FUBAR on SNAFU

Heh. Interesting day today. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (محمود احمدی‌نژاد) visited Columbia University in New York. He was invited to the campus to speak before going to the United Nations General Assembly tomorrow. Its likely that the speech he gave today will be what he'll give tomorrow.

He questioned why the Palestinians should pay for the crimes of Germany. He also said that he thought the way the US managed the world is wrong.

Before he got the chance to speak, the president of the University, Lee Bollinger, had plenty to say, much of it insulting, about the leader after defending the school's decision to host Ahmadinejad on Good Morning America today. He said "Mr. President, you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator". He also told the president that there is no reason to research the holocaust: "The truth is that the Holocaust is the most documented event in human history".

Despite he past claims that Israel should be wiped off the map, he would not go so far as say that here. The likelihood he would not escape New York City with his life or something like it may have been a motivation for the omission. He did comment that the Palestinians deserve self-determination and free elections. To read more on this, there's a large article on CNN.

See that? POTUS?! What a weird name, right? Well it's a new channel on subscription satellite radio service XM radio. This channel is on number 130 and will likely have a 14 month or so life. This will take it through the election of the President of the United States next November. That's right, POTUS stands for the President and his (her) title. After previews and such it has finally gone on the air. Yay!!! If you're a subscriber, tune in!

Recently, maybe today, there was a story about protest songs. Back in the day, there were heaps of songs protesting the Vietnam conflict. One such song was "Save the Country" by the 5th Dimension. Apparently, there is a line in the song that refers to the Kennedy's:

"Come on, people
Sons and mothers
Keep the dream of
The two young brothers

Take that dream
And ride that dove
We could build the dream
With love, I know"

It made me pause. I forget, and I think many people do, how much of an affect the Kennedy's had on the country. I dunno...

Marcel Marceau, the famous French mime, died at the age of 84, on September 22nd. He left no last words.

Back on this day in 622, Muhammad completed his pilgrimage or Hegira. This would be the first on many for Muslims. It continues today and is a major tenet for Muslims the world over.

In 1664, the Netherlands surrenders New Amsterdam to England. It is now known as New York.

In 1890, The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints denounced polygamy with purpose being Utah becoming a state. It never goes truly out of practice and the debate around the practice continues to this day.

On this day in 1906, US President Theodore Roosevelt made Devil's Tower the first national monument.

In 1957, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower orders the 101st Airborne to go into Little Rock to enforce desegregation at the high school there.

And in 1991, Nirvana released their album Nevermind. Rock music would be never be the same.

عصر بخی

Asr be kheyr!
(That's "Good Evening" in Farsi)

God responded and other wackiness

Among all the hubbub of returning to school this fall, I managed to break my hand. Yes, my hand. I hit someone on the side of his or her head with my hand and am now paying for it (literally).

Tonight in my first post in three weeks or so, I want to address the whole thing about Moveon.org. Apparently, no one can do just that: move on. The ad itself while rather uninspired ("Hey, Petraeus rhymes with Betray Us!!!" "That's brilliant!!!!!!") and off target. Lets set something straight. Military figures are not politicians. When they leave the service they may then feel free to pull an Ike and run for office, even the highest in the land. Until then, there are as much a part of the chain of command as the grunt who hauls a 60 lb pack and a rifle. He's taking orders from the Commander-in-thief... I mean chief.

Moveon.org is attacking the wrong guy. He's stuck having to fight a war that even he may not agree with. Sevice people are citizens, too. They do not think the same and no one should ever categorically assume that all service men and women are therefore gun toting, conservative yahoos. Anyone who's served a day in the armed forces will tell you that there are as many varying beliefs, opinions and ideologies as there are in the civilan world. Never take for granted that a soldier is there completely by choice. Signing up means you follow orders regardless of your ideas but unable to express them To attack someone who cannot freely express their own heart and mind do to the role they have is sheer rudeness and dispicable.

I've said my peace on that (mistake intended) and lets put this puppy to bed!

Next week, the United Nations will once again begin its General Assembly for reasons unknown to anyone with brain cells to rub together. If you must ask why, read the UN charter. I even linked it for you because I'm such a nice caring person... Ban Ki-Moon and all the rest will show up for hopefully, another circus. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the current President of Iran will be in New York again despite last year's outright weirdness (Do I need to remind people of Chavez and his "devil" talk?). Ahmadinejad, beyond being short and an excellent modern Napoleon wannabe, asked to be able to visit Groud Zero in New York to pay his repects. New York officials denied his request citing safety concerns since the site is now a construction zone. Way to go New York!

Beacause I want to keep this post short I will refrain from talking about Bush's supposed B in Econ 101 (word on the street says it was a C-). I will, however, discuss a recent lawsuit brought about by a Nebraska State Senator named Ernie Chambers on September 14th. This senator was incensed to discover a lawsuit being brought by an accuser in a sexual assault case. During the case, the words "victim" and "rape" were barred from the proceedings. The victim, as it were, has now sued saying her right to free speech was infringed upon.

Mr. Chambers took it upon himself to file a lawsuit against God. Thats right! The One, the Almighty, the great I Am. According to Chamber, he can sue God in Douglas County, his home county where Omaha is, because God is everywhere. Chambers also waived personal sevice i.e. notifying Him of said suit, because God is omniscient. He already knows.

Specifically in the suit, God is accused "of making and continuing to make terroristic threats of grave harm to innumerable persons, including constituents of Plaintiff who Plaintiff has the duty to represent." In addition, God has caused (though I'd prefer the words allowed or enabled over caused) "fearsome floods, egregious earthquakes, horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes, pestilential plagues, ferocious famines, devastating droughts, genocidal wars, birth defects, and the like." (Nice use of allitereration! Woeful Wars might have been cooler).

And it doesn't end there. God further takes it on the chin with this scathing diatribe against God (probably Morgan Freeman) of "calamitous catastrophes resulting in the wide-spread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants including innocent babes, infants, children, the aged and infirm without mercy or distinction." Never accuse God of being too random.

Well, God spoke back (or is it spake?) At any rate, God says that Chambers cannot sue anybody as his frivolous lawsuit is supposed to prove. He also added in the response that Chambers missed a very important point particularly concerning blaming him for human oppression and suffering. According to God "I created man and woman with free will and next to the promise of immortal life, free will is my greatest gift to you." Apparently there was another response that listed a phone number for a law firm in of all places, Corpus Cristi.

I have nothing witty to add to this. Its funny enough on its own but in an intellectual way. I would like to, however, say a few things about the case that brought this about. The woman who brought about the suit has a case. Here's why: the case of her "assaulter" ended in mistrial because the surrounding publicity damaged the prosecution's chances of getting an impartial jury. Since she also couldn't speak freely in the court to lay her claim of assault against another, she and the prosecution were effectively gagged. This amounts to a judge who would rather control how a case is tried rather than interpret the law and ensure that justice is served.

I also want to add that calling someone a victim in a trial does not absolutely mean that the defendent victimized the accuser. He may be proven otherwise. However, there is still eveidence that the victim was victimized. That cannot be disputed.

As much as I could rant till I'm actually in Nebraska, I must move on... hee hee....

On Sunday, a new Ken Burns' documentary is premiering on PBS. It is called simply The War and it details events as seen through orinary people who fought or assisted in World War II. As most of those close to me know, I am obsessed with World War II. I invite all who have the chance to view this. War stories are rarely told and even more rarely heard. In fact, less so since 1,000 World War II vets die everyday. But worse than this, a majority of high school graduating seniors believe the US fought with Germany against the USSR. Now thats just BAD!!!!!!

Now onward toward history (can those two words be used together like that?)

On this Day, in 1780, Benedict Arnold became Benedict Arnold by giving the British the plans to West Point. Who was he before you ask? He was benedict arnold.

In 1765, Antoine de Beauterne claimed to have killed the mysterious wolf-like creature called the Beast of Gévaudan (French: La bête du Gévaudan). The beast continued its horrific attacks all the same.

On this day, in 1897, The New York Sun published the letter stating "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus". The editorial is now the most republished editorial in the English Language.

J.R.R. Tolkein published The Hobbit in 1937. Geeks and free thinkers would forever feel its fantastical pull. But really, bedtime stories would never be the same.

And in 1991, after decades of oppression and before that, genocide, Armenia is independent of the USSR which ceased to exist shortly thereafter.

and so ends the summer

Tomorrow I begin the fall semester at the illustrious University of Minnesota. The campus is about a mile away from the recent bridge collapse so things should be rather interesting...

Otherwise, I have 5 courses at 16 credit hours. I'm taking 3 political science courses, a history one and a global studies course that focuses on globalisation and non-state actors. I'm actually excited about all of them, surprisingly. I think my layabout lazy summer was just what I needed to get my head back in the game. That and a new laptop!

35W Bridge Collapse

Today, a bridge collapsed here in my hometown. Currently, the death toll stands at seven.

If you want to help call (612)871-7676. This is the Minnesota (Minneapolis) Red Cross. Thanks, Anderson.

At 6.05 local time, a bridge that spanned the Mississippi river in Minneapolis, collapsed into the river. It is believed at this time that 50 or so cars and various vehicles were involved, including a school bus carrying 60 children.

The Department of Homeland Security has ruled out any connection to a terrorist act. The NTSB will, of course be investigating. It is unknown if current redecking work that the bridge was undergoing at the time is a factor in initiating the collapse. This will be an event that will affect the area in many ways for an unforeseeable length of time. When considering the economic and environmental impacts, it gets downright daunting. In addition, the traffic patterns are daunting...

The local police department has stated that operations are moving from a rescue one to a recovery one. There may be dozens of people still trapped underwater. The likelihood of their survival is slim to none. Divers will not be able to pursue any further efforts until morning when there is light available.

There is little that I can add on a personal note. I was at work at the time of the collapse. This was a bridge I used every day to get to and from school. I received six phone calls from friends checking to make sure I was not in the area.

One of the big stories I have heard is how much Minnesotans pitched in to help. The civilian who directed traffic; the men who helped the children off the bus; The woman wiuth the rope tied around her waist checking cars; the people who helped the injured as the firefighters pulled them out: each of them did us proud.

As I sit here trying to take in all the news, I started perusing the webstes to see how far reaching the news is.

Here are some websites.


A Google map look at the bridge
Red Cross
BBC
CNN
SwissInfo
The National Ledger
The New York Times (Video)
MSNBC
Fox
The Reading Chronicle
Local News KARE, Twin Cities, Star Tribune, WCCO, KSTP

I just read from one news outlet that we're now up to 9 dead, 60 injured.
India Times
TV New Zealand
Jerusalem Post
China News
al-Jazeera
WikiNews
Wikpage

Harry Potter and the Remaining Questions-that-can-not-yet-be-asked

There is nothing new and informative about this post. It is purely personal.

As everyone who isn't living under a rock must know by now, the final instalment of the Harry Potter series was released on July 21, at the stroke of one minute past midnight. For many of us who've trudged through the series as it was released and those who came late as well, we were just bursting to know if he (Harry, Voldemort or both) died. I still won't tell simply because there are still those (some of whom I live with) who've yet to complete the story. Suffice it to say, I now am melancholic. There are still many little threads that we the readers will undoubtedly spend the next weeks, months... years... contemplating.

I continue to peruse the book to reread all the choicest bits. There were some really rocking scenes and some twists. Many of the things we (we as in the rabid Potterhead community at large) predicted came true.

Anyways... I just feel like an enormous part of my life is over and I'm a little sad about that. Its a good thing to see it through to the end but it still feels bittersweet. I'll go drown my sorrows in some champagne now.

Fires, Fireworks and a man bites a dog

Independence Day is over. Hope ya got all the fireworks shot off and every body stayed safe.

Recently, a 1 hour 34-minute video done by Ayman al-Zawahiri has been released to the Muslim world. According to a terrorist expert, it is akin to a "fireside chat". These radio broadcasts were created by Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the very rough period of the Great Depression. In the video, al Qaeda's number two guy, al-Zawahiri, called for more young men in Iraq and Afghanistan to join in the jihad. He also rebuked Fatah for not being on better terms with Hamas. He said "We say to you, now that you are in control of Gaza, you should remember two things: One is that being in power is not a goal in itself, but the goal is, rather, to implement the rule of Allah". I think that is an interesting statement. Muslims are not about national territory and identity. Islam has within it a tenet that we are ruled only by Allah and that our earthly governments are only substitutes for Allah. Implying this tenet to another terrorist group is interesting. Also, where the hell do they get off? What, like al-Qaeda is the biggest, baddest terrorist group so they get to tell the other terrorists how to play in the sandbox? Ridiculous!

All right moving on past that hopeless pile of shit. Remember the Russian ex-Spy who died, Alexander Litvinenko? Well, Great Britain is still pursuing the case. Good on them! They requested Russia extradite Andrei Lugovoi, the prime suspect in Litvinenko's murder by radioactive xposure to polonium-210. It took Russia five weeks to conclude that they woulod not extradite the man in question because they feel that no Russian National would tried. Extradition of any foreign citizen is not allowed by their constitution, according to the Russians. Mr. Lugovoi has denied any involvement in the murder and has even made statements that the British secret service is involved in Litvinenko's demise. He says it s more likely that Britain's own MI6, a rival Kremlin opponent or the Russian Mafia was involed. Remember that Litvinenko was investigating the murder of a Russian journalist and that others have also subsequently died and been shown to be exposed to the isotope that killed Mr. Litvinenko. This case continues to build and intrique.

Happy 4th of July

I'm just not even apologizing....

Today is our nation's birthday. I try to take the time every year to think about our country. In my ever so recent past, I've begun to reflect on what nation, the idea of nationness if you will, and how it affects my life. The nation is really a formal state one which carries laws that are governed as long as you/I as an entity occupy territory on said sovereign land. To call something a nation is to imply a self-governing body/bodies that create laws and enforce them. The sovereignty is thereby associated with territory and you/I may elect/be born as citizens of that state.

OK.... what does that mean? It means being a part of a nation/state is far different from the sovereign lords of old. In the era before the treaty of Westphallia, you owed allegiance to the lord/king/keeper of the realm. Their rulership was granted by God and they ruled with heavy hands. The nation/state made equality before the law a much more relevant possibilty. At the same time, nation/state would require our allegiance. Instead of going off to fight the petty war of some sovereign, we would pick up arms against another nation/state. We would defend our national territory from the curs of a foreign invader/oppressor. Many times, we, the United States of America, would fight over ideology or government systems. Fighting for one's country is far different than fighting for one's lord.

In the USA, we have also the Dream. The Dream is not about two cars in every garage. Its about the ideals that we as a nation/state were founded on. The idea of universal justice, oppurtunity, liberty, and freedom. Our nation was radical and took the Democratic apporach toward building the republic. The idea that many could be united as one was a powerful idea. Democracy as a large part of government practice had been for the most part dead since Caesar. To revive such a form of government was definitely a surprising move on the part of the newly made nation. But it was a part of the American Dream. For to have an aristocratic class that was heirachized and formal would work against all that men and women of the revolution had given their lives for. So... I'm one of those people.

On the 4th of July, I take the time to sit back and think about how unique we were. How radical, how liberal, how bold to make such decisions as to not have a king and rule by majority. Ever onwards, the Union faced crises that may have torn it apart. We have also had some our most exhilerating moments such as World War II and landing a man on the moon. But the idea of striving onwards whether to the prairies of the midwest or to desegregation, we are always pushing to move ourselves forwards.

The Dream still lives. Sure, its wrapped in the disguise of iPhones, iPods and I. but it is still there. So today, I lift a can of beer (Samuel Adams!) and salute... a lot of people. Here goes:

The Revolutionaries for coming up with this idea that is the USA.
The Confederates for reading that part about states' rights and taking it seriously.
The Yanks for forgiving the Rebs.
John Adams for being obnoxious and disliked (that cannot be denied).
George Washington for refusing to be a King.
Benjamin Franklin for conceding that the eagle would be a better than the turkey emblem for our country.
Thomas Jefferson for writing the Declaration of Independence (even if it wasn't that original). Thomas Paine for giving us all his two "sense".
Honest Abe for being forthright.
William Jennings Bryan for just being himself.
FDR for being the right guy at the right time. Only a cripple could lead a country out of its darkest hour.
The Greatest Generation. Words will never be able to convey what these millions of Americans did nor the grace and humility they did it with. Our nation will forever be shaped by these souls who came of age during the depression, went with little or none at all, and then ran off to free the world. To you I say thank you for being the Best Americans you could. Thanks for making this country what it is. Happy 4th of July!!!

And one last thing... Happy Birthday Steve Rogers, and thank you. A member of the Greatest Generation who did what countless others did but on the pages of a comic book. Be you dead or alive, Captain America, I still believe in that dream. And I miss ya. We need you now more than ever. To remind us that doing the right thing is more important than the best thing.

Now, bring on the fireworks

Rosie O'Donnell

Recently, Rosie O'Donnell has made a spate of accusations on the mid-morning women's show The View. Some of these allegations are that the British troops being held in Iran currently, were there in Iranian waters to help kick start a conflict between the the west i.e. the US and the UK, and Iran. She also has rehashed the 9/11 conspiracy. I call that beating a dead horse.

While Miss O'Donnell has the right to free speech and can make unsubstantiated claims, she has raised the dander on many commentators, namely Bill O'Reilly. He has spent countless minutes of his evening broadcasts slamming Miss O'Donnell. He also has the right.

Why I decided to comment on this? There are requests - nay, demands - for Miss O'Donnell's head on the proverbial silver platter. She is being vilified. She has been demonized.

My question: Had she been a 1) thin 2)blonde 3) beautiful and 4) straight woman, would this be happening to her? The bias against overweight people is one that is incredibly overlooked and even more difficult to prove. But I can't help wondering because of a woman I love to hate: Ann Coulter.

Miss Coulter spews out enough toxicity to make the Lake Erie of 20 years ago look crystal clear. She has little to add to the Body politic and nothing substantial to add to the discourse promelgating the airwaves. Her vitriolic nonsense is bought by rabid fans who like the name calling and angst that floods out of her. Her calls for women (which she may be.... we aren't sure) to not have the vote notwithstanding....

So, considering the ire that Coulter raises and the fact that she is continually brought on channels like Fox to put forth her insight into the political system, what makes Rosie any different? Maybe it's the fact that she has a real day-to-day job... Ann Coulter just pops up occasionally. She has no permanant outlet on TV. She has her webstie and blog....

Is it because Rosie is a lesbian? I actually don't think this is it. In the arena of entertainment (which, let's face it, they are ALL in.... even Bill O'Reilly, which he owns up to), being a homosexual does not work against you.

But being overweight does. Some can make it: Roseanne Barr and Camryn Manheim are a couple. It's rather rare. And when you put your neck out and say something wholly controversial: woe be unto you.

I'm not siding with Miss O'Donnell. I do only so far as this: She has that right. We all do. But lets be honest: would we be calling for her termination if she were a supermodel? And if people can honestly say that it has nothing to do with it, we need to evaluate other talk show hosts and commentators whose shows are also hate-filled and worthless.

Ann v. Bill: round 1. FIGHT!

Hey, new blogger. Let's see what this looks like and if its worth the hype.

I do however, want to comment on something.

Well, Somethings!

First, I really let myself get away from doing this.... again. My apologies.

Second, I do not like Ann Coulter. And its not because I'm liberal and she ain't. I have no problems with people who completely oppose me politically. I have a quite a few close friends who do. My problem with Ann is she is way smarter than what she uses. But she relies on swagger and elitist shananigans to get her point across. Very rarely (if ever) have I seen her use the proper debate skills in an argument. I suppose her education in law included how to win a fight without proving anything. She also has a hard time being able to look into the camera when replying to people. She can stare arrows into it when she's waiting to be called on but when speaking she tends to look up randomly and frequently. She also tends to use extraneous information against people that have little to no bearing on the argument in question. I suppose this is also the trick snarky lawyers learn in Sleeze 101.

My qualm of late with Ms. Connecticut and never had to work for anything I have is her "joke" against Edwards. My qualm isn't use of the word faggot or the connection to Isaiah Washington. Its how she could connect it to John Edwards. She says that is the joke; that he is a married man with kids so it doesn't apply. That doesn't make it ironic... or any form of humor actually, that I know of. In other words, it was stupid. She says it was a joke, but honestly, I think it was an insinuation she is not willing to stand by.

Now, Bill Maher made comment about the VP and how he'd be happy (?) if he were dead. That a lot of people would be happier. That certainly makes Ann Coulter seem like a bad day at the circus. Bill! Come on!!!! Save that for the playground. To wish that the second in line dead is pretty serious and I wouldn't be surprised if men with guns weren't following your every move. Ya know, secret service agents waiting for you to prove them right. Watch yourself!!! In this day and age with a Patriot act and unchecked powers, who knows where you could end up. Guantanamo?

The Next Contestant...

See that guy? That is New Mexico's very own Bill Richardson. He was born in Pasadena, California to a half Hispanic father and a Mexican mother. This, of course, leads many to believe that the Hispanic governor is pro-illegal immigrant. We'll eveluate that later.

But first, I want to discuss a particular moment in time. Some time ago, some classified data pertaining to nuclear energy went missing in the form of hard drives. At the time, Bill Richardson was the Secretary of Energy under 2nd term Bill Clinton. You can imagine how things were going for that man... Due to wrangling involved, during the senate investigation into espionage and what have you, (it really is too complicated to get into. I remember some of this from when it went on. But really, this government investigations are really good at 1. Destroying whole swaths of forestland due to the tonnes of paper needed for everything; 2. Digging up everything on a person like when they got a haircut, walked the dog, sold secrets to China... you know, little things; 3. Digging up actual people: Alive and Dead; 4. Taking an infentesimal time to accomplish ABSOLUTELY NOTHING; 5. But look good in the process, prove to those slack-jawed wankers at home that you indeed "work" and therefore, will get re-elected.) Richardson came to the senate to yabber about his non-responsibilty to the Senators old and dying (Strom was there). Richardson shrugged off a Senate appearance before finally coming in to testify. His reasoning was that he wanted all the facts in hand before coming before them. True, that might be good. But thats if you believe this is really going to accomplish something (see above). Senator Byrd (another old dude) said to him "You had a bright and brilliant career, but you will never again receive the support of the U.S. Senate for any office you seek. You have squandered your treasure." The Coda: Richardson won New Mexico's gubernatorial election in 2002.

How does this bode for the highest office in the land? Richardson has in fact announced that he has put together an exploratory committee for a possible bid for the White House in 2008. If he wins, he'd be the first Hispanic President. That would be cool but I know what some detractors are saying. That is why I included the fairly innocuous but relatively important biographical information. One might assume from this pedigree that Richardson would be for the illegal immigrants swarming over the borders. But the man declared a state of emergency in November of last year as he felt the problem had reached an intolerable threshold. Illegal Immigration, though a burden for the country as a whole, is a particularly acute pain for border states such as Texas, Arizona, California and New Mexico. In fact, this is how Richardson feels on the illegal... thing:

* Declared state of emergency on Mexican border. (Nov 2006)
* Path to legalization if illegals pay taxes & learn English. (Nov 2006)
* Reduce immigration; no automatic citizenship for kids. (Nov 1996)
* Guarantee human services to illegal immigrants. (Nov 1996)

(Go to the site On the Issues for anyone for that matter. Great site!!!) In the end, Richardson is a candidate who can be bipartisan rather partisan and unilateral. Hell, I live with republicans and they'd vote for him. And that is saying something about my Dad.

If you'd like to see other candidates or "explorers", go to this site. Its a wikipedia which means it updated fairly quickly whne news breaks which should start picking up. I'll keep covering and do some more tidbts on probable, possible and confirmed candidates and those who help them on the campaigns. Elections are exciting and halfway point in a presidential term is when things start solidifying. People start raising funds like mad and drawing lines. Good Times!!!

(Speaking of funds, its likely candidates will need to raise $100M by the end of this year alone to run a strong campaign. The combined funds of cadidates may break $1B...)

On this day in 1525, the Anabaptists re-baptised each other in Swizterland. O....K.

In 1793, Louis XVI gets guillotined.

On this auspicious day, the new USSR lost Lenin and gained the egotistical madman known as Stalin, His real name was Joseph Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili; a Georgian name. In Georgian it looks like this: იოსებ ბესარიონის ძე ჯუღაშვილი. And in Cyrillic: Ио́сиф Виссарио́нович Джугашвили. Yeah...

And in 1977, President Jimmy Carter pardons most (most) Vietnam war draft dodgers.

नमस्ते

Where the hell have I been??!??

If you read this and were annoyed that I stopped blogging, I apologize. Several things happened and I shall break them down as succintly as possible:

1. FINALS! Yes, there was finals and I was stressed beyond all measure. But I got out with an A, 2 B's and a C. I call that a good semester. I can do better, however.

2. I had things to worry about like the holidays.

3. I worked a ton during the break.

4. I really didn't care but I did remember. I cannot use the lame excuse of forgetting.

5. I rediscovered my love for all things Galactica, Firefly and Science Fiction novels in general.

So as you can see, I just wasn't ready for running a blog of this nature. Speaking of "nature", I want to add that nature is fucking cold right now. It's like 10 and were happy for 10 here in Minnesota.

Besides that, I want to ask what is the nature of this site? I must reiterate that I basically posted a mission statement right at the top of this page. See it up there? I will, however, restate it now in a different form. I will try, to the best of my ability, to distill local, state, national and international politics, economics and downright newsiness for you my loyal reader (as in there is 1 of you). I aim to add my own opinion (when I feel warranted) and to analyze pertinent facts and events surrounding a particular story, developing or otherwise. I will not let my own political bias hinder my ability to attack those who need attacking, i.e. politicos who just plain screw up. Or CNN or Fox for being media... well, the media. The media just sucks anyways...

I'll admit that I have a healthy fascination for the weather (and weather reporting... there's some real comedy in that, let me tell ya), spies, International bodies like the United Nations, Anderson Cooper, weird crimes, idiocyncrasies that bother me, stupid politicians and history. I like to ground each entry in "back in the day" sections. I feel knowing what others were experiencing on this day in yoner year (oh, alliteration...) is helpful and also reminds us that others trod this grund before. Sometimes there are startling acheivements, disasters, battles or just plain oddness. I like the oddness.

There are some bits of news I failed to make any comment over the intervening 43 days. This was an oversight on my part. Here is a list of news items I failed to make a comment on and may try to make up for my apathy/lack of time:

1. Saddam Hussein was executed. The Iraqi government hung the former dictator in a fashion unbecoming to most western nations. His corpse was danced about by Shiites celebrating his recent demise. On Fox, a particularly amusing graphic was displayed showing his corpse. On the left side of the screen was Saddam "Alive", and on the right, his "dead" body. I couldn't help but be befuddled and amused by this. It reminded a friend of a moment in a film when someone was sorting dead rats and saying "alive"... "dead". We believe it was Transylvania 65000.

2. Gerald Ford died. He was never elected President, but nevertheless, led our country througho ne of its darkest periods. He also open the military academies to women. And pardoned Nixon. The flags will remain at half mast for another week or so. (Yes, I said half mast not half staff...)

3. Barbara Boxer v. Condoleeza Rice. What?

4. Donald Trump v. Condoleeza Rice. Double What?

5. Trump v. Rosie. eh....

6. The Next Harry Potter will be "The Deadly Hallows". That's hallows like hallowed ground, hallowed be his name and hallowe'en.

7. Pinochet, Chilean dictator, died at age 91. No one cared and it only rated below Harry Potter and The Don.

8. Tim Johnson, a US senator, was hospitalized with a mild stroke. Before he was even evaluated, US news outlets were already discussing the possible return of power to Republican hands. They weren't even waiting to see if he died.

9. Ex Russian Spy turned British citizen and author (and Muslim), Alexander Litvinenko, was finally covered in depth by 60 Minutes. About bloody Time!

10. Denver shut down for snow: $Billions. Holiday travellers stranded in terminals on stiff, smelly cots: ^#$^ %&#!!!! Laughing at my sister for moving there and claiming they hardely get any snow there: Priceless.

Back in the year 1265, The English parliament convened at the Palace of Westminster for the first time.

In 1892, the first game of basketball was played at a YMCA in Springfield Massachussetts.

And the Nazis, in 1942, agreed on the "final solution" to the European Jewry. The result was the holocaust the significant impact on world politics, culture and geography.

That's it from my end.

Lets get off the Blue Marble

[Warning: A photo heavy piece]

Robert Gates, the replacement for outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, has been confirmed by the senate 95-2. The two votes against Gates were cast by Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and Jim Bunning of Kentucky. The senators were critical of Gates. Bunning said Gates was too critical of the action in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also believes that Gates will bring rogue states to the negotiating table. Santorum took to the floor of the senate ot give an hourlong speech in which he said "How do those who deny this evil propose to save us from these people? By negotiating through the U.N. or directly with Iran? By firing Don Rumsfeld, (and) now getting rid of John Bolton? That's going to solve the problem?"

In another joint conference with United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair and United States President George W. Bush, was conducted this morning. Yesterday, the Iraq War Study Group presented its conclusions to President Bush.He said "Having an international group is an interesting idea", which cracks me up. Wouldn't that be the United Nations?

Earlier today, a tornado tore through Northwest London at around 11 this morning London time. (That would be 5 hours ahead of us if you live on the east coast.) England experiences 50 or os tornadoes a year so this is not a strange occurance. However, it swept through the streets of the Kensal Rise area in London (imagine a tornado in London!), flipping cars over and ripping doors off homes. Many homes were evacuated and several more were damaged. An article on the event at BBC's UK site. The weather has been nasty in the North Atlantic lately.

You've hopefully heard about this by now: Hugo Chavez was democratically re-elected in Venezuela. This is the politician's third win. He was first elected in 1998, and then re-elected to a six year term in 2000. After winning the vote, "It's another defeat for the devil, who tries to dominate the world". He won by a healthy margin and is most popular amongst the country's poor who favor his social policies.

NASA unveiled plans on December 5th to place a permanant settlement on the South Pole of the moon by 2020. This will be the first expedition to the moon since 1972. There is hopes to bring other space agencies into the project. The plan involves week long stays of four person crews to do the construction of the base. After initial materials are brough from Earth, the settlement will use hydrogen and oxygen from the moon for fuel and the obvious: air to fucking breathe!

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has reported that it is dramatically short of 20c coins. This is only weeks after issuing new coins with a new design. Why am I laughing about this?

Yesterday saw the launch of France24. It has been founded with the hope of countering the "Anglophone sphere of influence of BBC World and CNN International" especially as of late. It was created by a partnership between Groupe TF1 and France Télévisions and has an annual budget €80Million. It will be broadcast in English and French. The English simulcast will also feature 4-6 hours of French programming. There are future plans to also utilize Arabic and Spanish programming. It has not been stated whether there will be all-Arabic or all-Spanish networks or merely programs in those languages. It will be transmitted to the US by antenna and sattelite. Comcast plans to carry the network. Regardless, go there just to see it. It's free!

James Kim, a senior editor at CNET, was found at noon on Wednesday in a ravine in Oregon. He had been deceased for a couple of days after being stranded in the wilderness with his wife Kati and two daughters, Penelope and Sabine, since beginning a return trip home after Thanksgiving. He had covered 8 miles in inclimate weather in street clothes and tennis shoes. Rescuers are calling the effort it took to cover that land in freezing and near-freezing temperatures "superhuman". CNET has set up a blog for people to post their memories, condolensces or anything they wish to write about James Kim.

On this day , in 1732, the Royal Opera House at the Convent Garden in London, England, opens.

In 1776, the Marquis de Lafayette, tried to enter the US military, who were bogged down in the War for Independence.

In 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the constitution. Though this is not formal, it is the de jure first state.

In 1917, we declared war on Austria-Hungary and thereby, entered World War I.

On this day in 1941, Canada declared war on Finland, Hungary, Romania, and Japan. Sort of jumping the gun.

That same day and year, Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, in the territory of Hawaii.
The USS Arizona's forward magazines explode.

The Damage can still be seen at Hickam Field at Pearl Harbor.

US Casualties:
2,335 military and 68 civilians killed,
1,143 military and 35 civilians wounded,
4 mini-submarines sunk
4 battleships sunk,
4 battleships damaged,
3 cruisers damaged,
3 destroyers sunk,
2 other ships sunk,
188 planes destroyed,
155 planes damaged

Japanese Casualties:
55 airmen, 9 submariners killed and 1 captured,
29 planes destroyed,
4 mini-submarines sunk


In 1966, there was a fire at the Army barracks in Erzurum, Turkey that kills 68.

In 1972, the last Apollo mission, 17, is launched. The famous "The Blue Marble" photograph was taken upon the journey to the moon. Like I said previously, this was the last manned mission to the moon. This also makes it the last time anyone was 28,000 miles from Earth and capable of taking such a photo. The craft was directly between the Earth and the sun so the earth is fully lit.

In 1988, Yasser Arafat, who is now dead, recognized Israel's right to exist.

In 1995, the Galileo spacecraft, launched in 1989, arrives at Jupiter to take lots of pictures of that planet. It enetered in to orbit on this day. Its really sweet radio attenna did not deploy so they could not get as much as they wanted to for its seven year tour ofJupiter. In 2003 it crashed itself into Jupiter.

In 2004, Hamid Karzai became president of Afghanistan. Thats good for us, I guess. Our first experiment with Nation building.

Oh yeah, and today.... STS-116 launched at night, no less. Here's a picture of the rollout. Just fucking awesome!
That's all from me.... whew.

Toons: Random sample - 12/06/06

What a mess!

Mario Scaramella, the Italian academic who met with the late Alexander Litvinenko on November 1st, has reportedly tested positive for Polonium-210. This is the same highly radioactive element that was discovered in Litvinenko's body. Scaramella had gone into hiding in fear for his life due to the demise of the former Russian spy.

Related to this mess is Yegor Gaidar, a former acting Prime Minister and economist who became severely ill in Ireland. He has since been taken to a Moscow hospital where he has reportedly, been recovering. Also, one of three planes removed form service in the UK, has been cleared of radiation. Despite this, a hotel in Sussex, England, was evacuated to search for Polonium-210.

The British government is demanding cooperation from the Russian government into this case. Litvinenko accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of culpibility in his poisoning and Putin has denied any involvement in the matter. However, Russia has pledged that it will cooperate with the investigation.

Though there are many mysteries - even going back to the October 7th slaying of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya - one of these is where the radioactive materials came from. So far, no nuclear labs are reporting any thefts. Sergei Kiriyenko, head of Russia's state atomic energy agency Rosatom, has stated that only 8 grams of the substance are made a month. He also said it cannot be "obtained illegally there". A lethal dose would be as little as 6.8 picograms (I really went and looked that up and even found out what a picogram is. 1 pg is 1/1,000,000,000,000 of a kilogram. This makes it awfully minute. I'm such a little investigative reporter!). It is also notoriously dangerous to handle but has a half life of roughly 138 days.

In an article posted in CNN yesterday, the Republican party wants a law outlining when fetuses feel pain. It seems the bill is less about actually creating such language in legislature but is actually an act to shore up Republican loyalty. When the Democrats take leadership of congress next year it is likely that few, if any, abortion restrictive bills make it even to the floor of either house. Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee, even called the Democrats "Hardcore pro-abortion loyalists." I think thats a little generalist. There are some Democrats who are not pro-choice. And to call anyone pro-abortion is demeaning. No one is for abortion. They are for the choice. Hitler was pro-abortion.

Other news today: Typhoon Durian has killed 388 people so far. There are also 75 people missing. The Phillipines has been socked by four such storms in four months. At the same time a real whopper of a storm is pummeling the midwest with rain, snow and everything in between. Fortunately, I'm up north in Minnesota where its a balmy 23 today. That's warm for this week!

On this day in 1941, New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia signed into action the Civil Air Patrol.

On this day in 1955, Rosa parks was arrested for not getting up and moving to the back of the bus for a white person. It sparked the Montgomery bus boycott which helped catapult Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to his role as Civil Rights Leader.

Back on this day in 1990, while we were gearing up for Gulf War I, The two sides, Anglish and French, met underneath the English Channel to unite both sides of the Chunnel. It would be another 4 years before it actually did business but it made it possible to walk on dry land from England to the mainland for the first time in 8,500 years ago. This was the last ice age.

In 1991, the Ukraine voted to get the hell off the sinking ship known as the USSR. The Soviet Union's days were already numbered.

Iraq Exit Strategy Specials

Yay! More Toons!

"What we've got here is failure to communicate"

Could it really be possible? Is Iraq in a civil war? Or are they just playing? When is this administration going to wake up and smell the shit they've been shovelling? Don't answer that...

Colin Powell, former Secretary of State, and before that, Chairman of the Joint Cheifs of Staff (shouldn't that be cheives?) and he was also National Security Advisor to Reagan. Anyways, he has kind of been the voice of reason in the Republican Party. But that should not surprise anyone. He's the most moderate man in public service aside from John McCain, though McCain is starting to look a little too red. Regardless, he's one of those rare men: he can see both sides of the issue and look at things objectively. Now, if only we could get more journalists like him. He opposed going into Iraq as we did and has even been known to call Neoconservatives "fucking crazies" (I have a source). He's pro-choice and for affirmitive Action. When he resigned from his jpb as Secretary of State, one cannot help but wonder (at least, I can't) that it had something to do with his 1) dragging his heels on Iraq, 2)stating that we needed UN backing before going into Iraq not to mention the nation's support and 3) calling neocons "crazies" even if they are. They're crazy! What do you think they will do to you?

Yeah. That Guy. By the way, check out that cheesy grin. Sort of scary that a retired General can smile like that. (Note: Do not get the high resolution picture on Wikipedia. There is no reason to see anyone at a resolution of 2400x3000. NO ONE!)

Colin Powell has come out and said Iraq'a in a civil war. Just admit and move on. Current NSA dude Stephen Hadley said "We're clearly in a new phase characterized by an increase in sectarian violence that requires us to adapt to that new phase". Well, I'm glad that cleared up. Since no one in the White House will say it. It might look bad. But even Iraq's government is shirking this detail. Hadley also said "The Iraqis don't talk of it as a civil war. The unity government doesn't talk of it as a civil war". Because there is no clear grab for power or territory, its not a civil war. What the hell was the British Civil War? They fought for power thereby control of the country, i.e. territory. Ugh...

Moving on because stupidity is depressing. Fiji might have another coup. Sweet! Lets have some action! Apparently, the Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase wanted to offer leaders of the 2000 coup some amnesty. He had two bills presented to the parliament proposing that. Commodore Frank Bainimarama, leader of the Fijian military forces, was a little ticked. He asked for the MP to resign in mid October. In return, Qarase tried to sack him. It didn't work. Now, New Zealand and Australia, both a bit concerned over possible instability in the region, have arranged talks, but negotiations have been unsuccessful.

The military began "practicing" in case of international intervention. But it looks more like preparation for overthrow. And the residents know it. They are stokpiling goods and cash. Even if there isn't a coup, they may destroy their small country's banking system. Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain have expressed concern about travelling there and Australia is pulling workers out of its embassy there. Wait and see!

The case of Alexander Litvinenko (the pictures at right are him: Before and After his poisoning) gets even bigger. Let me give a brief rundown on this man. Alexander Litvinenko was once a KGB (КГБ (Committee for State Security)) agent (as was Vladimir Putin). Later, he worked for the FSB (ФСБ (Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation)). In 1998, he began making accusations of killings, extortions and so forth. Eventually he'd spend some time in prison. While awaiting trial in 2000, he fled to Turkey and rejoined his wife, Marina, and son, Anatoly. He had no passport but he managed to make it into the United Kingdom on Political Asylum. He wrote a couple of books detailing how the FSB blew up apartments to further give rise to oppositition of the Chechen rebels and help Putin win election. He became a citizen if the UK in October of this year.

He had received papers from Mario Scaramella concerning the killing of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. She was shot in the elevator of her apartment building on October 7th. On November 1st, the day he acquired the documents, he also met with two former KGB officers. But Oleg Gordievsky, a long time friend of Litvinenko's, believed the poisoning happened at the flat of a Russian friend. He had tea there before meeting Scaramella (who has since gone into hiding) at Itsu, a sushi restaurant, in Piccadilly.

He is believed now to have been poisoned with Pulonium 210. This is a highly rare substance that an only be made in a nuclear reactor. And the half life on it assures that it was not stolen from stores that the USSR had and were easily taken after the collapse. Yegor Gaidar, a former acting Primie Minsiter under Boris Yeltsin, was found unconscious in Ireland on Novemeber 28. His health is not good and raises even more suspicions after Litvinenko's November 23rd death. A Post Mortem examination is scheduled for today and there has evidnce of radiation has been found on two British Airlines planes.

Well, I need to do some back on this day stuff. There were a lot of important things that happened through out history on this date. For example, The November Uprising of the poles against the Russian happened November 29, 1830. In 1890, the Meiji Constitution took affect in Japan. Yugoslavia became the Federal people's Republic of Yougoslavia in 1945 (aka they became Commies).

In 1967, Robert S. MacNamara resigned as Secretary of Defence amidst bungling of that era's quagmire, Vietnam.

And finally....You see that map at the top? that is the United Nations Partition as devised in 1947 for Palestine. Today, in 1947, the UN voted to go forward with partition. A month later, the Arab League met in Cairo to devise their own military solution to partition. We now have Eretz Israel (ארץ ישראל) and Palestine (فلسطين‎ ). Someone actually asked me where the name Palestine came from. Its from the Phillistines. They have long since been gone but their name still continues.

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Turkey and the Pope

Yep. He went there. After Pope Benedict XVI quoted inflammatory remarks made by a 14th Century church theologian about Islam and its connection to violence, there was violent outrage in the Muslim world asking for everything from apologies to his head on a silver platter. That was only two months ago.

Besides that, he's never been kind to Turkey. He is German and therefore, some of his attitude toward Anatolia may be suspect. The two territories have never had a good relationship despite seemingly being far from each other. In the19th Century as Germany developed into an Industrial power (albeit late relative to the US and Great Britain) with a large focus on finance and banking, it came into conflict with the far-flung and long-lasting Ottoman empire. It would not take a leap in insight to understand that animosity was high. In modern day Germany, there is a large Turkish community in Germany. For the most part Germans have opinions about the Turks both within the German state and without. Its like trying to find an American who hasn't thought about Mexican Immigrants and Illegal Immigration. For good or bad, everyone has an opinion.

In the past when the current pope was the Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, he also made a comment specifically about Turkey. He basically said that allowing Turkey to enter the European Union would be "a grave error against the tide of history". So than the Holocaust was....? That statement makes it sound like adding Turkey is tantamount to Thermo Nuclear war! If you think its bad just say "Hey, uh, I think letting Turkey in would be bad. All those earthquakes. The funds needed to constantly rebuild their antiquated and crumbling infrastructure would be draining. Not to mention, depressingly repetitive." Or: "Turkey has a long dispute with many of its close neighbors. Greece for one has an ongoing hostility with Turkey over the small island of Cyprus. And they can't admit they commit genocide on Armenia."

He has been called the "anti-Turkish Pope" and I suppose its understandible. And with the recent uproar, he will not be welcomed with any zeal or happiness. He is being received as a visiting political leader: leader of the Vatican, that is. His presence is being handled on a secular basis. He has also now reversed himself on his belief about Turkey. He now thinks letting Turkey into the EU would be a grand idea. Who the hell does he think he is? Oh, yeah.... He's also quoting two other guys: Pope John Paul II and Pope Gregory of the 11th Century. Oy Vey!

Is there a civil war in Iraq? Sure as hell seems like it. Last week one of the worst attacks since this whole debacle began occured in Sadr City. President Bush claims it isn't a civil war. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley claimed the reason it is not a civil war is it is "less aimed at gaining full control over an area than expressing differences and also trying to destabilize a democracy". Well, isn't that a civil war?

Well, civil war existance debate aside, lets also remember that we will be stuck in this quagmire unless we can, well, GET OUT! We need an exit strategy. In other words, we need to begin using tactics that will slowly enbale us to leave the God-forsaken place. I cannot remember who said this (it may have Henry Kissinger or Spiro Agnew): "There is only one acceptable exit strategy: Winning." Stay the Course is a great political slogan. You could even use Lincoln's fabulous illustration: You don't switch horses while crossing the stream. However, after the election has been won, we all start scratching our heads and ask "What's the course?" I'm not going there....

In Ecuador, it appears that Economist turned politician, Rafael Correa may have won his country's presidency. The opponent has yet to concede defeat but with Correa owning 63% of the vote, it would be difficult for Billionaire Alvaro Noboa to make up the margin.

Correa is a leftist who has been politically close to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez (you know, the guy who called Bush the Devil.) and has also promised to build 300,000 homes for the country's poor every year. He has also said he'd refuse to pay the "illegitimate" foreign debt and to nix a free-trade deal with the US. With all their economic problems, the nation has not a lot of success with presidents in the recent decade. Let's hope for the best. Whatever that is.

Way back about 900 years ago (in 1095, to be exact.... 911 years ago for nitpickers), Pope Urban II appointed Bishop Adhemar of Le Puy and Count Raymond IV of Toulouse to lead the first Crusade to liberate the Holy Land. Oh the Irony! (see above)

Two big reasons why November 28 is a really big day in Albania: First, in 1443, Skanderbeg, aka, George Kastrioti, liberated (all this liberating...) Middle Albania (is it big enough to have a middle?) with the capture of Kruje. He raised his standard which eventually became the flag of Albania. He has been quoted as saying "I have not brought you freedom, I found it here, among you." The second reason is far less poetic and epic: Albania declared independance from the Ottomans (finally!) in 1912. Again, Turkey hating... Albania is now the only officially Atheist nation in the world. Despite this, according to the CIA World factbook, Albania is 70% Muslim, 20% Albanian Orthodox and 10% Catholic. These are only estimates. There are no churches or mosques in Albania and private practice is allowed only.

Back on this day, in 2000, the eighth drop fell on the Pitch drop experiment in Australia. I shit you not. This experiment was initiated in 1927 when Professor Thomas Parnell of the University of Queensland in Brisbane wanted to demonstrate that some substances though appearing solid were really highly viscous and truly flowed. Pitch is one such substance. Glass is another. Over that last 79 years, 8 drops have fallen very, very slowy. Wanna watch it live? It's like watching grass grow or paint dry but more exciting!

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Senseless Violence

Today it seems the world has returned to its nominal behavior: Violence.


Yesterday a standoff began in Chicago. It ended with the gunman, Lance Johnson, 21, killing himself and his two female hostages apparently. He took the two women hostage early Thursday morning.

An armed man in Miami stormed into a Spanish language newspaper called El Nuevo. He believed the paper was not properly run. some people were evacuated before he peacefully surrendered.

And in Sadr City in Iraq, Sunni men have been burnt with kerosene by militant Shi'ites as the Sunnis emerged from Friday services. There has also been a spate of mosque burnings.

If you're like me, you're wondering why today? Is there something in the air? The stars? Who knows. I hope you gave thanks yesterday for your live and its relative peacefulness.

On this day in 1859, Charles Darwin published his earth shattering and agitating book The Origin of Species. To quote Darwin from the text itself: "A grand and almost untrodden field of inquiry will be opened, on the causes and laws of variation, on correlation of growth, on the effects of use and disuse, on the direct action of external conditions and so forth."

Also, on this day, and of local import, the show Mystery Science Theater 3000 (aka, MST3K) premiered on a local UHF band station called KTMA. That was in 1988.

Also, Lee Harvey Oswald was shot today after being apprehended for the possible culpibility in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. If you can't recall the year it was 1963.

Thanksgiving and Thankstaking

I, and my family, had a rip roaring thanksgiving. We spilled beer all over, woke the dead and lit things on fire. But, like all holidays, we must return to the mundane world known as real life.

For starters, did you check out the ads? My paper, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, left something to be desired. There were seriously only a handful of ads. It was pathetic! Besides that, there is an interesting change in store policies. Some stores are remaining open and then others, will open for abbreviated hours this evening. Comp USA will be open tonight from 9 till midnight. I think this is shitty. These retail employees usually bask in the joy that at least they ain't working on Thanksgiving. Tomorrow they will work in the hell known as Black Friday. I feel they are being cheated. But thats just me.

Earlier this week I posted that an article about an ailing former Russian Spy was a complicated story. It is, but it is further complicated by the fact that the spy, Alexander Litvinenko, has died. At about 3.30 CST, he passed away in a London hospital. It is believed Litvinenko may have been poisoned by the Russian Government whom he is also quite critical of. Anyways, I feel bad that he has passed away. He was an upstanding guy who was holding firm on his principles. There are few who would take the path he did and I totally respect that. I offer my condolencses to his family.

And CNN finally wrote an article about him that didn't need rereading.

Back on this day in 1954, the DOW finally got above its previous peak set before the crash of 1929. It only took 25 years to do it. We have recently accomplished a similar feat but in a much shorter period.

Also on this day, in 1963, Doctor Who, one of the best Science-Fiction television series (and stories... its always about the stories), ever, premiered on the BBC.

And since its Thanksgiving, with football games and all, on this day, Doug Flutie, when he was a quarterback for Boston College, threw a Hail Mary against the University of Miami with 6 seconds on the clock. He succeeded and Boiston College won the game 47-45. Flutie also was awarded the Heisman Trophy that year. What year was it? It was 1984.

That's all. Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was good and safe. Have a good start to holiday shopping. And remember to buy me something for Chanakah! Or Christmas depending on what you believe...

Don't touch me!

I swear to G-d, I woke up and found myself in the news of the 80's. It just sounded like the average news of like say 1986. Here's a run-down!

Lebanese Christian Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel was assasinated. This can only be bad news for the already politically fractured nation. To top it off, he was a part of the anti-Syrian majority. President Bush has declared this a further act by Iran and Syria to promote instability in the unstable nation.

A school bus went off an overpass in Alabama, Monday. Up to now, four people have died, all teenage girls. The bus was carrying 40 students from Huntsville' Lee High School. THe accident may have been caused by another Lee High student driving a Toyota Celica that drifted into the School bus' lane and forced the bus into the barrier where it drove for 100 feet before dropping off. The Celica had two flat tires but it is unclear whether these caused the accident or were caused by the accident.

Political News: As if President George Walker Bush needed more bad news.... In a recent poll, only 1 in 4 respondents felt he was a better president than his father, George Hebert Walker Bush (Where do they get Walker anyway? Is it a Texan thing?).

UCLA, the conspicuous new Ivy out there near the San Diego Freeway (how I miss you LA!), has had an interesting incident involving tasers, a library and an Iranian-American student. No joke! Mostafa Tabatabainejad, 23 and a student using the Powell Library on campus, was tasered 5 times by UCDP officer Terrence Duren. The incident in question occured late, around 11:30, on November 14th when Duren asked to see Tabatabainejad's student ID. At 11 the libraries close to the public and only staff, faculty and students are allowed to use the facility. It is a common practice to assure that those remaining in the building have the right to be there. Apparently, Tabatabainejad was singled out and told to leave. Whether he was able to produce proper ID is unknown. There is a video of the incident here. Tabatabainejad has filed a lawsuit against the school and an investigation is underway.

If you do go to the YouTube site keep in mind these facts when reading the comments: 1. It is public proberty, thereby a collective good. This means all can use it without directly contributing to its upkeep (though Californians do through high taxes). At certain times however, access is restricted to staff, faculty and students only. 2. At most colleges, particularly state schools here in the US, a student ID is required and security or campus police may ask for it when ascertaining whether you are a student or faculty or whatever. 3. We do not know if the UCDP were requesting to see other patrons' IDs at the time. Racial profiling may have occured. It also may not have. 4. Tabatabainejad is not a Muslim, contrary to popular belief. He is of the Bahá'í Faith. If your knowledge of this cool religion is meager, please go here. 5. the Police officers are in the University of California Police Department, not the Los Angeles Police Department. 6. The type of Tazering used was the Drive Stun which uses direct contact rather than electrodes that shoot out and attach themselves to the victim. It is incredibly painful but shocks a body part rather than the whole body and nervous system. It is possible to remain standing upon being tazered in this manner. Keep these facts in mind when viewing the clip.

Winner of most complicated article that cannot be understood on single reading: Ex-Russian spy 'may have radioactive poisoning'. Go CNN!

Traffic: It will suck. 83% of Thanksgiving travellers are predicted to drive rather than fly, take the train or steamship. We like our cars and global warming has now made November snowfalls obsolete. Enjoy!

TomKat: please go away. They were married in LA and then flew to Italy to have their religious ceremony there. Brooke Shields, despite Tom Cruise's allegations that her use of anti-depressants to combat post-partem depression was ludicrous on national television, was in attendance. As was most of the starry-eyed Italian public and papparazzi the world over. Now, can we stop paying attention to them? Or do we have to convert to Scientology?

For all you nerds out there, Peter Jackson will not be making "The Hobbit". New Line Cinema has decided to go in a different direction and it will not be with the Oscar-winning New Zealand directior (who is looking quite a bit better these days). There is an ongoing dispute betwixt NEw Line and Jackson over salary. He reportedly was shorted a cool $100M in payment over the Lord of the Rings and the subsequent DVD grosses. Its kind of sad because he'd at least keep a consistent style.

Sad Note: Robert Altman, the guy who made M*A*S*H* (I even got all the asterisks in there!) died yesterday in Los Angeles. He was 81.