Tuesday, April 29, 2003

Starter From Hell

I had no trouble getting the oil pan tightened up, the engine mounts lined up without a glitch, and the exhaust system went together smoothly. One more thing to do and only two bolts. But no, the starter just didn't want to go back in the car. I had about a foot and a half of space under the car to work in and the starter feels like it weighs 50 pounds, luckily I did not drop it on my head but I got hit with the stupid bolts more times than I'd like to admit. It took longer to get the starter in than everything else I did to it Monday. I was very close to just burning the car. Very close.

Forget Saddam, Get the Americans for War Crimes

Iraqis target Gen. Franks for war crimes trial

Isaiah 59:14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

Our Western Mob

Monday, April 28, 2003

Bad Oil Pump

I spent most of Sunday changing the oil pump on my car. What a mess! First disconnect the exhaust system, then remove the engine mount bolts, now lift the engine up about 3 inches so the oil pan can be removed, barely. Oh, remove the starter, too. I got the new oil pump in and the pan back on but I ran out of time to finish. A few hours were spent driving to the store to get some tools I needed. I was gonna get a pizza too but I couldn't find a place open, go figure. I really don't want to do this again. Why can't they make it easier to work on these things?

Hi Daddy!

When I was under the car working I heard a noise coming from the window and a few seconds later James comes walking over and says "Hi Daddy!" "Hi James, how did you get outside? Did you climb out the window?" Mom came and got him and I think he spent a little time in the crib. He does love being outside.

Saturday, April 26, 2003

Globalism And The New Babylon

"Indeed, on the second day of September, 1945, just following the surrender of the Japanese nation on the battleship Missouri, I formally cautioned as follows:

"Men since the beginning of time have sought peace. Various methods through the ages have been attempted to devise an international process to prevent or settle disputes between nations. From the very start workable methods were found in so far as individual citizens were concerned, but the mechanics of an instrumentality of larger international scope have never been successful.

"Military alliances, balances of power, leagues of nations, all in turn failed, leaving the only path to be by way of the crucible of war. The utter destructiveness of war now blocks out this alternative. We have had our last chance. If we will not devise some greater and more equitable system, our Armageddon will be at our door. The problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence, an improvement of human character that will synchronize with our almost matchless advances in science, art, literature, and all material and cultural developments of the past two thousand years. It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh."
-- General Douglas MacArthur

Friday, April 25, 2003

JetBlue Airlines Doing Well

JetBlue airlines is doing so well it's buying 65 new aircraft with an option for 50 more. Great news for an American company right? One problem, they're buying French Airbus aircraft.

"We believe today's release is positive on all fronts," Chase said. "We have been worried about cost execution at JetBlue, but the last two quarters clearly demonstrate that JetBlue is delivering."

No Mr. Chase, it is not positive on all fronts. If you would have thought of more than your immediate bottom line and bought American aircraft, then it would have been positive on all fronts. French aircraft?

On The Smoking Gun

If I were the dictator of Iraq before the American liberation I would have made damn sure their were no weapons of mass destruction for the Americans to find in order to hurt their credibility. But Iraq was not just a normal country with weapons of mass destruction, it was a truly evil and sick "hell" for it's people and regardless of its weapon status needed what it got. Where's the 'smoking gun?'

Letter to Janeane Garofalo

Rachel Lucas wrote a letter to Janeane, who desperately needs to wake up and face reality.

Tariq Aziz Surrendering?

Tariq Aziz is reportedly "talking to U.S. officials about conditions for a surrender." How about this codition, you surrender like a man and we won't come and hunt you down like a dog. What is this "condition" crap? They do have some big kahunas over there don't they?

I Woke Up

Latley when I put James for a nap, he stays in bed for a while, playing with a toy or something, then he'll get out of the crib and come to me saying, "I woke up!" All without sleeping at all. Yes, he goes right back to bed!

Today, for the first time ever, he just walked out here and told me there was a monster. A monster, outside his window.

Thursday, April 24, 2003

CNN Again

Ever since CNN fessed up about keeping quiet about the evils in Iraq I have cut down on my news watching tremendously. It was not a conscious decision, I just don't feel like watching anymore. I used to keep CNN on almost all night unless something good was on another channel but I can't watch it anymore. I'll put Fox News on a few times a day for a few minutes but that's about it, just enough to keep an eye on world events.

I was reminded of this when I read Silence of the CNN Lambs.

To Whom It May Concern

I've been listening to the new Lisa Marie Presley CD. Not too shabby. I like it.

You can read an interview here.

Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Government Scrools

If you can't say anything nice... My kids don't go to government scrools (screwels?) because I'm not gonna beat my head against a wall till it's a bloody pulp. I'd rather just walk around it.

Here are a couple of items I found about the nonsense going on in them:

Zero tolerance or zero common sense? by Phyllis Schlafly

Red Pencils, Low Marks by Gary Rosen







Monday, April 21, 2003

How about a picture

Here's a picture of a Volkswagen we saw while wandering the backroads of Osceola county. I don't know if it's for sale but it looks like it would make a great restoration. I really like the color.



This is a picture of James after he opened a card his Grandmother sent him. He loves to get money!



The Weekend

I spent most of Saturday sleeping (kind of) on the sofa so I can know what the kids were up to. Luckily they mostly watched TV, in fact they spent alot of time with Irma in the bedroom. At one point I got up and everyone was sleeping. A lazy day I guess.

Sunday I tried to sleep but the kids were too restless and I went to bed when Irma got up but a few hours later she decided I needed to wake up so I could watch the kids. She was out back working in the yard. I got up and took James to the flea market to get a hydraulic jack (to replace the oil pump and crushed oil pan in my car) and some rats and mice (for the snakes). There were a couple of little puppies James fell in love with and he tried to help the girl catch the mice (he has no fear of mice). When I got back the kids played outside and we cleaned up the back of the house with the pressure washer. Actually Irma did it while I watched the kids. It came out good.

Friday, April 18, 2003

Memory Gaps

That stupid nursery rhyme lawsuit is making news again. How is this even making it into the courts? It's so ridiculous. But I did notice something in there that I have personal experience with.

Fuller, who has epilepsy, said she was so unnerved by the nursery rhyme that her hands trembled during the trip and she has experienced "unexplained memory gaps" about the flight ever since.

Fuller also maintains that the nursery rhyme incident caused her to be bedridden for three days because she suffered a "grand mal seizure." However, Fuller said she could not medically verify the incident because as a result of lacking health insurance, she did not seek medical help for the seizure.

The woman has epilepsy. And she has experienced "unexplained memory gaps." Well, let me explain the memory gaps, since I have had someone very close to me with epilepsy. An epileptic seizure can range from the "grand mal" seizure that everyone hears about to a barely perceptable staring. If you aren't paying attention and know about them you may not even notice the person is having one. During these seizures the person has no awareness of what is going on around them and so will have no memory of that time period - memory gap. It is not even a little bit unusual for someone with epilepsy to have memory gaps and they may not be aware they even had a seizure.

There is not always an obvious reason for a seizure but they can easily be triggered by any kind of flashing light source, it could be seeing certain movements such as looking out a car window (or plane), a passing train, truck or traffic, flashing on the TV, or from a strobe or similar light. I've never known a seizure to be brought on by being upset, but who knows, it's possible.

A grand mal seizure looks scary but once you are used to them it is not that big a deal. For someone with a history of them no medical attention is necessary, just protect from injury and wait. When it's over the person will rest a short while, maybe 30 minutes. 3 days is taking it too far, only someone completely unfamiliar with epilepsy would believe that one. A person with epilepsy deals with it. They have a seizure, they get on with their life. That's my experience. Of course, some people will always believe they are victims.

Say It Isn't So!

Baghdad Bob committed suicide? It's just as well, amusing as he was he was also an evil MF'er and the world is a better place with out him. They better see the body though.

Driving with James

Joshua had a doctors appointment Thursday but James didn't fall sleep this time. No. This is what it was like: "Dad, look a truck!" "Another one!" "There's two of em" "A school bus!" "Daddy, a garbage truck!" "Where's more trucks?" After a few miles of this, I asked "James, do you like trucks?" "Yeah!"

These Cats Are Really Getting On My Nerves

We saw a cat in the yard and it looked like it was eating something. James always wants to get the cats so I took him out, knowing it would run away, and found out it was eating a legless lizard. It was half eaten and still squirming. It's the second time I found a half eaten one. I caught a cat stalking a squirrel too. I don't know what I'm gonna do yet but I want these cats out of here. They are killing the wildlife which I like having around and the cats don't belong here. Is there any way to chase cats away so they won't come back, without killing them? I don't think they have owners or perhaps their loving owners are letting their cute little cats "freedom" to go kill all the local wildlife. Somebody with less patience than me is gonna end up shooting them.

Irma took me to see a friends new house and on her street I noticed one of the neighbors has a pit bull they let run loose. If I lived on or near that street I could never let my son play outside without me with him and I'd have a concealed weapon (with permit, of course) on me at all times. Any kind of large dog, I don't care. I love dogs but people need to be responsible and realize strangers or neighbors don't know your dog as well as you and have to constantly be on guard on their own property when your dog drops by. Nobody should feel threatened on their own property. Fence it in your yard if you need it for protection, just make damn sure it can't get out. I lived in an apartment and a neighbor had a large dog that would come running up to me barking and carrying on when I would leave my place. She would just laugh it off but I don't think she realized how close she was to a dead dog. Ha Ha. "Leash, I have a leash." (in her hand, not on the dog) Some people shouldn't own dogs.

Thursday, April 17, 2003

Are We There Yet?

James couldn't quite stay awake while we were driving into Kissimmee. I heard him say, "Daddy, my eyes are broken." He's a funny guy.

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

"Victory in Iraq" -- Does Any Credit Go To God?


Master/Slave or Father/Son

Here's an interesting comparison between Cristianity/Judaism and Islam by The Disaffected Muslim

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Tax Time

Time to complain about the our tax system again.

Our outrageous tax system

Russia -- leading the way

This Tax Day, Go Flat

This country NEEDS a flat tax. Please.

Tax Day

Ten Worst Tax Laws


A Couple From James S. Robbins

Ambassadors of Terror

Why Baghdad Fell

Zen and the Art of Pressure Washing

Today I pressure washed the driveway and front porch. I don't like the soap dispenser because it's not pressurized and it runs out too fast. Next time I'll just use a bucket and a brush to put on the soap. Everything looks cleaner now, I'm so glad to have a pressure washer. I think tomorrow I'll do the back of the house.

After his initial curiosity, James just played in the yard. I really thought he would want to try it but I guess not. I was almost done when he started telling me to turn it off. It was naptime anyway. He did help me fill in a couple of holes in the yard, actually he didn't want to stop doing that. He helped me mulch around the orange trees too. He went back to playing in the dirt again after that.

To Tell The Truth

Here's a collection of quotations from "Baghdad Bob," Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf.

The End of the World - Revisited

Walter Chronkite is hosting a 4 part show on armaggedon (Avoiding Armaggedon). He's says they will be exploring ways to stop it from happening. What exactly is he trying to stop? The return of Christ? Or is that not even a factor, just to stop mankind from destroying itself. Good luck. I wish as much as anyone for the world to live in peace. The problem is - on who's terms? Four problems we humans have to overcome: vanity, jealousy, lust and greed. Again, good luck.

As for the return of Christ, when the time comes there will be no stopping it. The nations of the world will try to fight Christ at His coming (Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.) but they will be destroyed. That will be the war that brings, finally, REAL peace.

Monday, April 14, 2003

Doesn't Do Windows

A new version of Safari web browser has just been released. I'm going to get it now.
Goodbye to Florida's Oldest Theme Park

After 67 years of operation, Cypress Gardens has closed its gates for the last time (Sunday Apr. 13, 2003).

POWs Rescued

Old news by now but I wanted to say how happy I am that they've all been found safe. I hope they all get a heroes welcome.
And You Thought It Wasn't About The Oil

It may be all about oil, but for WHO?: It's All About Oil

Lazy Day

I slept for a few hours Sunday morning, and it was amazingly quiet in the house. I'm still not sure why, the kids were with Irma (in the house, which is why I'm surprised it was so quiet). James finally did come and wake me up. I mowed the lawn when I got up and pressure washed the front porch. Oh, I did the dishes and a load of laundry. We ate chinese, as usual. Thats all. I have to get soap to pressure wash the siding and some more mulch. And I still need a taller ladder.

Friday, April 11, 2003

The Black Knight Always Triumphs

This is hilarious: Super Al-Sahaf
America's Most Trusted Source of News

Apparently, CNN has been keeping secrets about Saddam's regime: The News We Kept to Ourselves. Then why, all this time, has CNN been downplaying the atrocities of that regime, questioning President Bush's policies, and acting like it's taking the moral high ground? 12 years! They knew first hand how vicious and evil they were and acted like Iraq was just another member of the UN, just another member of the world community. All in an effort to appear fair and impartial? They KNEW! They let thousands die rather than say anything about it. They should have pulled out and let the world in on it a long time ago. CNN's new motto: We tell the truth...unless manipulated by our source.

Every time I read that article I get madder. How many others knew and kept their mouth shut, yet spouting off about how evil George Bush is? What a sick world.

The Infidels are Committing Suicide by the Hundreds on the Gates of Baghdad

Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf has alot in common with Nancy Pelosi:

 As Mrs. Pelosi praised the troops, she also said their success was owed "in large measure" to former President Bill Clinton.
     "This best-trained, best-equipped, best-led force for peace in the history of the world was not invented in the last two years. This had a strong influence and strong support during the Clinton years," she said.


Clinton gutted our military and he wanted to cut it more. We have a strong military in spite of Bill Clinton. He was famous for his lack of support of our military. If not for Bill Clinton we could have fought the war in Iraq, Syria, Iran, North Korea, and France (joking) all at the same time with the same results.

Scott Ritter on the Childrens Prison

The prison in question is at the General Security Services headquarters, which was inspected by my team in Jan. 1998. It appeared to be a prison for children - toddlers up to pre-adolescents - whose only crime was to be the offspring of those who have spoken out politically against the regime of Saddam Hussein. It was a horrific scene. Actually I'm not going to describe what I saw there because what I saw was so horrible that it can be used by those who would want to promote war with Iraq, and right now I'm waging peace. Scott Ritter, Time Magazine

Another who KNEW first hand of the atrocities of Saddam Hussein and yet DEFENDED him.

Thanks to Andrew Sullivan and A Small Victory for pointing it out.
Get the POWs

So far no word on the POWs. I know it is a priority and they're using everything they have to find them...it's just frustrating to not hear anything. POWs: Critical Time

A Walk in the Park

Thousands of former Iraqi soldiers are walking from northern Iraq to their homes in southern Iraq with no provisions and in some cases no shoes or sandals. I can't find anything to link to yet, it's showing live on CNN.

What's Up, Katie?

Katie Couric says Saddam taken, "hopefully", to Syria. Hopefully?! To Syria?! Hopefully you'll go to Syria to meet up with him.

Better Late Than Never

Ed Koch talks about the The Anti-Americans

Also heard on CNN

Arabs from other countries who came to Iraq to help fight the US are going home, having been used as human shields. No link to be found as of yet.

Dr. Rummy

Sex tips from Donald Rumsfield.

Thursday, April 10, 2003

A Monument to Poor Taste and Brash Self-Promotion

Golden luxury amid the poverty

Here's the best part:

A captured Iraqi colonel being held in one of the hangars listened in astonishment as his information minister praised Republican Guard soldiers for recapturing the airport.

He looked at his captors and, as he realised that what he had heard was palpably untrue, his eye filled with tears. Turning to a translator, he asked: "How long have they been lying like this?"

Smoking Guns

Other news agencies have picked up on the nuke story from a previous post. And some others. Freedom's Bell Rings & Iraq's Smoking Guns

The Art of Looting

Suddenly, the cheering, waving, dancing, jubilant crowds in the heart of Baghdad gave the lie to all the protests. They, the UN, Han Blix, the entire Islamic world, France, Germany, Russia and China were all wrong. Don't hold your breath hoping any of them will ever admit it.
Marines hold nuclear site

The only place I can find any word of this is here. You would think this would be headline news. Maybe it will turn out to be nothing but not having confirmation hasn't stopped them on other stories. It sure beats watching a statue fall over and over and over and over and over...

Brain Damage

"This is a tragedy and a bloody comedy. We cannot believe what we see. What happened? It seems that the Iraqis have given up Baghdad without a fight. Where is the Iraqi army? Have they evaporated?" said Walid Salem, a Ramallah shopkeeper.

Ali Jaddah, an engineer, said: "It's a day of shame. On this day Arabs have become slaves. The only man who dared to say 'no' to the Americans' face has vanished today. What is left is a bunch of bowing and scraping Arab leaders."

Ahmed, 35, a Cairo taxi driver, shook his head in disbelief at the toppling of Saddam's statue. "There is no way ordinary Iraqi citizens would have done that. Impossible! They are probably Kurds or Shias," he said.

All quotes from this article: Arabs in Shock, Denial at Toppling of Saddam

How about this one:

"It is irrelevant whether Saddam is dead or not. His memory will live on to inspire many Arabs to stand up against all the injustices committed by the U.S. and its friends in Israel," Belqees Hamood, a university student, said.

From: Arabs Watch Saddam's Demise in Disbelief

And not to forget all the sound bites I keep hearing from various people on CNN tonight. Yeah, the US wants to make Iraq our next state. We'll just add it to the long list of our previously colonized countries. We're colonizing and we can't stop!

Brain Damage


Meanwhile

Israeli-European relations must improve - Fischer

Brighthouse

I was interupted just as I began to post this and when I got back (3 checkins and a rollaway for one of them) I forgot what I was gonna post. It wasn't 30 seconds and I saw the commercial again! Brighthouse! I am so tired of those commercials already. I never liked Time Warner, a name change won't help. Just give me about 10 channels of my choice at a very reasonable price. I have no cable box, no fancy anything, just my TV and a cable and they charge me $55.00 a month. That's sick. The only reason I put up with it is because I don't pay it. If I did it would be disconnected today! Whenever I see the bill I threaten to disconnect it anyway on principal. I would love to have a cable modem but I refuse to give them any more money. Dial up works good enough for me anyway

More Saddam Statues

CNN just showed an attempt to use C-4 explosives to take a statue of Saddam down. It didn't quite work but it looked like his pants fell down. That was funny.

My Fig Tree

The leaves on this tree were folding over in the wind. I didn't think anything of it, I would fold them back once in a while. The day after I fertilized it with Aggrand they straightened out and even though it was very windy Wednesday they stayed flat. Hmmm.



Wednesday, April 09, 2003

Don't cook tonight - call Chicken Delight

I am so craving some Chicken Delight right now. Somebody please send me a bucket. They have one in Trinidad, but not Florida!
"The Game is Over"

So says the Iraqi Ambassador to the United Nations. "The war is over." No links yet.

Of course, we know the hard part is ahead of us. We need to bring order to chaos.
Fun with James

Tuesday afternoon I decided to let Wolfgang wander about the yard while I did some work. James played with him (tortured him) almost the whole time. Actually, I was keeping a close eye on them, besides a little sand on his shell and some leaves held up to his mouth (he want's to eat it!) he made out OK. Wolfgang got a bath. And James too when we went inside. I cut down the other tree (weed) that was growing too close to the house.

James helped me water the new orange trees and the fig tree with some Aggrand fertilizer I bought to try out. It's alot different than I thought and I've never seen (or smelled) any fertilizer like it. It's definitely organic! We'll see how it works.

Napster/Blog Marriage

This is interesting from David Winer: Speech and Weblogs





After Saddam, Then What?

Tuesday, April 08, 2003

What Else Is New?

Iraqi president fate unclear after latest strike.

Monday, April 07, 2003

I Are Eating My Eggs

James is growing up fast. He's really talking up a storm now. I just gave him an omelet and he was sitting eating it, he said "Daddy, turn on the light." "OK baby, hows that?" I answered. "That better" says James. It might seem like nothing but it wasn't long ago he couldn't have managed that.

His new favorite answer when I ask him why he wants to do something is "Because I said so." Now he's sitting on the floor playing, singing, and talking to himself. He makes me happy.
Where's the bullet?

I'm watching the Iraqi information minister right now, he's on a rooftop, according to a BBC reporter he's a half mile from US Troops. Please, somebody shoot him right there on TV. Why do they let this comedy go on? He said US troops were poisoned and slaughtered. He said there are no US troops in Baghdad. Somebody shoot him, please.

They kicked out Al Jazeera and they still have the BBC in there asking questions - wow. The BBC must be the only western news agency in there.

Speaking of the information minister, this sounds just like him.

And this is a great interview with Colin Powell.

Sunday, April 06, 2003

Did I Do That?

Satuday evening we spent at my inlaws. We had barbecue (Puerto Rican style) and watched a movie. We started watching "The Road to Perdition" but it was boring so we put on "The Lord of the Rings." It was the first time I'd seen it. It was actually alot better than I thought it would be but about half way through I started wishing it would end. It was good but
I was tired of watching. We stayed to the end. We got home late (1am or 2am actually, Daylight savings time) and I had to wake up with the chickens (kids) because Irma doesn't do that.

I couldn't sit around so I went outside and cut down a small tree I needed to get rid of because It was planted too close to the house. By that time Irma got up and after a while we went to eat (chinese) and went to Home Depot. She wanted to get paint for Joshua's room and I was interested in citrus trees. I found a tangerine tree and a valencia orange tree and bought them. I wanted to get a tall ladder but they cost too much. After that we went to get my hair cut and some shopping at Walmart. We got home around 6pm. After unloading the van I said I wasn't going to plant the trees, I figured I'd do it in the morning. I have to work tonight so usually I just go to bed. I was feeling so good though I decided to plant them.

I dug the holes with the help of Joshua and James. They helped me by throwing dirt on me, jumping in the hole while I'm trying to dig, turning on the water and having a water fight, you know, normal kid stuff. After the first, I said I was done but still felt good and decided to finish the other too. So now I have my two trees in the ground and I'm so happy about it. I wouldn't normally have done that. I bought a tangerine tree a few years ago and never got around to planting it, it finally died. We buy plants sometimes and they just stay in the pots forever. I've done more gardening in the past week than in the past two years! I love gardening but I never had the energy to do it. If this keeps up I'm gonna have a super landscape and garden.

When we came in we all got in trouble because we were filthy. We all had to do some serious washing. I managed to pack my cut finger with dirt, it hurt for a little while but I guess it went numb. I cleaned it good though. It's almost time to go to work so I have to get ready. I don't mean for this blog to become a commercial but I am very excited that I found what my body has apparently been missing because I've never been so productive in my life. I would get tired watching people who never stopped and couldn't imagine how they had the energy. It feels good, twice as much because I accomplished so much and because I just feel so much better from the Seasilver.
Ooowwww!!

A little while back I bought the Miracle Blade III knife set. It was at the local flea market and it seemed like a decent set of knives, better than I thought it would be. I meant to say this before, they are really good knives. I can't imagine why I would pay more for fancier knives now that I have this set. I am the type that would buy the high technology ceramic knives if I could afford them but at this point I don't know why I would. The Miracle Blades are great knives.

So, I was cleaning one this morning and sliced my finger open. Ouch! At first I thought it was just a knick but it had sliced deep, deeper than I like to look at. I washed it and put a bandaid on it. It looked like it might want a stich or two but I won't do that. A bandaid is good enough.

Saturday, April 05, 2003

Before or After, Which is it?

Catching up on the news this morning I hear a reporter ask if Pfc. Jessica Lynch's broken bones happened before or after she was captured. The answer, to my amazement, is still, we don't know. Why can't they just ask her what happened? I'm sure they already did, so why can't we know? Also, I heard she wasn't shot, now I hear she was shot, twice.

If they don't want us to know, fine, just say that. But why don't the people in charge know? That is so frustrating.

Friday, April 04, 2003

Damn!

I got my Seasilver refill Tuesday after missing it for a couple of weeks. The past 3 days I spent the mornings outside trimming the trees and dragging the branches across the yard. I only stopped because I don't know what to do with all the branches, my trees need alot of work! Usually I'm so tired I just want to sit on the sofa and sleep with my eyes open watching James. What is this stuff?

While trimming one of the trees I found a huge treefrog sitting on a branch. It had sawdust all over it. I showed it to James and he got all excited and wanted to touch it. He knows it's a frog but he calls them "ribbits." I think I took it's shade away - it wasn't there today.

One tree looked a little rotten at the base of the trunk so I poked it with a stick and it became a cavernous hole! About 3/4's of the trunk is gone. I have to cut that one down, it's the one Irma wants to get rid of anyway. I'll have to cut it in pieces from the top down, it's pretty big, but not huge. Trees are HEAVY!
Are We Ready For This?

When one views the headlines of newspapers all over the Islamic world today; from Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, Syria, Gaza, Egypt, Iran and many other countries; headlines which shout hideous lies such as "US Marines massacre helpless civilians," or "American soldiers shooting women and children," one must stand in begrudging admiration at the propensity for lying which is a part of the Islamic modus operandi. A few minutes listening to the Iraqi "Information Minister" who, as his country is being overrun says his soldiers have the coalition forces "surrounded," even daring to name various cities which have already fallen, so the citizens of Baghdad will believe the lie that "victory is at hand" for the brave Iraqi army.

Understanding this mindset is critical.

The coalition may succeed in changing a regime. It will never succeed in changing a religion. And, by its very tenets, that religion is combative, expansive, militant, and dedicated to the spread of Islam by whatever means necessary. A major tenet of Islam is JIHAD, or "Holy War," in an effort to bring the entire world under the Islamic religion. 

How To Have Your Croissant And Eat It Too
One Brave Man

Read the story of the man who risked his (and his family's) life informing the marines of the whereabouts of Pfc. Jessica Lynch here.

"I drew them a map. I drew them five maps," he said, plainly relishing his cloak-and-dagger missions into the heart of Saddam's terror network.

Fedayeen raided his house the next day, he said, taking away all his possessions and even his car, a Russian-made Muscovitch Brazilia 680. He said a neighbor was shot and her body dragged through the streets just for waving at a U.S. helicopter.

"Very bad people," he said. "There is no kindness in my heart for them."

Twisting The Night Away

Michelle Malkin explores a liberals take on famous quotations: If liberals could edit history

Resurgence of European anti-Semitism

An old monster is rearing it's ugly head. Ronald Bailey says Let Jews leave Europe for America.

Here's a related article.

Shock and Awwww

Why such disappointment that the "shock and awe" campaign didn't pan out as expected: "Awwww"...What, no 'Shock and Awe'?

More anti-Semitism

Little Green Footballs posted a series of cartoons found on the Al Jazeera website.

I believe a mental illness may be involved here. Find the truth and teach and believe the opposite.

Thursday, April 03, 2003

Heroes

Read this article on Pfc. Jessica Lynch. Wow, she's got the heart of a lion. We should all be proud we have soldiers like her serving, voluntarily, in our armed forces. No one should ever forget the sacrifices these soldiers are making for not only for their own country, but for the people of Iraq and, for that matter, the world. Neal Boortz hinted in Nealz Nuze (4/3) that she needed a new car, I hope he gets her whatever she wants and I'm happy to see her education will be paid for her. Now let's get the rest of the POWs and treat them the same way - they are all heroes.
I Thought This Guy Had More Sense

Jordan's King Abdullah II Wednesday described the U.S.-led war on Iraq as an "invasion" and the Iraqis killed by coalition forces as "martyrs."

Is he insane too? Are Arabs so blinded by their religion they can't see facts right in front of their faces?

He also rejected a new Iraqi government that would be imposed on the people, saying the "Iraqi people alone have the right to choose their leaders ... we cannot imagine that a people would accept a leadership imposed from outside and against its will."

I don't remember anyone saying they were going to impose a government on the Iraqi people. We're imposing a change of government, true, but they will have more choice in the type of government they will have than they did under Saddam. Is he saying Saddams government wasn't imposed on them? Since he went to an American university and lived here I would expect him to make a little more sense. Then again, perhaps that's why he thinks that way - our universities aren't exactly bastions of freedom themselves. I bet he believes the Iraqis voted 100% for Saddam too.

Here's the link.
Saddam's Friend

A Frenchman (Guy Milliere) says France is Not a Western Country Anymore. If true, there sure is alot we don't know about France.

Wednesday, April 02, 2003

"Europe's rightful place"

Americans are shocked by the behaviour of Europe lately - they don't seem to be making any sense. What's Europe up to? What's their gameplan?

Ugly Anti-Americanism In France And Germany -- Where Will It Lead?




Related: Berlin's New Anti-American Axis
Injustice For Arabs

I just heard a woman from the news organization Al Hayat. I didn't catch her name. I tried to access the website but it crashed my browser. Anyway, she said America is losing the war for the hearts of the Arab world because of our injustices, such as letting Israel have nuclear weapons but not Palestinians or Saddam. It's not fair that we let Israel have nuclear weapons. I'm beginning to think Arabs are from Pluto.

Maybe, it has something to do with the fact that the Arab world as a whole would like nothing more than to completely exterminate the Jews? After the atrocities of WW II the Jews were given a tiny piece of desert for a homeland. Ever since, the Arab world has been actively trying to push them into the sea. Of course Israel must protect itself and they do it well, very well. And they've turned that little piece of desert into an oasis. Israel is not interested in hurting anyone and would gladly live peaceably with the Arabs or anyone for that matter.

Arabs, on the other hand, have whipped themselves into a frenzy and taught their children for generations now that Israel, all of Israel, is occupied land stolen from the Arabs. As far as they are concerned Israel still doesn't exist. Since the end of WW II they have only taught their children hatred and death. All their energy is used up on hating Israel and they have done nothing to better themselves, instead blaming Israel for anything and everything that's wrong with them. They sacrifice their children and themselves on the alter of hatred. If any Palestinian got hold of a nuclear bomb they would strap it to themselves and head directly for Israel.

Saddam just wants to take over the entire Arab world and, I'm quite sure, beyond. He will do anything it takes and kill anyone who gets in his way. The most insane thing any Arab could possibly want is for Saddam to have nuclear weapons - yet that's what they want. Go figure.

I have heard a couple of Kuwaitis just recently who were very clear thinking and they see it like it is, one is a former ambassadour to the US, who's name I didn't catch, and the other is Saad Al-Ajmi, Former Kuwaiti Info Minister. It was refreshing to hear them.

Europe, Russia, and China side with the Arabs because it suits their needs at this time, not because the Arabs make sense. Once America is out of their way they won't put up with any crap from the Arab world either.

I'm Smoking And I Can't Stop

I just had a guy come to the door to get a room. He was smoking and wouldn't come in to register, he wanted me to check him in at the door. I told him he could put the cigarette on the ashtray and get it when he finished, it takes less than a minute.

Guest: "How 'bout I just give you my documents and you go fell everything out?"

Me: "You can't stop smoking for 2 seconds to come in here and register?"

Guest: "When ya gotta smoke, ya gotta smoke." Then he went to his car to finish and came back to register.

Rachel Lucas Dot Com

Here's a great rant: I still hate Al Gore.



Tuesday, April 01, 2003

Not Saddam's Words

Not only did Saddam not show for his speech, but these are not his words. It sounds more like Bin Laden than Saddam. While Saddam doesn't hesitate to use religion when it suits his needs, that speech sounds a little much for him. Saddam is not in control of Iraq anymore. That's my opinion.

Civilians Running A Checkpoint

We have signs posted in their language explaining they will be shot if they don't stop. I saw them putting one up, and it was huge. I think it's safe to say the civilians understand that. The security procedure is necessary given the very real threat of suicide bombers. I saw an episode of COPS where the officer made a traffic stop and the driver got out of the car and ran in a threatening manner toward the officer. The officer pulled his gun, OF COURSE. In this instance he did not shoot but if he had...too bad for the driver. You don't do that unless you have a deathwish.

Having said that, I don't think you can discount the distinct possibility that it was a suicide attack. What would be worse for the coalition - a suicide bomber killing maybe 1 or 2 soldiers or a suicide attack to make it look like the coalition is deliberately targeting civilians? Exactly.

On The Lighter Side

This blog always makes me laugh: SackShack
Peter Arnett Is An Ass

Here is an article by Peter himself (yes, someone hired him again) and he still believes the war is not working. It's obvious he just doesn't get it. He actually believes the crap he was saying on Iraqi TV and worse. And he can't believe he was fired! How out of touch with reality can you be?

"But whatever happens I will never stop reporting on the truth of this war whether I am in Baghdad or somewhere else in the Middle East - or even back in Washington."

Reporting the truth? You wouldn't know the truth if it bit you on the ass!

"I came to Baghdad with my crew because the Iraqi side needs to be heard too."

The Iraqi side? Saddam's regime has nothing to do with the Iraqi side. The Iraqis can't speak out about their side yet Peter or they and their families would be tortured, raped and killed. Do you mean Saddam's side needs to be heard? Sane people already hear Saddam's side in every scream, wail, moan, cry and howl from "his people" and we see it in every tear and drop of blood. Sane people know Saddam's side Peter. Perhaps you should decide to stay in Baghdad. You, Saddam, his sons, Tariq and the rest of the crew can all hold hands and sing "Give Peace a Chance" when the coalition comes to town and you can all face the same fate. Give peace a real chance.

Mona Charen writes of him also: Who's man in Baghdad?



French President Offers To Work With Vatican!





Anti-Americanism

Neal boortz calls a spade a spade: Phony Leftist Indignation

I Wanna Fly Like Birdie

I was carrying James to the mailbox and he looked up and said "I wanna fly" and he started flapping his arms."You wanna fly - like a birdie?" I asked. "Yeah!" I lifted him like I was gonna throw him up and he looked like he thought he could actually fly. I told him he can't really fly but I ran up the driveway with him and he held his arms out. He's too cute.