9 Principles, 12 Values : Glenn Beck – The 912 Project: It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion. On your right to disagree “In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude; every man will speak as he thinks, or more properly without thinking.” George Washington
Wow, apparently he hasn't really thought about the quote he used? Or didn't realize that this was George Washington's argument against a representative democracy and for a republic? I mean, honestly, the above is the sort of quote that Colbert would use mocking the right, but apparently the right is attempting to put Colbert out of business?
I was just saying this:
Memo to Obama: Cairo Was a Mistake—UPDATE - Page 1 - The Daily Beast: Obama should have chosen Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, a moderate, pluralistic, wildly successful democratic country whose citizens just last month overwhelming voted for secular and moderate Muslim parties over the country’s more radical Islamist groups. Instead, by choosing Cairo as the backdrop to his speech, Obama has in effect rewarded Egypt’s president for life, Hosni Mubarak, for his bloody, blatantly anti-democratic, and dictatorial rule.
And if not rewarding, he's sending a subtle message to the rest of the Muslims of the world that the US expects them to be ruled by dictators that were helped into power, or remain in power, due to US influence.
FBI — Most Wanted Terrorists - Press Room - Headline Archives 04-21-09: An animal rights extremist wanted for allegedly bombing two San Francisco-area office buildings in 2003 has been added to our Most Wanted Terrorists list—the first domestic terrorist to be included with international terrorists such as Usama Bin Laden. Daniel Andreas San Diego, 31, should be considered armed and dangerous. His domestic acts of terror were planned to destroy property, to cause economic hardship for the companies he targeted, and possibly to take lives—one of his bombs was laced with nails to create potentially deadly shrapnel. We are offering a reward of up to $250,000 for information directly leading to his arrest.
Note: not a foreigner, not Muslim.
White House enemy No. 1: Rush Limbaugh | Reuters: The goal is to convince Americans that the popularly known "Grand Old Party" of Abraham Lincoln is a shell of its former self and in the grip of its most narrow, right wing, in hopes of making independents and moderates think twice about switching allegiance.
The goal is to convince Americans the obvious? Abraham Lincoln's party is all but formally the Libertarian Party, no?
The White House - Blog Post - Relief for Gaza: By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 (the "Act"), as amended (22 U.S.C. 2601), I hereby determine, pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Act, that it is important to the national interest to furnish assistance under the Act in an amount not to exceed $20.3 million from the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for the purpose of meeting unexpected and urgent refugee and migration needs, including by contributions to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations and payment of administrative expenses of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration of the Department of State, related to humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees and conflict victims in Gaza.
Though even as little as 10 times this much is still a fraction of what goes to Israel and Egypt to keep the Gazans down, and greatly improves the lives of the people of Gaza to the point that they'll no longer support violent means of political change. $20.3 million, however, will barely make a dent and isn't even as much as has been reported that Hamas has put up. Perhaps it's time to go back to the methods of the cold war, less actual war, more competition to out-spend the oppenent...
I am rather frustrated with the current affairs in Gaza. I can't imagine how anyone sees the situation differently than I do, but more importantly I can't imagine, whatever side you are on, why the current bombing is necessary or good. Guess there is not much I can do, there are calls for boycotts (not convinced that they will really help, or that they are even coordinated well). There are calls for donations (of course Israel is stopping any money, aid, doctors, IRC, and everything else from getting to Gaza). But I can at least appeal to my elected government officials. So I sent the following to my US Representative, both of my Senators, President Bush, and President Elect Obama: I implore you to take action on the recent troubles in Israel/Palestine. It would seem to be clear to anyone with any moral fiber that Israel has more than "retaliated" for any actions taken by Hamas especially since it is clear that Israel is the violator of the most recent cease fire. The people who are forced to reside in Gaza, who have no escape, no means to defend themselves, no means to even feed themselves and keep warm under the current blockade, are clearly victims of the worst kind.
I don't expect that anything will resolve this current escalation to any one's satisfaction, but at least we can pressure the Israeli government to stop the carnage, and we can work to stop supporting a country that most of the world, and the UN, have branded a criminal due to this and other recent actions which they have taken in clear violation of criminal law. To believe that this is simply "defense of Israel" is a joke as clear as day when the casualties on both sides are compared, and when we remember that Gaza is nothing more than a giant prison.
Please do your best to find any way to cease the current hostilities and save any lives possible if simply just to save the innocent from the arrogant men who presume to speak for them.
Maybe you agree with me or not. But I still wonder why violence and war is the solution we turn to so often to resolve our differences. Sure this is a big complicated mess, but the world is not a zero sum game, I truly believe we can all "win".
Olmert says he talked Bush out of cease-fire vote - Los Angeles Times: Reporting from Washington -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert boasted Monday that he successfully pressured President Bush last week to reverse course on U.S. diplomacy over fighting in Gaza, in an episode that could sharpen tensions between the close allies at a sensitive moment.
Speaking to an audience in Ashkelon, Israel, Olmert said he had called Bush last Thursday and convinced him that the United States should not vote for a pending U.N. Security Council resolution urging a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
Olmert said Bush's agreement "embarrassed" Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice because the resolution was one that she had "cooked up, she organized, she formulated, she maneuvered," according to comments reported by Israel Radio.
"And she was left pretty embarrassed, abstaining on a draft resolution she organized herself," Olmert added.
Just when you thought Bush could do no more harm...
Anyone who has lived in DC for a while knows that with each new administration, it means new restaurants. Bush Sr. liked Chinese. Clinton like Mickey-Ds and Dominoes, when W got here we got some Austin-style Tex-Mex. So what can we expect from the Obama camp? Seems reports are he likes to cook Chili and serve it over rice. He also seems to like Pizza and comfort/soul food. I'm hoping it gets Rick Bayless to open a real Mexican place in the city. Chicago dogs? Kansas ribs? Hawaiian spam and poi? Doubt it means Kenyan or Indonesian food, but how great would that be? What are you hoping for?
Uh, what's happening CC?
They still call it the White House
But that's a temporary condition, too.
Can you dig it, CC?
...
There's a lot of chocolate cities, around
We've got Newark, we've got Gary
Somebody told me we got L.A.
And we're working on Atlanta
But you're the capital, CC
...
Hey, CC!
They say your jivin' game, it can't be changed
But on the positive side,
You're my piece of the rock
And I love you, CC.
Can you dig it?
Hey, uh, we didn't get our forty acres and a mule
But we did get you, CC, heh, yeah
Gainin' on ya
Movin' in and around ya
God bless CC and its vanilla suburbs
...
You don't need the bullet when you got the ballot
Are you up for the downstroke, CC?
...
And don't be surprised if Ali is in the White House
Reverend Ike, Secretary of the Treasure
Richard Pryor, Minister of Education
Stevie Wonder, Secretary of FINE arts
And Miss Aretha Franklin, the First Lady
Are you out there, CC?
A chocolate city is no dream
It's my piece of the rock and I dig you, CC
God bless Chocolate City and its (gainin' on ya!) vanilla suburbs
[ Chocolate City - Parliment ] Seriously, though, let's start talking Obama's cabinet...
Some said it would never happen, I say it's about time:
2008 Election: Winners and Losers - The Fix: All the talk that Obama's poll numbers were inflated as a result of the fact that voters did not feel comfortable telling pollsters they would not vote for him due to the color of his skin proved to be bunk. In Harlem convenience store, an immigrant enclave - On the Scene: Witnessing History - msnbc.com: “People will love the United States more than ever,” Barrie said. “Do you know why? Because we showed the world already that this is United States. … We are human beings, everybody is equal.” Obama's victory caps struggles of previous generations - CNN.com: Moses says he is amazed that Obama has helped lead the country through a racially transformative moment without anyone getting killed. Pivotal events in America's racial history -- the debate over slavery, the assault on segregation -- sparked widespread violence, Moses says. "I don't think people appreciate how delicate it is to move the society around these questions without descent into chaos or into pockets of chaos," he says. Nation Finally [Crappy] Enough To Make Social Progress | The Onion - America's Finest News Source: Although polls going into the final weeks of October showed Sen. Obama in the lead, it remained unclear whether the failing economy, dilapidated housing market, crumbling national infrastructure, health care crisis, energy crisis, and five-year-long disastrous war in Iraq had made the nation crappy enough to rise above 300 years of racial prejudice and make lasting change. (courtesy Grossberg)
NAACP: Yesterday, we ushered in a new era. Yesterday, we destroyed the remnants of Jim Crow, abolished a one-color-fits-all definition of leadership, and declared that our nation would rise above the politics of the past. Yesterday, we witnessed the most inclusive election enjoyed by the largest best- informed, motivated electorate in our nation’s history. Yesterday, we elected an African-American man to President of the United States of America.
I pray that Obama does such a tremendous job that this is never an issue again, and we look forward to future presidents of all genders, races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds!
Just got this in the mail yesterday:
THE MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
April 8, 2008
Mr. David Kearns
Rockville, MD 20850
Dear Mr. Kearns:
Thank you for contacting me in support of the tech tax repeal. I am extremely pleased that we succeeded in removing what would have been an extremely harmful tax – for those in the industry, Montgomery County, and the state.
During the special session's final days, both Del. Sheila Hixson, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and I, as chairman of its Revenue Subcommittee, strongly objected to the adoption of the tech tax during conference committee deliberations. But we were outvoted because other members believed that this was a minor Montgomery County problem.
During session, IT professionals took the time to testify and meet with delegates and senators. They convinced legislators of the serious consequences that would result if the tax was allowed to stand. Once that was accomplished, members of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees were faced with the task of crafting legislation that would allow us to replace the tax. We did this with a combination of cuts and a three-year tax surcharge on those earnings annually more than $1 million. It is not a perfect solution but is a good compromise.
Again, thank you for your support and interest. We could not have repealed this tax without your help. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to call me or email me at kumar[at]kumarbarve[dot]com.
Sincerely,
Kumar P. Barve
Majority Leader
KPB/mfs
I removed my street address (and moved since that address so this was lovingly forwared by the post office), and the email formatting was mine (no need to spam Mr. Barve). I'm certainly pleased. I get paid as a consultant and this would have eaten into my earnings big time, enough that I would have had to think about moving out of the state, and having just moved back to Maryland would have made me sad. Now I can stay put for a while.
I think it's been decided:
After all, a bunch of young hot celebrities, plus Karim Abdul Jabbar and an old guy playing the piano all say that we can...
Now can someone please tell me where I can get that Cherry Ice Cream!?!?!
The founders of Ben & Jerry's endorsed Barack Obama on Monday, and lent his Vermont campaign two "ObamaMobiles" that will tour the state and give away scoops of "Cherries for Change" ice cream.
[ Ben & Jerry's founders endorse Obama - Yahoo! News ]
This is what is wrong with the press, there are dozens of stories across the Internets about this publicity stunt. As far as I can tell not one mentions what the flavor is. Nor do any mention if this is a one-up publicity flavor or if it is going to be available nation-wide. No story mentions the availability, or the ObamaMobile routes, or existence of the flavor outside Vermont, or even why cherries would be for change.
I like cherries. I like Chery Garcia. I like premium ice cream with cherries. Blah blah blah Obama, what about the real story here, it's all about the Cherries! Next time, press, ask what is in the frick'n ice cream already.
A month after the new Rockville City Council took office, a new majority voted 3-2 on Monday to adopt a weekly refuse collection schedule and scrap the twice-weekly pickups maintained by their predecessors. «snip»
Marcuccio, who participated in the pilot program, echoed other residents’ objections to weekly service. The trash in her weekly receptacle "stinks to high heaven" in the summertime, she said during the council meeting.
"Just to go to once a week is not lowering the price," she added. "I hope people understand that. It’s simply lowering the rate the price will rise."
The change in frequency is projected by staff to save the city more than $600,000 in fiscal year 2009 and more than $850,000 the following budget cycle. Those savings reflect personnel and equipment efficiencies, but do not mean the $32.70 monthly rate is going to decline.
[ Rockville trash vote overturned ]
Since this appeared to be one of the largest factors in the recent election, the message seems to be heard loud and clear. What I find disappointing is Marcuccio's lack of understanding of the complete issue. It's not all about the money. Reduced numbers of trash collections should encourage all of us to think twice about what we throw away, how we throw it away, and how we can improve our waste management. Personally I have been happy as a lark with the Rockville paper recycling. At first I assumed it was like many places and all I could recycle was newspapers, but I read the recycling page more carefully and what constitutes "Mixed Paper":
- Cardboard/cardboard boxes (Corrugated cardboard)
- Magazines, catalogs, telephone book, computer paper, paperback books, unwanted mail
- Newspapers (including inserts)
- Paper (computer and office and other clean and dry paper)
This now includes enough paper materials that I have about 2 bags every 3 weeks of stuff that would usually just get land-filled. Sure I would prefer to keep my fees down, but more importantly I would like to keep Rockville's land fills empty. Oh, and remember Rockville, recycling is mandatory not optional.
Larry Wilmore is one funny cat. Did a piece on the Daily Show about Obama and his blackitude, and ended the piece with a bit of Parliment's Chocolate City. I think it's genius and Obama should use it as his campaign music from this point out.
Tell 'em to make sure they got their James Brown pass
And don't be surprised if Obama is in the White House
[ Lyrics for Parliament's Chocolate City ]
Is Barak Obama "black enough"?
She disputed the notion that Obama's upbringing in Hawaii was much different than hers in Chicago's predominantly black South Side.
"We are not that far apart," she told the Sun-Times. "He was raised in his grandmother's home, and his grandmother is from Kansas, eating tuna with pickles in it. The same conversations that we had around my kitchen table, we have at her house on Christmas. We are not that far apart. It's just that it feels like people have benefitted from us feeling and believing that we are far apart."
[ Forum Puts Obama's Heritage in Focus | The Trail | washingtonpost.com ]
Ah, so you can tell if the childhood tuna has pickles in it. But doesn't everyone put pickels in their tuna fish salad? Or am I "black enough"?
KIND Fruit + Nut is available in ten flavors: Nut Delight, Macadamia & Apricot, Fruits & Nuts in Yogurt, Almond & Coconut, Sesame & Peanuts, Almond & Apricot, Almonds & Apricots in Yogurt, Walnut & Date, Banana & Oatbran, Fruit & Nut Delight.
[ Peace Works ]
I get mine at the Whole Foods. They're right by the checkout. I first picked up a couple for the birthing of Zahra, because it was a tip from the hospital that many new fathers forget to eat, and faint. I figured that a quick snack bar would put and end to that, and these looked yummy. And they are. However the package mentions that they have some social agenda. Just to make sure it wasn't some crazy social agenda, I finally did the research, so I could enjoy my new favorite snack bar without worrying that I was causing ill in the world.
5% of the profits from KIND go to OneVoice, a Peaceworks Foundation initiative, that fosters moderate consensus.
[ KIND Fruit & Nut Bars ]
OneVoice? Never heard of them. But it appears that they may actually be a good organization. Here's the little video they put together to explain their mission:
So PeaceWorks makes products to raise money for their foundation whose primary beneficiary is the OneVoice movement that hopes to change the Israeli/Palestinian conflict from a Jew v. Muslim or Israel v. Palestine or Left v. Right or Them v. Us to a Everyone v. The Crazy Extremists conflict. Good luck there, if it works it will be a great example for the other hotspots of the world to follow.
And that certainly sounds like a good cause. So I get to enjoy my snack bars and perhaps even help the world in a tiny tiny fashion.
Apparently a Muslim woman in the UK wore an all-over swimsuit to go swimming in Britain and received a bit of flack for it. I just need someone to explain this logic to me:
I'll tell you why you shouldn't go swimming like this in Britain; it's because women in this country are equal to men and are not obliged to cover themselves up when swimming - or indeed at any other time - because some men somewhere have decided that's how it has to be. Women in Britain fought for and died for the right to be equal. In this country we are able to dress, or undress, exactly as we see fit. If that's not your choice, poor you. But don't be surprised when people mock you and pass comment on your totally inappropriate clothing for swimming.
[ Comment by Linda Allan of Bath - The Guardian ]
This is the problem with "freedom" in the west, and likewise the issue I've always had with women's rights in the west. The freedom and choice were hard fought and won, and if you don't use that freedom to choose exactly the same as everyone else, then you are an affront to that freedom. But how is that freedom?
One of the things I've come to respect the most about my wife's country of Indonesia is their respect and reverence for the different traditions, ways, cultures, and practices of the peoples of their country and ultimately the world. They understand that each people have their own adat, and in order to be civilized there must be respect for each other.
Props to Islamophobia Watch.
A comedian emerges as the Edward R. Murrow of our day.
[ Thank You Stephen Colbert. ]
Ain't that the truth...
If you don't know what the fuss is all about, then check out this you tubed CSPAN coverage of Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondents' Dinner:
Props to Sajous.
Did he bring world peace? Debt relief to poor nations? Cure disease? No, but he did put Bill O'Reilly in his place, with style, for all the world to see:
"I am not smart enough to debate you point by point on this, but I have a feeling about 60% of what you say is crap. . . . but I don't know that for a fact." Dave says to Paul Shaffer, "Yeah, 60%. I'm just spit-balling here."
[ CBS | Late Show with David Letterman : Wahoo Gazette ]
For possibly just today you can catch the whole video on Dave's website, look for the link to "Big Show Highlight" and if the thumbnail show Bill O'R, then that's the one you want.
I have a handy alarm clock that automatically adjusts for daylight savings. Thanks to the US Congress, I get to replace it next year:
Starting in March 2007, daylight time in the United States will begin on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November.
[ Daylight Time ]
How on earth could congress make a change to the US policy regarding Daylight Savings and not have it be to get rid of it? Now we're extending it by another month (give or take)?
And, for those of us that write software, we need to think hard if we coded for daylight savings anywhere, and update that code. Perhaps congress is worried that we don't have enough to program, and changing the rules frequently will help to employ programmers...
It's about time that someone stood up for decency.
The Senate defied the White House yesterday and voted to set new limits on interrogating detainees in Iraq and elsewhere, underscoring Congress's growing concerns about reports of abuse of suspected terrorists and others in military custody.
[ Senate Supports Interrogation Limits ]
The only obstacle now is ensuring that the House follows suit.
Despite his victory last night, McCain has two major obstacles remaining: House GOP leaders object to attaching it to a spending bill, and Bush could veto it.
But you can help to mitigate this risk by contacting your representative and letting them know how important this is to you, the American voter.
(Note: Some readers may point out that they are not American voters. Perhaps you could just forward the URL for this article to any American voters that you know...)
For years the only country in the EU without full recognition of their language was Ireland (though I don't know about the new countries added recently). While I can understand the practicality of this, it always seemed like a bit of a slight. Now that's been rectified:
Ireland's national language is the 21st to be given such recognition by the EU and previously had the status of a treaty language.
[ BBC NEWS ]
So what is the war on terrorism really about?
The White House has approved a classified new strategy, dubbed Muslim World Outreach, that for the first time states that the United States has a national security interest in influencing what happens within Islam. Because America is, as one official put it, "radioactive" in the Islamic world, the plan calls for working through third parties--moderate Muslim nations, foundations, and reform groups--to promote shared values of democracy, women's rights, and tolerance.
[ USNews.com (4/25/05) ]
What I can't figure out is should I be happy? Sad? Indifferent? As an American shouldn't I be upset with state sponsored religion of any type? As a Muslim shouldn't I be upset with the US meddling?
Though, perhaps it's not the US using moderate Islam, but God using the US to fund Islam...
I'm rather curious to hear the opinions of my readership (small as it may be).
Frequently I find Anisa Mehdi's editorials a bit too liberal, but this one is spot on:
Now that the elections in Iraq are over, the work of writing the Iraqi constitution can begin. A Shi'ite religious party will have the most representatives, raising some concerns that the constitution will be based on Islamic law. But commentator Anisa Mehdi says that basing the new constitution on the laws of Islam is a good idea.
[ NPR : Islamic Law and the Iraqi Constitution ]
Though I think pointing out terrorists justifications for obscene acts of violence has little to do with Islamic law.
Apparently there is a large movement afoot:
"As adults we must each own our own beliefs," said Prof. Fidelma O'Leary, biology, St. Edward's University, to a packed auditorium in Goldwin Smith on Friday night. Her lecture, "An American Woman's Jihad," detailed her spiritual journey as an Irish-American Muslim.
[ The Cornell Daily Sun - An American Woman's Jihad ]
OK, maybe not, but the did put "Irish-American Muslim" in print. Maybe we should form a PAC so we can be heard on the hill.
Economic Left/Right: -0.62
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -1.74
[ The Political Compass ]
And if these guys know there stuff, they've pegged me as a supporter of Nader and/or Cobb. Of course since I live in Virginia, I can't vote for either without writing them in...
Wha?
A London-to-Washington flight was diverted to Maine on Tuesday when it was discovered passenger Yusuf Islam - formerly known as singer Cat Stevens - was on a government watch list and barred from entering the country, two federal officials said.
[ Guardian Unlimited | World Latest ]
Apparently we don't mind looking like the stupidest country in the world. And, apparently, we have no one doing any PR work, who would certainly point out that this confirms that the US isn't fighting terrorism, but fighting Islam. I'd like to see W step in and reverse this immediately, or I might have to do the unthinkable.
Today, after four years of discovery battles and summary judgment briefing, the trial court ruled that Nader's use was, in fact, fair. A strong victory against overzealous copyright and trademark ownership and for non-commercial political speech.
[ LawGeek ]
Outstanding. A victory for Nader. A victory for free speach. A victory for America.
Courtesy: Joe Grossberg
Thousands of women marched through Paris on Saturday to press for equal rights for women and show support for a law to ban Islamic head scarves in public schools.
[ Yahoo! News - Thousands March in Paris for Women ]
So equal rights means restricting religious freedoms? Am I the only one who finds this all together backwards? What's next, civil rights marches to reinstate slavery?
Update: I've figured out what's next. To help blur the class lines, the French will ban clothing for women. And if that still allows for some degree of individuality (read non-equalness) they'll ban hair shortly after that, and require all women to go bald.
Four years ago, Nader appeared on the ballot in 43 states and Washington, D.C., garnering only 2.7 percent of the vote. But in Florida and New Hampshire, Bush won such narrow victories that had Gore received the bulk of Nader's votes in those states, he would have won the general election.
Exit polls from 2000 show that about half of Nader's voters would have backed Gore in a two-way race. Nader dismisses the spoiler label.
[ Yahoo! News - AP Poll Finds Bush, Kerry Tied in Race ]
So if 1/2 of Nader's voters would have backed Gore, who would the other 1/2 of his voters have backed? I am so fed up with the Democrat's lame whining about Nader running. If you man is so darn good, he should have little to worry about. And if he's not that good, he should drop out since he's reducing Nader's chances of winning.
For the record I am a republican, that's right a republican. And I've just bought Nader's book to see what he's all about.
Why? I like giving all sides the benefit of the doubt and reviewing what they have to say.
As for the dems, I don't think they have what it takes to run the country. Their man Clinton was just a Northern Virginia Republican living in the wrong state, and Jimmy Carter (a man I respect for his post-presidential career) was highly ineffectual. JFK? We'll likely never know what how he would have been judged by history, due to his unfortunate circumstances. Kerry's best asset? He's the “most electable” against Bush. He's not the “best candidate” or “the right man for the job” or any other political posturing, he's just the guy that most democrats think has the best chance of ousting Bush. Personally I don't think that's the best way to pick the countries leader.
With that I say, each man to his corner and come out fighting, but not whining please.
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