June 30, 2006

When Dark Helmet is Right


by kos
Thu Jun 29, 2006 at 06:25:59 PM PDT
American Constitution Society:
[In the Hamdan decision,] Justice Thomas refers to Justice Stevens' "unfamiliarity with the realities of warfare"; but Stevens served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945, during World War II. Thomas's official bio, by contrast, contains no experience of military service.

June 29, 2006

Thursday Night Vikings


From Tórður, our Faroese Correspondent (how many news outlets can say that);

A picture viking age remains ofbuildings, excavated some years back - in Leirvík.

June 26, 2006

Another Great Pic from Tórður


Vágur,
Suðuroy

June 25, 2006

A Brief History of the Old Grey Lady

Those shocked that the New York Times would disclose state secrets aimed at combatting terrorism should be shocked. It is, after all, the paper that created Fidel and deliberately kept the world in the dark about Stalin's terror famines.

I ran across these quotes from Walter Duranty, the Stalinist Apologist, who wrote for the Times in the thirties when Stalin was deliberately starving millions to tighten his political grip on the country:
"There is no famine or actual starvation nor is there likely to be." --New York Times, Nov. 15, 1931, page 1

"Any report of a famine in Russia is today an exaggeration or malignant propaganda." --New York Times, August 23, 1933

"Enemies and foreign critics can say what they please. Weaklings and despondents at home may groan under the burden, but the youth and strength of the Russian people is essentially at one with the Kremlin's program, believes it worthwhile and supports it, however hard be the sledding." --New York Times, December 9, 1932, page 6

"You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs." --New York Times, May 14, 1933, page 18
"There is no actual starvation or deaths from starvation but there is widespread mortality from diseases due to malnutrition." --New York Times, March 31, 1933, page 13

Being treasonous can be very difficult with our liberal freedoms. Kudos to the Times for doing it so well for so long.

Update: NY Congressman, with balls, takes Times to task. Thank you Congressman, for your sanity, in times of stupidity.

Listen In....

Ace of Spades links to World War II dogfights, in color, to the tune of some classic 80's Heavy Metal. Well worth a peek.

Why Photoshop....












... when the picture says it all.

The almighty Kos in love.

Daily Kos: Buck Up Fellow Soldiers


Daily Kos in his "us against them" moment. It has all the feel of a Spanky speech, rallying the rest of the Little Rascals to do some mischief. Maybe they are startin a He-man Wingnut Haters Club.

David Brooks takes Kos to task.
Ouch. Newsweek piles on the ailing net fruit.

Clowning Around.

I don't have the creative capacity to conceive of something like this. Kudos to the Left for the entertainment value. Hat tip, lgf:

On Tuesday morning, a retired Catholic priest and two veterans put on clown suits, busted into a nuclear missile launch facility, and began beating the silo cover with hammers, in an attempt to take the Minuteman III missile off-line. Seriously.

The trio -- members of the Luck, Wisconsin group Nukewatch -- said the break-in was part of "a call for national repentance" for the Hiroshima and Nagaski A-bombings in 1945.

The activists used bolt-cutters to get into the E-9 Minuteman II facility, located just northwest of the White Shield, North Dakota. "Using a sledgehammer and household hammers, they disabled the lock on the personnel entry hatch that provides access to the warhead and they hammered on the silo lid that covers the 300 kiloton nuclear warhead," the group said in a statement. "The activists painted 'It's a sin to build a nuclear weapon' on the face of the 110-ton hardened silo cover and the peace activists poured their blood on the missile lid."
hardened silo cover and the peace activists poured their blood on the missile lid."

Republicans need more of this. Was Rove behind it?

Juan Cole Needs Some Vagisil

...because this is the sorriest excuse for terrorist plotting I have ever seen. You call yourself Muslim? NO, you are Judeo-Chrstians in a cult fighting against racism and poverty.

Yes, a good way to recharacterize terrorists is to ignore everything they say and impose your socio-political agenda as their goal. How convenient.

THIS is a Racial Problem

Please dont let Whitey run.

New York City Follies

A new level of anti-capitalist,freedom hating,nannyism from Joel Rivera, King Dunce of the New York City Council (its quite an honor, there are many vying for the position):

Councilman Joel Rivera, health committee chairman, said at a hearing today that he was exploring the idea of using zoning laws to prevent fast food joints from taking over city streets.


In a contorted way, it is like the government taking candy from a baby's mouth. But in reality it is more pernicious. Essentially, it is the government regulating who can eat what, and where, based upon physical attributes. "You can't eat a hamburger in Crown Heights, because people are fat there." "No pizza for you in Inwood, because of the pudges in your hood."

Will Sylvia's be closed down? That is some of the most delicious food on the planet, but the least healthy. Some of the best restaurants in the City and elsewhere offer megaplates of food that will double a person's cholestorol. But we only choose areas with heavier people. Do the people in more affluent areas not deserve protection from restaurants that serve portions which are too large? The obese desserve protection everywhere!!! Ban all restaurants that serve an unhealthy meal!!!

Is this a measure to protect minorities at the expense of the majority? Why shouldnt we analyze the food of all restaurants and see the consequences of their food.

OR, why don't we just let the free people of this country eat freely and have dunces like Joe Rivera shut the fuck up and stop his diaper sniffin politics.

Jerome Armstrong: Renaissance Man

Jerome Armstrong, probably the Robin to Kosman's gate-crashing 'phenomenon' has quite an impressive history.

He blogs.

He fluffs.

He reads the stars:
Astrologer Jerome Armstrong notes that Ixion and Quaoar are following close in Pluto's wake in early Sagittarius, and connects the rise of the political version of religious fundamentalism with the astronomical exploration of the Kuiper Belt in 1992. He cites incidences as disparate as the rise of Osama bin Laden onto the world stage and the Republican Revolution of 1994, fueled by Christian fundamentalist voters and culminating now with all three branches of government in Republican control. In addition, he cites the ascendance of political Hinduism in India in 1996 with the election of the BJP. One might add to this list the emergence of Conservative majorities in Israel and the UK.

Good thing the Left is ready to save us from the right wing nutjobs.

Ixion and Quaoar have told me that Joe Lieberman is the Anti-Christ.

Some Duke Lacrosse Rape Case Mind Exercises

Then...
Suspend disbelief. Abandon common sense. Meditate. Open your mind.

1. Drunken, promiscuous strippers with mental health problems and criminal pasts make credible witnesses.
2. Rape victims generally have problems knowing whether they were attacked by two men, three men, five men, twenty men, or no man.
3. Prosecutors generally hold lineups without controls, i.e. people who could not possibly have committed the crime.
4. There is usually no DNA evidence when a victim is raped by three men without condoms.
5. Rev. Al Sharpton has an outstanding record of racially charged rape allegations.
6. A person could very easily confuse a five minutes for thirty minutes.
7. Prosecutors never allow politics to enter into their prosecutorial discretion.
8. It is very easy to alter ATM records, photographs, an affidavit from a taxi driver and the record of a key-card swipe at a dorm.

Bullshit.

See also La Shawn Barber.
Think about it. A vicious racial prosecution to forward purely political means. Free the Duke Three.

June 24, 2006

Pics from Tórður

Anybody who has perused this blog knows that I have developed quite an affinity for the Faroe Islands. I am astounded by the Islands' beauty. I am fortunate to have begun a correspondence with Tórður (please don't ask for a pronunciation ;), an inhabitant of one of the Islands. He was kind enough to email a couple of beautiful pictures he has taken. Thanks Tórður. The pictures descriptions' are his.

I took about a week ago in Lopra, which is in Suðuroy. It's not often one has a chance to photograph a goose with her very small chicks.



I took picture on the road between Klaksvík and Hvannasund on the island of Borðoy the day before yesterday. A bit cloudy, but still pretty.

Friday Night Puffin Blogging

June 20, 2006

Praise be to our veterans


Caught this picture on the blog of a new member of the Infidel Bloggers Alliance. An obvious Memorial Day shot but it's certainly timeless.

June 13, 2006

Merry Fitzmas!!!!!

From Drudge:
STATEMENT OF ROBERT LUSKIN, ATTORNEY FOR KARL ROVE: Tue Jun 13 2006 07:14:31 ET Washington, DC—Robert Luskin, Attorney for Karl Rove today released the following statement: “On June 12, 2006, Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald formally advised us that he does not anticipate seeking charges against Karl Rove. “In deference to the pending case, we will not make any further public statements about the subject matter of the investigation. We believe that the Special Counsel's decision should put an end to the baseless speculation about Mr. Rove’s conduct.”
LMFAO at all of the pouty faces out there.
But wait, Truthout has real scoop Karl Rove Indicted on Charges of Perjury, Lying to Investigators . Ya gotta love the 'reality based community'.


Originally I could have cared less if Rove was indicted or not. He is a political operative, a behind-the-scenes guy, not one who inspires loyalty or admiration. But to the extent that so many blogging dunces were inspired enough to devote about a billion pages of blogspace to this non-issue, I started to root for the guy. The vitriole was so thick, the rhetoric so harsh and disingenuous, I felt like I had to. Too bad the phony satan horns fit him well like they did for the Gingrich's, Watts et al. But now the horns are off, the frogmarch is cancelled and the left need to find a new demon.

June 12, 2006

Redford tells Democrats to show more courage.

Blogger tells Redford to make a movie more exciting than reading the phone book.

Update on Geno's

By now most of you have heard about Geno's, the famous cheesesteak sandwich shop in Philly. Joey Vento, the shop's owner, not shy with his opinions on the immigration debate, posted a sign in his shop's window, "This is America - when ordering, speak English." Michelle Malkin gives extensive coverage here. Apparently expressing one's opinion in Philly invites an investigation from the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations:
The sign may violate the city's Fair Practices Ordinance, which bans businesses from discriminating on the basis of nationality or ethnicity, Lawton said.

"The complaint will say that the sign discourages patronage by non-English speakers because of their national origin and/or ancestry," Lawton, whose agency enforces the city's anti-discrimination laws, said before the official filing.


Apparently freedom of speech is not a human right worthy of protection. Geno isn't buying it and won't cave.

"I don't see why I should have to. It's freedom of speech," said Vento, 66, who opened the restaurant 40 years ago Geno's owner Joey Vento, the grandson of Italian immigrants, said he has no plans to remove the sign.

He said no one is refused service and no one is discriminated against. The sign, which has been displayed for about six months, is meant to encourage immigrants to learn English, he said.

"If you don't speak English, the sign means nothing," he told Reuters.


Joey Vento is a national treasure. I will be in Philly later on this week and there is one place that I will definitely be visiting.

How long did it take one of Vento's critics to trumpet his victimhood status?

Roberto Santiago, executive director of the city's Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, said he received around 50 "hate" e-mails in response to his criticism of the sign.

One from California said groups like his should be banned for representing "filthy, illegal alien invaders", he said.

"This is dividing this nation," he said. "I'm really saddened by these individuals who are upset by having to be tolerant. I'm glad I'm living in an America where comments like Mr. Vento's are out of order."


I missed hearing about this turd being appointed Arbiter of All that is Out of Order.

A NYC Story

NYC always seems to have these horrible racial conflicts. Some pan out and turn the stomach, but some are complete bs, concocted and inflated by the media. The case of Nicholas Minucci is one of those that turns the stomach. The fat, bloated POS, beat a probable car thief, Glenn Moore with a baseball bat. No one to lose tears over. The jury heard the case. Fat bat swinger guilty. And the world goes on.

Daily Kos Doofus Alert


Yearly Kos Convention. No comment.

June 10, 2006

Let 'em Fight

As a Republican-leaning mini-pundit, it was embarrassing to see Majority Leader Hastert defend Rep. William Jefferson's right to be bribed. But, as expected, the Congressional Black Caucus has magically transformed embarassment to entertainment:

WASHINGTON -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi juggled competing political goals on Friday, seeking to drain racial tension from her attempt to strip embattled Rep. William Jefferson of his committee seat. Facing a showdown next week that he is likely to lose, Jefferson, D-La., signaled anew he will not step aside voluntarily, and some fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus spoke out on his behalf.

"The Black Caucus takes exception when we become the exception to the rule. We want the same standards," said Rep. Donald Payne, D-N.J. He noted that the Louisianan has denied wrongdoing in a federal bribery probe and has not been indicted. At the same time, several officials said that Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, who is black, was the lawmaker who formally proposed at a closed-door meeting Thursday night that Jefferson be stripped of his committee assignment. Lewis, who first gained fame as a civil rights pioneer in the 1960s, declined to comment.


Culture of corruption???? Stop, that is racist. But please, Rep. Hastert, did the liberal Congresswoman from California steal your testicles?

June 09, 2006

Other Duke Lacrosse Dancer Destroys Accuser's Story

Ouch.

Second dancer called allegations a 'crock'

The most recent filing by the defense discloses that the accused 'performed' sexual acts at a party prior to the Duke party. It also stated testimony from the second dancer that,

"She heard that (the accuser) was sexually assaulted, which she stated is a 'crock' and she stated that she was with her the whole time until she left," according to Himan's notes. "The only time she was alone was when she would not leave and that time period was less than five minutes.."

Label this one - TAWANA II

June 08, 2006

Pineapple Enema Award

The first in a continuous series of weekly Pineapple Enema Award is very easy to decide this week. The honor has to go to Congressman Pete (of shit) Stark on the Zarqawi kaboom:
"This is just to cover Bush's [rear] so he doesn't have to answer" for Iraqi civilians being killed by the U.S. military and his own sagging poll numbers, said Rep. Pete Stark, California Democrat. "Iraq is still a mess -- get out."

When the SOB that lops off heads of innocent Westerners, and organizes attacks against American troops, gets smoked by a half ton of boomers, you put a smile on your face and feel better about the world.

June 04, 2006

Bravos 100 Funniest Movies.... whatever

NOT. Snarking Dawg's Top Ten Funniest Movies of All Time.

Bravo did their 100 Funniest Movies of All Time. It was one of the lamest, most inconsistent lists of all time. Comedies prior to 1963 don't exist, cutesy, kid pics like Shrek triumph, and Ben Stiller is the world's greatest comedic film genius. Let's give a collective yawn. I posted on thgeir picks here. I decided to make my own picks. Originally, I was going to rate all of Bravo's 100. I promised, and started to rate all of the movies on the list, but got so fucking bored, I figured I'd just give my own Top Ten. Mind you, I am a late 30 something, and I, as everyone else, am influenced by my generation. Here it is. Mash it. Comment.

10. Anchorman - this is my whoah pick. this film will endure, it is the very young Caddyshack of our day.

9. Bottle Rocket - you don't get it and that's fine. it has something many just won't get, and I have come to live with that.

8. Napoleon Dynamite - don't get so pissed at me. read prior movie above. Some are seething thinking I haven't seen a movie before 2004. Wait.

7. Caddyshack - "It's in the hole!!!". Dangerfield is my pick in this movie. For some its Chase, others Murray. Everyone who has the physical ability to smile, does so at all of their performances.

6. This is Spinal Tap - the penultimate mockumentary. you believe it and you root for these two chord simps.

5. Airplane - a comedic grandaddy - if you don't keel over at some point in this movie, you have no sense of humor and should see medical help. The wellspring for so many copycats.

4. The Jerk - people have told me that this movie is stupid. I encourage people to see it for its intelligence, thoughtfulness and heartwarming playfulness.

3. Animal House - I once poured poured a half a tub of French's Mustard on my shirt as an homage to Mr. Blutarsky.

2. Blazing Saddles - I put a gun to my head and made this one score high. if you didn't... get a bigger gun.

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail - 40th on Bravos list. Shrek was 3. Legally Blonde was 29. Bravo Network, get a person with a sense of humor to name the top funniest movies of all time.

There were many movies bubbling under this list that deserve props but were snubbed by Bravo:

HEY BRAVO: BUY A DVD PLAYER AND CHECK OUT THE MARX BROTHERS, CHARLIE CHAPLIN, LAUREL AND HARDY, ABBOTT AND COSTELLO BEFORE YOU DECIDE ON A LIST LIKE THIS!!!

Many more movies deserved better treatment - Slapshot (89), Monty Python's Life of Brian (not on list), so many I can't go on. And so many others that were given so much credit, Shrek (3), The Wedding Singer (7 - in the history of film there were only 6 movies funnier than the Wedding Singer??????????????)

I could go on and on but for the sake of my reader, I will leave it at that.

June 01, 2006

Homeland Stupidity

ABC News is reporting that one of the main reasons that New York City lost about 40% of its anti-terrorism funding from the Department of Homeland Security is because NYC has no national monuments or icons.
New York has no national monuments or icons, according to the Department of Homeland Security form obtained by ABC News. (Click here for the actual document.) That was a key factor used to determine that New York City should have its anti-terror funds slashed by 40 percent--from $207.5 million in 2005 to $124.4 million in 2006.
The formula did not consider as landmarks or icons: The Empire State Building, The United Nations, The Statue of Liberty and others found on several terror target hit lists. It also left off notable landmarks, such as the New York Public Library, Times Square, City Hall and at least three of the nation's most renowned museums: The Guggenheim, The Metropolitan and The Museum of Natural History.
The form ignored that New York City is the capital of the world financial markets and merely stated the city had four significant bank assets.
New York City is home to Chase, JP Morgan, Citi Group, The New York Stock Exchange, The Commodities Exchange, American Express, George Soros funds, Michael Gabelli's funds, Lazard Frere and Salomon Brothers, to name just a few of the more prominent banking interests located there.
The formula did note a commuter population of more than 16 million around the city twice struck by fundamentalist terrorists and twice more targeted in plots halted in pre-operational stages. It noted the more than eight million residents and the largest rail ridership in the nation - more than five million. It is those commuters and rail riders who are expected to suffer most from the cuts since mass transit is listed on most DHS alerts as the top terror target. (Click here for
the Strategic Threat Document obtained by ABC News.)
The report lists as classified "visitors of interest destination city," immigration cases, suspicious incidents and FBI cases. New York City is home to the largest FBI field office in the country, which actively monitors 24/7 the Iranian Mission. The city has also had the most significant terror trials in the nation and is home to one of the largest air hubs in the nation.

If this report pans out, this is yet another of example of ineptitude that this administration has made into an art form. And yes, that was said by a conservative.