to my site, and am completely unaware if my archives even exist at this point. I've not heard from the folks at miniluv, so no ETA either. It might be a bandwidth usage problem for all I know which could put it bck until next month.
Posted by: John at July 23, 2004 09:40 AM (+Ysxp)
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July 20, 2004
ACCOMPLISHED
Fahrencrap 9/11 will be shown
free-of-charge in Seoul in an effort to get more Koreans to see the movie and oppose the deployment of Korean troops to Iraq. Mission accomplished, Michael Moore.
Posted by: Sarah at
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Given that they're planning
2 free showings this seems like it would have a pretty limited impact though, no?
Posted by: Groucho at July 20, 2004 10:32 AM (Y+H9s)
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I saw where a theatre owner somewhere in the US (?NC) was going to show the movie free of charge so people who were unwilling to have Maggot Moore get any of their money might be convinced to see the film. It might work for me - I feel I ought to see the thing but refuse to have him profit from my doing so.
By the way, I name it "Fraud-n-Hate 9-11".
Posted by: Glenmore at July 20, 2004 07:23 PM (GlHaB)
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I went and saw this so called "movie". One scene showed a raid conducted by US forces in Iraq on Christmas eve. As the soldiers were raiding the house it had subtitles of what the Iraqi woman was saying, "he is a student, and a good kid, why are you doing this". It didn't show why the raid was conducted or what was found. It showed the soldiers enter, then the brief thing with the woman, and then the soldiers leaving with a prisoner. I so tried not to throw up during this "movie". By the end of the "movie", 90% of the audiance (most of whom have served in Afghanistan and/or Iraq) were pretty pissed off. Mainly at the scene where it showed an american soldier who was killed in Iraq being laid to rest in Arlington, with Moore in the background laughing.
Posted by: birdie at July 21, 2004 09:47 PM (ohCKH)
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July 19, 2004
INSTY
Some good stuff on Instapundit today. First, a quote from reader
David Pinto:
We've done a pretty good job of surrounding potential trouble makers. Pakistan has the US on one side and India on the other. Iran has the US on two fronts. And Syria has the US and Israel on two fronts. Not a bad strategic maneuver.
Indeed, as Glenn would say. And then there's this link on what really happened to the oil-for-food money...
Ain't that a kick in the pants?
Posted by: Sarah at
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yeah, and when they're really really stirring up trouble we'll raise hell in some other country next to them with our imaginary army. That'll show 'em! God. Worst. spin. ever.
Or, to be a little less snarky: 1. Afghanistan != US; there are about 10.000 troops there. 2. Iraq != US; the troops are busy with other things. 3. There aren't any more troops for a new invasion/occupation.
While it's still possible blow up any country in the whole world, strategically, we're screwed.
Posted by: Sander at July 21, 2004 12:40 PM (3nJmx)
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July 18, 2004
DEFINITION
According to Garrison Keillor, the definition of a Republican is
...hairy-backed swamp developers and corporate shills, faith-based economists, see-through fundamentalist bullies with Bibles, Christians of convenience, freelance racists, hobby cops, misanthropic frat boys, lizardskin cigar monkeys, jerktown romeos, ninja dittoheads, the shrieking midgets of AM radio, tax cheats, cheese merchants, cat stranglers, taxi dancers, grab-ass executives, gun fetishists, genteel pornographers, pill pushers, chronic nappers, nihilists in golf pants, backed-up Baptists, Crips and Bloods of the boardroom...
Wow, those are some fun descriptions. Though try as I might, I just can't fit myself into any of those categories, despite the fact that I have met many cats that I would've liked to have strangled. If he added war cheerleaders and clueless fucktards, then I'd fit right in...
(Via Powerline)
Posted by: Sarah at
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Unless someone will own up to having put LSD into Keillor's coffee, he should see his brain-care specialist
at once!
Posted by: Francis W. Porretto at July 18, 2004 08:37 AM (MzH7h)
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Maybe we aren't as divided as we think. I could name a Democrat that fits each of those descriptions! In fact, John Kerry is trying hard to be all of them this year!
Posted by: Mike at July 18, 2004 01:27 PM (tJNpU)
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I'm a Republican. And I'm also an American of Mexican descent, a woman, a writer, with two degrees both in American and English Literature, a wife, an ex-liberal and ex-democrat.
Geez my list is less exotic than Keeler's, but much more honest, and I bet there are many more out there that fit my list rather than Keeler's stereotypical rant that use words to confuse and label rather than illuminate and define.
To a writer from a writer: never abuse the truth with words that attempt to sound like the truth, because when you do you reveal the soul of your pen and the ink becomes the blood that spills rather than keep the arteries of truth alive.
Posted by: Moor at July 18, 2004 05:51 PM (xvwyL)
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Keillor is an ass. I refuse to listen to him on AFN on Sundays anymore.
Posted by: richard at July 19, 2004 01:32 AM (dY+QS)
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Glad to see you recovering from the troll attack of a couple weeks ago...
Posted by: Princess Jami at July 20, 2004 05:46 PM (0gPLe)
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I read recently that the difference between the Left and the Right is that the Right thinks that their opponents are mistaken, wrongheaded or unrealistic while the Left thinks their opponents are stupid, corrupt and evil. Keillor expresses that latter sentiment well, but he goes over the top. It feels as though he is desperate to prove something. Who's he trying to convince-- himself?
Posted by: Louis Wheeler at July 24, 2004 01:19 AM (mYqjP)
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http://make.imoney555.com/8kbb/ pathspuffedwalked
Posted by: salty at July 24, 2005 09:17 PM (PlaNP)
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July 17, 2004
SEMANTICS
I found
this blog post via Annika's comments section, which made me think of
this post I read a long time ago. Do we need to pay more attention to the semantics of this war?
Posted by: Sarah at
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July 16, 2004
TERROR
I read
about this story on a billion blogs today. I finally read the whole thing, and my stomach is a mess. I felt scared to death.
Oh yeah, Mama, don't read it. I'll never get you on a plane in September.
Posted by: Sarah at
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Sarah,
I, too, had read this scary article. I then signed up to Womenswallstreet.com in order to get updates on this story. Just got the confirmation of my FREE registration. They made a donation to the The Breast Cancer Research Foundation as an "added benefit." Top notch organization in my book!
Thanks for helping to get the word out on this issue...
Posted by: beckie at July 16, 2004 11:45 AM (AaBEz)
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So, Richard Reid the shoe bomber only was unsuccessful because he couldn't ignite his improvised device...yet according to the Transportation Security Agency itÂ’s okay to take four books of matches and two butane lighters in your pockets as you board an airplane.
* "Consistent with Department of Transportation regulations for hazardous materials, passengers also are permitted to carry no more than four books of matches (other than strike anywhere matches) and no more than two lighters for individual use, if the lighters are fueled with liquefied gas (BIC-or Colibri-type) or absorbed liquid (Zippo-type).Â’Â’ 49 CFR 1540; http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/68_FR_9902.pdf
Boy do I feel safer.
Posted by: rfidtag at July 16, 2004 12:05 PM (XxIKf)
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I still can't believe that this happened 2 1/2 weeks ago and not one thing in the news about it.
My guess is they don't want to stir up patriotic thoughts this close to the election.
Posted by: Machelle at July 16, 2004 01:54 PM (ZAyoW)
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I read that too, and took a number of items from it.
1) Yes, they are still trying to kill us.
2) The awareness among passengers is acute.
3) People are ready and willing to act.
4) If they are now limited to blowing up planes in mid-flight and not using them as missles anymore, their capabilities have been set back.
5) We are winning, but still in a fight.
Posted by: John at July 16, 2004 04:37 PM (+Ysxp)
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Well, you shouldn't have told me not to read it! Now I have some decisions to make! You know me--I like to be informed!
Your mama
Posted by: Nancy at July 16, 2004 04:52 PM (+jEfD)
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I knew she would read it. :-)
Posted by: linda at July 16, 2004 06:40 PM (UNwW3)
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Parents just never do what you tell them to these days.
Posted by: John at July 17, 2004 10:50 AM (+Ysxp)
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Wouldn't it be in our best interest to train the agents on the plane to be able to understand Arabic? It seems to me the biggest dilemma is the handicap of not understanding what those men were saying. Are they talking about some girls boobs, how bad the food was, what songs they need to practice or how stupid the American people are?
The Williams family
Posted by: williams family at July 17, 2004 12:12 PM (fy5Dv)
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PERMISSION
Den Beste has a good post about the difference between
"Can I?" and "May I?" At the end he touches on persuading vs bullying; what I want to know is why so many in this world point a finger at the US as the world's bully, when France is the one telling other nations to shut up...
Posted by: Sarah at
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COOLER
Lileks is also cool.
I hate this; God I hate this. But I don’t have any longing for normalcy, as Noonan put it the other day, because normalcy was a delusion, a diaphanous curtain draped over the statue of Mars. Nor do I want a time out, a breather, an operational pause. I want to cut to the chase. I want Iran in the hands of its people and leaning to the West again, I want Lebanon independent of Syrian rule, I want Syria isolated and cowed, Arafat dead and buried in the land of his birth – or Paris, symbolically – and the Saudi Civil War done and over with pragmatists in power. I'd like this all tomorrow please.
Noon is fine, if it works for everyone else.
Posted by: Sarah at
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I picked the exact same quote - is that like turning up to a party wearing the same dress as somebody else? Not that I would wear a dress... a kilt, maybe...
Posted by: Dominic at July 16, 2004 06:18 AM (g+Ivw)
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Great minds think alike...and I'm sure you'd look darling in a dress.
Posted by: Sarah at July 16, 2004 06:57 AM (dXOE4)
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July 15, 2004
JENSEN
I read Robert Jensen's article
Stupid White Movie: What Michael Moore Misses About the Empire via
Hud. I certainly don't agree with many things in this article, but at least Jenson and I can find
some common ground:
And what of the analysis of Iraq? Moore is correct in pointing out that U.S. support for Iraq during the 1980s, when Saddam Hussein's war on Iran was looked upon favorably by U.S. policymakers, was a central part of Reagan and Bush I policy up to the Gulf War. And he's correct in pointing out that Bush II's invasion and occupation have caused great suffering in Iraq. What is missing is the intervening eight years in which the Clinton administration used the harshest economic embargo in modern history and regular bombing to further devastate an already devastated country. He fails to point out that Clinton killed more Iraqis through that policy than either of the Bush presidents. He fails to mention the 1998 Clinton cruise missile attack on Iraq, which was every bit as illegal as the 2003 invasion.
Jensen lost me when he spoke ill of the military, which is not surprising given my admitted knee-jerk love of all things camouflage, but at least I could read the article and try to see his point.
Posted by: Sarah at
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I think a lot of his arguments are based on his leftist ideology. His assumptions about US motoivations, etc. But I think he makes valid criticisms of Moore's >ahem< movie.
Specifically, the patronizing way he depicts coalition partners. And of coure, both he and Moore conviently avoid mentioning major counries lie Australia, Spain, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Poland were also in this Coalition. Moore is a dishonest fraud.
As someone who was a poor white kid when he joined the Air Force I am also really offended by his portrayal of people being tricked into joining the service. Like, we're too stupid to realize we might have to fight for real.
The problem with people like him is the sickening superiority complex many on the left have. You can hear it in Moore's voice as he narrates the film or in many TV news people.
But the times they are a changing!
Posted by: James Hudnall at July 15, 2004 04:37 AM (FV8Tp)
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Hud, the superiority complex is the absolute constant in the equation. I don't know how you deal with such folks on a daily basis. Do they treat you like an idiot, too?
Posted by: Mike at July 15, 2004 08:13 AM (MqNKC)
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July 14, 2004
July 13, 2004
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