"I am for socialism, disarmament, and ultimately for abolishing the state itself as an instrument of violence and compulsion. I seek social ownership of property, the abolition of the propertied class, and sole control by those who produce wealth. Communism is the goal. --ACLU founder Roger Baldwin Peggy Lamson, "Roger Baldwin: Founder of the American Civil Liberties Union, A portrait" Boston: Houghton-Mifflin, 1976, p.192 Now from The American President , the finest two-hour infom...
First, Michelle Kwan foisted herself upon the Olympic team without needing to try out at Nationals: "I'm Michelle Kwan, biatch!" By insisting on a medical waiver to get onto the team, she told the other competitors that she was too good for the Olympic trials. Next, she toys with the Olympic team again, by announcing that she's pulling out of the competition. Apparently she injured herself (medical waiver anyone-maybe she'll get the gold by waivering herself to glory!) and cannot...
Found this article at the Independent.co.uk : It is complete garbage, and I'll tell you why after the article. George Bush considered provoking a war with Saddam Hussein's regime by flying a United States spyplane over Iraq bearing UN colours, enticing the Iraqis to take a shot at it, according to a leaked memo of a meeting between the US President and Tony Blair. The two leaders were worried by the lack of hard evidence that Saddam Hussein had broken UN resolutions, though pr...
From today's Drudge Report : Sen. John Kerry claimed this morning on NBC TODAY that 53% of America's children do not graduate from high school: a claim that raised eyebrows in the NBC control room, sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT. Kerry made the comments after host Katie Couric asked the former presidential candidate about Bush's State of the Union call to train 70,000 additional teachers in math and science. COURIC: He wanted to train 70,000 additional teachers in math ...
In a stunning decision, the French have decided to stir up racial and ethnic controversy. As if they hadn't suffered enough from the recent riots , a French newspaper has decided that in the name of free speech, they would reprint the controversial, Muslim-bashing cartoons that plagued a Danish newspaper . From Voice of America : A French newspaper has published Danish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that have stirred outrage in the Muslim world. France-Soir newspaper say...
I was going to append this to my "Hillary Shows Her Stripes" article, but I decided that this was worthy of its own thread... Read on, good JUser, regarding the crafted candidacy of Hillary Clinton. Here comes Hillary again, crafting her presidential ambitions in front of Jane Pauley, of all people. You know, for someone who hasn't formally announced her candidacy, she sure sounds like a contender... From Newsmax.com : Americans are growing 'impatient" as they wait for a wo...
I was reading another person's blog, The Truth is Out There, where he claimed that in order for Democrats to "take back America", apparently they have to block everything the Republicans are trying to accomplish. Heck, read for yourself: Regarding whether or not a filibuster is warranted in the atrocious pick of Samuel Alito. The Democrats must grow a background [backbone?] and scrounge up the 41 votes needed to extend the debate. It is time the debate focused on all the issues faci...
In a bold, unexpected move, Hugo Chavez and Cindy Sheehan have aligned to oppose President Bush. From Yahoo! News : CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela's left-wing president, Hugo Chavez, joined U.S. anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan on Sunday to attack President George W. Bush and the Iraq war at the close of the World Social Forum. Chavez, a former soldier known by his supporters as "El Comandante," has become a voice for many opponents of Washington who are drawn by his se...
Thurgood Marshall, a good man. Accomplished many things and a pioneer for the black community. But a saint? Like in the official, apostolic kind of way? From Sunday's Washington Post : When Thurgood Marshall died 13 years ago this week, he left behind a life of historic accomplishments: Intrepid warrior against Jim Crow. Architect of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education desegregation case. First black Supreme Court justice. Now, some of Marshall's fellow Episcopal...
China's contribution to the world is staggering. They have given us... Jackie Chan, Confucius, Sun Tzu, Zhang Ziyi... and now mercury pollution, on a massive scale. Scientists have discovered that pollutants laced with high mercury output are crossing the Pacific and settling on American plants, animals, lakes, streams, cropland, and everything we eat and drink. From the Yale Global Online : On a recent hazy morning in eastern China, the Wuhu Shaoda power company revved up its...
Found Arthur Schopenauer's book "The Art of Controversy" on the web in its entirety. In both English and its original German. Some chapter headings: Generalize your Opponent's Specific Statements Conceal Your Game Make Your Opponent Angry Generalize Admissions of Specific Cases Claim Victory Despite Defeat Generalize the Matter, Then Argue Against it State a False Syllogism Find One Instance to The Contrary Turn The Tables Anger Indicates a Weak Point P...
Somebody near Pluto will love my writing! I just signed up for a web service. You may have heard of it, and you may not have. It's Blog In Space, and they will transmit your blog via parabolic antenna out into the ether, at about six gigahertz. According to their materials, your blog will reach the orbit of Pluto in about ten years. How exciting! I will be sure to write that into my day planner. You get a cool-looking certificate for signing up. I will post it to my blog when ...
We don't like to think about the mortality of our leaders. Especially when they are our leaders for the remaining span of their lives. Gordon B. Hinckley is a wonderful man and a beloved leader. (Not in the sense of "Dear Leader" Kim Jong Il, more along the lines of "he's a high figure in our church and he has some endearing qualities".) Here is a man who has spent his entire life in the service of his God and his Church. He is incredibly personable, and wants to meet everyo...
Did you know that Teflon has harsh chemicals that can cause brith defects and cancer? Neither did I. But I have Teflon pans and cookware. My wife and I eat food from them evey day. We feed it to our children. Is this a real threat or is it just a product of our ligitgious and overreactive society? Health warning or scare? You be the judge. From today's Washington Post : Eight U.S. companies, including giant DuPont Co., agreed yesterday to virtually eliminate a harm...
You might get a kick out of this . Hopefully no one has posted it before. I've seen it happen before, and it's not pretty. The Movie Of Your Life Is A Cult Classic Quirky, offbeat, and even a little campy - your life appeals to a select few. But if someone's obsessed with you, look out! Your fans are downright freaky. Your best movie matches: Office Space, Showgirls, The Big Lebowski If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be? ...