My apologies to anyone actually named George, but I always loved that Bugs Bunny cartoon.
My very first Troll! I'm so excited. Cb, a regular contributor of nuttiness over at the anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler, chimed in on my post about Oregon:
War was declared on the United States of America 1073 days, 11 hours, 16 minutes and 12 seconds ago.
True, but Bush declared war on the U.S. And that happened when he and
the rethuglicnas rigged the election
and let 9/11 happen. Ever since then
it has been a downward slide to totalariasm.
Nice blog!
Why thank you, Cb. I do try to keep things tidy.
But oh, where to begin regarding the rest of your comment....
I'm not sure what's more amusing: Moonbats' insistence on tossing their verbal stinkbombs into the middle of posts that have NOTHING to do with their comments, or their insistence on clinging to the same tired old memes that have been debunked so many times before. I won't bother to fisk this little screed, because it's been so thorughly dissected, sliced, diced, gutted, cremated, and buried so many times before, in so many forums dealing with all of the nominally salient points as to be nothing but a rotting corpse of an argument. Nor will I mock it, as it has become so asinine as to be self-satirical.
What I will to is impale it on a pole and post it at the border of my lands as a warning to all trolls: If you want to comment here and disagree with any of my opinions, feel free to do so. But keep it respectful, keep it reasonable, keep it logical, and keep it ON TOPIC!!!!! If you want to pop in to fling poo, DON'T!!!!! Off-topic, non-sensical, disrespectful posts will be deleted, and repeat offenders will be banned.
You have been warned.
Thursday, August 19, 2004
Fourth Place Finishers
Since top 10 lists seem to be de rigeur for blogs, I'll be following suit, probably on Fridays. Some will be serious, some humorous, most will be ranty to some extent. Not tomorrow. Tomorrow the list will be the top 10 places I think any visitor to Oregon MUST see.
A problem arose when I tried to put a list together. Narrowing it down to 10 was very tough. You see, I love my home state, I think it's one of the prettiest and most interesting places around, and there's plenty to brag about. But eventually I came up with 10.
So today I'm presenting the runners up. Some of the places on this list probably merit top 10 status, but since I haven't personally been there, I have no room to preach. Others are too niche to be worth telling everyone to see them. and others are so broad that they are unavoidable, or actually contain several places that are all worthy of the list ( a couple instances of this actually MADE the list, but more on them tomorrow).
So here goes, in random order:
A. US Highway 101
Oregon's stretch of PCH is arguably the most rugged and remote along the whole route. Most of the way it's 2 lanes and hugs the cliffos overlooking the ocean. Along its route you'll see several other runners up, including:
Agate Beach: Pretty Self-explanatory. New agates wash down from the mountains on to the beach after every storm (that's quite often in winter). A rock hunter's paradise.
The D River is officially listed as the shortest river in the world. It flows less than 100 yards from Devils Lake into the Pacific.
Haystack Rock is a huge monolithic rock sitting off the coast at Cannon Beach. A refuge for seabirds, It's quite picturesque.
While you're on the coast, you must eat Dungeness Crab. Many Northwesterners prefer the taste of this shellfish to lobster or any other crab, and I tend to think it combines the ebst flavors and textures of both.
Sea Lion Caves: One of the largest ocean caves in the world, Sea Lion Caves is home to a large, permanent colony of stellar sea lions that has probably been there for thousands of years. It's a quick jaunt up from FLorence, and also provides a fine view of Heceta Head Lighthouse.
B. The North Umpqua Highway
This road follows the North Umpqua River east into the Cascades out of Roseburg. It's a narrow, windy mountain road that is crowded by mountains on one side and the river on the other. Along its route, you'll see:
Colliding Rivers. not merging, colliding. The North Umpqua and the Little River flow head-on into each other. This is most impressive in the spring when the rivers are at their fullest.
Diamond Lake, named for the shimmering effect of the sun on its waters. The view is dominated by several glacier-clad peaks, among them Mt. Thielsen.
C. Oregon's Mountains
Don't worry, you won't miss them. You can't -- they're everywhere. And while the Rockies and their subranges like the Tetons, and California's Sierras may be taller, Oregon's mountains have a different appeal -- their variety. From Northeastern Oregon's Wallowas, called the Alps of America, young and jagged, to Southeastern Oregon's Steens, lonely silent and beautiful, to the Cascades, the tallest range in Oregon and the most volcanically active range in the lower 48 (St. Helens in Washington is a Cascade, and the 3 Sisters are waking up), and whose tallest peaks keep snow on them year round (And one, Hood, provides skiing well into June). Are you from the southeast? Maybe you prefer rolling, tree-covered mountains in wave after unending wave of ridges. Southern Oregon's your bag. Wedged between the Cascades on the east and the Coast Range on the West, the mountains start at the Siskyou roange on the California border, and end at the Douglas/Lane county line in the Calapooyas, over 100 miles to the north. And the Coast Range is our distinctive range, rising straight up from the coast, giving us stunning clifftop vistas and causing one of the rarest climatic rgions on earth -- a temperate rain forest (Astoria gets twice the rainfall of Seattle).
D. Oregon's Rivers
Along with the Ocean and the Mountains, our most defining geographical features. Most of the subregions in the state, particularly in the Wester third of the state, are valleys that are both created by and named for the rivers that flow through them -- the Willamette, the Umpqua, the Rogue. And the rivers are as varied as the mountains. The mighty Columbia, border between Oregon and Washington, is navigable for well over a hundred miles, all the way to Pasco/Richland/Kennewick, Washington. The Snake is also a border, between Oregon and Idaho. Before it feeds into the Columbia, it carves another feature that would make the top 10 if I'd ever been there -- Hell's Canyon. The Grand may be bigger, but Hell's is deeper. Both the Snake and the Columbia have historic significance as well, acting as both navigation route and obstacle to the early pioneers. The Smith River is a wild, beautiful river. The North Umpqua, the McKenzie, and the Metolius are all excellent flyfishing rivers, and the McKenzie was the home waters of a now famous drift boat design. The Rogue is one of the most popular rafting rivers in the country.
E. Silver Falls State Park
Oregon's largest state park is beautiful, peaceful, and contains a walking trail that takes you past several impressive waterfalls.
F. Malheur Lake
Home to a National Wildlife Refuge, this lake is a major rest stop for migratory birds.
G. John Day Fossil Beds
Located in the arid Eastern portion of the state, this place is a paleontologists wet dream.
H. Pendleton Roundup
After the Calgary Stampede, arguably the second most famous rodeo in the world.
I. Evergreen Aviaton Museum
Two words: Spruce Goose.
'Nuff said.
J. Oregon's Wineries
We don't pump it out like California, but what we lack in volume, we make up for in small, quality wineries. Oregon's premier grape is the Pinot Noir. Interestingly, ORegon has the strictest labeling laws in the country.
K. Oregon's Breweries
Prefer beer to wine? We got ya covered. Oregon is the unofficial capital of US Microbrewing. Among my favorite breweries: Rogue, Metolius, Deschutes, and MacTarnahan's. Desperation fallbacks that are still better than macro: Widmer, Henry Weinhards(which actually makes a mean root beer, if ya have kidlets along).
L. Timberline Lodge
Built in the 1930's as a WPA project, this stone and timber lodge is one of the most impressive mountain lodges in the US. A great skiing site, it's probably most famous as the location for the original movie The shining. As the lodge is ruled by two St. Bernard Puppies, no pets are allowed.
A problem arose when I tried to put a list together. Narrowing it down to 10 was very tough. You see, I love my home state, I think it's one of the prettiest and most interesting places around, and there's plenty to brag about. But eventually I came up with 10.
So today I'm presenting the runners up. Some of the places on this list probably merit top 10 status, but since I haven't personally been there, I have no room to preach. Others are too niche to be worth telling everyone to see them. and others are so broad that they are unavoidable, or actually contain several places that are all worthy of the list ( a couple instances of this actually MADE the list, but more on them tomorrow).
So here goes, in random order:
A. US Highway 101
Oregon's stretch of PCH is arguably the most rugged and remote along the whole route. Most of the way it's 2 lanes and hugs the cliffos overlooking the ocean. Along its route you'll see several other runners up, including:
Agate Beach: Pretty Self-explanatory. New agates wash down from the mountains on to the beach after every storm (that's quite often in winter). A rock hunter's paradise.
The D River is officially listed as the shortest river in the world. It flows less than 100 yards from Devils Lake into the Pacific.
Haystack Rock is a huge monolithic rock sitting off the coast at Cannon Beach. A refuge for seabirds, It's quite picturesque.
While you're on the coast, you must eat Dungeness Crab. Many Northwesterners prefer the taste of this shellfish to lobster or any other crab, and I tend to think it combines the ebst flavors and textures of both.
Sea Lion Caves: One of the largest ocean caves in the world, Sea Lion Caves is home to a large, permanent colony of stellar sea lions that has probably been there for thousands of years. It's a quick jaunt up from FLorence, and also provides a fine view of Heceta Head Lighthouse.
B. The North Umpqua Highway
This road follows the North Umpqua River east into the Cascades out of Roseburg. It's a narrow, windy mountain road that is crowded by mountains on one side and the river on the other. Along its route, you'll see:
Colliding Rivers. not merging, colliding. The North Umpqua and the Little River flow head-on into each other. This is most impressive in the spring when the rivers are at their fullest.
Diamond Lake, named for the shimmering effect of the sun on its waters. The view is dominated by several glacier-clad peaks, among them Mt. Thielsen.
C. Oregon's Mountains
Don't worry, you won't miss them. You can't -- they're everywhere. And while the Rockies and their subranges like the Tetons, and California's Sierras may be taller, Oregon's mountains have a different appeal -- their variety. From Northeastern Oregon's Wallowas, called the Alps of America, young and jagged, to Southeastern Oregon's Steens, lonely silent and beautiful, to the Cascades, the tallest range in Oregon and the most volcanically active range in the lower 48 (St. Helens in Washington is a Cascade, and the 3 Sisters are waking up), and whose tallest peaks keep snow on them year round (And one, Hood, provides skiing well into June). Are you from the southeast? Maybe you prefer rolling, tree-covered mountains in wave after unending wave of ridges. Southern Oregon's your bag. Wedged between the Cascades on the east and the Coast Range on the West, the mountains start at the Siskyou roange on the California border, and end at the Douglas/Lane county line in the Calapooyas, over 100 miles to the north. And the Coast Range is our distinctive range, rising straight up from the coast, giving us stunning clifftop vistas and causing one of the rarest climatic rgions on earth -- a temperate rain forest (Astoria gets twice the rainfall of Seattle).
D. Oregon's Rivers
Along with the Ocean and the Mountains, our most defining geographical features. Most of the subregions in the state, particularly in the Wester third of the state, are valleys that are both created by and named for the rivers that flow through them -- the Willamette, the Umpqua, the Rogue. And the rivers are as varied as the mountains. The mighty Columbia, border between Oregon and Washington, is navigable for well over a hundred miles, all the way to Pasco/Richland/Kennewick, Washington. The Snake is also a border, between Oregon and Idaho. Before it feeds into the Columbia, it carves another feature that would make the top 10 if I'd ever been there -- Hell's Canyon. The Grand may be bigger, but Hell's is deeper. Both the Snake and the Columbia have historic significance as well, acting as both navigation route and obstacle to the early pioneers. The Smith River is a wild, beautiful river. The North Umpqua, the McKenzie, and the Metolius are all excellent flyfishing rivers, and the McKenzie was the home waters of a now famous drift boat design. The Rogue is one of the most popular rafting rivers in the country.
E. Silver Falls State Park
Oregon's largest state park is beautiful, peaceful, and contains a walking trail that takes you past several impressive waterfalls.
F. Malheur Lake
Home to a National Wildlife Refuge, this lake is a major rest stop for migratory birds.
G. John Day Fossil Beds
Located in the arid Eastern portion of the state, this place is a paleontologists wet dream.
H. Pendleton Roundup
After the Calgary Stampede, arguably the second most famous rodeo in the world.
I. Evergreen Aviaton Museum
Two words: Spruce Goose.
'Nuff said.
J. Oregon's Wineries
We don't pump it out like California, but what we lack in volume, we make up for in small, quality wineries. Oregon's premier grape is the Pinot Noir. Interestingly, ORegon has the strictest labeling laws in the country.
K. Oregon's Breweries
Prefer beer to wine? We got ya covered. Oregon is the unofficial capital of US Microbrewing. Among my favorite breweries: Rogue, Metolius, Deschutes, and MacTarnahan's. Desperation fallbacks that are still better than macro: Widmer, Henry Weinhards(which actually makes a mean root beer, if ya have kidlets along).
L. Timberline Lodge
Built in the 1930's as a WPA project, this stone and timber lodge is one of the most impressive mountain lodges in the US. A great skiing site, it's probably most famous as the location for the original movie The shining. As the lodge is ruled by two St. Bernard Puppies, no pets are allowed.
Gold and Helium
More fun from the Olympics:
The US women won the gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay, shattering a world record that was set by the East Germans, a 17-year-old record tainted by allegations of Doping. The whole swimming world rejoiced.
For me, the cool part was watching the medal ceremony. The women took off their laurels, placed them over their hearts, and sang along with the national anthem (as did I). AND THEY KNEW THE WORDS!!!!!!
I am not ashamed to admit it made me cry.
Congratulations to Paul Hamm on winning the all-around Gold in men's individual Gymnastics. But listening to his voice during the interview afterwards, all I could think was, "Paul, buddy, you're lucky that inhaling helium isn't considered a banned substance!"
The US women won the gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay, shattering a world record that was set by the East Germans, a 17-year-old record tainted by allegations of Doping. The whole swimming world rejoiced.
For me, the cool part was watching the medal ceremony. The women took off their laurels, placed them over their hearts, and sang along with the national anthem (as did I). AND THEY KNEW THE WORDS!!!!!!
I am not ashamed to admit it made me cry.
Congratulations to Paul Hamm on winning the all-around Gold in men's individual Gymnastics. But listening to his voice during the interview afterwards, all I could think was, "Paul, buddy, you're lucky that inhaling helium isn't considered a banned substance!"
Galileo Vs. The Democrats
I was doing some thinking last night regarding the tendency among Democrats to question the timing and motivation of every action the President takes. If Tom Ridge warns us of a heightened threat from terrorists, they question the timing of it. If we have success in Iraq or Afghanistan, if he makes progess on any front, domestic or foreign, if he so much as signs or vetoes a bill that crosses his desk, they question the timing and motivation of his action. Everything the President does must be nothing more than a Karl Rove-prompted machination intended solely to discredit the Democrats and their candidate. It's a bit of political solipsism that wearies me greatly.
I feel like Galileo, trying to tell the Pope that the Sun does not revolve around the Earth. Not everything is about you, Dems. I know, it's hard to accept, but you are not the center of the universe, and not every decision that is made is made in light of how it will affect you politically.
I'm no idiot. I acknowledge that the President, as a candidate, does calculate how his actions will affect his re-election chances. What he does, what he says, and how he does and says them, will have a great effect on November 2nd. But he is also aware of the fact that they have an immediate effect AND a long-term effect on the country, regardless of who wins the election. that's the burden of being POTUS. So while he may temper his decisions with political considerations, in the end, I truly believe he does what he believes is best for the country. The United States of America is our political Sun, folks, the parties and politicians are merely planets.
I can't help believing that the Democrats are projecting. After all, most (if not all) of what their candidate says is calculated specifically to discredit the President, and to make himself look good. There's been a lot of pretty talk, but little substance to his discussion of the issues. And he's been willing to change horses midstream just to present an opposing view to the President's (case in point: the redistribution of troops issue). But I suppose that for him, any means is acceptable to achieve the ends of defeating Bush and being President.
But the Presidency isn't an ends, it's a means. It's the means to the ends of serving the Republic and defending the Constitution.
Kerry does know that, right?
Right?
I feel like Galileo, trying to tell the Pope that the Sun does not revolve around the Earth. Not everything is about you, Dems. I know, it's hard to accept, but you are not the center of the universe, and not every decision that is made is made in light of how it will affect you politically.
I'm no idiot. I acknowledge that the President, as a candidate, does calculate how his actions will affect his re-election chances. What he does, what he says, and how he does and says them, will have a great effect on November 2nd. But he is also aware of the fact that they have an immediate effect AND a long-term effect on the country, regardless of who wins the election. that's the burden of being POTUS. So while he may temper his decisions with political considerations, in the end, I truly believe he does what he believes is best for the country. The United States of America is our political Sun, folks, the parties and politicians are merely planets.
I can't help believing that the Democrats are projecting. After all, most (if not all) of what their candidate says is calculated specifically to discredit the President, and to make himself look good. There's been a lot of pretty talk, but little substance to his discussion of the issues. And he's been willing to change horses midstream just to present an opposing view to the President's (case in point: the redistribution of troops issue). But I suppose that for him, any means is acceptable to achieve the ends of defeating Bush and being President.
But the Presidency isn't an ends, it's a means. It's the means to the ends of serving the Republic and defending the Constitution.
Kerry does know that, right?
Right?
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Pop Quiz
Remember this post about troop redeployments in Europe?
Remember All the hullabaloo as Kerry protested the President's decision?
Finally, I want to say something about the plan that the President announced on Monday to withdraw 70,000 troops from Asia and Europe. Nobody wants to bring troops home more than those of us who have fought in foreign wars. But it needs to be done at the right time and in a sensible way. This is not that time or that way.
Well, guess who supported the decision, and in fact, advocated it before the announcement?
Before you answer, here's the quote:
I think we can significantly change the deployment of troops, not just there but elsewhere in the world. In the Korean Peninsula perhaps, in Europe perhaps. There are great possibilities open to us.
Give up? I'll give you a hint. This isn't the first time he's been nuanced.
How many times can he contradict himself, take both sidfes of an issue, or just outright lie before the bottom completely falls out from under his campaign?
Thanks for the Memory to Blogs for Bush
Remember All the hullabaloo as Kerry protested the President's decision?
Finally, I want to say something about the plan that the President announced on Monday to withdraw 70,000 troops from Asia and Europe. Nobody wants to bring troops home more than those of us who have fought in foreign wars. But it needs to be done at the right time and in a sensible way. This is not that time or that way.
Well, guess who supported the decision, and in fact, advocated it before the announcement?
Before you answer, here's the quote:
I think we can significantly change the deployment of troops, not just there but elsewhere in the world. In the Korean Peninsula perhaps, in Europe perhaps. There are great possibilities open to us.
Give up? I'll give you a hint. This isn't the first time he's been nuanced.
How many times can he contradict himself, take both sidfes of an issue, or just outright lie before the bottom completely falls out from under his campaign?
Thanks for the Memory to Blogs for Bush
And the (News)Beat Goes On
Thanks for the Memories to Vic at Darth Apathy
Apparently the New York Times is all in a tizzy over being subpoenaed in the Valerie Plame affair.
Vic already does an able fisking of the Times regarding htis issue, so I won't belabor the point. But he made a comment that reflects perfectly what I've been thinking lately, so I thought I'd chime in. He says:
I couldn't have said it better myself, Vic.
Let's look at the recent examples, some of which I've already commented on:
- MoveOn.org urges President Bush to stifle the Swift Vets ad, while doing Kerry's dirty work for him.
- A Hacker plot to attack the GOP websites during the convention.
- The media demanding that someone pay for the outing of Plame, then crying "First Amendment!" when they get subpoenaed.
The list goes on. Just sit back and watch the comments section of your favorite blog, and see what goes on.
As Vic says, "The hypocrisy is stunning, though not unexpected."
Apparently the New York Times is all in a tizzy over being subpoenaed in the Valerie Plame affair.
Vic already does an able fisking of the Times regarding htis issue, so I won't belabor the point. But he made a comment that reflects perfectly what I've been thinking lately, so I thought I'd chime in. He says:
We all know that the Left views the First Amendment as their sole property, but it's never been more apparent than it has been recently.
I couldn't have said it better myself, Vic.
Let's look at the recent examples, some of which I've already commented on:
- MoveOn.org urges President Bush to stifle the Swift Vets ad, while doing Kerry's dirty work for him.
- A Hacker plot to attack the GOP websites during the convention.
- The media demanding that someone pay for the outing of Plame, then crying "First Amendment!" when they get subpoenaed.
The list goes on. Just sit back and watch the comments section of your favorite blog, and see what goes on.
As Vic says, "The hypocrisy is stunning, though not unexpected."
US, Australia Win Gold in Growing Up
Remember Sydney? Remember the bad blood between the US and Aussie swimming teams? Remember the shock the US received when they lost the Men's 4x100 Medley Relay? Remember Guitars?
That was then. Last night, it was the US' turn to shock the Aussies, winning the Men's 4x200 meter Freestyle Relay by .13 of a second. This is an event the Aussies hadn't lost in international competition since 1998. And who was the first person to congratulate the US?
The same Aussie who led the guitar strumming in 2000. Good on ya, Australia.
In Other Olympic News:
0 for 2. That's the Chinese in Team Gymnastics. Last night, it was the Romanians and Americans (again) and the Russians who shut them out. I have to agree with Russell over at Mean Mr. Mustard. I feel badly for the individual competitors, but since the Chicoms use athletics as a showplace for validating their system of government, anything that robs credence from a totalitarian regime is reason to celebrate.
And speaking of growing up, remember the hissy the Russian women threw at settling for silver in 2000? No? Well, they did. Very unsportsmanlike. Last night, they were genuinely thrilled to be on the podium period. What's Russian for Good Job?
Finally, a bit of home town bragging:
An Oregonian has done something no other American has done in 100 years. Mariel Zagunis, of Beaverton Oregon, won the Gold in Women's Saber. In the consolation match just prior, Sada Jacobsen won the Bronze to break a 20-year US medal drought in the sport, but Zagunis' Gold was the first US Gold in fencing since the 1904 Olympics.
To my younger, single brethren: Guys, she's single, she's into swords, and she's attending Notre Dame this fall. Need I say more?
While we still trail in Gold, the US has now taken first in the overall Medal Count. And Track & Field hasn't started in earnest yet. It's shaping up nicely for the USA.
That was then. Last night, it was the US' turn to shock the Aussies, winning the Men's 4x200 meter Freestyle Relay by .13 of a second. This is an event the Aussies hadn't lost in international competition since 1998. And who was the first person to congratulate the US?
The same Aussie who led the guitar strumming in 2000. Good on ya, Australia.
In Other Olympic News:
0 for 2. That's the Chinese in Team Gymnastics. Last night, it was the Romanians and Americans (again) and the Russians who shut them out. I have to agree with Russell over at Mean Mr. Mustard. I feel badly for the individual competitors, but since the Chicoms use athletics as a showplace for validating their system of government, anything that robs credence from a totalitarian regime is reason to celebrate.
And speaking of growing up, remember the hissy the Russian women threw at settling for silver in 2000? No? Well, they did. Very unsportsmanlike. Last night, they were genuinely thrilled to be on the podium period. What's Russian for Good Job?
Finally, a bit of home town bragging:
An Oregonian has done something no other American has done in 100 years. Mariel Zagunis, of Beaverton Oregon, won the Gold in Women's Saber. In the consolation match just prior, Sada Jacobsen won the Bronze to break a 20-year US medal drought in the sport, but Zagunis' Gold was the first US Gold in fencing since the 1904 Olympics.
To my younger, single brethren: Guys, she's single, she's into swords, and she's attending Notre Dame this fall. Need I say more?
While we still trail in Gold, the US has now taken first in the overall Medal Count. And Track & Field hasn't started in earnest yet. It's shaping up nicely for the USA.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Like Shooting Fish In a Swift Boat
Hat Tip: KJC, commenter at Blogs for Bush
They make it too easy.
By now, everyone in the blogosphere, and a good many people out of it, are familiar with the swift Boat Veterans for Truth ad critical of John Kerry. And we're all aware of the Kerry camp's response.
Well now, Moveon.org has chimed in with this ad. If you can't stomach viewing them, I'll summarize: They parrot the Leftist line regarding the SBVfT, and urge President Bush to put a stop to the ad.
In case you didn't know, the Swift Boat Veterans and Moveon.org are both 527 PAC's. They are required by law to operate under the same set of laws. One of these laws states that 527's may not actively endorse or oppose a specific candidate, nor may they coordinate with a candidate.
Now, do you think that if President Bush had the influence to stop the SBVfT ads, would that be coordination between the two? Sure, that's reasonable. Would the left construe it as such, play it up, and use it to discredit both Bush AND the Vets? Oh, you bet your sweet Aunt Fannie! Don't think for a minute that scenario wasn't on Moveon's mind when they came up with this stinker. If president Bush does nothing (aside from distancing himself from the Vets' ad, which he did, and which is the only thing he CAN do), they continue to whine. He can't win -- at least not in their eyes.
Now I could be wrong, and Moveon could honestly think that the President can do something about the vet ad (*snicker* Yeah, right). But even giving them this benefit of the doubt, what do either possibility tell us about Moveon.org?
If they honestly believe that the president CAN do something (not likely, but humor them), it would imply a certain level of naivety, ignorance, or carelesness in their interpretation of the 527 laws. If that's the case, one has to wonder how fast and loose they play with their OWN adherence to those laws.
If they ARE aware, and fully recognize the president's inability to do anything about the swift boat ads, then they're being disingenuous, and intentionally trying to stick the President with something they KNOW isn't his fault.
So which is it? Dishonesty or disingeuity? Frankly, I can't decide. But my instincts tell me it's a bit of both.
Update:
Good point from George Turner over at The Rottie. Isn't this the same Left that accuses Bush and Ashcroft of jackbooted squashing of dissent, now urging the president to exert some jackbooted squashing of dissent?
Which voice is speaking now, moveon?
They make it too easy.
By now, everyone in the blogosphere, and a good many people out of it, are familiar with the swift Boat Veterans for Truth ad critical of John Kerry. And we're all aware of the Kerry camp's response.
Well now, Moveon.org has chimed in with this ad. If you can't stomach viewing them, I'll summarize: They parrot the Leftist line regarding the SBVfT, and urge President Bush to put a stop to the ad.
In case you didn't know, the Swift Boat Veterans and Moveon.org are both 527 PAC's. They are required by law to operate under the same set of laws. One of these laws states that 527's may not actively endorse or oppose a specific candidate, nor may they coordinate with a candidate.
Now, do you think that if President Bush had the influence to stop the SBVfT ads, would that be coordination between the two? Sure, that's reasonable. Would the left construe it as such, play it up, and use it to discredit both Bush AND the Vets? Oh, you bet your sweet Aunt Fannie! Don't think for a minute that scenario wasn't on Moveon's mind when they came up with this stinker. If president Bush does nothing (aside from distancing himself from the Vets' ad, which he did, and which is the only thing he CAN do), they continue to whine. He can't win -- at least not in their eyes.
Now I could be wrong, and Moveon could honestly think that the President can do something about the vet ad (*snicker* Yeah, right). But even giving them this benefit of the doubt, what do either possibility tell us about Moveon.org?
If they honestly believe that the president CAN do something (not likely, but humor them), it would imply a certain level of naivety, ignorance, or carelesness in their interpretation of the 527 laws. If that's the case, one has to wonder how fast and loose they play with their OWN adherence to those laws.
If they ARE aware, and fully recognize the president's inability to do anything about the swift boat ads, then they're being disingenuous, and intentionally trying to stick the President with something they KNOW isn't his fault.
So which is it? Dishonesty or disingeuity? Frankly, I can't decide. But my instincts tell me it's a bit of both.
Update:
Good point from George Turner over at The Rottie. Isn't this the same Left that accuses Bush and Ashcroft of jackbooted squashing of dissent, now urging the president to exert some jackbooted squashing of dissent?
Which voice is speaking now, moveon?
All Better Now!
Next time I try mucking about with html on my own, somebody take a cluebat to my head.
Thanks to Vic over at Darth Apathy for fixing the blog. He's not only a Tech God, he's a decent human being. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise -- especially him!
Thanks to Vic over at Darth Apathy for fixing the blog. He's not only a Tech God, he's a decent human being. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise -- especially him!
Mao Must Be Doing a Triple Roundoff Something or Other in His Grave
And other thoughts on the Olympics:
1. I never get tired of hearing The Star-Spangled Banner being played. I especially love it when an athlete sings along. I'm a sap, what can I say?
2. Welcome Sight: Michael Phelps swimming over to congratulate Ian Thorpe on his gold in the 200m Freestyle. It was refreshing to see the Americans and the Australians not acting like jerks towards each other. And Phelps' attitude in the follow-up interview was refreshing. He seemed genuine when he said that he was happy to have at least 1 gold medal, that he felt honored to have the chance just to compete against Thorpe, that he's enjoying the Olympics, and that he is taking one race at a time. All the cliche stuff you'd expect from an olympian, but he seemed to mean it.
3. As much of a patriot as I am, I hope Greece hands the Nightmare Team its collective rump. It's an embarassment to have them represent the USA -- not because of their loss to Puerto Rico, but because of their prima donna, spoiled, selfish attitudes.
4. No country's athletic program reflects its totalitarianism the way the PRC's does. They take children at a young age, put them in training centers far from their homes, they see their parents once or twice a year, and extreme pressure is placed on them to win. GOLD. This is especially true in gymnastics. Yesterday, in the men's team competition, Japan won Gold for the first time since 1960. The USA won Silver, its first medal since 1984 and its first medal in a non-boycotted games since 1932. Romania, more well known for its womens team, won the Bronze.
China took 4th. That's the umm... Oh, yeah! The Nothing Medal.
Eat that, Beijing.
1. I never get tired of hearing The Star-Spangled Banner being played. I especially love it when an athlete sings along. I'm a sap, what can I say?
2. Welcome Sight: Michael Phelps swimming over to congratulate Ian Thorpe on his gold in the 200m Freestyle. It was refreshing to see the Americans and the Australians not acting like jerks towards each other. And Phelps' attitude in the follow-up interview was refreshing. He seemed genuine when he said that he was happy to have at least 1 gold medal, that he felt honored to have the chance just to compete against Thorpe, that he's enjoying the Olympics, and that he is taking one race at a time. All the cliche stuff you'd expect from an olympian, but he seemed to mean it.
3. As much of a patriot as I am, I hope Greece hands the Nightmare Team its collective rump. It's an embarassment to have them represent the USA -- not because of their loss to Puerto Rico, but because of their prima donna, spoiled, selfish attitudes.
4. No country's athletic program reflects its totalitarianism the way the PRC's does. They take children at a young age, put them in training centers far from their homes, they see their parents once or twice a year, and extreme pressure is placed on them to win. GOLD. This is especially true in gymnastics. Yesterday, in the men's team competition, Japan won Gold for the first time since 1960. The USA won Silver, its first medal since 1984 and its first medal in a non-boycotted games since 1932. Romania, more well known for its womens team, won the Bronze.
China took 4th. That's the umm... Oh, yeah! The Nothing Medal.
Eat that, Beijing.
Monday, August 16, 2004
I Was Bob Kerrey Before I Was John Kerry
Hat Tips to my local GOP Team Leader, Ace of Spades HQ, and to Free Republic:
Fox News just had a news segment where the Kerry campaign, in angry response to Bush claims that Kerry attended few Intelligence briefings, said that Kerry had at one time been the Vice-Chairman of the Intelligence campaign.
In response, the Bush people gleefully (Fox's word) returned fire by saying that it was BOB Kerrey, not JOHN Kerry who was Vice-Chairman of the Intelligence committee. [Free Republic]
And thanks to a helpful commenter there, a direct quote from Kerry's site:
John Kerry is an Experienced Leader in the Intelligence Field
– John Kerry served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for 8 years and is the former Vice Chairman of the Committee. Kerry joined the Committee in early 1993 and served until early 2001.
[Bold Added]
Except John Kerry wasn't the VC of the IC. Bob Kerrey was.
As has been asked -- don't they have fact checkers at the DNC or Kerry's campaign?
Will this guy ever get anything straight?
Fox News just had a news segment where the Kerry campaign, in angry response to Bush claims that Kerry attended few Intelligence briefings, said that Kerry had at one time been the Vice-Chairman of the Intelligence campaign.
In response, the Bush people gleefully (Fox's word) returned fire by saying that it was BOB Kerrey, not JOHN Kerry who was Vice-Chairman of the Intelligence committee. [Free Republic]
And thanks to a helpful commenter there, a direct quote from Kerry's site:
John Kerry is an Experienced Leader in the Intelligence Field
– John Kerry served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for 8 years and is the former Vice Chairman of the Committee. Kerry joined the Committee in early 1993 and served until early 2001.
[Bold Added]
Except John Kerry wasn't the VC of the IC. Bob Kerrey was.
As has been asked -- don't they have fact checkers at the DNC or Kerry's campaign?
Will this guy ever get anything straight?
Revenge is a Dish Best Served with Pinto Beans and Muffins
Via Right Side of the Rainbow:
Israelis to barbecue outside hunger strikers' cells (Houston Chronicle)
Now, for you Southeasterners, I'm sorry to disappoint you, it probably won't be pulled pork, but still, you gotta admit, this is further, funny proof that the Israelis are as smarta** as they are bada**.
Update:
Over at the Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler, the take on this is pretty funny, and the hot topic of discussion is which recipes the Israelis should use.
Israelis to barbecue outside hunger strikers' cells (Houston Chronicle)
Now, for you Southeasterners, I'm sorry to disappoint you, it probably won't be pulled pork, but still, you gotta admit, this is further, funny proof that the Israelis are as smarta** as they are bada**.
Update:
Over at the Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler, the take on this is pretty funny, and the hot topic of discussion is which recipes the Israelis should use.
It's About Time
Hat tip to Right Side of the Rainbow
The title of this post was my first response, it was the first comment posted over at RSotR, and it's probably the overwhelming response of every Neocon, Paleocon (That's me!), and Realist who reads the article.
According to the Observer, President Bush plans to announce the redeployment of 100,000 troops from Europe.
Preferrably to somewhere a little less ungrateful.
UPDATE (Via Ace of Spades):
Democrats Question Timing of Announcement
Well, duh. Democratic timing, on the other hand, is unquestionably clockworklike. How do you reductio ad absurdem the already absurd?
Update II:
John Flipper Knuanced has weighed in, and Sir George over at the Rottie has ably fisked him.
The title of this post was my first response, it was the first comment posted over at RSotR, and it's probably the overwhelming response of every Neocon, Paleocon (That's me!), and Realist who reads the article.
According to the Observer, President Bush plans to announce the redeployment of 100,000 troops from Europe.
Preferrably to somewhere a little less ungrateful.
UPDATE (Via Ace of Spades):
Democrats Question Timing of Announcement
Well, duh. Democratic timing, on the other hand, is unquestionably clockworklike. How do you reductio ad absurdem the already absurd?
Update II:
John Flipper Knuanced has weighed in, and Sir George over at the Rottie has ably fisked him.
Head for the Boondocks, Then Turn Right.
I have a new favorite comic strip: Prickly City. It's funnier than Mallard Filmore, but just as conservative. It's got an art style that is reminiscent of Non Sequitur, but without the Kool Aide drinking. Check out Sunday's strip.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Things You Probably Missed From the Opening Ceremonies
(Even if You Watched Them)
Hat tip to Rusty at MyPetJawa
OK, so I was in a pretty cynical mood when I posted that top ten list last night. I really was expecting some ugliness. But my wife tells me the crowd was fairly warm towards the US athletes. Of course, The Talkative Twins (Couric and Costas) had to point out that it's despite Greek opposition to US foreign policy, "Because the realize the athletes aren't their government." Had to get that dig in, didn't ya?
Well apparently, one group of foreign athletes decided to take out their feelings toward the US government on the athletes.
Hat tip to Rusty at MyPetJawa
OK, so I was in a pretty cynical mood when I posted that top ten list last night. I really was expecting some ugliness. But my wife tells me the crowd was fairly warm towards the US athletes. Of course, The Talkative Twins (Couric and Costas) had to point out that it's despite Greek opposition to US foreign policy, "Because the realize the athletes aren't their government." Had to get that dig in, didn't ya?
Well apparently, one group of foreign athletes decided to take out their feelings toward the US government on the athletes.
Friday, August 13, 2004
From the Home Office in Pistol River, Oregon
Top ten reasons I am out eating at Denny's and blogging from Kinko's instead of at home watching the Olympics:
10. Opening Ceremonies: 8 PM to 12 AM
9. Pregnant Wife's current level of food-in-the-house tolerance: -12
8. It's all Greek to me.
7. Opening Ceremonies: 8 PM to 12 AM?????
6. Singing and dancing keeps getting sillier and sillier.
5. No Gyro places are open in Eugene tonight.
4. Opening Ceremonies: 8 PM to 12 AM!!!!!
3. The only part I want to see is the Torch Lighting, and it's usually last.
2. Don't want to be there when the irony of the international crowd booing American athletes while cheering free Afghan and Iraqi athletes rips a hole in the fabric of the Universe.
1. If I have to spend four freaking hours listening to Katie Couric blathering away in some vain* attempt at relevance, I swear to you I will put a bullet through my head!
*Double meaning intentional
10. Opening Ceremonies: 8 PM to 12 AM
9. Pregnant Wife's current level of food-in-the-house tolerance: -12
8. It's all Greek to me.
7. Opening Ceremonies: 8 PM to 12 AM?????
6. Singing and dancing keeps getting sillier and sillier.
5. No Gyro places are open in Eugene tonight.
4. Opening Ceremonies: 8 PM to 12 AM!!!!!
3. The only part I want to see is the Torch Lighting, and it's usually last.
2. Don't want to be there when the irony of the international crowd booing American athletes while cheering free Afghan and Iraqi athletes rips a hole in the fabric of the Universe.
1. If I have to spend four freaking hours listening to Katie Couric blathering away in some vain* attempt at relevance, I swear to you I will put a bullet through my head!
*Double meaning intentional
Seared in His Sense of Direction
Kerry was in town last night. A coworker of mine sent me the following story of his encounter with the campaign:
So... I live in Eugene, Oregon. I affectionately (??) refer to it as "the lion's den." It's not easy being a conservative Republican here. I had a nice meal at our local mall and went for a little drive. Well... there I am, on a residential street and the traffic is going at a snail's pace. I look up and see some busses. As they turn, I see what's holding us up... the Kerry caravan (Kerryvan!). They go up a couple of blocks, stop, then turn around. They had missed the turn to the street I just came from so they could get to their stop for the night, the Valley River Inn.
As I realized they were lost, I was SOOO hoping they would ask me for directions... hehehe. "Sorry, I don't know the way to Gehenna." No such luck... just keep moving, Rick. Then I thought to myself... "What a perfect metaphor! The Kerry busses... lost." Seems like the Demo candidate is missing the mark in a lot of areas, including his position on the travel industry. LOL.
You'd think with $400M, he could afford up-to-date navigation software?
Maybe this explains the confusion about if and when he was in Cambodia.
Hat Tip to Rick V.
So... I live in Eugene, Oregon. I affectionately (??) refer to it as "the lion's den." It's not easy being a conservative Republican here. I had a nice meal at our local mall and went for a little drive. Well... there I am, on a residential street and the traffic is going at a snail's pace. I look up and see some busses. As they turn, I see what's holding us up... the Kerry caravan (Kerryvan!). They go up a couple of blocks, stop, then turn around. They had missed the turn to the street I just came from so they could get to their stop for the night, the Valley River Inn.
As I realized they were lost, I was SOOO hoping they would ask me for directions... hehehe. "Sorry, I don't know the way to Gehenna." No such luck... just keep moving, Rick. Then I thought to myself... "What a perfect metaphor! The Kerry busses... lost." Seems like the Demo candidate is missing the mark in a lot of areas, including his position on the travel industry. LOL.
You'd think with $400M, he could afford up-to-date navigation software?
Maybe this explains the confusion about if and when he was in Cambodia.
Hat Tip to Rick V.
Bon Apetit, Angels!
Via TacJammer:
Julia Childs has passed away. All those who love to cook will mourn her passing.
The modern craze of cooking shows can be traced back to a handful of pioneers, among them the Galloping Gourmet and Julia Childs.
I used to love to make fun of her, doing my own "a little more wine" routine lampooning her. But once I started watching cooking shows, and saw what a gracious, patient, good humored lady she was, I shut up. I remember watching her appear as a guest on Martha Stewart's show, and thinking how maddeningly condescending Martha seemed towards her. But Julia took it all in stride. She was unflappable, calm, and a damned good cook. She was Yoda with a skillet.
She taught America how to cook. She will be missed.
Update:
The Food Network will be airing a Tribute to Julia on Sunday, August 22. I'll be watching. So should you.
Julia Childs has passed away. All those who love to cook will mourn her passing.
The modern craze of cooking shows can be traced back to a handful of pioneers, among them the Galloping Gourmet and Julia Childs.
I used to love to make fun of her, doing my own "a little more wine" routine lampooning her. But once I started watching cooking shows, and saw what a gracious, patient, good humored lady she was, I shut up. I remember watching her appear as a guest on Martha Stewart's show, and thinking how maddeningly condescending Martha seemed towards her. But Julia took it all in stride. She was unflappable, calm, and a damned good cook. She was Yoda with a skillet.
She taught America how to cook. She will be missed.
Update:
The Food Network will be airing a Tribute to Julia on Sunday, August 22. I'll be watching. So should you.
Go Greyhound (and Leave the Idiocy to Us)
Hat Tip to reader LC Veeshir over at the AIR for this article over at Fox News:
Marine Denied Bus Ride
The clincher line is this comment by the Marine's mother: Carol says, "I don't think the driver intended to let him on from the very beginning."
I wouldn't be surprise, ma'am. How sad. This young man is giving up at least four years of his life, foregoing the usual freedoms associated with being young and American. If need be, he will risk and even sacrifice his life to defend the safety and freedom of the rest of us, including this jerk of a driver. At best he will be subjected to some of the most rigorous and arduous training known to man. But he isn't worthy of boarding a bus to get there.
Maybe the driver thought this young man would infect his other passengers with some nasty disease, like patriotism, or valor. *shudder* It might become epidemic. Or maybe he's just some aging hippie who didn't get a chance to spit on a vet after Viet Nam. Either way, he should be ashamed of himself.
Those of us who did not or could not serve owe those who did and do a debt of gratitude. At best, we should thank them, honor them, make sure that while in uniform they never have to pay for a drink in our presence, mourn them when they fall. At the very least, we can keep our mouths respectfully shut in their presence, and refrain from treating them like crap.
Greyhound has failed even that minimum level of respect. Guess how much respect I have for them in return.
Update:
Lord Spatula over at Spatula City BBS has an even more thorough rant on this. He even improves on the title of the rant.
Marine Denied Bus Ride
The clincher line is this comment by the Marine's mother: Carol says, "I don't think the driver intended to let him on from the very beginning."
I wouldn't be surprise, ma'am. How sad. This young man is giving up at least four years of his life, foregoing the usual freedoms associated with being young and American. If need be, he will risk and even sacrifice his life to defend the safety and freedom of the rest of us, including this jerk of a driver. At best he will be subjected to some of the most rigorous and arduous training known to man. But he isn't worthy of boarding a bus to get there.
Maybe the driver thought this young man would infect his other passengers with some nasty disease, like patriotism, or valor. *shudder* It might become epidemic. Or maybe he's just some aging hippie who didn't get a chance to spit on a vet after Viet Nam. Either way, he should be ashamed of himself.
Those of us who did not or could not serve owe those who did and do a debt of gratitude. At best, we should thank them, honor them, make sure that while in uniform they never have to pay for a drink in our presence, mourn them when they fall. At the very least, we can keep our mouths respectfully shut in their presence, and refrain from treating them like crap.
Greyhound has failed even that minimum level of respect. Guess how much respect I have for them in return.
Update:
Lord Spatula over at Spatula City BBS has an even more thorough rant on this. He even improves on the title of the rant.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Roswellski, or Pravda is Out There
(Via Ace of Spades)
According to an article in the Washington Post, Russian Scientists have found what appears to be "Alien Wreckage" near the epicenter of the 1908 Tunguska event.
Now, I'm as big a Sci Fi buff as the next guy, but I also tend to be a bit of a skeptic when it comes to UFO's. Actually, QUITE a skeptic. So unless further information about this comes out, I'm filing this as the WaPo having an "Enquiring Minds" episode.
If it pans out, on the other hand, this is huge.
Stay tuned.
Update:
My best friend, Brian F., has sent me the following article:
Russian Alien Spaceship Claims Raise Eyebrows, Skepticism
Well, yeah, I already said they did. I don't expect this to be anything but a big hoax, but it's still fun to follow.
Update #2:
From friend on a mailing list, best comment yet regarding this:
Nice to see with the poor economic conditions inRussia since the fall of the USSR, that at the very least the potency of Vodka remains consistent.......)
He also provides a link to another article.
According to an article in the Washington Post, Russian Scientists have found what appears to be "Alien Wreckage" near the epicenter of the 1908 Tunguska event.
Now, I'm as big a Sci Fi buff as the next guy, but I also tend to be a bit of a skeptic when it comes to UFO's. Actually, QUITE a skeptic. So unless further information about this comes out, I'm filing this as the WaPo having an "Enquiring Minds" episode.
If it pans out, on the other hand, this is huge.
Stay tuned.
Update:
My best friend, Brian F., has sent me the following article:
Russian Alien Spaceship Claims Raise Eyebrows, Skepticism
Well, yeah, I already said they did. I don't expect this to be anything but a big hoax, but it's still fun to follow.
Update #2:
From friend on a mailing list, best comment yet regarding this:
Nice to see with the poor economic conditions inRussia since the fall of the USSR, that at the very least the potency of Vodka remains consistent.......)
He also provides a link to another article.
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